South Africa: Satellite school to relieve pressure at overcrowded Amandasig

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has built a satellite school to alleviate pressure from the Grade 8 admissions in Akasia, which resulted in overcrowding at Amandasig Secondary School.

The GDE built the satellite school on land (Portion 154 of the farm Hartebeesthoek 303-JR) that is owned by the Gauteng Provincial Government and is adjacent to the land occupied by Amandasig Secondary School.

The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) was mandated in October 2021 to resolve various town planning and property related issues regarding the land.

Subsequently, to address capacity issues in the area, the GDE resorted to spending approximately R4 053 155.92 for the provision of about 11 mobile classrooms. An additional R661 725.50 was budgeted to construct fencing that separates the satellite school from the existing school.

The GDE has also budgeted for the construction of a block of ablution facilities estimated at R891 000.00. In total, this project will cost the department R5 605 880.92.

The aforementioned 11 mobile classrooms were provided as an interim measure while matters concerning the construction of the brick and mortar school are being attended to, the GDE said in a statement on Tuesday.

The construction of the ablution blocks will commence immediately after the completion of the fencing, and a contractor has already been appointed to build the ablution block. As an interim measure, learners utilise the ablution facilities that are allocated at Amandasig Secondary School.

Accurate Structures was appointed as the service provider to deliver mobile classrooms. Tidimalo Holdings was appointed to construct the fencing, while Jane Trading and Projects will construct the block of ablution facilities. The interim school is assisting the department because it is being used for learning and teaching, and it is occupied by a total of 271 learners, the GDE said.

Special educational needs

The department said it is aware of the erosion of the embankment behind the Nokuthula School for learners with special educational needs.

The department received a report from a company of architects sent by the GDID to conduct an inspection of the collapsed retaining wall on 14 February 2023.

The remedial works will be incorporated as part of the works that the GDID will be implementing. About 12 classrooms are currently not in use at the school because they were damaged by hail during a storm on 5 December 2022, the GDE said.

The GDE said it is anticipated that the boarding facilities at the school will be ready for occupation in September 2024 when all repairs to the infrastructure challenges are completed and the boarding facility is declared safe for occupation by learners.

The GDE said it is not in a position to rush learners to occupy an unsafe environment.

The department has closely assessed the dilapidated and unused equipment, infrastructure, and facilities at the school.

All cases have been referred to the GDID and an engineering consultant was appointed by the GDID, who has since tabled the following for the departments further attention:

- Internal walls at the swimming pool show signs of discolouration due to the incorrect application of the moisture barrier product.

- Superficial cracks on walls, boundary walls and concrete soffits.

- High humidity in internal and external walls, causing moisture patches in the plastering on the affected walls due to a lack of sealant between the external walls and apron slab, as well as the incorrect application of damp proof course (DPC).

- Stagnating water within the dormitory walkways due to incorrect levels in the paving works.

- Silted apron slabs and storm water channels due to incorrect levels of the slabs and poor maintenance by the school.

- Leaking water pipes due to vandalism.

- Leaking geyser water pipes from the dormitory ceilings due to a lack of maintenance and pressure build-up because of the infrastructure not being used.

For the GDID to fix this, they will appoint built environment consultants and ultimately a contractor to remedy the current defects plaguing the school. The department has availed the relevant funding for this process and has communicated this matter to the GDID in March 2023 for their further action.

Fourways Academy

The department has cautioned parents that Fourways Academy is not registered with the Gauteng Department of Education and no application of registration has ever been received from this so-called school.

Accordingly, officials were assigned to investigate the school and it was discovered that it has been operating illegally for the past two years, moving from one location to another.



The department said it is aware that the school has a total of 91 learners registered with them, and the department will transfer these learners to schools with available space.

A letter of closure was served to the school, which requires it to close within 30 days of being served.

The department is currently undertaking a desktop analysis to identify schools, both public and independent, which have space, are close to the home addresses of the affected learners and offer the curriculum that learners were following.

Once this process is complete, they will then consult with parents to facilitate the placement of all learners.

Our priority as the department is to provide quality education that is accessible to all children in the province. As such, we will work tirelessly to address capacity and infrastructure issues that pose a threat to our priority.

We also urge parents to always be vigilant when applying to schools for their children. Our districts are readily available to assist parents in verifying the legitimacy of schools and help with further application enquiries, Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-06-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Dong Van Geopark to collect fees from tourists

Authorities in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang are planning to charge visitors who stay overnight on the Dong Van Karst Plateau.













People in Dong Van

According to the head of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark Management Board, Hoang Xuan Don, local authorities are completing a plan to collect VND30,000 per night from adult tourists and VND15,000 from children.

The fees, which exclude fees to three sites including Lung Khuy Cave, Mong King Palace, and Lung Cu Flag Tower, will be applied to visitors to four districts of Quang Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac.

"After studying the situation from other countries and localities in Vietnam, we've decided to collect the fees to improve infrastructure in the area and fund conservation efforts," Don said. "There are currently about 40 tourist sites in the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark but we're only charging fees at Lung Khuy Cave, Mong King Palace, and Lung Cu Flag Tower."

Stretching over 2,356 square kilometres in the four districts of Quang Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac, the geopark which features towering limestone formations, jagged cliffs and captivating karst peaks, has become a popular tourist destination in Ha Giang.

Earlier this year Ha Giang was selected as one of the 52 best places to visit this year by the New York Times newspaper.
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In a statement to IANS, the company spokesperson said that it was "one of the toughest decisions for our management and we understand the impact they have on our employees".

"We are recognising the contribution and dedication of the affected employees by offering a severance package equal to two months' salary to assist them during this transition," said the spokesperson.

Additionally, "we will make sure they have three more months of health insurance coverage".

The company said that it will support impacted employees by providing all-encompassing support, such as career counselling and job placement assistance.

"Our priorities continue to be streamlining processes, boosting productivity, and matching resources to our long-term growth goals," the company spokesperson added.

The layoffs at Chingari, one of the leading Indian short video apps, came as its cofounder Aditya Kothari recently quit the startup.

As reported late last year, Chingari had more than 160 million users in over 15 languages. It had more than 5 million daily active users (DAU) and 40 million monthly active users (MAU).

Chingari's crypto token GARI powers India's only blockchain-based social infotainment platform.

In October 2021, Chingari raised over $19 million for its token round across more than 30 venture funds and individual investors.

The VC firms participated in the funding round included Republic Crypto, Galaxy Digital, Alameda Research, Solana Capital, Valor Equity Partners, Kraken, Blackpine, NGC, Coinfund, LD Capital, Borderless Capital, AU21, Cultur3 Capital, Long Term Ventures, Afton Capital, CSP DAO, among others.

--IANS na/ksk/

( 279 Words)

2023-06-20-10:38:03 (IANS)
PRNewswire London [UK]/ Shanghai [China], June 21: Kigen, a global leader in eSIM (eUICC) technology, and Tongxin Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (TMC), an industry-leading semiconductor solution provider, today announced a GSMA-certified consumer eSIM solution for affordable customer premise equipment (CPE) solutions. CPE devices bridge the "last mile" in delivering 5G networks for businesses or households that lack connectivity or networks in motion. This solution allows OEMs to support the demand for greater diversity in 4G/5G CPE devices addressing the next billion connections. Operator demand for 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is driving the need for a multitude of CPE form factors. This includes indoor, rooftop, wall-mounted, or portable and battery-operated CPE devices. 5G FWA has arrived in populous countries such as India, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Africa. "Global 5G FWA CPE cumulative revenues are expected to reach over USD 100 billion between 2020-2030," said Neil Shah, VP of Research at Counterpoint Technology and Research, "Bringing down the total cost of 5G FWA CPE is integral to 5G broadband adoption, scale and return on investment for all stakeholders in this price sensitive segment." The joint solution is based on Kigen's Consumer eSIM OS, the world's most compact size eSIM OS, on TMC's THD89 series eSIM chipset, available as a smaller WLCSP package and using Kigen Remote SIM provisioning platform for IoT devices. This combines Kigen's highly efficient eSIM proposition and TMC's robust security IC expertise for: - Easy installation: Simple field setup workflow to onboard new devices with profile download via an accompanying app. - CPE management: Better IT or admin experience through digital profile downloads for activation or switching profiles. - Driving innovation: OEMs can focus on value-added services through streamlined fleet management. This joint solution is sampling with customers addressing Retail Point of Sale (POS), smart metering, and logistics eSIM applications with CPE devices. "CPE devices are a catalyst for much larger, global deployments of the 5G roll-out and an absolutely critical requirement to ensure a great return on the 5G investment," said Vincent Korstanje, CEO of Kigen. "Kigen's focus on energy efficient security OS for IoT now extends to the consumer market and brings time-to-market advantage in combination with TMC's chip expertise to scale fast." "We are excited to partner with Kigen to deliver an eSIM solution to our customers," said John Zou, Vice GM of TMC. "The eSIM solution will enable device makers to provide their customers with global connectivity without the need for changing physical SIM cards. This will make it easier for device makers to sell products in multiple countries." This CPE solution is available now, and interested OEMs can see it during MWC Shanghai 2023 during 28-30 June 2023. For more information, please visit https://kigen.com/esim/ or https://www.tsinghuaic.com/ At Kigen, we are integrating security to better lives with eSIM (eUICC) and iSIM technology across all connected products and data. Our industry-leading SIM OS products enable over 2 billion SIMs. Our GSMA-certified remote SIM provisioning and eSIM services drive this momentum, further recognizing us as one of the global eSIM enablement leaders. As an Arm-founded company, we bring an ecosystem approach to driving innovation and collaboration. For more information, visit kigen.com or speak to us on LinkedIn about #futureofSIM. TONGXIN MICRO, TSINGTENG MICRO, CHIPOWER TECH, ICIN TECHNOLOGY are the principal enterprises of automotive electronics and smart chips in the Tsinghua Group, whose business area covers smart cards, consumer electronics, automotive electronics, MCU, memory, and devices. We have accumulated industry-leading chip R&D technology and wafer testing capabilities, won the First Prize of National Science and Technology Progress Award, CC EAL6+, GSMA SAS-UP, AEC-Q100 Grade1, ISO 26262 ASIL-D, and other awards and certifications. We have nearly 300 authorized patents and have developed into an industry-leading semiconductor solution provider. Contacts Bee Hayes-Thakore Kigen press@kigen.com Erin McMohan Publitek kigen@publitek.com (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 21: Sattva Group, founded in 1993, has emerged as one of India's most prominent and respected Real Estate builders. With a strong presence in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Goa, Coimbatore and Mumbai, the Group has become synonymous with quality and innovation in the industry. Commercial Tech Parks - Paving the Future of Green Workspaces Sattva Group's commitment to providing quality construction and timely delivery is exemplified in its world-class commercial projects. The Group's flagship project, Sattva Knowledge City, in Hyderabad, stands tall as one of Asia's largest and most futuristic IT complexes. Spread across 30 acres, this well-designed property boasts 11 million sq. ft. of built-up space, housing global conglomerates. Its buildings are technologically advanced pre-LEED-certified, IT/ITES buildings developed and constructed as per the CII's Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC) rating system, exemplifying Sattva Group's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. In its endeavour to establish green practices and pave the future of Tech Parks, Sattva Group ensures that solar panels and solar hot water systems are used across all its IT Parks. The use of solar PV Panels generates electricity, which ensures the reduction in overall electrical consumption of the projects, making Sattva a futuristic builder in this space. Sattva is also a leader in the space of rainwater harvesting. Runoff rainwater is harvested 100 per cent, treated and reused. The surface runoff from paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks, podiums, roads and landscape areas, connects to the site storm water drainage network, allowing recharge of the groundwater table, with recharge pits available at appropriate locations. ETFE roofing technology used at the podium levels reduces the temperature by 4 degrees. Performance glass in the facade and glass windows ensures that the outside heat is absorbed and only 20 per cent of the heat enters the building. Add to that, integrated facade lights and timer-based lighting equipment powered by IBMS software for a harmonious lighting effect. A front-runner in the 'zero waste' concept, Sattva ensures that wet waste is also accounted for, in its futuristic projects. It goes into organic waste convertors (OWC) for further treatment. Taking it to the next level - Data Centres, Co-living & Co-working Spaces In addition to IT parks, Sattva Group has diversified its portfolio to include co-working spaces, co-living facilities, and data centres, recognizing emerging opportunities in these asset classes. The Group's investment in Simpliwork, a flexible-office space player operational in multiple cities, highlights its focus on meeting the evolving needs of corporate clients. With an inventory of 30,000 beds, the Group's investment in Co-live, a technology-driven co-living space provider, caters to the housing requirements of students and working professionals. Furthermore, Sattva Group's foray into the data centre business reflects its forward-thinking approach to addressing the growing digital consumption in India. With two data centres already built in Mumbai and Bengaluru and plans to expand into Chennai and Hyderabad, the Group is well-positioned to tap into the rising demand for this specialised asset class. Residential Revolution: Creating Dream Homes for All Sattva Group's innovative prowess extends beyond commercial developments, making it a force to be reckoned with in the residential sector. Recognising the need for affordable housing, Sattva Group recently expanded into this space, aiming to fulfil the dreams of aspiring homeowners. With Smart Homes launched at Bidadi and two more in the pipeline, the Group is making significant strides in providing affordable housing solutions. Sattva Group's recently launched residential project, Aeropolis, near the airport, captures the essence of convenient living in this thriving region. Its other innovative homes in North Bengaluru include Sattva Exotic, designed by an international architect with innovative features and Sattva Park Cubix with 70 per cent open spaces. Sattva Greenage built in 2017 offers over 100 amenities and is located close to the thriving hub of Koramangala. One of the tallest residential towers - 'The 42' in Kolkata is further proof of the group's unmatched expertise to create awe-inspiring homes. Additionally, the Group has also introduced its latest residential project, Sattva Bliss. Located in Budigere in east Bengaluru, the project spans 3.3 acres and features three magnificent towers offering 1, 2, and 3 BHK apartments with breathtaking green views. With top-notch amenities, beautiful landscaping, and excellent connectivity, Sattva Bliss emphasises the Group's commitment to building homes for all strata of society. The highlight of Sattva's projects is connectivity, with almost all of them located close to metro stations. Innovation in Motion: The IMAGE Tower Continuing its quest for innovation, Sattva Group is collaborating with the Telangana government to build the IMAGE Tower, a state-of-the-art centre for animation, gaming, and visual effects in Hyderabad. Spanning an extensive area of 16,00,000 sq. ft., this world-class commercial property will be the backbone of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics (AVGC) sector. This highly innovative project is expected to contribute significantly to tech exports and employment generation in the region. Conclusion: Pioneering Progress and Embracing Possibilities Sattva Group's journey from a humble beginning in 1993 to becoming a leading player in the Indian real estate industry is a testament to its relentless pursuit of excellence. By embracing innovation and diversification, Sattva has revolutionised both the residential and commercial sectors, creating spaces that reflect the evolving needs of modern society. Today, the group has diversified into 12 business verticals and is on top of its game. Its arduous journey since its inception is marked by a steely resolve to deliver to the highest standards of international quality, be it commercial or residential spaces. Sattva Group With three decades under its belt, the Sattva Group has completed an impressive 69 million sq. ft. of construction, with an additional 40 million sq. ft. in various stages of planning and development. It has a consistent "A Stable" rating from CRISIL, a leading financial rating agency since 2010, consolidating its reputation as a reliable and trusted brand. With a diversified portfolio encompassing commercial and residential spaces, as well as ventures into education, hospitality, data centres, warehousing, co-working, and co-living, Sattva Group continues to push boundaries and shape the future of the Indian real estate industry. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], June 21: The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is thrilled to welcome Michael Miebach, Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard, to the Board of Directors. Miebach's addition reflects a consistent commitment from the senior-most levels of Mastercard to strengthen the U.S.-India corridor and trade and commercial relations between the two countries. Welcoming Miebach's confirmation to the USISPF Board, USISPF President and CEO, Mukesh Aghi said, "Michael has been a true champion of digital economy cooperation between the United States and India, helping drive cutting-edge innovation that powers commerce and societies in both countries. Mastercard's steadfast commitment to financial inclusion and digital transformation is a model for the private sector - both in the U.S.-India corridor and around the world. I look forward to continuing our partnership with Mastercard and to engaging with Michael as a USISPF Board Member." USISPF Chairman John Chambers congratulated Miebech and said, "The USISPF Board of Directors reflects accomplished individuals across a wide array of sectors. Even more importantly, the Board represents the appetite Fortune 250 companies have for further increasing strategic business partnerships and digital trade between the U.S. and India. Mastercard's work in developing our global digital economy is completely aligned with Prime Minister Modi's vision for a 'Digital India'. Michael understands this vision and is a welcome addition to the team as we continue building the most strategic country-to-country partnership in the world at a pivotal time." Commenting on his appointment to the USISPF Board, Michael Miebach said, "USISPF is a critical forum for business and government leaders to come together and drive the next phase of growth in the U.S.-India partnership. I believe the relationship between our two countries will define the future of the global economy and shape our ability to tackle the most pressing global challenges together. I look forward to working with USISPF to build the strategic, commercial, and people-to-people ties that will serve as the bedrock of the U.S.-India partnership in the 21st century." (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)
PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 21: Novo Nordisk Global Business Services (GBS) has been recently awarded as a best place to work in India by Best Places to Work - an international HR certification program. The program provides employers in different countries the opportunity to learn more about the engagement and satisfaction of their employees and recognises those who deliver an outstanding work experience with the highest standards regarding workplace environment and employee engagement. Novo Nordisk recently celebrated its 100th global anniversary and this accolade for Novo Nordisk GBS is a re-affirmation of its commitment towards the employees and the society. Novo Nordisk GBS received outstanding scores across all parameters that assessed workplace-related areas such as leadership, workplace culture, corporate social responsibility, HR practices, and overall benefits. "We are on a journey to drive change in the lives of people living with serious chronic diseases, our community, our stakeholders, and our employees. With this mission, our constant endeavour is to foster an honest and transparent environment and build a culture where every colleague matters and feels included. This recognition motivates us and further reinforces our resolve to do even better to be a sustainable employer", shared John Dawber, Corporate Vice President & Managing Director, Novo Nordisk GBS. Girish Desai, Vice President, People Operations, Novo Nordisk, GBS added, "The Best Places To Work certification reinforces our belief that we are focusing on the right priority - our people. At Novo Nordisk Global Business Services, we are committed to driving continuous improvement to sustain an enabling, engaging, and inclusive culture through our policies and practices, that focuses greatly on the development of our people. I could not be prouder of what our colleagues have achieved together". "It is very important to us at Novo Nordisk GBS that anyone working with us feels empowered as an employee and as a person - and that they have the opportunity to act fast, make decisions and be agile. We are clearly living the Novo Nordisk Way wherein every employee thrives, respects each other, and is an ambassador of our company. We look forward to many more years of collectively driving change for our community", concluded Prasanna Kumar, Vice President, Global Safety, Novo Nordisk GBS. Every year, the program partners with many organisations, across different industries, to help them measure, benchmark, improve their HR practices and have access to the tools and expertise they need to deliver effective and sustainable change in their organisations. Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 57,100 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. Novo Nordisk Global Business Services (GBS) in India has had a significant footprint since 2010, committed to seamless high-quality solutions with a strong focus on talent incubation, digitalisation, and process excellence. With over 3,500 personnel the Bangalore based-hub partners with global colleagues across the Novo Nordisk pharma value chain to support drug development, manufacturing, commercial, and social business services. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Best Places to Work is a global HR certification program recognizing leading workplaces around the world. Our proprietary assessment analyses the organizations attractiveness through a two-step process focusing on 8 Workplace factors including culture, leadership, opportunities for growth and people practices. Beside the employee survey, an HR assessment is conducted focusing on evaluating the organization HR practices against the best standards. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-places-to-work-program/ Twitter: http://www.twitter/bptw4 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bptw4all/ For more information, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org Contacts Media Team | media@bestplacestoworkfor.org | +1 646 980 2510 | +44 208 895 6562 | +65 3159 3656 (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) New Delhi [India], June 21: Healthcare Experts, Leaders, companies, and Industry Captains were recently honoured with the 2nd Custodians of Humanity Awards for their Outstanding Contributions. Organized by IGHM, in association with Medgate Today, awards were presented to honour individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to humanity in the field of healthcare in Pre and Post Pandemic period. The Awards were given to Dr. Jitendra Sharma (CEO and MD of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone), Mukesh Mehta ( Mehta Tubes), Syed Asdar Ali ( Journalist), Pankaj Narula (MD, Sristhry Medica- SNG India Group), Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices (HMD), Dr. Grace Mona Singh ( Head of the Department-Mental Health Nursing, Himalayan University, Dehradun), Dr. Akshat Pandey ( Medical Professional), Vinit Acharya, MD of Life Line Biz Pvt Ltd, Sonu Kumar Yadav Founder and CEO of HospitaleStore.com, Manish Malik (Healthcare Professional) BPL Medical Technologies, Sushant Banerjee (Founder and CEO of Orthotech Limited), Pradeep Narkhede (Managing Director of Shalya Xcellance Medical Technologies), Dr. Bidhan Das (MD, Octavo), Dr. Kalpana Nagpal (Healthcare Professional), Koinamed India Pvt Ltd, B BlackBio Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Arjun Dang ( CEO of Dr. Dang Lab), Ibrar Ahmad ( Social Activist), Molbio Diagnostics, PD Vaghela (Telecom Expert & former Chairman TRAI), Prof.(Dr.) M Wali (Distinguished Physician), Smit Shah, and Madhusudhan Joshi. "The awards highlight and celebrate the efforts of those who have made a significant positive impact on healthcare delivery, innovation, and social welfare, fostering a global healthcare community dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals worldwide," said Afzal Khan, Editor in Chief, Medgate Today. Awardees were selected by the veterans of the healthcare sector. The Jury included Dr. YP Bhatia, Chairman, Chairman of the Healthcare Committee on the National Board for Quality Promotion, Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator at AiMED (Association of Indian Medical Device Industry), Dr. Rajesh Shah (a well-known healthcare professional), Jatin Mahajan (J Mitra), Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, President of Medical Value Tourism at GMAAF (Global Medical and Ayurveda Association Foundation). The Award ceremony was preceded by the MedTech Policy Mahotsava Conclave 2023, organized by Medgate Today. The day-long conclave organized after the introduction of National Medical Devices Policy 2023, gets a robust response from all stakeholders and during four Sessions the industry chalk out a roadmap for the future. With a focus on policy reforms, symbiotic relationships with the government, collaborations, commitment, automation, re-inventing GeM, and innovation, the event aimed to achieve the target of a USD 50 billion MedTech economy by 2030. Supported by esteemed organizations including the Global MedTech Advocacy and Advisory Forum (GMAAF), AiMED, Invest India, iGHM, AMG, AHPI, Prius Communications, and admi, the conclave's four sessions diligently worked towards outlining a roadmap for the future. Welcoming the delegates, Afzal Kamal, Editor-in-Chief of Medgate Today, highlighted the significance of the MedTech Policy Mahotasav as a part of industry endeavors to contribute to the "Make in India" policy for an Atmanirbhar Indian MedTech. "The conclave aimed to boost research and development infrastructure, gearing up for an aspirational $50 billion MedTech economy. While detailing the theme of the Conclave Gaurav Agarwal, Chairman of GMAAF and Conference Chairman also shared his views on policy fronts and highlighted the key issues pertaining to the sector. "This is the Golden Decade of MedTech in India boosted by a favorable policy environment, " stated Gaurav Agarwal. Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, Conference Co-Chair emphasized the progress made in MedTech and the need for contemporary policy interventions and support to transform India from an import-dependent to an export-confident Indian MedTech country. Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD said, "India's Imports which had shot up by a steep 41% to Rs 63,000 crore in 2021-2022 have been stalled and now hovering at Rs 61,000 crore. We hope now onwards with the support of the Medical Devices Policy and Actions, this graph will be reversed from 80% import dependence to a reduced 20-30% import dependence in the next 5 years." The inaugural session was followed by a Panel Discussion on R&D, Innovation & Infrastructure. Chaired by Dr. Jitendra Sharma and Moderated by Dr. Ravi Rathod, the session witnessed intense knowledge sharing on the most critical issues of the sector. Dr Ravi Kant Sharma, Deputy Drugs Controller at CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) highlighted the issues pertaining to the safety, quality, and efficacy of drugs and devices in India, contributing to the overall public health and well-being. The session also witnessed valuable suggestions coming from Dr Atul Nasa, Pro Vice Chancellor, SGT University. Moderating a session on Financing and Investment Opportunities for MSMEs in the Medical Device Industry Dr. Rajiv Chhibber, Vice President Sahajanand Medical Technologies said, " The domestic industry is optimistic that together in a PPP mode, we would be able to create an ecosystem for the holistic growth of the overall healthcare industry in India, make India self-sufficient, reduce import dependency to a large extent, expand both markets and exports, where one can hope to see exponential growth in the coming years to achieve the vision 2047, achieving the vision of making quality healthcare accessible to all." During this session, industry experts including Sonia Gandhi, Chief of Investments (Life Sciences) at BIRAC, Akriti Bajaj, Vice President of Invest India, and other eminent figures brainstormed on finance and investment-related issues. Anjan Bose, Founder Secretary General of NATHEALTH, emphasized the need for a symbiotic relationship between the industry and the government. He gave the mantra C Square I -Collaborations, Commitment, and Innovations (CCI). The session was moderated by Jyoti Singh, a Public Procurement Expert at GeM. Participants such as Jatin Mahajan, MD of J Mitra & Company; Manish Sardana, President of Poly Medicure; Sunil Khetarpal, President of AHPI; Aditya Kohli, Joint MD of Allied Medical; and Pankaj Narula, MD of Srishty Medical emphasized the growth potential and the relevance of GeM for the industry. Pradeep Narkhede, MD of Shalya Xcellance Medical Technologies, addressed irregularities and violations of tendering norms on the GeM portal, calling for transparency and accountability. However, Manish Sardana said, "GeM is constantly evolving and adopting advanced technologies. It has immense potential. A concerted effort is required from all government buyers, sellers, and the various partners in the GeM ecosystem to make it a success and to allow it to unlock its full potential." During the Panel Discussion on adult vaccinations, Dr. Arun Agrawal, Clinical Advisor at Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr. MS Kanwar, Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospitals; Dr. Chanchal Pal, Past President of IMA; Dr. Kalpana Nagpal and Dr. Pakhee Aggarwal, Senior Consultants at Apollo Hospitals made a passionate appeal for vaccination against serious ailments like Hepatitis B, displaying placards to raise awareness. Baldev Raj, Founder and MD of Prius Communication, the official Communication Partner of the Medtech Policy Mahotsava, said, "The sector has huge potential for growth with the rising demand. As we are already providing consultancy to several MNCs for branding, advocacy, and Make in India, it is also an opportunity for domestic players to go for cohesive collaborations. All stakeholders need to join hands to tap this huge opportunity." (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], June 21: From Sunday 18 to Thursday 22, a delegation of senior economic authorities from Chile will be in India to explore new opportunities for growth and development between the two countries. Within the agenda that will be worked during these 5 days, promotional events in New Delhi are contemplated, along with meetings with government authorities, and a visit to Mumbai, where the official inauguration of the Consulate will take place along with the economic office of Chile in this destination. The delegation, headed by Ignacio Fernandez, the General Director of ProChile-an entity belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of the promotion of goods and services for export- and SOFOFA, a trade association that brings together representatives of different Chilean productive sectors. Among the activities of the mission to be carried out in New Delhi, we can find the Chile-India Business Council, together with the Confederation of Indian Industry and the promotional event "Captivating Chile", and in Mumbai, the inauguration of the Chilean representations and the masterclass "Know Chile Through Wines" stand out among the activities of the mission to be carried out. At the opening event of this tour, the Director General of ProChile highlighted India's role in the future of trade and how Chile is adapting to current consumer demands. "We are witnesses of the explosive growth that India has had in the last decades, in addition to the incredible potential it has to develop in different areas. That is why we want to strengthen our relationship through new expansion opportunities in the food sector, health and even topics as varied as education. We believe that this visit marks a new milestone in our relations," he added. Chile was the first Latin American country that individually managed to sign a Trade Agreement with India and currently, both countries maintain a Partial Scope Agreement with India which entered into force in August 2017. There are also multiple commercial ones, as is the case with the Memorandum of Understanding agreement for the acquisition of pharmaceutical products in 2021. To this is added the agreement signed to eliminate Double Taxation in 2020. The Chilean Ambassador to India, Juan Angulo, highlighted the importance of this type of meetings, which allow the South American country to position itself as a reliable producer. "India has proven to be a key ally for the realization of our strategy in the region. Its cultural richness, its territorial diversity and its millenary history allow us to expand our export portfolio, while promoting openness for the consolidation of new ties," he concluded. The public-private alliance that makes the trip from Chile possible seeks to be the first of many initiatives aimed at deepening agreements while showing Indian consumers the unique qualities and properties of the goods and services coming from the new continent. "For us it is extremely important to make visible the work we do every day with Indian importers in order to increase our commercial exchange. We are constantly looking for ways to optimize our shipping times, innovating our offer and meeting the request for more attractive packaging, products with high added value and exceptional flavor. Being on field today makes it easier to recognize opportunities and drives us to go for more," added Fernandez. In 2016, an expansion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and Chile was signed in New Delhi, increasing the scope of the agreement from 474 tariff lines to 2829 tariff glosses. As of 2021, both countries are negotiating a further expansion of the PTA in the hope of deepening it; this could liberalize up to 90% of tariff lines in India, equivalent to some 10,000 products. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) New Delhi [India], June 21: In a move that epitomizes its commitment to offering unparalleled luxury experiences, The Rentalgram is delighted to announce its expansion into the captivating destination of Sri Lanka. This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for The Rentalgram since it highlights their vision of providing discerning travelers with exquisite accommodations in some of the most breathtaking locations around the world. Sri Lanka, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty serves as the perfect canvas for The Rentalgram. With the introduction of exquisite villas in Sri Lanka, The Rentalgram provides a gateway to unrivaled luxury in a destination known for its beauty and allure, while also opening the gates to cater to the sophisticated taste and luxurious desires of its esteemed clientele. Meet the dynamic power couple at the helm of The Rentalgram: Kosha and Harshal Introducing the backbone of The Rentalgram, Kosha - the driving engine of creativity and innovation. She brings her unique perspective and creative ideas to the table. Kosha is an accomplished media professional and hospitality entrepreneur. With her unique perspective and unparalleled passion, Kosha infuses every aspect of The Rentalgram with her transformative ideas. As the mastermind behind The Rentalgram's success, Kosha's dedication and boundless imagination continue to redefine luxury travel, setting new standards and captivating discerning travelers worldwide. Harshal, the other half of this power duo, is a visionary entrepreneur with a flair for hospitality, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the expansion into Sri Lanka. Harshal started his journey as a commis chef at a renowned 2 Michelin starred restaurant in London. His culinary artistry instilled in him an unparalleled eye for detail and a commitment to exceptional service. His diverse background in revenue optimization, enterprise management and strategic breakthroughs has shaped his approach to luxury hospitality. Kosha and Harshal's passion for creating unforgettable moments drives the success of The Rentalgram. Their shared vision and relentless pursuit of excellence have cemented their reputation as a go-to destination for luxurious accommodations in an affordable way. With their dynamic leadership, they continue to push boundaries and exceed expectations, ensuring that every guest's experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Unforgettable Experiences in Enchanting Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, a land brimming with rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty, takes its place in The Rentalgram's portfolio of luxury stay destinations. Prepare to be captivated as The Rentalgram unveils their villas in Sri Lanka nestled in 10 picturesque locations such as Galle, Dambulla, Weligama, Ahangama, Mirissa, Kosgoda and beyond. In Sri Lanka, paradise awaits. Immerse yourself in the splendor of pristine beaches, where golden sands meet crystal-clear waters. Embark on thrilling whale-watching adventures off the coast of Mirissa, marveling at these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Explore the wonders of Yala National Park, where encounters with rare wildlife will leave you in awe. Or perhaps, surrender to the tranquility of a sailing sunset cruise, where the colors of the sky dance in harmony with the rhythm of the waves. The Rentalgram goes beyond providing luxurious accommodations by curating a diverse array of activities that showcase the very best of Sri Lanka's culture, nature, and adventure. From thrilling surfing sessions to heartwarming visits to turtle hatcheries, exhilarating scuba diving adventures to serene kayaking explorations, each experience is thoughtfully designed to create cherished memories that will endure a lifetime. Embark on a truly unforgettable journey as The Rentalgram expands its horizons to Sri Lanka. Beyond stunning villas in Sri Lanka, they invite you to immerse yourself in a world of captivating experiences. Whether you crave relaxation, adventure or cultural immersion, the curated activities in Sri Lanka promise to fill each moment with wonder and joy. Indulge in the beauty of this enchanting island while enjoying the unmatched luxury and personalized service that The Rentalgram is renowned for. Sri Lanka awaits, and The Rentalgram is your gateway to a truly unforgettable journey. Check out www.therentalgram.com to know more! (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], June 21: Healthcare accessibility and affordability are two of the primary concerns that are held responsible for a nation's growth. To ensure that healthcare supplies reach the last mile of India, GenWorks Health has revamped the E-Commerce platform that allows customers to access medical equipment and supplies efficiently. The GenStore is an EStore platform that uses healthcare technology widely at affordable prices for doctors, hospitals, medical professionals, NGOs, and paramedics. GenStore enables easy placement of orders with verified products available at affordable prices for the final purpose of hassle-free doorstep delivery to customers. The unique value proposition provided by GenStore is that it offers the healthcare community end-to-end care by purchasing products, repurchasing consumables, AI software packages, IVD reagents, digital solutions, laboratory solutions, education solutions, services parts and accessories, right from screening, diagnosis, to treatment solutions. Genworks Health is one of the leading healthcare solutions providers that use digitisation to improve specialist access to the last mile. The company strongly believes and works consistently to create a strong impact by connecting all patients to specialists at the need of the hour and also leaves no stone unturned in ensuring that. Working on the belief that digital interventions can realign conventional healthcare practices to make them more patient-centric, equitable, and inclusive, GenWorks makes healthcare more accessible and affordable. GenWorks has a dedicated aim and that is to provide premium quality healthcare, medical supplies, instruments, and consumable products to be delivered pan India which is why the company is making consistent efforts to enhance the e-commerce platform. The company has multiple sales agents who reach out to customers including doctors, physicians, and laboratories. GenStore, the e-commerce wing of GenWorks Health was started in Q '3 2019 to provide an online platform where customers can look for all the products and order them online. The E-Commerce platform has effects from respiratory to treatment solutions to Women's Health to Newborn Care, In Vitro Diagnostics, Covid, and even services parts and accessories. GenWorks has scaled up the E-Commerce Platform in terms of building traffic and bringing in more consumers so that the products and services that it offers can effectively reach the last mile. To increase engagement and awareness, GenWorks has also lined up initiatives that are aimed at enhancing the reach of the E-Commerce Platform. The idea is to make the platform accessible to as many customers as possible. From improving content to making navigation simpler for the customers, efforts have been made to ensure that customers reach the website and find it easy to place orders. To improve customer engagement different micro-sites have also been created for categories like Women's Health, In Vitro Diagnostics, and Treatment Solutions giving a detailed overview of the different products being offered. The product detail page is optimised to ensure that the customers have a better idea of all that a product is capable of offering. GenWorks is working towards making improvements to the product pages by adding various affordability levers like the no-cost EMI, return policies, faster delivery, and customer feedback. The E-Commerce Platform has also worked as a steady point of reference for sales agents when approaching a customer. With a firm goal to offer better reach, quick delivery, availability, and efficiency, the GenStore is created for last-mile delivery to all customers so that all solutions can reach the doorsteps of customers. GenWorks believes in a robust supply chain and the health tech platform is doing everything to ensure that the E-Commerce Platform has a streamlined distribution of medical equipment and supplies to all its customers. It continues to effectively offer easy, affordable, and accessible healthcare equipment to customers up to the last mile to improve the healthcare infrastructure in the country. GenStore is a primary way of making that possible as it is India's dedicated e-commerce platform that makes shopping easy for customers. GenWorks Health is a healthcare solutions provider specialising in various fields which address a gap in the availability of specialists in remote areas. The company is dedicated to building awareness by using the technology available and providing affordable solutions across geographies with digital solutions. With digitization, the company is focusing more on improving specialist access to the last mile with a firm belief in creating an impact with the "Care Cycle" approach that connects all patients to specialists at the need of the hour. https://www.genworkshealth.com/ (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], June 21: AdEngage, a leading Integrated Digital Marketing and IT Solutions Company, has successfully completed and launched the new website for Ramee Group of Hotels, a leading hospitality brand in the Middle East and India. The revamped website showcases Ramee Group of Hotels diverse portfolio of properties and offers a seamless user experience for online bookings. The website design incorporates cutting-edge technology and modern aesthetics, reflecting the quality and reputation of the Ramee brand. Saurabh Gahoi, Vice President- India, Ramee Hotel Group, spoke enthusiastically about the launch. "With immense confidence and optimism, we see our new website as a significant step forward in bolstering our digital footprint. We firmly believe it will serve as an engaging and interactive platform that reflects our commitment to our guests. The exceptional work done by AdEngage in understanding the essence of the Ramee brand, coupled with their exemplary skills in delivering a user-centric experience, has culminated in the creation of a truly top-tier website," he said. "With this initiative, we aim to enhance the guest experience, fostering a stronger connection with our clientele, and demonstrating that we are adapting to the digital age without compromising the quality and warmth of our hospitality," Gahoi added. Pancham Banerji, CEO of AdEngage, expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating, "We are delighted to have partnered with Ramee Group to create a website that truly represents their hotel properties and offers an exceptional online experience for their guests. Our web developers have meticulously crafted a visually stunning and highly functional website that seamlessly adapts to users on various devices, delivering an unparalleled browsing experience. Our team has worked diligently to guarantee that the website not only appears impressive but also operates smoothly for users across a range of devices. This collaboration between AdEngage and Ramee Hotels Group demonstrates the growing demand for high-quality digital solutions in the hospitality industry." (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], June 21: Xebia, a renowned global IT consultancy and software development company, has appointed Guido Bartels as Global Managing Director - Cloud. Xebia has significantly strengthened its capabilities and client base in the last few years. To further grow its global market, the company has onboarded yet another industry veteran to its leadership team. Guido will be based in Connecticut, USA. Xebia's cloud service line works with organizations across industries to design and engineer their cloud-native transformation. Xebia helps first-time cloud adopters with everything they need to move to the cloud, and digital natives with optimizing their cloud platforms. From building a reliable and scalable infrastructure to deploying cloud-native solutions, assessing in-house knowledge, managing cloud spend, and training teams, Xebia provides comprehensive assistance. Xebia has established long-term relationships with the largest cloud providers, and Guido will be responsible for taking these partnerships to the next level. He will cover the full cloud spectrum, from multi-cloud consulting and architectural services to cloud cost management, training, and managed services. With his support, Xebia aims to assist every organization in becoming cloud-native and to enhance and expand its authority in cloud services across the globe. Guido has worked in many countries over the past 24 years. Before joining the team at Xebia, he worked at AWS, where he held the position of Managing Director for the Nordic and Baltic countries, among others. During his nearly four years in this regional role, he successfully launched AWS EMEA's 5th Infrastructure Region in Stockholm and significantly grew AWS's business, more than tripling its size. Additionally, Guido has over 20 years of experience at IBM, where he served as General Manager for the global Energy & Utilities industry vertical and as Managing Director for the Nordic region. In his last nine years at IBM, he also held a position on the company's Senior Leadership Team. Guido's expertise in sustainability has made him an early thought leader in the field, and he has served on the boards of both non-profit and for-profit publicly listed organizations. Furthermore, he was appointed for two consecutive 2-year terms as a member of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Electricity Advisory Committee (EAC), upon direct invitation by the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Anand Sahay, Global CEO, Xebia, said, "We welcome Guido as a strategic leader to carve and execute the future direction for cloud at Xebia globally. His long association with the leading cloud service providers and experience as a transformation leader will help us create better solutions and align closely with our stakeholders. We partner with the leading cloud providers including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. With Guido as a part of our team, we anticipate strengthening our Cloud capabilities and grow the client base manifold." Guido Bartels, Global Managing Director, Cloud, Xebia, said, "With a career long passion of driving customer value at the intersection of advanced technologies and deep business insights, I'm thrilled to join a team that embodies 'authority' in the domain of digital transformation as its mission. Xebia helps the world's top 250 companies and category leaders to overcome digital challenges, embrace innovation and implement new business models. I look forward to partnering with my new colleagues to ensure we unlock the full potential of cloud for our customers. I am honored to lead a team of Xebians that serves our customers with in-depth expertise based on an authentic, value-led, and high-quality way of working." XEBIA Media contact: swati.srivastava@xebia.com (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) California [US], June 21: The Gurudwara Sahib at Riverside, California hosted a special event. At this occasion, Paramjit Singh, Chairman and Sodhi Singh Shoker, President of the Gurdwara Sahib Riverside told the participants (Sangat) about the efforts being undertaken by the Gurdwara management for past many years to teach young children of the community about the Sikhism and Punjabi language. Singh said "there are more than four hundred young students who come to the Gurdwara Sahib regularly to learn Gurumukhi and Gurbani." Narinder Singh, Secretary of Gurdwara Sahib added that the Sikh youth

eed to take the responsibilities of the Gurdwaras and management, so that we with collaborated efforts we can continue to keep our tradition and culture enriched for a long term. Meanwhile, Sangat was blessed by the Gurbani Kirtan at the Gurdwara Sahib followed by langar. Dr Jasmeet Kaur Bains, the first ever elected Sikh member of the state assembly, California, USA also participated at this occasion as a special guest. Speaking at this occasion, she emphasized on the need for Sikh youth to join politics and let the world know more about Sikhism and its virtues. Dr Bains further added "Sikhs have been present in the Unites States for more than a hundred years now but somehow there representation in politics is limited." The Gurdwara management felicitated Dr Bains with a Gold medal and siropau for her contribution to the Sikh community. Everyone present at this ceremony agreed upon the need to educate our kids about the great teachings of Sikh Guru's, spread harmony and equality, which form foundation of Sikhism. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 21: Having powered over 2 million entrepreneurs scale their business ideas into brands, #D2CTech platform Instamojo has partnered with Nova Registry, one of the world's most innovative registry operators to. make .link the de facto standard for businesses who need to share links their customers can trust. As a result of this partnership, Instamojo merchants will have access to a .link domain for free (1st year) which they can customize across different social channels and unify their digital universe. - 2Mn businesses on Instamojo can now create highly relevant, shareable and brandable domain names with .link - Having the right domain name can help businesses avoid 51% of cart abandonment Instamojo and nova.link intend to address and solve the issue of small businesses not being able to create a unique identity for themselves online by not only providing a secure branded identity for every business, but also by helping them scale into full-fledged ecommerce websites. This partnership will help Instamojo capture a significant percentage of the website market in India and offer a new way for businesses to build their identity online. Commenting on the partnership Sampad Swain, Co-founder and CEO, Instamojo said, "The internet has the potential to compound every idea to scale. However, while every idea in India is unique, they do not have a unique identity online. To link every idea with a unique identity online, we partnered with .link. We believe that the new age Indian entrepreneur needs a new-age domain name that moves beyond the .com and the .in. What they need is an intuitive, easy to remember domain name and what better than .link. With this partnership we will distribute over 2mn domain names and help 4mn entrepreneurs have an identity and build back the trust and credibility in the D2C and social commerce space." Instamojo recorded a 150% YoY growth by onboarding more than 2 million sellers onto their platform in the last year. The company aims to onboard more than 4 million sellers by the end of this year to boost the growth of online businesses in India. "This partnership is strategically significant especially in a mobile first market like India," said Nova Registry General Manager Vaughn Liley. "We see .link adding significant value to existing Instamojo users, enabling them to leverage social channels through SmartPages and branded payment links and we are delighted that Instamojo will be using .link as a differentiator in the market to attract new users to their platform." With over 230,000 domains under management, Nova Registry is one of the world's most innovative Registry Operators. Having acquired the right to operate the .link TLD in 2021, they have debuted in India to tap into the growing demand for relevant and meaningful online brand identities among creators and businesses. It's 2023, we are not a payments' gateway company. Instamojo is THE one-stop #D2CTech company, offering an enabling platform for MSMEs and D2C brands, empowering sellers to start, scale, and manage their businesses online. Since its inception in 2012, Instamojo has ably addressed and resolved the last mile needs of its customers, having enabled million+ MSMEs' custodians. Founded by Sampad Swain, Akash Gehani, and Aditya Sengupta, Instamojo fuels India's entrepreneurial passion with a continued commitment as a one-stop-solution for business owners. It has raised Series B (2020) and Series A (2014) funding from Kalaari Capital, Blume Ventures, 500Startups, Gunosy Capital, and AnyPay - a Japanese payments firm. Instamojo is all set to reshape the future discourse in the D2C space by catering to diverse seller needs, powered by the collective force of technology, data and design. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 21: Many patients in India undergo liver transplant yearly, and approximately over thousands of people are added to the donor waitlist as per a recent survey. Almost all (95%) liver transplants are whole livers that are secured from deceased donors. Partial transplants from living donors, on the other hand, are also on the rise. Jehangir Hospital, Pune is one of the hospitals that is currently approved for liver transplantation and has performed numerous successful operations. A liver transplant at Jehangir Hospital is typically performed in four stages: pre-transplant evaluation, donor search, surgery, and lastly post-surgical care. 1.Pre-transplant evaluation: Prior to a liver transplant, patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation involving blood tests and imaging. It takes 3-7 days based on their condition. The evaluation assesses liver disease extent and other medical conditions. After the transplant team confirms the decision, coordinators guide the patient and their families. Psychological counselling covers consent, surgery, post-surgery complications, hospital stay, and care. 2.Donor identification: The next stage is to identify a suitable donor for the transplant. Liver transplants require suitable donors, either deceased or living. Deceased donors come from brain-dead individuals, and their organs are donated before discontinuing life support due to irreversible brain injury. Allocation depends on the waiting list, blood group compatibility, and urgency. Waiting times are unpredictable. Living donors, typically close relatives, can donate half of their liver, which regenerates in both donor and recipient. Donors must be willing, aged 18-55, with normal liver function and matching blood group. 3. Surgery: The transplant involves a major operation to remove the diseased liver & replace it with a normal donor liver in its usual position. The surgery is very demanding & can take between 6-18 hours to complete. 4. Post-operative care: After the transplant, the living donor stays in the hospital for 1-2 weeks and requires 3-4 weeks of home recuperation. The recipient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit. To prevent organ rejection, immunosuppressant medication is administered. After discharge, the patient follows up weekly for the first 3 months, with regular medical check-ups and tests to monitor their health. Jehangir Hospital leads in liver transplants with cutting-edge technology, ensuring quality and safety. Innovative techniques for donor identification, organ preservation, and transplantation result in successful procedures with minimal complications. These advancements make liver transplants safer, more efficient, and more accessible, saving countless lives. Dr Parimal Lawate, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director-Dept.of Gastroenterology, Jehangir Hospital says, "The Jehangir Hospital Liver Transplant programme has a very qualified and competent team of experts to look after the needs of patients with liver diseases. Patients with liver problems can approach our team for any liver-related issues with transplant-related and non-transplant liver conditions to have a definitive treatment and cure for their liver problems." Vrinda Pusalkar, MSW and Transplant Coordinator at Jehangir Hospital added, "No human organ can be manufactured in a factory, hence there needs to be a donor to donate it for an end-stage organ disease patient. Donors are of two types - Live Donor and Deceased Donor. In case of live donor, he/she needs to be from the immediate family of the recipient, who is medically fit and willing for organ donation. After completing the thorough medical workup and required legal formalities such transplant can take place." Dr Archana Jana, senior consultant anaesthesiologist at Jehangir Hospital says, "Anaesthesia for liver transplant is complex and demanding, and at Jehangir Hospital we have an experienced team of anaesthesiologists to make it streamlined and safer. We have a qualified and dedicated team of doctors working together on every aspect of liver transplant. This conjoined teamwork surely is beneficial to our patients undergoing liver transplant or any other liver-related treatment." According to Dr Ninad Deshmukh, Consultant and Transplant Surgeon at Jehangir Hospital, "Every liver transplant is an amalgam of skill in the liver, biliary and vascular surgery, as well as advanced support from several other disciplines. Our Experts in liver and biliary surgery, adult and paediatric hepatology, hepatobiliary and transplant anaesthesia, and critical care, diagnostic and interventional radiology come together under one roof to offer liver transplantation and all treatment for other liver and biliary diseases. The programme is supported by state of the art blood Centre and the transfusion medicine, pathology, and laboratory." Our goal is affordable, top-quality liver treatment. Our multidisciplinary team of experienced specialists takes a comprehensive approach for each patient, aiming for faster recovery and a return to a healthy life. Jehangir Hospital's Transplant Programme boasts state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge equipment. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
New York [US], June 21 (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla chief Elon Musk on Wednesday and invited him to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and the rapidly expanding commercial space sector. Speaking to reporters after meeting with PM Modi, Musk, who is also CEO of SpaceX and owner, CTO and chairman of Twitter, said he was incredibly excited about the future of India. He said that India has more promise than any large country in the world. "In a nutshell, it was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister. I like him quite a lot and he visited our factory a few years ago. So we have known each other for a while," Musk said. "I am tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I am looking forward to it," he added. Musk, responding to questions from reporters, said he was confident that his car company Tesla will be in India "as soon as humanly possible". "I would like to thank PM Modi for his support and hopefully, we will be able to announce something in the not-too-distant future," Musk said. To a question on when Tesla will be in India, Musk said, "We don't want to jump the gun with an announcement but it's quite likely that there will be a significant investment for India in the future." In a quick counter question by reporters asking what changed his mind about Tesla's investments in India, he smilingly said, "I have never changed my mind". Tesla was interested in investment in India but "high import duty" structures apparently were a bone of contention. ANI last year reported Musk had requested India to lower taxes and also allow the company to first sell vehicles built elsewhere at a competitive price. Import duty in India is 25 to 100 per cent on completely built unit (CBU) vehicles. Tesla is reportedly expected to announce the location of its new factory by the end of 2023. Several global manufacturing companies, aiming to diversify investments out of China as part of diversification of supply chains and geo-political factors, have eyed India as a key investment destination. "PM Modi really cares about India. He is pushing us to make significant investments in India which is something we intend to do and we are figuring out the right timing," Musk said on Wednesday. Talking to reporters, Musk also showed interest in bringing his Starlink services to India. "We are also looking to bring Starlink to India which could be incredibly helpful for rural areas. The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for sort of remote or rural villages where they perhaps either may have no access to the Internet or the Internet is very expensive and slow," Musk said. Starlink is a satellite-based internet services provider which is operated by Musk's company SpaceX. India intends to leverage the space sector's potential by inviting private players into the field. Over the last two decades, the private sector has played an increasingly important role in other spacefaring countries within the global space economy. Companies have helped reduce costs and turnaround time with innovation and advanced technology. PM Modi is in the US on a State visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. He celebrated the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister on June 22. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day. On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI)
On Tuesday, the megastar, who earlier visited Ram, Upasana and the baby girl in the early morning hours at the hospital, took to his Twitter to share his joy and send blessings to the baby girl and proud parents.

He tweeted, "Welcome Little Mega Princess. You have spread cheer among the Mega Family of millions on your arrival as much as you have made the blessed parents @AlwaysRamCharan & @upasanakonidela and us grandparents, Happy and Proud!!"

The baby arrived on June 20 in the early hours of the morning at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad.

The birth was announced by Apollo Hospital through a medical bulletin.

Both the baby and mother are doing well. Ram Charan's father Chiranjeevi and the family visited the couple in the early hours of Tuesday.

Chiranjeevi along with his wife Surekha were among the first to reach the hospital and congratulate the couple.

Actor Jr NTR took to Twitter to congratulate Ram Charan and Upasana. "Welcome to the parents club. Every moment spent with the baby girl will be an unforgettable memory for a life time. May God bless her and you all with immense happiness," he wrote.

Ram and Upasana have been married for 11 years and are absolutely elated with the arrival of their first baby.

Meanwhile, on the work front Ram would be seen in the upcoming movie tentatively titled 'RC 15' which is set to release next year.

--IANS aa/ms/svn/

( 277 Words)

2023-06-20-11:20:05 (IANS)
Actor Ali Fazal, who plays the role of Kahil in 'Kandahar', spent time during the shoot learning a new skill set required for his character. Ali said: "So basically dirt biking has clearly become a very loved passion in my life. Also surprisingly dissipating me from regular biking on the busy roads of our cities. But you know you'll never be as good as you wanna be because when you're working with such an amazing stunt team on a film like Kandahar, where everything is totally measured and state-of-the-art, even though the bike was a very simple bike, deliberately chose a very non pricey bike like a KTM." He added why particularly this bike was chosen. "This was because we actually had to do these stunts. I had to do these stunts in the desert. And we couldn't fake a lot of this stuff. So I learned about dirt biking. I landed up 25 days before shoot and started learning these tricks. Of course, first learning how to just ride plainly on the sand and then, doing different kinds of skids and the breaks, different kinds of turns." Ali shared: "And ultimately, no matter what stunts you pull off, you have to make the character come alive. There's body language and everything. So me and my stunt double, we had to work together all the time because there were some shots like riding on top of a very steep Cliff which has only rocks, those things I never did." The film, which is a war thriller, has Ali star in his first ever high octane action film. The actor shot the film extensively in the Al Ula region of Saudi Arabia. 'Kandahar' stars top international actors like Gerard Butler, Travis Fimmel and Navid Negahban and released this past weekend in North America, with India release to follow soon. Ali plays the role of Kahil, who is one of the main antagonists of the movie. --IANS dc/svn/ ( 341 Words) 2023-06-20-11:28:03 (IANS)
The duo will soon travel to Germany for the film's special screening in July.

Excited about it, Ridhi and Anshuman said in a statement, "We are excited and grateful that our love letter to dogs is breaking the language barrier & will reach an audience in Germany. Animal trafficking and cruelty is a grave environmental issue and I am happy that the festival is giving a voice to the voiceless. This is a shot in the arm as we prep for a bigger Part-2. We are thankful to the selection committee at Stuttgart and stoked to be there for our European Premiere."

'Lakadbaggha' is the story of an animal lover vigilante vs an animal abuser kingpin. This action film deals with the underbelly of illegal animal trade and the inhuman treatment of the voiceless creatures.

The film had its World Premiere at the Kolkata International Film Festival and its International Premiere at the HBO South Asian International Film Festival. (ANI)
Taking to Instagram, Malaika dropped a video in which she is seen performing yoga.

"POV: Yoga is, quieting the mind...Yoga, is calming the nerves. Yoga is developing strength, growth and love. Happy International Yoga Day," the text inserted in the video read.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtvTLp-t7J2/?hl=en

Malaika has her own yoga studio named Diva Yoga Centre in Mumbai. She often posts pictures and videos from her wellness studio.

Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.

This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'. It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. (ANI)
Actor Richard Gere on Wednesday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing his message of "universal brotherhood and sisterhood" while leading a special Yoga session at the UN headquarters in New York City. The veteran actor, who toplined several Hollywood hits including 'Pretty Woman', Primal Fear', 'An Officer and a Gentleman', 'Chicago', 'Days of Heaven', and 'Intersection', was pictured sitting opposite PM Modi and performing Yoga on the lawns of the UN headquarters in New York. Speaking to ANI, Gere said, "It is a lovely message. He (PM Modi) is a product of Indian culture and comes from a vast place like Indian culture does. This message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood is the one we want to hear again and again." The event saw participation from the President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and India's permanent ambassador to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj. The event was also attended by digital evangelist Vala Afshar, award-winning storyteller Jay Shetty, Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej. The special Yoga session led by PM Modi on the lawns of the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday entered the Guinness Book of World Records for drawing people of most nationalities performing Yoga together. Addressing the special event, PM Modi said, "Yoga comes from India, it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free of copyrights, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal." He added that last year, the entire world came together to support India's proposal to celebrate 2023 as the 'International Year of Millets' and it was wonderful to see people, across nationalities, coming together again to mark Yoga Day. "Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy, and happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realise the goal of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'," PM Modi added. (ANI)
Sporting a yellow turban and a yoga T-shirt, Mann said that attending the yoga event had given him energy and strength.

Describing yoga as a "panacea" for stress, he said, "We want our Punjab to be healthy, people do their work with positive energy, waking up early in the morning and doing yoga keeps you full of energy throughout the day. So make yoga a part of your life."

Chief Minister Mann along with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on April 6 launched the "CM di Yogshala" campaign in Patiala. Under this, residents will be provided with yoga and meditation facilities.

--IANS vg/dpb

( 155 Words)

2023-06-20-09:34:02 (IANS)
Dr Sharad Agarwal, National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), raised concern about the growing instances of violence against doctors and requested the government to bring a law to protect the medical community. The IMA chief was speaking to The Healthy Indian Project (THIP). A survey done a couple of years ago revealed that up to 75 per cent of doctors had experienced some form of violence in their workplaces. The Epidemic (Amended) Ordinance, 2020, passed in India, gave protection for healthcare personnel combatting Covid. But Dr Agarwal raised a pertinent question on why violence against doctors should only be considered a crime during the times of national health crises. "This is the need of the hour. How can a doctor treat a critical patient under stress and under threat? The nation is not realising how serious this issue is. After this, no good doctor will agree to treat a serious patient because they will feel threatened," said Dr Agarwal. He highlighted that ensuring the safety and security of the doctors is one of the foremost challenges being addressed by the IMA. The interview given to The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) also covered topics like IMA's stance towards the AYUSH medicinal systems in India. Speaking to Anshima Gupta from THIP, Dr Agarwal clarified that IMA is not against the practice of any medicine system in India and emphasised their respect for all forms of Indian medicine systems. "However, we are against 'crosspathy'. Medicines from a certain field should not be prescribed by any person who has not studied it," said Dr Agarwal. The IMA, the leading organisation representing doctors in India, has consistently opposed the notion of granting AYUSH practitioners the authority to perform certain surgical procedures or prescribe modern medicines. The IMA chief further said that while the government's intentions regarding AYUSH are commendable, its implementation at the grassroot level needs to be improved. He further added that the Indian Medical Association, with its wealth of experience, is prepared to collaborate with the government to improve the current state of AYUSH. The interview conducted by Anshima Gupta for THIP's show, Health Dialogues, had been published recently. The interview covered various topics including problems around health misinformation, IMA's initiatives like 'Aao Gaon Chale 'and increasing costs of healthcare. Watch the full interview on www.thip.media. --IANS rvt/ksk/ ( 402 Words) 2023-06-20-10:44:02 (IANS)
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla alleging misbehaviour and misconduct by the Block Development Officer (BDO) Burwan during the protest staged by the grand old party members over the Panchayat polls. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that the party members and candidates were beaten by the goons of the ruling party at the BDO office. "Our party members and candidates from this constituency came here to the BDO office ahead of the Panchayat polls and they were beaten by the goons of the ruling party (TMC)," said Chowdhury on his protest outside the Baranya BDO office in Murshidabad. He in his letter said that they sat on the protest against the act of violence on Congress candidates adding that they were forcibly prevented by anti-social elements fromsubmitting the requisite forms. "Today, I, as the elected representative of the people of Murshidabad have been compelled tosit on 'Dharna' since 4 PM at the BDO's office, Burwan to protest the act of violence on ourcandidates for the Panchayat polls, who were forcibly prevented by anti-social elements fromsubmitting the requisite forms i.e. Form B at the BDO's office for contesting the elections," he wrote. He further alleged that they were denied the installation of fans at the protest site. "As you are well aware, West Bengal is reeling under extreme heat, and in these extremeweather conditions, we have been denied even the basic facility of installing a fan at the protestthe site at our own expense," he wrote. "Firstly, genuine candidates for the Panchayat polls have been prevented from submitting therequisite documents for participating in the polls. This is indicative of disregard and disrespectto our democratic process and an autocratic rule in the State," it read. He requested that the matter should be looked into by the Privileges Committee and that stringent action should be taken against the BDO. "I would therefore request you to have the matter looked into by the Privileges Committee andstringent action taken against the BDO for displaying an attitude of utter disregard, disrespectand apathy and thereby violating the basic rights and privileges of an Elected representative," he wrote. The nomination process for the upcoming panchayat elections in West Bengal was marred by ongoing violence on June 15, as the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition parties engaged in a war of words. The final day of filing nominations witnessed continued clashes across various parts of the state, including an outbreak of violence at the Block Development Office in Birbhum's Ahmadpur, where crude bombs were reportedly thrown. The Panchayat elections in West Bengal will be held in a single phase on July 8, with the counting of votes scheduled for July 11. The panchayat polls in West Bengal are likely to see a fierce contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress being touted as a litmus test for both parties ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday visited the hydrography ship South Jetty, Indian Naval station Kochi on the eve of World Hydrography Day to support the sustainable use of the oceans. The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) functions under the Indian Navy as the nodal agency conducting hydrographic surveys and producing nautical charts in India. The department has the mandate to undertake hydrographic surveys and create accurate navigation charts for maritime purposes. Naval Chief R Hari Kumar and senior officers, sailors and hydrographers also attended the programme. Celebrated on 21 June, World Hydrography Day is designed to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a role in improved knowledge of the seas and oceans. Cdr Vivek Madhwal PRO Navy said, "On June 21, of every year, World Hydrography Day is celebrated to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a vital role in improved knowledge of the seas and oceans. The theme for 2023 is 'Hydrography - Underpinning the Digital Twin of the Ocean' which is in keeping with the development of virtual representation." Till-date, 650 Electronic and paper navigation charts covering national and international waters have been published for utilisation by merchant mariners and Navies of the world. Last year, the department distributed over six lakh Electronic Navigation Charts to seafarers operating in these waters and has earned a revenue of over 7000 lakh rupees to the exchequer, which is estimated to grow substantially in the future. The department as NAVAREA 8 coordinator covering an area of 26 million sqkm of the Indian Ocean, shares information concerning sea navigation safety through the web module of India WINS - Indian Warnings Information and Navigation Services. This module provides near-real-time information and since its launch last December has already crossed over One Million views with an average of over 3500 visitors per day in keeping with Digital India initiative of the Government. The National Institute of Hydrography (NIH) at Goa, is the centre for imparting training in Hydrography accredited by International Hydrographic Organisation for National and International Trainees. To date, more than 800 trainees from 41 different countries have been trained at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In line with the Government of India's SAGAR initiative, the survey ships of the Indian Navy have conducted various joint survey operations with friendly foreign nations covering an area of 89000 sq km. The department has also assisted them with capacity building and knowledge-sharing. These efforts are undertaken by seven Aatma Nir Bhar indigenously built survey ships mapping the vast Indian Ocean Region. (ANI)
Member of Health, NITI Aayog, Dr V K Paul accentuating the influence of the internet in daily life said that though it has changed lives in a positive way but like most other things it comes with a baggage. Dr V K Paul was delivering the keynote address in a Townhall session at the 'Health of Youth - Wealth of Nation', a G20 co-branded event organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH). "Internet is a necessity. It has changed lives, some in a positive way, however like most other things, it comes with baggage," he said. Emphasizing the dangers of AI's influence on personal lives, he stated that the time has come again that parents, schools, and media to talk about the rightful and excessive use of the internet. "Education, moderation, and rules should be a way forward for families and society. However, artificial intelligence can also become dangerous in its influence and students must have access to counselling, treatment and help as required," said Dr. Paul. He stressed that everyone has to think about a collective response on how to handle technology which is posing challenges never seen before. "At the societal level we need to make healthy eating, talking about issues like sexual, reproductive health, mental health the norm." He also emphasized on a neglected area in health care, the importance of sleep and its impact on health. He further added that the Ministry of Health and Niti Aayog are working together to review, refine and upgrade the care of adolescents. "This age group is very critical for all nations, much more so for India because, for the next twenty-five years, we have set the goals for developed nations. Converging services, counselling and wellness in schools is of utmost importance." Dr Paul noted that He invited the youth representatives for their input in designing a school health program that fits the needs of the students today and incorporates elements in enhancing their well-being. The town hall session underscored the challenges facing the youth that directly impact their health such as mental health, menstrual hygiene, and cyberbullying. Senior officials from the Health Ministry, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, forums and officials from partner agencies like Gates Foundation, UNFPA, USAID, WHO, UNICEF and youth icons from G-20 nations were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
Amidst the heavy rainfall, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha joined the general public during the inauguration of the 'Rath Yatra' organized by the ISKCON temple in Agartala. The annual Rath Yatra is a magnificent festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Tripura. Addressing the gathering, CM Dr Saha expressed the state's excitement and anticipation for the arrival of the Rath Yatra. He emphasized the festival's traditional significance, which traditionally begins at the Jagannath Bari Temple in Tripura. Dr. Saha also mentioned that he had the privilege of inaugurating the oldest Rath Yatra in Melaghar and personally attending the event. "We eagerly await the arrival of Rath Yatra, a grand festival celebrated with enthusiasm. In Tripura, the Rath Yatra traditionally begins at the Jagannath Bari Temple. Yesterday, I had the privilege of inaugurating the oldest Rath Yatra in Melaghar and personally visited the event", said CM. Praising the efforts of ISKCON in organising Rath Yatras worldwide, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude towards the individuals associated with the organisation. "I would like to express my gratitude to the individuals associated with ISKCON for their efforts in organizing Rath Yatras worldwide, as it helps showcase India's rich art, culture, and traditions to the world. We take immense pride in this. ISKCON's spiritual programs are truly remarkable, emphasizing the presence of Lord Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra not only within the temple but also among the people during Rath Yatra", Dr Saha said. He said that people eagerly await this day with anticipation and both Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and the state government are committed to the principle of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' which aligns with the teachings of God. "Rath Yatra is a joyous time when everyone comes together to celebrate. It serves as a reminder for all to follow the path of divinity. This auspicious event unites people in celebration", said Dr.Saha. He further mentioned that with the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Mata Subhadra, he was fortunate to pull the rope of the holy chariot in the Baradowali, Taltala area as well. "I pray to God for the welfare of the people of the state," he said. Despite the heavy rain, the Rath Yatra witnessed a vibrant display of devotion and cultural fervour. Devotees, dressed in colourful traditional attire, pulled the decorated chariots through the streets of Agartala, accompanied by chanting and singing of devotional hymns. The procession attracted a large number of locals and tourists who eagerly joined in the festivities. (ANI)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a surveillance drive to curb the menace of spurious drugs manufactured by nutraceutical companies operating across the country, stated an official release. As part of this initiative, the regulatory authority has initiated its first set of drives in Himachal Pradesh, directing it's Regional Office, North, to take immediate action against the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in the production of spurious drugs. As part of this drive, 21 facilities operating in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh were inspected and 111 samples have been lifted from June 7 to 9, 2023. Further, 25-30 per cent of the nutraceuticals manufacturing facilities in Himachal Pradesh will be inspected by the end of June 2023, it read. To address this issue, the CEO, of FSSAI convened a meeting with major manufacturers of health supplements and nutraceuticals of Baddi, Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at FSSAI headquarters, During the meeting, the CEO, of FSSAI issued a stern warning, emphasizing the absolute necessity for strict compliance with nutraceutical regulations. Non-compliance was highlighted as having severe consequences, including the possibility of license suspension or cancellation, as well as the initiation of criminal cases. According to an official press release, recognizing the significance of a coordinated effort, the FSSAI has directed the Commissioner of Food Safety, Himachal Pradesh, to provide full support in carrying out the surveillance drive effectively. FBOs found to be in violation may be prosecuted under Section 59 of the FSS Act 2006 where punishment like life imprisonment or a fine of not less than Rs. 10 lakhs will be imposed. To facilitate the involvement of citizens in maintaining food safety, FSSAI also provides a dedicated consumer grievance portal, the Food Safety Connect app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. Through this user-friendly platform, individuals can promptly report any non-compliance or violations they come across, enabling the FSSAI to take swift action and address the issues effectively.(ANI)
The apprehension was made on the night of June 19 under the limits of the Lilong police station.

"Acting on intelligence inputs, Mobile Vehicle Check Post was established near Police Station Lilong on the night of 19 June. Four suspected cadres in two separate vehicles were apprehended with One 51 mm Mortar," the army officials said.

The apprehended persons were later handed over to the police.

Further information is awaited. (ANI)
Union Minister Piyush Goyal performed Yoga at Mumbai's iconic landmark Gateway of India on the 9th International Yoga Day on Wednesday. Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also performed Yoga in Assam's Dhubri to mark the ongoing International Yoga Day celebration. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Ayush Minister Sarbanand Sonowal to perform yoga at garrison ground in Jabalpur. Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda on Wednesday also participated in the International Yoga Day programme at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram. Apart from that Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also performed Yoga in Haridwar. In Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister Anurag Thakur took part in the International Yoga Day. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra Nadda on Wednesday participated in the International Yoga Day programme with inmates at Bhopal Central Jail. The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness. This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'.It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. Like every time, this time too programs related to yoga will be organised in every corner of the country. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Yoga is not only beneficial for mental health problems but for overall well-being. Regular yoga practice reduces stress and improves symptoms of anxiety and depression. Following the pandemic, yoga has shown remarkable results in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. It helps with emotional management, mood improvement, and brain clarity and also highlights the connection between the mind and the body. Meanwhile, PM Modi will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community. Arrangements have also been made in different parts of the country to celebrate the occasion and spread awareness of the benefits of ancient Indian practice. It is the ninth year since the UN recognised June 21 as the International Day of Yoga through a resolution in 2014. (ANI)
A young couple from the city, who had planned to illegally enter the United States of America, has been held hostage in Iran by a Pakistani agent. The man is demanding a hefty ransom for the release of Pankaj Patel and his wife Nisha Patel (both 29 years old), according to a police official. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Chaitanya Mandlik stated that an FIR regarding the incident is being lodged at Krishnanagar Police Station in the Naroda area. The Ahmedabad city crime branch has initiated an investigation into the matter. However, since the incident occurred outside the country, the crime branch will approach the Indian Embassy in Iran, providing them with all the necessary details to secure the safe release of the captive couple -- a resident of Naroda, a locality in Ahmedabad city. As per information shared by the couple's family with the Krushnanagar police, Pankaj Patel and Nisha Patel had sought assistance from a Hyderabad-based agent to facilitate their illegal entry into the United States. The agent arranged their air tickets, and their plan involved landing in Tehran, Iran, before proceeding further as instructed. Unfortunately, upon their arrival at Tehran airport a few days ago, a Pakistani agent intervened and took the couple to a hotel, where they were held captive. The captors subjected Pankaj Patel to physical assault and sent a distressing video to his family, demanding a significant ransom for the release of the couple. The crime branch and the concerned agencies are coordinating their efforts to ensure the safe return of the two. The Indian Embassy in Iran will be approached promptly to establish necessary communication and work towards securing the release of the couple. The investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to resolve the situation swiftly. --IANS janvi/shb/ ( 310 Words) 2023-06-20-11:58:01 (IANS)
The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested a 27-year-old henchman of infamous Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu gang along with his associate from Mohali in Punjab, an official said on Tuesday. The henchman has been identified as Rohit Sharma, a resident of village Chhara in district Jhajjar. He had conducted recce of the office of deceased Surender Matiala and also arranged shooters, motorcycles and weapons for the murder, said the official. His associate was identified as Sanju Kadyan alias Sushant Rana (24), a resident of district Jhajjar, Haryana. On April 14, two unidentified men had entered the office of Surender, district president Najafgarh Kishan Morcha of BJP Unit, and fired upon him leading to his death. Earlier, police had apprehended eight members of the Kapil Sangwan gang, including three juveniles, in connection with the murder. The Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) H.G.S. Dhaliwal said that a team was continuously monitoring the activities of Nandu Gang manually and technically. "During monitoring it was revealed that the main handler and conspirator of Surender's murder, Rohit Sharma was in direct contact with Kapil Sangwan through encrypted social media apps. He was passing on instructions to the shooters present in Delhi to execute the killing of Surender while he himself was hiding in the Mohali area of Punjab with his associates," said Dhaliwal. Police also learnt that Rohit along with his associate was also planning to eliminate Nandu's rival gangster Manjit Mahal, who is presently lodged in Tihar Jail. "On June 16 on the basis of specific input Rohit Sharma and his associate Sanju were apprehended from Mohali, Punjab," said the special CP. According to police, Rohit's two brothers -- Mohit and Sohit -- have been arrested in Surender Matiala murder case. "Sanju was tasked to provide hideouts to the shooters in Surender's murder. He also absconded after the incident as police had raided his house," said the official. --IANS ssh/dpb ( 329 Words) 2023-06-20-12:32:02 (IANS)
In another issue of caste rivalry in Tamil Nadu, the state police is providing protection for the construction of drainage in a Dalit settlement as caste Hindus are objecting to it. The Hindus are objecting as the drainage that is being constructed is passing through an area where they live. The incident is taking place in Ottarpalayam panchayat in Annur taluk of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. Tension has gripped the village as a group of people belonging to caste Hindus were objecting to the construction of a drainage channel from a Dalit settlement. Village panchayat officials told IANS that while the objections were raised citing that the drainage would overflow during rainy season and when the officials assured that the construction would be done properly and no overflow would take place, they came up with other reasons. A village panchayat official, who does not want to be named, told IANS that the issue was clearly caste and the caste Hindus do not want a drainage channel from the Dalit colony to pass through their settlement. R. Maheswaran, a person belonging to the Dalit settlement while speaking to IANS said, "During the rainy season the drainage overflows and we wanted a proper drainage system. We petitioned the panchayat and an amount of Rs 12.5 lakhs was sanctioned. A tender was called and work was to commence in May 2023 but a section of caste Hindus opposed. They said that the 210 metres drainage channel passes through their area and won't be allowed. We have now complained to the district authorities and police protection has been provided for the construction of the channel". Sources in the Coimbatore rural police told IANS, "A peace talk was held between the Village panchayat officials and the caste Hindus. The caste Hindus agreed initially but later backed out and the police had to provide protection for the construction of the drainage channel. The work commenced on Monday and we will provide protection and 40 cops are deployed at the site to prevent any untoward incidents." --IANS aal/shb/ ( 357 Words) 2023-06-20-13:06:02 (IANS)
The arrest was made in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Seva Vikas Co-operative Bank fraud case, in which the bank suffered a loss of Rs 429 crore across 124 non-performing asset (NPA) loan accounts.

This led to the bank going bankrupt, causing losses to thousands of small depositors.

The ED initiated the PMLA investigation based on multiple FIRs registered in Pune against loan defaulters, including Amar Mulchandani (the former chairman of the bank), its directors, and officials.

"Investigation has revealed that the bank was being run like a family proprietorship by Amar Mulchandani without following any prudent banking norms. Loans were sanctioned in return for massive kickbacks. More than 92 per cent of the loan accounts had turned into NPAs, which ultimately led to the collapse of the bank. The RBI has cancelled the bank's license," said an ED official.

The ED found that Suryawanshi and his relatives had defrauded the bank for an amount of Rs 60.67 crore across 10 NPA loan accounts.

They obtained loans in connivance with Amar Mulchandani, without having sufficient creditworthiness or repaying capacity.

After the arrest, he was produced before a special PMLA Court in Mumbai, which has sent him to ED's custody until June 26.

Earlier, properties worth Rs 122.35 crore were provisionally attached in this case.

--IANS atk/ksk/

( 257 Words)

2023-06-20-13:48:03 (IANS)
A political slugfest erupted after the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a Calcutta High Court order on deployment of central armed forces in West Bengal for the forthcoming panchayat elections. The Apex Court upheld the Calcutta High Court's order on deployment of central armed forces and dismissing the special leave petitions filed by the State Election Commission and the state government. A division bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Manoj Mishra observed that since the Calcutta High Court directed central forces for ensuring free and fair polls, there should not be any objection in adhering to that. Reacting to the development, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate of the Calcutta High Court Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya said that such an order from the apex court was inevitable. "The state government and the state election commission were not serious in ensuring free and fair polls and hence they were so desperate to halt the process of the central armed forces deployment. The apex court has rightly questioned the logic of the state election commission filing the SLP to halt the central forces deployment when the commission's responsibility is to ensure free and fair polls. The apex court has also raised questions on the justification of deployment when the entire cost for the same will be borne by the Union government," said Bhattacharya. Reacting to the development, BJP's national vice- president and the party Lok Sabha member Dilip Ghosh said that the auspicious day of "ratha yatra" has turned into the day of "Antarjali Yatra" (the doom's day) for the state government and state election commission. "The state government and the ruling party might have a compulsion to win the polls. But why did the state election commission oppose the deployment of central armed forces. That is why the Supreme Court has boxed the ears of the commission today," Ghosh said. The state Congress president in West Bengal and veteran Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the Top Court's judgement has proved how biased was the role of the state election commission in the entire matter. Till the filing of this report, there was no reaction from the ruling Trinamool Congress in the matter. --IANS src/shb/ ( 383 Words) 2023-06-20-14:04:04 (IANS)
The Congress on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over violence in Manipur saying that over 100 people have died and he did not made any appeal for peace before leaving for the US, and also reminded him to follow 'Rajdharma' instead of indulging in "publicity to improve his image". In a tweet from its official handle, the Congress said, "Over 100 people have died, more than 50,000 people have been left without homes, and violence going on for over 50 days. And the Prime Minister could speak 'M' of Manipur. "On one hand Manipur is burning and people are appealing to save their lives. People are forced to leave their homes and migrate. On the other hand PM Modi has left for a US visit. Now the work of improving his image will be done through events. Despite knowing the fact that people of the country are facing violence and are facing threats to their lives," the Congress party said, taking a potshot at Modi. Reminding Modi of following 'Rajdharma' advice by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the Gujarat riots, the Congress said, "PM Modi... remember the advice of 'Rajdharma' given by Atal (Bihari Vajpayee) ji. This is the time to follow 'Rajdharma'. While Manipur kept burning and you didn't appeal for peace. This is the time to stand with people instead of focusing on their own image. Don't run away from responsibilities," the Congress said. Even Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala took a swipe at the Prime Minister and said, "Because you made the societies here enemies of each other just to win the elections...you made brothers fight. Has politics stooped to such a low level? One who doesn't care about the society, doesn't care about the country, doesn't care about Manipur, only cares about his chair, such people do not have the right to live (on the post) even for a moment." The remarks came after Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday morning left for the US on a state visit. The Congress has been critical of the Prime Minister over his silence on Manipur violence. The northeastern state has been witnessing violence since May 3 and over 100 people have died, while over several thousands have been shifted to relief camps. --IANS aks/dpb ( 399 Words) 2023-06-20-14:12:02 (IANS)
The man, identified as Chetan Yadav, had been shot at and then stabbed to death.

Yadav's wife Ruby said, "My husband had an argument as the loading vehicle he was driving collided with a bike. The two bike-borne men threatened to kill him. He went missing on Sunday evening."

Additional Superintendent of Police, Dhananjay Kushwaha, said, "The body has been sent for post-mortem examination. An FIR has been registered against a local resident Aakash, as named by the family members of the deceased, and an unknown person. The entire matter is being investigated in detail."

Meanwhile, family members of the deceased along with locals staged a protest by keeping the body outside the police station and later blocking the Jaithra-Aliganj road. The protestors demanded the arrest of the accused.

"Three teams have been tasked to arrest the accused men at the earliest," Kushwaha added.

--IANS amita/khz/

( 187 Words)

2023-06-20-04:18:03 (IANS)
The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the absence of the main opposition Congress that boycotted the session, paving the way for eliminating the undue control over the free to air telecast of the sacred Gurbani from the Golden Temple. Gurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to compositions of the Sikh Gurus. All three members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BSP combine opposed the Bill that was introduced in the House by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said only one channel had control over telecasting the Gurbani. "Now, this channel along with all channels would also get free feed of the live Gurbani," he said. Speaking on it, SAD legislator Manpreet Ayali said one channel shouldn't have the exclusive rights over the live telecast of Gurbani. "The SGPC should run its own channel. The government should not interfere in the SGPC affairs." He appealed to the government to reconsider its decision of tabling the Bill in the House. "It will set a wrong precedent and in the coming days governments would start interfering in the SGPC matters." The Cabinet on Monday approved to amend the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 and to insert Section 125-A into the Act, thereby casting duty on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body for Sikhs, to ensure free to air live telecast of the holy Gurbani. The Chief Minister said this amendment has been made with the objective that entire humanity is able to listen to and see the live telecast of holy Gurbani free of cost. Mann said this Bill is aimed at ensuring that Gurbani is not commercialised in any manner. The Chief Minister said this Act will be called the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Act, 2023, and will come into force on and with effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. He said in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, after Section 125, Section 125-A would be inserted for the live telecast of the Gurbani free of cost. The SGPC has reacted sharply to the move, asking the state government not to interfere in religious matters. Responding to the Cabinet decision, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said: "This (Gurdwara Act) can only be amended by the Centre as the Punjab government has got no right to do so." The SGPC has given exclusive rights of Gurbani telecast to G-Next Media Private Ltd, the company of the Badal family that owns PTC channels, under an agreement signed on July 24, 2012. The agreement was "irrevocable" for its entire duration of 11 years. This agreement is going to end on July 24 and the SGPC is mulling over inviting open bids, subject to the conditions pertaining to the preservation of 'maryada'. The Chief Minister had been questioning over giving exclusive rights to a particular channel to telecast Gurbani. --IANS vg/ksk/ ( 497 Words) 2023-06-20-14:28:04 (IANS)
A strong sense of unease seems to be emerging in opposition parties over the presence of Congress, ahead of the Patna conclave of non-BJP parties. Opposition parties seem visibly uncomfortable in working with the Congress to oust the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Samajwadi Party has tweeted a poster that quoted national president Akhilesh Yadav as saying, "We hope all those parties which wish to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party will support Samajwadi Party with a big heart." Although it did not mention any party by name, there was an implied reference to the Congress. The fresh reiteration from Samajwadi Party has come days before the Patna meeting. Yadav, who had confirmed his attendance for the June 23 meeting, said, "Whosoever is strongest, fighting against the BJP, and is in a position to defeat the BJP in that particular state should be supported by the joint opposition in that state." Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam responded by saying, "AAP says leave Delhi and Punjab, Akhilesh Yadav says leave UP, Mamata Banerjee says leave West Bengal, KCR wants Congress to leave Telangana... Is this opposition unity, or a new form of a Congress-free country?" Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal started his party's campaign for the Rajasthan assembly elections in December by accusing the Congress and the BJP of "indulging in corruption" in the western state. He accused Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of copying his schemes from Delhi and trying to project a Rajasthan development model, which he said is nothing but a replica of his Delhi model. The Congress hit back, saying the AAP has no future in Rajasthan. Kejriwal had sought support of the Congress to defeat the Centre's ordinance on transfer and posting of Delhi government officials in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress is yet to respond. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi led by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has also shown discomfiture over the presence of the Congress. It has reiterated its stand of maintaining equidistance from the Congress and the BJP. The BRS sees the Congress as its main opponent in Telangana. --IANS amita/uk/ ( 370 Words) 2023-06-20-14:34:02 (IANS)
A man from Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, having five wives, has now abducted a sixth girl. When the girl's family lodged an FIR, the accused said, "Will take your other daughter with me." Both these girls are Hindu. The accused not only abducted this 19-year-old woman but also converted her to Islam and got married to her as per Islamic rituals. After the incident came to light the Hindu activists, including Swami Yashvir Singh with local Bajrang Dal activists, protested outside the police station, and demanded strict action against the accused. The woman is still with the accused, the local activists presented a memorandum demanding the recovery of the girl before June 22 or else they will stage a protest in the village. After learning that the victim's family has lodged a complaint, the accused called them and threatened saying, "If his name from the FIR is not removed in time, he will take away their other daughter as well." The activists during the protests said the accused has five wives and that out of five of his wives, only one is a Muslim and that the other four are Hindus. This shows that the man intentionally targets Hindu women for conversion and then leaves them to target another one. The accused Rashid has several cases registered in his name at the Chaprauli police station. Meanwhile, the police spokesman said that the FIR had been lodged and the matter was under investigation. --IANS amita/khz/ ( 259 Words) 2023-06-20-04:26:03 (IANS)
Amid a conflict between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and Governor Banwarilal Purohit, the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aiming to replace the Governor from the post of chancellor in all 11 state universities. If the Bill gets the Governor's consent, the Chief Minister would replace the Governor as the Chancellor of state-run universities. Earlier, the Bill was tabled in the Vidhan Sabha that was supported by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The Congress was absent from the House. Justifying the need to bring the Bill, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said "if they could not appoint V-Cs they would be letting down the mandate given by the people." The issue is likely to create a fresh tussle between the government and the governor. Earlier, the Chief Minister said the Bill is a replica of West Bengal government's Bill. The cabinet on Monday gave its nod to the Bill to be tabled in Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday. In a purported 'tug-of-war' prompted by "indifference" of the state government in furnishing information sought by him, Governor Banwari Lal Purohit last week wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mann reminding him of the dereliction of constitutional duty. Quoting the relevant portion of orders of the Supreme Court which were passed on the petition of the state government, the letter 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. The Governor has a right to seek information from the Chief Minister in terms of Article 167 (b) on matters relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation." "Once such information is sought, the Chief Minister is duty bound to furnish it. The tones and tenor of the tweet and the letter by the Chief Minister leave much to be desired. 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)," it added. The Governor reminded the Chief Minister that the information sought through his various letters is "yet to be furnished", which is dereliction of constitutional duty as observed by the Supreme Court. --IANS vg/dpb ( 402 Words) 2023-06-20-14:52:01 (IANS)
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vichitra Veer, a police control room call was received at Vikaspuri police station on Monday regarding the sexual assault of a girl.

"A police team rushed to the spot and the 10-year-old girl was taken to hospital for medical examination," said the DCP.

The counselling of the minor was done and subsequently a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO Act was registered.

"During investigation, a police team was formed and with the help of CCTV footage and local intelligence, the accused was identified and nabbed," the official added.

--IANS ssh/shb/

( 136 Words)

2023-06-20-15:22:02 (IANS)
Police sources said that three of the shooters involved in murder of lawyer Umesh Pal, had met Ali in Naini Central Jail before February 24.

Police have received CCTV footage of Naini Central Jail in which assailants Guddu Muslim, Ghulam and another accused Sadaqat could be seen entering from the gate.

Investigations by police have also indicated the involvement of Atiq's eldest son Umar lodged at Lucknow Jail.

With evidence at hand regarding the involvement of Ali and Umar in the case, the police have mentioned about it in the case diary.

The police now plan to include their names as accused in the case and will question them at jail after receiving a warrant from the court, said an official.

Earlier, the police had found during investigation that before the murder of Umesh Pal, the assailants had met Ashraf at Bareilly Jail.

CCTV footage of the jail went viral in which Atiq's son Asad, assailants Guddu Muslim, Ghulam, Armaan, Vijay Chaudhary, Sabir and Sadaqat were seen entering the Bareilly Jail premises.

They met Ashraf on February 12 and planned the murder inside the jail, said the police officials.

As per the police officials, after meeting Ashraf at Bareilly jail, Guddu Muslim, Ghulam and Sadaqat met Atiq's son Ali at Naini Central Jail.

Police have found CCTV footage of the trio and have collected it as evidence.

--IANS amita/shb/

( 288 Words)

2023-06-20-15:38:03 (IANS)
The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Bill, 2023, with a thumping majority in the absence of the main opposition Congress, paving the way for eliminating the undue control over the free to air telecast of the sacred Gurbani from the Golden Temple. Gurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to compositions of the Sikh Gurus. All three members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BSP combine opposed the Bill that was introduced in the House by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said only one channel (PTC) had control over telecasting the Gurbani. "Now, this channel along with all channels would also get free feed of the live Gurbani," he said. Speaking on it, SAD legislator Manpreet Ayali said one channel shouldn't have the exclusive rights over the live telecast of Gurbani. "The SGPC should run its own channel. The government should not interfere in the SGPC affairs." He appealed to the government to reconsider its decision of tabling the Bill in the House. "It will set a wrong precedent and in the coming days, governments would start interfering in the SGPC matters." Wrapping up discussion on the Bill, the Chief Minister said the Bill aims at freeing the undue control of a particular family over the rights to telecast sacred Gurbani. He said it was a paradoxical situation that the SGPC or the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee under the influence of a family that controls its affairs, had given intellectual property rights of telecasting the sacred Gurbani to a channel owned by them. Mann questioned how these rights of Gurbani, which is repository of knowledge and faith, can be given to any channel. The Chief Minister said the Bill is in no way interference in religious affairs, rather it is a simple step to ensure that Gurbani reaches every household. He said in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, after section 125, section 125-A will be inserted for live telecast of Gurbani free of cost. Mann said the Act stipulates that it will be the duty of the board (the SGPC) to propagate the teachings of the Gurus by making uninterrupted (without any on screen running advertisements, commercials, distortion) live feed (audio or audio as well as video) of the holy Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib available free of cost to all media houses, outlets, platforms, channels, etc, whoever wishes to broadcast it. The Chief Minister reiterated that as a humble and devotee Sikh, he is a votary of free to air telecast of the Gurbani across the globe. He wondered how this was an attack on 'panth' as he was just opposing the control of a particular channel over the telecast of Gurbani, which is totally unwarranted and unjustified. He said this move is not aimed at giving rights to any particular channel of government or of any single individual but it is aimed at spreading the message of Gurbani across the globe. The Chief Minister asserted that the government is fully competent to amend this act as the apex court had already through a judgment ruled that this Act is not an interstate Act. He said a single family had dominated in the affairs of the SGPC since long due to which an irreparable damage had been made to the Sikh 'panth'. Mann said playing a dirty game this family tried to encash the religious sentiments of Sikhs by giving exclusive rights of telecast of Gurbani to their blue eyed channel whereas no mention of word telecast or broadcast was there in the Act. --IANS vg/uk/ ( 606 Words) 2023-06-20-15:42:03 (IANS)
Manipur on Tuesday skipped the annual Rath Yatra procession with chariots, which has been a public festival for 200 years, in view of the ongoing ethnic violence, which has so far claimed more than 120 lives and left more than 60,000 people displaced since it first broke out on May 3. The Shree Shree Govindaji Temple Board, Manipur's apex body that holds the annual Rath Yatra locally known as Kang Chingba, decided against holding any public event, while rituals will take place only inside temple premises across the state. Various religious organisations, including Brahma Sabha and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also decided not to hold any public procession due to the prevailing situation. On the occasion of the Rath Yatra, the idols of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings -- Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra -- are taken out of Shree Shree Govindaji Temple at the palace compound in Imphal and place them on a wooden nearly 30-foot tall chariot, which is then pulled by hundreds of devotees for a ceremonial procession. In 1780, the celebration has first commenced at the royal palace during the rule of Maharaja Bhagyachandra and it became a public annual carnival in 1832 during the reign of Maharaja Gambhir Singh (who ruled the erstwhile princely state from 1825 to 1834) after the Shree Shree Govindaji temple was built. On the occasion, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey greeted the people. She said that for the Hindu Meiteis, the festival is celebrated with gaiety on the second day of the fourth lunar month of the Manipuri calendar Engen which falls in late June or early July and lasts for 10 days till Kanglen celebrating Lord Jagannath's journey. "For many, Kang is a symbol of unity, brotherhood, and peace. Thousands of devotees participate in this yatra and get good fortune by pulling the Lord Jagannath's chariot and be blessed with pleasure and riches.Let this year's Rath Yatra bring everlasting unity, peace and progress for every household in the state," the Governor said in her message. --IANS sc/ksk/ ( 352 Words) 2023-06-20-15:44:03 (IANS)
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has said that the arrested state minister, Senthil Balaji will undergo a surgery on June 21, Wednesday. Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14 in a cash-for-job scam and is remanded in judicial custody. However, after he complained of chest pain and uneasiness, a coronary angiogram was conducted on the minister during which it was found that he had three blocks in the coronary artery. Talking to reporters, Ma Subramanian said that as the doctors have recommended immediate surgery, the procedure will be conducted tomorrow itself. Senthil Balaji who was the Tamil Nadu Excise, Prohibition and Electricity Minister was divested of his portfolios and is presently a minister without portfolio in the Stalin cabinet. The minister was first admitted in a government hospital after his arrest and then shifted to a private hospital in Chennai. The ED has already moved the Supreme Court against the shifting of the minister. The cash-for-job 'scam' in which Senthil Balaji is arraigned took place in the period between 2011-16 when he was a minister in the AIADMK government of late J. Jayalalithaa. However, later he switched political positions and joined the DMK becoming a trusted lieutenant of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. He is also considered a strong man in the Karur area of Western Tamil Nadu who has deep following at the grassroots levels. --IANS aal/svn/ ( 246 Words) 2023-06-20-15:52:03 (IANS)
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan cautioned on Tuesday that the collapse of the higher education sector is "worse" than the collapse of the law and order. Khan was reacting to numerous reports about alleged fake certificate cases and other malpractices involving activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), at higher education institutions in the state. By now, a handful of cases have surfaced in which forged documents were allegedly used to secure a teaching job or admission to Post Graduate courses, all involving SFI activists, lending a huge setback to the student's organisation. The Governor, who is also chancellor of state varsities, said that if one is able to do all this because one belongs to a particular student's organisation then it's a serious thing, adding that he will be looking into all such cases. --IANS sg/sha ( 160 Words) 2023-06-20-17:04:02 (IANS)
On the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar thanked Gadkari for giving the gift of road projects to the people.

Khattar said 17 national highways have so far been constructed in the state. Perhaps Haryana in the only state in which all district headquarters have been connected with the national highway. Besides, several projects are in the pipeline.

He said the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed its tenure of nine years. On the other hand, the double-engine government in Haryana has also performed remarkably well in every field in the last eight and a half years.

Besides further strengthening the road and rail network, today a common man is also travelling by air. He said the state government is working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Centre in implementing the schemes.

The Chief Minister said the present government hit hard on 3Cs -- corruption, crime and caste-based politics.

He said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Apart from this, special emphasis has been laid on 5-S -- Shiksha (education), Swasthya (health), Svabhiman (self-respect), Suraksha (security) and Svavlamban (self-reliance).

In Haryana, eligible citizens are getting the benefit of every scheme sitting at home through the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP).

--IANS vg/svn/

( 257 Words)

2023-06-20-17:08:03 (IANS)
Punjab AAP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney has sought an intervention of the Iraqi government to build a gurdwara at the site in Baghdad where Guru Nanak Dev "had visited and stayed over for three months on invitation of Sufi saint Sheikh Bahlol Dana". In an interaction with Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Hayan Abdulghani Abdulzahra Al-Sawad in New Delhi, Sahney also reiterated that the gurdwara would be built under the aegis of World Punjabi Organisation and he himself will make a significant contribution towards the cause. "This will encourage Sikh and Sindhi pilgrims who are followers of Guru Nanak Sahib to visit the holy place of Baghdad and shall augment tourism in Iraq," an official statement quoting Sahney said, who requested Indian Ambassador to Iraq and the Secretary (Gulf) with the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite the approval so that work on building the gurdwara can be stared at the earliest. Sahney, besides other initiatives towards the cause of Sikhism, has established a Sikh Multimedia Heritage Museum at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Sh Guru Teg Bahadur Holographic Auditorium at Gurdwara Rakabganjm bith in Delhi, where daily shows on Sikh history are held. --IANS vg/sha ( 208 Words) 2023-06-20-18:00:04 (IANS)
Photo: Brendan Kergin. Beach-goers and their dogs at the Thompson River in Kamloops, in March 2020.

Rivers across almost every region in British Columbia are on track to run at their lowest levels in recorded history, according to the provinces River Forecast Centre.

Dave Campbell, head of the agency, said the record low river levels for this time of year have their roots in three recent phenomena: the lingering effects from a late 2022 drought; a powerful spring heat wave that melted snowpack early; and a persistent lack of rain.

Normally at this time of year, the amount of water held in the provinces snowpack is 26 times higher. And by last week, only five of 99 snow stations still measured any snow at all.

Its pretty widespread. All regions are experiencing this, Campbell said. The fact that were trending at historic low in so many rivers right now, were headed to a potential worst-case scenario.

Campbell said the most affected river system are the medium to small tributaries that rely on snowmelt to see them through the dry summer months.

The North America WaterWatch map codes river flow along a spectrum of high flows, represented in blue, to the lowest flows, shown in shades of orange and red. On Tuesday, most of the B.C.'s rivers were speckled in burnt orange and dark red dots.

Larger rivers fed by lakes or that are dammed tend to be in better shape, said Campbell, because they have managed to hang on to meltwater before it washes down stream.

Reservoirs, refilled with meltwater, face dry months ahead

BC Hydros Stephen Watson said the utility's Vancouver Island reservoirs are receiving about 80 per cent of their normal flow. In the Campbell River watershed, BC Hydro has reduced flow rates two weeks earlier than normal in order to provide enough water for fish living in the river.

Weve been capturing that water, said Watson. Right now, the Campbell River system, were looking at more than having the river flow over the next week.

BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder described the Vancouver Island reservoirs as moving into "conservation mode."

Elsewhere in the province, Rieder said high electricity demand in the winter lowered the levels of many reservoirs across the province, but that most have refilled with all the early meltwater. With that winter snow mostly gone, she said water levels will be at the mercy of summer rain.

Snow Water Index Map of British Columbia as of June 15, 2023, shows a significant snow and water deficit across many of the province's watersheds. BC River Forecast Centre

The three reservoirs Metro Vancouver draws on for its drinking water are also within normal ranges due to their ability to capture any melting snow.

Record-breaking warm temperatures and dry conditions over the last couple of months did result in earlier than normal snowmelt (starting on April 22), and recent measurements indicate lower-than-average snowpack in the watersheds, Marilyn Towill, general manager of Metro Vancouvers Water Services, said in a statement.

Towill said the regional body is encouraging residents and businesses to conserve water, especially as storage drops through the dry summer months. Metro Vancouver rolled out Stage 1 watering restrictions on May 1 and they remain in effect until Oct. 15.

We encourage everyone in the region to adopt conservation habits year-round  we must prepare for changes to rainfall and snowpack due to climate change, Towill said.

B.C.'s small and medium rivers to be hit first

Campbell said the biggest impacts so far can be seen in B.C.s Peace region, where the largest wildfire in the provinces history continues to burn out of control under level 4 drought conditions.

A spokesperson for the BC Energy Regulator (BCER), which manages water to the region's oil and gas industry, said low flows have prompted it to issue a "water directive" requiring operators to suspend previously approved water diversions from rivers, streams and lakes across a number of tributaries in the Peace River and Liard River watersheds.

Drought conditions are being monitored in areas the BCER regulates across the province and additional withdrawal suspensions may be rolled out as needed, the spokesperson said in an email.

Campbell said he and his colleagues at the River Forecast Centre also have broad concern for small- and medium-sized rivers in in the Southern Interior, Sunshine Coast and Lower Mainland.

Normally at this time of year, rivers are peaking due to melting snow in the mountains. But Campbell says river levels have already started going down way ahead of schedule. He said hes never seen anything like it.

We dont have a lot of analogue years, he said. Nearly half of the rivers are sitting at the lowest ever recorded or what we call the fifth percentile  something that would happen once every 20 years.

Low river levels come decades ahead of climate projections

Campbell said the conditions are so abnormal that historic comparisons arent very helpful. At this point, he said, its easier to find a comparison decades into the future.

This year is much closer to what weve been expecting in climate change scenarios in the 2050s and 2080s, he said.

Campbell added hes hopeful but not confident summer rainfall rain will once again fill rivers to seasonal averages (July and August tend to be some of the driest months of the year). If not, he said, falling river levels could be devastating for anything living there.

Its everywhere, he said. We need to get that rain.
Several parts of Gurugram witnessed waterlogging following heavy rainfall on Wednesday morning. The rain lashed the city in the early hours of the morning at 6 am. The water especially clogged the expressway after the rains, causing a traffic jam for up to 5 kilometers. People were highly inconvenienced as massive delays were caused, and public transport was also hindered. A bus full of passengers was stuck in the waterlogged conditions for more than an hour and could do nothing but wait. Earlier this morning, the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) of Delhi, predicted thunderstorm conditions with light to moderate rain and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph in some of the adjoining areas of Delhi, including Gurugram. The RWFC provides the weather forecasts for North-West India and the Delhi NCR region. They tweeted about rain forecasts for Gurugram from the early hours of the morning, to occur until later hours. "21/06/2023: 08:05 IST; Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of isolated places of Delhi ( Palam, IGI Airport), NCR ( Gurugram, Manesar) Farukhnagar, Sohana, Nuh (Haryana) Moradabad, Sambhal, Billari, Chandausi, Jahangirabad, Anupshahar, Bahajoi..," tweeted RWFC. Other parts of the Delhi NCR region also received varying amounts of rainfall this morning, as they have been for the past few days. On June 19, Monday, Delhi NCR received light rains, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted cloudy skies with very light rains and drizzle in Delhi. The IMD has spoken about the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over India recently. In their latest update, they mentioned that the conditions are favourable for the further progress of Southwest Monsoon over parts of south Peninsular India, parts of Odisha, more parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and East Uttar Pradesh over the next few days. "The Southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Westcentral & Northwest Bay of Bengal; some parts of Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand some more parts of Bihar and remaining parts of Sub- Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim," IMD said on June 19. (ANI)
While enthusiasts across the world celebrated International Day of Yoga on Wednesday, at the Prany Camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur a canine member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) seemed to demonstrate just how the 'downward dog' should be done right! Positioning himself in front of personnel of the paramilitary force participating in a Yoga Day event here, the dog seemed to be at ease at joining in the poses. A video of the event captured the canine member of the ITBP squad wagging his tail, rolling on the ground and apparently attempting to be "one with the crowd" in performing various asanas. Occasionally it barked perhaps to voice its approval! https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1671386733525741570?s=20 Gaurav Shah, the deputy commandant of Indo-Tibetian border police said that since the canine members also work under stress like other police personnel, thus they are also included in yoga sessions. Shah said that since the dogs are part of the law and order duty, they are also compulsorily involved in the yoga schedule of the police personnel. "The canine members also work under stress like other police personnel thus every time when we perform yoga, we involve them. The dogs are used in law and order duty, so we involve them in our yoga schedule," Deputy Commandant Shah said while talking to ANI. The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness. This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'. It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. Like every time, this time too programs related to yoga are being organised across the country and serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of the practice and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Meanwhile, PM Modi, who is on a State visit to the United States is gearing up to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community. It is the ninth year since the UN recognised June 21 as the International Day of Yoga through a resolution in 2014. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written a letter to the opposition parties to discuss the Centre's ordinance that effectively nullifies the Supreme Court order over control of services in Delhi while alleging that similar ordinances could be brought for other states too. Kejriwal appealed to the leaders of opposition parties to discuss how to defeat the bill related to the Centre's Ordinance in Rajya Sabha in their upcoming meeting scheduled to take place in Bihar's Patna on June 23. "On June 23, the meeting of opposition parties in Bihar should first discuss how to defeat the ordinance in Parliament," Arvind Kejriwal said in his letter dated June 20. He said, "The ordinance is an experiment, and if it is successful, the Centre will bring similar ordinances in non-BJP states and take away the right of the state government from the subjects of the Concurrent List." "The day is not far when the Prime Minister will run all state governments through 33 governors/LG," he said in the letter. Kejriwal said that democracy will end in Delhi if the ordinance is implemented and after Delhi, it will also end in other states. "Once the ordinance is implemented, democracy will end in Delhi, the Center will run the government through LG, and after Delhi, democracy will end in other states too," Kejriwal said in his letter. The first meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), formed through the Centre's Ordinance was conducted on Tuesday. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that the newly constituted body is 'futile' as its remaining two members-- Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary of Delhi-- are officers of the Central government and can pass any order with a majority. He said that the Delhi government will move to the Supreme Court against the Centre's Ordinance. The NCCSA was formed, for the first time, last month after the Centre brought an Ordinance and gave it the power to recommend the transfer and posting of all Group A officers and officers of DANICS serving in Delhi. According to the Ordinance, NCCSA is headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi, with the Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary of Delhi being the other two members. Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called a meeting of top Opposition leaders to mobilise the opposition against BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The meeting will be held in Patna on June 23, JD(U) national president Lalan Singh said. (ANI)
Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters symbolises India's growing strength and increasing relevance on the world stage. "Our beloved PM will be leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters. This symbolises India's growing strength, increasing relevance on the world stage," Piyush Goyal said on the occasion of the ninth International Yoga Day. Reiterating Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's statement he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most loved leader of the world. This is an occasion for every Indian to celebrate and look forward to a glorious future." Earlier in March, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the "most loved leader around the world." Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in the national capital, the Italian Premiere said, "The approval rating that Prime Minister Modi has reached, he is the most loved one of all (leaders) around the world. This is really proven that he has been a major leader and congratulations for that." Earlier today, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, said, "I'm incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world." Speaking on PM Modi's leadership role in making technology inclusive so that digital infrastructure can be created, Musk said, "I can say he (Modi) really wants to do the right things for India. He wants to be open, supportive of new companies and at the same time ensures that it accrues to India's advantage which is..which is obviously that's the job I'm saying. I am a fan of Modi." Reacting to this, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that Elon Musk's praise for PM Narendra Modi and India's business potential reveals a lot about the country's leadership and about PM Modi himself. "What Elon Musk said, reveals a lot about India's leadership and PM. Big personalities across the world are also praising PM Modi now," Thakur said. The Prime Minister is presently on a state visit to the United States where he will be participating in a Yoga programme organised at the UN headquarters today. (ANI)
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) celebrated the 9th International Yoga Day at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday. Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, graced the occasion and appealed to the masses to integrate Yoga into their daily routine. The minister also performed various Yoga Asanas along with the officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India under the guidance of yoga instructors. "Last year, worldwide, the International Day of Yoga was celebrated in each country depending on the first ray of the sun. Today in the same context, we are celebrating International Yoga Day in India", said Scindia. Upholding this year's theme of International Yoga Day -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbhkam' - One Earth, One Family, One Future - the minister commended the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking Yoga to the world stage. Scindia said, "In America, our country's Prime Minister is celebrating International Yoga Day by upholding our national flag high. Following 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' the mantra of India, International Yoga Day is being celebrated in America and the world." "To attain peace and stability in life, we must do yoga. On today's occasion, I wish you good luck. Along with this, you should make yourself as well as your family and society capable. And with this purpose, you and I will make India proud," he added. Rubina Ali, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Dr H. Shrinivas, Member, of Human Resources of AAI expressed their best wishes to the countrymen and the world on the occasion of Yoga Day and told about the numerous benefits of Yoga. "I offer my best wishes to all our countrymen and the people world over on the 9th International Yoga Day. I believe that Yoga is a gift from our country to the world. Not only we should be proud but we should make it a part of our daily lives. I mean, I do not need to explain the (numerous) benefits of Yoga. This exercise provides peace to our heart, brain and all (the organs) of the human body", said Rubina Ali, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Dr H. Shrinivas, Member, of Human Resources at AAI said, "On the 9th International Yoga Day, I would like to compliment every citizen, a success. Yoga is a gift from India to the world, length and breadth of the world". Around 200 members of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India took part in the grand celebration of International Yoga Day and performed yogic exercises to rejuvenate themselves. Every year on 21st June, the longest day of the year the Airports Authority of India celebrates the 'unity of body, mind and soul', Yoga Day with great enthusiasm and appeals to its staff and all the citizens to incorporate Yoga in their daily lives. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere, as of now, with the Madras High Court order allowing Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji to be moved to a private hospital in Chennai and entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed against his arrest. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh decided to wait for the hearing going to take place on June 22 before the High Court. The bench deferred and posted the plea filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the High Court order for hearing on July 4. ED approached the apex court contending that the Madras High Court erred in entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed by Balaji's wife. The bench noted that the High Court was yet to render its opinion on the matter concerning the habeas petition's maintainability and thus it would wait for the High Court's order. "High Court is yet to render its final option on habeas corpus petition and the exclusion of period of treatment undergone by the detenue (Balaji) from the period of custodial interrogation and since both these issues are likely to be examined by the High Court tomorrow or thereafter, we deem it appropriate to post this SLP for further hearing on next date," the top court stated in its order. The bench also said that case pending in the top court shall not be taken as a ground to adjourn the matter by the High Court. It said that observations made by the High Court or any observation made by the apex court shall have no bearing on the case, the order added. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Enforcement Directorate told the bench that High Court order sets a wrong precedent. The Enforcement Directorate approached the apex court against Madras High Court order allowing Balaji to be moved to a private hospital in Chennai from the government hospital following his arrest by the ED. The Minister for Electricity as well as Prohibition and Excise, Balaji, was arrested on June 14 and admitted to a government hospital in Chennai after he complained of chest pain. He was allowed by the Madras High Court on June 15 to be shifted to a private hospital of his choice. He was later taken from the Tamil Nadu government Multi Super Speciality Hospital to Kauvery Hospital at Alwarpet. Doctors attending to him have recommended bypass surgery. The interim order of the High Court was passed on a habeas corpus petition filed by the Minister's wife, Megala, who accused probe agency officials of not having followed due procedures, such as intimating the grounds of arrest, under the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.). His wife wanted the arrest itself to be declared illegal for the ED's failure to comply with the legal procedures. The ED had arrested Balaji in connection with an Enforcement Case Information Register (ECIR) filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in 2021. The ECIR was registered on the basis of three FIRs booked against him by the local police in 2018 for his alleged involvement in a cash-for-job case when he was the Transport Minister in Jayalalithaa's Cabinet in 2015. The charges date back to his tenure as transport minister during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government from 2011 to 2015. He joined the DMK in December 2018 and assumed office as the Electricity Minister after the party came to power in May 2021. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a yoga exercise with Baba Ramdev. Following this, Dhami said that Uttarakhand will be made a drug-free state and the Uniform Civil Code should be formulated keeping in mind every class. On the occasion of International Yoga Day, the Chief Minister said, "Today, on International Yoga Day, I have got the opportunity to do yoga with thousands of people at Patanjali Yogpeeth for two and a half hours. We will work to advance Uttarakhand in the field of yoga, spirituality and culture." Dhami mentioned that Uttarakhand is making a big contribution in the field of yoga, spirituality, Ayurveda and industry. He added that a Global Investor Summit will be held in Uttarakhand soon to which people from all over the country and abroad will be invited. On the Uniform Civil Code, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "Uniform Civil Code will be formulated in Uttarakhand by taking all classes together. The provision of Uniform Civil Code has been made in the Article 44 of the Indian Constitution. The committee that drafted the Constitution has held talks with more than two and a half lakh people, including people of all classes." Speaking against drugs, CM Dhami said, "Just like we brought anti-conversion law, we will bring a law against drugs." Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said that Yoga is leading to the rise of India's reputation worldwide. "On International Day of Yoga Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the yoga session at UN headquarters." "Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in Yoga with more than 20 thousand people in Patanjali Yogpeeth. People from every religion participated in the yoga exercise. This will help in developing Uttarakhand to be a spiritual capital by making Uttarakhand yoga-rich and drug-free." (ANI)
"The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi has showcased India's culture worldwide is comparable to that of Swami Vivekananda," he said on the occasion of International Yoga Day at a time when the Prime Minister is on a state visit to the United States.

Thanking the people of Balasore who took part in the Yoga celebrations here, the Union Minister said, "Today, so many people in Balasore participated in International Yoga Day celebrations, I want to thank everyone."

Earlier in the day, Vaishnaw performed Yoga in Balasore to mark the ninth International Yoga Day.

Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda participated in the International Yoga Day programme at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also performed Yoga in Haridwar. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Ayush Minister Sarbanand Sonowal to perform yoga at garrison ground in Jabalpur. In Himachal Pradesh, Union Minsiter Anurag Thakur took part in the International Yoga Day.

Meanwhile, PM Modi celebrated the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide every year. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of International Yoga Day during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.

This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'.It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. (ANI)
The meeting took place two days after HAM announced the withdrawal of its support to the Nitish Kumar-led government.

Manjhi later told reporters that they have handed over the letter to the state Governor withdrawing support from the ruling coalition government in Bihar.

Manjhi's son Santosh Suman had said that they will go to Delhi and their options were open.

"If NDA approaches us we will talk to them. We will also look for third-front possibilities... After three-four days we will inform the people of our final decision," he said.

Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM has four MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly.

HAM's decision came days before the June 23 meeting of opposition parties in Patna for which groundwork had been done by Nitish Kumar for the past several months.

The meeting is expected to identify common issues as part of efforts to forge opposition unity to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)
Photo: Regina Police Service

A Quebec-based anti-gun unit says 45 people have been arrested and 440 guns have been seized in raids targeting manufacturers of 3D-printed or "ghost" guns across eight provinces.

The squad, called the LEquipe integree de lutte au trafic darmes, told reporters today in Montreal that more than 20 police forces were involved in Canada-wide raids that took place Tuesday.

Police carried out 64 raids and seized 440 guns, including 3D-printed handguns, long guns and silencers, as well as other guns and 3D printers.

The raids took place in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and resulted in 45 arrests.

Authorities say they're increasingly concerned about untraceable ghost guns, which are assembled at home or 3D-printed without serial numbers.

The unit co-ordinating the raids was created in 2021 to fight gun crime, and includes officers from Quebec provincial police, Montreal police, RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency.
Delhi's Patiala House Court on Wednesday granted five days' custody of the accused Vikas Singh to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in a case related to the RPG attack at Intelligence Headquarters, Mohali in May 2022. He was arrested on Tuesday in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The case also allegedly involves gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. It is alleged that Vikas Singh harboured two of the executors of the RPG attack on Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in May 2022. NIA produced Singh, an alleged aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, before Patiala House Court. Vacation judge Pawan Kumar granted five days' remand of Singh so that he could be interrogated for further leads in the case. "Considering the facts and submissions, the court is of the considered view that custodial interrogation of the accused is required and accordingly, the application is allowed and the accused be sent to five days police custody," the court ordered. The vacation judge directed the production of the accused before the court again on June 26, adding that he also has to be medically examined as the rules stipulate. The NIA had sought 7 days' custody to interrogate him as part of its ongoing probe into his alleged role in the offence. According to the plea filed on NIA's behalf, Vikas Singh also harboured other associates of Lawrence Bishnoi. The Special Public Prosecutor (SPP), representing the NIA, argued that the accused was arrested after the strong inputs against him that he was also associated with the terror syndicate of Lawrence Bishnoi. It further submitted that custodial interrogation of the accused is required to unearth the criminal conspiracy and his link with the co-accused. Advocate Amit Sinha opposed the remand of the accused sought by the agency. The court, after hearing both sets of submissions, noted that in this case, the NIA has already filed a charge sheet against 14 accused persons. During further investigation, four accused persons connected with Lawrence Bishnoi's syndicate were arrested. Further, over the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the accused, Vikas Singh, harboured two accused persons who executed the RPG attack on the Intelligence headquarters in Mohali in May 2022. The accused is reported to have been involved in many criminal cases, including murder, Arms Act and Gangster Act cases, the court noted. NIA said the investigation revealed further that Vikas Singh, a resident of Lucknow, had harboured Deepak Surakhpur and Divyanshu, a resident of Faizabad, who executed the RPG Attack on the Intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022. Vikas has confessed to giving shelter to Deepak Surakhpur and Divyanshu at his house in Devgarh village, Ayodhya and at his flat in Gomti Nagar Vistar, Lucknow, many times, said the agency. It added that its investigation also revealed that Vikas was introduced to Lawrence Bishnoi by Vicky Midhukhera, another associate and friend of the notorious gangster. Vikas introduced Divyanshu, already known to him, to the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate. The duo was also involved in numerous target/contract killings, including that of businessman Sanjay Biyani in Nanded and Rana Kandhowalia in Punjab. Vikas Singh also harboured another accused -- Rinku -- after the murder of Ranbir Singh alias Rana Kandowalia. Further, after a double murder in Chandigarh (allegedly at the behest of Lawrence Bishnoi), Vikas is also alleged to have harboured the accused -- Monu Dagar, Pradhan, Cheema, and Rajan -- in Lucknow, the agency said. (ANI)
Sarma's statement came in backdrop of Prime Minister's visit to the US where he led a mass Yoga demonstration at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

"Swami Vivekananda introduced Sanatan Dharma to the world in 1893 and PM Narendra Modi brought yoga to the world stage in 2014. Yoga is India's gift to the world and we're privileged that PM will lead the International Yoga Day celebrations from the UN this year," said Sarma while addressing a rally at Dhubri in the State.

Further Sarma urged people to introduce their children to Sanatan Sanskriti and make their children do yoga.

"Talked to some worker colleagues yesterday in Dhubri and we are aware of the situation and environment here. They were apprehensive that something similar could happen here as shown in the film 'Kerala Story'. There is only one solution to this apprehension- introduce children to Sanatan culture, teach yoga and read and teach Gita daily," said Sarma.

Earlier, Assam CM also performed Yoga in Dhubri to mark the ongoing International Yoga Day celebration.

The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.

This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'.It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 144 development projects worth Rs 3638.25 crores in Ballia district on Wednesday. Speaking on occasion, the Chief Minister said that the day is significant for a variety of reasons because 180 countries are expressing their appreciation for India's tradition by celebrating International Yoga Day. "In the United Nations, the Prime Minister of India himself is leading it. Moreover, in addition to beautifying and expanding the hospital, whose foundation was laid in this village by a saint, we have launched a Health ATM here", CM Yogi said. CM Yogi was accompanied by the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh at Sitab Diyara, the village of Loknayak Jai Prakash Narayan, located in Ballia district. "Over 25-30 years ago, the village, situated on the banks of the confluence of Maa Ganga and Maa Sarayu, was once considered a curse. Today, the waterway between Haldia and Varanasi has started", the Chief Minister said. CM Yogi further said that the inland waterways service introduced between Haldia and Varanasi, via Ballia, can play a vital role in facilitating the export of fresh vegetables from the district. "Our government will do the work of making cold storage for the safety of your products," he added. The Chief Minister, while addressing the program, said that this land belongs to Saint Sevadas, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan, and former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar Singh. "On June 25, we will join the campaign to save democracy. During the Emergency, JP gave a fresh lease of life to India's democracy", he remarked. The Chief Minister further said, "The state government has not only established a hospital in the name of Prabhavati but also worked for its expansion, fulfilling the wish of the late Loknayak that the hospital in his village is dedicated to the name of his wife, Prabhavati." "Not only this, but we are also taking forward the program to revive Inter College named after Prabhavati Devi. For this, we have approved additional funds", the CM noted. During the program, three passenger buses of Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation were also flagged off. Along with this, certificates were distributed to the beneficiaries of various government schemes, including Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Yojana, and Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana, among others. Minister of State for Transport (Independent Charge) Dayashankar Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Food Safety and Drug Administration Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu', Minister of State for Minority Welfare Danish Mirza Ansari, among others, were present on occasion. (ANI)
While reviewing public health preparedness for the management of heat-related illness, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday advised to comply with the National Action Plan on heat-related illnesses, ensure the preparedness of healthcare facilities, availability of essential medicines and logistics and enhance awareness among people. The Union Health Minister virtually interacted with State Health Ministers, State Disaster Management Ministers, Principal Secretaries/Additional Chief Secretaries and Information Commissioners of seven states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana- which are experiencing severe heatwave conditions. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya urged the states to implement the State Action Plans at the ground levels with a timely warning to the people, & ensure preventive preparedness to reduce the severe impact of heatwaves. The Union Health Minister also advised the States that have not yet prepared the Health Action Plan, based on the National Action Plan, to do so urgently detailing specific field-level actions and ensuring effective implementation of the same. Mandaviya stated heat alert and forecasts from IMD is amplified and shared with all states daily by the Union Health Ministry. He urged states to develop training manuals on Heat and Health for State Officials, Medical Officers and Health Workers. "State-level trainers need to ensure that their training is up to field level. Capacity building of Medical Officers, Health Staff & sensitization of grassroots level workers on heat illness, with focus on early recognition and management using training manuals provided by Union Health Ministry, is crucial", he stated. States were advised to increase resiliency to extreme heat at the Health Facilities level by ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, installation of solar panels and adopting measures to reduce indoor heat through the installation of cool/green roofs, window shading, and shades etc, the statement said. "Effective disaster response and management is a collaborative work. With coordinated actions between the Centre and states, we can surely ensure there are no deaths due to heat waves", it added. Minister Mandaviya said, "India has demonstrated during the recent preparedness measures for Cyclone Biparjoy that timely and effective coordination between Centre and States can produce the desired outcome". "Sharing of ideas, expertise and best practices by states help in enriching everyone in effectively managing heat-related illness", he added. Highlighting the lack of accurate data from the ground, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai urged states to share field-level data on heatwaves, including on deaths and cases, so that a realistic assessment of the situation can be made. He also highlighted the importance of timely action as soon as IMD alerts are received in the states. "Timely, advanced and wide awareness among the people on the preventive measures will hugely support in reducing the severe impact of such heat waves", he added. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar urged states to ramp up information and awareness campaigns among people. She urged states to accelerate the field-level implementation of State Action Plans for addressing the ill effects of heat waves. Also, MOS (HFW) SP Baghel, also emphasized on sharing of regular advisories by states on the heatwave situation. "A granular status and analysis of overall heatstroke cases and deaths in India and heat-related illness in the seven affected States was made by the Health Ministry officials covering the trajectory of total emergency OPD, suspected and confirmed heatstroke cases and deaths and their reporting as per Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal. It was pointed out that the National Action Plan on heat-related illness, released in July 2021 outlined the challenges posed by a heatwave, heat-related illnesses and their management from primary to tertiary level, the SOPs for surveillance of heat stroke cases and deaths and preparedness plan before & during summer season, with special emphasis on Heat Related Illness (HRI) in vulnerable sections", the statement read. The States were also reminded of two advisories issued by the Union Health Ministry. As per the official release, the first was issued on February 28, 2023, by the Union Health Secretary to all the Chief Secretaries requesting compliance of states of National Action Plan on heat-related illnesses for effective preparedness of health facilities to address heat impact and management of cases. States were also advised to review health facility preparedness in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, Ice-packs, ORS, drinking water as well as IEC activity for the public. The second advisory was issued by the Union Health Ministry in the form of a wider awareness of do's and don'ts to be followed by the general population as well as vulnerable people. It advised states to use this as a template and translate to regional languages and follow the NPCCHH advisory for employers for workplace preparedness guidance, the statement added. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai was present at the meeting, while Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar and SP Baghel, and Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr VK Paul, were present in the virtual mode. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Officer on Special Duty (Health Ministry) Sudhansh Pant, DG of ICMR Dr Rajiv Bahl, AS (Health Ministry) Lav Agarwal, Director General of Health Services Dr Atul Goel, DG of IMD Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director at AIIMS New Delhi Dr M Srinivas, and senior officials of the Health Ministry were present in the meeting. State Ministers who joined the high-level review meeting included Disaster Management Minister (Bihar) Shahnawaz, Health & Disaster Management Minister (Jharkhand) Banna Gupta, Disaster Management Minister (Orissa) Pratima, Health Minister (Telangana) Harish Rao, Disaster Management Minister (Uttar Pradesh) Anup Valmiki, and Minister of State for Health (Uttar Pradesh) Mayaneshwar Singh. The State Health and Disaster Management Ministers thanked the Union Health Minister for the timely review meeting and his continuous support to the states. (ANI)
On the completion of 9 years of the Modi government, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, on Wednesday, held a door-to-door campaign praising the Bharatiya Janata Party government. "As you know, on 30th May, 9 years completed under the Governance of Hon'ble PM Modi. During this tenure, the developmental works which have been done are being shared with common people. Be it poor, common people, farmers or labourers, for all, development has been brought, more or less in any means and proclamation of these works has been started in Agartala, Tripura from today and we are praising it", said Rajib Bhattacharya, State President, BJP. On May 30, 9 years of the Modi government were completed. On the occasion, the ruling party launched a campaign called '9 saal Bemisaal', (Outstanding 9 years). Under the campaign, the party workers are to tout a report card of their work carried out in the 9 years before the common people. The campaign will conclude on June 30. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called an all-party meeting on June 24 in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened an all-party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur," the official statement said on Wednesday. As Manipur is still witnessing incidents like arson, the state government has extended the ban on the internet by five more days till June 25 with immediate effect in an effort to prevent further disturbance to peace. The data services have been banned in view of the persisting unrest in the state. "The suspension of internet services in the state will be extended for five more days i.e. till 3 pm on June 25," The order issued on Tuesday by the state government said. The order issued by state commissioner (Home) T Ranjit Singh stated that the Director General of Police, Manipur letter vide dated June 19 reported that there are still reports of incidents like arson of houses and premises. Violence gripped Manipur on May 3 after clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. Amid the violence in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh appealed to the people to maintain peace and urged those with arms not to attack so that normalcy can be restored. "I appeal to the people who are with arms not to attack anything. Please maintain peace so that we can resource normalcy in the state....," said N Biren Singh while talking to reporters. (ANI)
Customs Department said that the accused Kenyan passenger had arrived from Addis Ababa.

The recovered cocaine is having an international value of Rs 38.05 Crore.

"Delhi Customs held one Kenyan passenger who arrived at IGI Airport, Delhi from Addis Ababa with three whisky bottles collectively weighing 4.145 Kg, and recovered a total of 2537 grams of cocaine (approximately), having an international value of Rs 38.05 Crore," an official statement said.

Further investigation is underway into the incident.

Earlier on June 20, the Customs Department of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) Delhi destroyed 1,289 units of liquor bottles and 51.68 kg of drugs.

According to the Customs official, the liquor bottles of different brands pertain to lost property or detained goods. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will convene an all-party meeting on June 24 in the national capital to discuss the situation in Manipur, Home Ministry Spokesperson said on Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled at 3 pm in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur. The announcement came hours after, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that the unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people in Manipur has "left a deep wound in the conscience of our nation" while appealing for peace and harmony in the state. As Manipur is still witnessing incidents like arson, the state government has extended the ban on the internet by five more days till June 25 with immediate effect in an effort to prevent further disturbance to peace. The data services have also been banned in view of the persisting unrest in the state. Violence gripped Manipur on May 3 after clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. "Further suspension of mobile data services/internet/data services including broadband services and internet/data services through VASTs of Bharatnet Phase-ll is further suspended in the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Manipur, except for those who have already been specifically exempted by the government and may be exempted subsequently and Internet Lease Line (ILL) on a case to basis as permitted by the competent authority," an order issued by Maniour government said on Tuesday, adding it is issued to prevent any disturbances of the peace and public order in the jurisdiction of the state. (ANI)
The court's directive specifies that the number of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies should not be less than those requisitioned for the 2013 panchayat polls.

This decision by the court comes amidst allegations from Opposition parties that the ruling Trinamool Congress is employing violence and intimidation tactics to discourage their candidates from filing nominations for the upcoming July 8 elections.

The court observed that there are more districts now compared to 2013, and it is going to be a single-phased election while in 2013 there were five phases of elections.

The court's order was in response to the contempt plea filed by the BJP and Congress.

Ahead of the Panchayat elections, scheduled to be held on July 8, the state witnessed continuous clashes in various parts of the state, including a violent incident at the Block Development Office in Birbhum's Ahmadpur, where crude bombs were reportedly thrown. Also, a TMC worker was beaten to death in the Malda district.

The election will be held in a single phase on July 8, with vote counting scheduled for July 11.

Panchayat polls in West Bengal will witness a fierce contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress as they will be seen as a litmus test ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
Photo: Unsplash/Nicholas Cappello

Canadian investment regulators have fined a Vancouver stockbroker $25,000 after facilitating millions of dollars worth of suspicious stock transactions for a man well-known to have been criminally convicted of fraud.

A Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) hearing panel approved a settlement agreement between the regulator and broker Robert Barber of Research Capital, on May 26.

Barbers actions lift a curtain on the integral role regulated stockbrokers can play in trading arrangements.

Gatekeepers must act in the best interests of the capital markets by taking action when observing activity that may threaten market integrity, notes the Canadian Securities Institute.

The settlement agreement states Barber failed in his gatekeeper role by working for AM who, between December 2017 and August 2018, directed trades on behalf of Northwest Marketing and Management Inc., whose beneficial owner was DT.

Northwests principal director is Denise Trainor, whose spouse is the manager Aly Babu Mawji, according to corporate records and the B.C. Securities Commission.

Mawji was sent to prison in Germany, in 2012, after his well-publicized role in manipulating De Beira Goldfields Inc. stock.

In addition to failing his gatekeeping duties as a broker, Barber, who remains a senior investment advisor for Research Capital, was found to have sold shares that had yet to exist in Northwests account and made trades that resulted in losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, at the direction of Mawji, despite Mawji not having formal trading authorization.

Trades related to company consulting contracts

In November 2018, the commission cited the couple, plus dozens of other purported consultants for an alleged fraudulent scheme involving BridgeMark Financial Corp.

It was alleged 11 Vancouver-based penny stock companies sold over $50 million of new shares to the Bridgemark Group consultants, who simultaneously received lucrative consulting contracts nearly matching the cost of the shares. The consultants then quickly re-sold the new shares (often at a loss) to retail investors, the commission said.

Those administrative proceedings against the consultants were dropped in 2019, but the commission amended allegations against seven companies for alleged private placement misrepresentations, in addition to four individual citations for insider trading and conduct abusive to the capital markets.

Mawji, who was able to return to Vancouvers capital markets scene following a criminal conviction in Germany for conducting a Vancouver-connected pump-and-dump scheme, was banned by the commission in February 2020, months after the Ontario Securities Commission banned him.

Barber shorted accounts and facilitated uneconomic trading

The CIRO settlement agreement states Mawji introduced Trainor to Barber in January 2016, to open accounts on behalf of Northwest.

Barber understood Northwest to be a holding company for DT and her investments. However, AM controlled Northwest. AM directed trading in the Northwest accounts but did not have formal trading authorization.

In December 2017, Barber started selling shares of four of the 11 companies previously cited by the commission in the consulting case. Barber began with selling shares of Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. despite not yet having them in Northwests account.

The settlement agreement states the credit department for Research Capital (formerly Mackie Research) flagged the short position.

This happened a second time but with Affinor Growers Inc. in March 2016.

Barber also facilitated uneconomic trading for Northwest at the direction of Mawji when he sold shares of Beleave Inc. and New Point Exploration Corp. for a loss. Directors for each of those companies at the time have since admitted to making misrepresentations. A hearing is scheduled for Affinor in October.

The settlement agreement outlined how Northwest bought over $5 million of Abattis shares and sold $8.1 million. Via Affinor, Beleave and New Point, Northwest bought $1.975 million and sold $1.65 million.

The settlement agreement states Barber never disclosed to the compliance department Mawji was directing the trades.

Barber was issued a hearing notice on Aug. 11, 2022, which also contained allegations he did not verify Northwests consulting contracts, as requested by the compliance department, despite using an unrestricted trade exemption for consultants.

Additionally, the notice stated Barber used WhatsApp to communicate with Mawji and subsequently deleted those messages  a violation of monitoring requirements that helped keep the true relationship from others in the firm. The settlement agreement does not address these allegations.

The settlement agreement also does not address under what circumstances Research Capital could not have known about Mawji and what checks and balances were in place, or not, to ensure its compliance department fully understood who was directing the trades despite the department inquiring with Barber about the short positions and the fact millions of dollars worth of penny stock transactions were no longer consistent with Northwests account information (Know Your Client).

Research Capital chairman Patrick Wash and president Geoffrey Whitlam did not respond to Glacier Media in time for publication.

In 2019, Mawji claimed in a civil defence filing that Barber contacted him to present him with an opportunity to invest in PreveCeutical Medical Inc., which had launched the still ongoing lawsuit against consultants named in the commissions initial hearing notice.

In addition to the fine, Barber is to disgorge the $27,776 of the nearly $60,000 he earned in commission, per the settlement agreement.

Barber is the second broker at Research Capital to be sanctioned for facilitating trades linked to the Bridgemark case.

Tiffany Sweeney of Research Capital reached a settlement with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) in September 2022, after admitting she failed to fulfil her gatekeeper responsibilities and communicated with her clients using unapproved third-party communication applications contrary to IIROC rules.

Sweeney was suspended for one month and paid a $50,000 fine.

The Barber settlement is among the first issued by CIRO, which is an amalgamation of IIROC and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association.
Tech giant Apple is reportedly trying to gain intellectual property (IP) rights over depictions of apples, the fruit, which has left a fruit farmer's organisation in Switzerland worried. According to a report in Wired, the Fruit Union, the oldest and largest fruit farmers' organisation in Switzerland, is concerned that it may have to change its logo because the iPhone maker is attempting to secure IP rights for "a realistic, black-and-white depiction of an apple variety known as the Granny Smith". "Their objective here is really to own the rights to an actual apple, which, for us, is something that is really almost universal that should be free for everyone to use," Fruit Union Suisse director Jimmy Mariethoz was quoted as saying. According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation's records, Apple has made similar requests to dozens of IP authorities around the world. Authorities in Japan, Turkey, Israel, and Armenia have already accepted their fate, albeit reluctantly. "Apple's quest to own the IP rights of something as generic as a fruit speaks to the dynamics of a flourishing global IP rights industry, which encourages companies to compete obsessively over trademarks they don't really need," the report noted. The tech giant had submitted an application to the Swiss Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) in 2017, requesting the IP rights for a realistic, black-and-white depiction of an apple variety known as the Granny Smith -- the generic green apple. "The request covered an extensive list of potential uses -- "mostly on electronic, digital, and audiovisual consumer goods and hardware," according to the report. The Swiss institute partially granted Apple's request last year, saying that Apple could have rights relating to only some of the goods it wanted. Apple later filed an appeal. According to the Fruit Union, there is no clarity on what uses of the apple shape Apple will try to protect. "We're concerned that any visual representation of an apple -- so anything that's audiovisual or linked to new technologies or to media -- could be potentially impacted. That would be a very, very big restriction for us," Mariethoz was quoted as saying. Apple did not comment on the report. --IANS na/svn/ ( 371 Words) 2023-06-20-10:24:05 (IANS)
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accomplishments both for the Sikh community and the country, Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a member of the Sikh community, expressed strong support for PM Modi, stating that the Sikh community stands behind him due to his significant contributions. While talking with ANI, Dhaliwal said, "The Sikh community really stands behind our Prime Minister. He has done lots of great things for the Sikhs and India. And we are very proud to have them here today." Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi received a grand reception upon his arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. PM Modi was received by India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu and India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj. Meanwhile, on the Sikh community supporting PM Modi, another Indian origin in the US, Vipin Dutta said that not only Sikhs but everybody supports the Prime Minister. Dutta praised PM Modi for his achievements over the past nine years and said, "Not only Sikhs, but everybody is in support of Narendra Modi, our prime minister because he has done great things, amazing things in the last eight or nine years. You can see and everybody knows about it, how we India have come to this level in the international level of the whole world where we stand." "So, Sikhs, certainly are very thankful to Narendra Modi for what he has done for us. And that's the reason we are especially coming here today to welcome him when he is coming to us on a state visit. So we are very proud of him. We are happy to be here," he added. Meanwhile, another Indian origin residing in the US asked that in the history of India, since its independence when has there been a leader that has given so much attention to the Sikh community, and given it respect? He thanked Dashan Dhaliwal for inviting him here. "First of all, I must thank Mr Dashan Dhaliwal. It's because of him that we are here today. He reached out to me. He says, Baba, can you invite some people? Then he gave me some context also." "Today, everybody in the world knows that the defenders of India are a Sikh community. I am proud to be from Punjab. I am from Kapurthala and I grew up in our family. The oldest boy wore a turban. So the Sikh community by and large understandshow they are benefiting where they were sometimes being labeled targeted, none of that. Modiji will not allow that. These are the defenders of our country," he said. He further added, "We have to be grateful to them (sikh community). Look at the Amritsar, Golden Temple. Irrespective of people from a different faith, everybody wants to go there. Why? They get something out of there, the message. So, the image of the Sikh community around the world is paramount today. It's on the highest level that I have seen ever. So you look at the Sikhs, you know, these are the people who defend India. This is a prosperous community. And one thing with the Sikh community, we love to have fun. We Punjabis is we just know how to have fun. I wish the world could experience more of that. That's why I think it's important to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the Sikh community to achieving what we are today. Modiji knows that very well." (ANI)
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Tuesday, met his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in London during his visit to the UK and underscored Washington DC support for Kyiv's economic recovery. In a statement, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "Secretary of State Antony J Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today in London on the margins of the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Secretary Blinken underscored the United States' support for Ukraine's economic recovery and the importance of continued close collaboration through the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform." Blinken also noted the US commitment to working with the private sector to enable Ukraine's modernization and revitalization. "They discussed the need for Ukraine to continue to implement reforms in order to establish an environment for investment and sustained economic growth. The Secretary briefed the Foreign Minister on his trip to the People's Republic of China and discussions with officials there about Russia's war in Ukraine. They also discussed the United States continued economic and energy support and security assistance for Ukraine," Miller added. In a joint conference, according to the State Department, Blinken said that to support Ukraine, over 50 countries came together. The nations came ahead to "help Ukraine rebuild so much of what has been destroyed by the Russian aggression, to make sure it emerges from this aggression is not only successful on the battlefield but also successful in having a strong economy integrated with Europe, with investment coming in, and with all of the necessary efforts being made to strengthen its democracy and to help it be inviting place for business - all of that is what we're here to work on, to talk about." "And I think it's a demonstration with more than 50 countries, Dmytro, of the powerful and enduring support for Ukraine, not only militarily but also economically and also in everything we're trying to do to build the strongest possible democracy. So we're very pleased to be part of this and very pleased that Ukraine and our friends here are hosting this conference," he added. In London, the Secretary is expected to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference to help mobilize international support from the public and private sectors to help Ukraine recover from Russia's brutal and ongoing attacks. While there, he also met with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and other partners and allies. (ANI)
A riot broke out in central Honduras' only prison for women which left 41 inmates dead, one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in the country's long-troubled prison system, The New York Times reported. According to the spokesman for the public prosecutor's office, Yuri Mora, most of the victims have been burned, while others had been shot. Mora further added that the death toll was expected to rise as investigators combed through the detention facility in Tamara, near Tegucigalpa, the capital. "We are dismayed by the loss of human lives," Julissa Villanueva, vice minister of security and head of the Honduran penitentiary system, said in a news conference. The country's penal system, she said, had been "hijacked" by organized crime. A similar incident was seen in 2019, where 40 gang members were killed in clashes at two all-male prisons over the same weekend. The death toll on Tuesday makes the episode the deadliest prison riot in the Central American country in years, according to The New York Times. Killings have surged in recent years in the women's prison, where several inmates have been strangled or stabbed during confrontations between female gang members of two rival criminal organizations: the 18th Street gang and the MS-13 gang. The country's president, Xiomara Castro, said she was "shocked" by the deaths and promised to take "drastic measures" to hold responsible officials accountable. The riot was "planned by gangs in full view of the law enforcement authorities," she tweeted, without elaborating. The MS-13 and 18th Street gangs, longtime rivals that originated in the United States, have fomented violence in Honduras and neighbouring countries for decades. A 2021 report on Honduras by Human Rights Watch said that "Overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, beatings, intra-gang violence, and detainee killings are endemic in prisons." Honduras's National Women's Penitentiary for Social Adaptation housed about 800 inmates, roughly double its capacity, according to a government official, as per The New York Times. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in 2020, recorded "several violent events" across Honduran prisons, including the women's facility, "where no violent deaths had been reported before." Some of those incidents "were allegedly perpetrated with firearms and other prohibited objects," the commission said. (ANI)
FIA (Federation of Indian Associations) fly a 250 feet long banner over the Hudson River, in New York to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic visit to the United States. PM Modi, who arrived in New York on Tuesday, is all set to participate in the Yoga Day celebrations on June 21. Indian diaspora gave a rousing welcome to PM Modi upon his arrival in New York on Tuesday for the first leg of his inaugural state visit to the US. PM Modi, who is on a four-day visit to the US, received a rousing welcome on Tuesday from the Indian diaspora at the Hotel Lotte where he will be staying during his trip to New York. "Bharat Mata ki Jai," slogans reverberated at the hotel as people from the Indian diaspora cheered and waved their flags seeing the Prime Minister. As people from the Indian diaspora cheered and proudly waved their flags upon seeing the Prime Minister. There was a sense of excitement among the crowd, who were eager to catch a glimpse of and interact with PM Modi during his visit. The Prime Minister also held a meeting with the Bora community in the hotel. An individual of Indian origin in the US expressed his profound joy at seeing and having the opportunity to meet PM Modi, stating, "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have met Prime Minister Modi here in the United States." Meanwhile, another Indian origin said, "The aura surrounding PM Modi is truly remarkable, and he warmly greeted us with such calmness and kindness. We are very thrilled."Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and received a grand reception. Members of the Indian diaspora chanted 'Modi, Modi' slogans as they await PM Modi's arrival in New York. PM Modi also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and was seen shaking hands with them.PM Modi is expected to meet CEOs, Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians, and health sector experts on Tuesday (local time). He will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day. On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI)
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's White House visit, the US-India Business Council organised the INDUS X Summit and its President Atul Keshap said that it will demonstrate the full power of free enterprise systems to the world. Taking to Twitter, US-India Business Council said, "This #INDUSX exhibition "is going to demonstrate the full power of our free enterprise systems to the world" ahead of President Biden and Prime Minister Modi's meeting at the White House. @USAmbKeshap kicks off the #INDUSX reception at @USChamber." PM Modi will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day. INDUS X Summit is a key opportunity to accelerate U.S.-India defence co-development and co-production and to fortify the strategic partnership between our nations. At the summit, US Congressmen Ro Khanna, Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and Deputy Ambassador at Embassy of India in Washington DC Sripriya Ranganathan were also there. "At the #INDUSX reception at @USChamber, Congressman @RoKhanna states that the "U.S. and India have mutually aligned security interests" and that "the business world is looking to India to diversify its supply chains" in Asia," US-India Business Council said. "In his remarks during the #INDUSX reception at @USChamber, Ambassador Garcetti @USAmbIndia underscores that threats can come from the "absence of coordination," and says that "we're thrilled to see #INDUSX" facilitating the coordination necessary for peace." Garcetti further stated to expect to see startups have the opportunity to "participate in government-sponsored joint challenges" and to "partner with established defence industry leads." "At the #INDUSX reception being held at @USChamber, Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan @ranganathan_sr states that she hopes to see these defense startups become "Indo-U.S. unicorns for the next century," US-India Business Council tweeted. Meanwhile, on June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI)
American astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on Tuesday evening said that he sees a very "bright future for India." Tyson who is an author and science communicator read out a quote from his book "Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier" when he met PM Modi. "For me the sky is not the limit," Tyson said while showing PM Modi his book to which the latter responded with a "wah!" and the two shared a laugh and posed for photographers. Neil deGrasse Tyson later said, "I'm quite sure I'm not alone when I say the potential for what India can accomplish knows no limits," he said following his meeting with PM Modi. The Prime Minister also took to his Twitter to post about his meeting with the American astrophysicist. "Talked space, science and related issues with @neiltyson. Highlighted steps India is taking to reform the space sector and draw more youngsters towards science as well as innovation," PM Modi tweeted. Tyson said that he was "delighted to spend time in the company of a head of state who is as scientifically thoughtful as is Prime Minister Modi." Tyson and PM Modi also held conversations about science and technology, and engineering and maths. "So many leaders of the world that I think their priorities might be out of balance with what it needs to be going into the 21st century," Tyson said. "With all of the challenges we have in civilization, the solutions are going to come from innovations in science and technology and engineering and maths. And it's very clear to me that he (PM Modi) cares about all of this," the US astrophysicist said. The science communicator also said that PM Modi reserved his conversations about space for the next time but he was sure space matters quite a bit to the Indian prime minister. "Obviously, he reserved his conversations about space for me, and I guess Elon (musk) was here a few minutes before I got here. But it's clear that space matters quite a bit to the Prime Minister, so I was delighted to hear about future programs that he has in mind. I'm quite sure I'm not alone when I say the potential for what India can accomplish knows no limits," Tyson said. Prime Minister Modi who is on his first state visit to the US has met with high-profile personalities, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio among others. (ANI)
There is great enthusiasm among diplomats from around the world and UN officials for the International Day of Yoga celebrations to be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, according to India's Permanent Representative to UN, Ruchira Kamboj. As workers were busy on Monday for the celebration at the North Lawn of the UN headquarters campus, Kamboj said that about 1,800 diplomats and officials have registered for the event. Modi will be starting off his US visit at the Yoga Day celebrations and head to Washington. While in New York, he will also be meeting "a cross-section of prominent personalities and leaders," according to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. This will be Modi's eighth visit to the US as Prime Minister, but his first state visit that carries a higher level of pomp and circumstance -- like a welcoming 21-gun salute and a state dinner. He will also be addressing the joint session of US Congress for the second time. Modi said that the theme for this year's event is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "Yoga for the Welfare of All as One World-One Family". Modi personally leading the celebration has increased the interest in and enthusiasm for the event, Kamboj said. UN General Assembly President and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has tweeted that she looks forward to being with Modi at the yoga event. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be away in Paris for the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, but will be sending a video message to the celebration. The ninth International Yoga Day, which will include mass yoga exercises, will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. New York Time (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. IST) on Wednesday and will be videocast on the UN network (webtv.un.org). Modi will not be attending the yoga celebrations scheduled to be held at the Times Square. The annual event with the participation of the consulate, civic groups and yoga organisations is called "Mind over Madness Yog". In his address to the UN General Assembly in 2014, Modi suggested declaring June 21 -- the Summer Solstice which is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere -- as the International Day of Yoga. He linked yoga to both health and climate change. He said yoga "is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature". He added that it could lead to "changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change". Asoke Mukerji, who was then India's Permanent Representative to the UN, worked feverishly to mobilise support for it and got it unanimously approved in a record time of less than three months in December. The first Yoga Day was celebrated in 2015 and has been held every year, even in the middle of the Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021 when it went virtual. Yoga Day has become an international celebration with group practices and asana demonstrations across the globe. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) --IANS arul/khz/ ( 525 Words) 2023-06-20-03:50:02 (IANS)
Photo: The Canadian Press

Police on Vancouver Island say two people have been killed in the crash of a small plane northwest of Tofino.

The B.C. Ambulance Service says two others were injured.

A spokeswoman for the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre confirms the single-engine Quest Kodiak 100 went down Tuesday near Nootka Island.

She says the centre was alerted to an emergency locator beacon at 1:42 p.m., and rescue vessels, helicopters and a C130 Hercules military plane responded.

A statement from BC Emergency Health Services says the two injured patients were airlifted from the scene by Canadian Armed Forces rescuers and transferred to paramedics in Comox.

RCMP say the plane was flying from Masset on Haida Gwaii to Tofino.

The Transportation Safety Board said in a statement on Wednesday that it was sending a team to the remote site.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has launched a high-level teachers' panel, and appointed former Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and former President of Trinidad and Tobago Paula-Mae Weekes as its co-chairs. Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for Guterres, said on Monday that the High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession builds on the outcome of the September 2022 Transforming Education Summit and is supported by a joint UNESCO-International Labour Organisation (ILO) Secretariat. According to a UN announcement, the panel draws expertise from Ministries of Education and Labor, teachers, students, representatives of teacher unions, and representatives of civil society, the private sector and academia. "Education remains a centerpiece of global and national efforts to achieve sustainable development, protect human rights and sustain peace," the statement said. "However, the world is experiencing a global learning crisis and education systems are struggling to respond to the needs of a rapidly changing world." At the Transforming Education Summit, national governments from more than 130 countries committed to taking urgent action, Xinhua news agency reported. In this context, teachers, the single most influential variable in achieving learning outcomes, are under considerable strain. A persistent global teacher shortage on the one hand, and concerns around the role of teachers in an increasingly digital learning environment on the other hand, are among the many factors that are making the job of teaching increasingly challenging, the statement added. It said the panel would build on the summit discussions and clarify the role of teachers in education transformation. Panel members would recommend ensuring every student has a professionally trained, qualified, well-supported teacher who can flourish in a transformed education system. The panel's report, expected by the end of November, would contribute to broader efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 as an input to preparations for the 2024 Summit of the Future and help advance follow-up on the education summit, said the statement. SDG 4, one of the 17 UN SDGs for 2030, calls for inclusive and equitable quality education, and lifelong learning opportunities for all. The ex-officio members named to the panel are Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, and Leonardo Garnier, special adviser to Guterres on follow-up to the Transforming Education Summit. --IANS int/khz/ ( 381 Words) 2023-06-20-04:32:01 (IANS)
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the bill will transfer the offences of having custody and wielding a knife in a public place or a school from NSW's Summary Offences Act to the Crimes Act, reports Xinhua news agency.

The new legislation will also see a doubling of the penalties for these offences, with their maximum term of imprisonment increasing from two years to four years.

Meanwhile, the maximum fine for possession of a knife will rise from A$2,200 ($1,497) to A$4,400 , and for wielding a knife to A$11,000.

"The tougher maximum penalty will send a strong message about the gravity of the knife-related crime," NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said.

"The government is acting to address understandable community concern given the high-profile tragic events involving knives that we have seen in NSW over the last couple of years," Daley added.

--IANS ksk/

( 189 Words)

2023-06-20-15:28:03 (IANS)
Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and Deputy Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council Malik Agar discussed the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the international and regional initiatives to resolve the ongoing armed conflict in the country. During a meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Agar briefed Aboul-Gheit on the developments in Sudan, including the field situation and the challenges facing the Sudanese Armed Forces in restoring security and control in the capital Khartoum, the AL said on Monday in a statement. Agar also called for coordinated efforts in the region and internationally to enable an end to the tensions and to preserve the integrity, stability and unity of Sudan, Xinhua news agency reported. For his part, Aboul-Gheit stressed the commitment of the AL to work for the stability of Sudan and its territorial integrity, preserving the capabilities of the Sudanese people and protecting its institutions, as well as its readiness to provide all forms of support to achieve security and stability in the African country. He also asserted the need for international action and initiatives to work for the benefit of Sudan and its people, in cooperation and coordination with the government of Sudan. The AL Secretary-General called for serious work to achieve more harmony among these initiatives, adding that the AL would present ideas in this regard to various parties. He highlighted the importance of working to reach arrangements that allow dealing with the deteriorating humanitarian situation in areas witnessing armed clashes through the ceasefire that is agreed upon during the Jeddah meetings. Agar's visit came amid a 72-hour truce between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which started Sunday morning, and relatively restored calm in the country. The two forces' deadly clash has claimed hundreds of civilian lives and displaced millions more across the country since it broke out on April 15. --IANS int/khz/ ( 320 Words) 2023-06-20-04:36:02 (IANS)
The Nepal government said on Tuesday that it has sought a report from its embassy in New Delhi about the murals depicted in the new Indian Parliament building. Nepal's Foreign Minister N.P. Saud said that the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi has been instructed to send a report about the murals (maps) depicted in the Indian Parliament building. In a meeting of the International Relations Committee of the Federal Parliament held on Tuesday, Saud said that the embassy has been instructed to send a report after inquiring with the Indian side about the murals. The issue has drawn a huge uproar in Kathmandu. However, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that during his visit to New Delhi, the Indian side clarified that it was a cultural map and not a political one. Saud also informed the Committee that the murals depicted in the newly constructed Indian Parliament building has a caption about the expansion of Emperor Ashoka's empire during his time. "The Committee is aware that the official opinion of the Government of India has come from the Foreign Minister that this issue is not a political issue," he said, adding that the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi has been instructed to discuss this matter with the Indian side and send a report. He said that the government's attention had been drawn toward the murals depicted in the Indian Parliament building, and added that the committee, members of the committee, and the government are all clear and firm on Nepal's international borders. "We have a national consensus on this issue," he said. Saud asserted that the government is fully committed to Nepal's sovereignty, national integrity, independence, and international borders and will not let anyone encroach upon even an inch of Nepal's land. Earlier, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Balen Shah triggered a controversy by placing the Greater Nepal map at his office in retaliation to the Indian murals that "depicted some parts of Nepal such as Lumbini and Kapilvastu" as part of 'Akhand Bharat'. --IANS ag/sha ( 354 Words) 2023-06-20-17:46:05 (IANS)
Qatar and the UAE have announced the reopening of their respective embassies and consulates with immediate effect. The detente was broadly welcomed by regional leaders and analysts. Qatar's embassy in Abu Dhabi and its consulate in Dubai, as well as the UAE's embassy in Doha, will reopen on Monday, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA). Both sides stressed that the significant step reflects the determination of the leadership of both countries and contributes to the advancement of joint Arab initiatives, fulfilling the aspirations of the two brotherly people, QNA said. In a phone conversation on Monday, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated each other on the resumption of their diplomatic representation, according to a separate QNA report. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also welcomed the restoration between the two member states, Xinhua news agency reported. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised the "blessed step which embodies ... the unity of the GCC countries and the support for the joint Gulf action," QNA reported. Kheir Diabat, a professor from the International Affairs Department of Qatar University, said the decision to restore diplomatic ties signifies that both sides have pushed their relations a step forward to normalisation and cooperation. "It means there is an opportunity for the two parties to coordinate their positions and political visions towards Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Sudan. In addition, this rapprochement will also be reflected in the strength of the GCC, which has suffered in recent years from apparent weakness due to the Gulf crisis," he said. The thaw is yet another fruit of the wave of regional de-escalation since the Al-ula summit, Adel Abdel Ghafar, director of the Foreign Policy and Security Program of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in Doha, told Xinhua. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt announced the severing of diplomatic ties with Qatar, citing Qatar's alleged support for terrorism and destabilisation of the region. Qatar has denied these accusations. In 2021, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt announced the restoration of diplomatic relations with Qatar on the sidelines of the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. However, due to a lack of consensus on certain issues, the process of full normalisation has been delayed. --IANS int/khz/ ( 406 Words) 2023-06-20-07:04:02 (IANS)
The targeted killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara who was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, has thrown up many tricky questions for Canadian security agencies. Nijjar, 45, who was designated as a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last year and carried a prize of Rs 10 lakhs on his head, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while leaving the gurdwara at about 8.30 p.m. on Sunday. Nijjar, who came to Canada from Bhar Singh Pura village in Jalandhar in 1997, was also the main leader of the pro-Khalistan referendum in Canada along with New York-based Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Just days before his murder, Nijjar told a local Punjabi channel that he had been informed by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that there was a threat to his life. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which has taken over the investigation, will have to unravel whether the killing of the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader was a result of local feuds or the handiwork of other elements. In a media briefing on Monday, IHIT's Timothy Pierotti said: "We understand there is a lot of speculation regarding the motive of this homicide, but we are dedicated to learning the facts and letting the evidence lead our investigation." He said the investigation team would work with the country's spy agency to unravel the case. "We're working hard to speak to every person and collect the facts of this case. And we'll determine the motive that way." There have also been reports about an encrypted online site seeking to hire hitmen to target Nijjar. Another angle doing the rounds is that it could be a case of revenge killing for the July 2022 murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik, the Air India bombing accused. Malik was also killed by two gunmen outside his Surrey office. Nijjar was at loggerheads with Malik over the printing of the holy Sikh scripture by the latter at his own printing press in Surrey. Moreover, Malik's praise for the Narendra Modi government in India had also angered pro-Khalistan leaders. For their part, some pro-Khalistan organisations have alleged that Nijjar was targeted by Indian agencies. --IANS gurmukh/ksk/ ( 389 Words) 2023-06-20-10:08:02 (IANS)
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that Zakareya Al-Za'oul, 20, died on Monday after being shot in the head by Israeli soldiers in the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem, reports Xinhua news agency.

Palestinian witnesses and local sources said that during clashes that broke out between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers in the village, the demonstrators threw stones at the troopers who opened fire, killing Al-Za'oul as a result.

There was no Israeli authorities' comment on the incident of Al-Za'oul's death.

However, Israel Radio reported that an army force opened fire at a group of young men who threw Molotov cocktail bombs at the soldiers.

Also on Monday, five Palestinians were killed and 91 others injured with 23 of them in serious condition, after an Israeli army force, backed by bulldozers and a helicopter, stormed the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

An Israeli army spokesman said that seven of its soldiers were injured during the operation in Jenin.

The army said that helicopters opened fire after gunmen were spotted, the first incident of its kind in 20 years.

Militants groups affiliated with Palestinian factions announced that their members engaged in clashes with the storming Israeli forces in more than one place and managed to damage several vehicles and cause casualties among the soldiers.

Tension between Israel and the Palestinians has been flaring in the West Bank since January, following daily Israeli army raids on Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps to arrest Palestinians wanted by Israeli security forces.

--IANS ksk/

( 284 Words)

2023-06-20-10:42:02 (IANS)
At least four people were injured after a man armed with an axe allegedly attacked diners at several Chinese restaurants in Auckland, New Zealand police said on Tuesday, adding that the suspect was arrested at the scene. Late Monday night, the police received calls from the suburb of Albany, a popular area for dining in the city, with reports of attacks at the Zhangliang Malatang, Yues Dumpling Kitchen and Maya Hotpot restaurants, reports the BBC. A staff member at one of the eateries said the incident began without warning as the man entered and suddenly "took a hammer-like thing out and attacked people sitting at a table", while a chef described the aftermath as "like a war zone". Police said that the suspect, a Chinese national, was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm. The attack did not appear to be racially motivated and was being treated as an isolated incident, it added. "We acknowledge how frightening this incident was for those involved, and for the wider community, and we are ensuring there is support in place for both the victims and their friends and family," police commander Inspector Stefan Saga said. --IANS ksk/ ( 208 Words) 2023-06-20-10:58:04 (IANS)
Photo: The Canadian Press

An ethics report has found that a Surrey councillor who had family working for the RCMP breached ethics rules when he voted to halt the transition to an independent police force.

The investigation by Surrey's ethics commissioner says Rob Stutt broke the council's code of conduct on Nov. 14 when he voted at a meeting to decide the fate of the transition.

The move to the Surrey Police Service was rejected in a 5-4 vote.

The report said that Stutt had two family members working for the RCMP at the time, one an officer and the other a civilian employee.

While the officer would have been eligible for a position in the Surrey Police Service, and was seeking an RCMP transfer at the time of the vote, the ethics commissioner found that was not enough to overcome the perception of potential bias.

Rick Stewart, president of the Surrey Police Union, says the councillor should apologize to city residents for "his disrespect to his office and compromised integrity at city hall."

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth have been in a fractious debate over the fate of policing in the city, with Locke accusing Farnworth of bullying and misogyny after Farnworth said the city had been playing "games."
India has lashed out at China for blocking proposals at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba's Sajid Mir as a "global terrorist." "...If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes listed under security council architecture for pure geopolitical interest, then we do not really have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism...," Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary, at the Ministry of External Affairs, said at the United Nations counter-terror meeting on Tuesday. https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1671404205918289922 In a stern response to China's move at a high-level summit, India without naming its neighbouring country said it "had strong reasons to believe that something was genuinely wrong in the global sanctions regime as manifested in the Security Council." Detailing a history of terror attacks in India, Gupta said, "India has faced the brunt of terrorism largely flowing from across our borders for well over three decades. Whether it is the Mumbai terror attack of 2008, the 2016 Pathankot Air Base attack, or the 2019 Pulwama terror attacks, we have lost several thousands of innocent civilians as well as the bravest of our armed forces in this battle against terrorism." "But regretfully, justice still continues to elude the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks," he added. The MEA Joint Secretary then played an audio in which Mir is heard instructing the attack on Chabad House, one of the terror targets in the Mumbai attack. "Even as the terror attacks were unfolding, Sajid Mir, a very dreaded terrorist who directed the terrorists from across the border in real time to hunt down foreigners in the Taj Hotel and kill them indiscriminately. He was listed as a proscribed terrorist under the national laws of India. He was prescribed, under the laws of the United States, this host country and of several other countries globally, many of whose nationals lost their lives," Gupta added. He then in a veiled attack on China said, "When the proposal for labelling him as a global terrorist did not go through the Security Council sanctions regime, we had strong reasons to believe that something was genuinely wrong in the global sanctions regime as manifested in the Security Council." "We really do not have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism," India said. Even 15 years after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, its masterminds have not yet been brought to justice. So the first and most critical gap we feel addressing is avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists. The MEA joint secretary also reiterated PM Modi and said, "We consider that even a single attack is one too many, and even a single life lost is one too many." On Tuesday, Beijing blocked the proposal that had been moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. China's blocking of the proposal by US and India comes as prime minister Narendra Modi is in the US for his first State visit. Sajid Mir, one of India's most wanted terrorists, is wanted for his involvement in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. Mir served as the chief planner of the attacks, directing preparations and reconnaissance, and was one of the Pakistan-based controllers during the attacks. "Beginning on November 26, 2008, and continuing through November 29, 2008, ten attackers trained by the Pakistan-based foreign terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) carried out a series of coordinated attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai, including hotels, cafes, and a train station, killing approximately 170 people. Six Americans were killed during the three-day attacks," the FBI website reads. Earlier in 2022, India at the UN counter-terror meet in Mumbai revealed in detail Pakistan's role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack by playing Pakistan-based terrorist Sajid Mir's audiotape. In the audio clip, he is heard directing the attack on Chabad House during Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks. Meanwhile, China, in recent months, has blocked several bids to designate several terrorists based in Pakistan. In October last year, Beijing put on hold a proposal to list Talha Saeed, son of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed. This bid was moved by India and co-supported by the US, under the 1267 sanction regime. It was the fifth time that China has blocked an India-US proposal in recent months, Lashkar-e-Taiba member Shahid Mahmood in October, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Sajid Mir in September, LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) leader Abdul Rehman Makki in June, as well as Abdul Rauf Azhar in August, the brother of Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM) chief Masood Azhar, were protected by Beijing. (ANI)
PM Modi and Prof Thurman exchanged perspectives on how Buddhist values can act as a guiding light for finding solutions to global challenges. They also discussed India's Buddhist connect and efforts being made by India for preservation of Buddhist heritage.

"The interaction with @BobThurman was outstanding. I admire his passion towards research and scholarship on aspects relating to Buddhism. I highlighted India's Buddhist heritage and how Buddhism can help overcome many challenges our world faces," PM Modi said in a tweet .

Thurman visited India and participated in the Global Buddhist Summit 2023, a mega conference attended by scholars, leaders of the Sangha, and practitioners of the Dharma from around the world.

Interacting with ANI during his visit to India in April, Thurman supported India's candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. He said that the five UN Security Council members could not resolve conflicts diplomatically and India has the potential to bring peace to the world.

Terming India as the land of Gautam Buddha, Tirthankara Mahavira and Mahatma Gandhi, Thurman had said that India is promoting peace through Buddhism. (ANI)
The building houses the executive offices of the President and the Vice President of the United States and is located next to the West Wing of the White House.

PM Modi, on Wednesday, led a special Yoga session at the United Nations headquarters in New York City to mark the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga.

People from more than 180 countries were seen performing asanas on their Yoga mats. Apart from PM Modi, India's permanent envoy to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the 77th United Nations General President Csaba Korosi were among the dignitaries attending the event.

Earlier at the event, PM Modi laid floral tributes at the recently installed bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the lawns of the UN headquarters.

Prime Minister Modi is presently on his maiden state visit to the US.

After overseeing the Yoga Day celebrations, PM Modi will travel to Washington DC where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi the same evening.

PM Modi will also address a joint sitting of the US Congress on the same day.

On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In addition to official engagements, Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI)
China's economic slowdown could increase the prospect of a military crisis in the Taiwan Strait as Chinese President Xi Jinping may further embrace nationalism in his unprecedented third term, a prominent US think tank has warned, Nikkei Asia reported. The warning came in an extensive report issued on Tuesday by a bipartisan task force convened by the Council on Foreign Relations, covering various aspects of US-Taiwan relations, including politics, diplomacy, economy and security. In it, the experts warned that Washington's four-decade-old framework for dealing with Taiwan since establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1979 had become "more and more brittle". The task force, co-chaired by Mike Mullen, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Sue Gordon, a former principal deputy director of national intelligence, wrote, "This reality, paired with Xi's unease with the status quo and his determination to make progress toward unification, increases the risk of a conflict." Tuesday's report also concluded that China was likely entering a long-term economic slowdown driven by its ageing and shrinking population, its crackdown on innovative technology companies and US export controls on advanced technology. China's central bank on Tuesday lowered lending rates for the first time in 10 months, a cut widely regarded as another sign that Chinese policymakers are increasingly concerned about the country's economic forecast. The report said, "As China's economic growth has slowed under Xi, he has increasingly turned to nationalism to justify the [Chinese Communist Party's] monopoly on power. With a further downturn, he could turn to the Taiwan issue to rally support for the CCP and his personal rule. As Xi approaches the end of his tenure and looks toward his legacy, the risk of a conflict over Taiwan will grow." Tuesday's report comes a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Xi in Beijing. While the two powers agreed to maintain lines of communication, Blinken's trip reaffirmed divergent views on the future of Taiwan, with China's top diplomat Wang Yi stating Beijing has no space for compromise or concession on the island, according to Nikkei Asia. (ANI)
1 shot at Salisbury Burger King, police say

Police are investigating a shooting that happened at a Salisbury Burger King Tuesday evening.

Salisbury police said someone was shot around 7:30 p.m. at the restaurant on Innes Street.

ALSO READ: CMPD: 1 found shot to death in car on dirt road in north Charlotte

The victim is expected to recover from their injuries, police said.

Investigators said they dont have a suspect in custody.

Channel 9 is working to learn what led up to the shooting.

No further information was released.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 2 seriously hurt in Gastonia shooting, police say)
12 arrested in Georgia for cockfighting ring, sheriff says

The Jeff Davis County Sheriffs Office announced a dozen Georgians were arrested for operating a chicken fighting operation in the county.

In early June, deputies said a series of search warrants were executed by multiple law enforcement agencies in Jeff Davis County and Appling County, leading to the arrests.

Officials said the investigation began in February, with the Jeff Davis sheriff and the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigating chicken fighting derbies in Hazlehurst, Ga.

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On June 3, and over the next few days, 10 agencies descended on a property in the Graham area, searching two homes and a barn where the suspected chicken derbies were happening, according to the sheriffs office.

In that location, deputies say agents discovered chicken fighting tools, pens, cages, blind boxes, discarded dead roosters, drugs, firearms and large sums of cash.

On June 4, a warrant served in Appling County found two individuals at the residence attempting to remove evidence from the home. Agents discovered chicken fighting tools, ammunition, suspected marijuana, suspected methamphetamine, and a stolen firearm in a vehicle.

Deputies say nine weapons were recovered that had been taken from the house the night before.

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The next day, another warrant served at a 10-acre property and residence led to the discovery of 100 rooster pens, chicken fighting tools, several firearms, and large sums of cash.

Deputies say 12 people were arrested in connection to the cock fighting operation, and a total of 28 firearms were removed from three convicted felons possessions, along with more than $90,000 in cash.

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The following individuals were arrested.

Ricky Lamar Stone, 62, Hazlehurst, Ga. - aggravated animal cruelty x5, commercial gambling x5, more charges pending.

Ramona Stone, 60, Hazlehurst, Ga. - parties to a crime of animal cruelty x5, parties to a crime of commercial gambling x5, possession of a scheduled 4 controlled substance.

Lowell Edward White, 61, Baxley, Ga. - cruelty to animals x5, commercial gambling x5, criminal solicitation.

Robert Newton White, 64, Baxley, Ga. - tampering with evidence, obstruction of law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property (firearm).

Jonah Caleb White, 21, Baxley, Ga. - tampering with evidence, obstruction of law enforcement officer.

Eddie Wayne Bush, 60, Hazlehurst, Ga. - aggravated cruelty to animals, commercial gambling.

Dallas Neil Spivey, 39, Ambrose, Ga. - parties to a crime of cruelty to animals x2, commercial gambling x2.

Justin Lewis Brown, 35, Uvalda, Ga. - parties to a crime of cruelty to animals, commercial gambling.

Kailey Nicole Rogers, 23, Uvalda, Ga. - parties to a crime of cruelty to animals, commercial gambling.

James Craig Scott, 64, Alma, Ga. - parties to a crime of cruelty to animals, parties to a crime of commercial gambling.

Haley Marie McKinnon, 23, Hazlehurst, Ga. - possession of fentanyl, tampering with evidence, possession of drug-related objects.

Cashus Jordan Crosby, 30, Hazlehurst, Ga. - possession of fentanyl, possession of drug-related objects. Crosby had an active arrest warrant for possession of methamphetamine which was served at the time of his arrest.

According to the sheriffs office, the investigation is ongoing, a joint effort between the USDA, the sheriffs office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They say more arrests are expected.

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A 14-year-old college graduate has received a job offer to be a software engineer at Elon Musk's spaceflight company SpaceX.

Key details: Kairan Quazi graduated from the Santa Clara University School of Engineering with a computer science and engineering degree on Saturday.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the teenager shared that his college years were the happiest years of his life, explaining, "I had a lot of autonomy, really, to share my journey."

Giving hints: Quazi first hinted about the job in an Instagram post in April, updating his over 12,900 followers about his major job interview.

More from NextShark: Massive Crowds of Asian Americans Across the Country March in Support of #BlackLivesMatter

Days later, Quazi confirmed that he received a job offer from SpaceX, writing that he would soon be working at one of the coolest companies on the planet! He will specifically work for SpaceXs Star Link engineering team as a software engineer.

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From a young age: Quazi started attending college at the age of 9. He attended Las Positas College in Livermore, near San Francisco, before transferring to Santa Clara University.

Quazi completed an internship at Intel Labs at 10 years old, making him the first undergraduate student to become an AI Fellow there.

After serving as Intel Labs youngest-ever AI Fellow, Quazi received his Associate of Science degree in Mathematics at the age of 11 before interning at cyber intelligence startup Blackbird.ai at the age of 13.

Not just SpaceX: Quazi reportedly applied for around 100 job positions, and only three companies sent him job offers.

Whats next for Quazi: Although his start date at SpaceX has not been disclosed, Quazi and his mother are reportedly planning on relocating from California to Washington for his new job at the Musk-founded and -owned company.
How the 14th Amendment is changing the fight for gender-affirming care for minors

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  In a landmark ruling, a federal judge has overturned a state's law banning gender-affirming health care for minors as near-identical bans are being debated in statehouses across the country.

U.S. District Judge Jay Moody struck down Tuesday Arkansas' first-in-the-nation ban as unconstitutional, arguing it violated young people's right to equal protection under the law and due process, and those of their parents. He also ruled Arkansas' law violated the free speech rights of doctors in the state.

"There's no question this is a huge victory; it's a precedent. We all hope and pray that this will have a ripple effect and an impact on other legislators and courts across the country," Cathy Renna, communications director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, told USA TODAY.

What is gender-affirming care?

Moody's ruling comes after nearly 20 other states have banned or restricted care for transgender youth. Young people who have already socially transitioned (through changes in hair, clothes and name) have said they need access to gender-affirming puberty blockers to avoid developing physical characteristics that would make them have negative feelings of gender dysphoria.

More than half the bans on gender-affirming health care passed in other states have been challenged in court in recent years by groups including the American Civil Liberties Union. In a few states, judges have temporarily blocked bans, which advocates have long argued target vulnerable young people for the purpose of scoring political points from anti-LGBTQ voters. But Moody's ruling is the first in the United States to fully block a gender-affirming care ban.

"We hope that this sends a message to other states about the vulnerability of these laws and the many harms that come from passing them. Were so thankful for the bravery of our clients and the tireless work of advocates in Arkansas," said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the ACLUs LGBTQ & HIV Project.

Dylan Brandt speaks at a news conference outside the federal courthouse in Little Rock, Ark., July 21, 2021. Brandt, a teenager, is among several transgender youth and families who are plaintiffs challenging a state law banning gender confirming care for trans minors. A federal judge struck down Arkansas' first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for children as unconstitutional Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

What does the Arkansas case mean for LGBTQ youth in other states?

Across the country, a patchwork of proposed and enacted laws targeting the rights of LGBTQ youth have sparked student protests and forced some families to flee hostile states, USA TODAY has reported.

"Transgender kids across the country are having their own futures threatened by laws like this one, and it's up to all of us to speak out, fight back, and give them hope," said Dylan Brandt, a 17-year-old trans boy in Arkansas and the lead plaintiff in the case.

Moody's decision to overturn Arkansas' ban, which had been on the books for over 18 months, could discourage other states from enacting their own bans, because lawmakers will likely get tied up in court and will have a legal disadvantage because of the precedent Moody's legal opinion sets, legal experts predicted.

This month, in an unprecedented warning to LGBTQ Americans in every state, the Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ rights and urged queer people to be on the lookout for threats of violence and protect each other from harm.

At the same time, the majority of Americans report they oppose the restrictions being passed in GOP-led states, according to a recent poll from the nonpartisan research firm NORC at the University of Chicago and the Williams Institute at UCLA.

"This needs to recharge our batteries," Renna said. "Because the fight is far from over. We're in the middle of a terrible storm and the clouds cleared for a moment, but the storm will start again."

Along with Brandt, three other families of transgender youth and two doctors filed the lawsuit against Arkansas' ban in May 2021.

Conservative state lawmakers who sponsor these kinds of bans argue gender-affirming medical care is harmful because some physical changes can be irreversible. But qualified health care providers have consistently rebutted the claims, arguing many effects of puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy do stop once treatment is stopped.

Why did Judge Jay Moody overturn Arkansas' ban on trans youth care?

In his decision to overturn the law, Moody said the Constitution's 14th Amendment "forbids states to 'deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.'"

For transgender young people in Arkansas, Moody wrote, The liberty interest at issue in this case  the interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children  is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court."

In last year's trial, a doctor testified Arkansas' law would restrict her freedom of speech by barring her from referring her patients to other health care providers for the treatment they sought and needed.

Moody's agreed with the plaintiff, ruling the law was unconstitutional because it focused solely on speech doctors could make related to gender-affirming care.

Moody ruled the law was a "viewpoint-based regulation" of speech, "because it restricts healthcare professionals from making referrals for 'gender transition procedures' only, not for other purposes," he wrote in his decision.

Legal experts said Moody's legal decision will be a "persuasive" opinion for judges in other states to consider when they preside over similar lawsuits against bans on gender-affirming care.

The most important outcome of Tuesday's ruling is that Moody found Arkansas' expert witnesses to be not credible, Remy Green, a civil rights lawyer in New York City, told USA TODAY.

In his decision, Moody wrote Arkansas' witnesses who testified in support of the ban lacked qualifications to offer their opinions, failed to support their opinions and admitted they were not experts in the treatment of gender dysphoria.

"The state of Arkansas was asked to get the best people they could get and got the medical equivalent of crumbs, loose change and an expired CVS receipt pulled from their pocket," Green said. "These are not serious people. It's absolutely garbage."

In a key victory for LGBTQ advocates, Moody points out in his decision that other states across the country are carting out the exact same expert witnesses that testified in the Arkansas trial, Green said.

Moody wrote in his ruling that the doctors who claimed to be experts on gender-affirming care were recruited by the Alliance Defending Freedom (a Christian legal advocacy group) for the purpose of testifying in court against lawsuits brought by LGBTQ advocates.

"If the Alliance Defending Freedom could have pulled experts that actually had relevant credentials they would have," Green said. "These experts are the best they got."

Arkansas' Republican Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement he planned to appeal Moodys ruling to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which last year upheld the judges temporary order against the law.

If the state of Arkansas appeals, it would be a "mistake," Green said, because officials there will likely lose. At that point, all the other states in the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals would be "bound" to the appeals ruling out of Arkansas and they would have to overturn their own laws banning gender-affirming care, Green said.

Gwendolyn Herzig prepares to administer a shot of testosterone for a patient at Park West Pharmacy in Little Rock, Ark. on Feb. 22, 2023. Herzig, who is transgender, was asked about her genitalia by an Arkansas lawmaker when she testified about a bill restricting gender affirming care for minors. The question is an example of the rhetoric transgender people say they're facing at statehouses as they speak out against new bills targeting their rights.

What states have temporarily blocked gender-affirming care bans for minors?

Federal judges in these states have temporarily blocked laws that banned gender-affirming health care for people under 18, the ACLU states on its website.

In 2023 thus far, the ACLU has challenged seven new laws similar to Arkansass ban.

Rebecca, a 12-year-old in Texas, came out as transgender about two years ago. Her parents, Mitch and Tiffany Tillison, asked that only her middle name, Rebecca, be published because they fear for her safety due to threats of violence against transgender people. Because of such threats and a crackdown on health care options for her, the family plans to move to Washington state in July. (Mitch Tillison)

What states have passed youth gender-affirming care bans?

A long list of states have passed and/or enacted laws prohibiting gender-affirming care for people under 18. Some of the first bans were passed in 2021, and many states have passed laws throughout 2023. In some states, elected officials banned gender-affirming health care via orders, circumventing the state legislature.

Here are the states that have restricted or banned gender-affirming health care for minors:

Florida.

Georgia.

Idaho.

Indiana.

Iowa.

Kentucky.

Mississippi.

Missouri.

Montana.

Nebraska.

North Dakota.

Oklahoma.

South Dakota.

Tennessee.

Texas.

Utah.

West Virginia.

What states are set to pass youth gender-affirming care bans?

LGBTQ advocates warn GOP-lawmakers in these states are poised to soon pass bans similar to the one that was just overturned in Arkansas:

D Sellars, a nonbinary parent from Fuquay-Varina, N.C., stands outside the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Sellars was among dozens of LGBTQ+ people who showed up to speak in committee against a bill restricting gender-affirming care access but was not given time to testify.

When did Arkansas pass gender-affirming ban for youth?

Arkansas Republican lawmakers enacted the ban in 2021, overriding a veto from then-GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

At the time, Hutchinson said the law went too far because it cut off treatments for children who were already on a puberty blocker or hormone replacement therapy treatment.

Moody's decision follows a weekslong trial that took place in the fall of 2022, in which Brandt testified the ban would force him to leave his home state to get treatment legally elsewhere.

The ACLU celebrated the judge's decision Tuesday, saying lies about gender-affirming care presented by defendants fell apart in court.

"This decision sends a clear message. Fear-mongering and misinformation about this health care do not hold up to scrutiny," said Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas.

Brandt said the ban would have endangered many people's lives.

Im so grateful the judge heard my experience of how this health care has changed my life for the better, said Brandt.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gender-affirming care for minors is changing across the US: Here's how
15-year-old stole two vehicles, led Ky. police on chase before they deployed Taser on him

A 15-year-old boy from Henry County stole two vehicles, led Kentucky State Police on a pursuit and hit multiple vehicles Tuesday afternoon before they deployed a Taser on him, state police said.

State police said the teen was driving a stolen heavy-duty truck near Pendleton in Henry County when troopers tried to stop him after receiving a call at 12:35 p.m. about the stolen vehicle, the second the boy had allegedly taken.

State police said they had found the first stolen vehicle in Henry County wrecked and abandoned, according to a news release.

The teen fled from troopers in the truck, and the chase took multiple roads and eventually crossed into Oldham County, state police said in a news release.

During the pursuit, state police said the boy hit a deputys vehicle and a state troopers vehicle.

Troopers tried twice to deploy a tire deflation device to slow or stop the truck. On the second try, as the truck was approaching the La Grange city limits, state police said they were able deflate at least one of its tires.

The truck turned onto Main Street in La Grange, where state police said it hit numerous parked vehicles, all of which were unoccupied, before it stopped.

The 15-year-old got out and ran, but state police said they deployed a Taser to stop him and took him into custody. No one was injured in the incident, state police said.
DP Development submitted a request to rezone a 35-acre tract to permit the construction of up to 175 townhomes in Sherrills Ford. The property is located at 8049 and 8065 E. N.C. 150.

The proposed development, called Sherrills Landing, would also include 1.7 acres for commercial use, 1.8 acres for boat and RV parking, 650,000 square feet of open space and a 500-foot utility easement between the parcels, documents submitted to the county show.

The properties located near the site are predominantly vacant land, commercial uses, or multifamily residential, according to county documents. A sizable multifamily project was recently approved next to the site and is currently under development. Approval of the rezoning would allow additional commercial development along the Highway 150 corridor, provide much needed residential development, and would utilize a sizable piece of property that is subject to a significant utility easement in a productive manner.

The Catawba County Planning Board will review the request at its meeting on June 26 at 7 p.m. at the Catawba County Government Center, 25 Government Dr.

At a community meeting Wednesday night, April 26, 2023, residents blasted Lake Norman developer Jake Palillos plans for a 263-acre Huntersville mega development whose centerpiece would be a gigantic recreation lagoon.

Residents blast Lagoona Bay Beach project

Residents concerned about a massive $800 million mixed-use community in Huntersville once again pilloried a Lake Norman developers plans Tuesday night, citing already overburdened roads and the project being too gigantic and out of character with the area.

I am horrified this would even be considered, resident Violet Clarke said during a public hearing called by the Huntersville Board of Commissioners. The traffic will affect all of us, everybody in the area. We will be sitting in gridlock due to this nightmare.

Clarke said 5,300 people have signed her Stop Lagoona Bay Beach Club petition against Cornelius developer Jake Palillos 270-acre residential development. The project would feature a 40-acre modern lifestyle beach resort called Lagoona Bay Beach Club and its 10-acre freshwater lagoon.

The club would be in a community with 250 custom, single-family homes. Other properties in the development would house 320 luxury apartments, 200 townhomes and 412 luxury condos, according to the developers plans.

The tract is more than five times the size of Huntersvilles iconic Birkdale Village mixed-use community off the other side of the exit.

Shannon Harris, a North Mecklenburg High School graduate, said she left Orlando, Florida, nearly 30 years ago for Huntersvilles peace, quiet, nature.

Tourism ruined Florida, she said.

Six other residents also urged the commissioners to reject a rezoning for the project. No one spoke in favor of the plans.

The development would be east of Interstate 77 Huntersville exit 25 along N.C. 73/Sam Furr Road, Westmoreland Road, Black Farms Road and McCord Road, town planning documents show.

At Tuesdays hearing, Pallilo said his development team has responded to 59 issues raised by Huntersville planning staff. As a result, plans now include such additions as traffic calming areas, berms, larger courtyards, more open space, an additional sidewalk, and, along the perimeter, 6-foot-tall landscaped fences, he said.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the rezoning at 6:30 p.m. July 17 at Town Hall, 101 Huntersville-Concord Road.
Pakistani researcher hails China's practical efforts to make all human beings better off

People's Daily Online) 16:40, June 20, 2023

"The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a practical manifestation and demonstration of what the Vienna Declaration envisioned," a Pakistani researcher told People's Daily Online during the two-day Forum on Global Human Rights Governance in Beijing from June 14 to 15.

Zoon Ahmed Khan, a researcher at the Center for China and Globalization, also highlighted the important role of how the Global Development Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and China's poverty alleviation efforts at home contribute to global human rights protection.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Wu Chengliang)
Photo: The Canadian Press A worker restocks shelves in the bakery and bread aisle at an Atlantic Superstore grocery.

Canada Bread Co. has been fined $50 million after pleading guilty to its role in a criminal price-fixing scheme that inflated the wholesale price of bread in Canada.

The Competition Bureau of Canada says it is the highest price-fixing fine ever imposed by a Canadian court.

It says Canada Bread, a subsidiary of Mexico-based Grupo Bimbo, pleaded guilty to four counts of price-fixing under the Competition Act.

The Competition Bureau says the bread maker admitted that it arranged with its competitor, Weston Foods (Canada) Inc., to increase prices for various bagged and sliced bread products, such as sandwich bread, hotdog buns and rolls.

The price-fixing resulted in two price increases, one in 2007 and another in 2011.

At the time of the price-fixing arrangement, Canada Bread was under the ownership of Maple Leaf Foods, and Grupo Bimbo says it's considering "all legal options against those responsible."
Summer is here, and so are the office thermostat wars.

Every year, as temperatures heat up outside, many offices will crank up the air conditioning. For many office workers, it can ignite a perennial debate about what is the ideal office temperature.

For the record: Its not in your head if you find it hard to concentrate in a frigid office. It can be by design. Researchers have found that a lot of office buildings set temperatures based on a 1960s formula that uses the metabolic rates of men in its calculation.

And that office thermostat can make a difference in your ability to do work, depending on who you are. One 2019 study in the journal PLOS One surveyed 543 students in Germany and found that women performed better on tests in warmer offices while men performed better in cooler offices. Our results potentially raise the stakes for the battle of the thermostat, suggesting that it is not just about comfort, but also about cognitive performance and productivity, the study authors concluded.

Whatever your personal preference, know that as long as there are freezing offices, there will be people making jokes about having to don blankets and sweaters indoors during summer.

Here are some of the funniest takes from Twitter:

I tweet for the girls that keep that black office sweater on the back of their chair because they keep the thermostat on Artic Tundra  Tauriana Grande (@BeeNasty_) July 30, 2018

It's so cold in my office that reading the news is only able to get my blood to lightly simmer  maura quint (@behindyourback) December 15, 2016

When you work in an office building, its always so cold in the winter, but once the weather warms up, its also cold.  Lurkin' Mom (@LurkAtHomeMom) April 5, 2023

Office cold is a different type of cold.  Head Panderer Will (@MrGee54) December 15, 2022

andre 3000: whats cooler than being cool?



kathy in accounting: this office! [puts on sweater]  TRILLIONAIRE (@maltyhops) August 7, 2018

why is every office in corporate America FREEZING. I can see my BREATH. I am going to make a snow angel on my BREAK.  gabs (@GabrielleMcKeon) October 28, 2019

Stay warm in your freezing office by growing a beard in the summer.  Abbi Crutchfield (@curlycomedy) August 14, 2015

I am "I have an office sweater" years old.  Elizabeth Hackett (@LizHackett) November 7, 2016

My office is really cold, so I leave a sweater there, and every morning I come into work and put on my sweater, and it just occurred to me that Im Mr Rodgers.   geek (@alfageeek) September 23, 2019

the best thing about summer is wearing little flimsy shit to work but covering up in a cardigan/sweater during the office hours and emerging as a bad bitch around 6pm.  cp  (@theBKbelle) July 25, 2019

The nice thing about the office air conditioning is you never have to bother putting your lunch in the office fridge  Heidi Stevens (@HeidiStevens13) August 20, 2019

If you work from home and miss going to the office, just drive around for 2 hours to waste time and keep your home temp at 61 degrees so you always need a sweater.  Adam Karpiak (@Adam_Karpiak) January 8, 2022

Im freezing: a memoir about office culture  Sarah Sweeney (@heysarahsweeney) May 23, 2023

We need a word for that brief interlude after you've left your freezing-cold office when the heat actually feels good before it does not.  erin mccann | (@mccanner) July 25, 2019

Yay! Live picture of me in my office after finally asking for a space heater after years of freezing each summer. pic.twitter.com/DPcaQfg2G2  Dr. Amanda Murdie (@AmandaMurdie) April 6, 2023

i simply cannot go back to a freezing summer office now that i have been allowed to control the AC level in my work environment  moss hag  (@xtineengels) June 7, 2021

I will not return to an office until I am made the woman in charge of the thermostat  danielle weisberg (@danielleweisber) June 3, 2021

My ideal office temperature is "sauna," not "shivering under an office blanket while also wearing a jacket."  Hannah Orenstein (@hannahorens) June 4, 2018

Related...
Kate Middleton often wears Jenny Packham designs. Chris Jackson/Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Jenny Packham is one of Kate Middleton's go-to designers.

She wore ensembles by Packham after the birth of each of her children.

Kate also wore a Packham look for her famous walkabout at Windsor Castle after the Queen's death.

In June 2011, the Duchess of Cambridge sparkled in a dreamy blush gown from Jenny Packham at a gala dinner.

Kate Middleton in 2011. Arthur Edwards - WPA/Getty Images

She wore the glamorous number, which was dripping with metallic embellishments and had an iridescent quality, for the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner. Delicate beads and chiffon sleeves gave the dress an ethereal feel.

Wearing a pale-yellow frock, Kate arrived at the Calgary Airport in Canada for the eighth day of the Royal Tour in July 2011.

Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham in 2011. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate wore a pair of classic nude heels with her pastel ensemble. Puffed sleeves and coated buttons further refined the dress.

In a vibrant teal Packham gown, Kate attended an event ahead of the London 2012 Summer Olympics in May of that year.

Kate Middleton in 2012. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Lacy cap sleeves and a billowing pleated skirt made this Packham dress an adventurous selection for Kate. An embellished ribbon was the focal point of the gently draped fabric.

In July 2013, after giving birth to Prince George, Kate appeared outside St Mary's Hospital in a periwinkle-blue polka-dot sundress.

Kate Middleton with Prince William and Prince George in 2013. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate, who commemorated the happy moment alongside Prince William, coordinated the fun, printed ensemble with a pair of white wedges.

In September 2013, Kate wore a glittery statement gown for the Tusk Conservation Awards at the Royal Society.

Kate Middleton in 2013. Danny E. Martindale/Stringer/Getty Images

The full-length sequin dress reached her silver Jimmy Choo stilettos. She adorned her right wrist with a diamond bracelet that matched the dress.

In October 2014, she stunned in a pale-blue dress for an event at the Natural History Museum.

Kate Middleton in 2014. Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The dress parted at the center to reveal a more fitted skirt beneath. Ankle-strap heels featuring oversized bows paralleled the playful nature of Kate's dress.

In May 2015, the Princess of Wales popped in yellow after welcoming Princess Charlotte to the world.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte in 2015. Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Kate accessorized the quintessentially spring ensemble with a pair of nude heels.

Kate nearly floated down the red carpet in a sweeping blue gown in October 2015.

John Phillips/Stringer/Getty Images

For the premiere of the Royal Film Performance of "Spectre," she wore a powdery-blue chiffon dress that gently swept around her neck, crossing in the front. A belt with silver embellishments secured at her waist.

In September 2016, Kate wore a royal-blue ensemble with maple-leaf accents to attend a welcome ceremony for the Royal Tour of Canada.

Kate Middleton in 2016. Dominic Lipinski-Pool/Getty Images

In addition to a hat in the same wash of blue, Kate accessorized with a maple-leaf brooch, a piece of jewelry originally owned by the Queen Mother, according to Harper's Bazaar.

In November 2017, Kate glistened in an icy-blue Jenny Packham gown at the Royal Variety Performance at the Palladium Theatre.

Kate Middleton in 2017. Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Princess of Wales resembled a Disney princess in her fairy-tale dress. Its sheer embellished overlay revealed silver glitter heels.

At the British Academy Film Awards in February 2018, she wore a green dress featuring cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline.

Kate Middleton at the 2017 BAFTAs. Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Many celebrities attending the BAFTAs in London wore black to support the Time's Up movement, but Kate's green selection was politically neutral. She accessorized her Jenny Packham gown with diamonds and emeralds.

After giving birth to Prince Louis in April 2018, Kate emerged wearing a cherry-red dress.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Prince Louis in 2018. Jack Taylor/Getty Images

A white eyelet Peter Pan collar accented the vibrant garment, which she paired with tan suede pumps.

In November of the same year, she attended the Tusk Conservation Awards in the teal ball gown she first wore in 2013.

Kate Middleton and Prince William at the Tusk Conservation Awards in 2018. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The A-line dress belted at the waist, and it was accented by lace detailing on the neckline and cap sleeves. A coordinating clutch completed the look, which she had previously worn to the London Olympic Games event in 2012.

She rewore another Jenny Packham look to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Place2Be charity in March 2020.

Kate Middleton in 2020. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The long-sleeve blue dress was adorned with crystals on the bodice, and the sleeves were semi-sheer. The Princess of Wales first wore the dress during a tour of India in 2016.

Kate opted for a sparkly gold dress for the premiere of "No Time To Die" in September 2021.

Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2021. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Called "The Lotus Lady," the dress was covered in sparkly embellishments. The gown included a built-in, semi-sheer cape, adding dramatic flair to the look.

Ivanka Trump wore a teal version of the $5,000 dress to her daughter's Bat Mitzvah in June 2023.

The Princess of Wales selected another sparkly Packham dress for a state dinner in Jamaica in March 2022.

Kate Middleton and Prince William in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 23, 2022. Samir Hussein/Getty Images

A ruffle of fabric covered the neckline of the off-the-shoulder dress, which was emerald in honor of Jamaica's national flag, according to People.

The ball gown's bodice and skirt were adorned with sparkles, and she paired the look with coordinating earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth.

During the same Caribbean tour, Kate opted for a blue Jenny Packham suit for her arrival in Belize.

Kate Middleton wore a blue monochromatic look when she arrived in Belize on March 19, 2022. Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Lace covered the peplum jacket and pencil skirt, which was blue to nod to Belize's flag, according to Harper's Bazaar.

Coordinating heels from Emmy London Rebecca and a clutch in the same color tied the monochromatic look together.

Kate turned to Jenny Packham again to greet the public at Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022.

Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle on a walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022. Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Princess of Wales wore a simple black dress that had long sleeves and a knee-length hem for a walkabout with Prince William, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth died.

Sheer black tights and black heels completed the somber ensemble.

Read the original article on Insider
Two former OceanGate employees separately voiced similar safety concerns about the thickness of the now-missing Titan submersibles hull when they were employed by the company years ago, and a statement from a research lab appears to show conflicting information about the engineering and testing that went into the development of the vessel.

David Lochridge, the companys former director of marine operations, claimed in a court filing he was wrongfully terminated in 2018 for raising concerns about the safety and testing of the Titan, which vanished Sunday with five people on board during a trip to view the wreckage of the Titanic.

Details about Lochridge and another former employees concerns come as officials scour a swath of ocean about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, racing to locate the submersible and rescue the crew inside. If the vessel is intact, they have a dwindling supply of oxygen, with perhaps less than a day of breathable air as of early Wednesday, based on a US Coast Guard officials estimate.

Lochridge worked as an independent contractor for OceanGate in 2015, then as an employee between 2016 and 2018, according to court filings.

The company terminated his employment and sued Lochridge and his wife in 2018, claiming he shared confidential information, misappropriated trade secrets and used the company for immigration assistance then manufactured a reason to be fired. The lawsuit noted Lochridge is not an engineer, calling him a submersible pilot and a diver.

Follow live updates: Missing Titanic sub search continues

Lochridge said in a countersuit he was tasked by Stockton Rush  OceanGates CEO, who is among the five onboard the Titan  to perform an inspection of the submersible.

Lochridge brought up concerns that no non-destructive testing had been performed on the Titans hull to check for delaminations, porosity and voids of sufficient adhesion of the glue being used due to the thickness of the hull, the suit says. When Lochridge raised the issue, it says, he was told no equipment existed to perform such a test.

The lawsuit was settled and dismissed in November 2018. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and Lochridge could not be reached for comment.

Court filings from the company indicate there was additional testing after Lochridges time at OceanGate, and its unclear whether any of his concerns were addressed as the vessel was developed.

Another former OceanGate employee who worked briefly for the company during the same time period as Lochridge had similar concerns, he said, speaking to CNN on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly.

The former employee became concerned when the carbon fiber hull of the Titan arrived, he said, echoing Lochridges concerns about its thickness and adhesion in his conversation with CNN. The hull had only been built to five inches thick, he said, telling CNN company engineers told him they had expected it to be seven inches thick.

The former employee worked at the submersible company for two and a half months in 2017; he was an operations technician who assisted with towing submersibles out into the ocean and preparing them for the diving operation.

He said more concerns were raised by contractors and employees during his time at OceanGate, and Rush became defensive and shied away from answering questions during all-staff meetings. When the former employee raised concerns directly to Rush that OceanGate could potentially be violating a US law relating to Coast Guard inspections, the CEO outright dismissed them, the former employee said, and thats when he resigned.

CNN has reached out to OceanGate for comment.

OceanGate touted safety features of Titan in 2021 court filing

In a 2021 court filing, OceanGates legal representative touted the specs and a hull monitoring system built into the Titan that he called an unparalleled safety feature. The legal representative informed the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia  the court that oversees matters having to do with the Titanic  of the companys expedition plans at the time.

The filing lays out the Titans testing details and its specifications, including that it had undergone more than 50 test dives and detailing its five-inch-thick carbon fiber and titanium hull.

The filing says OceanGates vessel was the result of over eight years of work, including detailed engineering and development work under a company issued $5 million contract to the University of Washingtons Applied Physics Laboratory.

But according to the University of Washington, the laboratory never dealt with design or engineering for OceanGates Titan vessel.

The labs expertise involved only shallow water implementation, and the Laboratory was not involved in the design, engineering or testing of the TITAN submersible used in the RMS TITANIC expedition, Kevin Williams, the executive director of UWs Applied Physics Laboratory, said in a statement to CNN.

In 2022, the legal representative updated the Virginia court on OceanGates expeditions in another court filing.

On the first dive to the Titanic, the submersible encountered a battery issue and had to be manually attached to its lifting platform, the filing reads. OceanGate decided to cancel the second mission for repairs and operational enhancements after the vessel sustained modest damage to its external components, it reads.

There were not any submersible-related issues that canceled dives on the third, fourth, or fifth missions, according to the court filing.

OceanGate explains choice not to class the Titan submersible

In a 2019 blog post on OceanGates website, the company said most marine operations require that chartered vessels are classed by an independent group such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), DNV/GL, Lloyds Register, or one of the many others.

But the Titan is not classed, the blog post says, adding that classing innovative designs often requires a multiyear approval process, which gets in the way of rapid innovation.

Classing agencies do not ensure that operators adhere to proper operating procedures and decision-making processes  two areas that are much more important for mitigating risks at sea. The vast majority of marine (and aviation) accidents are a result of operator error, not mechanical failure, it says.

Classing assures ship owners, insurers, and regulators that vessels are designed, constructed and inspected to accepted standards. Classing may be effective at filtering out unsatisfactory designers and builders, but the established standards do little to weed out subpar vessel operators  because classing agencies only focus on validating the physical vessel, it reads.

By itself, classing is not sufficient to ensure safety, the blog post says.

CNNs Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

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These 25 public middle schools were named Pennsylvanias best. Check out their grades

Pennsylvanias top 25 public middle schools are mostly located near Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, according to Niche, a site offering data on schools and colleges across the country.

Reviews and data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education, Common Core Data, Civil Rights Data Collection and more fuel Niches rankings. The Pittsburgh-headquartered school search platform ranks public middle schools through the following categories:

Academics grade, which is based on state assessment proficiency, district academics grade, student-to-teacher ratios and parent or student surveys on academics

Diversity grade, which is based on a student racial diversity index, parent or student surveys on culture and diversity, economically disadvantaged percentages and gender diversity

Teachers grade, which is based on the academics grade, parent or student surveys on educators, teacher absenteeism, salary index, the portion of teachers in their first or second year of teaching, average salary and student-to-teacher ratio

Niche breaks down its overall grades into the following segments:

Academics grade: 50%

Teachers grade: 20%

District overall Niche grade: 15%

Culture and diversity grade: 10%

Parent/student surveys on overall experience: 5%

Pennsylvanias top 25 schools received overall grades of A or better, though their strengths and achievements vary. Heres a brief look at how the institutions compared.

25. Peters Township Middle School

Location: McMurray, Pa.

Grades: A overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and C diversity

The top-rated public middle school in Washington County, Peters Township Middle School offers a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio spread across 613 students in seventh and eighth grade, Niche reports. Roughly 54% of students are proficient in math, while 84% are proficient or better in reading, state test scores concluded.

24. Wissahickon Middle School

Location: Ambler, Pa.

Grades: A overall, A academics, A teachers and A- diversity

Wissahickon Middle School teaches 1,111 students across sixth, seventh and eighth grade, Niche reports. The school employs a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio, and roughly 46% and 78% of its students are respectively proficient or better in math and reading, according to recent state testing scores.

23. Garnet Valley Middle School

Location: Glen Mills, Pa.

Grades: A overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B diversity

Garnet Valley Middle School features a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio across a student body of 1,140 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. A recent batch of standardized tests found 43% of the schools students are proficient or better in math, while 68% are proficient or better in reading.

22. Carson Middle School

Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grades: A overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B diversity

On the other side of the commonwealth, Carson Middle School boasts a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio with 668 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, Niche reports. The latest standardized testing scores found 41% of the schools students are proficient or better in math, while 77% are at least proficient in reading.

21. Sandy Run Middle School

Location: Dresher, Pa.

Grades: A overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B diversity

Sandy Run Middle School offers a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio and hosts a student body of 931 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. Roughly 54% of its students are at least proficient in math, while 79% are proficient or better in reading, according to recent state test scores.

20. South Fayette Middle School

Location: McDonald, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B diversity

This Pittsburgh-area middle school teaches 840 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade with a 16-1 student-to-teacher ratio. South Fayette Middle Schools most recent batch of standardized test scores found 57% of its students are proficient or better in math, while 85% are at least proficient in reading.

19. Charles F. Patton Middle School

Location: Kennett Square, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers and B diversity

Ranked the third-best public middle school in Chester County, Charles F. Patton Middle School teaches 997 students spread across three grades and boasts a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio. State test scores indicate about 54% of the schools students are at least proficient in math, while 83% are proficient or better in reading.

18. Hampton Middle School

Location: Allison Park, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and C diversity

Hampton Middle School employs a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio spread across 629 students in three grades. Following a recent batch of standardized tests, 53% of those students scored proficient or better in math, while 81% scored proficient or better in reading.

17. New Hope-Solebury Middle School

Location: New Hope, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B- diversity

Ranked by Niche as the top public middle school in Bucks County, New Hope-Solebury Middle School teaches just 331 students across sixth, seventh and eighth grade and offers an 11-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Those students are respectively 51% and 77% proficient in math and reading, according to recent test scores.

16. Fort Couch Middle School

Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B- diversity

Another Pittsburgh institution, Fort Couch Middle School instructs 628 students in seventh and eighth grade with a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Approximately 65% and 90% of the schools students respectively scored proficiently or better on math and reading tests.

15. Strath Haven Middle School

Location: Wallingford, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity

Strath Haven Middle School maintains a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio for its 868 students, Niche reports. The schools most recent batch of state test scores indicated proficiency levels of 47% and 71% in math and reading, respectively.

14. Dorseyville Middle School

Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B diversity

This Pittsburgh-area middle school teaches 942 spread across the grades, offering a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Recent state test scores produced proficiency rates of 59% and 82% for math and reading, respectively, among Dorseyville Middle Schools students.

13. Infinity Charter School

Location: Harrisburg, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers and A diversity

Infinity Charter School, the lone central Pennsylvania representative among Niches rankings, instructs 258 students ranging from kindergartners to eighth-graders and offers a 16-1 student-to-teacher ratio. At least 67% of the schools students are proficient in math, while at least 87% are proficient or better in reading.

12. Boyce Middle School

Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B- diversity

Nearly 600 students attend Boyce Middle School, which offers a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio and teaches fifth and sixth grade. State test scores indicated proficiency levels of 70% and 87%, respectively, in math and reading.

11. Mellon Middle School

Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B- diversity

Another top-rated Pittsburgh institution, Mellon Middle School instructs 642 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade while offering a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Students produced a 52% proficiency rate in math compared to an 85% rate in reading.

10. Welsh Valley Middle School

Location: Narberth, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity

Welsh Valley Middle School teaches fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade, offering an impressive 8-1 student-to-teacher ratio for its 815 students. Roughly 63% of those students are proficient or better in math, while 80% can say the same for reading, according to recent standardized test scores.

9. Valley Forge Middle School

Location: Wayne, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity

Back in the Philadelphia suburbs, Valley Forge Middle School instructs a whopping 1,156 students across the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, resulting in a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Recent test scores indicated respective proficiency rates of 69% and 87% in math and reading, Niche reports.

8. Jefferson Middle School

Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and C diversity

Jefferson Middle School offers a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio for its 637 students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Recent test scores showed a large gap between proficiency rates  55% for math and 89% for reading.

7. Bala Cynwyd Middle School

Location: Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers and B+ diversity

Bala Cynwyd Middle School instructs 811 students in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades and employs an 8-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche reports. A recent batch of standardized test scores indicated proficiency levels of 66% and 84%, respectively, in math and reading.

6. Ingomar Middle School

Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B diversity

Five hundred and thirty-nine students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades attend Ingomar Middle School, which offers a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Roughly 48% of the schools students are proficient or better in math, while 80% can say the same for reading.

5. Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School

Location: Berwyn, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity

Back near the Philadelphia suburbs, Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School teaches 1,098 students in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades while offering a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Following the latest round of state standardized tests, roughly 66% of the schools students are proficient or better in math, while 86% are proficient or better in reading.

4. Marshall Middle School

Location: Wexford, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity

Ranked one of the best public middle schools near Pittsburgh, Marshall Middle School boasts a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio throughout its sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Roughly 55% of the schools 764 students are proficient or better in math, while about 81% can say the same for reading.

3. Radnor Middle School

Location: Wayne, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity

This Philadelphia-area middle school offers a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio while instructing 827 students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, Niche reports. Approximately 63% of the schools student body is proficient in math, while 87% is proficient or better in reading.

2. The Souderton Charter School Collaborative

Location: Souderton, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity

The Souderton Charter School Collaborative instructs just 235 students spread between kindergarten and the eighth grade to the tune of a 10-1 student-to-teacher ratio. According to a recent batch of state test scores, 67% of the schools students are proficient or better in math, while about 92% are proficient or better in reading.

1. Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School

Location: Philadelphia, Pa.

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A diversity

The Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, a magnet school with a specialized curriculum, teaches 1,204 students between the fifth and 12th grades. The school offers a 23-1 student-to-teacher ratio. A recent batch of test scores found that roughly 95% of the schools students are proficient in math and reading.
New figures shared exclusively with CBS News are offering a detailed look at the scope of decades of discrimination by the U.S. military against gay and lesbian service members, revealing that more than 29,000 individuals kicked out because of their sexuality were denied honorable discharges.

There have long been estimates suggesting about 14,000 service members were separated from the military under "don't ask, don't tell," the policy that banned gay men and women from serving openly from 1994 to 2011, but the military has never before shared a detailed breakdown of how many individuals were denied honorable discharges during and before "don't ask, don't tell," when gays and lesbians were prohibited from serving at all.

The new data, which the nonprofit legal services organization Legal Aid At Work obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request and shared with CBS News, covers the three decades from 1980 until the federal courts lifted the ban against gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors and airmen in 2010.

According to the data, 35,801 individuals "received a discharge or separation because of real or perceived homosexuality, homosexual conduct, sexual perversion, or any other related reason from the period October 1, 1980 to September 20, 2011." Of those cases, 81% were denied honorable discharges in the form of a general discharge, other than honorable discharge, bad conduct discharge or dishonorable discharge.

Underscoring the long-standing confusion over the number of service members affected, the military has within weeks offered contradictory figures. When CBS News reached out to the Defense Department about the new figures, officials there produced different numbers from its Office of Legal Policy indicating most service members separated on the basis of homosexual conduct from 1970 to 2011 were discharged under honorable conditions.

After requesting more detail, the department shared a partial breakdown: 23,392 honorable discharges, 11,023 general discharges under honorable conditions and 5,374 uncharacterized discharges. It did not provide statistics on the most punitive forms of discharges.

While it's unclear why the figures from the Defense Department's Office of Legal Policy differ from those provided by its own Freedom of Information Division, it is not surprising, experts told CBS News. Scholars, activists, and lawmakers have wrestled for years with how to count and identify these individuals in the absence of clarity and transparency from the military itself.

"The numbers confirm the magnitude of the discrimination and injustice suffered by so many service members who joined our Armed Forces with the hope of honorably serving our country," said Elizabeth Kristen, the director of Legal Aid At Work's Gender Equity & LGBTQ Rights Program. "It also quantifies the substantial number of service members who carry the harmful stigma of a discharge status that is less than an honorable discharge, impacting their right to receive the benefits that this country has seen fit to provide to all other veterans."

Number of individuals who received an other than honorable discharge from the U.S. military because of real or perceived homosexuality, homosexual conduct or other related reasons, from Oct. 1,1980 to Sept. 20, 2011. / Credit: Department of Defense

The figures come after a six-month CBS News investigation documented the emotional and financial toll experienced by LGBTQ veterans who have been denied access to full benefits including health care, VA loan programs, tuition assistance and even some jobs as a result of their discharge status.

The investigation also found the U.S. military has made no affirmative effort to identify and revisit cases where service members were convicted of crimes and saddled with felony records for being involved in same-sex relationships. While some military laws directly criminalized homosexual activity, other statutes were used as cover charges to drum gay men and women out of the service, meaning these numbers may only reveal a fraction of the true toll.

What remains uncontested is how few of these veterans' have succeeded in attaining an honorable discharge status. According to the most recent data available, just 1,375 have been granted relief in the form of a discharge upgrade or correction to their record.

In a statement to CBS News earlier this year the Defense Department said it "has conducted several outreach campaigns to inform all Veterans who believe they have suffered an error or injustice to seek correction to their military records."

David Stacy, the government affairs vice president for LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign, called the numbers "sobering" and urged the Pentagon to reexamine their discharge upgrade process.

"I think the Pentagon should continue to look at whether the standard for the upgrades is adequate based on the available records and the known level of discrimination and bias that was imposed by the military over decades," Stacy said. "With this order of magnitude it's pretty clear that there are a lot of people out there that justifiably should have an upgraded discharge and figuring out how to solve that problem is something that the Pentagon should spend some time doing."

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The five young women who were killed when an allegedly speeding SUV struck their car Friday night in Minneapolis were remembered as shining stars of hope.

They were identified as Sabiriin Ali, a 17-year-old who had just graduated from high school, and college students Sagal Hersi and Siham Adam, both 19; and Sahra Gesaade and Salma Abdikadir, both 20. The five were close friends who had been at a shopping center preparing for a wedding planned for Saturday, according to CBS News Minnesota. They were all pronounced dead at the scene.

Thousands of people gathered Monday for prayer services at the Dar Al Farooq Center, the mosque where they volunteered and taught, before all five were buried at the Garden of Eden Islamic Cemetery in Burnsville, south of Minneapolis.

From left, Sabiriin Ali, Sagal Hersi, Siham Adam, Sahra Gesaade and Salma Abdikadir

From left, Sabiriin Ali, Sagal Hersi, Siham Adam, Sahra Gesaade and Salma Abdikadir

The driver, identified as Derrick John Thompson, 27, initially fled the scene but was apprehended within an hour, Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson Adam Kennedy told HuffPost. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment and an evaluation. According to police, the SUV had been spotted by a state trooper while it was on the highway, but it exited, ran through a red light and broadsided the womens car before the trooper could try to pull the driver over for speeding.

The SUV was traveling in excess of 95 mph when it was spotted by the trooper, Howie Padilla, the communications director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, told HuffPost.

Thompson, the son of former Minnesota state Rep. John Thompson, was arrested Monday afternoon and booked into Hennepin County Jail. It is unclear whether he has an attorney. (John Thompson did not respond to requests for comment.)

Derrick Thompson has a history of driving-related offenses, and his drivers license had previously been revoked, according to court records. It had just been reinstated on June 7, and he was released from prison earlier this year, according to KSTP-TV in St. Paul. Thompson had been convicted in a hit-and-run crash in Montecito, California, that left a woman in a coma, KEYT-TV in Sanata Barbara, California, reported. In that incident, he refused to stop for a police officer, hit a pedestrian and fled the scene. In his car, police found more than 17 pounds of cannabis and over $20,000 in cash. He pleaded guilty to felony charges and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

In the Minnesota crash, authorities are facing criticism for the leak of a surveillance video that shows the collision and the victims car being pushed out of the intersection.

We do not know who shared the Metro Transit surveillance video to be posted online, but we will conduct an internal review along with Metro Transit PD to try to determine the source, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said in a statement shared with HuffPost. I will also review and consider policy changes to limit how video of evidentiary value may be received from an outside agency by members of the MPD.

This incident is senseless and incredibly tragic, OHara said. I personally responded to this horrific scene ... . Our hearts break for the families and loved ones of these innocent, young victims who had their entire lives ahead of them. While the MPD has made an arrest in this case, our investigation continues relentlessly, so that we can ensure the strongest possible evidence is provided to prosecute this offender for his crimes to the fullest extent of the law. And the MPD will remain committed to providing support to the victims families throughout this process.

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House Republicans are turning the federal funding process into a new front in the culture wars.

As the GOP-controlled Appropriations Committee prepares its version of the bills that underwrite the work of federal agencies, members are slipping in a wide range of new provisions that seek to undercut federal environmental and diversity policy.

That adds a new chapter to the ongoing saga in which Republicans have turned the budgetary process into a means to influence federal policy in the rest of government.

Last month, the House secured trillions in spending cuts and an easier permitting process for infrastructure as payment for passing the Fiscal Responsibility Act  the chambers version of the deal that aimed to raise the national debt limit and keep the federal government open.

In the deal, Republicans got far less than they had initially wanted, Appropriations Chairwoman Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) conceded in late May.

Some of our friends are critical that we didnt get more. I wanted more, too. But we got the change in direction we need, and we cant lose that, she said.

We conservatives need to build on this win.

The bills that the Appropriations Committee has released under Granger since May seek to advance conservative priorities by sliding language into the often-unrelated legislation that finances agencies like the departments of Agriculture or Defense.

Thats a misuse of the appropriations process, said Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president of consumer advocacy nonprofit Public Citizen.

Many of these policies are so unpopular and so clearly outside of public interest that they certainly could not pass on their own, Gilbert said.

So they were attached to a must-pass piece of legislation, and theyre riding along.

Public Citizen is part of the Clean Budget Coalition, an alliance of more than 100 labor, civil society and environmental groups. The coalition has called on lawmakers to remove the 39 such poison pills in the appropriations package.

In a statement, coalition members called on lawmakers to remove these unpopular and controversial special favors for big corporations and ideological extremists from the must-pass legislation that keeps the government running.

These span a wide range of conservative priorities, from bans on drag performances and display of the Pride flag at federal facilities to prohibiting Biden administration environmental justice initiatives.

Here are five things these riders would do, from restricting LGBTQ rights and abortion access to kneecapping energy efficiency standards and keeping cigarettes high in nicotine.

Cutting medical care

Military personnel  or their partners  serving in states where abortion is illegal may get the Pentagon to pay for their travel to terminate a pregnancy.

Since 2021, the Department of Defense has also covered transition care for a handful of million dollars per year for the few thousand transgender service members in the U.S. military.

The House version of the Defense funding bill ends both policies. It prohibits the use of funds for paid leave and travel or related expenses for an abortion. Other language prohibits the use of funds to perform medical procedures that attempt to change an individuals biological gender.

Other riders filed in May prohibit the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency from providing abortions and gender-affirming care to migrants in U.S. custody

Two riders take aim at medication abortions.

One rider reverses the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to allow the abortion pill mifepristone to be dispensed for home use through certain pharmacies, not just in person and in hospitals.

And a further rider in the House bill funding the agency seeks to protect the lives of unborn children by including a provision that ends mail-order chemical abortion drugs.

Legalizing discrimination in the military

Several riders in the Defense and Military Construction bills seek to counter attempts by the Biden administration to diversify the military  and its vast pool of contractors.

Under Biden, the Defense Department has described an increased focus on diversity as a means to foster an integrated culture of agility, innovation, and acceptance. It has described that goal as a means  to prevail against the global security challenges facing the United States and created a new title  the Deputy Inspector General for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility  to oversee it.

House Republicans disagree. A series of riders in the Defense Appropriations bill defunds that position for the Pentagon and prohibits the implementation, administration or enforcement of Bidens executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Others ban the use of drag queens as military recruiters or their employment in events like drag queen story hours.

And the Clean Budget Coalition argues that one innocuous-sounding pair of provisions  which prohibit censoring [the] constitutionally protected speech of Americans and protect them against religious discrimination  are a stealthy means to allow arms contractors to get around federal discrimination laws. The coalition contends this language allows defense contractors to justify discrimination against LGBTQ people on religious terms while allowing them to continue selling arms and components to the U.S. military.

Pushing back on environmental justice

Another cluster of riders seeks to block the Biden administrations push to use the vast power of Americas energy spending and entitlement programs to reverse historical discrimination, particularly around land, water and the environment.

A clear feeling in many minority communities is that they have been targeted for unwanted land uses and have little if any, power to remedy their dilemma, a Department of Energy report concluded.

One attempt to address that history has been the Justice40 initiative, which seeks to put 40 percent of the benefits of any federal energy spending into disadvantaged communities. A rider in the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill defunds that initiative and blocks those communities from preferential access to resources around clean energy, energy efficiency and transit.

Other language in that bill takes back billions of dollars in wasteful spending from Biden clean energy stimulus packages, including $4.5 billion in rebates for new, non-polluting electric appliances and $1 billion to help state governments implement the latest energy codes.

Other riders seek to block the larger intellectual wellspring that environmental justice came out of. Separate riders block funding to agencies that use DEI, critical race theory  an academic framework evaluating U.S. history through the lens of racism that has become a political catch-all buzzword for any race-related teaching  and the concepts derived from them.

Another rider blocks federal enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, which seeks to counter abusive or anti-competitive actions by big meatpackers.

Overriding environmental laws

This January, the federal government rewrote the definition of the Waters of the United States, a once-obscure bit of administrative law that has been hotly contested since the Obama administration. That administrations policy of counting upstream and seasonal creeks as waters triggered a backlash from farmers and developers because it put such waterways  and any project that might impact them  under the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Water Act.

While the Supreme Court threw out that Obama-era language in May  ruling that to be protected, wetlands had to be connect in an indistinguishable way to a navigable lake or river  the Biden administration had already moved on. A new waters definition considers waters to refer to any creek or waterway that has a significant nexus of connection to protected waters, even if that connection is only seasonal or underground.

A rider in the Energy and Water Development bill quietly blocks that new definition, thereby returning to state control of waterways that Republicans argue have historically have not fallen under federal jurisdiction.

Another rider targeted the new Energy Department efficiency standards for the national electric grid, which the agency said would save energy and cut fossil fuel use  particularly through the use of more energy-efficient forms of steel in the cores of new transformers.

But the transformer industry and many utilities argued that the new requirements were too stringent, too soon.

This technology change will disrupt existing manufacturing processes for the entire industry and its supply chain, making the proposed January 2027 effective date a much too short timeframe, transformer manufacturers Powersmith wrote in a comment on the proposed rule.

The House agreed. Its version of the Energy and Water Development legislation prevents the Energy Department from passing onerous energy conservation standards on distribution transformers.

And riders in the Agriculture and Rural Development bill ban eliminates funding for climate hubs and climate change research and conservation equity agreements, as well as almost $4 billion in rural clean energy.

Keeping cigarettes maximally addictive

In June, the FDA proposed sweeping restrictions to the tobacco and flavored vape industries, which restricted the levels of nicotine  the addictive chemical in cigarettes and vapes  and banned flavors like menthol.

The FDA noted that these compounds are not toxic in and of themselves in announcements accompanying the proposed rules. But flavoring helps get people smoking, and while nicotine isnt harmful in itself, its the ingredient that makes it very hard to quit smoking, contributing to nearly half a million premature deaths per year.

Riders slipped into the Agriculture appropriations bill eliminate those restrictions. Section 768 of that bill now bans the use of federal funds to set maximum nicotine level for cigarettes, while 769 prohibits any ban or standard setting around the use of menthol or other characterizing flavors.

Unlike most of the other measures, however  which conservatives promoted themselves under Conservative Priority lists in white papers summarizing the bills  the nicotine protections were curiously absent from the explanatory materials released by the Appropriations committee, though they made it into the actual bill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Some conspiracy theorists blame the disaster on J.P. Morgan. Pictures from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

A submersible searching for the Titanic has gone missing, causing renewed interest in the ship.

The Titanic sank in 1912, launching conspiracy theories around the nature of the disaster.

Here are five of the craziest allegations around the doomed ocean liner.

The Titanic remains one of the most famous disasters in history  and it's in the limelight once again, as a submersible full of tourists hoping to glimpse the shipwreck has gone missing.

Back in 1912, on its maiden voyage to New York City, the ocean liner hit an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland, resulting in severe damage to its hull. The Titanic slipped beneath the dark waves of the North Atlantic in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912. Over 1,500 people lost their lives, and the luxury passenger ship became an emblem of disaster.

The sinking of the Titanic prompted a media frenzy, an overhaul of maritime safety practices, and plenty of fictional depictions of what happened on that cold April night over a hundred years ago.

Given the level of public interest and scrutiny, it's not surprising that a handful of conspiracy theories have cropped up about the ship's fate. Some are almost entirely fictional  like the idea that a cursed mummy was onboard the ship. Others allege that the tragedy was a result of insurance fraud or an attempt by JP Morgan to rid himself of some powerful rivals.

Here are five conspiracy theories about the sinking of the Titanic:

The Titanic was marked by a controversial secret message

Pope Pius X in the Vatican. Underwood and Underwood, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXVI, No 34, 22 August 1909

One conspiracy theory about the Titanic has been floating around for years.

First, it's important to note that the Titanic was constructed in the city of Belfast by the shipbuilding firm Harland and Wolff.

The conspiracy theory is that Catholic workers reacted in horror when the new ship's hull number  3909 04  was unveiled.

The reason? If you flip 3909 04 upside down, it kind of looks like "NO POPE." As far as the theory goes, the Catholic workers saw this as blasphemy and worried that harm would come to the ship.

But there are a number of big problems with this conspiracy theory, which Snopes has debunked.

To start, Harland and Wollff assigned the Titanic a yard number of 401. The 3909 04 number is completely made up.

What's more, there would have been no Catholic workers on hand to warn their Protestant colleagues of the problematic hull number.

In 1886, Protestant Harland and Wolff employees launched a large-scale attack on their Catholic coworkers, according to the book "The Invention of the White Race." The result was an exodus of Catholic workers from the shipbuilder, which was Belfast's largest employer at the time.

In "Irish Blood, English Heart, Ulster Fry: Return Journeys to Ireland," Annie Caulfield writes that, "by the twentieth century, Harland and Wolff had a reputation for only employing Protestants."

The Titanic was doomed due to a mummy's curse

There was no cursed mummy on the Titanic. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Did an ancient mummy seal the Titanic's fate?

No. Human error and a lifeboat shortage brought about the maritime catastrophe.

Still, the idea that an ancient curse sunk the ship is one of the more fanciful conspiracy theories that cropped up in the wake of the disaster.

According to the legend, an ancient, mummified princess left a trail of death and devastation across England in the early 1900s after being excavated and removed from Egypt.

Once the beleaguered community of British art collectors and museum professionals had enough of the haunted mummy, an American archaeologist swooped in to purchase it. Ignoring his colleagues' warnings, he headed back to New York with his new acquisition.

But the unfortunate scholar and the mummy never made to the States. Because, lo and behold, the name of the ship that they sailed off on was the HMS Titanic!

The tale is popular, but also completely fictional. Snopes debunked the story, noting that, even disregarding the tale's fantastical elements, there was no mummy onboard the ship.

That hasn't stopped the British Museum's so-called "unlucky mummy" from getting blamed for the ship's sinking, though.

The ship was attacked by a U-boat

An artist's depiction of a German U-boat sinking a British steamship. Photo by The Print Collector via Getty Images

The Titanic is known as one of the biggest peacetime maritime disasters in history. The tragedy missed the onset of the First World War by two years.

But some still speculate that a German U-boat was really behind the ship's sinking.

If such a theory panned out, that'd make the Titanic's sinking a precursor to that of the Lusitania. In 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed the British ocean liner off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people.

While the theory lacks an abundance of evidence, it's certainly not outside the realm of possibility.

A number of Titanic survivors reported to have noticed "an unidentified vessel approximately five to six miles away" from the sinking ship, which reportedly lingered until 2 a.m., according to Dr. Franklin Ruehl's piece in The Huffington Post. Ruehl speculated that the craft was possibly "a submarine that had surfaced to assess the damage it had caused, after which time it skulked off," and also cited survivor testimony about a number of explosions that seemed to go off deep with the ship.

"The sub may have deliberately targeted the luxury liner or possibly accidentally collided with it," Ruehl wrote.

The Titanic never sank

The Titanic. Topical Press Agency / Stringer / Getty Images

What if the Titanic never sank at all?

That's the thinking behind one particular conspiracy theory. According to this idea, the Olympic  the Titanic's older, nearly identical sister ship  was actually the one that went down near Newfoundland.

But what would've been the point of switching the ships in secret?

In the book "Titanic: The Ship That Never Sank?" researcher Robin Gardiner wrote that the whole disaster was the result of an insurance scam by the International Mercantile Marine Co., which owned the White Star Line. The Olympic and the Titanic were both White Star Line vessels.

According to Gardiner's theory, the trouble started when the Olympic crashed into a warship in 1911, and was blamed for the accident in an ensuing inquiry. As a result, the White Star Line  an IMM subsidiary  was unable to receive an insurance payout.

Gardiner theorized that the line fixed up the Olympic as best as it could, and masqueraded it as the Titanic. By allowing the wounded ship to continue on under an assumed name, the company could collect the insurance payment when it sunk.

The alleged intent wasn't to kill anyone onboard  if the plan had gone off without a hitch, the ship would have sunk slowly and close to another ship that could subsequently rescue the crew and passengers. So what went wrong? According to Gardiner, the liner ended up accidentally running over a darkened rescue ship, which passengers and crew members would later mistake for an iceberg.

The blog Ultimate Titanic reported that, despite Gardiner's theory, all numbered items pulled from the wreck of the Titanic bore the construction number 401. The Olympic's construction number, on the other hand, was 400.

What's more, "Conspiracies at Sea: Titanic and Lusitania" author J. Kent Layton wrote that, before the Olympic was broken up for scrap, its woodwork was sold. ""Never, not once, as a single piece of woodwork from the Olympic turned up with the number '401' stamped on the reverse," Layton wrote.

JP Morgan was behind the whole thing

A portrait of JP Morgan circa 1900. Photo by Museum of the City of New York/Getty Images

This rumor has everything you could want in a conspiracy theory. A man powerful and wealthy enough to play god. Overly-complicated methods of assassination. A mass casualty event. The Federal Reserve Bank.

There's a theory out there that JP Morgan sank the Titanic in order to pave the way for the establishment of the Federal Reserve Bank in the US. The bank's creation was reportedly opposed by millionaire John Jacob Astor, mining magnate Benjamin Guggenheim, and Macy's co-owner Isidor Straus.

These three wealthy men did indeed lose their lives when the Titanic sank.

Astor was last seen clinging to the side of a raft. Guggenheim, whose body was never recovered, reportedly put a rose in his buttonhole and quipped, "We've dressed up in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen." And Straus died alongside his wife Ida, who refused to leave her husband's side as the ship sank.

But Morgan dodged death and disaster when he canceled his trip in the eleventh hour. The powerful financier owned the IMM, which in turn owned the White Star Line. As such, he had his own personal suite, promenade deck, and specially-designed bath on the ship.

Morgan was reportedly supposed to be on the ship, but decided to skip the maiden voyage at the last second. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he decided to linger in Europe in order to buy tapestries for his art collection.

So what reason would Morgan have to allegedly sink his own ship? Conspiracy theorists say that, in the interest of clearing away opposition to the Federal Reserve Bank, Morgan somehow manipulated all of his rivals into sail on the maiden voyage, so that he could sink it.

But, Layton pointed out that it's almost unimaginable that Morgan could've gotten all three of his major rivals to take the fateful trip.

"Surely there had to be easier ways to carry out the plan?" Layton wrote. "Even more importantly: how was it that no one came forward in the century since and said, 'Yes, I helped to set up the sinking of the Titanic in order to kill three men who were opposed to the formation of the US Federal Reserve'?"

Read the original article on Business Insider
6 people accused of forging signatures of dead people to get a Republican candidate on the ballot in Colorado

Americans are lining up to vote in the midterm elections. All 435 House seats and 35 of 100 Senate seats are on the ballot this year. Reuters

Six people have been accused of forging ballot signatures using the names of dead people, officials say.

The people worked for a company that circulated a petition to get a Republican candidate on the ballot, according to court documents.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said her office rejected an "unprecedented" number of signatures.

Six people are accused of forging dead people's signatures to get a Republican candidate on the ballot in time for congressional primaries, Colorado's attorney general announced.

Alex Joseph, Terris Kintchen, Patrick Rimpel, Jordahni Rimpel, Aliyah Moss, and Diana Watt all face one felony count of attempt to influence a public servant and one misdemeanor count of perjury, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a release Tuesday.

According to a court affidavit, the six people worked for the petitioning company Grassfire LLC, which was hired by Carl Andersen's campaign to circulate a petition to gather 1,500 signatures necessary for Andersen to be put on the 2022 Republican primary ballot for the US House of Representatives.

The document says Chris Byrne, a criminal investigator for the Colorado Attorney General's Office, reviewed the petition and found that the six petitioners had collected signatures of at least 21 deceased people.

The Colorado Secretary of State's Office rejected the petition because it "lacked the necessary 1,500 valid voter signatures to be included on the ballot," Byrne wrote in the affidavit.

"Through its internal screening processes, SOS determined there was an unusually high number of signatures on the Andersen petition that did not match voter signatures in SOS files," Byrne wrote.

According to the document, Byrne also found "numerous examples" of names, signatures, and addresses that appeared multiple times in different handwriting in different parts of the petition.

In total, the Secretary of State's Office rejected 3,417 of the 4,462 signatures turned in by Andersen, Secretary of State Jena Griswold said. Out of the rejected signatures, 1,967 failed to match those on file for the listed voters, 900 were signatures where the name did not appear to be a Colorado voter, and 21 were signatures where the listed voter had died prior to the date of the signature, Griswold said.

Griswold's office also found irregularities in a petition that the same petitioners worked on for another candidate, and referred the matter to Weiser's office and the offices of the Jefferson County and Denver attorneys general for further investigation.

The extent of the alleged fraud was so prolific that it caused the state secretary of state's office to reject an "unprecedented" number of signatures, Griswold said.

Andersen is not suspected of any wrongdoing and Weiser's office has found no evidence of criminal misconduct by Grassfire LLC, Weiser said on Tuesday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden in 2022. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Presidential kids are often the subject of scrutiny while growing up in the public eye.

Jenna and Barbara Bush were cited for underage drinking while their father was in office.

Ivanka Trump and Chelsea Clinton both supported Malia Obama after videos of her smoking went viral.

Amy Carter was a rebellious first kid  she frequently participated in political protests and was dismissed from Brown for failing to finish her coursework.

Amy Carter, the daughter of former President Jimmy Carter, is arrested for protesting in front of the South African Embassy in Washington, DC, against apartheid in 1985. Jim Hubbard/Getty Images

Amy Carter, the daughter of former President Jimmy Carter, was only 9 years old when her father was elected, and only 13 when he lost his reelection in 1980. However, throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Amy Carter became a well-known activist for a number of political causes ... and even had a few run-ins with the law during that time.

According to The New York Times, 17-year-old Carter was arrested in 1985 during an anti-apartheid demonstration at the South African embassy in Washington, DC, though she claimed she was "acting with her father's permission."

Amy Carter was one of more than 1,500 people in a three-month span to be taken into custody near the embassy during protests against South Africa's apartheid policy, according to the LA Times. President Jimmy Carter's son Chip was also demonstrating at the embassy that day, although he was not arrested.

Amy Carter was arrested again in 1987 during an anti-CIA demonstration, though she and 14 other protesters were acquitted of trespassing and disorderly conduct, according to The New York Times. While her political activism certainly made headlines, Carter's rebellious nature also led to her removal from Brown University over "academic reasons" in 1987.

According to The Washington Post, "reliable sources" informed the Providence Journal-Bulletin that following Carter's sophomore year, she was asked not to return after failing to finish her coursework. Carter went on to pursue a master's degree in art history at Tulane University in New Orleans, where she met her first husband, computer consultant James Wentzel. They later divorced, and she married John Joseph "Jay" Kelly in 2007. They share another son, Errol Carter Kelly. She has since kept a relatively low profile.

Neil Bush, the son of President George H.W. Bush, was sued after being accused of engaging in conflicts of interest in the '90s, which effectively ended his hope for a political career.

Neil Bush, son of President Bush, testifies before the House Banking Committee in 1990. Bettman/Getty Images

Federal regulators sued Neil Bush, the third-eldest son of George H.W. Bush, in 1990 for alleged "conflict-of-interest regulations" and, as a director of Silverado Banking, Savings and Loan Association, allegedly failing to act to stop the institution from making improper and even illegal loans. The company's collapse in 1988 cost taxpayers over $1 billion. Other former employees, such as directors, officers, and lawyers, were also named in the lawsuit.

Bush was not indicted on any criminal charges, although he agreed to pay $50,000 in an out-of-court settlement.

"I happened to be one of hundreds of other American businessmen and women who served as an outside director on the board of a savings and loan institution that failed during the 1980s," Bush wrote in an email to The Washington Post in 2003. "I regret that the institution's failure cost taxpayers so much money."

Today, Bush chairs the board of directors at foundations including Points of Light, a philanthropic group his father founded.

As a 19-year-old college student, President George W. Bush's daughter Jenna Bush was cited for two alcohol-related misdemeanors in a five-week span.

Barbara and Jenna Bush attend the Florida Presidential Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on January 20, 2001. Pool Photo/Getty Images

Jenna Bush and her twin sister, Barbara, were the talk of the town in the early 2000s, though it wasn't always for the right reasons. In 2001, while Jenna Bush was a freshman at the University of Texas, the first daughter was cited for two alleged underage drinking offenses: possession of alcohol as a minor and later trying to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol at an Austin restaurant.

The incidents occurred within a five-week span and were minor misdemeanors, though they also inevitably made national headlines. Bush, who pleaded no contest to the possession of alcohol charge, was ordered to pay $51.25 in court costs, serve eight hours of community service, and attend six hours of alcohol awareness classes. After she also pleaded no contest to trying to use someone else's ID for alcohol, her driver's license was suspended for 30 days, and she had to pay a total of $600, The Associated Press reported.

"I felt embarrassed, and I felt really badly for [my dad] because I thought this is going to make him look bad," Bush, now Jenna Bush Hager, told "Today" show host Hoda Kotb in March 2020. "He apologized to me because what we wanted more than anything was to just be normal college kids ... He said, 'I'm sorry. I promised you you could be normal, and this isn't normal.'"

Though the drinking charges were front-page news at the time, Bush Hager says she can now laugh about it.

"Everybody knows I had a fake ID, which was really naive because my dad was president," Bush Hager said on "Today." "I tried. I tried and failed. A girl that was in my school was like, 'We look a lot alike; I'll give you my ID.' That was dumb."

Jenna Bush's twin sister, Barbara, was also cited for possession of alcohol as a minor in the second incident.

Barbara Bush attends fashion week in 2003. Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic/Getty Images

While Jenna Bush made headlines for two underage-drinking-related citations, her twin sister, Barbara, was also ticketed for alleged possession of alcohol during the second incident. Police claimed that Barbara Bush, who had just finished her freshman year at Yale University, and a third woman were served alcohol at an Austin restaurant, according to The Washington Post.

Authorities alleged that Jenna Bush attempted to use false identification to purchase alcohol but was denied, though it was unclear whether Barbara and the third woman were asked to produce identification.

Barbara Bush pleaded no contest to the possession-of-alcohol charge in June 2001 and was ordered to complete eight hours of community service, attend an alcohol-awareness class, and pay $100 in court fines, The Associated Press reported at the time. The underage drinking charge was to be wiped from her record, the AP reported.

Malia Obama was criticized after screenshots of a video were posted online showing the Harvard University freshman smoking.

Barack Obama and Malia Obama. Chip Somodevilla / Getty

Malia Obama found herself in hot water in 2017 after a video online appeared to show her smoking and blowing smoke rings. According to the Independent, conservative news site The Daily Caller wrote an article about the video, which led to public criticism about the former first daughter. However, fellow first kids Ivanka Trump and Chelsea Clinton quickly came to Obama's defense, calling for her and other presidential children's right to privacy.

"Malia Obama should be allowed the same privacy as her school-aged peers," Trump tweeted, according to Time. "She is a young adult and private citizen, and should be OFF limits."

Chelsea Clinton also offered her support to Obama, writing, "Malia Obama's private life, as a young woman, a college student, a private citizen, should not be your clickbait. Be better."

Donald Trump Jr. has been embroiled in scandal multiple times.

Donald Trump Jr., son of President Donald Trump, speaks during a Republican National Committee Victory Rally in January 2021. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Though Donald Trump Jr. never held an official position in his father's administration, he has nevertheless been a subject of controversy and public ire.

More than a decade before his father entered the White House, Trump Jr. was arrested in 2001 for public drunkenness during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He also later came under fire for a 2016 tweet aimed at Syrian Refugees, in which he posted an image that had the text, "If I had a bowl of skittles and I told you just three would kill you, would you take a handful? That's our Syrian refugee problem."

He commented, saying, "This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first. #trump2016." The post received so much backlash that a Skittles executive even posted its own statement.

"Skittles are candy. Refugees are people," said Denise Young, vice president of corporate affairs for Wrigley America, which owns Skittles. "We don't feel it is an appropriate analogy."

In 2019, Trump Jr. faced criticism for his hunting practices. On a trip to Mongolia, the politician's son hunted an endangered breed of sheep and later met with Mongolia's president. He was awarded a permit to hunt the sheep after he had already killed it, according to ProPublica.

Trump Jr. traveled with the Secret Service, costing taxpayers more than $75,000 for the eight-day excursion, according to documents obtained by a government watchdog group. USA Today reported that, according to a source close to the president's son, Trump Jr. paid for all of the trip himself apart from the security.

Trouble continued for Don even after his father left office. Trump Jr., along with his father and Ivanka Trump, were subpoenaed in January 2022 as part of a wide-ranging civil investigation by the New York attorney general into whether there was fraud within the Trump Organization.

However, while it was ordered that the Trumps would testify by March 10, 2022, as originally ordered by a Manhattan judge, their testimony was delayed while their lawyers appealed the judge's order, according to a report by Insider. Trump, Don, and Ivanka eventually sat for depositions in August 2022.

In September 2022, Trump Jr, along with his father, Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization, were sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

At a news conference at the time, James said Trump "falsely inflated his net worth by billions of dollars to further enrich himself and cheat the system" and "repeatedly and persistently manipulated the value of assets to induce banks to lend money to the Trump Organization," Insider reported. They have denied all wrongdoing.

Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty to two criminal counts for failing to pay income tax.

Hunter Biden in 2016. Kris Connor/WireImage/Getty Images

In a court filing on June 20, prosecutors in the US Attorney's office in Delaware said that Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two criminal counts for failing to pay income tax, Insider's Jacob Shamsian and Brent D. Griffiths reported.

Prosecutors also brought a charge against Biden for being in possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. Biden has spoken about his struggles with substance abuse and wrote about his drug use in his 2021 memoir, "Beautiful Things." The charge may be dismissed by prosecutors if Biden seeks treatment.

According to The New York Times, the investigation started as an inquiry into Hunter Biden's taxes, though it expanded in 2018 to include possible criminal violations of tax laws, foreign lobbying rules, and possible money laundering.

Biden has previously said he handled his tax affairs "legally and appropriately," and the Times reported in March 2022 that he had "paid off a significant tax liability," which experts said could make it harder for tax-related offenses to stick.

In 2020, President Donald Trump attempted to launch his own inquiry into Biden's involvement with Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian energy company.

Questioning over Biden's dealings with the company, and whether Biden used his political connections for financial gain, shed a negative light on his father's campaign and became a talking point for Trump seeking reelection. Both Bidens denied any wrongdoing in dealings with Ukraine and other countries.

Read the original article on Insider
Photo: CTV News

A man who has claimed for years that Google was torturing users with flashing lights crashed a car into a building near the company's New York City headquarters, injuring three pedestrians, authorities said.

The man, 34, drove onto the sidewalk and crashed his Ford Fusion into a building on West 15th Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

A 12-year-old girl and two women ages 50 and 47 were hit by the car, a police spokesperson said. They were hospitalized in stable condition.

The driver was arrested on charges including assault and attempted assault, police said. He had not yet been arraigned as of Wednesday and it was not clear if he had an attorney who could speak for him.

Images posted on social media show a homemade sign that says Google Tortured Me! and what appears to be a gasoline can at the crash scene, which is about a block from Google's 15-story New York headquarters.

The man, who has worked as an Uber driver, filed a lawsuit in New York state court in Brooklyn in 2019 accusing Google of using blinding lights to operate a social control program.

He claimed in a 2021 Facebook post that Google's Android operating system was flashing users in the eyes for purposes of maliciously injury."

He wrote in another Facebook post that year, I guess Google thinks its ok to torture someone across their entire Android O.S ecosystem system, no security updates for almost 4 years.
A 79-year-old mathematician may have just solved an infinite dimension puzzle that's vexed theorists for decades

A 3D rendering of abstract shapes linked up

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Nathan Brownlowe, Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Sydney.

Two weeks ago, a modest-looking paper was uploaded to the arXiv preprint server with the unassuming title "On the invariant subspace problem in Hilbert spaces". The paper is just 13 pages long and its list of references contains only a single entry.

The paper purports to contain the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle that mathematicians have been picking away at for more than half a century: the invariant subspace problem.

Famous open problems often attract ambitious attempts at solutions by interesting characters out to make their name. But such efforts are usually quickly shot down by experts.

However, the author of this short note, Swedish mathematician Per Enflo, is no ambitious up-and-comer. He is almost 80, has made a name for himself solving open problems, and has quite a history with the problem at hand.

Per Enflo: mathematics, music, and a live goose

Born in 1944 and now an emeritus professor at Kent State University, Ohio, Enflo has had a remarkable career, not only in mathematics but also in music.

He is a renowned concert pianist who has performed and recorded numerous piano concertos, and has performed solo and with orchestras across the world.

Enflo is also one of the great problem-solvers in a field called functional analysis. Aside from his work on the invariant subspace problem, Enflo solved two other major problems  the basis problem and the approximation problem  both of which had remained open for more than 40 years.

By solving the approximation problem, Enflo cracked an equivalent puzzle called Mazurs goose problem. Polish mathematician Stanisaw Mazur had in 1936 promised a live goose to anyone who solved his problem  and in 1972 he kept his word, presenting the goose to Enflo.

black and white photograph of Per Enflo holding a basket with a goose inside.

What's an invariant subspace?

Now we know the main character. But what about the invariant subspace problem itself?

If youve ever taken a first-year university course in linear algebra, you will have come across things called vectors, matrices and eigenvectors. If you havent, we can think of a vector as an arrow with a length and a direction, living in a particular vector space. (There are lots of different vector spaces with different numbers of dimensions and various rules.)

Read more: Explainer: the point of pure mathematics

A matrix is something that can transform a vector, by changing the direction and/or length of the line. If a particular matrix only transforms the length of a particular vector (meaning the direction is either the same or flipped in the opposite direction), we call the vector an eigenvector of the matrix.

Another way to think about this is to say that the matrix transforms the eigenvectors (and any lines parallel to them) back onto themselves: these lines are invariant for this matrix. Taken together, we call these lines invariant subspaces of the matrix.

Eigenvectors and invariant subspaces are also of interest beyond just mathematics  to take one example, it has been said that Google owes its success to the $25 billion eigenvector.

Diagram of a detailing that a vector is an eigenvector of the matrix.

What about spaces with an infinite number of dimensions?

So thats an invariant subspace. The invariant subspace problem is a little more complicated: it is about spaces with an infinite number of dimensions, and it asks whether every linear operator (the equivalent of a matrix) in those spaces must have an invariant subspace.

More precisely (hold onto your hat): the invariant subspace problem asks whether every bounded linear operator T on a complex Banach space X admits a non-trivial invariant subspace M of X, in the sense that there is a subspace M = {0}, X of X such that T(M) is contained back in M.

Stated in this way, the invariant subspace problem was posed during the middle of last century, and eluded all attempts at a solution.

Read more: Pythagoras revenge: humans didnt invent mathematics, its what the world is made of

But as is often the case when mathematicians cant solve a problem, we move the goalposts. Mathematicians working on this problem narrowed their focus by restricting the problem to particular classes of spaces and operators.

The first breakthrough was made by Enflo in the 1970s (although his result was not published until 1987). He answered the problem in the negative, by constructing an operator on a Banach space without a non-trivial invariant subspace.

Whats new about this new proposed solution?

So what is the current status of the invariant subspace problem? If Enflo solved it in 1987, why has he solved it again?

Well, Enflo settled the problem for Banach spaces in general. However, there is a particularly important kind of Banach space called a Hilbert space, which has a strong sense of geometry and is widely used in physics, economics and applied mathematics.

This is big. Huge. https://t.co/nziB4mGNKYMay 27, 2023

See more

Resolving the invariant subspace problem for operators on Hilbert spaces has been stubbornly difficult, and it is this which Enflo claims to have achieved.

This time Enflo answers in the affirmative: his paper argues that every bounded linear operator on a Hilbert space does have an invariant subspace.

Expert review is still to come

I have not worked through Enflos preprint line by line. Enflo himself is reportedly cautious about the solution, as it has not yet been reviewed by experts.

Peer review of Enflos earlier proof, for Banach spaces in general, took several years. However, that paper ran to more than 100 pages, so a review of the 13 pages of the new paper should be much speedier.

If correct, it will be a remarkable achievement, especially for someone who has already produced so many remarkable achievements over such a large span of time. Enflos many contributions to mathematics, and his answers to many open problems, have made a big impact on the field, generating new techniques and ideas.

Im looking forward to finding out whether Enflos work now closes the book on the invariant subspace problem, and to seeing the new mathematics that may emerge out of its conclusion.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Robert Kennedy Jr. speaks during a rally at the Capitol in Sacramento in 2015 against a measure requiring California schoolchildren to get vaccinated. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Its a serious sign of something when as many as 20% of registered Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents tell pollsters they support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Perhaps its a sign that their brains have been addled by Wi-Fi radiation coming at them from their cellphones, something Kennedy claims happens all the time.

Or maybe its a sign that 5G high-speed transmission towers are warping peoples abilities to think clearly, yet another favorite Kennedy conspiracy theory.

More likely, in my view, its a sign that some Democrats are worried about President Bidens advanced age, and that a (slightly) younger man from a beloved Democratic political dynasty seems at first glance to offer a reasonable alternative.

Do not be fooled.

Robert Kennedy Jr. is off his rocker.

Its not totally obvious at first, which is why there is a bit of cognitive dissonance at play. Kennedy, after all, with his Kennedy-esque full head of hair, piercing blue eyes and blinding white smile, looks like presidential material. He is an environmental attorney who has spent decades crusading for a cleaner environment (although detractors say he has done more harm than good, or taken credit where none has been earned). His liberal bona fides seem in good order. He has spoken of closing the wealth gap, of restoring our hollowed-out middle class, of the urgency of confronting global warming, and so on.

And yet, when he opens his mouth, as he did for more than three hours on Joe Rogans podcast the other day, the inanities that come out are positively Trump-esque.

Read more: Calmes: What if Biden weren't running? Democrats have a bench that's deeper than you think

Wi-Fi radiation opens your blood-brain barrier, and all these toxins that are in your body can now go into your brain, he told Rogan.

How does Wi-Fi open up your blood-brain barrier? Rogan asked, in perhaps his most incisive follow-up question of the entire fawning puffcast.

Now youve gone beyond my expertise, replied Kennedy.

No duh.

Kennedy wants to seal our southern border permanently. He believes antidepressants are responsible for mass shootings. (Prior to the introduction of Prozac, we had almost none of these events," he told Elon Musk earlier this month during a Twitter Spaces conversation.)

He believes that his father, Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, were assassinated by the CIA, and he told Rogan that he, RFK Jr., could be an intelligence agency target as well. (Im aware of that danger, said Kennedy. I dont live in fear of it, at all, but Im not stupid about it, and I take precautions.)

Read more: Column: Anti-vaxxers loved to cite this study of COVID vaccine deaths. Now it's been retracted

He has questioned the scientifically unassailable relationship between HIV and AIDS. He has written a popular book demonizing Dr. Anthony Fauci, accusing the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of sabotaging treatments for AIDS, and trashing him as "a powerful technocrat who helped orchestrate and execute 2020's historic coup d'etat against Western democracy. (Fauci has called Kennedy a very disturbed individual. I am on Team Fauci.)

Most dangerously, of course, Kennedy is a fount of anti-vaccine misinformation. He has embraced the prolifically debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. He is chairman of Childrens Health Defense, a virulently anti-vax group that positions itself, per its website, as the global uprising against medical tyranny to defend human rights.

The group is a mega-spreader of vaccine disinformation on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In one Facebook post, Kennedy claimed  without evidence  that COVID-19 vaccine is not safe for pregnant women. Studies have shown there is no specific vaccine risk to pregnant women.

Kennedy has also encouraged Black Americans, who have suffered disproportionately from COVID-19, to distrust COVID-19 vaccines, comparing them to the horrific Tuskegee syphilis study, in which over a period of 40 years, hundreds of Black men were denied medical treatment for syphilis without their knowledge, while public health officials studied the disease.

And yet, in 2021, when he and his third wife, the Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Cheryl Hines, threw a holiday party at their Brentwood home, guests were instructed to be tested for or vaccinated against COVID-19.

Read more: Column: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a threat to your health  and our democracy

I guess Im not always the boss at my own house, Kennedy told Politico.

Once you get on the anti-vax bandwagon, I guess it makes sense to blame almost all physical problems on immunization. Kennedy has even suggested that vaccines may have caused the disorder that affects his larynx, spasmodic dysphonia, making his voice sound tremulous or strained. In 2007, though, he did not contradict Oprah Winfrey when, during an interview, she asked him about his genetic neurological condition and he replied that it came on when he was in his early 40s. By 2021, however, he told a podcaster he thought a flu shot may have caused it.

It is true that vaccination carries a vanishingly small amount of risk, and there are some cases of children experiencing injury from vaccines, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that childhood vaccines save at least 4 million lives worldwide a year, and adult vaccination also saves multitudes each year.

On the campaign trail, Kennedy has mostly downplayed his aversion to vaccines. Democrats, after all, are way more likely than Republicans to embrace vaccination. In a recent NBC News profile of Kennedy, reporter Brandy Zadrozny mentioned a Facebook group of Kennedy supporters who have decided to label their candidate a Vaccine Safety Advocate as a way of making his anti-vax sentiments more palatable to Democratic voters.

Well, you can call him anything you want. His views are dangerous and he belongs nowhere near the White House, or any position of real political power. Hes already done enough damage.

Kennedy dynasty, schmynasty.

@robinkabcarian





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
There was a technical failure in the equipment

About 100,000 households in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast were left without power due to a technical failure caused by damage accumulated from constant Russian attacks, national power company Ukrenergo announced on June 21.

Power was restored within an hour; however, restoration work is still ongoing, and the local cause of the failure is currently under investigation.

"The number one reason for the outage is the grid being damaged by six months of mass Russian air attacks, Ukrenergo stated.

Repairs are underway at all damaged facilities. However, there is hidden damage that sometimes become evident long after the attacks occur.

Read also: Ukrhydroenergo says how destruction of Kakhovka dam will affect Ukraines hydrosystem

Microfractures, which form far away from missile impact sites, can lead to significant damage after several months. Repairing this damage takes time and the risk of equipment failure remains high, Ukrenergo explained.

Emergency outages were implemented on the morning of June 21 in the Shevchenkivskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, Solomianskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Podilskyi districts of the capital. Approximately 100,000 households were left without power. Water supply was also affected.

Power outages also occurred in Kyiv Oblast, particularly in the Bucha District.

From October to April, Russia targeted Ukrainian energy facilities with cruise missiles and attack drones in an attempt to cause a complete blackout in the country. Although the worst-case scenario was avoided and power has been largely restored in Kyiv, the long-term consequences of the shelling have yet to be pinned down.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The accused killer in a Paterson gang shooting will remain in jail. This is why

PATERSON  The combatants went their separate ways after a fatal shootout involving alleged members of the Trinitarios street gang unfolded at an auto glass tinting business in Paterson last month, according to police.

One shooter escaped and has been described by police simply as an unknown male. Another suspected gunman  who police say fired 18 shots during the battle  ended up getting arrested at a hospital where he was being treated for gunshot wounds to his arm and leg, according to authorities.

The third alleged shooter, the one facing a murder charge, was apprehended later that same day by gang unit detectives while he was hanging out after dark in a park in the nearby city of Passaic.

The murder suspect, Erlyn Nunez, reportedly was wearing a distinctive shirt  one with a money sign on the left front chest and the image of someone wearing a mask on the back  when police say he was arrested in Passaic with members of the Trinitarios gang. Nunez allegedly was wearing that same shirt hours earlier when police say he fired numerous bullets from an AK-47-style rifle that killed 22-year-old Francis Pena-Reynoso.

Earlier: This Paterson man is accused of committing murder  after being released on gun charges

Authorities have cited video recordings from security cameras inside and outside the auto business as evidence in the case, one in which new details were made public on Tuesday in court documents detailing the probable cause against Nunez.

Nunez, who turned 21 on June 1, goes by the nickname Enano, or "midget" in English, police said. On Tuesday, Nunez had a virtual court hearing in which he opted not to fight the Passaic County Prosecutors Offices request that he remain in jail while the charges are pending against him.

Just two months ago, before the fatal shooting, Nunez was arrested on gun possession charges but was released days afterward.

Authorities on Tuesday revealed that criminal charges have been filed in the case against two other men: Luis Rivera and Jose Vasquez.

Vasquez has been charged with assault for allegedly punching Pena-Reynoso and knocking him out at the beginning of the battle and then hitting in the face the person described in court documents as the unknown male.

After being punched by Vasquez, the unknown male then pulled a gun and fired the shots that inflicted nonfatal wounds to Rivera and Vasquez, the court records said. Rivera was knocked to the floor by his wounds, before he pulled a gun and returned fire with 18 shots, the records said.

At that same time, Pena-Reynoso had regained consciousness after Vasquezs punch and was crawling into the businesss parking lot, the criminal charges said. Nunez ran towards Pena-Reynoso, who got up and tried to run away, the charges said.

Subscriber exclusive: Despite multiple crackdowns, Trinitarios gang continues to terrorize Paterson

But Nunez fired a volley of shots that caused Pena-Reynoso to collapse, and then Nunez continued shooting while his target was on the ground, according to the court records.

Vasquez was at St. Josephs University Medical Center being treated for his gunshot wound when he was arrested for allegedly punching Pena-Reynoso and the unknown man, police said.

It was evident that Mr. Vasquez initiated this incident when he punched the two individuals which led to a chain of events, said the charging documents. Those events ultimately resulted in the death of Mr. Pena, who succumbed to his shooting injuries.

Rivera, who faces multiple gun charges in the May 21 incident, was released from New Jersey state prison in November after spending 45 months incarcerated on convictions stemming from a 2017 street shooting in Paterson.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press.

Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: Accused shooter in gang death to remain in jail
Relatives of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira leave the Harold D. Donahue Federal Building after the 21-year-olds arraignment in federal court Wednesday in Worcester.

WORCESTER  The National Guardsman accused of leaking highly classified military documents to friends through a gaming chat platform pleaded not guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information relating to the national defense.

Jack Teixeira, 21, was arraigned at the Worcester federal courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. He smiled in the direction of his family as he was taken out of the courtroom in chains and an orange jumpsuit.

The North Dighton man could face up to 60 years in prison for leaking federal documents with "Top Secret" designations on Discord, a social media platform popular among gamers.

Teixeira is accused of leaking documents containing sensitive information, such as information about the war in Ukraine, between January 2022 and April of this year.

Teixeira had access to the documents due to his position in the Air National Guard, according to court documents.

This artist depiction shows Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, right, appearing in federal court in April.

Teixeira was arrested April 13 and is being held without bail pending trial. He was indicted by a grand jury in Boston last week on the charges.

A request by Teixeiras defense team on Wednesday to reconsider detention terms was denied by U.S. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy.

Teixeira is due to return to the Worcester federal court on Aug. 9.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: National Guardsman Jack Teixeira pleads not guilty Pentagon leaks case
U.S. First Lady Jill Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rights advocates in Washington demanded that President Joe Biden publicly call out what they described as India's deteriorating human rights record, saying the U.S. approach of raising the issue in private with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a failure.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, activists and academics also called for hearings in the U.S. Congress about human rights in India under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Modi, who is on a four-day visit to the United States.

"We can't ignore the facts on the ground ... We can't look away, and neither can the U.S. government," said Nadine Maenza, a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center and president of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat.

Critics of the Modi government's human rights record have cited less press freedom, restrictions on minority religious rights and other forms of discrimination and backsliding on democratic rights.

The Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Indian government dismisses the criticism, saying its policies are aimed at the welfare of all communities and that it enforces the law equally.

The White House may bring up human rights concerns but it said that Biden will not "lecture" Modi on the issue.

"We know this administration and the Congress are well aware of the situation in India," said Zaki Barzinji, who served in the administration of former President Barack Obama as the White House liaison to religious minorities.

"The scale of rights abuse in India has now reached a volume that the issue needs to be raised publicly (by Biden)," said Angana Chatterji, a scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

The only two Muslim women members of the U.S. Congress - Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib - separately said they will boycott Modi's address to Congress on Thursday, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders also said Modi's "aggressive Hindu nationalism" has "left little space for India's religious minorities."

Since Modi took office in 2014, India has slid from 140th in the World Press Freedom Index, to 161st this year, its lowest point, while also leading the list for the highest number of internet shutdowns globally for five consecutive years.

Critics also point to a 2019 citizenship law that the U.N. human rights office described as "fundamentally discriminatory" by excluding Muslim migrants; anti-conversion legislation that challenged the constitutionally protected right to freedom of belief; and the revoking of Muslim-majority Kashmir's special status in 2019.

There has also been demolition of properties owned by Muslims in the name of removing illegal construction; and a ban on wearing the hijab in classrooms in Karnataka when the BJP was in power in that state.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Heather Timmons and Grant McCool)
Actor Jonathan Majors domestic violence case will go to trial Aug. 3, a Manhattan judge said Tuesday, casting him in a real-life courtroom drama as his idled Hollywood career hangs in the balance.

Majors accuser alleges he pulled her finger, twisted her arm behind her back, struck and cut her ear and pushed her into a vehicle, causing her to fall backwards, during a March confrontation in New York City. The woman was treated at a hospital for minor head and neck injuries, police said.

Majors attorney, Priya Chaudhry, said Tuesday that she provided prosecutors with video evidence showing the female accuser attacked her client, not the other way around. The woman has not been named in court records.

Majors had been a fast-rising Hollywood star with major roles in recent hits like Creed III and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. But in the wake of his arrest, the U.S. Army pulled TV commercials starring Majors, saying it was deeply concerned by the allegations. Disney last month postponed Majors upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Kang Dynasty from May 2025 to May 2026. He is also slated to appear in Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.

READ: Deadpool 3 moves up, Blade pushed back as Marvel adjusts release schedule

Judge Rachel Pauley wished the actor best of luck as she scheduled his trial. Yes, maam, Majors said, standing with his lawyers in front of Pauleys bench in Manhattans domestic violence court.

Majors, 33, is charged with misdemeanors, including assault, and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if convicted.

Tuesdays hearing was his first time in court since just after his March 25 arrest in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood. He appeared by video at a hearing last month where prosecutors said they were revising the assault charge to reflect the accusers perspective. A police officers account was used in the original version.

READ: What if things could turn out differently? How the multiverse got into our heads and didnt let go

Before his case was called Tuesday, Majors watched from the courtroom gallery with his lawyers and his girlfriend Meagan Good, who stars in the Shazam! movies, as two men in unrelated cases had their domestic violence charges thrown out.

Chaudhry urged the Manhattan district attorneys office to do the same for Majors and to instead charge his 30-year-old accuser, holding her accountable for her crimes. In lieu of a decision, Chaudhry requested that Majors case go to trial as soon as possible.

Chaudhry said shes provided prosecutors with compelling evidence of Majors innocence, including video showing the woman assaulting the actor and Majors running away from her.

READ: Actor Jonathan Majors accused of strangulation, assault

We also provided photographs illustrating the injuries she inflicted on Mr. Majors and photos of his clothing torn as a direct consequence of (the womans) violent actions, Chaudhry said.

She has also accused police and prosecutors of racial bias against Majors, who is Black. She said a white police officer got in Majors face and taunted him when he tried showing the officer injuries that he said the woman caused.

Before scheduling Majors trial, the judge issued a sealed decision that prompted Chaudhry to withdraw court papers shed filed challenging the case. Pauley handed copies of her ruling to Majors lawyers and prosecutors, but did not discuss any details in open court.

READ: Avatar 3 pushed to 2025 and Disney sets two Star Wars films for 2026

Majors, who plays villain Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel films, carried his personal Bible and a poetry journal into court. He smiled at times, but said little other than his brief exchange with the judge, which lasted all of three minutes.

Majors must continue to abide by a protection order barring him from contact with his accuser. A warrant could be issued for his arrest if he does not show up for his trial date, the judge said.

___

Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak and send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/.

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An adventurer who used to consult with OceanGate, the company behind the missing submersible, left the firm because he thought its founder was over-promising and rushing things

An OceanGate tourist submersible descending from the surface. Ocean Gate / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Rob McCallum told Bloomberg in 2017 he was worried OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush was rushing things.

McCallum, an explorer, said he thought nothing should be left up to chance when exploring the ocean.

McCallum told Insider that he did not think the Titan tourist submersible was safe for use.

A marine adventurer who used to consult for OceanGate, the maker of the Titan tourist submersible that went missing on Sunday, left the company partly over his worries that its CEO was over-promising and rushing things.

Rob McCallum, the founder of the expedition service provider EYOS Expeditions, consulted for OceanGate when the company had just started in 2009, per a 2017 Bloomberg feature on Rush and OceanGate.

"I know Stockton well and think the world needs more Stocktons prepared to take a chance," McCallum told Bloomberg.

"But he's a full-speed-ahead, damn-the-torpedoes kind of guy, and in the submersible industry, extreme depth is all about precision and control. Nothing can be left to chance," he added.

McCallum told Insider that he still stands by his assessment of Rush and OceanGate, adding that Rush's working style and equipment could have caused the submersible to go missing.

McCallum, who says he is familiar with the equipment used in the Titan submersible, also told Insider he did not think that the submersible was safe for use.

McCallum ended up going to the Titanic shipwreck back in August 2019 with explorer Victor Vescovo, per Good Morning America. McCallum's crew used the DSSV Limiting Factor, a two-person submersible made by Triton Submarines, per the Seattle-based news site GeekWire.

"I would never dive in an unclassed/uncertified sub," McCallum told Insider.

OceanGate did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Rush, who founded OceanGate, is one of the five passengers aboard the missing Titan submersible. His previous remarks on submersible safety have resurfaced since the Titan submersible went missing during a dive expedition to the Titanic shipwreck.

For one, Rush told the Smithsonian Magazine in June 2019 that he thought the regulations had kept the commercial submarine industry "obscenely safe," but were impeding its progress.

Unlike other seafaring vessels, the Titan submersible was not "classed," a standard practice that ensures that vessels are designed to acceptable standards. OceanGate said in February 2019 it did not do so because going through this process meant the Titan submersible would have had to undergo a "multi-year approval cycle."

Rescuers are now racing against time to locate the submersible, which could run out of oxygen by Thursday afternoon.

A unified command comprising the US Coast Guard, US Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, and OceanGate Expeditions has been formed to continue the ongoing search effort, the US Coast Guard said in a statement on Tuesday.

Read the original article on Insider
A man who authorities believe killed his wife and daughter in Wise County and stored their decomposing bodies in and near his garage falsely claimed his son was responsible for the deaths, an investigator wrote in an affidavit supporting an arrest warrant.

Robert Morairity, 45, told a law enforcement officer that his son stabbed Kimberly Kellam to death in November, according to the affidavit. Morairity placed his wifes body inside a container, described in the affidavit as Tupperware, in the garage at a house in the 1300 block of County Road 4371 in Decatur. Kellam was 42.

In January or February, Morairitys 11-year-old daughter was smothered with plastic, the father told the officer, again claiming that his son was the killer, according to the affidavit. Her body, too, went to the garage.

The birthdate of Morairitys son is redacted in the affidavit, but it appears that he is a juvenile.

The Wise County Sheriffs Office on June 13 arrested Morairity on suspicion of capital murder of a person 10 to 15 years old, murder and tampering with a corpse.

We dont believe the evidence supports (Morairitys account), Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin told the Wise County Messenger. Autopsy results are pending to determine both victims cause of death and when they died, Akin said.

The name of the 11-year-old victim is redacted in the affidavit, which was written by John Polhemus, an investigator at the sheriffs office.

Morairity, who was not living at the house, agreed to go there with two law enforcement officers, according to the affidavit. Morairity showed them a tarp outside the garage. Animals dragged a body that the affidavit suggests was the child out of the garage, so Morairity wrapped her in the tarp and placed a box, broken table and a bicycle on top.

Morairity directed investigators to the center of the garage and a large plastic tub often used to water livestock in which there was a body, according to the affidavit.

The smell of body decomposition was in the air.

Kellams brother-in-law on June 12 told a deputy Kellams relatives were afraid to report that Kellam and her daughter were missing. No one in the family had seen either since November.

Morairity is in the Wise County Jail with bond set at $800,000.
FILE PHOTO: People gather to show their support to Burkina Faso's new military leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador in Ouagadougou

In Africa, France targets Russian and Wagner disinformation FILE PHOTO: People gather to show their support to Burkina Faso's new military leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador in Ouagadougou

By John Irish, Elizabeth Pineau and Bate Felix

PARIS/DAKAR (Reuters) - After armed men killed nine Chinese nationals at a gold mine in Central African Republic in March, a video circulated on the internet saying France had secretly ordered the attack and planned to discredit Russian mercenary group Wagner in the country.

In the video, a Central African Republic rebel fighter says "the French want to drive Wagner out of Africa".

The clip rang alarm bells in Paris at a media monitoring unit within the foreign ministry created last year as part of a broad diplomatic strategy to revive ties in France's former African colonies after years of waning influence.

The foreign ministry said the unit quickly traced the video to a cluster of Facebook and Twitter accounts with links to Russian disinformation, including from Wagner - an outfit close to the Kremlin that has troops in Ukraine and has fought on the side of several governments in Africa.

The video was an example of a growing Russian influence campaign that amplifies criticisms of France and presents Moscow as an ally in Central and West Africa, two diplomats at France's foreign ministry said. The ministry denied any French role in the mine attack.

Wagner, the Kremlin and the government of Central African Republic did not respond to requests for comment for this story. The perpetrators of the attack have not been caught and Reuters was not able to determine who was behind it.

Russian propaganda has found fertile ground in Africa among grievances over France's decades-old track record of military intervention and heavy-handed diplomacy, officials said.

Reuters spoke to more than a dozen French officials who described France's increasingly urgent efforts to counter Moscow's influence, which Paris believes undermines a long-term diplomatic effort aimed at overcoming the past and how it is perceived in Africa.

Operating from the ornate 19th century halls of the foreign ministry in the Quai D'Orsay in Paris, a team of 20 diplomats, ex-journalists, data analysts and media watchers typed away at their computers with televisions in the background when Reuters visited the unit in April.

In coordination with the French state's service for Vigilance and Protection against Foreign Digital Interference (Viginum), the unit has mapped about 100 Russian- or Wagner-linked accounts putting out anti-French content, according to the two diplomats, who are involved in the initiative and requested anonymity to speak freely. Reuters was not able to independently confirm details of the accounts.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told parliament this month that anti-French sentiment in Africa could partly be blamed on "hostile actors, coming notably from Russia".

Russia and Wagner have a track record of media manipulation and disinformation, which Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has admitted to. The European Union sanctioned Wagner in February for alleged rights abuses and spreading disinformation, including in Africa.

However, not all anti-French feeling in Africa can be blamed on Moscow. French military campaigns have caused civilian deaths, and many critical social media accounts reflect genuine concerns over France's outsized role in African affairs.

Some criticisms "are true", French President Emmanuel Macron told Reuters in Kinshasa at the end of a four-day central African tour in March, referring to the allegation France had continued to carry colonial attitudes even after independence in West Africa.

"We are no longer there to be the substitute for a coup d'etat or a failing political process," Macron said.

In May, Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said France had been interfering in African nations' internal affairs for decades, toppling leaders it objected to and building "a neo-colonial system of influence". In contrast, she said, Russia did not interfere in other countries' affairs.

The new media monitoring unit differs from a previous French effort, revealed by Facebook-owner Meta in 2020, that fought back online against Wagner-linked networks with fake accounts of its own.

The foreign ministry unit doesnt promote or generate fake news, the two diplomats said.

WITHDRAWAL

The media monitoring unit emerged last July, the same month that France withdrew thousands of troops from Mali, a former colony in West Africa. A similar pull-out followed in neighbouring Burkina Faso at the start of this year - steps prompted in part by military coups and the presence of Wagner mercenaries in the region.

The military pullback was a significant failure for Macron and strengthened Moscow's presence at a time the West was seeking to contain Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. It also dealt a setback to Western efforts to counter Islamist insurgents in the Sahel region.

After the withdrawals, the onslaught of anti-French content on social media and messenger apps continued: amplifying pro-Russian videos, animation and memes, and often spreading distorted or untrue stories, according to the two diplomats and four others.

This trend coincided with the expulsion of French news networks by the new military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso and local media tie-ups with Russia Today and other Russian state media ejected from Europe in the wake of the invasion in Ukraine. The war has reopened diplomatic fault lines between the West and Russia present in Africa since the Cold War.

"FAKE NEWS"

The video following the murder of the Chinese nationals was one of about 50 since November that have kept the unit busy identifying the source of material, fact-checking and responding when needed.

Highlighting the scale of the problem, on June 13, France said it had uncovered a mass Russian-linked disinformation campaign targeting the foreign ministry and French media, involving some of the same accounts and actors seen in its Africa monitoring activities. Russia did not publicly respond to the allegation.

The new team shares its information with embassies, other French ministries, intelligence agencies and France's media regulator.

In many cases, including the Central African Republic video, the unit advises against responding directly, especially when the content does not appear to be gaining much traction.

Other times, it identifies which users are most active and takes the information to social media companies including Facebook and Twitter, alerting them to trolls and fake accounts, two of the diplomats said.

Sometimes, its work helps the French state respond. When a video titled "French humiliation" emerged in December 2022 showing a man falsely portrayed as a French envoy being expelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the unit prepared a point-by-point response showing that the man was not a French diplomat.

Days later, the French embassy in Kinshasa issued the response in a series of statements to local and foreign media. Anne-Sophie Ave, then ambassador for French public diplomacy in Africa, reacted on Twitter, calling it "fake news": "the gentleman in the video is not our ambassador to the DRC".

PRIGOZHIN

The Central African Republic video bore the hallmarks of activities carried out by Project Lakhta, a Russian influence operation financed by Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, two of the French officials said.

Prigozhin said in February he created the Internet Research Agency, a Project Lakhta troll farm, to fight back against what he called the West's anti-Russian propaganda.

The video alleging French involvement in the murder of Chinese citizens first emerged on the Facebook page Sango Ti Be-Afrika, the officials said.

Sango Ti Be-Afrika had previously been identified by Viginum as a conduit for Project Lakhta disinformation targeting France, the officials said. The video was then posted on Twitter by two military analysts who the officials described as proxies for Project Lakhta and who frequently post pro-Wagner content, they said.

U.S. military intelligence documents leaked online earlier this year and reviewed by Reuters allege that a Prigozhin employee who also works for Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadera had in February proposed an anti-West influence campaign in the country, where Russia now has nearly 2,000 military trainers.

Reuters could not determine if that campaign was carried out. The Central African government and Prigozhin did not respond to questions about the allegations in the U.S. documents.

Meta removed the Sango ti Be-Africa after Reuters questions about the page. Meta said the page was taken down under its rules against recidivism because the owner had previously been removed from its platforms. Reuters was not able to identify representatives of Sango ti Be-Africa for comment. Twitter did not respond to a request for comment.

Meta publishes reports on its actions against networks that show government interference. This year it has removed such networks in Burkina Faso and Togo. In 2020, it suspended networks connected to individuals associated with past activity by the Internet Research Agency, ahead of an election in Central African Republic, according to a statement on its website.

CLUMSINESS

Since completing the withdrawal from Mali in 2022 and Burkina Faso in 2023, and as part of its new diplomatic push, France says it has been reshaping its military presence in the region to adopt a more collaborative approach.

It has also pushed an economic, cultural and social action plan first promoted by Macron when he came to power in 2017, and has been vocal about the scale of the support, which dwarfs Russian aid.

However, the foreign ministry unit, and the broader strategy, will face an uphill battle to convince people in Africa that France has changed, seven analysts and diplomats said.

"They basically lost the communication war" because of the degree of cynicism and mistrust about France's intentions, said Michael Shurkin, Director of Global Programs at 14 North Strategies, a business consultancy focused on Africa.

An ongoing sense that France backs its preferred candidates still rankles with some politicians.

"I'm not saying Macron is arrogant towards Africa, but there's a lot of clumsiness", Jean Gaspard Ntoutoume Ayi, vice president of National Union, an opposition Gabonese party, said in Libreville.

Elections in Senegal in 2024 and Ivory Coast in 2025, will test the effectiveness of the new initiatives, with anti-French media content expected to increase, foreign ministry officials said.

"If people don't agree they must be able to express themselves," said a French official involved in the Africa strategy.

"You have to distinguish what is in the public debate and what is manipulation. Then you need to explain, explain, explain".

(Reporting by John Irish and Elizabeth Pineau in Paris, Bate Felix in Dakar; Additional reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
Photo: The Canadian Press Police officers attend the scene of a shooting outside of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib temple, in Surrey, B.C., Monday, June 19, 2023. Homicide investigators in Surrey, B.C., have released descriptions of the killers of a Sikh temple leader, but say they need video to help solve the crime. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jennifer Gauthier

Homicide investigators in Surrey, B.C., have released descriptions of the killers of a Sikh temple leader, but say they need video to help solve the crime.

Sgt. Timothy Pierotti says the two suspects in the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar are heavier-set males who were wearing face coverings.

Pierotti says that after shooting Nijjar outside Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh gurdwara, the men are believed to have escaped on foot through a nearby park and met a vehicle on the other side.

He says investigators from B.C.'s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team are looking for witnesses or video from near the park or at the temple on Sunday evening, including recordings from Tesla vehicles that don't need to be occupied for the dash cameras to be on.

Pierotti says they have no reason to believe the Sikh community is at risk because the shooting of Nijjar was targeted.

Nijjar had been organizing an unofficial Khalistan referendum on a separate Sikh state in India, and his lawyer has said Nijjar's safety had been threatened after a reward was offered by the Indian government for his arrest.

Police say Nijjar was shot dead around 8.30 p.m. Sunday night as he was leaving the car park of the gurdwara where he served as president.
A 9-year-old boy lived for weeks in a hospital emergency room, dressed in paper scrubs, because his parents couldn't handle him and the state's social services agency had nowhere to place him. A 14-year-old spent more than four weeks in an emergency room in a community with no beds for a teen with mental health needs.

The two boys are among more than 140 examples described by emergency room doctors who are calling attention to "crisis levels" of patients lingering in hospital emergency rooms with mental health or other medical care needs as they wait to be admitted to hospitals or other settings.

The American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness said Wednesday legislative and regulatory fixes are needed to reduce boarding, which occurs when patients are stuck in an emergency room as they wait for bed space in hospital wings or transfer to psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes.

These patients linger in hospital emergency rooms for hours, days, weeks or months due to a lack of psychiatric beds in their respective communities. In other cases, hospitals don't have specialists or nurses to move patients from the emergency room to a hospital wing.

"We're seeing more patients with higher acuity who have to reside in the emergency department with no other place to go," said Dr. Chris Kang, an emergency medicine physician in Tacoma, Washington and president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, which held a briefing with reporters in Washington D.C. "We can't accommodate patients in a timely fashion. That's resulting in direct patient harm and bad outcomes."

What's the scope of the emergency room boarding?

According to an ACEP survey of emergency room doctors, 97% said boarding times exceeded one day. More than 1 in 4 doctors said patients waited more than two weeks to be admitted to their hospital or transferred to another place.

A 2022 study, published in JAMA Network Open, found boarded patients waited an average of nearly 7 hours when at least 85% of a hospital's beds had patients. The study examined hospital conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and found medical errors were more likely to occur when hospital resources were strained.

But ACEP officials said patient boarding has continued even though the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. The problem is partly due to stressed health care staffing, with hospitals struggling to cover shifts to staff available beds. One report from National Council of State Boards of Nursing found about 100,000 registered nurses left the profession since 2020, and more than 600,000 intend to leave by 2027 due to stress, burnout and retirement.

One result: hospital emergency rooms face crowded conditions. While emergency room nurses and doctors can usually see patients soon after they arrive, the backup comes when patients wait to be transferred to another part of the hospital or elsewhere, said Laura Wooster, ACEP's senior vice president of advocacy and practice affairs.

A 2020 study in the Journal of American College of Emergency Physicians found the longer a patient boards in an emergency room, the greater the risk the person will be on a ventilator, in an intensive care unit or die. The Joint Commission, an accrediting body for hospitals, said boarding risks patients' safety and shouldn't exceed four hours.

Mental health care shortage looms

ACEP officials said the boarding disproportionately affects patients with mental health care needs. These patients who need behavioral health care wait three times as longer than those who need medical care. And if psychiatric emergency patients get care in an appropriate setting, most can be discharged within one day.

Kang said adolescents and young adults seeking mental health care increasingly go to the emergency room when they can't get an appointment with a counselor or other non-emergency setting.

"Suicidal ideation and suicidality of adolescents and young adults nearly doubled over the last several years," Kang said. "When they don't have access to outpatient counselors, therapists and treatment, they come to the emergency department."

While emergency room doctors can provide initial care, these patients often need specialized care from a psychiatric hospital or counselor. And when these patients have social needs or legal entanglements, they can be boarded in a hospital emergency room for weeks at a time.

A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Reps. Raul Ruiz and Brian Fitzpatrick and U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Maggie Hassan, proposes a range of fixes. Called the Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act, the legislation would provide grants to emergency departments, better coordinate care and increase number of psychiatric hospital beds.

Ken Alltucker is on Twitter at @kalltucker, or can be emailed at alltuck@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Emergency room doctors are overwhelmed. Now they're issuing a warning.
U.S. senators on both sides of the aisle have recently proposed two bills to boost agrivoltaics, the double-duty climate solution that pairs solar panels (photovoltaics) with agriculture  or closely related land uses that benefit farmers and ecosystems.

In May, senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) introduced the Pollinator Power Act. Its passage would direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize solar projects funded by the Rural Energy for America Program that create habitat for pollinators underneath the panels. Pollinators such as bees, butterflies and beetles are responsible for pollinating three-quarters of flowering plants and 35 percent of food crops, but populations are in striking decline, in major part because of habitat loss.

On the heels of the pollinator bill, senators Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) and Mike Braun (R-Indiana) worked across the aisle to jointly propose legislation that could catalyze the growth of agrivoltaics in the U.S.: the Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act. If made law, the act would invest $15 million per year from 2024 to 2028  $75 million total  toward agrivoltaics research and demonstration projects.

As solar deployments proliferate across the U.S., solar skeptics regularly decry the loss of agricultural land for the sake of new solar farms. Agrivoltaics could be a critical means of addressing those concerns by enabling farmland to host solar and stay in production, to the benefit of farmers wallets.

The U.S. will need solar panels on 10.3 million acres, or about 0.5 percent of land in the contiguous U.S., in order to meet the goal of decarbonizing the economy by 2050, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Some of that space could be supplied by overlapping with agriculture, which occupies more than 40 percent of the land in the U.S.

Given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has yet to announce agrivoltaic systems as a research priority, Heinrich believes his and Brauns proposed agrivoltaics bill is the catalyst needed to drive the federal government into action, according to a spokesperson for Heinrich.

This legislation would give USDA the resources needed to fully understand how we can use agrivoltaics as a way to solve several of our greatest challenges in the food and energy sectors, Heinrich wrote to Canary Media in an email. The act would support the farmers who put food on our tables while meeting the moment on climate.

The timing of the bills is no accident. Both are so-called marker bills, which signal the senators interest in these areas and their desire that their legislative text be included in the upcoming omnibus farm bill, according to Cathy Day, climate policy coordinator of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, which was involved with the Heinrich-Braun bill.

Renewed every five years, the current farm bill expires Sept. 30. Whether the agrivoltaics bills make it into the draft of the new version remains to be seen.

Though agrivoltaics account for a small proportion of overall solar installations, interest has been greatly expanding, said Stacie Peterson, energy program director of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (appropriate was the 1970s term for what we now call sustainability). Currently, there are more than 340 agrivoltaics sites in the U.S., mainly pairing solar with pollinator habitat or grazing, across more than 33,000 acres and producing a total of 4.8 gigawatts of solar energy, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

At many of these sites, farmers are reaping benefits. Because solar panels provide partial shade and retain more moisture in the soil, they can keep livestock cooler; increase the yields of certain crops, depending on the region, such as lettuce, kale and tomatoes; and cut water usage. These advantages add up to more profit for farmers.

When we can help farmers and producers get more income out of their croplands, its a win, Senator Braun said in a statement.

But while evidence of agrivoltaics benefits is cropping up, especially in hot, arid climates, theres still a lot researchers dont know, Peterson said. For instance, will agrivoltaics make economic sense for growing sweet potatoes  or grazing llamas?

Heinrich and Brauns proposed bill would direct the USDA to identify such research gaps, including how to scale agrivoltaics in different places across the country and for different crops or livestock, as well as to set up a research and demonstration network that helps fill in those gaps and shares the results with farmers and ranchers.

If passed, the acts infusion of funding into agrivoltaics would be tremendous, Peterson said. Doing that type of research around the country is going to really help farmers understand if agrivoltaics is possible in their area.


Top: Aquaculture pens in Norway. Below: Tidals underwater camera system and machine perception tools at work capturing fish behaviors (Tidal)

No water, no life. No blue, no green, said revered marine biologist Sylvia Earle in summing up the importance of the global ocean. The primary food source for half the planet, the ocean supplies the oxygen for every second breath we take.

And yet it is humanitys dumping ground  choked by trillions of pieces of plastic, harmful chemicals and waste run-off. Ninety per cent of the atmospheric heat caused by fossil-fuel emissions is absorbed by the ocean, triggering a cascade of dire consequences.

Global sea surface temperatures in April and May 2023 were the highest on record for those months, the UK Met Office reported last week, while Antarctic sea ice is the lowest on record for this date by a wide margin.

Warmer waters pack more energy into tropical storms, whipping them into increasingly destructive tempests.

Excessive ocean warming has also depleted most of the worlds wild fishing stocks, an unfolding food crisis for a growing global population.

But the ocean is one of humanitys more important natural allies in the face of the climate crisis. Marine industries could deliver one-fifth of emissions cuts needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C by 2050, according to the UN High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economyi, holding off more catastrophic climate impacts.

It could also provide more sustainable food sources from fisheries, seaweed and aquaculture, feeding more people and cutting back on carbon-intensive, land-based food systems.

Its time to shift from thinking of the ocean as a victim to seeing it as an essential part of solving global challenges, the panel said.

Much of the ocean remains a mystery to us, while its depth and breadth make it incredibly difficult to harness potential on a grand scale.

However, recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning show signs of overcoming those challenges.

Five years ago Tidal, a project inside Alphabets invention lab known at the Moonshot Factory, began exploring how to boost aquaculture operations  the rearing of marine species for consumption  while protecting ocean health.

Cameras have long been used by fish farmers but failed to give a detailed picture of what was happening at operations with millions of fish.

The first trials of the system  comprised of 360 degree-rotating cameras, sensors and machine perception tools  were conducted in a kiddie pool at Googleplex, the headquarters of Google and parent company Alphabet in Mountain View, California.

The next stop was Norway to test prototypes in harsh ocean environments from fjords inside the Arctic Circle to open waters of the North Sea.

The system captured environmental data like water temperature and salinity along with eight billion underwater observations of Atlantic salmon. The data was then used to train AI into a de facto fish whisperer which can predict their needs.

Our system separates signal from noise, Tidal Founder and CEO Neil Dave told The Independent.

Our model looks at those scenes, and pulls insights from whats happening in the water, whether its fish behavior, feeding, health, or general growth trends.

Aquaculture pens in Norway (Tidal)

The Tidal system reads a range of features including mouth opening and closing, whether fish consume food pellets, vertical swimming, and rapid changes in direction.

The data is processed in miliseconds by AI and the insights help with day-to-day decisions at fish farms such as how much feed to put in the water, or whether pests like sea lice need to be treated.

In the long-run it not only keeps fish healthier but reduces food waste  not only an environmental benefit but a huge financial boon for an industry where around 60 per cent of costs go on feed.

Its a win-win for the environment as well as the business, Mr Dave said.

Tidal recently partnered with Cognizant, a global services and IT consultancy company with expertise in ocean industries, to scale the technology and get it into the market. Today, tidal has around 600 devices floating off the Norwegian coast.

Stig Martin Fiska, the Oslo-based head of Cognizant Ocean, believes Norway is an ideal testing ground due to its large fishing industry, and willingness to confront challenges head on.

Norways aquaculture sector hasnt been able to grow more fish for 10 years, he said, so he was impressed by Tidals strategy of looking at the complex ecosystem as a whole and attacking the problem from the egg to filet.

With this technology, were seeing signals that were able to produce more fish because its granular, live, intelligent, he told The Independent. Youre able to make smart decisions earlier.

Mr Fiska said it was too early to speculate on how much the industrys carbon footprint could be cut by the new technology but that he had high hopes.

1- Camera and computer vision continuously collecting and interpreting images of fish; 2 - Environmental sensors collecting a mix of environmental data like temperature and salinity (Tidal)

We hopefully not only get [emissions] down to zero, or even positive ... but hopefully were also helping the world to produce more sustainable food, he said.

Mr Fiska said that while initially there had been a bit of scepticism and reluctance to share non-sensitive data needed for an AI system to work, the overall aquaculture industrys response was optimistic.

I think most people are looking at this as  is it finally happening? Ive been talking to industry players in shipping, aquaculture,and energy who thought this was something we would get 10 years ago. Now its mature, its proven.

It isnt just about feeding fish. The Norwegian aquaculture project is viewed as the jumping off point for a number of industries in the Blue Economy  shipping, offshore renewable energy, and carbon sequestration.

In shipping, for example, AI could be used to analyze micro-weather systems, and optimize vessel speeds, reroute around port traffic and adjust arrival times to cut fuel use, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions.

With more and more offshore wind farms being built, AI could play a role in monitoring impacts of construction on ocean ecosystems.

Theres a lot of promise in these technologies to really help elevate what humans are capable of in the ocean, Mr Dave said.
Air Force downs six Shahed drones over Khmelnytskyi Oblast at night

The Air Force destroyed all six kamikaze drones used by the Russians to attack Khmelnytskyi Oblast on the night of 20-21 June.

Source: Air Force

Quote: "On the night of 20-21 June, the enemy attacked from the north with Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 attack drones.

All the kamikaze drones were destroyed by the Air Force in Khmelnytskyi Oblast."

Details: In addition, the Air Force has reported that over the past day, 20 June, the Ukrainian Defence Forces downed four Russian reconnaissance drones of various types.

The Air Force has conducted dozens of airattacks, striking at the positions, equipment and rear of Russian occupation forces, including with aircraft provided by Western partners.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Missing Titanic sub rescuers heard noises like 'banging' but haven't found the sounds' source yet

An undated photo shows the tourist submersible called the Titan. Ocean Gate / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Multiple planes have detected noises where the Titanic submersible went missing, according to the US Coast Guard.

They're still searching the area where the sounds were heard, but haven't found the submersible yet.

US officials also discussed detecting "banging" noises at 30-minute intervals, according to Rolling Stone.

A Canadian surveillance plane has detected underwater noises in the area where rescuers are searching for a missing tourist submersible, the US Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday evening, but searchers have yet to find the source.

"Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area," the First Coast Guard District tweeted. "As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue."

At a Wednesday press conference, Captain Jaime Frederick, response coordinator of USCG's First District said more P-3 aircrafts detected noises Wednesday morning and the search and rescue mission continues to explore the area where the noises were detected.

ROVs, or remotely operated vehicles, are unmanned vehicles that can search areas underwater and possibly have the capacity to recover undersea objects.

The Coast Guard's confirmation comes as Rolling Stone reported on Tuesday that searchers on a Canadian aircraft detected "banging" in 30-minute intervals coming from the area where the submersible went missing.

"The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard," said the email sent by the Department of Homeland Security's National Operations Center, obtained by Rolling Stone.

But the Coast Guard would not confirm whether the noises were in fact "banging" and said they had not heard anything about 30-minute intervals.

Carl Hartsfield from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution said at the presser that the noises have been "described as 'banging noises,'" but that "noises are very complex in the ocean."

"You have to be an acoustic analysis and you have to have context," Hartsfield explained. "They're trying to put all the pieces together. They have to eliminate potential manmade sources other than the Titan."

Another Tuesday night internal memo said sonar picked up "additional acoustic feedback" that was "indicating continued hope of survivors," according to CNN.

Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president of the Explorers Club, tweeted on Tuesday evening that the club received information that "likely signs of life have been detected at the site."

He wrote that the club has "much greater confidence" that "there is cause for hope, based on data from the field."

Two of the submersible's passengers, British billionaire Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet of France, are part of the Explorers Club.

The search for the missing submersible entered its third day on Tuesday. The US Coast Guard and Canadian authorities has deployed a submarine, ships, aircraft, and sonar buoys in hopes of finding the vessel.

The submersible, called the Titan, is run by OceanGate Expeditions and was carrying a total of five people to see the Titanic shipwreck at around 13,000 feet under the surface.

It lost contact with its mother ship on Sunday afternoon, after more than an hour into its dive.

Past safety concerns regarding the Titan's hull and its ability to withstand deep-sea pressure have prompted fears that the submersible may have been breached, killing all passengers within.

But there's also the possibility that the Titan is intact, and that all five passengers are still alive. If that is the case, oxygen in the submersible is likely to last until Thursday afternoon ET, per the Coast Guard's estimates.

Read the original article on Insider
WASHINGTON  In the latest in a series of ethics revelations involving members of the Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Alito acknowledged Tuesday that he flew to Alaska for a fishing trip on a private jet in 2008 that belonged to a hedge fund manager who repeatedly brought cases before the high court.

Alito, among the courts most senior conservative justices, defended the trip in an unusual Wall Street Journal op-ed that was a reaction to a ProPublica story that had not yet been published. The piece was ultimately posted on ProPublicas website hours later on Tuesday.

The extraordinary response appeared to reflect the position the nations highest court now finds itself in  under siege from a series of stories involving private jet travel, luxury vacations and property sales not reported on financial disclosure forms. The reports have prompted hearings on Capitol Hill and threats from Senate Democrats to impose a code of ethics on the justices.

The latest ProPublica story alleges Alito accepted a private jet flight to Alaska from Paul Singer, a hedge fund billionaire, whose entities came before the court at least 10 times in recent years. Alito did not disclose the jet travel and did not recuse from the cases involving entities tied to Singer.

Tracker: Race, religion and debt. Here are the biggest cases pending at the Supreme Court

Occupying an unoccupied seat

On that much, at least, Alito appears to agree with the ProPublica report. However, Alito wrote in the Wall Street Journal that justices commonly interpreted a hospitality exemption to disclosure requirements to include accommodations and transportation for social events. By accepting the travel and not reporting it, he said, he followed what I understood to be standard practice. Alito said he never discussed cases with Singer and that he allowed me to occupy what would have otherwise been an unoccupied seat on a private flight to Alaska.

Regarding the lack of recusal, Alito wrote that even if he had been aware of Singers role in the cases before the court recusal would not have been required or appropriate. But, Alito said, he was not aware of Singers involvement because he personally was not a named party in the cases at issue.

It is highly unusual for justices to submit an op-ed for any reason, let alone to do so as a response to a forthcoming news story. Earlier this year, Alito granted an interview that was published in the Journal in which he said he had a "pretty good idea" who was responsible for the leak last year of a draft opinion in the high court's abortion case.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on October 7, 2022.

The latest revelations, which arrive as the Supreme Court is in the final weeks of a term that began in October, follow a series of stories in ProPublica earlier this year that revealed private jet trips and luxury yacht travel Justice Clarence Thomas accepted from GOP donor Harlan Crow. ProPublica reported that Crow also purchased property from Thomas and his family  none of which was reported on annual disclosure forms.

Chief Justice John Roberts acknowledged last month that the ethics debate has become an issue of concern inside the court, but there has been little indication of many changes made to respond to that concern. The policymaking body for federal courts, the Judicial Conference of the United States, adopted tighter reporting requirements earlier this year that make clear that private jet travel should be disclosed in future reports.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that the Supreme Court was "in an ethical crisis of its own making" and said that the committee would take up legislation on ethics at the court next month.

"We hope that before that time, Chief Justice Roberts will take the lead and bring Supreme Court ethics in line with all other federal judges," Durbin said. "But if the court won't act, then Congress must."

More: 'Incalculable' impact: Three ways the Supreme Court abortion decision changed the USA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alito took private jet to Alaska in latest ethics snag at high court
The leader of a suspected street gang has pleaded guilty to fentanyl distribution.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Middle District of Georgia, multiple law agencies joined together into investigating crime and fentanyl distribution in the Clarke County region deemed Operation Tourniquet.

The operation led to authorities conducting a search warrant in July 2021 at Gregory ONeal Wade, Jr., a.k.a. Woop, a.k.a Big Homie, a.k.a OOG, 31, of Athens, Jennings Mill Parkway apartment.

As police entered the home, Wade reportedly tried to get away by leaping out of a third-story window but was quickly arrested.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Officers found Johnathan Edward Brown, a.k.a Zeus, 31, of Riverdale, and DAngelo Caleb Perkins, a.k.a Yak, 26, of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, who had been staying with Wade.

Officers said they found nearly a kilogram of fentanyl, 90 grams of cocaine, and eight pounds of marijuana.

In Wades bedroom dresser drawer, Clarke officials said they found a Glock 19 with an auto sear switch, a mechanism that converts a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic machine gun. In the same drawer, a 30-round extended magazine and a 50-round drum machine were found, according to the release.

Clarke County authorities said Wade admitted to keeping the machine gun as protection from people who might do harm to him.

Officers said they also found more guns, a kilo press used to compress illegal drugs purchased by Johnathan Edward Brown aka Zeus, 31, of Riverdale, and a money counter.

TRENDING STORIES:

Officials said, Wade is the leader of the 1831 Piru Blood criminal street gang in Athens. While he was the leader, the gang reportedly engaged in several illegal acts that involved drugs in guns in the Athens area.

The U.S. attorneys office said in June 2021, Brown communicated with a drug supplier in China who used the name Convert. Brown reportedly messaged Convert to buy one kilogram of fentanyl to Convert. Officials said Convert replied back with a message that read: Sorry, the product you interested are controlled product in China. Brown then began messaging on WhatsApp with a new individual named Marcus and arranged a one-kilogram fentanyl transaction, the release states.

Police said both Wade and Brown admitted to buying and selling massive quantities of fentanyl and other drugs for distribution in Athens.

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On Wednesday, Wade pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl and one count of possession of an illegal machine gun.

He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to a maximum sentence of life in prison to be followed by a maximum of five years of supervised release and a maximum $10,000,000 fine. Wade is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 3.

Co-conspirator Perkins remains at large. He is wanted on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Anyone with information regarding Perkins whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip online.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Have you ever had to run to catch a train? Its the worst. But thanks to some revolutionary train tech, travelers in Switzerland will be able to stay comfortably in their seats over a three-and-a-half hour trek thanks to the trains ability to jump tracks.

The new GoldenPass Express will carry passengers from Montreux, Gstaad, and Interlaken, some of the largest tourist destinations in Switzerland, according to CNN. The impressive technology allows the train to change the gauge  or the distance side-to-side between its rows of wheels  to fit on different sizes of tracks. The train is also capable of raising and lowering its height to match the different heights of platforms passengers need to use.

But the technology isnt the only thing that makes this train so impressive. The train is said to be a comprehensive, panoramic experience that will take travelers past some of Europes most impressive views, following a trade route that has existed since the Middle Ages, CNN reported.

In every project, whether it is automotive, transportation or architecture, our goal is to create beautiful objects while overcoming technical or regulatory obstacles, Alfredo Palma, design project manager at Pininfarina, the legendary designer famous for Ferrari, told CNN. With [Montreaux Oberland Bernois Railway], we have created a train that offers an immersive travel experience, in total symbiosis with the beauty of the surrounding nature.

Not only does the GoldenPass Express aim to connect travelers to the beautiful natural landscape around them, but its also a convenient and environmentally friendly way to travel between tourist hot spots.

According to the Association of American Railroads, citing EPA data, railroads account for just 1.7% of transportation-related pollution in the U.S., while passenger cars produce roughly 3.5 billion tons of carbon pollution per year. Air travel is even worse. According to charted data in a BBC report, a domestic flight is responsible for nearly 1.5 times more carbon pollution per kilometer than driving a single-passenger car.

The idea for a train to jump tracks to cover this route has been around for centuries  dating back to 1873, as the railway company told CNN. It reported that the dream has been attempted many times but has always fallen short due to financial and technical obstacles.

But the new train is finally running as of December 2022. Starting in June, the train will run from Montreux to Interlaken and back four times  as opposed to the once-a-day trips its been making since December.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Amazon duped millions of consumers into enrolling in Prime, US FTC says

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday accused Amazon.com of enrolling millions of consumers into its paid subscription Amazon Prime service without their consent and making it hard for them to cancel, the agency's latest action against the ecommerce giant in recent weeks.

The FTC sued Amazon in federal court in Seattle, alleging that the company has "knowingly duped millions of consumers into unknowingly enrolling in Amazon Prime." In a statement, Amazon called the FTC's claims "false on the facts and the law."

Amazon has used "manipulative, coercive or deceptive user-interface designs known as 'dark patterns' to trick consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions," the FTC said as it seeks civil penalties and a permanent injunction to prevent future violations.

The lawsuit is one of several actions taken by President Joe Biden's administration intended to rein in the outsized market power of Big Tech firms as it tries to increase competition to protect consumers.

The FTC said Amazon Prime is the world's largest subscription program, generating $25 billion in revenue annually. It offers fast, free shipping on millions of items, various discounts and access to movies, music and television series, as well as other benefits.

Prime members in the United States pay $139 per year and drive much of Amazon's sales volume. Prime, which has more than 200 million members worldwide, is crucial to Amazon's other businesses including its streaming service Prime Video and its grocery delivery service.

In its statement, Amazon said, "The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership."

Amazon added it finds "it concerning that the FTC announced this lawsuit without notice to us, in the midst of our discussions with FTC staff members to ensure they understand the facts, context, and legal issues, and before we were able to have a dialog with the commissioners themselves."

Wednesday's lawsuit came on the day Amazon announced the July dates of its major sales event Prime Day.

The lawsuit said that under substantial pressure from the FTC, Amazon changed its cancellation process in April but that "violations are ongoing" and that it still "requires five clicks on desktop and six on mobile for consumers to cancel from Amazon.com."

Amazon's shares were up 0.2% in afternoon trading.

The FTC has been investigating sign-up and cancellation processes for the Prime program since March 2021.

Consumers who attempted to cancel Prime were faced with multiple labyrinthine steps to accomplish the task of cancelling, according to the complaint. The FTC complaint said Amazon used the term "Iliad Flow" to describe the process it began in 2016, referencing Homer's epic poem about the lengthy Trojan war.

Amazon also committed "intentional misconduct" meant to delay the FTC's investigation by providing "bad faith" responses to requests for documents, the agency said.

Insider Intelligence senior analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf said that the "FTC is making an example of Amazon, but it's quite common for companies to make it more difficult to cancel an account than it is to create one."

"Amazon's market power might work against it in this instance, as the FTC won't have a hard time proving that consumers are, indeed, harmed if Amazon impedes their ability to exercise their choice to cancel their Prime membership," Mitchell-Wolf added.

The FTC on May 31 announced a $5.8 million settlement with Amazon's Ring doorbell camera unit after the agency said cameras had been used for spying on some customers. On the same day, the FTC said Amazon agreed to pay $25 million to settle allegations that it violated children's privacy rights by failing to delete Alexa virtual assistant technology recordings at the request of parents and keeping them longer than necessary.

The new lawsuit is "emblematic of efforts by governments across the globe to rein in the excess influence of big tech," including Amazon, Apple and Meta, according to Tom Forte, managing director at D.A. Davidson Companies.

But Forte also pointed to other retailers and subscription services that make it difficult to end memberships.

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Chris Sanders in Washington; Additional reporting by Arriana McLymore; Editing by Will Dunham)
Amazon announced today that it will host the annual Prime Day shopping event on July 11-12. The company typically offers a lot of discounts to customers to boost sales numbers during this event.

The company said the event will start on July 11 at 3 a.m. EDT and run through July 12. The Prime Day sales will simultaneously take place in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. and the U.K.

However, the company will hold a Prime Day event in India later this summer. Notably, the company omitted any mention of the country in its Q1 2023 earnings  a first since 2014.

The e-commerce giant is also introducing invite-only deals where customers can request an invite for deals that are expected to be sold out quickly.

"With Invite-only deals, were adding more value to the Prime experience and have made it easier for our Prime members to access exclusive doorbuster deals at incredible prices without waiting in line, Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime, said in a statement.

U.S.-based Prime members will be able to get the benefit of some deals from June 21. Additionally, the company said that they can get an Amazon Gift card worth $200 on approval for a Prime Visa card from June 29 through July 26.

Amazon will also offer deals on its own devices like Amazon Echo and eero mesh Wi-Fi systems. Additionally, Amazon Prime Video will have discounts on some rental titles and channel subscriptions. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that the company is planning to launch an ad-supported tier for Amazon Prime Video.

The company is partnering with influencers like Marianna Hewitt, Whitney Port, Tayshia Adams and Rocky Barnes to put curated deals on their storefronts. Just like last year, the company is also holding live shopping streams with folks like Lola Tung, Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno. However, reports suggested that live shopping didn't have a successful outing last July.

Last year, Amazon had two prime day sales with the first one taking place on July 12-13 and the second one on October 11-12. The company didn't specify if it's going with a two Prime Day events strategy this year.

A report from Insider Intelligence suggests the U.S. ecommerce market will clock $1.1 trillion this year. While sales grew last year, analysts estimated that growth to be in the single digits.

Amazon had a better first quarter than last year, with the company registering $127.4 billion in revenue (9% increase year-on-year) and $3.71 billion in profit (up from $3.84 billion last year) for Q1 2023.
Jeff Bezos aul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images

Prime is a crucial way Amazon encourages consumers to keep spending money on its platform.

Prime growth has for years spurred investors to pile into Amazon stock.

Insider's investigation revealed that Amazon knowingly duped consumers into Prime subscriptions.

In 2018, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said he expected his company to be scrutinized by regulators because big tech had become so large. On Wednesday, he was proved right.

The Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon, accusing the e-commerce behemoth of luring unwitting customers into Prime subscriptions, and creating a "labyrinthine" process to cancel it. The company "knowingly duped millions of consumers," the FTC said in its complaint filed in federal court in Washington state.

The suit was the result of an Insider investigation in early 2022. Citing internal Amazon documents, reporter Eugene Kim and then-editor Graham Starr revealed that the company had been concerned since at least 2017 that user interface designs on Amazon.com led customers to feel manipulated into signing up for Prime.

Amazon was aware of these complaints for years but did not take serious action, according to the previously unreported internal documents and six current and former employees who spoke to Insider.

Even worse: In several cases, fixes for these issues were proposed and considered, but resulted in lower subscription growth when tested, and were shelved by executives, the documents showed.

After the story ran, the FTC revived a dormant probe into the issue, according to the regulator's complaint on Wednesday.

"On March 14, 2022, Business Insider published information leaked from current and former Amazon employees regarding the problems with Amazon's Prime checkout enrollment flow and the Iliad Flow," the FTC wrote in its suit. "The Commission quickly ascertained that Amazon had failed to disclose much of the now-leaked documents and information to the Commission, despite the fact that at least some of it was responsive to the outstanding CID. Amazon withheld the information."

In an email to Insider on Wednesday, Amazon's spokesperson said the FTC's claims are "false."

"The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership," the statement said. "We also find it concerning that the FTC announced this lawsuit without notice to us, in the midst of our discussions with FTC staff members to ensure they understand the facts, context, and legal issues, and before we were able to have a dialog with the Commissioners themselves before they filed a lawsuit."

Civil Investigative Demand

Around the spring of 2022, the regulator reached out to current and former Amazon employees and sent out subpoena letters in some cases. One of those letters, reviewed by Insider, said the FTC made a Civil Investigative Demand to Amazon in March 2021. A CID is a legal document enforceable in court that seeks documents or other information related to an FTC investigation. The agency sends CIDs to get information from companies it thinks may have violated the law, according to the FTC website.

In April 2022, the FTC sent more correspondence about the issue to Amazon lawyers, according to the letter, which cited Insider's original story from March 2022.

At that time, an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement that "we continually listen to customer feedback and look for ways to improve the customer experience."

"Customers love Prime and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership," the Amazon representative added.

Harassment accusation

Later in 2022, the FTC ramped up its probe. The regulator asked Amazon to dig up any relevant disappearing messages sent by the company's executives, including Bezos and CEO Andy Jassy. Other Amazon executives subpoenaed in the investigation included former retail boss Dave Clark and his successor Doug Herrington, SVP of international Russ Grandinetti, and former Prime VP Greg Greeley.

Amazon's law firm accused the FTC of harassing the company's top executives. The firm argued that the FTC should "quash or limit" the subpoenas due to "unworkable and unfair" procedures that it described as a "one-sided effort to force Amazon to meet impossible-to-satisfy demands."

It looks like that argument has failed so far.

Do you work at Amazon? Are you concerned about the company's behavior? Reach out to reporter Eugene Kim via the encrypted messaging apps Signal or Telegram (+1-650-942-3061) or email (ekim@insider.com). Use a non-work device.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Frankie Miranda was in kindergarten the first time he was called a fa---t. Growing up in Puerto Rico, he was bullied by other students and sexually assaulted by a teacher. Once, he confided in a middle school teacher that he had feelings for other boys. The teacher told him to go home and pray to Jesus.

Today, Miranda is the first openly gay president of the Hispanic Federation  one of the nation's largest Latino advocacy organizations  and is drawing upon his experiences to help push back against recent laws and policies that target LGBTQ people.

Miranda is part of a broader movement among Latino advocates and leaders that is raising awareness of the shared struggles of Latino and LGBTQ communities, as conservative governors and state legislatures continue to promote anti-LGBTQ measures.

Miranda, 51, believes that measures like Floridas Dont Say Gay law and the states restriction on gender-affirming care for minors will actually hurt children. For example, he said, children will not report bullying or hazing. The laws are creating fear and misinformation for parents and are designed to demonize some of the most vulnerable people in our community, he added.

Under Mirandas leadership, the Hispanic Federation has created the $1 million Advance Change Together Initiative, which is funding groups working to protect Latino LGBTQ rights. The purpose of the Initiative is to empower under- resourced local organizations, so they can continue their work, Miranda said. We need to show that our community supports LGBTQ rights.

'We know what discrimination is'

A 2022 Axios/Ipsos Poll found that 62% of Latinos say they are comfortable around people who identify as LGBTQ. A Gallup survey released that same year found that about 11% of Latino adults identify as LGBT, compared with 6% of Americans overall.

For Pride Month 2023, the League of United Latin American Citizens  the nation's oldest Latino civil rights organization  issued a call for state legislative bodies to protect and defend the rights of LGBTQ citizens. Jesse Garcia, who served as LULACs past LGBTQIA+ chairperson, said, State legislatures have the power ... to stop recent legislation attacking youth in schools, drag performers, and families making their own health decisions.

Jesse Garcia. (Courtesy Jesse Garcia)

Since Garcia started the groups first Rainbow Council in Dallas in 2006, LULAC has passed national resolutions on everything from repealing Dont Ask, Dont Tell to opposing conversion therapy to supporting marriage equality.

Now a LULAC member in Washington D.C., Garcia is proud of his role in the groups advocacy efforts.

LULAC has always had openly gay members, and they were loved and beloved. We just had to have conversations at the local and national level, he said. But LULAC members are civil rights people. We know history, we know how to organize. We know what discrimination is.

Latinos have a long tradition of LGBT activism. In 1961, Jose Sarria became the first openly gay candidate to run for public office, when he ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. In 1969, Sylvia Rivera helped lead the Stonewall riots in New York City, considered the birth of the LGBT rights movement. In 1987, Cesar Chavez  one of the first national civil rights leaders to support gay rights  served as a grand marshal of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

More recently, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., the first openly gay Afro Latino to be elected to Congress in 2020, drew on his firsthand experiences to put LGBTQ issues in the legislative forefront. As a child of the Bronx who grew up in public housing, I was often too scared to come out of the closet in my youth, he states in his website. I feel the weight of history on my shoulders. I know firsthand the discrimination members of the LGBTQ+ community face, and am determined to make positive change for my community.

Torres first bill to pass the House ensures that LGBTQ-owned businesses have equal access to capital and credit, and he voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex marriage rights.

'We don't want any of that with our kids'

But the increasing visibility of transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people has generated some backlash among Latinos in the faith community. A majority of Latino Catholics (66%) as well as Latino Protestants (81%) believe there are only two genders, according to a June Public Religion Research Institute survey.

Samuel Rodriguez (Courtesy Samuel Rodriguez)

Samuel Rodriguez is president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, a national organization representing Latino evangelicals.

Latinos are vehemently opposed to any teaching of gender and sexuality in elementary and primary schools, Rodriguez said, adding that there are many Latinos involved in the campaigns opposing LGBT and gender instruction in public schools. We dont want any of that with our kids.

To Rodriguez, Latinos are often left out of the debate over LGBT and family issues. We always hear the extreme voices on the right and on the left, because theyre the loudest voices. We are people of faith and familia, and we love and respect all people, Rodriguez said.

He thinks there should be more room for diverse opinions in the public discourse. If we are going to have Pride Month at Target, thats great  but why cant we have Traditional Family Month? That is simply equity.

'We are never safe'

Gia Pacheco, program director for Organizacion Latina Trans in Texas said it is a sad reality that there are no safe spaces for trans people in Texas, including in queer spaces. Pacheco pointed out that the Pulse nightclub mass shooting in Florida took place in a gay club.

The current political climate, according to Pacheco, has made OLTTs work especially challenging.

As a trans person, no matter how comfortable we might get, we are never safe, said Pacheco, whose organization provides emergency shelter and temporary housing for LGBTQ people in vulnerable situations. OLTT is also the only shelter in Texas, according to Pacheco, that is openly, happily taking in transgender people. It also offers assistance to transgender migrants and Latinx people seeking gender-affirming care.

Trans people are the first to fight for everyones rights, but always the last to receive them, said Pacheco, adding that despite the challenges, the group remains committed to its work.

No matter how many laws they pass, no matter how many bones they break, transgender individuals will always be here  and our community will still grow, Pacheco said.

Conservative political strategies are using trans issues as a wedge issue with Latinos, as a divide-and-conquer tactic, said author and scholar Juana Maria Rodriguez, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley who teaches ethnic, gender and women's studies.

The right wing has latched onto transgender issues because they recognize that gay and lesbian rights have garnered traction. They (conservatives) have lost that war," Rodriguez said. "So theyre trying to divide both the Latino and the gay community by throwing trans people under the bus.

The boycotts of Bud Light and Target over their support for the LGBT community, reflect one of the most extreme backlashes weve seen since the AIDS era, Rodriguez said.

The UC Berkeley professor is not surprised that Latino advocacy groups are embracing LGBTQ rights. It really comes down to family. Latinos love their families, and most of us have had una prima que nunca se caso (a cousin who never married) or a tia (aunt) who everyone knew was queer.

Still, Rodriguez is concerned that the controversies over LGBTQ issues will harm Latino kids. The right wing is targeting our love for our children  and trying to make us afraid of the LGBT community.

Looking ahead, Frankie Miranda from the Hispanic Federation is optimistic about more intersectionality between Latino and LGBT groups.

Our communities are not separate," he said. "And the policies that are happening now, in some states, are trying to push us back into an era that I know well, an environment that can be toxic and damaging for many children.

But data shows that Latinos overwhelmingly support marriage equality and LGBTQ rights, Miranda added. We just need to be sure that we are communicating and continuing the conversations, so that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An Anheuser-Busch executive is addressing the companys recent controversial partnership with a transgender influencer, calling the situation a wake-up call.

The company partnered with Dylan Mulvaney in April on an Instagram ad that featured her posing with a personalized Bud Light can. The ad instantly drew backlash from conservatives, while Anheuser-Buschs handling of that backlash was criticized by Mulvaneys supporters and LGBTQ advocates, who felt the company did not stand firm in its backing of the influencer.

Bud Light sales have declined since the controversy. The company was ousted from its spot as the top-selling beer brand in May, with Mexican beer Modelo Especial overtaking it.

Bud Light falls from No. 1 US sales spot for first time in more than 20 years

Marcel Marcondes, Anheuser-Buschs global chief marketing officer, said the situation has forced the company to think about how it can reconnect with its customers.

When things get divisive and controversial so easily, I think its an important wake-up call to all of us marketers to be very humble, Marcondes said at a conference Monday, according to CNN.

He asserted that the brand will restore its reputation.

Its coming back, Marcondes said.

The Bud Light controversy came as a number of pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation have been passed in states around the country and as other big-name brands, including Target, have come under fire for their LGBTQ support.

Target stores in at least five states received bomb threats during one weekend earlier this month as the company faces backlash over its Pride merchandise.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Another updated COVID vaccine could be available in the fall. Heres what we know

COVID-19 vaccines are due for another update and new formulas could be available in the U.S. by the fall, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

But its not yet clear who would be advised to receive the updated shot.

Updating the shots to target newer coronavirus omicron subvariants currently circulating in the U.S.  those of the XBB lineage  received unanimous support in a vote held at the FDAs Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting on June 15.

Now the FDA is advising vaccine manufacturers to develop COVID-19 shots with a formula targeting the XBB.1.5 subvariant.

Meanwhile, Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax have already been developing updated COVID-19 vaccines in preparation for fall.

The FDA committees recommendation comes after the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna were previously updated to include a component of their original vaccines and a second component targeting the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 strains.

In April, these bivalent shots were authorized by the FDA as the main mRNA vaccines available in the U.S. for those 6 months and older  replacing the companies original, monovalent vaccines that are no longer authorized, McClatchy News previously reported.

Why are the vaccines getting updated again?

In recommending a new, monovalent COVID-19 vaccine composition, the FDA said the current bivalent vaccines arent as effective in protecting against the latest virus variants.

By several measures, including escape from antibody neutralization and waning protection, the currently available bivalent COVID-19 (Original plus Omicron BA.4/BA.5) vaccines appear less effective against currently circulating variants, the FDA said.

Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 are no longer spreading in the U.S., according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

When the FDAs advisory committee met on June 15, it considered three subvariants  XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 and XBB.2.3  for the formula of COVID-19 vaccines in the fall before preference for XBB.1.5 was determined, according to the agency.

As of early June, XBB sublineages made up more than 95% of COVID-19 variants spreading in the U.S., the FDA said.

The latest CDC data shows the XBB.1.5 variant was the most dominant strain for the two-week period ending on June 10, making up 39.9% of cases.

What comes next?

The FDA will make an official decision soon on the vaccine composition to recommend to manufacturers, according to Dr. Peter Marks, the director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The official recommendation will be based on the discussion at the FDAs advisory committee meeting and wont come as any surprise, Marks said in a message shared to Twitter.

After today's advisory committee meeting, Dr. Peter Marks, Director of @FDACBER, briefly discusses next steps after receiving the committee's recommendations. pic.twitter.com/PQcpO3J2Lz  U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) June 15, 2023

Following the FDAs official recommendation, the agency expects vaccine manufacturers to proceed with manufacturing their new shots, according to Marks.

Then, Marks said, the companies will gather the data needed to inform our ultimate FDA actions in order to have vaccines evaluated with our safety and effectiveness standards for availability in the September time frame.

Pfizer aims to have an updated COVID-19 vaccine candidate available before the fall begins, Faith Salamon, director of the companys global media relations, said in a statement to McClatchy News.

To prepare for multiple scenarios, Pfizer has been producing several updated COVID-19 vaccines at-risk, including both monovalent and bivalent formulations targeting circulating Omicron XBB.1.5 sublineages, Salamon said.

Moderna also plans to ship out its updated vaccine, if approved, at the end of summer to be ready for fall, company spokesman Chris Ridley confirmed to McClatchy News.

Weve been working for a few months to develop an effective, variant-targeting vaccine for the fall vaccination season, Ridley said. Based on our own monitoring and analysis, weve been developing and testing XBB-targeting vaccines at risk, including preclinical and clinical testing.

Moderna can pivot quickly when it comes to developing a new COVID-19 shot since its an mRNA vaccine, according to Ridley. A new COVID-19 vaccine formula can be developed in about 60 to 90 days for a new virus variant

Novavax said it has also created a protein-based, monovalent COVID-19 targeting XBB.1.5 and plans to have it ready and available, if authorized, in the fall.

The company is making the shots on a commercial scale and also seeks to ship out the vaccine across the globe, the release said.

We believe we are in a better position to offer an alternative vaccine choice for individuals worldwide, the company said.

At the FDAs advisory committee meeting, animal immune response data on the updated vaccines were presented, as well as immune response data from one person given an updated vaccine, according to the agency.

If the updated vaccines are authorized for the fall, its unknown who will be advised to get it until officials issue guidance.

Im all for updating this vaccine, but I think we need to define...who really benefits from booster dosing? Because its not everybody, Dr. Paul Offit, an FDA advisory committee member and pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said at the meeting, according to NPR.

About 70% of Americans have received the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines as of May 2023, according to the CDC, with just 17% in the U.S. also getting the bivalent booster dose.

COVID left millions without full sense of taste, smell, study says. Can anything help?

Some adults 65 and over wont get new COVID shot. Heres why  and what experts think

Original COVID shots no longer authorized  but newer ones are, FDA says. What to know
A light yellow air bag emerges deflated from a steering wheel inside a wrecked car.

ARC Automotive, which supplies about one quarter of airbag inflators in the US, has responded to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) questions regarding its allegedly defective airbag inflators that have caused at least two deaths.



The Tennessee-based company once again denied grounds for a recall, setting it on course for a potential showdown in court against safety regulators.

Read more

On May 31, the NHTSA directed a special order at ARC, requiring it to answer questions (pdf) under oath regarding its inflators and provide additional documents. The deadline for submission was June 14.

In its answers (pdf), ARC admitted that it has not notified consumers about the potential dangers of its inflators, and that it could not guarantee its products would not rupture in the future.

Even with appropriate industry standards and efforts by manufacturers to minimize the risks of failures, the manufacturing processes may not completely eliminate the risk of occasional or isolated failures, ARC said in its response, dated June 14.

The manufacturer also argued that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards do not require the elimination of product failures, but rather seek[s] to protect the public against unreasonable risks.

ARC Automotive was ordered to recall 67 million airbag inflators

ARC has previously denied that its inflators are defective and refused an NHTSA order in mid-May to recall 67 million of its products.

The order was issued following an eight-year NHTSA investigation, in which regulators found ARC airbag inflators can sometimes rupture, spewing metal fragments into the interior of a car. Regulators determined the defect has led to at least two deaths and six injuries.

As many as 33 million drivers in the US could be at risk due to ARCs airbag inflator defect, according to an AP report.

Over a dozen car brands rely on ARC airbag inflators

GM recalled nearly one million (pdf) vehicles on May 10 that were installed with ARC inflators. Since 2017, companies including BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, have also issued recalls due to concerns about the products, according to NHTSA records.

The NHTSA has yet to release a full list of the models that include ARC inflators, which would help drivers determine the potential risks of their own vehicles. According to the Wall Street Journal, as many as 15 brands could be affected, and more than 50 car models could have ARC inflators installed.

Related stories

 The US ordered a recall of 67 million airbag inflators, but the supplier is refusing to comply

 The White House is trying to persuade Tesla to keep the USs EV charging standard alive

 Why General Motors is pulling the plug on the Chevy Bolt

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FIRST ON FOX: The co-chair of the House Border Security caucus is raising the alarm about reports of "unattended" ports of entry at the northern border with Canada  even as migrant encounters have increased significantly in recent years.

"We are concerned with recent reports from concerned citizens and members of the public that ports of entry (POEs) along the United States border with Canada are being left open and unattended for extended periods of time," Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller.

"This information accompanies publicly available reporting on increases in illegal border crossings along the Northern border, including by foreign nationals from countries in Asia and the Middle East," he said, along with Reps. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., and Tom Tiffany, R-Wis.

US SECURES DEAL WITH CANADA TO RETURN ILLEGAL MIGRANTS CROSSING NORTHERN BORDER

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., speaks at a press conference on the debt limit and the Freedom Caucus plan for spending reduction at the U.S. Capitol on March 28, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

There have so far been over 98,000 migrant encounters at the northern border this fiscal year, after 109,535 encounters in FY 2022. While only a fraction of the millions encountered at the southern border, it marks a sharp increase from the 27,000 encountered in FY 2020. The border, which is 5,525 miles, only has 115 ports of entry.

BORDER PATROL CALLS FOR AGENTS TO VOLUNTEER AT NORTHERN BORDER AMID 846% SURGE IN ONE SECTOR

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Biggs said that his sources have indicated that CBP agents and staff "may have been instructed to open POEs for periods up to 24 hours per day, and citizens are concerned about the long periods of time when POEs are open without sufficient supervision or surveillance by CBP personnel."

GOP REPS LAUNCH NORTHERN BORDER SECURITY CAUCUS, AS OFFICIAL TACKLE SURGE IN MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS

Some border sectors in the north have seen significant increases in migrant encounters.

As part of the House's oversight duties, Biggs asks for information about hours of operation for ports, as well as information about staffing levels and documents related to the opening hours of ports of entry at the northern border.

In a statement to Fox, Biggs said that Americans "deserve to know why their borders are not being secured."

"Now that the Biden Administration has dismantled our southern border security, they have moved to dismantle our northern border security," he said. "Its unconscionable to hear that the Biden Administration would authorize inadequately supervised or even completely unmanned ports of entries. The American people deserve to understand the extent of this problem. There are numerous recent intelligence reports revealing that the northern border is experiencing an unprecedented surge in illegal border crossingsincluding by foreign nationals from terror-prone countries."

The northern border was at the center of a new agreement with Canada in March that means that migrants who attempt to cross illegally between ports will be returned as part of an effort to deter illegal migration at the border. It updates a 2004 Safe Third County Agreement, which did not deal with illegal immigration.

Earlier this year, Fox News reported that Border Patrol was appealing for volunteers to deal with the surge, which was attributed to "Mexican migrants with no legal documents." One sector reported an 856% increase in encounters at the border.

Meanwhile, House Republicans have launched a Northern Border Security Caucus to come up with solutions to the ongoing challenges faced at the often overlooked border.
Armed and dangerous grandma runs over and kills 18-month-old child, Indiana cops say

The search is on for a woman accused of running over and killing her 18-month-old granddaughter in Indiana, reports say.

The hit-and-run happened Friday, June 16, outside a Motel 6 in Jeffersonville, according to WAVE. Jeffersonville is in southern Indiana across the Ohio River from Louisville.

Lisa Tesch, 51, was driving a white Chevy Trailblazer when she ran over the toddler, who died at a Louisville hospital, WRTV reported.

Its believed the girl ran to the SUV out of excitement to see her grandmother, according to a probable cause statement obtained by WTHR. Surveillance video showed Tesch continue driving at a high rate of speed after striking the toddler, the station reported.

Police are still looking for Tesch as of Wednesday, June 21, and said she is armed and dangerous, according to the News and Tribune. Its unclear if Tesch has been officially charged in connection to the childs death.

The 18-month-old child was identified as Eleanor Campbell., WTHR reported. Family members called her their precious little angel.

Our family is devastated by this sudden tragic loss of this baby girl, her family said in a GoFundMe. This heart-wrenching time has changed us forever.

Cheyenne Allen, Eleanors mother, is pleading for an arrest in the case.

My daughter didnt deserve this. Nobody deserves this, Allen told WLKY.

Anyone with information about Teschs whereabouts is asked to contact Jeffersonville police at 812-285-6535.

Car strikes stroller carrying two kids as mom pushes it on walk, Washington dad says

Sleeping woman dies after driver runs stop sign and plows into bedroom, NC officials say

2-year-old hit, killed after darting in front of car in parking lot, Georgia cops say
Said Abdulahi Deni is seen during the first round of voting in Mogadishu

By Abdiqani Hassan

BOSASO, Somalia (Reuters) - Armed factions in Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland agreed a ceasefire on Wednesday, a local leader said, a day after at least 26 people were killed and 30 injured in clashes over proposed changes to the region's voting system.

Regional forces and fighters loyal to the opposition fought fierce street battles in Garowe, the Puntland capital, on Tuesday as the local parliament debated constitutional changes that include the introduction of one-man-one-vote elections.

A group of traditional elders said they helped negotiate a pause in the fighting on Wednesday. Local residents said the sound of gunfire had stopped, fighters had left the streets and shops re-opened.

"We talked to the two sides fighting in Garowe. They accepted the ceasefire and we separated the troops," Islaan Isse, traditional leader in Garowe, told a news conference.

Opposition groups in Puntland, which lies along the country's northeast Indian Ocean coast, accuse the region's leader Said Abdullahi Deni of seeking to extend his term in office beyond January next year, or help tip the ballot in his favour. Deni has not commented publicly on the allegations.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud late on Tuesday called on both sides to silence their guns and return to the negotiating table.

(Reporting by Abdiqani Hassan and Abdi Sheikh; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Christina Fincher)
Elizabeth Chambers and Armie Hammer have reached a settlement on their divorce, according to court documents filed on June 20.

The court documents show they are asking for a judge to sign off on the agreement that they came to, but do not go into specifics of their settlement.

Chambers had filed for divorce in 2020 from the Call Me By Your Name star after 10 years of marriage. Chambers and Hammer share two kids: Harper, 8, and Ford, 6.

Chambers' representatives declined to comment to TODAY.com about the settlement. Hammer's divorce attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

When Chambers filed for divorce in 2020, the two made the identical posts on social media. They said after 13 years as "best friends, soulmates, partners and then parents," they had decided to call it quits.

"It has been an incredible journey, but together, weve decided to turn the page and move on from our marriage," they wrote in the statement. "As we enter into this next chapter, our children and relationship as co-parents and dear friends will remain our priority."

Chambers, who founded Bird Bakery and is also a television personality, told Elle magazine earlier this year that they had broken up when Hammer decided to leave her and their two young kids in the Cayman Islands while he went back to California to help a friend restore a motel near Joshua Tree National Park.

She said that her "heart was broken in nine million pieces," but she still drove him to the airport. She filed for divorce a few months later.

"You can give, you can love, you can be there for someone, but you also need to hold people accountable for their actions," she said.

Hammer has recently opened up about their split as well, telling AirMail in February that he'd had an affair with a woman he met online in 2016.

Hammer has also faced sexual assault allegations since he and Chambers split. A woman accused Hammer in 2021 of raping her in 2017. His attorney denied the allegations to NBC News at the time and said all of Hammers sexual relationships have been completely consensual.

Following a Los Angeles Police Department investigation, the Los Angeles District Attorney declined to file charges against "The Social Network" actor in May 2023.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Armie Hammer and Elizabeth Chambers settled their divorce nearly three years after she first filed for a dissolution of marriage.

Hammer, 36, signed off on a declaration for default or uncontested dissolution in documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

Documents were filed in a Los Angeles County courthouse Tuesday.

The couple had been married since 2010 and share two children  Harper, 8, and Ford, 6.

ARMIE HAMMER SPEAKS OUT AFTER PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCE HE WON'T BE CHARGED IN SEX ASSAULT CASE

Representatives for both Hammer and Chambers did not immediately provide comments to Fox News Digital.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

ARMIE HAMMER'S EX ELIZABETH CHAMBERS WONDERED WHAT THE F---? AFTER CANNIBALISM RUMORS SURFACED

Chambers, 40, has been living with her kids in the Cayman Islands since filing for divorce, but has been co-parenting with Hammer.

Both parties agreed that the cause "may be decided as an uncontested matter" in an appearance, stipulations and waivers form.

Chambers filed for divorce following abuse, rape and cannibalistic fantasy allegations waged against Hammer. He has denied the allegations.

Hammer and Chambers reportedly met through mutual friends.

In May, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office announced Hammer would not be charged in a sexual assault case stemming from accusations revealed in 2021.

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A woman claimed Armie raped her in 2017, which prompted a nine-month criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department . Armie denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.

Armie and his family were the subjects of a Discovery+ docuseries which explored the "deeply troubling accusations leveled against critically acclaimed actor Armie Hammer and the dark, twisted legacy of the Hammer dynasty."

Hammer gained initial fame after appearing in the Social Network in 2010.

Amid the accusations, he was dropped from a number of films, including Paramount's "The Offer," a show about the making of "The Godfather," whose lead role went to Miles Teller.

He was also supposed to star opposite Jennifer Lopez in "Shotgun Wedding," a role which went to Josh Duhamel.

Following the public fallout from Hollywood, Armie entered rehab to seek help dealing with issues related to drugs, alcohol and sex. He left treatment in May 2021 and was reportedly later spotted selling timeshares in the Cayman Islands.
Chicagos rental assistance program will restart taking applications during the first week of July under new management from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

The program was paused May 15 after Chicagos Department of Housing canceled its contract with the Resurrection Project, the nonprofit formerly overseeing administration of the funds.

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The department did not state why the contract was canceled. The Resurrection Project told the Tribune in May that it was no longer in charge as the pandemic and resources for the program wane and originally stated that the Department of Housing would administer the rest of the funds.

[ Para leer en espanol, haga clic aqui ]

The restart to the program comes as thousands of Cook County residents face eviction annually, with many renters and landlords in limbo for the past month given the pause in assistance. Attorneys say rental assistance is a key component of the countys Early Resolution Program  the formal name for the eviction diversion program  helping stave off thousands of evictions since the program began in November 2020.

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Bob Glaves, executive director of the Chicago Bar Foundation, which manages the Early Resolution Program, said he does not think people have been forced to leave their homes yet due to the halt in funding but is not sure this will still be the case by the time the new program starts. He said there is a backlog of about 360 tenants waiting for rental assistance and expects that number to be about 500 come early July.

Everybody is going to work as hard as and do everything they can (to minimize evictions), Glaves said. (The Illinois Housing Development Authority) has experience running this  and is starting with a model that has shown to be effective for the rest of the state.

[ Cook County program touted as one of the top eviction prevention innovations has drawn praise, pushback ]

The Illinois Housing Development Authority manages the court-based rental assistance program for all counties in the state apart from Cook County. The agency has administered more than a billion dollars in aid to help renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic avoid eviction and does not anticipate the addition of Chicagos case load to affect operations, according to Andrew Field, a spokesperson for the agency.

Rima Alsammarae, Chicagos Department of Housing spokesperson, said in a statement that the agency asked the Illinois Housing Development Authority to take over the program because of its prior experience. She said there are a number of challenges in quickly turning around payments but that the agencies will continue to work to minimize processing times.

Alsammarae said the agency hopes other resources will be available for the citys program once federal funds run out, which is expected to happen early next year.

When the Resurrection Project was in charge of rental assistance applications, property owners and their attorneys told the Tribune in May that it took one to three months to get approved for and receive rental assistance.

Glaves said at the time he would prefer if tenants were approved for rental assistance within two weeks, but because of limited personnel, this wasnt possible.

Field told the Tribune that rental assistance applications are processed within seven days and checks are mailed to landlords within three business days if the application is approved.

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Michael Glasser, president of the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance, said the extra month provided to tenants and landlords to negotiate through the Early Resolution Program can be helpful when emergency rental assistance is available.

But most of the time it is a court-mandated extra month of free housing  with still another three to four months ahead in the process  that falls on our members while the long legal process plays out, Glasser said in a statement.

Glaves said there will be bumps in the transition to get everyone in the new system, with a surge of applications expected in the beginning, but those involved in the eviction diversion program will make sure everyone gets through it.

Everyone will work well together to make it happen, Glaves said.
Armie Hammer and estranged wife, Elizabeth Chambers, have finally settled their divorce  nearly three years after her initial filing and a mountain of controversy surrounding Hammer.

The two parties have reached an agreement on subjects including their children, property and spousal support, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ, however the details of that agreement remain unclear.

In 2020, after a decade of marriage, Chambers claimed the couple had irreconcilable differences and was seeking primary physical custody of their two children, 8-year-old Harper Grace and 6-year-old Ford. Meanwhile, Hammer was vying for joint legal and physical custody of their kids.

However, since the initial divorce filing, Hammer has come under immense public scrutiny for allegations of sexual assault and cannibalism.

In May, the L.A. district attorneys office decided it would not file rape charges against Hammer after an investigation that lasted two years. The DA ruled the case was too murky, due to the complexity of the relationship between Hammer and his accuser, Effie Angelova.

Angelova and Hammer reportedly began seeing each other in 2017, while he was married to Chambers. Angelova claims he later became violent and forced himself on her during one of their interactions.

Other women have since come out with similar allegations.

The 36-year-old actor and his family were also the subject of the recent Discovery+ docuseries House of Hammer, which looks into the Hammer family's troubling past.

Through a trove of archives and interviews from survivors and family members, the dark and twisted secrets of the Hammer family come to light, reads the description of the special. It digs into the dysfunctional dynasty with its male characters exhibiting all the devastating consequences of privilege gone wild.


FILE - Armie Hammer, left, and wife Elizabeth Chambers arrive at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globes afterparty, Jan. 7, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Hammer has reached a divorce agreement with Chambers, nearly three years after she filed to end their marriage. Hammer's attorney filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, informing a judge that the actor and Chambers have come to terms over child custody, child support, spousal support and division of assets. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Armie Hammer has reached a divorce agreement with his wife, Elizabeth Chambers, nearly three years after she filed to end their marriage.

Hammer's attorney filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday informing a judge that the actor and Chambers have come to terms over child custody, child support, spousal support and division of assets. A judge will need to sign off on the proposed agreement and declare the two divorced.

The settlement comes weeks after LA County prosecutors declined to charge Hammer in an investigation stemming from a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2017. They cited a lack of evidence to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hammer said on Instagram that after a long public silence that I look forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name has been cleared.

Allegations of sexual violence from women early in 2021 derailed Hammers career, and he has not worked in Hollywood since.

Hammer and Chambers separated, and she filed for divorce, in 2020.

The 36-year-old actor is best known for his starring roles in 2017s Call Me By Your Name and 2013s The Lone Ranger.

Chambers, 40, is a television personality who has had shows on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel.

The two began dating in 2007 and married in 2010. They have an 8-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son.

The terms of their agreement were not revealed, and are often sealed from public view in such cases.
The Armys M10 Booker is a tank. Prove us wrong.

When the Army formally unveiled its new tank on June 8, the services acquisition officials didnt mince words.

The M10 Booker, formerly known as Mobile Protected Firepower, is not a light tank, they argued.

Doug Bush, the Armys acquisition chief, said the Booker is a combat vehicle, and declined to wade into esoteric and borderline religious debate among the armored community about what [the word tank] means when asked why the vehicle isnt a tank. Never mind that he accidentally called it a tank in his opening remarks.

Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, who oversees ground vehicle development, took a stab at it during the same roundtable.

In the [U.S.] Army, the historical use of light tanks has been to perform reconnaissance functions. This is not a reconnaissance vehicle, Dean said. Its not actually a mission match [for a light tank].

And yet other stakeholders disagree.

The services top officer, Gen. James McConville, sounded his opinion on the Booker during a June 13 press conference.

To me, its a light tank, McConville said, reaffirming his Oct. 2021 remarks at the Association of the U.S. Army conference declaring the same.

Others have been more conflicted.

In 2017, the Bookers former program manager, David Dopp, said I dont want to say its a light tank, but its kind of like a light tank.

Even Army Secretary Christine Wormuth acknowledged that some call it a light tank during the June 13 press conference.

In order to determine once and forever more whether the Booker is a tank, we at the Military Times Observation Post developed a legal test* based on Supreme Court Associate Justice Potter Stewarts 1964 concurring opinion in Jacobellis v. Ohio.

I know it when I see it, Potter famously argued. He may or may not have been describing his method of determining whether a video was hardcore pornography and thus in violation of Ohios obscenity law, but its a convenient way to make up an official-sounding intellectual framework that just happens to support our (correct and esteemed) opinion.

So lets evaluate the Booker according to the Potter Tank Test: Do we know it to be a tank when we see it?

Yes.

It has full tracks. So do tanks.

It has a 105mm main gun intended for direct-fire engagements. So do tanks, and the original M1 Abrams had a similar cannon.

Its turret can traverse 360 degrees. So can those of tanks.

Its controls mimic those of the M1 Abrams main battle tank.

It doesnt carry infantry into battle. Neither do tanks.

Its protected enough to withstand attacks from enemy armored vehicles. So are tanks.

Even Dean, a prominent Booker tank denier, confessed that it looks like, smells like [and] feels like a tank.

So why does a faction within the Army tell us to reject the evidence of our eyes and ears?

A potential answer comes via a 2019 white paper  first published by the Association of the U.S. Army, and recently resurfaced by Task & Purpose  in which two officers argue that the service intentionally moved away from the light tank label.

The Booker is much smaller than the Abrams main battle tank, which officials say will allow it greater maneuverability and reduced maintenance needs while also providing powerful support to the infantry brigades theyll join.

But for its advantages, the Booker isnt supposed to square off against enemy main battle tanks. The white papers authors argued, then, that dropping the light tank moniker was meant to dissuade troops from using it like a main battle tank rather than in the infantry support role they envisioned.

We at the Military Times Observation Post hereby reject the Armys final, most essential command.

The Booker is a tank, even if it defies the modern armored imagination.

Before todays main battle tanks devoured their siblings and became one tank to rule them all, armies around the world had different tanks for different functions.

Even the U.S. military maintained a medium tank capability through the M551 Sheridan until 1996  ten Sheridans from the 82nd Airborne Divisions 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor completed a combat jump into Panama for Operation Just Cause in 1989. Imagine flinging an Abrams from a plane.

Perhaps modern warfare requires an un-merging of the tanks intellectual family tree. Well leave it to the maneuver doctrine nerds to figure that one out.

But for now? Stop gaslighting us. Its a damn tank.

* This is not legal advice.

Defense News land warfare reporter Jen Judson contributed reporting to this story, but said she would not wade into the murky depths of this debate.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP)  The alleged gunman who fired into a crowd killing two people at a Washington state music festival Saturday was stationed at a U.S. Army base in Western Washington, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

James M. Kelly, 26, of Joint Base Lewis-McChord was booked into the Grant County Jail Tuesday on investigation of two counts of murder, two counts of assault and one count of domestic violence assault, Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete said in a Facebook post. Law enforcement officers shot him Saturday and he was being treated at a hospital until Tuesday, the sheriff said.

The shooting killed two people and wounded two others in an area where people were camping for the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre.

The two people killed were Seattle residents Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26, Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said Tuesday. Escamilla died of a gunshot wound to the head, and Ruiz died from a gunshot wound to her torso, Morrison said. The two were engaged to be married, according to a fundraising campaign by family members.

Lily Luksich, 20, of Mill Creek, Washington, and 31-year-old Andrew Cuadra of Eugene, Oregon, were shot and wounded, according to the sheriff.

A private security officer responding to the report of shots fired was struck by a bullet that deflected off her eyeglasses, causing bruising and lacerations, the sheriff said.

The sheriffs office said it received a report of a shooting around 8:20 p.m. Saturday at the camping area at the amphitheater near the small city of George, 149 miles (240 kilometers) east of Seattle. The shooting happened several hundred yards from the music festival.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lt. Col. Mike Burns told KXLY-TV in a statement Tuesday that the command is aware of the allegations against Kelly.

We take all allegations seriously and are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities, his statement said.

Burns said Kelly is a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment at the military base. It wasnt immediately known if Kelly has a lawyer to comment on his behalf.

The North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit is investigating the shooting of Kelly by law enforcement officers. The names of the officer or officers who fired at Kelly havent been released.
FILE - This booking photo provided by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shows Dustin Passarelli, who was charged in the road rage shooting death of a Muslim man. The Indiana man has been convicted of murder Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in the road rage shooting death of a Muslim man who witnesses said he made ethnic and religious insults against, including yelling go back to your country, before the shooting. (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  A suburban Indianapolis Army veteran was sentenced to 55 years in prison Wednesday for the road rage shooting death of a Muslim man after witnesses said he hurled ethnic and religious insults at the victim.

Dustin Passarelli of Plainfield was convicted in May of murder and a felony firearm enhancement in the February 2019 shooting death of 32-year-old Mustafa Ayoubi.

Passarelli followed Ayoubi off Interstate 465, and a verbal altercation took place, prosecutors said. Witnesses said Passarelli made several Islamophobic remarks, including Go back to your country," and used hate speech before opening fire.

Passarelli told police that Ayoubi either threw something at his car or collided with it on the highway and that after he followed Ayoubi to an apartment complex, Ayoubi broke one of Passarelli's car windows with a punch.

The defense argued that Passarelli was within his rights to fire at Ayoubi because it was self-defense.

Passarelli was not charged with a hate crime. Six weeks after Ayoubis killing, Indiana lawmakers passed a hate crimes bill that included a provision allowing judges to impose longer sentences for crimes motivated by bias.

Ayoubi came to the U.S. from Afghanistan as a refugee.
The claim: Alex Soros said he wants to 'eradicate' conservatives online

A June 12 article published by The Peoples Voice attributes comments to the son of billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

"Alex Soros Vows To Eradicate Conservatives From the Internet: Im 100 Times Worse Than My Dad,'" reads the article's headline.

The article was shared more than 600 times in five days, according to CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool.

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Our rating: False

The article claims the comments came from an interview Alex Soros, George Soros' son, did with the Wall Street Journal. However, the comments attributed to him are not found in the Wall Street Journal article or any other credible news reports. The People's Voice regularly publishes fabricated stories.

Alex Soros interview highlights differences from father

In a June 11 Wall Street Journal article, Alex Soros, 37, said he is "more political" than his father and concerned about former President Donald Trump returning to the White House. He also talked about his interest in different social causes, including abortion rights, voting rights and gender equality.

Alex Soros also said he was concerned that free speech on college campuses and other places is becoming too restricted and expressed his belief in not silencing dissenting voices.

"I have some differences with my generation in regard to free speech and other things  I grew up watching Bill Maher before bed, after all," he said in the interview, referring to the HBO talk show host whose show routinely features a mix of conservative and liberal panelists.

Those remarks stand in contrast to comments attributed to him in The Peoples Voice, which claims he said he would try to silence conservative voices. The article quotes the younger Soros as saying to the Wall Street Journal, Im 100 times worse Than my dad," and that he would censor conservatives 100 times more aggressively than his father.

However, those comments never appear in the interview, nor are they found elsewhere online in reputable news sources.

Fact check: Donald Trump ties George Soros to Alvin Bragg. Experts say connection is mischaracterized

In December, the Open Society Foundations' board elected Alex Soros as its chairman, replacing his 92-year-old father, but the change was not immediately announced. The Wall Street Journal article says he is also now president of his fathers super PAC and the only family member on the investment committee for Soros Fund Management, the firm that oversees billions of dollars for the family and its foundations.

George Soros has been a frequent target of misinformation and antisemitic content, often connected with his public political activity. USA TODAY has debunked claims that he collaborated with the Nazis, that he "funded" voting machines and that he endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president.

The People's Voice, previously known as NewsPunch, has repeatedly published fabricated stories, many of which USA TODAY has debunked.

USA TODAY reached out to The People's Voice for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Lead Stories 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 electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, Alex Soros didn't pledge to 'eradicate' conservatives | Fact check
A 25-year old Atwater man was arrested on suspicion of possessing fentanyl after officers seized 100 pills from his home on Tuesday morning, according to police.

Atwater Police Department officers served a narcotic trafficking search warrant in the 2800 block of Piro Ave in Atwater on Tuesday at approximately 11 a.m., according to a press release from the Atwater Police Department.

During the search, officers located approximately 100 pills suspected to be fentanyl, 24 grams of an unfinished substance suspected to be fentanyl and seven pills believed to be Xanax.

Seth Ingalsbe, 25, of Atwater was arrested and transported to the Merced County Jail to face charges of possession of a controlled substance for sale and committing a criminal offense while out of custody on bail.

This is the second arrest involving fentanyl in Atwater since August 2022 and the second incident in the past 72 hours.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador said. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. It is a serious problem in our community.

Atwater police are asking anyone with information related to this case to contact the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384 and ask for Detective Sgt. Brum or officer Trevor Phillips.
Africa Union troops have been backing a major pro-government offensive against Al-Shabaab (STRINGER)

A military base in Somalia came under attack by Al-Shabaab jihadists on Wednesday,police and witnesses said, just as the African Union announced it was beginning a drawdown of troops in the violence-wracked nation.

Almost simultaneous suicide bomb blasts targeted the base in the southern city of Baardhere, which hosts both Ethiopian and Somali troops, triggering heavy gunfire, the sources said.

There was no immediate information about any casualties from the attack, which was claimed by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliated group that has been waging a bloody insurgency against the fragile central government for more than 15 years.

"The first explosion which is presumed to have been carried by a suicide bomber targeted the entrance of the ADC military base in Baardhere where Ethiopian forces are station and train Somali troops," local police officer Abdi Bare said.

"The second blast occurred in the same area within a few minutes after the first one, there are some casualties but we don't have the details so far," he said, adding that the situation in the area was "now normal".

Local resident Bare Hassan reported "heavy gunfire" after the first blast at the base in Baardhere, which lies in Jubaland state about 450 kilometres (280 miles) south of the capital Mogadishu.

Al-Shabaab has continued to launch deadly attacks in Somalia in the face of a major offensive by pro-government forces backed by the AU force known as ATMIS against the jihadist group.

Only last month, 54 Ugandan peacekeepers were killed when Al-Shabaab fighters stormed an AU base located southwest of Mogadishu in one of the deadliest attacks since the offensive was launched last year.

Earlier Wednesday, the African Union Transition Mission announced it had started to reduce troop numbers in Somalia in line with UN Resolutions "which mandate ATMIS to drawdown 2,000 soldiers by the end of June 2023".

ATMIS in April last year replaced the previous mission known as AMISOM, which had a force of about 20,000 drawn from several nations including Burundi, Kenya and Uganda.

It said it handed over a base operated by Burundian forces in Hirshabelle state in south-central Somalia to the Somali National Army.

ATMIS has a more offensive remit than its predecessor, and calls for security to be assumed by Somalia's army and police force by the end of 2024.

As Al-Shabaab attacks surge despite the military operation, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier this week sacked the head of the army, Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, and named Ibrahim Sheikh Muhidin as his successor.

Somalia, one of the poorest countries on the planet, has been mired in chaos since the fall of dictator Siad Barre's military regime in 1991.

nur-txw/ri
(Bloomberg) -- Australians support a resumption of dialogue with Beijing and are shifting back toward viewing China as more of an economic partner than a security threat, a new survey showed, after relations collapsed in 2020.

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Some 56% of respondents reckon renewed ministerial contacts with China is very or somewhat positive for Australias national interest, a Lowy Institute poll showed. Those seeing China as a danger fell 11 points to 52%, while those who see it as an economic partner rose by the same amount to 44%.

The survey of 2,077 adults was conducted between March 14-26 and had a margin of error of 2.2%, according to Lowy, a Sydney-based policy think tank.

Ties with China, Australias biggest trading partner, have steadily warmed since the election of the center-left Labor government in May 2022. Beijing has lifted some restrictions on Australian goods and top-level meetings between foreign, trade and defense ministers have taken place after an extended hiatus.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is also expected to visit Beijing before the end of this year.

Still, the chill in ties persists with Australians, according to the survey, which showed trust, confidence and warmth toward China and President Xi Jinping remains low. Five years ago, more than half of Australians trusted Beijing to act responsibly in the world, while now that figure is only 15%.

Anxiety about a possible war between the US and China is elevated, with more than half of respondents saying Australia should stay neutral in such an event.

But in a conflict over Taiwan, Australians are less ambivalent about acting in concert with the US  even if this means sending military supplies to the government in Taipei or deploying the Royal Australian Navy to help prevent China from imposing a blockade around Taiwan, said Michael Fullilove, executive director at the Lowy Institute.

Even so, a majority of respondents said they wouldnt support any Australian troop deployments to Taiwan in the event of an invasion by China.

In March, Australia announced it would purchase a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines from the US as part of the Aukus security agreement that also includes the UK, at a potential cost of more than A$360 billion ($245 billion).

The Lowy Institute survey found 49% of Australians said the Aukus agreement would make the country safer, and 67% supported the governments decision to acquire the nuclear submarines.

However, a large number of those surveyed baulked at the price tag, with 47% saying it wasnt worth it, and 20% saying they believe the new fleet would make military conflict more likely in the Asia-Pacific region.

Trust in the US fell four points to 61% from 2022, the poll showed, but is still 10 points higher than in 2020, the final year of the Trump administration.

Australians have the highest levels of confidence in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at 72%, while confidence in US President Joe Biden remained steady at 59%.

Echoing the decline in Australians trust in China in recent years, confidence in President Xi remains low at 11%. The only leaders in whom Australians have less confidence are Russian President Vladimir Putin at 7% and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at 3%.

(Updates with Taiwan troop deployment views.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Wolves have gradually returned in recent years to Austria (JOE KLAMAR)

Several regions of Austria have allowed the controversial killing of wolves after reporting an increase in livestock attacks, sparking debate in the Alpine EU member.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says the orders to kill the wolves violate European law, which lists them as protected animals.

In the southern province of Carinthia, five wolves have been killed so far this year under legislation introduced in January. The killing of eight more has been authorised, according to authorities.

Neighbouring Tyrol, known for cattle grazing freely on mountain pastures, has authorised the killing of six wolves -- yet to be carried out -- under a decree from February, according to province spokesman Maximilian Brandhuber.

"Time and again wolves are sighted near settlements and kill livestock," he told AFP this week, adding that evidence of their presence has "risen sharply since 2019."

After disappearing in the 19th century, the wolf has gradually returned in recent years to repopulate former habitats in Austria.

Some 80 wolves were counted in 2022, according to official estimates.

The wolf is protected under a European Union directive adopted in 1992, but it does provide for exemptions to the directive, according to Brandhuber.

"Austria does not yet have many wolves and it must make its contribution to the conservation of the species, as other European countries do," WWF expert Christian Picher told AFP, urging the European Commission to act.

WWF said the country of 9.1 million people should learn from neighbouring states like Italy, which "already have decades of experience on the subject," calling on Austria to improve the monitoring of the animals and avoid "alarming" the population unnecessarily.

bg/anb/mr/jza/rox
The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital is seen on June 9, 2012, in Chicago. Lurie Childrens Hospital is again the No. 1 childrens hospital in Illinois. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

Lurie Childrens Hospital is again the No. 1 childrens hospital in Illinois, with Advocate Childrens Hospital and University of Chicago Comer Childrens Hospital tying for second place in the state, according to a new U.S. News & World Report ranking.

The report ranked Lurie as the seventh best childrens hospital in the Midwest. No Illinois childrens hospital has ranked in the top 10 nationally since Lurie last scored a spot there in 2018. U.S. News does not rank childrens hospitals nationally beyond the top 10.

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We are proud to once again be recognized as the top pediatric hospital in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report, said Dr. Derek Wheeler, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at Lurie, in a statement. Our specialty rankings far outrank our peers in Chicago. It is important to keep in mind that with the current ranking methodology, year-to-year fluctuations can easily occur, depending in part on the high acuity and complexity of the patients we serve.

Nine specialties at Lurie ranked among the top 25 nationwide.

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U.S. News ranked childrens hospitals across the country based on data and answers they provided to a U.S. News survey, as well as surveys of pediatric specialists. Hospitals were judged on measures including mortality, infection rates, clinical resources and compliance with best practices.

This year, U.S. News changed its methodology to put less emphasis on expert opinions and give more weight to hospitals commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as best practices.

Nationally, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center was named the top childrens hospital in the country, followed by Boston Childrens Hospital and Texas Childrens Hospital.

In Illinois, Advocate Childrens moved up one spot this year, to tie for second best in the state with Comer. Last year, U.S. News ranked Comer second best in the state and Advocate Childrens third best.

This year, Advocate Childrens and Comer also tied for 20th best in the Midwest, along with three other hospitals. Thats up one spot for Advocate Childrens and down several places for Comer, which tied for 14th best childrens hospital in the Midwest last year.

Comer ranked in the top 50 in the country in one specialty, gastroenterology and GI surgery. Advocate Childrens also ranked in the top 50 in one specialty, cardiology and heart surgery.

We believe todays ratings dont fully capture the exceptional, compassionate and safe medical care provided to children at our facility, said Dr. John Cunningham, physician-in-chief at Comer, in a statement. We are conducting a comprehensive data review to fully understand our rankings and are committed to advancing all quality improvement efforts.

Advocate Childrens Hospital President Mike Farrell sad in a statement that the hospitals doctors, nurses and other employees work together to provide safe, high-quality care and, We are proud that their dedication has led us to be recognized as one of the highest-performing childrens hospitals in Illinois.

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Each year, a number of organizations rank hospitals, using different methodologies that often produce different results. Hospitals use high marks in their advertising to attract more patients and better compete with other facilities.

Proponents of hospital rankings say theyre a valuable tool to help patients choose where to seek care, while critics say they dont paint a full picture or always take important factors into account.

In recent years, some medical and law schools have rebelled against U.S. News rankings of their institutions, declining to fill out U.S. News surveys. Leaders at University of Chicagos Pritzker School of Medicine decided in January to no longer participate in U.S. News & World Reports medical school rankings.

So far, no Chicago area hospitals have said they plan to withdraw from U.S. News hospital rankings. Pennsylvania hospital system St. Lukes University Health Network said in May it would no longer participate in U.S. News hospital rankings, calling them seriously flawed in a letter to U.S. News.
Three children, ages 11, 6 and 2, were among those identified in what police called a murder-suicide in Marion County on June 15.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said three adults, including the person police believe is responsible for the shootings, were also identified.

TBI has not named the shooter or a seventh person, an adult, who investigators said survived.

The three dead children were identified as Vanessa Nicole Perez, 11, Lilyana Perez, 6, and Nicholas Perez, 2.

The three adults identified were Gary Don Barnett, 48, Regina Ann Barnett, 52, and Brittnee N. Perez, 33.

A spokesperson with TBI said the home in the 200 block of Pine Street in Sequatchie, an unincorporated community approximately 30 miles west of Chattanooga, was set on fire shortly before 9 p.m. on June 15.

Once the flames were extinguished at the home the remains of six people were found.

The remains of the six individuals were taken to Nashville for autopsies.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Marion County TN murder-suicide: 3 children, 3 adults identified
Researchers have finally found a tiny animal theyd been seeking for years in a California nature preserve.

The Santa Cruz kangaroo rat has been documented at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, California and now, researchers believe they've found some in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve as well.

Genetic testing still needs to be done to determine for sure that the creatures in Sierra Azul are Santa Cruz kangaroo rats but based on their body measurements, everything checks out, said Matt Sharp Chaney, a wildlife biologist from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

The rodents have large hind legs with "unusually long" tails, the agency said on its website. The non-hibernating, tiny, elusive rodents often eat seeds and they actually dont need water since they can get it from foods, the district said.

While Sharp Chaney doesn't know the exact origin of the kangaroo rat's name, they stand on their hind legs, much like a kangaroo. They are also one of the only bipedal mammals in North America, or animals that walk on two legs.

"The way they get around by hopping on those hind legs very much looks like how a kangaroo gets around," he told USA TODAY. "And they are rodents, although they are not that closely related to rats. They're actually more closely related to chipmunks and pocket gophers."They also have big pouches in their cheeks that they use to store materials, also like kangaroos, he said.

Matt Sharp Chaney holding a Santa Cruz kangaroo rat. Sharp Chaney is a wildlife biologist with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District in California.

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Researchers found kangaroo rats. Whats significant about that?

Santa Cruz kangaroo rats are listed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as a critically imperiled subspecies. In other words, they are at risk of being wiped out completely.

The animal is also a keystone species, which means their behaviors have a large impact on the plants and animals the kangaroo rat lives among, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District said.

Take manzanita, for example. Kangaroo rats bury manzanita seeds and keep them from heating up too much when a fire passes through. The smoke and ash from these fires increase germination of these seeds, creating more manzanitas.

Sharp Chaney said researchers don't know how many kangaroo rats are in Sierra Azul but so far, they've logged about 10.

Wildlife biologists are trapping and studying the animals and plan to do more this summer and fall. They are also preparing to conduct a capture study where they trap the kangaroo rats and tag their ears. That's how they'll know if they've already been accounted for and put a number on the current population.

Whens the last time these animals were seen in the area?

Prior to this years discovery, the Santa Cruz kangaroo rat was last seen in 2019 in Sierra Azul by an independent researcher, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District said.

And before that, the creature wasnt seen in Santa Clara County since 1947, the district said in a Facebook post.

A Santa Cruz kangaroo rat.

Finding the kangaroo rats is largely due to the hard work of local photographer and ecologist Ken Hickman, according to Sharp Chaney.

Hickman approached the agency in 2016 wanting to help find species that hadnt been spotted in the area in quite a while. He built custom wildlife cameras and planted them throughout the preserve, ultimately finding the tiny creatures in 2019.

Whats next for this tiny creature?

The Santa Cruz kangaroo rat is part of a habitat assessment program so researchers can learn where these animals thrive. From there, an SCKR Habitat and Population Monitoring Plan will be created to help the subspecies.

The districts plans include four phases and are mapped out to 2027 or later.

Researchers say the animals live in five specific locations within Sierra Azul, in addition to the population in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

To help sustain the population, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is supporting a team from UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, and CalPoly San Luis Obisbo as they do genetic research.

Using steel traps to catch the kangaroo rats, researchers are able to briefly collect data, learn more about them and then release them back into the wild, according to an NBC video on the districts YouTube page.

The results will include an assessment of the subspecies genetic diversity and help determine whether a listing status is needed for the species under the California Endangered Species Act, Sharp Chaney said.

"There seem to be very few populations in existence," he said. "Historically, there were far more and the populations themselves don't seem to have that many individuals in them."

Researchers will also conduct plant surveys to add to the Santa Cruz kangaroo rats habitat and population management plan. The plan will help identify opportunities to increase the likelihood that the population survives.

What have researchers learned about Santa Cruz kangaroo rats so far?

Researchers said the kangaroo rats in Sierra Azul are pretty spread out and can't get to each other easily. Habitat availability is lacking for them and there's just "not a lot acreage of what looks like suitable habitats" for the creatures, Sharp Chaney said.

"If you pull up aerial imagery of the area on Google Earth and backtrack through time, even as early as just the 1990s, not that long ago, when you look at these habitats where we find kangaroo rats, now, that used to be much, much more open," he said.

Areas with lots of bare ground, which kangaroo rats need to get around, have disappeared.

Typically areas in the mountains with lots of shrubs burn in regular intervals. It's not happening due to fire suppression though, he said.

"Where these areas would normally have big wildfires moving through and opening space up, that's no longer happening," he said. "That means we have to do some other management to try and open these habitats up a little bit more for them."

From there, kangaroo rat populations in Sierra Azul can get to each other.

"It's really important for us to try and keep them on the landscape, try and understand where they are and help protect that habitat and enhance that habitat so that they can stick around," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kangaroo rat in California spotted after disappearing for decades
Back half of vehicle tears off, lands in backyard during fatal crash, Florida cops say

A car split in half during a high-speed crash that killed the passenger, according to Florida police.

The sedan was traveling at a high speed on June 20 in Seminole when the driver lost control just before 10 p.m., according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The car left the road and hit a guide wire used to stabilize a utility pole, the report says. The car then slammed into a block wall and tore into two pieces.

A 30-year-old passenger died and a 26-year-old driver was seriously injured in a high-speed crash on June 20, Florida police said. The Florida Highway Patrol

The back end of the car kept traveling and hit a tree and two fences before landing in someones backyard, according to the report.

Photos from the scene show two mangled pieces of a car with twisted metal and debris.

The occupants were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, Florida police said. The Florida Highway Patrol

Both the 26-year-old driver and a 30-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital, the report says. There was no one else in the car.

The passenger died of his injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was not identified in the report.

The driver was seriously injured, according to the report. Neither occupant had been wearing a seat belt, police said.

Seminole is about 25 miles southwest of Tampa.

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Bald eagle struck by vehicle on highway, then other drivers rush to help, CA cops say

Other drivers came to the rescue of a bald eagle injured in a highway collision with a vehicle, California Highway Patrol officers reported.

The bird was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 5 near Hilt, California, just south of the Oregon border on Tuesday, June 20, the CHP said on Facebook.

Other motorists rescued the injured eagle from traffic lanes and waited with it in their vehicle for assistance, officers said.

A CHP officer took the eagle to a wildlife rescue for rehabilitation, the Facebook post said. A photo showed the eagle in the officers patrol vehicle.

Photos taken in Palo Alto in May show a battered bald eagle that slammed into a homes window, McClatchy News reported. The bird flew away as rescuers tried to catch it.

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Illinois becomes the first state to outlaw book bans, setting a precedent for other states as book removals in schools and libraries sweep the nation.

A display of banned or censored books at an independent bookstore in Alameda, Calif., in 2021. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

As dozens of states move to ban books deemed inappropriate for school libraries and classrooms, some local officials are seeking to counter efforts to censor certain materials.

Illinois recently became the first U.S. state to pass a law targeting the alarming phenomenon of book banning, leaving the door open for other states to follow suit.

This scourge of censorship is having a dangerous and chilling effect on our democracy and a polarizing impact on our communities as political agendas attempt to divide them, Democratic nominee for Illinois secretary of state Alexi Giannoulias, who has pushed for legislation against book bans, said in a statement. These efforts are not about books; they are about ideas that certain individuals disagree with and believe no one should think.

The American Library Association (ALA), a nonprofit that has reported on the record number of book bans sweeping the country, told Yahoo News that it is especially concerned about threats to slash funding for places like public libraries if they violate the rules, an enforcement method the ALA says could be used to silence voices.

"These [book ban] campaigns operate on the falsehood that there is a problem that needs to be solved, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Book bans

''Gender Queer,'' by Maia Kobabe, is among banned and challenged books displayed during Banned Books Week 2022 in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire)

In December 2022, book bans were reported in at least 32 states, with districts removing 1,477 books from the shelves, according to PEN America, a free speech organization that sued a school district in Florida over book restrictions. Most of the bans were concentrated in Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Missouri and Utah  all Republican-led states  and most of the content pertained to gender identity, sexual orientation and race. The most banned book of the school year was Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe.

The restrictions are often a result of pressure from elected officials as well as organized efforts from advocacy groups. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate with a history of challenging educational institutes, has arguably been at the forefront of the movement, passing laws under which reading materials and classroom discussion involving themes of gender identity and race are limited or reviewed for temporary or indefinite removal.

But a 2022 ALA poll found that about 74% of parents are against the banning of books and express a high degree of confidence in school librarians to make good decisions about which books to make available to children.

Read more from Yahoo News: Florida Teachers consider self-censorship amid book challenges

Illinois

In June, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, signed legislation that he says will make Illinois the first state in the nation to prohibit book bans and encourage and protect the freedom of libraries and library systems to acquire materials without external limitation.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs a bill, Monday, June 12, 2023, at Harold Washington Library's Thomas Hughes Children's Library in downtown Chicago. (Gov. J.B. Pritzker via Twitter)

During a signing ceremony at a Chicago library, Pritzker slammed state leaders whove passed laws allowing for the censorship of certain materials.

While certain hypocritical governors are banning books written by LGBTQ authors, but then claiming censorship when the media fact-checks them, we are showing the nation what it really looks like to stand up for liberty, Pritzker said.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, any state public library that restricts or bans materials because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval will be ineligible for receiving financial assistance from the state.

We are not saying that every book should be in every single library, Giannoulias said. What this law does is it says, lets trust [the] experience and education of our librarians to decide what books should be in circulation.

ALA said the Illinois law responds to the environment of suspicion targeting libraries and librarians and the current disturbing campaign of censorship that impairs library workers ability to serve their communities and damages everyones fundamental rights.

New Jersey

Since 2021, New Jersey has seen an increase in book removals that discuss racism, gender and sexuality. To quell the rise of book ban attempts, Democratic state senators in New Jersey proposed a law in May that would prohibit libraries and public schools from banning or restricting access to certain material or risk losing state funding.

"If a public library is going to ban or censor a book, then the state has the authority to hold some or all of their public funding," state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-Middlesex, who co-sponsored the bill, told New York news outlet ABC7.

Children books with LGBTQ content are displayed at the annual Pride Town Hall in Bethesda, Md., in 2022. (Astrid Riecken for the Washington Post via Getty Images)

In June, the Hoboken Public Library hosted a Banned Book Read-a-thon where books that were removed in various states were read aloud by elected officials and members of the LGBTQ community.

These book bans are an unfortunate attempt to marginalize, degrade, and silence those like our valued LGBTQIA+ communities, and sweep under the rug critical topics including race and racism that are discussed in many of these books, Hoboken Mayor Ravinder Bhalla said on Twitter.

Georgia

In Georgia, Forsyth County clashed with the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights after removing eight books in school libraries in 2022 following complaints from parents that the books contained sexually explicit material. After completing an investigation at the end of this school year, the office determined that the book removals may have created a hostile environment for students and violated their civil rights.

To resolve the issue, the Forsyth school district is required to explain to students its decision-making on the 2022 book bans and specify that the material was not removed due to race, gender, sex or sexual orientation  and the district has to include an acknowledgement that the environment surrounding [the] removal of books may have impacted students.

An illustrated book on LGBTQ and Gay Pride, written for children in gift shop at National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta in October 2022. (Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire)

John Chrastka, the executive director of EveryLibrary, a nonprofit that advocates for the public funding of libraries, told the Washington Post in an email that the Department of Education is sending a message to U.S. school districts that they must [minimize] categorical bans of books about LGBTQ individuals and people of color.

California

While California has not enacted laws to restrict book banning, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond, all Democrats, wrote a joint letter warning California counties, superintendents and administrators that current state laws and the First Amendment protect students rights and access to books, and violating those rights by removing the books may constitute unlawful discrimination.

While a local educational agency or administrator may remove books and other materials from a school library because of their educational suitability, pervasive vulgarity or profanity, or factual inaccuracies, it 'may not remove books from school library shelves simply because [officials] dislike the ideas contained in those books.' the letter stated.
Canadian assets overheard "banging noises" in the search for the missing Titan submersible on multiple occasions over the past two days, authorities confirmed during a briefing Wednesday at the U.S. Coast Guard base in Boston.

The sounds were first registered Tuesday, and deep-sea remote-operated vehicles, or ROVs, "immediately" responded to the area, according to USCG Capt. Jamie Frederick . The data has been shared with the U.S. Navy for expert analysis.

Carl Hartsfield, a retired Navy captain and a scientist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said during the briefing that the noises had been "described as banging," but authorities did not elaborate.

"I can't tell you what the noises are," Frederick said. "But what I can tell you, and I think that this is the most important point, is that we're searching where the noises are."

NEW ASSETS ON-SCENE IN MISSING TITANIC SUBMARINE SEARCH AFTER CANADIANS PICK UP UNDERWATER NOISES

The Bahamian research vessel Deep Energy helps search for the submersible Titan on Tuesday. Titan contains a crew of five, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, who were due to visit the wreck of the Titanic.

The OceanGate Titan submersible is missing, along with five people on board: OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush; British businessman Hamish Harding, father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, who are members of one of Pakistans wealthiest families; and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a former French navy officer and leading Titanic expert.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick speaks to reporters about the search efforts for the Titan submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, at Coast Guard Base in Boston on Wednesday.

Naval and civilian assets from the U.S. and Canada expanded the search area to twice the size of Connecticut for a 21-foot submersible that could be trapped more than 3,800 meters below sea level at the ocean floor, Frederick said Wednesday.

ROV assets in the vicinity are capable of reaching as deep as 4,000 meters, he said.

Carl Hartsfield of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute talks about the noises heard during a U.S. Coast Guard update on the search efforts for five people aboard a missing submersible in Boston on Wednesday.

"This is a search-and-rescue mission, 100%," he said.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR FINAL HOURS AS RESCUE CREWS WORK TO FIND MISSING TITANIC TOURIST SUBMERSIBLE

The Coast Guard previously said that Canadian rescuers picked up "underwater noises" in the vicinity but would not confirm that they came from someone "banging" or "tapping."

Authorities were still looking into the source of the sounds Wednesday morning, and at least five additional surface vessels are expected to join the effort by Thursday morning, along with additional ROVs.

SEARCH FOR MISSING TITANIC TOURIST SUB CONTINUES IN RACE AGAINST TIME

The Titan vanished Sunday during an attempt to visit the shipwreck of the Titanic about 900 miles east of Cape Cod.

The crew had only an estimated 16 to 17 hours left of breathable air as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.
As experts examine underwater recordings of noises in the North Atlantic Ocean where a submersible with five people aboard went missing Sunday, the search for the vessel grew Wednesday. With oxygen supplies on board likely dwindling, time has become the biggest concern for rescuers.

The vessel was carrying a pilot, three wealthy adventurers and the submersible companys CEO when it vanished Sunday morning about an hour and 45 minutes into its trek 12,500 feet deep, where the wreckage of the Titanic rests. The subs 96-hour emergency air supply could run out soon, setting up Thursday morning as an important search target.

It remains unclear whether the noises were heard Tuesday night and Wednesday morning were from the missing submersible, US Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick said at a midday news conference. The banging on Tuesday first came every 30 minutes and was heard again four hours later, according to an internal government memo update on the search obtained by CNN.

Rolling Stone was first to report news of the banging.

I cant tell you what the noises are, Frederick said, but he stressed that the operation was still a search and rescue mission, 100%.

If the craft is in the deep ocean, staying warm and lucid are the biggest struggles the five passengers of the Titan submersible may be facing now.

Theyre freezing cold. The water entirely surrounding the ship is at freezing or slightly below, retired Navy Capt. David Marquet told CNN. When they exhale, their breath condenses. Theres frost on the inside of the parts of the submarine. Theyre all huddled together trying to conserve their body heat. Theyre running low on oxygen and theyre exhaling carbon dioxide.

Follow live updates

The search for the missing submersible Titan has broadened to an area about two times the size of Connecticut. - US Coast Guard Northeast

Oceanographer and water search expert David Gallo told CNN his friend, passenger Paul-Henri Nargeolet, is a very experienced diver.

He would understand the importance of conserving air as much as possible. He would try to get everyone to stay incredibly calm. I think working with that is the hypothermia It is incredibly cold. So that might slow things down as well.

In my case, I cant think, I wouldnt think about that. Except to know, like it is a race against yourself. We need to go full speed regardless of what that time is and find that submarine. And frankly, mathematically, its going to be almost impossible. We need a miracle. But miracles do happen, Gallo said.

The Coast Guard on Wednesday night said more craft to help in the search are on their way, including three remotely operated vehicles and one ship with decompression chambers.

Sean Leet, the co-founder and chairman of Miawpukek Maritime Horizon Services, which owns the submersibles mother ship, Polar Prince, told reporters Wednesday that searchers were very aware of the time sensitivity around this mission but said we have to hold out hope.

The expedition to see the Titanics wreckage  with prices starting at $250,000, according to an archived version of the companys website  was part of the growing business of wealthy adventure tourism, along with the space flights of Blue Origin and the rise of guided tours to Mount Everest, and reflects the ongoing fascination with the Titanic more than a century after it sank on its maiden voyage, killing more than 1,500 people.

As the search for Titan continues, CNN has learned of at least two former OceanGate employees who expressed safety concerns about the vessels hull years ago, including the thickness of the material used and testing procedures. The 23,000-pound craft is made of highly engineered carbon fiber and titanium.

But the focus now is the massive search: The US is moving in military and commercial assets as aircraft from the Canadian Armed Forces, the US Coast Guard and the New York Air National Guard continue to look above and below water, and Frances president has dispatched a research ship with an underwater robot to join the search Wednesday.

We just have to remain optimistic. We have to keep working until we find the submersible, Joyce Murray, minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, told reporters Wednesday. We will continue to double down and to figure out where the submersible is and how it can be brought to the surface.

What the banging might mean

Equipment that was flown in by U.S. Air Force transport planes is loaded onto the offshore vessel Horizon Arctic, before its deployment to the search area of a missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible. - David Hiscock/Reuters

The discovery of the banging offered hope but little clarity.

We dont know the source of that noise, but weve shared that information with Navy experts to classify it, US Coast Guard First District Commander Rear Admiral John Mauger told CBS Mornings on Wednesday.

He described there being a lot of metal and other debris in the water around the Titanic site, adding, Thats why its so important that weve engaged experts from the Navy that understand the science behind noise and can classify or give us better information about what the source of that noise may be.

Carl Hartsfield, a retired Naval captain and director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, told reporters Wednesday that experts are trying to discern the source of the banging noises.

They have to put the whole picture together in context and they have to eliminate potential man made sources other than the Titan, he said.

Three vessels arrived on scene Wednesday morning to join the effort, according to a tweet from the US Coast Guards First District.

One of the vessels  the John Cabot  has side scanning sonar capabilities, and joined the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin on the search, USCG said.

Side scan sonar is a system used for detecting and imaging objects on the seafloor, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. However, side scan sonar cannot measure depth, so it is frequently used in coordination with other tools to create a more extensive survey of the ocean floor, NOAA said.

Frederick said early Wednesday afternoon the number of surface assets in the operation will rise from five to 10 in the next 24 to 48 hours, with two remotely operated vehicles underwater and more on the way. There are also ongoing aerial searches.

Aboard the Titan are OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush, a source with knowledge of the mission plan said, along with British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman Dawood, and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, according to relatives and social media posts. Officials have not publicly named those aboard.

Learning of the underwater banging raised my hopes through the roof, David Gallo, senior adviser for Strategic Initiatives, RMS Titanic, which owns the exclusive salvage rights to the 1912 wreck site. PH Nargeolet, my very good dear friend, is the kind of person that if he were in that submarine that he would think this thoroughly through and would do something like that every 30 minutes.

If the sounds came from the submersible, it could be an indication the hull of the vessel is intact, Gallo said. But, he warned, time is of the essence.

The US Navy is sending subject matter experts and a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System that can lift heavy undersea objects to assist in the search and rescue, a spokesperson said Tuesday. But it needs to be welded to a ship before it can leave port in St. Johns.

Still, the five people onboard face a dire situation, Gallo said. If the submersible is intact, the passengers would be dealing with dwindling oxygen levels and fighting cold, he told CNN.

Hypothermia would be an issue if the sub is still at the bottom, because the deep ocean is just above freezing cold, Gallo said. Its like a visit to another planet, its not what people think it is. It is a sunless forever, cold environment  high pressure.

Chilly conditions and lack of light means those onboard will need to conserve energy, said Joe MacInnis, a physician and renowned diver whos made two trips to the Titanic wreck.

Resting, breathing as little as possible, and trying to keep calm  that is the most important thing, he told CNN early Wednesday.

Frederick didnt know Tuesday if there was enough time to save the five people onboard, but we will do everything in our power to affect a rescue, he said.

Already, more than 10,000 square miles have been searched, Mauger said Tuesday, across a zone that covers an area about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Ex-employees expressed safety concerns

Hamish Harding, one of those aboard the Titan, posted an image of the submersible to his social media accounts on Saturday, June 17. - From Hamish Harding/Facebook

Court filings reveal OceanGate years ago was confronted with safety concerns about the vessel.

Two former OceanGate employees separately raised similar safety concerns about the thickness of the submersibles hull when they were employed by the company.

David Lochridge, who worked as an independent contractor for OceanGate in 2015 and as its employee between 2016 and 2018, said he brought up concerns about the Titans hull, according to court documents.

Lochridge said no non-destructive testing had been performed on the Titans hull to check for delaminations, porosity and voids of sufficient adhesion of the glue being used due to the thickness of the hull, according to a countersuit filed after Lochridge was sued by OceanGate in 2018 for allegedly sharing confidential information.

When Lochridge raised the issue, he was told no equipment existed to perform such a test, the suit states. The lawsuit was settled and dismissed in November 2018; its terms were not disclosed, and Lochridge could not be reached for comment.

There was much additional testing after Lochridges time at OceanGate, and its unclear whether any of his concerns were addressed as the vessel was developed, court filings from the company indicate.

Another former employee of OceanGate who worked briefly for the company during the same period as Lochridge became concerned when the carbon fiber hull of the Titan arrived, he told CNN on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly.

The hull had only been built to 5 inches thick, while he said company engineers told him they had expected it to be 7 inches thick, he told CNN, echoing Lochridges concerns about its thickness and adhesion.

When more concerns were raised by contractors and employees during his time at OceanGate, Rush, the CEO, got defensive and shied away from answering questions during all-staff meetings, the other former employee said.

When he raised directly to Rush concerns OceanGate could potentially be violating a US law relating to Coast Guard inspections, the CEO outright dismissed them, the former employee said, and thats when he resigned.

CNN has reached out to OceanGate for comment on the former employees claims.

Safety concerns were also raised by The Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society, which penned a letter to OceanGate in 2018 expressing concern over what it referred to as the companys experimental approach with the Titan vessel and its planned expedition to the site of the Titanic wreckage, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

Our apprehension is that the current experimental approach adopted by Oceangate could result in negative outcomes, (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry, the letter, obtained by the Times, reads in part.

Specifically, the letter expressed concern over the companys compliance with a maritime risk assessment certification known as DNV-GL.

Your marketing material advertises that the TITAN design will meet or exceed the DNV-GL safety standards, yet it does not appear that Oceangate has the intention of following DNV- GL class rules, the letter says. Your representation is, at minimum, misleading to the public and breaches an industry- wide professional code of conduct we all endeavor to uphold.

From left, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Stockton Rush - Obtained by CNN

OceanGate has not responded to a request for comment on the letter.

Will Kohnen of the Marine Technology Society told CNN the vessels disappearance may have been preventable if the vehicle had been certified.

He said he and Rush agreed to disagree during their 2018 conversation over safety concerns.

The last communication between the vessel and its mother ship, the Polar Prince, came in at 11:47 a.m. Sunday. The sub was expected to resurface at 6:10 p.m. but did not do so, and authorities were notified at 6:35 p.m., according to Miawpukek Maritime Horizon Services.

The mother ship communicates with the vessel by text messages, and its required to communicate every 15 minutes, according to OceanGate Expeditions archived website.

CNNs Eric Levenson, Oren Liebermann, Rob Frehse, Dave Alsup, Jacqueline Rose, Raja Razek, Laura Ly, Paula Newton, Artemis Moshtaghian, Celina Tebor, Gabe Cohen and Jose Lesh contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A TikToker says he navigated the depths of the Everglades in Florida barefoot at night and captured everything he encountered.

Garrett Galvin, who is also known as @Fishingarrett on TikTok with more than 5.4 million followers, documents his adventures through all kinds of critters environments.

In a TikTok posted on June 20, Galvin showed his followers how he navigates the Everglades and all the creatures he comes across.

At the beginning of the video thats garnered over 4.7 million views as of June 21, Galvin can be heard saying I just found a swamp puppy tail, referring to a crocodile before the animal quickly swims away.

Then he gets a close shot of another crocodile that Galvin says is eyeballing him and seconds away from launching at him.

But swamp puppies arent the only thing Galvin is looking to find  he said hopefully he can find that 20-foot Burmese python, in the video.

I jumped out in front of traffic to save this brooks king snake, Galvin said in the video, showing a snake he wouldve kept as a pet if the species wasnt native to the area and really important to the ecosystem.

Among crocodiles and legless critters, Galvin finds a species of spider called a tropical orb weaver and gives it a gentle, loving  boop, the TikTok showed.

The video abruptly cuts to a toad puffing out its throat and making a loud vibration noise before Galvin jokingly says, Shut up.

Commenters poked fun at Galvins video with one saying, Everglades runs weekly meetings about the barefoot guy terrorizing their turf at night.

Another TikTok user said, I just know these animals are like *sigh* Hes here again.

While one crowned Galvin with an elite title, saying Bro is basically the CEO of the Everglades he aint scared of nothing.

The Everglades is about 30 miles west of Miami.

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Stream all new episodes of "FBI TRUE" beginning June 20, exclusively on Paramount+.

In February 2011, ignoring warnings of high-seas piracy, Jean and Scott Adam and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle sailed across the Indian Ocean in a 58-foot-yacht called the Quest. The Adams were members of the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey, California.

About 200 miles from Oman, 19 Somali pirates stormed their vessel, taking the Americans hostage.

Now an FBI agent involved in the hunt across Africa for the negotiator who coordinated their ransom is opening up for the upcoming edition of the Paramount+ series "FBI TRUE." (Paramount+ is owned by CBS News' parent company, Paramount Global.)

"A sailboat with four Americans was pirated off of Africa," said Rob D'Amico, then the FBI's liaison to the Department of Defense Special Mission Units. "They thought, 'Well, that's America, we'll get that money.'"

Scott Adam and Jean Adam of Marina del Rey, Calif., left, owners of the Quest yacht, and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, both of Seattle. The four Americans were taken hostage when the Quest was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Oman. All four were reported killed on Feb. 22, 2011. / Credit: AP Photo/Joe Grande

A joint operation involving the FBI and the U.S. Navy rushed to the scene to try to save the hostages. D'Amico, then based in North Carolina, raced to Virginia Beach to get aboard a plane to reach the Navy ships in the region. He was aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier nearby when the pirates fired a rocket-propelled grenade.

"Then all of a sudden, I remember it like looking down at the Quest and just these bursts of gunfire," D'Amico said. "The SEAL commander basically gave the go for emergency assault."

D'Amico recalled seeing the Navy SEALS onboard the yacht and pirates coming up from below with their hands up.

"And while we're arresting them all of a sudden, you can hear the medic starting to say, you know, 'urgent surgical,'" D'Amico said. "We've been overseas enough that 'urgent surgical' is not good to hear. ... And then you see guys starting to do CPR. And we heard one 'urgent surgical,' you heard 'two,' you heard 'three,' and you heard 'four.' And I'm like, uh..."

All four Americans and four pirates were killed.

The FBI, working with international partners in Africa, then set out to identify and track down the pirates' lead negotiator.

One of the pirates arrested aboard the Quest gave investigators a phone number of someone they believed was the mastermind. It led to a hotel room in Galkayo, Somalia, where they found Mohammad Shibin. The military forces D'Amico was working with believed Shibin was part of the militant group al-Shabaab. Shibin denied he was involved in the kidnapping and gave the investigators his phone to prove it. One of D'Amico's partners took screenshots of everything on his phone and gave it back to Shibin.

"The pirates have a negotiator that's on land that basically, they work out the ransom for the yacht and the hostages," D'Amico says. "We find out Mr. Shibin is this negotiator."

D'Amico and his team could not simply grab Shibin. They had to follow the law and find a way to get him, connect the phone to the Quest incident, and then arrest him.

Shibin, however, was hopscotching across Africa.

Eventually, Shibin was tracked down to a tea shop in Bosaso, Somalia. But he didn't have his phone with him. D'Amico, though, had the pictures. Shibin admitted the images were of his phone and the searches from it, and he was arrested. Had he not previously handed investigators his phone in Galkayo, they would never have had the evidence to tie him to the Quest murders.

"You know, criminals do some dumb things," D'Amico said.

Fourteen pirates were tried, and 11 pled guilty to piracy and received sentences ranging from 21 years to life. Three were tried and convicted of piracy, murder and other charges.

Shibin was also brought to the U.S., tried and found guilty of nine charges, including piracy. He is serving multiple life sentences.

D'Amico retired from the FBI in 2021.

"Looking back on it," D'Amico said, "One, it was an unbelievable team effort to bring this guy to justice in the right way, preserving all his rights. Truly, that's what I'm most proud of  to bring this one person back and then to have him sit in a court of law just like anyone else and get convicted by a jury."

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Photo: Michael M. Santiago, Stephen Maturen (Getty Images)

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders launched an investigation into what he calls dangerous and illegal conditions running rampant in Amazons warehouse facilities. In a fiery letter addressed to CEO Andy Jassy Tuesday, Sanders accused Amazon of putting profits over people and creating a corporate culture that treats workers as disposable.

At every turnfrom warehouse design and workstation setup, to pace of work requirements, to medical care for injuries and subsequent pressure to return to workAmazon makes decisions that actively harm workers in the name of its bottom line, Sanders wrote.

Read more

The Vermont Democrat, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) accused the company of willfully and repeatedly violating workplace safety laws and setting opaque and aggressive productivity goals. Those ruthless quotas, when combined with the companys notoriously soul-crushing performance monitoring system, allegedly lead workers to over-exert themselves to the point of physical injury. Warehouse workers critical of Amazons productivity metrics have said it leaves them feeling like little more than a robot.

Amazons incessant productivity demands, Sanders alleged, make its workplace uniquely dangerous. Speaking to that point, the letter cites an April report from The Strategic Organizing Center, which estimates Amazon warehouse workers suffered around 39,000 injuries last year. Amazons rate of serious injuries, according to the report, was more than double the rate at non-Amazon warehouses.

In its endless pursuit of profits, Amazon sacrifices workers bodies under the constant pressure of a surveillance system that enforces impossible rates, Sanders said.

The letter gives Jassy up until July 5th to provide documentation explaining Amazons noted above-industry average workplace injury rates as well at its high rates of injury at facilities with robotics equipment. Sanders also sought more clarity on the companys high rate of worker turnover as well as any communications within the company discussing potential links between the pace of work in its warehouse and increased injury rates.

Amazon pushed back against the letter in an email sent to Gizmodo, with a spokesperson saying the company strongly disagree[s] with Senator Sanders assertions. The company called into question the workplace injury figures cited in Sanders letter, including the findings from the Strategic Organizing Center, which the company described as cherry-picked.

We take the safety and health of our employees very seriously, Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly said. There will always be ways to improve, but were proud of the progress weve made which includes a 23% reduction in recordable injuries across our U.S. operations since 2019. Weve invested more than $1 billion into safety initiatives, projects, and programs in the last four years, and well continue investing and inventing in this area because nothing is more important than our employees safety.



Maria Langholz, the Communications Director for left-leaning advocacy group Demand Progress, praised Sanders investigation, which she noted could mark a critical step towards a future Congressional hearing where lawmakers can grill Amazon executives over workplace safety.

The dire work environment that Amazon workers face is preventable, and this is the first step toward keeping Amazon workers safe, Langholz said.

Workers accuse Amazon of managing through fear and surveillance

Concerns over Amazons unyielding productivity requirements has contributed to an uptick in labor organization activity at warehouse across the country. Khali Jama, an Amazon worker from St. Paul Minnesota organizing with The Awood Center, attributed the majority of the injuries they witnessed in her workplace to the demanding speed workers feel pressured to maintain. Jama accused Amazon of managing her and her fellow workers through a brutal apparatus of fear and surveillance.

If you are not keeping up with their unreasonable standards of speed, a manager will come talk to you and tell you to speed up, Jama said in a statement provided to Gizmodo by the Athena Coalition. If you are still not able to keep up for a second, or a third time, you will get fired through an app on your phone. No one tells you that you have been fired.

Sanders new investigaiton comes just months after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the nations top workplace safety regulator, issued multiple citations against Amazon for exposing workers to hazardous conditions. Worker frustrations with Amazons perceived disregard for safety led hundreds of warehosue workers to walk out in protests earlier this year.

Amazon is one of the most valuable companies in the world worth $1.3 trillion and its founder, Jeff Bezos, is one of the richest men in the world worth nearly $150 billion, Sanders said in his letter. Amazon should be one of the safest places in America to work, not one of the most dangerous.

If Amazon can afford to spend $6 billion on stock buybacks last year, it can afford to make sure that its warehouses are safe places to work, Sanders added.

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A large eye-catching bar and accompanying lighting, shown June 20, 2023, will be seen by guests entering the temporary Bally's casino inside Medinah Temple in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Days after getting preliminary approval from the state, Ballys Chicago has moved hundreds of slot machines and table games into place at the landmark Medinah Temple, which is set to be reborn this summer as a temporary Chicago gambling mecca.

The River North building, a Moorish-style amphitheater perhaps best known for hosting the annual Shrine Circus, is quickly being transformed into Chicagos first casino, while preserving elements of its colorful 111-year history.

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The Medinah Temple in Chicago on June 20, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Its probably the best-looking temporary casino youll ever see, said Chris Jewett, director of corporate development for Ballys, during a tour Tuesday. Its a wow factor just walking in. Its unique.

Granted preliminary approval last week by the Illinois Gaming Board  a precursor to final licensing  Ballys Chicago began installing more than 750 slot machines and 50 gaming tables almost immediately. It expects to have all the equipment in place and the roughly 1,000 gaming positions laid out by the end of the week.

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Rhode Island-based Ballys won a heated competition last year to build a $1.74 billion casino at the 30-acre site of the Chicago Tribune printing plant in River West. It plans to open the permanent casino in 2026.

Medinah Temple will serve as a temporary casino for up to three years while the permanent facility is built. Ballys hopes customers can begin pulling slot levers and splitting aces by August, pending Gaming Board approval.

[ Ballys timeline: From pinball to Pac-Man, health clubs to casinos, a colorful name in Chicagos corporate history ]

Built by the Shriners in 1912, the Medinah Temple was designed by architecture firm Huehl and Schmid. Over the years, the venue hosted everything from concerts and high school graduations to the annual Shrine Circus. Amenities included a 30,000-pound pipe organ installed in 1915.

The building, which occupies nearly a block on Wabash Avenue, was designated a Chicago landmark in 2001. It was redeveloped as a Bloomingdales home furnishings store in 2003 but had been vacant since Macys sold it to Chicago developer Albert Friedman in 2019.

Ballys Chicago has been renovating the historic 130,000-square-foot Medinah Temple since January.

We basically knocked down 90% of everything that was in here when it was Bloomingdales, said Mark Wong, a veteran casino executive named vice president and general manager of Ballys Chicago in August. This is new construction.

Bally's Mark Wong gives a tour of the Medinah Temple in Chicago on June 20, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

While much of the heavy lifting took place earlier in the year, the transformation has accelerated in recent days after getting the green light from the Gaming Board.

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On Tuesday, dozens of hard-hatted workers in yellow vests carted slot machines in on dollies, placing them in marked spots near electrical stands where they will be mounted. Gaming table bases found a home on the two upper floors, wrapped in plastic with small placards indicating their designated purpose, awaiting the tops that make them ready to play.

We have 75% of the slot machines and table games loaded in, Wong said. By the end of the week well have everything. Then its just a matter of installing, testing.

[ Vintage Chicago Tribune: Medinah Temple  from Shriners to circus, couches to casino  through the decades ]

The main entrance on Wabash Avenue opens onto an expansive, modern blue-lit center bar. An abundance of slot machines are scattered across the first floor. The ground level also includes a coffee shop and an atrium looking up to the ornate rotunda lined with inset stained glass windows.

The second floor includes half of the table games, set down on spaces marked with blue tape on a swirling carpet of blue, red and orange. It also features hundreds of slot machines and an element seldom found in casinos  windows, or more precisely, 111-year-old stained glass windows.

The historic windows are cordoned off by a low glass partition to enable close viewing without touching  a preservation requirement from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

It was important for us to have on display some of the original architectural elements of the building, Wong said. We purposely put a wall here to protect them, but at the same time make sure that our customers will enjoy this very unique experience here.

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The third floor is home to the rest of the table games, more slot machines, two restaurants and a planned sportsbook, which Ballys hopes to open in 2024, pending Gaming Board approval.

Other historic touches include the theater proscenium, which long framed eclectic offerings on the auditorium stage. The curtain is drawn, but backstage is where back office administrative functions will take place, Wong said.

Modern amenities include six new brightly-lit washrooms.

Ballys is also considering a large display on the inaccessible but visible lower level paying homage to Medinah Temples history, with renderings and models of the permanent casino to come, Jewett said.

Stained glass adorns the inside of the Medinah Temple in Chicago on June 20, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

The permanent facility will include an exhibition hall, 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, 10 restaurants and 4,000 gaming positions  by far the largest casino in the state.

Ballys had planned to use an adjacent Tribune Publishing warehouse at 700 W. Chicago Ave. as its temporary casino while Freedom Center is demolished and the permanent facility is built, but the city pushed for Medinah Temple as an alternative, sources said.

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At the time, Ballys chairman Soo Kim told the Tribune he was not crazy about switching to Medinah Temple, a sentiment shared by some River North neighbors. Concerns included the lack of on-site parking.

On Tuesday, Jewett said the Medinah buildout has exceeded expectations.

I think this is a much better experience than you would have gotten from a warehouse, Jewett said.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
Our Best Look Yet at One of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's Biggest Surprises

Gwen and Miles looking out an opening



Miles saw a whole new version of his uncle in Across the Spider-Verse.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a great movie, plain and simple. That its filled with so many Easter eggs and callbacks only adds to the incredible story and characters that inhabit the film. Some of those were revealed in promotional materials, but others were expertly kept secret so fans could experience them in the theater. Now that the movies been out a few weeks, the team behind it is pulling back that curtain.

Chris Miller, one of the films writers and producers, tweeted two photos Tuesday of one of the films biggest, most surprising cameos. It links back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a very fun, clever way while also not really ruining anything. If youve seen the movie, you probably know what we mean, but if you havent seen it, nows the time to turn away.

Read more

Were talking about the moment when Miles is being taken through all the various anomalies at Spider-Verse HQ and we see, very briefly, Donald Glover as the Prowler. Glover, of course, is one of our most prolific artists, not just in movies and TV but in music too. So to get him to do a cameo is incredible on its own. That its such an amazing wink at the audience is even better.

You may remember that in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Tom Hollands Spider-Man meets a character named Aaron, played by Glover, who mentions a nephew. Yes, Glover is Miles Morales Uncle Aaron in the MCU. While we havent seen him since then, nor have we seen Miles in live-action (not yet; its coming), we now know that this Uncle Aaron, like most Uncle Aarons in the Spider-Verse, becomes the Prowler. And Miller tweeted out two behind-the-scenes images of them shooting the cameo with the live-action Prowler suit. This was a fun day we had playing around with an old pal, Miller said with these photos, noting that the Prowler costume was designed by Trayce Gigi Field.

Glover filming his cameo.

Glover in the Prowler suit designed by Trayce Gigi Field.

Does this mean well see Glover in the MCU as the Prowler? Could he show down with Miles Morales? Who knows. What we do know is that by including the cameo, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse paid off one of the biggest teases in recent comic book memory.





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.

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These Are The Best States for Racial Equality in Civic Engagement In 2023

While only 64.1 percent of African Americans were registered to vote in the 2022 midterms, 70.9 percent of White Americans were. This prompted WalletHub to publish its report on the best states for racial equality in civic engagement in June. WalletHub compared all 50 states and D.C. on five key metrics to find out where racial equality in civic engagement is highest. Its database examines demographic differences between White and Black Americans, such as the prevalence of single-parent households, rates of volunteerism and rates of voter participation.

Arizona ranked at the bottom of the list of the most quality states for racial equality in civic engagement. The state with a score of 88.08 out of 100. According to the study, Wisconsin is the least engaged state in terms of civic engagement.

Encouraging the Younger Generation

Angie Beeman, an associate professor at New Yorks Baruch College, argues that encouraging young people of color to participate in youth caucuses can help attract and keep them in the political process.

In general, young people face a lot of demands on their time from their schools, what they may be managing at home, and in their communities, Beeman said. There has also been a lot of discussion in the past few years about stress and mental health. State and local governments can help schools address how much testing and homework are necessary and build supportive environments at school.

According to the professor, schools should implement safety measures that make students feel safe and arent overly monitored.

Collaborations between schools and community organizations could assist in connecting young people to potential volunteer and engagement opportunities, which could be built into the curriculum while easing some other requirements.

Several States Made Voting Harder

Bernadette Ludwig, an associate Professor at Wagner College, said that an increasing number of states made it much more difficult for people to vote last year.

Ethno-racial minorities are especially affected by various forms of voter suppression that include but are not limited to, purging of voter rolls, ID requirements, a limited number of polling stations, limiting early voting days and times, lengthy and cumbersome voter registration processes, requiring to request a mail-in ballot for every election, requiring a street address to register to vote and failing to restore voting rights after serving a sentence, she stated. Redistricting and redrawing of congressional districts have frequently silenced or limited the impact that ethno-racial minorities can have in elections. Not surprisingly, this has left many voters who are ethno-racial minorities disenfranchised and thus disillusioned.

The Ranking

Most Equality Least Equality 1. Arizona 40. District of Columbia 2. New Mexico 41. New Hampshire 3. Maryland 42. Pennsylvania 4. Maine 43. Massachusetts 5. Delaware 44. North Dakota 6. California 45. Oregon 7. Georgia 46. South Dakota 8. Washington 47. Iowa 9. North Carolina 48. Vermont 10. Virginia 49. Wisconsin

The full report can be viewed at WalletHub.
Biden admin says its policy has cut number of migrants who can claim asylum at the border

The Biden administrations new immigration policy has drastically reduced the number of migrants allowed to apply for asylum at the southern border, according to a recent court filing by the administration, sparking backlash from advocates.

Since the start of what is known as asylum ineligibility, only 46% of single adult migrants who have crossed the southern border have been allowed to claim asylum, compared to 83% from 2014 to 2019, according to the court filing.

In a lawsuit brought by immigration advocates, led by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Biden administration argued that if the court blocked its asylum policy, the number of border crossings could rise to record highs, overwhelming border communities and potentially pushing the Department of Homeland Security to release migrants without court dates to avoid overcrowding.

In a court filing Friday, Blas Nunez-Neto, DHS assistant secretary of border and immigration policy, said, The rules implementation has generated widespread understanding that DHS has strengthened consequences at the border for those who enter without authorization even as DHS has significantly increased lawful pathways and processes for noncitizens to come to the United States in a safe and orderly manner.

The effect of these developments is that there has been an immediate reduction in encounters at the border, Nunez-Neto said.

The Los Angeles Times was first to report on the Nunez-Neto filing Tuesday.

Since the pandemic-era policy known as Title 42 was lifted last month, DHS has allowed migrants to be screened for asylum if only they can prove that they previously tried to apply for asylum in countries they passed through or that their cases are exceptions to the rule. Exceptions are made for particularly vulnerable populations, including people who may be victims of torture if they are blocked.

Since the end of Title 42, border crossings have fallen from over 10,000 a day to roughly 3,500 a day, according to Customs and Border Protection.

Immigration advocacy groups have said the restriction on asylum violates federal law and the international obligations of the U.S.

We dont think that is part of an orderly approach to asylum, because its going to lead more people to feel that theyre going to have to put themselves back in the hands of the people smugglers, International Rescue Committee CEO David Miliband said Tuesday, which is World Refugee Day, on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

No one has a right to live in the United States, but everyone has a right to apply for asylum and achieve some safety, Miliband said.

In response to the Friday filing, Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU Immigrants Rights Project and an attorney challenging the policy, said, The governments predictions about what would occur if the rule were enjoined are speculative and exaggerated, because they are largely based on comparisons to the highly unusual situation created by the end of Title 42. More fundamentally, what the governments numbers show is that credible asylum seekers are being expelled under the new rule for reasons unrelated to the merits of their claims.

Nunez-Neto also said in the filing that about 50,000 migrants have been deported or sent back into Mexico since May 12, when Title 42 ended, another piece of the Biden administrations new approach to the southern border that quickly removes migrants who dont qualify for asylum.

A judge in Oakland, California, is expected to rule on whether the rule can stay in place next month; the ruling is likely to be challenged regardless of the decision.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FILE - In this May 8, 2003, file photo, a northern spotted owl sits on a tree branch in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman, Ore. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates protections for species that are newly classified as threatened. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  The Biden administration proposed bringing back rules to protect imperiled plants and animals on Wednesday as officials moved to reverse changes under former President Donald Trump that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it would reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates blanket protections for species newly classified as threatened.

The blanket protections regulation was dropped in 2019 as part of a suite of changes to the application of the species law that were encouraged by industry, even as extinctions accelerate globally due to habitat loss and other pressures.

Officials also would no longer consider economic impacts when deciding if animals and plants need protection. And the rules make it easier to designate areas as critical for a species' survival, even if it is no longer found in those locations.

That could help with the recovery of imperiled fish and freshwater mussels in the Southeast, where the aquatic animals in many cases are absent from portions of their historical range, said Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Director Gary Frazer.

Frazer said Wednesday's proposal would restore baseline protections so species dont get pushed further toward extinction.

We have the opportunity to try to improve the status of species before they get to the brink, he said.

Details on the proposed rules, which could take a year to finalize, were obtained by The Associated Press in advance of their public release.

They'll face strong pushback from Republican lawmakers, who say President Joe Biden's Democratic administration has hampered oil, gas and coal development, and favors conservation over development.

These proposed rules take us in the wrong direction and are entirely unnecessary given the proven track record of success from private conservationists and state and local land managers," said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Arkansas.

Industry groups have long viewed the 1973 Endangered Species Act as an impediment. Under Trump they successfully lobbied to weaken the laws regulations as part of a broad dismantling of environmental safeguards. Trump officials rolled back endangered species rules and protections for the northern spotted owl, gray wolves and other species.

The spotted owl decision was reversed in 2021 after officials said Trump's political appointees used faulty science to justify opening millions of acres of West Coast forest to potential logging. Protections for wolves across most of the U.S. were restored by a federal court last year and the Biden administration has said it will decide by next February if they should remain in place.

Many of the changes under Trump were finalized during his last weeks in office.

Since then, officials imposed less restrictive protections for more than a dozen animals and plants compared to what they would have received, said Jonathan Wood with the Property and Environment Research Center, a free-market policy group based in Bozeman, Montana.

Wood said the Biden proposal could hurt state and private landowner efforts to recover species, by imposing more punitive regulations that undermine voluntary conservation incentives.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement that the changes "reaffirm our commitment to conserving Americas wildlife and ensuring the Endangered Species Act works for both species and people.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said the rules would ensure the species law remains effective as climate change alters habitats around the globe, and plants and animals become extinct.

The Biden administration had earlier withdrawn a 2020 rule that limited which lands and waters could be designated as places where imperiled animals and plants could receive federal protection. It also reversed Trumps decision to weaken enforcement of the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which made it harder to prosecute bird deaths caused by the energy industry.

But environmentalists have been frustrated that it's taken more than two years for Biden to act on some of the Trump-era rollbacks. Stoking their urgency is the prospect of a new Republican administration following the 2024 election that could yet again ease protections.

These are promising steps to get us back to the Endangered Species Act's purpose, its power to protect, attorney Kristen Boyles with Earthjustice said of the new rules. The group sued on behalf of environmental groups to block the Trump rules and prevailed in U.S. District Court then lost on appeal.

Other environmentalists complained that some Trump-era changes would remain intact.

One requires agencies to protect living spaces for imperiled species only when development would harm an entire habitat and not just part of it. That could remove obligations to fix damage from logging trees that are needed by spotted owls unless all of their 9-million-acre habitat zone were affected, said Stephanie Kurose at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Bidens proposal also retains a Trump change allowing agencies to approve projects without guarantees habitat harms will be reduced.

This makes it easier to authorize piecemeal destruction of critical habitat, said McCrystie Adams with Defenders of Wildlife.

An array of industry groups have long maintained that economic impacts are not given enough consideration in U.S. government wildlife decisions. Those groups range from livestock and ranching organizations to trade associations representing oil, gas and mining interests.

The Endangered Species Act is credited with helping save the bald eagle, California condor and scores more animals and plants from extinction since President Richard Nixon signed it into law. It currently protects more than 1,600 species in the United States and its territories.

___

Flesher reported from Traverse City, Michigan.
(Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration dealt a blow to makers of bio and renewable diesel by setting federal quotas for the plant-based fuel that advocates say ignore a surge in production and a wave of investment in new manufacturing facilities.

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Under a regulation released Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency in 2023 is requiring the use of 2.82 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel, generally made from soybean and canola oil  a 2.2% increase over the 2.76 billion gallons mandated last year. The mandates, including those for 2024 and 2025, are well below the increase sought by producers.

Soybean oil, a key feedstock in making biomass-based diesel, plunged 7% in Chicago to the daily price limit set by the exchange.

Overall, the EPA will require a record amount of renewable fuel to be mixed into gasoline and diesel over the next three years  up to 22.33 billion gallons in 2025. Even so, biodiesel makers have warned the White House that a surge in US production warrants much higher targets and that multi-billion-dollar investments in renewable diesel capacity hang in the balance.

The EPA rule undercuts certainty for clean fuel producers, oilseed processors, fuel distributors and marketers who have all made significant investments to grow the industry rapidly over the next several years, said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for the Clean Fuels Alliance America. The industry responded to signals from the Biden administration and Congress aiming to rapidly decarbonize US fuel markets, he said, but the volumes EPA finalized today are not high enough to support those goals.

Read More: US Renewable Diesel at Risk of Oversupply Through 2025

The closely watched quotas have long been a source of tension for Republican and Democratic presidents as they seek to balance oft-competing oil refining and agricultural interests. President Joe Biden campaigned on promises to promote corn-based ethanol, but his administration has put muscle into a push for electric vehicles that could limit the market for all liquid fuels, whether made from plants or petroleum. The latest quotas have united a range of stakeholders in opposition, including biodiesel and ethanol producers, rural farm interests and oil refiners.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan defended the plan, saying in a news release it reflects our efforts to ensure stability of the program for years to come, protect consumers from high fuel costs, strengthen the rural economy, support domestic production of cleaner fuels and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The agency is limiting the amount of conventional ethanol that could be used to fulfill quotas in 2024 and 2025 to 15 billion gallons each of those years  a reduction from the 15.25 billion gallon target it had proposed earlier and a defeat for makers of the corn-based fuel.

The change reflects updated government data forecasting a substantial decline in liquid fuel consumption, including 2025 gasoline demand thats more than 5% below last years baseline, said Benjamin Salisbury, director of research at Height Capital Markets. With that lower demand, in practice, the 15 billion gallon ethanol target actually could demand higher blending rates, he told clients in a research note.

Even so, Emily Skor, chief executive officer of the Growth Energy ethanol advocacy group, said the EPA was lowering its ambition for conventional biofuels in a way that runs counter to the direction set by Congress and will needlessly slow progress toward this administrations climate goals.

The EPAs decision to jettison a controversial proposal to expand the Renewable Fuel Standard program to incorporate electric vehicle charging was cheered by some refiners. But Chet Thompson, president of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Association, said the final conventional biofuel targets are still unachievable. And the Fueling American Jobs Coalition representing some independent refiners and workers blasted the plan, saying it pushes ethanol blending levels too high, will foster astronomically high costs for compliance credits and endangers tens of thousands of union jobs and our nations energy security.

The EPA is also laying out plans to step up government oversight of the generation and trading of credits used to prove compliance with the biofuel requirements.

Read More: Biden to Tighten Policing of Biofuel Credits After Wild Swings

The quotas have taken on a new dimension for US renewable diesel producers, whose margins increasingly depend on the price of those credits.

Nevertheless, Darling Ingredients Inc., which through its Diamond Green Diesel partnership with Valero Energy Corp. is the top US producer of renewable diesel, said it was poised to benefit from the mandates. We believe this is a positive for Darling, company spokeswoman Suann Guthrie said by email.

More than 20 renewable diesel production facilities are proposed or under construction in the US, and studies show there are sufficient feedstocks available to supply them, said Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association.

Some analysts emphasized renewable diesel producers have room to grow, including by exceeding the EPAs targets.

Ken Morrison, a St. Louis-based independent commodity trader, said he doesnt foresee the quotas hindering plans to expand US renewable diesel production.

(Updates with market reaction, stakeholder comment and EPA quote from fourth paragraph.)

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KENTFIELD, Calif.  President Biden on Tuesday said that Chinese President Xi Jinping is a dictator who got upset when the Chinese spy balloon was shot down in February because he didnt know about it.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there. No, Im serious. That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened, Biden told a group of 130 donors at a fundraising event in Kentsfield, Calif.

That wasnt supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course up through Alaska and then down through the United States and he didnt know about it. When it got shot down, he was very embarrassed and he denied it was even there, the president added.

He also told the attendees that they shouldnt worry about China.

By the way, I promise you, dont worry about China. Worry about China but dont worry about China. I really mean it. China has real economic difficulties, Biden said.

The president, at another campaign event on Tuesday, said that climate adviser John Kerry could be going to China soon.

I think John Kerrys going to be going back there pretty soon, Biden told a small group of donors in San Francisco. He was discussing how he had a conversation with Xi about their issues with energy production and methane.

Biden on Saturday said that the Chinese spy balloon situation was more embarrassing for Beijing than than it was intentional. The balloon spent several days floating over the U.S., before it was shot down off the coast of South Carolina. Beijing vowed at the time to take countermeasures.

Biden mentioned on Tuesday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken was just in China, saying he did a good job working on relations with the country.

Were in a situation now where he wants to have a relationship again. Antony Blinken just went over theredid a good job and its going to take time, he said.

Updated: 10:43 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden called Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator on Tuesday, sparking an angry reaction from Beijing in a sudden flare-up after talks between the two superpowers aimed at easing their geopolitical animosity.

Speaking at a campaign fundraiser in California, Biden suggested that Xi was embarrassed because he did not know about the alleged Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States earlier this year, despite his status as Chinas all-powerful leader.

China quickly hit back at the remarks, branding them "extremely absurd and irresponsible."

Chinese Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee Meet the Press (Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

The president's description of Xi came one day after a high-level visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing, an effort to calm tensions between the U.S. and China. Blinken told NBC News after his visit that the spy balloon chapter should be closed and both sides pledged to try and stabilize the relationship.

Biden, however, revisited the subject before a room of more than 125 attendees that included California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who also spoke at the fundraiser.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there, Biden said.

Thats a great embarrassment for dictators, he added, when they didnt know what happened.

The riposte from Beijing was swift.

Mao Ning, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Biden's comments were "extremely absurd and irresponsible, seriously contradicting the basic facts." He accused the president of "seriously violating diplomatic protocol and seriously infringing on Chinas political dignity, which is an open political provocation."

China, he told a daily briefing, was "strongly dissatisfied."

Biden said the Chinese balloon was blown off course without Xis knowledge, adding when it got shot down, he (Xi) was very embarrassed and he denied it was even there. He did not walk back the comments later on Tuesday at a second fundraiser.

Biden was referring to an alleged Chinese spy balloon that floated across the United States in February. The balloon, which China maintains was an unmanned civilian airship that was conducting meteorological research, was shot down by the Air Force off the coast of South Carolina after it had hovered above sensitive U.S. military installations. The incident became an intense point of diplomatic conflict between Beijing and Washington.

Though Blinkens visit was considered relatively successful  Biden said at the fundraiser his secretary of state did a good job  China and the U.S. have not re-established several military communication channels that were cut after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, a self-ruling island off Chinas coast that Beijing claims as its own territory. There were no breakthroughs in the meeting beyond an agreement the two sides needed to stabilize the relationship.

The two countries have had tense military brushes in recent weeks in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea that some have found particularly concerning. China said it was defending its national sovereignty in the two most recent instances. The U.S. called Beijings acts dangerous and emphasized that American service members were operating in international airspace and waters.

Blinkens visit was the first by a secretary of state since 2018. He had postponed a planned trip in February after the Chinese spy balloon debacle. Biden said last month that his plan with Xi to keep an ongoing dialogue had been derailed by this silly balloon.

At Tuesday night's first fundraiser, Biden said Xi had become more concerned with the Quad strategic security group, which is made up of the U.S., Australia, Japan and India. The group has spoken openly about acting as a buffer to Chinese interests, but Biden said he assured Xi that China did not need to be concerned.

Biden also told the crowd they should not be concerned about recent friction between Beijing and Washington.

Dont worry about China. I mean, worry about China but dont worry about China, he said as the crowd laughed.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, stands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit meeting on Nov. 14, 2022, in Bali, Indonesia. On Tuesday, Biden described Jinping as a dictator, prompting a response from Chinas foreign ministry. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press

After U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing over the weekend in an effort to improve relations with China, President Joe Biden described the countrys leader Xi Jinping as a dictator, prompting a response from Chinas foreign ministry.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there, Biden told attendees at a fundraising event in California Tuesday. Thats whats a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened.

Biden said the balloon was blown off course and Xi didnt know about it.

It was blown off course up through Alaska and then down through the United States and he didnt know about it, Biden said. When it got shot down, he was very embarrassed. He denied it was even there.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning called Bidens remarks ridiculously absurd and irresponsible, according to a CNBC translation.

It is a grave disregard for basic facts, a serious breach of diplomatic protocol, a serious violation of Chinas political dignity and amounted to open political provocation, she said. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition.

Bidens comments come after Blinken met with Xi, Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and other Chinese leaders on Sunday and Monday. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said of the visit that there was candid, substantive and constructive discussions on key priorities in the bilateral relationship and on a range of global and regional issues.

Miller said Blinken emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of miscalculation and that the U.S. and China agreed to further engagement in Beijing and Washington, D.C.

During his remarks at the California fundraiser, Biden said Blinken did a good job in China, but he said improving U.S.-China relationship is going to take time. When discussing Japan and U.S. allies in Southeast Asia, Biden said China has real economic difficulties.

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The world is changing, and we have an opportunity to not take advantage of it at everyone elses expense, but to change the dynamic in the world, Biden said.

The Biden administration faces challenges in improving the U.S. relationship with China, including the countries disputes over Taiwan and human rights issues. The State Department said the two countries both believe they can work together on climate change, global macroeconomic stability, food security, public health and counter-narcotics.

The U.S.s relationship with China is a political issue, and many American voters say they are concerned about China heading into next years election.

Americans favorable opinion of China reached a record low 15% in a March Gallup poll. The poll found 66% of American adults believe Chinas military power is a critical threat and 64% believe its economic power is a critical threat. Republicans had the lowest favorable rating of China at just 6% with Democrats and independents about even at 18% and 17%, respectively.
Washington  A push by some House Republicans to impeach President Biden has become the latest headache for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy caused by conservative hardliners.

GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado introduced articles of impeachment against Mr. Biden on Tuesday as a privileged resolution, fast-tracking its consideration under House rules by circumventing the normal committee process. The articles focused on the president's handling of the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration.

On Thursday, the House voted 219 to 208 along party lines to refer the measure to both the Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees on Thursday, sidestepping a vote on the resolution itself for now amid concerns by McCarthy and other Republicans that the impeachment effort was rushed.



"If I see that this has been slow-rolled and nothing is moving on it, then there's always the option to bring up another privileged resolution and call to impeach Joe Biden," Boebert told reporters Thursday.

Earlier Wednesday, McCarthy expressed frustration with Boebert, calling her effort to impeach Mr. Biden premature.

"She had never told members about it or never talked to me," McCarthy told reporters. "Before you put something forward, shouldn't you first talk to the conference about it? Because we're doing investigations. Why would you do this?"

McCarthy compared the impeachment push to Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff's actions regarding former President Donald Trump. Schiff, who was chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, rose to prominence as Trump's chief antagonizer in Congress and was the lead prosecutor in the former president's first impeachment, which did emerge from the committee process. The House voted Wednesday to censure Schiff for the investigations into Trump.

"We're going to censure Schiff for actually doing the exact same thing  lying to the American public and taking us through impeachment," McCarthy said. "We're going to turn around the next day and try to do the same thing that Schiff did? I just don't think that's honest with the American public."

McCarthy said the Oversight Committee and Judiciary Committee investigations into Mr. Biden and his family should be allowed to play out before potential articles of impeachment are introduced.

Other House Republicans have shared similar sentiments about the process.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska said Boebert is "undermining the team," and he expects the resolution will be tabled.

"I don't worry just about the team," Bacon said Wednesday. "It's about Congress. It's about our country. Impeachment shouldn't be something that is frivolous and treated in that way."

Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee said Mr. Biden should be impeached but the process should start in committee. Rep. Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota also wants to see it "go through regular order."

Another conservative firebrand, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, has also introduced articles of impeachment against Mr. Biden over his handling of the border. She said Wednesday she plans to convert them to privileged resolutions  and noted she gave Republicans a heads up about her plans.

"I'm different than what Lauren Boebert did," Green said. "She just went and did it. I just addressed the conference about impeachment and said that it is the right thing to do."

Scott MacFarlane contributed reporting.

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Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi walks out of the airplane as he arrives at JFK airport in New York

India's PM Modi to join Biden in rare press conference, questions limited Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi walks out of the airplane as he arrives at JFK airport in New York

By Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver remarks and take questions from journalists on Thursday during the Indian leader's state visit, an event a senior White House official called a "big deal"

It is unusual for Modi to take questions from the media, beyond occasional interviews. He has not addressed a single press conference in India since becoming prime minister about nine years ago. In May 2019 he attended a press conference but never took questions.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the White House understands the press conference is a "big deal."

"We are just grateful that Prime Minister Modi is participating in a press event at the end of the visit," Kirby said. "We think that's important and we're glad he thinks that's important too."

The format of the press conference will include one question from the U.S. press and one from an Indian journalist, Kirby said.

White House press conferences with other world leaders have been tightly controlled, with U.S. officials designating reporters beforehand from the American and foreign media for Biden and his guest to call upon, and a very limited number of questions.

Biden is under pressure by his fellow Democrats to raise human rights with Modi amid concerns about democratic backsliding in India under Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Human rights could be one topic of the press conference.

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Heather Timmons and Grant McCool)
Leaders of a southeastern Wisconsin school district could vote next month to ban safe space signs in their buildings.

The Arrowhead School Boards policy committee decided Tuesday to forward a proposed policy banning such signs to the full school board for consideration at its July 12 meeting, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

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Advocates for LGBTQ students have suggested that teachers post such signs as a show of support. But Arrowheads proposed policy states that such signs could create a sense that some areas of schools arent equal because theyre safer than others and signs promoting one group over others can leave students feeling isolated.

The policy also states that putting up displays about controversial topics isnt as appropriate as other approaches and that the district can decide what messages and content can be communicated through signs and postings.

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In part, this is because of the importance of providing substantial context for such issues and due to concerns that certain displays and postings may be perceived as the promotion of a single perspective or viewpoint on such matters or as the promotion of a staff members personal opinion on controversial topics, the policy reads.

Board President Kim Schubert showed examples of stickers that could replace safe space signs and include phrases such as, I am surrounded by people who appreciate and accept me for who I am.

Board members Tim Langer, Darrell Beneker and Craig Thompson said they oppose the policy. Langer said he was worried about the message the policy would send to LGBTQ students.

I would move that we table this until we can develop a policy that would take some concrete steps towards helping our LGBT students and giving them the resources that those stickers were sort of a shorthand for, said Langer.

Arrowhead high school freshman Chase Eastman launched a petition against the policy that had 320 signatures as of Tuesday.

An early draft of the policy also would have banned Black Lives Matter signs, anti-racist signage, rainbows, all flags other than the state and national flag or flags specific to a foreign language being taught and signage of any type promoting a sexual or gender preference.

Board members ultimately dropped that language after consulting with their attorney, the Journal Sentinel reported.

School board members in Oak Creek, a Milwaukee suburb, are considering a similar policy banning safe space signage and allowing the district to remove signs about controversial issues.
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to the White House in Washington

India's Modi starts Washington visit to build Biden, US ties U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to the White House in Washington

By Nandita Bose, Jeff Mason and Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to deepen defense and technology cooperation between their countries during Modi's official visit to the White House, despite lingering concerns about human rights in India.

Two days of carefully orchestrated official events had a bumpy start on Wednesday afternoon, however, when Modi was so late to a planned tour of the National Science Foundation that the president's wife Jill Biden, a teacher, started without him.

Modi, who arrived about 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the tour, apologized. Later he came to the White House for a private dinner with the Bidens. The first couple and the prime minister smiled and laughed together outside the White House before going indoors. Modi will attend a state dinner on Thursday night, after addressing Congress and holding a rare press conference with Biden.

Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China and sees India as a critical partner. Modi is seeking to raise the influence that India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion, has on the world stage.

Biden is expected to raise U.S. concerns about democratic backsliding in India under Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party during the visit, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday. "We do so in a way where we dont seek to lecture or assert that we dont have challenges ourselves," he said.

U.S. companies are welcoming Modi warmly, and business agreements in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and investments in India by Micron Technology and other U.S. companies are expected during the visit.

At his event with Jill Biden, Modi invited American students to come to India and said he was happy to meet "young and creative minds" as soon as he arrived in Washington. Modi said India was training students in AI and had started labs across the country.

More than 200,000 Indian students were studying in the United States as of last year, according to the White House.

Thursday's press conference is unusual. Modi has not addressed a single press conference in India since becoming prime minister about nine years ago. In May 2019, he attended a press conference in India but never took questions.

EXECUTIVES GREET MODI

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit. A vegetarian menu will be served at the state dinner on Thursday. President Biden will give Modi a vintage American camera and the first lady will give him a signed, first edition copy of "Collected Poems of Robert Frost," the White House said.

Modi will address U.S. CEOs at a Friday reception, as American companies plan new investments in India.

On Tuesday he met with Tesla chief Elon Musk in New York, who said afterwards he plans to make the vehicles available in India as soon as possible.

Biden is under pressure by his fellow Democrats to discuss human rights with Modi.

Rights advocates, who plan to protest during Modi's visit, on Wednesday said Biden should publicly call out Modi's human rights record, saying the approach of U.S. administrations of raising issues in private with the Indian leader has not stemmed what they described as deteriorating human rights in India.

"It has not worked," Zaki Barzinji, who served in the Obama administration as the White House liaison to religious minorities, said at a press conference in Washington organized by Indian-American civil rights and interfaith organizations.

'SUBTLE SHIFT' ON RUSSIA

Both Biden and Modi are grappling with Beijing's flexing its muscle in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

"This visit is not about China. But the question of Chinas role in the military domain, the technology domain, the economic domain will be on the agenda," Sullivan said.

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.

Biden will bring up Russia and Ukraine ahead of the G20 summit later this year that will be held in India, Sullivan said.

A senior State Department official said there had been a "subtle shift" in India's approach to Russia since Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that "today's era is not an era of war."

Other Indian officials had challenged Russia for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity and over rhetoric on nuclear weapons in recent months, said the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

On Thursday, Biden and Modi will make announcements on the "co-development and co-production of military systems, including some very advanced systems," said the official, describing this as part of a broader move by India to buy weapons from other sources than traditional supplier Moscow.

Washington accepts that India will continue buying Russian oil, as long as it does so "at rock bottom prices" below a price cap agreed by developed nations, the official added.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Simon Lewis, Kanishka Singh, Nandita Bose and Jeff Mason; Editing by Grant McCool and Christopher Cushing)
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping was unaware that the alleged spy balloon that floated over the continental US had blown off course until the matter became an international incident, President Joe Biden told donors on Tuesday.

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Likening the incident to a strongman being kept in the dark, Biden described the flap as a embarrassment for the Chinese leader in remarks to a crowd at a Marin County, California fundraiser.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two boxcars full of spy equipment in it is he didnt know it was there, Biden said. No, Im serious. Thats what the great embarrassment for dictators  when they didnt know what happened. That wasnt supposed to be going where it was, it was blown off course.

Biden also told the crowd at a Marin County, California, fundraiser that following Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to Beijing he believed the Chinese wanted to have a relationship again but that such a diplomatic warming was going to take time.

The very important part is hes in a situation now where he wants to have a relationship again, Biden said.

Blinkens China Trip Yields Best Possible Result: More Talks

Blinken was the most senior American official to visit the country in five years, and the trip was praised by both sides as a success. The visit had originally been planned for February, but was postponed after the Chinese balloon was spotted over the US.

Biden ordered the balloon to be shot down when it crossed over the Atlantic Ocean. Chinese officials said the balloon was a civilian weather craft and have repeatedly insisted it was not on a spy mission.

Following his visit, Blinken said he believed the episode was closed. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is planning to visit Washington in the coming months, while other top American officials are also expected to travel to China, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry.

Yet despite that warming, the talks did not appear to yield a breakthrough on the top US priority: restoring military-to-military communications that were cut off by China after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.

Recent encounters between US and Chinese ships and aircraft in the Pacific had led to US concerns that without appropriate communications an accident could lead to an actual confrontation.

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A bipartisan group of Senators introduced legislation Wednesday to ensure the Defense Department passes a clean audit next year, with the bill following repeated concerns from Congress about fraud, waste and abuse in the Pentagon.

The Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023 would require the Defense Department to pass a full, independent audit in fiscal 2024.

Agencies within the Pentagon that fail to pass a clean audit would be forced to return 1 percent of its budget for deficit reduction, according to the legislation.

The legislation comes after the Pentagon failed its fifth budget audit last year and after a CBS News report found defense contractors overcharged the Defense Department by nearly 40 percent to 50 percent. According to the Office of the Inspector General for the Defense Department, sometimes overcharging reached more than 4,000 percent.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said the Pentagon and the military industrial complex have been plagued by a massive amount of waste, fraud, and financial mismanagement for decades.

That is absolutely unacceptable, Sanders said in a statement announcing the legislation. If we are serious about spending taxpayer dollars wisely and effectively, we have got to end the absurdity of the Pentagon being the only agency in the federal government that has never passed an independent audit.

The Hill has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

The legislation is backed by GOP Sens. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Mike Lee (Utah), Mike Braun (Ind.) and Rand Paul (Ky.).

Democratic supporters include Ed Markey (Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.).

In the wake of the CBS report, several of the senators also signed a letter last month calling on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to investigate the systematic price gouging from defense contractors.

The Defense Department failed its fifth audit last year and was unable to account for more than half of its assets, or more than $3 trillion.

The Pentagon accounts for more than half of the federal governments discretionary spending and nearly two-thirds of the federal governments contract spending. The budget request for next fiscal year is $886 billion, the highest its ever been.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in 2021 that the Pentagon has failed to implement a systemic approach to combating waste and fraud, while a GAO report this year found accounting systems are not reliably generating accurate information.

Grassley said the Pentagon should have to meet the same annual auditing standards as every other agency.

From buying $14,000 toilet seats to losing track of warehouses full of spare parts, the Department of Defense has been plagued by wasteful spending for decades, the Iowa senator said in a Wednesday statement. Every dollar the Pentagon squanders is a dollar not used to support service members, bolster national security or strengthen military readiness.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Whats it like to be Black: A conversation about Blackness and making voices heard

The notion of the Black Card has permeated popular culture, often serving as a humorous reference. However, its meaning and representation as a marker of racial authenticity have raised questions.

Artist Brandon Clarke also shares these concerns, which led him to create BLACK Card: Transactions of Cultural Currency. The exhibition is on display through Aug. 31 at the Historic Ward Rooming House in Overtown.

We curated this show to have a conversation about authenticity and access within our own community and outside our community, says Clarke. As we continue to make our Black voices known in America and around the world, we demand a seat at the table.

A piece from the BLACK Card exhibit asks about the meaning of being Black. The exhibit is on display at the Historic Ward Rooming House in Overtown through August. Eye and Heart Photography

Delving into the intricacies of authenticity, access, and identity within the Black community, Clarkes idea is to challenge societal perceptions and to shed light on the significance of the symbolic Black Card as a representation of cultural validation.

My vision is not only to get our seat at the table, but we can sustain our seat at the table? What good is wealth if you cannot sustain it for generations to come? I feel to help accomplish this alongside the strides we have already made requires a level of cultural sustainability within ourselves. The Black card became the perfect catalyst to represent much of what we are fighting for and against.

The concept of the Black Card is not exclusive to the Black community but extends to various cultural groups. Cuban Card, Haitian Card, or Jewish Card are also figurative cards acting as signifiers of belonging and granting access to these specific cultures or communities.

In the Black community, some people have had their black card revoked because they have never seen TV series The Wire, the movie Friday, because they dont like collard greens or sweet potato pie, or because they do enjoy pumpkin spice lattes.

Artist Brandon Clarke, who created BLACK Card: Transactions of Cultural Currency, an exhibit at the Historic Ward Rooming House in Overtown that runs through August. Eye and Heart Photography

Facing his own questions of Blackness

Born in California, Clarkes family moved when he was 8 years old to Lewes, Delaware, what he calls a beach community. He attended Cape Henlopen High School.

Because he didnt grow up in a Black community or attended a majority Black school until he went to a historically Black college (Hampton University in Virginia), he says he faced challenges to his own authenticity, with people questioning his Blackness due to engaging in activities that did not align with certain stereotypes.

Oftentimes people question your authenticity when your experiences are different from theirs, he says. Sometimes, someone can lose his Black card, not because of what he may not know about the culture, but what activities he participated in.

He says he surfed, snowboarded and skateboarded  activities that he enjoyed.

But people often questioned my Blackness because of it. Growing up I found out that a lot more Black people like myself had the same experiences.

Reflecting on the level of Blackness, the Miami-based artist acknowledges that he is not sure what the bar is. However, he firmly believes that being Black in America is a precious gift, a tribute to the courageous legacy of his ancestors who faced countless limitations.

Quoting Christopher Norwood of Hampton Art Lovers, who co-curated and commissioned the show, the artist states, As we expand our horizons and what it means to be Black in America, our ancestors expand their smiles.

To explore the concept of the Black Card in his artwork, Clarke obtained a collection of black credit cards, which became the focal point of his creative expression. Some pieces portray the physical black credit card embedded within paintings, while others take a metaphorical approach, symbolizing transactions across various spaces, including marketing, social interactions, and economic evaluations.

Our Blackness just doesnt reach within our own community, but it stretches out the borders of who we are within this nation and even internationally, says Clarke.

In deconstructing the idea of the Black Card as a euphemism for Black identity, the South Dade artist views it as a tool designed to confine individuals to predefined notions of Blackness.

Looking beyond music, sports

The Black Card ultimately does not exist, its a tool to keep you in a box. But cultural currency is real, and we need to harness our culture and respect it as an economic tool for development, proposes the artist. Black culture absolutely drives the music business and sports, no one would argue with that statement. But the potential of our culture could also drive and revolutionize math and science as well.

Clarke firmly establishes a connection between the symbolic Black Card and its real-life counterpart in the realm of credit and currency. He identifies the Black Card as the ultimate symbol of luxury and access, paralleling it with the value and global influence of Black culture, which has been at the forefront of defining Cool since the Harlem Renaissance.

Hampton Art Lovers, the organizers of the event, have played a crucial role in presenting Clarkes artwork. The collaboration between the artist and the gallery stems from a shared love for Black art and a belief in its power to tell meaningful stories. With their mentorship and support, Clarke says he was able to develop the Black Card concept and transform it into this new installation.

Chris (Norwood) and I began talking frequently. I pitched several concepts to him. We discussed them all and played them out visually. We scrapped most of them, but one of them was Black Card and it felt personal to me in ways that the others didnt. . . According to Chris, Every great pitcher needs and even better catcher and on that day he caught Black Card. and threw it back to me and said run with it.

This piece represents internal transactions Black people make against and for themselves, according to Brandon Clarke, the artist who created the BLACK card exhibit. Eye and Heart Photography

If you go

WHAT: BLACK Card: Transactions of Cultural Currency

WHERE: Hampton Art Lovers at Historic Ward Rooming House, 249 NW 29th St., Miami

WHEN: Runs through Aug. 31.

COST: Free

INFORMATION: hamptonartlovers.com

ArtburstMiami.com is a nonprofit source of dance, visual arts, music, and performing arts news. Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a story.
Celebrate this Black Music Month with us as we honor the remarkable contributions of Black women to Hip-Hop culture. Just like the iconic Big Mac, their influence and talent are legendary! Join us in amplifying their legacy. Proudly sponsored by McDonalds.

June is the start of many celebrations like Pride and Caribbean Heritage Month. Its also the start of Black Music Month! This annual celebration recognizes and honors the contributions of Black musicians to American music and culture. The efforts first originated in 1979. President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month to celebrate the rich musical heritage of African Americans.

This years Black Music Month is especially important because it marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. There are many women who have been trailblazers in the hip-hop game. Here are a few of the women we have to thank for what the genre is today.

Black Women Hip-Hop Needs To Thank

The first woman that trailblazed hip-hop was Cindy Campbell. Although she wasnt an artist, she played a huge part in the genres origins. Hip-hop was born on August 11, 1973, because of a back-to-school party. Legendary DJ, DJ Kool Herc was in charge of the music for the function, but the party was put together by Campbell. She was considered the first hip-hop promoter.

Being a woman, a female in a male dominated area such as Hip-Hop, its very significant to know that a woman was there all the time behind it, she said in an interview with Forbes Magazine.

Next up is Sha-Rock, also known as the mother of the mic. She was the first female rapper to perform live on national television and gain a record deal as the Plus One More of the hip-hop group Funky 4 + 1. She was one of the first women who was taken seriously as a hip-hop artist in the early 70s when men were the main focus of the genre.

Taking it across the pond to the UK, Monie Love was the first British rapper to be nominated twice for a Grammy Award. She made waves in the industry, starting out on Queen Latifahs Ladies First. A year later, she released her debut album which included the single Monie In The Middle. She received her first Grammy nomination for the song but the award ultimately went to MC Hammers U Cant Touch This.

Womens roles in hip-hop cannot be understated. They have consistently pushed boundaries, challenged stereotypes and contributed to the artistic and cultural vibrancy of the genre. Their presence and voices are essential in shaping the future of the genre and ensuring its continued growth and relevance.
It was a star studded introduction to the runway for Pharrell Williams as celebrities came to support the music producer turned mens creative director for Louis Vuitton. The show opened Paris Fashion Week. It was filled with spectacular moments and Black celebrities rocking incredible style choices. From Beyonce to Willow Smith, the women at the show truly showed out.

Black Women We Loved At Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024

Beyonce

Queen Bey took a break from her Renaissance World Tour to support longtime friend, Pharrell Williams. She donned a stunning yellow pajama set and sat front row next to husband Jay-Z and Zendaya. In clips shared online Beyonce can be seen nodding her head to the music during the show. Later she pulls out her cellphone to record Williams at the end of the show.

Rihanna

Rihanna attended the show with A$AP Rocky both donning denim looks from head to toe. Prior to the show, Williams revealed the Bad Girl (and her bump) as the face of Louis Vuitton Menswears latest campaign. Rihannas belly was also on full display at the runway show. She rocked an ensemble made of patchwork denim that included a jacket, bralette and baggy pants. She topped the look off with a toboggan with an embellished broach. Rihannas hairstylist shared a close up image of the stars 90s inspired hair and makeup that included dark-lined lips and side swept locks.

Zendaya

Photo credit: Stephane Cardinale  Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

The Euphoria actress wore a two-piece beaded ensemble to the Paris Fashion Week show. The short sleeve shirt and wide-legged pants had an abstract pattern in muted tones.

Naomi Campbell

Photo credit: Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton

Naomi Campbell wore a look made out of Louis Vuittons signature brown leather monogram. The dress and jacket were complimented by a red LV speedy bag.

Willow Smith

Photo credit: Antoine Flament/Getty Images

Willow Smith and brother Jaden attended the Spring/Summer show together. Willow wore an oversized tuxedo with an open white dress shirt and bralette. She paired the look with chunky black sneakers, sunglasses and cornrows.

Virginia Williams

Pusha Ts wife, Virginia Williams, attended the show in a casual look. She was in the audience while her husband, a long-time Williams friend and collaborator, walked the runway. Williams wore denim jeans, an oversized Louis Vuitton LV monogram shirt and pointed toe white heels.

The post These Black Women Showed Up and Showed Out at Pharrell Williams Louis Vuitton Debut appeared first on 21Ninety.
Scouted/The Daily Beast/iStock/Birkenstock.

Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.

We are officially living in a Barbie world. Since the debut of the long-awaited Barbie trailer a few weeks ago, the world has descended into a Barbiecore frenzy, eagerly awaiting the movies big screen debut on July 21.

If you were one of the millions of viewers who tuned into the Barbie trailer release, you got a glimpse of Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie character wearing an absurd number of gorgeous garments as she makes her way into the real world. But also included in the trailer footage is Margot Robbies Barbie visiting Kate McKinnons edgy Barbie to find out why shes been experiencing so many odd occurrencesi.e., flat feet, cold showers, dreary thoughts, and general confusionin her idyllic Barbie world.

The Birkenstock in the #Barbie trailer is TOO real  pic.twitter.com/XBJbr6ZaBu  Sukhada (@appadappajappa) May 26, 2023

McKinnons character, in a very Matrix-like scene of red pill vs. blue pill, offers Robbie two choices: she can stay in the Barbie worldrepresented by a light pink high heelor venture away to find out the truth about the universe. A Birkenstock sandal represents the universe/real world, specifically, the Arizona Big Buckle Slide Sandal. Finally, a Barbie we can actually relate to: Birkenstock Barbie!

Birkenstock Arizona Sandal

While these down-to-earth (literally) slides arent exactly what we would expect to see in a glamorous Barbie universe, we have to admit that even the most stylish and fashion-forward of women, including Margot Robbie, probably have this insanely comfortable sandal somewhere in their closet.

Buy Birkenstock Arizona Sandal at Zappos, $145

Birkenstocks have a reputation for being the quintessential comfy sandal for men and women alike, and the good news is theyre making a big comeback this season thanks to Barbie. Sure, when it comes to Birkenstock sandals, you can stick with classic, easy-to-pair colors like beige and black, but you can also capture the spirit of Barbie and opt for a pair of Arizonas in a colorful rose, lilac, or baby blue colorway. If Barbie can pass on a pair of designer heels to experience just how cush the Birkenstock sandal feels on her feet, so can you.

And while well have to wait until July to see what this long-awaited summer flick has in store for us, youll want to snag a pair of the Arizona Big Buckle Slide Sandal before they fly off shelves.

Sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations. Dont forget to check out our coupon site to find apparel deals from L.L.Bean, Lands End, Gap, and more.

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(Bloomberg) -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged an additional $1.3 billion in assistance to help Ukraine rebuild following the Russian invasion.

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Most of the funds will be directed to restoring the countrys battered energy grid and critical infrastructure ranging from ports to rail lines and border crossings.

The top US diplomat announced the new funds in London, where he is attending the Ukraine Recovery conference, hosted by the UK government. The meeting aims to unite allies behind an organized effort to help Kyiv sustain its economy as it presses forward with a counteroffensive to reclaim territory from Russian forces.

https://t.co/9HMclHbfh6 pic.twitter.com/otVptjOTsS

 Bloomberg UK (@BloombergUK) June 21, 2023

Recovery is about more than just ensuring people have what they need to survive  food to eat, water to drink, Blinken told the conference, which was also attended by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and featured a video address from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Recovery is about laying the foundation for Ukraine to thrive as a secure, independent country fully integrated with Europe, connected to markets around the world.

The new financing brings the total of US funding for Ukraine to around $64 billion, according to a State Department statement. The US money will add to a much bigger financial aid package from the European Commission, which has proposed $55 billion to help finance the Ukrainian governments current expenditures and urgent reconstruction priorities.

Speaking at the conference, Blinken said the US is sending $520 million toward repairing and modernizing Ukraines energy grid, half of which has been destroyed  and $657 will go toward devastated critical infrastructure including rail lines, ports and border crossings. Another $100 million will help digitize Ukraines customs systems to boost speed and cut corruption, Blinken said.

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ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraged Ankara to support Sweden in its bid to join NATO in a meeting with new Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson said.

Turkey has objected to Sweden's bid to join the Western military alliance, citing security concerns, but members of the bloc have expressed hope that it will become a member in time for a mid-July summit in Vilnius.

In a meeting with Fidan on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Summit in London, Blinken stressed the importance of NATO unity at a critical time, spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

"(Blinken) also... encouraged Turkey's support for Sweden to join the NATO Alliance now," he said.

Blinken welcomed Ankara's support for Kyiv and its work on the grain deal, which allows Ukrainian exports from Black Sea ports, the spokesperson said.

Last month, Blinken urged Turkey to finalise immediately Sweden's accession to the bloc. Sweden and Finland both reversed decades of military non-alignment last year and applied to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Finland joined NATO in April but Turkey continues to block Sweden's membership. Last week President Tayyip Erdogan said it should not expect a green light from Ankara at the summit unless it prevents anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm.

Turkey says Sweden harbours members of militant groups it considers to be terrorists. Sweden recently introduced a new law to make it harder to finance or support terrorist groups.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday Turkey's parliament should begin to ratify Sweden's bid because Stockholm has now met its obligations under a deal with Ankara.

Blinken and Fidan were in London to attend the conference on Ukraine at which allies were due to pledge billions of dollars in economic and reconstruction aid. Fidan said he was there to demonstrate Turkey's support for Ukraine.

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever in Ankara and Rami Ayyub in Washington;Writing by Daren Butler;Editing by Ali Kucukgocmen and Christina Fincher)
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is forcing a House vote on impeaching President Biden over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policy, making a surprise privileged motion Tuesday evening that will require House floor action on the matter this week.

Walking off the House floor Tuesday, Boebert said that while House GOP leadership was aware she would make the privileged motion, the date of further action was still being scheduled.

A notice from House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) on Tuesday indicated that Democrats will make a motion to table the resolution when it comes up for a vote on the floor, a procedural move that would block the resolution from coming to the floor for a vote.

Boeberts impeachment resolution, which she introduced earlier this month, includes two impeachment articles: one for abuse of power, and another for dereliction of duty.

In the first impeachment article, Boebert charges that Biden knowingly presided over an executive branch that has continuously, overtly, and consistently violated Federal immigration law by pursuing an aggressive, open-borders agenda, saying the U.S. allowed a high number of migrants released into the country without the intention or ability to ensure that they appear in immigration court to face asylum or deportation proceedings.

In the second impeachment article, Boeberts resolution points to deportation cases being at historic lows, and deaths caused by fentanyl.

In response to Boeberts move, the White House accused House Republicans of staging political stunts.

Instead of working with President Biden on solutions to the issues that matter most to the American people, like creating jobs, lowering costs and strengthening health care, extreme House Republicans are staging baseless political stunts that do nothing to help real people and only serve to get themselves attention, Ian Sams, White House spokesman for oversight and investigations, said in a statement.

Boebert did not predict whether her impeachment articles would pass or not.

Well see. I mean, I hope that Republicans and Democrats alike can recognize the invasion thats taking place at our southern border, and that the laws of our nation are not being faithfully executed, and that we have an opportunity to bring a check and a balance to the invasion thats going on, Boebert said.

Boeberts ideological ally, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), is aiming to force a vote of her own this week on a motion to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) of his handling of investigations into former President Trump.

Republicans have also been calling attention to the focus on the business dealings of President Bidens family members after his son, Hunter Biden, agreed to a plea deal involving federal tax and gun charges Tuesday.

Asked why she was forcing the impeachment articles now, Boebert said: Its been time. Its past time.

Most House Republicans hungry for retribution over the U.S.-Mexico border have focused on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas rather than Biden. Last week, the House GOP launched an investigation that could serve as the basis of an eventual Mayorkas impeachment.

Updated at 9:47 p.m. EDT.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tara Stamps, administrative director of new teacher development at the Chicago Teachers Union, speaks during a 2021 union news conference. She was chosen Tuesday evening to replace Brandon Johnson on the Cook County Board. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

The seat on the Cook County Board that Brandon Johnson vacated to take over the mayors office in Chicago was filled late Tuesday by a union mentor who once helped the mayor put together his lesson plans.

Local Democrats met Wednesday night in Oak Park to pick who will serve as commissioner of the countys 1st District, unanimously selecting Johnson ally and Chicago Teachers Union leader Tara Stamps for the role. She was chosen from an initial field of 19 applicants that was narrowed down to six. At the end of the roughly three-hour meeting, Stamps supporters erupted in cheers at the announcement.

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Stamps was sworn in shortly after by Judge Michael Clancy for the seat that covers parts of the West Side and near west suburbs.

The selection committee, made up of local Democrats, interviewed candidates in the Foxboro Room of The Carleton of Oak Park Hotel Tuesday night, quizzing them about balancing the interests of a district that is roughly half suburban and half Chicago, whether they could afford to raise sufficient money to mount a campaign, and their two top pressing concerns to address once in office. The applicants were familiar faces and sometimes old political foes for members of the selection panel, but the evening was a convivial one.

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Tuesdays decision is not the last word: There will be a special election in 2024 to complete the full term. Two candidates said they planned to run in that election regardless of whether they were appointed.

The seat was filled by Democrats who serve as committeepersons for the wards and townships that fall within the 1st District, which includes West Side neighborhoods including Johnsons home turf in Austin, plus all or parts of suburban Oak Park, Maywood, Broadview, Bellwood, Forest Park and Westchester. Johnson had previously said he hoped his successor will be a fellow progressive who can address disparities in his district.

Each committeeperson had a weighted vote based on turnout for each candidates seats in the November general election. Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, committeeperson for Oak Park Township, had the largest share of the vote at just under 29%, and served as chairman throughout the proceedings. Johnson previously ran constituent services for Harmon in the early 2000s.

Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, who represents Proviso Township, had just over 23% of the vote. Others on the committee with less than 10% of the weighted vote were City Council members Chris Taliaferro, 29th; Emma Mitts, 37th; and Jason Ervin, 28th. Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, and Tim Egan, 2nd, each had small percentages but did not speak up much during the proceedings. Ald. Daniel La Spata, 1st, and Angee Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 26th, did not attend, and gave their votes to Harmon.

The finalists were a mix of Chicagoans  including the Rev. Ira Acree, Tommie Johnson, Zerlina Smith-Members and Stamps  and suburbanites such as Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins and Claiborne Wade, also of Forest Park. Several came with crowds of supporters who cheered as their respective candidate entered the room to be interviewed.

Stamps has run unsuccessfully for 37th Ward alderman twice. A teacher in Chicago Public Schools for a quarter century, she highlighted her mentorship of Mayor Johnson when he was an activist with the Chicago Teachers Union. Regardless of whether she received the appointment, Stamps said she would have both Johnsons backing and that of the union for a run for the seat permanently in 2024. She is the CTUs current administrator of teacher development.

I absolutely am going to run. ... I am uniquely qualified to continue the progressive measures that our mayor, Brandon Johnson, made viable and visible in this seat, Stamps said. Though the sum of money to run would be astronomical, Stamps noted she can rely on a progressive fundraising apparatus that helped Johnson win.

Stamps is also the daughter of Marion Stamps, a civil rights activist who organized around the rights of public housing residents at Cabrini-Green on the citys Near North Side.

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Mitts, a former opponent, pledged her support to Stamps. We talked about healing, time for us to work for our communities, coming together. Those are the things that we have spoken on, Mitts said, asking Stamps to reiterate her pledge to work together.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a philosophy, Stamps said. There is enough for everybody to get what they need and some of what they want. I believe in working together and making sure that our schools are in shape and that our streets are safe and that people have a place to turn when they need resources. And more than anything, our community, our neighbors, our constituents want to see solidarity.

Right on, Mitts said.

Following Stamps appointment, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates released a statement calling her a champion for educators, students and working people. She is a true daughter of Chicago and stands in the legacy of her mother, Civil Rights icon, Marion Stamps. We celebrate Commissioner Stamps dedication to our communities that brought her first to the classroom and now to expand her service to the people of the first district of Cook County. We look forward to seeing her leadership expressed on the county board in the months and years to come.

Acree, lead pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church in Austin and a founder of the West Side social justice organization Leaders Network, also came in with considerable support. He is a familiar face in politics, recently hosting a convening of faith leaders at the behest of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and delivered the closing prayer at Pritzkers 2023 inauguration.

Acree had pledged, if selected, to invest in front-line organizations to combat gun violence, and he would use his countywide reach to better address domestic violence and sexual assault, ... fight for increased funding for mental health and be an advocate for strengthening our small businesses.

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But Acree also recently tossed his name in the hat for a seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, pitching county Democrats for the endorsement at pre-slating last week. Mitts, who also supported Acree, asked which position he wanted more.

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His choice was Johnsons seat, because you get a chance to advocate for taxes, you can talk about public health safety, public safety, public health services, and you can have a bigger platform to challenge the status quo and also to be an advocate for people, he said, though declined to say whether hed run for the seat without the appointment. I ran for both of those ... because I am ready to serve after 30 years of being an advocate for our people.

Hoskins, a resident of Forest Park since 1999 and its mayor since 2019, is an attorney and former social worker who also served for two terms as a commissioner on Forest Parks Village Board. He had the support of Yarbrough heading into the evening. Hoskins had said he would fight to win funding for smaller suburban communities like his home village, as well as Broadview and Westchester. His top stated priorities included addressing homelessness and economic development, including leveraging incoming infrastructure dollars for communities along the Eisenhower.

Hoskins said he could easily balance service as village mayor and serving on the County Board, but would step away from leading the village if elected to represent the first district in 2024. If not selected, Hoskins pledged to support the appointee.

Im not going to say it runs itself, but its in a very good position in terms of its geography, in terms of its business climate, in terms of staffing. If it was necessary to temporarily balance those interests, I think thats very much possible, he said.

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Smith-Members, who pitched selection committee members on a tough-on-crime message, has previously run unsuccessfully for 29th Ward alderman and Cook County board president. She said she planned to run for the seat regardless. So did Tommie Johnson, a managing deputy commissioner in the Department of Streets and Sanitation. Aldermen on the panel thanked him for being their go-to guy on sanitation issues and on campaigns.

Brandon Johnson only served one full term and a few months of a second term on the Cook County Board, most of which coincided with his mayoral run. His successor is slated to earn an annual salary of $93,500.

aquig@chicagotribune.com
Boeing 377 BOAC. (Public Domain)

Technology developed during WWII led to advancements in civilian engineering after the war. Pressurized cabins and improved aeronautical design allowed companies to build larger planes that could fly higher and further than before. Boeing, which developed iconic heavy bombers like the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, adapted its large aircraft technology to create the 377 Stratocruiser airliner.

The B-29 is the only aircraft to drop nuclear weapons in combat (U.S. Air Force)

In 1939, the U.S. Army Air Corps issued specifications for a "superbomber" that could deliver a payload of 20,000 pounds on a target 2,667 miles away and fly at 400 mph. The next year, prototypes of Boeing's pressurized bomber submission, designated the XB-29, were ordered. By January 1942, 500 of the new heavy bombers were on order. Despite production delays, the Superfortress began combat operations in Asia in 1944. It also delivered the two atomic bombs that ended WWII in 1945.

The C-97 Stratofreighter, developed from the B-29 Superfortress, was itself developed into the 377 Stratocruiser (U.S. Air Force)

After WWII, the B-29 was updated with more powerful engines and a stronger structure. This post-war version was designated the B-50 and completed the first non-stop flight around the world. With its large size, heavy payload, pressurized cabin and long range, Boeing's Superfortress was a prime candidate for a cargo conversion. Design on the experimental XC-97 began in 1942 and the aircraft made its first flight two years later. Officially introduced in 1947, the C-97 Stratofreighter featured the same tail, wing and engine layout of the B-29. However, it had a second lobe added on top of the fuselage and wing. Later iterations featured the upgraded engines, fin and rudder of the B-50.

A Pan Am 377 over San Francisco Bay (Public Domain)

The Stratofreighter had a useful payload of 35,000 pounds and could carry 134 troops or vehicles like 2 1/2-ton trucks. With its pressurized cabin, the C-97 could fly at high altitude and was more comfortable for its passengers and crew than older cargo planes. Boeing's president, William Allen, saw the potential of the airframe and its ability to fulfill the demand for air travel after WWII. Despite not having any orders from airlines, Allen directed the construction of 50 377 Stratocruisers, derived from the C-97 Stratofreighter.

The 377 offered passengers a luxurious flight (Public Domain)

On November 29, 1945, Pan Am became the Stratocruiser's launch customer with a $24.5 million order for 20 planes, the largest commercial aircraft order in history at the time. Pan Am's confidence in the type came from a Boeing demonstration in which a 377 flew nonstop from Seattle to Washington, D.C. in just six hours and four minutes. The 377's spacious, pressurized and air-conditioned cabin allowed up to 100 passengers on the main deck and another 14 on the lower deck lounge to fly comfortably and luxuriously. The Stratocruiser also had space for passenger berthing.

A United 377 over the Golden Gate Bridge (Public Domain)

In addition to Pan Am, the 377 was purchased and flown by major carriers like TWA, United Airlines and the British Overseas Airways Corporation. Despite the luxury offered aboard the aircraft, the 377 was considered uneconomical for airlines. Reliability problems from its four powerful radial engines resulted in high operating costs. Moreover, introducing jetliners like the de Havilland Comet and Boeing 707 overshadowed the propellor-driven Stratocruiser. Most airlines divested their 377s in the 1950s and the last commercial operator, Transocean Airlines, went bankrupt in 1960.
Boise City Council Member Patrick Bageant will not seek reelection this fall, ruling out a potentially competitive campaign season between two sitting council members in the district that covers the North End.

In announcing his decision, Bageant noted that he and his wife, an officer in the U.S. Army, had a child in May. He said his decision not to run was difficult, even painful.

Public service is a bedrock value for Jennifer and me  my oath to our city, and hers to our nation, has meant compromise and sacrifice, he said in a Wednesday news release. Weve been honored deeply to make those choices, but for now we are not going to put their costs on little Parker, too.

Bageant will leave the council after serving one term, having been elected in 2019. He is an attorney and former firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service.

This November, Boise will transition to a fully district-based system for City Council elections, after the Idaho Legislature passed a law implementing the change in 2020. The requirement affected all cities with populations of over 100,000.

That would have meant that Bageant, who lives in the North End, would run against Council Member Jimmy Hallyburton, who has already announced he will seek reelection.

Bageant donated $1,000 to Hallyburtons campaign last month, and he has also donated $1,000 to Council Member Luci Willits, who is running for reelection in West Boise.

Ive never met someone as steady and dedicated to their commitment to public service, Hallyburton said in Bageants news release. Its hard for me to imagine Patrick not on council, but I know he wont be far, leading in some other arena.

Council President Holli Woodings also announced last month that she is leaving the council after two terms.

In his announcement, Bageant touted his work on the recent zoning code rewrite  which passed the council unanimously earlier this month  as well as Boises investments in recycled water and Microns plan to build a new multi-billion dollar fabrication plant in Boise.

Ive learned that the national news isnt the local story, he said in the release. Congress may impeach the president, play games with the federal budget, or politicize the Supreme Court, but your local government is getting the trash collected, your kids to school safely, applying the laws fairly and predictably, and leaving you free to live the life you choose. Thats what people want, and I think we do a pretty good job in Boise.
An Ada County judge has denied the Veterans Park Neighborhood Associations request to intervene in Boises decision to allow a homeless shelter to be built on State Street.

Ada County District Judge Cynthia Yee-Wallace on Tuesday ruled that the Boise City Councils decision to permit Interfaith Sanctuary to move to a new location at 4308 W. State St. was not made erroneously. The neighborhood association had not sufficiently shown that neighbors property values would be reduced, or that residents of the neighborhood would be in more danger with the shelter present than they would if it were not, Yee-Wallace said.

I am obviously really relieved and also super grateful, Interfaith Executive Director Jodi Peterson told the Idaho Statesman. Peterson also thanked her attorney, Geoffrey Wardle, who she said donated his time to represent the shelter.

The neighborhood association can still appeal the decision, according to Idaho rules.

Over 100 people last year testified about the controversial plan to move the shelter to State Street. The current shelter is at 1620 W. River St.

After the City Council voted to allow the shelters new location last year, the neighborhood association asked the court to review the decision and argued the council had violated the law and the associations due process rights. The group also said the plan to mitigate adverse impacts would not do so.

At a hearing in May, Yee-Wallace said the neighborhood associations argument, if true, meant that you could never operate a homeless shelter in the city.

Everywhere it goes, it would adversely impact the surrounding properties, she said.

In response, a lawyer for the neighborhood association, Brian Ertz, said his argument was based on city laws, and that the city would need to update its code to allow congregate shelters.

What did the neighborhood association argue?

The neighborhood association had faulted Interfaith for not providing a security plan as part of its application and said that Boises decision to allow the shelter was not supported by substantial evidence. Yee-Wallace disagreed, and in her ruling said the court did not have the authority to intervene in the facts of the case.

It is not the role of this court, sitting in an appellate capacity, to reweigh the evidence upon which the council based its decision, Yee-Wallace wrote. Rather, this court is required to look at the evidence to determine if it is of such sufficient quantity and probative value that reasonable minds could reach the same conclusion as the fact finder. Here, the evidence does.

In her opinion, Yee-Wallace also said the homeless shelter was not required to submit a security plan. She noted that the City Councils decision requires Interfaith to put together a shelter security plan and have it approved by the city.

Yee-Wallace noted that the neighborhood association had raised a valid legal point about future problems. In making their decision, City Council members had discussed that they could modify the 30 conditions included as part of their approval. But its unclear how the council could do that.

Yee-Wallace did not take up that issue in her ruling, instead noting that a court would rule on the issue if the city tries to revoke the shelters permit in the future, or if Interfaith were to file an application for a new conditional use permit.

In April, Interfaith held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new location. In an interview with the Statesman,Peterson said that she hopes to begin construction in July and be finished in fall 2024.

The neighborhood association and a spokesperson for Mayor Lauren McLeans office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Boom Supersonic is building its own engine after major manufacturers refused to help. Here's what we know about Symphony, which will power the super-speedy Overture jet.

Boom's Overture airliner. American Airlines

Boom is trying to build a Supersonic jet that could cross the Atlantic in 3.5 hours.

Last December, it decided to make its own engine after engine manufacturers refused to help.

Now its Symphony engine will be made with the help of FTT, GE Additive, and StandardAero.

Boom  the company building a supersonic aircraft which could go from New York to London in under 4 hours  shared new details about its engine at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday.

Boom is creating an engine called Symphony, which will be built with aerospace partners FTT, StandardAero, and GE Additive  which is known for using 3D printing.

"We are optimizing Symphony for sustainable commercial supersonic flight by designing it to run on 100% SAF [sustainable aviation fuel] from day one," a spokesperson told Insider.

Sustainable aviation fuel is made from sources like cooking oil and waste, and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.

Boom CEO Blake Scholl said the airliner "can be powered by a relatively conventional turbofan engine," which has been around for over 60 years.

"Today, this is the class of engines that powers virtually every commercial," he said. "To hit the best performance, economics, and sustainability, Overture needs a turbofan engine specifically optimized for sustained supersonic flight and sustainable performance."

The company is aiming to be net zero by 2025, and Scholl said using sustainable aviation fuel is key to this.

"SAF is truly the best and really only way to rapidly decarbonize aviation," he added.

Boom's Symphony engine. Pete Syme/Insider

Scholl also announced that Boom has chosen Jupiter, Florida, as the site for its assembly plant to build the first 40 Symphony engines.

However, there will be another site chosen in the future because Boom will need thousands of engines to meet its expected fleet of hundreds of Overture airliners.

Boom's decision to build its own engine came after all of the major jet-engine manufacturers refused to help. Rolls-Royce used to have a contract with Boom before deciding it didn't want to prioritize commercial supersonic flight.

"As Boom has matured the Overture program, we listened to our partners and customers and learned that applying the current subsonic engine model to our supersonic airliner would not be the most economically sustainable solution," a Boom spokesperson told Insider.

The company is now three and a half years into its 10 year program, and despite any setbacks with the engine, Scholl said he is still confident in Boom's 2029 target for the supersonic airliner to receive FAA certification.

According to Boom, the planemaker has solidified 130 orders and pre-orders from carriers like United Airlines and American Airlines, the former's worth $200 million.

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Brazil Said to Consider ESG Bond Debut as Soon as September

Brazil Said to Consider ESG Bond Debut as Soon as September

(Bloomberg) -- Brazil is considering selling its first-ever sustainable bond as soon as September, according to a person familiar with the matter.

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The nations debut in global ESG debt markets, which has been anticipated for years, may follow an investor roadshow in late August or early September, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The terms of the deal, including exact timing and size, are still being discussed, said the person.

A representative for Brazils National Treasury said in an emailed statement that a sustainable bond transaction is expected to take place this year, in line with a timeline unveiled in January.

The initiative asserts the countrys commitment to sustainable policies and converges toward the interest from non-resident investors and expansion of the international market for labeled securities, according to a statement from the National Treasury.

The potential embrace of responsible investing under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would mark a turnaround for Brazil, home to the majority of the Amazon rainforest. Lula has made an effort to prioritize the environment in his administration, contrasting policies seen under former leader Jair Bolsonaro.

Brazil has trailed other emerging-market peers in joining the rush for debt linked to environmental, social or governance issues. The nation took a step toward that goal last month, with a formation of a committee on sustainable financing to prepare a framework for ESG sovereign bond sales.

Some 16 governments have tapped the global market for ESG debt so far this year, issuing a total of $70 billion of green, social or sustainability bonds, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The discussions come as S&P Global Ratings improved its credit outlook on the country amid signs of greater certainty about fiscal and monetary policy.

A new fiscal framework introduced this year by Lulas administration has been gaining momentum, clinching a key lawmaker approval last month that pleased investors.

Brazil is also considering plans to tap the $2.25 billion of 6% bonds due 2033, which was sold in April, in the coming weeks, said the person familiar with the matter. The country is weighing an increase to the size of the 10-year bond, in part, to provide a more-liquid reference for investors in an eventual sustainable bond, the person said.

A representative for the National Treasury said its monitoring the market for potential issuance windows, without providing details of the specific plans for the bond tap.

--With assistance from Daniel Covello.

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BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Cristiano Zanin, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's former defense lawyer, to serve on the country's Supreme Court.

Zanin, 47, will be the youngest justice on the 11-member court and could remain there for 28 years.

Zanin, a partner at law firm Zanin Martins Advogados, gained recognition in recent years for defending Lula against corruption charges, helping to throw out a conviction at the Supreme Court and release him in 2019 after 580 days in jail.

The Senate voted 58-18 to confirm Zanin. Support for Zanin's candidacy was helped by his role defending Lula against charges in the "Car Wash" investigation, which landed dozens of politicians in jail for graft tied to contracts with state firms. That probe has come under fire in recent years amid allegations of political motivations and procedural lapses.

"He is an anti-Car Wash symbol, and that guaranteed his success," said Andre Cesar, an analyst at Hold Assessoria political consultancy in Brasilia.

Zanin will replace Justice Ricardo Lewandowski, who retired in April, making him Lula's first nominee to the top court since he took office in January for a third nonconsecutive term.

The new justice holds a law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo and has previously taught law at the FADISP college.

Zanin describes himself as a specialist in bet-the-company litigation and "lawfare," or the misuse of legal proceedings to attack or intimidate opponents. He co-founded a think tank, the Lawfare Institute, and has published books on the topic.

He is married to law office partner, Waleska Zanin Martins, whose father Roberto Teixeira was Lula's lawyer for decades.

Zanin successfully defended the leftist leader in a series of corruption cases, including the most important one overseen by former judge Sergio Moro, who convicted Lula of receiving bribes. Lula denied the charges and said he was the target of political prosecution to stop him from running in the 2018 elections.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito and Maria Carolina Marcello in BrasiliaWriting by Anthony BoadleEditing by David Gregorio and Matthew Lewis)
Marine Le Pen

The attitude you have towards Brexit and the EU is one of the clearest indicators of where you stand politically. If you are a Remainer who regrets Brexit and wants to rejoin the Single Market or even the EU then you are almost certainly on the centre to Left of the political spectrum. If however you were an ardent Leaver and still support Brexit even if disappointed with the failure to take advantage of it, then you are fairly sure to be on the Right. There are clearly some exceptions  such as the few advocates of Lexit, including Mick Lynch  but the general rule holds.

This is because Brexit stands as a proxy roughly speaking for a range of views on other issues, notably migration, and shows where you stand on the increasingly dominant issue in politics, that of nationalism versus globalism and traditional identity versus self-definition. The liberal cosmopolitans identify their views with the EU and their opponents with Brexit. History suggests that this state of affairs may not be permanent.

It is hard to imagine now but at one time support for leaving the EEC (as it then was) was a defining Left-wing position while the Right (including people like Mrs Thatcher) were strongly in favour of closer links with Europe. It was Thatcher who championed the European Single Market. In 1983 leaving the EEC was a central part of the Labour Partys programme, while anti-EEC Conservatives were a small and scattered remnant  rather like todays Lexiteers.

All this changed between roughly 1987 and 1993. Conservatives became increasingly sceptical or even hostile towards the European project as they became aware of the goal of closer union it had since its emergence in the 1950s. The Left came to see the EU as the bulwark for its values of social liberalism and an interventionist form of market economy. A sudden swap of positions happened.

Something similar could happen over the next decade. The liberal Left will fall out of love with European politics and become alienated from the direction the EU is taking. The Right meanwhile will become more attracted to them and will see the EU as the best vehicle for realising its goals. Supporting rejoining will become a Right-wing or even far Right cause while opposing this and supporting closer links with the US will be the Left.

One reason is the direction European politics is taking. The liberal Lefts projection onto the EU of its values on issues such as immigration and national identity versus cosmopolitanism reflects their ignorance of what is actually going on. Across Europe the trend is towards nationalist populism and ever harsher policies on immigration. As the UK Left and Right become aware of this  maybe after an event such as an RN win in France or the AfD entering government in Germany their feelings will switch.

The other factor is the transformation of the British Right by culture wars politics. Increasingly the Right is defined by opposition to a kind of cultural politics that originates in the US. As European countries like Hungary become the exemplars of an alternative to that, the EU becomes attractive as both the place where Right politics is strongest and as a geopolitical check on the cultural dominance of the US. Most of the Right will become less Atlanticist and more sympathetic to Continental conservative traditions.

Political switches of this kind happen suddenly but once they happen we quickly forget that things were once different. In fifteen years it will be taken for granted that to be on the Left is to be Eurosceptic while sympathy for the European project is a feature of the Right. The memories of the way things are now will soon fade, just as the bitter debate of the 1980s is now forgotten.

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The British are retiring the C-130 Hercules from RAF service photo

First flown by the Lockheed Corporation in 1954, the C-130 Hercules is one of the world's most iconic and versatile transport planes. Following its entry into U.S. Air Force service in 1956, allied nations like Australia and the United Kingdom quickly added the C-130 to their airlift fleets. However, in 2023, the British RAF is retiring the mighty Hercules from service.

The route flown by the trio of C-130s (RAF)

Officially, the RAF will stand down the C-130 and 47 Squadron that flies it on June 30, 2023. To celebrate the aircraft's service and retirement, a trio of C-130s flew over locations of significance in England, Wales, North Ireland and Scotland. On June 14, 2023, the Hercules Farewell Flypast took the planes to cities and towns like Beverley in East Yorkshire and Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. The former is where 47 Squadron was formed in 1916, and the latter hosted hundreds of repatriation ceremonies for fallen military personnel flown by the C-130.

The C-130 flew extensively in Afghanistan (RAF)

In RAF service, the Hercules performed military and humanitarian airlifts around the world. Recently, it participated in evacuations from Afghanistan and Sudan. The C-130 will always be a special aircraft for the personnel who flew these missions. "I have some fantastic memories. There is a huge swelling of pride of being the first aircraft in and last aircraft out of Afghanistan, supporting the humanitarian aid there," Warrant Officer Scott Drinkel told the BBC. "Everybody pulls together so well, even very recently when we have been tasked with other operations, such as Polar Bear - the Sudanese effort - very close to the end of the Herc, we are still a valuable asset, so I have huge pride in 47 Squadron."

The C-130 will make its final ceremonial flight for King Charles III's birthday (RAF College Cranwell)

Replacing the C-130 in the RAF's Air Mobility Force is the Airbus A400 Atlas. The A400 features a greater cargo capacity and flying range than the C-130. However, the new aircraft is still working through introductory issues, and only one-third of the A400 fleet was listed as available for flying in early May 2023. The Hercules remains in service with the United States, and the UK is selling its C-130s, with years of flight time left, to other nations. "Of the many cuts to our armed forces in recent years, one of the most perverse is the disposal of the RAF's remaining 14 C130 transport aircraft," wrote former RAF chiefs Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon and Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns in a letter to The Times. "At a time of great international tension, the decision to remove a proven and effective workhorse is extraordinary."
British vessel was blocked from joining Titanic sub rescue mission because US officials wanted to use an inferior US-made vehicle, report says

US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick speaks during a press conference about the search efforts for the submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, at Coast Guard Base in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 20, 2023. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Magellan, a deep-sea surveying company, said it wants to help find the missing submersible.

But the company said it is still waiting on permission from officials to get to the site.

The US Coast Guard has denied that British assistance was refused in the search for the sub.

A British vessel that could help find the missing Titan submersible was blocked from joining the rescue mission because US officials wanted to use an inferior US-made vehicle, The Telegraph reported.

Deep-sea surveying company Magellan said Tuesday that it has had a specialist team and vital rescue equipment waiting to leave the Channel Islands since Monday evening  but that it was still waiting on approval, according to the outlet.

Magellan is a Guernsey-based company that produced the first full-sized 3D, digital scan of the Titanic last summer and is familiar with the shipwreck, which lies at about 12,500 feet underwater.

It is in possession of a remotely operated vessel that is able to pull up submersibles from as deep as 5,000 meters, Bretton Hunchak, former president of RMS Titanic, Inc, which collaborated with Magellan in last summer's project, told The Telegraph.

But Hunchak said that US officials, who are organizing the rescue mission alongside Canada, have said they would rather use a New-York based vessel capable of exploring 3,000 meters below water.

"Why not run both vessels? The more help we can get the better and denying us means you are giving up on every option you have to save lives," Hunchak told The Telegraph Tuesday. "These are irreplaceable human beings."

Capt Jamie Frederick, from the US Coast Guard, told reporters on Tuesday that they are "not aware" of reports of blocked rescue efforts.

"We know that there is equipment out there that can be brought to the scene," Frederick said. "The unified command is working through prioritizing what equipment we need and then how we get it there."

His comments come as time is running out to find the five passengers aboard Titan, which had less than 40 hours of oxygen left as of Tuesday evening.

The submersible, which is powered by electric thrusters, can carry five people to a depth of 13,123 feet, according to the OceanGate website.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) said it was searching an area of about 20,000 sq km. A Canadian P-3 plane - using sonar buoys - heard banging sounds from an area close to where the submersible went missing, raising the prospect the trapped tourists could still be saved.

A statement on Magellan's website said that it had been contacted by OceanGate  the maker of the Titan tourist submersible  earlier in the week to help with rescue efforts.

"OceanGate instructed us to mobilize and 'use the means necessary to fly the needed equipment and crew to St. John's, Newfoundland as soon as possible, stating time is of the essence,'" the statement said.

Representatives for Magellan, USCG and OceanGate did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

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Peter Licata would start his tenure as Broward schools superintendent with a three-year contract and a $360,000 annual salary, according to a proposed contract negotiated Wednesday.

Licata, 58, is leaving his job as the regional superintendent in neighboring Palm Beach County to lead Broward, the sixth-largest school district in the country. The School Board chose Licata over two other finalists June 15.

On Wednesday, he met with School Board Vice Chairwoman Debbi Hixon to iron out the contract details. Hixon filled in for Chairwoman Lori Alhadeff, who is out of the country.

The proposed contract is subject to School Board approval June 29 and could be changed. Licatas first day would be July 3.

The $360,000 proposed salary was reached after the school district first offered $320,000, and Licatas lawyer, Glen Torcivia, countered with $375,000.

We all know salaries across the board in this country have gone sky high. McDonalds $15 an hour was aspirational years ago, now its the minimum, Torcivia said during negotiations. The Orlando superintendent just got $330,000, a much smaller district. Youre one of the biggest school districts in the country.

Licata would be making more than the districts two previous superintendents. Vickie Cartwright, who left in February, was paid $350,000, while Robert Runcie, who resigned in 2021, was making $356,000.

If Licata is fired without cause during his three-year contract period, he would get 60 days notice and would be entitled to 20 weeks of severance pay.

A possible sticking point is how many votes would be needed to fire him. Licata asked for a requirement of a supermajority of six of nine board members. In the past, its only taken five votes.

Torcivia noted that the district has faced chaos in recent years due to a statewide grand jury investigation that cost the previous two superintendents their jobs and caused Gov. Ron DeSantis to remove four School Board members.

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Browards a great district but you all know its been difficult the last few years, Torcivia told Hixon and Marylin Bastista, the districts general counsel. Weve had governor appointments, people move, elections. No one has a crystal ball for whats going to happen, but Petes leaving a very secure position for a great position, but one which in the last couple of years has been somewhat volatile.

The School Board has declined similar requests in the past, including by Batista. A lawyer initially interviewed for Batistas job declined the job offer because the School Board wouldnt agree to a supermajority to fire her.

Hixon agreed to recommend the provision to the full board.

I support it, but you know the board, she told Licata and Torcivia.

The contract does not require Licata, who now lives in Boynton Beach, to move to Broward County, which the board had required of Cartwright, who was living outside of South Florida at the time.

Its not required, but my wife and I have strongly considered it, Licata told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. We live in very south Palm Beach County.

Licata and his wife, Judith, bought their current home in March 2021, according to property records.

Hixon and Licata said after the meeting they were pleased with the negotiations.

There were a few points we negotiated on but Im very excited we both landed in a place we both feel comfortable with, Hixon said. Were very excited to have Dr. Licata come and be our superintendent.

Licata said hes eager to get final board approval so he can start in early July.

I cant tell you how excited I am, Licata said. This went extremely well. I think were all in the same place. Lets get rolling. Lets get started.
After more than a year of full-blown pandemic crisis, hope was beginning to bubble in March 2021 as newly approved COVID-19 vaccines were being rolled out across the country.

A key component of the massive rollout orchestrated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was the vaccination card, the ubiquitous white index card showing proof of the type of vaccine received and where and when it was administered.

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But amid the optimism was also uncertainty, and Chicago-based pharmacist Tangtang Zhao seized upon that anxiety to make a quick buck, federal prosecutors told a jury Tuesday at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.

Zhao, 36, is on trial on charges he sold nearly 700 authentic CDC-issued COVID-19 vaccination cards on eBay at the height of the pandemic crisis in 2021  cards that hed pilfered from a patient immunization room at the South Side Walgreens where he worked.

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An indictment filed in U.S. District Court in August 2021 charged Zhao with 12 counts of theft of government property, which carry a maximum of 10 years prison for each count.

Zhao is among dozens of pandemic-related fraud cases brought by the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis more than three years ago, but hes one of the only ones to take his case to trial.

In his opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Yanz said cards of the type Zhao stole came to be an essential part of Americas recovery from pandemic-related shutdowns, with citizens required to show proof of vaccination to travel, to work or enter certain venues.

These were valuable cards, and in that value, the defendant saw opportunity, Yanz said. An opportunity to seize on fear.

Zhaos attorney, Jennifer Snyder, said in her opening remarks that no one was disputing that Zhao sold the cards.

But the evidence would show the cards were never the property of the U.S. government, like a drivers license or a passport, she said. In fact, they were manufactured and delivered by a private company with no specific rules on how they were to be distributed, and served mostly as a way to document when to come back for a booster shot, she said.

Its a reminder, Snyder said. A reminder to go back and get your second vaccine and to remember what you got.

According to the charges, Zhao was working in 2021 as a pharmacist at a Walgreens at 75th and State streets, where the pharmacy was being operated out of a temporary trailer due to ongoing renovations to the store.

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While there were security cameras in the trailer, there were none showing the patient immunization room where the CDC vaccination cards were being stored, Yanz said.

Yanz said Zhao listed the cards for sale on eBay under his username asianjackson, describing them as blank cdc vaccination record cards. Sales started with a trickle, he said, with the first card selling in about 14 minutes for a price of $7.99. By the end of that first night, Zhao had sold 10, Yanz said.

Over the next three weeks, Zhao created 37 different listings and sold a total of 658 cards, upping the price at least six times along the way, Yanz said. In all, he netted about $5,000.

Among the evidence the jury was expected to see were chat messages on eBay where Zhao assured potential buyers these are genuine authentic cards, Yanz said. After receiving a warning from eBay that he was prohibited from selling government property, Zhao tweaked his listing description, saying he was selling only a clear pouch for CDC vax record cards.

The image shown with the new listing depicted a real vaccination card inside a standard sandwich baggie, Yanz said.

The sales ended on April 15, 2021, when a reporter for The Washington Post reached out to Zhao through eBays chat system and said he was writing an article about the sale of vaccination cards on the auction site.

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Zhao immediately claimed that his account had been hacked and that someone else had been selling the cards under his name, Yanz said. He also told others who reached out to him to destroy any cards they may have purchased from him previously.

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The governments first witness in the case was Sadiki Pierre, a New York-based jazz musician who testified he purchased 10 COVID vaccination cards from Zhao on April 1, 2021, for a total price of $103.39 after tax. After they arrived, he put them in safe in his bedroom closet and honestly forgot about them until agents came to the door later that year.

Asked why he wanted the cards, Pierre said he did it as a fail-safe amid constant rumors about vaccine requirements.

I guess I was just concerned about crazy things happening, Pierre said. He said he turned the cards over to agents and signed a form, and thought that would be it. But now I am here.

The case was investigated jointly by the FBI and the Office of the Inspector General. At the time of Zhaos indictment, special agents in charge of each agency said the sale of vaccination cards put the health of untold people at risk.

Snyder, however, said the government was trying to exert control over cards that were never the governments in the first place and were produced in such a surplus they were left laying around the store.

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There were no rules for what to do with them, Snyder said.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Brown: They 'bury' you for mistakes. Banks, Wall Street execs shouldn't get bonuses for failures

As cleanup continues on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, crews work at the site of the East Palestine, Ohio Norfolk Southern train derailment that released hazardous chemicals into the town's ground and water. Norfolk Southern said that 15,000 pounds of contaminated soil and 1.1 million gallons of contaminated water excavated from the derailment site will be transported to landfills and disposal facilities designed "to accept it safely in accordance with state and federal regulations."

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Cleveland represents Ohio.

When I first heard about Silicon Valley Banks collapse in late March, I was driving through Northern Ohio. My mind immediately went to another recent crisis affecting our state: the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine.

More: Silicon Valley Bank collapse explained in graphics

They have one thing in common: corporate lobbyists pushed for weaker rules and less oversight. In both cases, working people paid the price.

East Palestine and neighboring communities in Columbiana County are the kinds of places that are too often forgotten or exploited by corporate America. This disastrous derailment happened because Norfolk Southern chose to invest much of its massive profits in making its executives and shareholders wealthier, at the expense of the Ohio communities along its rail tracks.

Its the Wall Street business model: executives put short-term profits  and their own compensation  above everything else, including Americans physical safety and their economic security.

Its why the people of East Palestine are living with the toxic aftermath of Norfolk Southerns disaster, and its how we ended up the financial crisis of 2008 that wiped out workers savings and permanently set back an entire generation.

But of course Wall Street didnt change its ways. For as long as weve had railroads and big banks, theyve had too much power in Washington.

US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) speaks during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing on the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on May 16, 2023.

Bank lobbyists spent the ensuing years after the crisis lobbying to roll back safeguards we passed in the wake of that crisis. The now-defunct Silicon Valley Bank spent hundreds of thousands of dollars pushing for exemptions for banks like theirs. Their CEO said that they shouldnt be subject to strong guardrails because of, quote, the low risk profile of our activities and business model.

We see how that turned out.

American workers and their families should not be forced to pay the price for other peoples risky bets that dont pay off  whether theyre on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley.

To most Americans, the lack of Wall Street accountability tracks with their entire experience with our economy.

Fed report: Fed failed to act forcefully to head off Silicon Valley Bank collapse and crisis

Workers face the consequences for bad decisions made in corporate boardrooms. The executives who made those decisions ride off into the sunset.

Ohioans will never forget that, by and large, the Wall Street executives who caused the 2008 financial crisis didnt face any consequences. Their profits and bonuses werent clawed back  they went up.

We cannot  we will not  let that happen again.

Its why on the Senate Banking and Housing Committee, we have worked to build consensus on the most comprehensive plan to hold Wall Street and other big bank executives accountable in years.

This week our committee will advance the RECOUP Act, my bipartisan bill with ranking member Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., that imposes real consequences on bank executives who gamble with customers money.

Security guards let individuals enter the Silicon Valley Bank's headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., March 13, 2023.

It provides the FDIC with new authority to claw back compensation of failed bank senior executives.

At Silicon Valley Bank, executive bonuses were tied to the banks return on equity, so they bought securities with higher yields to chase higher and higher profits. At Signature Bank, executives had incentive compensation plans that were tied to return on assets to, reflect additional focus on profitability.

When those investments started to lose money, instead of changing course, executives doubled down. SVB was paying out executive bonuses hours  literally  before the bank crashed.

They need to pay those bonuses back.

Bank executives who take on too much risk and crash their banks shouldnt get to keep the profits they made by making bad bets with other peoples money  including, in the case of Silicon Valley Bank, the hard-earned money deposited by Ohio small business owners. And they shouldnt get to take their bad behavior to another bank. Its why our bill would strengthen regulators ability to ban or remove executives who fail to appropriately oversee and manage their bank.

Sherrod Brown: Ohioans are rightly angry at Norfolk Southern

We also need real oversight and deterrence, to make these kinds of bank failures less likely. CEOs and other executives need to know they cannot ignore warnings and enforcement actions from regulators, or otherwise mismanage their banks so badly they fail, and get away with it. That means real fines and penalties.

Committee ranking member Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) questions former executives of failed banks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill May 16, 2023 in Washington, DC. The hearing was held to examine the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

Our plan increases and strengthens penalties against bad actors. It also requires banks to adopt corporate governance and accountability standards that promote responsible management. Our goal is not to punish for the sake of vindictiveness  its to protect American workers and taxpayers.

When their customers make just one mistake, banks bury them in harsh fees and penalties. But when big bank executives and giant Wall Street firms do something far worse, like run their bank into the ground or crash our economy, theyre almost never held accountable.

This is the first major bipartisan bill in years to stand up to Wall Street and hold bank executives responsible for the damage they do to our economy. We are sending a clear message to Wall Street CEOs: its time for you to face consequences for your actions, just like everyone else.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Cleveland represents Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: RECOUP Act will make banks, Wall Street pay for bad gambles| Sherrod Brown
A cheek swab taken from Bryan Kohberger is a statistical match to DNA evidence found at the Moscow, Idaho, crime scene where four University of Idaho students were murdered late last year, according to new court documents.

Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, is accused of fatally stabbing Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.

Investigators found a Ka-Bar knife sheath on the bed with the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. The sheath was face down, partially under Mogens body and the comforter on the bed, according to court documents.

PHOTO: Police tape at the site of a quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students, Jan. 3, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (David Ryder/Getty Images, FILE)

MORE: Idaho college murders: The complete timeline of events

DNA evidence was found on the Ka-Bar knife sheath that came from a single source that was male.

After assuming the investigation from Idaho State Police, the FBI submitted the possible suspect DNA to publicly available genetic genealogy services to determine potential relatives of the suspect. The FBI then used common genealogical techniques to develop a family tree that led to Kohberger.

The DNA was 5.37 octillion times more likely to be Kohberger's than a random person from the general population, according to the documents.

PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing, June 9, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Moscow-Pullman Daily News/Pool via AP)

MORE: Idaho murders: Roommate saw killer in mask leaving the house, docs say

Law enforcement previously said they had obtained DNA from the knife sheath and matched it to DNA from Kohberger's father found in the trash outside the family home. Now, the new documents show a match directly from a cheek swab taken from Kohberger.

Kohberger, was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains on Dec. 30. Kohberger, who was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder and burglary, has been extradited from Pennsylvania to Idaho. He is being held awaiting trial.

The judge entered a not guilty plea on Kohberger's behalf last month.

FOLLOW THE PODCAST: "The King Road Killings: An Idaho Murder Mystery" from ABC News, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your preferred podcast player.

Bryan Kohberger's DNA matches evidence found at Idaho murder scene: Court docs originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Clarksville is one step closer to seeing the Buc-ee's Beaver walking around the store as Buc-ee's provides a closer look as its proposed plans.

Buc-ee's announced its plans to open its first Clarksville location at Exit 1 last year and developers Kimley- Horn Associates recently submitted their plans to the Clarksville- Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission. It will be the third Buc-ee's location in Tennessee, behind Crossville and Sevierville.

Buc-ee's will sit on about 45 acres off of Exit 1 in Clarksville.

What to expect

With about 45 acres of land to build on, Buc-ee's will be located just off the westbound Interstate 24 exit ramp. The property will be located at the southeast corner of Tylertown Road and Trenton Road . The plans show the footprint at a 45 angle facing to the northeast.

The land will have plenty of space for visitors who are stopping to shop, get gas or get a picture with the mascot. The Buc-ee's statue is planned for the north corner of the building.

Gas pumps and parking

120 gas pumps lining the northeast-facing front of the store

650 standard parking

19 ADA parking

19 electric vehicle parking

11 bus parking

Buc-ee's plan will be voted on at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 27.

Coming soon signs are seen as construction continues on the upcoming Buc-ee's at exit 407 in Sevierville on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

What is a Buc-ee's?

Buc-ee's Travel Center, known for its cleanliness, beef jerky and large variety of goods for travelers, first opened its doors in 1982 in Texas. Founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin later partnered with Don Wasek and expanded the business. Since then, Buc-ee's has broken records of having the largest convenience store and gas station and having the self-proclaimed "cleanest restrooms in America".

With over 100 gas pumps and a beaver mascot, Buc-ee's has quickly become a stop for travelers who pass by, or even a travel destination for those wanting to see the excitement.

Tennessee's first Buc-ee's opened in Crossville last June and a location in Sevierville is set to open June 26. The proposed Clarksville and Murfreesboro locations will make the third and fourth ones in the state, but possibly not the last.

Reporter Kenya Anderson can be reached at kanderson@nashvill.gannett.com or on Twitter at KenyaAnderson32.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Buc-ee's details plans for Middle Tennessee location in Clarksville
A fee on some Buffalo Wild Wings takeout bills has drawn online backlash and heated debate, months after a class action complaint was brought against the chicken chain.

On June 21, Buffalo Wild Wings confirmed to TODAY.com that its 99-cent takeout fee was part of a "test" at certain locations  but that test is now coming to an end.

Several Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants have tested a take-out fee, which is disclosed to guests prior to purchase; however, we are ending the test and will have the fee removed by the end of this summer, a Buffalo Wild Wings spokesperson tells TODAY.com.

The takeout fee on a customer's Buffalo Wild Wings order. (@r/mildlyinfuriating via Reddit)

So ... how did we get here? Well, on July 13, 2022, a class action complaint was filed in the circuit court for Montgomery County, Maryland, alleging that Buffalo Wild Wings was conducting false and deceptive business practices over the takeout fee.

Plaintiff Divane Pittman  who currently resides in Lanham, Maryland  filed the complaint on behalf of herself and hundreds of thousands of Buffalo Wild Wings customers affected by what the plaintiff claimed is misleading menu price disclosures.

For Buffalo Wild Wings to surreptitiously inflate food prices with a later-added Takeout Service Fee is false and deceptive, reads the complaint. Buffalo Wild Wings is imposing a stealth price hike in the form of late-added fee, rather than charging a list price that reflects the actual cost to consumers of the food it sells.

The complaint states that no other similar chain imposes a similar deception on its customers, calling Buffalo Wild Wings' takeout fee a double-edged deception. It argues that the fee is deceptive to consumers, who cant evaluate real price in real time until after theyve ordered, as well as to competitors, who also may not have access to final prices.

Brown, Goldstein & Levy, who represent Pittman, did not immediately respond to TODAY.coms request for comment.

As of now, the case has been transferred to the District of Maryland is currently in discovery. But in the months since the initial complaint was filed, other customers have taken to social media to express their dismay about Buffalo Wild Wings' takeout fee.

Ive gone from living in a time when delivery was free to a time when I have to pay to pick up my own food, Reddit user u/ColdCruise posted on June 11 in the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit.

In the viral post, the user included a screenshot of their receipt, which includes an order of one medium house sampler. Although the customers order was discounted as a result of a rewards points deal, they were surprised to see the addition of a $0.99 "takeout fee."

The original poster added context in a comment, saying that the location they ordered from was a Buffalo Wild Wings Go store, a contactless version of the establishment. This is just a way to squeeze customers for extra profit.

And u/ColdCruise is not alone in his frustration: Many other Redditors have complained about the chain's takeout fee.

Hoping someone from corporate sees this and understands that theyve completely lost my business until they get rid of the disrespectful, insulting attempt at a quick cash grab in the form of the new takeout fee, wrote Reddit user u/SublimeDolphin.

Im legitimately offended at how dumb your company must think I am, the customer added. Raise your menu prices if you have to, but dont pretend charging extra for to-go orders isnt a totally laughable concept.

Lets charge people extra since theyre taking their food home instead of needing to be waited on and cleaned up after, wrote another Reddit user.

Not gonna be long before you have to pay just to step out your front door, commented another Redditor.

But there are some who have defended the fee.

Yall dont realize the work cashiers do lol, yall complaining about tipping a dollar? Yall 100% dont work here, wrote one Redditor.

Yall are so heated over a dollar fee, no one is making you eat there. Thats what they charge, take it or leave it lol, wrote another, to which someone else replied, Its the (principle). If you let this slide, it will become much worse.

Back in March, another class action complaint was filed against Buffalo Wild Wings, alleging that it is conducting deceptive business practices over claims its boneless wings are actually just chicken nuggets. A federal judge dismissed the complaint on procedural grounds, but lawyers for the plaintiff say they intend to refile the complaint.

When reached for comment at the time, a representative for the chicken chain directed us to the following tweet:

Its true.

Our boneless wings are all white meat chicken.

Our hamburgers contain no ham.

Our buffalo wings are 0% buffalo.  Buffalo Wild Wings (@BWWings) March 13, 2023

Its true. Our boneless wings are all white meat chicken. Our hamburgers contain no ham. Our buffalo wings are 0% buffalo, tweeted Buffalo Wild Wings.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The flag of Bulgaria

Despite public opposition from its president, Bulgaria is gearing up to offer Ukraine another round of military aid, Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on June 20.

"We are working to implement this point of the decision of the National Assembly and very soon we will announce the sending of the next package of military aid to Ukraine," said Tagarev.

Read also: Volunteers injured by Russian artillery strike on Khersons Korabelnyi district while assisting flood victims

The aid package comprises weapons and ammunition currently in stock and would not require additional purchases. Many of these items have either expired or reached the end of their service life, necessitating replacement.

Read also: Norway and Denmark will donate 9,000 additional artillery rounds to Ukraine

"In some instances, even some systems that aren't fully functional  they (the Ukrainian) also prepared to accept these," Tagarev added.

In December 2022, the previous parliament approved the initial decision to supply military aid to Ukraine. The interim government provided this aid, although President Rumen Radev opposed sending weapons and ammunition to Kyiv, advising future governments against it. The new cabinet, however, holds a contrasting stance.

Read also: EU approves another Russia sanctions package

"We acknowledge and align with the need to assist Ukraine in any way possible," said Tagarev.

Earlier, Radev said he considers his country's possible participation in EUs project to provide Ukraine with artillery shells a "mistake.

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
Joan Hoffman, a Buncombe County educator of 20 years and current teacher at AC Reynolds High School, speaks to the Buncombe County Commission about teacher pay June 20, 2023. We are being devalued yet again, Hoffman said.

ASHEVILLE - The Buncombe County Commission at its June 20 meeting unanimously adopted a $610.4 million budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which starts July 1. The budget includes increases for schools, public safety and a 7.28% cost of living salary increase for all regular county employees. It also details how the county plans to deploy opioid settlement funding.

Commissioners voted to increase the Buncombe County property tax rate by 1 cent per $100 to 49.8 cents per $100 of assessed value. That means a $350,000 home with $1,708 in property taxes last year will now have $1,743 this year.

Buncombe County Budget Director John Hudson said during his presentation that this increase would create $5.1 million in revenue. Commission Chair Brownie Newman said that Asheville City schools will get an equal amount proportional to the number of students they have.

Newman said the addition could increase teacher pay by 2%.

Buncombe County Commission Chairman Brownie Newman said that Asheville City schools will get an equal amount proportional to the number of students they have. Newman said the addition could increase teacher pay by 2%.

Newman later noted that raising the property tax is literally a tax on housing in our community. He continued, At the same time were cognizant that were taking the funds out of working peoples pockets.

The commission approved what could become $113.3 million for K-12 schools, depending on education increases currently before the North Carolina General Assembly. Commissioners allocated $86.6 million for Buncombe County Schools, and $16.1 million for Asheville City Schools, although it was far less than the districts had requested.

"While we appreciate the sentiment behind the commissioner's words of support for our schools, the budget does not reflect that support," Shanna Peele, president of the Buncombe County Association of Educators, said in an email after the vote June 20. "This moment needs to be a wake up call to spark further discussions on what our community's children need. As public school staff, this is only the beginning and not the end of our fight for the schools our students deserve."

Commissioners also approved $89.7 million for public safety, up from $83.1 million the year prior. Of this increase, $3.6 million went toward salaries in the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office and the downtown jail. According to Sheriff's spokesman Aaron Sarver, the money will go toward raises in each office. The county devoted an additional $1 million to 911 operations, including almost doubling the amount allocated for overtime to $200,000.

More: Buncombe County FY 24 budget what to know: Salary increases, public safety, homelessness

Joan Hoffman, a Buncombe County educator of 20 years and current teacher at AC Reynolds High School, speaks to the Buncombe County Commission about teacher pay June 20, 2023.

In a Mar. 21 request for Board Action to the Commission, County Strategy and Innovation Director Rafael Baptista requested implementing crisis pay to help with increased 911 call volume and staffing shortages amongst 911 operators. The commission approved the request.

The Commissions Capital Project Fund also includes information on how Buncombe County plans to spend the money it received from the $26 billion 2021 settlement that Attorney General Josh Stein brokered with Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Johnson & Johnson for their role in the opioid crisis. Buncombe County will receive more than $16 million from 2022 to 2038.

Buncombe County approved spending through 2026 on strategic planning, recovery support services and Naloxone, the drug that reverses opioid overdoses. They appropriated $4.9 million in the funds to those areas. The commission created eight new positions through the Settlement Fund: a community paramedic program supervisor, three community paramedics, three community paramedic supervisors, and one engagement specialist.

More: Asheville passes $240M budget; pay increases for police, other staff; uses fund balance

Amanda Edwards, center, listens to public comment with fellow county commissioners Parker Sloan, left, and Al Whitesides June 20, 2023.

The budget is the culmination of a six-month process that began in Dec. 2022. Commissioners set out five priorities for the budget: public safety, homelessness and continuum of care, early childhood workforce development, infrastructure, and school system consolidation. As part of the adopted budget, county employees will receive a 7.28% cost of living increase; this measured by evaluating the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.

Other county business

The commission unanimously approved deploying ExpressVote machines for early voting in Buncombe County. According to the request for board action brought by Election Services Director, Corinne Duncan, buying the 140 machines cost $604,225 and is included in the budget. These voting machines use touch screens and produce paper records employed to tabulate votes.

More: Buncombe County Commission considers moving public meetings to mornings, some object

Commissioners also all voted to certify the Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and its annual plan. The JCPC is a state-mandated organization dedicated to reducing and preventing juvenile crime. Commissioners allocated $644,477 as part of the budget.

A $650,000 project to study the feasibility and build a mobile Emergency Management Services base on the Asheville Primary School site was also approved by the Commission. The Commission took the $650,000 from the previously approved budget to build the base, allowing the county to okay the project without allocating new funding.

Mitchell Black is the Citizen Times County Issues Reporter. Email him at MBlack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County votes to raise property taxes for salaries and schools
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 06: Gov. Gavin Newsom gives the inaugural address after taking the oath of office being sworn in by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, at his inauguration ceremony at the Capitol Mall on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

Californias massive budget deficit has been a hot topic for the last few months, but one of the proposed solutions has some Californians up in arms. As a part of California Governor Gavin Newsoms proposed budget, he pushed for an end to public disclosure of investigations into police misconduct by the state commission, shifting the responsibility to local police departments.

Anyone whos been paying attention to the way police departments handle misconduct likely understands the controversy. The proposed change drew swift criticism from criminal justice and public transparency advocates, including the ACLU and over twenty other stakeholders. Many of these groups fought tooth and nail for the landmark police reform bill, which included these disclosure requirements.

Read more

In 2021, Governor Newsom signed legislation creating a system for the state to investigate and revoke or suspend police officers for serious misconduct, such as excessive force, sexual assault, bias, and dishonesty. As a part of that legislative package, the bill also required the commission tasked with investigating and decertifying officers to keep these records public.

At the time, Newsom loudly celebrated the legislation. Today marks another step toward healing and justice for all, said Governor Newsom in a 2021 press release. Too many lives have been lost due to racial profiling and excessive use of force. We cannot change what is past, but we can build accountability, root out racial injustice, and fight systemic racism. We are all indebted to the families who have persevered through their grief to continue this fight and work toward a more just future.

Now, his office is proposing to get rid of the public transparency section of the bill. The commission told the Associated Press that the public can now get these records from local police departments. But opponents of this change say that allowing these departments control over these disclosures is a mistake.

To say, go to the very people who commit the crimes against your community and ask them to reveal themselves to you, Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker, told the AP, so that you can hold them accountable, I dont think thats a fair process.

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein has grown isolated over the years from most members of her California delegation and other Democrats in her home state, feeding a discontent among allies who tell CNN they now wish for a more engaged and energetic senior senator.

Dozens of elected California Democrats who might otherwise interact with Feinstein on a regular basis tell CNN they long ago stopped expecting to. They wish she could give advice and collaborate, tackling issues proactively as an active partner in the Senate. Theyre bitter about it  and some also tell CNN that the situation means their constituents havent been getting the work they elected their senior senator to do.

Its been six weeks since Feinstein came back to the Senate from an extended medical absence for shingles. Aides say her work level is picking back up, but her return has done little to shut down questions about her fitness for office.

CNNs outreach this month to every member of the House of Representatives from California and 20 key players in California politics reveals a level of detachment on Feinsteins part that stands out even in Washington, where congressional staffers tend to handle much of the day-to-day legislating. Asked to discuss their working relationship with the senator, many responded with extended ums or groans. Many spoke on the record, while others requested anonymity to speak frankly about a delicate political matter.

The last time I spoke with her on anything face-to-face was right before the pandemic, said Rep. Raul Ruiz, estimating that conversation about designating a natural monument in his district was over three years ago.

Rep. Mike Levin said the last direct interaction with Feinstein he could pinpoint was shortly after he first won his San Diego-area seat in 2018.

Its been quite a while, Levin said. I dont speak with her on a regular basis, and thats been before any of the recent health challenges shes had.

Oh boy, I cant remember. Probably when I was a freshman member, said Rep. Nanette Barragan, elected in 2016 from a district near Los Angeles.

Gosh, said Rep. Mark Takano, a six-term Democrat, said when asked the last time theyd spoken. Pressed on any collaborations, Takano said, Hard to say anything weve done.

Over my 11 years in Congress, I havent worked that closely with her, said Rep. Ami Bera.

Granted anonymity to speak frankly, one California House member said the situation is very frustrating, but also very clear.

Californians should have two responsive, active senators, the California House member said. And they dont.

In search of an energized, engaged partner in the Senate

Asked to pinpoint the last law in the Senate that they can remember Feinstein leading, several pointed to the Assault Weapons Ban. It passed while most current House members were still in school, and lapsed nearly 20 years ago.

The fight for more gun protections is precisely the kind of situation that has suffered from Feinsteins detachment, regardless of age or health, said Peter Ambler, a California resident and executive director of the activist group Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein at a Senate Judiciary hearing on May 11, 2023. - Drew Angerer/Getty Images

When we launched Giffords, Senator Feinstein had been leading gun safety efforts in the Senate for decades, Ambler said. But arriving in Washington around that time was a new generation of senators who were eager to challenge the calcified politics on the issue, take on the NRA and use the perch of the institution to shift public opinion.

It took years to overcome Feinsteins reluctance to allow new leadership on gun safety and let others step forward and start to shift the issue, he added.

California members of Congress say they enjoy the benefits that come with the seniority that Feinsteins staff wields effectively; their other senator is Alex Padilla, only just appointed in 2021.

A few House members from California tell CNN they dont talk to any senator, while the majority say the detachment stands out from their past experience with Feinstein and others in the job. Most say they would prefer an energized and engaged partner in their powerful senior senator.

Asked if Californians are getting two senators worth of work, Los Angeles Rep. Jimmy Gomez said, I think theyre getting two Senate offices worth of work, which in the end is what matters.

A senior senators office, and the people in it, is extremely powerful, Gomez said.

Feinstein has been showing up to more votes without arriving by wheelchair and earlier this month posed with eight fellow senators, decked out in a blue-and-white jacket, for the annual seersucker day. A Feinstein aide acknowledged that considerations around the senators age curtailed her schedule in recent years and even more so as she was recovering from shingles, but said her work is picking back up and that she is reviewing staff memos, writing notes on news articles and reviewing every statement put out on her behalf.

Through an aide, CNN asked for an interview so that she could herself address her colleagues complaints that she is not up to the job. Instead, the aide provided short emailed responses, adding that she had been involved in crafting them herself.

I absolutely dont think the criticism is fair, Feinstein said in one response provided. I do meet with California members, I answer their calls and we regularly collaborate on bills. Its not easy to have face-to-face meetings or calls with every member of the largest state delegation but that doesnt mean communication has stopped.

In another provided response, Feinstein told CNN, like every member of Congress, I have a staff that helps me serve my constituents. I value their advice and counsel but ultimately, I make every decision. She added: Im back in Washington and I am working. I believe Im still an effective voice for California.

Feinstein and her aides bristle at complaints that shes detached. Earlier this year, after Silicon Valley-area Rep. Ro Khanna called on her to resign, staff in her Senate office dug in on their history. The last time they met, they determined, was a peacemaking conversation he requested after endorsing the Democrat she beat in 2018. Khanna hasnt asked for a meeting since, an aide said.

Its sad to see the current situation, Khanna told CNN, and I still believe the dignified thing is for her to listen to California voters and step down with grace.

A Public Policy Institute of California poll conducted in May found that just 31% of Californians approve of the way Feinstein is handling her job, and 65% disapprove with 4% unsure. Approval has dropped 10 points since an October survey and disapproval has climbed 23 points; 41% approved in that poll, 42% disapproved and 17% were unsure.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other senators participate in a photo session with Congressional staff at the U.S. Capitol on Seersucker Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. - Alex Wong/Getty Images

Debating what counts as an active senator

Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said that until just before her illness this year he had seen Feinstein be very active and asking questions in their work together on the Intelligence Committee. Even before Feinsteins medical absence, though, California members were grumbling about her absence from events back home.

Shes somewhat aloof from most members of the California delegation, aside from the few she has a close personal relationship with, said Los Angeles Rep. Brad Sherman. On the other hand, she has done good work particularly for California and been reelected many times.

Padilla, Californias other senator, told CNN that he believes the criticism of Feinstein has been unfair.

The work product speaks for itself, Padilla said. Californians have two hard-working senators and two offices that are working well together, on behalf of 40 million residents of our state.

Some lawmakers think Feinstein is doing an effective job if only as a yes vote for Joe Bidens nominees.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, stated the bottom line even more frankly on social media this week. Republicans already refused to let Feinstein be temporarily replaced on Judiciary and, if she stepped down, would have the power to refuse an organizational change for an appointment.

In other words, as Whitehouse wrote, Mitch McConnell gets to decide whether Democrats have a Senate Judiciary majority.

Longtime allies close ranks

Walking down a hallway in the Capitol complex one day in late May, Nancy Pelosi stopped to complain to a newspaper reporter about a recent story airing concerns about Feinsteins slow convalescence.

First, she blamed the left. Then she zeroed in on her bigger complaint.

If she were a guy, you wouldnt even hear about it. You wouldnt even hear about it. You know it, and I know it, and I wont name important senators who were chairs of committees who were in worse shape, Pelosi said, within earshot of several aides and other reporters.

Asked three minutes later if she felt that their fellow Californians were getting adequate representation from Feinstein, Pelosi  whose connections with Feinstein go back to their days coming up in San Francisco - -answered firmly.

Yes, Pelosi said that day. Yes, I do, as she let an elevator door close off the questions.

Pelosi didnt name any senators she believed had been in worse shape than Feinstein, though there are examples  Sens. Tim Johnson and Mark Kirk were both incapacitated for months after a brain hemorrhage and stroke, respectively. The list of senators who kept serving as they aged and struggled with health challenges includes Strom Thurmond, Robert Byrd and Thad Cochran.

The former speaker isnt the only old ally closing ranks around Feinstein.

John Garamendi, a longtime California politician and current Democratic congressman, bristled when asked about Feinstein, insisting the question was trying to cause trouble. He said hed spoken to the senator within the last month about flooding in his district, and, he snapped, she was sharp, she was sane  a lot more sane than this conversation.

Garamendi quickly ended the interview and headed up the steps of the Capitol.

Other senior members simply said they didnt want to talk about the subject.

I dont really want to talk about Senator Feinstein, Rep. Zoe Lofgren said. Asked the last time shed last worked with the senator, Lofgren hesitated.

I cant think of any offhand, Lofgren, then quickly added, but its been often.

Rep. Jim Costa, who said he last spoke with Feinstein in February, acknowledged his old friend isnt what she was, but said hes holding out hope she might return to form.

I want to give an opportunity to see if her recovery from the shingles and her other health issues allows her to recover to a level where she can be effective as she has been in the past, Costa said.

Then there are those concerned about the Feinstein situation prompting questions about their own futures.

Those people who think that somehow she should get out now are people who are going to find as they age, they dont want people talking about them like that, said Rep. Maxine Waters, the 84-year-old Democrat representing parts of Los Angeles.

Race to succeed Feinstein complicates criticism about her

With three members of the states House delegation running, campaign dynamics complicate any Feinstein discussion. Thats especially true given Newsoms pledge and the candidacy of Rep. Barbara Lee, the assumed frontrunner.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the Los Angeles lawmaker whom Pelosi endorsed conditionally even before Feinsteins announcement, said he hadnt spoken with Feinstein since before she became ill. He quickly noted, Our office works with her constantly.

Pressed if that meant hed been working with Feinstein directly, Schiff wavered.

Weve been working with her staff, he said.

Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat who represents Orange County, said her own last encounter with Feinstein was on a 2021 Zoom call. Porter said this is part of what she would want to address if she won Feinsteins Senate seat.

I dont think there was a lot of House-Senate collaboration in the California delegation, period, Porter said. That is something I would focus on rebuilding.

Lee, the Bay area congresswoman whos the longest serving of the three members running for the seat, said the last time she spoke with Feinstein was by phone in December. Calling the conversation personal and private, she declined to discuss details.

People have their own opinions about, Should she resign, should she not? Lee said. Sometimes people have to also remember that theres the human side of it, and thats the side of her health and her ability to recover and to do her job.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
California will start losing daylight after the summer solstice. Heres how fast

It might have felt like it already, but summer is officially here in California.

Wednesday is the summer solstice, an astronomical event that marks the start of the summer season.

What is the summer solstice?

The summer solstice occurs when the Sun travels north in its path in the sky, according to the Old Farmers Almanac. At this time, the Earth reaches a point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its highest tilt toward the sun.

When this happens, its summer for the northern hemisphere, while in the southern hemisphere, its the start of winter.

The almanac states that the summer solstice started 7:58 a.m. Wednesday.

When is the sun setting on June 21?

During the summer solstice, states like California will enjoy a day with the longest daylight and shortest night of the year.

According to the almanac, sunrise in Sacramento on Wednesday was at 5:40 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:35 p.m.

Days will get shorter

After the summer solstice, the days will get progressively shorter.

According to Time and Date, the days will slowly get shorter during the summer at daily intervals into the fall season.

Sunset times gradually decrease each day in minutes, as seen in a chart by Time and Date. By the fall equinox, or the first day of fall, on Sept. 22, the sunrise is expected at 6:53 a.m. and sunset is expected to set at 7:03 p.m.

By the end of June, we will have lost approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds of daylight, leaving roughly 14 hours and 49 minutes. The fall equinox will only have 12 hours and 9 minutes in the sun. The winter solstice in December has a daylength of just 9 hours and 28 minutes.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
The United States Supreme Court is expected, as soon as this week, to release its decision on whether President Joe Biden can forgive student loans with a plan that offers tens of thousands in relief to some borrowers.

How many Californians could be affected by the decision?

Federal loans account for more than two-thirds of student borrowing in the U.S, according to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Students owe about $1.6 trillion, and 3.8 million Californians are responsible for more than $142 billion of it.

Federal student loan payments, halted during the coronavirus pandemic, will resume in October, according to the U.S. Education Department. Student loan interest will start to accrue again on Sept. 1. Congress prevented further pauses on repayment as part of the agreement to lift the debt ceiling, which was signed into law this month.

What is Bidens student loan forgiveness plan?

Last August, Biden announced a plan to offer up to $20,000 in forgiveness for student loan borrowers who had received a Pell Grant, federal aid for low-income students. It would give up to $10,000 to those who earn under $125,000 a year individually or are in households that make under $250,000.

The White House estimated that more than 40 million borrowers would qualify for this one-time form of relief, intended to ease economic hardship in the wake of the pandemic.

Overall, 26 million borrowers applied or were deemed eligible for this forgiveness by the U.S. Department of Education, including more than 2.3 million Californians, according to the White House.

But lawsuits by several conservative states and groups, contending that Biden overstepped his executive authority, forced the program to halt.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in February in two of the cases. One is from six Republican-led states that claim the policy would hurt companies that service federal student loans. Another was brought by plaintiffs alleging they were harmed because the plan would at least partially be exclude them from forgiveness.

Several other forms of student loan forgiveness have continued, including relief for people in public service or who attended for-profit institutions like Corinthian Colleges that the administration said took advantage of students.

Overall, the Biden administration has discharged $66 billion for nearly 2.2 million borrowers, Education Department data from May shows.

How many Californians took on student debt before the pandemic?

Borrowing dropped for four-year undergraduate institutions between 2012 and 2020 nationwide. In California, which has long had a lower rate of student borrowing than the rest of the country, only a third took out loans in the 2019 to 2020 school year.

The PPIC studied the period between 2012 and 2020, before federal loan payments were paused amid the coronavirus pandemic. Loan payments are expected to kick in again in August.

About a third of students attending one of the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) schools took on loans, per PPIC. More students going to private nonprofit institutions borrowed  46%  with Stanford University students on the lower end with a median of $12,000 owed at graduation and Southern California Institute of Architecture at the upper end with $33,750 owed.

Over half of borrowers who attended UC and at least 40% of people who attended CSU and private nonprofits were lowering their debt balances within three years of graduation.

Loan delinquency and default were low before the pandemic for these borrowers. Delinquency is missing at least a payment while default is not paying for about a year. This can reduce access to home and car loans or other types of credit.

Who has had the hardest time paying off debt?

This differs for people who attended for-profit colleges or did not graduate.

Over half of for-profit college graduates borrowed, with a wide range of debt owed at graduation, depending on the school. Fewer than one in three borrowers who attended for-profit schools were making progress on their loans. One in five of these borrowers were in delinquency or default.

People who did not graduate from their schools walked away with less debt, but they struggled more to pay it off. One in four of them were in delinquency or default.

Overall, 18% of California borrowers made regular payments that did not really shrink their debt. Another 38% were in forbearance or deferment, which can ultimately increase debt over time.
Feature: Afghan carpet weavers eye China as lucrative market

Xinhua) 16:41, June 20, 2023

KABUL, June 20 (Xinhua) -- These days mark the busiest time of the year for Safiullah, a 37-year-old Afghan carpet weaver in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, as he is trying to produce as many carpets as possible.

According to Safiullah, China could be a lucrative market for hand-woven carpets as Afghan carpet weavers are satisfied with interacting with Chinese partners and exporting their products to the Chinese markets.

Safiullah expressed optimism as he happily shared his accomplishment of producing two 12 square meter hand-woven carpets in the past three months, while confidently stating that there is high demand for them in Chinese markets.

"The demand for hand-woven and high-quality carpets is on a constant rise in the market," Safiullah told Xinhua, suggesting that the promotion of carpet weaving art could help low-income families improve their living conditions.

Businesses, which include carpet weaving, pine nut processing, and other products, are expected to create more job opportunities in Afghanistan. Safiullah's impoverished family sees this as a great chance to overcome their economic hardship thanks to China, considered one of the most suitable markets for Afghan products.

The business for Afghan carpet weavers dramatically dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela, 23, said the obstacles upon export added to her family's economic burden.

A direct flight route between Kabul and the northwestern Chinese city of Urumqi resumed on May 24 following a three-year hiatus, further boosting trade and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and China.

Angela said she would weave more carpets and help the impoverished women gain regular income.

According to experts, expanding the carpet weaving industry could create more job opportunities for the Afghan people.

"Export of Afghan carpets to China has significantly increased, leading us to sell more carpets and thus facilitating us to hire more workers in the industry," Sayed Bilal Farooqi, a member of the Afghan Carpet Union, told Xinhua.

Afghanistan, according to the Union of Carpet Producers and Exporters, has exported more than 1 million square meters of carpets to China over the past two years.

Like carpet, pine nut has also become a major export item of Afghanistan as the country's Ministry of Economy estimates that the government will earn some 2 billion U.S. dollars annually from pine nut exports, mainly to China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Calmes: Republicans attack the DOJ and the FBI, but it's Democrats who should have a beef with the feds

Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland and Deputy Atty. Gen. Lisa Monaco at the Department of Justice in April. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

This week opened with more proof: If Democrats are weaponizing the federal government against their political opponents, as Republicans charge, theyre doing a really bad job of it.

No wonder the Republicans are firing blanks as they seek evidence of dirty deeds at the Justice Department and the FBI, through their specially created House weaponization of government subcommittee. There is no evidence.

In fact, the wonder is that its not Democrats who are the ones bellyaching about the nations top law enforcement agencies and calling to "defund" and "destroy" the FBI. After all, Donald Trump might never have been president had a Republican FBI director not announced just days before the 2016 election that hed reopened an (ultimately doomed) investigation of Hillary Clinton.

The latest evidence underscoring the lunacy of Republicans complaints about a diabolical Democratic Deep State was the Washington Posts lengthy investigative piece this week with the headline: FBI resisted opening probe into Trumps role in Jan. 6 for more than a year.

In all that time, of course, it was appointees of a Democratic president, Joe Biden, who were running Justice and the FBI and steering clear of targeting Trump. The Post provided new details about how Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland and his deputy, Lisa Monaco, among other senior officials, were so obsessed with restoring public trust in the department after its actual weaponization under Trump and his attorney general, William Barr, they moved belatedly, and even then cautiously, to examine Trumps actions. You couldnt use the T word, one unnamed Justice official told the Post.

Read more: Calmes: Trump cites 'American carnage.' The real carnage is the devastation he leaves in his wake.

Justice and the FBI finally acted after reporters and the House Jan. 6 committee uncovered evidence of Trumps direct involvement in various schemes to overturn the 2020 election  pressuring state officials, his Justice appointees and his vice president  and after a federal judge in a related case found that Trump more likely than not committed federal crimes.

Only after they were embarrassed did they start looking, said another Post source. FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, the Trump appointee kept on by Biden (so much for Biden as weaponizer in chief), waited 15 months to authorize an investigation of Republican conniving to replace some states pro-Biden electors with pro-Trump fakes. Justice investigators didnt interview witnesses to Trumps notorious call to the Georgia secretary of state  the one in which he asked the official to find enough votes for Trump to win that state  until this year.

Read more: Litman: Is the Hunter Biden plea deal really a slap on the wrist? Not remotely

The story was much the same in the separate investigation of Trumps retention of highly classified documents, despite nearly two years of entreaties from the feds and a subpoena seeking their return  the alleged crimes for which he has finally been indicted. For months, according to the Post, FBI agents opposed a last-resort plan to raid Mar-a-Lago to recover material the government had good reason to suspect was there. Some agents argued for taking Trumps word that hed returned everything and dropping the case. (Take Trumps word? Who would do that?)

Yet most Republicans, even those critical of Trump for the documents mess, lambaste the FBI and Justice for railroading him somehow. Take it from a (somewhat) reformed Barr: "Trump's indictment is not the result of unfair government persecution. This is a situation entirely of his own making." To suggest otherwise, Barr wrote this week, is "cynical political propaganda."

Heres another reason that Democrats rather than Republicans are the party with a beef against the law enforcement agencies. In 2018, the FBI assisted Republicans in effectively taking control of the Supreme Court. At the direction of Trump and then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, wily Republican from Kentucky, Wrays FBI did an investigation of the allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh that was so limited in time (less than a week) and scope (an eyewitness to an unreported assault was ignored, for one thing) that it was hardly any investigation at all. Yet the bogus probe allowed McConnell to falsely claim that the FBI had exonerated Kavanaugh, ensuring his confirmation.

Read more: Republicans react to Hunter Biden's plea deal

Predictably, Republicans were silent about the Post revelations, contrary as they are to the partys message about demonic Democrats and Justice Department bias. But  echoing Trump  they were quick to pounce on the news Tuesday that the presidents son Hunter Biden had agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and pretrial diversion on a gun violation.

A Trump super PAC condemned the agency for making a sweetheart deal, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the Bakersfield Republican, demanded that Justice officials turn over their records for a Republican-led House committee to examine. Here again, though, there were inconvenient facts: When Biden took office he kept in place the Republican U.S. attorney charged with investigating his son, and the prosecutor has had broad authority to sniff and dig into Hunter Bidens conduct and business dealings. For five years.

Republicans constant condemnation of the nations law enforcement pillars is not only wrong-headed, its unfortunately damnably effective. The chilling effect from their harping is obvious in the crazy caution Justice and the FBI displayed toward Trump. Worse, though, is the way Republicans are undermining Americans confidence in the rule of law, all to score political points.

That is the real weaponization of the government.

@jackiekcalmes

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Victims of the sterilisation programme campaigned for decades seeking recognition of the harm they suffered and compensation (picture shows 2018 protest by supporters and lawyers) (Toshifumi KITAMURA)

Japanese campaigners on Wednesday slammed a government report into the sterilisation of thousands under a eugenics law in place until 1996, saying it failed to take responsibility for the procedures.

The 1,400-page report submitted to parliament this week details how some 16,500 people -- including some as young as nine -- were sterilised without their consent under the law in force from 1948.

Around 8,500 more were sterilised after their consent was obtained, though campaigners have cast doubt on how freely agreement was given.

The law allowed doctors to sterilise people with heritable intellectual disabilities, to "prevent ... poor quality descendants".

In 2019, lawmakers passed legislation offering each victim government compensation of 3.2 million yen ($22,800) -- an amount campaigners called insufficient given the damage inflicted.

Lawmakers also commissioned the report made public this week, which Koji Niisato, a lawyer who has represented victims of the policy, said fell short.

It is "largely a compilation of what has been investigated and reported" which merely confirms "that it was an extremely terrible law," he told journalists Wednesday.

But "it lacks a summary of why this terrible law was enacted and existed for 48 years, and fails to mention why the government didn't take responsibility even after the law was amended," he said.

"That is extremely regrettable."

Victims of the sterilisation programme campaigned for decades seeking recognition of the harm they suffered and compensation.

They have also turned to the courts seeking relief, and last year three people were awarded damages in a landmark victory.

The Osaka High Court overturned a lower court decision, and ordered the national government to pay a combined 27.5 million yen ($200,000) to the elderly trio.

But earlier this month, a different high court rejected damages requests by plaintiffs, arguing a 20-year statute of limitations had passed.

The ruling "is a terrible verdict that doesn't consider why victims couldn't file lawsuits" sooner, plaintiff Junko Iizuka, 77, told reporters.

"As the government's responsibility is obvious, I want to see a quick solution," with more adequate compensation offered without the need for continued lawsuits, she said.

kh/sah/mtp
via Getty Images

Former Nissan-Renault CEO and current international fugitive Carlos Ghosn's name may have slipped from the headlines since we interviewed him in exile in January 2022, but you can bet he's not done fighting his ex-employer. Over three years after fleeing Japan in an instrument case and holing up in Lebanon, Ghosn is suing Nissan for over $1 billion for defamation, slander, libel, and fabrication of evidence, according to Reuters.

His lawsuit, filed in Lebanon and a copy of which was viewed by Reuters, names twelve specific people including Nissan employees and board members, who Ghosn claims were involved with a coordinated plot to remove him from the company by pushing Japanese prosecutors to file bogus financial crimes charges. Though Ghosn stepped down from as Nissan CEO in 2017, he remained heavily involved as chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance until he was arrested in November 2018.

In our interview with him, Ghosn claimed that factions within Nissan feared he would engineer either a full merger with Renault or another automaker that would result in foreigners running one of Japan's most important homegrown companies, so they conspired to have him arrested. That allegation is repeated in the lawsuit; he's seeking $500 million in damages to his reputation and $588 million in lost compensation. For now, the suit is just focused on Nissan, but Ghosn told Reuters that going after Renault is still on the table.

Ghosn has been cooling his heels in Lebanon since fleeing his house arrest in Japan, as the two countries do not have an extradition treaty. The lawsuit was filed in Lebanese courts, according to Reuters, though it's unclear what a judgment against Nissan would actually mean for the company. In any case, Ghosn vows that his $1B ask is "not a joke" and that Nissan will "have to pay" if found guilty. Ghosn is still the subject of an Interpol arrest notice and is unable to leave Lebanon as a result.

Carlos Ghosn broadcast after fleeing arrest in Japan | via Getty Images

Ghosn hasn't been quiet about his claims of a rigged Japanese legal system either. His arrest and treatment in Japan, in which he was detained four separate times and thrown in solitary confinement, was deemed a violation of his rights, according to the United Nations Human Rights Councils Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. However, France also has a warrant out for Ghosn' arrest, for allegedly funneling Nissan-Renault money through a third party for his own use, including buying a 120-foot yacht.

This lawsuit is said to begin during a court session on September 18. Ghosn's story will also hit the small screen, as a miniseries about his life and arrest is currently in the works, called Fall of the God of Cars, with actor Tony Shalhoub set to play the former CEO.

Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com
TripAdvisor recently released their list of top 25 water parks and amusement parks in the United States.

Carowinds, the family favorite theme and water park that straddles both Carolinas, cracked the list landing at the 25th spot.

(See all 25 of the parks below)

Universal Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida, United States

 Curtis Hilbun / AFF-USA.COM

The park opened on March 31, 1973, to 6,000 people. It costs about $70 million and remains the only amusement park occupying two states.

According to its website, the name Carowinds comes from the wind that blows across both North and South Carolina.

The park is celebrating 50 years in 2023. Learn more about how the park is celebrating the milestone here.

(RELATED: 50 years of Carowinds)
Catastrophic implosion, tangled in Titanic, lost at sea: Three expert theories on fate of missing sub

It has now been three days since contact was lost with a submersible diving towards the wreck of the RMS Titanic 3,800 meters below the surface of the sea.

The Titan, built and operated by an undersea adventure tourism company called OceanGate Expeditions, remained missing as of Wednesday morning. There are five people onboard: OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French river Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman.

The vessel set off for its excursion to the Titanics underwater grave 13,000 feet below the waters surface on Sunday morning. It lost contact with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, after one hour and 45 minutes.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here

A massive multinational search is now underway as officials say the five passengers will run out of oxygen by 5.30am ET (10.30am GMT) on Thursday.

Although we still don't know what might have happened to them, experts have cohered around three basic scenarios, none of which are good news for the crew  or their families.

Catastrophic implosion

Arguably the worse case scenario is a catastrophic rupture in the submersible's outer shell, causing an implosion that would kill everyone aboard very quickly.

The wreck of theTitanic sits around 3,800m below sea level, where the water pressure bearing down on any given object is roughly 376 times greater than that exerted by Earth's atmosphere.

Humans cannot survive that kind of pressure, which is why we need a submersible. But, according to Australian robotics professor Stefan B Williams, that level of danger makes the margin of error small.

"Although the Titans composite hull is built to withstand intense deep-sea pressures, any defect in its shape or build could compromise its integrity  in which case theres a risk of implosion," wrote Mr Williams in The Conversation.

Industry insiders told The Guardian that the Titan would probably have reached a depth of around 3,500 meters by the time communication was lost, meaning the pressure would be equal to 345 times Earth's atmosphere.

The vessel had a real-time monitoring system to detect any problems with the hull. In theory, that would give its operators enough time to send word of a problem or begin procedures to make an emergency surfacing.

However, the Titan lost contact with its mother ship without any other indications of a problem, suggesting whatever happened may have happened very quickly.

If somethings gone wrong, theres a good chance its gone very wrong, Mr Williams told The Guardian. If the pressure vessel has failed catastrophically, its like a small bomb going off. The potential is that all the safety devices might be destroyed in the process.

A similarly deadly scenario would be if there was a fire on board the Titan, perhaps started by a short circuit in one of its electrical systems.

If the Titan did not implode, it may still be trapped underneath the water with the occupants running out of oxygen, experts said.

Trapped underwater

There are many reasons for that, ranging from a somehow non-catastrophic leak to getting stuck on a piece of the Titanic wreckage, which is strewn about a wide area of the ocean floor.

Butch Hendrick, president and founder of the dive training company Lifeguard Systems, told CBS News that the submersible "could have gotten itself entangled somewhere", causing the communications antenna to become "dislodged" and "broken".

Frank Owen, a retired Royal Australian Navy official who specialises in submarine escape and rescue, likewise told The Guardian: "There are parts of [the Titanic] all over the place. Its dangerous."

Although the Titan does not require any engine power in order to surface, getting caught on debris or taking on water could prevent it from doing so.

In that case, the crew would be forced to sit and wait for rescue in a region of the ocean too deep for any human diver or almost any other vehicle to reach.

"There's no opening a gate, there's no opening a window, there's no making an interactive lock," Mr Hendrick said.

As well as dwindling oxygen, the crew might be dealing with hunger and low temperatures. If the life support systems have failed, the interior of the Titan will be extremely cold, since no sunlight reaches that far down in the ocean.

And according to science journalist David Pogue, who travelled on the Titan last year, crew usually only have a sandwich and a bottle of water along with them.

Even if a rescue vehicle could get down there in time, it would be tough to spot the Titan. The actual nature of the seabed is very undulating. Titanic herself lies in a trench. Theres lots of debris around," retired UK Royal Navy rear admiral Chris Parry told Sky News.

"So trying to differentiate, with sonar in particular, and trying to target the area you want to search in with another submersible is going to be very difficult indeed.

Surfaced but lost

The best case scenario is that the Titan has actually surfaced, and is now floating on the Atlantic Ocean waiting to be spotted and rescued.

The Titan depends on constant communication with its mother ship in order to navigate, as it has no GPS or other guidance systems. During David Pogues trip on the mothership last year, though not while he was on the sub itself, that communication was lost for about five hours.

Yet according to CNN, the Titan uses ballast to stay underwater, and that ballast can be dislodged by occupants deliberately rocking the ship or by using a pneumatic pump to knock it free. The lines securing the ballast are also designed to fall apart after 24 hours.

Hence, if the only problem was that the sub had lost communication, or if something else had gone wrong that did not sink the sub, the crew should have been able to surface by now.

That would not mean they are out of the woods. According to reports, the Titan's hatch is bolted from the outside, and cannot be opened from the inside. Since the vessel is airtight, that would leave the crew still dependent on its oxygen supply.

Although the vessel reportedly has an array of equipment to help it be spotted on the surface, such as lights and reflectors, rescuers would still have a tough job locating it.

And on Monday, Mr Pogue said the sub did not, as far as he knew, have any kind of transmission beacon similar to those used on other boats to help rescuers find their way.
This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP)

Long before a submersible vanished on an expedition to explore the wreck of the Titanic, concerns had been raised about the safety of the vessel.

The sub lost contact with the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive Sunday morning, about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Mass., the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The search is unfolding in a far-flung location about 13,000 feet deep, officials have said.

Here is what we know from Times coverage:

What do we know about the submersible?

OceanGate organized the dive and owns and operates the missing submersible. The company has been running expeditions with citizen explorers to the Titanic since 2021 on its Titan sub, according to its website. The trip can cost around $250,000.

Read more: 'Banging' heard, raising hopes that passengers of vanished Titanic tourist sub are still alive

According to its website, OceanGate is a privately owned company in Everett, Wash., established in 2009, that operates a trio of fiveperson submersibles for site survey, scientific research, film production and exploration travel. Its vessels can reach depths of about 13,123 feet, the company said.

The company offers an eight-day, seven-night voyage to the Titanic wreck, according to its website. The round-trip from St. Johns in Canada takes intrepid travelers to explore the Titanic wreck. Dives can begin as early as Day 3.

What have been the safety concerns?

Some in the submersible industry expressed deep concern about the Titan and what they described as OceanGates refusal to adhere to certain industry safeguards. In a private letter to Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, in March 2018, the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee at the Marine Technology Society called on him to allow for third-party safety review of OceanGates submersibles. Rush is aboard the missing vessel.

Our apprehension is that the current experimental approach adopted by OceanGate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry, the letter stated.

William Kohnen, the chairman of the committee, told The Times: OceanGate raised a number of eyebrows and was the subject of many conversations, Kohnen said.

Read more: Titanic tourist submersible carrying 5 disappears on trip to see wreck in North Atlantic

That same year, David Lochridge, a former OceanGate employee, raised red flags about the Titan in litigation against the company, particularly OceanGates refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design of the hull. Lochridge, a submersible pilot hired to do quality and safety inspections, said he was terminated for coming forward. He said he disagreed with Rushs decision to subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

How has OceanGate responded?

OceanGate said in its own court papers that Lochridge did not accept information provided by a lead engineer on the vessels safety. It also claimed that he filed a false report with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and that he violated his contract by discussing the companys confidential information with outside parties.

The case was settled in 2018. Lochridge did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a 2022 article in Maptia, a digital storytelling platform, Rush took shots at the submersible industry.

One of the jabs that gets thrown at us is: Hey, you arent certified. But how can you do something new and get certified? Rush asked. If the rules exist for how to do it, then you are operating outside of the rules by doing something different. I think it was MacArthur who said, You are remembered for the rules you break. We try to break the rules intelligently and intentionally.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A CBS reporter who took a dive in the Titanic submersible said it got lost for up to 5 hours and that the mother ship shut off its internet so passengers couldn't tweet about the mishap

The Titan submersible on a platform awaiting a signal to commence a dive. OceanGate

The missing tourist submersible was previously lost for hours, the CBS reporter David Pogue said.

Pogue tried the submersible in 2022 but wasn't on the vessel when it got lost for up to five hours.

He said the ship's crew turned off the internet so he and others couldn't tweet about the issues.

A CBS correspondent who tried the now missing tourist submersible Titan said Tuesday that the vessel got lost for several hours during a dive in 2022.

David Pogue, who featured OceanGate Expeditions' submersible and its crew in a November CBS TV segment, said he wasn't in the vessel during this particular dive.

However, he was in the control room of the submersible's mother ship at the time, he tweeted Tuesday, adding that the crew shut off the internet on board.

"They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was," Pogue wrote. "It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ship's internet to prevent us from tweeting."

When reached by Insider for comment, Pogue said OceanGate told passengers that it shut off the WiFi to free up bandwidth in case the situation developed into an emergency.

"If one were cynical, one could also interpret that gesture as a way to prevent the passengers, and reporters, from tweeting about an unfolding problem," Pogue said.

"It's plausible that they wanted to clear out bandwidth," he added. "It's also plausible that they wanted to prevent bad press from unfolding in real time."

Because the submersible goes so deep underwater, the only way it can communicate with its mother ship is via text messages, according to OceanGate. And the Titan can't reliably navigate on its own, so it has to receive instructions from the ship on the surface.

The Titan can take up to 10 hours to reach the ocean floor and return, according to OceanGate's website.

After the Titan got lost in 2022, one of the people who went on that dive told CBS that the group was lost for about "two and a half hours."

But Pogue tweeted Tuesday that the Titan was lost for around five hours.

On Pogue's podcast, "Unsung Science," the reporter documented how the crew on the ship ran into communication issues with the submersible and struggled to help it navigate to the wreck of the Titanic  which passengers paid $250,000 each to see.

The occupants and pilot in the submersible were unable to find the wreck because of the confusion, Pogue said, and were underwater for more than 10 hours before being told to resurface.

It's unclear whether OceanGate ran into similar issues when the Titan disappeared on Sunday afternoon while carrying five people  including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush  to the Titanic.

The submersible was about an hour and 45 minutes into its descent when it lost contact with the mother ship.

US and Canadian authorities are conducting a massive search-and-rescue effort for the five people in hopes of finding them before Thursday afternoon, when the Titan's emergency oxygen supply is expected to run out.

A representative for OceanGate told Insider that the firm couldn't provide any information on Pogue's claim.

June 21, 2023: This story was updated to reflect comment from Pogue.

Read the original article on Insider
The first vaccines to guard against the respiratory illness RSV will soon be available for some older adults, ages 60 and over, after the CDC formally backed recommendations for the shots.

The move, announced Thursday, followed a vote at a meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices earlier this month on the new vaccines, and will trigger federal requirements on insurance coverage of vaccinations. The FDA approved the shots, GSK's Arexvy and Pfizer's Abrysvo, earlier this year.

The new guidance stops short of a full-throated recommendation for all eligible older adults to get the shots. Instead, the panel called for "shared clinical decision-making" between doctors and patients to decide whether the individual benefits outweigh the risks.

"This means these individuals may receive a single dose of the vaccine based on discussions with their healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is right for them," the CDC said in a statement.

Among seniors, those in their early 60s are less likely to face severe disease from RSV  which stands for respiratory syncytial virus  compared to their oldest peers. A handful of very rare cases of severe "inflammatory neurologic events" were also reported in vaccine trials, narrowing the balance of benefits versus risks.

The potential side effects are so rare that assessing whether they are simply "due to random chance" will not be possible until studies done after the shots are rolled out, scrutinizing large databases of health records from people who received the vaccines.

CDC officials assured the panel that they would closely follow data from their vaccine safety systems on the launch of the two new RSV vaccines.

"I want to remind everyone that we have one of the best vaccine safety systems in the world. We have the ability to rapidly acquire information, rapidly assess it, and act on it. We saw that during the COVID pandemic, that system is viable, and is in place," the CDC's Dr. Jose Romero, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told the panel.

Vaccine makers are still studying when seniors might need to come back for a booster dose of RSV vaccine in the coming years. They also have yet to decide on a final price, further complicating broader recommendations.

GSK said their vaccine could be priced between $200 and $295 per dose, higher than they initially told the committee, given new data suggesting the vaccine could offer protection through at least two RSV seasons. Pfizer said their shots could be between $180 to $270.

At higher prices, federal modeling led some on the panel to worry the shots might not be cost-effective as "a reasonable and efficient allocation of resources," especially for the youngest of those approved to get the shots.

A delay to the vote was floated during the meeting, pending the final prices locked in by each drugmaker.

However, time will be of the essence to roll out shots to those most at risk, some said. RSV vaccines will be most effective at saving lives if given before infections climb, which happened unusually early last year.

"Lives, hospitalizations, we could have a significant impact this year. So that's why we wouldn't want to delay further," said Dr. Camille Kotton, chair of the committee's work group on the issue, during the meeting.

Kotton pointed to further studies that are expected to yield results on RSV in the coming years, as well as additional new vaccines in the pipeline.

Doctors and vaccine makers are generally not required to follow the CDC's recommendations on how to use approved vaccines. However, so-called "off-label" use  such as vaccinating those under 60 years old with the RSV shots  may not be covered by insurance.

The FDA is also expected to decide on new approval of the first options to protect infants from RSV later this year. The ACIP is also preparing to eventually vote on those too.

"This field will undoubtedly change within the next five to 10 years. We'll learn a lot more. So we're trying to make a decision as best we can with the data we have now, at this time," Kotton said.

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Americans competing political realities are colliding fantastically on Capitol Hill this week in a public punishment, an ill-fated impeachment effort and the dissection of another special counsels report.

The punishment. First came the rare step of House Republicans voting to publicly censure Rep. Adam Schiff, the California Democrat.

Schiffs alleged crime?

He put people through four years of an endless impeachment hoax that he knew from the beginning was a lie, Rep. Lauren Boebert, the Colorado Republican and a stalwart of the partys extreme right wing, said on the House floor Wednesday.

The impeachment effort. It is possible that honest people can disagree over whether the two impeachments of former President Donald Trump were legitimate, but even many Republicans are having trouble with the hop from censuring Schiff in part for his role in impeaching Trump to the Boebert-led effort to impeach President Joe Biden.

Party leaders oppose this impeachment resolution

What majority do we want to be, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy asked his fellow Republicans during a closed-door meeting, a source told CNNs Capitol Hill team. Give it right back in two years or hold it for a decade and make real change?

McCarthy was trying to beat back Boeberts impeachment effort for now and acknowledged the difficulty of explaining the mixed messages to voters.

Its not that hes opposed to impeaching Biden. But McCarthy wants a more measured process to play out.

I think to prematurely bring something up like that, to have no background in it, it undercuts what were doing at the committee level, McCarthy told reporters on Wednesday.

Impeachment season

McCarthy will likely have to make his speech to GOP colleagues more than once.

According to CNNs report, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has plans to, like Boebert, force impeachment resolution votes on numerous Biden administration officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and US Attorney Matthew Graves.

Privileged resolutions

Both the censure and the impeachment resolutions are being offered by individual lawmakers. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida spearheaded the censure drive, and Boebert is forcing the impeachment resolution vote.

Lunas censure effort was reborn after an earlier version was defeated when 20 Republicans opposed it. They felt the $16 million fine it sought to impose on Schiff was either unconstitutional, unfair or both. The passed version of the resolution dropped the fine.

What happens when a member of Congress is censured?

Its rare. There have only been two others since the 1980s, and the most recent was for Rep. Paul Gosar, who posted a manipulated video of himself attacking both Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Biden.

Other censures have been for improper use of campaign funds or sexual misconduct.

As part of the censure procedure, Schiff stood in the well of the House floor, while McCarthy repeatedly tried to read a brief rule about censure.

Revisiting the Russia investigation again and again

Schiff, ahead of his censure, resumed his role as public prosecutor Wednesday, recounting the many ways in which Russians were shown to have tried to hurt Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign.

He did so while grilling John Durham, the special counsel appointed during the Trump administration, who testified publicly about his 300-page report into the origins of the Russia investigation that dogged much of Trumps term in office.

While Durhams report did not paint the FBI or Department of Justice in a favorable light, neither did it find overt political influence, undercutting Trumps claim that it was all part of a hoax.

The public hearing was predictably partisan, but CNNs Zachary Cohen and Marshall Cohen note that after a closed-door appearance by Durham before the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, both Republican and Democratic leaders were talking about the need for some kind of reforms at the FBI.

Durham did not fit easily into any partisan box

Durham defended the reputations of both former Attorney General Bill Barr and former special counsel Robert Mueller, who were at odds over Muellers report. Barr has also turned into a major critic of Trump.

Cohen and Cohen write:

Despite repeated claims from Trump and Republicans that the Biden administration has weaponized the Justice Department, Durham said there wasnt any political interference with his work. He testified that Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, didnt block any of his moves, didnt reach out to discuss the probe, and didnt meddle with the investigation.

That stands in contrast with what Trump has promised to do if he wins back the White House next year: He said hell appoint a special prosecutor to go after Joe Biden and his family, directing an investigation against an opponent in a way that shatters longstanding norms, in place since the Watergate era, that have kept the White House away from specific criminal investigations.

Read their full report on Durhams testimony.

Rather than chasten Schiff, censure will embolden him

Schiff is running in Californias open primary for the US Senate seat that will be vacated by retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

CNNs Simone Pathe tracks Senate races and noted that the censure could potentially be hugely beneficial for Schiff in the crowded race, giving him plenty of media attention and fundraising fodder.

There are legitimate questions about whether the aging Feinstein, who has been ill and inaccessible to colleagues, according to a new report from CNNs Edward-Isaac Dovere, will be able to finish her term.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has previously said that, given the chance, he would appoint a Black woman to the seat. There is mounting pressure for him to consider Rep. Barbara Lee. Meanwhile, Schiff was fundraising off the failed censure resolution earlier this month.

Where is the middle?

McCarthys concern about appearing to use his majority to settle scores with Democrats is not unfounded.

Consider the exchange between CNNs Dana Bash and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu on Inside Politics Wednesday.

They were discussing a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS that shows relatively few Republicans  27%  think Trump should end his campaign due to his indictment over conspiracy, obstruction and mishandling sensitive material. Thats not surprising. Trump, for now, remains the top choice of Republican and Republican-leaning voters to win their nomination, according to the poll.

On the other hand, most independents (62%) feel Trump should drop out of the race. Those results suggest to Sununu that Trump would be doomed in a general election.

He is done. You cant win, said Sununu, who announced earlier this month that he wont run for president in 2024. The trouble that former President Trump has in November is no one is on the fence about him. He is such a known political commodity  either you would vote for him or you wouldnt.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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Central Park Birdwatcher Christian Cooper On That Viral Incident, His New Nat Geo Show And The History He Has Made

Christian Cooper

On May 25, 2020, video of Black birdwatcher Christian Cooper being threatened with police by a white woman during a dispute over a dog in Central Park went viral. Happening on the same day as the murder of George Floyd, Coopers encounter with a Central Park Karen helped spark the racial reckoning that began in 2020. Cooper joined Blavity to discuss his new book Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World, his new National Geographic show, Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper, and his place in history.

Helping to spark a movement on racial justice

Cooper told Blavity that he initially had no idea that his dispute with Amy Cooper, no relation, in Central Park over her unleashed dog would become a major focal point in the movement to protect Black lives and bring about racial justice. The attention to Coopers video, uploaded by his sister to social media, was a little disorienting for sure, he said. But Cooper was glad to contribute something to the conversation. Rather than stay holed up in my apartment until this whole thing blows over, Cooper said he realized that he was part of a moment and took an opportunity to say some things that need to be said and to bring out some things that need to be brought forward.

Pursuing your weird passions

When asked to describe himself, Cooper acknowledged the many facets of his life and personality.

Im a writer, he said. And now a TV host, And an activist, have been for a long time, and of course a birder, and also a Black, gay nerd. I guess there are a lot of labels in there. but you know those are the ones that apply and that Im comfortable with.

Coopers love for birds and nature and his activism can all be traced back to his parents.

My dad was a science teacher, so nature was always big in our household, Cooper said. He took the whole family camping quite often.

As a child, Coopers love for nature focused on birds, an interest that made him unique among his peers. As an adult, he tells current students to stick with whatever weird things that fascinate them. Dont let anybody else say, Oh, yeah, you cant do that because its not cool. Screw that, he said.

Navigating Harvard and making history at Marvel

As a young man, Coopers interests and talents took him from Long Island to Harvard University, where he studied government.

Harvard was eye-opening in a lot of ways, Cooper said. His wealthy classmates and the historic halls of Harvard, lined with centuries-old pictures of wealthy white alumni, were initially intimidating, but Cooper eventually came to the realization that theyre not really any better at this than I am.

After graduating, Cooper worked as a comic book writer and editor, introducing groundbreaking gay characters to the Marvel and Star Trek universes, writing socially conscious works in light of events like the Rodney King beating, and creating satirical queer-centric independent work. In one 1990s comic in particular, an extremely right-wing guy becomes president of the United States and starts taking it in all the wrong directions, Cooper recalled. And as we know, that could never happen in real life, he joked.

'Extraordinary Birder' explores the beauty and fragility of nature

Now, Cooper is the host of a new National Geographic show, Extraordinary Birder. In each episode, Cooper visits a new location  destinations include Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Palm Springs  and explores the local wildlife and environment with local birders ranging from amateur birdwatchers to experienced scientists. The show also calls attention to pressing environmental dangers  for instance, in Hawaii, where three quarters of their native birds have already gone extinct.

For all his impact and the extraordinary journey that Cooper has taken so far, it is his focus on nature and its preservation that he sees as his legacy.

I want people to be inspired to go out and look at birds and be inspired to protect them, he said.

For Cooper, birds are not only fascinating parts of nature, but theyre also early warning systems for the overall environmental degradation that could endanger us all.

Weve lost a third of our birds in North America in my lifetime. Cooper explained. Thats something we need to stop and reverse. And by doing that, were not only helping the birds but helping ourselves.

Ultimately, for the birds and the humans who occupy this planet, Cooper said we need to get [our] act together people and make this planet work.

Coopers book Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World is out now, and his new National Geographic show, Extraordinary Birder, debuts June 17 on Nat Geo Wild and June 21 on Disney+ and Hulu.
FILE PHOTO: Director-General of the WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends an ACANU briefing in Geneva

(Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Belize as being free from malaria, marking success for the Central American country after 70 years of continuous efforts to eradicate the disease.

The number of cases of malaria, which is caused by a bite from an infected Anopheles mosquito, have dropped from about 10,000 cases in 1994 to zero indigenous cases in 2019.

Belize is "another example of how, with the right tools and the right approach, we can dream of a malaria-free future, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said in a statement.

In its efforts to wipe out the disease, Belize has worked with the Belize Vector Ecology Center to analyse data on the density and distribution of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. It has encouraged the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and trained community workers to give more timely diagnosis and treatment.

It has also collaborated with neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala, which the WHO said had been "essential".

The WHO has so far certified 42 countries and one territory as having managed to eradicate malaria.

"Belize becomes the fourth country in the Americas and the second in Central America to be certified as free of malaria over the last five years," Dr Jarbas Barbosa, director of the Pan American Health Organization, said in a statement.

(Reporting by Jyoti Narayan, Writing by Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday upheld a New York county's law barring anti-abortion activists from approaching people outside abortion clinics, teeing up potential review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law adopted last year by Westchester County, New York, was valid under a 2000 Supreme Court ruling that rejected a challenge to a similar law in Colorado.

The court said it was bound to follow that ruling unless the Supreme Court expressly overturns it.

Lawyers for the plaintiff, "sidewalk counselor" and devout Catholic Debra Vitagliano, acknowledged that their challenge was foreclosed by the Supreme Court ruling. But they have said in court papers that they intend to ask the high court to overrule that decision and strike down "buffer zone" laws.

The Westchester County law makes it illegal to get within eight feet of another person for the purpose of oral protest, education, or counseling within a 100-foot zone around a reproductive health facility. At least three U.S. states and several cities and counties have similar restrictions.

Lawyers for Vitagliano and Westchester County, which is just north of New York City, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Vitagliano is represented by Becket Law, a conservative nonprofit that describes itself as advocates for religious freedom.

Vitagliano claims the Westchester County law is preventing her from approaching pregnant women outside of abortion clinics to discuss their options, in violation of her right to free speech under the U.S. Constitution.

In the 2000 case, Hill v. Colorado, the Supreme Court ruled that a nearly identical law was not a regulation on speech but "a regulation of the places where some speech may occur."

In Wednesday's case, Vitagliano has argued that Hill was wrongly decided and that it clashes with more recent precedent.

The Supreme Court in a 2014 case struck down a Massachusetts law establishing a 35-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics, but the court did not mention the Hill decision.

Last year, an Ohio-based U.S. appeals court temporarily blocked a Kentucky county's 10-foot buffer zone, citing the 2014 Supreme Court decision. A Philadelphia-based appeals court is currently considering a challenge to a 20-foot buffer zone adopted by Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Leslie Adler)
Channel 5 to air Titanic Sub: Lost at Sea documentary hours after submarine runs out of oxygen

Channel 5 has changed its schedule on Thursday (22 June) evening to include a new documentary titled Titanic Sub: Lost at Sea.

The live special will, of course, focus on the missing tourist submarine, which was lost on an underwater expedition to view the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday (18 June).

The live special will air at 7pm  just hours after the Titan submersible is due to run out of oxygen  and is presented by former Football Focus host Dan Walker.

The submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it left its surface ship around 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Sunday morning (18 June), meaning it is due to run out around 10am (BST) on Thursday (22 June).

In a synopsis seen by The Independent, Channel 5s ITN-produced documentary promises to bring viewers the latest on this story, taking an in-depth look at the extraordinary events.

The programme will feature interviews with experts speaking about the science of the vessel as well as people close to those onboard about the passengers.

Ian Rumsey, managing director of content for ITN, said: This programme will chart everything from the exploration itself, to the rise of extreme tourism, to the rescue attempts, but above all it will tell a very human story that has captured the nation which is about five people, all with families, who are trapped at the bottom of the ocean.

The submersible vessel named Titan (OceanGate Expeditions/PA)

Our expertise and heritage in fast-turnaround documentaries and reputation for responsible filmmaking means we always treat such stories with great sensitivity.

The Independent has contacted Channel 5 more information.

Five people are onboard the missing submarine: British billionaire Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman, founder and CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, and veteran French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

On the same day, the submarine went missing, Hardings stepson Brian Szasz was spotted at Blink-182s concert in San Diego.

It might be distasteful being here but my family would want me to be at the Blink-182 show as its my favourite band and music helps me in difficult times, Szasz apparently wrote in the caption of his since-deleted post.

A Canadian aircraft searching for the sub in the Atlantic Ocean recently detected intermittent banging noises from the vicinity of its last known location.

Rescue crew searching for the missing sub heard banging sounds every 30 minutes on Tuesday (20 June) and again four hours later, after additional sonar devices were deployed.

The US Coast Guard, however, has clarified that they do not know the source of the noise.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here
FILE - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Monday, June 19, 2023. China on Wednesday, June 21, called comments by U.S. President Joe Biden referring to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator extremely absurd and irresponsible. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Bidens remarks calling Chinese leader Xi Jinping a dictator and China a country with "real economic difficulties drew fast condemnation from China on Wednesday, cracking open a new rift just after the two countries agreed to tentative steps to stabilize the relationship.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned Biden's unusually pointed comments as extremely absurd and irresponsible.

The clash of words comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing on Monday that sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low. While both sides saw those talks as productive, they did not result in any significant breakthroughs beyond an agreement to return to a broad agenda for cooperation and competition.

China's quick response to Biden, a president known for seemingly off-script remarks that venture beyond his administration's policies, raises questions whether his remarks would undo the limited progress that had been made in Blinken's carefully engineered trip or whether the two sides would move on.

Biden's characterization of China comes as the campaign for next year's presidential election is already taking off, with Republicans accusing him of being weak on China.

Biden also was preparing to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington on Wednesday evening for a lavish state visit where a central theme will be a shared wariness of China.

Biden, at a fundraiser in California on Tuesday night, referred back to January and February's two-week overflight of what the U.S. says was a Chinese spy balloon. The balloon's surprise appearance over U.S. skies roiled relations and transfixed the American public.

Speaking to wealthy donors at the event for his 2024 reelection campaign, Biden depicted Xi as out-of-touch and embarrassed by the incident, which ended with the Air Force shooting down the balloon just off the East Coast.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there," Biden told the crowd.

No, Im serious, he added. "That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened.

Biden also played down trade competition from China, which is the world's second-biggest economy after the United States but struggling to emerge from COVID-era financial troubles.

By the way, I promise you, dont worry about China. Worry about China but dont worry about China," Biden said. "I really mean it. China has real economic difficulties.

Biden's remarks came hours after his secretary of state, in an interview with MSNBC, had called for the two countries to put the balloon incident behind them, saying it was a chapter that should be closed.

In Beijing on Wednesday, Mao told reporters that Biden's remarks "go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on Chinas political dignity.

It is a blatant political provocation, Mao said.

Mao also reiterated China's version of the balloon episode, saying the balloon was for meteorological research and had been accidentally blown off course.

Administration officials signaled Wednesday that Biden had no intention of walking back his comments.

Biden and Blinken have made clear we will continue to responsibly manage this relationship, maintain open lines of communication with the PRC, Vedant Patel, a State Department spokesman, told reporters, using an abbreviation for the People's Republic of China.

But that, of course, does not mean we will not be blunt and forthright about our differences, including differences on the global competition between democracies and autocracies, Patel said.

U.S.-China tensions have mounted for years as rivalry builds over trade and global influence. Repeated flare-ups have helped escalate the tensions, including over the balloon, U.S. tariffs, sanctions on China, and self-ruled Taiwan.

The U.S. is pressing China to embrace direct communications between Biden, Xi and other senior U.S. and Chinese military and civilian leaders, as a channel to defuse tensions and keep incidents from escalating into open hostilities.

Despite the administration's diplomatic efforts to soothe relations, analysts point to the Republican political pressure, and note Biden regularly seems to go off-script to criticize Xi.

Bonnie Glaser, Asia director of the George Marshall Fund of the United States, pointed Wednesday to Biden's state of the union address in February, soon after the balloon flight, as Republican lawmakers in the audience heckled him over China and other issues. Waving a finger in the air, Biden cried out, Name me a world leader whod change places with Xi Jinping! Name me one! Name me one!"

For Biden, hes under a lot of criticism from the right. He doesnt want to be seen as soft on China. He views Xi Jinping as a dictator," Glaser said.

And hes not very good ... at differentiating what should be said in public and what should be said in private, Glaser said. "And the relationship pays a price for it. Theres no doubt about it.

Xi was likely upset by the claim that he hadnt been fully informed about the balloon incident, said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the London University School of Oriental and African Studies and a longtime observer of Chinese politics.

My sense is that Xi may not want to overreact and put the relationship back on ice again, Tsang said in an email.

The initial Republican response to Biden's remarks was approving. Its an appropriate description of their system of government, Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said.

While Xi heads a country formally named the Peoples Republic of China, he faces no limits on his terms as head of state, commander of the military and leader of the ruling Communist Party, which brooks no challenges to its authority.

In California, Biden had told donors that Xi wants to have a relationship again.

Blinken went over there ... did a good job, and it's going to take time," he said.

___

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.
Pakistan and China signed a $4.8 billion deal on Tuesday to build a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, hailing the investment by a country that Pakistan views as its most dependable ally.

Work on the Chashma 5 project would begin immediately, Sharif said on state-run news channel PTV following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between China National Nuclear Cooperation and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

Investment from China in this project to the tune of $4.8 billion sends a message loud and clear that Pakistan is a place where Chinese companies and investors continue to show their trust and faith, Sharif said.

The Chashma 5 project will be built in the central province of Punjab. Chinas support will help Pakistan make the transition away from reliance on fossil fuels.

Pakistans total nuclear energy production capacity rose to 1,400 mw, when the countrys sixth nuclear power plant opened two years ago. Located in the southern port city of Karachi, that 1,100 mw plant was also constructed with Chinese assistance.

Sharif, whose government is desperately struggling to stave off a balance of payments crisis, thanked the Chinese partners for offering a $100-million discount for the latest project.

It is unclear whether the new investment is part of the $65 billion that China has pledged in infrastructure building for Pakistan under its Belt and Road Initiative.

The new project was originally planned to start a couple of years ago, and Sharif expressed thanks to the Chinese side for not rescheduling costs despite the long delay. Instead, he said, the Chinese had disbursed an initial $104.53 million (30 billion Pakistani rupees) to start the project.

CNN has reached out to China National Nuclear Cooperation and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.

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(Bloomberg) -- China said US President Joe Biden had made a public political provocation by referring to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as a dictator, as fresh tensions flared in bilateral ties just days after meetings to stabilize relations.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the US leaders comments irresponsible at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. It is against the basic facts and diplomatic protocols, seriously violates Chinas political dignity and amounts to public political provocation, she added.

READ MORE: Biden Says Xi Was Unaware of Wayward Balloon, Wants Relationship

Biden told a crowd at a California fundraiser on Tuesday the Chinese leader had been blindsided by an alleged spy balloon floating over the US earlier this year, saying he didnt know it was there. Thats what the great embarrassment for dictators  when they didnt know what happened, Biden said.

That debacle caused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing, and sent the US-China relationship into a tailspin. Blinkens rescheduled trip this week was praised by both sides and appeared to have stabilized ties, laying the groundwork for a potential meeting between Biden and Xi.

The US presidents comments  and Chinas response  show how fragile ties remain between the worlds largest economies, which have fundamental disagreements on issues spanning human rights and technology to trade and weapons sales to Taiwan. The talks in Beijing did not appear to yield a breakthrough on the top US priority: restoring military-to-military communications.

Following his visit, Blinken said he believed the balloon episode was closed. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is planning to visit Washington in the coming months, while other top American officials are also expected to travel to China, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry. Its unclear whether Bidens remarks will impact those plans.

It isnt the first time a seemingly unscripted Biden comment has complicated Washingtons relationship with Beijing. Biden or his aides have needed to clarify the US Presidents remarks on Taiwan on at least four occasions in recent years, including over his description of the island as independent  Chinas oft-stated red line for an invasion of the territory it claims as its own.

China has also been alarmed by Bidens repeated statements the US would defend Taiwan if attacked, appearing to go beyond a strategy of being deliberately vague about how Washington would respond.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the US of tampering with its political promises on Taiwan on Monday, hours after after Xi met with Blinken, showing the limits to resolving differences between the nuclear-armed superpowers.

(Updates with details on Bidens comments on Taiwan.)

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Church camper secretly took pictures, videos of kids in bathroom, Oklahoma cops say

A 19-year-old attending a church camp was arrested after Oklahoma authorities say he secretly recorded kids in the bathroom.

The Latimer County Sheriffs Office said Luke Bartels faces charges of child porn possession and manufacturing child porn.

Deputies were dispatched to Oklahoma Free Will Baptist Encounter Camp after learning Bartles was taking pictures and videos of minors in the bathroom, according to a news release.

The camp, which stressed Bartels just graduated high school and was registered as a camper, said the recordings were made in the boys dormitory.

Bartels, of Lexington, Oklahoma, confessed to making the recordings and deputies searched his phone, according to the sheriff.

As a result, many other horrible things were found on his phone, according to the camp. These other items have nothing to do with (Kiamichi Baptist Assembly).

According to its website, Encounter Camp is held at the Kiamichi Baptist Assembly campground in Talihina. The church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church.

The camp said its board, security, staff members and deputies acted swiftly and appropriately during the situation.

Theres a silver lining, the camp said. Thank goodness he was apprehended under these circumstances, where all parties took swift action, before his actions could escalate any further.

Bartles is being held in the Latimer County Jail on a $100,000 bond, authorities said.

Talihina is about 150 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.

Officer secretly recorded sex acts with 15-year-old from Illinois group home, feds say

Former cheer coach went on a cruise, then border patrol found his child porn, feds say

Youth leader used church group as dating pool and groomed underage girls, feds say
Search-and-rescue operations for the Titan, a missing submersible carrying five people that vanished en route to the Titanic shipwreck, are not transitioning into recovery, the Coast Guard said on Wednesday afternoon.

Titan, the 21-foot tourist submersible, lost contact with its parent ship, the Canadian-owned Polar Prince, on Sunday morning. The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards have joined forces with commercial, research and private vessels and aircraft, as well as teams from other countries, to search a span of the North Atlantic now twice the size of Connecticut.

OceanGate Exploration, the company that owns Titan and operates dives to the Titanic, made successful dives to the shipwreck in 2021 and 2022, according to the companys website . Taking a journey with OceanGate, the only company offering dives to the Titanic site, can cost a citizen scientist $250,000.

U.S. and Canadian officials projected their hope that the Titan and the five passengers on board would be rescued, despite the adverse conditions.

This is a search-and-rescue mission, 100 percent, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick said at a news conference in Boston on Wednesday. We are smack dab in the middle of search and rescue, and well continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members.

Coast Guard officials told reporters on Tuesday that the submersible had about 40 hours of oxygen remaining ; Coast Guard officials on Wednesday declined to provide specific estimates when asked by reporters.

We just have to remain optimistic. Well keep working until we find the submersible, and again, I  I am very mindful of just how stressful and worrisome this is for the families, and  and of course the submersible team, the explorer team, Joyce Murray, minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, said at a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday.

The Coast Guard has deployed C-130 aircraft searching by sight and radar and P-3 aircraft dropping monitor sonar buoys to help locate the submersible. Additional equipment and international vessels are expected to be deployed in the coming days; a French team is expected to arrive on Wednesday with a vessel that can reach even further depths than those currently deployed.

A Navy official told reporters on Wednesday that the Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, or FADOSS, was on standby in Newfoundland for lifting the submersible once it is found. FADOSS equipment, typically used by the Navy to recover aircraft and other equipment at depths of up to 20,000 feet below sea level, must be welded onto a ship to provide for recovery, a process that is estimated to take 24 hours to complete.

Coast Guard and rescue team officials also confirmed that multiple P-3 planes flying over the search area detected noises. Though officials have not yet identified their nature or origin, officials confirmed that they have honed their search to the areas where the noises were detected.

While the Coast Guard has not yet released the log of passengers on the voyage, family members and associates have confirmed the identities of the passengers aboard the Titan : Hamish Harding, 58, a billionaire British explorer; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, a French Titanic expert; British businessman Shahzana Dawood, 48, and his son, Suleman, 19; and Stockton Rush, 61, founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions.

Experts have underscored the scope of resources deployed to the search.

The assets that are deployed out there are significant, Larry Daley, president of Titanic Expeditions and an expert on the Titanic, said Wednesday on MSNBC. Ive never seen anything like this in my life. I havent seen this in a movie.
A college rape suspect remains on the run nearly two years after prosecutors filed charges against him for a Pennsylvania campus attack.

Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett on June 29, 2021, announced sexual assault charges against California resident Ian Thomas Cleary, 30, for his alleged role in the December 2013 Gettysburg College rape.

Victim Shannon Keeler, 28, has "had to push and push and put herself out there" while Cleary has "literally gone on with his life," said Andrea Levy, Keeler's attorney and the legal director for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, per the Associated Press.

"Its hard to measure that impact on her as a human being [and on] her family, her partner," Levy said. "Theres a cost. Theres a real human cost. Its someones life."

BOSTON SERIAL RAPE SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO RELEASED ON BAIL

The suspect  then an upperclassman at Gettysburg College  allegedly stalked Keeler at a college party then barged into her dorm room at night, raped her, then cried with remorse before fleeing her room. Seven years later, he messaged her on Facebook.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"So I raped you," Cleary reportedly wrote in a series of messages to Keeler and obtained by AP. He apparently sent the messages in 2020 while Keeler and her boyfriend were on a weekend trip.

ALLEGED BOSTON RAPE VICTIM FEARS SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO COULD GET AWAY AFTER RELEASE ON BAIL

"Ill never do it to anyone ever again."

"I need to hear your voice."

"Ill pray for you."

Authorities failed to file charges immediately after the assault, even though witnesses at the party that Keeler attended had reportedly identified Cleary after the attack and in the years that followed. Even after showing police the Facebook message in 2020, they still did not file any charges.

"Since then, he has again run away from facing this felony charge," Keeler told AP as she tries to "to finally close this never-ending, painful chapter" of her life.

NEW DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT FEDS' DECISION NOT TO CHARGE JEFFREY EPSTEIN IN 2016

She has held on to various forms of documentation in her case, including blog posts Cleary appeared to publish from Europe throughout the years since the assault.

Cleary left Gettysburg College and went on to graduate from Santa Clara University, worked for Tesla, then moved to France for several years, according to his blog, which touts his self-published medieval fiction.

"How is he financially supporting himself? How is he able to travel abroad without detection? Has he assumed a false identity?" Levy asked. "Whos helping him?"

After the AP published a story about Keeler and her alleged attacker in 2021, Sinnett announced charges against Cleary. He told the AP that the two-year search for the suspect has been "somewhat frustrating."

"I just have to think this person is accessing resources from somewhere," Sinnett told the news agency.

Cleary, who is currently wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service, has also been placed on the Interpol Red Notice list. Authorities are asking anyone with information about Cleary's whereabouts to contact the U.S. Marshals Service or the Gettysburg Borough Police Department at 717-334-1168.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Colorado man won a $3.8 million lottery and the first thing he wants to buy is a new vacuum

Bill S. won $3.8 Million in the Colorado Lotto+ after playing the lottery for a decade. Colorado Lottery.

A 68-year-old Colorado retiree struck the motherload when he won a $3.8 million lottery.

The first thing Bill S. said he wanted to do with his new fortune was purchase a new vacuum.

He told the Colorado Lottery that he also might take a trip on a train and go horseback riding.

We might all imagine what we would purchase if we were suddenly millionaires, but one Colorado man who called himself an "old hippie" is living out that dream.

His first purchase wish with his new fortunes? A new vacuum.

The 68-year-old man, identified only as Bill S., won the $3.8 million Colorado Lotto+ jackpot last week, and he described the win as "beyond belief," according to the lottery's press release.

Bill, who said he played the lottery every week for a decade, chose the cash option for his winnings, walking away with $1,948,019 in cash from his $3,896,039 prize, the press release said.

The lucky winner told the lottery that he doesn't have extravagant spending plans for his new wealth.

He plans to buy 100 gift cards for the people at his local City Market grocery store, where he bought the winning lottery ticket, "because they are nice" to him.

Bill told the Colorado Lottery that he also wants to take a trip on a train and fund his old hobbies of paragliding and horseback riding, things he had to give up once he retired and went on a fixed budget.

Before retirement, Bill worked as a trauma nurse in New York City for three decades, the press release said. He moved to Colorado after his parents passed away because he had special memories of learning to ski on the state's mountains in the 1970s.

Read the original article on Insider
When the Covid-19 pandemic shuttered businesses in Memphis, our smallest businesses were in many cases the hardest hit. They had to learn to stay creative and resilient in the face of these challenges.

Despite a difficult business environment, small businesses remain a key cornerstone of our local economy. And now theyre making a comeback.

Hear more Tennessee Voices:Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

Growth of Memphis' small businesses

In 2022, the Memphis metropolitan statistical area had 98,981 self-employed residents, which is up 3% from 2017. Our region has also had 27,000 new businesses open so far this year, which is on pace to surpass last years total of 91,000 new businesses by more than 18,000 businesses. The Greater Memphis Chamber has also felt that surge: We celebrated our 50th ribbon cutting of the year on June 9, which is the fastest weve reached that milestone in our 185-year history.

The world knows Memphis for its delicious BBQ, the Grizzlies, and of course, as the Home of the Blues and Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll. But we want Memphis to also be known for its thriving small businesses. Because our small businesses help drive innovation, and according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, have created two out of every three jobs for the last 25 years nationwide. Thats why it is vitally important that we support our small businesses as they continue to recover from the pandemic.

And thats exactly what our partners at Comcast are doing with their Comcast RISE program.

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What is the RISE program?

As small businesses transition from pandemic recovery to a focus on expansion and growth, Comcast is bringing its Comcast RISE program to Memphis, helping an even broader range of small businesses while focusing on diversity, inclusion, and community investment.

This August, a new round of grants from the Comcast RISE program will be distributed in five cities across the country. These grants will support 500 more small businesses, including individuals committed to uplifting their local communities.

Memphis has been selected as one of these RISE cities, which means 100 businesses in Memphis and Shelby County could receive packages that include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, marketing support, and a technology makeover.

In the past two years since launching the program, Comcast has provided more than $110 million nationally in monetary, marketing and technology grants, supporting 13,000 small businesses owned by people of color and women  this included more than 100 businesses right here in Memphis and Shelby County.

We are proud to count Comcast as one of our partners in supporting small businesses because we know firsthand that this support can help a business not just survive  but thrive.

Ted Townsend at Greater Memphis Chamber in Downtown Memphis on Oct. 13, 2022

And its important to note that this isnt the first time Comcast has invested in Memphis. They have been a consistent partner in supporting small businesses, which make up 90% of the Chambers membership.

From breaking down barriers to immediate business growth, to creating long-term strategies for the future of Memphis business community, the Greater Memphis Chamber is laser-focused on bringing transformational change to Memphis  and the Comcast RISE program can help us achieve that vision.

From June 1-30, eligible small businesses in Memphis and Shelby County will be able to apply for assistance from the Comcast RISE program at www.ComcastRISE.com. On behalf of our business community, I encourage any small businesses that are looking for support to review the qualifications for the program and apply today.

Ted Townsend is president & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Comcast small business program uplifts Memphis' small businesses
Commenters clash at SLO County school board meeting on transgender kids use of restrooms

More than 100 Templeton parents, students and residents turned out Tuesday night for an at-times contentious school board study session on transgender students use of restroom and locker room facilities within the district.

The meeting, which ran for five hours in the band room at Templeton Middle School, included over two and a half hours of public comment, often interrupted by loud outbursts and verbal disputes between audience members as tensions ran high throughout the meeting.

Attention on the session, which aimed to discuss ways to make restroom and locker room facilities safe and comfortable for all students, escalated in advance when board member Jennifer Grinager, the founder and previous president of San Luis Obispo Countys Moms for Liberty chapter, spoke at a SLO County Tea Party meeting and urged members to turn out at the meeting.

Weve got to be creative. The law does not require us to force anybody else to be in the facility at the same time, Grinager said at the Tea Party meeting in reference to students sharing restrooms and locker rooms. She said she was speaking as a private citizen, not a school board member.

That move, in turn, activated members of the LGBTQ+ community, who showed up to fight what they saw as an attack on transgender youth.

Superintendent Aaron Asplund emphasized that the district did not want the issue to become divisive, while proposing a series of options as potential resolutions to the debate on restroom and locker room privacy concerns.

Theres no reason our conversations need to be framed this way as two sets of values in conflict, Asplund said. Some folks might have come thinking this should be framed as a conservative versus progressive values showdown. Thats not what this is.

Templeton District Board members prepare for a June 20, 2023, meeting on transgender students use of opposite gender restrooms and locker rooms.

Contentious public comment kicks off meeting

The meeting got off to a heated start before the district administration even got to present the issues and possible solutions up for consideration.

Religion and history were frequently mentioned in comments made from both sides, along with the role Moms for Liberty has staked out in public schools.

The group defines itself as a national, nonprofit and nonpartisan organization fighting for parents right over the education and health of their children.

But multiple meeting participants cited that the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit legal advocacy group, recently classified Moms for Liberty as a far-right organization that engages in anti-student inclusion activities and self-identifies as part of the modern parental rights movement.

Comments were kicked off by Willow Kawamoto, a resident of SLO County for the past seven years. Kawamoto identified herself as a lesbian and transgender woman and said she felt that the debate on transgender kids use of restrooms and locker rooms was dangerous.

My status as a woman and as a human being are recognized by the state of California, Kawamoto said.

Gary Lehrer, a member of Moms for Liberty and current director of public relations and communications for the Republican Party of San Luis Obispo County, likened the publics response to Moms for Liberty as akin to the Nazis treatment of Jewish people.

You know who doesnt get treated decently and fairly? Its Moms for Liberty. We have been dehumanized and villainized, Lehrer said.

Multiple public outbursts occurred throughout Lehrers comments, causing board President Mendi Swan to call the room to order.

Another community member, Dr. Kim Andridge, a licensed psychologist who said she had a specialty working with queer and transgender youth and adults, said that access to affirming services, such as restrooms, is one of the most important factors in protecting the health of LGBTQ+ kids.

The things being proposed by Mothers for Liberty is exactly what is causing these kids to die, Andridge said.

Peter Byrne, a 40-year resident of SLO County, urged the school board to stop trying to naturalize what is not normal.

The school board should be ashamed of themselves for allowing men to use girls locker rooms. ... The school board itself needs to man up, Byrne said.

Community members, parents and students attend a June 20, 2023, Templeton Unified School District board meeting on transgender students use of restrooms and locker rooms.

Legality of restroom and locker room use

The nearly two and a half hours of public comments was followed by a legal presentation by Shauna Cunningham of Cunningham Law Group.

Cunningham referenced multiple legal regulations that the school district is required to follow, including California Education code 221.5, which like AB 1266, mandates that students must be allowed to participate in school programs and activities based upon their gender identity.

Additionally, Cunningham referenced Templeton Administrative Regulation 5145.3, which allows students to use restrooms and locker room facilities and participate in programs and activities consistent with their gender identity.

The regulation requires that any students privacy concerns must be addressed, and specific groups of students cannot be singled out.

How Templeton district could refurbish facilities

When the meeting turned toward the discussion of possible solutions, the superintendent encouraged parents and community members to find common ground, while underscoring the sense of privacy, comfort and safety for all students.

Everyone here has deeply held values. People are driven by their values. We should harness those towards common-ground solutions, Asplund said.

The potential locker room solutions laid out by Asplund varied by extent and cost, including:

The option for students to no longer dress for PE classes

The option for individual students to request opting out from dressing for PE with no grade penalty

The installation of eight changing stalls per locker room with the ability for students to request single-use spaces if desired

The installation of 20 changing stalls per locker room

The board agreed that providing kids with the option to not dress for PE was unhygienic and might be taken advantage of. Their focus centered on the installation of eight changing stalls per locker room.

This option included models of how the locker room spaces could be retrofitted to fit new needs, while taking advantage of currently unused spaces.

The potential restroom solutions also varied by extent and cost, including:

The replacement of urinals with toilets and the installation of floor-to-ceiling partitions

The designation of single-use, gender-neutral restrooms

Retrofitting current group restrooms to create more private, gender-neutral and single-use restrooms

These options included potential added safety components such as:

Hiring monitors to stand outside restrooms throughout the school day

The installation of decibel-level sensors that would be activated by any loud noises within the restrooms

In response to the potential restroom solutions, board members discussed the possible cost of various options as well as logistical space concerns. Board members also considered the possibility of a new law that would require all California schools to provide at least one designated single-use restroom on every campus.

School board member Janel Armet also suggested that a larger investment might be made to improve the quality of the restrooms and locker rooms within the Templeton school district.

Final comments

The meeting concluded with some final comments made by Grinager and Armet.

There seems to be an impression that Moms for Liberty directed this meeting, and we didnt, Grinager said, referring to a flyer from the Gala Pride and Diversity Center that was passed out ahead of the meeting.

This was never a discussion to end protections for our LGBT students, Grinager said. Nobody in this community hates LGBT individuals to my knowledge. I myself dedicated years of my life to working with the HIV and AIDS population.

Armet referenced the contention earlier in the meeting, especially throughout the public comment process.

It was kind of hard to hear sometimes what people said tonight. I hope we can change that, and its going to take the whole community coming together, Armet said.
Huntersville Commissioner Derek Partee questioned the boards ability to fairly consider the Lagoona Bay project.

At a meeting Tuesday night, he said he doesnt like the optics of commissioners having a relationship with the developer, Jake Palillo, or accepting campaign donations from him.

If there is any influence then we are wasting time if this petition is going to get passed because of relationships, Partee said.

READ MORE:

Partees comments were condemned by several board members. Several board members also disclosed how much Palillo donated to their campaigns before addressing him.

Commissioner Rob Kidwell said he was disappointed by the allegations of impropriety.

For accusations to be thrown out in the air, it is not acceptable behavior, he said.

Developers are known to be common and frequent donors to local campaigns.

Pallilo told the board hes a longtime resident with interest in the community. He says he doesnt buy votes for his projects.

In all of our projects, I dont think anyone can point out to a project I have done in Huntersville, Cornelius or Davidson where they can say that shouldnt have been there but this guy got a favor as a result, he said.

The $800 million project calls for housing, a hotel and convention center in addition to the resort style members-only lagoon.

Its being met with significant neighborhood pushback, with residents questioning its impact on the community.

Look I have no empathy for someone who moves next to an airport and complains about the noise, resident Bob Baer said. The airport was there first. We were here first and you are trying to put this down our throats.

Mayor Pro Tem Stacy Phillips was one of the commissioners to disclose a donation from Pallilo. She said if anyone thinks $5,000 dollars will buy her soul, then bless your heart.

Huntersville commissioners will vote on the project as soon as next month.

(WATCH PREVIOUS: Neighbors say proposed Lagoona Bay project in Huntersville would increase traffic issues)
Community slams company for the poisoning of their river multiple times: Spilled toxic chemicals into the water

A gold mining company from Canada is facing an alliance of watchdogs presenting a slew of claims from countries around the world. Residents are calling out the precious-metal giant for inflicting harm on communities and on our planet.

The company, Barrick, has promised zero harm and to build a sustainable legacy, but folks living near some of the mines report a different story.

Barrick has spilled toxic chemicals into the water of the Jachal River multiple times.  They have not been transparent about their impacts, Domingo Jofre, from Argentina, said in a report posted by MiningWatch Canada.

What is gold mined for?

Gold is used in multiple industries, including jewelry, medicine, electronics, and aerospace projects.

Like other crucial elements that impact our daily lives, gold is buried deep in the Earth, requiring an invasive process to gather it.

The World Gold Council has a timeline for the lifecycle of a typical mine, which includes decades of work  from up to 15 years of exploration and development, through 10 to 30 years of mining, and another one to five years to close the operation.

The council is a group of international mining companies  including Barrick  that works to ensure a sustainable gold mining industry.

And Barrick CEO Mark Bristow seems to fall in line with the mission statement, at least in words.

We strive to be a good corporate citizen and a genuine partner for our host communities, hes quoted as saying on the companys website.

Whats going wrong?

Barrick is facing multiple allegations of ruining rivers from different countries. Mining for gold can release toxic waste, including lead, arsenic, and mercury, into waterways, according to Earthworks, which also notes that nearly 200 million tons of waste is dumped into rivers, lakes, and streams each year by gold mines.

Barrick mined 4.1 million ounces of gold in 2022 with net earnings of $432 million, according to a company fact sheet. The company claims to have contributed $15.26 billion in taxes and other funding to host governments in 2022, providing $36.2 million in community investments.

But more complaints are coming from the Philippines, Pakistan, and the United States, among others. More contaminated rivers and cultural harm to Native Americans are some of the troubles detailed by MiningWatch.

Livelihoods continue to be affected by the contamination of our rivers, Elizabeth Manggol, of the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns in the Philippines, told MiningWatch. It is time that Barrick lives up to its claims of being a responsible company and takes responsibility for the mess left behind.

Whats being done to help?

In the near term, a combination of whistleblowing and lawsuits will continue to shine light on the industry. Improved recycling technology can also help reuse Earths rare metals, so invasive mines dont have to be used as much.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
The company behind the missing submersible thanked Elon Musk's company Starlink prior to the disastrous expedition. He hasn't said a word about the mission on Twitter.

The Titan submersible and the five people on board have been missing since Sunday. Abaca Press/Reuters

OceanGate Expeditions said it used Elon Musk's Starlink satellites to provide its internet access.

It's unknown whether Starlink played a role in the Titan's disappearance or loss of communications.

Musk hasn't commented on the matter.

OceanGate Expeditions, the company whose submersible has gone missing, tweeted a shout-out to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites earlier this month  but Musk has yet to comment on the ongoing situation.

On Sunday, five people in a submersible called the Titan lost communication with The Polar Prince, a Canadian research ship, two hours into their descent to the Titanic shipwreck. A joint effort between US and Canadian military forces is underway. The US Coast Guard estimated the craft would run out of breathable air by Thursday afternoon ET.

Three weeks before the mission, the company tweeted that Starlink, a global internet-service provider with a goal of providing internet to remote areas, helped the company with its exploration operations in the middle of the ocean.

"Despite being in the middle of the North Atlantic, we have the internet connection we need to make our #Titanic dive operations a success - thank you @Starlink!" the OceanGate Expeditions Twitter account wrote.

The Starlink Twitter account later liked the tweet.

It's unknown whether Starlink played any role in the Titan's disappearance, loss of communications, or if it was used on this mission, the submersible, or The Polar Prince. It's also unclear whether SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, and OceanGate have any financial or business ties.

Despite users pointing out this connection online, neither Starlink nor Musk has spoken about the missing passengers on the Titan nor clarified whether there was a relationship between OceanGate and Starlink.

OceanGate Expeditions, which charged tourists $250,000 to embark on an eight-day exploration of the wreck of the Titanic and has had two previous expeditions, is currently under fire for flouting safety rules before Sunday's expedition.

The maker of the Titan previously said that the vessel wasn't checked to see if it was up to standards by independent groups like the American Bureau of Shipping. At the same time, the CEO complained about the industry being "obscenely safe." Meanwhile, the company faced a previous safety lawsuit from a former employee who accused the vessel of being dangerous to passengers.

The CBS News Correspondent David Pogue, who reported about OceanGate during a 2022 Titanic exploration, tweeted on Monday that a similar situation  where the crew on the surface lost the location of the submersible  occurred. Although the vessel's location was unknown, Pogue said crewmembers could "still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was." Pogue also discussed the incident on his podcast, "Unsung Science."

Pogue said the company shut off the internet to prevent reporters from tweeting about the incident.

Musk, meanwhile, has been tweeting about Ivermectin, Starlink in Rwanda, and vaccine misinformation.

Representatives for Starlink and OceanGate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo: AP News (AP)

Investigators are currently racing against time to find the Titan, a small commercial submarine that went missing in the North Atlantic on Sunday with five people aboard. Now, new reporting reveals that the company behind the ill-fated underwater tour previously fired an employee after he expressed concern over the safety of the missing vehicles design.

OceanGate Expeditions, which charters insanely expensive aquatic trips like the one that went awry this weekend, was previously the subject of a lawsuit involving its former director of marine operations. The exec in question, David Lochridge, lost his job at the company in January of 2018 after he delivered a scathing report to the companys senior management that highlighted numerous safety concerns with its underwater vehicle, TechCrunch reports.

Read more

After his termination, OceanGate sued Lochridge, accusing the former executive of leaking confidential corporate information about its submarine. Consequently, Lochridge filed a compulsory counterclaim, alleging wrongful termination for having been a whistleblower regarding safety concerns.

To hear Lochridge tell it, the companys top brass repeatedly ignored his efforts to draw attention to problems with Titans designproblems so serious that he felt they could pose a safety risk to personnel and to passengers.

Lochridge became actively concerned about these issues after he was instructed by management to conduct a quality inspection of the submersible. The inspection revealed numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns, according to the lawsuit.

One of those issues was Titans hullwhich was made of what was then a first-of-its-kind carbon fiber structure. TechCrunch writes that the material OceanGate used to craft its ship was appealing because it can be stronger and lighter than steel. However, the material could also be be prone to sudden failure under stress, the outlet notes, and Lochridge worried that small flaws in the hull could hypothetically expand under the pressure of diving into the depths of the ocean. Lochridge suggested that the company conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design of the hull, but was repeatedly met with protestations from the companys management, according to the lawsuit.

Another safety issue was the submarines viewport. According to Lochridge, he was repeatedly denied information about this part of the submarine by other members of the team. Eventually, Lochridge attended a meeting where the viewport was discussed more transparently and things did not go well...

At the meeting Lochridge discovered why he had been denied access to the viewport information from the Engineering departmentthe viewport at the forward of the submersible was only built to a certified pressure of 1,300 meters, although OceanGate intended to take passengers down to depths of 4,000 meters. Lochridge learned that the viewport manufacturer would only certify to a depth of 1,300 meters due to experimental design of the viewport supplied by OceanGate, which was out of the Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (PVHO) standards. OceanGate refused to pay for the manufacturer to build a viewport that would meet the required depth of 4,000 meters.

In other words, according to the lawsuit, the Titans viewport really wasnt built for the depths at which the vehicle was traveling. Indeed, the sub was in the midst of a dive to the site of the Titanic wreckage on Sunday when it disappearedwhich is said to be some 13,000 feet below the surface of the ocean.

Lochridges lawsuit did not proceed particularly far and the former employee and the company swiftly settled. Some five years later, however, its hard not to see the brief legal battle as prescient, given that the Titan is now the subject of a frantic sea-spanning manhunt.

At the point when the company lost contact with its submersible, it was projected that the vehicle had approximately four days worth of air left. Now, things are markedly more dire. As of Tuesday morning, officials said there was less than 40 hours left before oxygen supply runs out. Onboard the lost vehicle are OceanGates own CEO, Stockton Rush, who was piloting the sub when it disappeared, as well as Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a former French Navy officer, Hamish Harding, a British billionaire, and Shahzada Dawood (also a billionaire), along with Dawoods 19-year-old son, Suleman.

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Concerns about subs potential extreme danger to passengers raised years before it vanished

The disappearance of a submersible in the North Atlantic with five people aboard is bringing earlier safety concerns to light.

Everett-based OceanGate faced a 2018 complaint filed by a former employee.

According to court documents, David Lochridge claimed he was fired for expressing concerns about the vessels safety. The company sued Lochridge, accusing him of disclosing confidential information.

Lochridge responded with a court filing, saying he advised OceanGate to conduct more tests on the vessels hull.

The document added that Lochridge believed the company could subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

OceanGate has said the vessel can dive about 13,000 feet with a comfortable safety margin. The wreckage of the Titanic, which the missing sub, Titan, was touring, is nearly 13,000 feet below the surface.

On Wednesday morning, we learned that OceanGate admitted it did not get the vessel reviewed by the government or any safety standard group.

In 2018, the trade group Marine Technology Society wrote to OceanGate with its reservations about the subs safety.

According to the letter obtained by the New York Times, the group was concerned that OceanGates experimental approach could have potentially catastrophic effects that could impact their industry.

A year later, OceanGate posted on its website that it did not get the Titan submersible reviewed, that it fell outside both government and independent rules, and said innovation often falls outside of the existing industry paradigm.

CBS News obtained a podcast that OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush did last year in which he said safety is a waste.

Rush is one of the five people aboard the missing sub.

In addition, Rush was sued for fraud this year by a couple who had their expedition aboard the Titan canceled several times due to safety concerns and equipment failure.

The structure of Titan has also come under scrutiny, with a clip from last years CBS Sunday Morning feature about the vessel now going viral. Its received almost 20 million views as of Tuesday evening.

Yall please watch this. Its a CBS story that aired a while back about that submarine that is now missing. The creators of that missing submarine are DEEPLY unserious. pic.twitter.com/B6JriITyZj  Marie, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (@FnpMarieOH) June 19, 2023

CBS science correspondent David Rogue went onboard Titan in 2022, and at the time, he questioned the safety of the vessel, and read aloud the disclaimer he had to sign for the voyage.

An experimental submersible vessel that has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma, or death, Rogue read aloud.

The piece also showed a game controller that was being used to navigate the vessel.

I couldnt help noticing how many pieces of this sub seemed improvised, Rogue said in his report.

We run this whole thing with this game controller, Rush said.

But Rush stressed that critical safety elements were buttoned down  like the pressure vessel, which he said OceanGate worked on with Boeing, NASA, and the University of Washington.

Our reporter Deedee Sun spoke with marine salvage expert Bob Mester on Tuesday about what may have happened to the submersible and his thoughts about whether those on board can survive.
Fresno County health officials have confirmed two cases of measles in a single household and are urging the public to get current on their vaccines, especially before traveling to other places in the world. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

Two cases of measles have been reported in California's Central Valley, prompting local officials to remind people to get their children vaccinated against the highly infectious disease.

The infections were confirmed in a single household in Fresno County. County health officials said they are working with their counterparts at the state level and in neighboring Madera County to contact individuals who may have been exposed but believe at this point that the risk to the general population is low.

These cases are reminders of the critical role of vaccinations in protecting the community, Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County's health officer, said in a statement. "The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles is to get vaccinated. We urge all parents to please work with your pediatrician or contact the health department to help get your child up-to-date on vaccinations."

It's particularly important that people are vaccinated before traveling to other places in the world where measles is common, Fresno County health officials said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory Wednesday, warning that the 16 measles cases reported nationally over the first five months of this year is a significant increase from the three seen during the comparable period in 2022.

"Most of these cases were among children who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine," the CDC advisory said.

Of the 16 cases reported so far this year, 14 were related to international travel. There are a number of popular tourist destinations that have suffered from measles outbreaks in recent years, such as London.

Read more: L.A. County is second most vulnerable to measles nationwide

Measles is highly contagious, and can cause serious illness  especially in children younger than 5. Common symptoms include a cough, runny nose, rash, high fever and red, watery eyes.

About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles will need to be hospitalized, and 1 out of every 1,000 people infected will develop swelling of the brain, which can lead to brain damage, according to the CDC.

Out of 1,000 measles-infected individuals, 1 to 3 will die, "even with the best care," the CDC says.

Health officials recommend the measles vaccine be given in two doses: first at age 12 to 15 months, and the second between ages 4 and 6.

Read more: Vaccine refusal helped fuel Disneyland measles outbreak, study says

California's last significant measles flare-up occurred in late 2014 and early 2015, when an outbreak associated with Disneyland infected at least 131 Californians, and cases spread to seven other states, Canada and Mexico.

Declining rates of childhood vaccinations likely helped fuel that outbreak, officials said. California lawmakers responded by strengthening the requirement that schoolchildren receive vaccinations as a condition of entry into public or private schools  eliminating the ability of parents to seek religious or other personal-belief exemptions for their children.

Within a couple of years of the law's implementation, the vaccination rate among California's kindergartners rose.

Health officials have expressed concern about children falling behind on routine vaccinations because of delayed medical checkups during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a study published by the CDC in January found no overall decline in coverage associated with the pandemic among children born in 2018 and 2019.

Read more: California's measles outbreak is over, but vaccine fight continues

Nonetheless, the study did document declines in vaccination among children living in poverty and in rural areas  with coverage falling by 4 to 5 percentage points during the pandemic.

"Coverage was typically higher among privately insured children than among children with other insurance or no insurance," the study said.

Over the last decade, the year that saw the highest number of measles cases nationally was 2019. The 1,274 cases reported that year was the largest number since 1992, and most of them occurred in unvaccinated people.

Notable related outbreaks were reported in New York that year, with ongoing measles transmission "in large and close-knit Orthodox Jewish communities," which accounted for 934 cases that year, according to a report published by the CDC.

Those outbreaks threatened the "elimination status" of measles in the U.S.  a term epidemiologists use to describe when a disease is absent, in terms of continuous transmission, for more than a year.

Federal officials declared measles eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 thanks to high vaccination rates, but outbreaks have occurred periodically since then.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Convicted of 2014 Topeka murder, Cortez Timley dies Wednesday in Kansas prison at 33

The man convicted of murder in a 2014 Topeka drive-by shooting has died in a Kansas prison.

Cortez Timley died Wednesday at Larned State Correctional Facility, where he was an inmate. He was 33.

His earliest possible release date had been in July 2041.

The Kansas Department of Corrections and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating, as is protocol when a prisoner dies in state custody, and a cause of death has not been determined.

Timley was convicted in Shawnee County District Court of first-degree murder, as well as three drug possession charges and a misdemeanor of interfering with law enforcement from a separate case.

Cortez Tyree Timley, who was convicted of first-degree murder in a fatal 2014 drive-by shooting in Topeka, has died in prison.

The murder conviction stemmed from the June 13, 2014, killing of Jermel Robbins in the 2100 block of S.E. Kentucky. Witnesses and phone records helped investigators identify Timley as the suspect who shot out of the passenger window of a car.

The Kansas Supreme Court upheld the conviction.

Robbins' murder was thought to be tied to the May 2014 shooting death of Tiffany Davenport-Ray, who was killed hours after getting married.

Timley was also convicted of a federal gun crime in connection to the shooting, pleading guilty. Federal prosecutors said he admitted to possessing the guns "to protect their drug supply."

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka murderer Cortez Timley, 33, dies in Kansas prison
Cooking with a gas stove may be as bad as breathing secondhand cigarette smoke, study finds

Researchers from Stanford University and nonprofit PSE Healthy Energy tested gas and propane stoves in 87 homes across California and Colorado. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

Cooking with gas-fired stoves can cause unsafe levels of toxics to accumulate inside homes, exposing people to roughly the same cancer risk as breathing secondhand cigarette smoke, according to a new study.

Researchers from Stanford University and nonprofit PSE Healthy Energy tested gas and propane stoves in 87 homes across California and Colorado and found that every appliance produced a detectable amount of cancer-causing benzene  a chemical with no safe level of exposure.

It took only 45 minutes for a single burner on high, or an oven set to 350 degrees, to boost benzene levels above well-established health base lines, according to the study, which was published last week in Environmental Science & Technology. In some cases, benzene levels exceeded concentrations found in secondhand tobacco smoke.

Scientists also found that benzene migrated well beyond kitchens, reaching unhealthy levels in other rooms and lingering within homes for hours. The toxic conditions, researchers found, were even worse in smaller homes, suggesting health risks may be worse for lower-income families with less square footage.

"That ties into it being an environmental justice issue too," said Yannai Kashtan, lead researcher and Stanford PhD candidate in Earth system science. "A lot of folks either can't afford to replace their stove, or maybe are renters and their landlord doesn't want to. Also, lower-income folks are more likely to be living in smaller spaces where the same emission rate is going to translate into a higher concentration."

Read more: In Boyle Heights, Sen. Alex Padilla urges Superfund status for Exide cleanup

Gas stoves have been a fixture in American kitchens for more than a century. But a growing body of research has exposed a plethora of contaminants and health consequences from cooking with gas.

The research  the first of its kind to examine benzene emissions from cooking  comes as politicians across the nation are sparring over the future of gas appliances in residential and commercial buildings.

Last year, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ban most gas appliances in new buildings, a move intended to mitigate gas energy's contribution to global warming. New York, San Francisco and Seattle have passed similar regulations.

California air regulators have been considering phasing out gas appliances as well, to meet the state's ambitious climate goals.

But just last week, however, the Republican-controlled House passed a bill that would prevent the U.S. Department of Energy from banning gas stoves, a move the American Gas Assn. hailed, saying it protects a consumer's right to choose.

Karen Harbert, president and chief executive of the American Gas Assn., a trade organization representing more than 200 local energy companies nationwide, said it is evaluating the study "to understand its methodology and the merits of its findings."

"Customers deserve access to transparent information and sound science to help make decisions about the health and safety of their families, and the natural gas industry continues to contribute objective, thorough and meticulous scientific analysis, Harbert said in a statement.

Lately, the debate has shifted to potential health risks associated with indoor air quality. Previous studies have concluded that gas stoves produce nitrogen dioxide, a lung irritant linked to asthma and a precursor to smog. In households with gas stoves, scientists have also found a greater prevalence of childhood asthma and respiratory conditions, such as wheezing.

When methane and propane gas are fully burned, the only products are water and carbon dioxide. But when gas is only partially combusted, stoves can spew carbon monoxide; formaldehyde, a carcinogen; and benzene.

The study found that cooking at higher temperatures produced more benzene emissions. However, in an interesting twist, scientists also found that cooking with a smaller flame produced more benzene per joule of gas consumed.

Read more: California air regulators vote to ban toxic chrome plating by 2039

Previous research by PSE Healthy Energy examined harmful emissions from stoves that were not in use.

Benzene, which is present in underground oil and gas deposits, was found to leak from gas ranges and pollute homes even when cooktop burners and the oven were turned off.

The most recent study, however, found that benzene concentrations from cooking were 70 to 640 times greater than the median leakage rates measured in idle stoves.

The researchers noted that pollutant concentrations indoors depended on ventilation conditions and home size. Many gas ranges are fitted with ventilation hoods that can reduce concentrations.

When asked to comment on the paper's findings, the National Propane Gas Assn. released a statement saying that additional research is needed to assess indoor pollutants. It noted also that the Stanford-PSE Heathy Energy study did not address ventilation rates.

"It does not propose that gas stoves are dangerous when used according to local guidelines," an association spokesperson said. "There are no facts or data in this study to suggest that a home ventilated in accordance with state regulations and manufacturers recommended guidelines would be dangerous."

But researchers tested the use of ventilation hoods, finding it helped reduce concentrations, though in some cases benzene was still measured above health limits.

Read more: Bay Area refinery fallout does not pose significant health risk, authorities say

"It's certainly helpful," Kashtan said about ventilation hoods. "But it doesn't guarantee that the pollution issue will be taken care of.

"One could come up with scenarios where you'd get lower concentrations," he added. "Sure, if you have all the windows open. But on the other hand, we're testing single ovens or single burners, so you certainly could come up with scenarios where you get higher concentrations."

Opening windows while cooking might also help reduce the risk of exposure, so long as air quality outdoors is not poor  a big assumption for some places in California.

"I'm fortunate to live in the breezy Bay Area, where we're opening a window most of the year and it's not a big problem, except for the occasional wildfire smoke days," Kashtan said. "But ... in Bakersfield, downwind of a bunch of 'Big Ag' and some of the largest oil fields in the state, opening a window is a whole different situation there."

Ultimately, eliminating health risks would require a transition away from gas stoves. Researchers cooked with 13 electric induction stoves and did not detect any measurable amount of benzene.

But there are stopgap measures residents can take if buying an electric range isn't an option.

"It's not all or nothing," Kashtan said. "You can get very inexpensive induction [cooktops] to reduce your reliance on the gas stove. There are a bunch of electric cooking appliances, air fryers, rice cookers, etc., that are sort of intermediate steps to reduce that source without eliminating it completely."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This article was originally published in Louisiana Illuminator.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed a bill that bans physical discipline at public elementary and secondary schools unless parents provide written permission.

State law currently allows public school teachers and administrators to use corporal punishment on students without parents permission. Such discipline includes hitting, paddling, striking, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force that causes pain or physical discomfort, according to the new law that goes into effect in August. It will also apply to nonpublic schools that receive state funds.

At least 27 of Louisianas 69 school systems have banned corporal punishment and at least 19 allowed it as of 2022, The Advocate reported in 2022.

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The bill, written by Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-New Orleans, would require parents in districts that still use corporal punishment to sign a permission slip if they allow their child to be physically disciplined. The bill gives parents the choice over how their child is punished, she said.

Hilferty attempted a similar bill last year that narrowly failed to advance from the House. This year, it passed the House in a 74-21 vote and was approved in the Senate, 37-1.

In the 1977 Ingraham v. Wright case, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of corporal punishment in public schools. More than a dozen states still allow corporal punishment in public schools, according to USA Today, and nearly all allow it in private schools.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com. Follow Louisiana Illuminator on Facebook and Twitter.
Colchester City Council started an investigation into the data breach in May

More than 7,000 people who have been affected by a data breach have been written to by a council.

Colchester City Council said it had emailed 3,488 people on Friday and sent 3,861 letters, following the issue with the outsourcing contractor Capita.

The contractor had been running the council's benefits system and audited its council tax and benefits services for six years.

Capita said: "The data is secure and no longer accessible."

The data had been secured, Colchester City Council said

The council said Capita reported a "security issue" when personal data including names and addresses had been found "on its unsecured data storage area".

No bank details had been leaked.

Eight local authorities were involved, including Rochford District Council, which told the BBC that 93 residents had been affected.

Capita said: "The privacy and security of our client information is of the utmost importance to us."

Colchester City Council said: "Capita has since acted to secure the data and have confirmed that there is no current evidence of persons accessing the data for malicious purposes."

It said it was extremely "disappointed that Capita has failed to maintain the high-security standards it expects of its suppliers".

The Information Commissioners Office, the UK watchdog of information and personal data, said it was aware of two incidents concerning a cyber-attack at Capita in March 2023 and the use of publicly accessible storage.

A spokesperson said: "We are receiving a large number of reports from organisations directly affected by these incidents and we are currently making inquiries."

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
UNITED NATIONS  Counter-terrorism experts said Tuesday that Africa is now the worlds terrorism hot spot, with half of the victims killed last year in sub-Saharan Africa, though al-Qaida and Islamic State affiliates remain widespread, persistent and active elsewhere around the globe.

Interpol, the international criminal police agency, also reported during a panel discussion at the U.N. that terrorism linked to extreme right-wing ideology increased an estimated 50-fold over the past decade, particularly in Europe, North America and parts of the Asia-Pacific.

HIMARS, allied partnerships at center of African Lion drills

The experts see other trends: Deteriorating global security is making the terrorism threat more complex and decentralized. Extremists are increasingly using sophisticated technology, and drones and artificial intelligence have opened new ways to plan and carry out attacks.

The United Nations this week is hosting its third high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies. Tuesdays panel on assessing current and emerging terrorist trends and threats brought together experts from the U.N., Interpol, Russia, the United States and Qatar, and Googles senior manager for strategic intelligence.

The overall theme for the week is addressing terrorism through reinvigorated international cooperation. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during Mondays opening session the key is to unite not only in foiling attacks but also critically to focus on preventing terrorism by tackling poverty, discrimination, poor infrastructure, gross human rights violations and other underlying drivers.

At Tuesdays session, it was Africa that took the spotlight.

Africa has emerged as the key battleground for terrorism, with a major increase in the number of active groups operating on the continent, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said, noting that local political, economic and social fractures, porous borders and identity-based mobilization had fueled the emergence of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS.

Several areas of the continent, from Burkina Faso and the Sahel and more broadly to Chad and Sudan, still face the consequences of the flow of weapons and foreign fighters from Libya, Khiari said.

Oil-rich Libya plunged into chaos following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. After the Islamic States self-styled caliphate was defeated in Iraq in 2017, many of its foreign fighters fled to the North African nation.

Col. Gen. Igor Sirotkin, deputy director of Russias Federal Security Service and head of its National Anti-Terrorism Committee, told the meeting that West Africa, especially the Maghreb and the Sahel, are becoming the epicenter of the Islamist terrorist threat, with the armed terrorist groups expanding their influence, and we see the danger of ISIS being reincarnated as an African caliphate.

Khiari said the Middle East also continues to suffer aftershocks from the wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Interpols counter-terrorism director, Gregory Hinds, said al-Qaida and Islamic State-related groups continue to inspire and carry out attacks in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, North America, Europe and now across Africa and Asia at alarming pace.
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, center at microphone, faces reporters during a news conference, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard says sounds and banging noises have been heard from the search area for Titanic submersible.

Media coverage has been intense regarding the missing Titanic Submersible, which is believed to be somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Numerous ships and vessels have been employed to locate the Submersible, which went missing Sunday on its way to view the wreck of the Titanic. OceanGate Expeditions was in charge of the mission.

A Canadian surveillance vessel has revealed the presence of underwater noises in the area where rescuers are searching for the five people inside of the missing vessel. The tragic story has dominated international news cycles for days while Coast Guard officials work diligently to rescue those onboard.

Read more

This is a search and rescue mission, 100%, Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District has stated. We are smack dab in the middle of search and rescue and well continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members.

However, it was reported that last week more than 500 refugees are believed to have drowned off the coast of Greece. According to the United Nations Migration Agency, around 400 and 750 peopleincluding childrenfrom Egypt, Syria and Palestine were on an overloaded fishing trawler when it sank.

Its one of the most devastating incidents to have ever happened in the Mediterranean Sea, EU Commissioner for Home Affair Ylva Johansson has said. It was reported that at least 298 people from Pakistan died, with 104 being rescued and 78 bodies being found.

However, it is not nearly receiving enough attention outside of the nations that were directly affected by the tragedy. Pakistans prime minister Shehbaz Sharif declared Monday a day of mourning for those who died in the shipwreck. He also said he will investigate how the tragedy happened in the first place.

I assure the nation that those found negligent towards their duty will be held to account. Responsibility will be fixed after the inquiry and heads will roll, Sharif said. In addition, the UN has called for an investigation into Greeces role in the incident and if they could have done to rescue those onboard.

The Titanic submersible isnt the only at-sea tragedy that the world should be talking about; hundreds of people died in the Greek migrant shipwreck. However, we know the role that race and class play when it comes to which communities are elevated and highlighted by the mediawhat happened to those refugees is a cruel and inhumane reminder of it.

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McDonald Borough police are investigating the disappearance of 32-year-old Steven Paul McEwen, who has been reported missing in Aug. 2019 by a family member.

The last communication with McEwen was by phone, during which he made suicidal comments.

McEwen was from the Pittsburgh area and had become homeless after losing his job, according to police. He was last living in a tent in the woods in McDonald.

McEwen is five feet, seven inches tall and weighs about 210 to 220 pounds. He has red hair, which is possibly shoulder length, a beard and blue eyes. He has freckles on his face and a serenity prayer tattoo on his left forearm.

McEwen goes by the nickname Polar Bear.

Anyone with information is asked to call the McDonald Borough Police Department at 724-926-2105 and speak to Chief Ahlborn or Officer Kubacki or anonymously contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS or online.

All callers to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

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North Myrtle Beachs first locally-owned Cuban restaurant opened this month in the city.

Cuba Bar and Restaurante opened June 12, and offers a variety of Cuban cuisine such as plantains, meat entrees and desserts that include roasted pork and rice pudding. Guava smoothies and Cuban coffee are also available. The menu is written in both Spanish and English.

Restaurant manager Laura Scalzo said the restaurant has been doing well so far and that most customers have been satisfied with the food. A Facebook post reviewing the restaurant wrote that the food was delicious.

Scalzo recommended the shredded beef  ropa vieja  with rice and black beans to potential customers. She also said that Cuba Bar and Restaurante is holding an opening special for the month of June, in which the appetizer, croquetas de jamon, will be free. The appetizer consists of ham covered in breadcrumbs and then deep fried.

Most entrees are between $12.99 to $18.99. All desserts are $2.99.

The restaurant is located on 70 Highway 17 South, which is next to Robert Edge Parkway, and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day except Monday.
Employees of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education and affiliated districts should keep an eye on their bank accounts  a cyber attack may have leaked their financial information last week.

On Tuesday, June 12, an outside source attacked Office of Education servers, according to the agencys assistant superintendent of business services Sheldon Smith.

However, there is no evidence that any employee data, such as payroll or human resources information, was leaked, Smith said.

The states Center for Internet Security told the Office of Education that data may have been exposed during the breach, although it didnt know exactly which information or which school districts are impacted.

Were working with specialists and law enforcement to confirm the nature and scope of the breach, Smith said. At this point, were asking employees to follow best practices and remain vigilant regarding data theft.

When the agency discovered the breach, it took all other services offline, according to SLO County Office of Education Superintendent James Brescia.

Everything is shut down right now because we know weve been hacked, Brescia said.

As a result, employees are not currently able to access the Employee Self Service online portal where staff log hours worked and the office manages payroll.

While the servers are down, the Office of Education is issuing payroll by hand, according to Brescia.

Were spending a lot of time to make sure that everyone is getting paid correctly, Brescia said.

The SLO County Office of Education offered employees up to a year of credit monitoring upon request. School districts will share sign-up information with their employees, Smith said.

Its one of the things that we learned from COVID. If people didnt feel safe, its in everyones interest to provide the tools for them to feel safe, Smith said.
Daughter of California man on death row in Iran files criminal complaint against Tehran in Germany

FILE - Iranian-German national and U.S. resident Jamshid Sharmahd attends his trial at the Revolutionary Court, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. Sharmahd's daughter, Gazelle Sharmahd, filed a criminal complaint with the German federal prosecutor's office against eight high-ranking members of Iran's judiciary and the intelligence service, alleging crimes against humanity. The Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which is supporting her case, announced the filing Wednesday, June 21, 2023.(Koosha Mahshid Falahi/Mizan News Agency via AP, File ) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BERLIN (AP)  The daughter of a California-based man sentenced to death in Iran has asked authorities in Germany to open criminal proceedings against members of the Iranian judiciary.

The family of Jamshid Sharmahd, who is a German-Iranian citizen, says he was abducted by Iran while staying in Dubai three years ago. Iranian authorities accused him of planning a 2008 attack on a mosque that killed 14 people and wounded over 200 others. He was sentenced to death earlier this year.

German and European diplomats have condemned the verdict, which comes amid an increase in executions by Iran.

Germany follows the principle of universal jurisdiction, under which authorities can investigate serious crimes committed elsewhere in the world.

Sharmahd's daughter, Gazelle Sharmahd , filed a criminal complaint with the German federal prosecutor's office against eight high-ranking members of Iran's judiciary and the intelligence service, alleging crimes against humanity.

The Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which is supporting her case, announced the filing Wednesday and said that the complaint targets prominent Iranian judge Abdolghassem Salavati and former Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi, among others.

The kidnapping in Dubai, the unlawful detention, the torture while in detention, and the imminent execution of my father as a result of a show trial exemplify the untold crimes of the Iranian regime, Gazelle Sharmahd said in a statement Wednesday.

The regime in Tehran is responsible for the systematic torture, sexual violence, executions and disappearances perpetrated against tens of thousands of people  most recently in the wake of the crackdown on the feminist revolution, ECCHR's secretary general, Wolfgang Kaleck, said.

Whether through criminal charges in Germany in the Sharmahd case, legal action in another country or before an international court, the goal is to bring high-ranking officials of the Iranian government, judiciary, and security apparatus to justice for these crimes.

Earlier this year, Germany and Iran expelled each others diplomats over the Sharmahd case. His hometown is Glendora, California.
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DUI ARREST NO IMPEDIMENT TO MIN CAMPAIGN, SURVEY SAYS

Despite a headline-grabbing DUI arrest earlier this year, State Sen. Dave Mins campaign to replace Irvine Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter next year appears to be holding strong, with a new poll showing likely general election voters favoring Min over his potential opponent, Republican Scott Baugh.

The Min campaign-commissioned survey, conducted by Public Policy Polling, found that after Min and Baughs biographies were read to likely voters, Min led Baugh 41% to 37%. When negative information was introduced, that lead expanded to 43% to 36%.

Min was arrested last month for driving under the influence. According to the California Highway Patrol, Min was nearly twice the legal limit to drive when he was stopped in Sacramento in a vehicle owned by the Senate Rules Committee. He is set to appear in court on July 24.

Speculation that Mins DUI would sink his campaign was off the mark, according to the survey. Just 19% said the episode was a convincing line of attack and 47% said it was not at all convincing. That compares to negative messaging about Baughs 1990s-era allegations of perjury and campaign finance violations, which led 65% of likely voters to think that was a convincing reason not to vote for him, according to the survey.

The polling firm surveyed 555 likely voters by telephone and text message between June 14 and June 15, with a margin of error of 4.2%.

CHAIN-IN PROTEST PLANNED FOR CAPITOL TO OPPOSE CHILD MARRIAGE

Child marriage remains legal in California. So long as a judge consents to the union, there is no minimum age in the Golden State for someone to marry. According to the group Unchained At Last, more than 23,500 minors were entered into a marriage between 2000 and 2018. This Thursday, the group will stage a chain-in on the west steps of the Capitol to protest for a law to ban the practice.

SB 404, by Sen. Aisha Wahab, D-Hayward,would make it a misdemeanor to arrange a child marriage not sanctioned by a judge, but does not actually the marriages from still being sanctioned.

Thursdays protest begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

We will wear bridal gowns and chains to urge legislators to introduce and pass a simple, commonsense bill that would end child marriage in California, according to a statement from Unchained At Last.

Speaking at the protest Thursday will be Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine, as well as a number of child marriage survivors.

BONTA RELEASES STATE OF PRIDE REPORT

This week, well into LGBTQ Pride Month, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the California Department of Justices inaugural State of Pride report.

The report details actions that Bontas DOJ took in order to combat anti-LGBTQ discrimination both in California and across the country.

I will continue to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights in California. However, our fight for equality can know no boundaries, which is why I am committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights everywhere. That includes the right to play sports, access public services, and receive gender-affirming healthcare, Bonta said in the opening of the report.

Among the actions taken, Bonta issued a letter to the Temecula Valley Unified School District demanding more information about its recent decision to ban a social studies curriculum that included mention of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person elected to political office in California.

The report also touts Bontas decision to add Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana and Utah to Californias Do Not Travel list for state-funded travel, as a direct response to those states passage of anti-transgender laws.

Finally, the report lists the rights that LGBTQ people have in California, including the right of students not to be outed at school, as one California school district is considering.

This means that even if you are out about your sexual orientation or gender identity at school, if youre not out to your parents at home, and you can reasonably expect that theyre not going to find out, then school staff cant tell your family that you are LGBTQ+ without your permission, the report said.

The report can be viewed by going here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Every renter, including the handful of us in elected office, can tell you the rising cost of keeping a roof over your head is a driving reason so many people are unhoused. Solving homelessness and fighting for renter protections go hand in hand.

- Assemblyman Isaac G. Bryan, via Twitter.

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On this day in history, June 21, 1982, Prince William, heir to the British throne, is born

On this day in history, June 21, 1982, Prince William, heir to the British throne, is born

On this day in history, June 21, 1982, Prince William was born at St. Mary's Hospital in London.

William Arthur Philip Louis was born at 9:03 p.m. and weighed just over seven pounds, according to the BBC.

His official title at birth was "His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales."

Prince William is the oldest son of Diana, Princess of Wales, and His Majesty King Charles III, and is the heir apparent to the British throne.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, JUNE 20, 1975, GROUND-BREAKING AND TERRIFYING MOVIE JAWS OPENS IN THEATERS

After Prince Williams birth, the royal couple showed off the future king to the public.

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"To introduce Prince William to the world after giving birth to him in the Lindo Wing [of the hospital], Princess Diana wore a green and white polka dot dress," Town and Country magazine reported.

The occasion was memorable for the proud new parents. "He has the good fortune not to look like me," King Charles III said at the time of Williams birth, according to multiple sources.

Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, are shown leaving St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington with their newborn son, Prince William.

Prince Williams entry into the world saw his mother breaking royal protocol and tradition. Princess Diana gave birth in St. Mary's Hospital, making him the first direct heir to the throne to be born outside palace walls, according to Hello! Magazine.

The couple's second son, Prince Harry, was born on Sept. 15, 1984, in London.

Prince Williams parents announced a marital separation in 1992, and were formally divorced on August 28, 1996.

In the year following the divorce, on Aug. 31, 1997, Princess Diana was killed along with her companion, Dodi Fayed, in a car accident in Paris.

Authorities determined the accident happened as the pair attempted to escape paparazzi photographers, according to multiple sources.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, JUNE 1, 1967, BEATLES RELEASE STANDOUT SGT. PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND' ALBUM

Prince William was only 15 when his mother died.

"He was strongly affected by his parents' divorce in 1996 and his mother's tragic death in 1997 and expressed discomfort at the growing attention he received as he reached adulthood," said Biography.com.

Prince William chose to study art history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Before starting his studies in 2001, "William took a gap year to visit Chile, Kenya and New Zealand, carrying out community and conservation work," said Hello! Magazine.

Princess Diana helps toddler Prince William do some puzzles at their home in Kensington Palace, London, England, in October 1985.

While attending college, he met Kate Middleton, who later became one of his housemates.

On April 29, 2011, Prince William captured international headlines when he married Middleton at Westminster Abbey, noted Biography.com.

The royal couples first child, Prince George, second in line to the throne, was born on July 22, 2013. Their second child, daughter Princess Charlotte, was born on May 2, 2015, and their third child, Prince Louis, was born on April 23, 2018.

The family's official residence is Kensington Palace.

"His Royal Highness undertakes a number of charitable activities and projects and carries out public and official duties in support of The King, in the U.K. and overseas," according to the official website of the British Royal Family.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MAY 30, 1898, FIRST DECORATION DAY IS CELEBRATED IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE LOST IN WAR

Prince William also completed seven-and-a-half years of full-time military service, according to BritishHeritage.com.

He initially completed training as an officer, and eventually was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Blues and Royals Regiment. He earned his wings as a pilot by completing pilot training at Royal Air Force College Cranwell in the British military, that site also notes.

Prince William and Kate Middleton pose for photographs in the State Apartments of St James Palace on Nov. 16, 2010 in London after their engagement.

Prince William went on to complete helicopter training in order to become a full-time pilot with the Search and Rescue Force, according to BritishHeritage.com.

Its widely reported that Prince William ranks among the most popular figures of the Royal Family, known for his ease and relatability  traits that his mother also possessed, said Britannica.

The heir to the British throne has sought ways to his promote his mothers legacy in the years since her death.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, FEB. 8, 1587, MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS BEHEADED BY ORDER OF COUSIN QUEEN ELIZABETH I

In 2007, Prince William and Prince Harry organized a London memorial service to mark the 10-year anniversary of her passing, and both her sons commissioned a statue of Princess Diana that was unveiled on the grounds of Kensington Palace in 2021, the same site also says.

Prince William and Kate, The Princess of Wales, direct charitable activities through The Royal Foundation, which mobilizes leaders, businesses and people to address challenges in society.

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In 2020, Prince William launched The Earthshot Prize, a global environmental prize and platform to discover, award, celebrate and scale groundbreaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet, notes the official website of the British Royal Family.

William and his wife, Kate, also known as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The first awards ceremony took place in London in October 2021.

Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at age 96 on Sept. 8, 2022, King Charles III was crowned on May 6, 2023.

Prince William is now first in line to the British throne.

As heir to the throne, Prince Williams main duties are to support the King in his royal commitments, according to the BBC.
Death of civilians in front of locked shelter: official from Kyiv City State Administration is tagged

Roman Tkachuk, Director of the Municipal Security Department of the Kyiv City State Administration, has been placed under round-the-clock house arrest and given an electronic tag. Tkachuk is suspected of professional negligence that entailed serious consequences.

Source: Nadiia Maksymets, Press Secretary of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, in comments; the Prosecutor's Office on Telegram

Details: At a hearing on 21 June, the Holosiivskyi District Court of Kyiv granted the prosecutor's request in full and chose the strictest measure of restraint that can be applied in such a situation, as stipulated by the law  round-the-clock house arrest (for two months) with the wearing of an electronic tracking device.

The suspect also has the following obligations: to appear before the investigator, prosecutor or court upon request; to notify the investigator, prosecutor or court of any change of residence; to refrain from communicating with witnesses and other suspects in the criminal proceedings, except for participation in procedural actions; and to provide the authorities with his or her passport.

For reference: In this particular case where civilians were killed because the shelter was locked, law enforcement officers said Tkachuk had been served with a notice of suspicion.

The investigation found that the directors improper performance of his official duties, and his lack of control over the maintenance and state of readiness of shelters, had led to people being killed and injured on the threshold of a closed shelter, which is a serious consequence.

Background:

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Death toll in attack on Odesa on 14 June rises to 4

The victim of the Russian missile attack on Odesa on 14 June died in the hospital, bringing the number of casualties from that attack to four.

Source: Odesa City Council, referring to Hennadii Trukhanov, Mayor of Odesa, on Telegram

Quote from the authorities: "The number of victims of the Russian missile attack on the food warehouses of the Tavria B retail chain has increased to four. One more man died in the hospital."

Details: It is also reported that on 21 June, with the support of international partners, two people who were injured as a result of the Russian missile attack on 14 June, were sent to Austria for surgery.

Background:

On the night of 13-14 June, the Russians attacked Odesa with four Kalibr missiles. The first reports indicated that three people were killed and 13 were injured.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






GERMAN NAVY TYPE 212

Matus Smutny, a features contributor to The War Zone, had a unique opportunity to visit the German Navys submarine base and its state-of-the-art hunter-killer submarine fleet. The resulting feature provides a deep dive into the Type 212A class submarine and its operations.

Here is his report:

The War Zones visit to the German Navys 1. Ubootgeschwader (1. UG, or 1st Submarine Squadron) at Eckernforde, in northern Germany, began with a meeting with the base commander, Lars Goessing, before getting a remarkable insight into the German Navys submarine force and its technologies.

Type 212A: hunter-killer of the Baltic Sea

Before looking in detail at the Type 212A, its important to acknowledge the specific design requirements behind this submarine.

Germanys historic home area of submarine operations is the Baltic Sea, which is notably shallow and confined.

For West Germany, the main task during the Cold War was very simple  it was about forward defense, so the submarine's job would have been to attack any opposing, mainly amphibious forces heading west.

This led to the development of small, but very capable diesel-electric submarines able to transit covertly in areas with a water depth of less than 25 meters (82 feet) and operate in an environment with a potentially high density of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) forces and naval mines. In the days of the Cold War, West German submarines were limited to the Baltic Sea, and the submarines were therefore designed for this specific environment.

Operational area of the Baltic Sea. Source: Submarine Training Center

The peculiarities of the Baltic Sea meant that extensive research and development were necessary to develop submarines for this operating environment.

The limitations in terms of submarine size were due to both the geography of the Baltic area and post-war limits that specified a maximum submerged displacement of 500 tons. This led to the development of extremely effective systems and the German Navy still benefits from the fact that Germanys defense industry can design very economical and compact equipment for its submarines. As a result, German-designed submarines are smaller than equivalent submarines from other nations with the same performance.

Other requirements that arise from the Baltic region include good depth-control properties, which means that even today, German submarines can operate in very shallow waters, of around 20 meters (66 feet), or even less.

With the development of the Type 212A class submarines, Baltic operations were again considered, but these boats have also grown quite significantly compared with their predecessors. The background to this growth is the improvement of living conditions for the crew on board and the need to provide an air-independent propulsion (AIP) drive.

A rear view of the sail of a Type 212A class submarine while underway. @ComDeuSubSqn

The Type 212A is the first conventional submarine class with fuel cell propulsion, which can operate independently of the outside air for a prolonged period  this has proved to be an outstanding advantage for conventional submarines, as we have discussed in the past. Today, the area of operation of the German submarines still focuses on the Baltic Sea, as well as the Norwegian Sea, the European waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and the North Atlantic. In principle, however, German submarines can be deployed anywhere in the world.

The Type 212A class is perfectly tailored to its dedicated purpose as originally planned and designed in the last years of the Cold War; the requirements being very good signatures (acoustic, radar, magnetic, etc.), small size, and outstanding depth control characteristics. The need for covert operations with reduced indiscretion rates ultimately led to the development of state-of-the-art AIP technology.

An early artists impression of the Type 212A. Source: German MoD

State-of-the-art non-nuclear submarine technology

The Type 212A class submarines feature a one-and-a-half-hull configuration, with the pressure hull made from non-magnetic steel.

In total, six hulls were built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) in Kiel and Thyssen Nordseewerke GmbH (TNSW) in Emden, Germany, for the German Navy. Another four hulls were completed for the Italian Navy, as the Todaro class, built by Fincantieri at the Muggiano shipyard.

A cutaway of the Type 212A class submarine. Source: Submarine Training Center

Type 212A class submarines were built in two major production blocks: Batch I and Batch II, for both the German and the Italian navies:

Batch I, German Navy: U-31 (S-181), U-32 (S-182), U-33 (S-183), and U-34 (S-184)

Batch I, Italian Navy: Salvatore Todaro (S-526) and Scire (S-527)

Batch II, German Navy: U-35 (S-185) and U-36 (S-186)

Batch II, Italian Navy: Pietro Venuti (S-528) and Romeo Romei (S-529)

https://twitter.com/Saturnax1/status/1665590189513756673?s=20

The main difference between the batches is the larger sail on the German Batch II boats that houses a four-person lockout chamber for special operations forces, a mast for the Callisto UHF, a VHF and GPS communications buoy, an extended flank sonar array, as well as a set of external hull mounts for various special operations containers and equipment. Apart from the lockout chamber, special forces operators can also use the free-flooding space in the sail for covert insertion operations.

Sail of the Type 212A Batch I class U-32 (S-182). Photo by author

Sail of the Type 212A Batch II class U-36 (S-186). Photo by author.

The Italian Navys Batch I and II boats are almost identical but are able to externally mount a special operations hangar on the aft deck or a cradle for a swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV).

Future developments of the Type 212A design include:

Type 212A NFS for the Italian Navy: NFS (Near Future Submarine), or Todaro Batch III is a planned batch of four hulls with specifications similar to the German Navys Batch II class. The major upgrade will be the use of lithium-ion batteries instead of the old lead-acid batteries. This has the potentially to dramatically increase the dive time of performance of AIP operations. The capability to use submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) is also planned. The construction of the first Type 212A NFS class boat commenced at the Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia in January 2022.

Type 212CD for the German Navy: CD (Common Design) is a further refinement of the Type 212A with an improved propulsion system including a next-gen AIP system, new-generation batteries (most likely of the Lithium-Ion type), improved diesel generators, increased speed and range, improved self-defense capabilities, and improved signatures and target echo strength thanks to a specially designed hull shape. Two Type 212CD hulls, U-37 (S-187) and U-38 (S-188) were ordered in 2019 with planned commissioning in 2032 and 2034, respectively.

Type 212CD for the Norwegian Navy: A replacement for the aging Type 210 Ula class diesel-electric submarines, the procurement agreement calls for four submarines with construction expected to start this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Ld2Ei_wTQ

Even in its basic form, the Type 212A class is one of the most advanced non-nuclear submarines in the world. The external hull is extremely smooth, with streamlined transitions between the hull and the sail. The use of non-magnetic steel for the hull reduces the threat of naval mines and detection by the magnetometers on the magnetic anomaly detectors (MAD) used by ASW assets, e.g. helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

At the heart of each Type 212A class submarine is a unique AIP propulsion system. Older diesel-electric submarines used diesel engines coupled to electric generators to charge their batteries, which powered an electric motor turning the propeller shaft. The Type 212As AIP system generates energy in a series of Siemens PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cells, where a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen generates electricity for the electric motor and for the batteries. The waste product of the fuel cells powerplant is water that is collected and used for e.g., toilet flushing. The tanks for the liquid oxygen and hydrogen are located outside of the pressure hull, right under the outer free-flooding hull.

Functional principle of the Siemens PEM fuel cell. Graphics by Siemens

The PEM powerplant and batteries supply power for the Siemens Permasyn electric propulsion motor  a remarkable piece of naval engineering.

Siemens Permasyn motor before installation. Source: Siemens

Cutaway of the Permasyn motor with main components. Source: Siemens

The Siemens Permasyn is a very compact, freshwater-cooled synchronous motor, with integrated inverter modules. By changing the inverter control setting, the phase currents and thus the torque of the motor can be varied infinitely over the entire operating range. The power output is approximately two megawatts, and the engine can be operated at a torque of 110 percent of the rated value for a maximum period of two minutes. The motor can be operated in three modes:

Normal (automatic) mode, controlled by the automatic propulsion controller (APC) unit.

Manual with output power restricted to approximately 50 percent of the nominal power.

Turning mode allowing very slow propeller shaft turning for inspection purposes.

The Siemens Permasyn drives a single propeller shaft with a seven-bladed skewed propeller with a propeller boss vortex diffuser (PBVD) that improves performance and reduces propeller noise. The technology behind the PBVD is something you can read more about here.

Each Type 212A class submarine also features a single MTU 16V 396 2.1-megawatt diesel engine used for surface transits and if needed for recharging the batteries.

The electronic systems include an STN Atlas sonar suite with several specific sensor arrays, optronic scopes, and a Kongsberg combat system.

Control room of the U-32 (S-182). Photo by Manrico Balg

Armament consists of six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes able to launch DM2A4 Seehecht heavyweight wire-guided torpedoes, as well as the IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System), a medium-range surface-to-air missile with anti-ship and land attack capabilities, which remains in development. There are also externally mounted belts for up to 24 naval mines.

One of the interesting concepts that didnt make it beyond the concept phase was the Triple-M system. Triple-M (Modularer Mehrzweck-Mast) is a hoistable modular system developed by GABLER Maschinenbau. This two-stage, multi-purpose mast allows the fast exchange of payload modules, such as:

Muraena Rheinmetall RMK-30, a remotely controlled, recoilless 30mm cannon. The RMK-30 would give the submarine the ability to engage low-flying aircraft, drones, and small surface vessels. The Muraena system uses radar guidance and periscope sights to aim the cannon and can effectively engage targets up to a range of around 1.8 miles.

Rheinmetall RMK-30 gun. Source: Gabler

GABLER VOLANS (Verdeckte Optische Luft-Aufklarung Navalisiertes System), a drone launch system able to store and launch up to three folding-wing ALADIN UAVs, a type originally developed for the German Army. The ALADIN can be used for daytime/infrared reconnaissance and for target identification.

Gabler VOLANS catapult. Source: Gabler

ALADIN UAV with folded wings. Source: Gabler

Various mission-specific ELINT/COMINT/ESM antennas and jamming equipment designed by GABLER & FS-Antennentechnik GmbH (FSA).

Possible Triple-M payloads. Source: Gabler

Twenty-five years since the first hull was laid down, the Type 212A class is still considered to be among the best non-nuclear submarine designs in the world. Post-war size limitations and Cold War-era experience in the shallow Baltic Sea gave the German Navy a unique chance to develop cutting-edge technology packed into a relatively small hull. The near-silent AIP propulsion, X-shaped rudders, use of non-magnetic steel, a massive array of active and passive sensors, and highly trained crews make the Type 212A an extremely potent platform for ASW and anti-surface warfare (ASuW). The design is also equally capable of special operation forces (SOF) insertion and covert ISR littoral missions, of the kind that would be impossible to directly achieve with larger, nuclear-powered submarines.

HOISTEX exercise with the U-32 (S-182). Photo by Markus Krone

Photo by Markus Krone

The Commander

Born in 1979, Lars Goessing, commander of the 1. Ubootgeschwader, joined the German military in 1998, and his career began on fast patrol boats, followed by minesweepers, although he always had the dream of becoming a submariner.

The idea to operate undersea with a small crew, to be on your own without a squadron commander being always present, was something I also wanted to do, Goessing told The War Zone, in an exclusive interview. I wanted to become a part of this highly professional squadron and especially a submarine crew. I entered the submarine service just after my graduation from university and having finished my Naval Officer basic training.

Squadron Commander Lars Goessing (left), and author on the deck of the Type 212A class submarine U-32 (S-182). Photo by Manrico Balg

Goessing began his submarine career onboard the Cold War-era Type 206A class diesel-electric submarine U-23 (S-172) as a Weapons Officer, becoming an Executive Officer after one year. His next posting was to the more modern Type 212A class U-33 (S-183) in 2009.

After finishing the demanding Command Course (nicknamed The Perisher) in 2011, Goessing took command of Crew Charlie and later Crew Delta on board the Type 212A class U-31 (S-181). During his time as CO, he also spent time above the waves, aboard the Brandenburg class frigate Bayern (F-217) with the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) staff. As he says: It was a great experience for a submariner to serve on a surface vessel; you are normally only observing via periscope.

In 2014 Goessing completed the Admiral Staff Course in Hamburg and became the head of the Submarine Training Facility in Eckernforde, followed by appointments in the defense ministry in Berlin and NATO HQ in Brussels, where he was responsible for EU Missions and Operations as a Desk Officer for the German NATO Military Representatives.

On June 30, 2022, Goessing was appointed Commanding Officer of the German submarine force, when he took responsibility for the 1st Submarine Squadron in Eckernforde.

A video of the Type 212A class U-31 (S-181), commanded by Captain Lars Goessing, making a surface transit in very rough weather:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wvCwEeDOJo

Being the commanding officer of the German submarine force is such an honor, Goessing explains. We are more than submarines: our AGIs [intelligence-gathering ships], our Submarine Support Unit, and our land-based sections of the squadron form a unique and strategic installation of the German Navy. We are constantly improving and developing new detection procedures. By sharing with our German Navy friends on the surface, we create important synergies. Our knowledge and network are constantly growing.

Inside the 1st Submarine Squadron

The 1. UG was formed on October 1, 1961, in Kiel, and was declared operational at the beginning of September 1962. The squadron was assigned its first boat with the commissioning of the Type 201 class U-1 (S-180) on March 21, 1962  this was the first submarine built in West Germany and was followed by many more units in the following years.

Apart from the six Type 212A class submarines, the 1. UG currently operates also following surface vessels:

Type 423 Oste class: SIGINT/ELINT/long-range reconnaissance (AGI) ships Alster (A-50), Oste (A-52), and Oker (A-53)

Type 404 Elbe Mod class: Submarine support (ASL) ship Main (A-515)

Active units of the 1. UG submarine squadron. Source: 1st Submarine Squadron

A Germany Navy Type 212A class submarine at Eckernforde, with the submarine support (ASL) ship Main (A-515) in the background. Martin Hudepohl/Wikimedia Commons

Over the years, several other naval units have been assigned to the 1. UG structure:

Submarine Training Center (SUBTNGCEN, Ausbildungszentrum Uboote, AZU)

Hydroacoustic Analysis Center of the German Navy (HAC, Hydroakustisches Analysezentrum der Marine, HAM) and Marine Coast Station Marienleuchte (Marineunterwasserortungsstelle, MUWOSt)

Squadron Staff

System Support Group

The Training Process

A tour of the training facility provided clues as to what its actually like aboard a modern diesel-electric submarine, with stationary simulators for the Type 212A Batch I and Batch II classes faithfully representing the size and equipment layout of the real submarine. Very quickly it becomes clear just how extremely compact a modern diesel electric submarines command center is.

Type 212A class submarine U-32 (S-182) moored at the 1st Submarine Squadron Base. Photo by author

The training facility also includes a fully functional diesel engine of the same type as installed on the submarines and a full-sized battery compartment simulator. The battery simulator teaches operators how to check and maintain the batteries. This engineering space is even more constrained, with the operator using a movable platform above rows of batteries, with just a few centimeters of free space available. Completing this task during a surface transit on a choppy sea would clearly be a challenge.

But the highlight of the training center is the diving simulator. As with the static simulators, this is a true copy of the Type 212A class command center. Once the doors shut behind you, it takes only a few minutes before you feel like youre in a real submarine. The simulation of the full dive and emergency ballast-blow procedures really gives you an idea of how much the submarine pitches during such maneuvers. Were it not been for the safety belt, Id most likely have been airborne.

All of this led up to the main event: a tour aboard the Type 212A Batch I class submarine U-32 (S-182).

The crew on the deck stood at attention and gave a readiness report to the commander. While the Type 212A class is a relatively small-sized submarine, its still larger than it may seem in the accompanying photos and clearly a marvel of naval engineering.

U-33 (S-183) prepares to dive. Source: German MoD

The Submarine Training Center traces its roots back to August 1, 1959, when it was formed as the Submarine Training Group (Ubootlehrgruppe, ULG) in Eckernforde before moving to Neustadt in Holstein on August 31, 1960. On August 31, 1989, the ULG was reconfigured as the Submarine Training Center (AZU) and returned to Eckernforde. Following a realignment of the German Armed Forces on August 29, 2013, the Submarine Training Center was incorporated into the 1. UG structure.

The location of Eckernforde, in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Google Earth

The Submarine Training Center includes several facilities that provide complete tuition for the crew, as well as continuous support.

Basic Training includes a course-based preparation period in which the crew learns their onboard tasks. This includes ashore and onboard training, classroom training, simulator training, and computer-based training.

Crew and Operational Training prepares the crew for command tasks, damage control, and weapons employment. These modules are carried out in simulators, onboard, including in formations, and end with a final combat ready approval.

The training center also provides bespoke teaching for partner navies submariners, offering them onboard training, classroom training, simulator training in English, and support during their initial crew training.

The typical crew training schedule is divided into three major sections:

CIC Training 1 and pier-side training module  once finished, the crew receives a Safe to Sail certification.

CIC Training 2 and sea training 1 and 2 modules  once finished, the crew receives a Limited Combat Ready certification.

CIC Training 3, sea training 3, international exercise, and torpedo launch exercise  once finished, the crew receives a Combat Ready certification.

But the learning process doesnt end after the crew receives the final certificate. The Hydroacoustic Analysis Center (HAC) continuously analyses huge amounts of data gathered from operational experience and uses intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) methods. After analyzing it, the results are fed into the combat simulators, so that the crews are trained with the latest data.

Training cycle and information flow. Source: Submarine Training Center

One of the sources of the underwater acoustic data for the HAC is the Marine Coast Station Marienleuchte. This reconnaissance facility was used during the Cold War to locate submarines and other seagoing vessels in the Baltic Sea and to intercept military communications.

Aerial view of the Marine Coast Station Marienleuchte. Source: https://www.fehmarn24.de/

In 2006, Marienleuchte was assigned to the Submarine Training Center and received several technological upgrades to its systems. The aging Cold War-era underwater surveillance systems  Holzauge (Wooden Eye) and the U.S.-made Miss Beta  were replaced with the Groe Seeohr (Great Abalone/Sea Ear) system consisting of three acoustic sensors laid under the Fehmarnbelt shipping route.

Apart from these underwater systems, the station also operates a DWQX-12 passive sonar system that was put into operation in January 1993, after receiving funding from NATO. The passive sonar provides excellent bearing accuracy for detected vessels with extensive recording and analysis possibilities of the intercepted signals. It also allows detection and classification at relatively long distances.

Sensor mast of the Marine Coast Station Marienleuchte. Source: https://www.lvnord.de/

DWQX-12 sonar console of the Marine Coast Station Marienleuchte. Source: https://www.lvnord.de/

As noted earlier, the Submarine Training Center features some state-of-the-art submarine training simulators. At the heart of the facility is a massive depth control simulator faithfully imitating all movements and attitudes of a submarine. The simulator is used for training the diving and surfacing procedures as well as emergency scenarios simulating technical failures of any given system of the submarine. The simulator is extremely flexible as it features LCD screens; with a simple upload, it can simulate the controls of nearly all friendly navies submarines, e.g., Brazilian, Peruvian, Portuguese, Dutch, and Norwegian subs.

Depth control and diving simulator, exterior. Photo by Bundeswehr

Depth control and diving simulator, interior. Photo by Bundeswehr

Submarine crews are also trained on two separate Type 212A Batch I class and Type 212A Batch II class control room simulators, and the standalone submarine control systems simulator, fully functional diesel engine, and a full-scale replica of the battery compartment that we described earlier.

Type 212A control room simulator. Photo by Bundeswehr

The Unique World of the U-Boot

As with every service, the effectiveness of any platform or equipment is not dictated solely by the technology, but mostly by the skilled crew that operates it.

Serving onboard the Type 212A class submarine is unique, as it offers a wide variety of missions in one of the most challenging underwater environments. The crews are highly capable thanks to the dedicated onshore simulators and ongoing training, using the most up-to-date data available. The well-being of the crew and their families is also an important factor, especially within the submarine force, and this is something that Commander Goessing doesnt underestimate:

When I come to work, I have a smile on my face. Every day. Thats due to all the proud women and men working in this unique squadron. We care for our soldiers, but we also care for their families as our job is special and requires a lot of understanding. This is not self-evident, and we are all taking this seriously. Its about every single person in our squadron. The power of our people is reflected by the strength of our units. Thats our most important capital. We need young people who love to work in a highly skilled and professional environment, and who love to serve their country. This is a unique experience!

https://twitter.com/Saturnax1/status/1652538560409477120?s=20

The upcoming Type 212CD class will bring yet more technological advances compared to the successful Type 212A design. It promises to help the German Navy and its allies control the challenging waters of the Baltic Sea and beyond for decades to come.

The author would like to thank 1. UG Commander Lars Goessing for the invitation to visit Eckernforde and the tour of the Type 212A class submarine U-32 (S-182). Lars Goessing can be found on Twitter as @LGoessing. Another recommended Twitter account with daily news from the 1. UG is @ComDeuSubSqn.

About the author: Matus Smutny is a Senior Lead Engineer in the automotive industry and has a lifelong passion for post-war naval history and technology. He maintains a digital gallery containing more than 148,000 photos and can be found on Twitter as @Saturnax1.

Contact the editor: thomas@thedrive.com
For one Illinois couple, installing solar panels meant a major battle with their homeowners association  one they ultimately won.

Mark and Jennifer Bassler live in Belleville, Illinois, in a subdivision called The Orchards, which is governed by an HOA, the Belleville News-Democrat reports. The couple moved into their new home in March 2020 and installed solar panels that December. The Orchards Homeowners Association immediately filed a civil suit to have the panels removed, saying they violated the HOAs policy.

The Basslers fought the suit, citing a state law called the Homeowners Energy Policy Statement Act. While this act does allow HOAs to determine where residents are allowed to place solar panels, it also says that HOAs must choose a location that allows the solar panels to operate at full efficiency.

According to Paul McKnight  the owner of EFS Energy, the company that installed the system for the Basslers  moving the solar panels to comply with the HOAs demands wouldnt work.

McKnight said that the HOAs chosen location would reduce the Basslers energy efficiency by 35%. Thats a lot of lost power, especially considering that the Basslers were previously able to meet 100% of their home electrical needs with their solar panels.

While the HOA dismissed its suit against the Basslers in September 2022, the battle has cost the couple $53,000 in legal fees. Also, because the case was dismissed instead of being tried in court, it doesnt establish a legal baseline for future suits.

However, it does prove that a family can stand up to their HOA  a promising result for anyone who wants to make their home more eco-friendly. A similar battle in Maryland actually led to a change in the state law, giving hope to many who want to make their homes greener.

Their policy was illegal, Mark Bassler told the Belleville News-Democrat regarding his neighborhood HOA. And there was no reason for them to drop the lawsuit at this time unless they knew they were going to lose and have to pay our legal fees.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

When Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee brought special counsel John Durham in for a hearing Wednesday, they thought itd be an opportunity to tout Durhams findings that the FBI should not have launched an investigation into possible collusion between Russia and Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), however, took it as an opportunity to personally embarrass Durham.

Nadler specifically went after Durhams limited credentials.

You only filed three criminal cases. You only brought two cases to trial, correct? Nadler asked Durham. Durham said that was correct.

You lost all the cases you brought to trial, correct? Nadler asked. Durham again said that was correct.

And then Nadler questioned the length and cost of the investigation, which Durham tried to defend. Ultimately Durham had to agree, however, that his investigation into the investigation took four years to complete.

The exchange was one of several tense interactions between Durham and Democrats Wednesdaywith members like Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) insisting Durham is at risk of damaging his reputation, and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) questioning the merits of the investigation, leading to some raised voices from around the room.

Durhams exchange with Schiff led to Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) banging his knuckles on the table across the room, mimicking a gavel.

At least one Democrat, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), also criticized Chairman Jim Jordans conduct during the hearing after Jordan mocked a line of questioning by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) about Durhams conversations with Attorney General Bill Barr. During Nadlers opening statement, the Ohio Republican could be seen shaking his head and lightly chuckling at the remarks.

Durham during the hearing toed the line of spicy responses and cordial conversation, occasionally objecting to more personal lines of attacks from Democrats. After Cohen insisted Durham was risking his reputation, Durham said he only cares about his reputation among people he respects, his family and his lord, which drew applause from Republicans around the room.

Durham previously spoke to members of the House Intelligence Committee in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. Hes broadly suggested enacting some reforms to the FBI and the Department of Justice.

Wednesday, he told members of the panel his recommendations were not an easy fix.

Its going to take time to rebuild the publics confidence in the institution, he said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Libraries are the brick-and-mortar embodiment of the First Amendment. They are there to educate, entertain and challenge us. Unfortunately, there is an organized movement to have certain books removed from our libraries. A number of Republican lawmakers in Idaho want to do that by offering cash bounties to parents who find books with a paragraph or illustration they find objectionable.

I recently talked with student writers at high schools in Boise and Moscow. These are young adults eager to learn how to become published authors. They take inspiration from books with characters like them, characters who are sometimes Black, Native American or gay. Keeping certain books out of libraries might solve one familys concerns about their child reading a particular text, but it removes the opportunity from another child.

Yes, some books are inappropriate for younger readers. Librarians make every effort to place books in age-appropriate sections. The Kite Runner, a book often banned, might be wrong for lower grades. But the book would be fine for high school students who want to learn how people in Afghanistan lived before America engaged there in our countrys longest war.

If a parent is concerned about that book, or any other book a student is assigned to read, they have every right to say no. If that parent believes a book is not age-appropriate, they can ask that it be reviewed. Every library already has a policy and procedure on how to do that. With parental rights comes parental responsibility. Parents cant expect a librarian to know what their child should be allowed to read. Parenting isnt easy. This job cant be passed to librarians or anyone else.

Librarians dont need the threat of lawsuits hanging over their heads when they choose a new book for their collection. Imagine the chilling effect it would have if parents were turned into vigilantes looking for a reward if they find a book they dont like. Libraries are full of books that people dont like. They contain books that I dont like. Good for them.

Libraries  especially school libraries  should hold our countrys history. It is not your fault or mine that the history of the United States includes some attitudes and actions that are embarrassing to think about today. Its essential that we know the history that makes us uncomfortable, not just the history that inspires us.

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. Parents can say which books their children can and cannot read. They do not, and should not, have the right to say which books other children cannot read. Idaho Democrats will continue to fight censorship and any effort to roll back our freedoms.

Sen. Rick Just is a Democrat representing District 15.
President Joe Biden waves as he walks to board Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Monday, June 19, 2023, as he heads to California. Biden is ramping up his reelection effort this week with four fundraisers in the San Francisco area, as his campaign builds up its coffers and lays strategic foundations for 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

NEW YORK (AP)  Democrats, already anxious about President Joe Biden's reelection prospects, are seeking to downplay  or ignore altogether  revelations that the president's son has entered into a plea deal with federal prosecutors over tax offenses and a gun charge.

And as Democrats dodge, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies seized on the extraordinary legal development to tighten his grip on the GOP and deflect from his own legal shortcomings.

But in a nation deeply divided and with voters from both parties firmly entrenched in their political outlook, there were few signs immediately after Hunter Biden's plea deal was announced on Tuesday that the unprecedented prosecution of a president's son had shifted the 2024 presidential election in any significant way.

In conversations with The Associated Press, some of the elected Democratic officials best positioned to challenge Biden for the party's presidential nomination reaffirmed their decisions not to run in 2024. And while party officials did not rush to support the president publicly, they privately described the development as a minor political distraction  at most  that could linger into next year's general election.

The Biden campaign declined to comment. At a summit on artificial intelligence in San Francisco on Tuesday, Biden smiled when asked if hes spoken to Hunter. Im very proud of my son, he said.

For now, veteran Democratic strategist Stephanie Cutter suggested that Hunter Biden's prosecution is not on most Americans radar."

But to the extent it is, it shows that no one is above the law and what taking responsibility looks like, which in itself is a sharp contrast to the former president, Cutter said, referencing Trump's legal entanglements. The MAGA echo chamber will continue to obsess over Hunter as they have for years, but those arent President Bidens voters, and nothing changes in terms of his strategy for reelection.

Hunter Biden, 53, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday. Under the agreement, he will avoid prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions set by prosecutors.

The deal ends a long-running Justice Department investigation into Bidens younger son, who has acknowledged struggling with addiction following the 2015 death of his brother, Beau. It also averts a trial that would have generated distracting headlines for a first-term president just beginning to focus on the 2024 election.

Already, two high-profile Democrats with national ambitions have reaffirmed their support for the president's reelection bid since the plea deal came to light.

Hunter changes nothing, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday. He told the AP over the weekend that not on God's green earth would he run against Biden.

My decision has not changed, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said of his own decision not to primary Biden. He has been a frequent presence in recent months in early presidential primary states like New Hampshire and Nevada.

That's not to say Democrats are excited about Biden's reelection bid.

Only about 1 in 3 Democrats want the 80-year-old president to seek a second term, according to a poll conducted in February by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Steve Shurtleff, a former state House speaker, said on Tuesday that he didn't know if he would vote for Biden in 2024, although Hunter's legal problems have nothing to do with it.

I feel sorry for the president. I know he loves his children, said Shurtleff, who has been one of Biden's closest allies in the state for several years. He decided this spring that the Democratic Party would be better off with a new generation of leadership.

I may end up voting for him again, especially if he's running against Donald Trump or the governor of Florida (Ron DeSantis). If those are the options, I will vote for the president," Shurtleff said. But I really wish hed get out of the campaign.

For Republicans, who have been consumed by Trump's legal baggage for much of the year, the charges against Hunter Biden offered a much-needed opportunity to go on offense  at least temporarily. Republicans on Capitol Hill are vowing to continue investigating the president's son no matter what happens with his current criminal case.

Even in the immediate aftermath of the younger Biden's plea deal, outraged conservatives addressed the revelation in the context of the latest federal indictment against Trump, who is charged with 37 felony counts related to mishandling classified documents and misleading investigators.

The former president is facing years in prison if convicted. He's also fighting 34 felony charges in New York related to alleged hush money payments to a porn actor and a separate investigation by Georgia authorities probing his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

Hunter Biden will likely avoid jail time based on his plea deal with the Justice Department.

He is set to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes on over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018. The felony gun charge states that Hunter Biden possessed a handgun for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user.

Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN! Trump wrote on his social media site. People are going wild over the Hunter Biden Scam with the DOJ!

DeSantis, Trump's leading Republican rival, supported Trump's assessment.

Looks like Hunter received a sweetheart deal and is not facing any charges on the massive corruption allegations, DeSantis tweeted. If Hunter was not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago.

Experts consulted by the AP said that misdemeanor tax cases as well as gun possession charges not associated with another firearm crime are uncommon.

Republican operative Jim Merrill, a veteran of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary, predicted that Hunter Biden's plea deal would likely help Trump dominate the Republican Party's nomination fight for the foreseeable future by highlighting the differences between the Trump and Biden cases.

That perceived contrast plays to Donald Trumps advantage in the short term, Merrill said. "And it will allow him to continue dominating primary media coverage and voter attention.

Regardless, there was an underlying belief among many Republicans that Trumps legal entanglements would quickly return to the forefront of the 2024 conversation.

Democrats, meanwhile, acknowledged that Biden has serious political challenges ahead even without his son's legal problems.

I don't think that this will be a significant issue for voters either now or come November 2024, said Democratic strategist Lis Smith. This is Hunter Biden, not his father.

But taking a step back, there's no doubt that no matter who the Republican nominee is, this is going to be a dog fight," Smith added. "President Biden has his work cut out for him.

___

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
Three Wichita deputy police chiefs have agreed to dismiss City Council member and mayoral candidate Bryan Frye from a $2.4 million federal lawsuit against the city and several officials, court records show.

Deputy Chief Jose Salcido and former deputy chiefs Wanda Parker-Givens and Chester Pinkston had accused Frye of defamation and retaliation after he accused them of extortion during a City Council meeting in September 2022. After filing the lawsuit, Salcido and Pinkston also filed ethics complaints against Frye with the Wichita Ethics Advisory Board. The ethics panel cleared Frye of any wrongdoing in April.

From the beginning, I felt that the case against me lacked merit, Frye said. So its good to see that both the lawsuit and the city ethics complaint against me have both been dismissed.

The deputy chiefs had alleged Fryes comments were part of a widespread conspiracy by eight city officials  including the city manager, human resources director, two police captains and leaders of the Fraternal Order of Police  to discredit the deputy chiefs and drive them out of the department in retaliation for their attempts to address systemic racism and sexism within WPD and FOPs interference in investigations of police shootings.

Frye responded to the lawsuit in April, saying his comments were hyperbolic and protected by legislative immunity, a legal principle meant to shield legislators  including council members  from being sued for comments made while discussing legislative matters. He also said his comments were protected by the First Amendment and that the lawsuit should be dismissed under Kansas anti-SLAPP statute because it was meant to chill his right to free speech.

Fryes defense also said the deputy chiefs failed to make any factual allegations linking him to a conspiracy to discredit or remove the deputy chiefs, two of which said in a recent filing that they left the department because of the hostile work environment at the city of Wichita.

James Thompson, the deputy chiefs lawyer, said his clients decided to dismiss Frye from the lawsuit because of the risk that comes with an anti-SLAPP motion, which could have resulted in the deputy chiefs having to pay for Fryes legal expenses.

The Kansas anti-SLAPP statute  the Public Speech Protection Act  provides defendants a way to dismiss meritless lawsuits directed against them for exercising their First Amendment rights.

Anti-SLAPP statutes get abused, and I think in this case thats exactly what happened, Thompson said. It was abused to prevent my clients from moving forward with a claim.

The potential risk because of that statute is not worth the reward when the majority of this goes against Layton and Bezruki, et cetera, Thompson said, alluding to City Manager Robert Layton and former city Human Resources Director Chris Bezruki.

If Frye had done what he was supposed to and not commented and followed the rules that he agreed to as a City Council member, he would have never been included in the lawsuit in the first place.

Parker-Givens retired in early 2022. Pinkston retired in February and accepted a job as chief of police in Liberal, Kansas. Salcido remains the deputy chief of investigations for Wichita.

Fryes Sept. 20 comments were directed at Pinkston and Salcido.

The definition of extortion: the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats, Frye said in a brief speech at a city council meeting. Its mindblowing that two current deputy chiefs of the Wichita Police Department have resorted to this tactic. Deputy chiefs Salcido and Pinkston should resign immediately.

Frye said he stands by his comments.

I absolutely believe in what I said, and I wouldnt change a thing, he said in an interview with The Eagle.

Salcido and Pinkston had sent the city a notice that they planned to sue the city of Wichita and several city officials. They accused the city manager, human resources director and interim police chief of colluding with the Fraternal Order of Police to shield officers from discipline.

The deputy chiefs claim the city used multiple avenues to discredit them in the eyes of the public:

 A focus group survey reported by The Wichita Eagle in January 2022 that showed morale in parts of the Wichita Police Department was at an all-time low. It claimed WPD executive staff  former Chief Gordon Ramsay, Parker-Givens, Salcido and Pinkston  were adept at avoiding scrutiny by blaming others and more concerned with the image of the department than addressing issues. Their lawsuit claims former WPD captains Wendell Nicholson and Kevin Kochenderfer administered the survey to a select group to embarrass executive staff and that the survey results were compromised. A larger survey in 2022 largely reinforced the focus groups findings.

 A City Managers Office committee report that urged a crackdown on Wichita police misconduct and a purge of racist officers from the department. It blamed Ramsay, Salcido and Pinkston for mishandling an internal investigation and discipline of SWAT team members who sent racist, sexist and homophobic text messages first reported by The Eagle last year. They also failed to disclose the officers misconduct to federal and state prosecutors, the report said.

 City Manager Layton told The Eagle that he was left in the dark by Ramsay about the departments handling of the text message scandal. Ramsay said he did tell Layton. Records requested by The Eagle under the Kansas Open Records Act showed no such communications were made in writing.

Frye is the only defendant who has been dismissed from the lawsuit. The city of Wichita, Layton, Bezruki, former interim Chief Troy Livingston, Kochenderfer, Nicholson, FOP president and Wichita detective Dave Inkelaar, and FOP senior chief lodge steward Officer Paul Zamorano have all filed motions to dismiss.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Gov. Ron DeSantis Disney World oversight district is adopting a whistleblower policy, part of an effort board members say is aimed at encouraging a culture of openness and transparency.

Some employees thought their concerns werent being heard under the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Districts previous Disney-aligned leadership, Board Chairman Martin Garcia said on Wednesday.

We want to adopt a policy that says we dont have deaf ears, nothing will fall on deaf ears, he said. So if you have an issue, here is a new policy. Here is a new culture.

The policy approved at Wednesdays board meeting provides protections for whistleblowers and sets out the process for reporting unlawful activity and other concerns. It will supplement existing protections in state and federal law.

The whistleblower policy will apply immediately to nonunion staff. The effective date for unionized employees is delayed until Aug. 1 at the earliest.

Meanwhile, District Administrator Glen Gilzean said he is working to finalize a contract already approved by unionized firefighters that would boost their pay and numbers. The agreement would increase annual starting pay from $55,000 to $65,000 and add up to three dozen new firefighters and paramedics.

Were going to give our firefighters the best resources  to be competitive not only here locally but also here with our neighbors, Gilzean said after Wednesdays meeting.

The districts board will meet in a closed-door session on Friday to discuss union negotiations. Gilzean, who was hired last month, said the contract approval was delayed for procedural reasons because he wanted to complete agreements with all bargaining units at the same time.

Union President Jon Shirey wrote to his members that union members had shot ourselves in the foot by sharing the contract terms on social media and with media outlets, according to a message obtained by Florida Politics.

This contract got into the hands of city and county leaders across the state of Florida, Shirey wrote. Glen [Gilzean] had been receiving calls left and right yelling at him that he couldnt sign this agreement, and how it was going to screw all of the taxpayers in those areas bc they would have to raise taxes just to be able to recruit and stay even somewhat competitive with the new market.

The union would be lucky to have the contract finished at the districts July meeting, Shirey wrote. He did not return a message from the Orlando Sentinel seeking comment.

The union has backed Gov. Ron DeSantis and his new board since it took control of the district in late February. It had a contentious relationship with the previous Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was effectively controlled by Disney.

Union officials said understaffing was putting Disney World visitors at risk during medical emergencies like heart attacks when response times are critical. Disney officials responded that the unions claims about safety were simply not true.

DeSantis vowed to increase firefighter pay as part of his overhaul of the district.

The new logo of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is revealed during Wednesday's meeting in the headquarters of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., June 21, 2023.(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The new logo of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is revealed during Wednesdays meeting in the headquarters of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., June 21, 2023.(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

In other business, the district unveiled its new logo and announced the retirements of two senior officials: Fire Chief Richard LePere Jr. and Bruce Jones, director of procurement.

The new logo, which replaces Reedy Creeks, includes an orange tree with a bright yellow sun in the background.

LePere, who has served as chief for 13 years, will step down in August. Hes worked for the districts fire department since 1999. The district announced it will launch a nationwide search for a replacement.

LePere thanked his staff at Wednesdays meeting.

They have a big part in me being successful, he said. Theyre the real boots on the ground, and they make me look good.

-------
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) rolled out a campaign video Wednesday that takes him to the streets of San Francisco to use the citys homeless problem to slam California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

The one-minute spot shows DeSantis standing in San Francisco after a visit in which the GOP presidential candidate says he saw people using heroin, smoking crack cocaine and defecating on the street.

The city is not vibrant anymore, DeSantis says. Its really collapsed because of leftist policies, and these policies have caused people to flee this area. They dont prosecute criminals like they do in most parts of the country, and the wreckage is really sad to see.

It just shows you that policies matter. Leadership matters. They are doing it wrong here, he adds.

DeSantis also took a shot at Newsom by saying the problems in San Francisco were a reason so many people were moving from California to Florida.

DeSantis and Newsom have battled for a year, with the California governor running ads on Florida last year decrying the Republican for policies that he said targeted LGBTQ rights, voting rights and abortion, among other things.

Republican leaders  theyre banning books, making it harder to vote, restricting speech in classrooms, even criminalizing women and doctors. I urge all of you to join the fight, or join us in California, where we still believe in freedom, Newsom said in the spot that aired on Fox News.

The Florida governor, for his part, has shown he sees Newsom and California as worthy foils for elevating his own national stature. He doubled down with the new video on Newsoms turf, which came during a fundraising trip by DeSantis to California.

DeSantis made fundraising stops Monday in Sacramento and the Bay Area. On Tuesday, the governor was slated to attend fundraisers in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles, according to The Associated Press.

Newsom said last week he would debate DeSantis, and DeSantis fired back telling Newsom to stop pussyfooting around on whether he is going to run for president in 2024.

California is the nations largest state by population, and it also has the largest estimated homeless population in the country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEWFIELDS, N.H. - Call it a 2024 split screen moment.

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis - the current top two contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination - will be holding dueling events next Tuesday in New Hampshire, the state that holds the first primary and second overall contest in the GOP nominating calendar.

Fox News learned on Tuesday that DeSantis will hold a town hall in Hollis, New Hampshire.

It's the conservative governor's second trip to New Hampshire since declaring his candidacy in late May.

WHO'S IN AND WHO'S ON THE SIDELINES  YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION RACE

Former President Donald Trump (left) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are currently the top polling candidates vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Next Tuesday, June 27, is the same day Trump's scheduled to be in New Hampshire's capital city of Concord, to keynote the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women's annual Lilac Luncheon.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The gathering, which has been held for eight decades, is the group's largest annual fundraiser. The event, which in the past has attracted former Presidents Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, was headlined last year by former Vice President Mike Pence.

THIS POPULAR GOP GOVERNOR OF A KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE LEANS AGAINST RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION

Trump, who in November launched his third straight White House campaign, is the commanding front-runner in the latest national and New Hampshire public opinion polls in the GOP nomination race.

DeSantis is a clear second in most surveys, trailing Trump but ahead of the rest of the field of Republican presidential contenders, who are polling in the single digits.

One of those candidates - former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley - will also be campaigning in New Hampshire next Tuesday when Trump and DeSantis are in the state.

"This is a quintessential New Hampshire moment. This is when individuals across the state have that chance to potentially hear different candidates on the same day," veteran New Hampshire conservative activist Greg Moore told Fox News.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks with customers at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, New Hampshire, on May 19, 2023. The iconic diner has long been a must stop for actual or potential White House hopefuls.

Moore, the longtime New Hampshire state director for the influential conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, noted that this is a "key moment when we have the current two top contenders for the Republican primary visiting in New Hampshire."

Pointing to the Granite State's strong tradition of retail style politics, Moore said "its important for President Trump not to simply hold rallies with thousands of people, where he doesnt necessarily interact directly with the voters."

As for Florida's governor, Moore noted that "Gov. DeSantis also has to start building out his brand in New Hampshire."
Hunter Bidens plea deal may resolve his immediate legal troubles, but it has only exacerbated the persistent debate over whether the presidents son is being treated too harshly, too leniently or just like any other citizen.

Republicans are bashing the agreement  which allows Biden to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax crimes and avoid prison on a felony gun charge if he stays out of trouble  as an outrageous sweetheart deal. But independent legal experts say the truth is more complicated.

Two former IRS lawyers said Bidens deal is not an outlier and is similar to what ordinary taxpayers could expect if investigated for similar conduct. Two other former tax officials told POLITICO that Biden could have faced stiffer charges.

And while former President Donald Trump is railing against the deal, experts noted an irony: Trump himself likely could have gotten a similar deal if he had cooperated with federal investigators eyeing his retention of government documents. Instead, Trump is accused of obstructing those investigators and is now under indictment and facing significant prison time.

Maggie Abdo-Gomez, a Miami tax attorney and former IRS lawyer, said its rare for people to face criminal charges for simply failing to pay their taxes.

Ive only seen them  one time  prosecute someone for failure to pay taxes, she said. Because the truth is, if we prosecuted for failure to pay taxes, the jails would be full. Forget the drug dealers and the murderers and everybody else. I have a small practice, and Ive got tons of people that owe taxes.



The laws were enforced as if it had been anybody else, she added, regarding Hunters case. I would say probably a little stricter, because failure to pay is very common.

Caroline Ciraolo, acting head of the Justice Departments Tax Division for the last year of the Obama administration, said the cases resolution didnt strike her as outside the norm. If the Justice Department had found evidence that Hunter Biden lied or took other affirmative acts to dodge his taxes, he likely would have faced tougher charges, she said.

If there was evidence of affirmative conduct, then under DOJ policy the charge would have been felony evasion of payment, she added. And thats not the case here. And after five years and an investigation that crossed two administrations on different sides of the aisle, I would imagine that if there was evidence of affirmative conduct, we would not be looking at the information were looking at right now.

But thats not a consensus view. Kathy Enstrom, who spent more than two decades doing criminal investigation work at the IRS, said the presidents son could have faced tougher charges. She left the IRS two years ago, while the Biden investigation was ongoing, but said she had no visibility into the probe. Usually, she said, agents in IRS Criminal Investigation recommend felony charges in cases like this one.

This is a little bit unique in terms of how theyre utilizing the 7203 misdemeanor charge, she said, referring to the provision of the U.S. code under which Biden is pleading guilty. I just havent seen that too often, mostly because the agents of IRS CI work the most egregious cases, and when they move forward with investigations, theyre looking toward a felony conviction, not necessarily something less than that. The resources of IRS CI are very limited and so thats their main goal, ultimately  a felony conviction.

Mark Milton, who spent four years as a trial attorney in the Justice Departments Tax Division, also said misdemeanor tax charges are unusual. He added that the court filings detailing the charges were very bare bones, which gives the public  and the judge who will handle sentencing  minimal clues regarding Hunter Bidens financial wrongdoing.

In my experience, prosecutors want felonies in tax cases, he said. The fact that hes only pleading guilty to misdemeanors suggests special treatment.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has sharply pushed back against allegations of special treatment, including in new comments on Wednesday. He noted that the U.S. attorney who supervised the investigation and agreed to the plea deal was appointed by Trump.



The plea deal includes a so-called diversion program  sometimes used for defendants with substance abuse issues  that will result in prosecutors dropping the gun charge if Hunter Biden complies with the programs conditions. The charge itself  possessing a firearm while being a user of illegal drugs  is not a charge the Justice Department frequently prosecutes.

Brandon Beck, formerly an appellate lawyer in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas, said that the Justice Department may have been wary of a constitutional challenge to the gun law.

Its something thats probably a little bit unusual, but it could be explained by the constitutional problems with (g)(3), Beck said, referring to the statutory provision that prohibits drug users from having guns. Or it could be explained by preferential treatment of the son of the president. And how would you know? They both could explain it.

I would always think, if the presidents your dad, your lifes a little bit easier, he added.

Trump himself has claimed on social media that the plea deal is a massive COVERUP & FULL SCALE ELECTION INTERFERENCE SCAM THE LIKES OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN IN OUR COUNTRY BEFORE.

But Elkan Abramowitz, a long-time Manhattan criminal defense attorney, said Trump himself could have gotten a similar deal if he had fully cooperated with investigators scrutinizing his retention of classified documents.

I think that if Trump wanted to work out a deal for the documents case, he would have gotten a misdemeanor as well under similar arrangements, he said. So I dont think theres anything extraordinary.
Dinwiddie prosecutor tries again for Otieno suspects to be tried together

DINWIDDIE  Fresh off setting aside murder charges against two of the 10 defendants in the Irvo Otieno murder case, the countys lead prosecutor once again is asking for the remainder of them to be tried jointly. This time, though, she has proposed an alternative plan.

In an amended motion filed Wednesday on the day she leaves office, Commonwealths Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill has asked that should the request for a joint trial for all be turned down again, then the eight suspects should be tried in two or three trials and grouped based on their level of responsibility in Otienos death. The second-degree murder charges would remain intact.

The request is an addendum to a motion Baskervill filed in late April to have all 10 suspects tried together, which Circuit Court Judge Joseph Teefey denied in May after each defendant had their court hearings. It comes a day after the prosecution withdrew second-degree murder charges against former Central State Hospital security officers Darian M. Blackwell, 23, of Petersburg, and Sadarius Williams, 27, of Dinwiddie. Baskervill asked for the charges against them be set aside because their level of responsibility for Otienos death was not at the level as the others.

More: Dinwiddie drops charges against two of 10 suspects in Irvo Otieno death case

Still facing second-degree murder charges are Henrico County deputies Jermaine Lavar Branch, 45; Bradley Thomas Disse, 43; Randy Joseph Boyer, 57; Dwayne Alan Bramble, 37; Tabitha Rene Levere, 50; Brandon Edward Rodgers, 48; and Kaiyell Dajour Sanders, 30; and former hospital employee Wavie L. Jones, 34, of Chesterfield.

Irvo Otieno

Otieno, a 28-year-old Henrico County man who suffered from mental issues, died March 6 as he was being processed into Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie by the deputies.

Three days before his death, Otieno was taken into custody on a burglary allegation, but at the time of his arrest, he was suffering a mental health crisis. He was taken to a Henrico hospital for treatment but allegedly whisked away from the hospital to one of the countys jails.

Otieno's family maintains he did not receive any of his prescribed medications from the day he was taken from his home until the day he died.

Surveillance videos from the day he died showed an incoherent Otieno being manhandled by deputies at the jail, then being pinned to the floor by as many as 10 deputies and hospital personnel for a 12-minute period after authorities claimed he became disruptive. The state medical examiner ruled the cause of death to be suffocation and classified it as a homicide.

In the motion, she is asking that Sanders, Bramble, Boyer and Rodgers be tried together because they interacted with Otieno at the Henrico jail before taking him to Dinwiddie County.

To the extent that there was acrimony that occurred at the jail, that would provide a motive for animosity towards Otieno, the amended motion reads. To the Commonwealth, these four are the most culpable defendants charged.

The other defendants  Branch, Disse, Levere and Jones  should be tried separately from the others because they only became involved with Otieno at Central State. However, Baskervill noted that Jones could be tried by himself because as a CSH employee he had different responsibilities, different knowledge of the situation, different training and different motives than the remaining three defendants.

The three deputies should be tried together, the prosecutor argued, because they learned of the acrimonious encounter at the jail. That establishes some motive, plus the three had the same responsibilities, chains of command and training as their colleagues.

Their levels of culpability are such that the fact-finder will be well-positioned to determine any nuances, differences or similarities, none to the prejudice of the other, the motion read.

On Tuesday when she withdrew the charges against Blackwell and Williams, Baskervill said she did so because that would intensify the prosecutions case against the defendants.

The decision to withdraw the charges was heavy but it was not difficult, she said in an email to The Progress-Index. I believe this places the prosecution of Irvo Otienos homicide in the strongest possible position upon my departure. There is no doubt in my mind that the commonwealth is now in a position to win when this ultimately goes to trial, and that truth, transparency, and justice will prevail.

The motion for joint trials was filed the same day that Baskervills resignation as commonwealths attorney became official. She is stepping down to study international policy in France, and she was accepted to the school in Paris on March 4, two days before Otieno was killed. She maintains her resignation is not related to the case.

Baskervill had already announced she was not seeking re-election as Dinwiddies lead prosecutor.

An interim successor is expected to be named Wednesday.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Dinwiddie prosecutor tries again for Otieno suspects to be tried together
When Ira Hatch died in prison this month while serving a 30-year term, it marked the last chapter in one of the biggest Ponzi scheme crimes on the Treasure Coast, according to two prosecutors who convicted the disbarred Vero Beach lawyer in 2010.

Hatch, who was 76 when he died on June 1, was being housed at the Reception and Medical Center in Lake Butler, said Florida Department of Corrections officials, who did not confirm a cause of death.

Ira Hatch

He had served about 13 years of a sentence imposed in August 2010 after he was found guilty of racketeering related to stealing $4.2 million from hundreds of legal and real estate clients.

'Great deal of anger'

Hatch was arrested in January 2008 after Vero Beach police accused him of stealing money from his former law firm, Hatch & Doty, and his company, Coastal Escrow Services, which he shuttered in September 2007.

Most of his victims  including home buyers and sellers, Realtors, apartment landlords and law firm clients  were from Indian River and St. Lucie counties. Some lived out of state and in Canada, records show.

It is certainly one of the largest thefts that I saw in my years with State Attorney's Office, said Ryan Butler, who recently was appointed Indian River County Clerk of the Circuit Court. There was a great deal of anger, and rightfully so, because many people  had saved up and put all their money as a deposit on their dream home, and now it was gone.

Assistant State Attorney Ryan Butler, makes a point while speaking to the jury about Ira Hatch during his closing arguments on July 8, 2010 at the Indian River County Courthouse.

Prosecutors at his trial called Hatch a thief, who used client money to support his familys upper-class lifestyle and pay business expenses.

At the time of his arrest, he and his former wife Margaret Marjorie Hatch were living in a $1 million home in Castaway Cove Wave II, a gated community on Vero Beach's upscale barrier island.

Butler on Thursday described Hatchs money thefts as a pyramid scheme that was discovered in 2007 because the areas booming real estate market was drying up.

Ponzi scheme: Judge orders embezzler Hatch to 30 years' prison for 'addiction to greed'

Trial witness: Hatch courted $3 million investment days before law firm, escrow business closed

He was using the most recent deposits to pay for previous escrow deposits. By 2007, he no longer had the money in the escrow account to pay for the closings, because he'd been pulling it out for years, Butler recalled. And it just caught up to him."

The scheme fell apart in just a couple of days, Butler recalled.

All of a sudden, checks were bouncing, and then he just shut his doors and said, 'There's no more money'  with no real explanation to any of the victims, he said. A Ponzi scheme only works as long as you find new victims.

Hatch also was stealing from his law firm's trust account, and illegally pocketed the proceeds from lawsuits. He stole $1 million from one estate, Butler recalled.

'Vero Bernie Madoff'

As Vero Beach police began investigating Hatchs crimes, detectives collected tens of thousands of pages of records as the list of victims grew, Chief Dave Currey recalled.

To this day, I don't think we've had anything larger with regard to the Ponzi-type scheme or embezzlement, or theft of large monies like that, Currey said. It was Vero Bernie Madoff case. I mean, that's basically what it was.

Madoff, the imprisoned financier who stole an estimated $4.5 billion from his investor clients, was 82 when he died in 2021. He pleaded guilty in 2009 and was sentenced to 150 years in the largest Ponzi scheme in the nations history, records show.

Hatch was 63 at the end of his two-month trial that abruptly ended when he struck a deal with prosecutors while jurors were still deliberating a verdict. He pleaded no contest to one count of racketeering and the state dropped 42 counts of grand theft and money laundering.

Cold case homicide: St. Lucie County Sheriff's detective solves 1969 murder

New high school: Consultant to help St. Lucie adjust high school attendance zones in Tradition

Before that unexpected plea deal, prosecutors presented around 100 witnesses who described the financial destruction, battered trust and sense of betrayal that raged for months following Hatchs arrest.

Prospective home buyers and renters testified that he'd been trusted with their money for real estate transactions. Realtors chipped in hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover his massive thefts.

Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans said at Hatchs sentencing he thought, This guy was once a successful attorney and look at where he is now."

What a fall from grace, he said.

Ira Hatch, center, speaks with his attorney, Gregory Eisenmenger, right, while being questioned by Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans prior to Senior Judge James Midelis sentencing Hatch on Aug. 25, 2010 at the Indian River County Courthouse. Hatch accepted a racketeering plea deal and was ordered to serve 30 years in prison.

Hatch kept stealing, Evans said, because he needed more money than his law practice would support.

I hate to see somebody die in prison and he did have some redeeming qualities. But that does not discount the fact that day after day for at least a few years, he showed up to work to steal, Evans said. And every day he knew the potential penalty of what he was doing. He certainly got what he deserved.

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: Imprisoned former Vero Beach lawyer Ira Hatch dead at age 76
Discord launched in 2015 and quickly emerged as a hub for online gamers, growing through the pandemic to become a destination for communities devoted to topics as varied as crypto trading, YouTube gossip and K-pop. Its now used by 150 million people worldwide.

But the app has a darker side. In hidden communities and chat rooms, adults have used the platform to groom children before abducting them, trade child sexual exploitation material (CSAM) and extort minors whom they trick into sending nude images.

In a review of international, national and local criminal complaints, news articles and law enforcement communications published since Discord was founded, NBC News identified 35 cases over the past six years in which adults were prosecuted on charges of kidnapping, grooming or sexual assault that allegedly involved communications on Discord. Twenty-two of those cases occurred during or after the Covid pandemic. At least 15 of the prosecutions have resulted in guilty pleas or verdicts, and many of the other cases are still pending.

Those numbers only represent cases that were reported, investigated and prosecuted  which all present major hurdles for victims and their advocates.

What we see is only the tip of the iceberg, said Stephen Sauer, the director of the tipline at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P).

The cases are varied. In March, a teen was taken across state lines, raped and found locked in a backyard shed, according to police, after she was groomed on Discord for months. In another, a 22-year-old man kidnapped a 12-year-old after meeting her in a video game and grooming her on Discord, according to prosecutors.

NBC News identified an additional 165 cases, including four crime rings, in which adults were prosecuted for transmitting or receiving CSAM via Discord or for allegedly using the platform to extort children into sending sexually graphic images of themselves, also known as sextortion. It is illegal to consume or create CSAM in nearly all jurisdictions across the world, and it violates Discords rules. At least 91 of the prosecutions have resulted in guilty pleas or verdicts, while many other cases are ongoing.

Discord isnt the only tech platform dealing with the persistent problem of online child exploitation, according to numerous reports over the last year. But experts have suggested that Discords young user base, decentralized structure and multimedia communication tools, along with its recent growth in popularity, have made it a particularly attractive location for people looking to exploit children.

According to an analysis of reports made to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), reports of CSAM on Discord increased by 474% from 2021 to 2022.

When Discord responds and cooperates with tiplines and law enforcement, groups say the information is usually of high quality, including messages, account names and IP addresses.

But NCMEC said that the platforms responsiveness to complaints has slowed from an average around three days in 2021, to nearly five days in 2022. And other tiplines have complained that Discords responsiveness can be unreliable.

John Shehan, the senior vice president of NCMEC, said his organization has seen explosive growth of child sexual abuse material and exploitation on Discord. NCMEC operates the United States government-supported tipline that receives complaints and reports about child sex abuse and associated activity online.

There is a child exploitation issue on the platform. Thats undeniable, Shehan said.

Discord has taken some steps to address child abuse and CSAM on its platform. The company said in a transparency report that it disabled 37,102 accounts for child safety violations in the last quarter of 2022.

In an interview, Discords vice president of trust and safety, John Redgrave, said he believes the platforms approach to child safety has drastically improved since 2021, when Discord acquired his AI moderation company Sentropy.

The company said in a transparency report that the acquisition will allow us to expand our ability to detect and remove bad content.

Moderation on Discord is largely left up to volunteers in each Discord community.

Redgrave said that whenever the company deploys moderation efforts against CSAM, though, it tries to cast a wide net and search the platform as expansively as possible.

Discord was not proactive at all when I first started, Redgrave said. But since then, he said, Discord has implemented several systems to proactively detect known child sexual abuse material and analyze user behavior. Redgrave said he believes that the company now proactively detects most CSAM thats been previously identified, verified and indexed. Discord is currently not able to automatically detect newly created CSAM that hasn't been indexed or messages that could provide signs of grooming.

In a review of publicly listed Discord servers created in the last month, NBC News identified 242 that appeared to market sexually explicit content of minors, using thinly veiled terms like CP that refer to child sexual abuse material. At least 15 communities directly appealed to teens themselves by claiming they are sexual communities for minors. Some of these communities had over 1,500 members.

Discord allows for casual text, audio and video chat in invite-only communities, called servers (some servers are set to provide open invitations to anyone who wants to join). Discord doesnt require users real identities like some other platforms, and can facilitate large group video and audio-chats. That infrastructure proved incredibly popular, and in the past seven years Discord has been integrated into nearly every corner of online life.

As the platform has grown, the problems its faced with child exploitation appear to have grown, too.

While its hard to assess the full scope of the issue of child exploitation on Discord, organizations that track reports of abuse on tech platforms have identified themes that theyve been able to distill from the thousands of Discord-related reports they process each year: grooming, the creation of child exploitation material, and the encouragement of self-harm.

According to both NCMEC and C3P, reports of enticement, luring and grooming, where adults are communicating directly with children, are increasing across the internet. Shehan said enticement reports made to NCMEC had nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022.

Screengrab of a Discord server for

Sauer, the C3P tipline director, said that the group has seen an increase in reports of luring children that involve Discord, which may be attractive to people looking to exploit children given its high concentration of young people and closed-off environment.

Sauer said predators will sometimes connect with children on other platforms, like Roblox or Minecraft, and move them to Discord so that they can have direct, private communication.

They will often set up an individual server that really has no moderation at all to connect with a youth individual, Sauer said.

For many families, grooming thats said to have occurred on Discord has turned into a real-life nightmare, resulting in the abduction of dozens of children.

In April, NBC News reported on a Utah family whose 13-year-old child was abducted, taken across state lines and, according to prosecutors, sexually assaulted after he was groomed on Discord and Twitter.

In 2020, a 29-year-old man advised a 12-year-old Ohio girl he met on Discord on how to kill her parents, according to charging documents, which say that the man told the girl in a Discord chat that he would pick her up after she killed them, at which point she could be his slave. Prosecutors say she attempted to burn down her house. The same man encouraged another minor, a 17-year-old, to cut herself and send him sexually explicit photos and videos, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said that the man admitted to sexually exploiting the minors. The man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

These cases illustrate another disturbing theme that watchdogs say theyre seeing emerge on Discord  threats of violence toward children and the encouragement of self-harm.

An NCMEC report shared with NBC News found that Discord has had a huge issue over the past two years with an apparent organized group of offenders who have sextorted numerous child victims to produce increasingly egregious CSAM, engage in self-harm, and torture animals/pets they have access to.

On dark web forums used by child predators, users share tips about how to effectively deceive children on Discord. Try discord play the role of a generic edgy 15 year old and join servers, one person wrote in a chat seen by NBC News. I got 400 videos and 1000+ pictures.

Drawn illustration of a man in shadow holding up a screen towards a young child. (Ibrahim Rayintakath for NBC News)

The tactics described in the post align with child sex abuse rings on Discord that have been busted by U.S. federal authorities over the last several years. Prosecutors have described rings with organized roles, including hunters who located young girls and invited them into a Discord server, talkers who were responsible for chatting with the girls and enticing them, and loopers who streamed previously recorded sexual content and posed as minors to encourage the real children to engage in sexual activity.

Shehan said his organization frequently gets reports from other tech platforms mentioning users and traffic from Discord, which he says is a sign that the platform has become a hub for illicit activity.

Redgrave said, My heart goes out to the families who have been impacted by these kidnappings, and added that oftentimes grooming occurs across numerous platforms.

Redgrave said Discord is working with Thorn, a well-known developer of anti-child-exploitation technology, on models that can potentially detect grooming behavior. A Thorn representative described the project as potentially helping any platform with an upload button to detect, review, and report CSAM and other forms of child sexual abuse on the internet. Currently, platforms are effectively able to detect images and videos already identified as CSAM, but they struggle with detecting new content or long-term grooming behaviors.

Despite the problem having existed for years, NBC News, in collaboration with researcher Matt Richardson of the U.S.-based nonprofit Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative, was easily able to locate existing servers that showed clear signs of being used for child exploitation.

On websites that are dedicated to listing Discord servers, people promoted their servers using variations of words with the initials CP, short for child pornography, like cheese-pizza and casual politics. The descriptions of the groups were often more explicit, advertising the sale of t33n or teenage content. Discord does not run these websites.

A Discord community called

In response to NBC News' questions about the Discord servers, Redgrave said the company was trying to educate the third-party websites that promote them about measures they could take that could protect children.

In several servers, groups explicitly solicited minors to join not safe for work communities. One server promoted itself on a public server database, saying: This is a community for people between the ages of 13-17. We trade nudes, we do events. Join us for the best Teen-NSFW experience <3.

The groups appear to fit into the description of child sex abuse material production groups described by prosecutors, where adults pretend to be teens to entice real children into sharing nude images.

Inside one of the groups, users directly solicited nude images from minors to gain access. YOU NEED TO SEND A VERIFICATION PHOTO TO THE OWNER! IT HAS TO BE NUDE, one user wrote in the group. WE ACCEPT ONLY BETWEEN 12 AND 17 YEARS OLD.

In another group, which specifically claimed to accept little girls 5-17 only, chat channels included the titles begging-to-have-sex-chat, sexting-chat-with-the-server-owner, nude-videos, and nudes.

Screengrab of a Discord server channels, including

Richardson said that he is working with law enforcement to investigate one group on Discord with hundreds of members who openly celebrate the extortion of children whom they say theyve tricked into sharing sexual images, including images of self-harm and videos they say theyve made children record.

NBC News did not enter the channels, and child sexual abuse material was not viewed in the reporting of this article.

Discord markets itself to kids and teens, advertising its functionality for school clubs on their homepage. But many of the other users on the platform are adults. The two age groups are allowed to freely mix. Some other platforms, such as Instagram, have instituted restrictions on how people under 18 can interact with people over 18.

The platform allows anyone to make an account and, like some other platforms, only asks for an email address and a birthday. Discords policies say U.S. users cannot join unless theyre at least 13 years old, but has no system to verify a users self-reported age. Age verification has become a hot-button issue in the world of social media policy, as legislation on the topic is being considered around the U.S. Some major platforms such as Meta have attempted to institute their own methods of age-verification, and Discord is not the only platform that has yet to institute an age-verification system.

Redgrave said the company is very actively investigating, and will invest in, age assurance technologies.

Children under 13 are frequently able to make accounts on the app, according to the court filings reviewed by NBC News.

Despite the closed-off nature of the platform and the milieu of ages mixing on it, the platform has been transparent about its lack of oversight of the activities that occur on it.

We do not monitor every server or every conversation, the platform said on a page in its safety center. Instead, the platform says it mostly waits for community members to flag issues. When we are alerted to an issue, we investigate the behavior at issue and take action.

Redgrave said the company is testing out models that analyze server and user metadata in an effort to detect child safety threats.

Redgrave said the company plans to debut new models that will try to locate undiscovered trends in child exploitation content later this year.

Despite Discords efforts to address child exploitation and CSAM on its platform, numerous watchdogs and officials said more could be done.

Denton Howard, executive director of Inhope, an organization of missing and exploited children hotlines from around the world, said that Discords issues stem from a lack of foresight, similar to other companies.

Safety by design should be included from Day One, not from Day 100, he said.

Howard said Discord had approached Inhope and proposed being a donating partner to the organization. After a risk assessment and consultation with the members of the group, Inhope declined the offer and pointed out areas of improvement for Discord, which included slow response times to reports, communications issues when hotlines tried to reach out, hotlines receiving account warnings when they try to report CSAM, the continued hosting of communities that trade and create CSAM, and evidence disappearing before hearing back from Discord.

In an email from Discord to Inhope viewed by NBC News, Discord the company said it was updating its policies around child safety and are working to implement THORNs grooming classifier.

Howard said Discord had made progress since that March exchange, reinstituting the program that prioritizes reports from hotlines, but that Inhope had still not taken the companys donation.

Redgrave said that he believes Inhopes recommended improvements aligned with changes the company had long hoped to eventually implement.

Shehan noted that NCMEC had also had difficulties working with Discord, saying that the organization rescinded an invitation to Discord to become part of its Cybertipline Roundtable discussion, which includes law enforcement and top tipline reporters after the company failed to identify a senior child safety representative to attend.

It was really questionable, their commitment to what theyre doing on the child exploitation front, Shehan said.

Detective Staff Sgt. Tim Brown of Canadas Ontario Provincial Police said that hed similarly been met with a vexing response from the platform recently that made him question the companys practices around child safety. In April, Brown said Discord asked his department for payment after he had asked the company to preserve records related to a suspected child sex abuse content ring.

Brown said that his department had identified a Discord server with 120 participants that was sharing child sexual abuse material. When police asked Discord to preserve the records for their investigation, Discord suggested that it would cost an unspecified amount of money.

In an email from Discord to the Ontario police viewed by NBC News, Discords legal team wrote: The number of accounts youve requested on your preservation is too voluminous to be readily accessible to Discord. It would be overly burdensome to search for or retrieve data that might exist. If you pursue having Discord search for and produce this information, first we will need to discuss being reimbursed for the costs associated with the search and production of over 20 identifiers.

Brown said he had never seen another social media company ask to be reimbursed for maintaining potential evidence before.

Brown said that his department eventually submitted individual requests for each identifier, which were accepted by Discord without payment, but that the process took time away from other parts of the investigation.

That certainly put a roadblock up, he said.

Redgrave said that the company routinely asks law enforcement to narrow the scope of information requests but that the request for payment was an error: "This is not part of our response process."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty/NOAA

The submersible that went missing after plunging deep into the Atlantic on Sunday has triggered fiery backlash from some descendants of those who boarded the RMS Titanic 111 years ago, with relatives saying that tours of the ill-fated ship should not be happening in the first place. In their view, the site should be treated with more respect, in memory of those who perished there.

The underwater expedition to the Titanics wreckageregarded by some as a watery graveyard for the 1,496 passengers and crew killed in the disasterwent awry shortly after the submersible launched its mission off the coast of Newfoundland with five people on board. The vessel lost contact with the support ship after just an hour and a half, and has not been heard from since.

Equipped with only 96 hours of oxygen, the adventure of a lifetime has now spiraled into a heart-pounding crisis that has garnered headlines around the worldand triggered an outcry from families who have raised ethical concerns about such tours.

The Lost Titanic Sub Didnt Even Have a Basic Safety Beacon

I think its disgusting, quite honestly, 69-year-old John Locascio, whose two uncles perished after boarding the Titanic in 1912, told The Daily Beast. I would want it to stop, to be perfectly honest. Theres no sense of it. Youre going down to see a grave. Would you want to dig up your uncles or aunts to see the box? Thats basically what I compare it to. Theres no reason for it.

Locascios uncles, Alberto and Sebastiano Peracchio, were reportedly working as waiters in one of the ships restaurants at the time. They were only 17 and 20 years old when they lost their lives, according to the Locascio family.

They died a horribly tragic death. Just leave the bodies resting. They dont want people down to see them. Just leave well enough alone. I believe with what happened with the submersible, I wouldnt be surprised if the Titanic said to herself: I think I'm getting tired of these people coming down to look at me, he said.

What do you want to look at, you want to ogle?, he added. Where is the logic, where is the sense in it all?

Alberto and Sebastiano Peracchio Angelica Harris

Brett Gladstone, whose great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather, Ida and Isidor Straus, died in the 1912 disaster, told The Daily Beast: Im not someone who believes in bad karma, and that people who go down in submersibles are subjecting themselves to bad karma because theyre going down to see a graveyard up close with unburied people. But the act of going down there should be a regulated procedure.

There should be restrictions, and there should be some degree of honor and respect given to those whose bodies remain thereor whose souls remain there if their bodies no longer exist, Gladstone added. Im not wild about the idea of these tourist packages for a quarter of a million dollars, but if theyre going to do it, it should be regulated because I think its a dangerous experience to go down there, and if too many people go down there the site can be disturbed, endangering whats left in terms of keeping it pristine and in its original condition.

Shelley Binder, whose great-grandmother Leah Aks, and great uncle, F. Phillip Filly Aks (Leahs son), survived the disaster, told The Daily Beast that she was praying for the safe rescue of those aboard the submersible.

Binder told The Daily Beast that she hoped there was a way to respectfully and scientifically investigate the site, as there is still so much to discover, and what is left is collapsing in on itself. It wont be there forever. But it feels in bad taste to travel there just to gawp. It reminds me of rich people hunting endangered species because they can afford to.

The first photo taken of Leah Aks, right, her husband, and their baby Filly following their dramatic rescue from the Titanic. Family Handout

Binder does not think the site should be any kind of travel destination. If you have all that money, and if you have fallen for the allure and romanticism of the Titanic story, why not give your money to those scientists and researchers who can help us understand more about it, or fund the preservation of artifacts, or see that those artifacts are properly obtained and maintained?

Binder told The Daily Beast that she knew she was speaking from the fortunate position of someone whose family members had survived; she knows many others whose family members had perished, and feel very differently. I feel for them, and really feel I must defer to them. 1496 human beingsmen, women and childrendied that night in that area in the freezing cold. We must be sensitive to that before we turn it into a tourist destination of any kind.

We should let those people down there lie in peace

The story of the Peracchio brothers was documented in a book by Locascios wife, Angelica, who described holding a softer position on the Titanic tours in an interview with The Daily Beast.

Everyone has the right to their own opinions about how they feel, if people want to spend that kind of money and go down, thats up to them. Me, personally? I dont think I would be able to go against my family members. Their feeling is: Enough is enough. Leave her [the Titanic] alone, she said.

The idea is that they are dead and the Titanic is sacred ground. And just like you would go to a cemetery and stand on firm ground to visit a loved one and put flowers on their grave, Titanic is the same thing. It is still a grave.

T. Sean Maher, whose great-grandfather James Kelly, of County Kildare, Ireland, died in the 1912 disaster, told The Daily Beast that though his relatives body had been recovered and buried at sea, he still considered the Titanic to be a mass grave siteand not something that should be any kind of travel destination.

Its tremendously sad if some people may have lost their lives in that manner, but in my opinion they shouldnt have been there in the first place, Maher told The Daily Beast of those who had gone to view the site in the submersible.

Plenty of people passed away down there [in 1912], and I dont think should be dealt with as a tourist attraction, Maher told The Daily Beast. I think the Robert Ballard expedition that located it [in 1985] was fine because nothing was tremendously disturbed. But I am not comfortable with people going down and viewing it as a tourist attraction. The Ballard expedition discovered where the Titanic was, and now we know. It is what it is. Its down there. Thats where all those people lost their lives. That should be it. It should be left just as it is. We should let those people down there lie in peace.

Kellys loved ones never saw his body, but his personal effects had been sent on to his wife, Maher said.

Almost like Disneyland

Mark Petteruti, a gift shop owner in Massachusetts, grew up listening to stories his mother would share about his grandmother, who survived the Titanic disaster at 24 years old.

My grandmother survived but she never wanted to think about it. She never wanted to go on a ship again, he said. She got in the last lifeboat, number 15, and it was piled in with people and she survived. She always had PTSD and she would wake up in the middle of the night screaming, thinking about all the people who died around her.

Asked about the submersible tours of the wreckage, Petteruti said he feels like its a graveyard, all those people who died with all their remains are down there now its almost like Disneyland with all the people going down there to look.

Its such a tragedy, I cant believe people would pay $250,000 to look at it, he saidreferring to promotions of the tours that were on the website of OceanGate Expeditions, the company behind the missing submersible. (OceanGate Expeditions did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast by the time of publication.)

She had a really rough time and she never wanted to go back on a boat, and the sad thing is she was from Ireland, and she never went back to see her folks again because she didnt wanna get on a ship, Petteruti said. Im sure they were curious, and they wanted to see the Titanic and all, but it just seems so dangerous. Is it really worth it?

Isidor and Ida Straus Isidor, left, and Ida Straus Public Domain

The story of Brett Gladstones great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather became famous after Ida declined to escape via lifeboat to remain with Isidor, reportedly saying, Isidor we have been together for all these years. Where you go, I go. She gave her maid her fur coat saying she no longer had any use of it. The couple was last seen on the deck of the boat arm in arm. A memorial statue of the couple is located in New York City at the intersection of Broadway and West End Avenue at W. 106th Street.

My great-great-grandfathers body was found floating with a locket around his neck that the family still has, but my great-great-grandmothers body was never found, Gladstone told The Daily Beast. So, her body lays down there todaythe site is a graveyard for my great-great-grandmother and so many others. Im a little bit uncomfortable with people making money over diving down and spending what I understand to be a quarter of a million dollars to go down in these submersiblesbecause it is a graveyard and it should be treated as such.

There are still things to be investigated. Lets do it respectfully

Shelley Binder told The Daily Beast that her great-grandmother Leah was 18 at the time of the Titanics sinking, and a new mother to Filly, then just 10 months old. (Shelleys grandmother was born 11 months after the disaster.) After Robert Ballards discovery of the wreck in 1985, Filly had said he wished people would leave the ship alone, Binder recalled.

Leah and Filly were separated in the melee of the tragic evening, with Leah making it on to the rescue vessel, the Carpathia, believing her son was dead. He was not, and without her knowing had also been deposited onto the vessel with another woman taking care of him. Mother and son were finally reunitedthe captain of the vessel having played Solomon, as Binder puts itin front of a group of society women including Madeleine Astor, who gave Leah her scarf saying, Your baby looks cold.

Shelley Binder as a child (on floor) with my Grandmother Sara Carpathia Aks (Leahs 2nd child born in March of 1913) in the middlenamed in gratitude for the rescue ship and Captain Rostron of the Carpathia), and Leah Aks (on right nee Rosen). Courtesy of Shelley Binder

Binders great-grandmother was one of 712 survivors. I know, from first-hand knowledge, how they suffered terribly for the rest of their lives, Binder told The Daily Beast. Afterwards, my great-grandmother was in and out of a mental institution suffering from what she called nervous collapse. My 92-year-old father remembers her sitting him down in 1960 to tell him she could never get away from the sound of people dying in the water. She remembered it all through her life. She could never reckon with that. It tortured her. She was traumatized by it for her whole life, although she clawed her way back to some sort of life in the years that followed with her husband, my great-grandfather.

Binder paused, and laughed. Actually, in 1923, my great-grandmother sailed back to London for a weddingand I am not making this upbetween my great aunt Rose and a man named Jack.

Leah died in 1967, and Shelley is forever aware that she quite literally owes her own life to Leahs successful battle for survival that night.

I knew her for the first eight years of my life, and got the measure of this amazing woman who had the gumption and courage to take a chance to fight for her life, Binder told The Daily Beast. I dont think she would want people to see the site in a touristy way today. If youre paying your respects on the surface of the ocean, thats fine. And there are still things to be investigated and learned at the site, but lets do it respectfully, not encourage tourists to just go look at it.

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Tyreek Hill spent a day over the long weekend deep sea fishing with friends and his high-profile agent, a successful outing that included a wild encounter with a large shark.

But back at the Haulover Park Marina dock, a few men apparently took exception when the Miami Dolphins superstar receiver tried to hook some of the big tarpon that hang out under the charter fleet slurping up scraps  a prohibited and not-so-sporting practice. Hill, according to law enforcement sources and dockside scuttlebutt, exchanged words with at least two men who told him fishing was off-limits and one accused Hill of slapping him on the back of the head.

That was one version of the altercation. But like with many fish tales, the details were murky.

A police report released late Wednesday made no mention of fishing for tarpon and said the argument began when a marina employee saw two women aboard a boat without permission. The report does not name Hill but says when the employee approached the group, a man though to be the Dolphins star began arguing with him, slapping him in the neck area with an open hand before being restrained by a few people.

The report, which also does not name the victim, says the incident was recorded early Sunday evening via surveillance cameras and that the man who was struck had no visible injuries. The report also says the manager of the Kelley Fishing Fleet located at the marina interacted with the group before the altercation about renting a boat, but they passed because it was too expensive.

Two days later, Hill and the Dolphins werent talking about what may have happened. His agent Drew Rosenhaus wouldnt comment. And attaching names to stories from the dock workers, fishing guides and charter operators at the marina was as tough as pulling teeth.

Still, information gathered from various media reports and sources in and out of law enforcement  even from clips posted on social media by Hills agent  suggest a minor altercation, possibly after what had been a delightful, almost cloudless day out in the ocean. Police were never called to the dock and the man accusing Hill of slapping him reported the incident Monday.

It wasnt clear what, if any, charges that Hill, who has faced legal troubles before over alleged violent incidents, might face. The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, which ultimately determines if charges are filed, hadnt received any paperwork from police by late afternoon Wednesday.

The Miami-Dade Police indicated to the SAO that they will be forwarding the information to our office for further review, said state attorney spokesman Ed Griffith.

According to people who work at the park and law enforcement sources, an unidentified boat captain, Hill and others left Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Marina likely aboard the air-conditioned, 48-foot Lady Mitchell. A day later, Rosenhaus posted a video from a cellphone on his Twitter page.

On the 34-second clip, Rosenhaus is shown the water with goggles on, grabbing the tail of a 6-foot shark, which appears clearly exhausted after being caught. Nothing in the video that was posted to Rosenhauss Twitter page Monday indicates what boat Hill and Rosenhaus were aboard when the agent tussled with the shark.

Dont grab him. Dont grab him Drew. We dont have enough insurance for that, one man warns, his voice rising. When the man asks Hill if he wants to jump in with Rosenhaus, the receiver replies, hell, nah.

Another clip posted on the same Twitter page shows Rosenhaus grabbing the shark from another angle, then flashes quickly to Hill aboard the boat.

The Florida man. There he is. Look at him go, a voice on the video is heard saying.

The incident under investigation allegedly occurred when when vessel returned to the marina, docking in one of the slots run by the Kelley Fishing Fleet, dock workers said.

According to people who work on the dock, Hill noticed the large tarpon in the relatively shallow water near the dock, which are attracted by fish scraps from the docked boats. Fishing from the dock is not allowed at the marina but Hill may have been given some conflicting information. Sources said he asked the captain if he could fish and was told it wasnt permitted from the dock, but that he could jump aboard an adjacent vessel and fish from there.

Dock workers said one man first told Hill to stop fishing, then another  possibly a member of the family who owns the charter fleet  got close to Hill and also told him to stop. Thats when Hill, according to police, was accused of slapping the man in the back of the head or the neck area. After that, Hill and his group ran off, the report said.
Pride Month is in full swing in San Luis Obispo County, featuring festivals, drag shows and rainbow flags  all to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and protest ongoing anti-queer violence.

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, however, was divided over officially declaring June as Pride Month in the county.

The board ultimately voted 3-2 on Tuesday to make the declaration, with Supervisors Debbie Arnold and John Peschong dissenting.

The proclamation acknowledges that the Pride movement started as a protest against profiling and violence that targets the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

LGBTQ+ people have historically struggled to find others like themselves in media and the public, and Pride serves as a crucial time of visibility and community, the proclamation read. Recognition from ones government is crucial for feeling safe in ones community.

At the meeting, Gala Pride and Diversity Center content curator Lola White-Sanborn said members of the LGBTQ+ community still experience harassment in SLO County, and it is crucial for the board to address it.

Fostering an inclusive environment requires openly acknowledging what bigotry exists, not pretending that everythings fine now, she said.

Supervisors Jimmy Paulding, Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Bruce Gibson stand for a photo with two representatives from the Gala Pride and Diversity Center after the board voted 3-2 to declare June Pride Month. Supervisors Debbie Arnold and John Peschong declined to participate in the picture. Submitted photo

Supervisors divided over whether to approve Pride Month proclamation

Supervisors Bruce Gibson, Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Jimmy Paulding supported the proclamation, saying they were committed to combating prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community.

We have a lot of work to do here, Ortiz-Legg said. I know that we  overall in this room  really look toward finding the common good and the ability to work together.

Arnold, however, said the proclamation had a divisive feeling. She preferred a county-wide statement of support that applies to all residents, rather than a targeted statement of support for the LGBTQ+ community, she said.

Identity politics has been around forever, and it does tend to separate folks into different groups and often promote victimhood, Arnold said. I dont think thats the way to go.

We have become a much more inclusive society just by being good friends, neighbors and community members, she added.

In particular, Arnold noted that the board had already passed a resolution last week denouncing racism, bigotry and hate speech, while pledging to support all marginalized communities in the county.

Arnold said support for the LGBTQ+ community was included in that resolution, so theres no need to pass another more specific resolution for Pride Month.

We got it all pretty much covered right there, Arnold said. Were all Americans, we stand under the American flag as Americans. ... I think we need to stop splitting ourselves into particular groups.

Gala Pride and Diversity Center executive director Dusty Colyer-Worth, however, said its critical to acknowledge the countys history of prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community and actively commit to battling such discrimination.

I know that it can be easy to look at it as identity politics to call out a specific group, but its also a point of privilege to be able to say that, Colyer-Worth said. It is not the experience of LGBTQ+ people to be protected under blanket statements.

Gibson agreed.

Those who would oppose this expression of tolerance and respect for our fellow community members are either unaware of history or willfully ignorant of the history, he said.

Peschong did not comment on the proclamation during the meeting, but he told the Tribune during a break that he supports Arnolds statement.

When Gibson, Ortiz-Legg and Paulding presented the proclamation to two members of the Gala Pride and Diversity Center, Arnold and Peschong stood to the side of the room.

Community weighs in on Pride Month declaration

Stacy Korsgaden, who unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 2020 and 2022, lives in Grover Beach with her wife. She urged the board to reject the resolution, calling it outdated.

She said the LGBTQ+ community has made tremendous progress towards acceptance in society as a whole.

Instead of passing this resolution, Korsgaden asked the board to pass policies that improve public safety, job growth and housing production  all actions that would improve the lives of everyone in the county, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Dont take us back to the past, Korsgaden said. Lead us to the future where our government represents all of us, uniting us under one flag, one rule of law  united in the commitment to have a safe and prosperous San Luis Obispo County.

White-Sanborn, speaking in support of the proclamation, said she is regularly harassed for being queer in San Luis Obispo County.

On a number of occasions, as near as Santa Rosa Street and Marsh Street right behind us, trucks have attempted to run me over, White-Sanborn said. It is therefore difficult for me to believe that anyone who would seek to oppose such a proclamation has any goal other than exclusion.

According to White-Sanborn, legislation is being introduced at state and federal levels to reduce the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 491 anti-LGBTQ bills in the United States, many of which attempt to block gender-affirming healthcare, prevent trans youth from participating in school activities or undermine nondiscrimination laws.

Declaring June as Pride Month supports the queer community during a vulnerable time, White-Sanborn said.

No one genuinely believes that we are asking for special treatment when we ask for acknowledgment of our unique struggles, unless they believe those struggles are something that should happen to us, she said.

Ortiz-Legg said its important for the county to recognize the pain prejudice has inflicted on LGBTQ+ folks.

I think its very clear that many of us, including myself, dont recognize always the kinds of daily traumas that one can endure, she said.

Paulding thanked White-Sanborn and Coyler-Worth for accepting the proclamation on behalf of the Gala Pride and Diversity Center.

With LGBTQ+ youth suffering from higher rates of suicide and homelessness compared to their peers, Paulding said its critical for the board to pass this resolution.

Gibson echoed his statement.

I embrace this resolution because its a fundamental expression of our shared humanity, Gibson said.
DNA collected from suspect Bryan Kohberger a statistical match for DNA on sheath of knife used in killings of 4 Idaho students, court documents state

The DNA of Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students at an off-campus home in Moscow last fall, is a statistical match to DNA collected from the sheath of a knife found at the scene, according to court documents filed by prosecutors.

An STR DNA comparison was performed on DNA collected from Kohberger and DNA taken from the knife sheath, prosecutors said in the June 16 filing. The samples showed a statistical match, the court documents state.

An STR analysis  or short tandem repeat analysis  is a common type of DNA profiling in criminal cases and other types of forensic cases, according to the National Institute of Justice.

The STR profile is at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source, prosecutors said in the filing. An octillion is a number equal to a 1 followed by 27 zeros.

The FBI originally loaded the DNA profile from the knife sheath onto publicly available genealogy sites, the documents state.

The FBI went to work building family trees of the genetic relatives to the suspect DNA left at the crime scene in an attempt to identify the contributor of the unknown DNA, and then sent a tip to investigate Kohberger, according to prosecutors.

That tip pointed law enforcement toward (the) Defendant, but it did not provide

law enforcement with substantive evidence of guilt, according to the prosecutors filing  which is why they followed up using an STR analysis.

A DNA sample from trash recovered from the Kohberger family residence by Pennsylvania law enforcement and sent to the Idaho State Lab for testing was also used to help investigators home in on Kohberger as a suspect in the killings, court documents released earlier this year state.

Those documents also say a DNA profile obtained from trash at the home and the DNA profile obtained from the sheath, identified a male as not being excluded as the biological father of Suspect knife Profile, the documents state.

At least 99.9998% of the male population would be expected to be excluded from the possibility of being the suspects biological father.

Killings shocked community

Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the November 13 killings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, at a home just outside the universitys main campus in Moscow. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by an Idaho judge at a hearing last month.

The killings and subsequent lengthy investigation rattled Moscow, a city of 25,000 people that hadnt recorded a murder since 2015.

After weeks of little information and heightened anxiety in the community, Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in Pennsylvania in late December and identified by authorities as the alleged killer. He has been in police custody since and is being held without bail.

At last months hearing, Judge John Judge read aloud Kohbergers rights and each of the charges outlined in the indictment. When asked if he understood the charges, Kohberger replied to each, Yes.

When asked for his plea to the counts, Kohberger remained silent. His attorney rose and said, Your honor, we are standing silent, and the judge then entered not guilty pleas for him.

A gag order implemented in the case prohibits all attorneys  prosecutors, defense lawyers, and those representing victims and witnesses  from saying anything publicly beyond what is already in the public record.

CNNs Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

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The right to an abortion has been a galvanizing issue for voters since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade a year ago, ending the federal right to an abortion. Now, as the country approaches the anniversary of that decision Saturday, Democrats are putting abortion rights at the center of their political messaging across the country.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will launch a billboard campaign beginning on Thursday in Times Square and battleground states across the country. The ads, at a cost of six figures, according to the DNC, will highlight the contrast between Democrats' efforts to protect abortion rights and Republicans' attempts to ban abortion, according to a DNC official.

Democratic National Committee billboard abortion rights ad campaign to mark a year since the fall of Roe v. Wade. / Credit: screenshot from billboard ad / DNC

Billboards are also going up in Atlanta, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Tallahassee, and Raleigh  all in key states in the 2024 presidential election. The ads say the Biden administration is "fighting for a woman's right to choose!" The campaign also features a quote from President Joe Biden, calls for the codification of Roe in federal law and claims former President Donald Trump and his supporters want to ban abortion nationwide.

The DNC will also be running Facebook, Instagram and CTV ads in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Arizona this week, as well as taking over ads on the homepage of the Washington Post on Saturday to mark the one-year anniversary.

Since the Supreme Court released its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, returning the issue to states to decide, 14 states have banned abortion with few exceptions. Another 11 states have enacted further restrictions on abortion, though some have been tied up in litigation. A case on the future use of the common abortion drug mifepristone, which would have national implications, also moved forward, and several states have moved to restrict access to the drug.

The monumental shift for abortion rights since the Dobbs decision helped lead to a number of prominent victories for Democrats in the 2022 midterms, including in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, where abortion was a top issue on the campaign trail. It also helped Democrats and progressives win in a number of special elections over the past year, while a series of anti-abortion ballot initiatives, like one in Kansas, failed when put before voters.

The DNC billboard campaign is part of a broader push by Democrats and reproductive rights activists to begin mobilizing voters on abortion rights. The DNC, along with the Democrats' Senate campaign arm and House campaign arm, all signaled on Wednesday that it will be a top issue for them in the next election cycle.

"There's no question that this issue will be on the ballot in 2024 in all our senate races," said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Gary Peters on a press call.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been a leading figure for the Biden administration on the issue, will be heading to Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday to speak on reproductive rights. She will push for national legislation to protect reproductive rights and will argue Republicans have an extreme approach to reproductive health, a White House official said.

Her visit to the battleground state comes weeks after Republican lawmakers in the state overrode a veto by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper on a 12-week abortion ban with limited exceptions. The ban is set to go into effect next month.

The DNC and Biden campaign plan to deploy dozens of officials and surrogates across the country to discuss the issue in the days leading up to the anniversary and will encourage all 50 states to hold events on the impact of the Dobbs decision in their states.

Democrats will also be relying on their national organizing program to make calls and send texts for states with upcoming races where abortion is expected to play a major role, like the August special election in Ohio and the upcoming off-year election in Virginia, which held its primary Tuesday.

In the Senate Wednesday, Democrats will seek unanimous consent on several pieces of legislation to protect women's rights.

While Democrats have seized on abortion rights since the overturning of Roe, Republicans have struggled to navigate the issue on the national stage.

Former President Donald Trump criticized a six-week abortion ban passed in Florida and signed into law by 2024 rival Gov. Ron DeSantis, calling it too harsh. But he has also taken credit for overturning Roe v. Wade, noting he nominated three of the Supreme Court justices in the Dobbs decision. Presidential candidate Tim Scott initially waffled over whether he would support a 15-week federal abortion ban proposed by South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham before signaling he would support one.

One Republican presidential hopeful who has been very outspoken about his support for a federal abortion ban is former Vice President Mike Pence. While Democrats plan to rally in support of abortion rights on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Pence will be rallying the same day with anti-abortion groups in Washington.

Caitlin Huey-Burns contributed to this report.

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As Marisol Perez fought for her life in a Texas hospital in autumn 2021, her mother, Alma Salas, sat with her every day praying. Perez, then 42, had such a virulent case of Covid and pneumonia that doctors at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare facility, had put her on a ventilator and into a coma to try to save her.

Salas said she believed her daughter would pull through, but doctors and nurses at the hospital kept telling her otherwise. Over 10 days in October, less than a month after Perez entered St. Davids, Salas received repeated visits from a palliative care nurse, her hospital record shows. Every other day, Salas said, the nurse urged her to initiate end-of-life care for her daughter. Several of Perezs doctors also pressed Salas to remove her daughter from the ventilator, she said, in visits confirmed by details from Perezs chart.

On one occasion, six or seven doctors and nurses gathered around Perezs bed, Salas said. "We really feel it is in the best interests of your daughter to let her go," she recalled one doctor telling her.

Salas held firm. I dont have the authority to take anyones life, she said she told them.

A month later, St. Davids discharged Perez, her chart shows. She went on to make a full recovery.

Alma Salas and her daughter Marisol Perez. (Courtesy Alma Salas)

St. Davids is one of 182 hospitals in the U.S. and the U.K. operated by HCA Healthcare, the nations largest hospital chain. HCA is highly profitable  last year it earned $5.6 billion  and its stock is a Wall Street darling.

As an industry leader, HCAs practices are followed closely by competitors. But HCAs profits come at a cost to patients and workers, some of its doctors and employees contend. They have cited severe understaffing and insufficient investment in facilities as having caused harm to patients.

Now, new criticisms are arising related to HCAs palliative and end-of-life care for patients, according to some physicians and nurses who have worked in its facilities. They say HCA officials press staff to persuade families of ailing patients to initiate such care, as Salas says she experienced with her daughter. Although this can harm patients by withdrawing lifesaving treatments, the push can benefit HCA two ways, the doctors and nurses said, and an internal hospital document confirms. It reduces in-hospital mortality rates, a closely watched quality measure, and can free up a hospital bed more quickly for HCA, potentially generating more insurance reimbursements from a new patient.

This article is based on interviews with six nurses and 27 doctors who currently practice at 16 HCA hospitals in seven states or did so previously. All said their HCA hospitals pushed palliative and end-of-life care in pursuit of better performance metrics. Internal HCA hospital documents and texts between hospital staffers provided to NBC News support these health care professionals views.

Ed Fishbough, an HCA spokesman, denied the contentions. Suggesting that medical care in HCA Healthcare hospitals is based on anything other than a physicians independent medical judgment of what is in the patients best interest is untrue and wrong, he said in a statement.

Two weeks after NBC News began raising questions with HCA about its hospice referrals, one physician at a company hospital reported what he believes is a precipitous decline in the number of referrals at the facility.

Regarding Perezs care at St. Davids, Fishbough said, Severe, life-threatening illnesses are gut-wrenching experiences, and St. Davids HealthCare physicians, nurses and staff are dedicated to guiding patients and their families throughout the process of managing a severe illness.

He said he could not discuss details of Perezs experience because of privacy laws. NBC News provided HCA with a waiver signed by Perez allowing St. Davids Hospital to provide information about her medical care and discuss it with NBC News. HCA said it would only talk about her care if Perez signed two HCA waivers. One was Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information for Marketing and/or Promotional Purposes and another was Consent for Use and Disclosures of Image, Voice and/or Written Testimonials, giving HCA the right to videotape Perez and record her voice. Perez declined.

Although few patients likely realize it, transfers to hospice care reduce a hospitals inpatient mortality rate. Heres why: If a patient passes away in a hospital, that death adds to the facilitys inpatient mortality figures. But if that person dies after a transfer to hospice care  even if the patient stays at the same hospital in the same bed  the death doesnt count toward the facilitys inpatient mortality rate because the patient was technically discharged from the hospital.

A reduction in lengthy patient stays is a second benefit to the push to palliative and then end-of-life care, an HCA hospital document shows. Under end-of-life care, patients dont typically live long, so the practice can allow HCA to replace patients that may be costing the facility money because their insurance has run out with those who generate fresh revenues.

Offering palliative care to seriously ill patients has gained traction industry-wide in recent years as a treatment for symptoms as well as providing comfort and pain management and support for their families.

Palliative care differs from hospice care. According to the National Institutes of Health, patients in palliative care can receive treatments for symptoms along with those intended to cure their illnesses, while hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life for a patient approaching death. Patients in hospice typically receive only pain medication, making it crucial, many doctors say, to be cautious when suggesting hospice to family members. Depending on the situation, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers cover some costs of palliative as well as hospice care.

While palliative care and hospice care differ, the HCA spokesman confirmed that the two treatments work in tandem at its facilities. Palliative care acts as a gateway to hospice care for some patients; if palliative care is recommended, a consultation typically takes place to ensure the patient and family agree. A recommendation to move forward from there to hospice care also requires physician and patient or family sign-off.

For example, one internal HCA document describes palliative care consultations as the first step to hospice care, and another explains how the palliative care coordinator recommends hospice options to family members. If they agree, the patient will be discharged from an inpatient status and rolled over into whats known as General Inpatient Hospice, or GIP, the document says.

An internal HCA hospital analysis from about three years ago shows that almost one-third of its palliative care consultations resulted in admission to inpatient hospice or a hospice discharge plan. Deaths in those plans were excluded from the hospitals inpatient mortality rate.

Another document recommends palliative care be considered for patients with prolonged length of stay, indicating that the services may be seen as a way to reduce patient stays.

At HCA, the push to palliative care and then hospice is constant, according to the doctors and nurses who spoke with NBC News. At two HCA hospitals, the practice appears to be mechanized, with staff citing an algorithm used to identify patients who are most likely to die soon. This is also known as a vulnerability index, texts shared with NBC News show.

Patients ranking high on the vulnerability index become candidates for palliative care, the texts show. In one, a palliative care team member at an HCA hospital identified such a patient; Algorithm = 97% risk of mortality today, it said.

The HCA spokesman declined to comment on the algorithm.

One HCA hospital document lists seven ways palliative care helps the facility; topping the list is Reduction of re-admissions and hospital mortalities that reflect negatively on our hospital. Another benefit, the document says: Decrease in hospital length of stay.

Entities rating the quality of care at hospitals track inpatient mortality rates  the popular IBM Watson Health Top Hospitals ranking is an example. HCAs in-hospital mortality rate is important in another way  it is one of 10 quality of care metrics used since 2021 to calculate the incentive pay received by top company executives, its financial filings show. In other words, better mortality results at HCA contributed to better company performance for executive pay purposes.

There is no direct evidence that HCAs palliative and hospice care push was intended to increase its executives pay.

HCA says in its filings that it calculates its mortality rate for pay purposes internally using a model devised by IBM Watson Health that excludes patients who die after discharge, such as those in hospice. HCA uses the model because it includes all patients rather than being limited to Medicare patients, includes more conditions, and has a shorter lag time in the data, the spokesman said.

Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare, speaks about the coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 14, 2020. (Alex Brandon / AP file)

Over the two years that HCAs board has used mortality rates to calculate incentive pay, Samuel N. Hazen, HCAs chief executive, received $35.3 million in total compensation. Some $305,400 of that was incentive pay generated by the mortality rate calculation, HCA said. Through a spokesman, Hazen declined an interview.

The three major publicly traded hospital companies that HCA considers competitors do not cite the use of mortality rates in their pay calculations, securities filings show. They are Community Health Systems Inc., Tenet Healthcare Corp., and Universal Health Services Inc.

HCA administrators overseeing individual hospitals also receive compensation based on mortality rates, the company said. We believe all hospital executives should have quality metrics  including mortality  as part of their incentive compensation, the spokesman said.

Ghasan Tabel, a doctor who practices at Riverside Community Hospital, an HCA facility in Riverside, California, is troubled by HCAs palliative care and hospice push. He said he has seen many situations where patients families were pressured by staff and told NBC News that the palliative care team does not always consult the attending physician when encouraging a patients family to choose the program.

Sometimes it is reasonable to talk about comfort care, but usually it is done prematurely, said Tabel, who was involved in a lawsuit against Riverside that the hospital settled. What is very alarming to me is if they mislead the patients family about the prognosis, paint the worst-case scenario, sometimes graphically, to convince the family to go to palliative care and withdrawal of care.

The HCA spokesman said: The decision to start palliative care for a patient is based on discussions among the patient, family and physician. Patient care at Riverside Community Hospital is based solely on a physicians independent medical judgment. Any claims to the contrary are irresponsible and untrue.

As for Marisol Perez, she believes that if not for her mother, she would be dead and her 9-year-old daughter, Annaliese, orphaned. Of her experience with HCA, she said: People used as dollar signs and pushed off somewhere else to die  that is not OK.

'Youre not God'

Tabel is the rare doctor at an HCA hospital voicing public concerns about the companys palliative care practices. The 26 other doctors NBC News interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation by the company.

All said, however, that the push for palliative and hospice care at their HCA facilities is insistent and aimed at improving performance measures. Physicians that do not promote the programs are told to toe the line, Tabel and some of the other doctors told NBC News.

One doctor recalled attending meetings at which hospital administrators discussed the importance of transfers to hospice care before a patient dies. The primary area of discussion was, Why didnt this patient get moved to hospice 12 hours before? the doctor recalled. 'What was the delay in getting them on hospice?

Dr. Ghasan Tabel, a doctor who practices at Riverside Community Hospital, an HCA facility in Riverside, Calif. (NBC News)

Failing to make a well-timed transfer, the doctor said, was considered a missed hospice opportunity by the hospital.

HCA declined to comment on this allegation. The company does not have an enterprise-wide palliative care program, the spokesman said. These programs are developed locally under the purview of independent medical staff organizations.

While the programs may be developed locally, the performance of any hospital deploying them is closely monitored by HCA, a company known for applying performance metrics to all of its facilities and placing them in competition with one another. Speaking at a health care conference last month, Michael A. Marks, senior vice president of finance at HCA, detailed the companys internal benchmarking tool that takes 166 measures of cost and operating efficiency at each facility. Every hospital will know exactly how they perform against the rest of HCA, Marks said. It helps our hospitals really find where their variability is.

Although HCA does not have an enterprise-wide palliative care program, transfers to hospice care have risen across most of its hospitals in recent years, Medicare claims data shows. Researchers at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which has labor agreements with some HCA facilities, found that from 2017 to 2021, the average hospice transfer rate among HCA hospital discharges grew by more than half  from 3.4% to 5.2%.

The national average of hospice transfers also grew during the period, but HCAs growth rate was roughly double the national average, the research shows.

The research covered 140 hospitals, SEIU said, excluding specialty hospitals like long-term acute care facilities and childrens hospitals, and excluding hospitals with too few claims in a given year. More than half of those hospitals ranked above the 80th percentile nationally for hospice transfer rates in 2021, the analysis shows.

At the same time, in-hospital deaths at the HCA facilities grew far more slowly than the national average, the Medicare data shows. In-hospital deaths at the HCA hospitals rose 17% from 2017 to 2021, while the average rose 45%.

Fishbough, the HCA spokesman, said the company strongly disagrees with the report, calling it inaccurate and misleading. He did not dispute the Medicare data findings in his criticisms.

Maritza Tamarit said she felt pressured to place her disabled husband, Pedro, in hospice care after hed spent months at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, a 488-bed acute care facility in Miami, in the summer of 2021.

Pedro Tamarit, 60, entered the hospital in May, with circulation problems in his leg, his wife said. After surgery, his condition worsened.

Pedro and Maritza Tamarit. (Maritza Tamarit)

In September, the push for palliative care began, Tamarit said. One doctor told me, I think your husband would be better placed in hospice, she recalled. I said, Why? and he said, Your husband will not be alive for more than six months.

She refused, she said, telling the doctor: Youre not God to say how long that person can live.

After Tamarit rejected hospice care for her husband, she took him home, she said. Soon she moved Pedro to a different hospital not owned by HCA. He lived for another year.

I just wanted my husband to have another chance," Tamarit said. She said she is telling her story so that other people can avoid this experience.

HCAs spokesman said Mercy Hospital provides multi-disciplinary patient care, including palliative services, to help patients manage pain and symptoms. As such, care goals are set independently by the treating physicians and care teams in the patients best interest.

'Deceiving changes in mortality reporting'

Academics have begun to notice that transfers of critically ill patients to hospice care can allow hospitals to improve their mortality rates. A study published in the Journal of Healthcare Management in 2020 concluded: Although appropriate in allowing the positive impact of hospice care, transfers may induce deceiving changes in mortality reporting in several high-volume hospital diagnoses.

Christa Schorr, professor of medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, in Camden, New Jersey, co-wrote the study. If you have the capability of providing these services, are you being realistic about what your mortality rate is? she asked in an interview. Calculating hospital executives incentive pay using a mortality rate that can be reduced by hospice transfers doesnt seem appropriate, she added.

Tabel said the palliative and hospice care push at his HCA hospital began in 2019, a time frame supported by documents provided to NBC News and interviews with doctors at other facilities. On Jan. 1 of that year, Hazen became the chief executive of HCA after years in its management ranks. The HCA spokesman declined to say whether Hazen played a role in the heightened focus.

More recent internal documents obtained by NBC News show that an HCA facility closely tracked deaths inside and outside of the palliative care and hospice programs and set goals for deaths in hospice to meet a certain level. When the hospital exceeded the goals  with more deaths occurring in hospice  the facilitys mortality rate dropped.

Healthcare professionals should present hospice as an option to all patients and families when death within a year would not be surprising and should reintroduce the hospice option as the patient declines, another HCA hospital document states. It notes that the program was introduced to the hospitals staff in 2019 and a weekly analysis tracked its progress. Going forward, the document stated, the hospital planned to offer goals for increased compliance with this standard.

In addition to being pushed to promote hospice care at Riverside Community Hospital, Tabel says he is pressured to reduce how long his patients remain in the facility. HCA closely monitors a metric known as length-of-stay, internal documents show, and Tabel said he is pressed to discharge patients that he believes are not ready to go.

Riverside Community Hospital, an HCA facility in Riverside, Calif. (NBC News)

Limiting lengths of stay at any hospital reduces patients' chance of infection and is a measure of health care efficiency used across the industry. Tabel agrees in concept but says the many elderly and infirm patients he treats require longer stays than the hospital prefers and often have nowhere to go to receive the care they need. He says shorter stays can benefit the hospital by removing a costly patient and freeing up a bed for higher reimbursements.

Tabel said hospital officials have told him they were under pressure from HCA higher-ups and he had to bring his length-of-stay numbers down. Tabel said he told them he would not kick people out of the hospital to improve its numbers.

In 2015 Tabel sued Riverside, alleging retaliation for refusing to meet the hospitals length-of-stay metric. The hospital reduced patient referrals to him as punishment, he alleged. Riverside disputed his claim, but Tabel received an undisclosed settlement from the hospital in the case in 2019.

Now, Tabel says, the hospital is again pressuring him to reduce his patients stays, demanding that he agree to abide by new rules in exchange for keeping his privileges at Riverside. He has refused and his status at the hospital is the subject of an internal hearing.

The HCA spokesman declined to comment, citing the dispute with Tabel, but said that we hold our independent physicians to high standards on clinical outcomes set by the medical staff.

Expanding hospice services

Under Medicare rules, when a hospital transfers a patient to hospice care in the same facility, the patient enters whats called General Inpatient Care, or GIP.

But determining whether a patient is appropriate for GIP requires careful assessment of pain and other symptoms that cannot be managed in another setting, the rules say. GIP is not an automatic level of care when a patient is imminently dying, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization says.

One doctor described a procedure at an HCA facility where staff targeted ICU patients for hospice transfers even though they were very near death. The physician said the moves did not benefit the patients and seemed aimed at reducing the hospitals inpatient mortality rate. The doctors experience is supported by the previously cited HCA hospital document detailing the benefits of palliative care to the facility. On the list: Decrease in futile & high utilization of Emergency Department and ICU.

HCAs spokesman declined to comment on the doctors allegation. But Medicare data from the SEIU report buttresses the doctors concerns.

The researchers tracked how many hospital patients died the same day they were transferred to hospice, a measure of the kind of imminent death cited by the National Hospice and Palliative Care group. At the HCA hospitals, same-day death rates in hospice more than doubled from 2017 to 2021  rising from 7% to 18%. HCAs same-day death rates were nearly twice the national average in 2021, the research shows.

Meanwhile, HCA is expanding its hospice services; in 2021, it paid $400 million to acquire a majority stake in the home health and hospice provider Brookdale Healthcare Services. The acquisition added 80 locations and 4,000 staff.

We believe this joint venture will lead to improved care coordination, Hazen said in a statement announcing the deal.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
As artificial intelligence and other technologies continue to move into the medical field, a growing number of doctors are showing interest in how these innovations can transform all aspects of patient care  including surgery.

Augmented reality (AR) smart glasses are wearable devices that enhance how people interact with the world around them. This is one such technology that's seeing wider use.

"AR devices provide users with an enhanced view of their surroundings by overlaying digital images, graphics and information onto the physical environment they see through the glasses," said Paul Travers, president and CEO of New York-based Vuzix, a leading supplier of smart glasses and AR technologies and products, in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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In the operating room, smart glasses allow surgeons to access important information they need in a real-time, hands-free environment  without having to look away from the procedure to check a computer screen.

A quarter of U.S. surgeons have already started using AR smart glasses.

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Augmented reality smart glasses  wearable devices that enhance how people interact with the world around them  are in wider use today.

Meanwhile, an additional 31% of surgeons are considering using them, according to a study by global research firm Censuswide, which gathered insights from over 500 surgeons across America.

Forty-nine percent of the surgeons said they believed AR smart glasses could reduce complications and fatalities in the operating room, said the study, commissioned by Vuzix.

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Other benefits cited by surgeons included greater access to in-depth information within their field of view, less need for entry and exit from the operating room, and potential cost reductions in surgical equipment and staff, according to a press release announcing the findings.

The surgeons also said that AR glasses could promote collaboration with remote clinical teams and could expedite prep times before surgery .

A quarter of U.S. surgeons have already started using AR smart glasses, while an additional 31% are considering using them, one study found.

"This report reveals the transformative power of AR technology in improving patient outcomes," said Travers.

"By providing real-time information, remote assistance and advanced visualization capabilities, AR smart glasses have the potential to revolutionize surgeries."

Vuzixs smart glasses are designed specifically to work in the operating room, Travers noted.

Unlike other larger, bulkier models, these are "super lightweight," he said  just 2.8 ounces. "They slide right up next to the eye loops the doctor is wearing," he added.

A surgeon at Ohana One, a Los Angeles-based company that cultivates surgical training programs using Vuzix smart glass technology in developing areas around the world, is shown using Vuzix glasses.

"The newest pair that we just came out with, the ultralight, look exactly like a pair of Oakleys," said Travers

Some of the companies using Vuzixs smart glasses technology, such as the virtual surgery platform Proximie, pair the AR smart glasses with artificial intelligence .

"Proximie is using the smart glasses to record the operations, putting them in a database and using AI to go back and compile all of that information," Travers said.

"That way, it will be available for the next time this operation is being done, along with all the learnings that have happened in the past."

For example, if a surgeon is putting in a stent during heart surgery, the AI engine can provide recommendations for the best type of stent for that particular patient, based on the last thousand similar operations."

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"The AI engine can help pick and choose the best kinds of solutions, live in the operating room," Travers said. "That's game-changing stuff, when you have a history of thousands of operations at the doctor's beck and call during live operations."

One of the primary applications of Vuzixs AR smart glasses is joint collaboration between doctors in different locations.

The glasses come equipped with sensors, cameras and connectivity features to enable interactive experiences. These include streaming what the wearer sees to a remote expert who can offer guidance and even draw or annotate over what the wearer is seeing in real time, said Travers.

Vuzix's M4000 smart glasses (pictured) offer ultra-bright, see-through waveguide optics with lightweight ergonomics, the company said.

A doctor in South Africa, for example, may need assistance when doing an open-heart surgery procedure for the first time. In this case, an expert in San Francisco or New York City can log in and help remotely.

"Its just like hes standing right next to the doctor in the operating room in South Africa  he can draw on what the doctor is seeing on the overlay of the 4K broadcast-quality camera feed and say, Cut this tissue first, or, Use this stent instead of that one," Travers explained.

In that type of scenario, he said, the technology actually could help save the patients life.

Doctors are also using Vuzixs smart glasses to enhance training for medical students.

One example Travers cited is a doctor who's getting ready to do open heart surgery and wants to teach 300 students how to do this particular kind of procedure.

Using AR smart glasses, the doctor can transmit 4K broadcast-quality video and audio as he or she operates.

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"As the doctor is doing the operation, students from around the world can log into a HIPAA-compliant livestream and the doctor can describe each step along the way," he said.

AR glasses offer a "huge step forward" in this type of training, which isnt physically possible in the operating room, Travers pointed out.

"The five people who are around the doctor have just enough space to help him with the operation," he said. "There is no way another person can sit there, let alone see what's going on inside the chest cavity of the person that's being operated on."

Vuzixs smart glasses are designed specifically to work in the operating room, the company's CEO said.

Ahmed Ghazi, a New York-based associate professor of urology and oncology at the Brady Neurological Institute at Johns Hopkins University, has been using the Vuzix smart glasses when performing surgeries  primarily to train and educate students in various locations.

The trainee wears the glasses, which project what the person is seeing onto a transparent frame that overlays Ghazis hands onto the field of view.

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"The glasses merge two different views into one single view, so I can observe what the trainee is doing," Ghazi told Fox News Digital. "They're able to see my hands instructing them on how to maneuver through a certain part of the procedure."

One of the main limitations Ghazi has experienced with smart glasses is that there can sometimes be a lag in the transmission of information when using Wi-Fi.

However, with a solid internet connection, he said it works very well.

"We had some dropped calls initially, but then after an update, we didn't have that issue whatsoever," he said.

As far as using the Vuzix glasses in surgery, Ghazi said he believes the hardware and software are in place to enable that, yet more testing needs to happen first.

"We would have to go through tests to make 100% sure there are no dropped calls and no technical issues, compared to other types of virtual or augmented reality platforms," he said.
'Does anybody in America believe this?' Christie slams Trump claims in Fox News interview

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie slammed Donald Trump on Tuesday over the former president's claim that he was "very busy" and did not have time to sort through boxes at Mar-a-Lago that contained classified documents and personal items.

Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Monday that he did not return classified materials because he "wanted to go through the boxes and get all of my personal things out."

"Does anybody in America believe this?" Christie asked during an interview with CBS News.

"When you think about how many days of golf he's played since he left office, maybe he could have skipped a couple of rounds of golf and gone through the boxes to respond to a subpoena from a grand jury," Christie said.

A photograph of former President Donald Trump hangs on the wall as Republican presidential candidate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie listens to a question during a gathering, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. Christie filed paperwork Tuesday formally launching his bid for the Republican nomination for president after casting himself as the only candidate willing to directly take on Trump. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) ORG XMIT: PNA211

Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month on charges related to the recovery of classified documents by federal investigators more than a year after Trump left the White House. He pleaded not guilty to 37 counts in Miami federal court on June 13. The trial in the case is expected to begin as soon as Aug. 14.

"The problem for Donald Trump in all of this is his own conduct," Christie said. "He's his own worst enemy. None of this would have happened to him or to the country, if he had just returned the documents."

Christie, who is running for the 2024 Republican nomination, has made attacking Trump a main campaign strategy during the first weeks of his White House bid.

Christie also took aim at Trump's claims that some of the classified documents he allegedly showed guests at Mar-a-Lago were newspaper articles and not, in fact, government secrets.

"I've never heard about a newspaper article being declassified," Christie said. "I think he knows he's in trouble."

As a former federal prosecutor, Christie said he believes Trump admitted to obstruction of justice during his interview on Fox News.

"His lawyers this morning are jumping out of whatever window they're near," Christie added.

What you missed: Five takeaways from Donald Trump's Fox News interview on classified docs, China, Ukraine and more

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Chris Christie slams Donald Trump for claims in Fox News interview
Dolby Atmos Wants You to Listen Up. (And Down. And Sideways.)

True believers in the immersive audio format say it could restore a musical appreciation lost to a generation that has come up during the streaming era. (Getty Images)

After more than 30 years as a producer and engineer, Brad Wood wasnt sure if he still had a future in music.

Wood, a classically trained saxophonist, had gotten his start in Chicagos early 90s music scene, helming breakthrough albums for Liz Phair and Veruca Salt, and platinum records for Smashing Pumpkins and Placebo. In 2000, he moved to Southern California, where he thrived for a time  and then merely survived, as the downloading era sank recording budgets just as the brand of guitar rock he specialized in lost cultural relevancy.

While many of his colleagues gave up, Wood kept going, working harder while earning less. I probably got to the point where I was making the same rate as when I started, he said.

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Then, in 2021, an emergent technology ushered Wood  and thousands of recording professionals like him  into an unexpected boom time.

Over the past two years, Wood has been busy mixing old and new records in Dolby Atmos, an audio format that lets engineers create a listening experience more immersive than traditional stereo by placing sounds around and above the listener. Working for a variety of labels, Wood has done Atmos mixes for the Supremes, the Pogues, Jennifer Lopez, Modest Mouse, Gwen Stefani and Soul Asylum  some 300-plus tracks in total, the equivalent of two dozen albums.

The whole thing has been pretty unexpected and thrilling, he said.

For Dolby, the audio company that developed Atmos, and Apple Music  which has invested heavily in it  the technology could lead to the most dramatic shift in audio in 65 years.

The recording industry went from mono to stereo decades ago, and it didnt move from there, John Couling, senior vice president of Dolby Laboratories, said in a phone interview.

There have been efforts to convince the public to adopt new advanced technologies in the years since, including Quadraphonic sound in the 70s and 5.1 surround sound in the 90s, but with little success. Weve changed formats, weve changed delivery methods, weve changed all sorts of things, Couling said, but it was still fundamentally the same sound. Atmos is a completely new experience.

Oliver Schusser, a vice president at Apple Music, said his company, which has incentivized record labels to deliver catalog material in Atmos, sees it as a way to bring sonic value back to music  something thats been lost among a whole generation that has come up during the streaming era.

There was no appreciation of the art and work of sound engineers and mixing and mastering, Schusser said over a video call this spring. That really pained us. We wanted to fix that.

Today, all three major record labels and hundreds of independents are delivering tracks in Atmos. Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and QQ Music are the among the 15 streaming services bringing Atmos to 160 countries and over 500 million listeners.

But mention the word Atmos to anyone in the general public and they dont know what the hell youre talking about, said veteran engineer and producer Bob Clearmountain. One of the most respected and influential figures in the recording world, Clearmountain was initially dubious of Atmos staying power, but he has come to believe in its future.

Music has become background noise for most people. Its something in your headphones while youre out doing other stuff, he said during a call last month. When I was a teenager, I used to listen to an album three, four times through just sitting in front of my speakers, entranced. That way of listening has disappeared, he said, but hes hopeful that Atmos can bring it back, if were able to get people to understand what it is and hear it the right way.

From the outside, it appears Atmos is entering a critical period that could determine whether it will kick off a sonic revolution or become just another tech lost to time.

DOLBY ATMOS, INTRODUCED in 2012, was initially developed for movie theaters and the home theater market. Because it offers a wider palette than stereo, and differs from traditional 5.1 and 7.1 channel setups, Atmos allows engineers  typically mixing across a dozen or more speakers  to put sound sources in front, to the side, behind and even above the listener.

When you take sounds and you separate them from each other, Couling said, you will be able to hear those sounds independently much more clearly than if they are on top of each other. By creating space, we also create depth and clarity  and we found thats what content creators really wanted.

For artists like Chics founder, Nile Rodgers, immersive audio is the closest thing to the musicians experience. When Im making a record, Im sitting in a room with the band, Rodgers said during a video chat, were playing and jamming and what happens is the sound is bathing us. Thats what music sounds like to me.

Listening to Dolby Atmos mixes in a professional recording studio can be a powerful experience. Its remarkably seductive, said Clearmountain, who has done Atmos projects for Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and others. Ive played Atmos tracks for so many people who say, I can never listen to stereo again. People have been in tears, moved by what they were hearing. It has an incredible effect.

Opinions among recording professionals on any subject are rarely uniform, and there are some who have reservations about Atmos.

Susan Rogers, a longtime engineer for Prince, left the music industry in the late 90s to become a cognitive neuroscientist. Last fall, Dolby invited her to the company headquarters in San Francisco to listen to a new Atmos mix of Princes When Doves Cry, a track she originally worked on.

As both an engineer and as a psychoacoustician, I have mixed feelings about whether its an improvement, Rogers said in a phone interview.

She noted that there are evolutionary and biological reasons that sound sources coming from behind and above listeners can be unsettling or anxiety inducing. She also observed that music is a potent form of communication in large part because the consummatory phase happens entirely in the listeners head. Having clearer and more sound sources can actually make it harder to know what to pay attention to.

That was what I noticed listening to When Doves Cry in Atmos, Rogers said. It sounded amazing, but it was more difficult to assemble it into a unified whole in that private place I listen to music. I found it distracting. Her knee-jerk reaction was do not want, she said. But over time I may learn to like it.

APPLE MUSIC IS betting heavily that the public will, by and large, come to love Atmos. Although other companies, including Amazon, had flirted with the technology, in 2021 Apple decided to commit itself fully to Atmos, putting its own proprietary and branding spin on the tech, dubbing it spatial audio.

Strategically, Atmos offers Apple Music a way to further distinguish itself from streaming competitors like Spotify  which has historically ignored high resolution or advanced audio options  and siphon market share from the industrys dominant music service, YouTube.

We wanted something where people would notice a difference immediately, Schusser said. Maybe not 100% would love Atmos or spatial audio right away, but everyone would know this sounds different, and the hope is the majority would come to appreciate the upgrade.

Initially, Apples biggest challenge was that there was very little Atmos content available. In 2017, R.E.M.s Automatic for the People became the first album mixed for Atmos, and over the next few years, several notable Atmos releases  from Elton John, Queen and the Beatles  showcased the formats possibilities.

To achieve its broader aims, Apple needed to make Atmos content both viable and plentiful. It began by partnering with Dolby to encourage recording studios to upgrade to the format. There are now some 800 officially recognized Dolby Atmos studios in over 40 countries, a 350% increase in just two years. (Dolby estimates there are two or three times that number of other studios capable of delivering music in Atmos.)

Apple Music also drew up wish lists of artists, albums and tracks and presented them to record labels, along with funding and deadlines, to help quickly expand the library of titles available in Atmos. Over the past few years, this effort to refit 50 years of pop music has heralded a rush of work for engineers and mixers, whove suddenly found themselves doing volume business in the format.

Wood, initially dismissive of learning to work in Atmos, said he changed his mind once he realized the inevitability of its rise. It was clear that records Id made were going to get mixed in Atmos, he said, and if I didnt learn how to do it, somebody else would, and Id be ceding that control. Woods first Atmos mix was for Liz Phairs Soberish, an album hed originally produced. And, also, I realized there would be a good payday in learning, he added.

While contemporary pop and hip-hop artists were quick to adopt the format for new releases, convincing veteran rock acts to enter the Atmos fray proved more of a challenge. The first six months, those artists had a lot of questions, Schusser said.

Some groups, like the Doors, embraced the format, overhauling their entire catalog in Atmos all at once; others, like Fleetwood Mac, have proceeded more cautiously, doing one album at a time. More and more though, top legacy artists have been putting out Atmos mixes with increasing regularity, with recent releases including landmark albums like Pink Floyds The Dark Side of the Moon and the Beach Boys Pet Sounds.

Given the sheer volume of Atmos catalog work and the still evolving understanding of the format, not all mixes are created equal.

The labels seem to be farming this stuff out and it isnt always being done with the original artist or production team involved, Clearmountain said. I know thats not always possible. But sometimes what comes back are just bad mixes  or strange mixes, anyway.

Wood  who has done mixes in consultation with the original artists as well as on his own  agrees. In general, you have to try to put the tracks into a speaker array so it doesnt sound too jarring or gimmicky, he said. The goal is to feel like youre sitting amongst these musicians as theyre performing. Like all mixing, its subjective, and how you approach it really depends on the music itself.

For some artists, transforming old recordings into Atmos has been challenging. Chic recently had its first three albums mixed in the format. The process took months and months to get right, Rodgers said. The team that was working on it, we gave them notes, we went into different rooms, did rough mixes to show them what we were talking about.

For others, the overhaul has been relatively painless and even eye-opening. This spring, Alicia Keys had eight of her albums mixed for Atmos. In a video interview promoting her catalog overhaul, Keys said engineers working on her albums completely re-imagined every note, every sound, every instrument, every voice. It sounds like youve never heard it before. I mean, I never even heard it like this before. It really is a new experience.

ONE OF THE reasons other highly touted surround sound technologies like 5.1 and 7.1 failed to catch on is because they required a specific speaker configuration. Dolby Atmos, however, is scalable and can adapt to a variety of setups.

Given its success in the headphones market, Apple has emphasized playback on its AirPods and Beats Fit Pro devices, which all offer a version of the Atmos experience with dynamic head tracking (where the sound shifts along with a users movement) in the $200 to $500 range. A number of other manufacturers, including Audeze, RIG, Corsair and LG, also offer Atmos headphones and earbuds.

The options for affordable home music systems, ones purpose-built for Atmos audio, have been limited. Amazon and Apple have long offered their own Atmos-enabled smart speakers, but neither really conveyed the full range of sound possible.

In March, Sonos introduced a first of its kind sub-$500 speaker, the Era 300, which more successfully packages the Atmos experience into a single compact unit, equipped with a half-dozen drivers that direct sound left, right, forward and upward.

Grammy-winning mixing and mastering engineer Emily Lazar, who helped test and fine tune the Era 300, hopes it will be the start of tech companies bringing more viable Atmos options to market.

No one whos listened to Atmos in a properly tuned, beautiful-sounding studio can deny what it offers, she said. How now can we deliver that in a smaller package so everybody can afford it and have that same kind of experience is going to be key moving forward.

If Atmos does ever achieve critical mass, it might come through automobiles. Most cars come equipped standard with a dozen-plus speakers, making them a natural environment for immersive audio. So far, a handful of major automakers including Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have introduced plans to put Atmos in their vehicles. Its a market Dolby and Apple both say they are determined to expand further.

But those kind of tech changes dont happen in a year or two  and thats really what its been so far, Schusser said. Theres obviously more work to be done. But were all optimistic well get there with Atmos.

In the meantime, recording pros like Wood will keep working and mixing, hoping the Atmos bump will last a little while longer.

I dont know that I could have written a better chapter for this phase of my career, he said. If you told me three years ago, I was going to get paid my day rate to listen and work on some of the greatest recordings in history, I wouldve said, Sign me up  that sounds amazing.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Dessiree Hernandez, president of the Mexican Association of Commercial Announcers, speaks at a recording studio in Mexico City (ALFREDO ESTRELLA)

Voice actors around the globe are mobilizing against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate and clone human voices that they fear poses a threat to their livelihoods.

"We're fighting a very big monster," said Mario Filio, a Mexican artist who has done voiceovers for Hollywood star Will Smith, the Obi-Wan Kenobi character in Star Wars and the party-loving lemur King Julien in the animated movie "Madagascar."

Campaigning under the slogan "Don't steal our voices," more than 20 voice acting guilds, associations and unions from Europe, the United States and Latin America have created the United Voice Artists coalition.

It represents the faceless voiceover artists and narrators of commercials, movies, audiobooks and video games who fear that their voices will be replaced by machines, or even cloned by artificial intelligence without their consent.

"The undiscriminating and unregulated use of artificial intelligence is a risk that could lead to the extinction of an artistic heritage of creativity and wonder, an asset that machines cannot generate," according to the group, which says its members include the US National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) and Latin America's Organization of United Voices.

"Our voices are our livelihood," NAVA vice president Carin Gilfry said in a statement last month.

"And if we don't have control over how those voices are used, we can't make a living," she added.

Voice artists were already competing with text-to-speech technology that turns written words into synthetic voice.

Now artificial intelligence has brought a new threat.

Thanks to machine learning, software can compare a voice sample with millions of existing ones, identifying patterns that generate a clone.

"It's fed by voices that we've been providing for years," said Dessiree Hernandez, president of the Mexican Association of Commercial Announcers.

"We're talking about the right to use your voice without your consent," she added.

- 'Adapt or disappear' -

Platforms offer human sounding text-to-speech services for a fraction of what professionals would charge.

One, revoicer.com, says that it does not intend to replace human voiceovers, but to offer a quicker and cheaper alternative.

Although they continued to be hired, voice actors suspect that companies are using their voices to build up their archives.

The artists are seeking tools to track their voices in the face of sophisticated piracy.

They want laws to prevent recordings of their voices being used to develop AI without their consent, and also support setting quotas for human voiceovers, said Colombian voice artist Daniel Soler de la Prada.

In the future, audiences could hear a famous actor's voice in several languages but with the intonation of a dubbing artist, Filio said.

While that could generate employment and benefits for the public, voice artists "need to charge what's fair," he added.

Mexican voice artist Maclovia Gonzalez said that she would only sign a contract with an AI company if it provided enough information about how the content would be used.

"I want to be part of this revolution, but not at any price," she said.

Art Dubbing, a company that has received several requests from clients to use synthetic voices, faces a dilemma: "adapt or disappear," said its Mexican founder, Anuar Lopez de la Pena.

Filio for his part said that he stopped recording for many clients for fear of hurting his colleagues' livelihoods.

But he is skeptical that artificial intelligence will replace voice actors completely because the machines have "no soul," he added.

cte-axm-dr/jh
Dorchester man convicted in death of woman who was found burned in Bridgewater

BROCKTON  A Dorchester man has been convicted for his role in the murder of a woman who was found dead and burned in Bridgewater in 2015.

Following a 7-day trial, a jury deliberated for 10 hours before finding Fernando Owens, 51, guilty of one count each of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Bridgewater in 2015.

On Nov. 3, Bridgewater police received a 911 call just before midnight for a report that a fire was burning alongside the MBTA train tracks.

Shannon Squires, left, Julian Squires, center, and Fernando Owens, right, are all charged in the November 2015 murder of Ashley Bortner in Bridgewater.

Police determined a human body was on fire and later identified the victim to be Ashley Bortner, 29, of New Jersey.

"Bortners body had been burned over 70%, she had been gagged, and her face was wrapped with a towel," the Plymouth County district attorney's office wrote in a statement. "Bortners hands and feet were also bound behind her."

Massachusetts State Police investigators determined and jurors heard as evidence at trial that Owens was acquainted with Bortner and believed she somehow played a role in the fatal shooting of Owens' son in Dorchester.

"As part of the investigation, Massachusetts State Police seized an electrical cord and a cotton towel from the home of Owens that linked him to the murder," the statement says.

After the murder, Owens fled the United Stated to the Dominican Republic and was captured by police there.

Co-defendants Julian Squires, 48, and Shannon Squires, 46, were additionally charged for their roles in Bortners murder.

Prosecutors say the couple was in Bridgewater around the time of the 911 call to Bridgewater police and assisted Owens in killing and disposing of Bortner's body.

Julian Squires is currently serving a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Shannon Squires is awaiting trial and is scheduled to appear in court on July 20.

Owens will be sentenced on Friday in Plymouth Superior Court, but faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cailin Campbell.

Enterprise senior reporter Cody Shepard can be reached by email at cshepard@enterprisenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Dorchester man convicted in killing, burning of woman in Bridgewater
Sir Bernard Jenkin played a leading role on the privileges committee investigation into Boris Johnson

Downing Street has urged Sir Bernard Jenkin and other Conservative figures facing questions about alleged lockdown-busting gatherings to co-operate with police if they are approached.

Sir Bernard is in the spotlight after claims he attended an event allegedly to celebrate the 65th birthday of Baroness Jenkin, his wife, in December 2020  despite a ban on socialising indoors in London.

A gathering with cake and drinks was said to have been hosted by Dame Eleanor Laing, deputy Commons speaker.

Sir Bernard has denied attending a drinks party and an ally has said no rules were broken, while Dame Eleanor insists she took advice on restrictions.

It is one of three allegations of rule-breaking currently being assessed by Scotland Yard during the pandemic.

The others relate to accusations relating to Boris Johnson and events at Downing Street and Chequers and a Christmas party involving Tory party staff.

On Wednesday, the Prime Ministers press secretary was asked: On lockdown parties, we know the police are assessing various allegations  CCHQ, one involving Bernard Jenkin and Eleanor Laing that took place here, others that the Government handed over about Chequers.

A lot of the people involved are Conservative activists, MPs and staff  would the PM encourage them to co-operate with the police?

The press secretary replied: Yes, of course.

The MP for Harwich and North Essex is the most senior Tory member of the privileges committee, which last week published a 106-page report concluding that Mr Johnson deliberately misled Parliament over parties in lockdown.

After the accusations about Sir Bernard were first reported by Guido Fawkes website on the eve of the report, Mr Johnson accused him of monstrous hypocrisy and claimed he could no longer be considered a valid judge.

In his letter to Dame Harriet Harman, who led the investigation, Mr Johnson said: If indeed he did attend a blatantly rule-breaking event, he would be guilty of doing exactly what he claims that I did.

Sir Bernard tweeted for the first time in a fortnight on Wednesday to mark Armed Forces Week, but has kept silent on the allegations.

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About 40 Belleville firefighters and a few retired firefighters and family members packed the Belleville City Council meeting on Tuesday night in an unusual show of force.

They declined to give a reason for their presence on the record and made no public statements.

Several firefighters, who declined to give their names, acknowledged that they were unhappy with the selection process for the proposed appointment of Timothy Walsh as the citys new deputy fire chief.

Some of the firefighters directed questions to John Eachus, union president for the local.

I have no comment, he said. Talk to the aldermen.

Minutes earlier, Mayor Patty Gregory had called the City Council meeting to order and announced that aldermen would not be voting on her appointment of Walsh as deputy fire chief.

We are removing Motion 7-E from the agenda tonight so we can evaluate it further, she said.

Then the City Council made the rare move of going directly into executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees.

The session was closed to everyone except the mayor, 16 aldermen, City Clerk Jenny Meyer, City Attorney Garrett Hoerner, Fire Chief LLoyd Stinson and Director of Human Resources Bill Clay.

Firefighters gathered in the City Hall lobby during the closed session, which lasted an hour and a half, delaying the regular City Council meeting from about 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Many wore red T-shirts identifying themselves as members of Belleville Professional Firefighters Local 53 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Walsh is the fire chief at Scott Air Force Base, an enlisted position, according to his LinkedIn page.

Gregory named Stinson as Belleville fire chief in November. That represented a departure from the city tradition of appointing someone from within the fire department to lead it.

Stinson previously spent 30 years as a firefighter and fire chief in the U.S. Air Force.

On Tuesday night, a reporter asked Stinson why so many firefighters had shown up for the City Council meeting. He replied, I dont know. This is the second meeting theyve come to.

Several firefighters had attended the City Council meeting on June 5, when four firefighters were promoted.

The Belleville Fire Department has about 60 union firefighters. They are led by the fire chief, deputy fire chief and assistant fire chief.

The vast majority of union firefighters attended the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, not including 13 who were working the evening shift and a few gone on vacation, according to one firefighter.

Were united, he said.
Paul Cox assesses a speedboat that has sunk in Lake Powell in 1993. His Fab Rats crew retrieved it after the lake levels had receded and restored the boat for its owners. | Fab Rats, YouTube

When Paul Cox saw the May 2022 photo on social media of a boat that emerged from its watery resting place in Lake Powell after nearly three decades, he immediately thought it looked like an interesting job.

It was a different type of off-road recovery than he was used to. The challenge of getting to the boat, combined with his desire to clean up the popular outdoor recreation spot, was motivating. There was also potential for interesting content on his YouTube channel.

Cox had no idea at that time how the story would unfold over the next few months. Nor did he know what emotions and stories would surface along with the boat for the Georgia family it belonged to.

Cox owns Fab Rats, an automotive fabrication and off-road wrecking company based out of southern Utah. Cox started tinkering on minibikes and go-karts as a kid. His attention shifted to larger vehicles as he got older. Though Cox enjoys crashing cars in demolition derbies, making "junk" run again is where his true passion lies. Fab Rats builds off-road rigs, hot rods and other customized rides.

Paul and his wife started a YouTube channel for Fab Rats in March 2020. They've since hired more people, but Michelle Cox initially acted as the videographer, editor and director. "She told me everything I was doing wrong," Paul Cox joked.

Without missing a beat, his wife laughingly replied, "Someone had to!"

At first glance, you'd never know that YouTubers with more than half a million subscribers lived in the Cox family home, or that a bustling business was run out of the large garage in back. Throughout the course of a recent interview with KSL.com, however, people from all over the country kept dropping by. They were driving out of their way to see the shop in rural Utah where all the automotive magic happens, as well as to get some official Fab Rats merchandise.

Timing is everything

Rising temperatures and a weather pattern described by experts as a mega-drought had caused Lake Powell's water level to recede for years. In February 2022, the water was at the lowest level it has ever been since the reservoir was created in 1964. Besides the boat Cox and his crew had in their sights, several other vessels had become visible on the rocky shores.

Just because the lake bed is exposed, however, doesn't necessarily mean anyone can drive up to a sunken boat to retrieve it. Though the surface is crusted over, the bed underneath is often still saturated. The thick mud acts like quicksand to an ill-placed hiking boot or tire tread.

"Dry lake beds are sketchy," he said.

"We've had to do multiple recoveries in 'dry' lake beds," Michelle Cox added.

Paul and Michelle Cox, who have 528,000 subscribers to their Fab Rats YouTube channel, discuss how they retrieved and restored a boat that sunk in Lake Powell in 1993. | Chad Hurst

Hunter Cox, a Fab Rats employee and fan fave, accompanied Paul Cox on the initial reconnaissance for what they dubbed Operation Yellow Submarine. They waited for the right conditions and drove to Lake Powell to find the speedboat. Cox had a general idea of where it was in Wahweap Bay from online research, but didn't have the exact coordinates.

The pair "did some wheelin' in the Toyota" to get to the boat. Cox's definition of four-wheeling is a little different than the average driver's. Sections of the road were washed out, with significant drop-offs. The departure angle of his truck getting down some of the obstacles would be enough to make most people turn around.

For him, it was just another day on the job. He'd been in the area before, rescuing a Jeep that drove too close to the water and became buried. Cox knew how dangerous parts of the drive could be during and after rainstorms. He watched the weather and planned the recon trip accordingly. He was prepared with everything he needed to assess the conditions and formulate an exit plan.

Well, almost everything. When the pair got to the boat, Cox measured off the length using his stride instead of his tape measure.

"Usually I pack a tape measure with me everywhere," he said. "For some reason, that day I didn't have one. And I know how long my feet are, so I just stepped it off, because we needed a trailer long enough that the back of the boat wouldn't drag. We knew all the washes were really deep and we wanted the trailer to drag through the washes, not the boat."

Since the recovery in September 2022, Lake Powell's water level has risen  and continues to do so  because of heavy runoff from a series of late winter storms that left the Rocky Mountains with deep snowpack. Boat ramps previously closed to large vessels are operational again.

"Where we recovered the boat from is currently underwater," Cox said. "We hit the perfect window."

The story unfolds

The group worked with the local sheriff's office to find the boat's owners, Brian and Bobby Ogan. It was a fairly simple task since they had the Arizona boat registration sticker from 1993 and an old medical card they found on the boat.

Members of the Fab Rats crew pose with the owners of a boat that sank in a frightening episode on Lake Powell in 1993. The crew retrieved and restored the boat nearly 30 years later. | Michelle Cox

The owners had also seen the social media post that initially piqued Cox's interest and contacted a salvage company in Utah to retrieve the boat. It was not financially feasible for them to hire that company, however. Paul and Michelle Cox obtained the owners' permission and filed the paperwork necessary to remove the sunken boat from Lake Powell. They did not charge the Ogans.

On recovery day, the plan was for Paul Cox to tow the boat out after his crew hoisted it onto the trailer using his wrecker. The boat seemed sturdy, but everyone had some concerns that it would snap in half when it was lifted up.

Before they could find out for sure, the group had to shovel sediment out of the boat. As they sifted through the remnants of the fiberglass vessel  which was remarkably well preserved considering it had been underwater for nearly 30 years  they were able to piece some of the story together.

The jet drive was still sealed, indicating that a severe weather event caused the boat to sink rather than a mechanical malfunction. It was clear the boat wasn't tied off and didn't just drift out during the storm. People were on the boat when things went awry.

Baby on board

There were moments of levity as the group made bets on what cassette was in the tape deck. Hunter Cox, the youngest of the bunch, was lovingly ridiculed for throwing Taylor Swift's name in the mix of metal and grunge bands. Merlin Johnson had the winning guess: Van Halen.

Though everyone kept smiling for the camera, there was a different vibe as they found a baby bottle with milk still in it, a teething ring, baby medicine and a vintage Happy Meal toy.

"What happened with this boat?" Michelle Cox recalled wondering. "I was hoping, as a mother  that something nontraumatic had happened to them, but that wasn't the case."

A bottle is held up after it is recovered from a boat that sank in Lake Powell 29 years earlier. The boat was retrieved in 2022 after Lake Powell water levels had receded. | Fab Rats YouTube

Johnson had similar emotions from a parental perspective. He had also been on Lake Powell in some pretty bad situations and knew how quickly the weather could turn.

When Johnson lifted the boat onto the trailer, it was noted that the plug was still in the bottom of the boat. This confirmed their earlier speculations that a storm producing large waves was to blame for the accident.

Everyone involved with Operation Yellow Submarine hoped restoring and returning the boat to the owners would be a welcome surprise that would bring both closure and pleasure to the family.

Hope floats

The boat was transported to Lake Havasu, Arizona, where Johnson lives. "We knew if anyone could get it fixed, he would have the resources and all the people around him to make that happen," Paul Cox said.

The original seats were in good shape, as was the carpet. The motor was encrusted with everything you'd expect to find under 100 feet of water, but somehow the crew was able to get it running. That was another one of the challenges that drew Cox to the job in the first place. Still, they wanted the boat to be reliable so they put in a new motor. After gutting and refurbishing the boat, it was time to see if it floated.

Paul Cox confessed, "We'd never tested the boat  ever. Merlin backed it onto the water once and that was it. Our test drive was from where we launched the boat (on Lake Havasu), around the point to where we met (the owners)."

'Nobody would stop and help us'

Though everyone involved with Operation Yellow Submarine had an idea of how the boat sank, none of them had talked to the owners about the actual events until the day they met in person at Lake Havasu.

"The story was more dramatic than we ever thought it would be," said Michelle Cox, who teared up as she recalled the story Brian Ogan told them that day.

The couple were attending a family reunion at Lake Powell in 1993. Their two toddlers and a niece were on the boat with them.

Bobby Ogan and an emotional Brian Ogan, right, describe a traumatic day on Lake Powell in July of 1993 when their young family narrowly escaped their sinking boat in a storm. | Fab Rats YouTube

"We turned the point to Wahweap and it was a monsoon right there. Just a solid wall, 40 mph winds and 4-foot swells. I made a run for the boat launch  and the motor went dead right at the buoys outside the boat ramp. Nobody would stop and help us," Ogan said during the fourth YouTube installment of Operation Yellow Submarine, visibly choking back his tears.

"I signaled up to 10 boats and everybody just went by. Nobody would stop. The dinner cruise boat out there with all the tourists taking pictures of us in our worst moment ever," he continued.

The tour boat operator called the Lake Powell salvage crew, but they were unable to get there because he was already out on another call. The tour boat went down and around an island. When it circled back, the Ogans' boat had floated into its path.

Brian Ogan told them, "I'm taking on water. I got the kids. You've got to take them."

But he said the crew member refused to take the kids.

"So I said, 'If anybody's gonna die that day it's going to be me,' and I took my life jacket off. I took all the life jackets and stacked them around her (his wife) and the kids. She was holding our youngest in her arms  he was 10 months old at the time."

"I grabbed our youngest son and I just picked him up and I just threw him at the deckhand  so he had to catch him."

Ogan managed to get the other kids and his wife off the boat. In the process, however, a deckmate on the tour boat got tangled up in the ski rope.

"I went back to try and tie off the back of the boat and as soon as I stepped back off the deck into the bottom of the boat, the back end went underwater," Ogan said. "At that time, I just turned around and the back end went under and the boat rolled straight up, and as it rolled straight up, I ran up the deck and leaped over the deck of the boat and landed onto the dinner cruise boat," Ogan recalled.

"Then I started yelling at the deckmate to get out of the rope because it was cinching down on his leg and it was going to pull him down with the boat. The other deckmate pulled me up and then we got that guy unwrapped out of the rope and I said, 'Let it go,' and it went under."

A few things floated to the surface of the lake  the engine cover, ice chest and seat cushions. Everything else got sucked up into the bow of the boat, where the items were preserved for nearly 30 years.

A happy ending

Brian and Bobby Ogan were moved by the kindness of everyone who played a part in Operation Yellow Submarine. Though it was difficult for them to speak about their experience, they were pleased the boat had been retrieved.

Brian Ogan said it was difficult going home with an empty trailer. "Better an empty trailer than no kids," Bobby Ogan said.

"The Yellow Submarine is, so far, one of my favorite series we've ever done on our YouTube channel," Michelle Cox said. "The story was amazing and we made some friends in the process."

But the story isn't quite over yet. The Coxes have a road trip to Georgia planned. "You're going to get to see us take it back and give it to (the Ogans) in the end," Paul Cox said.

Watch the full Operation Yellow Submarine series on the Fab Rats YouTube channel.
The Aarok drone made by French firm Turgis and Gaillard could help the country's military reduce its reliance on US drones (Emmanuel DUNAND)

Drones of all shapes and sizes designed to carry more and more weapons or directly deliver explosives are everywhere at the Paris Air Show, matching the scale of their deployment on Ukrainian battlefields.

One French firm, Turgis and Gaillard, is showing off an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that it hopes will be snapped up by the country's army -- until now reliant on American-made Reaper models.

Weighing in at 5.5 tonnes and able to stay aloft for up to 24 hours, the Aarok drone "fills a capacity gap in the French armed forces, we had the best of everything in France as far as radars, missiles, sensors go, everything except the plane itself," managing director Patrick Gaillard said.

With development costs so far "more than 10 million euros" ($11 million), the production model should be "less expensive" than the Reaper (up to $20 million per unit) and will have no American components, avoiding onerous export authorisations.

That characteristic could fit in with President Emmanuel Macron's controversial ambition for European "strategic autonomy" from other poles of world power including the United States.

Falling into the Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) class, the Aarok can carry out surveillance or hit a target to within two metres (yards) from 35 kilometres (22 miles) away.

- Europe lags behind -

The staff at General Atomics' stand aren't worried to see new competitors on the market.

"All sizes of unpiloted aircraft are the future," said the firm's marketing chief Mark Brinkley, in Paris to show off the latest Reaper MQ-9B currently being delivered to Britain.

At the Airbus stand, the European manufacturer boasts a mock-up of its Eurodrone, for which it scored a 7.1-billion-euro contract in February.

The Berlin-led project launched in 2015 is supposed to provide German, French, Italian and Spanish armed forces with drones comparable to the Reaper.

But its first flight is scheduled only in 2026, with actual deliveries two years later -- a full 25 years after the American aircraft hit the market.

There was better news at the airshow for French manufacturer Safran, which snagged a Greek order for four of its Patroller UAVs, while first deliveries to the French army will arrive this summer.

- Self-detonating drones -

France and other European nations are also "quite behind" in developing self-detonating drones, also known as loitering munitions, said French senator Cedric Perrin, who has written several reports on the weapons.

"This is a big deal, so industry is getting more and more interested in it," he added.

Major defence manufacturer KNDS said Monday that it had been chosen alongside two other firms to develop a French loitering munitions device comparable to the US-made Switchblade, boasting a range of 80 kilometres.

First tests should come "within 18 months", the companies said.

Meanwhile Israeli company BlueBird Aero Systems on Wednesday trailed a self-detonating drone it said could land a 2.5-kilogramme (5.5-pound) explosive within one metre of its target.

The ecosystem surrounding UAVs also offers business opportunities, with Sogitec -- a branch of aerospace giant Dassault -- soon to complete a simulator known as Genius to train pilots on different types of drones.

A demonstration allows users to zoom around a map and fly over an imaginary airport with three helicopters parked on the tarmac.

Other training scenarios covering infrastructure, desert or residential areas are also on offer.

"We can create hand-made environments for the customer," said product chief Stephane Morelli.

mdr/tgb/jh/rl
Half a year after the Canadian province of British Columbia decriminalized a wide range of hard drugs, including fentanyl, drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for the majority of Canadians in the region.

In a press release on Monday , the office of Public Safety and Solicitor General said that 1,018 British Columbians were "lost" to drug overdoses between January and May, which represents a 2.9% increase since the same time last year.

"Unregulated drug toxicity is now the leading cause of death in British Columbia for people aged 10 to 59, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined," the press release stated.

"BC Coroners Service findings confirm that this public-health emergency continues to be driven by illicit fentanyl," Lisa Lapointe, the provinces chief coroner, said in the press release.

'PERMISSION SLIP TO CARTELS': FENTANYL OVERDOSES ARE SURGING, SO WHAT IS CONGRESS DOING TO HELP?

High levels of drug use, homelessness, poverty, crime, mental illness and sex work is prolific along East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood of British Columbia.

"Expedited testing in 2023 is positive for fentanyl in almost nine out of every 10 results, nearly double the positivity rate of methamphetamine and cocaine, the next most commonly identified substances. As long as people are reliant on the profit-driven unregulated market to access the substances they need, their lives are at risk."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The news comes just six months after British Columbia became the first province in Canada to decriminalize hard drugs like heroin, fentanyl and cocaine amid a drug crisis that has killed over 10,000 people since 2016.

CANCER CENTERS ARE SUFFERING MAJOR SHORTAGE OF POPULAR CHEMO DRUGS

Vancouver, Canada.

Residents of British Columbia who are older than 18 are allowed to carry up to 2.5 grams of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and morphine after the province was granted permission to try out a pilot program for three years. The drugs are still illegal but those carrying less than 2.5 grams are not be arrested, charged or have the drugs confiscated.

OVER 100,000 AMERICANS DIED FROM DRUG OVERDOSES IN 2022, CDC SAYS

Amy Evans, manager of the Overdose Prevention Society (OPS), carries a single dose of Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, at OPS in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood of Brithish Columbia.

Instead, residents carrying the drugs are offered information on health and social services.

"Decriminalizing people who use drugs breaks down the fear and shame associated with substance use and ensures they feel safer reaching out for life-saving supports," Jennifer Whiteside, the British Columbia minister for mental health and addictions , said about the plan.

The data released Monday showed that more than 70% of the overdose deaths occurred within private residences and 73% of decedents were "in receipt of current or previous services offered through the Ministry of Children and Family Development."

Fentanyl was detected in 78% of all deaths.
House Intelligence leaders who met with special counsel John Durham said his review of the FBIs handling of the investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign would serve as a basis for laying down reforms to an agency whose work must withstand scrutiny.

Durham uncovered little new information in his report capping his nearly four-year investigation, but he documented multiple missteps taken by the FBI as they probed the Trump campaigns ties to Russia during the 2016 presidential election, offering a scathing assessment of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.

Appearing in tandem after the closed-door session, both Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said the FBI was in need of reform  which Durhams impressions of the agency would help guide  when it comes to high stakes investigations of political candidates.

The committee really was focused on  particularly on something so sensitive as an investigation that pertains to political candidates  how can we make sure that the behavior of the investigative authorities, in this case the FBI, is beyond reproach, Himes said.

He pointed to Crossfire Hurricane as well as then-FBI Director Jim Comeys decision to release information about the investigation into then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton days before the election.

We have to learn from the mistakes made in these investigations to make sure that Americans can have confidence in both the prosecutorial power of the federal government and in their elections.

While Durhams report didnt lay out any concrete reforms for the bureau, the FBI contends it has taken numerous reforms amid backlash over its handling of the Trump investigation.

That includes more oversight and limitations for both foreign and domestic wiretapping, a nod to a lack of due diligence in the FBIs spying on Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

The conduct in 2016 and 2017 that Special Counsel Durham examined was the reason that current FBI leadership already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time. Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented, the FBI said when Durhams report was released last month.

But Turner said the reforms dont go far enough.

I dont think anybody on our committee is completely satisfied with the reforms that the FBI has undertaken, Turner said.

Its certainly a great start. And they are responding to some of the issues and problems that are identified in the Durham report and some of the issues that and angst that members of Congress have themselves. But I think our goal in reforms probably go beyond that.

The House Intelligence Committee is weighing a series of reforms, including on the warrantless wiretapping authority the FBI and other intelligence agencies have for foreign nationals overseas.

But both men agreed the bureau needs additional guardrails.

He gave us the impression that some of the misconduct is individualized, that there were bad people doing bad things. But then some of it is systemic. And some of it is where we need changes so that theres higher reviews, theres higher requirements for this to ever happen again. And he did share those with us. And I do think that that gives us an opportunity, Turner said.

Durham determined the FBI had little to go on in opening its investigation into the Trump campaign.

The objective facts show that the FBIs handling of important aspects of the Crossfire Hurricane matter were seriously deficient, Durham wrote in the 305-page report, arguing that the bureau relied on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence.

Himes said Durham did not find evidence that the bureau was politicized but stressed the bureau has a long way to go in recovering its reputation.

He found confirmation bias, which is bad, but thats just were moving in a direction and were going to keep moving maybe without being reflective enough. Thats different than saying it was politicized, he said.

We have found collectively, that culturally and procedurally, the FBI has a lot of work to do.

The bipartisan front displayed by the House Intel leaders is all but certain to stand in contrast to Durhams slated appearance before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning, the chief panel for voicing the GOPs distrust of the FBI.

I am glad that we went first, Turner said.

Because I think that having Mr. Durham in this environment, allowed him to be very forthcoming, and very sharing of his thoughts and ideas. Certainly, tomorrow has a different purpose.

House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), both one of Trumps top defenders and one of the Justice Departments top critics, has repeatedly complained that the FBI is rotted at its core.

I will tell you that on both sides, there was an attempt to get at the truth, rather than what I fear you might see tomorrow, which is an attempt to maybeangle the truth a little bit in the service of ones political agenda, Himes said.

The timing of Durhams appearances before Congress, planned weeks ago, comes on the heels of an announcement from the U.S. attorney in Delaware that it reached a plea agreement with Hunter Biden, President Bidens son and a proxy for attacks on the president.

Its a fortuitous moment for Republicans who have pointed to the Biden case as they argue Trump has been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department.

Biden on Monday entered a plea agreement on two counts of willful failure to pay federal income taxes in both 2017 and 2018. In a separate agreement, he agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program stemming from lying about drug use as he purchased a weapon.

Trump is facing charges in New York related to concealing a hush money payment to an adult film star as well as in federal court in Florida stemming from retaining more than 300 classified records from his presidency. He has pleaded not guilty.

Durham was appointed in 2019 by then-Attorney General Bill Barr to investigate the origins of the FBI probe, a move that former President Trump celebrated. Trump himself repeatedly raised expectations for the Durham probe, suggesting it would unveil the crime of the century.

Though Durhams investigation spurred multiple indictments, it scored limited results in court. Two individuals  Igor Danchenko and Michael Sussmann  were charged with lying to the FBI and found not guilty, and a third individual pleaded guilty to doctoring an email about a surveillance warrant.

Updated: 7:42 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Charred bicycles and scooters from a fire at an e-bike repair store in Chinatown in New York City. (NYT)

NEW YORK  His girlfriend told him not to buy the electric scooter.

But Alfonso Villa Munoz was intrigued. He was working in a Brooklyn bodega last August when a delivery man said he knew someone selling one for $700. Munoz said yes.

The scooter was cherry red with the number 7 on the front. Under the seat was an extra-large lithium ion battery. When it needed charging, Munoz would remove the battery from the scooter and use both hands to lug it up to the couples third-floor apartment in College Point, Queens.

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A month later, the battery exploded in the living room, unleashing flames that engulfed the apartment. Munoz screamed for their 8-year-old daughter, Stephanie, who was asleep. He could not breach the wall of black smoke to get to her. Stephanie died from smoke inhalation.

Its like you bring in death and destruction to your house, and not only to you, to everybody around you, said Munoz, 36, pulling off his glasses to wipe away tears. You could lose everything.

E-bikes and e-scooters have flooded New York Citys streets in recent years, embraced by delivery workers and commuters as an economical and efficient new way to get around. But even as the devices have become nearly ubiquitous, the batteries inside them have made New York City an epicenter for a new kind of ferocious and fast-moving fire.

These fires are uniquely dangerous, warned Laura Kavanagh, the citys fire commissioner. With little or no warning, the batteries can ignite, leaving seconds for people to escape. In just three years, lithium battery fires have tied electrical fires and have surpassed blazes started by cooking and smoking for major causes of fatal fires in the city.

Reasons for the uptick of these fires are myriad. They include a lack of regulation and safety testing for individually owned devices, hazardous charging practices (like using mismatched equipment or overcharging) and a lack of secure charging areas in a population-dense city with numerous residential buildings, where most fires start.

But for New Yorkers who rely on e-bikes and other battery-powered devices to make deliveries or otherwise earn a living, the fires have forced a choice between financial stability and personal safety.

Across the country, over 200 micro-mobility fire or overheating incidents have been reported from 39 states, resulting in at least 19 fatalities, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. But the organization emphasized that the problem is particularly acute in densely populated areas like New York City. In London, lithium battery fires are the fastest-growing fire risk, with 57 e-bike fires and 13 e-scooter fires this year, according to the London Fire Brigade.

In New York, lithium battery fires have killed 13 people this year, including four people in a blaze that started in an e-bike store in Chinatown on Tuesday. A total of 23 people have died in battery fires since 2021. This year, there have been 108 fires, compared with 98 fires for the same period last year.

These devices are here now, and theres lots of them.

During the pandemic, when public transit was compromised and the demand for food deliveries skyrocketed, a ready supply of cheap e-bikes and e-scooters of questionable quality cropped up across the city.

New Yorkers looking for good deals pounced. With many residents living in tight quarters, they would charge their batteries in their apartments.

But once a lithium battery overheats or malfunctions, all bets are off; the speed and impact of lithium battery fires make them particularly perilous, especially when people live close together.

This has pushed more and more landlords to ban e-bikes and other e-mobility devices, while New Yorks leaders have worked to prevent the fires on several fronts. In September, New York will become the first city in the nation to ban the sale of e-bikes and other e-mobility devices that fail to meet recognized safety standards.

City and fire officials have also pushed for greater state and federal oversight of the devices, shut down illegal battery charging stations, worked with food delivery apps to educate workers and shown public service messages with exploding batteries.

I have very, very serious concerns in the short term, Kavanagh said. These devices are here now, and theres lots of them.

A mini inferno at Citi Bike foreshadows a crisis.

In March 2019, Citi Bike, the popular bike-share program, was charging its pedal-assisted e-bikes in its Brooklyn warehouse when a fire broke out.

It started with a loud bang like a pistol shot. Then came flames with chrome-colored sparks flying out and a rush of heat. In an instant, the batteries began to explode into flames one by one, like a domino effect, going from right to left, recounted a witness in the fire marshals report. Within 10 seconds, the entire top row became a mini inferno.

Though e-bike fires were just becoming a problem, fire officials had been aware of the dangers of lithium batteries for years. They initially focused on the highly regulated batteries in energy storage systems, which hold backup electricity for buildings.

Leo Subbarao, who worked as a fire protection engineer in the New York City Fire Department until 2019, recalled there had been talk back then about whether the city should allow a battery storage system to be placed under an elevated subway track. Fire officials quickly put an end to that.

The technology was moving forward so fast, and we were trying to catch up with regulations, said Subbarao, who lectures at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

After the Citi Bike fire, battery safety became a priority for the bike-share program. It uses only batteries that have been certified to safety standards and have built-in sensors to monitor their condition in real time, as well as a shut-down switch. In the warehouse, each battery is inspected and charged in a rack with fireproof concrete dividers. There has not been a major battery fire at Citi Bike since these protocols were added.

Fire officials also revised the city fire code, which now requires buildings to provide safety measures, such as a dedicated charging room with a sprinkler, when more than five e-bikes are charging.

But the fire code does not cover the individual use of e-bikes, and fire inspectors do not enter private dwellings to check for safety violations without a warrant.

So there are no safeguards to prevent what happened to Josue Mendez.

Mendez, a delivery worker, had plugged an e-bike battery to charge beside his bed in his Bronx apartment in 2021. He woke up to see it throwing smoke, and then it exploded like fireworks. Mendez and his family sprinted out the door, flames chasing them. Thank God we were able to come out alive, said Mendez, 31, a Mexican immigrant, who was burned on his back and arms.

After the fire, Mendezs family moved to another building in northern Manhattan. This year, the building banned e-bikes, but it did not ban the batteries themselves, which pose the most danger. So Mendez parked his e-bike on the street and took the batteries upstairs to charge.

Were trying to squeeze too much energy out of these batteries.

Lithium batteries, which have been used commercially since 1991, have a history of sparking fires in Dell notebook computers, Samsung smartphones and hoverboards, leading to huge recalls.

But after years of research to engineer the hazard out, lithium batteries have generally become safer, said Adam Barowy, a fire protection engineer who specializes in lithium batteries for the Fire Safety Research Institute at UL Research Institutes, a nonprofit.

Inside a lithium battery, a number of small cells are bundled together. When the battery is used, lithium ions move between the electrodes inside each cell, generating an electrical current. The danger occurs when a cell goes into thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which heat develops extremely quickly, creating a threat of fire and sometimes explosion. A cell can be sent into thermal runaway by overcharging, a manufacturing defect or even the heat from an adjacent cell in the battery pack that is already in thermal runaway.

But there is market pressure on manufacturers to add more energy to batteries, which can push safety limits. The batteries in e-bikes contain far more energy than in cellphones and, as a result, are more destructive in a fire.

The problem is that were trying to squeeze too much energy out of these batteries, and that makes them more dangerous, said Nikhil Gupta, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at New York Universitys Tandon School of Engineering.

Regulation means costly testing but safer devices.

More powerful batteries are only part of the reason that so many e-bikes and e-scooters are catching fire. Electric cars and energy storage systems, which are being increasingly adopted to fight climate change, require far more energy and yet have fewer fires.

The difference, according to battery and fire safety experts, is that those industries are closely regulated and have to go through several layers of testing to show their products are safe. Until recently, e-bikes and e-scooters have not received similar scrutiny.

Victoria Hutchison, a senior research project manager at the Fire Protection Research Foundation, said the lack of safety regulations and testing requirements has allowed cheaper, low-quality devices and batteries of questionable safety to enter the market. Thats really the root of the problem, she said.

These products of questionable origin also make it difficult for victims to sue. The batteries are often destroyed in the fires, and even when they can be recovered, they can lack identifying marks to trace back to a specific manufacturer or distributor who can be held legally responsible, according to lawyers and fire experts.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has increased its oversight of e-mobility devices, urging companies to comply with established voluntary safety standards or face possible enforcement action. And New York lawmakers, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, have proposed a federal safety standard for lithium batteries used in those devices.

Ash Lovell, the electric bicycle policy and campaign director for PeopleForBikes, the national trade association for bike manufacturers, which has called for more safety regulations, said the low-quality batteries do not reflect the overall e-bike industry. Most of their members also sell e-bikes in Europe and have already met robust safety regulations there, she said.

Fatal flames and a heartbroken family.

When Munoz brought home the red e-scooter from the bodega, it did not come with any safety certifications. He did not know to be worried.

He met his girlfriend, Marilu Torres, at a party in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, in 2013. He drank too much and left his sweater and an ID card. She returned them. They moved in together, and the next year, Stephanie was born.

They called her gatito, kitten in Spanish, because she made meowing sounds when she was young. She had a big heart for all creatures, even alligators and tarantulas. She would like something odd and make it her own, said Jefferson Jimenez, 19, Torres son.

Munoz said he bought the e-scooter so Jimenez could ride it. He also used it to make extra money delivering Grubhub orders.

But then the trouble started. Munoz was riding it one day when the battery died. He had to push the scooter home. Im going to throw it in the garbage, he said he told himself. When he plugged in the battery, it would not charge.

His co-worker at the bodega brought in another charger, and then another, until one finally worked. That night, Munoz brought the charger and battery to his apartment and went to sleep. Hours later, he woke up to smoke like the darkest thing you have ever seen.

With severe burns on his face, arms and hands, Munoz spent two months in the hospital. He was there when he found out that the cause of all the misery and devastation had been the battery.

Torres said the e-scooter she never wanted has broken part of me.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
East-side franchise now open on the west side of Wichita, too

Seven months after opening Wichitas first Prime IV Hydration & Wellness in Cambridge Market at 21st and Webb Road, Lacey and Cody Beard have opened their second one, this time on the west side in Hampton Lakes.

Thats just north of 37th North and Maize Road.

We spent a lot of time looking on North Ridge and North Maize Road, Cody Beard said.

He said they like their address at 4041 N. Maize Road for its visibility, parking and for how easy it is to get in and out.

Prime IV is a medical spa that focuses on IV therapy, which gives clients vitamins and minerals intravenously.

The two businesses employ nine nurses and a pharmacy tech.

The nurses discuss health goals with customers, who can choose from a menu of therapies that focus on such things as hydration, illness prevention and weight loss.

There are a couple levels of monthly memberships, which range from $159 to $299 for various treatments.

Treatments also include massage chairs and oxygen therapy on the side for what Beard called a spalike experience.

The Beards also are Avon franchisees.

As people who try to live healthy lifestyles themselves, they say Prime IV is a good fit for them as well.

Beard said there are 140 members at the east-side Prime IV.

Thats really been the support thats allowed us to open up this location, he said of the west side. Its going really well.

Beard said he was raised on the west side, so hes excited to open a Prime IV there.

Theres nothing to sell. . . . People come in and have the experience and see the way it helps them.
This easy, free travel hack has saved me hundreds of dollars at hotels, and all you need is your email address

The author in London. Coren Feldman

When I travel, I often stay at hotel chains with rewards programs that include members-only rates.

In many cases, all you need is your email address to make a free membership account.

This hack has saved me hundreds of dollars on hotels over the years.

While booking a Holiday Inn for a wedding in 2018, I stumbled upon a travel hack that continues to save me money with nearly every hotel reservation.

I wanted to see if late checkout was an option, and I found that it was offered as a perk to IHG One Rewards members, a rewards program for the InterContinental Hotels Group, which also includes hotel chains such as Crowne Plaza, Intercontinental, and Staybridge Suites. While regular checkout at Holiday Inns is usually 11 a.m. or 12 p.m., IHG One Rewards members can check out as late as 2 p.m., subject to availability.

I assumed that such a membership came with some kind of fee, but all I needed to do was make a free online account with my email address. That account also gave me access to lower member-exclusive rates when booked directly through Holiday Inn's website.

I didn't just get to sleep in  I saved money, too.

Now, I always check if hotels have free membership programs offering lower rates or other perks

I saved 15% on my reservation by making a free membership account on the hotel's website. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Oftentimes they do, and it's paid off.

When I visited the UK earlier this year, I made a free membership account on the website of the Tavistock Hotel, a branch of Imperial London Hotels. I was shocked when that simple step shaved 15% off the cost of my reservation, bringing the total from 561.18 to 477. I opted to spend a bit extra by adding the hotel's full English breakfast buffet to my stay, and it still cost less than it would have if I hadn't become a member.

I've found that most hotels advertise member-only rates directly on their booking pages, making it easy to tell if they offer this promotion. If it's not mentioned there, a quick online search for the hotel's name coupled with "membership rewards program" usually does the trick.

These days, I never book a hotel without first checking if I can make a free account for discounts or perks. As far as I can tell, there's really no catch. I haven't gotten spammed with emails or junk mail, and I haven't been charged any additional fees.

This hack probably won't work for those who prefer smaller, independently owned hotels, since, in my experience, these rewards programs are often offered through larger hotel chains. However, I personally enjoy the predictability of staying with the same hotel company across different locations. My partner jokes that we're a "Holiday Inn household."

The discounts offered through membership accounts don't always make a significant difference in my travel budget. But even if it only saves $10, that's $10 more that I can spend on a souvenir or sweet treat during my travels.

Read the original article on Insider
Ambar and her 10-year-old daughter, shown at MacArthur Park, were among the migrants bused from Texas to Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

When Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida bused and flew migrants to Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and other so-called "sanctuary cities," they might have envisioned they were exporting the same chaos as border states have experienced as they grapple with a historic number of migrants. They wanted leaders in these cities to admit they were wrong about their immigrant-friendly policies.

Earlier this month, Abbott sent migrants on a bus to Los Angeles . And DeSantis has admitted he dispatched migrants on two chartered flights to Sacramento a few days earlier, luring them with false promises of housing, shelter and legal help.

But Abbott and DeSantis are mistaken if they think they are teaching cities with sanctuary polices any lessons with their inhumane political stunts or causing their leaders to rethink their commitment to not treating migrants as criminals.

Those governors and their political allies also seem to be confused about what it means when cities have sanctuary policies. Though policies vary, providing sanctuary means not turning migrants over to federal immigration authorities simply for being in the country illegally. It means treating them like humans in need rather than pawns.

Read more: Editorial: Migrants flown to Sacramento are human beings, not political pawns

That's what leaders in Los Angeles, Sacramento and other "sanctuary cities" did as buses and planes dumped dozens of tired and often confused migrants on their doorsteps in recent months. They rallied attention and resources, while religious and other nonprofit organizations stepped up to welcome the migrants with shelter, food and clothes. In some instances, these migrants have even found temporary jobs, illustrating the need for their labor.

Abbott and DeSantis may also not realize that sanctuary policies were designed to help law enforcement keep communities safe. Sanctuary policies were developed because police in many cities such as Los Angeles were frustrated because undocumented immigrants were not reporting crimes or stepping forward as witnesses for fear of deportation.

Critics say these sanctuary cities have laws and policies that shield criminals and obstruct federal immigration policies. But cities with sanctuary policies have lower than average crime rates, higher household incomes and lower poverty rates, according to various studies .

Local authorities did not refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement, as critics claim. They simply limited the role of local law enforcement in immigration cases, for example, by not using local police to do immigration checks or by not holding an undocumented immigrant in custody for a few extra days to serve federal authorities' schedules.

Read more: Editorial: There's a crisis at the border all right, but one created by political posturing

Los Angeles is in the midst of transitioning from a  city of sanctuary  to  sanctuary city . The difference is more than just semantics. The former designation is little more than a statement by city leaders in 2017 that they opposed then-President Trumps dehumanizing anti-immigrant policies, which included separating young children from their parents. Some of those children have yet to be reunited with their parents years later. Earlier this month, the City Council voted to strengthen the policy by banning city personnel or resources from being used for immigration enforcement.

It's true that the transports of migrants by the Texas and Florida governors have been inconvenient to cities such as Washington and New York, which have had to scramble to find housing and other resources. But they haven't done a thing to undermine the foundation on which sanctuary policies were built.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This is very good, said Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday at the start of his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken at Beijings Great Hall of the People. We agree.

Most talk of U.S.-China relations in the past few years have focused on tensions and the potential for escalation, and there certainly are real and serious differences in policy and approach, including sovereignty and human rights questions like the Chinese governments encroachment on Taiwan, cracking down in Hong Kong, backing Russias invasion of Ukraine and launching spy balloons.

Yet dialogue is never a bad idea, which makes it puzzling that some House GOP members actively derided the idea of Blinkens China visit. They should really know better, and cut the bluster thats being done mainly to score political points. In contemporary political signaling, where everything is all-or-nothing, they seem to suggest that the only two options practically are total capitulation to Chinese global designs or a shooting war with the worlds second-biggest economy and its largest military.

Those appearing to agitate for this latter outcome might be doing so for domestic political reasons, but they should stop and think about what this would actually mean. Weve had our share of military misadventures in recent years but their consequences have predominantly hit the people and places on the other side, which unfortunately has meant that plenty of our leaders have become too cavalier about the true costs.

A conflict with China would be very different, holding the potential to very quickly spiral uncontrollably into the type of struggle that will be ruinous for both nations, with horrendous casualties. Long gone are the days of conventional warfare; this war would involve cyberattacks on crucial systems throughout the United States, including the electrical grid and communications tech. And for what? An approach of cooperation could instead produce immense gains on areas of mutual interest, like climate change mitigation. President Biden and Blinken should never lay down for Xi, but to suggest conflict is inevitable is to invite disaster.

___
Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure

The European Investment Bank will allocate EUR 840 million ($916.9 million) in 2023 to help restore Ukraines infrastructure, said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister for Recovery, on June 21.

The minister signed a memorandum of cooperation for projects aimed at restoring Ukraine with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Werner Hoyer, during the Ukraine Reform Conference held in London, UK, on June 21-22.

The funds specified in the memorandum will be used for the preparation, assessment, financing, and implementation of projects related to the restoration of municipal infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and other public buildings with a focus on energy efficiency.

Read also: European Parliament calls for NATO to invite Ukraine to join alliance

The funds will also support the restoration of water supply and drainage infrastructure, as well as transport networks and public transportation. The EIB will also provide funding for the development of digital technology and to strengthen Ukraines cybersecurity.

Furthermore, the memorandum outlines cooperation between Ukraine and the EIB in utilizing a special trust fund, the EU for Ukraine Fund, and lending to projects in Ukraine with the support of guarantees from the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus.

Read also: European Parliament recognized the demolition of the Kakhovska dam as a Russian war crime

The Ministry of Reconstruction and the EIB will continue their collaboration on the implementation and utilization of a package of technical and consulting assistance for Ukraine, valued at approximately EUR 100 million, the memorandum reads.

The EIB is one of the largest lenders to Ukraine. Currently, the EIB has a portfolio of projects in partnership with the Ukrainian state, communal sectors, and business sectors, totaling over EUR 7 billion ($7.6 billion).

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of the country, the EIB has provided EUR 1.7 billion ($1.85 billion) in emergency aid to Ukraine.

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
Hyundai's 2023 Ioniq 6 boasts a MPGe of 140, making it exceptionally efficient.

For decades, drivers in the United States have been able to think about the efficiency of their gas-powered vehicles with a simple criteria: miles per gallon. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency started publishing the mpg metric for vehicles in the 1970s, and it makes intuitive sense. Theoretically, how far could your car travel on a single gallon of gasoline? The mpg figure is the answer.

But with electric vehiclesas well as plug-in hybridsthe situation gets a tad more complex. A pure EV does not burn gasoline. It gets the energy for its batteries from the grid, and is better for the environment.

Enter the MPGe metric, which stands for mile per gallon of gasoline-equivalent and allows [for] a reasonable comparison between vehicles using different fuels, the EPA says.

What is MPGe?

New EPA vehicle labels debuted in 2012. For electric vehicles, it includes the EVs fuel economy listed in MPGe, as well as other metrics, like its range. You can check out the EPAs EV label on the agency's site. For plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, that PHEV label shows both the cars efficiency when running on just battery power (in MPGe), as well as its efficiency if it were just burning gasoline, in mpg. And of course, a traditional vehicle that burns only gasoline has a label with the regular mpg metric.

One commonality between the mpg metric and MPGe is that a larger number means better efficiency. Miles per gallon is designed such that bigger numbers are better, says David Gohlke, an energy and environmental analyst at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. Higher miles per gallon means you go fartheryou get more goodness out of the gallon of gasoline that youre burning.

[Related: Volvo's new electric EX30 is cheaper than a Tesla Model 3]

The bigger-is-better metric might sound obvious, but thats not always the case with other measurement metrics for vehicle efficiency. For example, the gasoline vehicle sticker also features a gallons-per-100-miles figure, and in that case, a lower number represents better fuel efficiencyideally, you want to burn as few gallons as possible when driving 100 miles. Ditto, on an EVs sticker youll find the kilowatt-hours-per-100-miles metric, with lower being more efficient. And a PHEV vehicles sticker contains both of those lower-is-better metrics.

But with the proliferation of EVs, the main metric to keep in mind is MPGe. The EPA said, Okay, well were going to need some way of describing these electric vehicles to the average person, Gohlke says. The EPA has come up with a conversion factor that translates from a kilowatt-hour of energy into the equivalent amount of energy in terms of a gallon of gasoline.

How is MPGe calculated?

The kilowatt hours (kWh) equivalent from gas comes from the total heat content that exists in a gallon of gasoline, Gohlke says. They say, Okay, if we took this gallon of gasoline, and set it on fire, effectively, how much heat energy can we get out of that?

The answer to that question is 33.7 kWh. An EPA spokesperson notes via email that this figure is a standard number for the energy content in gasoline.

[Related: How to use less gas when driving with Google Maps]

So now the question becomes: How far can an EV travel on 33.7 kWh, which is equal to the energy in 1 gallon of gas? And thats where the MPGe figure comes from.

For context when it comes to understanding kWh, the average American home used about 886 kWh of electricity each month in 2021, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Considering a 30-day month, that means daily electric use is about 30 kWh. If you have a 1,000-watt (1 kilowatt) microwave and use it for an hour, youve used 1 kWh of electricity. So MPGe is saying: Heres how many miles this EV can travel on an amount of electricity that is just a bit more than the average US household consumes each day.

How can you find an EVs MPGe?

To see how the EPA rates an EV with this MPGe metric, you can look up the vehicle at fueleconomy.gov. For example, one variant of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 gets 140 MPGe, when combining its city (153) and highway (127) ratings. Thats superb. A 2023 Tesla Model 3 gets 132 MPGe. What about the gargantuan GMC Hummer EV? Its rated for 47 MPGe. The Hyundai and the Tesla are way more efficient than the Hummer.

Even if the MPGe measurement takes some getting used to, Paul Waatti, manager of industry analysis at AutoPacific, argues that it plays an important role. Thats because an EVs range, which is also listed on the sticker, isnt the full story. That doesnt necessarily tell you how efficient the vehicle actually is, he says. You might have a really high range number, like [with the electric] Hummer for example, but if you look at the MPGe figure for that, it shows that its very inefficient.

Ultimately, the MPGe metric isnt perfect, but its good to have. From a consumer perspective, I think theres still quite a bit of confusion on what it actually means, Waatti says. Still, he argues that its an important metric for giving people a sense of the cars efficiency.

Bottom line: A higher MPGe means the EV is more efficient, and right now, a number at or close to 140 is ideal.
A Sacramento County prosecutor would work side by side with Elk Grove police to tackle property, nuisance and other quality-of-life crimes in a proposed pilot partnership between the city, police and Sacramento County District Attorneys Office.

Through the 3-year Community Prosecutor program introduced last week to Elk Grove City Council, the DAs office will station a deputy district attorney in Elk Grove specifically focused on quality of life concerns, said Elk Grove police Lt. Dan Templeton  commonly misdemeanors that may not normally be prosecuted due to resources dedicated to more serious crimes.

Sometimes misdemeanors dont get the attention that we want, Templeton told council members. This program will help bridge that gap.

The program, which would extend through June 2026, next must go before the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. The item is slated for mid-July, said DA officials, and would join similar programs in Rancho Cordova and downtown Sacramento through that citys Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

The $358,000-per-year program would be funded in its first year by Wilton Rancheria casino fees and in its final two years using Measure E tax revenue. It would focus on six designated quality-of-life issues: substance abuse and addiction; loitering and trespassing; theft, vandalism, chronic nuisance properties  those which draw repeated calls for service  and other public safety concerns including those connected to homelessness.

The prosecutor pilot comes amid Elk Grove residents rising concerns over property crimes, catalytic converter thefts, sideshows and retail theft  a huge issue in Sacramento County, District Attorney Thien Ho told council members, noting Sacramento County ranks 10th of Californias 58 counties in retail theft.

Those were among the concerns that sent Elk Grove voters to the polls in November to approve Measure E, the 1% city tax hike that steered more money to police response.

In Elk Grove, property crimes  including burglaries, larceny and vehicle thefts  make up the majority of crimes called in to police. Though Elk Grove police report property crimes dropped by 15% in 2022 from 2021, the latest year available, nearly 2,100 such crimes were reported to police last year.

Hopefully, well have a community prosecutor in the city of Elk Grove that will be quickly responding to these issues and identifying them and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement as a deterrence, Ho said.

The message, Ho said: Dont come to Elk Grove to commit crime.

County prosecutors charged more than 11,000 misdemeanor cases in 2022, Ho said, but with the focus of a community prosecutor (in Elk Grove), these are additional resources tailored to your community.That prosecutor is focused on the cases that are happening in Elk Grove, not in Rancho Cordova, not in the city of Sacramento, not in South Sacramento, but in Elk Grove.

The deputy prosecutor would handle cases from arrest to trial. A desk in Elk Grove will also mean quicker access to investigators. Elk Grove officers now drive to prosecutors in Sacramento to work on warrants.

This DA would work in our office with our officers and have immediate access to talk with officers, Templeton said. They would be an instant resource for any investigations were on; our detectives to write arrest warrants and search warrants. Theyre someone we can walk down the hall to.

To have someone here locally to work with our police, to acutely address these issues as they come up to cut through the red tape. That is so important, Elk Grove Councilman Rod Brewer said.

The prosecutor will also work with police in the community, reaching out to neighborhoods, businesses and homeowners associations across the city, along with youth programs, another focus of city Measure E.

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, the former Elk Grove school board president, talked about the potential impact of partnerships between the city, DA and Elk Grove Unified School District in noting the pilot programs focus on youth and restorative justice.

These are quality of life issues, but it also reinforces the values and priorities that our residents have put forth and this will only enhance our public safety commitment to our community, Singh-Allen said.
Elliot Page: The Umbrella Academy star on 'living my life for the first time'

Page's character in The Umbrella Academy transitioned in line with his real-life gender transition

"I feel more excited about acting than I have in a very, very, very long time," Elliot Page says, smiling.

It's a good time in his life.

We meet at a hotel in Hollywood the week his memoir is released. It has become an instant bestseller.

"We just finished the final season of Umbrella and I felt so much more embodied and centred, to be able to start the day as 'me'," Page adds, "as opposed to being in my trailer with constant discomfort."

Page's character - originally named Vanya - transitioned to Viktor in season three of the Netflix superhero hit series The Umbrella Academy, in line with his real-life gender transition.

"It's who I've always been," the character Viktor tells his siblings, in an understated scene. Viktor asks if it is an issue for anyone and his siblings insist it is not, before returning to the original storyline. It was described as "movingly low-key" by Variety.

Elliot Page says Netflix producer Steve Blackman ensured a sensitive scene to reflect his character Vanya's transition to Viktor

Netflix employed trans writer Thomas Page McBee to incorporate the Viktor gender transition plotline into the show and the soft-touch approach worked with audiences around the world.

Nielsen Media Research - which evaluated views across all platforms - says that the series chalked more than 10.5 billion hours of streaming, making it the 13th most viewed original show of the year.

Page's Viktor instantly became one the best known trans men in fictionalised broadcasting - one of the least represented groups in the industry.

According to the 2022-2023 Where We Are On TV report by LGBT advocacy group Glaad, only 11 of the 596 LGBT characters portrayed across 100 global TV, film and streaming platforms were trans men.

Page says he's aware that he is one of the most high-profile trans men in the world and takes this seriously.

"I'm in this unique position," he says, "and I absolutely have to use my privilege and my platform to do what I can, in whatever way, to help my community."

Short presentational grey line

When he wrote his memoir, Pageboy, he chose a lyric from a song by transgender musician Beverly Glenn-Copeland for the opening lines.

"This world has many ends and beginnings,

A cycle ends, will something remain?

Maybe a spark, once so bright, will bloom again."

The words resonated with Page.

"At so many points I'd find myself thinking, 'I was never a girl. I'll never be a woman. What am I going to do? I just want to be a 10-year-old,'" he tells the BBC.

"Then I started realising, 'Oh, that's because that's the last time I felt like myself, the last time I felt like I looked like myself and was in my body and knew who I was and had this spark,' you know?

"It's now coming back. That spark."

It was in December 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 global pandemic, that Page publicly came out as a trans man via his Instagram account. In a post that quickly gathered more than three million likes, Page wrote that he felt lucky to be making the announcement.

"There were years and years of turmoil about it," he says, "of getting really close and then pulling away, talking myself out of it."

Some of that reluctance was a hangover from the years of hiding his identity, on advice from film executives who shaped his early career. In his book he describes the Hollywood he encountered as a 20-year-old star of breakout independent movie Juno, as "plastic, empty, homophobic".

In Juno, he played a teenager who goes through an unplanned pregnancy. The role won Page an Oscar nomination and global fame.

"The success of Juno coincided with people in the industry telling me no-one could know I was queer," he writes in Pageboy, "that it wouldn't be good for me So I put on the dresses and the makeup. I did the photo shoots."

He describes the level of discomfort, gender dysphoria, as crushing.

"I had to avoid my reflection. I couldn't look at pictures, because I was never there. It was making me sick."

At the same time gossip writers printed columns questioning his identity. Page says he's not sure pieces like that would be published now, in the age of social media.

"The articles you're referencing came out in 2008. I imagine if those came out now about someone, I mean, they would probably be eviscerated for writing something like that."

So does he believe a young trans person could come to Hollywood now, with no connections, and have a successful career?

Page pauses before conceding, "I'm not 100% sure. In some ways, potentially."

Then he pauses again, "But now, we're also in a time of such extreme hateful rhetoric against trans lives. There's still so far to go."

Community is the answer to polarising online debates about transgender people, he insists, and he wants to connect with young LGBT people from around the world, through his work.

We asked trans men who use the BBC languages services to send video questions for Elliot. One came from Adam, a 24-year-old pilot in India, whose family put him through conversion therapy and refused to let him leave the house for more than a year.

"This is not just my story," Adam says. "This is the story of trans people around the world. So my question is, what message do you have for trans people going through tough times?"

Page is visibly moved when he watches the video.

"My message is just to hold on and to love yourself with all your might and to know that there's absolutely nothing wrong with you," he says. "Reach out for support where you can find it. In person or online. Seek out narratives that offer some kind of representation, some kind of comfort. Just a reminder that you're not alone."

Changing the narrative on trans representation in the media is something he says he hopes to do with his film company Page Boy Productions, as well as his own acting roles in the future.

He hopes that his platform can help change people's sometimes limited perceptions of manhood.

"Being aggressive is encouraged in men," he says. "I hope those expectations of what it means to be a man, what masculinity means, can be redefined and healed."

He says he isn't sure how his personal life will turn out.

"I'm not too interested in having kids, to be honest. But, I guess you never know," he says smiling. "I do feel like I'm really living my life for the first time. I'm just happy. Just getting to wake up and walk my dog and hang out with friends and feel like I'm in, really in, my body for the first time."

BBC iPlayer

Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page speaks to the BBC's gender and identity correspondent Megha Mohan about his childhood, Hollywood, trans rights and his relationship with his body.

In Conversation is a collaboration between BBC Three and the BBC World Service.
Anti-Trans

In his latest bigoted tirade, Twitter CEO Elon Musk is again taking cues from transphobes as he insists that the term "cisgender" will now be considered a "slur" on the social network.

Musk's comments, which may or may not constitute an official Twitter policy, came in response to a user who insisted that he was targeted by transgender activists for his issues with the term "cis," which refers to someone who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth.

"Yesterday, after posting a Tweet saying that I reject the word 'cis' and dont wish to be called it, I receive [sic] a slew of messages from trans activists calling me 'cissy' and telling me that I am 'cis' 'whether or not I like it,'" the tweet from therapy blogger James Esses reads. "Just imagine if the roles were reversed."

Although he wasn't tagged directly, Musk reply-guyed the known transphobe, insisting that "repeated, targeted harassment against any account will cause the harassing accounts to receive, at minimum, temporary suspensions."

"The words 'cis' or 'cisgender' are considered slurs on this platform," he added.

"Serious Problems"

Later, when a purportedly-feminist activist responded by incorrectly citing a controversial German sexologist for coining the term "cisgender" (which was, it should be noted, actually coined by researcher Dana Defosse in 1994), Musk dug his heels in further.

"Yup, the contemptible creep that manufactured the term 'cis' has serious problems," he tweeted. "Ignore him."

Besides ignoring his own advice, Musk's latest transphobic Twitter spree is yet another example of his deepening bigotry against transgender people  a curious case given not only that his companies have sponsored LGBTQ Pride events in the past, but also that one of his many children is trans, though she unsurprisingly wants nothing to do with him or his name.

Indeed, he kicked off Pride month this year by saying that he wants to start "actively lobbying to criminalize" sex-reassignment surgeries for children "below the age of consent"  which is not a thing  and sharing a transphobic disinformation video from far-right publication Daily Wire.

Musk also changed Twitter's policies earlier this year to allow the misgendering of transgender people on the platform, something that could easily lead to bullying.

Of all of Musk's many horrendous takes, his virulent transphobia is particularly damaging given the very real transphobic legislation being enacted right now, not to mention the violence against the trans community occurring across the world right now.

More on Musk: Elon Musk and Joe Rogan Publicly Harass Vaccine Researcher on Twitter
Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter and SpaceX, has been uncharacteristically quiet about the disappearance of a research submarine visiting the remains of the Titanic.

The company operating the sub, OceanGate Expeditions, previously tweeted their appreciation for Mr Musk's Starlink service  provided through SpaceX  which allowed them to access the internet while adventuring in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Despite being in the middle of the North Atlantic, we have the internet connection we need to make our #Titanic dive operations a success - thank you @Starlink! the company tweeted earlier this month.

Follow our live blog for updates on the Titanic sub rescue mission

Reports arose on Monday that OceanGate Expeditions had lost contact with the sub and its passengers, sparking a frenzied search effort to locate the vehicle before its life support runs out.

Tourists can pay $250,000 for the opportunity to board the sub  which is an "experimental" craft  and visit the remains of the Titanic, which sunk in 1912.

There is no evidence currently suggesting Starlink played any role in the vessel's disappearance.

The Independent has reached out to Mr Musk and SpaceX for comment.

David Pogue, who toured the sub and produced a feature story on the vessel for CBS News prior to its voyage, revealed on Monday that the ship actually was lost for approximately five hours while he was reporting the story.

Mr Pogue said he was on board the command vessel at the time of the disappearance, and said that the crew were capable of sending texts to the support staff during the five-hour period.

"To be clear, I was not on the sub that dayI was on the ship at the surface, in the control room. They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was," he wrote on Twitter.

To be clear, I was not on the sub that dayI was on the ship at the surface, in the control room. They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was. It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ships internet to prevent us from tweeting.  David Pogue (@Pogue) June 19, 2023

It's unclear why the sub's occupants cannot text the command vessel during this voyage.

He said the company shut off internet access to the journalists on the command ship to stop them from publicising the fact that the sub was lost.

"It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ships internet to prevent us from tweeting," he wrote.

When commenters pressed him for why he did not report that OceanGate allegedly cut their access to the internet, Mr Pogue said the company told them they needed all channels clear for emergencies. He also noted that the subs misadventure prompted discussions about installing a locator beacon similar to those used by airplanes, though it is unclear if such measures were ever taken.

British billionaire, businessman and explorer Hamish Harding is among the individuals missing on the sub. He shared in a social media post that he was brought on as a mission specialist to assist in the subs voyage to the wreckage.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French maritime expert, is also one of the missing. He has taken more than dives to visit the Titanics wreckage. He serves as the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, Inc, a US company that owns the salvage rights to the wreck.

British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood are also known to be on the sub, according to a statement made by Engro Corporation. Mr Dawood is the vice chair of the company. The Dawoods hail from one of Pakistans wealthiest families.

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, is also on the vessel, according to the company.

The US Coast Guard said in a statement Tuesday that there is less than 40 hours worth of air left in the vessel, narrowing the time frame for a successful rescue of the missing crew.

Coast Guard and US Navy vessels have continued to search for the vessel since it was reported missing by OceanGate Expeditions.

David Lochridge, a pilot who helped test the sub, claims he was fired after he warned that the vessel may not be able to withstand the pressure of the deep ocean, according to The New Republic. He claims that when he raised concerns that the company might be putting its clients at risk, he was given 10 minutes to immediately clear out his desk.

The Independent has requested comment from OceanGate Expeditions.
Employment proposal may help military spouses, but it could hurt, too

A U.S. lawmaker wants to give military spouses employment protections similar to those given to activated Guard and Reserve troops returning to civilian jobs, but some experts worry it will cause more harm than good.

The legislation, introduced June 7 by Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, would incorporate spouses into most of the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act  and go further.

This new proposal, for example, would add a provision giving spouses reemployment rights if their absence from a job is due to a permanent change of station move and the absence doesnt exceed two consecutive years, or up to five years cumulatively.

USERRA protects military members and veterans from public or private employment discrimination on the basis of service, and allows them to return to their civilian jobs following a period of uniformed service.

The Department of Labor included the request for proposed changes to USERRA in its fiscal 2024 budget request, asking for 10 positions and $5.8 million to implement it.

Although military spouse unemployment isnt tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on a regular basis, surveys show the unemployment rate among military spouses has remained at above 20% for more than 10 years.

Maintaining traditional employment and advancing in careers while relocating every few years  often while raising a family  has historically been an enormous challenge for military spouses, Deluzio said in a statement provided to Military Times. By expanding USERRA protections we can make sure military families have more options and military spouses can more easily find employment and feel confident in their job security.

But lawmakers and advocates had questions  and mixed opinions  about the proposal during a June 14 hearing before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs economic opportunity subcommittee.

I have deep reservations about this, said Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisc., the panels chairman. I dont think its the United States governments place to exercise these mandates on companies when the person thats involved didnt sign [a military service] contract.

Biden looks to boost military spouse employment with new order

Van Orden also questioned whether it could have unintended consequences for spouses and employers.

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States supports the change, said Kevin Hollinger, the groups legislative director. We believe if there was a contract that was signed with the United States government, it was called I do, he told lawmakers.

In his written statement, Hollinger said the change could benefit National Guard spouses who face increased family hardships when the service member deploys. Spouses often must take time away from their employment to figure out new schedules. At a moments notice, they become the sole head of the house. Handling time off is often the only way for spouses to get acclimated.

But under the Family and Medical Leave Act, military spouses already have the right to take time off of work for deployment and reintegration specific needs, said Meredith M. Smith, government relations deputy director of the National Military Family Association, in written testimony.

We are concerned that the requirement to hold a position open for a military spouse following a military-ordered move would be seen as burdensome by employers, potentially making them less likely to hire spouses, Smith said.

While USERRA aims to meet the needs of reservists who return to their civilian community when not activated, thats not necessarily the case for military spouses.

Most active duty military spouses, in particular, do not have a reasonable expectation they will return to a duty station if they have to leave their job due to military orders, Smith said.

And more generally, businesses might become hesitant to hire spouses because of potential litigation, costs, administrative burdens and questions about how the legislation possibly conflicts with state laws relating to pension systems.

We are concerned about the unintended consequences, Smith told lawmakers. We think the spirit of the legislation is good, to ensure military spouses are able to find and maintain employment, but we have questions about whether or not USERRA is the appropriate tool to ensure that is a reality for military families.

The USERRA expansion might be helpful in federal government employment, however, Smith noted. Under the proposal, the federal agency would have to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that military spouses would be reemployed.

Adopting this provision would be an important step to helping the federal government reach its goal of becoming an employer of choice for military spouses, Smith said. But further clarification is needed on which reasons for leaving a position would qualify for the reemployment provisions, she noted.

James Rodriguez, the Department of Labors assistant secretary for Veterans Employment and Training Service, said the department wholeheartedly supports the idea.

Expanding USERRAs anti-discrimination and reemployment protections to eligible military spouses would limit barriers to military spouse employment, he said. These protections would also help military spouses build successful careers without frequent interruption and restarts; bolster the financial stability of their families, especially during their service members transition from military service to civilian life; and promote long-term financial stability for military families.

Asked by Van Orden whether he thought there is potential for waste, fraud and abuse, Rodriguez replied, I dont believe military spouses would take advantage of the system thats there to support them. I believe they actually want to work, and theyre looking for opportunities to work and looking for opportunities to keep their jobs so they can support their families. I think thats a misrepresentation of military spouses.

As for concerns about the federal government overreaching into private industry, Rodriguez said, think its important for us in the federal government to help work with our private industries to get them to understand why spouses retention and employment is so important to the service of the individual.

Smith at NMFA suggested two alternative steps that have long been advocated by various groups: tracking military spouse unemployment and adding military spouses as a target group under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. This would give employers a tax credit for hiring military spouses.

It is also an incentivizing tool for employers rather than one that could be viewed as causing potential staffing burdens, she said.

Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL senior chief, said he understands the hardships of spouses, having been married to his Navy wife for 30 years.

However, he said, we have to balance fiscal responsibility with also making sure the civil liberties of individual companies are not violated. They are entities with people, too, and we have to make sure we dont upset the apple cart of the workforce by creating unintended consequences, he said.

Lets see if we can get this right. In military spouses, he said, We have the most highly educated and highly unemployed demographic in the country. If we can do something, Im more than happy to do that. I just want to make sure we get it correct.
The coat worn by actress Kate Winslet in the 1997 film "Titanic" went up for auction in June 2023 in Los Angeles (Frederic J. BROWN)

Since it sank on its maiden voyage more than a century ago, the Titanic has maintained an unshakeable grip on the public imagination.

A monument to the technological progress of its time -- and the hubris of men who thought they had built an unsinkable ship -- one of the world's deadliest ocean disasters has inspired books, blockbuster movies, stage productions and countless adventurers who want to see what happened when the luxury liner hit an iceberg.

Among them, the wealthy passengers and crew of a submersible that vanished Sunday in the North Atlantic Ocean on their way to visit the seabed wreck, on a $250,000 ticket.

An all-hands search and rescue operation to find their tiny sub before the oxygen runs out was taking place Wednesday as the world watched and waited.

- Palace of luxury -

RMS Titanic set sail in April 1912 from Southampton, England bound for New York.

At the time, it was the largest ship ever built, a vast floating palace of luxury, where first-class passengers had the run of a gymnasium, squash court, swimming pool and top-notch dining options, or could retire to their lavish cabins where a staff of hundreds waited on their every whim.

Below decks, poor migrants were crammed into steerage quarters, desperate to get to the promise of the New World.

Late on April 14, the Titanic -- carrying 2,224 passengers and crew -- hit an iceberg, denting and buckling the hull and allowing water to rush in.

As compartments flooded, the 269-meter (883-foot) vessel began sinking, bow first.

There were not enough lifeboats for everyone on board, and the harried crew did not know how to deploy them; some were dispatched just half full.

Hours after she began tipping up, the huge ship snapped in two, and plunged into the depths.

Passengers who had not made it into the limited number of lifeboats perished within minutes in the freezing water.

Around 1,500 people died in the disaster. Just 700 were picked up by RMS Carpathia, a transatlantic steamship that had answered the Titanic's distress calls.

- Wreck -

The exact location of the wreck remained a mystery for 70 years until a Franco-American expedition discovered where it lay, 3,700 meters below the waves.

Footage from the ocean bed shows the two halves of the ship surrounded by a huge debris field -- furniture, shoes, plates and other detritus ejected from the vessel as it sank.

In the years since it was rediscovered, the wreck has been visited by researchers, explorers, tourists and filmmakers.

One of its most famous visitors was director James Cameron, whose 1997 smash "Titanic" starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as passengers who fall in love.

The movie is known as much for Celine Dion's hit "My Heart Will Go On" as for a scene in which DiCaprio's character, Jack, rescues Winslet's Rose by pushing her aboard a floating door, sacrificing himself in the process.

Such is the film's enduring popularity, even a quarter century later debates and theories continue to swirl around whether there was actually room enough for Jack on the makeshift raft.

It is just one example of how the story of the Titanic "never seems to end for people," Cameron told a press conference held for the 25th anniversary re-release earlier this year.

"The Titanic has this kind of enduring, almost mythic, novelistic quality. And it has to do with, I think, love and sacrifice and mortality," he said.

- Tourism -

Auctions of Titanic memorabilia and artifacts remain popular, with an embroidered pink coat Winslet wore in filming the 1997 movie and a letter written by a Uruguayan passenger who died in the disaster both going under the hammer next week in separate sales.

The violin used by bandleader Wallace Hartley to play hymns on deck as the great ship went down -- a reminder of the Titanic's final moments -- sold in 2013 for $1.7 million.

Tom Zaller, who runs the company behind "Titanic: The Exhibition," a collection of artifacts and interactive experiences that has toured the world, said people find the ship fascinating.

"It's such an incredibly human story," he told AFP.

"We all can relate to some passenger on board that ship, right, because they call it the ship of dreams.

"There's these incredible stories of both survivors and people who could have gotten in a lifeboat but they stayed together because they were in love."

While for many, the Titanic is a historical curiosity -- as distant from today as the Parthenon or Pompeii -- for descendents of those who perished there is something distasteful about ultra-wealthy tourists spending heavily to visit the wreck.

"I think it's disgusting, quite honestly," 69-year-old John Locascio, whose two uncles died in the tragedy, told The Daily Beast.

"They died a horribly tragic death. Just leave the bodies resting," Locascio added. "They don't want people down to see them. Just leave well enough alone."

hg/mlm
Robert Gay, an activist, walks in Humboldt Canyon on June 18, 2023, near Patagonia.

PATAGONIA  A coalition of local and national environmental groups sued the U.S. Forest Service Tuesday over its authorization of two mining exploration projects in the Patagonia Mountains of southern Arizona.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Tucson alleges that the agency violated the National Environmental Protection Act by approving exploratory drilling for minerals without considering the cumulative effects of the areas mining activity on water in the Sonoita Creek drainage or on endangered species including the Mexican spotted owl.

The two exploration districts, each within 4 miles to the south of the town of Patagonia, are near another district where the Australian mining company South32 is seeking approval to open the Hermosa Mine for minerals critical to electric vehicle production.

Reckless exploratory mining has no place in the wild, biodiverse Patagonia Mountains, Laiken Jordahl, Southwest conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a news release announcing the lawsuit. Endangered species like jaguars, ocelots and Mexican spotted owls already face threats from border walls, climate change and habitat loss. The last thing these rare animals need is a new copper mine ravaging the heart of their Arizona range.

Endangered owls and yellow-billed cuckoos are among birds that nest in the Patagonia Mountains. While jaguars and ocelots are not believed to have had breeding populations in Arizona in recent decades, individuals of both species at times have been confirmed roaming from Mexico into several southern Arizona ranges. The Patagonias straddle the border, providing a possible migration corridor.

Mining proposals would extract copper, silver, among other minerals

A portrait of Carolyn Shafer of the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance in Humboldt Canyon on June 18, 2023, near Patagonia.

The Patagonias also historically hosted mining activity, including some abandoned tunnels visible along Forest Road 812, a mountainside gravel road that accesses the disputed sites at Flux and Humboldt canyons. Arizona Minerals, owned by South 32, seeks six drill pads there.

Farther south at a dead end in Humboldt Canyon, Arizona Standard, owned by Canadian mining company Barksdale Resources, seeks to drill up to 30 exploratory holes. Between the two projects the companies are prospecting for ores including copper, silver, lead and zinc.

The lands are on the Coronado National Forest, which approved the exploration this year. A spokesperson for the Forest Service said the agency would not comment on the lawsuit.

South32 Hermosa Project President Pat Risner provided a statement saying the company "keeps sustainability at the core of our approach" and will narrow Flux Canyon activities to about the size of a residential lot.

Risner said the company has more than a decade of environmental monitoring to back the work.

"Regularly conducted surveys have determined that no (endangered) listed plant or wildlife species, critical habitat, or cultural resources will be impacted," Risner added.

More on the mines: New southern Arizona mine slated for ecologically diverse Patagonia mountains

Barksdale Resources CEO Rick Trotman provided a written statement defending the Forest Services approval of his companys exploration at Humboldt Canyon, called the Sunnyside project.

The Forest Service decision on the Sunnyside project is the culmination of almost five years of extensive environmental review, public scoping and process, he said. We stand by the decision and are confident that it will stand up in court. The company stands by its thorough and conscientious approach to the protection of the natural environment.

Joining the Center for Biological Diversity in challenging the approvals are the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition, Earthworks, Friends of the Santa Cruz River, Friends of Sonoita Creek, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and Tucson Audubon Society.

'This has become a cathedral to me'

Patagonia Area Resource Alliance President Carolyn Shafer toured the area with journalists from The Republic on Sunday, emphasizing that the mountains are a mixing zone of species from the north and south and a rare biodiversity hotspot.

She stopped at roads end in Humboldt Canyon to admire the oaks, pines and grasses shaded by canyon walls where she said she has heard Mexican owls responding to calls. She has also officiated at a wedding there.

I always say my favorite canyon is whatever one Im in, she said. (But) if I had to make an exception, Humboldt Canyon is so unique and special. This has become a cathedral to me.

She feared that she would not be able to return through years of exploration, after which the birds may be gone.

Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com or follow on Twitter @brandonloomis.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can support environmental journalism in Arizona by subscribing to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: In mountains harboring endangered species, two firms seek minerals
European Union

Ambassadors of EU countries have approved the 11th package of economic sanctions against Russia, Swedens EU Council Presidency mission reported via Twitter on June 21.

The package includes measures that aim to prevent Moscow from circumventing existing trade sanctions. Details will become known later this week once the sanctions are approved in writing, according to AP.

Read also: EU Parliament condemns Russia for torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors

I welcome the political agreement on our 11th sanctions package, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said in another Twitter post.

Read also: Zero tolerance of Russian sanction busting  Cyprus president

It will deal a further blow to Putins war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin. Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods.

Read also: Russia ups production of Kinzhal, Iskander missiles despite Western sanctions, Ukraines air force says

Euronews notes that Brussels is increasingly concerned about the sharp increase in EU exports to a number of countries with strong economic ties to Moscow, including Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. This could mean that Russia continues to receive sanctioned goods through these intermediaries. The new sanctions aim to strengthen export control and introduce a new mechanism for influencing companies that may be helping Russia to circumvent the existing trade restrictions.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- The European Union has assessed that it cant legally confiscate outright frozen Russian assets and instead is focusing on using those assets temporarily, according to a document obtained by Bloomberg.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The EU is zeroing in on two options as it keeps exploring how it could harness more than 200 billion ($219 billion) in frozen Russian central bank assets and channel them to Ukraine, the report said. Many of the funds are at settlement giant Euroclear Ltd., where they generated nearly 750 million by the first quarter of this year.

The bloc is expected to seek a mandate to work on this policy from EU leaders when they meet in Brussels next week.

An EU working party on the use of Russian reserves frozen under the blocs sanctions has been discussing how to gather information and assessing options under EU and international law. Its members see no credible legal avenue allowing for the confiscation of frozen or immobilized assets on the sole basis of these assets being under EU restrictive measures, it concluded. Instead it favors channeling windfall profits from the investments to Ukraine.

Read more: Seize, Not Just Freeze, Russian Assets? Why Its Hard: QuickTake

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg urged caution in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Wednesday. I fully understand the emotionality of the debate and that we say we have to get our hands on these assets, he said.

But we are rule-of-law states. We are defending a rules-based international order, Schallenberg added. So whatever we do in this endeavor has to be absolutely water-tight. It can be challenged, and it might be challenged in front of European or American courts. If any of these actions were to be lifted by a judge, it would be a diplomatic and economic disaster.

Several major global banks are concerned that appropriating Russian assets could cause Moscow to retaliate against their remaining interests in the country, according to people familiar with the matter. Russia could make life harder for foreign banks and target their local staff, an executive at one bank said. A second executive said his bank isnt lobbying directly but is opposed in principle to confiscation by the EU.

The European Central Bank has warned that using interest rate proceeds from the assets could encourage official reserve holders to turn their back on the euro, the report said. The central bank believes international coordination will play a key role in mitigating the risks.

Read more: EU Blocks More Than 200 Billion in Russian Central Bank Assets

The paper identified significant legal obstacles to one of the two options the bloc is exploring: temporarily using liquid assets of Russias central bank  in other words, investing the assets and directing the proceeds to Ukraine.

The group preferred a second option: a so-called windfall contribution. Firms with Russian holdings that are generating large profits by investing them could be required to transfer a substantial amount to the EU. This could reduce legal risk for the bloc because the EU wouldnt be managing them.

EU officials wrote that this model wouldnt affect financial stability, would preserve the business models of the firms involved and would be fair in terms of tax. It would not impact the legal situation of the assets, they added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday in a speech to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London that the bloc will come up with a proposal for using those holdings before its summer break in mid-July.

Potential Magnitude

More than half the assets are in cash and deposits, while a substantial amount of the remainder is in securities that will transform to cash as they mature in the next two to three years.

The commission informed the working group of the potential magnitude of revenues if these liquid assets were invested prudently.

EU officials considered actively managing the assets to generate returns that could be used to support Ukraine. But property rights would need to be considered, and there is a risk of negative returns that couldnt be completely eliminated, the report said.

Overall, the paper describes the urgent need of pushing forward with the work and taking the lead internationally on the matter given that most central bank assets are in the EU. The blocs leaders are expected to take stock of the work done so far next week and ask that officials keep moving ahead on it, according to a draft statement seen by Bloomberg.

--With assistance from Liza Tetley and Ott Tammik.

(Updates with Schallenberg interview in fifth, sixth paragraphs)

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The European Union unveiled a massive $55 billion, multi-year proposal to rebuild Ukraine this week as the war with Russia still rages on.

On the eve of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London Wednesday, the European Commission announced a proposal for a dedicated financing instrument to foresee up to 50 billion ($55 billion) from 2024 to 2027, "to help Ukraine resist the aggression and rebuild a modern, prosperous country."

The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, said the new "Ukraine Facility" will support "Ukraine's efforts to sustain macro-financial stability, promote recovery as well as modernize the country whilst implementing key reforms on its EU accession track," as well as, "support the transition towards a green, digital and inclusive economy that is progressively aligned with EU rules and standards."

The facility also opens the possibility to use contributions from other donors as well as revenue generated by frozen and immobilized Russian assets as a contribution to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, according to the commission, which noted, "work is ongoing on the possible use of Russian assets for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction."

PENTAGON ACCOUNTING ERROR OVERESTIMATES VALUE OF WEAPONS SENT TO UKRAINE BY $6.2 BILLION

A joint assessment between the Ukrainian government, World Bank Group, the European Commission and the United Nations estimated in March that the cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine has grown to $411 billion (383 billion) within the first year since the Russian invasion began.

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The multibillion-euro project revealed by the commission Tuesday serves as the first major economic grouping to describe a detailed, multi-year funding plan toward reconstructing Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukraines allies pledged several billion dollars in non-military aid on Wednesday to rebuild its war-ravaged infrastructure, fight corruption and help pave the membership in the European Union.

Stressing the vast scale of the task, diplomats and political leaders at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London urged private-sector companies to invest and revive an economy battered by almost a year and a half of war. Delegates from more than 60 countries attended the conference, which is both a fundraising forum and a message to Russia that Ukraines allies are in it for the long haul.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. would give more than $1.3 billion in new aid, including more than $500 million to restore and improve Ukraine's battered energy grid.

Before the conference, Blinken said post-war Ukraine will need "the strongest possible economy, the strongest possibly democracy" in order to attract the investment it will urgently need. He also highlighted anti-corruption efforts, saying some of the U.S. money will go toward upgrading ports and border infrastructure and digitizing customs procedures to cut graft.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY CONFIRMS COUNTER-OFFENSIVE AGAINST RUSSIA HAS BEGUN

In addition to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in support through 2027, Britain pledged 240 million pounds ($305 million) in aid and 3 billion pounds ($3.8 billion) in World Bank loan guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who addressed delegates by video, said his country needed action.

"We must move from vision to agreements and from agreements to real projects," he said. "We are only waiting for the courage of the alliance leaders to recognize this reality, politically."

Many say Ukraine needs the equivalent of the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild Europe after World War II. Its infrastructure had been decimated by Russian attacks even before the collapse of the Kakhovka dam this month after an explosion flooded some 25,000 acres of land and displaced thousands of people.

The conference Wednesday aims to harness private-sector investment. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said BT, Virgin, Philips and Hyundai Engineering are among more than 400 companies from 38 countries that have committed to invest in Ukraine.

Politico reported that BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase are working with the Ukrainian government on a new development fund that would engage seed capital for rebuilding and reconstruction projects.

"Reconstruction is already happening. Its part of our resistance," Oleksandra Azarkhina, Ukraine's deputy minister for communities, territories and infrastructure development told Politico. "Ukraine needs help  not just on the battlefield, but in terms of private and public investment."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked the blocs competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, to avoid any conflicts of interest related to her candidacy to run the European Investment Bank.

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In a letter obtained by Bloomberg, von der Leyen calls on Vestager to confirm when she will have to stop working for the European Unions executive arm as part of her nomination to the EIB and to ensure that she will not use commission resources as part of her candidacy.

These measures are necessary to preserve public trust, von der Leyen wrote in a letter dated June 16.

The letter surfaced after Vestager on Tuesday announced she is a candidate for the top job at the European Investment Bank.

Vestager replied to von der Leyen that she agrees with the conditions laid out in the letter and would inform the commission as soon as Denmark moves ahead with a formal nomination.

I fully share your wish to avoid any conflict of interest, be it real or perceived, she wrote on June 19.

Italy, Poland and Sweden have also proposed their own candidates to run the bank, which claims to be the worlds largest multilateral borrower and lender.

Aides for Vestager declined to comment, referring to the commissions press office. A commission spokesperson said the letter was aimed at ensuring full compliance with the blocs code of conduct.

(Updates with Vestager reply starting in fifth paragraph)

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a look up at the main rocket engine for the european service module 2, which will support nasa's artemis 2 moon mission

The next mission to carry humans to the moon is inching closer to reality.

The hardware that will supply power, life support, water, fuel and propulsion to the astronauts on board the Orion capsule during the Artemis 2 mission around the moon is now in NASA's hands.

The European Service Module-2 (ESM-2) arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida in October 2021. Since then, the module has gone through extensive tests to ensure its reliability for the crew of astronauts it's designed to keep safe. Now, documents finalizing the transfer of ESM-2 from the European Space Agency (ESA) to NASA have been signed.

Related: Meet the 4 astronauts flying on NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission

A small ceremony was held at KSC on June 14, which included Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover, who toured the facility that day with Howard Hu, according to a NASA social media post . Hu, NASA's Orion program manager, penned his signature to the agreement alongside ESA's ESM production manager Anthony Thirkettle, according to the ESA website .

"The handover is a formality, but it is an important milestone for the program. It could not have been achieved without the tremendous effort of all the teams involved," Thirkettle said. "ESA will continue to work closely with our NASA and industry colleagues on getting the Orion spacecraft ready for launch and throughout the Artemis 2 mission."

Through its Artemis program , NASA is returning human exploration to the moon, this time with the aim of establishing a long-term presence on the lunar surface. Artemis 1 launched in November 2022, sending an uncrewed Orion into lunar orbit. Artemis 2 is the first crewed mission of the program. It will carry NASA astronauts Glover, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch, as well as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a journey around the moon and back that will last approximately 10 days.

The Orion capsule that Artemis 2 crew members will call home is completely reliant on its service module during the mission. The ESM stores and supplies crucial resources like air, water and electricity, and its fuel tanks and rocket engine serve as Orion's primary source of propulsion. According to ESA, the service module contains 33 thrusters, six fuel and storage tanks, and nearly 7 miles (11 kilometers) of wiring throughout the spacecraft's systems.

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Think of Orion as a car. The service module is basically everything under the hood, and also the wheels of the car. Now that NASA officially has both pieces of its Artemis spaceship car, the agency can almost start putting them together. The ESM-2 must still undergo a few tests before engineers are able to mate the module with Orion. NASA also recently posted a photo of the service module being transferred to its Final Assembly and System Testing Cell for testing and integration.
Dark Matter Probe

Excitement is brimming in Europe as scientists gear up for the launch of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Euclid spacecraft, a dark matter-hunting telescope that researchers hope will soon shed some proverbial light on one of the more mysterious aspects of the universe.

Dark energy and dark matter are essential to our understanding of the cosmos. As the prevailing theory goes, dark energy is the force behind the acceleration of the universe's expansion, while dark matter  which is believed to make up a whopping 80 percent of the mass of the universe  is a tethering force that keeps the cosmos organized and intact.

Dark matter also emits no light or energy and can't be detected by conventional sensors, making it extremely elusive to scientists. That's why Euclid is designed to create a detailed map of the universe to indirectly infer its properties.

"We cannot say we understand the universe if the nature of these dark components remains a mystery," Professor Andy Taylor, an astrophysicist at Edinburgh University, told The Guardian. "That is why Euclid is so important."

About Time

But it's not just the nature of the mission that makes Euclid so exciting  it's also the fact that it's finally happening at all.

As The Guardian reports, the roughly $850 million craft was actually slated to launch last year on a Russian Soyuz rocket. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, however, severed cooperative ties between Russian space agency Roscosmos and the ESA before Euclid could be launched.

Now, after a long wait, Euclid is scheduled to launch on July 1 on one of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets instead.

Once in the sky, the researchers on the ground are hoping that the telescope's ability to track how galaxy clusters and other celestial objects cause light to curve on its way to Earth will offer them a unique glimpse into the workings of dark matter.

"Euclid has the resolving power of the Hubble space telescope but will be able to survey a third of the night sky at the same time," Stephen Wilkins, a Sussex University astronomer, told The Guardian, "so it will give us an incredibly detailed map of the heavens."

"The point of Euclid is really to get the data that will allow us to start discriminating between which of the different ideas we have about the dark universe," Taylor added. "Hopefully that will help us understand what fundamentally is really going on in the cosmos around us."

More on dark matter: Black Holes May Be Engulfed in Dark Matter, Scientists Find
Three views of Mercury taken by the European BepiColombo mission during its flyby of the planet in June 2023.

Europe's Mercury-bound probe BepiColombo made its third close flyby of its target planet on Monday (June 19), revealing a surface riddled with craters, including one that just received a name.

The joint European/Japanese mission that launched in 2018 is approaching the final stretch of its seven-year voyage through the inner solar system . During this journey, BepiColombo relies on the gravity of planets Earth , Venus and its target Mercury to slow itself down enough to be able to move from the sun's orbit to that of Mercury in late 2025.

The latest of these gravity-assist maneuvers took place on Monday and saw BepiColombo fly within 150 miles (236 kilometers) of Mercury's surface. Scientists behind the mission used the opportunity to make measurements of the environment close to the solar system's innermost planet and snap images of its scorched surface.

Related: 10 strange Mercury facts

Three views of Mercury taken by the European BepiColombo mission during its flyby of the planet in June 2023.

The European Space Agency (ESA) released the first of these new images on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the closest approach, which took place on Monday at 3:34 p.m. EDT (1934 GMT).

The images reveal what ESA described as a "geology bounty:" a plethora of craters, ancient volcanic ridges and lava flows. One of the most curious features in the images is a crater that has only just received a new name: Edna Manley, after a Jamaican/British artist who died in 1987.

"During our image planning for the flyby, we realized this large crater would be in view, but it didn't yet have a name," David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the UK's Open University and a member of the BepiColombo science imaging team, said in an ESA statement . "It will clearly be of interest for BepiColombo scientists in the future, because it has excavated dark 'low-reflectance material' that may be remnants of Mercury's early carbon-rich crust. In addition, the basin floor within its interior has been flooded by smooth lava, demonstrative of Mercury's prolonged history of volcanic activity."

Image 1 of 3

The BepiColombo spacecraft photographed craters on the surface of planet Mercury.

Image 2 of 3

Planet Mercury photographed by the BepiColombo spacecraft during a gravity-assist flyby in June 2023.

Image 3 of 3

Planet Mercury seen by the BepiColombo spacecraft in June 2023.

The spacecraft also spotted the Beagle Rupes escarpment, a 370-mile-long (600 km) cliff that formed billions of years ago when the young Mercury cooled and contracted. The Beagle Rupes was discovered by NASA's Messenger mission that orbited Mercury between 2011 and 2015, and scientists are looking forward to comparing the original views with those captured by BepiColombo. The images also reveal a variety of ancient impact basins flooded with volcanic lavas during the first billion of years of the planet's life, when it was still tectonically active.

"This is an incredible region for studying Mercury's tectonic history," BepiColombo team member Valentina Galluzzi, a scientist at Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics, said in the statement. "The complex interplay between these escarpments shows us that as the planet cooled and contracted it caused the surface crust to slip and slide, creating a variety of curious features that we will follow up in more detail once in orbit."

The spacecraft unfortunately couldn't take images during its closest approach, as it arrived at the planet from the night side. The closest images were taken at a distance of 2,170 miles (3,500 km) about 20 minutes after the closest approach.

Related stories:

 Why is Mercury so weird? Blame the giant outer planets.

 What would it be like to live on Mercury?

 Tiny Mercury may have a solid metallic core that rivals Earth's

The BepiColombo mission comprises two orbiters that cruise through space stacked on top of each other, which means that some of the probes' instruments are hidden at the moment. That includes BepiColombo's main high-resolution cameras. The available images from the three monitoring cameras (originally built to observe the spacecraft's solar panel deployment after launch) have a modest resolution of 1024 x 1024 pixels.

The spacecraft has been using these cameras to send home postcards throughout its journey, including from a 2020 flyby of Earth, two flybys of Venus in 2020 and 2021, and two previous Mercury flybys in 2021 and 2022. There will be three more Mercury flybys in the coming years before BepiColombo sheds enough energy to finally be captured by the feeble gravity of the tiny Mercury (which is only a bit larger than Earth's moon) in December 2025.
The ESA's Euclid mission will chart a 3D map of the universe encompassing more than a third of the sky (Valery HACHE)

The European Space Agency said on Wednesday its space telescope Euclid is scheduled to launch on July 1, blasting off on a mission to shed light on the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.

The mission will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida, with the broadcast beginning at 1430 GMT, the ESA said in a tweet.

Euclid was originally planned to ride into space on a Russian Soyuz rocket, but last year Moscow withdrew its launchers in response to sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.

The ESA was forced to turn to its rival SpaceX, the US company of billionaire Elon Musk, to launch the 1.4-billion-euro ($1.5 billion) mission.

The two-tonne Euclid, which is 4.7 metres (15 feet) tall and 3.5 metres (11 feet) wide, will join fellow space telescope James Webb at a stable hovering spot 1.5 million kilometres from Earth called the second Lagrangian Point.

From there, Euclid will chart a 3D map of the universe encompassing two billion galaxies across more than a third of the sky.

Euclid's gaze will stretch out to 10 billion light years away. Because of how long it takes the light from distant stars to reach Earth, that means it will peer back 10 billion years into the cosmic past.

The mission will allow scientists to reconstruct the history of the 13.8-billion-year-old universe via "slices of time," astrophysicist Yannick Mellier told the Euclid consortium earlier this month.

Euclid's main objective is to better understand dark matter and dark energy, which together make up 95 percent of the universe.

The existence of both remains entirely theoretical -- although also necessary for scientists to construct a working understanding of the universe.

Dark matter is invisible, its existence inferred from the motion of objects affected by its gravitational pull.

Dark energy is the name given to the unknown force causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate.

Euclid is not expected to identify the true nature of these dark mysteries, but astronomers hope its unprecedented view of the universe will shed light on how they act and evolve over time.

Euclid's first images are expected to roll in quickly once scientific operations start in October, but it will take scientists longer to sift through the massive amount of data.

juc-dl/bp
Even if the Titan submersible is found in the deep sea, rescuers would need to somehow haul it back up. And they'd only have one shot to save everyone inside, a naval architect says.

OceanGate's submersible, called the Titan, and its five-person crew has been missing since Sunday. Ocean Gate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A naval architect says rescuers likely have only one shot to save the missing sub if it's found.

The submersible, which weighs 23,000 pounds, is likely on the ocean floor if it's still underwater.

Officials need a way to attach a cable 13,000 feet down before hauling the vessel up by Thursday.

It's one thing to find the missing Titanic submersible in the vast Atlantic Ocean  it's another herculean task to retrieve the vessel if it's stuck deep in the ocean.

The US and Canadian authorities are searching for a submersible that disappeared on Sunday while carrying five people to see the wreck of the Titanic, which rests at a depth of around 13,000 feet.

It's not immediately clear what happened to the submersible when it lost contact with its mother ship. It's possible the vessel later resurfaced, though its passengers would be dead-bolted inside. Or the vessel's hull may have been breached, in one of the worst-case scenarios that, at such extreme depths, would mean everyone on board has died.

But there's also the remote chance that the submersible, called the Titan, could still be somewhere deep beneath the surface level, intact, and with all five passengers alive.

Some hope exists on that front. On Tuesday evening, the US Coast Guard tweeted that a Canadian plane discovered "underwater noises" in the search area. Rolling Stone, citing internal US memos, reported that an aircraft had documented "banging" sounds at 30-minute intervals.

Experts have so far told various media outlets that if the vessel was still intact and deep underwater, the only available rescue option would be to tow it back to the surface.

Send a line down and hook it up  while 13,000 feet underwater

One way rescuers can pull this off is by using the "Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System," or FADOSS.

It's a lift system with a winch and cable designed to retrieve "large, bulky, and heavy sunken objects" weighing up to 60,000 pounds, according to the US Navy. The Titan weighs around 23,000 pounds, according to the company that operates the submersible.

Another US Navy remote system, the CURV-21, can reach depths of up to 20,000 feet, but with a maximum lift capacity of 4,000 pounds, it's unlikely to be able to retrieve the Titan. The US Navy said on Tuesday evening that it had sent a FADOSS to assist in the rescue effort.

Still, even with the FADOSS, rescuers would have to find a way to hook up the Titan submersible while it's thousands of feet underwater.

David Mearns, an ocean-recovery expert, told the BBC that a "world-class" remote-operated vehicle with two manipulators could potentially grab the submersible or attach a line to it.

US and Canadian authorities haven't said whether they have deployed a vehicle capable of performing such a feat on the ocean floor. Alistair Greig, a submarine expert from University College London, told the BBC that the Titan is probably either on the surface or the seabed and is "very unlikely" to be in between.

That means that if the submersible is still in the water, rescuers would likely have to send a vehicle and cable that could reach the wreck of the Titanic, which is around 2.5 miles under the surface.

A solution could come from France. The French government said on Tuesday that it's sending a ship, called the Atalante, to the search area with the Victor 6000 robot, which is capable of reaching depths of around 3.7 miles.

The robot is equipped with high-quality cameras and can "manipulate objects," according to France's Ifremer Institute.

Rescuers will "only get one chance"

Fotis Pagoulatos, a naval architect, told The Wall Street Journal that there might not be enough time to save the passengers inside even if they found the Titan deep below.

"You need a ship that can lower a cable to pull the Titan up or have some kind of a claw," Pagoulatos told the outlet. "Even if they find it, there may not be enough time for the rescue because of the oxygen issue inside."

Pagoulatos told the Journal that rescuers would essentially "only get one chance" at most.

The US Coast Guard says the Titan has enough emergency oxygen to last until Thursday afternoon ET because the submersible dives with around four days of life support.

David Marquet, a retired US Navy submarine captain, told NPR that such an elaborate deep-sea operation could be possible but said that the chances of the passengers' survival stood at "about 1%."

"I'm hopeful, but I think the families should prepare themselves for bad news," he told the outlet.

Read the original article on Insider
An ex-Army soldier convicted of murder for the 2019 road rage shooting of a man who came to the United States from Afghanistan as a refugee was sentenced Wednesday to 55 years in prison.

Dustin Passarelli was convicted of murder in May, nearly four years after the February 2019 killing of 32-year-old Mustafa Ayoubi. His death grabbed the attention of the FBI and helped lay the foundation for Indiana to pass its version of a bias crimes law.

Ayoubi's friends were waiting for him at a townhome on the city's north-west side and planned to go play pool on Feb. 16, 2019, the night of the shooting. When he arrived, witnesses say they saw him and Passarelli shouting inflammatory remarks at each other.

More: Ex-Army soldier guilty of murder in shooting that fueled Indiana hate crimes debate

Mohammad is a pedophile, Passarelli yelled multiple times from inside his car, a witness said. He also allegedly shouted about Ayoubi, who arrived in the United States in 2001 as a refugee from Afghanistan, and his friends about being foreigners.

Ayoubi walked to the drivers side and told Passarelli to get out of the car. Witnesses said Ayoubi made a fist around the same time Passarelli shined the flashlight attached to his pistol at Ayoubi, and fired rapidly. Ayoubi was hit twice by the shoulder and multiple times in the back.

Passarelli was never charged with a hate crime. His lawyers said it was self-defense. The Plainfield man told police Ayoubi either threw something at his car or collided with it while they were driving on the 465 freeway. He accused Ayoubi of breaking his window with a punch, and reaching into the vehicle when he started shooting.

More: Road rage, hate crime or both: Shooting death of Muslim man could draw FBI scrutiny

Someone was entering in his vehicle illegally, same as someone kicking at your (home) door or busting your window, Passarellis attorney, Benjamin Jaffe, said during Passarelli's jury trial in May.

Jaffe pointed out during Wednesday's sentencing hearing that Ayoubi was intoxicated. Passarelli said Ayoubi called him a "dirty Jew," but the insult didn't bother him because he's not Jewish, according to a police report.

Prosecutors argued Ayoubis car didn't have collision marks, and his body didnt have wounds from breaking glass. They said Passarelli pursued Ayoubi from the interstate, then followed him through a McDonalds parking lot and into his friend's residential area because Passarelli "was there to instigate and continue the confrontation."

This article will update.

Contact the reporter at 317-273-3188

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ex-soldier gets 55-year sentence for murder after anti-Muslim insults
Morrison said he did not regret 'for a minute' ditching the submarine deal (Steven Saphore)

Former Australian leader Scott Morrison hid plans to ditch a French submarine contract for fear a furious Paris would find a way to "kill" his new deal with the United States and United Kingdom, he reveals in an upcoming book seen by AFP.

The scandal, which saw Morrison work in secret with London and Washington to procure nuclear submarines before breaking the contract with Paris, highlighted the fragility of transatlantic trust, with ties still recovering from the 2021 revelation.

"Our strategy was that if we are going to do this, we can't let it lead to the French knowing -- in case that damages the French deal. So, we had to build Chinese walls -- pardon the pun -- around our discussions," said Morrison of the two years of subterfuge.

Morrison was interviewed extensively for a new chapter of the book "The Secret History of The Five Eyes" international spy network, by journalist Richard Kerbaj, in which he reveals new details of how he duped Macron -- while maintaining that not telling him was "not the same as lying to him".

Macron was the first foreign leader to congratulate Morrison upon his unexpected election victory in 2019, a sign of the importance of a $36.5 billion deal, dubbed the "contract of the century" in which France's Naval Group would build 12 conventionally powered submarines for Australia.

However, concerned about production delays, and a growing security threat from China in the South China Sea, Morrison said he realised that "if there was ever a time to have a crack at getting nuclear-powered subs, it was either now or never".

- 'Bluffing' -

And so in late 2019, he set about coming up with what he called a "Plan B" to form an alliance with London and Washington to supply Australia -- a non-nuclear state -- with nuclear-powered submarines.

"Australian techies were flying back and forth to Washington," in 2020, said Morrison.

In one anecdote, he describes how an oblivious Macron approached him to discuss the submarine contract as he emerged from a secret meeting on the new deal with US President Joe Biden and former British prime minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of a G7 meeting in June 2021.

At a dinner between the two at the Elysee Palace a few days later, Morrison said he was "pretty clear" about his concerns over the submarine deal.

"Not telling him is not the same as lying to him," he told Kerbaj.

"I think Emmanuel thought I was... seeking leverage on the contract. Maybe he thought I was bluffing," said Morrison in the updated book edition, which will be published on July 6 in Europe and July 11 in Australia and New Zealand.

A key reason Morrison did not tell Macron about his plans to walk away from the deal was a deep insecurity that, despite a verbal commitment, the US and Britain would pull out of the deal to appease the French.

He told London and Washington he would not give France time to "kill the arrangement that we have with you, and then we stand left there with nothing".

He admitted the politics back home "would have been quite catastrophic".

Morrison said it was this potential outcome, and not the Covid-19 pandemic or devastating bushfires, which gave him the most anxiety during his term.

- 'Sleepless night' -

On the eve of the trilateral AUKUS announcement, he sent a letter to Macron informing him they were terminating the submarine contract, but feared the French president still had time to undermine the new deal.

"I would say it was the most sleepless night I had in my entire prime ministership," said Morrison, citing the "unpredictability" of the close relationship between Washington and Paris.

"I don't regret it for a minute," he said of his decision to break the contract and deceive Paris.

At the time, Paris slammed the revelation as a "stab in the back", and withdrew its ambassador from Australia in protest.

Relations remained on ice until the election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has tried to patch up relations and in June 2022 announced the country would pay compensation of $584 million for the termination of the contract.

On Monday, Australia announced it would buy up to five US nuclear-powered submarines, then build a new model with US and British technology, prompting Beijing to warn the AUKUS alliance was treading a "path of error and danger".

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Peter Wehner accused evangelicals of hypocrisy for their continued support for Donald Trump.

You have in Donald Trump the person who probably most embodies the antithesis of the Sermon on the Mount, the person of Jesus, and the teachings of Jesus, Wehner, a prominent conservative Christian, said on MSNBC on Tuesday. And this guys a rock star and has been for year after year.

Wehner, who served in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and as a senior aide to George W. Bush, said evangelicals could have argued in 2016 that they didnt know who Trump really was.

But not anymore.

And by the time we got to 2020 it was so obvious what he was, Wehner said. And yet they stayed and its a tremendous indictment of them and of the evangelical movement overall.

See more of his conversation on Morning Joe below:
A former CNN producer thought he could get away with forcing a 9-year-old girl into sex acts at his $2 million ski house in Vermont, according to court documents.

Now John Griffin is going to prison after federal prosecutors said he lured the child and her adoptive mother to his house on the side of a ski hill in Ludlow during the summer of 2020.

A judge sentenced Griffin, 45, who used to live in Norwalk, Connecticut, to serve more than 19 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Vermont announced in a June 21 news release. His sentence will be followed by 15 years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III, who described Griffins actions as outrageous in court, also ordered him to pay $1.1 million to the child, the release said.

McClatchy News contacted his defense attorney David V. Kirby, the former U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont, for comment on June 21 and didnt receive an immediate response.

CNN fired Griffin after his arrest and indictment by a grand jury in December 2021, according to the Associated Press. He worked for the network for about eight years, according to CNN.

McClatchy News contacted CNN for comment on June 21 and was awaiting a response.

Griffins sentencing comes after he pleaded guilty to using a facility of interstate commerce to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, officials said.

Mr. Griffin preyed on a vulnerable woman and her child, using his wealth to lure them to his home to manipulate and sexually exploit them, Janeen DiGuiseppi, FBI special agent in charge of the Albany Field Office, said in a statement.

At his sentencing hearing held on June 20 via video, the child spoke in court and Sessions commended her for her strength, according to VTDigger, an investigative online newspaper based in Vermont.

Ill never trust anyone again, the girl told Sessions, before telling Griffin you make me sad and angry, the newspaper reported.

At trial, Griffin told Sessions that he was deeply remorseful, according to VTDigger.

More on the case

Griffin has been accused of messaging parents with underage daughters online to persuade them into letting him train their children in sexual submission since 2019, prosecutors said.

Griffin met the childs adoptive mother on an adult website and began communicating with the pair in video calls for training before having them travel to his Vermont home, according to a sentencing memo submitted by the government and provided to McClatchy News.

He told the mother a woman is a woman regardless of age during text message exchanges in which he expressed views of sexual misogyny, the sentencing memo says.

In the summer of 2020, Griffin paid for the girl and her mother to fly to Logan International Airport in Boston where he drove to pick them up in his Tesla, prosecutors said.

Then, he drove them to Vermont, according to officials.

There, Griffin sexually abused the child and forced her into sex acts, prosecutors said.

The depravity of this crime, and Griffins sustained and persistent efforts to commit it, are difficult to overstate, prosecutors wrote in the sentencing memo.

They accuse Griffin of trying to minimize his actions because he argued hes not solely responsible for the childs issues as she was victimized before, the sentencing memo says.

Ahead of his sentencing, prosecutors said Griffin may put blame on the COVID-19 pandemic for disrupting his life at the time, including causing his isolation at his Vermont home and cocaine abuse.

However, they argued that he was already preaching his child-centric sexual misogyny message before the pandemic and had a history of using cocaine for years, the sentencing memo says.

Griffin has had every advantage in his life, the sentencing memo continued. He went to elite schools, had steady employment, and enjoyed extraordinary wealth, among other things. Despite those advantages, Griffin is before the Court for sentencing because of his deviant sexual interest in and abuse of children.

At CNN, Griffn was involved as a producer on the Chris Cuomo show, according to VTDigger.

In sentencing Griffin, Sessions said he deserved a severe penalty, the release said.

Missing 14-year-old girl was lured to mans Georgia home via dating app, reports say

High school teacher posed as teen on Snapchat to get nude photos of girls, feds say

Man lures child to his car and kidnaps her  until she finds way to flee, official says
A new study outlines how white peoples migration during and after the Civil War, from the Confederate South to the West, bolstered white supremacy and institutional racism in non-slave states, helping create the vast racial disparities that exist today nationwide.

Five researchers from separate colleges collaborated on the study, called Confederate Diaspora, to compile and study census data that tracked the migration to the West of white Americans, including 60,000 former plantation owners. The former Southerners took on local positions of authority, like police officers, clergy and politicians, giving them influence to create a post-Civil War culture that continued to oppress Black people even after slavery had ended.

This results in structural and systemic racism in almost every walk of life today  education, housing, jobs, health care and wealth, among other areas  that continues to hamper progress for Black people, according to a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research this month.

The former Confederates continued to transmit norms to their children and non-Southern neighbors, the researchers wrote, shaping racial inequities in labor, housing, and policing.

Researcher Patrick Testa, an assistant professor of economics at Tulane University in New Orleans, said the impact of the Confederates on other parts of the country was deep and long-lasting.

In the three decades following the Civil War, white Southerners were more likely than other white people to take on work in governance, he said, and former slaveholders were even more likely to assume those positions, he said.

What we show ultimately is that these migrants, Testa said, through these governance channels and channels of public-facing authority, helped lay the groundwork for these types of symbols and racial norms and a broad-base Confederate nostalgia to really take off at a national level by the early 20th century.

One of those norms was the institution of the Ku Klux Klan and the racial terror it inflicted in many parts of the country. In the report, the researchers identify overrepresentation of first-and second-generation migrants in the KKK, adding that the second generation of the KKK established in 1915 helped to rejuvenate and mainstream Confederate culture.

Those born in the South were 11% more likely to belong to the KKK in the Denver metropolitan area, for example, a major hub of Klan activity in the 1920s beyond the South, the report said.

The harmful legacies of slavery persist beyond those that experience being slaves, but across generations and across places, Testa said.

Along with census data, the group of researchers analyzed KKK membership records of second-generation Confederate migrants who were born outside of the South but maintained slavery-era norms. This suggests, Testa said, the passing down of racial animus from generation to generation may have been an important vehicle for sustaining diaspora influence long after the initial Confederate migrants had passed.

As the California Reparations Task Force is set to hand over its recommendations to the states Legislature next week, this new study crystalizes how states that did not legally allow slavery, like California, still contributed mightily to oppressing Black people.

Some detractors of reparations have argued that California was not a slave state and therefore, it should not offer reparations. But in the later part of the 19th century it became the home of numerous former Southerners and it was populated by so many Confederate-aligned citizens that it supported John C. Breckinridge in the 1860 presidential election. Breckinridge advocated for the expansion of slavery and supported the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law, which required the return of an enslaved person to a plantation even if he was found in a free state.

Its important to look beyond the South, even to places like California, Testa said, and look for ways such as reparations  to heal these divisions, to heal the socio-economic gaps.

Because many parts of California favored Breckinridge, it became a popular destination for Southerners at the time. Outside of the South, California is maybe the most intense in terms of a cultural index that indicates how it accepted racism, Testa said.

Studying the spread of former Confederates was important, Testa said, because it provides clear data on how the ills of slavery and the Confederate ideology spread across America.

For the purposes of understanding the multifarious roots of racial division in American society, which continues to be persistent long after, its important, Testa said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Fact Check: Unpacking the US 'Cuban spy base' allegation

People's Daily Online) 16:55, June 20, 2023

U.S. media outlets intensified their accusations against China on June 8, 2023, alleging that a Chinese spy facility, capable of monitoring communications in the southeastern U.S., was being established in collaboration with Cuba. However, these claims require close scrutiny, as they could simply be unfounded allegations designed to tarnish China's reputation. Here's an analysis of the facts by People's Daily Online.

It is important to note that both the U.S. and Cuban authorities have vehemently denied the existence of any agreement related to a spy base. Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, unambiguously labeled reports of such an agreement as "inaccurate" during a recent Pentagon press briefing. Similarly, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, questioned the authenticity of these reports. Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio categorically dismissed the allegations as "totally untrue," characterizing them as "slanders."

In an interesting turn of events, merely two days after the U.S. government denied the allegations surrounding the Cuban spy base, the U.S. media spun a new narrative. They asserted that the Biden administration had confirmed the existence of a Chinese spy base in Cuba since at least 2019.

However, the reliability of this conflicting allegation is suspect, as the U.S. media has not provided any concrete evidence to substantiate its claim. The sole testimony comes from an anonymous official within the Biden administration, which further calls into question the credibility and veracity of the assertion.

It's become commonplace for U.S. politicians and media outlets to resort to slander and smear campaigns to vilify other countries for their own strategic gain. The U.S. has a notorious reputation for its tendency to chase shadows and interfere in the affairs of other countries. Cuba has accused the White House of using these statements to legitimize its sanctions on the island nation.

The U.S., long recognized as a global leader in hacking and surveillance, has illegally occupied Cuba's Guantanamo Bay for secretive activities and imposed a blockade on the country for over 60 years.

The experiences of other countries affirm this behavior. Danish media reported that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), while partnering with Denmark's foreign intelligence unit, spied on the leaders of Germany, Sweden, Norway and France, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Since the 1970s, the CIA has covertly rigged Crypto AG, a Swiss manufacturer of encryption machines, to eavesdrop on countries worldwide. The compromised encryption devices, sold to over 120 countries, were used by the CIA to intercept confidential communications. According to a report released by the Beijing-based Qi An Pangu lab, the NSA-associated hacking group, Equation, has developed a high-end backdoor and conducted a decade-long cyberattack operation named "Telescreen" against 45 countries and regions, including China, Russia, the U.K., Germany and the Netherlands. The operation targets communications, research institutions, and the economic and military sectors.

The conflicting statements from the U.S. government, coupled with its history of maligning other countries, cast doubt on the credibility and motives behind these accusations. Despite Washington's smear campaigns, it cannot conceal its ill-intent and deplorable track record of indiscriminate global spying.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Wu Chengliang)
Ex-FBI analyst who kept classified info in bathroom like Trump going to prison in KC case

A former FBI intelligence analyst from Dodge City, Kansas, who kept hundreds of classified documents at her home, including in her bathroom, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison by a federal judge in Kansas City on Wednesday for violating the same part of the Espionage Act that former President Donald Trump is accused of breaking.

The sentencing for willful retention of national defense information was the first since a federal grand jury indicted Trump earlier this month, accusing him of hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, keeping boxes of documents not only in a storage room but in a ballroom and bathroom as well.

The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough, offered the first courtroom clue since Trumps indictment about what the former president can expect if he is found guilty.

I cannot fathom why you would jeopardize our nation by leaving these types of documents in your bathtub, Bough said.

Bough, an Obama appointee, ordered the former analyst, Kendra Kingsbury, to spend three years and 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He ordered her to surrender to federal authorities to begin her prison sentence on July 21.

Kingsbury, who had no plea agreement with prosecutors, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating 18 U.S.C.  793(e) last October. Trump has been indicted on 31 counts, in addition to counts of obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

A FBI special agent who helped investigate Kingsbury testified Wednesday that she had kept classified information, in both electronic and paper form throughout her home, including in a home office and bathroom. Her defense attorney, assistant public defender Marc Ermine, emphasized that some of the documents were electronic and that her home wasnt full of bankers boxes strewn about.

Kingsbury, who worked for the FBIs Kansas City Division, unlawfully retained about 386 classified documents in total over the course of more than a dozen years at the agency. While prosecutors didnt allege a motive, a sentencing memo filed this month says Kingsburys phone made and received calls with phone numbers associated with the subjects of counterterrorism investigations.

Kingsbury, who has been on pretrial release while the case has progressed, delivered an emotional statement before Bough announced the sentence that attacked the FBI and portrayed herself as the victim of a toxic work environment. During the hearing, her defense attorney emphasized that Kingsbury had self-disclosed the classified documents in her home and asked for probation.

I am guilty of being too honest without a safety net, Kingsbury said. She also said that she was working in a system that was never going to allow me to succeed.

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.

On Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Edwards and FBI Special Agent Joel Feekes cast Kingsburys phone calls with the subjects of counterterrorism investigations in a suspicious light, though Feekes acknowledged during his testimony that the FBI has never been able to establish why Kingsbury made the calls.

There is no explanation that can justify her actions, Edwards said.

Feekes said Kingsbury decided to voluntarily admit she had stored classified documents at her home after coming to believe she was under FBI surveillance. Feekes testified Kingsbury wasnt under FBI surveillance at the time, however.

Trumps case was never directly mentioned during the sentencing, though Edwards elicited the detail about Kingsbury storing documents in her bathroom from Feekes on the stand. Ermine cautioned Bough against sentencing her based on any other cases.

I imagine every case along these lines is going to be extremely specific, Ermine said.

Ermine had previously alluded to the Trump case in his sentencing memo, writing that Kingsburys case had garnered mention alongside prominent political figures whose conduct appears uncannily analogous to Ms. Kingsburys.

While Trump and his supporters have cast the case against him as a political witch hunt, Kingsburys case and others underscore how aggressively federal prosecutors take security issues related to classification and information security.

Former Air Force intelligence officer Robert L. Birchum earlier this month 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.

And 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.
Former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith has just over a month to accept or reject a plea offer made by state prosecutors this week in an embezzlement case that alleges he misused drug and forfeiture funds in his former office.

Smith, 56, is accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars for personal and unauthorized business expenses over many years in office. He pleaded guilty to an unrelated federal charge and served seven months in prison for that.

The plea offer was read into the court record Wednesday by Michigan Assistant Attorney General Michael Frezza during an online pretrial hearing before Oakland County Circuit Judge Nancy Grant, who is hearing the case after Macomb County circuit judges recused themselves. Frezza said a written plea offer was sent to Smith's attorney Tuesday.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith

Details of the plea agreement offered to Eric Smith

Under the plea offer, Frezza said, Smith would plead guilty to one count of official misconduct in office, a five-year felony; tampering with evidence, a four-year felony; and conspiracy to commit forgery of a false receipt, a 14-year felony.

"Additionally, your honor, Eric Smith acknowledges as true or would under the plea acknowledge as true, and make a factual basis of his guilt as to count two that he acted with corrupt intent of the act in the exercise of his office while the elected Macomb County prosecutor, including by misusing public funds, that his acts were wrongful and malfeasance," Frezza said.

Frezza said the first recorded corrupt act in the state case took place March 24, 2014, "six years prior to the filing of the complaint before this honorable court, and Smith so acted similarly on other dates."

More: Ex-Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith released from federal prison

More: Ex-Macomb prosecutor Eric Smith at sentencing says he made very poor decisions, choices

Frezza said under the plea offer, the court would enter a restitution order at sentencing for $25,000 in favor of the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office drug and OWI forfeiture accounts.

The parties also would agree that Smith would be sentenced to incarceration in county jail for 12 months, Frezza said.

Smith has until July 26 to accept or reject the offer

He said if the plea offer was accepted by the court, the parties would dismiss seven other charges filed against Smith in the state probe.

Frezza said if convicted as charged, the prosecution's preliminary sentencing guidelines are 51 to 85 months, well over the 21-month sentence in the unrelated federal court case that would be concurrent with the state sentence from the plea offer.

Smith's attorney John Dakmak requested about 30 days to review the plea offer.

"There's ... a bit to unpack here," Dakmak said.

John Dakmak, the attorney for former Macomb County prosecutor Eric Smith, talks to visiting judge Cynthia Arvant inside 41B District Court in Clinton Township on July 9, 2021.

Grant said Smith must accept or reject the plea offer on or before July 26.

If the case goes to trial, Grant said all motions must be heard by Sept. 27. She would like to begin trial Oct. 23. A trial is estimated to take about three weeks, and the jury would be selected from Macomb County citizens.

Grant said the case is from March 2022, and she has worked hard on her docket so she doesn't have cases this old.

"I've got the time now to try this. And I don't want this to go much longer, especially as we're talking about dealing with another county," she said.

Smith, a Democrat, resigned from his position as the longtime prosecutor on March 30, 2020, less than a week after he was charged in the state embezzlement probe. He has been disbarred, according to a prior notice on the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.

Three others, including two former assistant prosecutors, are awaiting sentencing for their roles in the state embezzlement probe involving Smith.

More: Former Macomb chief assistant prosecutor pleads guilty to misdemeanors

More: Former Macomb treasurer Derek Miller pleads guilty in embezzlement case

Smith was released from federal prison in February after being sentenced for stealing money from his campaign fund in the unrelated federal case.

He pleaded guilty in federal court in January 2021 after being accused of stealing just under $75,000 from his campaign fund from 2012 to 2019. He was sentenced Feb. 16, 2022, to 21 months in federal prison. He reported to federal prison in June of last year and was released early after serving nearly 7 months.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Macomb prosecutor Eric Smith has plea offer in embezzlement case
[Source]

A former New York Police Department sergeant and two other individuals who were accused of harassing Chinese dissidents in the U.S. have been found guilty of committing interstate stalking.

Key details: Michael McMahon, 55, is facing up to 20 years in prison, while New York residents Zhu Yong, 66, and Zheng Congying, 27, will receive up to 25 years and 10 years, respectively, following the first federal trial for Operation Fox Hunt, an alleged Beijing-backed operation that repatriates Chinese dissidents living overseas through intimidation.

The trio are expected to receive their sentences at a later date.

About their charges: McMahon, who became a private investigator after leaving the NYPD, was convicted on Tuesday of illegally acting as an agent of a foreign government, stalking and conspiracy to engage in interstate stalking. Zheng was convicted of interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking, while Zhu was convicted of all the charges.

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The context: Prosecutors alleged last month that Zhu hired McMahon as a private investigator in 2016 for a surveillance job that involved Xu Jin, a former Chinese official accused of bribery and embezzlement who now lives in New Jersey.

McMahon was allegedly paid $5,000 in cash and $14,000 in checks and wire transfers, most of which were deposited into the personal accounts of the private investigator, his wife and their son.

According to prosecutors, McMahon, Zheng and Zhu harassed and stalked Xu and his family for around three years. Zheng was accused of posting an intimidating letter on Xus front door in 2018, which read: If you are willing to go back to the mainland and spend 10 years in prison, your wife and children will be all right.

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What happened in court: The trio reportedly did not dispute the evidence used against them, such as Zhengs fingerprints on the threatening note and surveillance footage showing McMahon, Zhu and a Chinese official's meeting at a Panera Bread branch in Paramus, New Jersey.

McMahons defense attorney reportedly argued that the former NYPD sergeant thought he was working for a Chinese company. Prosecutors countered this by stating that the man knew who Xu was after searching him up and learning that he was an Interpol fugitive wanted by Beijing.

Whats happening next: The three defendants' lawyers are reportedly planning to appeal the conviction, saying that the jurys verdict was inconsistent with the evidence at the trial.

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A retired New York Police Department sergeant is one of three defendants convicted of acting and conspiring to act in the United States as illegal agents of the People's Republic of China, officials said Tuesday.

Defendants Michael McMahon, Zhu Yong and Zheng Congying were found guilty by a federal jury in Brooklyn on June 20. All three men faced multiple counts in a superseding indictment that alleged they were working for the People's Republic of China to harass, stalk and coerce certain United States residents to return to China as part of a "global and extralegal repatriation effort known as 'Operation Fox Hunt,'" according to a news release by the Eastern District of New York. McMahon and Yong were knowingly working with officials from the People's Republic of China, officials said.

McMahon, 55, the former sergeant, was convicted of acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China, conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and interstate stalking. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Yong, also known as "Jason Zhu," 66, was convicted of conspiracy to act as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China, acting as an illegal agent of the country, conspiracy to commit interstate stalking, and interstate stalking. He faces up to 25 years in prison.

Zheng, 27, who left a threatening note at the residence of someone targeted by the stalking campaign, was convicted of conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and interstate stalking. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

The trio will be sentenced at a future date.

Three other defendants have previously pled guilty for their roles in the harassment and intimidation campaign.

The trial found that the defendants worked between 2016 and 2019 to threaten, harass, surveil and intimidate a man and woman, known only as John Doe #1 and Jane Doe #1, with the goal of convincing the couple and their family to return to the People's Republic of China. Yong hired McMahon, who was retired from the NYPD and was working as a private investigator.

McMahon obtained detailed information about John Doe #1 and his family and shared it with Zhu and a People's Republic of China police officer. He also conducted surveillance outside the New Jersey home of John Doe #1's sister-in-law and provided further information about what he observed there. The operation was supervised and directed by several People's Republic of China officials.

Two of those officials, identified as police officer Hu Ji with the Wuhan Public Security Bureau and Tu Lan, a prosecutor within the Wuhan region, later transported John Doe #1's 82-year-old father from the People's Republic of China to the sister-in-law's home to convince John Doe #1 to return to the country. While in the man was in the United States, his daughter was threatened with imprisonment in the People's Republic of China, the trial found.

McMahon followed John Doe #1 from the meeting with his father at the New Jersey home back to his own house. This gave him John Doe #1's address, which had not been previously known. He gave that information to operatives from the People's Republic of China.

Zheng visited the New Jersey residence of John and Jane Doe #1 and attempted to force the door of the residence open before leaving a note that read "If you are willing to go back to the mainland and spend 10 years in prison, your wife and children will be all right. That's the end of this matter!"

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Missing Titanic sub didn't need to be certified to be in international waters

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Excitement over 'banging' noise detected in the missing sub search is just 'grasping at straws,' expert says

OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible. OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File)

"Banging" noises heard in the search for the missing submersible raised hopes of a rescue.

But it's very unlikely the noise would be coming from the sub, a former Royal Navy officer said.

Trying to pinpoint the noise to the sub is a "fool's errand," Rear Admiral Chris Parry told Talk TV.

"Underwater noises" detected in effort to find the submersible lost near the wreck of the Titanic raised hopes that the crew might still be alive.

But one expert said tracing the noises back to the sub is a "fool's errand."

"Trying to differentiate it from tapping noises as it were, I'm afraid is a fool's errand," Former Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a retired officer in Britain's Royal Navy, told Talk TV.

"I'm afraid people are grasping at straws here and I'm really concerned that we don't divert attention away from trying to find the submersible where it really is," Parry said in his interview.

A rescue operation is underway to recover the Titan, a submersible carrying five people that lost communication with its mother ship on Sunday as it set off for the wreckage of the Titanic 12,500 feet underwater.

The vessel carried enough oxygen to last until Thursday, officials coordinating the rescue efforts said.

The US Coast Guard tweeted that it had picked up "underwater noises" in the Titan's search area.

This came after Rolling Stone reported on Tuesday that searchers on a Canadian aircraft detected "banging" in 30-minute intervals coming from the area where the submersible went missing, according to a leaked Department of Homeland Security email.

A 'dull thud' rather than a bang

Parry said the sounds likely would not have come from the sub.

"You get a lot of mechanical noise in the ocean," he said.

"Titanic herself is making a lot of noise under the water because she's made of metal," he said.

The hull of the submersible is said to be made of carbon fiber, which Parry said would more likely make an undetectable "dull thud" than a tapping noise.

Stefan B. Williams, a professor of marine robotics at the University of Sydney whose lab works with uncrewed submersibles, told Insider it was possible the noise could have come from the crew, but that it would be difficult to confirm that without further analysis.

"There have been reports when there have been issues with submarines where the sailors will bang on the hull and that acoustic noise will travel," he said.

"Still, you can't rule out that that's coming from a ship or some other source," said Williams.

Oceanographer David Gallo, senior adviser for strategic initiatives for RMS Titanic Inc. told "CNN This Morning," the situation reminded him of the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that disappeared from radar in 2014.

"When I first heard about the banging, I said: 'Oh no, here we go again.' In [the search for] Malaysia Airlines we heard banging quite often, and it always turned out to be something different," he said.

Friends say passengers would know to make noise in that situation

Gallo said however that banging on the hull to get attention is "something PH Nargeolet would certainly do." Paul-Henri Nargeolet is one of those on the sub, a Titanic expert who has worked with RMS Titanic Inc.

Chris Brown, a friend of another passenger, billionaire Hamish Harding, also told the BBC this also sounds like something Harding would do.

The noises have "got them written all over it" and "just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with," he told the BBC.

Read the original article on Insider
Far-right Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has told The Independent that a vote to impeach President Joe Biden is her price after she steadfastly supported House Speaker Kevin McCarthy throughout the current Congress.

Ms Greenes words come after her rival in the House GOP conference, Lauren Boebert, said she would file a privileged motion to impeach Mr Biden. Ms Greene said she would vote for the motion despite their disagreements.

I dont play petty personal games, she said. Ms Boebert and Ms Greene were on opposite ends of both the fight to make Mr McCarthy the speaker and to raise the debt limit, with Ms Boebert opposing both and Ms Greene supporting both.

I made it clear in the conference to everyone in the conference, and I don't have a problem addressing the conference, she said, saying Ms Boebert did not address it.

Ms Greene has separately introduced resolutions to not just impeach Mr Biden but also Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves. CNN reported that Mr McCarthy has discouraged pushing impeachment at the moment.

But Ms Greene said that voters are on her side about Mr Biden being a criminal and chided her fellow Republicans for wanting to sidestep the allegation.

Everyone knows that except our conference and I made it clear to everyone in our conference, that impeachment is what we should be doing here, she said. Ms Greene said her second priority is passing her legislation called the Protect Childrens Innocence Act, which would criminalise providing gender-affirming care for minors and prohibit taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care.

Marjorie Taylor Greene says there is a price for her support of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Getty Images)

Ms Greene said she has consistently been a good footsoldier, paying her dues with the National Republican Congressional Committee and $100,000 extra on top of that, as well as voting for various pieces of legislation that were a priority for Mr McCarthy and House leadership.

Most of them haven't even done their dues, she said. I got the votes for McCarthy to become speaker. I voted on the debt ceiling bill even though I called it a s*** sandwich because I found things I liked in it.

Ms Greene has become a close ally of the speaker whereas other conservatives have frequently criticised him, and she said her support for the debt limit bill gave the GOP enough votes to pass it in the House.

I gave cover to a whole bunch of Republicans, she said. But I can't get my protect children's innocence bill passed? I can't get that to happen? Protecting kids? And then I can't have them even start the process on [House Judiciary Committee] for impeachment.

Ms Greene said there might be consequences if her priorities did not come up.

Like I'm sorry, I'm done, she said. This place needs to do something and I made it clear this morning and I'm not backing off of it.

Conversely, progressive Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the number two Democrat on the House Oversight & Accountability, scoffed at the plans to impeach Mr Biden.

They're doing this because they can't even agree amongst themselves that what to put on the floor, she told The Independent. So they're wasting not just our time with the rest of the country.

The House Oversight Committees chairman, Republican congressman James Comer, is currently leading the probe into Mr Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Jared Moskowitz, a Democratic freshman who also sits on the committee, said that Republicans should follow through on the plan since it would come at a price.

But you know what, let them put their money where their mouth is, let them go ahead, he said. They think it's a good idea. Go ahead, start impeachment proceedings. You know why they're not gonna do it. Because they know the American people aren't gonna stand for it.

But Ms Ocasio-Cortez said she did not welcome the development.

I don't welcome it because I think we should actually be working for real issues that matter," she said.
Exclusive-Taiwan on alert for Chinese-funded election interference Students salute Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen during a graduation ceremony at the National Defense University in Taipei

By Yimou Lee

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's government says China will try to interfere in key elections in January by illicitly funding Beijing-friendly candidates using communications apps or group tours, according to three internal security reports reviewed by Reuters.

President Tsai Ing-wen's government has repeatedly warned of China's attempts to influence public opinion on the democratically governed island, which Beijing claims as its own territory despite Taipei's strong objections.

Although senior Taiwan officials, including the head of the National Security Council, Wellington Koo, have this year warned that China could try to sway the presidential and legislative elections with influence campaigns including misinformation, details of how Taiwan thinks China may use illicit funding have not previously been reported.

"They hope to influence Taiwanese people by reaching out to the grassroots," said one Taiwan security official with direct knowledge of the matter. "They hope to influence swing voters who don't have particular political affiliation and would vote for whoever gives them benefits."

High on the government's watch list for likely recipients in Taiwan are small political parties that support Beijing's sovereignty claims over the island, local councillors, and temples that engage in exchange activities with China, according one of the classified reports reviewed by Reuters.

Beijing could also offer free trips to China to hundreds of Taiwanese involved in election campaigns ahead of the vote to "influence voting decisions", another of the internal reports said, pointing to local politicians such as borough chiefs and village heads.

The government formed a cross-ministry security task force dubbed "Ping Shun", or safe and sound, this year to look into possible voting interference at home or abroad, according to that person and another security official with direct knowledge of the matter. Both declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

It is illegal under Taiwanese law for an election campaign to receive money from "external hostile forces," including China.

According to another of the internal reports, which Reuters has reviewed and is based upon Taiwanese intelligence, China could send money in via popular Chinese social networking and chat app WeChat, which allows direct transfers among users, and is available in Taiwan.

The Chinese government could "instruct candidates to set up public WeChat accounts and then mobilise users to give monetary support via 'viewer donations'," the report said. WeChat allows individuals to transfer up to 50,000 yuan ($6,971) to others in a single transaction and a maximum of 200,000 yuan a day.

The report, citing an analysis of intelligence, also said China could work with travel agencies and ask members of group tours to carry cash into Taiwan. The report said the underground banking systems in Taiwan, which are widely known but difficult to regulate, could provide foreign exchange support.

"The Chinese Communist Party could financially support specific domestic groups or people and give them political donations or funding needed for elections," a third classified report from the agency said.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment. China has refused to talk to Tsai or her Democratic Progressive Party, calling them separatists. She cannot run for president again because of term limits.

"China has used various means to actively intervene in elections to interfere in or influence election results," Taiwan's China policy-making Mainland Affairs Council told Reuters, adding the moves were meant to push for China's political agenda that included "promoting unification" with Taiwan.

Some Taiwanese have been prosecuted in recent years over receiving illicit support from China in election campaigns. A government unit in southern China sponsored COVID-19 self-testing kits for the election campaign of a borough chief candidate in New Taipei City last year, who was this month found guilty of violating bribery and anti-infiltration laws.

The reports say other possible funding channels include payment cards that use the China UnionPay network, which allows Taiwanese to legally withdraw money from bank accounts in China, as well as via direct transfers to Taiwan-based charitable funds.

($1 = 7.1717 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting By Yimou Lee. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Germany hopes its 30bn Intel project will be able to match the great global chip hubs - CREDIT: STR/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Galactic sums of taxpayer money are to be sacrificed on the altar of European economic sovereignty. The shock of the pandemic and Putins war have caused the EU to swing wildly from naive globalism to the indiscriminate pursuit of industrial self-reliance.

The EU wants its own supply of semiconductor chips, its own lithium gigafactories, and its own indigenous clean hydrogen, whatever the cost, and even when it patently violates the principle of Ricardian competitive advantage.

Intel has secured 10bn of subsidies from the German authorities to build two semiconductor fabs in Saxony-Anhalt able to manufacture advanced chips down to the frontier of two nanometers (2nm) - largely duplicating a plant that already exists on EU territory in Ireland.

This may be glamorous, but Germany does not need such cutting-edge chips to build cars or to supply its manufacturing base. It needs routine chips that are cheap and globally abundant, albeit subject to boom-bust cycles and occasional scarcity much like commodities.

The Intel subsidy amounts to over 3.3m for each of the 3,000 permanent jobs expected at the site. It is the biggest foreign investment project in German history and perhaps the most foolhardy. Negotiations are running in parallel with Taiwans TSMC for another site near Dresden, undoubtedly involving public funds of equal scale.

German economists from across the spectrum are united in a blizzard of criticism. It is sheer madness. They will struggle to generate any value added, said Justus Haucap, a competition expert from Dusseldorf University.

Why are we handing out presents to profitable companies? asked Reint Gropp, head of the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).

The plant may prove to be the last hurrah of the silicon chip era. It relies on the extreme miniaturisation of silicon wafers, a technology already nearing its limits that may soon be leap-frogged by the next generation of compound semiconductors. It is akin to the strategy of Germanys car industry in relying for too long on refinements to the combustion engine when it was about to be blind-sided by electrification.

The UK company Paragraf, a Cambridge University spin-off, is already producing 2D graphene chips for sensors that are one-atom thick, a thousand times faster than silicon wafers, and use 10,000 times less energy. It is a technology so sensitive that staff require special protection in electronic intelligence to prevent Chinese cyber-theft.

The British government is spending far less in headline sums on its 1bn semiconductor strategy but the money is surgical, targeting ultra hi-tech clusters in areas where the UK is already a world leader.

It is a bet on the future of advanced compound chips, but also on the crucial niche of design. Some 95pc of the processors in the worlds smartphones are designed by ARM in Cambridge.

The UK strategy is nothing like the EUs 43bn chips act, which aims to raise Europes share of global chip output from 8pc to 20pc by the end of the decade (they love targets in Brussels), and which actually requires 500bn in total investment to be plausible.

It is the semiconductor equivalent of the EUs Common Agricultural Policy, and will probably result in the same pathological misallocation of resources.

Olaf Scholzs coalition in Berlin hopes that Intels 30bn project - with a smaller sister site nearby in Poland - will lead to a Silicon Saxony able to match the great global chip hubs, with an economic ecosystem of supporting universities and tech contractors.

Prof Gropp said it is really just a big factory: It wont be the centre of decision-making and there wont be any important research activity.

TSMCs founder Morris Chang describes Americas push for chip sovereignty as a very expensive exercise in futility.

One wonders what he thinks of Europes bid to catch up from further behind and without cheap energy or a reservoir of specialised workers. Labour costs in Taiwans chip industry are 40pc lower and the country has a nexus of technical colleges feeding into the fabs.

Critics say the EU has drawn entirely the wrong conclusion from the supply-chain rupture during the pandemic, when carmakers cancelled their chip orders, only to discover later that makers of laptops and home electronics had snapped up all the available supply to meet lockdown demand.

There was no disruption in global chip supply apart from a brief problem in Malaysia.

It is true that half the worlds advanced chips of 10nm or below come from Taiwan, which could be stormed by the Chinese navy at any time, and these chips are becoming necessary for AI accelerators, supercomputing, G5 mobile, or smart weapons systems.

This supply chain is clearly unsafe but the problem is being rectified rapidly. The question is how much money the EU wants to spend replicating plants in the US, Korea, Japan, or indeed Ireland, and thus contributing to the next global chip glut.

The EU is adopting the same blunderbuss strategy in pursuit of battery sovereignty. Is it really worth trying to claw back market share for lithium-ion EV batteries with lavish subsidies for gigafactories when Chinese companies such as CATL are already well ahead and are switching to zero-carbon plants faster than Europe can talk about it?

The wiser course would be to focus all efforts on the next generation of solid state and other advanced batteries with five times the energy density and range. It is these that will conquer the world market in the 2030s.

It is the same folly with the EUs 500bn hydrogen strategy. It makes no sense to ship green ammonia to Europe from halfway around the world in oceanic tankers, losing 80pc of the energy in the process.

Green hydrogen should be produced at scale in spots with the worlds cheapest renewable energy, such as Namibia, Morocco, and the Gulf, or Chiles Atacama Desert and Australias Pilbara, and it should be turned into fertilisers or green steel on site before being shipped.

Europe cannot compete in green hydrogen production at a global level and should not try to do so. What it can plausibly do (by the 2030s) is to harness free surplus power from its wind and solar parks at peak times to produce hydrogen for local needs, either for energy storage to balance the grid, or to displace dirty hydrogen in nearby chemical plants. That makes sense.

Industrial strategy has its value. It is imperative at times. But there is a mad frenetic element to Europes quest for fortress autonomy across the board. It smacks of over-reaction. EU superstate enthusiasts are exploiting the emotion of the moment to push an ideological agenda.

The UK is well-advised to avoid this numbers game. The best industrial strategy is good education in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, maths), nurtured by well-funded research bodies, under the rule of tort law, and all sitting on a bed of low effective taxation for business and investment. Let the market do the rest.

This article is an extract from The Telegraphs Economic Intelligence newsletter. Sign up here to get exclusive insight from two of the UKs leading economic commentators  Ambrose Evans-Pritchard and Jeremy Warner  delivered direct to your inbox every Tuesday.

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This explorer dived to the oceans deepest seabed. He says the missing Titanic sub disaster was avoidable

Victor Vescovo, left, and Kelly Walsh after returning from their dive to Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench (Mike Moore / EYOS)

A US deep sea explorer who is among the handful of adventurers to travel to the deepest point on Earth says he would not have set foot in the missing submersible vessel that vanished on its way to the site of the Titanic shipwreck.

Kelly Walsh, 55, told The Independent the disappearance of the Titan less than two hours into a 4,000m dive in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday was truly sad and avoidable.

In 2020, Mr Walsh descended nearly 11,000m beneath the ocean surface to Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, 60 years after his father Don Walsh and French explorer Jacques Piccard became the first humans to reach the famous site.

He told The Independent he had watched the desperate rescue mission in horror and sadness, and personally knows two crew members onboard.

In the days since the OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel lost contact with its support vessel, it has emerged that two former employees raised red flags about the construction of the 22-foot carbon fibre and titanium vessel.

CBS journalist David Pogue, who journeyed onboard the sub to the Titanic for a story in 2022, wrote that it seemed improvised, with off-the-shelf parts.

Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions who is among the five missing crew members, insisted at the time the Titan was safe and that it was built with Boeing and NASA and the University of Washington.

NASA has since said it only consulted on materials and manufacturing, but did not conduct testing on the submersible.

Mr Walsh said there had been so much speculation and talking-head opinion, some good, some bad about the Titans disappearance.

I am not in a position to give expert advice or opinion on the veracity of certain claims or rescue (and) recovery efforts, but I can say that the Titan sub was not something I would have dived in, he told The Independent.

And I would have taken the advice of the experts that the technology wasnt ready, and that safety concerns were not being addressed.

I hope they find them... but hopes are diminishing.

Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard making their way to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in 1960 (NOAA Ship Collection)

In 2020, Mr Walsh was invited to join financier and adventurer Victor Vescovo on a dive to Challenger Deep in the western Pacific Ocean.

He described Mr Vescovo as a visionary who had overseen the construction of the Triton Submarine in Florida for the specific purpose of travelling to the deepest points in all five oceans.

After his father made the worlds first trip to Challenger Deep aboard the Trieste in January 1960, no-one returned to the site until 2012, whenTitanic filmmaker James Cameron made the first solo voyage in the Deepsea Challenger submersible.

Kelly Walsh after completing an 11,000m dive to Challenger Deep, the deepest location on Earth, in 2020 (Mike Moore / EYOS Experience)

Mr Walsh became the 12th person to make a successful dive to Challenger Deep in June 2020.

The 12-hour dive involved a four hour descent, four hours at the bottom and another four back to the surface in the 5-foot diameter titanium sphere.

The Triton had been built to exacting safety standards with alternative air sources, life support systems, and communications with the support ship which closely monitored its location.

If we did get stuck on something, the design of the sub was such that we could jettison any external equipment to break free and float to the surface, Mr Kelly said.

He recalls feeling no fear, but a sense of awe and wonder at reaching the bottom of the world, just as his father had six decades earlier.

Any thoughts of danger were calmed by the thought that any critical failures would likely be immediate and we wouldnt know what hit us. But the system was safe, tested, certified and had a proven track record of safety and successful dives to full ocean depth, he said.

Mr Walsh said he knew there was a very remote chance he wouldnt survive the voyage.

But anyone doing this type of thing has to have in the back of their minds that possibility.

Submersible pilot Randy Holt, and Stockton Rush, left, CEO of OceanGate Explorations, in the Titan (Associated Press)

In addition to paying up to $250,000 per trip, passengers on board the OceanGate Expeditions trips to the Titanic had to sign extensive waiver forms in the event of a tragedy occurring.

I just hope that they were given all relevant info before signing on, and that the misgivings were known to them beforehand, he said.

I am not involved with the expedition, and only hope for their safe return, despite the overwhelming stakes.

A massive air, sea and underwater search and rescue operation in the North Atlantic Ocean is entering its fourth day, with oxygen levels onboard the Titan due to run out on Thursday.

British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman were onboard the submersible vessel with Mr Rush.

The search operation is being led by the US and Canadian CoastGuards, who have been flying reconnaissance flights and deployed sonar buoys to search for signs of life.

Faint banging sounds have been heard for the past two days, US Coast Guard captain Jamie Frederick told a press briefing on Wednesday.

The noises were being analysed by the US Navy, and efforts to locate their source them using underwater underwater remote operated vehicle (ROVs) had failed to find anything conclusive, Mr Frederick said.

Mr Walsh said the ocean exploration community was not a Wild West endeavour with unsafe operators running amok.

One incident shouldnt paint the entire community with the same brush, he told The Independent.

In the decades since Trieste there have been astonishingly few accidents or incidents. That record of safe operations doesnt just happen overnight.
[Source]

Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has responded after U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator.

Bidens comment: On Tuesday night, Biden attended a fundraiser in California, where he said Xi was embarrassed when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the Air Force over the East Coast early this year.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didn't know it was there, Biden said.

That's a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened. That wasn't supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course, Biden added.

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Chinas response: [Bidens remarks] go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on Chinas political dignity, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing. It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition. The U.S. remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible.

Mao also reiterated Chinas explanation that the passage of the balloon for meteorological research through U.S. airspace was unintended.

The U.S. should have handled it in a calm and professional manner, she said. However, the U.S. distorted facts and used forces to hype up the incident, fully revealing its nature of bullying and hegemony.

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U.S.-China relation: Bidens comment came a day after the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in an attempt to stabilize relations with China. Blinkens trip, which was originally scheduled for February, was previously postponed due to the Chinese spy balloon saga. On Monday, he became the first cabinet-level official in the Biden administration to travel to the East Asian country.

Although no breakthroughs were made during the visit, both countries agreed to continue diplomatic engagement in the coming weeks and months.

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You are here: Arts

A new drama  Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed  was presented on Sunday night in Dunhuang, Gansu province, known worldwide for its Mogao Caves, with their sculptures and murals.

The drama, which integrates elements from the murals, was created according to a mural of thousand-armed and thousand-eyed Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) in one of the caves. It was played by artists from the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe.

The drama brought audiences beautiful dances, moving melodies and gorgeous stages showing the beauty of Dunhuang culture.

It will be presented in Dunhuang about 100 times and then go on tour to other places, including Beijing and Taiwan.
As temperatures skyrocketed into triple digits across Texas on Tuesday, ERCOT asked residents to voluntarily conserve power due to forecasted record demand. No emergency status was issued, but the electric customers aren't in the clear just yet.

Over the past week, ERCOT had declared a "weather watch," which warns of possible significant weather and a high demand for electricity, in the face of a heat dome that has been driving up temperatures across the majority of Texas.

Stress on the electric grid escalated early in the week when the electric demand broke last year's June record.

#TXANS Update-6/20/2023: ERCOT has issued a Voluntary Conservation Notice for today from 4-8 p.m. due to extreme heat & forecasted record demand. Texans are asked to voluntarily reduce electric use, if safe to do so. ERCOT is not in emergency operations. https://t.co/SZ8ZOry02C pic.twitter.com/7Mg2NCw9K3  ERCOT (@ERCOT_ISO) June 20, 2023

"Yesterday, ERCOT broke the June peak demand record, unofficially, with 79,304 MW, passing last June's record of 76,718 MW," ERCOT said in a statement on Tuesday. "Last summer, ERCOT set 11 new peak demand records. The current all-time record of 80,148 MW was set on July 20, 2022."

Since ERCOT operates as an island, it cannot draw power from other states if the demand surpasses the supply.

On Tuesday, the demand rose just past 79,000 MW but didn't surpass Monday's record, according to data from the council, but it may not stay in place for long.

In ERCOT's 60-day forecast, there are two other days that may approach the June record, one of which could break the all-time record.

Monday, June 26, is forecast to see a demand forecast of 81,049 MW around 4 p.m. CDT, which could break the all-time demand record. It will also closely approach the 89,334 MW available seasonal capacity. It is unclear whether ERCOT will issue a voluntary conservation notice, energy emergency alert or renew the weather warning, which expired on Wednesday.

Standing in the mid-afternoon heat, a worker takes a break to drink during a parking lot asphalt resurfacing job in Richardson, Texas, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Electric customers, however, may see a rise in prices next week.

"When you get your bill in late June or early July, just understand that May is usually cooler and we didn't have those high temperatures," David Kinchen, chief operating officer at Energy Ogre, told ABC13. "Next week is looking hot. The trend could stick around for a while as we get these heat domes in the area. So it's probably going to translate in the near future for people's bills in terms of usage. There's possibilities where people could see their bills double."

Daily high temperatures in cities, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and San Angelo, are forecast to hit triple digits next week, including on Monday, as the heat dome continues to bake the state.

Multiple daily and all-time high temperature records have fallen across the state since the heat dome set in, including in San Angelo. On Tuesday, the city shattered its all-time high temperature record of 111, set on July 15, 1933, as temperatures rose to 114 degrees Fahrenheit. The previous record has been met several times since it was set, including as recently as Monday, June 19.

Several other cities, primarily in southern Texas, broke into the 110s, including Laredo, Zapata, Ozona, Sweetwater and Del Rio.

In Brazoria County, south of Houston, portions of Highway 6 buckled in the extreme heat near Froberg, between Manvel and Alvin. The road was reopened by Wednesday morning following emergency repairs by the state's Department of Transportation.

Pavement can buckle in extreme heat due to the concrete expanding and warping. High temperatures in both Alvin and Manvel had stayed above 95 degrees since June 15.

Some customers in east Texas counties were still without power and air conditioning Wednesday following the destructive storms over the weekend.

"Less air conditioning, less fans around, people are dealing with extreme heat with no power. That can be a dangerous combination," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell.

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Stephanie Fox, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, warned that these storms and widespread power outages should be a wake-up call.

"It's really important for folks, even in areas where they may not be traditionally predisposed to these types of hazards, to always have a plan and be prepared," Fox said.

Additional reporting by AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell.

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SpaceX launched the Intelsat IS-40e satellite on board a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on April 6, 2023.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking to limit the disruptions caused by rocket launches from Floridas space coast, significantly reducing the amount of airspace closed off during liftoffs.



After reexamining the existing airspace restrictions for most Florida launches, the FAA determined that they were too large and could be safely reduced, the administration wrote in a recent statement. The FAA, therefore, introduced new, smaller zones for restricted airspace during rocket launches so as not to impact central Florida airports.

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Graphic: FAA

Previously for a typical launch, up to 36 flights were rerouted to congested overland routes, slowing up to 4,300 passengers and resulting in upwards of 300 minutes of delay and 1,500 extra miles flown, according to the FAA. These flights can now remain on their most optimal and efficient routes more frequently. The FAA added that, for 10 of the 12 launches that have transpired since the new rules took effect in April, no flights on this route were rerouted.

For a typical Florida launch, the FAA claims that no flights will be re-routed, and that these launches will have no impact to passengers and wont result in delays or extra miles flown.

The FAA determined that more than 80 percent of launch trajectories from Florida are to the east and south, therefore the amount of closed airspace to the north of the space coast can now remain open during most launches. Within this northern section is the busy overwater route from the northeast to central Florida airports in Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, among others, the FAA wrote.



Last year, Floridas space coast saw a record-breaking 57 rockets take off to the skies, averaging more than one launch a week. That number is a significant jump from 42 launches in 2021 and is likely to increase this year. The space coast includes valuable launch pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, from which SpaceX launches its Falcon 9 rocket, and the Kennedy Space Center, which saw the launch of NASAs Artemis 1 mission.

As more rocket launches are planned to lift off from Floridas space coast, the FAA is trying to mitigate the effects of those often-disruptive launches. Earlier this year, the administration released an updated set of guidelines in determining whether the FAA would delay a commercial rocket launch. As part of the new guidelines, the FAA would consider how many flights or passengers are affected by the launch, whether the launch falls on a holiday, and the purpose of the mission (prioritizing missions that serve national interest).

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After Mauricio Garcia killed eight people at a Texas mall last May, reports focused on two elements from his past: that he was a failed soldier and that he held extremist views.

Garcia had enlisted in the U.S. Army following high school but was dismissed from basic training three months later. After the shooting spree in Allen, attention turned to social media posts where he shared hateful views toward Jews, women and racial minorities.

Garcias behavior follows a pattern. He is one of 32 people dismissed by the U.S. military within weeks or months of enlistment, all later charged with extremist-driven plots and crimes, from mail bombings to bank robberies to mass shootings. That figure comes from Mike Jensen, a researcher who maintains a database of all extremist crimes in the U.S. for the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, known as START.

While these individuals are outliers among people with military backgrounds, their actions have led to deadly consequences, the data reveals. Almost half of those 32 former service members committed or plotted some form of mass casualty attacks  when four or more people are killed. Jensen described that as an alarmingly high rate when compared to criminal extremists overall.

Whats driving this increased violence? Perhaps the former service members harbor grievances toward the military that rejected them, or theyve been recruited by extremist groups specifically because of their military affiliations and training, said Amy Cooter, a research fellow with the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism.

Its not necessarily surprising that theyll run into problems with authority and maybe become even more angry and want to lash out in various ways because of their experiences before and after enlistment, said Cooter, who studies the radicalization of service members.

The 32 crimes date back to 1994, and 15 of them were carried out by people who belonged to white supremacist movements. Cooter said its likely the people in this group had developed racial biases before entering the military and didnt enlist with good intentions.

A new analysis released earlier this month studying three decades of extremist attacks found that a military background is the most commonly shared characteristic among extremists who committed or plotted mass casualty attacks from 1990 through 2022, more so than criminal histories or mental health problems.

Those extremists who failed out of the military early in their service were even more dangerous, START data show. Of the more than 3,000 people in the U.S. caught for extremist crimes overall, those who were dismissed from the armed forces during basic training were more than twice as likely to plot or follow through on mass casualty events.

Mental health problems, when combined with other factors such as substance abuse, could have an influence, Jensen said. Of the 32 people, about half separated because of psychological issues, according to START. Some were deemed physically unfit, while others deserted or were removed for bad conduct.

The militarys process to filter out recruits who dont meet muster apparently worked in these instances, said Ellen Gustafson, co-founder of We The Veterans, a pro-democracy nonprofit of veterans and military families. Yet, the cases reveal the need for more intervention against radicalization when troops are forcibly separated from the military and vulnerable to recruitment, argued Wendy Via, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

The Pentagon recently added extremism education to its out-processing program, but further efforts to intervene will likely need the support of Congress, which has been deeply divided on the issue.

Once they get rejected, there needs to be programs in place at that moment to prevent their recruitment into organized white supremacy, said Via. Thats a teaching moment.

A protester holds a photo of Heather Heyer, a counterprotester killed at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va. in 2017. James Alex Fields Jr., a white supremacist who killed Heyer, is serving a life sentence. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Failed soldiers turned mass killers

Three of the 32 extremists who failed out of the military early ended up carrying out successful mass casualty attacks, meaning the plots resulted in injury or death to four or more victims. Two other attacks were deadly but killed fewer than four people.

The cases include several well-known mass murders, as well as less recognizable incidents that were stopped before the perpetrators could carry out their plots.

Theres Richard Poplawski, a known follower of the white supremacist movement who was sentenced to death for the killing of three Pittsburgh police officers and injuring of two others in 2009. The Marine Corps discharged Poplawski a few years prior for throwing a food tray at a drill sergeant just three weeks after enlisting.

Theres Christopher Harper-Mercer, a student at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, who in 2015 slaughtered nine people on campus before killing himself, leaving behind a flash drive filled with hateful writings. He was deemed a white supremacist and an incel, someone who holds strong grievances against women and society for their lack of romantic success. Harper-Mercer failed out of basic training seven years before the attack.

And theres James Fields, who was convicted of killing Heather Heyer when he drove his car into a group of counter-protestors at a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. Two years earlier, he joined the Army but was separated quickly because of a cited lack of motivation and failure to train.

Poplawski, Harper-Mercer and Fields are among 14 of the 32 failed service members, or 44%, who either attempted or committed mass casualty attacks.

That mass casualty rate is pretty high  that really stood out to me, Jensen said. Its high in comparison to other people with military backgrounds, and its high in comparison to the general population of extremists.

Of the more than 3,000 people in the U.S. caught for extremist crimes overall, 19% plotted or committed mass casualty offenses. Among the 450 who served in the military, 37% planned or acted on those types of crimes, STARTs data shows.

While these individuals had no ties to each other before their crimes, their names now live together in STARTs database at the University of Maryland.

Garcia was the latest addition to that repository.

Crosses with the names, Cindy Cho, Kyu Cho and James Cho stand at a makeshift memorial beside the mall in Allen, Texas, where the Chos and several other people were killed, Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

On Saturday, May 6, a busy shopping day at the outlet mall in Allen, Texas, Garcia killed five adults and three children, including three members of the same family: Kyu Song Cho, 37 and his wife, Cindy Cho, 35, along with their 3-year-old son James. Sisters Daniela and Sofia Mendoza, ages 11 and 8, were also killed, as were Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32, Christian LaCour, 20, and Aishwarya Thatikonda, 28. Several funds have been created to support their families.

Garcia, 33, was shot dead by police at the scene. Within hours, his military experience, as well as his extremist views, were brought to light.

Garcia went to Bryan Adams High School in East Dallas and graduated in 2008, the Dallas Independent School District confirmed. He entered the Army in June of that year and attended infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was dismissed from training after just three months due to a mental health issue, Army officials told Military Times, speaking anonymously to describe personnel records.

After the shooting, investigators found hundreds of posts Garcia authored on the Russian social media site Odnaklassniki that espoused white supremacist, neo-Nazi and incel beliefs, and revealed a proclivity for violence. He posted a few writings online about his time in the military, saying in one that he met actual white nationalists [and] thats when I became a full blown white supremacist.

If hes to be believed, it was like he was starting to move to the right when he was in high school, and when he joined the military thats where he got verification of his thinking. It was solidified, said Via, who analyzed hundreds of Garcias posts for the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

Anti-extremism groups, including the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism and the Southern Poverty Law Center, are blaming Garcias ideological beliefs for the murders. They pointed to writings in which he had articulated a desire to kill people from as far back as 2014.

At the shopping mall, located in a diverse Dallas suburb, Garcia fired an AR-15-style weapon into a crowd and wore tactical gear with a patch on his chest that read RWDS, an acronym for Right Wing Death Squad  a popular phrase among right-wing extremists. The shooting victims included three members of a Korean American family, as well as an engineer from India.

Several Texas-based groups, believing Garcia shot the victims because of their ethnicities, have called on Texas Department of Public Safety to acknowledge his extremist ideologies as a motive, as the department hasnt yet announced what drove Garcia to kill.

Experts at the Anti-Defamation League arent so sure he was targeting victims because of their race. Garcias posts revealed he was a troubled, misogynistic loner, but there was no manifesto explaining a reason for his violence, the group said. It remains uncertain whether investigators have uncovered other evidence of what motivated him.

Please understand that investigations of this magnitude take time and are criminal, limiting what we can share, Lt. Oscar Villarreal told Military Times in an email.

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)

Domestic terrorism on the rise

The rate of extremism-driven crimes committed by people with entry-level military separations has increased in recent years. The 32 cases date back to 1994, but about one-third of the offenses occurred since 2020. And half of the perpetrators in the last three years were affiliated with white supremacist, incel or neo-Nazi groups.

One week after the Texas shooting, President Joe Biden claimed that white supremacy was the most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland  a point that some members of the GOP have argued against. Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., an Army veteran, described Bidens comments as ludicrous and disrespectful to service members who put their lives on the line protecting us from real threats.

However, the Department of Homeland Security and Office of the Director of National Intelligence have made the same claim over the past few years. A bulletin issued by Homeland Security in November warned of a heightened threat environment in the U.S. because of ideological extremists. They pose a lethal danger to the LGBTQ+ community, schools, racial and religious minorities and ideological opponents, Homeland Security wrote in the bulletin, which just expired May 24.

The rate of extremism-driven crimes committed by people with entry-level military separations has increased, with about one-third of the offenses since 2020.

According to the Government Accountability Office, incidents of domestic terrorism increased by 357% between 2013 and 2021, and racially- or ethnically-motivated extremists committed the most violent crimes during that time. START data shows that about half of all Americans charged with extremist crimes since 1948 were affiliated with far-right ideologies, while 18% were tied to Islamic terrorism and 17% held far-left beliefs.

That trend is reflected in the 32 cases of failed military personnel. Most of those perpetrators were affiliated with at least one extremist group. About 45% belonged to a white supremacy organization, while 22% had supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban or the Islamic State group.

The split among ideologies has changed over time. Since 2020, five offenders had white supremacy or incel beliefs, three were unaffiliated, one was part of the anti-government group Wolverine Watchmen, and one was a member of the far-left, anti-fascist group Antifa. None had ties to Islamic terrorist organizations.

Weve got people from the militia movement, like the Three Percenters, and a couple individuals have ties to the incel movement, Jensen said. We have accelerationist groups, that would be Feuerkrieg or The Base and in some of the older cases, organizations like Aryan Nations are represented.

President Joe Biden speaks at Howard University's commencement in Washington, Saturday, May 13, 2023. During his speech, Biden claimed that white supremacy was the most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland.

Five people were added to the database for crimes committed in 2020  the most of any year since START began tracking the information. Justen Watkins, who didnt finish Army basic training, was convicted of gang membership felonies that year for his ties to The Base, a militant neo-Nazi organization that hopes to spur a race war. Later in 2020, Paul Bellar was convicted of hatching a plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, the democratic governor of Michigan. Bellar, of the Wolverine Watchmen, was previously booted from the Army National Guard for not completing basic training.

That same year, three people were charged for violent actions taken during police brutality protests following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Bryce Michael Williams, who was medically discharged from the Air Force, was convicted of conspiring to commit arson for setting fire to the Minneapolis Police Departments Third Precinct building. Jabari Davis was convicted of attempting to set fire to a marked police vehicle in Raleigh, N.C. He previously opted to leave the Army National Guard after an unknown incident caused him to restart basic training.

While those two men werent affiliated with a specific extremist group, a third, Adrian Wood, was a member of Antifa. Wood, who left the Army because of illness, pleaded guilty to civil disorder for throwing a brick through the window of a police car in Wilmington, Dela.

More recent additions to STARTs database stemmed from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the building in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election results. The 32 cases include two people who were convicted for their participation in the riot.

Thomas Baranyi pleaded guilty to entering and remaining inside a restricted building during the Jan. 6 attack. Baranyi had previously joined the Marine Corps but was medically discharged during basic training. Ethan Nordean, a leader of the neo-fascist Proud Boys and a Navy dropout, was convicted in May of seditious conspiracy for his role in plotting to attack the Capitol.

Also in 2021, Matthew Ryan Burchfield, a known member of The Base, was detained in Ukraine for fighting as part of a neo-Nazi group. Burchfield left the Marine Corps because of unspecified complications, according to STARTs data. The same year, Tres Genco, an Army basic training dropout who self-identified as an incel, pleaded guilty to plotting a mass killing of women at the University of Ohio.

Proud Boys members Joseph Biggs, left, and Ethan Nordean, right with megaphone, walk toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

The last chance to stop radicalization

Since the Capitol riot, debate has raged in Congress about the Pentagons efforts to address extremism in the ranks. Republican lawmakers have tried to defund the Defense Departments diversity and anti-extremism training, decrying it as an effort to politicize the military and tarnish its public image.

The Pentagon in 2021 created a Countering Extremism Working Group, which made six recommendations before it was dissolved by years end. One of the few ideas that has since been implemented is a lesson on extremism given to service members when theyre separated from the military.

Service members undergo pre-separation counseling through the transition assistance program, or TAP, when they exit the armed forces. A slide about extremism is now included in the transition presentation, said Navy Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman, a DOD spokesperson. The contents of the slide, shared with Military Times, remind troops of their oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and encourage exiting service members to guard against attempts to be radicalized, continue to take a stand against extremism organizations, and report suspicious activities to proper authorities.

This language is intended to remind the service member of their previous (military service-provided) anti-extremist training and options to report suspicious activities or radicalization attempts, Schwegman said in an email.

Jensen was encouraged by the addition of extremism training to the transition assistance program, describing it as the militarys last chance to put exiting service members on the defense against radicalization. But he said more could be done.

In 2022, START urged the Pentagon to teach troops throughout their service the tactics to spot disinformation, as well as identify different types of manipulative techniques extremist groups could use to recruit them.

If you give them tools to recognize when manipulation is being used and disinformation is present, later on in life when they encounter that stuff, they have the skills they need to engage with it in a critical way, Jensen said. They will not just blanketly accept the things theyre reading online.

Students assigned to Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station in Pensacola, Fla., recite their oath of enlistment on March 12, 2021, during a stand-down addressing extremism in the ranks. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Cryptologic Technician Collection Tyrell Ferguson-Bey)

START shared that idea with the Pentagons Countering Extremism Working Group in 2021. But since the group disbanded, extremism prevention has been divvied up among individual branches, Jensen said, complicating communication between START and the military.

Other experts and advocacy groups have different ideas about how the government can address the issue. Following the Texas shooting, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism suggested developing procedures specifically for troops that are forcibly separated and therefore, statistically more vulnerable to extremist recruitment.

Theyre leaving and they dont want to, and theyre angry, Via said. It makes them that much more vulnerable to recruitment, especially if they have expressed any white supremacist or bigoted tendencies.

The heated and fiercely divided public and political discourse since then have only made the situation worse, Via and her co-founder, Heidi Beirich believe. Beirich said that after years of pushing Congress to take action, she and her colleagues have come to expect lawmakers to either ignore the issue of extremism in the military or politicize it to the point of gridlock.

The Department of Defense must rise above the sad state of U.S. politics and bring its focus back to coming up with solutions, Beirich said.

At the Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterorrism, Cooter is working on a study using input from formerly radicalized veterans, as well as veterans who witnessed extremism in the ranks. Based on those interviews so far, she thinks the Pentagon should undertake a broader overhaul of its transition programs to include more job support and mental health resources.

This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com.
Family night! Jennifer Lawrence brings her parents to the premiere of her new movie

The Lawrence family is taking on the red carpet in a rare moment!

Jennifer Lawrence showed off her parents, Karen Lawrence and Gary Lawrence, during the June 20 premiere event in New York City for her new movie, "No Hard Feelings."

The three were dressed to the nines at AMC Lincoln Square, with Karen Lawrence sporting a black dress with gold embroidery around the wrists and neckline as well as down the front.

Jennifer Lawrence (Angela Weiss / AFP - Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Jennifer Lawrence wore a floor-length, off-the-shoulder white gown with her hair parted to the side. The actor's father wore a beige sport coat over a blue striped shirt and cream-colored pants.

In the film, which hits theaters June 23, the 32-year-old plays Maddie Barker, who is tasked with bringing an awkward 19-year-old boy out of his shell for one summer before he heads off to college.

"No Hard Feelings" also features stars like Matthew Broderick, Hasan Minhaj and Kyle Mooney, as well as Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti and Scott MacArthur, among others.

Though uncommon, this isn't the first time Jennifer Lawrence has brought her parents out in front of the lights for the evening.

In February 2013, the "Hunger Games" actor brought her mom and dad to the Oscars in Hollywood, California, when she took home the award for best actress for her role in "Silver Linings Playbook."

Jennifer Lawrence (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Jennifer Lawrence made headlines for her couture choice about a month ago when she chose comfort at the Cannes Film Festival, showing off black flip-flops under her red gown.

Jennifer Lawrence wears flip-flops at 2023 Cannes Film Festival (Stephane Cardinale / Corbis via Getty Images)

The star wore a long, red dress that reached the floor with a sewn-in waistband and a train that wrapped around her body. The look was accompanied by a silver necklace and red lipstick.

One fan called her the "queen of comfort and style."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Father and son on Titanic tourist sub from influential Pakistan dynasty

Dual British-Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman 19, were aboard the Titanic tourist submersible that has gone missing (Handout)

The father and son aboard the missing Titanic tourist submersible hail from one of Pakistan's most prominent and wealthiest families, who are known for their philanthropic contributions to the country.

Dual British-Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman, 19 -- who together spent half a million dollars on an exclusive excursion -- are part of the Dawood empire, which has become one of the most profitable in Pakistan.

The patriarch at the top of the chain, Shahzada's father Hussain Dawood, is one of Pakistan's richest men, according to local media.

After Pakistan was founded in 1947, the Dawoods provided funding to the government and were behind the first wave of industrialisation, said Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, a business tycoon and stock trader in Karachi.

"They set up major industrial projects and thus provided employment to thousands of people in the newborn country," Dhedhi told AFP.

He described the family as being "one of the top philanthropic groups in Pakistan", adding: "They dont boast about any of it."

The Dawood conglomerate includes Engro, of which Shahzada is the vice chairman. It boasts investments in energy, agriculture, petrochemical and telecommunications ventures and clocked a revenue of 350 billion rupees ($1.2 billion) in 2022.

Educated in the UK and the United States, Shahzada lives in Britain with his wife Christine, his son Suleman and his daughter Alina.

A family statement described Shahzada as a "loving father" with a keen interest in "photography, especially wildlife photography, and exploring different natural habitats".

Suleman enjoys Rubik's Cube puzzles, volleyball and "is a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things," it added.

Shahzada's interest in exploration extends to space and he is a trustee of the California-based Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI), which looks for evidence of alien life, according to its website.

Shahzada and his family are perhaps most revered for their philanthropic work -- particularly providing business and education opportunities for young people from low-income backgrounds.

Since the 1960s, the Dawood Foundation has focused on establishing education institutions across Pakistan -- particularly catering to the demand for engineers and technology experts.

Shahzada is also on the board of the Prince's Trust in Britain -- a charity that helps young people get jobs, education and training.

In February 2020, he was a keynote speaker on a panel at the United Nations on equality in agriculture.

"Women are under-represented in such an important fact, which is our food and our livelihood. We need to look at the perspective of women first," he said.

Both Shahzada and his father Hussain were named in the 2016 publication of the so-called Panama Papers -- a leak of more than 11.5 million financial and legal records exposing secretive offshore accounts of the world's rich and powerful.

Both were listed as having accounts in the British Virgin Islands between 2005 and 2009.

bur-ecl-fox/lb
PARIS  The air force chiefs representing the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) partner nations took a step toward establishing a synergistic concept of air warfare on June 21, signing a joint document outlining the path ahead as the trinational program moves forward to a new phase.

French Air and Space Force Chief of Staff Gen. Stephane Mille, German Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz and Spanish Air and Space Force Chief of Staff Gen. Javier Salto Martinez-Avial signed a collaborative air combat document Wednesday morning in a small ceremony during the biennial Paris Air Show here.

French Air Force Gen. Jean-Luc Moritz, the services FCAS director, described the document as a common operational vision highlighting the main requirements and challenges to design a next-generation warfare system fit for this future collaborative combat.

France and Germany first launched the FCAS program in 2017, and Spain joined as an equal partner in 2020. The endeavor aims to deliver a wide gamut of cutting-edge aerospace technologies to the three air forces by roughly 2040.

While the new air warfare doctrine itself is not yet publicly available, Moritz explained its key tenets.

The warplane thrust of the FCAS program  considered the cornerstone of the future system-of-systems  will henceforth be designated as a command fighter aircraft, meaning a standalone combat capability providing the ability to control unmanned components and to command other combat aircraft, being able to perform C2 [command-and-control] functions, he said.

The new name denotes how both the command and fighter elements are equally important, Moritz said. On the command side, the aircraft will employ artificial intelligence (AI) and data link technologies to allow pilots to also perform battlefield management functions while in the air. Meanwhile, the aircraft will also need to act as a traditional fighter to survive future threat environments.

A balanced command fighter is what we need, Moritz said.

When it comes to drones accompanying the envisioned aircraft, the collaborative air warfare doctrine will use swarming and teaming tactics alongside artificial intelligence to create unpredictability for the adversary, according to Moritz.

Meanwhile, the programs combat cloud pillar will be the main challenge of the project, he added. Mesh, redundant, and heterogeneous networks between any contributors of the Collaborative Air Warfare must avoid any single point of failure, said Moritz. Key requirements includes the ability to withstand communications jamming, a high level of discretion and dynamic cybersecurity practices.
Photo: Oliver Berg (AP)

Federal investigators from five different agencies have formed a new task force to try and catch criminals using cryptocurrencies and the Dark Web to carry out illegal activity. The new Avengers-style crossover team includes agents from the Department of Homeland Security, federal prosecutors, the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Theyre calling themselves the Darknet Marketplace and Digital Currency Crimes Task Force. Theyre restricting their activities to Arizona for now.

The task forces primary mission is to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that exploit the appearance of anonymity on the darknet or use digital currency to facilitate criminal activities. Investigators from the new task force say theyve been crossing paths since 2017 but decided to formally come together now due in part to an increase in the use of the internet to facilitate the illegal sale of drugs, firearms, and technology in recent years.

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Ever-evolving technology has allowed drug traffickers and other criminal actors to expand into the digital world and use the darknet to engage in their illegal activity, the task force wrote in a blog post. Law enforcement officials involved in the Digital Currency Crimes group, like DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz, believe the increased collaboration and resources provided by the task force will give them greater flexibility to quickly target suspects.



New, easily accessible advances in encryption technology and the mainstream adoption of more difficult-to-trace cryptocurrencies, the feds argue, have left law enforcement at a disadvantage. Encryption advocates, on the other hand, have long argued these tools are crucial to protect users privacy in an online world.

Drug traffickers who are hiding in the darknet will be aggressively targeted and unmasked by this task force, Oz said in a statement.

For now, the task force appears to be focusing its efforts in the state of Arizona, though its unclear whether it plans to expand its purview to other areas. The five agencies involved in the task force did not immediately respond to Gizmodos request for comment

In 2021, forensic crypto firm ChainAnalysis estimated cryptocurrency-related crime hit a then-all-time high, with illicit crypto addresses receiving $14 billion worth of crypto in a single year. Those figures were nearly double the $7.8 billion illegal addresses reportedly received the year before. Much of the seemingly surge in criminal transactions, ChainAnalsyis notes, owes to the rapid mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies during that time.

Dark net transactions, which loosely refer to the underground economy only accessible through certain onion-routing software, have long been a hotbed for illegal activity. Though its anonymized nature makes it more difficult to find accurate figures on dark net transactions some estimates suggest anywhere between 37% to 57% of dark web purchases further criminal activity.

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Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

As the body count from gun violence grows and grows, a plea deal will allow the presidents son to escape prosecution for violating a federal law that prohibits illegal drug users from possessing firearms.

At the same time, the same Department of Justice is trying to show us how serious it is about guns by fighting to reinstate an identical firearms charge against a 32-year-old Texas woman that a federal judge in that state dismissed.

Hunter Biden was allegedly a crack user in 2018, when he purchased a gun. The woman in the other case, Paola Connelly, is said to have told police who recovered her gun in 2021 that she only sometimes smoked weed in order to go to sleep at night, according to court papers

Biden and Connelly are both said to have responded no to a question on a federal firearms purchase form that asks, Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?

Both were charged with violating 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(3) for possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. The gun in Bidens case was a .38 caliber revolver he bought at a Wilmington, Delaware, gun shop. Connellys weapon was a Glock Model 43X, which she purchased on Dec. 11, 2020. Police discovered it stashed between a mattress and a bed stand after responding to a 911 call involving her husband, John, and another person.

MAGA Melts Down Over Hunters Plea Deal: Were Controlled by COMMUNISTS!

Back in May, Hunter Bidens legal team suggested it would seek to have the firearms charge against him dismissed in light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. The June 2022 decision written by Justice Clarence Thomas gutted a New York State gun-control law dating back to 1911. President Biden declared that the high courts ruling contradicts both common sense and the Constitution, and should deeply trouble us all.

The Bruen decision prompted the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to rule in U.S. v. Rahimi that the government cannot just bar those accused of domestic violence from possessing firearms. And that, in turn, prompted Paola Connellys attorney, Mary Stillinger, to renew a failed motion to have the indictment dismissed on the grounds that it violated the Second Amendment and deprived her client of due process.

In light of Rahimi, U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Cardone found a pot smoker such as Connelly is, in fact, protected by the Second Amendment.

The historical tradition of disarming unlawful individuals appears to mainly involve disarming those convicted of serious crimes after they have been afforded criminal process, Judge Cardone noted. Section 922(g)(3), in contrast, disarms those who engage in criminal conduct that would give rise to misdemeanor charges, without affording them the procedural protections enshrined in our criminal justice system.

She was not impressed by the federal government citing a 1655 law in colonial Virginia that prohibited shoot[ing] any gunns at drinking (marriages and ffunerals onely excepted. She noted that the Virginias provisions main concern was that the colonizers depended on gunshots to alert them of an attack by Native Americans. The provision further sought to guard against the beastly vice [of] spending much [gun]powder in vain, that might be reserved against the common enemie.

The Virginia law prevented individuals from using firearms while actively intoxicated, while  922(g)(3) prevents users of intoxicants from possessing firearms altogether, Carbone wrote.

Hunter Biden Will Plead Guilty to Charges in Tax Case

On April 26, Carbone dismissed the case against Connelly.

But the Department of Justice was not done with Connelly. Jaime Esparza, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, filed a notice of appeal with the Fifth District on May 4.

Had the Justice Department played lets-not-make-a-deal with Biden as it has with Connelly, his lawyers would have been remiss not to also seek a dismissal on grounds derived from Bruen, the Supreme Court decision that provoked such outrage from his dad.

As it is, Hunter Biden is losing an opportunity to do something actually good for once. Had he entered a guilty plea to the gun charges along with a pair of tax violations without making a deal and done a little time in prison, he might have underscored that gun laws should apply to everybody. He instead worked it out so the gun charge will be dropped if he behaves as he should have all along.

The U.S. attorneys office in Texas did not respond to a request for comment on the Connelly case. Nor did Connellys attorney. Connelly herself said she wanted to check with her attorney before commenting. She suggested that it was not a good time anyway to discuss how she and Hunter Biden are being treated so differently in gun cases where the only significant disparities are that he was a full-blown crack addict and and she just toked a little pot at night.

Im at work, she said.

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Here Are A Few Facts About The Five Tallest Mountains In Africa

Herd of Reticulated giraffes in front of Mount Kenya

Africa has it all, from the sweeping Sahara Desert to the mighty Victoria Falls which sits between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Small wonder it has attracted curious outsiders for so many years.

The continent is also home to several tall mountains. You can climb them with good training and the aid of an experienced guide. If that isnt your thing, you can take some spectacular photographs.

Heres a quick overview of the five tallest peaks on The Motherland.

Mount Kilimanjaro  Tanzania

Photo Credit: 1001slide

Kilimanjaro is an African behemoth, and its 19,341 feet above sea level. Reaching the summit here can take from 6 days to 11, depending on the route you choose.

Its not only the tallest mountain in Africa, but the tallest, free-standing mountain in the world. The mountain is in Tanzania, but it can be seen from parts of Kenya.

Mount Kenya

Photo Credit: Sanjiv Soni

This extinct volcano is part of Kenya National Park. Some of those who have climbed it, say its harder to scale than Kilimanjaro. It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 days, depending on pace and how well-acclimated climbers are to altitude changes. As with any other mountain of great height, you should be prepared for sudden weather changes.

Mount Kenya has a bit of a dark side, though. According to Al Jazeera, It has brought adventure to some and death to others, namely, due to altitude sickness and even suicide.

The publication adds, Altitude sickness, caused by caused by low oxygen levels, can kick in at around 1,500 meters, well below the mountains 5,199-meter summit.

Mount Stanley  Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photo Credit: Michele DAmico supersky77

This mountain is 16,671 feet above sea level, and its part of the Rwenzori Mountains range. Its shared by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Aside from the expected challenges that come with mountain climbing, expect to encounter ice and snow. As for the question of altitude, the chances of getting altitude sickness are lower than in Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. Brilliant Uganda explains, The trekking routes are longer, giving you more time to acclimatize.

Mount Meru  Tanzania

Photo Credit: Emad aljumah

In order to prepare for Kilimanjaro, some people train on Mount Meru. Its 14,980 feet and is part of Arusha National Park.

Theres a good chance youll see some wildlife here, like grazing buffalo and warthogs. Expect to spend about 4-5 days here in order to reach the summit.

Mount Ras Dashen  Ethiopia

Photo Credit: Florian Bachmeier

Rounding out our list is Ras Dashen, the tallest peak in Ethiopia. It measures approximately 14, 905 feet, and its part of the Simien Mountains, located in the Ethiopian Highlands. Depending on a few variables, youll only need a few days and nights to finish this one.

Brilliant Ethiopia explains, Most travelers who are trekking in the Simien Mountains stick to the primary escarpment, and spend 2-3 nights in the mountains. If you want to summit Ras Dashen, youll need at least 2 extra days, sometimes longer depending on your fitness and the route you choose.
FILE - Former President Donald Trump speaks at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., Tuesday, June 13, 2023, after pleading not guilty in a Miami courtroom earlier in the day to dozens of felony counts that he hoarded classified documents and refused government demands to give them back. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Donald Trump has promised that if he wins back the presidency he will appoint a special prosecutor to go after President Joe Biden and his family.

But hes not the only Republican running for president who appears to be abandoning a long-established norm in Washington  presidents keeping their hands out of specific Justice Department investigations and prosecutions.

Trump, who leads the GOP field by around 30 percentage points in public national polls, wields such powerful influence that only a few of his Republican rivals are willing to clearly say presidents should not interfere in such Justice Department decisions.

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After Trumps vow to direct the Justice Department to appoint a real prosecutor to investigate the Bidens, The New York Times asked each of his Republican rivals questions aimed at laying out what limits, if any, they believed presidents must or should respect when it comes to White House interference with federal law enforcement decisions.

Their responses reveal a party that has turned so hard against federal law enforcement that it is no longer widely considered good politics to clearly answer in the negative a question that was once uncontroversial: Do you believe presidents should get involved in the investigations and prosecutions of individuals?

Trumps closest rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, has flatly said he does not believe the Justice Department is independent from the White House as a matter of law, while leaving it ambiguous where he stands on the issue of presidents getting involved in investigation decisions.

DeSantis spokesperson, Bryan Griffin, wrote in an email that comments the governor made on a recent policy call should be instructive to your reporting.

In the comments, DeSantis said that the fundamental insight he gleans from the Constitution is that the Justice Department and FBI are not independent from the White House and that the president can lawfully exert more direct control over them than traditionally has been the case.

I think presidents have bought into this canard that theyre independent, and thats one of the reasons why theyve accumulated so much power over the years, DeSantis said. We will use the lawful authority that we have.

But the context of DeSantis remarks was mostly about a president firing political appointees and bureaucrats at the Justice Department and the FBI, not about a president ordering them to target specific people with investigations and prosecutions. Griffin did not respond when asked in a follow-up on this point.

Trump has portrayed his legal troubles as stemming from politicization, although there is no evidence Biden directed Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump. Under Garland, Trump-appointed prosecutors are already investigating Bidens handling of classified documents and on Tuesday secured a guilty plea from Bidens son, Hunter, on tax charges.

Especially since Watergate, there has been an institutional tradition of Justice Department independence from White House control. The idea is that while a president can set broad policies  directing the Justice Department to put greater resources and emphasis on particular types of crimes, for example  he or she should not get involved in specific criminal case decisions except in rare cases affecting foreign policy.

This is particularly seen as true for cases involving a presidents personal or political interests, such as an investigation into himself or his political opponents.

But even in his first term, Trump increasingly pressed against that notion.

In the spring of 2018, Trump told his White House counsel, Don McGahn, that he wanted to order the Justice Department to investigate his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton, and James Comey, the former head of the FBI. McGahn rebuffed him, saying the president had no authority to order an investigation, according to two people familiar with the conversation.

Later in 2018, Trump publicly demanded that the Justice Department open an investigation into officials involved in the Russia investigation. The following year, Attorney General William Barr indeed assigned a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, John Durham, to investigate the investigators  styling it as an administrative review because there was no factual predicate to open a formal criminal investigation.

Trump also said in 2018 and 2019 that John Kerry, the Obama-era secretary of state, should be prosecuted for illegally interfering with American diplomacy by seeking to preserve a nuclear accord with Iran. Geoffrey S. Berman, a former U.S. attorney in Manhattan whom Trump fired in 2020, later wrote in his memoir that the Trump Justice Department pressured him to find a way to charge Kerry, but he closed the investigation after about a year without bringing any charges.

And as the 2020 election neared, Trump pressured Barr and Durham to file charges against high-level former officials even though the prosecutor had not found a factual basis to justify any. In his memoir, Barr wrote that the Durham investigations failure to deliver scalps in time for the election eroded their relationship even before Barr refused Trumps baseless demand that he say the 2020 election had been corrupt.

Where Trumps first-term efforts were scattered and haphazard, key allies  including Jeffrey B. Clark, a former Justice Department official who helped Trump try to overturn the 2020 election  have been developing a blueprint to make the department in any second Trump term more systematically subject to direct White House control.

Against that backdrop, Vivek Ramaswamy, one of the long-shot GOP challengers, has pledged to pardon Trump if Ramaswamy wins the presidency. He said that as a constitutional matter, he thinks a president does have the power to direct prosecutors to open or close specific criminal investigations. But he added that the president must exercise this judgment with prudence in a manner that respects the rule of law in the country.

Asked if he would pledge, regardless of his views on what the law may technically allow presidents to do, to obey the post-Watergate norm, Ramaswamy replied: As a general norm, yes.

Two Republican candidates who are both former U.S. attorneys unequivocally stated that presidents should not direct the investigations or prosecutions of individuals. Tellingly, both are chasing votes from anti-Trump moderate Republicans.

Chris Christie, a former New Jersey governor who was a U.S. attorney in the George W. Bush administration, said he knew just how important it is to keep prosecutors independent and let them do their jobs.

No president should be meddling in Department of Justice investigations or cases in any way, Christie added. The best way to keep that from happening is with a strong attorney general who can lead without fear or favor.

And Asa Hutchinson, a former Arkansas governor and congressman who served as a U.S. attorney in the Reagan administration, said that preserving an independent and politically impartial Department of Justice in terms of specific investigations is essential for the rule of law and paramount in rebuilding trust with the American people.

A spokesperson for former Vice President Mike Pence, Devin OMalley, was terse. He said a president could remove senior law enforcement officials and expressed some support for Justice Department independence. But he declined to add further comment when pressed.

Mike Pence believes that the president of the United States has the ability to hire and fire the attorney general, the FBI director, and other DOJ officials  and has, in fact, pledged to do so if elected  but also believes the DOJ has a certain level of independence with regard to prosecutorial matters, OMalley said.

Most other candidates running against Trump landed in what they apparently deemed to be a politically safer space of blending general comments about how justice should be administered impartially with vague accusations that the Biden-era Justice Department had targeted Republicans for political reasons.

Many did not specifically point to a basis for those accusations. Among a broad swath of conservatives, it is taken as a given that the FBI and Justice Department must be politically motivated against them on a variety of fronts, including the scrutiny over the 2016 Trump campaigns links to Russia, the prosecution of people who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and the Trump documents case.

Matt Gorman, a senior communications adviser for Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, declined to say whether Scott believed presidents should interfere in specific investigations. He pointed only to Scotts comments on the most recent Fox News Sunday appearance.

In those remarks, Scott said: We have to clean out the political appointments in the Department of Justice to restore confidence and integrity in the DOJ. Today, we want to know that in our justice system, Lady Justice wears a blindfold and that all Americans will be treated fairly by Lady Justice. But today, this DOJ continues to hunt Republicans while they protect Democrats.

Nikki Haley, a former United Nations ambassador, also provided an ambiguous answer through her spokesperson, Chaney Denton. She pointed to two specific conservative grievances with law enforcement: Seven years ago, Hillary Clinton was not charged over using a private email server while secretary of state, and the Trump-era special counsel, Durham, wrote a report this year criticizing the Russia inquiry.

The Department of Justice should be impartial, but unfortunately it is not today, Denton said. The Durham Report, the non-prosecution of Hillary Clinton, and other actions make it clear that a partisan double standard is being applied. The answer is not to have both parties weaponize the Justice Department; its to have neither side do it.

When specifically pressed, Denton declined to say whether Haley believes presidents should get involved in prosecutions or investigations of individuals.

One recent entrant to the race, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, disavowed the post-Watergate norm, putting forward a premise that law enforcement officials are currently politically biased and so his White House interference would be to correct that purported state of affairs.

I certainly would not promise that I would allow a biased department operate independently, he said in part of a statement. I believe it is the presidents responsibility to insist that justice is delivered fairly without bias or political influence.

A spokesperson for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Lance Trover, was even more vague.

Gov. Burgum believes that citizens faith in our institutions is the foundation of a free and just society and will not allow them to be a political enforcement extension of the party in power as we have seen in failed countries, he said. If Americans have distrust in the Justice Department when he takes office, he will do what it takes to restore the American peoples faith in the Department of Justice and other bedrocks of our democracy.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Huawei Technologies Co said on Tuesday that protecting intellectual property is the only way to achieve innovation and charging reasonable licensing fees for using its patented technology is the result of innovation rather than the purpose of production.

The company made the comments after Japan's Nikkei Asia reported that Huawei has approached about 30 small to mid-size companies in Japan to seek licensing fees for use of its patented technology.

Huawei said in a statement to China Daily that the company aims to promote innovation and protection of intellectual property rights through licensing its patented technology.

Mutual recognition of intellectual property among enterprises can create a positive innovation cycle of "invest-return-reinvest" in high-value technology research, enhance the sustainable innovation ability of the industry, and provide consumers with more competitive products and services, Huawei said.

Currently, Huawei is one of the world's largest patent holders, thanks to its sustained investment in innovation. According to Clarivate, a leading global IP consultancy and analytics firm, by the end of 2021, there were a total of 46,322 declared 5G-standard essential patent families, and Huawei was tops, owning 5,108 patent families with a share of 18 percent.

And Huawei was once again the most active patent applicant at the European Patent Office last year, surging 27.1 percent.

"When we looked at the figures, we were very struck by this development. Huawei is about 1,000 applications ahead of the second most active applicant. It's a remarkable effort made in 2022," Aidan Kendrick, chief business analyst at the EPO, told China Daily.

Huawei's jump is in line with a broader trend of growing technological prowess among Chinese companies. Patent applications from Chinese companies at the EPO grew by 15.1 percent last year, marking the highest growth rate among the leading 20 patent-filing countries.

China is likely to soon overtake Germany and Japan as the country filing the second most patents with the EPO, as Chinese companies continuously grow in innovation prowess and embrace the international intellectual property system for IP protection, Kendrick said.

The United States remains the top patent filer with the EPO.

Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Information Consumption Alliance, a telecom industry association, said it is common practice for tech companies to charge fees for the use of their patents, and royalty rates Huawei charges are lower than those of its competitors such as Finnish telecom company Nokia and Sweden's Ericsson.

According to its official website, Nokia said in 2018 that it charges up to 3 euros ($3.58) per phone for its 5G standard essential patent portfolio. Ericsson said on its website that it charges $2.50 to $5 per device.

Xiang said Huawei deserves a reasonable return for its long-term investment into research and development.

According to Huawei, in 2022 alone, the company invested 161.5 billion yuan ($22 billion) into R&D. And from 2010 to 2019, it spent a total of about $90 billion on R&D.

Song Liuping, chief legal officer at Huawei, said earlier that royalty fees will not be a major revenue source for the company, and Huawei will continue to focus on developing telecom products and services.

"Protecting IP is key to protecting innovation. We are eager to license our patents and technologies to share our innovations with the world. This will help broaden the innovation landscape, drive our industry forward and advance technology for everyone," Song said.
[Source]

The City College of San Francisco retracted a Cantonese certificate program born out of a two-year, community-driven fight to save classes in the language, NextShark has learned.

Background: The colleges Cantonese program first faced jeopardy in Fall 2021 due to budget cuts. City College Trustee Alan Wong, who was elected board president earlier this year, led the effort to save its classes, partnering with more than 40 Asian organizations for a proposal that paved the way for two certificate programs. Those include a 9-unit Conversational Cantonese Certificate and a 16-unit Chinese Cantonese Certificate, which were recommended by the Curriculum Committee in September and October 2022, respectively, and both ratified by the Board of Trustees on Nov. 10, 2022. Both were then ready for submission to the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office (CCCCO) for final review.

The latest: On Nov. 23, 2022, however, the Curriculum Committee pulled its support for the 16-unit program. In their meeting, it was reportedly stated that the program has been reverted back to draft status until the department has the resources to develop more Cantonese offerings, including a grammar course.

In March 2023, World Languages and Cultures Department Chair Diana Garcia-Denson stated that it will not be offered this year as it remains in the draft stage, and the current draft does not meet department standards because we dont have the courses nor the resources to support a 16-unit certificate in Cantonese.

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Wong responds: In a new press release, Wong stressed the importance of the program in fighting Asian hate and ensuring bilingual services for the Chinese community:

Our Chinese community celebrated City Colleges approval of the Cantonese program. We finally had recognition that the Chinese community and Cantonese language matters. To suddenly pull the rug from under our feet after it had been approved is unjust and undemocratic. This tone-deaf decision is a disappointment to the Chinese community.

The bigger picture: Cantonese, alongside Mandarin, is one of San Franciscos threshold languages, which means it has at least 10,000 limited English proficient (LEP) residents who use it. According to Wong, Cantonese is the most common language spoken by the citys Chinese population. Data from 2021 showed that of nearly 660,000 LEP client interactions across city departments, 43.6% were in Cantonese. It is also the second-most requested translation for domestic violence calls after Spanish.

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What Wong is doing: Wong, whose parents are Cantonese speakers from Hong Kong, has vowed to push the college to acknowledge and assure that the 16-unit program will be in future catalogs. For now, he has included an action item on a July 22, 2023 Board of Trustees agenda to approve a notation in the upcoming academic catalog, which will indicate that the 16-unit Cantonese certificate is incoming.

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DUBAI (Reuters) -Heavy clashes broke out between rival military factions in several parts of Sudan's capital on Wednesday as a 72-hour ceasefire that saw several reports of violations expired, witnesses said.

Shortly before the truce ended at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) fighting was reported in all three of the cities that make up the wider capital around the confluence of the Nile: Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman.

Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been battling each other for more than two months, wreaking destruction on the capital, triggering widespread violence in the western region of Darfur and causing more than 2.5 million people to flee their homes.

Attacks by militias linked to the RSF in the western city of El Geneina have been described by local and foreign observers as ethnic cleansing.

Witnesses said army aircraft carried out air strikes in Bahri and the RSF responded with anti-aircraft fire. Smoke could be seen rising from the industrial area.

Witnesses also reported artillery fire and heavy clashes in Omdurman and ground fighting in southern Khartoum.

Residents also reported clashes near the army headquarters in the city of Dalanj in South Kordofan, where the SPLM-N led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, a large rebel force that is not clearly aligned with either of the factions, has been mobilising.

In a statement, the Sudanese army accused al-Hilu of violating a ceasefire agreement, and said it had sustained several losses.

The RSF also attacked a separate army camp in another part of the city on Wednesday, witnesses said.

In Nyala, one of Sudan's largest cities and the capital of South Darfur, the army and the RSF clashed in the centre and northern districts of the city for the second day after a period of calm, said one local activist, amid a power blackout.

The ceasefire was the latest of several truce deals brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States at talks in Jeddah.

As with previous ceasefires, there were reports of violations by both sides.

Late on Tuesday, both factions blamed the other for a large fire at the intelligence headquarters, which is housed in a defence compound in central Khartoum that has been fought over since the fighting erupted on April 15.

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. said that if the warring factions failed to observe the ceasefire they would consider adjourning the Jeddah talks, which critics have questioned as ineffective.

The conflict in Sudan erupted amid disputes over internationally backed plans for a transition away from military rule following a coup in 2021 and four years after long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir was ousted during a popular uprising.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Alex Richardson, Deepa Babington and Jonathan Oatis)
Informal meeting of ministers of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) and Eurogroup

By Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finnish central bank Governor Olli Rehn plans to take a leave of absence to run in a presidential election due next year, he said on Wednesday, leaving his deputy to run the bank.

The Bank of Finland (BoF) said the bank's deputy head Marja Nykanen will be acting Finnish central bank governor while its board member Tuomas Valimaki will take Rehn's place as a voting member of the European Central Bank's governing council.

Finland's president wields significant power in areas such as foreign and security policy. The election comes after Finland in April joined the NATO military alliance in a historic policy shift brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The move drew a threat from Moscow of "counter-measures."

Having decided to run independently, Rehn must collect 20,000 signatures before he can formally enter the race to succeed Sauli Niinisto who is stepping down after two terms.

"I will apply for a leave of absence when hopefully I am nominated as a presidential candidate," Rehn told a news conference.

Rehn, who is due to start a holiday immediately and is expected to start the leave of absence when that ends, said he would not be engaged in any official duties while preparing to stand for office.

Pekka Haavisto, who on Wednesday resigned as foreign minister as the government stepped down in the wake of general elections, has also said he will run for the presidency.

The first round of Finland's presidential election is due on Jan. 28 next year. If none of the candidates wins more than 50% of votes, a run-off between top two contenders will be held on Feb. 11.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Conor Humphries)
Fire starts under Sacramento freeway junction twice in one day, jamming afternoon traffic

Traffic was jammed Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento due to a grass fire burning near the junction of Highway 50 and Highway 99, on undeveloped land.

The fire was reported around 1 p.m. Wednesday near 29th and W streets, according to Capt. Justin Sylvia, a spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department. Traffic was heaviest on northbound Highway 99 to the westbound Highway 50, W-X freeway connector.

Sylvia said the fire was not endangering freeway traffic, but it can be affected.

Traffic is always impacted when we have grass fires next to the freeway just because the smoke drifts across the freeway, Sylvia said.

Smoke was visible Wednesday afternoon in parts of midtown, East Sacramento, Curtis Park and Oak Park.

Crews were sent to the same location at around 10:15 a.m. for a fire that was roughly an acre large, Sylvia said. They remained on scene for overhaul.

Sylvia said the department does not know the cause of either fire and is not considering the afternoon fire a re-ignition of the morning fire.
Regulators have approved lab-grown meat to be sold in the United States for the first time at restaurants and eventually in supermarkets.

The Agriculture Department approved two California companies Wednesday, Upside Foods and Good Meat, to sell chicken made from animal cells instead of slaughtered animals. Companies have been working to try to launch this form of meat production to reduce harm to animals and the environmental effects of grazing, growing food for animals and animal waste.

The Food and Drug Administration declared lab-grown meat from both companies as safe for human consumption months earlier.

Upside Foods and Good Meat both praised the decision in statements. Upside Goods said the approval is a historic, world-changing moment that brings its vision closer to reality, while Good Meat called it groundbreaking.

Lab-cultivated meat is grown in steel tanks with cells from a living animal, fertilized egg or a special bank of stored cells. Upsides products come out in large sheets that are formed into shapes like chicken cutlets and sausages, while Good Meat turns chicken cells into cutlets, nuggets, shredded meat and satays.

Good Meat already sells cultivated meat in Singapore, which was the first country to allow its sale.

The meat will first be served in exclusive restaurants, with Upside partnering with a San Francisco restaurant called Bar Crenn and Good Meet working with a Washington, D.C., restaurant run by chef Jose Andres.

More time will likely be needed before the products can reach supermarkets, as they are much more expensive than meat from farmed birds and cannot be produced on the same large scale yet.

There are more than 150 companies internationally are focused on growing meat  including chicken, beef, pork, lamb and fish  from cells.

Polling has shown that the public might be skeptical at least for now about being willing to try lab-grown meat.

A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found half of U.S. adults said they are unlikely to try meat grown from cells. Most of those who said they would not want to try it indicated it just sounds weird, while half said they do not believe it would be safe.

Upside Chief Operating Officer Amy Chen said she knows many consumers feel an ick factor about eating chicken grown from cells, but people tend to be more open about it once they learn more about how it is made and taste it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Five new ambassadors present credentials to Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received credentials from the ambassadors of Norway, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Iceland.

Source: Zelenskyy announced this on Facebook

Quote: "Credentials. Ambassadors of Norway, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Iceland.

I congratulate the ambassadors on the beginning of their diplomatic mission in our country. Together we are strengthening the rules-based international order and protecting life."

Details: Credentials are presented to the head of state, thereby effecting the accreditation of a diplomatic representative.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






A Florida couple said OceanGate refused to refund $210,000 they paid to visit the Titanic  even though they never made the trip

A Florida couple sued Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Exhibitions, in February. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Since OceanGate's submersible went missing, its safety and business practices have drawn scrutiny.

In February, a Florida couple sued the company's CEO, alleging he failed to refund them more than $210,000.

The expedition was postponed for more than four years, the couple alleged in the suit.

A Florida couple sued the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions earlier this year, alleging the company didn't refund more than $210,000 they paid years ago to reserve spots on a Titanic voyage that never happened.

Federal agencies are currently scrambling to locate OceanGate's submersible, the Titan, after it lost contact with the surface on Sunday morning. The Coast Guard has estimated that the five passengers on board the Titan will likely run out of breathable air late Wednesday. OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush is one of the five passengers trapped in the missing sub, the company has confirmed.

OceanGate charges passengers hundreds of thousands of dollars to visit the wreck of the Titanic, roughly 13,000 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic.

OceanGate's business and safety practices have drawn scrutiny since it lost contact with the submersible.

In 2018, a former employee warned that the sub's safety could be compromised by poor "quality control and safety" protocols. A group of dozens of underwater adventurers, marine biologists, and submarine pilots echoed the former employee's safety concerns two months later. Still, in a 2019 interview, Rush criticized submersible safety regulations, saying they stifled innovation.

The Florida lawsuit, first reported by The New York Times and the Daytona Beach News-Journal, accused OceanGate's CEO Rush of misleading customers.

Marc and Sharon Hagle, of Winter Park, Florida, paid $105,129 each to participate in an OceanGate voyage to the Titanic wreckage planned for 2017, according to the lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court in Florida.

The dive was postponed and by autumn 2017, the Hagles were growing nervous that it may never take place, the suit said. Rush then flew out to Florida to personally assure them that the dive would go forward, but said if they changed their mind about participating, they could request and receive a refund, according to the suit. Rush said their deposits would be held in an escrow account, the suit said.

The Hagles were reassured. But when the dive, then scheduled for 2018, was postponed yet again, they requested a refund. OceanGate refused, according to the suit. Moreover, they learned their deposits were not held in escrow, the suit said.

The suit has not progressed since it was filed in February. Attorneys for OceanGate are not listed.

A person who picked up Marc Hagle's phone indicated he was unavailable to comment. An attorney for the Hagles did not respond to Insider's emailed request for comment. An inquiry sent to OceanGate through a media contact form on its website did not receive a response.

Read the original article on Insider
A major developer of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key was arrested Friday on charges of DUI and resisting a law enforcement officer.

Holmes Beach police arrested Shawn Kaleta, 45, and charged him with a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as a first-degree misdemeanor for resisting an officer without violence, according to an incident report.

He is is a prominent businessman who owns the company Beach to Bay Living and has developed hundreds of properties on the island and Longboat Key. Most recently, he proposed building a new four-story hotel in Bradenton Beach, and submitted a proposal for Bradentons downtown city hall building.

Kaleta was first spotted by a patrol officer at 11:27 p.m. on June 15. He was in a black Mercedes-Benz accelerating through a turn from East Bay Drive onto eastbound Manatee Avenue, where he continued to accelerate until it met slower traffic ahead.

The car then began weaving within their lane, according to the report, drifted off the right shoulder and almost hit a construction sign, abruptly swerving to avoid it.

After the car crossed a construction zone on Anna Maria Bridge, the officer pulled him over and asked for his drivers license, registration and proof of insurance, at which point Kaleta began searching for documents before getting sidetracked by his phone multiple times, according to the report.

The officer reminded him multiple times to provide the documents. Kaleta produced his registration and eventually proof of insurance, but repeatedly told the officer that he could not find his drivers license.

At one point, he opened the vehicle door and put a foot down on the pavement  without telling the officer  in order to look for his license in the door compartments. After searching for it for a while, he asked if he could pull around the car and look for his mom before correcting himself and stating license.

The officer told him he was not allowed to drive at that point, so Kaleta asked if he could get out of the vehicle to look for his license.

The officer allowed him to get out but noticed he lost his balance and staggered. When he walked to the other side of his car, the officer said he swayed.

He also noticed that Kaletas breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage, his speech was confusing and repetitive, and his eyes were glassy. As he searched for his license, the officer asked him questions, to which Kaletas responses proved inconsistent, the officer said.

The officer asked Kaleta if he had any drinks or had taken any medications recently, but he said he had not, according to the HBPD report.

The officer then instructed Kaleta to stand behind his vehicle so he could look up his drivers license, but he instead walked onto the shoulder, again losing his balance, causing the officer to tell him multiple times to stand behind his vehicle and eventually showing him where to stand  which Kaleta still did not comply with, according to the report.

When the officer turned his emergency lights off to conduct a field sobriety test, Kaleta offered to have his wife pick him up but also added that he has done nothing wrong.

The officer then checked Kaletas eyes and asked him if he had any medical issues that affect his eyes or his basic body movements, to which Kaleta responded that he does have medical conditions, is on antibiotics, and is over 40 and doesnt see properly. When asked if he was blind in either eye Kaleta responded that he does not know.

Kaleta initially complied with the field sobriety test before he stopped at one point and asked for an attorney and added that he had done nothing wrong and had nothing to drink. When asked again if he would do the exercises, Kaleta said again that he wanted an attorney and asked the officer if he had seen anything that conducts an issue.

The officer responded that he had seen signs of impairment and asked him again if he would like to continue the exercises, to which Kaleta pulled out his phone and tried to call an attorney. The officer told him he could not do that at the present time and again asked him if he would do the exercises. When Kaleta wouldnt answer his questions, he told him he was under arrest for driving under the influence.

When the officer tried to grab his arms to put handcuffs on him, Kaleta began aggressively pulling away from the officer and tried to walk away while also refusing the officers verbal command to stop resisting. The officer then brought Kaleta to the ground and laid him on his stomach before placing him in handcuffs, searching him and finding a wine cork in his shorts pocket.

Kaleta was transported to HBPD, where he refused to provide breath samples despite telling the officer before beforehand that he would.

He asked for a medical evaluation, but EMS evaluated him as not needing medical treatment. He asked to be taken to the hospital and was transported to Blake Florida Hospital, where he agreed to have his blood drawn for police, but spent about an hour in the bathroom, resulting in no samples being drawn.

Sean Powers of McNary Powers, who is jointly representing Kaleta along with Jason Miller of the Najmy Thompson firm in Bradenton, said in a phone call to the Bradenton Herald on Wednesday that his client agreed three times at the hospital to give a blood test and that he isnt sure why HBPD declined.

Powers said Kaleta also agreed to take a breathalyzer if it was proven to him that it was properly calibrated, leaving them with plenty of options to make a determination with more than one version of a test, but Holmes Beach Police Department decided not to do that.

Hes dealing with family issues and health issues when he was going home that night that impacted things. We understand this is going to be examined by the State Attorneys Office and we are confident things are going to look good for Mr. Kaleta, Powers said.

Kaleta was booked into the Manatee County Jail on Friday. He was released after posting $620 bail.
PANAMA CITY BEACH  A Florida man who refused to stop swimming and boogie boarding in the Gulf of Mexico during hazardous conditions on Tuesday, then tried to run away from deputies, has been arrested.

Garrison Creamer, a 38-year-old man from Bay County, Florida, where Panama City Beach is located, was arrested after he refused multiple times to get out of the Gulf during double red flag conditions, which indicate a very high hazard and that the water is closed to the public.

The Bay County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened near Beach Access 85 in the Panama City Beach area. Creamer was in the water with a boogie board when deputies arrived.

Garrison Creamer, a 38-year-old Bay County resident, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he refused multiple times to get out of the Gulf during double red flag conditions.

"As double red flags were posted, swimming conditions in the water were too dangerous for anyone, even with a boogie board," the release reads. "Only those tethered to a surfboard can enter the water during double red flags."

The sheriff's office said Creamer refused to get out of the water after deputies told him to do so, and while a helicopter hovered above him.

"After about 25 minutes, (Creamer) returned to shore, boogie board in hand, and tried to avoid deputies by running through the large crowd that had gathered to watch," the release reads. "Deputies quickly caught up, and though (Creamer) fought, he was taken into custody on the sand dunes."

He was charged with violation of double red flag ordinance, obstruction of justice and resisting and battery on a law enforcement officer.

According to Panama City Beach, violations of double red flag rules can result in a $500 fine for a first offense. Second offenses come with a $1,000 fine.

The arrest comes after two drownings in the last week in the Gulf in Panama City Beach. A retired firefighter from Georgia drowned last Thursday after he tried to save two swimmers who were caught in a rip current, and an Alabama man died Sunday when he also was caught in a rip current while trying to rescue his daughter, authorities have said.

The people they were rescuing all survived, authorities said. There were either single or double red flag warnings in effect at the time of both drownings.

Rip currents are fast-moving currents created by deeper channels in surrounding sandbars. These channels often run perpendicular to the shoreline and cause water to funnel faster out into deeper waters of the Gulf.

SAFETY TIPS FOR BEACHGOERS How to get out of a rip current and more.

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Florida man arrested for swimming in dangerous water after warnings
A sign post is seen in front of a Brightline rail car to celebrate the completion of the construction of the Brightline high speed rail on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. The rail system now connects Miami to Orlando. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The last segment of a higher-speed rail line stretching from South Florida to the central part of the state has been completed, a milestone that was celebrated Wednesday by mayors from across the Sunshine State.

A 170-mile stretch of rail now connects Miami to Orlando as Brightline is gearing up to run 16 daily round trips between Miami and Orlando starting later this year.

Mayors from Miami, Aventura, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando gathered at a station at Orlando International Airport on Wednesday to mark the occasion. All the cities are located along the route.

Brightlines Orlando expansion broke ground in June 2019, a year after operations began in South Florida between its Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations.

This is a tremendous moment for our community. We have watched the construction progress, looking forward to the day when we would see trains pass us alongside the highway. That day is here," said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, whose county is home to Orlando.
QatarEnergy signed on Tuesday with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) a long-term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sales agreement at its headquarters in Doha.

The agreement entails the delivery of 4 million tonnes of LNG per year from QatarEnergy's North Field East (NFE) LNG expansion project to CNPC's receiving terminals in China, spanning the course of 27 years, according to the Qatari state-owned company and the CNPC.

In addition to the sales agreement, QatarEnergy will also transfer 1.25 percent of NFE's shares to the CNPC, the CNPC said on its official social media account.

The agreements were signed by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the minister of state for energy affairs and CEO of QatarEnergy, and Dai Houliang, the chairman of CNPC, during a special ceremony.

"We are pleased to embark on this partnership with CNPC and to build on the excellent relations between the People's Republic of China and the State of Qatar," Al-Kaabi said.

For his part, Dai said the agreements lay a solid foundation for the energy cooperation between the two sides, and "from this brand-new starting point, CNPC will continue to actively discuss with QatarEnergy all-round cooperation."

In April, Sinopec, another Chinese energy and chemical giant, also signed a similar partnership agreement with QatarEnergy and became the first Asian shareholder in the NFE project.
An Ocala office surgery center wont be operating on anyone most of July during a three-week suspension announced Friday in a final order from the Florida Department of Health.

Whether you call the surgery center Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgical Assoc. (the name on license No. OSR1560) or Surgical Specialists of Ocala, (the name on the business), an administrative complaint says a July 2021 inspection of 1920 SW 20th Pl., Suite 100, revealed that paramedics were providing anesthesia care.

Florida administrative law says in an office surgery center, the surgeon has to be assisted by a qualified anesthesia provider who must be an anesthesiologist, certified registered nurse anesthesist or qualified physician assistant. If the surgeon is certified for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, a registered nurse can do the assisting.

Officially, Cardiothoracic neither admits nor denies the allegation. But the company reached a settlement agreement that suspends them for 21 days beginning June 30.
University professors and students are urging a federal appeals court to uphold a decision blocking a 2022 Florida law that would restrict the way race-related concepts can be taught in classrooms  a law that Gov. Ron DeSantis dubbed the Stop WOKE Act.

Attorneys for two sets of plaintiffs filed briefs Friday arguing that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should back a preliminary injunction that Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued in November against the law. The plaintiffs contend, in part, the law violates speech rights and academic freedom.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Not since the anti-communist measures of the McCarthy era have a state legislature interfered so directly with the academic freedom of university instructors, said one of the briefs, filed on behalf of six instructors at Florida A&M University, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida and Florida State University. It was in that period, when legislatures, like Floridas today, sought to suppress views they disfavored, that the Supreme Court developed the First Amendment principles of academic freedom.

But in an April brief filed at the Atlanta-based appeals court, attorneys for the state argued that Walkers ruling should be overturned, saying it anoints individual professors as universities unto themselves, at liberty under the First Amendment to indoctrinate college students in whatever views they please, no matter how contrary to the universitys curriculum or how noxious to the people of Florida.

The constitutional question in this case thus boils down to this: Who decides what is and is not, to be taught in Floridas college classrooms  individual professors or their employer, the state, in prescribing by law the content requirements and standards that govern public universities in setting their course curricula? the states lawyers wrote.

DeSantis made a priority of the law, which he called the Stop Wrongs To Our Kids and Employees Act, or Stop WOKE Act.

We are putting a stop to woke ideology and DEI in higher education. pic.twitter.com/VyjME4egl6  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 7, 2023

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The law lists a series of race-related concepts and says it would constitute discrimination if students are subjected to instruction that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates or compels them to believe the concepts.

As an example, the law labels instruction discriminatory if students are led to believe that they bear responsibility for, or should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of, actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, national origin or sex.

As another example, the law seeks to prohibit instruction that would cause students to feel guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress because of actions, in which the person played no part, committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, national origin or sex.

Universities could lose what is known as performance funding if violations of the law occur.

In the April brief seeking to overturn the injunction, the states attorneys argued the law is aimed at preventing invidious discrimination by university employees and disputed the plaintiffs arguments about academic freedom.

The implications of the district courts ruling are horrifying, the states brief said. Under the courts reasoning, if a university permits the discussion of World War II in a history course within the established curriculum, then a professor has a First Amendment right to advocate the view that the Holocaust is a hoax and Nazis were the good guys. Or if a university permits the discussion of the Jim Crow era within the established curriculum, then a professor has a First Amendment right to inculcate the viewpoint that Jim Crow was justified because white people are superior to black people.

But a brief filed Friday by attorneys for University of South Florida professor Adriana Novoa and members of the First Amendment Forum at USF, a students group, said other federal appeals courts have held that the First Amendment protects scholarship and teaching in higher education.

Unable to point to a decision holding otherwise, the state spins up scenarios about Nazi sympathizers and racists, the brief said. But unlike the states imagined hypotheticals, the Stop WOKE Act imposes actual censorship. It foists serious consequences on faculty for unintentional or trivial violations, and imperils millions of dollars of their institutions budgets for a single professors remark.

The 11th Circuit has not indicated whether it will hear oral arguments in the case.

The law also placed restrictions on how race-related concepts can be addressed in workplace training. Walker in September issued an injunction against the workplace-training portion of the law  spurring a state appeal that remains pending.

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Protesters stand outside Florida's Capitol on April 29, in opposition to a bill that would ban Chinese people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents from owning any land or property in the state. Credit - Lawrence MowerTampa Bay Times/TNS/ABACA/Reuters

Barring people from buying a house because of where theyre from is unconstitutional and unacceptable. And yet thats exactly what Floridas new law attempts to do.

On May 8, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 264 into law, putting much of Florida off-limits to many Chinese immigrants, including people here lawfully as professors, students, employees, and scientists who are looking to buy a home in the state. The law also unfairly discriminates against many immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. But it singles out people from China for especially draconian restrictions and harsher criminal penalties.

With geopolitical tensions between the United States and Chinese government rising, were once again seeing politicians like DeSantis lean into racism, hate, and fear for their own political gain. Floridas pernicious new law weaponizes false claims of national security against Asian immigrants and others.

Worryingly, Florida isnt alone. Lawmakers across the country are trying to enact similar laws to ban Chinese citizens and other immigrants from owning property, but Floridas is the first one to pass and go into effect. Thats why our organizations and our partnersthe ACLU, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance, the Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund, and the law firm Quinn Emanuelare working to challenge Floridas unconstitutional law in court and have asked a judge to block the law from going into effect on July 1.

More from TIME

DeSantis has said this bill is necessary to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Policy in Florida, but he is wrongly equating Chinese people with the Chinese government. This law will not keep Floridians safe. It instead codifies and expands housing discrimination against people of Asian descentsomething expressly forbidden by the Fair Housing Act. It will also put a burden of suspicion on anyone with a name that sounds vaguely Asian (not to mention Russian, Iranian, Cuban, Venezuelan, or Syrian), perpetuating racist stereotypes even more.

Read More: What Ron DeSantis Florida Agenda Could Mean for America

This is history repeating itself: In the early 20th century, politicians used similar justifications to pass alien land laws in California and more than a dozen other states prohibiting Chinese and Japanese immigrants from becoming landowners. Over time, these laws were struck down by the courts because they violated the Constitutions equal protection guarantees or were repealed by state legislatures. But not before people were harmed.

For instance, in 1915, Californias alien land law forced Japanese immigrants Jukichi and Ken Harada to purchase their family home in the name of their children, who were U.S. citizens. Neighbors were so outraged they tried to pressure the family to sell the house and leave. When they refused, the neighbors sued them in court. Eventually a judge agreed that because the children were U.S. citizens with equal rights under the law, the family was entitled to stay in their home. Although the Harada family won their case, anti-Asian sentiment continued to rise, and 25 years later, they were forced from the same home and into internment camps as part of the Japanese American incarceration of World War II.

Discriminatory new land laws in Florida and other states around the country could cause immense harm, too. The plaintiffs in our lawsuit are Chinese immigrants who live, work, study, and raise families in Floridabut they will soon be prohibited from purchasing real estate there. Zhiming Xu, is a Chinese citizen who lives in Florida and came to the U.S. after fleeing political persecution in China. Earlier this year, Xu signed a contract to purchase a new home near Orlando, with a closing date of September 2023. But because of Floridas law, he will be forced to cancel the contract, putting both his deposit and his dreams for the future in jeopardy.

Similarly in Louisiana, high school senior Abigail Hu recently testified against a similar bill being considered there. This bill tells us that we are not good Americans, we are not Americans deserving of protection under the law, we are not Americans that the legislators we elect care to serve, Hu said. This bill tells us that we are Americans whose lives are pure political pawns, subject to the whims of the state and condemned to exist under a perpetual instability.

Under Floridas new law, people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and whose domicile, or permanent home, is in China, will be prohibited from purchasing property altogether. (A similar but less restrictive rule would apply to citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, and other countries of concern.) The sole exception is incredibly narrow: People with non-tourist visas or who have been granted asylum may purchase one residential property under two acres that is not within five miles of any military installation. This term is vaguely defined in the law, but there are at least 21 large military bases in Florida, many of them within five miles of cities like Orlando, Miami, and Tampaputting many major residential and economically-important areas completely off-limits.

In addition to imposing economic harms on immigrants and their communities, the law fuels discrimination and xenophobia. When politicians pass laws and engage in rhetoric that stigmatizes Asian communitieslike President Trumps China virus claimanti-Asian hate crimes ensue. Laws like Floridas, and similar proposals around the country, raise widespread fears of more harassment and violence.

DeSantis and the Florida legislature have sent a clear message: The state believes home ownership by Chinese citizens is a threat to national security. This view is racist and baseless. Just as there was no actual evidence to justify the alien land laws of an earlier era, there is no evidence of any actual national security harm resulting from real estate ownership by Chinese people in Florida.

At a time when one in two Asian Americans report feeling unsafe in the U.S. due to their ethnicity and nearly 80% dont feel they fully belong or are accepted, Floridas leaders have a responsibility to the people who live there to do better. Until they do, well see them in court.
Former and current employees sue Twitter, accusing execs of failing to pay 'tens of millions of dollars' in bonuses

Elon Musk and Twitter's San Francisco headquarters. LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Twitter is being sued by former and current workers over bonus payments.

In a class-action suit, they said they were not paid 50% of their 2022 bonuses.

Executives repeatedly promised employees the bonuses would be paid out, the suit alleged.

Twitter has added another lawsuit to its growing pile.

This time the lawsuit is a class-action filed by Mark Schobinger on behalf of himself and other current and former Twitter employees. The lawsuit alleged employees were not paid a proportion of their 2022 bonuses, despite repeated promises from top executives.

Insider's Kali Hays previously reported that Twitter informed employees in May that cash bonuses would no longer be given to anyone at the company.

It was alleged in court documents that employees were promised 50% of their 2022 bonus by execs, including Ned Segal, the company's former chief financial officer. Schobinger, who was formerly Twitter's senior director of compensation, claims in the suit that these assurances were made both before and after Elon Musk acquired the company in October.

However, in the first quarter of 2023 when the bonuses were due to be handed out, Twitter refused to pay them to employees who remained at the company, the suit alleged. Schobinger, who has left Twitter, said he turned down calls from recruiters and companies regarding other work opportunities because of the promised bonus.

In a statement shared with Insider an attorney for the plaintiffs, Shannon Liss-Riordan said the bonuses Twitter owed amounted to "tens of millions of dollars."

She said: "We estimate about a couple thousand employees would have been eligible for the bonuses."

Representatives for Twitter did not respond to Insider with a comment addressing the claims made in the lawsuit.

Lawsuits against the social-media company have been piling up since Musk's takeover. The billionaire's erratic leadership has led him to stop paying rent for several offices and lay off thousands of employees.

Last December, Musk also began releasing thousands of internal documents as part of his Twitter Files project. One former executive said, however, that he and other Twitter employees had been harassed over the release of the files.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former NYC police officer, 2 others convicted of stalking New Jersey family on behalf of Chinese government

A federal jury in New York convicted three men Tuesday of stalking a New Jersey family on behalf of the Chinese government.

The defendants  Michael McMahon, 55; Zhu Yong, 66; and Zheng Congying, 27  were convicted of conspiracy and stalking charges related to the plot following a three-week trial. McMahon, a former sergeant in the New York City Police Department, and Yong were also convicted of illegally acting as an agent of the Peoples Republic of China.

The guilty verdicts are the first trial victory in the US Department of Justices efforts to combat Operation Fox Hunt, the Chinese Communist Partys international alleged anti-corruption campaign targeting those the Chinese government considers fugitives  often former officials or rich individuals suspected of economic crimes.

Three other defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in the PRC-directed harassment and intimidation campaign, according to the DOJ.

The Chinese government launched Operation Fox Hunt in 2014 to target wealthy citizens who were accused of corruption and had fled the country with large amounts of money.

The defendants engaged in a campaign of harassment and coercion on behalf of the PRC to force the victims repatriation to China from the United States, including by threatening family members, US Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said in a statement Tuesday.

The Department of Justice will hold accountable those who would help repressive regimes violate the fundamental freedoms of people in the U.S., he said.

According to prosecutors, the defendants embarked on a years-long campaign targeting a former Chinese government official who had lived in the US for several years. The three men threatened, harassed, surveilled and intimidated the man and his family between 2016 and 2019 to return to China, they said.

Defendants left threatening note, DOJ says

In 2015, the Chinese government prompted Interpol to issue an international Red Notice for the former Chinese official and his wife, alleging they were wanted by the PRC on corruption-related charges, the DOJ said.

Prosecutors said Yong hired McMahon, who was working as a private investigator, to get information about the targeted man, his family and his daughter from government databases. McMahon then reported back to Yong and others, including a police officer with the Chinese government, to give details about the family, prosecutors said.

McMahon also surveilled the mans sister-in-law as part of the operation, which was orchestrated by PRC officials.

The plot included recording the former officials daughter, taping a threatening note to the front door of his house, and flying his elderly father from China  allegedly against his will  in 2017 to pressure his son to return to China.

Prosecutors said the note, which defendant Zheng left at the familys New Jersey home after attempting to force open the front door, stated: If you are willing to go back to the mainland and spend 10 years in prison, your wife and children will be all right. Thats the end of this matter!

The US government charged eight people, including six Chinese citizens, related to the plot in 2020. Three other defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme, prosecutors said.

Speaking at a news conference in October 2020 after the charges were announced, then-US Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers said the arrests sent a message that the US will not tolerate this type of flagrant conduct on our shores.

Without coordination with our government, Chinas repatriation squads enter the United States, surveil and locate the alleged fugitives, and deploy intimidation and other tactics to force them back into China where they would face certain imprisonment or worse following illegitimate trials, he said at the time.

CNNs Ben Westcott contributed to this report.

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Former Titan submersible passenger who visited the Titanic said he knew he might die and that 'nobody walked into this thinking it was going to be a pleasure cruise'

Former Titan submersible passenger who visited the Titanic said he knew he might die and that 'nobody walked into this thinking it was going to be a pleasure cruise'

OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible. OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File)

Mike Reiss visited the Titanic last year in OceanGate's Titan submersible.

Reiss said he knew he could die when he kissed his wife goodbye before the dive.

He said the five people in the missing Titan would've understood the risks, too.

A former passenger of the Titan submersible who visited the Titanic shipwreck last year said he knew he might die and that the five missing people would've also understood the risks.

The Titan has been missing since Sunday, when it lost contact with its surface vessel less than two hours into the dive, kicking off a major search-and-rescue effort for the submersible and the people on board.

Mike Reiss, a writer and producer for "The Simpsons," told CNN that he knew the stakes were high when he took the same voyage in OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible to visit the Titanic last year. Reiss said he had to sign a waiver beforehand that mentioned several times he could die.

"In every way, it felt like being a Mercury astronaut," Reiss said. "This wasn't a vacation. It wasn't tourism. It was exploration. And you're getting on a ship that's the best it could be, but they're learning as they go along.

"You get on with a lot of excitement but just constant trepidation, constantly knowing this could be the end."

Reiss said he and his wife were supposed to go on the voyage together but that she tested positive for COVID-19 and had to stay behind.

"I kissed her goodbye knowing that that might be the last time I'd ever see her," he said, adding: "Nobody walked into this thinking it was going to be a pleasure cruise, especially the experts involved."

He noted Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, the company behind the trip, was also in the submersible when it went missing.

"They made it as safe as they could make it. They trusted their own lives to it," Reiss said, "but they knew it could end this way."

On Monday, the US Coast Guard estimated the submersible had 70 to 96 hours of oxygen left, which would mean it could last until Thursday afternoon ET.

Read the original article on Insider
This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible beginning a descent. Rescue teams expanded their search underwater on June 20, 2023, as they raced against time to find a Titan deep-diving tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic with five people on board and limited oxygen. All communication was lost with the 21-foot Titan craft during a descent June 18 to the Titanic, which sits at a depth of crushing pressure more than two miles below the surface of the North Atlantic.

Authorities expanded rescue efforts as they race to find the missing submersible carrying five passengers on a deepwater quest to explore the wreck site of the Titanic as underwater noises were detected.

Search vessels were redirected Tuesday after "multiple" aircraft detected underwater noises in the area. Navy acoustic analysts were studying the sounds, which were heard again Wednesday, said Capt. Jamie Frederick, the First Coast Guard District response coordinator, in a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

"We don't know what they are," Frederick said. "The good news is, were searching in the area where the noises were detected."

Pilot and CEO of OceanGate Stockton Rush and four commercial passengers including British billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, two members of one of Pakistans most prominent families were on board Titan, the 22-foot submersible when it lost contact with its support ship Sunday.

The mission, led by OceanGate, is a privately-owned company that runs commercial projects, scientific research and exploration in deep water.

Five vessels, two remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and aircrafts have been searching above and below the oceans surface since the submersible went missing, with additional vessels and ROVs expected to arrive Thursday morning, according to a Coast Guard official.

As more information emerges about OceanGate's mission and the inherent dangers, former passengers have begun to share their experiences with Titan.

More: Missing Titanic submersible live updates: Search expands 'exponentially'; more sounds heard

Simpsons writer Mike Reiss: 'You know going in how very dangerous this is'

Crews work on Coast Guard vessels at Coast Guard Base Boston in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 21, 2023. Rescuers searching for the submersible near the wreck of the Titanic have detected "underwater noises" in the search area, the US Coast Guard said June 21, 2023, with the five on board estimated to have less than 24 hours of oxygen left.

When did they encounter Titan? Mike Reiss, a writer for "The Simpsons" said he and his wife embarked on their own Titanic expedition with Titan last year, after a friend told them about a guy in Seattle who was building his own sub, Reiss told KIRO 7 Tuesday.

Prior to the trip to the Titanic site, the couple took other dives with the company. When they heard about a chance to visit the Titanic wreck site, they signed up for it. They didnt get a chance to stay long after the submersible reached the site because of unsafe weather conditions

What was their experience on Titan? It was a real struggle to get to the Titanic. Our time was very, very short because on top of the danger of being two and a half miles down, there was a hurricane coming down at sea level, said Reiss. We really had this tight window. You sort of land at the bottom of the ocean and then go all right, wheres the Titanic? We know its around here somewhere.'

As Reiss recalled his own experience in the same submersible 11 months ago, he remembers that they lost communication on every dive they took, which was just one of the problems, Reiss said.

But anyone who boarded the Titan was aware of the risks associated with the voyage.

Everyones hoping and praying. I just go I know having been in this situation its very difficult. You know, Im hoping, too. Its not any bad or reflection on Stockton Rush. Its his company and he designed it, but its just we are all part of this ongoing experiment, said Reiss.

A look inside the Titan: Missing Titanic submersible: Maps, graphics show last location, depth and design

Titan submersible composed of 'less sophisticated parts,' CBS reporter David Pogue says

This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible during a descent. Rescue teams expanded their search underwater on June 20, 2023, as they raced against time to find a Titan deep-diving tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic with five people on board and limited oxygen. All communication was lost with the 21-foot (6.5-meter) Titan craft during a descent June 18 to the Titanic, which sits at a depth of crushing pressure more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the surface of the North Atlantic. (Photo by Handout / OceanGate Expeditions / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / OceanGate Expeditions" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/OceanGate Expeditions/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33KD8MC.jpg

When did he encounter Titan? CBS reporter David Pogue boarded the submersible alongside OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush in November for a report about Titans underwater expeditions. Described as MacGyvery with as much room as a minivan, the submersible relied on "less sophisticated and jerry-rigged components to help it run, according to the original CBS report.

"There were parts of it that seemed to me to be less sophisticated than I was guessing. You drive it with a PlayStation video controller... some of the ballasts are old, rusty construction pipes," Pogue told USA TODAY. "There were certain things that looked like cut corners."

What was his experience with the submersible? The Titan did get lost for a few hours on Pogues expedition and was unable to find the site of the Titanic wreck during one of the dives, but unlike the current situation crews were able to send short texts to communicate with the submersible even if they did not know where it was.

This submersible does not have any kind of beacon like that. On my expedition last summer, they did indeed get lost for about 5 hours, and adding such a beacon was discussed, Pogue tweeted. They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was. It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ships internet to prevent us from tweeting.

"I was anticipating a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I got it," Pogue told USA TODAY's "5 Things" podcast.

The expedition has a "safety-conscious culture as members of the trip went through mandatory daily briefings and were even taught how to put on smoke masks and use fire extinguishers in case of a scenario where there was smoke on the craft, Pogue said.

"Nobody ever said, 'here's what you do if we lose communication and are trapped under the sea,' because it just seems impossibly remote," he said.

ICYMI: Reporter who rode Titanic submersible tells USA TODAY about 'less sophisticated' parts

Friend of British billionaire tells 'Good Morning America' he pulled out of Titanic expedition due to safety concerns

When did he encounter the Titan? Digital marketing tycoon and friend of British billionaire Hamish Harding, Chris Brown told "Good Morning America" he was one of the first people to sign up for the Titanic submersible experience.

"Being a modern-day adventurer interested in pushing the boundaries of our knowledge of places that people go... the Titanic is obviously an iconic wreck," he said. "It's a chance for an expedition, an exploration and adding a bit of science into the situation, Brown said.

What was his experience on the submersible? Even though Brown ultimately decided not to board the Titan for fear of his safety, he was initially excited and drawn to the voyage because he wanted to see the Titanic wreckage in person.

When asked about his concerns with the safety of the mission, Brown declined to elaborate, saying "the focus right now has to be on trying to rescue these people."

Energy executive says passengers ability to survive may come down to passengers staying calm

Chief executive of San Leon Energy and two-time Titan diver Oisin Fanning, said Stockton Rush and Paul-Henri Nargeole would know how to conserve oxygen and make the most of the submersibles blankets and scrubbers since both men knew it would take several days for a rescue vessel to arrive, the NYT reported Wednesday.

Fanning said the passengers ability to stay calm and avoid panicked breathing could be critical to any chances of survival.

When did he encounter the Titan? Fanning made two deep-sea dives on the Titan last summer, the Times reported. The prospect of seeing the Titanic close up made up for the fact that the submersible had not undergone the proper certification process, Fanning said.

What was his experience like? Fanning felt that the thrill he experienced while he toured an area near the wreckage and another that visited the Titanic itself was well worth the cost of the expedition, about $120,000, even if it was not very pleasant.

You see a lot, a bathtub in one of the rooms, a lamp outside the Sergeant of Arms rooms. It is not comfortable, youre in a cigar-like tube, and youre just sitting on the floor, taking turns looking out of a small porthole, he said.

Titan expedition is not a 'Disney ride,' but felt completely safe, OceanGate investor tells TODAY

When did he encounter Titan? OceanGate investor, Aaron Newman, says felt completely safe his entire trip aboard Titan in 2021.

"They were a professional crew, they did a lot of training around safety and the backup systems around dropping weights, so I felt very safe. But ... this is not a Disney ride, right? We're going places that very few people have been, and this is inventing things. So there are risks, right? And we know that, but all these people accepted that, Newman told Today on Wednesday.

What was his experience like? Newman compared his own time on the Titan akin to going to another planet."

"You're getting in this craft  you're bolted in. It's a tube that's comfortable, but not spacious," he said. "And at the surface, when you first get in, it gets very hot and stuffy and so you're laying down and you have a little packed lunch with you and a little bit of water, but you're planning for the day to be there.

As you descend deeper and deeper into the ocean, the only that light is visible comes from the submersible.

"By the time you hit the bottom, the water down there is below what standard freezing temperature is. That's going to conduct right through that metal, so it was cold when we were at the bottom. You had to layer up  we had wool hats on and were doing everything to stay warm at that bottom, Newman said.

The five passengers onboard the missing submersible are what Newman considers to be a good set of people because they are "people who lived in the edge and loved what they are doing as they calmly do what they can to stay alive."

"Our focus is just hoping for this Hollywood ending to happen. We know the Coast Guard and everybody else is working so hard. And the OceanGate crew is working as hard as they can to possibly find this if anything is out there," he said. "It's promising but there's work to be done, and that's what the focus is."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Titanic submarine passengers share deep sea exploration experiences
A vice president at Jacksonville State University in Alabama has been named president of Texas Wesleyan University, the school announced Wednesday.

Emily Messer will be the first female president of the school. She had been the vice president for enrollment management at Jacksonville State since 2018.

We were very fortunate to have many qualified applicants who expressed an interest in leading our University, said Glenn Lewis, the chair of the Board of Trustees, in a statement. After carefully reviewing all options, we concluded that Dr. Messer stood out as the person we felt was best suited to lead Texas Wesleyan University into the future.

Messer starts July 1. She will succeed Frederick G. Slabach, who spent 12 years at Texas Wesleyan before he resigned to become the dean of the University of Mississippi Law School.

As Texas Wesleyans next president, I am committed to advancing the mission of the university, said Messer. I would like to thank the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students for the opportunity to lead this exceptional university into its next chapter.

Messer was also the the vice president of enrollment management, assistant dean of students and director of student life at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia.

Enrollment at Texas Wesleyan reached 2,653 in 2022, the largest since 2012. Under Slabachs leadership, more than $50 million was invested into the campus.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Emily Messer as the next President of the University, said Vickie Stevens, the vice chair of the board of trustees. Dr. Messer has the skills to build upon the success of President Slabach with her talent and vision, and we look forward to the future of Texas Wesleyan University under her leadership.

Messer attended the University of Alabama, where she earned a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration. She also holds two degrees from JSU  a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Public Administration.
Almost four decades after he began systematically preying upon patients in fake medical exams  unrestrained by his employers or authorities  disgraced former Columbia University gynecologist Robert Hadden will face justice next week.

The unassuming predator who relentlessly molested, assaulted and raped female patients under the guise of gynecological care from the late 1980s to 2012  his whole medical career  should receive a prison term that reflects the immeasurable trauma he wrought, prosecutors said in new court filings.

Ahead of Haddens sentencing, Manhattan Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim said Hadden, 64, of Englewood, N.J., had leveraged his position of power for decades to target, exploit, deceive and sexually violate his patients.

He was, by all accounts, an intelligent and well-educated person who came from a privileged background, Kim said in the governments sentencing submission filed late Tuesday, adding that Hadden should get at least 25 years.

He appeared to his patients and to his community as a nice, mild-mannered doctor and family man, but he was actually an extremely dangerous, deceptive and sophisticated sex offender.

At least 350 women have accused the once prestigious obstetrician-gynecologist of abuse in various civil and criminal matters  evidence at his recent trial covered up to 310 acts of abuse.

Jurors heard testimony from nine victims about how Hadden preyed on pregnant women, patients with severe medical concerns and women with little experience with OB/GYNs who didnt realize they were being abused.

The depraved doctor raised eyebrows almost as soon as he started at the formerly-named Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in 1987. But it long looked like he would never be held to account.

Evidence provided by one of Haddens former nurses detailed her walking in on him and a patient in the late 1980s to see that his head was tilted back, his eyes were closed and his face was red during a fake vaginal exam.

Hadden would be promoted to chief resident at Columbia in 1990 and become an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital when it was formed a few years later, where he sexually assaulted pregnant women in labor and delivery. A staff nurse witnessed him sexually assault patients five to 24 times yearly.

In 1994, a patient reported Hadden to Columbia, but the complaint went nowhere.

It looked like he might finally be held responsible years later, in 2012, when he was arrested for licking a pregnant womans vagina during an exam. But Columbia didnt fire him, and he assaulted another patient the following month. He was fired in 2013 after filing multiple requests for medical leave.

Under Cy Vance, Jr., the Manhattan district attorneys office charged Hadden with abusing six patients in 2014, when more women had come forward in lawsuits.

But he dodged jail time in a maligned 2016 plea deal requiring him to admit to harming just two women in exchange for his medical license and registering as a level-one sex offender  the lowest rating. In addition, prosecutors promised not to charge Hadden for anything they learned in their investigation.

With no sign that Hadden would be meaningfully held responsible, many of his victims proceeded to pursue justice in the civil courts. They played an instrumental role in lobbying New York lawmakers to pass the Adult Survivors Act, historic legislation that opened a one-year window to bring sexual assault claims if the statute of limitations had expired.

Haddens accusers also went after the elite institutions they said enabled him. Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian have shelled out hundreds of millions to women abused by Hadden under their employ, including a $165 million settlement last October with 147 victims, following another in 2021 with 79 women.

The walls wouldnt close in on Hadden until September 2020, when federal prosecutors brought the current case accusing him of enticing patients from out of state to abuse. One was a teenage girl who he had delivered at birth.

A jury took less than three hours to convict him when he went on trial in January, with Judge Richard Berman heeding the calls of his victims and revoking his $1 million bail. To accommodate all who wish to speak at sentencing, Berman will spread the proceeding across two days, on June 28 and July 24.

In his June 13 sentencing submission, Hadden asked the judge to give him up to three years. Federal public defender Deirdre von Dornum said he had been struggling to stay afloat at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center while awaiting sentencing, where hes been terrorized by staff and inmates who call him a child molestor and rapist. On his first day, his face and the word predator was displayed on every TV in his unit.

He goes through each day in fear, trying to stay in his cell as much as possible, coming out only for showers and family phone calls. He jumps at every noise and his hands tremble almost constantly. His skin is covered with rashes. He has already lost 35 pounds, von Dornum wrote.

Haddens lawyers had argued that hes already paid for his crimes in the Manhattan DAs case when the feds brought charges, wrongly punishing him over and over again.

Prosecutor Kim told Judge Berman it was extremely troubling that Hadden hadnt directly acknowledged his crimes in therapy or in his sentencing submission. She said a stiff sentence is critical to ensuring the communitys safety  and justice for his victims, who have long waited for it.

The Courts sentence will reflect how seriously crimes of violence against women are taken in this District, particularly given that sex crimes in this country remain under-reported and under-prosecuted, Kim wrote.

And it will send a message to the victims in this case that their lives and bodies matter.
France shuts down climate activist group, saying it provoked violence

France shuts down climate activist group, saying it provoked violence FILE PHOTO: People demonstrate against agro industry water 'mega-basins' in Sainte-Soline

By Juliette Jabkhiro and Layli Foroudi

PARIS (Reuters) - France is shutting down the environmental activist group Les Soulevements de la Terre (SLT) for provoking armed protests or violent actions, the government said on Wednesday, a move immediately criticized by the leftist opposition and NGOs.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has referred several times to "eco-terrorism" in relation to SLT actions in recent months, saying some activists had showed "extreme violence against police forces".

"Under the pretence of defending the conservation of the environment ... this group encourages sabotage and material damage", said a government decree announcing the shutdown of the group.

The decree referred to several protests that resulted in clashes with police, including those against a farm reservoir in western France in March and a rail link in the Alps last week.

"It's an infringement on freedom of expression, it targets speech and not actions," SLT lawyer Raphael Kempf said of the decree, adding that they would contest it in court.

Rights groups said the move reflected a government crackdown on green interest groups, which they said included heavy-handed policing of protests and arrests of activists.

"It's part of a wider trend," said Patrick Baudouin, head of the French Human Rights League (LDH).

"For the past few months there have been attacks on several freedoms (freedom of protest, expression and association), that primarily concern the ecologist movement," said Baudouin.

Activist Florian Lemerle told Reuters that, no matter the government's decision, the SLT was too broad a group to be dissolved.

"Les Soulevements are a coalition, there are 190 local committees," Lemerle said.

(This story has been refiled to correct the spelling of the lawyer's first name in paragraph 5)

(Reporting by Juliette Jabkhiro and Layli Foroudi; Editing by Alex Richardson)
You are here: Business

Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2022 shows the indoor exhibition area of 2022 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference in Shunyi District of Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said Wednesday that it would release a new set of national standards for the sector of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs).



While accelerating the revision and formulation of standards concerning functional safety, internet safety, and operating systems, the ministry will facilitate the market entry for such vehicles and pilot on-road driving, vice minister Xin Guobin told a press conference.

To help the sector thrive, relevant departments will seek major technological breakthroughs, improve related infrastructure, and advance road testing, Xin said.

China has, to date, designated over 15,000 km of roads for ICV testing and has upgraded or transformed over 7,000 km of roads to cater to ICVs, data from the ministry shows.

The country is also expanding the use of driverless taxis and buses, autonomous valet parking, and unmanned delivery vehicles, said the ministry.
The Freestone County commissioners are decrying the states decision to move forward with eminent domain to seize the Fairfield Lake State Park property in their county.

At a Wednesday morning meeting, the five commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter to Texas Parks and Wildlife, asking them to stop right now.

The commissioners were responding to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissions June 10 decision to use eminent domain to seize 5,000 acres of land in Freestone County. That land includes the 1,800-acre Fairfield Lake State Park, which the state operated on leased land for about five decades.

The former private owner, energy company Vistra Corp., sold the full 5,000 acres to Dallas-based developer Todd Interests. The development firm finalized its purchase at the beginning of June and plans to build a high-end, gated community on the property. The states lease on the park land was slated to end in mid-June.

The Parks and Wildlife Commissions unanimous vote to move forward with eminent domain had been met with mixed reactions. Some residents have applauded the effort to keep hold of public land. Others, now including the Freestone County commissioners, have said that the state shouldve worked harder to obtain the land before a private buyer did.

And while eminent domain experts have said that the Parks and Wildlife Commission appears to be well within its legal rights to seize the property, developer Shawn Todd has said that the states move sets a dangerous precedent.

Freestone County Judge Linda Grant has for months been a vocal proponent of saving the park, and has spoken at legislative hearings about the importance of the park to the local community. She said at Wednesdays meeting, though, that she believes public sentiment has changed over time, as the discussion shifted from purchasing the park land to seizing the park land.

I think the opinions have changed and I think people are not as supportive as they used to be, Grant said at the meeting.

She added that Todd Interests planned development would also add to the countys tax base.

The tax revenue that this project is promising, that we will get, will be a great benefit to our county and to our taxpayers, Grant said. Hopefully more services will be able to be provided to our citizens, and I know we need a lot of things in our county that weve not been able to afford over time.

The Freestone County commissioners voted to draft the letter Wednesday morning. By early afternoon Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said the agency had received the letter but did not yet have a response.

The Fairfield Lake property has not yet been seized by the state. At this point, the Parks and Wildlife Department has made an offer, based on an appraisal report, to Todd Interests and asked the developer to voluntarily sell the land, according to a department spokesperson.

This step is required by the states eminent domain laws, and the offer itself is confidential. If the two sides dont reach an agreement on a voluntary sale, then the state will move forward with condemning and seizing the property, although the state will still be required to pay a fair price for the property.

In the meantime, several Parks and Wildlife commissioners have asked Todd to pause any demolition or development plans on the property. In an interview with reporters last week, Todd would not commit to that and said that the property remains fully under the ownership of his firm at this time.
A French deep-diving robot that can dive almost 20,000 feet is being rushed to the site of the missing sub but won't arrive until Wednesday evening

The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, went missing Sunday. OceanGate Expeditions/Handout via REUTERS

The search for the submersible that went missing en route to the Titanic continued on Wednesday.

A French minister said a deep-diving robot capable of diving almost 20,000 feet down was on its way.

But it's set to arrive on Wednesday night, with the sub's oxygen expected to run out on Thursday.

A robot that can go to depths of almost 20,000 feet below sea level is en route to join the search for the submersible that went missing near the site of the Titanic wreckage on Sunday  but it isn't set to arrive until the crew's oxygen has nearly run out.

Herve Berville, the French secretary of state for the sea, said the research vessel Atlante was on its way to the rescue site, the French newspaper Le Figaro reported.

The Atlante is equipped with Victor 6000, a remote-operated vehicle that is operated by cable and "carries out observation and handling tasks to a depth of 6,000 metres," or 19,685 feet, according to the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea.

Berville said The Atlante was expected to arrive by 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The vessel would likely arrive at the search area just hours before the oxygen available in the Titan submersible runs out. The US Coast Guard says the crew's oxygen supplies are likely to run out by Thursday afternoon.

"The idea and our goal is for the ship to arrive as soon as possible," Berville said, according to The Telegraph. adding: "This is a race of time."

The US Coast Guard said Monday that OceanGate Expeditions' submersible lost contact with its mothership less than two hours into its journey to the Titanic. Five people were on board, including OceanGate's CEO and founder, Stockton Rush, according to reports.

It is unclear whether the submersible is intact or whether the people on board are still alive.

Experts say there are three likely scenarios for what has happened: the submersible could already be on the surface, waiting to be discovered but unable to communicate for some reason; the submersible could have cracked and imploded; or it could be tangled in the wreckage of the Titanic.

A desperate search is underway, involving various equipment and vessels, including a submarine, aircraft, and remote-operated vehicles.

The Titanic's wreckage is around 13,000 feet below sea level  thousands of feet deeper than where any undersea rescue has ever taken place before. That could make rescue difficult even if the submersible is located.

Other vessels that could be key to any rescue attempt are also heading to the site.

The BBC reported that this included a Royal Canadian Navy ship with a six-person mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber on board, which could help deal with the decompression sickness of any survivors.

That craft is expected to arrive by midday on Thursday.

Correction: June 22, 2023  An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of the French newspaper that reported on comments from the French secretary of state for the sea. It's Le Figaro, not Il Figaro.

Read the original article on Insider
The French government has decided to dissolve a climate activist group, following a series of fiery clashes between demonstrators and police.

The decision to shut down Soulevements de la Terre (the Earth Uprisings), an umbrella organization of climate activist groups, was taken by the French cabinet following a request by President Emmanuel Macron, government spokesperson Olivier Veran told journalists on Wednesday.

The process to shut down the group started in March, after a protest in western France over proposed so-called mega water basins for farm irrigation led to violent clashes with police, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported. Police fired teargas and vehicles were set alight, with serious injuries among both police officers and protesters, according to Reuters.

Its not the freedoms of protest nor expression that are in question. Its not ideas that are being sanctioned, its the repeated turn to violence against property, against people, that has occurred again in these last weeks, Veran said. The use of violence is not legitimate in the rule of law, he added.

This Tuesday, 14 people linked to the group were placed in custody as part of an investigation into a protest action in December 2022 against a major cement manufacturer, BFMTV reported.

Soulevements de la Terre plans to appeal its dissolution, according to BFMTV. The group also said that the French governments decision could help it garner support.

We see it as a call to set up a network of resistance, as a lever to help even more people join the next actions of Soulevements de la Terre, said the group in a press release shared with CNN. The government claimed to make us disappear, but in reality we are becoming more and more visible, the statement added.

Members of Les Soulevements de la Terre protests the extraction of sand for industrial purposes, on June 11, 2023. - Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP/Getty Images

In recent weeks, the movement has organized protests across France, including against the concrete industry, construction of a new rail line with Italy and a new road project in the southwest. This last protest was banned by the government, according to BFMTV.

Soulevements de la Terre, which said it has 110,000 registered members, confirmed that it has plans for further protests over the summer.

The French organization La Ligue des Droits de lHomme (the Human Rights League) said the decision to close the group is a worrying sign of a crackdown on environmental protest. This decision comes in a climate particularly hostile to this environmental movement, attempting to bluntly silence it and its supporters, the organization said in a statement.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted her support for the movement Tuesday. Regularly condemned for its climate inaction, the government would do well to not criminalize the commitment of ecologist activists mobilized for the planet, she wrote.

Far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, who heads the largest left-wing group in the French parliament, also condemned the governments move Tuesday, blaming the interior minister for the violence at environmental protests.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a campaign event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 10, 2023, as he seeks the GOP nomination for president. (NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The leader of the Florida Democratic Party filed ethics complaints against three top Gov. Ron DeSantis staffers who asked lobbyists and lawmakers for donations to the governors presidential campaign.

Party chairperson Nikki Fried said she filed complaints with the states Commission on Ethics and the Florida Elections Commission.

These allegations represent a gross violation of state laws and ethics and we could not in good conscience ignore them, Fried said in a statement. If true, they are yet another example of Ron abusing his public office for personal gain.

The governors office has defended the fundraising, saying that the staffers did so on their own time. DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern said in a statement Wednesday that he was adding the complaints to the list of politically motivated attacks.

If the executive team wants to fundraise, knock doors, or volunteer their free time, more power to them  they have First Amendment rights like every American, Redfern said.

Fried, citing news reports, filed the complaints against three top DeSantis officials, who each earn six-figure salaries as government employees: Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, Legislative Affairs Director Stephanie Kopelousos and Policy and Budget Director Chris Spencer.

The fundraising was first reported by NBC News, which wrote that DeSantis officials were asking lobbyists to donate to the governors White House campaign.

The fundraising, which was confirmed by the Herald/Times, was considered a surprising breach of norms even for the boundary-pushing governor. DeSantis had not yet signed the state budget  and therefore could have vetoed spending in which lobbyists clients could benefit.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, citing unnamed sources, reported that DeSantis staff also asked state lawmakers to donate to DeSantis presidential campaign. (When DeSantis issued his vetoes last week, a GOP senator from Sarasota accused the governor of targeting his district because he endorsed former President Donald Trump in the presidential primary.)

Frieds complaints say that if the reporting is true, the officials might be misusing their position and violating a state law against state workers participating in a political campaign for elective office while on duty, a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

In March, Fried filed a different complaint against DeSantis and his state campaign committee, accusing him of accepting gifts from his committee in violation of state law.

The complaint alleged that $235,000 the campaign spent for DeSantis three-day Palm Beach retreat in February at the Four Seasons with donors and Republican lawmakers didnt serve the purpose for which the committee was created: to serve his campaign for governor.

DeSantis and his committees received another complaint on Wednesday, filed by the advocacy group End Citizens United with the Federal Election Commission. The complaint alleges that the transfer of $82.5 million from DeSantis former state committee to a super PAC backing his presidential campaign was prohibited under federal law.

Herald/Times Tallahassee bureau reporters Ana Ceballos and Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this report.
The upcoming film based on the novel of the same name debuts this weekend on Netflix.

Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers are happy to bring back the romcom. Both actors star in the upcoming Netflix flick, The Perfect Find, based on the book of the same name by Tia Williams. TheGrio caught up with the pair ahead of the films debut on Friday, breaking down what drew them to the roles, what it was like to shoot a romantic comedy in New York City, and more.

Directed by Numa Perrier, the film follows Jenna (Union), who finds herself in the midst of a fashion career comeback after a high-profile breakup. Her redemption plans hit a road bump when she falls for younger co-worker Eric (Powers), who just so happens to be the son of her boss, Darcy (Gina Torres).

For Union, it all started with Williams book, which she read when it first came out in 2016. I bought that book on day one, she told us. I assumed that somebody else had gotten the rights, then I ran into Tommy Oliver at lunch. Oliver, a producer, told Union that he owned the rights to the project, and conversations began about making it into a film. It has been a joyride, Union said when talking about the process.

Gabrielle Union (left) plays Jenna and Keith Powers is Eric in The Perfect Find, which will be available on Netflix starting Friday. (Photo by Alyssa Longchamp/Netflix  2023)

When reading the script, Powers told us, he was immediately drawn to the story. It felt very Black, which I loved and is very fun, he explained. The dynamic of the characters and the story was honestly unique to me. Its a story we dont get to see a lot  once I read it, I mean, I knew Gabrielle was attached, but I kind of figured this is going to be really fun to do.

The film also boasts a solid supporting cast, including La La Anthony, Gina Torres, Aisha Hinds and Janet Hubert, to name a few. Its us, its La La , who is one of my closest friends, Aisha Hinds, Gina  it almost didnt feel like work, Union told us.

Our green room was very fun, Powers added. It was a lot of great conversations and debates and then they were like, Alright we gotta work, but I think that spilled over onto camera and thats why the film feels so fun.

The film also got to shoot on location in New York City, an almost rite of passage some of the best romcoms of our time have experienced. There were also scenes in nearby Newark, New Jersey. Filming on location, in New York, on iconic sites, we dont get that, Union added, alluding to how those types of shoots are often reserved for white talent in Hollywood. Numa was like, We will have absolutely nothing less. I am going to make the movie of my dreams, and we were like, Yeah!'

I think the city, both cities, really become a character in the film, Union added.

The Perfect Find premieres Friday, June 23, on Netflix.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers on making The Perfect Find appeared first on TheGrio.
Attorney General Merrick Garland pushed back Wednesday against GOP accusations that the Justice Departments plea agreement with Hunter Biden, President Joe Bidens son, reflects a double standard of preferential treatment for Democrats.

Garland was pressed during a news conference in Sweden to address accusations from Republican lawmakers that Hunter Biden merely received a slap on the wrist while former President Donald Trump was criminally indicted.

Garland rejected the idea, pointing to the fact that the US attorney in Delaware tasked with investigating Bidens son was appointed under the Trump administration.

As I said from the moment of my appointment as attorney general, I would leave this matter in the hands of the United States attorney who was appointed by the previous president, and assigned to this matter by the previous administration, that he would be given full authority to decide the matter as he decided was appropriate, Garland said. And thats what hes done.

The attorney general said that any further questions to explain the plea agreement should be directed to the US attorney in Delaware.

Garlands remarks come after David Weiss, the US attorney overseeing the Biden criminal probe, told House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Jim Jordan in a letter that he had full autonomy over any decision making on the case.

I have been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and Departmental regulations, Weiss wrote in the letter.

House and Senate Republicans aggressively criticized the plea deal between the Department of Justice and Biden after it was announced on Tuesday, arguing that the charges brought against the presidents son exemplify what they describe as the weaponization of the Justice Department.

The allegation that the DOJ has been politicized against conservatives has been central to how House Republicans approach both their congressional investigations and their defense of Trump  though there is scant evidence backing up most of their claims and legal experts from across the spectrum have said the Trump indictment is well-founded.

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Genetic genealogy was used to link Bryan Kohberger, suspect in Idaho slayings, to crime scene, prosecutors say

DNA on a knife sheath found at the off-campus home where four Idaho college students were killed last November directly links accused murderer Bryan Kohberger to the crime scene, according to court documents filed by prosecutors last week.

Law enforcement officials used investigative genetic genealogy to link DNA found on the sheath to Kohberger, 28, a doctoral student at nearby Washington State University studying criminology, according to the June 16 filing from the Latah County Prosecutors Office. The investigation found that the DNA was at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be Kohbergers than an unrelated member of the public, the document states.

Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho, on Nov. 13. A motive remains unknown.

Some information about the use of DNA to identify Kohberger was already known: Law enforcement sources previously told NBC News that DNA played a role in helping investigators hone in on Kohberger, and a probable cause affidavit unsealed in January stated that male DNA was left on the button snap of the knife sheath and that DNA retrieved from the trash of Kohbergers family home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 27 showed there was a high probability it was from the biological father of the person who left the DNA on the sheath at the crime scene.

But the more recent filing provides new details about how investigators used DNA  and genetic genealogy, which has been used to identify several victims and suspects in recent years  to identify Kohberger as the prime suspect in the case.

Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson / AP)

Use of genetic genealogy

Investigators first submitted DNA from the knife sheath  found facedown on a bed next to the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves, and partially under Mogens body and the comforter  to the FBI database CODIS, which tracks DNA profiles of people who have been arrested or convicted, according to the filing. When that didnt turn up a match, investigators turned to genetic genealogy, commissioning a private lab to build a DNA profile that could be used to search for relatives, the filing states.

The FBI then took over and uploaded the DNA profile to one or more publicly available genetic genealogy services to identify possible family members of the suspect based on shared genetic data, the filing states. Investigators then built a family tree of hundreds of relatives using the same tools and methods used by members of the public who wish to learn more about their ancestors, the filing states, citing social media, birth and death certificates and user-submitted information as examples. FBI investigators then sent local law enforcement a tip to investigate Kohberger.

After law enforcement obtained the DNA from Kohbergers father and, later, a cheek swab from Kohberger, they found the statistical match showing it was overwhelmingly likely that the DNA found on the knife sheath matched Kohbergers, the filing states.

Experts have cautioned that DNA evidence isnt foolproof and shouldnt be the sole basis for an arrest or prosecution, and that law enforcements growing use of genetic genealogy allows them to gain access to the DNA of nonsuspects as well.

The filing outlines steps investigators took to protect the data of Kohbergers relatives and users of the unnamed publicly available genetic genealogy service, including not downloading or making copies of publicly available records and removing Kohbergers DNA profile from the service.

This means the FBI no longer has access to view much of the information it used to create the family tree and cannot view it again without resubmitting the DNA profile to the genetic genealogy service, the filing says.

Officers investigate a homicide at an apartment complex south of the University of Idaho campus on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Zach Wilkinson / The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP file)

Filing attempts to keep details sealed

Through the filing  a motion for protective order  prosecutors are seeking to keep more detailed information under wraps, including raw data and lab notes about the DNA profile and information about Kohbergers potential relatives used to build the family tree.

Prosecutors are willing to disclose other information, including documentation proving that the DNA test was performed and information related to the analyses performed on DNA culled from the knife sheath, from Kohbergers parents trash and from a buccal swab performed on him, the filing states.

Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30 in Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. A grand jury in Latah County indicted him on murder charges on May 16, and he was arraigned on May 22, when he stood silent and a judge entered not guilty pleas on all murder charges. His trial is tentatively set to begin on Oct. 2.

Kohberger remains held in Latah County Jail without bail, online records show.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
DNA on a knife sheath found at the off-campus home where four Idaho college students were killed last November directly links accused murderer Bryan Kohberger to the crime scene, according to court documents filed by prosecutors last week.

Law enforcement officials used investigative genetic genealogy to link DNA found on the sheath to Kohberger, 28, a doctoral student at nearby Washington State University studying criminology, according to the June 16 filing from the Latah County Prosecutors Office. The investigation found that the DNA was at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be Kohberger's than an unrelated member of the public, the document states.

Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho, on Nov. 13. A motive remains unknown.

Some information about the use of DNA to identify Kohberger was already known: Law enforcement sources previously told NBC News that DNA played a role in helping investigators hone in on Kohberger, and a probable cause affidavit unsealed in January stated that male DNA was left on the button snap of the knife sheath and that DNA retrieved from the trash of Kohbergers family home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 27 showed there was a high probability it was from the biological father of the person who left the DNA on the sheath at the crime scene.

But the more recent filing provides new details about how investigators used DNA  and genetic genealogy, which has been used to identify several victims and suspects in recent years  to identify Kohberger as the prime suspect in the case.

Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson / AP)

Use of genetic genealogy

Investigators first submitted DNA from the knife sheath  found facedown on a bed next to the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves, and partially under Mogen's body and the comforter  to the FBI database CODIS, which tracks DNA profiles of people who have been arrested or convicted, according to the filing. When that didn't turn up a match, investigators turned to genetic genealogy, commissioning a private lab to build a DNA profile that could be used to search for relatives, the filing states.

The FBI then took over and uploaded the DNA profile "to one or more publicly available genetic genealogy services to identify possible family members of the suspect based on shared genetic data," the filing states. Investigators then built a family tree of hundreds of relatives "using the same tools and methods used by members of the public who wish to learn more about their ancestors," the filing states, citing social media, birth and death certificates and user-submitted information as examples. FBI investigators then sent local law enforcement a tip to investigate Kohberger.

After law enforcement obtained the DNA from Kohberger's father and, later, a cheek swab from Kohberger, they found the "statistical match" showing it was overwhelmingly likely that the DNA found on the knife sheath matched Kohberger's, the filing states.

Experts have cautioned that DNA evidence isn't foolproof and shouldn't be the sole basis for an arrest or prosecution, and that law enforcement's growing use of genetic genealogy allows them to gain access to the DNA of nonsuspects as well.

The filing outlines steps investigators took to protect the data of Kohberger's relatives and users of the unnamed publicly available genetic genealogy service, including not downloading or making copies of publicly available records and removing Kohberger's DNA profile from the service.

"This means the FBI no longer has access to view much of the information it used to create the family tree and cannot view it again" without resubmitting the DNA profile to the genetic genealogy service, the filing says.

Image: (Zach Wilkinson / The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP)

Filing attempts to keep details sealed

Through the filing  a motion for protective order  prosecutors are seeking to keep more detailed information under wraps, including raw data and lab notes about the DNA profile and information about Kohberger's potential relatives used to build the family tree.

Prosecutors are willing to disclose other information, including documentation proving that the DNA test was performed and information related to the analyses performed on DNA culled from the knife sheath, from Kohberger's parents' trash and from a buccal swab performed on him, the filing states.

Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30 in Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. A grand jury in Latah County indicted him on murder charges on May 16, and he was arraigned on May 22, when he stood silent and a judge entered not guilty pleas on all murder charges. His trial is tentatively set to begin on Oct. 2.

Kohberger remains held in Latah County Jail without bail, online records show.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Georgia man arrested after fight escalates to deadly shooting at travel center, GBI says

An Augusta man was arrested after a deadly shooting at a travel center, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

On June 17, the Madison Georgia Police Department asked the GBI to investigate a deadly shooting at the Pilot Travel Center in Madison.

Officials said that between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., 28-year-old Charles Corbitt and 32-year-old Taylor Dickens were in a fight with each other, when during the fight, Corbitt grabbed his gun and shot Dickens.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Dickens, of McDonough, was taken to an area hospital where he died.

Corbitt remains in Morgan County Jail and has been charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to the GBI.

TRENDING STORIES:

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Madison Police Department at 706-342-1275 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Annalena Baerbock

Germany will provide Ukraine with an additional EUR 381 million ($417 million) in humanitarian aid in 2023, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said during a speech at the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in London, UK, on June 21.

Baerbock shared a poignant story during her speech, recounting a conversation with a 16-year-old girl in Kharkiv who expressed her longing for a normal life. The girl described how the daily countdown to 45 seconds to find shelter had become routine due to the constant threat of Russian missile strikes in the city.

The focus of the conference, Baerbock emphasized, was on the younger generations in Kharkiv and other affected areas. She said that Germany stands committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

Read also: Ukrainian businesses grapple with economic fallout of Russian aggression, only 6% remain unaffected

"We want Ukraine to emerge victorious in this war and to achieve lasting peace," Baerbock said.

"Today, we are here to emphasize that the German government is intensifying its efforts to assist Ukraine in its recovery. Humanitarian support is the starting point. In 2023, Germany will provide an additional EUR 381 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, covering a wide range of needs, from generators to food and tents for those who have recently been displaced or lost their homes."

Germany will continue its assistance in mine clearance, recognizing the importance of removing landmines towards ensuring the safety and well-being of the population, Baerbock added.

She also reminded the conferences attendees that Germany has already provided substantial support to Ukraine, including military aid, amounting to EUR 16.8 billion ($18.3 billion) in its ongoing efforts to counter Russian aggression.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
You are here: China

A medical worker conducts dental check for a senior citizen at a community in Gulou District of Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 24, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese health authorities have unveiled a three-year action plan to meet the nursing services needs of the people in an improved manner.

According to the plan issued by the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, medical institutions should redouble their efforts to staff sufficient numbers of nurses, particularly those in clinical nursing positions.

There should be at least one clinical nurse available for every two inpatients in the country's secondary and tertiary hospitals, it added.

Medical institutions are encouraged to dispatch qualified nurses to provide professional on-site nursing care for discharged patients, end-of-life care, and care for elderly people with mobility limitations, per the plan.

The country will facilitate private sectors establishing community-based nursing centers, and support community health services centers to provide elderly care services to meet diversified needs of the people in an improved manner, the plan says.
(Bloomberg) -- Ghanas economy grew faster than anticipated in the first quarter, driven by the services and agricultural sectors.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Gross domestic product expanded 4.2% in the three months through March from a year earlier, compared with 3.7% growth in the previous quarter, government statistician Samuel Kobina Annim told reporters in the capital, Accra, on Wednesday. The median of four economists estimates in a Bloomberg survey was for growth of 2.6%.

Services grew 10.1% in the quarter, compared with 7.6% in the previous three months, driven mainly by the health and education sub-sectors. Agriculture expanded 4.8%, up from 3.6%, as cocoa output rose. Industry contracted 3.2%, after shrinking 1% contraction in the previous quarter.

The oil and gas sector, one of Ghanas top foreign-exchange earners, contracted 16% in the quarter, Annim said.

The cedi was little changed at 11.3375 per dollar at 10:30 a.m. in Accra, while the yield on Ghanas dollar bonds maturing in 2032 declined 15 basis points to 24.4%.

The International Monetary Funds approval of a $3 billion extended credit facility for Ghana, with an immediate $600 million disbursement, should help bolster growth in subsequent quarters. The West African nation sought the bailout to replenish its coffers that were depleted by years of overspending and the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Ghana embarked on a debt restructuring in December to qualify for the IMF program. The government, which has restructured 87.8 billion cedis ($7.7 billion) of domestic debt, is now readying for very hard talks with eurobond holders in the coming months, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said Sunday. Ghana halted payments on most of its external debt in December.

The IMF program will help to restore investor confidence in the economy and sends a positive message to Ghanas trading partners and creditors, President Nana Akufo-Addo said last month.

--With assistance from Rene Vollgraaff.

(Updates with growth breakdown from third paragraph)

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A giant snail that eats plaster and is a threat to human health was spotted in a Florida county, forcing it into quarantine

Lissachatina fulica is a species of large land snail. It is also known as the Giant African land snail. Getty

A giant African land snail was spotted in Broward County, forcing part of it into quarantine.

The snail is among the world's most invasive species and lays thousands of eggs at a time.

It eats plaster and paint and carries a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans.

Parts of Florida's Broward County were placed under quarantine after a giant African land snail was spotted in the area, CBS News reported.

Adult snails of this species can grow up to eight inches and lay thousands of eggs at a time. Their shells have pointy edges that are sharp enough to puncture the tires of vehicles that run over them. They also pose a serious risk to humans because they carry a parasite that can cause meningitis.

The giant snail is among the most invasive species in the world; it eats plaster, paint, and stucco, poses significant threats to vegetation, according to CBS.

Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also said the snails "could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas as they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments."

The portion of Broward County under quarantine covers Fort Lauderdale and is about 3.5 square miles, the report said. The quarantine went into effect on Tuesday.

The FDACS said that during the quarantine, it's illegal "to move a giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but not limited to, plants, plant parts, plants in soil, soil, yard waste, debris, compost or building materials, within, through or from the defined quarantine area without a compliance agreement."

The agency added that it will use a metaldehyde-based molluscicide  snail bait  to treat for the pest, and that the treatment is approved for residential use.

It's illegal to import or possess the giant African land snail in the US; the snail was first spotted in Miami in 1969, according to ABC News. By 1973, more than 18,000 snails and their eggs were found and destroyed. The snail was declared eradicated in Florida twice: once in 1975, and the second time in 2021, ABC News reported, citing state officials.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  The federal investigation into Russian interference in 2016 took center stage in the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, with Republicans and Democrats sparring over the political implications of a report by special counsel John Durham on the origins of the probe.

The arguments werent over facts in the report, but over implications for Donald Trumps presidential campaign and whether lawmakers should rein in federal surveillance.

Republicans hammered away at flaws in the FBI and Justice Department conduct and pursuit of the inquiry into Russian interference, saying there was no justification to start. Durhams report and a previous inspector generals probe exhaustively detailed problems with how the FBI pursued the investigation.

The FBI and Justice Department are under new leadership and adopted dozens of changes to improve surveillance oversight. But Durham and some lawmakers argued change may take years and require more than new personnel.

Democrats highlighted that Durham found the FBI had an obligation to start the inquiry based on a tip Australian diplomats heard from a Trump campaign aide  months before receiving a notorious dossier of accusations against Trump.

But Durham said the FBI should have done a more modest assessment rather than jumping into a full investigation with surveillance during a weekend three days after the Australian tip.

The findings set forth in this report are serious, Durham said. This is not an easy fix. It is going to take time to rebuild the publics confidence.

Here are highlights from the hearing:

John Durham testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee about the origins and justifications of the FBI Crossfire Hurricane investigation against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on June 21, 2023. In a report released in May, Durham has sharply criticized the Department of Justice and FBI for the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election in his final report but said no policy changes were needed after the agencies overhauled their counterintelligence surveillance programs.

GOP focuses on political bias against Trump, flaws in FBI investigation

Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., said the report found the FBI did not have an adequate basis to launch the inquiry called Crossfire Hurricane, continued when agents couldnt verify evidence, agents didnt interview key witnesses and individuals abused their authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Cline called the report outrageous and deeply troubling.

Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., cited a text message Peter Strzok, the FBI official who opened the inquiry, sent Aug. 18, 2016, after being asked whether Trump would become president. No. No, hes not. Well stop it, Strzok replied.

Its clear there was no collusion, Fry said of the Trump campaign and Russia.

Democrats focus on lack of convictions, need for inquiry

Democrats focused on the lack of convictions from Durhams investigation. One former FBI lawyer pleaded guilty and two other defendants were acquitted at trial. Durham acknowledged he could have charged Hillary Clinton or other public figures if he had the evidence, but did not.

He brought just two cases to trial and lost them both, said Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y.

Nadler said Durham revealed little more than the previous report from the Justice Departments inspector general, Michael Horowitz. Durham didnt recommend additional remedial actions for the FBI or Justice Department because they had already adopted changes.

Nadler and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., each noted that Durham said the FBI had to review the tip from Australian diplomats that a Trump campaign aide had said they had numerous emails from Trumps Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. The FBI an affirmative obligation to look at possible links between the Trump campaign and Russian government, Durhams report said.

They had to look at it, yes, Durham said, although he distinguished between an assessment and a full investigation.

John Durham testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee about the origins and justifications of the FBI Crossfire Hurricane investigation against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on June 21, 2023. In a report released in May, Durham has sharply criticized the Department of Justice and FBI for the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election in his final report but said no policy changes were needed after the agencies overhauled their counterintelligence surveillance programs.

Both sides keep an eye on 2024 presidential campaign

Democrats argued the hearing was called to distract from the 37-count federal indictment against Trump for his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said the extraordinarily sensitive national security information about weapons systems, nuclear programs and vulnerabilities to attack.

Instead, Republicans have planned this hearing and constructed an entire false narrative around the work of special counsel Durham in an effort to distract from the former presidents legal troubles and mislead the American public, Nadler said.

Republicans argued Trumps opponents attacked and investigated him for years without result.

What we know now is that the FBI and DOJ have been turned into active political weapons against citizens and even a former president because of their opposing viewpoint, said Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

The committee chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, cited the initial FBI inquiry called Crossfire Hurricane, special counsel Robert Muellers investigation, two impeachments of Trump, the search of Trumps home, ridiculous charges against Trump in New York and the federal case over classified documents.

Seven years of attacking Trump is scary enough, Jordan said. But what is more frightening: any one of us could be next.

Special Counsels left to right: Jack Smith, John Durham, and Robert Hur.

Rare moments of levity

Despite the harsh language, the hearing had moments of levity.

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., highlighted that Durham was appointed U.S. attorney for Connecticut by Trump and appointed special counsel by Trumps attorney general, Bill Barr. Cohen asked Durham whether he agreed with Trumps recent description of Barr as a gutless pig, a coward and a RINO, for Republican in name only.

In my experience, none of those is correct, Durham replied. Thats outside the scope of my report, he added, to laughter.

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., noted the adversarial questioning and welcomed Durham to Congress.

Its a real pleasure to be here, Durham said to laughter.

Durham spent longer investigating origins than Mueller's probe

The report culminated a 48-month inquiry that began in May 2019. The probe ran longer than special counsel Robert Muellers original 22-month investigation.

Durham charged three people, one of whom pleaded guilty, and two won acquittals at trial.

Durham spent nearly $6.6 million as special counsel from October 2019 through September 2022, the most recent figures available.

What happened with Durham's cases?

Durham charged three people during his investigation:

Kevin Clinesmith, a former FBI lawyer, pleaded guilty to falsifying an email used to justify the surveillance of Carter Page, a Trump campaign adviser. Clinesmith was given probation. Michael Horowitz, the inspector general, issued a scathing report in December 2019 that criticized how the FBI won court orders to wiretap Page. But Horowitz rejected Trumps accusations that FBI leaders were trying to sabotage his campaign.

Michael Sussmann was acquitted in May 2022 of lying to the FBI. He was charged with misleading James Baker, then FBI general counsel, during a meeting Sept. 19, 2016. Sussmann gave Baker research that allegedly showed a possible back channel between Russia-based Alfa Bank and the Trump Organization. Baker accused Sussmann, a lawyer who represented Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, of lying about whether he was providing information for a client. But Sussmann denied he lied.

Igor Danchenko was acquitted in October 2022 of five counts of lying to investigators. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga acquitted him of one count and the jury cleared him of four others. Danchenko was a source of information in former British intelligence officer Christopher Steeles dossier of potentially compromising information about Trump. Investigators said he misled them about the sources of his information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP, Dems each cite John Durham's findings about Russia, Donald Trump
The GOP push to censure Adam Schiff may only help his Senate campaign in California

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California at a press conference on Capitol Hill in January 2023. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Rep. Adam Schiff was censured by the House on Wednesday in a party-line vote.

But with Schiff running for Senate as a #Resistance hero, the censure is only likely to help him.

His Senate campaign fundraised heavily on it, and he thanked his GOP colleagues in a floor speech.

House Republicans passed a resolution to censure Rep. Adam Schiff on a party-line vote on Wednesday, adding the California Democrat's name to a relatively small list of lawmakers who have been formally condemned by the House of Representatives.

The most recent lawmaker to make that list before Schiff was Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, who was censured in a bipartisan vote in November 2021 for posting an anime video depicting him killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

But in this political climate, becoming the 25th House member in American history to face censure may simply boost Schiff in his quest to become California's next senator  if his fundraising emails are any indication.

As of Wednesday evening, Schiff's Senate campaign had sent nearly 20 fundraising emails mentioning the GOP censure effort since Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna introduced the original version of her resolution on May 24.

"Rush an urgent donation to help our campaign respond right now to this concerted effort by MAGA Republicans to silence those who defend our democracy and hold the corrupt to account," reads an email sent early on Wednesday morning. "We have to fight this effort with everything we've got."

"Republicans view me as Trump's most effective adversary, and resent the work I did to impeach him and as part of the January 6th Committee," reads another sent after the first censure effort failed last week. "They can bring up a hundred resolutions to censure me  I'm not backing down."

A spokeswoman for Schiff's Senate campaign declined to share fundraising figures for the past month  though they will be made public via Federal Election Commission filings in July.

In a floor speech earlier on Wednesday, Schiff thanked his Republican colleagues for bringing the censure resolution, saying he stood "proudly" before them.

The censure resolution alleges that Schiff "misled the American people and brought disrepute upon the House of Representatives" for his handling of the Trump-Russia investigation. It also directs the House Ethics Committee to investigate Schiff.

Wednesday's vote was essentially a do-over effort: Luna's first resolution, which included a $16 million fine for Schiff, was tabled in a bipartisan House vote last week.

But while "Russiagate" remains a prominent grievance on the right, Democrats are less likely to view the censure of Schiff as legitimate  the notion that former President Donald Trump and Russia were in cahoots was a prominent motif of the #Resistance movement during Trump's presidency.

And as a member of the January 6th committee, an impeachment manager during Trump's first impeachment, and the one-time chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff has long positioned himself as a prominent foil to the former president  and it's an identity he's leaned into as a Senate candidate.

Republicans, naturally, are loath to acknowledge the political upside for Schiff  even those from his home state of California.

"You can't help what people do with fundraising and all of that," said Rep. Doug LaMalfa. "If that makes him a hero to some people, whatever."

"I'm not looking at this as politically as you're suggesting," said Rep. John Duarte, arguing Schiff "abused" his position during the Trump presidency.

"That's for someone else to worry about," said Rep. Kevin Kiley. "I'm focused on the text of the resolution, and whether it's warranted or not."

By contrast, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia excoriated Schiff  and the entire state of California  in a floor speech on Wednesday as she accused the California congressman of trying to "raise money off of being a liar."

According to recent polling, Schiff is narrowly leading his main Democratic rival, Rep. Katie Porter, while fellow Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee is trailing both. Schiff has also led Porter in recent fundraising, though the congresswoman has amassed a large war chest from her House campaign account.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing and food delivery app, Grab, says it is cutting 1,000 jobs - amounting to 11% of its workforce.

The company's boss said the cuts were needed to bring down costs and ensure affordable services in the long term.

The Singapore-based firm offers deliveries, rides and financial services in eight Southeast Asian countries.

In 2018, Grab took over the operations of US-based rival Uber in the region.

In an email to employees, chief executive Anthony Tan said the cuts, which are the biggest since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, were not "a shortcut to profitability."

He also highlighted the impact of new technology and rising borrowing costs: "Change has never been this fast. Technology such as generative AI [artificial intelligence] is evolving at breakneck speed. The cost of capital has gone up, directly impacting the competitive landscape."

The so-called "super-app", known as "the Uber of Southeast Asia," offers services across the region, and is present in countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In March 2018, Grab announced that it had bought Uber's operations in the region, in a deal it described as "the largest-ever of its kind in Southeast Asia."

Grab's last round of job cuts was in 2020, when it shed 360 positions due to the pandemic.

The company's New York-listed shares dipped by 1.2% on Wednesday.

The announcement comes as other gig economy companies across the world have also cut jobs.

Indonesian ride-hailing firm GoTo, Grab's rival in Southeast Asia, cut about 12% of its workforce last year and shed another 600 jobs in March.

Also in March, food delivery firm Just Eat said that it would cut 1,870 jobs in the UK after a slowdown in sales. The firm said it would stop employing its own couriers and use contractors instead, resulting in 1,700 job losses.

And in April, US ride-hailing app Lyft announced that it would cut more than 1,000 jobs, or more than a quarter of its workforce. It also said that it would not recruit for another 250 vacant positions.
Greta Thunberg gave her support to a climate group France has shut down (-)

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday gave her backing to a climate group shut down by the French government amid accusations it foments violence.

The government issued a decree earlier on Wednesday outlawing Uprisings of the Earth (SLT), saying it had encouraged violence in a series of demonstrations, including one that saw fierce clashes with police over an irrigation project.

SLT condemned the shutdown and called for protests in dozens of cities across France starting Wednesday.

The group also won the swift backing of Thunberg who was in Paris on the sidelines of a summit on green finance.

"This is about the right to protest and this is about defending life," Thunberg told a news conference with members of the organisation and supporters.

"I hope there'll be more people who stand up against these things that are happening now, and stand up for the right to protest," said the 20-year-old who regularly calls on world leaders to act fast against climate change.

Following Wednesday's weekly cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that "under the claim of defending the preservation of the environment... (SLT) encourages sabotage and property damage, including with violence".

SLT is part of a new wave of more radical climate activist groups, including Extinction Rebellion, that say direct action is needed in response to insufficient efforts to combat climate change and global warming.

The dissolution procedure for SLT was launched in March after around 5,000 protesters battled with more than 3,000 police officers during a protest against a giant irrigation reservoir near Sainte-Soline in western France.

Two protesters were left in a coma afterwards and about 30 officers were injured.

But Darmanin has drawn fire from left-wing opponents and rights groups for branding the actions of some protesters "eco-terrorism", noting that SLT's dissolution is based on a new law targeting extremist ideologies.

"It should not be used in a context of civil disobedience, where the freedom of expression and assembly takes precedence," Greenpeace France said in a statement.

Greenpeace added that it would support SLT if it contested the dissolution decree before the State Council, which rules on the legality of French laws.

burs/js-jh/bp
CAMBRIDGE  The Guernsey County Common Pleas Court, Probate/Juvenile Division recently hosted the Ohio Association of Probate, Juvenile, and Domestic Relations Judges 2023 annual summer conference.

More than 140 judges and their families from across the state converged upon the Salt Fork State Park and Lodge in Cambridge June 5 to 8, where the event was held.

The swearing-in of new officers to the Ohio Association of Probate Judges took place as part of the Ohio Association of Probate, Juvenile, and Domestic Relations Judges 2023 annual summer conference held from June 5 to 8 at Salt Fork State Park.

The Ohio Association of Probate Judges is comprised of all judges in Ohio with probate court jurisdiction. The association, a non-profit organization, operates for educational and charitable purposes. Annually, the association sponsors a summer educational and business meeting for judges, which promotes collegiality allowing for the sharing of ideas and experiences concerning the operation of probate courts.

During the probate sessions, continuing legal education was provided to Ohios probate judges on legislative and case law updates, best practices workgroup, attorney fees and guardianships, and decision-making.

As part of the annual event, a banquet was held featuring the swearing-in of new officers, among which was Guernsey Countys Judge David B. Bennett. Bennett was elected to serve as the groups secretary/historian. Conducting the swearing-in ceremony was Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Bennett, who is serving his second term as judge of the Guernsey County Probate/Juvenile Court, also maintains statewide involvement with the Probate Law and Procedures Committee, Juvenile Law and Procedures Committee, Ohio Supreme Court Commission on the Rules of Superintendence, Ohio Judicial Conference Judicial Advisory Group, Board of Trustees of the Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges, and the Executive Committee of the Ohio Probate Judges Association.

Submitted by Tim Welch with the Guernsey County Juvenile Court

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Guernsey County hosts annual judges conference
Hamish Harding's last Instagram post before boarding the missing Titan submersible said he was 'proud' to be part of the expedition

Hamish Harding emerges from his flight to space in June 2022. Blue Origin

British billionaire Hamish Harding was on board the Titan submersible which went missing on Sunday.

Shortly before descending, Harding posted to Instagram to share details of the expedition.

He wrote that he was "proud" to visit the Titanic shipwreck alongside a team of "legendary explorers."

One of the people on board the missing submersible wrote on Instagram that he was "proud" to be part of the expedition to the Titanic shipwreck just one day before embarking on the journey.

The submersible, named Titan, lost contact with its mother ship less than two hours after it made its descent off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Sunday, prompting an ongoing search by the US Coast Guard. The Titan is likely to have enough emergency oxygen to last the five passengers until Thursday afternoon E.T., officials say.

Five members were on board, including British billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding.

On June 17, the day before the submersible descended and subsequently went missing, Harding uploaded a series of photos and a lengthy caption to Instagram, to announce he had joined the expedition as a "mission specialist."

In the four-image gallery, Harding could be seen signing what appeared to be a flag with the name of the mission emblazoned on it, before a second image showed him posing in a chair behind it.

Two further images showed the vessel's mother ship, a Canadian research ship named the Polar Prince, and the Titan submersible itself, sitting above the water.

Alongside the series of photos, Harding tagged the Instagram account for OceanGate Expeditions, which organizes trips to the remains of the Titanic. He wrote that he was "proud to finally announce" he would be descending "as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic."

Comments on the post appear to be disabled but it has received over 10,000 likes, far more than most of his recent posts which range in the hundreds.

The caption on the post said the expedition was "likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023" due to "the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years."

"A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow. We started steaming from St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada yesterday and are planning to start dive operations around 4am tomorrow morning. Until then we have a lot of preparations and briefings to do," the caption continued.

Harding wrote the team on the submersible included "a couple of legendary explorers," some of which had completed "over 30 dives to the RMS Titanic since the 1980s."

Harding was likely referring to Paul Henry Nargeolet, a 77-year-old former French navy captain and veteran deep-sea diver known as "Mr. Titanic," who had visited the shipwreck 35 times dating back to the first human expedition in 1987, Insider previously reported.

The caption ended by saying, "More expedition updates to follow IF the weather holds!"

Harding is the founder and chairman of Action Aviation, an aircraft brokerage company, and according to the Guinness World Records, he holds the record for "the longest time spent traversing the deepest part of the ocean on a single dive" which was completed in March 2021.

The 58-year-old was also one of the passengers on Jeff Bezos' rocket company Blue Origin's fifth human spaceflight in June 2022.

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
A man who caused a fatal car accident in 2019 while fleeing police was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 13 years in prison for a gas station robbery he committed a few days before the crash.

Chaikim D. Reynolds, 22, of Hampton, previously pleaded guilty in Newport News Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter in the Jan. 23, 2019, crash that killed Elizabeth May Verley, 78, of Hampton. Under a plea agreement in January 2020, he was sentenced to three years and three months in prison for the crash.

That crash occurred the week after Reynolds entered a gas station in Henrico County to rob it the night of Jan. 17, 2019, along with co-conspirator Darrell Pittman, 24, of Newport News, according to court documents. Pittman was armed with a semi-automatic handgun, which he aimed at the clerk while Reynolds emptied the cash register, officials said.

Pittman was Reynolds passenger in the fatal crash and fled on foot before being apprehended two days later. In June 2020, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to three armed robberies.

In December, a federal jury found Reynolds guilty of interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

At his sentencing in U.S. District Court in Newport News, officials said Reynolds lied and obstructed justice when he testified in his own defense, including about his knowledge of the 36th Street gang that was a rival to the 44Newsome gang to which Pittman belonged and Reynolds was alleged to belong.

Katrina Dix, 757-222-5155, katrina.dix@virginiamedia.com
Torrian Baskerville and Leslie Hall of the Human Rights Campaign chat with theGrio about fighting HIV with the HBCU-based PrEP Peer Educator program.

While HIV infections have continued to decrease since the epidemics height in the mid-1990s, they still disproportionately impact Black and brown people  especially Black women, who, according to the JAMA Network, are leading in new cases. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) aims to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, with the nations Historically Black Colleges and Universities playing a large part.

Earlier this month, Torrian Baskerville, the HRCs Health and Equity director, and Leslie Hall, the HRCs director of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, sat down with theGrio to discuss the organizations efforts to end HIV among Black and brown communities. They shared that a significant part of that initiative involves reaching young adults on their level.

(Photo credit: Adobe Stock/ magann)

The way in which we are approaching ending the HIV epidemic, from our vantage point, is really addressing public education, Baskerville said.

In practice, this looks like a multipronged approach involving dispelling misinformation through initiatives such as the campaigns My Body, My Health program launched with Gilead Sciences, addressing low HIV testing numbers and reaching out to individuals who are out-of-care. The HRCs plan also includes addressing the stigma and barriers that keep people from seeking testing or seeking care.

Hall shared that during the first iteration of the initiative, the HRC looked closely at HBCUs and learned that stigma around the disease was the No. 1 issue standing in the way of students aged 18 to 25 seeking care. They also found a lack of information and resources in the colleges health centers and saw an opportunity.

We determined that we needed an approach or an initiative that allows students to get the information, to be connected to a treatment resource, and that needed to be confidential, said Hall.

Baskerville explained the intention behind focusing on HBCUs in the South.

We know that the South has the highest population of Black residents. We also know that the South has the highest population of people living with HIV and new infections. We also know that the South has the area with the most structural barriers, said Baskerville.

In response, the HRCs HBCU PrEP Ambassador Program was born. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a preventive drug that, according to the HRC, has been found 99% effective at preventing HIV during sex. Knocking down the stigma associated with both the disease and the preventive drug and increasing Black and brown students access to accurate information and resources are the programs main goals.

In the Ambassador Program, student leaders are selected from participating HBCUs and are thoroughly trained to lead informational sessions, man tables at major school events, discuss PrEP, HIV prevention, and sexual health with fellow students, and lead them to resources. Training takes place in Washington, D.C., and the students receive a stipend and a budget for their work. At the close of the 2022-2023 school year, Baskerville and Hall said the program had already demonstrated success.

For Hall, a clear sign of progress was when students let go of the mindset that they didnt need PrEP and proved receptive to learning more about HIV and preventive care.

Were seeing when they can engage with their peers and engage with a healthcare provider in a confidential setting, and mom and dad or a caregiver wont find out about it, our students do have an appetite to engage, he said.

During the 2022-2023 school year, the program, which launched with 10 peer educators across nine campuses, encouraged almost 30 students to sign up for PrEP.

Baskerville added that beyond the numbers, there are other ways the HRC is quantifying the impact of its initiatives, including through individuals who have galvanized state leaders and led HIV decriminalization efforts.

Theres many ways in which we know that this work that were doing is important, is meaningful, but it is working, and its important that we continue this work, he said, adding, I think Gilead saw those efforts and sees that it needs to [continue], which is why this year, they were able to expand our efforts.

Heading into the 2023-2024 school year, the HBCU PrEP Ambassador Program will have one peer educator each at 10 different campuses, with a new goal of signing up 100 students for PrEP. At the time of theGrios interview, the program was selecting its next round of student educators.

In addition to helping peers gain better sexual health and earning some leadership experience, Baskerville noted that being a peer educator can open doors for students.

Theres a level of access that those individuals who get selected have, Baskerville explained. So many of those individuals come back, and they intern, or they volunteer with us. So it gives them more exposure to the work that we do. It gives them more access to our partners.

To help keep these efforts afloat, the HRC always welcomes financial and physical support. One aspect of the peer educators training involves monthly webinars hosted by subject matter experts who arent always focused exclusively on HIV prevention. The organization is always looking for volunteers to host.

Speaking more broadly, Baskerville noted that old mindsets around who is impacted by HIV have to continue to change.

While HIV impacts some communities more than others, the effort to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 requires that all of us do work and put our hands in this effort. I just want to throw that out there and be clear that we all have a dog, so to speak, in the fight, said Baskerville. So its important that we all do our best to do what we can.

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 HBCUs are helping the Human Rights Campaign stem HIV in Black and brown communities appeared first on TheGrio.
Over the first half of this year, Chinese authorities have confiscated 4.74 tonnes of drugs of various kinds in their anti-narcotics enforcement at border ports, arresting 528 criminal suspects, according to an official statement Wednesday.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said in the statement that as of Tuesday, relevant operations had solved 361 border cases, among which there were 102 drugs weighing more than 10,000 grams in each case.

A total of 528 suspects of drug-related crimes have been arrested, and the law enforcers have also dealt with 192 individual drug dealers, the statement said, adding that 31 transnational or interprovincial drug-trafficking rings have been busted.

The authorities also confiscated more than 703 tonnes of materials for drug manufacturing.

These operations have effectively curbed the cross-border transport of drugs and relevant materials to and from the country, according to the statement.

The statement said the NIA will further implement arrangements for an anti-drug special campaign, strengthen control at border ports, intensify the investigation of relevant violations, target drug-trafficking rings and networks as well as their leaders, and enhance law enforcement cooperation among different countries and regions.
Is the heat in Texas coming from Mexico? Heres why its so darn hot in Fort Worth

With temperatures topping 100 degrees Tuesday for the first time this year, an excessive heat warning is in effect for North Texas until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Medstar had treated seven patients for heat-related illnesses as of 3 p.m. Monday. Meanwhile, ERCOT is asking consumers to reduce electricity use Tuesday after Texas used 79,304 MW of electricity on Monday, near the all-time record of 80,148 MW in one day.

The source of the stifling heat is a large high pressure heat dome aloft that is centered over central Mexico, Victor Murphy, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Fort Worth said.

South Texas is in the grips of this hot and dry air mass, while its northern reach is the I-20 corridor. Some of the daily heat records are forecast to fall on Tuesday, with all of them south of I-20.

The table shows some of the daily heat records that are forecast to fall Tuesday. NWS Fort Worth

On Monday, San Angelo reached 111 degrees, which ties the all-time hottest temperature for any month, and breaks a new record for the month of June. The previous record for June was 110 degrees.

The upper level ridge heat dome has produced temperatures of 110 degrees and over across Mexico and Texas, with heat indices of 120 degrees and over.

North Texans need to be very aware of the heat index, which factors in the humidity to the air temperatures, and which creates a feel like temperature, Murphy said.

On Monday at 6 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth, the dew point temperature was 79 degrees, only one degree shy of the all-time record high dew point of 80 degrees. Combined with the observed temperature of 97 degrees, this resulted in a heat index of 116 degrees.

Thats the second highest heat index value ever recorded in DFW, dating back to 1956. Only the 117 degrees recorded on June 27, 1980 was higher. The high dewpoint temperature and the humidity is very uncommon, according to Murphy.

While the excessive heat warning is still in effect, NWS Fort Worth recommends take the following precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses:
Area nonprofits have been calling in more hands to help people in need following recent natural disasters from flooding around Amarillo and Hereford and last week's deadly tornado in Perryton.

According to the American Red Cross of the Panhandle Plains, they in partnership with additional area non-profits have been offering shelters, washing stations, pet shelters, feeding stations, and necessity items to individuals across the Panhandle since the flooding began in May.

Church volunteers distribute food and water outside Iglesia La Pena de Horeb on Friday, June 16, 2023 in Perryton. A tornado tore through the town Thursday afternoon, killing three people, injuring dozens more and causing widespread damage

"We have people responding in from not only all over the region or the state but we have people across the country to help on this operation with the recovery effort, we have people here in Amarillo and helping virtually as well," said Doyle Rader, Regional Communications Manager for American Red Cross of the North Texas Region.

Following the tornado in Perryton on June 15, the Red Cross has set up a shelter and are supplying food for those individual displaced after the natural disaster.

In Amarillo, the Red Cross is still offering shelter to those seeking support following the displacement caused by the flooding. The Red Cross is still providing shelter for approximately 35 individuals in the Amarillo shelter and a few more in Herford with approximately 100 individuals being sheltered in Perryton.

"We respond to disasters regularly but one of our main messages is to be prepared at all times, and we work to stay prepared every single day to make sure people are cared for and prepared during any of these natural disasters," Rader said.

"We will be here through the duration to help people in need... we will be here to assist in any way we can. We are looking for ways to help those as they rebuild their homes," Raider added.

A local resident trudges through flood waters to get to his truck Friday on Paramount Blvd. in Amarillo,

Flooding near Virginia Street around Lawrence Lake as of Friday in Amarillo

According to the Salvation Army, on the day following the tornado in Perryton they began offering prayer service and meals to those in the area as the city begins to rebuild.

In Amarillo, Major Tex Ellis of the Salvation Army of Amarillo said that since the flooding began, they have been able to provide meals to approximately 150 individuals a day to provide for around 300, but should that need rise anymore they would then need to call in more volunteers from surrounding Salvation Army chapters.

"The Salvation Army stands to help people every day and in times of disaster that is no different for us we do have disaster programs and things of the alike that we respond with  It is a community effort and we are glad to be a part of it and we are help people through the very end," Ellis said.

To help those that have been displaced from the area nature related disasters they have provided clean up kits and hygiene kits.

According to the Salvation Army of Amarillo, they have been on the verge of calling in reinforcements to the Amarillo area with just the flooding and suspect that as the rain season proceeds they will need more volunteers to help address the needs but are prepared at all times to lend a helping hand when needed.

"We just try to stay ready, but because we have to keep doing what we do everyday in addition to this, should this get bigger. We would have to then have Salvation Army crews coming up from Lubbock, Abilene, or Dallas to help. The bigger these events get and the longer it lasts we will have to continually pull from our other resources," Ellis said.

The Salvation Army is currently in need of water, or cases of water to give to those in need.

To make a donation to the Salvation Army or learn more, visit them online at https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/amarillo

For those seeking to donate or volunteer with the Red Cross visit them online at https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/north-texas/about-us/locations/panhandle.html

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Nonprofits help Panhandle communities after recent disasters
EVANSVILLE  An 18-year-old has been arrested for criminal gang activity following an incident last month at Eastland Mall.

Jerry Morrow of Henderson, Kentucky, was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on Tuesday on a charge of felony criminal gang activity and resisting law enforcement. He has since been released on a $500 bond.

His arrest follows an "active shooter" scare at Eastland Mall on May 13 in which no shots were fired. Braylin C.J. Underwood, 16, and a second, unidentified juvenile are also facing charges in connection to the incident.

An alleged robbery and large fight inside the mall morphed into widespread fear of a potential active shooter.

According to a probable cause affidavit, mall security footage from that evening caught one of the alleged suspects in an orange jersey run to a Chrysler 300, get in the driver's set and drive away.

Evansville news: Could Libertarian Michael Daugherty, the unlikeliest candidate to win, sway the mayoral election?

The license plate was caught on video and police found it to be registered to Morrow and his mother.

Police called his mother, who said she knew Morrow had been at Eastland Mall because he told her about the incident right after it happened. She gave Morrow's number to the officer and an officer called Morrow who hung up after hearing it was the police, the affidavit states.

"Several weeks passed and I did not hear from Morrow," the officer states in the affidavit.

The officer followed up with Marrow's mother who said they would not be speaking to him without an attorney.

Court records show a warrant was issued for Morrow on June 15.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Henderson teen arrested for 'gang activity' in Eastland Mall incident
The water is safe.

That was the message conveyed at the status hearing called by United States District Court Judge Henry Wingate to discuss comments made by Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba at a June 14 press conference about the city's water system. Ted Henifin, the federally-appointed third party water administrator for JXN Water, which is now in charge of operating the city's water system, said he thought the mayor's comments may have misled the public.

At the press conference, Lumumba announced the launch of free water filters for pregnant women and women with children under the age of 5. He said the initiative was a way to restore residents' confidence in the drinking water. The mayor said the city is still "several months away" from having full confidence in the drinking water because water officials were still trying to figure out the best solution to use to treat the water: sodium carbonate, known as "soda ash," or liquid lime slurry.

Lumumba also said at the June 14 press conference that, "it hasn't been demonstrated that our water is in fact dangerous."

City of Jackson, Miss., Communications Director Melissa Faith Payne, left, tells reporters that Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, center, would not be answering any questions following a status hearing called by United States District Court Judge Henry Wingate regarding recent comments the mayor made about the city's water system on Wednesday at the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson.

Lumumba stands by comments made about city's water system, related federal hearing set

One of the issues Henifin had with the press conference was that handing out water filters was sending the wrong message. He said after he watched the press conference, he was left with the impression that water filters were a necessity. Wingate questioned Henifin multiple times about the safety of the water and Henifin reiterated that the "water is safe for everyone," including women who are pregnant and children under the age of 5. JXN Water routinely does tests and have found that the city's water falls within the standards set forth by the Safe Water Drinking Act, Henifin said.

In response, Lumumba said he would not apologize and stood by what he said at the press conference  that handing out free water filters was an attempt to try to restore the public's confidence. Lumumba said he never said that the water filters were a necessity. He said he personally believes that the water is safe for everyone to drink, but that the public is a little more weary. He also referred to the Mississippi State Department of Health's website which states, "Any child five years of age or younger and any pregnant woman should use filtered water (NSF53 certified filter) or bottled water for drinking and cooking."

Ted Henifin, the interim third-party manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to help fix the long-troubled water system of the Mississippi's capital city, tells reporters that he had "no comment" while exiting the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson on Wednesday, following a status hearing called by United States District Court Judge Henry Wingate regarding recent comments Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba made about the city's water system.

"We will continue in our efforts of restoring confidence in any way possible," Lumumba said.

Henifin also took an issue with the mayor's comments about soda ash and liquid lime slurry  two solutions used to treat water. He said he worried that discussing the two solutions was "getting into the weeds" and that the public may think they are contaminants.

The mayor responded by saying he has talked about soda ash and liquid lime slurry on numerous other occasions and has explained what they are.

Henifin questioned the precautionary water notices that are sent out by the Mississippi State Department of Health, which he views as also sending the wrong message to the public about the safety of the drinking water. Jackson residents have been receiving monthly precautionary water notices from the health department. According to the health department's website, "these precautions remain in place until the City of Jackson makes the necessary changes required to stabilize the pH levels in its water system that contribute to corrosion."

Lumumba said he sends out the precautionary notices as required by the health department.

A joint statement from the City of Jackson and JXN Water was released after the hearing:

More: City of Jackson establishes water telephone line 24/7

More: Study shows how boil-water notices impact education in Jackson

"The City of Jackson and JXN Water share the common goal of restoring confidence in drinking water flowing from the tap, however, the Mississippi Department of Health consistently recommends that vulnerable citizens in Jackson drink filtered water.

"The City understands that based on current test results, some citizens feel comfortable drinking water directly from the tap, but also understands that many still prefer filtered water. JXN Water conducts extensive testing daily to ensure your water is safe to drink. Most of this testing is done right here in Jackson by highly trained Jacksonians. They care about your water because its their water, too! It is the responsibility of JXN Water to provide high-quality drinking water and protect public health. Whether drinking water directly from the tap or through a filter, the City of Jackson wants to protect the integrity of the City's drinking water. The City supports the progress being made by JXN Water at both the water treatment plants and within the distribution system and will continue to provide accurate information regarding the status of the City's drinking water."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Hearing over concerns Jackson MS mayor misled public on water safety
Photo: Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto (Getty Images)

A military spouse is a part of the coalition of sex advice columnists, adult entertainers and regular ol porn watchers challenging the Louisiana state anti-porn law. I think shes a hero.

Elizabeth Henson is a Coast Guard veteran and married to a man whos still on active duty. Her declaration, as a part of the larger suit against Louisianas law imposing age requirements on porn websiteswhich plaintiffs say violates free speech rights and cripples content creatorsis so moving.

Read more

Ill let you read Henson in her own words:

While pornography might be a luxury for some, its become an essential means for me (and many military spouses like me) to alleviate the mental strain and tension experienced during the prolonged periods of separation from my husband when he is deployed. Deployments can lead to loss of human comfort and intimacy, and a great way to ease the difficulty of this separation and meet our natural physical urges is through pornographywhether viewed alone or, especially, together a shared experience. Similar to a dinner-and-a-movie date night, mutual masturbation while watching the same sexy video together has worked to alleviate our tension and keep us close as a couple during these difficult times apart.

The couple recently relocated to New Orleans from Texas. Because of her position as a military spouse, Henson isnt required to change her residency from Texas to Louisiana, but Louisiana ID and LA Wallet are whats being used to verify porn-watchers ages. Even if there were a logistically simple way to prove my age and obtain unrestricted access to non-obscene content on the internet, I would be too concerned for my privacy and troubled by the government overreach to comply, Henson wrote, citing a massive data breach at the states Office of Motor Vehicles just last week.

Henson said defending her write to privacy as part of the lawsuit is a noble pursuit for a veteran.

Although I am comfortable admitting here that I (along with millions of other adults) view pornography, I am deeply wary of providing my identity to any entity that will effectively open the gate to adult content on the internet just to then follow me around once Im inside, she wrote. I can think of few greater intrusions upon the liberty that I served this country to protect.

We salute you, Ms. Henson.

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He was born the son of a tea seller. He's used yoga workouts to gain influence at home and abroad. The U.S. once revoked his visa on the grounds that he was a Hindu nationalist leader guilty of violating religious freedom during riots in the Indian state of Gujarat that killed more than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a four-day visit to the United States. He'll meet with business and technology leaders. He will stop by the United Nations on international yoga day (an annual event he persuaded the U.N. to adopt), have the red carpet rolled out for him at the White House as part of a state visit and talk with President Joe Biden. Modi will also address, for the second time in his career, a joint session of Congress, on Thursday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga to mark International Day of Yoga in Dehradun, India, on June 21, 2018.

Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the New Delhi-based Center for Policy Research, a think tank, wrote in a recent opinion piece that the U.S. and India are united by shared interests ranging from weapons exports to challenging China. But he cautioned that India has a longstanding policy of being "non-aligned"; that it has a commitment to "strategic independence" as well. Modi's critics claim he's changed India in toxic ways from cracking down on media dissent to fostering a political personality cult, from actively causing divisions in India's disparate communities to outright social media censorship.

Yoga diplomacy: Ahead of U.S. state visit, India's leader takes to his mat at the U.N.

Indian PM Narendra Modi: Here's why Democrats and Republicans welcome his visit

"India doesn't claim to be the conscience-keeper of the world," retired Indian diplomat Nirupama Rao, who served as India's foreign secretary and ambassador to the United States, said in a call with reporters Tuesday.

"I know there's been criticism. But the mood in India is not to accept that criticism. We feel  the majority feels  that we won't be lectured to about our democracy or internal situation."

So who is Narendra Modi, the man?

Modi, 72, comes from a family of "humble origins and modest means," according to an Indian government website about the prime minister that says his entire family lived in a single-story house "which was approximately 40 feet by 12 feet." He was born and raised in Vadnagar, in western India, where his parents sold cooking oil and ran a tea shop. As a child, Modi was said to be fond of reading and swimming.

He studied political science at college, obtaining a master's degree, before joining Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, a vast network of staunchly right-wing Hindu nationalists and paramilitaries in the late 1960s.

RSS seeks to preserve Hindu religion and culture but some scholars say the organization also at least partially draws inspiration from Italian fascism. It blames India's Muslim minority for many of Indian society's ills. Modi joined India's Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, after his talents were recognized as a RSS community organizer. He served as the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat before becoming prime minister in 2014.

A political career haunted by Gujarat. What happened?

At least 1,044 people were killed in 2002 in Gujarat when communal violence erupted after a fire broke out on a train carrying Hindu pilgrims. Some 60 pilgrims died in the fire.

But over the course of the following week, hundreds of Muslims were slaughtered as Hindu nationalists went on a rampage that included rapes, looting and murder. Thousands of homes were destroyed.

Modi was the most senior official in Gujarat at the time.

Three years afterward, in 2005, American authorities denied Modi a visa to enter the U.S. stemming from allegations from witnesses and human rights groups that he tacitly supported the riots in his home state. He was banned from entering the U.S. until he became prime minister nine years later.

Still, India's Supreme Court later cleared Modi over claims he and his BJP party were complicit in the violence by ignoring the killings. Yet the incident continues to taint Modi nearly a decade after he came to power.

"America likes to view itself as a force for good in the world that allies with partners who respect liberal norms," said Max Abrahms, a political scientist at Northeastern University, in Boston.

"Of course, in practice that's often untrue," he said. "I suspect that India's human rights record will not be a big factor in U.S. relations given the importance of countering China. Modi's record has not changed. What has changed is India's perceived strategic value as concerns mount over China's rise."

India's yogi-in-chief: the political value of a good stretch

On Wednesday, Modi is expected to lead an estimated 2,000 people including diplomats, policymakers and members of the Indian American community in a yoga session on lawns outside the U.N. in New York.

It will be broadcast to millions of Indians around the world.

"He will curl into a lotus, stretch like a hare or close his eyes and portend as a thunderbolt in an hour-long session organized by India's Permanent Mission to the UN," the London-based news and opinion website Middle East Eye wrote. The website expressed alarm, citing Anusha Kedhar, a scholar at the University of California who specializes in Indian dance, over how Modi would use the practice to "choreograph an image of himself, and by extension the Hindu state, as flexible (read accommodating) yet strong, peaceful yet powerful."

Middle East Eye wrote that as Modi continues to promote "peace and understanding" through yoga, "his government has only found longer, more thoughtful and deliberate ways to inflict harm."

Indian American voters have historically tended to support the Democratic Party in U.S. presidential elections, according to the Atlantic Council think tank. However, there is evidence that in recent years Hindu nationalist lobby groups on Capitol Hill have made inroads, at least in terms of dampening criticism of Modi in Washington.

The practice appears to have reached a zenith when Donald Trump was president.

In 2019 Modi and Trump took the stage together in Houston at a "Howdy, Modi" event that drew 50,000 people. It featured scores of American and Indians flags and rang out with chants of "Modi" and "USA." Modi introduced Trump as "my friend, a friend of India" and as someone who "has left a deep and lasting impact everywhere.

The Trump-Modi bromance: What sparked it and what do each of them stand to gain?

Trump returned the compliment during his remarks, lavishing praise on Modi and calling him "a great man and a great leader."

The left-wing website The Intercept reported the event was organized by lobby group Texas India Forum. The media outlet reported that its members have links to U.S.-based Hindu nationalist groups affiliated with RSS, the paramilitary organization joined by Modi when he was a young man and that espouses the notion that India's minorities are second-class citizens.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Narendra Modi: India's leader was once banned from the U.S.
The Northern Kentucky city of Highland Heights voted to pass a smoke-free ordinance on Tuesday.

Highland Heights will join a growing list of Northern Kentucky cities to ban smoking in places of employment and in public spaces.

A smoke-free ordinance will be in effect 90 days from Tuesday after the city's council nudged it to pass in a 3-2 vote. The legislation follows in the footsteps of similar ordinances passed by Williamstown in 2019, Dayton in 2022 and Bellevue earlier this year.

While Kentucky remains one of just 12 states that hasn't imposed a statewide smoking ban indoors, dozens of cities have taken measures into their own hands in the interest of public health and have passed legislation locally.

Smoking in Northern Kentucky: Why experts feel Kentucky is turning the dial on smoking bans

"Community health is a true priority for our citys leadership, Highland Heights Mayor Greg Meyers said in a news release. "Passing this ordinance is another way the city council demonstrates its commitment to advancing that priority every day. We encourage other cities to do the same.

The work to pass smoking bans has been spearheaded by the Breathe Easy NKY campaign. Advocates of Breathe Easy have cited public health data on the impacts of secondhand smoke in pushing for smoking bans. Critics of smoking bans in Northern Kentucky meanwhile have argued the decision should be up to individual states. Kentucky's deep-rooted history with tobacco has also made bans more difficult to pass than in other states, experts said.

"Cities in Campbell County are clearly gaining momentum on this important issue for the region, as they work to improve overall health and economic status, St. Elizabeth Healthcare President and CEO Garren Colvin said in a statement. We congratulate Highland Heights leadership for doing what is best for our community."

According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky's overall smoking rate is 21% compared to the national average of 15%. In America, about 1 in 10 people smoke cigarettes today. But in Kentucky, 1 in 4 still smoke, the data show.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Highland Heights is latest NKY city to vote to ban indoor smoking
A damaged power pole hangs over Highway 118 near Aggen Road in Somis after being hit by a car on Wednesday, shown in a screen grab from a video.

A stretch of Highway 118 in the Somis area was closed for hours Wednesday after a car knocked over a power pole, leaving power lines hanging over the roadway.

The crash was reported shortly after 10 a.m. just east of the cross with Aggen Road, according to California Highway Patrol and Ventura County Fire Department reports. The site is in an agricultural area west of Bradley Road.

Authorities closed Highway 118 in both directions between Walnut Avenue and Somis Road, also called Donlon Road on the north side of the 118.

All lanes had reopened by about 5 p.m., said Marc Bischoff, a spokesman for the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans.

A Honda Accord with major front-end damage was in a ditch after hitting the pole, according to the CHP's incident log.

The driver apparently suffered only minor injuries, said county fire Capt. Brian McGrath. The person was reportedly taken to St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital.

Caltrans had reported the highway's closure in an afternoon tweet, noting the pole was hanging and lines were down, requiring emergency repairs. The Caltrans tweet described the structure as a light pole, but a Southern California Edison spokesman said it was an Edison power pole.

Camarillo resident Bill Boetticher had been driving home eastbound on the 118 when he saw the large pole bouncing above the road ahead of him. A massive dust cloud rose around it.

"I saw sparks and the pole going up and down," Boetticher said. He didn't see the crash, but estimates he came on the scene less than a minute later.

No other eastbound cars had been in front of him, but Boetticher saw drivers backed up on the westbound side. Emergency responders hadn't yet arrived.

Boetticher turned left on Aggen Road to get around the incident.

As of about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 16 Edison customers remained without power due to the damaged pole, said Jeff Monford, a spokesman for the utility. It wasn't immediately clear how many customers in all had been affected.

Repairs were expected to be complete by around 3 a.m. Thursday, he said.

This story may be updated.

Somis: State Route 118 (E. Los Angeles Ave.) all lanes CLOSED in both directions from Walnut Ave. to Donlan Rd. for emergency utility repairs. A vehicle hit a light pole. Pole is hanging & lines down. Unknown duration. #sigalert pic.twitter.com/kw5BEhZVcL  Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) June 21, 2023

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Highway 118 closed in Somis area after car knocks over power pole
A historic Black church built nearly 150 years ago has been in the path of some of the most dangerous hurricanes in modern history.

But those were nothing like the tornado.

The twister tore through a 2.4-mile stretch of Moss Point on Monday night, leaving a path of destruction that has altered the landscape and devastated the majority-Black community on the Mississippi Coast.

Among the hardest-hit buildings of this disaster was the First Missionary Baptist Church, a historic institution that holds deep significance for its hard-hit congregation.

Established on September 20, 1874, the First Missionary Baptist Church has been a pillar of Moss Points Black community for over a century. The church experienced significant growth in membership throughout the 20th century, leading to the expansion of its facilities, including the construction of the J.H. Williams Learning Center.

Destruction inside First Baptist Missionary Church in Moss Point on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, after a tornado tore the roof off the building on Monday.

The Rev. Kevin L. Henry Sr., originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, has been in this role for only two years. He is tasked with leading his congregation of about 250 people through this tragedy. As the pastor surveyed the devastation that lay before him on Tuesday, he acknowledged the extent of the churchs physical damages.

We have significant damage to the sanctuary, he said. Theres also an administrative building, and our learning center has been damaged as well, particularly the roof and the windows.

The destructive force of the tornado collapsed sections of the brick building, threw power lines across the parking lot and scattered debris throughout the area. A large red statue of a bell in front of the church was broken and a car in the rear parking lot was crushed.

Many church members live in the adjacent area, a prominent and well-respected neighborhood. The tornado inflicted severe damage upon the residential block, tearing off roofs and uprooting trees.

Several houses in the area even collapsed, leaving debris scattered throughout. Many members of the congregation were picking through the remains of their homes to salvage any valuable items. They said the destruction resembles a war zone.

First Baptist Missionary Church in Moss Point on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, after a tornado tore the roof off the building on Monday.

Ernest Watson, a 95-year-old deacon and longtime member of the church, lives in a home next door that was severely damaged. Reflecting on his eight decades of service to the church, Watson said, Ive seen hurricanes, Katrina, Camille, but this is the worst.

The roof of his home was gone, with only the brick walls remaining unmoved. In the background, a house alarm continuously beeped. It was impossible to approach the home without stepping on debris, much of which had come from inside the house.

Were hurricane people, not tornado church member Jackie Theisen said. Guess we are now.

Theisen expressed the communitys reliance on Deacon Watsons home and the church as shelters during past storms, such as Hurricane Camille. Fortunately, everyone has found temporary shelter with their families.

Lillie Abney, a fellow member of the church for over 50 years, said she was sad while looking at the damage.

Our church has been through so many hurricanes, but nothing like this, Abney said. Its devastating. Im heartbroken.

Destruction inside First Baptist Missionary Church in Moss Point on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, after a tornado tore the roof off the building on Monday.

The impact of the church in the community extends far beyond its physical walls. First Missionary Baptist Church has long served as a pillar of support during times like this, extending its reach into the broader community.

There is surprise and shock, but they have grateful hearts, Henry said. This community has gone through many circumstances and setbacks in the past, but we always come back, and we do so by coming together.

Meanwhile, a group from down the street rolled a cooler across the church parking lot, ignoring the power lines, debris, and destruction around them. They offered bottled water to everyone picking up after the storm, and checked in on friends and neighbors.

Henry said the faith community has come to his congregations aid, with about seven pastors offering their sanctuaries for church moving forward. Henry said First Missionary Baptist will likely move to the Jackson County Fairgrounds until they can figure out next steps.

He encouraged the members of his congregation to come together, check on and take care of one another, and keep their eyes on the sky this summer.

The entrance to First Baptist Missionary Church in Moss Point on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, after a tornado tore the roof off the building on Monday.

Pastor Kevin L. Henry Sr. poses for a portrait outside of First Baptist Missionary Church in Moss Point on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, after a tornado tore the roof off the building on Monday.

Destruction inside First Baptist Missionary Church in Moss Point on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, after a tornado tore the roof off the building on Monday.
ALBANY, N.Y.  When lawmakers brought New York Gov. Kathy Hochul an end-of-session offer earlier this month designed to help New York tenants and developers amid a housing crunch, her response was swift and frustrating to them.

She quickly rejected the offer and threatened to veto lawmakers other top priorities, legislators and aides familiar with the conversations told POLITICO.

So a housing deal collapsed  for the second time this year. And more broadly it demonstrated how the governor has struggled in her relationship with lawmakers  leaving many feeling like shes negotiating in bad faith to her own detriment.

"We don't expect the governor to take what we hand her without having input. But just to reject it out of hand seems to be ignoring the biggest crisis we're dealing with now," Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris (D-Queens) said in an interview.

The inability to reach a housing agreement that could have either incentivized or required communities to build more housing, continued a tax break for developers and provided eviction protections for tenants left all sides reeling heading into the summer after a bruising six-month legislative session.

Critics said the end-of-session turmoil punctuated multiple missteps that eroded the Democratic governor's political capital after gaining extraordinary goodwill when she succeeded scandal-scarred Andrew Cuomo in August 2021. She is the state's first woman governor and in the first year of a four-year term.

"I think there is a general confusion on who's her audience," Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (D-Queens) said. "We are working in good faith to come up with compromises on urgent issues, and I would underscore housing as one of the top crises in our city and state."



The Assembly returns to Albany on Tuesday to finish up its business for the year, and Gonzalez-Rojas is pressing for the chamber to pass the Coverage for All Act, which would extend public health benefits to undocumented immigrants  something Hochul has expressed general support for since it will be funded by the federal government.

But now Hochul is raising concerns about the cost after it passed the Senate last week, to Gonzalez-Rojas' dismay.

"I'm honestly very confused. I think that's the general sentiment," Gonzalez-Rojas said. "People are just wondering who she is trying to appease and who's her audience and why she's not willing to work in good faith."

The public has taken notice. A Siena College poll last month showed more New Yorkers viewed Hochul unfavorably than favorably for the first time in her tenure. And this is after she eked out a win against Long Island GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin in the closest governor's race since George Pataki beat Mario Cuomo in 1994.

The session started with the Senate rejecting Hochul's pick of Hector LaSalle for chief judge, then was followed by her refusing to compromise on a housing deal that incentivized communities to build new homes instead of requiring them to do so as the governor had proposed.

And the session is ending with anger from Rochester officials over being left out of talks between Hochul's office and the Seneca Nation over a potential casino in the Western New York City. Her pick to head the New York Power Authority, was unable to win Senate support in the final days of the session, leaving his long-term status for the critical job in limbo.

"I just think they are always fighting the wrong fight," said one Democratic strategist in Albany who was granted anonymity to discuss the administration. "I think they're always fighting yesterday's fight and never fighting tomorrow's fight."

Hochul, meanwhile, points to a robust legislative session full of victories: record school aid, raising the minimum wage and increased funding for the troubled Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She also held up the budgetto expand judges' ability to set bail  a critical issue that, despite changes last year, nearly cost her the election amid voters' concerns about crime.

On housing, Hochul said she remains unwilling to negotiate away some of her priorities. Without a mandate and the ability for the state to override local zoning, communities would be unlikely to build on their own, she has stressed.

"I have to focus on, yes, protect tenants; but number one, I have to build more housing. We need more units built because otherwise landlords will always be able to charge more because it's a simple matter of supply and demand," she told reporters Tuesday in Albany.

"And that is something the Legislature didn't quite understand it the way I hope they do in the future. If we build more, like other cities, it drives the price down. I think there is still an opportunity."



Gianaris  who was among the key advocates for new tenant protections and limits on rent increases, called "Good Cause" legislation  suggested that Hochul was siding with the powerful real estate industry. The industry opposed the measure and didn't want to accept an extension of the 421-a tax break for developers if it meant fewer rights for landlords.

"It's clear to me that the completely inflexible position that the developers have taken has been adopted by the governor  and that's not productive," Gianaris said.

Others hoped that Hochul would have cut the best deal possible rather than everyone leaving Albany with no movement toward affordable housing or tenant protections.

"Everybody's got to give," Sen. Pete Harckham (D-Westchester County) said. "If we want to get something done meaningful for the state of New York, everyone has to compromise."

Hochul's standing with the Legislature will face an even greater challenge next year. She has been able to keep most groups happy by providing record aid for schools and other priorities. But the state faces a $9 billion deficit next year  its largest in more than a decade  that will end the yearslong spending spree.

Still, Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan) said the months of negotiations this year over housing will benefit talks in 2024.

"We've gotten closer now than we have," he said. "I was disappointed that we didn't get a deal done at the end, but I do think the work we did, especially in trying to get consensus in the Legislature, will mean what we did now will be a framework for future negotiations."
A salesman who scammed 164 Columbus residents  about half of whom were elderly  into paying for home security systems he said would be free will have to pay more than $300,000 in restitution and spend 5 years in prison.

His sister accomplice got probation.

Brandon McGrew, 32, admits he went door to door from June to September in 2020 selling security systems for LifeLine Smarthome. McGrews sister, 35-year-old Nicole Hill, helped him, according to prosecutors.

The pair falsely told people that a government program would pay for the security systems because they lived in a high-crime neighborhood, said Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Jason Moore.

Believing the story, the victims gave McGrew and Hill their personal information, which was used to sign the victims up to a contract electronically to purchase an expensive (usually around $5,000) security system on credit. The victims then found out about it later when they started receiving bills, Moore said.

McGrew defrauded 164 people, about half of whom were elderly, and made $154,000 in commissions on fraudulent sales, according to Moore.

McGrew pleaded guilty in April to 13 felony counts, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud and theft.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Andria Noble sentenced McGrew on Wednesday, oredering him to pay $312,152 in restitution to his victims.

Hill pleaded guilty in April to six felony counts. Noble sentenced her on Wednesday to three years of community control.

McGrews defense attorney, Gregg Slemmer, did not return a phone call on Wednesday requesting comment.

In a memo filed with the court ahead of sentencing, Slemmer asked for Noble to give McGrew community control.

At LifeLine, the company encouraged and overlooked the tactics employed by its salesmen. When Brandon was hired, his manager instructed him that he could use any tactics necessary to sell accounts, Slemmer said.

According to the memo, McGrew is employed currently in Dallas at SkyLine, the largest distributor of Brinks home security systems in the U.S., where he is one of the companys top salespeople and has had no customer complaints.

More court news: Columbus man sentenced for role in theft ring that stole over 1,100 catalytic converters

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Scammer to repay $312,152 to Columbus victims, serve 5 years prison
An employee of the Hong Kong Opinion Research Institute (PORI) enters the office in Hong Kong, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. A Hong Kong pollster is planning to cancel part of its regular survey questions weeks after the release of its report about the anniversary of Chinas crackdown 1989 pro-democracy protests was canceled due to the governments risk assessment.(AP Photo/Louise Delmotte) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

HONG KONG (AP)  One of Hong Kongs most reputable sources of public opinion data is limiting the scope of its surveys, including on sensitive topics such as Beijing's 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square. The change, following a contact from a government agency, is likely to restrict the availability of information about the opinions of Hong Kong residents.

The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute announced Tuesday it has tentatively decided to cancel about one-fourth of its regular survey questions and limit about one-third of the remaining ones to internal use, academic research and commissioned services, instead of releasing those results to the public. The announcement came two weeks after it canceled its planned release of a survey conducted on the anniversary of the crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy protests at the advice of the government agency.

The institute's CEO, Robert Chung, said in an email Tuesday night that the government's assessment was a factor considered in its review of its operations. He did not identify the government agency.

The institute also considered factors including the demand for opinion data, the development of Hong Kong society, the role of pollsters in promoting science and democracy, and legal risks, he said. The proposed revisions will affect topics such as the Tiananmen crackdown, the city's handover to Chinese rule in 1997, local disciplinary forces, and ratings of lawmakers, the institute's website said. The final plan is to be announced in July.

Critics said the survey restrictions would be a great loss for Hong Kong, which was once famed for its freedom of expression.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and was promised the right to retain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after the handover. For decades, the institute tracked public sentiment on issues including the 1989 crackdown, in which hundreds and possibly thousands of people including many students were killed, and China's central government policy toward the city.

Asked by The Associated Press, police did not say whether they had made suggestions to the survey institute, but said safeguarding national security is the obligation of all citizens and organizations.

It is a responsible act of the organization which decided not to release any information with national security risks, police said in an email. The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In January 2021, when more than 50 pro-democracy activists were arrested on subversion charges over an unofficial primary election, in the city's biggest national security crackdown, police also raided the institute, which was involved in organizing the voting.

Before he launched the independent institute, Chung was the director of the public opinion program at the University of Hong Kong, the city's oldest university. Over the years, his work has drawn ire from pro-Beijing media and organizations. But the institute continued to ask politically sensitive questions after Beijing imposed a tough National Security Law on the city. For example, in previous polls about the Tiananmen crackdown, it asked respondents whether they thought Beijing students and the central government did the right thing."

Chung Kim-wah, who served as deputy chief executive of the institute before leaving for the United Kingdom, said his former colleagues have been doing public opinion studies for about 30 years which he said were crucial for the study of Hong Kongs history and social development.

The poll results also enabled the government to respond to the publics views, and served as indicators of the citys changes, Chung said.

This is a very great loss, he said.
(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kongs main pollster plans to stop publishing survey results of some subjects, which may include the 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square and popularity of the police, underscoring the changing nature of the city.

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The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute intends to only publicize half of its results in future after canceling a fourth of the regular survey questions and keeping another third for internal reference only, PORI said in a press release dated Tuesday.

The move comes after PORI earlier this month canceled the release of a poll surveying Hong Kong residents on their views on the June 4, 1989 crackdown. The polling company scrapped the release after receiving suggestions from government departments, according to a PORI statement June 6.

Controversial subjects such as the Tiananmen crackdown have become taboo as the citys government seeks to avoid potential sources for dissent. An annual candlelit vigil commemorating the bloody assault was last held in 2019, before the implementation of a Beijing-imposed national security law. The government is stepping up efforts to ensure all parts of society adhere to the law.

Tiananmen Crackdown Taboo Topic in Hong Kong on Anniversary

Questions about the crackdown, Taiwan, disciplinary forces and some social indicators are among those topics that are likely to be questions kept but moved into the private domain, said Robert Chung, the organizations president and CEO. A finalized list of questions and topics will be announced next month, the statement said.

Chung has been polling Hong Kong residents for decades about a wide range of subjects, including popularity of the citys leaders, the annual budget and social wellbeing. Some of the regular survey questions include whether people think the Chinese government did the right thing in the June 4 incident and whether Hong Kongers have a responsibility to instigate the development of democracy in China.

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The logo for OceanGate Expeditions is seen on a boat parked near the offices of the company at a marine industrial warehouse office door in Everett, Wash., Tuesday, June 20, 2023.



OceanGate has come under heavy scrutiny for its reportedly jerry-rigged titan submersible that was reportedly controlled by a modified Logitech game controller.

A French robot capable of diving 20,000 feet deep has been deployed in the search for the Titanic tourist sub thats been missing with five passengers aboard since Sunday. The salvage system is supposed to arrive sometime Wednesday evening, though theres still no hint that rescuers have pinpointed the exact location of the missing Titanic tourist sub.



Guillermo Sohnlein, the co-founder of OceanGate, which operated the voyage, said in a statement Thursday, I continue to hold out hope for my friend and the rest of the crew.

Read more

Rescuers have been scouring the area where tourism company OceanGate last lost contact with the $250,000-per-person carbon fiber submersible. Early on Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard revealed that Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. The coast guard said it had relocated operations to that area to investigate, but the agency said the search yielded negative results.

The timeline for finding the missing passengers is tightening. As of Tuesday afternoon the maritime security agency estimated the submersible would have only 40 hours of oxygen left based on the subs stated 96-hour oxygen supply. By Thursday morning, the amount of oxygen has dwindled to just a few hours left for the sub lost around 900 miles east of Cape Cod.

Sohnleins statement read, Today will be a critical day in this search and rescue mission, as the subs life support supplies are starting to run low, Im certain that Stockton and the rest of the crew realized days ago that the best thing they can do to ensure their rescue is to extend the limits of those supplies by relaxing as much as possible. I firmly believe that the time window available for their rescue is longer than what most people think.

Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue. 1/2  USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 21, 2023

French news site Le Figaro reported that the research vessel, LAtlante, had been deployed. As the site reported, on board is a remotely-operated salvage robot called Victor 6000 thats capable of diving around 20,000 feet deep.

At 8:40 a.m. ET Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said that several ships with side sonar capabilities had arrived to help detect and image objects on the sea floor. Those and other vessels are conducting search patterns in the area, though LAtlante is still en route, and its not expected to arrive until 8 p.m. Wednesday. One of those ships is the Bahamian pipelay vessel Deep Energy, which is used to lay pipes along the sea floor. It also contains a remotely operated vehicle capable of diving 3,000 meters, or a little under 10,000 feet deep. The Titanic sits on the floor approximately 12,500 feet below sea level.

The OceanGate sub was supposed to launch at 8 a.m. ET June 18 and resurface at 3 p.m., but just an hour and 45 minutes into the dive the controlling ship, the Polar Prince, lost contact and nothing has been heard from it since.

According to past reports, the five-person Titan sub houses passengers in a tube the size of a minivan. It has one toilet located where everybody can see, and the owners openly talked about how they sourced some parts from places like Camper World.

Reports surfaced showing at least one former employee claimed they were fired after expressing safety concerns.



David Pogue, a CBS reporter and New York Times columnist who has reported on the company wrote on Twitter that during his trip with OceanGate, the crew lost connection to the sub for nearly five hours. He even claimed that the crew shut off the internet access to keep passengers from tweeting about the lost sub. The reason why that detail didnt make it into the report, Pogue said, was because the company gave us a different rationale for shutting off the Internet That this could be an emergency, and they needed all channels open And we had no idea how to confirm whether or not that was true.



To be clear, I was not on the sub that dayI was on the ship at the surface, in the control room. They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was. It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ships internet to prevent us from tweeting.  David Pogue (@Pogue) June 19, 2023

Most of the OceanGate vessels passengers are wealthy explorers or businessmen. British billionaire Hamish Harding is among those currently lost, and some attention has turned toward the mans family. Hardings stepson Brian Szasz wrote on Facebook offering thoughts and prayers that the rescue mission will be successful. TMZ reported Szasz then followed up that post by saying he was attending a Blink-182 concert in San Diego. The billionaires scion wrote, It might be distasteful being here but my family would want me to be at the Blink-182 show as its my favorite band and music helps me in difficult times!







This article is part of a developing story. Our writers and editors will be updating this page as new information is released. Please check back again in a few minutes to see the latest updates. Meanwhile, if you want more news coverage, check out our tech, science, or io9 front pages. And you can always see the most recent Gizmodo news stories at gizmodo.com/latest.

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Horned creature  a new species of dragonfish  pulled from watery depths off Brazil

Chugging along the oceans surface off the coast of Brazil, scientists trawled the watery depths, searching. They hauled in the net and found a horned creature caught in it. Looking closer, they realized theyd captured a new species.

Researchers spent a month trawling the northeastern coast of Brazil for fish and invertebrates, according to a study published May 19 in the journal Ichthyology and Herpetology.

Toward the end of the survey, researchers pulled in the net and spotted a dark-colored fish, the study said. They identified the creature as a new species of dragonfish: Melanostomias dio.

Dragonfish are a type of deep-sea fish known for being cunning predators, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. They lie in wait  sometimes attracting prey with a luminescent lure on their chin  then ambush their prey.

Melanostomias dio, or the horns-up dragonfish, has a dark black body with polka dots down its side, researchers said. The fish measured about 7 inches long and had a skinny body.

Photos show the horns-up dragonfish curled up, its mouth wide open. The animals mouth is filled with sharp teeth.

The horns-up dragonfish with its mouth wide open.

A close-up photo of the horns-up dragonfishs teeth.

The dragonfishs chin barbel had a unique shape, the study said. The barbel extended below the fish on a thin strand, ending in a bulb with two horns protruding from it. A close-up photo shows this barbel.

The shape of the dragonfishs barbel reminded researchers of the horns-up hand gesture. The new species was named for the heavy metal vocalist Ronald James Padavona, or Ronnie James Dio, who popularized the (horns-up) hand gesture and was one of the genres most influential vocalists.

A close-up photo of the horns-up dragonfishs chin barbel.

The new species was recognized as distinct based on the shape of its chin barbel, the study said. No other related dragonfish have the same horns.

The only horns-up dragonfish specimen was a little damaged during its capture, Barbara Teixeira Villarins told McClatchy News. Deep-sea fish are commonly damaged when caught by trawling nets.

A drawing shows the fishs full body shape, including its tail fins.

The new species was discovered in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of the state of Rio Grande De Norte. This state is about 1,510 miles northeast of Rio de Janeiro.

A drawing shows a full horns-up dragonfish.

Researchers noted that more surveys are needed to better understand dragonfish and their distribution. Like other deep-sea fish groups, dragonfish diversity is poorly understood because of the scarcity of collections, the study said.

The research team included Barbara Teixeira Villarins, Luciano Gomes Fischer, Artem Mikhailovich Prokofiev and Michael Maia Mincarone.

Spiky creature  a new species  shed its skin trying to escape grasp of scientists

Tiny critter  close to extinction  spotted for first time in decades, CA officials say

Alien wanderer found hanging upside down in underwater cave. Its a new species
From horror to fan fiction, the Titanic submersible disappearance ignited a torrent of mixed feelings on social media and became 'a perfect storm for virality,' a media expert said

There has been a wide and conflicting array of reactions to the submersible disappearance. (L) Screenshot/TikTok - mckensea, (R) Screenshot/TikTok - thedailystar

The missing Titanic submersible has sparked a storm of media coverage and social media reactions.

Communications professor Yotam Ophir told Insider that people have always been deeply interested in rescue missions.

The range of reactions spans sympathy, fear, ridicule, and nightmarish imagination exercises.

The ongoing search-and-rescue effort for a submersible carrying five tourists to the wreckage of the Titanic has detonated a range of conflicting emotional responses across social media this week.

TikTok creators are posting live news updates; submarine experts are offering their insights; Twitter users are turning the alarming incident into punchlines and "eat the rich" commentary; and Reddit pages are being overrun with fan fiction imagining every macabre scenario.

From sympathy to panicked fear to fractious schadenfreude, one expert believes the Titanic submersible saga is the "perfect storm for virality."

Dr. Yotam Ophir, an assistant professor of Communications at the University of Buffalo with expertise in media effects and persuasion, told Insider he likens these events to the story of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, whose mysterious disappearance in 2014 still sparks media coverage and online conspiracy theories.

"People have always been interested in  almost to the point of obsessed with  rescue missions and stories," Ophir said. "Part of it is that those are developing stories that are very emotional, that have a lot of drama."

Ophir also alluded to the Chilean mining incident in 2010, where 33 miners were rescued after being trapped underground.

"There's an element of suspense: Will they be rescued, will they not?" Ophir said. "The story is developing as we cover it."

However, unlike those accidents, he noted that the submersible rescue adds an extra, complicated layer to the public discourse because the experience was exclusive to the uber wealthy class. Tickets for the experience, which was fronted by the company OceanGate, were priced at $250,000 a person, and at least one of the five passengers on board is a billionaire.

"It's something that only the ultra-rich can do, which I think for many is being perceived as a [show] of arrogance," Ophir said. "People feel as if rich people are using the ocean as their own playground."

This has led to some scornful feelings online, including posts mocking the wealthy passengers for spending so much on superfluous tourism  and risking their lives doing it.

Other details surrounding the project  like the vessel being driven with a video game controller, older quotes resurfacing from the OceanGate CEO about wanting to turn deep-ocean tourism into a profitable business, and the fact that the vessel is locked from the outside  have also made it ripe for ridicule and harsh criticism.

In fact, the reactions have been so visceral and loud that it's inspired a second wave of backlash and pointed responses to those criticisms.

"I cannot believe how many people are making fun of the lost submersible, what about innocent people dying in a horrific terrifying nightmare ish way is funny???" Twitter user @superducky800 shared on Tuesday. "Who cares if they're rich, their being lost and dying isn't gonna solve any financial inequality, it's just sad."

Many other posts expressed how terrifying it would be to be trapped under the sea in total darkness.The fear and panic an event like this can stoke have also bonded communities online, who have been tirelessly playing out every probable cause and horrifying scenario.

Ophir told Insider that it's natural to put yourself in the shoes of the passengers when you consume news like this.

"It's definitely possible that some people experience the anxiety vicariously," he said. "By reading the stories of others, you feel the claustrophobic experience yourself."

A Reddit page based around fear of deep oceans with over 1.3 million members, r/thalassophobia, has had numerous popular posts this week dissecting the scary depths of the waters against the tight quarters of the submersible. One user wrote they were so absorbed in the case they couldn't get any work done, obsessively checking for updates and feeling anxious for the passengers.

A TikTok with over 9 million views features a creepy ambient soundtrack and a voiceover describing in vivid detail how it might feel to be trapped in the submersible.

"Imagine being trapped in something the size of a minivan, pitch-black, the air is thick because you and four others have been breathing the same air for hours," the voice of the account @thedailystar says. "Your fate depends on the outside world, and it is obvious they don't know where you are."

According to Ophir, these alarmist and critical social media posts are par for the course. The sensational event  and the odd and spectacular details surrounding the event  are why it's inspired such an emotional, intense, and often dissonant reaction from spectators.

"A lot of urban legends and folk stories are often kind of mocking the rich for their arrogance, for playing God, you know, like 'Why do they need to go down the ocean? Why do they need to get this privileged access to something the rest of us don't have?' And so on and so on," said Ophir. "Having said that, not everybody feels that. For some people, it's just a fascinating rescue attempt, which is always dramatic, and always attracts interest."

Read the original article on Insider
The test case could have implications for the future of fossil fuel exploration in the UK

The latest step in a woman's legal fight over a Surrey oil drilling permit has concluded.

Sarah Finch's lawyers told the Supreme Court that planning authorities should have considered the climate impacts of burning the oil, not just extracting it.

Surrey County Council said it followed planning law.

The case could spell the end of new UK fossil fuels projects when judges reach a decision in the coming months.

The climate impacts at the heart of the case are 'downstream emissions' - the greenhouse gas emissions released when the oil will be burned. Ms Finch says these are estimated to be 10 million tonnes over 20 years.

One airline passenger on a return trip from London to Boston, US emits around one tonne of carbon.

Lawyers for Ms Finch told the court that greenhouse gas emissions from burning oil are an "inevitable" and "indirect" effect of extracting oil.

Barristers acting for Surrey County Council said that only impacts from constructing the oil wells themselves should be assessed by authorities.

"This is not a climate change case," Harriet Townsend KC told the court.

Barrister Estelle Dehon KC, acting for Ms Finch, said the defence used "distinctions that have an aura of unreality about them".

Ms Finch's first challenge in the High Court was thrown out. She took it to the next level, the Court of Appeals, where the three judges were split, with one upholding the appeal.

"Planning authorities say that they don't need to consider the climate impacts of the actual burning of the oil - just from the drilling. It's like saying a chocolate cake is low calorie as long as you don't eat it," Ms Finch, who campaigns with local organisation Weald Action Group, told BBC News.

"The County Council is required to determine planning applications in accordance with the Development Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework, national policy and other material considerations, as set out in legislation and case law. The Horse Hill planning application was determined on this basis," a spokesperson for Surrey County Council said.

Sarah Finch has campaigned against the oil wells at Horse Hill since 2012

Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe told BBC News that carbon emissions from these projects are "being vastly underestimated".

"Developers are fighting court cases like this because they are very concerned that if decision-makers are confronted with the full carbon impacts of these projects, so with downstream emissions added, then they might think twice about granting them planning permission," she added.

Ms Finch's solicitor Rowan Smith said: "It's difficult to overstate the importance of this case."

The UK government is legally committed to lowering its carbon emissions to reach net zero in 2050, meaning it will no longer add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Campaigners including Friends of the Earth say new fossil fuels projects like Horse Hill undermine those promises.

New fossil fuels projects in the UK have become politically controversial. Campaigners and experts including the International Energy Agency say all oil and gas must be left in the ground if the world has a chance of meeting climate goals.

Government advisors in the Climate Change Committee say the best way to protect consumers from high energy prices is to invest in renewables not fossil fuels.

The national significance of the case is highlighted by the involvement of external groups, invited by the court to provide additional evidence.

They include the company behind a new coal mine in Whitehaven called West Cumbria Mining, as well as the Office for Environmental Protection which is intervening in a case for the first time.

Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe said it is highly unusual for a private company like West Cumbria Mining to make this type of intervention.

West Cumbria Mining was given permission by the government in 2021 to open the first new coal mine in the UK for 40 years.

"It is obvious that they are worried about the potential implications of the case on their coal mine," Ms de Kauwe said.

West Cumbria Mining told BBC News it did not consider it appropriate to comment on a live legal case.

The Office for Environmental Protection told BBC News it is intervening because it wants legal clarity on how decision-makers conduct Environment Impact Assessments when assessing fossil fuel projects.
Washington  The House voted to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff for his role in congressional investigations of former President Donald Trump, making him the 25th House lawmaker to face the punishment in U.S. history.

The measure passed along party lines by a vote of 213 to 209. Six Republicans voted present.



As the vote closed, Democrats in the chamber shouted "Shame! Shame! Shame!"

When House Speaker Kevin McCarthy asked Schiff to appear in the well after the vote to formally reprimand him, Democrats gathered around Schiff, chanting "Adam! Adam! Adam!"

"To my Republican colleagues who introduced this resolution, I thank you," Schiff said earlier Wednesday after Democrats failed to kill the measure. "You honor me with your enmity. You flatter me with this falsehood. You, who are the authors of a big lie about the last election, must condemn the truth-tellers and I stand proudly before you. Your words tell me that I have been effective in the defense of our democracy and I am grateful."

Schiff said he will wear the "partisan vote as a badge of honor."

The resolution to censure Schiff was introduced last week by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, an ardent Trump supporter. But it faced opposition from some members of her own party because it originally included a potential $16 million fine, which they deemed to be unconstitutional.

After that resolution was blocked last week, she tweaked the measure to remove the fine, which then brought the Republican holdouts onboard. Democrats tried to block the new measure earlier Wednesday but failed as they lacked Republican support.

The revised resolution calls for the House Ethics Committee to investigate Schiff, the former chair of the House Intelligence Committee and current candidate for Senate in California, for his alleged "falsehoods, misrepresentations and abuses of sensitive information."

It claims Schiff "abused" the public's trust "by alleging he had evidence of collusion" between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. It also accuses him of acting "dishonestly and dishonorably."

"As chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff launched an all out political campaign built on baseless distortions against a sitting U.S. president at the expense of every single citizen in this country and the honor of the House of Representatives," Luna said Wednesday, calling the resolution "a clear vote between right and wrong."

Censure is essentially a formal public reprimand by the House to punish misconduct that falls short of warranting expulsion. The censured member typically must stand on the House floor as the resolution detailing his or her offenses is read aloud.

GOP Rep. Paul Gosar was the most recent lawmaker to be censured in 2021 for tweeting a video depicting violence against President Biden and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Schiff and Democrats framed the effort to censure him as retaliation for his prominent role in Trump's first impeachment, and said it was meant to distract from the federal indictment alleging Trump hid classified documents and obstructed the government's efforts to retrieve them. Schiff has been highly critical of Trump and served as the House's lead prosecutor in his first impeachment trial.

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin said the vote shows the Republican Party has become "an authoritarian cult of personality." Trump said the Republicans who voted to table the resolution last week should face primary challengers.

"The GOP simply has no ideas for our economy, no ideas for our country, and no ideas for our people," Raskin said. "But is on an embarrassing revenge tour on behalf of Donald Trump, who treats them like a ventriloquist dummy."

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Republicans and Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee battled furiously Wednesday over several proposed measures that target diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives at the Pentagon during the regular markup of an annual defense bill.

Republicans offered amendments to the draft version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would eliminate the Pentagons chief diversity officer, cut off funding for DEI programs and enforce a review of DEI initiatives, among others.

The proposed amendments sparked fury from Democrats, who accused Republicans of widening divisions over race, gender identity and sexual orientation, ignoring legitimate national security needs to attack DEI and of hurting recruitment efforts by decreasing diversity initiatives.

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), who is Black, battled with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who introduced two of the amendments, with the lawmakers often cutting each other off to get their points across.

Horsford blasted the DEI amendments as an attempt from the GOP to drive a wedge in the military.

The military knows that diversity of our soldiers is actually our strength, he said. So why wouldnt we include diversity, equity and inclusion? But this is not about that  this is about a wedge issue.

Republicans hit back that DEI efforts were distracting the Pentagon from military readiness, hurting recruitment efforts and spreading divisions within the ranks.

Gaetz also argued that Congress essentially created its own problem with DEI in the military by authorizing the programs.

I view this not as a wedge issue, not as divisive, but as remedial, he said. We have to go in and remediate the bad things that have happened as a consequence of this embrace of radical gender ideology and radical race ideology.

All of the amendments are tabled for now, with a recorded vote on each slated for a later date.

The fiery tensions, played out during a public House committee, highlight a growing divide between the GOP and Democrats on DEI efforts more broadly but specifically in the military, which has only grown more contentious after Republicans took over the House in January.

The House Armed Services Committee has held hearings this year on DEI, with the GOP often grilling Pentagon officials for their efforts to advance diversity in the armed forces. Defense officials have said that a diverse military not only accurately represents the nation but also creates a more capable fighting force.

Republicans have also hammered the Pentagon over drag shows, leading to a newly enforced ban on the events across military bases.

The committee clash is also likely a preview of more to come when the full House debates the NDAA, which is crucial to fund the Defense Departments discretionary spending, later this year.

To defend DEI programs as bettering the armed forces, some Democrats on the committee shared stories about having to work twice as hard or struggling when serving in the military as a minority.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), a former Navy helicopter pilot, said she did not always feel that the military was a welcoming place.

I was told by one of my flight instructors that it was going to be very uncomfortable for him to have a woman as a flight student because in his belief system, women should not be in flight school, she said. Women are still experiencing that in the United States Marine Corps.

Other Democrats said ignoring the problem of racism, bigotry and anti-LGBTQ views across America only creates a worse problem.

If you believe theres no bigotry in [minority] groups and that the history against those groups has no impact on the society we have today, then youre utterly clueless, said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the committee.

Other culture war issues, partly a reflection of the debate raging across America, also popped up Wednesday.

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) introduced an amendment to ban funding for the teaching of critical race theory  an academic framework evaluating U.S. history through the lens of racism that has become a political catch-all buzzword for any race-related teaching  within the militarys service academies, setting off yet another round of debate that had little to do with defense.

Both sides, however, agreed that the divide over culture issues was a distraction from addressing national security needs.

We are not enemies, we all want a strong military we just have different ideas of how to get there, said Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.). But this argument, this debate we are having today, is the current divide in our nation. Theres too much yelling in America.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) talks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

The House of Representatives censured Rep. Adam B. Schiff in a party-line, 213-209 vote Wednesday, and the Burbank Democrat seems delighted.

The censure was a victory for Donald Trump, who had called for primary challenges to any Republicans who voted against it, and an indication of the former presidents continued hold on the GOP.

But Schiff, a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who is retiring, didnt fight particularly hard against the effort to formally chastise him. He told The Times he initiated no conversations with Republicans in the last week to sway their votes; hes called the censure a badge of honor and has already begun using the free publicity to fuel his Senate campaign.

Roosevelt said you can judge a person by the enemies they make, Schiff said in an interview with The Times on Wednesday before the vote. By that standard, Im doing pretty damn well.

Members of Congress censure their colleagues to humiliate them, but censured politicians face no automatic discipline or repercussions  just shame and public disrepute.

After votes were cast Wednesday afternoon, Democrats tried to turn that disrepute around, crying out shame at their GOP colleagues. Santos! shouted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, referring to Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who has pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida led the GOP effort to censure Schiff, arguing that he had misled the public by saying that Trump colluded with Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian interference did not identify evidence that Trumps campaign illegally conspired or coordinated with Russia though it benefited from Moscows efforts.

Read more: Mueller finds no conspiracy, but report shows Trump welcomed Russian help

Schiff defended his position on the House floor Wednesday. The censure resolution, he said, would hold that when you give internal campaign polling data to a Russian intelligence operative, while Russian intelligence is helping your campaign  as Trumps campaign chairman did  that you must not call that collusion, though that is its proper name.

The resolution describes Schiff as dishonest, dishonorable and misleading, and it calls for a Committee on Ethics investigation into his conduct.

Luna introduced a different version of the measure last week, but that effort failed after 20 Republicans joined Democrats in voting to table it. The Florida congresswoman was able to sway colleagues after she removed a $16-million fine from the text of the censure and Trump issued his primary threat.

Adam Schiff abused his position as Chair of Intel to lie and lead America through a national nightmare with the fake Russia collusion narrative, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

of Bakersfield tweeted Wednesday.

Schiff, in a hotly contested Senate race, can use the publicity, and the funds that come with it. On Tuesday night, he blasted out a campaign text message asking for donations: Please, rush an urgent donation to help me fight back against this political attack so we can get back to addressing the real needs of our country, he wrote. The congressman hauled in $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2023, but Democratic Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine  his closest competitor right now  wasnt far behind, with $4.5 million.

With just over a week of fundraising left this quarter, and with nine months until primary day, the censure may give Schiff a political boost.

Its the best thing that could happen to him, said Mike Madrid, a Republican political consultant and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project. Its the biggest in-kind contribution he could receive.

The House previously censured Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) in November 2021 for tweeting a manipulated video showing himself killing Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Biden. The chamber censured Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) for various finance violations, and it censured Gerry Studds (D-Mass.) and Dan Crane (R-Ill.) in 1983 for sexual misconduct with House pages.

Over the last 40 years, Schiff is just the fifth representative to be censured  a distinction that, Madrid pointed out, amounts to but a piece of paper.

A censure is just a resolution, he said. Its just a document. OK, youre censuring me. Great.

After Democrats failed to table Lunas motion, the House settled into a contentious back-and-forth, with speeches slamming Schiffs record alternating with glowing reviews of his career. The highest-ranking California Democrats came to Schiffs defense, describing him as an accomplished colleague whom Republicans were targeting to appease Trump.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) called Schiff wonderful and blasted GOP House members for wasting their time.

The other side has turned this chamber ... into a puppet show, Pelosi said. A puppet show, and you know what? The puppeteer, Donald Trump, is shining a light on the strings. You look miserable. Miserable.

Read more: 'I'm emancipated now': Nancy Pelosi enjoying life after leadership

On the other side of the country, some Democrats are pleased with the news. Hans Johnson, president of Los Angeles East Area Progressive Democrats, said members of his club think that the censure vote is a political maneuver that doesnt have basis. He believes that if anything, the development will help the congressmans case.

Schiff sometimes lacks the flashiness of his advocacy and his service that Porter and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland)  another rival in the Senate race  have, Johnson said.

The censure raises his profile and just makes him seem like a hotter commodity in Washington, Johnson said. Sometimes, the antagonists end up augmenting credentials and merit badges of the people they target.

Johnsons club is still finalizing its endorsement in the race. Johnson said the censure could have an incremental effect on whom the club sides with.

Californians respect the fact that Im in the middle of this fight, and Im taking on whatever attacks come my way to defend our democracy, Schiff said. Thats what theyre looking for in the Senate.

In the final hours before Tuesday nights vote, Schiff wasnt hopeful about avoiding censure. The failed vote to table the measure indicated that Luna had gathered enough support.

Im assuming that they will have the votes, because Donald Trump has threatened to primary any one of them that vote against it, Schiff said. And the one consistent feature of Republicans in the House has been their unswerving devotion  their swift obedience  to the whims of the disgraced former president. And I dont think today will be any different.

The successful Schiff censure opens the door to a number of possible Republican maneuvers, including a vote to impeach Biden. Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.) and Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) are introducing or planning to introduce resolutions to impeach the president.

The three representatives and Luna are all members of the House Freedom Caucus. Members of the caucus are competing to

be the most extreme, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) suggested on Wednesday morning.

Whether its Paulina Luna, or Lauren Boebert, or Marjorie Taylor Green ... these are individuals who still to this day question the results of a free and fair election in 2020, Aguilar told reporters. They are trying to out-MAGA and out-extreme each other, by pushing measures to impeach, expel, censure.

Californians will see a clearer picture of the Senate race  and whether the censure had a financial impact  next month, when the campaigns release their second-quarter fundraising numbers. Porter's office did not respond to a request for comment on the censure vote; Lee wrote in a statement that Wednesday was an example of the GOP continuing "to peddle the big lie."

"They prove time and time again that they are more concerned about Fox News appearances than fortifying our democracy, and this resolution is just their latest stunt," Lee said. "Its shameful.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Several Pentagon policies meant to protect troops penalized under the Defense Departments since-repealed COVID-19 vaccine mandate have made it into the House Armed Services Committees annual defense policy bill.

The panel, which held its markup for the annual National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, adopted five separate GOP-offered amendments on how to treat service members and military academy cadets kicked out for refusing the vaccine after the mandate was put in place in August 2021.

The first amendment, offered by Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), passed 32-26. It would prohibit any adverse action for troops who did not receive the vaccine and allow those kicked out for refusing it to be reinstated without any detriment to their career.

This provides a fair, equitable and honorable option for our wrongly separated service members, many who filed legitimate religious exemptions and were ignored, to return to their ranks without any detriments to their career progression, especially in a time of great need as we face the greatest recruiting crisis since the establishment of the all-volunteer force, Banks said in introducing the provision.

The committees ranking member Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) pushed back, arguing that the amendment would allow service members to view military orders as optional.

This was the order that was made by the secretary of Defense . . . and a number of service members chose not to follow it when the consequences were made clear, Smith said of the original mandate. For this committee to come back afterwards and tell service members that they have the option, basically, of whether or not to obey the orders of their commanders, I think is a really dangerous precedent for the committee to set.

He also challenged Banks assertion that troops religious exemptions were ignored.

They were denied, Smith countered. There was a process and they went through it.

In addition, Smith said the Defense Department is going through a process of reinstating some service members who were separated. He said lawmakers should not intervene while this is happening.

Banks offered two more amendments that passed, including one that would require the military services boards of corrections to prioritize cases for troops who didnt receive the vaccine and want to rejoin the ranks, and another that requires DOD to inform those who were separated on how to rejoin if they choose to do so.

The panel also approved an amendment from Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), which passed 32-27, that would exempt cadets and midshipmen from repaying tuition at military service academies if they were dismissed for refusing the vaccine mandate.

Another provision, brought forward by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), directs Pentagon leadership to develop a plan to present to the committee on its active reengagement and reenlistment of those who were penalized for refusing the shot.

A sixth amendment regarding the former vaccine mandate was offered by Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) but was withdrawn.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin nearly two years ago issued a mandate requiring coronavirus vaccinations for all service members, including those in the National Guard and Reserve. Those who did not comply faced various levels of punishment, including loss of days individuals accrued toward retirement, loss of pay or even dismissal from the ranks.

But the Pentagon in January formally rescinded the mandate, dropping the shots requirement across the military a little over a year after it was first put in place, as stipulated in the FY-2023 NDAA.

The repeal was airdropped into the final compromise bill between the House and the Senate, though it did not touch on the subject of back pay or reinstatement for troops that were kicked out, leaving it on the table for a fight this year.

The vaccine-related amendments join a series of others related to current culture wars, including on Pentagon policies regarding diversity and abortion, combating extremism and mitigating climate change. Conservatives are pushing to limit such programs and practices they claim distract from protecting the nation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Republicans on Wednesday voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a rare reprimand of a sitting lawmaker that the GOP conference delivered as a rebuke for his efforts against former President Trump.

The vote  213-209-6  is the culmination of a week-long push led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), which was stymied last week when a band of Republicans joined Democrats in blocking a censure resolution from coming to the floor for a vote. It advanced on Wednesday after Luna made changes to the measure.

It also marked the apex of Republicans years-long campaign against Schiff, who emerged as a bogeyman on the right for his unrelenting criticism of Trumps alleged ties with Russia, and was cemented as a chief GOP adversary on Capitol Hill when he led the first impeachment inquiry targeting Trump.

A stunning scene took place after the vote, as Democrats in the chamber surrounded Schiff on the House floor, chanting Adam, Adam. They interrupted Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who had taken the gavel for the vote, repeatedly as he tried to deliver the results of the vote.

Schiff  who is currently entrenched in a competitive Senate primary against two House colleagues  embraced the extraordinary punishment, declaring on the floor in an impassioned speech that he would repeat his past actions of holding a dangerous and out of control president accountable if called upon to do so in the future.

Today, I wear this partisan vote as a badge of honor, Schiff said Wednesday. Knowing that I have lived my oath. Knowing that I have done my duty, to hold a dangerous and out of control president accountable. And knowing that I would do so again  in a heartbeat  if the circumstances should ever require it.

Lunas resolution censures Schiff for misleading the American public and for conduct unbecoming of an elected Member of the House of Representatives, and it directs the Ethics Committee to conduct an investigation into the congressmans falsehoods, misrepresentations, and abuses of sensitive information.

The four-page measure accuses Schiff of spreading false claims that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, abusing the trust afforded to him as chairman and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee when airing the Trump-Russia allegations, and behaving dishonestly and dishonorably when discussing events related to Trumps first impeachment.

The American people do not trust Congress. The cyclical pattern of lies has worn down the credibility of every institution and every official in the United States government. You see it, I see it, Luna said on the House floor during debate Wednesday.

If we run away from the opportunity to hold this man accountable there is only one fault, and that is of ourselves, she continued. We will betray the people who trusted us and sent us here to do the right thing, we will be responsible of any shred of justice in this body, and we will reject the duty that we swore an oath to protect upon taking office.

Luna first moved to censure Schiff last week, bringing a censure resolution  which she introduced last month  to the floor as a privileged measure, which forced the House to act on it. But 20 Republicans joined Democrats in supporting a motion to table the measure, a move that blocked it from coming to the floor for a vote.

A number of the GOP defectors took issue with a non-binding whereas clause in the measure that said if the Ethics Committee found that Schiff lied, made misrepresentations, and abused sensitive information, he should be fined $16 million, saying that it was unconstitutional. That dollar figure, the resolution claimed, was half the amount of money that American taxpayers paid to fund the investigation into potential collusion between Trump and Russia.

In an effort to allay those concerns, Luna introduced a new, revamped resolution at the end of last week that nixed the fine language  the chief difference between the two  and made a handful of other revisions. Additionally, the new resolution just calls for censuring Schiff while the original involved censuring and condemning the congressman.

The Florida Republican called the revised resolution to the floor as a privileged measure on Tuesday, restarting the process for the second time in a week and forcing another vote.

The changes were enough to erase the GOP concerns: all Republicans voted against a Democratic-led motion to table the resolution, sending it to the floor for a vote and setting up what would become just the sixth censure of a lawmaker since 1980, and the twenty-fifth in history, according to the House website.

The House last censured a lawmaker in November 2021, when Democrats delivered a rebuke to Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) for posting an anime video depicting him violently attacking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and President Biden. Before that, the most recent censures were in December 2010 and July 1983.

It was not, however, the House GOPs first rebuke of Schiff. Earlier this year, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) blocked him and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) from serving on the House Intelligence Committee. Luna has also filed a resolution to expel Schiff, though it has not progressed in the chamber.

Throughout the week-long censure saga, Democrats accused Luna  a vocal Trump supporter  and Republicans of launching an effort against Schiff as a way to distract from the former presidents legal troubles. Trump was indicted by the Justice Department on 37 counts earlier this month as part of the investigation into his mishandling of classified documents. He pleaded not guilty.

The party of Lincoln and his Lincolnites has become the party of Luna and her Luna followers. Todays mad-cap antics are an obvious deflection from Trumps deepening legal troubles, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member of the Oversight Committee, said on the House floor.

The GOP simply has no ideas for our economy, no ideas for our country and no idea for our people, but is on an embarrassing revenge tour on behalf of Donald Trump, who treats them like a ventriloquists dummy, he later added.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Republicans transformed the House into a puppet show.

Today we are on the floor of the House, where the other side has turned this body, this chamber  where slavery was abolished, where Medicare and social security and everything were instituted  theyve turned it into a puppet show. A puppet show, she said during debate on the floor Wednesday.

Pelosi, who endorsed Schiff in his Senate race, was seated next to her colleague from California during a portion of Wednesdays vote.

And you know what? Pelosi added, the puppeteer, Donald Trump, is shining a light on the strings. You look miserable.

Luna, for her part, disputed the claim that Republicans were bringing the Schiff resolution because of Trump.

If we want to talk about these little, fun games and comments back and forth, were here not about Donald Trump, were not here about Jan. 6, were here about the former chairman of the Intelligence Committee that used a lie that broke apart this country, Luna said during debate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The House voted to censure California Democrat Adam Schiff. Will it help his Senate campaign?

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to censure Rep. Adam Schiff for his role in investigations of former President Donald Trump, a reprimand that the California Democrat says he will wear as a badge of honor.

While censure is second-only to expulsion as the most serious discipline a member of Congress can face, it is likely only to boost Schiffs U.S. Senate campaign in the deep blue state.

The vote fell basically on party lines, 213 to 209 with six members voting present. Democrats yelled shame and disgrace. Only two other House members have been censured in the last 40 years.

The resolution, introduced twice now by Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, publicly condemns Schiff, D-Burbank, and refers the matter to the House Ethics Committee. It involves various claims he made as a former member of the House Intelligence Committee and leader of the first impeachment inquiry into Trump, including the allegation that the former president colluded with Russia to win to 2016 election.

Lunas resolution claims that Schiff misled Americans, citing a recent special counsels report that denounced the Federal Bureau of Investigations probe into alleged 2016 collusion, which is secret or illegal cooperation. The Florida Republican said the censure was about restoring honor, that would bring accountability and trust back to this very sacred institution.

Schiff, first elected to the House in 2000, told Fox News early on Wednesday that he would wear this like a badge of honor.

House Republicans go after people that they think are effective, he said. I exposed the corruption of the former president.

Adam Schiff versus Donald Trump

Schiff served on the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee, charged with overseeing intelligence agency actions, that started looking into whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election. After becoming chairman in 2019, he continued to press on Trump and his campaigns ties to Russian and Ukrainian officials.

Schiff made frequent television appearances regarding Trump, and rose to national prominence in leading the first impeachment inquiry over Trumps dealings with Ukraine.

Specifically, the censure resolution cites Schiff for discussing allegations about Trump and his campaigns ties to Russia ahead of the 2016 presidential election and a phone call between the former president and the Ukrainian president.

It also cites a recent report by Special Counsel John Durham, who concluded that the FBI should not have launched a full investigation into connections between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

On Wednesday, Durham defended his report before the House Judiciary Committee  and Schiff.

After, Schiff defended the evidence of collusion he presented, writing on social media that some people are working overtime to excuse the facts and evidence of Russias interference in the 2016 election. All to protect Trump.

Adam Schiffs leg up in the Senate race

The Burbank Democrat is battling two House colleagues in next years primary to succeed retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein: Reps. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, and Barbara Lee, D-Oakland.

Schiff, who is marginally ahead in recent polls, will likely use the censure to appeal to California Democrats disdain for the former president and House Republicans like Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield.

He is using this to carve out a spot as someone the Republican House wants to stop, said Christian Grose, academic director of the University of Southern Californias Schwarzenegger Institute.

This gives Schiff a chance to break out of the pack from Porter and Lee by saying that he should get elected to the U.S. Senate because he must be the choice of Democrats if the Republican-led House wants to censure him.

While Trump is the favorite among California Republicans to be the GOP nominee for president in 2024, his overall approval rating in the state is low.

Almost half of California voters are Democrats, according to the California Secretary of State. Fewer than a quarter are Republicans with third-party and no-party preference voters making up the remainder.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, said Wednesday said that California was a poor model for the nation and that if the state sends Schiff to the Senate, they will be sending a proven liar.

Thats what hes aiming to do, raise money off of being a liar and running for Senate, she said.

Republicans talk accountability and trust

House members voted on the measure to censure Schiff for the first time last week. Twenty Republicans joined Democrats in voting to table the matter, primarily over concerns about the constitutionality of fining Schiff $16 million  half the cost of the federal investigation into alleged collusion in the 2016 election.

As part of Lunas original resolution, Schiff would be fined if the Ethics Committee found that Schiff lied, made misrepresentations, and abused sensitive information. The 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlaws excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments.

Removing the fine got her more GOP support, including from five California Republicans who originally voted against it.

Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Big Bear Lake, posted on social media that the revised resolution is in keeping with both our duty to enforce accountability in Congress and our pledge to defend the Constitution.

California Republican Reps. David Valadao, Young Kim, Kevin Kiley and Tom McClintock also switched to support the censure. And Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, voted to condemn after casting a vote that was neither for or against last week.

Congressman Schiff was removed from the House Intelligence Committee for abusing his position of trust and access to sensitive information, Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, said. Todays censure resolution is constitutionally sound and narrowly tailored to protect the institution of the House and its capacity to serve the American people.

I opposed the original version of this resolution  not to defend Mr. Schiffs lies, but to defend the process that exposed those lies, McClintock, R-Elk Grove, said. We must never punish speech in this House, only acts.

This new version removes the fine and it focuses instead on specific acts, most particularly the abuse of his position as Intelligence chairman, he said.

But the effort could wound Republicans, said Grose of USC.

It is not clear to me what advantage Republicans in the House are gaining by focusing on this censure vote instead of more substantive policy, Grose said. I think the House Republicans would be better off focused on policy and not these matters.
Core sample from Canada's Crawford Lake Lance McMillan / Toronto Star via Getty Images

The entirety of human civilization has occurred in the Holocene geological epoch, a period of relatively stable global temperature that stretches from 11,700 years ago to today. Maybe. For more than a decade, scientists have been debating whether we have entered a new epoch, the Anthropocene, in which humans are the main driver of geological change and mass extinction.

Research at Canada's Crawford Lake may prove that humans have pushed the Earth into this new epoch, starting in about 1950, The Washington Post reported. "In just seven decades, the scientists say, humans have brought about greater changes than they did in more than seven millennia. Never in Earth's history has the world changed this much, this fast."

Stratigraphers, or geologists who focus on defining geological eras, have been looking for a site that holds concrete proof of a change in epochs  a "golden spike"  since 2009, and Crawford Lake is one of the top finalists under consideration this summer.

Crawford Lake, a small but deep pond in the Toronto suburbs, is unique in that it has a cold and calm spot at the bottom that collects geological detritus from the world outside, separated by an annual layer of white calcite deposit. This allows geologists, primarily Francine McCarthy, a professor of Earth sciences at Ontario's Brock University, to map what has been happening on the planet year by year going back centuries.

In about 1950, the Crawford core samples show a surge in radioactive plutonium from nuclear testing and sharp rises in heavy metals, fly ash from burning fossil fuels and evidence of acid rain and steadily rising temperatures. "This is when humans essentially overwhelmed the Earth as a functioning system," said Martin Head, a Brock geologist involved with the International Commission on Stratigraphy's Anthropocene Working Group.

"What we have measured, in a very objective and quantitative way, is we are living in a world with conditions that are no longer within the last 11,000 years of natural variability," McCarthy told the Post. "The Earth is, in fact, fundamentally different." But the core samples show signs of human progress, too, reflecting the end of above-ground nuclear testing, improvements in air quality, and curbing of acid rain. "It's not just a doomsday story," she added. "It is a 'wake up and smell the coffee' story. It shows we can make meaningful change." Read more about Crawford Lake and the Anthropocene Era at The Washington Post.

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Hundreds of labour exploitation victims found near Lisbon Hundreds of human trafficking victims found in Portuguese warehouse near Lisbon

By Catarina Demony and Miguel Pereira

SAMOUCO, Portugal (Reuters) - Hundreds of alleged victims of labour exploitation were found on Wednesday in different locations near Portugal's capital Lisbon, including inside a big warehouse where they were kept to work in the illegal harvesting of shellfish.

The Maritime Police, which is leading the investigation, said in a statement that all of the 243 victims identified so far were migrants. CNN Portugal said most were from Southeast Asia.

Four members of criminal networks linked to the illegal harvesting and trade of shellfish, such as clams, have been detained, the police said, adding the operation was ongoing.

Nearly 300 officers, including from the police and the border agency SEF, were taking part in the operation, which included various raids.

Reuters witnessed police operations at two buildings in Samouco, a village of the south bank of the River Tagus.

Officers were seen walking in and out of the buildings as migrants waited inside. It is not clear how many migrants were inside each of the buildings and how many more buildings have been searched.

Local media said the victims worked at the Tagus Estuary, an area where the harvesting of shellfish without a license is common.

Cases of labour exploitation and human trafficking have been growing in Portugal, with the latest homeland security report showing most victims were exploited in the agricultural sector.

There are several cases of poor migrants trapped in unpaid work on farms in Portugal's Alentejo region.

Portuguese investigators say typical victims are impoverished migrants brought to Portugal by trafficking rings with the promise of a job. However, once put to work, their identity documents are often confiscated and their pay withheld, with many packed into grim, common living quarters with few amenities.

The Council of Europe said in June last year that Portuguese authorities identified 1,152 presumed victims of trafficking in 2016-2020.

The number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions remained low compared to the number of identified victims, the Council of Europe said at the time.

(Reporting by Catarina Demony and Miguel Pereira in Samouco; Editing by Christina Fincher)
Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

 Ukrainian POWs not freed after handover to Hungary  intelligence spokesman

Despite reports to the contrary from Hungarian government officials, the Ukrainian prisoners of war transferred from Russia to Hungary have not been released, said Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman, Andriy Yusov, on June 20.





 IMF approves next $900 million tranche for Ukraine

Ukraine will receive a second International Monetary Fund (IMF) tranche worth $900 million later this month, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on June 19.





 Kyiv forms Ukrainian-African Trade Mission

The Ukrainian government has approved the establishment of the Ukrainian-African Trade Mission Limited Liability Company, said Taras Melnychuk, the government's representative in the Ukrainian parliament, on June 20.





 Aviation coalition starting to bear fruit, says Foreign Minister

A coalition set up by Ukraines partners to support the supply of combat aircraft is already starting to work, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on June 19.





 Black Sea dolphins threatened with extinction due to Russian ecocide

About 150 dolphin carcasses were found on Black Sea coasts in Turkey and Bulgaria following the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam and the species may be threatened with extinction, presidential chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak said on June 20.





 Survey reveals what would persuade Ukrainian refugees in Poland to return home

A survey conducted by the EWL Migration Platform, the EWL Foundation, and the Center for East European Studies at the University of Warsaw found that potential EU and NATO membership of Ukraine would be a key factor in convincing Ukrainian refugees in Poland to return home. According to the study, 57% of respondents cited EU membership and 47% cited NATO membership as major incentives for returning.





 EU Commission readies 50 billion relief fund for Ukraine

The European Commission is ready to set aside 50 billion ($54.5 billion) in the EU budget for Ukraine over the next four years, EU President Ursula von der Leyen announced on June 20.





 Ukraine successfully deploys domestic long-range strike drone

Ukraine has successfully deployed a domestically-produced strike drone with a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to Nataliya Sad, the press secretary of the Ukroboronprom defense conglomerate, on June 20.

 Gerasim and Raskolnikov: How to Understand the Russian Intellectual

The Russian war against Ukraine has highlighted the brutality of Russian culture  Ostrovska-Lyuta





 An intermediate step towards NATO. What to expect from the July summit in Vilnius

There are no reasons for disappointment.  Fesenko

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
Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), has said that Hungary violates international law when it negotiates with Russia on bringing back Ukrainian prisoners of war without informing Ukraine.

Source: Lubinets on Telegram

Details: The official has stressed that Hungary had no authority to negotiate with Russia over Ukrainian prisoners of war without informing the Ukrainian side.

The only body that has the authority to raise the issue of the release or exchange of Ukrainian prisoners of war is the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Lubinets has noted that Ukraine had not been informed of the planned transfer of prisoners of war to Hungary. And there were no requests from the Hungarian side saying that they were ready to join peace initiatives or facilitate the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war through their contacts.

Quote: "Can such actions by Hungary be interpreted as a violation of international humanitarian law and a violation of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war? In my opinion, yes.

Why is Hungary doing this? I see it as playing along with Russian propaganda that Ukraine does not want to take back its prisoners of war, which is absolutely untrue. Thus, the Hungarian authorities are allowing Russia to show that if there is an initiative, the Russians are ready to hand over prisoners of war."

More details: At the same time, Ukraine immediately began to officially appeal to the Hungarian authorities. Lubinets sent a letter to the Hungarian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights demanding that he inform him, within the framework of his mandate, about the conditions in which they live and the way they are treated.

Quote: "I also appeal to the Russian Federation Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova to look into this situation and answer logical questions. How did it happen that 11 Ukrainian army prisoners of war ended up on the territory of Hungary? Why was the Ukrainian side not informed about this?

I would add that Hungary should avoid Russian-style manipulative statements and show more constructiveness. After all, we are talking about people's lives, respect for their rights and freedoms.

I also appeal to the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) to analyse and assess the actions of the Hungarian Ombudsman."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Three of the 11 Ukrainian soldiers who were taken to Hungary under unclear circumstances have returned to their homeland

The Hungarian authorities' attempt to justify the transfer of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia as the initiative of individual persons may be seen as a war crime according to international conventions, political analyst Ihor Reiterovych told Radio NV on June 21.

The presence and continued detention of Ukrainian soldiers on Hungarian territory is an "unacceptable and flagrant" situation for which the country's government bears full responsibility, Reiterovych said.

"According to one version, a high-ranking official in the Hungarian government handled this issue," Reiterovych said.

"Furthermore, it was done without the consent of other government officials, which came as a surprise to the Hungarian authorities. They are now trying to cover up this story as much as possible, as it already violates several international conventions and is considered a war crime in general. Lawyers classify participation in this swap without agreement with Ukraine and other factors as an abduction, which has also drawn attention from the European Commission."

Read also: Ukrainian POWs held in Hungary "free," says official

The political analyst did not rule out the possibility that Russia "covertly" used Hungarian government officials to further its propaganda goals.

"The Hungarians fell into this trap, but instead of apologizing and acknowledging it as a mistake, granting access to the consul, and so on, they, unfortunately, as we are accustomed to, deny any wrongdoing, claim it was a misunderstanding, and refer to contact with public organizations," he said.

"It is likely that they will continue to hold this position."

Budapest can prevent further damage to its reputation only by promptly returning all 11 Ukrainian POWs to Ukraine, the expert stated.

Read also: Hungary continues to hold 11 Ukrainian POWs incommunicado, claims Ukrainian Foreign Ministry

"If they delay resolving this issue, it will be raised to the level of the European Union, and international organizations, including Interpol, may have grounds to initiate criminal cases and prosecute those involved," Reiterovych added.

On June 8, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had handed over a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary. The following day, Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate stated that it had not received this information and was in the process of verifying it.

Subsequently, Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister, Zsolt Semjen, confirmed the transfer of the Ukrainian POWs, who were residents of Ukraine's Zakarpattya Oblast. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing its lack of knowledge about negotiations between Budapest and Moscow, requested detailed information about the released Ukrainians and a meeting with the temporary charge d'affaires of Hungary.

Read also: Hungarian PM voices support for China's peace plan

.On June 16, Oleh Kotenko, the authorized representative for missing persons, announced that Ukraine had determined the locations and identities of 11 soldiers.

According to sources quoted by the Hungarian branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the prisoner transfer might have been a personal initiative of Semjen, unknown to the rest of the Hungarian government.

On June 20, the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest succeeded in repatriating three Ukrainian POWs who were handed over to Hungary by Russia without Kyiv's knowledge, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A federal judge on Wednesday set a court date of July 26 for Hunter Biden to make his initial court appearance related to the plea deal he agreed to Tuesday, following a five-year Justice Department investigation.

The hearing was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika of the District of Delaware, hours after she was assigned to the case.

MORE: Hunter Biden updates: Plea deal struck on tax charges, potentially ending yearslong DOJ probe

Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, agreed to a plea deal regarding a pair of tax-related misdemeanors and a pretrial diversion agreement on a felony gun charge. Noreika will have the power to either approve or reject the plea agreement prosecutors brokered with Hunter Biden's legal team.

Noreika was appointed to the federal bench by President Donald Trump, but in the past has supported presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle.

Despite her appointment by a Republican, Noreika's nomination was initially endorsed by two Democratic U.S. lawmakers, Delaware Sens. Chris Coons and Tom Carper, according to paperwork Noreika filed as part of her confirmation process.

PHOTO: Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, walks to a motorcade vehicle after stepping off Air Force One with President Biden, Feb. 4, 2023, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y. (Patrick Semansky/AP, FILE)

She has in the past has contributed to both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, giving $2,500 to Mitt Romney in 2012, $2,300 to John McCain in 2008 and $1,000 to Hillary Clinton the same year, according to campaign disclosure filings.

Noreika also donated several thousand dollars to Tom Cotton's Senate campaign between 2013 and 2014, and $1,000 to Rick Santorum's Senate campaign in 2005.

She has not made any federal political contributions in the last nine years.

MORE: Republicans vow to keep investigating Biden family in wake of Hunter Biden plea deal

A native of Western Pennsylvania, Noreika attended Lehigh University and Columbia University before enrolling at the University of Pittsburgh Law School, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1993. She spent more than 25 years in private practice in Wilmington, Delaware, where her practice focused on patent law, before her nomination to the district court in 2017.

As part of his plea deal, the younger Biden will acknowledge his failure to pay taxes on income he received in 2017 and 2018, according to the agreement. For the gun charge, he will agree to pretrial diversion, with the charge being dropped if he adheres to certain terms.

He will likely avoid jail time if Noreika signs off on the deal.

The agreement would potentially end a yearslong probe by the Justice Department, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Judge sets July 26 court date for Hunter Biden's initial court appearance originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

Hunter Bidens plea deal on Tuesday immediately triggered Republicans who cast the no-jail-time agreement as a gross case of judicial favoritism. Democrats quickly shot back that, by facing consequences at all for not filing his taxes and possessing a gun for two weeks while he was on drugs, Biden was indeed receiving special treatmentjust not the type Republicans were accusing him of.

The reality may be somewhere in the middle. But regardless of whether his punishment fits the crime, federal prosecutors in Delaware are once again illustrating the very real gray area that applies to the nations firearm laws.

The particular gun charge the feds brought against Bidena drug user in possession of a firearmis rarely brought as a standalone crime, especially now that roughly a fifth of the country uses cannabiswith an inevitably significant overlap with the nations estimated 80 million gun owners. When the feds do bring this type of case, they come down hard. But its usually a tool they use to take down tough to arrest criminals, like militant white nationalists, Islamist terrorists, or narcotraffickers.

Hunter Biden is none of those. And that situation is leaving former federal agents, prosecutors, and gun industry experts scratching their heads.

To some, it reads like favoritism.

I dont want to throw the book at people. And I dont want to sound like I'm a Trumper. But this strikes one as really very specially favorable treatment, said former FBI special agent David M. Shapiro, who now teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

To others, the mere fact that the feds brought this case at all indicates something of a compromise by Delaware U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss, a Trump-era holdover who stayed on the case to minimize the appearance of political meddling. Its a sensible bargain, as Los Angeles Times columnist Harry Litman put it.

I dont see it as him getting some free pass. He's admitted to a serious gun charge, and this diversion process is typical for someone with no criminal record or no backstory that suggests the only way the community can be safe if he's incarcerated, said former ATF agent David Chipman. This seems absolutely legitimate, and he's taking responsibility.

Bidens Last Pick to Run Gun Bureau Has a Warning for the New Guy

Either way, it shows just how much discretion prosecutors have when targeting gun ownersand presents a question about whether its time to stop stripping drug users of their Second Amendment rights.

The gun debate is a little schizophrenic, said Konstadinos T. Moros, a California attorney who advocates for wider access to firearms. The older NRA crowd is very much against drugs and thinks those people are dangerous, always. The younger people, gun culture 2.0, most of us have tried cannabis and some actively use it. For most of us, we know it's no different than alcohol. You shouldnt be armed when drinking, but it doesn't mean you cant have guns at another part of the day.

Moros currently represents the California Rifle and Pistol Association in an effort to abolish the state's magazine capacity limit and handgun roster law, but he has also monitored the nationwide push for decoupling the war on drugs to firearms access.

It's ironic, because Joe Biden has repeatedly defended his son as having done nothing wrong. If so, he should quit defending this law in federal court, Moros said.

Hunters case

In the United States, a person must pass a background check when buying a gun from a licensed shop. And that includes a federal questionnaire that asks, among other things, if youre an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance. Answer truthfully, and youll get denied. Lie, and you break the law.

Hunter was caught in a maelstrom of his own making: His 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, described how he struggled with addiction and was sometimes high on cocaine every 15 minutes. During the very same time period, he bought a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver that later got on police radar when a girlfriend chucked the gun into a dumpster. Although he only had it for 11 days in October 2018, that short time still overlapped with his drug usagemeaning he almost certainly lied on the ATF form when buying the handgun.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Delaware filed single-count information charging Biden with 18 U.S. Code  922(g)(3). In a separate letter, prosecutors also indicated the existence of a second information charging him with two separate counts of belatedly filing his taxes.

In both instances, theyre wielding a hammer that rarely gets slammed on everyday Americans. The IRS estimates that roughly 10 million people each year dont file their taxes. Only a small percentage of non-filers are ever chargedand even fewer ever get jail time. The fact that those tax charges are coming back to bite Hunter at all is evidence that the Justice Department is treating him as something different than the average Joe.

But that special treatment may also be at play with the gun charge, albeit in a different way.

In their letter, the feds said Biden will get pretrial diversion on the gun charge, essentially letting him off the hook. Hell be subject to a program that the Department of Justice reserves for what it calls opportunities for treatment, rehabilitation, and community correction.

Biden Says Hed Sign Gun Control Law ImmediatelyIf He Could

As a result, Biden could face stiffer penalties for the tax charges, but the DOJ letter is telegraphing that the gun issue is essentially going away.

However, that situation presents an odd result, because the mere fact that theyre charging him shows rare aggressionwhile, at the same time, letting him go with a warning leaves him better off than others whove faced the same charge.

It's reflective of a compromise, a decision to make this go away and deal with it expeditiously, undoubtedly in light of political circumstancesincluding who his father is, Shapiro said, noting that the criminal charge is subject to a 10-year term of imprisonment. That's not the kind of charge where you'd put somebody in pretrial intervention. That would be for lesser felonies.

Feds often use the drug-user-in-possession-of-a-gun charge as a fallback for punishing a hard-to-nail criminal when evidence of other crimes is scant. The FBI has wielded it against Neo-Nazis and motorcycle gangs, usually in an effort to get at a wider conspiracy.

Legal scholars and former federal investigators told The Daily Beast that this type of gun charge is normally used to pressure defendants into striking a deal, a method for squeezing information out of them and locking them away with a short stint in prison. Its not something prosecutors drop, only to apply a slap on the wrist for a tax crime.

It's usually reserved for somebody that's a real problem in the communityand when that's the only thing we can get them on, said one ex-ATF agent. We can jumpstart gang cases, guys selling rock on the corner. You get them on (g)(3), then you start flipping people.

Years ago, CNN profiled how the FBI orchestrated an elaborate sting operation to ensnare a depressed Michigan pizza delivery guy and actively guide his suicidal thoughts toward violent ISIS martyrdom. That violent terrorist attack never happened, and eventually, what appeared to be a terrorism case against Khalil Abu-Rayyan really just came down to two counts of drug user in possessionall because he was pulled over by a Detroit cop for speeding and found with four plastic bags of marijuana, sleeping pills, and a revolver in his old Buick Century. A federal judge sentenced him to six years in prison, and Abu-Rayyan served most of it before his release in 2020.

On Tuesday, Abu-Rayyan told The Daily Beast that while the presidents son was clearly getting handled with kid gloves, at least the feds werent overreaching.

I do feel like there's special treatment, Abu-Rayyan said. My past self would say that's not fair. But it's a step in the right direction why don't we go after the mass shooters acquiring AR-15s and AK-47s and arsenals, rather than people with simple possession?

That thinking represents a growing sentiment in younger gun owners, who have increasingly advocated for looser restrictionsand dropping the drug screen altogether. Those calls have grown as states continue to decriminalize marijuana, because federal law enforcement keeps cracking down on pot users with guns in those jurisdictions.

Feds have been clear that even in states that legalize marijuana, it's still illegal federally, and you're not supposed to have a gun, said Dru Stevenson, a professor at South Texas College of Law Houston who has conducted extensive research on firearms. Some states give people medical marijuana cards, and I've talked to people who got a medical marijuana card, so they couldnt pass a background check to buy a gun anymore.

Feds Push Gun Rap Against Woman That They Let Hunter Biden Escape

Drug-user-in-possession is usually just one of a litany of other charges, so its hard to find an exact parallel to Hunters case. The Department of Justice only files 200 or so cases a year nationwide where this crime is the only charge, Stevenson said.

It's rarely a standalone charge, Stevenson said. Partly that's because of how police find out someone has a gun, like a drug bust or drug-related violence.

Its made even more rare because of how vague the situation can be, and when someone buys a gun versus when they used illegal drugs.

You get into philosophical questions like, I was a drug user until yesterday, Stevenson said.

This particular gun law has been on the books for 37 years and has received widespread support from firearms enthusiasts and gun control advocates alike. While the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Bobby Kennedy brought about the first serious restrictions in 1968, the narco crime wave of the 80s led to the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act that prohibited drug users and undocumented people from passing necessary background checks. The law got little pushback in the decades to come.

Unlike other lawslike restrictions on silencers that can dampen the sound of a shot, or short-barreled rifles that are easier to swing around in tight spacesit hasnt been controversial in traditional gun circles.

The National Rifle Association, in an effort to avoid further gun control, has vociferously demanded that the government simply enforce the laws like this one that are already on the books. The NRA has firmly stood against the idea of drug users owning guns, evident by its support for a law enforcement effort called Project Exile that involves dragging low-level gun possession cases into federal court to snag stiffer penalties, something that NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre Jr. commended in The Wall Street Journal in 2008. Leave the good people alone and lock up the bad people, LaPierre said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland Was Actually Pretty Harsh on Hunter Biden

But an effort to push back against the law preventing a drug user from owning a gun is, in fact, in the works.

This month, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that lifetime gun bans like a Pennsylvania law prohibiting non-violent felons from having guns were unconstitutional. In February, a federal judge in Oklahoma sided with a medical marijuana dispensary employee who had a gun in his car when he got pulled over by a cop. And just last month, a federal judge in Texas dropped the drug-user-in-possession charge against a woman when she wrote that the government has failed to carry its burden to demonstrate that  922(g)(3) is consistent with the nations historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The drug question on the ATF formwhen answered honestlyranks as the third-most-common reason that firearm purchases get denied in the United States, according to the most recent figures from the DOJs Bureau of Justice Statistics. Of the 179,587 gun purchases and permits that got denied in 2018 because of failed background checks, 11 percent of those rejections came from drug use or addiction. But given the widespread use of drugs in the United States, its clear that few people actually answer that question honestly. Drug use might be a top reason for rejections, but they still made up only 19,523 of the 16.7 million applications that were screened that year.

We have to use discretion with these charges. There has to be some danger to the community. We just dont have the resources to charge everyone who violated this, Chipman said, recalling his years in the field as an ATF agent.

Federal prosecutors also stack this particular charge with other conduct, even when its relatively minor. In 2006, DEA agents searched a Missouri mans home and found two bags of what appeared to be marijuana, which the man said was for his personal use. But they still nailed him for having a .40-caliber pistol under his pillowa case they pursued, in part, because he was undocumented. He got two years in prison and was put on track for deportation.

The feds have even gone after a cop for returning guns to a known drug user, even when that person is being friendly to law enforcement. In 2002, the DOJ charged an Iowa police officer for, among other things, giving firearms back to a drug user whod begun to cooperate with the Drug Enforcement Agency.

When ATF goes after someone solely for being a drug user with a gun, its usually a pretty extreme circumstance. For example, the feds charged a Nebraska meth user in 2008 with a single count of a user-in-possession of a gunbut only after discovering his sizable collection of 18 rifles, 11 shotguns, a couple of pistols, and a revolver. Even then, he spent only a few months in jail after getting caught using drugs while out on bail and was eventually sentenced to time served.

The question now is whether Bidens case marks a turn in how the feds pursue this type of chargeor whether avoiding prison time is the special treatment Republicans in Congress keep railing about.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Hunter Biden isn't the first relative of a president to be investigated. Remember these others?

WASHINGTON  Hunter Biden isnt the first relative of a president to find himself the subject of unwanted attention, but his agreement Tuesday to resolve criminal charges placed him among the more serious targets of investigations aimed at relatives of presidents.

Biden reached an agreement with David Weiss, U.S. attorney for Delaware, to plead guilty to two federal misdemeanors for willful failure to pay income tax in 2017 and 2018. Biden also agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program for a charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm in 2018.

Here are some other presidential relatives who drew the spotlight:

President Jimmy Carter and his younger brother Billy take a walk through the woods around their mother's pond house near Plains, Ga., June 1, 1977. The president paid a brief visit to his home town Tuesday.

Billy Carter, brother of Jimmy Carter

Billy Carter promoted Billy Beer and lobbied for Libya while his brother, President Jimmy Carter, was in the White House. Libya was headed at the time by contentious Col. Muammar Qadhafi and was barred from arms sales, although limited oil sales were still allowed.

Billy Carter, who had financial difficulties with the family farm and who was treated for alcoholism during this period, sought to boost trade with Libya in exchange for half the profits of deals reached, according to a Senate investigative report.

But a Senate Judiciary subcommittee reported in October 1980, a month before the election his brother lost, that Billy Carter hadnt influenced U.S. policy.

Billy Carter visited Libya twice and his hosting Libyans in Georgia attracted considerable attention because of his remarks considered anti-Semitic, according to the report.

I publicly deplored many of these comments myself, Jimmy Carter said.

From right, former President George W. Bush, second from right, former first lady Laura Bush, Neil Bush, Sharon Bush, Bobby Koch, Doro Koch, Jeb Bush and Columba Bush, stand just prior to the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush being carried by a joint services military honor guard from the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington.

Neil Bush, son of George H.W. Bush

Neil Bush, the son of President George H.W. Bush, was investigated for the failure of Silverado Savings and Loan in Denver and reached settlements with regulators.

Neil Bush was a director of the institution from 1985 to 1988, during a crisis in the savings-and-loan industry.

The U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision investigated the failure and in April 1991 reprimanded Bush for engaging in conflicts of interest. The formal complaint alleged Bush endangered the institution by voting on loans to one of his business partners and by failing to disclose his ties to another borrower.

In September 1990, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. filed a $200 million lawsuit alleging gross negligence that contributed to the collapse because the directors including Bush repeatedly breached their duties to the institution and depositors. Bush settled out of court for $50,000.

Malik Obama, President Obama's half-brother, speaks to reporters in the village of Kogelo, western Kenya, on Nov. 4, 2012.

Barack Obama's half-brothers

Samson Obama, the brother-in-law of President Barack Obama, was denied a visa to Britain in April 2009 after giving a false name to police when he was accused of attempted sexual assault, according to Reuters. Samson Obama returned home to Kenya.

The White House said the president hadnt spoken to him for 20 years.

George Obama, another of the presidents half-brothers, told CNN he was arrested in February 2009 on suspicion of possessing marijuana, but released the same day.

Malik Obama, another half-brother of the president who lived in Kenya, told the New York Post in July 2016 he would vote for Donald Trump for president. Trump had campaigned on questioning Barack Obamas nationality. Malik Obama had lived in Maryland for years and worked as an accountant and was registered to vote there.

Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, center, celebrates his re-election with his mother, Virginia Kelley, right, and brother, Roger Clinton, left, at Clinton campaign headquarters in Little Rock, Ark., on Nov. 6, 1984.

Roger Clinton, half-brother of Bill Clinton

President Bill Clinton, on his last day in office in 2001, pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton, for a cocaine-related conviction in 1985. Roger Clinton had served more than a year in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine.

Congressional Republicans also investigated Roger Clinton for accepting six-figure payments from overseas and for lobbying for clemency for others, including mafia figures.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner walks back to the West Wing after a television interview at the White House, Oct. 26, 2020, in Washington.

Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser

Congressional Democrats questioned whether Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser in the White House, allowed business deals to influence U.S. foreign policy.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., questioned whether Kushner was influenced by a $1.2 billion lease, which included Qatar funding, on a New York property his company owned at 666 Fifth Ave. Wyden said former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testified in federal court it was evident that Kushner engaged with foreign officials in a manner inconsistent with the views of other U.S. officials.

After leaving the White House, Kushners investment firm Affinity Partners secured a $2 billion investment from the government of Saudi Arabia.

Kushners company denied links between the New York real estate deal and the White House. In response to the Saudi investment, a Kushner spokesman said in a statement to the New York Times he fully abided by all legal and ethical guidelines both during and after his government service.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden the latest relative of a president involved in scandal
FILE - Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, walks to a motorcade vehicle after stepping off Air Force One with President Biden, Feb. 4, 2023, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Hunter Biden will go before a judge next month to formally strike a plea agreement with prosecutors on tax and gun charges that will likely spare President Joe Biden's son time behind bars, according to court documents posted Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika must still approve the plea agreement that was reached following a lengthy federal investigation. It calls for the president's son to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay taxes. Hunter Biden also must commit to court-imposed conditions that will spare him full prosecution on a felony gun charge.

The hearing is scheduled for July 26 as a combined initial appearance and plea agreement.

News of the plea deal Tuesday sparked criticism from Republicans who are pursuing their own congressional investigations into nearly every facet of Hunter Bidens business dealings, including foreign payments.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, traveling in Stockholm on Wednesday, said David Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware, was given full authority to decide the matter as he decided was appropriate. And that's what he's done.

Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have pointed to the case to raise questions about Justice Department independence as Trump faces a historic criminal indictment. The charges against Trump were filed by a special prosecutor appointed in an effort to avoid any perception of a political conflict.

The Hunter Biden charges, meanwhile, were filed by U.S. Attorney Weiss, who was appointed by Trump and kept on during the Biden administration to continue the investigation, some aspects of continue. Noreika was also appointed by Trump, in 2017.

Hunter Bidens lawyer has said the guilty pleas are an effort to take responsibility for mistakes that he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life," and his understanding is that it wraps up the five-year investigation of his client.
The Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware has reached a plea agreement with Hunter Biden, who is expected to plead guilty to two federal misdemeanor counts of failing to pay his taxes. Biden also faces a separate felony gun possession charge that is likely to be dismissed if he meets certain conditions, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Two sources familiar with the agreement said it includes a provision in which the U.S. attorney has agreed to recommend probation for Biden for his tax violations. Legal experts also said the tax and gun charges will most likely not result in any jail time for President Joe Bidens son.

Its the first time the Justice Department  part of the executive branch, headed by the president  has brought charges against a child of a sitting president.

The decision by U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, indicates an end to the sweeping, five-year investigation by federal prosecutors, FBI agents and IRS officials into Hunter Bidens conduct. The Biden administration has kept Weiss in place to avoid having a U.S. attorney appointed by the president oversee his sons criminal case.

Weiss's office said in a statement: "Hunter Biden received taxable income in excess of $1,500,000 annually in calendar years 2017 and 2018. Despite owing in excess of $100,000 in federal income taxes each year, he did not pay the income tax due for either year."

Regarding the gun charge, the statement said that "from on or about October 12, 2018 through October 23, 2018, Hunter Biden possessed a firearm despite knowing he was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance."

Weiss's office also said its investigation continues.

Chris Clark, Hunter Bidens attorney, said in a statement: With the announcement of two agreements between my client, Hunter Biden, and the Unites States Attorneys Office for the District of Delaware, it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved.

"Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement. A firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement and will not be the subject of the plea agreement, will also be filed by the Government. I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.

A White House spokesperson said: The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment.

Peppered with questions shouted by reporters about the charges at an event in California, the president said, "I'm very proud of my son."

Trump, who faces criminal charges for his alleged mishandling of classified documents, criticized the agreement in a post on his website, Truth Social.

The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN, Trump wrote.

The resolution suggests that prosecutors did not find cause to file charges related to Hunter Bidens dealings with foreign entities or other wrongdoing. Trump and several Republican-led congressional inquiries have long alleged that Biden engaged in years of criminal conduct with people tied to the Chinese government and with companies in Ukraine and elsewhere.

In 2021, Biden paid all of the outstanding taxes he owed for 2017 and 2018, the years named in the charges. Biden wasnt charged with failure to file returns for those years. He filed returns but agreed to plead guilty to not having paid enough in both years, which was over $100,000.

The felony gun possession charge will be resolved in what is known as pretrial diversion agreement, in which charges are dropped if the defendant meets certain conditions, such as not committing a crime in a given time period. The court documents didnt disclose the specific conditions in Bidens gun case.

In a statement, the Justice Department said Biden "faces a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison on each of the tax charges and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the firearm charge," but it noted that "sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties," adding, "A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors."

When there are agreements with prosecutors like this one, judges typically abide by the terms of the deal, which in this case would be a sentence of probation, but not always.

A judge will schedule an arraignment within the next several weeks. Hunter Biden is expected to surrender to Delaware authorities and will be processed by U.S. marshals there.

In April, NBC News reported that federal prosecutors were considering four charges against Biden. The charges filed Tuesday dont include a previously discussed felony count of tax evasion related to a business expense for one year of taxes in 2018.

The criminal probe was overseen by Weiss, whose deliberations, which have dragged on for months, provoked frustration and bewilderment from other law enforcement officials, some of them inside the FBI and the IRS, as both agencies finished their respective investigations last year, according to three senior law enforcement officials. An additional senior U.S. official said the bulk of the IRS investigation was completed in 2020.

Bidens drug purchasing initially came to the attention of local police in Delaware in 2018, and the FBI was brought in to assist shortly afterward, a senior law enforcement official said.

The federal investigation began in 2018 under the Trump administration as a broad inquiry of Bidens international business relationships, with an emphasis on potential national security implications. Over time, it narrowed into an examination of his personal taxes and purchase of a pistol. A grand jury was convened in Delaware and continued to hear testimony from witnesses throughout 2022, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Biden has acknowledged that business partners sought him out because of his last name and that he made millions from deals related to foreign countries, but he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In his memoir, Biden said he used the money for his drug addiction and to maintain his lifestyle. He has acknowledged his extensive use of cocaine during that period.

At times, tensions among investigating U.S. attorney's offices and agencies ran high, and there were disagreements about potential courses of action, two former senior law enforcement officials said.

In early 2020, the U.S. attorneys office in Pittsburgh joined the investigation at the request of then-Attorney General William Barr, who was tasked with assessing information provided by Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani about alleged corruption in Ukraine, which included allegations about Hunter Biden, three senior law enforcement officials said.

Investigators looked into whether Biden acted as an agent or a lobbyist for a foreign government  a potential violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Investigators ultimately determined there was no basis for charges beyond Bidens gun application and his failure to pay his estimated taxes on time.

In April, an IRS special agent involved in the probe wrote to members of Congress claiming he could provide information that would reveal failures to handle clear conflicts of interest in the case and detail instances of preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions and protocols. The IRS has declined to comment on the allegations.

Law enforcement officials familiar with the matter described it as a thorough investigation involving criminal investigators, FBI agents and counterintelligence agents in Baltimore and Wilmington, Delaware, white-collar crime and financial analysts from FBI headquarters in Washington and multiple prosecutors in the U.S. attorneys office in Delaware.

House Republicans have been investigating Hunter Biden's finances and have alleged that he was involved in a bribery scheme.

Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said his committee would continue investigating Biden.

These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committees investigation. We will not rest until the full extent of President Bidens involvement in the familys schemes are revealed, Comer said Tuesday.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., suggested Weiss claimed the federal investigation is ongoing only in a bid to keep evidence from the probe out of Congress' hands.

"How can Hunter Biden plead guilty, no jail time, and the DOJ say theres still an investigation, trying to withhold information to the House? Thats unacceptable and will not stand," McCarthy said.

Asked about McCarthy's comments Tuesday afternoon in an interview on MSNBC, Clark, Bidens lawyer, said, "This was a five-year, very diligent investigation pursued by incredibly professional prosecutors," adding, "This is the resolution that was come to."

He also reiterated his belief that the agreement is the end of the investigation. Asked whether he would have signed off on the deal if he thought more charges were coming, Clark said, "No, I wouldn't."

The Justice Department wouldnt comment on whether U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was consulted on the charges or played any role in signing off on them before Tuesdays filing.

Garland had repeatedly vowed not to bend to any political pressure in the case, telling a Senate panel in April 2022 that there will not be interference of any political or improper kind.

Asked then how the public could have confidence in the investigation, Garland said: Because we put the investigation in the hands of a Trump appointee from the previous administration. And because you have me as the attorney general, who is committed to the independence of the Justice Department from any influence from the White House in criminal matters.

In a letter this month responding to Jordan's concerns about the treatment of the IRS agent who had complained about alleged conflicts of interest, Weiss said he couldn't answer questions about the case because it was an "open matter," but he reassured Jordan he was acting in accordance with the law, not politics.

"Throughout my tenure as U.S. Attorney my decisions have been made  and with respect to the matter must be made  without reference to political considerations," Weiss wrote.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Im very proud of my son: Joe Biden defends son Hunter Biden after deal with DoJ to plead guilty to federal charges

President Joe Biden said he was proud of his son Hunter Biden, after the younger Mr Biden reached a plea deal with the Department of Justice, agreeing to plead guilty to federal charges following an investigation into his taxes.

The president responded to shouted questions from reporters in San Francisco, who asked if he had spoken to his son.

Im very proud of my son, he said. He did not respond to a question about if he encouraged his son to take a guilty plea.

The presidents son will plead guilty to two federal charges, the Justice Department said in a court filing on Tuesday morning. Mr Biden has been the subject of not only the ongoing federal investigation but a focus of Republicans probe into the Biden administration.

A court filing from David Weiss, the US Attorney for District of Delaware, said that the presidents only living son will plea guilty to two federal charges of willful failure to pay federal income tax one charge of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user or addicted to a controlled substance. At the time, Mr Biden, the sole surviving son of the presidents first marriage, was actively addicted to drugs.

The parties jointly request that the Court schedule a consolidated Initial Appearance on the firearm Inform and an Initial Appearance and Change of Plea Hearing on the tax charges, the filing said. Mr Weiss was appointed by former president Donald Trump and has been in charge of the probe into Mr Biden.

The case says that in 2017, Mr Biden had received taxable income in excess of $1.5m, with an excess of $100,000 that was taxable to the federal government, but he failed the pay it to the Internal Revenue Service by 17 April 2018. He reportedly failed to do the same the following year.

Mr Biden also agreed to a pretrial diversion agreement to regarding the firearm charge. According to the legal filing, Mr Biden knew he was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance and possessed a Colt Cobra 38SPL firearm, which was shipped through interstate commerce.

White House Spokesman Iam Sams put out a statement after the charges were made public.

The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life, he said. We will have no further comment.

Mr Bidens attorney Christopher Clark said in a statement that the announcement of the two agreements meant that the investigation that began five years ago was concluded.

Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement, he said. A firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement and will not be the subject of the plea agreement, will also be filed by the Government. I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.

But a statement from Mr Weiss to Fox News said The investigation is ongoing.

Statement from U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David C. Weiss - about the Hunter Biden Tax and Firearm Charges - notes-> "The investigation is ongoing."  Mike Emanuel  (@MikeEmanuelFox) June 20, 2023

The charges come days after former president Donald Trumps indictment and arraigment related to his alleged mishandling of documents related to national security. The former president criticised Mr Bidens agreement with the federal government.

"Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket,' Mr Trump posted on Truth Social. Our system is BROKEN!

Mr Trump attacked the younger Mr Biden for his addictions in his debate with his father in September of 2020. Mr Biden has discussed his addictions in the past and his father addressed them in that debate.

My son like a lot of people, like a lot of people we know at home had a drug problem, the then-Democratic nominee for president said. Hes overtaken it. Hes, hes fixed it. Hes worked on it. And Im proud of him. Im proud of my son.

Mr Biden is the sole surviving son of the presidents first marriage to Nelia Hunter Biden. Shortly after his fathers election to the Senate in 1972, his mother and his sister Naomi were killed in a car crash that left him and his elder brother Beau severely injured. Beau Biden, who later served as attorney general of Delaware, died of brain cancer in 2015. The elder Mr Biden later remarried Jill Biden, the current first lady, and the two had a daughter Ashley Biden.

Since taking back the House majority in November, Republicans have made Mr Biden the chief focus of many of their investigations and have attempted to show a link between his business dealings and his fathers work as vice president. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer intimated that this would not deter the committee.

Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery, he said.

Rep Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top Democrat on the committee, said that the charges were a sign of an equal justice system.

This development reflects the Justice Departments continued institutional independence in following the evidence of actual crimes and enforcing the rule of law even in the face of constant criticism and heckling by my GOP colleagues who think that the system of justice should only follow their partisan wishes, he said.  Oversight Committee Republicans have advanced debunked conspiracy theories about President Biden and are now, again, wailing about the work of a Trump appointed U.S. Attorney. Meanwhile, our colleagues have refused to investigate Jared Kushner and Donald Trumps receipt of billions of dollars from autocratic regimes after handing them a string of outrageous policy favors and concessions.

So far, the House Oversight Committee has not been able to produce clear evidence of a link between Mr Bidens actions and his fathers work as either vice president or president.

-Andrew Feinberg and John Bowden contributed to this report
Karen Huntsman hugs Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO Mary Beckerle as the Huntsman Cancer Institute announces plans to develop a cancer center in Utah County in Vineyard on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Jenni Thompson drove to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City from Lehi almost daily during the last eight months of her first husbands life after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, often during heavy traffic.

Later, she was treated for breast cancer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Thompson said she would need to pull off at gas stations multiple times along her drive home to Lehi to change frozen caps on her head every 20 minutes  steps she was taking to try to keep her hair during chemotherapy.

Having access to that specialized care in Utah County would have made a big difference to her. She was present Wednesday as the Huntsman Cancer Institute announced plans to build its second comprehensive cancer center in Vineyard.

Hopefully I never have to use this location, but Im really happy for people that live in Utah County that theyll be able to ... get the best care there is in Utah without having to travel as far, she said.

Thompsons husband was diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which means he had an almost 100% chance of being diagnosed with cancer in his life, and a 50% chance of passing that on to his children. They were able to work with genetic counselors to do pre-implantation screenings and ensure their triplets did not have that gene mutation, and their oldest son was tested and does not have the disease.

Jenni Thompson smiles as Huntsman Cancer Institute announces plans to develop a cancer center in Utah County in Vineyard on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Thompsons husband died of leukemia and she beat breast cancer. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

She said five of the six children in her husbands family passed away from cancer, and the family has had multiple nieces and nephews pass away as well. Her husband began looking at genetic counseling after a 6-year-old niece was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Mary Beckerle, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute, said the facility is committed to providing a cancer-free frontier and this second facility in Utah County is a step in that process.

No more driving, she announced, noting that cancer patients in Utah County have collectively made over 35,000 trips in the last year to the Salt Lake facility at the University of Utah to receive care from their cancer specialists.

She spoke about one cancer survivor who reported he traveled over 8,000 miles between Orem and Salt Lake City to obtain care, while working to support a family. Beckerle said patients like him are why they are building the new facility.

We are here because of you. And because of all of the other patients who have made the trips to Huntsman Cancer Institute to find healing and to find hope, she said. We are here today because we are committed to serving a cause greater than ourselves and being part of this great growing community in Utah.

Beckerle said the plan was called Project Unite for the last few years, because it is a commitment and partnership from everyone to work together to improve health.

Huntsman Cancer Institute announces plans to develop a cancer center in Utah County in Vineyard on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

$300 million price tag

The Huntsman Cancer Institute estimates it will need $300 million in order to build this new cancer treatment and research facility, and the Huntsman family has already given a large matching donation to start the process.

The family gave $75 million dollars as a matching gift, the largest single gift to this point from the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

David Huntsman, president and chief operating officer of the Huntsman Foundation, said his father, Jon Huntsman, would have turned 86 on Wednesday. He said his fathers crusade against cancer was not just a goal to fight cancer for the rest of his life, but to fight cancer until it is eradicated from the face of this world.

Although his father passed away five years ago, he said the family is still as committed as ever to fighting cancer  and Wednesdays announcement is just the beginning of a call to action and an invitation for others to participate.

My dad was an entrepreneur and a risk-taker. Well start this process, but its going to take all of us to get it done. Its going to take all of us working together to do it right, Huntsman said.

Beckerle said something Jon Huntsman once told her has stuck with her: Mary, cancer moves fast, and we need to move even faster.

She encouraged people to move faster and get the facility funded and built to help Utah communities.

Beckerle also said the Utah Legislature provided a $1 million appropriation to begin the design and planning of the hospital. She thanked everyone for their support.

Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said Wednesdays event showed multiple different organizations coming together to lead Utah through growth. He said in addressing growth, the best option is to lead rather than react.

As a state leader, its remarkable to me and comforting to me to know that we have leaders that are helping create the future for the state of Utah, he said.

He said the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard will bring comfort and confidence to Utahns nearby.

Attendees cheer as Huntsman Cancer Institute announces a new development of a cancer center in Utah County in Vineyard on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Vineyards community

Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to growing in places that provide inspiration and hope, Beckerle said, adding that the beautiful location in Vineyard rivals its location on the mountainside in Salt Lake City.

Vineyard was also picked because of its tremendous population growth; 30% of the states growth between now and 2060 is expected to be in Utah County, and Vineyard is expected to be the center of much of that growth, Beckerle said.

We are committed to being where the people are in our community who need us, she said.

Vineyard Mayor Julie Fullmer said in five years, the city has grown to over 20,000 people, and the city is working to create something phenomenal for the region.

She said the new cancer treatment facility will bring people together for healing in the heart of their community and continue Utahs efforts to be a front-runner in cancer research.

Creating a community like this takes people lifting from all across the state. And we really can see that as theyve lined the seats here today, she said.

She said the research and treatment will help not only those in Utah County, but the southern regions of Utah as well.

We believe that the possibilities are endless. The work performed here will save countless lives, connecting services to communities and provide greater access and healing, Fullmer said.

The new Huntsman Cancer Institute location will be part of an 800-acre site currently being developed called Utah City. Pete Evans, who is helping develop Utah City with Flagship Companies, said they are hoping to develop an area that will revolutionize how Utah views urbanism, creating a holistic lifestyle. He said physical and mental well-being is a big component of that, and they are excited for Huntsman Cancer Institute to be part of the community.

In meetings with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Evan said he saw their ambitions were identical.

We wanted to create the best human experience possible by thoughtfully and intentionally building the best overall environment for the people who will be here. We share Huntsmans ideal of a patient-focused experience, because were committed to developing a people-focused community, Evans said.

Jeanette Bennett, a magazine publisher and community leader in Utah County, said she was really excited when she first heard about this project months ago, more excited than she would be about a shopping mall or a Trader Joes.

I love this community, this community is home, this community is amazing, this community has so many services and so many things to love about it, but one of the things it has not had is the cancer treatment facilities and expertise thats needed, she said.

She was diagnosed with cancer in Utah County and transferred to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for more specialized treatment.

Because she was being treated during 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, Bennett said she had to attend treatment alone, and would drive all the way to the institute by herself. She said the time away from family and work needed for the travel, and the time and emotional journey during the drive alone were difficult.

With facilities closer, she said it will allow more time for patients to earn money to pay for treatments and spend time with family. She also said the facility will be close to both the freeway and public transportation and in the center of the county.

This will be a landmark location that the rest of the community can gather around and build around and its just going to be amazing, Bennett said. Its physically going to be a beacon of hope.

She said it will help her have a closer location for scans she will need to do the rest of her life, and be beneficial for multiple others she knows who are dealing with cancer treatment, including the family of a 4-year-old boy in her neighborhood.

Its a big day for all of us, she said.

David Huntsman hugs Mary Beckerle as Huntsman Cancer Institute announces a new development in Utah County in Vineyard on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Putting a team together

The Huntsman Cancer Institute is part of the University of Utah, and the universitys president, Taylor Randall, said although they are rivals with Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University on the fields  they are glad to join the same team in the fight against cancer.

It is my theory that as educational institutions, in the mission of solving cancer, we are greater if we put a team together, he said.

Randall said the University of Utah brings strengths of cancer researchers and a care system to help people in Utah County, Utah Valley University will bring health professionals to staff the hospital and Brigham Young University will bring talents with statistics and research.

I believe firmly that our institutions of higher education will mold a completely different model with this single project right here, Randall said.

Wayne Vaught, acting president of Utah Valley University for the summer, said Wednesday is a monumental day for the community because community health is foundational to overall well-being.

He said the facility will give opportunities for collaboration with their students and faculty, including research projects, clinical rotations and volunteer opportunities. He said UVU has land near the site it plans to develop, and its main campus is just one FrontRunner stop away.
A hurriedly produced Titan sub documentary is airing Thursday even though it's still missing  and people are angry

The Titan submersible in water. OceanGate

The whereabouts and conditions of the Titan submersible remain unknown.

The UK's Channel 5 is airing a documentary about the missing sub on Thursday night, likely around when the men's oxygen supply will run out.

Many say it's "too soon" and accuse the documentary makers of trying to "capitalize" on interest.

A UK broadcaster is taking the controversial step to air a documentary about the missing Titan submersible on Thursday, though the craft's location and the status of the five men inside are still unknown.

On Wednesday, the UK's Channel 5 announced it would air "Titanic Sub: Lost at Sea" on Thursday evening.

The documentary, produced by fast-turnaround production company ITN, is said to cover the ongoing story of the missing submersible craft, The Titan. The Titan lost contact with its mothership, the Canadian research ship the Polar Prince, on Sunday shortly after it began its journey to visit the wreck of the RMS Titanic, located about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland.

The Titan is the brainchild of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, one of the five men on board. British businessman Hamish Harding; British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman; French Navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet are also aboard the craft.

Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate exhibitions. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Stockton had envisioned the Titan as a tourist craft and had already taken the 22-foot-long vessel on several successful trips to the Titanic site. But Rush had also previously openly balked at safety regulations, previously complaining of "obscenely safe" diving security regulations.

The Coast Guard began searching for the Titan on Monday afternoon, but have so far failed to find signs of the missing craft. According to the Coast Guard, the craft's oxygen is expected to run out on Thursday afternoon. It's unlikely they'd be able to make their own way out because they're deadbolted in by at least 17 bolts, and likely at least two miles beneath the ocean's surface.

Ian Rumsey, managing director of content for ITN told Variety the documentary would "tell a very human story that has captured the nation which is about five people, all with families, who are trapped at the bottom of the ocean." Rumsey went on to say that ITN's "reputation for responsible filmmaking means we always treat such stories with great sensitivity."

But the announcement of the documentary brought criticism from some who said that it was crassly too soon for ITN to be producing a show about the unfolding story.

They slammed the documentary company for trying to capitalize on the story. One user said moving forward with the doc showed the producers didn't have "an iota of decorum"

Many were especially critical of the decision to air the documentary on the day when the men are expected to run out of oxygen.

Insider has reached out to ITN, Channel 5, and Ian Rumsey for further comment.

Read the original article on Insider
USMC 1911 Retired

The U.S. Marine Corps has removed the last of its .45 caliber M45A1 Close Quarters Battle Pistols from service. The M45A1s, which are heavily upgraded variants of the venerable Colt M1911, have now been replaced by 9x19mm M18 pistols. The Marines had been the last major American military user of M1911-series pistols, though other versions remain in increasingly limited service in the U.S. special operations community.

US Marines train with M45A1 pistols. USMC

Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) confirmed to The War Zone that the replacement of the M45A1s with new M18s began last year and was completed by October 2022. M45A1s had previously been issued primarily to Marine special operations and reconnaissance units, as well as Special Reaction Teams assigned to the service's Provost Marshal's Office.

Members of a Marine Special Reaction Team train with M45A1s and other pistols, as well as ballistic shields, at Camp Hansen on the Japanese island of Okinawa. USMC

The service had announced its intention to replace all of its standard-issue sidearms with M18s in 2019. The M18 is the compact variant of the Sig Sauer Modular Handgun System pistol family, or MHS, which the U.S. Army first adopted in 2017 and is now becoming the default sidearm across much of the U.S. military. This includes the U.S. Air Force, where the M18 was also selected to replace the last of that service's aging .38 caliber M15 revolvers, as well as other more modern pistols.

A Marine fires an M18 pistol during training. USMC

In addition to the M45A1, a number of different pistol options were available for Marines, depending on their job, as of 2019. The default sidearms for most units at the time were 9x19mm Beretta M9 and M9A1s. The Berettas had become the main sidearm U.S. military-wide in the 1980s.

A Marine fires an M9A1 pistol. USMC

In 2019, the Corps also announced that it would be issuing 9x19mm Glock 19M pistols, designated M007s, to criminal investigative special agents and members of the services Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1). Among other things, HMX-1 is responsible for operating a fleet of helicopters, commonly referred to as Marine Ones, that are used to shuttle around the President and Vice President of the United States, members of their families, and other top officials. As part of that mission, the squadron also has a dedicated rapid-reaction force.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtI5o_famJs

The origins of the M45A1 trace back to the introduction of the M9. The Army's selection and introduction of the foreign-designed Beretta pistol as a replacement for the iconic American-made M1911A1 had been beset by technical issues, including dangerous slide failures that injured a number of individuals in testing, and other controversies.

The Army had adopted the original M1911 in 1911 and this was followed by the M1911A1, which featured a number of general refinements, in 1926. A core debate regarding the relative combat utility of the .45 caliber cartridge versus the 9x19mm round continues to this day. It is worth noting that an entirely new slate of 9x19mm cartridges, including modern hollow-point types, has come along with the adoption of the MHS family of pistols. It is widely argued that these cartridges negate the benefits of the .45 ACP and offer much greater capacity.

A standard issue M1911A1 pistol. M62 via Wikimedia

Though the Marines had officially adopted the M9 along with the rest of the U.S. military, the service also began issuing upgraded M1911A1 pistols in 1986. Marine Col. Robert Young, who also developed what is known as the service's Enhanced Marksmanship Program (EMP), created the requirements for the resulting guns, which became known as Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), or MEU(SOC), pistols.

The MEU(SOC) pistols were crafted in-house by the Precision Weapons Section of the Marine Corps Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. At a quick glance externally, these handguns look very similar to standard M1911A1s. However, they are almost completely rebuilt and Marine armors continued to tweak the designs for years afterward.

A Marine fires a MEU(SOC) pistol during training. USMC

"The inventory of parts reads like a who's who of the 1911 aftermarket business. In fact, the list is so diverse that it appears as if the Marines flipped through Brownells' catalog and took one of everything," according to an article about a new Marine Corps purchase of M1911 upgrade parts that American Handgunner published in 2002. "They started with 789 barrels, bushings, and link pins from Nowlin Manufacturing as well as 789 sear springs, ejectors, firing pin stops, mainspring housings, and mainsprings. From Springfield Armory the Leathernecks bought 789 slides and a corresponding number of hammers, sears, and disconnectors from Cylinder & Slide Shop."

"Ed Brown Products got the nod for 789 beavertails and recoil spring guides while Novak's .45 Shop received an order for 789 rear sights," the article continued. "Wilson Combat is providing 789 extractors and mag release buttons and Kings Gun Works is selling 789 ambi[dextrous] thumb safeties."

A close-up view of a MEU(SOC) pistol. Note the prominent "Springfield Armory" marking on the slide and the US Army M1911A1 property mark on the frame. Icikas8azp via Wikimedia

As the name indicates, the MEU(SOC) pistols were heavily tied to Marine units on deployments assigned to Marine Expeditionary Units. They also went to Force Reconnaissance companies and other specialized units.

Though effectively remanufactured and further upgraded as time went on, the MEU(SOC) pistols still eventually began to show their age. With M1911-series pistols increasingly found only in specialized units, maintenance and logistical challenges became particularly pronounced. The Marine Corps' heavily modified M1911A1s had essentially become bespoke weapons that required experienced armorers to often hand-fit replacement parts to individual guns.

In the early 2000s, the Marine Corps purchased a relatively limited number of new-production .45 caliber pistols based on the M1911 from American gunmaker Kimber Manufacturing. These sidearms were for the new Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Detachment One, the service's first unit assigned directly to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). That unit evolved into Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC).

A member of Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Detachment One, fires an M1911 variant. USMC

Those guns, known as the Interim Close Quarters Battle (ICBQ) pistol, featured custom stainless steel barrels, improved recoil system components, and a rail for attaching accessories like lights and aiming lasers on the underside of the front end of the frame. They also came with eight-round magazines. Standard M1911A1 magazines hold seven cartridges.

Interestingly, these ICQB pistols otherwise lacked a number of more significant upgrades that Kimber still offers, but were very similar to the previous MEU(SOC) configuration in their operation and to strip for maintenance as a result. Kimber subsequently began offering pistols with the same general configuration, dubbed the Warrior line, on the civilian market.

One of Detachment One's Kimber M1911 variants, along with a Strider SMF knife specially made for the unit. USMC

Around the same time as the acquisition of the Kimber ICBQ pistols, the Marines also began taking steps to acquire new production replacements for the rest of its MEU(SOC) pistols. This ultimately resulted in the selection of a new M1911 variant from Colt in 2012, which became the M45A1.

A Marine special operator fires a M45A1. USMC

"The key new feature of the M45A1 is a dual recoil spring system (adapted from the Colt 10 mm pistol line) that spreads out the recoil force of the big .45 ACP rounds over a greater period of time," according to a 2013 article from DefenseMediaNetwork. "In effect, by lowering the peak force of the recoil pulse, the apparent recoil force upon the user is greatly reduced, which increases accuracy overall."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyt0x2qxq3g

The M45A1s also featured improved triggers, ambidextrous safety levers, new grips, accessory rails, and rear sights with glow-in-the-dark tritium inserts to help with aiming at night. Initially, they also had a desert tan-colored finish from the company Cerakote, which was intended to help reduce corrosion and other wear. Corrosion, in particular, is a significant concern for any military force operating for protracted periods of time at sea.

However, the Marines found that the Cerakote finish, at least initially, was wearing off faster than expected and a number of M45A1s were ultimately returned to Colt. Those "decommissioned" guns were then resold on the commercial market and are now collector pieces. Long afterward, official Marine Corps photographs of personnel with M45A1s in service often showed them with heavily worn finishes. Colt eventually switched entirely to a different protective finish, called Decobond, with a browner color, for the M45A1.

An M45A1 pistol is laid out on top of a Force Reconnaissance Marines loadout prior to a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operation aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Philippine Sea, Feb. 2, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)

Over the years, the Marine Corps' persistence in issuing M1911-series pistols has become another part of the service's already often unique history and heritage. At the same time, even before the decision to replace the last M45A1s with M18s, it had become increasingly clear that this particular chapter was coming to an end. MARSOC had already begun replacing its M45A1s in 2016, switching to Glock variants, which have increasingly become the default for much of the U.S. special operations community.

As already noted, heavily modified M1911 variants continue to see at least some service with other U.S. special operations units, particularly the U.S. Army's Delta Force. In 2019, now-retired U.S. Army General Scott Miller, then the top American commander in Afghanistan, was spotted carrying what appeared to be one of Delta's custom M1911 versions. Miller had served with Delta Force in the 1990s and early 2000s.

https://twitter.com/TOLOnews/status/1133353464531230720

The SEALs also continue to be notable users of other pistols chambered in the .45 caliber cartridge. This began in the 1990s with their adoption of the Heckler and Koch Mk 23 Mod 0, which is notably large for a handgun. In 2010, they began issuing a version of the significantly smaller Heckler and Koch HK45C designated the Mk 24 Mod 0.

When exactly the U.S. military, as a whole, will stop issuing M1911-series pistols completely remains to be seen. Only time will tell whether the Marine M45A1s now in storage might make their way to other U.S. or foreign military or law enforcement users, or even the civilian market through things like the U.S. government's Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).

What is clear is that the Marine Corps' time as the last major user of M1911 variants within the U.S. military has finally come to an end.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Treasure Valley residents still cant order a double-double, but good news keeps arriving for In-N-Out fans.

The iconic fast-food burger chain now has plans for its third restaurant in Idaho.

An application has been submitted to the city of Nampas Planning and Zoning Department by the Irvine, California-based giant. The In-N-Out there would go where a TGI Fridays is located at 16225 N. Marketplace Blvd. in the Treasure Valley Marketplace. Fridays is closing at the end of this month.

Two In-N-Out locations were proposed for Idaho last year, first in Meridian and then in Boise, where the restaurant will occupy the former Pier 1 space outside the Towne Square mall. The Meridian location is expected to be the first to open, sometime this fall. Its located in The Village at 3520 E. Fairview Ave.

Plans for the Nampa restaurant include a 3,886-square-foot building with indoor seating for 74 guests, outdoor seating for 24, 46 parking spots and a 23-car drive-thru queue, according to a description of the project filed with the application.

Construction on the restaurant would take six months.

In-N-Out proposed adding access from Merchant Way, a street adjacent to the property but separated from it by a landscaping barrier, to improve traffic circulation. The restaurant would operate from 10:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, according to the application.

Its still too early to say when the chain might be open for business farther west in the Treasure Valley, an In-N-Out official told the Idaho Statesman.

We do hope to open a new restaurant in Nampa sometime in the future. We believe Nampa is a wonderful community, and were excited about the prospect of opening a location there wrote Mike Abbate, assistant vice president of real estate and development, in an email.

Abbate said In-N-Out is on its way to beating the goal it set in 2020 of serving double-doubles to the greater Boise area within five years.

BoiseDev first reported the application.
Several environmental and outdoor recreation groups have filed a lawsuit against U.S. Forest Service officials, alleging the agency allowed and even encouraged the illegal use of remote airstrips in an Idaho wilderness.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by Wilderness Watch, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Friends of the Clearwater and Friends of the Bitterroot, accuses federal officials of violating the federal Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Central Idaho Wilderness Act by allowing hobby pilots to use the Big Creek Four airstrips in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.

The groups said private hobby pilot use of the landing strips  Simonds, Vines, Mile Hi and Dewey Moore  has exploded in recent years and is marring the solace of the wilderness. According to the lawsuit, none of the Big Creek Four were regularly used as landing strips when the Frank Church wilderness was designated in 1980, disqualifying them from being grandfathered in for public use. Instead, they were considered emergency landing areas.

The plaintiffs have asked a judge to determine whether the Forest Service violated the Wilderness Act and other environmental regulations by performing maintenance on the airstrips and not citing pilots who landed there in non-emergency situations.

If the lawsuit is successful, a judge could bar maintenance on the airstrips, essentially letting them grow over, and force the agency to cite pilots that use the airstrips.

Plaintiffs allege airstrips are safety hazards

Typically, aircraft and watercraft are prohibited from wilderness areas unless those uses existed before the wilderness designation. Wilderness areas also bar bicycles, motorized vehicles and motorized equipment, like chainsaws.

The Forest Service maintains several public access airstrips in the wilderness area, including Cabin Creek and Bernard landing areas. The four airstrips named in the lawsuit are located roughly 40 miles northeast of McCall.

The lawsuit cited Forest Service documents referring to the Big Creek airstrips as safety hazards that were marginally operational at best. The environmental groups said the Forest Service decided to let the areas return to their natural state as early as the 1980s. It also noted that they should be used only in emergencies, according to an excerpt from a 1984 wilderness plan.

The groups lawsuit alleged the airstrips created more problems than solutions as use grew in the 1980s and 90s. They said there are no records of any of the four airstrips being used in an emergency landing  though there have been crashes from hobbyists trying to land at the sites for fun, according to the lawsuit.

Feds turned a blind eye to illegal landings

Though the Forest Service weighed reopening the airstrips during a wilderness plan review in 2003, it ultimately decided against making them public landing areas. The lawsuit said the agency revised part of that plan in 2009  including changing language around emergency landings.

The tweaks in language served to mollify recreational pilots as a nod to the agencys informal, unofficial assurance that it would turn a blind eye to illegal landings, the plaintiffs said in the lawsuit.

The complaint also pointed to a 2018 communication from the Forest Services Intermountain Regional Forester directing the supervisor for the Payette National Forest  which oversees the portion of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness where the Big Creek Four airstrips are  to refrain from citing pilots who use the areas for non-emergency landings.

The directive also implemented maintenance plans for the airstrips, the lawsuit alleged.

The Forest Services actions under these plans further demonstrate the agencys intent to improve the Big Creek Four to allow for non-emergency landings, the plaintiffs said. The Forest Service has closely coordinated with Idaho agencies whose clear and explicit goal is to render the locations serviceable, safe, and amenable for modern recreational flying.
Jessica Blackburn didnt know she was addicted to opioids until her bodys first withdrawal.

It was 2004, and she was 18. For the last year, shed swallowed oxycontin recreationally at high school parties in Betsy Layne, her Eastern Kentucky hometown. The first time her body responded to a deficit of pills, Blackburn thought shed caught a bad case of the flu. It was her high school boyfriend who explained that her body had become dependent.

It all just kind of clicked, Blackburn, 36, said recently by phone.

Her active use defined and derailed the next decade of her life.

Blackburns parents pulled her out of college and forced her into the first of many stints at a residential treatment center for her opioid use disorder. She tried abstinence-based recovery using the 12-step model. She tried taking buprenorphine, or Suboxone, to help wean her cravings. She was repeatedly arrested on drug-related charges. But no recovery attempts or her lengthening criminal record dissuaded her from returning to oxycontin.

Using was almost like a romantic relationship, just in terms of how it made me feel, she said. It made me very confident, gave me energy. I didnt feel any physical pain. It was a psychological craving.

Jessica Blackburn at her home in Floyd County, Ky., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Blackburn traveled to Mexico in her 20s to take a psychedelic drug called Ibogaine to help end her addiction to oxycontin. Now, the state is proposing to invest money in doing clinical trials with Ibogaine to get it approved by the FDA. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com

After years of trying to stop, to no end, her dad told her about ibogaine, a psychedelic drug hed read about. An alkaloid derived from the root bark of an iboga shrub native to West Central Africa, ibogaine had a burgeoning international following among war veterans whod taken it to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Her dad learned the drug had also long been used in some countries to treat substance use disorders.

In late May, the chair of Kentuckys commission charged with doling out opioid lawsuit settlement funds proposed using a portion of that money to research the experimental drug as a potential therapeutic for opioid addiction. But addiction researchers and some commission members are pushing back, citing its health risks. Ibogaine remains a Schedule 1 drug in the United States and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for distribution. Fifteen years ago, when Blackburn decided to try the psychedelic as a last ditch effort to save her own life, accessing that treatment required  and currently requires  international travel.

In 2008, with roughly $6,000 in cash, Blackburn traveled alone to Jalisco, Mexico. There, in a house in a small village, she took two doses of ibogaine under the watch of strangers. The only medical device present was a battery-operated blood pressure cuff.

For the next 24 hours, Blackburn lay in a bed, largely immobile with ataxia, a side effect of the drug. She sweated, her heart rate slowed and accelerated, and she hallucinated vividly.

It was not a fun trip, she said. It was violent, like being choke-slammed by God.

Many of the hallucinations did not directly resonate with her substance use, but some did. She gawked at a disembodied hand opening and closing drawers in her brain, taking old things out and putting new things in.

Her most pivotal and visceral hallucination, one that continues to haunt her today, was when she attended her own funeral in the body of her mother, surrounded by everyone shed been close to in life, even people who had died.

In that moment, she said she was her mom, and felt sharply the indescribable pang only a parent who loses a child can understand. It was a level of empathy shed never come close to conjuring. The intensity of it was physically painful, Blackburn said.

Jessica Blackburn at her home in Floyd County, Ky., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Blackburn traveled to Mexico in her 20s to take a psychedelic drug called Ibogaine to help end her addiction to oxycontin. Now, the state is proposing to invest money in doing clinical trials with Ibogaine to get it approved by the FDA. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com

Shed last taken oxycontin the day before she flew to Mexico and expected to wake up the following morning in cold sweats from withdrawal. But she didnt. When her hallucinations stopped, she was dead-tired, but her craving for oxycontin had diminished entirely. So, too, had her withdrawals. Surreal, it felt like her brain had reverted to a pre-addiction state.

As she moved throughout this new world, she discovered ibogaine had curbed other long-term habits. Even though shed no intention of quitting smoking, Blackburn had no desire to smoke cigarettes, and largely hasnt in the 15 years since. She also stopped compulsively biting her nails, a habit shed nurtured since childhood.

Not only did ibogaine truncate her physiological cravings, she said it wholly shifted how she viewed her addiction on an emotional and spiritual level.

I was young, and I was very selfish, Blackburn said. I hadnt really taken into consideration what I was doing to other people who loved me. I remember my mom telling me, Your life is not just your own, and it never made sense. Finally, it made sense.

Essentially a failed model





On a hot day in late May, a few dozen people stood and clapped for Republican Attorney General Cameron in Frankfort after he vowed to help the state explore a new approach to stemming the tide of opioid addiction.

Cameron was flanked by Bryan Hubbard, head of Kentuckys Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, who called the news conference that day to publicly float a lofty proposal he hadnt yet presented to the commission: invest up to $42 million over the next six years to partially fund clinical research into the use of ibogaine as an eventual FDA-approved treatment for opioid use disorder. Hubbard, an attorney, proposed using funds from the nearly $900 million in opioid lawsuit settlement money

He called it a breakthrough opportunity to tamp down the gravest existential threat to this states future.

In a Republican-controlled state like Kentucky, one of the last states in the country to legalize medical marijuana in March, a proposal to invest millions in researching an experimental psychedelic is notable. But its also a pitch some experts and commission members watching that day questioned. Clinical research with the goal of bringing a drug to market is expensive, for one; recent studies peg that process costing upwards of $2 billion. Ibogaine has also caused severe, even fatal, side effects on some past patients because of its effect on the heart.

While there are FDA-approved medications available to help people maintain long-term recovery, opioids continue to kill tens of thousands of people nationwide each year. In Kentucky, more than 9,000 people have died of an overdose since 2018, according to state data. Though 5% fewer Kentuckians died last year of overdose than in 2021, 90% of those 2,135 deaths were caused by opioids. The rise of fentanyl, a highly-addictive, fully-synthetic opioid lethal in small quantities has exacerbated the crisis.

Cameron, Hubbard and others who support a state-funded investment to research the psychedelic cite these deaths as proof of the available treatment model isnt working.

Existing addiction treatment models have modest success rates, said Cameron, whos running for governor to unseat Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat. Plus, current treatment is costly, he said. From January 2017 to late May 2023, Kentucky Medicaid was billed upwards of $1 billion for roughly 102 million doses of Suboxone, according to Cameron.

Seven out of state guests, five of whom were veterans, joined Hubbard and Cameron that day in championing research into ibogaine. Like Blackburn, nearly all shared emotionally-wrenching stories of their personal addiction experience, and how their longtime cravings ended after taking ibogaine.

I felt Id shifted from a liability to an asset, Bobby Laughlin, CEO of California-based New Course Enterprises, said tearfully.

Marcus Capone, CEO of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, cried as he explained that not only did ibogaine treat his post-traumatic stress disorder, but he no longer relies on any prescription medication to treat anxiety, the inability to sleep, or pain.

I sleep without medication and do not need to use my nerve stimulator, which I used to run 24/7 for several years straight, he said.

Paria Zandi, a marriage and family therapist in Los Angeles, said ibogaine is the dividing line in her life.

I consider my life pre-ibogaine and post-ibogaine. The best way I can explain it is ibogaine gave me a fresh pair of eyes with which to see the world and myself, she said. This August shell celebrate 10 years of sobriety.

If this anecdotal evidence can be clinically validated, Hubbard, an attorney, told the few dozen people whod been invited to the event, ibogaine will represent a transformative therapeutic treatment of opioid use disorder.

Bryan Hubbard, chair of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. Alex Acquisto

Ben Chandler, executive director of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, supports Hubbards proposal.

Our model of treating opioid use disorder is essentially a failed model, and the numbers bear that out, Chandler said. Ibogaine could be the key to unlock successful recovery.

As psychedelics are increasingly studied in clinical settings for their potential as therapeutics for a variety of ailments, initial FDA approval to study a drug like ibogaine as a treatment for addiction would be historic. Dr. Deborah Mash at the University of Miami received FDA approval in 1993 for the nations first clinical trial for ibogaine. But after the National Institute on Drug Abuse revoked its funding to test the drug on humans, the plug was pulled on the trials in 1995.

Though anecdotes and case studies show ibogaine reduces withdrawals and cravings, it has also caused severe toxic adverse events, detailed in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. More than 30 deaths associated with ibogaine ingestion have been reported in peer-reviewed scientific literature, according to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

Kentucky is also already in the throes of National Institute of Health-funded research and implementation of a complex treatment system thats built on expanding use of addiction medications already approved by the FDA an endeavor still stymied by state policy and stigma. Since ibogaine is nowhere near FDA approval, some question the proposal to invest millions from a finite, public fund to study an experimental drug for which there have been few controlled clinical trials showing that it definitively decreases morbidity and mortality.

I feel like investing in something largely untested (in the U.S.) doesnt make a lot of sense when we have so much effort that needs to be poured into making sure we are ensuring this kind of equitable access to the three FDA medications at our disposal, said University of Kentuckys Dr. Margaret McGladrey, a researcher with the $87 million grant-funded HEALing Communities study. The goal of this grant is to build a model with community partners to reduce opioid overdoses by 40% in 16 Kentucky counties. If successful, that model will be applied to the rest of the state.

This research, like most mainstream clinical research into opioid dependence, hinges on the finding that opioid addiction is a brain-altering disease. For this reason, long-term recovery is often made possible with the help of medication. There are three drugs formally approved by the FDA: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Each has a slightly different effect on the brain, but all work to suppress withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Ibogaines exact impact on the brain is less clear. The drug induces a profound psychedelic state, altering ones conscious experience. Typically, participants who use ibogaine are given an eye mask and noise-canceling headphones while they hallucinate, according to scientific literature and people interviewed for this story.

The drug does show promise for its ability to curb withdrawals and cravings, but its impact on cardiac activity is what makes it risky. Ibogaine blocks what are known as the hERG potassium channels in the heart, which help to regulate a heartbeat, said Dr. Bill Stoops, a behavioral science professor at UK who specializes in human laboratory and clinical trial research for substance use disorder treatments.

Drug-induced blockage of hERG channels, widely considered a harmful side effect, can cause an irregular heartbeat, or a cardiac arrhythmia, and prolong the time it takes for ones heart to relax between beats. Ibogaine, specifically, has caused fatal heart attacks, according to the National Institute of Health. People with pre-existing heart conditions are at a greater risk for this happening.

I like the idea that Kentucky could perhaps invest in understanding psychedelics as a substance use disorder treatment, Stoops said. But typically when a drug seeking FDA approval is shown to interfere with those channels of the heart, driving up the risk for a heart attack, very rarely is the FDA going to allow you to move forward with any clinical work, he said.

For this reason, I would not start with ibogaine, he said.

But to Hubbard, thats exactly why ibogaine should be explored in a controlled, clinical setting.

I believe the opioid epidemic must be beaten by any and all humanitarian means necessary, Hubbard said by phone. Anyone who would question the wisdom of pursuing this should be asked: are you satisfied with what we have?

If we are satisfied with the compounding nature of the opioid epidemic, expressed through record overdoses, record death, and a traumatized generation of children coming out of these communities that will repeat the cycle over the next 25 years, then theres no need to pursue alternatives.

But to addiction researchers working with FDA-approved drugs, that equation is arguably too simplistic.

Overdose deaths are unacceptably high, but I would argue thats not the fault of whether medications are effective or not, Stoops said. I think its an issue of access.

Substance use disorder, particularly to opioids, will never be eradicated completely, but theres a need to expand access to FDA-approved treatment proven to decrease morbidity and mortality across all areas, especially in the criminal justice system, said Dr. Michelle Lofwall, the Bell Alcohol and Addictions chair at UKs College of Medicine and co-lead researcher for the HEAL grant.

Strengthening harm reduction and treatment infrastructure to maintain long-term sobriety in a state long plagued by opioid addiction is a massively complicated, costly endeavor that hinges on one basic goal: make evidence-based forms of treatment widely available so all people, no matter where they live or whether theyre incarcerated, have an equitable chance at recovery.

This is not currently the reality in Kentucky, people interviewed for this story said.

The problem with opioid use disorder is that active use involves illegal activity, which is why so many people are arrested for reasons relating to their addiction, Lofwall said.

The effects of substance use disorder dont stop behind bars, but most Kentucky jails and prisons still do not screen for opioid addiction, or offer any of the FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder to inmates, greatly increasing the potential for overdosing upon release.

Its a notable blind spot in the states multi-pronged effort to support people in recovery, said Lofwall. Why not invest opioid settlement money into first fixing this problem?

We keep applying an acute model to something thats chronic. We dont have a continuum of care where people with opiate addiction get to stay on their medicine, she said. We havent fixed this. And we wonder why we keep having people die.

I did have a choice

Despite the lack of clinical research, Blackburn lives with the success of her ibogaine treatment every day.

The shift she experienced from taking the psychedelic was unrivaled to any treatment shed tried before. She came to see addiction as something she had control over, because suddenly, she did.

Soon after her first ibogaine treatment, Blackburn moved to the Mexican village. She lived there for two years, working with people recovering from their own treatment.

It was harder physically on certain people. Age was definitely a factor, she said. But the mental clarity, the loss of compulsion and a restoration of your brain to a pre-addictive state was always present.

She lived there, fell in love with a man and was sober for two years. One night, her partner died of a heart attack in his sleep next to her in bed. He was 32.

That wrecked me, Blackburn said.

She moved back to the U.S., to New York City, and thats when I started using again, Blackburn said.

Jessica Blackburn at her home in Floyd County, Ky., Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Blackburn traveled to Mexico in her 20s to take a psychedelic drug called Ibogaine to help end her addiction to oxycontin. Now, the state is proposing to invest money in doing clinical trials with Ibogaine to get it approved by the FDA. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com

For many people with substance use disorders, relapsing is a part of long-term recovery. But even her relapse following ibogaine felt different. It wasnt induced by an underlying craving or withdrawal, as it had been in the past. Her choice to use again was lucid.

It was the first time I used that I was very conscious of what I was doing. It was important to realize I did have a choice, she said. I knew it was the wrong one, I was just so miserable and broken that I didnt care.

Another ibogaine treatment helped her maintain sobriety for a few years after that, until her dad was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and she relapsed again. This time, she violated felony parole. She spent three months in jail before a stint at a residential treatment facility where she was given a Vivitrol (naltrexone) implant to suppress her cravings, and it worked.

Blackburn has been sober for six years. For her, ibogaines critical imprint on her life isnt diminished by her relapsing. Maintaining long-term recovery is a constant pursuit in self-actualization and self-accountability, and no medication or narcotics anonymous meeting has helped her more toward that goal than ibogaine, she said.

When youve been in addiction for some years, you have a big deficit in your soul, because addiction takes that from you.

Ibogaine helped me separate myself from that guilt and shame, she said. People deserve to have that option.
Global Development Initiative a beacon of hope in turbulent world

Xinhua) 08:07, June 21, 2023

BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Global Development Initiative (GDI) has become a beacon of hope and a catalyst for international development cooperation in a world that has faced unprecedented challenges over recent years.

The GDI was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2021. It was put forward with the hope that countries would work together to overcome the impact of COVID-19 on global development, accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build a global community of development with a shared future.

China has called on all countries to increase their input in development, and advance cooperation on poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response efforts and vaccines, development financing, climate change, green development, industrialization, the digital economy and connectivity.

Chinese agriculture expert Chen Taihua (L) talks to Godfrey Kityo, a fish breeding technician, at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Kajjansi, Wakiso District, Uganda, Dec. 21, 2022. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Xi hosted the High-level Dialogue on Global Development virtually in June 2022, announcing that China will allocate more resources to global development cooperation.

China's efforts will include upgrading the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund to a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, adding 1 billion U.S. dollars to the fund in addition to the 3 billion U.S. dollars already committed, and increasing its input in the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund.

The High-level Dialogue on Global Development yielded 32 deliverables, including the launch of the Digital Literacy and Skills Improvement Initiative, the promotion of connectivity among customs authorities and other supply chain stakeholders, and deepened research and development cooperation on vaccines to improve vaccine self-sufficiency in developing countries.

The GDI has received extensive support from the international community, prompting the world to refocus on development issues and recommit to the 2030 Agenda, according to the Progress Report on the Global Development Initiative released by the Center for International Knowledge on Development on Tuesday. The two funds have become major financial platforms through which China can support cooperation under the framework of the GDI, the report said.

Half of the 32 deliverables have been completed or yielded early harvests, it said.

A Chinese expert introduces desert plants to people from central Asian countries at a desert research station in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Shengbin)

It noted that while supporting food aid programs and post-pandemic recovery in developing countries, China has prioritized enhancing developing countries' capacity to cope with climate change. For example, the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center was unveiled in April 2022. China is also cooperating with relevant international organizations and other developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to combat desertification.

"In these times of turbulence and transformation, the GDI has emerged as a platform for countries to come together, refocus on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and strive for a better future," said Awale Ali Kullane, Somali ambassador to China.

The ambassador said that Somalia firmly believes in the importance of international cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a more equitable and just world. He said the GDI aligns perfectly with Somalia's own national development agenda, and the country is eager to actively contribute to its implementation.

A launching ceremony for China contributing food and nutrition assistance, through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), to Lao school children is held in Vientiane, capital of Laos, Nov. 22, 2022. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Addressing poverty and food insecurity, mitigating the effects of climate change, and reducing technology and digital gaps require urgent attention, Zimbabwean Ambassador to China Martin Chedondo said. These problems can never be solved by individual countries, thus the proposal for a global partnership under the GDI will surely accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, he added.

Chedondo said that predictable and sustainable financing for development remains a challenge, and it is assuring to note that the GDI offers concrete steps to mobilize multiple stakeholders and pool resources through innovative mechanisms.

With the goal of building a global development community and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the GDI calls for international commitment to adhere to development-first, innovation-driven and people-centered approaches and result-oriented actions, said Stephen Bainous Kargbo, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization representative to China.

The GDI holds great promise to address global challenges and the development needs of developing countries, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Visitors gather at the Saudi Arabia booth at the 31st Guangzhou International Travel Fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on May 19, 2023. [Photo/VCG]





The 10th Arab-China Business Conference has been a resounding success. Over 3,500 Chinese and Arab dignitaries and corporate officials gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as joint understandings were reached on expanding economic and trade cooperation.



Dozens of deals worth billions of dollars were inked, and, once again, policies which polarize, demonize, or sow divisions in the Middle East were eschewed for more constructive and futuristic approaches.

The truth is that the event rejected the zero-sum approach of dividing the region into blocs and pursued a pragmatic and prudent strategy of building solid foundations for the future instead.

The summit followed major developments that took place in light of events such as the 2022 China-Arab States Summit and the China-brokered diplomatic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, who have been embroiled in ideological clashes for decades. The resumption of diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Tehran, and the subsequent visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to China, suggest that the Middle East is now moving beyond military confrontations and opting for peace and dialogue over dissension and discord.

The voluminous trade deals finalized at the conference also suggest that the relationship between China and the Arab states is moving in the right direction.

A total of 30 investment agreements totaling $10 billion covered sectors ranging from agriculture, real estate, supply chains, tourism, renewables, and technology. Additionally, various activities were put forward to promote greater cooperation in the healthcare sector and mining. These agreements aid existing strategic frameworks in the Middle East, such as the Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify its economy and develop its public sector, including education, infrastructure, and tourism.

The areas covered at this year's event constitute all-around cooperation where, in addition to traditional cooperation on energy, the two sides mulled over the option of greater technological exchanges. The conference focused on 16 industrial sectors, including artificial intelligence and e-commerce, and drew close to 2,000 Chinese participants, which is the largest-ever business delegation to Saudi Arabia.

What these numbers clearly reveal is that the Arab world and China share a mutual destiny of joint prosperity, economic connectivity, and mutually assured visions for the future. This marks a stark contrast to the toxic U.S. legacy in the Middle East, where both Democrat and Republican governments pressed ahead with gross military interference, wars, and arms buildup, particularly in countries such as Iraq.

As Washington D.C. seeks to sabotage diplomatic ties and pursue its previous "divide and rule" policy that has only resulted in a fractured and polarized region, China-Arab ties point at a clear rejection of a zero-sum policy. This rejection comes after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's visit to Saudi Arabia. Blinken made yet another attempt to establish America's footprint in the region by stating that the "U.S. remains the number one partner of choice" for countries in the Persian Gulf region.

It is clear that the Arab states are charting a course for the future, and the comprehensive nature of trading ties between the Arab nations and China, as exemplified in the business conference, has elevated ties to a new level and rejected the binary approach in the region, which has brought nothing but discord and discontent.

Hamzah Rifaat Hussain, a former visiting fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and former assistant researcher at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, is an anchor at ThinkTech Hawaii.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Heres a look at the life of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines. Wife of the late Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years until he was ousted in 1986.

Personal

Birth date: July 2, 1929

Birth place: Manila, Philippines (some sources say Leyte Province)

Birth name: Imelda Remedios Visitacion Romualdez

Father: Vicente Orestes Romualdez

Mother: Remedios Trinidad

Marriage: Ferdinand Marcos (May 1, 1954-September 28, 1989, his death)

Children: Irene, Ferdinand Jr. Bongbong and Imee

Other Facts

Her nickname in the Philippines was the Iron Butterfly.

The Marcos family was accused of stealing billions of dollars from the Philippine people during Ferdinands presidency.

Famous for her lavish spending while first lady. At the time of her husbands ouster from office, she left over 1,000 pairs of shoes and more than 800 purses behind when fleeing to Hawaii.

Timeline

1954 - Imelda marries Ferdinand Marcos 11 days after meeting him.

December 30, 1965 - Becomes first lady of the Philippines at her husbands presidential inauguration.

September 21, 1972 - President Marcos signs a martial law decree, which he publicly declares two days later.

December 7, 1972 - Is stabbed in her arms and hands during an assassination attempt by Carlito Dimahilig.

1975-1986 - Appointed governor of Metropolitan Manila.

1978-1986 - Appointed Minister of Human Settlements.

January 17, 1981 - President Marcos lifts martial law.

February 1986 - The Marcos family flees to Hawaii after the Filipino people oust Marcos from office. Three years later, he dies in exile.

1990 - Marcos goes on trial in New York for racketeering. The charges allege she stole from the Philippines National Bank and invested the money in the United States. She is later acquitted of the charges.

November 4, 1991 - Marcos returns from exile to the Philippines and is arrested the next day for tax fraud and corruption. She is released on bail.

1992 - After returning to the Philippines, Marcos runs unsuccessfully for president.

1993 - Goes on trial in the Philippines for corruption and is found guilty.

1995-1998 - Serves in the Philippines House of Representatives.

February 7, 1998 - Declares her intent to run for president.

April 29, 1998 - Withdraws from the presidential race.

October 6, 1998 - The Philippine Supreme Court overturns her 1993 corruption conviction.

November 2006 - Marcos launches a fashion line, The Imelda Collection.

July 2007 - The Philippine government loses its case claiming rights to $4.7 million in Marcos account after 10 years of prosecution against the Security Bank and Trust Co.

March 10, 2008 - A Philippine court acquits Marcos in a 17-year-old case of 32 counts of illegal transfer of wealth totaling $863 million in Swiss bank accounts.

May 11, 2010 - Marcos wins a seat representing Ilocos Norte province in the Philippine House of Representatives.

September 9, 2010 - A Philippine court orders Marcos to repay the government almost $280,000 for funds taken from the National Food Authority by Ferdinand Marcos in 1983.

February 2016 - The Philippine government approves the auction of Marcos jewelry collection  worth approximately $21 million in total.

November 9, 2018 - An arrest warrant is filed for Marcos after she fails to appear in court. It is announced in court that she has been found guilty of seven counts of graft. Marcos posts bail on November 16.

March 30, 2019 - President Rodrigo Duterte approves the auction of jewelry seized from the Marcos family.

May 25, 2022 - A joint session of the Philippine Congress declares Marcos son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the winner of the May presidential election and confirms he will become the countrys next president.

June 2023 - Previews for Here Lies Love, a musical written by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim about the life of Marcos, begin on Broadway. The show is set to open in July.

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On a June afternoon in Quincy, Florida, hundreds of gloved hands move 3,000 pounds of green tomatoes by-the-minute from plastic bins to conveyor belts to boxes to be sold across the country.

In his packing plant, Graves Williams, a lifelong Republican, proudly explained the skill, labor and manpower needed to provide tomatoes across North America, a feat that he says wouldnt be possible without immigrant laborers.

We all love them to death, said Williams, whose family has been farming tomatoes for decades. We couldnt run a business without them.

But with one of the strictest laws in the nation taking effect July 1 aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, Florida is being rocked by an exodus of migrant workers. The departures are sparking fear that a labor shortage will leave crops unpicked, tourist hotels short of staff and construction sites idle.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, now campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, pushed Senate Bill 1718 through the states GOP-dominated Legislature and signed it into law last month in Jacksonville.

At the bill signing, DeSantis condemned President Joe Bidens border policies for causing a massive influx of illegal arrivals, and said, We have to stop this nonsense, this is not good for our country, adding, this is no way to run a government.

The new law imposes tough criminal penalties on human traffickers, restrictions on undocumented residents, and new employment requirements that will next year include random audits of businesses suspected of hiring illegal workers.

But amid signs that thousands of migrants and their families are now choosing to leave Florida, including many legally in the U.S., even some of the governor's supporters are questioning the new law.

Graves Williams, owner of Quincy Tomato Company, said his business couldnt operate without immigrant laborers. He employs hundreds of immigrants to sort and package thousands of pounds of tomatoes each day during the season.

'It's definitely chaos': How immigration law impacts Florida restaurants, construction

Many business owners, though, refuse to speak publicly about the measure, fearing it could antagonize DeSantis.

How can one man pass one law and destroy all these businesses in Florida? said Williams, owner of Quincy Tomato Company.

Its almost like hes doing it on purpose. I know hes doing it for politics, but the end results, its going to be hard.

Economy could be rocked even if small share of workforce leaves

Florida employers in construction, restaurants, landscaping and many other service sectors already are struggling to fill jobs during what has been a post-pandemic, sustained stretch of low unemployment. The new immigration limits will compound that, many say.

But as he campaigns across the country, DeSantis cites the new law as proof of his tough record on immigration, casting himself as smartly and aggressively conservative in trying to distinguish himself from his top Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.

Florida businesses, though, are already losing a portion of the almost 800,000 undocumented workers estimated to be in the state.

Hundreds of workers sort and package thousands of tomatoes during a shift at Quincy Tomato Company on Monday, June 12, 2023. Graves Williams, owner of Quincy Tomato Company, said his business couldnt operate without immigrant laborers.

Even if, say 25% of undocumented workers were to leave, thats 200,000 people, said Samuel Vilchez, Florida director of the American Business Immigration Coalition, which is urging Congress to enact laws that expand legal immigration.

The consequences of those departures are going to be clear to many in the business community, he added. This is creating incentives for people to leave Florida and find work in other states.

Florida's food and agriculture businesses paid $53.76 billion in taxes, according to a 2023 report by Feeding the Economy.

USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida spoke to a dozen immigrant workers in the Florida Panhandle, some who have lived in the state for more than 20 years, others who recently migrated.

All said their community is worried. Many plan to leave, they added, if they havent already left.

But some are taking the risk, waiting to see if Florida actually enforces the law.

Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to the press during his Secure Our Border Secure Our States press conference at the Escambia County Sheriff's Office Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

As for DeSantis, Williams said hes not the only business owner in the state who say the new measure is steering them away from DeSantis in his bid for the GOPs presidential nomination.

Hes been good for Florida except for this insane bill, he said. Hes hurt himself.

A spokesman for DeSantis pushed back against critics.

The media has been deliberately inaccurate about this distinction between legal and illegal immigration to create this very sort of outrage based on a false premise, said Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis press secretary.

Any business that exploits this (border) crisis by employing illegal aliens instead of Floridians will be held accountable, he added.

DeSantis enacts law with swipe at Biden: DeSantis signs illegal immigration crackdown and rails against Biden

A closer look at the law: Florida House passes sweeping new immigration bill. Here's what's in SB 1718:

Employment practices change July 1

For three months out of the year, Williams runs a crew of 650 people to pick and package tomatoes on 758 acres in Florida and Georgia. Starting pay is $14.31, he said, but he pays as high as $25 an hour.

All of his employees must have the documents required to fill out an I-9, which include a drivers license and a social security number. Current federal and state laws for most businesses only require an I-9 for employment.

Employers have been free to hire those applicants whose certificates appeared legitimate. But those in the industry say farm owners arent compelled to check the veracity of employment documents theyre given.

Thats going to change with Floridas new immigration law, when businesses must begin using the federal database, E-Verify, if they have 25 or more employees to check the legal status of any new hire.

The law also invalidates out-of-state drivers licenses issued to undocumented workers and makes it a felony to use false identity documents to get employment.

Local governments would be banned from contributing money to organizations that create identification cards for undocumented immigrants.

Sen. Keith Perry, a Gainesville Republican, said he had no problem supporting the immigration law and said it fits with the view he takes at Perry Roofing Contractors, the company he founded and runs.

Dont make a rule unless youre going to enforce it, Perry said of immigration policy, both at the federal and now, Florida state level.

Many directly affected by the new law defend it as long overdue in Florida. They say its a reckoning for the states biggest industries  agriculture, construction and tourism  which have profited from their use of immigrant labor, legal and not.

Perry, whose company has about 130 employees, said its pretty simple for myself and my colleagues, but he acknowledged that the fear immigrants are sensing, is pretty unfortunate.

Perry also said he downplays concerns when other business owners ask him what they should expect in coming months.

I dont think its going to be as draconian as some are expecting, he added.

Many, though, fear the worst.

Law keeps hospitality exec up at night as supporters say fears are overblown

Eric Garvey, chief operating officer for the Cocoa Beach-based Baugher Hospitality Group, said his company's biggest concern with the new law is how it might affect the availability of outside service companies that perform tasks like carpet cleaning, pest control and roofing for its two hotels in Cocoa Beach and three in nearby Cape Canaveral.

"It's already a very difficult labor market that affects us directly and indirectly," said Garvey, a former executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. "Labor markets are so tight. Everything is so difficult. These are extraordinary times."

Garvey said worrying about a labor crunch "keeps me up at night."

Rep. Rick Roth speaks in support of HB 265, which would require parental consent for abortion, during debate of the bill on the House floor at the Capitol Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020.

Rep. Rick Roth, a West Palm Beach Republican and third-generation farmer who grows vegetables, rice and sugar cane, said Floridas worker problem could magnify in the fall, when crops become ready for harvest.

Theres going to be workers who dont come here because they dont want the hassle, Roth told USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida. Maybe they usually work in New York for the summer and then come to Florida in the fall. Well, they may not come now.

But he acknowledges that hes already hearing from nursery growers and landscapers in his county who have lost laborers. Roth blames disinformation.

The employees are leaving because theyre listening to the news and radio telling them that theyre going to get pulled over, youre going to get deported and youre not going to get health care, Roth said. Thats all a big lie, theres nothing further from the truth.

While these risks are likely more plausible than Roth admits, he says workers should feel confident to stay in Florida  if they currently have jobs.

If you have a job... I guarantee you that your employer has documents. Maybe you didnt go through the E-Verify process. But nobody is looking for you. E-Verify is only for new hires, he said.

Roth earlier this month took part in a public meeting organized by the Hispanic Ministers Association of South Florida in Hialeah where he downplayed the law's impact as more of a political bill than it is policy.

Another lawmaker participating, Rep. Alina Garcia, R-Miami, told the pastors and community activists gathered that the law is basically to scare people from coming into the state of Florida, and I think that its done its purpose.

DeSantis has seized on immigration as an animating issue for GOP voters, gaining notice in May by dispatching more than 1,100 Florida state law enforcement agents and National Guard members to Texas border with Mexico.

He also used Florida taxpayer dollars earlier this month to send three-dozen migrants from Texas to California, an echo of last years attention-grabbing migrant flights to Marthas Vineyard.

Last year, after a group of migrants who were bused to Washington D.C. from the Texas border said they planned to settle in Miami, DeSantis gave them a warning.

Do not come to Florida, he stated. Life will not be easy for you.

Tough choices for immigrants without documents

Antonia stocks the shelves at a convenience store in the Florida Panhandle on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

At a convenience store on the Florida Panhandle, Antonia, 39, an undocumented immigrant who asked to be identified only by her first name, rips open brown cardboard boxes filled with tostadas.

Shes ready to place them on shelves for the many immigrant customers who frequent the store, which is on a busy roadway. Antonia has lived in Florida for 15 years, owns two homes and has 80-plus family members in the surrounding community.

She watched the meeting Garcia and Roth attended in Hialeah and heard Roth blame disinformation as the reason for immigrants leaving the state.

She doesnt agree.

Antonia followed Senate Bill 1718 as it was fast-tracked through the Legislature during session this year. She knows what the law says about hospital admissions and about crossing the Florida state border with undocumented immigrants in the car.

On May 10, she watched DeSantis sign the bill behind a lectern that said Border Crisis.

Antonia stocks the shelves at a convenience store in the Florida Panhandle on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Antonia has lived in Florida for 15 years, owns property and has 80-plus family members in the surrounding community.

But Antonia, her husband and their three children have talked about leaving Florida.

She and her husband brought their oldest daughter to the U.S. from Mexico when she was age 2. Antonias two youngest children were born in the U.S., but their citizenship, she said, doesnt protect Antonia and the rest of her family from Floridas new law.

Were mixed. Some have papers, others dont, she said.

The law taking effect next month makes it a felony to transport undocumented immigrants into Florida, which could affect mixed-status families or farm workers who travel together.

Antonia used to take her children to church every Sunday across the Georgia line, to Bainbridge. But shes stopped driving across the state border since DeSantis signed the bill.

Meanwhile, she said another friend who is pregnant is afraid of going to the hospital to deliver her baby.

The new Florida law requires hospitals to track their spending on care for undocumented residents and to ask patients before treatment whether they are in the country legally, a standard opponents say will discourage many people from seeking health care.

Marchers protest the new controversial immigration law, SB 1718, that was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Hundreds gathered and marched in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida on June 1, 2023.

If I didnt have my home, I would be thinking about leaving. But what am I going to do? Its my life savings... how am I going to leave that? Antonia concluded, saying she expects to remain and risk encountering trouble.

Advocates for Floridas immigrant community say the new law has soured many on the state.

But they say that if businesses began criticizing a lack of workers, maybe that will draw the attention of the federal government and Congress, which has failed to reach any consensus on needed immigration changes.

Its now a problem for the business community, which has quietly relied on undocumented workers for so long, said Yvette Cruz, with the Farmworker Association of Florida, in Homestead.

Cruzs organization helped organize June 1 work stoppages around the theme A Day Without Immigrants, in protest of the new Florida law and part of a national campaign to urge Congress to act.

People are now realizing, yes, they depend on immigrants. They need them. But they dont want them, Cruz said.

Daily demands getting harder to meet

Business owners worry the new immigration law going into affect in Florida could hit the construction industry hard. A Tallahassee lobbyist who did not want to be named for the story said businesses are facing workforce challenges that seem to be directly related to the immigration bill. There have been cases of workers leaving job sites and going to other states, the lobbyist said. (Credit: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)

On June 1, Juan Valdez didnt go to work.

The owner of a Naples construction company, Valdez, who is also from Mexico, stayed home in solidarity with his Hispanic workers who boycotted Floridas new immigration law.

Since DeSantis signed the immigration bill, Valdez has lost 15 of his best workers, who have moved to other states like Illinois and North Carolina.

Florida is already the state with the most H2A visas, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, with 12.3%, or 25,451 of the total number of visas going to the Sunshine State. The visas let employers bring foreign workers into the country for temporary agricultural jobs.

The majority of H2A visas in the U.S.  more than 80%  go to farmworkers for crops and plant nurseries.

The construction industry mostly relies on the H2B visa program, which according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, reached its cap of 33,000 nationwide for the second half of this fiscal year in March.

They also added an extra 64,716 visas to be awarded to businesses who can cite irreparable harm, if they cannot hire H2B workers, including an allocation of 20,000 visas reserved for workers from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

But Valdez still cant find enough people to replace the crew members who left.

He used to pay painters $18-$20 an hour. Now, hes paying $30-$35, which ended up increasing the costs for his work.

I have to adapt, he said.

Valdez already had a $300,000 drywall project fall through because he couldnt find enough crew members to get the work done.

Before DeSantis signed the law, Valdezs crew of 45 was a mix of undocumented workers and workers with visas, he said. But even some of his documented workers moved out of state because they had family members who didnt have papers.

Valdez said his employees werent misinformed, like Roth said during this months meeting in Hialeah.

They didnt want to take the risk when they can find work anywhere, Valdez said. Theyre amazing workers.

Dave Berman, business editor of Florida Today, contributed to this report. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport. Ana Goni-Lessan is the State Watchdog Reporter for USA TODAY- Florida and can b e reached at AGoniLessan@tallahassee.com. Follow her on Twitter @goni_lessan.

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Florida immigration law: Business owners fear exodus of workers
Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled Nancy Northup's name.

WASHINGTON  When the Supreme Court handed down its watershed abortion decision last year to overturn Roe v. Wade, the five conservative justices in the majority were not blind to the upheaval the ruling might spark across the nation.

But back then, no one knew exactly what the response might look like.

We do not pretend to know how our political system or society will respond to todays decision, Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority. And even if we could foresee what will happen, we would have no authority to let that knowledge influence our decision.

As Americans approach the one-year anniversary Saturday of the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the fallout has come into sharper focus even as the political and legal ramifications continue to evolve: Only rarely has a Supreme Court decision had such a profound impact so quickly on the lives of so many people.

Poll: Support for legal abortion rises a year after Roe v. Wade overturned

The impact has been incalculable, said Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University. It's like somebody dropped a nuclear bomb into public health.

The Dobbs decision, which upheld a Mississippi ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, has led to the stripping of access to abortion in more than a dozen states, altered the political narrative over one of the most divisive issues in the country and changed the way millions of Americans view the nations highest court  for better or worse.

Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights at the Supreme Court on April 15.

Access: Fourteen states and counting ban abortion

In the days before the Supreme Court decision on June 24 last year, virtually every state allowed people to obtain an abortion at least until viability  the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb, or about 24 weeks into a pregnancy. That was the standard set for the nation by the Supreme Court in the 1992 decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

Today, post-Dobbs, abortion is largely unavailable in 14 states, and courts have blocked enforcement of bans approved in several other states, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights and tracks reproductive issues. Those bans, abortion rights advocates say, have had an outsized impact on those unable to travel out of their home state.

Tracker: Race, religion and debt. Here are the biggest cases pending at the Supreme Court

Its an incredible hardship and it's fallen hardest on the people less able to travel, said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, a group that represented the Mississippi abortion clinic in the Dobbs case. The decision, Northup said, has also made clear that its dangerous to be pregnant in these states with a wanted pregnancy if women are unable to access an abortion if complications arise.

Conservatives, on the other hand, view the Dobbs decision as a historic victory, the result of a decadeslong campaign to overturn the 1973 Roe decision and put the issue back in the hands of elected state leaders. Conservative lawmakers and governors who have banned abortion or severely limited access to it, they say, have done so in response to the will of their voters.

From the pro-life perspective, we're able to celebrate that, today, nearly half the country at 24 states, has honored the will of their people and now have pro-life protections in place, said E.V. Osment with the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

Anti-abortion demonstrators rally at the Supreme Court on April 21, 2023.

Politics: A surprise boost for abortion rights advocates

And yet, so far, Dobbs appears to have energized the left more than the right. Voters in conservative states like Kentucky, Kansas and Montana have rejected anti-abortion ballot initiatives. Congressional Democrats likely held off a red wave in the 2022 midterm election by running heavily on the abortion issue.

And then there are the polls.

One in 4 Americans says state efforts to impose strict limits on abortion access have made them more supportive of abortion rights, according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll this week. By almost 4-1, 23%-6%, those whose views on abortion have changed in the past year said they have become more supportive of legal abortion, not less supportive. That includes more women than men, more Democrats than Republicans, and more younger voters than seniors.

In other words, Northup said, the decision galvanized support for abortion rights.

The engagement of the broader public post-Dobbs has been a huge change, she said.

Thats part of the reason why Democrats continue to tout the issue. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will lead an effort by her party Wednesday to advance abortion-related measures on the Senate floor, a push that will not likely succeed but that is designed to call attention to the impact of Dobbs.

Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to speak on abortion in North Carolina on Saturday.

Anti-abortion advocates counter that several Republican governors who had clear records of opposition to abortion, including Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, won reelection last year. And they point to other polling that shows a majority of Americans want some limitations on access to the procedure.

I certainly hope that those pro-lifers who ran and won successfully and are now hiding under their desks, hoping the shrapnel will never hit them will come forward and stand up and speak up, Kellyanne Conway, a Republican pollster and former adviser to former President Donald Trump, said Tuesday on a call with anti-abortion advocates.

Courts: Supreme Court remains unpopular with most Americans

The decision  and the unprecedented leak of a draft opinion months earlier  may have damaged the relationship between the nine justices of the Supreme Court. Polls suggest it also harmed the courts reputation with millions of Americans.

The Supreme Court took a nosedive in approval following the decision last year, a drop driven almost entirely by anger at the decision from the left. Just more than 4 in 10 Americans approved of the job the Supreme Court is doing compared with 56% who disapprove, according to a Marquette Law School poll earlier this year. Roughly two-thirds of Republicans approved of the high court.

And while the Dobbs decision may have taken the constitutionality of abortion itself off the courts docket it also opened up new legal battles, such as access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The high court already dealt with medication abortion once this year, allowing the drug to remain on the market for now without restriction. The issue is almost certain to return following a pending decision from the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

Rosenbaum predicted it will take considerable time to sort out all of the implications of Dobbs.

Its as if they didnt understand all of what they would set in motion, she said.

Supreme Court ethics issues: Alito took private jet trip for Alaska fishing trip in new Supreme Court ethics revelation

Contributing: Susan Page, Rachel Looker, Miles J. Herszenhorn

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Abortion: How last year's Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs changed USA
India leader touts yoga "to unite" at U.N., but to many, he's a divider

United Nations  India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented himself to ambassadors, U.N. staff, journalists and guests on a sea of yellow yoga mats on the north lawn of the world body's headquarters in New York Wednesday morning as a man on a mission to unite.

"You are gathered here as the United Nations at the meeting point of entire humanity," the leader of what may already be the world's most populous nation told the crowd before taking a seat on his own yoga mat to join the session. "Yoga means to unite."

The timing of Modi's visit to New York aligned with Wednesday's International Day of Yoga  a global occasion the Indian leader himself pushed the U.N. to designate in 2014.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters after performing yoga on the North Lawn of the United Nations headquarters on June 21, 2023 in New York City. / Credit: Michael M Santiago/Getty Images / Getty Images

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the crowd, said yoga "connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, U.N. General Assembly President Csaba Korosi and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also spoke at the event.

Modi was in New York at the start of a four-day visit to the U.S., which will include a landmark White House meeting with President Biden at the end of the week.

India, the U.N., and the Ukraine war

India has been in focus at the U.N. recently due to the Modi government's decision to abstain from voting on resolutions demanding that Russia cease its invasion of Ukraine. India, like fellow Asian giant China, has instead issued repeated calls for peace talks.

India depends on Russia for nearly 60% of its defense equipment. Like China, Delhi has also controversially increased its purchases of low-priced Russian oil since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A uniter, or a divider?

Despite his message of unity and oneness at the U.N. on Wednesday, at home, Modi's critics and political opponents accuse him of leading a divisive political agenda, marginalizing India's 220 million Muslims.

The Indian leader has long denied accusations that he and his party are deliberately driving a sectarian wedge deeper through Indian society, but right-wing organizations, including members of Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), have spoken openly of their vision to turn secular India into a Hindu Rashtra (nation).

Earlier this year, the Indian government banned airings of a BBC documentary that examined Modi's role in deadly religious riots that hit Gujarat in 2002, when he was the chief minister of the western Indian state.

More than 1,000 Muslims were killed by Hindu mobs during the riots, which broke out after 59 Hindu pilgrims died in a fire on train. Muslims were accused of attacking the train. In a trial nine years later, 31 were convicted and 63 others freed for lack of evidence.

Modi faced allegations of complicity in the riots that followed the train fire for failing to rein in the Hindu mobs that rampaged in Gujarat.

Modi has consistently denied the allegations, and more than a decade later, in 2013, a Supreme Court panel said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.

U.S.-India ties

India is an important U.S. partner in both trade and security matters. President Biden has not fostered the kind of close personal relationship that his predecessor Donald Trump appeared to enjoy with Modi, and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters this week that in any meeting between officials, "we make our views known" on issues of human rights, religious freedom and other matters.

"We do so in a way where we don't seek to lecture or assert that we don't have challenges ourselves," he added. "Ultimately, the question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India is going to be determined within India by Indians. It's not going to be determined by the United States," Sullivan said.

Michael Kugelman South Asia Institute Director at the Wilson Center thinktank, told CBS News the U.S.-India "relationship will continue to be dogged by questions about the administration overlooking rights issues in India, especially because it has pledged to uphold a values-based foreign policy. But at the end of the day, the U.S. track record on democracy promotion is always selective. In the case of a strategic partner like India, the U.S. will let interests and not values drive the relationship."

"Elevating rights to a key priority in the relationship would imperil a partnership that U.S. interests require stay strong," he said.

"There has been a long-standing and stable increase in the U.S.-India strategic partnership, and what happens in a particular country doesn't necessarily factor in America's strategic interests," agreed Neelanjan Sircar, a senior fellow at the Center for Policy Research in Delhi.

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Washington will welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with open arms Thursday, highlighting a bipartisan effort to move past the many differences in the U.S.-India relationship and focus on their shared problem: China.

The Indian premiers trip comes amid a push for defense and tech deals between the two countries, and as some lawmakers and human rights groups voice criticism of the trip, viewing Modi and his political party as responsible for violence in India directed toward the countrys Muslim minority.

Modis invitation to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress  which will be his second such speech  has raised alarm for activists and groups critical of his administrations push toward silencing dissenters in India.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) tweeted that she will boycott the speech, and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) announced shell hold a press conference with human rights groups directly after the prime ministers address. The lawmakers are the only two Muslim women elected to Congress.

The Biden administration has signaled it views the visit as an important step in strengthening U.S.-India ties, fanning worries among critics that the White House is willing to soften criticisms in exchange for advancing a powerful economic and military relationship.

My hope is that this visit basically consecrates the U.S. and India relationship as the most important bilateral relationship for the United States on the global stage, Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council coordinator for the Indo-Pacific said during an event with the Hudson Institute earlier this month.

I think the president is less about outward and ostentatious proselytizing about democracy and human rights and more about trying to let our model and our attempt to deal with our own challenges be a kind of model for how other countries might want to deal with their own challenges, he added.

India, a democracy with a population of more than 1.4 billion and a reputation as a hub for innovation, is a priority business market that the Biden administration feels can serve as an alternative to China.

Though the U.S. and India have different priorities when it comes to China  New Delhi is more concerned about Beijings military buildup on its border than an invasion of Taiwan  U.S. lawmakers see a strong partner.

One senior Indian official  I asked him what Indias greatest challenges were, he said, No. 1 was China, No. 2 was China, No. 3 was China, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), co-chairman of the Senate India Caucus and chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said on a panel discussion last week.

The scope and scale of economic and security deals that could come to fruition from Modis visit are being watched closely.

I want deals to go through, Atul Keshap, president of the United States-India Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in an interview with The Hill.

The defense deals, the energy deals, the digital economy deals, the e-commerce, supply chain, manufacturing deals, semiconductor deals  business-to-business is part of the glue of this relationship.  Deal flow is critical for me, and Im looking to see what the tally sheet shows after the State visit.

One such priority agreement is the Biden administrations signoff for General Electric to partner with Indian defense manufacturing to produce next-generation fighter jet engines, a lucrative deal that also requires the U.S. to share sensitive military technology.

The agreement is part of a larger trend wherein the U.S. has engaged India in critical security partnerships in a counter to China, such as the Quad grouping of the U.S., India, Australia and Japan, and the I2U2  a separate alliance including Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

But while Washington and Delhi have shored up military partnerships and set the stage for deepening economic ties, human rights groups and lawmakers are raising alarm that the president is abandoning his promise to put respect for human rights at the center of his foreign policy.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), along with more than 70 of their colleagues, sent a letter to Biden on Tuesday urging him to raise with Modi the need to protect human rights and democratic values in India.

Groups have criticized the White House for rolling out the red carpet for Modi over weakening press freedoms and silencing dissenters in India and stressed the Biden administration is whitewashing his record.

America knows and the world knows what Modi is, who Modi is, in fact, he was not even allowed to come to the United States for nine years until he became prime minister, said Rasheed Ahmed, executive director of the Indian American Muslim Council, referring to the U.S. in 2005 banning Modis entry due to anti-Muslim violence that took place in Gujarat state when he was a governor.

So its not that the U.S. administration does not know what he has done or what he is responsible for. But in spite of that, the Biden administration providing him this kind of platform is a real problem here, he said, adding that military and strategic economic ties should not be a free pass for the Indian prime minister to do whatever he wants to do.

If the Biden administration is interested in India as a strategic partner, as a bulwark for China, they need to make sure that it is first of all, it is stable, and second, it is a democracy, Ahmed said.

Theres also the issue of New Delhis close ties with Moscow  a relationship that stretches back to the Soviet Union and has left Russia as a key arms supplier to India.

India has fiercely guarded its position of nonalignment and neutrality since the early days of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite pressure from the Biden administration to turn away from Moscow.

That tension could play out when India hosts the G20 summit in September, where Russian President Vladimir Putin faces few barriers in attendance. New Delhi is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and not obligated to act on an ICC arrest warrant against Putin for war crimes committed in Ukraine.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) called it a little bit disappointing, when Russia invaded Ukraine, India took a pass, but pointed to the need to wean New Delhi off of dependency on weapons from the Kremlin.

Theyre coming our way  and it cant happen fast enough.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, during a news conference in Sydney, Australia

Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, during a news conference in Sydney, Australia, on May 24, 2023. Credit - Brent LewinBloomberg/Getty Images

With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated for a June 22 State Visit to Washington, India will, if briefly, be front-page news in the United States. Since President Clinton ended a chill in U.S.-India relations almost 25 years ago, successive American and Indian administrations across political parties have worked to strengthen ties. So its fair to ask: how robust is this relationship today? As with the blind men and the elephant, the answer varies. Is India a bad bet, or is it, as the White House senior Asia policy official said recently, the most important bilateral relationship with the United States on the global stage?

Despite careful nurturing by Washington over the years, many aspects of U.S. ties with India remain challenging. Bilateral trade has grown tenfold since 2000, to $191 billion in 2022, and India became the ninth-largest US trading partner in 2021. But longstanding economic gripes persist, meriting 13 pages in the 2023 Foreign Trade Barriers report from the U.S. Trade Representative. Multilaterally, Indias role in the fast-consolidating Quad consultation (comprised of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan) has brought shared purpose to Washington and New Delhi, both of which harbor concerns about China. But New Delhi also champions alternative non-Western groupings like the BRICS, and it remains outside bodies central to U.S. diplomacy like the U.N. Security Council and the G7.

Read More: Indian Prime Minister Modis Visit to Washington Is His Most Important So Far. Heres What to Know

Today, U.S.-India cooperation spans defense, global health, sustainable development, climate, and technology, among other things. But deep differences remain, including concerns in Washington about Indias democratic backsliding under Modi, and Indias failure to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In other words, the U.S.-India relationship has been transformed over the past quarter-century, but that transformation has not delivered a partnership or alignment similar to the closest U.S. alliances.

This shouldnt surprise anyone. India is not a U.S. ally, and has not wanted to become one. To see relations with rising power India as on a pathway that culminates in a relationship like that the United States enjoys with Japan or the United Kingdom creates expectations that will not be met. Indian leaders across parties and over decades have long prioritized foreign policy independence as a central feature of Indias approach to the world. That remains the case even with Modis openness to the United States.

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For Indias first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, protecting his countrys hard-fought independence was a guiding principle for foreign policy. Speaking in the Indian Parliament in March 1951, Nehru noted that By aligning ourselves with any one Power, you surrender your opinion, give up the policy you would normally pursue because somebody else wants you to pursue another policy. Twelve years later, evaluating his countrys nonalignment policy in the pages of Foreign Affairs, Nehru went on to observe that it had not fared badly, and that essentially, non-alignment is freedom of action which is a part of independence.

American President Harry S. Truman shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the tarmac as Nehrus sister, diplomat Vijaya Pandit, and daughter, future Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, stand with them, in Washington D.C., on October 11, 1949. PhotoQuest/Getty Images)

For famously allied Washington, nonalignment in the 20th century was a bridge too far; in 1956 then-Secretary of State John Foster Dulles proclaimed that neutrality was an obsolete conceptionimmoral and shortsighted. It did not help matters that the United States had entered an alliance with Indias arch-rival Pakistan in 1954, and sided with the Pakistani military in the bloody civil war that gave birth to Bangladesh in 1971. Nor, too, when Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi signed a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation with the USSR in 1971, definitively tilting India toward the Soviet Union even as the United States had tilted toward Pakistan.

Especially since the end of the Cold War, Indian leaders have sought to improve ties with Washington, but not by curtailing Indias independent approach to foreign policy. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee proclaimed India and the United States natural allies in a landmark 1998 speech in New York. Yet this was perhaps more a term of art than a call for an alliance as it occurred against the backdrop of Indias nuclear tests, underscoring New Delhis willingness to upset global nuclear nonproliferation conventions, which it never joined. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, whose 10 years at the helm greatly improved Indo-U.S. relations, pursued a civil-nuclear agreement with Washington and ushered in new cooperation in high technology, defense, and clean energy. But his government too defended its principle of strategic autonomy as a redline for its foreign policy even as it moved closer to Washington than ever in the past. Defending the civil-nuclear deal with Washington before Parliament in 2008, Singh twice asserted that Our strategic autonomy will never be compromised.

Read More: What Modis Visit to Washington Tells Us About Indian American Voters

In important ways, Prime Minister Modi represents a break with Indias past, most notably in his emphasis on Indias Hindu, rather than syncretic and secular, cultural heritage. But his approach to the United States remains consistent with the history of his countrys foreign policy independence.

Modi has deepened ties with the United States, now across three U.S. presidents, through increased partnership in defense, in advanced technology, and in energy, just to name a few, as well as through moments of high symbolism, like his 2015 Republic Day invitation to former President Barack Obama, the first time an American president joined this day honoring Indias constitution. Even so, Modi has leaned into the United States while leaning into many other partners around the world. The Modi government invokes a Sanskrit saying, the world is one family (vasudhaiva kutumbakam), to frame Indian diplomacy. This approach has been termed multialignment, a theory of seeking positive ties as far and as widely as possible, without seeing contradictions in this approach.

In practice, New Delhi has carefully managed its relationships with Saudi Arabia as well as Iran; with Israel as well as the Palestinian Territories; with the United States as well as Russia. Indias G20 presidency this year encapsulates this orientation, with its Sanskritic theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future, and its twin efforts to lead the forum for the worlds 20 largest economies while self-consciously presenting itself as the Voice of the Global South.

With this history in mind, its easier to perceive that momentum in the U.S.-India relationship does not necessarily imply a path to a formal alliance or mutual defense treaty. In the United States, the mental model for positive international cooperation defaults to seeing ally as the ultimate endpoint. For India, that suggests a curtailment of independence. And with India, even as cooperation becomes more extensive than ever in the past, consequential differences remain.

Read More: How Indias Record-Breaking Population Will Shape the World

For many in Washington, the dramatic growth of coordination and joint activities under the Quad consultative group fills a growing need in light of Chinas rise, encompassing subjects as far-flung as maritime security, infrastructure, climate and resilience, vaccines, technology standards, and higher educationall underlining Indian strategic convergence with the United States in the Indo-Pacific. Yet strategic convergence there does not mean everywhere: Russias invasion of Ukraine and its year-long war has elicited a tepid tut-tut from New Delhi, while India has escalated its purchases of cheap Russian oil at a time Washington seeks to isolate Moscow.

On closer examination this foreign policy independence and desire to define its own path so prized by India may offer lessons for U.S. foreign policy. The unipolar moment has passed; in its place we have more actors with their own perspectives, and a rising China with global ambitions and its own priorities increasingly shaping the priorities of others. The array of special relationships and alliances nurtured by the United States over decades are still in place, but many of these are now inflected by divergences with Washington. Take Turkey, or France, or Egypt, Pakistan, or Brazil. These U.S. allies do not always see their alliance relationship with Washington as barriers to taking decisions that contradict U.S. preferences. Indeed, President Emmanuel Macron too invokes strategic autonomy.

Its here that Indias ambivalence offers a lens onto the world Washington is likely to encounter on a growing scale. In this world of more diffused powera world with more diverse actors taking more distinctive foreign policy stepspartnerships and even alliances marked by substantial disagreements might be the new normal. In fact, managing ambivalence may be the central skill for American foreign policy in the years ahead.
Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/AP

The symbolism of the visit will be hard to avoid. As Narendra Modi arrives in Washington DC on Wednesday  the capital of a country he was once prohibited from visiting for almost 10 years  he will join the ranks of Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Volodymyr Zelenskiy as one of the few leaders to address a joint session of Congress more than once.

Statements from US officials ahead of the visit have been rapturous on the subject of US-India relations, praising the significant defence partnership and describing it as a unique connection between the worlds oldest and largest democracies. Before his departure from India, Modi said: This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies.

Yet this trip  Modis sixth to the US since he came to power in 2014 but the first where a full state dinner will be given in his honour  is expected to yield more than good optics for the Indian prime minister. Many expect it to further crystallise ties between two countries and boost a relationship that has been on an upwards trajectory for two decades  even as they remain fundamentally opposed on several key issues. Defence, technology, security, AI, telecoms, visas, manufacturing and space are all said to be on the table. Meanwhile, the issues of the erosion of democracy in India and the shrinking space for dissent and civil society under Modi are unlikely to be discussed in depth.

Related: Why India overtaking China as most populous country is more than symbolic

Now the worlds most populous country  with 1.4 billion people and rising  and the worlds fifth largest economy, Indias growing prominence, both economically and geopolitically, makes it a country that the Biden administration  like those of Trump, Obama and Bush before it  could not ignore. Yet most experts say that it is China that has been the fundamental driver of this growing alliance; and as Modi touches down in DC, mutual concerns over Beijings aggressive, expansionist agenda have never been more acute.

Since Modi last visited the US in 2019, when Donald Trump was in the White House, Chinas actions along its 2,100-mile (3,500km) border with India have become increasingly antagonistic. In 2020, the two sides came the closest they had been to war in 70 years when troops clashed along the Himalayan border in Ladakh, killing dozens of soldiers, after Chinese troops encroached on land typically patrolled by India. Since then, China has built up vast amounts of infrastructure along disputed territory and shown little desire to disengage in key areas of contention.

Chinese video footage showing Indian and Chinese troops facing off in 2020. Photograph: Anonymous/AP

This has coincided with a shift in Washingtons relationship with China, from that of strategic competitor to rival or outright threat that must be deterred and contained. The bipartisan consensus is that India is a crucial geopolitical, and even economic, counterweight to Chinas dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.

In Washington, the hope is to build out an extended framework of deterrence to try and keep China in check, said Milan Vaishnav, director of the south Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Both geographically as well as strategically and economically, India has become a linchpin in this framework.

The hope is to build out an extended framework of deterrence to try and keep China in check Milan Vaishnav of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

This geopolitical alignment over China  which also drove the formation of the Quad, a security grouping of India, the US, Australia and Japan  has led to an unprecedented flourishing of security and defence cooperation between the US and India. There has been increased intelligence sharing and joint military exercises in the Himalayas close to the China border, and Modis US visit is expected to yield several defence deals for surveillance technology and drones.

India has embraced Washingtons new willingness to share its advanced technology and cyber resources, given that its own technological advancements have lagged far behind Chinas. Modi will be hoping to close a landmark deal allowing US giant General Electric to produce jet engines in India, to power Indian military aircraft. It will be the first time such a collaboration on military technology has taken place, sending a clear message to China.

Related: How Hindu supremacists are tearing India apart

While there is little expectation of trade deals between the two countries, trade between India and the US reached a record $191bn in 2022, making the US Indias largest trading partner. There is an interest on both sides in building up India as an economic and manufacturing alternative for big western companies to wean it off its dependency on China  95% of iPhones are currently made in China, for example, but Apple is slowly shifting manufacturing to India, which is expected to produce 25% of iPhones by 2025.

The limits of a US-India relationship

Yet for all the gushing rhetoric about being partners of first resort, experts have also been quick to point out the limitations of the US-India relationship.

Writing in Foreign Affairs, Ashley Tellis, one of the key negotiators for the US nuclear deal with India, warned that even as the Biden administration continued to invest heavily in India, it should not have any delusions of New Delhi becoming a comrade-in-arms during some future crisis with Beijing, particularly in terms of India actively taking the US side if China invades Taiwan.

India will never be the kind of ally that the Americans have found in the Anglosphere Avinash Paliwal of the University of London

India will never be the kind of ally that the Americans have found in the Anglosphere: this is not going to be Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom, said Avinash Paliwal, an associate professor in international relations at Soas University of London.

India thinks of itself as a power on its own merit and it has its own geographical compulsions, its own kind of power and its own aspirations on a regional and global scale. There is a meeting of minds and interests at the moment but thats not something that will last for ever.

Another issue that looms large over Modis visit is that of human rights, in particular the democratic backsliding and the attacks on minorities in India since his populist, Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power. They are allegations that have haunted Modi even before he was prime minister, when his alleged role in the Gujarat riots led to him being banned from the US for a decade.

They have been well documented by the Biden administration. Last year, the state departments report on international religious freedom documented the challenges to freedom of expression, extrajudicial killings and discrimination against minority groups in Modis India, prompting India to call the report flawed and biased. More recently, the Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan agency appointed by Congress, recommended in May that the state department designate India a country of concern for ongoing and egregious religious freedom violations.

Joe Biden met with Narendra Modi at the White House on 24 September 2021. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Before Modis visit, Amnesty International called on the US to confront India on the deterioration of human rights and Human Rights Watch organised a screening for US policymakers of a BBC documentary that was critical of Modi, and which was banned in India earlier, as a deliberate reminder of the attacks on freedom of speech under his government.

Yet no US president since Bill Clinton has been forthright on human rights in India, and though the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, did make a rare reference to a rise in human rights abuses last year, the Biden administration is expected to continue to keep quiet on any discomfort it may have over Modis populist, religious nationalist politics in the name of building strategic security ties. Already several White House officials have made recent references to Indias vibrant democracy.

Its unlikely to come up, at least in this round of conversations, said Paliwal. The Americans are OK doing business with quasi- or undemocratic countries and so I dont see the democratic decline in India dislocating the glue that is binding the top levels of the two governments or preventing them coming together to deal with the China question.

Russia, which was briefly a source of contention between India and the US, is also unlikely to be brought up by Biden. Indias historic ties to Russia, which provides almost 80% of its defence and weapons, have ensured that Modi has refused to condemn Putins invasion of Ukraine, instead taking a neutral stance, and in the meantime India has become the biggest buyer of cheap Russian oil. While there was initial pushback from Washington, the consensus among analysts is that the Biden administration has now accepted Indias deep-rooted relationship Russia; some believe it has even hastened US cooperation with India on defence to help the country become less dependent on Russia.

But for Modi, this visit can also serve a more personal political purpose. In the US, the Indian diaspora is now one of the largest immigrant groups  second only to Mexicans  and its members occupy influential positions in tech, business, banking and law, and some have even become well-known faces in Hollywood. Emphasising these people-to-people ties, and the vital contributions Indians have made in the US, is also likely to be a prominent part of Modis trip.

With Indias next general election less than a year away, the optics of Modi being given full honours by the US president are also likely to play well to the electorate back home. Modi is expected to win a third term in office and his popularity is credited in part to an image among voters that he has made India into a respected player on the world stage and is now courted by powerful western leaders.

Since independence, India has seen itself as an international power but felt it did not get the recognition or role it deserved, said Tanvi Madan, director of the India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC. But Modi seems to believe that endorsements from the US, far from generating a backlash, generate a sense of optimism that this is Indias moment.
Indian Prime Minister Modi Addresses Joint Meeting Of Congress

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint session of the United States Congress at the US Capitol June 8, 2016 in Washington, DC. Credit - Mark WilsonGetty Images

All five Indian American members of Congress will be in attendance when Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of the House and Senate on Thursday, despite calls from some members to boycott his speech over alleged human rights abuses in India.

The five Indian American congressional representativesall of whom are Democratsinclude Ami Bera of California, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Ro Khanna of California, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, and Shri Thanedar of Michigan. Each of their congressional offices confirmed to TIME that they plan to attend the speech.

I am attending all the events that Ive been invited to with the Prime Minister because I think that this is a really important and nuanced discussion, Jayapal, who serves as chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, tells TIME. India is a critical partner of the United States as a country regardless of who the Prime Minister is.

Their attendance highlights how Washington is expected to welcome Modi even as more than 70 lawmakers this week signed a letterco-authored by Jayapalcalling on President Joe Biden to bring up the Prime Ministers controversial record on religious intolerance, press freedom, internet access, and the targeting of civil society groups when the two leaders meet.

More from TIME

Meanwhile, two of the three Muslim members of Congress, Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, have confirmed they will boycott Modis upcoming joint address to Congress. A spokesperson for the third, Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana, declined to provide an answer when asked about his attendance plans. Tlaib said in a statement that Modis long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims and religious minorities, and censoring journalists is unacceptable. Omar will host an event at the Capitol following Modis address with human rights experts, religious freedom leaders, and other members of Congress on Indian policy issues. Prime Minister Modis government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity, Omar said in a statement.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also plans to skip Modis speech, her spokesperson tells TIME. On Thursday, Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri and Jamaal Bowman of New York also announced they would not attend.

Modis three-day trip to the U.S. comes amid a push for cooperation in defense, clean energy, and trade between the two countries that U.S. presidents have described as the worlds oldest and largest democracies. The White House also sees the visit as a potential opportunity to cement a partnership to counter Chinas growing influence.

Read More: Indian Prime Minister Modis Visit to Washington Is His Most Important So Far. Heres What to Know

But the visitonly the third state visit offered by Biden so far in his presidencyunderscores the challenge of strengthening ties with a nation that some activists fear is losing its core democratic values. The controversial Indian leaderwho is poised to win his third term next yearhas been accused of aggressively championing a Hindu-nationalist agenda that critics say reinvents the idea of India as a pluralist, secular democracy to a religious, nationalist autocracy. Under Modis leadership, India has passed discriminatory laws that have alienated nearly 200 million Muslims; squashed dissent by jailing journalists, activists, and civil society organizations; and exercised judicial influence against his political opponents (notably, Rahul Gandhi, the de facto leader and scion of the Gandhi-Nehru family at the helm of the opposition Congress Party).

The State Departments 2022 religious freedom report highlighted significant human rights issues including credible reports of unlawful and arbitrary killings and extrajudicial killings by the government or its agents. A U.S. panel also recommended that the State Department designate India among others as countries of particular concern for violating religious freedoms. (The Indian government dismissed the report as being based on misinformation and flawed understanding.)

Human rights groups and some experts worry that geopolitics will overshadow human rights issues during Modis visit to the U.S. Since this is a state visit, it has to be positive, says Michael Kugelman, the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. If the topic is broached by the U.S. side, its not going to be something that theyre going to push very much because this is such an important, prestigious type of diplomatic activity. And Washington cant afford for there to be any awkward moments, even in a private setting.

Jayapal said Biden has not responded to her letter urging him to bring up U.S. concerns about democratic backsliding and attacks on Muslims and other minorities in India. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday that Biden will not lecture Modi on the subject.

Still, several Indian American members of Congress told TIME they believe its possible to strengthen ties with India while urging Modi to uphold human rights. I dont think theyre exclusive, Jayapal says. The fundamentals of a strong relationship are rooted in the ability to raise these issues and concerns. I think its completely appropriate for us as a country to raise those concerns.

A spokesperson for Khanna, chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said he believes the U.S. can show respect to the democratically elected leadership in India while still speaking out about American values. The spokesperson added: He will attend the speech along with all his Indian American colleagues in Congress in the hopes of furthering a strategic partnership and fostering a productive dialogue about human rights and religious equality.

Bera, the longest-serving Indian American in Congress, said in an interview that the invitation to Modi was more focused on the geopolitical partnership between the two countries with regard to economic relations and defense, but noted that he also worries about Indias trajectory. India was based on this secular identity, where 800 million plus Hindus could live side by side with 200 million plus Muslims, he says. If India loses that secular identity, then it also changes who she is as a country.

-With reporting by Yasmeen Serhan/London
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (on screen) makes remarks during a mass yoga session at the UN headquarters in New York City on June 21, 2023 (Ed JONES)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the International Day of Yoga Wednesday as he took part in a multi-country session of the ancient discipline at UN headquarters.

"Yoga means to unite. So your coming together is an expression of another form of yoga," Modi, dressed all in white, said on the first day of a visit to the United States.

It was Modi who engineered the creation in 2014 of the International Day of Yoga every June 21 through a UN General Assembly resolution.

On yellow mats at a grassy area of the UN complex by the East River, people from 135 countries stretched and meditated at Wednesday's group session. This set a record for nationalities in one go at yoga, the Guinness organization said.

"Today, it is wonderful to see the entire world come together again. For yoga," Modi said in a speech before the session.

"Let us use the power of yoga. Not only to be healthy, happy, but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let's use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner and sustainable future," he said, after pausing at a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

Since coming to power in 2014 Modi has used yoga as a way to promote India on the international stage.

Yoga -- the traditional Indian discipline of physical and spiritual practices -- is now followed around the world, and UNESCO declared it to be an intangible world cultural asset in 2016.

Another record was set on this edition of the International Day of Yoga: some 153,000 people took part in a mass session in the city of Surat in the state of Gujarat, local authorities said.

After his visit to New York Modi is due to travel to Washington for talks at the White House with President Joe Biden and a speech to Congress.

Biden will host Modi for a state dinner, only the third time the US leader has bestowed such an honor on a foreign visitor.

The Indian government is billing this visit to enhance ties with the US as historic.

It comes as Modi, a Hindu nationalist, comes in for criticism from NGOs and the United Nations over his record on human rights.

bur-abd/dw/st
A group of women work on a home air filtration system using fans and filters.

The ins and outs of indoor air



Most of us spend most of our time inside, breathing indoor air. But how much do we really know about the quality of that air? How certain can we be that breathing air in a crowded restaurant or sweaty gym wont make us sick?



Read more

Three years into the covid pandemic, we know that most covid transmission happens indoors, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces. Improving indoor air will reduce the spread of covidand lower the incidences of a range of other health issues including respiratory diseases and cognitive deficitswith major implications for global public health.



The hope is that we can take lessons learned from covid to improve indoor air quality, much the way the 19th century cholera pandemic revolutionized water and sewage treatment systems. That means improving ventilation, filtration, air cleaning, and real-time monitoring of indoor air quality.



It sounds simple. Its also a herculean task. The good news is that momentum is building. Take a deep breath, and lets dive into what an indoor air revolution might look like.







By the digits

5: Air changes per hour that the US Centers for Disease Control recommends to maintain good ventilation



13: Air changes per hour typical of a wide body aircraft cabin, reaching 15 air changes per hour for narrow body planes; the high occupancy density of passenger aircraft means flying is still a relatively high-risk activity in terms of acquiring a viral infection, like covid or the flu



300-400 parts per million (ppm): Carbon dioxide typically found in outdoor air, though it can reach 600-900 ppm in urban areas

800 ppm: Carbon dioxide threshold that indicates the need for more indoor ventilation, according to the CDC



1%: Share of air that you inhale that is re-breathed, when at 800 ppm CO2 concentration indoors and 440 ppm CO2 concentration outdoors



3.2 million: Premature deaths worldwide attributable to household air pollution in 2020







Clearing the air

The technologies to power an indoor air revolution

In May, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) released a first-ever draft industry standard for mitigating infectious aerosols in buildings, proposing minimum ventilation, filtration, and air cleaning requirements for different settings.

One tool to help with implementation is carbon dioxide meters, since CO2 levels can serve as a proxy for how frequently fresh air is pumped into a space to replace exhaled air.



Belgium has mandated that all publicly accessible indoor spaces to display real-time air quality with devices such as a CO2 monitor. And the Netherlands has mandated CO2 monitoring in schools, setting aside 17 million ($18.6 million) to supply every classroom with a CO2 meter.



One problem with CO2 monitoring: it doesnt tell us how air is filtered. Aerosol tracing is a technology that could address that shortfall.



One California-based startup, Poppy, has developed test kits consisting of sensors and diffusers to measure how air moves within an indoor setting, and how quickly particles are cleared. Based on that information, an office or school can make improvements by tweaking their HVAC system or opening windows.

Then theres germicidal ultraviolet light (GUV), which uses UV energy to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi. GUV advocates have called for subsidies and tax incentives to encourage building operators to install this well-tested technology. Way back in 1941, GUV was shown to reduce measles cases at schools. Harvard Medical Schools Edward Nardell calls GUV the most effective, evidence-based, cost-effective, safe and available engineering intervention to disinfect air.









Quotable



The solution to everything is making the indoors more like the outdoors.

Joey Fox, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) engineer based in Canada, speaking to Quartz





Pop quiz

What is the Wells-Riley model used for?



A. To calculate the infection risk of an airborne disease in an indoor space

B. To quantitatively assess the ventilation rate of a building

C. To calculate the generate rate of infectious respiratory aerosols

The air quality at the bottom of this email is excellentand youll find the answer to the quiz there as well.







Brief history

A long time ago: When humans first brought fire into their homes, they discovered the need for a roof opening to let out smoke and maintain air supply to keep the fire going.



1824: English engineer Thomas Tredgold publishes The Principles of Warming and Ventilating Public Buildings, seminal work on building science and thermodynamics.

1836: Scottish physician David Boswell Reid conducts one of the first small-scale modeling studies of ventilation and heating of the British parliaments debate chambers, eventually completing a ventilation system for the House of Commons in 1852.



Late 1800s: American physician John Shaw Billings argues for higher ventilation rates to mitigate the spread of diseases, especially tuberculosis.



1920s: The practice of insulating buildings is commercialized, improving efficiency in managing temperature and airflow in built structures.



1970s: Following the decades energy crisis, scientists invent the blower-door system for measuring building air leakage to improve their energy efficiency.



2003: The SARS pandemiccaused by the SARS-CoV-1 virus, the predecessor of covid-19 brings renewed attention to the role of airborne transmission and the need for clean indoor air.



Dec. 2021: The World Health Organization uses the term airborne in relation to covid for the first time.



2023: The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) publishes a draft of the first-ever industry standard for mitigating infectious aerosols.







Fun fact!

The word ventilate comes from Latin ventilare, meaning to expose to the wind. Since the purpose of buildings is to create an environment more suitable than the outdoor climate, ventilation is meant to reproduce the effects of being exposed to the windthat is, diluting and removing pollutants.







Take me down this  hole!

Architecture and air quality

The way buildings are constructed can affect how air moves up, down, and along themand in turn, how infectious diseases travel among building inhabitants. A study published in August 2022 analyzed covid clusters in residential blocks in Hong Kong, detailing how indoor and outdoor drainage pipes determined patterns of vertical transmission.





Poll

How often do you think about the indoor air that youre breathing?



Never

Every so often

Multiple times a day

Register your concerns here.







 Lets talk!

In last weeks poll about retirement planning, a whopping 76% of you said that youre laddering Treasury bonds and maxing out your 401k. Your accountants must be beaming!

 Tweet this!

 What did you think of todays email?

 What should we obsess over next?





Todays email was written by Mary Hui (assesses restaurants in part based on their ventilation levels) and edited and produced by Annaliese Griffin (torn between her love of gas stoves and her appreciation for indoor air quality).



The correct answer is A. The classic model calculates the possibility of infection by taking into account the number of infectious cases, number of susceptible hosts, generation rate of infectious respiratory aerosols, exposure time, and the building ventilation rate, among other factors.



More from Quartz

Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds a welcome ceremony for visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang before their talks in Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said China and Germany should work more closely, make more contributions to world peace and development, play the role of stabilizer in the midst of changes, and speed up the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Li made the remarks when co-chairing the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

They heard reports on the progress of China-Germany cooperation in relevant fields from the heads of 22 departments including foreign affairs, economy and trade, industry, finance, justice, transport, education, science and technology, health, environmental protection and development.

Li said that the consultation was efficient and pragmatic, and achieved fruitful results. Under the current circumstances, the two sides should seize the opportunity of green transformation and promote the upgrading of cooperation.

Li proposed that China and Germany should become partners in green development, strengthen communication and coordination on green and environmental issues, promote green energy technology development and industrial technology upgrading, and deepen cooperation in such fields as new energy vehicles, green finance, and third-party markets.

China and Germany should adhere to a pragmatic and open attitude to better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, Li said, saying the two countries should also strengthen cooperation in global economic governance, ensure the stability of international industrial and supply chains, and promote an early recovery of the world economy.

Scholz said the inter-governmental consultation mechanism reflects the special significance of the relations between the two countries.

The German side is willing to maintain close communication with China on all issues between the two countries and to jointly address global challenges such as climate change, food security and debt problems, he said.

Germany, Scholz said, has no intention to decouple from China, and is ready to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with China to promote world development and prosperity.

The two sides agreed that bilateral cooperation is solidly based and dynamic, and that it is in the interests of both sides to deepen cooperation at a higher level, with higher standards and higher quality, and to jointly maintain the stability of the global production and supply chains, which is also of great global significance.

The two sides also agreed to set up a dialogue and cooperation mechanism on climate change and green transition, hold the third China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue as well as new editions of Sino-German Environmental Forum and health dialogue, and continue to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, investment, automobile manufacturing, high-tech, new energy, digital economy and humanities.

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chair the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation in Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

After the consultation, Li and Scholz witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of climate change response, innovation, advanced manufacturing and vocational education, and met with the press together.

Prior to the consultation, Li held a meeting with Scholz.

Li pointed out that the economic and trade cooperation between China and Germany has been developed for more than half a century, and it is not easy for the two sides to achieve today's results, which have brought real benefits to the two peoples.

He hopes the German side will continue to keep an open mind, uphold the independent policy, and properly handle relevant issues on the basis of international rules and in the principle of the spirit of contract.

The two sides should vigorously promote the facilitation of personnel exchanges and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Li proposed tackling climate change as one of the guiding visions for China-Germany cooperation in the future, adding that the two countries should promote cooperation in green technology and industry, and explore the establishment of a rational and orderly division of labor in the green energy industry chain.

Scholz said the German side welcomes China's development and prosperity, noting that Germany rejects all forms of decoupling and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization."

Germany is committed to developing stable relations with China and is willing to further strengthen bilateral exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and reach more cooperation consensus in addressing climate change and green development, he said, adding that Germany supports two-way investment and will provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Germany.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Before the meeting, Scholz held a grand welcome ceremony for Li at the square in front of the Federal Chancellery. With a military band playing the national anthems of both countries and Chinese and German flags flying high, Li, accompanied by Scholz, reviewed the guard of honor.

Wu Zhenglong, among others, was present at the events.
The Titanic tourist submersible missing with five people aboard is a simple and small vessel with a carpeted floor instead of seats and barely enough room inside for more than one person at a time to stretch out, according to previous passengers and promotional documents.

The Titan vessel, part of an OceanGate Expeditions tour, vanished Sunday during a mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic.

Rescuers have less than 40 hours left to find the submersible before its oxygen supply runs out, the U.S. Coast Guard said around midday Tuesday amid an ongoing search. The companys specs for the vessel say its equipped with 96 hours of oxygen.

Follow along for live coverage on the missing sub

The passengers who have been identified are OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, prominent Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.

Titan submarine (OceanGate)

The Titan's dimensions are 22 feet by 9.2 feet by 8.3 feet, according to a diagram of the vessel used in promotional documents. Only one of the passengers is able to fully extend their legs in the diagram, which describes the arrangement as the typical seating configuration.

Theres no traditional toilet aboard the vessel, which is steered with a video game controller, previous passengers have detailed.

Its basically a car that you drunkenly drove into the ocean, Mike Reiss, a writer and producer who has worked on The Simpsons and who took the trip last year, said on his podcast.

Getting into the vessel itself was the most dangerous part, Reiss said. The New York-based writer said he had to scramble up a 6-foot kitchen ladder that was leaned against the submersible as the ladder bobbed in the waves.

Once he reached the tiny entry hatch at the top, he said he then had to plunge blindly about 6 feet into total darkness. Inside the sub, Reiss said, the environment was cool, dimly lit and quiet.

The subs interior was about the same as a minivan, Reiss said, adding that there was a carpeted floor instead of seats. He and the other passengers sprawled out on the carpet as the vessel made its descent to the bottom of the ocean.

But problems greeted the crew the moment the Titan touched down. Reiss said a loud squawk came over the radio, saying everything was broken, including the sonar, the computer and the lights.

The Titan Submersible. (OceanGate )

Reiss said they all went back up to the surface immediately and spent the next three days on a tugboat while the Titan was repaired.

Reiss said he and the other passengers were well aware of the hazards of the rare voyage. In a recent interview with Seattle-based television station KIRO, Reiss said he had to sign a long, long waiver that mentions possible death three times on the first page.

Other Titan passengers have described running into challenges on their journey.

David Pogue, a CBS News correspondent, said the submersible got lost on the sea floor for a few hours during his trip to visit the Titanics resting place last year.

On my expedition last summer, they did indeed get lost for about 5 hours, Pogue tweeted Monday. A segment on the trip aired in November.

Pogue wasnt in the submersible but was in a control room on a ship at the surface at the time.

He noted the submersible never lost communication with its mother ship. He said the Titan didnt have a beacon similar to an aircrafts emergency locator transmitter, but such a beacon was discussed.

Mission Specialists onboard Titan. (OceanGate)

They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was. It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ships internet to prevent us from tweeting, he tweeted Monday. The company claimed it was to keep all channels open in case of a serious emergency, Pogue said.

The Titan is designed to take five people to depths of about 13,000 feet, according to OceanGates website. It is made of carbon fiber and titanium and weighs about 23,000 pounds, the company said.

On its website, OceanGate said Titan is outfitted with state-of-the-art lighting and sonar navigation systems plus internally and externally mounted 4K video and photographic equipment.

The price of a spot on the submersible was $250,000. It was only on its third Titanic trip since OceanGate Expeditions began offering them in 2021.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Iowa deputy kills man who allegedly pointed weapon at officers in Sheffield

An Iowa deputy shot and killed a man who police say pointed a weapon at them while responding to a call.

Deputies were called to the 1100 block of West Gilman Street in Sheffield in northern Iowa around 9:42 p.m. Tuesday on a domestic dispute.

That is when they found a man allegedly brandishing a handgun at a vehicle and at Franklin County sheriff deputies, according to a news release. After the man refused to drop the gun, a deputy shot him once.

Medics attempted to provide assistance, but the man died at the scene.

No officers were injured.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Patrol were asked to investigate the incident, according to the release. The name of the suspect will be released after family is notified.

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man shot and killed by a deputy Tuesday in Sheffield, Iowa
Iran top diplomat in Kuwait on third leg of Gulf tour

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah (R) meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L), in Kuwait City (-)

Iran's top diplomat arrived in Kuwait Wednesday, the third leg of a Gulf tour that saw him hold "constructive" talks with his Omani counterpart in Muscat earlier in the day.

It came a day after Tehran held discussions in Doha on its nuclear programme with Qatari and European Union officials, the latest in a flurry of diplomatic moves by the Islamic republic as it seeks to reduce its isolation, improve its economy and project strength.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's tour of the Gulf will see the Iranian foreign minister also making a stop in the United Arab Emirates.

Gulf countries are seeking to ease tensions with Iran fuelled in recent years by the conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Most dramatically, China brokered an agreement in March between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties after a years-long rupture.

On Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian discussed "the latest developments in the regional and international scene" in a meeting with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Sabah, according to Kuwait's state news agency KUNA.

"The resolution of challenges with the collective participation of countries in the region is the best way to achieve the progress of nations and ensure security in the Persian Gulf," Amir-Abdollahian tweeted after the meeting.

Earlier on Wednesday, he met with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi of Oman, mediator in indirect talks between Iran and its sworn enemy the United States over its suspect nuclear programme and a possible prisoner swap.

The Omani minister said they discussed "continued consultations and cooperation" on issues of bilateral concern.

"There is great consensus in the visions of the two states on a series of issues... that will contribute to stability, security and peace," he said, quoted by the official Oman News Agency.

Amir-Abdollahian called the meeting "constructive" and praised the effective cooperation between the two sides, ONA said.

- 'Diplomat channels open' -

Iran said last week it had been engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States through Oman, with nuclear issues, US sanctions and detainees on the agenda.

The following day, Iran's nuclear negotiator said he had met with diplomats from three European countries in Abu Dhabi to discuss a number of issues including the country's nuclear programme.

A landmark deal reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers was designed to prevent Tehran from secretly developing a nuclear bomb, a goal the Islamic republic has always denied.

The United States under then-president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018, before Iran began backing away from its own commitments, including by stepping up its enrichment of uranium.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has sought to revive the deal, but the process has stalled in on-off talks since 2021.

In recent weeks, Iran and the United States have denied media reports that they were close to reaching an interim deal to replace the 2015 accord.

In Doha on Tuesday, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri, held talks with the European Union's Iran nuclear talks coordinator Enrique Mora.

"I had a serious and constructive meeting with Enrique Mora in Doha," he said on social media on Wednesday.

"We discussed and exchanged opinions on a range of issues, including negotiations to lift sanctions."

EU spokesperson Peter Stano confirmed the meeting. He said the bloc was "keeping diplomatic channels open, including through this meeting in Doha, to address all issues of concern with Iran".

Amir-Abdollahian also discussed "developments in the nuclear agreement" with his Qatari counterpart, according to the official Qatar News Agency.

ho/jsa/it
(Bloomberg) -- Ireland will disregard historical convictions for sexual acts between consenting men, 30 years after homosexuality was decriminalized in the country.

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The government also plans to ban conversion practices which seek to change, suppress or eliminate a persons sexual orientation or gender identity.

Homosexuality was illegal in Ireland until 1993 with at least 940 men convicted. The move to disregard historical convictions follows a public consultation by the Department of Justice.

I dont think we can fully comprehend the hurt and pain that has been caused through decades of criminalizing homosexuality, Justice Minister Helen McEntee told national broadcaster RTE on Tuesday. What Im trying to do is not erase that hurt or that harm but certainly to right a wrong and to help on the path of healing for so many.

Legislation to ban conversion practices will be brought forward in the coming weeks with a view to passing it early in 2024, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic OGroman told parliament on Tuesday.

Conversion practices are cruel processes rooted in shame and stigma that seek to change, suppress or eliminate a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, he said. The impact can have long-lasting harmful consequences for a person, especially one subjected to such dangerous practices at a young age.

Ireland legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 following a referendum.

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Islam's call to prayer is ringing out in more US cities -- affirming a long and growing presence of Muslims in America

Minneapolis allows call to prayer to be publicly broadcast five times per day. Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

Minneapolis recently became the first major U.S. city to allow the adhan, or Muslim call to prayer, to be broadcast from mosques five times a day.

In April 2023, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a change to the citys sound ordinance, effectively eliminating time constraints that previously prevented the pre-dawn and evening prayer calls from being broadcast.

For the citizens of Minneapolis and for many Muslims across the United States, this represents a historic moment. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, described this as a victory for religious freedom and for the U.S. Constitution. The resolution demonstrates that Muslims are not only welcome here, but theyre also here  that they are part of the fabric of the diversity of this city and our state, he said in a statement.

As a scholar of Islam and Muslims in America, I am particularly interested in how Muslim Americans express themselves as a faith community at the local, national and global levels. The practice of calling worshippers to prayer is an important aspect of daily Muslim life, one that has a long history on American soil.

Adhan: Tradition and meanings

Adhan literally means announcement in Arabic and refers to the Islamic call to prayer that takes place five times a day. The five daily prayers signify one of the five pillars of Islam that are traditionally considered obligatory for every Muslim. The prayers are performed in the direction of Mecca throughout the day.

The practice of calling the adhan dates to the time of Prophet Muhammad, when it became the standard way to mark the beginning of each prayers time and to call Muslims to prayer. In his text Approaching the Quran: The Early Revelations, scholar Michael Sells notes that the call to prayer punctuates daily life five times, drawing people out of their everyday preoccupation to matters of ultimate concern.

Recited in Arabic, the adhan translates as: God is most great, God is most great; I testify that there is no god but God; I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God; Come (alive) to the prayer; Come (alive) to flourishing; God is most great, God is most great; There is no god but God.

In Muslim-majority countries, the distinctive sound of the adhan loudly called from every mosques minaret is one of the most memorable sounds for visitors.

The significance of the adhan is such that Islamic tradition recommends that it be one of the first sounds that a newborn baby hears. Often, the father will gently recite the adhan in the babys right ear. The words mark the beginning of a persons life on the right path, with the remembrance of God.

In America, where the adhan is not commonly heard in public settings, many Muslims make do with a prayer app, on their cellphones or other devices, that lists the various prayer times and calls the adhan at the appropriate time.

Influence on popular music and culture

The earliest practice of the adhan on American soil dates back to the hundreds of thousands of enslaved African Muslims who, to varying extents, brought their Islamic practices with them. In the process, the adhan has left a deep influence on American music and culture.

Historian Sylviane A. Diouf attributes the roots of blues music to West African Muslims who were enslaved and forcibly taken to the Americas between the 1600s and mid-1800s.

Diouf specifically makes a comparison between the adhan and Levee Camp Holler, a song that was written and sung by former slaves. Holler songs were precursors to the blues. It features the same ornamented notes, elongated syllables sung with wavy intonations, melismas, and pauses. When both pieces are juxtaposed, it is hard to distinguish when the call to prayer ends and the holler starts, Diouf writes.

More recently, Muslim rapper Lupe Fiasco released an album called Muhammad Walks that clearly includes sound bites from the adhan along with various references to Islamic traditions.

History of the Muslim prayer call in the US

Generally speaking, mosques in the U.S. make the call to prayer inside the prayer space, where it is audible only to those present. The earliest documented public broadcasting of the Muslim call to prayer took place during the Worlds Columbian Exposition, a worlds fair that was held in Chicago in 1893.

The fair featured Cairo Street, a popular attraction that sought to recreate a small cross section of Cairene life. Among the 26 different structures that were specifically built for this project was a mosque where tourists could hear the muezzin  one who makes the call to prayer  call the adhan from the minaret and then watch Muslim worshippers perform their daily prayers.

A scene from the Cairo-themed area of Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1893. Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago/Getty Images

Later the same year, the prayer call was broadcast from a third-story window of the Union Square Bank building in New York City. After John Lant, a convert to Islam and co-founder of First Society for the Study of Islam in America, made the adhan, a congregational prayer was held before the group proceeded with the societys first meeting.

This moment was documented by The New York Times: For the first time in New-Yorks history, cosmopolitan as the city is, the melodious call of the Muezzin, celebrated by every traveler in Mohammedan countries, was heard yesterday morning.

Recent broadcasts

Since the 1970s the adhan has been broadcast from mosques in the U.S., such as the American Moslem Society, which was established in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1938 and is arguably the first U.S. mosque to be granted the legal right to transmit all five prayer calls through loudspeakers.

In nearby Hamtramck, considered to be Americas first majority-Muslim city, the adhan was legalized by local government in 2004, when a noise ordinance change was put to a citywide vote. At the time, this stirred notable tensions between Hamtramcks different faith communities.

In 2020, the city council of Paterson, New Jersey, also authorized the call to prayer between certain hours of the day. In 2023, several mosques in Astoria, New York, received permits to broadcast the five calls to prayer specifically for the duration of the holy month of Ramadan.

Similarly, a small mosque in Occoquan, Virginia, was invited by the local mayor to broadcast the adhan on two separate occasions to mark the month of Ramadan.

Indeed, the public broadcasting of the adhan is part of a larger narrative of American plurality. It is a natural manifestation of Muslim American presence and communal expression.

The fact that the adhan can be heard in the streets of Minneapolis, Hamtramck and Astoria  alongside church bells and other sounds of worship  signifies that Muslim beliefs are not deemed less worthy, nor must they be confined to a private space. It is a sign that Muslims are at home and welcome here.

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: Leila Tarakji, Michigan State University.

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Leila Tarakji 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.
David McNew

An array of far-right figures turned out to protest at a school board meeting in Glendale, California, which ended in a brawl and an arrest.

Jan. 6 rioter Tony Moon attended the protest, as did fellow Capitol insurrectionist Siaka Massaquoi, and Proud-Boy affiliated Adam Keifer. The fringe far-right figures joined a group of demonstrators angry about LGBTQ+ content in Glendales school curriculum.

Nothing LGBT-related was on the school boards agenda on Tuesday, but a large crowd gathered with t-shirts reading Leave Our Kids Alone.

Outside the Glendale school board meeting in Los Angeles where demonstrators have gathered (again) to protest LGBTQ education in school.



Glendale police are out in riot gear, they have closed off streets around the school board and set up barricades to separate crowds. pic.twitter.com/fmxikeoHgU  Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 21, 2023

A pro-LGBT rally planned outside the meeting was canceled at the last minute due to the organizers receiving threats. Nonetheless, a group of supporters from Queer Nation LA attended to support pro-LGBT parents inside the school board meeting.

I dont know where I would have been without [Queer Nation] last night, Emily, a parent with a child in the Glendale school district, who asked to be referred to only by her first name due to fear of retaliation, told The Daily Beast. The activists helped escort Emily and other parents back to their cars after they left the school board meeting.

Emily used her speaking time in the meeting to thank the school board and tell them they have the support of many pro-LGBT parents in the district.

This is so upsetting and shocking that its happening in my kids school district, Emily said, explaining that the continued protests are taking a toll on the community. A lot of these parents have been harassed so much they are scared to come forward.

Moon, a self-described Christian patriot and antifa hunter, also attended the June 6 protests in Glendale. He was present at the Jan. 6 riot, although he has not been arrested in relation to the insurrection and told the Daily Mail he did not go inside the Capitol.

Moon told this reporter to learn to code when asked for comment.

Massaquoi, who was signing people up to vote at a fold-out table during the rally, appeared in social media videos from Jan. 6 showing him outside the Capitol. Massaquoi, an actor, was involved in anti-masking and anti-vaccine protests in Los Angeles in 2021, including one which shut down a vaccine site at Dodger Stadium.

Massaquoi did not respond to a request for comment.

Keifer is a Southern California-based trucker with links to the Proud Boys (although he has denied being a member), who also attended the Glendale school board meeting earlier this month. Keifer has been traveling the country and attending rallies outside different school boards. In April, photographer Kelly Stuart filmed him outside a Chino Valley School District school board meeting, calling her a series of slurs, including tr---y-loving, demon c--t.

Protesters surround Kelly Stuart as she struggles to leave the area after photographing them during demonstrations outside the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education. Robert Gauthier

Keifer did not respond to a request for comment.

Stuart, who documents the far-right and has covered the demonstration, told The Daily Beast the atmosphere at the rally felt unsafe as the pro-LGBT faction was vastly outnumbered.

Riot police separated the two sides for much of the evening, but a brawl broke out after the school board meeting had finished, leading to one arrest. The Glendale Police Department did not respond to a request for comment on whether any charges had been filed.

Protestors physically fight outside the Glendale school board meeting in Los Angeles.



This is the third time violence has broken out in recent weeks at anti-LGBTQ protests outside schools in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/Og0aFKiWng  Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 21, 2023

Jordan Henry, a right-wing political activist who has become a leader in the movement for parental rights in the district, pointed Stuart out to other anti-LGBT protestors on a bullhorn.

She is a media extension of antifa, Henry told the crowd. She wants to expose you and get your face on camera so antifa knows who you are. This is not a good person.

Anti-LGBT protestors then surrounded Stuart and stole camera batteries out of her bag, she told The Daily Beast. Police escorted her out of the anti-LGBT side of the demonstration.

Henry did not respond to a request for comment.

One man yelling at pro-LGBT protesters while queued for comment at the school board meeting. Anti-LGBT protesters yelling at pro-LGBT protesters from the pro-LGBT side. @SkySpider_ being escorted out of the right wing side by Glendale police at the same time. pic.twitter.com/KhsaWKzJ5v  LaSombritaWithNews (@ACatWithNews) June 21, 2023

Independent journalist Tina Desiree Berg was also covering the demonstration.

Ive never seen such intense homophobic rage, Berg told The Daily Beast of the anti-LGBT protestors.

A pro-LGBTQ+ demonstrator holds a sign outside a Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) Board of Education meeting/ David McNew

Berg is very familiar with Moon. In August 2021, Moon attacked her with a thermos at an anti-vaccine protest and ripped off her mask, while yelling, Unmask them all! The incident was caught on film.

This is the second time this month that a demonstration outside a Glendale school board meeting has turned violent. The Daily Beast identified Jan. 6 Capitol rioters and Proud Boys at a June 6 demonstration outside a meeting discussing whether the district would recognize Pride Month.

At that rally, a fight broke out between the pro- and anti-LGBT factions, and three people were arrested for unlawful use of pepper spray and obstructing police officers. Rev. Mike Kinman, a rector at All Saints Church in nearby Pasadena, who attended the rally to support pro-LGBT demonstrators, was pepper-sprayed in the face.

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WASHINGTON  A Donald Trump supporter who drove a stun gun into the neck of a Washington police officer who was abducted by the mob during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol shouted "Trump won" after he was sentenced to 12 years in prison Wednesday, multiple people present in the courtroom said.

Daniel "D.J." Rodriguez, a California man who traveled to Washington with fellow Trump supporters who belonged to a Telegram group called the "PATRIOTS 45 MAGA Gang," pleaded guilty in February to felony conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, tampering with documents or proceedings and inflicting bodily injury on officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon.

"There will be blood," Rodriguez wrote in a "MAGA Gang" Telegram chat on the night of Jan. 5, 2021, just hours before he attended Trump's rally at the Ellipse near the White House. "Welcome to the revolution.

On Jan. 6, after having joined the fight in the Capitol's lower west tunnel  where some of the most violent scenes of the day played out  Rodriguez attacked Officer Michael Fanone, later bragging about his actions in the Telegram chat.

Omg I did so much f---ing s--- [right now] and got away, he wrote to fellow members of the Patriots 45 MAGA Gang. Tazzed the f--- out of the blue.

Daniel Rodriguez (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia)

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson imposed Rodriguez's 151-month sentence, saying he was a one-man army of hate, attacking police officers and destroying property, on Jan. 6. Rodriguez was responsible for his own behavior even if Trump had been making "irresponsible and knowingly false claims that the election had been stolen," she said.

Fanone, Jackson said, was "protecting the very essence of democracy," and Rodriguez was "among the most serious offenders" on Jan. 6. "He's not just a follower; he calls for action," Jackson said, referring to Rodriguez's violent rhetoric immediately after Trump lost the 2020 election. Jackson said there was no indication that Rodriguez had any mental or cognitive impairments, referring to him as "a man of average intelligence."

Ahead of his sentencing, Rodriguez spoke for about 20 minutes in a rambling speech, saying he truly thought a civil war was going to begin and that he believed the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers formed because police were standing down across the country. He acknowledged his actions against Fanone but stopped short of an apology.

"Life has always seemed unfair to me," Rodriguez said, speaking of inequality in the country before referring to himself as "an American supremacist." If he were allowed to go home, Rodriguez said, he would go back to "driving a forklift with my GED and living with my mom," claiming he did not present a future threat.

Fanone, speaking after Rodriguez's subsequent outburst, said, "Its been clear by the defendants' own behavior that there is no remorse, at least for the individuals in which I came in contact with on Jan. 6 who are criminally charged."

Fanone said Rodriguez's "half-hearted attempt to apologize for his conduct" and later outburst showed that stiff sentences were "the best assurance that we have that this wont happen again."

"These are Americans that engaged in seditious activity," Fanone said. "I believe that they were traitors, and they should be sentenced accordingly. We need to stop treating these people as anything other than enemy combatants of our democracy."

Before Rodriguez's sentencing, Fanone called Rodriguez's life story "pathetic" and said he himself had lost his career, friends and faith in the criminal justice system because of what he went through that day.

"I dont give a s--- about Daniel Rodriguez. He ceased to exist to me as a person a long time ago," Fanone said. "Any compassion or empathy I felt toward those who laid siege to our Capitol, whose actions I felt were at least in part influenced by their leader, Donald Trump, and his lies, has been eroded  eroded by the attacks directed at me and my family by supporters of Donald Trump and the right-wing media."

Fanone, referring to special counsel Jack Smith's ongoing investigation of Trump's actions leading up to Jan. 6, called for the Justice Department to pursue indictments against Trump and anyone else responsible "regardless of their wealth or current political position" and prove the mantra that no one is above the law.

"Your honor, we must all join in the fight against Donald Trump and the destructive, divisive movement he has come to represent," Fanone said. "We must offer him no safe harbor and to his enablers  whether in business, in politics and the media  give no quarter. In the fight to preserve our Republic, there can be no spectators."

Federal prosecutors wanted Rodriguez to spend 14 years in federal prison  an upward departure from his sentencing guidelines, which suggested a sentence of roughly eight to 10 years  saying he committed an act of terrorism. Rodriguezs egregious conduct displayed a clear intent to stop Congress from certifying the results of the election and was calculated to stop the peaceful transfer of Presidential power for the first time in the nations history, argued prosecutors, who called his efforts a quintessential example of an intent to influence government conduct through intimidation or coercion.

Rodriguezs federal public defenders said that Trumps incendiary lies about the election created a frenzy of anger and uncertainty and that Rodriguezs unwavering belief in the words of the former president ... drove him to lose all sense of right and wrong. Rodriguez deeply respected and idolized Trump, whom he saw as the father he wished he had, they wrote, saying Rodriguez 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.

Forrest Rogers, an American living in Germany on Jan. 6, first surfaced evidence that Rodriguez electroshocked Fanone after having pored over online video frame by frame as part of his work for Deep State Dogs, one of the groups of online Sedition Hunters that popped up in the wake of Jan. 6 to identify Capitol rioters. After Rogers tweeted video of the incident, Rodriguez was identified by activists who knew the MAGA-hatted man from a protest scene in Beverly Hills, California.

Rodriguez was then identified in a February 2021 HuffPost story, and the FBI arrested him the next month. In an FBI interview, Rodriguez called himself a "f---ing piece of s--t" and said he was "not smart." Rodriguez said he was influenced by the far-right conspiracy theory website Infowars, as well as conservative commentators like Steven Crowder, Mark Dice and the "Hodgetwins" brothers duo. Rodriguez, who believed Trump's lies about the 2020 presidential election, told the FBI that Trump had "called us" to Washington on Jan. 6 and that he felt a duty to respond to the commander-in-chief.

Are we all that stupid that we thought we were going to go do this and save the country and it was all going to be fine after?" Rodriguez said in his FBI interview. "We really thought that. Thats so stupid, huh?

Daniel Rodriguez (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia)

More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, and nearly 600 have pleaded guilty. Of the approximately 524 defendants who have been sentenced, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, about 310 have been sentenced to periods that have ranged from a few days to nearly two decades in prison. The sentences continue on a nearly daily basis: Washington chiropractor David Walls-Kaufman was sentenced to 60 days after he admitted he "scuffled" with officers inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, including an officer who died by suicide nine days later.

The longest sentence for a Jan. 6 defendant to date  18 years in federal prison  went to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy in November. Federal prosecutors had sought a sentence of 25 years in federal prison.

Two other Jan. 6 defendants who assaulted Fanone have received significant sentences. Kyle Young  a Jan. 6 rioter who was accompanied by his teenage son when he handed Rodriguez the electroshock weapon used to attack Fanone, whom Young grabbed during the attack  was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison in September. Albuquerque Head  a Jan. 6 rioter who yelled "I got one!" when he seized Fanone and dragged him into the mob  was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison in October.

In addition to his violence against Fanone, Rodriguez entered an office space inside the Capitol through a broken window and urged the mob ahead. Using a pole, Rodriguez smashed out a window in the private "hideaway" office of Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho. Months after his arrest, Rodriguez was indicted along with two co-defendants: Ed Badalian, who was found guilty of three counts in April, and a man known to online sleuths as #SwedishScarf, who has been identified by the FBI but who prosecutors have said is believed to have fled the country.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised the public he would fix problems with the introduction of a national ID card that have damaged support for his government and raised concerns about data breaches.

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Kishida told a news conference Wednesday he is taking seriously the problems with what is known as the My Number card.

We will work on the complete abolition of the current health insurance cards on the premise that measures to dispel public anxiety will be completed, he said at the news conference. Earlier in the day, he announced a team to make sure further errors dont occur.

The ID cards will be a requirement for access to health care from autumn next year, effectively making them compulsory. They are already linked to tax and social security records, and some bank accounts. Despite the data security problems, Kishidas government has indicated there will be no change to the schedule for phasing out the existing health insurance cards.

Unease over cases where people have found their ID cards linked to personal information about unrelated individuals has added to pressure on Kishida, whose support has fallen in a series of recent media polls. The troubles over the card have cut into the likelihood that he would call a general election in the coming months.

The data breaches have led to concerns in the public that the cards could be subject to identity theft or abuse, putting at risk their access to state benefits and sensitive information such as medical records.

A survey by the Mainichi newspaper carried out June 17-18 found approval of the Kishida cabinet had slumped by 12 percentage points on the previous month to 33%. Almost two-thirds of respondents said they were worried about the ID card and 57% said they were against its use for health-care access.

The LDP has been burned before by data breaches over sensitive information when scandals that included lost pension records for millions of people helped push the party from power in 2009 after it had ruled almost constantly since its formation in 1955.

Separately, Kishida said hes not considering an additional budget now. He said he would carefully monitor multiple factors, including the economic situation and future price trends, then assess the effectiveness of existing stimulus to determine whether a supplementary budget is necessary.

Last year, the cabinet approved an extra budget of 29.1 trillion yen ($205 billion) to partly finance measures such as energy subsidies and cash handout for childcare.

--With assistance from Takashi Hirokawa.

(Updates with news conference.)

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First Lady Jill Biden said Tuesday that ongoing legal fights over the legality of abortion in several states "go far beyond the right to choose" as pregnant women face "devastating consequences to their health, their fertility and their lives."

Bidens comments came during a discussion with four women ahead of a formal event at the White House Saturday marking the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and returned the legality of abortion to the states. The case was decided on June 24, 2022.

"The consequences of these bans go far beyond the right to choose," the first lady told the women. She then claimed doctors were denying some women medical treatment due to new laws imposed by state governments barring abortion procedures "because they don't know which procedures are legal."

"And like those who are with us today, far, far too many women are experiencing devastating consequences to their health, their fertility and their lives," the FLOTUS added.

HOUSE DEMS WILL USE RARE PROCEDURAL MANEUVER TO FORCE REPUBLICANS TO VOTE ON ABORTION RIGHTS

Jill Biden said President Biden "is doing everything he can to fight back," but is urging Congress to send him legislation that will "make the protections of Roe v. Wade the law of the land once again."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I know that it isn't easy to relive what youve already gone through, but stories like yours are how we shed light on the cruel and devastating consequences of those bans," she told the women.

Bidens guests included women from Texas, Florida and Louisiana, who shared emotional stories of being denied medical care during their pregnancies.

The Biden administration is hosting a formal event at the White House Saturday marking the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

One of the women, Anya Cook of Florida, said she was denied medical care when she was 16 weeks pregnant as her state passed a 15-week abortion ban. The incident "very, nearly killed" her, she said.

SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS ROE V. WADE IN LANDMARK ABORTION DECISION

After her water broke at 16 weeks, doctors said her baby wouldn't survive without amniotic fluid but "because she was beyond 15 weeks and there was still a heartbeat, they couldn't touch me or treat me or admit me," Cook said. "They sent us home to deal with it ourselves."

Within days, she lost her daughter to a miscarriage. Cook is attempting to hold those who changed the law accountable.

"We don't know if I can get pregnant now or carry to birth, but the target of our wrath is very well-known: It's the people who have taken our human rights to health and liberty and personal autonomy," Cook said. "Someone needs to fight back against these insidious laws in states across the country."

JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON IS LONE DISSENTER AS SUPREME COURT VACATES ABORTION RULING

Another woman in the discussion was Dr. Austin Dennard, from Dallas, who said she decided to have an abortion but "this time I would have to flee my own state," she said.

She joined a lawsuit filed by other Texas women who were denied abortions.

"The state of Texas should not be making these decisions for me, let alone anybody else," Dennard said at the White House.

The Biden administration is planning several events this week to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The Biden administration is planning several events this week to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision.

President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the first lady and Harris' husband Doug Emhoff, are scheduled to appear at an event on Friday in Washington.

Harris is also scheduled to deliver a speech on Saturday in North Carolina on the Biden administration's efforts to safeguard reproductive freedom.

Immediately after the Supreme Courts decision, 18 states enacted partial or full abortion bans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Flower centerpieces are seen during a media preview, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the White House in Washington, ahead of Thursday evening's State Dinner with India. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Plant-based courses of millet and stuffed mushrooms are on the menu for some 400 guests invited to Thursday's fancy White House state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi is a vegetarian and first lady Jill Biden enlisted California-based chef Nancy Curtis, who specializes in plant-based cooking, to help in the kitchen. Biden previewed the menu and decor for the news media on Wednesday after she returned from an outing with the prime minister.

She described the menu as stunning.

For her part, Curtis declared herself so excited.

You must understand the pressure I'm under standing here before you, but it's a kind of pressure that is also an elation because, when you're asked by the first lady to come and join her at the White House, it's an experience that I hope many chefs get to have, she said.

This is definitely a pinnacle moment in my career and truly a pleasure to be able to work with the first lady and help her to bring her culinary vision to life, Curtis added.

Politicians, CEOs, celebrities, White House and administration officials and other guests will dine on a salad of marinated millet, corn and compressed watermelon, stuffed Portobello mushrooms and saffron risotto, and a strawberry shortcake infused with rose and cardamom.

Curtis said the menu showcases the best of American cuisine seasoned with Indian elements and flavors. She said India is leading an international year of recognition for millet.

Trolleys will deliver guests to a pavilion built on the south grounds for the affair. It will be decorated in the green and saffron colors of India's flag, with translucent walls offering views of iconic symbols of American democracy and history, including the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument.

Lotus flowers, native to Asia and featured in Indian design, will be incorporated throughout, along with saffron-hued floral arrangements that differ from table to table. Dinner will be candlelit, reflecting the first lady's love of candles.

Each table arrangement, she said, is warm and unique. We hope guests feel as if someone has set that table just for them  because we have.

After dinner, guests will enjoy music by American violinist Joshua Bell; Penn Masala, a South Asian a cappella group founded by students at the University of Pennsylvania; and the U.S. Marine Band Chamber Orchestra. They will exit the grounds by walking across a lawn illuminated by hundreds of glowing lanterns.

Earlier Wednesday, the first lady and Modi visited the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, for an event highlighting workforce training programs. He flew in from New York where earlier in the day he performed backbends and corpse poses during a yoga session with a multinational crowd on the lawn of the United Nations.

Our universities are partnering together, leading research, creating apprenticeships and internships that span the ocean," Biden said at the event. "And as weve seen here, students from both countries are learning and growing alongside of each other, discovering the people they want to become and building a better world together.

Modi spoke about the emphasis India has placed on education, integrating learning and training. Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade or tech-ade, the prime minister said, speaking in Hindi.

President Joe Biden, who extended the state visit invitation to Modi, could not join the outing because he was flying back from California after raising money for his reelection campaign. The president returned to Washington in the evening and he and the first lady hosted Modi at the White House for a more intimate dinner before Thursday's splashier affair.

As the official gift, the Bidens presented Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th century, the White House said. The president also gave Modi a vintage American camera and a hardcover book of American wildlife photography, while the first lady gave him a signed, first-edition copy of Collected Poems of Robert Frost.

Despite deep differences with India over its record on human rights and its approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, Biden nevertheless extended to Modi the administration's third invitation for a state visit. With all the pomp and attention being paid to Modi, Biden hopes to firm up his relationship with the leader of a country the U.S. believes will be a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come.

Biden hosted the presidents of France and South Korea on official state visits in December 2022 and April of this year, respectively.
 Flash

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a speech while attending the closing ceremony of the 11th China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and Germany should work together to deepen economic and technical cooperation, so as to set an example and lead the way in strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe and promoting global development, visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Berlin on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks when attending the 11th China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

More than 200 representatives from the Chinese and German economic and business communities attended the forum.

Li said that under the current changing and turbulent situation, strengthening cooperation is the right way to mutual benefit and win-win results, and is also the right thing that we should do with all efforts.

He also noted the necessity to take economic and technological cooperation as an important cornerstone of international cooperation, grasp the trend of economic globalization, firmly support free trade, and promote the common prosperity and development of mankind.

Li said that the achievements and experience of China-Germany economic and technological cooperation are invaluable. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago, the two countries have carried out extensive and in-depth friendly cooperation, with the economic and technological cooperation being the most dynamic and active, and has gradually formed a new pattern of all-round and multi-field cooperation.

The key to the success of China-Germany cooperation lies in the spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, mutual benefit and win-win, pragmatic and innovative cooperation, he added.

Scholz said that Germany will not take the path of anti-globalization, will adhere to the open policy, continue to strengthen cooperation with China and accelerate the development of bilateral cooperation after the pandemic.

Germany is willing to solve the problems in bilateral cooperation through communication and dialogue with China, Scholz added.

Before attending the China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum, Li and Scholz attended a round table for more than 30 representatives of Chinese and German entrepreneurs.

Cooperation is the only way out and the best way to deal with difficulties and challenges, said Li, adding that the government should create a sound environment and stable expectations for companies to operate so that they can evaluate and deal with risks in accordance with market and economic laws, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results in opening up and cooperation.

From a new starting point, China will keep expanding the high-level opening up to foster a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework, Li said.

He expressed the hope that the German side will keep its market open, and create a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to invest in Germany.

Noting that China and Germany enjoy broad space and great potential for cooperation in such fields as digital economy, artificial intelligence and green development, Li said that it is believed that with the joint efforts of the countries' entrepreneurs, China-Germany cooperation will continue to achieve new results.

The entrepreneurs attending the round table said that China and Germany are important cooperation partners, the business communities of the two countries support the policy of opening up.

They advocated giving full play to the role of the China-Germany economic advisory committee and other mechanisms to enhance exchanges and mutual learning, and deepening cooperation in areas including innovation, digital economy and green development to achieve mutual benefit, win-win results and common development.

Wu Zhenglong, among others, was present at the events.
Need a job? These entry-level openings in Bellingham pay a living wage and are hiring now

Finding a job that pays enough to support for you and your family without a long list of requirements can be difficult.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology calculated the living wage by county by evaluating typical expenses to find how much an individual must make hourly to support themselves, or multiple children or dependents in a full-time job.

MIT records living wages for individuals, couples and families that vary based on the number of dependents, number of children and the number of adults who are working. The living wages have increased compared to Januarys calculations, according to previous reporting in The Bellingham Herald:

 Whatcom Countys living wage for an individual with no dependents is $17.47 per hour, working full time.

 For a household with two adults, no children, and only one individual working, a living wage in Whatcom County is $27.62 per hour.

 For a household with two adults, no children and both adults working, the living wage is $13.81 per hour.

 For a household with two adults, one child, and only one adult working, the living wage is $34.53 per hour. If this household had two children the living wage would be $39.51 an hour.

 For a household with two adults and two children and both adults working, the living wage is $25.98 per hour. If the family had three children, both individuals would need to make $32.10 per hour.

As Washington states minimum wage is $15.74 per hour, this amount is not considered a living wage in Whatcom County unless you have multiple adults working in a household with no dependents.

The Bellingham Herald has searched the job website Indeed and local Craiglist listings to find positions with minimal requirements that are available as of Wednesday, June 7, that advertise wages at or above living wages:

Server at Boomers Drive-In

 $25 per hour

 Full-time

 No requirements listed

Mail carrier for United States Postal Service

 $19-$33 per hour

 Full-time

 No requirements listed

Security officer at Blackstone Consulting, Inc

 $23.23 per hour

 Full-time

 No experience needed, must be at least 18 years old with a valid drivers license

Machine operator at Lynden Door

 $19.35 per hour

 Full-time

 No experience or requirements listed

Sales associate at Toyota of Bellingham

 $21 per hour or 100% commission

 Full-time

 No experience or requirements listed.
At least 20 states have enacted laws that bar transgender minors from accessing gender transition treatment

A US federal judge has overturned an Arkansas law that bars doctors from providing gender transition treatment for transgender youth.

The southern state was the first in the nation to pass such a law blocking minors' access to hormonal or surgical treatments.

At least 19 other states have imposed similar bans in the two years since.

But Tuesday's ruling found Arkansas had failed to prove its law was about "protecting children".

The state's leadership has vowed to appeal against the ruling.

The decision, by US District Judge Jay Moody, may have implications for similar measures in other Republican-led states.

During an eight-day trial over the ban, the judge heard from children, parents and physicians, who said the children's lives had changed for the better as a result of transitioning treatment. The state meanwhile called four expert witnesses who questioned the safety of such treatment and the reliability of research on gender dysphoria, as well as two adults who had "de-transitioned".

In his ruling, Judge Moody wrote that the state had "failed to provide sufficient evidence that the banned treatments are ineffective or experimental", while plaintiffs had shown that the care "can relieve the clinically significant distress associated with gender dysphoria in adolescents".

He said banning hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery for anyone under 18 violated the rights of transgender children and their families under the US Constitution.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said the state would appeal, adding: "There is no scientific evidence that any child will benefit from these procedures, while the consequences are harmful and often permanent."

Arkansas Republicans brought in the law in April 2021, overriding a veto by then-Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who criticised it as a "vast government overreach".

Supporters of the bill argued it was necessary to regulate medical decisions with "harmful and often permanent" consequences for young people.

Non-profit group the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the law on behalf of four transgender teenagers, their families and two doctors.

One plaintiff, 17-year-old Dylan Brandt, who testified at the trial, said he was "so grateful" to the judge.

"My mom and I wanted to fight this law not just to protect my healthcare, but also to ensure that transgender people like me can safely and fully live our truths," he said.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she would challenge the ruling through an appeal.

"This is not 'care' - it's activists pushing a political agenda at the expense of our kids and subjecting them to permanent and harmful procedures," she wrote on Twitter.

"Only in the far-Left's woke vision of America is it not appropriate to protect children."

Tuesday's court ruling may set the precedent for the ACLU to challenge seven other state bans on hormonal or surgical treatments for transgender minors.

Enforcement of similar laws in Alabama, Florida and Indiana has also been blocked in federal courts.

"We hope that this sends a message to other states about the vulnerability of these laws and the many harms that come from passing them," said Chase Strangio, the ACLU's deputy director for transgender justice.
A federal judge has ordered West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) to provide financial information in a lawsuit from a coal supply company trying to get him to pay a nearly $2 million judgment.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark ruled Wednesday that Justice must provide written responses to questions and provide all requested documents to the company Xcoal by July 5.

Justice argued in a filing from earlier this month that the information he provides could be at risk of being leaked or hacked for political purposes as he is a current candidate for office. He filed to run for the Republican nomination for Sen. Joe Manchins (D-W.Va.) seat in April.

He acknowledged that a protective order had been issued to keep the information disclosed in the case from being made public, but he argued it was made in 2018 and not designed to protect personal financial information for a Senate candidate in the lead up to one of the most politically charged elections in our nations history.

Justice requested that the discovery phase for his personal financial information be delayed until discovery for two of his companies  Bluestone Energy Sales Corporation and Southern Coal Corporation  was completed and a determination could be made as to whether Justices personal information was needed.

But Stark, who presides in the District of Delaware, said in his ruling that Justices objections to providing the information lack merit and he has not provided evidence that the protective order would be insufficient to protect his personal information.

Justice also proposed an alternative method in which certain conditions would be set for his information to be turned over, such as only letting three designated attorneys and two designated support staff view the information.

Stark said no good cause exists to modify the protective order in the burdensome terms that Justice lays out.

The Hill has reached out to an attorney for Justice for comment.

The case arose from a 2018 suit that Xcoal filed against Justice and the two companies over an agreement to deliver 720,000 net tons of coal for shipment overseas, West Virginia MetroNews reported.

Xcoal won the case but has only received $8.1 million of the $10 million it is owed. The coal supplier has been trying to get the remaining $1.9 million to be turned over.

Stark said Justice is ignoring the most obvious solution to his concerns about providing the financial information of paying Xcoal the remaining amount.

He also backed Xcoals argument that Justice is not immune to discovery requests because he is a candidate for office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Drew Angerer/Getty

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon will soon have to turn over his written talking pointsprepared for interviews with the mediaabout Jeffrey Epsteins nearly 15-year relationship with the financial giant, The Daily Beast has learned.

This week, a judge overseeing a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General against JPMorgan ruled the banking honchos interview notes must be produced in discovery by July 7, according to a source familiar with the matter.

U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff granted the USVIs request to obtain written guidance that was prepared for Dimon by JPMorgans communications experts. The materials would touch on advice given to Dimon on how to answer questions related to Epsteins ties to the bank.

Rakoff declined, however, to permit the government of the Caribbean territory to see internal drafts of Dimons prepared statements.

Dimon has claimed he didnt know Epstein and never knew that the convicted sex offender and trafficker of young women and girls was a client of JPMorgandespite internal documents showing that bank employees raised red flags as early as 2006.

Jamie Dimon, who is set to be deposed over his bankss links to Jeffrey Epstein, to @PoppyHarlowCNN on if JPMorgan should have acted sooner: Hindsight is a fabulous gift. pic.twitter.com/nD8U5fG82y  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 7, 2023

In April of this year, Dimon sat for an interview with CNN and was asked about the claims in the USVIs lawsuitthat the bank provided Epstein with the financial infrastructure necessary to operate his sex ring and facilitated his payments to his victims.

In response, Dimon said JPMorgan has some of the best lawyers in the worldcompliance, out of the DOJ, out of SEC important divisions who review all of these things and make decisions at the time based on what they know, as best as they know.

Asked if JPMorgan should have taken swift action after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting an underage girl in 2008, Dimon responded, Hindsight is a fabulous gift.

Dimon gave another interview to Bloomberg TV this month, saying he was so sad that we had any relation to this man whatsoever.

He again said JPMorgan had top lawyers evaluating this, from the SEC enforcement, the DOJ, and you know, obviously had we known then what we know today, we would have done things differently.

But its very unfortunate, and I have deep respect for these women, Dimon added. That doesnt mean were liable for the action of an individual. But I do have deep respect for them. My heart goes out to them.

Epstein Connected JPMorgan Exec to Netanyahu, Prince Andrew

Dimon was questioned under oath last month as part of the litigation.

He testified that he was unaware of internal arguments centered around keeping Epstein as a client. As early as 2007, emails released in court filings reveal, JPMorgan employees circulated news reports about Epsteins abuse of underage girls and flagged his cash withdrawals.

And JPMorgans general counsel Stephen Cutler warned in 2011, This is not an honorable person in any way. He should not be a client.

I dont recall knowing anything about Jeffrey Epstein until the stories broke sometime in 2019, Dimon said in his deposition, adding that he had never even heard of the guy.

This month, JPMorgan settled a related class-action lawsuit filed by an Epstein victim known as Jane Doe for $290 million.

As part of the litigation, Doe accused JPMorgan executive Jes Staley of sexual assault. The bank is also suing Staley, arguing he should be liable for damages in her case. Staley has previously denied any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein.

In a 2020 interview, Staley claimed his bond with Epstein tapered off quite significantly after he left JPMorgan for Barclays bank in 2013. Obviously I thought I knew him well and I didnt, Staley said at the time. For sure, with hindsight with what we know now, I deeply regret having any relationship with Jeffrey.

The pair of lawsuits have unmasked new details about Staleys creepy friendship with Epsteinincluding emails where they referred cryptically to Disney princesses and white wineand Epsteins ties with high-powered people around the world.

Staley has reportedly argued in confidential legal filings that he discussed Epsteins arrest and guilty plea with Dimon in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Staley also claims he communicated with Dimon about Epstein multiple times through 2012.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

A disbarment hearing for conservative attorney and former Trumpworld figure John Eastman kicked off Tuesday in Los Angeles. Of particular focus in what is expected to be at least an eight-day affair will be Eastmans involvement in the development of a bonkers legal plot to keep Donald Trump in the White House, including his authorship of the so-called coup memo.

A highlight of Tuesdays proceedings was Eastmans attempt to call a man named Joseph Fried as an expert witness. Fried is a public accountant who wrote an eBook that questioned the legitimacy of Bidens presidential win. California State Bar Court Judge Yvette Roland saw right through the strange request.

I dont see how Mr. Fried is qualified to be an expert, she told Eastman, according to an NPR reporter in the courtroom. He has no experience in voting or election matters.

State bar attorney Duncan Carling agreed. We dont believe the opinion of a CPA... is relevant, he said, adding that the accountant never identified any instances of fraud in the election.

It was a rough start for Eastman, who is at risk of losing his law license in the state of California. He faces 11 disciplinary charges related to his alleged efforts to carve a legal pathway whereby then-Vice President Mike Pence could reject Joe Bidens election win.

If it finds him culpable of the charges, the Los Angeles court is expected to make a suggestion as to a possible penalty, including the suspension or revocation of his law license. The California Supreme Court would then take up the matter and give a final ruling.

Randal Miller, Eastmans lawyer, insisted his clients actions were protected under the First Amendment in opening statements on Tuesday. Lawyers get to argue debatable issues, which is what Dr. Eastman did, Miller said, according to The Washington Post.

Carling, the state bar prosecutor, dismissed that argument. In his opening statement, he framed Eastmans actions as a last-ditch effort in a long saga of increasingly desperate attempts to overturn the election riddled with falsehoods and baseless claims about voter fraud.

He was fully aware in real time that his plan was damaging the nation, Carling added.

He also alleged that Dr. Eastman sought at every turn to avoid every public test of his theory, and he privately confessed that his theory had no chance of persuading the court.

To back this up, Carling pointed to an email exchange between Eastman and then-Pence attorney Greg Jacob. At one point, according to Carling, Jacob told Eastman he was being gravely irresponsible to entice the president with an academic theory that had no legal viability and you would well know we would lose in front of any judge who heard the case.

In another email shared by an independent journalist in the courtroom, Jacob wrote, And thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Miller characterized the email exchange as two smart people having an honest debate held in good faith.

Eastman was admitted to the California State Bar in 1997, according to its website. He served as the dean of the law school of Chapman University until last year, when he retired after more than 150 faculty members protested his actions on Jan. 6 in a letter.

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.
Dylan Brandt is a trans youth who challenged the Arkansas law banning gender-affirming care AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File

A federal judge in Arkansas on Tuesday struck down the state's law prohibiting transition-related medical treatments for transgender minors.

More than a dozen other states have enacted similar bans, and this was the first successful legal challenge resulting in a law being overturned. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. wrote that the law violates the First Amendment and the equal protection and due process clauses of the 14th Amendment. He also said the state of Arkansas did not sufficiently prove its claims that gender-affirming care is experimental and has harmful side effects and that doctors are providing treatment without informed consent or thorough evaluations.

"Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that, by prohibiting it, the state undermined the interests it claims to be advancing," Moody wrote.

The Arkansas law banned doctors from giving puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and other gender-affirming treatments to minors and blocked them from referring patients to other physicians. It was enacted in April 2021, after the Republican-held Legislature overrode a veto from then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R). A month later, the ACLU sued the state on behalf of four transgender minors and their parents and two doctors.

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A federal judge struck down an Arkansas law Tuesday that would have banned transition-related medical care for transgender minors, declaring it unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. of the Eastern District of Arkansas overturned and permanently blocked the law from taking effect, writing that it violates the First Amendment and the equal protection and due process clauses of the 14th Amendment.

Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that, by prohibiting it, the State undermined the interests it claims to be advancing, Moody wrote.

The case was the first filed against a ban on gender-affirming care, and the decision marks the first time a judge has overturned such a law.

Though Moodys decision applies only to Arkansas, it could have ripple effects across the country, as similar restrictions have become law in 19 other states and even more states have considered them.

Dylan Brandt (Andrew DeMillo / AP file)

Arkansas' law, which passed after the majority-Republican Legislature overrode former Gov. Asa Hutchinsons veto in April 2021, would have prohibited doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy, and barred them from referring minors to other providers.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued in May 2021 on behalf of four trans minors and their parents, as well as two physicians who provide gender-affirming health care, arguing that it violates the Constitution.

Attorneys for the state relied on five arguments to support the law, according to Moodys opinion. They argued that there is a lack of evidence supporting gender-affirming care for minors, that the banned treatment has harmful side effects, that many patients will desist or stop identifying as trans when they grow older, that some patients will regret their transitions and that doctors are providing treatment without thorough evaluation and informed consent.

However, Moody wrote, the evidence presented at trial does not support these assertions. He said the states arguments didnt explain why only gender-affirming medical care  and all gender-affirming medical care  is singled out for prohibition.

The testimony of well-credentialed experts, doctors who provide gender-affirming medical care in Arkansas, and families that rely on that care directly refutes any claim by the State that the Act advances an interest in protecting children, Moody wrote.

Demonstrators protest outside the state capitol in Little Rock, Ark., on March 18, 2021, as lawmakers considered a bill that bans physicians in the state from providing transition-related health care to transgender minors. (Sydney Rasch / for ACLU)

If the law were allowed to take effect, it would cause irreparable harm to the four trans youths, their parents and the doctors represented in the suit, he wrote.

Plaintiff Dylan Brandt, 17, a transgender boy, said in a statement Tuesday that he is grateful the judge heard my experience of how this health care has changed my life for the better and saw the dangerous impact this law could have on my life and that of countless other transgender people.

My mom and I wanted to fight this law not just to protect my health care, but also to ensure that transgender people like me can safely and fully live our truths, Brandt said. Transgender kids across the country are having their own futures threatened by laws like this one, and its up to all of us to speak out, fight back, and give them hope.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, condemned the judges decision in a tweet Tuesday and said Attorney General Tim Griffin plans to appeal it to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

This is not care  its activists pushing a political agenda at the expense of our kids and subjecting them to permanent and harmful procedures, Sanders said. Only in the far-Lefts woke vision of America is it not appropriate to protect children.

Judges have temporarily blocked similar restrictions in Alabama, Florida and Indiana. Oklahoma has also agreed to postpone enforcement of its law pending the outcome of litigation.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Fourth of July on the Esplanade: State police reopen security checkpoints ahead of Boston Pops show

Update 5:00 p.m., July 4: State Police are re-opening all security checkpoints into the Esplanade and will resume the screening process ahead of Tuesday nights fireworks.

Officials said all visitors will be allowed in to watch the concert and fireworks, which will begin as scheduled at 10:30 p.m.

UPDATE-We will re-open the security checkpoints into the Esplanade at 5PM. The screening process will resume; visitors will be allowed in to watch the concert and fireworks, which will begin as scheduled. We thank the public for their patience during this temporary restriction. https://t.co/E3NrpZWdE3  Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) July 4, 2023

Update 2:30 p.m., July 4: Due to expected heavy rain and the possibility of lightning thru 5 p.m., Massachusetts State Police are temporarily suspending entry onto the Esplanade at the security checkpoints.

This is being done so that if the venue needs to be evacuated in case of lightning, fewer visitors will have to be evacuated, MSP says.

URGENTDue to expected heavy rain and possibility of lightning thru 5 PM we are temporarily suspending entry onto the Esplanade at the security checkpoints. This is being done so that if we do have to evacuate venue in case of lightning, fewer visitors will have to be evacuated.  Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) July 4, 2023

Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart says he was confident the weather would not be a show-stopper for a lot of the die-hard fans. If it just stays mildly raining like this we will have a wet but happy group of people, said Lockhart.

============================================================================================================

The Fourth of July is here which means the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is returning to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade on Tuesday.

Days and days of work go into getting the Esplanade ready for @TheBostonPops July 4 concert and fireworks show. We are grateful to the production and sound companies and @MassDCR workers who get the venue ready every year. #July4th pic.twitter.com/C7SUpe9LeJ  Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) July 3, 2023

Fourth of July 2023: Town-by-town list of fireworks displays in Massachusetts

HOW TO WATCH

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular can be viewed on Bloomberg TV and heard on Bloomberg radio from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

LOCKHART RETURNS

Keith Lockhart will once again conduct the Boston Pops with performances including patriotic favorites and the perennial musical finale, Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture, followed by a thrilling fireworks display over the Charles River beginning at about 10:30 p.m.

In a statement, Lockhart said, We could not be more excited about our plans for this years Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Performing our annual July 4 concert on the Charles River Esplanade is always a tremendous thrill and a huge honor for us, and the fantastic musical talent weve lined up will make 2023 a year to remember  and one not to miss.

STAR-STUDDED LINEUP OF GUESTS

This years Spectacular will feature an impressive lineup of guest artists, including award-winning R&B group En Vogue as headliners.

En Vogue has sold 20 million records worldwide and has won seven MTV Video Music Awards, three Soul Train Awards, and two American Music Awards, in addition to earning seven Grammy Award nominations.

En Vogue is known for hits like Hold On, Free Your Mind, Never Gonna Get It, Giving Him Something He Can Feel, Dont Let Go, and Whatta Man.

Other guests slated to take the Esplanade stage:

Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez

Country duo LOCASH

Three cast members from the Pops recent concert presentation of Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert -- Alton Fitzgerald White, Elizabeth Stanley, and Andrea Jones-Sojola

Several selections with the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus

BLOOMBERG ON-AIR TALENT

Carol Massur and Romaine Bostick of Bloomberg Television will co-host the 2023 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular performance and concert television and radio broadcasts.

PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION AND SITE RESTRICTIONS

Rehearsals on July 2 and 3 are closed to the public.

Gates will open to the public at 12 p.m. on July 4.

Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are prohibited on the Esplanade, per Mass DCR rule.

Details about when Storrow Drive will be closed to vehicles will be provided by state officials closer to the day of the show.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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An Arizona man faces a murder charge in the 2001 death of his stepdaughter. Here's what to know

Jury selection commenced on Monday for the trial of a man suspected of murdering his 17-year-old stepdaughter more than two decades ago.

Police arrested Michael Turney on Aug. 20, 2020  19 years after Alissa Turney of Paradise Valley disappeared on the last day of her junior year of high school. Her body was never discovered.

Alissas case garnered national media attention, with her sister, Sarah Turney, determined to see justice for her sisters death.

The Maricopa County Attorneys Office announced Michaels arrest and that he had been charged with second-degree murder, but did not elaborate on what new information may have led to his arrest after so many years.

Sarah lauded the news of her fathers arrest on Twitter shortly after the news broke.

Missing Arizona children: Phoenix teen Alissa Turney vanishes, killer confesses, explosives stockpile found

"I'm shaking and I'm crying. We did it you guys," she posted. "He's been arrested. Omg thank you. #justiceforalissa Never give up hope that you can get justice. It took almost 20 years but we did it."

Sister: She was a survivor

Alissa was raised in a blended family. Her mother remarried when Alissa was 3 and her stepfather adopted her. Her mother later died of cancer, before Alissa went missing.

Family members described Alissa as a good student. She had a boyfriend and worked at a Jack in the Box.

"She was a survivor," Sarah told The Arizona Republic in 2019.

According to the Maricopa County attorney at the time of Michael Turney's arrest, Allister Adel, Alissa was last seen by her boyfriend at Paradise Valley High School. She told him her stepfather was picking her up.

"Alissa's life was just beginning," Adel said. "For nearly 20 years, those who loved Alissa have longed to see her."

Stepfather previously imprisoned over possession of pipe bombs

If hes convicted, it wouldnt be the first time Michael was sentenced to prison.

As Phoenix police continued to investigate Alissas disappearance, the interviews detectives conducted indicated she wasnt some runaway child. Police began looking into Michael more closely and later discovered he had 26 pipe bombs and three incendiary devices inside his Phoenix home.

FBI officials said Michael, who was a former electrician, had plans to blow up a union hall.

Michael ultimately pled guilty to unlawful possession of unregistered destructive devices and was sentenced to serve a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. He was released in 2017.

Republic reporter Lauren Castle contributed to this article.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or perry.vandell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Alissa Turney's accused killer Michael Turney goes on trial
Kaczynski, Law and Justice (PIS) leader, speaks during Law and Justice party convention in Warsaw

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland's ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski returned to the cabinet as deputy prime minister on Wednesday, taking up a more prominent role ahead of a closely fought election expected in October or November.

The return of Kaczynski, widely viewed as Poland's de-facto ruler, comes amid a stuttering campaign by the conservative ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), for a third term that would likely see it continue policies that have set it at odds with the European Union.

"Thank you for joining the government, thank you because the previous tasks that you performed had great significance for the Republic," said President Andrzej Duda after he formally approved the appointment.

"From the point of view of national security it is appropriate and necessary."

The other deputy prime ministers resigned and will continue as ministers.

Kaczynski previously served as deputy prime minister from October 2020 till June 2022, and also headed Poland's security committee.

Although PiS is ahead in most opinion polls, a question mark remains over whether it can secure a parliamentary majority.

Opposition parties received a boost this month from a large anti-government march in Warsaw.

PiS faces rising anger over Poland's strict abortion laws and was strongly criticised for a decision to use images of Nazi Germany's Auschwitz death camp in a campaign video.

Divisons in the ruling coalition have also re-emerged over Poland's relations with Brussels, after the EU withheld funding over rule of law concerns. Observers say Kaczynski's return may help to smooth those rifts.

Critics say PiS, since sweeping to power in 2015, has undermined the independence of Poland's courts, turned state media into an outlet for propaganda and stirred up discrimination against ethnic and sexual minorities.

PiS denies subverting any democratic rules and says its policies are aimed at preserving Polish traditions and at making the economy work in a fairer way for all Poles.

Its mix of conservative social values and generous social welfare programmes has proved popular with many voters, propelling it to victory in two consecutive parliamentary elections.

(Reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz, Karol Badohal and Alan CharlishEditing by Gareth Jones and Emma Rumney)
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Some 13,876 Afghan nationals living "illegally" in Iran were repatriated to their home country through Iran's northeastern border crossing over the past nine days, the IRIB news agency reported on Tuesday.

The move aimed to counter the illegal presence of foreign nationals in Iran, IRIB quoted Majid Shoja, the border police commander of the northeastern Iranian province of Khorasan Razavi, as saying.

Shoja called on foreign nationals to enter Iran through official and legal gateways lest they should face "serious legal actions."

According to Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees, more than 60,000 Afghan refugees have reportedly returned home from Iran since January, and over 2.5 million registered Afghan refugees reportedly have been living in Iran.
A Kansas City man suspected by authorities of driving impaired faces two felonies stemming from a head-on crash that left a motorcyclist dead Friday night.

Jackson County prosecutors charged Samuel L. Weakly, 21, with second-degree involuntary manslaughter and fleeing the scene of a crash. He was being held in the county jail on Tuesday on a $25,000 bond.

Kansas City police officers responded to the crash around 9:30 p.m. Friday on the Forrester Road near the overpass at Sante Fe Street. A motorcyclist, Matthew Rogers, 37, was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead after he arrived there.

According to court documents, police investigators determined a silver Ford sedan was the other vehicle involved and that its driver fled the scene. On Friday night, the cars owner told detectives Weakly had borrowed the vehicle and then had gotten in a crash.

Police officers located Weakly at 17th Street and Belleview Avenue on Friday night. He was sitting on a curb and smelled strongly of alcohol and marijuana, according to court documents.

He allegedly admitted to drinking two shots of liquor and smoking marijuana before the crash. Charging documents state Weakly consented to having his blood drawn for analysis.

During a police interview, Weakly told a Kansas City detective the crash happened as he was adjusting the car radio. He said he kept driving until the car became disabled roughly 150 yards away.

Afterward, Weakly told police he began to panic and called his friend to give him a ride. He also told the detective he did not return to the area to check on the motorcycle driver, according to court documents.

Online court records did not list a defense attorney for Weakly as of Tuesday.

If convicted under Missouri law, Weakly faces up to four years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and seven years for leaving the scene of an accident.
A Kansas man was indicted on federal charges Tuesday for allegedly making online threats directed at an upcoming Pride event in Nashville, Tennessee.

On April 26, Joshua Hensley  also known as Josh Echo  allegedly commented on a sponsored Facebook post for Nashville Pride with a slur against the LGBTQ community and threatened to make shrapnel pressure cooker bombs and commit a mass shooting at the June event, according to a Department of Justice indictment.

The indictment that was unsealed Tuesday morning charges Hensley with two counts of transmitting an interstate threat to kidnap or injure. If convicted, Hensley would face a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI arrested Hensley at his Kansas residence on Thursday, and he appeared before a judge, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. Hensley is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Friday.

The FBI is still investigating the case, which will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nani M. Gilkerson and Kyle Boynton of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division.

We will not tolerate hate-based, threats of violence designed to intimidate Tennesseans, U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis said in a statement on Tuesday. We will continue to work with our partners at the FBI to ensure that the civil rights of all persons are protected.

According to the Tennessean, the Nashville Pride Festival and Parade coordinators are aware of the threats and will be working with private security and local, state and federal entities to ensure public safety.

No credible threat existed or currently exists to the Nashville Pride Parade & Festival, Nashville Pride media coordinator Brady Ruffin told the Tennessean on Tuesday. We look forward to creating a safe and secure space for the LGBTQ+ community to be authentically and vulnerably themselves this weekend at the Nashville Pride Parade and Festival.

Hensleys indictment follows a slew of other attacks on the LGBTQ community across the U.S.

In May, Target employees were threatenedover the stores Pride Month merchandise, and stores reportedly faced bomb threatsin at least five states this month.

Several drag story events have also been recently targeted by right-wing extremist groups. This weekend, dozens of LGBTQ Pride flags were torn and ripped at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, marking the third act of anti-LGBTQ vandalism there this month.

Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers have pushed nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills in U.S. states aiming to ban drag shows, gender-affirming care for minors and more.
Moses Kuria was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry by President William Ruto (Dave Kotinsky)

Kenya's trade minister is at the centre of a firestorm over a series of derogatory remarks against a leading media outlet, including calling its journalists "prostitutes".

The opposition and journalist associations have called for Moses Kuria to be censured over his outbursts, saying he was unfit to hold public office.

The furore erupted when Kuria went on the attack against Nation Media Group (NMG), a major media house in East Africa owned by the Aga Khan.

At a public event on Sunday, Kuria threatened government officials who advertised with NMG with dismissal and asked the outlet if it was a media house "or an opposition party."

"Any government department that I see is has advertised on Nation Media (platforms), consider yourself fired," he said.

In a tweet published in Swahili, he referred to the "prostitutes at Aga Khan."

He also claimed that NMG journalists had "confessed to being coerced to write anti-government stories by their editors and management in a scheme sponsored by a former president."

NMG said the tirade followed an investigation aired on Sunday by its NTV station into an alleged scandal over an import scheme operated by a state body in Kuria's ministry.

Kuria's "unprovoked verbal attack... was not only undignified for a state officer of his calibre, but an assault on press freedom, a cornerstone of democracy," the Daily Nation said in an editorial published on its website Tuesday.

Opposition senator Edwin Sifuna filed a censure motion against Kuria this week, warning that an attack on one media house "often leads to attacks on press freedom as a whole."

Members of opposition leader Raila Odinga's alliance walked out of the Senate on Wednesday in protest at Kuria's appearance in the chamber and the speaker's refusal to allow them to grill him.

Kuria told reporters Wednesday: "I am not apologising."

- 'National shame' -

Media associations have reacted with fury to the comments by the minister, who had taken centre stage on Monday at the signing of a major trade deal with the European Union.

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) said he was "becoming a symbol of national shame" while industry regulator the Media Council of Kenya said his remarks were a "threat to press freedom and soil Kenya's global image".

Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission also entered the fray, saying no public bodies whould be "victimised" for engaging in lawful dealings with any organisation.

The Media Owners Association of Kenya said his tirade "disqualifies him from holding public office."

Ruto has in the past accused the Kenyan media of being biased against him, and during the campaign for the August 2022 election he threatened to pull out of a presidential debate saying he had been subject to unfavourable coverage.

He narrowly won the bitterly contested presidential race against Odinga, who continues to protest that the election was stolen from him.

txw/amu/ri
FILE PHOTO: Paul Mackenzie, a Kenyan cult leader accused of ordering his followers to starve themselves to death, at the Shanzu court in Mombasa

MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - A Kenyan accused of involvement in the deaths of hundreds of members of a starvation cult has died after a 10-day hunger strike in police custody, a prosecutor said on Wednesday.

Joseph Buyuka was among 30 people, including self-styled pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church, in custody over the deaths of 337 followers of the church.

"The police believe that these individuals... played significant roles in the offences leading to the deaths and illegal disposal of bodies in Shakahola (forest)," court papers said of Buyuka and four others arrested with him.

Authorities have exhumed most of the bodies from the forest in southeast Kenya since April.

Jami Yamina, senior prosecution counsel, said Buyuka had died two days ago at a hospital in Malindi, about 116 km (72 miles) from the port city of Mombasa where he had been taken from a nearby prison.

"He died ...(due to) ... complications from hunger strike and starvation, but we will await postmortem report," Yamina told a court in Mombasa.

"Two other suspects ... have also been taken ill. Police believe it is related to their hunger strike."

Mackenzie is accused of ordering his followers to starve their children and themselves to death so they could reach heaven before the end of the world.

He handed himself over to police in April and was denied bail last month. The other suspects were arrested later after authorities started the exhumations.

He and the others have not yet been required to enter a plea.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki had expressed concern in May that some of Mackenzie's rescued followers were refusing food. One of them had died, he said at the time.

(Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Bhargav Acharya and Andrew Cawthorne)
Kept hushed, this NC towns time capsule didnt age well  what was inside?

Mud, silt and contaminated water oozed from Mooresvilles 1973 time capsule when workers unearthed the infant-sized lead vault to expand the town hall 18 years ago.

Old documents that were put in the 1973 Moresville time capsule sit on display at the Mooresville Public Library. Many of the artifacts were lost due to leaking in the time capsule but many pieces were salvaged. Sean McInnis/smcinnis@charlotteobserver.com

The capsule was buried to great fanfare in 1973 to mark the towns centennial.

The town 28 miles north of Charlotte originally planned to keep the vault six-feet deep near the flagpole outside the town hall on North Main Street until this year, Mooresvilles 150th birthday.

But after digging the capsule up in 2005, the town quietly stored the vault from public view.

Photographs from the 1973 Mooresville time capsule show different levels of deterioration over time caused by leaking in the time capsule. Sean McInnis/smcinnis@charlotteobserver.com

What would be in the vault given the way they were made in the 1970s, with lids that didnt extend over their edges like they do today?

Liquid tar was used to seal vault lids back then, which also made the glaze-interior time capsule susceptible to rain water and other elements, Mooresville town commissioner Bobby Compton said.

Mooresville Public Library archivist Andy Poore and town leaders knew the grim answer once the vault was dug up in 2005: Only 1% of the capsules contents could be saved, the rest had disintegrated or was otherwise ruined.

A large mess time capsule

At the Mooresville Public Library Friday, Poore described to The Charlotte Observer what he found in the vault.

The surviving artifacts from the Mooresville time capsule sit on display at the Mooresville Public Library. Photos and videos are also on display showing the time capsule being put in the ground. Sean McInnis/smcinnis@charlotteobserver.com

It was basically a soup of materials that had just decayed being exposed to the water, to the chemicals of the vault itself, chemicals being washed in by the mud, he said. We basically had a large mess.

There were letters, there were books, there were flags, pieces of clothing, he said. It was sad to me because I literally would pick up a photograph to see if it was salvageable and within seconds the image would be gone, or what was left of the image was gone. The centennial flag when I picked it up, it just crumbled. It was gone.

Rust from metal mementos in the vault, including a railroad spike, only worsened the deterioration of paper and other items, Poore said. Only documents at the top of the pile in the vault survived, he said.

It was literally like a pressure cooker, he said of the stew of gunk in the vault.

Belk; North Carolina history

Still, Poore carried on, performing what he called triage on letters, newspaper pages and other items that seemed salvageable. He delivered the items to a company that restores old documents, HF Group of Browns Summit, north of Greensboro.

The company spent six months restoring the few salvageable items, which are now on display at the library. They include Mooresville Tribune pages with ads for $8.95 dresses at Belk; used cars including a 68 Chevy for $1,595 and a 66 Mustang for $595; and a beautiful brick ranch house for $23,500.

Advertisements from 1973, part of the surviving artifacts from the Mooresville time capsule sit on display at the Mooresville public library. Sean McInnis/smcinnis@charlotteobserver.com

Other photos on the preserved newspaper pages show famed 20th-century sculptor Selma Burke, who was born in Mooresville on Dec. 31, 1900. Her portrait of President Franklin Roosevelt appears on the U.S. dime.

Other saved documents include signatures of members of the Centennial Belles and Brothers of the Brush, among the groups that joined in the 1973 time capsule festivities.

An 8mm film of the 1973 time capsule ceremony plays on a small video screen as part of the library display. Lynn Barnette, the towns Public Works director at the time, produced at least 500 reels of film chronicling town events with his 8mm camera.

Poore said he and town officials kept the 2005 time capsule unearthing and subsequent preservation effort a little quiet over the years.

They did so, he said, because we wanted to open (the vault) on the 50-year mark of the capsule burial. We kind of kept it hushed.

Reliving a memory they liked

Poore said he found the publics reaction quite interesting when the vault was opened before at least 60 residents outside the library June 3.

People werent upset, he said. It was almost like reliving a memory that they liked. They were more ecstatically reliving the time, rather than being upset at what was lost.

Poore overheard a woman at the event say how she remembered putting something into the vault in 1973, but quipped, Im lucky enough to know where my car keys are now.

At least 20 residents in attendance remembered their parents adding items to the 1973 capsule and brought their kids to the June 3 event, he said.

Sure, a couple of folks were disappointed that documents contributed by their parents had disintegrated, Poore and Compton said. Yet most everyone who attended was glad to see the items that had been saved and preserved, they said.

Saving old time capsule

Compton said it saddened him, too, when he learned most of the items were no more.

He was in high school when the time capsule was buried in 1973, so he couldnt attend the ceremony back then. Yet he was very aware of what went on, he said.

Compton worked at the Mooresville Fire Department starting the year after he graduated high school. He was a firefighter for 14 years and town fire marshal for 17 years, retiring in 2005.

Right after I retired, they called me asking where the vault was buried, Compton said, referring to town officials. I remembered it was 5 feet from the flag pole. So I stepped off heel-to-toe 5 feet and I said, Its right there.

He wished time had better preserved the documents in the capsule.

However, thats just part of time, Compton said. Over time, some things are salvageable and some just arent. I wish all things could have been saved. Some people are disappointed, but its just part of it.

As a commissioner, he also serves as an ex-officio member of the Mooresville Downtown Commission board of directors and liaison to the Mooresville Historic Preservation Commission.

And all of this, (time capsule included) plays a part in what Mooresville is, what Mooresville was, what Mooresville has become, and the story of the population, then and now, Compton said.

Time capsules are a snapshot of history, he said. This is a wonderful snapshot of what life was like in Mooresville in 1973. We have videos of what people took and items that people gave.

Lessons learned

Poore said he considers the 2005 time capsule unearthing a blessing.

Because, if it had stayed, all of it would have been gone, because of leaking, he said. It was still leaking water and sludge.

The towns next time capsule will be in a sealed cabinet above ground, Compton said.

It will be climate-controlled, Poore said. The capsules going to be metal and sealed, and thats going to sit inside a nice wood, metal frame, a 6-foot tall cylinder, and its going to be solid, solid wood, easily opened, either at the library, the Mooresville Museum or town hall.

The downtown museum plans to hold a ceremony similar to the one 50 years ago. The capsule is still under construction, and the date of this years ceremony is still to be scheduled, Poore said.

Theyll recreate 1973 and advertise to have people come by, probably here at the library and put things in it, Compton said. And everything will be sealed in the metal container. We wont have to worry about rust, mold, deterioration.
It was just about a year ago that then-House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy and fellow Republicans were cranking up their opposition to President Bidens plan to hire 87,000 new employees for the Internal Revenue Service.

Democrats are scheming to double the size of the IRS by hiring an army of 87,00 new agents to spy on Americans, McCarthy said last August in a posting on Twitter.

Democrats are scheming to double the size of the IRS by hiring an army of 87,00 new agents to spy on Americans.



To put that in context > We have fewer than 20,000 Border Patrol agents. We should hire there instead.  Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) August 2, 2022

Now McCarthy, the Bakersfield Republican, is the House speaker and one of the most powerful politicians in the nation. Shortly after he won that post  one he coveted for years  McCarthy and fellow conservatives passed a bill in January to remove $71 billion in funding for the IRS. The Democrat-controlled Senate has ignored it.

Nevermind the fact that Biden never said he would hire 87,000 agents. Rather, it would take that many employees  of all kinds, such as tech support, clerical help, etc.  to raise the level of the IRS customer service. To be sure, many of the new hires were intended to be agents who could perform audits. But it was nowhere near the army the conservatives used as scare language.

The Bee Editorial Board then faulted McCarthy for choosing politics over the real need to improve the IRS and its customer service. The board noted that some people were waiting years for tax refunds and credits they were owed because the government had not yet processed their paperwork.

IRS seeks tax cheats

Fast forward to the past few weeks as McCarthy and Biden negotiated for ways to increase the national debt ceiling. Among the cuts Biden agreed to was a $20 billion reduction in IRS funding.

Now comes an analysis by researchers at Harvard University, the University of Sydney and the U.S. Treasury Department, which found that by cutting the $20 billion from the IRS, the federal government will lose out on $220 billion in revenues it might have received in the coming 14 years.

The Washington Post first reported the analysis and said how audits of the highest-income earners result in significant new revenues for the government.

For every additional dollar spent auditing people in the top decile of the income distribution, the government can expect to get 12 times that amount back, the Post reported.

It should be emphasized that auditing is done when the IRS detects something is amiss. Taxpayers who are honest have no worries. Those who claim personal vehicles as business expenses, or who dont fully report all their income, are examples of those being sought.

The term for those who deliberately misstate information on their tax forms is cheating. That is precisely what the IRS funding that Biden proposed would have ferreted out.

Furthermore, cutting the IRS funding by $20 billion means losing revenues the U.S. government badly needs.

As of Tuesday, the national debt stood at $32 trillion. If that had to be paid off immediately, every American would have to come up with $95,000, estimates the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which operates the national debt clock.

The debt has resulted because the government spends more than it takes in. Cutting spending, which McCarthy and fellow conservatives preach, is just one side of the equation. Getting more revenues also helps. That is especially relevant when the revenue is legitimate and people are deliberately avoiding paying what they owe.

If McCarthy believes in the rule of law as much as he frequently says, then he should remember that cheating on your taxes, especially by those who are wealthy, is unfair and illegal. It should not be given a free pass simply to make political points.
A mother accused of convincing her kids to cover up a shooting that killed a 9-year-old Georgia boy has been charged, police told news outlets.

The woman was arrested June 14 and charged with influencing a witness after King Javier Black was shot outside her home in East Point earlier this month, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing police.

Shes the mother of another 9-year-old who investigators believe fired the shot that killed King on June 3, according to the newspaper.

McClatchy News is declining to name the woman because she hasnt been charged in the childs death. East Point police didnt immediately return a request for comment.

Im just glad that someones being held accountable, but its never going to bring him back, Kings mother, Joy Black, told WXIA.

The youngster was playing with two other kids, a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old, at a home where they had access to two loaded guns, WANF reported, citing East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan.

Investigators believe the other 9-year-old was inside playing with the weapon when it went off. The bullet went through a door and hit King on the other side, according to the station.

He was found outside and later died at a hospital, WXIA reported.

During questioning, the 6-year-old told investigators she and her brother were told to lie about the shooting, the station reported, citing an incident report.

She knew the truth. She tried to conceal the truth, Buchanan told WXIA of the kids mother. In addition, (she) actually tried to get the kids to lie about what occurred. This is a tragedy all the way around.

Investigators said additional charges against the woman are possible, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

King was remembered as a loving child who enjoyed swimming and playing with his friends, according to his obituary.

King was dynamic because of his capacity for love and forgiveness, his ability to shake off negative attitudes, and his pursuit to love anyone who would allow him to, it reads.

His funeral is set for Friday, June 23, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

East Point is about 10 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta.

Toddler accidentally shoots pregnant mom, killing her and unborn child, Ohio cops say

Man killed when his brother fires gun through bedroom door, Georgia police say

Man is fatally shot in back during fight inside fast food restaurant, Illinois cops say
Klondike returning to hometown of Pittsburgh to ask, What would you do?

Klondike is returning to its hometown of Pittsburgh to ask, What would you do?

Now through July 16, Klondike invites fans nationwide  virtually or in person in New York City, Austin and Pittsburgh, where Klondikes were invented  to the Klondike What Would You Do Challenge Mobile. Participants are asked to show off their hometown pride by completing a What Would You Do: Hometown Edition challenge on-site where fans can enjoy free treats.

To complete, fans need to include at least four of their family members, friends or neighbors by posting a photo or video on Instagram with #WWYDHometownContest, tagging and following @KlondikeBar to enter. Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking is encouraged to prove why they are the #1 hometown and will be judged on group participation, creativity and Klondike spirit.

The Klondike What Would You Do Challenge Mobile is traveling to Austin and Pittsburgh before making its final stop in New York City on National Ice Cream Day:

Austin, TX  Saturday, June 24

Pittsburgh, PA  Sunday, July 9 from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Market Square, between 4th and 5th Avenue

New York City, NY  Sunday, July 16

The challengers will be judged by the Klondike team and actor/comedian Joel McHale. The winner will receive a personalized shoutout video from McHale for their hometown, a block party and will be featured on limited-edition Klondike Bar packaging.

For more details, click here.

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What to know about the loan servicer at the center of the Supreme Court student debt fight

What to know about the loan servicer at the center of the Supreme Court student debt fight

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on President Bidens student debt relief plan as soon as Thursday, and one loan servicer in particular has been thrown into the center of the debate.

The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, more commonly known as MOHELA, is one of the largest federal student loan servicers in the country and a central player in Biden v. Nebraska.

Before deciding whether Bidens plan is lawful, the court must first rule that at least one of the challengers  six Republican-led states, and two individual borrowers  has legal standing to bring their lawsuit.

The states and individuals promote various standing arguments. But the justices in particular have focused on MOHELA, mentioning the servicer 142 times during Februarys oral arguments.

Heres what to know about MOHELA and its role in the Supreme Court fight over student debt relief:

What is MOHELA?

MOHELA has been in the student loan business for more than 40 years. Missouri state legislators created it in 1981 to provide low-cost loans for students and a source of revenue for the state.

The servicer works with private and federal student loans and assists borrowers in answering questions about billing and payment options. MOHELA is able to collect payments, inform borrowers about different payment options and help with requests for forbearance or deferment.

It has also become the sole student loan servicer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH), two federal loan payment options for individuals with certain jobs.

MOHELA makes money from its contract with the federal government, which pays the servicer a monthly amount for each student loan borrower they are servicing. The amount it gets paid for servicing a loan can vary depending on the status of the loan, whether a student is still in school or a borrower is in delinquency.

MOHELA is supposed to transfer its proceeds to the state in two ways.

In 2007, state lawmakers passed a bill that provided for MOHELA to transfer $350 million to the Lewis and Clark Discovery Fund, which funds capital improvement projects at public colleges across the state. The servicer so far has given $245 million, according to court filings.

It has also contributed more than $100 million over the last 12 years to state scholarship and grant programs, court documents indicate.

Why does MOHELA matter in the student debt fight?

The Supreme Courts conservative majority appeared skeptical during oral arguments that the Biden administration had the authority to forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in debt for more than 40 million borrowers.

But before the court can strike down the plan, the justices must first find that at least one of the eight plaintiffs has legal standing to bring their lawsuit.

Missouris standing theory  which involves MOHELA  has received the most attention.

Standing requires a plaintiff to show three components: they suffered an injury-in-fact, the defendant caused the injury and that the court can remedy it.

The Biden administration contends that none of the states or individual borrowers can meet all three prongs, so the Supreme Court should throw out their lawsuits and allow the debt relief to proceed.

But Missouri has put MOHELA in the center of the fight by indicating that the servicer will lose revenue if student debt forgiveness is given to borrowers, arguing the plan would eliminate many accounts MOHELA collects fees from.

These financial losses establish Missouris standing for two reasons: (1) MOHELA is a Missouri-created and -controlled public instrumentality, so its harms are harms to the State; and (2) MOHELAs losses jeopardize its financial contributions to Missouri, the state wrote in its brief.

The administration has pushed back on both fronts, first contesting that MOHELA is an arm of the state.

It also rejects that any losses MOHELA faces would lead the state to miss out on financial contributions from the servicer. MOHELA hasnt paid funds to the Lewis and Clark Discovery Fund in years and has previously said further payments were not probable, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar told the justices.

Although the Biden administration has not directly advanced the argument, some outside groups have further questioned whether MOHELA would actually suffer a net loss from the debt relief plan in the first place.

MOHELA did not respond to The Hills request for comment.

Why isnt MOHELA a party in the case?

Proponents of Bidens debt relief plan have pushed back on Missouris standing argument by noting that the loan servicer itself has not challenged the plan.

MOHELAs executives were not involved with the decision of the Missouri Attorney Generals Office to file for the preliminary injunction in federal court on September 29, 2022, the servicer wrote in a letter to Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) last year.

MOHELA became the elephant not in the room at Februarys Supreme Court oral argument: The word MOHELA appears 142 times in the transcript.

The administration indicated it wouldnt contest standing if MOHELA had sued instead. That caught the attention of conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who along with the courts liberals probed the attorney representing the states about it.

Why didnt the state just make MOHELA come then? Barrett asked. If MOHELA is really an arm of the state and all of this would be a lot easier  I mean, the solicitor general conceded that if MOHELA was here, MOHELA would have standing. If MOHELA is an arm of the state, why didnt you just strong-arm MOHELA and say, Youve got to pursue this suit?'

Nebraska Solicitor General James Campbell responded, Thats a question of state politics.

But we believe as a matter of law that the state has the authority to assert its interests, he added.

MOHELA has not put out any public statements for or against the case Republicans are arguing on its behalf, but internal emails obtained by Student Borrower Protection Center showed some employees were completely taken aback finding out they become the main focal point of canceling student loan forgiveness.

MOHELA isnt technically a part of that lawsuit, the Missouri AG is suing on their behalf. However, its all about the [Federal Family Education Loan] stuff, and since they changed the rules, that lawsuit should be ruled as lacking standing, read one email from an employee, whose name was partially redacted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
[Source]

A 19-year-old South Korean man was arrested for attempting to open a plane door mid-flight from Cebu, Philippines, to Seoul.

What happened: The unidentified passenger was reportedly acting strangely about an hour into the flight, prompting flight crew to move him to the front row in order to keep an eye on him. Shortly after moving seats, he charged towards the emergency door and tried to open it.

According to a Jeju Airlines official, the 19-year-old was immediately subdued by the crew, who used a lasso rope and tie wraps to keep him controlled for the rest of the flight.

Officials noted that none of the airplane equipment nor the 180 passengers on board were harmed in the incident.

More from NextShark: South Korean man dies due to 'brain-eating amoeba'

Arrest: The teen was immediately taken into custody by police after the airline landed in Seouls Incheon Airport at 7:30 a.m. local time on Monday. He was charged for violating the Aviation Security Act and the Narcotics Control Act.

Investigation: The passenger tested positive for drugs during an investigation by the Incheon Airport police. Although his motive is currently unclear, he told reporters that he tried opening the plane door because he felt like he was being attacked.

Authorities have yet to determine the type and amount of drug that the teen had taken.

More from NextShark: Thai woman confesses to lying about 'organ harvesting gang kidnapping

About the man: The suspect was on his way home to South Korea after dropping out of high school, according to police. He reportedly stayed in Cebu alone for about a month.

The incident takes place a month after a man in his 30s opened the emergency exit door in mid-air on an Asiana flight in South Korea, injuring 12 passengers on board.

More from NextShark: Rockstar Eddie Van Halen's Asian Roots Shocks the Internet

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Crowds gather to protest gentrification, mass incarceration as Museum of Chinese in America reopens
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.

The meeting took place at a critical time for China-U.S. relations and was closely watched by the world.

What key messages did the meeting convey? A look at Xi's remarks during the meeting will offer some hints.

Sense of responsibility

Xi told Blinken that the two countries should act with a sense of responsibility for history, people and the world, and handle China-U.S. relations properly.

China-U.S. relationship had hit obstacles when Blinken made the visit. Xi's meeting with him and the emphasis Xi placed on responsibility have demonstrated the Chinese side's broad-mindedness, broad vision, and great sense of responsibility.

To be responsible for history, one should understand that "whether the two countries can find the right way to get along bears on the future and destiny of humanity," Xi told Blinken.

The most important event in international relations over the past 50 years was the resumption and development of China-U.S. relations, which has benefited the two countries and the whole world, Xi once noted, adding that the most important event in international relations in the coming 50 years will be for China and the United States to find the right way to get along.

To be responsible for the people, one should understand that "the Chinese, like the Americans, are dignified, confident and self-reliant people, and they both have the right to pursue a better life," Xi said.

The sound and stable growth of bilateral relations serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

The international community is generally concerned about the current state of China-U.S. relations. It does not want to see conflict or confrontation between China and the United States or choose sides between the two countries. It expects the two countries to coexist in peace and have friendly and cooperative relations. It is imperative to understand this for one to be responsible for the world.

The U.S. side should understand that to draw ideological boundaries, divide camps and engage in bloc confrontations is bound to bring disasters to the world.

Major-country competition against trend of times

Xi stressed that major-country competition does not represent the trend of the times, still less can it solve the United States' own problems or the challenges facing the world.

The trend of the world, as Xi once pointed out, is unequivocal. It is the trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation.

For some time, China-U.S. relations have nosedived to a low point. The root cause is that the U.S. side does not have a clear understanding of the trend of history, but sticks to a misconception about China, which had led to misguided China policies.

The old system of colonialism and hegemonism will not operate in today's world. It can only lead to a dead end. The only alternative is peaceful development, a path that China has been unswervingly committed to.

As Xi said to Blinken, planet Earth is big enough to accommodate the respective development and common prosperity of the world's two largest economies.

"China respects U.S. interests and does not seek to challenge or displace it. In the same vein, the United States needs to respect China and must not hurt China's legitimate rights and interests," Xi said.

China always hopes to see a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship and believes that the two major countries can overcome various difficulties and find the right way to get along based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, Xi added.

Turn positive statements into actions

Action speaks louder than words. China is looking forward to the U.S. actions.

In his meeting with Blinken, Xi called on the U.S. side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude and work with China in the same direction.

He noted that the two sides need to remain committed to the common understandings he and President Joe Biden had reached in Bali, Indonesia, last year, and translate the positive statements into actions so as to stabilize and improve China-U.S. relations.

In response, Blinken said the United States is committed to returning to the agenda set by the two presidents in Bali.

The United States stands by the commitments made by President Biden, namely the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, its alliances are not directed at China, it does not support "Taiwan independence," and it does not seek conflict with China, said Blinken.

While China has a clear-cut answer to the question "whether China and the United States can properly deal with their relations," the ball is now in the U.S. court. The world will wait and see.
Serhii Nuzhnenko/Radio Free Europe via Reuters

A Russian-backed separatist leader in Ukraine claims hes being inundated with requests from museums to send them the burned-out wrecks of Western tanks sent to Kyiv for its battle against the Kremlin.

Denis Pushilin, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, spoke about the request for hardware destroyed by Russian forces in a TV appearance, according to a state media report Wednesday. He claimed that German-made Leopard tanks are particularly sought after.

Russia Is Throwing Cash Bonuses at Troops to Destroy U.S. Vehicles in Ukraine

We have a lot of orderseveryone wants Leopards, other equipment for museums, Pushilin said, according to the TASS news agency. But I say: Guys, let me move [Ukrainian troops] back. Because right now this equipment is in the gray zone. He added that the Western equipment needs to be shown, needs to be demonstrated, but that such displays would have to wait for a little later.

Pushilin also said Russian forces in Donetsk had seen a large uptick in new equipment from Western countries on the battlefield. At the very peak of the attacksif we include tanks, including Leopards, armored vehicles, pickups, and everything elsethe guys say they have not seen such numbers at all, he said.

Ukraines allies, including the United States, have recently announced new shipments of weapons, vehicles, and other aid to support Kyiv in its counteroffensive against Moscows forces. Ukrainian military commanders have claimed some victories by capturing eight villages in Donetsk and the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, but the fightback has not been as immediately successful as some had hoped.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC that progress has been slower than desired and said the counteroffensive had been hampered by Russian troops mining a 77,220-square-mile area of Ukraine.

Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. Its not, he said. Whats at stake is peoples lives. Zelensky added: Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best.

He also renewed his calls for Ukraine to be supplied with U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and played down the threat of nuclear war despite Russias recent announcement that it had moved tactical nukes into Belarus. Zelensky said he didnt believe Russian President Vladimir Putin would use such weapons because he is scared for his life, he loves it a lot. But there is no way I could say for sure, especially about a person with no ties to reality who in the 21st century launched a full-scale war against their neighbor, he added.

Zelensky was also asked to comment on Putins comment last week accusing Zelensky of being a disgrace to the Jewish people. Its like he doesnt fully understand his words, the Ukrainian leader said. Apologies, but its like he is the second king of antisemitism after Hitler.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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This KY commission will choose whether or not to fund research of experimental psychedelic

Last summer, Kentuckys 11-member Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission met for the first time in a fluorescent-lit room in Frankfort, introducing themselves around a horseshoe of plastic folding tables.

Their task was enormous: Together, they were to distribute roughly half of the $842 million acquired by the state in opioid settlements over the next several years. The other half would be given directly to counties and local governments.

Defined in Kentucky statute, part of the commissions charge is to dole out abatement funds to groups and organizations who apply with evidence-based proposals for combating opioid use that needs funding. Members discuss the applications at length and then vote on who gets what amount of money.

In May, Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Bryan Hubbard, chairman of Kentuckys Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, called a news conference to publicly announce a lofty proposal Hubbard spearheaded research for but hadnt yet presented to the commission: invest up to $42 million over the next six years to conduct research by way of clinical trials using ibogaine in hopes of receiving FDA approval to distribute it as a medication to treat opioid addiction.

Ibogaine is a psychedelic that has been studied in other countries and found to treat anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and opioid use disorder. There are risks associated with the drug  which is not FDA approved in the United States  including fatal heart arrhythmia.

The way Hubbard presented his proposal in May was unorthodox. Hubbard told the Herald-Leader that his own interest in finding a Manhattan Project-style solution to help Kentucky recover from the drug epidemic led him to ibogaine.

Some commission members werent aware of the proposal until it was presented to the public May 30. Also absent on stage at the event were leaders in Kentuckys recovery community, medical experts and University of Kentucky researchers involved in the states multi-million dollar efforts to expand access to FDA-approved opioid treatment options at the community level.

Commission members include Republican Rep. Danny Bentley, a pharmacist; Eric Friedlander, Cabinet for Health and Family Services secretary; Van Ingram, Office of Drug Control policy director; and Dr. Sharon Walsh, director of UKs Center on Drug and Alcohol research and principal investigator for the HEAL study. Some members are appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear, like Friedlander and Ingram. Some are appointed by Cameron, like Hubbard.

This was never the way the money was meant to be spent

Like some commission members, Beshear said in a press conference later that same day he had no idea about the proposed hopes to study ibogaine as a treatment for opioid use.

Beshear told media he immediately spoke with some commissioners following the press conference, who said they didnt take a vote or even discuss the ibogaine proposal before the public announcement.

I have some questions about how that procedure did, or did not, go, Beshear said.

Now the other thing I mention is, this is a huge amount of money. Thus far they have only put out $18.5 million and that is for law enforcement, treatment, recovery altogether, the governor said. So, I think the attorney generals going to have to explain to every treatment center why they have received about $10 million total ... and what they are doing.

Cameron, who was the lead speaker at the May news conference, is running for governor to unseat Beshear.

At the commissions June 13 meeting, Hubbard asked to set two public hearing dates on ibogaine and whether the commission should invest in its research. Before the vote, Walsh said the statutory charge of the commission was to allocate money toward proposals that are evidence-based.

For any medication in the U.S., the evidence-based is that its FDA approved, she told Hubbard. How does that fit into doing something exploratory, if its not approved?

Hubbard said the commission was well within our legal ability to explore, and thats the only thing were seeking to do is explore, at this stage.

Walsh pressed further.

If the focus is (diminishing) opioid withdrawal, we have medications that are already approved for (that), she said. Those are very effective drugs. Im not sure why we need other drugs to target opioid withdrawal.

Hubbard replied that there are others who would seem to believe this is worth exploring, individuals who are scientifically credentialed who believe it has breakthrough therapeutic potential. I want to know if thats true. Thats why were having this exploration.

The time for commission members to more fully discuss the proposal was reserved for the public hearings on July 17 and August 16, Hubbard said. Friedlander and Bentley were the only two to vote against scheduling the public hearings.

It feels like, if we can have a press conference, surely we can have a discussion, Friedlander said at the meeting.

Despite Camerons attendance touting the proposal, Camerons office, in response to an open records request, said it had no written documentation to or from the attorney general regarding ibogaine, or the clinical trial proposals.

During the May 31 news conference, which commission members were invited to, Hubbard and Cameron said the tools Kentucky is currently using to remediate the vast impact of opioid addiction werent enough.

We need to explore a new approach, Cameron told the crowd.

But Beshears office said with a decrease in overdose deaths and high seizure amounts of fentanyl, the work being done in Kentucky is making a dent in beating back the epidemic.

These wins are proof that the work being done in Kentucky is succeeding. But instead of investing more in our police and care providers, the attorney general is betting $42 million on an experimental drug trial, said Crystal Staley, spokesperson for Beshears office. This was never the way this money was meant to be spent.

Exploring the possibility

Despite the political controversy surrounding the funds and how they could be spent, some in the recovery community feel there is potential for ibogaine research to be success.

Isaiah House, a faith-based treatment facility, is one of several recovery centers that has been awarded a grant through this opioid abatement money for a new facility. When specifically asked about ibogaine, CEO Nick Wren said when people are suffering and dying, every tool needs to be used to help, as long as it is safe.

Ibogaine has shown some promise and if it will help save lives, it needs to be studied. Our people in Kentucky deserve no less, Wren said.

Alex Elswick, a founder of Voices of Hope, a non-profit which provides resources to those in recovery, was surprised that opioid abatement grant money could be used for experiential clinical trials. However, he said the core values of Voices for Hope are to appreciate all pathways to recovery.

We are not here to say what is good or bad, we just want to see you get well, he said.

Elswick said to his understanding of psychedelic therapies, if monitored and dosed properly, the treatment could provide a real benefit in the plasticity of the brain.

While he was intrigued by the announcement of ibogaine trials, he said he did think those in the recovery community need to have a seat at the table in future discussions.

A principle of harm reduction is that people who use drugs should have a voice in policy and change that can impact them because they understand the issue better than anyone else through their lived experience, Elswick said.

He said he felt it would be a mistake if recovering individuals are not included. However, people in recovery have different modalities which they do and do not support.

Some believe recovery is only possible through total abstinence. Others support the use of medications for opioid use disorder including Suboxone and methadone.

Theres disagreement among folks that prefer abstinence and those that prefer (medication assisted treatment), Hubbard said. And then theres a third group of folks who say recovery is an individualized journey. The issues that lead to addiction are unique and therefore whatever works for the individual is what should be made available.

Hubbard, an attorney, said he is not looking to supplant or attack any of the models, but wants to look at adding another weapon to the arsenal.

Thats the bottom line when it comes to any potential related to ibogaine, Hubbard said. This is an additional option that shows great promise. Insofar as it shows great promise, it is only fitting that this state above and beyond all the other 49 should take the lead in exploring the possibility of helping develop a breakthrough.
UN cars with the inscription

Kyiv blogger Yosyp Husak, who recently attached a poster to UN cars as an act of protest against the organizations sluggish response to the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, has received a court summons, he wrote on Twitter on June 20.

The morning of the next day, he tweeted on June 7, the day after Russian occupation forces blew the Kakhovka Dam.

Several off-road vehicles of the UN and WHO, fully ready for travel, are parked at one of Kyivs parking lots... No vandalism, just expressing my position. Useless, he wrote, adding a photo in which seless was pasted to the letter U on UN cars.

Read also: Odesa port workers rescue wildlife after Kakhovka dam attack

Husak was charged with committing an act of minor hooliganism. If found guilty, he could face a fine amounting to three to seven untaxed minimal personal incomes, or correctional labor for the period of one to two months with deduction of twenty percent of earnings,

Overnight on June 6, Russian forces, which had occupied the town of Nova Kakhovka for over a year, exploded the Kakhovka Dam and hydropower plant, completely or partially flooding downstream towns and villages along the Dnipro River, including the regional capital of Kherson.

Ukraine began evacuating the population from the government-controlled west bank of Kherson Oblast, while a catastrophe unfolded on the occupied east bank, which suffered considerably more damage due to its lower elevation. Russian forces have refused to conduct evacuations in the territory they occupy, and have prevented international organizations such as the UN from accessing the area.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Destroyed apartments, burnt-out cars, lives upturned or extinguished altogether: Russias June 13 missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih was, in many ways, nothing out of the ordinary for wartime Ukraine.

The evening after the attack, which killed 13 civilians, President Volodymyr Zelensky came out in his daily address with a message of frustration: One of the missiles used in the attack had around 50 components, primarily microelectronics, produced outside of Russia.

On the same evening, Presidents Office Head Andrii Yermak provided more details on Twitter: The missile used in the attack was a Kh-101 cruise missile, not from old stocks, but manufactured only two months earlier.

A view of damage after missile hits residential building in Kryvyi Rhi, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on June 13, 2023. (Arsen Dzodzaiev/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

For many, Russias ability to continue to produce new high-tech missiles over a year into the full-scale war has defied expectations.

For months over autumn and winter, as civilian energy infrastructure was being pounded in regular mass attacks all over Ukraine, Russia was said to be running out of missiles.

Figures published by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry in January 2023 claimed that Russia was down to only 19% of its pre-invasion stocks of long-range strategic missiles, having fired 2,237 since Feb. 24, 2022, but only produced 516 in the same time period.

Meanwhile, sanctions introduced by the European Union and the United States at the onset of the full-scale invasion aimed to starve Russia of the components needed to manufacture new missiles, with U.S. President Joe Biden saying on Feb. 24, 2022, that Washingtons sanctions would cut off more than half of Russias high-tech imports.

In that context, Russias almost daily missile and drone barrage against Ukraine over May and early June, most of which was targeted at Kyiv, seemed like an unsustainable policy for Moscow.

Now, according to a Ukrainian internal document shared with the ambassadors of G7 member states and viewed by the Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian estimates have shifted, foreseeing a steady increase in Russian long-range missile production over the rest of 2023.

The primary reason this is possible is the uninterrupted supply of microchips and other high-tech components manufactured by semiconductor giants in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.

The document lists a slew of Western-built chips in each of the main high-precision cruise and ballistic missiles regularly used against Ukraine. Many of the manufacturers listed are known to have had their components used in these weapons as early as last summer.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says recently-used Russian missiles had foreign-made components Key developments on June 14: * Zelensky: Russian missiles used in Kryvyi Rih attack had foreign-made components * Kadyrovs top aide Adam Delimkhanov reportedly injured in Ukraine * Netherlands to purchase 4 radars to aid Ukraines air defense * 3,761 people evacuated due to Kakhovka dam disast The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova

Brains of missile terror

The internal document viewed by the Kyiv Independent showed components from American, European, and Japanese semiconductor giants in all of the main cruise and ballistic missiles regularly used against Ukraine.

The list of companies includes U.S.- based Texas Instruments, XILINX (subsidiary of AMD), AMD itself, Integrated Device Technology, Altera (subsidiary of Intel), and Cypress Technologies (subsidiary of Infineon), as well as Nexperia and Numonyx, from the Netherlands and Switzerland respectively.

The air-launched Kinzhal ballistic missile, which entered service only in 2017 after Russias war against Ukraine already began, was found to contain chips from XILINX, Altera, as well as a gate array from now-defunct Silicon Valley company Actel.

These are the first details known about the components used in the Kinzhal, which could not be shot down by Ukrainian air defense until the recent introduction of the advanced U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missile system.

The plethora of Western silicon making up the brains of some other Russian missiles was already documented extensively by a joint investigation by Reuters and the U.K.-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) published in August 2022.

The Reuters/RUSI investigation was given access to downed Kh-101, Iskander 9M727, and Kalibr cruise missiles, finding dozens of components made by the same U.S. and European tech giants.

Mykola Danyliuk, officer of the Center for Research of Trophy weapons, speaks to press during an exhibition of radio details of a new series of X-101 cruise missiles that Russia uses to fire at Ukrainian cities in the ongoing war at military media center in Kyiv on February 16, 2023. (Oleksii Chumachenko/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Responding to the findings of the RUSI/Reuters piece, Infineon and AMD both said they would conduct internal investigations into the matter.

The Kyiv Independent reached out to both companies asking for an update on the results of their respective investigations and whether further action had been taken to rein in sanctions circumvention.

"AMD has a robust export compliance program in which we conduct due diligence on all our potential customers and distributors and require our authorized distributors to comply with all U.S. and global export regulations to ensure that there is no sale or diversion of new AMD and Xilinx products into Russia or restricted regions," replied AMD to the query. Infineon did not respond as of the time of publication.

While Kyiv has confirmed the continued production of Russian missiles after the onset of sanctions, the production date of the chips themselves is harder to establish  especially when the missile has successfully detonated  and not specified in the report.

According to an anonymous official in the Ukrainian presidents office familiar with the matter, Kyiv is certain that the missiles include many components shipped to Russia in early 2023, long after the relevant sanctions were put in place by Western countries.

The study of missiles, or rather their remains, has its own peculiarities, said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, presidential advisor and coordinator of the Yermak-McFaul group, in a comment to the Kyiv Independent, but we are sure that the missiles produced in 2023 have almost all the same components.

An April 2023 investigation by U.K.-based organization Conflict Armament Research found components from Western semiconductor companies produced in August 2022 inside the remains of Lancet kamikaze drones.

The instance is the first discovery of post-invasion (referring to date of manufacture) components in Russian weapon systems in Ukraine, the report said, without naming the companies involved to ensure the sensitivity of an ongoing investigation.

The investigation did mention however, that most of the components found by the team were manufactured between 2014-2021, indicating that Russia had likely been able to stock up on most of its chip requirements for a system like the Lancet before launching the full-scale invasion.

According to the source in the presidential office, Kyiv is skeptical whether the Western companies named have made much of a concerted effort to stop their newly manufactured products from making their way into Russia.

According to the official, Ukraine is using diplomatic channels to address the issue, petitioning for the Western government to halt such transactions.

Patriot air defense faces its toughest challenge ever in Ukraine The wait is over  after almost a year of refusals and hesitation, Western-provided MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems have finally arrived and become operational in Ukraine. On April 21 and 26, Ukraines Air Force confirmed the full employment of two Patriot batteries. As Ukraines own Soviet-er The Kyiv IndependentIllia Ponomarenko

Silicon highway

Since the first U.S. and EU sanctions were placed against technology that could be used by Russia for military purposes back in 2014, Moscows access to Western chips has been easily facilitated by third countries.

A legal entity from a country that has not imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation simply purchases a microchip, processor, heat-resistant glue or cable in unlimited quantities in the USA, Germany or Taiwan, and then resells the goods to a Russian missile manufacturer, said Vlasiuk.

A classic intermediary scheme, where morality is completely absent. Nothing personal. Just business.

Another investigation published in December last year by Reuters and RUSI, though not focusing on defense industry clients in Russia, used Russian customs records to highlight how new companies had been set up in Turkey and Hong Kong among other countries specifically to facilitate the easy shipment of millions of dollars worth of silicon to Russia.

In one instance, a new Turkish company recorded as having shipped $20 million worth of chips to Russia had been set up by a businessman who already managed a wholesale IT products company in Germany.

The absolute majority of high-tech components enter Russia through China, said Vlasiuk.

According to the document, China accounted for 80% of the flow of electronics components to Russia, with over $211 million worth of products shipped over January and February of 2023 alone.

Some of the countries named, particularly China, have been subject of providing covert military support to Russia for months, though Washington continues to assert that they have not seen any evidence of state involvement.

Vlasiuk stopped short of accusing foreign governments in these third countries of deliberately helping Russia circumvent sanctions.

I think the governments of these countries should make more effort (to stop the flow of components to Russia), he said.

The internal document obtained by the Kyiv Independent provides a five-point roadmap for taking action on the problem.

Kyivs plan proposes placing sanctions on all Russian businesses that facilitate missile production without exception, requiring end recipient certificates for the sale of such products abroad, legal liability for all manufacturing and delivery companies, political pressure on countries who continue to facilitate the flow of electronic components to Russia, and constant monitoring of companies compliance with sanctions regime.

The document doesnt provide specifics on how such mechanisms should be implemented.

The sovereign choice of third countries like China and Turkey not to sanction Russia, combined with the reality of the globalized economy and the huge size of the semiconductor industry pose serious challenges.

Remains of a Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile at an exhibition showing remains of missiles and drones that Russia used to attack Kyiv on May 12, 2023. Fragments of various types of weapons are currently being studied at the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. (Oleksii Samsonov /Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

The European Union is trying to make some progress with its 11th round of sanctions against Russia, agreed on June 21, specifically targeting the circumvention of restrictions, even by actors outside the EUs jurisdiction.

Though the bloc is not as influential in global electronics and financial markets as the U.S., some of the tools at its disposal include the placing of companies in third countries on a blacklist with travel bans and asset freezes, restricting their access to the EU market, and opening criminal proceedings against individuals accused of avoiding sanctions.

However, five Chinese firms set to be added to EU sanctions lists were removed after talks between EU officials and Chinese diplomats in Brussels, the South China Morning Post reported on June 15.

In countries with less political leverage than China that still play an important role in the silicon highway to Russia, there is hope that the 11th round of sanctions will have an impact when finally passed.

According to Politico, ministers in Armenia and Kazakhstan, both members of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union for whom the EU is an important market, said they would comply with Brussels sanctions policy and crack down on circumvention.

Even after sanctions, Russian economy can pay for war The Russian economy has faced unprecedented sanctions since the Kremlin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. The latest events  the Wests embargo on seaborn oil and price cap on Russian oil sales worldwide  are seen as a blow to the Russian economy, whose backbone is the energ The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Implications

Whatever the details of the sanctions evasion scheme, and whether or not the manufacturers are doing enough to try and stop their products flow to Russia, it is becoming increasingly clear that the attempt to limit Russias access to such technology through sanctions has failed so far.

The internal document estimates that Russia will double its production of long-range high-precision missiles over 2023 with a projected total of 1,061 missiles, or enough to fire almost 90 per month at Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russias missile campaign against Ukrainian cities has changed its goals several times.

In the first weeks, Russian missiles attempted to knock out Ukrainian air force and air power assets, as described by Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat in a June interview to Ukrainska Pravda.

Then, starting from October, Russia launched regular mass missile strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure in a failed bid to knock out the countrys electricity grid over winter.

Passers-by look at the site of a downed Russian missile's fragment falling near the Kyiv Zoo on May 16, 2023 in Kyiv. (Andriy Zhyhaylo/Obozrevatel/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Now, although the targets chosen for missile strikes are not usually disclosed if known, and Ukrainian officials have mentioned that Russia has shifted to more military targets over spring, the essence of the new missile strategy is clearer: a battle of endurance against Ukrainian air defense.

As stocks of interceptor missiles for its Soviet-era air defense systems continue to dry up with very limited scope for replacement, Ukraine is relying more and more on Western-backed systems to defend both Ukrainian cities and troops on the front line.

The victory of the U.S.-built Patriot system against a targeted attack by Russian Kinzhal missiles in May was a sign that with enough help, Kyiv can continue to deny Russia air superiority over Ukraine.

This Week in Ukraine Ep. 8  How Ukrainian air defense denies Russia air superiority This Week in Ukraine is a video podcast hosted by Kyiv Independents reporter Anastasiia Lapatina. Every week, Anastasiia sits down with her newsroom colleagues to discuss Ukraines most pressing issues. Episode #8 is dedicated to the work of Ukrainian air defense, and how it denies Russia the ai The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina

But keeping up this resistance is expensive, with each Patriot interceptor missile costing around $4 million, money that, in the case of the main provider Washington, must come from existing state financial commitments to military aid for Ukraine.

More can be done to constrict Russias access to the chips, Kyiv argues, with the alternative being a pricey and protracted struggle in the air with Western technology fighting on both sides.

In the words of Zelenskys address, it is definitely cheaper to cut terrorists off the supply of components for terror once and for all than to constantly spend more and more money on new air defense missiles.

Editors Note: This op-ed has been amended to add the comments received from AMD's media relations department shortly after publication.

Stanislav Storozhenko contributed reporting for this story.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Francis Farrell, cheers for reading this article. I grew up on the other side of the world, but in Ukraine I have found a home unlike any other. Just like with so many of our readers, I understand that you don't have to be from near here to realize how important Ukraine's struggle is for freedom and human rights all over the world. The Kyiv Independent's mission is to lead the way in continuing to bring the best homegrown, English-language coverage of this war, even if the rest of the world's attention starts to fade. Please consider supporting our reporting.
Members of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West picket during a strike at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 2022. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles voters will decide next spring whether to clamp down on pay for hospital executives, capping their total wages and other compensation at $450,000 annually, after the Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to put the proposed measure on the March 2024 ballot.

The L.A. ballot measure is backed by a union representing healthcare workers, which argues pay for hospital executives has been excessive and out of line with the mission of providing affordable care.

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West contends that hospital executives should not be making any more than the total compensation of the president of the United States, which the ballot measure states is currently $450,000.

Read more: Fight over pay for L.A. hospital execs could hinge on what President Biden makes

"Health care executives receive lavish, million-dollar salaries far above the wages of health care workers, and patients struggle to afford basic care. The current compensation structure incentivizes wealthy executives to keep the system the same," SEIU-UHW spokesperson Renee Saldana said in a statement. Excessive executive compensation diverts funds to a small group of individuals that could be invested in expanding access to high-quality, affordable care for everyone."

The Hospital Assn. of Southern California called the proposal "deeply flawed" and argued that it would make it harder for Los Angeles hospitals to recruit and retain top talent, who would instead opt to work at healthcare facilities in other cities.

That would "ultimately compromise the quality and affordability of health care in the city," the association wrote to the council.

The measure wont do anything to reduce health care costs or improve the quality of care in the community," said Jan Emerson-Shea, vice president of external affairs for the California Hospital Assn. "On the contrary, it will only make it more difficult to recruit qualified hospital leaders, including physicians and nurse leaders."

After supporters of the measure succeeded in gathering enough signatures, council members had the option of either putting the proposal on the ballot or simply adopting it. The council voted 10 to 0 to send the proposal to the ballot for voters to decide, with Councilmember John Lee recusing himself as a board member at West Hills Hospital.

Earlier this year, the California Hospital Assn. sought unsuccessfully to stop the measure in court, arguing that voters had been misled because a range of additional payments and benefits bring the overall compensation for the U.S. president well above the $450,000 amount cited by SEIU-UHW. In April, a judge turned the association down, allowing the measure to move forward.

The proposed measure would cap executive compensation for a range of top officials, including CEOs, chief financial officers, executive vice presidents and administrators, at privately owned hospitals and their affiliated clinics, skilled nursing facilities and residential facilities for the elderly located in the city of Los Angeles.

The cap would not apply to any medical professionals whose "primary duties" are providing medical services or direct care to patients.

If hospital executives receive more than the annual limit, they must refund that money plus interest. Breaking the law would lead to penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, and each day a violation is committed or continues would count as another violation.

The annual cap would apply not just to wages, but a range of compensation for Los Angeles hospital executives including paid time off, bonuses, travel, housing payments, stock options and severance.

SEIU-UHW said at least 22 executives would be affected by the measure, but the number is likely higher because its analysis of publicly available information did not include for-profit hospitals. It is now pursuing similar measures in the cities of Chula Vista and La Mesa, Saldana said.

The union has pushed before to limit pay for hospital executives, including a statewide ballot measure that was dropped nine years ago after SEIU-UHW reached an agreement with hospitals.

It has spotlighted pay packages exceeding $1 million annually for executives at hospitals and health systems such as Cedars-Sinai, where the top executive received more than $6 million in compensation through the medical center and related organizations in a recent year, according to tax filings.

Cedars-Sinai said in a statement that setting its executive compensation involves "an assessment by outside, independent experts," and that if the ballot measure passed, "we would be unable to recruit and retain clinical, academic and management leaders who have made us a world-renowned academic medical center."

The latest proposal to curb executive pay comes as the hospital industry has sought to fend off $25-an-hour healthcare worker wage measures that are backed by SEIU-UHW. An L.A. measure championed by the union was put on hold after hospital groups successfully pushed for a referendum.

The California Hospital Assn. has also been fighting a state bill, SB 525, that would hike wages to at least $25 an hour in coming years for workers at a range of healthcare facilities and agencies, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics and home health agencies.

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.
Image: Upside Foods

The lab-grown future of food starts now as two California companiesUpside Foods and Eat Justhave received final approvals from the United States Department of Agriculture to begin hocking lab-grown chicken.



Upside Foods and Eat Just announced the news in respective press releases, following the USDAs approval of each companys labels earlier this month. That regulatory rubber stamp means that the two brands can begin commercial production of the synthetic chicken. Eat Just is the company behind the famous Just Egg, a realistic egg substitute that is completely vegan, and will be selling lab-grown poultry under the brand Good Meat. Good Meat also received clearance from the FDA for its manmade meat in March.

Read more

Im thrilled to share that cultivated meat will now be available for consumers in the U.S., said CEO and Founder of Upside Foods Uma Valeti in the companys press release. This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table. Its a giant step forward towards a more sustainable futureone that preserves choice and life.

The Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act place inspectors in the slaughterhouses of any company selling meat products to the masses, but according to Good Meat, these inspectors will be assigned to the facilities behind lab-grown protein for the first time ever. Both companies use a similar approach, which involves extracting cells from live chickens and growing them in a lab while feeding them sugar, amino acids, and vitamins along the way.

This announcement that were now able to produce and sell cultivated meat in the United States is a major moment for our company, the industry and the food system, said Good Meat co-founder and CEO Josh Tetrick in the companys press release. We have been the only company selling cultivated meat anywhere in the world since we launched in Singapore in 2020, and now its approved to sell to consumers in the worlds largest economy.

Upside Foods announced that the company had processed its first order for the manmade meat, which was placed by three-Michelin-starred Chef Dominique Crenn. The company also stated in its release that its chicken will be launched nationwide, but only in limited quantities and through partnered restaurants. Similarly, Good Meat is selling its first batch to Chef Jose Andreswho owns 30 restaurantswith an unidentified restaurant in Washington D.C. getting the companys first slab of protein.

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Hispanic economic activity could take a steep dive if key programs are reduced as part of across-the-board federal spending cuts, according to a network of nonprofit organizations dedicated to growing wealth among Hispanics.

The National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) is hosting representatives from 20 of its affiliates in a broad advocacy push in Congress Wednesday, seeking to raise awareness of the link between federal programs and Latino economic activity.

I would say were on high alert. Our advocacy prior to this was really seeking additional funding for the programs that support the work that our members do in communities, NALCAB CEO Marla Bilonick told The Hill.

I dont think Im saying anything thats rocket science, but cuts really are going in the opposite direction of where we need to go. The need is still really, really high. And those of our members who are operating on the ground need more support, certainly not less.

The groups asks come as Republicans and Democrats dial up a spending fight in an effort to avert a government shutdown and maintain 1 percent mandatory spending cuts per the recently passed Fiscal Responsibility Act.

That bill was signed into law by President Biden earlier this month, marking the end to a protracted fight over raising the debt ceiling. It includes mandatory discretionary spending cuts if all 12 appropriations bills are not passed by Jan. 1.

That 1 percent haircut could grind the Latino economy to a halt, Bilonick said.

Basically what it means is, entrepreneurs that are looking to start businesses or grow businesses wouldnt be able to access funding to be able to do that. Aspiring homeowners will not get the support that they need or the programs that they need to access affordable housing, she said.

[Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)] that are working in communities will not have sufficient funding to fund consumers and small businesses in their communities to move upward on the economic spectrum. So there are real consequences to this that should not be overlooked.

NALCABs targets include programs run by the Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of the Treasury that broadly help provide liquidity to communities underserved by the financial system.

They include relatively small federal budget line items such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which provide targeted assistance for economic activities ranging from infrastructure projects to business development.

NALCABs target budget for CDBG is $4.2 billion for fiscal 2024, up from the $3.3 billion budget HUD reported for the program in fiscal 2023.

The 2022 State of Latino Entrepreneurship report, an annual analysis published by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, found that Latino-owned businesses grew in number, revenue and payroll at a faster clip than white-owned businesses from 2007 to 2019.

And between 2019 and 2022, Latino-owned businesses grew their revenue on average 25 percent, while white-owned businesses grew 9 percent.

Yet Latino-owned businesses had greater liquidity needs and lower approval rates for loans over $50,000.

At the time of application for business loans from national banks, [Latino-owned businesses] have similar, if not better, qualifying indicators than [white-owned businesses] on average, wrote the Stanford researchers.

Nevertheless, [Latino-owned businesses] have substantially lower approval rates than [white-owned businesses] when applying for larger loans ($50,000 or more), and higher rates of approval for small loans (less than $50,000), they added.

That lack of access to capital is not new to Latino entrepreneurs, but Bilonick said federal cuts to programs like CDFIs could accentuate the problem.

One huge lever to entrepreneurship is access to capital, and the traditional financial system has not been very friendly to Latino entrepreneurs, she said.

And Bilonick added the cuts could be most painful for the kinds of entrepreneurs who drive economic mobility.

Im talking sole proprietors, street vendors who are looking to convert to a storefront, folks who are kind of in this transition point, whether that be going from an idea to a business or a business to two locations, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Latvia to transfer its helicopter fleet to Ukraine  PM Krisjanis Karins

Krisjanis Karins

Latvia is in the final stages of preparing to hand over all of its military helicopters to Ukraine, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21.

All our Stinger (anti-aircraft) missiles are now in Ukraine, said Karins, outlining the extent of military assistance his country has already provided Kyiv with.

Read also: Latvia declares its citizen wanted internationally for fighting against Ukrainian Armed Forces

We have a fleet of helicopters, and all of them  the last ones are currently being repainted to be fit for use and for aesthetics  we're dispatching to Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraines NATO membership is key to lasting peace, Latvian PM says

He noted that the Latvia has already spent more than 1% of its GDP in military assistance to Ukraine.

Karins also emphasized that Latvia is providing training for Ukrainian soldiers and supplying the Ukrainian Armed Forces with ammunition and drones.

Read also: Latvian parliament urges NATO to extend membership invitation to Ukraine

Our friends, the Ukrainians, are freedom fighters, and we now stand for freedom, the PM concluded.

Previously, Latvia decided to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine, helping to deal with Russia blowing up the Kakhovka HPP dam in Kherson Oblast in early June.

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
Mark Kind, the respected lawyer that Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree hired just a year ago to run his Community Integrity Unit, has already left the office, leaving the important work of reviewing police misconduct and wrongful convictions where it has apparently been all along, in the realm of make-believe.

When I reached Kind on Tuesday, he said he was on vacation and anyway not sure how eager I am to speak about why I left. I dont even know why I picked up the phone.

Anyone with integrity would have left the integrity unit, because Dupree is not keeping his promise to right old wrongs.

On the contrary, the DA stood shoulder to shoulder with indicted former KCKPD detective Roger Golubski in trying to keep Brian Betts and Celester McKinney in prison, where they served 25 years for a murder that the evidence says they didnt commit.

Dupree brags about his integrity unit, always listing it as one of his top priorities. But what has it accomplished since its creation in 2018? Or since its prior implosion in 2021? Anyone serious about its mission would be frustrated.

That the office couldnt keep someone like Kind, once one of Lamonte McIntyres lawyers, is telling.

Charges against McIntyre, who thanks to Golubski and then-WyCo prosecutor Terra Morehead spent 23 years behind bars for a double murder he didnt commit, were dropped in 2017. The McIntyre case, Dupree has said, showed me that if there was one person who was wrongly convicted and incarcerated, there were probably more. No question, so when will his CIU do something for them?

Pete Coones, a KCK mailman who served a dozen years for murder, was exonerated in 2020 after a judge ruled that another former WyCo prosecutor had suborned perjury, suppressed exculpatory evidence and presented patently untrue testimony. Coones died of cancer just 108 days after his release.

So what has Duprees CIU done since then? The DAs office is so Kremlin-like (in its secrecy; I dont think theyve poisoned anyone) that its hard to say. But if it had pushed to exonerate even one other person, that wed know.

Duprees spokesman, Jonathan Carter, did not respond to a message asking if there is still a CIU since Kinds departure.

Brian Betts with his mother, Ellen Betts, at a picnic last Friday to welcome him home after the 25 years he spent behind bars for a Kansas City, Kansas, murder that the evidence says he did not commit.

Against new trial for Brian Betts, Celester McKinney

Last fall, Dupree opposed a new trial for Betts and McKinney, who were convicted of murder in the shooting death of Golubskis 17-year-old nephew by marriage. Prosecutors at the original trial presented testimony from Golubskis brother-in-law, who sold drugs at the time and kept changing his story.

The key witness, though, was the dead boys neighbor, Carter Betts, an uncle of Betts and McKinney, with whom they were staying. Carter Betts recanted almost at once, and has said ever since that hed been coerced by police and prosecutors to claim that his nephews had confessed to him. At the hearing last fall, Carter Betts identified Golubski as the heavy white cop with a beard who had threatened him.

Dupree, however, accepted Golubskis testimony that hed had nothing to do with the case, and a judge ruled that the cousins had failed to prove otherwise. They were paroled on June 1, and are still seeking exoneration.

The DA has promised that his office would review every case touched by Golubski, who has been charged with allegedly using his position to rape women and protect sex traffickers, but how is that review coming? Last year, Dupree said that he was being held back because decades worth of moldy files needed to be digitized.

That may well be, but hes been DA for six years, and had he made that clear before, he could have found the funding. In November, Wyandotte County officials voted to borrow money and use federal coronavirus relief funds to pay for $1.7 million to digitize the files.

His spokesman didnt respond to my questions, either, about how that process is going, whether I could see some of the boxes of files too moldy to review, and if Dupree had any response to Brian Betts Juneteenth speech calling for his resignation.

Mark Dupree has clearly pandered to the Black vote in this community to get elected, but hasnt had the integrity to give us the justice our community so desperately needs and deserves, said Brian Betts.

A Juneteenth call for Mark Duprees resignation

Because it was a holiday, no one much was around to hear what Betts had to say. But it was because it was Juneteenth that he was standing there in front of the WyCo courthouse.

On this holiday, Juneteenth, he told me, two TV cameramen and a man wandering around in a Nebraska Huskers t-shirt that while everyone is celebrating on this day that marks the emancipation of slaves in this country, Im here to let everybody know that thats a deception, because there are a lot of people that are still enslaved, incarcerated for no good reason. This peculiar institution still exists.

Even though Im standing alone here today, he said, I come with a whole army behind me, a whole community that has had enough, enough of the injustice, enough of the terror at the hands of the cops, enough of the false and/or broken promises from our elected officials, and enough of each and every public official who has allowed Roger Golubski and his ilk to run amok, rape and pillage our communities, incarcerate our innocent men and women and violate the human rights of the citizens of KCK all day every day.

The community is done waiting for Mr. Dupree to follow through with any of the promises he made to get elected. He has clearly pandered to the Black vote in this community to get elected, but hasnt had the integrity to give us the justice our community so desperately needs and deserves.

Hes right that many former supporters of Duprees feel betrayed.

When Betts first heard that Dupree was running to fight corruption, he said, he urged his family to work for his election, which they did, along with many others who felt change was overdue.

Later, though, friends in prison told Betts that when members of Duprees CIU came to talk to them, it wasnt to interview them about their innocence claims but to pressure them to reveal damning information about other crimes.

To Betts, the CIUs lack of results is no accident. Do we think Lamonte McIntyre is the only person Roger Golubski had wrongfully convicted?  Thats preposterous.

As he sees it, Dupree is intentionally supporting the corruption in Betts hometown instead of taking it on.

Whether its intentional, I cant say, but the other possibility is staggering incompetence. And either way, the result is the same.
Barney Crockett disagrees with the party's stance on oil and gas

A prominent Scottish Labour councillor has quit the party over Sir Keir Starmer's stance on oil and gas.

Labour leader Sir Keir pledged earlier this week to end new North Sea oil and gas exploration but help communities profit from clean power projects.

Barney Crockett, who served as Aberdeen City Council leader between 2012 and 2014, said the oil and gas industry was under a "brutal attack".

Mr Crockett said he would now sit as an independent.

Speaking in Edinburgh on Monday, the Labour leader vowed to "cut bills, create jobs and provide energy security".

Sir Keir is under pressure from both environmentalists and the oil industry over the scale and pace of change.

Speaking to BBC Scotland on Wednesday, Mr Crockett said he was disappointed the party leadership had not consulted members in Aberdeen about the policy.

Sir Keir Starmer says he wants to make Britain a clean energy superpower

"Integrity required me to leave," he said.

"I've been a Labour councillor for 16 years and a Labour member off and on for many years before that.

"I think I was very nonplussed and dismayed when the announcement was made about the end of all new developments in the North Sea and also the demand for a much higher level of tax.

"There was some quite incendiary language used about the companies as well."

Mr Crockett said he had no intention of resigning as a councillor.

"The most brutal attack on an industry I ever remember hearing."



Former Aberdeen City Council leader Barney Crockett has quit Labour over its stance on oil and gas.



In Edinburgh this week, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to end oil and gas exploration.



More: https://t.co/7fxJfnT5Xc pic.twitter.com/JE3z53h7IY  BBC North East Scot (@BBCNorthEast) June 21, 2023

Asked whether there were any circumstances that he would consider re-joining the Labour Party he said: "Unfortunately water goes under the bridge.

"I would hope to keep good relations with people as far as possible but I understand that that might be difficult. I never say never, but I don't think it's easy to put things back together again."

He added: "Keir Starmer, who I've always supported and had a high regard for, made the most brutal attack on the industry I ever remember hearing."

"I feel people in this area have to speak up. It's an emergency situation, it's a critical time for our city."

Asked for a statement, Scottish Labour said oil and gas would continue to play a vital part in the UK's energy industry for decades to come, and that the party's energy plans would make Scotland a world leader in clean energy.
 Flash

The 2023 China Agricultural Forum for International Economic and Trade Cooperation is held in Beijing on June 20, 2023. [Photo courtesy of CCPIT]

The 2023 China Agricultural Forum for International Economic and Trade Cooperation convened on Tuesday in Beijing, aimed at promoting international agricultural cooperation and facilitating green, sustainable agricultural development.



Zhang Shaogang, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the China Chamber of International Commerce, detailed the challenges facing international agricultural trade cooperation, such as market fluctuations in agricultural products and global food governance instability. He stated that China's accelerated efforts to foster a new development pattern would provide more opportunities for global agricultural trade.

China has become the world's largest importer of agricultural products and the fifth largest exporter, securing a prominent place in the global produce trade.

Lu Lunyan, CEO of the Chinese arm of World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), underlined the food system's importance in nature and affirmed WWF China's commitment to advocating for the sustainable development of the whole food industrial chain. She added that WWF China would partner with CCPIT to advance modern, sustainable agriculture prioritizing food security, resource conservation, and environmental protection.

You Wei, vice president of COFCO Corporation, China's leading agricultural and food company, noted that China has actively participated in international agricultural and grain governance, enacted an international agricultural division of labor and cooperation, and supported developing countries to bolster their ability to ensure food security.

According to You, COFCO has engaged in agricultural trade with over 140 countries and regions, with its annual trade in overseas agricultural and grain products exceeding 100 million tons. This has solidified COFCO's role as a stalwart promoter of an unimpeded global agricultural and food supply chain.

Oliver Wonekha, Uganda's ambassador to China, emphasized the importance of agricultural cooperation for sustainable development in both China and Africa. She proposed that agricultural technology and expertise from China could help African farmers increase productivity and cut costs while protecting the environment.

Cheng Guoqiang, a distinguished professor at Renmin University, shared his ideas on promoting agricultural opening-up and international cooperation. He proposed that countries jointly build international industrial, supply, and value chains. Additionally, they should promote and share a diversified, fair, efficient and resilient global agricultural trade network.

The International Dialogue Mechanism for Sustainable Agricultural Development is launched at the 2023 China Agricultural Forum for International Economic and Trade Cooperation on June 20, 2023. [Photo courtesy of CCPIT]

He expressed hope for a strategic agricultural cooperative partnership to tackle global risks and challenges and improve the global agricultural governance system.

During the forum, CCPIT and WWF China, the forum's hosts, and other parties involved launched the International Dialogue Mechanism for Sustainable Agricultural Development. The mechanism aims to establish an international sustainable agriculture dialogue platform that will host policy exchanges, experience sharing, and related training. The organizers intend for the platform to help build a green, sustainable global agricultural system.

Following the launch ceremony, two sub-forums were held to further explore ways to deepen international collaboration and enhance innovation to promote green and sustainable agricultural development.
Letters to the Editor: Daniel Ellsberg was called a traitor in 1973. He died a hero in 2023

Daniel Ellsberg, co-defendant in the Pentagon Papers case, talks to reporters outside the federal building in Los Angeles in 1973. (Wally Fong / Associated Press)

To the editor: I am grateful to The Times for Elaine Woo's detailed obituary on Daniel Ellsberg.

I was in graduate school when the Pentagon Papers came out in 1971 and had the opportunity to spend a semester reading them and discussing clear evidence of lies and war crimes. Years later I audited a class at UC Irvine taught by Ellsberg. It was one of the most informative classes of my life.

The article suggests that, at the time he announced his cancer earlier this year, Ellsberg was "considered a hero by some and a traitor by others." That may have been true in 1973, when he was criminally charged for releasing the Pentagon Papers, but anyone who now thinks Ellsberg a "traitor" has never studied the papers.

The article labels the Gulf of Tonkin incident as a "confrontation with North Vietnam." In reality, nothing happened on Aug. 4, 1964. The Gulf of Tonkin incident was the original fake news and was revealed as such by journalist Robert Scheer in The Times in 1985.

Wisely, Ellsberg is quoted as saying in 2017 that "something like the Pentagon Papers should be coming out several times a year." No kidding.

Jim Mamer, San Diego

..

To the editor: It was like touching greatness when I had the privilege and honor to bestow the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club's Award for Political Courage to Ellsberg and Ron Kovic in 2006.

Meeting both these courageous men, friends for many years, who individually shaped the course of history with their strong commitment to truth, affected me greatly. With the enduring support and love of his wife, Patricia, Dan was one of the most gracious, insightful and unpretentious heroes I have ever met.

I so hope today more individuals of courage would address the grievances and lies being spread throughout our country. May we continue to be inspired by Ellsberg's legacy.

Alice Lynn, Pacific Palisades

..

To the editor: I began reading the obituary on Ellsberg without noting the author. Eventually I was impressed enough to turn back the pages to see who had written it.

Elaine Woo, who left The Times in 2015, was always one of my favorite writers. The Ellsberg material  so complex, so intertwined with my own history and understanding of government  was a marvel of clarity and comprehension for a subject that demands an excellent writer.

It was so good to see her credit again.

Lynne Culp, Van Nuys

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
People march outside Dodger Stadium before LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 16. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

To the editor: I arrived at Los Angeles Union Station two hours early hoping to take transit to Dodger Stadium and enjoy the pregame activities for LQBTQ+ Pride night last Friday. But because a group who identified as Catholic was demonstrating in the crosswalk blocking entry into the parking lot, I did not arrive at my seat until after the second inning.

Those demonstrators probably believe they were spreading the love and compassion of their religion. What they did that night was show 52,000 Dodgers and Giants fans the spite and hate that LGBTQ+ people in the United States face every day.

Thank you, Dodgers, for hosting Pride Night. Now, I more deeply appreciate what others experience for being true to themselves.

Steve Takemoto, Redondo Beach

..

To the editor: I am not a Catholic, and I certainly do not agree with all of the policies of the Catholic Church. I am of Jewish background, and I also do not agree with all of the rules of that religion.

However, I have asked myself what The Times, the Dodgers and others would say and do if a group of non-Jewish "rabbis" wore the Jewish head covering and other items of that religion, painted their faces, dressed flamboyantly and otherwise imitated being part of the Jewish clergy while professing to do charity work? And if they insisted they weren't mocking anyone?

I can hear the loud cries of antisemitism now. Why the double standard?

Barry Weiss, Woodland Hills

..

To the editor: I'll take the the people who demonstrate against the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence seriously just as soon as they start demonstrating against the Hells Angels. Fair is fair.

Katrin Wiese, Rialto

..

To the editor: It is hard to be a practicing Catholic and a lesbian, denounced by some on both sides for who I am.

Calling it a celebration of "pride" while degrading another is hypocrisy. How do we support one that degrades another? This is what the LGBTQ+ community has been fighting against since its inception.

So, we treat just "ourselves" with pride? Is that what we are really all about?

Carol Hall, Diamond Bar

..

To the editor: As a prayerful person myself, I'd like to reassure those who used prayer and signs to protest the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at LGBTQ+ Pride Night that there's no way the Dodgers sold their soul.

For if they had, theyd have bought a better bullpen.

Mike Milligan, West Hills

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Before he died a bedridden paraplegic with four bullets still lodged in his body, Calvin Teddy Grimes begged his mother to forgive the two men who gunned him down outside a Columbus apartment building.

One of his killers was not as conscientious.

After Grimes died on June 26, 2011, Joshua Leonard took the autopsy photos he got as evidence in the murder case against him, posted one in his jail cell and showed others to his cellmates, bragging about what he had done to Grimes.

That detail is included in Wednesdays Georgia Supreme Court decision rejecting Leonards appeal of his murder conviction, which resulted in a life sentence for him and for codefendant Jarvis Alexander, a longtime friend of Grimes who was so close to the victim that Grimes treated him like a brother. Alexander did not join in Leonards appeal.

The two men shot Grimes repeatedly on Aug. 19, 2010, outside the Fourth Street Towers at 543 Third Ave. Thats where Grimes parked his 2006 Chrysler 300 after giving Leonard and Alexander a ride to the Little Joes liquor store across the street.

It was around 10 p.m. when Leonard got out of the front passenger seat and shot Grimes with a .40-caliber pistol. The wounded driver turned to Alexander for help. Sitting in the back seat, Alexander told him, I got to do it, pulled out a gun, fired repeatedly and ran.

Police found Grimes in the drivers seat with the car still running and in gear, and Grimes foot on the brake. Officers found 11 shell casings, eight of them .22 caliber and three .40 caliber.

As he later showed cellmates Grimes autopsy photos, Leonard told them he preferred a .40-caliber, witnesses said.

Grimes did not regain consciousness for months. When he came to, he could not speak, but he could make clicking noises with his mouth.

Detective Wayne Fairburn used a printed alphabet for identifying Grimes assailants, pointing to letters until Grimes clicked to spell out their names. Police called it the click-click case.

Because Grimes was dead by the time the case went to trial in October 2014, attorneys sparred over whether his identifying his killers was admissible, as he was not there to testify. Judge William Rumer admitted the statements as a dying declaration, meaning Grimes was conscious of his impending death when he made them.

Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com Superior Court Judge William C. Rumer presides Thursday morning over the murder trial of Jarvis Alexander and Joshua Leonard, both charged in the death of Calvin Grimes. 10/30/14

Leonards appeal argued those statements should not have been allowed. He also claimed his defense was weakened by the long delay between his arrest in July 2011 and the trial in 2014, despite his speedy trial demand in February 2013.

The Supreme Court backed Rumers decision on Grimes dying declaration. It said the delay could have damaged Leonards defense at trial, but not to the extent that the jury would have reached a different verdict. The high court unanimously affirmed his conviction and life sentence.

Leonard is being held in the Telfair State Prison near McRae-Helena, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. Alexander is in the Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo.

What was behind the slaying?

Why did Leonard and Alexander kill Grimes?

Because they thought he had cooperated with authorities in a homicide investigation involving Leonards cousin, making him a snitch, investigators said.

When he was 16, Grimes was implicated in the Aug. 8, 2007, fatal shooting of Ronald Burrous of Box Springs, Ga., and the man convicted in that case, Melvin Big Teddy Williams, assumed Grimes fed police information. Williams was sentenced to 15 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter,

Leonard wanted Grimes to pay for that, and later bragged about his success. This is what a snitch looks like.... This is what happened to him, he told his cellmates in jail, displaying the autopsy photos.

His suspicions were unfounded, Grimes mother said after the trial: Her son never testified against Williams in Burrous 2007 shooting, nor cooperated with police investigating it.

Grimes never knew why his longtime friend Alexander betrayed him, and that aggravated his suffering, said mother Judy Grimes: Calvin didnt know, and it hurt him so bad.

Grimes was 19 when he was shot, and 20 when he died. When they shot him in 2010, Leonard was 18, and Alexander was 19.

Before they were sent to prison on a sentence of life with possible parole, for which Georgia inmates typically serve at least 30 years, Judy Grimes said she hoped others would learn from what happened to her son:

Calvin was my only child, and his life was taken for nothing, she said.
During a council committee meeting on Tuesday, a proposal from Jacksonville City Council member Reggie Gaffney Jr. requested to move $250,000 from Beaver Street Enterprise Center for the installation of sidewalks, traffic devices and other safety improvements.

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The executive director of Beaver Street, Terrance Brisbane, wasnt happy.

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During public comment at Tuesdays council committee meeting, Brisbane accused Gaffney Jr.s proposed change as retaliation for supporting his election opponent, Tameka Gaines-Holly.

A few weeks after the election, councilman Gaffney was upset with me... cant let you go down that path, Brisbane said.

Brisbane says he learned of the sudden change -- with no word from Gafney Jr.

It was shocking to us for something to happen like this without any prior notification or any rhyme or reason, Brisbane said.

Read: Jacksonville Journey Subcommittee highlights need for more literacy and reentry programs

When Action News Jaxs Annette Gutierrez reached out to Gafney Jr. he didnt address Brisbanes allegations. He says he wants to help minority business development -- but that changed after receiving calls from his constituents.

In a statement to Action News Jax, Gafney Jr. says in part, quote, I received an overwhelming number of calls and emails from constituents regarding speed humps, traffic lights, railroad crossings, sidewalks, and bridges.

Read: Lettuce feed your kids: Duval County Public Schools to provide free summer meals

For 20 years, Brisbane Street Enterprises Center has been helping minorities in small businesses and non-profits grow. He says the money goes a long way.

Its huge! If Im a small business and Im just getting off the ground and I need funds for documentation and I need to get business things done and I need to get a website done and I need to get supplies, $2,000 is a lot of money, Brisbane said.

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The ordinance is set to be discussed in the next city council meeting on Jun. 27.

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What this local college will build next

Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Lake-Sumter State College got a funding boost from the state for its new workforce education hub project.

Read: Want to grab a cheap bite to eat? Check out these bargains

The Leesburg-based college in the recently signed state budget got $17.5 million toward a Workforce Development Center. The proposed 50,000-square-foot facility will include updated classroom space for current and future workforce education programs at the college.

College spokesman Kevin Yurasek told Orlando Business Journal the exact location for the building has not been finalized. The college as part of the design process will consider the replacement of older buildings at its Leesburg campus with the new facility.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.




Local American tribes in Whatcom County reacted to a U.S. Supreme Court decision last week that gives preference to Native Americans looking to foster or adopt Native American children.

The decision handed down Thursday preserved the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act that aimed to keep native children connected to native families by requiring courts to, by default, give preference first to someone in the childs extended family, then other members of the childs tribe, and then other native families.

The 7-2 decision struck down challenges in lower courts to the law.

The decision was seen as a victory for indigenous people across the United States, including Whatcom tribes such as The Nooksack Indian Tribe and The Lummi Nation.

Today is a great day in Indian Country as the Supreme Court issued a decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act. Our people have experienced generations of historical trauma caused by the threat of our children being taken away from us. This started in the boarding school era, and continued to be played out through Federal Indian policy and legislation, Tony Hillaire, chairman of The Lummi Nation, said in a news release.

The Nooksack Indian Tribe said the case was a direct assault on the sovereignty of tribes and their self-determination.

This act was put into place to keep Native American cultures and traditions intact for children when they have been removed from their homes and have entered the foster care system, The Nooksack Indian Tribe said in a statement regarding the ruling.

The preferences in the law were challenged by three states and seven individuals.
How local workers will benefit from a new transit service in the Kennebunks

KENNEBUNK, Maine  State funds are on the way for a new transit system to help local workers by creating connections between the Kennebunks and two neighboring cities.

Governor Janet Mills recently announced the Kennebunk-Kennebunk-Arundel Chamber of Commerce is one of three recipients that will receive a grant from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to be used to pursue transportation projects aimed at helping the local workforce.

Laura Dolce, the executive director of the chamber, said the new transit routes in town will be a game changer.

We know that many potential employees face transportation challenges, Dolce said. We are very grateful to the towns of Kennebunk, Sanford and Kennebunkport and our diverse group of business partners for supporting this effort.

The new service will be called the Go Kennebunks Sanford Biddeford Ridership Program and will operate in conjunction with the Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit and RideMaine.

Of the nearly $1 million awarded, the local chamber will receive $476,000 and will use the funds to develop a new transit service from the Sanford and Biddeford areas to downtown Kennebunk and also provide transportation connections for workers to employers in Kennebunks Lower Village and in Kennebunkport.

The service is expected to start on July 9, according to Dolce.

We are currently working to finalize stops and times and finding out which employers have employees to ride day one, and which others need to recruit still, Dolce said. Once the schedule is finalized, we need to begin publicity.

The new program will be called the Go Kennebunks Sanford Biddeford Ridership Program and will operate in conjunction with The Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit and RideMaine, according to Dolce.

Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit will run its usual large buses, with several stops throughout Kennebunk, Sanford and Biddeford, while RideMaine will meet the bus near Shape Drive to bring hospitality employees down to Lower Village and Kennebunkport, Dolce said.

Pride on display: How Kennebunk is showing its pride and welcoming its LGBTQ+ community despite critics

An easier trip for workers

Dolce said the grant will create new employment opportunities in Kennebunk, Sanford and Biddeford. She mentioned The Nonantum Resort, the iconic resort on Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport, as just one example of a local business that will benefit from the new service.

The Nonantum currently has several employees living in Sanford who currently walk to another bus, go to Wells, and then are transported from there by the resorts shuttle, Dolce said. Those employees can now get door-to door-service, beginning July 9.

As well, the employees of businesses that are partnering with the chamber through matching funds on the project will be able to ride the entire Biddeford Saco OOB line any day, for free, Dolce added.

Thats a great employee benefit, she said. Many employers reported that transportation was a major challenge for potential employees. They also identified Sanford as the area with the most potential for new employee recruitment.

Forest bathing: How this Maine nature therapy guide says it can change your life

A collaborative effort

To apply for the grant, the chamber worked for months with several partners to survey the needs of local businesses and secure matching grant funds, according to Dolce. Those partners included the towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport and the City of Sanford, as well as numerous local businesses and organizations.

We are just so grateful that our partners were all-in on this project, that the state saw the need for the grant, and that we can be a part of bringing this robust public transit system to Kennebunk, Dolce said. Its our hope that after the two-year pilot program is over, the route will continue and that it will be instrumental in creating a new employee pool for employers in the Kennebunks.

The Maine Department of Transportation is administering the grants, which are part of the governors Workforce Transportation Pilot Program. The program aims to support local and regional pilot projects that connect workers to employers through ride-sharing, vanpools, and other transit options.

Lack of transportation shouldnt be a barrier that keeps anyone who can work from holding a job especially at a time when Maine businesses desperately need workers, Mills said. These investments from my Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan will support innovative projects that help to connect workers with the Maine businesses that need them.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: New transit system in Kennebunk to be a 'game changer' for workforce
a spiral galaxy in deep space

Supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies in cosmic deserts of the universe, where neighbors are rare and stellar nourishment is scarce, still manage to munch on material more often than their counterparts in more crowded areas of the galaxy, new research suggests.

In the past decade, astronomers have debated whether galaxy mergers  similar to the one underway between the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy  are the main triggers that strip material from galaxies and funnel it to colossal black holes at their centers. New observations, which found over 20,000 "hungry" black holes in lonely slices of the universe known as cosmic voids, show that these invisible beasts "snack" more often when there are fewer interacting neighbors to interrupt them.

"These findings challenge our current understanding of how galaxies evolve," Anca Constantin, an astrophysics professor at Virginia's James Madison University who co-led the study, said in a statement .

Related: Black holes: Everything you need to know

Cosmic voids are essentially "3D bubbles of space," some of which stretch over 500 million light-years across and contain just a handful of galaxies  if any at all. Also called the universe's wastelands, cosmic voids are thought to make up half of our universe, and together host 20% of its galaxy population.

There is growing evidence that the Milky Way, too, is contained in a spherical void whose radius is at least 1 billion light-years across, which is seven times larger than an average cosmic void. The remaining 80% of galaxies of the universe are birthed in more crowded regions, where anywhere between 50 to 1000 huddle in galaxy clusters, researchers say.

The 80% of galaxies that live in the more populated corners of the universe are huddled close enough to interact gravitationally with each other and eventually merge. During this process, galaxies strip matter from one another, which in turn feeds the supermassive black holes at their centers. However, precisely how the material gets directed into the black hole such that it begins "snacking or munching on that surrounding matter" has been heavily debated, said Anish Aradhey, who just graduated from the Harrisonburg High School in Virginia and co-led the new study, at the American Astronomical Society conference in New Mexico last week.

The merger theory lacks a robust explanation of how black holes grow in galaxies that are friendless in their cosmic neighborhood and thus do not interact with each other, a process thought to be necessary to make stellar food available. So to learn more about how exactly black holes start feeding, Aradhey and his team studied "hungry" supermassive black holes in "the loneliest galaxies in places of the sky called cosmic voids ," he said.

"Galaxies are more able to channel that fuel towards centers of supermassive black holes if they don't have to compete for that fuel with their neighbors through interactions and stripping and other processes," said Aradhey.

a graph showing the distribution of galaxies in a section of the universe

Using eight years of data collected by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) sky-mapping telescope, Aradhey's team studied how the brightness of about 290,000 galaxies changed over time, and discovered over 20,000 actively feeding black holes that were hidden in previous searches.

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 Mysterious cosmic threads are reaching out from the Milky Way's monster black hole

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 Andromeda galaxy crash triggered a mass galactic migration 2 billion years ago

Past surveys on void galaxies focused their searches on optical or mid-infrared wavelengths, the latter of which relied on detected light to categorize the activity within galaxies: The bluer the light, the more intense the star formation, while red light suggests emissions from a hungry black hole feeding on material. However, void galaxies host lots of star formation and thus emit bluer light emissions, which "drown out" the light from feeding black holes within them, thus masking their presence, Aradhey said, which explains why past studies missed them.

Instead, his team studied telltale fluctuations in brightness of infrared light over time that betrayed the presence of feeding black holes, whose activity turned out to be more common in small or midsize galaxies than large ones, the team found.

"The smaller galaxies seem to snack more effectively, if you will, when they are left alone and they don't interact with their neighbors," Aradhey said.
Bild Back Never

Bild, the German tabloid owned and operated by major European publishing house Axel Springer, is expected to replace over a hundred human editorial jobs with artificial intelligence, a leaked email first obtained by the German paper Frankfurter Allgemeine (FAZ) has revealed.

The tabloid will "unfortunately be parting ways with colleagues who have tasks that in the digital world are performed by AI and/or automated processes," the email reads, as reported by FAZ and translated by The Guardian.

According to the report, the email detailed that those who will be replaced by AI include "editors, print production staff, subeditors, proofreaders and photo editors," and that these time-honored human careers "will no longer exist as they do today."

The decision appears to be part of broader cost-cutting efforts across Axel Springer brands, including Insider, which also cut a large chunk of employees amid its own AI pivot earlier this year.

Though several publications across the media industry have experimented with incorporating AI into their workflows, the choice to fully automate hundreds of essential editorial roles with AI feels like a significant escalation. Bild might be a messy, politicized tabloid, but Axel Springer is the biggest publisher in Europe and others could be following suit soon.

AI Fabrication

The news comes after Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dopfner announced earlier this year that the company will turn into a "purely digital media company" and that AI will "make independent journalism better than it ever was  or replace it."

That said, there's still a chance the move could backfire on the publisher.

For one thing, as demonstrated earlier this year by BuzzFeed's quiet foray into extremely dull AI-spun travel guides, AI-generated text still tends to lack a sense of depth.

More importantly, generative AI tools are also notoriously unreliable and are known to consistently fabricate citations, quotes, and facts.

In short, it's unclear how an AI system could effectively replace anyone in the journalistic process, particularly when it comes to editing and proofreading.

What is clear, however, is that the move has been met with plenty of criticism already. In a statement to FAZ, the German Journalists' Association (DJV) condemned the automation effort as "not just antisocial towards employees, but also extremely stupid economically."

More on synthetic content: An AI Is Inventing Fake Quotes by Real People and Publishing Them Online
Man accused of chasing customers with knife outside of Monroe restaurant

A man is accused of chasing customers with a knife outside of a restaurant on Monday, according to the Monroe Police Department.

Police responded to Logans Roadhouse on West Roosevelt Boulevard just after 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

Investigators say the bizarre and scary incident started as customers were enjoying their evening Monday, at Logans Roadhouse off Highway 74.

The suspect, Thomas parker, then randomly made an inappropriate comment to a woman at the bar.

The bartender told him he needed to leave, that they werent going to tolerate that, said Police Lieutenant Steve Morton.

But Morton says once in the parking lot Parker continued to yell at the woman prompting two other customers to check in on her.

It turned bad quickly. He rips off his shirt, pulls out a long fixed knife and starts chasing them, said Morton.

This is the knife Police say Parker had while chasing those three customers who were able to run back inside of lock the door.

All of them were very surprised they had no idea it was going to lead to that, said Morton.

ALSO READ: Passenger stabbed on CATS streetcar; arrest made, CMPD says

Police say when they arrived Parker was wandering through this parking lot between Lowes and Logans and then ran into the woods.

A few hours later officers say they found parker inside a tent not too far from where this all began.

Police say he still had the knife and was taken to jail.

Morton says the victim and good Samaritans were shaken up but thankfully are okay.

Officers charged Parker with assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and possession of marijuana. He is currently being held in the Union County jail under a $40,000 bond.

(WATCH BELOW: CMPD asks for help to identify suspect in north Charlotte knife attack)








Man accused of killing his parents and their 2 friends stole 9 guns from victims, prosecutors say

A man accused of fatally shooting his parents and two of their friends before opening fire at vehicles on a highway as he fled also stole nine guns from the victims, according to a grand jury indictment.

Joseph Eaton, 34, confessed to the April quadruple killing at a home in Maine, officials have said. Those killed were identified as his parents, Cynthia Eaton, 62; and David Eaton, 66, and their friends, Robert Eger, 72; and Patricia Eger, 62.

Grand juries in two counties indicted him this month on a total of 27 counts, including murder, firearm theft and aggravated attempted murder, according to court documents. Eaton has not yet been arraigned or entered pleas in either case, his attorney Andrew Wright said Tuesday.

We would ask that people hold off judgement about the tragic events that unfurled in Maine until we have all the facts, Wright said in an email to CNN. It is very early in the case and we are still receiving a considerable amount of discovery.

A grand jury in Sagadahoc County on Friday indicted Eaton on 16 counts, including four counts of intentional or knowing murder related to the deaths of his parents and the Egers.

He also faces nine counts of theft of a firearm for allegedly stealing eight guns from Robert Eger and one from his mother, Cynthia Eaton. He also stole money, a check, and credit cards valued between $1,000 and $10,000 from the Egers, the filing says. The indictment includes one count of aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with the death of a dog.

Eaton was indicted earlier this month on 11 counts by a grand jury in Cumberland County. Those charges stem from the shootings on the highway, according to the Maine attorney generals office. The Cumberland County indictment says Eaton either shot or fired at six people. Three people in one car were wounded in the highway shootings, authorities said previously.

Those charges include aggravated attempted murder and elevated aggravated assault with the use of a firearm, according to court documents.

Both indictments include a charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, saying Eaton was banned from possessing guns due to a 2014 conviction for aggravated assault. Days before the shootings, Eaton was released from prison after serving two years of a sentence for aggravated assault, authorities said previously.

Eaton has a hearing scheduled for June 28, according to court documents.

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A man was arrested Friday in connection to a shooting near the vicinity of an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper, according to court documents.

On June 15, at around 1:30 p.m., an Arizona DPS trooper was on patrol using a marked police motorcycle near the southeast corner of Third Avenue and Culver Street in Phoenix.

Court documents stated that while on patrol, the officer saw a man, later identified as 35-year-old Terrence Felder, riding a bike through Margaret T. Hance Park and eventually past him.

The trooper then followed Felder, making his way to a stop sign at Fifth Avenue and Culver Street, where the officer saw the eventual unidentified victim.

According to documents, Felder approached the victim and as he did, the trooper looked out into the opposite direction of the two before hearing a single gunshot. When the DPS officer turned back around, he saw the victim fall to the ground, bleeding from the head.

Felder continued south down Fifth Avenue at a "fast pace", documents state, heading east into the park and out of the trooper's sight.

The DPS trooper provided aid to the victim until responding Phoenix Fire crews arrived to transport him to the hospital.

According to Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Robert Scherer, the victim remains hospitalized and is "in extremely critical condition."

Additional DPS troopers responded to the scene as well and were able to track down Felder under a bridge, where he was detained and identified by the initial DPS officer.

Felder had met up with a woman under the bridge. When interviewed by investigators, she told them that Felder had been with her when the gunshot was heard and that the bike in question was not his, according to court documents.

However, two additional witnesses told investigators that they had seen Felder on a bike in the area, with one stating Felder had seemed lost and was "looking around in an unusual manner."

Both witnesses said they had seen Felder change clothes as well, but in different instances. Additionally, the witnesses noted the bags Felder had been carrying, a red, black and gray duffel bag in one observation and a backpack with a red and pink design in the next.

Each of these bags was eventually located, one at the scene of the shooting along with a bullet casing, and the other where Felder was detained housing one change of clothes and the handgun that matched the lone casing.

In a post-Miranda interview, Felder denied that he shot the victim but told investigators that "he hears voices, and he did what they told him to do", documents state.

Felder was ultimately booked into jail on a $500,000 bond and faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder and one count of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man arrested after shooting near Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix
Man arrested trying to cross Canadian border after robbery in Bellingham, police say

A 30-year-old man was arrested Sunday evening after trying to cross the border into Canada in a stolen car, then jumping out and running on foot, police said.

Joshua Richardson, no hometown given, stole a car of an unknown make and model in the 4200 block at Meridian Street in Bellingham.

A Washington State Police trooper was in the area of the robbery, and Richardson rammed the stolen vehicle into the patrol car, police said. The trooper began a pursuit, but it was quickly called off, Kelsey Harding, Washington State Patrol officer, told The Bellingham Herald.

From there, Richardson drove to the border crossing in Blaine. The suspect drove through the grass approaching the border and ended up running on foot. He was taken into custody by the Canadian border patrol, but it is unknown whether he actually made it across the border, Harding said.

Richardson was transferred into the custody of Washington State Patrol.

Richardson is charged with second- and fourth-degree assault, third-degree theft, attempting to elude a police vehicle, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

He is currently in custody at the Whatcom County Jail.
Washington  A California man who prosecutors described as "one of the most violent defendants on January 6, 2021" was sentenced to 151 months  about 12  years  in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to violent and obstructive conduct during the Capitol riot.

File: Jan. 6, 2021, defendant Daniel Rodriguez / Credit: Government exhibit

Daniel "DJ" Rodriguez admitted as part of a plea agreement in February that he attacked former Washington, D.C. police officer Michael Fanone with a taser, causing him to lose consciousness, and that he worked to stop Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. Rodriguez will also have to pay $96,000 to cover medical treatment for Fanone and $2,000 in restitution for the destruction of the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Requesting a longer sentence of 14 years in prison, prosecutors said Rodriguez administered a group chat in which he and a co-defendant discussed battles and operations in Washington, D.C., before then-President Donald Trump announced his Jan. 6 rally and later planned their trip to the nation's capital after Trump sent a tweet saying the day would "be wild."

"You showed up in D.C. spoiling for a fight," Judge Amy Berman Jackson said to Rodriguez as she sentenced Rodriguez on Wednesday.

And she told his legal team that Rodriguez "was a one-man army of hate."

Jackson also said that "people need to understand that you cannot do this or anything like this again."

Rodriguez's attorneys said he was "remorseful" for his actions and even wrote a letter to Fanone in which he called the former police officer "a brave man."

"I am looking at serving a long prison sentence and no letter I write is getting me out of that. Sir, I only want to apologize from the heart," Rodriguez wrote to Fanone. "I got carried away and have never been through something like that, that made me out of my mind. I wish I was smarter. I should have protected you because I have deep respect for law enforcement, and I have always stood up for police officers."

"I have not looked at Jan. 6 the same, my actions the same," he told Jackson in court. He also made reference to his upbringing in California with a single mom and a high school education.

But after sentencing Wednesday, Rodriguez left the court yelling, "Trump won."

Fanone, who was in the courtroom Wednesday, walked out of the courtroom during Rodriguez's address, telling reporters in the hallway "I wasn't gonna listen to this guy."

In response to Rodriguez's "Trump won" comment, Fanone retorted that Rodriguez would have "13 years to think about it."

File: Daniel Rodriguez, in Trump hat, shown near police officer at Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. / Credit: Government exhibit

"Rodriguez believed the 2020 Presidential election had been stolen, and those responsible should be in prison or dead," attorneys at the Justice Department wrote in their pre-sentencing court filings, "And this mistaken belief gave him the authority, in his mind, to plan an assault on anyone who stood in his way."

He admitted in his plea agreement that on December 29, 2020, he posted in the group chat, "Congress can Hang. I'll do it. Please let us get these people dear God," court records revealed.

Days later, Rodriguez and his codefendant, Edward Badalian, traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., where they attended Trump's rally before marching to the grounds of the Capitol. Badalian was found guilty of conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding earlier this year. A federal judge dismissed one count against him.

''There will be blood. Welcome to the revolution," Rodriguez messaged on the eve of the assault.

Once at the Capitol, according to prosecutors, Rodriguez made his way to a tunnel at the building's lower west terrace  where some of the most violence attacks against police occurred  and discharged a fire extinguisher at officers. Another alleged rioter then handed him a taser and, after minutes of intense fighting, investigators allege the mob pulled Fanone from the police line and into the crowd.

"Rodriguez moved through the crowd, towards the captured officer. With his electroshock weapon in hand, Rodriguez reached his arm towards the side of Officer Fanone's neck, landing the device on the side of Officer Fanone's neck, below the left ear of Officer Fanone's helmet," prosecutors said in court filings, "Despite Officer Fanone's efforts to get away, Rodriguez struck again, placing the electroshock weapon on the back of Officer Fanone's neck."

The defendant later entered the Capitol and tried to use a wooden plank to break an office window from the inside.

"OMG I did so much f***ing s***," Rodriguez wrote after the breach, according to his plea agreement, "Tazzed the f*** out of the blue."

Prosecutors argued there was "ample" evidence that proved Rodriguez worked specifically to obstruct Congress' work that day. "Rodriguez stands convicted of actually using violence against a police officer who was defending the seat of the government while the peaceful transfer of power was occurring," they wrote.

But his defense attorney laid blame for the riot and Rodriguez's conduct on Trump, arguing in pre-sentencing filings that his client "believed the former President's lies and manipulation, just as thousands of others did when they gathered at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, with the understanding they were there on behalf of the President of the United States to protect their government."

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A Kansas man was charged Tuesday for making threats to bomb a Nashville pride event, federal prosecutors announced.

Joshua Hensley was charged with two counts of transmitting an interstate threat. In two separate Facebook comments from April, Hensley said he would commit a mass shooting and build pressure cooker bombs for the Nashville Pride Festival & Parade scheduled for this weekend.

We will not tolerate hate-based, threats of violence designed to intimidate Tennesseans, U.S. Attorney Henry Leventis said in a statement. We will continue to work with our partners at the FBI to ensure that the civil rights of all persons are protected.

Hensley was arrested last week at his home in Hoisington, Kansas, in the rural central portion of the state. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.

This years Pride Month has been marred by threats of violence. Many communities across the country have reduced or canceled Pride celebrations as LGBTQ individuals have become increasing targets for harassment and physical violence in recent years.

This is the roughest year Ive ever had, Vanessa Rodley, organizer of Mid-South Pride in Tennessee, told The Hill last month. More stressful than COVID.

Its very scary, and were nervous, but we do it for our community, she added, because our community deserves it.

Last year, a string of assaults by right-wing extremists at Pride events marked a spike in anti-LGBTQ violence in recent decades.

States including Florida and Texas have also passed numerous pieces of legislation aimed at limiting drag performances, popular among the LGBTQ community, and preventing gender-affirming care for transgender people.

LGBTQ issues have become a key part of the culture war in conservative politics, with conservatives going after companies who feature LGBTQ people in advertisements or display Pride flags or other symbols.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Man cops say sneaked into downtown Wichita hospital is charged with raping patients

A man accused of sneaking into a Wichita hospital where he sexually assaulted female patients last week was formally charged Wednesday with four counts of rape and two counts of misdemeanor battery.

Miguel Rodela, 28, of Wichita, was arrested after Wichita police say he sexually abused three females then got into a fight with security guards at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis. Police were called to the hospital in the early morning, around 2 a.m., on June 15.

Rodela, who police say was not a hospital patient or employee, made a first appearance in Sedgwick County District Court on Wednesday afternoon. Some of the four counts of rape are charged in the alternative, court records show.

In two counts, he is accused of rape involving sexual intercourse without consent and use of force, according to court records.

In another, hes accused of rape by misrepresenting intercourse as medically necessary.

In a fourth count, Rodela is accused of rape involving sexual intercourse with a physically powerless victim.

Rape is a felony crime in Kansas.

The misdemeanor battery counts allege Rodela engaged in physical contact in a rude, insulting, angry manner. Wichita police said last week Rodela battered two of the security guards he scuffled with after he was caught but before police arrived at the downtown Ascension Via Christi campus.

It wasnt immediately clear exactly how or when Rodela got into the hospital, 929 St. Francis in Wichita. A police spokesman told The Eagle last week he didnt know.

That detail and others are likely contained in Rodelas arrest affidavit, which could be released by a Sedgwick County judge in the coming weeks.

Rodela was ordered to return to court for another hearing on July 10, court records show. He remained in the Sedgwick County Jail on Wednesday afternoon. A judge set his bond at $250,000.

Responding to a request for comment Wednesday, Sedgwick County Chief Public Defender Sonya Strickland said Rodelas file hadnt yet made it to her office.
Man on death row for killing elderly Missouri couple during burglary dies in prison

A man on death row for killing an elderly couple in rural Missouri died in prison earlier this month.

Jesse Driskill died June 12, according to federal court records. The 43-year-olds cause of death is not known, but an autopsy has been requested, said Karen Pojmann, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Death row prisoners are held at Potosi Correctional Center, about 70 miles southwest of St. Louis.

Driskill was arrested in the July 2010 murders of Johnnie Wilson, 82, and his wife Coleen Wilson, 76, in Laclede County, about 180 miles southeast of Kansas City.

The couple was celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary when they caught Driskill burglarizing their home.

He shot Coleen Wilson twice and sexually assaulted her, court records said. Johnnie Wilson was shot near his cheek, but his cause of death was listed as asphyxiation from a plastic bag that was found in his throat.

Driskill was convicted in August 2013 of two counts of first-degree murder, burglary, rape and sodomy and sentenced to death for each murder count.

During an appeal before the Missouri Supreme Court, attorneys for Driskill alleged that prosecutors failed to disclose a deal with a witness and that his trial lawyers were ineffective. In 2021, the court upheld his convictions.

Last August, attorneys filed a federal petition arguing his mental health during the trial forced him to be unable to be present for parts of the proceedings, which violated his right to due process. The case was still going through the courts at the time of Driskills death.

Thirteen men remain on death row in Missouri. An execution is scheduled for one of them, Johnny Johnson, on Aug. 1.

The state has carried out three executions so far this year, killing Amber McLaughlin on Jan. 3, Leonard Raheem Taylor on Feb. 7 and Michael Tisius on June 6.
Man defies warning not to swim in Gulf of Mexico and gets arrested, Florida cops say

A bodyboarding enthusiast found himself being chased across a Northwest Florida beach by cops after he ignored dangerous surf warnings and ventured into the Gulf of Mexico, Bay County officials say.

It happened Tuesday, June 20, in Panama City Beach, and video shows Bay County deputies were applauded by beachgoers when they caught their suspect in the dunes.

Double Red Flags were posted on the beach at the time, a warning that swimming was prohibited due to dangerous surf and deadly rip currents. Panama City Beach is in the Panhandle, about 140 miles east of Pensacola.

Deputies responded to Beach Access 85 to find a man in the water with a boogie board, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Swimming conditions in the water were too dangerous for anyone, even with a Boogie Board. ... Deputies used their public address systems to alert the man to the danger. He refused to leave the water. The BCSO Air Unit hovered over the man in the water but again, he refused to leave the surf.

Boogie boarding, also known as bodyboarding, is the art of riding waves in a prone position, close to the surface of the ocean water, according to Surfer Today.

The suspect came ashore after 25 minutes and tried to outrun deputies through the large crowd that had gathered to watch, officials said.

Deputies quickly caught up and, though the man fought, he was taken into custody, officials said.

The suspect came ashore after 25 minutes and tried to outrun deputies through the large crowd that had gathered to watch, officials said.

The 38-year-old suspect, a local man, not a tourist, was charged with violation of double red flag ordinance, obstruction of justice, and resisting and battery on a law enforcement officer, officials said.

The arrest came just days after an Alabama man drowned off a Bay County beach while attempting to rescue his daughter from a rip current, McClatchy News reported. His daughter survived.

Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico is prohibited during Double Red Flag conditions, and offenders are subject to arrest and fines of $500 for the first offense. The Bay County Sheriffs Office says bodyboarding is also prohibited, and only those tethered to a surfboard can enter the water during Double Red Flags.

Dad dies on Fathers Day rescuing daughter off popular Florida beach, reports say

Spearfisherman vanished 2.5 miles off Florida coast, cops say. Body has been found

Speeding boat found racing around Florida river in the dark  with no people aboard
Mark Cuban says Joe Rogan and Elon Musk have become everything they say is wrong with the mainstream media

Joe Rogan, Mark Cuban, and Elon Musk. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC; Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images; Chesnot/Getty Images

Mark Cuban said Joe Rogan's attempt to goad a vaccine scientist into a debate was "ridiculous."

Cuban also said Rogan and Elon Musk had become everything they said was wrong with mainstream media.

Cuban later told Insider that he was just having "fun" on Twitter and wasn't "mad" at the duo.

The billionaire Mark Cuban has slammed Joe Rogan and Elon Musk on Twitter for becoming "everything" that they say is wrong with the mainstream media.

Cuban's tweet on Sunday came a day after Rogan challenged vaccine scientist Peter Hotez to debate the anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience." Hotez's subsequent refusal to debate Kennedy got Elon Musk's attention, with the Twitter owner writing on Saturday that he thought Hotez was "afraid of a public debate" on vaccines.

Cuban, a costar and investor on the "Shark Tank" television show, said Rogan's remarks were "disrespectful" after the latter called medical professionals "heartless monsters."

The businessman also said Rogan's attempt to goad Hotez into having a debate with Kennedy was "ridiculous" because debating on Rogan's home turf meant the odds would be stacked against Hotez.

"You have producers that will prepare you and you get to control the conversation. @RobertKennedyJr also has a staff ready to prepare him, and these topics are what he talks about in every speech," Cuban tweeted at Rogan. "You both do this on a daily basis. Dr Hotez works every day to try to find ways to help people."

Cuban also said that Musk and Rogan had become exactly what they said they hated about the mainstream media.

"Joe, you and @elonmusk's @twitter are the mainstream online media and your platforms have become everything supposedly wrong with MSM. You are driven by self interest. Just like the MSM always has been accused of," Cuban said.

"And you both have earned that right. You busted your asses to be great at what you do and earned all you have accomplished," Cuban added. "But don't lie to yourselves and all of us and tell us you are different. You aren't."

Musk has often been skeptical about the mainstream media in his tweets. He said in a Twitter Spaces chat in November that he preferred "citizen journalism" to traditional news outlets. And in a podcast episode Rogan released in March, he said the mainstream media was "corrupt" and "indebted to the companies that pay for their advertising."

Cuban told Insider that he had said his piece on the matter and had no further comments on his tweet.

"It wasn't anything special. And I'm not mad. Just fun on Twitter," Cuban said.

Cuban is not the only billionaire who has waded into the issue. The legendary investor Bill Ackman chimed in as well, pledging an additional $150,000 to Rogan's offer to donate $100,000 to a charity of Hotez's choice if he debates Kennedy on-air.

Hotez, for his part, agreed to go on Rogan's show to talk about vaccines, but not to debate Kennedy. The scientist also said on Sunday that getting dogpiled on by Twitter's most influential voices was "overwhelming."

Representatives for Rogan did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Twitter responded to a request for comment with an automated response that didn't address the questions asked.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As the hot Texas summer of 2023 unfolds, additional heat will surround the high-stakes impeachment drama that will unfold in Austin when the Senate weighs the fate of Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Paxton will either survive politically or not. Senators will have to assess whether they should base their vote on how the trial unfolds or what their voters want, factors that may diverge. And the 60 Republican House members who voted to impeach will wonder how that vote will affect them in primaries a little more than eight months away.

Dramatic lines are already drawn. Democratic voters dispirited by Paxtons easy re-election last year are giddy at the prospect of his derailment. Just as every House Democrat voted to impeach, all 12 Senate Democrats will surely vote to convict.Conservative public support for Paxton seems mostly unbowed, but the House Republicans voting for impeachment included many who have consistently supported him, even through these last few years of scandals and clouds.

For all of the wheels turning in various courthouses, punctuated by four attorneys sufficiently repelled to file suit against Paxton for various assertions of corruption, nothing has come to trial. The FBI probe into the whistleblowers complaints has yielded no charges.

The articles of impeachment hastily cobbled together by a House committee borrow heavily from these unproven allegations that have hovered over the voting public, which spoke definitively just seven months ago in handing him a margin of victory similar to Gov. Greg Abbotts blowout of Beto ORourke. Many Paxton supporters view the impeachment effort as an attempt to nullify that result.

But what drove the vast majority of Republican House members to join Democrats in the impeachment vote?

In replies to their own irate voters, the reasoning follows a pattern: Paxton has delivered great results, they say, but the charges in the impeachment articles were sufficiently stunning to cry out for impeachment.

Really?

What new information is contained in those 20 counts that would turn a Paxton supporter into an impeachment advocate?

Claims of uniquely shocking new information are undercut by the acknowledgment from the House managers and their Republican allies that the impeachment fires were lit by the February court settlement deal reached between Paxton and the whistleblowers.

Paxton considered the settlement a state expense that would save money compared to the potential cost of years of protracted litigation. House Speaker Dade Phelan objected strongly, sparking a valid debate over who should pay the $3.3 million agreed to by all parties.

But this launched the impeachment investigation? By definition, this means the years of controversies swirling around Paxton were not sufficient to compel such scrutiny; it took a tug-of-war over dollars to prod a committees curiosities to the point of putting Paxtons head on a block.

Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, (left) speaks with House Speaker Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, in the House in May.

Impeachment-hungry Republicans are feeling heat from voters for their hastily cultivated hostility toward the attorney general. One would think their best optics would be to appear solemnly distant from the personal and political grudges woven through this episode. Yet in a newspaper column designed to quell Republican voter anger, lead impeachment manager Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, repeated the admission that no investigative urge existed before the settlement, which he maligned as a request for hush money by Paxton.

A conscious decision to smear one side of a court-approved mutual agreement is precisely the kind of venom that fuels the belief that this is a political hit.

There is no evidence that any members of the GOP impeachment brigade represent voters who wanted Paxton impeached. They curated this passion independently and are now energetically spinning that the impeachment articles themselves gave them no choice.

Of course they had a choice. Twenty-three other Republicans found otherwise and voted no. Some in that contingent are painting a picture of an intra-party vendetta populated with GOP moderates who bristle at Paxtons conservatism, joined with fellow travelers currying favor with Phelan by putting Paxton into a career guillotine.

One key Republican impeachment supporter rejects the Phelan blood feud narrative, telling me: Dade never talked to any of us about it. Direct lobbying is not always necessary; sometimes you just know what the boss wants.

On @MarkDavis show this morning, @DanPatrick addressed calls for Senate to just dismiss Paxton impeachment:



We actually have to address the issues. If not, they could keep Ken Paxton away from doing his job forever.  In general, we have to deal with it. #txlege  Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) June 19, 2023

What Paxtons attorneys want is for the Senate to dismiss the articles summarily, finding them insufficient for the time and energy of a trial. That appeared less likely this week as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who will preside over the Senate proceeding, told me: In general, we have to deal with it.  We actually have to address the issues.

When they do, are there nine Senate Republicans who will join the dozen Democrats to reach the two-thirds bar of 21 needed to convict? As in the House, not one of them was elevated to office by voters who now want Paxton ousted. So is that their beacon, or will the trial supply such damning evidence that minds are changed among those senators and their voters?

Impeachments are political, not judicial. Senators may call on whatever logic they wish, leaning on evidence presented, the mood of the electorate today and possible consequences in the primaries if a vote to impeach is not popular. The 60 House members voting for impeachment are already planning to soothe voter wrath with campaigns filled with reminders of the conservative successes of the session.

While many Republicans in the House have been speaking at length about their votes for or against impeachment, senators have been uniformly silent, aware of the delicacy of their role as jurors. But soon, they will speak through their votes. They may not share the priorities that guided them, but voters will immediately make their reactions clear.

Mark Davis hosts a morning radio show in Dallas-Fort Worth on 660-AM and at 660amtheanswer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @markdavis.
Marketing teams are using AI to generate content, boost SEO, and develop branding to help save time and money, study finds

Dozens of marketing teams are using AI to enhance the quality of their content, study finds. dowell/Getty Images

Dozens of companies are using AI tools to enhance their marketing strategies, a Bynder study found.

More than 55% of Bynder's clients surveyed use AI to generate content drafts and enhance their SEO.

The findings come as businesses integrate ChatGPT into their workflows to boost their bottom line.

The marketing industry is embracing AI with open arms, a new study found.

In May, Bynder, a digital asset management platform, surveyed 104 of its clients like Spotify, Canon, and Puma to see how their marketing teams are adopting AI tools to enhance their content production processes.

More than 55% of clients who responded to the survey said they are using AI to automate time-consuming tasks as a way to boost productivity.

Out of Bynder's clients who use AI, 54% of them said they're using the tech to generate initial drafts for content, whether for social media posts or landing page copy, the study found.

Clients are also using AI to optimize their content, improve spelling and grammar, and paraphrase information, according to the study. As a result, marketing teams have gotten the tech to brainstorm ideas, come up with grabby hooks, and complete research tasks.

Marketing teams are even deploying AI by having the tech repurpose content and develop the voice of their companies' brand.

Some clients believe AI can improve the quality of their marketing content.

"Allowing an AI to learn a company's intended tone of voice, speaker level, etc. could be valuable," one respondent told Bynder.

Bynder's study comes as businesses and workers alike integrate cutting-edge AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT into their marketing efforts to maximize productivity.

Peggy Dean, an artist who runs a ChatGPT course for creatives on Skillshare, told Insider that she uses the AI chatbot to enhance her SEO practices and write product descriptions, which she credits to saving time and helping her enroll more than 3,500 new students in her course as of April.

Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, the founder of a boutique consulting firm, told Insider she has used ChatGPT to create marketing materials like industry-specific articles and generate personalized business proposals.

High-level executives agree that AI can boost a marketing team's bottom line. Jonathan Adashek, the senior vice president of marketing and communications at tech titan IBM, believes marketing leaders will fall behind if they don't embrace AI as part of their content strategy.

"AI will be instrumental in serving up the right content for the right people in the right place," Adashek told Insider.

The respondents to Bynder's survey believe that, moving forward, they can use AI for more advanced tasks like personalizing website content based on an individual's browsing history or building chatbots that can help visitors navigate through their websites.

But that doesn't mean AI should replace humans.

"It's vital businesses don't look to replace human creativity with AI," Warren Daniels, the chief marketing officer at Bynder, wrote in the study. "AI should be embedded into existing processes and viewed as a mechanic to free up time for teams to focus on more creative tasks."

"AI should be used in a managed or controlled way to enable human creativity, not hamper it," he added.

Bynder didn't respond to Insider's immediate request for comment before publication.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Marks Organix eyes deal to open shop in Wells despite new cap on marijuana dispensaries

WELLS, Maine  Mark Quinn still has high hopes he will be able to open a medical marijuana dispensary in town despite a Wells vote to limit the number of dispensaries to three.

For Quinn, that will require some negotiation with town officials, as he is the fourth applicant to have a proposed dispensary approved by the towns Planning Board. In addition to Curaleaf, which opened in Wells two years ago, the board approved two other proposed dispensaries earlier this year.

As they processed his application for Marks Organix at 665 Post Road, local officials made clear to Quinn that, as the fourth approved dispensary, he would have to cease operations or risk violating the towns cap-inducing, retroactive ordinance if approved by voters.

Mark Quinn, right, and Johnny Gallagher are seen here in the lobby of Marks Organix, the cannabis store that Quinn owns and Gallagher manages on State Road in Kittery, Maine, on April 19, 2023. Quinn is hoping to expand his business into Wells, Maine.

Voters approved the cap on June 13 by a vote of 952 to 432.

York County election 2023: Ogunquit OK's $12M town campus, Wells caps dispensaries

The day after the town vote, however, Quinn said he had met with his legal team and is moving full speed ahead with his goal of opening a new medical marijuana shop.

Were looking forward to working with the town of Wells to find a resolution, Quinn said. We entered this process in good faith six or seven months ago, and we have invested a lot of time and money into the process.

Quinn said he had not yet reached out to the town but expressed hopes that he and the Wells Select Board could reach some kind of a consent agreement that would allow him to proceed with his plans.

During an interview last month, Select Board Chair John MacLeod III said he could not say whether the Select Board would grant a consent agreement to Quinn. However, MacLeod added, he and the board would at least discuss the request if Quinn makes one.

"Looking at precedent, the board takes the time to listen to anyone and everyone," he said. "We take democracy seriously."

Forest bathing: How this Maine nature therapy guide says it can change your life

Quinn said while he may be the fourth applicant, he is confident he will be the second to open a dispensary in the community.

We already have a building that we are ready to move into, he said. It needs little outfitting. We are six months away from opening our doors.

Hazy Hill Farm, the second successful applicant, is aiming to open its new shop at 1616 Post Road this August, according to David Stephenson, who owns the Portland-based business.

A representative of the third applicant approved to open a dispensary in the plaza at 279 Post Road could not be reached for comment.

Quinn also said his business is a local one  something he said the town should take into account. Currently, Marks Organix comprises a medical marijuana store in Kittery and two cultivation centers in York.

Quinn said the idea of the town allowing an out-of-state company, such as Curaleaf, to open in the community but denying that opportunity to a local business is ludicrous.

The Planning Board approved Quinns application in early May. From there, Quinn campaigned against the proposed ordinance, posting signs along Route 1 that urged voters to reject it at the polls.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Marks Organix fights to open marijuana shop in Wells despite cap
Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard member accused of leaking highly classified military documents, pleaded not guilty to six federal felony charges in Worcester Federal Court Wednesday.

Texeria is facing six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information after allegedly sharing classified military documents about Russias war in Ukraine and other sensitive national security topics on the social media platform Discord. The 21-year-old North Dighton resident will remain in federal custody until his next hearing.

JUST IN: MA Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira pleads not guilty to all 6 federal felony charges for leaking highly classified military information. Hell remain in federal custody until his next hearing. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/zKuqeCgeaH  Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) June 21, 2023

The breach exposing closely held intelligence has sparked international concern and raised fresh questions about Americas ability to safeguard its secrets.

A magistrate judge ruled last month that Teixeira must remain in jail while the case plays out, saying that releasing Teixeira would pose a risk that he would attempt to flee the country or obstruct justice.

The judge also cited Teixeiras fascination with guns, disturbing online statements, and admonitions by Teixeiras military superiors about his handling of sensitive information before his arrest.

Teixeira was first taken into custody in April when federal agents swarmed his home.

Teixeiras attorney has said his client will answer the charges and will be judged by his fellow citizens. In pushing for his release, Teixeiras attorneys argued that the government isnt alleging Teixeira ever intended that the information be widely disseminated.

Teixeiras family said in an emailed statement last month that they remain committed as ever to supporting him.

Our entire family continues to share complete and unwavering support of Jack as he faces this matter. The important thing is Jack will now have his day in court. And as we move through this process, we are hopeful that Jack will be getting the fair and just treatment he deserves, said Teixeiras family.

Investigators believe Teixeira was the leader of a private chat group called Thug Shaker Central, where enthusiasts shared jokes, talked about their favorite types of guns and discussed wars, including Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Authorities say Teixeira, who enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2019, began around January sharing military secrets with other Discord users  first by typing out classified documents and then sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Teixeira worked as a a cyber transport systems specialist, essentially an IT specialist responsible for military communications networks.

Prosecutors say he continued to leak government secrets even after he was warned by superiors about mishandling and improper viewing of classified information. After being admonished by superiors last year, he was again seen in February viewing information not related to the intelligence field, not his primary duty, according to internal Air National Guard memos filed in court.

Each count Teixeira faces is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

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SEABROOK  A Massachusetts man died after he crashed into a bridge abutment on Interstate 95 in Seabrook Tuesday night.

New Hampshire State police responded to the crash at 8:11 p.m. after receiving a report that a white van struck a bridge abatement at the Route 107 overpass on I-95 North and was smoking.

When officers arrived, they found the operator was entrapped and unresponsive inside the 2012 Chevrolet Express van. Upon extraction, police said the operator was confirmed to have succumbed to the injuries sustained during the crash.

A Massachusetts man died after he crashed into a bridge abutment on Interstate 95 in Seabrook Tuesday night.

The man, identified as Eraldo Bezerra, 77, of Hudson, was declared deceased by emergency medical personnel at the scene.

State police said the preliminary investigation showed that the Chevrolet Express van left the roadway on the right side for an unknown reason, traveled approximately 200 feet in the grass, and struck the bridge abutment at the Route 107 overpass. The van came to its final rest in the right breakdown lane, police said.

More: Off-duty firefighters save woman in burning car after East Kingston crash, police say

Two travel lanes of I-95 North, according to police, were shut down for approximately 2  hours to allow for the investigation and to remove the vehicle.

State police were assisted at the scene by the Seabrook Fire Department. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Seth Parker at Seth.W.Parker@dos.nh.gov.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Massachusetts man killed in crash on I-95 North in Seabrook
Massachusetts man killed in crash in Seabrook, NH, state police say

A 77-year-old Massachusetts man was killed in a crash on Interstate 95 in Seabrook on Tuesday night, state police said.

Eraldo Bezerra of Hudson, Massachusetts died in the crash that occurred around 8 p.m. Tuesday, state police said.

At approximately 8:11 p.m., troopers responded to the report of a serious motor vehicle crash on I-95 north in the town of Seabrook.

A white 2012 Chevrolet Express van had struck a bridge abutment and it was smoking, state police said.

When emergency crews arrived, they found the driver, later identified as Bezerra, trapped inside the van and unresponsive, state police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation found that the Chevrolet Express Van left the roadway on the right side for an unknown reason, traveled approximately 200 feet in the grass and then struck the bridge abutment at the Route 107 overpass, state police said. The van came to final rest in the right breakdown lane.

Two travel lanes of I-95 north were shut down for approximately two and a half hours while investigators were on scene.

The Seabrook Fire Department responded to assist state police.

This crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Seth Parker at Seth.W.Parker@dos.nh.gov.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A fight between rival gangs at a womens prison in Honduras on Tuesday quickly escalated into a riot that killed dozens of inmates.

The riot at the prison in Tamara, around 30 miles outside the capital city of Tegucigalpa, started after rival gangs Barrio 18 and MS-13 clashed inside the facility early Tuesday morning.

Sandra Rodriguez Vargas, the assistant commissioner for Honduras prison system, said attackers cleared out security guards at 8 a.m. Tuesday then opened gates to an adjoining cell block. The women started a fire and started massacring the other inmates with weapons.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro decried the "monstrous murder" of 46 inmates, which she blamed on street gangs. Authorities found dozens of bodies after the fighting subsided, with some of the victims believed to have no ties to either of the gangs that instigated the incident.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST SHOT TO DEATH IN HONDURAS 6 MONTHS AFTER ACTIVIST BROTHER SLAIN

Yuri Mora, the spokesman for Honduras national police investigation agency, said that 26 inmates had burned to death, while the remainder died from gunshot wounds or stabbings. At least seven inmates received treatment at a hospital in the capital, with most of them dying later in the day.

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Castro promised her government would take "drastic measures" after determining that the riot was "planned by maras (street gangs) with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities." Officials did not have any answer as to how the gangs managed to smuggle weapons into the prison.

CHINA'S XI JINPING HOSTS HONDURAS' XIOMARA CASTRO AS CONTROVERSY OVER CUBA SPYING SWIRLS IN US

Other women died from fires, Castro said, stressing that she stands in "solidarity with the families." Castro promised additional efforts to "combat organized crime and dismantle the boycott against security fostered from inside prisons."

The riot now accounts for the deadliest one at a female prison detention center in Central America since 2017, when a fire set at a Guatemala prison killed 41 girls. The worst such disaster in Honduras killed 361 inmates during a fire in 2012.

FORMER SALVADORAN PRESIDENT ALFREDO CRISTIANI CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH 1989 JESUIT MASSACRE

Officials described the deaths as a "terrorist act" but admitted that the gangs control some parts of the prison, as well as other prisons across the country.

Julissa Villanueva, head of the countrys penal system, speculated that the riot occurred in response to government raids on prisons across the country that tried to pull control from powerful gangs and remove security guards taking bribes to help them.

Villanueva promised that the government would "not back down" from these efforts despite the significant resistance they face.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered the remains of an ancient Maya city deep in the jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Experts found several pyramid-like structures measuring more than 15m (50ft) in height.

Pottery unearthed at the site appears to indicate it was inhabited between 600 and 800 AD, a period known as Late Classic.

Archaeologists have named the site Ocomtun (Mayan for stone column).

The abundance of stone columns inspired the name researchers gave the city

The Maya are considered to have been one of the great civilisations of the Western Hemisphere, renowned for their pyramid temples and great stone buildings in an area which is now southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.

These latest remains were found in an ecological reserve in the state of Campeche, an area so dense with vegetation that it has been little explored.

Mexico's National Institute for Anthropology and History (INAH) said that its discovery was the result of field work aimed at documenting the archaeology of the Central Maya Lowlands, an area spanning 3,000 sq km of uninhabited jungle.

INAH said that airborne laser scanning carried out by the University of Houston had helped the research team spot "numerous concentrations of pre-Hispanic structures".

Ivan Sprajc, who led the team, said they had been most surprised by the discovery of an elevated terrain surrounded by wetlands.

On that elevated terrain, they found several large buildings, including a number of pyramid-shaped ones measuring more than 15m.

"The site would have served as an important regional centre," Mr Sprajc said in a statement released by INAH.

The cylindrical stone columns which prompted the researchers to name the site Ocomtun were probably entrances to rooms in the upper parts of the buildings, he added.

According to Mr Sprajc the site probably underwent considerable changes between 800 and 1000 AD before falling victim to the collapse of the Lowland Maya civilisation in the 10th Century.
Mayor Adams says NYC will respond to e-bike complaints within 12 hours after latest deadly blaze

Mayor Adams, reacting Wednesday to a deadly spate of city e-bike fires this year, promised a crackdown on sketchy vendors and a faster response to New Yorkers complaints about their businesses.

Adams, speaking three blocks from the Chinatown building where four people perished in a Tuesday e-bike blaze, said 311 calls about questionable activity at bike repair shops will now be answered within 12 hours by the FDNY.

E-bikes are an important part of our transportation network and essential to many small businesses, the mayor said at a news conference. But there will be zero tolerance for activity that puts New Yorkers at risk.

The current window for the FDNY response stands at 72 hours. City officials cited a huge uptick this year in fires linked to e-bikes, with 13 people killed in 108 incidents to date.

The mayors announcement came one day after a raging e-bike blaze killed four Chinatown residents and left two more critically injured, with authorities blaming the fire on a repair shop previously cited for unsafe conditions.

The mayor urged New Yorkers to remain alert to warning signs like the sale of refurbished batteries, mazes of extension cords and lack of proper licenses.

A 71-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman were among the dead at the six-story Chinatown apartment building where the e-bike business operated on the ground floor.

Police identified the male victims wife as 65-year-old Mei Kung, who remained in critical condition Wednesday after the fire at HQ E-Bike Repair.

I cannot stress how dangerous these fires are because of how quickly they spread, said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks. They are avoidable and thats what makes this more of a tragedy.

The Chinatown blaze began around 12:15 a.m., with fire and smoke quickly billowing through the building after starting inside the street-level business.

Adams thanked FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh for bringing the e-bike battery problem to his attention. The two city officials walked together to the fire scene after the news conference.

The loss of four lives is something that should impact us all, said the mayor. Lets be proactive to prevent this incident from recurring.

Authorities said the Chinatown business was twice cited by the city since 2021, with a failed inspection last year leading to a $1,600 fine. Fire marshals said the e-bike business violations included charging batteries stacked next to each other and plugged into extension cords.

The FDNY said those violations could have easily cause a fire.

Its a shame that innocent lives got taken for some shoddy guy, said Anthony Dellatacoma, 36, a neighborhood homeless man who witnessed the deadly blaze. Its overcrowded with bikes. He does work on the bikes outside.

A smoldering pile of charred e-bikes were piled outside the store hours after the inferno was extinguished.

Tragic, scary ... smoke, flames, it was crazy, said a man who lives on the block near the business. I heard the screams of kids. Worst thing Ive ever seen. People were evacuating  everyone, old folks.
Mayor Quinton Lucas and all but one of the six incumbent members of the Kansas City Council running for re-election had an easy time of it in Tuesdays general election, securing new four-year terms.

Councilman Brandon Ellington was the lone exception, losing his 3rd District at large seat to newcomer Melissa Patterson Hazley by a wide margin as he did in the April 4 primary.

Which means there will be seven new faces on the city council when Lucas gavels in the new council on Aug. 1.

If there was a unifying theme of this low-turnout election, it was that council candidates generally agreed on the need to combat crime, foster more affordable housing and improve city services. Where voters might find differences was in evaluating how committed the candidates were to addressing those issues in the next four years.

Only in the race for mayor, which featured the long-shot candidacy of Clay Chastain, was there much rancor, and all of it was on the challengers side due to Chastains frustration with Lucas refusal to debate him.

At his victory party Tuesday night, Lucas said hell spend the next four years working with the new council building a better city for everyone and that he has never been afraid to do whats right.

Asked what he hopes to accomplish, Lucas said:

I think we need to continue to improve our neighborhoods in different parts of the city. We have aging housing stock, we continue to lose population in east Kansas City, south Kansas City and in southern Clay County. I think strong neighborhoods help build safer communities, help build more investment long term.

Mayor

Lucas barely campaigned for re-election, even before winning the April primary four to one against perennial candidate and Bedford, Virginia, resident Chastain. He got a similar result on Tuesday, receiving 81% of the vote.

This was the fifth out of the last nine elections that Chastain has run for mayor on a platform promoting his mass transit dreams. In the four previous times he ran, Chastain failed to make it past the primary election, finishing third or lower in contests against former mayors Emanuel Cleaver, Kay Barnes and Sly James. Four years ago, he came in 10th in an 11-person field from which Lucas emerged to become the citys third Black mayor. And like Cleaver and James before him, he has earned a second term.

Chastain, who listed his sisters Kansas City address in filing for office, only made it to the general election this time because the city charter says the top two primary finishers advance to the general, and he was Lucas only challenger.

1st District at large

Incumbent Councilman Kevin ONeill had no trouble winning a second term against Ronda Smith, garnering 72% of the vote. ONeill, a centrist Democrat, had support from a long string of labor groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police.

Also a big supporter of law enforcement, Smith helped lead a campaign a couple of years ago to unseat city council members who had voted to cut police funding. Unfortunately for her, ONeill wasnt one of them, so she had no wedge issue to campaign on.

2nd District at large

With backing from labor, law enforcement and business, political newcomer Lindsay French narrowly won in this citywide race against Jenay Manley, who lost by 3 percentage points. French got 51.6% of the votes to Manleys 48.4%. French replaces Teresa Loar, who was term limited.

The outcome was a blow to the political ambitions of KC Tenants, the affordable housing advocacy group of which Manley is a key leader. French largely stayed out of the media spotlight, whereas Manley and KC Tenants had an aggressive get-out-the-vote and media strategy.

3rd District at large

The odds were stacked against Brandon Ellington winning re-election after Melissa Patterson Hazley trounced him in the April primary. Over the previous three election cycles, all 25 candidates who got more than half the vote in the primary went on to win in the general election. Patterson Hazley got 57.5% of the vote in April and 60.5% in this go-around.

Incumbent Brandon Ellington and Melissa Patterson Hazley faced off for the 3rd District at large seat on the Kansas City Council.

Like French, Patterson Hazleys candidacy drew widespread support from myriad interest groups. She sold herself as a savvy problem solver who could work with others and get things done. Whereas Ellington, a self-proclaimed full-time revolutionary, marketed himself as an independent voice who was no rubber stamp for the city administration.

4th District at large

Not until Election Day was it clear who would win the race to succeed Kathryn Shields as the 4th District at large representative.

Crispin Rea finished far ahead of Justin Short in the primary, but it wasnt clear which of them would get the support of voters who preferred the other three candidates in that primary race.

Short won big in his native Northland in Tuesdays general election, but fell far short with voters south of the Missouri River, where Rea built his career and earned his political chops. The outcome: Rea, 57%, Short, 43%.

Rea, an assistant county prosecutor and former Kansas City school board member, becomes the first Hispanic member since Mike Hernandez in the 1990s.

One of Shorts main campaign selling points was that he would be a full-time council member, drawing a comparison between his thin resume  he worked on a cruise boat for seven years and more recently was manager of the apartment building where he lives  versus Rea having a full-time job putting bad guys in jail.

5th District at large

Another toss-up ahead of the general was the 5th District at large race to replace incumbent Lee Barnes, who was term-limited. Darrell Curls and Michael Kelley came in first and second ahead of former Jackson County legislator Theresa Cass Galvin in the primary, but neither got much more than a third of the votes cast.

The question was who would attract the larger share of support from voters who favored Galvin, the Republican in a nonpartisan race against two Democrats. Kelley, the more progressive of the two, came in second to Curls, who had the backing of big labor and the Black political club Freedom Inc.

Curls got 56% of the vote to Kelleys 44%.

6th District at large

The outcome of the 6th District at large race was never in question after Andrea Bough claimed 61% of the vote in Aprils three-way primary. Bough, the incumbent, won a second term by beating Jill Sasse, 72% to 28%.

1st District

A high school teacher with conservative credentials, including a stint working with the right-learning Show Me Institute, Nathan Willets repeated his primary election performance by once again beating former Clay County Democratic Party chair Chris Gahagan.

It was 63% for Willet and 37% for Gahagan. Albeit a non-partisan race, Willetts conservative political leanings better fit this Northland district now represented by Heather Hall, who endorsed Willett to replace her as she exits the council after eight years due to term limits.

2nd District

Former Democratic state Rep. Wes Rogers ran unopposed for the seat now held by Dan Fowler, who was term limited.

3rd District

Incumbent Melissa Robinson easily won re-election over Sheri Hall, who she crushed in their two-person primary race.

She did it again on Tuesday, receiving 84% of the general election vote and guaranteeing that Robinson will have another four years to press the city administration to focus on issues that she feels are most important, including better city services for her East Side constituents, crime prevention and more accountability from City Manager Brian Platt. She has been Platts biggest critic on the council.

4th District

First-term incumbent Eric Bunch got more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary over long-time politico Henry Rizzo and Bunchs former legislative aide, Crissy Dastrup. Hes had the wind at his back ever since and beat Rizzo 67% to 33% on Tuesday.

The former chief advocate for BikeWalkKC, Bunch promises to continue focusing on transportation issues, such as improved mass transit and more bike lanes.

City Councilman Eric Bunch spoke at the August 2021 opening of the Pride Progress Crosswalk at West 39th and Summit streets in Midtown.

5th District

Incumbent Ryana Parks Shaw was unopposed for a second term.

6th District

Veteran politico Dan Tarwater came up short on Tuesday, losing this open seat to Johnathan Duncan, who like Manley is a key advocate for the KC Tenants affordable housing group.

Tarwater served on the Jackson County Legislature for 28 years and for most of that time never faced a tough re-election bid. He ran for council after a set of new legislative district maps found him no longer living inside the district he had represented since the 1990s.

Tarwater finished first in the primary, but he got less than half the votes in a four-way contest. Duncan and two other candidates split the rest.

Duncan had no political experience, but benefited from a strong get-out-the-vote effort organized by KC Tenants, and got 56% of the vote when the polls closed on Tuesday.

Late in the campaign, a political action committee funded primarily by Tarwater supporters, including the unions representing firefighters, carpenters and the police, hit Duncan with mailers labeling him an extremist, accusing him of wanting to defund the police, provide free housing and forbid evictions for any reason.

A combat veteran who is on the staff of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in midtown Kansas City, Duncan was left open to the attacks because of his volunteerism with KC Tenants and support of spending money on violence prevention.

But Tarwaters opponents dinged him for being out of step with district constituents due to conservative stances on crime, abortion and masking requirements during the pandemic.

Editors note: This story has been updated to correct a reference to an Hispanic member of the council in the 1990s. The former council member was Mike Hernandez.
MBTA bus drivers facing threats, assaults in a series of attacks when working in Boston

The MBTA says at least two bus drivers in the past 24 hours have faced threats and assaults during their routes in Boston.

In one incident, Transit Police say a male passenger threatened to assault the bus driver for unknown reasons, before punching the window at Nubian Square.

6/19 8AM Rt.28 Blue Hill Ave/Harvard a male passenger was verbally abusive to #MBTA operator for unknown reasons. Upon arrival at Nubian Sq. the subj. threatened to assault operator then w/a closed fist punched the window. Bus taken out of service. TPD detectives to investigate. pic.twitter.com/7BRHKz58JD  MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) June 20, 2023

On the same day in a second incident, several male teens were acting disorderly on a bus at South Bay. When the driver requested they stop, one of the teens shot the MBTA operator with a pellet gun and ran away. The bus driver declined medical attention, police said.

Police located the group at Andrew Square Station and arrested the teen responsible.

MBTA officials said they take the assaults seriously and are committed to supporting workers.

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.

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Tens of thousands of wounded service members could see their disability payouts significantly boosted under a measure advanced by a key congressional committee on Wednesday.

The measure  known as the Major Richard Star Act  still faces a long legislative path ahead. But for veterans advocates who have been pushing for the reforms for years, Wednesdays action represents a significant step forward in addressing what they say is an injustice for troops who have already sacrificed so much on behalf of their country.

The bill passed out of the House Armed Services Committee by a unanimous voice vote, despite concerns from some conservative lawmakers about the costs of the measure and the lack of budget offsets included in the legislation for now.

Fixing disability and retirement pay is Congress next big vets issue

Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said he plans to work with leadership and the Veterans Affairs committee to see if an offset can be found for this bill in coming weeks. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the plan will cost roughly $9.75 billion over the next 10 years.

But he backed moving the legislation ahead because under current rules, veterans are unfairly forced to forfeit a portion of the benefits they rightly earned.

Since 2004, veterans who have a disability rating of at least 50% have received their full military retirement pay and disability benefits, a combined total that can amount to several thousand dollars each month.

But veterans who have a disability rating of less than 50% are subject to dollar-for-dollar offsets under federal rules. That can mean a loss of several hundred dollars a month for some individuals who depend on those stipends to supplement their family income.

Officials from Wounded Warrior Project have estimated that as many as 50,000 medical retirees nationwide are hurt by the current policy. Most of those veterans were forced out of the service early by a significant injury and may have limited job options in the civilian business sector as a result.

The Richard Star Act  named for an Army veteran who died in 2021 of cancer related to burn pit exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan  would allow all combat-wounded veterans medically discharged before serving 20 years to receive both retirement and disability pay, without any reductions. Veterans must be eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation to qualify.

While Wednesdays action in the House committee was quick and straightforward, the next steps for the legislation are less clear. The Senate has introduced but not moved on the measure. The earliest that action could come on the bill in the House is July, but it will be competing for time with high-profile appropriations issues and the annual defense authorization bill.
The News

A marine tech technician who said he took two dives on board OceanGate's Titan submersible during its testing phase in 2019, including a record-setting one, is slamming "armchair experts" for their criticism of the vehicle's design and safety features.

"I am saddened by all the misinformation that is floating around, and the accusations from armchair experts about the lack of build quality of Titan, or by the lack of technical prowess of the whole team," Petros Mathioudakis told Semafor on Wednesday.

The Titan  with five people on board  went missing on Monday during an expedition to the Titanic wreckage. It now has less than 20 hours of oxygen left with search and rescue efforts still ongoing.

Know More

The New York Times on Wednesday revealed that in 2018, over three dozen industry leaders, oceanographers, and deep-sea explorers had warned OceanGate and its CEO Stockton Rush about the "experimental" design of the Titan and had urged the the company to allow third-party evaluation to avoid "catastrophic" problems.

At least two previous OceanGate employees had also raised alarms about the vessel's safety, with one refusing to perform manned test dives. He was later fired and sued for revealing company secrets.

CBS News' David Pogue, who took a dive on the Titan last year for a news report, had described the the apparent "improvised design" of the Titan which used an off-brand Playstation controller and lighting bought at an outdoor goods store. He also pointed out at the time that the Titan relied on text messages while communicating with the mothership. Pogue said he witnessed the Titan go missing for five hours last year and that OceanGate cut the WiFi onboard to stop people from tweeting about the incident.

However Pogue said that during his tour, the company adhered to rigorous safety inspections and briefings, and that the Titan has seven emergency ascent systems in place, including a timed-release sandbag that would deploy after 14 hours underwater even if the occupants have passed out.

The View From The Mechanic

Mathioudakis told Semafor that he was never an official employee of OceanGate but had been subcontracted as a technician for separate company projects and had developed friendships with CEO Stockton Rush and French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, who are currently on board the missing Titan along with three other passengers.

Mathioudakis said that he had completed two dives on the Titan with Rush in 2019, including a "record-setting" one on the submersible where he was part of a four-member crew that reached the "Titanic-level" depth of 3,760 meters (12,336 feet) in the Bahamas.

"When you are thinking about friends on board, hope has to be kept, [and] that even with odds against them that there is chance of success," he said Wednesday.

Mathioudakis said that the safety concerns raised by the two former OceanGate employees in 2018, as well as the letter from industry leaders, were "before the extensive testing completed in 2019." He added that OceanGate had responded to those concerns in the past and changed the hull to increase the level of safety.

"The nature of building submersibles to handle the pressures of these depths means that there is no set boundary or set of parameters that they can all fit into, each one is unique," Mathioudakis told Semafor.

"Titan is one of a small handful of vehicles that can take passengers to those depths. Many regulatory bodies expect an exact replica to be built to study and test, which is not an attainable request. This is not a mass-produced vehicle, this is 1 of 1," he said.

In response to criticism leveled at the lack of sophisticated communication on the Titan, Mathioudakis said that communication losses were not uncommon as "it is very hard to communicate through the water compared to through the air."

"Triangulating the exact position of the sub is also no easy feat," he said, adding that the submersible has an iridium beacon that can send an update via satellite to the mothership when it surfaces.

He clarified that Elon Musk's Starlink was only the internet provider aboard the mothership MV Polar Prince and that the Titan used a set of marine radios and an antenna to communicate with the mothership while it was at the surface.
Mecklenburg County has a new director of Child, Family and Adult Services -- a woman who previously resigned from a role leading Charlottes Racial Equity Initiative.

Tuesday marked Kim Hendersons first day in the new county position.

RELATED:

Last year, amid controversy, Henderson quickly resigned after being hired to lead the initiative in February 2022. The Mayors Racial Equity Initiative is a $250-million campaign to help address racial equity in the Queen City.

A state audit of Hendersons work as director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services found billions of dollars in overpayments. Claims of fraud totaled $3.8 billion, which prompted calls for a criminal investigation.

The State Auditors Office in Ohio said during the time when Henderson worked there, they found more than $475 million had been paid to criminals and more than $3.3 billion in overpayments in the states unemployment system during the pandemic.

Henderson said she resigned because she did not want public misperceptions to jeopardize her work in Charlotte.

Foreign and domestic criminals used the pandemic as an opportunity to defraud unemployment benefits systems across the nation at an unprecedented scale, she said in a statement last year.

(WATCH RELATED: Charlottes equity initiative leader resigns after questions surrounding previous role in Ohio)
Mexican man living in KC sentenced to life in prison after conviction for kidnapping

A Mexican national residing in Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to life in prison without parole on charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in death from a 2017 case.

Juan Osorio, 30, was found guilty of the charges during his trial in December 2022, along with co-conspirator Jonathan Bravo-Lopez, who was found guilty on the same charges. In the trial, Osorio was also found guilty of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas City Police , and Kansas City, Kansas Police.

According to prosecutors, both Osorio and Bravo-Lopez arranged to purchase $300 of marijuana from victim Cristian Escutia at his home in April 2017.

Surveillance video captured Osorio and Bravo-Lopez forcing Escutia into their vehicle at gunpoint. Escutia was then transported by the men across state lines before authorities said he was fatally shot three times in the chest.

Sentencing for Bravo-Lopez is scheduled for July.
(Bloomberg) -- Mexicos power grid is on alert after a record-breaking, nationwide heat wave has strained it for weeks.

Most Read from Bloomberg

National grid operator Cenace said its operational reserves stood below 6% on Tuesday night. Power demand broke an all-time record Tuesday, according to newspaper Reforma.

El Norte newspaper reported at least seven people had allegedly died Tuesday in the northern state of Nuevo Leon where temperatures reached 42C (108F).

Some towns in the western state of Michoacan have seen temperatures rise to 45C. The town of Huetamo has experienced power outages for three days, leading people to sleep out on the street, Reforma newspaper reported, adding that many shops have closed and classes have been suspended.

The current heat wave is atypical because it has been too aggressive and prolonged, it has already lasted 20 days, Alejandra Mendez, coordinator of Mexicos meteorological service, said in an interview with Televisa on Tuesday. We should be having a rainy season in June, she said.

Read More: Texas Power Prices Soar 80% in a Matter of Hours Amid Heat Wave

Stays Hot

There is a 50% chance above normal temperatures will persist across much of Mexico through July 11, according to the US Climate Prediction Centers global hazards outlook.

The same oppressive heat that has been bearing down on Texas is also baking Mexico and there doesnt appear to be any real relief until early next week, said Tom Kines, a meteorologist with commercial-forecaster AccuWeather Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania.

High pressure has set up over Texas and Mexico and once it gets hot it stays hot, he said.

All through June, high temperatures in Mexico City have been at least 5.5C above normal and for the last 11 days it has reached into the 30sC, Kines said.

The upper high thats fostering the intense heat in Texas and Mexico is part of an unusually fragmented and contorted jet-stream pattern across North America, said Bob Henson, a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections.

AMLO Says Routine

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday minimized Cenaces alert, calling the reduced reserves routine and said power across the country was guaranteed.

Theres always a reserve margin, and it was reduced because of the increased demand, but we dont have a problem, he said during his regular morning press conference.

Lopez Obrador said the Health Ministry had only reported eight heat-related deaths for the entire year.

Read More: Taps Run Dry: Heat and Severe Drought Ravage Monterrey, Mexico

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Miami-Dade police are investigating allegations of an assault and battery involving Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill at Haulover Beach Marina Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson told the Miami Herald Tuesday evening.

Miami-Dade Police Spokesman Angel Rodriguez said he wasnt up to date on the particulars, but that police were notified on Monday of the alleged incident at 10800 Collins Avenue.

READ MORE: Tyreek Hill has a history of legal problems relating to alleged violence

He said police interviewed the alleged victim and have passed information on to detectives. It wasnt immediately clear if they had contacted Hill. The star wideout had not been charged with any crime as of Tuesday evening.

The allegation was some sort of battery, Rodriguez said. We are looking into the matter.

According to a tip received by Local 10 News, at around 6 p.m. Sunday, Hill, 29, got into a disagreement with a charter company employee and ended up hitting the man.

READ MORE: Dolphins, who have added players with past legal troubles, felt comfortable with Hill

In a statement to the Herald on Tuesday night, a spokesperson for the Dolphins said: We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with Tyreek, his representatives and the NFL. We will reserve further comment at this time.

Hills agent didnt immediately respond to the Heralds request for comment.

The six-time Pro Bowlers past legal troubles include having pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery charges when he was in college.

This is a developing story.

Staff writers Daniel Oyefusi and Chuck Rabin contributed to this report.
Several of Michael Jackson's fedoras have been auctioned, including this one, which was sold in December, 2009 in Los Angeles (GABRIEL BOUYS)

The black fedora worn by pop superstar Michael Jackson just before he dazzled the world with his moonwalk dance for the first time will be up for grabs in September during a Paris auction of music memorabilia.

The King of Pop whipped off the hat while breaking into his hit "Billie Jean" during a televised Motown concert in 1983.

A few minutes later Jackson, at the height of his fame, showed off what would become his trademark move -- a seemingly effortless glide backwards while appearing to move forward.

The hat, with an estimated value of 60,000 to 100,000 euros ($65,000-$110,000), will be the star attraction at an auction of rock-and-roll items by Drouot on September 26.

Other items include a guitar owned by the legendary bluesman T-Bone Walker that could fetch up to 150,000 euros; a suit worn by Depeche Mode's Martin Gore; and one of Madonna's gold records.

The sale is being organised by Artpeges and Lemon Auction, which last year made a splash with the 385,500-euros sale of the infamous guitar that broke up Oasis, the British band formed by the brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher.

A full list of the roughly 200 items will be published online by Hotel Drouot on July 4.

pgr/js/tgb/yad
Lexington 1 and the South Carolina Freedom Caucus have settled a lawsuit that claimed the districts curriculum promoted indoctrination of students with critical race theory-derived ideas.

The civil case, which was filed against Lexington 1 by the Freedom Caucus in November, was closed Tuesday after a voluntary settlement agreement was reached. The caucus  a group of ultra-conservative House Republicans  had charged that the district uses curricula promoting the indoctrination of students with critical race theory-derived ideas and mandates that teachers and staff be trained in racist concepts, according to previous reporting by The State.

Contesting this lawsuit would have redirected district resources, including employees time and attention, as well as taxpayers dollars, away from our primary focus, Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait said in a news release. We owed it to our entire community to find a solution that did not involve a lengthy and costly legal battle and to affirm that our district is, in fact, in compliance with all state laws. We are proud of the high quality public education Lexington One educators provide, and we want to put this matter behind us so that schools may receive the benefit of our full support.

Last fall, members of the Freedom Caucus argued that districts partnership with EL Education, a nonprofit that provides curriculum support and professional development to K-12 schools across the country, violated state law and the state Constitution.

Lexington 1 challenged the authority of the Freedom Caucus lawsuit, district spokesperson Libby Roof said in a statement. On the eve of the hearing to dismiss the case, the caucus had to find additional plaintiffs to avoid being kicked out of court, the statement said. At the hearing, a judge recognized the deficiencies of the complaint.

According to the settlement, Lexington 1 will end all agreements with EL Education Inc. for curricula and other services following the 2022-2023 academic year. The district will not renew any agreement for 2023-2024. The district can end its agreement with EL Education sooner.

In return, the Freedom Caucus agreed to dismiss the case.

If the case had gone the court, the district would have had to answer requests for numerous documents, communications and materials, as well as anything referencing race, inclusion and affirmative action, among other terms, the district said.

Before the lawsuit was filed against Lexington 1, the district did an internal review of EL Education curriculum. It did not reveal any state law violations, according to a district news release.

Michael Burgess, a Lexington 1 teacher who has been a vocal supporter of EL Education at River Bluff High School where he teaches, said the school was rooted in EL practice since the beginning, and it created a special place for thousands of students over 10 years.

Our (district office) flushed 10 years of work at (River Bluff High School) down the toilet by surrendering to the SC House Freedom (Caucus) who did not have a case! Burgess said in a text message.
Migrant boat death toll rises to 82 as Greece is criticized for response to capsized boat

The death toll has risen to 82 after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Greece last week.

Hundreds of people are estimated to have been on the boat, with reports of up to 750 people possibly occupying the vessel when it capsized. The number of people aboard the ship has not been confirmed or released.

Here's what we know about the disaster so far.

What happened to the boat?

The fishing boat capsized June 14, about 45 miles southwest of Pylos, Greece, in the country's southern Peloponnese peninsula. Members of Greece's coast guard, navy and air force were deployed to search the waters for passengers, using helicopters, navy frigates and boats.

Greek and United Nations authorities were first alerted about the boat, which was heading for Italy, on June 13. They then surveyed the area and repeatedly tried to call and contact the ship, but all requests for help were declined as passengers repeatedly expressed that they wanted to continue their journey.

Later in the day on June 13, a merchant ship supplied the fishing boat with food and supplies. However, later attempts to try and supply help were declined by passengers. A coast guard patrol boat moved alongside the ship before it ultimately capsized in the early hours of June 14.

How many people are dead/missing?

As of Tuesday, 82 people are reported dead, with hundreds more still unaccounted for after the capsizing.

Over 100 people have been rescued following the sinking of the ship. Greek authorities reported last week that none of the survivors were wearing life jackets when they were rescued.

Last week, survivors were taken to the Peloponnese city of Kalamata by ship and were aided by the United Nations Refugee Agency. Some people were taken to the General Hospital of Kalamata if necessary for recovery.

More: Shipwrecked marble artifacts from 1,800 years ago unearthed after recent storms

Where were the migrants from?

The vessel departed from the coast of Egypt, and picked up the migrants from Eastern Libya.

Included among the 104 people rescued are Egyptians, Syrians, Pakistanis, Afghans and Palestinians, according to NPR. Between 50 and 100 children were estimated to be on board the ship, reported BBC.

Many refugees and immigrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa travel through or near Greece as they attempt to make it to the European Union, according to Reuters. Over 20,000 people have died or disappeared in the central Mediterranean since 2014, according to the United Nations, making it the most dangerous migrant crossing in the world.

The boat was reportedly destined for Italy, which is preferable for migrants seeking to reach Western and Northern Europe. The route from Greece goes through the often hostile Balkans, while leaving from Italy is most accessible, reports AP.

Who was arrested in the tragedy?

The nine suspected crewmen are in custody in Greece. They are facing charges of participating in a criminal organization, manslaughter and causing a shipwreck, according to AP News.

No Greek authorities have faced repercussions.

Outrage toward Greece

Greece faces international backlash for their response. Authorities claim that people on the boat insisted they did not want to be rescued and had to make it to Italy. Alarm Phone, a network of activists who run a hotline for migrant boats in distress, told AP that people on the ship were desperate for help.

Furthermore, as NBC reported, under international maritime law, authorities are not only obligated to conduct immediate rescue operations, but theyre also required to do so without any explicit plea for help.

Instead, a coast guard vessel watched as the vessel sank in minutes.

Greeces hardline stance on refugees is part of a larger anti-immigration trend throughout Europe. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for a fence to be built on the border of Greece and Turkey to curb migration. Protests have broken out across Greece, with thousands demonstrating their anger against the Greek government and anti-immigrant policies in Europe.

More: Daily Briefing: The last day of a hopeless search

Contributing: Nicholas Paphitis, Sam Magdy and Renata Brito, The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Death toll in Greek migrant boat capsize up to 82; response questioned
Military aircraft built to hunt down submarines are searching for the submersible Titan that went missing touring the wreckage of the Titanic

A CP-140 Aurora. Canadian government website

A tourist submersible exploring the Titanic went missing in a remote part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Canada had deployed a CP-140 Aurora to help with the search effort.

The Aurora is a long-range aircraft that can hunt submarines and conduct maritime surveillance.

A time-sensitive, international effort to locate a submersible that went missing while touring the Titanic's wreckage was joined by a plane built, in part, to hunt submarines.

Canada deployed CP-140 Aurora aircraft to assist in the search for the tourist submersible, called Titan, which has been missing since Sunday morning, when all contact with the vessel was lost in a remote part of the northeast Atlantic Ocean.

Lt. Cmdr. Hickey, a Canadian military public affairs officer at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), said that there is a continuous Aurora presence above the search area, with multiple aircraft swapping out when one needs to refuel. The JRCC said earlier on Tuesday that the Aurora "will provide continuous on scene support with additional aircrews and assets" and offers "surface search and sub-surface acoustic detection capabilities."

The US Coast Guard noted earlier on Tuesday that a CP-140 Aurora, which it has misidentified as a P-3 Orion, had arrived in the area to carry out sonar searches and was dropping sonar buoys in search of the submersible, just as it would if it were hunting a submarine.

The Aurora, a Lockheed Martin product, is a long-range patrol aircraft that's used for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, search and rescue, strike coordination, and operations management, according to the Canadian government. It's similar to the P-3 Orion, which was used by the US Navy for decades until it was succeeded by the sophisticated P-8 Poseidon.

A CP-140 Aurora. Photawa/Getty Images

Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the Boston-based First Coast Guard District, initially told reporters on Monday that a Canadian P-8 Poseidon aircraft had joined the search for the missing Titan submersible.

Hickey, however, told Insider that this was a mistake. Canada does not have one in its inventory yet  though it wants to obtain several Poseidon aircraft to replace the aging fleet of Auroras.

Coast Guard officials said the search for the Titan is being conducted around 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod and down to a depth of around 13,000 feet  that of the Titanic's wreckage. It was not immediately clear how deep, or close to the Titanic the Titan was when it went missing.

In addition to the Canadian Aurora aircraft, Mauger said the Coast Guard deployed a C-130 aircraft to conduct a visual and radar search of the scene. He said the search has been "a challenge," but the US is "deploying all available assets" to locate the Titan and rescue the five passengers trapped on board.

OceanGate

Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon's deputy spokesperson, said on Tuesday that the US military was assisting in the search operations, adding that Washington will have committed three C-130 aircraft to search and rescue flights by the end of the day. She noted that the Navy has been in touch with the Coast Guard and is working to provide "personnel, such as subject matter experts, and assets, as quickly as possible."

A unified command is currently coordinating operations with the Coast Guard, Navy, Canada, and the company that owns the submersible.

The 21-foot-long Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, left Sunday morning on an eight-day mission to see the Titanic's wreckage about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. But less than two hours into its journey, the Titan lost communication with the Canadian Polar Prince research ship.

This sparked a massive rescue effort to locate the Titan, which had about 40 hours of breathing air left as of Tuesday afternoon. The Coast Guard said in an earlier update on Tuesday that two research vessels  the Polar Prince and Deep Energy  were continuing to look for the submersible on the surface. The total search area, according to the most recent Coast Guard update, is about 7,600 square miles, which is bigger than the state of Connecticut.

Read the original article on Insider
In the case of the United States and China, loose lips and secret military facilities might sink relationships  no matter how much the Biden administration doesnt want that to happen.

After a Chinese spy balloon frayed ties between Washington and Beijing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China this past weekend to mend them. But that diplomatic advance was quickly overshadowed by the public revelation that China was in talks with Cuba to create a joint military training base on the island nation 100 miles from Floridas coast.

President Joe Biden followed that hours later by saying his order to shoot down the balloon was a great embarrassment for dictators like Xi Jinping, enraging China with his characterization of its leader.

Now, the relationship between the worlds two foremost powers is teetering again after it showed brief signs of stability, complicating Bidens search for amicable ways to coexist with China as both compete ferociously across the globe.

There appeared to be a path to getting back on track after Blinken met with Xi in Beijing.



Almost the moment Blinken set foot on the departing plane, U.S. officials began to float next steps, which would include a Biden-Xi call and, eventually, a meeting to follow their encounter last fall in Bali, Indonesia. Among the options under early consideration, according to officials: an in-person discussion on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in New Delhi in September or at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in San Francisco two months later.

Such plans are no longer assured.

On Tuesday, news broke indicating the China-Cuba military base could host Beijings forces near the American homeland. While joint training isnt wholly provocative  the U.S. often conducts drills with partners near an adversarys territory, including putting American forces in Taiwan  having Chinese troops in Cuba is something different, said Beth Sanner, formerly the deputy director of national intelligence for mission integration.



We have planes that are conducting surveillance right along the Chinese coast, so of course they want to have the same capability near the United States, Sanner continued. They can't fly equivalent EC-135s, so the only choice they really have is something like Cuba and so they're going to pursue that. That's part of the world of espionage.

Then Biden committed the cardinal sin of politics: speaking too truthfully.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there, Biden told a crowd at a fundraiser Tuesday in California. Thats a great embarrassment for dictators, he added, when they didnt know what happened.



Not only did Biden use the d-word, but he also seemingly revealed sensitive  and embarrassing  intelligence the U.S. obtained about Xis lack of awareness of the balloons flight.

The response from Beijing was fierce. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Biden's comments were "extremely absurd and irresponsible, seriously contradicting the basic facts." Mao went on to accuse Biden of "seriously violating diplomatic protocol and seriously infringing on Chinas political dignity, which is an open political provocation." He added that the government he represents was "strongly dissatisfied."

White House aides did not immediately have a public response to Bidens remarks, though some privately  and warily  noted that many politicians tend to speak too comfortably in front of a friendly crowd of donors.

It should come as no surprise that the president speaks candidly about China and the differences that we have, said a senior administration official.

There wasnt immediate clarity as to whether Biden spoke more frankly than planned or whether it is a line he plans to repeat further down the campaign trail. When he ran in 2020, Biden called Xi a thug. And then two months into his presidency, Biden added that Chinas leader doesn't have a democratic bone in his body.

Still, the latest broadside comes at an inopportune time in efforts to ease tensions with Beijing, as the Blinken visit was billed as a way to keep lines of communication open during a tumultuous period.

For months, Beijing didnt seem interested. And even after the slight thaw in recent weeks, the two nations militaries have not reestablished lines of communication, worrying American officials who point to two recent close calls and fear escalation. But U.S. officials note Chinas sluggish economy has forced Beijing to roll out the red carpet to American businesses  Bill Gates was recently in for a visit  and Xis government has been eager to host officials like Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Yellen in particular has been among the most vocal proponents for strengthening bonds between the U.S. and China.

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, she said this month.

A senior administration official insisted dialogue remains the preferred method of keeping the relationship from spiraling out of control.

Any intense competition  and this one certainly is intense  is best managed through equally intense diplomacy. How utterly irresponsible it would be for us to shut down and give China the stiff arm when tensions are this high. That's just diplomatic malpractice, given the stakes, said the official, who like others, was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal thinking.

Confident countries face the problem set. They solve it. They don't run away from it, the official said.



Mark Hannah, senior fellow at the Eurasia Group Foundation think tank, suggested that Xi defies easy characterization and the breezy terminology of politics today and that Bidens framing of global politics as democracy versus autocracies was not helpful to easing tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Both countries need to punch up the language of cooperation, Hannah said. If the Biden administration amplifies that message, youll start to see Beijing follow suit.

But Chinas latest consideration to put troops in Cuba, mixed with the strong response to Bidens remarks, has critics worried the administration is going to end up talking just for the sake of talking.

China is the only party seeking to upend the peaceful status quo, and prioritizing endless dialogue over competitive policies invites aggression, said Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chair of the House China Committee.

Bidens animating foreign policy theory is that this decade will define whether democracies or autocracies come out on top in a geopolitical bout. His officials admit that there will always be stumbling blocks in terms of how they compete and how they cooperate. The goal, though, is to maintain guardrails so the Washington-Beijing relationship, however fraught, doesnt veer off track.

The question now is if those guardrails are strong enough to withstand the pressures from these latest setbacks.

U.S. diplomatic efforts toward China are predicated on intense strategic competition. Thats the framing were pushing, said Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow for Indo-Pacific issues at the Center for a New American Security. Each new revelation thats consistent with that assessment shouldnt derail diplomacy.
Footage of French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, one of passengers onboard submarine that went missing on way to Titanic

By Layli Foroudi

PARIS (Reuters) - French oceanographer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, one of the five people on board a submersible missing in the North Atlantic, is a world renowned expert with more than 35 dives to the Titanic shipwreck under his belt, his colleagues said on Wednesday.

"He is the world specialist on the Titanic, its conception, the shipwreck, he has dived in four corners of the world - he is a super-hero for us in France," said Mathieu Johann, his editor at Harper Collins.

Johann convinced Nargeolet to write his book 'In the depths of the Titanic' because he said his kids were super-fans.

Nargeolet, 77, went missing on Sunday along with four others on a tourist visit aboard the Titan submersible to see the wreck of the British ocean liner, which sank when it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage in 1912 and now lies on the seabed at a depth of about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters).

A huge search and rescue operation is underway.

The underwater explorer needed convincing to write a book, Johann said, because he wanted to spend all of his time diving.

"He wakes up in the morning and he wants to go to the sea," said Johann.

CAREER IN FRENCH NAVY

Director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, which owns the rights to the ship's remains, Nargeolet started researching and exploring the Titanic wreck when he joined the French ocean research institute Ifremer in 1986, after a 22-year career in the French navy.

"He piloted the Nautile (a submersible that went to the wreckage). He is known for his great experience ... someone that is part of Ifremer history is aboard," said Olivier Lefort, oceanographic fleet operations director for the institute.

During his explorations of the wreck of the Titanic he brought about 5,500 objects to the surface, including personal items belonging to passengers, like binoculars and letters, said Johann.

He said the only part of the ship that the diver had not explored to date was the safe room, where gold and jewellery would have been kept.

The 1997 film "Titanic" directed by James Cameron, a friend of Nargeolet, was inspired by images taken by the French explorer, who was amazed by the quality of the reconstructions in the film, shot in a pool, Johann said.

Nargeolet's French wife, Anne, lives in Connecticut and his children live outside of France.

Nargeolet was previously married to American journalist Michele Marsh, who died in 2017. They met after Marsh contacted the explorer to ask for the contact of a Frenchman who had survived the Titanic.

The president of RMS Titanic, Jessica Sanders, said in a statement on Wednesday that Nargeolet's experience was unparalleled and "no-one has a better chance of navigating equipment failures than he does".

Bernard Cauvin, director of La Cite de la Mer nautical museum in Cherbourg, who has known Nargeolet since 2009, said: "He is someone extremely humble, and very serene, he was sure of himself but he was rigorous - he wouldn't have gone somewhere if he was unsure."

(Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Missing Titan timeline: The key events in the disappearance of Titanic submersible

The OceanGate submersible Titan that has gone missing with five people on board. (Getty)

Rescuers are still desperately trying to locate a submersible which disappeared while on a dive to the Titanic shipwreck.

The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, was reported missing on Sunday evening in the mid-Atlantic about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.

Read more: Live updates after Titanic tourist submersible goes missing

The five people on board the submersible may have less than 20 hours worth of emergency oxygen left as of 6pm on Wednesday, officials said.

Here are the key events over the past three days:

Saturday 17 June

10.30pm

British billionaire Hamish Harding, 58, chairman of private plane firm Action Aviation, posts on Twitter and Instagram that he is joining the OceanGate Expedition dive on the Titan submersible to the shipwreck of the Titanic.

Billionaire British businessman Hamish Harding is believed to be on the missing Titan submersible. (Alamy)

He wrote on Instagram: "A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow."

OceanGate charges $250,000 (195,000) for an eight-day trip that includes a dive to the wreck of the Titanic.

Sunday 18 June

4am (Eastern Standard Time)

A file photo of the OceanGate submersible Titan launching from its docking platform. (Alamy)

The Titan submersible begins its dive to the wreck of the Titanic, launching from its support ship, the Polar Prince, about 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland, Canada.

According to the OceanGate website, the submersible is made from carbon fibre and titanium, weighs more than 10,000kg and can reach depths of 13,100ft.

5.45am

A file photo of the inside of the Titan submersible. (Alamy)

About one hour and 45 minutes into the dive, contact is lost with the Titan submersible.

OceanGate said the Titan communicates with the crew on the surface via text messages sent via a USBL (ultra-short baseline) acoustic system.

Read more: Inside cramped Titan submersible missing during voyage to Titanic shipwreck

It said the submersible is required to communicate with those on the surface every 15 minutes or more frequently if needed.

Watch: Search continues for Titanic tourist submersible missing in Atlantic

The same system is used to track the position of the submersible.

9.13pm

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Coast Guard, said the Titan vessel was reported missing on Sunday evening.

A file photo of the Titan submersible which has gone missing off the coast of Canada. (Alamy)

Monday 19 June

OceanGate statement

On Monday afternoon, OceanGate confirmed their submersible is missing.

The search continues for the OceanGate submersible Titan. (Alamy)

In a statement, it said: We are deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to re-establish contact with the submersible. We are working toward the safe return of the crew members.

Coast guard response

In a press conference on Monday, Rear Admiral John W Mauger, of the US Coast Guard, said they were conducting a search 900 miles east of Cape Cod in collaboration with the Canadian armed forces and commercial vessels in the area.

US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger updates the media on the search for the Titan submersible. (AP Photo)

It is a remote area and a challenge, but we are deploying all available assets to make sure we can locate the craft and rescue the people onboard, he said.

He said the submersible had between 70 and 96 hours worth of emergency oxygen left.

British billionaire on board

On Monday evening, it is confirmed that Harding is on board the submersible.

Billionaire British businessman Hamish Harding before joining the crew of the Titan submersible. (Alamy)

The British billionaire is also a renowned explorer. He has taken a flight into space and holds three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel when, in March 2021, he dived to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench.

In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origins New Shepard rocket.

Tuesday 20 June

UK-based businessman and son on board

Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son, Suleman, 19, are confirmed to have been on board the submersible by their family.

French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who has made multiple dives to the Titanic, is also thought to be on board, as is OceanGate founder and chief executive Stockton Rush.

OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, right, is believed to be on board the missing Titan submersible. (OceanGate)

Dawood is the vice chairman of Engro Corporation, which provides fertilisers, food and energy.

He lives in Surbiton, Surrey, with his wife, Christine, and his children, son Suleman and daughter Alina.

Distress signal

On Tuesday, it was revealed that a distress signal from the vessel has been sent out, according to oceanologist Dr Simon Boxall of the University of Southampton.

This is second-hand knowledge but my understanding is that they have received a signal from the submarine," he said.

The Oceangate submersible Titan went missing on Sunday. (Alamy)

You cant use radios underwater. You rely totally on pings. What they have is really limited communication.

Apparently they have had, and I dont know when they have had an emergency ping saying the vessel is in distress. I dont know if that is automatically generated or generated by people on board.

He said he did not know when the message was transmitted.

2.15pm

The US Coast Guard said a Canadian aircraft has joined the search for the missing submersible Titan by using sonar.

A US Coast Guard vessel in Boston Harbour after the Titan submersible went missing in the Atlantic. (Alamy)

In a tweet, the coast guard said: A Canadian Aircraft P3 Aurora has arrived on scene to conduct sonar searches.

The R/V Polar Prince and R/V Deep Energy are continuing their surface searches.

Total search area completed as of this morning (Tuesday) is 10,000 SQ miles.

6pm

Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said a unified command of multiple agencies was formed on Monday to tackle the very complex problem of finding the missing sub, which has so far not yielded any results.

Speaking at a press conference in Boston on Tuesday, Frederick was non-committal when asked if there is any way to retrieve the submersible and save the five on board if it can be located.

He said: So, right now all of our efforts are focused on finding the sub.

What I will tell you is we have a group of our nations best experts in the unified command and if we get to that point, those experts will be looking at what the next course of action is.

US Coast Guard captain Jamie Frederick speaks during a press conference about the search efforts for the submersible. (Getty/AFP)

King Charles being kept informed

The King is being kept informed on the search for the sub after it emerged that one of the five people aboard the vessel  Shahzada Dawood  is a longtime supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by Charles.

It is understood that Charles has asked to be kept fully up to date on the situation  and that his thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family and all those involved in the incident.

Wednesday 21 June

Underwater noises detected from search area

The US Coast Guard revealed this morning that noises have been detected from the search area of the missing deep-sea vessel.

They said: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remote operating vehicles) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

They added: Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

Meanwhile, US media outlet The Rolling Stone reported an internal US government memo said banging was detected by Canadian search aircraft in 30-minute intervals.

Captain Jamie Frederick said the cause of the noises was still unconfirmed but insisted the efforts to find the five missing people aboard the Titan was still a rescue mission.

He added: The good news is we are searching in the area where the noises were detected.

On oxygen levels on board, he said: Oxygen is just one piece of data. There are lots of pieces of data that we need to study. But (oxygen) is not the only thing thats important.

The United States Coast Guard is continuing its search for the Titan sub from the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince. (Oceangate/PA)

Cause for hope

The Explorers Club, of which Titan passenger Harding is a founding member, shared an upbeat message on Wednesday morning following the reports of sounds detected.

President Richard Garriot de Cayeux said in a statement: There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

They precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can help deploy We believe they are doing everything possible with all the resources they have.

Garriot de Cayeux said they are ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000 metres.

Plans if Titan is found

Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard told BBC News there is a number of plans should they find Titan, with a range of equipment ready.

He said: While our unified command is fully focused on the search we have experts that are working those different scenarios and we have mobilised gear on site, we have lift capabilities on the vessels that are on site now we have additional lift capability coming in.

The (US) Navy has mobilised a submerged object recovery system that they have and the Canadian armed forces have mobilised a recompression chamber with medical support.

Were preparing for contingencies while remaining laser-focused on the search for the submersible and those people.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora maritime surveillance aircraft of 14 Wing flies a search pattern for the missing OceanGate submersible. (Canadian Forces/Reuters)

Thursday 22 June

All-out search for Titan

With oxygen on Titan expected to run out in a matter of hours, the rush to find it has intensified.

The area of the search has been expanded, with the surface search now about 10,000 square miles, and the sub-surface search about 2.5 miles deep.

The coast guard had five surface vessels searching for Titan on Wednesday and they expected there to be 10 by today, captain Jamie Frederick said.

Noises may not be from Titan

Former US Navy submarine commander, David Marquet, has suggested that the noises detected may not be coming from the submersible.

He told the BBC: I dont think the noise is them, it could just be natural sounds.

Were hearing noises and more ships are coming into the area, and then were hearing more noises, and I dont think thats a coincidence.

A map area showing the presumed location of Titan. (PA)

However, deep-sea explorer Dr David Gallo still believes the noises could be coming from Titan.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, he said: In this case, the noises are repetitive, every half hour I believe.

Three different aircraft heard them in their sensors at the same time and it went on for two days-plus.

Its still going on apparently. Theres not a lot in the natural world we can think of that would do that every 30-minute cycle.

We have to, at this point, assume that thats the sub and move quickly to that spot, locate it and get robots down there to verify that is where the sub is.
Missing Titanic sub 'did not perform well,' says veteran explorer who nixed documentary over safety concerns

Missing Titanic sub 'did not perform well,' says veteran explorer who nixed documentary over safety concerns

Veteran explorer Josh Gates, who hosts a TV series investigating myths and legends around the world, revealed Wednesday on Twitter that the missing OceanGate sub "did not perform well" when he went on a dive aboard the vessel himself.

The 21-foot deep-sea submersible vanished Sunday morning during an attempt to reach the shipwrecked Titanic, which sank in the Atlantic on the way to New York from England in 1912.

Gates, who hosts "Expedition Unknown" on Discovery, had gone with Stockton Rush, the OceanGate CEO who is now among five missing along with the Titan sub, on a test dive before the vehicle's first visit to the Titanic site.

BANGING NOISES CONFIRMED IN DESPARATE DEEP-SEA SEARCH FOR MISSING TITAN SUB BUT SOURCE UNKNOWN

This file image provided by OceanGate shows the Titan submersible descending into the ocean.

Gates wrote that he missed a chance to see the wreck himself due to fears about OceanGate's actual capabilities  concerns echoed in a 2018 lawsuit brought by a former employee who claimed he'd been wrongfully fired for blowing the whistle on the vehicle's maximum range himself.

"To those asking, #Titan did not perform well on my dive," Gates wrote. "Ultimately, I walked away from a huge opportunity to film Titanic due to my safety concerns w/ the @OceanGate platform."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

NEW ASSETS ON-SCENE IN MISSING TITANIC SUBMARINE SEARCH AFTER CANADIANS PICK UP UNDERWATER NOISES

TV presenter Josh Gates visits Build Series to discuss "Expedition Unknown" at Build Studio in New York City on Feb. 5, 2018.

In 2018, former OceanGate employee David Lochridge refused to greenlight manned tests of the submersible, according to the lawsuit. The Washington-based company later sued Lochridge for disclosing confidential information, and he filed a counterclaim.

The lawsuit was settled out of court, and Gates made a cryptic comment that there were more flaws with the vessel than publicly known.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR FINAL HOURS AS RESCUE CREWS WORK TO FIND MISSING TITANIC TOURIST SUBMERSIBLE

WATCH: Missing Titanic sub investigators say 'banging' noises reported but not confirmed to be vessel

"There's more to the history and design of Titan that has not been made public  much of it concerning," Gates wrote.

The "Expedition Unknown" host did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Like British businessman Hamish Harding, who is also aboard the missing sub, Gates is a member of the Explorers Club, a research-minded international society of adventurers, many of them very wealthy, including billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The missing Titan sub is estimated to have less than a day's worth of breathable air left.

Authorities said at a Wednesday news briefing the crew had some food and water, but it was unclear how much.

However, authorities said they have picked up repeated sounds of banging in the search area and are still treating the mission as a search-and-rescue effort.
If the missing Titanic sub is found, what's next for the rescue effort?

London  There has been much discussion about how to find the Titan, the tourist submersible that disappeared Sunday while carrying five people down to the wreckage of the Titanic, and how difficult it will be to locate the small vessel in the vast North Atlantic. But even if the monumental effort by U.S. and Canadian authorities to find the sub is successful, that's only the first challenge.

Rescuing the five people from the sub would be another challenge entirely.

Without any sightings at the surface, the only clue rescuers had to go on by Wednesday afternoon was the sound described as banging noises detected by surveillance planes. That left open the possibility of a scenario where the submersible could still be found floating on or near the surface, which would allow rescuers to open it  it can only be opened from the outside  and rescue the crew.

But if it is on the sea floor near the Titanic wreckage, it will be a much more challenging proposition.

"I think if it's on the seabed, there are so few submarines that are capable of going that deep, and so therefore, I think it was going to be almost impossible to affect a sub-to-sub rescue," Titanic expert Tim Matlin told the Reuters news agency.

The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the Titanic, dives in an undated photograph. / Credit: OceanGate Expeditions/Handout via Reuters

Two possible rescue options

Ralf Bachmayer, a professor of marine environmental technology and deep-sea engineering at the University of Bremen in Germany, told CBS News on Wednesday there were two main possibilities for a rescue if the sub is on the sea floor. It could be winched up, which he said would be "very difficult" at the depth in the area, which is around 13,000 feet, or almost two and a half miles.

Matlin cast doubt on the feasibility of such an operation, telling Reuters that rescuers "can't have a line tethering it all the way down because it would be too heavy and too much drag," given the length of cabling that would be required.

The other possibility could be a flotation device, which Bachmayer called a lift bag, that could be slid under the sub to help lift it to the surface.

But the Titan could be entangled in debris in the wide field of the Titanic's wreckage, and that type of rescue attempt would require remotely operated vehicles to gain sufficient access to slide such a device under the 21-foot-long submersible.

The use of ROVs, or Remotely Operated Vehicles, would be vital to either rescue option, should one be deemed viable.

In the first scenario, an ROV or multiple ROVs could be used to attach a cable to haul the Titan to the surface. They could also be used to dislodge it from anything it's caught on.

Blair Thornton, a professor of marine autonomy at the University of Southampton in England, said modern ROVs "typically have high-definition cameras, lights, and will be physically connected with a tether to a ship, with very experienced pilots operating them."

A rescue operation at the depth of the area around the Titanic shipwreck, he said, would likely involve attaching a cable to the stricken vessel with an ROV, and then winching it slowly to the surface.

But Thornton said this particular scenario would be a highly unusual task for available ROVs, and it would likely require them to be adapted to the challenges of operating so deep.

ROV operators, he said, are accustomed to "thinking on their feet, assessing the situation and trying to dislodge or move objects that were never designed to be grabbed by an ROV."

Bachmayer agreed that the missing Titan had presented rescuers with an unprecedented situation.

"We had the situation with the Kursk," said Bachmayer, referring to the nuclear-powered Russian submarine that sank in the Barents Sea in 2000. "They tried to get the people out. But that's not possible in this case, because it's much too deep, and the rescue submarine used then, it is not suitable for such depths."

None of the 118 crew members of the Kursk survived that disaster.

Both of the experts who spoke to CBS News said using ROVs at such depths had been done before  in order to retrieve instruments from the seabed, for instance  but that recovering a manned submersible vehicle would present new challenges, and even if and when the Titan is located, there will still be many questions to answer.

For example, "Is the vehicle's housing still intact?" asked Thornton. "What is keeping it on the bottom? The response will depend on those situations."

If the main housing, the body of the sub that keeps water out and oxygen in, is still intact, he said the sub would be essentially weightless in the sea, and as long as it isn't entangled, it should be moveable. On land, it would weigh several tons.

Thornton was quick to stress that finding the Titan was the essential first step, and he said it was undeniable that time was running out quickly, given the limited oxygen supply it went down with.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday that the submersible was believed to have enough air left to last the crew about 41 hours, and rescue officials said they continued to hold out hope. But experts on the deep sea and on the Titanic didn't voice much optimism.

"Titanic's wreck is two and a half miles down. It's pitch black down there. It's freezing cold. The seabed is mud and it's undulating. You can't see your hand in front of your face. The only way you can find where you are is by a thing called sonar. Not even radar works," Matlin, who has authored three books on the Titanic disaster, told Reuters. "It's really a bit like a moon shot. ... So, I do fear for the lives of those explorers who are on board."

Democrats launch new ads focused on abortion access

Search for missing Titanic sub running out of time as criticism of OceanGate company mounts

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The US Navy is sending special heavy-lifting gear to the search area as hopes grow of finding the submersible missing near the wreck of the Titanic.

Officials said in a statement that they are dispatching a specialised salvage system that is capable of hoisting large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels.

The Titan weighs 20,000lbs (9 tonnes) and the US Navys Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System is designed to lift up to three times that weight.

It comes after rescuers searching for the sub have been scouring the area where aircraft detected noises

It is still not clear what the sounds, which were detected over two days, were, said Capt Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard.

You always have hope, thats why were doing what we do, he said.

The 21ft submersible went missing with five passengers on Sunday during a dive to the Titanic wreck site, which lies more than two miles below the surface. It is believed to have less than 20 hours of oxygen left on board.

12:21 AM BST

Our live coverage has moved

Follow the latest news and developments on the missing Titan submersible over on Thursdays blog.

10:16 PM BST

OceanGate is extremely safe operation

A spokesman for the mothership which launched the missing submersible has defended OceanGate, saying it runs an extremely safe operation.

Questions were raised about the safety of the vessel, called Titan and run by OceanGate, during a press conference in Canada on Wednesday.

Five people are on board the submersible, which went missing on Sunday off the coast of Canada during a voyage to the wreck of the Titanic, and there is thought to be less than 20 hours of oxygen left.

Sean Leet, co-founder and chairman of Horizon Maritime Services, which owns the Polar Prince mothership from which Titan launched, said: OceanGate runs an extremely safe operation.

Our full focus right now is getting that submersible located and getting those people brought back safely.

He added: Were in constant contact with the crew of the Polar Prince. Our emergency procedures kicked in immediately.

Our emergency room is staffed 24/7 with a group of extremely capable people and theres live communication with the vessel at all times. Weve got 17 people on board the ship.

09:33 PM BST

US Navy sending heavy lifting gear

The US Navy has said in a statement that it is sending a specialised salvage system that is capable of hoisting large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels.

The Titan weighs 20,000lbs (9 tonnes). The US Navys Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System is designed to lift up to 60,000lbs, the Navy said on its website.

The salvage system is part of an international rescue effort across air and sea in a bid to find the lost sub.

09:02 PM BST

Search equipment 'finest in the world'

Sean Leet, chairman of the group which owns the Polar Prince ship, said the equipment involved in the search is the finest and most capable in the world.

We have to hold out hope, he said. I think as youre aware, theres still life support available on the submersible and well continue to hold out hope until the very end.

The Polar Prince is the support vessel to that took the Titan submersible out for its expedition and is now assisting with search and rescue.

07:51 PM BST

Another press conference held

The Horizon Maritime group, co-owner of the Polar Prince ship which the Titan submersible launched from, has held a press conference in St. John, Newfoundland.

Sean Leet, co-founder and chairman of Horizon Maritime, says the Polar Prince remains at the Titanic site supporting the rescue efforts.

The groups rescue ship, The Horizon, was sent back to the port to get more equipment.

We will be at the Titanic site at 5am tomorrow morning, Mr Leet said. We are aware of the time sensitivity around the mission. We remain focused on the search of the Titan and for the crew and keep hope they will be found safely.

07:06 PM BST

Aircraft and ships continue to scour the search zone

The search for the missing submersible involves aircraft and ships, according to Jamie Frederick, the Coast Guard response coordinator.

There are currently five surface ships in the rescue area, but this will rise to 10 over the next 24-48 hours.

There are two remotely-operated vehicles actively searching, but several more are on the way and will arrive by tomorrow morning.

Two P-3 aircraft are running back to back flights that provide a total of 14 hours of continuous coverage.

Similarly, there are two C-130 flights, one during the day and another that runs in the evening.

06:46 PM BST

Missing sub has 'limited rations' of food on board

Rescuers believe the crew of the missing submersible has limited rations of food and water on board, Capt Frederick said, adding that the amount of oxygen available was just one piece of data that the Coast Guard was looking at.

06:14 PM BST

Object seen by spotter plane was not related to the sub

A rectangular object seen from a flying search and rescue plane was not related to the missing submersible, Capt Frederick has said.

Yesterday one of the aircraft did see an object, he said. When aircraft are flying continuously - there is stuff out in the ocean that is floating. We went back, we looked at it, we did not determine it to be debris.

06:09 PM BST

'You always have hope'

The Coast Guard still does not know what the noises were, but the search has now reached the area they came from, said Capt Frederick.

When youre in the middle of a search and rescue case, you always have hope, thats why were doing what we do.

The good news is were searching in the area where the noises were detected, he said.

06:04 PM BST

Two ROVs actively searching

There are two remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) currently searching for the missing submersible, Capt Frederick said.

They have not been able to find the missing vessel so far.

06:03 PM BST

US Coast Guard: 'Extremely difficult time for the families of those on board'

Captain Jamie Frederick says the Coast Guard is in constant contact with the relatives of those on board the missing submarine.

05:55 PM BST

US Coast Guard to give update on rescue

The US Coast Guard are about to give an update on the progress of the search and rescue effort.

We will be live-streaming their press conference at the top of this page.

05:51 PM BST

Rescuers need replica sub, says former Royal Navy submariner

Ryan Ramsey, a former Royal Navy submarine captain, said the rescue operation is compicated because there is no replica of the Titan submersible.

He said: It would have to be bespoke equipment. I dont think anyone has planned for this kind of operation so they would have to create some kind of bespoke process to get a cable round or a fixing point on that particular submersible.

The problem with that is, with most submersibles, they make two of them, they make two of them for reasons - for example, something does happen to one of them the rescuing porters can go see the other one and figure how theyre going to exercise the rescue.

In this particular case, they only made one and so theres no opportunity for people to work out what that solution is and to work that problem through and achieve a successful outcome.

05:37 PM BST

Canadian ship with advanced deep sonar joins the search

A Canadian Coast Guard ship equipped with advanced deep sonar has joined the search.

The John Cabot coast guard ship with the advanced deep sonar is on site now, and so we just have to remain optimistic. We have to keep working until we find the submersible. Again, I am very mindful of just how stressful and worrisome this is for the families and of course the submersible team, said Joyce Murray, a Canadian MP overseeing the countrys coast guard.

There have been sounds that have been picked up, and that just means that we will continue to double down and to figure out where the submersible is and how it can be brought to the surface, Ms Murray added.

05:13 PM BST

The aircraft that detected the underwater sounds

A Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area, which led to rescue operations being moved, writes James Crisp.

The P-3 submarine hunter is described by its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, as the ultimate maritime patrol aircraft.

It was used in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Hurricane Katrina and the BP Horizon oil rig disaster in the US

The Canadian CP-140 Aurora is based on the Lockheed P-3 Orion , a four engined aircraft developed in the 1960s with a distinctive tail stinger or MAD boom, which is used for magnetic anomaly detection of submarines.

The newer plane was introduced in 1980 and normally has a crew of between 12 to 15.

It is 116 ft 10 in long with a 99ft 8in wingspan with four turboprop engines and four propellers. It has a range of 5,000 nautical miles and can travel at up to 455 miles per hour.

04:47 PM BST

Weather conditions in the search zone

Updated weather on scene: winds at 23mph with gusts up to 30mph. Sea state is 6-7ft swells with an air temp of 50f. #Titanic  USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 21, 2023

04:28 PM BST

Less than a day of oxygen left, says admiral

The missing sub is due to run out of oxygen tomorrow morning, Rear Admiral Mauger said.

He said, however, that it was difficult to calculate exactly when the craft would run out of breathable air, as it is impossible to know how much oxygen its passengers are using.

One of the factors that makes it hard to predict how much oxygen is left is that we do not know the rate of the consumption of oxygen per occupant on the sub.

Rescuers have around 20 hours left to find the submersible.

04:12 PM BST

'Banging' could be Titanic wreckage, says US Coast Guard

The banging noises detected in the search area could be from the Titanic wreckage, the US Coast Guard has suggested.

When asked about the likelihood of the sound being a human-caused noise, Rear Admiral John Mauger, of the US Coast Guard, told CBS News: This is an incredibly complex site. You have to remember that its the wreck site of the Titanic. so you have to remember that there is a lot of metal and different objects in the water around the site.

Thats why its so important that weve engaged experts from the navy that understand the science behind noise so they can classify or give us better information about what the source of that noise may be.

His comments come as the US Coast Guard said remotely operated vehicle searches were deployed in the area where Canadian aircraft detected the undersea noises on Tuesday.

Banging sounds were detected by Canadian aircraft at 30-minute intervals in the search area, Rolling Stone reported, citing what it described as internal US Department of Homeland Security emails on the search.

03:59 PM BST

'Very difficult' to interpret underwater noises, says expert

An expert in forensic geosciences has said it would be very difficult to interpret the underwater noises detected on Tuesday by sonar systems.

Dr Jamie Pringle, a reader at Keele University, told the PA news agency the sounds picked up by a Canadian plane using buoys with underwater sonar capabilities could also be positive.

He said: It would have been easier to look for an object in an otherwise barren sea.

Here there is an unpredictable distribution of various sized remnants from the Titanic, the contents, maybe any impact of that on the surrounding area.

Its going to be really hard to try to work out which bits are the sub and which parts arent, so its very difficult to know.

He added: Obviously this is speculation because we dont know, but this would suggest (the sound is) coming from shallow levels, which is a good thing if theyre coming from the sub, which may also mean the sub is shallow, because its unlikely the sound is coming from the sea floor.

The fact its evenly based at long time intervals, you would think its manmade. It could be an intermittent fault of a search vessel for example, or it could be from the sub asking for help.

Its more positive than not hearing anything.

03:58 PM BST

Press conference to be held this evening

The US Coast Guard will hold a press conference about the search for the missing submersible in Boston at 6pm UK time.

03:55 PM BST

Watch: Experts predicted Titanic submersible problems as search continues

02:27 PM BST

Who is on board the Titan?

These are the five passengers thought to be on board the Titan.

02:26 PM BST

'Sole focus' is on their rescue, says family member of missing passengers

A sister and aunt of the Pakistani businessman and his son who are on board the missing Titanic submersible has spoken of how the familys sole focus is their rescue.

Sabrina Dawood told Sky News that she hoped her brother Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman would return safe and sound.

She said: At this time, the Dawood familys sole focus is the rescue of our beloved Shahzada and Suleman Dawood and we are unable to address any questions or comments at the moment.

We trust that the family will be granted privacy as we deal with this crisis.

01:40 PM BST

What are the key features of the submarine?

12:24 PM BST

Inside Titan: the Titanic tourist submersible that can withstand 150 million pounds of pressure

For $250,000 (195,000) a person, OceanGate offers an eight-day tour to view the wreck of the Titanic.

As part of the trip, five people  a pilot and four crew  are transported some 12,500ft below the waves of the Atlantic Ocean to witness the passenger liner from the companys carbon fibre and titanium underwater vessel.

The Titan, a Cyclops-class submersible - named so for its single porthole - is designed to dive to more than 13,000ft and is said to be able to withstand 150 million pounds of pressure.

Read more from Joe Barnes here

12:14 PM BST

Depths and dangers of the submersible

11:10 AM BST

Underwater noises 'give hope', says oceanographer

Underwater noises give hope that those on board are still alive, an oceanographer has told the BBC.

Simon Boxall, a senior lecturer in oceanography at the University of Southampton, told the BBC World Service: There are plenty of sound sources in the ocean, but it does give hope.

I think one of the scenarios that everyone feared was that the submersible had basically imploded. So it does give some hope that this is still a rescue operation, rather than just a recovery operation.

10:57 AM BST

Five vessels reportedly at Titanic wreck site

According to Sky News, at least five vessels are now at the Titanic wreck site.

Marine tracking data shows that the Titans mother ship, the Polar Prince, a former Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, was at the site. It is joined by the Bahamian pipe-laying vessel, Deep Energy, and a commercial Vessel, Skandi Vinland.

Four more are underway but are unlikely to reach the area on Wednesday, it said.

Overnight, Canadian coastguard vessels John Cabot and Atlantic Merlin arrived, while French research craft LAtalante is likely to reach the scene on Wednesday evening.

Four other ships looked unlikely to arrive until Thursday, Sky said.

10:31 AM BST

Watch: Titan travellers reveal communication issues

10:07 AM BST

Ex-Navy admiral baffled by why Titanic explorers would voyage on 'dodgy' submersible

A retired rear admiral has questioned why anyone would get into a dodgy piece of technology like the Titan, as search for the missing submersible continues.

A deep-sea rescue mission is under way for five people on board the missing craft, which had submerged to explore the wreckage of the Titanic.

The submersible went missing on Sunday morning, less than two hours into the expedition to the wreck, which lies more than two miles below the surface of the North Atlantic.

Read more from Catherine Lough here

09:31 AM BST

Inside the Titan submersible

09:13 AM BST

'If I was in trouble, I'd want to be on a sub with them'

A businessman who has made the deep-sea voyage to the wreck of the Titanic has expressed confidence in the Titan crew and said theres a very good chance they will be found.

Oisin Fanning told BBC Radio 4s Today programme he had been on the submersible with pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, who are both reportedly on board the missing vessel.

The two guys on the sub currently, so Paul and Stockton, are both consummate professionals, he said.

I mean, to be honest, if I was in trouble, Id want to be on a sub with them.

Mr Fanning continued: They will be conserving energy from day one. So I wouldnt be surprised if the action lasts a lot longer because theyll know exactly what to do.

I mean, youre talking about people who have dived to the Titanic alone 38, 40 times - you know, their careers about diving.

They will be advising the people on board with them not to panic, he added.

I think theres a very good chance they will be found. These are not fly-by-nighters, these are very highly professional people.

08:42 AM BST

Shahzada Dawood: One of Pakistan's richest men trapped on board with 19-year-old son

Shahzada Dawood, who is on board the missing Titanic submersible alongside his 19-year-old son, Suleman, is one of Pakistans wealthiest businessmen.

Mr Dawood, who is a global board member for the charity The Princes Trust, was educated in both the US and Britain. He was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK to study law at the University of Buckingham.

He then went on to study a Masters in textile marketing in 2000 at Philadelphia University.

Read more from Catherine Lough here

08:21 AM BST

Explorer: 'There's always hope, you never give up'

Chris Brown with Richard Branson

Chris Brown, an explorer and friend of British billionaire Hamish Harding, said making banging sounds is the kind of thing his missing friend would do.

He told BBC Breakfast: That is just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with.

He added: Theres always hope. As an explorer, you never give up anyway.

08:00 AM BST

Ex-US Colonel - Hamish Harding is 'quintessential British explorer'

Hamish Harding

A friend of Hamish Harding has described him as the quintessential British explorer as the search-and-rescue mission for the Titan continues.

Colonel Terry Virts, a former commander of the International Space Station, spoke to the Today programme about Mr Hardings love of adventure.

He said: Some people watch Netflix and some people play golf, and Hamish goes to the bottom of the ocean or into space or, you know, he sets world records flying around the planet.

As Ive said several times now, Hamish is the quintessential British explorer. He loves adventure. He loves exploring and thats just the kind of person he is.

07:57 AM BST

'Experimental submersible is fundamentally dangerous'

He went on: Why on earth you would go in a dodgy piece of technology where you actually have to sign away any right to sue the company for emotional damage, injury or death is beyond me.

It is fundamentally dangerous, there was no back-up plan, its experimental and Im afraid to say theres an element of hubris if you want to go down and do that.



07:56 AM BST

Retired admiral - submersible impossible to find without emitting signal

Chris Parry, a retired navy rear admiral from the UK, said without an emitting signal from the missing deep-sea vessel near the wreck site of the Titanic it will be impossible to find in the timescale.

He told LBC: Im afraid the odds are vanishingly small.

Obviously, we want to remain hopeful and optimistic but there are two problems here - one is actually finding the thing and secondly is how on earth are you going to get it off the seabed. Its never been done before and I dont think anybodys got any ideas about how to do it at the moment.

He added: Youve got this vastly complex seabed with all the debris of the Titanic, youve got hills and canyons and everything, and Im afraid to say without an emitting signal from the vehicle itself its almost, well, Id say its impossible to find in the timescale.

07:46 AM BST

Search moved after 'underwater noises' heard

Rescuers searching for a tourist submersible near the Titanic wreck in the North Atlantic are focusing on a new search area after underwater noises were detected.

Underwater operations have been relocated to explore the source of the sounds picked up a Canadian P-3 aircraft and analysed by US Navy experts.

But so far remote operated vehicles [ROV] investigating the noises have yielded negative results, the Coast Guard said.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans, the Coast Guard tweeted in the early hours of Wednesday, as the ROV searches continue.

07:29 AM BST

Safety fears revealed in documents

Documents show that OceanGate had been warned there might be catastrophic safety problems with its experimental vessel, due to the way the company tested it and a lack of review by an expert third party.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, said in a 2018 lawsuit that the companys testing and certification was insufficient and would subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

The company insisted that Lochridge was not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan.

The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators, also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush, OceanGates chief executive.

The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. The documents were first reported by The New York Times.

07:27 AM BST

Picture: New rescue equipment flown in

Rescue

This picture shows new rescue equipment flown in by US Air Force transport planes loaded onto the offshore vessel Horizon Arctic in the port of St John, Newfoundland, before its deployment to the search area. The equipment is understood to include submarines and winches.

06:38 AM BST

Oxygen running out, warns US Coast Guard

The clock is ticking to locate the missing submersible, with approximately 30 hours of oxygen left.

At around 6pm BST on Tuesday, the US Coast Guards Captain Jamie Frederick said there was about 40 hours of breathable air left aboard the submersible. That time has now fallen to just 30 hours.

We know from the data we were using, a starting point was 96 hours, he said.

We know theres about 40 hours of breathable air left, based on that initial report.

The Titan submersible launching from a platform - AFP

05:46 AM BST

Canadian P-3 aircraft detects underwater noises

According to the US Coast Guard, Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area.

As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises, a tweet read.

The US Coast added those ROV searches yielded negative results but continue.

Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue. 1/2  USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 21, 2023

05:16 AM BST

Explorers claim 'signs of life'

Friends of the passengers on board the submersible claim signs of life were detected in the search zone.

A group known as The Explorers Club said data from the field gave them hope the five people believed to be on board could be alive.

While the US Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday night the search had not yielded any results, the president of The Explorers Club claimed signs of life had given them cause for hope:

Message from President Richard Garriott Regarding the Ongoing Titanic Search and Rescue Mission pic.twitter.com/ec7YX5VQCY  ExplorersClub (@ExplorersClub) June 21, 2023

04:07 AM BST

Hope pinned on deep-diving robot

French scientists are racing to get to the search zone, amid hope their robot with capability to dive to a depth of 6000m (20,000ft) could lead to a breakthrough in the difficult rescue mission.

Frances national integrated marine science research institute announced Tuesday it was diverting Atlante, a research vessel which carries the Victor 6000 autonomous robot.

Victor 6000 is a remotely operated deep-water system that can generate high-quality underwater pictures and is equipped with sensors that may be able to detect the missing vessel.

It is expected to arrive by 8pm Wednesday, according to Herve Berville, the French Secretary of State in charge of Sea.

The idea and our goal is for the ship to arrive as soon as possible, Mr Berville said.

This is a race of time.

Mr Berville spoke to BFMTV:

A French vessel operated by @Ifremer_fr, at the request of President @EmmanuelMacron, was diverted to the search area of the submarine "Titan", which was visiting the wreck of the Titanic. @HerveBerville@BFMTV



pic.twitter.com/ItZO4HMYLt  Pascal Confavreux (@P_Confavreux) June 21, 2023

03:37 AM BST

The three places the missing vessel could be

Research oceanographer Jules Jaffe, who was part of the team that developed the optical imaging system used to find the Titanic in 1985, said there are three places the missing vessel could be:

Seafloor

Water column

The surface

Its either sitting on the seafloor, somewhere in the water column, or sitting on the surface, he told ABC10 in San Diego.

It could be in the water column. I think thats probably the most likely place it is.

Jules Jaffe, a research oceanographer with the Marine Physical Laboratory - AFP

Jamie Pringle, a professor of forensic geosciences at Keele University, said if the submersible had settled on the ocean floor, it could be very difficult to spot.

The bottom of the ocean is not flat; there are lots of hills and canyons, Mr Pringle said, according to NBC.

03:12 AM BST

Four things that may have gone wrong with the Titanic sub

Venturing to the bottom of the sea is fraught with complications, and some experts argue it is more challenging than going into space.

Here are four things that could have gone wrong for the Titan and her crew:

A power blackout

Fire

Flood

Entangling

Read the full analysis by Science Editor Sarah Knapton here

02:49 AM BST

Shipwreck hunter: Reports of 'tapping' in the water

David Mearns, a shipwreck hunter and friend of two of the missing people, Hamish Harding and Paul Henri Nargeolet, said he had heard reports from an explorers club that rescuers had heard tapping in the water.

There are some reports that Ive just read from my own club, which is how I know Hamish, that somebody today has heard some tapping, he told Channel 4.

Its hard to imagine how they could have heard that, but they are at least trying to encourage the rescue efforts to continue [on the basis] that theyve heard something which suggests that the men are alive.

The Telegraph could not independently verify the reports.

02:27 AM BST

Titan sub firm boss was warned snags could be catastrophic

The chief executive of OceanGate was reportedly warned by leaders in the submersible industry that the companys experimental approach could result in problems from minor to catastrophic.

The warning came in a 2018 letter to Stockton Rush obtained by the New York Times.

Meanwhile, it emerged that OceanGate was involved in a complex legal case in 2018 with a former employee who claimed there were safety issues.

Read the full story by Ben Farmer and Nick Allen here

01:36 AM BST

Oceanologist: Submersible is not above the surface

Dr Simon Boxall told GB News the vessel would not be above the surface because if it was, it would be able to use radios.

He spoke about other misconceptions in relation to the rescue effort and said it was a mistake to believe passengers could use escape hatches, because if they did they would be crushed.

Dr Boxall said another misconception was that people would get decompression sickness, colloquially known as the bends, if the vessel moved up to the surface too quickly.

He told PA that those on board would not suffer ill-effects because the submersible is at atmospheric pressure.

12:55 AM BST

Chilling final text from Harding to Virts revealed

Retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts has shared the last text he received from Hamish Harding before he vanished.

Mr Virts said his friend understood the risks he could face and was very excited about the underwater adventure.

He went down to the deepest part of the ocean, set a few world records  at the Mariana Trench [the deepest part of the ocean] and we talked quite a bit about the risks and the different things that they were going to be able to do, he told ITV.

A day before the expedition took off, Mr Harding texted Mr Virts and also shared his excitement on social media.

Hey, were headed out tomorrow, it looks good, the weathers been bad so theyve been waiting for this, he messaged Mr Virts.

12:24 AM BST

Vessel sent out a distress signal, says oceanologist

Oceanologist Dr Simon Boxall, of the University of Southampton, believes the submersible has sent out a distress signal.

He told PA: This is second-hand knowledge but my understanding is that they have received a signal from the submarine.

You cant use radios underwater. You rely totally on pings. What they have is really limited communication.

Apparently they have had, and I dont know when, they have had an emergency ping saying the vessel is in distress.

Dr Boxall said he did not know if the ping was automatically generated or generated by people on board.

It could be that the vessel is lost already or it could be automatic, he said.

He did not know when the message was transmitted.

An image of the Titan vessel - OceanGate Expeditions

12:21 AM BST

Rescuers must shift focus

Attention has now turned to the complex task of attempting a rescue in the inky, crushing depths of the Atlantic.

The Titan could be more than two miles down on the ocean floor where the sea bed near the Titanic is undulating and complex around the wreckage of the Titanic.

The pressure at that depth is also 400 times what it is at sea level, beyond the limits of what human divers can reach outside of a specialised container. Though finding the vessel is the first major challenge.



Read the full story by Rozina Sabur here

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The missing Titanic sub would only detect hull failure 'milliseconds before an implosion,' company executive warned in 2018

An undated photo shows tourist submersible belongs to OceanGate begins to descend at sea. Ocean Gate / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

An OceanGate submersible carrying people to see the Titanic went missing on Sunday while on a dive.

And its system only detects hull issues "milliseconds" before disaster, per a former OceanGate employee.

The executive said he was fired in 2018 after raising concerns over the submersible's hull safety.

A submarine pilot hired to assess the now-missing Titanic submersible warned in 2018 that its hull monitoring system would only detect failure "often milliseconds before an implosion."

David Lochridge, a submarine pilot and inspector from Scotland, said in court filings that he was fired after expressing concerns about the safety of the Titan  a 22-foot submersible that disappeared on Sunday while carrying five people to see the wreck of the Titanic.

The US Coast Guard said at a press conference Thursday afternoon that the submersible likely imploded, killing all 5 passengers on board.

Lochridge was hired by OceanGate, the Washington-based company that runs tours with the Titan, as director of marine operations and started working with the firm in 2015, per the court filings seen by Insider.

He was accused by OceanGate of violating a nondisclosure agreement in 2018, but countersued the firm and said he was fired after becoming a whistleblower.

Lochridge was asked in January 2018 to inspect the Titan, according to his counterclaim. At the time, the vessel ws not yet being used in deep-sea tours.

Lochridge said he raised "serious safety concerns" in his inspection report, including issues regarding the viewport's design. His primary worry, however, was over a lack of testing on the Titan's hull, Lochridge said in his countersuit.

OceanGate was relying on an "acoustic monitoring system" that would detect when the hull breaks down, Lochridge said in his lawsuit.

But Lochridge warned that the system would "only show when a component is about to fail  often milliseconds before an implosion," and couldn't detect if any existing flaws were already affecting the hull, the lawsuit said.

"Non-destructive testing was critical to detect such potentially existing flaws in order to ensure a solid and safe product for the safety of the passengers and crew," Lochridge's lawsuit said.

However, the submarine pilot said OceanGate told him that the Titan's hull was too thick to scan for weak spots and adhesion issues.

Lochridge said that after he submitted his inspection report, OceanGate fired him and gave the pilot "approximately 10 minutes to immediately clear out his desk and exit the premises."

A representative for OceanGate told Insider that the firm is unable to provide comment on Lochridge's lawsuit.

It's unclear if the pilot's concerns were ever addressed or whether OceanGate later ran the tests he recommended. Lochridge's case was settled out of court in November 2018.

Three years after the lawsuit, OceanGate launched annual tours to see the sunken Titanic. On its third expedition, the Titan lost contact with its mother ship early Sunday afternoon as it was more than an hour into its journey to the Titanic.

Five people were inside the submersible  OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British adventurer Hamish Harding, French explorer and diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani-British philanthropist Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.

A sub pilot sits in the Cyclops-1, OceanGate's predecessor to the Titan. David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The US and Canada launched a massive search and rescue operation about 24 hours after the submersible lost contact with its mother ship.

At first, rescuers believed that if the Titan's hull was still intact, its passengers would have had enough oxygen to last at most until Thursday afternoon, Eastern Time, per the US Coast Guard.

But, after a 4-day long international search effort, the US Coast Guard said on Thursday that after finding the Titan's debris on the ocean floor, its likely the vessel suffered a "catastrophic implosion."

All 5 passengers are presumed dead, according to OceanGate.

Lochridge wasn't the only one to raise safety issues for the Titan.

The New York Times on Tuesday published a 2018 letter to Rush from the Marine Technology Society, which expressed "unanimous concern" about the safety of OceanGate's "experimental approach" with the submersible.

Read the original article on Insider
Editor's note: This page reflects the news on the missing submarine from Wednesday, June 21. For the latest updates on the missing submersible and the massive rescue efforts, read our live updates page for Thursday, June 22.

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Rescue efforts were expanding and underwater noises were detected in the search for the missing submersible carrying five passengers to the Titanic wreckage site, a Coast Guard official said Wednesday.

An expert submariner from the British Royal Navy, a team of French specialists on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and more ships and underwater vessels were joining the search, said Capt. Jamie Frederick, the First Coast Guard District response coordinator, in a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

The search was growing "exponentially" across a surface area roughly two times the size of Connecticut and 2.5 miles deep, he said.

"There is an enormous complexity associated with this case, due to the location being so far offshore and the coordination between multiple agencies and nations," Frederick said.

The 22-foot submersible lost contact with its support ship Sunday about an hour and 45 minutes into its dive. On board are a British adventurer, two members of a prominent Pakistani business family, a Titanic expert and the CEO of OceanGate, the Washington state-based company that operates the vehicle.

Five vessels on the ocean's surface were searching for the submersible, called Titan, and five more were expected to join the effort, Frederick said. Underwater, two ROVs were searching and "several more'' were on the way and expected to arrive by Thursday morning to scan the sea floor, he said. Aircraft also were searching throughout the day.

The equipment that is onsite and coming is the most sophisticated in the world and certainly capable of reaching those depths, said Sean Leet, chief executive of Horizon Maritime, a Canadian company that co-owns the research vessel that launched the Titan.

The U.S. Navy said early Wednesday afternoon that a special deep-water salvage system capable of hoisting up to 60,000 pounds had reached St. Johns, Canada, and could be used to lift the Titan to the surface, though it may not be ready for another 24 hours. The Titan weighs 20,000 pounds

Search ships were redirected Tuesday after "multiple" aircraft detected underwater noises in the area. Navy acoustic analysts were studying the sounds, which were heard again Wednesday, he said.

"We don't know what they are," Frederick said. "The good news is, were searching in the area where the noises were detected."

Less than a day's supply of oxygen and limited rations

Frederick said there are "limited rations" aboard the vessel, and experts feared it had less than a day's supply of oxygen left. Any decision about changing the search and rescue mission to a recovery mission would involve discussions with family members, Frederick said.

"When you're in the middle of a search and rescue case, you always have hope," he said.

The news comes as more information emerged about experts' attempts to warn OceanGate about the perils of its operations. Documents show an employee warned there might be safety problems posed by the way the experimental vehicle was developed, and leaders in the submersible craft industry told the company its approach to the enterprise could have a "catastrophic'' outcome.

Documents in a federal court in Virginia that oversees matters involving the Titanic's sinking also show the Titan had problems from its very first voyage in the summer of 2021, including issues with its electrical system and battery. Some of those were solved along the way, while others required a trip cancelation, the documents said.

A detailed visual look at sub: Maps, graphics show last location, depth and design

Banging noises an 'encouraging sign,' though a small one

Theres a good chance the banging noises heard by search crews came from the submersible, according to Nikolas Xiros, professor of naval architecture and marine engineering at the University of New Orleans.

Xiros told USA TODAY thats good news and bad news. If the noises came from the Titan, it might mean people on board are trying to communicate. However, Xiros said that because sound can travel long distances and doesnt move in a straight path underwater, it might not help narrow down the submersibles position very much.

This is an encouraging sign, a small one, but still an encouraging sign, Xiros said.

Theres also a chance the sounds came from another source, such as the Titanic itself, Xiros said. If they came from the missing submersible, they could have been made by the occupants banging a metal tool or object against the side of it.

The people on board may be facing increasingly dangerous conditions. Xiros said in addition to oxygen possibly running out, the vessel has probably lost power, meaning its dark and cold inside. Xiros said at the depths the Titan can go, it could be barely above freezing.

If a lack of oxygen doesn't get them,'' he said, "what's going to get them is going to be hypothermia.

On "CBS This Morning" early Wednesday, U.S. Coast Guard First District Commander Rear Adm. John Mauger said there are "a lot of metal and different objects in the water around the site." He added: "We don't know the source of that noise, but weve shared that information with Navy experts to classify it."

Submersible company pushed limits, and that's what clients wanted

Even as he declared the Titan submersible pretty much invulnerable, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush made it clear he wasnt against taking risks or breaking some rules.

His companys expeditions to the Titanic wreckage site catered to thrill-seekers, and wealthy ones at that, with a voyage costing $250,000.

Lawsuits, experts warnings and a reporters first-person account are now shedding light on the extreme danger of a trip nearly 2 miles in depth to the bottom of the ocean aboard the experimental Titan, where five people  including Rush  hope to get rescued before possibly running out of oxygen Thursday morning.

But that wont keep extreme adventurers from pursuing their next thrill, such as tourist space travel, analysts say.

OceanGate employee warned company passengers may be in danger

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, wrote an engineering report in 2018 that said the craft under development needed more testing and passengers might be endangered when it reached "extreme depths," according to a lawsuit filed that year in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

OceanGate sued Lochridge that year, accusing him of breaching a nondisclosure agreement, and he filed a counterclaim alleging he was wrongfully fired for raising questions about testing and safety. The case was settled on undisclosed terms several months after it was filed.

Lochridges concerns primarily focused on the companys decision to rely on sensitive acoustic monitoring  cracking or popping sounds made by the hull under pressure  to detect flaws, rather than a scan of the hull. Lochridge said the company told him no equipment existed that could perform such a test on the 5-inch-thick carbon-fiber hull.

 The Associated Press

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible.

Underwater noises detected in search area

A Canadian aircraft heard "underwater noises in the search area," the U.S. Coast Guard announced on Twitter early Wednesday. The noises prompted remotely operated vehicle operations to search for the origin of the noises.

"Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue," the Coast Guard said. "Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans."

Three vessels arrived on the scene Wednesday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Twitter. "The John Cabot has side-scanning sonar capabilities and is conducting search patterns alongside the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin," the Coast Guard said. Side-scan sonar is used to detect and image objects on the sea floor, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Search crews were facing winds gusts up to 30 mph and ocean swells up to 7 feet, the Coast Guard said.

It's 'most people's biggest fear': The missing Titanic sub and why we can't look away

The news came after crews detected "banging" and "acoustic feedback" sounds Tuesday while searching for the Titan submersible, according to an internal memo sent to Department of Homeland Security leadership obtained by Rolling Stone and CNN.

A Canadian aircraft heard the banging sounds every 30 minutes, according to the memo. Additional sonar was deployed and the banging could still be heard four hours later. The internal update did not say what time the banging was heard or exactly how long it lasted.

What does it look like inside the missing submersible?

Titan is about 8 feet high, 9 feet wide, 22 feet long and weighs 23,000 pounds, according to the OceanGate website. Images posted to the website show people seated on the ground in the small, open space with their legs crossed. Science writer David Pogue previously said the vessel has about as much room as a minivan.

Previous versions of the website, accessed by USA TODAY through the Internet Archive, said passengers are advised to "restrict your diet before and during the dive to reduce the likelihood that you will need to use the facilities." Passengers might assist with a variety of tasks on the submersible, the website says, including sonar operation, taking photos or videos and helping the pilot with communications between the sub and the surface.

OceanGate operates three five-person submersibles and says it has completed at least 14 expeditions and more than 200 dives in the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, according to the website. Unlike submarines, which are fully autonomous, submersibles have limited power reserves, so they require a support ship that can launch and recover them.

This undated image, courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible launching from a platform.

How much oxygen is left in the submersible?

Frederick said the Titan had "about 40 hours of breathable air left" around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday, meaning its oxygen supply could run out by Thursday morning.

An underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic, he said, and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found. Besides that, three C-130 aircraft and three C-17 transport planes from the U.S. military have been aiding the search, and the Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships.

Red flags raised: Reporter who rode Titanic submarine says there were 'many red flags'

Still, the remote location  900 miles east of Cape Cod and up 13,000 feet below the sea  makes the pursuit "an incredibly complex operation,'' Frederick said. As of Tuesday, 10,000 square miles had been searched. The Coast Guard in Boston was combing the ocean surface and below water using tools including sonar technology and aircraft.

The carbon-fiber and titanium submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it took to sea at about 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, the deep-sea exploration company that owns the vessel. The watercraft was lost contact with its support ship, the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, about an hour and 45 minutes after submerging.

Organ failure, hypothermia possible concerns

Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, said those aboard the submersible would be experiencing organ failure as oxygen levels dip and less oxygen flows to the brain, leading to weakness, confusion and loss of consciousness. Anxiety, fear, speech and a faster heart rate can increase the amount of oxygen a person uses, he said.

The submersible's ability to filter out carbon dioxide also is concerning if it is compromised, said Dr. Alexander Isakov, Emory University emergency medicine physician and a former diving medical officer with the U.S. Navy. Life-threatening hypothermia is a concern, too, he said. The submersible's ability to maintain a comfortable temperature is essential amid the extreme cold of the ocean's depths.

 Nada Hassanein

Where could the missing submersible be?

Jim Bellingham, a Johns Hopkins University expert on deep-sea operations, told USA TODAY there are three possible locations for the submersible: floating on the ocean's surface after an electrical failure or some other mishap; drifting in the water column  anywhere between the surface and the bottom  because it became buoyantly neutral; or on the sea floor, perhaps tangled with something that won't let it float to the surface.

The first one is by far the best position, Bellingham said, because even though it would be difficult to spot the Titan amid ocean waves, "the Coast Guard is just awesome at this. They have amazing capability to see something pretty small in the ocean."

Missing Titanic submersible: Maps, graphics show last location, depth and design

Report: Experts warned OceanGate of 'catastrophic' outcome

OceanGate was warned its approach to the enterprise could have a "catastrophic'' outcome, according to a 2018 letter written by leaders in the submersible craft industry obtained by The New York Times.

The letter was addressed to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush  who is on board the missing vessel, according to the company  by members of the Marine Technology Society, an organization that advocates for ocean technology and education.

The more than 30 signatories said they were apprehensive about the company's experimental approach to its planned exploration of the Titanic wreckage and about the vessel's design, believing they could lead to safety problems that would hurt the industry as a whole.

The letter also says OceanGate's claim that its watercraft design meets or surpasses safety standards is "misleading to the public and breaches an industry-wide professional code of conduct we all endeavor to uphold.''

Who is on the passenger list of the missing submersible?

Stockton Rush, 61, CEO of OceanGate, who co-founded the company in 2009.

Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 73, a French maritime explorer and director of the Underwater Research Program at Premier Exhibitions, RMS Titanic Inc., the only company with exclusive rights to recover the artifacts from the Titanic wreck.

Hamish Harding, 58, a British explorer, private jet dealer and chairman of Action Aviation, a global sales company in business aviation.

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a member of one of Pakistans most prominent families.

Suleman Dawood, son of Shahzada Dawood.

 Isabelle Butera, USA TODAY

Where is the Titanic wreck located?

The Titanic lies about 370 miles off Newfoundland, Canada, in the North Atlantic. The submersible was traveling to the wreckage site of the Titanic about 2 miles below the surface.

Contributing: Jorge L. Ortiz, Claire Thornton, Thao Nguyen and Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missing Titanic submarine live updates: Search expands 'exponentially'
OceanGate's Titan submersible on an underwater platform prior to a 2018 test dive.

The submersible that went missing with five people on board during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic on Sunday (June 18) was built with NASA's help.

Washington-based company OceanGate consulted engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama during the development of the deep-sea submersible, which is called Titan.

The collaboration came via a Space Act agreement with the agency, according to OceanGate.

"NASA's expertise in the design and automated fiber placement lay up of composite hulls was extremely valuable on this project," OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush said in a March 2022 statement.

"The ability to construct Titan's pressure hull with aerospace-grade carbon fiber and manufacturing protocols results in a submersible which weighs a fraction of what other deep-diving crewed submersibles weigh," he added. "This weight reduction allows us to carry a significantly greater payload which we use to carry five crewmembers: a pilot, researchers and mission specialists."

Related: 10 extraordinary ocean worlds in our solar system (photos)

The NASA assistance isn't the missing submersible's only space connection. One of the people on board, for example, is businessman and explorer Hamish Harding, who flew to suborbital space with Jeff Bezos' rocket company Blue Origin in 2022.

Another crewmate on board the troubled Titan is Shahzada Dawood, vice chairman of the Pakistan-based conglomerate Dawood Hercules Corporation. Dawood is a trustee of the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in Mountain View, California.

The other three crewmembers are Rush, Dawood's 19-year-old son Suleman and explorer and former French Navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, according to the BBC.

Titan (which shares its name with Saturn's largest moon) has made a number of successful dives to and from the wreck of the Titanic, which famously went down in the North Atlantic during its debut voyage in 1912.

Planetary scientist Alan Stern, who leads NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto and the outer solar system, went on one of those dives. Former NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski has made the Titanic-wreck trip as well, and he joined OceanGate's board of directors last year.

In addition, OceanGate said last week that SpaceX's Starlink megaconstellation would be providing internet service for this most recent Titanic dive.

Related stories:

 Pluto explorer deep dives to the Titanic

 Meet the crew of Blue Origin's NS-21 space tourism launch

 An aurora that lit up the sky over the Titanic might explain why it sank

The Titanic struck an iceberg and went down about 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland, killing about 1,500 of the roughly 2,200 people on board. The wreck sits 2.4 miles (3.8 km) beneath the North Atlantic waves, making it difficult to get to. Indeed, the ship's final resting place wasn't even discovered until 1985.

Contact with the Titan submersible was lost Sunday about an hour and 45 minutes after it departed from its mother ship to descend into the depths, according to the BBC. (Submersibles such as Titan must be hauled to and from their drop zones, whereas submarines can make such trips on their own).

It's thought that the submersible had enough oxygen to sustain its crewmates for about 96 hours when it went missing. It's unclear what went wrong or where Titan is now, though an intense search is underway.
'Mission: Impossible' star Rebecca Ferguson lifted up her red-carpet dress to reveal the ultimate comfy hack: leggings

Rebecca Ferguson at the "Mission: Impossible 7" premiere in Rome, Italy. Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images

Rebecca Ferguson attended the "Mission: Impossible 7" premiere in Rome, Italy, on Monday.

She wore a black Emporio Armani gown on the red carpet with platform heels and silver jewelry.

Before entering the event, Ferguson revealed to fans that she had leggings underneath the dress.

How do celebrities get through lengthy movie premieres and red-carpet events in fancy, sometimes uncomfortable clothes?

For "Mission: Impossible" star Rebecca Ferguson, the answer is simple: leggings.

The Swedish actor attended the "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" premiere in Rome, Italy, on Monday, and wore a sleeveless, black-velvet gown designed by Emporio Armani.

The dress was simple, but stood out thanks to its twisted straps, scooped neckline, and floor-length pleated skirt.

Rebecca Ferguson at the "Mission: Impossible 7" premiere in Rome, Italy. Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

Ferguson's look evoked glamour on the red carpet, but was hiding a casual secret. In a video shared by journalist Courtney Howard on Twitter, the actor is seen lifting the skirt of her gown to reveal gray, rolled-up leggings underneath.

It's unclear why Ferguson chose to wear the athleisure garment beneath her dress, but she seemed comfortable in the outfit, dancing for fans before stepping onto the red carpet. Tom Eerebout, her stylist for the evening, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

On Twitter, fans loved Ferguson's commitment to staying casual.

"I mean, she might have to chase someone across a roof at a moment's notice. That's just practical," one person joked.

"The best way to get dressed, up and down at the same time," another wrote alongside a cartoon meme.

Ferguson wore the gown  which also had pockets  with platform sandals, silver bangles, matching rings, and a statement necklace. For makeup, she wore burgundy lipstick and black-dot makeup in place of eyeliner.

Rebecca Ferguson at the "Mission: Impossible 7" premiere in Rome, Italy. Franco Origlia/Getty Images

On the red carpet, Ferguson also shared an embrace with costar Tom Cruise. Photographers captured both actors holding hands and kissing each other on the cheek before heading into the movie premiere.

Rebecca Ferguson and Tom Cruise at the "Mission: Impossible 7" premiere in Rome, Italy. Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Read the original article on Insider
Chinese premier calls for more cooperation between China, Germany

Xinhua) 08:10, June 21, 2023

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds a welcome ceremony for visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang before their talks in Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2023. The seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation was co-chaired by Li and Scholz in Berlin on Tuesday. Li and Scholz held talks before the consultation. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BERLIN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said China and Germany should work more closely, make more contributions to world peace and development, play the role of stabilizer in the midst of changes, and speed up the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Li made the remarks when co-chairing the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

They heard reports on the progress of China-Germany cooperation in relevant fields from the heads of 22 departments including foreign affairs, economy and trade, industry, finance, justice, transport, education, science and technology, health, environmental protection and development.

Li said that the consultation was efficient and pragmatic, and achieved fruitful results. Under the current circumstances, the two sides should seize the opportunity of green transformation and promote the upgrading of cooperation.

Li proposed that China and Germany should become partners in green development, strengthen communication and coordination on green and environmental issues, promote green energy technology development and industrial technology upgrading, and deepen cooperation in such fields as new energy vehicles, green finance, and third-party markets.

China and Germany should adhere to a pragmatic and open attitude to better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, Li said, saying the two countries should also strengthen cooperation in global economic governance, ensure the stability of international industrial and supply chains, and promote an early recovery of the world economy.

Scholz said the inter-governmental consultation mechanism reflects the special significance of the relations between the two countries.

The German side is willing to maintain close communication with China on all issues between the two countries and to jointly address global challenges such as climate change, food security and debt problems, he said.

Germany, Scholz said, has no intention to decouple from China, and is ready to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with China to promote world development and prosperity.

The two sides agreed that bilateral cooperation is solidly based and dynamic, and that it is in the interests of both sides to deepen cooperation at a higher level, with higher standards and higher quality, and to jointly maintain the stability of the global production and supply chains, which is also of great global significance.

The two sides also agreed to set up a dialogue and cooperation mechanism on climate change and green transition, hold the third China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue as well as new editions of Sino-German Environmental Forum and health dialogue, and continue to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, investment, automobile manufacturing, high-tech, new energy, digital economy and humanities.

After the consultation, Li and Scholz witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of climate change response, innovation, advanced manufacturing and vocational education, and met with the press together.

Prior to the consultation, Li held a meeting with Scholz.

Li pointed out that the economic and trade cooperation between China and Germany has been developed for more than half a century, and it is not easy for the two sides to achieve today's results, which have brought real benefits to the two peoples.

He hopes the German side will continue to keep an open mind, uphold the independent policy, and properly handle relevant issues on the basis of international rules and in the principle of the spirit of contract.

The two sides should vigorously promote the facilitation of personnel exchanges and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Li proposed tackling climate change as one of the guiding visions for China-Germany cooperation in the future, adding that the two countries should promote cooperation in green technology and industry, and explore the establishment of a rational and orderly division of labor in the green energy industry chain.

Scholz said the German side welcomes China's development and prosperity, noting that Germany rejects all forms of decoupling and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization."

Germany is committed to developing stable relations with China and is willing to further strengthen bilateral exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and reach more cooperation consensus in addressing climate change and green development, he said, adding that Germany supports two-way investment and will provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Germany.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Before the meeting, Scholz held a grand welcome ceremony for Li at the square in front of the Federal Chancellery. With a military band playing the national anthems of both countries and Chinese and German flags flying high, Li, accompanied by Scholz, reviewed the guard of honor.

Wu Zhenglong, among others, was present at the events.

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chair the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation in Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and persons attending the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation pose for a group photo in Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2023. The seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation was co-chaired by Li and Scholz in Berlin on Tuesday. Li and Scholz held talks before the consultation. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
As tourists head to airports this summer, American travelers are likely to see groups of young people in matching T-shirts awaiting flights to Latin America or further afield. Their T-shirts sport biblical verses or phrases like Here I am, send me or Called to serve, and the teens may gather for prayer before boarding.

These young people are heading off to be short-term missionaries: an experience that has become a rite of passage in some corners of Protestant Christianity as overseas travel has become more affordable for Americans. According to some estimates, as many as 2 million youth and adults per year participated in Christian mission trips before the pandemic, including overseas trips and trips to poor communities at home.

While it is difficult to confirm these numbers, mission trips are now especially commonplace within evangelical churches, with larger and more affluent churches offering multiple trips throughout the year. Some congregations plan their mission trips in-house. Others enlist the services of mission companies with names like World Race, He Said Go and World Gospel Mission. Typically, these companies combine humanitarian service, development projects and faith. They promise participants adventure, spiritual growth and an opportunity to serve as Jesus hands and feet in the world.

I have been studying short-term missionaries for the past six years. I have interviewed dozens of pastors, trip leaders and young missionaries, and I have had the opportunity to participate in a mission trip in Central America. Through this research, I have learned about why so many young Christians want to go on mission trips and have been struck by their desire to serve. Yet, as a geographer, I am concerned by their lack of knowledge about the people and places they visit.

White mans burden

The missionary impulse within Christianity comes from the Great Commission, a Gospel verse in which Jesus instructs his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The spirit of evangelism thrived among European and American Christians in the 19th century, fueled by frontier expansion and colonization. Protestant missionaries spread throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific, seeking to win souls for Christ. Also important, in many of these mens and womens eyes, was something often referred to as the white mans burden: the imperialist idea that they had a duty to introduce Western civilization to supposedly backward people.

Missionaries had mixed success in converting so-called natives to Christianity. But they left lasting impacts through the many institutions they established around the world, including schools, universities and hospitals.

A teacher and students at a Christian missionary school in Shanghai around 1855. William Jocelyn/Getty Images

Missions 2.0

Contemporary missionaries are the inheritors of these earlier waves. Yet they also have some distinctive characteristics.

Historically, mission work was a lifelong calling and profession, one that often meant never coming home. Career missionaries continue to have a role in missions today, sometimes financially supported by denominational organizations like the Southern Baptist Conventions International Missions Board or by donations from individual churches.

But the movement is now dominated by short-termers who are in the mission field for a couple of weeks or months. Some trips go to destinations where Christians are a minority, such as the Middle East, India or Southeast Asia. More commonly, they take place in countries with a sizable Christian population and partner with local evangelical organizations and churches planted by long-term missionaries. Trip organizers I interviewed emphasized that the mission teams are there to serve and to take direction from their local partners.

Another distinctive feature of short-term missions is their approach to faith. Rather than push conversion as a goal, todays mission leaders emphasize relationship building in hopes that connections will gradually lead people closer to Christian beliefs.

Trips are oriented not just around the spiritual transformation of the local community but also the spiritual transformation of missionaries themselves. Pastors and organizers say that trips are meant to teach young American Christians what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus, to share the gospel and to love people who are not like them. Organizers talk about young people learning to live missionally and to see opportunities to build Gods kingdom in their ordinary lives.

Sacred and secular

Short-term missions, however, also appeal to young peoples desire to see the world and to be adventurous. The language used to describe and promote trips is remarkably similar to secular overseas volunteering or voluntourism, as well as gap-year programs before college.

Both experiences are built around the idea of getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing cultural differences in the name of self-improvement, preparing for life in a globalized, diverse world.

Another similarity is that both Christian and secular programs usually involve some kind of service project: building a house, digging a well or leading recreational activities for children. Such activities are meant to give young people confidence in their ability to make a difference in the world, while developing resilience and gratitude.

Walk with the poor

Not all evangelicals see the value of mission trips. Critics have argued that American short-term mission teams dump unwanted goods on host communities, are culturally insensitive and commonly assume that locals need American expertise. Construction projects push out local workers and often result in shoddily built structures  suggesting the enormous sums of money spent on mission trips might be better spent if donated directly to local organizations.

Books like When Helping Hurts, by evangelical authors Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett, aim to explain how leaders can make mission trips more effective, both in terms of alleviating poverty and in terms of evangelism.

Warning against a white savior attitude, they suggest that the purpose of short-term missions is to walk with the poor and build lasting relationships that will lead people to Christ.

Beyond the bubble

In my research, I have met mission trip leaders who are trying to put these ideas into practice without harming the communities they visit. But troubling elements persist.

Trip organizers want to open American Christians eyes to realities of the world outside of their bubbles. Yet their messages tends to imply the effects of poverty can be overcome through personal faith in Christ. Short-term missionaries I interviewed did not blame people for being poor but were reluctant to describe the hardship they witnessed in terms of social injustice.

The mission teams I studied learned almost nothing about the impacts of corruption, violence and social inequality on the communities they believed they were there to help. Trip leaders felt that such information would bore participants and detract from the spiritual aims of the trip. In effect, what mattered to the volunteers and organizers was simply that places were poor and foreign rather than the reasons poverty was so entrenched.

Many of the short-term missionaries I interviewed described feeling changed by their trip and becoming more aware of their own privilege. But the focus on spiritual fulfillment means that these young people may be missing out on opportunities to deepen their understandings of the world and to build solidarity with the communities they visit.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Caroline R. Nagel, University of South Carolina.

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Caroline R. Nagel 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.
Mississippi governor under fire for leaving state as residents reeled from back-to-back tornadoes

Mississippi governor under fire for leaving state as residents reeled from back-to-back tornadoes

Mississippis Republican Governor Tate Reeves has come under fire after he left his state to attend a fundraiser in Alabama while his constituents were dealing with extensive tornado damage.

Back-to-back tornadoes killed one person in the state and injured dozens, leaving homes and businesses shattered, and residents dealing with power outages.

Mr Reeves attended the Republican Governors Association (RGA) fundraiser alongside Alabama GOP Governor Kay Ivey at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Birmingham on Monday, an invitation showed according to the Associated Press.

Attendees paid between $5,000 for one person and $50,000 for four people. Mr Reeves is serving as the RGA policy chair and is hoping to get re-elected as governor this year.

Reeves campaign manager Elliott Husbands responded to questions on Tuesday, saying that the fundraiser was planned far in advance and that the money raised hasnt been earmarked for a specific campaign.

The states where governors are elected this year include Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana.

Mr Husbands noted that Mr Reeves has been in contact with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency since the weather problems began last week, including during his jaunt to Alabama, a trip which lasted around three hours, the campaign manager claimed.

The Governor also has personally communicated with local leaders in the affected areas, Mr Husbands said. In addition, he has already said publicly he is going to be on the ground in the impacted areas tomorrow.

The Democratic nominee taking on Mr Reeves is Mississippis northern district public service commissioner Brandon Presley.

Tate Reeves is hoping to get re-elected as governor of Mississippi on 7 November (AP)

The communications director of the Democratic gubernatorial campaign, Michael Beyer, slammed Mr Reeves on Tuesday.

It is no surprise to see Tate Reeves leave the state for a fundraiser in the middle of storm recovery  when given a choice between rubbing elbows with the wealthy and well-connected or speaking face-to-face with Mississippians who have had their lives upended by this storm, he will always go after the money, he said. If it would mean furthering himself, Tate Reeves would go to Antarctica for a campaign check.

Mr Husbands said Mr Reeves didnt use the state plane for the trip to Alabama.

Thousands of residents in the state have been struggling in the heat as their air-conditioning was affected by the thunderstorms taking out the electricity in the central parts of the state last week.

A mobile home is turned on its side off Main Street in Moss Point, Mississippi, after a tornado struck the town this month (AP)

Jasper County in the eastern parts of the state was struck by a tornado on Sunday night into Monday morning, leading to the death of one person and the injuries of almost two dozen. The storm damaged more than 70 homes.

Later on Monday, another tornado hit Jackson County, which includes a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico.

Moss Point was the city struck hardest as the storm injured six people and damaged around 100 buildings.

Well be here for the long haul to support these communities and help them recover, Mr Reeves said on social media on Tuesday.
Andrew Bailey was announced as Gov. Mike Parsons choice to be Missouri attorney general on Nov. 23, 2022.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey did not deliver his certification of the fiscal note summary on 11 abortion rights petitions within the 24 hours ordered Tuesday by Judge Jon Beetem.

Instead, Bailey filed a notice of appeal with Beetems court that he wanted to take the case to the Missouri Supreme Court. As of early Wednesday, however, that court had not issued any decision suspending or staying the Beetems 24-hour order.

It appears he is attempting to use an automatic stay through the appeals process, said Tom Bastian, spokesman for the ACLU of Missouri, which represented petitioner Anna Fitz-James in the case before Beetem. We filed a motion to enforce and that goes back to Judge Beetem.

In the motion, ACLU attorneys argue that because Baileys office is not among the types of parties granted an automatic stay after filing an appeal, he must ask for one.

The Attorney General cannot evade this courts order simply by filing a notice of appeal, the attorneys wrote.

Beetem issued a writ of mandamus shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday for Bailey within 24 hours of this order to approve forthwith the legal content and form of the fiscal note summaries on 11 initiative proposals filed in early March by Fitz-James.

The proposed constitutional amendments would declare that the government shall not infringe upon a persons fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

Under state law, after a proposed initiative is filed with the Secretary of States office, it is sent to the attorney general and the auditor. The attorney general must certify that the petition is in the form required by law and the auditor estimates the fiscal impact. After the auditor is done, the analysis is sent to the attorney general to determine if it, too, meets the legal requirements.

The process broke down when Bailey refused to accept the cost estimate prepared by Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick and refused to certify it. Fitz-James and the ACLU of Missouri sued and on Tuesday Beetem ruled Bailey had an absolute absence of authority to dispute the contents of Fitzpatricks estimate if it met the legal form.

Bailey had a ministerial duty that allowed no discretion in the matter, Beetem ruled.

Trevor Fox, spokesman for Fitzpatrick, said the office did not receive anything by the deadline.

We have not received certification nor have we received any notice of a stay, Fox wrote in an email.

JoDonn Chaney, communications director for Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, said that office had also not received any documentation that Bailey had complied with Beetems order.

Baileys office did not respond immediately Wednesday morning to a request for comment.

In a five-page filing in Beetems court, Bailey wrote that he was challenging the validity of seven statutes governing the form and procedures for initiative petition submission and review.

As represented in respondents petition and the Circuit Courts Judgment, the attorney generals appeal inherently involves questions surrounding the obligations imposed on executive branch officials by various election statutes and the relationship between those obligations and different provisions of the Missouri Constitution, Baileys filing states.

In his ruling, Beetem rejected the constitutional challenge.

Bailey is responsible for the impasse on certification, Beetem wrote. He refused to disrupt the statutory scheme set forth in Chapter 116, RSMo, which has served the citizens of Missouri well by providing fiscal estimates for every ballot measure for over twenty-five years. The court finds a discussion of the constitutionality of those statutes is unnecessary.

Baileys unprecedented refusal to certify the auditors fiscal note summary has meant lengthy delays for backers of the initiative. It is part of a review process that by law should last no more than 56 before an initiative is ready for circulation. As of Wednesday, it has been 105 days since Fitz-James submitted petitions for review.

To make the ballot, a constitutional amendment must have at least 171,592 signatures from registered voters equal to 8% of the 2020 vote for governor in six of the states eight congressional districts. The minimum number is 171,592, using the districts with the lowest turnout.

Every day the time for signature collection is delayed, the cost of gathering enough signatures to get a measure before voters increases and the feasibility decreases, ACLU attorneys wrote in the motion for execution of the judgment.

The fiscal note summary was prepared by the auditor, Beetem wrote, after sending notices to 60 state and local governments and accepting numerous comments from opponents and supporters. In it, Fitzpatrick wrote that the state would face no costs or savings as a result of the proposed constitutional amendment but that one local government entity estimates losing at least $51,000 in reduced tax revenues and that opponents of the proposal contend it could lead to significant loss in state revenue.

Bailey wanted the summary to say the proposal endangers the states Medicaid funding and, combined with the loss of future tax revenue could put the cost at $6.9 trillion, Beetem wrote in his ruling.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri AG misses deadline on abortion petition as appeal is filed
WASHINGTON  Hunter Biden's agreement Tuesday to resolve federal tax and gun charges culminated a five-year criminal investigation and likely averted prison, but opened the door to an intensified congressional inquiry and further political attacks against President Joe Biden.

The president and first lady Jill Biden expressed support for Hunter Biden on Tuesday, after officials announced he would plead guilty to the tax charges and resolve a gun offense. Republican lawmakers and former President Donald Trump alleged that the case has been politicized and amounts to a "sweetheart" deal for a member of the president's family.

Here are five takeaways from the charges:

Plea bargain covers two counts of tax evasion

David Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware who has investigated Hunter Biden for five years, announced he was charged with two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax.

Biden allegedly received at least $1.5 million each year in 2017 and 2018, but didn't pay taxes, according to court records.

The Justice Department is expected to recommend probation, although a federal judge will review the agreement, an unnamed source told The Associated Press.

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, speaks to guests during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, April 18, 2022, in Washington.

Biden agrees to pretrial program on gun charge

The gun charge alleges Biden possessed a firearm in 2018, a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver, despite being addicted to drugs, which is a violation of federal law. Biden agreed to a pretrial diversion program, which could eventually lead to the dismissal of the charge.

The Gun Control Act prohibits people who use drugs from possessing firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ruled the ban applies to "a conviction for use or possession of a controlled substance within the past year."

Biden filled out a federal form when he bought a handgun in October 2018 in which he replied no to a question of whether he was an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance," according to the Washington Post. By his own account in his memoir Beautiful Things, Biden battled drug addiction and for periods during 2018 and smoked crack every 15 minutes.

Biden's lawyer, Christopher Clark, said the president's son will take responsibility for "mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward."

Then Vice President Joe Biden, left, and his son Hunter Biden appear at the Duke Georgetown NCAA college basketball game in Washington on Jan. 30, 2010.

GOP reaction: 'A slap on the wrist'

House Republicans led by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., have argued that Hunter Biden peddled influence on the administration through lucrative business deals and the sale of art. Comer pledged to keep investigating, despite the plea agreement.

"Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery," Comer said. "These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committees investigation. We will not rest until the full extent of President Bidens involvement in the familys schemes are revealed.

Biden paternity case: How the Biden family name became latest wrinkle in Hunter Biden's paternity battle

Weiss, the U.S. attorney who led the investigation, was appointed by Trump. Weiss oversaw the plea agreement for the tax charges and the diversion agreement for the gun charge.

Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., a House staffer for Trump's first impeachment, said the charges will hold Hunter Biden accountable for every charge that could be proven during an "exhaustive investigation" that "found no wrongdoing connected to President Biden, further debunking the rumors, hearsay, and innuendo coming from House Republicans."

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 08: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., questions witnesses during the first public hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 08, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Trump, facing his own indictments, campaigns on Hunter Biden case

Trump attacked President Biden over the charges and claimed political favoritism in how they were resolved.

"People are going wild over the Hunter Biden Scam with the DOJ!" Trump said in a Truth Social post. He said in another post the Justice Department gave Hunter Biden "a mere 'traffic ticket.' Our system is BROKEN!"

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges over classified documents and 34 New York state charges over allegedly falsifying business records.

Hunter Biden's recovery: Hunter Biden's drug use back in public eye as criminal charges could be around the corner

White House: Joe Biden supports son, keeps hands off criminal case

The White House has said President Biden hasn't discussed his son's investigation with Attorney General Merrick Garland or the Justice Department. Biden has dismissed bribery allegations as "malarkey."

The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life," Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement.

Hunter Biden, right, meets and speaks with his father President Joe Biden, and proceeds to walk back inside of the White House after the President and First lady Jill Biden welcomed and greeted people at the annual Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 10, 2023.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 takeaways from Hunter Biden's agreement on tax charges, gun offense
If Missouri Gov. Mike Parson grants clemency to the ex-Kansas City police officer convicted of manslaughter for killing Cameron Lamb, Kansas City could potentially see a wave of protests that would test new guidelines KCPD created in response to 2020s mass protests.

Eric DeValkenaere, a white officer, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2022 after shooting and killing Lamb, a Black man, outside his home in 2019. DeValkenaere has remained free on bond since then as he appeals the verdict.

Even though the appeal process is not over, Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker wrote a letter last week referencing reports that Parson may reduce or further delay DeValkenaeres sentence. On Wednesday, Parson said it is within his power to pardon DeValkenaere.

DeValkenaere was the first Kansas City police officer to be convicted for an officer-involved shooting. Supporters of Lamb protested on the courthouse steps throughout DeValkenaeres trial at the time, and more protests could follow if the governor grants clemency.

Kansas Citians widely criticized KCPD for how it responded to protesters in 2020 following George Floyds murder. At one point, six officers approached and grabbed one protester from 47th Street, pulling him into the roadway as his daughter was doused with chemicals. Another protester was standing 10 feet away from officers when a tear gas canister slammed into his leg  breaking his tibia bone through his skin.

Following the 2020 protests, the police department created a set of policies for how officers should engage protesters in the future. The new rules  approved by the Police Board of Commissioners in 2021  prohibit officers from using less-than-lethal weapons when dispersing an unlawful assemblies and require officers to make a reasonable effort to allow protesters to continue exercising their First Amendment rights.

KCPD told The Star it has no plans of preparing for a large demonstration related to DeValkenaere, but KCPD Spokesperson Corey Carlisle said the department hosts regular refresher trainings for all of its officers on the protest policies.

Heres a look at what KCPDs policies say about protests.

What is an unlawful assembly?

A protest becomes an unlawful assembly if seven or more people violate a state or federal law. This can include fighting or looting, but does not include violation of municipal laws like jay-walking. Even if there are thousands of people protesting, if police find at least seven people breaking state or federal laws, the entire protest can technically be considered unlawful.

KCPDs new policy requires that police use a gradual approach and make efforts to allow law-abiding citizens to keep protesting. Police are supposed to first try to remove or detain anyone who is violating the law before escalating the scene by using things like tear gas or pepper spray to force the crowd to disperse.

The goal is for everyone to continue to have the right to exercise their 1st Amendment rights in peace and with the protections afforded to them by law, Carlisle said.

When there is a major protest, KCPD will appoint a commanding officer who gets to decide if a demonstration is unlawful. That officer will assess whether there are seven or more people violating state or federal law, if there is a danger of a riot or immediate violence, the likelihood that people will voluntarily comply with police, or if the city, state or federal government declares a state of emergency.

When making that decision, the policy says actual danger or violence has to be at play for a demonstration to be deemed unlawful or for someone to be arrested. Officers cannot declare an event unlawful or make arrests if someone is just making verbal threats of future harm.

What is a gradual approach?

According to KCPDs guidelines, officers are required to get in contact with protest organizers to let them know that the gathering is or could become unlawful. Once that communication is established, the police officer in charge is supposed to work with organizers to issue warnings if anything goes wrong.

Local activist Lora McDonald said police in the past have often escalated a scene with pepper spray or arrests within a moments notice, leaving little time to disperse. This leaves many law-abiding protesters wondering how they will be treated if they decide to participate in a protest, said McDonald, who is the executive director of MORE2, a faith-based organization dedicated to racial and economic justice.

McDonald said people who want to protest should beware that some officers might still see them as a threat.

The department actively protects their interests, including Eric DeValkenaere, she said. We should not presume that they will be protected or that our rights will be protected. We should assume that KCPD will protect their own at all costs.

When do you know that the protest needs to disperse?

If officers cannot calm the crowd down, they might demand that everyone leave and disperse. To make sure that people hear the order to disperse, officers are now required to use an amplification device at multiple locations so the entire crowd can hear.

The warnings should be loud enough for individuals in the rear of the assembly to hear the orders, if possible, said Carlisle, adding that officers should also give that dispersal order in multiple languages depending on the community that is protesting.

Officers are required to give people enough time to hear and follow those orders before taking any next steps to disperse the crowd by force.

What are the allowable uses of tear gas or other methods of force?

Using weapons on a crowd in any way should be a last resort, according to KCPDs policy. The new rules state that less-than-lethal weapons should not be used to make a crowd disperse. They should only be used for officers to protect themselves or other people from violence.

The commanding officer is responsible for determining whether to use any weapons or chemical agents. Those decisions are made on a case-by-case basis as a last resort when there is a genuine threat of violence.

If there is a threat that police feel they cant control, they can still use a chemical agent, arrests or a police strategy called kettling, where police form a blockade to neutralize threats. What counts as a threat is largely up to the discretion of the officer in charge at the time.

McDonald suggested those attending protests wear an extra layer of clothing just in case you have to cover your mouth or skin if a chemical agent is sprayed into the crowd. She said people can also pack bandanas or face masks so they dont inhale any chemicals.

If someone gets sprayed in close range, she suggested using milk to help with the burning.

Once you know they are gasing, cover up your mouth, your nose, because you can have an emergency and not be able to get out of there, she said.

If you want to learn more about protesters rights and safety, check out The Stars guide on what to know before going to a protest.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, practices yoga during the International Yoga day event at United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Modi has joined diplomats and dignitaries at the United Nations for a morning session of yoga, praising it as truly universal and a way of life. Modi kicked off the public portion of his U.S. visit at an event honoring the International Day of Yoga. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Praising yoga as a way of life," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed poses ranging from cobra to corpse alongside a multinational crowd Wednesday at the U.N. headquarters as he kicked off the public portion of his U.S. visit.

With a checkerboard of made-in-India yoga mats covering the U.N.'s spacious north lawn, Modi stopped and bowed at a statue of the assassinated Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi before saying in brief remarks that yoga was an all-ages, portable practice accessible to all faiths and cultures.

It is a very old tradition, but like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic, Modi said. Yoga is truly universal."

While yoga is a means to physical fitness, mental calm and emotional contentment, it is not just about doing exercise on a mat. Yoga is a way of life, said the year-old leader of the world's most populous nation.

For Modi, who arrived Tuesday in New York on a trip that will offer plenty of time to discuss global tensions, highlighting an ancient pursuit of inner tranquility was a savvy and symbolic choice. He has made yoga a personal practice and a diplomatic tool.

Taking his spot on a mat amid the throng of a thousand or more, the 72-year-old Modi participated over the next 35 minutes in breathing exercises, meditation, backbends and other poses  from palm tree to diamond, hare to half-camel, crocodile to stretched-up frog.

The event honored the International Day of Yoga, which Modi persuaded the U.N. to designate in 2014 as an annual observance. This year's version set a Guinness World Record, announced on-scene, for most nationalities  135  at a yoga lesson. It drew actor Richard Gere, singer-actor Mary Millben, New York Mayor Eric Adams, U.N. General Assembly President Csaba Korosi and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, among other dignitaries. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is at a conference in Paris, sent in a video greeting.

The shouts of demonstrators across the street could be heard during the meditative utterances of Om. About 200 Modi supporters and 50 critics rallied, kept apart by barriers and closely watched by New York police.

The pro-Modi group cried out greetings to him and held signs with such messages as America Welcomes Narendra Modi and United We Stand, accompanied by a photo of the U.S. flag. Opponents yelled, Modi, go back! and waved large yellow flags referring to Khalistan, the name of the homeland that Sikh separatists seek to create in India.

First practiced by Hindu sages, yoga has become one of Indias most popular cultural exports. Modi has energetically promoted it as a feel-good way of stretching the countrys influence abroad.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist, presents himself as an ascetic who adheres to his religions strictures on vegetarianism and yoga. He has posted social media videos over the years of himself practicing yoga poses and provided live visuals of him meditating in a Himalayan mountain cave after national elections in 2019.

Modi last visited the U.N. during the 2021 General Assembly, where he said that all kinds of questions have been raised" about the world body's effectiveness on matters including climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and terrorism.

He also made a point of staking out his country's place on the global stage, noting that every sixth person in the world is Indian. Since then, India has surpassed China to claim the world's largest population, at 1.425 billion, and it is the world's biggest democracy.

India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council, the U.N.'s most powerful group. India has been elected to a two-year seat several times, most recently for 2021-22.

The prime minister flew to Washington later Wednesday afternoon and joined first lady Jill Biden for a visit to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. President Joe Biden also hosted Modi at the White House for dinner, including pasta and ice cream, and a musical tribute to the regions of India performed by youth dancers from the Washington, D.C.-area Studio Dhoom.

With this official visit, we are bringing together the worlds oldest and worlds largest democracies. But our relationship isnt just about governance," Jill Biden said at the National Science Foundation. "Were celebrating the families and friendships that span the globe.

At the White House, the Bidens presented Modi, a hobby photographer, with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th century as the official gift to mark the visit. The president also presented Modi with a vintage American camera, accompanied by an archival facsimile print of George Eastmans patent of the first Kodak camera, and a hardcover book of American wildlife photography. The first lady gave Modi a signed, first edition copy of Collected Poems of Robert Frost.

Modi spoke about the emphasis India has placed on education, integrating learning and training. Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade or tech-ade, the prime minister said, speaking in Hindi.

Modi will hold formal talks with Biden in the Oval Office on Thursday, take question from reporters, address a joint meeting of Congress and be honored with a White House state dinner. A State Department luncheon will be hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother was born in India, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The U.S. has been looking to India as a key partner on matters that include checking China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. India wants to bolster military and trade connections with the United States.

Human rights advocates want Biden to press Modi on human rights issues, both international and within India. Modi has faced criticism over legislation that fast-tracks citizenship for some migrants but excludes Muslims; a rise in violence against Muslims and other religious minorities by Hindu nationalists; and the recent conviction of Indias top opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, for mocking Modis surname. (Gandhi recently visited the U.S. himself, speaking to journalists, university students and an Indian diaspora group.)

A group of more than 70 lawmakers wrote Biden this week calling on him to raise concerns about the erosion of religious, press and political freedoms when he meets with Modi. Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar on Minnesota have said they will boycott Modis address to Congress.

The Indian government defends its record and insists that the nation's democratic principles remain rock-solid.

___

Associated Press journalists Edith M. Lederer and Ted Shaffrey at the United Nations, Krutika Pathi in New Delhi and Darlene Superville, Chris Megerian, Fatima Hussein and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
How Modi went from being banned to embraced by the United States

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was once shunned by the United States. Denied a visa for severe violations of religious freedom, he was effectively banned from entering the country for nearly a decade.

But in the nine years since that ban was lifted, Modi has been progressively embraced by the White House  now more than ever.

The leader of the worlds most populous nation will meet with US President Joe Biden during a state visit to Washington this week, in a trip that is expected to further boost defense, trade and technology ties, and celebrate the warm bonds of family and friendship that link the two countries together.

Modi will also lead celebrations for the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, illustrating the influence of Indias soft power.

He will then address Congress the following day, an honor reserved for close US allies, and attend a lavish state dinner hosted by Biden in a clear indication of how much of a strategic partner Modi has become.

US President Joe Biden meets with Modi during the Quad leaders summit at Kantei Palace in Tokyo, on May 24, 2022. - Evan Vucci/AP/File

But while the ceremonies and diplomatic niceties play out in Washington, analysts say Modis visit will also be a test for the Biden administration, that has positioned itself as a democratic protector in an increasingly populist and polarized era, while seemingly turning a blind eye to New Delhis alleged human rights abuses playing out at home.

Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has come under scrutiny from rights groups and opposition lawmakers for its increasingly strident brand of Hindu nationalist politics and an ongoing crackdown on dissent. Pressure is growing for Biden, who views India as a critical regional partner, to address those concerns in some way during Modis visit.

But analysts say criticism is unlikely given Indias growing leverage in the Indo-Pacfic, as well as its 5 million strong diaspora in the US  among the countrys largest immigrant groups and its fastest growing voting bloc.

Daniel S. Markey, senior adviser, South Asia, for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), said Washington sees India as a strategic swing state in a world order increasingly defined by competition between the US and China, adding that human rights concerns have generally taken a back seat to geopolitics.

But I believe they are still relevant, or should be, Markey said. If only because Indias deteriorating democracy will on balance make it a more challenging and less effective US partner.

The visit is a test because Biden should not look to be embracing Modis authoritarian policies, he added.

The goal for the White House, in my view, should be to embrace relations with India without personalizing the relationship or endorsing Modis politics. That is a tough needle to thread.

A challenge for Washington

Modis US trip is the latest in a slew of diplomatic engagements he has undertaken in recent weeks, and Washington is not the only Western nation to have rolled out the red carpet.

Last month, he met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney, who eulogized Modi as a rockstar, called the leader a boss and spoke of how he had strengthened Australias democracy.

Before that, Modi was in Papua New Guinea, where he met with Prime Minister James Marape and pledged his support for the Pacific Islands, a region that China has also increased outreach to.

Days earlier, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Japan  the first time they had come face-to-face since Russias invasion began.

Markey said this is symbolic of how Modi has prioritized winning accolades from other democratic leaders in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Such engagements serve Modis political purposes in India, he added.

His supporters are encouraged by the respect he wins on the world stage, while his critics are demoralized because their concerns arent taken seriously in other democracies, Markey said.

Modi walks with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Admiralty House in Sydney on May 24, 2023. - Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Last week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the White House to put rights concerns at the center of the Modi-Biden summit.

Modi and Biden should jointly acknowledge human rights challenges  both in India and the US  and agree to address them, said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for the group, in a statement.

HRW and Amnesty International have invited policymakers to a screening of the BBC documentary that questioned Modis leadership during deadly sectarian riots in 2002 in Gujarat, when he was chief minister of the western Indian state.

The documentary was banned in India and the BBCs offices in New Delhi were raided by tax authorities soon after it aired sparking outrage among rights groups.

Washingtons comparative silence on criticism of Modi does not go unnoticed within India among government critics and those uncomfortable with BJP rule.

What irks a lot of people in India is the dishonesty towards Indian democratic norms, religious freedom, and of freedom of press, said Sushant Singh, a senior fellow with one of Indias leading think tanks, Centre for Policy Research.

The fact that the White House goes out of its way to call India mother of democracy does irk people in India because they believe that the United States has been dishonest.

A careful maneuver

In Washington this week, Modi and Biden are expected to announce a number of trade and defense deals.

The visit, according to Tanvi Madan, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, is significant and cant be seen in isolation.

It builds on almost two and a half decades of progress in the relationship, she said. There are moments of opportunity that open that have the potential to move relationships to a higher level, and this is one of them.

Shared concerns over China is a key priority.

India and China have been engaged in a military standoff along their shared Himalayan border that has claimed dozens of lives over the last three years, and both New Delhi and Washington are becoming increasingly uneasy over Beijings growing military might, its aggressive territorial claims on land and at sea, and its growing economic influence over its smaller neighbors.

But as India grows closer to the US, it still remains heavily dependent on Russia for its military equipment. That has been a key source of frustration for Western powers.

Rather than cutting economic ties with the Kremlin, India has undermined Western sanctions by ramping up purchases of Russian oil, coal and fertilizer  giving President Vladimir Putin a vital financial lifeline as his forces wage a brutal war against Ukraine that has reverberated across the globe.

New Delhi has also repeatedly abstained from votes condemning Russia at the United Nations  providing Moscow with a veneer of international legitimacy.

Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for photographs at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on December 6, 2021. - T. Narayan/Bloomberg/Getty Images/File

This careful maneuvering exemplifies Indias unique position on the war: verbally distancing itself from Russia, while continuing to maintain pivotal relations with Moscow and deepening its ties with the West.

And the West, according to Madan, is willing to go easy on New Delhi because of its growing clout.

The US has seen India as important in its own right  as a large, economically growing democracy, with military and technological capabilities that will play a key role in the international order, she said, adding it is also a vital geopolitical counterbalance, economic alternative, and democratic contrast to China.

In recent months, signs of problems have also emerged between New Delhi and Moscow. In March, the Indian Air Force said Russia was unable to honor its arms delivery commitments to India because of the war in Ukraine.

On Monday, Indias Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra called New Delhis defense relationship with Washington robust and dynamic.

Speaking to reporters, he said the defense roadmap that India and the US have been discussing focuses on all aspects of defense, core production and core development, and could be a key aspect of Modis trip.

Meanwhile, Bidens government is looking to encourage manufacturers to reduce its reliance on China, and pivot towards India, which has 1.4 billion people  many of whom are young, educated and largely English-speaking.

Modi is being welcomed in various countries because India is seen as an attractive  and useful  partner by many countries because of its growing global and regional role, Madan said.

I dont expect public condemnation from the White House, she added. The focus will be a celebration of India and the India-US partnership.

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Many South Asian Americans have mixed feelings as they prepare themselves for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the White House this week.

As some get ready to gather in Washington, D.C., both to welcome and protest him, data from a 2021 study underscores just how torn the diaspora is when it comes to the controversial leader  and it shows that his popularity among Indian Americans falls short of how he is received in India.

This week marks Modis first official state visit to the U.S., which had not invited an Indian prime minister since 2009. Modi was once banned from the U.S. for the role he allegedly played in the deadly Gujarat riots, in which 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, were killed.

For many community leaders, a historic moment is severely marred by that and other aspects of Modis human rights record, including censoring journalists and stripping autonomy from the region of Kashmir.

For this kind of a ruler to be invited to a state dinner by an American president and to be given an opportunity to speak to a joint session of Congress, where hes going to talk about the ideals of democracy, is just mind-boggling, said Ajit Sahi, the advocacy director for the Indian American Muslim Council.

The study, conducted by the Carnegie Endowment, found that Modis approval rating is much lower among Indian Americans (50%) than among Indians living in India (77%). Dozens of lawmakers in both houses of Congress signed a letter urging President Joe Biden to address human rights concerns with Modi during his visit.

Its shameful that Modi has been given a platform at our nations capitalhis long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims & religious minorities, and censoring journalists is unacceptable.



I will be boycotting Modis joint address to Congress.  Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) June 20, 2023

This is an important relationship that we need to continue and build on as it relates to human rights, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing last month.

Sahi said that though Hindu nationalist sentiment in diaspora communities cannot be ignored, he thinks college-educated young people who grew up in the U.S. are distancing themselves from Modis politics.

The American values of liberalism, progressivism, equality for all, justice for all, equality before the law, I think these are the things that more or less get deeply rooted in the psyche, especially if you were born and raised here, he said.

But the diaspora in the U.S. is still split down the middle in terms of support for Modi. According to the study, 49% of Indian Americans rate his performance favorably, either strongly approving or approving of him; 31% disapprove of his performance; and 20% expressed no opinion on him at all.

Its a polarized space, said Sunita Viswanath, a co-founder of the civil rights group Hindus for Human Rights. Theres very little scope for bridge-building. ... On the one hand, you have this mainstream Hindu response, which is that Indias national leader is coming to town and is being greeted by the American president with a state dinner, and that puts India on the map.

On the other hand, those in minority religions and castes oppressed in India say the visit feels as though the U.S. is validating the structural bias their families face, Viswanath said. Many in diaspora spaces say that bias has followed them.

Inclusive secular democracy means the right for all the different religions to exist and practice freely, she said. We are Hindus, we are proud Hindus, but our Hinduism and our devotion to secular democracy, whether its in America, where most of us live, or in India, where most of us are from, that is what is motivating us.

As South Asians in both camps plan to assemble in Washington throughout Modis three-day visit, some national organizations are urging Biden to address his recent actions.

The Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement last week denouncing Modis media crackdown and the arrests of journalists since he came to power in 2014.

Journalists critical of the government and the BJP party have been jailed, harassed, and surveilled in retaliation for their work, CPJ President Jodie Ginsberg said in the statement. India is the worlds largest democracy, and it needs to live up to that by ensuring a free and independent media  and we expect the United States to make this a core element of discussions.

The Hindu American Foundation declined to comment on Modis visit. Overseas Friends of the BJP, an international arm of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party, did not respond to requests for comment.

The Council on American Islamic Relations released a video and a petition opposing Modis visit to address a joint session of Congress on Thursday because of his anti-Muslim, anti-Dalit and anti-Sikh policies.

The evidence of Modis expanding effort to place a boot firmly on the collective heads of Indias religious minorities is extensive, the petition said.

Though its hard to predict how many Indian Americans will gather outside the White House, Modis 2019 trip to the U.S. drew over 50,000 to Houston for a rally called Howdy Modi. President Donald Trump co-hosted the event, calling it a profoundly historic event.

Viswanath remembers the experience four years ago, protesting outside the stadium as fellow Indian Americans poured inside.

I was holding my sign, and people were streaming into the stadium dressed in their finest, she said. They looked like me. They looked like my family. It was one of those moments where Im grateful Im on this side of history.  Our deep hope, our ardent hope, is that as we build this space, Hindus will join us.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FILE PHOTO: Cattle are seen near the flames of the Lodgepole Complex fire in Garfield County

By Clark Mindock

(Reuters) - A lawyer for 16 young people on Tuesday asked a Montana judge for a historic order declaring the states pro-fossil fuel policies violate their rights, wrapping up arguments in the first youth-led U.S. climate change lawsuit to make it to trial.

Judge Kathy Seeley in Helena took the case under consideration on Tuesday after hearing from 12 of the plaintiffs during the course of the trial who described how the state's policies are exacerbating the climate crisis, impacting their health and threatening their futures.

Nate Bellinger, an attorney for the young people, said during his closing statement on Tuesday that Seeley should issue a judgment that the states ongoing approval of fossil fuel projects violates a state constitutional guarantee to a clean and healthful environment.

He said that future generations will look back on this historic trial."

Montana Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell countered that the courts are no place to set climate policy, and that the plaintiffs hadn't proved that Montana's relatively small emissions can be blamed for a global crisis.

This case has received national attention because it has been billed or perceived as a referendum on climate change generally, he said. But this is not supposed to be a town hall or popularity contest.

The trial began on June 12, three years after the youth plaintiffs, now between the ages of 5 and 22, filed their lawsuit. It is one of several youth-led constitutional climate cases pending in courts across the U.S.

The youth plaintiffs claim the state's ongoing permitting of things like coal and gas exacerbates the climate crisis, despite the state having an affirmative duty under a 1972 amendment to the Montana constitution to protect and improve the environment.

Attorneys for the state said during the trial that the youth had failed to target a specific policy upon which real relief could be granted. They said the primary policy targeted by the lawsuit, the Montana Environmental Policy Act, is a procedural law that does not mandate specific outcomes.

The trial included testimony from the youth plaintiffs who claimed the states policies are contributing to extreme heat and drought, shrinking the states famed glaciers and worsening wildfires.

"When I think about summer, I think about smoke. It sounds like a dystopian movie, but its real life," plaintiff Claire Vlases, 20, testified last week.

During the states defense, government officials said that agencies like the Montana Department of Environmental Quality don't have the authority to deny lawful permits, and said that a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs likely wouldnt change that.

The plaintiffs had originally sought an injunction ordering the state to develop a remedial plan or policies to reduce emissions. 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 Held v. Montana, Montana First Judicial District Court, No. CDV-2020-307.

For the youth: Nate Bellinger and Julia Olson of Our Children's Trust; Roger Sullivan of McGarvey Law; and Melissa Hornbein of the Western Environmental Law Center

For the state: Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell of the Montana Department of Justice; and Mark Stermitz of Crowley Fleck

Read more:

Climate change trial pits youth against Montana

Youth plaintiffs get another shot to bring climate change lawsuit

Hawaii transportation department must face kids' climate lawsuit, judge rules

(Reporting by Clark Mindock)
Wildlife authorities are investigating a moose attack near Denver after a man said the animal charged and trampled him as he walked two dogs on Monday.

The man, who is in his late 50s, told officials that he surprised a cow moose and her calf while rounding a hairpin turn in a trail along Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a news release. The moose then charged the man and knocked him down before trampling him, "stomping him several times," according to the release.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the man, identified as longtime Coal Creek resident Rob Standerwick by the Fox affiliate KVDR, was armed when the animal encounter occurred. He fired two shots into the ground in an effort to startle the moose, and she retreated, he told authorities. He was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries not considered life-threatening. The dogs were off-leash at the time of the attack and were not injured.

Recounting the interaction, Standerwick told KVDR he had seen the cow  a female moose  around that trail before.

"I've seen her in the past, and when we see her with her baby, we know to divert, turn around and divert to another trail. And she's never had a problem with that. But this time, I didn't see her until the last second, and she didn't see me because this was right after a bend in the creek, so she was in an aspen grove. So I'm sure I just startled her and we were just closer than we've ever been." he said, according to the station. "She was doing her job as a mom."

Officers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife later searched Coal Creek Canyon for the moose and her calf, but did not find the animals.

Wildlife officials described the moose population in Colorado as "healthy and thriving," with an estimated 3,000 of the animals roaming statewide. In the late spring and early summer months, cow moose with young calves can be aggressive, and sometimes see dogs as predators or threats, officials warn, noting that calves are typically born over a period of three or four weeks between late May and mid-June.

As Colorado's moose population has increased over the years, conflicts involving the animals have become more prevalent as well, CBS Colorado reported.

"This time of year we do see cow moose, in particular, becoming more aggressive when they feel like they need to defend their calves," said Kara Von Hoose, a public information officer for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region, in comments to the station.

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How bad would an American war with China be? Pretty bad.

The Pentagon Is Freaking Out About a Potential War With China, Politico announced earlier this month. Why? Because exercises show theres a good chance that the U.S. could lose. American forces would use up all their long-range missiles in a few days, a number of planes would be destroyed on the ground and many thousands of lives would be lost.

From an American standpoint, even a victory against China would still be costly.

And a loss? Well, that brings up scenarios too horrible to contemplate  nuclear war, even.

So its a good thing that Secretary of State Antony Blinken went to Beijing to talk to Chinas top leaders last weekend. The point: Stabilize relations, which have been extra tense since the spy balloon hubbub back in February.

Diplomacy is better than fighting, after all. And its utterly bewildering that elected Republicans from Kansas and Missouri criticized Blinken and the Biden administration for making the trip.

No consequences for the spy balloon, wrote Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. No consequences for spy station in Cuba. No consequences for stealing our jobs. China calls the shots in the Biden Admin.

Sec. Blinkens trip to China for the Big Guy to ease tensions is an embarrassment, added Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas. Since when did America go to her bullies to ask them to play nice? Peace through STRENGTH.

Even mild-mannered Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas weighed in. We cannot go hat-in-hand to China, he wrote  though, in true Jerry Moran fashion, he also concluded that America and China should find places we can cooperate.

Unfortunately for all of us, a new Cold War between the U.S. and China might already be under way. China is a rising power (and a tyrannical one at that) eager to throw its weight around a little bit. America is the established power, eager to remain dominant. The American people are right to cast a cautious, wary eye toward the Pacific Ocean.

But all-caps declarations of peace through STRENGTH and mocking the White House for simply talking to Chinese leaders are simply silly  schoolboy posturing that attempts to look tough at the expense of acting wisely.

Dialogue and diplomacy are not rewards that the United States bestows on rival nations, after all. Theyre tools in any well-stocked foreign policy toolbox, designed both to advance American interests and to keep our people safe.

Talking to China might not prevent a war. But not talking to China will make that war much more likely.

So its worth considering again what that war would look like. The New York Times described another set of war games. In that imagined conflict, America was battered by Chinese cyberattacks, bringing down power systems and communications around the country. Officials from another think tank estimated that the United States economy would contract by up to 10%. (During the Great Recession, that number was 2.6%.)

What almost never changes, the paper reported, is its a bloody mess and both sides take some terrible losses.

In a real war, those losses wouldnt be contained to a computer simulation. Those would be your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters, your husbands and wives, who would die.

Talking isnt fighting. Its better than fighting, because almost no one ever gets killed over a conference table. Despite the hysterical overreactions by Hawley and Marshall, talking isnt surrendering, either. Nothing of importance is or was conceded by Blinken meeting face-to-face with Chinese leaders.

Maybe war with China is inevitable.

I dont think so. I hope not. But it would be tremendously stupid to let a war happen because American leaders were too proud or performatively tough to talk with their counterparts across the ocean. Talking is good. I wish our elected Republicans understood that.
More bad news for test scores: 13-year-olds see major drop in reading and math

Math and reading scores have taken another blow as schools struggle to rein in pandemic learning loss, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Average math scores for 13-year-olds fell nine points from the 2019-2020 academic year to the current one, according to the NAEPs Nations Report Card. Average reading scores fell four points over the same time.

Average scores for 13-year-olds in reading are at their lowest point since 2004  and in mathematics since 1990. But for the lowest-performing students, scores in math are thrown back to 1978, while reading has dropped to levels seen before 1971.

The green shoots of academic recovery that we had hoped to see have not materialized, as we continue to see worrisome signs about student achievement and well-being more than two years after most students returned for in-person learning, said NCES Commissioner Peggy Carr about the national test scores, which were released early Wednesday morning.

In math, scores for most racial groups over the pandemic dropped between six points and 20 points, except for Asian American students, who did not see a statistically measurable difference but still had a slight decrease.

In reading, scores declined for white students, Black students and those of two or more races. Students attending Catholic schools, along with Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian students, did not see a measurable difference.

While the pandemic has certainly accelerated a decline, math and reading scores have been falling over the past decade.

Scores for 13-year-olds declined for the first time in both subjects between 2012 and 2020, beginning a downward trajectory that has lasted for more than a decade, and has not been reversed. Middle school is a critical time for studentsa time when they are maturing academically as well as socially and emotionally. What happens for students in middle school can strongly influence their path through high school and beyond, said NCES acting Associate Commissioner Dan McGrath.

NCES also conducted a questionnaire survey for students to gather more information on the situation, but warned the answers do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the characteristic or experience and student achievement.

It was found that students missing five or more days of scores has doubled since 2020, and, unsurprisingly, those who are in school more often got better reading and math scores.

Only 14 percent of students reported reading for fun almost every day, three points lower than in 2020 and 13 points lower than in 2012. For math, the number of students taking algebra dropped 24 percent from 2012 to 2023.

The results show a continuing trend with other NAEP reports over the pandemic that found other students such as fourth graders have also suffered serious setbacks.

For between 2019 and 2022, NAEP released data in October showing math scores fell five points for fourth graders and eight points for eighth graders. In reading, both grades fell three points.

For average civics scores, eighth graders had a two-percent decrease between 2018 and 2022, setting them back to levels last seen in 1998, according to another data set released in May.

If theres something coming out of the comparison to nine to 13-year-olds is the fact that the the 13-year-olds were at a vulnerable state, this time period in their developmental  academic developmental cycle, Carr said.

This is the last special report NAEP is conducting in its examination of scores between the beginning and end of the COVID-19 pandemic, putting little hope in the current recovery after many students have been in-person for class for the past two years.

The bottom line is these results show that they are troubling gaps in the basic skills of the students, Carr said in a press briefing.

The big message here is that it is a long road ahead of us, Carr added.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona took an optimistic tone with the steps the administration is taking to combat these losses in students academic achievement.

While this latest data reminds us how far we still need to go, Im encouraged that the historic investments and resources provided by the American Rescue Plan and the Department of Education are beginning to show positive results, with several states returning to pre-pandemic levels of achievement on their state math and literacy assessments, as well as promising results for the U.S. on a recent international reading assessment, Cardona said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Another 1,002 military family members and civilians filed administrative claims against the government Tuesday, seeking monetary damages related to fuel-contaminated drinking water in Hawaii.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, they allege the Navy released jet fuel and other contaminants from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility into the families drinking water at least twice in 2021  May 6 and Nov. 20  and didnt immediately disclose the incidents.

This brings the total to 1,499 administrative claims filed against the Navy, said Kristina Baehr, founder of Just Well Law, one of three law firms representing nearly 3,000 people affected by the water crisis. These SF-95 administrative claims are required before individuals can sue the government. If their claims are denied, they will join the pending federal court lawsuit in Honolulu. To date, the government hasnt granted any of the administrative claims, Baehr said. The claims are generally seeking monetary damages related to medical issues and medical monitoring now and possibly for the rest of their lives.

The Navy has accepted responsibility for contaminating our clients drinking water with jet fuel, Baehr said. But the Navy refuses to accept responsibility for any long-term harm. These claims offer the Navy an opportunity to make it right, just as they have promised.

Navy officials in Hawaii didnt comment before publication, but in the past officials have declined to comment on these cases, citing pending litigation.

More clients are contacting the attorneys every day, Baehr said. The statute of limitations for filing the administrative claims expires in November, and the attorneys expect to continue taking clients until Aug. 15, to allow enough time to meet the deadline. I want to be sure we get what we need from people to file their claims, she said.

There are currently 296 plaintiffs in the federal case, she said. Baehrs firm, Just Well Law, the Hosoda Law Group and Motley Rice LLC are representing the people alleging they were affected by the tainted water.

All told, more than 93,000 individuals were affected, from 9,715 households in 19 different communities on the Navy water system of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. They include residents of two Army communities and Air Force communities in the Hickam side. Some Hawaiian civilians were also affected, living in homes supplied by Navy water.

On Nov. 28, 2021, military families reported smelling fuel odors and seeing an oily film in their tap water. But some had reported mysterious abdominal pain, vomiting, memory loss, skin rashes, eye irritation, and teeth and gum issues even before the signs of fuel appeared. At first, Navy officials told residents it was okay to drink the water.

The Navy knew that there was fuel in the water and yet reassured residents for days that there was no indication that the water was not safe to drink, Baehr said.

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She said 67% of her firms clients are still experiencing health problems after the 2021 contaminations.

The majority of my clients are still sick more than 18 months later, she said. And yet this was entirely preventable  if only the Navy had told them to stop drinking the water that the Navy knew was contaminated.

Two-thirds of their clients have experienced neurological symptoms, and two-thirds have had skin problems; 56% have had reported gastrointestinal problems; and 41% respiratory problems, Baehr said.

Nearly half of the firms clients have moved out of their contaminated houses. Of those who stayed, 83% couldnt afford to leave. Of those who moved, 87% moved off the island, she said. In addition, 12% of their clients have lost wages related to the crisis.

In early December, 2021, military officials offered families the option to move to hotels at government expense, and thousands did so. Water, laundry services and shower facilities were provided to those who chose to stay in their houses.

After massive flushing operations and testing  overseen by a joint working group of experts from the Navy and Army, the Hawaii Department of Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency  the water in the last of 19 zones was declared safe to drink on March 18, 2022.

On March 7, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced his decision to close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, and to remove the fuel reserves from the 20 underground tanks, redistributing the fuel across the Indo-Pacific region. Officials have begun the process to defuel and shut down the tanks.
Smoke in the Moscow Oblast

The suburbs of Russia's capital city of Moscow were allegedly targeted with drones early on June 21, according to reports in Russian media.

Local residents reported hearing a "loud sound" at around 5 a.m. Eyewitnesses also observed an explosion in the sky over the village of Lukino in New Moscow.

Read also: Rakhmanin says drones that attacked Moscow had legitimate, military or strategic targets

It was later confirmed that a drone had fallen in the nearby Pahra River area. No casualties were reported as a result of the attack.

In addition, two drones reportedly crashed near the village of Kalininets in the Naro-Fominsky District of Moscow Oblast. Local residents heard two explosions approximately five minutes apart around 5:30 a.m. Law enforcement authorities have cordoned off the area where the debris fell.

This incident follows a previous drone attack on Moscow and its suburbs on May 30, which resulted in damage to three high-rise buildings.

Read also: US will continue to provide Ukraine with weapons despite attack on Moscow  White House

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
[Source]

A researcher who looked into the educational backgrounds of Fortune 500 chief executives has found that most of these industry leaders did not attend an Ivy League school.

A startling discovery: David Kang, a professor of international relations and business at the University of Southern California, started compiling data on the alma maters of Fortune 500 CEOs in 1999.

Initially thinking that individuals who graduated from Ivy League schools would dominate the business field, he was stunned to discover that some of the top executives did not even go to college.

What the data said: Out of the 500 CEOs analyzed, seven or eight had no undergraduate degree, even surpassing the combined number of degrees from any other college or university.

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According to his analysis of the available data he compiled, many top-tier corporate executives come from a diverse range of educational backgrounds.

"Like everyone else, I thought Ivy Leagues would dominate, Kang told Fortune. But the largest place they had gone to was no college at all. It's an extraordinary testament to the vitality of this country, the incredible range of universities that these people went to."

Consistent findings: Over the next two decades, his findings would remain close to what he found in 1999 that a prestigious degree does not necessarily correlate with success in business.

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Oh -- and when I showed an earlier version of this to my Ivy league students they were just as good at explaining it away as you all are!  Dave Kang (@daveckang) June 12, 2023

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When Kang presented his findings to graduate students at Dartmouth College, he highlighted how these successful leaders attended a variety of colleges and universities.

The latest data: Kangs points are further confirmed in the recently released 2023 Fortune 500 list, which showed that only 11.8% of Fortune 100 CEOs obtained their undergraduate degrees from Ivy League institutions, while just 9.8% hold an Ivy League MBA.

Remarkable leaders: Notable examples include Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, who graduated from the University of Arkansas for his undergraduate studies and pursued an MBA at the University of Tulsa.

Exxon CEO Darren Woods attended Texas A&M University and Northwestern University, while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earned his degrees from India's Manipal Institute of Technology and the University of WisconsinMilwaukee.

Other noteworthy findings: Only one out of the 20 CEOs that come from the highest-revenue companies attended an Ivy League university as an undergraduate: Andy Jassy, the CEO of Amazon, who is an alumnus of Harvard University.

Five of the top 20 CEOs do not have a college degree, including W. Craig Jelinek of Costco and Mike Wirth of Chevron. Meanwhile, 14 of the 20 CEOs attended public colleges, including Tim Cook of Apple (Auburn University), Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway (University of Nebraska), and Brian S. Tyler of McKesson (University of California at Santa Cruz).
In a saner world, we would have already had a dozen Jennifer Lawrence comedies.

When aliens arrive they will surely go directly to IMDB to survey her filmography and wonder why one of Hollywood's funniest and most naturally charismatic stars spent the first decade of her career in dystopias, action movies and whatever it is you call Mother!

As if to make up for lost time, Lawrence has in No Hard Feelings made the kind of R-rated teen comedy that has usually launched young actors. She plays a 32-year-old Montauk Uber driver who, desperate for money after her car is towed, is hired by the wealthy parents (Matthew Broderick, Laura Benanti) of a timid and sheltered 19-year-old (newcomer Andrew Barth Feldman) to take his virginity before he heads off to Princeton.

We've, of course, had plenty of movies about teenagers trying to get laid for the first time. But No Hard Feelings," directed and co-written by Gene Stupnitsky, may be the first in which the teen in question has seemingly no desire to do so. He's heterosexual, his parents are sure based on his browsing history.

But when Maddie Barker (Lawrence) turns up in a tight pink dress and heels at the Long Island animal shelter Percy (Feldman) works at, he responds mostly with prickliness and fear to her come-ons. The encounter ends with Percy spraying Maddie with mace.

Now, a 19-year-old rejecting Jennifer Lawrence like this is potentially a good way to sever any possible connection the audience has with one of your main characters. It's like having him smack a child. Some things are unforgiveable. Maddie and Percy go on a series of increasingly intimate dates, and Percy vows to eventually put out.

The basis of No Hard Feelings," all around, is fairly untenable. Even less believable than Percy's response to Maddie is her involvement in this scheme in the first place. In the movie's opening scenes, her car is towed away by a ghosted ex-boyfriend (Ebon Moss-Bachrach of The Bear"). In the uber-rich environs of Montauk, Maddie is trying to hold onto her house  the one she grew up in  while foreclosure lurks.

Maddie, forced to rollerblade to her bartending job, may be financially desperate. But, say what you will about the gig economy, it offers plenty of alternatives to earning money besides sleeping with teenagers who cringe when the restaurant doesn't have Pepsi.

And yet, No Hard Feelings works better than it ought to. The preposterousness of the set-up is, naturally, part of the joke. Feldman, who here resembles the awkward Linguini of Ratatouille brought to life, brings more sensitivity to the role than you would expect, and flashes of good comic timing. So uncomfortable is he on their dates that at the sound of a break in a nearby game of pool, he jumps like a frightened cat. Skinny dipping in the ocean, he doggy paddles.

And while the role forces Lawrence into raunchy situations that could easily be said to be beneath her, No Hard Feelings gives her plenty of room to showcase her talent at upending traditional ideas of Hollywood glamour. At every moment, she delights in undercutting her own sexiness; it's not every A-lister who's willing to film a beach brawl in the nude. Lawrence  Hollywood screenwriters take note  is more at home parodying the sex bomb than being one.

Yet while No Hard Feelings finally gives Lawrence (also an executive producer) a platform for some of the slapstick humor she's so good at, it also feels like she's been inserted into the framework of a quite male coming-of-age rom-com/fantasy. Big-screen comedies are dishearteningly few and far between these days, so it's temping to applaud that No Hard Feelings, which opens in theaters Friday, simply exists.

Stupnitsky's Good Boys cleverly shrunk a familiar genre  the house-party movie  into an R-rated romp for sixth-graders. But No Hard Feelings" can feel stuck in adolescence. There are times here where youre glad Lawrence is at least getting to act with adults. (Natalie Morales and Scott MacArthur are good as Maddies friends.) Lawrence could have easily carried a comedy that's just on Maddie's level, without the amateur-escort-for-a-kid storyline.

No Hard Feelings does, though, smartly dig into a generation gap in inverting the genre's standard beats. Percy  and many of his classmates  are depicted as too tethered to their phones and too delicate to perceived offenses. In one scene, Maddie tears down the upstairs hall of a high-school party. Behind every door, there are kids not making out but calmly texting or playing video games  a portrait of Gen Z with plenty of basis in fact. Incredulous, Maddie exclaims: Doesn't anyone f- anymore?"

No Hard Feelings, a Sony Pictures release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for sexual content, language, some graphic nudity and brief drug use. Running time: 103 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
Prosecutors on Wednesday charged an alleged leader national leader and 22 members of the MS-13 gang with murder and other acts of violence.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York announced a 48-count superseding indictment against Edenilson Velasquez Larin, "allegedly a national leader of the MS-13 and the Fulton Locos Salvatruchas (Fulton) clique, for his leadership role in allegedly ordering murders, drug distribution, and money laundering for the MS-13."

The indictment detailed a number of murders and attempted murders carried out by the gang against rival gang members as well as their own, often using guns and machetes.

Prosecutors said that starting in late 2019 alleged Fulton clique leaders Velasquez Larin and Espinoza Sanchez ordered alleged MS-13 members, including Jose Arevalo Iraheta, Oscar Hernandez Baires, and Erick Zavala Hernandez, to scour the Elmont, New York, neighborhood in search of rival 18th Street members to kill for encroaching on their territory.

In spring 2020, Velasquez Larin, also known as "Agresor," "Saturno," and "Paco," allegedly arranged for Fulton clique members from Maryland to travel to New York to assist in the search for rival gang members in Elmont, according to prosecutors.

A tree with MS13 graffiti is pictured in the Langley Hampshire Neighborhood Park in Langley Park, Maryland, in a gang hangout area known as the cemetery. / Credit: Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images

"Alleged MS-13 member Jose Arevalo Iraheta and a Fulton member from Maryland ultimately found an individual they believed to be an 18th Street member and shot at him," prosecutors said.

The superseding indictment also included charges against 22 associates of MS-13 and the Fulton clique for their roles in multiple alleged murders, attempted murders, drug distribution and money laundering.

Among the new charges was a murder charge against Leyla Carranza for allegedly luring 17-year-old Andy Peralta to a park in Queens, New York, so that he could be fatally beaten, stabbed, and strangled, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors had previously charged alleged MS-13 associates Juan Amaya-Ramirez and Oscar Flores-Mejia with Peralta's murder.

"Peralta's killers photographed themselves posing over Peralta's corpse while they displayed MS-13 gang signs with their hands," prosecutors said. The photo was found in Amaya-Ramirez's iCloud account by authorities, according to prosecutors.

Wednesday's indictment also added new charges in the 2018 shooting murder of Victor Alvarenga near his home in Queens, naming alleged MS-13 national leader Velasquez Larin, Jose Espinoza Sanchez, and Tito Martinez-Alvarenga. Prosecutors said Larin gave the order to kill Alvarenga and Sanchez oversaw the murder.

The indictment additionally charged Emerson Martinez-Lara and Ismael Santos-Novoa for their alleged roles as lookouts during the 2019 murder of Abel Mosso on a subway platform in Queens. Prosecutors had previously charged Ramiro Gutierrez, Tito Martinez-Alvarenga and Victor Lopez in Mosso's murder.

MS-13 gang leader Victor Lopez is led out of the Nassau County District Attorney's office in Mineola, New York on January 11, 2018. / Credit: Newsday/Newsday RM via Getty Images

Prosecutors alleged that on the afternoon of Feb. 3, Lopez and Martinez-Alvarenga followed Mosso, who they believed to be a member of the rival 18th Street gang, onto a train platform in Queens. Mosso was also trailed by Gutierrez.

Once inside the subway car, Lopez and Martinez-Alvarenga assaulted Mosso and then dragged him out onto the platform at a later stop.

"The defendants pulled out a gun, but Mosso wrestled it away. Gutierrez shouted in Spanish, 'Nobody gets involved, we're MS-13, we're going to kill him'," prosecutors said. Gutierrez was able to grab the gun from Mosso and allegedly shot him multiple times, killing him, according to prosecutors.

Among new charges for murder committed within the gang was a murder charge against MS-13 member Oscar Hernandez Baires, who allegedly shot and killed MS-13 member Eric Monge in 2020 while he was sitting in a parked car near his Queens home.

Monge had previously assaulted Baires, according to prosecutors.

"Monge's wife had just taken their young children into their residence and returned to the car to find parking when Hernandez Baires and the other individual opened fire," prosecutors said.

Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, called the alleged actions carried out by the alleged gang members "cold-blooded."

"The murders and other crimes of violence allegedly committed by these defendants were brutal, cold-blooded, and utterly senseless," Peace said. "This Office and our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to dismantle the MS-13 at all of its levels, and we will not relent until this transnational criminal organization, its leaders, members, and associates are held accountable for the extreme violence and other criminal activity that they have perpetrated in our communities."

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ST. JOSEPH  The 60-year-old Stevensville man charged with the Sunday shooting death of a Baroda Township woman was found dead in his Berrien County jail cell on Tuesday at about 12:45 p.m.

Unsuccessful life-saving measures were taken by jail staff and paramedics. There were no apparent signs of trauma, and an autopsy will be performed in Kalamazoo to determine the cause of death, according to a release from the Berrien County Sheriffs Office.

Father's Day murder: Stevensville man arrested after Sunday fatal shooting in Baroda Township

The Michigan State Police have been asked to conduct an investigation.

David Lee Mabry was arrested Sunday in connection with the shooting of a 57-year-old woman, who was sitting on the back patio of her Baroda Township home with her husband when she was shot by Mabry without provocation.

Mabry, who knew the couple, was facing a murder and weapons charge.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Authorities investigating death in Berrien County Jail
Murder trial of Midlands restaurateur will hinge on why he shot his wifes lover

There is no dispute that Gregorio Greg Leon, the owner of a chain of Mexican restaurants stretching across the Midlands, killed a man on Valentines Day 2016. The question is why.

I shot my wifes lover, Leon told a 911 operator just eleven minutes after 28-year-old Arturo Bravo Santos was gunned down on the backseat of a truck in a Lexington County park and ride. Leons wife, Rachel, who was also in the backseat of the truck, was unharmed. Leon, owner of the popular San Jose Mexican restaurants, had followed her to the quiet parking lot off of U.S. 378 using a tracking device attached to her car.

Barely 30 seconds after Leon arrived, the fatal shots were fired, according to surveillance footage played Tuesday before a jury of seven women and five men on the first day of testimony in Leons murder trial. But in a trial scheduled to last for two weeks, attorneys will battle over details about what happened in those few fateful seconds, as well as what Leon knew that night about the relationship between Bravo and Leons wife.

Opening statements delivered Tuesday in the courtroom of circuit court Judge Walton J. McLeod IV outlined the competing visions for these key questions.

You will find intent and malice in Leons actions, 11th Circuit Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes told the jury, who is trying the case alongside Solicitor Rick Hubbard. For more than a month, a suspicious Leon had been tracking his wife with a device attached to her car and hatching a deadly scheme, Mayes said.

This is a case about Greg Leon having a plan and seeing that plan through. And it ended in murder, Mayes said. After fleeing the scene, Leon placed several calls to his attorney and two of his sons before he called 911 to confess.

But defense attorney Jack Swerling argued that in reality Leon, who shared seven children with his wife, was a loving husband who was concerned about her weight loss and sudden changes in her behavior. Fearing that she was using drugs, he tracked her to the parking lot, where he heard her scream, Swerling said.

Fearing the worst, he opened the door to the truck and saw Bravo naked except for his socks and his wife with her pants down.

At that point he didnt know what was going on. Was his wife being assaulted? Was she being raped? Swerling told the jury. When Bravo said Ill kill you Gregario and moved as if to grab something, possibly a gun, Leon fired the fatal shots.

When youre acting in self defense you dont have all this time to think about whats going on, Swerling said.

The affair

Tuesday made clear just how important the relationship between Bravo and Rachel Leon will be to both the prosecution and the defense.

In opening statements, Swerling denied that Leon knew his wife was having an affair and accused Bravo of being a gigolo. Bravo had aliases: a Mexican consular ID and a Wells Fargo debit card bearing the name Arnulfo Gil Liles were found in his truck. He maintained relationships with several women, Swerling said, and he targeted Rachel Leon because of her husbands wealth, extracting gifts and money and possibly even forcing her into sex.

But prosecutors argued that Bravo and Rachel Leon were conducting a consensual, if poorly-hidden, affair. Rachel snuck away for trysts and vacations with Bravo and posted indiscreetly about him on Facebook. She showered him in gifts, including the silver 2014 Toyota Tundra pickup truck in which he was killed. She had bought the truck for him just three days before the shooting and was also paying for the insurance.

The affection appeared to be mutual. Forensic analyst Jamie Johnson, at the time a crime scene investigator with the Lexington County Sheriffs Department, detailed the contents of the pickup truck, which included an assortment of Valentines Day gifts, among them flowers, Lindt chocolates in a gold heart-shaped box and a teddy bear in a red basket.

After being shot, Bravo fell face first from the vehicle. He was dead by the time paramedics arrived, said James Forsyth, a Lexington County EMS first responder who was the first on the scene.

Bravo was struck by two bullets, which were recovered from his body, said Johnson, the seventh and final witness on Tuesday. A third round was recovered just feet from where Bravos body lay, and a fourth round was recovered from inside the rear-drivers side door, Johnson said.

The rounds are believed to have been fired from a .357 revolver that Leon disposed of on the side of the road, which investigators also recovered.

A trial seven years in the making

Greg Leon has never shied from either attention or controversy. The Los Angeles Times reported that a South Carolina Hispanic newspaper once described him un orgullo Hispano  a Hispanic to be proud of  but he has also attracted controversy, including a cockfighting arrest, wage violation investigations from the Department of Labor and paying bribes to former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts. Leon cooperated with prosecutors in an investigation against Metts and in return received just 200 hours of community service and five years of probation as punishment.

The trial was delayed for seven years following COVID, a shortage of Spanish language interpreters and allegations of witness tampering.

In pre-trial motions, prosecutors won a significant victory when McLeod, the judge, ruled that they could introduce evidence that Leon allegedly attempted to bribe a witness.

He took the law into his own hands, said Mayes, as she described how Leon allegedly paid a witness.

But Swerling dismissed the allegations as being immaterial to the case, which he argued should be focused solely on Leons actions the night of Feb. 14, 2016.

Its a red herring, its magicians misdirection, Swerling said.

In court Tuesday, Leon wore a dark blue suit with a white shirt and a red cross necklace sometimes hanging out of his unbuttoned collar. More than a dozen family members and supporters sat in the rows behind him.

In the seven years since his arrest, Leon has followed the conditions of his release and not communicated with his wife or spent a single night with her, Swerling said.

Theyve carried that out to the letter of the law.
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk says the firm is looking to invest in India and bring the electric carmaker to the country "as soon as humanly possible."

Musk said he had a "very good" conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and is hopeful that they will be able to "announce something in the not too distant future."

The dialog comes at a time when Tesla and New Delhi have revived talks about incentives to bring the carmaker to the South Asian market. SpaceX representatives have also revived conversations with the telecom ministry in India in recent weeks for setting up satellite internet service Starlink in the country, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Musk has been looking to bring Tesla to India for several years. He previously stated the plan to bring the carmaker to the country as early as 2021, but has resisted making large commitments until New Delhi offers considerable incentives.

Tesla wont set up a manufacturing plant in India until it is first allowed to sell and service imported cars in the South Asian nation, Musk said last year, more than a year after an Indian state said that the electric carmaker was planning to open a plant in the southern part of the country.

Musk said Tuesday he was a "big fan" of Modi.

"India has more promise than any large country in the world. He really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing," he said.

Musk said Tuesday that he was also looking forward to bringing Starlink to the country, but did not offer a specific timeline. Starlink, part of SpaceX, registered its business in India in late 2021 and hired a top executive to run the local business.

Sanjay Bhargava, the executive hired for Starlink India, stepped down weeks later after the Indian government ordered the SpaceX division to stop taking orders for the devices as it didn't have the license to operate in the South Asian market.

Musk's meeting with Modi follows explosive revelation from Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey earlier this month that India regularly ordered the social media giant to remove certain posts and accounts, often accompanying these demands with threats of legal repercussions in cases of noncompliance.
A new Myrtle Beach restaurant is serving up Eastern European flavors. Heres where its at

A mix of Ukrainian roots and shawarma is at the heart of one of the Grand Strands newest restaurants.

Atmosphera Bistro opened in March and has been serving customers gyro sandwiches, and bowls, shawarma raps, crepes, and cabbage rolls. The restaurant also serves pasta made from scratch every day, and newcomers can get gyros and shawarma with beef, chicken or veggies, and hot plates with Bavarian sausage and lamb.

Atmosphera Bistro opened in March 2023.

What makes the restaurant stand out is its owners.

Diana and Kostiantyn Kulikovskya are part owners of Atmosphera, and the pair are originally from Nikolaev, Ukraine. Also known as Mykolaiv, the city is just over an hour from Kherson, Ukraine, which has been beset by heavy fighting during the ongoing Ukrainian and Russian war.

The Kulikovskyas own a restaurant and water cleaning business in Ukraine and had already obtained their visas and moved to America before the war started in 2022. Diana said she and her family had returned to the country for a time and left just a couple of weeks before the war started.

Kulikovskya added that she still has some relatives living in the country, and that the family had to close their Ukrainian businesses for half a year but have since reopened.

Atmosphera is located at 3620 Walton Drive Unit C-1. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Mystery of huge bear that killed Arizona man deepens with new lab report

The mystery around an unusual bear attack in Arizona has deepened after wildlife officials released a health report of the dead animal.

A male black bear attacked 66-year-old Steven Jackson as he was drinking coffee and dragged him 75 feet down an embankment June 16, in the Groom Creek area near Prescott, the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post.

Wildlife officials called the fatal mauling unusual and predatory in nature.

A necropsy was conducted on the 365-pound animal, which officials estimated being 7 to 10 years old, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said in a June 21 news release.

The bear was determined to be in good condition with no apparent signs of disease, according to Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, a wildlife veterinarian who performed the examination.

Human remains, vegetation and seeds were found in the bears stomach, wildlife officials said. Its body fat also pointed to it being in good nutritional condition.

And the bear tested negative for rabies, officials said. A bear last tested positive for rabies in Arizona in 1971, according to Arizona Game and Fish.

Lastly, the report determined the animals cause of death was from multiple gunshot wounds. A neighbor heard Jackson screaming and shot the animal dead, officials said.

Prescott is about 100 miles north of Phoenix.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize youre a human and nonthreatening.

Stay calm: Bears usually dont want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

Dont scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

Pick up small children: Dont let kids run away from the bear. It could think theyre small prey.

Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Dont make any sudden movements.

Dont drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

Again, dont run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

Dont climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

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COVID-19s cataclysmic impact on K12 education, coming on the heels of a decade of stagnation in schools, has yielded a lost generation of growth for adolescents, new federal data reveal.

Wednesdays publication of scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)  Americas most prominent benchmark of learning, typically referred to as the Nations Report Card  shows the average 13-year-olds understanding of math plummeting back to levels last seen in the 1990s; struggling readers scored lower than they did in 1971, when the test was first administered. Gaps in performance between children of different backgrounds, already huge during the Bush and Obama presidencies, have stretched to still-greater magnitudes.

The bad tidings are, in a sense, predictable: Beginning in 2022, successive updates from NAEP have laid bare the consequences of prolonged school closures and spottily delivered virtual instruction. Only last month, disappointing results on the exams history and civics component led to a fresh round of headlines about the pandemics ugly hangover.

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But the latest release, highlighting long-term trends that extend back to the 1970s, widens the aperture on the nations profound academic slump. In doing so, it serves as a complement to the 2020 iteration of the same test, which showed that the math and English skills of 13-year-olds had noticeably eroded even before the emergence of COVID-19.

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Long-Term NAEP Scores for 13-Year-Olds Drop for First Time since 1970s

Those disturbing findings, since aggravated by the greatest disruption in the history of American schools, look all the worse today. Reading scores fell by four points between 2020 and 2023, mirroring similar declines in other NAEP releases since last fall, while math scores math scores tumbled by nine points. But an even greater reversal  seven points in reading, and 13 points in math  can be measured going back to 2012, when long-term scores began to slip.

The results set off yet another chorus of alarm bells among federal officials. Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which administers NAEP, told reporters that they should remind us that this is a huge scale of challenge that faces the nation today.

Certainly the pandemic has made things worse and made things more challenging for us, Carr said in a media briefing. But these troubling trends that were seeing date back a decade, particularly for our lower-performing students.

One of the most consistent findings from previous NAEP rounds, echoed in the most recent release, is that students already in need of academic help sustained the worst damage. That phenomenon is displayed most vividly in math: While students at every performance level experienced statistically significant drops in achievement, the fall for those at the top of the heap (minus-six points for those scoring at the 90th percentile of all test takers) was dwarfed by the hit delivered to those at the bottom (minus-14 for those scoring at the 10th percentile).

Again, when compared against the results of a decade ago, the trend becomes even clearer. The drop for top performers stands at seven points since 2012, while the average decline for all 13-year-olds grows to 13 points over that span. But students scoring at the 25th and 10th percentiles have tumbled by a truly stunning margin: 19 and 27 points, respectively.

The long-term trends exam (LTT), which is assessed less frequently than the biannual main NAEP, also tests different skills than that test. It measures somewhat simpler material in numeracy, focusing more on basic skills and mathematical definitions than on complex problem-solving, and its content has generally gone unchanged over the last half-century.

Dan Goldhaber, director of the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER) at the American Institutes for Research, said that after a long stretch of progress in the late 20th and early-21st centuries, quantitative measures like the LTT test are now flashing red.

When I talk with lay people about long-term achievement in the country, they tend to think that its been really flat over the long term, [but] its been trending upward  though arguably too slowly  for much of the last four or five decades, Goldhaber wrote in an email. It is amazing how much progress was lost quickly.

Thirteen-year-olds sit close to a critical pivot point in their K12 careers. According to NCES, about 60 percent of students sitting for NAEP this year were eighth-graders getting ready for the transition to high school. In last years first post-pandemic release of NAEP data, eighth-grade math performance fell notably further than that of fourth graders.

Performance in math and English has stalled over the last decade  first gradually, from 2012 to 2020, then severely, from 2020 to 2023. (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Beyond the divergence between high- and low-scoring participants, already-concerning disparities widened along the lines of race and ethnicity. The gaps in reading and math scores between white and African American students, totalling 23 and 29 points in 2012, grew to 27 and 42 points in 2023. The math gap between white and Hispanic students also grew, from 22 points to 28 points, over the same interval, though the literacy gap between those two groups shrank by four points.

Ancillary survey data, which accompanies raw NAEP scores and provides context about both in-school and out-of-school educational trends, offered additional reason for worry. One facet can be seen in terms of coursework, where the percentage of 13-year-olds reporting that they were enrolled in algebra fell from 34 percent in 2012 to 24 percent in 2023. While 29 percent of respondents said they were taking pre-algebra in 2012, just 22 percent said the same today; at the same time, the proportion of students enrolled in regular math rose significantly. Virtually all of that movement occurred between 2012 and 2020, before the onset of COVID.

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Nations Report Card Shows Largest Drops Ever Recorded in 4th and 8th Grade Math

The drop in algebra enrollment was driven substantially by respondents in the West, where the percentage of algebra students fell from 51 percent to just 19 percent in a little more than a decade. While a shift of that magnitude cannot be attributed to a single origin, California has spent the last few years locked in a debate over whether to delay students from beginning the algebra sequence until the ninth grade.

With respect to literacy, fewer students now report that they read for pleasure than in previous NAEP administrations. Fully 31 percent of respondents said that they never or hardly ever read for fun in 2023, compared with just 22 percent who chose that response in 2012. That seldom-reading category is now more than twice as large as the group saying that they read on their own time almost every day (14 percent, down from 27 percent in 2012).

Tom Loveless, a longtime education observer who formerly headed the Brookings Institutions Brown Center for Education Research, said he found the increase disquieting.

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Steep Drop in Student History Scores Leaves Officials Very, Very Concerned

The ability to read has long been a marker of educational status, Loveless said, also citing similar trends detected by the ongoing Progress in International Reading Literacy Study. That may be changing, with the perceived value of reading in decline.

Finally, the release confirms earlier reporting about an ominous and far-ranging increase in student absences from the classroom. One-quarter of participating 13-year-olds said they had missed more than two days of school over the previous month, up from about one-sixth of respondents just three years ago. Meanwhile, the number saying theyd missed 3-4 days rose from 11 percent to 15 percent, and the proportion who said theyd been absent five or more days doubled, from 5 percent to 10 percent.

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Frederick Hess, a political scientist who leads education policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, called the overall results bleak. But he declined to speculate whether they might also represent a nadir before a hopeful future rebound, in part because it remained ambiguous which factors were weighing down student achievement the most.

Part of the problem is we dont really know whats driving these scores down, so its hard to know if thats played out or not  or what kind of changes will turn the tide.
Theres yet more evidence that students have lost significant ground following the wobbly shift to pandemic-era remote classes that stretched for months: New data show the nations 13-year-olds are struggling with basic math and reading skills.

The results from a version of the Nations Report Card known as the long-term trend assessment, published Wednesday, show an especially notable slide in math that continues a trend predating the pandemic. The declines cut across essentially every race, affected girls and boys, and occurred for students in almost every type of setting  urban, rural, or suburban. The slide in reading affected nearly as wide a group of students.

Average math scores are about how students did in 1990; average reading scores are similar to 2004.

This is a very serious matter, said Peggy Carr, head of the National Center for Education Statistics, which administers the tests. Her message to schools and policymakers: Keep going with all of the interventions and add-ons to help students not just recover from what they lost during the pandemic but advance beyond that.

And expect that it will take time.

The big message here, Carr said, is it is a long road ahead of us.

Distracted students, stressed teachers What an American school day looks like post-COVID

Students math skills continue to decline

Skills tested on the math portion of the long-term trend assessment for 13-year-olds included calculating the area of a square and multiplying a three-digit number by a two-digit number. In reading, a student might have been asked to discern the feelings of a character in a brief reading passage.

The decline in scores of the students tested  a nationally representative sample of nearly 9,000 seventh and eighth graders  follows a series of disheartening reports from Carr this school year about the post-pandemic status of younger students in math and reading, eighth graders on a more advanced test of the same subjects as well as in American history and civics.

The latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress is further evidence of what the Biden-Harris administration recognized from Day One: that the pandemic would have a devastating impact on students learning across the country and that it would take years of effort and investment to reverse the damage as well as address the 11-year decline that preceded it," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

The 13-year-olds who took the basic skills tests were fourth and fifth graders when the pandemic struck, and the disruption at that point in their schooling appears to have been particularly damaging. And sharper declines in math, which mirror results on the other national tests, indicate that it may be a subject more sensitive to classroom instruction than reading, Carr said, given skills from one year generally build upon in the next.

Results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress scored on a scale of 0 to 500, showed a 9-point decline in the average mathematics score compared with 2020, from 280 to 271, the single-largest decline observed in the more than 50 years the test has been given. It also represents a 14-point drop from the 2012 average score of 285.

And as seen in other recent test results, lower-performing kids receded the furthest: The mathematics score for those students returned to levels last seen in the 1970s.

A student survey given with the test showed that fewer students compared with 2012 are taking Algebra I. While the skills students learn in algebra are beyond what 13-year-olds faced on the long-term trend assessment, the course can be an indicator of whether students pursue more advanced math classes later on or even whether they will go to college.

Research about whether eighth graders should take algebra is mixed. It makes sense for some kids, but pushing it on kids who arent ready can backfire, cutting their confidence about math or making them dislike the subject. Carr attributed the decline largely to changes in California, which has been reconsidering when students should take Algebra I.

How is your kid is doing in school? And what to do if they are falling behind

Fewer kids reading for fun

Another troubling finding from Wednesday's results: Fewer American 13-year-olds are reading just for fun, they told Carrs agency as part of the testing, which took place late last year. About a third of 13-year-olds said they never or hardly ever read for fun in 2023, slightly fewer than in 2020 but notably more than the 22% who said the same in 2012.

Reading for pleasure is correlated with higher performance, Carr said. Nearly double the proportion of students who scored higher on the test said read for fun at least once a week compared with low scorers: 51% versus 28%.

We do think that is part of the issue, Carr said. Students need to really develop a culture, an appreciation, a love for reading  not just in school but outside school.

In reading, average scores slid from 260 to 256 compared with 2020, and they were down 7 points compared with 2012 when they peaked at 263. And the lowest-performing 13-year-olds scored lower than students who took the test the very first year the data was collected, in 1971.

Reading opens the mind and the heart to new ways of seeing and thinking about the world, Carr said. Many of our young people will never discover latent passions or areas of interest without reading broadly on their own time.

Another concern about 13-year-olds  also raised for students of all ages following the pandemic  is that more of them are missing more school: The percentage of students who reported they missed five or more days of school in a month has doubled since 2020.

Students who miss a lot of school, unsurprisingly, tend to do the worst.

Calls to intervene quickly

To help students, Carr said, educators and policymakers must focus on the whole child, taking into account their mental health and other issues.

"State leaders take these results seriously and will continue to evaluate and add supports to ensure every learner has what they need to be successful," said Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Although schools already have spent billions of state, local and federal dollars on new programs, staff and technology in an attempt to catch kids up, there are questions about whether it's been spent wisely, fast enough, or used at all.

"Every minute that ticks by means we are losing more time to address this crisis to ensure we arent going to lose an entire generation of kids because of our failure to address this education crisis with urgency," said Keri Rodrigues, co-founder and president of the National Parents Union. "Our fear is that far too many schools are squandering this opportunity to implement immediate intervention, personalized learning plans and high-impact tutoring.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NAEP scores: Basic reading, math tests a challenge for 13-year-olds
Namibia has not abolished visa requirements for all countries in Africa

Posts shared on social media in Zambia and Kenya claim that Namibia has become the first African country to abolish travel visas for all countries on the continent. But this is false: a review of the countrys Ministry of Home Affairs website shows that not all African nations are visa-exempt. A government spokeswoman also told AFP Fact Check that the claim was false.

Namibia has become the first African country to remove visas for all African nationals traveling into Namibia from all 54 African countries. A borderless Africa is possible !!! (sic), reads a tweet published on June 1, 2023, and shared more than 4,000 times.

Screenshot showing the false post, taken on June 19, 2023

Similar claims were shared on Facebook here, here and here.

The African Unions Agenda 2063 calls for the abolition of all visa requirements for African travellers to other African countries so as to create an an integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africas Renaissance (archived here).

Some African countries have existing bilateral agreements that eliminate the need for visa applications or visas on arrival for their citizens (archived here).

In 2016, The Namibian newspaper reported that President Hage Gottfried Geingob planned to abolish visa requirements for all African passport holders (archived here).

Seven years later, however, this remains a work in progress.

False information

A search of the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security revealed that Namibia has not scrapped visa requirements for all African passport holders (archived here). Globally, 89 countries have visa exemption agreements with Namibia, 42 of them from Africa.

A government spokeswoman confirmed the status quo to AFP Fact Check.

There has been no decision to drop visa requirements for African countries as the social media posts say, said Margaret Kalo.

Authorities published an official statement on Twitter on June 5, 2023, denying the claim (archived here).

Clarification of the misleading article circulating on social media platforms under the heading "Namibia drops visa for all Africans". pic.twitter.com/j4GjMWfMqT  Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety&Security Namibia (@MHAINamibia) June 5, 2023

South Africa introduced (archived here) visa-waiver travel options for eligible nationals of Kenya in November 2022. Early this month, Kenya said it will drop (archived here) the visa requirement for citizens of Djibouti visiting the country.

South Africa, the most industrialised nation in the continent, has visa waivers (archived here) for more than 30 African countries for a specified period of up to 90 days.
Naperville agreement the last step in funding yard replacement work two years after the 2021 tornado

Naperville families who live in the area of Ranchview Drive and 75th Street know to tread carefully, if at all, to avoid the glass, metal and wood embedded in their yards by an EF3 tornado that struck Fathers Day night two years ago.

Relief could be on the way soon through $1.5 million in grants from the state of Illinois and city of Naperville that can be use to replace the soil where homeowners say shards seem to grow whenever it rains.

The state committed $1 million to fill financial gaps in homeowners insurance that typically doesnt cover environmental yard cleanup, including landscape remediation and replacement.

The Naperville City Council was to do the same Tuesday, the two-year anniversary of the tornado, by signing off on an agreement to give up to $500,000 to Naperville-based nonprofit M.P. Foundation on behalf of the Naperville Tornado Relief Fund.

Kristy Kennedy, co-founder of Naperville Tornado Relief, estimated that more than 70 families have applied for some type of yard work.

Were also going through the homeowner applications and making sure they are complete before we sit down early next week to determine funding, Kennedy said.

In April, the council directed staff to figure out where the money will come from and to work out the arrangements for the transfer.

Under the agreement, the city will contribute up to $500,000 in $125,000 increments after the foundation has exhausted the $1 million state grant.

Kennedy said her group this week completed the states application process to access the funding through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

That grant was secured by state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville, in January during the Legislatures lame duck session.

The city also stipulates the money must be used by the foundation for environmental cleanup in response to applications submitted by Naperville property owners whose properties are located within the designated boundary.

Naperville Tornado Relief established criteria to determine which properties would qualify for state and city grants.

By restoring yards through this environmental cleanup initiative, were also restoring this community that has been working to rebuild for the last two years, Kennedy said. Children will be able to safely play; pets can go out; and families can enjoy their yards again.

Napervilles contribution will come from the citys general fund.

Marcie Schatz, assistant to the city manager, said in a memo to the council that staff will transfer the money into an escrow account from which the relief payments will be made over the term of the agreement, which ends in December 2025.

Excess revenues in 2022 added more than $14 million to the general funds cash balance, which currently exceeds the 25% reserve goal established by the council in 2015.

Kennedy said theyre thankful to the city and the state, particularly Stava-Murray, for aiding the recovery effort.

I want to point out that the area received no disaster relief because it didnt qualify, despite the level of destruction, she said.

subaker@tribpub.com
NASA released three new sonic renderings of galaxies, stars, and quasars.

Scientists have translated data from cosmic bodies and events into spectacular audio renditions for years, but NASAs latest releases may be the first to feature accompanying real-time visual aides. Unveiled on Tuesday, a trio of brief sonifications derived from information gleaned by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, and Spitzer Space Telescope showcase the interplay between infrared light, space gas, and other interstellar materials to create gorgeous ambient soundscapes. Taken as a series, NASAs cosmic harmonies provide new, awe-inspiring ways to view the universe.

Because different telescopes can detect different types of light, each brings its own pieces of information to whatever is being observed, NASA explained in its June 21 announcement. This is similar in some ways to how different notes of the musical scale can be played together to create harmonies that are impossible with single notes alone. According to NASA, the collaboration was overseen by Chandra X-ray Center visualization scientist Kimberly Arcand, astrophysicist Matt Russo, and musician Andrew Santaguida.

https://youtu.be/iG4CI9TZhr8

NASA offers three videos with each sonification shown via a moving cursor, rendering the telescopes 2D images into something akin to written musical scores. An image depicting the two-star system R Aquarii, for example, is shown with a radar-esque tracker moving clockwise from a central point around the picture. As the cursor passes over Hubbles visible light and Chandras X-ray images, the volume increases. Meanwhile, the music pitch rises and falls depending on the sources distance from the image center.

The ribbon-like arcs captured by Hubble create a rising and falling melody that sounds similar to a set of singing bowls (metal bowls that produce different sounds and tones when struck with a mallet), while the Chandra data are rendered to sound more like a synthetic and windy purr, explained NASA scientists.

[Related: What we learn from noisy signals from deep space.]

Another image depicts Stephans Quartet, a cluster of four galaxies moving one another via gravitational pull, along with a fifth galaxy located at a different distance. As a tracking line moves downward across the image, additional background galaxies and stars are punctuated as different glass marimba notes alongside a host of other ambient, representational tones. Finally, the Messier 104 galaxy located within the Virgo cluster received its own sonifications based on multiple light readingsinfrared, X-ray, and optical.

Check out the clips below:

https://youtu.be/j-W5CDGGq50 https://youtu.be/zAexyWxTsEM
Dwan White Owl. (photo: GoFundMe)

RED LAKE, Minn.On Monday, June 12, a woman who was an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation of North Dakota died while in custody at the Red Lake Detention Center on the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota.



Dwan White Owl, 42, was pronounced deceased at the Red Lake Hospital, less than a mile from the detention center.

White Owl and her daughter, Danitra Warpaint, were arrested at Red Lakes Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls on Friday, June 9. The women were booked in the same jail cell and placed in the same holding cell that night. Warpaint said she had been pleading with jail staff to help her mother with medical assistance since they were booked in the jail on Friday.

I was asking for help all day and night, Warpaint told Native News Online.

Warpaint said it wasnt until midnight on Sunday, June 11, that her mother was taken out of the jail cell to the Red Lake Hospital, where she was discharged and returned nearly two hours later, at approximately 2:00 a.m. It is unknown why White Owl was discharged.

Upon returning to jail, staff placed both White Owl and Warpaint together in a different jail pod than they were in before. Warpaint stayed up all night with her mother. After White Owl returned to jail, she continued to plead with staff to be returned to the hospital.

Every time they came, I kept asking for help, but they didnt want to help, Warpaint said of jail staffs routine monitoring of inmates, which usually happens every 15 minutes. They kept telling us to wait until the nurse comes in the morning, but when she came in the morning, she didnt check on her.

Dennise Sayers, a Red Lake Tribal citizen, 21, was in the jail pod with White Owl and Warpaint when she passed away. In an interview with Native News Online, Sayers said multiple women were pleading with jail staff to take White Owl back to the hospital.

In the morning during cell cleaning, between 9 and 10 a.m., jail correctional officers brought a cleaning cart to our pod, Sayers told Native News Online. Everyone cleaned while Dwan was laying by the pod door on a mat while her daughter was laying with her. By the time our cleaning time was done, nearly 15 minutes, one of us noticed she wasnt breathing.

On Monday, June 12 at 11:15 a.m. that jail staff came to check on White Owl, who was found unconscious. According to Warpaint, jail correctional staff administered CPR while the nurse watched.

The CO [correctional officer] came in and tried to give her CPR, but they didn't even know how, Sayers said. They didn't even lay her fully on her back while doing CPR and it took them about 10 minutes to even get an airbag around her mouth. The nurse couldn't even hold the airbag onto her mouth properly from how bad she was shaking. There was no urgency whatsoever in the EMTs, the COs or the nurse. It's like they weren't trained for that.

After the staff saw that CPR was unsuccessful, they stopped CPR, and shortly after, medical staff transported her to the hospital.

Warpaint was also transported to the hospital separately and was later told by a doctor at the Red Lake Hospital that her mother was deceased. No known reason for her death was given, and additional details on the circumstances of her death have not been released.

Warpaint was released on Wednesday, June 14, from the Red Lake Detention Center on her own recognizance.

At the time of this publication, Red Lake Nation has not issued a statement on the death of White Owl.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said in an email to Native News Online that they are aware of the situation around White Owls death but did not provide additional information as the investigation is ongoing.

There is no public information available, and we cannot comment any further at this time, Diana Freedman, a spokesperson for the Minneapolis FBI field office, wrote in an email to Native News Online.

White Owls family is frustrated at the lack of communication from law enforcement.

Its been a week, and no one has informed our family of any details, Shelly Belgarde, sister of Dwan White Owl, said.

Because Red Lake is exempt from Public Law 280 (PL280), the federal government, and not the state or Tribe, is investigating the death of White Owl. PL280 was passed in 1953, giving six states  including Minnesota  criminal jurisdiction of major felony crimes on Indian lands. Because Red Lake is a closed reservation, and non-members do not have land on the reservation, the law does not apply, and Red Lake Nation and the federal government have jurisdiction over crimes and deaths on the reservation.

The Red Lake Detention Center is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and is subject to federal laws, policies, and mandates. According to the jails website, inspections of the jail are conducted annually to ensure that the facility is compliant with overcrowding; properly staffed and staff is adequately trained, and meets safety standards set and regulated by the federal government.

According to a report by NPR in 2021, nearly 28% of BIA correctional officers and staff who spend the majority of their time supervising inmates had not completed training to be certified in first aid, suicide prevention, and handling medical emergencies. A report published by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2023 revealed that four persons died while in custody in tribal jails, or detention centers, 12 months before June 30, 2022, three of them by suicide.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are 80 detention centers operating in Indian Country in 2022. Not all federally recognized tribes have detention centers, though.

Collecting data in Indian Country has had challenges for decades, and American Indians are often excluded from incarceration rates. There are many reasons given for disparities in data, but when data is available for American Indian people, it often shows higher numbers of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Native Americans are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, American Indians represent more than 9% of the state prison population but comprise just more than 1% of the states population. 20% of women in the states prison system are American Indian.

In Minnesota, the deaths of Indigenous prisoners have had a dark past in the state. In 1862, the largest mass execution of federal prisoners occurred on Dec. 26, after President Abraham Lincoln issued a list of 39 names of Dakota men to be hanged in Mankato. After the hanging was carried out, it was discovered that two men were accidentally hanged; one was a white man that was adopted at an early age by the tribe.

A 2022 report on deaths from service calls and law enforcement encounters reveal that in Minnesota, American Indians are 5.7 times more likely than whites to be involved in a fatal encounter with law enforcement as of Dec. 30, 2022. However, the report did not include deaths in correctional facilities.

Last week, the U.S. DOJ released results from a two-year investigation revealing that the Minneapolis Police Department unlawfully discriminated against Native American people, including the use of force after a traffic stop.

In Beltrami County, where the Red Lake Indian Reservation is located, inmate deaths are usually among the highest in the state, along with Hennepin County in Minneapolis.

White Owls family has not heard from authorities on when they can retrieve the body for burial. The family organized a GoFundMe to assist with hiring an attorney to hold officials accountable.

Dwan was a beautiful, kind-hearted woman, said Belgarde of her sister, Dwan. She always brought joy and happiness to people who knew her. She had a laugh and smile that would light up any room. Humor was her medicine and gift to the world. Her loss is one that reaches many loved ones far and wide. Dwans spirit will forever live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.

This story will be updated if the Red Lake Nation issues a statement.

About the Author: "Darren Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) is a staff reporter for Native News Online who is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Thompson has reported on political unrest, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous issues for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Indian Country Today, Native News Online, Powwows.com and Unicorn Riot. He has contributed to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Voice of America on various Indigenous issues in international conversation. He has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Criminology & Law Studies from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "

Contact: dthompson@nativenewsonline.net
More than $8,000 raised for family of 12-year-old who drowned in Georgia lake

A family is mourning the death of a 12-year-old who died over the weekend at a Georgia Lake.

The drowning happened at Lake Russell in Habersham County.

Habersham County officials said the 12-year-old died while swimming in a 100-acre U.S. Forest Service lake near Mt. Airy.

The GoFundMe identified the 12-year-old as Brian Ramirez.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Officials responded to the area around 4:20 p.m. on Saturday after reports that the juvenile was swimming when they disappeared from view.

Ramirez was found in about 10 feet of water inside the designated swimming area and was rushed to Mt. Airy Town Hall, where a medical helicopter was waiting.

Habersham County Emergency Services officials worked to revive Ramirez but were unsuccessful.

TRENDING STORIES:

The investigation into the drowning is still ongoing.

To donate to the GoFundMe visit this link.

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Nearly one-third of nation's homeless population lives in California, new research shows

Nearly one third of all people who are unhoused in the United States live in the Golden State, according to a new study released Tuesday.

The California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness also reveals 50% of all unsheltered people in the country  who may or may not have a car to sleep in  live in California. Almost 90% reported that the cost of housing was the main reason they could not escape homelessness.

"The results of the study confirm that far too many Californians experience homelessness because they cannot afford housing," wrote Margot Kushel, a principal investigator of the study and director at the University of California, San Francisco's Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative.

The study encompasses findings from nearly 3,200 surveys and 365 in depth interviews with adults experiencing homelessness across the state between October 2021 and November 2022. It is the "largest representative study of homelessness in the United States since the mid-1990s," according to the study, which was requested by California Governor Gavin Newsom's administration, Fortune reported.

More than one million people experience homelessness in the United States in a given year and many more are at risk of losing their homes, according to the Biden administration. Florida, New York and Washington also had high rates of homelessness last year, the Annual Homeless Assessment Report shows. The report provides data and analysis for funding decisions by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A homeless man sits at his tent along the Interstate 110 freeway in downtown Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom met with the mayors of some of California's largest cities to discuss the homeless situation last month.

What does the study reveal?

The study found that many people cannot afford homes in the state. Nearly all people surveyed said they "face barriers," like poor credit history, discrimination, health challenges or prior evictions, when trying to rent or buy a home. California is experiencing a housing shortage crisis, and the states is home to some of the most unaffordable places to live in the country.

The research shows "the incalculable personal costs of homelessness," Kushel wrote in the release.

California's homeless population is growing older in age with the median age of participants being 47-years-old, the new research shows, with nearly half of the state's homeless population being 50-years-old or older. An overrepresented majority are Latino (35%), Black (26%) and Native American (12%).

Micah's Way volunteers serve food and drink to Santa Ana, California residents, including veterans and others experiencing homelessness.

A vast majority of people surveyed were from or last housed in California. And about 20% of the unhoused people surveyed came straight from institutions.

Two-thirds of all participants surveyed reported struggling with mental health issues at the time they were surveyed. And 72% had experienced some type of physical violence in their lifetime, the findings show.

Many of the unhoused people the institute surveyed are looking for jobs. "Participants were disconnected from the job market and services, but almost half were looking for work," a news release attached to the study reads.

Biden administration: Unveils initiative to combat homelessness in 5 US cities, California

To combat the growing housing needs, the group is recommending six policy changes, including:

Increasing "access to housing affordable to extremely low-income households;"

Expanding "targeted homelessness prevention, such as financial supports and legal assistance;"

Providing "robust supports to match the behavioral health needs of the population;"

Upping "household incomes through evidence-based employment supports;"

Growing "outreach and service delivery to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness;" and

Embedding "a racial equity approach in all aspects of homeless system service delivery."

Angel Martinez pours water on Jerry Fullington's head to cool him off from the heat in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. The friends who used to be a couple have been homeless on and off for years but are hoping to get inside soon.

In an attempt to reduce homelessness nationwide by 25% by January 2025, the Biden administration last month unveiled an initiative called "ALL INside" to help unhoused people in cities with high homeless populations access federal services. Those cities include Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix and Seattle.

Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kaylajjimenez.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California accounts for nearly one-third of the nation's homeless people
Netflix is facing criticism on social media after the streaming giant released a trailer for its new freediving documentary amid the ongoing search for the missing Titan submarine.

Produced by A24, The Deepest Breath tells the story of Alessia Zecchini, the current holder of the freediving world record.

The trailer was shared on Tuesday (20 June) as rescue efforts were well underway to find the five missing passengers onboard the Titan, which went missing on an expedition to see the Titanic shipwreck.

Freediving is a form of underwater diving that relies on natural breath-holding rather than apparatus like scuba gear.

The teaser features heavy breathing sounds as viewers watch Zecchini plunge deep into the ocean. One scene shows a diver being resuscitated during a freediving competition.

On Twitter, many Netflix subscribers questioned the timing of the deep-sea-related release given the ongoing search for the submarine.

The timing of this, one person commented.

Probably not the best timing for this, another agreed.

Between life and death is one single breath.



The Deepest Breath, an A24 production, only on Netflix 19 July. pic.twitter.com/wfAwShC2tK  Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) June 20, 2023

Wow epic timing, and not in a good way. Who decided this was going up? A third wrote.

The Independent has contacted Netflix for comment.

Earlier this year, Zecchini, 30, set a womens world record with a freedive reaching 107 metres.

Probably not the best timing for this   (@ValeyAnt) June 20, 2023

Wow epic timing, and not in a good way. Who decided this was going up?  Becca (she/her) (@SweetPepperKoL) June 20, 2023

The documentarys official logline reads: A champion freediver and expert safety diver seemed destined for one another despite the different paths they took to meet at the pinnacle of the freediving world. A look at the thrilling rewards  and inescapable risks  of chasing dreams through the depths of the ocean.

On Wednesday (21 June), it was announced that Channel 5 would air a documentary about the missing submersible on Thursday (22 June) just hours after it is due to run out of oxygen.

The OceanGate Expeditions craft had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it left its surface ship around 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Sunday morning (18 June), meaning it is due to run out at approximately 10am BST on Thursday (22 June).

The five passengers aboard the missing submarine include British billionaire Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman, founder and CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, and veteran French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

On the same day, the submarine went missing, Hardings stepson Brian Szasz was spotted at a Blink-182 concert in San Diego.

It might be distasteful being here but my family would want me to be at the Blink-182 show as its my favourite band and music helps me in difficult times, Szasz apparently wrote in the caption of his since-deleted post.

A Canadian aircraft searching for the sub in the Atlantic Ocean recently detected intermittent banging noises from the vicinity of its last known location.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here
Gov. Gavin Newsoms decision to prolong the life of controversial power plants to help keep the lights on in California is once again being questioned by environmentalists.

A new report released Wednesday, commissioned by the California Environmental Justice Alliance and Sierra Club, said that during last years unprecedented heat wave, Californias natural gas-fired plants failed to generate the expected levels of power while significantly increasing pollution in nearby communities.

This report really underscores that in planning for the reliable grid of the future, investing in more fossil fuels is a bad investment and a misguided plan not just for environmental justice communities, but also for California ratepayers as a whole and for our climate, said Teresa Cheng, a senior campaign representative for Sierra Club.

From last August 31 to September 9, triple-digit temperatures baked much of the state, including Sacramento, in one of the most prolonged heat waves in recent California history. It placed unprecedented strain on power supplies, driving energy demand to a record height of 52,000 megawatts.

Although rolling blackouts were narrowly kept at bay as Newsom pleaded with Californians to reduce their energy use, the report says the states gas plants worsened the air quality in some communities.

Alex Stack, a spokesperson for Newsom, said Wednesday afternoon that he could not comment on the report because the governors office had not yet had time to analyze it. In a statement, Stack touted the governors leadership on climate initiatives and said the states recent investments in aging fossil fuel infrastructure created an essential backup resource for extreme weather events.

Gavin Newsom takes heat for prolonged life of gas plants

The fate of the states nearly 200 nearly grid-connected natural gas power plants has been a contentious issue for Newsom and environmentalists as California pushes toward a clean energy future. State law mandates that the electricity grid be 100% renewable by 2045.

Tensions rose in August 2020 when, weeks after Californians endured rolling blackouts for the first time since 2001, the State Water Resources Control Board voted to allow nine high-polluting generating units to operate for up to three more years.

Then last year, Newsom authorized a plan giving the state broad authority to approve new proposals and purchase electricity from a group of plants scheduled to be retired in the next few years. These included the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant and a group of high-polluting natural gas-fired plants on the Southern California coast.

Newsom and his administration argue the prolonged life of the plants is critical to maintaining the electricity grid reliability.

Action is needed now to maintain reliable energy service as the state accelerates the transition to clean energy, Newsom said of his energy plan last year.

Critics argue that the administrations policies represent a flawed plan for energy reliability and take away state resources that should be dedicated to expanding its fleet of renewable energy.

Regulators and agencies and the executive branch will extend these plants and sort of push back the timeline on how long fossil fuel infrastructure will be kept online and say that that will then allow us to procure enough clean energy to ultimately turn them off, said Ari Eisenstadt, energy equity manager at California Environmental Justice Alliance. But weve seen over and over again, is that that hasnt actually happened.

During the 2022 heat wave, Newsom signed executive orders allowing for the use of diesel backup generators and the idling of ships off of California ports. Both measures caused increased harm to disadvantaged communities, according to the report.

Emissions from Californias gas plants spiked by 60% during the 10-day heat wave compared to the pollution emitted in the 10 days prior, according to the report. The carbon dioxide emissions alone were equivalent to the pollution produced by 43,000 vehicles in a year, the report found.

California gas plants pose grid reliability challenges

Although the sun is typically the states largest energy source during hot summer days, California still relies heavily on natural gas during evening peak demand hours because of wind and solar power shortages.

As the report notes, some of the states fossil fuel plants  especially those that are aging and gas-fired  pose issues for the grids reliability. Amid the 10-day heat wave last year, plants experienced power outages and equipment failures and were unable to produce the levels of power expected of them.

I think thats to be expected because a lot of these plants that are running when the system is really in a crunch are the older, inefficient plants, said Michael Goggin, vice president at Grid Strategies, the consulting company that produced the report.

Goggin estimated that the lost power over those 10 days cost the state $280 million.

With demand expected to continue climbing, state officials and utility companies like Pacific Gas & Electric and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District are working to scale up renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and battery power. State officials are hopeful that thousands of new megawatts of battery storage being added to the electricity grid this year will help to diminish the chances of blackouts.

Environmentalists commend those efforts but say a detailed for about how the state plans to retire its fleet of fossil fuel plants is needed.
Next up in the Salt Lake airport renovation: 9 gates and 12 stores

Phase 3 of construction continues at the Salt Lake City International Airport, including the Concourse B Plaza and an initial five gates in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

With machinery whirring in the background, local business owner Ethan Cisneros expressed his gratitude to the media on Tuesday morning at Salt Lake City International Airport as workers continued their development of Concourse B.

Im literally just in shock right now. Its amazing, he said.

Cisneros soda shop, Thirst, is one of 12 concessions scheduled to open in fall 2024 as part of The New SLC Phase 3  a nine-gate expansion of Concourse B, complete with a mini-plaza featuring large-scale art installations. Five initial gates will open in October 2024.

The new airport has received national accolades for our concessions program, said Bill Wyatt, the airports executive director, in a statement. These unique restaurants and shops are expected to garner five-star reviews as well.

Related

In addition to Thirst, four other local brands were chosen: Cotopaxi, known for its colorful bags and apparel; The Canyon, showcasing local art; Sundays Best and its savory and sweet menu; and Weller Book Works, a staple of the states local book scene. Its part of an effort to remind travelers all over the world that theyre in Utah, according to Wyatt.

Its very important to us that we see a broad representation of local interests represented in the concessions program, frankly, represented in the look and feel of the airport as well, he said.

Jose Navarrete and Luis Resendiz, both with Daw Construction Group, work on phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction outside of Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

And as a local business owner, Cisneros says getting involved in the community is vital.

Its always been the way that we do business, whether its community events or supporting the community, or doing anything we can do to do more than just take money from the consumers in the community. And this is a huge step in that, he said.

The 12 new restaurants and shops were selected from a pool of 56 proposed concepts and will occupy 19,260 square feet of space. They are:

Food and beverage:

Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen.

Freddys Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.

Maggianos Little Italy .

Sundays Best.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Thirst.

Retail, news and gifts:

Cotopaxi.

iStore Express.

Relay.

Travel Right.

The Canyon.

Weller Book Works.

Other Phase 3 updates

The world map has a new home in Concourse B. After lying on the old Terminal 1 floor for 60 years, a refurbished version of the distinct airport landmark will be placed by the escalators as visitors enter the area.

Related

Additionally, two art installations made by Gordon Huether will decorate the plaza. Canyon 2.0 will act as an extension of Canyon, seen along the walls in the main terminal, while Northern Light is a glass sculpture that will hang above the concourse.

(It uses) the dichroic glass, which reflects the light of the moment, Wyatt said. It changes colors throughout the course of the day.

Phase 3 also includes the opening of the Central Tunnel in October 2024, which connects Concourses A and B. It features another art installation from Huether, titled The River Tunnel.

Development of the Concourse B east expansion is well underway. When finished, the new area will consist of moving walkways with gates on either side. Concessions and restrooms will be in between.

Related

Background

Salt Lake Citys Airport Redevelopment Program broke ground in 2014 with the vision of a new airport featuring one central terminal and two concourses, replacing the old five-concourse horseshoe design.

Phase 1, finished in 2020, introduced a new parking garage, a central terminal and the west portions of Concourses A and B, complete with 46 gates. Five of 22 more gates in Concourse A just opened in May, with the rest coming online by the end of the year.

The fourth and final phase will add 16 gates to the Concourse B east expansion, bringing the total number of Salt Lake airport gates to 94. That will be ready in 2027, 13 years after the project began.

Whenever you build airports  you have to build it in phases. That way you keep parts of it open, Chandler McClellan, the deputy program manager of construction, said. I compare it to a chess game. Youre always moving parts and pieces, which is extremely complicated. Thats why you always have to have good contractors on board, good architects and engineers. You always have to figure out how youre going to play that chess match.

Related

Thirst owner Ethan Cisneros talks to the media about opening a Thirst in Concourse B as phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction continues in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction continues outside of Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Mike Herrera works on phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction in Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

A construction worker welds as phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction continues in Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Workers sweep as phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction continues in Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Todd Kendall, SME Steel Contractors union iron worker, welds glass supports during phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction in Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

A Delta plane is pictured outside of the Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction continues outside of Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Phase three of the Salt Lake City International Airport construction continues outside of Concourse B in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Growing up in Roanoke, Virginia, Mike Brennan witnessed a host of severe weather events. From winter storms to the aftermath of hurricanes, Brennan saw it all, including an "impressionable" moment when he was just eight years old.

When his grandmother's home was lost to flooding caused by what was left of Hurricane Juan in 1985, the incident left a mark on the new director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

"I think like most people who end up in meteorology, [I had] a pretty big interest in it at a young age," Brennan told AccuWeather National Reporter Emmy Victor.

Brennan, who has been with the NHC for about 15 years, became the director of the organization on April 10, 2023. He began his time with the center as a senior hurricane specialist, issuing watches and warnings, coordinating aircraft reconnaissance missions and putting together forecasts.

He held that role for about a decade, but his expertise and skill quickly helped the North Carolina State University graduate climb the ladder, as he became the hurricane specialist unit's branch chief in 2018. While holding this position, he supervised the agency's hurricane forecasters during some of the busiest hurricane seasons on record, such as the hyperactive 2020 season. Brennan then became the NHC's acting deputy director this past year when the former director of the NHC, Ken Graham, left to take over the National Weather Service and the current deputy director, Jamie Rhome, filled in for Graham.

NOAAs National Hurricane Center is located on the campus of Florida International University in Miami. (Image credit: NOAA)

Now leading the charge at the NHC when it comes to saving lives and protecting property against violent storms, Brennan told Victor that when he looks back on his career so far, he is proud of the journey both he and the NHC have been on.

"You think of the big storms, but you also think of the progress we've made," Brennan said. "When I first got to the (NHC), we were barely forecasting the formation of systems out to a day or two, and now we're pushing that out to seven days this year, so that's tremendous progress ... we're able to give people a lot more lead time."

AccuWeather has a long-standing partnership with the NHC and helps to communicate hurricane forecasts with the public. Its tropical team is led by veteran meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, who has been predicting hurricanes for more than four decades and works tirelessly to apply AccuWeather's Superior Accuracy to products like AccuWeather's Eye Path, which has provided seven-day projections for hurricane path trajectory since at least 2020.

Brennan told Victor that he's excited to continue that progress and noted that two of his highest priorities are properly communicating the threats that storm surge and flooding rain can bring during a hurricane, as he said those two hazards combined are responsible for most of the fatalities that occur from tropical storms and hurricanes in the U.S. Pointing to a warming climate, he said that storm surge is "going to be worse," expanding into places not prone to high water levels in the past.

Mike Brennan, Ph.D., was recently selected as director of NOAAs National Hurricane Center. (Image credit: NOAA)

"The other one is the rainfall flooding," Brennan said. "Warmer air holds more moisture, [and] we're already seeing higher rain rates, more extreme rainfall events both in hurricanes and other weather systems so that's gonna be a growing threat as well."

Brennan pointed to historic storms such as Sandy in 2012 and Irene in 2011, but he also noted how hectic hurricane seasons have been in recent years, such as in 2017, when the destructive trio of major hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria all developed within a one-month timeframe.

"There have been so many impactful storms, especially here along the Gulf coast," Brennan said during a Hurricane Awareness Tour in early May. "We've had more Category 4 and 5 hurricane landfalls in the United States since 2016 than we had from the 1960s up to 2015, so it's just been a very, very impactful few years."

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In terms of new products for the current season, Brennan noted that the NHC will be releasing new graphics regularly detailing peak storm surge, a snapshot of where storm surge is going to occur and how high water levels will be.

Along with the mainland United States, Brennan's team is expanding the reach of the NHC's newer storm surge products to places like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For places in the U.S. that are historically hit hard during hurricane season, the surge warning can highlight specifically where life-threatening conditions exist.

A man uses his hand to measure how high water is reaching on a pickup truck, as the vehicle navigates a flooded street after Hurricane Ian, in Fort Myers, Florida, Sept. 29, 2022. High water levels from storm surge will be one of the challenges the National Hurricane Center is looking to tackle under new leadership. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

And past storms have proven that storm surges can be quite devastating. During Hurricane Ian in September 2022, storm surge levels reached an astounding 13.8 feet at Fort Myers, Florida. In 2005, storm surge flooding of 25-28 feet above normal tide level was reported along the Mississippi coast as Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

Those who have worked with Brennan over the years spoke highly of the new director's detailed knowledge of the profession, as well as his experience and ability to lead the NHC into the future.

"The NHC director is one of the most visible and important jobs in the nation, and Mike possesses the right combination of experience, leadership and personal traits to prepare and guide us through major storms," NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said of Brennan. "Alongside our trusted and dedicated team at NHC, Mike will continue to leverage vital partnerships to provide the best forecasts and build resilience to the impacts of hurricanes in U.S. communities."

Brennan is following in the footsteps of Graham, who is now the director of the National Weather Service. Like Spinrad, Graham had nothing but positive things to say about his successor.

"(Brennan) is an innovator who has built incredible relationships across the agency and with our emergency management and media partners, and I look forward to the great things ahead at NHC under his leadership," Graham said.

Communication of risks during hurricanes is a vital and life-saving mission of the weather enterprise, which includes public and private weather forecasting entities.

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter has known Brennan for years, as the two have worked together on the American Meteorological Society's Weather Analysis and Forecasting Committee.

"I have always been impressed with his knowledge, willingness to think creatively and steadfast dedication to the important mission of the National Hurricane Center," Porter said. "AccuWeather is proud of our partnership with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center to work together in order to help get the message out about hurricane threats in order to save lives and assist people in being better prepared for the wide variety of hurricane impacts, both at the immediate coastline and often well inland from flooding rainfall and other hazards. I have no doubt we will find even more ways to work together and have an even greater impact."

Experts urge people in hurricane-prone areas to prepare now ahead of a possible strike from a cyclone.

"Unfortunately, places do get affected by multiple storms in the same season ... they have to prepare multiple times, that's just the risk that comes with living in hurricane-prone areas," Brennan told Victor.

Additional reporting by AccuWeather's Emmy Victor.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
(Bloomberg) -- The suspended head of Nigerias central bank, who was detained earlier this month, poses a threat to the nations security and should be denied bail, the secret police said in a court filing.

Most Read from Bloomberg

An investigation is under way into whether Godwin Emefiele committed economic sabotage and breached national security rules, according to the filing by the State Security Service, dated June 20 and seen by Bloomberg. Other allegations leveled against Emefiele include that he was party to a criminal breach of trust, incitement of violence and the criminal misappropriation of public funds, the SSS said.

Emefiele will be immediately charged in court where necessary once the probe is complete, the SSS said. He has enormous resources at his disposal and can easily interfere with ongoing investigation and even evade subsequent arrest if released on bail, it said.

President Bola Tinubu, who took office late last month, has called for an overhaul of the way the central bank conducts itself, and suspended Emefiele on June 9, the day before he was arrested. The SSS has said it has obtained a court order to hold the governor for at least 14 days to give it more time to complete its investigations.

Just hours after Emefieles suspension, SSS agents illegally invaded his residence, his lawyers said in bail proceedings before the High Court in the capital, Abuja. The security officials then unlawfully blindfolded, arrested and detained Emefiele in sub-human condition, according to the filings dated June 13.

Emefiele is the victim of a political witch-hunt, according to his bail application. The government of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who handed over to Tinubu on May 29, was eminently satisfied with the monetary policies under Emefiele, it said.

The SSS said in response that the agency is apolitical and Emefieles arrest was unrelated to his policies, including the central banks efforts to replace high-denomination naira notes in the run-up to Februarys election. Those reforms were unpopular with Tinubus allies, who accused Emefiele of deliberately undermining the ruling partys prospects at the polls.

There was no response to an email seeking comment that was sent to lawyers representing Emefiele. The SSS also didnt respond to a request for comment.

The bogus allegations by the SSS are not supported by any iota of evidence whatsoever and Emefiele should be released while the agency completes its probe, according to his filings. The application also accused the SSS, which was already investigating Emefiele last year over allegations including money laundering, terror financing and misappropriation of funds, of disobeying two court orders issued in December barring the agency from detaining the central bank chief.

The SSS said that during its investigation of Emefiele, it uncovered collaborators who are at large and ought to be traced and arrested, the agency said.

A court will rule on Emefieles bail application on July 13.

(Updates with details from court filings including comments from Emefieles lawyer from fifth paragraph.)

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Abbiegail Smiths photo is displayed in State Superior Court Judge David Baumans courtroom Friday, May 31, 2019, before the sentencing for Andreas Erazo.

TRENTON - The state Supreme Court Wednesday reversed an appellate court ruling that would have allowed the killer and rapist of an 11-year-old Keansburg girl to take back his guilty plea and go to trial.

The state's high court, in its unanimous decision reinstating the murder and rape convictions of Andreas Erazo, said detectives were not required to read Miranda rights to the defendant when he voluntarily went to the Keansburg police station in 2017 to give a witness statement about the disappearance of Abbiegail Smith, his young, downstairs neighbor.

The Supreme Court said Erazo, who was 19 at the time, was not in custody and not yet considered a suspect in Abbiegail's disappearance when he gave an initial statement to police.

Therefore, the court said he was not owed Miranda warnings, the recitation by police that informs suspects they have the right to remain silent and have an attorney present during questioning, the court said.

During his initial interview, Erazo claimed to know nothing about the girl's disappearance. But after that interview, police heard from a witness who saw Abbiegail enter Erazo's apartment, so they questioned him again, that time after administering the Miranda warnings.

Erazo agreed to waive his Miranda rights.

During the subsequent interrogation, detectives told Erazo they knew the girl was in his apartment and that her body was found in a futon cover that came from his home.

Andreas Erazo is shown in Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David F. Baumans courtroom on Monday, August 20, 2018. He is charged with the rape and murder of Abbiegail Smith in Atlantic Highlands.

Erazo, now 24, eventually admitted stabbing the girl, but told police he thought she was an intruder in his apartment. He claimed to have blacked out and didn't know if he sexually assaulted the child, but his DNA later implicated him in her rape.

The Supreme Court ruled that Erazo's waiver of his Miranda rights before the second interview was knowing, intelligent and voluntary and, therefore, his confession should not be suppressed, as the appellate court had ruled when it said he could take back his guilty plea.

The high court noted Erazo was not restrained during the first interview, which was conducted in an unlocked room. Detectives brought him pizza and water in between the two interviews, the court said.

Erazo was given bathroom and cigarette breaks throughout the day, the Supreme Court said.

The high court said the appellate judges should have given deference to the trial judge, who found that "the detectives were not physically overbearing toward the defendant,'' and one of them even spoke to Erazo in a "quiet, conversational, almost paternalistic tone.''

The court noted that when detectives asked Erazo for a DNA sample, he refused and asked for a lawyer. With that, the detectives ended the questioning.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement that the Supreme Court decision vindicates their investigation.

"We are collectively elated over the opinion issued by the New Jersey Supreme Court (Wednesday) morning as it unequivocally validates the stance the Prosecutor's Office has held from the very onset of this case: that this investigation was conducted rigorously, dutifully and in full accordance with established law,'' the statement said.

"This was a uniquely heinous crime, and we are likewise collectively pleased that the family of Abbiegail "Abbie'' Smith can rest assured that the person responsible for cutting her life so brutally and tragically short will now continue serving his lengthy prison term,'' the statement said.

The state Public Defender's Office, which represents Erazo, did not respond to a request for comment.

Abbiegail went missing from her apartment in the Hancock Arms complex in Keansburg on July 12, 2017. Her body was discovered the next day, wrapped in a futon cover, on a rooftop outside Erazo's bedroom window. She had been stabbed to death and raped. Most of her clothing had been removed, and her hands and feet were bound with computer cords.

In his confession, Erazo matter-of-factly described binding Abbiegail's hands with a power cord from a computer and tying the cord around her hands "like I was tying a shoe.''

With his trial looming, Erazo pleaded guilty in February 2019 to the child's murder and rape in a deal that took life in prison without the possibility of release on parole off the table.

Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman sentenced Erazo in May 2019 to life in prison with the chance to be considered for release on parole after serving 63 years and nine months. He also imposed a 50-year sentence, to run concurrently to the term for murder, for the child's rape.

"You will become eligible for parole when you're over 80 years old,'' Bauman told the then 21-year-old defendant.

Erazo, in addition to challenging the admissibility of his confession in his appeal, also claimed his sentence is excessive.

Because the appellate panel ruled Erazo could take back his guilty plea and go to trial, it did not consider his challenge of the length of his sentence.

The Supreme Court remanded the case back to the appellate division to rule on that issue.

Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Supreme Court decisions today: Andreas Erazo conviction reinstated
Former Neptune Police Sergeant Philip Seidle is shown in State Superior Court in Freehold, Thursday, September 29, 2016. He pled guilty to the aggravated manslaughter of his wife, Tamara Wilson-Seidle.

The New Jersey Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that the Asbury Park Press cannot recover legal fees from Neptune for a lawsuit seeking the internal affairs file of township Police Sgt. Philip Seidle, who gunned down his ex-wife in 2015.

The high court ruled 6-0 in favor of Neptune, ending a six-year legal battle by the Press. Supreme Court Associate Justice Douglas Fasciale did not participate.

The legal fees amounted to $86,000 when the trial court judge ordered Neptune to pick up the Press legal tab in 2019. The exact amount since then, with the cost of appeals, has not been calculated.

Thomas Cafferty, an attorney who represented the Press' parent company Gannett in the case, said the fees would be "significantly more" than the 2019 figure.

"We're clearly disappointed in the result," Cafferty said, adding that the ruling Tuesday would eventually result in the lessening of access to police internal affairs records.

The Press eventually prevailed in the documents portion of the lawsuit against Neptune, filed in 2017. But that win was muted in December 2020 when then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal released most of Seidle's internal affairs file independently of Neptune while the case was still on appeal after he initially declined to do so. His reconsideration came in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

The Press received an expanded set of records from Neptune.

The Press waged the legal fight under the common law right to access after the trial judge rejected the Press claim under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Under the common law, the courts weigh the publics right to access against the states decision to limit access, taking into account considerations such as privacy and public safety.

More: Neptune police sergeant guns down wife in broad daylight

OPRA allows for the shifting of attorneys fees to defendants if the plaintiff prevails. But according to Tuesdays ruling, the common law only allows the recovery of those fees in limited circumstances.

When it comes to civil litigation, New Jersey follows whats known as the American Rule, meaning litigants must pay their own attorneys fees. But there are four exceptions under the common law, according to Tuesdays ruling: 1) if the fee shifting is authorized by statute 2) if it aligns with a court rule allowing specific exceptions 3) if it pertains to a breach of fiduciary duty or 4) if it has to do with a contractual obligation.

According to the high court ruling, none of those exceptions applied.

The trial judge permitted a partial fee under the common law. The Appellate Division overruled in 2021 and the Supreme Court affirmed the appeals court decision Tuesday.

More: Secret police documents revealed: Read Neptune killer cop Phil Seidle's IA file

Imposing fee-shifting in this category of cases would venture far beyond the narrow exceptions to the American Rule that New Jersey courts have adopted to date, the high court said.

And it is particularly inappropriate in this type of case because of the significant burdens on municipal clerks and other records custodians; they require a careful balancing of competing interests and the application of an array of factors that can challenge even a seasoned judge, the court said. "If a custodian were to release information not properly subject to disclosure in order to avoid the risk of an award of attorneys fees, individuals privacy and safety and the public entitys interests could be compromised."

Jonathan Cohen, the attorney who represented Neptune, highlighted the court's reservations.

Former Neptune Police Sergeant Philip Seidle arrives for his sentencing in State Superior Court in Freehold, Thursday, September 29, 2016. He pled guilty to the aggravated manslaughter of his wife, Tamara Wilson-Seidle.

"We think it's too much to ask of a municipal clerk or a custodian of records of a government jurisdiction who is not a lawyer to have to basically issue a quasi-judicial that a court might subsequently disagree with which would result in the imposition of taxpayer-funded legal fees," he said. "The ruling is significant because it establishes that it is really the job of the Legislature to establish fee-shifting statutes."

Following decades of trouble at the Seidle home, in 2015 Seidle chased his ex-wife Tamara Wilson-Seidle through the streets of Asbury Park, ran her car off the road and opened fire in front of their 7-year-old daughter and other police officers at the scene.

Seidle pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in a negotiated plea. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The release of Seidles internal affairs file confirmed earlier Asbury Park Press reporting that his domestic turmoil was known to local law enforcement.

More: Killer cop's 'domestic violence' known to his department prior to shooting

Cafferty said police internal affairs records will now be much harder to come by since they are only allowed under the common law right to access  not OPRA  and the inability of requestors to recover attorney's fees will dampen their ability to pursue those claims.

CJ Griffin, an attorney who represented the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, which supported the Press in the case, agreed.

"Without access to attorney's fees, most members of the public will not be able to enforce their rights to obtain police internal affairs reports, dash camera videos, and so many other records that we have access to pursuant to the Supreme Courts landmark decisions expanding the common law right to these documents," Griffin said.

Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Supreme Court rules against Asbury Park Press in killer cop lawsuit
'No job for humans': the harrowing work of content moderators in Kenya

More than 180 one-time content moderators in Africa are suing Facebook's parent company for harm they suffered in the role (JOEL SAGET)

Trevin Brownie's first day as a content moderator for Facebook is etched in his memory, working out of a subcontractor's nondescript office in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

"My first video, it was a man committing suicide... there was a two- or three-year-old kid playing next to him. After the guy hanged himself, after about two minutes, the child notices something is wrong," said the 30-year-old South African, recalling the youngster's heartwrenching response.

"It made me sick... But I kept on working."

For three years he watched hundreds of violent, hateful videos every day and removed them from Facebook.

Brownie and more than 180 of his former colleagues are now suing Meta, Facebook's parent company, for the harm they suffered in the first major class action over content moderation since 2018.

He worked in Nairobi for Sama, a Californian company subcontracted by Meta to moderate Facebook content for sub-Saharan Africa between 2019 and 2023.

Sama has since announced it will be closing its content moderation hub in Nairobi, which employed people from a number of African countries recruited in particular for their knowledge of local languages.

Brownie said he watched all manner of horrors -- "more than 100 beheadings", "organs being ripped out of people", "rapes and child pornography", "child soldiers being prepared for war".

"Humans do things to humans that I would never have even imagined. People have no idea of the sick videos that are posted, what they are escaping."

- Legal battles -

Today, Brownie is involved in one of three cases against Meta in Kenya related to content moderation.

He and another 183 sacked Sama employees are contesting their "unlawful" dismissal and seeking compensation, saying their salaries failed to account for the risks they were exposed to and the damage to their mental health.

Up to 260 moderators are losing their jobs as a result of the Sama closure in Nairobi, according to the petition.

The legal offensive began with a lawsuit filed in May 2022 in a Nairobi court by a former content moderator, Daniel Motaung, complaining about poor working conditions, deceptive hiring methods, insufficient pay and a lack of mental health support.

Meta said it did not want to comment on the details of the cases but told AFP it demanded that its subcontractors made psychological support available 24/7.

Asked by AFP to respond to the claims, Sama said it was "not able to comment" on ongoing cases.

- 'Downplayed the content' -

Testimonies collected by AFP in April from several former Sama content moderators -- who are among the plaintiffs in the dismissal case -- support Motaung's claims.

Two of them hired in 2019 by Sama, then called Samasource, said they had responded to offers to work in call centres passed on from acquaintances or recruitment centres.

They say they didn't find out until they signed their contracts -- which included confidentiality clauses -- that they were going to work as content moderators.

Despite this, Amin and Tigist (whose names have been changed) did not question their new roles, or consider quitting.

"I had no idea of what a content moderator is, I had never heard about it," said Tigist, an Ethiopian recruited for her knowledge of the Amharic language.

"Most of us had no knowledge of the difference between a call centre and a content moderation centre," confirmed Amin, who worked in the Somali "market".

But the next batch of recruits, he said, received offer letters clearly specifying it was a content moderation job.

On their first day of training, even before they were shown the images to be reviewed, the moderators were reminded they had signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

"During the training, they downplayed the content, what we were going to see... What they showed us in training was nothing compared to what we were going to see," said Amin.

Once they began work "the problems started".

- 'My heart became a stone' -

Glued to their screens for eight hours a day, the moderators scrolled through hundreds of posts, each more shocking than the last.

"We don't choose what to see, it just comes in randomly: suicide videos, graphic violence, child sexual exploitation, nudity, violent incitement... They flood into the system," said Amin.

The moderators AFP spoke to claimed an "average handling time" of 55 to 65 seconds per video was imposed on them, or between 387 and 458 "tickets" viewed per day.

If they were too slow, they risked a warning, or even termination, they said.

Meta said in an email to AFP that content reviewers "are not required to evaluate any set number of posts, do not have quotas and aren't pressured to make hasty decisions.

"We both allow and encourage the companies we work with to give their employees the time they need to make a determination when reviewing a piece of content," it added.

None of the content moderators AFP spoke to imagined the adverse effects such work would have on them.

They say they have not consulted psychologists or psychiatrists, because of a lack of money, but recount symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Brownie said he is now "afraid of kids because of the child soldiers, the brutality I have seen children doing".

He is also uncomfortable in crowded places "because of all the suicide videos I've seen".

"I used to be a party freak... I haven't been to a club for three years now. I can't, I'm afraid."

Amin said there have been physical effects too -- his weight dropped from 96 kilos (212 pounds) when he started to around 70 kilos today.

The moderators say they have become numb to death or horror. "My heart... became a stone. I don't feel anything," said Tigist.

- 'Needed the money' -

Meta told AFP it has "clear contracts with each of our partners that detail our expectations in a number of areas, including availability of one-to-one counselling, extra support for those that are exposed to more challenging content".

"We require all the companies we work with to provide 24/7 on-site support with trained practitioners, an on-call service and access to private healthcare from the first day of employment."

But the content moderators claim the support offered by Sama through "wellness counsellors" was not up to par, with vague interviews, little follow-up and concerns about the confidentiality of their exchanges.

"The counselling sessions were not helpful at all. I don't say they were not qualified, but I think they weren't qualified enough to handle people doing content moderation," said Amin.

Despite their traumas, those employed by Sama say they stayed on because they needed the money.

Paid 40,000 shillings ($285) a month -- and another 20,000 shillings for non-Kenyans -- their salary is more than double the minimum wage.

"From 2019 until today, I haven't had the chance to get another job anywhere, even though I've tried applying a lot. I had no other option but to stay here and work, that's why I stayed for so long," said Amin.

- 'Frontline of defence' -

Brownie said the moderators turned to "coping mechanisms", with some using drugs such as cannabis, according to those who spoke to AFP.

Once a fan of comedies, Brownie immersed himself in horror films, saying it was a way to blur reality.

"It made me try and imagine that what I was dealing with wasn't real -- although it is real," he says, adding that he also developed an addiction to watching violent imagery.

"But one of the biggest coping mechanisms was that we are convinced that this job is so important."

"I felt like I was beating myself up but for the right reasons... that the sacrifice was worth it for the good of the community.

"We are the frontline of defence for Facebook... like the police of social networking," he says -- pointing to work including stopping advertisements for illegal drugs and "removing targets" on people facing death threats or harassment.

"Without us, social networks cannot exist," he adds. "Nobody is going to open Facebook when it's just full of graphic content, selling narcotics, blackmail, harassment..."

- 'We deserve better' -

"It is damaging and we are sacrificing (ourselves) for our community and for the world... We deserve better treatment," says Tigist.

None of them said they would sign up for the job again.

"My personal opinion is that no human should be doing this. This job is not for humans," says Brownie, adding that he wished the task could be done by artificial intelligence.

For its part, Meta said: "Technology has and will continue to play a central role in our content enforcement operations."

None of these content moderators have so far spoken about their work, even to their families -- not only because of the NDAs but also because no one "can understand what we are going through".

"For example, if people know that I've seen pornography, they will judge me," says Tigist.

She has been vague with her husband about the work.

From her children, she concealed everything: "I don't want them to know what I was doing. I don't even want them to imagine what I've seen."

sva/txw/amu/fg/smw
Raphael Grossi

During a visit to Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi reported not observing any landmines near the facilitys cooling pond, despite earlier accounts of their presence, the agency said in a message on its website June 21.

Read also: Russia, Ukraine fail to accept IAEA plan to protect Zaporizhzhya NPP  media reports

The IAEA noted that while no mines were detected during Grossi's visit, they had been informed of previous placements outside the plant's perimeter. According to the "security service personnel," mines had been laid "for defensive purposes" at particular locations within the facility.

"Our assessment of these specific locations is that while the presence of any explosive device does not comply with safety standards, the facility's primary security functions are not significantly affected; we are closely monitoring this issue," Grossi emphasized.

The official underscored that the state of nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is extremely delicate.

He also mentioned the substantial challenges posed by the loss of the Kakhovka Reservoir to the region as a whole and particularly to the ZNPP. Grossi urged all parties to adhere to the IAEA's fundamental principles to prevent a nuclear accident.

Read also: Odesa port workers rescue wildlife after Kakhovka dam attack

Were increasing our efforts to ensure nuclear security and protection (of the facility) and provide aid to the affected region via other means, Grossi concluded.

Read also: Prigozhin ridicules nuclear strike idea in wake of alleged drone attack on Kremlin

On June 20, Ukrainian Military Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, reported that Russian forces had further mined the cooling pond at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Read also: Russian forces mining Zaporizhzhya NPP, says Ukrainian intelligence

Earlier, Grossi had warned that the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station dam posed a threat to the operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, as the necessary water level for cooling the reactors could be lost in a few weeks.

Following his visit to the Zaporizhzhia NPP on June 15, Grossi reported that the situation was serious but stabilizing.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
'Noises' detected during submarine search, Tim Scott demands answers from Biden and more top headlines

An undated photo shows tourist submersible belongs to OceanGate descents at a sea. Search and rescue operations continue by US Coast Guard in Boston after a tourist submarine bound for the Titanic's wreckage site went missing off the southeastern coast of Canada.

SEARCH FOR THE SUB  Underwater noises detected by aircraft during rescue efforts for missing sub, Coast Guard says. Continue reading 

SOME EXPLAINING TO DO  GOP presidential candidate Tim Scott demands answers from Biden over Hunter plea deal. Continue reading 

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DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES  First Lady Jill Biden criticizes pro-life states days before anniversary of SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Continue reading 

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CHLILING SCENE  Man accused of executing 3 young songs seen in bodycam video sitting calmly next to gun. Continue reading 

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FILE - State Sen. Amy Galey, an Alamance County Republican, speaks to reporters at a news conference in the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Previously stalled legislation that would limit LGBTQ+ instruction in North Carolina public schools and require teachers to out transgender kids to their parents gained momentum Wednesday, June 21, 2023, after months of inaction as state legislators race to push policies across the finish line before the session ends. The bill sponsors, such as Galey, say it's needed to keep parents informed about what their children are being taught in school, LGBTQ+ youth and their supporters say it would destroy the trust between teachers and students, making schools unsafe spaces for them to explore their identities at their own pace. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Previously stalled legislation that would limit LGBTQ+ instruction in North Carolina public schools and require teachers to out transgender kids to their parents gained momentum Wednesday after months of inaction as state legislators race to push policies across the finish line before the session ends.

North Carolina's House education committee advanced the bill requiring all public school teachers in most circumstances to alert parents before they call a student by a different name or pronoun. It would also prohibit instruction about gender identity and sexuality in K-4 classrooms, which critics have likened to the Florida law that opponents call  Dont Say Gay.

When the GOP-controlled Senate passed the bill in February, House Republicans were one seat shy of a supermajority and would have needed some Democratic support for the bill to become law. But during the four months that it idled in the House, Mecklenburg County Rep. Tricia Cotham switched parties from Democrat to Republican, giving the GOP veto-proof margins and a clear path to advance more conservative policies. Republicans filed six bills aimed at trans youth the following day.

The proposal must clear one more committee before it heads to the House floor for a vote. Some Republicans expressed support Wednesday for amending it in the future to also apply to private and charter schools or to extend the curriculum restriction through fifth grade. House Speaker Tim Moore has said hes confident the bill will pass his chamber this session.

Although Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has denounced it as wrong and harmful, he now has little power to block it.

While bill sponsors, such as Republican Sen. Amy Galey of Alamance County, say it's needed to keep parents informed about what their children are being taught in school, LGBTQ+ youth and their supporters say it would destroy the trust between teachers and students, making schools unsafe spaces for them to explore their identities at their own pace.

Children don't have rights versus their parents, Galey said. Parents have the right to educate and give the world training and to provide for the physical safety of children unless the parent is abusive.

For transgender kids, like 17-year-old Griffin Rogers of Raleigh, teachers often serve as crucial confidants before they feel ready to talk to parents or peers about their gender identity.

Rogers said he spends a lot of time worrying about what will happen to his closeted trans friends with unsupportive families if this bill  and others moving through the legislature that pertain to LGBTQ+ youth  pass in the coming days. Several of his friends use different names or pronouns at school than they do at home and are terrified that teachers could soon be required to inform their parents, he said.

I have lots of friends who know that if they get outed or their parents find out that they're trans, they'll get beat or they'll get kicked out  my closest friends, Rogers said. "It just makes you feel so trapped to not be able to talk about that stuff."

Some North Carolina teachers are already planning to protest the new restrictions.

Art teacher Gretchen Phillips, faculty sponsor for the GayStraight Alliance at Orange High School in Hillsborough, has assured her students that she will not compromise their safety by outing them without consent. She anticipates many teachers in the state will refuse to comply or find loopholes in the legislation.

An exception in the bill would prevent parents from accessing school records if there is reason to believe it would lead to abuse or neglect. But Phillips said the very idea of outing an LGBTQ+ child is going to lead to abuse, regardless of whether the school can anticipate it. One of her own students was kicked out of their home earlier this year because their parents did not approve of their gender identity, she said.

By trying to tie my hands on that, it means that I wont be able to have a voice for the kids who need an adult to speak up for them the loudest, Phillips said. My job is to be there for them as theyre figuring out who they are, and if I cant be that for them and support them as they are, then I cant even begin to teach them.

She worries the forced outing provision could lead more parents to send their children to conversion therapy, a discredited practice that seeks to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. North Carolina does not ban the practice outright but prohibits using taxpayer dollars to perform it on minors.

For Rogers and other trans students, being able to express their identities and find acceptance at school gives us a chance to feel like we're human," he said, which, especially living in the South, we don't really get that opportunity a lot of the time.

___

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.
North Korean state media ran political analysis this week mocking the U.S. government for its "disgraceful begging trip" to meet with Chinese leadership.

North Korean political analyst Jong Yong-hak's ridiculed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to China in a report from the Korean Central News Agency  the nation's government-run news outlet, according to Yonhap News Agency.

"It is the height of the double-dealing and impudence peculiar to the U.S. to provoke first and then talk about the so-called 'responsible control over divergence of opinion,'" Jong wrote.

ANTONY BLINKEN LANDS IN BEIJING, MARKING FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE VISIT IN CHINA SINCE 2018

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Beijing Monday, shaking hands in front of photographers.

At a press conference afterward, Blinken addressed the media without Xi, telling reporters the relationship between their two nations constitutes "one of the most consequential in the world" and "both the United States and China have an obligation to manage this relationship responsibly."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

North Korea was specifically mentioned in the meeting, alongside concerns regarding Russia and the Taiwan Strait.

CHINA 'EMBOLDENED' BY BLINKEN'S 'MISGUIDED' TRIP WHERE HE 'THREW TAIWAN UNDER THE BUS': EXPERTS

During his meetings in China, the secretary relayed that he had "robust conversation" about "Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," "North Korea's increasingly reckless actions and rhetoric" regarding its nuclear program, as well as over U.S. concerns "about the PRC's provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait as well as in the South and East China Seas."

Jong's report in the KCNA accused the U.S. of walking back its attempts to put pressure on China and claimed the visit was a capitulation.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a news conference in Beijing Monday, June 19, 2023.

The meeting between Blinken and Xi raised eyebrows after the secretary of state took a hard stance against Taiwanese independence  an unusually concrete acknowledgment of the U.S. government's "One China" policy.

"We do not support Taiwan independence," Blinken said in a press conference on Monday. "We remain opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. We continue to expect the peaceful resolution of cross strait differences. We remain committed to continuing our responsibilities under the Taiwan Relations Act including making sure Taiwan has the ability to defend itself."

Blinken originally intended to make the trip to Beijing months ago, but the appearance of a surveillance balloon over the U.S.  eventually determined by officials to have come from China  derailed those plans and prompted a series of delays.

Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
A new Chick-fil-A restaurant will begin serving Duncanville residents on Thursday, joining more than 100 Chick-fil-A restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Chick-fil-A Hwy 67 & Wintergreen, located at 300 W Highway 67, will be open for dine-in and carry-out from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and drive-thru from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The location, which will be owned and operated by Joseph Morris, will employ 120 full- and part-time workers.

Morris began working at Chick-fil-A when he was 14 years old, at the Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, Morris was selected for a Chick-fil-A scholarship that supported his college education. He then entered the interim manager program and opened his first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Mesa, Arizona. Two years later, Morris opened another in Westlake Village, California. In 2017, Morris moved back home to Texas to open one in Cedar Hill, a few miles from the Duncanville location. Morris will continue to operate the Cedar Hill along with the Duncanville location.

A big reason why I pursued a career at Chick-fil-A is because of the impact and influence that operators had on me when I was a young team member, Morris said in a press release. I am thrilled to nurture and grow the next generation of Chick-fil-A leaders as well as improve our guest experience by expanding to this second location.

To celebrate the opening of the new location, Chick-fil-A will donate $25,000 to Feeding America. Chick-fil-A Hwy 67 & Wintergreen will also participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program that redirects surplus food from the restaurant to local nonprofits. The restaurant will recognize 100 local heroes making an impact in the Duncanville area, providing them with free Chick-fil-A entrees for a year.

You can place an order for pickup, dine-in or delivery on the Chick-fil-A App or online. Visit chick-fil-a.com/delivery for delivery options in your area. Chick-fil-A One members receive points on qualifying purchases, which can be used to redeem rewards.
Items recovered during the search of a soda vending machine flagged by an LAPD canine included 15 pounds of heroin, a kilogram of fentanyl and an assault-style rifle, police said. (Los Angeles Police Department)

He is relatively new on the job at the Los Angeles Police Department, but Bosco, a 2-year-old Dutch shepherd, has a nose for trouble.

The narcotics detection canine sniffed out the secret held inside a soda vending machine at a downtown L.A. repair garage  it contained a large stash of heroin, fentanyl and an assault rifle, police said.

"There was a lot more than Coke in that soda machine," said LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza, who oversees the Gang and Narcotics Division, which includes several K9 officers.

The soda machine in a downtown Los Angeles repair garage where the drugs and assault rifle were found by Bosco, a 2-year-old Dutch shepherd who has worked with LAPD narcotics investigators for six months. (Los Angeles Police Department)

Ventura County Sheriff's Department investigators were conducting a search warrant Friday at the undisclosed garage location in central Los Angeles and requested LAPD assistance with one of its canines, Carranza said.

Bosco, with six months' experience on the job, entered the garage and keyed in on the soda machine. From the outside, it looked like any other in businesses across L.A., but investigators opened up the machine and found 15 pounds of heroin, a kilogram of fentanyl and an assault-style rifle concealed inside, according to Carranza.

"Bosco is amazing. This is his third deployment. He is finding everything," said Carranza, who often posts images of her division's canine standouts on social media. "When regular officers cannot find anything, he can perform miracles."

The LAPD would not provide further details about the bust because it was part of a larger ongoing investigation by Ventura County sheriff's detectives, Carranza said.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
We will not agree to frozen conflict  Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine will never agree to a frozen conflict or negotiate with Russia while its troops are still in Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC

Quote: "We will never sit at the negotiating table with Russia if they are still on our territory, no matter who the president is."

Details: The President stressed that this applies to all the territories that the Russian Federation has occupied since 2014, including Crimea.

According to Zelenskyy, the negotiation process, if begun before the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, would evolve into a frozen conflict and subsequently into a new major war in the future.

"No matter how far we advance in our counteroffensive, we will not agree to a frozen conflict And I know how people think. Ukrainians will not agree a second time to a frozen conflict. It's a trap," the president said.

He also expressed confidence that Russia already has representatives who understand that starting a war was "their bloody mistake".

"They understand that they will ultimately lose this war. Therefore, if they withdraw, there will be a smaller number of victims. Until they withdraw, there will be no negotiations with them in any format," Zelenskyy concluded.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!








It's not just spy bases in Cuba, China could be sending troops right to Florida's doorstep: WSJ

Xi Jinping and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. Rao Aimin/Xinhua via Getty Images

China is planning a new joint military training facility in Cuba, per The Wall Street Journal.

At 100 miles off Florida's coast, the facility would put China's troops at Florida's doorstep.

Intelligence officials told the Journal China's move is a likely response to US's involvement in Taiwan.

China is planning to set up a new joint military training facility in Cuba, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing information from current and former US officials.

The officials told the Journal that the facility could allow China to "house troops permanently on the island" and "broaden its intelligence gathering" against the US.

The new facility in Cuba would be just 100 miles off Florida's coast, and effectively allow China to station troops right at the Sunshine State's doorstep.

The Journal did not specify the number of officials it spoke to, or disclose their identities.

Negotiations between China and Cuba about the facility are still ongoing, though the White House has raised the issue with the Chinese and Cuban governments, per Politico.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference on Tuesday that she was "not aware" of the negotiations with Cuba.

"We hope relevant parties will focus their time and efforts on doing things that are conducive to mutual trust and regional peace, stability and development," Mao said.

Intelligence officials the Journal spoke to also believe that China's moves are a response to the US military's involvement in Taiwan. Taiwan is roughly 100 miles away from China, similar to the distance between Florida and Cuba.

The Journal's scoop about the potential military facility comes two weeks after the outlet reported on June 8 that China reached an in-principle agreement with Havana to set up a spy base on Cuba. This base could be used to eavesdrop on signals from military installations in the southeastern US, the Journal reported.

A Biden administration official speaking anonymously to the Associated Press confirmed the Journal's reporting days later, adding that China has been spying on the US from Cuba since 2019.

China has been working to cultivate its ties with Cuba. The country hosted Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez for a state visit in November 2022.

In a congratulatory message to Diaz-Canel on his reelection in April, China's leader Xi Jinping said their bilateral relations are "operating to a high standard with steady new progress."

The recent developments in Cuba are taking place against a backdrop of fraught relations between the US and China. Several tense military encounters have occurred between both countries, ranging from the shooting down of a Chinese surveillance balloon by the US in February to a near-miss confrontation between two military planes over the South China Sea in May.

Trump-era national security adviser H.R. McMaster told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that US-China relations now are arguably "worse" than the US's relationship with Russia during the Cold War.

Representatives from the State Department, China's national defense ministry, and Cuba's foreign affairs ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The real deal.

Novo Nordisk is making moves to prevent the misuse of semaglutide.

The Danish company has filed several lawsuits in the US against certain medical spas, weight loss or wellness clinics, and compounding pharmacies, some of which wrongfully use Novo Nordisk trademarks, to stop them from advertising and selling counterfeits of its semaglutide products.

Read more

The worlds largest company for diabetes treatments alleges illegal marketing and sales practices by third-parties created a high risk of consumer confusion and deception as well as potential safety concerns considering compounded products do not have the same safety, quality and effectiveness assurances that its products, approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), do.

Company of interest: Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk sells the weight loss drug under three different brands: Ozempic injection and Rybelsus tablets for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy injection for chronic weight management.

It is the only company in the US with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for products containing semaglutide. All three medications are only available with a prescription, and there are no approved generic versions, the FDA said in May.

Companies like WeightWatchers have inked legitimate deals to give customers access to these products, but other entities are stocking knockoffs.

A non-exhaustive list of companies Novo Nordisk has sued so far

Among the businesses that stand accused of wrongfully exploiting the Wegovy trademark to market own drugs in Novo Nordisks lawsuits are:

Pro Health Investments in Tennessee;

Texas-based Champion Health and Wellness Clinics;

Flawless Image Medical Aesthetics in East Syracuse, New York;

Effinger Health, which operates as Nuvida Rx Weight Loss in Tallahassee, Florida;

Ekzotika Corp, which does business as Cosmetic Laser Professionals Med Spa in Miami.

Fake Ozempics abound amid drug shortage

Novo Nordisk is struggling to meet demand for the drugs. In May, the FDA put both Ozempic and Wegovy on its drug shortages list. In such circumstances, making compounded versions of commercially available drugs is permissible, but state regulators are concerned with medications made using semaglutide sodium salta cheaper and modified version of the compound fit for scientific research but not for human use. At least four states are already cracking down on imitations.

Alarm bells have already been sounding for less safe off-brand alternatives. On June 16, Novo Nordisk, together with the FDA, alerted the public that a counterfeit Ozempic pen was found in the US. The copycat product, sold at a pharmacy, apparently contained a type of diabetes medication that works differently than Ozempic, which led to an adverse reaction.

Halfway across the world, in Australia, several online scammers are selling dupes. Often, the drug doesnt even arrive.

Quotable: The problem with semaglutide compounds

Patients should be aware that some products sold as semaglutide may not contain the same active ingredient as FDA-approved semaglutide products and may be the salt formulations. Products containing these salts, such as semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate, have not been shown to be safe and effective. US FDA in a May 31 statement

One big number: The growing global weight-loss drug market

15%: Weekly drop in body weight, on average, after 17 months in people with a body-mass index of 30 or higher who took semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, according to a 2021 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine

$200 billion: How big Barclays estimates the global market of weight-loss therapies could be in the next decade. Novo Nordisk is a prime contender to cash in on the wave given its early mover advantage and dominance in the segment

$364.5 billion: Novo Nordisk market cap as of June 20, Europes second-largest

$30: Groupon for a seven-week semaglutide weight management program offered by Ekzotikas Cosmetic Laser Professionals Med Spa in Miami

Novo Nordisks Semaglutide resource bank

Novo Nordisk has launched semaglutide.com to serve as a credible resource hub for US audiences, including patients, healthcare providers and retailers, to...

 ...disseminate information about the responsible use of Novo Nordisks FDA-approved semaglutide products.

 ...highlight the differences between the companys vetted products and other medicines being labeled as semaglutide.

 ...to equip patrons with tools to spot a counterfeit injectable product. For instance, genuine Novo Nordisk Ozempic pens do not extend or increase in length when setting the dose, and have very specific dose dial windows for the three variants0.25/0.5 mg,1 mg, and 2 mg penavailable. The smallest dose variant comes with six needles, and the other two with four. In the case of a Wegovy pen, it does not have an option to set a dose, does not extend or increase in length, and is only available in five configurations0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg.

One more thing: Reporting fake Novo Nordisk drugs

1-800-727-6500: The Novo Nordisk customer care helpline, available Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 6:00pm eastern standard time, to report counterfeit semaglutide products or any suspected Novo Nordisk counterfeit products.

1-800-551-3989: The helpline for FDAs Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) to report websites selling counterfeit and/or tampered medicines.

Related stories

 Insurance coverage for Ozempic shows the complexity of obesity treatment

 WeightWatchers opens its doors to the tricky business of weight-loss drugs

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NSDC chief Danilov says Russians should flee Crimea while they can

Oleksiy Danilov

All Russians in the illegally occupied Ukrainian territory of Crimea should flee while they have the chance, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) secretary Oleksiy Danilov suggested during a television interview on June 20.

Danilov said that fortification lines observed in the latest satellite images of Crimea indicate that Russia fears that it will lose the peninsular it occupied in 2014.

Read also: Ukrainian army destroys Russias mainland route to Crimea with blasts in Berdyansk and Melitopol

Reports indicate that numerous fortification lines are being constructed between the border with mainland Ukraine and the logistical hub in Dzhankoi in the north of Crimea. Russian troops have been observed moving into coastal mini-hotels near the ongoing fortification construction.

Read also: Russians looking for options to leave occupied Crimea, says Ukrainian military

They realize that it's only a matter of time before we come and kick them out, Danilov said.

And I would advise everyone to use the services of the facility they have today (the Kerch Bridge) as soon as possible to be safe. Whoever manages to, let's say, come back to their homeland from where they came, they would be happy with that. They cannot escape through Ukraine."

Read also: Russia considering retreating deep inside Crimea, leaving frontline occupiers to die  Malyar

In the same interview, Danilov emphasized that Ukraine will return to its pre-2014 borders and that all losses caused by the Russian invaders will be compensated.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
NYC gangster who lured his mother into Bronx jail barge escape plot a bad son, says judge who imposes 8-year sentence in extortion case

Eastern European gangster Roman Nikoghosyan, who extorted people and helped a fellow criminal escape from the citys Bronx jail barge, isnt just a bad guy  hes a bad son, a Brooklyn Federal Court judge said at his sentencing Wednesday.

Judge Dora Irizarry hammered Nikoghosyan, 34  an alleged ranking member of the KavKaz Nation gang  for pulling his mother into the daring 2021 escape scheme as she sentenced him to eight years behind bars for extortion and gun possession Wednesday.

You helped someone with their escape.... and then you had the nerve to try and involve your mother in helping you with this persons escape, Irizarry said.

Who does that? asked the judge. Thats how you love your mother?

Nikoghosyan pleaded guilty last year to scheming to extort two people and to possessing a rifle despite being a convicted felon.

Prosecutors laid out a string of other crimes he committed in a sentencing memo, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Galeotti said in court that the feds had to wrap up their investigation quicker than planned because of wiretapped conversations suggesting Nikoghosyan was planning stabbings.

The escape happened July 10, 2021, at the Vernon C. Bain Center  the formal name of the citys jail barge in the Bronx  when David Mordukhaev broke the window of his cell and jumped to the water off Hunts Point, sparking a 12-hour manhunt that ended in his recapture.

After his escape, Mordukhaev called Nikoghosyan asking for help, telling him the correction officers wont even know I am gone for another week probably and that he had to come down from the fifth floor on a rope, according to federal prosecutors.

Nikoghosyan started working the phones and plotting to get his buddy to California.

The first call he made was to his mother, Narine Petrosyan, telling her about the escape and saying that he needed to come to her to pick up money, prosecutors said.

He then told Mordukhaev to grab his girlfriends car, which he allegedly was to use to drive to California.

Then, Nikoghosyan made two more calls to his mom, telling her to drop $2,000 into a Zelle account for Mordukhaev and to let him stay in her home for a while.

When she worried about security cameras, Nikoghosyan told his mom, It doesnt matter. He will hold his head down.

It never came to that. Before Mordukhaev arrived at the apartment of Nikoghosians mom, federal law enforcement had him in custody.

His mom declined comment outside the courtroom Wednesday.

As part of his guilty plea, Nikoghosyan admitted to extorting an associate who attempted to back out of delivering marijuana in 2021. Nikoghosyan threatened to break or stab the reluctant dealers legs unless he paid $10,000 as penance for gumming up the pot business, the feds said.

Nikoghosyan also admitted to threatening a lawyer into paying a $5,000 debt.

Prosecutors describe KavKaz Nation as a Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach criminal enterprise with ties to the Caucasus region of Eurasia, including Armenia, Uzbekistan, parts of Southern Russia, and Azerbaijan.

Though the escape wasnt included in the crimes Nikoghosyan pleaded guilty to, it factored heavily into prosecutors court filings, as did several other crimes that were referenced in wiretapped conversations.

In one of those calls, Nikoghosian sounded out of breath, apparently in the middle of delivering a beating, saying, Youre gonna die now, ni---!

Nikoghosyans lawyer, Don Savatta, said that his clients actions stemmed from a raging drug addiction that started in his teenage years.

And Nikoghosyan said he planned to get drugs out of my life and become a commercial truck driver when he finishes his sentence.

Irizarry wasnt moved, though, saying that shes seen all manner of people addicted to drugs in her 17 years running a drug court.

Not all of them resort to violence, she said. You are inherently a violent person, and now all of a sudden you want to deal with your drug problem?

At the end of the sentencing, Savatta asked if his client could spend a brief moment in the courtroom with his mother.

Thats denied, Irizarry said.

Nikoghosyan yelled I love you! to his mom as he was led away.
Need to Get from OHare International to Downtown Chicago in 10 Minutes?

Archer Aviation

With Stellantis investment and technical expertise, eVTOL startup Archer Aviation plans the largest production facility of its type in Georgia, with plans to start building up to 650 aircraft a year.

The eVTOL startup has recently completed the first functional prototype of the Midnight craft, preparing it for testing this summer.

Earlier this year Archer announced its first route, slated to launch between OHare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago.

"It's the year 2000. But where are the flying cars? I was promised flying cars! I don't see any flying cars! Why? Why? Why?" to quote Avery Brooks from an IBM commercial filmed at the turn of the century.

It's the year 2023, and flying cars now seem like an artifact from the giddy years before crypto but after electric scooters, just as Tesla was promising transcontinental travel in a scaled up version of your bank drive-through's vacuum tube system.

But flying car projects, despite suffering a few setbacks that have fortunately not seen any kind of high-profile accident, are out of the 3D rendering phase and are firmly in the prototype stage. At least the ones that have made it this far.

Archer Aviation is one of those that have indeed made it this farthanks in part to Stellantisand is now building a sprawling, 100-acre site in Covington, Georgia, aimed at high-volume eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) craft production. The automaker has recently increased its stake in the eVTOL startup, ahead of a planned opening quite soon.

"The Stellantis and Archer teams are moving full speed ahead in execution mode to ensure we meet our goal of bringing scalable manufacturing of Archer's aircraft online in mid-2024," Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said this month.

Earlier this year Stellantis made its manufacturing base and supply chain available to Archer, in addition to $150 million in capital over the course of two years, giving it a crucial boost at a time when eVTOL mania seems to have cooled from its 2018 heights. In fact, Stellantis had been quietly working with Archer since 2021.



"Stellantis personnel are now embedded across almost all areas of Archer's operations, including manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, facilities, and human resources," the automaker said this month.



Just what they had been working on is the battery-electric Archer Midnightan eVTOL craft intended for short hops of about 20 miles, and a top range of 100 miles with a pilot and four passengers aboard. While this type of range sounds like it could be covered by products that Stellantis itself has in great number, the automaker is betting this niche form of transportation has a future that dovetails with the wider electrification of the auto industry.



The company completed the first functioning Midnight aircraft in mid-May, intended for testing, including a first flight scheduled for this summer.

"At Archer, our goal is not just to get to commercialization, but to achieve it at scale," said Archer's Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein. "High-volume manufacturing is critical to ensuring we can meet this goal, and joining forces with one of the leading mobility companies in the world is helping us realize the once-in-a-generation opportunity we have to redefine urban transportation."

Just how many eVTOLs is Goldstein talking about?

The company is aiming for capacity to produce up to 650 aircraft each year and plans to dial that up to 2300 a year. That's an ambitious goal, one that anticipates an entire industry popping up in a very short span of time, if not overnight.

Larger questions about the industry remain unanswered, even if the concept of what amounts to a large electric drone is far more palatable to many than a noisy helicopter.



Issues like running costs per hour are expected to be lower than those of helicopters, which haven't really budged for decades as passenger models, for the kinds of routes Archer's eVTOLs could take over. And the routes themselves are still expected to cater to those not wishing to be carried in an Uber or a hired car between small airports. This means northern California's wine country, currently serviced by helos, would be one natural location.



Earlier this year Archer announced its first air taxi route, between OHare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago. But other traditional helicopter routes, including those between Manhattan and the Hamptons, could be just on the edge of the Midnight's 100-mile reach.

Another question concerns not the technology but the viability of the business model behind such an industry, especially when Level 4 robotaxis could become the eVTOL industry's main competitor. If trips in comfy robotaxis, which can be summoned to a curb near you, become affordable for just about everyone, will demand for 20-minute eVTOL rides between two points be able to compete, even when catering to an audience that is used to taking helicopters?

The race between eVTOLs and helicopters might actually be a race between eVTOLs and robotaxis.

Will eVTOL craft be able to edge out traditional helicopters in the coming years? Let us know what you think.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is joining other progressives in boycotting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis joint address to Congress.

In a tweet, the New York Democrat urged her colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance and freedom of speech to join her boycott.

Ocasio-Cortez highlighted Modis previous ban from entering the U.S. and reports from the State Department on Indias record on religious freedoms, as well as the countrys current ranking in the Press Freedom Index.

A joint address is among the most prestigious invitations and honors the United States Congress can extend. We should not do so for individuals with deeply troubling human rights records  particularly for individuals whom our own State Department has concluded are engaged in systematic human rights abuses of religious minorities and caste-oppressed communities, Ocasio-Cortez added.

Her statement comes a day after Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), the two Muslim women in Congress, said they would not be attending the Indian leaders speech.

Tlaib added Tuesday on Twitter that Modis long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims and religious minorities, and censoring journalists is unacceptable.

Prime Minister Modis government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity, Omar wrote in her own statement.

While Democrats in both the House and the Senate have urged President Biden to address the issue of human rights in his meetings with Modi, the historic address is set to be a widely attended event.

This will be the Indian prime ministers second address to the joint session of Congress and first official state visit to the United States.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rescued turtles

Odesa port workers have rescued animals affected by the flooding caused by Russia's destruction of Kakhovka dam, the Odesa Zoo said on June 20.

"Odesa Sea Port Administration employees brought rescued animals who were affected by flooding from the Nova Kakhovka Reservoir," the zoo said.

Read also: Animals being rescued in Kherson Oblast after Kakhovka dam destruction  video

A Eurasian coot chick, newts, marsh turtles and snakes have found temporary shelter at the zoo. They will be released into the wild at a later date.

Read also: Animal genocide  animals have no chance of survival as 55,000 hectares of forest flooded in Kherson Oblast

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
For more than a century, Ohio voters could amend the state constitution with a simple majority of more than 50% of the vote.

That could change in August, when Ohio voters head to the polls in a special election to decide whether future amendments will instead need the approval of 60% of the electorate.

The change, if approved, would almost certainly determine the fate of abortion access in the state.

For months, Ohio Republicans have been pushing to make it more difficult for voters to approve constitutional amendments  the next front in the state-led battle over abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The August election comes at a pivotal moment  ahead of a separate November vote on a measure that would write abortion protections into the state's constitution.

A CBS News investigation found the GOP effort in Ohio is one flank in a coordinated nationwide campaign, heavily funded by Republican megadonor Richard Uihlein, to raise the threshold to pass any citizen-initiated constitutional amendment.

The move by Ohio Republicans  who already control both chambers of the legislature has sparked controversy throughout the state. In May, protesters flooded the statehouse in Columbus when the measure setting up the August election passed.

Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a Republican who retired in December, criticized Republican lawmakers for what she said is a "strategic" effort to thwart the will of the people.

"It's misleading, it's deceptive, and if it weren't so serious, it would be laughable," O'Connor said in an interview that the process Ohio uses to allow citizens to amend its constitution has been in place since 1912. "When you keep changing the rules and moving the goalposts, you are intentionally silencing the vote of the people."

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who first proposed raising the threshold to 60% last year, said changing the state constitution should be rare and require a broader consensus.

"I've been consistent all along, this is about good government," he said.

Ohio's abortion politics

Access to abortion remains legal in Ohio up to about 22 weeks. In 2019, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill banning abortions in the state after a fetal heartbeat is detected, at approximately six weeks. The bill took effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, but has been put on hold by a state court since last September.

Abortion rights groups in Ohio are raising funds nationally and working to get an amendment on the November ballot that would circumvent this legislation and enshrine protections in the state's constitution.

In a poll last year conducted by the Associated Press, 59% of Ohio voters said they believed abortion should generally be legal. Last year, voters in Kansas and Michigan chose to preserve abortion access in their state constitution with just under 60% approval.

O'Connor said she believes those numbers caught the eye of Republicans in Ohio when they decided to push their measure requiring amendments to pass with 60% approval.

"That's why they chose the 60%," O'Connor said.

In a memo last December to his Republican colleagues, state Rep. Brian Stewart, who first introduced the measure in the Ohio House, did not hide the role the abortion issue was playing in motivating his efforts.

"After decades of Republicans' work to make Ohio a pro-life state, the Left intends to write abortion on demand into Ohio's Constitution," Stewart wrote. "If they succeed, all the work accomplished by multiple Republican majorities will be undone, and we will return to 19,000+ babies being aborted each and every year."

LaRose has also cited abortion as one of his motivating factors.

"I know that for fellow pro-life Ohioans like myself, of course, we don't want to see a really radical abortion amendment put in our state constitution," he told CBS News.

Out-of-state interests

LaRose denied Ohio Republicans were "stacking the deck" in their favor, and said a potential change to the constitutional amendment process was part of "an ongoing public conversation about public policy."

He cited the need to protect Ohio's constitution from "out-of-state special interests."

A CBS News investigation discovered out-of-state interests promoting LaRose's proposal.

In a 2021 memo, a Florida-based nonprofit called the Foundation for Government Accountability, touted the "sixty percent supermajority requirement" as a legally sound approach to mitigate attempts to "bypass ... state legislatures" by bringing issues "directly to the people for a vote."

A lobbyist for the organization was the only person to testify on behalf of the 60% measure when it was first introduced in the Ohio House. The group's lobbying arm, the Opportunities Solutions Project, also testified this year in support of a similar measure in Missouri.

"The playbook being executed in Ohio, was also executed in South Dakota and Arkansas," said Brendan Fischer, a campaign finance expert with Documented, which describes itself as a political finance watchdog.

In a separate pamphlet obtained by CBS News, the Foundation for Government Accountability says it gives state lawmakers "a menu featuring more than 150 reforms," including those targeting "election and ballot initiative integrity."

"We continue to expand our impact and increase the return on our donors' investment," the organization's literature states.

The Foundation for Government Accountability declined to comment, but wrote in the pamphlet, "our policy victories are creating many different types of opportunities for Americans, but they all work toward one goal: improving lives."

Fischer traced much of the organization's support to Illinois billionaire Richard Uihlein, a shipping supplies magnate and major supporter of Republican causes, including millions in donations to anti-abortion groups. Financial disclosures show a foundation controlled by Uihlein has given nearly $18 million to the Foundation for Government Accountability since 2014.

In April, when the 60% measure appeared to falter in the Ohio House, Uihlein gave $1.1 million to a political committee that had launched a pressure campaign targeting Republican lawmakers on the fence. The donation was first reported by the Columbus Dispatch, and confirmed to CBS News by the committee.

Uihlein did not respond to requests for comment, but his campaign was successful. The measure passed the Ohio House on May 10.

When asked about the role of out-of-state interest groups, LaRose pointed to "massive amounts of money being spent on both sides," adding the donations amount to "free speech" and "are done transparently."

On Aug. 8, Ohio voters will get the final say on whether to raise the threshold to amend the state's constitution to 60%. O'Connor said she hopes Ohioans stick with the majority rules process that's been in place since 1912.

"It's worked well, so it's not broken and there's no need to fix it," she said.

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Ohio man accused of executing 3 young sons seen in bodycam video sitting calmly next to gun afterward

Ohio man accused of executing 3 young sons seen in bodycam video sitting calmly next to gun afterward

An Ohio dad accused of executing two of his sons before he "hunted" down and shot the third appears sitting calmly on his porch in bodycam video as responding deputies find the children's bodies scattered around his lawn.

Chad Christopher Doerman, 32, is being held on $20 million bail for three charges of aggravated murder in the shooting deaths of his three boys, ages 3, 4 and 7.

The video shows deputies responding to 911 calls after 4 p.m. June 15, exiting their vehicles and seeking cover as they approach Doerman, who appears to ignore some of their commands but is taken into custody without additional violence.

OHIO MAN ADMITS TO LINING UP 3 YOUNG SONS IN YARD, EXECUTING THEM WITH RIFLE: PROSECUTORS

They approached as he sat on the front porch, ordering him to show his hands and stand up.

He remains seated on the stoop, elbows on his knees, palms empty and open, with a rifle at his side. He's wearing jeans and a T-shirt and socks but no shoes. He had a smear of blood on his left arm.

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Chad Doerman was found sitting on the porch next to his rifle when deputies arrived, bodycam video shows.

The first deputy grabs him by the wrist and the back of the neck and yanks him to the ground. A second officer places him in handcuffs.

Throughout the three videos authorities released, black bars obscure the screen where the boys' bodies are laying on the grass. Immediately after Doerman is in cuffs, deputies attempt to render aid.

3 YOUNG OHIO BROTHERS SHOT AND KILLED, MOTHER WOUNDED: SHERIFF'S OFFICE

A Clermont County sheriff's deputy takes Ohio dad Chad Doerman into custody after the 32-year-old allegedly gunned down his three young sons.

As medics tried to treat the victims, a deputy asks him what he was doing.

"Can I roll over?" Doerman asks, cuffed and prone on the ground. "I ain't gonna hurt ya. I ain't gonna hurt nobody."

The deputy presses him, "What's going on, man?"

"Nothing, can I stand up?" Doerman replies. "It's kind of uncomfortable."

Chad Doerman is being held on $20 million bail for three charges of aggravated murder in the shooting deaths of his three boys, ages 3, 4 and 7.

The deputy picks him up and another arrives to escort him to the back of a cruiser.

"Can you get the wallet out of my pocket?" Doerman can be heard asking a deputy as he's led away in cuffs.

"Shut up, dude  you have the right to remain silent," the disgusted officer replies. "F---ing use it."

He is also accused of wounding their mother in the attack.

Sheriff's deputies take Chad Doerman into custody after his sons were shot.

At his arraignment Friday, prosecutors alleged that he confessed to lining his sons up in the yard and gunning them down.

"This is by far the most sickening, horrifying crime I have seen," Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said, according to the Cincinnati-based WKRC-TV. "I can only imagine the terror these little boys felt and experienced as their father  their protector  was murdering them."

One tried to flee, according to authorities, but Doerman allegedly chased him, caught him, and dragged him home to be shot.

Doerman is due back in court on June 26.

Fox News' Haley Chi-Sing and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ohio woman attempts to lure 4-year-old child playing in yard, claims to be CPS worker: Police

Ohio woman attempts to lure 4-year-old child playing in yard, claims to be CPS worker: Police

An Ohio woman was arrested after allegedly trying to lure a 4-year-old boy who was innocently playing in his front yard.

Lisa Nacrelli, 44, was arrested and charged with child enticement after a Norwood family accused her of attempting to take the child home with her after the family's home security family revealed her interaction with their young son.

"Terrifying, keep a closer eye on your children," Jaimie Spradlin wrote on Facebook following the ordeal, sharing with her friends the security footage of Nacrelli. "This woman tried to kidnap my child and posed as a CPS worker."

Lisa Nacrelli, 44, was arrested and charged with child enticement after an Ohio family said she tried to get their son to come home with her.

Lisa Nacrelli, 44, was arrested and charged with criminal child enticement, burglary and personating an officer.

The home surveillance footage shows the young boy sitting on an orange bicycle steps away from his Cincinnati suburb front door when Nacrelli approached him and placed her hand on his back and began to stroke his hair and back.

After a few minutes, the child runs into the house to get his mother.

DC SHOOTING LEAVES PREGNANT WOMAN DEAD, MAN WOUNDED AS MANHUNT ON FOR GUNMEN: POLICE

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When Spradlin comes out to address the suspect, Nacrelli allegedly identifies herself as a child services worker.

"She shows me a badge that says her name," Spradlin told local outlet WCPO. "She proceeds to rattle off my childrens names."

Lisa Nacrelli, 44, was arrested and charged with child enticement after an Ohio family said she tried to get their son to come home with her.

Spradlin said Nacrelli asked to inspect the familys home, claiming someone filed a complaint against them. She then reportedly left without providing contact information.

Spradlin and her husband Tim told WCPO that they felt something was not right, so they looked at their surveillance video. They were further distressed when they saw the 44-year-old woman repeatedly stroke their 4-year-old son.

"It creeps us out a little bit, it's gut-wrenching," Tim told WCPO.

OHIO MAN ADMITS TO LINING UP 3 YOUNG SONS IN YARD, EXECUTING THEM WITH RIFLE: PROSECUTORS

"I'm absolutely sick to my stomach," Jaimie said.

The family looked into the woman, who said her name was Lisa, and learned that she was not from Child Protective Services.

"Everything was a lie, and now we're sitting here on top of being enraged that this even happened, terrified because I don't know what her plan was," Jaimie said. "I know that she told my son that she has a black vehicle and that there's a really pretty car seat in it for him."

Video shows Lisa Nacrelli touching the young boy for minutes, putting her arm around him and stroking his hair.

After contacting the Norwood Police Department, Nacrelli was arrested for criminal child enticement, burglary and personating an officer. Nacrelli is being held in the Hamilton County jail on a $10,000 bond.

Following the "terrifying" incident, Spradlin is warning fellow parents to teach their children about strangers, saying that the incident was "too close for comfort."

"Please teach your children about stranger danger and to always get an adult," Spradlin wrote in her Facebook post. "I was very proud of my son for coming to get me. Too close for comfort."
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that Budapest's transfer of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) from Russia to Hungary without Ukraine's knowledge violates international law, Liga.net said on June 21, citing a televised interview.

He said that, while Ukraine welcomes all peace initiatives by its partners, Hungary's decision not to involve Kyiv constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

"It was surprising for us that a member of NATO and the EU could do such a thing. I turned to Hungary's ombudsman to examine the conditions of the (POWs') detention, but received no answer," Lubinets said on TV.

According to the ombudsman, Budapest played along with Russian propaganda from the start.

"From the very beginning, this was an information operation of the Russian special services with Hungary's involvement. They will continue to search for new ways to discredit Ukraine."

Hungary to block sanctions against Russia, EU aid for Ukraine unless Kyiv removes OTP bank from list of international war sponsors. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that his country wont support the 11th sanctions package against Russia and the 500 million euro military support tranche for Ukraine unless Kyiv removes the Hungarian bank from the blacklist. The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Lubinets reiterated previous statements by Ukraine's officials that so far only three prisoners have been returned home, while the rest continue to remain in isolation from Ukrainian authorities.

On June 8, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had handed over to Hungary a group of Ukrainian captives of "Zakarpattia origin" at Budapest's request. Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen later confirmed the transfer.

Ukraine's westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast is home to around 150,000 ethnic Hungarians, including 400 serving in the Ukrainian army.

On June 19, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry demanded immediate consular access to the POWs. According to the ministry, they were kept in isolation, not having access to open sources of information and unable to communicate with relatives without "third parties" presence. However, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the Ukrainian POWs "can move freely in Hungary and do whatever they want."

On June 20, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry informed that three out of 11 POWs have been returned home, and the government continues to work to retrieve the rest of the group.
Once wrongly imprisoned for notorious rape, member of 'Central Park Five' is running for office

New York City Council candidate Yusef Salaam smiles during an interview with The Associated Press, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in New York. Salaam is one of three candidates in a competitive June 27 Democratic primary. With early voting already begun, he faces two seasoned political veterans: New York Assembly members Al Taylor, 65, and Inez Dickens, 73, who previously represented Harlem on the City Council. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

NEW YORK (AP)  Outside a Harlem subway station, Yusef Salaam, a candidate for New York City Council, hurriedly greeted voters streaming out along Malcolm X Boulevard. For some, no introductions were necessary. They knew his face, his name and his life story.

But to the unfamiliar, Salaam needed only to introduce himself as one of the Central Park Five  one of the Black or Brown teenagers, ages 14 to 16, wrongly accused, convicted and imprisoned for the rape and beating of a white woman jogging in Central Park on April 19, 1989.

Now 49, Salaam is hoping to join the power structure of a city that once worked to put him behind bars.

Ive often said that those who have been close to the pain should have a seat at the table, Salaam said during an interview at his campaign office.

Salaam is one of three candidates in a competitive June 27 Democratic primary almost certain to decide who will represent a Harlem district unlikely to elect a Republican in Novembers general election. With early voting already begun, he faces two seasoned political veterans: New York Assembly members Al Taylor, 65, and Inez Dickens, 73, who previously represented Harlem on the City Council.

The incumbent, democratic socialist Kristin Richard Jordan, dropped out of the race in May following a rocky first term.

Now known to some as the Exonerated Five, Salaam and the four others  Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise  served between five and 12 years in prison for the 1989 rape before a reexamination of the case led to their convictions being vacated in 2002.

DNA evidence linked another man, a serial rapist, to the attack. The city ultimately agreed in a legal settlement to pay the exonerated men $41 million.

Salaam, who was arrested at age 15, served nearly seven years behind bars.

When people look at me and they they know my story, they resonate with it, said Salaam, the father of 10 children. But now here we are 34 years later, and Im able to use that platform that I have and repurpose the pain, help people as we climb out of despair.

Those pain points are many in a district that has some of the citys most entrenched poverty and highest rent burdens.

Poverty in Central Harlem is about 10 points higher than the citywide rate of 18%, according to data compiled by New York Universitys Furman Center. More than a fourth of Harlems residents pay more than half of their income on rent. And the district has some of the citys highest rates of homelessness for children.

Salaam said he's eager to address those crises and more. His opponents say he doesnt know enough about how local government works to do so.

No one should go through what my opponent went through, especially as a child. Years later, after he returns to New York, Harlem is in crisis. We dont have time for a freshman to learn the job, learn the issues and re-learn the community he left behind for Stockbridge, Georgia, Dickens said, referring to Salaams decision to leave the city after his release from prison. He returned to New York in December.

Taylor knows that Salaams celebrity is an advantage in the race.

I think that folks will identify with him and the horrendous scenario that he and his colleagues underwent for a number of years in a prison system that treated him unfairly and unjustly, Taylor said.

But his is one of a thousand in this city that we are aware of, Taylor added. "Its the Black reality.

Harlem voter Raynard Gadson, 40, is cognizant of that factor.

As a Black man myself, I know exactly whats at stake, Gadson said. I dont think theres anybody more passionate about challenging systemic issues on the local level in the name of justice because of what he went through, he said of Salaam.

During a recent debate televised by Spectrum News, Salaam repeatedly mentioned his arrest, prompting Taylor to exclaim that he, too, had been arrested: At age 16, he was caught carrying a machete  a charge later dismissed by a judge willing to give him a second chance.

We all want affordable housing, we all want safe streets, we all want smarter policing, we all want jobs, we all need education, Salaam said of the candidates' common goals. What he offers, he said, is a new voice that can speak about his community's struggles.

I have no track record in politics, he conceded. I have a great track record in the 34 years of the Central Park jogger case in fighting for freedom, justice and equality.

All three have received key endorsements. Black activist Cornel West has backed Salaam. Dickens has the backing of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former New York U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel. Taylor is supported by the Carpenter's Union.

At a campaign rally for Dickens, Rangel recounted that Salaam had called to say he was entering the race. Rangel then quipped that Salaam had a foreign name." Salaam responded pointedly on social media.

I am a son of Harlem named Yusef Salaam. I went to prison because my name is Yusef Salaam," he tweeted. "I am proud to be named Yusef Salaam. I am born here, raised here & of here  but even if I wasnt, we all belong in New York City.

Rangel and Salaam later talked and resolved the matter, according to a spokesperson for the Dickens campaign.

Unlikely is an apology from Donald Trump, who in 1989 placed newspaper ads before the group went on trial with the blaring headline, Bring back the death penalty. The ads did not specifically mention any of the five, but Salaam said the context made it clear.

When asked by a reporter in 2019 if he would ever apologize, Trump said there were people on both sides of the matter.

They admitted their guilt, Trump had said, of the Central Park Five, referring to confessions that the five later said were coerced. Some of the prosecutors," Trump added "think the city should never have settled that case. So, well leave it at that.

When Trump appeared in a Manhattan court in April on charges of falsifying business records, Salaam mocked him with his own ad on social media that visually mimicked Trumps from long ago.

Over 30 years ago, Donald Trump took out full page ads calling for my execution, Salaam tweeted above the ad, headlined: Bring Back Justice & Fairness."

___

An earlier version of this report had an incorrect spelling of Cornel West's first name.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Yusef Salaam attends the unveiling of the Gate of the Exonerated in Harlem on December 19, 2022 in New York City. The Gate of the Exonerated honors the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teenagers who were wrongly convicted for the 1989 Central Park jogger rape.

Updated 6/28/2023 at 9:30 a.m. ET

Yusef Salaam has not had a typical path to politics. At just 15 years old, Salaam was convicted of a crime he didnt commit. Salaam, one of the famous central park five, spent nearly seven years in prison before he was exonerated. Now, he is poised to join the city council.

Read more

On Tuesday night, Salaam declared victory in the Democratic primary race to represent one of Harlems districts on the city council. Salaam faced off against two seasoned politicians, New York Assembly Members Al Taylor, and former Harlem City Councilmember Inez Dickens, and came out on top.

What has happened on this campaign has restored my faith in knowing that I was born for this, Salaam said Tuesday night at his victory party at Harlem Tavern, according to City & State New York. Although there is technically still a general election, Harlem isnt exactly at risk of sending a Republican to the city council.

As weve mentioned, it hasnt been an easy road to political office. Most of us know the name Yusef Salaam, or at least we know of the Central Park Five, the group of five Black and brown boys wrongly convicted of a horrific rape and assault in Central Park. Today, Salaam is no longer a scared teenager pushed around by law enforcement, the media, and Donald Trump. At 49 years old, Salaam says hes ready to change things from the inside.

His case was simple, who better to address a broken system than someone whos experienced its wrath the most? Those who are close to the pain need to have a seat at the table, said Salaam at an event in the spring.

His opponents attacked him for his lack of experience and the fact that he left New York in the wake of his exoneration.

No one should go through what my opponent went through, especially as a child. Years later, after he returns to New York, Harlem is in crisis. We dont have time for a freshman to learn the job, learn the issues, and re-learn the community he left behind for Stockbridge, Georgia, Dickens told the Associated Press.

Salaam has pushed back against this line of attack, arguing that while he may not have political experience, he has a history of fighting against injustice and winning. I have no track record in politics, said Salaam, according to the AP. I have a great track record in the 34 years of the Central Park jogger case in fighting for freedom, justice, and equality.

Although the issues with the criminal justice system are obviously a large part of Salaams platform, issues of poverty and environmental justice were also top of mind for his campaign.

At an event earlier this year, Salaam spoke about why it was important for him to run for office. What Im doing here is not about the moment; its not about the title of being called a city council person, he said. This is about the movement to resuscitate the very soul that is dormant in Harlem.

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German soldiers in British Channel Islands in the 1940s.

Great Britain stood firm, but never quite alone, against the Nazis. The sacrifices of British service members, spies, and even average citizens held the Third Reich at arm's length across the English Channel. The British people, rallied by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, promised to fight on the beaches, the landing grounds, the fields and the streets, and more. But five islands did fall to Germany. The Channel Islands stand just 20-45 miles from the coast of France and suffered German attacks and Nazi occupation.

Paris fell to the Germans on June 14, and just a few days later, Churchill took the tough decision to demilitarize the Channel Islands.

The islands had little strategic value, and it made sense to let them go rather than risk Royal Navy assets. So Britain ordered an evacuation starting June 19. The evacuation is critiqued as being poorly planned and executed. Regardless of why, only half the population of Guernsey and a fifth of Jersey made it out. Smaller islands got most or all of their population off.

Life under Nazi occupation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3fG65XjUc

Life got rough for the remaining residents, mostly on the larger islands of Guernsey and Jersey. First, Britain kept the demilitarization of the islands a secret. Germany thought they were still occupied and attacked a line of trucks with a bombing run. The trucks only contained tomatoes, but 44 civilians died in that and other attacks.

The abandonment of the islands triggered arguments in Parliament. As Lord Mottistone described it, "We surrendered a place where the flag of Britain has flown for 800 years," without firing a shot.

Germany occupied the islands on June 30. The troops instituted German laws and norms on the islands. Traffic was forced to reverse to driving on the right, the currency was changed to the Reichsmark, and clocks shifted to German time. For more than four years, German soldiers stole from residents, abused suspected dissenters, and deported Jewish people and resisters. Despite the risks, some residents did resist.

The most prominent of them, Frank Falla, used an illegal radio to listen to British war news and then published a newsletter. This newsletter served as a lifeline for those resisting German propaganda. But an unknown informant eventually ratted out Falla. The Germans deported him and hundreds of others to concentration camps in France and Germany as political prisoners.

The living hell of those deported

British islanders deported to the continent faced one of two hells. A few were deported to standard prisons, which was dangerous and miserable, but at least it wasn't industrial-scale slaughter like in the camps. Most islanders traveled between multiple prisons and concentration camps.

Many islanders only spoke English, which became a problem in the camps. All prisoners struggled in the camps, but guards typically gave orders in German, and prisoners built relationships in continental languages like French, German, Polish, or Russian.

Some islanders could speak French and fell in with French prisoners, but many only spoke English and were completely socially isolated. Some survivors described being the only person in the camp who spoke English, leading to extra beatings from annoyed guards.

And, as Britain continued to resist German invasion and then launched its own attacks against German forces, guards took out their frustrations on the captive islanders in camps. In Frank Falla's case, he was forced with other prisoners to dig unexploded bombs from the ground.

Imagine being singled out for extra attention in a concentration camp.

As British forces liberated concentration camps, they looked for the Channel Island survivors. American troops liberated Naumburg Prison on April 13, 1945, freeing Falla and the last surviving Islanders.

At least 21 islanders from Guernsey and eight from Jersey died in prisons and camps.

When Churchill announced the surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945, he said, "Hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight tonight. And our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today."
A Land Rover with Weapons Mount Installation Kit ("Wimik"), similar to the vehicles used by the Royal Irish patrol, this one in service with the RAF Regiment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez/Released)

In September 2000, a hostage situation unfolded in Sierra Leone during a knee-deep civil war and rampant chaos. Amid this turmoil, a group of British soldiers were under the United Nations' banner. The service members were doing their best to keep the peace. But life had other plans. These men found themselves in the crosshairs of the West Side Boys. WSB was a rebel group that had a knack for making trouble. This was the crucible that birthed Operation Barras, an audacious rescue mission that would test the mettle of the British forces to their core. A real baptism by fire.

The hostage situation

Now, about these West Side Boys. They weren't your average rebels. Their brutal tactics and use of child soldiers had already put them on the map for all the wrong reasons. They had taken eleven members of the Royal Irish Regiment hostage and barricaded themselves on an island in the Rokel Creek. This hideout was harder to reach than the peak of Everest, a natural fortress perfect for their sinister plans.

Despite numerous attempts at negotiation, the talks to free the hostages kept hitting dead ends. It was like a never-ending maze with no escape in sight. It soon became clear that a change of tactics was needed, and that's when Operation Barras was given the go-ahead.

A RAF Chinook with underslung Land Rover, a procedure used to retrieve the Royal Irish patrol's vehicles from Magbeni.

Operation Barras: Zero hour

As the clock struck zero on September 10, 2000, Operation Barras was set into motion. This was no ordinary mission - it was as daring as it was dangerous. The British Army's Parachute Regiment and Special Air Service (SAS) deployed a team consisting of the cream of the crop. Supported by attack helicopters from the skies, their mission was anything but easy. Their objective? Find the hostages, free them and eliminate the West Side Boys.

The operation was like trying to wrestle a crocodile in a swamp. The troops stormed the rebel camp, their attack helicopters strafing the West Side Boys' positions and sowing chaos. The ground team used this distraction to sneak into the camp, rescue the hostages, and engage the enemy in a fierce battle.

The aftermath and legacy

The mission was a success, but it wasn't without sacrifice. Lance Corporal Brad Tinnion of the SAS laid down his life during the operation, and several others were wounded. But every single hostage was rescued. Operation Barras landed a crushing blow to the West Side Boys, cutting down their numbers and breaking their spirit.

Today, Operation Barras stands tall as a symbol of the British forces' professionalism, courage and unwavering commitment. It has become a model for hostage-rescue missions worldwide and is a staple case study in military academies around the globe.

In the end, Operation Barras was more than just a daring rescue. It was a story of humanity, courage, and the indomitable will of soldiers refusing to leave their comrades behind, even in the face of overwhelming danger.
The images the world will see this week as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the United States could serve as a turning point in one of the worlds most important relationships. That, at least, is the potential for this eventful week.

Frida Ghitis - CNN

Though the US and India had already been on good terms, the planned state visit signals that US leaders are interested in propelling a relationship that could rearrange the global chessboard.

The visit starts on Wednesday, when Modi will lead Yoga Day at the United Nations. But it is Thursday when Washingtons spotlight will bathe him.

First, he will have a quick welcome at the White House and then a speech to a joint session of Congress. Later that day comes the symbolic highlight of the trip, the grand state dinner at the White House, an honor President Joe Biden has granted to only two others since he took office  the presidents of US allies France and South Korea.

Its hard to believe that the man for whom Washington is rolling out the red carpet is the same one it banned from entering the United States in 2005. His diplomatic visa was denied after the state he led, Gujarat, became the scene of anti-Muslim riots that left hundreds dead. An investigation cleared Modi, and he later became prime minister, a position he has held since 2014.

Modi remains controversial  so controversial that more than 70 congressional Democrats wrote Biden a letter urging him to bring up human rights abuses with Modi  but a meaningful strengthening of the relationship between the US and India could create a powerhouse of an alliance, precisely in the place and at the time when it is most needed.

Indeed, Biden will likely be accused of hypocrisy for playing down issues of human rights and democracy erosion under Modi, both accusations that Modi claims are false. But the times  with Russias raging invasion of Ukraine and China raising its anti-western military profile  call for a measure of realpolitik.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden meet at the Oval Office, in September 2021. The meeting was part of a 'Quad' summit, including leaders from Australia and Japan. - Sarahbeth Maney/Getty Images

Imagine the US, the worlds biggest economy with the strongest military force, joining forces with India, the planets most populous country and the worlds largest  if very flawed  democracy, situated in one of the globes most strategic locations.

To drape Modi in honors, Washington is making a cold calculation. There is little question Indian democracy has been receding. Though Modis administration denies it, human rights organizations say discrimination against Muslims has worsened under Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Journalists say they are being muzzled, and opposition politicians are facing prosecutions.

The former leader of the opposition party, Rahul Gandhi, heir to Indias founding dynasty, was sentenced to two years in prison for disparaging the name Modi. As a result, he was expelled from Parliament, effectively removed from politics ahead of next years elections. Gandhi is currently appealing the sentence.

And yet, Indias fragile democracy is far ahead of others in its vicinity  the ones that most concern the US.

Its not even close.

The democracy watchdog Freedom House rates India as partly free. But it does call it a multiparty democracy. Compare that to neighboring China, rated not free, and described by Freedom House as an authoritarian regime that has become increasingly repressive. Or Russia to the north, also rated not free and described by Freedom House as an authoritarian political system where power is concentrated in the hands of President Vladimir Putin.

Leadership means making tradeoffs, and the Biden administration, which has made the quest to stop democratic backsliding a key element of its foreign policy, has already decided how to play this. It is framing the decision by acknowledging the challenges that even the US has endured.

India and the United States are big, complicated countries, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a recent speech. Both countries have to work to strengthen our democracies [a US goal], to unleash the full potential of our people [an Indian goal] but, he concluded, the trajectory of this partnership is unmistakable, and it is filled with promise.

Biden will not turn a blind eye to the more unsettling aspects of Modis rule. Officials say Biden will raise the issue of Indias human rights record and democracy backsliding, but its likely they will be downplayed. After all, putting human rights publicly at the heart of relations with Saudi Arabia did little more than open the regions door to China.

Higher on the agenda will be another item of disagreement: Russia. Modi has offered only mild criticism of Putins invasion, using the crisis to load up on cut-rate Russian oil. In fact, India increased its purchases of Russian oil ten-fold in 2022, the year the war started. Away from the cameras, Biden will also press Modi on both oil and weapons purchases from Russia, urging him to curtail those purchases.

Biden will try to draw India closer to the US and its allies, and away from Russia and its authoritarian friend, China, which is also a contentious rival of India  their military forces arrayed eye-to-eye at their shared border high in the Himalayas.

Meanwhile, Modi needs to boost Indias economic performance. India has pulled hundreds of millions out of poverty, but its economic growth rate has been much slower than neighboring Chinas. Despite being home to some of the worlds wealthiest moguls, India is also home to the worlds largest number of poor people.

Modi  and India  need to raise living standards. Only then can they count themselves truly successful. And, for that, stronger ties with the US could be pivotal.

In addition, Modi also wants stronger military ties, especially in view of its tense relationship with China. That process has already started, with the Biden administration reenergizing the so-called Quad, a Washington-led bloc of Pacific and Indian Ocean powers: Australia, Japan, India and the United States.

If all goes well, the sounds of Modi practicing yoga in New York one day, speaking at the Capitol the next and later being feted at the White House, could mark a new beginning in a history-making relationship  one with far-reaching consequences.

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This is the fifth in a series of essays from a Knowledge Matters Campaign tour of school districts using high-quality science curriculum. Othell Begay, a seventh grade science teacher at Heights Middle School in Farmington, New Mexico, transitioned from a lab scientist to a science teacher when he moved home to New Mexico in 2012. In this piece, Begay explains how he was able to transform his science instruction and better engage his classes with the OpenSciEd curriculum, which encourages students to act as scientific investigators. Follow the rest of the series and previous curriculum case studies here.

My first career was not in teaching. I worked in an HIV Lab in New York City for five years before returning to my home in New Mexico in 2012. While away, I had developed a passion for science, and became convinced that one way I could make a contribution to the community I loved might be to help spark that passion in young people. I wanted to show students that science is more than the boring, read-and-take-notes course that I was subjected to in my youth.

And now, as more people express skepticism for data, I also want to help young people learn how you go about validating it; to understand that data is real and that understanding how to document and interpret it can give one real power.

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When I began teaching, New Mexico was just preparing to transition to the Next Generation Science Standards. Our district didnt have an aligned curriculum but, determined as I was to engage my students by sharing with them my lab experience, I embarked on designing lessons based on experimentation and data analysis. My results werent steller; the students were still bored. But my proof of concept came when I asked them to analyze video game data. It was here, in what they considered a relevant context, that they started to engage.

As I became more familiar with the performance expectations of the NGSS, my instinct about the importance of students really understanding data, and how to conduct analyses, was confirmed. Because unlike traditional science assessments that required little math knowledge, the new standards challenged students to analyze charts, graphs, maps and data sets  and to recognize patterns.

Video games notwithstanding, I struggled to find relevant data for students to use. I even attempted an assignment asking students to find local data and graphs, but that turned out to be far too complicated for middle schoolers. I spent long hours searching for information to fit the new standards, but my lesson plans often failed to engage the students. I found some good project-based lessons, but putting them in any kind of successive order felt disjointed and disconnected. Despite having good standards, understanding what they asked students to know and to be able to do, and with all the best of intentions, instruction in my classroom was still a bit of a mess.

Things changed in 2018, when a neighboring school in our district that was field-testing OpenSciEd middle school units offered to demonstrate lessons. Because Id become a bit discouraged by my own less-than-successful efforts, I was excited to give it a try. Our New Mexico Public Education Department offered OpenSciEd workshops, for which I was very grateful.

A seventh grade student in Othell Begays class uses a timer to record temperature and humidity every two minutes during OpenSciEds Humidity and Temperature Lab. (Knowledge Matters Campaign)

What excited me the most about the OpenSciEd curriculum was that its modeled after real life scientific research. Standards that required students to memorize content knowledge were replaced by the new Performance Expectations, which, in addition to content knowledge, require the steps of scientific inquiry. Instead of teaching students to memorize the order Observe, Question, Research, Hypothesis, Peer Review  OpenSciEd models the experience I had in the laboratory of solving problems.

When I was working in a lab, I would become consumed with figuring out a solution to the myriad problems I encountered along the way  and, as we began using the curriculum, I was delighted to see that this was the experience my students were having as well. They really took to their role as scientific investigators!

Its like a puzzle, its all out there, just sitting there, pieces broken off, its up to you to get that viewpoint, eighth grade student Shawn Baker told our visitors from the Knowledge Matters Campaign. Start with one piece and slowly add, add, add  until you have one big understanding.

And, COVID couldnt have been a more real-world example to demonstrate to our students the importance of solving problems by utilizing the scientific process. By the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, we collectively became consumed with the importance of scientific literacy and data sense-making.

Each lesson in the OpenSciEd curriculum asks students to look at information, analyze it, and ask themselves what makes sense and what doesnt. Were using science literacy skills to look at information and make evidence-based judgments. These are skills and attitudes I didnt pick up until college. I am proud that I am helping my students learn this at such a young age. They know how to look at a problem and start solving it. If I were an employer, particularly if I were running a lab, I would absolutely be looking for people who have the skills my students are learning from this curriculum.

These are some of my lessons learned from adopting and implementing OpenSciEd over the years:

Dont be afraid to make the curriculum your own. Theres a lot of content in OpenSciEd and it can get overwhelming. Weve all heard the expression, Go slow to go fast. That applies here. Students are doing the heavy lifting with this curriculum, and some of them might not be used to that much thinking. It may be tempting for teachers to revert to their traditional practice of giving students the answers and expecting them to retain it versus discovering it on their own. But investigating it on their own creates more engagement, which helps with information retention. Be careful what you omit (for pacing or other reasons). When I have omitted things in the past, I have often found that weve missed a crucial step in building student comprehension. Every year I teach this curriculum I appreciate more and more how thoughtfully it was constructed. Grading student work will take longer than in previous years, but its worth it. Because of the nature of what theyre doing, the work youre reviewing provides a real opportunity to recognize where the students are in their understanding and use it to offer useful feedback.

My best advice is to go for it. Having every student in every class engaged and learning is the payoff. Our kids need and deserve to have science made meaningful to them in the way weve been able to with this curriculum.
Mary Hooks, of the Cop City Vote coalition, said the clerks refusal validated the groups belief that Atlanta wants to thwart the referendum effort and continue silencing the peoples voice.

Opponents of Atlantas Cop City have filed a lawsuit following the municipal clerks second rejection of a referendum petition.

The Cop City Vote coalition said interim city clerk Vanessa Waldon has once again rejected a petition for a potential vote on the citys proposed public safety training. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the opponents are now taking legal action, requesting that a Fulton County judge compel her to accept the initial petition due to a delay in the approval procedure.

We regret that the City has made litigation necessary, said Kurt Kastorf, legal counsel for the Cop City Vote coalition, AJC reported. However, there is still a path forward for the City if the clerk promptly approves our revised language directly addressing their latest concerns. Doing so would best respect the boundaries of their role within this process.

Opponents of Atlantas Cop City protest. Organizers said the city clerk has again rejected a petition seeking a vote on the citys proposed public safety training site. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/Scripps News)

Mary Hooks, a lead organizer with the coalition, said the clerks refusal validated the groups belief that the city of Atlanta wants to thwart the referendum effort and continue its long pattern of silencing the peoples voice using all methods.

If these concerns were genuine, Hooks added, the clerk would have raised them in their first response or in any of the many communications we have had with her office.

The organization claimed that the clerk gave three explanations for denying the petition; two relied on items not truly necessary by law, and one about the inclusion of a single word.

Mariah Parker, who initially filed the petition, said in a statement that the group only wants the clerk to approve the petition form  nothing more or less than what is required by law.

The group said the city clerk broke a seven-day deadline for approving the petition, submitted on June 7. The clerk initially turned down the petition on June 14 because it needed a line requiring Atlanta residents to verify each signature.

The organization revised the petition and added the line. However, court filings reportedly indicate that it was the municipal clerks duty, not the petitioners, to add the missing line per Georgia law.

The group nonetheless filed the form again. Court records state that the petitioners received the clerks assurance on Friday that someone would review the resubmitted petition before the end of the day. However, Waldon closed the office at noon on the Friday before Juneteenth.

The group anticipates a swift approval following numerous delays and plans to resubmit an updated petition to the clerks office soon.

Its leaders also said organizers should get an extension of the time allotted for collecting more than 70,000 valid signatures needed for the referendum to appear on the November ballot. They would like an additional day for each day the clearance is delayed. After obtaining the signatures, the city council will have 50 days to evaluate whether the petition is legitimate.

During a conversation regarding the petition, the office of Mayor Andre Dickens noted that it has no role in the petitions approval procedure and that the municipal clerk does not belong to the executive branch.

In a statement on June 7, a representative for the mayor emphasized that the administration respects the right to free speech and the referendums procedure.

We firmly believe that our residents deserve well-trained first responders who have access to adequate training facilities, the statement read, AJC reported. We will continue to share our view that the PSTC and the more than 300 acres of green space are the right approach to ensuring Atlanta will be a national model for public safety.

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The Belarusian Red Cross has reported that more than 700 children from Ukraine are in the country.

Source: BelTA with reference to the statement of Dmitry Shevtsov, the Secretary General of the Belarusian Red Cross

Quote from Shevtsov: "This year, in order to make a large coverage, we decided not to improve the health of children in sanatoriums directly, but to allocate funds to families raising children from Ukraine. The aid will amount to 600 Belarusian roubles [about US$240  ed.], and more than 700 children will receive it."

Details: According to him, starting from 2017 to 2019, with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross, an average of about 30 children from Ukraine "go to improve their health" in Belarus each year. In 2020, about 50 people managed to "improve their health". According to Shevtsov, Belarus adopted 87 children from Ukraine in 2022.

Background:

On 20 June, an activist from Belarus reported that Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed leader, had agreed to organise "rehabilitation of children from the affected regions of Donbas in Belarusian camps and sanatoriums". According to him, having received the consent of Lukashenko, the activists began to work out "mechanisms for assisting".

Earlier, the Belarusian opposition reported that more than 2,000 Ukrainian children were deported to Belarus. According to them, Lukashenko personally signs documents related to the commission of a war crime.

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Oxford United did not pay minimum wage to staff

Oxford United has been listed in a government report for breaching the minimum wage law

Oxford United did not pay the minimum wage to its lowest paid staff, the Department for Business and Trade said.

According to a government report, the club failed to pay 10,826.74 to 31 workers.

Oxford United said the underpayments had happened between 2015 and 2018, but had now been resolved.

In a statement the club said it "took steps to ensure this would not recur, and these are constantly reviewed across all areas of the business".

Oxford United was among 202 businesses named by the government as having breached the National Minimum Wage Law.

"The club took on all recommendations, and made all relevant repayments, before the case was closed at the end of 2018," it said.

'Non-negotiable'

The government said it wanted to send a message that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.

"Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff," said Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business.

In total the companies were found to have failed to pay 63,000 workers almost 5m.

Employers underpaid their workers by deducting pay from wages, failing to pay workers correctly for their working time or paying the incorrect apprenticeship rate.

Bryan Sanderson, chair of the Low Pay Commission, said that those who break the minimum wage law "not only do a disservice to their staff but also undermine fair competition between businesses".

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Hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Turmusayya in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the day after the killing of four settlers nearby, according to the mayor of the village.

One Palestinian man was killed, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. Palestine TV named him as Omar Quttain, 27.

At least 12 people from the town were injured by live fire, Mayor Adeeb Laffi said, shortly before the announcement of Quttains death. He said masked settlers were setting fire to cars and homes.

The health ministry said three people had arrived at a hospital in Ramallah with injuries in the lower limbs from live fire.

The Israeli army is not doing anything to stop them, Laffi said, in reference to the settlers.

Turmusayya is less than five miles (eight kilometers) from Eli, where the four Israelis were killed on Tuesday.

Laffi said more than 50 vehicles and 15 houses had been set on fire in his village by Israeli settlers who arrived in the town after Muslim noon prayers.

Many of the settlers were masked and carried guns, he said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Israeli civilians burned vehicles and possessions belonging to Palestinians in Turmusayya, and that the military condemns these serious incidents of violence and destruction of property.

The IDF said security forces entered the town in order to extinguish the fires, prevent clashes and to collect evidence, and that the Israel Police had opened an investigation into the event, according to a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted Wednesday that his country was a nation of laws, in the wake of the settler attacks.

All citizens of Israel are obligated to obey the law. We will not allow disturbances, Netanyahu said. We will not accept any provocations to the police or the security forces in these places or anywhere else. We are a nation of laws.

Amid the rising tensions, the IDF carried out a drone strike on a vehicle containing what they called a terrorist cell in the West Bank, the IDF and Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet, said later on Wednesday.

The IDF said the cell had carried out several shooting attacks toward communities in the West Bank lately  and that the Israeli military had fired from an unmanned arial vehicle, or drone, at the cell and thwarted them. It is very rare for Israel to target individuals with drone strikes in the West Bank.

The three people killed in the strike were members of the militant Jenin Brigade, the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said. The Jenin Brigade is a loose association of Palestinian militants, some of whom belong to more than one overlapping group.

Two of those killed in the drone strike were from the al-Quds Brigade, the militant wing of Islamic Jihad. Islamic Jihad named them as Suhaib Adnan al-Ghoul, 27, whom they called a field commander, and Ashraf Murad Al-Saadi, 17, whom they called a fighter.

Islamic Jihad said the third person was Muhammad Bashar Aweys, 28, one of the leaders of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. That is the militant wing of the secular Palestinian nationalist group Fatah.

Videos obtained by CNN show plumes of smoke rising from a vehicle on fire.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the IDF strike in a tweet, saying, I praise the security forces who a short time ago carried out a targeted elimination of a terrorist squad that was firing towards Israeli territory, and had previously carried out several shooting attacks, he said.

Against terrorism we will take an offensive and proactive approach, we will use all the means at our disposal and we will exact the heaviest price from every terrorist or terrorist courier, Gallant said.

Overnight attacks

The settler attack in Turmusayya comes after a Palestinian official who monitors settler violence against Palestinians in the northern West Bank said dozens of villagers had been injured overnight in settler attacks.

At least 37 villagers were injured by live or rubber-coated bullets, stones, or tear gas according to the official, Ghassan Douglas.

He said 147 vehicles were damaged with stones or set on fire, including an ambulance, and that 23 houses and 16 shops were damaged, and crops set on fire in fields.

The violence was reminiscent of settler attacks in and around the village of Huwara in February in response to the killing of two Israeli settler brothers in the village. Februarys violence was so severe that the commander of Israeli forces in the West Bank called it a pogrom, evoking historic memories of ethnic violence targeting Jews.

Scorched cars, including some junked for spare parts, left in the West Bank village of Al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya on June 21, 2023. - Majdi Mohammed/AP

The attacks overnight on Tuesday took place over a wide area of the northern West Bank, from Turmusayya east of Ramallah to Deir Sharaf west of Nablus, he said. The area is about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north from Jerusalem.

Different Israeli officials sent different messages in the wake of Tuesdays shooting of the settlers which included two teenagers, a man in his 20s and a man in his 60s.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari urged people not to take the law into their own hands.

But far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, speaking at the scene of the killings near Eli, called on settlers to arm themselves to avoid becoming sitting ducks for Palestinian attacks.

On Monday, an Israeli raid in Jenin, one of the tensest cities in the occupied West Bank, erupted into a massive firefight that left at least seven Palestinians dead and dozens wounded.

The following day, two Palestinian gunmen shot dead the four Israelis near Eli. Both gunmen were subsequently killed by Israeli forces. Hamas, the Palestinian militant movement, claimed the two gunmen as members. It said the attack was a natural response to the Israeli raid on Jenin a day earlier.

CNNs Hadas Gold contributed reporting.

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Former President Trump Is Arraigned On Federal Espionage Charges

Former President Donald Trump visits the Versailles restaurant after being arraigned at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse on June 13, 2023 in Miami Credit - Stephanie KeithGetty Images

The Republican field for President has gotten crowded this month, but Donald Trump remains firmly in the drivers seat. The former President is still leading in polls and the other candidates have found themselves frequently framing their own bids in relation to Trumps.

The latest example: candidates have had to spend a lot of time explaining whether they would pardon Trump if he is convicted for allegedly mishandling classified documents. The former president last week pleaded not guilty to 37 criminal charges.

On Tuesday, the judge overseeing the case set a tentative trial date for August 14, though pretrial motions and other issues are likely to push the legal proceedings back much further.

The federal indictment against Trump follows Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs indictment in April over hush-money payments Trump paid to a porn star. A future President wouldnt be able to pardon Trump over that case, but could in the federal matter.

The latest indictment has clarified how much the candidates are willing to continue to support Trump as his legal troubles mount, even as they run against him for the GOP nomination. On the question of a possible pardon, the former President has ardent defenders who seem poised to pardon, detractors who suggest the prosecution is warranted, and a few who are critical of Trumps actions but not ruling out a pardon.

Heres where the former presidents rivals fall on the Trump-support scale.

Partial to a Pardon

Of Trumps rivals, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has come most fiercely to the former Presidents defense. It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump werent in the race, but I stand for principles over politics, Ramaswamy wrote in a statement soon after news of the indictment broke. I commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025 and to restore the rule of law in our country.

Like other candidates, Ramaswamy has accused the Department of Justice of going after the former president for political reasons. But he has gone further than others, joining the former President in urging Republican rivals to promise to pardon him.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley also said she would be inclined in favor of a pardon, during an interview on the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, explaining, When you look at a pardon, the issue is less about guilt and more about whats good for the country. Haley initially accused the DOJ of overreach in its investigation. However, after the indictment was unsealed, she also slammed Trump as having been incredibly reckless on Fox News, while simultaneously suggesting the department had lost credibility.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has also suggested he would pardon Trump, saying on Fox Business Varney & Co, I think hes entitled to due process like everybody else in this country. If I become the President of the United States, what I think is appropriate is for a president to use the pardon power to heal the country, and that goes for both Republicans and Democrats.

Suarez, who has said he didnt vote for Trump in 2016 or 2020, appeared outside the Miami courthouse where the former president was arraigned last week and told Politico that he had a friendly chat with Trump about security arrangements.

Another presidential candidate, conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, told Scripps News he is very likely to pardon Trump.

The Murky Middle

Multiple candidates have responded to questions about the case by criticizing Trumps actions but suggesting the Justice Department went too far in pursuing criminal charges.

Former Vice President Mike Pence did not promise to pardon Trump, but did tell Meet the Press that he would clean house at the Justice Department, and said on CNBCs Squawk Box, that the former president has a right to his day in court and that he cant believe that politics didnt play some role here. However, he also expressed concern that classified material could have fallen into the wrong hands. This indictment contains serious charges, and I cannot defend what is alleged, Pence said.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also accused the Justice Department of being hypocritical and politically-motivated, tweeting, The DeSantis administration will bring accountability to the DOJ, excise political bias and end weaponization once and for all. But he has not committed to pardoning Trump, nor has he ruled it out.

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott took the same tack, accusing the justice system of targeting and hunting Republicans while calling the indictment a serious case with serious allegations. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has also implied that theres a double standard at the DOJ without mentioning Trump by name.

The Donald Detractors

Two candidates have been less measured in their criticism. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who signaled when he entered the race that he wouldnt pull punches against Trump, attacked the former President following the indictment. In a CNN town hall, he called Trumps conduct inexcusable, in my opinion, for someone who wants to be President of the United States. And while he issued some general criticism of the Justice Department, he suggested the evidence in the case looks pretty damning, and pinned the blame on Trump himself, all the while slamming some of his GOP rivals for going after the DOJ instead.

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson was similarly critical of other candidates for their deference to Trump, telling MSNBC that it is simply wrong to be discussing a pardon. Despite the requirement that participants in the upcoming Republican presidential debates pledge to support the partys eventual nominee, the former governor said he wont vote for Trump if hes convicted.

In a statement following news of the indictment, Hutchinson said, Donald Trumps actionsfrom his willful disregard for the Constitution to his disrespect for the rule of lawshould not define our nation or the Republican Party. This is a sad day for our country. While Donald Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the ongoing criminal proceedings will be a major distraction. This reaffirms the need for Donald Trump to respect the office and end his campaign.
Capital Region Educational Service District 113 has named Holly Johnson, a special education teacher at Parkside Elementary School in Tenino, as its regional teacher of the year.

The district selected Johnson because of her ability to support the specific needs of each of her students. Because her program is not disability focused, she has adapted her teaching methods to accommodate a wide variety of students, according to a district news release.

Johnson, who has worked at the school for more than 20 years, said she believes her primary purpose is to remove barriers to education for her students and their families. In the Tenino School District, she leads Ready! for Kindergarten, an event that helps guide parents through pre-kindergarten processes. The program has increased enrollment in the district.

She enthusiastically had a plan, not only for what my son could accomplish with help, but for who he was and what he loved, said Andrea Corcoran, a parent of one of Johnsons pupils.

Brock Williams, principal of Parkside Elementary, said Johnson has gone above and beyond her job description as an educator. During the pandemic, she facilitated porch drop-offs for families, providing additional materials outside of online learning. She also has received several grants from Donors Choose and the Squaxin Island Tribe to provide sensory and hands-on materials to her students.

Holly does many things behind the scenes to help children be successful and feel good about themselves while working closely with the family, other service providers, healthcare providers, and the larger support community, Williams said. She provides hope to families facing many challenges.

Johnson will be recognized on Monday at a Tenino School District meeting.

She is one of nine candidates in consideration for the Washington State Teacher of the Year. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction will select the winner in fall.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday said he has the power to pardon Eric DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City police officer ever convicted of killing a Black man, even if DeValkenaere does not apply for clemency.

But, the Republican governor said, his office has had no conversations about pardoning DeValkenaere. Parson said he has not received an application from DeValkenaere and criticized Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker for a letter she wrote last week suggesting that Parson may soon issue a pardon.

There is nothing in place that weve had the conversation about pardoning this guy, Parson told reporters at an event Wednesday in Kansas City. So its just a lot of propaganda.

The Republican governors comments come after Baker wrote a letter to Parson, urging him not to pardon DeValkenaere.

In the letter, Baker said she learned from multiple reports that Parson was considering pardoning the former Kansas City police detective even as an appeal works through the courts. This conviction is important to this community and to take it away without your voice being heard, would be a real harm, Baker said in an interview.

A pardon could provoke an explosive backlash in Kansas City and would be a sweeping assertion of executive power by Parson over the judicial process. DeValkenaere, who is white, was convicted in 2021 of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb, who is Black, in 2019.

DeValkenaere has been sentenced to six years in prison but has remained free on bond as he appeals the verdict.

I imagine you might view a pardon as a way to support police, Baker wrote to Parson June 13. 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.

Parson on Wednesday said he has not spoken with Baker, DeValkenaere or his legal team about a potential pardon. He said Bakers letter was irresponsible.

What is a little disturbing about the whole ordeal is because there just never was no acknowledgment of that, Parson told reporters. There was never no conversation from my office about it. And I think for a prosecutor to kind of go out on the forefront there making it sound like we were, one, it was a little irresponsible.

DeValkenaeres case

Parson, a former sheriff and longtime supporter of police, indicated that he disagreed with some of the facts associated with the prosecution of DeValkenaere.

During the trial, prosecutors said DeValkenaere and his partner Troy Schwalm did not have authority to be on the property when he fatally shot Lamb.

Prosecutors also said the crime scene was staged and evidence, including a handgun that belonged to Lamb, was planted.

Parson said it was irresponsible for Baker to accuse Kansas City police of planting evidence at the crime scene.

Ill be careful what I say here but making the idea for a prosecutor to ever say that there could have been the possibility of a gun that was planted is a terrible decision for a prosecutor to ever make unless you have evidence to support that, Parson said Wednesday.

Police investigating the shooting found Lamb inside his vehicle with his left arm and head hanging out of the drivers side window. On the ground near his left hand was a handgun, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Lamb was not armed and the gun that police said he had with him had been moved from a set of stairs near the garage and placed near his left hand after he was shot but before crime scene investigators arrived.

Crime scene investigators who gathered Lambs belongings did not find any ammunition.

But when Lambs body was taken to the Jackson County Medical Examiners Office, investigators found two bullets inside of Lambs pockets. Those bullets had not been there at the crime scene, prosecutors said.

DeValkenaere said that he did not plant evidence and did not encourage any of his fellow officers to do so.

Missouri law on pardons

Spencer J. Webster, a Kansas City-based attorney, said in an email to The Star that Missouri law does not require that Parson receive an application in order to grant a pardon.

Webster added that, based on his understanding of the law, DeValkenaeres appeal does not have to be rejected in order for him to apply for a pardon.

My hope is that, whether or not the governor was considering a pardon for DeValkenaere, he allows the system to run its course, he said. As the sole conviction in a case of this type, where so many have gone unanswered, this conviction is not only a powerful statement but also justice for a community that has been deprived of it for so long.

Allen Rostron, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, said the law guiding pardons is less clear. It would be rare, he said, for a governor to consider pardoning someone who still has an appeal pending and who has not officially applied.

While the law is ambiguous, Rostron said, the answer seems to be that there must be an application, and that it must be made after exhausting judicial remedies (such as completing the appeal).

If Parson were to grant a pardon without receiving an application, it would be up to the courts to decide if he violated state law, Rostron said.

That would be quite rare, and therefore theres some uncertainty about it, he said.
Escambia Circuit Judge John Simon levied a 45-year prison sentence Tuesday on the man responsible for ramming a Florida Highway Patrol trooper's vehicle and attempting to flee the scene.

The Office of the State Attorney announced Simon's sentence after 37-year-old Gregory Bernard Henderson Jr. was convicted by a jury for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens activated at a high speed.

"On the afternoon of June 21, 2022, troopers with Florida Highway Patrol attempted a felony stop on the defendant's vehicle," the press release said. "The defendant rammed the trooper's vehicle causing it to hit the trooper, struck another parked car and fled. A high-speed chase ensued only ending when troopers conducted a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver."

Law enforcement crash: Escambia motorcycle deputy hospitalized after being struck by SUV during escort service

In case you missed it: SRSO won't pursue charges in Nikko Japanese Steak House meth case due to lack of evidence

The release notes that Henderson was sentenced as a prison releasee reoffender and habitual felony offender for over a dozen previous felony convictions. He had been released from prison less than a year before committing the aggravated assault.

Henderson will serve a mandatory 15-year-minimum for the aggravated assault followed by 30 years for the fleeing or attempting to elude charge, according to the release.

"The defendant has shown he is a risk to the safety of the citizens of Escambia County, law enforcement and anyone who is unfortunate enough to share the road with him," said prosecutor Christopher Patterson during the sentencing.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Florida man gets 45 years for assaulting FHP trooper
The Office of the State Attorney announced that a 37-year-old Pensacola woman who helped her boyfriend rape an 11-year-old girl will spend the rest of her life in a Florida prison.

On Tuesday, Escambia Circuit Judge John Simon sentenced Sammi-Jo Lorn Combs to life in prison followed by a 45-year sentence after she pleaded no contest to one count of sexual battery by a person in familial authority, three counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a victim between 12 and 15 years old and one count of child abuse without great bodily harm.

"A victim of egregious child abuse like this will never live the same way after their traumatic experience," said prosecutor Carrie Gilmer. "That is why someone who has abused a child in this manner should never be allowed to carry on with their lives like normal either."

Snipes convicted: A Pensacola man sexually abused an 11-year-old for 3 years. Now, he faces 8 life sentences.

10 life sentences: Pensacola man convicted of child rape issued 10 life sentences

According to the release, the investigation began after the victim disclosed that Combs and her boyfriend Larry Snipes had been sexually abusing the child for three years. The abuse began when the child was 11 years old.

During the three years of abuse, Snipes would force the child to have sex and perform sex acts "on him every day, sometimes twice a day," his arrest report said.

Snipes and Combs would also frequently give the child Lortabs and Xanax without a prescription to calm her down before they abused her. Combs testified during Snipes' trial that she participated in the abuse and ultimately entered the no contest plea in her own case.

Snipes was found guilty of 10 child sex abuse charges that include four capital felony counts of sexual battery on a child under 12 years old, four first-degree felony counts of custodial sexual battery, a third-degree felony count of child abuse without great bodily harm and one third-degree felony count of distributing obscene material to a minor.

Snipes was previously sentenced to serve ten life sentences on May 31, 2023, for his abuse of the victim.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida woman Sammi-Jo Combs gets life in Pensacola sex abuse case
Pentagon accounting error overestimates value of weapons sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion

Pentagon accounting error overestimates value of weapons sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion

The Pentagon said an accounting error resulted in an overestimation of the value of weapons being sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion over the last two years, and as a result, there is a surplus of money available for future security packages.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters on Tuesday the accounting error was the result of military services using replacement costs instead of the book value of equipment sent to Ukraine.

Final calculations, she added, showed that in the current fiscal year there was an error of $3.6 billion, and in 2022 there was an error of $2.6 billion.

The discovery comes as fiscal year 2023 nears an end, and it allows the Pentagon to have an extra stash of money to support Ukraines counteroffensive against Russia.

UKRAINE COUNTEROFFENSIVE MAKES HEADWAY IN SOUTH, SITUATION COMPLICATED ON EASTERN FRONT

Military aid, delivered as part of the United States security assistance to Ukraine, is unloaded from a plane at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine February 13, 2022.

To get weapons and ammunition to Ukraine quicker than going through the purchase process, the Department of Defense uses what is called presidential drawdown authority, allowing them to pull supplies off the shelves, or in stock.

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The Associated Press reported that previous estimates from June 13 showed the U.S. committed over $40 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russias invasion, but using the new calculation, the U.S. provided less than $34 billion in aid.

UKRAINE CLAIMS TO HAVE CAPTURED ANOTHER VILLAGE AS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED COUNTEROFFENSIVE UNDERWAY

The Pentagon in Washington, DC, on May 10, 2023, in an aerial view.

As for the exact amount of money available for drawdowns and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, officials have not been able to provide a firm number.

The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative provides long-term funding for purchases like larger air defense systems.

U.S. officials have approved about $113 billion, divided into four rounds of funding, to aid Ukraine with fending off Russias invasion, and some of that money is for restocking equipment sent to the frontlines.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY CONFIRMS COUNTER-OFFENSIVE AGAINST RUSSIA HAS BEGUN

Congressional members continue to pressure the Defense Department about tracking aid to Ukraine and ensuring it does not land in the wrong hands.

In defense, Pentagon officials say a "robust program" is in place to track all aid as it enters Ukraine, keeping track of it while there.

The accounting error, though, according to Singh, will not affect the U.S. delivery of aid to Ukraine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
FILE - In this artist depiction, Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, seated second from right, appears in U.S. District Court, in Boston, April 19, 2023. Teixeira, accused of leaking highly classified military documents on a social media platform, is due back in court on June 21, after being indicted on federal felony charges. (Margaret Small via AP)

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP)  Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard member accused of leaking highly classified military documents on a social media platform, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal felony charges.

Teixeira, 21, entered the pleas during a hearing in Worcesters federal court days after he was indicted by a grand jury on six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Handcuffed and wearing orange jail garb, Teixeira smiled at family seated in the gallery at the start of the hearing. He stood at the defense table next to his lawyers and leaned over to say not guilty, your honor into the microphone after the judge read each count. The judge also denied a defense request to reconsider his detention order.

Teixeira, of North Dighton, has been behind bars since his April arrest on charges stemming from the most consequential intelligence leak in years. A magistrate judge ruled last month that Teixeira must remain in jail while the case plays out, saying that releasing him would pose a risk that he would attempt to flee the country or obstruct justice.

The leak left the Biden administration scrambling to assess and contain the damage among the international community and reassure allies that its secrets are safe with the U.S.

Teixeiras family said in a statement Wednesday that they remain committed as ever to supporting him. The important thing is Jack will now have his day in court, they said. We are hopeful that Jack will be getting the fair and just treatment he deserves.

Teixeiras attorney has said his client will answer the charges and will be judged by his fellow citizens. In pushing for his release, Teixeiras attorneys argued that the government isnt alleging Teixeira ever intended that the information be widely disseminated.

Teixeira is accused of sharing classified military documents about Russias war in Ukraine and other sensitive national security topics on Discord, a social media platform popular with people playing online games. Investigators believe he was the leader of an private chat group called Thug Shaker Central, where enthusiasts shared jokes, talked about their favorite types of guns and discussed wars, including Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Authorities say Teixeira, who enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2019, began around January sharing military secrets with other Discord users  first by typing out classified documents and then sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Teixeira worked as a a cyber transport systems specialist, essentially an IT specialist responsible for military communications networks.

Prosecutors say he continued to leak government secrets even after he was warned by superiors about mishandling and improper viewing of classified information. After being admonished by superiors last year, he was again seen in February viewing information not related to the intelligence field, not his primary duty, according to internal Air National Guard memos filed in court.

Justice Department lawyers revealed in earlier court filings that Teixeira had a history of disturbing online remarks. He wrote in November that he would kill a (expletive) ton of people if he had his way, because it would be culling the weak minded. He also used his government computer in July to look up mass shootings, searching terms such as Mandalay Bay shooting and Uvalde, prosecutors said.

Authorities have provided few details about an alleged possible motive, but accounts of those in the online private chat group where the documents were disclosed have depicted Teixeira as motivated more by bravado than ideology.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement last week that Teixeira was entrusted with information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if shared.
Video of Jack Teixeira's arrest at home in Massachusetts quickly circulated on national television (-)

Jack Teixeira, the US airman accused of leaking top secret Pentagon documents in an online chat forum, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges that could send him to prison for decades.

The 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guard IT specialist was arrested in April for allegedly orchestrating the most damaging leak of US classified documents in a decade.

He is facing six counts of retaining and transmitting national defense information. They each carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison.

Teixeira appeared before Magistrate Judge David Hennessy in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Wednesday and entered a plea of not guilty to each of the charges, according to court documents.

His lawyer asked that Teixeira be released pending trial but the judge denied the request.

Teixeira is suspected of posting the documents -- some dated as recently as early March -- to a private chat group on the social media platform Discord.

Some of the files later appeared on other sites, including Twitter, 4Chan and Telegram.

The documents, which soon spread across the internet, pointed to US concern over Ukraine's military capacity against invading Russian forces and showed Washington had apparently spied on allies Israel and South Korea, among other sensitive details.

It was the biggest such breach since the 2013 dump of National Security Agency documents by Edward Snowden and raised tough questions about access by Teixeira, a junior staffer, to high-level secrets.

Teixeira was an airman first class, the third-lowest rank for enlisted US Air Force personnel and had possessed a top secret security clearance since 2021.

Last month a judge ordered that Teixeira remain in jail pending trial after prosecutors argued he posed an ongoing risk to American national security.

Prosecutors said that Teixeira might still have access to classified documents and that "hostile" nations could aid his escape if he was released from prison.

They also cited his history of making "violent" statements.

Teixeira wrote on social media in November that he wanted to "kill a ton of people" because it would be "culling the weak minded," the prosecution wrote in a court document.

Prosecutors also said the airman sought advice from another user about what type of rifle would be easy to operate from the back of an SUV, and that he searched mass shootings online.

Teixeira was detained on April 13 in a dramatic arrest broadcast live on TV networks.

cl/des
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's pharmaceutical sector could lose out to increased competition from emerging markets, China and the U.S. in terms of research and innovation if a proposed European Union health package is not amended, its key industry group said on Thursday.

The EU Commission presented a proposal to overhaul a wide range of rules governing health and medicines in the 27-member bloc in April, but the move has met with backlash from the industry.

Among the new measures, the EU wants to reverse the decline of regional manufacturing, avoid a repeat of the drug shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, improve access to healthcare and affordable drugs, as well as putting an end to the parallel medicines market that takes advantage of price disparities between EU countries.

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) said in a statement while it supported the crackdown on the parallel market its estimates to be worth over 6 billion euros ($7 billion), it views other parts of the package as damaging.

The EFPIA's members include European pharmaceutical giants such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Bayer and Sanofi.

The industry group expects a 25% relative decline in research and development and a drop in Europe's global share of clinical trials from 25% to 19% if the law is passed.

"The proposed legislation does begin to evolve Europes regulatory system, which has not been extensively modernised in the last twenty years and is increasingly slower than the United States," the EFPIA statement said.

"However, it significantly reduces European intellectual property (IP) rights while adding complex incentives for additional IP protection which in practice makes it impossible to achieve these incentives."

Brussels has proposed shortening the period of IP protections companies get before generics can enter the market from 10 to eight years.

($1 = 0.9116 euros)

(Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Photo: The Philadelphia Inquirer

On February 21, Dashawn Walker suffered 10 gunshot wounds after leaving Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia. Nine of those broke the bones in his legs and one bullet ripped his intestines. Even though the student is a survivor of gun violence, police deemed him the target of a shooting in his neighborhood.

This ultimately led him to being banned from both his senior prom as well as high school graduation. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the story, which chronicled Walkers harrowing journey to recovery. After waking up from a coma, he spent a month getting better post-ICU at Temple University Hospital.

Read more

Walker also spent an additional month at the Shriners Hospital for Children rehab facility. He was forced to learn how to walk again and had received over a dozen surgeries. These injuries put his education at risk, but his teachers and counselors at Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia ensured that Walker could finish classes remotely and still be able to graduate in May.

However, Veronica Joynerthe schools founder and head administratordecided (along with the school board) that prom and graduation were off limits for Walker. They believed that the shooter could potentially target Walker again at these events. If youre a target, do I bring that target around other people and get them caught up in a shooting? Joyner asked according to The Inquirer.

We would be placing others at risk by having him around. Walker claimed that he did not feel supported by the school after the violent attack he endured. I was the victim and I felt like I was the problem, he remarked. He was also under the impression that Joyner questioned how he could afford items he possessed, like an expensive backpack, shoes and a pricey prom suit.

Walker insinuated that Joyner believed that he engaged in illegal activity in order to afford those items. His mother, Mildred Brockington, denied this assertion and insisted she helped her son afford those things. Walkers alleged shooter, Micah Roane, remains in city jail. Despite the backlash, Joyner sticks by her decision.

My heart goes out to Dashawn, but I didnt create the situation. My actions didnt involve me in something that got me shot, the administrator said. However, District Attorneys Office spokesperson Jane Roh stated that Walkers treatment is inexcusable.

Its an unacceptable, outrageous act of violence, and its a tragedy...Theres no reason any institution should be treating him like he is also a defendant, Roh said. Walker was accepted at Pennsylvanias Shippensburg University, where he plans on attending in the fall. He also plans on launching an emotional support group called Redemption, which will help victims of gun violence.

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A Phoenix man who prosecutors say sent a threatening email to Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates has been charged with a misdemeanor and could face jail time if found guilty, according to a Tuesday statement from the Arizona Attorney Generals Office.

Ryan Stuart Hadland, 44, has been charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor in connection with threatening to physically harm Gates on Nov. 12, 2022  four days after the midterm election, according to the charging document, which was filed June 1.

The crime is punishable by up to six months of jail time and a $2,500 fine, according to the Attorney General's Office statement.

Gates, a Republican who represents a politically purple area spanning from north-central Phoenix to Anthem and New River, announced earlier this month that he will not seek reelection in 2024.

Gates and other members of the Board of Supervisors faced false allegations of election fraud following the 2020 and 2022 elections. Gates has stated publicly that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder because of election-related harassment.

Earlier this month, a former teacher from Tucson was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for making a death threat toward Arizona Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff. Donald Glenn Brown pleaded guilty in April to a Class 4 felony.

Reporter Sasha Hupka contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix man charged in connection with email threat toward Bill Gates
Rebecca James' images included two birds - one with the eye colouration, pictured left - greeting each other after returning from sea

An eye colouration found in seabirds that have survived avian flu has been captured in striking images taken at Scotland's Bass Rock.

Northern gannets with black irises instead of the usual pale blue were first spotted on the island in the Firth of Forth in June 2022.

The results of blood tests, revealed last month, showed the birds had previously survived the infection.

Rebecca James' images were taken on a visit to Bass Rock this month.

Ophthalmology tests would be needed to help scientists find out what causes the gannet's eyes to turn black.

Bass Rock, north-east of North Berwick, is home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannet.

The birds migrate from west Africa to breed in Scotland, but in recent years their numbers have been badly hit by avian flu.

Ms James took her photographs on a long awaited boat trip to Bass Rock to see the gannets.

She said: "After four attempts it was fifth time lucky and I managed to get on Bass Rock to photograph the visiting gannets.

"Those that survived the avian flu outbreak last year are showing changes to eye colour.

"I captured a picture of a breeding pair - one with the black and blue eye combo - greeting each other after returning from sea."

A team made up of experts from RSPB Scotland, the universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and the Animal Plant Health Agency worked with the Scottish Seabird Centre to investigate the eye colouration, and health of the gannets.

Bass Rock can have as many as 150,000 at the height of the breeding season.

The team's study found the adult birds' survival between 2021 and 2022 was 42% lower than the preceding 10-year average because of avian flu.

Bass Rock is home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannets

.
An intruder broke into Pierce Brosnans Malibu, California, guest home on Monday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs office confirmed with Fox News Digital.

"The suspect entered a neighboring property -- somebody else's property -- entered their laundry room, used their water, fled the location and then trespassed onto Mr. Brosnan's propertyentered his guest house," law enforcement stated.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs office explained that their team had a helicopter unit to assist with locating the trespasser before the suspect was taken into custody.

PIERCE BROSNAN FILES RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST WOMAN STALKING HIS FAMILY AT MALIBU HOME

Pierce Brosnan's Malibu, California, guest house was broken into by an unwanted trespasser, the Los Angles County Sheriff's Office confirmed with Fox News Digital.

Brosnan, 70, currently resides on the Malibu property with his wife Keely Smith, 59.

Authorities could not confirm if anyone was home at the time of the break-in.

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A rep for the Hollywood actor detailed the situation and noted "the man came onto the Brosnans' property from the beach and used the outdoor shower."

"He was escorted off the property by the staff," Brosnan's rep added.

Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Smith currently live on the Malibu estate.

This is not the first time an unwanted person trespassed on the star's Malibu property.

Last year, the "James Bond" actor filed a restraining order against a woman who he claimed was stalking both him and his family.

PIERCE BROSNAN SAYS HE'LL NEVER PLAY JAMES BOND AGAIN: 'THAT'S ANOTHER MAN'S JOB'

At the time, he alleged that the 55-year-old woman, identified as Michelle Welch Mulready, had been "parked in front of my house, stalking me, my family and guests," according to the Los Angeles Times.

In 2022, the "James Bond" actor filed a restraining order against a woman who he claimed was stalking both him and his family.

The restraining order stated that Mulready had been living in her car since Sept. 5 and that Brosnan had already called the police twice to complain. On September 28, the sheriff's office notified Mulready that the actor filed a restraining order against her.

While Brosnan said that Mulready did not threaten him or inflict harm, the order also protected his wife, Keely, and their two sons.

Under the court order, Mulready was barred from "harassing, intimidating or directly or indirectly contacting Brosnan and his family." She was required to remain 400 yards away from Brosnans home, car and workplace, as well as his children's school.

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Irish actor Pierce Brosnan as 007 with Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh as Wai Lin, on location in Thailand for the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies," 1997.

The restraining order ended Oct. 25 and there have been no further reports of Brosnans "stalker" trespassing on his property.

Meanwhile, the Irish actor put his $100 million James Bond-inspired Malibu estate on the market in 2020.

The Thai-inspired home was designed after Brosnan filmed the 1997s "Tomorrow Never Dies," featuring Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.

The Los Angeles oceanfront property was created by combining two separate plots of land that Brosnan purchased for $5.1 million and $2.25 million, respectively, according to the Wall Street Journal. The work started in 2000, and it took roughly 10 years to build the luxurious estate.

The "Mamma Mia!" actor reportedly took his multi-million-dollar home off the market when he didnt receive any offers within a year.
Police ask public for help after vandalism at Heceta Head Lighthouse on Oregon Coast

One of many signs vandalized on the trail to the Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Authorities are asking the public for information on people involved in damaging Heceta Head Lighthouse after vandalism was reported last week, according to Oregon State Police.

According to a news release, four people approached the historic lookout just before 8:45 p.m. on June 14 with one carrying spray paint while two others were caught on surveillance breaking a window and attempting to enter the lighthouse.

A broken window at one of the lighthouse buildings at Heceta Head Lighthouse.

One of the lighthouse buildings and several signs along the trail from the parking lot were vandalized during the incident. The four fled the area after a passerby intervened, according to police. Damage is estimated to cost between $10,000 to $20,000 to repair.

Police ask anyone with information to contact police dispatch at *677 from a mobile phone or 800-442-0776.

Reporter Charles Gearing can be reached at cgearing@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Police ask public for help after vandalism at Oregon Coast lighthouse
Police arrested a suspect after a man was shot and killed in Gaston County Wednesday morning.

Dallas police officers were called just after midnight to a home on Eastway Drive off Old Spencer Mountain Road. Inside, they found Christopher Knox Wery, 25, who had been shot.

Wery died from his injuries at the hospital.

ALSO READ: Reckless, dangerous: CMPD asks for public help to find car from east Charlotte shooting

There hasnt been a deadly shooting in Dallas since 2017.

Later Wednesday, police said Nicholas Max Tallent was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder.

On Thursday, Tallent posted his half-million-dollar bond, according to the Gaston County Jail.

NEW: Nicholas Max Tallent, the man charged with second-degree murder after police say he shot and killed Christopher Knox Wery in Dallas early Wednesday morning, has posted bond, according to the Gaston County Jail. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/jdfxzomHw6  Coleman J. Montgomery (@colemanreports) June 23, 2023

Channel 9s Ken Lemon was in court Wednesday as Tallent appeared before a judge. Chris Werys mother was also there, looking for answers she couldnt get Tuesday night. It was difficult for her to face Tallent, the man accused of shooting her son.

Tallents mother was also there and pled for a lower bond, but prosecutors said the circumstances of this case were dire.

Prosecutors said Wery and a friend were at Tallents home. When Wery was ready to go, he called his mother to pick him up. Sometime after that call, according to the prosecution, Tallent fired six shots through his bedroom door. Three of those shots hit and killed Wery.

Lemon spoke with his mother, Angela Wery, who said she cried so much overnight that she didnt want to show her face on camera.

I want the truth of what happened because I wasnt there, and I want to see justice be served where it need be, she told Lemon.

She and her son finished their last phone conversation saying I love you.

Angela Wery said she made a wrong turn on the way to pick Chris up. She believes if she hadnt made that mistake, she might have arrived in time to prevent the shooting.

Dallas officers said the investigation is open and ongoing.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 2 seriously hurt in Gastonia shooting, police say)












For the first time, prosecutors in the University of Idaho student homicides case have acknowledged that investigators employed an advanced DNA technique more commonly used in cold cases to land on Bryan Kohberger as the suspected killer.

The FBI submitted DNA found at the Moscow crime scene to one or more public genealogy databases to establish familial ties to the alleged perpetrator, according to newly released court records. The since-deleted DNA profile that federal agents created, on online services like Ancestry.com or 23andMe, resulted in the lead that pointed law enforcement to Kohberger, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson wrote.

The process, known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), was previously reported by several news outlets, including Slate and The New York Times, but never before confirmed by officials involved in the case. The probable cause affidavit filed to justify Kohbergers December arrest, for example, contains no reference to use of the method during the seven-week investigation following the Nov. 13 slayings.

Bryan Kohberger, defendant in the University of Idaho student homicides, was a graduate student of criminology at Washington State University at the time of the November 2022 slayings. Investigators used advanced DNA techniques to first identify him.

Kohberger, 28, a former Washington State University graduate student of criminology, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. His trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 2, and he could face the death penalty if prosecutors choose to pursue it.

The four victims were U of I seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, junior Xana Kernodle, 20, and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20. All four students were stabbed to death at an off-campus home on King Road where the three women lived, while two other housemates went unharmed. Chapin was Kernodles boyfriend and stayed over for the night.

In recent years, law enforcement has used the genealogical technique to solve high-profile cold cases across the U.S. Most notably, IGG was applied to identify and prosecute California serial murderer Joseph James DeAngelo, otherwise known as the Golden State Killer, in 2018.

And increasingly, law enforcement is turning to IGG in active investigations.

FBI sent tip to local detectives

Moscow police found a tan leather sheath for a combat-style knife next to Mogens body in her bed and later located a single source of male DNA on its button snap. The Ka-Bar brand sheath, which included a U.S. Marine Corps insignia, was left face down, partially under Mogens body and the comforter, the new court filing detailed.

Based on the genealogical evidence that identified Kohberger, the FBI sent a tip to local law enforcement to investigate him, Thompson wrote. But other more traditional investigative and DNA methods were used to identify and charge Kohberger, he said.

In this case, investigators used lGG to begin the process of developing a lead to the individual who left DNA on the Ka-Bar knife sheath, Thompson wrote. The IGG process pointed law enforcement toward (Kohberger), but it did not provide law enforcement with substantive evidence of guilt.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson is leading the states case against University of Idaho student homicides defendant Bryan Kohberger.

Earlier this year, one of Kohbergers neighbors at a student housing complex in Pullman, Washington, in an interview with the Idaho Statesman, said Kohberger previously told him that he had submitted his DNA for consumer genetic testing to explore his ancestry. Thompson denied that the FBI ever made a direct comparison between the profile they created with DNA from the knife sheath and Kohbergers own genetic profile.

Instead, in the affidavit, police never indicated how they settled on Kohberger. The affidavit includes a breakdown of cellphone location data tied to Kohberger and video footage of a white sedan as it made the trip between Pullman and the victims home in Moscow, and back again. Kohberger owned a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra.

Then, in late December, investigators acquired trash left at the home of Kohbergers parents in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was staying at the time of his arrest. The Idaho State Police Lab in Meridian tested that evidence to confirm the DNA left behind in the trash was from the biological father of the person whose DNA was on the knife sheath, police previously disclosed in the affidavit.

A swab from inside of Kohbergers cheek was later compared to the DNA found on the knife sheath and showed a statistical match, Thompson wrote in the new court filing.

After Kohberger was in custody, the FBI deleted the genealogy profile on the public website, per U.S. Department of Justice policy, Thompson wrote.

No investigative timeline is included in the new court filing. Investigators possessed Kohbergers name by Dec. 19, The New York Times reported. Investigators filed for their first search warrant specifically related to Kohberger  for his cellphone location data  on Dec. 23, the Statesman previously reported.

Through the discovery process, Kohbergers defense has for nearly two months sought from the prosecution all investigative records related to the genetic or DNA techniques that law enforcement used in the case against its client.

Last month, after the defense specifically requested all records related to genetic genealogy testing and search, the prosecution objected and argued the information was not relevant and not material to the preparation of the defense.

Again citing Idaho law, the prosecutors continue to resist releasing the documents, noting that IGG evidence should be restricted because for now, they do not plan to introduce it during the trial, Thompson wrote. Also, the prosecution hasnt seen some of the FBI records or doesnt posses them, he said.

Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District Court, who is overseeing the case, scheduled a hearing for June 27 in Latah County to address the defenses motion to compel discovery. Judge also will consider the defenses request for a pause in court proceedings while it continues to wait on delayed grand jury indictment records from the prosecution.
Late congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis was honored at our nations capitol on Wednesday.

State leaders joined House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a stamp unveiling ceremony for Lewis.

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Last year, the United States Postal Service revealed additional stamps for 2023 which featured the late civil rights leader.

Lewis spent more than 30 years in Congress. He died in July 2020 from pancreatic cancer.

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John Lewis fighting spirit never left him throughout his time in the House.

In 2016, following the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Lewis was one of 100 Democrats who staged a sit-in on the House floor, demanding then-Speaker Paul Ryan to keep the House in session to debate and vote on gun violence legislation that would expand background checks and preventing gun sales to suspected terrorists.

In August 2018, the city of Atlanta honored Lewis by renaming Freedom Parkway to the John Lewis Freedom Parkway. The adjoining park along the roadway was also renamed for Lewis.

Its very moving, he told Channel 2 Action News at the time. I want to thank (everyone) for believing in me and never, ever giving up on me.

One of the fiercest critics of former-President Donald Trump, Lewis decision to boycott his inauguration in 2017 led the Republican to slam his Atlanta-based district as a crime-infested area thats in horrible shape.

Dubbed by allies as the conscience of the House, Lewis was a key supporter of the impeachment of Trump, delivering a fiery speech in September 2019 arguing that delaying the proceedings would betray the foundation of our democracy.

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Summertime can be challenging for small businesses. With fewer people out and about (and more gone on vacation), foot traffic is generally slower, website visits are more infrequent, and connecting with new leads is more difficult.

Asker A Ahmed, Director of iProcess Global Research explains, Even though it seems like summer would be a busy time for small businesses, mindful marketing is more important during the warmer months than you might think. Online shopping isnt always top of mind when people are out exploring and taking advantage of the sunshine.

Thankfully, you can still grow your business and maintain it while taking some time for yourself at the same time. Take advantage of these six tips to keep your business goals on track this summer, stay on top of the market, and still be able to enjoy the sunshine.

1. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Technology is a great tool to keep your business connected anytime, especially in the summer. Get your online tools synched with your phone, tablet, and laptop. Making things portable lets you do what you want and plan accordingly.

Derek Flanzraich, Founder and CEO of Ness tells us, Technology provides affordable solutions to businesses of all sizes, enabling growth and success.

Remember to forward your business phone to your cell phone and connect your work email to your electronics for easy access. Consider organizing staff schedules and tasks in advance by scheduling emails in advance. Finally, take advantage of time-tracking apps and tools, along with productivity tools like to-do lists and calendars, that one can use to deal with this kind of situation. By organizing your business and employees, youll be able to free up some extra time for yourself.

2. Create Summer Campaigns

Its a common organizational habit to look at your business forecast for the coming seasons. Based on what youve learned from previous years, you should create summer campaigns and discounted deals to attract more foot traffic. Holiday marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your customers by running sales and promotions. There are many holidays to take advantage of during the summer, including Memorial Day, Fathers Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

Christy Pyrz, Chief Marketing Officer of Paradigm Peptides explains, Summer is known for sales, and for a good reason: Customers are looking for great deals. If it makes sense for your brand, consider creating a promotion calendar, including discounts, special offers, coupons, gifts, or bundles.

If you dont already have a loyalty program, start one and consider giving double credit on certain days of the week. The more you experiment and strategize with summer sales, the more historical data youll have to draw from in order to determine what works for your store. Be sure to work ahead of schedule as you plan your summer marketing efforts. Doing so wont delay your marketing efforts, and your offers will be promoted on time.

3. Plan and Schedule Social Media Content

You can keep your audience thinking about your business during the summer through social media, email campaigns, and advertisements.

Drew Sherman, VP of Marketing at RPM says, Social media is a powerful platform for connecting directly with an audience to build brand awareness and brand loyalty for small businesses focused on community and individual customers.

Even better, social media serves as an effective lead generation platform. Creating content and resources that add value to your prospects and customers will cultivate your brand affinity. Preparation is key, whether you are handling your social media yourself or hiring an agency to do so. Planning two to three months ahead will save a lot of time and keep things organized. Utilizing a well-planned, organized social media calendar template is essential. You can use social media calendars to plan your upcoming posts for all your social channels based on the time and date they will be published.

4. Build Your Lists

It is always important to be managing and growing your business CRM (customer relationship management) list throughout the year, but there is a ton of opportunity to do more of it in the summer months. Email marketing has proven to be an effective tool for moving prospects and loyal customers down your sales funnel in all industries.

John Berry, CEO and Managing Partner at Berry Law says, Email marketing has been around for decades and remains one of the most effective marketing methods today. It is an excellent way to stay in touch with your customers and prospects and drive sales.

Furthermore, email marketing is highly effective and cost-effective, with studies indicating that email marketing can be up to 40 times more effective than social media in terms of ROI (Return on Investment) and cost-effectiveness.

5. Host Events

Find or create events related to your business to benefit your customers, such as social media contests, live social media events, or even in-person events!

As the summer brings more downtime for customers, now is the perfect time to either host or participate in local events, says Dominique Zimmermann, CEO & Head Designer at Bombshell Sportswear. You can take advantage of this opportunity to entertain current customers and attract new ones.

If you want to connect more with your customers in the physical world, we recommend partnering with another local business for your own summer event or participating in local fairs, festivals, and sporting events.

6. Hire Interns

Internships serve the employer and the employed, and theyre also useful to build a local community. Getting smart, motivated people to work for your company over the summer can give you an advantage. Still, to manage an internship well, you must have a plan in place.

Christian Kjaer, CEO of ElleVet Sciences explains, One of the benefits of hiring a summer intern is that they bring new ideas to the table. Since they are still learning and growing, they can see things from different perspectives, which may help them solve problems innovatively.

Young workers like interns need guidance, so make sure youre ready to give it. For instance, having an intern spruce up your social media marketing means having a policy for social media, a process for reviewing their posts, and a plan for assessing their performance.

7. Collect Feedback and Suggestions From Your Customers

Photo Source: Adobe Stock

You can take advantage of the summer slowdown by talking to your customers. Call them, email them, or start a conversation on social media. The insights and ideas you gain could help you fuel growth both now and throughout the busy season.

Jack Carrere, CEO of Prokeep suggests, While your competitors are putting their feet up this summer, get busy laying the groundwork for your next successful season.

Consider asking your customers why they chose your company and whether one factor set your business apart from the competition. You can also ask whether your company or product met expectations, how you can improve, and for any notable strengths or weaknesses.

8. Make Time for Self-Care

Last, but not least, schedule a vacation for yourself. As a business owner or manager, its harder to make time to care for yourself because your to-do list never ends. There is no doubt that you feel the pressure to be everywhere, do everything, and meet every deadline, but it is also vital to prioritize looking after yourself. Without your health and wellness, there will be no business, so be sure to carve out some much-needed time for self-care.

Andrew Mavis, CEO of 98Strong elaborates, Being a hands-on business owner or manager means you sometimes forget the value of self-care. Self-care is the foundation of your business, too. If you dont care for your health, your efforts will be wasted.

While getting ready to take time off will require initial planning, it is manageable and doable. Having time away will help you re-energize and come back with a clear mindset and fresh ideas.

The Bottom Line

Slow summer sales are common for many small businesses. But even though revenue may be down, there are ways to take advantage of this time. During the summer, the best way to keep your business growing is to work.

Richard Li, Co-Founder of July, a brand leading the design for the best carry on luggage suggests, While its tempting to succumb to the long siesta during summer, this is the time you must elevate your business momentum for development.

These strategies form a way to have your business grow during the summer period as you prepare for a brilliant finish.

McClatchy newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
FILE PHOTO: WHO logo seen near its headquarters in Geneva

(Reuters) - The World Health Organization is preparing for an increased spread of viral diseases like dengue, Zika and chikungunya linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, the agency's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

El Nino, a warming of water surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, has officially returned after three years of the La Nina climate pattern. This is likely to yield extreme weather later this year, from tropical cyclones spinning toward vulnerable Pacific islands to heavy rainfall in South America to drought in Australia and in some parts of Asia.

"WHO is preparing for the very high probability that 2023 and 2024 will be marked by an El Nino event, which could increase transmission of dengue and other so called arboviruses, such as Zika and chikungunya," Ghebreyesus said.

The WHO chief also warned that climate change is fueling the breeding of mosquitoes, and incidence of dengue has already risen sharply in recent decades, particularly in the Americas.

Peru has declared a state of emergency in most regions this year and its health minister Rosa Gutierrez last week resigned amid a surge in cases of dengue. The disease is transmitted through the bites of aedes aegypti mosquitoes, with symptoms that include fever, eye, head, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

(Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru and Jennifer Rigby in London; editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Philippa Fletcher)
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "dictator" Tuesday night, drawing a sharp rebuke from China and threatening to undermine his administration's efforts to "thaw" intensifying relations.

Biden made the remark during a Democratic fundraiser in Kentfield, California as he discussed his decision in February to order the military to shoot down a Chinese balloon suspected to be conducting surveillance of U.S military sites.

Biden said Xi was embarrassed that he was not informed beforehand by his own government about the spy balloon, which was shot down above the Atlantic Ocean after it traversed over the continental U.S.

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two boxcars full of spy equipment in it, is he didn't know it was there," Biden said. "No, I'm serious. Thats whats a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened."

A U.S. warplane took down the spy balloon off the South Carolina coastline after Biden refrained, for multiple days, from having it shot down because of safety concerns about the falling debris.

"It was blown off course up through Alaska and then down through the United States. And he didn't know about it," Biden said Tuesday of Xi. "When it got shot down, he was very embarrassed. He denied it was even there."

Biden's comments came a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit with Beijing in a long-shot bid to reset the great power rivalry between the U.S. and China that has deepened as a result of the spy-balloon incident.

President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 14, 2022. Biden equated his Chinese counterpart with "dictators" on June 20, 2023, as he addressed a Democratic Party donors reception in California in the presence of journalists.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, asked about Biden's comments, said they go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on Chinas political dignity.

It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition, Mao said at a daily briefing, calling the remarks "extremely absurd and irresponsible."

Mao reiterated Chinas contention that the balloon was for meteorological purposes and was blown off course.

Blinken's trip to China, a major economic and military rival of the U.S., had been in the works since November 2022, when Biden and Xi held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

Blinken originally planned to travel to Beijing in February, but the White House canceled his visit after it discovered the spy balloon. In the months since, U.S. officials repeatedly stated that Blinken hoped to reschedule his trip to China.

Biden, speaking in Hiroshima, Japan, in May during the conclusion of the G-7 Summit, predicted a coming "thaw" in relations with China.

While the meeting renewed talks between high-level U.S. and Chinese officials, China is still refusing talks between the two militaries.

"Its a work in progress," Blinken said Sunday on CBS' Face the Nation. "This is something that we need to do in the interests of both of our countries."

Asked about military-to-military communication with China, Blinken said, "We dont have an agreement on that yet. Its something were going to keep working."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Monday, June 19, 2023. China on Wednesday, June 21, called comments by U.S. President Joe Biden referring to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator extremely absurd and irresponsible.

Contributing: Associated Press, Kim Hjelmgaard and Miles J. Hershenhorn.

More: Diplomatic tango: Blinken heads to China. But thawing relations will take more than a meeting

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden calls Xi a dictator, drawing a sharp rebuke from China
Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 - AP

The Duke of York may have been in contact with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, after he said he had cut ties with his former friend, new documents have revealed.

Prince Andrew has insisted that a Central Park walk with the late disgraced financier in December 2010 was the last time that the pair had seen or spoken to each other, shortly after Epstein had been released from an 18-month jail sentence for child prostitution offences.

Now, a JP Morgan report produced after Epsteins arrest in 2019 and seen by The Telegraph, has suggested that the two men were in touch a few months after their walk together in New York.

Sources close to Prince Andrew were last night insisting that the Duke did not see Epstein after their now infamous walk.

The 22-page report, which details Epsteins personal relationship with Jes Staley, the banks former executive, states that in February 2011, Epstein wrote to Staley that Andrew asked for your London schedule.

This exchange suggests that the Duke may have had further contact with the financier to enquire about meeting with JP Morgans former head of private banking.

In his infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, however, the Duke said that he did not see or speak to Epstein following their meeting in 2010.

Prince Andrew speaking about his links to Jeffrey Epstein in an interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis - BBC

He told her that his visit to see the disgraced financier was to inform him they they could no longer be friends, saying: By mutual agreement during that walk in the park we decided that we would part company and I left, I think it was the next day and to this day I never had any contact with him from that day forward.

The Duke has been previously criticised for staying with Epstein in his 60 million Manhattan home during the trip.

The 2019 sit-down with Ms Maitlis was Prince Andrews attempt to distance himself from his friendship with the late convicted sex offender.

However, the interview proved to be a disastrous decision, resulting in the Duke being forced to step down from royal duties and losing the use of his HRH title as well as his military affiliations.

In the exchange, he failed to express total regret for his association and friendship with Epstein, a convicted paedophile.

The interview, filmed at Buckingham Palace, was followed by events that eventually led to the Duke paying a settlement of around 12 million to his accuser Virginia Giuffre in a civil sex abuse case. He vehemently denies any wrongdoing.

Prince Andrew now faces questions about his close affiliation with Epstein again after the Daily Mail revealed the new documents, which are part of the lawsuit filed by the US Virgin Islands against JP Morgan, accusing the bank of knowingly benefitting from Epsteins sex trafficking.

Prince Andrew speaks to the media at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor after the death of his father Prince Philip - Reuters

JPMorgan said on June 12 that it had agreed to settle a separate class action lawsuit with dozens of Epsteins victims, who said he abused them when they were young women and teenage girls.

The bank will pay about $290 million (232 million) to the victims, according to lawyers involved in the case.

The Wall Street giant said it had reached an agreement in principle to settle the proposed class action launched by an unnamed Epstein victim late last year.

JP Morgan said: We all now understand that Epsteins behaviour 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.

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.

It is understood that JP Morgan has made no admission of liability in the settlement.

Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach in 2000 - Davidoff Studios Photography

However, the deal does not yet draw a line under JP Morgans legal headache over its historic ties to the late paedophile financier.

The lender is still facing the lawsuit brought by the US Virgin Islands, where the financier had a private retreat to which he brought several of his victims.

The US bank is also still litigating its own case against Mr Staley, its former private wealth boss who went on to lead Barclays.

Epstein was a JP Morgan client from 1998 until 2013. In 2008, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison on prostitution charges, including one involving a minor.

The disgraced financier later killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Representatives of the Duke of York have been contacted for comment.

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In 1959, Priscilla Beaulieu was a high school Air Force brat high whose father was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. Around that time, the 14-year-old attended a house gathering, where she would meet a charming 24-year-old soldier  and her eventual husband  named Elvis Presley.

Now, the actress and ex-wife of The King is getting a Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) biopic produced by film house A24.

Priscilla will be played by Cailee Spaeny (Pacific Rim Uprising), while Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) will take on the role of Elvis.

Priscilla Ann Presley, now 78, has an extensive history of military connections. In addition to marrying Elvis, who served in the Army from 1958 to 1960, her adoptive father and biological father both served.

[T]he man I had always called Daddy  Capt. Joseph Paul Beaulieu  had actually adopted me after his marriage to my mother, Ann [Iversen], she told People Magazine in 1985. My real father, Lt. James Wagner, a Navy pilot, had been killed in a plane crash when I was 6 months old.

The Presleys married in 1967, had a daughter, Lisa Marie, in 1968, and divorced in 1973. Elvis died in 1977 from a heart attack. The former couples daughter also passed away this past January.

Nothing in my upbringing could have prepared me for our life, Priscilla said. When we met, I was an impressionable 14 years old. He was 24. I was an insecure Air Force brat, unhappily accustomed to moving from base to base, she wrote.

The trailer for the movie paints a picture of a young girl swept up in the chaos of rock n roll fame. Coppolas signature style has also been deployed, which utilizes music in place of dialogue  with panning shots complemented by dramatic colors.

Priscilla is expected to hit theaters in October.
A series of images taken by two satellites flying past Mercury captured multiple "tectonic and volcanic curiosities" as well as an impact crater on the planet.

The satellites, jointly named the BepiColombo mission, are operated by the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The photographs were taken during the mission's third gravity-assisted flyby at the planet, the ESA said in a news release. There will be six such flybys in total. The images were taken from 236 kilometers, or about 146 miles, above the planet's surface.

The black-and-white photos released by the agencies show multiple features, including the crater. The crater, newly named for Jamaican artist Edna Manley, is about 218 kilometers (135 miles) wide. Scientists found the crater to be of special interest because there appears to be "dark 'low reflectance material'" that researchers said in a news release might be remnants of the planet's early carbon-rich crust.

An annotated image showing the features photographed by BepiColombo. / Credit: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

The basin of the crater has been flooded with smooth lava, which researchers said is "demonstrative of Mercury's prolonged history of volcanic activity."

BepiColombo will continue monitoring the crater from orbit, measuring the carbon in the area and the minerals that may be inside it.

Two images taken closer to the planet show "one of the most spectacular geological thrust systems" on Mercury. The area is a "lobate scarp," a tectonic feature that researchers believe is formed by the planet cooling and contracting. As a result, the area looks wrinkled. There are also features in the area that have been flooded with volcanic lava.

"This is an incredible region for studying Mercury's tectonic history," says Valentina Galluzzi of Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics in the news release announcing the photos. "The complex interplay between these escarpments shows us that as the planet cooled and contracted it caused the surface crust to slip and slide, creating a variety of curious features that we will follow up in more detail once in orbit."

The mission will complete another flyby of Mercury in September 2024, researchers said.

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A trio of progressive prosecutors in large Northern Virginia counties swept their Democratic primaries Tuesday night  a vote of confidence from Democrats on their performance amid a national debate over what policies strike the right balance on public safety and criminal justice reform.

Arlington County Commonwealths Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, Fairfax Countys Steve Descano and Loudoun Countys Buta Biberaj were all elected in 2019, unseating incumbents with support from voters who embraced messages about shifting the traditional focus of district attorney offices, including directing resources to keep certain defendants out of prison. Each of them also had help from a PAC funded by Democratic megadonor George Soros, who has been a big-spending force in recent district attorney races around the nation.

But the prosecutors three-plus years in office have come amid rising crime rates nationally, and each generated backlash among a segment of the population over how they handled certain cases, from local Republicans to some Democrats who lined up against them.

Dehghani-Tafti faced a former subordinate in her office, Josh Katcher, in her primary, while Descano and Biberaj faced Democratic challengers who were experienced defense lawyers in their counties.

The three wins on Tuesday represent another step forward for the progressive prosecutor movement, which has seen dozens of new district attorneys elected in Americas biggest counties over the past decade. While there have also been some high-profile losses for the movement, including the recall of Chesa Boudin as San Francisco's district attorney 2022, many of the prosecutors elected in the mid-2010s have since been re-elected.

Dehghani-Tafti took 57 percent of the Democratic primary in Arlington County, according to unofficial results, versus 43 percent for Katcher. Biberaj won 56 percent against her challenger, Elizabeth Lancaster, a former public defender. And Fairfaxs Descano  the chief prosecutor in a county of over 1 million residents  captured 55 percent of the vote against challenger Ed Nuttall.

The three counties all lean Democratic, though Biberaj only narrowly won her general election in 2019 against her Republican opponent. A former Loudoun County commonwealths attorney, Bob Anderson, will be the Republican nominee against Biberaj this fall.

The Virginia races are part of a nationwide cycle of major races for local prosecutor in the next two years  a sharp turnaround for an office that has typically seen entrenched incumbents get re-elected unopposed until now.

The second-biggest county in Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, is also in the middle of a district attorney race with big policy implications: Democrat Matt Dugan, a former chief public defender, defeated District Attorney Stephen Zappala in the Democratic primary in May.

Dugan criticized the incumbent on reform grounds, arguing that the Pittsburgh-based county was not focusing resources on the most serious crimes because it was overcharging lower-level offenses. The debate will continue through the fall: Zappala won the GOP nomination as a write-in candidate and will face off in the November general election against Dugan, who got hundreds of thousands of dollars in support from Soros Justice and Public Safety PAC in the primary.

Dozens of other large counties will have major elections next year as well. They include Arizonas Maricopa County, currently the largest county in the U.S. with a Republican chief prosecutor.

Illinois Cook County will also see a rare open-seat prosecutor race: Kim Foxx, the current states attorney there who unseated an incumbent in 2016 while running on a reform platform, announced earlier this year that she will not seek re-election in 2024.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FILE - Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti poses for a photo in Arlington, Va., May 10, 2023. Incumbent Dehghani-Tafti, a former public defender, won her Democratic primary on Tuesday, June 20, over challenger Josh Katcher, who had been one of Dehghani-Taftis deputies before leaving the office. (AP Photo/Matthew Barakat, File)

LEESBURG, Va. (AP)  Three incumbent prosecutors in northern Virginia who faced tough challenges after being elected four years ago on a progressive reform agenda won their Democratic primaries Tuesday.

In Fairfax County, the states most populous jurisdiction, incumbent Steve Descano defeated Ed Nuttall, a former prosecutor and trial attorney who is best known for representing police officers accused of misconduct.

Descano, in a phone interview, said the results in his race and in the other two counties show that voters have seen that criminal justice reform can work, and quite frankly they want more of it.

He said that while reform opponents have tried to raise fears about rising crime, Tuesdays results show that voters feel safe, they know theyre safe, and they know they can have safety, fairness, justice and equality.

Buta Biberaj, the commonwealth's attorney in Loudoun County, won over challenger Elizabeth Lancaster after raising significantly more money. Biberaj faced criticism, including some within her own party, over her day-to-day management of the office and as Loudoun found itself in the national spotlight over issues like school safety. She also faced criticism in her handling of two sex assaults at two different high schools in 2021.

In November, Biberaj will face Republican Bob Anderson, who held the commonwealth attorneys post in Loudoun more than 20 years ago.

In a phone interview, Biberaj said the general election race will be about Loudoun County going forward or going backward 20 or 30 years.

And in Arlington County, incumbent Parisa Dehghani-Tafti defeated challenger Josh Katcher, who had been one of Dehghani-Taftis deputies before leaving the office.

Dehghani-Tafti is overwhelmingly favored in heavily Democratic Arlington County in November.

Descano, Biberaj and Dehghani-Tafti were all elected four years ago in the wealthy northern Virginia suburbs outside the nations capital on progressive reform agendas, in some cases knocking off incumbents who had been in office for decades. This year, the challengers themselves largely embraced reform efforts and focused their criticism instead on issues of office management.

Political analysts often look to Virginias odd-year elections for insights on voter sentiment heading into midterm and presidential years. This year, the prosecutor races in northern Virginia might shed light on whether suburban voters are still committed to criminal justice reform after years of Republican criticism that reformers are soft on crime.

Lancaster, a former public defender, faced skepticism from some Democrats because she currently works for a law firm led by a prominent local Republican. But Lancaster said her career as a public defender highlighted her commitment to reform, particularly her longstanding efforts to revamp the countys juvenile justice system.

Biberaj said Tuesday night that she believes many of her opponent's votes came from GOP efforts to support Lancaster in the primary, which is open to all voters since Virginia voters do not register by party affiliation.

In their campaigns, the challengers have questioned the incumbents day-to-day management of their offices and to varying degrees endorsed the need for criminal justice reform.
CHICAGO  Prosecutors dropped charges on Wednesday against two defendants who were charged with murder in the 2011 shooting death of an off-duty Chicago police officer, turning the page on a years-long court battle that has been dogged in recent months with accusations of misconduct on behalf of the police and prosecutors who handled the case.

Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis was shot and killed by two masked men in December 2011 while working a second job as security at a West Side convenience store. Cook County prosecutors charged Tyrone Clay, Alexander Villa and Edgardo Colon in the case that has dragged on for more than 10 years.

In a surprise move after months of contentious hearings and a labor-intensive process by the city to try to comply with discovery obligations amid allegations that officials buried evidence, Assistant States Attorneys Craig Engebretson and Kevin DeBoni told the court during a hearing Wednesday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building that they were dropping charges against Clay and Colon.

Colon had been awaiting a new trial after his conviction was thrown out by an Illinois appellate court, which said his constitutional rights were violated when police continued questioning him after he indicated he wanted a lawyer. A Cook County judge and an appellate court agreed that the statements should be thrown out. Clay had yet to go to trial, and remained incarcerated for more than 10 years while his case was pending.

Villa was convicted in 2019 but has not been sentenced and has a pending motion for a new trial.

The case was dropped as defense attorneys sought to call assistant states attorneys Andrew Varga and Nancy Adduci to give testimony about their handling of the case. Earlier this year, the Cook County states attorneys office took Varga and Adduci off the case and assigned new prosecutors.

Defense attorneys had accused Varga and Adduci in court filings of deliberately trying to withhold evidence by using personal email addresses  not subject to disclosure under public record laws  in communications with the Chicago Police Department. They had filed a motion asking Reddick to levy sanctions against the prosecutors.

The parties have been tussling over ongoing evidence issues, with defense attorneys maintaining that police and prosecutors were not properly turning over evidence they need to defend their clients. Prosecutors and city attorneys had argued that some of the materials sought by the defense were entangled with a federal investigation and might not be disclosable under federal law.

The federal investigation in question, called Operation Snake Doctor, targeted the Spanish Cobras street gang and was done jointly with the Chicago Police Department.

____
How to protect your home from flood damage as heavy rain moves through Charlotte

About 30 people were evacuated from their homes in Kannapolis on Tuesday as heavy rain continued to pummel the Charlotte area.

Low-lying streets across Kannapolis were closed, including Louise Avenue, Marie Avenue, Waldorf Drive, Mable Avenue, 22nd Street, Pine Street, Tiffany Avenue, Cadillac Street and Pump Station Road, The Charlotte Observer reported. No one was hurt, and the American Red Cross was assisting displaced residents.

Kannapolis hasnt been the only area affected by flooding in the Charlotte area this week.

Roads were flooding in numerous areas in the Charlotte region, the National Weather Service office in Greer, South Carolina, reported on Twitter.

Charlotte could see up to two inches of rain over the next 24 hours, according to a flood watch issued by the NWS Wednesday morning.

Numerous rounds of showers will continue to move over the area today, and likely continue tonight into Thursday, with periods of heavy rainfall expected, the NWS says. This will likely cause new flash flooding to develop.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an inch of flooding can cause up to $25,000 in property damage.

Heres how to check whether your home is prone to flooding and how to protect it from water damage.

Check whether you live in a floodplain

The best way to determine whether your property is a flood risk is by checking if you live in a floodplain. Mecklenburg County residents can enter their address in the 3D Interactive Floodzone Map on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services website. You can also enter addresses in FEMAs Flood Map Service Center.

Buying flood insurance

One of the best ways homeowners can prepare for floods is by purchasing flood insurance, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services Senior Communications Specialist John Wendel told the Observer last year.

Flood insurance is not typically covered by your homeowners insurance, so you need to add that if you live in a floodplain, Wendel said. In fact, many mortgage lenders may require you to have flood insurance if you live on a floodplain.

However, flood insurance plans usually have a waiting period of around 30 days, Wendel said, meaning damage from Hurricane Ian would not be covered if they were purchased recently.

If you need help finding a provider, visit floodsmart.gov.

How to protect your Charlotte home from water damage

Here are some steps you can take to make your home more flood resistant, according to FEMA:
The publics right to know doesnt have much of a lobby. Heres how lobbying affects WA laws

If the iconic SchoolHouse Rock series is to be believed, bills can be brought forward by constituents to lawmakers who then simply introduce and negotiate that legislation before it can become a law.

The one thing that wasnt included in the popular Im Just a Bill song?

How powerful lobbying groups shape decisions on bills and can affect whether legislation is passed.

In February, McClatchy and Crosscut joined together to document the story of how the Legislature has spent more than 15 years attempting to consolidate its power and keep secrets from citizens by invoking legislative privilege. In April, McClatchy and Crosscut wrote about how access to public records could be at risk in Washington with litigation and a change of power in the 2024 elections.

Both outlets again teamed up for this report to show how certain lobbying groups, such as the Association of Washington Cities, can have an impact on legislation in the state.

Housing Bills

During the 2022 state legislative session, Rep. Jessica Bateman, D-Olympia, sponsored a housing bill that would have increased missing middle housing near transit areas and in neighborhoods traditionally zoned for single-family homes.

Although a similar bill to add density in single-family zoned areas also sponsored by Bateman was eventually passed during the legislative session this year after some modifications and some co-sponsorship with Republicans such as Rep. Andrew Barkis from Olympia, it was AWC who stopped the legislation from moving forward last year as they felt like they werent included in the bill-making process.

Coming out of last session, it was a tough discussion, and in that case, we really felt like cities writ large werent brought into the conversation in a real collaborative way, said Carl Schroeder, a registered lobbyist for AWC. It was more sort of like, can we overcome the objections or pick off a handful of cities to find support and not address the broader concerns. And so we raised a lot of concern about that, and ultimately the bill died.

Barkis was also the leading sponsor on a bipartisan bill during the 2023 session that would have increased housing supply through lot splitting, but that legislation did not pass this year.

He noted in an interview that AWC has a big influence over housing policy as bills move through the legislative process.

More so this year, what I noticed is that you have a broad representation of cities, but individual cities and jurisdictions deviated, Barkis said. You had many cities saying, We very much support this zoning type of situation.

Barkis added that if influential cities are opposed to provisions in pieces of legislation, AWC can use that to chip away, chip away, chip away at proposals to weaken them as they advance through the Legislature.

Its a tough process, Barkis said.

Oftentimes, AWCs attitude about housing is Yes, we want to do this, Barkis added. But theres always a reason they cant.

In an interview earlier this year, Washingtons current Lieutenant Gov. Denny Heck, a Democrat and former member of U.S. Congress also noted that the AWC is a very powerful force. Heck has been a proponent for housing issues for years.

First of all theyre statewide, secondly theyre community leaders, and thirdly they have pretty considerable lobbying forces, Heck said. Not only the staff capacity here [in Olympia], but then the staff capacity to mobilize your local city council members to call up and say, Dont you dare do this middle housing bill.

While AWC said they were against the middle housing bill because they werent brought into the fold of the conversations with other shareholders, the organization also brought forward a public records bill in the 2023 legislative session that had no other shareholders.

Public Records

In January, Senate and House lawmakers suddenly introduced new bipartisan legislation to limit the ability of the public to sue the Legislature and other government agencies for violations of the Public Records Act.

House Bill 1597 would have amended the states Public Records Act and would require those requesting records to go through an administrative review process for records requests that have been denied or closed. The process would be required before the requester can take the denials to court for litigation, making the process of seeking records even more burdensome.

Groups such as the Washington Coalition for Open Government (WashCOG) noted in an interview at the time that the bill would make it more difficult for the public and the press to get timely information.

A similar version was also introduced in the Senate.

Rep. Larry Springer, a Democrat and former mayor and city council member from Kirkland, told McClatchy and Crosscut in an interview that AWC drafted the bill and brought it forward to him to sponsor. Rep. Amy Walen, another Kirkland Democrat who was also a former mayor and city council member, co-sponsored the bill.

The purpose of the bill, Springer said, was to curtail frivolous lawsuits. Local municipalities spent millions fighting litigation from public records violations in previous years, he said, so he sponsored the legislation to change the process and prevent people from taking advantage of the way the system currently works.

But Toby Nixon, a Kirkland City Council Member and president emeritus of WashCOG, told McClatchy and Crosscut in an email that the legislation was a complete surprise with no advance stakeholder engagement.

Nixon said he found out about the bill the morning it was introduced from Walen. Nixon said that Walen wrote, Please take a look. This is a righteous effort and I hope you can help!

That same day, Nixon said he forwarded the bill to WashCOG.

Heres an abomination of a bill being pushed by AWC, Nixon wrote in his message to the organization. Im embarrassed that two former mayors of Kirkland, Amy Walen and Larry Springer, are sponsoring it.

The next day, he said, he composed a list of concerns for the WashCOG board regarding the bill.

Nixon added that he was disappointed because he liked to think he had good working relationships with those involved in the legislation. He said that he hoped to have a discussion about their concerns and see if we can develop solutions acceptable to everyone.

The legislation also came just months after McClatchy first reported that lawmakers were using so-called legislative privilege to withhold records.

Local governments have strong lobbies in state houses while organizations such as WashCOG have limited ability to lobby.

The publics right to know doesnt have much of a lobby, Jeffrey Roberts, executive director at Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition and board president for the National Freedom of Information Coalition, told McClatchy and Crosscut in an interview.

I think thats what we face you have a lot of people in state houses who used to be city council members, he added. And thats the perspective I think that they often come fromI dont want to come across as saying that people in government dont care about openness and transparency. But, they often think from that perspective.

Nearly one-fifth of current Washington state lawmakers are, or have been, city council members.

Candice Bock, a registered lobbyist for AWC, told McClatchy and Crosscut in an interview that overall she would characterize this years legislative session as successful and an overall good session for cities. She said that the association had five priorities this year: drug possession, police pursuits, affordable housing, infrastructure funding and behavioral health.

When asked why AWC should be a part of conversations on housing-related legislation, but not extend the same courtesy to other advocacy groups with other bills, Bock said that every group thinks they are unique. However, she said she believed that AWC is not just unique but also a government partner.

I dont want to suggest at all that we dont respect WashCOG, and doing that stakeholder process I would have fully expected that as we went through the session if the public records bills had gotten to see the light of day that we would have had stakeholder conversations, she said. Oftentimes thats the way it ends up happeninga bill gets introduced and thats the start of the conversation, and then the stakeholder process commences.

There can be good reasons for that, and there can be other reasons for that, such as timing, she said.

...Good stakeholder engagement is often the key to success in the legislative realm. Generally were believers of that and practitioners of it, Bock added.

In terms of the public records bill, Bock said she expected more stakeholder conversations once the bill was introduced.

Typically, Bock said, groups like AWC will have an idea for legislation and shop it around with different lawmakers they believe will be receptive to the idea. Once they get permission for the bill, it is then sent over to the Code Revisers Office to start the drafting process.

This year AWC brought forward less than five bills, Bock said.

Bock added that she believes the public records bills from the 2023 legislative session could potentially be brought forward again next year. Additionally, she said theres a possibility the association could potentially get to yes on the lot splitting bill next year with further sideboards around it.

...As a lobbying group on behalf of local governments we ourselves are subject to the Public Records Act, but I think were a pretty open group when it comes to what we are advocating for and why, and being fairly transparent about what were working on, Bock said. We dont have any secret priorities or secret agenda, its just kind of out there for the world to see. And I think thats an important part of our work and representing cities and trying to be a constructive part of the legislative process.

This report was produced in collaboration with Crosscut, a non-profit news outlet.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Reuters

A year and three months into the brutal war in Ukraine, one might think there was no lower for Vladimir Putin to sink. But Putins remarks a few days ago at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, in an answer to the moderators question about how the Kremlins claims about a Nazi regime in Kyiv could be reconciled with the fact that President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish, managed to reach a new level of deplorable.

Putin said: Ive had a lot of Jewish friends since childhood. They say, Zelensky is not a Jew, hes a disgrace to the Jewish people. And this isnt a joke, its not irony, you understand?...

Today, Ukraine elevates neo-Nazis, Hitlers leavings, to the pedestal of honored heroes. Six million Jews were destroyed in the Holocaust, a million and a half died in Ukraine, first and foremost at the hands of the Banderovites [Ukrainian nationalists].

The Alternate Reality of Filthy Rich Russians in Putins War

Putin added that he expected such a question and had asked his assistant to prepare some materials. After reading exterminationist antisemitic comments from two World War II-era Ukrainian nationalist figures and telling an emotional story about the murder of a Jewish family, Putin suggested that the current government in Kyiv endorsed Holocaust denial (Were talking about the Holocaust. How is it possible to deny that?) and reiterated that Zelensky was using his Jewish background to give cover to these neo-Nazi freaks.

Putins vile slander relies on a grain of truth: modern Ukraine has a complicated relationship with the messy history of Ukrainian nationalism during World War II, when militant Ukrainian groups seeking liberation from the Soviet regime sometimes collaborated with the Wehrmacht.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his speech at the SPIEF 2023 St.Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 16, 2023 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Contributor/Getty Images

This alliance was by no means straightforward. Stepan Bandera, the head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), worked with German military intelligence before the German invasion of the USSR in July 1941, but was later arrested and held in a concentration camp until September 1944, when the Germans tried to recruit his help while facing imminent defeat on the Eastern front. The OUNs military arm, the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army), formally opposed both Soviet and German rule and was outlawed by German occupation authorities, but regarded the Soviets as its main enemy and mostly coexisted with the Germans in an informal truce.

The extent to which these nationalist forces were complicit in the Holocaust is hotly disputed. Putins claim that massacres of Jews in Ukraine were carried out primarily by Banderovites is false; but most historians agree, according to Israeli journalist Sam Sokol, that the OUN/UPA were responsible for the deaths of thousands of Jews during the war. (They also carried out the brutal ethnic cleansing of Poles in Western Ukraine on a much larger scale.)

Roger Waters Is Not Helping to Bring Peace to Ukraine

It is also true that in post-Soviet Ukraine, the political forces seeking independence from Russia have tended to embrace Banderawho lived in West Germany after World War II and was assassinated by the KGB in 1959as a heroic martyr to the Ukrainian national cause. Historian Timothy Snyder wrote about this paradox more than a decade ago; while he was appalled by the pro-democracy Ukrainians romance with Bandera, he also noted that it was fundamentally about reject[ing] any pretension from Moscow to power over Ukraine.

Given that actual far-right forces in modern Ukraine are marginal, and its dominant political aspirations are pro-Western and liberal, this strange romance also involves a mythology that scrubs away the more repellent aspects of Bandera and the Banderovites.

Ukrainian authors writing in this vein have sometimes cherry-picked the record to point that the OUN/UPA had Jewish members and sometimes rescued Jews. (More often than not, these cases involved physicians or other valuable specialists given a chance at survival in exchange for their services.)

Such historical whitewashing is certainly not harmless, and its an issue with which a free and democratic Ukraine will have to reckon. It does not, however, include Holocaust denial. One need not look further than last January, when Zelensky attended a service at Babyn Yarthe location where nearly 34,000 Jews were shot by the Nazis in September 1941to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Putins lie also papers over the fact that a pernicious form of Holocaust denialde facto erasure of the Nazis targeted extermination of Jewswas state policy under the Soviet regime, whose legacy is consistently whitewashed in Putins authoritarian Russia. The Soviet report on Nazi crimes in Auschwitz issued after the liberation of the concentration camp did not mention Jews and the described victims as citizens of the Soviet Union, Poland, France, Belgium, Holland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Rumania and other countries.

Holocaust Memorial and TV Tower Attacked in Putins Sham Anti-Nazi War

The Black Book documenting German atrocities against Jews on Soviet territory, compiled by the Soviet Jewish Antifascist Committee in 1946, was axed by Joseph Stalins censors for grave political errors; two years later, the Committee was disbanded, and most of its leaders were either killed or sent to the gulag.

Even during the liberalization following Stalins death, the silence around the Jewish Holocaust continued. Yevgeny Yevtushenkos 1961 poem Babi Yar (the Russian name for Babyn Yar), which explicitly identified the victims of the massacre as Jews and invoked the larger context of antisemitic violence, was denounced as divisive; the editor who greenlit its publication in a literary weekly was fired, and Yevtushenko himself was canceled for several years.

Incidentally, the poems opening lineNo monument stands over Babi Yarremained true until the fall of the Soviet Union and Ukrainian independence.

The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center was created in September 2016 under Zelenskys predecessor President Petro Poroshenko, more than two years after the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, which forced from power an anti-democratic pro-Putin Ukrainian president and which Kremlin propaganda treats as a neo-Nazi coup. The latest memorial installation on the site, the Crystal Wall of Crying by the performance artist Marina Abramovic, was unveiled by Zelensky in October 2021less than five months before the Russian invasion.

In March 2022, a Russian projectile struck the Babyn Yar site, killing five people. Zelenskys tweet at the time poignantly invoked the history of the Holocaust:

To the world: what is the point of saying never again for 80 years, if the world stays silent when a bomb drops on the same site of Babyn Yar? At least 5 killed. History repeating    (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2022

Its blindingly obvious that Putins diatribe was scripted in advance with moderator Dmitry Simes, a Russian-American political scientist known for pro-Russian sympathies. But like much of what Putin does these days, this attempt to validate the Kremlin narrative of Zelensky as a figurehead for a Nazi regime backfired.

Instead, its Putin who looks like a man launching a bigoted attack on a Jewish leaderand, in classic antisemite fashion, using his Jewish friends as cover for this smear.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Putin intimidates Ukraine and world with super-heavy ICBMs again, promising to deploy them on combat duty

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, boasting of the latest weapons in the Russian Armed Forces during a meeting with military graduates, has once again resorted to threats of putting new Sarmat launchers with a new super-heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on combat duty.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency TASS

Quote from Putin: "The first launchers for the Sarmat system with a new heavy missile will be on combat duty shortly."

Details: During a similar meeting last June, Putin also promised to put the Sarmat missiles on combat duty by the end of 2022. However, no such thing happened.

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: /Ruptly pic.twitter.com/sU79GTbflY   (@tass_agency) June 21, 2023

The head of the aggressor country bragged that the Russian Navy had commissioned the Borei-A project lead submarine, and the frigate Admiral of the Soviet Union's fleet Gorshkov went on combat duty in January 2023.

He also said that "the weapons of the Russian nuclear triad make it possible to effectively and reliably ensure strategic deterrence and maintain the global balance of power".

Putin has claimed that about half of Russias Strategic Missile Forces units (SMFR) are equipped with the latest Yars thermonuclear ICBMs and that SMFR is allegedly being rearmed with modern missile systems with a hypersonic warhead called Avangard.

The Russian dictator also claimed that the Russian forces have been using advanced armoured vehicles, air defence and electronic warfare systems, and missile and rocket systems in the war against Ukraine to accomplish the combat tasks of the war, or, as Russian propaganda calls it, "the special military operation (SVO)".

He also assured the graduates that the plans to improve the potential of all components of the Russian Armed Forces would be fully implemented.

For reference: Sarmat is a Russian strategic missile system equipped with an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Russians claim that due to its features, it is capable of overcoming all existing missile defence systems and is considered to be the weapon with the world's longest range.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Putin is not ready for peace: actions speak louder than words  US State Department

The United States does not believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin, whatever he says, is really disposed towards peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, since he continues to bombard cities and civilians.

Source: This was announced at a briefing on Wednesday 21 June by Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesman for the US State Department, reports European Pravda

Details: During the briefing, the State Department spokesman was asked about the visit by African leaders to Ukraine and Russia, as well as a statement Putin made during a meeting with them in which he said Moscow had not refused to engage in peace talks.

Quote: "Russia continues to show no meaningful interest in ending this war, which is clear from the fact that the African leaders spent hours in bomb shelters while Russia continued to bombard Ukraine during their visit," Patel said.

Patel stressed that in this case "actions speak louder than words".

"President Putin says a lot of things, I will leave it up to you all to interpret how many of them are true or not. Again, it is quite clear in Russias actions  bombarding Kyiv, targeting civilian infrastructure, targeting energy infrastructure, targeting apartment buildings, targeting hospitals  that they show no meaningful interest in determining peace and ending this war," the State Department representative added.

During a meeting with the delegation of African leaders on Saturday 17 June, the Russian President said that Ukraine, not Russia, was abandoning "peace negotiations".

Putin even showed the African leaders an initialled draft agreement with Ukraine that was prepared in Istanbul in March 2022, ignoring the fact that the delegations from both sides were not authorised to conclude any such agreement.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia's new generation of Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are capable of carrying 10 or more nuclear warheads, would soon be deployed for combat duty.

In a speech to new graduates of military academies, Putin stressed the importance of Russia's "triad" of nuclear forces that can be launched from land, sea or air.

"The most important task here is the development of the nuclear triad, which is a key guarantee of Russia's military security and global stability," he said.

"Already about half of the units and formations of the Strategic Missile Forces are equipped with the latest Yars systems, and the troops are being re-equipped with modern missile systems with the Avangard hypersonic warhead."

The first Sarmat launchers will be put on combat duty "in the near future", Putin said.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told the assembled graduates in the Kremlin's St George's Hall, which commemorates the greatest feats in Russian military history, that the "collective West" was waging a "real war" against Russia.

Putin has repeatedly said since the start of the Ukraine conflict that Russia is ready to use all means, including nuclear weapons, to defend its "territorial integrity". Last year he said he was placing territories seized in Ukraine that Russia now claims as its own under Moscow's nuclear umbrella.

As recently as last week, however, Putin said Ukrainian forces had "no chance" in their current counteroffensive, and Russia had no need to resort to nuclear weapons.

The new Sarmat missile is designed to carry out nuclear strikes on targets thousands of missiles away in the United States or Europe. But its deployment has proceeded slower than planned, as Russia had said in April 2022 that it would be in place by autumn of that year.

Dmitry Rogozin, then head of Russia's space agency, said at that time that the missiles would be deployed with a unit in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, about 3,000 km (1,860 miles) east of Moscow.

Rogozin said they would be placed at the same sites and in the same silos as the Soviet-era Voyevoda missiles they are replacing, hailing the new "super-weapon" as an historic event that would guarantee the security of Russia's children and grandchildren for the next 30-40 years.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Gareth Jones)
A pair of tiny monkey twins have made their debut at Florida's Walt Disney World, marking the first time in more than 20 years that critically endangered cotton-top tamarin monkeys have been born at the Orlando theme park. The baby animals, born at Animal Kingdom, are now two of just a few thousand members of their species left in the world.

Park officials said in a Tuesday announcement the monkeys were born at just about 4 inches long and weigh "about as much as a common chicken egg." And they won't grow to be much bigger  adults are generally about the size of a squirrel and weigh less than a pound.

"These pint-sized newborns cling tightly to their parents as both mom and dad acrobatically leap from branch to brain in their habitat on Discovery Island," said Mark Penning, the vice president of Disney Parks' Animals, Science and Environment division. They are the first cotton-top tamarins to be born at the park since 2001.

The monkeys have yet to be named, as Penning said their respective sexes are still unclear.

Twin cotton-top tamarin monkeys were recently born at Florida's Walt Disney World, marking the first time in more than two decades the critically endangered species has been born at the park. / Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Cotton-top tamarins are considered "critically endangered," according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, with at least 80% of the species' population declining over an 18-year period. Deforestation and unregulated pet trade in the species' native Colombia are the most significant factors, the organization said.

Disney said in its news release that are fewer than 7,500 members of the species remaining in the wild, and of those, the IUCN says there are an estimated 2,000 that have reached a mature age.

But even though the animals themselves are rare, their ability to have twins is not, Penning said. In fact, it's "quite typical."

The creatures are known for being "tiny-but-mighty," according to a description on Disney's website, and they can jump 15 feet from a branch and use at least 38 "distinct calls" to communicate with each other.

Now with a total of four cotton-top tamarins at the park, Disney officials say they have a major part in conserving their species.

Twin cotton-top tamarin monkeys were recently born at Florida's Walt Disney World, marking the first time in more than two decades the critically endangered species has been born at the park. / Credit: Disney Parks Blog

"Though small in stature, these twins will play a big role in the continuation of one of the most endangered primate species," Penning said, adding that they are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which works to help responsibly breed threatened species.

For now, however, the babies are "completely dependent" on their parents to survive and must be carried for up to 14 weeks.

"As first-time parents, both mom and dad are doing great, sharing the parenting duties," Penning said. "You can expect to see the twins cozied up to both mom and dad over the next several months."

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A Facebook post with a link to a video claims that the footage shows an Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) commander boasting about how the Ethiopian government is arming the rebel force. However, this is misleading: the post shared a tiny excerpt from a 50-minute speech by OLA leader Jaal Marroo Dirribaa and left out important context. In the original video, Marroo mocks the Ethiopian government for providing them with arms and ammunition that he says his rebels took from federal soldiers by force.

The post was published on Facebook on June 1, 2023 and has been shared more than a thousand times.

Text accompanying the video quotes Marroo purportedly saying: Abiy Ahmed is arming us with heavy weapons. Long life to him.

Abiy, Ethiopias prime minister, comes from Oromia where the regional OLA forces are based. Marroos comments in the footage were made as the federal government tries to disband the countrys various regional armies.

Screenshot of the misleading post, taken on June 16, 2023

In the video, which runs for just over a minute, Marroo is seen motivating his fighters in a wooded setting with the OLA flag behind him.

The post also includes a link to a Telegram channel that shares stories on Ethiopian current affairs.

Armed conflict

Attempts to strike a peace deal to end conflict between Ethiopian troops and the OLA failed following talks in Zanzibar, Tanzania in May 2023 (archived here).

The rebel force accused the Ethiopian government of continued attacks a few weeks later (archived here). OLA spokesman Odaa Tarbii told AFP that the military action was contrary to the spirit of de-escalation we had hoped for, although a formal ceasefire has not been reached so far.

Marroo, however, did not infer that Abiys government was funnelling weapons to the OLA.

What Marroo said

AFP Fact Check used the video verification tool InVID-WeVerify to conduct reverse image searches on keyframes from the footage. We found the original speech by Marroo on YouTube where it was uploaded on May 31, 2023 (archived here).

In the first five minutes of the footage, Marroo mocks Abiys government for giving them weapons and then qualifies what he means by saying his fighters took arms and ammunition from Ethiopian soldiers by defeating them in battle.

These fighters are armed; those armed shall assist others to get armed. Together we will go to Abiy et al who give us support. They are sons of Gada, they are in the government palace, they are arming us, and may they live long. Is it not so? asks Marroo, speaking in Afaan Oromoo.

The men respond: Yes!

Gada is a UNESCO-registered indigenous democratic system practised among the Oromo in Ethiopia (archived here).

Marroo continues, saying that previously they were slamming us for having traditional weapons. Today we have all the weapons. We have mortars, DShK [machine guns] and others. Do we have these weapons or not?

Yes we have, his fighters responded.

Where did we get this? Did they give us? Marroo asks. The fighters shout yes, we got it.

How did we get it? asks Marroo. We got it by crushing them. We got it by force.

Ethiopia experienced promising political reform and stability after Abiy took office in 2018 (archived here). Hopes for extended peace were dashed with the 2020 civil wars in the Tigray and Oromia regions, and the subsequent conflict in Amhara region.
Ancient city explores innovative transformation to gain new vitality

Xinhua) 09:04, June 21, 2023

This aerial photo taken on June 6, 2023 shows an exterior view of Erlitou Relic Museum in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

ZHENGZHOU, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties.

Present-day Luoyang is home to five capital city ruins, six UNESCO World Heritage sites, 197 cultural relic units under national and provincial protection, 9,000 pieces of immovable cultural relics, and 102 museums.

While strengthening the preservation of cultural relics with tailored measures, Luoyang has, in recent years, explored innovative transformation and injected new vitality into its historical and cultural treasures.

Since 2020, Luoyang has been accelerating the digital transformation of its historical and cultural heritages. Many museums have added digital equipment and applied digital technologies such as 3D and virtual reality to increase interactive and immersive activities and capture the attention of visitors, especially young people.

In the 760-square-meter digital interactive hall of the Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital, an immersive 3D space created by nearly 40 projectors reproduces the grandeur of the Erlitou ruins.

The Erlitou ruins were discovered in 1959 and have been identified by archaeologists as one of the capital cities during the Xia Dynasty (2070 B.C.-1600 B.C.).

The digital exhibit showcases the dynasty's capital city, handicraft workshops, and sacrificial ceremony, providing visitors with impressive visual effects, said Gong Wanyu, director of the museum's digital information department.

The peony museum in Luoyang, the country's only peony-themed museum, has also opened an interactive area at the museum's exhibition hall, displaying a variety of cultural relics and other items related to peony culture through digital technology.

After visitors step on a Chinese character on the ground, a poem related to that character will appear immediately. After visitors walk through the gallery, peonies bloom with their footsteps and change into different shapes and colors.

Currently, the museum's digital exhibits account for about 70 percent of the total. Li Danyao, a docent of the museum, said the digital technology application has broken the traditional static exhibition mode and improved the audience's immersive experience.

Luoyang is also providing tourists with an immersive cultural experience through a mix of shopping, dining, and other recreational activities.

In a live-action role play (LARP) shop in the old town of Luoyang, players can don traditional apparel and experience various roles from more than 1,000 plays. These plays have turned historical ruins, museums, and historical scenic spots into the stage of LARP, allowing players to have an immersive experience of ancient times.

Luoyang strives to become a national immersive cultural tourism destination in 2025 and China's "capital of LARP." The city has completed the building of an LARP industrial park with an area of 20,000 square meters.

During this year's peony cultural festival in Luoyang in April, the city received 12.32 million visitors in 20 days, becoming one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The topic related to LARP was read 120 million times on Weibo, one Chinese social media platform.

From January to May this year, Luoyang received a total of 61.68 million tourists, with a total revenue of 45.2 billion yuan (about 6.3 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 116.96 percent and 154.63 percent year on year, respectively.

"The digital transformation and immersive recreational activities allow visitors to interact with cultural relics in a new way, injecting new vitality into the historical and cultural treasures and helping visitors fully experience the profound history and culture of the ancient capital," said Wang Li, deputy director of the Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital.

People take selfies at the Luoyi ancient city in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 13, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

Tourists visit the Baima Temple, or White Horse Temple, in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, March 1, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

A tourist poses for photos at the Luoyi ancient city in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 28, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

This aerial photo taken on June 6, 2023 shows a view of Dingdingmen Site Museum in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

A tourist looks at tri-colored glazed pottery in Shishan Village of Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province, June 6, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

Tourists visit the Luoyi ancient city in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 28, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

Tourists visit Erlitou Relic Museum in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, June 6, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

This aerial photo taken on April 16, 2023 shows a giant peony installation in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

People view a fireworks show at Dingdingmen square in Luolong District of Luoyang City, Jan. 22, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

Tourists visit the Laojun Mountain scenic spot in Luanchuan County of Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 23, 2023. Luoyang, an ancient capital city in central China's Henan Province, has been a dazzling name amid the splendid Chinese civilization -- with over 4,000 years of history, the city served as the capital for 13 Chinese dynasties. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Childrens Harbor, a child care center with five locations across Hampton Roads, provides services to around 375 children year-round. But when the coronavirus pandemic struck, the center closed classrooms and shortened operating hours as employees and children stayed home.

As the pandemic faded, Childrens Harbor  which dipped to around 45 teachers at the height of the pandemic  still struggled to fill teacher positions, said Curriculum and Program Director Regina Crawley.

Finding teachers in the (early childhood education) field can be challenging when youre looking for quality. And then after COVID hit, we struggled just like everybody else but we, the child care industry, the (early childhood education) field, didnt bounce back like everybody else, Crawley said. And so we had families needing care, but we were not finding teachers.

Then Crawley heard about Fast Track, a four-week early education recruitment program offered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. The program offered to find and train new employees at no cost as long as Childrens Harbor agreed to pay and sustain a wage of $17 per hour.

Crawley signed up, and by early March she hired seven full-time staff members across three Childrens Harbor centers.

We didnt have the teachers, we couldnt enroll children. Our normal current teachers were stressed out, they were working overtime, they were working harder than they should have been working because of the needs that werent met, Crawley said. So when those teachers came in, it allowed us to relieve our current teachers, make their jobs easier. We were able to enroll more children. Families got what they needed.

Today, the center is back up to employing 70 teachers.

A recent study conducted by the University of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Education underscores some of the recruiting difficulties in the early childhood education field.

The study, which surveyed child care centers in late 2022, found centers in the Virginia Department of Educations Child Care Subsidy Program, which assists eligible families with affordable child care, reported an average of three teacher vacancies. To make matters worse, 84% of the child care centers in the subsidy program reported having few or no applicants, and 71% reported applicants turning down a position due to insufficient pay or benefits.

The study also showed the labor shortage impacted a majority of the child care centers in the subsidy program, with 80% reporting that current staff took on additional responsibilities and 63% saying they served fewer children or turned families away.

The problem was really staring us in the face, said Karin Bowles, the vice president of strategy at Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

The foundation started working on the Fast Track program in summer 2022 as a way to address these problems, Bowles said. The program is funded through a combination of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, federal Preschool Development Grant funds and private funding.

Twenty-two people participated in the pilot program and were placed in full-time positions.

Alexis Oakley went through the Fast Track program and now works as an assistant teacher for Childrens Harbor in Norfolk. The center provides care for children as young as six weeks up until they are 10 years old at locations in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and the Eastern Shore. Although Oakley worked in child care before, the center she worked at shut down her classroom during the pandemic.

Even as she tried to return, Oakley found the pay wasnt enough compared to what she made elsewhere. With the Fast Track program, she said she had the opportunity to earn certifications and guaranteed competitive pay.

(Fast Track) kind of gave me more of a professional look because I dont have any certifications, Oakley said.

Going forward, Bowles said the foundation is looking for more ways to support child care recruitment.

Weve just got to keep trying to figure out how, you know, we can strengthen the business model, ensure that our early educator workforce is fairly compensated, and that our programs are high quality and stabilized so parents have affordable choices that theyre happy with, Bowles said. So its a piece of the puzzle.

Gabby Jimenez, gabrielle.jimenez@virginiamedia.com
A Reddit forum for Titanic enthusiasts has been overrun with people talking about the missing Titan submersible  and some regulars aren't happy

A Reddit forum for "all things Titanic" is being dominated by discussion about the missing submersible. Mmdi/Getty Images.

A Reddit forum for Titanic enthusiasts has seen a dramatic uptick in contributions in recent days.

Many people are using the forum to discuss the latest developments in the missing Titan submersible.

Some members of the forum have complained that the group has been overrun by new posters.

A Reddit forum dedicated to discussion about the RMS Titanic is being overrun by users discussing the missing submersible carrying five passengers who went to see the ship's wreckage.

The submersible, which is called the Titan, lost contact with its mother ship less than two hours after its descent off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Sunday morning. The US Coast Guard is currently involved in a search for the missing vessel, which contains a supply of emergency oxygen that will likely last the passengers onboard until Thursday afternoon E.T., per officials.

On Reddit, users have been turning the r/Titanic forum, which was previously dominated by posts about the state of the ship's wreckage and historical facts about the passengers onboard, into a forum for sharing updates and thoughts about the current submersible rescue mission.

The Titan submersible in water. OceanGate

According to the description on the forum, which has 47,200 members, the group exists for discussion on "all things Titanic - the ship, the history, and of course, the numerous films," but there has now been a dramatic rise in contributions to the forum as a result of the news of the missing submersible.

Some forum regulars are not happy with the surge in interest

While the forum received 439 new comments and 36 new posts on June 17, there have been 4,181 comments and 194 posts on the forum over the past 24 hours, according to the analytics tracker Subreddit Stats.

Users have been sharing and discussing the latest reports on the rescue mission and information about the passengers onboard the vessel. A number of users have been teaming up to speculate on how the rescue could be carried out if the submersible is found, and what supplies the passengers might have onboard to aid their survival  although it's unclear whether these users have any expertise informing their thoughts.

One user complained about the new posts on the forum. r/Titanic via Reddit

One relatively popular post on the forum from June 20 was from a user called "daltonmojica" who complained about the quality of the new activity and discussions.

"48 hours ago, this subreddit was full of good-quality discussion from Titanic enthusiasts who at least attempted to know the basics, and more importantly, knew the importance of facts, and had respect for both victims of maritime disasters, and the Titanic community," he wrote, adding, "Now it's full of misinformed/uneducated takes from ignorant brigaders thinking they're all suddenly ship experts." It's not clear which particular posts he was referring to.

The post received 128 comments, and many users agreed with his observations, saying the posts on the subreddit have been diverted from the intended subject matter of the forum. Some users suggested that those who wanted to talk about the submersible join r/OceanGateTitan, a group with 3,500 members specifically dedicated to the missing vessel, instead.

Some users have been discussing their thoughts on tours of the Titanic wreckage. r/Titanic via Reddit

Meanwhile, a number of other users who say they are deeply committed to discussions about the RMS Titanic have linked the story of the missing submersible to their interests in the sunken ship.

One user said reading the latest developments about the submersible intensified their fear of the ocean, which is also triggered by their awareness of the Titanic shipwreck. Others have been using the forum to discuss whether they think the Titanic's wreckage should be accessible to tourism, given the news of the Titan's disappearance.

The missing submersible has been a hugely popular topic of discussion on social media over the past couple of days. On TikTok, millions of users are turning to TikTok creators for condensed summaries of the latest developments, which echoes a broader trend of people using social media as a source of information about major news events.

The moderators or r/Titanic did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
Its been ten years since 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle was abducted from a Jacksonville Walmart by a convicted sex offender.

Donald Smith met Cherishs mother Rayne at a Northside store where she was shopping with Cherish and her two sisters.

On June 21, 2013, Rayne followed Smith, who had befriended her and her children, to the Walmart on Lem Turner Road, where he promised to get them food.

Officers with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said a surveillance image showed Smith leaving the store with Cherish. The next day, the girl was found dead. Police said Smith raped Cherish and dumped her body behind a church off Broward Road.

Smith had convictions for crimes done in 1977, 1992, and 2009. They include allegations of exposing himself to kids, trying to lure kids into his van, and even posing as a Florida Department of Children and Families worker to perform a rape kit on a child. But even after arrests spanning 40 years, the registered sex offender was allowed to go free.

2016 STORY: Jail house conversations take center stage in case against Cherish Perrywinkles accused killer

I dont know why he fell through the cracks, Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said in 2014.

Smiths trial didnt take place until February 2018. It took the jury 14 minutes to find Smith guilty in the murder, kidnapping and sexual battery of Cherish.

The jury unanimously recommended a death sentence for Smith.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

In May 2018, Smith was sentenced to death by Judge Mallory Cooper.

As she sentenced him to death in Cherishs murder, Cooper said, Donald James Smith, may God have mercy on your soul.

After the sentence, Rayne Perrywinkle had this message for Smith: I could say burn in hell. Thats what I want to say. I want him to burn in hell. I hope hes watching this right now actually.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

In 2020, the Florida Supreme Court took up an appeal from Smith, who asked for a new trial.

In April 2021, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously upheld Smiths conviction and death sentence. Smith is again appealing his case and a case management conference is set for July 24.

Smith is on death row, currently being held in maximum security at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford.

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.
Rep. Lauren Boebert introduced articles of impeachment Tuesday against President Joe Biden that will force a House floor vote in the coming days.

The articles offered by Boebert, R-Colo., which focus on Biden's handling of immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border, come on the day court filings revealed a plea agreement for Hunter Biden over misdemeanor tax offenses and a felony firearm crime.

"President Biden's negligence of duty has resulted in the surrender of operational control of the border to the complete and total control of foreign criminal cartels putting the lives of American citizens in jeopardy," Boebert said on the House floor Tuesday.

Unlike other impeachment efforts, Boebert said, hers uses a procedural tactic that requires the House to hold a floor vote.

"I am bringing my articles of impeachment against Joe Biden to the House Floor in a privileged motion, meaning that every Member of Congress must vote on holding Joe Biden accountable," Boebert tweeted.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., did not immediately respond to a request for comment about when the resolution would come to the floor.

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts said in an email to colleagues Tuesday night that the House "is expected to take a procedure vote on the motion to table the resolution when it is offered this week."

Passing a motion to table the resolution would essentially block Boebert's effort.

The six-page impeachment resolution argues that Biden has abused his power and is derelict in his duty as president, leading an administration "that has continuously, overtly, and consistently violated Federal immigration law by pursuing an aggressive, open-borders agenda."

Boebert, who tried to impeach Biden in 2021, accuses him of "purposefully and knowingly" releasing millions of migrants into the U.S. "without the intention or ability to ensure that they appear in immigration court to face asylum or deportation proceedings."

Asked for comment, White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement that "extreme House Republicans are staging baseless political stunts that do nothing to help real people and only serve to get themselves attention.

Congressional Republicans and some Democrats have criticized Biden over his handling of southern border crossings and have frequently opposed efforts to wind down a Trump-era policy known as Title 42, which was lifted last month.

The Biden administration has defended its border policies, arguing in a recent court filing that its actions have reduced the number of migrants permitted to apply for asylum at the southern border by allowing them to be screened for asylum only if they can prove that they previously tried to apply in countries they passed through or that their cases are exceptions to the rule.

According to Customs and Border Protection, border crossings have fallen from over 10,000 a day to roughly 3,500 a day since Title 42 was ended.

Republicans have previously introduced impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which have not gone to the floor for a vote.

In May, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., introduced impeachment articles against Biden over the administrations handling of migrant crossings, but the resolution did not require a floor vote, as Boebert's will.

The procedural tactic Boebert employed was used last week by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., in an effort to censure and fine Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. Democrats, along with almost two dozen Republicans, blocked the measure in a floor vote.

Luna told NBC News on Tuesday that a separate measure to censure Schiff without fining him will get a vote Wednesday night, adding that she has secured the necessary number of GOP votes for it to pass.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) announced Wednesday that she is running for Delawares vacant Senate seat.

Im running to represent Delaware in the United States Senate. Im filled with Bright Hope for our future. But a more perfect union isnt a destination. Its a journey. Lets go on it together, the Delaware Democrat tweeted, along with her first ad kicking off the campaign.

The ad touched on several of the same themes that Democrats ran on in last Novembers midterms, including abortion and threats to democracy during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The ad offers a preview of how Democrats will look to define themselves heading into the 2024 election.

People asked me if Jan. 6 was my worst day. It was, but it was also one of my proudest moments, because we walked back in that House chamber, and we completed our work. The forces of fear did not win and democracy prevailed, Blunt Rochester said in the ad.

She officially filed paperwork Tuesday to run for the seat, which is being vacated by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who announced last month he wouldnt be seeking another term.

Carper, who signaled during his announcement last month that he wanted Blunt Rochester to run, endorsed her Wednesday shortly after her campaign announcement.

Serving the people of Delaware alongside Lisa has been one of the great joys of my life. She is just the kind of leader that well need in the U.S. Senate in the days ahead, and she will make us proud. Indeed, she already has! Carper said in a statement of his former aide.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the Senate race as solid Democrat.

Should Blunt Rochester be elected next year, she would be first Black woman to serve in the Senate since Vice President Harris stepped down from her role as a California senator to serve in the Biden administration.

Updated at 9:22 a.m. EDT.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a fourth-term congresswoman representing Delaware, announced Wednesday morning that she is running for the U.S. Senate. Blunt Rochester is viewed as the frontrunner to win the open Senate seat, and her election would make her only the third Black woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate.

Blunt Rochester officially launched her campaign with a new video posted on YouTube and social media. The video is titled Bright Hope, the name of the Baptist church where Blunt Rochester worshipped as a child, and the title also represents the theme of her new campaign. In the video, the congresswoman recounts the highs and lows of her life, including the loss of her husband Charles Rochester to medical complications from an injury as well as her decision to run for Congress. The video also highlights the turmoil of the Jan. 6 insurrection, during which Blunt Rochester famously led other members of Congress in prayer while sheltering in the House chamber and also handed out masks to colleagues.

She has represented Delaware since 2017. The announcement that she is running for the Senate has been expected for some time, and she is already the heavy favorite to win the election in 2024. Delaware only has one representative in the U.S. House, and Blunt Rochester has already won statewide election in Delaware four times. Now, Blunt Rochester is running for an open seat to replace sitting Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection. Carper endorsed Blunt Rochester to replace him when he announced his retirement, and other leading Democrats in the state have already expressed their support for her as well. Delaware is a reliably Democratic state; President Joe Biden, who held the states other Senate seat for 36 years prior to becoming vice president under President Barack Obama, won his home state by nearly 20 points in 2020. Blunt Rochester is a national co-chair of Bidens 2024 campaign, virtually guaranteeing that she will in turn receive his support in her Senate run.

Blunt Rochester is the first Black person and first woman to represent Delaware in Congress, and if elected in 2024, she would be only the third Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, after Carol Moseley Braun and Kamala Harris. Her campaign comes during an era in which Black woman, such as Harris, have gained prominence in American politics and particularly within the Democratic Party. Earlier this year, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., announced her campaign for U.S. Senate, seeking the seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Pamela Pugh of Michigan are also running for Senate seats in their respective states.

We will see how Blunt Rochester and the other Black women running for U.S. Senate progress as the campaign season heats up. With her strong and historic Senate campaign and her role in Bidens reelection bid, Blunt Rochester is a rising figure within the Democratic Party and will likely be a major political force for years to come.
Several state and local governments have attempted to explore ways to financially compensate Black Americans for the injustice of slavery.

Multiracial support for reparations for Black Americans is growing, with many Jewish and Japanese organizations joining in, according to CNN.

As theGrio reported previously, reparations proposals for African Americans date back to 1865, when Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman sought to help thousands of newly freed slaves with an order that they be given up to 40 acres of land. That didnt happen. In the 158 years since Shermans proposal, several state and local governments have attempted to explore ways to compensate Black Americans for the injustice of slavery.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is shown in 2020 signing into law a bill to establish a task force that will make recommendations on how to give reparations to Black Americans. The reparations goal is gaining support among other demographics. (Photo: Office of the Governor via AP, File)

Missouri Rep. Cori Bush wants $14 trillion in reparations for Black people impacted by systemic racism as a result of chattel slavery, theGrio reported. New York could create a commission to consider reparations under a recently passed bill.

Officials are following the lead of California, which in 2020 became the first state to form a reparations task force.

Californias reparations task force estimated that eligible individuals could be owed $1.2 million in payouts, theGrio reported.

According to CNN, more than 200 multiracial organizations support Californias reparation plans. Don Tamaki, a member of the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, told the outlet that this includes bar associations, academic organizations and civil rights groups.

In New York, state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said, We want to make sure we are looking at slavery and its legacies. Speaking before the floor debate this month, she added: This is about beginning the process of healing our communities. There still is generational trauma that people are experiencing. This is just one step forward.

After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, Tamakis parents were sent to internment camps by the federal government. Decades later, his mother received a $20,000 redress check as part of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The law granted reparations to Japanese Americans who had been wrongly interned during World War II. They also received a formal letter of apology from President Ronald Reagan, CNN reports.

There is no equivalence really between four years in a concentration camp and 400 years of systemic exclusion and discrimination, Tamaki said, CNN reports. But I do think Japanese Americans as a group do understand what its like to be excluded on the basis of race.

A supporter of reparations holds a sign. Support for reparations is growing outside the Black American community, CNN reports. (Photo: AdobeStock)

According to Tamaki, a growing realization exists among various demographic groups that while slavery ended in 1865, the bias against Black Americans did not. Instead, it evolved into different forms of discrimination.

In the American Jewish community, some have long supported reparations, CNN reported. Last year, the outlet cited a 2019 resolution the Union for Reform Judaism passed in favor of reparations and urging a federal commission to develop proposals for them.

Its really an American issue that until we address this, this country is going to continue to churn and recycle this sort of toxic bias that continues to happen, Tamaki explained to CNN.

Tamaki also noted how other people of color have benefitted from the Black civil rights movement of the 1960s.

If it wasnt for the Black civil rights movement, would I be a lawyer? Probably not. Would my parents still be living in segregated communities and me too? Probably, Tamaki said.

I think theres a sense that African Americans opened the door and everybody else walked through it and theres a certain truth to that, he added.

Black Americans have suffered a great deal since slavery, but Tamaki agrees that it is necessary to begin to heal the damage done to them.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Reparations for Black Americans gains support from multiracial organizations appeared first on TheGrio.
A Republican group opposed to Donald Trump will run a new ad on Fox News and CNN this week in which an unexpected figure makes the legal case against the former president: Trump himself.

The new ad from the Republican Accountability Project highlights old comments from Trump on the importance of classified documents as he accused 2016 election rival Hillary Clinton of mishandling sensitive materials.

Im going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information, he said in a clip from a 2016 rally. In a clip from 2020, he said people go to jail for that.

Now, Trump stands accused of doing exactly what he spoke out against, not only allegedly keeping classified documents but doing so in sloppy conditions. One photograph shows boxes of documents piled up near a toilet at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Its time to hold Trump to Trumps own standard, the voiceover in the ad states:

Trump earlier this month pleaded not guilty to 37 counts, including Espionage Act violations, related to keeping those documents.

Donald Trump likes to talk about throwing his political opponents in jail for mishandling classified documents, but hes the one who stole government secrets from the White House and refused to give them back, Sarah Longwell, the organizations executive director, said in a news release. Were reminding Republican viewers that he should be held to his own standard.

The Republican Accountability Project, which has launched video and billboard ad campaigns against the former president and his enablers in Congress, said its spending $1 million to run the spots both nationally and in the key swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Photograph: Patrick Semansky/AP

Sweetheart deal! Two-tiered justice! Mere traffic ticket!

Republicans had their applause lines ready on Tuesday when Joe Bidens son Hunter struck a plea deal over unpaid taxes, and gun possession while being a drug user, that is likely to keep him out of prison.

Related: What to know about the Hunter Biden investigation and what it means

But the Grand Old Party is like the Boy Who Cried Wolf. It has churned through so many wild allegations against the Biden crime family that its moment of self-righteous indignation risks getting lost in the noise.

Presidents families are inescapably part of the political package, often seen at their side at campaign events or state occasions. There have been past scandals involving Richard Nixons brother Don, who was rescued from business failures by the eccentric businessman Howard Hughes, George H W Bushs son Neil, who directed a failed savings and loan, and Bill Clintons half-brother Roger, who spent time in prison for a cocaine conviction.

In such cases, it would be reasonable for any neutral observer to ask whether the commander-in-chiefs family has received special treatment.

Tuesdays court filing showed that Hunter, 53, will plead guilty to failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes in both 2017 and 2018 after making more than $1.5m each year. He therefore avoids the politically nightmarish spectacle of a trial and is unlikely to spend time in jail based on the tax loss amount, his status as a first-time offender and his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions.

Legal experts were less shocked than Republicans would have liked. The former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, says: Plea deals are very common in federal cases with just a very small number actually going to trial  only about 2%. Deals done this quickly are much less common and diversion deals are even rarer, but these sorts of charges are generally worked out in plea deals for the most part, so I dont find it unusual.

Hunter also reached a probation agreement with the justice department that could enable him to avoid a conviction that he illegally possessed a Colt Cobra revolver in Delaware in October 2018 while knowing that he was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance.

Plea deals are very common in federal cases with just a very small number actually going to trial  only about 2% Neama Rahmani

The former federal prosecutor Christine Adams, a partner at Los Angeles-based Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein, says: It is not uncommon for the DoJ [Department of Justice] to make these kinds of deals. When crimes are related solely to someones addiction and not to some larger scheme and the individual is a first-time offender, DoJ may take these factors into account and offer the individual pre-trial diversion.

It should also be noted that the charges resulted from a five-year investigation by David Weiss, the US attorney in Delaware  appointed by former president Donald Trump.

Predictably, however, Republicans cried foul, arguing that Hunter  who has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant to foreign companies, investment banker and artist  had received favourable treatment because of his dad.

Trump, recently indicted on federal criminal charges that he unlawfully kept national security documents when he left office, wrote on his Truth Social platform: Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN!

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, also running for president, decried the sweetheart deal and tweeted that, were Biden not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago.

Such attacks were amplified endlessly by Fox News, rightwing media and commentators such as Tucker Carlson, drawing a false equivalence with Trumps extremely different case. Notably, Hunter Biden has also never been a public official.

Congressman James Comer, the Republican chair of the House of Representatives oversight committee, vowed to continue to investigate Hunter and the rest of the family  while turning a blind eye to allegations that Trumps children Ivanka, Don Jr and Eric and son-in-law Jared Kushner profited off their time in the White House.

But Republicans have proved their own worst enemy by flooding the zone with attacks on Hunter, making it hard to discern legitimate concerns from crazed conspiracy theories about his business dealings in China and Ukraine.

James Comer has vowed to continue to investigate Hunter. Photograph: Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

The fixation seems a kind of displacement. Republicans have never found targets as rich as Barack Obama, the first Black president, or Hillary Clinton, who aimed to the be the first female president. Biden never excited the base in the same way. Hunter and his troubles are a poor substitute.

Trumps ravings about Hunters laptop in the 2020 election failed to capture the dark magic of Lock her up! four years earlier. Republicans have sought to raise questions about Bidens knowledge of his sons activities in Ukraine and China but never made a compelling connection.

When Hunter described in a 2021 memoir dealing with substance abuse issues, including crack cocaine use and alcoholism, Republican attempts to exploit it again backfired. Many voters shrugged or expressed empathy, perhaps connecting with struggles in their own families.

Nevertheless, the constant attacks might take a toll on Biden, who embodies the maxim that grief is the price we pay for love. His son Beau died in 2015 of cancer and his daughter Naomi Biden died as an infant after a car accident that also killed Bidens first wife.

His two surviving children, Hunter and Ashley, would ordinarily be an asset on the campaign trail. Ashley spoke last week at Juneteenth concert on the White House south lawn; Biden said: Shes the love of my life and the life of my love. But Hunter risks becoming a distraction, more wayward Prince Hal than steely Henry V.

Asked about him on Tuesday, the president replied simply: Im very proud of my son.
Republican lawmakers are venting their frustration over what they say is an overly lenient plea agreement between Hunter Biden and federal prosecutors, further escalating GOP tensions with the Justice Department.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday led the backlash from Republican lawmakers.

It continues to show the two-tier system in America, McCarthy told reporters, echoing the arguments Republicans deployed after the Justice Department earlier this month unsealed a 37-count indictment against former President Trump.

If you are the presidents leading political opponent, the DOJ tries to literally put you in jail and give you prison time. But if you are the presidents son, you get a sweetheart deal, McCarthy said.

Biden agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanors for failing to pay income taxes in 2017 and 2018. He also agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program for possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user or addicted to a controlled substance.

The plea deal, however, divided Republican leaders, just as Trumps indictment drew mixed responses from GOP lawmakers last week.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) declined to comment about Bidens legal problems as he walked to the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon.

His opening remarks on the floor made no mention of the presidents son and focused instead on what he called the Biden administrations radical nominees and Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) also held back from lashing out at the Justice Department, pointing out that the U.S. attorney who cut the deal was a Trump appointee.

The justice system, I guess, has got to work its way out. Hes going to plead to a couple tax evasion charges and a gun charge. I dont know that this is necessarily the end of the road for him, probably not. At least the preliminary stage of it is done, Thune told reporters.

Asked about Republican criticisms of a two-tiered system and a sweetheart deal, Thune said: I dont know what else they got on him, but I do think the American people have to be convinced that the justice system treats everybody equally under the law.

This was a  my understanding is at least  Trump-appointed U.S. attorney. So well see where it goes from here, he added.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) wasnt in the mood Tuesday to delve into the political wrangling over Hunter Bidens plea deal.

I dont have any reaction, ask me about something else, she said.

On the other side of the Capitol, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) echoed McCarthys claim of a two-tiered system of justice.

Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery, he said.

Republican lawmakers for months have pushed allegations based on anonymous sources that Biden received preferential treatment from the Internal Revenue Service and was involved in a bribery scheme with a Ukrainian energy company.

But those thinly sourced claims were left unaddressed by a document outlining the plea agreement that U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump appointee, filed with the U.S. district court in Wilmington, Del.

Comer vowed to continue his investigation, pledging: We will not rest until the full extent of President Bidens involvement in the familys schemes are revealed.

The Republican National Committee on Tuesday tweeted out a video clip of one of Hunter Bidens attorneys telling MSNBC he didnt remember prosecutors ever asking about Bidens infamous laptop.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who has highlighted unverified allegations by an anonymous foreign national that the Bidens were involved in a bribery scheme, pointed out that Weiss, the U.S. attorney, said his investigation of Hunter Biden is ongoing.

Asked if he expected additional charges, Grassley said: All I know is what Weiss said, the case is still open.

Todays plea deal cannot be the final word given the significant body of evidence that the FBI and Justice Department has at its disposal. It certainly wont be for me, he said in a statement released earlier Tuesday.

He said he and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sent material, including bank records, to the U.S. attorney, and it doesnt look to me like Weiss gave much credit to it with this very weak result that was announced today.

Johnson, who has worked closely with Grassley, said it stinks to high heaven.

The fact that they have now an IRS whistleblower coming forward and saying that the entire IRS investigatory team almost in unprecedented fashion was pulled off the case [and it] sounds like theres allegations that they on purpose they allowed the statute of limitations to expire on more serious charges  theres so many things that I would want investigated in terms of Hunter Biden, he said.

Other Republican senators joined in the attacks on the Justice Department.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) called the plea deal a slap on the wrist.

This doesnt show equal justice. Its a mockery of our legal system by a family that has no respect for our laws, he said.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who has endorsed Trumps 2024 presidential campaign, called it nothing more than a wrist slap from his dads DOJ.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) called the deal troubling.

Lee retweeted criticisms of the agreement circulated by Brett Tolman, the executive director of Right On Crime, a conservative advocacy group, who said pretrial diversion programs normally exclude offenses involving the brandishing a firearm.

Many Senate and House Republicans lashed out against Attorney General Merrick Garland and special counsel Jack Smith last week after the Justice Department charged Trump with violations of the Espionage Act and conspiring to obstruct justice.

They also argued the lack of charges against President Biden, who kept classified documents from his service in the Senate and vice president in the Obama administration, showed the federal prosecution of Trump was motivated by politics.

So Hunter Biden gets a special plea deal, slap on the wrist  probably wont do a day of time  while DOJ charges Trump as a spy and tries to put him in prison forever. Two standards of justice, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) tweeted in response to the deal.

One Senate Republican aide said Hunter Biden appeared to get a fairly lenient deal from the Justice Department but pointed out he cooperated with prosecutors, in contrast to Trump.

Of course, Hunter got off easy, but he cooperated, unlike Trump, the aide said, noting the special counsels indictment against the former president alleges Trump deliberately misled his lawyer about cooperating with a grand jury subpoena.

Democrats on Tuesday argued the charges against Biden, coming just a week after the prosecutors unsealed the indictment of Trump, shows the Justice Department is applying the law fairly.

Neither Hunter Biden nor Donald Trump are above the law. Theyre both held responsible and are going to go through the process. Joe Bidens son just did, just completed it, said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Emily Brooks and Al Weaver contributed.
House Republicans, who have made one of their top priorities this session probing Hunter Biden and the Biden family's business dealings, still say they plan to continue their investigations despite Hunter Biden's plea deal with prosecutors.

"This does nothing to our investigation," Speaker Kevin McCarthy said outside his office Tuesday morning following news of the plea deal. "It actually should enhance our investigation because the DOJ should not be able to withhold any information now, saying there's a pending investigation. They should be able to provide [House Oversight] Chairman [James] Comer with any information that he requires."

PHOTO: Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy walks to the House Chambers to open up the legislative session in the U.S. Capitol Building, on June 5, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

While a Tuesday morning statement from U.S. Attorney David Weiss indicates that "the investigation is ongoing," that statement appears at odds with a statement from Hunter Biden's attorney that said, "It is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved."

It is standard for federal prosecutors to say criminal investigations are ongoing even when they appear to be near a resolution. The resolution agreed to by Weiss and Hunter Biden still needs the approval of a federal judge.

Though Tuesday's deal may end probes into Hunter Biden on the legal front, Republican-controlled committees like House Oversight claim their investigations are far from over.

Since clinching the majority, House Republicans have held numerous hearings looking into Hunter Biden's business dealings. Congressional investigators haven't yielded much new information throughout the course of their investigation, but it will remain a significant talking point given the chairs of the largest congressional committees have already vowed to continue investigating.

MORE: What to know about the Hunter Biden federal investigations

Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, slammed what he termed the "sweetheart" plea deal and vowed it will have no impact on the Oversight Committee.

"These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committee's investigation," Comer said in a statement Tuesday.

Comer also alluded to allegations against what the GOP has termed the "Biden crime family." Republicans have produced no evidence to back up their claims.

"We will not rest until the full extent of President Biden's involvement in the family's schemes are revealed," Comer's statement continued.

The White House has maintained that President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden have never discussed the latter's business dealings.

PHOTO: In this Feb. 8, 2023, file photo, U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Representative James Comer attends the committee's hearing about Twitter's handling of a 2020 New York Post story about Hunter Biden, in Washington, D.C. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters, FILE)

Comer's team has collected suspicious activity reports, or SARs, on Hunter Biden and other members of the Biden family from the Treasury Department. SARs are reports filed by financial institutions to flag questionable banking transactions, but they do not amount to allegations of crimes.

And just last week, the committee subpoenaed former Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer to appear for a deposition because he "played a significant role in the Biden family's business deals abroad, including but not limited to China, Russia, and Ukraine," according to the subpoena.

Republicans' continued efforts to investigate Hunter Biden are not without some pushback.

The Oversight Committee's top Democrat, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, called out the House GOP for politicizing the Department of Justice's investigation into the president's son.

"Oversight Committee Republicans have advanced debunked conspiracy theories about President Biden and are now, again, wailing about the work of a Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney," Raskin said in a statement.

PHOTO: In this April 12, 2016, file photo, WFP USA Board Chair Hunter Biden speaks during the World Food Program USA's 2016 McGovern-Dole Leadership Award Ceremony at the Organization of American States, in Washington, D.C. (Kris Connor/WireImage via Getty Images, FILE)

Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two tax-related misdemeanor charges and enter a pretrial diversion program that would enable him to avoid prosecution for one felony county related to the illegal possession of a firearm, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Federal authorities with the U.S. attorney's office in Delaware, led by Weiss, had been investigating Hunter Biden since 2018, but the probe was paused for several months ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

McCarthy ignored questions from ABC News about whether Congress wants to hear directly from Weiss, who is a Trump appointee.

ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman, Pierre Thomas, Aaron Katersky and Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.

Republicans vow to keep investigating Biden family in wake of Hunter Biden plea deal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
TITAN TOPSHOT

The search for the Titan, the submersible missing in the Atlantic Ocean, goes on, although with oxygen supply onboard steadily declining, the amount of breathable air left for the five-person crew  provided they are still alive  is becoming ever more critical. Meanwhile, there has still been no definitive sign of the submersible, which could be lying as deep as 12,500 feet, and the U.S. Coast Guard has said that the source of the banging noises that have been detected hasnt been conclusively established.

As we described in our initial report on the incident yesterday, the Titan, which belongs to OceanGate Expeditions, was taking tourists down to see the famous sunken wreck of the ocean liner RMS Titanic when it went missing. The Titan was supposed to have surfaced on Sunday but was instead reported missing about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland. Since then, a widening rescue effort has been taking shape.

An infographic shows the approximate location of the wreck of the Titanic, around which a search and rescue operation is underway. Photo by Yasin Demirci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Most notably, since our initial reporting, sonobuoys used to search for the Titan have picked up distinctive noises in the area where it went missing. If those noises are indeed emanating from the submersible, that could suggest its closer to the surface of the ocean, where recovery would be easier.

However, Rear Admiral John Mauger, head of the U.S. Coast Guards First District, who is leading the search for the Titan, gave CBS News words of caution, saying: We dont know the source of that noise.

https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking/status/1671536010717536257?s=20

Mauger said that the search operation would continue as long as theres an opportunity for survival, and more vessels would be joining the effort.

The sonobuoys in question were launched from the two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft that are involved in the operation. These are Canadian versions of the familiar P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft. John Davies/Wikimedia Commons

At 6:00 am GMT this morning, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that an RCAF CP-140 had detected underwater noises in the search area and that remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) were being relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. The data gathered has also been shared with U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

https://twitter.com/EspVe1/status/1671529221754159104?s=20

So far, the ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue, the Coast Guard said.

Further sonobuoys were reportedly dropped four hours after the first sounds were detected and, once again, noises were heard. However, the timings of these various sounds being detected are not altogether clear.

At the same time, the search and rescue force is growing in size.

In the search area already are at least five vessels, with four more underway.

Already on the scene are the Bahamian-registered Deep Energy, a pipe-laying vessel with underwater capabilities; a commercial vessel, the Skandi Vinland; and the Polar Prince, the mother ship from which the Titan was launched. Also now in the vicinity are the Canadian Coast Guard vessels John Cabot and Atlantic Merlin, one of which is understood to have a mobile decompression chamber.

https://twitter.com/USCGNortheast/status/1671498237193207810?s=20

The French research ship Atalante, equipped with an ROV, which can operate at a depth of around 20,000 feet, is expected to arrive later today. The ROV, a Victor 6000, will be the deepest-diving asset in the area. It has manipulating arms that can cut cables or perform other maneuvers to free a stuck vessel, but it is not capable of lifting the submarine on its own, according to a Reuters report, citing the robots operator. However, if the Titan is located, the Victor 6000 could be used to help attach it to a crane that could then lift it to the surface. At this point, the Titan could potentially also be recovered by a U.S. Navy Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System (FADOSS), one of which is on its way to the scene.

https://twitter.com/theophilesimon/status/1671495983006359554?s=20

Also underway are two more Canadian Coast Guard vessels, a Royal Canadian Navy ship, and a private offshore support vessel. These are not expected to arrive until Thursday, however.

Together with the pair of RCAF CP-140 Auroras, other aircraft continue to assist in the operation. These include U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules which are carrying out search and rescue flights and providing other support. Between them, the aircraft involved have conducted surveillance over an area of 10,000 square miles.

https://twitter.com/steffanwatkins/status/1670918853155586049?s=20

Frank Owen, from the Submarine Institute of Australia, told the BBC that his confidence went up by an order of magnitude when he heard reports of the banging, especially as one of the crew onboard the Titan is a former French Navy diver. They would be familiar with the protocol of trying to alert searching forces: three minutes of banging on the hull on the hour and the half hour.

https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1671498125507272704?s=20

Indeed, reports from Rolling Stone magazine and CNN, citing what they described as internal U.S. Department of Homeland Security emails, said that search teams had heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes.

Any kind of banging from the crew could also indicate that the Titan is not in very deep water, as some have feared.

Below about 180 meters [600 feet], the water temperature drops very rapidly, Frank Owen explained to the BBC. That creates a layer that the [sonar signal] bounces off. But if youre in the same depth water it tends to go quite straight.

A cautiously optimistic reaction was also provided by Simon Boxall, a senior lecturer in oceanography at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. He told the BBC World Service: There are plenty of sound sources in the ocean, but it does give hope.

https://twitter.com/questCNN/status/1671240154600677379?s=20

I think one of the scenarios that everyone feared was that the submersible had basically imploded, Boxall added, So it does give some hope that this is still a rescue operation, rather than just a recovery operation.

Now, however, the search operation could be hampered by poor weather. In its latest weather report for the search area, the U.S. Coast Guard says winds are gusting at up to 23 mph and wave weights up to seven feet are possible.

https://twitter.com/USCGNortheast/status/1671519895538761729?s=20

While there are other specialist assets that have been offered to help in the search and rescue operation, many of these are located too far away to be of realistic use. These include the ROVs offered by the British company Magellan, which specializes in deep ocean investigations, imaging, and recovery operations. Most of these craft are in Europe so would likely take too long to reach the area.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick speaks during a press conference about the search efforts for the Titan at Coast Guard Base Boston, Massachusetts, on June 20, 2023. Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images

If the Titan is deeper than the detected sounds might suggest, the complexity of actually locating it, let alone recovering it becomes greater.

Dr. Jamie Pringle, a reader in forensic geosciences at Keele University, in the United Kingdom, told Sky News that the area of the Atlantic floor around where the Titanic lies is really remote, while the submersible is notably small. It might be nice and flat and be sitting proudly on top, which would be great, he said.

https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1671472759078092800?s=20

It could be partially submerged, and of course, theres lots of submarine canyons and submarine seamounts ... Those issues are very difficult, Pringle added.

Pringle also suggested that the conditions aboard the submersible could be especially challenging if the craft had suffered some kind of electrical problem, something that he considers in keeping with a communications loss of this kind.

They were only meant to be going down for eight hours, I believe  this many days is going to be difficult, Pringle said, adding that an electrical problem would leave it very cold [and] very dark inside the Titan.

As of today, it was estimated that there may only be enough oxygen left in the Titan to allow the crew to survive for 24 hours or less  provided the submersible is still functioning and its crew are alive.

Joe MacInnis, a Canadian physician, author, and diver, who has made two trips to the wreck of the Titanic, explained to the Guardian what the crew of the Titan would be doing to ensure their survival:

[They would be] conserving energy. Resting, breathing as little as possible, and trying to keep calm. That is the most important thing.

https://twitter.com/Oneindia/status/1671532289199620096?s=20

MacInnis also described Paul-Henri Nargeolet, one of the five onboard the Titan, as an extraordinary leader in a crisis. Hes been in all kinds of problematic situations and hes resolved them  Hes the guy you want next to your side in this kind of situation, MacInnis told CNN.

It is unclear whether or how rescue teams could reach the submersible if it is on the ocean floor.

MacInnis also pointed to what he considers the biggest risks associated with this kind of deep ocean dive, namely a fire onboard, a hull failure, or the submersible becoming entangled in a wreck.

Amid allegations around safety concerns that were made about the Titan during its development, OceanGate has moved to defend the vessel, describing it as the largest of any deep-diving submersible with an unparalleled safety feature that monitors the integrity of the hull throughout every dive.

The Titan is made of titanium and filament-wound carbon fiber, but is notably compact, with a length of less than 23 feet overall. Despite a weight of 8.9 tons, the submersible uses ballast to ensure it remains neutrally buoyant on the seafloor.

Capable of diving to a depth of 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet), with a comfortable safety margin, according to the company, the craft is, however, only intended to undertake one-day expeditions and is very cramped.

https://twitter.com/BenjaminGoggin/status/1671209910753800221?s=20

Typically, a trip to the Titanic wreck would involve a two-hour dive down, a few hours spent looking around the wreck, and another two-hour trip to the surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KdsGPsF2go

As to the potential shortcomings in the design of the Titan, the Associated Press reports that OceanGate was repeatedly warned that there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way it was developed.

In particular, AP points to a 2018 engineering report from David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, that says the in-development craft needed more testing and that passengers might be endangered when it reached extreme depths.

This information had come to light in a lawsuit, when OceanGate sued Lochridge in the same year, accusing him of breaching a non-disclosure agreement, after which he filed a counterclaim alleging that he was wrongfully fired for raising questions about testing and safety.

Lochridge had apparently voiced specific concerns about the use of acoustic monitoring to check the viability of the hull when under pressure, rather than a scan of the hull.

This was problematic because this type of acoustic analysis would only show when a component is about to fail  often milliseconds before an implosion  and would not detect any existing flaws prior to putting pressure on to the hull, Lochridges counterclaim said.

Lochridge also claimed that the passenger viewport was only certified for depths of up to 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), despite the rest of the craft being designed to reach depths of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet)  in order to reach the depth at which the Titanic lies.

This is a developing story and we will update it as more information becomes available.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Save Our Souls

While looking for the lost Titanic submersible, a Canadian aircraft detected a mysterious "banging" sound from the area where the submarine went missing in the North Atlantic.

Per internal US Department of Homeland Security emails obtained by Rolling Stone, the strange sounds were heard in 30-minute intervals, which suggests they could've been caused by the missing crew of five on board the submarine.

"If you made a continuous noise, that's not going to get picked up, but doing it every 30 minutes, that suggests humans," Chris Brown, an explorer and friend of one of the crew members, told the BBC. "I'm sure they're all conserving oxygen and energy, because it's cold and dark down there."

Outlook Poor

As Rolling Stone reports, the DHS also noted that along with the strange banging, "acoustic feedback was heard" that could indicate "continued hope of survivors."

The update sent to department leaders also discussed the initial discovery of a "white rectangular object" in the water near the site of the Titan's disappearance in a remote part of the North Atlantic, but the research vessel that detected it was "diverted to investigate" the strange sounds instead.

A DHS official told Rolling Stone that although the agency believes the sound could be coming from the Titan, the "situation looks bleak" given that the oxygen supply aboard the submersible is dwindling fast.

As the BBC notes, the five men on board the Titan  OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and billionaire Hamish Harding  could not get themselves out of the vessel even if they do resurface on their own because they are bolted inside of it, meaning that it can only be opened from the outside.

While the headline-grabbing hunt for the Titan continues, it does, indeed, look pretty dire for the men trapped inside  especially given all we now know about the vessel itself and the company behind it.

More on the missing sub: The Lost Submarine's Comms Are Reportedly Run by SpaceX
The owners and operators of a California restaurant chain were ordered to pay $140,000 in back wages and damages after allegedly using a fake priest to trick employees into confessing to workplace sins, authorities announced.

The owners of Taqueria Garibaldi, which has locations in Northern California, were accused of interfering with a federal investigation after a former employee testified that the restaurant offered workers a fake priest to elicit admissions of wrongdoing, according to a Labor Department press release dated June 12.

Meanwhile, other employees reported that a manager falsely claimed that immigration issues would be raised by the departments investigation, said Marc Pilotin, regional solicitor of Labor, in the news release.

Taqueria Garibaldi.

Taqueria Garibaldi.

According to a federal lawsuit, Che Garibaldi and three other restaurant owners were accused of overtime violation, tip violation and record-keeping violation, with investigators saying that the owners denied employees overtime pay when working more than 40 hours in a week. The lawsuit was settled with a consent judgment in which the owners agreed to pay workers the $140,000.

Maria Parra, a former employee of a Taqueria location in Sacramento, said that one of the owners, Eduardo Hernandez, initially told her about the probe in 2018 and instructed her and other employees to tell federal investigators that they only worked 40 hours per week, got paid by check and took their breaks, according to her sworn affidavit.

In November 2021, Hernandez brought in a man who appeared to be a priest during work hours and asked employees if they wanted to do a confession to help with mental health, Parra said.

She recalled that the priest began asking her strange, work-related questions, unlike a normal confession.

The priest asked if I had stolen anything at work, if I was late to my employment, if I did anything to harm my employer, and if I had any bad intentions towards my employment, Parra said.

Prosecutors said that the owners had also illegally paid managers through the employee tip pool, threatened employees with retaliation and adverse immigration consequences for cooperating with the investigation, and fired an employee who they believed complained to the Labor Department.

In addition to the $140,000, the owners were ordered to pay an additional $5,000 to the Labor Department, according to court records.

Lawyers representing the owners did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

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Rahim and Sheila Amiri thought that tasty Mediterranean and American cuisine, friendly employees and a $1 million renovation would make Brickland Bistro a big success.

We put our life savings into this place, said Rahim Amiri, a home builder and first-time restaurant owner.

What they didnt foresee was an unofficial boycott of their restaurant on Folsom Boulevard in East Sacramento from customers disgruntled by the closure of 33rd Street Bistro, which had occupied the location for 24 years.

The Amiris found out about Brickland after Rahim became aware of the vacant restaurant while touring it. He was planning to work as the main contractor in renovating the space for an Italian restaurant. That restaurant fell through, Rahim Amiri said, and the couple decided to go ahead with their own establishment. They opened Brickland in August 2022.

They did not have an understanding that they were occupying a space that was sacred to many in East Sacramento. The 33rd Street Bistro had closed its doors in early March 2020, following a rent dispute between co-owner brothers Fred and Matt Haines and their new landlord.

The Bistros tight-knit group of regular customers started talking about an informal boycott of whatever replaced 33rd Street Bistro at the restaurants closing night party, former general manager Chris Reyes said.

Fred Haines said he and his brother had nothing to do with any boycott. They were upset about the lease dispute, but they moved on and put their energy into their other restaurants, including Wildwoods Kitchen & Bar in Arden Arcade and Roc and Sol Virtual Dinner in midtown Sacramento.

I cant help it if people liked my restaurant, said Haines. It was a staple of East Sacramento. People enjoyed going there. We treated people well.

The Amiris learned of the customer boycott when business at their 110-seat restaurant never picked up, even on weekends. They started asking the people who did patronize Brickland what they could do to bring the customers who had previously frequented the bistro.

What they heard back was that it didnt matter: Some customers would never be coming.

Disgruntled customers

The 33rd Street Bistro was the Cheers of East Sacramento, said Reyes, referring to the once popular television show where customers and staff bonded in a fictional Boston bar.

Joel Ayres was a champion of 33rd Street Bistro, frequenting the establishment three or four times a week. He officiated at the wedding of one of the bistros bartenders and was friends with several restaurant managers.

I was a big fan, he said of 33rd Street.

Friends told him not to go to the new restaurant.

They said lets boycott them, they made the 33rd Street Bistro go away, said Ayres, who works as the executive director of the automotive aftermarket charitable foundation.

He ignored their plea and went anyway a few months after the new restaurant opened, discovering that he liked the food, the atmosphere and the owners.

Its not fair, these are good people, Ayres said of unofficial boycott impacting the Amiris business.

He said he has been able to convince some of the former customers of 33rd Street to give Brickland a chance, especially given the friendly welcome offered by the Amiris, but there are still holdouts who refuse to change their views against the cafe.

Former bartender Roman Marcano said one customer told him, My friends would kill me if they knew I was here. We dont want to make this our spot anymore.

The unofficial boycott is having a real world effect on Brickland Bistros 20 workers.

Rahim Amiri said servers are sometimes told to leave early, hours before officially stated closing time.

A taste of Afghanistan

Rahim Amiri said while he has never operated a restaurant, the food business is not new to his family.

His family settled in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1980 after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and his mother opened an Afghan restaurant.

Our mother was the head chef and wowed everyone with her cooking, even The New York Times gave us a four-star review, he said. Years later, the restaurant was relocated to West Hartford, and to this day it is owned and operated by my sister.

Rahim and Sheila Amiri figured native dishes from their home country combined with hamburgers and omelets would be sure winners at Brickland.

Amiri said what he particularly loves about being a restaurant owner is getting to know his customers, finding out about them, and making them part of an extended family. He wants every group in the Sacramento community to feel welcome.

Rugs from his native country cover the floors, and modern art from Sacramento artists hang on the walls of the restaurant. In addition to a regular bar, the open layout of the restaurant contains a separate coffee bar and an outdoor dining patio.

Reyes, the former general manager of 33rd Street, said he hopes more people discover Brickland Bistro to experience the food and the owners, enabling it to get a firmer financial footing.

They have international fare, American fare, he said. Its a great family-owned restaurant that reflects the diversity of Sacramento.

Reyes said he hopes East Sacramento residents will welcome Brickland Bistro into their family.
Former Republican congressman Doc Hastings was scheduled to speak to the Columbia Basin Badger Club on April 13, just as negotiations were finally getting underway to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a first-ever default on the national debt. We wanted to get his take on House Speaker Kevin McCarthys leadership prospects after it took fifteen votes to elect him as Speaker. It was the first time a speaker had not been elected on the first ballot since 1859.

Unfortunately, Hastings was forced to cancel at that time due to a minor medical emergency. He has graciously agreed to reschedule his appearance to Thursday, June 22. The virtual event begins at noon.

A lot has happened since April. McCarthy was able to successfully negotiate an agreement with President Biden to avert a default on the debt and to raise the debt limit. The deal was opposed by partisans on both sides of the isle, but finally approved by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans at the last moment. The success in reaching that agreement seemed to signal that McCarthys speakership was safe, but since then, the far-right Freedom Caucus has managed to disrupt minor procedural votes in the House and continues to challenge McCarthys leadership. We have asked Hastings to analyze the dynamics of new Congress and to assess Speaker McCarthys prospects as Speaker.

Hastings knows McCarthy well. He was elected to Congress from California in 2006. Hastings was a member of his whip team when McCarthy served as the Republican Majority Whip. In my book, Congressman Doc Hastings, there is a story about how McCarthy praised Docs skill as a politician.

McCarthy had a dinner group  a diverse selection of older and younger members, along with some committee chairs  which met periodically to touch base about the mood and potential strategy of the Republican conference. It fell to McCarthy to pay for it, and he noted that, somehow (referring to Doc), they always ended up drinking Washington instead of California wines.

Doc Hastings represented Washingtons 4th Congressional District, which includes the Tri- Cities, from 1995 to 2015. Born and raised in Pasco, he graduated from Pasco High School and attended Columbia Basin College and Central Washington University. Hastings served in the Washington Legislature from 1979 to 1987, serving as Assistant Majority Leader and chair of the Republican caucus.

In 1992 he was narrowly defeated for Congress by current Washington Governor Jay Inslee. Two years later, the two squared off again with Hastings winning the congressional seat he held until he retired in 2015. An outspoken supporter of Ronald Reagan, Hastings was elected in what became known as the Gingrich Revolution of 1994.

He became a close associate of Speakers Dennis Hastert and John Boehner and achieved the highly unusual distinction of chairing two different House committees; Ethics and Natural Resources. He served in Congress during the budget crisis of 2011.

He also served 12 years on the Rules Committee which determines which legislation will reach the House floor and how it will be debated.

We have asked former Congressman Hastings to address a several important issues, including:

 What are the political implications of Speaker McCarthys ability to reach a compromise with President Biden on averting a debt crisis?

 Did it hurt or strengthen his ability to lead his Republican conference, or is his leadership still at risk?

 Do he sense any momentum across the country that suggests a greater willingness to compromise on important issues.

 Is bipartisanship even possible? Or desirable?

 How will President Trumps potential indictment affect the ongoing work of Congress?

Table Talk, the Badger Clubs open mic conversation with others who have watched the forum will follow. This gives members and guests a chance to share their own ideas and interact less formally with the speaker.

To register for this forum, visit our website at columbiabasinbadgers.com to receive a confirmation and link to join the Zoom forum. Cost is $5 for nonmembers, while club members can join for free.

C. Mark Smith is chairman of the program committee for the Columbia Basin Badger Club. He spent 40 years managing economic development organizations at the federal, state, and local level. He is the author of five books of history and biography, including Congressman Doc Hastings: Twenty Years of Turmoil, available online or at your favorite bookseller.
The House is set to vote on a revamped resolution to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Wednesday after the chamber blocked a similar measure targeting the California Democrat last week.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) called the revised measure to the floor as a privileged resolution on Tuesday, which forces the House to take action on the measure. Democrats are expected to make a procedural motion to table the measure when it comes to the floor for a vote on Wednesday, which would require majority support.

The move from Luna comes after the House blocked her initial Schiff censure resolution last week. Twenty Republicans joined Democrats in supporting a motion to table the measure which was enough to block the resolution from coming to the floor for a vote, effectively killing it.

Luna, however, made a number of changes to the resolution from last week to this week, and she said she now has enough votes for the measure to be approved.

I have spoken to many of my colleagues, Luna said in a statement on Tuesday. A majority of the 20 will be changing their vote to support the motion, as well as other Members who were not in town for the initial vote have let me/my office know they will be voting with us.

More House coverage from The Hill

At least three of those GOP defectors have publicly said they will support the new censure resolution. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters earlier in the day that he expects the revised resolution to pass the House.

Of the changes made between this weeks and last weeks resolutions was nixing a non-binding whereas clause that said if the Ethics Committee found that Schiff lied, made misrepresentations, and abused sensitive information, he should be fined $16 million. That dollar figure, according to Luna, was half the amount of money that American taxpayers paid toward the investigation into potential collusion between Trump and Russia.

According to the Justice Department, the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller cost $32 million.

Some of the GOP defectors raised concerns with that portion of the resolution  arguing that it was unconstitutional  leading them to oppose it. But once Luna said she would take the clause out of the resolution, a number of the Republican opposers relented in their opposition.

Thank you for fixing your bill for next week, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who voiced concerns with the fine, wrote on Twitter last week.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), who voted against last weeks censure resolution out of opposition to the fine, signed on as a co-sponsor of the new version.

Additionally, the new resolution just calls for censuring Schiff while last weeks involved censuring and condemning the congressman. The new version also omitted non-binding whereas clauses that says Schiff purposely deceived his Committee, Congress, and the American people and that he exploited his positions on the House Intelligence Committee to encourage and excuse abusive intelligence investigations of Americans for political purposes.

The revamped resolution, however, adds a number of non-binding whereas clauses: it cites a March 2019 letter signed by Republicans on the Intelligence panel calling on Schiff  the then chairman of the committee  to resign from the top post, argues that Schiff hindered the ability of the Intelligence Committee to fulfill its oversight responsibilities over the Intelligence Community, and says he misled the American people and brought disrepute upon the House of Representatives.

Rep. Marc Molinaro (N.Y.), one of last weeks GOP no votes, announced last week that he will support the new resolution.

I respect the Constitution and the oath we take to it. These revisions address my concerns and I will vote to hold Rep. Schiff accountable, he wrote on Twitter.

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Schiff  who is currently running for Senate  continued to brush aside the censure effort on Tuesday, arguing that Republicans were going after him to distract from the legal troubles surrounding former President Trump.

But to waste the floors time on this false and defamatory resolution is a disservice to the country, he told reporters. It detracts from the time that we have to deal with homelessness and we have to deal with the opioid crisis and 100 other challenges, but it just shows how Kevin McCarthys completely lost control of the crazies in his conference who are running the place.

The California Democrat said being censured would be a badge of honor.

With this crowd its a badge of honor, he said when asked about how he feels about the prospect of being censured, which would require him to stand in the well of the House chamber to receive a rebuke.

Im proud to have stood up to Trump and defended our democracy and I will continue to do so no matter what they throw my way. But this is the authors of the big lie attacking me for telling the truth. And history will judge them to have failed to have the courage to stand up to a corrupt president but consoled themselves by attacking someone who did, he added.

FILE - Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its final meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 19, 2022. The House has rejected an effort to censure Schiff, voting to turn aside a Republican attempt to fine the Democrat over his comments about former President Donald Trump and investigations into his ties to Russia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its final meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Lunas resolution to censure Schiff is part of a long-running GOP campaign against Schiff, who emerged as a bogeyman on the right after years of leading efforts against Trump while he was in the White House. The California Democrat led Trumps first impeachment inquiry as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and he frequently accused Trump of colluding with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign.

McCarthy blocked Schiff and his California colleague, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D), from serving on the Intelligence panel earlier this year. And Luna previously filed a resolution to expel Schiff from the House.

Emily Brooks contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump at the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 4 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Former President Donald Trump at the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 4 in National Harbor, Maryland.

One thing about having conservative friends: They sure do peddle a lot of ignorant nonsense. I shouldnt complain. It inspires me to write something, though Ive been down this block before. Still, its a subject worth revisiting.

On Monday, on the Juneteenth federal holiday, my friend sent me this tweet:

Friendly reminder that #Juneteenth only exists because white Union soldiers had to go to Galveston, TX (two and a half years AFTER Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation) to ENFORCE freedom for slaves because democrat slave owners wouldnt have freed them otherwise.

Heres a friendly reminder: Democrat is not an adjective; its a noun. The correct word is Democratic, and it is capitalized. Most adjectives and nouns referring to the ideas, actions, documents and members of specific political parties, movements and groups are capitalized.

Rush Limbaugh popularized this grammatical blunder to suggest that Democrats are undemocratic. Conservatives should stop it. The attempt to score political points makes you sound more ignorant than you already are.

To no surprise, the author of the tweet describes himself as a member of the MAGA faithful and claims to be the founder of some right-wingnut YouTube channel. Great. Yet another platform to hawk his ignorance. He adds the aphorism, If God is for us, who can be against us? Well, aint that deep, and said by no countryman of any country ever in the history of countries. EVER!

And though he adds that his opinions are my own, the sad part is that plenty of people are stupid enough to think that anything he says is factual.

Well, heres a friendly admonishment, buddy: Your historical account is crap. At best, its inaccurate. Worse, its flat-out wrong. Worst of all, it reinforces the sort of ignorance that conservatives might as well patent into a cottage industry. Its also the sort of ignorance that ultimately undermines a democratic society.

Lets start with the holiday. Juneteenth honors the 1865 emancipation of about 250,000 slaves in Galveston, Texas, who had been unaware of the Emancipation Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln had signed two years earlier, declaring freedom for all slaves.

Gen. Gordon Granger, who was white, led Union troops to the Galveston harbor on June 17, 1865. Those troops included more than 10,000 Black soldiers of the U.S. Colored Troops, as they were called then.

Two days later, Granger issued what is known as General Order No. 3, notifying the people of Texas that all slaves were free, declaring absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves. That is what Juneteenth celebrates.

If you believe in our nations founding principles, if you respect the contributions of Lincoln, considered by many to be our nations greatest president, then you would agree that Juneteenth is not just African American history, it is American history.

As an aside, its ironic that Lincoln, so instrumental in pursuing absolute equality, no longer has his own holiday. I have always been puzzled by combining his and George Washingtons birthdays into a single holiday.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. But the holiday, now behind us until next year, is not my primary focus here.

How many times have we heard a conservative disparage Democrats by pointing out that they were the party of slave owners and that Republicans were the party of freedom?

Like many of todays Republicans with a limited grasp of history, our tweet author doesnt get it. Or maybe he gets it too well. By describing the slave owners in Texas as Democrats who wouldnt have freed them otherwise, hes taking a cheap shot at the Democrats of today.

He mistakes the name for ideology. What he misses, or what he intentionally refuses to explain, is that the Democrats of that era were the conservatives of that era. The Republicans of that era were the liberals.

Democrats in the South continued to harbor these racist tendencies that grew out of the Civil War South until the 1960s, when President Lyndon Johnson, a Texan, steered the Civil Rights Act into law. Longtime Democrats who were always conservatives inevitably switched parties and became Republicans, something exploited by Richard Nixon when he ran for president in 1968, what political scientists refer to as the Southern Strategy. Party philosophy didnt change; only the name did. Youre going to tell me youll be a different person after you legally change your name?

Its the ideology that matters, and that has never changed. Conservatives were always of the ideology that fought to keep slavery, and while many conservatives today are not racists, if you are a racist, you are likely conservative in your ideology and Republican in your party allegiance. Liberals were always abolitionists, opposed to slavery and for the Civil War Amendments, the 13th, 14th and 15th. Liberals are not perfect and never were, but in the broadest sense, the only prejudice they harbor is prejudice toward ignorance and liars. Especially the manipulative liars whose only purpose is to continue fostering ignorance.

Variants of the history repeats itself theme are as common as debates about its attribution. Those who dont know history are destined to repeat it. Irish statesman Edmund Burke is often misquoted as having said that. British statesman Winston Churchill also is often miscredited with writing, Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Spanish philosopher George Santayana is actually responsible for the famous saying Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, having written it in the closing section of The Life of Reason.

Sadly, todays Republican lawmakers are trying to whitewash American history and reality itself by censuring Advanced Placement courses, banning books or rewriting high school and middle school studies to create a history they like rather than a history that is. The most recent effort is occurring in Idaho, which is introducing a new curriculum for students starting this fall.

In a news release, Gov. Brad Little described the program as a picture of America that aligns with our Idaho values of embracing patriotism and a sense of pride about the success of our great country and it teaches American history in a fair and factual way.

Thats a lot of words for whitewashing. Stuff like this is why the only thing I worry about from Idaho is potatoes.

How did this come about? Lawmakers traveling the state during the 2022 election season said they heard from voters concerned that an anti-American ideology they felt they were seeing nationally might make it into Idaho classrooms. They were unhappy with American history not being portrayed in a respectful way.

Respectful? How about honest? How about an honest rendering of our history? Is that too much to ask?

Apparently it is. An honest rendition of history hurts my feelings. Once again, the true snowflakes in our society are these wimpy conservatives. They love to talk tough but constantly prove theyre a bunch of pansies. As Jack Nicholsons character said in A Few Good Men: You cant handle the truth.

Beyond that, how idiotic is it to give credence to people with no professional background in education, let alone an honest grasp of history, the power to determine how were going to educate our children?

All nations have had their share of awkward and regrettable moments in history. Honorable nations accept and acknowledge their past, including the less flattering parts, so they may learn from their mistakes. However, Idaho seems to be avoiding this practice by replacing history with propaganda to mask its fear of the truth.

Are the people offended (or just annoyed) by the idea of a Juneteenth holiday analogous to those who might oppose observing Holocaust Remembrance Day?

In Germany, each of the 16 federal states set their own curricula, but they are uniform in their teaching of the Holocaust. It is mandatory in history and civics classes and typically gets covered in literature and religion lessons. It can even turn up in biology, art and music classes. At some point, most schoolchildren will visit a concentration camp. In Germany, understanding that history is seen as necessary to prevent such horrors from happening again.

But if we applied the mindset of your typical conservative American snowflake to that curriculum, imagine the outrage. Parents would revolt, screaming at school board meetings that such a visit would be inappropriate. Theyd cry to lawmakers running for reelection that it was anti-American and not portraying American history in a respectful way. Its too negative! It makes our country look bad! It hurts my feelings! And, of course, spineless lawmakers would cave and force educators to change the curriculum.

So, is blissful ignorance a better path?

A 2018 survey found that 1 in 20 Europeans had never heard of the Holocaust. A third said they knew little or nothing about it. One-quarter of millennials in France said they had not heard of it. More than half of Austrians didnt know that the Nazis exterminated 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. In the United States, a similar survey found that two-thirds of millennials did not know what Auschwitz was.

Can you imagine a survey 75 years hence finding two-thirds of Americans unable to explain 9/11? We made many mistakes before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Would it have been better to ignore those mistakes, pretend they didnt happen, risk missing warning signs and suffer another attack?

But we have done so regarding slaverys place in American history. Our failure to acknowledge it has played a significant role in formulating American public policy. Juneteenth is a microcosm of that failure. For two years, slave owners failed  more likely refused  to acknowledge the dictates of the Emancipation Proclamation, thus maintaining the defunct policy of legal slavery.

Ohio State University history professor Hasan Kwame Jeffries writes:

When slavery ended, white Southerners carried the mindsets of enslavers with them into the post-emancipation period, creating new exploitative labor arrangements such as sharecropping, new disenfranchisement mechanisms including literacy tests, and new discriminatory social systems, namely Jim Crow. It took African Americans more than a century to eliminate these legal barriers to equality, but that has not been enough to erase race-based disparities in every aspect of American life, from education and employment to wealth and well-being. Public policies tend to treat this racial inequality as a product of poor personal decision-making, rather than acknowledging it as the result of racialized systems and structures that restrict choice and limit opportunity. Understanding American slavery is vital to understanding racial inequality today.

Why should we consider it anti-American to acknowledge that our Founding Fathers were also slave owners? Our acknowledgment presents an opportunity to ponder the complexities, moral dilemmas and contradictions of men who crafted the Bill of Rights, a document that by its very nature condemns the lifestyles of its crafters.

What compromises did the delegates of the Several States have to make to establish and enshrine the 10 Amendments in the Bill of Rights, not only to each other but also to themselves?

We complain, rightly, that todays lawmakers behave hypocritically. They couldnt hold a candle to the Framers, yet the behavior of those Founding Fathers, steeped in the writings of Greek philosophers and Enlightenment thinkers, could just as readily be called into question. Imagine asking James Madison, Dude, you practically wrote the Bill of Rights; how could you also be the same guy who owned slaves?

The point is not to teach American history as a chronicle of shame and oppression, writes Yale University history professor David Blight, but to tell American history as a story of real human beings, of power, of vast economic and geographical expansion, of great achievements as well as great dispossession, of human brutality and human reform. The point is also not to merely seek the story of what we are not, but of what we are.

And often, who we are is who we were, but acknowledging who we were, both the good and the bad, allows us the chance to be better at who we are and who we can be.

History is complicated, just as people are complicated. And rarely do either fit neatly into the comfortable pigeonholes some of us create for ourselves. The ugly parts of our history may sound anti-American to the thin-skinned among us, but our insistent fondness for a sanitized history will lead us to continue the mores of our past or repeat the mistakes of the past, be it the crafting of bad public policy or bad public (and private) behavior.

This is far more than just the misnomer of what Democrats and Republicans represented in our nations Civil War era. Its about everything the United States has been but may not become  that more perfect union  if we fail to humbly acknowledge our nations past failures. To create a narrative in which those failures are ignored and/or never existed is to assure stagnation. Or even worse, regression. That is what comes to mind when I see the kind of ignorance one sees in the aforementioned tweet.

Santayana argued that we cannot progress in this life unless we remember what weve learned from the past. After all, change isnt the same thing as progress.

The conservative snowflakes in red states may claim to love America, but they sure seem to hate the truth.
The US House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, a key lawmaker in Democrats congressional investigations into former President Donald Trump during his presidency.

The resolution accuses Schiff of misleading the American people while pursuing the congressional investigation into Russia and the Trump campaign as the then-chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and for actions Schiff took leading up to the former presidents first impeachment. Schiff has dismissed the allegations as false and defamatory.

The vote was 213-209 along party lines. Republican members of the House Ethics Committee  Michael Guest of Mississippi, Dave Joyce of Ohio, Andrew Garbarino of New York, John Rutherford of Florida and Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota  voted present. GOP Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado also voted present but he is not on the Ethics Committee.

As part of the censure procedure, Schiff stood in the well of the House floor, while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy repeatedly tried to read a brief rule about censure. Schiff was joined by his Democratic colleagues on the House floor who loudly cheered him on and repeatedly interrupted McCarthy.

The effort to censure Schiff, who is running for a US Senate seat in California, cleared a key procedural obstacle earlier Wednesday afternoon after a vote to kill the legislation failed.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, led the effort with a revamped measure on the House floor for his role in the Russia probe and investigating Trump after a similar measure she backed failed last week.

Luna announced Tuesday she has secured the number of votes needed to censure and refer him to the House Ethics Committee.

I have called up my censure motion and will be bringing the vote to hold Adam Schiff accountable to the floor tomorrow, Luna tweeted Tuesday night.

The original resolution put forward by Luna failed last week after 20 Republicans voted to table the measure and two voted present, but after some tweaks made by Luna in consultation with GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, including axing a $16 million fine attached to the legislation, the measure has gained more support. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who opposed the motion last week, told CNN on Tuesday that he in favor of the new version and is assisting Luna in her whip effort.

Some House Republicans voted against last week over concern of constitutionality and fear it could spark a tit-for-tat. Several House Republicans that voted to kill the resolution last week signaled they will support the new resolution, though several GOP lawmakers admitted to CNN they are concerned that the repeated attempts are boosting his fundraising for his Senate candidacy.

On Tuesday ahead of the vote, Schiff called the move a badge of honor and said, They wouldnt be going after me if they didnt think I was effective.

Now Trump is threatening to primary any Republican that doesnt vote for it. It shows you just who is behind this whole effort to distract from Trumps legal problems is Trump, Schiff told CNN. But to waste the floors time on this false and defamatory resolution is a disservice to the country.

While serving as chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff announced a sweeping investigation in February 2019 into then-President Trumps finances and Russia.

Schiff also served as the lead House impeachment manager during Trumps first impeachment. In that role, Schiff and the other impeachment managers detailed the Houses case for removing Trump from office at the Senate trial. The Senate ultimately voted to acquit.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could walk away with a win in the New Hampshire primary next year  a scenario few mainstream Democrats have let sink in.

Although Kennedy, whose embrace of conspiracies concerns the establishment, is unlikely to clinch the partys nomination, he sees a conceivable path to victory in the Granite State, thanks to Bidens push for a new primary calendar and past poor performance.

While a victory there would hardly spell doom for the incumbent president, it could be a high-profile embarrassment at a time when he faces low approval ratings.

It was President Bidens decision to deprive New Hampshire of its historic First in the Nation Primary status, said Dennis Kucinich, Kennedys campaign manager, who launched long shot bids for the nomination in 2004 and 2008, much to the chagrin of his partys standard-bearers.

The former Ohio congressman and Cleveland mayor suggested they intend to court voters protective of the states sacred early voting slot.

Our decision is to respect the people of New Hampshire, Kucinich told The Hill in a Monday statement.

Biden outraged many Democrats in the state when he proposed last year to make South Carolina the first to vote in the primary, citing its diversity, and putting it ahead of New Hampshire and Iowa, which had always gone first. Though the calendar hasnt been formally settled yet, many New Hampshire Democrats are already suggesting the state could defy the Democratic National Committee and hold their primary ahead of schedule.

Should that happen, Biden allies have indicated the president likely wont participate  leaving an opening for a candidate like Kennedy to win.

For now, Bidens orbit doesnt appear bothered by the primary, while the president himself hasnt publicly entertained the notion he could face a formidable challenger. But Kennedy, who has seen some surprisingly high polling numbers, is almost sure to seize on a possible win amid growing discontent with the administration. And some Democrats have begun arguing Biden should pay closer attention to his ascent.

Although the primary is still months away, Kennedys insurgent operation is in full swing. His camp has crafted a media strategy intended to elevate his profile and intrigue voters who have said they are open to another Democratic option. He is set to take part in his first cable news town hall this month, hosted by NewsNation, which shares the same owner as The Hill.

Kucinich said Kennedy is campaigning vigorously in New Hampshire, hoping to throw Biden off his presumed path to the 2024 nomination without any wrinkles.

Hes already gotten interest from some local leaders and activists who have grown more dissatisfied with Biden while in office. Some in the state who backed other candidates, including those who wanted to send Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to the White House, are making the case that parts of Kennedys background and position could make him an appealing alternative.

Thats not to say he doesnt face challenges with these voters. Those who like him say hell have to overcome some negative and potentially damaging aspects defining his early campaign narrative, including dispelling misinformation about vaccines in the post-coronavirus era.

The path for RFK lies not in his courting of independent conspiracy theorists, but in his clear-eyed, uncorrupted American visions for sustainable foreign and environmental policy, said Michael Strand, a Democrat and elected town councilor in Bedford, an affluent suburb of Manchester, N.H.

Indeed, some New Hampshire Democrats believe Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and Green New Deal supporter, can make inroads on presenting a stronger climate and international platform than Biden, betting he will use the rural and outdoor-friendly state to his advantage.

Strand says Kennedy can make the case against corporate chemical pollution and can be helpful in amplifying our voices over things like clean drinking water. Biden has recently infuriated activists for what many perceive as caving to Big Oil interests through a series of concessions to moderate Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

Some also see an opening for Kennedy to share a new perspective for Americas role on the international stage. Sanders appealed to the states independent-minded population by offering a dovish approach to the partys foreign policy doctrine. Independent voters can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primaries, making them an important bloc.

Kennedy is also using his family name to position himself as an extension of former President Kennedys legacy.

It wasnt a coincidence that he chose New Hampshire to deliver what his campaign billed as a major foreign policy speech at Saint Anselm College this week.

Marking the anniversary of President John F. Kennedys peace speech at American University, Mr. Kennedy will announce a fundamentally new direction for American foreign policy, the campaign statement reads. With his election in 2024, our countrys decades-long journey into military imperialism will be over. We will instead become again the exemplar of peace, freedom, and democracy that once inspired the world.

Although his foreign and domestic agenda may be substantial enough to distinguish himself from Biden, some New Hampshire Democrats also see a path that embraces traditional voter courtship over the finer points of policy.

Theres a special connection a candidate makes here, both because of direct voter contact and the way unpretentious attitudes are honored here, said Cullen Tiernan, a progressive and labor advocate based in Concord.

Bobby Kennedy Jr. embodies that connection, and as demonstrated by his high favorability numbers, he can bypass a lot of mainstream noise to make direct connections with voters, Tiernan said.

Democrats sympathetic to Kennedy concede he faces an uphill climb nationally. Still, the success of other anti-establishment crusaders could provide a roadmap for him.

Sanders won the 2020 primary in New Hampshire handily, edging out a more crowded field of traditional Democrats. During that primary, Biden was essentially a nonentity. He came in fifth, leaving voters and some of his state-level advisers and surrogates unconvinced about his overall prospects. He even left the state early on primary night and headed to South Carolina, where he course-corrected his campaign for an overwhelming victory.

If he loses or is severely impaired by Kennedy in New Hampshire, Bidens chances of losing the state in the general election are likely to increase. The state has only four electoral votes, but Democrats dont want to leave anything on the table in whats expected to be another tight November contest.

Still, progressives who see the merits in Kennedys bid acknowledge a lot ultimately could be left up to Biden. The Democratic establishment in the state is still overwhelmingly in his camp, and while there are sour grapes over his push to demote their early voting status, even those willing to consider his bid say the partys stronghold could be hard to penetrate.

If Biden shows up regularly and decides to debate Kennedy, who has argued a one-on-one forum would be bad for the president, some say that could complicate the outcome even further.

Whether he has a path to nomination, or even winning New Hampshire, is yet unknown, but that will largely depend on Joe Biden, Strand said. Will Biden show up for New Hampshire? Will Biden reinstate our First in the Nation Primary status and come win renomination the right way?

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
What RFK Jr., now a presidential candidate, has said about Ukraine, vaccines, the economy and more

What RFK Jr., now a presidential candidate, has said about Ukraine, vaccines, the economy and more

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Tuesday night in what his campaign billed as a major foreign policy address for the long shot Democratic presidential candidate.

He told the crowd that he believes the U.S. government bears some responsibility for Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- a view rejected by America and many Western countries -- and said that the "danger of reckless escalation and nuclear brinksmanship" was "real and present."

The son of former New York senator and U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and scion of one of the country's most famous political families, the younger Kennedy has garnered widespread attention in recent months because of his bid to beat President Joe Biden in the Democratic Party's 2024 primary.

In addition to a string of high-profile media appearances, Kennedy has also registered some support in early polls so far: One survey from Quinnipiac University this month showed him at 17% versus Biden at 70%.

Tuesday's speech adds to Kennedy's array of policy positions and beliefs.

While his economic and environmental platform broadly align with other Democrats, some of his other views put him at odds with the party and, in the case of his criticism of vaccines, a majority of the scientific and medical community.

Foreign policy

On Tuesday night, Kennedy took direct aim at U.S. foreign policy while laying out his own global vision, calling the war in Ukraine a "creation of a relentless mentality of foreign domination" on the part of the United States and accusing the West -- without evidence -- of intentionally sabotaging peace talks in the spring of 2022 and, more specifically, claiming the U.S. wants to remove Russia's authoritarian president, Vladimir Putin.

"I abhor Russia's brutal and bloody invasion of that nation," Kennedy told the crowd. "But we must understand that our government has also contributed to its circumstances through repeated deliberate provocations of Russia going back to the 1990s."

At times, he leaned heavily on the foreign policy legacy of former President John F. Kennedy, telling attendees that nuclear tensions are on the rise today as in the time of his uncle, but that there is an opportunity "to take a radically different path, a path towards peace."

MORE: Some experts fear rise in medical misinformation following RFK Jr.'s presidential announcement

Kennedy has been a frequent critic of America's involvement in supporting Ukraine from Russia's invasion, which he has repeatedly referred to as a "proxy war" that he claims, as he wrote on Twitter this week, is being fought "all for the sake of U.S. (imagined) geopolitical interests."

"They wanted war as part of their strategic grand plan to destroy any country such as Russia that resists American imperial expansion," Kennedy tweeted in May, launching into a critique of the Biden administration. "They only pretend to think it was unprovoked. They are lying to us, manufacturing consent for war."

That view has been broadly rejected by leading politicians on both sides of the aisle as well as America's military leaders.

"The United States continues to stand with the people of Ukraine, whose enduring courage and solidarity inspires the world," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement last week, adding, "Russia could end [the war] at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks against Ukraine's cities and people."

PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. officially announces his candidacy for President on April 19, 2023 in Boston. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images, FILE)

The economy

In a June interview on the "Breaking Points" podcast, Kennedy said that his "primary platform" on the economy would be cutting military spending and reinvesting that money into domestic spending and development.

"My primary platform is to cut the costs on the military," Kennedy said on the show. "Again, what we were told was a peace dividend after the collapse of the Soviet Union.  We were going to cut our military budget from about $600 billion a year to $200 billion a year."

On his website, Kennedy lists rebuilding industrial infrastructure "ruined by forty years of off-shoring" among his top priorities, alongside "government assistance to the nation's most vulnerable."

He expressed hesitation, though, when asked if he would support a federal jobs guarantee or a universal basic income.

"I need to look at those things, you know, and see, and I need to talk to a lot of economists and talk about the ups and downs of those issues," he said. "You know, I can see a lot of problems with those issues, which I think are obvious to anybody. And it's a real departure from American free market capitalism. I'd like to try to give this system a chance to work."

On raising the federal minimum wage, Kennedy said he did not have a specific number in mind but that "people should have a living wage in this country."

"Thirty-five percent of Americans  are not making enough money to pay for basic human needs, and that means food, transportation and housing," Kennedy said on the podcast. "And that means those Americans are sitting on the precipice of a cliff, that they're inches away from, or on top of, becoming homeless."

He has also expressed support for bolstering unions: "We need to build rebuild unions in this country, because it's one of the key ways we can counterbalance  the domination of our government by corporate power."

The environment

An environmental lawyer by trade, Kennedy has positioned environmental policy as a centerpiece of his presidential bid.

"In 100% of the situations, good environmental policy is identical to good economic policy," Kennedy told a crowd of supporters when announcing his presidential run in April. "If we want to measure our economy, this is how we ought to be measuring -- based upon how it produces jobs and the dignity of jobs over the generations and how it preserves the value of the assets of our community."

Kennedy has also promised, if elected, to protect wild lands by curbing logging, oil drilling and mining and containing suburban sprawl.

"We will become a global advocate for rainforest preservation and marine restoration," his campaign website states. "We will rethink development policies that promised economic growth while ignoring ecological sustainability, and ended up delivering neither."

PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits 'The Faulkner Focus'at Fox News Channel Studios on June 2, 2023 in New York City. (Jamie Mccarthy/Getty Images, FILE)

Vaccines

In 2005, in a since-debunked story in Rolling Stone and Salon called "Deadly Immunity," Kennedy falsely asserted a link between childhood vaccines and autism via a mercury-based compound called thimerosal, which the Food and Drug Administration phased out of nearly all vaccines in 2001. The article was amended with five separate corrections before being fully retracted.

Research has repeatedly shown that vaccines and their ingredients, including thimerosal, do not cause autism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine CDC-funded or conducted studies have "found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines" since 2003.

Six years later, Kennedy founded the Children's Health Defense, a prominent anti-vaccine nonprofit that has campaigned against immunizations and other public health measures like water fluoridation.

After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group held rallies to protest temporary restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of the virus.

It was at one of those events where Kennedy, appearing alongside vaccine opponents and others in front of the Lincoln Memorial, compared the restrictions -- like those on travel -- to Nazi Germany: "Even in Hitler's Germany, you could cross the Alps to Switzerland. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did."

He later apologized for the remark, saying, "My intention was to use examples of past barbarism to show the perils from new technologies of control. To the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry."His anti-vaccine views gained traction with some during the pandemic. Filings with charity regulators show Children's Health Defense saw revenues double to $6.8 million in 2020.

Kennedy has also attracted a growing base of support among far-right figures like InfoWars host Alex Jones and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who have spread falsehoods about the COVID-19 pandemic or the 2020 election.

So far, the 69-year-old environmental lawyer has shown no sign of softening his views on the issue, often reposting articles from his nonprofit on Twitter and appearing as a guest on podcasts like "The Joe Rogan Experience," where last week he falsely claimed that ivermectin, a de-worming drug, was suppressed by the FDA so that specialized COVID-19 vaccines could receive emergency use authorization.

Last week, he tweeted that as president he would "hold the agencies and individuals responsible, and we will compensate the vaccine injured."

Some experts have expressed concern about Kennedy's vaccine skepticism and misleading claims about COVID-19.

Dr. Nick Sawyer, an emergency medicine physician in Sacramento who founded No License for Disinformation, a group of doctors who came together during the pandemic to call on state medical boards to take disciplinary measures against doctors spreading misinformation, previously told ABC News that Kennedy represents "a huge threat."

"He's lying to people about critical things that have to do with our nation's children's health," Sawyer said. "The health effects are incredibly dangerous and have already shown to be incredibly damaging."

Meanwhile, Kennedy has largely shied away from addressing the issue of vaccines on the campaign trail. In his nearly two-hour-long campaign announcement, he made no explicit mention of them and told NBC News in a recent interview that while he's not leading with the issue, "If anybody wants to talk to me about vaccines, I'll talk to them."

The border

On Twitter, Kennedy has billed himself as both in favor of immigration and "closing the border."

Visiting Yuma, Arizona, in early June, Kennedy called the rate of unauthorized migration "not a good thing for our country" and said it was "unsustainable."

"This is a humanitarian crisis because of the understanding across the globe that we now have an open border here," he said in a video. "There are people being drawn here. They're being abused. There's all kinds of horrific, terrible, terrible stories."

At the same time as Kennedys visit, the Department of Homeland Security reported on June 6 that unlawful entries along the southern border had decreased 70% from their record highs since the end of Title 42 on May 11.

"America should be a haven of freedom and prosperity, open to law-abiding migrants who will contribute to our society," Kennedy said in May. "However, immigration must proceed in an orderly, lawful manner."

What RFK Jr., now a presidential candidate, has said about Ukraine, vaccines, the economy and more originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Robert F Kennedy Jr

Robert F Kennedy Jr has downplayed his anti-vaccine views in his run for the US presidency, but a podcast appearance has put them front and centre once again.

Mr Kennedy, who's seeking the Democratic party nomination for president, is facing controversy after raising his anti-vaccine views on the Joe Rogan podcast.

He appeared on the massively popular series - known for its wide-ranging conversations and a range of guests, including a number with controversial or pseudoscientific views - last Thursday.

Now he's facing pushback for repeating several disproven statements that he's made as head of anti-vaccine charity Children's Health Defense. Among them was the widely debunked idea that vaccines cause autism.

The controversy has focused attention on Mr Kennedy's anti-vaccine views - something he's mostly avoided talking about on the campaign trail.

Peter Hotez is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and a professor at Baylor College of Medicine. He's also been a guest on Mr Rogan's podcast, but on Twitter called the interview with Mr Kennedy "just awful".

The doctor says that prompted a wave of abuse. It also spawned offers by Mr Rogan and others to donate large sums of money to charity if Dr Hotez debates Mr Kennedy about vaccines.

Mr Kennedy tweeted: "Let's finally have the respectful, congenial, informative debate that the American people deserve."

Dr Hotez has so far turned down the offers. In interviews he has said he's willing to appear again on Mr Rogan's show but that he does not want to argue with Mr Kennedy.

Mr Kennedy belongs to America's most famous political family, though he made his own name through legal work for environmental causes.

For years he's also been a major figure in the anti-vaccine movement. In 2005 he published an article in Rolling Stone and Salon, claiming a link between vaccines and autism. It was later withdrawn by both news organisations after criticism and fact-checking.

His profile has been on the rise along with the rest of the anti-vaccine movement, which seized on the Covid pandemic to advance its agenda.

In 2021, Mr Kennedy was named as one of the main spreaders of anti-vaccine falsehoods - one of a so-called "disinformation dozen" - in a CCDH report.

Children's Health Defense has sued the BBC and other organisations, alleging that violations of US anti-trust laws resulted in censorship of the group's views

Despite the heightened profile for his foundation, Mr Kennedy has not put his vaccine views at the centre of his campaign for president.

During a nearly two-hour speech to kick off his campaign in April, he criticised Covid lockdowns, government spending, corporate power and Donald Trump. But he only briefly mentioned vaccines and didn't dwell on his anti-vaccination activism.

Likewise, his campaign web site highlights his positions on the environment and civil liberties, rather than the issue that supercharged his popularity on social media and prompted several other Kennedy family members to disavow his campaign.

One simple explanation for the omission is that Mr Kennedy's stances on vaccines are not very popular in his own political party.

Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a non-profit that works against disinformation, told the BBC that "being an anti-vaxxer is still a minority pursuit in the United States".

"So he's sticking to a more general anti-establishment schtick," he says. "He's working really hard to keep people from knowing he's a hardcore anti-vaxxer."

Mark Schmitt, a research director at New America, a left-leaning think tank, said Democratic voters "overwhelming say" they are in favour of vaccines, including the Covid jab.

Mr Schmitt notes that the picture among Republicans is more mixed, although generally more favourable than not. He credits name recognition with Mr Kennedy's popularity among Democrats.

Mr Kennedy, the 69-year-old son of assassinated Senator Robert F Kennedy, is challenging incumbent Joe Biden. While his campaign is viewed as a long shot, several recent opinion polls suggest he has the support of around 20% of Democratic voters.

"He's saying, I'm someone fresh but recognisable, I'm not from the establishment but you know my family," says Mr Ahmed.

The BBC contacted Spotify, which hosts the podcast, and Mr Kennedy for comment.
The News

French President Emmanuel Macron and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley will co-host a summit aimed at solving one of the biggest problems in climate policy: How to turn the trickle of international financial aid available for developing countries to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts into a trillion-dollar torrent within the next decade.

On the table will be proposals for the most comprehensive overhaul of the global development finance system since World War II. Heads of state, finance ministers, and the new World Bank president are expected at the event in Paris on Thursday and Friday.

Tim's view

The Summit for a New Global Financing Pact wont clear all the bureaucratic obstacles that are clogging up the climate finance pipeline. But it marks the first time the U.S. and other rich, high-emissions countries will be under pressure to take a position on proposals that will be front and center at the meeting rather than percolating on the sidelines of climate geopolitics, as they normally are.

These ideas include allowing developing countries to suspend payments on their sovereign debts in the wake of natural disasters; creating a new agency within the World Bank to insure private-sector investments in clean energy projects against fluctuations in the local currency exchange rate; and rewriting the lending protocols for development banks so that they are less risk-averse and prioritize projects with the greatest potential to cut emissions or blunt climate impacts.

The summit is not about cough up more money now, its about getting more out of what currently exists, said Michael Jacobs, a senior fellow at ODI, a UK think tank, and a former climate adviser to the U.K. government. This is a moment where there could be an inflection point on some of these ideas.

One more tangible outcome of the summit, Jacobs said, is that Macron may announce a goal to collect $100 billion in special drawing rights  International Monetary Fund reserve assets that countries can exchange for cash  and redirect the funds to developing countries to help pay for climate projects. These rights were allocated to rich nations during the pandemic but went unused.

Know More

The gap between the climate finance developing countries need and what theyre getting has become too big to ignore. By 2030, the demand is expected to reach $2.4 trillion per year. Today, the annual total of all development aid, for all purposes, is about $200 billion. A commitment by rich countries to raise $100 billion annually in climate finance has not been met three years after it was due, with somewhere between $25 and $84 billion raised depending on how it is tallied.

The upshot of this deficit is that lower-income countries are still too reliant on fossil fuels, and that they remain highly vulnerable to climate impacts which  via trade, migration, and other links  come back as economic and political problems for rich countries.

Room for Disagreement

The summit wont magically conjure up trillions of dollars until the U.S. and other donors commit to raising their contributions to the World Bank. So far, the U.S. has ruled that out, at least until the World Bank gets better at investing the money it already has. So it will be important to watch whether Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who will be in Paris, sees any of the reforms under discussion there as the kind of ideas that would change her mind. On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders published a letter that shifts responsibility for climate finance away from governments and more onto the private sector.

If people look at this summit against the long list of things they desire, its always going to disappoint, Avinash Persaud, Mottleys finance adviser, said on a call with journalists this week.

The View From The Shipping Industry

A final proposal under consideration in Paris will be a new carbon tax on global ocean shipping, a large and currently unregulated source of emissions. Such a tax could raise up to $60 billion annually, and the International Maritime Organization, the U.N. agency that would need to approve it, seems potentially willing to do so. The question that remains contentious is how those funds will be used  the IMO wants to keep them within the shipping industry to offset the costs of its decarbonization efforts, while Persaud and others have argued for the money to flow into an account for climate reparations payments to developing countries.

Notable
Who is the richest person in California? Real-time data shows billionaires net worth

Between the enormous wealth of Beverly Hills and Silicon Valley tech, competition is fierce when it comes to being the richest person in California.

For the first time since 2019, Forbes found the richest people living in each U.S. state, creating a healthy list of billionaires across the country.

Elon Musk took Texas. Jeff Bezos claimed Washington. But who is the richest person in the Golden State? Spoiler: He lives in Palo Alto.

Who is the richest person in California?

According to Forbes 2023 The Richest Person in Every State list:

The richest person in California: Larry Page

His source of wealth: Google

Age: 50

Estimated net worth (as of Tuesday): Roughly $105 billion

Who is Larry Page?

Larry Page is the co-founder, former CEO and current board member of Googles parent company, Alphabet.

Page co-founded Google in 1998 alongside Sergey Brin, a fellow Stanford Ph.D. student. The two of them invented the algorithm that fuels the search engine.

His bachelors degree is from the University of Michigan and his masters is from Stanford, according to Forbes. He is married with one child.

According to Forbes real-time wealth calculator, on Tuesday he was the seventh richest person in the world (up from No. 12 earlier this year) and the sixth wealthiest person in the United States (down from No. 5).

Forbes considers Page to be an 8 out of 10 on the self-made scale, meaning an individual came from a middle-class or upper-middle-class background.

Richest people in the world

As of Tuesday at 5 p.m., heres how the worlds billionaires rank:

Elon Musk: United States, automotive, $245.9 billion Bernard Arnault and family: France, Fashion & retail, $227.7 billion Larry Ellison, United States, technology, $153.1 billion Jeff Bezos, United States, technology, $148.5 billion Warren Buffett, United States, finance, $118.1 billion Bill Gates, United States, technology, $117.6 billion Larry Page, United States, technology, $104.6 billion Steve Balmer, United States, technology, $103.4 billion Carlos Slim Helu and family, Mexico, business, $101.5 billion Mark Zuckerberg, United States, social media, $100.9 billion

How does Forbes track billionaires?

The business magazine tracks the daily ups and downs of individuals Forbes confirms as billionaires, looking at their net worth updates occur every five minutes to once a day, depending on if holdings are public or private.

For the full methodology and real-time list of richest people in the world, visit the sites billionaire tracker here.
Robert Downey Jr says that his time in prison was the worst thing that happened to me

Robert Downey Jr has looked back on his stint in prison in the 1990s, calling it the worst thing that happened to him.

The 58-year-old actor has been a Hollywood mainstay since the 1980s, having made an impression in films such as Weird Science (1985) and Less than Zero (1987).

In his early career, Downey faced substance addiction and various drug charges. He has been sober since July 2003.

Downey was featured on Mondays edition (19 June) of the Armchair Expert podcast to promote his forthcoming Max show Downeys Dream Cars.

He spoke to co-host Dax Shepard about the time he was sentenced to three years in prison in 1999, aged 34, after repeatedly missing court-ordered drug tests.

Downey began to recount the story, claiming that he was over-sentenced by an angry judge.

At some point, he said something in Latin and I thought he was casting a spell on me, he added, to the amusement of Shepard and co-presenter Monica Padman.

The story then jumped to two weeks later, when Downey was in Delano, California at North Kern State Prison, which he described as a receiving centre where they decide where youre going to go.

As the location was mainly for organisation purposes, inmates were not separated depending on their crime, meaning that Downey was in the presence of people who had committed severely violent acts.

You could just feel the evil in the air, and that was no trouble at all because it was kind of like just being in a really bad neighbourhood, Downey explained, adding: There was no opportunity there. There was only threats.

Robert Downey Jr (Getty Images)

Downey explained that he was soon moved to the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, where he began to come to terms with his substance issues and how they had led him to incarceration.

We are programmed to, within a short amount of time, be able to adjust to things that are seemingly impossible, he said.

And for me, theres worse things that could have happened than being sent to an institution, for sure. However, we can only go by what we know, and I would imagine if I had to guess, that was the worst thing that happened to me.

Ultimately, Downey served only a year of his sentence as he was granted early release in 2000 after posting bail.

He has been married to his wife, Susan Downey, since 2005. From 1984 to 1991, he was in a relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker, who recently reflected on being together with the actor amid his addiction struggle.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, you can visit Frank for support and advice. You can also call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600.
For Patrick Allie, museum curation is a family affair.

Allie grew up watching his father run the Army museum at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for about 25 years. Now, the junior Allie is preparing his own Army museum for its first top-to-bottom renovation.

Founded in 1905, the Rock Island Arsenal Museum in Illinois is the Armys second oldest  and it will soon receive its first complete renovation in more than 80 years.

A part of the 30-museum Army Museum Enterprise, the mission of Rock Island Arsenal has remained telling the story of the Arsenal as it relates to its impact on greater service  and the community.

Our mission was not to tell the whole Army story, or to tell the history of all small arms, Allie, the museums director, told Military Times during a private showing of the renovation process. [The mission is] to tell the history of the arsenal, through its people, through its commands, through the things its made.

While we still tell a very Army story, we also we tell that all through the lens of Rock Islanders.

The Rock Island Arsenal hosts a number of important commands for the service. First U.S. Army, the oldest and longest established field Army, is located on the island. Army Joint Munitions Command, responsible for logistics sustainment, readiness and acquisition support of ammunition, is also headquartered there, along with Army Sustainment Command and a branch of Army Contracting Command, according to the Rock Island Arsenal website.

Sitting in the middle of the Mississippi River, the Arsenal is located at the only point where the river flows East to West. That very place  the upper Mississippi River  is where the museums storytelling begins, with the mapping of the region by Zebulon Pike. Pike would eventually be captured by Spanish soldiers in the American Southwest, but not before gaining enough notoriety to have Pikes Peak in Colorado named in his honor.

From the initial founding of Fort Armstrong on the Arsenals location to the Blackhawk War, the exhibits unfold in a horseshoe shape in the limestone building that hosts the museum. Through the early centuries of the Rock Island Arsenal to the present day, the museum has touched on the important people, weapons and stories that took place in the community.

But one of the museums major efforts, Allie said, is to highlight the sheer amount of capabilities the arsenal has produced and distributed to the service over the years. In fact, all of the services 30 museums house at least one weapon or product made at the Rock Island Arsenal.

I think thats really telling in a lot of ways, just the global reach that we have had and the impact on the warfighter that this community has had, Allie said.

Today, as the Army in particular suffers from a recruiting crisis, Allie believes museums offer one way to positively influence the perception of possible recruits  and children who might be interacting with the military for the first time.

Recruiting is a big thing right now, and for many people, this is the first contact theyre going to have with with their countrys military, Allie said. We need to make sure its a positive experience, and we need to show them all the ways that they can serve.

Some of the inspiration for the museums renovation was particularly special for Allie  considering his relation to those providing input.

While planning out renovations, Allie considered how children like his own  5-year-old Walker and 3-year-old Weston  would experience a museum differently than other age groups.

As such, hands-on exhibits rather than small placards of information were taken into account during planning, Allie said. The museum will have significant hands-on sections, along with enlarged photos from the museums extensive photograph archive.

Having kids and being able to know how they understand things, how they see the world ... some kids are very tactile, Allie said. Some kids are very visual, and certainly within this space, it hits on all of those different aspects.
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) will build a dedicated launch pad at the Guiana Space Center (GSC) in French Guiana, with launches commencing in 2025, the company said Wednesday.

RFA signed a binding agreement with Frances national space agency CNES for use of the launch site at GSC, located in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch complex had historically been home to a small French launcher known as Diamant, which was retired in the 1970s. Currently, the only launch vehicles that fly from GSC are ArianeGroups Ariane 5 and the Italian aerospace company Avios Vega.

By launching from Kourou, the European Spaceport, we can serve ESA and its member states as institutional customers for any mission profile they desire, RFAs chief commercial officer Jorn Spurmann said in a statement.

RFA is one of a handful of European launch startups racing to complete their first mission before the end of this year. The Germany-based company already has an agreement in place with the Scotlands SaxaVord Spaceport for exclusive access to a launch pad there. RFA said in January that its first launch will take place from that location.

SaxaVords very high latitude means that the RFA rocket will be able to reach polar and sun-synchronous orbits (SSO). The second launch site in French Guiana expands access to lower inclinations, including geosynchronous orbit, medium Earth orbit and even lunar and interplanetary missions.

RFA is developing a three-stage launcher called RFA One with a payload capacity of 1,300 kilograms to SSO. The rocket will stand at 30 meters and 2 meters in diameter, slightly bigger than Rocket Labs Electron but less than twice as tall as a SpaceX Falcon 9. In May, RFA successfully completed a 280-second hot fire test of its upper stage, qualifying the upper stage and its RFA-made Helix engine for flight.

The company has spent a little over 40 million ($43.8 million) so far in its quest to become Europe's first small launch provider.
A year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, an unworkable patchwork of state laws leaves corporate America more vulnerable to government overreach

Since the fall of Roe v Wade a year ago, returning the issue of abortion rights to the states has resulted in chaosand created an unfunded burden for employers. Currently, 24 states restrict abortion access, and of those, 14 ban most abortions. In the 100 days post-Roe, 90% of counties did not have a facility that provided abortion, and 48% of women in America aged 1544 lived in these counties.

In the aftermath of the leak and subsequent ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, hundreds of companies sought to mitigate harm to workers by adapting benefits to support travel or healthcare costs out of state in anticipation of the aftermath of abortion restrictions and bans.

However, the patchwork of state laws and uncertain legal landscape make it harder for employers to mitigate the harm caused when workers and their families cannot get the healthcare they need. Recent telehealth and medication-by-mail restrictions, laws criminalizing travel across states, and attempts to punish employers who help their workers access care exacerbate the issue.

Simultaneously, no amount of time off, insurance benefits, and bus or plane tickets from employers can prevent widespread harm. The restrictions and bans are already having their intended impact: reducing the number of abortion providers. Additionally, its generating collateral damage across the healthcare industry. States with bans are already seeing a decline in medical residency students, obstetricians, and gynecologists, among other kinds of doctors.

The recent passage of bans in the Carolinas leaves the country's Southeast region without abortion access. Unfortunately, this also impacts the availability of assisted reproductive technology such as IVF, LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare, family planning, and maternal healthcare.

The medical fallout is eerily invisible, but complex stories of forced pregnancy are starting to surface. A Florida mother was reportedly forced to continue an unviable pregnancy, traumatizing her husband and four-year-old. In Louisiana, two emergency rooms reportedly turned a mother away when she was experiencing a miscarriage. In Texas, a woman and her partner may be unable to have children because of delays and dangerous complications to her obstetric care. A woman in Georgia was reportedly denied Mifepristone because of ambiguity around the litigation, which makes some providers reluctant to provide it. She experienced severe complications, leading her and her husband to speak out.

While demographic trends take time to assess, early polling indicates that abortion bans will likely depress talent mobility. By a margin of 2:1, workers prefer to live in a state where abortion is legal and accessible, consistent with statewide races and ballot measures on abortion in states like Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The current and future workforce vote with their feet: More than 81% of currently enrolled students and 85% of yet-unenrolled students say they would prefer to attend a university in a state with greater access to reproductive health services. In contrast, fewer than two in 10 prefer college in a more restrictive state. And more than half of young women plan where to live based on whether abortion is accessible in a state.

The unsustainable patchwork of state laws and tumultuous litigation landscape demands a federal standard to clarify and codify access to reproductive healthcare for the workforce and employers. Only Congress can enact a 50-state solution to end the chaos and administrative burdens stretching across state lines.

Government overreach, judicial interference, diminishing data privacy, and threats to interstate commerce create significant instability for corporate America. The health care industrys specific concerns are glaringand have unforeseen consequences for other sectors: Threats to the authority of regulatory agencies such as the FDA endangers innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Companies in the health insurance, retail, and financial services industries are navigating an increasingly complex liability landscape. Industries including tech and retail have to manage consumer vulnerability to data tracking and surveillance. All employers face potential legal risks presented by the potential for coercive workplaces as a result of efforts in some states to reward bounties for reporting aiding and abetting.

The fall of Roe v. Wade a year ago was just the end of the beginning. The burden left to businesses of all sizes to mitigate the harm of returning the issue to the states while expecting a ready and healthy workforce is too much for the private sector to bear alone. Congress must step up.

Jen Stark is the co-director of business and social justice at BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) and a founding coalition member of Don't Ban Equality (DBE).

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

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Romanian F-16 Fighting Falcon

Romania is emerging as a possible front-runner as a location to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s. While a multinational effort to get Ukrainian Air Force aircrew into the cockpits of the U.S.-made jet has been taking shape for some weeks, until now there had only really been speculation about where such training might take place. Whats more, it appears at least possible that the training program in Romania could also make use of the growing contractor infrastructure related to the F-16.

Romania is identified as a potential training site for Ukraines future F-16 pilots in an article in Politico, which is based on insight from three unnamed people with knowledge of the planning for that program: an undisclosed Western official, plus a current and a former U.S. Defense Department official.

A Romanian Air Force F-16 waits to be fueled from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, over Romania, in 2018. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nunez

Romania is one of the sites that the coalition is looking at for hosting training in, the Western official told Politico.

The country, which occupies a strategic position on NATOs Black Sea frontier, had not previously been mentioned as a member of the multinational training effort. This initiative is being led by the Netherlands and Denmark  both F-16 operators, like Romania  although Belgium and the United Kingdom have also said they will participate. Notably, the United Kingdom is not an F-16 operator but says it will still provide relevant training, while Belgium has said that it can offer training but not actually transfer any F-16s (for now, at least).

https://twitter.com/MinPres/status/1664286876881268738?s=20 https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1659599358797443073?s=20

As for Romania, the country is the most recent country within NATO to get its hands on F-16s.

The Romanian Air Force has been notably resourceful in growing its F-16 fleet, starting with a batch of 12 second-hand jets from Portuguese stocks, followed by another five from the same source, and finally agreeing to buy 32 from Norway, which has retired all its Vipers. These last 32 jets will be delivered once they have been refurbished in Norway.

A Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16. Thirty-two of the former Norwegian Vipers are headed to the Romanian Air Force. Luftforsvaret

With the Romanian MiG-21 LanceR fleet now withdrawn, the F-16 is the sole combat jet operated by the country. The airframes may be old, but they represent new and advanced equipment for Romania, and they play an important role in defending the Black Sea region. Looking further ahead, Romania is also seeking to add F-35 stealth jets to its air force.

A Romanian Air Force MiG-21 LanceR, a type retired last month. Chris Lofting/Wikimedia Commons

As well as operating a relatively large F-16 fleet, at least with the ex-Norwegian jets added to the total, the fact that the Romanian jets are very much still at the start of their second careers also makes this a more suitable training location, compared to other European NATO operators, most of which are already drawing down their fleets in favor of F-35s. Then there is Romanias location, bordering Ukraine, which would make the movement of pilots, other personnel, and support assets between the two countries much more straightforward.

https://twitter.com/MApNRomania/status/1655974583269478400?s=20

When it comes to details of the possible Romanian training effort, the current and former Pentagon officials told Politico that the multinational training coalition is working to negotiate a contract to conduct the aircraft training at a site in Romania, and that the syllabus itself would likely be run by Lockheed Martin, the F-16s manufacturer.

For their part, European officials approached by Politico neither confirmed nor denied the Romanian training proposal, although a spokesperson from the Dutch Ministry of Defense did say the coalition partners were seeking to establish a training base in Eastern Europe.

Politico did also receive a statement from the Romanian Ministry of Defense, which again neither confirmed nor denied the training plan, but did state that the country welcomes the initiative to establish a coalition of NATO allies to provide training of pilots for F-16s.

Its not specified where the F-16s used for training Ukrainian pilots and technicians would come from, but there may well be sufficient jets in Romania already for this, depending on the size of the classes being transitioned to the fighter. Otherwise, there are various other options that we have explored for sourcing F-16s that could potentially join the training set-up in Romania.

Intriguingly, there is already an effort to establish a new F-16 training set-up in Romania, according to a notice posted on the careers page of Draken International, the adversary air support contractor that is also an F-16 operator. Coincidentally, Draken also acquired F-16s from Norway for its aggressor work and may yet still acquire more from the Netherlands, although perhaps in significantly reduced numbers.

A Dutch F-35A, a Dutch F-16, and a pair of Draken International A-4 Skyhawks fly in support of an operational test exercise for the Royal Netherlands Air Force contingent at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Photo courtesy Frank Crebas

The Draken job advertisement is looking for flight instructor pilots, maintenance production supervisors, crew chiefs, maintenance schedulers, and avionics/electrical technicians to work at Fetesti Air Base in Romania.

The duration of the work is between three and 19 months and all candidates need to have at least five years of relevant F-16 experience, meet physical requirements, and be suitable for a clearance level of secret.

Some of the first Romanian Air Force F-16s after their service entry at Festesti Air Base:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW89BgUKThs

The flight instructor pilots, specifically, also require at least 2,000 F-16 hours and at least 500+ F-16 instructor hours, as well as citizenship thats compliant with International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR). Furthermore, the instructor pilots need a current FAA medical rating, commercial, single-engine pilot certification, and a statement of F-16 recency.

While the job advertisement doesnt specifically say who the Draken employees will be training, one possibility is Ukrainian pilots  perhaps in addition to Romanians.

The posting is on the U.S. job section of the Draken website, suggesting the company is looking for Americans rather than Europeans or other nationalities.

That could also suggest that Lockheed Martin has sub-contracted Draken to run the Romanian training program, which would be politically expedient for Washington, which has been reluctant, in the past, to approve F-16s or related training for Ukraine. Its possible, too, that the Draken training is being paid for not by the United States, but by European NATO countries within the multinational F-16 training effort, and perhaps other nations too.

The idea of private contractors training Ukraine how to use Western fighters is something that The War Zone has explored in the past, in the case of the former Australian F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet. In our previous article, we looked in detail at how such a concept could work and the benefits it might bring.

It was only last month that U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he would help secure modern, fourth-generation Western fighters for Ukraine. This was a reversal from his previous stance and Biden also named the F-16 specifically.

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1660362538347896838?s=20

The United States together with our allies and partners are going to begin training Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-16s, Biden told reporters, to strengthen Ukraines Air Force as part of a long-term commitment to Ukraines ability to defend itself.

An Alabama Air National Guard F-16C taxies past Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets, on the ramp at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, during an exercise in 2011. U.S. Air Force

Now, with the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and the United Kingdom all committed to the Ukrainian F-16 training effort, with Portugal and Norway also expressing their interest in joining, and with a potential location for this initiative possibly found in Romania, the program may be taking shape. This would also bring some significant benefits for Romania, too, with the promise of becoming an F-16 infrastructure magnet, potentially attracting other clients for training, and bringing a boost to its own air arm and its economy.

But there is still the issue of where the F-16s that Ukraine will eventually fly operationally will come from.

The delivery of F-16s is not at the table now, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Politico. We are working very hard to start the F-16 training [with Denmark to train Ukrainian] pilots as soon as possible, the spokesperson added. Delivery requires a separate decision-making process.

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin says its ready to train Ukrainian pilots to fly and maintain the F-16s as soon as Western countries agree to provide them. Again, that kind of arrangement could also involve using Draken, and possibly other companies, as a sub-contractor to provide that training, in Romania. Lockheed Martin also said it would potentially be able to build new F-16s to backfill any jets donated to Ukraine, although this would be a longer-term proposition bearing in mind the significant backlog in F-16 orders at its Greenville, South Carolina production facility.

A Block 70 F-16 during construction at the Lockheed Martin plant in Greenville, South Carolina. The company has said it could build new F-16s to backfill any jets donated to Ukraine. Lockheed Martin



Already, we know that the training coalition aims to start teaching Ukrainians this summer, although its not clear at this point what kind of training that might involve and whether it will include live-flying in the F-16 from the outset.

A word of warning was last week provided by Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who told reporters Theres a lot of work to do before F-16s actually arrive on Ukrainian territory.

You have to do language training, Milley added. You have to do pilot training. Youve got to get all the systems set in place. So those  those wheels are in motion, but were a ways from completion of that project.

So, while Ukrainian Air Force pilots taking F-16s into battle might still be some way off, the preliminary work needed to get those pilots and supporting personnel ready looks like it should begin in the very near future. And with a potential schoolhouse base already apparently being eyed in Romania, the training effort also seems to be gathering pace and increasing in scope.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
As the summer season officially gets underway, severe thunderstorms will target large sections of the central United States, AccuWeather meteorologists say.

A repetitive storm track from Wyoming and Colorado to northern Minnesota through the end of the week will help to ignite rounds of severe weather across the Plains.

"Multiple waves of energy are forecast to move northeastward along the jet stream, acting as a trigger for thunderstorms to break out this week," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco.

Severe weather on Wednesday stretched from North Dakota to Texas, with a tornado reportedly killing four people in the town of Matador, Texas, about 95 miles east of Lubbock Wednesday night. Elsewhere large hail injured dozens at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.

Some of the same areas may get more thunderstorms again through Thursday night.

A "particularly dangerous situation" unfolded Thursday afternoon when a tornado-warned storm tracked south of downtown Denver. A tornado warning was issued across Douglas and Arapahoe counties, warning of "life-threatening" conditions. Earlier, a severe thunderstorm warning that included Denver warned of baseball-sized hail for the area once more.

As is the case with every round of thunderstorms, the risk of lightning could be dangerous for anyone participating in outdoor activities. Downpours will also have the potential to bring reduced visibility, leading to slower travel.

The risks of hail, damaging winds and flash flooding will continue on Friday, and some of the same communities threatened by severe weather earlier in the week could once again be in the line of fire. This includes cities like Rapid City, South Dakota, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Dodge City, Kansas, in the central Plains. Additionally, a zone across northern Texas will face some risk for severe storms, including Dallas.

The biggest difference on Friday is that there will be an increased amount of spin in the atmosphere, which could lead to a greater chance of tornadoes.

"The risk for a tornado or two to spin up will increase late this week, with the best chance on Friday and Saturday," Danco said.

AccuWeather meteorologists are also warning that there may be a more widespread risk of severe thunderstorms in general on Saturday.

In addition to the risk of isolated tornadoes for communities from the Interstate 94 corridor to Kansas City and the northern suburbs of St. Louis, large hail and damaging wind gusts as high as 80 mph are possible.

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For locations farther east, this final day of severe weather could lead to a drastic change in the weather pattern.

Abnormal heat is expected to close out the week in cities like Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska. Both locations are forecast to have high temperatures in the 90s F, - about 5-10 degrees above historical average - a feat more typical for the month of July.

After Saturday's thunderstorms roll through, temperatures are expected to take a nosedive. In Minneapolis, Sunday's temperatures could struggle to reach the mid-70s. Temperatures are likely to bounce back to the 80s early next week, closer to historical averages for late June.

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.
CANBERRA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Minister for Defense Richard Marles has vowed that military commanders will be held accountable for war crimes in Afghanistan.

Marles recently said the government would hold Australian Defense Force (ADF) top brass who oversaw the war in Afghanistan responsible for the unlawful killings allegedly committed by Australian troops.

His commitment came after Senator Jacqui Lambie, a former Australian army member, on Tuesday revealed she has referred ADF officers to the International Criminal Court for investigation over war crimes.

A landmark inquiry into allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan in 2020 revealed that it had found credible evidence that Australian special force soldiers murdered 39 civilians and prisoners in the country between 2005 and 2016.

One soldier has been charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with the war crime of murder, with investigations into others ongoing.

Lambie called on the government to hold commanders accountable for the actions of their subordinates.

She said there is "a culture of cover-up" at the highest levels of the ADF.

In response, Marles said the government would "make this right".

"The Chief of the Defense Force has been pursuing a process in respect of command accountability, consistent with the recommendations of the Brereton Report," he said in a press conference late on Tuesday. 
A rubber chicken for some extra wings? Popular Warner Robins spot to open second store

With a catchphrase of our food is so good we couldnt name it, this popular chicken joint in Warner Robins is opening a second location with a funky rubber chicken promotion.

Thats right, No Name Chicken off Ga. 96 is trading extra wings for a rubber chicken from 4-10 p.m. every Monday until the new store opens at 2706 Watson Blvd, Suite I, in the former Hong Kong Express location.

A No. 2 wings combo at No Name Chicken with Honey BBQ and Louis Louis sauces, crinkle fries and corn slaw.

The promotion features a rubber chicken sitting in a red chair all by itself at the new store.

Our chicken is lonely. Hes hanging out at our new Watson location with no friends  Gift us a rubber chicken and receive a free 5 piece wing with (the purchase of) any combo, the promotion reads.

Whats more, sign your rubber chicken and look for it at the new store when it opens, says Candice Miller of No Name Chicken.

No Name Chicken is opening a second Warner Robins location at 2706 Watson Blvd, Suite I, with a funky lonely chicken promotion.

I like to have a good time, Miller said. The lonely chicken idea hit me while driving and I had to pull over and make a note so I wouldnt forget.

A new sauce

In addition to the promotion, No Name Chicken is adding a new jerk sauce to its homemade sauce options at the new location, Miller said.

And it is so good, she said.

The new restaurant, which is targeted to open in early to mid-July, is next to T-Mobile in the shopping strip thats part of Warner Robins Place.

We are super excited about this location, said Miller, who expects the new restaurant will be just as successful as the first.

No Name Chicken is opening a second Warner Robins location at 2706 Watson Blvd, Suite I.

The first No Name Chicken within the Kroger shopping center off Ga. 96 has been open just under year, having opened in August of last year.

No Name Chicken is known for its crispy wings with homemade sauces, sliders with chicken tenderloins on a Hawaiian bun, also with sauce choices, and street fried rice. The same people behind the popular Fried Green Tomatoes restaurants in Middle Georgia are also behind No Name Chicken.

No Name Chicken is opening a second Warner Robins location at 2706 Watson Blvd, Suite I.
Russia collects bodies of flood victims, sending them to unknown location in Kherson Oblast

The flooded Kherson Oblast

Russian occupation authorities on the left bank of Kherson Oblast are collecting corpses and sending them to an unknown location, following the flood caused by the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, the head of the press office of Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, said on June 21.

They pack all the bodies they find in black bags and take them to an unknown location, Tolokonnikov said.

When bodies are brought to medical facilities in the area, the Russian occupation forces also falsify death records, Tolokonnikov said.

Read also: New Maxar satellite images reveal damage after explosion at Kakhovka dam

They make any diagnosis of the cause of death, except drowning  in order not to record the victims of their terrorist attack, to hide their crimes, as usual, he said.

The invaders also ignore the local residents calls to check the houses and dismantle the rubble, as there may be dead people under it.

Tolokonnikov believes that the number of victims, including the dead, could be high. However, the Ukrainian authorities cannot ascertain an accurate figure as they have no access to Russian-occupied territory.

Read also: European Parliament recognized the demolition of the Kakhovska dam as a Russian war crime

All we can get is the number of dead from the hospital  so far its about 11 in Oleshky and about the same number in Hola Prystan, he said.

Overnight on June 6, Russian forces, which had occupied the town of Nova Kakhovka for over a year, blew up the Kakhovka Dam and hydropower plant. This act completely or partially flooded downstream towns and villages along the Dnipro River, including the regional capital of Kherson.

Ukraine immediately began evacuating residents from the government-controlled west bank of Kherson Oblast, while a catastrophe unfolded on the occupied east bank, which suffered considerably worse due to its lower elevation. Russian forces have actively avoided conducting evacuations in the territory they occupy, and have stonewalled attempts by international bodies such as the UN to lead their own evacuation missions.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The wreckage of the Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drone, archival photo

All six Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones launched against Khmelnytskyi Oblast from the north in the early hours of June 21 have been downed, but the threat of further attacks remains, a Ukrainian Air Force spokesman said on June 21.

A house in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, located in the west of Ukraine, was set on fire due to falling debris. Emergency power outages were also introduced in that area, as reported by the local power operator Khmelnytskoblenergo. However, the power supply was expected to be restored by 8 am.

Read also: Russia may intensify drone attacks in the coming days, says Ukrainian military

Four reconnaissance drones of various types were intercepted as well.

Meanwhile, the Marhanets District in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, located in the east of Ukraine, was shelled late on June 20. There were no casualties, said regional governor Serhiy Lysak.

Read also: Ukraine comes under renewed drone and rocket attack

The day before on June 20, Russia also launched a massive attack on Ukraine. According to the military, 32 out of 35 Shahed kamikaze drones were shot down, including 20 of them over Kyiv. Three hits were recorded on a critical infrastructure facility in Lviv.

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Russia says it downed 3 drones outside Moscow, suspects it was attack by Ukraine

A Ukrainian self propelled artillery of 30th brigade fires towards Russian position in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Two drones were brought down outside Moscow as they approached the warehouses of a local military unit, Moscow region Gov. Andrei Vorobyov said Wednesday, in what could be the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia during the early stages of Kyiv's most recent counteroffensive.

The wreckage of a third drone was found about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the site of the crash, Russian media reported. No damage or casualties were reported.

Russias Defense Ministry claimed it was an unsuccessful attempt at a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime on its facilities in the Moscow region, adding in a statement that all three drones were brought down by radio-electronic means.

Ukraine, which usually doesn't confirm attacks on Russian soil, made no immediate comment about the downed drones. Previously, Ukrainian officials have emphasized the countrys right to strike any target in response to Russia's invasion and war that started in February 2022.

In December, Moscow claimed it had shot down drones that targeted military air bases in the Saratov and Ryazan regions in western Russia.

Other drones have reportedly flown deep into Russia multiple times. Since February, when a UJ-22 crashed 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Moscow, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly approached the Russian capital.

Last month, a drone attack jolted the Russian capital, though it caused only slight damage, in what appeared to be one of Kyivs deepest and most daring strikes into Russia. It was the second reported strike on Moscow that month after Russian authorities said two drones targeted the Kremlin.

At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscows air defense worked in a satisfactory way, but added it was clear what we need to do to plug the gaps in the system.

Meanwhile, train traffic was disrupted on the Crimean Peninsula on Wednesday, according to its Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Aksyonov didnt say what caused the disruption, but some Russian media outlets reported that the rail lines were blown up overnight in apparent sabotage operations.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considers illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his country aims to reclaim the peninsula in a counteroffensive that began in recent weeks.

In response to Ukraines military threat using advanced weapons supplied by Western allies, Russia has in recent weeks expended significant effort on assembling elaborate defensive lines on the approaches to Crimea, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry.

For the Kremlin, ensuring control of Crimea is a top political priority, the ministry said in a tweet Wednesday. There is intense fighting in parts of southern Ukraine where Kyivs forces are testing Russian defenses, it added.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Russian agents becoming more aggressive in Europe, says German intelligence

Flag of Germany

Russian agents are becoming more aggressive in their clandestine activities in Europe, said Thomas Haldenwang, the president of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, on June 20.

The threat to free democratic principles is real, as Russian agents have been extremely active in Europe over the past year, he explained.

Read also: Putins reign shows no signs of weakening  German intelligence

Russia is expected to become more aggressive and will employ various methods to undermine countries abroad. This includes the activities of intelligence officers with false passports, as well as an increase in hacker attacks, up to sabotage."

Russian agents employ all the "classic methods" of intelligence work, reminiscent of those seen in movies. Haldenwang added.

Read also: Why the West Underestimated Ukraine and Continues to Doubt its Victory

"Sometimes with the help of methods that everyone knows from films, Russian special services resort to killing or kidnapping people, whether they are oppositionists or defectors, Haldenwang said.

There are numerous examples of this. It is a very crude style.

Germany recently announced another military aid package for Ukraine, worth EUR 2.7 billion (almost $3 billion), on May 13. This would be the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian assassination attempt of CIA asset on US soil shows major security shift: 'This is a game changer'

Russian assassination attempt of CIA asset on US soil shows major security shift: 'This is a game changer'

A 2020 attempt by Russian agents to target and kill a CIA asset on U.S. soil signals a major shift in how the U.S. intelligence community assesses the threat faced by foreign informants who are vital to U.S. intelligence gathering.

Earlier this week, The New York Times revealed an unprecedented attempt by Moscow to pursue Aleksandr Poteyev, a former high-ranking Russian intelligence officer turned informant for the CIA who was living in Miami.

According to information set to be released in a book later this month by Calder Walton, a scholar of national security and intelligence at Harvard University, titled "Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West," an operation was put into motion in a "modern-day Mercader"  a reference to Ramon Mercader, a secret agent of the Soviet Union under Josef Stalin who assassinated Leon Trotsky in Mexico City in 1940.

Ramon Mercader, an undercover agent of the Soviet secret police, struck Leon Trotsky in the head with an ax on Aug. 20, 1940. Trotsky died the next day.

TOP AIR FORCE LEADER RAISES ALARM ON SLUMPING STANDARDS AMID CHINA, RUSSIA THREATS: 'SECOND BEST WON'T CUT IT'

Russia has a long and notorious reputation for targeting informants at home and abroad, including in Western nations. In one well-documented case from 2018, Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned with a nerve agent in Salisbury, England.

But according to Rebekah Koffler, a Russian-born former DIA intelligence officer who worked with the CIAs National Clandestine Service on operational projects involving defectors and author of "Putins Playbook," Moscow going after a U.S. asset on American soil is "a game changer."

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"We have many people working for us who risk their lives in Russia providing really highly sensitive information. In certain cases, we exfiltrate them when their life is in danger when their cover is blown," she told Fox News Digital. "This is a game changer."

The former intelligence officer explained that the U.S. intelligence community goes to great lengths to ensure the safety and security of informants forced to flee their homeland and seek protection within U.S. borders in exchange for their intelligence services.

Officers on the scene in Salisbury, England, where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found critically ill on March 4, 2018.

"If they attempted to kill this guy, theyre going to attempt to kill our other guys that we have here," she explained.

Koffler, who has personally been a target of Russian harassment, said the U.S. intelligence community previously assessed that while Moscow has intimidated Russians who aid Washington, the threat level against assets and within U.S. borders was still believed to be relatively low  an assessment that is no longer accurate.

PRO-KREMLIN WRITER'S CAR EXPLODES IN RUSSIA, KILLING DRIVER

"Its a very alarming development," she said. "We just realized none of these people are safe anymore, and thats very disturbing."

The plot to assassinate Poteyev was foiled after a Kremlin asset botched a surveillance scheme that attracted the attention of a security guard, which alerted the U.S. intelligence community.

Russia attempted to gain information on Poteyev by forcibly recruiting an unassuming Mexican scientist, Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes.

Fuentes was found to have two wives, one a Russian living in Germany with two daughters, and the other living in Mexico  a peculiar arrangement that Moscow exploited.

The mother of two was stopped and prevented from leaving Russia after they returned for a visit, forcing Fuentes to travel to Russia to see them.

While there he was approached by a man believed to be a Russian agent and was eventually instructed to rent an apartment in Miami under a different name near where Poteyev was believed to live.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with military school graduates at the Kremlin in Moscow on Wednesday.

He was then told to do surveillance and locate Poteyevs vehicle, copy down the description of where it was kept and take its license plate number.

Fuentes was also reportedly told not to take a picture of the car.

But the scientist blew the operation when he tried to enter a complex where Poteyevs vehicle was believed to be kept, passing through an entry gate by tailgating the car in front of him.

Fuentes was then stopped by a security guard, at which point his wife walked away from the scene, located Poteyevs car and took a picture of it  all of which was captured on security camera footage, according to reporting by The New York Times.

Koffler pointed out that the failure of Russias assassination attempt demonstrated that security procedures the U.S. intelligence community has in place to keep defectors safe are working.

"We may need to invest more resources now that we know the Russians will be conducting wet deeds covert operations on U.S. soil, but so far what weve done has worked in terms of keeping these guys alive," she said in reference to operational tactics used by Russia in assassination attempts like poisonings.

"Going forward, U.S. intelligence will likely assess the risk to Russian defectors higher than the current baseline, which is already very high. We will probably augment our security procedures to keep them safe," she continued. "This case demonstrated that Russian defectors should not have a false sense of security, just because they are in the U.S."

"Putin has a far-reaching network of operatives. They should listen to their case officer and follow security instructions religiously to be safe." Koffler said.
Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin attends a ceremony to award Gold Star medals to Heroes of Russia, in Moscow

Russian investigator says over 30 Ukrainian 'nationalists' jailed for war crimes Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin attends a ceremony to award Gold Star medals to Heroes of Russia, in Moscow

By Lidia Kelly and Andrew Osborn

(Reuters) - Russia's top investigator said on Wednesday that more than 30 Ukrainians had been given long jail terms in Russian-held Ukraine for committing what he described as serious crimes such as killing civilians.

Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee, Russia's equivalent of the U.S. FBI, said courts operating on territory in parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions controlled by Russian forces had been working hard to jail people who had fought on the Ukrainian side against Russian forces.

"After the liberation of Mariupol and other settlements, many Ukrainian nationalists surrendered. In the course of further work, we began to establish their involvement in crimes against peace and human security, including the killing of civilians," Bastrykin told Russia's TASS news agency.

He said 90 criminal cases had been sent to courts.

"Based on the evidence gathered, courts have already convicted more than 30 defendants, sentencing them to long terms of imprisonment and some to life imprisonment," he said.

President Vladimir Putin said in April last year that Russia had taken control of Mariupol as part of what he calls its special military operation after a siege that Ukraine said had killed tens of thousands of civilians and left the port city a wasteland.

Reuters could not independently verify the alleged war crimes referred to by Bastrykin. Ukrainian state prosecutors, who accuse Russian forces of committing numerous crimes in what they and the West call a brutal war of conquest, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ukraine's parliamentary commissioner for human rights did not immediately reply either.

Bastrykin said in July last year that Moscow had charged 92 members of Ukraine's armed forces with crimes against humanity and proposed an international tribunal backed by countries including Bolivia, Iran and Syria.

Russian media on Tuesday reported that a former deputy commander of a Ukrainian militia unit had been sentenced by a Russian court to 16 years in a penal colony for taking part in what Moscow considered an illegal armed group and for receiving terrorist training.

Russia is itself under pressure for alleged war crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in March against Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. The Kremlin has rejected the allegation as false.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly and Andrew Osborn; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Russians plan "evacuation" from Henichesk, Kherson Oblast, in case of Ukraine's Armed Forces advance

Russian invaders in occupied Henichesk, Kherson Oblast, are afraid of Ukraines Defence Forces advance and are preparing an escape plan.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "The Russian occupiers are actively spreading information about evacuation in the case of Ukraines Armed Forces breakthrough."

Details: According to the General Staff, mobile phones of collaborators in Henichesk receive SMS messages with detailed instructions and coordinates of evacuation points, which, at the same time, causes panic.

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Sacramentos Sunday Certified Farmers Market will return from Arden Fair Mall to its longtime home under Highway 50 on July 9, organizers announced on social media Wednesday.

The farmers market will once again spread across parking lots at 8th & W streets in Sacramentos Southside Park neighborhood, where it had been before temporarily relocating to Arden Fair Mall in March 2021.

A lot of people have expressed their eagerness to have us back under the W/X freeway downtown, as that has been our home for decades, Certified Farmers Markets of Sacramento wrote on Facebook and Instagram. Our anticipated reopening date has changed many times, and we truly appreciate your patience.

The Midtown Farmers Market on Saturdays might be more showy, but many Sacramentans regarded the underpass market as the best place to find produce around the city. Selland Family Restaurants patriarch Randall Selland could be seen shopping there the Sunday after his familys flagship concept, The Kitchen, won Sacramentos first Michelin star in 2019.

A $400 million Highway 50 construction project pushed the Sunday farmers market out to Arden Fair Mall in March 2021, where its remained for the last two years.

The Sunday Certified Farmers Market will continue to be held in Arden Fair Malls parking lot outside the former Sears store on this coming Sunday and July 2.
When Sacramento police officers last year put a 10-year-old girl in handcuffs as she sobbed, it did not violate department policy.

Thats because such a policy does not exist, a new audit from the citys Office of Public Safety Accountability found.

The citys Inspector General Dwight White and OPSA director LaTesha Watson showed a snippet of body camera footage during Tuesdays City Council meeting, eliciting tears from several members of the audience. During the video, from Feb. 10, 2022, several white male officers can be seen screaming at people inside to open the door, grabbing the metal screen and forcibly shaking it so hard it looks like it will fall off the hinges.

Listen were gonna kick the door down we dont wanna do that! one officer yells.

Eventually a young Black girl, whose face is blurred to protect her identity, emerges in red and black plaid pajamas, sobbing.

Im a baby, she cried.

Come outside right now, the officer yelled. You dont get to go and hide and turn off the lights thats not how this works.

Im scared, Im scared, mommy, she cried. Im scared I dont know what to do, I dont know what to do.

After the girl says she is 10, the officer removes the handcuffs. But by that point the damage had already been done, White said.

She shouldve never been handcuffed in the first place, White told the council after the video was done playing. That will do lifelong trauma ... A racial component did obviously play a role there. If this girl was a different race, she would not have likely been handcuffed by these officers.

Watson spoke to the mother of the girl, who submitted a formal complaint to the department, which the department dismissed. She was at work five minutes from home the night the police came, she told Watson. The girl was home with her grandmother who was essentially bedridden.

She advised that her child is now afraid of the police, Watson said of the mother. Thats something I dont want  this is not what we should be doing.

In a document in response to the audit, Police Chief Kathy Lester said officers went to the house for a probation search related to a stolen car and subsequent firearms investigation.

The investigation involved a known gang member who was on probation and posted both pictures and videos with firearms, the document stated. Upon announcing themselves, they saw people inside, but no one would answer the door. Officers saw a person running through the house turning off the lights. That person came to the door and was immediately detained. The officer asked how old they were, realized the person was only 10 and immediately unhandcuffed them. The duration was appx 30 seconds. The officer had reasonable and articulable concerns for his safety which justified the lawful detention ... no matter how legitimate the circumstances, and no matter the legal justification, SPD understands the sensitive nature of inadvertently creating harm. SPD values and strives to protect the physical and emotional safety of our community and children.

The document does not identify the girl, and The Bee generally would not identify a juvenile in these circumstances.

Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela said she did not believe that response was sufficient because it did not guarantee policy creation.

When I was a kid if I was home alone ... I was taught do not answer the door to anybody and I would hide if I heard someone come to the door, Valenzuela, who is Latina, said. That video was incredibly disturbing, it just feels like (a policy is) something we should have if we dont already because that shouldnt be happening.

The San Jose Police Department and Baltimore Police Department have policies regarding handcuffing children that the police should use to craft its own, the audit found.

The video, which provided a window into how some officers treat people of color, seemed to strike a chord with the members, as several of them mentioned it throughout the over three-hour-long conversation spanning many topics. Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who is white and lives in North Natomas, said she has a daughter around that age who would not have been treated that way.

Police spokespeople declined to provide The Sacramento Bee the names of the officers involved in the call. It is unclear if they were disciplined or still work for the department.

The finding on handcuffs was one of about a dozen recommendations the first-of-its-kind audit found. It revealed systemic problem of officers engaging in a pattern of unreasonable stops, searches, and seizures violating community members Fourth Amendment right, specifically Black and Latino residents. It included 109 complaint cases of improper search and seizure from June 2020 through June 2023.

Lester said she agreed with parts of the audit, which contain helpful recommendations, but disagreed with the finding that racial bias in search and seizure actions is systemic.

Valenzuela, Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Councilwoman Mai Vang pushed her on that.

If we cant acknowledge the inequalities in our system, we will have already failed, Vang said.

After that, Lester said: I think theres bias throughout the community. Certainly if it occurs in the community its going to occur within the department

When Valenzuela criticized Lester for taking over a month to respond to the audit, Lester said she values the mission of OPSA.

Law enforcement has lost credibility and has trust issues in our community, said Lester, who City Manager Howard Chan appointed as chief in December 2021. We have great people in this organization were a big organization. Sometimes we make mistakes. Thats why its so important to have a layer of accountability ... It serves a very important purpose because we have got to continue to build community trust and without some independent help we are not able to do that.

Tension surrounds police audit

The city created OPSA in the 1990s to provide an independent oversight of the department, but this was the first time the department released an audit, Steinberg said. Thats likely because the department has a new director, Watson, whom the city hired in 2020. She has 30 years of law enforcement experience, and is a former police chief of Henderson, Nevada.

Steinberg led the creation of the inspector general position after the 2020 Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd and the racial reckoning that followed. White previously independently investigated police misconduct for the city of Chicago.

There was a significant amount of tension regarding the audit leading up to Tuesdays long discussion, Steinberg said. Its unclear what the tension was regarding. The city has discussed OPSA many times in recent months in closed session, shutting out the public on one of the citys most important topics. During one of those sessions the council reviewed a large binder of police manuals, Steinberg said.

City Attorney Susana Alacala Woods office also submitted a document on the matter to the council, Councilman Eric Guerra said during the meeting. That document has not been attached to the agenda or released to the public. City spokesman Tim Swanson did not immediately provide it to The Bee Wednesday.

Alcala Wood said she reviewed the case law cited in the OPSA audit, to make sure it is accurate, but the police department did not ask her to review the case law in their response document.

I want to ensure my office respects the police department but I need same respect coming back to my office and I wont stand for anything less, Watson said. Thats where the issue is coming in and thats why we have the problems that we have.

Watson on April 3 sent a memo to City Manager Howard Chan regarding issues with the police department, according to documents The Bee obtained from a California Public Records Act request. Its contents are unknown however as the city did not yet provide the attachment. The Bee filed the records requests on May 3. Emails between city officials are public records.

The council should discuss the audit again, including specific policies around pat downs, pretextual traffic stops, on Aug. 8, Steinberg said.
FARAH, Afghanistan, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A zero energy cold storage with a capacity of keeping 500 tons of agricultural products has been built in Afghanistan's western Farah province, Mawlawi Nooruddin Anas, provincial director for agriculture, irrigation and livestock, said on Wednesday.

Built at a cost of 300,000 U.S. dollars, the cold storage would enable farmers in Farah province to well store products, the official said.

Farah's major agricultural products include watermelon, melon, tomato, potato, onion, cucumber, cauliflower and eggplant.

"It is really a matter of pleasure for me and for all the farmers in Farah province to take benefit from the cold storage this year," farmer Ismael Sultani told Xinhua.

The Ministry for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock plans to build more cold storages in the war-ravaged country, according to Anas. 
[Source]

A year-long investigation has uncovered a sadistic ring in which people produce videos of monkeys being tortured to later sell to buyers in several parts of the world, including the United States, United Kingdom and Asia.

Key details: BBC World Service was able to track down some of the creators of the torture videos in Indonesia and their distributors and buyers located in the U.S. and U.K. during its year-long investigation.

According to the report, buyers commission people from Indonesia and other Asian countries into filming themselves torturing or killing baby long-tailed macaque monkeys, using tools like screwdrivers, hammers and pliers, for money.

Law enforcement involvement: Local law enforcement in the U.K. and Indonesia are reportedly investigating the global torture ring, while the Department of Homeland Security is also looking into the matter in the U.S.

More from NextShark: Conspiracy theory claiming COVID-19 came from US-linked labs in Ukraine trends on Weibo

The people behind the videos: In the U.S., BBC identified a key distributor named Mike McCartney, also known as The Torture King, from Virginia, who described the video he had seen in his first monkey torture group on Telegram as the most grotesque thing I have ever seen.

Two of the five other key suspects named in the DHS investigation include Stacey Storey, a woman in her 40s from Alabama known in their community as Sadistic, and a ringleader known only by his moniker Mr Ape. McCartney was also named as one of the key suspects in the investigation.

Arrests: About 20 people globally are now under investigation, including three women from the U.K. who were arrested and later released by the local police.

More from NextShark: Denver to formally apologize for anti-Chinese riot of 1880

Indonesian police have reportedly arrested two people suspected of torturing monkeys for money, namely Asep Yadi Nurul Hikmah, who received a three-year sentence, and M Ajis Rasjana, who received eight months of prison time.

The online groups: The BBC investigation learned that the network operates on online groups like Telegram and Facebook, which made acquiring the videos accessible. Some of those groups reportedly have 1,000 members.

Facebook has already removed some of the groups that the BBC World Service forwarded them, while Telegram told the network that it was committed to protecting user privacy and human rights such as freedom of speech and its moderators cannot proactively patrol private groups.

More from NextShark: NYPD search for woman who targeted a teen in an anti-Asian hate crime

Similarly, YouTube has also said in its statement that it had already removed some videos that show animal abuse.

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Pramila Jayapal, 2 Other Democrats Test Positive for COVID Following Capitol Hill Riots
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has collected evidence on Mikhail Shelkov, sanctioned oligarch from Russia, who is involved in the schemes of covert supply of Ukrainian titanium raw materials to the aggressor country.

Source: press services of the SSU and the Prosecutor General's Office

Quote: "To implement the transactions, the Russian used the Demuryne Mining and Processing Plant LLC that he owned in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Rare minerals from the deposits of the Ukrainian company are essential components for the production of high-quality titanium.

It was Shelkov who provided them to the Russian Federation on the order of enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex. Among them are the manufacturers of Kalibr cruise missiles, MiG-35 and SU-35 combat aircraft, as well as Ka-52 helicopters."

Details: The special service reminds that in early February 2023, the Demuryne Mining and Processing Plant was transferred to the state ownership of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, Shelkov covertly became the beneficial owner of a Ukrainian mining company even before the full-scale Russian invasion began.

With the assistance of the close circle of the Russian President, in 2011, the Russian oligarch acquired a controlling stake in the world's largest titanium producer, which was part of the Russian state military corporation.

For such a "favor", he, in turn, had to ensure the uninterrupted supply of titanium products to enterprises of the Russian military and defense industry.

To do this, at the end of 2011, the suspect took control of a Ukrainian mining and processing plant, which was engaged in the extraction of rare titanium-containing minerals at the Vovchanske deposit in Dnipro Oblast.

The actual management of the enterprise was carried out through VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, the Russian monopolist for the production of titanium. He carried out this together with the advisor to the company's general director.

According to the investigation, it is part of the structure of the largest producers of weapons for the Russian occupying groups fighting against Ukraine.

After 24 February 2022, Shelkov wanted to conceal his ties with industrial assets in Ukraine to avoid sanctions.

To do this, he tried to transfer the formal management of the Ukrainian mining enterprise to a controlled commercial structure in Dnipro Oblast.

However, the Security Service officers exposed the deal, promptly blocked it and initiated the transfer of 100% of Russian property to the state budget of Ukraine.

Based on the collected evidence, the investigators of the Security Service informed Shelkov and his accomplice Fedoseev of the suspicion of financing actions that aimed to forcefully change or overthrow the constitutional order or seize state power, and change the state borders of Ukraine.

Since the culprits are in Russia now, comprehensive measures are being taken to bring them to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

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A new package of EU sanctions will limit Russia's profits in Europe and will be able to block the ways in which Russia is bypassing existing restrictions, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening video address on 21 June

Quote: "A new package of EU sanctions against Russia has finally been approved. Some of its regulations were prepared based on the proposals of the International Sanctions Group chaired by Michael McFaul and Andrii Yermak. This package will further limit the profits Russia has received in Europe until now, and will also block some of the routes by which the previously imposed sanctions have been circumvented. This is now one of the priority tasks."

Zelenskyy reminded us that the terrorist state still has access to various products, components, and technological and financial schemes created by "those in the world who still value freedom and international law".

He stressed that Ukraine had made all its partners aware of how critical it is to block all ways of getting around sanctions.

"Russia must be completely isolated for as long as Russia's main exports are evil and death," concluded Zelenskyy.

Previously: On Wednesday 21 June, permanent representatives of the EU approved the long-awaited 11th package of sanctions against Russia.

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The News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer laid out a sweeping proposal Wednesday for regulating artificial intelligence to protect Americas national security and its workforce, while also ensuring rules encourage instead of stifle innovation.

In a speech calling for the accountability of companies developing AI as part of the SAFE Innovation framework, Schumer said the speed with which the technology is advancing also requires discarding the usual ways of writing legislation. Instead of hearings, he is pushing for Congress to convene a series of AI insight forums with tech leaders, labor representatives, and critics.

AI is unlike anything Congress has dealt with before, he said at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, which invited an audience with a diverse group of views on the technology, from critics at Open Philanthropy to leading developers at OpenAI, Anthropic, and Hugging Face. In many ways, we are starting from scratch.

Its the latest sign that regulating artificial intelligence is coming to a head. The topic also came up in a meeting with President Joe Biden during his visit to the Bay Area on Tuesday, according to Rob Reich, a Stanford professor who attended the meeting. Last week, the European Parliament moved ahead with a draft version of the AI Act, which has been years in the making.

Reed's view

A year ago, most regulators, politicians and consumers had never used or heard of generative AI, the technology that underpins large language models like ChatGPT and image-generation service DALL-E.

That fact alone makes the regulatory debate different than those weve had in the past. There are real concerns about how generative AI could lead to harm, from an increase in the spread of misinformation to its use in scams. But its so new that those harms are, at this point, mostly theoretical.

The other thing that makes the debate different is that the providers of these products were calling for regulation before watchdogs and lawmakers were even aware of the technology. The leading company, OpenAI, is already taking many of the steps that are being called for by policymakers, like implementing controls and content moderation to prevent illegal or harmful content.

Complicating the issue is that the term AI can have very little meaning. The European AI Act was years in the making, but it was focused almost entirely on automation algorithms that power things like facial recognition and biometrics data. Those bear little resemblance to the massive, general purpose models powering generative AI.

Stanford University has an exhaustive analysis of whether todays large foundation models comply with Europes AI Act. They dont. But the analysis concludes that complying with the regulations would be possible.

If you look at OpenAI, for instance, it already complies with 25 of the 48 categories, according to the study. But those 25, which include risks and mitigations, are some of the most difficult to implement.

Categories where it is not in compliance are easier to change. For instance, OpenAI would need to disclose the carbon impact and size of its models. That means the EU AI Act would actually give OpenAI an advantage over other companies that are further behind in compliance.

After OpenAI met with the European Commission last summer, it offered feedback in the form of four suggestions in a white paper, obtained and published by Time. But they really amounted to clarifying what the law actually meant.

The AI Act also designates certain products as high risk but offers certain companies ways out of that designation, by putting in place safeguards. But one provision seemed to incentivize companies to blind themselves to dangers in order to avoid a high risk designation. That didnt seem to be the intent, so OpenAI suggested clarifying.

The bottom line is that regulators and the companies that build foundational AI models are really not that far apart. The bigger stumbling block is how to craft the regulations so that they allow competition in the industry to flourish. If only the big companies have the resources to comply, then theyll have de facto monopolies in the AI industry.

Room for Disagreement

Former EU lawmaker Marietje Schaake argues in the Financial Times that corporations should have little role in the regulatory process. Lawmakers must remember that businesspeople are principally concerned with profit rather than societal impacts. Policymakers must not let tech CEOs shape and control the narrative, let alone the process, she wrote.

Notable

Stanford researchers went through the more than 100 pages of AI Act draft legislation so you dont have to. This is a comprehensive list of ways in which the law would apply to foundation models like OpenAIs ChatGPT. It compares different models and explains what they would need to do to come under compliance with the law in its current form.

The View From Europe

One of the big conundrums for Europeans regulating AI is that they may inadvertently create moats for the biggest players in the market so far. And none of those companies are based in Europe though there is an abundance of AI talent there.

One idea is to loosen restrictions on open-source AI companies. That would create a more competitive landscape, but might also increase risks, as open-source algorithms are difficult to control.
A team of North Carolina State University scientists have identified elevated levels of forever chemicals in the blood of every pet dog and horse they tested in a recent community study.

The research, published Wednesday in Environmental Science and Technology, establishes horses and confirms dogs as important sentinel species for gauging human exposure to cancer-linked per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) inside and outside the home.

Blood chemistry panels conducted on the animals also revealed changes in the biological indicators used to assess liver and kidney dysfunction  two systems that are the primary targets of PFAS toxicity in humans, according to the study.

The region of Central North Carolina where the dogs and horses reside is highly contaminated with PFAS, due to the local production of these long-lasting, synthetic compounds, the authors explained.

Known for their ability to linger in both the body and the environment, PFAS are found in industrial discharge, certain firefighting foams and a variety of household items. Many of these substances  of which there are thousands  are linked to kidney cancer, thyroid disease, testicular cancer and other illnesses.

Bolstering their utility as sentinels for human health effects, domestic animals have substantial overlap in shared health risks, the authors stated.

While this method has historically been used to study disease spread, the researchers described growing interest in its application for chemical-induced health risks to inform regulatory and public health response to chemical hazards like PFAS.

The NC State researchers evaluated PFAS blood levels for 31 dogs and 32 horses from Grays Creek, N.C., at the request of community members who had voiced concerns about the well-being of their pets.

All of the households included in the study were on well water, and all of these wells had been tested by state inspectors and deemed contaminated with PFAS, according to the study.

After receiving a general veterinary health check, the animals underwent a blood serum screening for 33 different types of PFAS  chosen based on compounds present in the adjacent Cape Fear River Basin, the authors explained.

Among those 33 compounds of interest, the scientists identified 20 different PFAS in the pets. While all animals participating in the study had at least one such substance in their blood, more than 50 percent of the subjects had at least 12 of the 20 types of PFAS.

One of the most notorious types of PFAS, an industrial and commercial product ingredient called PFOS, had the highest concentrations in dog serum, according to the study.

The researchers found PFHxS, a surfactant used in certain firefighting foams and consumer products, in the blood of dogs but not of horses.

Other specific types of PFAS  including the compound known colloquially as GenX  was identified only in the blood of dogs and horses that drank well water.

In dogs that drank well water, median levels of two types of PFAS  PFOS and PFHxS  were similar to those of children included in the universitys GenX Exposure Study, also conducted in the Cape Fear River Basin.

Such parallels suggest that pet dogs could serve as significant indicators of household PFAS, the authors explained.

Dogs that drank bottled water, on the other hand, had different types of PFAS in their blood, and were by no means free of these substances, according to the study. In fact, the scientists identified 16 out of the 20 PFAS in dogs that drank bottled water.

The fact that some of the concentrations in dogs are similar to those in children reinforces the fact that dogs are important in-home sentinels for these contaminants, corresponding author Scott Belcher, an associate professor of biology at NC State, said in a statement.

And the fact that PFAS is still present in animals that dont drink well water points to other sources of contamination within homes, such as household dust or food, Belcher added.

In comparison to the dogs, the horses overall had lower concentrations of PFAS in their blood, the authors found. Nonetheless, these animals had higher levels of a substance called NBP2, a byproduct of fluorochemical manufacturing.

This heightened presence of a manufacturing byproduct suggests that contamination of the outdoor environment  potentially the discharge of PFAS onto forage  could be linked to their exposure, according to the study.

Horses have not previously been used to monitor PFAS exposure, first author Kylie Rock, a postdoctoral researcher at NC State, said in a statement.

But they may provide critical information about routes of exposure from the outdoor environment when they reside in close proximity to known contamination sources, Rock added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Search for missing Titanic sub like 'going into space'

Teams from around the world were racing against the clock Tuesday to locate the vessel and its five-person crew before their oxygen runs out (Handout)

Rescuers trying to find the orca-sized submersible that vanished on its way to visit the wreck of the Titanic are facing a gargantuan task that will test the limits of technical know-how -- with only a very slight chance of success, experts say.

Teams from around the world were racing against the clock Tuesday to locate the vessel and its five-person crew before their oxygen runs out -- with little more than a day's supply left.

But scouring a 7,600-square-mile (20,000-square-kilometer) area of the North Atlantic to a depth of more than two miles (almost four kilometers) is not easy.

"It's pitch black down there. It's freezing cold. The seabed is mud, and it's undulating. You can't see your hand in front of your face," Titanic expert Tim Maltin told NBC News Now.

"It's really a bit like being an astronaut going into space."

The 21-foot (6.5-meter) submersible, named Titan, was carrying three fee-paying passengers when it vanished Sunday: British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani tycoon Shahzada Dawood and Dawood's son Suleman.

OceanGate Expeditions, which runs the Titan's trips, charges $250,000 for a seat.

The company's CEO Stockton Rush and French submarine operator Paul-Henri Nargeolet, nicknamed "Mr Titanic" for his frequent dives at the site, are also aboard.

US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters Tuesday that his organization was coordinating the search.

But, he said, it was incredibly difficult, and far beyond what the coast guard would normally tackle.

"While the US Coast Guard has assumed the role of search and rescue mission coordinator, we do not have all of the necessary expertise and equipment required in a search of this nature," he said.

"This is a complex search effort, which requires multiple agencies with subject matter expertise and specialized equipment."

Frederick explained that rescuers were using several methods as they comb the vast area for the Titan, which lost contact with its mothership just two hours into its dive near the Titanic's watery grave.

"The search efforts have focused on both surface with C-130 aircraft searching by sight and with radar, and subsurface with P-3 aircraft, we're able to drop and monitor sonar buoys."

- Mechanical or electrical failure -

So far, the searches have proved fruitless.

The effort was being augmented Tuesday by a huge pipe-laying vessel, which has a remotely operated vehicle expected to be deployed at Titan's last known position.

Jules Jaffe, who was part of the team that found the Titanic in 1985, said there were two likely explanations for the sub's disappearance.

"It's either a mechanical failure, or an electrical failure," he told AFP in La Jolla, California.

"I'm hoping it's an electrical failure, because they do have weights, one of the safety procedures that they have is to make themselves lighter. So if you're heavier than the water, you sink, if you're lighter than the water you float."

Jaffe, a research oceanographer at the University of San Diego, said rescuers would be looking on the surface, in the water column and on the seafloor.

"The worst place for them to be would be on the seafloor, which would imply that the vehicle itself either imploded or got tangled somehow."

Adding to the challenge: the enormous pressure four kilometers under water, around 400 times what it is on the surface.

Such pressures put huge strains on equipment, and very few vessels can survive these depths.

Nuclear submarines generally operate at just 300 meters, according to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Jamie Pringle, a professor of forensic geosciences at Keele University in Britain, said if the mini-sub had settled on the ocean floor, it could be very difficult to spot.

"The bottom of the ocean is not flat; there are lots of hills and canyons," Pringle said, according to NBC.

Further complicating the seafloor prognosis is the debris field from the Titanic itself -- the very thing the adventurers had gone to see.

"I mean, it's a mangled wreck, with probably all kinds of treacherous things which would not be very friendly for a small boat," said Jaffe.

"The opportunities for finding them in a mangled wreck within the next 36 hours, I think are practically impossible."

hg/aha
By Joseph Ax and Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -Rescuers searching for a missing submersible near the wreck of the Titanic focused on Wednesday on a remote patch of the North Atlantic where undersea noises were detected, although officials cautioned the sounds may not have originated from the vessel.

With the submersible's air supply expected to run out in a matter of hours, an international search operation was sweeping a vast expanse of ocean for the Titan, which vanished on Sunday while carrying five people on a deep-sea tourist voyage to the world-famous, century-old shipwreck.

The U.S. Coast Guard said remotely operated vehicles (ROV) were deployed underwater near where Canadian aircraft recorded the noises using sonar buoys on Tuesday and Wednesday but have not found any sign of the Titan yet.

Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick said at a press conference that analysis of the noises has been "inconclusive."

"When you're in the middle of a search-and-rescue case, you always have hope," he said. "With respect to the noises specifically, we don't know what they are." Officials did not offer a description of the sounds.

In one highly anticipated addition to the search, the French research ship Atalante was en route late on Wednesday to deploy a robotic diving craft capable of descending to a depth well below that of even the Titanic wreck, the Coast Guard said.

The French submersible robot, dubbed the Victor 6,000, was dispatched at the request of the U.S. Navy, which was sending its own special salvage system designed to lift large, heavy undersea objects such as sunken aircraft or small vessels.

The wreck of the Titanic, a British ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, killing more than 1,500 people, lies on the seabed at a depth of about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters). It is about 900 miles (1,450 km) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 400 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland.

Those aboard the submersible, the highlight of a tourist adventure that costs $250,000 per person, included British billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding, 58, and Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, with his 19-year-old son Suleman, who are both British citizens.

French oceanographer and leading Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, and Stockton Rush, founder and chief executive of OceanGate, were also reported to be on board.

The 22-foot (6.7-meter) submersible Titan, operated by U.S.-based OceanGate Expeditions, began its descent at 8 a.m. (1200 GMT) on Sunday. It lost contact with its surface support ship near the end of what should have been a two-hour dive to the Titanic.

The Titan set off with 96 hours of air, according to the company, which would mean the oxygen could run out by Thursday morning. But experts say the air supply depends on a range of factors, including whether the submersible still has power and how calm the people aboard have remained.

'LIFE SUPPORT AVAILABLE'

Sean Leet, who heads a company that jointly owns the support ship, the Polar Prince, told reporters on Wednesday that "all protocols were followed" but declined to give a detailed account of how communication ceased.

"There's still life support available on the submersible, and we'll continue to hold out hope until the very end, Leet, CEO of Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services, told reporters in St. John's Newfoundland.

A friend of Harding, Jannicke Mikkelsen, who has accompanied the British entrepreneur on other expeditions, told Reuters she was hoping for good news but was not optimistic. "It would be a miracle if they are recovered alive," she said.

Even if the Titan were located, retrieving it would present huge logistical challenges.

If the submersible had managed to return to the surface, it could still be difficult to spot it in the open water, experts said. It is sealed shut with bolts from the outside, preventing anyone inside from exiting without assistance.

If the Titan is on the ocean floor, a rescue effort would be even more challenging because of the massive pressures and total darkness at a depth of more than 2 miles. Titanic expert Tim Maltin said it would be "almost impossible to effect a sub-to-sub rescue" on the seabed.

The French submersible on its way could be used to help free the Titan if it is stuck on the sea bed, although the robot cannot lift the 21,000-pound (9,525-kg) craft on its own. The robot could also help hook the sub to a surface ship capable of lifting it, the operator said.

Questions about the Titan's safety were raised in 2018 during a symposium of submersible industry experts and in a lawsuit filed by OceanGate's former head of marine operations, David Lochridge, who claimed he was fired for voicing concerns that the hull could not withstand extreme depths.

In its own court claim against Lochridge, OceanGate said he refused to accept assurances from the company's lead engineer and accused Lochridge of divulging confidential information.

The two parties settled the case in November 2018, and neither side has commented on the dispute.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax and Steve Gorman; Additional reporting by Tim McLaughlin, Rami Ayyub, Tyler Clifford, Louise Dalmasso, Daniel Trotta, Brad Brooks and Ariba Shahid; Editing by Paul Thomasch, Nick Zieminski, Sandra Maler and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
"The second king of antisemitism after Hitler": Zelenskyy comments on Putin's deplorable vitriol

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked the international community for its support following an insulting statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called the Ukrainian leader "a disgrace to the Jewish people."

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC

The interviewer asked the Ukrainian president about his reaction to President Putin telling an international conference in St Petersburg last week that he was a disgrace to the Jewish people. Zelenskyy lost many of his relatives in the Holocaust, including his grandfather, and it was clear that he was taken by surprise by the question, writes the BBC.

He took a deep breath, put his head down, and a few seconds later said he wasn't quite sure how to answer the question.

Quote: "It's like he doesn't fully understand his words. Apologies, but it's like he is the second king of antisemitism after Hitler.

This is a president speaking. A civilised world cannot speak that way. But it was important for me to hear the reaction of the world and I am grateful for the support."

Background:

Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, said that "his Jewish friends" call President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "a disgrace to the Jewish people."

Moshe Azman, the chief rabbi of Ukraine, has responded to Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, saying that there are no neo-Nazis in Ukraine and that the whole world is proud of Zelenskyy.

The Jewish Confederation of Ukraine has responded to an insult made by Vladimir Putin, saying that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a hero not only to the Jewish people, but to the entire political Ukrainian nation.

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Maria Hill and Nick Fury, looking glum

Secret Invasion, Marvels newest Disney+ series, takes notes from spy thrillers, focusing on Samuel L. Jacksons Nick Fury as he struggles to maintain world peace amid an alien invasion. Much of the backstory for the events in the series comes from 2019s Captain Marvel, starring Jackson alongside Brie Larson as Carol Danvers.



All six episodes of the limited series were directed by Ali Selim, and the first installment was written by Kyle Bradstreet and Brian Tucker. While you dont have to watch Captain Marvel to understand whats going on here, there is a lot of set-up done within that film to establish this series. The first episode of Secret Invasion suffers from a lot of incredibly fast worldbuilding and info-dumping, but heres the basics of what you need to know.

Read more

Back in the 90s, Skrulls came to Earth as refugees from an inter-species alien war between the Skrull and the Kree. Fury teamed up with Carol Danversaka Captain Marvela human inundated with immense power after an accident, who had been taken in by the Kree to fight in the Skrull/Kree war. During the events of Captain Marvel, Danvers realizes she was fighting for the wrong side, and she and Fury promise to find the Skrulls a new home. Danvers escorts a Skrull refugee ship into space, and a handful of Skrull stay on Earth to help maintain peace in exchange for Fury eventually finding them a planet to call home.

To be honest, its a steep bet for the Skrulls, considering that Fury had just learned about aliens earlier that month. Sure, trust the Earth man to Not Deal With Earth Problems so he can find you guys a new planet. Humans dont even have FTL travel and yall trust Fury to be able to figure this out? First mistake, to be honest.

Regardless, that all happened back in the 90s. In the MCUs Present Day, Secret Invasion opens in a classic location for the spy thriller genre it so desperately seeks to emulate: Moscow. Exterior. Night. Agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) travels through darkened streets to meet with Prescott, a connection who purports to have information on an alien conspiracy. Skrulls have infiltrated humanity? I suppose? And are committing terrorism across the world?



Theres no real explanation for why they are committing acts of violence, but thats what the plot is for! Secret Invasion is a slow-burn spy thriller, after all. It doesnt appear as if the Skrulls want to undermine any systems of government; what theyre doing is plain old terrorism, full of random high-density, high-visibility targets all over the globe. When Prescott realizes that Ross might be a Skrull, he attacks him. Ross kills Prescott and then escapes, running through Moscow, tailed by another man.

Ross calls Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) for backup, but she gets there too late. Ross-the-Skrull jumps off a building during the pursuit and lands on the cobblestones, dying while crawling towards Hills car. Then, the man who had been running after Ross shows up, revealing himself to be Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), shapeshifting into his preferred human skin.



We cut to an empty field, where a beam of light delivers Nick Fury (the real one) to Earth; hes been in space creating SABER since the events of Avengers: Endgame, as established in the Spider-Man: Far From Home end-credits scene. (Its implied both in this series and in that after-credits scene that every time that weve seen Fury since Endgame has actually been Talos. Its worth noting here that SABER is not the same as SWORD, the Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division introduced in Wandavision, but Monica Rambeau, who goes by Photon and will appear in The Marvels movie, probably works for both of these divisions. God, thats a lot.) Hill appears at the field to pick Fury up, and she is not exactly happy with the fact that her boss jetted off to space for years. Then, Fury and Talos reunite... surprisingly tenderly.

Image: Marvel Studios

Talos reveals that Skrulls have been helping Fury on Earth for years, though doing what isnt clear. He also says that Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir), a young Skrull, is leading a rebellion of Skrulls who are upset that Fury hasnt found them a home in the past 30+ years.



Then, Hill explains that Skrull physiology is such that they are immune to radioactivitywhich is why they are hiding out in Russia, where there are more unregistered radioactive black sites than anywhere else in the world. This is when a lot of the plot points become clear. While its not laid out explicitly, one can connect the dots to assume that the Skrulls are hoping to push just enough world powers over the edge through large scale acts of terrorism to incite nuclear war, which will leave Earth uninhabitable for humans. Skrulls, however, will be fine.



Hill also reveals that theres raw bomb material has been stolen from a warehouse in Kazakhstan, which will likely play a part in the Skrulls next terrorist attack, this time in Russia. If we recall Ross and Prescotts conversation, we know that members of Americans Against Russia (AAR) have been mobilizing in the city, implying that the Skrulls have infiltrated their ranks. The story has taken its full shape at this point. Im sure everything will go smoothly.



Next, a quick scene of James Rhodey (Don Cheadle) talking to President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney) at the White House. Rhodey explains that Fury is back on Earth, and the Prez isnt pleased that he left SABER to galavant in Russia. Truly, Fury really cannot win. Adding insult to injury, back in Moscow, Fury gets kidnapped by Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman), an MI6 agent who is, likewise, not thrilled to see Fury has made planetfall.

Image: Marvel Studios

Fury surreptitiously plants a bug in Falsworths office. They drink, and Falsworth interrogates Furys intentions. He immediately starts trying to figure out if Falsworth will give him any information about the Kazak payload. Falsworth basically laughs in his face and tells him that he isnt his old self, and we see some real vulnerability from Fury as an aging agent. Naturally, Falsworth doesnt give anything away and does not offer to help Fury figure out where the bomb is going.



Then, a change of pace, as we meet Giah (Emilia Clark), Talos wayward daughter, as she invites a Skrull into New Skrullos, a Skrull utopia hidden in an abandoned Russian nuclear compound. The inhabitants hope to create a refuge, while also acting as the base for the Skrull resistance, led by Gravik. We get a glimpse of the rebel forces as a Skrull agent takes the skin and memories of one of the members of AAR, confirming earlier suspicions.



Falsworth gets in contact with her boss and explains Fury is back. Apparently the Kazak payload can only be made into a bomb by a few specific people in Moscow, something that Fury, Hill, and Talos overhear thanks to Furys bug. They now know where the bomb will be, and hope to intercept it before the Skrulls can get it. Only now, theyll also be dealing with MI6 agents. Talos isnt thrilled. Hill isnt happy. Only Fury, calmly self-assured, explains that of course they can handle this. (Fury, it must be said, has made his entire career on risking his life in ever more absurd situations against worsening odds, and at this point its only Plot Armor keeping this man alive.)

We get our first face-to-face introduction to Gravik in the New Skrullos mess hall, where another Skrull, his second-in-command, Pagon (Killian Scott), tells Gravik that Fury has returned to Earth. This information seems to be the worst-kept secret on the planet, as most of the plot thus far has been various people telling various other people that Furys back in townbut dont worry, hes a washed-up old man with too many enemies and not enough favors to call in.



Giah is tasked with getting the bombs from the bombmaker and heads into Moscow. The teamFury, Talos, and Hillhead out. Giah makes it to Poprischchin (Uriel Emil) the bombmaker, and gets the package without any trouble. Fury and Talos accost Poprischchin while Hill follows Giah. Fury and Talos try to get information from Poprischchin, who is revealed to be a Skrull. Talos insists that fighting Skrulls is his responsibility, and when Fury shoots Poprischchin, Talos is obviously upset at the mans death, which is a clear set-up for tension between Fury and Talos in future episodes.



Hill continues to tail Giah, and eventually Talos catches up to them. Talos finally confronts his daughter, who insists that shes doing the right thing. When Talos implies that the resistance is responsible for her mothers death, she has a moment of doubt. She keeps the backpacks holding the bombs, and Talos lets her leave.



Image: Marvel Studios

Fury and Hill hang out in a bar, playing chess. (This is when we really see that Hill is not exactly pleased with Furys disappearance.) The big reason hes back is that he owes it to Talos to help out. Hill reveals that she really didnt want Fury back; shes now the second person weve seen telling Fury that he hasnt been the same since the snap. But then, for some reason, she says that Fury doesnt risk lives or take uncertain betswhen weve seen quite clearly how excited he is by bold swings and big sticks. I dont agree with the writing here, but were moving on.



In New Skrullos, Giah hands the bombs to Gravik and says maybe they should postpone the strike. No dice. Then, Giah secretly meets up with Talos, who tries to convince her to leave Gravik and New Skrullos. Giah reveals that there are hundreds of Skrull operatives in the field and thats how they know that Furys team will be trying to stop the bombs. She agrees to mark the backpacks with the bombs in infrared paint so that Furys team can identify them in a crowd. Shes not complying, but shes giving Furys team a chance to disable the bombs in the future.



The next day, Furys team follows the bags through the Unity Day celebrations as Skrulls disperse throughout the city parades. Fury follows a child he saw earlier in the episode and she transforms into a man he saw at the bar with Hill. The Skrulls are playing with him. The Skrull continues to transform, taking the shape of a mysterious woman. Then the woman transforms into Gravik, revealing that hes been following Fury the whole episode.



Meanwhile, Hill and Talos both follow bomb backpacks, but once they catch up to them, theyre empty; the backpacks are decoys and the bombs had likely been planted before the celebration entirely. The bombs go off, and Hill is caught in the blast. She attempts to leave the scene when she spots Fury, who shoots her. The real Fury finds Hill, but its too late, and he watches Gravik flee the scene. Talos pulls Fury off Hills body, and Hill dies in the courtyard.



Its a pretty unceremonious end for one of what is (was, now, perhaps) longest-enduring supporting characters of the MCU, but it is a great hook for the next episode. Overall, even though Secret Invasion wants to go for tightly-plotted, grounded spy thriller, it still cant escape the fact that shapeshifting aliens, any spymasters wet dream of an agent, are propelling the drama.



Fury lays out the problem of this conceit when hes talking to Poprischchin, saying everyone gets one lie, nobody gets two. Thats kind of the problem. The Skrulls can lie over and over and over again. With no way to quickly identify the differences between a Skrull and a human, even among other Skrulls, the tension bleeds out of the first episode. If you cant trust anyone is truly themself, what is the point in trusting any character? Starting with Ross turning into a Skrull set the tone of the episode, but its a difficult line to walk between asking the audience to question everyone and also asking the audience to trust the vulnerability, emotions, and connections between any two characters.



Its an interesting direction for Marvel, and while Hydra 2.0: Skrulltastic Boogaloo doesnt exactly inspire confidence, it is taking steps towards something new.

Secret Invasion episode one is now streaming. Episodes will be released every Wednesday on Disney +.





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MOGADISHU, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said Tuesday it has started the withdrawal of 2,000 troops from the East African country.

The ATMIS said the Somali security forces took control of the Haji-Ali military base in Hirshabelle State, marking the official start of the drawdown of the 2,000 soldiers by June 30.

"The drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS troops by the end of June 2023 started today with the handover of Haji-Ali Forward Operating Base in the Hirshabelle State," the ATMIS said in a brief statement.

The AU mission said Richard Binyenimana, the commander of the ATMIS military base manned by troops from the Burundi National Defense Force, handed the base over to Somali National Army commander Bashir Abukar Ahmed at a ceremony attended by senior officials from the ATMIS and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia.

The ATMIS is also expected to withdraw another 3,000 soldiers by September in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670, which mandate the ATMIS to hand over security responsibilities in agreed areas to Somali security forces. 
Screenshot: Marvel Studios

If you hopped on Disney+ this morning to see what Nick Fury and his frenemies were up to in Marvels Secret Invasion, you might have noticed something a little off about the series opening title sequence. It looks strange to your minds eye, and for good reason: its one of the first major shows to use AI-generated art in such a way.



The titles were developed by Method Studioswhich has previously worked with Marvel on Disney+ streaming series Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and Loki. But while its work on those was seemingly on the more traditional side of VFX production (Methods website cites work on Loki that includes 3D character animation, set extensions, and virtual set designs), it was approached for Secret Invasion to instead use AI-generated imagery for use in the titlesghoulish, ever-morphing green-hued locales and figures that shape-shift between disguises and Skrull personas.

Read more

That hazy surreality was the intention behind using AI-generated imagery. When we reached out to the AI vendors, that was part of it, Secret Invasion producer Ali Selim told Polygon, who first confirmed the AI nature of the sequence. It just came right out of the shape-shifting, Skrull world identity, you know? Who did this? Who is this?

However, what makes sense for a series about shapeshifting superspy hijinks and the actual reality of the controversies around AI-generated imagery are two very different things. There is a level of obfuscation about the process around this sequence and just what tools were used, and how. In the same Polygon interview, Selim simply states, citing a lack of awareness about how A.I. technology works, that the computer would go off and do something, and the team behind the sequence would tweak and alter the response with new prompts. Secret Invasions end creditswhich note that 12 VFX studios, including Method, worked on the showonly credit a handful of producers and an art director, as well as a single animator, an AI director, a VFX director, and a concept credit.

But in a world where creatives have repeatedly pushed back against commercial usage of tools like DALL-E and Midjourneyciting concerns of displacing jobs for human artists; plagiarism from databases trained on uncredited, stolen artwork; ethical crediting practices; and more, both in the worlds of art and cinema in general, as the ongoing writers strike has made AI content protections a key part of union demandsSecret Invasions title sequence is a scary line to cross. This is a major Marvel Studios production using the current tools of AI-generated imagery on a scale no other mainstream show has right now, and while its not uncommon for various VFX and art teams to not know what other teams are working on aspects of the same series, there are already artists who worked on Secret Invasion expressing shock and concerns at the shows use of AI technology.

Secret Invasion intro is AI generated. Im devastated, I believe AI to be unethical, dangerous and designed solely to eliminate artists careers. Spent almost half a year working on this show and had a fantastic experience working with the most amazing people I ever met  Jeff Simpson (@jeffsimpsonkh) June 21, 2023

With the process as currently oblique as it isio9 has reached out to Marvel for comment on how Secret Invasion utilized AI, and will update this post if we receive a responseits hard to say just what could come next from Marvels use of AI in this manner, or what it says to the industry at large. But at a time when the studio, among many others Hollywood, has faced increasing scrutiny for the pressure it places on VFX studios for its overwhelming output of content, AI is risky territory for Marvel to step into. It felt explorative and inevitable, and exciting, and different, Selim concludes while talking to Polygona comment that will no doubt wring hollow and chilling to creatives concerned by AI imagerys growing presence.





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Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Disney

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may have temporarily steadied the Marvel Cinematic Universes rocky course, but it hardly fixed its larger issues: a dearth of compelling A-list characters and, just as vitally, a lack of real stakes. Post-Avengers: Endgames population-halving The Blip, most of whats taken place in the MCU has felt underwhelmingly second-rate, akin to a meager dessert following a full-course meal.

With a scattered focus, no unifying destination or Big Bad (save for Kang, whose fate is now in question thanks to Jonathan Majors legal troubles), and the loss of its marquee headliners Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, the superhero behemoth seems unsure of where it wants to go, and how it wants to get there.

Enter Secret Invasion, a new six-part Disney+ series (premiering today) thats based on a popular comic-book storyline of the same name, and which aims to provide the sort of far-reaching global-calamity drama thats been missing from recent franchise chapters.

A thriller with a timely allegorical hook, its been designed to continue the serialized saga by melding old beloved standbys with new out-of-this-world heroes and villains, led by Samuel L. Jackson as an even more grizzled version of his eye patch-adorned secret agent Nick Fury. Also boasting contributions from Ben Mendelsohn, Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke, Martin Freeman, Dermot Mulroney, and Don Cheadle, it appears, on the surface, to have all the pieces in place for a geopolitical espionage affair a la Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

On the basis of its initial installment, however, any hope for a return to blockbuster MCU form should be severely tempered.

Created by Kyle Bradstreet and directed by Ali Selim, Secret Invasion is, at outset, a thoroughly clunky operation that adheres to formula in the most basic and mundane manner possible. Its depressingly fitting that the shows credit sequence was created by AI, as the live-action material that follows is creakily mechanical. Marked by lethargic performances, flat combat and great gobs of exposition, it comes across as an exercise in genre regurgitationand far from the spark that will recharge Marvels battery.

Secret Invasion sets up early shop in Moscow, where former CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Freeman) attends a clandestine meeting with a colleague named Prescod (Richard Dormer) who informs him of the vast conspiracy hes uncovered: the Skrulls, the race of shape-shifting aliens who first arrived on Earth in the 1990s (as depicted in Captain Marvel) are responsible for orchestrating a series of six global terror attacks in an effort to bring about planetary chaos.

The Surprise Flash Cameo Rewrites History on the Worst Batman

Posing as humans in order to destabilize civilization, the Skrulls are now entering into their own apparent endgame, using a group known as Americans Against Russia to start a U.S.-Russia war thatll be the one that sets the world on fire! A twist soon follows, although calling it that is to overstate its unexpectedness; like its blunt dialogue, the shows plotting is habitually banal and predictable.

Opening narration asks the pressing question, What if the ones closest to us, the ones weve trusted our whole lives, were someone else entirely? Statements of theme dont come clunkier than that, and this one refers not only to the Skrulls deceptive nature and methods, but to the relationship between good-guy Skrull Tanos (Mendelsohn) and his daughter Giah (Clarke), whos working with head-honcho Skrull terrorist Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir).

Disney+

Their plan is to acquire and detonate a collection of dirty bombs in a Moscow square as part of their effort to take back Eartha mission motivated by their bitterness over not having a home planet of their own, which was promised to them by Fury. For now, theyre hiding out in a faux-Chernobyl because theyre immune to radiation, offering sanctuary to their kind and abducting humans so they can better impersonate them.

Into this mess arrives Fury, whos been hanging out on space station S.A.B.E.R. and who now has a limp and wears a ratty beanie and matching overcoat. Jackson portrays Fury as the weariest badass known to man, and Secret Invasion repeatedly has peoplebe it Talos, his partner Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), or antagonistic MI6 bigwig Sonya Falsworth (Colman)tell him that The Blip changed him, that hes past his prime, and that youre not ready for this.

Even a random Russian bar patron goes out of his way to inform Fury that Youll never be the man you once were, thereby turning the proceedings into a broken record. Faced with such critical blather, its no wonder Fury is so grouchy, and his mood doesnt improve when his introductory showdown with Gravik goes awry, resulting in the kind of mass death and destruction that either breaks a former heros spirit or rekindles his inner fire.

Disney+

Despite having seen only the maiden installment of Secret Invasion, theres little question about what effect Furys premiere-episode failure will have on him, nor is there much doubt that Bradstreets series will keep telling as much as it shows. Unfortunately, even when it stops talking and starts having its characters punch and kick each other, the material merely goes through the motions; a skirmish intended to demonstrate Talos formidable might, for example, is so lackluster that it barely seems to have been worth the effort to stage.

Talos and Giahs strained relationship, meanwhile, feels like an enervating clicheher bitterness at her dad (and Fury) may be motivating her to take up arms with Earths adversaries, yet the chances that she remains on the wrong side of this war seem, lets say, slim to none.

At least Jackson finally receives an opportunity to assume the spotlight with Secret Invasion, this after years of being consigned to Avengers ringleader status. Though slouching and shuffling his way through this gung-ho adventure, Jacksons playful cockiness and imposing sternness are as formidable as ever.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Has a Lesson for the MCUbut Will It Listen?

Moreover, his grumpiness amusingly resonates as a manifestation of both Furys ageand fear that hes getting too old for this you-know-whatand of his exasperation at being stuck in a vehicle this stolid and safe. There may be villains among us in Secret Invasion, but the real enemy is the MCUs lingering inability to do something fresh, inspired and exciting.

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See the high-risk trips wealthy travelers are booking, from Everest trips to $750,000 expeditions to the deepest point in the ocean

The $250,000 tickets for the missing submersible carrying five passengers to the wreck of the Titanic sparked a conversation about the superrich's high-risk travel habits. Furtenbach Adventures.

A submersible with five people that was headed to the Titanic wreck has been missing since Sunday.

Passengers paid $250,000 each to travel to the wreck, which is around 13,000 feet below sea level.

Here's a look at other high-risk adventure trips that are popular among the wealthy.

A submersible carrying five passengers to see the wreckage of the Titanic has been missing since Sunday.

The tourist expedition has sparked conversation for, among other things, its hefty price tag: $250,000 a person, according to The New York Times.

Its high price point makes it an activity typically reserved for the wealthy. Among the five passengers on board the missing submersible are the British billionaire Hamish Harding and the Pakistani-born multimillionaire Shahzada Dawood.

Here are some potentially dangerous trips that wealthy adventure seekers take:

$750,000 trips to the deepest known point in the ocean

The submarine DSV Limiting Factor floats near the research vessel DSSV Pressure Drop above the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench. Reuters

Some of the superrich are venturing beyond the depths of the Titanic wreckage, all the way to the Mariana Trench's Challenger Deep, the deepest known point in the ocean.

The travel company EYOS Expeditions started offering $750,000 trips to Challenger Deep, which is nearly seven miles deep, in 2020. EYOS said at the time that only seven people had been there before.

Flights to space can run as much as $450,000

Billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson flew to the edge of space in 2021. Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The rich aren't just going to the depths of the ocean. They're also jetting sky-high.

In 2021, Jeff Bezos visited the edge of space via his aerospace company, Blue Origin, and his fellow billionaire Richard Branson made the journey with his own space-tourism company, Virgin Galactic.

A ticket for the Blue Origin spaceflight, which lasted 11 minutes, auctioned for $28 million that year. According to Reuters, Bezos' company estimated in 2018 that future tickets would likely fall in the $200,000 to $300,000 range, though the figure is likely higher today given price increases at competitors. Virgin Galactic, for example, recently announced that it would soon launch its first commercial spaceflights, with tickets priced at $450,000 each; in its initial batch of tickets, sold over the past decade, seats cost $200,000 each.

Harding, who is on the missing Titanic submersible, took a Blue Origin spaceflight last year.

Elon Musk's SpaceX hopes to get humans to Mars by 2030.

Climbing Mount Everest for more than $200,000

Furtenbach Adventures offers 199,000 euro packages for Everest trips. Furtenbach Adventures.

Fans of Mount Everest with 199,000 euros, or roughly $218,400, to spare and limited time for long excursions can sign up for a three-week package with close expert attention and more than enough oxygen.

That's pricey even for Everest trips, which National Geographic wrote last year could cost $40,000 to $100,000.

But the "Everest Signature Expedition," offered by the Austria-based travel company Furtenbach Adventures, includes a series of provisions and services that its founder told Insider had helped ensure its perfect safety record and virtually guaranteed ability for its elite clients to summit.

"With a shorter expedition, you have less exposure to risk," Lukas Furtenbach, the founder of Furtenbach Adventures, said. The company also has a US branch in Lake Tahoe.

The "Signature Expedition" includes a generator and tent sent to clients' homes weeks before the trip, which can simulate the high-altitude air conditions of the climbing expedition and help clients acclimatize before they even embark on the trip. Furtenbach said spending less time on the mountains also reduced the likelihood of facing other dangers of the Himalayas, like avalanches.

Climbing Mount Everest is dangerous. There have been more than 300 known deaths of all those who've taken on the mountain, National Geographic reported, citing an online resource about the Himalayas called The Himalayan Database.

But his company's premium expedition service also offers "unlimited oxygen," Furtenbach said, to help mitigate one of the biggest threats of such extreme adventures.

"The Everest and the high altitude is a dangerous environment, similar to a sub going to the Titanic," he said. "You usually have oxygen for limited amount of time."

The oxygen reserves available to clients of the elite package accounts for a big part of the expedition's high price tag, Furtenbach said. The company hires sherpas to carry oxygen cylinders up the mountain to be stashed there and to carry them back to the bottom.

Trips to remote locations where you "get lost" can cost $100,000

Black Tomato's "Get Lost" service offers trips to remote locations for challenging off-the-grid experiences. Black Tomato

The travel company Black Tomato has options for those looking to unplug and wander in far-flung territory but with the watchful eye of trained experts observing their safety from a distance.

The "Get Lost" service gives customers some say in where they go  they get to suggest ideas for terrains they'd like to explore  but their destination will remain a mystery until they get there, according to the company. The company also offers options for customers to choose how "lost" they want to be on the trip.

Customers on the "Get Lost" trip are encouraged to give up their cellphones for satellite phones, Brendan Drewniany, the director of communications at Black Tomato, said. They're also tracked by an operations team that is physically present and helping to ensure travelers' safety from a distance.

"It takes some of the fear of the unknown away, but it's pretty out there," Drewniany told Insider.

"The idea behind it is partially digital disconnectivity, but in a most extreme way," he said.

The trips can cost anywhere from $15,000 a person for a few days, to upwards of $100,000 a person, depending on the duration and complexity of the trip.

They're crafted by Black Tomato's team of adventure travelers, but the company also contracts with additional talent, including survivalists and former Royal Marine Commandos, who are there to help customers on the ground, Drewniany said.

"We build multiple layers of tracking and safety for customers," he said.

Adventures around Antarctica can cost $30,000

Penguins on Antarctica. Taylor Rains/Insider

Wealthy travelers can choose from a range of cruises and trips to Antarctica  Intrepid Travel offers trips that cost over $30,000 a person to go on three-week trips around the Antarctic Circle and the notorious Drake Passage, which is known for its extremely rough waters.

Insider's Taylor Rains went on a slightly more budget-friendly version of the trip last year and said that the fluctuating weather conditions could quickly turn from "sunny skies" to "blizzard conditions."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Senate Banking Committee in a bipartisan vote Wednesday agreed to ratchet up penalties for the executives of failed lenders, increase oversight of the Federal Reserve and restrict megabank takeovers, in Washingtons most significant response yet to this years banking turmoil.

The committee approved the bill in a 21-2 vote, overcoming a rift between Senate Banking Chair Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who negotiated the legislation with Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who had been pushing her own bipartisan plan in recent weeks. Warren on Wednesday called the final product a reasonable compromise. Just two Republicans  Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee  voted against the bill.

For years and years, weve tried to hold banks accountable, Brown told reporters. Of course, there will be some people that think it didnt go far enough or went too far. This is a huge victory for consumers, for the banking system, for honest bankers and for the whole country.

Brown and Scott's compromise, which united progressives, conservatives and moderates on the committee, represents Congresss most viable political option for revamping the banking system following the rescues of troubled lenders Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic earlier this year. The bill reflects a focus by lawmakers on executive mismanagement and regulatory supervision failures. President Joe Biden has urged Congress to send him a bill that would strengthen executive accountability.

House Republicans have not pursued similar legislation to crack down on executives, though they may be enticed by a provision that would beef up oversight of the Fed, which echoes a bill from Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.).

House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has yet to outright dismiss the plan, which was negotiated by Scott as he seeks the GOP presidential nomination. McHenry has said his panel will review it. Brown told reporters Wednesday that he spoke with McHenry a few weeks ago about the bill and other issues but got no commitments.

The level of support makes it hard for House Republicans to ignore. Barr, a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, said in an interview that focusing on executive compensation rather than failures by regulators was a distraction  though he said he was interested to hear that vote tally.

There is little disagreement that these bank executives were completely derelict in their duties, Scott said.

The bill negotiated by Scott and Brown, who is also facing a tough reelection campaign in the red state of Ohio, would empower regulators to claw back compensation from leaders of failed banks. It would expose the executives to higher civil penalties and bans from working in the industry.

The compromise announced last week followed pressure from Warren, who earlier this month revealed a compensation clawback proposal backed by nearly half the Banking Committee. Browns fellow Ohioan, Republican Sen. J.D. Vance, helped Warren build GOP support on the panel.

Rather than taking Warrens proposal as drafted, Brown, a like-minded progressive on banking issues, sought to reach a deal with Scott, a leading conservative, in a bid to maximize bipartisan support and the bill's chances of becoming law. The committee Wednesday also approved a Scott-Brown bill that would target opioid trafficking.

Its a long process, Brown said. Republicans are generally very supportive of the banks and kind of typically make some excuses for bank misbehavior. But what Silicon Valley Bank did, what Signature did, what First Republic did was so outrageous and so egregious and clearly was driven by greed and incompetence that we all could come together and come up with a good bill.

Brown and Scott produced a draft that included a less-stringent clawback approach than Warren but included other requirements for banks beyond her bill.

The bills scope grew further Wednesday, when the committee agreed to a bipartisan set of amendments that would expand the types of compensation covered by the clawback, require the Fed to report publicly on its bank supervision practices and changes to its internal culture, and introduce new hurdles for the biggest banks to acquire failed lenders.

The clawback section in comparison with Warrens bill would cover fewer executives and types of compensation. It would capture two years of pay, rather than three. And the clawback would just be an option for regulators, rather than a requirement like under Warrens plan.

There are 23 members of the committee, Brown said. Almost every one of them came forward with ideas, with amendments. Thats what makes this complicated. Thats one of the joys of this job, is how do you put together the interests of everybody and keep enough people happy to pass it, but always with the goal in mind of making sure we hold these executives  who were overcome by their greed and incompetence  accountable.

Its unclear to what extent the banking industry will fight the bill. Heading into the vote, most of the major industry trade associations had declined to take a public position. The Bank Policy Institute, which represents large U.S. lenders, said in a letter to the committee that it has concerns about enabling actions against executives who have not meaningfully contributed to their banks failures. It warned about a potential impact on banks ability to recruit talent.

They don't like it, Brown said of industry concerns. But most bankers I talked to think what Silicon Valley Bank did was both greedy and incompetent and they don't want to be tarred with that brush.

Tillis said the bill was too expansive.

It has been refined substantially since the first version that I saw, but we still have a lot more work to do, the North Carolina Republican said. We're not making the distinction between bad management decisions and management malpractice, and if we're not careful here, you're going to stifle innovation.
The U.S.-Chilean tax treaty took a step closer to ratification Wednesday as the Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance it despite a lengthy period of time for the measure to hit the floor.

The Senate voted 97-2 to end debate on the treaty, which dates to 2012. The treaty has been under consideration for years in the upper chamber as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted for it on four occasions in that time.

Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voted against the treaty, while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) did not vote.

Sixty votes were needed for it to advance. A final floor vote is expected to take place Thursday.

The treaty was initially signed in 2010 and made its way to the Senate two years later, but it has languished ever since, in large part because of opposition from Paul. The Kentucky Republican has been concerned that provisions of the treaty would allow foreign tax authorities access to information on U.S. citizens.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) voiced support for the treaty earlier this week, calling for it to pass to allow the U.S. to increase its access to lithium. As Schumer noted, Chile is home to the worlds largest lithium reserves and is the second-largest lithium producer.

This treaty has been in the works for over a decade; it now has strong bipartisan support, and now is the time to finally get it across the finish line, Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Proponents argue the treaty will boost investment between the two countries. Among other things, the treaty would drastically reduce withholding tax rates on interest payments and royalties paid from Chile and cut the Chilean capital gains tax rate in certain cases.

Right now, American companies are at a significant disadvantage. Because the U.S. doesnt have a tax treaty in place with Chile, they face double taxation and other barriers to investment and trade, Schumer said. Countries like China have an edge on us. Its an unnecessary roadblock to a fruitful and economically prosperous partnership between Chile and the United States.

Ratifying the Chile tax treaty would quickly remedy this issue, he added.

The Foreign Relations Committee passed it 20-1 earlier this month, setting it up for passage in the upper chamber.

If ratified, the Chilean tax treaty would become the third such treaty between the U.S. and a South American country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Several companies interested in Ukraines Black Sea port, minister says

Seaport of Chernomorsk

Five major companies have shown interest in concession projects at the Chornomorsk Seaport on the Black Sea coast in Odesa Oblast, Ukraines Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21.

In collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), we're preparing concession projects, Ukrainian news agency Interfax-Ukraine quotes Kubrakov.

Read also: Russia agrees to resume inspections of vessels heading to Odesa and Chornomorsk  Ministry of Infrastructure

Some of the key projects are in the Chornomorsk port. We're already seeing interest from five major companies."

Read also: Odesa port workers rescue wildlife after Kakhovka dam attack

The minister indicated that these companies plan to participate in competitive tendering for concession rights at the end of 2023.

Read also: The story of several dozen pilots who protected the skies of the capital in the first days of the full-scale war - NV reconstruction

It was previously reported that Ukraines Reconstruction Ministry is getting ready to transfer the first and fifth terminals of the Chornomorsk Seaport into concession.

Danish logistics company A.P. Moeller-Maersk has also confirmed its interest in concession rights of the container terminal of this port.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Several UAVs crash in New Moscow and Moscow districts

 Russian news outlet has reported that several drones have crashed in New Moscow and Moscow districts.

Source: Baza, a Russian independent news outlet

Details: Baza has stated that the first drone supposedly exploded in the sky near the village of Lukino in New Moscow.

Emergency services are working at the scene.

In addition, two more drones crashed at around 05:00 in the Naro-Fominsk district of Moscow Oblast, not far from a military unit.

"According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties," Baza adds.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, are on the missing Titanic submersible. They're from one of Pakistan's richest families.

Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, are said to be on board the missing submersible. Reuters

Two members aboard the missing Titanic submersible are from one of Pakistan's wealthiest families.

Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father and son, are aboard the vessel, according to the BBC.

Shahzada Dawood is based in London and helps run an investment firm as well as a fertilizer company.

Two of the five passengers aboard a submersible vessel that went missing while attempting to reach the Titanic are members of one of Pakistan's wealthiest families.

Shahzada Dawood, a British-Pakistani multimillionaire, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, are aboard the Titan submersible, according to the BBC. Rescue crews are currently trying to locate the vessel  which is running out of oxygen.

On June 18, 2023, a submersible vessel carrying five tourists bound for the Titanic shipwreck went missing.

Titan, the vessel owned by OceanGate Expeditions, was set to take passengers for a close look at the Titanic shipwreck, but communication with the vessel was lost just under two hours into its journey.

Passengers paid $250,000 for the trip to venture more than 13,000 feet deep into the ocean. Other passengers on board include the vessel company's founder and pilot, a British Billionaire, and a French Titanic expert known as "Mr. Titanic."

Who are Shahzada and Suleman Dawood?

Shahzada Dawood is the vice chairman of Engro Corporation, one of Pakistan's largest fertilizer companies, according to the BBC.

The BBC reported that the Dawood family traveled to Canada from London a month before Shahzada and Suleman embarked on the Titan. Shahzada Dawood had an interest in exploring natural habitats and renewable energies, according to the BBC.

Shahzada Dawood also runs the telecom and agriculture-focused Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited as well as the Dawood Foundation, an organization focused on education access in Pakistan. Shahzada Dawood's net worth is not currently known.

Shahzada Dawood is on the board of trustees of the SETI Institute in California, which researches extraterrestrial life, per the AP.

He was also an involved member of the British Asian Trust, a charity started by the British Royal Family, According to the Daily Beast.

His son, Suleman Dawood, is a student in London. Suleman Dawood is a "big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things" and also enjoys playing volleyball, according to the BBC.

"We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety while granting the family privacy at this time," the Dawood family told the Associated Press in a statement. "The family is well looked after and are praying to Allah for the safe return of their family members."

The Dawood Foundation did not immediately return a request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
She will remember this forever: A mothers dream of a quinceanera for daughter comes true thanks to co-workers

Even on the most difficult days, when Rebeca Lopez feels like she cant keep going anymore, the smiles of her three children cheer her up. They give me strength, she said.

On Saturday night, every moment of pain and resilience that she has lived with as a single mother was encapsulated when she danced a waltz with her daughter Mayte Vera during her quinceanera celebration.

The coming-of-age party was something that both mother and daughter did not think would happen because the family couldnt afford it  at least not one with the big, beautiful and embellished dress, an elaborate cake and the waltz in a hall filled with friends and family.

But thanks to Lopezs co-workers at 5 Rabanitos, a Mexican restaurant in the Pilsen neighborhood where shes been a server for less than two years, the mother and daughter were able to host the celebration because of their fundraising efforts. And with tears in their eyes, the mother and daughter danced that waltz holding each other tight as the crowd applauded.

I was happy, so grateful, for my children, for my co-workers and for life despite all the hard times, Lopez said.

When she first told a co-worker, Alfredo Dominguez, three weeks ago that she couldnt afford a grandiose quinceanera celebration for her youngest daughter and instead invited him to a carne asada, he immediately offered to help to plan a party, she said. Not only that, he galvanized the rest of their co-workers, servers, cooks and dishwashers, to come together to help Lopez organize and pay for the party.

The owner and chef of the high-profile restaurant, Alfonso Sotelo, also pitched in. He offered a space to host the event at a discounted price and, of course, was flexible with Lopez and the rest of the workers to make sure they could take the time from work to enjoy the celebration together.

All my workers are important to me, they are like family, he said.

Dominguez and another server at the restaurant, Cory Guzman, paid for the dress that cost around $1,000. Alfredo also helped get the food prepared, secured a bartender for the night and stood by Lopezs side to help with anything she needed. Guzman also made his specialty dish of spiced shrimp to share with the invitees. Norma Ruiz offered to pay for the alcoholic drinks and other co-workers also donated soda and other necessities for the party.

This is what everyone should do for one another, be there in the good times and bad times, Dominguez said.

Reyna Godos, who no longer works at 5 Rabanitos but who is good friends with Lopez and the rest of the workers, got Mayte the cake and her last doll  an important tradition for the mother and daughter because it signifies that the young girl transitioned from a girl to a woman.

For Lopez and her daughter the quinceanera is special because its a tradition deeply rooted in culture for her family, who emigrated to Chicago from Michoacan, Mexico. It celebrates a girls entrance into womanhood when turning 15. Lopez was able to host it for her first daughter and she wanted to make sure her youngest daughter felt just as special.

And she did.

Mayte laughed, cried and danced, her mother, sister and little brother by her side.

Together we can accomplish anything, were a team, Lopez said. I tell them all the time.

After a long day of work Saturday night, Sotelo and some of the workers joined Lopez and her family at a small venue in the South Side. A crown of lilac balloons adorned the table where Mayte sat with some of her high school friends. Earlier that day, Lopez had decorated the space. The tables all had white tablecloths with purple runners and artificial flower and balloon center pieces. She also added a small dessert table with sweets that some of the attendees helped to make.

The trays of food, which Dominguez brought to the hall along with one of Lopezs brothers, were lined up on the bar. There was rice, chicken and mole, a traditional Mexican dish that one of Dominguezs friend helped make.

After dinner, the group surrounded Lopez and her daughter in the middle of the dance floor, dancing to cumbia and banda, cheering for the moment.

I hope it shows people that good people do exist in this world, Lopez said. And that it encourages others to do the same because this single day, Im sure, Ill remember forever, (my daughter) she will remember this forever.

Her co-workers and friends, Lopez said, are selfless. She is still in disbelief that they so willingly offered to support her and her children every time things turn dark on her. But more so, she is grateful that they were there to celebrate together.

Ever since she became a single mother after the end of her relationship little more than a year ago, life for her and her children has not been easy.

She carries the full responsibility to financially support her children, Alan, 10, Mayte, now 15, and her older daughter Diana, 19.

She said all three are considerate and thoughtful. They never ask for anything I cant give them, Lopez said.

Though I wish I could give them the world, said the mother as her voiced cracked and she took a deep breath.

So when she took her youngest daughter by the hand in the middle of the dance floor during the quinceanera and saw her smile, she realized that though she may not be able to do it all alone, she has a village that will help when she needs it the most. And that includes family and friends.

A shy Mayte took the mic during her party and thanked everyone.

Gracias a todos por hacer esta fiesta realidad, she said, or Thank you to everyone for making this party a reality. Her mother followed.

Sin la ayuda de mis companeros esto no hubiera sido possible, meaning that without the help and encouragement from her co-workers, she wouldnt have been able to host such an important celebration for her daughter.

larodriguez@chicagotribune.com
PARIS  Helicopter maker Sikorsky is considering setting up a final assembly line for Black Hawks in the United Kingdom to support a bid for the nations New Medium Helicopter program.

While the Ministry of Defence has yet to release an invitation to tender for the 1 billion ($1.28 billion) modernization program, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary is weighing final assembly options both on the European continent as well as the U.K., company president Paul Lemmo said June 21.

Were waiting to see what the requirements are, what the structure of the tender is going to be, before we make final decisions, he told a small group of reporters at the biennial Paris Air Show outside of the city. Were not locked in on one path.

The company could potentially move its final assembly line to the United Kingdom if it wins the contract, or, alternatively, perform final assembly elsewhere in Europe and then add final, U.K.-specific modifications to the aircraft in-country, Lemmo said. Should the latter decision prevail, the final assembly would likely take place in Poland at PZL Mielec, which is owned by Lockheed Martin.

Sikorsky has been in discussions with a number of U.K.-based suppliers to find the most capable partners should it opt to perform final assembly and completion in Britain, he noted. A location selection has yet to be made. But the choice to go U.K. or mainland Europe may hinge on what sort of Black Hawk model meets the British defense ministrys requirements. The potential for future exports also factors into the decision about a proper in-country line.

If they buy a variant that is heavily required by other countries, why wouldnt we do that? Lemmo said. If they buy a variant that looks like every other Black Hawk? Maybe not.

The ministry released a series of procurement details in May 2022, with plans to procure up to 44 new helicopters to replace the Armys fleet of 23 Puma systems, and a handful of aging Bell 412, Bell 212 and Airbus Dauphin fleets.

Leonardo is pitching their AW149 helicopter, while Airbus has recommended the H175M, a militarized version of their commercial 7-ton utility aircraft. Boeing has stated it will pitch the MH-139 Grey Wolf, which is a modified version of the commercial AW139 platform developed by AgustaWestland  now part of Leonardo.

Then-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made it clear last year that whichever company is selected to provide the New Medium Helicopter must give a portion of the workshare to U.K. workers.

I am not interested in Here today, gone tomorrow-suppliers for this, he said at the time.

Sikorskys Lemmo said he was observing continued interest in the Black Hawk from European nations during the Paris Air Show, the first since COVID-19 emerged in 2020, and since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Many of those countries hail from Eastern Europe and are currently operating Soviet-made equipment, he noted. The discussions circle around procuring Black Hawks on a very short timeframe.

They want them inside of our lead time, Lemmo said. And so, we are trying to figure out ways to help that. If its a foreign military sale, perhaps the Army can let some go off of their production line earlier than normal. If its a direct commercial sale, were trying to do some work ahead to get aircraft in the pipeline earlier, to deliver earlier.
SINGAPORE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Wednesday released a white paper proposing a common protocol for the use of digital currencies, including central bank digital currencies, stablecoins, and tokenized bank deposits on a distributed ledger.

The white paper was developed with input from the International Monetary Fund, Bank of Italy, Bank of Korea, financial institutions, and FinTech firms.

It covers the technical specifications for Purpose Bound Money (PBM) -- a concept that enables senders to specify conditions for transfers in digital money across different systems, such as validity period and types of shops.

The PBM protocol is designed to work with different ledger technologies and forms of money, enabling users to use their preferred wallet provider.

The white paper also covers business and operating models for how arrangements could be programmed, such that money is transferred only upon fulfillment of service obligations or terms of use.

Financial institutions and FinTech firms are launching trials to test the usage of the PBM under different scenarios, including escrow arrangements for online retail payments and cashback incentives to improve consumer experiences while reducing frictions faced by merchants.

The white paper builds on MAS' Project Orchid and aims to encourage greater research among central banks, financial institutions, and FinTechs to understand the design considerations in the use of digital money.

To support ongoing development and learning, PBM source codes and software prototypes were released for public access.

Sopnendu Mohanty, chief FinTech officer of MAS, said the collaboration among industry players and policymakers had advanced settlement efficiency, merchant acquisition, and user experience with digital money, enhancing the prospects for digital money becoming a key component of the future financial and payments landscape. 
The Simpsons writer who went on Titanic submarine says hes not optimistic about rescue mission

Mike Reiss, a writer and former showrunner on The Simpsons, has said hes not optimistic about the mission to rescue the missing tourist submarine after taking the trip himself last year.

The submersible known as Titan, which is intended to explore the wreckage of the sunken ship Titanic, has been missing with five people on board in the Atlantic Ocean since Sunday (18 June).

I know the logistics of it and I know how vast the ocean is and how very tiny this craft is, he told BBC Breakfast on Monday (19 June).

If its down at the bottom I dont know how anyone is going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up, he added.

Reiss explained that he had gone on three different dives with the company OceanGate Expeditions, which owns Titan, and that you almost always lost communication.

I got on the sub and at the back of my mind was well, I may never get off this thing, thats always with you, he said.

Reiss said that Titan is a beautifully designed craft; however, the nature of the expedition makes problems possible.

Titan submarine and Mike Reiss on BBC Breakfast (Reuters/BBC)

This is not to say this is a shoddy ship or anything, its just that this is all new technology and theyre learning it as they go along, he said.

You have to just remember the early days of the space programme or the early days of aviation, where you just make a lot of mistakes on the way to figuring out what youre doing.

The five people onboard the Titan are British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulaiman Dawood, and Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate Expeditions.

A ticket for the Titanic experience costs around 195,000 ($250k).

The Titan is equipped with a four-day emergency oxygen supply, which will run out around 10.30am GMT on Thursday.

On Tuesdays edition (20 June) of ITV chat show Loose Women, Janet Street-Porter questioned the morality of submarine tourism.

I dont want to appear heartless, but I do think that the people who are on board will have understood the risks, she said.

Because this kind of trip is a new kind of tourism which weve seen in space trips and now underwater trips and people scaling the highest mountains in the world. Only the richest people in the world can afford this kind of tourism.

... Lets hope that people dont put their lives in danger trying to rescue them too, because theyre people doing a job that theyre paid a lot less money for doing, she said.

You can follow along with the latest updates here.
Sloth couple celebrate Fathers Day with a new baby at Georgia zoo. See the cuteness

On Fathers Day, some dads get a hand drawn card or a Worlds Best Dad mug.

For 30-year-old sloth Cocoa, Fathers Day this year was particularly special.

Cocoa, a Hoffmanns two-toed sloth and resident of Zoo Atlanta, welcomed a new baby with fellow sloth Nutella on June 18, the zoo announced in a June 19 Facebook post.

Nutella, 6, is a first time mom, but the new baby adds to Cocoas brood, the zoo said.

Sloth pregnancies are not easily confirmed unless detected via X-ray or ultrasound, the zoo said.

Although sloths are famous for their slow movements, sloth infants develop at a notably more rapid pace than do most other mammal babies, the zoo said. They are born fully furred, with their eyes open and teeth already present, and have fully developed claws for clinging to their mothers.

The new baby is sloth Nutellas first, the zoo said.

The zoo said Bonnie, another female Hoffmanns sloths at Zoo Atlanta, is also expecting a baby, likely to be born in the next few weeks.

Sloths are found throughout Central America and parts of South America and spend the majority of their lives upside down in the tropical rainforest, according to Zoo Atlanta.

Sloths can sleep as much as 15 hours a day, moving only to find food and water. Hoffmanns sloths weigh between 9 and 20 pounds and eat tree leaves and an occasional fruit, according to the zoo.

Sloth babies stay with their mothers for about a year, clinging to their fur, the zoo said.

The species isnt threatened in the wild, but Nutella and Cocoa were brought together as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which seeks to maintain healthy, genetically diverse, and self-sustaining animal populations in accredited zoos.

Nutella, and her new baby, made their public debut and can be seen daily in the sloths summer habitat, the zoo said.

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Days after getting preliminary approval from the state, Ballys Chicago has moved hundreds of slot machines and table games into place at the landmark Medinah Temple, which is set to be reborn this summer as a temporary Chicago gambling mecca.

The River North building, a Moorish-style amphitheater perhaps best known for hosting the annual Shrine Circus, is quickly being transformed into Chicagos first casino, while preserving elements of its colorful 111-year history.

Its probably the best-looking temporary casino youll ever see, said Chris Jewett, director of corporate development for Ballys, during a tour Tuesday. Its a wow factor just walking in. Its unique.

Granted preliminary approval last week by the Illinois Gaming Board  a precursor to final licensing  Ballys Chicago began installing more than 750 slot machines and 50 gaming tables almost immediately. It expects to have all the equipment in place and the roughly 1,000 gaming positions laid out by the end of the week.

Rhode Island-based Ballys won a heated competition last year to build a $1.74 billion casino at the 30-acre site of the Chicago Tribune printing plant in River West. It plans to open the permanent casino in 2026.

Medinah Temple will serve as a temporary casino for up to three years while the permanent facility is built. Ballys hopes customers can begin pulling slot levers and splitting aces by August, pending Gaming Board approval.

Built by the Shriners in 1912, the Medinah Temple was designed by architecture firm Huehl and Schmid. Over the years, the venue hosted everything from concerts and high school graduations to the annual Shrine Circus. Amenities included a 30,000-pound pipe organ installed in 1915.

The building, which occupies nearly a block on Wabash Avenue, was designated a Chicago landmark in 2001. It was redeveloped as a Bloomingdales home furnishings store in 2003 but had been vacant since Macys sold it to Chicago developer Albert Friedman in 2019.

Ballys Chicago has been renovating the historic 130,000-square-foot Medinah Temple since January.

We basically knocked down 90% of everything that was in here when it was Bloomingdales, said Mark Wong, a veteran casino executive named vice president and general manager of Ballys Chicago in August. This is new construction.

While much of the heavy lifting took place earlier in the year, the transformation has accelerated in recent days after getting the green light from the Gaming Board.

On Tuesday, dozens of hard-hatted workers in yellow vests carted slot machines in on dollies, placing them in marked spots near electrical stands where they will be mounted. Gaming table bases found a home on the two upper floors, wrapped in plastic with small placards indicating their designated purpose, awaiting the tops that make them ready to play.

We have 75% of the slot machines and table games loaded in, Wong said. By the end of the week well have everything. Then its just a matter of installing, testing.

The main entrance on Wabash Avenue opens onto an expansive, modern blue-lit center bar. An abundance of slot machines are scattered across the first floor. The ground level also includes a coffee shop and an atrium looking up to the ornate rotunda lined with inset stained glass windows.

The second floor includes half of the table games, set down on spaces marked with blue tape on a swirling carpet of blue, red and orange. It also features hundreds of slot machines and an element seldom found in casinos  windows, or more precisely, 111-year-old stained glass windows.

The historic windows are cordoned off by a low glass partition to enable close viewing without touching  a preservation requirement from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

It was important for us to have on display some of the original architectural elements of the building, Wong said. We purposely put a wall here to protect them, but at the same time make sure that our customers will enjoy this very unique experience here.

The third floor is home to the rest of the table games, more slot machines, two restaurants and a planned sportsbook, which Ballys hopes to open in 2024, pending Gaming Board approval.

Other historic touches include the theater proscenium, which long framed eclectic offerings on the auditorium stage. The curtain is drawn, but backstage is where back office administrative functions will take place, Wong said.

Modern amenities include six new brightly-lit washrooms.

Ballys is also considering a large display on the inaccessible but visible lower level paying homage to Medinah Temples history, with renderings and models of the permanent casino to come, Jewett said.

The permanent facility will include an exhibition hall, 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, 10 restaurants and 4,000 gaming positions  by far the largest casino in the state.

Ballys had planned to use an adjacent Tribune Publishing warehouse at 700 W. Chicago Ave. as its temporary casino while Freedom Center is demolished and the permanent facility is built, but the city pushed for Medinah Temple as an alternative, sources said.

At the time, Ballys chairman Soo Kim told the Tribune he was not crazy about switching to Medinah Temple, a sentiment shared by some River North neighbors. Concerns included the lack of on-site parking.

On Tuesday, Jewett said the Medinah buildout has exceeded expectations.

I think this is a much better experience than you would have gotten from a warehouse, Jewett said.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
Its finally hiking season again, and if youre like us, youre probably mapping out some trails already. But before you hit the trails, one Redditor has sparked quite the debate  asking hikers not to hike with their pooches off-leash.

The user posted a photo in r/Hiking that illustrates why it isnt okay to walk your dog off-leash.

Its okay! My dog is friendly the sign reads. No! No! Its not okay! Just because your dog is friendly doesnt mean other dogs are, some may be nervous, reactive, fearful, in training, or owned by people who want to be left alone.

The Redditor accompanied the post by saying, just leaving this here before you all take your dogs hiking off-leash.

Its a good reminder as the hiking season gets underway. While a dog out in nature may not seem like a problem, it can actually have an impact on the environment. One of the most obvious impacts is stress  or worse  on wildlife.

Off-leash dogs may chase other animals. Some dog owners will characterize that as, oh theyre just having a bit of fun, Mike Weston, a conservation biologist at Deakin University in Australia, told Discover Magazine. But if we can put ourselves in the wild animals perspective [] if it doesnt mount an effective escape, its probably dead or injured, right?

When wildlife use up large amounts of energy fleeing from another animal, it can make it harder for them to find shelter, food, and rest. Continued stress for wildlife can even negatively impact their reproduction, growth, and immune systems.

But your pups safety is also a concern. Not only can wildlife turn on your dog, but so can hunters. Hunters may mistake an off-leash animal with a wild one. Some areas also allow hunters to set animal traps that could seriously harm a dog.

Finally, many parks with hiking trails have special conservation areas, fragile plant wildlife, or reconstruction areas. Letting an animal loose in these areas can be detrimental to the environment.

The post has garnered more than 7,000 upvotes and a couple hundred comments, mostly in support of the OPs viewpoint.

[Yeah it] sucks when I have random dogs just run up to me. one person commented. Thankfully they have been friendly but the odds wont always hold. I keep my trekking poles ready or even my hand on my bear spray, especially if I dont see the owner.

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SoftBank CEO says he had a crisis that left him in tears for days and made him question his achievements

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. SoftBank event/Insider/image capture

SoftBank's CEO Masayoshi Son says he had a crisis of confidence that left him in tears for days.

The FT reported that Son said he broke down for a few days and questioned his achievements.

SoftBank has struggled to turn a profit recently and in May reported an annual loss of $32 billion.

SoftBank's eccentric CEO Masayoshi Son said he had a crisis of confidence in October that left him in tears for days.

Son made the comments, which were reported by The Financial Times, during the company's annual general meeting in Tokyo. The publication reported that the CEO said he broke down for a few days and questioned his achievements as an entrepreneur.

He added that he later realized he wanted to become "an architect, to design the future of humanity."

Son has a reputation for being an unusual CEO. He is known for his unorthodox approach to earnings calls, which have featured drawings, art, history, and mysterious equations. He has also reportedly compared himself to Jesus and Yoda.

His company, however, has had a bad year. SoftBank struggled to turn a profit despite a focus on AI. In May, the company's investment unit reported an annual loss of $32 billion.

Son, who said he can't stop using OpenAI's viral ChatGPT, has been bullish on AI for some time. During an interview with CNBC in 2019, he said he believed AI would completely change the way humans lived "within 30 years."

When asked about Vision Fund's AI investment focus during the event, Son said, per the FT: "I regret big mistakes." But he added that out of roughly 500 companies the fund had invested in, "more than several" were going to be big successes.

Representatives for SoftBank did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Soldier accused of killings at Gorge campground was high on mushrooms, police say

A U.S. Army specialist believed the world was ending when he began shooting people in the Gorge Amphitheatre campground.

James M. Kellys bad trip while on psilocybin mushrooms at the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival on Saturday ended with him killing a Seattle couple and injuring three other people, including his girlfriend, according to a Washington State Patrol report.

His rampage ended in a farm field near the campgrounds when a veteran Moses Lake police detective shot him once.

He is now in the Grant County jail facing two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree assault with a domestic violence aggravating circumstance.

The trip to the music festival began peacefully, Kelly and his girlfriend Lily M. Luksich, 20, told investigators. They went to the Gorge Amphitheatre outside of George, Wash., in his 2012 Dodge Ram pickup and set up in the campgrounds.

While they were at the concert, Kelly took a dose of mushrooms. He told detectives that he previously had a bad trip while taking mushrooms from this source.

As Kellys hallucination trip got going, he began to believe that the world was ending and that he needed to return to his camp immediately with Luksich, Sgt. David Kiehl wrote. Kelly and Luksich hurried back to their campsite. During that time, Luksich said Kelly made multiple statements to the effect of this is the end.

Kelly got into his truck and grabbed a handgun from a locked box in the center console. He loaded a magazine and stepped out from behind the drivers door.

Shooting

Kelly first came across Josilyn Ruiz, 26, and her fiance Brandy P. Escamilla, 29, shortly after 8:20 p.m. as they were walking through the campground together, according to court documents.

When their paths crossed, he allegedly fired several shots, hitting and killing the couple.

Andrew J. Cuadra, 31, heard the shots and started moving toward them. As he neared Kelly, the soldier allegedly fired at least one shot, hitting the man in the shoulder, according to court documents.

Kelly left the area around his pickup and started moving through the campground. Luksich followed him, and tried to call 911. She was able to tell dispatchers that her man had a gun, but then Kelly grabbed the cellphone and threw it away.

They moved northeast toward the outer fence line of the campground.

A Polaris Ranger utility vehicle with multiple Crowd Management Services employees on it was responding to the shots being fired when they crossed paths with Kelly. Employee Lori L. Williams was driving along the fence line when Kelly allegedly fired several shots, according to the court documents.

One of those punched through the windshield, and hit her glasses. Her glasses shattered, and she was cut and bruised. A second bullet hit the front bumper of the Polaris.

Kelly and Luksich moved into the farm field next to the campground where Grant County sheriffs deputies found them. The deputies flew a drone over them and Kelly fired several times at it.

At multiple points while they were at the fence line, Luksich lay down on the ground. Kelly either sat on her, or sat next to her and leaned over.

At one point, Luksich began to walk north, away from Kelly, turned around with her hands raised in the air and walked back to Kelly, Kiehl wrote.

He then shot her once in the foot, and then a second time in the upper leg. The second shot caused life-threatening injuries that resulted in what investigators say will be permanent injuries.

Police then closed in on the couple and Moses Lake police Detective Edgar Salazar shot him once. He was treated at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
A professional firefighters group is raising questions about the response that led to the death last month of Irmo firefighter James Muller, who was killed when a structure collapsed on him while he battled a blaze at the Tropical Ridge apartments in the St. Andrews area.

The Irmo Fire Department was assisting Columbia firefighters in combating the fire.

In a statement issued Monday, June 19, the Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina asked about the investigation into the fire. The group also alleges years of  neglect by Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins.

The association plans to hold a news conference Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

The association plans to share information on what it calls severe staff shortages, damaged equipment, delayed response times, and safety violations, according to the statement. The statement did not provide details about the allegations.

Muller, 25, died May 26 after becoming trapped after a structure collapsed while he battled a fire at the Tropical Ridge Apartments. Six other firefighters were injured in the collapse but survived.

On June 6, the fire department issued a statement declaring the investigation into the apartment fire over. It found that a kitchen stove and unattended cooking materials started the fire, which was ruled an accident.

The firefighters association has taken issue with several parts of Columbia Fire Departments June 6 statement. The association is questioning the timeline of the investigation and the agencies involved in the probe.

The association is also questioning the statements assertion that assisting agencies were called by the Columbia-Richland Fire Department to the scene, claiming those agencies are actually automatically dispatched. The association also raised a question about a nearby fire hydrant it claims was out of service during the fire and was then repaired days later.

The State has reached out to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department and the City of Columbia for a response to the associations claims and questions. The State has also reached out to Roger Odachowski, president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina.

The fire department has struggled with staffing issues in the past. In August, the Columbia Firefighters Association  the local branch of the International Association of Fire Fighters  reported that multiple fire engines were off-duty because of a lack of people to staff them. The city responded by saying firefighters were taking too many sick days.

In April, Jenkins asked City Council to approve raises for firefighters to make hiring and retaining employees easier.

Just to be candid with you, we are already losing people because were not paying them, he told council members at the time.

City Council approved those raises along with the rest of the citys budget in a final vote Tuesday, raising the Fire Departments starting salary from roughly $34,000 to $43,800.
Dear Editor,Thank You, Watertown!

The SD State Fire School was hosted in Watertown on June 15-17 on the Lake Area Technical College campus with over 500 attendees in town each day.

On behalf of the South Dakota Firefighters Association, Thank You to Watertown, Lake Area Technical College and Watertown Fire department for all the assistance with State Fire School 2023.

I cannot say enough on how much the SDFA planning committee appreciated the assistance and work by LATC staff, Fire Chief Don Rowland and Asst Chief Scott Jongbloed, and all the Watertown Fire Department members, Visit Watertown, and the businesses that assisted with arrangements. And Andy Wicks and his crew for hosting rescue classes at his Performance Towing location.

The downtown Thursday Night event fit perfectly into our schedule of events.

This was our first year to hold State Fire School in Watertown. Now, with the first year under our belt, we are looking forward to coming back in June 2024, with a few adjustments, and make it aware to the various businesses, organizations, and events groups to utilize even more of what Watertown has to offer.

On behalf of the South Dakota Firefighters Association Board of Directors, SD Firefighters Auxiliary, and the firefighters who attended State Fire School 2023, Thank You Watertown, and we are looking forward to returning in June 2024.

Respectfully,

Charlie Kludt, President

South Dakota Firefighters Association

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: South Dakota Firefighters Association offers thank you to Watertown
South Korea environmental impact review clears way for US missile defence system A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is seen in Seongju

SEOUL (Reuters) -A South Korean environmental impact assessment of a U.S. missile defence system found "insignificant" electromagnetic radiation relative to safety standards, the defence ministry said on Wednesday, clearing the way for its permanent deployment.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system installed in South Korea in 2017 generated a maximum level of electromagnetic radiation below 0.2% of the safety standards, the ministry said. China and some residents had complained about its placement in the southeastern air base of Seongju.

"The latest environmental impact assessment is a preceding step for the normalisation of the Seongju base," the ministry said in a statement.

The study result is expected to clear the way for additional infrastructure construction for the system. Officials have said THAAD could not be operated at its full capacity amid protests from nearby residents who raised concerns over the system's impact on their health.

No USFK THAAD deployment: Sosungri Village and National Civil Society Network, a coalition of groups opposing the installation, denounced the government announcement. The group said the review was hastily done, and hinted that it would continue protesting.

China has also angrily reacted to the installation, contending that the system's powerful radar could peer into its airspace.

The United States and South Korea have said THAAD is for self-defence, meant to counter North Korea's evolving threats.

The nuclear-armed North has been testing various weapons, including its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile, ramping up tension with the South and its main ally, the United States.

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
A UK port has seen a dramatic rise in methane emissions from cruise ships, a study has said.

Vessels in Southampton produced more than 14 tonnes of the potent global warming gas in 2022, a 36-fold increase over three years, according to campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E).

It blamed the introduction of new ships using liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuels.

The city's main cruise firm Carnival said emissions had reduced since 2011.

Southampton's methane emissions ranked 15th in Europe, according to the report

T&E said the rise in methane was the "most worrying trend" in European cruise ship emissions.

Its report said the UK's first LNG-powered cruise ship, P&O's Iona, produced as much methane in 2022 as 10,500 cows.

The group said the problem was caused by "methane slip" - the incomplete combustion of methane-based LNG fuels.

T&E said: "These ships are better in terms of air pollution, but they are extremely damaging from a climate perspective due to methane leaks from their engines."

It added that carbon dioxide emissions from Southampton's 44 cruise ships rose 14% over three years to 32 tonnes in 2022.

The port had visits from 41 cruise ships in 2019.

Scientists say methane is a much more potent global warming gas than carbon dioxide.

Over a 100-year period it is thought to be 28-34 times as warming as CO2, while over a 20-year period it is around 84 times as powerful per unit of mass as carbon dioxide.

Carnival, P&O Cruises' parent company, said it could not comment directly on the T&E study.

However, a spokesperson said: "The science is clear - the most credible peer-reviewed study on the subject shows that LNG has much lower overall greenhouse gas emissions vs. conventional fuels, even factoring in methane slip."

The firm said it had reduced greenhouse gas emissions since 2011 and aimed to achieve carbon-neutral ship operations by 2050.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
A mother looks at her child who is about to receive treatment given by a Chinese medical team in Vientiane, Laos, June 20, 2023. A five-day CHD screening and treatment program has been carried out by a Chinese medical team in Laos, while children with surgical indications will receive free treatment.(Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

By Chanthaphaphone Mixayboua, Zhang Jianhua, Tamon Huengmeexay

VIENTIANE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A five-day congenital heart disease (CHD) screening and treatment program has been carried out by a Chinese medical team in Laos, while children with surgical indications will receive free treatment.

The humanitarian aid program, namely "the Laos-China Children CHD Screening and Treatment" themed "Belt and Road, connecting the people's hearts" is launched by China Charity Federation and southwestern China's Yunnan Province, which borders Laos in its south.

Speaking at an official opening ceremony in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday, Director General of Mahosot Hospital Souxath Vongphachanh said that the team of 13 Chinese medical experts from Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital (FYCH), together with medical staff from Mahosot hospital in Vientiane, started its five-day mission in northern Laos since June 17.

On this occasion, Souxath expressed gratitude to China for helping Laos build the modern hospital, providing advanced medical equipment, and holding training courses to improve medical standards in the country.

By Tuesday afternoon, 432 Lao children received the screening. The Chinese medical team took 13 patients to Mahosot Hospital for free re-examined treatment in the newly-arrived FYCH mobile Interventional Operation Module.

A mother of one of the patients from Bolikhamxay province in central Laos, named Somphone Sengsulichanh, told Xinhua that her child had a breathing problem since he was four months old.

"Because we live in the countryside, getting a chance for treatment means a lot to me. And I certainly trust in Chinese medical experts," said Somphone.

Sivilay Vannavong, a mother of a six-year-old patient, living in Vientiane told Xinhua that her daughter had been diagnosed with CHD since she was born.

"This is the first time for my daughter to have surgery. I really hope that she will be safe," She expressed gratitude to the Chinese medical team for providing her daughter a chance to live like a normal child.

Chandavone Soukkaseum, a medical expert in the pediatric department of Mahosot Hospital, told Xinhua that the medical team used the Coronary Artery Angiography technique for the surgery, which is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and X-rays to see how blood flows through a heart.

This is a very helpful technique, and most people feel fine a day or so after having the procedure, she added.

Khamsoun Houngduangchanh, principal of Aphai primary school in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province, some 220 km north of Vientiane, told Xinhua that he feels happy for all students to have the chance of screening.

"Most families here can't afford the high cost of screening and treatment, which means the program is a great opportunity for all students to have a chance for a check-up," said the principal.

Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital is a first-class hospital specializing in cardiovascular diseases. Under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative, the hospital has liaisons with Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, and Cambodia, and has carried out some field visits and academic exchange activities since 2017. 

Members of a Chinese medical team carry out congenital heart disease (CHD) screening at a primary school in Luang Prabang, Laos, June 17, 2023. A five-day CHD screening and treatment program has been carried out by a Chinese medical team in Laos, while children with surgical indications will receive free treatment.(Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

A mobile interventional operation module arrives in Mahosot Hospital for congenital heart disease (CHD) treatment in Vientiane, Laos, June 20, 2023. A five-day CHD screening and treatment program has been carried out by a Chinese medical team in Laos, while children with surgical indications will receive free treatment.(Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Members of a Chinese medical team carry out congenital heart disease (CHD) treatment in a mobile interventional operation module in Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane, Laos, June 20, 2023. A five-day CHD screening and treatment program has been carried out by a Chinese medical team in Laos, while children with surgical indications will receive free treatment.(Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
Need for speed: F-16 pilot calls the fighter jets sought by Ukraine 'easy to fly'

Captain David Brown, aka Spicy, an US air force F-16 fighter jet pilot poses for a photo after an interview at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, France, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

LE BOURGET, France (AP)  F-16 fighter jets hurtle pilots through the sky at up to 2,000 kilometers per hour (1,243 miles per hour). In tight turns or sudden climbs, gravity is pressing so hard on their bodies that some of them might even pass out.

Even so, its an experience Ukraine is seeking for its own pilots after getting U.S. approval to train and eventually receive the American-made jets to bolster its more than year-old fight against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had long pressed Western allies for the planes to gain an advantage in the sky.

But to be a Top Gun, you need more than just the aircraft: You need the training to get you there.

Speaking at the Paris Air Show this week, the world's top aerospace trade show, U.S. Air Force Capt. David Spicy Brown, an F-16 pilot, said training takes about a year for American military pilots.

Its not clear how long it will take Ukrainian pilots to learn to fly the aircraft.

This jet is incredibly easy to fly, said Brown, an pilot instructor with over 1,000 hours of flight time who is stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. Its all of the other stuff that goes along with the flying."

He told The Associated Press that you dont have to worry about it going out of control. The main thing is being able to work the sensors, being able to work your radar and the other systems of the jet.

President Joe Biden announced in May at the summit of the Group of 7 major economies that the U.S. will allow shipment of the American-made jets to Ukraine and help provide training, although no official plans or dates have been discussed publicly.

Now, Ukraine is relying on older aircraft such as Russian-made MiG29 and Sukhoi jets. While they are similar in many ways, F-16s have newer technology and targeting capabilities.

The appeal of the F-16s also lies with their versatility and sustainability, said George Barros, a Russia analyst for the Institute for the Study of War.

Theyre made to adapt to different weapons systems  such as heat-seeking missiles  and any spare parts needed will be easier to get because Western allies use the same jets.

In the long term, its just more sustainable, he said.

The debate about whether to send jets to Ukraine has been raging since the early days of the war. Originally, the U.S. was concerned that it would provoke Russia to attack Western allies.

And while the U.S. has changed its mind, the F-16s won't be available in time to help Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Russia has been able to fly aircraft like attack helicopters and bombers in the south where Ukraine is trying to retake ground, Barros said.

The Ukrainians dont control the airspace where theyre attacking, Barros said. Those are extremely difficult conditions under which to wage offensive operations."

And that reduces the effectiveness of other weapons systems that the West has provided, such as tanks, he said.
In this clean-room photo, Starfish Spaces Otter Pup docking spacecraft is attached to the top of Launchers Orbiter SN3 space tug. (Launcher / Starfish Space Photo)

Starfish Spaces ambitious mission to test its on-orbit satellite docking system has taken an unfortunate turn  or, more precisely, an unfortunate spin.

The Tukwila, Wash.-based startups Otter Pup spacecraft was one of 72 payloads sent into low Earth orbit on June 12 by SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket for Transporter-8, a dedicated rideshare mission. Otter Pup and several other spacecraft were attached to Launchers Orbiter SN3, a space tug thats designed to release piggyback payloads at different times.

Soon after Orbiter SN3 separated from the Falcon 9 upper stage, it experienced an anomaly that set it spinning at a rate on the order of one revolution per second, far outside the bounds of normal operating conditions.

By the time Launchers team made contact with Orbiter, fuel and power levels were critically low  and the team made an emergency decision to deploy Otter Pup immediately. In a joint statement issued today, Launcher and Starfish Space said that quick action gave the Otter Pup mission a chance to continue.

With assistance from Astro Digital and ground station partners, Starfishs team contacted Otter Pup and determined that it was generating power  but was also spinning because of the circumstances of its emergency deployment.

Starfish co-founder Austin Link told GeekWire that the spacecraft, which is about the size of a dorm-room fridge, has drifted several kilometers away from its Orbiter mothership. Theyre still in the same orbital neighborhood, he said.

Starfishs mission plan called for Otter Pup to execute a series of maneuvers leading up to a rendezvous and docking with Orbiter. Such maneuvers would demonstrate that Starfishs guidance and navigation system, electric propulsion system and electrostatic capture system all work in orbit as designed. But Link said the maneuvers cant be done unless the spinning can be stabilized.

Were uncertain what the future for the vehicle is, Link said. Itll be very challenging to de-tumble and arrest the momentum. Theres also a chance that things have been damaged by this rotation rate that would prevent us from being able to do the mission going forward.

And as if thats not challenging enough, Orbiter SN3 is no longer available as a docking target because of its own rotation rate. Weve reached out to California-based Launcher, which was recently acquired by a space station startup known as Vast, and will update this report with anything we hear back.

Otter Pup is still alive, but the mission is hanging on by a thread, Link said.

In the months ahead, Starfishs team will try to stabilize Otter Pup and determine the satellites health. Link said the primary method for reducing rotation relies on the spacecrafts magnetic torque rods.

These are effectively electromagnets that you can use to push off of Earths magnetic field to de-tumble the satellite, he explained. Theyre designed for much lower rotation rates than what were experiencing now, but they may be able to make a difference.

If Otter Pup is healthy, and if the rotation rate can be reduced, Starfish Space could look for other satellites in nearby orbits to serve as replacement docking partners. Or it could demonstrate its maneuverability without doing a docking.

Its going to be more of a challenge than what we wanted it to be for this Otter Pup, Link said. Well keep working to see if we have a chance to test out some of the key technologies for this Otter Pup, and well also double down on other ways to test, both on orbit and terrestrially in the laboratory.

If resurrecting the spinning Otter Pup is a lost cause, Link said there are definitely scenarios where we would consider similar on-orbit demonstrations. The important thing is to prove out the technologies so that Starfishs team can move on to offering its customers a full-scale Otter docking craft to assist with satellite servicing or end-of-life disposal.

Its definitely not a mortal blow, Link said. The companys fortunate to still be in a very strong position, with a great team and great technology and great customer interest. The on-orbit proof points for the technology are at the very least delayed, unfortunately, because of the position that Otter Pup was put in. But there are still a variety of paths forward for us to pursue. Its still a really exciting future, and were really excited to chase after it.

Starfish Space was founded in 2019 by Link and Trevor Bennett, both of whom previously worked as engineers at Jeff Bezos Blue Origin space venture. The startup has attracted a little more than $21 million in funding from investors including Munich Re Ventures, Toyota Ventures, PSL Ventures, NFX and MaC Venture Capital. It has also received a series of technology development grants from the U.S. Space Force and NASA.

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In February 2022, Violet Augustine realized she and her 6-year-old daughter, Isa, were no longer safe living in Texas.

Isa had been assigned male at birth, but from the moment she learned to speak, she began telling her mom that she was a girl. Violet let her grow out her hair, change her name, and wear girls' clothes, but many people around them did not accept these changes.

Then, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order that would have parents seeking gender-affirming care for their kids investigated for child abuse. It was the final straw for Violet.

Insider's upcoming mini-doc "Moving Isa" explores the heart-wrenching decision one family must make and the pain of the relationships they leave behind. On June 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET, join Violet Augustine in a moderated conversation with Insider senior video producer Selima Hussain, lead producer and cinematographer Adam Miller, and journalist and activist Erin Reed about Isa's transformative journey and how one family's story reflects thousands across the country.

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St John's ready to help in search for missing Titanic sub

The Polar Prince icebreaker, seen here off the coast of Newfoundland

A few days ago, British adventurer Hamish Harding wrote excitedly on Facebook about his upcoming journey to the bottom of the ocean to see the Titanic shipwreck.

It had been the worst winter seen in 40 years in Newfoundland, the Atlantic Canadian province where he was boarding the ship that would carry him to the wreck site.

But "a weather window has just opened up," Mr Harding wrote. "And we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow."

Mr Harding is one of five people now missing after their submersible lost contact with their mothership - a Canadian ice-breaker vessel called the Polar Prince - on Sunday.

The city of St John's, from where the Polar Prince set sail, towing the submersible behind it, has since become part of the massive search and rescue efforts to find the missing vessel.

While the efforts are being spearheaded by the US Coast Guard in Boston, St John's harbour is where additional vessels will be based as that mission continues.

The city on the Atlantic coast is the closest to the site of the Titanic wreck, which lays at the bottom of the ocean around 600 km (372 miles) from shore.

The US Navy's Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System - capable of lifting and recovering large, bulky undersea objects - is scheduled to arrive in St John's on Tuesday evening, a navy spokesperson told the BBC's US news partner CBS.

Canadian coast guard vessel CCGS Terry Fox is now in the harbour and the CCGS Ann Harvey is currently enroute. Both vessels are on standby, loading search and rescue equipment and personnel should assistance be required, Canada's defence department said.

Newfoundland Premier Andrew Furey told the BBC on Tuesday that he has been in contact with the US ambassador David Cohen to see how the province can further assist with the rescue mission.

"We're all very troubled with what is happening off our shores," Mr Furey said, but the wish is it will end with good news.

"We're not hopeless," he said. "We do hope that this rescue mission is fruitful."

On Canada's Atlantic coast and with important fishing and off-shore oil industries, Newfoundland and Labrador has a long and sometimes tragic history with the ocean, Mr Furey said.

Due of its proximity to the Titanic shipwreck, the province has become a centre for researchers and people interested in the voyage the Titanic took more than 100 years ago - an infamous maritime tragedy brought to renewed attention by director James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster film.

"St John's harbour has been a hub for expeditions for many years," said Larry Daley, a local who made an underwater trip to the wreck 20 years ago with Mr Cameron, told the BBC.

OceanGate, the company behind the missing submersible, had begun conducting trips from St John's to the Titanic since 2021, according to its website.

Mr Daley said that because of St John's history, the city has an array of trained mariners other technicians who have deep knowledge of the often temperamental Atlantic waters - expertise he believes could be helpful as the search for the missing submersible continues.
Starter home? How about a starter castle? This one was built in 1887 and is affordable

Ever dream of owning your very own castle?

Now you can  at an affordable price.

Staircase

A castle with a vintage aesthetic appeal has landed on the real estate market in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, for $398,000. Though be warned: It might be a little bit of a fixer-upper.

Also, it wasnt always a residential home.

Interior

Constructed in 1887 by the famous Potts family, the Franklin Public School served the community until 1970, the listing on Zillow.com says. According to the West Nantmeal Township Historic Commission, all eight grades met in the main level and the school was cited as having the largest rural school library in Chester County.

Interior

The listing also notes that the one-bathroom place was also used as a church by the Wyebrook Missionary Baptist Church before it was sold in 1970.

Features of the 3,352-square-foot property include:

Original school features still around

Large main level

Kitchen

Full bathroom

Lots of windows

High ceilings

The building is in need of updating but the structure has solid bones with a newer cedar roof, copper gutters, a newer furnace, air conditioning, and an upgraded electric service, the listing says.

Interior

The residence was featured on Friday Night Zillow, a popular Twitter segment that features unique homes for sale. The segments creator, Steven Dennis, referred to it as a starter castle thanks to its affordable price.

Others chimed in.

Schoolhouse conversion! Lots of possibilities. I love these windows, one person said.

Kinda love this one, another noted.

Interior

This is what I call an open plan! Looks like you could have a roller rink instead of a living room. I love a stone house, someone gushed.

Honey Brook is about 50 miles west of Philadelphia.

Nightmare fuel is on display inside this very normal looking house for sale. See it
John Eastman, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, testified Tuesday before the State Bar of California in a proceeding that could result in his losing his license to practice law in the state. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

John Eastman, once the dean of Chapman Universitys law school and an advisor to former President Trump, should lose his law license for peddling a bogus legal strategy designed to overturn the 2020 election, the State Bar of California argued Tuesday.

The State Bar has accused Eastman of ethics violations for promoting false claims that electoral cheating cost Trump the election, even after the U.S. attorney general rejected claims of widespread fraud and dozens of courts scuttled fraud cases.

Despite President Bidens election victory, according to the Bar, Eastman urged state officials not to certify election results and pressured Vice President Mike Pence to reject electors in states Biden had won.

The Bar also accuses Eastman of fueling the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by telling thousands of Trump supporters at the National Mall that the election had been stolen, including the claim that dead people had voted.

All of his misconduct was done with one singular purpose  to obstruct the electoral count on Jan. 6 and stop Vice President Pence from certifying Joe Biden as the winner of the election, said Duncan Carling, an attorney representing the Bar.

His remarks came on the first day of Eastmans trial before the California Bar Court, which is scheduled to hear the case over the next two weeks in Los Angeles.

Read more: State Bar charges John Eastman, lawyer who advised Trump on overturning the election, with ethics violations

Carling said that Eastmans legal theory that Pence could reject the electors of certain states or delay the vote count was baseless, completely unsupported by historical precedent or law, and contrary to our values as a nation.

It represented his last-ditch effort in a long course of increasingly desperate attempts to overturn the election, Carling said. He said Eastman tried to drum up slates of alternate electors to stop the orderly transition of power and pressured Pence to ignore the law and override every branch of government.

Carling said Eastman knew  and privately admitted  that his theory had no chance of prevailing in court, and that he was fully aware in real time that his plan was damaging the nation, pressing the scheme even after the Jan. 6 violence.

All of Dr. Eastmans conduct was fundamentally dishonest and intended to obstruct the lawful certification of the winner of the 2020 election on Jan. 6, Carling said. It breached the most important ethical duties of attorneys, of honesty and adherence to the rule of law.

Eastmans attorney, Randall Miller, argued that his client could not be disciplined for advancing a legal theory that was arguably tenable, and not so completely lacking in merit than a reasonable lawyer might buy it. He said Eastman had just been doing his duty to advocate vigorously on behalf of his client, then-President Trump.

Former Chapman University law Professor John Eastman, shown in 2021. (Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

He said Eastman began working on an election integrity team launched by Trump two months before the November 2020 election because of his decades of litigation and scholarly experience.

He was not there to steal the election or invent ways to make President Trump the winner if in fact he lost, Miller said. The focus was on ensuring the election was property and legally conducted and certified, and votes were properly counted.

Read more: How John Eastmans role in Jan. 6 still haunts the California university where he taught

He said Eastmans goal was to delay the counting of votes so there could be a reasonable investigation into claims of election irregularities.

His aim was to ensure that the rightful winner of the election was properly certified, Miller said, adding that Eastmans legal ideas were viable, tenable and advanced in good faith.

Eastmans remarks to Pence about his power to refuse to certify the electors was just advocacy, Miller said, but the ultimate decision lay with Pence, and Pence rejected Eastmans theory.

Theres not any threat to democracy. All roads led through Vice President Pence, Miller said, characterizing the exchanges between Eastman and Pences attorney as two smart people talking about the scope of constitutional authority, which was by far not clear  an honest debate held in good faith that lawyers do.

The hearing continues Wednesday. Eastman was the dean of Chapmans law school from 2007 to 2010, and continued teaching there until 2021, when more than 100 faculty members and people associated with the school denounced his role in the events of Jan. 6.

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.
The stepson of British billionaire Hamish Harding defended going to a Blink-182 concert as rescuers search for his stepfather and other passengers on a missing sub.

Brian Szasz stood by his decision on social media, writing that he is "not sorry" he went to see the band which has "helped me through hard times" while Harding and four other passengers on board OceanGate Expeditions' Titanic tourist submersible remain missing.

"Yes I went to @blink-182 last night," Szasz, a San Diego-based audio engineer, wrote in an Instagram Story on June 20, when he was pictured standing in front of a Blink-182 merchandise tent. "What am I supposed to do sit at home and watch the news?"

"Not sorry this band has helped me through hard times since 1998," Szasz added.

SEARCH FOR MISSING TITANIC TOURIST SUB CONTINUES IN RACE AGAINST TIME

Szasz, 37, confirmed his stepfather was aboard the missing sub in a Facebook post Monday requesting thoughts and prayers for the rescue mission. Earlier, he wrote that it might be "distasteful" to go to the concert, but that "my family would want me to be at the blink-182 show as it's my favorite band and music helps me in difficult times," according to screenshots obtained by the Daily Mail and other outlets.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

He later deleted the post from the concert venue, writing that his mother requested he remove the post to protect the family's privacy.

From left to right, Travis Barker, Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 perform onstage at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2023 in New York City. Brian Szasz attended a Blink-182 show in San Diego on June 19, 2023, while his stepfather Hamish Harding and four others aboard a tourist submersible remain missing.

On Twitter, Szasz thanked the members of Blink-182 for cheering him up through their performance. "My stepdad Hamish is on this submarine lost at sea. Im devastated but coming to the San Diego show tonight so you guys can give me hope and cheer me up," Szasz tweeted.

Fox News has reached out to Szasz for additional comment.

Harding is one of five passengers on an OceanGate Expedition tourist submersible that was reported missing Monday. The other passengers include Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, as well as OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and French mariner Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

CANADIAN AIRCRAFT DETECTED UNDERWATER NOISES FROM SEARCH AREA FOR MISSING TITANIC TOURIST SUBMARINE

An undated photo shows a tourist submersible belonging to OceanGate appearing on the water surface at sea. Search and rescue operations continue by the U.S. Coast Guard in Boston after a tourist submarine bound for the Titanic's wreckage site went missing off the southeastern coast of Canada.

U.S. and Canadian coast guard authorities have launched intense rescue missions in the days since the sub disappeared. The crew are sealed into the submersible, and it cannot be opened from the inside. The craft has enough stored oxygen to keep the crew alive for 96 hours.

There are now less than 24 hours of oxygen on board the missing OceanGate Titan submarine, according to an estimate from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard said Tuesday afternoon that there were just 40 hours left of "breathable air" inside the vessel.

By their estimate, it should run out by Thursday morning Eastern Standard Time.

MISSING SUB'S RESCUE UNLIKELY IN FRIGHTENING HUMAN DRAMA, SAY EXPERTS: THE MATH IS NOT GREAT

An undated photo shows a tourist submersible belonging to OceanGate as it descents at sea. Search and rescue operations continue by U.S. Coast Guard in Boston after a tourist submarine bound for the Titanic's wreckage site went missing off the southeastern coast of Canada.

Capt. Jamie Fredrick, U.S. Coast Guard First District response coordinator, told reporters in Boston that an ongoing search with the assistance of the Canadian Coast Guard in an area "larger than the state of Connecticut" has not yet turned up any signs of Titan.

Fredrick said as soon as the Coast Guard received a report Sunday evening of the Titans disappearance, "we immediately launched search efforts."

"We flew assets that evening, and we've continued constant surface and air assets searches since that point," he added.

The 21-foot submersible, with five people on board, lost contact approximately 900 nautical miles East of Cape Cod, Massachusetts on Sunday, June 18.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the crew and the families and their loved ones," Fredrick said.

Fox News' Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Greg Norman contributed to this report.
The story of several dozen pilots who protected the skies of the capital in the first days of the full-scale war - NV reconstruction

Defenders of the sky of the capital: fighter pilots Dmytro (left) and Andriy (next) serve in the 40th tactical aviation brigade, which operated over Kyiv and the north of the country from the first minutes of the war

With the help of eyewitnesses, NV reproduced the events of the air battle during which Ukrainian fighters held off an armada of enemy aircraft, thereby saving the capital and the north of the country from methodical destruction.

Read also: Dozens of Ukrainian pilots to start training to fly F-16s, air force reveals

Around 15:00 on February 24, 2022, Dmytro, a young MiG-29 fighter pilot (who withheld his last name for security reasons) was waiting for takeoff to defend Kyiv. At that time, he had already intercepted Russian missiles and lost communication with his brothers for the first time. It took him less than half a day to gain this experience: 11 hours before, at about four in the morning, he was on peacetime duty in the sky. It was there, between the clouds, where he met the beginning of a full-scale Russian invasion.

One loss, which Dmytro learned about before his next takeoff, hit him especially hard. He heard on the radio that the Russians had killed his commander, Colonel Vyacheslav Yerko, in a dogfight.

The Air Command (VzK) Center subsequently said that Yerko had fought several engagements by that point. First against 12 aircraft and 8 enemy helicopters which had been sent to strike at Kyiv. Then the experienced commander knocked out an enemy Su-25 attack aircraft and several Mi-24 helicopters. However, during the next sortie, Yerko was killed by an enemy missile.

There was an enemy interception, Dmytro recalls.

But because the enemy had an advantage in numbers, one Russian plane maneuvered, and the other two approached from the opposite direction and launched a missile [at Yerkos aircraft].

Yerko managed to eject, but the Russian invaders, violating all the rules of war, shot him in the air.

Dmytro did not have time for emotions at that point. He had to take off and complete his mission. However, after the death of his commander, the pilot decided to change tactics: to behave less predictably and maneuver more.

When you understand what awaits you, your thirst for life intensifies, he explains.

Read also: Ukraines fighter jet coalition set to add more nations, additional aircraft than F-16s

I still want to survive in different situations. It is clear that while on the ground you may be thinking about one thing, but when the cockpit hatch closes and you start the engine, then you switch and its as if you are entering a new world.

At that time, messages of encouragement had begun appearing in local news and social media about a legendary Ukrainian fighter pilot who had shot down one enemy aircraft after another from the skies above the capital  the Ghost of Kyiv. Even government agencies wrote about him. The SBU reported that as of February 27, the pilot had already shot down more than 10 enemy aircraft.

Over time, the Ghost would be credited with shooting down 40 aircraft. However, at the end of April, when the Russians had already been ousted from Kyiv Oblast, Air Command admitted that in reality, the Ghost of Kyiv had never existed. They said that it was not a singular person, but rather "a collective image of the pilots of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade who protect the sky over the capital." The size of the brigade has not yet been disclosed, nor the complement of its fleet, but Yerko belonged to this unit, and the young pilot Dmytro still flies in its ranks.

With the help of Dmytro, his brothers in his brigade, the commander Air Command, and military experts, NV has reconstructed the course of the first and most difficult battles for the skies over Kyiv, during which Ukrainian pilots thwarted the enemys plan to gain complete air superiority and received the national title of Ghosts of Kyiv.

First strikes

On the morning of February 24, during the first strikes of the war, the Russians launched over 155 missiles against Ukraine. In several waves, the enemy struck all the radar units of Ukraines radio engineering forces (the eyes of the Air Force), along with airfields, air defense positions, and command posts, Lieutenant General Anatoly Krivonozhko, the commanding officer of Air Command, told NV. The enemy was trying to suppress Ukraines entire air defense system and gain aerial dominance.

The Russians fired more than 30 missiles at each airfield to prevent Ukrainian pilots from taking off and countering the enemy. However, parts of Ukraines fighter fleet managed to be withdrawn from the attack and redeployed to alternate airfields.

This was the case with the Vasylkiv Airfield about 40 km south of Kyiv, where the 40th Ghost Brigade is based. On the first day of the full-scale war, 25-year-old fighter pilot Vyacheslav Rodionov, at the cost of his own life, covered his brothers from the air. He took off in his plane and diverted the enemys attention while his squadron mates dispersed.

February 24 was a very difficult day, Dmytro recalls. His first personal mission was to intercept a missile flying from the south. However, according to coordinates received from the ground, the young pilot never found it.

BEAT THE ENEMY AS A GROUP: "Ghosts" of the Vasylkiv brigade constantly interact with air defense, placing enemy aircraft under the attack of anti-aircraft missiles (in the photo - preparation for takeoff) Press service of the 40th tactical aviation brigade

Russian aviation began to fly into Ukrainian airspace after the first missile strikes. The enemy attacked in the east, south and north. It was in the latter direction that it was the hottest, as the capital was the enemys main goal.

From the north, enemy pilots flew low along the bed of the Dnipro, using the terrain to try to remain invisible, Krivonozhko recounts.

Russian aviation then crossed the northern border, mainly by their bombers, attack aircraft, and helicopters, all without fighter cover. This whole armada entered Ukrainian territory in order to destroy critical facilities which had not previously been hit by missiles.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian aviation, withdrawn after Russias first strikes, was preparing for battle at reserve airfields. The pilots regained their composure, refueled, and within an hour and a half after the massive strike, they reached the Belarusian border, where there is a depression along the Dnipro. It was there, as the Air Command commander recalls, that Ukrainian fighters met the next wave of Russian aircraft.

The enemy did not expect this.

During the first approach, when our fighters moved in, the Russians turned away and did not get involved in the fight, says Krivonozhko.

Read also: Zelenskyys emotional address on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation  full text

During the second approach, the situation repeated itself. They did not understand who was flying, because, according to their information, everything had already been destroyed: aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, and so on. Only after the third round, at around 11.00-12.00 [on February 24], did very tough close air combat begin.

At this time, the Ukrainian Radio Engineering (RTV) and Anti-Aircraft Missile Forces (ZRV) had also regained their bearings after the missile strikes. Therefore, for the first three days, as these forces were restoring their combat capability, it was the aviation that, according to Krivonozhko, did everything it could to win time by battling superior enemy forces.

The anti-aircraft forces entered the battle after they had reconstituted, explains Krivonozhko.

The first battles were carried out by aviation. And it was due to the courage of our pilots that they managed to stop the enemy and earn a little breathing room.

One against five

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian aviation outnumbered Ukrainian aviation by at least a factor of five.

Dmytro Tomenchuk, editor of the site Militaryaviation, tells NV that the difference in numbers was huge: about 500 enemy aircraft against 100 Ukrainian planes. In addition, Russian aviation was technologically superior. After all, all Ukrainian aircraft had been produced back in the 1980s and 90s. The enemys aircraft, on the other hand, was mostly of the newer generation, and their fighters had been commissioned in 2018-2019. They were mostly made of late Soviet or post-Soviet models, such as the Su-35.

Their fighters, for example, are more advanced, explains Tomenchuk.

They have more modern radars and missiles, and are superior to us in terms of quality. In addition, the Russians have special aviation that works in tandem with their fighters and increases their capabilities.

As an example, Tomenchuk cites the Russian A-50 reconnaissance aircraft, a so-called airborne radar which worked from the skies of Belarus, scanning the airspace over a large part of Ukraine. In addition, the Russians have electronic warfare aircraft.

UNSUCCESSFUL "BLITZKRIEG": Commander of the Center Air Command Anatoly Kryvonozhko recalls that on the morning of February 24, the Russians tried to destroy all the Ukrainian Air Force and Air Defense Forces at once UAF

They were also operating them to help their aviation, Tomenchuk explains.

We dont have these types [of aircraft] at all."

As such, Ukrainian fighters were practically unable to conduct close combat with the enemy, Yuriy Ihnat, the chief spokesman of the Ukrainian Air Force, explained to NV. After all, enemy aircraft were able to see their opponents at least 100 km away and were armed with missiles with an active homing head. That is, a Russian fighter could take to the skies, launch missiles and fly away without risking themselves, leaving their missiles to find targets themselves.

But Ukrainian fighters were equipped with missiles with semi-active homing heads. This meant that Ukrainian pilots had to fly within a few dozen kilometers of an enemy target, achieve a target lock, launch missiles, and then keep locked onto the target with radar until the missiles hit. During this time, the attackers themselves could easily become targets.

Therefore, our aviation used a number of tactics, says Ihnat.

Maneuvering played a key role, including flying at extremely low altitudes, which allows you to survive and fly below the enemys antennas that could spot your plane. Thus, you can hide in the riverbeds and on the terrain. This is the tactic that was possible back then."

We "clicked" them

Andriy, another MiG-29 fighter pilot from the Vasylkiv squadron, joined his brothers a few days after the start of the full-scale war. He had been studying at the Defense University in Kyiv, and had performed his first duties there.

Read also: Sweden will train Ukrainian pilots on JAS 39 Gripen jets

On February 28, he was sent to his home unit. Together with two more servicemen that day, he was driving along the empty highway from the capital to Vasylkiv. The small town greeted him with an apocalyptic picture: cloudy weather, civilian homes destroyed by missile strikes, damaged buildings on the military base, and the first losses. And the situation looked alarming: enemy sabotage groups were operating in Vasylkiv, and there had been sniper groups spotted.

Andriy, who also spoke with NV on the condition of not using his last name, then joined the planning of operations at the base command post. He analyzed the situation and made assessments about the enemys next actions. Based on this information, the pilot gave suggestions to the commander.

We planned a day ahead, Andriy recalls.

But this was an ongoing process, and the situation would still change and adjustments had to be made. This was the cycle.

Andriy explains that in particular, his unit analyzed how Russian aviation was building its battle formations - how they deployed aircraft and how those aircraft were operating. As a result, it was possible to figure out where the enemys strengths were in their formations, as well as to find their hidden weaknesses.

I even looked at the events from the 24th, he explains.

The Russians launched missile strikes and thought that was it  that our aviation, air defense, and radar were all gone. They thought everything was alright and that the air battle phase of the war was over.

USSR VS RUSSIA: The 40th Brigade is armed with Soviet-era MiG-29s (pictured), while pilots from the Russian Federation use state-of-the-art fighters UAF

Because of this confidence that everything was already won for them, Russian pilots entered Ukraine with confidence and expecting no opposition.

They acted arrogantly, Andriy says.

From February 24 to February 26, they were impudent. They were sure that there was no air defense left, and they acted as if they were at home.

Therefore, all the planning and subsequent steps by Ukrainian aviation were related to "chopping off the Russians fingers." Only after the Ukrainians began to crack enemy planes like nuts did the Russians begin to change tactics.

Our fighters shot down planes and cruise missiles under the cover of their own air defense, Andriy recalls.

His squadron mate Dmytro notes that after the reconstitution of Ukrainian air defense, it became easier to operate in the skies and more effectively hit the enemy.

We know the capabilities of our aircraft. They are not very perfect, Dmytro explains.

Read also: Ghost of Kyiv mural unveiled in Ukrainian capital in celebration of Aviation Day

 But we have air defense, which can help. Therefore, sometimes we flew like aerial targets: you would imitate certain actions and distract the enemy from you. While the Russians are trying to find you, they neglect other targets [ground-based air defense]. In tandem, it all worked."

Ukrainian pilots took great risks, but would nevertheless always fly to intercept enemy forces superior in numbers and technology, Ihnat said. They acted unexpectedly and maneuvered. The familiar terrain helped, because it would become more and more necessary to cling to the ground.

It is clear that there were missile launches against them  this has always been the case in all these situations, adds Ihnat.

There were several air raids per day [every four hours], and ours flew to intercept. Accordingly, the invaders had to react. They had MiG-29 fighters flying at them: yes, theyre old, but they also have missiles and radar, and ground control is telling them where the Russians are flying.

They knew what they were getting into

47-year-old fighter pilot first class Oleksandr Brynzhala, who also fought with the 40th tactical aviation brigade, repeatedly flew in these intercept missions. On the night of March 2, he and his partner took off to defend the capital against four Russian aircraft. However, it turned out that there were 12 enemy fighters. The Ukrainians did not turn back, and they engaged the enemy.

As recalled by pilot Andriy, who was monitoring the situation from the command post, Brynzala fired missiles at the enemy and knocked out, according to various sources, either one or two aircraft. His partner knocked out another one.

But for Brynzhala, this flight would be his last.

There were many cases like Brynzhalas, Andriy notes.

But this one was especially memorable.

Read also: Popular aviation-themed clothing brand Aviatsiya Halychyny fundraising for military training jet

On March 13, 29-year-old Serhiy Taralka, another fighter pilot who many on social media were speculating was the Ghost of Kyiv, was killed in action . According to the Air Force, Taralka was killed in combat with superior enemy forces.

Fierce battles were also fought over the skies of Zhytomyr Oblast. As LTG Krivonozhko recalls, in March 2022, Russian aviation was trying to support the advance of their ground forces in this sector so that they completely cut off the approaches to Kyiv. The invaders failed to achieve their goal, even though there would be situations where 7 Ukrainian fighters took off against 15 Russian ones.

The Russians also heavily damaged the airfield in Zhytomyr Oblast. When Ukrainian planes took off one after another to engage their enemy, the Russians did not understand how it was possible.

In a radio exchange which we had the opportunity to listen to, we heard them say Where the fuck are they getting these from? Krivonozhko recalls.

The general explains that every Ukrainian pilot who died in battle understood that each flight could be their last, but no one shirked their duty.

They knew that the enemy forces were much larger than ours, he adds.

In total, in February and March, up to 10 Ukrainian fighter pilots may have been killed in action, Tomenchuk notes  in particular in Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv Oblasts, where the main battles took place.

THAT'S HOW WE WILL WIN: maneuvers and flights at extremely low altitudes play a key role in the tactics of Ukrainian fighter jets, according to Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat ArmyInform

Air Command would only confirm to NV that eight pilots who belonged to the brigades under their command had been posthumously named Heroes of Ukraine.

There were also dead among Ukrainian attack and bomber aircraft pilots. The latter had engaged columns of Russian equipment which were advancing from different directions to encircle Kyiv.

We had losses, says Ihnat.

But the contribution that the pilots made from the beginning of the fighting, and near Kyiv in particular, where there were also enemy columns, was invaluable.

Lack of modern aircraft

Dmytro recounts that the expulsion of the enemy from Kyiv Oblast was achieved by the coordinated actions of all parts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russian aviation would stop flying into unoccupied Ukrainian territory only about a month and a half after the start of the full-scale war. The load on Ukraines pilots then decreased slightly.

It was a small exhalation, says Dmytro.

It will be possible to exhale more when this is all over, but to exhale completely - never again.

Read also: Ukraines Air Force Command reveals real identity of legendary pilot Ghost of Kyiv

Today, fighter pilots Dmytro and Andriy have returned to regular duty in central Ukraine. However, they also travel on rotation closer to the ground combat zone.

We can do a lot, but we are limited now in our means by our airplanes, Andriy explains,

Comparing the modern [American] F-16 fighter with the MiG-29 is like comparing a new BMW against a Zhiguli. If we have the F-16, then our capabilities will be much greater.

After all, what fighter pilots are doing now with four MiGs can be done with a single F-16, particularly shooting down more enemies with aviation itself.

According to the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, during the first year of the full-scale war, on its own without the help of air defense, the squadrons pilots shot down 16 enemy aircraft and 2 helicopters.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A strange object found in a school meal in China was the head of a rat, Chinese authorities have concluded, overturning previous official reassurances that it was duck neck in the latest twist to a food safety scandal that gripped the nation for weeks.

The furore has also exposed deep levels of public distrust in Chinese local governments, whose attempts to cover up negative news have often backfired.

The controversy began on June 1, when a student at the Jiangxi Industry Polytechnic College in the southeastern province of Jiangxi discovered something weird in his dish at the school canteen.

In a video he posted on Chinese social media, the student picked up the dark hairy object with his chopsticks and complained to the canteen staff that he had found a rats head.

This is duck meat, a female staffer replied.

Isnt this rats teeth? the student said, turning the object to reveal the tiny white pieces in the middle and the shape of a nose above.

This is duck meat, duck meat, the staffer insisted. How could there be teeth in duck meat?

The video went viral and caused a stir in China, where food safety has long been a major issue of public concern following scandals involving contaminated baby milk powder and gutter oil  recycled oil tainted with food waste or even sewage.

Chinese authorities have since tightened regulation and carried out periodic crackdowns, but food safety scandals, including in student canteens, have continued to make headlines and spark public outcries.

In the latest incident, the video sparked heated online discussions. Many comments sided with the student, citing the objects uncanny resemblance to the head of a rodent, with seemingly identifiable eyes, nose, mouth and ears.

As public pressure mounted, the college issued a statement on June 3 claiming the object shown in the video was not a rats head, but a piece of duck neck, which is a popular delicacy in China.

Our investigation found that the video was indeed shot at our school canteen but its content does not match the facts, the statement said. It said the student had invited classmates to look at the object and confirmed it was duck neck, and had submitted a written clarification.

The school added that the local districts market regulator had sent law-enforcement officers to the canteen to investigate.

On the same day, an official at the districts market supervision bureau appeared on the Jiangxi Radio and Television Station, saying officers had repeatedly compared the object and confirmed it was indeed a piece of duck neck.

Meanwhile, a clarification video of the student circulated online. I found out it was not a rat head but a duck neck, so I would like to clarify, the student said in the video.

CNN has reached out to the school for comment.

Calling a deer a horse

The official findings and the students clarification failed to convince the public.

Instead, it fueled even more anger online, with users accusing the school and local officials of lying and pressuring the student to change his stance.

Some called for an investigation into what they believed to be a cover-up by the local authorities. Others reacted with sarcasm, and an outpouring of memes flooded the Chinese internet.

Many shared photoshopped images planting a mouses head onto the body of a duck (including a fusion of Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck), claiming it was a newly discovered creature called duckrat.

Others reinvented the Chinese idiom calling a deer a horse, derived from a famous story in the Qin Dynasty, in which court officials pointed at a deer and called it a horse to prove their loyalty to a powerful eunuch.

In ancient times we have calling a deer a horse. Now we have calling a rat a duck, said a post on Weibo with nearly 30,000 likes.

In the face of mounting public criticism and ridicule, the Jiangxi government announced on June 10 it had launched a provincial-level probe into the incident, with a task force joined by officials from education, public security and market supervision authorities.

A week later, the provincial investigation team concluded that the foreign object was not a piece of duck neck, and the local market supervision bureau and the school had reached a wrong conclusion because they did not investigate diligently.

Surveillance footage showed the object found by the student had been disposed of by canteen staff on June 1, according to the provincial team, which said it had checked the canteens purchase list, interviewed kitchen staff and students at the scene.

Animal experts who examined videos and photos of the item ruled it was the head of a rodent, the team said.

The canteens license has been revoked and the company that operates it had received a maximum penalty under food safety laws, the statement said. Officials at the college and the local market supervision bureau will also be punished, it added.

This is how the government lost its credibility, one Weibo comment said.

The controversy has also drawn the ire of the mouthpiece of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

In a commentary, Xiakedao, an account under the overseas edition of the Peoples Daily, censured local authorities for attempting to cover up the truth.

So many administrative resources were wasted, and the credibility of the local government was damaged, and the loss has totally outweighed the gain! it said.

This kind of absurd incident of calling a rat a duck cannot be repeated again!

CNNs Wayne Chang contributed reporting.

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Six Florida students, their parents and two authors sued a central Florida school district Tuesday for banning some students access to a childrens book about two male penguins who raise a baby penguin together.

Last year, the school board in Lake County, near Orlando, barred students who are in kindergarten through third grade from accessing And Tango Makes Three, a 2005 book based on a true story about two male penguins at New York Citys Central Park Zoo who adopted and raised an orphaned penguin chick named Tango.

The district said at the time that its decision was based on Floridas Parental Rights in Education law, which prohibits classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure, which critics dubbed the Dont Say Gay law, in March 2022.

DeSantis signed a bill that expands the law last month. The new measure prohibits sexual orientation or gender identity instruction in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, restricts reproductive health education in sixth through 12th grade and requires that reproductive health instruction be age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards. The law applies to both public and charter schools.

Tuesdays lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for Middle Florida, argues that the law is vague and overbroad and that the district, by restricting access to And Tango Makes Three, violated the First Amendment.

By discriminating based on content and viewpoint, it infringes the authors right to freedom of expression, the suit says. By restricting access to a book, which was previously freely available, for narrowly partisan and political reasons, it infringes students right to receive information.

The authors, Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, said in a joint statement that they sued to affirm the American principle that no child should be denied access to age-appropriate information in school because of the beliefs and biases of some; to defend students right to read a heartwarming story of difference, acceptance, and love; and to protect authors from censorship rooted in intolerance.

Six students ages 5 to 12, whom the complaint refers to by their initials, joined through their parents or legal guardians because theyre interested in reading the book for a variety of reasons.

Z.T., 12, is gay and loves reading LGBTQ stories, according to the complaint.

Z.T. is drawn to Tangos tolerant, kindhearted, and family-friendly depiction of two parents of the same sex who raise an adopted child a family structure that she could someday have with a future spouse, the complaint says.

Another child in the district, D.S., lives with a grandmother, his brother and his half-brother, the complaint says. He wants to read And Tango Makes Three because hes interested in learning about different family structures.

D.S.s family looks different from the families of many of his friends and classmates at Beverly Shores Elementary School, who live in two-parent households in which all of the children are biologically related to each other and both of their parents, the complaint says. He also wants to read the book because he loves animals and wants to become what he calls an animal doctor when he grows up, it says

Faith E. Gay, an attorney with Selendy Gay Elsberg PLLC, which filed the suit, said in a statement that any law that bans a book like And Tango Makes Three runs roughshod over our most basic constitutional principles of freedom of speech and expression.

It also flies in the face of deeply-held American values we all share: respect for families, responsible parenting, openness, hospitality and generosity of spirit, Gay said.

The lawsuit is the second filed against a Florida school district over restrictions on books. Last month, Pen America, a nonprofit group that advocates for free expression in literature; Penguin Random House, a multinational publishing company; and a group of authors, students and parents sued the Escambia County School District in Pensacola and its school board over removing 10 books related to race and the LGBTQ community.

Students, teachers and parents also filed a separate lawsuit last year to block the so-called Dont Say Gay law from taking effect. A federal judge dismissed the suit in February.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
People protest against the Japanese government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in Fukushima, Japan, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

FUKUSHIMA, Japan, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 Japanese people rallied on Tuesday outside the Fukushima Prefectural Government Office to voice their strong opposition to the latter's stance on discharging radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

"The mountains and rivers will never return to the past, and the radiation will not disappear easily. But compared to life and love, this country puts making money first!" Tatsuko Okawara from Tamura city, Fukushima Prefecture, shouted a line from a puppet show she created, exposing the inside story of the Japanese government's eagerness to dump nuclear-contaminated water into the sea.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, began trialing the equipment for discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific on June 12. The test run of the discharge facility is expected to finish on June 26. The nuclear wastewater release led by the Japanese government seems to have entered the countdown.

Around Tuesday noon, people from all over Japan who are opposed to the dumping plan gathered in a "Fukushima Action," staging parades, rallies and petitions, to express their firm opposition to the stance of the Fukushima prefectural government on the issue.

Chiyo Oda, an organizer of the event and the co-representative of the civic group "Stop Polluting the Sea", told Xinhua, "The government says every day that the trial operation will end soon, making everyone feel that the ocean discharge is an established fact, and wants us to give up."

"But it is wrong to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, and there are still places for the water storage tanks, so it has not reached the point where it must be discharged," Oda said.

Masuko Eiichi from the prefecture's Koriyama city, also criticized the discharge plan at the gathering, saying, "These storage tanks for nuclear-contaminated water can be stored for a long time as long as the government and TEPCO want to. But they have chosen the cheapest way to deal with them by discharging the wastewater into the sea."

Regarding the government referring the diluted nuclear-contaminated water as "treated water," Sakurai from Niigata Prefecture said it is a fraud to confuse the public.

Eiichi explained that nuclear-contaminated water can be diluted, but the total amount of nuclear pollutants discharged remains unchanged.

"Moreover, there are not only the radioactive element tritium in the water, but also 57 kinds of radioactive substances such as cesium and strontium that cannot be removed," Eiichi added.

In the petition to be submitted to the Fukushima prefectural government, the participants voiced more demands and concerns.

They said, "In the absence of quantitative determination of all radioactive substances in the contaminated water, discharging the water into the sea will cause a large amount of radioactive substances to spread to the entire Pacific Ocean through the coastal waters of Fukushima, and then pollute the global marine environment..."

Under the scorching sun, Okawara's speech continued, "Nuclear-contaminated water must not be discharged into the sea. It is a crime, a crime against all living things on earth!" 

People protest against the Japanese government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in Fukushima, Japan, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People protest against the Japanese government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in Fukushima, Japan, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People protest against the Japanese government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in Fukushima, Japan, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Welcome to summer! (Photo/File)

The summer solstice arrives today officially at 9:57 a.m. - EDT. For Native Americans, the summer solstice means more than trips to the beach, tall glasses of cold lemonade, and fresh watermelon. For centuries, Indigenous people across North America celebrated the summer solstice with ceremonies and prayer. Many Indigenous communities celebrated the first day of summer as a time of renewal.

Some Native Americans are celebrating today, June 21, 2023, as the World Peace and Prayer Day.

Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota) will be hosting a time of prayer with the Winnemem Wintu at the Redding Rancheria

Chairman Jack Potter and Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Photo/Courtesy)

We would like to get the message to the people of the world, to join us on World Peace and Prayer Day. held every June 21st, Looking Horse said in a text to Native News Online. We ask those who cannot join us in person at their sacred sites, as well as their churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship.

Following protocol, Chief Looking Horse met prior to todays event with Redding Rancheria Chairman Jack Potter to seek permission to hold the prayer there.

It is an honor to host such a prestigious gathering as World Peace and Prayer Day. The Wintu people of the Redding Rancheria are honored to be a part of this gathering as a sovereign tribal nation to work with others to allow world peace on such a large scale. We thank Chief Arvol Looking Horse for choosing our tribe to have the event here,

Other Summer Solstice Events:

Have a safe summer from Native News Online!

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
(Bloomberg) -- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the creation of a framework for war-risk insurance backed by the Group of Seven and designed to encourage private investors to help rebuild Ukraine.

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Speaking at the opening of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday, Sunak said that while Russia must pay for the destruction it has inflicted during its invasion of its neighbor, a partnership of governments, international financial institutions and business leaders is also needed to underpin the nations reconstruction.

He said that more than 400 businesses from 38 countries with a combined market value of $4.9 trillion have signed up to the Ukraine Business Compact and encouraged investors to tap the City of Londons deep and liquid capital markets and world-class finance expertise.

The insurance framework is a huge step forward towards helping insurers to underwrite investments into Ukraine, removing one of the biggest barriers and giving investors the confidence they need to act, Sunak told conference delegates.

With this and everything we do here we are sending a message, he added. That our support on the battlefield and beyond cannot be outlasted and that Ukraines incredible spirit will prevail.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke to the conference immediately after Sunak via video link and said the world is watching whether we will restore normal life in such a way that our transformation will land an ideological defeat on the aggressor.

By building Ukraine we are building much more than one country, he added. We are building the world that will be in the lifetime of our generation and after us. Whether it will be free and democratic depends on each of us.

The World Bank has estimated that the cost of reversing the damage inflicted by Kremlin forces will be about $411 billion over the next decade, with $14 billion needed for critical spending this year alone. That figure will likely climb as fighting intensifies and costs related to this months dam breach rise.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also attended Wednesdays conference and pledged an additional $1.3 billion in assistance to help Ukraine rebuild. Most of the funds will be directed to restoring the countrys energy grid and critical infrastructure ranging from ports to rail lines and border crossings.

Recovery is about more than just ensuring people have what they need to survive  food to eat, water to drink, Blinken said. Recovery is about laying the foundation for Ukraine to thrive as a secure, independent country fully integrated with Europe, connected to markets around the world.

The London gathering follows the European Unions announcement this week of a proposed 50 billion package to cover Ukraines current expenditure and urgent reconstruction priorities through 2027.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the facility will be financed with grants from the EU budget, loans raised on capital markets and eventually with proceeds from immobilized Russian assets.

The EUs executive arm will come with a proposal for these assets before the summer break, von der Leyen said in an address to the conference.

The cash-for-reforms plan will help Ukraine to meet Brussels demands to join the bloc. The nation wants to open accession talks with the EU by the end of this year.

While some progress has been made in areas including judicial reform, the government in Kyiv needs to boost efforts in fighting graft and money laundering, according to an interim EU report published Wednesday.

The International Monetary Fund has approved a package for Ukraine worth $15.6 billion over the next four years.

--With assistance from Alex Wickham, Daryna Krasnolutska, Aliaksandr Kudrytski, John Follain, Katharina Rosskopf, Iain Marlow, Patrick Donahue and Arne Delfs.

(Updates with Blinken comments starting in ninth paragraph)

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This is the first story in a series examining the impact of the fall of Roe v. Wade with the Supreme Courts ruling last June in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

Almost exactly a year ago, a Supreme Court ruling ended the constitutional right to an abortion, allowing states to make their own policies.

The decision was part of a sharp rightward turn for the court after conservatives cemented a six-vote supermajority when Amy Coney Barrett replaced Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The courts majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, issued June 24, 2022, halted a 50-year precedent of federal abortion protections and marked the start of a new era in abortion politics.

Democrats and people who have supported abortion rights suddenly found themselves on the defensive. They became more energized in efforts to strengthen abortion protections where they already existed and to keep them from eroding elsewhere.

Anti-abortion groups, meanwhile, celebrated a win that had been years in the making. Almost immediately, a cascade of so-called trigger laws  written to prohibit abortion as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned  began to take effect in more than a dozen states.

For thousands of people, new restrictions meant they no longer could obtain an abortion in their home state or even nearby.

According to a report from the Society of Family Planning, a group of health professionals that promotes research on abortion and contraception, there were 2,849 fewer abortions per month in the nine months post-Dobbs than if the pre-Dobbs rate from April and May 2022 stayed the same.

Nationally, there were an average of 79,031 abortions per month in the nine months post-Dobbs, compared to 81,730 in the pre-Dobbs months.

State abortion laws in flux

Now, abortion is almost completely banned in 14 states, and there are gestational limits in a handful of others. The patchwork of state laws has led to a confusing landscape thats constantly changing as challenges take place in courtrooms across the country.

Rachel Rebouche, dean of the Temple University Beasley School of Law, said its no surprise that laws are in flux. The Dobbs decision thrust state-level courts into positions of needing answers to questions they havent had to consider in decades, and it forced providers to parse language to figure out whether long-standing practices were suddenly illegal.

The change was fast, and it wasnt accompanied with guidance. What is this? How do we interpret a life exception? Does a health exception in the law include mental health, physical health? How should physicians speak about miscarriage treatment differently than a state abortion ban? Rebouche said.

Wisconsin, for example, was one of the states with a law on the books that completely outlawed abortion should Roe be overturned. The 174-year-old law remains in effect, even as the states Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit to try to block it.

The newly liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to decide the case. Until it does, abortion is illegal in the state.

Kristen Lyerly, an OB-GYN and abortion care provider, said she lives in Wisconsin but no longer practices there. She works in Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz (D) enshrined the right to abortion and other reproductive health care into state law.

When the Dobbs decision came down, we immediately stopped providing abortion care. In the clinics in Milwaukee and Madison, they had to send the people home who had been scheduled that day and were waiting for their procedures, Lyerly said.

Lyerly, a member of the Committee to Protect Health Care, said she has seen providers become more outspoken about the medical aspect of abortion and wants to continue that push.

Weve taken abortion and weve stigmatized it, weve put it in separate clinics, weve taken it out of the health care realm, Lyerly said.

It never should have been isolated because abortion care is integrated into many fundamental aspects of womens health care; miscarriage management, infertility treatment, navigating complicated pregnancies. It is just so interwoven with the general care that we provide our patients that it should never have been removed, Lyerly said.

State court battles

Rebouche said state constitutions largely have more robust rights to privacy, equality and bodily autonomy than the U.S. Constitution.

In South Carolina, for example, the state Supreme Court in January overturned a 2021 six-week abortion ban as an unreasonable restriction upon a womans right to privacy.

Republicans in the House and Senate passed a bill in late May blocking the procedure after an ultrasound detects cardiac activity, which is usually at about six weeks.

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed the bill two days after it passed the Senate. But barely 24 hours later, a judge granted a temporary injunction blocking the law until it can be reviewed by the state Supreme Court.

For now, abortion is legal until 22 weeks of pregnancy.

The law includes some specific changes lawmakers said were designed to pass muster with the court. In addition, Januarys 3-2 decision to block the six-week ban was written by the courts only female justice, who retired shortly after the ruling when she reached mandatory retirement age.

The legislature replaced her with a man, who has the support of the states ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus.

Public opinion divided on abortion

Even as more states work to pass abortion restrictions and anti-abortion advocates press lawmakers to take a hard-line position, theres a growing divide between public opinion and longtime GOP goals on abortion.

The political concerns have been on stark display nationally among Republican presidential hopefuls.

Some in GOP leadership have been encouraging a messaging reset on abortion, and anti-abortion advocates are calling out lawmakers for not pushing back hard enough on Democratic attacks.

Katie Glenn Daniel, state policy director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA), said the 2022 election shows Republican governors can run on a strong anti-abortion record.

Voters in November of 2022 reelected and increased majorities for pro-life lawmakers in the states like Florida, Georgia, Iowa. These are states where you have a governor running on their record of being pro-life, winning, expanding their margins, Glenn Daniel said.

But Republicans perhaps did not anticipate how voters would react when presented with an opportunity to directly weigh in on abortion rights. Every state that put abortion on the ballot in 2022 voted in favor of protecting access to the procedure in some way, including Republican-leaning Kentucky and Kansas.

The fight over abortion also played a salient role in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz, who publicized her support for abortion access, won the open seat and flipped the high courts conservative majority for the first time in 15 years.

New data from Gallup shows that since the ending of Roe v. Wade, public support for abortion rights continues to grow. Only 13 percent of Americans believe abortion should be illegal under all circumstances  a meaningful decline from just four years ago, when a Gallup poll found 21 percent supported a total ban.

Before the Dobbs ruling, polls showed Americans support for abortion rights had been largely stagnant. After the Dobbs opinion was leaked two months ahead of its official ruling, Gallup polling found increased public support for abortion being legal in all or most circumstances  rising to 53 percent from 45 percent in 2021.

Lydia Saad, Gallups director of U.S. social research, said higher percentages of Americans have identified as pro-choice each of the past two years than at any time since 1995.

Saad said Democrats who identify as abortion rights supporters jumped from 70 percent pre-Dobbs to 88 percent and 84 percent in the two polls since.

The latest polling, released June 14, showed support for legal abortion wanes as pregnancy progresses, but there is still more support for abortion in the second and third trimesters than there had been previously.

Gallup found that 69 percent of Americans said abortion should be legal in the first three months of pregnancy, up to about 12 weeks. Support declined after that, with 37 percent saying abortion should be allowed in the second trimester of pregnancy and 22 percent supporting abortion in the third trimester. Still, those numbers were record highs in all of Gallups history.

New era of American politics

Glenn Daniel said SBA is advocating for state anti-abortion laws that are as strict as possible, but they recognize the politics are different in every state.

We are going to push to enact laws that are as protective as is politically possible. So this year in Florida, that meant a heartbeat law; in North Carolina, it meant a 12-week law, she said.

But SBA wants there to be a national solution, and the organization wants Republican presidential contenders to commit to passing a national 15-week ban at a minimum.

In the meantime, were going to be passing protective laws, state-by-state as much as thats politically possible, Glenn Daniel said.

Outside of state political fights, reproductive rights advocates say the changes following the Dobbs decision have been far-reaching and drastic on U.S. culture at large.

Im of the opinion that the Dobbs decision ushered in a new era of American politics, said Rachel OLeary, executive director of Womens March.

OLeary said she sees a connection between the overturning of Roe and the rise of legislative actions targeting separate progressive movements.

Weve seen trans folks silenced and all of those attacks, while they may seem disparate, are actually one attack. The attack on abortion rights, the attack on trans folks, the attack on LGBT people, the attack on  voting rights, inaction around gun violence  its all part of the same thing, which is an attack on democracy, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Survivor of the deepest sub rescue in history calls the missing Titanic sub ordeal 'horrendous' and says he has 'a horrible feeling' about it

Divers begin to open the hatch of the miniature submarine Pisces III as she breaks water under the John Cabot after being hauled from the Atlantic seabed. PA Images via Getty Images

A survivor of the deepest underwater rescue said he has a "horrible feeling" about the missing sub.

"That is horrendous," Robert Mallinson told Sky News of the Titan submersible that vanished Sunday.

Mallinson and his co-pilot were rescued nearly 50 years ago after their sub sank more than 1,500 feet.

One of two men who survived the world's deepest underwater rescue on record said he fears the worst for the five people on board the submersible that vanished as it was headed to the shipwreck site of the RMS Titanic in the depths of the North Atlantic.

Former British Royal Navy pilot Roger Mallinson, who was saved in a dramatic rescue in 1973 along with his late co-pilot Roger Chapman after their submersible sank more than 1,500 feet below sea level off the coast of Ireland, told Sky News that he has a "horrible feeling" about the missing sub called Titan.

"That is horrendous," Mallinson, 85, told the news outlet when asked about the OceanGate Expeditions sub that lost communication with its mothership on Sunday, less than two hours into its journey to the wreck site of the iconic passenger liner that sank in 1912.

"I can't understand why they haven't transmitted some signal of some sort," said Mallinson. "I have a horrible feeling that something might be seriously wrong that they aren't able to transmit a signal."

Mallinson added, "I would have thought a hammer on a bit of the hull somewhere would be a good transmitter, and it would carry."

Roger Chapman and Roger Mallinson were rescued on September 1, 1973. PA Images via Getty Images

An extensive search-and-rescue effort has been underway to try to locate the 21-foot vessel. It is not clear how close the submersible was to the Titanic wreck  which lies 12,500 feet deep at the bottom of the ocean floor off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

That's roughly eight times deeper than the Pisces III vessel went when it sank nearly 50 years ago while Mallinson and Chapman were on board.

"I don't think anybody's ever attempted a rescue at this sort of depth," Stefan Williams, a professor of marine robotics at the University of Sydney whose lab works with uncrewed submersibles, told Insider on Wednesday.

Williams said rescue teams will be "trying to figure out as they go how they might do this if they do find" the missing Titan submersible.

Mallinson and Chapman were on a dive to lay transatlantic telephone cables on the seabed about 150 miles southeast of Cork, Ireland, when disaster hit and a hatch broke off the rear compartment, plunging the Pisces III to 1,575 feet below sea level.

The two men were trapped in the small submersible for more than three days before they were ultimately rescued with just 12 minutes of oxygen left, according to the BBC.

"It took 84 hours to rescue us," Mallinson told Sky News. "We didn't have enough food. We didn't have enough oxygen."

"We just had to really be rationing everything and look after each other," he added. "And I think we looked after each other, and that was a major, major lifesaver."

Mallinson also told Sky News that "luckily" before the dive, he stole a bottle of oxygen, and he credited that with saving their lives.

"Because we stole it, I'm still here, otherwise we certainly wouldn't have been," he said.

The Pisces III was finally hauled to the surface on September 1, 1973, by the cable ship John Cabot, and it remains the deepest successful underwater rescue in history, according to Guinness World Records.

Read the original article on Insider
Swiss President Alain Berset to step down at end of the year

ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss President Alain Berset is to step down at the end of the year and leave the country's multi-party cabinet after 11 years, he said on Wednesday.

Berset, 51, is a member of the left-leaning Social Democrats and has served as health and interior minister, overseeing the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Swiss presidency is a revolving post held for one year by each person in the seven-member Swiss cabinet and holds no more power than the other members.

"It is not a resignation, but it is an announcement that I will not run again after the current legislative session," Berset said at a press conference in Bern on Wednesday, referring to the Swiss general elections due to be held in October.

"If you stayed longer than 12 years that would be too long, then you would consider yourself irreplaceable," said Berset, who is currently the longest-serving member of the cabinet. "The institutions are more important than the people."

He told reporters he had no concrete plans after he leaves the cabinet other than yoga.

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Conor Humphries)
Two Ukrainian jets roar just above the trees, flying in formation as they make their way towards the front lines of Ukraines counteroffensive.

The Soviet-era Su-25s glide slowly, loudly, spewing thick black smoke as they go. They seem to hug the ground  flying as low as possible to avoid Russian radars, air defenses and more importantly, enemy jets.

The Su-25s are ancient aircraft, first introduced in the 1980s, and theyre easy prey for Russias Su-35s and their advanced radars and long range missiles.

We lose many aircraft to these interceptors, says Su-25 pilot Oleksyi, who goes by the callsign Pumba. He knows all too well the uphill battle he and his colleagues face, having lost many of his comrades since Russias full-scale invasion began a year and a half ago.

I lost my [squadron] leader and my wingman in combat, Pumba says. Theyre both heroes of Ukraine.

The pain of losing those dear to him is a burden he still carries.

When you see the explosion of your colleague in front of your eyes, in real time  its a shock, he says, explaining the struggle doesnt end there.

The biggest battle is a battle with yourself, because you have to find some strength, some force within your soul, your spirit: how do you manage to fly again.

Despite the mental strain, Pumba is one of a few dozen pilots still flying for the Ukrainian air force, defying overwhelming odds a year and a half into the war. With Ukraine now on the offensive, the role of assault aviation airmen like him is more needed than ever.

The main purpose of this aircraft is to support our ground forces at the front, he explains. These days its our main mission.

Limited in their numbers and reach, they still provide valuable air support.

When we complete mission our guys on the ground send us thank you messages, Pumba says. I think we increase the morale of our ground forces too.

One of the main issues Kyivs ground forces have faced as the counteroffensive gets underway is Russian air power holding them back. Russia still maintains air superiority, which makes it difficult for ground forces to advance.

Their aviation works in waves, as it was in Vietnam, Afghanistan, says a deputy commander in one of the units with the 128 Separate Territorial Defense Brigade said. Continuously, all day long, they work either by helicopters or by airplanes, said the commander, who goes by the call sign Spas. In general, aviation support is sorely lacking. Still, Spas added grounded forces were making progress nonetheless.

In total, Ukraine has received 45 Su-25s and Mig-29s from NATO and allied nations in Europe  but its not just a numbers game. A Mig-29 pilot, with the call sign Juice, acknowledges the difficulties facing the Ukrainian air force and says Western nations could help by providing Ukraine with the coveted F-16s.

"Juice" says the Ukrainian air force would be much more capable of protecting advancing ground forces if it had better aircraft. - Vasco Cotovio/CNN

Fierce rival

The US-made jet has air-to-air refueling capabilities and is compatible with most NATO weapons already being supplied to Ukraine. Despite first entering production in the 1980s, it has gone through several upgrades, making it more advanced and versatile that any jet Ukraine currently has in its fleet, and a fierce rival for most Russian aircraft, with the exception of newer models that Moscow has hesitated to deploy in Ukraine.

Our counteroffensive could be much more effective and much safer for our guys on the ground [if we had F-16s], Juice says. I believe it could be a real game changer for the counter-offensive and for the entire war, because the F-16 is capable of doing a lot of crucial work for our forces, for our resistance.

Like Pumba, Juice also fears Russian air defenses and Su-35s, but says Ukraine has been able to reduce their effectiveness by adopting new tactics.

We try to maneuver to avoid them and define windows to engage the targets when the risks are the lowest and actually it works, he explains. But it doesnt guarantee our safety because Russia is trying to to learn as well, and theyre also changing their tactics.

Even with Western-supplied missiles, efficacy is not 100% while they continue to use these planes.

Unfortunately, in the case of HARM missiles, its limited a bit, he says, explaining Ukraine can only use around 25% of the potential of these radar targeting missiles. We cant use 100% of its potential because of range limitations because of accuracy limitations.

The same missiles on F-16 would be much more effective, he adds.

The demands of pilots such as Juice and Pumba has echoed all the way to the upper echelons of the Ukrainian government, including Defense Minister Oleksyi Reznikov and President Volodymyr Zelensky, who have both made the procurement of F-16s a priority. Some Western nations, in particular the United States, have shown some resistance to the idea  fearing escalation with Moscow, at least for the time being. But the US now says it will train Ukrainian pilots on the aircraft, and the UK and Denmark have been pressing for more.

A lone Ukrainian Mig-29 returns to base after a combat mission in southern Ukraine. - Vasco Cotovio/CNN

We need even more

For Juice and his wingmen, training started a long time ago.

We started learning by ourselves a year ago, he says. We are trying to improve our English skills, we are trying to read some not classified manuals, we are flying improvised F-16 simulators.

All our young guys, they are motivated to learn a new type of jet, he adds.

With this motivation and initiative, he believes adjusting to a new aircraft will happen very smoothly.

I believe that in four to six months we can learn to fly it, its realistic, he says. Our transition training will be pretty freakin easy.

Juice says Ukraine needs at least one squadron of 12 to 20 jets to level the playing field, but would need much more to have a real impact on the battlefield.

To make a difference for all our tasks, for frontline operations and for peaceful region operations, we need like three, four such squadrons, he says. For the future, for the long-term perspective, we need even more, I believe more than 100.

Confident in an ultimate Ukrainian victory, Juice and Pumba wish they were able to do even more to help their countrymen as they launch Ukraines long-awaited counteroffensive.

At the moment we cant do anything, Juice says. We cant fight them at all with our missiles, with our radars.

The F-16 will definitely help with that, he says.

But while Russia maintains technological superiority in the air, itll be very difficult for Ukrainian pilots to push Moscows pilots out of their skies.

When we when we have this aircraft, we will strike maybe one or two Russian planes and they will be afraid, maybe change their tactics, and I think they will stop operating above occupied territory, Pumba explains. Itll leave an open area for our ground guys to conduct their assault.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
TAIPEI (Reuters) -A Chinese aircraft carrier group led by the vessel Shandong sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, Taiwan's defence ministry said, amid heightened military tension over the island Beijing claims as its own territory.

The ministry said the Shandong, commissioned in 2019, had sailed in a southerly direction through the western part of the strait, and it had dispatched "appropriate forces" to monitor the Chinese activities.

The aircraft carrier participated in Chinese military drills around Taiwan in April, operating in the western Pacific. In March last year, it sailed through the Taiwan Strait, just hours before the leaders of China and the U.S. were due to talk.

China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has stepped up military activities near the democratically governed island to force it to accept Chinese sovereignty.

Taiwan strongly disputes Beijing's sovereignty claims and vows to defend itself if attacked.

(Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
In this photo taken on February 18, 2022 a Taliban fighter stands guard at the entrance gate of Afghan-Iran border crossing bridge in Zaranj. (Photo by Wakil KOHSAR / AFP) (Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images)

With American forces fully out of Afghanistan and the elected government ousted, the Taliban has to do the important and sometimes boring job of actually governing the country. This means it has to handle things like foreign relations and watershed management. Its covering both jobs the only way the Taliban knows how: with violence.

The Helmand River is the longest river in Afghanistan, some 790 miles long, flowing from its source in the Hindu Kush, all the way across the country and into neighboring Iran. Back when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was in charge of Iran and Mohammad Daoud Khan was in power in Afghanistan, the issue of water rights was easily settled between the two mostly secular countries.

Fast-forward to 50 years later, and much has changed. The Shahs regime has changed to the Shia Islamic Republic of Iran and in Afghanistan, the Sunni-based Taliban have claimed power, making any territorial or material dispute way more complicated than it has to be. What began as a border dispute over water could soon erupt into holy war.

Border disputes between the two fundamentalist governments began almost as soon as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal. None have broken out into full-scale conflict, but an incident on the border where the Helmand River flows into Iran resulted in three people dead.

No one in the West is entirely sure how the disagreement began, but in May 2023, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi released a video warning the Taliban government to respect the water rights of the Iranians who depend on the Helmand River.

I warn the rulers of Afghanistan to immediately give the people their water rights," he said. "Take my words seriously now or don't complain later.

The Taliban responded with a video of their own, where a Taliban fighter fills a gasoline can with water and jokingly begs the Iranian President for mercy.

"Mr. Raisi, take this water barrel and don't attack; we're terrified," the fighter says in the video.

Neither Iranian state media nor the Taliban has clarified what started the shooting, but Iran says drug traffickers connected to the Taliban shot at officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps first. The Taliban says the IRGC began shooting at their people first.

Members of the Associated Press say it boils down to a dispute over water rights, specifically, that the Taliban started violating Afghanistans 50-year-old treaty with Iran, giving the Islamic Republic only four percent of the water in the terms of the agreement. Both Iran and Afghanistan are suffering from widespread drought, escalating the water crisis  and tensions along the border.

The most recent clash was the first incident where shooting began. Senior Taliban commander Abdulhamid Khorasani, also known as Nasser Badri, released a video claiming that the Taliban will fight Iran with more passion than they did the United States.

"We will conquer Iran soon if Taliban's leaders give the green light for jihad, Badri said in a video released on Twitter. This means that a water dispute could lead to the Taliban going to war with Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, the military unit Iran uses to keep fighting outside of Iranian borders. Its a conflict the rest of the world will probably be happy to sit and watch.
Life of Luxury

A team of German scientists has discovered the possible mechanism of how a parasitic tapeworm can allow a certain species of ants to live substantially longer when infected.

As detailed in a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper, the researchers found that when the tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis takes up residence inside these ants, it sends antioxidants and other proteins throughout their bodies  which could play a role in why they can live more than three times as long as ants that aren't infected.

In addition, the ants are teeming with another interesting protein after infection called vitellogenin-like-A, which "regulates division of labour," according to the scientists.

This may explain weird behavioral changes amongst the insects, with worker ants now having to look after their infected peers, an unfortunate new occupation that could cause them to live even shorter lives.

"For the infected individuals themselves it seems positive," Juliane Hartke, a member of the research team, told New Scientist last week. "They dont need to do anything; they're still being fed, but what we do see is that the whole colony suffers."

Sneaky Sneaky

Interestingly, the ants are actually an intermediary host for the tapeworms, which ultimately end up in the bodies of woodpeckers where they mature into adults, according to the scientists.

First, ants bring woodpecker poop teeming with tapeworm eggs to the colony and feed them to ant larva. Then, these infected ant larva mature into adult ants.

The tapeworm eggs inside these infected ants hatch and enter the larva stage of development. This is when the tapeworm larva sends antioxidants and other proteins through the ant's body, potentially allowing it to live a longer life.

Infected ants can live up to seven years, while uninfected ants can die within a three-year period, according to the researchers.

Meanwhile, the infected ants are fed and groomed by the uninfected, effectively living a life of luxury.

But the infected ants rarely move even when their nests are disturbed, making them sitting ducks for hungry woodpeckers.

The woodpeckers gobble up the infected ants and the tapeworm larva hitch a ride inside the birds, where they mature. The birds excrete poop with tapeworm eggs which ants carry back to their nests, starting the process all over again.

The scientists described the changes in the ant as a possible case of "active manipulation" by the tapeworm  a fascinating glimpse into the life cycle of parasites and their ingenious ways of infecting new hosts.

More on insects: 27-Year Study Finds the Amount of Insects Flying in the Air Has Declined 75 Percent
The Texas grid operator was expecting to hit record electricity use on Wednesday as the state battles prolonged, brutal heat.

The heatwave is expected to persist across much of Texas along with eastern and southern parts of New Mexico possibly into next week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Houston, the states largest city, will reach 99 degrees Fahrenheit (F) on Wednesday  six degrees hotter than normal for this time of year, forecasters said.

In south and west Texas, temperatures soared into the triple digits. San Angelo hit an all-time high of 114F on Tuesday, NWS reported.

Combined with humidity, temperatures will feel like 120F across parts of Texas, a dangerously high level for human health.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which provides power for most of the states 30 million people, asked residents to conserve electricity on Tuesday to prevent blackouts. Texas set an unofficial June record on Monday for energy demand.

The Lone Star States grid has been watched warily since a severe winter storm in February 2021 knocked out the power for days and left 137 people dead.

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has tried to reassure Texans that improvements have been made to make the grid more stable.

Brutal heat bedded in across Texas on Wednesday after days of extreme temperatures (WeatherBell.com)

Tens of thousands of people in the south were already attempting to cope with the extreme heat unable to power air conditioning and other devices. Some 28,000 customers were currently experiencing outages in east Texas close to the Louisiana border, according to utility tracker poweroutage.us.

More than 30,000 residents in Louisiana have been without power for days following severe weather which damaged more than 800 structures around Shreveport alone, according to Mayor Tom Arceneaux. Officials said more than a dozen major transmission lines were still awaiting repairs.

In neighbouring Oklahoma, more than 100,000 customers were also awaiting restoration of power following weekend storms that downed trees and snapped hundreds of utility poles. Officials say at least one person in Oklahoma has died because of the prolonged outages, which could last into the weekend for some residents.

An intense supercell was expected to develop late on Wednesday afternoon across southwest Kansas into the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles with very large hail, severe wind gusts and a few tornadoes possibles,

Meanwhile, the risk of wildfire has increased across much of New Mexico and parts of eastern Arizona over the next few years due to the heat, arid conditions and high winds.

The climate crisis is having a direct and extreme impact on heatwaves that scientists expect to continue as the global average temperatue continues to rise. Global heating currently causes rare heat waves to be 3 -5F warmer across most of the US, according to Climate Signals.

With reporting from The Associated Press
OSLO, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Norwegian government has condemned the decision by the Israeli government to simplify the process of approving construction of new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

"The international community stands united in its condemnation of the Israeli settlements. I strongly urge the Israeli authorities to halt and reverse settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land," Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement on Tuesday.

She said the recent Israeli move would lead to blurring the administrative distinction between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

"The increase in settlements is damaging for the possibility of resuming negotiations on a two-state solution and establishing a Palestinian state," said Huitfeldt.

She also condemned the recent Israeli attacks on civilians in the West Bank, saying it was heartbreaking when children were affected.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are claimed by the Palestinians in the 1967 Middle East war and has controlled them ever since.

Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is one of the thorny issues between the two sides, which forms an obstacle to direct peace negotiations.

During a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, the Israeli government authorized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to assume the main responsibility for settlement planning and construction in the West Bank, which will expedite the approval process. 
Can you text at a stop light in Missouri? State law says it depends how old you are

Missouri is one of the few states that doesnt have a law that outright prohibits distracted driving, except for one law that only applies to people 21 or younger.

If a driver causes an accident, they can still be ticketed for reckless driving or another similar offense. But they wont receive a ticket specifically for being on their phone, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Andy Bell.

It would be a contributing factor, like if the person is operating the vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner. But if someone, a 41-year-old, was simply, lets say, texting and driving, and they run into the back of somebody... we would write them like a careless and imprudent ticket, he said.

Distracted drivers are often weaving in and out of their lane or running into the back of other cars, said Bell, adding that drivers who arent careful could risk their lives or the lives of others.

In 2019, at least 91 people died from accidents caused by distracted driving in Missouri. Another 7,000 people were injured, according to Bell. In 2021, more than 3,500 people died from distracted driving nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Distracted driving is a real thing, Bell said. We have to take it very seriously. We see people on their phones all the time.

Whats the rule for drivers 21 years and under?

If the driver is 21 years old or younger, its a different story. Missouri state law says that drivers under 21 years old or younger are prohibited from using any hand-held wireless device to send, read, or write a text message or electronic message.

Its against the law for a person 21 years of age or younger, to read, write, send a text message while operating a vehicle. Even If youre stopped at a stoplight or a stop sign, youre still considered operating a vehicle, Bell said.

Commercial drivers

Commercial truck and bus drivers are also prohibited from using their phones to text and scroll while driving. Commercial operators are still allowed to take and receive phone calls. The rule has an exception for anyone in a moving vehicle that is trying to report illegal activity or get emergency help.

What are the consequences of distracting driving?

If someone causes an accident or commits a traffic violation, they could receive a careless or imprudent driving ticket, according to Bell, which can lead to up to four points added to your license. A person who receives more than eight points in 18 months can have their driving privileges suspended by the Department of Revenue. Depending on how severe the case is, a person can also see up to $1,000 in fines or six months in jail.

Younger drivers who are caught on their phones may have to pay a $20.50 fine for each offense, according to Kansas City-based law firm Dickerson Oxton. The fine stays the same even for repeat offenders, according to the law firms website.

Are the penalties going to change?

Pretty soon.

In May, Missouri lawmakers passed a bill that would create a Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law. If signed by Gov. Mike Parson, the new law will prohibit all drivers from using their phones and other devices while driving. The law would also create penalties for repeat offenders. After Parson signs the bill into law, drivers will have until 2025 to adapt to the new rules.
Textile queen Maman Creppy has died: the last of West Africa's legendary wax cloth traders has left her mark

Courtesy Yvette Sivomey

Dede Rose Gamele Creppy, who has died aged 89, was one of west Africas most influential wax cloth traders. She was the youngest, and the last living, Nana Benz  the legendary first generation of women cloth traders from Togo.

Wax cloth was a European adaptation of a classic Indonesian batik hand printing technique which created designs using hot wax. Areas of design were blocked out by applying hot wax over them to resist dye. The cloth was introduced to west Africa by Dutch and English textile manufacturers in the late 19th century. Women traders  who became experts at predicting what the market wanted  started feeding design and colour suggestions back to the manufacturers. They were integral to the cloths success. The Nana Benzes were particularly skilled at this.

Wax cloth became popular because its colours stood out, it could be easily tailored into stylish outfits for both men and women, the colours are fast  they wouldnt fade when washed. Its patterns also had messages and broadcast images, from power and politics to beauty and wealth. They could speak to joyful or complex relations between men and women.

The Nana Benzes, a group of about 15 Togolese women, started trading in the wax print. The word Nana is a diminutive form of mother or grandmother and Benz is for the Mercedes-Benz cars some of them liked to drive  and which they were able to buy due to their big success.

As an anthropologist, I encountered Maman Creppy  as she was affectionately known  several times during research for my book Patterns in Circulation: Cloth, Gender, and Materiality in West Africa.

Rose Creppys story is an incredible one. She was one of Togos original Nana Benzes, who created a powerful empire founded on a monopoly over patterns  manufacturers distributed specific patterns only to specific women. A successful Nana could be the unique wholesaler for over 60 patterns, sold to traders from all over the continent.

These design ownership rights, combined with her entrepreneurial savvy and a deep knowledge of regional tastes and style, made Maman Creppy, like other Nana Benzes, a legend throughout west Africa.

Their craft however is sadly in decline. Since the early 2000s production of the cloth has shifted to Chinese factories. Today, no wax comes near the process.

From beads to cloth

Born in the southern town of Aneho on 22 December 1934, Maman Creppy was determined to become a successful entrepreneur. She started her career trading beads imported from Ghana. But, as she recalled in one of our many conversations, this was hard manual work. So, once she had acquired a small trading stock, she switched to cloth.

Maman Creppy initially traded in European-produced fancy-prints. These were less onerous to produce and hence cheaper. Africas fancy-print textile industry started in the early 1960s and many newly independent countries were using the textile industry to bolster their economies.

As Maman Creppy accumulated more capital, she switched to English wax-prints from Arnold Brunnschweiler & Company (ABC) and later to Dutch wax cloth from Vlisco.

Maman Creppy became a Nana Benz  one of the super-wholesalers of wax cloth. They originally collected the wax cloth from Ghanas capital, Accra, in the 1940s but, by the late 1950s, shifted the centre of trade to the Lome market in Togos capital. They transformed the Lome market into a site of economic power and national prestige.

Nana Benzes boom

The heyday of the Nana Benzes was from the 1960s to the early 1980s. Traders flocked to the Lome market, not only from Abidjan, Accra, Kumasi, Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Onitsha and Lagos, but also from Kinshasa and Libreville.

They benefited from a unique trading position. Trade rules in some post-independence African countries made it hard to trade in the cloth. For instance in Ghana, Kwame Nkrumahs nationalist-protectionist policies placed high tariffs on imports. This made wax-print imports unprofitable. In Togo, low tariffs made the cloth cheaper. Nana Benzes therefore became a key part of the wax print trade and enabled the Dutch to penetrate other African markets.

The Nana Benzes also had a monopoly over patterns  many of them unique. For instance, they intercepted Yoruba trading networks that operated along the coastal corridor between Lagos and Accra, selling so-called Yoruba and Igbo patterns in specific colourways in Lome. It was their effective monopoly over pattern rights that garnered the Nana Benzes unparalleled wealth.

The Nana Benzes soon established distribution rights for these classic designs from colonial firms, such as Unilevers United Africa Company (UAC). In the process, they strengthened ties with European firms. This allowed them to exercise control over an emergent urban cultural economy of taste.

The Nana Benzes had cleverly inserted themselves into the restrictive retailing systems of European trading companies with whom they negotiated exclusive pattern rights to cloth distribution.

Amid changing political regimes, the women consolidated their power and economic interests by creating their own professional organisation in 1965, LAssociation Professionelle des Revendeuses de Tissu, a body that negotiated trading policies directly with the state. They agreed on a low-tariff regime that made their Dutch and English cloth imports relatively cheap in comparison to others in the region. In return, they lent their branding power to the state, providing it with a felicitously modern entrepreneurial facade.

The downfall

The end of the Cold War and the democracy movement that liberalised political and economic spaces had serious consequences for the cloth trade. And for Rose Creppy.

A devaluation of the CFA franc (by 50%) in 1994 turned an everyday consumer good, wax cloth, into a near luxury almost overnight. Until then, wax cloth was available to most. When the price doubled, wax cloth became a luxury good. Many turned to cheaper alternatives, including counterfeits from China.

The liberalisation of the economy in post-Cold War Togo further derailed the Nana Benzes trade. The main distributor of wax cloth  Unilevers United Africa Company  pulled out of the market and the Dutch manufacturer, Vlisco, took over its west African distribution points. This dismantled the system of exclusive retail rights that made the womens trade profitable.

To add to the demise of the Nana Benzes, Chinese counterfeits entered the market in the early 2000s.

Maman Creppys legacy

Until her passing, Maman Creppy remained intimately connected to the market through her daughter, Yvette Sivomey, whom she initiated into the cloth trade in the early 2000s.

Like many of her older peers, Maman Creppy was married but lived independently with her children, whom she would later send to study in France; she owned a property in Lyon. In addition to her entrepreneurial activities, she held a ministerial position at the Lolan royal palace of her native Aneho.

Today a highly successful cloth entrepreneur herself, Sivomey works closely with Vlisco to rediscover and revive old patterns in new colour combinations.

The legacy of Dede Rose Gamele Creppy is preserved in her daughters work. It is alive and well, woven into the classic wax cloth patterns she co-designed and traded as one of the remarkable Nana Benzes, the women merchants of Togo.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Nina Sylvanus, Northeastern University.

Read more:



Nina Sylvanus does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
(Bloomberg) -- A coalition of pro-democracy parties that swept Thailands general election last month said it is close to securing enough support from the nations pro-establishment Senate to form a government led by Pita Limjaroenrat.

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The eight-party alliance has made satisfactory progress in winning over enough senators to cross the threshold of 376 votes in a joint sitting of the parliament that selects the prime minister, according to Sirikanya Tansakun, a deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, which leads the group.

The Harvard-educated Pita needs the support of at least 64 more lawmakers to the coalitions current tally of 312 in the 500-member House of Representatives.

Were gaining support from more and more senators and almost hitting the target, Sirikanya told reporters on Tuesday, without specifying a number for senators who have pledged support.

The news of rising support for Pita may help quell investor anxiety over a prolonged political impasse thats spurred foreign funds to dump the nations stocks and bonds since the election. The coalition, which had previously claimed the support of 19 senators, was opposed by a majority of the members of the upper chamber over Move Forwards vow to amend the countrys tough lese majeste law that penalizes insults against the monarchy.

Move Forwards secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon reportedly said earlier this month that the number of pro-Pita senators had increased to about 40, according to the Bangkok Post.

The party shouldnt fully count on senators who may have pledged support in private but not made that stance public, as alliances can shift until the vote, according to Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of political science at Ubon Ratchathani University.

Nothing can be taken for granted at this stage, said Titipol.

The two chambers of parliament will meet by July 4, or 15 days after the Election Commission certified election results on Monday. Another joint sitting will subsequently be convened by the house speaker on July 13 to select the new prime minister, the Bangkok Post reported, citing an unidentified source present at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

A new cabinet is likely to be appointed on July 21 with the new ministers to be sworn in late next month, according to the newspaper.

Move Forward and Pheu Thai, the biggest parties in the coalition, have yet to reach an agreement on the speakers post, according to Pheu Thais deputy secretary-general Phaophum Rojanasakul. The two groups may settle the dispute before the next meeting of the coalition leaders, he said. The gathering, originally scheduled for Thursday, would be postponed for now as Pita had contracted Covid-19, Move Forward said in a statement.

READ: Latest Hurdle for Thai Election Winner Centers on Media Shares

Although Pita was formally confirmed as a lawmaker on Monday, he still faces a probe by the election body and potential new complaints that may lead to his disqualification over his alleged ownership of media shares. But Pita has said the saga, which has gripped the nation for weeks, will not come in the way of his prime ministerial bid.

(Updates with comment from a analyst from seventh paragraph.)

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Thousands of pension savers at risk of fraud wait six weeks for help

'Scam Likely' written on a smartphon

More than 10,000 pension savers potentially at risk of fraud have been forced to wait weeks for advice, a Government review has found.

Anti-fraud rules introduced in 2021, gave pension firms more powers to block potentially fraudulent transfers in a bid to stem the tide of pension scams which claimed more than 30m between 2017 and mid-2020.

The rules also outlawed cold calling, a tactic often used by criminals in so-called pension liberation scams, where savers are convinced to transfer their pensions into fraudulent or high-risk investments.

A review published on Wednesday by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that roughly 1pc of transfers were given either an amber or red flag in 2022, meaning they showed signs of scam activity. This could equate to around 11,000 transfers.

Worryingly, the average waiting time for an advice appointment for these savers increased from an average of two weeks before the new rules came into force to an average of six last year.

Rachel Vahey, of AJ Bell, the pension firm, said: One pension scam is still one too many, and regulations are an important step in stopping bogus pension transfers.

But the DWP has to strike the right balance between protecting customers and making sure the majority of pension transfers go through without unfair delays.

The review found that the most common reason for a transfer to be flagged as suspicious was that the receiving scheme involved investments based overseas.

Scammers often trick savers into moving their money into supposedly high-return investments, in the UK and overseas, which are unregulated or potentially fraudulent.

Recent high-profile examples have involved savers losing hundreds of thousands of pounds in scandals involving Premier FX and London Capital and Finance, which collapsed in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

However Jamie Clark, an analyst at Quilter, the pension provider, said that while the aims of the policy in preventing these scams was important, the definition of overseas investments was creating issues.

The wording around overseas investments which intends to flag unregulated and potentially fraudulent investments, but instead catches many kinds of legitimate investments in overseas markets, he said.

There is a clear divergence between policy intention and the practical application of the law when it comes to the overseas investments wording and this needs to be amended as consumers are needlessly suffering delays.

The review found that 94pc of transfers were not flagged and were approved without delay. Some 5pc were completed outside the scope of the regulations, while 1pc were flagged.

Transfers with an amber flag require customers to attend a financial advice appointment before the request can be approved, while those with a red flag are blocked.

The average wait for an advice appointment with MoneyHelper, which provides one-to-one meetings with pension savers to advise them on transferring savings, has increased to six weeks, with savers who are looking to consolidate facing even longer delays to secure multiple appointments.

Charlotte Jackson, head of guidance and consumer protection at the Money and Pensions Service, the Government service which runs MoneyHelper, said that the delays were caused by varying interpretations of the new rules by providers.

We have prioritised keeping waiting times as low as possible by allocating additional resources and we will continue to do so, she added.

Our priority is to carry on giving people the help they need to keep their savings safe and avoid the devastation that fraud can cause.

A DWP spokesman said that the landmark regulations were helping protect people from fraudsters.

He added: We have always said these must strike the right balance between providing the necessary protections for pension savers against scams, while ensuring they still have freedom and choice about where their savings are invested.

The Government will continue to work with the industry to improve the policy, he said.

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Thousands remain without electricity. Most will be restored Wednesday. Details here

Some 11,455 electric customers throughout Mississippi are still without electricity after the state has been pummeled with a series of storms in the past few weeks, including a Sunday EF-3 tornado that killed one person and injured nearly two dozen people in Jasper County.

According to Entergy Mississippi, which is the electric provider for much of the affected area, most of the remaining outages are in Hinds and Warren counties. Officials said they are hopeful that they will have most of the outages restored by Wednesday evening, with a few remaining for Thursday. The restoration time for the remaining customers was not specified for Thursday.

"Entergy shareholders donated $20,000 to the American Red Cross to support the cooling center and help customers through this difficult time," Entergy said in a statement. "Some locations are available for overnight stays. Thus far, the Red Cross has provided overnights stays for 22 individuals, served more than 1,684 meals and provided relief supplies to 243 households."

Jackson city officials said cooling stations setup throughout the city will remain open until power is fully restored.

A telephone pole on Winter Street in Jackson, MIss., snapped, crashing a transformer to the ground when severe weather moved through central Mississippi last year. Storms in recent weeks have caused similar issues throughout Central Mississippi.

Those stations are open to residents without power in cooperation with Red Cross Mississippi and Word and Worship Church, which will continue to operate a 24-hour shelter.

Below are the cooling stations and places that offer 24-hour shelter services.

Jackson cooling stations:

What: Cooling/Charging Stations & Ice Pickup

When: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Word and Worship Church, Hanging Moss Road & I-220. The church will also offer a 24-hour shelter; Champion Community Center, 1355 Hattiesburg St.; Westside Community Center, 1650 Wiggins Road; Word and Worship Church, Hanging Moss Road and I-220; Champion Community Center, 1355 Hattiesburg St.; Westside Community Center, 1650 Wiggins Road; Ratliff Chapel M.B. Church, 3656 Highway 22, Edwards, Miss. (For residents of Edwards, Bolton.)

If you are sick/shut-in and need a hot meal or ice, call the MS Rapid Response Coalition Crisis Hotline at 844-435-7601.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Entergy outage: Thousands of MS customers still without power
A threat to public safety. Why Macon officials are trying to shut down this store, again

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis stood in front of cameras last week holding a Bible after suspending a local gas stations alcohol license amid rampant crime. Hed found the Bible inside the gas station and used it to make a dramatic point to Macon citizens.

Instead of doing some of the nefarious actions that happen at this store, maybe [the store owners] ought to take up this book here, or whatever religious guidance book they have, and study that a little bit, and this might be a more peaceful corner, Davis said.

Bibb County authorities argue that the convenience store, M&M Grocery on Montpelier Avenue, exacerbates violent crime in the area. Davis and Macon Mayor Lester Miller ordered the store to close in September.

The store reopened under restricted hours after Superior Court Judge David Mincey said closure would be an extreme and hopefully unnecessary action in a November hearing. The county filed another motion to shutter the store again that will be heard Thursday.

Evidence and court filings

An anti-crime sign adorning the side of M&M Grocery, a convenience store accused of being complicit with the high-crime area of Montepelier Avenue it sits on.

County leaders have pulled liquor licenses and filed nuisance lawsuits against several businesses over the past three years, part of an effort to reduce violent crime.

A nuisance is defined generally in Georgias official code as anything that causes hurt, inconvenience, or damage to another, regardless of whether the act is legal.

The business has to stop the nuisance or shut down if a public hearing determines theyre at fault, according to the nuisance law in Bibb Countys official code. Thats the motion the county filed against M&M, and the cause of Thursdays hearing.

The county controls approval of alcohol licenses so revoking them does not require a hearing, though a business can appeal the revocation of the license to the Bibb County Commission, Davis said.

M&M Grocery appealed the decision when their alcohol license was first revoked last year, Davis said. When it comes to those appeals or the court hearings about business closure, evidence of the nuisance is key.

The evidence behind M&Ms closure in September and the motion to close it this week both stem from police reports, 911 calls and similar data.

The first closure simply cited past crimes and drug culture that surrounded the store. The new order to be heard Thursday alleges more specific violations.

The county cited evidence of 72 gunshots fired around the store since May 1 in their motion to close M&M. Multiple 911 calls also pointed to the store staying open past 11 p.m., the order said.

This neighborhoodthis communityis plagued by the activities occurring around this store, and its on us to do what we can to protect people, Miller said in a statement. The owners got a second chance to operate in a safe manner and to be better members of the community, but they have chosen to be an ongoing threat to public safety.

Davis said security camera footage also showed the store staying open past its curfew.

Fatal shootings were the root of other closures:

The downtown bar The Thirsty Turtle made headlines in 2021 when Davis revoked their liquor license after a fatal shooting before they closed three months later.

Another convenience store, Friends Food Mart on Houston Avenue, closed last year after three teenagers died in shootings there within a two-month span. They later reopened under similar restrictions to M&M.

Davis ordered Rodeo Bar, a watering hole in south Bibb near Rocky Creek Road, to close following a fatal shooting in September and revoked their alcohol license.

Budget motels around the Interstate 475 interchange at Eisenhower Parkway were also the focus of nuisance complaints filed by former Bibb County district attorney David Cooke in 2020.
The Uganda military has rescued three students, who were kidnapped Friday in an attack on a school, along with a woman and two kids who were previously abducted by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, inside the Virunga National Park in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities told CNN.

Military spokesman Brigadier Felix Kulayigyesays said two terrorists were killed and two guns recovered from them inside the Virunga National Park in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo,

Around 42 people, including 37 students, some as young as 12, were killed on Friday when members of the ISIS-linked ADF attacked the Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpondwe, hacking some of their victims to death with machetes and setting off fire at the dormitories.

Earlier this week, a Uganda police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, told CNN that 20 suspected ADF collaborators had been arrested, but no actual members of the rebel group.

The arrests followed earlier disclosure by authorities that the ADF may have spent days planning the attack with the help of local residents in town.

On Wednesday, the police said a self-proclaimed member of the militia group had been trailed and arrested after the 25-year-old suspect, Kalenzi Resto, identified by police as a shop attendant, admitted his alleged involvement in the deadly school attack in a video that has been widely shared on social media.

The investigation into his alleged participation in the attack is currently underway, the police said in a tweet.

Grieving families began retrieving the bodies of their loved ones from a local morgue this week for burial. Police said 23 bodies have so far been handed over to their relatives.

On Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni announced the deployment of additional Ugandan troops to the western part of the country and across Ugandas border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to pursue the ADF.

The Lhubirira school is located in the town of Kasese, which sits along Ugandas border with the Congo, which serves as a hideout for the deadly militia group.

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Here are Thurston County food safety scores for June 21

Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.

Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx.

Reading inspection scores:

Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.

Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.

Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.

If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days.

If red points exceed 100 and theres a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a reinspection.

Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.

Kamakura Sushi

4802 Pacific Ave. Southeast, Olympia

June 13: 20 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

There was a tray in the hand-wash sink at the beginning of the inspection. The hand-wash sink must be clear of obstacles that could discourage hand-washing.

Imitation crab in the prep table and some sushi fish in a cold hold were between 41-43 degrees. TCS foods must be at or below 41 degrees.

The menu lacked a reminder statement advising of raw or under-cooked animal proteins.

Tempura shrimp and vegetables were being cooled in an inappropriate cold hold unit.

Taco Time

8208 Quinault Drive Northeast, Olympia

June 14: 10 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

The in-use sanitizer was too strong.

Limeberry

1110 College Street Southeast, Lacey

June 13: 5 red points; 3 blue points.

Comments:

One employee was missing a Washington state food worker card.

Yogurt mix in cartons were observed inappropriately thawing while fully submerged in five-gallon buckets.

Starbucks

1110 College Street Southeast, Lacey

June 13: 5 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

Some food workers were unable to show Washington state food worker cards during the inspection.

No violations:
A Thurston County judge conditionally released an 18-year-old Rainier man last week accused of causing a March 4 crash that killed a 17-year-old Rainier student.

Isaiah Scott Harris-Cook attended his preliminary appearance in Thurston County Superior Court on Friday, June 16. Deputies arrested him on Thursday in connection with the death of Jessie Uch, a 17-year-old Rainier High School student and cheerleader.

Uch died at the scene of a March 4 car wreck on the 13800 block of Rainier Road Southeast. She was a passenger in a car driven by Harris-Cook when it collided with an oncoming vehicle after attempting a turn, according to court records.

First responders transported Harris-Cook to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, and he was later transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The driver of the other vehicle, a 24-year-old Rainier woman, was taken to St. Peter Hospital with injuries.

In a Tuesday news release, the Thurston County Sheriffs Office said they held off on arresting Harris-Cook because he needed medical care that the county jail could not provide.

Harris-Cook has been accused of vehicular homicide while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, vehicular assault while under the influence, driving under the influence, and driving under 21 while consuming alcohol or cannabis.

On Friday, Judge Anne Egeler found probable cause for the alleged crimes but did not set bail. Instead, she ordered Harris-Cook be released with conditions, barring him from possessing or consuming alcohol or any controlled substance without a lawful prescription. She also forbade him from leaving the state and driving without a valid license, insurance or ignition interlock.

Harris-Cook has no known criminal convictions, according to court records. His arraignment hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. June 27.

The investigation

An affidavit of probable cause statement describes the investigation into the incident from the perspective of law enforcement.

A deputy arrived at the scene on Rainier Road near 138th Avenue after 5:40 p.m. March 4 and observed Harris-Cook being attended to by first-responders, according to the statement.

The two vehicles reportedly sustained extensive damage that rendered them inoperable. The statement says Harris-Cooks vehicle, a red Subaru, was severely damaged on the passenger side where Uch sat, and a vape pen had fallen out of the vehicle.

The 24-year-old driver of the other vehicle reportedly spoke with the deputy after first responders moved her to an ambulance. She reportedly told the deputy that she was driving south when she saw Harris-Cooks vehicle drive around a sweeping corner, lose control and enter her traffic lane.

The driver said the vehicle struck hers and she believed it was traveling at unsafe speeds, according to the statement. She reportedly wore a seatbelt and suffered a broken hand in addition to bruising on her torso.

In a follow-up interview, the driver told a detective that Harris-Cooks vehicle appeared to drift, straighten out and then over-correct. She alleged again that his vehicle exceeded the speed limit, the statement says.

Firefighters at the scene reportedly told a deputy they smelled intoxicants on Harris-Cook while providing care. In a news release, the Sheriffs Office indicated they suspected alcohol may have been involved based on witness statements.

A deputy collected a blood sample and other items from Harris-Cook at 8:46 p.m. after being granted a search warrant. The blood sample was sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.

On May 17, the toxicology report returned a positive test for THC, the major psychoactive component of cannabis, but not for alcohol. The report indicated Harris-Cook had 4.7 ng/mL plus or minus 1.2 ng/mL of THC and 34 ng/mL of Carboxy-THC in his blood, according to the statement.

On March 5, Harris-Cook reportedly told a detective he was traveling the speed limit and denied smoking or drinking the day of the crash. He said he didnt do anything unusual, and he had driven on that road a billion times.

He said his vehicle tires stopped gripping the roadway about halfway through the corner and he lost control, according to the statement. The next thing he knew, he woke up in the hospital, he said.

The detective then asked him what he thought the speed limit was at the scene of the collision. He reportedly said it was 50 miles per hour. The statement says the posted advisory speed for the corner is 30 miles per hour.
(Bloomberg) -- Any attempt by China to find its own reincarnation of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama may result in two different successors and a lifelong headache for Beijing, the leader of Tibets government-in-exile said.

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The current Dalai Lama, 87, is the 14th reincarnation of the leader of Tibetan Buddhism and when he dies there will be a search for his successor. The new reincarnation is traditionally found inside Tibet; however, with the region under Chinese control since 1959, there have been suggestions the next Dalai Lama might be found elsewhere.

Penpa Tsering, president of the government-in-exile, warned Beijing that if it tried to appoint its own reincarnation there would be two Dalai Lamas, during a speech in Australias capital, Canberra, on Wednesday

This is going to be a lifelong problem, he said. So does the Chinese government want a lifelong headache on their hands or not? Its something the Chinese government can chew on.

Tibet is currently a huge prison where nobody can go in, nobody can go out, Tsering told the National Press Club. He refuted suggestions by the Chinese government that the region is a socialist paradise.

If Tibet is a socialist paradise, then why doesnt the Chinese government allow others to see the paradise for themselves? he asked rhetorically, adding that the region has no political or civil rights.

Tibet has been an autonomous region of China since the Peoples Liberation Army entered the country in 1950, leading to the eventual flight of the Dalai Lama to India nine years later. The Tibetan spiritual leader and the government-in-exile are currently situated in the Indian town of Dharamshala.

During his speech, Tsering urged Australia to sanction Chinese officials for crimes against humanity in Tibet, criticizing Canberra for failing to apply its international punishments equally.

China is Australias biggest trading partner and relations between Canberra and Beijing only recently began to improve following the election of a center-left Labor government in May 2022. Ties collapsed in 2020 when China imposed trade barriers on some Australian exports.

We know for a fact that Australian government has sanctioned Iran, Burma, Russia, but when it comes to China, then everyone calms down a little bit, he said. When it comes to bigger countries, they get away with everything.

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UN chief calls for continuation of Black Sea grain deal

Xinhua) 09:24, June 21, 2023

A vessel in the second caravan of ships transporting grain from Ukraine passes through the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkiye, Aug. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the parties to accelerate operations, pointing to the reduction in the movement of vessels coming in and out of Ukrainian sea ports, and a drop in the supply of essential foodstuffs to global markets.

UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged the parties to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres also called on the parties to accelerate operations, pointing to the reduction in the movement of vessels coming in and out of Ukrainian sea ports, and a drop in the supply of essential foodstuffs to global markets.

Food exports via the Black Sea have fallen from a peak of 4.2 million metric tonnes in October 2022 to 1.3 million metric tonnes in May, the lowest volume since the grain deal came into operation, according to the statement.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed separately by Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul with Turkiye and the United Nations in July 2022.

The initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days, till May 18, 2023. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.

The UN chief's statement said that the United Nations is fully committed to supporting the implementation of both the initiative and the memorandum of understanding, so that exports of food and fertilizers, including ammonia, from Russia and Ukraine reach markets around the world safely and predictably.

"This is especially critical now as the new grain harvest begins in both Ukraine and the Russian Federation," said the statement.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
BELGRADE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic held a meeting with visiting Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel here on Wednesday, pledging to improve bilateral ties.

The two sides signed two agreements - an MOU on cooperation in the field of agriculture, as well as a visa-free regime for holders of diplomatic passports, the presidential office of Serbia said in a press release.

The two countries have a long history of political relations, and will continue to support each other concerning each other's territorial integrity, Diaz-Canel said at the meeting.

"We confirmed our desire to strengthen the ties between our countries. We want to improve investments and economic ties. Our dialogue is excellent, and we have excellent relations between the ministries of foreign affairs. We must develop cooperation in culture, health, and sports," he added.

Meanwhile, Vucic thanked his Cuban counterpart for the political support to Serbia, and highlighted potential fields for cooperation. These range from political and social ties, to cooperation in agriculture, health, and other fields.

"Serbia is a country that is self-sufficient in agriculture and we have significant surpluses, and are working to overcome the difficulties regarding food exports. Cuba is a superpower in sports, and we see an opportunity to expand cooperation there," said Vucic.

Diaz-Canel's was the first official presidential visit from Cuba to Serbia in four decades. 
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said the big guy has some explaining to do on the plea deal that Hunter Biden has agreed to, joining Republican accusations that the deal shows a two-tiered standard of justice.

Scott said during a town hall with Sean Hannity on Fox News Tuesday that the deal is dangerous and shows why confidence and integrity must be restored within the Justice Department (DOJ).

We all know this, that the big guy has some explaining to do, without any question, Scott said. We cannot be the city on the hill, if we are not first a nation of law and justice.

Republicans have slammed the agreement that the presidents son has seemingly come to with federal prosecutors in which he will plead guilty to two charges of willful failure to pay income tax and reached a diversion agreement on a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon. The deal will likely allow Biden to avoid prison time and only receive probation.

The diversion agreement will have Biden enter a pretrial diversion program, likely allowing the gun charge to be cleared from his record if he meets the terms of the agreement.

Scott said the public should thank Republicans like Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (Ky.) for their efforts to conduct a congressional probe into Biden. Grassley and Comer called on the FBI to provide a document that they said outlines an alleged criminal scheme involving the president last month.

Grassley has said a form from the FBI stating that an unnamed foreign national claimed to have recorded phone conversations with the president and his son is part of an alleged bribery scheme, while Bidens allies have said the Iowa senator is trying to resurface old, debunked claims.

Comer pledged to continue investigating Hunter Biden despite what he called a sweetheart plea deal that he made with federal prosecutors.

Scott vowed to continue their investigation during his administration if it is not completed before then.

You cannot, it is unacceptable and un-American, to weaponize the Department of Justice against your political opponents, he said.

Republicans have also slammed the DOJ and alleged politicization at the department in the aftermath of the federal indictment against former President Trump for the classified and sensitive documents found at his Mar-a-Lago property.

Scott promised to clean out the DOJ during an interview on Fox News Sunday if elected president, alleging that the department is continuing to hunt Republicans while they protect Democrats.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
china and u.s. relations Getty Images / Wachirawit Jenlohakit

Secretary of State Antony Blinken held what he described as "candid" talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week at the end of a two-day trip to China, the first by a top official in the Biden administration. The purpose of the visit was to dial back tensions between the two world powers over a host of issues, including Taiwan and trade. Blinken said he and Xi had made "progress," although the two leaders didn't reach an agreement on reopening military-to-military communications, a key U.S. goal.

Republicans criticized the Biden administration for even trying to smooth over differences with Beijing, saying it made the U.S. look weak given China's repeated provocations. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the House Republican Conference, criticized Blinken for making the trip, which had been scheduled for earlier in the year but was postponed after a Chinese surveillance balloon floated over much of the United States in February before a U.S. fighter jet shot it down. Stefanik urged the Biden administration to "immediately cease their weak and desperate pursuit of a 'thaw.'"

Biden administration officials have said it is crucial to lower tensions with China to prevent miscommunication or accidents from escalating into a military confrontation. Recent "close calls" involving planes and ships in the South China Sea and near Taiwan have increased the sense of urgency, according to The Washington Post. Is now the right time to push for better relations with Beijing?

What are commentators saying?

A high-level visit like Blinken's is "a good place to start," said The Washington Post in an editorial. One visit, even by Washington's top diplomat, "will not be enough to get relations back on track." The State Department is right to "downplay" the prospect of a breakthrough anytime soon. "But it's essential to renew dialogue  especially military-to-military talks," because when the world's two biggest powers are butting heads there's no room for error. The last time a U.S. secretary of state visited China before Blinken's trip was when Mike Pompeo went in 2018. "It's past time for a resumption of dialogue."

There's nothing wrong with high-level diplomatic visits, said the National Review in an editorial, but the cost of getting Beijing to put Xi in a room with Blinken was too high. The U.S. has held off on releasing what the FBI learned about the surveillance devices China floated over key U.S. military bases with a balloon in February, deferring to China's desire to "sweep it under the rug." Additionally, "promoting human rights was a peripheral concern on this trip." If the Biden administration continues "to pull its punches to keep this process on track," it will project an image of U.S. "weakness" in what would amount to "national-security malpractice," rewarding Beijing's "strategy of escalation to force engagement," which will make us less safe "over the long run."

"Xi's decision to re-engage with the U.S. doesn't mean he is abandoning his long-term goal of reasserting Chinese primacy in the region and beyond," but it's still "significant," said Walter Russell Mead in The Wall Street Journal. Blinken didn't retreat on U.S. efforts to impose "controls over tech exports" and strengthen "defense ties with countries in China's front yard." China can't afford to continue "confronting the U.S. at every turn to force the Biden administration to change course." Its economy is struggling and constant "saber-rattling," along with its support for Russia's war in Ukraine, has only strengthened U.S. security times in Europe and Asia. Blinken's mission was "shrewd," because it forced Xi to shake his "outstretched hand" or be seen as the cause of "any further deterioration in the regional environment."

What's next?

"After months of sky-high tensions between Beijing and Washington  over alleged spy balloons, human rights issues, and even TikTok  both sides seem ready to come to the table," said Tori Otten in The New Republic. But this is going to be "a delicate balancing act for the Biden administration." President Biden is running for re-election next year, and one of former President Donald Trump's "most-repeated attacks" has long been "accusing Biden of being 'soft' on China." Republicans are already repeating the same chorus, which will only get louder as the 2024 presidential campaign picks up. "Biden faces a difficult political task in the coming months: Improve relations with Beijing without damaging his reelection chances."

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Titanic exhibition producer spoke with CEO of OceanGate before tourist sub went missing

Titanic exhibition producer spoke with CEO of OceanGate before tourist sub went missing

Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions and producer of Titanic: The Exhibition, sat down with Fox News Digital on Tuesday to discuss ongoing efforts to search for the Titan, a tourist submersible that disappeared on its way to visit the wreckage of the Titanic.

Zaller, who has visited the Titanic wreckage on another vessel, said had spoken with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush before he and four other people on board went missing.

"I just hope and pray that theres still a chance that theyll be found," Zaller said.

Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate exhibitions, poses at Times Square in New York, on April 12, 2017.

Zaller said he and Rush had recently exchanged emails and had plans to expand the Titanic exhibition with footage from previous dives.

MISSING SUB'S RESCUE UNLIKELY IN FRIGHTENING HUMAN DRAMA, SAY EXPERTS: THE MATH IS NOT GREAT

"We were talking before the dive out there about how we might describe the journey  because the journeys an incredible part of the story," Zaller said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The Titanic is what touches peoples hearts, but the adventure of going down there is also a compelling story."

Paul-Henry Nargeolet, director of a deep ocean research project dedicated to the Titanic, poses next to a miniature version of the sunken ship inside a new exhibition, at Paris Expo, on May 31, 2013, in Paris.

Zaller is also an acquaintance of Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a French mariner and Titanic expert who is reported to be among the five people on board the Titan.

Zaller described Nargeolet as "probably one of the foremost experts on the Titanic."

FORMER FBI DIVER SAYS 40 HOURS OF OXYGEN IS BEST CASE ESTIMATE IN MISSING TITANIC TOURIST SUBMARINE

"Hes a great guy," Zaller said. "If anybody can get him out of that situation  hed be the guy you want on your side."

Nargeolet had made multiple trips to the wreckage across several decades. He is director of underwater research for E/M group and RMS Titanic, Inc., and has completed 37 dives to the wreck and supervised the recovery of artifacts, according to his profile.

This file image provided by OceanGate shows the Titan submersible being launched from a platform.

The other three people on board the Titan are British businessman and aviator Hamish Harding and father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, members of one of Pakistans most prominent families.

The submersible Titan was reported overdue Sunday night about 435 miles south of St. Johns, Newfoundland, according to Canadas Joint Rescue Coordination Center, spurring a desperate international rescue effort. Rescuers were racing against the clock because the oxygen supply could run out by Thursday morning.

The expedition was led by OceanGate, making its third voyage to the Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew.

Titanic: The Exhibition opens in Los Angeles on June 30 and runs through September 15.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
All five passengers on board Titan submersible were killed by a 'catastrophic implosion'

(Clockwise from left) Hamish Harding, Stockton Rush, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood. (PA, Getty, Alamy)

The search for the missing Titan sub is over and no survivors will be found

More details are beginning to emerge about the search and rescue operation

A US report claims the US Navy knew about implosion days ago (Blog post below, or Read more here)

Azmeh Dawood, the sister of Shahzada Dawood and aunt to Suleman, told NBC News her nephew "wasn't very up for it" and was "terrified". (Blog post below, or read more here)

Movie director James Cameron says he was invited to take a voyage on the Titan sub (Blog post below)

Yahoo News UK has spoken to a maritime law expert who has said families could sue, despite death waivers (See blog post below, or read more here)

To read our live coverage, you may need to click on the blue link above and then refresh the page.

Regulations around Titanic trips tricky to navigate, says OceanGate co-founder

The co-founder of the Titan submersibles parent company has said the regulations surrounding visits to the Titanic wreckage are tricky to navigate after the deep-sea vessel is believed to have imploded while attempting to visit the site.

Guillermo Sohnlein, co-founder of OceanGate Expeditions, said there are regulations in place surrounding submersibles but they are sparse and antiquated as he defended the firm from critics including Titanic film director James Cameron.

It comes after the submersible lost contact with the tour operator an hour and 45 minutes into the two-hour descent to the wreckage, with the vessel reported missing eight hours after communication was lost.

As more boats, aircraft and remote operated vehicles (ROVs) scrambled to the search area on Thursday, it was confirmed the five people onboard Titan were dead after debris was found near the wreck.

Mr Cameron, who is himself a submersibles expert and has completed deep sea dives, told the BBC: We now have another wreck that is based on, unfortunately, the same principles of not heeding warnings.

But Mr Sohnlein defended the safety of the submersible, saying he and his co-founder Stockton Rush, who was onboard Titan, were committed to safety during expeditions.

He told Times Radio: He was extremely committed to safety. He was also extremely diligent about managing risks, and was very keenly aware of the dangers of operating in a deep ocean environment.

So thats one of the main reasons I agreed to go into business with him in 2009.

Mr Sohnlein, who no longer works for the company, continued: I know from first-hand experience that we were extremely committed to safety and safety and risk mitigation was a key part of the company culture.

Explaining the regulations surrounding visiting the Titanic wreckage, he said: The regulations are pretty sparse. And many of them are antiquated, or theyre designed for specific instances.

So its kind of tricky to navigate those regulatory schemes.

Mr Sohnlein added on BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Anyone who operates in that depth of the ocean, whether it is human-rated submersibles or robotic submersibles, knows the risks of operating under such pressure and that at any given moment, on any mission, with any vessel, you run the risk of this kind of implosion.

In the days that followed the report that Titan had gone missing, the US coastguard said the vessel had a depleting oxygen supply that was expected to run out on Thursday.

(Clockwise from left) Hamish Harding, Stockton Rush, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood. (PA, Getty, Alamy)

Sonar buoys dropped into the ocean picked up underwater noises that led to the search being concentrated on one area but it was not until after the supposed deadline had passed that an ROV found debris from the submersible close to the site of the Titanic wreckage.

And it later emerged in a report from The Wall Street Journal that the US navy had detected a sound in the search area for the submersible on Sunday that was consistent with an implosion.

The Associated Press, citing a senior military official, reported the navy passed on the information to the coastguard, which continued its search because the data was not considered by the navy to be definitive.

Undersea expert Paul Hankin said five major pieces of debris helped to identify it as from the Titan submersible  including the vessels nose cone and the front end bell of the pressure hull.

The 6.7m (22ft) long vessel had British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding on board as well as UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, and OceanGates chief executive and founder Mr Rush, with French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The Dawood family released a statement on Thursday night, mourning the loss of the father and son.

Our beloved sons were aboard the OceanGates Titan submersible that perished underwater, the statement said.

The family statement said they are grateful to those involved in the rescue operations and the untiring efforts brought strength to the family.

The sister of Shahzada Dawood and aunt of Suleman, Azmeh Dawood, told NBC News in the US that the 19-year-old was terrified about going on the trip.

I feel disbelief Its an unreal situation, she said.

I feel like Ive been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didnt know what youre counting down to. I personally have found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them.

The University of Strathclyde, where Suleman Dawood was a student, offered its condolences to the family.

A spokesperson said: The staff and students of Strathclyde have been shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident.

The entire university community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all of those affected by this terrible accident.

The family of Mr Harding paid tribute to their dedicated father.

He was described as a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend following the news of his death on Thursday.

Mr Hardings family said his death has left a gap in our lives that can never be filled, and that they were united in grief with the families of the others who had died.

We know that Hamish would have been immensely proud to see how nations, experts, industry colleagues and friends came together for the search and we extend our heartfelt thanks for all their efforts, they said.

Mr Sohnlein paid tribute on Times Radio, saying: (He was) one of the most intelligent people Ive ever met. He was a very talented aerospace engineer.

And he was a passionate explorer, he was really committed to exploring the oceans and expanding humanitys understanding of the worlds oceans.

When asked about the safety of the Titan submersible, former Royal Navy submarine captain Ryan Ramsey said lessons need to be learned and questions need to be answered.

He said: Thats the question that needs to be answered. Most submersibles and all submarines go through a stringent safety process.

Every time they come back in and every time before they go to sea they do safety checks, check the safety of the hull, state of the hull openings, everything.

Whats apparent here is they didnt have to follow the same regulation, and therefore didnt follow the same regulation. I think that will be where a big focus is.

That doesnt mean blame, thats not what we should be doing, what we should be doing is whats called adjust culture, where we work out lessons learned and implement them going forward.
A deep-sea faring submersible vessel that disappeared on an expedition to the Titanic wreckage site only has about 40 hours of oxygen left, US CoastGuard officials said on Tuesday afternoon.

The Titan, a five-person capacity vessel run by OceanGate Expeditions, vanished without a trace about 100 minutes after launching from the Polar Prince icebreaker research ship about 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod on Sunday morning.

A sweeping search and rescue effort involving Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon and C-130 Hercules reconnaissance aircraft and underwater sonar buoys has failed to find any sign of the vessel, US CoastGuard Captain Jamie Frederick said in a briefing on Tuesday.

British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet  known as Mr Titanic  are onboard, along with Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulaiman Dawood.

OceanGate Expeditions confirmed its CEO and founder Stockton Rush was the fifth person aboard on Tuesday.

More than 48 hours after the vessel vanished, many troubling questions remain.

Why did the submersible go offline?

The Titan uses two systems to communicate with its surface ship. Text messages can be sent back and forth, and safety pings are emitted every 15 minutes to indicate the subs location and that it is still functioning.

Both systems stopped working about an hour and 45 minutes after the Titan submerged on Sunday morning.

According to its website, OceanGate developed a Real Time Hull Health Monitoring (RTM) safety feature that assesses the integrity of the Titans hull throughout every dive.

The Titan has a carbon fibre hull that connects two titanium domes that can withstand the crushing pressure at a depth of 4,000m (OceanGate Expeditions)

The technology can likely gauge any weaknesses in the Titans carbon fibre hull and transmit the data to its five-person crew and the support ship on the surface.

The hull connects two titanium domes that are specifically built to withstand the extreme pressure from the weight of the water at 4,000m below sea level.

OceanGate Expeditions revealed earlier this month that Elon Musks Starlink satellite company was providing it with internet connection.

What could have happened to the Titan?

The sudden loss of contact by the Titans twin communications systems was an ominous sign, according to longtime tech journalist David Pogue, who travelled to the famous wreck site onboard the Titan in 2022.

There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless, Mr Pogue told CBC on Tuesday.

Stockton Rush, left, and a co-pilot inside the Titan during a previous expedition (AP)

Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, told the Associated Press that another possibility was a leak in the Titans pressure hull.

If the vessel had reached the ocean floor and couldnt return on its own, options are very limited, he said.

While the submersible might still be intact, if it is beyond the continental shelf, there are very few vessels that can get that deep, and certainly not divers.

Underwater currents

Another possibility is the Titan came into contact with the wreckage of the Titanic, and became stuck or had its onboard systems disabled.

The period between entering the water and when it lost contact would roughly correspond to the length of time it would take to reach the wreckage site.

Former ABC News science editor Michael Guillen, who was the first journalist to visit the Titanic wreck site in 2000, shared his own near-death experience after the submersible he was in became caught in an underwater current.

Mr Guillen said a strong ocean rip pushed the vessel towards the Titanics 21-tonne propellers, and became wedged under its stern.

The crew of the Mir 1 submersible then frantically tried to reverse out, and appeared to collide with the famous shipwreck.

After 30 minutes of moving backward and forward, the crew eventually managed to free the vessel and return to the surface.

Mr Guillen later wrote in his 2021 memoir Believing is Seeing that he thought he was going to die.

The Canadian military has dropped sonar buoys into the water that would likely be able to detect distress signals made by the five-person crew, if they hadnt been incapacitated.

What emergency options would the vessel have to float up?

The Titan had seven onboard backup systems to return it to the surface. These included drop weights of sandbags and lead pipes that would fall off in the event of an emergency and bring the vessel up to the surface using buoyancy.

The Titan was also equipped with an inflatable balloon that was designed to bring it back to the surface. One device is meant to work even if everyone aboard is rendered unconscious.

If there was a power failure and/or communication failure, this might have happened, and the submersible would then be bobbing about on the surface waiting to be found, Professor Grieg told the AP.

The US Coast Guard has said it is searching a vast 10,000sqm area, indicating that searchers believe the vessel may have resurfaced somewhere in the North Atlantic.

However, extensive search efforts have so far failed to yield any trace of the Titan.

Can the passengers be saved if the vessel is found?

David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions who was supposed to be on the latest expedition, said officials are working to source an unmanned vehicle that could reach the 4,000m depth.

The crushing pressure of the ocean at that extreme depth means that an unmanned vehicle such as a US Navys Curv-21 would realistically be the only vessel that could reach the missing submersible.

The Curv-21 can reach a depth of 20,000 feet and relay video, navigation and sonar data back to operators on the ocean surface via its fibre-optic umbilical cord, according to the US Navy.

French president Emmanuel Macron has also sent the research ship Atlante to assist in the search, CNN reported.

The ship is equipped with an underwater robot that can reach depths of 4,000 metres, and is expected to reach the site on Wednesday evening.

In 1973, two British sailors were rescued from a depth of 487m (1,600 ft) after becoming stranded in a six-foot steel ball.

The survivors had 12 minutes of oxygen remaining when they were finally pulled from the sea, according to the BBC.
A search is ongoing for the five missing passengers somewhere in the vicinity of the Titanic wreckage.

As rescuers continue to search for the missing submersible carrying five passengers who intended to visit the wreckage of the Titanic, naval experts have emphasized the challenges of a successful rescue operation.

Recovering underwater craft is always a tricky business, and the submersible that traveled to the Titanic went to such extreme depths that any rescue attempt would be extraordinarily difficult. Fifty years ago, the two-man crew of a small submersible was rescued off the coast of Ireland, but was in far shallower waters than the vessel thats currently stuck somewhere in the vicinity of the Titanic.

A tourist submersible begins its descent. (Ocean Gate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

When asked if they had the technology to perform a rescue if the craft is found, Coast Guard officials said they are taking things one step at a time and are currently focused on the search.

Heres a look at some of the more noteworthy submarine salvage operations in history.

K-129

The Soviet submarine K-129. (CIA)

The Soviet Union lost contact with one of its ballistic missile submarines, the K-129, and its 98 crew members in March 1968 while it was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The cause of the sinking is still a matter of contention; theories range from mechanical failure to a collision with another craft. The U.S. Navy found the wreckage of the sub 16,500 feet below the surface and, with the help of the CIA, embarked on a secret mission to recover the Soviet vessel and its nuclear warheads.

(Submersibles differ from submarines in that they do not have the ability to launch themselves and they require support ships. Submersibles are also generally smaller than submarines.)

In order to retrieve the sub from such a depth, the CIA settled on a plan  called Project Azorian  to build a large ship with a giant claw they would drop to the bottom of the ocean to retrieve the K-129. In order to cover up the real reason for the construction of the vehicle, they sought the assistance of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, implying the Hughes Glomar Explorer was being built to do deep sea mining.

In 1974, the Explorer made its way to the salvage site (while being monitored by the Soviets) and deployed the giant claw, which was nicknamed Clementine. As the sub was being slowly hauled up, the claw malfunctioned, with much of K-129 sinking back down. The remains of six crew members were recovered and given a burial at sea with full military honors.

The effort to return for the rest of the wreckage, known as Operation Matador, was proceeding when reporters broke the story of the covert salvage operation in 1975. In response to a request for documents pertaining to the operation, the CIA said they could neither confirm nor deny their existence, leading to the popularization of that term.

K-141 Kursk

The Kursk, a Russian nuclear submarine from 1995. (AFP via Getty Images)

In August 2000, the Russian Navy was conducting exercises in the Barents Sea, a body of water bordering the countrys northwest corner. The Kursk, with 118 crew members on board, went down after two explosions, which investigators say was likely caused by a peroxide leak in a faulty test torpedo.

Despite the fleet noting the explosions, it took hours for naval leadership to realize something had happened to the Kursk and even longer for them to begin searching for it.

The submarine had settled about 350 feet deep and initial Russian rescue operations faltered as they declined offers of assistance from foreign governments. Vladimir Putin, newly installed as Russias leader, belatedly accepted help from Great Britain and Norway days after the accident.

A week after it went down, divers cut their way into the Kursk and found there were no survivors. Investigators later found that 23 crew members survived the initial blast and had gathered near the rear of the sub but were killed by a fire and lack of oxygen.

Russian naval leadership initially blamed the sinking on a collision with a NATO craft, but never provided any evidence to support this claim. The Kursk did have a rescue buoy that would have automatically activated if it detected an emergency, but it had been disabled the year prior when it was deployed in the Mediterranean.

Most of the ship's hull and the remains of 115 crew members were recovered in October 2001.

HMS Poseidon

The HMS Poseidon. (Photoship.co.uk)

The HMS Poseidon, a submarine in the British Royal Navy, collided with a cargo ship off the coast of China in June 1931 and sustained catastrophic damage. Because it was surfaced at the time, a number of the crew members were able to escape, although 21 sailors died, either from being trapped in the vessel or being unable to survive the escape.

Some crew members successfully made it from the sinking ship to the surface using a Davis lung, a predecessor to modern scuba gear. This led to a shift in naval policy encouraging attempts at evacuation versus waiting for rescue, including the addition of escape chambers to make doing so possible.

The Chinese government quietly began a recovery operation of the Poseidon in 1972. While a Chinese naval magazine reported on the salvage effort three decades later, it wasnt widely known until Steven Schwankert, a Beijing-based American author and diving instructor, came across references to the article on Google .

His research led to a book, Poseidon: Chinas Secret Salvage of Britains Lost Submarine, and a 2013 documentary film, The Poseidon Project. The Chinese government admitted to the salvage operation in 2009, claiming they hadnt come across any remains or personal items belonging to the British sailors.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty/Reuters

If youre one of the many who plan to travel this summer, youre probably looking forward to a trip to a beachside locale, or maybe hiking through a National Park, or even just visiting friends and family in their local cities.

This isnt going to be the case if youre a billionaire. Instead, youre more likely to do things like jet set to a private Tahitian island with your closest friends, or spend a week at one of the worlds most exclusive ski resorts, or book a private $300,000 opera concert for you and your wife.

Or, if that all strikes you as a little boring, you might want to find something a little more adventurous like cage diving with sharks in South Africa, standing in a traffic jam line to climb Mt. Everest, or even launching yourself into space aboard a rocket built by Jeff Bezos Blue Origin or Elon Musks SpaceX.

It might sound far-fetched to us normal wage earners, but extreme and potentially dangerous travel experiences are actually part of a growing trend among the worlds ultra-wealthy. As weve recently seen with the missing Titanic submersible incident, these experiences often come with a high riskone that might result in even more injury and death amongst the worlds richest people for the sake of novelty.

Reporter Recalls Terrifying Moment His Sub Was Trapped Near Titanic Propeller

Adventure tourism at large is a growing segment, Rich Harrill, the director of the International Tourism Research Institute at the University of South Carolina, told The Daily Beast. There are elements within that like extreme tourism where there is some risk.

Though saddened and concerned for the missing crew members of the Titanic sub, Harris said he wasnt surprised to hear about the trip. The subdubbed the Titanis owned and operated by private submersible company OceanGate, which charters the sub for trips to the Titanic wreckage for $250,000 per passenger. Despite the high costs, the company and others like it have a long wait list of wealthy tourists itching to sink more than 2 miles under the North Atlantic surface to peer at the doomed wreck of the ship.

Such experiences are tailored for ultra-wealthy thrillionaires, Harrill explained, borrowing a term from culture consultant Larry Samuel. These are billionaires who love to spend their money on novel, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. These uber-rich have been there and done it allfrom climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest to hunting big game animals in the middle of Africa to circumnavigating the Earth in private sailboats.

The Lost Titanic Sub Didnt Even Have a Basic Safety Beacon

They're looking for a sense of personal fulfillment, Angela Hughes, the founder of travel consultancy Luxury Travel University and travel agency Trips and Ships Luxury Travel, told The Daily Beast. By indulging in these experiences, there's a release of adrenaline and a rush of excitement that's difficult to find anywhere else.

With the high-end luxury market, she added, theres an escape from a mundane routine of everyday life, and provide an outlet for them to experience a sense of accomplishment.

But that comes at a cost beyond just a pricey line on a credit card statement. This sense of accomplishment and adventurous travel experiences often come tethered with an undeniable risk factor. Look no further than OceanGates expedition to the Titanic, which required participants to sign a waiver that acknowledged that crew members were about to board an experimental, submersible vessel that has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma, or death.

The technologyor rather, the lack thereofbehind the submersible bears this out. It seemed slap-dash and almost cobbled together. CBS reporter David Pogue visited OceanGate as part of a profile on their operations in 2022 and called out the Titans MacGyver-y, jerry-riggedness construction.

Its not just billionaires going into experimental, deep-sea submersibles. We see this kind of risk-taking behavior when the ultra-wealthy decide to tackle the worlds tallest mountain. A growing number of wealthy and inexperienced mountaineers have tried to climb Mt. Everest in recent yearswith deadly results. In fact, 11 climbers lost their lives attempting to summit the worlds tallest mountain in 2019 alone.

Similarly, the fledgling space tourism industry is already seeing an influx of billionaires trying to play Neil Armstrong and jettison off into orbit via the services of any number of growing private aerospace companies. In doing so, theyll be flying in large and recently-developed rockets that have a history of spectacular explosions. Sure, no one has died yet while traveling into space and back aboard a private rocketbut there havent been that many trips to begin with. As the saying goes, space wants to kill you. It might be only a matter of time before it does.

Hughes said that she has recently been working with private aerospace vendors to help coordinate a growing number of clients who have expressed interest in private space travel. Its something that she also anticipates will grow more in the future.

More Banging Noises Heard at Titanic Sub Search Site

Both Hughes and Harrill agree that its the nature of billionaire spending habits. Its not so much that being ultra-wealthy turns you into an adrenaline junky. Its that it makes you more likely to turn to the extremes of whatever youre already interested in. For example, if you love to collect books, youll be able to find the rarest first editions of the most sought after books out there. Likewise, if youre interested in space, youre not just going to buy a telescope and be done with it. Youre going to want to physically touch the moon.

And if youre interested in the Titanic and shipwrecks, youre going to want to see the damn thing yourself. Of course, this comes at the potentially steep price of putting one's life on the line. But, for some people, moneyand their livesare truly no object.

Experiential travel comes with not just dollar cost, but a safety cost as well, Hughes said. And as we continue to push for excitement and the adrenaline that comes with it, we've got to remember that the universe loves to push backand it has this week for sure.

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The Titanic wreck led to safer seas. Maybe the Titan tourist sub will, too. | Opinion

In London on Jan. 20, 1914, just shy of two years since the RMS Titanic was lost in the North Atlantic, an international convention produced an agreement to provide uniform rules for the Safety of Life at Sea.

Signed by nations from around the world, the SOLAS Convention is regarded as the most important of all agreements concerning the safety of ships at sea. It called for sufficient lifeboat capacity on board ships, lifeboat drills, 24-hour radio monitoring, standards in ship construction, and requirements to aid in lifesaving.

Sal Mercogliano

Over a century later, in 2021 OceanGates submersible, Titan, began making dives on the wreck of the Titanic, located in international waters south of Newfoundland. On its inaugural dive of the 2023 season, Titan, disappeared. Thursday, debris from the vessel was found near the Titanic wreck site, and the five people on board are presumed dead.

The construction and operation of Titan raises concerns over the use of submersibles in the commercial sector, particularly for tourism.

We have become accustomed to witnessing the journeys of the rich and famous into space by the likes of Space X, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin. These flights, originating in the United States, are regulated, by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to OceanGates website, Titans combination of ground-breaking engineering and off-the-shelf technologyhelped to streamline the construction and make it simple to operate. This philosophy eschewed the vast array of experience and technology that was used in past submarines and submersibles. At the same time, they avoided the use of third-party classification societies to ensure that their submersibles met industry standards.

In a blog on the OceanGate website titled Why Isnt Titan Classed?, the company laid out its decision to avoid this process. The major issue stemmed from a multi-year approval cycle due to a lack of pre-existing standards. They even cited the difficulties encountered by the commercial space companies.

In lieu of a major classification society, OceanGate hired a licensed marine surveyor to witness a successful dive to 4000 meters and provide a Statement of Fact. Inspection of Titan resided solely with the crew and employees of OceanGate, even though the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) classed one of OceanGates other submersibles.

Today, all ships operating on the high seas are registered in a country, with Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands being the most common. Known as open registries, or flags of conveniences, many companies register in these countries because of the low government and crewing costs.

However, international regulations, such as SOLAS, are enforced by a series of measures. The flag of registry is required to ensure that ships meet all standards. For the purposes of insurance of the vessel and its cargo, a classification society provides a check on the flag state. Then, all nations have agreements  known as Port State Authority  that allow the nation a ship sails into to inspect the ship for standards. In the United States, that responsibility lies with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Commercial submersibles are used widely in offshore drilling, cable laying and pipeline industry, along with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The American Bureau of Shipping, a classification society, has a 273-page standard for Underwater Vehicles that provides a level of check and balance against companies, such as OceanGate, which decided not to classify Titan.

Much as Titanic led to reforms in safety of life at sea, Titan may do the same with regards to submersibles operating in international waters, an area largely unregulated.

The United States and Canada will probably examine their laws for ships operating out of their ports with submersibles and the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations may propose amendments to the SOLAS Convention. It appears that Titanic may not yet be finished in the safety of life at sea.

Salvatore Mercogliano is an associate professor of History at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC, an adjunct professor at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and host for the YouTube Channel Whats Going On With Shipping .
A well-known Titusville pharmacist has been charged with illegally distributing oxycodone and methadone, both heavily regulated narcotics.

Basil Samir Itani, 46, was arrested by federal drug agents Tuesday and later released with conditions, following a 1:45 p.m. court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Irick in Orlando.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents, along with Titusville police. executed a search warrant at the Itani Family Pharmacy, 2507 Garden St. The pharmacy was closed and cordoned off by police along the street.

Itani, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was ordered to surrender his passport and participate in a mental health assessment along with drug testing, court documents read.

Titusville police officer stands watch following Tuesday afternoon DEA raid at Itani Family Pharmacy.

Six-count indictment

A federal grand jury handed down a six-count indictment naming Itani on May 31. The indictment, filed in the U.S. Middle District Court in Orlando, was unsealed, showing Itani facing one count of selling, distributing or dispensing a controlled substance.

The investigation focuses on unspecified incidents that took place beginning in January, with Itani suspected of violating the strict controls on the painkillers by dispensing the drugs, "outside the usual professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose," the indictment reads.

The indictment and warrant were ordered sealed by a judge pending the arrest. It was not immediately known how far in advance other agencies were notified about Tuesdays raid.

Disclosure of the existence of these documents prior to the arrest of a defendant could hinder or impede arrest efforts, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg wrote in a court brief.

More: Two Brevard residents indicted on murder charges in fentanyl overdoses

The indictment comes as Brevard continues to come to grips with the lingering epidemic of opioid-related deaths. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have focused on finding street-level dealers and suspected suppliers of prescription painkillers. In 2021, there were 262 people who died of opioid-connected deaths on the Space Coast. Last year, emergency medical crews responded to 2,501 calls involving suspected overdoses across the county, according to the Florida Department of Health.

A trial date has been set for August 7, court records show.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Titusville pharmacist arrested; pharmacy raided by feds in drug case
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed tax evasion complaints against three companies who are behind fake or ghost receipts which have tax liabilities amounting to 17.9 billion.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui said they want to hold companies who buy ghost receipts accountable.

He named World Balance, CHK Steel, and Gamon Resources  which the BIR proved to be buying fake receipts, adding the companies have been using fake receipts since 2018.

"Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. filed criminal cases against identified buyers or clients of the Fake/Ghost Receipts syndicate. The cases were filed today, before the Department of Justice (DOJ)," the BIR said in a statement. It explained the syndicate registers ghost companies whose sole business purpose is to sell original receipts so their buyers could illegally reduce their tax liabilities.

RELATED: BIR files 25.5 billion tax cases vs. 'ghost' corporations

The BIR said this is just the first batch of complaints they will be filing with the Department of Justice, and the bureau would continue to go after those buying and using fake receipts.

RELATED: DOJ: Gov't lost up to 50B over 'fake receipt' scam

At a separate briefing on Wednesday, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano says they are awaiting the resolution on the cases.

"Malaking problema talaga ito. We cannot emphasize further how important these cases are to quell, or to stop itong mga practices na ito," Clavano said. "The government needs to collect its taxes properly in order to function. Kumbaga, lifeline ito, life blood ito ng bansa itong mga taxes natin and yung revenue natin."

[Translation: This really is a big problem. We cannot emphasize further how important these cases are to quell, or to stop these practices. The government needs to collect its taxes properly in order to function. These taxes and revenue are the lifeline, the life blood of the country.]

He stressed those who cheat on their taxes must be held liable.
Sand Van Roy, with a tattoo that reads 'Stop violence against women', first filed her complaint against Besson in 2018 (CHRISTOPHE SIMON)

France's top appeals court on Wednesday rejected a request to reopen a rape claim against film director Luc Besson, ending one of the most high-profile cases to emerge in the country's MeToo movement against sexual assault.

Dutch-Belgian actress Sand Van Roy accused Besson, director of "The Fifth Element" and "Leon" -- of raping her during a two-year on-off relationship, and filed a complaint against him in May 2018.

Prosecutors dropped the case in February 2019 citing a lack of evidence, and after new charges were filed by Van Roy, an appeals court also closed that case in May last year.

In a ruling seen by AFP, the Cour de Cassation, the court of last resort for criminal cases, said there was "no reason to justify pursuing an appeal" of the previous rulings.

"The Cour de Cassation has decided not to hear my appeal, which means once again the French judiciary refuses to examine the evidence in this case," Van Roy said on Twitter.

"I will pursue these cases and will file a request with the European Court of Human Rights," she said.

A lawyer for Besson, who has denied the claims, said the decision "ends all the procedures of the past five years, which have found him not guilty".

Besson has admitted having a relationship with Van Roy, who had minor roles in his films "Taxi 5" and "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets".

She filed the initial complaint for rape in May 2018 hours after meeting Besson, before filing another complaint two months later for other alleged rapes and sexual assaults.

At least three other women have made allegations of sexual harassment against Besson, which he has also denied.

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Tourist spots something strange lurking in ocean below plane  it was a rare creature

Francesca Emm was recently flying over the Great Barrier Reef near Whitsunday Islands when something peculiar caught her eye.

Beneath her plane, a white spot disrupted the vivid blue of the ocean. Emm took her camera out and started recording.

She sent her video to the White Whale Research Center, and sure enough  she had caught a glimpse of an incredibly rare all-white humpback whale, according to a June 16 post by the center on Twitter.

It was definitely swimming, Emm told the center, another tweet said. We were heading North East and it was heading the same direction as us!

This video footage was received by the White Whale Research Center on Friday 16th June from a tourist flying over the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsunday Islands area. It shows a possible sighting of a white whale heading north.

Could it be #Migaloo ? #Queensland #Australia pic.twitter.com/n8JxEUix4h  Migaloo the Whale (@Migaloo1) June 16, 2023

White whales are extremely rare, Vanessa Pirotta, a whale expert at Macquarie University, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Theres only a handful of white whales and people are fascinated by them, because they look different, she told the news outlet.

One white whale is particularly famous in Australia: Migaloo.

Ive seen Migaloo, Pirotta told ABC. Hes like an iceberg underwater; there is something magnificent about seeing this wide, illuminating animal underwater.

In 1991, an all-white whale was captured on camera in Byron Bay, according to a website dedicated to Migaloo. At the time, it was the only documented creature of its kind.

The whale was soon named Migaloo, which is the name the Australian Aboriginal community in Queensland uses for white fella, the site said. Over the past two decades, experts have studied Migaloo by tracking his location and testing his skin for DNA.

However, the beloved creature has not been spotted since 2020, leaving some experts concerned that he might have died, according to 9 News.

Pirotta said there isnt enough evidence yet to determine whether the white whale in Emms video is Migaloo.

It does not provide us with the amount of information we would require to identify Migaloo, she told 9 News. It could be him or possibly another white-ish whale as part of this east Australian humpback whale population.

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Toxic algal blooms are killing hundreds of sea lions and dolphins along the coast of California's southern beaches.

More than 1,000 marine animals have become sick or died in June, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Experts say algal blooms pose a seasonal issue, but climate change may be worsening the problem.

Rescue groups are getting more than 200 reports of marine mammals in distress each day.

"I've heard of a number of people walking the beaches who have seen [sick] animal after [sick] animal," said David Caron, a biological sciences professor at the University of Southern California.

"Animal rescue groups are scrambling to try to get boots on the ground to get the animals protected."

Sea birds, dolphins and sea lions in particular are becoming ill from the rapid growth of certain species of algae, which produce a toxin called domoic acid.

Harmful algal blooms work by disrupting food webs, Dr Caron said. Creatures such as shellfish, anchovies and sardines consume the toxins before then being eaten by larger marine mammals.

"They eat a meal of those highly toxic fish and then they become toxified themselves, and if they get enough of that material, it of course can kill them, which is happening now," he said.

Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in Southern California have been hit especially hard, according to the NOAA.

The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, which helps rescue and treat sick animals, said it was receiving more than 200 reports of marine mammals in distress each day.

"We are doing the best we can to keep up with the intense pace," institute co-founder Ruth Dover said in a statement.

When domoic acid affects marine mammals, they can become disoriented or even convulse and die under water.

The blooms can pose a danger to humans as well. People can become sick if they consume fish packed with the toxins, though the California Department of Public Health monitors for these levels and closes shellfish beaches when necessary, Dr Caron said.

Humans may also attempt to approach larger mammals like sea lions and dolphins if they see them stranded on the beach, but the animals may become aggressive because of the toxins.

People should avoid the marine creatures and call rescue organisations, which have been able to save some animals by capturing them, feeding them, and giving them liquids until they can flush the toxins out of their system, Dr Caron said.

Algae usually blooms between March and June in California, but the blooms may be peaking later this year because of its long and rainy winter.

Experts say that not all species of algae produce harmful toxins, but the ones that do may be expanding to new areas because of climate change.

This is because as water temperatures rise, more areas become habitable for harmful algae blooms, which tend to form in warmer water.

Scientists are still working to untangle the effects of climate change on organisms living in coastal waters, Dr Caron said.

"But we have a fair amount of evidence, especially in inland waters, that climate change is exacerbating some of the problems that we're seeing with harmful algae," he said.
Training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets may take place in Romania

A coalition of Western countries is considering Romania as a possible location to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets.

Source: Two American sources reported this to Politico, writes European Pravda

Details: According to the sources of the media outlet, the fighter jet coalition is working on an agreement on conducting aviation exercises at one of the training grounds in Romania. The training will likely be led by Lockheed Martin, which makes the F-16.

European officials have neither publicly confirmed nor denied that the proposal to train Ukrainian pilots in Romania is indeed being discussed.

The Romanian Air Force has 17 second-hand F-16s purchased from Portugal and plans to purchase 32 more from Norway. However, Bucharest recently approved a plan to purchase more advanced F-35s.

The country plays an important role in NATO's Air Policing Mission, an international task force that constantly patrols European skies in order to respond rapidly to airspace violations.

The Romanian Ministry of Defence, at the request of Politico, did not confirm or deny that they were considering the possibility of training Ukrainian pilots on their territory, but noted that the country "welcomes the initiative to establish a coalition of NATO Allies to provide training of pilots for F-16s".

Background: The issue of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters was discussed at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group last week.

After the meeting, it was revealed that by July, Ukraine's partners plan to approve a training programme for Ukrainian pilots, engineers and technicians on F-16 fighters; the training will take place in a specially created centre in one of the European countries.

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While her friends are spending their summers on vacation, Harleigh Walker is lobbying members of the US Senate in defence of her rights.

Ms Walker, a 16-year-old trans girl from Auburn, Alabama, testified to the US Senate Judiciary Committee on 21 June to debunk false claims regarding gender-affirming healthcare, a subject that has consumed state legislatures across the country, threatening to ban girls like her from getting the care they need.

Her home state was among the first to pass legislation banning affirming care for trans youth. A federal judge has blocked the state from enforcing it.

There has been so much misinformation shared around what it means to be a transgender person, and what healthcare looks like for transgender youth like me, she said in her prepared remarks.

Most of what Ive been hearing is inaccurate at best, or just outright falsehoods and misrepresentations, she said. The laws preventing people like me from having access to the healthcare that our doctors and parents agree is necessary to keep us healthy dont keep us safe. They do the opposite.

Yet the committee heard a deluge of transphobic rhetoric and outright false statements from Republican lawmakers and their witnesseses who repeatedly misgendered trans women, falsely described affirming healthcare, conflated sexuality and gender, and grossly mischaracterised changes to Title IX protections.

Republicans sought to steer a hearing that was meant to examine LGBT+ protections and threats facing trans people into discussing cisender women who feel threatened by the existence of trans women in sports.

Senate Judiciary chair Dick Durbin urged members to reject this divisive and hateful rhetoric and reminded them that our children are listening, and they are in danger. 

LGBT+ Americans are are asking for no more  and no less  than the full freedom to live as who they are, he said in his opening remarks.

Immediately following Ms Walkers opening statement, the committee heard from Matt Sharp, senior counsel from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group that has helped draft and defend legislation targeting LGBT+ people across the US.

I am asking for you to help us stop certain people from using the transgender community as a political pawn. Please stop attacking our lives for votes or money. These are human rights hanging in the balance, Ms Walker said in her opening statement.

Help us communicate that they are impacting peoples lives and our pursuit of happiness, she said. We are just like your kid, just like your neighbour, and you. We also deserve the ability to be happy.

Alabama is among 20 states that have sought to ban gender-affirming care for young trans people under 18 years old. But an increasing number of state-level and federal court decisions have blocked several states from enforcing such laws.

Ms Walker and her family were among families with trans children that successfully sued Alabama in an effort to overturn the law in 2022.

After she came out as trans, Ms Walker and her family worked with her paediatrician and medical professionals to find appropriate care. Her health providers listened to her, focused on getting to know her, and determined the best course of care.

No one suggested, forced, or influenced me to choose to be transgender. It is not a choice. I just knew that this is who I am, she said.

Harleigh Walker, left, testifies to a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on LGBT+ discrimination protections on 21 June. (REUTERS)

One of the things that stuck out as they talked to my parents and me was that if I ever decided to stop, or if this care wasnt right for me, it was OK, and they would support me on that, too, she added. This is the opposite of what I hear in the news or in the legislatures. It makes me wonder why legislatures think they should get to tell my parents and my doctors that I cant get the care I need to be healthy and happy.

She was bullied in school, misgendered, deadnamed, and threatened with violence, she said. Her states lawmakers refused to talk with her about legislation that would outlaw her care. Without explicit federal protections that would make her feel safe closer to home, she has considered leaving Alabama for college.

I am not miserable in my life, Im not depressed. Im just trying to be a teenager in America, she said. But I keep having to jump through hoops that other people my age dont have to.

Democratic House members on Wednesday reintroduced the Equality Act, federal legislation that would update existing anti-discrimination protections to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It faces a dim chance of passage in a Republican-controlled House.

Kids shouldnt feel helpless at school against being bullied or discriminated against just because they are different, Ms Walker said. Leaders in our state and country have the ability to help, but instead so many legislators have decided to promote bullying and discrimination.

If you are based in the US and seek LGBT+ affirming mental health support, resources are available from Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) and the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564), as well as The Trevor Project (866-488-7386, or text START to 678-678).
Treasure Valley vehicle emissions tests are going away. But what if you get a notice?

With vehicle emissions testing requirements for the Treasure Valley set to end later this month, residents will soon no longer have to get their vehicles tested.

But what if youve already received a testing notice?

Since the requirements still stand, Ada County residents with testing requirements due this month should still get them, said Amy Luft, a spokesperson for the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, which oversees the Ada County Air Quality Board. But notices have not been sent out if they would be due after June 30, when the plan will end, she said.

After the Idaho Legislature last year passed a law ending the requirement on July 1, the states Department of Environmental Quality petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency  which oversees clean air requirements  to remove the federal requirement. Earlier this month, the EPA published its decision to remove its requirement, effective July 17.

Though the federal requirement will persist for a few more weeks, Luft said the local mandates will still end after June 30.

In the past, locals could have their vehicle registration revoked if they hadnt passed an emissions test. But Luft said that after June 30, cars with overdue emissions tests will have their registrations reinstated.

What Ada County requires on emissions testing

Emissions testing has been federally mandated in northern Ada County since the 1980s, when air quality in the region violated federal standards. Since then, the area has not violated the standards, but the federal mandates have remained, and state and local laws have implemented them.

Emissions tests for older vehicles tested exhaust to make sure pollutants fell within a certain range. On newer cars, the tests rather ensure that the cars own emissions control systems are working properly.

As vehicle technology has improved  in part because of federal rules  modern cars no longer pollute the air with as much carbon monoxide. About 92% of vehicles pass the test on the first try, according to the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho.

Some cars  like hybrids, new cars or those made before 1981  are exempt from testing, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

In the abstract, being in a position where we can lift a maintenance plan for carbon monoxide is a good thing, Patrick Bageant, a member of the Air Quality Board and a Boise City Council member, previously told the Idaho Statesman by phone.

Requirements in Canyon County and Kuna, which is part of Ada County but overseen by the Canyon County program, will also end by July 1, per state law.

But some environmentalists have opposed the changes over concerns about ozone, for which the region is close to the maximum threshold. The Idaho Conservation League has said that keeping tabs on carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds helps keep ozone levels lower.

Luft previously told the Statesman that the testing program has a small effect on ozone.

I think its a great example of showing that the program has worked, so we are able to move forward, she said.

What happens to emissions testing businesses

The emissions tests are conducted by private businesses, of which there are close to 40 listed on the Air Quality Boards website.

Luft said Compass is working with businesses to try and recycle their testing equipment.

Doyle Savelberg, who works at Victory Greens Emission Testing in Meridian, told the Statesman by phone that he is considering opening a coffee shop at the location once the testing business dries up. He said the business rents space from a nearby gas station.

We want to do something here, weve got a really nice spot here at the gas station, he said.
The Tri-Cities will remember one of its strongest champions of economic development and most generous donors to community causes, Bob Ferguson, on Thursday, July 6.

The Port of Benton will rename 11th Street east of George Washington Way in north Richland in his honor. The port owns the block-long street.

It will place a plaque in front of the new Hanford History Project building at 3251 Port of Benton Blvd., Richland, in a tribute at 2 p.m. July 6 at 3251 Port of Benton Blvd.

The public also is invited to a Celebration of Life Mass at Christ the King, 1111 Stevens Drive, Richland at 11 a.m. July 6.

Ferguson died Aug. 12 at the age of 89 in the Chicago area where he had been living near one of his daughters after suffering a serious stroke a year earlier.

Ferguson was the first chairman of the Tri-City Development Council, then called the Tri-Cities Nuclear Industrial Council, and was a champion for nuclear power, Hanford nuclear reservation site cleanup and economic development in the Tri-Cities.

A year before his death he donated $500,000 to Washington State University Tri-Cities to endow a faculty position in energy and environment as the first step toward launching WSU Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures.

It is envisioned by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to become a center recognized globally for its innovation in developing clean energy sources and technology.

Ferguson said when he made the donation that hed like to see a graduate degree offered for students studying the complex economic, political, technical and social issues of global climate change.

Bob Ferguson, of Richland, was a champion for the Tri-Cities economy and donated $500,000 to Washington State University Tri-Cities to endow a faculty position in energy and environment.

Previously the Ferguson family donated $100,000 to start the William R. Wiley Scholarship for WSU Tri-Cities students. The scholarship honored Fergusons friend Wiley, a former Pacific Northwest National Laboratory director, and is helping minority students studying science, technology, engineering, math or nursing in the Tri-Cities.

Ferguson also was a major donor for the Ferguson Education Center, a Montessori school, that opened in 2020 at Christ the King Catholic School in Richland. It was named for his wife, Catherine Katie Ferguson.

Ferguson started his career as one of the youngest reactor operators at the Hanford sites now-historic B Reactor.

During President Carters administration he was the Department of Energy deputy assistant secretary, before returning to the Tri-Cities to manage construction of the Fast Flux Test Facility, a 400-megawatt research reactor at Hanford, according to a biography of Ferguson written by C. Mark Smith.

Next Ferguson was persuaded to assume the management of the troubled Washington Public Power Supply System working to build five nuclear reactors, but arrived too late to keep WPPSS from ultimate collapse, Smith wrote.

Ferguson would then become a Tri-Cities entrepreneur, serving as president of R.L. Ferguson & Associates and founding Nuvotec.

Ferguson and two other Tri-Cities business leaders, Bill Lampson and Gary Petersen, successfully sued the federal government in 2010, forcing it to resume the licensing review of Yucca Mountain, Nev., for disposal of the nations high level radioactive weapons waste and used commercial nuclear fuel.

In 2020 the three co-founded Clean Up Hanford Now, a Tri-Cities nonprofit advocating for accelerating cleanup at the Hanford site in Eastern Washington.

He firmly believed Hanford needs to be cleaned up so it can get on with an energy mission, Petersen said after Fergusons death.

Ferguson was interested not only in nuclear energy, but carbon sequestration, large-scale energy storage and hydrogen technology, Petersen said.

In Fergusons retirement, he wrote books, including on the nations nuclear waste issues.
Trial continues for woman accused of killing estranged husband, wrapping his body in plastic

Wednesday was day two of the trial for the woman accused of killing her estranged husband and wrapping his body in plastic.

The court heard from the defense, which is claiming the woman, Janet Winbush, was acting in self-defense.

Its a much different story than what we heard yesterday.

RELATED >>> Woman charged with killing husband, leaving body wrapped in plastic outside Pittsburgh home

If you ask Winbushs defense team  she was acting in self-defense when she stabbed her estranged husband, Deric Davis, in 2020.

In court, her defense attorney called a psychologist who testified Winbush was in fear for her life when police say she killed her husband and hid his body in garbage bags for weeks.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Trial starts for woman accused of killing estranged husband, wrapping his body in plastic

The doctor testified Winbush was a victim of battered woman syndrome after she claimed the two of them would often physically hurt one another.

But  according to Davis family  he would never hurt a woman, and Winbushs claims of self-defense are all lies.

Closing arguments will be Thursday morning, then the judge will decide the verdict.

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Article first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 5 a.m. EST

Article last updated: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 11 p.m. EST

The National Hurricane Center's 11 pm Wednesday advisory reported that

Tropical Storm Bret is 290 miles east of Barbados, with maximum sustained wind of 65 mph. Its moving 16 mph to the west. A tropical storm warning has been issued by weathercasters for Dominica.

YESTERDAY (Tuesday):

Yesterday, A tropical storm watch has been issued by weathercasters for St. Lucia.

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Government of Dominica has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Dominica.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning in in effect for:

- Dominica

- St. Lucia

- Martinique

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

- Barbados

- St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles should monitor the progress of Bret. Additional watches or warnings may be required on Thursday.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning areas and possible within the watch areas late Thursday and Thursday night.

RAINFALL: Through Saturday, storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south to St Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados. The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain. Urban flooding is also possible.

SURF: Swells generated by Bret are expected to begin affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles on Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This article was generated by the Sun Herald Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com. Full hurricane coverage at sunherald.com/news/weather-news/
Tropical Storm Bret strengthens, possibly for the last time, as it nears the Caribbean

On Wednesday, Tropical Storm Bret was inside of a small window where it can strengthen ahead of its trek across the eastern Caribbean, but forecasters expect the storm to stay under hurricane strength.

By Sunday, the National Hurricane Center called for the storm to dissipate into a tropical depression south of Jamaica, the end of a path that steers well south of most islands.

As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, Tropical Storm Bret held at 65 miles per hour maximum sustained winds and was still trekking west at about 15 mph. It was about 330 miles east of Barbados.

KNOW MORE: The Atlantic is definitely on fire: Unusually hot ocean sparks up early hurricane season

Several islands in the Lesser Antilles were under tropical storm watches, and St. Lucia and Martinique were under tropical storm warnings. Heavy rains and strong winds are expected Thursday and Friday as Bret crosses the island chain.

Tropical Storm Bret strengthened a bit Wednesday, potentially for the last time this week, before its expected to weaken and dissolve.

But by Thursday or Friday, Brets window for strengthening will likely snap shut as wind shear  unfriendly winds that tear storms apart  picks up. By the weekend, that shear was expected to dissolve the system back to a tropical depression.

The hurricane center said Bret is officially expected to break down completely by Saturday.

Forecasters are also watching a second potential system thats right behind Bret. They gave this tropical wave a 80% chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next two days, an increase of 10 percentage points from Tuesday.

Forecasters are also watching a second potential system thats right behind Bret.

Early storm models show this system, if it develops, could stay on a northern path that keeps it in the open Atlantic and away from inhabited land. The next storm name on the list is Cindy.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri signed the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill on Wednesday in Washington D.C. in the United States.

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug brought a copy of the bill to Washington D.C. where Zubiri is currently on a working visit.

The bill will be brought to House Speaker Martin Romualdez before being transmitted to Malacanang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s signature.

When asked about the errors in the bill, Zubiri said these were addressed.

"I believe the corrections were thoroughly discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group, including the letter of correction sent by Senator Mark Villar," Zubiri added.

The proposed Maharlika Investment Fund: What you need to know

The senators approved the MIF bill on May 31. Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted against the proposed measure while Sen. Nancy Binay abstained. Minority Leader Sen. Koko Pimentel and Senators Imee Marcos and Chiz Escudero, who were also against the bill, were absent during the voting.

The proposed measure was a consolidation of two bills: SB 1670 by Senator Mark Villar and SB 1814 by Senator Raffy Tulfo.

Revisions made to the bill include the explicit prohibition of the Government Service Insurance System, the Social Security System, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office from investing in the MIF.

A proposal to allow foreigners to sit on the board of the Maharlika Investment Corp., which will manage the MIF, was included in the bill as well penalties for those who will be proven to have misused the funds.

The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill on Dec. 15, 2022.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

Donald Trump made plenty of news during his interview with Fox News on Monday night, but there was one offhand Trump remark that particularly caught the attention of his staffers: If Trump wins back the presidency, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump wont serve in his White House.

That piece of news had entire continents of Trumpworld rejoicing in schadenfreude.

There will be fewer Democrats around the second time! one Trump adviser joked, saying theres plenty of buzz in Trumps inner circle about the declaration from the former president.

The guy is a double nepo baby, the adviser added, taking aim at Trumps son-in-law.

Javanka Subpoenaed in Feds Probe of Trumps Election Meddling

Similar exuberant sentiments were making their ways around Trumps inner circle on Tuesday, with confidants sending Trumps transcribed remarks about Kushner and his daughter around to each other.

Its probably better for them, the campaign, and ultimately the admin if it comes to that, to just go ahead and say they wont be in there, another Trump adviser told The Daily Beast, confirming that there was celebrating going on in Trumpworld.

A third Trump adviser said the excitement about Kushner being out of the mix stems from frustration with Trumps staffing.

The issue is not Ivanka and Jared, although they represent it. The issue is we must do a better job hiring, the adviser said.

The public announcement that Kushner and Ivanka are now firmly on the outs in Trumpworld arrived at a noteworthy time. In recent months, Trump has welcomed back into his orbit Roger Stone and Steve Bannonboth of whom have been in extremely personal battles with Trumps son-in-law for years. And Kushner has raised eyebrows recently for taking $2 billion from a Saudi-backed investment funda deal that a panel for Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund expressed concern over, according to The New York Times.

But beyond the excitement, there was some speculation about who really initiated the breakup between Trump and Javanka.

A Trump confidant said both Kushner and Ivanka didnt want to be part of his second run, adding that the former president wanted the duo, but they declined.

I believe that the president is trying to make it appear that its his decision, but its not, this source told The Daily Beast. Everyone in the inner circle knows. There is no way in hell they are going to be affiliated with Trump.

PEOPLE-IVANA TRUMP/FUNERAL REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Both an aide to Kushner and a longtime aide to Ivanka, who operate as their respective spokespeople, did not return The Daily Beasts request for comment.

But the Trump confidant said Kushner and Ivanka were both horrified by Trumps actions surrounding Jan. 6. As the insurrection played out in the Capitol, top Ivanka aide Julie Radford sent a text message to Hope Hicks saying shed been crying for an hour, worried the riot might tarnish staff reputations.

While Kushner hasnt been involved in Trumps 2024 campaign, there has long been a mysterious question brewing around Trumpworld about whether he would reappear if Trump took back the White House.

Back in January, far-right radio host Stew Peters ambushed Trump attorney Christina Bobb with a question about Jared and Ivankas future and got her to deliver a less-than-artful answer. Its one thing to separate yourself from bad employees; its another for family, she said before backtracking.

Far-Right Radio Host Ambushes Trump Lawyer Over Kushner

So when asked Monday, Trump tried to put the question to bed.

No. I said thats enough for the family. You know why? Its too painful for the family, Trump said. My familys been through hell.

Not everyone in Trumpworld was ecstatic about Jared and Ivankas potential absence from the White House. Former Trump administration appointee Michael Caputo told The Daily Beast that very few people were as devoted to the Trump agenda as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

Caputo said if he were Jared and Ivanka, he would probably move on, too. They have been terribly mistreated, he said.

Roger Stone Threw a Fit After Not Getting Pardon, Called Ivanka Abortionist Bitch

The couples influence in the White House was a source of fascination and dispute for four years. Initially, Jared and Ivanka were thought to be a moderating influence on Trump, two people who could rein in his basest instincts and keep the administration functioning. But with every scandal, it became clearer that Trump, not his eldest daughter or his son-in-law, was actually in charge.

The couples overestimation of their ability to influence and effect change became something of a meme. They were constantly said to be, per sources, pushing for Trump to do the right thinglike more forcefully denounce white supremacists, or not speak of a Muslim ban, or protect people with pre-existing conditions in Trumps health care proposal.

Per sources: Ivanka/Jared among those pushing Trump to more forcefully denounce neo-Nazis, KKK and white nationalists over the weekend...  Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) August 15, 2017

And Jared and Ivanka were constantly taking up certain causes, believingmuch like Trumpthat they alone could fix it.

Kushner reportedly thought he could secure peace in the Middle East. And solve the opioid crisis. And health care for veterans.

But the couple did occasionally secure some victories. Perhaps Kushner and Ivankas biggest accomplishment was criminal justice reformgetting a sweeping bill, the First Step Act, signed into law.

And yet, even that achievement is now taking on a different hue, as Ron DeSantis tries to paint Trump as soft on crime.

Relatedly, another one of Kushners accomplishmentsa pardon for Alice Johnson, which Kim Kardashian personally pushed for with the help of her then-husband, Kanye West, and his friend of over 20 years, Jared Kushneris coming back to bite the former president.

On Tuesday night, Trump got tripped up during part 2 of his sit-down interview with Fox Newsthis time, over his idea of implementing a crackdown on drug dealers.

Baier pointed out that, under Trumps new tough-on-crime stance, he would have sent Alice Johnson to death.

Shed be killed under your plan, Baier said.

Trump started his response with a question: Huh?

(He later claimed, under his plan, it would depend on the severity of the drug charges.)

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Trump-appointed judge who had Democratic support will oversee Hunter Biden plea on July 26

Federal district Judge Maryellen Noreika, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, will preside over the case that Justice Department brought against President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden.

Bidens plea hearing is scheduled for July 26 at 10 a.m. ET.

Noreika, a former patent lawyer in Delaware, had the support of both Democratic senators from Delaware when she was nominated by Trump. Under the Senates so-called blue slip tradition, nominees for district court seats must have the support of the home state senators to move forward.

She was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote in August 2018.

The Justice Department announced Tuesday that Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors and struck a deal to resolve a felony gun charge.

As part of the plea agreement, the Justice Department has agreed to recommend a sentence of probation for the two counts of failing to pay taxes in a timely matter, according to sources. A judge would have the final say on any sentence, however.

Campaign donations

Federal records indicate that Noreika has donated more than $15,000 to political candidates dating back to 1999. Her political spending has gone to both parties.

On the presidential level, she gave $1,000 to then-New York Sen. Hillary Clintons 2008 campaign for the Democratic nomination. She later donated $2,300 to the eventual 2008 Republican nominee, then-Arizona Sen. John McCain. She donated to the subsequent GOP nominee as well, giving $2,500 to Mitt Romneys presidential campaign in 2012.

Noreika also financially supported Sen. Tom Cotton, a conservative Republican from Arkansas, during his campaign in 2014, when he unseated an incumbent Democratic senator. And she donated $1,000 to Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Rick Santorum in 2005.

She also donated $1,000 in 2009 to the Senate Democrats campaign arm, the DSCC.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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A judge appointed by former President Trump who was confirmed with bipartisan support will preside over the case concerning Hunter Bidens plea agreement.

Court records show the case was assigned to Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote to her position in the District of Delaware in 2018.

Biden agreed to plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay income tax and enter a diversion agreement on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. The agreement will have him enter a pretrial diversion program that will likely have the charge removed from his record if he complies with the programs terms.

The deal between Biden and prosecutors needs to receive Noreikas approval. It would likely keep him out of prison, instead resulting in a probation sentence.

Republicans have mostly railed against the deal since it was publicly released Tuesday, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) leading the backlash among GOP lawmakers.

Garland dismisses GOP criticism that Hunter Biden received slap on the wrist

McCarthy and others have argued that the deal shows a two-tier system of justice in the country, arguing that the Justice Department (DOJ) under the Biden administration is politically motivated to give the presidents son a sweetheart deal but prosecute Trump for the classified and sensitive documents found at his Mar-a-Lago property.

The president has maintained that the DOJ conducts its investigations independent of any influence by the White House, evidenced by him allowing David Weiss  a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation  to stay on to continue the probe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Trump-endorsed candidate who ran unsuccessfully for a North Carolina congressional seat was sentenced Tuesday to a year of probation for accepting an illegal contribution to her 2020 campaign.

Lynda Bennett, of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, was sentenced to 12 months' probation and ordered to pay a $7,500 fine at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper.

Bennett pleaded guilty in March to one count of accepting contributions in the name of another person in connection with her unsuccessful 2020 campaign for the House seat left open when Mark Meadows joined the Trump White House as chief of staff.

Prosecutors had argued that in December 2019 Bennett received a campaign contribution of $25,000 from a third party, which she falsely reported to have lent herself through personal funds.

A day after Bennett deposited the money she borrowed from a relative into a personal account, she transferred $80,000, including the $25,000 that was lent to her, to the bank account for her federal campaign committee, prosecutors said.

In recommending probation, prosecutors said in a filing last week that the violation was "an aberration in what was otherwise a consistent history of being a law-abiding citizen."

"Bennett inflated her fundraising numbers at the end of a quarterly reporting period but concealed that thousands of those dollars breached a federal threshold for contributing individuals," prosecutors wrote. "At the same time, the source of the money was not nefarious, but rather a loving relative, and her campaign committee later returned the money."

Prosecutors added that convictions for violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act often involve more serious concealment, with higher dollar amounts, than the concealment and dollar amount here.

The Federal Election Commission requires that a loan to a campaign, including a loan to the campaign from a member of the candidates family, be reported as a campaign contribution.

During the GOP primary in 2020, Bennett picked up the endorsement of President Donald Trump to represent North Carolinas 11th Congressional District. She lost to Madison Cawthorn in a primary runoff.

Cawthorn served one term in Congress before Republican challenger Chuck Edwards defeated him in the May 2022 primary. Edwards went on to win the general election in November.

Kearns Davis, an attorney for Bennett, said in a statement Tuesday that "Lynda is pleased with the result today," adding that she is "thankful to be putting it behind her."

The U.S. attorney prosecuting the case did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The escalating feud between former President Trump and his one-time Attorney General Bill Barr is reaching a fever pitch, with Trumps indictment on federal charges last week adding accelerant to what had already been a fiery break between the two men.

Barr has been among the most prominent conservatives or former Trump administration officials to publicly criticize their former bosss behavior and vouch for the strength of the federal indictment against him, undercutting defenses offered up by Trump and his allies.

Barr has called special counsel Jack Smiths indictment damning, dismissed Trumps defenses as absurd, and compared Trump to a defiant 9-year-old kid.

In response, Trump has called Barr a gutless pig, a RINO, meaning Republican in Name Only, and a coward, reserving some of his harshest language for the man he once praised as one of the most respected jurists in the country.

So nice to see that Sloppy, Low Energy RINO Bill Barr, gets loudly booed and shouted at everywhere he goes! He is sooo bad for America, Trump wrote Tuesday on his Truth Social platform.

More Election 2024 coverage from The Hill

Barr served as Trumps attorney general for two years before resigning in December 2020, when he first broke with Trump as the former president pushed claims that the 2020 election was rigged and fraudulent. Barr had declared that the Justice Department he oversaw at the time found no basis to claims of widespread voter fraud that led to Trumps election loss.

In the past year in particular, Barr has emerged as an outspoken critic of his former boss, testifying before the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol and becoming one of the most outspoken Republicans regarding the seriousness of the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago last August to retrieve classified documents from Trumps time in the White House.

The indictment details that Trump sought to retain documents containing some of the nations most sensitive secrets, including the withholding of national defense information and the concealment of his possession of classified documents. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In an op-ed published Monday in The Free Press, Barr laid out the facts of the documents case and pushed back on Trumps various defenses, including that he had a right to keep the classified material under the Presidential Records Act and that hes the victim of a double standard.

For the sake of the country, our party, and a basic respect for the truth, it is time that Republicans come to grips with the hard truths about President Trumps conduct and its implications, Barr wrote. Chief among them: Trumps indictment is not the result of unfair government persecution. This is a situation entirely of his own making. The effort to present Trump as a victim in the Mar-a-Lago document affair is cynical political propaganda.

Trump has been particularly irate at Barr in the roughly two weeks since he announced hed been indicted in the documents case, lashing out on Truth Social, savaging him on a radio show hosted by political operative and Trump ally Roger Stone and again targeting his former attorney general in an interview conducted Monday.

Bill Barr was a coward. Bill Barr didnt do what he was supposed to do. I fired him. And he has great hatred, Trump said in a Fox News interview aired Monday. And thats OK, because some people do. And some people love me very much.

Trumps ire is consistent with his habit of dumping on officials he previously nominated or appointed who have since criticized him in some way.

In Mondays interview, Fox anchor Bret Baier noted that Barr, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former Vice President Mike Pence, former national security adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are among those who have questioned Trumps judgment or character in some way since the end of his administration.

Baier also listed to Trump a litany of insults the former president has issued to each of those former officials in return.

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Those who previously worked under Barr in the Justice Department have argued that he is committed to the rule of law and issues of national security. They also noted that he has been far more outspoken in defending probes led by the DOJ, a department he led under two different presidents.

Others have noted that there are political factors at play as well. The former attorney general is a dedicated, longtime Republican who has made it clear he would like to see the GOP move on from Trump.

I think Barr is trying to cleanse himself of his Trump association, which is not likely to work with anyone who paid attention to what he did for Trump as AG, said Alan Morrison, a law professor at George Washington University. I also think that he is trying to get Republicans to move away from Trump as the best means of taking the White House in 2024.

In an interview Sunday on CBS, Barr again made the case that Trump is unfit to serve another term in the White House.

He will always put his own interests, and gratifying his own ego, ahead of everything else, including the countrys interest. Theres no question about it, Barr said.

Our country cant be a therapy session for, you know, a troubled man like this, Barr said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Trump calls for death penalty for drug dealers; Foxs Baier notes it would apply to woman he championed

Trump calls for death penalty for drug dealers; Foxs Baier notes it would apply to woman he championed

Former President Trump in a Fox News interview advocated for imposing the death penalty on convicted drug dealers, even as anchor Bret Baier pointed out that the policy would have applied to Alice Johnson, a woman Trump granted clemency to and promoted in a Super Bowl ad for his 2020 campaign.

Trump told Baier that he believed the country had to enact stronger punishments against drug dealers to bring down crime, including the death penalty. In defending his own record on crime, which has come under scrutiny in the 2024 primary, Trump said his pardon powers were focused largely on nonviolent offenders.

Trump cited the case of Johnson, whose sentence he commuted in 2018. Johnson was serving life in prison dating back to 1996 on charges stemming from cocaine distribution and money laundering. Johnson was later featured in a Super Bowl ad promoting Trumps work on criminal justice reform.

But shed be killed under your plan, Baier noted.

Huh? Trump responded.

As a drug dealer, Baier replied.

No, no, no. Oh, under that? It would depend on the severity, Trump added.

Pressed on the issue further, Trump suggested Johnson would not have committed the same crime if the threat of the death penalty were hanging over her.

She wouldnt have done it, if it was death penalty, Trump said. In other words, if it was death penalty, she wouldnt have been on that phone call.

Trumps record on crime has been a point of criticism among some other contenders in the GOP primary field, even as the former president insists he would crack down on drug dealers and violent offenders if elected for a second term.

Multiple challengers have argued Trumps signature criminal justice reform bill, the First Step Act, which was championed at the time by Trump and others and reduced mandatory minimum sentences, expanded credits for well-behaved prisoners looking for shorter sentences and aimed to reduce recidivism.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former Virginia state Sen. Glen Sturtevant narrowly defeated incumbent state Sen. Amanda Chase, who has described herself as Trump in heels, in the GOP Virginia state Senate primary Tuesday, according to projections.

The Associated Press called the race for Sturtevant around 8:55 p.m. EDT.

He previously served as a senator for the state Senate representing the 10th district until 2020, losing his 2019 reelection bid to Democrat Ghazala Hashmi. The state of Virginia has since redrawn boundaries due to redistricting, making Tuesdays primaries the first election with its newly formed districts.

Sturtevant defeated Chase, the incumbent of the 11th district, in the GOP state Senate primary for Virginias 12th District. Chase was censured by her colleagues in the state Senate after she attended a rally for former President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, and later praised the rioters who breached the Capitol.

Chase, who also lost the GOP nomination for Virginia governor in 2021, later called on Trump at the time to declare martial law to prevent President Biden from being sworn into office.

Chase announced last year that she would not run for Congress as a result of the new redistricting approved by the states Supreme Court, which moved her current residence from the 7th Congressional District to the 1st.

With that, I plan to finish my 2 years in the Senate of Virginia and discontinue my run for Congress, as it is already represented by Republican Rob Wittman, she announced at the time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Trump hush-money prosecutors say the Access Hollywood tape will feature 'prominently' in their case

NBC

Manhattan prosecutors have subpoenaed all 209 pages of Trump's deposition in the E. Jean Carroll rape case.

In the deposition, Trump describes the Access Hollywood tape dropping just days before the 2016 election.

His reaction to election-eve sexual misconduct allegations is key to the DA's hush-money case, a new filing argues.

Donald Trump's infamous Access Hollywood tape, key to last month's E. Jean Carroll defamation verdict, now plays a starring role in the former president's Manhattan hush-money case, a new prosecution filing shows.

Prosecutors say the tape "features prominently" in their case, which alleges that Trump falsified business documents to hide a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels.

The payment to Daniels came just days before the 2016 election, when Trump's campaign was already reeling from the just-revealed tape, on which he boasts of grabbing women by their genitals.

Trump's deposition in the Carroll case fills 209 pages of transcript, only 98 pages of which have been made public.

In their new filing, prosecutors defend a subpoena, sent to Carroll's attorneys, that seeks the entirety of the deposition transcript and video, countering Trump's effort to quash it.

The transcript pages already made public through the Carroll case "reveal that a number of the subject matters about which defendant testified under oath relate to facts at issue in this case and are therefore relevant and material to this proceeding," the filing says in asking for the whole deposition.

"For example, defendant testified during his deposition about his statements captured on what is known as the Access Hollywood tape," the filing says.

"The Access Hollywood tape, released publicly in October 2016 during the course of defendant's campaign for President, features prominently in the People's case," the filing says.

"Defendant also testified about addressing during his campaign events in October 2016 allegations of sexual misconduct by two other women," Natasha Stoynoff and Jessica Leeds, who both testified in the Carroll defamation trial.

"The way in which defendant dealt with allegations of a sexual nature by women in the months leading up to the 2016 presidential election is clearly relevant to the allegations in the People's case," the filing adds.

Prosecutors led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg say that in the waning days of the campaign, Trump and his staff were concerned that the Access Hollywood tape would harm his viability as a candidate, especially among women voters.

It was shortly after the tape was made public that the plot to pay off Daniels was hatched. The money kept her from going public with her account of having slept with Trump back in 2006, when his son by Melania Trump was just four months old.

Trump has denied having sex with Daniels, and in April pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide the hush-money payment.

The case is due to go to trial on March 25, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Trump shouldnt get to choose judge who presides over Stormy Daniels hush money case, Manhattan DA says

NEW YORK  Donald Trump  with his prolific history of baselessly questioning the ethics of judges he doesnt like  shouldnt get to dictate who presides over the Stormy Daniels hush money case, Manhattan prosecutors said Tuesday.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office, opposing the former presidents demand to force the judge on the hush money case to recuse himself, said entertaining the effort would signal that all defendants can shop for judges.

Braggs office referenced some of Trumps most notorious attacks on authorities, including a judge who he said was totally biased against him because of his Mexican heritage during a 2016 class-action lawsuit against the since-defunct Trump University. Hes called Manhattan Supreme Court judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over New York Attorney General Letitia James case against the Trump Organization, a Trump Hating Judge, and the AG, who is Black, a racist.

Defendants long history of targeting judges with unfounded allegations of bias makes clear that this motion is based on tactics, not ethics, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo wrote.

The prosecutor added in a footnote that theres no reason to believe Trump would stop jamming up the case with legal acrobats until hes assigned a judge he likes.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felonies alleging he falsified business records to conceal the nature of payments to his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen during his first year in the White House. Trump designated the checks as legal fees, but Bragg says he was actually reimbursing Cohen for paying off Daniels on the eve of the 2016 presidential election to silence the porn star about an extramarital tryst and secure the win, violating election laws.

The Republican frontrunners lawyers have accused Judge Juan Merchan  assigned to preside over the March trial  of being a Democratic operative. Trump derided the judge and his relatives on national television in April after pleading not guilty to the charges, resulting in death threats.

Trumps lawyers say a $15 donation Merchan made to the Biden campaign and two more to organizations promoting voter turnout, totaling $20, are evidence of a conflict. State rules on judicial conduct prohibit New York judges from making political contributions. However, an ethics panel recently found that modest donations dont reasonably question a judges bias.

Trump has further argued that Merchans daughter will profit from his downfall at her job at Authentic Campaigns, a political firm that primarily represents Democrats. Braggs campaign for DA briefly considered retaining the firm last fall but, in the end, decided not to, according to Tuesdays filings.

Trumps argument is premised on nothing more than his guess that negative rulings or a conviction here may affect national politics in a way that might in turn affect (Merchans) daughters work in the same field, Colangelo wrote, adding that judges routinely preside over cases affecting industries with which they have a connection.

Of the donations, Colangelo said well-settled principle makes clear a judges political leanings are not disqualifying.

The judge presiding over Trumps Florida case for taking classified documents from the White House, Aileen Cannon, has donated to Republican candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Cannon has been pressured to recuse herself for previously issuing highly controversial rulings in Trumps favor that caused the conservative appeals court that reversed them to question her understanding of the law. Trump hasnt tried to remove her from the case, in which he admits to the conduct but denies it was a crime.

Along with who presides over his case, Trump is trying to control where its heard. He has insisted that Manhattan federal court Judge Alvin Hellerstein halt the case from proceeding in the state courts in Manhattan, which would force Braggs prosecutors to alter it for a federal court battle.

Also Tuesday, Braggs office asked Merchan to deny Trumps efforts to block subpoenas demanding evidence in E. Jean Carrolls sex abuse litigation and records from the Trump Organization.

Assistant District Attorney Susan Hoffinger argued the infamous Access Hollywood tape where Trump boasts of being able to molest women, which he addressed in his deposition played at Carrolls trial, features prominently in the DAs case, as do his reactions to sex crimes allegations.

Trump is also trying to stop the DA from subpoenaing Trump Organization records, including active non-disclosure with high-level staffers employed when the alleged scheme occurred.

Trumps lawyer did not return requests for comment.
Trump Cant Say Why Republicans Hate Vaccines So Much

Fox News

In a Fox News interview that aired Tuesday, former President Donald Trump acknowledged that COVID vaccines have become a thorny issue among Republican voters, saying that as a Republican, its not a great thing to discuss for some reason.

When asked by Fox host Bret Baier about the efficacy of inoculations to combat the pandemic, Trump appeared to avoid giving a clear-cut answer.

In your mind, did the COVID vaccine work? Baier asked.

Its such an interesting question, Trump replied before filibustering with a story.

The former president, who in May 2020 announced Operation Warp Speed to facilitate the speedy creation of COVID vaccines, claimed that a Democrat[ic] friend has asked him why he almost never touts that successful partnership between the government and the private sector.

He said you may have savedthroughout the world 100 million people and you never talk about it, Trump told Baier. I said I really dont want to talk about it because, as a Republican, its not a great thing to talk about because for some reason, its just not.

For some reason? pressed the Fox host, whose colleagues have often pushed unfounded vaccine skepticismincluding former primetime host Tucker Carlson, who once claimed that leaders were advocating for inoculations in order to achieve social control.

Yeah. For some reason, because people love the vaccines and people hate the vaccines, Trump said flatly, without elaborating.

In a Fox News interview in March 2021around the time that one poll found that just under half of Republican men would refuse an immunizationthe former president recommended vaccinations and called them safe.

It works incredibly well. And it is really saving our country and it is saving, frankly, the world, he said then.

Trump was also booed during a December 2021 public appearance after saying he received a booster shot, and was met with a similar response that August when he told an otherwise friendly Alabama crowd to get vaccinated.

Now a presidential candidate who is being criticized from the right on the topic by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump on Tuesday opted to stress that he gets why people love and hate vaccines.

I understand both sides of it, by the way. I understand both sides very well, Trump claimed before speaking negatively of vaccine mandates. What I didnt do is the mandates. The mandates and the vaccines dont go.

Trump then addressed DeSantis, who once praised the vaccines as life savers but has since turned to disparaging them.

I never saw a guy that could forget the past so quickly because the past wasnt that long ago, Trump said. Ron DeSantis literally had people lined up trying to get the vaccine.

A few minutes later in the interview, Baier moved on to another topic: how Trump has said he wants to have convicted drug dealers, traffickers and smugglers executed.

Baier then reminded Trump that Alice Johnson, a convicted cocaine trafficker whom he freed and pardoned during his presidency, would be killed under your plan.

Trump appeared confused, after a moment replying, It would depend on the severity. Trump then tried to claim that Johnson would be fine under his proposal because it wouldnt apply retroactivelyapparently not understanding what Baier meant by the simple hypothetical.

Additionally, Trump claimed that his proposal was about deterrence. She wouldnt have done it if it was death penalty, he said.

Towards the end of Trumps interview with Baierthe first part of which aired Monday and included the Fox host pushing back against Trumps false election claimsBaier asked the twice indicted former president if he thought he treated him fairly.

I dont know. A couple of questions could have been done without, but thats OK, Trump said. I enjoyed it.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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(CNN)  The worlds highest peaks are at risk of losing up to 80% of their volume by the end of the century with profound consequences for millions of people under worst case climate scenarios, international scientists in Nepal warned in a new report.

The report, published Tuesday by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), examined the impact of climate change on an area stretching 1.6 million square miles (4.1 million square kilometers) from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east.

The report found that glaciers in the Hindu Kush and Himalaya mountain range region melted 65% faster in the 2010s compared with the previous decade, which suggests higher temperatures are already having an impact.

Ice and snow in the region feeds 12 rivers that provide freshwater to two billion people in 16 countries, including China, India and Pakistan, and eventually too much water will eventually lead to too little, the report warns.

The same group published a report in 2019, which found that even in the most optimistic case, where average global warming was limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures, the region would lose at least one third of its glaciers.

The groups updated report shows those projections have since worsened.

With between 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius of warming, the worlds highest mountain region stands to lose 30% to 50% of its volume by 2100, the latest report said.

If the world breaches 3 degrees Celsius of warming, glaciers in Nepal and Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas are at risk of losing 75% of their ice, and by just one degree more, that ticks up to 80%, according to the report.

The annual mean global near-surface temperature for each year between 2023 and 2027 is predicted to be between 1.1 degrees Celsius and 1.8 degree Celsius higher than the 1850-1900 average, according to the World Meteorological Organization

Scientists consider 1.5 degrees of warming as a key tipping point, beyond which the chances of extreme flooding, drought, wildfires and food shortages could increase dramatically.

In all three pillars of climate action  in mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage  we are at a standstill or going the wrong way; while the consequences of inaction are accelerating by the day, Prof. Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh was quoted as saying in the report.

Rapid warming and glacial melt

About 240 million people live in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, many of their cultures dating back thousands of years, and another the 1.65 billion live downstream.

Many high mountain communities depend on glacial waters to irrigate crops and to maintain their livestock, but the accelerated melting would inundate farmlands downstream followed by periods of drought as water sources dry up, the report said.

The erosion of glacial slopes also heightens the likelihood of floods, landslides and avalanches, increasing the risk to millions living in mountain communities.

For them, this is home, and their livelihoods are mostly dependent on agriculture, livestock, tourism, and medicinal and aromatic plants, report co-author Amina Maharjan, a senior specialist in livelihoods and migration at ICIMOD.

What we realized in doing this assessment is that all of these are very, very sensitive to slight changes in climatic conditions and cryospheric conditions in the region, she said.

For example, snowfall patterns are increasingly out of sync with seasonality, blanketing pastures and shrinking the grazing land for livestock, Maharjan explained. Over the past half decade, yaks have died due to a lack of food in India, Nepal and Bhutan, leaving farmers with huge income loses, she added.

The remoteness and rough terrain of the region also means that mountain communities often lack access to immediate disaster response.

The glaciers of the Hindu Kush Himalaya are a major component of the Earth system. With two billion people in Asia reliant on the water that glaciers and snow here hold, the consequences of losing this cryosphere are too vast to contemplate. We need leaders to act now to prevent catastrophe, said Izabella Koziell, deputy director general of the ICIMOD.

Unique species are also threatened by adverse changes to the climate of the diverse ecosystems that include tropical and subtropical rainforests, temperate coniferous forest and cold deserts, the report said.

Fourteen species of butterflies have already become extinct from the Murree Hills of Pakistan, according to the report, while endemic frog species are among the most impacted by climate change as they experience breeding problems and developmental deformities.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Himalayan glaciers could lose up to 80% of their ice by 2100 as temperatures rise, report warns"
The News

Donald Trump unveiled another sweeping piece of his plans to slash federal spending and defund the deep state on Tuesday, effectively claiming vast, unchecked powers to shape the government.

In a new video, first shared with Semafor, the former president vowed to scrap pieces of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the once obscure federal law he was accused of violating when he froze funding Congress had earmarked for Ukraine. That move helped lead to his first impeachment.

The statute forces the executive branch to spend money Congress approves. But it also puts in place rules governing how the president can delay  or impound  federal funding for specific programs, or permanently rescind cash from them with permission from lawmakers. Congress passed it after President Richard Nixon attempted to scrap tens of billions in federal spending on his own, in what was widely seen as an abuse of his powers.

On Tuesday, Trump vowed to challenge the laws constitutionality in court, and in doing so effectively reserve the right to unilaterally cut the federal budget with the stroke of a pen.

Bringing back impoundment will give us a crucial tool with which to obliterate the Deep State, Drain the Swamp, and starve the Warmongers, he said in the video. We can simply choke off the money.

Trump appears to be promising deep cuts across much of the government. In a fact sheet accompanying its policy rollout and reviewed by Semafor, he promises to direct federal agencies to identify portions of their budgets where massive savings are possible using impoundment, while exempting Medicare, Social Security, and defense spending.

Its not at all obvious that Trumps impoundment plan would hold up in court, however. The fact sheet also noted how past presidents used impoundment before Congress reined it in, setting up an argument that seemed tailor made for the Supreme Courts originalists. But any effort by Trump to revive the tool would run into questions about whether the president was usurping Congresss power over the purse.

The View From The Budget Wonks

Whether or not it would survive legally, longtime budget hands told Semafor that they found Trumps proposal deeply troubling.

The worry here is the abusability of this, Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, told Semafor. The worry here is it allows the president to act by fiat to completely ignore laws that the president doesn't think are useful.

G. William Hoagland, a former Senate GOP budget aide who is now at the Bipartisan Policy Center, was blunter, calling Trumps proposal ridiculous.

I'm so upset with this, he said. I guess Im just flabbergasted by his lack of understanding of the Constitution.

Room for Disagreement

Trumps allies view the matter quite differently.

Russell Vought, who ran Trumps Office of Management and Budget, has for years been a proponent of ridding the presidency of the guardrails put into place back in 1974. He told Semafor that Trumps latest policy pitch is enormously important, and that the idea of bringing back impoundment informed a lot of our strategies in the last administration as we were moving towards a second term.

(He declined to say whether hed spoken to Trump recently about the new policy plan, but noted that the former president is aware hes a huge supporter of this.)

Reviving impoundment is just one of the ways Trump is promising to reshape the federal bureaucracy, or the so-called deep state he believes undermined his last administration. Hes also proposed changes to federal civil service rules that would make it easier to fire career employees who have a role in policymaking, which he began trying to implement at the end of his first term.

Vought said the impoundment plan represented several years of Trumps thinking on how to use the purse strength to deal with the deep state.

I dont think nows the time to be talking about middle ground, he added. I think nows the time to be talking about the paradigm shift.
Trumpworld aides have privately speculated that GOP Rep. Nancy Mace could become Trump's VP running mate after she changed her tune about the former president, report says

Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Rep. Nancy Mace's stock has risen in Trumpworld, with some speculating she could be Trump's VP choice.

Politico reported that Trumpworld is impressed by her support of the ex-president with his legal battles.

Trump endorsed Mace's GOP primary opponent last year. But now she might back his 2024 primary campaign.

Last year, former President Donald Trump shunned GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, backing her primary opponent  former state Rep. Katie Arrington  in the hotly-contested Lowcountry congressional race.

In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol, Mace said that the Trump administration's legacy had been "wiped out" after the attack, a remark that sunk her stock with the then-president.

A year later, Mace popped up in front of Trump Tower in Manhattan after Trump passed her over, where the congresswoman sought to highlight her past support of the former president and even touted her work for his 2016 campaign.

Mace went on to defeat Arrington, which at the time looked like another blow to Trump's onetime Midas touch in Republican primaries.

But in a recent interview with Politico, Mace has seemingly put the chapter behind her, remarking that she's open to leaving behind any past political tension and potentially endorse Trump's 2024 primary campaign.

"We can't afford four more years of Joe Biden," Mace told the outlet. "I'm willing to bury the hatchet to save the country, and I know President Trump is too."

Following the congresswoman's vocal support of Trump after his indictment on 37 counts of mishandling classified documents, some Trumpworld aides have floated her name as a potential vice presidential running mate next year, according to the report.

The Trumpworld aides noted that Mace could boost Trump among suburban women, a demographic where he faltered in his 2020 reelection campaign.

Throughout Trump's presidency, Republican candidates endured major losses in suburban areas where they once dominated, a development that has so far torpedoed the party's ability to retake the Senate after losing control after the dual January 2021 Senate runoff elections in Georgia.

In the Georgia contests, the GOP collapse in the northern suburbs of Atlanta doomed the party and led to the elections of Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively.

And Republicans are well aware of the groups where they must improve in order to cut into President Biden's margins in key swing states.

"The fact that Nancy has been a constant and consistent presence in defense of President Trump has not gone unnoticed," Trump advisor Chris LaCivita told Politico of Mace's most recent statements.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Two people were killed and a 2-year-old girl was seriously injured in a head-on crash on Dillard Road in south Sacramento County on Tuesday night.

A 27-year-old male driver of a 2017 Nissan Rogue was driving erratically around 9:30 p.m. while traveling westbound on Dillard Road near Highway 99, several witnesses reported. Officer Mark Leavitt, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrols South Sacramento office, said alcohol may have been involved.

The Rogue driver approached a 2016 Nissan Altima traveling eastbound and made an unsafe turning movement to the left into the Altimas lane, according to Leavitt. The Altima driver turned to the left to avoid a crash just as the Rogue driver corrected back to the right, and a head-on crash occurred, Leavitt said.

Both drivers suffered major injuries and died at the scene, CHP officials said. A 2-year-old girl in the Altima was transported to a local hospital with major injuries, according to a CHP news release.

The Altima driver, identified by the Sacramento County Coroners Office as Ashley Nichole Godinez, 37, of Wilton, was traveling with her 2-year-old child, and an investigation revealed that she was likely wearing her seat belt and her child was properly restrained in a child safety seat, according to Leavitt.

Leavitt said the male victim, described in the news release as a Ukiah resident, was likely not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The adult victims identities will be released by the Sacramento County Coroners Office pending notification of family.
Supervisors Debbie Arnold and John Peschong have weaponized what used to be a dependably feel-good tradition at board meetings: the presentation of resolutions, usually in honor of an event, an organization or an individual.

Two weeks ago, they voted against an anti-hate resolution condemning racism, bigotry, bias and hate speech.

At the same meeting, they voted no on a resolution recognizing Gun Violence Awareness Day.

This week, they doubled down by callously and rudely refusing to support a resolution acknowledging Pride Month.

They may not have meant it as a snub to the local LGBTQ+ community, but it looked that way.

Ironically, Arnold said both the Pride Day and anti-hate resolutions tend to have a divisive feeling to me.

But what can be more divisive than voting 3-2 on resolutions that call for dignity, respect and equal treatment for all?

Not only that, in a display of childish pettiness, the two board members then refused to participate in the traditional group photo taken on the dais, which usually includes all five supervisors and the smiling recipients of the resolution.

Pride Month resolution a first for SLO County

Though Arnold and Peschong voted no on the anti-hate resolution, drafted in response to disturbing white supremacist displays in Templeton, they had been willing to support a water-downed version of that resolution, an edit that ultimately failed.

This time, there was no talk of a compromise. It was two nos straight out of the gate.

Mind you, this was no radical manifesto; it was succinct and diplomatically worded.

For instance, it acknowledges profiling and violence against the LGBTQ+ community, without going into specifics, and states that recognition from ones government is crucial for feeling safe in ones community.

It also speaks of working toward a better, more inclusive, equitable future.

It is significant that, for the first time ever, the board passed a resolution declaring June to be Pride Month  something that probably would not have happened if the conservative majority were still in power.

But anything less than a unanimous vote shows how far we have to go to show that San Luis Obispo County is a safe haven for all.

This is not about wokeness.

This is about human decency, which is so important at this time when the LGBTQ+ community is under assault.

Over the past several months, theres been a backlash against drag shows, pride flags, medical care for transgender youths, LGBTQ+ books in schools, which have all been targeted by conservative lawmakers.

Im regularly stalked and harassed

Individuals have been subjected to hateful rhetoric, bullying and worse  including here in San Luis Obispo County.

Im regularly stalked and harassed for being queer on a number of occasions, said Lola White-Sanborn, one of two representatives from the Gala Pride and Diversity Center who accepted the resolution on Tuesday. As nearby as Santa Rosa Street and Marsh Street, right behind us, trucks have tried to run me over. It is therefore difficult for me to believe that anyone who would seek to oppose such a proclamation has any goal other than exclusion.

Arnold insisted that was not her intent.

The direction I think this board needs to go (is) that were all Americans and we stand under the American flag as Americans, she said.

And, she took issue with references to the harms the LGBTQ+ community endures.

Im going to say just about every group has the same claims, she said. You know, if they have particular problems, lets work on the problems. Instead, were calling it out. I feel like this identity politics in itself can be kind of racist and biased.

Calling it out is the first and most basic step to start working on the problems facing LGBTQ+ people, who are navigating more hostility these days, not less.

On the bright side, Arnolds days on the board are numbered, as she is not running for re-election in 2024. She very likely will be replaced by either the mayor or mayor pro tem of Atascadero, who supported a similar Pride Month declaration supporting the LGBTQ+ community in their city.

Its not so difficult, but at least Arnold tried to explain herself.

Peschong did not even attempt to defend his right-wing pandering, though he later told Tribune reporter Stephanie Zappelli that, like Arnold, he supports a more inclusive statement, rather than a targeted statement of support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Thats another way of saying that all lives matter  ignoring the fact that certain groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, have been ridiculed, discriminated against, mistreated and even killed.

Failing to acknowledge that gives cover to groups like the neo-Nazis who displayed their white pride banner on the Templeton overpass and who very likely were behind a similar show on Los Osos Valley Road overpass in San Luis Obispo, where two turned up on June 10 with a new stenciled sheet that read Pedophiles not welcome, with pedophiles not coincidentally painted in rainbow colors.

SLO resident Kara Woodruff, who posted a video on Facebook, challenged the men to show their faces until they finally skulked off the overpass.

If only Arnold and Peschong had such spirit and conviction, instead of finding ways not to get on the right side of a very simple issue.

We dont mean to diminish the importance of getting a resolution on the books, but what does it say about our county if the Board of Supervisors cant speak with one voice in support of the LGBTQ+ community?

For as much as Arnold and Peschong say  or dont say  about their decision, its the final vote that gets the attention.

At the end of the day, this turned out to be a goodwill gesture by three members of the board  and an ill-will gesture by the other two.
2 victims killed in Saturdays shooting at the Gorge identified as Seattle couple

The two victims killed in a shooting at the Gorge Amphitheater campgrounds on Saturday have been identified.

According to a verified GoFundMe, Josilyn Ruiz, 26, and her partner Brandy Escamilla, 29, were shot and killed during the Beyond Wonderland festival on June 17.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Brandys family lay her to rest.

Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz was fatally shot at the Gorge Amphitheatre campgrounds. Photo credit: Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz was fatally shot at the Gorge Amphitheatre campgrounds. Photo credit: Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz was fatally shot at the Gorge Amphitheatre campgrounds. Photo credit: Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz was fatally shot at the Gorge Amphitheatre campgrounds. Photo credit: Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz was fatally shot at the Gorge Amphitheatre campgrounds. Photo credit: Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz was fatally shot at the Gorge Amphitheatre campgrounds. Photo credit: Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Ruiz was fatally shot at the Gorge Amphitheatre campgrounds. Photo credit: Ruiz Family | Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP

Josilyn was described by her sister-in-law as a daughter, sister, godmother, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, nurse, and fiance.

Born on July 13, 1996, Josilyn would brighten up the room with her big beautiful eyes, beautiful smile, and contagious laugh.

Josilyn was a registered nurse and loved to help others, according to the GoFundMe.

She loved her fiance, Brandy, and her cat, Otis. She also loved dancing, singing, attending music festivals, acting, snowboarding, and traveling.

Originally from California, a GoFundMe was set up to help the family get her belongings home and funeral costs.

On Saturday, gunfire erupted in the Gorge Amphitheater campgrounds during Beyond Wonderland, a music festival that sees thousands of attendees.

Two people were killed, and three were hurt, including the suspected shooter.

Kevin Boyle is an attorney and represents the family of Josilyn Ruiz. He said her family is shaken and trying to process the sudden loss. He told KIRO 7 that Josilyn and her fiance Brandy Escamilla had recently moved to Seattles Ballard neighborhood. The two were both nurses and attended the Beyond Wonderland Festival over the weekend when the unimaginable happened.

My understanding is that they had actually gone back to the campsite to put on some warmer clothes and unfortunately the shooter opened fire on their campsite and on them, Boyle said.

KIRO 7 talked with someone who walked around the Gorge Amphitheater around 8:30 p.m. Saturday night when someone suddenly yelled at her to run.

Walking towards the campsites and out of nowhere people just started bursting out of the bushes and workers were yelling at us live shooter, said Bella Burnova, who attended Beyond Wonderland. Everybody froze and then as soon as it clicked in our heads everybody just turned around that was on the path, and we just all just started running away. For the next probably 10-15 minutes we were just running around. I had no idea where I was running to.

The Grant County Sheriffs Office said the shooting happened at the campgrounds near the amphitheater. They also said the shooter fired twice. The first time he walked away from the area, then when the police closed in he started firing randomly into the crowd.

There were definitely some people already hysterically crying, and then other people were getting angry, said Burnova. He told fellow campers live shooter, run. He told her I just saw a person die in front of me. He yelled at her and continued running basically. That was when I found out, this is actually a lot worse.

Beyond Wonderland was canceled for the second day. People KIRO 7 talked with at the grounds said they learned of the cancelation around 3 a.m. and Beyond Wonderland tweeted the cancellation around 5 a.m.

The company behind the fest, Insomniac Events, deferred to the police for comment. The company behind the Gorge, Live Nation, didnt respond to KIRO 7s request for comment. Several people said this was their first-ever music festival, and it might be their last.

I would definitely think twice before going to another one without getting an email of some sort of list of genuine precautions a place is taking on security, Burnova said.
U.S. to provide $1.3 billion of additional aid to Ukraine, says Blinken

LONDON (Reuters) - The United States will send $1.3 billion more in aid to Ukraine to help the conflict-hit country overhaul its energy grid and modernise its ports, railways and other infrastructure, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

"Recovery is about laying the foundation for Ukraine to thrive as a secure, independent country, fully intergrated with Europe, connected to markets around the world," Blinken told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

"With the support of the U.S. Congress, we will provide more than $1.3 billion in additional aid to help Ukraine toward that goal."

Of that amount, $520 million will go towards helping Ukraine overhaul its battered energy grid, while $657 million will be used to help modernise its border crossings, ports, rail lines and other critical infrastructure, Blinken said.

About $100 million will be used to help digitise Ukraine's customs and other systems "to boost speed and to cut corruption" and another $35 million to help Ukrainian businesses through financing and insurance.

The new aid comes on top of more than $20 billion in economic and development assistance the United States has provided to Ukraine, Blinken said.

(Reporting by William James, writing by Sarah Young; Editing by Sachin Ravikumar)
U.S. allocates over $1.3 billion more to help restore Ukraine  Blinken

Antony Blinken

The United States will help war-torn Ukraine to repair its electrical grid and modernize its infrastructure with funding worth $1.3 billion, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21.

This support is intended to complement the work of G7 Coordination Group launched last October.

Over $520 million will be directed to overhaul Ukraines energy grid, over half of which was destroyed by Russia.

"In so doing [we will] make it cleaner, make it more resilient, make it more integrated with Europe, Blinken explained.

Read also: Half of EU funds for Ukraine to be funded by frozen Russian assets

And well support Ukraines energy market reforms to combat monopolies and to spur more private investment, which will enable Ukraine one day to become a major energy exporter. The work was already started in October within the G7 mission. That group has grown to include 18 countries and several multilateral institutions. Together weve allocated billions of dollars to help repair and rebuild Ukraines energy sector. Weve sent more than 5 million power generators to Ukraine  transformers, cables, pipes, circuit breakers, other pieces of energy equipment."

The U.S. is also providing Ukraine with $657 million for infrastructure modernization, including border crossings, rail lines, ports, and other critical infrastructure that connect the country with Europe.

"Well direct an additional $100 million toward digitizing Ukraines customs and other systems to boost speed and cut corruption, he added.

And well commit $35 million to help Ukrainian businesses and entrepreneurs through financing and insurance that reduces risks for investors in Ukraine.

Ukraine also will receive a second International Monetary Fund (IMF) tranche later this month.

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
U of I changes name of entity formed to buy University of Phoenix. Already? Heres why

The University of Idaho is working to change the legal name of the not-for-profit it created to acquire the University of Phoenix.

Why? Because the designation was already taken.

U of I officials realized after the deal became public in May that the name NewU was being used by another entity  its the name of a school, NewU University  according to a news release from the Idaho State Board of Education on Tuesday.

The university requested the name be changed to Idaho Education Initiatives instead.

But at a State Board special meeting on Wednesday, where the name change was up for approval, U of I attorney Kent Nelson said the university had discussed it further and settled on a different name, one that reflected Idahos status as the 43rd state in the union: Four Three Education.

The State Board voted yes to amend the not-for-profits articles of incorporation to reflect the new name.

The university formed the not-for-profit to purchase the University of Phoenix and all of its assets in a $550 million deal that came to light on May 17.

The State Board unanimously approved the acquisition on May 18, with nearly no public input or debate, just one day after it was unveiled to the public. U of I President Scott Green said a very strict nondisclosure agreement prevented university leadership from publicly disclosing the bid.

The university plans to operate the University of Phoenix separately from U of I, officials have said.

University of Idaho needed State Board OK to acquire U of Phoenix. See what it decided

University of Idaho has a plan to acquire University of Phoenix. Heres what we know
Photo: Dr ake krisda (Shutterstock)

In November of 2019, less than a month before the covid-19 pandemic took off and spread to nations all over the world, several scientists working at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China fell seriously ill from an unknown virus. One of the researchers was Ben Hu, a scientist who had received significant funding from the U.S. government and whose research has focused on how coronaviruses infect humans, new reporting by the Wall Street Journal shows.

At WIV, Hu was responsible for overseeing gain of function researchthe controversial scientific field that involves mutating viruses to make them more deadly and more contagiousinvolving coronaviruses. Gain-of-function research, which was banned in the U.S. until 2017, is typically used to develop vaccines. Hu and other scientistswhich have now been identified as Chinese researchers Yu Ping and Yan Zhuwere sickened by...something...in the fall of 2019 while working at the lab. It is unclear exactly what made Hu and other researchers ill. The Journal writes that the trio were sickened by symptoms that American officials said were consistent with either Covid-19 or a seasonal illnessto the point where the men had to be hospitalizedbut notes that it has not been definitively made public what caused the symptoms. Still, we can all agree that doesnt sound great.

Read more

The illnesses had previously been reported on in 2021, when the Journal broke a story about researchers becoming sick at the Wuhan lab; the story was based on information received by U.S. intelligence but did not identify who had been impacted. The identities of the affected researchers remained a mystery until last week, when Public and Racket, two blogs on Substack, published a story about the incident. The story claims:

According to multiple U.S. government officials interviewed as part of a lengthy investigation by Public and Racket, the first people infected by the virus, patients zero, included Ben Hu, a researcher who led the WIVs gain-of-function research on SARS-like coronaviruses, which increases the infectiousness of viruses.

Details about Hu and others research was also recently revealed by a transparency advocacy organization known as White Coat Waste Project. The project previously filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the government in order to pry loose documents detailing the U.S.s funding of research that went on at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The documents reveal details of the grants that were used to fund the researchers work at WIV until 2020, when President Trump shut down funding for the experiments.

According to WCW, one of the distributors of grant funding for Hus research was the U.S. Agency for International Development, while the otherand this is a twist that is sure to prove contentiouswas the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the agency that was formerly headed by Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci served as the director of the NIAID for over two decades, beginning in 1984. He stepped down from his leadership position at the agency at the end of last year. Alternately the object of liberal adulation and rightwing conspiracy theories, Fauci served as a prominent figure in the public conversation around covid-19, and it stands to reason that his former agencys involvement wont go unnoticed here.

Altogether, the documents and the new reporting raise more questions than they answeronly serving to deepen the mystery around the origins of the worst pandemic in living memory. During the early days of covid, scientists rallied around zoonotic transmission as the most likely cause of the virus, with high-placed public health officials claiming it likely originated in the more unsanitary regions of a Wuhan wet marketperhaps via the human consumption of a pangolin or another animal. Meanwhile, speculations about covid having escaped from a lab or being the result of bioengineering were reflexively written off as the terrain of cranks and conspiracy theorists. As time passed, however, this conversation has notably shifted. Today, the lab leak hypothesis seems increasingly likely. Some government agencies have even admitted that they think its the most plausible explanation for how the virus started. Evidence for zoonotic transmission, meanwhile, has not been concretely borne out; researchers have failed to trace the virus to a particular animal.

We should hopefully know more soon. The U.S. intelligence community is obligated to declassify the information it possesses regarding potential links between the Wuhan lab and the origins of covid-19. A bill signed into law by President Biden in March mandated the declassification no later than this week.

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Locals gather at the cordoned scene outside the Mpondwe Lhubirira Secondary School

Uganda's military rescues three students abducted by Islamist fighters - army Locals gather at the cordoned scene outside the Mpondwe Lhubirira Secondary School

KAMPALA (Reuters) -The Ugandan military have rescued three of the six students who were kidnapped by Islamist fighters when they stormed a school in the west of the country last week and massacred 42 people, mostly young students, the army said on Wednesday.

"There were six students kidnapped and three have so far been rescued," said military spokesman Felix Kulayigye.

A woman with two children who had been kidnapped outside the school was also rescued, together with her children, while two militants were killed and two guns captured, Kulayigye said.

On Friday night a group of fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group linked to Islamic State, stormed the Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpondwe on Uganda's border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The militiamen entered a boys' dormitory, shot at the children and set the building on fire, incinerating nearly everyone in it. They then entered a girls' dormitory and killed them with machetes.

Most of the bodies recovered from the boys' dormitory were burnt beyond recognition and authorities are using DNA tests to identify them.

ADF, formerly a Ugandan rebel group, operates in the jungles of eastern Congo and has over the past two decades been blamed for killings of civilians there.

The group has also sometimes carried out attacks in Uganda including bombings at a police station and near the parliament building in the Ugandan capital in 2021.

(Reporting by Fiston Mahamba in Congo and Elias Biryabarema in Uganda; Editing by Alison Williams, Hereward Holland and Estelle Shirbon)
(CNN)  A deadly riot at a womens prison in Honduras led to at least 41 people being killed, Public Ministry spokesperson Yuri Mora told CNN en Espanol.

The apparent prison riot broke out Tuesay at the Centro Femenino de Adaptacion Social, a womens penitentiary outside the capital city Tegucigalpa, and there are fears the death toll will rise.

Mora said the death toll could increase as rescue teams continue to work, adding that some of the deaths were the result of burns while others had gunshot wounds.

The main assistance center in Tegucigalpa has received several injured people, he said

A brawl is believed to have broken out in the prison in the early hours of Tuesday between rival gangs Barrio 18 and the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Delma Ordonez, the president of an association for prisoners families, told Reuters.

The country has a history of incidents at its prisons  criticized for being overcrowded places with poor conditions amid an increase of organized crime Some 63 people died in a prison riot in 2003, and more than 300 people died in a prison fire in 2021.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "At least 41 killed in riot at Honduras womans prison."
'Uhhhh': Trump Gets Flustered When Confronted On His Death Penalty Proposal

Donald Trump didnt quite seem to grasp one of his own major policy proposals during a Fox News interview airing on Monday evening.

Trump last year said he would seek the death penalty for drug dealers if he wins next years election and returns to the White House.

But during the interview with Bret Baier, Trump boasted of giving a presidential pardon to Alice Johnson, who had been in prison for 21 years after being convicted for her role in a cocaine ring.

Baier stepped in with a fact-check.

But shed be killed under your plan, he interjected.

Trump seemed flustered.

Huh? he said.

As a drug dealer, Baier began.

No, no, no, Trump shot back. Under my? Oh, under that? Uhhhh... it would depend on the severity.

But he continued to struggle as he tried to reconcile the pardon with his proposal:

Trump gets confused about whether Alice Johnson would have been executed under his "death penalty for drug dealers" proposal.



He eventually says she no because "you wouldnt go to the past," then says she would never "have been on that phone call" with the death penalty. pic.twitter.com/2FAyIO19P2  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 20, 2023

Trumps critics slammed him over the exchange:

Huh?

Say what?

Who me?

Noooooo.

Really?

Ummm.

Ok, yes, but starting now.

Yeah, yeah. That's it. https://t.co/qfyVSpeaic  Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) June 21, 2023

Another great Baier moment when Trump is bragging about freeing drug dealer Alice Johnson and Baier points out that Trump now vows to execute all drug dealers. pic.twitter.com/UeXWUzKQQD  Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) June 20, 2023

Wow. In all of these years this is the most Ive ever seen Trump flustered in an interview.

More so than with any Chris Wallace sit down or Jonathan Swans charts and graphs. https://t.co/jrSFpkFcYR  SeanNyberg (@SeanNyberg) June 21, 2023

Trump is deeply confused by an example. https://t.co/bP09QBhoCg  Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) June 20, 2023

When you find out you pardoned someone for a crime you now think should command the death penalty.  https://t.co/9p4jIlqoCL  Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) June 21, 2023

TRUMP: I focused on nonviolent crime I granted Alice Johnson clemency.



BAIER: Shes technically a drug dealer. Shed be killed under your plan.



TRUMP: Uhhhhhh. pic.twitter.com/yrhtMPnovv  The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) June 21, 2023

At the end of this clip Trump's actual rebuttal is that his proposal merely calls for the execution of future Alice Johnsons, not *the* Alice Johnson. https://t.co/XB8PNO0phZ  Matthew Segal (@segalmr) June 21, 2023

Fox News is now holding trump more accountable than CNN. Unbelievable. https://t.co/lv3w8ctdTR  Renee (@PettyLupone) June 20, 2023

WATCH: Trump FREEZES in the moment and is visibly scrambling for words when Baier reveals that under Trump's new death penalty proposal, nonviolent offender Alice Johnson would have been killed by himpic.twitter.com/UePnhLii7U  Republican Politics Enjoyer (@RepElections) June 20, 2023

Just a complete clown.



He brags about pardoning a drug dealer, then reinforces his policy to seek death penalty against all drug dealers. When asked about the disconnect, explains it doesnt matter because it will only apply to future drug dealers. https://t.co/eR6lfmqWQR  AG (@AGHamilton29) June 20, 2023

Sweet Fancy Jesus https://t.co/EgWNLLLSne  Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) June 20, 2023
UK to announce $3 billion financial aid package for Ukraine

The aid will include lending guarantees from the World Bank

The United Kingdom will announce another major package of financial support for Ukraine, including $3 billion in World Bank loan guarantees, to bolster Ukraines economic stability as it continues to push back Russian forces, the UK Government said in a press release on June 21.

The funding will support vital public services, including the costs of running schools and hospitals, it said.

Read also: Britain becomes first country to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles

"It is the first bilateral package of multi-year fiscal assistance to be set out by a G7 country, underlining the UKs unwavering commitment to the country, both now and in the future," reads the report.

"It brings the UKs non-military assistance to Ukraine to more than 4.7 billion (over $5.7 billion)."

Read also: EU Commission readies 50 billion relief fund for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone talk with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on June 19. The officials discussed the course of hostilities, Ukraines defense needs, as well as further cooperation on this issue.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Rebuilding battered infrastructure and the economy is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars (Genya SAVILOV)

Western allies on Wednesday promised to make Russia pay for its invasion of Ukraine, as governments and private investors met to fund the country's reconstruction from the ravages of war.

The World Bank has put an estimate of $14 billion on Ukraine's immediate needs for repairing the damage caused by the bitter fighting.

But a recent study by the World Bank, the UN, the European Union and the Ukrainian government said the wider recovery of the economy would cost $441 billion.

"Let's be clear: Russia is causing Ukraine's destruction," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told delegates at the London conference.

"And Russia will eventually bear the cost of Ukraine's reconstruction," he added.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak voiced a similar message, promising to keep tough sanctions in place "until Russia pays up", and use seized assets to get Ukraine back on its feet.

In the conflict overnight, Russia said it had downed three Ukrainian drones in the Moscow region, while Ukraine said its air defence systems had shot down six Iranian-designed attack drones in the west.

The conference comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky oversees a military fight-back by his troops using Western-supplied heavy weaponry to regain territory lost to Russian forces since last year.

"Every day of Russian aggression brings new ruins, thousands and thousands of destroyed houses, devastated industries, burnt lives," Zelensky told the London delegates by videolink.

But he set out his stall for future investment in Ukraine, saying that despite the devastation, the country was ripe for development in sectors from technology and green agriculture to clean energy.

International help for Ukraine would send a strong message to the world for generations to come, he said.

"Also, the world is watching to see if we will restore normal life in such a way that our transformation will land an ideological defeat on the aggressor.

"We protect Ukraine, and thus we protect freedom. And when we build Ukraine, we'll build freedom."

- Seized assets -

Leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries are attending the International Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 -- the second to be held since the Russian invasion in February last year.

The first, in Lugano, Switzerland, in July last year saw Kyiv's allies commit to supporting Ukraine through what is expected to be an eye-wateringly expensive and decades-long recovery.

African countries, though, have voiced concern that by pumping aid to Ukraine, the West is backing off from its pledges to help the continent with development and fight climate change.

Sunak told delegates that Kyiv's allies would support Ukraine "on the battlefield and beyond" for as long as it takes.

He has announced UK backing for Ukraine to the tune of $3 billion so it can unlock vital World Bank loans to help bolster its public services, including schools and hospitals.

The guarantee will run over the next three years, he said. He also announced an extra 240 million ($306 million) in development aid funding for humanitarian projects.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen recapped the EU executive's support package for Ukraine of 50 billion euros ($55 billion) over the next four years.

The European Union would soon outline how it intends to use proceeds from seized Russian assets, she added, "because the perpetrator has to be held accountable".

Germany will provide 381 million euros in humanitarian assistance this year, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

Blinken announced more than $1.3 billion in additional US aid.

"As Russia continues to destroy, we are here to help Ukraine rebuild -- rebuild lives, rebuild its country, rebuild its future," he said.

- Private sector -

As well as government support from around the world, it is hoped more private-sector firms will help in the reconstruction effort.

Delegates include captains of industry from major multinationals and corporations, many of whom have signed up to a new Ukraine Business Compact.

It encourages trade, investment and expertise-sharing to Ukraine on the back of promises from Zelensky to tackle corruption, improve financial and legal transparency, as well as market liberalisation and competition.

Sunak said more than 400 companies from 38 countries, with a combined market capitalisation of $4.9 trillion, have already promised to back Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.

A new London-based insurance scheme would help to underwrite risky investments in Ukraine, he said, "removing one of the biggest barriers and giving investors the confidence they need to act".

burs-phz/jit/jmm
The Russian Federation has begun to create defensive lines near Perekop, apparently preparing for a scenario where the Ukrainian military will try to enter Crimea, UK Defence Intelligence reports.

Source: UK MoD Defence Intelligence review of the Russian-Ukrainian war as of 21 June, as reported by European Pravda.

It notes that in recent weeks, Russian forces have continued to build up their defences in the rear, especially on the outskirts of occupied Crimea.

"This includes an extensive zone of defences of 9 km in length, 3.5 km north of the town Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson region.

These elaborate defences highlight the Russian commands assessment that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting Crimea.

Russia continues to see maintaining control of the peninsula as a top political priority," Defence Intelligence writes.

They also show pictures of fortified areas.

Russian Defensive Positions North of Armyansk: Area in General. pic.twitter.com/e3xNyq7ujN  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 21, 2023

In one of the previous reviews, it was said that after the Kakhovka HPP was blown up, Russia was moving some of its forces located along the Dnipro River to Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut.

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A UK man who spent more than three days trapped in a vessel on the seabed said he was 'very frightened' for those on board a submersible missing near the Titanic wreck (-)

A British man who spent more than three days trapped in a vessel on the seabed said Wednesday he was "very frightened" for those on board a submersible missing near the wreck of the Titanic.

Roger Mallinson and Roger Chapman were saved in the deepest sub rescue in history after their small vessel became trapped on the Atlantic seabed off the coast of Ireland at a depth of 1,575 feet (480 metres) in 1973.

"It sounds very, very dangerous, I'm very frightened for them," Mallinson, now aged 85, said of the five on board the missing Titanic submersible.

"If they are waiting to be rescued I think everyone wants to get into one area and make as much noise as they can," he told AFP.

"I can't understand how these people have been left abandoned out in the middle of the Atlantic without any communication, it just doesn't make any sense," he said from his home in the Lake District, northwest England.

Rescue workers raced to beat a rapidly closing oxygen window Wednesday as they hunted for the submersible after noises detected by sonar raised hopes those onboard are still alive.

Mallinson recalled feeling pessimistic during his own ordeal, saying that "once everything goes wrong, it goes wrong, and everybody that comes down seems to do wrong.

"It was very stressful, very cold and you just had to try and keep warm, you didn't want to burn oxygen.

"You got dressed up properly. I had a big woolly jumper, so I got my woolly jumper on and then my overalls back on top," he added.

"Roger Chapman didn't have a woolly jumper so we had a lot of white rags and we mummied him."

Mallinson said he didn't feel relief until the hatch opened, and a pod of watchful dolphins had left.

"When the dolphins disappeared then you realised you're safe. They stayed with us the whole 84 hours, thousands of dolphins arrived to look after us, they knew there was a problem.

"You couldn't talk to the surface on the underwater phone because thousands of dolphins chattered every time you spoke," he said.

Former Royal Navy officer Chapman died in 2020, having been awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2006 for services to shipping.

"I've lost my mate," said Mallinson.

"One wonderful thing was that when he died I was able to go to his funeral and play the organ for him."

jwp/phz/bp
James Cleverly

London would back a simplified and expedited procedure for Ukraines ultimate NATO accession, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21.

Cleverly pointed out that Ukraine is rapidly reforming its military during wartime.

Read also: When will Ukraine be accepted into NATO and what will happen next? - opinion

We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve incredibly quickly; the reform of their armed forces is happening whilst engaged in conflict, the secretary said.

He added that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated at an informal gathering of NATO foreign ministers that many membership prerequisites were already being fulfilled by Ukraine.

Read also: France discussing Ukraine's accession to NATO

"I think the UKs position would be very, very supportive if we moved on from the membership action plan recognizing that the offer to both Sweden and Finland didnt require that and Ukrainians have demonstrated their commitment to reform the military for requirement of NATO membership through their actions on the battlefield," Cleverly stated.

Read also: Biden backs Ukraines simplified accession to NATO after war  media reports

Prior reports indicated that a debate has sparked among NATO member nations, pressuring U.S. President Joe Biden to more quickly and reliably support Ukraine's journey toward NATO membership. However, Biden clarified that he has no plans to streamline the procedure for Ukraine's NATO admission.

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Lubinets said that Hungary's actions in the matter of Ukrainian prisoners of war came as a surprise to Kyiv

Hungary is violating humanitarian international law by negotiating with Russia and assuming control of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Ombudsman of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets said, on June 21.

Lubinets emphasized that Hungary's actions, conducted without notifying the Ukrainian government, are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention. According to international law, the relocation of POWs should only occur after informing their country.

While Russia's disregard for internationally accepted rules is not surprising, Lubinets expressed his astonishment that a member of the EU and NATO would openly and deliberately engage in such behavior. He revealed that he reached out to his Hungarian counterpart to inquire about the conditions of confinement but received no response.

Read also: Ukraine returns three POWs from Hungary

Lubinets further explained that Ukrainian diplomats are also prohibited from contacting the Ukrainian POWs held in Hungary, leaving them unable to communicate with their loved ones.

Although Ukraine is aware of the whereabouts of eight POWs, this information has not been publicly disclosed. Kyiv is seeking an official response from Hungary on the matter.

"The Hungarian parliament has twice denied any involvement, attributing it to the personal initiative of a deputy prime minister, Lubinets asserted.

I believe this was initially orchestrated by Russian special forces as part of an information campaign against Ukraine with Hungarian involvement.

Read also: U.S. senator blocks arms sale to Hungary for stalling Swedens NATO bid  Washington Post

While Ukraine's swift response thwarted the aggressor's plans, Lubinets warned that the Kremlin will continue its efforts.

On June 8, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had handed over a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary. The following day, Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate stated that it had not received this information and was in the process of verifying it.

Subsequently, Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister, Zsolt Semjen, confirmed the transfer of the Ukrainian POWs, who were residents of Ukraine's Zakarpattya Oblast. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing its lack of knowledge about negotiations between Budapest and Moscow, requested detailed information about the released Ukrainians and a meeting with the temporary charge d'affaires of Hungary.

On June 16, Oleh Kotenko, the authorized representative for missing persons, announced that Ukraine had determined the locations and identities of 11 soldiers.

According to sources quoted by the Hungarian branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the transfer might have been a personal initiative of Semjen, unknown to the rest of the Hungarian government.

On June 20, the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest succeeded in repatriating three of the POWs, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko.

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NATO

We will have a powerful economy and a powerful national defense industry.

It was very important to attend the Shangri-La security forum. Our delegation was able to focus attention on Ukraine, and around 60% of the discussion on all panels was Ukraine-centric. It could have been not in our favor, for example, regarding the next so-called peace plan of the Indonesian minister. He made a proposal to conduct referendums and create buffer zones, etc. Of course, I was asked to comment everywhere, on all panels.



Read also: Chinese and Indonesian peace plans really just Russia proxies, says DM Reznikov at NV event

We had to react and explain immediately that we already see a queue of countries wishing to reconcile with us, mostly undemocratic ones. The simple rule of any mediator, facilitator, or mediator is to first record and identify the parties' interests. Our interest is very simple: to live in a peaceful country that is not occupied, and to have normal, friendly relations with everyone. And the interest of Russians was voiced in the so-called "SVON" - this is denazification, demilitarization, "deNATOization," etc. Essentially, they want to erase the Ukrainian nation from the face of the earth because, in their opinion, we do not exist. Therefore, I say, first identify the interests of the Russians, whether they have changed. If it has changed, then the so-called ZOPA (zone of possible agreement) becomes clear. If not - stay in line, we'll figure it out without you, let them go first.

And the story about the younger brother was really impromptu because the Chinese, how to put it delicately...

Combat testing in Ukraine will be a sign of quality

It was very uncomfortable for them that since the time of Mao Zedong, China had been the younger brother and the Soviet Union the older brother. And in the Chinese language there is no concept of equal brothers, there are older and younger, it's a hierarchical history. So I allowed myself to tell my Chinese counterpart that now, as I understand, China has become the older brother and Russia the younger one. So as the older brother, you can advise them to do certain things. They really want to subjectivize and show their uniqueness, so there is now a competition to see who can be the mediator. But there is one nuance: they all want to be mediators on Russia's side, so such mediation is definitely not suitable for us, because there is no impartiality, no real independent mediation. So we will wait and we will win.

Prevention of a new Russian attack is possible if we have a strong army or a sector of security and defense forces. We will have a powerful economy, a powerful national defense industry. There is no secret, there is no invention. Israel has demonstrated this, that a small country that was surrounded by hostile neighbors for decades, with the support of the West, with financial support primarily of strategic partner, the United States, but developed its own army and defense industry. And today, Israeli weapons are considered some of the best, they ensure the existence of their country. I am a national industrial protectionist, I am for us to develop our own defense industry, both in the public and private sectors. We are doing everything for this.

We are practically completing the defense review. There is an interesting thing that few people paid attention to. We started doing it last summer. We are finishing it to understand our overall capabilities and screening our defense capabilities. There will be recommendations and maybe we will propose them to the National Security and Defense Council. Perhaps a bulletin will be born out of this. But the main thing is that today this war has demonstrated that it is very difficult to win without modern technology. Yes, in the first days, weeks, months, we met the enemy thanks to the courage of the Ukrainian nation. But then there was modern weapons that allowed us to correct the imbalance. The imagination of many capitals around the world in which we and you fall, Kiev in three days and Ukraine in three weeks, was based on one mistaken assumption. It was assumed that the large Soviet army would fight the small Soviet army. Fortunately, over eight years of hybrid war, starting with the occupation of Crimea, our army has changed. We are no longer a small Soviet army, we are a different army. We have a lot of creativity, especially now during mobilization, a lot of civilians serve in the army, and this also changes the logic of decision-making, behavior, reactions, etc. This is our advantage over the Russian Soviet army.

Read also: An intermediate step towards NATO. What to expect from the July summit in Vilnius

I am criticized, but I insist on the thesis that there are wedding drones that film weddings while protecting lives. There are Chinese drones and modern powerful drones, not only Turkish but also Ukrainian. We have simplified the system of putting any technological things into service, previously it took two years. Now - two to three weeks and you can put your product into service. Today we give a chance: as Silicon Valley was born in garages, so modern Ukrainian drones are born in garages that fall, fly, crawl, dive, observe, strike and will continue to do so. This is our key difference today, we also discussed this with British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: Russians use the meat grinder tactic for their people, they use them as cannon fodder. And our key value is the lives of our warriors, defenders and protectors. For this, we must use modern technologies, and for this, we must develop our military-industrial complex. Combat testing in Ukraine will be a sign of quality, and any company that produces weapons or is associated with weapons will dream of having its branch here, joint production with us. And we need to fight for these markets, we need to bring these markets here.

We have grounds, and we have today a crazy set of different weapons, artillery of only about nine types of 155mm + 105mm, armored vehicles, tanks, etc. But they will all require repair and maintenance, which means it is easiest to do repairs and maintenance here, in Ukraine, rather than transporting them abroad. And aviation too. Therefore, there is a good basis for developing our military-industrial complex today, then we will definitely not give the Russians a chance to return here with revenge. Plus, security architecture, of course.

About the security architecture formulas for Ukraine outside of NATO. For example, the United States has bilateral agreements with Japan, which is not a NATO country, they have a bilateral agreement. And so, in principle, before we become a NATO country with you (and I am convinced of this) de jure, because de facto we have already practically become one, we will need bilateral agreements that will guarantee security from powerful players, such as the United States, Britain. I think that will be enough. When I meet with defense ministers of NATO countries and the Ramstein club, let's call it that, because there are 54 countries there, this is more than NATO countries, then at such closed meetings there is a discussion, especially after the application we submitted that we are ready to join NATO. As our President Volodymyr Zelensky says, in 2008 they showed us the policy of open doors, but where are these doors - no one can find them. So can you see these doors?.. One minister who is very much for us says: you know, we created NATO to counter the threat primarily from Russia or the Soviet Union. And today, the only country in the world whose armed forces successfully fight the Russians is Ukraine. So tell me, please, what other arguments do you need to invite Ukraine to NATO?

Read also: Ukraine needs not security guarantees, but guarantees of NATO membership  opinion

My feeling is that NATO is ready internally for us to become members of the Alliance. The only thing they won't do until the end of this war is because they won't have a unanimous vote. There, as you know, the vote must be 100%, and every country has the right to veto it, even those that are still under the influence of, such as Hungary. But I am convinced that when it becomes clear that this war is over with our victory, and there will be further discussions on contributions, reparations, bringing Russians to justice in the International Criminal Court, then such a vote will be absolutely realistic.

We have a very good friend, Kaisa Ollongren, Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, who always concludes her speech at our meetings by saying, "Alexey, I know you need to win this victory so that we can free our hands and vote 'yes,' so I wish you this victory very much."

We have an approved missile program, which is already officially funded by the budget. The performers of this program are 100% Ukrainian productions, industry. As you know, a successful project, for example, Neptune, with which we sank the flagship last April. For the second time in the history of the Russian fleet, this has happened. It is now the most famous dive site in the Black Sea, which I promote to everyone. Even in Singapore, I invited divers, saying, "Join our team, after the victory, I invite you to visit this dive spot in the Black Sea with me." And we did it with Ukrainian Neptune missiles. Moreover, I invite everyone to visit the exact clone of the cruiser Moscow, which is located in Mykolaiv at the shipyard, you know, there were four of them. Admiral Neizhpapa will be giving a tour, first on this ship, and then diving to the remains of that ship.

We have very good prospects for having Ukrainian missiles with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers. Our partners often hesitate to give us more weapons because they are afraid of escalation and show concern. I strongly urged them to give us Harpoons - anti-ship missiles to defend our coast, ports, and other targets. It was technically difficult because we don't have many ships with launchers, so we had to make ground-based launchers, which took time. After we hit Moscow with Neptune missiles, a decision was made after a week to give us Harpoons. Today they serve together with Neptunes, and you know that the liberation of the Snake Island happened thanks to Harpoons. When our partners know that our missiles with certain names fly further than 200-400 kilometers, I am convinced that ATACMS and everything else will appear, because they will want them to work in such a good pair.

Regarding the evolution of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. Probably, I would prioritize it. Number one is still air defense. We need to close our sky everywhere, not just over large cities (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnipro, Lviv), but over all cities. It must be of different types (short, medium, long-range). For example, in Kharkiv - 38 kilometers from the border with Orcostan, there should be a system similar to the Israeli one, an analogue of the Iron Dome against Hailstones, Tornadoes. And a little further - this is already against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and so on. The same terrorist Iranian drones today strike our air defense not thanks to powerful air defense systems, but with paired large-caliber machine guns, an infrared thermal imager provides guidance. Mobile groups have already learned to cope with them. Therefore, the air defense system must be multi-level, and we must invest in it.

Read also: Prospects for Ukraine's Membership in NATO - opinion

Secondly, of course, this is artillery and ammunition for it. We will soon replace the Soviet caliber of 152 mm with 155 mm, accordingly, we should have our own factories that will produce shells. In order for artillery to work normally, for counter-battery combat, there must be radars, anti-radar and drones that will lead. Shock drones are mandatory. To avoid using the expression "suicide drones," somehow politically incorrect with respect to the Japanese, I say suicide drones. Russian electronic warfare means are very powerful, they learn well, so we need to have our own electronic warfare systems to jam their drones. They use Lancet-10 as striking, Orlan-10 for guidance and reconnaissance, so we must definitely counter them.

Armored vehicles - we have a good foundation, the best tanks of World War II T-34 were made in Kharkiv. With us, a national armored fist can be easily created with you. I recently tested the Oplot tank, there are not many of them yet, but it already exists. I tell you, as the youth say, "it's a thing."

We have fantastic Stugna and Corsair, anti-tank weapons, all of this is done by our MIC. Therefore, we can do everything, let them knock on us and then ask us to sell to them.

How I see the development of the armed forces after the war. Cooperation of several departments is very important, where the Ministry of Strategic Industries will be the key ministry that will create conditions for the development of MIC and ensuring the Defense Forces. The Ministry of Digital Transformation, as an accelerator, will provide design and modern approaches, breakthrough ideas. Planning and ordering should be done by the Ministry of Defense. And the fourth partner is the Ministry of Economy, because they are responsible for the mobilization plan and economic development.

If we don't invest money in our security and defense sector, we will have problems again. Today, the Minister of Finance practically gives all the money to the Minister of Defense so that we can continue to buy shells and ammunition. But believe me, if we didn't have material and technical assistance, and we already received more than $100 billion not from our budget, we wouldn't be able to sustain it. Because modern wars, and this is a conventional war, are wars of resources in the first place. Therefore, we need to develop not just armed forces, but also the security and defense sector.

It's a simple thing. With the late Denis Monastyrsky, may he rest in peace, we discussed at some point that, for example, in the statute of the National Guard, which was responsible for the security of critical infrastructure objects such as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant or Zaporizhzhya, it says "object protection". And the key understanding was that there should be defense of objects. One word, protection-defense. And the idea is what? If you protect, you have firearms, document control, and that's it. And defense is missiles, rocket launchers, armored vehicles, even artillery, reconnaissance, and so on. So there should be a different approach.

Read also: Ukraine Joining NATO? What is behind Kurt Volker's words?

The same applies to the State Border Service. Each ministry must have its own management point in case of war. I'll tell you one secret: the vast majority of ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, etc., had those backup command posts in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Because we thought there was no enemy there, far from the West, but it turned out to be the opposite. We will fundamentally change the concept of security and defense sector development according to NATO standards. Because three things are key to being an Alliance partner. The first is civilian democratic control, the second is transparency of procedures and accountability, and the third is joint operational planning. Compatibility is required for joint operational planning. We already have modern NATO weapons, but now we need to establish a compatibility system, which means that our armed forces and security and defense sector must be similar to theirs, then it will be easy to do those joint planning.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. Air Force has awarded a nearly $1.2 billion contract to the missiles and defense sector of RTX, until recently known as Raytheon Technologies, to produce the next lot of AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles.

Part of the firm-fixed-price deal  the largest ever awarded for AMRAAM weapons  will cover missiles for sale to multiple foreign allies and partners, including Ukraine.

RTX will produce AMRAAM weapons, telemetry systems and spare parts in Tucson, Arizona, under the contract, as well as provide production engineering support, the Pentagon said in a statement announcing the deal. The company is expected to finish work on Lot 37 of the missiles by the end of January 2027.

RTX said in its own statement the contract will be for the D3 and C8 versions of the AMRAAM, which have the latest F3R  which stands for form, fit, function refresh  upgrades to its software and hardware. Those AMRAAMs also have improved circuit cards and other hardware in their guidance systems.

The Pentagon said about 39% of the value of the contract, or $449 million, will be for foreign military sales to 18 nations, including the United Kingdom, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Ukraine fires AMRAAMs from its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System batteries. The U.S. Army in December 2022 awarded RTX another contract worth up to $1.2 billion to deliver six NASAM batteries to Ukraine.

While the latest contract was awarded by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy will provide more than $330 million in procurement funds and will receive some missiles from the lot. The Navy will also provide about $5 million in research and development funds.

The Air Force plans to spend more than $351 million in procurement funds on these missiles, as well as another $10 million for research and development, plus and $3.9 million in operation and maintenance funds.

RTX said this will mark the fifth production lot of the upgraded AMRAAMs.
The footage is grainy and disturbing. A Ukrainian soldier from the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center fights his way through a trench, apparently on the southern front, shooting Russian soldiers repeatedly at point-blank range. The dust kicked up adds to the sense of chaos, and the dense panic and brutality of this counteroffensives start.

It was never going to be simple, and would always involve the sort of ghastly, face-to-face combat shown in the special forces video. But the success of Ukraines onslaught still rests on whether it can surprise and outwit Moscows forces  not in grinding close combat, but on a larger strategic level. And this is likely why we are seeing a slow  and at times incremental  start to this first phase of open operations.

We would definitely like to make bigger steps, Ukraines President Zelensky acknowledged in a BBC interview. But nevertheless, those who fight shall win and to those that knock, the door shall be opened.

For months, we have seen a patient bid by Ukraine to erode the readiness of Russian defenses. The slow drip of explosions at fuel depots, headquarters and on railway lines has been about weakening Russias ability to withstand and adapt to the first major assaults.

This painstaking work continues, with a reported blast Sunday in the occupied village of Rykove, in the Kherson region, that leveled an apparent ammunition dump. Open-source analysts have noted the huge blast pattern suggests significant secondary explosions. The attack is also, they noted, more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) inside enemy territory, suggesting either an acute lack of awareness among Russian ranks of the new dangers they face from longer-range NATO-supplied missiles, or an inability to adapt and alter their presence accordingly.

Ukrainian soldiers shoot rounds into Russian positions outside Bakhmut on June 19, 2023. - Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Rykove sits close to Crimea, in an area whose railway supply lines are already probably impaired by recent surgical Ukrainian attacks.

No single strike is terminal, but a slow accumulation of damage reduces Russian options and can, eventually, lead to cracks in their forces defensive network, or their basic ability to function. As Russia has moved to respond to Ukraines advances in recent weeks, it will have given away key signals about its readiness, supply issues and priorities. Western satellites are likely providing clear information about Moscows recalibrations to Kyiv.

At present, Ukraine appears to be keeping its options open. The priority is progress along the expansive southern front, which marks the valuable land corridor between occupied Crimea and the Donbas, and the Russia mainland. Most observers agree it is the singular goal of this counteroffensive to break that land bridge.

A Crimean peninsula isolated from the Donbas is much harder to resupply and defend, leaving Russian President Vladimir Putin with a stark choice: expose his military assets in Crimea to a long standoff, or cut his losses and pull them back.

Few analysts contend he can stomach the latter, and so we may face a long siege of the peninsula over the winter months, as Kyiv returns Moscow to the boundaries it stole in 2014-15, or worse. It is arguably a symbolic defeat for Moscow (and a definable victory for Kyiv) to see Russias past 16 months of carnage and losses end in no strategic gain.

The question for July is how this is achieved. Ukraine has been making the greatest public noise about its advances around Velyka Novosilka, to the southeast. Here the recent seizure of Blahodatne puts the 68th Brigade perilously close to occupied Volnovakha and its railway tracks leading to the vital occupied city of Mariupol.

Most of the villages Ukraine has publicly liberated lie in this direction. It is part of a costly and torturous push into Russian lines that, according to drone operators whom CNN met in late April, were acutely ready for attack, pulling back parts of their heavy equipment away from the front.

Ukrainian progress too is noted far to the west of Zaporizhzhia region, near Orikhiv. It has also been grueling, with Ukrainian losses reported around Mala Tokmachka, and now intense fighting near Pyatykhatky. Some pro-Russian bloggers have suggested the village has already been liberated.

Igor Strelkov, formerly the head of the Donetsk Peoples Republic militia and now an occasional critic of the Russian military, said Tuesday heavy fighting had broken out in Zherebyanki, to Pyatykhatkys west, a move that hints Ukrainian forces might be aiming to cut off the larger occupied town of Kamyanske along the Dnipro River.

This angle of advance  toward the occupied city of Melitopol  appears the more likely and profitable for Ukraine. While this front is braced for attack and heavily defended, it is closer to Zaporizhzhia city and to Ukrainian resupply, providing a helpful approach for Kyivs forces on to the Crimean peninsula. But to make significant progress, they will be counting on at least a partial Russian collapse somewhere along this elaborate trench network.

This defense is layered: the first trenches that Ukraine will hit will not be the last. But at some point, Russias elaborate systems of WW1-era dugouts and more modern minefields may give way, and then the Sea of Azov is an open drive across flat territory.

To keep Russian forces guessing yet still, Ukrainian gains are regularly trumpeted around Bakhmut, a city of minimal strategic significance whose center was captured by Russia at enormous cost last month. Moscow can hardly afford the loss of face of a reversal of fortune here. Finally, there are repeated reports of clashes to its north, around Kupyansk and Kreminna  yet another possible angle for a better-prepared Ukrainian force to advance. The aim is to force Russia into uncomfortable choices about where to send reinforcements.

Ukraines top commander, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, may not yet know where he will sink the bulk of his newly trained and equipped forces. Some estimates suggest only a quarter of Ukraines fresh units, bolstered by NATO training and supplies, are now in the fight. Zalyuzhnyi has said nothing about his plans yet. He may be waiting to see where ammunition and resupply worsens first, or where Russia appears unwilling to sink extra reserves.

Ukrainian forces firing an S60 anti-aircraft canon placed on a truck on Juune 19, 2023. - Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The wait is not without political cost. Kyiv needs to cement a change in the frontlines to validate the huge investment in its forces made by NATO. It should be acutely aware that elections in several countries over the next two years will likely alter the Wests appetite to bankroll Ukraines defense, regardless of how unwavering the Wests public commitments are. There is a risk that the background rumble of peace talks comes to the fore in winter, and Ukraine finds itself settling into a stalemate of the boundaries established by this November.

President Zelensky addressed this concern in his BBC interview. Some want some sort of Hollywood movie but things dont really happen that way, he said.

Yet there is reason for optimism in Ukraines capital. Last summer, silence and gridlock eventually turned into a Russian collapse around Kharkiv. The withdrawal from Kherson showed too that Moscow was still then able to recognize realities and react to them. Putins top brass will have learned from last years defeats, and he likely will be enormously emotional about the fate of Crimea.

But, as the world has seen in graphic detail, the Russian militarys failings are abundant and losses horrific  and any steep tactical learning curve will not have been matched by a similar improvement in training and equipment. Russia has one option, to endure and hope this winter cements the survival of its current occupation. Ukraine has many choices ahead of it, and a significant surplus of resources to pounce on opportunities, even as the clock is now loudly ticking.

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(CNN)  Rescue crews searching for a submersible with five people aboard that went missing while touring the Titanics wreckage are keeping a nervous eye on the crafts dwindling oxygen supply as they navigate choppy waters in a remote area of the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force are deploying more aircraft and vessels to aid in the search for the 21-foot vessel, which began its descent to the bottom of the ocean on Sunday morning  and has just four days of emergency capability.

The international search and rescue operation is doing everything possible as part of a complex search effort but has so far not yielded any results, US Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick told reporters Tuesday.

With an estimated 40 hours of oxygen left, Frederick said, officials do not know whether thats enough time to rescue those onboard.

I dont know the answer to that question, he said. What I will tell you is, we will do everything in our power to effect a rescue.

With weather conditions and visibility were improving Tuesday, Frederick said, the fleet of assets joining the operation include a Canadian pipe-laying vessel with underwater capabilities, along with other vessels and aircraft. He said the unique and challenging search effort has brought together our nations best experts.

Additionally, the US is moving military and commercial assets to help, according to the Coast Guard and US Transportation Command.

President Joe Biden is watching events closely, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters Tuesday.

Retired US Admiral and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen told CNNs Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday the longer the search takes, the less likely a positive outcome will occur.

Searchers have taken the mission below sea level after scouring an area of the oceans surface about the size of Connecticut, US Coast Guard District 1 Rear Admiral John Mauger said Tuesday morning. We now have underwater search capability on scene, and so were going to be using that to see if we can locate the submersible in the water, he told CNN.

The search zone covers an area about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 13,000 feet deep, Mauger said Monday afternoon. It is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area, he said in a news briefing. But we are deploying all available assets to make sure that we can locate the craft and rescue the people onboard.

The submersible known as Titan  roughly the size of a minivan  was carrying one pilot and four mission specialists when it lost contact with its mother ship about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its descent to explore the Titanic wreckage, authorities said. It has not been heard from in nearly two days since.

The submersible was operated by OceanGate Expeditions, a company that organizes a journey to the ocean floor for a price of $250,000, according to an archived version of its website. The company advertised the experience as a way to step outside of everyday life and discover something truly extraordinary.

The 23,000-pound Titan is made of highly engineered carbon fiber and titanium and is equipped with repurposed everyday items, including a video game controller. The vessel has between 70 and 96 hours of life support, the companys website states.

The expedition reflects the ongoing fascination with the Titanics wreckage more than a century after it hit an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage, killing over 1,500 people. The journey is also part of the growing business of wealthy adventure tourism, along with the space flights of Blue Origin or the rise of guided tours to Mount Everest.

OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush is among the five onboard, according to a source with knowledge of the mission plan.

The others are British businessman Hamish Harding; Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman Dawood; and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, according to CNN reporting.

OceanGate did not immediately respond to CNNs request for comment about Rush being aboard.

OceanGate in a statement on Monday said every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely. We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible.

The effort to locate those on board has grown by the day. The Coast Guard is searching with aerial and water surface vessels, and the Canadian Armed Forces is also deploying an aircraft to assist in the search, a spokesperson told CNN.

The Canadian research vessel Polar Prince, which took the submersible to the wreckage site, is assisting search and rescue efforts, a spokesperson for its co-owner Horizon Maritime told CNN.

Still, search and rescue operations at sea are like searching for a needle in a haystack, former US Navy diver, retired Capt. Bobbie Scholley, told CNN Monday.

In this case, they knew exactly the location that they were starting with this submersible so they have good data for where to start the search, Scholley said. The submersible also is going to make sounds with systems on board that sonar buoys should be able to pick up, she said.

Who is aboard the ship

Officials involved in the search have not publicly named those aboard the submersible, but social media posts and friends and family have identified them.

Action Aviation, an aircraft brokerage based in the United Arab Emirates, in a statement on Tuesday confirmed Harding, its chairman, is on board.

Both the Harding Family and the team at Action Aviation are very grateful for all the kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues, the statement said. We are thankful for the continued efforts of the authorities and companies that have stepped in to aid in the rescue efforts. We put great faith and trust in their expertise.

Harding has an extensive record of adventures: In 2019 he took part in a flight crew that broke the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe via both poles, and in 2020 he became one of the first people to dive to Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean, widely believed to be the deepest point in the worlds oceans.

And last year, he paid an undisclosed sum of money for one of the seats on Blue Origins space flight.

The day before the vessel went missing, Harding wrote of the Titanic mission: I am proud to finally announce that I joined OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic.

A friend told CNN on Tuesday that Harding is larger than life.

He lives exploration. He is an explorer to the core of his soul, fellow explorer Jannicke Mikkelsen said. He has been to the bottom of planet earth in the Mariana Trench  hes even been in space. We circumnavigated the planet together  the north and south pole, and set the world speed record.

Nargeolet was scheduled to be on Sundays dive with him, Harding said Saturday in a Facebook post:

The team on the sub has a couple of legendary explorers, some of which have done over 30 dives to the RMS Titanic since the 1980s including PH Nargeolet, Harding wrote, according to CNN news partner CTV News.

A spokesperson for Nargeolets family, Mathieu Johann, told CNN Tuesday the missing submariner is a hero and said, I hope that, right to the end, like in the movies, hell reappear very quickly to reassure us all.

What were going through right now is this interminable wait, Johann said.

Nargeolet is a Titanic expert who has taken the trip every year, completing more than 37 dives to the wreck, according to an archived version of OceanGate Expeditions website accessible via the Internet Archives Wayback Machine.

Something we always think about as explorers and scientists  weve always known something like this could happen and now its happened, said David Gallo, a colleague of Nargeolet and the senior adviser for Strategic Initiatives at RMS Titanic Inc. But were still pretty much in shock, the community is. I hope it has a good ending.

Further, Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman Dawood, of Pakistan, embarked on a journey to visit the remnants of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean, their family said Tuesday in a statement. As of now, contact has been lost with their submersible craft and there is limited information available, the family said, adding theyre praying for their loved ones safe return.

The incident has left the community of undersea explorers in shock, said David Gallo, who called Nargeolet his closest colleague. Weve always known something like this could happen and now its happened  I hope it is a good ending, Gallo, senior adviser for strategic initiatives at RMS Titanic Inc., told CNN.

Submersible did not resurface as expected

The OceanGate Expeditions trip began with a 400-nautical-mile journey from St. Johns, Newfoundland, to the Titanic wreck site. There, the submersible started its descent Sunday morning before losing contact with the Polar Prince, a converted ice breaker that was its mother ship.

The last communication between the vessel and OceanGate staff at the surface came in at 11:47 a.m. The vessel was expected to resurface at 6:10 p.m. but did not do so, and authorities were notified at 6:35 p.m., according to Polar Prince co-owner Miawpukek Maritime Horizon Services.

Chief Misel Joe of Miawpukek First Nation, the expeditions support vessel, got a call Sunday alerting him that the submersible was two hours overdue and still hadnt surfaced and communication with it was lost, he said. At that point, requests for search and rescue had gone out, he said.

Theres a tremendous amount of concern, Joe said. I have anguish that people are going through this. I wish there was more I can do.

Unlike a submarine, a submersible needs a mother ship to launch it, has fewer power reserves and cant stay underwater as long.

A mother ship can communicate with a submersible via text messages which are exchanged via a USBL (ultra-short baseline) acoustic system, according to OceanGate Expeditions archived website. The submersible is required to communicate with the ship every 15 minutes or more frequently, if needed, the site says. That USBL system is the only communications link between the submersible and the surface, it adds.

While Titan is made of carbon fiber and titanium, some parts are decidedly low-tech.

It is operated  by a gaming controller, what essentially looks like a PlayStation controller, said CNN correspondent Gabe Cohen, who sat in Titan in 2018 while reporting on OceanGate Expeditions for CNN affiliate KOMO.

Cohen was surprised by how simple some of the crafts technology seemed, he said Tuesday on CNN This Morning.

Its a tiny vessel, quite cramped and small, Cohen said. You have to sit inside of it, shoes off. It can only fit five people.

A Titanic dive takes about 10 hours from start to finish, including the two and a half hours it takes to reach the bottom, the website says. The company calls its clients mission specialists, who are trained as crew members in a variety of different roles, including communicating with the topside tracking team, taking sonar scans and opening and closing the vessels dome, the archived site says.

Clients do not need previous maritime experience to join as mission specialists, it adds.

In case of an emergency, the submersible is equipped with basic emergency medical supplies and pilots have basic first aid training, according to OceanGate Expeditions website.

Mother ship crew focused onboard here for our friends

Everybody is focused onboard here for our friends, an expedition participant on the Polar Prince said Monday.

We have a situation that is now the part of a major Search and Rescue effort, being undertaken by major agencies, Rory Golden said on Facebook after CNN contacted him. That is where our focus is right now.

Ninety-six hours of life support on the vessel is a short amount of time, said Scholley, the former US Navy diver, though effective resources are being used in the search.

The hard part is finding the submersible. And once they find the submersible, there are all sorts of situations of how to get that submersible to the surface, and rescue the crew, Scholley said.

The Coast Guards focus is on locating the vessel, Mauger said.

If we find this vessel in the water, then we will have to affect some sort of rescue or reaching out to different partners within the US Navy, within the Canadian Armed Forces and within private industry to understand what underwater rescue capability might be available, he added.

Deep sea-mapping company Magellan, known for their one-of-a-kind deep sea imagery of the Titanic, is trying to get involved in the search and rescue efforts but a key transport issue is holding them back. Magellan Chairman David Thompson told CNN that his team is familiar with the site of the wreck and received written notice from OceanGate Expeditions to mobilize early Monday and help.

However, they need an aircraft with the ability to transport their deep-sea diving equipment from the UK to Canada to launch their operation. Specifically, he said, they would require the use of a C-17 Globemaster III military jet.

We know the wreck site, we know the location, and the equipment we are trying to get picked up is the equipment we used to do that scanning of the Titanic, Thompson said.

Thompson said the US Air Force or UK Royal Airforce have not gotten back to Magellan letting them know if or when a plane can be procured for them to use to transport the equipment they need to Canada to embark on rescue efforts.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Rescuers are racing the clock in search for a manned submersible lost while touring Titanic wreckage"
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal

The Ukrainian defense sector will likely experience a boom in investment and growth after the war with Russia ends, Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21.

European global companies are already considering the possibility of building production sites in Ukraine, said Shmyhal.

Read also: Shmyhal and Wallace visit Ukrainian troops training in UK

We anticipate a genuine boom for our defense industry, post-war.

Shmyhal also highlighted five key sectors the government has identified to underpin the revitalization of the Ukrainian economy: energy  with a focus on gas extraction and storage, as well as hydroelectric generation  agriculture, IT, infrastructure, and the defense industry.

Read also: Germanys Rheinmetall to produce tanks, anti-air systems, and ammunition in Ukraine

On May 17, German defense contractor Rheinmetall and Ukraine's state-owned defense company, Ukroboronprom, inked a strategic partnership agreement aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense industry.

On May 30, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an online meeting with the management of UK defense firm BAE Systems. An agreement was reached to establish a BAE Systems office in Ukraine.

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Ukraine must end nepotism and corruption to join the EU  German Foreign Minister

Ukraine must put an end to 30 years of nepotism and corruption in order to become a member of the European Union, Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, said.

Source: European Pravda, citing her speech on Wednesday on the sidelines of Ukraines Recovery Conference in London, the DPA agency quoted the minister.

Details: According to Baerbock, Ukraine has already made progress in its reform efforts towards the EU, especially in the areas of free media and the rule of law.

However, the minister said that further progress is needed in the future "to put an end to 30 years of nepotism and, we must clearly say, corruption".

At the same time, Baerbock stressed that reform steps in Ukraine are being carried out at "incredible speed", and Germany intensively supports this.

According to Baerbock, there is no doubt that Ukraine will join the EU, so private companies' investments in the country's reconstruction are justified because they strengthen the single European market in the end.

Baerbock said that Ukraine can become a decisive factor in strengthening the European single market, especially in the field of clean energy.

Background: In the report that the European Commission will present to member states in Brussels this week regarding Kyiv's progress on the path to the EU, it will be said that Ukraine has made significant progress in implementing the reforms necessary to start accession negotiations.

The EC report on Ukraine is generally positive and aims to help Kyiv cope with its issues.

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Ukraine Recap: US to Try to Enlist More Nations, Report Says

(Bloomberg) -- Ukraine has recruited the help of a top White House adviser to meet with officials from nations that have stayed on the sidelines of the war in Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is expected to join Ukraines effort to sway various countries, according to the FT. The newspaper said the meeting will take place in Denmark over the weekend and participants may include representatives from countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa and Turkey.

China, which has shown support for Russia in the conflict, may also send a representative, the FT said.

The US said it would provide an additional $1.3 billion toward the cost of reversing the devastation inflicted on Ukraine by Russias invasion, estimated by the World Bank at more than $400 billion over the next decade.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the pledge at Wednesdays Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, where host Rishi Sunak announced the creation of a framework for war-risk insurance designed to encourage private investors.

The UK premier said that more than 400 businesses from 38 countries have signed up to join the reconstruction effort. The London-based European Bank of Reconstruction and Development said it would seek to raise 600 million ($767 million) in loans and grants to restore Ukraines energy infrastructure.

While Sunak insisted that the Kremlin must be made to pay for rebuilding Ukraine, a document obtained by Bloomberg showed that the European Union has assessed that it cant legally confiscate frozen Russian assets and is focusing on exploiting them temporarily. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg urged caution in an interview with Bloomberg TV, warning that a successful legal challenge would be a diplomatic and economic disaster.

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The 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), an event aimed at mobilizing international support for Ukraine's economic stabilization and war recovery, started in London on June 21.

"When Ukrainians re-imagine their future, they see Europe's flag flying over their cities. Ukraine's future is our future," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in an opening remark, as quoted by a Kyiv Independent team member.

She also announced a dedicated facility to cover 45%, or $55 billion, of Ukraine's estimated fiscal gap until 2027.

On the sidelines of the event, the European Investment Bank (EIB) pledged $917 million to finance the restoration of municipal infrastructure, public buildings, water supply, and transport networks, Ukraine's Ministry for Restoration informed.

This comes on top of the aid EIB is already providing to Ukraine. The bank has allocated $1.9 billion of emergency assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion, and the total portfolio of EIB's projects in Ukraine amounts to over $7.6 billion.

U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken reportedly announced $1.3 billion in additional aid focused on infrastructure projects, including $520 million to support energy grid work.

Blinken called on greater public sector involvement to help manage the "huge costs," while emphasizing that Russia is responsible for the damages, and will bear the ultimate cost.

U.S. State Secretary Anthony Blinken at the opening of the Ukraine Recovery Conference on June 21, 2023. (Photo: Jakub Parusinski/Kyiv Independent)

The U.K. has pledged $3 billion of World Bank loan guarantees to bolster Ukraine's economic stability and $306 million in bilateral aid.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the conference through an online call, thanking the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi for his leadership and support.

"Ukraine will eventually become a member of the European Union," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the event.

She emphasized the need to link recovery and accession, to rebuild "a Ukraine fit for EU," and that this will be a special focus of next year's conference, to be held in Germany.

Baerbock further announced $416 million of humanitarian assistance in 2023, including for the purchase of generators and funding demining work. This comes on top of the aid already pledged to Ukraine earlier this year.

France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna presented $44 million in non-refundable financial aid for urgent reconstructions in 2023. Paris is also preparing a multi-year aid plan for civilian needs.

The package will consist mostly of grants, so as not to create additional pressure on Ukraine's public finances, Colonna assured.

"Ukraine is on a long-term path of transformation connected to its direction towards EU membership, and we must use the reconstruction process to further help Ukraine in this process," the French minister said.

The URC 2023 is held by Ukraine and the U.K., following the last year's conference in Lugano, Switzerland.

"Since Lugano, the international community has pledged significant emergency assistance, but a broader mobilization of public and private sectors is needed to meet the scale of stabilization and recovery needs Ukraine requires following Russian attacks," the URC 2023 organizers said.

The URC was launched for the first time in London in 2017.
Ukrainian servicemen talk next to a T-80 main battle tank captured earlier from Russian troops, at a position near the front line town of Bakhmut

By Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian forces are digging in and attacking on the southern front after having "partial success" in the last day, and are weathering a big Russian assault in the east, a senior defence official said on Wednesday.

Ukraine has reported recapturing eight villages in the south in the last two weeks. Though small, the advances are the biggest by the Ukrainian military since November as they push into heavily fortified and mined Russian-held areas.

"They had partial success over the past day, they have consolidated at the boundaries that were reached and they have evened up the front line," Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said.

She said Kyiv's forces were continuing offensive operations towards the city of Melitopol, a Russian stronghold deep in occupied territory, and towards Berdiansk on the Sea of Azov.

Kyiv has prepared for months for a counteroffensive seen as a crucial juncture in Russia's war, but has imposed a communications blackout and independent reporting is scarce.

Military analysts say it is too early to draw conclusions about the success or otherwise of the two weeks of operations.

They say Kyiv is yet to commit the bulk of its forces, a chunk of which were trained and equipped by the West, but that Ukraine's forward positions remain some distance from Russia's main defensive line.

Russia and Ukraine have both reported inflicting heavy casualties on the other. Reuters journalists who visited two liberated villages last week saw the bodies of dead Russian soldiers on the ground as well as burnt-out armoured vehicles.

In her statement on the Telegram messenger, Maliar reported heavy fighting in the east, especially near the town of Lyman which Kyiv recaptured from Russian forces in October.

"In the east, the defenders continue to hold back a large-scale assault by Russian forces in the Lyman and Bakhmut directions," Maliar said.

She said the east remained the main focus of Russia's offensive actions and that Moscow still aimed to reach the boundaries of the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk which make up the industrial Donbas area.

Russia said its air defences had downed three drones in the Moscow region on Wednesday in what it called an attempted Ukrainian attack.

Reuters could not independently verify the situation on the battlefield.

(Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Ukrainian officials are tamping down expectations for the counteroffensive.

Ukraines Defense Minister is tamping down expectations for his nations counteroffensive, saying this now-three-week-old effort is very different from the relatively swift victory last fall in Kharkiv Oblast.

In autumn, I remind you, there were two campaigns - Kherson and Kharkiv, Oleksii Reznikov on Monday told the Czech Present Time TV station channel, a station created by Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty with the participation of Voice of America. The Kharkiv operation went very quickly, successfully, unexpectedly for the enemy, for the world community, and for many Ukrainians as well.

https://twitter.com/Flash_news_ua/status/1670910342505934854

It was, he said, a well thought out military operation, well planned and executed. The Russians were not ready, so we successfully reached the Oskil River. Kherson, on the contrary, moved more slowly. Because a completely different soil relief, weather conditions and much more.

The current counteroffensive was launched on June 4th and is taking place across 600 miles of front lines stretching from northern Donetsk Oblast to central Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ukrainian officials have frequently voiced how difficult it has been.

Therefore, it is now impossible to expect that everything will happen as quickly as it happened with Kharkiv, said Reznikov. Because the front line is completely different, and the terrain, and weather conditions. Plus, the Russians had the opportunity to prepare. There is an incredible density of minefields.

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1671298430767955969

As a result, Ukraine is proceeding cautiously, said Reznikov.

Unlike the Russians, the Ukrainians take care of the lives of their soldiers, he said. The Russians use their soldiers as cannon fodder. They use the tactics of a meat grinder and grind their resource.

As an example, he pointed to the eight-month battle for Bakhmut, where he said the Russians suffered a total of 60,000 troops killed and wounded. Other estimates put the Russian casualty count lower, but still quite significant.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1611725600665866244

These are crazy losses, he said. Yes, mostly they are former prisoners, a resource that they do not feel sorry for. But for us, unlike them, the main value is the life and health of our defenders...

Given that, we do not use meat grinder tactics, Reznikov said. Our officers, our commanders are maneuvering, look for opportunities, move carefully. I suggest not pushing them, not pushing them, they are doing their job. And they will do it.

That caution has resulted in fewer Ukrainian casualties than the Russians are suffering, said Reznikov.

Ukranian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar gave a more granular assessment of the battlefield on Tuesday.

In the south, the offensive continues in several directions, she said on her Telegram channel.

https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1671140364273459205?s=20

Everything happens there according to the plan established by the military. There are certain advances in all directions where our military is moving. But the enemy simply will not surrender the occupied positions, and therefore fierce battles and a very powerful duel continue.

Ukraine is making more progress in the southern sector of the battlefield at the moment than the east, she said.

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1671174465894465543?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

In the south, battles are currently taking place in the directions where Ukrainian soldiers are advancing, and the enemy is on the defensive, said Maliar. At the same time, we have directions where, on the contrary, the enemy is advancing, and we are on the defensive. For example, Kupiansk and Lyman.

But like her boss, Maliar urged caution in reading too much into whats taking place at the moment. Repeating a theme she delivered yesterday, Maliar said it is incorrect to evaluate the effectiveness of military actions solely by kilometers or the number of liberated settlements. Because there are a lot of evaluation criteria. This is a whole complex of evaluations, and many tasks are set before the military.

Like Reznikov, Maliar said expectations for this counteroffensive are high.

It is clear that people want it to be like a movie  editing, very fast, the movie started at 1 p.m., in an hour and a half it was over and it was clear what had happened, she said. Of course, life doesn't work like that, and war is a completely different situation. We will advance gradually, with difficulties, facing the furious resistance of the enemy.

While progress is slow but steady, Maliar said it is only the beginning.

But, of course, the main blow is yet to come, she said, repeating another refrain from yesterday.

Russia, meanwhile, still insists the counteroffensive is a failure.

Since June 4, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have launched 263 attacks at Russian Forces positions, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at the Russian Defense Ministry Board meeting. Due to competent and dedicated actions of Russian units, all attacks have been repelled, the enemy failed to achieve its goals.

Thanks to the aforementioned mines and Russian aviation, this counteroffensive has been a very tough fight for Ukraine. Russias rotary wing aircraft have been especially vexing to Ukrainian efforts, which you can read more about here in our widely-quoted deep dive.

https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1669455363509473280

Its a factor Reznikov readily acknowledged in his Present Time interview

While Russia doesnt control the airspace, they have dominance there, Reznikov said. But we also have ground-based air defense systems that maneuver in the same way together with ground units. And they give the opportunity to reduce this dominance, we bring them down.

Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), like the thousands of Stingers donated by the U.S. and allies, are first of all needed, Reznikov said. This gives the mobile groups maneuver and they can shoot down air targets at a distance of up to 7,000 meters."

https://twitter.com/BattlesIntel/status/1667221389986676755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1667221389986676755%7Ctwgr%5E30af0f1f4ee0b820967a60efb80207adfbd1a2e4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fukraines-armor-appears-to-have-a-russian-attack-helicopter-problem

"Of course," Reznikov added, "if we had F-16s now, we would seriously reduce this dominance. But our pilots also manage to perform miracles of heroism on the MIG-29. But you are absolutely right, for a more successful development of events, of course, it is necessary to eliminate the dominance of the enemy in the sky.

That certainly won't happen in time to help this counteroffensive. And as you will read about later in this story, the much-anticipated training of Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s may take longer than expected.

That doesnt even factor in the long time it will take for the actual aircraft to arrive.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

A top U.S. State Department official said it will be a while before the U.S. grants permission to European allies to begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighters.

Defense One on Tuesday reported that Stanley Brown, principal deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, told reporters attending the Paris Air Show that there is a lot of discussion ongoing, and a lot of work that needs to be done. It'll be measured probably in months to get things done versus very quickly.

Last month, the Biden administration announced it's approval of the training plan, which you can read more about here.

https://twitter.com/RCDefense/status/1671181109646745603

Ukraines Air Force said it shot down 32 of 35 Iranian-made Shahed drones in the latest Russia barrage on Tuesday.

Launches were carried out in the northern and southern directions - Bryansk region. and the east coast of the Azov Sea, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on its Facebook page. Air defense today worked in most regions of Ukraine, but the main direction of the attack of Iranian drones is Kyiv region. More than two dozen "shahedis" were destroyed here.

Russia also attacked the Zaporizhzhia region with Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles and S-300 air defense missiles used as surface-to-surface weapons.

As a result of their air defense work over the past weeks, three Ukrainian soldiers were given military awards by the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1671176076389916673

Thanks to a combination of austerity measures and shipments to Ukraine, Germany's military has only about 20,000 155mm shells in its current inventory, the German Der Spiegel news magazine reported Tuesday.

Defense Minister Pistorius" is launching "a purchasing offensive and plans major purchases of artillery and tank ammunition, Der Spiegel reported. Confidential papers show for the first time in detail how big the shortage is in the Bundeswehr [German Armed Forces].

Because of current NATO requirements, however, the Bundeswehr must have a stock of around 230,000 pieces of the ammunition type by 2031, according to Der Spiegel. An accelerated purchase of 155 millimeter shells is "absolutely necessary."

The news magazine reported that several federal governments had not filled long-known gaps in inventories of various ammunition types. Military aid to Ukraine has exacerbated this shortage.

As a result, Der Spiegel reported that Germanys Defense Ministry (MoD) is planning to submit nine contracts for the accelerated purchase of artillery and tank ammunition to the budget committee of the German parliament before the summer recess.

By way of comparison, the US. alone has provided Ukraine more than two million 155mm shells, plus millions of additional artillery rounds and other heavy ammunition.

https://twitter.com/Zagonel85/status/1671039477563682817

Ukraine's Ukroboronprom defense conglomerate hinted on Tuesday that Kyiv's forces have used a drone with a range of 1,000 kilometers (about 621 miles).

After successful application of our 1,000 km unmanned pilot, Ukroboronprom spokesperson Natalia Sad posted on Facebook.

She offered no details about what kind of drone, whether it was operational and, if it was, the results.

https://twitter.com/maria_drutska/status/1671151974136291328

Last October, Ukroboronprom released a photo of a metal structure with a blue bird and a yellow coat of arms, captioning it: Range - 1000 km, weight of the warhead - 75 kg. We are finalizing the development," the Ukrainian Ukrinform media site reported.

In December, Sad said that Ukroboronprom had conducted a series of successful tests of a Ukrainian attack drone with a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to Ukrinform.

https://twitter.com/Flash_news_ua/status/1613957404160294930

While details about the long-range drone Ukronboronprom is touting remain murky, likely by design, we have reported on Ukraine's use deep into Russian territory of jet-powered Tu-141 Strizh drones, originally built as a crude jet-powered reconnaissance UAV. Smaller Tu-143s have also likely been used in attacks. You can read about that here.

When it comes to short-range drones, like First Person Video models, Ukraine is much less reticent to publicize its battlefield actions. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky's United24 fundraising arm posted video Tuesday extolling the successes of its Drone Army.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1671149360124682240?s=20

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov hailed CAESARs on Tuesday, posted a video showing the work of French and Danish-donated 155mm wheeled howitzers.

https://twitter.com/oleksiireznikov/status/1671126277888065536?s=20

There was also video posted on social media of Ukrainian troops having a little fun while firing a CAESAR. It's apparently the first time the howitzer has been seen in action.

https://twitter.com/Harry_Boone/status/1671194546217136132?s=20

Ukraine is putting its artillery to work, hammering away at Russian logistics nodes, as seen in the video below.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1671094450083467266?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claims Ukraine is planning to attack "Russian Federation territory, including Crimea," with long-range strike weapons and promised retaliation against Kyiv if that happens.

In his opening remarks at the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) Board session on Tuesday, Shoigu claimed Ukraine's military was planning to strike Russia and Crimea with "[M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or] HIMARS and Storm Shadow [conventionally armed cruise] missiles," according to the Russian MoD.

"Deployment of these particular missiles out of the special military operation zone will be regarded as direct involvement of USA and UK in the conflict and will result in immediate retaliatory strikes at decision-making centers in Ukraine territory," Shoigu said without offering either proof or specifics about targets.

The Pentagon on Tuesday downplayed Shoigu's threats, and reiterated its support for Ukraine to take back its sovereign territory, including Crimea.

"We continue to provide support to Ukraine and have committed to doing that for as long as it takes in their fight against Russia and retaking their sovereign territory," Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told The War Zone during a press briefing Tuesday. "As we've said from this podium, we believe Crimea is part of Ukraine. The Ukrainians are doing everything that they can with the equipment, with the capabilities that they can on the battlefield to continue to push Russians further back. And we support their efforts to retake their sovereign territory."

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1671133931557535745

Making his first public appearance in a while, Ukrainian Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov said that Russia has mined the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

"Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was partly mined," Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) said on Ukrainian national television. "And the scariest part is that the cooling system was mined. If it is damaged through explosion, there is a large probability of significant problems."

While Budanov offered no proof of his claims, back in November, he told us the Russians had mined the Nova Kahkovka dam, which was destroyed earlier this month. You can read about that claim and much more in our deep dive here.

https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1671163335805665280?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Ukraine continues to push for NATO membership and will seek a commitment on its aspirations at a summit next month, Ukraines ambassador to the alliance told Politico on Tuesday.

Ukrainian Ambassador to NATO Natalia Galibarenko said her country wants some kind of invitation  or at least commitment [] to look at the timeframe and modalities of our membership.

NATO leaders will gather in Vilnius in mid-July for the alliances annual summit and Galibarenko acknowledged that any commitment is a red line [] for some member nations because they do believe that it creates a burden for them.

I can understand the point  I cannot support it, Galibarenko said, while underscoring that we are realistic, we are not pushing right now to give us the membership.

The French government appears to be support Ukraine's bid, as a tactical means "of influencing the conflict and bringing Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table," the French newspaper Le Monde reported Tuesday.

During a press briefing Tuesday at the Pentagon, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh deflected questions about U.S. support for Ukraine joining the alliance.

We are certainly encouraged by what we are seeing with Sweden and when it comes to Ukraine, they will have their own path to NATO ascension, Singh said. NATO has an open-door policy when it comes to membership. What we are focused on here at the department is making sure Ukraine has what it needs on the battlefield today.

https://twitter.com/POLITICOEurope/status/1671171745305485313

The U.S., meanwhile, is set to announce a "robust" new assistance package for Ukraine.

"President Biden said ... that we would stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, and both of our countries are deeply committed to that," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a press conference alongside British foreign minister James Cleverly in London on Tuesday.

"We will continue to deliver on that commitment, including through a new robust U.S. assistance package that I'll be able to announce tomorrow."

Blinken did not provide details.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1671219344754212873

Video has emerged of what appears to be a large unit of U.S. volunteers under fire while fighting on behalf of Ukraine. Two videos show the troops running from building to building in a destroyed town, apparently seeking shelter from Russian drone-corrected mortar fire. It is unclear when or where the videos were taken or what happened to the troops.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1670979369777364993

Meanwhile, an M2A2-ODS Bradley Fighting Vehicle in service with Ukrainian forces was seen engaging Russian troops during the counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. It fired several rounds from its Bushmaster M242 25 mm automatic cannon at Russian forces dug in along a tree line.

https://twitter.com/revishvilig/status/1671149834005360641?s=20

And in this video, you can see Russian troops retreating after a Ukrainian drone unit went to work with drone-dropped munitions on positions hidden in the trees.

https://youtu.be/fbjRWIkrz1s?t=10

This Russian soldier apparently had a hard time getting up after a reported Ukrainian mortar attack.

https://twitter.com/intermarium24/status/1670836964390498304?s=20

The Russian Iron Helmets Telegram channel posted images of what it claims are destroyed Ukrainian armor vehicles in the "death fields" near Bakhmut.

The destroyed armor and heavy losses are the result of our intelligence work, Iron Helmets claimed.

https://twitter.com/VigorousFalcon/status/1671158879491850240?s=20

The Russian Defense Ministry, which is offering a cash bounty for troops who take out Abrams and Leopard-2 tanks donated to Ukraine, published a video of one Russian soldier receiving such an award.

Andrei Kravstov was awarded one million rubles (nearly $12,000) for destroying a Leopard-2 tank.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1671130658029072384?s=20

The destruction earlier this month of the Nova Kahkovka dam over the Dnipro River continues to create problems. For instance, as you can see in this video below, what used to be a thriving reservoir is now an arid wasteland, raising concerns not just about water levels, but also about the toxic sediments that have accumulated over the years.

https://twitter.com/cdrsalamander/status/1671195796715319314 https://twitter.com/War_Mapper/status/1671207967843139584

And finally, Ukraine's top military commander clearly wants 'the force' on his side. Ukraine's General Staff released video of its military's Commander-in-Chief, Valeri Zaluzhny, sporting a patch featuring Din Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, the lovable character from Disney's Star Wars series The Mandalorian.

https://twitter.com/Espresotveng/status/1670862300129918978

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ukraine war latest: Military keeps advancing south, Zelensky says offensive 'slower than desired' but not 'a movie'

Key developments on June 21:

Ukrainian forces report further advance in the south

Germany delivers Patriot missile system to Ukraine

Russia fortifies defense lines in Crimea, creates branch of Black Sea Fleet in occupied Mariupol

Russian forces attack 10 regions, kill 4 people on June 20

US to send more military help to Ukraine due to accounting error.

Ukrainian forces keep advancing on the southern front line as the summer counteroffensive continues, the military said on June 21.

Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the Tavria military sector commander, reported that Russian forces had lost up to three companies of killed and wounded troops, as well as 68 units of hardware in the sector over the past day.

He didnt specify the exact number of Russian casualties, but the size of the Russian armys company varies between 30 to 150 troops, depending on the branch.

The military also reportedly destroyed three Russian ammunition storages, according to Tarnavskyi.

Ukraine's forces reported successful offensive operations on the southern front line with advances up to seven kilometers during the counteroffensive.

According to the June 19 report by the Institute for the Study of War, the Ukrainian military has been advancing near Bakhmut and in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and attacking in western Donetsk Oblast.

On June 19, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote in its intelligence update that Russia had begun relocating its forces from the eastern bank of the Dnipro River to strengthen the Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut sectors.

On the front line, the heaviest fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces continues to be in the areas near Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka.

Inside Ukraines costly mission to grind down Russia near Bakhmut Editors note: The Kyiv Independent interviewed a few dozen soldiers deployed near Bakhmut and visited their positions in late May and early June. The soldiers are identified by their first names or call signs for security reasons amid the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine. NEAR IVANIVSKE VILLAGE, Don The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

There have been more than 30 front-line clashes over the past 24 hours, the General Staff wrote on June 21.

Ukrainian forces conducted 12 strikes on concentrated areas of Russian military personnel and six on air defense systems over the past day.

The military also shot down a Russian Mi-24 attack helicopter on June 21, the General Staff reported.

Ukraine has been conducting an intensive military campaign in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts since June 5, having had limited success so far, with eight settlements reclaimed from Russian control.

President Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC that battlefield progress had been "slower than desired, adding the military campaign was not a movie.

"Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not," he said.

Counteroffensive underway: We overestimated Russians and underestimated ourselves Editors Note: The Kyiv Independent introduces soldiers interviewed for the story by their first names or callsigns due to security reasons. DONETSK OBLAST  Islams mind was empty of thoughts and feelings as he crawled carefully towards the Russian trenches near Siversk, with grenades prepared.  The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

Germany delivers new Patriot system to Ukraine

The German government said in a weekly update on June 21 that it had delivered a Patriot air defense system with missiles to Ukraine.

Although the number of missiles was not specified, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said earlier in June that his country would "immediately" provide Ukraine with 64 guided missiles for Patriot systems.

Apart from that, Germany's new package includes 1,000 artillery projectiles, 155mm precision-guided ammunition, six border protection vehicles, as well as two truck tractor trains and two semi-trailers.

Earlier on June 19, Denmarks Defense Ministry announced another package of military aid for Ukraine worth around $3.2 billion to be delivered from 2023 through 2028.

The new package will include weapons, military equipment, emergency equipment, and training support.

On June 15, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also revealed that several countries had pledged new military aid packages to Ukraine at the 13th Ramstein-format summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels.

Patriot air defense faces its toughest challenge ever in Ukraine The wait is over  after almost a year of refusals and hesitation, Western-provided MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems have finally arrived and become operational in Ukraine. On April 21 and 26, Ukraines Air Force confirmed the full employment of two Patriot batteries. As Ukraines own Soviet-er The Kyiv IndependentIllia Ponomarenko

Russia strengthens defense lines in Crimea

Russia has been building up rear defensive lines in southern Ukraine over the past weeks, particularly on the approaches to occupied Crimea, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote on June 21.

According to the report, this includes a nine-kilometer-long defense zone on the narrow land bridge between Crimea and Kherson Oblast, 3.5 kilometers north of Armiansk on the occupied peninsula.

"These elaborate defenses highlight the Russian command's assessment that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting Crimea," the ministry said.

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

London pointed out Russian concerns about defending Crimea back in May. Local proxies are reportedly building paramilitary forces, worried that Russian regulars may not be sufficient for a successful defense.

Ukraine has set itself the goal of total liberation of the occupied territories, including Crimea.

At the same time, Russian troops are redeploying troops to the embattled Zaporizhzhia Oblast to halt Ukrainian advances.

Russian forces are also reportedly creating a new branch of its Black Sea Fleet in the Azov Sea, called the Azov Naval District, whose headquarters will reportedly be located in Russian-occupied Mariupol, the National Resistance Center reported.

Starting on July 1, Russian forces plan to launch the Azov Navy with ships from the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla, according to the report.

The Azov Naval District will reportedly include eight warships and boats, as well as 16 support vessels, including some minesweepers and others, still in construction.

The missile launching capability of the fleet, including three ships capable of carrying Kalibr missiles, could go up to 24 Kalibr-type missiles.

Russian forces attack 10 regions, kill 4 on June 20

Over the past day, Russian forces attacked 10 oblasts, killing four people and injuring 15 more, Ukrainian officials reported on June 21.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian attacks injured four residents, Governor Yurii Malashko said.

Russia reportedly launched 87 attacks against 18 settlements in the oblast. At least 66 reports of property damage were recorded.

During the evening attack on the village of Preobrazhenka, three women, aged 38, 43, and 47, and a 54-year-old man were injured.

In Kherson Oblast, two people were killed and eight more injured due to Russian shelling, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

Russian forces struck residential areas, a car repair shop, and two schools in Kherson.

Two people were killed and one injured over the past day in Donetsk Oblast, as reported by Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.

The attacks damaged several private houses, high-rise buildings, and commercial buildings across the oblast.

One person was killed in Kostiantynivka in the Marinka community and another in Druzhba in the Toretsk community. There was also one wounded in Molocharka.

Saving lives from Russias flood: Inside inundated, shelled Kherson Since Russias full-scale war began, first came eight months of terror under occupation, then came seven months of intense shelling across the river, then came the river itself to Kherson. Over 24 hours after Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and its massive The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

US to send more military help to Ukraine due to accounting error

The U.S. Defense Department overestimated the value of arms sent to Ukraine over the past two years by $6.2 billion.

The unspent sum will be used for further military aid, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said on June 21.

"In a significant number of cases, services used replacement costs rather than net book value, thereby overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from U.S. stocks and provided to Ukraine," Singh explained.

The surplus will return to the allocated fund for Ukraine for future expenses.

According to the Pentagon's final calculations, there was an error of $2.6 billion in the 2022 fiscal year and $3.6 billion in the 2023 fiscal year.

Earlier in June, the U.S. government said that the security assistance to Ukraine amounted to roughly $40 billion. By the new calculations, this would amount to around $34 billion.

The U.S. will also send a $1.3 billion assistance package to Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21.

The main goals of the package are to help restore Ukraine's power system and infrastructure and modernize checkpoints on the Ukrainian border.

The United States will stand with Ukraine as long as it takes. As Russia continues to destroy, we are here to help Ukraine rebuild the country, rebuild lives, rebuild its future, Blinken said.

According to the official website of the U.S. government, the funds include general economic assistance, assistance to repair and modernize Ukraines energy infrastructure, and support for Ukraines commitment to energy sector reforms.

The U.S. will invest more than $520 million to help Ukraine overhaul its energy grid and make Ukraines energy sector more integrated with the European energy sector.

The money will also be used to support reforms of Ukraine's energy market aimed at fighting monopolies and stimulating private investment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin talks with graduates of military higher education institutions during a meeting with at the Kremlin in Moscow - Gavriil Grigorov/Pool Sputnik Kremlin

President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow had seen a lull in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, and that Kyiv had suffered heavy losses in the south of Ukraine.

In remarks shown on Russian state television, the Russian leader said that although Ukraine retained offensive potential, the country already understood that it had no chance in its counteroffensive.

Mr Putin said: Oddly enough, at the moment we are seeing a certain lull. This is due to the fact that the enemy is suffering serious losses, both in personnel and equipment.

But he added that Ukraines offensive potential has not yet been exhausted, there are also reserves that the enemy is thinking about where and how to introduce.

Kyiv has reclaimed eight villages over the course of a couple of weeks in its highly-anticipated counteroffensive in the south of the country, in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Volodymyr Zelensky admitted in an interview with the BBC on Wednesday that progress in the counteroffensive has been slower than desired as his forces struggle to make a major breakthrough. He added: Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best.

03:08 PM BST

Today's liveblog is now closed

Thanks for following todays liveblog.

We will be back tomorrow with all the latest updates on Ukraine.

03:03 PM BST

Watch: Ukrainian military release footage of British-supplied Challenger 2 on battlefield

03:01 PM BST

In pictures: War in Ukraine

A Ukrainian serviceman of 28th brigade shoots a Maxim gun towards Russian positions at the frontline in the Donetsk region - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

Ukrainian soldiers repair a Leopard 2 tank in Zaporizhzhia region - Andriy Andriyenko/AP

A Ukrainian serviceman of 28th brigade guards his position at the frontline in Donetsk region - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

02:55 PM BST

Zelensky admits progress in counteroffensive 'slower than desired'

Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that progress in the counteroffensive has been slower than desired as his forces struggle to make a major breakthrough.

The Ukrainian president said his forces will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best, as he sought to manage expectations, adding that some people were guilty of thinking the war was like a Hollywood movie.

Ukraine has managed to recapture eight small villages as part of its counter-offensive operations in the south over the past couple of weeks. In the past day, forces have had partial success as they continue attacking on the southern front while weathering a major assault in the east, a senior Ukrainian defence official said on Wednesday.

Mr Zelensky said that operations were not moving forward easily because 200,000 square kilometres of territory had been mined by Russian forces.

He added: Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best.

02:30 PM BST

EU agrees to eleventh sanctions package against Russia

The EU has agreed to an eleventh package of sanctions against Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

The latest package, announced by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU on Twitter, includes measures aimed at countering sanctions circumvention and individual listings.

#COREPER II | Today, the EU Ambassadors agreed on the 11th package of sanctions against Russia. The package includes measures aimed at countering sanctions circumvention and individual listings.  Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU (@sweden2023eu) June 21, 2023

02:17 PM BST

In pictures: War in Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers repair a Leopard 2 tank in Zaporizhzhia region - Andriy Andriyenko/AP

Ukrainian State Emergency Service firefighters put out fire after a Russian air raid hit a building in the village Preobrazhenka, Zaporizhzhia region - Andriy Andriyenko/AP

02:08 PM BST

Russian soldier not on frontline at time gets Kremlin award for destroying Leopard 2 tank

A Russian soldier who was awarded almost 10,000 for destroying a Western-donated tank had his arm recently amputated, casting doubts over the story broadcast on state media, Nataliya Vasilyeva reports.

The Kremlin has promised a reward for Russian soldiers for destroying every German Leopard 2 tank, and for every major piece of Western-supplied equipment.

Russias defence ministry on Tuesday released footage of a ceremony at a military hospital outside Moscow showing a soldier with an amputated arm receiving an award certificate from an MP and three-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Read more on this story here.

01:55 PM BST

Shoigu: 'Collective West' waging a 'real war' against Russia

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that that the collective West was waging a real war against Russia.

Speaking alongside President Vladimir Putin at an event in the Kremlin for graduating military academy students, Mr Shoigu added that the Russia military would do everything to ensure the security of the country.

01:37 PM BST

Russia's new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles soon to be deployed, says Putin

President Vladimir Putin has said that Russias new generation of Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying 10 or more nuclear warheads would soon be deployed for combat duty.

In a speech to new graduates of military academies on Wednesday, Mr Putin stressed the importance of Russias triad of nuclear forces that can be launched from land, sea or air.

The most important task here is the development of the nuclear triad, which is a key guarantee of Russias military security and global stability, he said.

Already about half of the units and formations of the Strategic Missile Forces are equipped with the latest Yars systems, and the troops are being re-equipped with modern missile systems with the Avangard hypersonic warhead.

The first Sarmat launchers would be put on combat duty in the near future, Mr Putin added.

01:03 PM BST

Japan to host conference to encourage Ukraine investment in 2024

Japan has said that it is to host a conference to encourage investment in Ukraine at some point in early 2024, the countrys foreign minister said at the ongoing Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the plan to host the reconstruction conference earlier this month.

Foreign secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that Tokyo was planning to support Ukraine mainly through mine clearance projects, as well as those focussing on basic infrastructure such as electricity, agriculture and strengthening democracy.

12:46 PM BST

Mines dislodged by Kakhovka dam flood waters could end up at Black Sea beaches, warns UN official

Mines dislodged by the flood waters from the Nova Kakhovka dam could float downstream as far as the Black Sea beaches, a UN official has warned.

Head of UN Mine Action Paul Heslop told reporters at a Geneva conference that PMF-1 mines, also known as butterfly mines, were light enough to float downstream for a large distance.

He said: I would not be surprised to see that those mines have either got down as far as the sea or over the coming months, as the water is continuing to flow, will be transported down there, he said.

Unfortunately, we could see anti-personnel pressure mines washing up on beaches around the Black Sea.

12:15 PM BST

Zelensky: Progress in counteroffensive 'slower than desired'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that battlefield progress weeks into the counteroffensive has been slower than desired, but said that forces will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Zelensky accused some people of thinking the war was like a Hollywood movie.

Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. Its not.

He said that operations were not moving forward easily because 200,000 square kilometres of territory had been mined by Russian forces.

He added: Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best.

11:56 AM BST

Zelensky: Ukraine 'activating the moral force of NATO'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has tweeted following his appearance at the Ukraine Recovery Conference to say that Ukraine has succeeded in making the EU as united as it has never been before and activating the moral force of NATO.

He shared a photograph from the conference, which he joined by video link, saying: Growth is always based on values. Just as strong investments are preceded by trust, so the growth that we are preparing must be preceded by confidence that what has been rebuilt will not fall. And its not about bricks, but about life in general.

Ukraine has succeeded in making the EU as united as it has never been before.

This is truly a unity of values, which is reflected in many political, economic, sanction and humanitarian decisions.  has activated all that power of solidarity for which the  was conceived.



And pic.twitter.com/5hk6bEtL8x    (@ZelenskyyUa) June 21, 2023

11:47 AM BST

Millions in aid promised by Kyiv's allies at Ukraine Recovery Conference

Rishi Sunak announced an additional 240m in development aid funding for humanitarian projects in Ukraine at the conference in London, with Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pledging to provide another 381 million euros in humanitarian assistance this year.

The US has pledged $1.3bn in additional US aid.

Mr Sunak told delegates at the Ukraine Recovery Conference that allies would support the country on the battlefield and beyond for as long as it takes.

11:29 AM BST

Pictured: Patients with prosthetic limbs learn to walk again in Kyiv clinic

Patients at the Without Limits Clinic learn to walk again using prosthetic limbs in Kyiv - Matthew Hatcher#716129#51A ED/Getty Images Europe

11:14 AM BST

France announces war insurance mechanism for Ukraine

France has set out a new war insurance mechanism to support recovery in Ukraine, as foreign minister Catherine Colonna addressed the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

Ms Colonna said: Im announcing today the establishment of an insurance mechanism to cover investments in Ukraine against war-related risks via the French public investment bank.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also announced a new war insurance mechanism on behalf of Britain during the opening session of the conference earlier this morning.

11:04 AM BST

Kremlin again says 'no grounds' for extending Black Sea grain deal

The Kremlin has reiterated that it considers there to be no grounds to extend the Black Sea grain deal, which allows for the safe export of Ukrainian grain, as it claims the accord is not being properly implemented.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a call that the UN had been forced to acknowledge that unfortunately, they are not managing to exert the necessary influence on the countries of the collective West in order to fulfil this Russian part of the agreement.

Russia has issued a number of demands to remove what it describes as obstacles to the export of its own grain and fertilisers.

10:47 AM BST

Pictured: Before and after the Kakhovka dam breach

The Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region of Ukraine collapsed on June 6, causing the flooding of several nearby settlements and more than 50 deaths, according to Ukrainian and Russian authorities.

Satellite imagery below shows the Kakhovka reservoir before and after the breach, for which each side has blamed the other.

10:33 AM BST

UK ambassador to Ukraine describes recovery conference as 'emotional'

Tbh its a bit emotional listening to world leaders talk in detail and with commitment about the rebuilding of . It is such a tribute to Ukrainian resilience and to values all these countries represented at #URC2023 share with   Dame Melinda Simmons (@MelSimmonsFCDO) June 21, 2023

10:24 AM BST

US announces additional $1.3bn in aid for Ukraine

The US has announced an additional $1.3bn for aid for Ukraine to help the country recover in the wake of the war and rebuild its energy grid.

Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: We will provide more than $1.3 billion in additional aid to help Ukraine.

Were going to invest $520 million to help Ukraine overhaul its energy grid.

About $100 million will be used to help digitise Ukraines customs and other systems to boost speed and to cut corruption and another $35 million will be used to help Ukrainian businesses through financing and insurance.

10:07 AM BST

RAF jets scrambled to intercept Russian naval aircraft

Britains Royal Air Force Typhoons were scrambled on Tuesday evening to intercept a Russian naval aircraft seen flying near NATO airspace.

The Air Force wrote on Twitter alongside photographs of the jets that the Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms.

This evening, RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and 2x Su-27 FLANKER Bs flying close to [NATO] airspace. The Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control agencies.

This evening, RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and 2x Su-27 FLANKER Bs flying close to @NATO airspace.



The Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control agencies. pic.twitter.com/Sa85mlVD91  Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) June 20, 2023

09:56 AM BST

Zelensky: We must move from agreement to real projects

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that it is necessary to move towards real projects for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Mr Zelensky said: We must move from agreement to real projects. There is a Ukrainian delegation that will present concrete things and we propose to do them together during my tour.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak applauds as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky appears on the screen at the opening session of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP

09:45 AM BST

Drones 'intercepted near Moscow military base'

Two drones were intercepted on their approach to a military base in the Moscow region, the regional governor has said.

Debris was found after two drones were shot down near the village of Kalininets in the Naro-Fominsk district, approximately 50 kilometres from the capital, without causing damage or casualties, according to Andrei Vorobyov.

Mr Vorobyov wrote on Telegram on Wednesday: Two drones crashed today at 5:30 and 5:50 in the morning on approach to storage units of a military base.

Russian state news agency TASS reported that another drone was shot down near Lukino village, also in the Moscow region, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.

According to TASS, two of the drones were intercepted on their way to the Taman Division of Russias Ground Forces, with the division based in Kalininets.

Russias Defence Ministry said that it had thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region, adding that all three drones had been shot down.

In May, drones struck the wealthy districts of Moscow, in what Russia claimed was a Ukrainian attack on the city.

09:41 AM BST

Pictured: James Cleverly greets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Ukraine Recovery Conference

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, left, welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in east London - Stefan Rousseau/PA Pool

09:25 AM BST

Sunak announces new framework for war risk insurance

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a new framework for war risk insurance aimed at helping businesses invest in Ukraine at the Ukraine Recovery Conference on Wednesday.

He said at the opening of the conference in London: This is a huge step forward towards helping insurers to underwrite investments into Ukraine, removing one of the biggest barriers and giving investors the confidence they need to act.

09:20 AM BST

UK Foreign Secretary: Ukraine economy should be integrated into global markets

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said that it is in the interests of the world that Ukraine should be stronger than ever, integrated into global markets, and self-reliant in the future, as he spoke at the opening of the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Speaking in London ahead of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Mr Cleverly said: After nearly 18 months of Ukraine withstanding the Russian full scale invasion, the international community is coming together today with a shared belief and confidence in Ukraines future.

Russias full scale invasion has caused untold suffering, but Ukraine is rebuilding now. Recovery offers an opportunity not only to repair what was lost, but stride forward and to rebuild an economy that is more modern, more open, greener and more resilient. When I visited Kyiv recently, I could see the construction equipment from JCB already visible everywhere.

He added: After the sacrifices and suffering of the war, Ukrainians are planning for a better future. And it is in the interests of the world that the country they rebuild should be stronger than ever, integrated into global markets, and self-reliant.

09:09 AM BST

Pentagon overestimated funding for Ukraine weaponry by over $6bn

The Pentagon has found that it had overestimated the amount of funding for ammunition, missiles and other equipment it has sent to Ukraine by $6.2bn as a result of an accounting error, a spokesman said.

The value of the accounting error was more than double that previously disclosed, revised up from $3bn which was first reported by Reuters in May, as a result of assigning a higher-than-warranted value on weaponry shipped from the US to Ukraine.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said that the additional funding was uncovered as officials researched the situation more thoroughly and clarified protocols for valuing equipment based on Financial Management Regulation and Department of Defense policy.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Twitter on Wednesday: The Pentagon announced that after reassessing the cost of weapons and equipment provided to Ukraine, the difference was $6.2 billion over the past 2 years.

Thus, the Pentagon will have additional powers to provide additional security assistance to Ukraine.

08:43 AM BST

France backs Ukraines Nato bid to pressure Russia into peace talks

France is to support Ukraines bid to one day join Nato in an attempt to pressure Russia into negotiating an end to its war, according to French reports  amid concern Kyiv will struggle to liberate all its territory, writes Henry Samuel.

France and Germany blocked any prospect of Ukraines rapid accession to Nato in 2008, against the advice of the United States, which at the time advocated its integration.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, stuck to this stance both before and after the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Read more on this story here.

08:35 AM BST

UK announces $3bn to back Ukraine

The UK is to set out a major package of financial support for Ukraine, including $3bn of World Bank loan guarantees to bolster Ukraines economic stability, Downing Street has announced.

The financial package to be outlined at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London today is the first bilateral and multi-year fiscal assistance package to be set out by a G7 country, according to the Downing Street statement.

The funding will go towards supporting vital public services, including the cost of running schools and hospitals.

08:18 AM BST

FSB says arrests man for sending cryptocurrency to Ukrainian military, state media reports

Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) said that it had detained a man for treason for attempting to send money to the Ukrainian military, TASS state-owned news agency reported.

TASS quoted the FSB as saying that the detainee from the far eastern Khabarovsk region had attempted to send money to Ukraine for drones, thermal imaging cameras, munitions and medical supplies by way of cryptocurrency instruments.

State news agency RIA Novosti published FSB footage of a man being detained by two officers on a country road, and a subsequent search of his house.

08:09 AM BST

Russian Navy to receive two nuclear submarines by end of this year, state media reports

The Russian Navy will receive two new nuclear submarines by the end of this year, Russias TASS state news agency has reported.

Alexei Rakhmanov, the head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, told TASS in an interview that the strategic nuclear-powered submarine missile cruiser Emperor Alexander III and the multipurpose nuclear-powered submarine Krasnoyarsk will be operational by end of 2023.

08:01 AM BST

Real danger of Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons, warns Joe Biden

The threat of Vladimir Putin using tactical nuclear weapons is real, Joe Biden has said, days after denouncing the Kremlins deployment of such devices in Belarus.

On Saturday, the US president called his Russian counterparts announcement that Moscow had deployed its first tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus absolutely irresponsible.

When I was out here about two years ago saying I worried about the Colorado river drying up, everybody looked at me like I was crazy, Mr Biden told a group of donors in California on Monday.

Read more on this story here.

07:57 AM BST

Pictured: Russian Defensive Positions North of Armyansk: Area in Detail

The UK Ministry of Defence has shared a satellite image with details of Russian defensive positions north of Armyansk as part of their daily intelligence update.

The ministry said that defensive lines built by Russia included an extensive zone of defences of 9km in length 3.5km north of Armyansk.

Russian Defensive Positions North of Armyansk: Area in Detail. pic.twitter.com/nsCFIuNU67  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 21, 2023

07:54 AM BST

Latest MoD update: Russian command assesses Ukraine 'capable of directly assaulting Crimea'

Russia has continued to expend significant effort building defensive lines deep in rear areas in southern Ukraine, in particular on the approaches to occupied Crimea, the UK Ministry of Defence has said.

In its latest daily intelligence update, the ministry said that the defensive lines included an extensive zone of 9km in length near the town of Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson region.

The ministry added: These elaborate defences highlight the Russian commands assessment that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting Crimea.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 21 June 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/JZXB5VmisV



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/bgeFU1Vt6X  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 21, 2023

07:47 AM BST

Flooding toll rises to 41 in Russian-controlled areas after dam breach

The toll from flooding following breach of the Kakhova dam has risen to 41 in areas under Russian control, an official has said.

Andrei Alekseyenko, a senior official with Russian occupation authorities, said on Wednesday: Unfortunately the number of dead has risen to 41.

In areas under Ukrainian control, at least 16 people have died and 31 are missing, according to latest figures from Kyiv.

The breach of the Russia-controlled dam on June 6 caused flooding in huge swathes of the Kherson region, forcing thousands to flee.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of blowing up the dam on the Dnipro River, while Russia has blamed Ukraine.

07:43 AM BST

Watch: Footage purportedly of an unknown drone in village on outskirts of Moscow

Footage of an unknown drone in the village of Kalininets on the outskirts of Moscow. According to the governor of the region, two of these drones were shot down. pic.twitter.com/ryMJlMp9D0  NOELREPORTS   (@NOELreports) June 21, 2023

07:41 AM BST

Ukraine 'gaining ground' in some areas in Zaporizhzhia region, says military spokesman

Ukrainian forces are gaining some ground towards Berdiansk and Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia region, a spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has said.

Andriy Kovalev was quoted as saying in a post on the Ukraine Military Media Centers Telegram channel that They had partial success, they are gaining ground, adding that the gains were near the settlements of Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne, among others.

Ukraine continues to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the east of the country, with especially heavy fighting taking place along near Lyman in the Donetsk region, he added.

07:39 AM BST

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.
It's hardly a blitzkrieg, and the bulk of the forces have yet to be committed, but Ukraine is recapturing settlement after settlement in the south

A Ukrainian soldier in the newly liberated village of Blahodatne, June 17. (Serhii Nuzhnenko/Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Reuters)

Ukraine might be a victim of its own success.

Last year, Kyiv launched a surprise operation to recapture territory in Kharkiv Oblast from Russian forces, liberating territory roughly the size of Denmark in the space of five days. That campaign, a closely guarded secret, was unforeseen by just about everyone  especially the Russians. But it set high expectations for Ukraines long anticipated spring counteroffensive.

That spring has finally arrived, and Ukraine has gone on the march in the southeastern regions of Zaporizhzia and Donetsk. But so far, Ukraine has been tight-lipped about its slow but measurable gains.

Words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm, Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraines minister of defense tweeted on June 4, quoting Depeche Mode.

That same day, Ukraine liberated the village of Novodarivka, but waited eight days before publicly acknowledging the victory. As of Wednesday, the Ukrainian counteroffensive has liberated at least eight settlements, according to Deputy Defense Minister Hannah Malyar.

A Ukrainian serviceman of 28th brigade shoots a Maxim gun towards Russian positions at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Yet instead of the lightning fast advances seen last October, the fighting has been far more methodical. In this respect, the spring offensive is likely to resemble the months-long slog for Kherson, another region in the south, which took upward of three months for Ukraine to partially liberate.

One Estonian military analyst who goes by Karl, told Yahoo News that a slow grind was to be expected. The element of surprise as to where the Ukrainian counteroffensive would come from was not possible, he said. The Russians were waiting from all directions. Ukraine, Karl added, is far from having deployed all of its reserve units to the battle. At the moment, it is not a massive offensive.

Rather, it is a series of probing exercises in which Ukrainian forces find and exploit Russian weaknesses while moving carefully toward the main defensive line, the so-called Surovikin Line, named after the former commander of all Russian forces in Ukraine, which consists of snaking minefields, trenches and concrete anti-tank barriers.

A map of Ukraine shows areas of the country where Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to battle. (Yahoo News)

The main body of Ukrainian offensive capability hasnt been committed yet, Sir Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at Kings College London, told Times Radio on June 17. It seems they are waiting to see if there are areas where they can make a breakthrough.

For months Ukraine has been stockpiling U.S.-sent artillery ammunition, especially for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which continue to strike Russian targets daily.

Also now in Ukraines arsenal are U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are capable of hitting any position in the country and have inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces.

On June 12, Maj. Gen. Sergei Goryachev was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike, the first Russian general taken out in Ukraine in months. Anatoliy Shariy, a popular pro-Russian blogger, claimed the Storm Shadow was responsible. On June 14, Shariy also said Ukraine had struck a formation of Russian troops near Kreminna, a city in Luhansk, that had assembled to be addressed by a commanding officer. At least 100 soldiers were killed, according to Russian bloggers, with another hundred wounded, making it one of the most devastating single strikes of the war in recent months.

But Kyiv faces its own difficulties, including superior Russian air power in the form of Sukhoi fighter jets and Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters, of which Russia has recently added 20 more to its base in occupied Berdyansk.

An M142 HIMARS launches a rocket on the Bakhmut direction on May 18, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Ukraine received the HIMARS as part of international military assistance programs to help defend itself against the ongoing Russian invasion. (Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Alligators played a major role in an early setback for Ukraines spring counteroffensive near Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia. An armored group of the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade was attempting to advance when it inadvertently entered a minefield. The vehicles were then struck by artillery fire, as well as antitank missiles launched from the Russian helicopters. At least five U.S.-provided Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and one German-made Leopard 2 tank were disabled and abandoned.

The Russian government has obsessively circulated imagery from that single incident to suggest Kyivs campaign has failed and Western military aid is a waste. I think the Russians have shown us the same five vehicles about a thousand times from 10 different angles, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at a press conference at the NATO summit on June 15. More importantly, the Western armor did exactly what it was meant to do. The majority of the Ukrainian crews survived unharmed, and the soldiers of the 47th Brigade were effusive in their praise of the donated vehicles that kept them alive. On June 13, the United States pledged an additional 15 Bradleys to Ukraine in its latest round of military aid.

Despite some difficulties, Ukraine has also begun to advance slowly around Orikhiv, the site of its early blunder.

Ukrainian soldiers repair a Leopard 2 tank in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, June 21. (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Among those who think Russia is performing miserably is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the serially sanctioned oligarch and financier of the mercenary Wagner Group. For months he has inveighed against the Russian Ministry of Defense and General Staff, possibly as a way to elevate himself politically inside Russia. In a four-minute rant released Wednesday, Prigozhin said: The Ukrainian counteroffensive is bringing us serious losses and problems, which are hushed up, which the Russian people dont know about.
Dozens of young ballet dancers are finding refuge at U.S. ballet schools to continue their passion after escaping the war in Ukraine.

Nikita Malaki, 17, feels most at home on stage after his own hometown of Kyiv was bombarded by rocket fire.

I remember it was just a regular day. I was about to go to school. I heard some weird sounds like bombs or rockets. We realized the war began. First days, we were sleeping in shelters. We were scared for our lives, Malaki told ABC News.

I love to perform. I love to be on stage. How I feel when Im dancing, its amazing, Malaki said.

PHOTO: Nikita Malaki, 17, is shown practicing ballet in front of a dance studio mirror. (ABC News)

When the war began, 18-year-old Yeva Hrytsak was dancing in Switzerland and about to return home to Dnipro, Ukraine, when she got a call from her mom that turned her world upside down.

She says, Yeva, there is a war in our country. All the airports are bombed, so there is no way back home. I was scared. I was so scared. Hrytsak told ABC News.

Life changed in an instant, with schools shutting down, theaters shuttered and ballet studios suddenly closed.

Both Malaki and Hrytsaks parents sprang into action, calling New Jersey-based Larissa Saveliev, a former Bolshoi Ballet dancer whos well connected in the tight-knit ballet community. Saveliev told ABC News that parents were calling her saying, Please get my child out of here. Were not sure where, just out of here.

MORE: Inside Ukraine's leading trauma hospital, where surgeons now work to save badly wounded soldiers

Saveliev founded Youth America Grand Prix, a scholarship and ballet competition that has matched dancers with ballet schools around the world for more than two decades.

So we contacted our partner schools, and we tell them, Guys, would you accommodate some Ukrainian dancers? Literally in 24 hours they say, Yes, we will, Saveliev said.

PHOTO: Yeva Hrytsak, 18, is shown practicing ballet moves with fellow dancer Nikita Malaki at the piano. (ABC News)

Since the war began, Saveliev has helped relocate more than 250 Ukrainian dancers with the help of philanthropist Howard Buffett, son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett.

Howard Buffett said that he happened to see a story about the dancers on the news one night.

I believe that some of these young men and women are going to achieve an amazing dream some day, Buffett told ABC News.

Howard Buffetts foundation has granted more than $2.5 million to support the exiled Ukrainian dancers.

Heres this group of kids. They've had their whole life taken away from them, and they've done nothing to deserve that, Buffett said.

Still, its a difficult situation for the young dancers, who remain thousands of miles away from their friends and family.

MORE: Killed, kidnapped and traumatized: Children under attack in Russias war against Ukraine

A few months ago, Malaki, who is training in Philadelphia with the famed Rock School for Dance Education, said he found out that his uncle died in Bakhmut while fighting for Ukraine. Dance now serves as a refuge from the pain back home.

Every day I'm waking up with wanting to go to studios to work and rehearsing. I have a huge motivation to become a professional dancer in the company, Malaki said.

When I start dancing, I'm like, transformed into a different world where I just feel like I'm just in somewhere magical world and there is no problems. There is nothing to worry about, said Hrytsak, who just landed a spot with the Houston Ballet Academy.

Ukrainian ballet dancers find refuge at US ballet schools originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
(CNN)  Temperatures in parts of the North Atlantic Ocean are soaring off the charts, with an exceptional marine heat wave happening off the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, sparking concerns about impacts on marine life.

Parts of the North Sea are experiencing a category 4 marine heat wave  defined as extreme  according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In some areas, water temperatures are up to 5 degrees Celsius (9 Fahrenheit) hotter than usual.

Global oceans have been exceptionally warm for months. April and May saw the highest ocean surface temperatures for those two months since records began in 1850.

The regional picture is even more stark, according to the UK Met Office: Temperatures in the North Atlantic in May were around 1.25 degrees Celsius (2.25 Fahrenheit) above average.

The eastern Atlantic, from Iceland down to the tropics, is much warmer than average. But areas around parts of north-western Europe, including parts of the UK, have among some of the highest sea-surface temperatures relative to average, Stephen Belcher, the Met Offices chief scientist, said in a statement.

Many scientists are sounding the alarm.

The heatwave is very exceptional, said Mika Rantanen, a researcher at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. It is currently the strongest on Earth, he told CNN.

Richard Unsworth, an associate professor of biosciences at Plymouth University in the UK, called the Atlantic heat wave totally unprecedented.

It is way beyond the worst-case predictions for the changing climate of the region. Its truly frightening how fast this ocean basin is changing, he told CNN.

Risks are high for marine species, such as fish, coral and seagrass  many of which adapted to survive within certain temperature ranges. Hotter water can stress and even kill them.

Theres a very high potential that animals such as oysters, plants and algae will be killed by this European marine heatwave, particularly within shallow waters where temperatures may super heat beyond the background levels, Unsworth said.

Earlier this month, thousands of dead fish washed up along the Gulf Coast in Texas, a mass death which scientists believe is connected to rising ocean temperatures, as warmer water is able to hold less oxygen. And in 2021, an extreme heat wave cooked around a billion shellfish to death on Canadas West Coast.

Scientists say there are a number of factors behind the extreme heat.

It is the classic combination of the underpinning of human-caused climate change with a layer of natural variation within the climate system on top, the UK Met Office said in a statement.

Planet-heating pollution rises as the world continues to burn fossil fuels, which means higher temperatures for oceans and land.

El Nino, which tends to have a warming effect globally, is expected to drive temperatures even higher this year.

And other factors may also play a role, including a lack of dust from the Sahara, which usually helps cool the region by reflecting away sunlight. Weaker than average winds have reduced the extent of dust in the regions atmosphere potentially leading to higher temperatures, said Albert Klein Tank, the head of the Met Office Hadley Centre, in a statement.

Weaker winds may also have helped increase temperatures, as strong westerly winds typically cool the ocean surface, Rantanen said.

Another potential driver of ocean heat could be anti-pollution regulations which require ships to cut sulfur in their fuel, reducing aerosols in the atmosphere. While these aerosols have a negative impact on human health, they also have a cooling impact by reflecting away sunlight.

As climate change intensifies, marine heat waves are set to become more common. The frequency of marine heat waves has already increased more than 20-fold due to human-caused global warming, according to a 2020 study.

While we cant in detail predict the intensity, duration and location of severe heating events such as the current marine heatwave, we know theyre increasingly likely to be more prevalent as our climate system collapses further, Unsworth said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The North Atlantic is experiencing a totally unprecedented marine heat wave"
Ukraines Defence Forces have killed another 540 Russian soldiers, and destroyed 35 unmanned aerial vehicles, 32 artillery systems and other Russian equipment over the past 24 hours.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces from 24 February 2022 to 21 June 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 222,000 (+540) military personnel

4,006 (+9) tanks

7,771 (+21) armoured combat vehicles

3,920 (+32) artillery systems

615 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems

375 (+3) air defence systems

314 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft

306 (+0) helicopters

3,428 (+35) operational-tactical UAVs

1,214 (+0) cruise missiles

18 (+0) ships/boats

6,667 (+22) vehicles and tankers

539 (+8) special vehicles.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ukrainian Defenders name 2 reasons for intensification of Russian attacks on Lyman and Kupiansk fronts

The Russian occupation forces have intensified their assaults on the Lyman and Kupiansk fronts to draw the defenders' forces away from the supply route and reach the administrative border of Luhansk Oblast.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: In particular, according to sources in one of the National Guard of Ukraine units, in the afternoon of 20 June, Russians intensified their assault on Ukrainian positions on the Lyman front. Especially around Dibrova (12 km east of liberated Yampil) and Serebrianka Forest. "One of the newly formed and not very well trained units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had to retreat from a small part of its positions," the sources said.

At the same time, the Russians have been pressing along the entire line from Kupiansk to Lyman for the past few weeks.

Some military officials suggest that this is how the Russians want to draw Ukrainian units advancing on the flanks on the Bakhmut front to this section of the frontline.

However, sources of Ukrainska Pravda claim that the motivation is somewhat different.

Thus, the Russians are advancing on Kupiansk to move the contact line away from the road that goes through the occupied Troitske and Svatove and serves as their main supply route.

And they are advancing on Lyman and surrounding settlements to recapture villages in Luhansk Oblast (Makiivka, Nevske, etc.) and to re-enter the administrative borders of Luhansk Oblast.

Background:

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russians conducted an airstrike on Kolodiazne (Kharkiv Oblast) on the Kupiansk front over the past 24 hours. Fyholivka, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kyslivka and Berestove in Kharkiv Oblast came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

On the Lyman front, the Russians conducted offensive actions in the direction of Kreminna and Yampolivka. Stelmakhivka, Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne and Rozdolivka in Donetsk Oblast came under artillery fire.

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The Ukrainian defenders shot down a Russian Mi-24 attack helicopter on 21 June.

Source: Ukrainian General Staff on Facebook

Quote: "Good news. Our soldiers shot down a Russian Mi-24 helicopter this afternoon [21 June  ed.]".

Details: The General Staff also posted a photo of what Russian Mi-24s look like and stressed that Ukraine will stand and prevail.

Later, the Air Force clarified that the Russian Mi-24 attack helicopter was shot down on the Zaporizhzhia front. This was done by one of the brigades of the Ground Forces.

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Ukrainian special ops forces who stormed a Russian trench in an intense video did 'everything right' and took their enemy by surprise, US infantry veteran says

A Ukrainian soldier fires into a Russian trench. Special Operations Forces of Ukraine/Screengrab via Twitter

Ukrainian special operations forces published a video showing soldiers clearing a Russian trench.

The intense footage portrayed close-quarters fighting that left several Russian troops dead.

An urban warfare expert told Insider the Ukrainians did everything right in their assault.

Harrowing footage published by Ukraine's special operations forces this week shows their troops storming a Russian trench and engaging in deadly close-quarters fighting with Moscow's soldiers.

The assault appears to have caught the Russians by surprise and left several dead as the Ukrainians cleared their way through the dirt maze. In stark contrast to the reactions by the Russian soldiers, Kyiv's forces appear to have executed the mission flawlessly, doing "everything right," a former US Army infantry soldier said.

"What the Ukrainians did is very unique in their level of proficiency," John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at West Point's Modern War Institute, told Insider after watching the video. "They do everything right, which doesn't always happen in war  even if you're really trained."

Ukraine's special operations forces shared the graphic video to several social media channels on Monday. The military said its forces approached the enemy positions from the rear and killed 10 Russian troops.

The following video is a graphic depiction of front-line trench warfare in Ukraine.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF UKRAINE (@SOF_UKR) June 19, 2023

Sharing the video on Twitter, Spencer wrote: "I know a lot of people have already commented on this video of Ukrainian Special Forces conducting close quarters battle in a Russian trench. I can tell they are highly trained, good weapons handling, use of grenades. Intense. High adrenaline but not chaotic. Bravo Zulu."

It was not immediately clear where this particular mission occurred. Ukraine recently launched a major counteroffensive along the front lines in the country's east and south, which has seen Kyiv commit advanced and heavy Western armor like tanks and infantry fighting vehicles alongside other ground forces.

Russian soldiers 'never figure it out'

The footage, which was captured by a camera worn by an operator, starts off by showing two Ukrainians readying themselves in the trench before they quickly enter and turn a corner while firing several rounds into a dark passageway. The Ukrainian wearing the camera continues to fire toward another corner, at which point a Russian soldier comes running around the bend and runs directly into the line of fire before collapsing.

Two more Russian soldiers then come running down one of the passageways, and the Ukrainian fires off several more rounds, taking them out of the fight. The crumpled bodies of the Russian soldiers are blurred in the video. Heavy breathing can be heard through the camera's microphone.

Spencer told Insider he was "significantly impressed" with the skill and professionalism displayed by the Ukrainian service member filming. Not only do they use the trench's corners as protection, but they also hold their rifle in a smart way for close-quarters fighting, control their adrenaline, and avoid rushing forward and just spraying bullets.

A Ukrainian soldier breaches a Russian trench. Special Operations Forces of Ukraine/Screengrab via Twitter

The Russian forces, meanwhile, are caught off guard. While the Ukrainians hold covered and concealed positions, Moscow's troops "never figure it out and just keep running face-forward into the Ukrainian version of Navy SEALs sitting in their trenches," Spencer said.

Later in the video, it cuts to the Ukrainian hurling a grenade at Russian positions, which is shortly followed by the sound of a quick bang. In a subsequent scene, the soldier tosses a second grenade as spurts of gunfire can be heard in the background.

With the element of surprise working to the advantage of the Ukrainians, the Russians "never realize where the Ukrainians are," Spencer said. "Those explosions just increase the chaos on the Russian side" as "they're being overwhelmed and attacked."

Footage then shows a soldier continue deeper into the trenches, before eventually taking cover in a little bunker as gunfire echos in the background. Shortly after, a Russian soldier can be seen creeping slowly through the passageway before the hidden Ukrainian opens fire from the bunker. The soldier then steps over the fallen Russian and scurries down through the trenches.

'This won't be the last time'

Trench warfare is not a new aspect of Russia's war in Ukraine and has been a brutal feature of the 16-month-long conflict, which has often drawn comparisons to the grueling fighting of World War I. Dramatic videos have previously depicted Ukrainian soldiers storming and fighting in Russian trenches, but the recent video published by Ukrainian special operations forces seemed to invoke a particular sense of shock and intrigue from viewers online.

War gets intimate, Spencer said, but its rare to see a video that depicts such a level of "intense closeness" and "extreme risk."

The difference between life and death is measured in seconds, he said, adding that this mission ultimately came down to which soldiers were better trained, whereas other engagements might be a result of positioning or weapons at hand.

Inside a Russian trench. Special Operations Forces of Ukraine/Screengrab via Twitter

This kind of fighting is expected to continue. In preparation for Ukraine's much-anticipated counteroffensive, Russia spent the spring months building up defensive positions near the front lines and deep within Ukrainian territory that it currently controls. Aside from trenches, these fortifications also include anti-tank ditches, minefields, and "dragon's teeth"  concrete spikes designed to stop heavy armor like tanks or vehicles.

And even with weapons like tanks, drones, and artillery in Ukraine's arsenal, the country will need to rely on its infantry to take the necessary risks of assaulting and clearing trenches, Spencer said.

"This won't be the last time we see this kind of video, when Russians are left to die in their trenches," he predicted. "When it comes down to it, you still got to send another human into a dark room or dark trench to kill the enemy waiting for you in their position."

Clearing trenches is something that the Ukrainian military is likely rehearsing as a battle drill so that soldiers are capable of doing it without having to think twice about it, Spencer said. Photos and video from recent training seem to indicate that this has been something of a priority. Kyiv's troops will continue to find themselves in similar situations as the special operations forces, but future missions may have varied outcomes.

"It went really well for the Ukrainians this time, but there is no bloodless war," he said. "We're going to see a lot of casualties on both sides in the next few weeks."

Read the original article on Business Insider
UK's Wallace says he does not expect to succeed Stoltenberg at NATO

UK's Wallace says he does not expect to succeed Stoltenberg at NATO Germany's Scholz and NATO's Stoltenberg hold a press conference, in Berlin

LONDON (Reuters) -British defence minister Ben Wallace said on Wednesday he did not expect to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general, The Economist magazine reported.

Stoltenberg is due to step down in September after nine years as secretary general of the military alliance but it has struggled to decide on a replacement ahead of a mid-July summit in Lithuania, and last week sources said he was expected to be asked to stay on for another year.

"Its not going to happen," Wallace, who had declared openly that he would like the job, told The Economist in an interview, adding that the United States wants Stoltenberg to stay.

"Maybe they want a prime minister," he added.

The article also cited sources close to Wallace as saying the process remains open. A spokesperson for Wallace declined to comment.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Howard Goller and Daniel Wallis)
GENEVA (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticised on Wednesday what he called chronic underfunding of aid across the globe despite growing humanitarian needs.

"Chronic underfunding and record levels of humanitarian need are stretching the system to the breaking point," he told the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the U.N. Economic and Social Council.

Only 20% of funds needed under the U.N. Global Humanitarian Appeal have been received halfway through 2023, he said.

"This is causing a crisis within a crisis," Guterres added. "Without a solution to the funding crisis, further cuts are inevitable."

On Monday international donors pledged close to $1.5 billion in aid to Sudan, which has been stricken by a grave humanitarian crisis that has driven some 2.2 million people from their homes.

Prior to the conference, a U.N. appeal for $2.57 billion for humanitarian support within Sudan this year was about 17% funded, and an appeal for nearly $500 million for refugees fleeing the country was just 15% funded.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Gareth Jones)
The UN has named the number of civilian deaths since the beginning of the full-scale invasion

A total of 9,083 civilians have been killed and 15,779 have been injured since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a report on June 19.

In particular, 20,073 casualties (7,072 killed and 13,001 injured) have been recorded in Ukrainian-controlled territory against 4,789 casualties (2,011 killed and 2,778 injured) in Russian-occupied territory.

Read also: Over 500 civilians may have died in Oleshky after dam breach, Ukraine says

"The OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration," reads the report.

"This concerns, for example, Mariupol (Donetsk Oblast), Lysychansk, Popasna, and Sievierodonetsk (Luhansk Oblast), where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties."

Read also: Russia destroying war crime evidence in Mariupol Theater attack on anniversary, Zelenskyy says

The OHCHR recorded 557 civilian casualties in Ukraine from June 1 to June 18, 2023: 112 killed and 445 injured. This included 99 killed and 397 injured in the Ukrainian-controlled territory, and 13 killed and 48 injured in the Russian-controlled territory.

Explosive weapons with wide area effects resulted in the death of 107 civilians and 425 injured. Another five were killed and 20 injured due to mines and other explosive ordnance.

Read also: Over 700 Ukrainian civilians injured by land mines, including up to 100 children

From the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, to Feb. 26, 2023, 8,101 deaths were recorded among the civilian population of Ukraine, and 13,479 people were injured, the OHCHR reported on Feb. 27.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Flu virus illustrated. KATERYNA KON / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images

As we are emerging from a "tripledemic" of RSV, Covid-19, and the flu, another virus is making its rounds. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is another in the catalog of respiratory viruses causing a stir. The virus peaked in spring, affecting a number of children and the elderly, per CNN.

What is HMPV?

Human metapneumovirus is a virus discovered in 2001 that causes respiratory infection. It falls under the paramyxovirus umbrella, which is "a family of viruses known to cause a wide range of common infections," including RSV, measles, and mumps, explained The Washington Post. While the virus has been around for a while, it gained attention recently as the number of cases has been unusually high, surging in April and still spreading today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Like RSV and influenza, HMPV also has annual epidemics in the late winter and early spring, usually 1-2 months following the RSV and flu season," said Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious diseases expert, to Healthline.

Most of the time, HMPV goes undetected because "testing for HMPV is rarely done outside hospitals," per CNN. "Human metapneumovirus doesn't account for all the unknown viruses, but it's a significant proportion  about as many cases as RSV or influenza." So a person may have had the disease without ever knowing they were suffering from it. "Testing for HMPV isn't that common in the outpatient setting, and many hospitals don't test for HMPV for inpatients either," Chang explained.

What are the symptoms?

HMPV has similar symptoms to other respiratory illnesses including coughing, congestion, fever and shortness of breath. It is the second most common cause of respiratory illness in children after RSV and in more severe cases, "can lead to intensive care and fatal cases of pneumonia in older adults," explained CNN. "The vast majority of patients with acute HMPV infection are children and will have the most common upper respiratory symptoms; runny nose, cough, fever. Occasionally, you can see pink eye from HMPV." Dele Ogunseitan, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, told Healthline.

However, the threat of the virus is "underestimated," CNN added. Although many haven't heard of it, it may be surprisingly prevalent. "Many viruses that infect humans to cause respiratory diseases similar to the common cold may surge in recent months because most parts of the world went through a hibernation (lock-down) for the past two years, and many of these viruses did not circulate in the population," Ogunseitan continued.

Because many of the symptoms can also be caused by other diseases or allergies, how can you tell you have HPMV? "Once you start developing a lower respiratory cough, once you start developing things like fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness. These are things that may point you towards something different besides allergies," said Hartford Health Care Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Ulysses Wu to NBC Connecticut. The disease spreads through physical contact with people or contaminated surfaces, as well as through the air, especially if an infected person coughs or sneezes, per the CDC.

How serious is it?

The virus "usually causes a cold  not a big deal in most individuals," said Monica Gandhi, an infectious-disease expert at the University of California at San Francisco to the Post. Also, there is currently no cure but relief can come from "rest and similar over-the-counter treatments as for the common cold," according to Ogunseitan. However, "Any patient with severe infection including difficulty breathing should seek medical care promptly."

While, "HMPV activity right now is not remarkable," according to a representative from the CDC to NBC News, "summer travel is just getting started." You can reduce your chances of contracting the disease by washing your hands regularly and avoiding close contact with those who are sick.

"Hopefully, in the future, we will actually see advances against human metapneumovirus. But we've been living with it for a long time," remarked Gandhi.

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Underwater noises prompted remotely operated vehicles to search for their origin in the hunt for a missing tourist submersible that was heading to the wreck of the Titanic. Also in the news: Key Republican lawmakers say Hunter Biden's plea agreement with the Justice Department will spur them to dig even deeper and today marks the official start of summer.

 I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Don't believe the AI conspiracies.

Now, here we go with Wednesday's news.

Less than a day left in search for vanished underwater submersible

A Canadian aircraft heard "underwater noises in the search area" of the North Atlantic Ocean where U.S. and Canadian crews are searching for a small vessel carrying five people that vanished Sunday in a dive to the Titanic wreckage site. As few as 40 hours of oxygen supply could be left in the submersible, officials said, meaning the supply could run out by Thursday morning. The high-stakes effort has involved international air and sea forces searching a span totaling 10,000 square miles. Read more

Reporter who rode Titanic submarine says there were ''many red flags.''

This image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible being towed to a dive location.

Takeaways from Hunter Biden's plea deal

Hunter Biden's agreement Tuesday to resolve federal tax and gun charges culminated a five-year criminal investigation and likely averted prison.

But the deal opened the door to an intensified congressional inquiry and further political attacks against President Joe Biden.

A U.S. attorney for Delaware who has investigated Hunter Biden for five years announced he was charged with two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax. The Justice Department is expected to recommend probation, according to the Associated Press.

Biden also agreed to a pretrial diversion program related to a gun charge, which could eventually lead to the dismissal of the charge.

Republican lawmakers and presidential contenders are not satisfied by the plea agreement. The GOP have kept a drumbeat for years that Biden represents a corrupting force in his father's inner circle.

Keep reading: What probes into Hunter Biden will continue?

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, speaks to guests during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, April 18, 2022, in Washington.

More news to know now

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

US sees sharp decline in learning among nation's 13-year-olds

Theres yet more evidence that students have lost significant ground following the wobbly shift to pandemic-era remote classes that stretched for months: New data show the nations 13-year-olds are struggling with basic math and reading skills. The results from a version of the Nations Report Card known as the long-term trend assessment, published Wednesday, show an especially notable slide in math that continues a trend predating the pandemic. Read more

Heat wave scorches Texas with no end in sight

There is little relief in sight for sun-scorched states such as Texas and Louisiana from blistering, dangerous heat, forecasters say. Experts expect a heat dome that has caused temperatures to skyrocket throughout June will continue to jeopardize heat records for at least the next several days. Tens of thousands of people across the south-central U.S. remained without power Tuesday as a result of big storms late last week and over the weekend, adding to the heat misery. Read more

Dymond Black sits with a towel over his head in the shade on June 19, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

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These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here.

White House to welcome India's leader

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kicked off a four-day visit to the United States. He'll meet with business and technology leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He will stop by the United Nations on international yoga day (an annual event he persuaded the U.N. to adopt), have the red carpet rolled out for him at the White House as part of an official state visit and talk with President Joe Biden. Modi will also address, for the second time in his career, a joint session of Congress, on Thursday. Read more

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters as he arrives in New York on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

Quick hits

Photo of the day: The first day of summer

The official start of summer in the Northern hemisphere was marked by celebrants at Stonehenge, England, on Tuesday night, who greeted sunrise on Wednesday to mark the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. Read more

Revelers gather at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, near Salisbury, England, Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this  subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Titanic submersible, Hunter Biden, education, Texas heat wave, India, yoga, summer solstice: Daily Briefing
The University of Manchester says it is "focussing all available resources" on resolving the issue

University students and staff have been sent emails warning them of an imminent data leak by a group claiming to be hackers behind a cyber attack.

Some of the University of Manchester's systems were "accessed by an unauthorised party" on 6 June.

The email, seen by the BBC, threatened of a "last warning" before personal data would be disclosed due to the university not meeting demands.

The university said it was "working around-the-clock" to resolve the issue.

The establishment, which has about 40,000 students and 12,000 staff, has not confirmed how many people are affected by the incident.

Black market

The email threatened students and staff by telling them their personal data would be sold on the black market if the university did not resolve the situation.

A university spokeswoman said: "Following our reporting of a cyber-incident earlier this month, we are aware that some staff and students have been sent emails purporting to be from the people behind it.

"All staff and students should be wary of opening suspicious emails or phishing attempts, and report them to our IT department."

She said the university was "working around-the-clock" to "understand what data has been accessed" and was "focussing all available resources" on it.

Anyone affected by the incident would be contacted through university channels, she added.

The university is working with the Information Commissioner's Office, the North West Organised Crime Unit and the National Cyber Security Centre over the cyber attack.

The Information Commissioner's Office has been contacted by the BBC.

A university spokesman said previously the 6 June cyber incident had "no known link" to the MOVEit hack that hit employers including the BBC, Boots and British Airways.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
US President Joe Biden made the comments in California on Tuesday

US President Joe Biden has called Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator at a fundraising event in California.

His remarks came a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Mr Xi for talks in Beijing, which were aimed at easing tensions between the two superpowers.

Mr Biden also said Mr Xi was embarrassed after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the US.

China said it "firmly opposes" Mr Biden's comments.

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it, was he didn't know it was there," Mr Biden said at the event on Tuesday.

"That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened," he added.

The balloon, which China says was monitoring weather, drifted across the continental US before being destroyed by American military aircraft in February.

Washington later said it was part of a sprawling Chinese intelligence collection programme. Mr Blinken, who was meant to visit Beijing at the time, postponed the trip in the wake of the incident.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called Mr Biden's remarks "extremely absurd and irresponsible". Speaking at a regularly scheduled press conference on Wednesday, she said that the comments were "an open political provocation" that violated diplomatic etiquette.

Mr Blinken's visit over the weekend, the first by a US secretary of state in almost five years, restarted high-level communications between the two countries.

Mr Xi said some progress had been made in Beijing, while Mr Blinken indicated both sides were open to more talks. Major differences, however, remain between the two countries.

Relations have plummeted in the wake of a Trump-era trade war, Beijing's assertive claims over Taiwan and the shooting down of the alleged spy balloon.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday levelled sanctions against Myanmar's Ministry of Defense and two banks used by the Southeast Asian country's military to purchase arms and other goods in foreign currencies, according to the Treasury Department's website.

The sanctions hit the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB), which receive and transmit foreign currencies for Myanmar's government, including state-owned enterprises that raise much of the junta's revenues.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis; editing by Rami Ayyub)
An LGBT+ flag brandished during a protest in West Hollywood, California, in April 2023 (ALLISON DINNER)

A US federal judge on Tuesday struck down a law prohibiting minors from gender transition treatment in Arkansas, the first time such a restriction has been overturned as similar laws are enacted in Republican-led states.

Judge Jay Moody ruled the law was unconstitutional because it violated the rights of doctors to provide medical care and discriminates against transgender people.

"The evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that, by prohibiting it, the state undermined the interests it claims to be advancing," the judge said.

Arkansas, a conservative-leaning southern state, in 2021 became the first to ban minors from accessing hormonal or surgical gender transition treatments.

Since then, around 20 other US states have followed suit, including Florida and Texas.

The Republican Party is leading an offensive on LGBTQ issues, attacking the discussion of gender at schools and even lambasting drag queen shows, which they deem too sexualized.

Gender transition treatment laws have already been temporarily suspended while lawsuits continue, but Tuesday's decision was the first by a federal judge to rule on the merits.

Arkansas District Attorney Tim Griffin said the state would appeal.

"There is no scientific evidence that any child will benefit from these procedures, while the consequences are harmful and often permanent," he said in a statement.

Plaintiff Dylan Brandt, a 17-year-old transgender teen, said he was "grateful" to the judge, who understood how this treatment "has changed my life for the better and saw the dangerous impact this law could have on my life and that of countless other transgender people."

The decision affects only Arkansas, but activists defending transgender rights were hopeful it will have symbolic significance beyond the borders of the state.

"This decision sends a clear message," said Holly Dickson, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Arkansas.

"Fear-mongering and misinformation about this health care do not hold up to scrutiny: it hurts trans youth and must end," she said.

led/lpa/jh/mlm
How the US military is aiding in the search for the Titan submersible

A growing number of aircraft and ships from the U.S. and Canada searched Tuesday for a submersible vessel carrying five people that disappeared on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic.

The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the search for the small craft, named Titan, in a remote area of the North Atlantic Ocean. OceanGate Expeditions, an undersea exploration company, has been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021.

What we know so far about the submersible, what may have happened, and whats being done to find it:

When and where did the Titan disappear?

The craft submerged Sunday morning, and its support vessel lost contact with it about an hour and 45 minutes later, according to the Coast Guard.

The vessel was reported overdue about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland, according to Canadas Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Titan was launched from an icebreaker that was hired by OceanGate and formerly operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. The ship has ferried dozens of people and the submersible craft to the North Atlantic wreck site, where the Titan has made multiple dives.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday afternoon that the submersible had about 40 hours of oxygen remaining, meaning the supply could run out Thursday morning.

What is being done to find it?

At least 10,000 square miles (25,900 square kilometers) have been searched, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was supporting the Titan, was conducting surface searches with help from a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, and the Canadian military dropped sonar buoys to listen for any possible sounds from the Titan.

An underwater robot had also started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic, and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the submersible is found, said Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District in Boston.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, speaks to the media, Monday, June 19, 2023, in Boston. A search is underway for a missing submersible that carries people to view the wreckage of the Titanic. (Steven Senne)

Two U.S. Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft were conducting overflights, and three C-17s from U.S. Air Mobility Command have also been used to move another commercial companys submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. Johns to aid in the search.

A Royal Canadian Navy ship that provides a medical team specializing in dive medicine and a six-person mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber also was en route Tuesday, according to the Canadian military.

What kind of deep-sea vessel is it?

OceanGate has described the Titan as the largest of any deep diving submersible with an unparalleled safety feature that assesses the integrity of the hull throughout every dive.

Made of titanium and filament wound carbon fiber, the Titan weighs 20,000 pounds (9,072 kilograms) in the air, but is ballasted to be neutrally buoyant once it reaches the seafloor, the company said.

Titan is capable of diving four kilometers (2.4 miles) with a comfortable safety margin, according to documents filed by the company in April with a U.S. District Court in Virginia that oversees Titanic matters.

At the time of the filing, Titan had undergone more than 50 test dives, including to the equivalent depth of the Titanic, in deep waters off the Bahamas and in a pressure chamber, the company said.

During its 2022 expedition, OceanGate reported that the submersible had a battery issue on its first dive and had to be manually attached to its lifting platform.

Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist based in California who has been on similar submersibles, said the vessels operate much like hot air balloons, with weights that pull it down. He said those onboard would have been briefed on how to bring the submersible back to the surface.

Its all about buoyancy, he said. Its usually a few switches where you can throw them, and theyll just release the weights on the outside of the submarine and itll come back up.

What might have happened to it?

Eric Fusil, an associate professor and director of the shipbuilding hub at the University of Adelaide, described several possible scenarios, including a power blackout, fire, flood or entanglement.

A fire, he said, could incapacitate the vessels systems or create toxic fumes that could render the crew unconscious. A flood would be even more dramatic, resulting in a near instantaneous implosion.

The most optimistic scenario would be a power loss that allowed the vessel to return to the surface, where it would wait for search crews to find it, Fusil said.

The takeaway is that its easier to go and rescue people in space than to dive that deep and rescue people because we cant communicate easily, he said. Its still a very, very risky endeavor, even with the technology of today.
By David Shepardson and Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Majority Chuck Schumer on Wednesday called for "comprehensive legislation" to advance and ensure safeguards on artificial intelligence (AI) and will hold a series of forums in later this year.

"If the government doesn't step in, who will fill its place? Individuals and the private sector can't do the work of protecting our country," Schumer said.

He pledged to convene the "top minds in artificial intelligence" starting in September to join a "series of AI Insight Forums that will begin laying down a new foundation for AI policy."

Governments around the world are considering how to mitigate the dangers of the emerging technology and U.S. lawmakers are increasingly urging quick action to address risks. Surging popularity of so-called generative AI, which uses data to create new content like ChatGPT's human-sounding prose, could remake human society.

In April, Schumer circulated a framework outlining a new regulatory regime to "prevent potentially catastrophic damage to our country while simultaneously making sure the U.S. advances and leads in this transformative technology."

Schumer warned Wednesday "if we don't set the norms for AI's proper uses, others will. The Chinese Communist Party, which has little regard for the norms of democratic governance, could leap ahead of us and set the rules of the game for AI."

Congress is narrowly divided and has not reached any consensus on AI legislation.

"Even if many developers have good intentions, there will always be rogue actors, unscrupulous companies, and foreign adversaries that seek to harm us," Schumer said. "And companies may not be willing to insert guardrails on their own, certainly if their competitors are not required to insert them as well."

Schumer said AI is already disrupting the way tens millions of people make a living

"Lower-skilled tasks will keep falling victim to automation at a faster and faster ratedisplacing millions of low-income workers, many from communities of color," Schumer said. "Trucking, manufacturing, energy production could be next. And rest assured, those with college educations and advanced degrees wont be safe either."

President Joe Biden said Tuesday his administration "is committed to safeguarding Americans' rights and safety while protecting privacy, to addressing bias and misinformation, to making sure AI systems are safe before they are released."

In April, the CEOs of ChatGPT developer OpenAI, its backer Microsoft, and Alphabet met with Biden and other officials to discuss AI.

Congress should encourage not stifle innovation, Schumer will argue: "But if people don't think innovation can be done safely, that will stifle AI's development and even prevent us from moving forward."

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Richard Cowan in Washington; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Philippa Fletcher)
The US may provide additional weapons to Ukraine

A recent audit revealed an overestimation of $6.2 billion in U.S. military aid provided to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said deputy press secretary at the Pentagon, Sabrina Singh, on June 20.

"We have confirmed that for FY23, the final calculation is $3.6 billion, and for FY22 it is $2.6 billion, for a combined total of $6.2 billion," Singh said.

Read also: U.S. to help Ukraine fill arms gaps if necessary, says Blinken

Singh said the accounting error occurred because there was a significant number of cases when the United States transferred weaponry and military officials calculated its value based on the value of replacing the weapon, instead of the value of the actual weapon.

To address this issue, the Pentagon has now received new guidance on estimating the cost of equipment provided to Ukraine to ensure that we use the most accurate accounting methods," she said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on June 20 that the United States will unveil a new military aid package for Ukraine on June 21.

Read also: Ukrainian military reports U.S. Avenger systems deployed in Kyiv

On June 13, the United States announced a new military aid package to Ukraine, which included the Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and the Stryker armored fighting 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
US president Joe Biden labelled Xi Jinping a dictator during a political fundraiser in California, a comment that did not go down well with Beijing.

Chinese officials responded sharply to the remarks, saying they were extremely absurd and irresponsible on Wednesday.

The US presidents criticism of Mr Xi came after US secretary of state Antony Blinken visited Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations, that China said was at its lowest point since formal ties were established.

The comments from Mr Biden, clearly aimed at a domestic audience, highlight the struggles both nations have in trying to keep their rivalry from spiralling towards conflict  while also trying to take a hard line on .

Mr Biden also said Mr Xi was very embarrassed when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was blown off course over the US airspace early this year, making the remark about the Chinese leader despite Mr Blinken saying on Monday when the "chapter" should be closed.

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didnt know it was there," Mr Biden said.

"Thats a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didnt know what happened. That wasnt supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course," Mr Biden added.

Mr Biden also said China "has real economic difficulties". Beijing, seeking to revive a flagging economy in the wake of Covid-19 has repeatedly hit out at US sanctions on its companies and officials. The US has also sought to block Beijing's access to cutting-edge computer chip manufacturing technology that could be used for military purposes, and accused China of stealing American intellectual property.

Mr Blinken and Mr Xi agreed in their meeting to work towards stabilising the intense rivalry between Washington and Beijing, but failed to produce a major breakthrough during the secretary of states visit to China  the first by Americas top diplomat in nearly five years.

Mr Biden praised Mr Blinkens work in attempting to repair the relationship between the two countries, adding that it would take time. Mr Biden told the fundraiser that US climate envoy John Kerry may go to China pretty soon.

Mr Biden said he thought relations between the two countries were on the right path, and he indicated that progress was made during Mr Blinkens trip  the first such visit by the US secretary of state in the last five years.

While it marked a return to high-level contacts between the sides, China continues to refuse talks between their militaries. In recent days, the US said Chinese warplanes and naval ships have manoeuvred in threatening ways to their American counterparts in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, despite agreements between them on protocols for avoiding such incidents.

China also reiterated its strong objections to US support for the self-governing island democracy of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory.

Were not going to have success on every issue between us on any given day, but in a whole variety of areas, on the terms that we set for this trip, we have made progress and we are moving forward, Mr Blinken said in Beijing on Monday.

But he acknowledged entrenched differences. "We have no illusions about the challenges of managing this relationship," he said.

"There are many issues on which we profoundly, even vehemently, disagree."

A day later, Mr Biden said that Mr Xi had been concerned by the so-called Quad strategic security group, which includes Japan, Australia, India and the United States. The US president said he previously told the Chinese counterpart that the US was not trying to encircle China with the Quad.

"He called me and told me not to do that because it was putting him in a bind," Mr Biden said. Were just trying to make sure the international rules of air and sea lanes remain open.

Later this week, Mr Biden will meet Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and China is expected to be a topic of discussion between the two leaders.

Additional reporting from the Associated Press
This handout picture obtained on June 21, 2023 courtesy of GOOD Meat shows a meal made of cultured chicken for JW Marriott hotel (Handout)

The United States has granted its first ever approvals to two companies to sell chicken grown directly from animal cells, paving the way for lab-grown meat to be offered to consumers.

The United States Department of Agriculture reviewed and approved food safety systems at the facilities of Upside Foods and Good Meat, a spokesperson for the agency told AFP Wednesday, with the companies adding the products would be available soon at certain restaurants.

Both companies were previously cleared by the Food and Drug Administration in November, and the USDA then cleared their product labels to ensure they were truthful, last week.

"This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table," said Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder of Upside Foods, in a statement.

"It's a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future - one that preserves choice and life."

Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of GOOD Meat, added: "We have been the only company selling cultivated meat anywhere in the world since we launched in Singapore in 2020, and now it's approved to sell to consumers in the world's largest economy."

Following approval, Upside processed its first order, placed by three-Michelin-star Chef Dominique Crenn's restaurant Bar Crenn in San Francisco.

Good Meat, meanwhile, started production of its first batch that will be sold to celebrity chef and philanthropist Jose Andres.

Andres will sell the product at a yet-to-be-revealed restaurant in the capital Washington.

ia/st
US Senate upholds Biden veto to protect new limits on heavy truck emissions

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Joe Biden's veto of legislation that would have stopped the Environmental Protection Agency from enforcing new limits on soot and smog emissions from heavy-duty trucks.

A Senate attempt to override Biden's veto got just 50 votes, far short of the 67 affirmative votes that needed.

The vote allows the EPA to go ahead with plans to impose the regulations, although it still faces legal challenges.

During debate, Republicans argued the new regulation would be expensive for the trucking industry to follow, leading to higher consumer prices in many sectors.

The EPA estimates by 2045, the rule will result in up to 2,900 fewer premature deaths annually, 1.1 million fewer lost school days for children and $29 billion in annual net benefits.

Among the heavy vehicles covered under the regulation are delivery trucks, motor homes, refuse haulers, transit, shuttle and school buses and tractor-trailers.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan and David Shepardson; Editing by Mark Porter and Conor Humphries)
A loader moves coal at the Huntington power plant in Huntington on March 24, 2015. | Ravell Call, Deseret News

The Utah Attorney General filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Environmental Protection Agencys recently released ozone interstate transport rule, asserting it is unlawful federal overreach designed to kill Utahs remaining coal-fired power plants.

The states top GOP elected leaders  Gov. Spencer Cox, Attorney General Sean Reyes, Senate President J. Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson, U.S. Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney, and Reps. Chris Stewart, John Curtis, Burgess Owens and Blake Moore  issued a statement on the lawsuit.

Utahs measured, all-of-the-above energy policy has powered decades of prosperity by providing some of the countrys most reliable and affordable energy. This balanced and commonsense approach has powered our state, fueled our economy, and maintained a high quality of life for Utahns, the statement read. We have also dramatically decreased emissions and ozone on our own. However, the Biden administration has turned to executive rulemaking to enact policies that will force early closures of Utah power plants, putting reliable, affordable, and dispatchable power significantly at risk  and only in a few years.

Related

The EPA finalized the Good Neighbor Plan in March and during this last legislative session, lawmakers endorsed a $2 million expenditure to fight it in court.

Blaming much of Colorados air pollution woes on downstream emissions from Utah, the EPA said oil and gas activity in eastern Utah and power plants in Emery County were sending ozone to its eastern neighbor.

At the time the rule was issued, the Sierra Club and other environmental groups praised the action and said it would bring Utah in check.

The groups said the rule addressed dangerous smog pollution using a combination of approaches proven to limit a key ingredient in smog: ozone season emissions of nitrogen oxides.

Rocky Mountain Powers coal-fired Hunter and Huntington plants are two of the worst sources of regional haze pollution in the West, the Sierra Club contended.

Utahs GOP leaders are asking the D.C. Court of Appeals to review the rule, asserting it threatens the states ability to provide affordable and reliable baseload energy.

As Utahs elected state leaders, we stand united in pushing back against the administrations egregious power grab that harms Utahns. We will each fight for a responsible energy policy that embraces efficiency and is based in reality because keeping the lights on is the only option.
FILE - The Bible is read aloud at the Utah Capitol, Nov. 25, 2013. The Bible will return to the shelves in a northern Utah school district that provoked an outcry after it banned them from middle and elementary schools. The Davis School District said in a statement on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, that its board had determined the sacred text was age-appropriate for all school libraries. (Steve Griffin/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, File)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Bibles will return to the shelves in a northern Utah school district that provoked an outcry after it banned them from middle and elementary schools last month.

Officials from the Davis School District, which educates 72,000 students north of Salt Lake City, said at a board meeting Tuesday that the district had determined the sacred text was age-appropriate for all district libraries. In allowing the Bible to be accessible to students regardless of their grade level, the board sided with 70 people who filed appeals after it was banned last month.

Based on their assessment of community standards, the appeal committee determined that The Bible has significant, serious value for minors which outweighs the violent or vulgar content it contains, the committee wrote in a decision published along with school board materials.

The committee's reversal is the latest development in the debate over a Utah law allowing parents to challenge sensitive materials available to children in public schools. Parents' rights activists successfully lobbied for the legislation in 2022 amid a wave of new laws targeting the materials accessible in schools and libraries  particularly about race, gender and sexuality.

In statehouses from Florida to Arkansas, Republicans have enacted laws that expand parents' power to challenge what is available in schools and libraries and, in some places, subject librarians to criminal penalties for providing materials deemed harmful to minors. The legislative effort is one prong of growing push to ban certain titles; the number of attempts to ban or restrict books across the U.S. in 2022 was the highest in the 20 years, according to the American Library Association.

In Utah, the effort to ban the Bible reignited debate about the standards used to judge the content in books. The initial challenge was filed by an unnamed person who criticized the conservative parents' activists clamoring to remove books from libraries and the standards they have lobbied the state to adopt.

Utah Parents United left off one of the most sex-ridden books around: The Bible, the challenge said, referring to one of the primary groups involved in curriculum battles. Youll no doubt find that the Bible ... has no serious values for minors because its pornographic by our new definition ... If the books that have been banned so far are any indication for way lesser offenses, this should be a slam dunk.

The challenge also derided a bad faith process and said the district was ceding our childrens education, First Amendment Rights, and library access to Parents United.

The committee's decision to remove the Bible vexed advocates for expanding local control and parents ability to challenge books. Republican Ken. Ivory, the lawmaker who sponsored the states sensitive materials law at first opposed the Bibles removal and called the challenge a mockery. He later said the text was best read at home but ultimately pushed for its return to schools and attacked the process that removed it from Davis County schools.

In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, Ivory said lawmakers should revise the law to ensure book-removal decisions have to be overseen by elected officials at open public meetings, not the kind of committee that decided to remove the Bible from middle and elementary schools in the Davis School District.

At Davis School District's board meeting on Tuesday, school board members chided lawmakers for blaming the majority-parent committee, which it said was convened and had made its initial decision  and weighed appeals  in line with the law.

The magnitude of the value of the Bible as a literary work outweighs any violence or profanity which may be contained in the book, Davis School District Board Vice President Brigit Gerrard said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Vanderbilt University Medical Center has turned over transgender patient medical records to the Tennessee attorney general's office, which confirmed Tuesday it is conducting an investigation into potential medical billing fraud.

VUMC, through a spokesperson, confirmed to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Tuesday that the facility provided patient medical records to the attorney general. But the move has sparked privacy concerns among families whose children sought treatment at VUMC amid an increasingly contentious political climate surrounding transgender issues in Tennessee, where multiple legal battles are ongoing over state policies.

The attorney general's office said VUMC began providing relevant records in December 2022, and the state's investigation is focused on the facility and certain providers, not patients.

The Tennessean reviewed a VUMC notice informing patients of the move, which the facility said was the result of an investigation into "billing for transgender care services provided to individuals enrolled in State-sponsored insurance plans." The state requested medical records from Jan. 1, 2018 to the present.

"The Tennessee Attorney General has legal authority in an investigation to require that VUMC provide complete copies of patient medical records that are relevant to its investigation," John Howser, VUMC's chief communications officer, said in a statement. "VUMC was obligated to comply and did so."

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti speaks about the impact of social media has on children and families during a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Clarksville, Tenn.

State attorney general assures patient confidentiality

In its notice to patients, VUMC said it provided the records with the attorney general's "assurance that the records would remain confidential as required by Tennessee law."

Brandon Smith, the attorney generals chief of staff, said in an emailed statement that the office "maintains patient records in the strictest confidence, as required by law" and reassured the investigation isn't targeting patients.

"We are surprised that VUMC has deliberately chosen to frighten its patients like this," Smith said. "The Office does not publicize fraud investigations to preserve the integrity of the investigative process."

Smith said the attorney general's office has been investigating the potential medical billing fraud since September 2022.

'I've kept her safe': Families flee states with transgender care bans to protect their children

Families fear patient privacy

Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBTQ advocacy organization, said three different parents of transgender children called him in a panic since Monday after they were told by Vanderbilt that their childs medical records were released to the attorney general as "part of an investigation."

Sanders said the parents had no other details.

"Theyre terrified," he said. "They dont know whats next, they dont know how this will be used or whether they will be targeted in some way. They feel like their privacy has been violated."

Sanders said many people are upset that Vanderbilt did not fight harder to prevent turning over patient information. He said others are concerned over the implications for other politically charged issues such as abortion, and whether the attorney general could obtain reproductive health care information.

Patients affected were provided with a hotline number to call with questions and concerns, which is an answering service that asks callers to leave a name and phone number.

State investigation follows allegations of hospital violations

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said last fall his office planned to investigate VUMC's practices after conservative advocates published allegations that VUMC punished those who objected to its gender-affirming treatment program for children and that some treatments were used as money-making schemes.

Vanderbilt denied the allegations but the story sparked a major backlash among Tennessee conservatives. Skrmetti and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee vowed to investigate the clinic's practices, though neither cited any current laws VUMC potentially ran afoul of at the time.

Paul Hales, a St. Louis-based attorney who specializes in health information privacy, said the attorney general has legal recourse under federal and state law to request patient health records if it is in fact investigating a possible issue at the medical center.

"They would have recourse under the law if theyre making a valid administrative request," he said.

Under HIPAA law, for uses and disclosures of medical records for which authorization is not required, the records can be released for an "administrative request, including an administrative subpoena or summons, a civil or an authorized investigative demand, or similar process authorized under law.

The information sought must be relevant to a legitimate law enforcement inquiry and is necessary when de-identification information (such as redacting a patients name and other identifying information) could not reasonably be used, the federal health privacy law says.

Under its patient privacy practices, Vanderbilt on its website notes that it may share medical information with law enforcement and for lawsuits or disputes.

Tennessee's gender-affirming care ban

The VUMC controversy led to heated debates within the General Assembly this spring, when the Republican supermajority dedicated its first piece of legislation to banning all gender transition treatment for minors.

Democrats and local families with transgender children lobbied unsuccessfully against the bill, arguing health care should remain a private decision between doctors and families.

The law, set to go into effect on July 1, has been challenged by local families and the Department of Justice in a federal lawsuit, with a judge weighing whether to grant a preliminary injunction ahead of trial. The law bans any treatments or procedures prescribed to treat gender dysphoria, such as puberty blockers, even though doctors could still prescribe those medications to children for other reasons.

Minors currently undergoing treatment from in-state providers would have to cease treatments by next spring. Some lawmakers sought to include a child abuse portion in the legislation that would leave parents open to civil penalties if they supported a transgender child seeking gender-affirming care, but the measure was dropped before the bill's final passage.

In a separate lawsuit filed last month, two former teachers and several Tennessee teacher associations sued Tennessee over state-sponsored health plans that specifically exclude coverage for gender-affirming care.

A federal judge last year ruled against a Georgia county in a similar case, finding a county health care policy discriminated against a sheriff's deputy because the policy only affected transgender employees.

Highest number of anti-transgender bills across the nation

According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2023 is the "worst year on record" for anti-LGBTQ legislation. So far this year, more than 125 gender-affirming care bans have been introduced by lawmakers across the country.

"State legislatures, governors and administrative agencies across the country are taking steps to eliminate access to gender-affirming care  medically necessary, safe health care backed by decades of research and supported by every major medical association representing over 1.3 million U.S. doctors," the advocacy group previously said.

Gender-affirming care bans or restrictions have already been enacted in at least 19 states.

Similar bans have been temporarily blocked by federal judges in Alabama and Indiana. An Arkansas ban, which would have prohibited doctors from providing gender-affirming care to anyone under 18, was permanently blocked Tuesday after a federal judge called it unconstitutional.

Indiana gender-transition ban blocked: Federal judge temporarily blocks Indiana law banning gender-transition care

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Vanderbilt gives transgender patient records to Tennessee AG
Gautier Police responded to a shooting early Wednesday that left a victim and suspect hospitalized, authorities said.

Officers were called at 1:34 a.m. to a home on Bayou View Circle, according to a news release. There, they found a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said the victim exchanged gunfire with suspect identified as Kyle Reese, who was also struck before fleeing. Police said another suspect fired at the victim but did not identify the second suspect or say whether they had also been shot.

Reese is expected to be arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when he is released from a Mobile hospital, where he is currently being treated for a gunshot wound.

The victim was treated for his injuries, according to the release, and they are non life-threatening.

Police are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 228-497-2486 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-877-787-5898.
Virgin Galactic is on the verge of a breakthrough in commercial space tourism as it prepares for its inaugural commercial space flight. The companys stock saw a surge of more than 40% during extended trading on Thursday. The impressive influx in interest indicates a heightened level of enthusiasm among investors.

Scheduled within the launch window of June 27 to June 30, the first flight, dubbed Galactic 01, will carry three members of the Italian Air Force into space. The inaugural flights members will conduct microgravity research accompanied by science payloads.

This mission is a significant stride for Virgin Galactic, showcasing its potential to conduct commercial flights on a regular basis. Following the successful completion of Galactic 01, it will be a critical factor for long-term success. The company also has outlined plans for a second commercial flight in early August, with subsequent monthly flights to follow.

Photo Credit: Virgin Galactic

Preparing For Takeoff

In preparation for the occasion, Virgin Galactic recently completed its final test spaceflight in May. The team also conducted routine analyses and inspections of its carrier aircraft, VMS Eve, and spacecraft, VSS Unity. With these milestones achieved, the company is now ready to fulfill its backlog of more than 800 passengers. The lengthy waitlist of individuals eagerly anticipates the opportunity to experience space travel through Virgin Galactics pioneering service.

Founded in 2004 by billionaire Richard Branson, the company aims to launch the first commercial spaceline for Earth. Its vision is to offer both scientific research missions and private astronaut space missions.

Photo Credit: Virgin Galactic

CEO Michael Colglazier expressed his enthusiasm for this significant step forward. In a statement, Colglazier states, We are launching the first commercial spaceline for Earth with two dynamic products  our scientific research and private astronaut space missions.

By showcasing the value and power of its unique suborbital science lab, Virgin Galactic aims to demonstrate the extraordinary opportunities that await those embarking on their space journeys. With the imminent launch of Galactic 01, Virgin Galactic is on the cusp of a new era in space tourism, marking the beginning of regular commercial flights that will redefine our relationship with space exploration.
Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) on Wednesday knocked conservative media and clarified comments made in an interview after news outlets reported on a clip in which she appeared to say former President Trump needs to be shot and then quickly corrected herself to say stopped.

It is unfortunate that conservative media has taken an instance where I misspoke and misrepresented it as though I advocate for violenceI unequivocally do not. I wish former President Trump no ill will or harm, only that justice be served in his case as with every other American who must face penalties for wrongdoing. I do believe and did intend to say that he must be stopped, Plaskett said in a release from her office.

In an appearance on MSNBCs The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart, Plaskett was discussing Trumps retention of classified materials after his time in the White House, for which he now faces federal criminal charges, when she seemingly said of Trump, and he needs to be shot  stopped.

Fox News, the New York Post and the Washington Examiner were among the outlets that covered her initial remarks, all of which noted her apparent verbal gaffe. Conservatives also shared the clip on Twitter.

I do not advocate for anyone to shoot former President Trump. I do not encourage or condone political violence nor behavior that goes against democratic principles at any time, Plaskett said Tuesday. The Virgin Islands delegate is a non-voting member of Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, left, and Lashrecse Aird hug after Airds victory speech during an election night party at the IBEW Local 666 in Highland Springs, Va., Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

One more anti-abortion politician will be kicked out of the legislature after Tuesdays primary in Virginia. Lashrecse Aird beat Virginias lone anti-abortion state senator on Tuesday night, meaning the purple states Senate will have one more vote next year to protect against Republican abortion bans. As we set our sights beyond our victory tonight, Im ready to hit the ground running, Aird said. In Richmond, Ill be a firewall for our reproductive rights in the face of Republican extremists who think they have the right to make decisions about our own bodies, Aird told her supporters.

Aird defeating incumbent state Sen. Joe Morrisseywho is vocally anti-abortion and uses the rightwing misnomer pro-life to describe his politicswas critical in Virginia. In 2020 Morrissey was the only Senate Democrat to vote against the states Reproductive Health Protection Act. And this year, he was the only Senate Democrat who didnt support the effort to bring a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights to the ballot box, an increasingly common way to get abortion rights codified at the state level.

Read more

Thank you for putting your faith in me, Virginia. I promise you this is just the beginning. pic.twitter.com/2PQVPblEld  Lashrecse Aird (@lashrecseaird) June 21, 2023

In an interview with 19th News, Morrissey said abortion should be between the patients and doctors, but he does support restricting abortion due to fetal pain. (During the 2022 session, Morrissey was a cosponsor for legislation that would have outlawed most abortions after 20 weeks and was named using the rightwing anti-abortion jargon of pain-capable unborn child to talk about a fetus.) I havent figured it out. I want to hear testimony about what the point is when a fetus feels pain, Morrissey told the news outlet. I want to find out what that period is.

Virginia is one of the last strongholds for Southerners seeking abortion careand Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin previously said he would happily and gleefully sign anti-choice legislation into law. One of Youngkins biggest legislative priorities was passing a 15-week abortion ban. Ultimately it was unsuccessful.

As Ive previously written, the map of abortion access across the South will make you nauseous, especially if youre of reproductive age. There is basically no in-person access to abortion in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. South Carolina, Florida, and Virginia are the bright spots in the region. (North Carolina was on the list until State Rep. Tricia Cotham (R) left the Democratic Party to give the Republican legislature a veto-proof majority to pass abortion restrictions.)

Planned Parenthood applauded Airds focus on abortion rights in her race. (In the lead photo of this story, you can see one of her clever campaign signs, Roe Not Joe, referencing Morrissey.) Aird was unapologetically pro-abortion rights and campaigned on stopping Gov. Youngkin from enacting an abortion ban in Virginia, Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, said in a statement. The voters of SD-13 were loud and clear: They demand to be represented by an outspoken advocate for reproductive rights.

Now, Aird will face Republican Eric Ditri in the November general election. Because of the districts makeup, her victory is expected, but stranger things have happened than a Democrat losing. If Aird wins in November, it will mean Democrats can keep Virginia as a Southern state that supports abortion access.



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Open banking -- where traditional banks enable payments and other new services by way of APIs that give access to financial data previously locked up in their systems -- has led to a rush of startups looking to build the links to make it a reality. Today one of the hopefuls in open banking -- Volt out of the U.K. -- is announcing a significant round of funding, a sign of growing activity and confidence in the space.

The company has raised $60 million in a Series B round of funding, money it will be using for international expansion and to expand its product. The company currently is active in the U.K., Europe and Brazil, regions that have put some open banking structure in place and are seeing a number of banks moving to build and enable APIs. Altogether, there are some 70 countries that now have open banking, account-to-account structures in place, but there is little in the way of harmonization in standards, giving companies like Volt an opportunity to build out international payments that work across those borders.

IVP, a big investor in fintech -- others in its portfolio include Coinbase, Wise, Prosper, Klarna, Brex, Robinhood and many more, along with a long list of non-fintech startups -- is leading this round, with new backer CommerzVentures (the venture arm of CommerzBank), and previous backers EQT Ventures, Augmentum Fintech PLC and Fuel Ventures also participating. Volt previously raised just under $30 million in seed and Series A funding.

Volt's CEO and co-founder Tom Greenwood said in an interview that the company is not disclosing valuation, but a strong source close to the deal tells me that it's just over $350 million, giving it a dilution in the teens.

Those are strong numbers and dilution especially in the current market, where startups are finding it hard to raise and close rounds, and are often doing so at much higher dilutions.

While "disruption" in and of itself used to be a very strong selling point for startups, these days investors are looking at more concrete evidence of traction and revenues. In these regards, Volt has been sending the right signals (yes, pun intended).

The company currently integrates with some 5,000 banks in the regions where it's active -- currently the U.K., Europe and Brazil -- and then signs up customers -- online retailers and others doing transactions online -- to use its rails to be able to take and make payments and run other services for customers of those banks, as another option to pay for goods or services alongside, say, making a card payment or using a mobile wallet service.

Greenwood tells me that the client base includes the likes of Farfetch, Vestaire Collective and eToro, although some of these are not yet live: they still working through integrations to enable Volt-powered payments, he said. Another big win for the company are deals it's made with Shopify and Worldpay.

Shopify has made Volt its first open-banking provider, which will make it easier for Volt to integrate with Shopify's customers. Worldpay, meanwhile, is the world's largest merchant acquirer (enabling card payments for its customers) and by partnering with Volt it will now have an option for its customers to add real-time payments into its mix.

Again, as with Shopify, Volt will only make revenues out of that deal when Worldpay's customers integrate the open-banking powered options. But the potential there is huge, since Worldpay not only works with many, many retailers directly, but also has a deal with the world's largest e-commerce business, Amazon. Greenwood would not comment on which of Worldpay's customers it is talking with. In any case, you can see why IVP might have been interested in Volt.

And why would a company want to take the time and effort needed to integrate open banking as an option alongside those other methods, you might wonder?

Two main reasons: Greenwood tells me it means lower fees -- card payments run by, for example, Visa, Mastercard or Amex, typically involve a long chain of other companies to enable and process transactions, and each of them get a cut, one reason why the margins on payments have always been quite low and so payment companies need vast economies of scale in order to make decent returns (hence giants like Adyen, Stripe and PayPal ruling the payments space, not to mention the Visas of the world).

Greenwood says that currently Volt-powered transactions are yielding gross margins of over 80%.

The other reason is faster payments: The reconciliation process around card networks can take days for money taken from a customer to make its way to the account of the seller. Open banking, with its links directly into banks, promises real-time or near-real-time reconciliation.

All the same, the time and effort it takes to integrate open banking options has been one of the gating factors for companies in this space, and the concept, to take stronger hold. Equally challenging is the fact that in more mature markets, there are a number of already established payment methods, and a push for new approaches that already tie in deeply with consumer habits: For example, Apple Pay and Google Pay as seamless options for payments due to their presence at point-of-sale for physical purchases, and increasingly as an option online amongst a population of smartphone owners.

Other challenges include the fact that there are a number of other big competitors in the same area as Volt. One of the bigger of these, TrueLayer also out of the U.K., raised a big round at a valuation of over $1 billion in 2021.

Volt's services today include online payments, payments by link and to set up recurring payments. The other products that it provides to its customers include dashboards for managing payments, fraud prevention services, tools to check users' banking and other account details and products to migrate users to open banking from card payments.

In terms of regions, the plan will be to tap into further markets in the Americas, especially Latin America, and regions in Asia Pacific. There are two opportunities for open banking, ironically at polar ends from each other.

On one hand, there is an opportunity to tap emerging markets that have traditionally had lower card payment penetration -- creating an environment ripe for banks to take on the role of providing infrastructure for cashless payments. On the other hand, countries where card payments are very common become markets where consumers are already well-accustomed to making transactions, and being au fait with that, they may be more willing to explore alternative methods if there are other incentives attached to those (such as loyalty schemes).

True to its name, Volt is creating an electrifying global network for instantaneous, secure and cost-effective A2A payments. The wisdom and experience of the founders accrued at transformative payments companies, coupled with the talented employees at the company, strongly position Volt to give merchants and payment partners the lightning-fast, best-in-class payment solution theyve wanted and needed, said Eric Liaw, a general partner at IVP, in a statement.

As over 70 countries, including the U.S., transition to RTP systems, merchants are experiencing the immense benefits of instant, secure, and cost-effective A2A payments. With the value of A2A payments in e-commerce transactions set to reach $757 billion by 2026, Volt is well-positioned to redefine the future of payments on a global scale," added Angela Zhu, a partner at IVP.
For the first time ever, Washington is the most expensive state in the country to buy gas. According to AAA, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is averaging $4.96 statewide. Mid-grade gas is around $5.16/gallon, and premium averages $5.36.

As of Friday, Washington ranks No. 1 in all three categories and additionally boasts the third-highest price in the U.S. for diesel, at $4.95 per gallon.

In King County, the average price for regular gas has surpassed $5 per gallon while Pierce and Snohomish County drivers will pay approximately $4.96 a gallon. In the Seattle area, prices for regular grade have risen nearly 75 cents since January.

Some drivers claimed they cant keep up with the surge, but have little choice.

Unfortunately, I need my car for work, so well have to budget in other ways, Katie, a Seattle resident, told KIRO Newsradio.

The data showed an increase 35 cents statewide in the past month for regular gasoline. Of other neighboring states, only Oregon saw a bigger increase in that time period, with a 43-cent jump. However, Oregons current average of $4.62 per gallon for unleaded gasoline remains 34 cents below Washington.

What is causing the spike is a matter of intense debate. Some point to the states new cap and invest emissions program, which was implemented in January. The program sets a limit  or cap  on overall carbon emissions in the state and requires businesses (including fuel suppliers) to obtain allowances equal to their covered greenhouse gas emissions. These allowances can be obtained through quarterly auctions hosted by the Washington State Department of Ecology. They can also be bought and sold on a secondary market, similar to a stock or bond.

According to Todd Myers with the Washington Policy Center, this program means drivers will pay more at the pump.

The way fuel suppliers in California and Washington have done it is that they have simply, rather than try to speculate what the future prices will be, incorporated the cost of the allowances immediately into gas prices, Myers told KIRO Newsradio. So, what you see is, the gas price almost immediately reflects what those prices are.

But Luke Martland, Climate Commitment Act Implementation Manager with the state Department of Ecology, claimed its not that simple.

What determines what we pay at the pump in Washington is supply and demand: The war in Ukraine, what Saudi Arabia may do, how much profit oil companies take from the sales. Its a whole bunch of factors  and cap and invest might be one of those factors. But to say theres a direct connection is simply not accurate.

Patrick DeHaan, Head of Petroleum Analysis for GasBuddy, said the link between the cap-and-trade program and gas price increases is clear.

mynorthwest.com
South Carolina is the only state in the U.S. that doesnt have a woman on its Supreme Court. In 233 years of South Carolina history, there have been only two.

Eleven-year-old Josie Duda of Fort Mill wants that to change.

Last year, when the South Carolina Supreme Court came to York County in Rock Hill, my mom and dad took me out of school as a field trip to go see one of their cases, Josie says.

Elizabeth Duda recalls her daughters dismay at the lack of female justices.

She told me the first thing she noticed is that five men walked out on stage and there were no women, Elizabeth said. Its so important for these girls to have female role models, and it was so disappointing to walk in there and not see representation of women.

After that letdown, Josie became aware of another piece of startling news.

In the past year, my mom told me that the woman who was on the South Carolina Supreme Court retired, and I was upset that there werent any women anymore, Josie said.

Justice Kaye G. Hearn was the second woman in South Carolina history to serve on the state Supreme Court, serving from 2010 to 2022. The first was Chief Justice Jean Toal. She served 27 years.

The South Carolina Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices. They are selected by the South Carolina General Assembly for a term of 10 years. The current members are: Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty; and Associate Justices John W. Kittredge, John Cannon Few, George C. James Jr., and D. Garrison Hill.

So Josie decided to take action.

She created a petition with dozens of signatures from around Fort Mill to share with S.C. Sen. Michael Johnson.

Senator Johnson confirmed Tuesday that he has received the petition.

He has more power than I do, so hes more likely to be able to get the word out to people who dont know. Hes more likely to be able to change something, Josie said.

She said she hopes the petition will express a collective voice in support of more women in places of power.

I first got my class to sign it, and my Girls on the Run team, Josie said.

Josie noticed that, while many students in her class were excited to sign the petition, there also were negative responses.

Some boys did not sign it because they saw it as a competition of boys versus girls and about who could get on top, Josie says. This isnt a competition. Its about whats best for the people and how we can improve.

Three women

Josie said she envisions a state where gender representation on the SC Supreme Court is proportionate to the states gender population.

The U.S. Census shows that women make up just over 51 percent of South Carolinas population.

... So there really should be three women, but I think there should be at least two, Josie said. There should be equal representation because everyones voice and opinion should be able to collaborate together.

Josie said she wants to pursue a career in the legal field, and she is worried about how disproportionate gender representation in state government could affect young women.

What if I wanted to be a Justice on the S.C. Supreme Court but because I saw there are none now I give up on my dream? What if in the future S.C. misses out on an amazing leader because of the court now? Josie wrote in a letter to Johnson that accompanied her petition.

Josie has received a letter from Johnsons office responding to her petition.

While I too join you, and all of those who signed your petition, in wanting a woman on the Supreme Court, I do not believe we should name a woman just for the sake of doing so, Johnson says.

Ultimately, I do not look at a persons race or gender when deciding who to vote for -- I try to pick the person best suited for the court.

Josie posed a question in response.

Would you choose a man with about the same background as someone else on the court who was 99 percent perfect for the position, or a woman with a different background than anyone else on the court who was 98 percent perfect? Josie wrote in a follow-up letter to Senator Johnson.

Josie says she believes diversity of opinions in the SC Supreme Court should be considered when appointing justices.

Josies call for change shows South Carolinas young people are paying attention.

When I grow up, I want the option and to be able to believe that I can be in government. If I dont see anyone up there, it wont give me much motivation to try to be, Josie said.
A Warren County Village was awarded state funding to address critical water and wastewater projects.

Waynesville received $499,750 to support its Third Street waterline replacement and repaving project, the village said in a release.

>> Region receiving millions of dollars in state funding for water projects

The grant is the first step in the villages goal to replace all of its old waterlines.

The funding comes from Gov. DeWines Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) grant program administered through the Ohio Department of Development.




F-35 Intercept California

Video has emerged depicting the moment a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter intercepted a Mooney M-20J single-engine airplane over San Francisco earlier today. According to an official announcement by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the intercept concluded without incident.

The intercept was one of three coordinated by NORAD on June 20 in response to violations of temporary flight restrictions (TFR) in place over much of the Bay Area. The temporary restrictions are there to help protect President Joe Biden as he continues his visit to San Francisco where he is fundraising for his 2024 re-election campaign. Air Force One landed at Moffett Field in Santa Clara County, California, on Monday, and the president will remain in the Bay Area through Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/bobbybobbydigi/status/1671225261516558337?s=20

In the video, we see the F-35A, callsign 'NOBLE 11,' performing whats known as a 'headbutt' maneuver on the offending aircraft at low altitude. As we have outlined in the past, this typically involves flying close to the intercepted aircraft, before pulling up in front of them, sometimes in a steep climb. Headbutts can also include an approach from overhead, at varying distances, as well. In any case, the generation of wake turbulence can be used to get the attention of or even be used to harass another aircraft.

After NOBLE 11 was cleared to headbutt [the aircraft] left, with no flares over Marin County by the Western Air Defense Sector (callsign BIGFOOT), the M-20J appears to have made a speedy return to Navato Marin County Airport from where it began its journey. The low altitude of the intercepted was likely a factor in no flares being authorized.

https://twitter.com/airplaneian/status/1671203742761332755?s=20

An outstanding depiction of events as they unfolded using open-source flight tracking, radio communications, and video can be seen in @aeroscouting's tweet below:

https://twitter.com/aeroscouting/status/1671267902639722497?s=20

The M-20J, with the registration N531DD, belongs to a private owner. A close-up photo of the F-35A circulating online reveals the fighter is based out of Hill Air Force Base located in Davis County, Utah, owing to its 'HL' tailcode. Hill is a master F-35 base for the USAF and hosts an expansive community of the jets, which you can read more about here.

Also clearly seen is the F-35A armed with AIM-9X Sidewinders on its external outer-wing pylons.

https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1671217661319970832?s=20

As already noted, this was just one of three airspace violations that occurred today above San Francisco. According to the open source intelligence (OSINT) account @airplaneian, another of those intercepts involved a Piper PA-28 Cherokee.

According to our friend and prolific aviation tweeter @thenewarea51, the F-35A  NOBEL 11  was one of three aircraft enforcing flight restrictions over the Bay Area today. This included its wingman, 'NOBEL 12', and a KC-46 Pegasus tanker, callsign 'SWATH 13.'

This mix is interesting as all are new generation aircraft for the USAF. F-35As being used for the homeland air sovereignty mission, and especially fighter combat air patrols (CAPs) for presidential visits, is still somewhat of a new development. Usually, California's airspace is defended by the 144th Fighter Wing based out of Fresno, a California Air National Guard unit, that flies F-15C/Ds. The South Dakota Air National Guard also augments this capability, often standing alert out of March Joint Air Reserve Base to cover Southern California's airspace with their F-16C/Ds. But it isn't uncommon to bring in fighter aircraft from other units, even from afar, to help with providing CAPs for VIP-related temporary flight restrictions.

As The War Zone has outlined in the past, CAPs are standard procedure for presidential visits. Having fighters constantly overhead is extremely expensive and resource-intensive, however, but it offers far quicker response times to potential threats.

Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com
Water voles released at new wetland site near Bristol

Water voles have been released into a newly created wetland near Bristol in a bid to boost biodiversity.

The site at Hallen, south Gloucestershire, is part of a major project to strengthen flood defences along the Severn Estuary.

Eighty hectares of wetland have been incorporated into the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA).

Water voles are among the most endangered species in the UK but are a vital part of river ecosystems.

Their burrowing and feeding create conditions needed for a host of other animals and plants to thrive, say experts.

They have now disappeared from around 90% of places where they were once prevalent, according to the Wildlife Trusts, because of habitat loss and pollution.

The creatures are also heavily preyed upon by American mink, an invasive species originally brought to the UK for fur farming.

Before the 12 water voles moved into their new home in April, conservationists checked the area was free of the predators.

The team also checked ditches for resident water voles to avoid any competition with the newcomers.

All new arrivals were put in pens with straw and food on the first day to give them time to get used to their surroundings.

On the second day the pen was opened, with its entrance heaped with reeds to enable the voles to go in and out.

Follow-up surveys to monitor their progress will be carried out in coming months.

'Boost to nature'

The ASEA project is being built in partnership between South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council and the Environment Agency.

As well as the new wetlands, concrete walls and flood gates are being constructed to protect 2,500 homes against rising sea levels.

Councillor Kye Dudd, city council cabinet member for climate, ecology, waste and energy, said: "I'm pleased we can play a part in helping [the water vole] population grow.

"We're committed to enhancing our natural environment and providing a huge boost to nature and wildlife projects such as this."

Councillor Louise Harris, South Gloucestershire's cabinet member for climate and nature emergency, said: "We want to protect and boost nature through our climate and nature emergency work and, as part of this ecology mitigation and flood defence project, we are ensuring that a thriving environment will be established for people and wildlife."

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk
How to throw a wedding for less than the cost of an iPhone  the minimony craze

Ana Soriano and Luis Moreno kiss after their wedding ceremony at the Old Brown House, a wedding chapel in Highland Park that offered free ceremonies during its grand opening on the second Saturday in June. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

As the couple sauntered down the aisle, an instrumental hip-hop version of the wedding classic Canon in D oozed from a boombox, and a small crowd, most of them perfect strangers, danced and cheered in celebration.

The bride wore a sundress and a veil she picked out moments earlier and the groom a black button-down with a fresh haircut from his family's salon down the street.

The ceremony itself took less than 10 minutes  affordable, memorable and intimate, exactly what Ana Soriano and Luis Moreno had wanted.

It was just us, she told him moments after their nuptials. You and me.

Ana Soriano and Luis Moreno are married by Kaibrina Sky Buck at the Old Brown House. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The ceremony took less than 10 minutes  affordable, memorable and intimate, exactly what Ana Soriano and Luis Moreno wanted. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Soriano and Moreno, both in their early 30s, met on Myspace 13 years ago and got engaged at a cathedral in Italy a few months before the pandemic shutdowns. Moreno, a studio engineer, lost his income overnight, and wedding planning moved to the back burner.

The couple knew some relatives who had spent close to $50,000 on weddings, but they wanted to prioritize saving for a down payment on a home. And being inclined to avoid the spotlight, they liked the prospect of skipping the pressure of a big gathering.

They had settled on a backyard ceremony until the grooms sister saw something on Facebook about the Old Brown House, a wedding chapel in Highland Park that was recently opened by a couple who, for years, officiated free weddings at Burning Man. Before the pandemic reorganized their lives and priorities, Soriano said, she felt some pressure to have a larger, more traditional wedding  but this had been so much better.

Read more: Dating in L.A. is exhausting, so I asked a chatbot to flirt for me. Things got weird fast

Plan B is now Plan A for a lot of people, said Connie Jones-Steward, a Los Angeles wedding officiant, who said the demand for small ceremonies has remained high since restrictions were lifted.

Largely gone are the days of Zoom weddings and socially distanced outdoor ceremonies, but some of the other pared-down celebrations that were once a pandemic necessity are now increasingly a top choice.

A crowd watches a wedding ceremony at the Old Brown House this month. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Some of the lexicon popularized during the shutdowns  micro-wedding and minimony, the portmanteau of mini and ceremony  still dominates the bridal blogosphere, and hundreds of companies have cropped up to cater to tiny gatherings.

Google searches for "elopement"  a term whose definition has evolved in recent years, to suggest a small, destination wedding more than something furtive  are even higher now than during the first wave of pandemic shutdowns. A survey conducted by a diamond company a few months before the pandemic found that more than 90% of millennials said they would consider eloping. Their top reason? Saving money.

Jones-Steward  who offers a beach elopement package starting at $399  keeps in touch with many of the couples who eloped during the pandemic and learned that some who originally planned to have another big ceremony down the road ultimately decided against it, realizing they were grateful to have avoided the stress and cost. These days, she said, many of her Gen Z and younger millennial clients prioritize saving for travel and a down payment on a house.

Theyd rather have this quickie ceremony, she said, and spend the money on a world cruise for a honeymoon.

And if marital longevity is your goal, there's evidence that's a good call.

Vintage wedding photos hang in the main office at the Old Brown House. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Jen Ballera and William Ascencio have their photo taken before their wedding ceremony. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

A pair of economists surveyed more than 3,000 people who were or had been married and found that those who spent $1,000 or less on their wedding were significantly less likely to get divorced than many couples who had spent more. Going on a honeymoon, however, correlated with a longer marriage.

One of the studys authors, Hugo Mialon, an Emory University economics professor, said he was inspired to conduct the study, in part, by ads hed seen on TV as a child from De Beers, the company that introduced the slogan A diamond is forever in an attempt to boost sales after the Great Depression.

Read more: Finding love for $300,000: Inside the business of a matchmaker to the rich and famous

The expensive-crystals-equal-everlasting-love messaging proved wildly successful for the company, which, in another advertising campaign decades later, used an image of a beautiful, pouty woman to help shape cultural expectations around how much suitors should spend on a ring.

"You can't look at Jane and tell me she's not worth 2 months' salary, it read. "I mean just look at her.

The Old Brown House, which looks just like it sounds, sits on a fairly quiet stretch of York Boulevard, across the street from a cannabis dispensary that was once a Pizza Hut.

Decorated on the inside with vintage furniture and a pump organ, the chapel held its grand opening on the second Saturday in June  the brain- and love child of owners Tess Sweet and Dan Gambelin.

Dan Gambelin and Tess Sweet renew their vows after celebrating the opening of their business, the Old Brown House. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The couple met at Burning Man in 2009 and returned several years after that to perform free wedding ceremonies to honor the festival's tradition of giving. They lent out thrifted gowns, gifted rubber rings and devised a Mad Libs-style format so people could quickly write personalized vows. They married more than 300 couples in ceremonies that, although not legally binding, were often profound.

Sweet, 51, and Gambelin, 54, both faced career crossroads early in the pandemic, and as they reflected on the intense joy packed into that week at the festival, they wondered if there was a way to sprinkle that throughout the year.

We both retired from worlds that broke our hearts, Sweet said. This is a new chapter.

For more than 20 years, Sweet worked to establish herself as a filmmaker, but she grew increasingly discouraged by the industry and how so much hinges on whom you know  and how, as soon as youve finished one project, people immediately ask whats next.

At the end of 2020, Gambelin retired early with post-traumatic stress disorder after more than two decades as a firefighter and paramedic in San Mateo, Calif., a job he loved but one that slowly ate away at him. He began to disassociate, stamping down devastating images seared into his mind  body parts in a field at the scene of a car accident, the terror in the eyes of a child whose little brother died of sudden infant death syndrome.

Dan Gambelin fills out a Mad Libs-style form devised so people could quickly write personalized wedding vows. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

William Ascencio, left, and Jen Ballera write their wedding vows inside the main office with Dan Gambelin. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

He had been there for the worst days of so many peoples lives. It gnawed at him that, even though they surely didn't remember him, his presence, his face, had been associated with deep fear and despair.

Officiating weddings, he realized, offered the exact opposite; now he was the stranger playing a small part in one of the happiest days of their lives.

Using money theyd saved from selling their home in the Santa Cruz Mountains several years earlier, the couple bought the chapel in 2021. It was painted white at the time and decorated with signs that the previous owners used to advertise their tax and notary services, as well as weddings and divorces.

Read more: Should you buy now, pay later for your wedding?

Sweet and Gambelin  who both got ordained online through the Universal Life Church to perform weddings  spent two years renovating the place themselves and, in April, did a test run of sorts officiating the wedding of Hattie Brown, one of Sweets relatives.

She and her now-husband, Daniel Saavedra, who works as a chef at a restaurant downtown, got engaged a few months before the pandemic and knew they wanted a simple ceremony  something affordable, lighthearted and poignant to honor the relationship theyd built since meeting a decade ago while working at Yosemite National Park.

I didnt want the whole bells and whistles wedding," said Brown, who stays home to care for the couples 6-month-old daughter. Thats a lot of money that we dont have and a lot of work.

Hattie Brown holds her daughter at the Old Brown House's grand opening. She married her husband at a ceremony at the chapel two months before its official opening. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

On a bright Saturday in April, about 20 of their family members gathered at the Old Brown House. Before they walked down the aisle, everyone took a shot of tequila.

Two of Saavedras brothers, who initially had scheduling conflicts, surprised them by showing up, and Brown carried a bouquet that included a small picture of her father, who died last year. During the ceremony, Saavedra recalled looking over at Brown and then up at the strings of lights lining the ceiling of the chapel.

Almost like I was in a fairy tale, he said.

At the grand opening, the chapel offered free ceremonies all day and the event stretched until after dark.

Of the 12 couples who had ceremonies, which were split between the indoor chapel and outdoors, some had brought their marriage license paperwork and others either planned to get their official license later or had the ceremony as a symbolic union but didn't intend to file paperwork with the state. A few other couples, including the owners, had recommitment ceremonies.

Sweet and Gambelin are still nailing down specifics on pricing but plan to offer weddings for around $600  less than the price of a new iPhone and less than a third of the average rent for a studio apartment in L.A. The couple added that they intend to never turn someone away because of cost, describing it as a nontraditional, nonconformist, sliding-scale wedding chapel.

Ana Soriano tries on veils with future sister-in-law Priscilla Mendoza at the Old Brown House. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Wedding gowns hang in a bridal suite. The Old Brown House provides dresses, outfits and accessories for people to borrow if they don't have their own. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

To keep some of the pop-up energy of the weddings at Burning Man, they've decided not to book things more than a month or two in advance.

Its like going to Vegas, Sweet said. Elope to Highland Park.

Early in the grand opening event, people began to huddle near a table decorated with wildflowers in a mason jar and a yellow legal pad. Soriano and Moreno, the couple who met on Myspace, were the first names on the list.

Sweet welcomed them and tugged Soriano into a shed filled with loaner dresses and other accessories. Soriano clipped a layered veil into her hair, tearing up when she looked in the mirror. The officiant, Kaibrina Sky Buck, one of Sweets longtime friends, popped in to introduce herself and asked what descriptors to use to refer to the couple.

Husband and wife is good, Soriano said.

OK, cool! Buck said.

"Let's do this!"

An hour later, another couple, Jen Ballera and William Ascencio, who live two doors down from the event space, had their ceremony in the indoor chapel. Gambelin, who officiated, asked them to read from the Mad Libs-style vows they'd filled out 10 minutes earlier.

My dearest Jen, the groom said, together with you, my life is amazing, fun and damn near perfect.

My dearest Will, she told him, together with you, my life is full of music and joy and love."

William Ascencio and Jen Ballera, who live two doors down from the event space, are married by officiant Dan Gambelin. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

After they kissed, Crazy Towns iconic track spilled out of the boombox  Come my lady, come, come my lady. Youre my butterfly, sugar, baby  and Ballera lifted her eyebrows in excitement, bursting into laughter. The song had been popular when they were growing up and always had a way of following them.

"Did you ask them to play this?" she asked. Ascencio shook his head.

Sweet had picked it out  a staple on her playlist of favorite celebration songs.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The national Whataburger chain is set to expand further into South Carolina with four restaurants for Spartanburg County, according to planning department documents and city officials.

Two will be in the city of Spartanburg, one in Boiling Springs and one in Duncan.

A location in Anderson has been previously reported.

The chain is not related to the Midlands-based What-A-Burger, which is locally owned.

Whataburger is based in San Antonio, Texas, with 930 restaurants in 14 states and sales of more than $3 billion annually, according to its website.

The chain is on an ambitious growth path, opening 15 or more locations a year recently, including in areas outside its southern roots. A store opened recently in Colorado..

The company started in 1950  as did the Midlands location  as a roadside burger stand by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dobson died in a crash of a private plane in 1967, and his wife Grace took over the company. By the time she died in 2005 at age 80, the company had grown to 600 stores.

The family sold its majority interest in the company in 2019 to Chicago-based investment firm BDT Capital, which after a 20-year hiatus, is pushing for franchise operators.

The company website says to become a franchisee, a person needs $1.2 million cash, a minimum net worth of $12.5 million and commit to opening at least five locations in five years.

In Spartanburg County, a site plan was approved for a Wataburger on W.O. Ezell Boulevard is a former Wagreens drug store in an area with lots of restaurants and stores. The other city location is on East Main, but has not yet been approved by the city. Another location is in fast-growing Boiling Springs, across from a Quick Trip on Highway 8.

The fourth location is in Duncan in a former Bank of America building.

Town Administrator Cameron Fant said the data for the town  population 4,200  is a bit misleading when thinking about a national chain locating in your downtown. The town is located a quarter mile from a busy interchange off Interstate 85.

In recent years, the town has attracted a Culvers, Wayback, Arbys and a Biscuitville under construction is soon to open.

The Whataburger is likely to begin construction in a couple of months with completion nine months away.

Fant said his family sampled the fare on vacation in Florida earlier this year and came away with this pronouncement: Were very excited.
Where did the Titanic sink? The wreck location may not be where you think it is.

In this April 10, 1912 file photo the Titanic leaves Southampton, England on her maiden voyage. AP.

Five people in a submersible heading for the RMS Titanic shipwreck have gone missing.

The Titanic was found in 1985 and is about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland.

The ship sank in 1912 during its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg.

A submersible named Titan heading for the shipwreck of the RMS Titanic has been missing since Sunday, leading to an intense search operation led by the US Coast Guard, US Navy, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Canadian military's air & marine search and rescue team.

The five passengers who lost communications with the Canadian research ship The Polar Prince include the CEO of OceansGate  the company in charge of the exploration  three British nationals, and a French diver.

The Coast Guard estimates the sub will run out of breathable air by Wednesday evening.

OceansGate estimates the largest piece of wreck, which is split into two main pieces, exists at a depth of 2  miles  or 12,800 feet  about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Titanic, described as "unsinkable" before its first and final voyage from Southern England to New York City, sank on April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg.

In 1985, explorer Robert Ballard found the Titanic after requesting the US Navy help fund the technology needed to reach the shipwreck. The US Navy agreed, but only if Ballard helped them with the USS Thresher and USS Scorpion  two sunken submarines that ended in disasters. The Navy wanted to investigate how the disasters happened.

Ballard convinced the Navy, and then-President Ronald Reagan, to let him search for the Titanic  which was estimated to be somewhere between the two submarine wrecks  while on his mission. His rationale was that if the Titanic was found by the US Navy, it would demonstrate their might and "drive the Soviets crazy," according to Ballard in the 2021 book "Into The Deep." Reagan agreed with the idea, he wrote.

Then, at the end of August 1985, a team led by Ballard came across the shipwreck in their submarine. Ballard described it as "a quiet and peaceful and fitting place for the remains of this greatest of sea tragedies to rest."

Read the original article on Insider
Bochy `dumbfounded' by `embarrassing' call that gives the White Sox a comeback win over the Rangers

Chicago White Sox's Elvis Andrus, right, scores against Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The White Sox won 7-6. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

CHICAGO (AP)  Zach Remillard singled in Elvis Andrus with the go-ahead run on a play that was overturned by video review, and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Remillard has had a busy first week in the majors. In his debut Saturday at Seattle, the 29-year-old infielder knocked in the tying run in the ninth and the winner in the 11th.

This time, the finish was more controversial.

Andrus tied it with a single off Grant Anderson (1-1) that plated two runs with two outs. Remillard followed with a line drive to left field, and Andrus was initially called out at the plate by umpire D.J. Reyburn on Travis Jankowskis throw.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy was ejected after the call was overturned, because catcher Jonah Heim was ruled to have blocked the plate illegally. Bochy was booted for the 80th time in his career.

For that call to be made, Im dumbfounded, Bochy said. Its absolutely one of the worst calls Ive ever seen and it was done by replay. I just don't get it. I don't care how many times they'll try to explain it. You can't do that in that situation. It's a shame. It's embarrassing, really.

There was never any contact with the catcher. It was a sweep tag. I don't get it. I really don't. Again, I'm shocked. Jonah did a great job there. The throw took him to the left a little bit, sweep tag. I'm lost on this one. That's a tough one to take.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said he hadn't seen a replay.

All I can say is we challenged both, Grifol said. "We challenged the play at the plate and blocking the plate.

If New York felt that it was a violation, it probably was the initial (catcher) set up because that's the rule.

Heim was stunned.

I asked the umpire what I could have done differently, the catcher said. "I set up on the corners. I even backed up. I dont know what else to do. Its upsetting.

"I dont know how you can block the plate from behind the plate.

Remillard, however, was delighted with what turned out to be his second game-deciding hit in four games.

At the end of they day, they enforce the rules, he said. 'We play the game and it went our way and we can enjoy it."

The White Sox overcame five RBIs by Corey Seager, including a two-run double in the top of the eighth that put Texas ahead 6-4.

Andrus had a solo shot and finished with three RBIs against his former team. Eloy Jimenez hit a two-run homer for Chicago, which ended Texas' three-game winning streak and won for just the third time in 10 games.

It's huge, especially against a team like the Rangers," Andrus said. For me, they're a top-three team in the league.

Seager, who finished with three hits, has 41 RBIs in 31 games since returning from a left hamstring strain.

He greeted Aaron Bummer, Chicagos third reliever, with his second double of the night. Seager's shot to the right-center gap plated Jankowski and Leody Taveras to put Texas ahead for the first time.

Adolis Garcia hit a solo homer for the AL West-leading Rangers.

Bummer (3-1) got the win despite retiring only one batter. Kendall Graveman pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save.

Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi yielded four runs and five hits in six innings, his third straight outing allowing three or more runs

Texas trailed 4-2 entering the seventh, but the first four Rangers hitters reached base against reliever Keynan Middleton and Texas tied it on Seager's two-run single.

White Sox starter Dylan Cease allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, striking out nine. The 2022 AL Cy Young Award runner-up exited with a two-run lead, but got a fifth straight no-decision.

SOLO STRING

Before Jimenezs two-run drive, Chicagos previous nine homers had been solo shots. The White Sox were 1-4 in that stretch.

Its making true to the point that solos dont beat you, Grifol said.

DAY OFF

White Sox CF Luis Robert Jr., who entered third in the AL with 18 homers, was rested but entered as a defensive replacement in the seventh and scored in the eighth after drawing a walk. The speedy outfielder had started 20 straight games.

BULLPEN HELP

The White Sox claimed RHP Touki Toussaint off waivers from Cleveland. The 27-year-old was 2-1 with a 4.06 ERA in 20 games with Triple-A Columbus.

TRAINERS ROOM

White Sox: SS Tim Anderson (sore right shoulder) was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game, but pinch-hit and grounded out in the eighth.  Chicago placed LHP Garrett Crochet on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 17, with left shoulder inflammation and returned RHP Jimmy Lambert (right ankle inflammation) from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte.

UP NEXT

Texas sends LHP Martin Perez (6-3, 4.54 ERA) to the mound against RHP Michael Kopech (3-5, 3.92) in Wednesdays series finale.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Why GPS and radar don't work underwater and can't assist in finding the lost Titan submersible

The Titan submersible went missing on Sunday. Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images

GPS and radar can scout out missing objects on Earth's surface but are no match for the ocean.

Water absorbs electromagnetic radiation, which is why sonar tech using sound waves is necessary.

But even the sonar technology that rescuers are using to locate Titan is limited by depth.

US and Canadian authorities are searching for a submersible, Titan, that went missing on Sunday. It's become an increasingly tense race to find the vessel and rescue its passengers before oxygen supplies run out.

The five passengers aboard were diving to visit the wreck of the Titanic, located about 12,500 feet below the ocean's surface. The descent is supposed to take about 2 hours, but about an hour and 45 minutes into its descent, the submersible went silent, CNN reported. No one knows where it is.

This speaks to just how extremely difficult it is to find anything underwater, whether it's the size of the Titanic or a small 21-foot-long submersible. It's not like you can simply turn on a GPS tracking system.

Why GPS does not work underwater

Water and air are two very different mediums through which communication signals travel.

On a molecular level, water is denser. Though you can't see them, air contains about 4.4x1020 molecules per cubic inch of atmosphere at sea level. Water, by comparison, has about 1,000 times more, 51023 molecules per cubic inch.

And all those extra molecules get in the way, interact, and absorb the electromagnetic waves that tracking systems like GPS and radar use. So when you get to any significant depth, GPS and similar technology won't work.

Electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in water very quickly. Giordano Cipriani/Getty Images

For a similar reason, that's why the ocean depths are pitch black, devoid of sunlight because the electromagnetic waves from the sun can't penetrate very deep.

Submarines and other underwater vessels have gotten around this issue in the past using sound waves, aka sonar. Sound can actually travel thousands of miles in water without losing its signal.

Sonar works by sending out sound waves that will bounce off objects, which creates an echo. A machine called a sonar transducer then measures the direction and strength of the echo to locate the object.

Sonar works by sending out sound waves and measuring the echo, or reflective wave that bounces back. ttsz/Getty Images

How authorities are using sonar to search for the missing Titan sub

Rescue ships and aircraft searching for Titan are equipped with sonar, Wired reported.

However, "These sorts of systems aren't very good for looking for something on the seabed," Frank Owen, director of the Australian Navy's submarine escape and rescue project, told Wired.

Three more ships showed up to help search efforts after banging noises were detected on Tuesday. Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images

This sonar equipment only works to a depth of about 1.25 miles (6,600 feet)  half the distance to the Titanic, per Wired. Therefore, if Titan is much deeper, sonar might not be of much use.

That said, sonar devices detected "acoustic feedback," what are being referred to as banging noises, in the search vicinity on Tuesday.

The source of the noise is unclear but three additional boats arrived on the scene to help further search efforts, one of which has side-scanning sonar capabilities designed specifically to search for objects on the ocean floor, per CNN.

However, if Titan is sitting on the seafloor near the sunken Titanic ship, distinguishing sonar signals between it and the gigantic ship will be difficult and may lead to false positives, per Wired.

The Atlantic Ocean covers about 20% of Earth's surface

The Atlantic Ocean covers 74.4 million cubic miles, or about 20% of Earth's surface. It took ocean explorers 73 years to discover the Titanic, and that was just searching for it on the ocean floor.

What makes the search for Titan all the more difficult is that it's unclear if the vessel is on the seafloor or floating somewhere mid-ocean. Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images

If the Titanic were floating somewhere between the floor and the surface, that would drastically increase the search area. Instead of dealing with a relatively two-dimensional seafloor, you'd be looking at the seafloor plus all the water on top of it.

For example, a search area that measures 10 by 10 miles, would equate to 100 total square miles. Now, say you're looking within that 100-square-mile region that is within an area 2.5 miles underwater. Now, that 100 square-mile search radius turns into a 250 cubic-mile search area.

That's basically what rescuers are facing with Titan. It's unclear if the submersible is on the seafloor or floating somewhere above it, so search and rescue efforts must consider a much larger search area than they otherwise would if the crew were on land, or even the ocean floor or surface.

Still, the region near and around the Titanic is probably one of the more extensively-explored areas of the Atlantic Ocean.

Humans have only explored roughly 5% of all of Earth's oceans and many of its depths remain a mystery.

Read the original article on Insider
TAIPEI, Taiwan  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up a closely watched visit to Beijing during which he and President Xi Jinping pledged to stabilize plunging U.S-China ties. But China refused the biggest U.S. request: restoring military-to-military contacts.

Blinken said he raised the issue of military communications repeatedly but was rebuffed by the Chinese. It is absolutely vital that we have these kinds of communications, he said, adding that it was something the United States will keep working on.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Joe Biden have called often over the past few months for China to reestablish military communication channels with the U.S.

Why did China halt military communications?

China suspended regular contacts with the U.S. military last August after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, challenging Beijings principle that other countries should refrain from official exchanges with self-governing Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

But the problem existed even before Pelosis visit. The U.S. says China has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for top-level dialogues since 2021.

Why does the U.S. want to restore military contacts?

The U.S. and other nations fear a potential accident involving the U.S. and Chinese militaries that could spiral out of control. In recent months, as tensions between Washington and Beijing have accelerated over a range of issues, including a suspected Chinese spy balloon over U.S. territory, there were several near-collisions of Chinese and U.S. military vessels and aircraft.

In early June, a Chinese warship unexpectedly cut in front of a U.S. destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, forcing it to slow down to avoid impact. Days earlier, a Chinese fighter jet flew in front of a U.S. warplane over the South China Sea in a maneuver the U.S. described as unnecessarily aggressive.

Washington wants to avoid an incident like one in 2001, when a U.S. Navy aircraft and a Chinese interceptor jet collided in mid-air off the Chinese island of Hainan, leading to the Chinese pilots death and the U.S. aircraft forced to make an emergency landing in Hainan without Chinese approval.

The most important thing for the U.S. side is to avoid these accidents, said Li Nan, a visiting senior fellow who researches Chinas military policy at the National University of Singapore.

Why is China pushing back?

China has attributed its refusal to restart military communications to sanctions imposed by Washington, a possible reference to sanctions on its defense minister, Li Shangfu. They were part of a broad package of measures against Russia, predating its invasion of Ukraine, imposed in 2018 over Lis involvement in Chinas purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow.

The U.S. side is surely aware of why there is difficulty in military-to-military exchanges, said Yang Tao, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official overseeing North American affairs, during a briefing Monday following Blinkens visit. One of the reasons is unilateral sanctions against the Chinese side. They first need to remove impediments and create conditions for military-to-military cooperation.

Li earlier this month declined an invitation to speak with Austin, his U.S. counterpart, on the sidelines of a defense forum in Singapore. The two officials did shake hands before sitting down at the same table during the forum, a gesture Austin said would not suffice. A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a substantive engagement, he said.

The U.S. says the sanctions dont prevent Li from holding talks with U.S. officials. But culturally, Chinese officials may expect a form of public remedy before agreeing to re-engage after sanctions, said Li Nan of the National University of Singapore.

You impose sanctions on the guy, and then you also want to have dialogue with the guy, he said. From the Chinese perspective, that doesnt make any sense.

China is also pushing back against NATOs increased collaboration with countries in the Asia-Pacific region - including Australia, Japan and New Zealand - which Beijing considers part of its own sphere of influence, said Willy Lam, an adjunct professor of China studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Whats different about how the countries see their relationship?

Xi said after his meeting with Blinken on Monday that The competition among major countries is not in line with the trend of the times, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Beijing instead sees U.S. policies toward China, such as curbing its access to important technology, as attempts to contain its rise.

The United States and China are in a sense talking past each other, said Paul Haenle, a National Security Council official in the Bush and Obama administrations. At the highest level, there is still not agreement  in terms of how to two major powers should interact, and I think that will make it difficult for the two sides going forward.
Macchiarini said he was surprised at the court's ruling (Magnus ANDERSSON)

A Swedish appeals court on Wednesday sentenced an Italian surgeon once hailed for pioneering windpipe surgery to two and a half years in prison for aggravated assault on patients.

Paolo Macchiarini won praise in 2011 after claiming to have performed the world's first synthetic trachea transplants using stem cells, while he was a surgeon at Stockholm's Karolinska University Hospital.

The experimental procedure was hailed as a breakthrough in regenerative medicine.

But allegations soon emerged that the procedure had been carried out on patients who were not critically ill at the time of the surgery.

Three of his patients in Sweden died, though the deaths have not been directly linked to the surgeries.

A district court in May found him guilty of causing bodily harm to one patient, ruling that the procedures were not consistent with "science and proven experience".

But it cleared him of assault charges on two other patients, arguing that their health was in such a dire state that the procedures were "justifiable".

Both the prosecution and the defence appealed the lower court's ruling, and on Wednesday the Svea court of appeal found him guilty of three counts of aggravated assault.

- Scientific misconduct -

The appeals court concluded that the procedures were carried out on two of the patients even though they were "not in emergency situations" and "could have lived for a not insignificant amount of time without the interventions".

The third patient was in an "emergency situation" but "the procedure was, despite this, unjustifiable," the court said in a statement.

It also found he acted with intent.

"These were not impulsive actions, these were planned interventions," judge Maria Holcke said in the statement.

"Intention of harming is the most awful allegation -- accusation -- that you can make against a doctor," Macchiarini told reporters after the ruling.

"And I am a little bit surprised that this court decided that I intended (this)," he added.

Contacted by AFP his lawyer Bjorn Hurtig said his client was going to appeal the judgement.

"My client is very upset," he added.

Together with his colleagues, Macchiarini, 64, performed a total of eight such transplants between 2011 and 2014 -- three in Sweden in 2011 and 2012, and five in Russia.

Four of the five Russian patients also died, according to Swedish media reports.

Macchiarini has insisted in court that the transplants were an alternative decided upon after all other options had been excluded.

The surgeon was also employed by the Karolinska Institute research facility, which awards the Nobel Medicine Prize.

An external review in 2015 found Macchiarini guilty of research misconduct, and the Institute sacked him in 2016 and found him guilty of scientific misconduct in 2018.

Medical journal The Lancet in 2018 retracted two papers authored by Macchiarini.

po/jj/rox
Emma Watson fans have been left confused by her latest fashion statement.

The actor, 33, who is best known for starring as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film adaptations, shared a photo to Instagram on Monday (19 June), in which she posed with her brother Alex Watson.

The pair wore matching powder blue outfits, but it was the Little Women stars dress that caught fans attention. Followers were puzzled over whether the dress was floating or hanging from her ears.

The dress, taken from Spanish luxury fashion house Loewes Spring Summer 2023 collection, is in fact structured with wiring to create a pointed 3D illusion on the bodice, with the rest of the fabric draped across the legs, giving the appearance of magically levitating.

What in the wingardium leviosa is that dress, wrote one fan in the comments, referring to the Harry Potter spell used to make objects levitate.

Another added: This dress is defying physics.

One fan pleaded for others to explain the dresss design, commenting: Someone make the dress make sense pls.

The dress looks like its floating. Im trying to understand, remarked another.

How is that dress on your body? Hanging from your ears?

Someone else, alluding to Harry Potter, wrote: This is the most hogwarty dress ever!

Loewe is known for pushing the boundaries of proportion play  using structural illusions to create unique silhouettes.

The brand has been responsible for other major moments in pop cultural fashion this year. The fashion house was behind the custom diamante jumpsuit worn by Beyonce during her Renaissance World Tour, which sees the placement of two glove-like hands over her breasts and crotch.

On tour with Beyonce.



A custom LOEWE look designed for the Renaissance world tour. As seen on stage in Stockholm.



Styling Shiona Turini #LOEWE #RenaissanceTour pic.twitter.com/895dChY6ZH  LOEWE (@LoeweOfficial) May 11, 2023

Loewe also dressed Rihanna in all red for the Super Bowl half-time show back in February, where the artist announced she was expecting her second child with partner and rapper A$AP Rocky.

Watson and her brother used the photo opportunity to promote their newly launched business venture, a luxury carbon neutral gin brand named Renais Gin, as the pair posed alongside a bottle the alcohol.

With a heart full of warmth and nostalgia, I am thrilled to introduce - Renais Gin @renaisspirits, Watson wrote on Instagram in April.

It is an ode to the sun-kissed vineyards of Chablis where my family has been making wine these past 30 years. Renais Gin is our love letter to Chablis; a carbon-neutral product, lovingly made from upcycled wine grapes.

In her Instagram bio, Watson describes her job title at the company as Grand Duchess of Ginspiration.
China's smart home industry embraces rapid development

09:48, June 21, 2023 By Jiang Nan ( People's Daily

Today, smart home devices are more and more popularized, bringing much more convenience to people's daily life. New technologies, investment and business forms in the smart home industry are thus one of the keys to the transformation and upgrading of China's traditional industries.

ROKI digital kitchen appliances manufactured by Robam Appliances are exhibited at the 21st China Internet Conference in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, Nov. 15, 2022. (Photo from Robam Appliances)

New demands of consumers are what encourage traditional industries to make a change.

"We have gradually turned from a manufacturer of traditional lighting products into a provider of comprehensive and intelligent lighting solutions," said Nan Junxia, head of CHINT, a leading intelligent energy solutions provider in China.

The company has launched smart sockets that are able to directly replace the old ones, as well as smart home control panels and sensors that can be placed anywhere. With the products offered by the company, the brightness and colors of lights can be controlled remotely on mobile phones.

Besides, the company has also developed a home-based intelligent nursing system that monitors the safety of seniors in real time through smart integrated circuits and sensors. The system would inform seniors' families or medical personnel immediately after it detects tumbles or lasting inactivity.

Photo taken on April 27, 2023 shows the exhibition area of Chinese home appliance manufacturer Haier at the Appliance and Electronics World Expo in Shanghai. (People's Daily Online/Chen Yuyu)

"Mr. ROKI, stir fry please," said Lin Xiaojia, user experience engineer with the cooking research center of Robam Appliances, a Chinese firm specialized in manufacturing household kitchen appliances.

Soon, an automatic range hood started working, and the man selected a home-style dish on a color display that read "cloud recipe" and turned on a smart kitchen stove, which automatically adjusted the flame according to the dish Lin had selected. Then an "unattended wok" began stirring the ingredients in it. The temperature in the wok and a timer were displayed on a screen on the cover of the wok.

A major difference between the ROKI digital kitchen appliances and traditional kitchen appliances is the "Mr. ROKI," an AI assistant that connects different sets in the kitchen and thus creates new scenarios through inter-device collaboration.

In a "future factory" of Robam Appliances in Linping district of Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, researchers have turned recipes into digital curves based on the variation of ingredients' mouthfeels and nutrition in different temperatures and under different cooking methods. It is learned that thousands of digital recipes have been developed for ROKI digital kitchen appliances, which not only make cooking much easier for users, but also help them create their own digital recipes that can be shared with more people.

The transformation and upgrading of home appliance manufacturers rely on the common efforts and collaborative innovation of all enterprises along the industrial chain.

Robam Appliances has developed a high-definition camera module with fisheye and wide-angle lens in cooperation with an optical company, which serves as an "eye" for the "unattended woks" and intelligent combi ovens. The camera offers recommendations based on the ingredients it recognizes and observes the variation of ingredients' colors to avoid overcooking.

Smart door locks are exhibited at the Home China Expo in Beijing, Feb. 18, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Chen Xiaogen)

Besides, the Chinese manufacturer of household kitchen appliances also joined hands with a tech firm in Shenzhen to develop an infrared thermometer module that controls the switch and ventilation of range hoods and smart stoves based on the variation of temperature.

Sensor, integrated circuits, and controller developers, as well as other enterprises in the upstream of the industry, have reaped fruitful results in their cooperation with manufacturers of smart home devices. Lower-stream enterprises are also working to build relevant platforms, systems and comprehensive solutions.

In an experience center of CHINT, a number of smart home devices are exhibited, including automatic door locks, smart air conditioning systems and smart shower systems.

Enterprises in the industry have independently developed smart home ecology platforms, which are constantly extending smart home products and services relying on internet of things, big data, and smart technologies.

According to statistics, the Chinese smart home market jumped from 260 billion yuan ($36.25 billion) to 580 billion yuan from 2016 to 2021, with an average annual growth of nearly 20 percent. The smart home industry of Zhejiang province alone is expected to hit 500 billion yuan in 2025.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
(Bloomberg) -- The US needs to make up ground lost to Chinese battery makers and dominate the next generation of the technology, a bipartisan group of lawmakers said after meeting the chief executives of Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. in Detroit.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Winning the battery manufacturing race for electric vehicles is the moonshot of the 21st century, Representative Haley Stevens, a Michigan Democrat, said in an interview.

Stevens said Congress must boost incentives to help the US develop its own battery industry. She led the group of four lawmakers from the House Select Committee on Competition with China to meet with the automakers.

The US is still largely dependent on China for the critical minerals required to make batteries, and some experts estimate that an independent supply chain remains years away. Chinese companies account for more than half of the EV battery market and satisfy as much as 90% of demand for some battery materials, according to BloombergNEF.

See: Joe Bidens Climate Bill Has the US Battery Industry Revved Up

China has an early advantage because of some of the investments they made in the past, said Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of of Illinois, the top Democrat on the committee. However, even the electric vehicle battery space is changing and American companies can innovate for the next generation of the technology, he said.

Stevens and Krishnamoorthi, along with Republicans Mike Gallagher, the panels chairman, and John Moolenaar, met with Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley and GM CEO Mary Barra to discuss dependence on Chinese supply chains, particularly for electric vehicles.

Gallagher said there were limits right now in terms of suppliers that auto manufacturers can use.

There are only a handful of companies that can make some of this technology, he added. By adjusting policies, the US can dominate the next generation of battery technology, he said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Carla Foster, a mother of three, lied about her pregnancy term to get abortion drugs

A woman imprisoned for more than two years for taking abortion pills outside of the legal time-limit has had an appeal against her sentence rejected.

Carla Foster, a mother of three, from Barlaston, Staffs, took abortion-inducing drugs when rules were relaxed during the first Covid lockdown, when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant.

The 44-year-old lied to a nurse over the phone in May 2020 about how far along she was in order to obtain the drugs, after searching online: I need to have an abortion but Im past 24 weeks. The legal limit for abortions unless in extreme circumstances.

Last week, she was handed a 28-month imprisonment sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion.

An appeal against her sentence was rejected at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday.

Fosters lawyers still have the option to take the case to the Court of Appeal.

Passionate public debate

Throwing out the appeal, Mr Justice Pepperall said: The imprisonment of Carla Foster has sparked a passionate public debate against the law to criminalise late-term abortions.

My duty was to apply the law as provided by Parliament and sentence in accordance with the guidelines given by the Court of Appeal.

I was aware of the fact that this matter had been hanging over her since May 2020 and I took the delay into account together with all the other aggravating and mitigating factors in this case in determining the appropriate sentence after trial was three years, rather than five years, imposed by the Court of Appeal in R V Catt.

As it happens, the delay was similar in Catt. I conclude there are no proper grounds for reconsidering the sentence and I dismiss the application.

Foster had claimed she felt too embarrassed to see a doctor after becoming pregnant in 2019 and that she did not know how far along she was.

Prosecutors previously told a court she had made several internet searches between February and May 2020, including how to lose a baby at six months and how to hide a pregnancy bump.

Matt Hancock, the then health secretary, approved a change to abortion rules on March 30 2020, allowing services to prescribe and deliver pills over the phone.

Women were previously required to attend a clinic for an in-person appointment before taking the pills at home.

Past 24 weeks

Three and a half weeks after this change, Foster searched online: I need to have an abortion but Im past 24 weeks.

She lied to a nurse practitioner from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service during a phone call 12 days later, convincing them she was seven weeks pregnant.

The drugs mifepristone and misoprostol were then sent to her home address, the first of which she took on May 9, and the latter two days afterwards.

That evening, while making a 999 call to say she was in labour, she suffered a miscarriage and her daughter Lily was stillborn.

A post-mortem examination determined the child was between 32 and 34 weeks gestation.

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.

She was sentenced to a 28 months imprisonment with 14 months in custody and the remainder on licence after her release.

The maximum sentence is life imprisonment.

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Woman pretends to be high schooler and attends 3 different schools, Boston officials say

When a man showed up to a Boston high school and said he was withdrawing his daughter from the school because of bullying, school administrators found it odd, according to a police report.

They found it strange the student was withdrawing and planned to attend a new school because she recently enrolled at English High School on June 8  and because staff was dealing with the bullying report, a June 14 incident report provided to McClatchy News says.

A closer look at the high schoolers enrollment paperwork revealed she was actually an adult woman, according to a letter from Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper alerting families June 20.

In addition to English High School, the woman separately enrolled in and attended Brighton High School and Jeremiah E. Burke High School during the 2022-2023 school year, the letter said.

Shes accused of using several fake names to enroll.

I am deeply troubled that an adult would breach the trust of our school communities by posing as a student, Skipper said in a statement. This appears to be a case of extremely sophisticated fraud. As soon as BPS personnel identified irregularities with the students enrollment, the case was referred to the Boston Police who are now undertaking a criminal investigation.

Officials did not disclose the womans true identity and age. The police report lists three different suspects  two women and a man. Their names are redacted.

The womans school enrollment paperwork

As school administrators reviewed the womans enrollment paperwork, one paper referenced the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families but had a typo and said Department of Children rind Families instead, according to the police report.

The paper also listed a contact for a DCF social worker, the report says.

After administrators reached out to the department asking about the social worker, they were told a person with that name didnt work for the department, the report says.

A DCF spokesperson told CBS Boston it is investigating.

McClatchy News contacted the DCF on June 21 and was awaiting a response.

This is a quite, it seems, elaborate and unusually intensive case of fraudulent activity, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told CBS Boston.

As police investigate, no arrests have been made as of the afternoon of June 21.

The woman was ordered to not return to any Boston Public Schools facilities, according to Skipper.

While the investigation is in its early stages and remains ongoing, school officials have not identified any incidents of harm to students or staff, Skipper wrote in the letter sent to families.

17-year-old high school student was actually a 28-year-old woman, Louisiana cops say

High school teacher posed as teen on Snapchat to get nude photos of girls, feds say

29-year-old enrolled in high school and attended for four days, New Jersey cops say
Woman tossed from moving Lamborghini died, Georgia cops say. Now, driver is sentenced

A beloved 28-year-old woman was tossed from a moving Lamborghini, and now the driver has been sentenced in her death, Georgia officials said.

Alfred Megbuluba, 33, was ordered to serve a decade behind bars after he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, defense attorney Steve Sadow told McClatchy News in a June 21 email.

The case dates to October 2021, when Atlanta police said Megbuluba was behind the wheel of his Lamborghini Huracan. A 911 caller reported seeing a woman get thrown from the luxury car after a fight, McClatchy News reported.

Officers were called to the scene and found a woman lying unconscious in the road. She was taken to a hospital, where she died, police said.

The woman was identified as Catherine Khan, who received an outpouring of tributes on social media.

She loved kids, she loved animals, Tess Khan, her stepmother, told WAGA in 2021. She was just a giver. She always gave of her time and her energy and her love.

Khan died after she was found in Buckhead, an upscale Atlanta neighborhood. An initial investigation revealed she may have been pushed or may have fallen from a moving vehicle which left the scene, police wrote in a 2021 news release.

Megbuluba  who originally faced several charges, including felony murder  entered a voluntary manslaughter plea on June 15. He was ordered to serve 10 years in prison and an additional five years on probation, Sadow said.

Fulton County and its district attorneys office didnt immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on June 21.

65-year-old hit and killed by bus he just exited, Georgia police say

Flying metal pipe crashes into car windshield, kills passenger on highway, GA cops say
Pia Sinha is the new director of the Prison Reform Trust - Geoff Pugh

When Pia Sinha, one of Britains most successful prison governors and the new director of the Prison Reform Trust, first arrived at HMP Liverpool, it was the rats that shocked her most. Touring the institution in her capacity as the jails new boss in 2017, the scurrying rodents were everywhere.

[The prison] was filthy, she recalls. It was falling apart. There was garbage everywhere. There were rats everywhere. The cells were in a shocking state. I remember going into B Wing and, literally, it brought tears to my eyes. One guy was standing in his cell. No electricity. His toilet was filthy. There was no window, just a hole.

Sinhas reaction spoke volumes. The ex-convent girl, who moved to the UK from Mumbai at the age of 14, had seen her fair share of dispiriting cells in her time, having already served as governor at two other prisons. But nothing had prepared her for Liverpool, then officially Britains worst jail. Sinha, however, turned it around. Over the following two years, she secured extra cash, cut the number of inmates by 500 to reduce overcrowding, and transformed the culture so that both staff and prisoners took pride in their surroundings.

Little by little everyone wanted to fix Liverpool, whether it was a member of staff or a prisoner, she says. So the prisoners were fixing windows, they were deep cleaning, getting rid of litter.

The B Wing facility at HMP Liverpool - Getty

The transformation of the jail into a safe, disciplined institution with hanging baskets and astroturf instead of rubbish and broken concrete sums up Sinhas philosophy. You cant get to rehabilitation unless someone feels safe. Your starting foundation is to make safe, stable prisons. You make the staff-prisoner relationships feel collaborative and compassionate. If you dont want to go that far, at least make them professional  giving prisoners what theyre entitled to, so that theyre not locked in their cells 23 hours a day.

It is this track-record  and passion for her cause  that made Sinhas appointment as director of the Prison Reform Trust in April this year so fascinating. With a general election less than 18-months away, Britains prisons are in the throes of an overcrowding crisis, so much so, that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has admitted that, despite being in the middle of a 4 billion building programme, it could have a shortfall of 2,300 prison places by March 2025.

How the Government deals with this issue, while desperately trying to retain its tough-on-crime image, will be centre stage in coming years and Sinha, 50, is primed to shape the debate.

There is a genuine nervousness within the system that this time weve run out of road, she says. Sinha believes that the Government needs to divert more non-violent, low-level offenders on to community sentences, with greater use of electronic tagging and tough licensing conditions to reassure the public that they will be returned to prison for any breach.

The research has found that when individuals are given non-custodial sentences, theyre much more likely to divert away from crime rather than if they were sent to prison, she says.

Ever since Sinha arrived in the UK  her father was an insurance executive, her mother a civil servant  and joined a rough Wembley comprehensive, she has broken the mould. There were dusters getting thrown around, everyone screaming and shouting at each other, she says of her first day. It was quite an important moment because I have reflected on this as an adult. I immediately loosened my tie, took off my blazer and I thought, Right, Im gonna have to blend in here.

That said a lot about the kind of person I was. I could walk into a room and immediately know how to read it and what I needed to do to adapt. I sat on the side of a desk rather than a chair like the other students and said: Hi, Im here. Whats happening?

Sinha: 'You cant get to rehabilitation unless someone feels safe' - Geoff Pugh

Sinha puts her confidence down to her parents who encouraged her and her sister to believe that everything was a possibility, an opportunity. Unlike the parents of her Asian friends, who were more traditional, stricter and prescriptive, she says her ex-pat mother and father were more secure in their identity which meant she had greater freedom about her life and career choices.

So it was that, while doing a Psychology masters in 1999 and working as a licensee with her then husband in a north London pub full of villains that she decided to become a prison psychologist. She was persuaded by a colleague then working at Pentonville jail who said: Why dont you apply?

I didnt really know what I was letting myself in for, apart from the fact that I had worked in this villains pub and been exposed to some very colourful characters. I was intrigued by it all, she recalls.

On her first day as a psychologist at HMP Holloway in north London, then Britains biggest womens jail, she recalls feeling a mix of anticipation, fear and anxiety. The tales inmates told her over the next five years were, she says, some of the worst stories Ive ever heard of what human beings can do to each other and also what human beings could do to young vulnerable children.

Then, in HMP Wandsworth in south London, Britains largest mens prison at the time, she experienced overt sexism and racism. On one of her first days, she says, she was set up by colleagues who put her in a room with an offender flagged as predatory and inappropriate with female staff.

I quite quickly saw that this guy was not being very safe and I exited. I was fine but I noticed there was laughter coming from the office. It was a way of trying to humiliate, upset or scare me. If I did make a complaint, my life would be quite difficult going forward and so I decided to banter with them about it, tell them off in my own way but have a laugh. It defused the situation.

Such resilience, combined with the empathy she had learnt from her psychology training, saw her fast-tracked into a governorship (one of just eight candidates chosen from 400 applicants) at HMP Risley, in Warrington, in 2015.

There, she came up against a very strong union guy who believed happiness is door-shaped.

This meant locking-up inmates most of the day and night as it made the staffs lives easier. The governors in the jail had deferred to the union. My big thing was that you needed to give prisoners a legitimate regime. It was challenging this idea that happiness is not door shaped and you have to unlock the doors, she says.

Her success saw her approached in 2017 to take over HMP Liverpool. Called by her boss, her initial reaction was No, fing way. Then her bosss boss called, and she agreed to take the job.

After her success there, for which she won national plaudits, Sinha moved into the MoJ as a senior civil servant, first working on reforming the probation service, then as director of womens prisons. She pushed for womens jails to be given greater independence from the male prison estate.

Wandsworth prison in south London - Getty

It felt to me, when I was working as director of women, that I was in a household where I needed to go to say, Please, can I have a bit of money? It just felt really patriarchal, she says.

Although she only had minimal contact with then justice secretary Dominic Raab, who quit over bullying allegations, she recalls a sense of anxiety and a bit of foreboding when civil servants had to present to him and a top-down culture where it was hard to speak your truth. Raab denied any wrongdoing but ultimately resigned.

Indeed, she felt the civil service, close up, was full of very clever people but not that oriented towards action. It was one reason why she took the job as director of the Prison Reform Trust. I might be able to do more and might be able to have a better impact, she says.

There is also a specific policy issue where PRT could have an impact: IPP prisoners, offenders on indeterminate sentences and held long past their predicted release dates  a legacy of David Blunketts time as home secretary. As a backbencher, the now Justice Secretary Alex Chalk condemned the toxic legacy of IPP, and said the unfairness must be resolved.

I feel that I am now in a place where I am able to be my authentic self much, much more easily  persuading people to do things differently, says Sinha. The fundamental purpose of prison is what I used to say to my women who used to come to Holloway: whatevers happened in your life, being in prison gives you the opportunity to reset, start again. So you say: What do you need to do to undo the stuff thats happened before?

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Worrells office drops more felony charges against minors than any other in Florida, report says

Prosecutors handling cases in Orange and Osceola counties drop more violent felony and gun charges against minors than their counterparts in other circuits in the state, according to a report released this week by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit  led by Monique Worrell, whos faced criticism from other public officials for her offices handling of cases involving repeat offenders and juveniles  dropped 42% of felony charges against minors between November 2021 and October 2022, the report says.

Statewide, an average of 22% of felony cases were dropped during the same time period. Prosecutors in other large metropolitan areas  Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville  dropped 33%, 29% and 16% of felony charges against juveniles, respectively.

Worrells office also leads in the dropping of cases involving violent felonies and gun charges, at 41% and 29%, well above the state average in both categories, the report found.

Non-prosecution of serious offenses fails to deter future offending, and importantly, it also deprives youth of the opportunity to receive the research-supported delinquency interventions that have been successful in helping drive down Floridas juvenile offending rate, the report said.

Jason Gunn, a spokesperson for Worrell, in a statement Wednesday said, The State Attorney is committed to public safety, advocating for victims and protecting our community. Theres no policy in our office regarding to [not] file or drop cases other than to follow the law.

Gunn added: As far as this report is concerned on juvenile cases, we are unsure how the raw data was compiled. No one from the Department of Juvenile Justice has reached out to us to corroborate these numbers, nor have they provided a copy prior to its release to verify.

WFTV-Channel 9 reported that the data was sourced from the Juvenile Justice Information System, one of the largest state-operated juvenile justice databases in the United States, according to the agency.

The report could fuel further criticism of Worrell and her office, which has been under intense scrutiny for its decisions from Florida GOP officials, including U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as the heads of the largest law enforcement agencies in the Ninth Circuit.

Shes remained adamant that her prosecutors will not go forward with any cases they cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Shes also gone on the offensive, calling out what her staff determined to be flawed cases presented by local police agencies that they decided against pursuing.

Accusations that Worrells office does not properly prosecute cases came to a head in February, when three people were killed and two were injured in a shooting spree in Pine Hills.

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The suspect in the case, Keith Moses, had been in and out of juvenile detention facilities for years leading up to the shootings, though all but one of his arrests predated Worrells time as State Attorney. The one that didnt was a misdemeanor marijuana arrest in which the Orange County Sheriffs Office failed to test for DNA on a gun that deputies suspected Moses had discarded.

The Moses case was cited by DeSantis in launching an official inquiry into her office and demanding records of cases involving repeat offenders.

Worrell in recent months has repeatedly defended the decisions of her prosecutors against criticisms from local law enforcement officials, including Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez. The state attorney has further said both Mina and Lopez are working with the governors office to justify her suspension.

Both sheriffs have denied this, though Mina  according to testimony in a civil trial over DeSantis suspension of Tampa-based State Attorney Andrew Warren  expressed complaints about Worrell to Larry Keefe, the governors public safety czar.

In April, Carl Metzger, the president of the Orange-Osceola Police Chiefs Association, sent a letter to the State Attorneys Office with pages of questions and requests about cases taken up by the office from the start of Worrells tenure to the end of last year.

some of our members have individual concerns about case dispositions derived from your office, wrote Metzger, the chief of the University of Central Florida Police Department. While we intend to address those concerns with you, we would like to have all the information in front of us to make our discussion more meaningful.

The same month, Worrell held a two-day training with local law enforcement to mend relations and work out how her office and the agencies can collaborate to bring forward more cases that can hold up in court.

But last week, Worrell had another back-and-forth with Orlando Police Department Chief Eric Smith after she said his officers were not helpful in locating the victim of a carjacking. Because the victim could not be found, Worrell said, prosecutors could not formally charge the suspect, who, after his release in the carjacking case, was arrested in an attempted rape case a week later.

Smith said the arresting officer provided the most up-to-date information available about the victim, who was homeless, and that Worrells office did not ask the officer for help to find the carjacking victim.

Worrell, a progressive who ran as a reformer, has been outspoken about her displeasure with the states juvenile justice system since she took office in January 2021.

She has proposed changes to the Florida Legislature like allowing juvenile courts to retain jurisdiction over defendants until theyre 21 and allowing the department to keep in custody minors who commit serious offenses for longer periods of time. Such reforms, Worrell says, would give the department more options to hold minors accountable and achieve rehabilitation.

Currently, the juvenile justice system woefully fails to address serious offenses committed by youthful offenders, said a legislative action request by Worrell sent to media outlets in early March. The State Attorney is currently only able to resolve violent juvenile cases by charging them as adults, or relinquishing jurisdiction to the Department of Juvenile Justice, which typically requires a short-term treatment program that does not provide long-term solutions.

Worrells request continued: No current State programs remove juveniles from problematic environments long enough for the juvenile to experience changed behavior or attitudes. The State Attorney would like more options for addressing juveniles who commit serious offenses that would both rehabilitate the juvenile and protect the public.

So far, none of her requests have resulted in changes to the laws governing the states juvenile justice system.

ccann@orlandosentinel.com
Wright Patterson Air Force Base will be hosting its fifth annual Pollinator Expo today.

>>RELATED: Busy street near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to be affected by construction

It will be taking place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Wright Brothers Memorial at the 2300 block of Memorial Road off Kauffman Avenue, according to a WPAFB spokesperson.

Experts and organizations from across the state will highlight local pollinator initiatives and share their knowledge on how to protect these populations.

WPAFB was the first military installation designated as a Bee City USA community.

The expo will feature a native plant sale, food truck, face painting, live bee demonstrations, and other activities.

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Yes, the missing Titanic tourist sub is piloted with a video game controller  but some US Navy submarines also utilize Xbox 360 controllers

Abaca Press/Reuters

The missing Titanic submersible was run with a Logitech gamepad controller.

The US Navy has used Xbox 360 controllers to operate the photonic masts in submarines since 2018.

One expert said simple designs like controllers help make submersibles more reliable.

The tourist submersible that went missing while carrying five people to view the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday is piloted with a video-game controller, prompting some criticism, but even the US Navy has utilized controllers in the past.

The submersible, called the Titan, is unlike a submarine in that it does not have enough power to leave and return to port on its own without the help of a mothership. The support ship transports the vessel to and from the location where the dive is taking place.

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company behind the Titan's deep-sea tours, told CBS News in November that the vessel was operated with a modified Logitech gamepad controller. The crew in the sub receives text message instructions from the surface ship and then uses the controller to steer the sub.

The use of a video game controller to pilot the 23,000-pound Titan vessel on its dives 13,000 feet below sea level sparked mockery online, with some claiming the sub was destined to fail.

But the idea isn't as far-fetched as it may sound. The use of simple devices like controllers can actually make submersibles more reliable, Harvard marine scientist Peter Girguis told Insider's Kwan Wei Kevin Tan.

In fact, the US military also uses video game hardware.

In 2017, the US Navy announced it would begin using Xbox 360 controllers in submarines to operate the photonic masts, which replaced periscopes. A 377-foot-long sub known as the USS Colorado was the first to utilize the controllers when it joined the Navy's fleet in 2018.

Cmdr. Reed Koepp told USA Today at the time the controllers were cost-effective and came with an added bonus  young sailors already knew how to handle them.

At least two major weapons systems that the US military is focusing on utilize Xbox-style controllers, Task and Purpose reported in March.

Girguis said making fun of the gaming controller in the submersible was appealing because it's "an easy target" but that a lot of undersea vessels "use similar controllers."

"Why? They're intuitive," he said. "What REALLY MATTERS is the physical design and integrity of any sub, as well as the control and safety systems."

Read the original article on Insider
A bill that would legally protect doctors who prescribe and send abortion pills to patients in states where abortion services are outlawed or restricted is now headed to New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls desk after the state legislature passed the legislation on Tuesday.

The bill ensures that doctors, medical providers and facilitators in the state will be able to provide telehealth services to patients out of state, according to a news release from the New York State Assembly.

The new legislation also protects New York health providers from out-of-state litigation, meaning the state will not cooperate with cases prosecuting doctors in New York who provide telehealth abortion or reproductive services to people in other states.

This bill expands protections for telehealth providers by providing them the same protections afforded to doctors in other states with strong reproductive healthcare shield laws, according to the news release.

The bill also ensures that New York medical providers, complying with their practice, who offer telehealth services are not subject to professional discipline, solely for providing reproductive health services to patients residing in states where such services are illegal.

CNN has reached out to the governors office to see if she will sign the legislation.

CNN previously reported Hochul has indicated support for a shield law protecting medical providers of out of state abortion and reproductive services.

Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a registered nurse who sponsored the bill, said she was proud to sponsor this critical piece of legislation to fully protect abortion providers using telemedicine.

According to the state assemblys news release, the bill recognizes the common use of medication abortion drugs, stating that 54% of abortions across the country are now medication abortions.

Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie said, It is our moral obligation to help women across the country with their bodily autonomy by protecting New York doctors from litigation efforts from anti-choice extremists. Telehealth is the future of healthcare, and this bill is simply the next step in making sure our doctors are protected.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
You'll Have to Wait for Superman: Legacy Before You Get More Peacemaker

Image: Warner Bros.

Sonic 3 will start filming this summer. Zach Creggers sci-fi horror Companion recruits an Obi-Wan Kenobi star. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds prepares for its day in court. Plus, two words: Mega. Ape. Spoilers, away!



Companion

Deadline reports Rupert Friend (Obi-Wan Kenobi) is the latest to join the cast of Zach Creggers mysterious new sci-fi/horror film, Companion. Same as with the plot itself, details on his character remain under wraps.

Read more





Nightbitch

According to Bloody-Disgusting, the upcoming weredog horror-comedy starring Amy Adams has been rated R for language and some sexuality.





Sonic the Hedgehog 3

According to Production List, filming on Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to begin this August 31 in London.





Wicked, Part 2

Coming Soon also has word Wicked, Part 2 will reach theaters one month earlier than previously expected on November 26, 2025.





Paradise

A biotech company discovers a way to transfer years of your life from one person to another in the trailer for Paradise, coming to Netflix this July 27.



PARADISE | Official Trailer | Netflix





Mega Ape

Elsewhere, Bai Ling stars alongside the late Tom Sizemore in the trailer for Mega Ape.



OFFICIAL TRAILER : MEGA APE (2023)





School Spirits

School Spirits has been officially renewed for a second season at Paramount+. [Spoiler TV]





Peacemaker

During his recent appearance on Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, James Gunn confirmed filming on Peacemakers second season will begin shortly after Superman: Legacy.

Peacemakers coming back right after Superman. Thats my next thing.



JAMES GUNN: Taking Over DC, Legacy of GOTG & The Future of Lex Luthor





Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds sets a trial date for Number One in the synopsis for this weeks episode, Ad Astra Per Aspera.

Commander Una faces court-martial along with possible imprisonment and dishonorable dismissal from Starfleet, and her defense is in the hands of a lawyer whos also a childhood friend with whom she had a terrible falling out.

[Spoiler TV]





Secret Invasion

Finally, Sonya Falsworth accuses Nick Fury of losing his edge in a new clip from the premiere episode of Secret Invasion, now available to steam on Disney+.

I think Thanos snap changed you.



See Nick Fury and Sonya Falsworth in Marvel Studios @SecretInvasion, streaming tomorrow on @DisneyPlus. #SecretInvasion pic.twitter.com/uI0kC2YhEF  Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) June 20, 2023





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.

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Click here to read the full article.
(Bloomberg) -- New Zealands ruling Labour Party has lost a third minister in the space of three months, weakening its claim to be a safe pair of hands ahead of a general election in October.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Senior cabinet minister Michael Wood has resigned his portfolios after the discovery of conflicts of interest, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Wednesday in Wellington. Wood, who was stood down as Transport Minister earlier this month after disclosing he owned shares in Auckland International Airport, also holds shares in other companies, Hipkins said.

When I stood Michael down as Transport Minister, I asked him if there was any other relevant information I should know about and he indicated there was not, Hipkins said. It had since become evident that the airport shares were not an isolated incident and it is not appropriate for Michael to continue as a minister, he said.

Woods demotion follows the demise of Stuart Nash, who was removed as a minister in March after it was revealed he disclosed confidential cabinet decisions to donors. In May, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri quit Labour to join the tiny Maori Party.

Labour is currently neck-and-neck with the main opposition National Party in opinion polls, with the election to be held on Oct. 14.

Hipkins said he was alerted yesterday to Woods additional shareholdings, held in a family trust of which he is both a trustee and a beneficiary. These new shareholdings raise significant concerns around Michael not identifying and managing potential and real conflicts of interest, he said.

In particular, the trust holds shares in telecommunications companies Chorus and Spark.

As Minister of Immigration, Wood made the decision to include telecommunications technicians on the immigration Green List. This followed representations from the telecommunications industry, including Chorus, seeking those changes, Hipkins said.

Wood also has a shareholding in National Australia Bank, the parent company of the Bank of New Zealand.

That was not disclosed in any of the conversations Cabinet had around a market study into banking or other relevant Cabinet conversations, Hipkins said.

Wood said the shareholdings dated to before he became a trustee and he had paid limited attention to them.

There has not been a second of my political career where any of my financial interests have influenced my actions or even crossed my mind, he said in a statement. That being said I acknowledge the rules are in place for a reason and it is incumbent on ministers to manage not just the reality, but also the perception of any conflicts. I have not managed this effectively.

(Updates with Wood statement)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Zelenskyy on Putin's nuclear threats: He loves life, but has lost touch with reality

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not use nuclear weapons, but one cannot be sure about the country's leader, who has lost touch with reality.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC

Quote from Zelenskyy: "He will talk about using nuclear weapons, (but) I don't think he is ready for that because he is afraid for his life, he loves it too much.

But I can't say for sure, especially about a man who has no ties to reality, who in the 21st century unleashed a full-scale war against his neighbour."

Details: At the same time, Zelenskyy reiterated that the leader of the aggressor country began to pose danger to Ukraine in 2014 when it occupied some of its territories for the first time.

Background:

On 16 June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the first Russian tactical nuclear warheads were already in Belarus, and the final transfer would be completed by the end of the year.

Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov reported that preparations of nuclear warheads storage facilities continue in Belarus, but Russia has not yet transferred any nuclear weapons to Belarus.

On 20 June, US President Joe Biden said that the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin using tactical nuclear weapons was "real".

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Nikos Christodoulides

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has declared a "zero tolerance" policy towards individuals or companies who may violate sanctions against Russia, AP reported on June 20. At the same time, he ruled out Cyprus supplying Ukraine with military equipment.

According to the report, these remarks follow the release of a list from the United States and the UK that named Cypriot lawyers, businessmen, and companies as part of a "network of sanctions evasion."

Read also: Ireland begins training Ukrainian sappers in Cyprus

Christodoulides emphasized that Cyprus remains a "trustworthy business and financial center."

However, he dismissed the idea of providing arms to Ukraine. He stated that his country won't supply T-80 tanks, armored personnel carriers, or anti-aircraft missile batteries to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, not even in exchange for more modern Western military technology.

Read also: Russian Cultural Center in Cyprus set ablaze by Molotov cocktails  video

Christodoulides asserted his administration won't "take any action that will leave Cyprus without a military."

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Two separate special use permit requests for short-term rentals of a home each were denied during Amherst Town Councils June 14 meeting, a pair of 3-2 votes that Mayor Dwayne Tuggle publicly voiced frustration over.

After much debate, council recently voted 3-2 to move forward with regulations for short-term rentals in residential-zoned districts through special use permits. Since a council member in opposition to the zoning ordinance change, Janice Wheaton, was absent from that vote  Tuggle voted to break a 2-2 deadlock. Tuggle only votes in instances of tiebreakers.

With all five councilors present June 14, Wheaton joined Sharon Turner and Doug Thompson in voting down the two special use permits, one for 117 Pine St. and the other for 123 Lee St. Mike Driskill and Andra Higginbotham voted in favor.

Tyler and Emily Wynn purchased the property on Pine Street to have residence near family and use the short-term rental to pay for the costs of the home, according to a staff report before council. The home has been used for that purpose and town staff has heard no complaints on it, Town Manager Sara McGuffin told council.

The Wynns application is the towns first for a short-term rental in a residential-zoned neighborhood, according to the town. Emily Wynn in a September 2022 letter to town officials wrote the Airbnb had been used for several months and is a source of revenue for the town.

We take so much pride in our little vintage bungalow and have put a lot of sweat equity and love into restoring this home back to its 1940s charm, Wynn wrote. Even though we rent it out on Airbnb to help cover some of the expenses of owning it we have strict rules and standards for ourselves as well as the guests who stay there.

McGuffin said the other permit request from Svet and Shah Kanev for the Lee Street property has been used as both long- and short-term rental and the town has received no complaints on the use.

I want to express my disappointment, Tuggle said following the two votes of denial. We have changed regulations to allow these Airbnbs.

Tuggle said more than a dozen people spoke in favor of short-term rentals at a public hearing in February and only two town residents spoke against the use.

There have been no complaints. All of the surrounding neighbors are in favor of it with exception of one neighbor from Pine Street, Tuggle said, adding that single neighbor serves on the council. Im just going to say it: that neighbor didnt vote her neighborhoods conscious because she voted against this. We want businesses to come in this town. We want it to grow. People from the outside are looking and if were voting down things for additional tax revenue for other businesses, it does look bad on the town.

Thompson said he asked council to send the short-term rental in residential zones issue back to the Amherst Town Planning Commission and do these across the board and get us out of this SUP business.

I dont know how this can be done procedurally now, but I really think thats the right answer for this, Thompson said.

Sam Soghor, an Amherst resident and Democratic candidate for the Virginia House 53 District seat in the Nov. 7 election, spoke in favor of short-term rentals during citizen comments near the end of the meeting following the denial votes.

Theres not enough places for out-of-town people to come and stay, Soghor said. Moving forward, weve got to figure this out and I appreciate what you said, Mr. Mayor.

Thompson said after the meeting four of council members, himself included, have stated they are in general support of short-term rentals and he feels the zoning should be a by right use for town applicants rather than through a special use permit process that requires more scrutiny through public hearings.

I believe that this is best as the right to short term rentals would convey with the property when sold and we would not have spot zoning which could be discriminatory, Thompson said.

Thompson said before an April council meeting Wheaton gave notice about an hour before she was unable to attend and at the time Tuggle made the unfortunate and expedient decision to base the short-term rental policy for the entire town on a subcommittee comprised of the towns newest council members first cut at regulations, without additions, deletions or any discussions for that matter by the entire council.

Thompson and Driskill served on that subcommittee. The April vote in which Tuggle participated was a roughshod vote, Thompson said.

I did not [vote in favor] because I want it done properly so that everyone seated can have their say and contribute to the process and so that the citizens get a well-designed ordinance for short-term rentals that gives the property owners what they need and the community, the protection that they want and which they all frankly deserve, without any room for discrimination or special treatment based on someones personal connections to the decision makers in the Town, Thompson wrote in an email to The New Era-Progress.

Thompson, who was appointed to council last year to fill a vacancy, is running for the seat in the Nov. 7 election. Former council member Kenneth Watts, who was not re-elected in last Novembers election and is challenging Thompson for the seat in the election, said in an email to The New Era-Progress he feels the three council members who voted against the permits ignored the publics wishes.

Thompson said as a certified public accountant he has experienced firsthand effects of poorly designed, even if well-intentioned, laws that were passed by ramming in through the legislative process and he is fighting that type of legislative action in the short-term rental issue.

I want any legislation to be fair and well thought out without any room for discrimination, Thompson said in the email. In fact, this is one of the reasons that I have decided to run for election because I have the potential to stop this terrible process.
BEDFORD  A Bedford County woman was sentenced to six months in jail Tuesday on three felony counts of child neglect and four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty stemming from a home visit based on concerns about a childs school attendance.

Bedford County Sheriffs Office deputies, in conjunction with the Bedford County Department of Social Services, on Sept. 15 visited the home of Colleen Marie Lagines, 39, on Jeters Chapel Road, the sheriffs office has said.

The property was heavily overgrown with dogs barking from inside the home and extreme odors came from inside as well, according to a news release the sheriffs office issued after Lagines arrest.

The ensuing investigation found Lagines had abandoned two children found living at the house and an unspecified number of badly emaciated and dead animals were discovered upon further investigation with animal control, the sheriffs office said. Some animals were taken to Riverside Veterinarian Clinic in Bedford County for assessment and care.

Bedford Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance said at Lagines Feb. 16 plea hearing in Bedford Circuit Court that law enforcement found the home was in horrific condition. The living room was filled with trash, lights werent working, feces was on the floor and a dead pig was found in a cage, Nance said.

The animal cruelty charges stemmed from living animals and dead, decaying animals found on the property, according to Nance. Some animals were dead so long the mode of death could not be determined, he said.

Jonathan Kurtin, Lagines attorney, said at the plea hearing the matter is an unfortunate scenario, Lagines accepts responsibility, and she received mental health treatment services.

At Tuesdays hearing Lagines was sentenced to five years on the charges with all but six months suspended. Bedford Circuit Judge James Updike Jr. went above the guidelines to give her the six month-sentence because sentencing guidelines called for an entirely suspended sentence, according to Nance.

Lagines will be on three years probation upon her release, is ordered to have no contact with her juvenile child, not have any juvenile under her care or supervision, nor own or care for any animal, Nance said.
A Maryland man accused of murder in connection with a Wintergreen police officer's shooting death June 16 is facing updated charges, according to online court records.

Virginia State Police said Daniel M. Barmak, of Towson, Maryland, is charged with one count each of capital murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony in connection with the shooting death of officer Mark Christopher "Chris" Wagner II. He also faces two counts of malicious wounding.

Nelson General District Court records as of Tuesday afternoon show Barmak, 23, is charged with aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer and one count each of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, malicious wounding and possession of a Schedule I/Schedule II drug.

Barmak's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Nelson General District Court.

The incident began shortly after 10 p.m. June 16 when an emergency call came into the Wintergreen Police Department about two people being assaulted at the residence they were all staying at on Arrowood Lane in the Wintergreen community of Nelson County, a news release from state police said.

After calling police, the two injured men fled the residence on foot. The two 23-year-old men were both taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, the release said.

Wagner, 31, was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the residence. He encountered Barmak in the woods and a struggle ensued, the release said.

During the course of the struggle over Wagners department-issued handgun, Barmak shot and killed the officer, the release said. Barmak was also shot during the encounter.

Wintergreen police and the Nelson County Sheriffs Office took Barmak into custody without further incident. Barmak was taken to UVA Medical Center for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury sustained during the incident, the release said.

Inside the residence, state police recovered illegal narcotics, the release said. Wagners department-issued handgun was recovered at the shooting scene in the woods.

Barmak is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. He is represented by attorney Doug Ramseur, online court records show.

Funeral arrangements have been finalized for Wagner. Visitation is 10 a.m. to noon Monday, June 26, at Augusta Expo Event Center, 277 Expo Road, Fishersville. The funeral service is at noon. Visitation and the service are open to the public.
Andrew LaGala, director at Lynchburg Regional Airport, recently provided updates on the efforts to restore and enhance air travel services in the region. He attended a meeting with American Airlines earlier this month and talked about revitalizing the airlines presence and restoring service levels to pre-pandemic standards.

Before the pandemic, the airport boasted an average of seven flights per day, offering passengers a range of options, including first-class and main cabin seating. In the aftermath of the pandemic, however, the airport was forced to operate with main cabin seating only, leaving out the first-class option. But LaGala said last week that passenger traffic has rebounded to about 85% of pre-pandemic levels, which were at their peak in 2019.

One of our goals was to get back to what we had, and were getting there, he said. So were seeing the flight frequency return to six daily departures to Charlotte most days by August and thats up from end of last year, through winter and early spring. The passenger demand is whats really important and thats remaining really strong. Theyre at historically near record levels.

He said there is an importance of passenger demand and commended the local community for its consistent use of the airport, contributing to impressive load factors.

He said the airports load factors, which indicate the number of passengers boarding the aircraft and the aircrafts occupancy rate, are near historic levels, showcasing the communitys dedication to using its hometown airport. LaGala added this has not gone unnoticed by American Airlines, which appreciates the communitys commitment and has been instrumental in restoring service at LYH.

They see that and they appreciate that and thats why were one of the really smaller regional airports that are getting our service back all the way, he said.

He also explained leakage that occurs when passengers opt to use other airports instead of their local one, and said Lynchburgs competitive pricing  often even more favorable than Roanoke  coupled with strong demand, has deterred passengers from seeking alternatives. However, the airports full-seat capacity remains a challenge, with limited availability on certain flights, preventing further redirection of passengers to Lynchburg.

American Airlines continues to face challenges in expanding its flight offerings and seat availability, he said. The most prominent obstacle is the persistent pilot shortage. During the pandemic, many pilots retired or left the industry, resulting in a significant backlog that needs to be filled. While the demand for air travel, particularly leisure travel, has surged recently, the pipeline for new pilots has not been able to keep pace. So, regional airlines, such as LYH, are grappling with the shortfall in pilot resources as major airlines prioritize filling positions at the mainline level.

Additionally, he said the shortage in new aircraft deliveries is another concern affecting airlines. With retiring aircraft and a limited supply of new replacements, the industry is experiencing a shortfall in overall fleet capacity. This, combined with a nationwide pilot shortage, has led to about 500 regional aircraft being parked due to a lack of available crews.

He said it may take another 18 to 24 months before the pilot shortage is resolved and the supply of new pilots aligns with demand. This delay has affected regional carriers in particular, as major airlines are reallocating crews from regionals to their mainline operations.

Despite these challenges, he says LYH has been proactive in its approach to air service development. The updated air service strategic plan focuses on attracting major network carriers with global reach, primarily targeting American Airlines. The airport has identified two primary opportunities for incentivizing American Airlines: upgrading to first-class service and establishing regional flights to Chicago.

Im hopeful. Ill say that Im cautiously optimistic, he said. Nothings guaranteed, nothings promised, but the goal is to incentivize as much as we can to entice them to want to do a northern service.

American Airlines is a private entity and has the ability to allocate its aircraft to different airports based on revenue potential. However, LaGala stated that Lynchburg has a compelling case for additional service because the airport has been successful in filling planes and generating revenue. He mentioned American Airlines has confirmed Lynchburg is at the top of its list for potential future service.

The airport is also pursuing funding through the U.S. Department of Transportations Small Community Air Service Development Program. This program offers direct financial incentives and advertising support to airports and airlines serving smaller communities. LaGala said he is optimistic about securing the grant, which would further enhance the airports ability to incentivize American Airlines or another carrier to introduce new services or destinations.

To support its air service development efforts, the airport has engaged specialized consultants for both American Airlines and ultra-low-cost carriers. These consultants will assist in attracting new entrants to the market and expanding the airports reach to popular leisure destinations. But there are challenges in attracting United and Delta, as they are primarily focused on expanding mainline services rather than regional markets.

When pitching to airlines, LaGala highlighted the significant market potential of Lynchburg and its surrounding areas. The airports service area includes more than 260,000 people within a 20-mile radius, with additional market potential when considering the nearby cities of Charlottesville and Roanoke. He mentioned if an ultra-low-cost carrier is introduced, the market potential could extend to about 800,000 people, encompassing Lynchburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville.
Jennifer Woofter, a Lynchburg resident and business owner, was recently named as the Democratic Partys nominee for the newly-drawn House District 52, setting up a November showdown with incumbent Del. Wendell Walker to determine who will represent the City of Lynchburg and a small portion of Campbell County in the Virginia General Assembly.

Woofters run in House District 52 is her second attempt at being elected to the General Assembly. In 2019, she challenged incumbent Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, falling short of winning the seat, 69% to 30.9%.

Having worked on the U.S. Senates Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs early in her career, Woofter said, Seeing how the sausage was made left a really bad taste in my mouth, which led her to make a career change to investing before settling down to launch her own consulting company, which shes operated since 2005.

I never really gave politics a second thought, the nine-year Lynchburg resident said about her transition to consulting. But what brought me back in was the local community.

Woofter has served on various boards and committees throughout the city and said, While national politics sucks up a lot of the air, its actually the decisions made at the local and the state level that have the biggest day-to-day impact on the way our community lives.

For that, Woofter said her most important issue of this campaign is the state of public schools across Virginia.

Woofter cited Lynchburg City Councils recent decision to reduce its local contribution to Lynchburg City Schools by $1.4 million as a real concern that theres an intentional divestment from our public schools, but said there also are bigger issues at the state level, such as standards of learning testing and curriculum issues.

Theres a big question now about parental rights and parental involvements, Woofter said. I think depending on who you talk to, those mean very, very different things.

What she hopes will be a major topic during the campaign, Woofter said parental rights mean to her that when I send my kids to school they feel safe, they are welcomed, they feel included, and quite frankly, that they are taught critical reasoning skills rather than just believe what you are told.

Beyond education, Woofter added she wants to focus on economic growth in the Central Virginia region, as well as environmental issues.

[Environmental issues] are intrinsically interconnected with our economy, she said. But also ... as we start to see increasing signs of climate change with extreme weather, we need to be thinking about how and where we protect our natural resources, how we source our energy, and how we prepare and build resilience in our communities for climate change, Woofter said.

But at the foundation of her campaign, Woofter said, is the fight to combat extremist rhetoric that is driving people apart.

I really do believe that when you talk to people one-on-one, you almost always walk away with the feeling that we agree on more than we disagree on, she said. And I think that is something we have lost in our society.

During her previous campaign in 2019, Woofter said she couldnt believe some of the things people said about me because I was a Democrat and people didnt know me.

I thought if you had a conversation with me, I truly believe you would walk away feeling differently, adding she wants to be extremely active on the campaign trail for this very reason.

On one of the hottest debated topics of this election cycle, womens reproductive rights, Woofter said Virginia has a very common-sense approach to abortion.

What weve seen over the last six months is state after state knocking down the right of women to make those critical decisions with their doctor, Woofter said. In Virginia, you can still have an abortion in consultation with your doctor and your family. And I believe that is the way it should stay.

Despite running against a two-term incumbent in Walker, Woofter said the race certainly wont be a cakewalk, but said the district gives her the opportunity to do something special.

We now, I think, have the best opportunity in more than a decade to have a competitive election where voters really have a chance to see something different, she said.

One of the great things about putting Lynchburg back into a singular district is, I hope, that candidates will make a case and prioritize things that truly have a meaningful impact on our community, she added, not just culture war, hot topics that drive the polarized base.

To find out more about Woofter, visit her campaign website at jenniferwoofterfordelegate.com.

The general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 7.
, Jun 16 ( NHK ) - Japan's Defense Ministry says North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles that may have dropped in the country's exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, in the Sea of Japan.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also confirmed the launches. They say the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles eastward at around 7:30 p.m.

Japanese Parliamentary Vice Defense Minister Onoda Kimi told reporters on Thursday evening that North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles eastward from near the country's west coast at around 7:24 and 7:36 p.m. that day.

She said the missiles flew about 850 and 900 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers on their 11-minute flights.

She also said the missiles are believed to have fallen into Japan's EEZ about 250 kilometers off the island of Hegurajima in Ishikawa Prefecture.

She added that the missiles may have flown on irregular trajectories. ...continue reading
The Japanese government will cover half the cost of a new supercomputer being built in Hokkaido, which alone will triple the nation's processing capabilities for developing generative artificial intelligence.

The cloud service provider Sakura Internet is assembling the supercomputer in Ishikari city. The supercomputer is expected to begin service as soon as next year, specializing in large language model training necessary for developing generative AI. ...continue reading

Mother served fresh warrant for claiming money by starving daughter

Kyodo - Jul 20

A 34-year-old mother in Osaka Prefecture has been served a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly swindling a cooperative out of mutual aid money by starving her child to the point of hospitalization for low blood sugar in January, according to police. A 34-year-old mother in Osaka Prefecture has been served a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly swindling a cooperative out of mutual aid money by starving her child to the point of hospitalization for low blood sugar in January, according to police.

Nissan to adopt Tesla's EV charging standard from 2025

Nikkei - Jul 20

Nissan Motor will adopt Tesla's charging standards for its electric vehicles sold in North America from 2025, the company said Wednesday, becoming the first Japanese automaker to embrace the quick-charging technology. Nissan Motor will adopt Tesla's charging standards for its electric vehicles sold in North America from 2025, the company said Wednesday, becoming the first Japanese automaker to embrace the quick-charging technology.

Haneda Airport reopens Terminal 2 International Flight Area

NHK - Jul 20

Tokyo's Haneda Airport reopened the International Flight Area in Terminal 2 on Wednesday. That section of the terminal was shut down, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tokyo's Haneda Airport reopened the International Flight Area in Terminal 2 on Wednesday. That section of the terminal was shut down, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Foreign visitors to Japan top 10 million in first half of 2023

NHK - Jul 20

The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 10 million in the first half of this year according to a government estimate. The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 10 million in the first half of this year according to a government estimate.

Bear vanishes after holed up in bunny park

News On Japan - Jul 20

Police have called off their watch over the Tsuki Usagi no Sato rabbit park after a search revealed the bear they feared holed up in the facility in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, was not there. Police have called off their watch over the Tsuki Usagi no Sato rabbit park after a search revealed the bear they feared holed up in the facility in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, was not there.

World's most powerful passports: Japan loses top spot in Henley ranking

Forbes - Jul 20

The newly updated 2023 Henley Passport Index, based on official and exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has revealed a newly crowned winner of the worlds most powerful passport. The newly updated 2023 Henley Passport Index, based on official and exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has revealed a newly crowned winner of the worlds most powerful passport.

Chain of body hair removal clinics for men sued after suspending services

NHK - Jul 20

A total of 110 men filed lawsuits with courts in Tokyo, Osaka and elsewhere in Japan on Wednesday, demanding a refund from a chain of body hair removal clinics for men. A total of 110 men filed lawsuits with courts in Tokyo, Osaka and elsewhere in Japan on Wednesday, demanding a refund from a chain of body hair removal clinics for men.

Red Dog casino - short review

newsonjapan.com - Jul 20

Red Dog is a reliable licensed online casino with a solid track record. Red Dog is a reliable licensed online casino with a solid track record.

Ursine Invader Barricaded with Bunnies, Scares Off Staff

News On Japan - Jul 19

A bear was holed up inside a rabbit park nearly all day on Wednesday and is now believed to have escaped the facility. A bear was holed up inside a rabbit park nearly all day on Wednesday and is now believed to have escaped the facility.

Japan condemns N.Korea's latest missile launch

NHK - Jul 19

The Japanese government has condemned North Korea's latest round of missile launches. The Japanese government has condemned North Korea's latest round of missile launches.

Dog bites Japanese idol on face during recording session

News On Japan - Jul 19

Takeuchi Kirari, a member of Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46, has suffered injuries to her face and finger after being bitten by a dog during a recording session, TV Asahi reports. Takeuchi Kirari, a member of Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46, has suffered injuries to her face and finger after being bitten by a dog during a recording session, TV Asahi reports.

Fugitive ex-auto tycoon Ghosn sues Nissan for irreparable damage

Kyodo - Jul 19

Former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn, who fled Japan while awaiting trial, said Tuesday he has filed a criminal lawsuit in Lebanon against the Japanese company, vowing to make it pay for "the damage that cannot be repaired." Former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn, who fled Japan while awaiting trial, said Tuesday he has filed a criminal lawsuit in Lebanon against the Japanese company, vowing to make it pay for "the damage that cannot be repaired."

Tokyo "Joker" train attacker says he was inspired by similar case

NHK - Jul 19

A man accused of attempted murder and arson while dressed in a Joker costume on a Tokyo train in 2021 said Tuesday that a similar incident a few months earlier inspired him to alter his original plan of going on a killing spree in Shibuya. A man accused of attempted murder and arson while dressed in a Joker costume on a Tokyo train in 2021 said Tuesday that a similar incident a few months earlier inspired him to alter his original plan of going on a killing spree in Shibuya.

Top Japanese diplomat shoved to the ground in downtown Portland

KPTV FOX 12 Oregon - Jul 19

Last month, in downtown Portland, the top Japanese diplomat in Oregon was attacked by a homeless person. Last month, in downtown Portland, the top Japanese diplomat in Oregon was attacked by a homeless person.

Man given 3-year prison term for killing wife he took care of for 40 years

NHK - Jul 19

A Japanese court has sentenced an 82-year-old man to three years in prison for killing his wife, whom he had been taking care of for about 40 years. A Japanese court has sentenced an 82-year-old man to three years in prison for killing his wife, whom he had been taking care of for about 40 years.
A new weevil species was discovered in Japans pristine subtropical forests on Ishigaki Island and Yanbaru National Park in Okinawa.

Renowned for their remarkable biodiversity, the Ryukyu Islands are a chain of subtropical islands distributed between mainland Japan and Taiwan that boast a relatively isolated evolutionary history, and are home to a distinctive and fascinating insect fauna.

Researchers at the Okinawan Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have been placing net traps to monitor insects on Okinawa Island since 2015, and have captured a wide range of insects, including beetles, flies, wasps and bees, which are preserved in ethanol, dried and stored in the OIST insect collection. The newly discovered beetle species, Acicnemis ryukyuana, was successfully identified through microscope analysis and dissection by OIST entomologist Jake H. Lewis, who works as Collection Manager in the OIST Environmental Science and Informatics Section. ...continue reading
, Jun 17 ( appleinsider.com ) - The Japanese government is introducing laws that will require Apple to allow users nationwide to download apps outside their official app stores.

The two tech giants face regulations from various countries to open their platforms and let users install apps from third-party sources. For example, Europe's Digital Markets Act will compel companies like Apple to provide options that allow third-party app stores on their platforms and alternative payment systems.

Japan is the next country to impose regulations on these companies, according to The Japan Times. It will require Apple and Google to let users download apps through services other than their app stores. The government aims to stimulate competition and believes it could reduce app prices.

Japan is also concerned that Apple and Google apps come pre-installed on iPhones and Android smartphones by default. As a result, the two companies will be required to make it easy for users to remove these apps and can't give preferential treatment to their services within their search engines. ...continue reading
Japan's space agency has nominated its astronaut Yui Kimiya for his second stay in the International Space Station. The trip is likely to take place around 2024.

JAXA said on Friday that Yui is expected to head for the ISS on board a US civilian Crew Dragon spaceship, and stay in orbit around 400 kilometers above the Earth for about six months. Yui first stayed in the station in 2015 for five months.

The launch will take place after another Japanese astronaut, Furukawa Satoshi, goes to the ISS as early as August for stay of roughly six months. Furukawa will also use the Crew Dragon for transport. Another Japanese, Wakata Koichi, was on the ISS for about five months ending in March this year. ...continue reading
The U.S. Treasury Department has removed Japan from a list of major trading partners that it monitors for potentially unfair foreign exchange practices for the first time since 2016, when the current format of designation began.

In its biannual report to Congress, the department placed seven economies on its "monitoring list" -- China, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan.

While Japan carried out foreign exchange interventions in September and October last year in an attempt to stem the yen's rapid depreciation against the U.S. dollar, a Treasury official said in a press briefing there was no need to continue listing the country as one of the criteria employed is "the persistence of an intervention." ...continue reading
, Jun 19 ( NHK ) - Japan's Emperor Naruhito has visited a facility for Indonesia's first subway system, which was built with support from Japan.

The Emperor visited the railway facility in Jakarta on Sunday, the second day of a week-long official trip to the country.

After putting on a safety helmet, he watched workers overhaul train cars. Extensive checks are conducted every few years. Workers separate train bodies from their undercarriage to inspect all parts.

Officials briefed the Emperor on the process. He asked about hardships encountered during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as measures taken to help women and people with disabilities.

He also entered a driver's cabin and asked a female driver what made her decide to do such work.

Indonesia's first subway began operating in 2019, supported by Japanese technological cooperation and a yen loan. The line extends about 16 kilometers, connecting the center of the capital with southern areas. ...continue reading
, Jun 19 ( East Asia Forum ) - Last week Japan adopted its first ever space security blueprint aimed at better using space for defensive purposes. This builds on the three new security documents released by Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas administration in December 2022, in which it committed to doubling defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2027 and investing in Tomahawk missiles to develop missile counter-strike capabilities.

As the Kishida government has rapidly progressed the countrys security reforms, there are expectations and fears that Japan may be seeking to cast off its previous self-restraint and start formulating a realist, more forward-leaning grand strategy.

Throughout the post-war era to the present day, Japan has continued to maintain a relatively restrained security posture out of recognition of its wartime and colonial transgressions, while relying on the US security guarantee under the USJapan Security Treaty. It continues to maintain the Article 9 peace clause of its constitution renouncing the use of force as a means of settling disputes and ostensibly limits its defence capabilities to equipment that serves strictly defensive purposes.

In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, Japans military self-restraint was born out of the necessity of its situation. The US-led Allied Powers implemented a program of democratisation and demilitarisation to prevent Japan from ever waging a war of aggression again. Japanese public opinion favoured the maintenance of Article 9 despite the emergence of Cold War pressures, both internationally from the United States and domestically from conservative nationalist factions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, for Japan to undertake more substantial rearmament in the fight against communism.

The devastation of the war meant that Japan sought to focus its limited resources on rebuilding its economy. The necessary rebuilding was vast. In addition to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Allied firebombing campaign across Japan destroyed, by one estimate, 40 per cent of infrastructure across 66 target cities.

The strategy of reliance on the United States, limiting its military posture to light re-armament through the establishment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF), and focusing on economic growth came to be known as the Yoshida Doctrine after the then prime minister Shigeru Yoshida. It was a great success as Yoshidas proteges helped Japan realise its rapid economic growth, which saw Japan overtake West Germany to become the second largest economy in the free world in 1967.

In the 1970s, Japans economic heft, coupled with still fresh memories of the war, posed a new problem. Despite achieving its principal original goal, Japanese leaders decided to maintain the Yoshida Doctrine and the USJapan alliance to reassure the region that it had no plans to return to the imperialism and militarism that led it down the path of aggressive war. This promise not to become a great military power was enunciated in the Fukuda Doctrine in 1977.

The end of the Cold War once again opened questions about the future of the Yoshida Doctrine and the USJapan alliance. Uncertainty surrounding the rise of China, the possibility of a crisis across the Taiwan Strait and North Koreas missile and nuclear weapons development, as well as continued public support for the maintenance of Article 9 and avoiding SDF entanglement in combat missions, meant that Japanese security reforms were incremental and positioned within the framework of the post-war constitution. But the series of incremental reforms have, over time, amounted to significant changes expanding the roles and functions of the SDF within the USJapan alliance framework.

As Yusuke Ishihara explains in this weeks lead article, the Yoshida Doctrine is no longer fit to understand Japans grand strategy. As Japans economy has stagnated and as it is no longer the biggest economy in the region, Japanese leaders imagination about their available military options has stretched. At the same time, Japanese leaders imagination about Japans broader strategic options has shrunk. Unlike during Japans economic ascent, no members of the Japanese governing party are entertaining departing from the defence treaty with the United States.

As Japan gradually moves away from the Yoshida Doctrine, it is unclear what shape Japans new emergent grand strategy will take. On the one hand, Japan and the United States maintain a shared interest in deepening the alliance and increasing their cooperation, coordination and deterrence power to prevent unilateral changes to the status quo.

On the other hand, when it comes to the question of managing the rise of China, their interests diverge quite sharply. While the US is focused on the rise of China from the perspective of maintaining its global and regional primacy, Japans geographic proximity to China and its stake in an open global economy mean it would like to manage tensions in a more studious way. As Ishihara explains, as a close ally, Tokyo has also been voicing its concerns about Washingtons democracy-versus-autocracy narrative and signalling its reservations about the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Japans new grand strategy has to embrace that second path, and its a path the policy leadership is yet to map.
, Jun 19 ( AP ) - Japanese Emperor Naruhito met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday during his first official foreign trip since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.

Widodo and first lady Iriana welcomed Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Bogor presidential palace, along with greeters wearing Indonesian traditional clothes and a military band that played both national anthems.

Naruhito is seeking to underline the friendship between Japan and Indonesia during his weeklong visit, and officials said the two leaders would talk about cooperation between the countries.

Naruhito said he and Masako have been able to deepen their understanding of Indonesia's people and culture while also reflecting on its history.

Naruhito planned to visit Indonesias heroes' cemetery in Jakarta on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, he is to travel to Yogyakarta, a city also on the island of Java that is the center of Javanese culture and the seat of royal dynasties going back centuries. On Thursday he plans to go to the Borobudur temple, the worlds largest Buddhist temple. ...continue reading
The LGBTQ community at U.S. military bases located throughout Japan has been rocked by the ban on drag shows at military bases implemented by the U.S. government at the start of Pride month, on June 1, with the decision coming as a disappointment to those who were gearing up for celebrations this month.

According a spokesperson at the U.S. Department of Defense quoted by the Associated Press, the ban on hosting drag shows is in line with regulations regarding use of the department's resources.

Out in Oki, a private organization supporting the LGBTQ+ community at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, had to move their event off-base at the last minute due to the new regulations. The show, which had received approval from the base leadership, was originally scheduled to take place this coming Saturday.

According to Ready, the Pride drag show is their organizations biggest community event and fundraiser of the year. Tickets for it  which can number between 300 and 400 depending on the venue  are usually sold out, and the returns are used to fund other activities throughout the rest of the year. However, they now expect to only break even on the show because of the change in venue. ...continue reading
Japan's crypto exchanges are pushing for a relaxation of curbs on margin trading, unbowed by last years global digital-asset market crash.

Many people in the industry want permitted leverage for retail investors of four to 10 times whereas currently customers can at most double exposure via borrowing, according to the Japan Virtual & Crypto Assets Exchange Association.

Reforming the leverage rule could make Japan more attractive for crypto and blockchain companies, the associations vice chairman Genki Oda said in an interview, adding that the step would encourage more trading.

The nations digital-asset exchanges are in talks to reach a consensus on a recommended leverage limit and may take their proposal to the Financial Services Agency (FSA) as soon as next month, Oda said.

Japan has moved towards easing some crypto rules, such as on token listing and taxation, but overall is viewed as having strict regulations. That focus on investor protection enabled the Japanese arm of failed exchange FTX to return money to clients earlier this year even as the groups US bankruptcy drags on.

An FSA official said crypto firms must present convincing reasons why loosening margin trading caps will help the government achieve its goal of expanding blockchain-based industries. The agency is open to discussing the issue with digital-asset businesses, the official added. ...continue reading
, Jun 21 ( Japan Times ) - As errors and privacy breaches involving the linkage of My Number and health insurance cards continue to surface, public opposition is growing over the governments decision to halt the use of current health insurance cards in the fall of 2024.

Parliament enacted a law on June 2 to scrap health insurance cards, with these to be exchanged for a version of the My Number card that also integrates a persons health insurance information. The integration has been an option since October 2021, but the governments plan means that all residents will be required to obtain one by fall 2024.

The government is rushing to meet the deadline that it has set for itself, but the transition has so far been far from smooth.

The health ministry has reported that, between October 2021 and November 2022, there were 7,312 cases where someone elses personal information was tied to another individuals My Number card.

According to the Japanese Medical and Dental Practitioners for the Improvement of Medical Care, there have been at least 776 cases across 38 prefectures where patients were asked to pay 100% of the fees at the hospital despite having insurance coverage, because their data did not show up on the new scanning system for combined My Number and health insurance cards. ...continue reading
The Pottawattamie County Medical Examiners Office is celebrating being named Iowa Donor Networks 2023 LEGACI Award Winner for Innovation.

LEGACI Awards are given to Iowa Donor Networks partner agencies or their team members for going above and beyond to collaborate with IDN on meeting its mission of Working Together to Transform Lives through Organ and Tissue Donation."

There are six categories under the LEGACI Awards: Leadership, Education, Gratitude, Advocacy, Clinical Excellence and Innovation. The award for Innovation is given for seeking new ways to educate and promote donation, develop and implement breakthrough best practice as well as to promote the use of technology to establish and improve the donation process.

Our team is extremely appreciative of this recognition, Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner Dr. Cristopher Elliott said in a news release. Were advocates of organ and tissue donation and its rewarding to be recognized for promoting an initiative we strongly believe in.

The Pottawattamie County Medical Examiners Office was nominated for its support in piloting technology known as iReferral, which uses an electronic portal in lieu of a phone call to share information with Iowa Donor Network.

The offices assistance in piloting the program helped Iowa Donor Network learn how other medical examiner offices, as well as emergency medical services agencies, might utilize the program to increase the number of patients and families in Iowa who may be offered the opportunity of donation.

In 2022, the Pottawattamie County Medical Examiners Office made 117 referral calls to Iowa Donor Network, resulting in five donors who went on to give the life saving and life enhancing gifts of tissue. One tissue donor can impact between 50 to 300 people.

Donation is a collaborative effort, and Iowa Donor Network is grateful to the entire Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner team for all they do to promote donation in their community, said Iowa Donor Network Partner Relations Coordinator Madelyn Clark.
Dual Stop Carter Lake has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the Carter Lake community.

U-Haul Co. of Iowa Inc. announced June 8 that Dual Stop at 109 E. Locust St. will offer U-Haul trucks for rent between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays and until 2 p.m. weekends. Make a reservation by calling 712-847-0086.

U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers, such as Dual Stop Carter Lake owner Maulin Patel, to offer rental equipment to do-it-yourself movers since 1945, according to a news release. There are more than 21,000 dealers across North American generating supplemental income through a U-Haul affiliation.

The local affiliates are not U-Haul franchises as there are no financial investments required to be a neighborhood dealer. Instead, the small businesses commit a portion of their parking lot and staff time to serve U-Haul customers.
A Council Bluffs student at Concordia University joined eight classmates, a professor, a physicians assistant and a pediatrician in a medical mission trip to Guatemala last month.

Emily Morse of Council Bluffs went on the trip May 4 to May 11 to Santa Cruz Lutheran Church and Medical Clinic in Amatitlan, Guatemala, according to a news release.

Accompanying Morse and the other students were Dr. Jennifer Janousek, professor of health and human performance, physician's assistant Jill Beisel and pediatrician Dr. Sarah Matthias. Concordia University is located in Seward, Nebraska

Janousek has been leading this mission trip for the past 15 years. For these past years, the group has hosted medical clinics, a health fair, health educational sessions and conducted Kid's Club, which is essentially a one-day Vacation Bible School. The students planned, developed and led the health education sessions and helped lead Kids Club.

This year, the mission trip also hosted health education sessions about diabetes care and prevention, chronic pain relief and stress management. Janousek found that this was the most fulfilling part of the trip for her.

"As important as it is to provide medical care, education on health topics lasts much longer than a five-day antibiotic," she said in a release.

The sessions were very well attended and received, which was a significant part of the trip for Concordia junior Rebecca Gebhardt.

"Once we taught them what to do, many of them started doing the exercises, and that made me realize how open these people were to try the things we were saying," Gebhardt said.
Imagine youre homebound. You havent left your house for six months. You havent felt the sun on your skin or been able to smell that first crisp snowfall. For one Council Bluffs woman, being homebound and confined to one floor of her home was her reality. That is, until she was referred to Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs and the Homeowners Repair Program.

Glenda Kyle, and her husband Bob, are the recipients of $10,000 in funding through the program that allowed for life-changing updates to their home.

Ive always been hardworking and never wanted to take handouts or take advantage of programs. I was leery of possibly having to use Habitat at the time, but Im proud of what theyve done. Im proud to have had their help, Bob Kyle said.

The Homeowner Repairs Program provided the Kyle family the opportunity to stay in their home and gave Glenda Kyle back her sense of independence. Because of the program, Glenda is able to leave her home, she can go outside, breathe fresh air, and feel the sun, something most people take for granted.

I tell people Habitat is not a handout. Its a hand up. Bob Kyle said.

The Kyles story

The Kyles have been married for 36 years and purchased their first home together in 2021. They had rented for years and were finally able to secure a loan through the VA. Bob is a retired vet. He even enlisted twice in the army before being medically discharged.

With the purchase of their home came responsibilities but also freedom. Freedom to make changes without checking with a landlord. Unfortunately, this freedom didnt last long for Glenda. Shortly after their move, Glenda was homebound. She was bound to the main floor of her home, unable to leave because of the number of stairs to enter and leave the house. In 2022, Glenda only left her house four times by ambulance and with the assistance of the fire department and EMTs.

Glenda is a people person. Over the years, shes worked in a few different industries ranging from an elementary school teacher and radio DJ to the secretary at the Farm Association in Georgia. This federal initiative helped farmers and those of a lower socioeconomic status purchase homes.

However, her favorite job was picking up senior citizens and helping them with the basics.

Glenda laughed as she said, I thought they were so old back then, 80 or 90 years old. For years, I drove them to the pharmacy to pick up meds, the grocery store, just everyday errands.

For some of these seniors, she was their lifeline and support system. Without Glenda and the agency she worked for, some of these seniors were unable to leave their homes. Without services like this, many seniors would have been forced into a managed care facility and could face leaving their communities, losing their sense of independence, well-being and belonging.

What did the funding do for the Kyles?

The Kyles were awarded the maximum amount of $10,000 to install a chair lift to allow Glenda the ability to enter and exit her home. The grant also allowed for relocating the back door, giving Glenda access to the backyard, where she loves to watch her dogs play. These updates have given her back some freedom. She said the ability to leave her home without help has improved her mental health tremendously.

Haimi Dagnew is the Program Associate at Habitat and worked with the Kyles throughout the project. She managed the scope of work and worked tirelessly to find a solution. She coordinated bids from contractors and agencies, some of which declined the project entirely because of the scope of work and $10,000 budget. It was through her relentless spirit and her can-do attitude that she found a way to make this project work.

Matt Frieze, owner and general contractor of Heartland Handyman Services, was determined to find a solution for the Kyles. Matt and Haimi worked through ideas and concepts with help from Glenda and Bob. It was a sense of relief. They could focus on their health.

Haimi was boots on the ground; she didnt give up," said Kim Smith of Habitat for Humanity.

Together, they ultimately relocated the backdoor, added wheelchair access to the backyard, and found a wheelchair company willing to work with the projects specs. Haimi was diligent in keeping Glenda and Bob close to the project and the changes that would be made to their home. Through these repairs, Glenda has gained a sense of independence. It has allowed her to leave her house and access her backyard.

What is the Habitat for Humanity Homeowners Repair Program?

The Homeowners Repair program allows homeowners access to up to $10,000 in funds to make critical repairs to their homes, repairs that alleviate health and safety issues, to increase the quality of life, and ultimately, to keep homeowners in their residences. With the current housing marketing and lack of inventory, its unrealistic for homeowners to purchase a new home or make costly updates on fixed incomes.

The program launched in 2021 because of the changing landscape around housing. We (Habitat) recognized that homeowners didnt have an option. We want to keep people who have a home, in their home because they cant afford a house in this housing market," Smith said.

Anyone can apply for the program, but the focus has been on those aging in place and those needing critical repairs.

Whats the outcome?

Keeping people in their homes and allowing aging in place fosters a sense of independence and empowerment. It allows seniors to stay engaged in their neighborhoods and communities, the place they call home. Typically, staying in ones home is exponentially more affordable. They dont have the option for other home-managed care settings.

We know there are many retirees who live on fixed incomes. However, as their homes age, the costs of maintaining them can increase, too," said Matt Henkes, Vice President of the Iowa West Foundation. "Without an increase in their income, they are often faced with difficult tradeoffs that can lead to deferred maintenance. Over enough time, it can threaten their ability to stay in their home. The Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs repair program can help keep homeowners in their homes and ensure they have safe places to live. It accomplishes two goals; it maintains higher levels of homeownership, and it keeps our communitys housing stock in good condition.

Habitat for Humanity was awarded $60,000 for the Homeowners Repair Program in 2023, allowing for six repairs at the maximum repair amount of $10,000. The program currently has an operating budget of $180,000, with plans to grow the program and have a bigger impact in the community. In 2022, Habitat made repairs to 18 homes. Thats 18 stories with similar needs to Bob and Glenda. Growing the program will allow more homeowners to access funds. Critical updates could mean the difference between homelessness or the delay in entering a managed care facility.

This program will allow more homeowners an opportunity to make necessary repairs and updates. And for some of these projects, they can be life-changing. For Glenda and Bob, their lives were changed.
The Southwest Iowa Transit Agency and local governments in southwest Iowa are recognizing June as Ride Transit Month and reminding riders of the advance of public transit.

June has been declared Ride Transit Month by mayors in the cities of Atlantic, Glenwood, Harlan, Missouri Valley, Red Oak and Shenandoah, according to a news release.

SWITA offered thanks to those local governments for recognizing the important role transit plays in making communities more connected and accessible to everyone.

"Whether you ride a bus, bike, or carpool, or you are headed to work, school, the grocery store, or anywhere in between, transit can get us there together," SWITA said in a release. "Public transit allows individuals to remain independent, contributes to economic development, reduces traffic congestion, decreases emissions, and improves rural mobility."

SWITA provided more than 400,000 rides during fiscal year 2022 and expects to reach more than 500,000 rides in the 2023 fiscal year.

In honor of Ride Transit Month, all taxi fares in Atlantic, Glenwood, Harlan, Missouri Valley, Red Oak and Shenandoah are being waived Wednesday, June 21.

Public transportation in the southwest Iowa region is provided by the collaborative efforts of the Iowa Department of Transportation and SWITA. To learn more about SWITA's services, visit swita.com or call 712-243-2518 or 1-800-842-8065.
An attack before dawn Monday damaged part of a bridge linking Russia to Moscow-annexed Crimea that is a key supply route for Kremlin forces in the war with Ukraine, forcing the spans temporary closure for a second time in less than a year. Two people were killed and their daughter was injured.
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Gabon will host 23rd ordinary summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), a regional organization promoting regional economic cooperation in Central Africa.

The ECCAS Summit, scheduled for July 1, will be chaired by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, who took over the ECCASs leadership late February.

The gathering is placed under the theme: Take up the challenges of community, financing to accelerate the integration process in the Central African region and support the implementation of its institutional reform.

The organization in a press release indicated that the Summit is preceded by several technical meetings starting June 20.

Experts from ECCAS member States in the fields of budget and finance, justice and legal affairs, and defense, safety and security will be taking part in the various meetings, the organization said.

The ECCAS held its 22nd Summit in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Ali Bongo took over leadership from DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and will lead the organization for a one-year mandate. He is expected to work on ways to finance the organization and to preserve forests in the region.

Founded in 1983, the ECCASs headquarters are located in Gabons capital, Libreville. The organization acquired the status of Commission in December 2019 in order to implement its activities with greater efficiency in the face of the challenges of the region and thus meet the hopes of a very young population who sees the success of its future in regional integration.
The Court of Tarascon issued a judgment condemning la Confederation Paysanne (Peasant Confederation), a French trade union organization used in the judicial harassment of the Morocco-EU farming agreement, which constitutes a new judicial setback for the polisario and its relays in France.

This latest French judicial disallowance comes just a few weeks after the one inflicted on Polisario supporters in the UK by the High Court in London.

La Confederation Paysannes action sought to prohibit IDYL, the French company specializing in the marketing of fruit and vegetables from Morocco, including from the Southern Provinces, from distributing its products, and to condemn it before the courts, imposing penalty payments for alleged damages suffered.
The Court of First Instance of Tunis sentenced a Muslim cleric to four years in prison for calling youth to jihad during his preaches, Tunisie Numerique reports.

The name of the religious leader has not been revealed but the media notes he preaches in the coastal governorate of Mahdia. Tunisia is at war with terrorism and promotion of violence.

The country was once branded as the largest supplier of fighters by the United Nations, for terror groups in hotbed conflict zones namely Iraq, Libya and Syria.

Around 5,000 young Tunisians reportedly had left their country to fight in the ranks of terror groups including the Islamic State, in countries dogged by terrorism. The country itself has been rocked by several terror attacks, most of which occurred after the 2011 revolution that swept away the regime of late President Ben Ali.
Ways of strengthening cooperation between Morocco and Israel in scientific research and innovation were at the center of talks held Tuesday in Rabat between Moroccan Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Abdellatif Miraoui and Israeli Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Ofir Akunis.

The two ministers also discussed partnerships between the two countries universities and research facilities through the exchange of university students & teachers and joint participation in scientific research projects of common interest.

Since the normalization of relations between Rabat & Tel Aviv under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, visits and contacts between Moroccan and Israeli officials intensified, culminating with the signing of a series of cooperation accords in defense, cybersecurity, technology, scientific research, tourism, economy, culture, agriculture, water, industry, healthcare, and security.
UKs Brexit has been boosted by the latest court ruling refusing to challenge the legality of the Association Agreement sealed with Morocco, which includes the Sahara territory, says British Express daily.

The Appeal Courts refusal to accept the challenge confirmed the London Administrative Courts ruling of December 5 2022.

Former cabinet minister Ranil Jayawardena has hailed the Appeal Court ruling which has confirmed that UK trade deals can no longer be interfered with by international organizations post Brexit, adds the UK newspaper.

Mr Jayawardena is the chairman of Liz Truss Conservative Group for Growth and as a former trade minister pushed UK trade deals around the world.

Last month, the Appeal Court dismissed a challenge filed by pro-Polisario NGO to invalidate the Association Agreement between Morocco and the UK which has boosted trade between the two countries by 50 pc since 2021.

Mr Jayawardena told Express daily: This clear ruling from the Court of Appeal is good news for both Britain and Morocco. It demonstrates that trade relations are solely a matter for our two nations.

Britain attaches a great deal of importance to her trade agreement with Morocco, as it benefits the people of both countries as consumers, employees and business owners directly and through positive spillover.

From this strong foundation, I am sure that our bilateral relations will continue to go from strength-to-strength.

IEA Director General Mark Littlewood added: The decision to leave the European Union promised us the opportunity to broaden our horizons and open up trade with nations across the world.

UK-Morocco trade is worth 3.1 billion to our economy and that number will only continue to grow as our trade ties deepen.

Free trade has proven its value time and time again, lowering prices for consumers, boosting international development, and creating well-paid jobs at home by allowing the economy to specialize in what its best at producing.

The Association Agreement between Morocco and the United Kingdom, signed in London on October 26, 2019, has been in force since January 1, 2021 when Brexit took place.

Trade between the two countries has grown steadily since the agreement was signed, with trade in goods and services peaking at 3.1 billion in the year until the last three months of 2022; which was an increase of 1 billion (50 %) on the same period the previous year.
The Moroccan economy has made remarkable progress and impressive export growth, particularly in industrial sectors such as automotive and renewable energies, said Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva.

Morocco has exported 700,000 cars, which shows the countrys upward trend in this highly competitive sector. The North African Kingdom also manufactures aircraft parts and has become a leader in renewable energies, the IMF Chief told Saudi Asharqbusiness newspaper.

Last January, the Fund projected Moroccan economy to grow by an average of 3.2% over 5 years thanks to the structural reforms that will help offset the negative impacts of Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Moroccos GDP, which slowed to 1.2 pc in 2022, is expected to accelerate to 3 pc in 2023, mainly driven by the rebound in agricultural output and its positive spillovers to the rest of the economy, according to the IMF forecasts.

Morocco is a shining example of Africas greatest potential, said Mrs. Kristalina, who visited the NOOR Ouarzazate solar complex, one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world. I was impressed by Moroccos engineering and development. I have no doubt that this country has a bright future, she stressed.

During her visit to Morocco, part of the preparations for the upcoming annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF due in Marrakech in October, she met several Moroccan government officials and took part in the high-level policy round-table on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), organized by Bank Al-Maghrib and the IMF.
Morocco and the Netherlands signed an agreement to create an investment fund worth 300 million, equivalent to 3.2 billion dirhams, to finance investment projects in infrastructure.

The agreement for this fund was signed this Wednesday, in Rabats twin city, Sale, in the presence of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is on an official visit to Morocco, and head of the Government Aziz Akhannouch.

Alexander De Gaay Fortman, in charge of projects in Morocco, Guinea and Senegal in the Invest International fund, who initialed the agreement, told Hespress news outlet that 35 percent of the amount allocated to this fund is a grant, and the rest will be disbursed in the form of loans.

He further detailed that the fund will primarily finance projects related to water and renewable energies. The Netherlands is keenly interested in investing in green hydrogen, he said, expressing optimism about exploring potential investments once Morocco presents its new plan in this domain.

The Dutch official, who expressed willingness to work with the Mohammed VI Investment Fund in order to identify investment projects, said discussions have also been held with the National Ports Agency to determine the needs for port infrastructure, given the experience of the Netherlands in this field.

The allocation of this new fund for investment in the North African country is in line with the objectives of Moroccos new development model and seeks to support efforts to solve the problem of water scarcity through the construction of water treatment plants and pumping stations, he said.

Under the agreement, 300 million will be invested over 3 years into various projects, with the possibility of injecting additional amounts based on projects evaluations, according to Fortman.

During their talks, Mark Rutte, who is accompanied by a delegation of governmental officials and businessmen, and Akhannouch have both emphasized the need to identify new areas of cooperation in fields of common interest, in order to establish a strategic framework for economic cooperation, promote investment and strengthen trade.

Akhannounch recalled in this vein the opportunities and incentives offered by the new investment charter and by the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment, as well as by the national green hydrogen strategy that is in the pipeline.

According to a statement by the Head of Governments department, the two parties stressed the need to hold a business forum between economic operators in the two countries, in order to prospect existing investment opportunities in priority sectors, such as renewable energies, water resource management, agriculture, combating the effects of climate change and other areas of sustainable development.

The two sides also discussed tripartite cooperation with friendly African countries, with a view to enabling Dutch companies wishing to invest in Africa to benefit from Moroccan experience and expertise, given the Kingdoms privileged status within its continent and the significant presence of the Moroccan public and private sectors in several African countries.

The two parties praised the quality of the age-old friendly relations between Morocco and the Netherlands, established for over four centuries, noting with satisfaction the current momentum in bilateral relations, which is likely to foster the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two Kingdoms.

The two parties also discussed the content of the joint Morocco-Netherlands statement, adopted in May 2022 in Marrakech, which constitutes a genuine roadmap for bilateral relations and enshrines the shared determination to pursue permanent political dialogue at all levels and to work through joint mechanisms to strengthen cooperation in the economic, social, and cultural fields.

During the talks that covered a number of regional and international issues of common interest, Akhannouch expressed Moroccos thanks to the Netherlands for its positive and constructive attitude towards the issue of Moroccos territorial integrity, and its support to the efforts of the UN Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy and to the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 as being a serious and credible contribution to the UN-led political process.

The Netherlands stands as the fifth-largest foreign investor in Morocco, with approximately 70 Dutch companies actively operating in the North African country in various sectors.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he is impressed by Moroccos renewable energy ambitions under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.

Im impressed by the ambitions set out in this area under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, including the target of 52% of electricity from sustainable energy by 2030 and the will to cut greenhouse gases by 45%. But these are not just distant visions. Noor, one of the largest solar complexes in the world, is proof of this, Rutte, who is on an official visit to Morocco, stressed in an interview with local daily Le Matin.

You have undeniable assets, a strategic geographical location close to demand, and opportunities to produce sustainable energy at a good price, thanks to abundant sun and wind, he stressed, pointing out that the Kingdom has enormous potential for the production of green hydrogen.

The Dutch Prime Minister said he was happy to see cooperation with Morocco in this area moving along a good course.

Im pleased that projects in this field have already been initiated, such as the cooperation between MASEN, the Port of Rotterdam and the multinational storage company VOPACK, to develop the value chain for green hydrogen, said Rutte, who also cited the contribution of engineering firm Proton Ventures, which is developing a pilot green ammonia production unit for the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), with the aim of advancing knowledge in this field.
County commissioners accepted a bid for asphalt work at their meeting on Tuesday. East Garfield Table and two miles of Antelope Road will be resurfaced. Some of that is work that had been put off because of high asphalt prices earlier.

Commissioners said they made other careful decisions that impacted the availability of funds for the project. Most of the money is slated for the 2022-23 budget, while there is additional funds for road surfacing work in the 2023-24 budget.

The meeting also included a public hearing, followed by a vote to advance a Class I catering license application to the state with a recommendation for approval.

Commissioners took no action, but gave a suggestion for folks heading up a North Platte Kindness Rocks project. They also voted to draft a resolution that may help fill in the holes in internet access in the county and state.

Road resurfacing

bid accepted

The low bid for asphalt surfacing was $2,642,062.50 from Western Engineering. The work will be done on all of East Garfield Table Road that lies within the county, and two miles of Antelope Road.

Commissioners had also sought bids that would leave two miles of Garfield Table not resurfaced, but opted to include those two miles. The work should begin in September and be completed this fall.

County Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz said this year they started routinely adding milling to specifications for resurfacing work prior to the overlay at the recommendation of TC Engineering.

Commissioner Chris Bruns said prior milling should substantially extend the life of the road surface.

Part of the money, $1.6 million, will come from this years budget. Another $1.6 million is anticipated to be included in next years budget, for highway construction. Schultz said he anticipated that the county could accept bids for the next project by late fall.

There are several reasons there is still $1.6 million available in the current years budget for road construction.

One is that some work was put off, said Commissioner Chair Jerry Woodruff, in anticipation of asphalt prices coming down.

Prices were in the range of $110 per ton when the budget was prepared last year, but shot up quickly to closer to $160.

The price in the current Western Engineering bid is $137.50 per road ton. It would not be wise to take any more time off and try to catch up with need construction later on, Schultz said.

Another reason for funds being available is that $200K that had been budgeted to purchase a scraper was reallocated to road surfacing. The scraper was purchased instead with ARPA funds from the federal government.

The department has also saved money on other purchases, including managing fuel expenditures carefully. In addition, were running a couple of people short, Schultz said. While making it harder to get the work done, it has saved the department money.

The county has saved quite a bit of money from Jasons decisions, said Commissioner Micaela Wuehler. I appreciate you keeping a keen eye on the budget, said Bruns to Schultz.

Catering license at fairgrounds advanced

After a public hearing, commissioners voted to forward a Class I catering license application to the state liquor commission, with a recommendation to approve it. The application was submitted by Cork & Cap, LLC, doing business as C & C Catering, to operate at Lincoln County Fairgrounds.

The hearing primarily consisted of back and forth between commissioners and Mike Schroer, operator of Cork & Cap, LLC. Sheriff Jerome Kramer was there and said he had no objection to the proposal moving forward.

All liquor sales at the fairgrounds would be through Cork & Cap, who would oversee liquor use at the site, including functions in the buildings and at the race track. Schroer said his company would have a vested interest in ensuring that laws related to liquor sales, possession and consumption on the property are not violated, and that they would need to pass annual inspections by the Health Department, State Patrol and fire marshal.

Deputy County Attorney Tyler Volkmer added that if there were sufficient problems that the state were to pull this permit, Schroer would also lose his other liquor licenses, which is a very strong incentive to make sure things are operated properly.

Commissioner Joe Hewgley said he was concerned about 4-H activities at the fairgrounds and wanted assurance that liquor sales and consumption would be properly confined to avoid exposure to youth.

Bruns said that listing the entire fairgrounds as the site of operation does not mean it would not be confined appropriately.

Theres a good history with Mike, he said.

My only concern is keeping it in the designated area, Kramer said, but he gave the opinion that under Cork & Cap, problems would be less likely to arise than currently.

Theres always been a problem with the (race track) pit, Kramer said.

Im hoping we can change the pattern, Schroer said.

This allows for additional controls, compared with the current situation, Bruns said, adding that he felt it would streamline the process of approving alcohol sales at the fairgrounds.

North Platte Rocks Kindness Project

Sheryl Ball, Lincoln County Detention Officer asked commissioners to consider authorizing a snake, made of rocks, on the courthouse lot.

The project is proposed by a group that calls itself North Platte Rocks Kindness Project. It would be an opportunity for people to paint rocks with uplifting messages on them, and use them to form a growing snake, one rock at a time.

Woodruff asked what the goal was, to which Ball replied that the project would get people involved and would be one way to promote good will and cooperation in the community.

However, putting the rocks on the courthouse lot could be too tempting to would-be vandals or people who were upset and may decide to use them as projectiles, said Building and Grounds Director Booker Boyer.

Weems suggested looking into assembling the rock snake at Prairie Arts Center, instead. Bruns added that maybe the snake could be tied in with a fundraising project at the center. Other suggestions were the North Platte Area Childrens Museum and Cody Park.

The board is supportive, summed up Woodruff, but in a different location. Ball said she would approach Prairie Arts Center and report back.

Resolution to support internet access

Wuehler reported on the on Digital Divide Stockholder Group, which is advancing proposals to enhance high-speed internet access throughout the state. In 2021 Congress passed the Digital Equity Act, also called Internet for All, allocating $2.75 billion with an emphasis on rural areas and other underserved populations.

The state will receive $10 million, but that could increase to up to $400 million, said Wuehler, depending on data that is generated and the strength of proposals that are put forth.

The standard is for all homes and businesses to have access to download speeds of 100 megabytes per second and upload speeds of 20 mbps or faster. Thirty-seven percent of homes and businesses in our area do not have that, Wuehler said.

This effort is needed and overdue, Weems said. He gave the example of the nearly universal adoption of precision farming techniques by area crop producers. In some locations the needed internet access is very sketchy, he said.

Tests have been done across the state, and results are available at www.sendd.org/

Funds are provided to the state through Nebraskas Broadband Equity Access and Development office. The eight development districts in the state are taking leading roles in developing proposals for feasibility studies, data sharing, etc.

West Central Nebraska Development District, which is headquartered in Ogallala and serves all of southwest Nebraska, has joined forces with three other development districts to write a plan for technical assistance studies, etc. BEAD will submit proposals to Washington, D.C. in August.

Commissioners will consider adopting a resolution supporting the development districts in this effort, at their meeting next week.

In other business, commissioners:

Authorized the chairman to sign an annual agreement with William Troshynski for legal services

Approved certificates of correction and refund related to a 2022 sale of 10 acres in multiple parcels. Approved property evaluation changes related to the same property sale.

Approved motor vehicle tax exemptions for the following non-profit and faith-based organizations: North Platte Opportunity Center, American National Red Cross, North Platte Catholic Schools and Mission Life.

Approved two special designated liquor permit applications submitted by Creativity Unlimited Arts Council dba Prairie Arts Center, for wedding receptions at Harbor Lights on July 8 and Oct. 14.
If housing cant be built inside North Platte without TIF, more homes should be built outside city limits instead, two City Council members said Tuesday.

Once more opposing tax increment financing, Ward 4 Councilman Mark Woods and Ward 1 Councilwoman Donna Tryon again voted no as council members gave 6-2 second-round approval to slightly extending the citys 2-mile planning area outside city limits.

The eight council members split the same way June 6 but unanimously backed three other items related to the initial 18-lot Legends Subdivision, west of the intersection of West State Farm Road and Buffalo Bill Avenue.

City officials initiated the request to extend the 2-mile limit by 839 acres so Allura LLCs 84.1-acre lot would fall fully within city zoning control rather than being split with Lincoln County.

An ordinance extending the 2-mile limit faces a third and final vote at the councils next meeting July 5. Independence Day falls on the first Tuesday of July this year.

Woods and Tryon both praised Allura spokesman John Boettcher and his family for proposing single-family homes without saying they couldnt afford to build them without TIF  a financing tool that isnt legally available to Nebraskas county governments.

My understanding is its cheaper to build in the county than it is in the city, Woods said. And (if) theres no way of building houses (there) without TIF because its impossible, it seems that we should move the (2-mile) line the other way and put this development out in the county so they have a better chance of making a profit.

When asked to elaborate by Councilman Ty Lucas on the cost differences, Woods  who has renovated older homes for rental  said thats my understanding from just talking with people over years.

He asked about the relative costs of building permits and other related permits. Planning Administrator Judy Clark said the county issues land use permits, which are cheaper, but has no building inspectors to ensure buildings meet state codes.

At rural projects outside the citys jurisdiction, I have seen basements fall in at houses, said Clark, who handles planning and zoning matters for both local governments.

I have seen individuals build their own houses, and one individual put his septic tank directly under the floor of his house. So, yes, there are things where you arent going to pay the building permit, but youre not going to get that (inspection) service.

She added that lots cost more in the county because its land use permits require a minimum 3-acre lot, in part to provide ample room for septic systems and wells. Alluras home lots under city codes will be about 2 acres each.

As you plan for growth, you want to make sure that houses that may eventually come into the city limits jurisdiction meet city standards, Clark said.

Tryon picked up the theme a short time later. If its less expensive to build outside of the city limits, I think thats what we need to encourage to have done to have housing, she said. Thats where they should be built.

Council President Jim Nisley countered that the city provides and maintains water and sewer services to properties inside its limits.

I mean, youve got to realize theres a tradeoff here, he said. Id just as soon be on city water. I think its cheaper in the long run, in my opinion.

Theres a lot of people that would rather live in the country, and theyre not happy about this already, Tryon replied, referring to the citys use of TIF to combat housing shortages.

Well, Im just saying that Ive dealt with septics and wells before, Nisley countered. If you enjoy working on stuff, buy a house in the country with a septic. Youll have plenty to do.

In other business, the council approved recent construction warrants and two pairs of items allowing alcohol to be sold at upcoming local events. They also confirmed Susan Mortons reappointment to the citys Library Advisory Board.
After drying up completely in parts of west central Nebraska last summer, the South Platte River has filled its banks in North Platte for the first time in seven years.

Its depth at the U.S. Highway 83 bridges reached 11 feet overnight on Wednesdays first day of summer. Thats a foot above the 10-foot action stage level that typically causes flooding in low-lying areas.

Lee Bird Fields National Weather Service office said the river had retreated to 10.8 feet by 11 a.m., still over the South Plattes most recent peak of 10.74 feet on June 1, 2016.

Its expected to remain at or near Wednesdays level through the weekend, topping out at 11.3 feet Sunday, according to the weather services stage forecast.

South Platte levels remain about 2 feet below the 13-foot flood stage at the U.S. 83 bridges. That stage last was breached in 2015, when the river crested at 14.09 feet on May 20.

That years flood, the fourth major one at North Platte in 20 years, flooded streets northward as far as Philip Avenue. Two teenagers drowned that May 19 when their vehicle went into the river along South River Road, which since has been relocated farther south.

Rocky Mountain snowmelt and continued strong rains along Colorados Front Range have combined to bring the South Platte back to life once more.

Much of the river from north of Loveland to near Julesburg remained under a flood advisory Wednesday afternoon, according to the weather services Boulder office.

South Platte levels at Roscoe, just east of Ogallala, stood at 8.46 feet Wednesday morning  near that gages 9-foot flood stage and well above its 7-foot action stage.

Just a year ago, motorists crossing the riverbed at Ogallalas Interstate 80 exit would look for water in vain for weeks as much of the central Plains sank into profound drought.

That phenomenon, hardly unknown over more than 150 years of white settlement, coincided with the Nebraska Legislatures approval of $53.5 million in planning funds to revive and complete the 1894 Perkins County Canal under the states 1923 South Platte River Compact with Colorado.

State senators in May agreed to set aside another $574.5 million for the canals construction from near Ovid in Sedgwick County, Colorado. Just as they were doing so, the South Platte woke from its periodic slumber.

The U.S. Geological Surveys 1902 gage at Julesburg, which recorded South Platte flows at a puny 94 cubic feet per second May 9, reached 3,010 cfs a week later and measured flows at 7,180 cfs Wednesday morning.

The South Platte compact established the Julesburg gage  10 miles below where the Perkins canal once started and would start again  as the official standard for measuring whether Colorado was delivering its required share of water to Nebraska.

Colorado must provide at least 120 cfs at the Julesburg gage during the April 1 to Oct. 15 irrigation season. By completing the canal, Nebraska will trigger an additional mandate to deliver at least 500 cfs the rest of the year.

A Telegraph analysis published May 27 found that the South Platte has met the compacts minimum flow levels at Julesburg about 40% of the time in records since Congress ratified the two-state compact in 1926.
Hunter Biden with his son Beau. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

As Republican voters rally around a presidential-primary candidate with a whole lot of courtroom time in his future, Democrats have their own, less serious legal complication to deal with going into the 2024 election: Hunter Biden. But this week, it appears Hunter is trying to resolve some of the issues that have dogged him for years before the general election gets going.

On Tuesday, Hunter Biden agreed to settle a child-support dispute with Lunden Roberts, the mother of his daughter who lives in Arkansas and has never been publicly acknowledged by the president. Robertss lawyer told the New York Post that the two parties agreed to a reduction of Hunters child-support payment for his 4-year-old daughter. The terms are not public, but the monthly sum will be less than the $20,000 payment Hunter had been responsible for. Last September, Hunters attorney, Abbe Lowell, filed a motion to reduce his payments because of a substantial material change to his income.

Aside from avoiding further ugly tabloid coverage, settling with Roberts allows Hunter Biden to avoid revealing details on his finances just as the House Oversight Committee investigates his paper trail. If the case were to drag on, hed be forced by the judge to answer questions on his investments, income, and art sales. In an interview with Fox News, committee chairman James Comer said such financial information would have the potential to be very helpful. Almost immediately after Republicans took the House, Comer launched an inquiry investigating the younger Bidens bank statements and business deals to see if he ever broke the law while taking advantage of his name.

The news of Hunter Bidens paternity settlement largely flew under the radar because hours beforehand, his attorneys agreed to a deal with the Justice Department to wrap up a sprawling two-year investigation into his finances. Biden will avoid prison by pleading guilty to two misdemeanors for willfully failing to pay around $1 million in taxes and entering a diversion program on a felony gun charge.

In a statement to CNN, Bidens attorney Christopher Clark said that his client is taking responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life and that he is continuing his recovery and moving forward. By clearing the docket now, Hunter Biden is limiting the possibility of an October surprise like the one in 2020, when the New York Post published the contents of his laptop in a failed attempt to trace income from his shady lobbying deals to his father.

Its possible that the House Oversight Committee will try to time the conclusion of its inquiry to the late days of the campaign, and Hunter Bidens settlements will not stop GOP presidential contenders from complaining about perceived special treatment between now and November 5, 2024. But settling these matters will put the name Hunter Biden a year out from most voters minds, barring a seismic revelation from the Oversight probe. Considering the speed of the American news cycle, thats a long time.
OMG YES









I know, I'm a terrible hypocrite, scum of the earth still using Netflix but omg yessssssssssss

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Im not much but Im confident that Id be better than 99% of the people in charge over there.

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i would trust ferraris race engineers over zaslav

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swapping to plan f!

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This gif never fails to make me laugh

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It's obvious that all these streaming services were going to go back to Netflix in the end. I thought HBO would be one of the last ones standing though. I would love to get some HBO content on Netflix ngl.



Edited at 2023-06-21 01:13 pm (UTC)

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I do wonder if this is going to affect Issa's overall deal with Max if her flagship show is being licensed to another network. Can the legal minds of ONTD tell me if the streaming residual structure of Netflix is going to affect Insecure since it was initially a cable show on HBO back when it started way back in 2016?

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from what i saw, her overall MAX deal is for shows post insecure? she has no control over her show getting licensed to other companies since HBO/WBD is her distributor. if anything, she might make more in residuals with the netflix move, since more places to watch a show = an increase in people watching = more payouts. i would assume that it functions the same way that a traditional tv show starting to air in a new market via syndication does, but a huge part of the WGA strike is the fight over getting streaming residuals on a more transparent system

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Not a lawyer but have interacted with some of the complexities of different crediting and ownership stake/residual relationships for films and series through work. Depending on her contract(s), she may have multiple different profit participant/residual relationships with the show based on her different roles a creator, exec producer, writer, and actor (and could be different per season or even per episode), as well as through whatever stake her production companies have. For example, her company, and her directly as exec producer and creator might get a cut of the fee Netflix pays to carry the show for a certain period, and as an actor and/or writer on the show she probably has some kind of residual (I assume using the formula from the union contracts). She may also have been paid some kind of lump fee buyout, or whatever fee she was paid for HBO Max to carry the show for streaming in the US (in perpetuity or for a specific period), may include the right for them to sub-license the show to other streamers in that territory without having to cut her in on the fee they collect (this is more likely for the production companies, exec producer, and creator stakes than the actor and writer residual stakes, if it's applicable at all).

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I'm tired of all these companies merging into one, canceling all the interesting shows, then selling off what they can to regain some profit. HBO should've stayed the prestige channel it was.

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whats the point of max existing if theyre gonna not have HBO shows on it???? no one wants to pay that much money for old ass seasons of 90 day fiance. zaslavs an idiot

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Im going to assume they'll do what Paramount has done: license shows with the caveat that they'll remain on their current place and just exist in 2 places.



P+/Netflix both have ATLA

They sold Peacock the remastered version of Charmed and the sd version to Amazon.

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But then why have Max if you can get the HBO stuff you actually want to watch on Netflix? Hahaha

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max not being the only place to stream hbos most popular shows immediately makes it less valuable to anyone who actually pays for it vs just automatically has access thru paying for HBO on cable

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amazon prime gave away the fact that they're given streaming rights to Our Flag Means Death as well so WBD really is desperate lol

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...did they ever announce season 2?

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The first day of Pride last year lmao. Season 2 wrapped filming in December and almost zero news since then.

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I get it, OFMD is a good companion for Good Omens which clearly Amazon is throwing some weight behind for season 2.

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Succession next to Selling Sunset in my queue lets GO

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I read in twitter that Warner brothers discovery fired a bunch of top people at TCM?! I dont think Zaslav will rest until everything good is ruined on HBO max 

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I wonder if they'll just re-up their deals for the Arrowverse on Netflix. No use in bringing them to MAX if they can make $$ off them remaining on Netflix for another 5 years

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Zaslav would euthanize Bugs Bunny if he thought it would improve WB Discoverys stock value  Max (@aoxamaxoa) June 21, 2023



but but but they renamed hbomax because hbo is so protective of their brand!!!!



zaslav seems bent on destroying wb, the part of the company with cultural and historic value but but but they renamed hbomax because hbo is so protective of their brand!!!!zaslav seems bent on destroying wb, the part of the company with cultural and historic value

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He likes playing studio boss and surrounding himself with the symbols of those who came before him who had more knowledge and intellect about art and movie-making in their little finger than he does in his entire being.  Maureen Lee Lenker (@themaureenlee) June 21, 2023 that entire maureen lee lenker thread whew. shes at EW too, which is arguably one of the most studio friendly pubs put there and shes not pulling punches

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Lmao I didn't see you had already posted from the same thread. It was a good one!

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ah, the Elon Musk way. Maybe we should take advantage of how distracted they are with their shiny new toys and "prestige" and wipe them on out.

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He sounds like Ch*pek

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them (potentially) gutting TCM is so upsetting

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UGH, I hate this. Makes me think of what AMC used to be and what it is now.

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AMC has Interview With The Vampire, therefore it rocks.

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Lmao so they're giving people the option to watch their content on a much better platform? I still can't rewind/fast forward something on Max without the app either hanging or crashing completely.

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Rhetorical question but why the hell can't these platforms develop decent user interfaces?



Paramount + crashed every time I attempted to rewind a show. Prime has gotten 5% better but they started in the basement so not much improvement. Netflix figured that shit out years ago, yet no one has managed to replicate it, though I'm mostly okay with Hulu.

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There's a new Batman animated series?

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Yep, Batman Caped Crusader. Was supposed to air on MAX but ya know how things go.



No release date yet.

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me reading the title: "ehhhhhhh no thanks idt this is necessary"



me reading murray bartlett's name on the cast list: ".......FINE i'll watch"

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I insisted that I had to read the book before I watched the show. I ended up hating the book so much, I had no interest in watching the show.

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I recently was thinking about this show and how after it aired its like it had never happened, it never gets talked about, almost like it was a fever dream (which in many ways, it was)

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I feel that way with a lot of binged shows. Although i can't remember if this aired once a week or all at once. I feel like for me at least when i watch one episode a week, i tend to digest it more and rewatch it more as well so it sticks with me longer. When i binge shows, i enjoy them in the moment, but tend to forget them in the longterm.

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i watched it fairly recently, like about 6 months ago? and the only plotline i still recall from time to time is the subplot of the family whose son had died. i actually thought that was really compelling, but the rest of the characters are a blur to me.



also melissa mccarthy was really charismatic in it but i have to stop and remember what her story arc actually was

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I wish Melissa would work with people people other than her husband because she really was charismatic in this.

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I loved it and recommend it to people all the time. For the amazing cast it had, it surprises me how little promo it got.

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Really??? I feel like this got entirely eclipsed by White Lotus. And they're not even that similar AFAIK, just the ensemble cast at an ~exotic location with dark backstories or whatever. S1 was so forgettable, sry2say. But this cast is solid, so...?

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And it will get compared even more now with Murray Bartlett.

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lol true!

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Murray Bartlett getting work! I'm here for it <3

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i'm not even an actor but he's like my personal hero. working steadily but lowkey for decades and then he gets a role in what's supposed to just be a limited run covid-makes-it-difficult-to-film-but-we-g otta-make-content-somehow show, then bing bang boom he's winning awards and booked and busy.

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All while being genuinely kind, he's so easy to root for!

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The book was meh but I could see it be more interesting if it deviates from the book plot. But seriously who asked for this??????

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I didn't watch first season, so maybe it's due to the plot, but why Manny Jacinto is not coming back?

I want to see him more!

I probably tune in for Murray Bartlett

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[ Spoiler (click to open) ] left with another character to join the Peace Corps. So could come back but probably wont? My interest in the show kind of fizzled out but when I looked it up it seems Mannys character Yao

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Thank you 

I dont see him being mentioned in the article, so I guess youre right, he wont be back.

Shame though, hes an eye candy

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Did literally anyone even care about this when it was on? Nicole wtf are you doing?

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I watched it and I felt like it ended perfectly. Like a mini series. It doesn't need another season. Little Fires Everywhere is the show that needed a season 2 hulu.

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This seems very unnecessary. The first season cast was great, but the show was just mediocre. Nicole was probably my least favorite part about it. She just wasnt great in it.

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The Liv Ullmann! How did they manage to get her?

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I could barely watch the first season and quit after the first few episodes, but I support these actors getting paid and being booked and buys.

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They spent too much time on Nicole in the end but I liked the series overall.

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I tried to watch s1, but I think I lost interest halfway through and just never finished it. It wasn't compelling.



Feels like they're making s2 now because White Lotus is such a hit and this has the same general concept (strangers at a resort are forced to interact w each other)

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Back in March 2022, shortly after Russias invasion of Ukraine, President Biden signed an executive order that banned the import of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas, and coal to the United States. Although the ban together with EU sanctions were blamed for skyrocketing global energy prices, U.S. refiners were none the worse for wear since Russia supplied just 3% of U.S. crude oil imports.

However, the punters were quick to point out that one notable export was left off of that list: uranium.

For a long time, the U.S. has been heavily reliant on Russian uranium, and imported about 14 percent of its uranium and 28 percent of all enrichment services from Russia in 2021 while the figures for the European Union were 20 percent and 26 percent for imports and enrichment services, respectively. And, there seems to be no end in sight despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy calling on the U.S. and the international community to ban Russian uranium imports following the Russian shelling near Ukraines Zaporizhzhya power plant. U..S companies are sending $1 billion each year to Russia's state-owned nuclear agency, Rosatom, and imported another $411.5 million in enriched uranium in the first quarter of 2023 alone.

Weaning themselves off Russian uranium is a tough call for the country considering that Russia is home to one of the worlds largest uranium resources with an estimated 486,000 tons of uranium, the equivalent of 8 percent of global supply. Russia is home to the worlds largest uranium enrichment complex--accounting for almost half the global capacity.

The U.S. currently has one operational plant managed by its UK-Netherlands-Germany owners that can produce less than a third of its annual domestic needs. Further, the country currently has no plans to develop or find sufficient enrichment capacity to become domestically self-sufficient in the future. Related: WTI Drops As Demand Fears Take Over Markets

In contrast, Chinas China Nuclear Corporation is working to double its capacity to meet the needs of Chinas rapidly growing civilian nuclear reactor fleet, so that by 2030 China plans to have nearly one-third of global capacity.

But maybe the U.S. is not forever doomed to kowtow to Russian uranium, with the country actively pursuing uranium substitutes.

Alternative Fuels

With the Biden administration having set a goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2035, nuclear power will likely continue to be a hot-button issue despite being a low-carbon fuel mainly because conventional nuclear fuel creates a lot of hazardous waste.

What would give nuclear energy a major boost would be a significant technological breakthrough in substituting thorium for uranium in reactors. The public would likely be far easier to bring on board with the removal of dangerous uranium.

Thorium is now being billed as the 'great green hope' of clean energy production that produces less waste and more energy than uranium, is meltdown-proof, has no weapons-grade by-products and can even consume legacy plutonium stockpiles.

The United States Department of Energy (DOE), Nuclear Engineering & Science Center at Texas A&M and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have partnered with Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) to develop a new thorium-based nuclear fuel they have dubbed ANEEL. ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) is a proprietary combination of thorium and High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) that intends to address high costs and toxic waste issues (thorium must be paired with at least a small amount of a fissile material due its inability to naturally fissile on its own). The main difference between ANEEL and the uranium that is currently used in U.S. reactors is the level of uranium enrichment. Instead of up to 5% uranium-235 enrichment, the new generation of reactors need fuel with up to 20 percent enrichment. Several years ago, CCTE started fitting existing reactor designs to enable them to use ANEEL fuel, which the company projected could enter commercial use as early as 2024. Meanwhile,two years ago, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Centrus Energys request to make HALEU at its enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio, becoming the only plant in the country to do so. However, more could be on the way if the new fuel proves to be a success.

While ANEEL performs best in heavy water reactors, it can also be used in traditional boiling water and pressurized water reactors. More importantly, ANEEL reactors can be deployed much faster than uranium reactors.

Another key benefit of ANEEL over uranium is that it can achieve a much higher fuel burn-up rate of in the order of 55,000 MWd/T (megawatt-day per ton of fuel) compared to 7,000 MWd/T for natural uranium fuel used in pressurized water reactors. This allows the fuel to remain in the reactors for much longer meaning much longer intervals between shut downs for refueling. For instance, Indias Kaiga Unit-1 and Canadas Darlington PHWR Unit hold the world record for uninterrupted operations at 962 days and 963 days, respectively.

The thorium-based fuel also comes with other key benefits. One of the biggest is that a much higher fuel burn-up reduces plutonium waste by more than 80%. Plutonium has a shorter half-life of about 24,000 years compared to Uranium-235s half-life of just over 700 million years. Plutonium is highly toxic even in small doses, leading to radiation illness, cancer and often to death. Further, thorium has a lower operating temperature and a higher melting point than natural uranium, making it inherently safer and more resistant to core meltdowns.

Thoriums renewable energy properties are also quite impressive.

Yet another benefit: There is more than twice thorium in the earths crust than uranium. In India, thorium is 4x more abundant than uranium. Thorium can also be extracted from sea water just like uranium, making it almost inexhaustible.

Even better, in February, Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) kicked off the planning phase of pre-licensing review of Clean Core's ANEEL thorium and HALEU, signaling progress is being made.

The Thorium Curse?

Hopefully, ANEEL will not suffer the thorium curse, and will finally help the country become less dependent on Russian uranium. After all, thorium MSRs (Molten Salt Reactors) have been in development since the 1960s by the U.S. China, Russia, and France yet nothing much ever came of them. Further, the new fuel is yet to be proven on a commercial scale. Nuclear radiologist Peter Karamoskos, of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) has advised the world not to hold its breath:

Without exception, [thorium reactors] have never been commercially viable, nor do any of the intended new designs even remotely seem to be viable. Like all nuclear power production they rely on extensive taxpayer subsidies; the only difference is that with thorium and other breeder reactors these are of an order of magnitude greater, which is why no government has ever continued their funding.

However, if ANEEL beats the odds, the country could supply the new fuel to countries that operate CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) and PHWR (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor) reactors such as China, India, Argentina, Pakistan, South Korea, and Romania. These reactors are cooled and moderated using pressurized heavy water. Another 50 countries (mostly developing countries) have either started nuclear programs or have expressed an interest in launching the same in the near future. The U.S. will probably have a ready market for its new thorium fuel since it has signed bilateral nuclear treaties--including the 1-2-3 Agreement--related to security, weapons non-proliferation and nuclear materials with no less than 48 countries. Overall, 50 of the worlds existing 440 nuclear reactors can be powered using this novel fuel.

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Luckily, this is coming at the right time, with nuclear energy enjoying another mini-renaissance of sorts.

The ongoing energy crisis has been helping to highlight nuclear energys billing as the most reliable energy source, which ostensibly gives it a serious edge over other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar which exist at the lower end of the reliability spectrum.

Unite, Britain and Irelands largest union, has backed the UKs Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) call for massive nuclear investments by saying that comprehensive investment in the nuclear industry will be necessary to kick-start the UKs post-pandemic economy, while also fulfilling the EUs goal to decarbonize all its industries by 2050. EU leaders have recognized nuclear energy as a way to fight climate change though hydrogen remains their top priority.

Meanwhile, Japan has announced a major U-turn in its energy policy after the Asian nation adopted a new policy promoting greater use of nuclear energy, effectively ending an 11-year prohibition and phase-out that was triggered by the Fukushima disaster. Under the new policy, Japan will maximize the use of existing nuclear reactors by restarting as many as possible, prolong the operating life of old reactors beyond their 60-year limit and also develop next-generation reactors to replace them.

ANEEL and Nuclear Diesel offer another possible way back to nuclear, but only if it succeeds where thorium has not--so far.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Europes benchmark natural gas prices and supply and demand fundamentals have been reflected in the global and Asian prices of LNG in recent weeks, Rystad Energy said in a note on Wednesday.

Prices in Europe have increased in the past two weeks due to outages and maintenance at gas processing plants in Norway, which is now the single-largest supplier of gas to Europe after Russia cut off deliveries to many EU customers following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

After weeks of falling prices amid subdued LNG demand globally and weak demand from the industry, the front-month futures at the TTF hub, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, have risen in recent days. As of 10:41 GMT on Wednesday, the July contract traded at $42.12 (38.57 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh), which was much higher than the 25 euros/MWh from three weeks ago.

Issues at Norways Hammerfest LNG export terminal and maintenance at gas processing plants in Nyhamna and Kollsnes have been keeping gas flows capped, leading to higher spot prices. Maintenance on the Oseberg field offshore Norway is also reducing supply and contributing to higher prices.

TTF prices appear to be in a state of flux as it continues to rebalance itself after a spate of supply shocks associated with Norwegian pipeline gas, Rystad analysts wrote in Wednesdays note as carried by Montel.

The recent rise in European prices has driven an increase in Asias spot LNG prices.

With activity in the Asian gas market relatively uneventful, price volatility is the result of the marker tracking the TTF, Rystad Energy said.

Warmer weather as the northern hemisphere heads into the summer should also raise gas and LNG prices with higher energy demand for cooling.

Last week, Asias spot LNG prices halted a weeks-long decline and soared to a three-month high, per estimates from industry sources cited by Reuters.

The spot price for delivery to North Asia in August surged by 50% last week, compared to the week prior, to $13.50 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), the highest level since the middle of March.

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By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Ukraine is looking to raise initial funding of up to $40 billion to rebuild one of its most important industries  iron and steelmaking  including by reducing dependence on coal and launching a green steel industry after the war.

The Russian invasion has decimated iron and steel production in Ukraine, which still remains the second-largest pillar of the economy after agriculture.

Most of Ukraine's steel-producing plants are located in the eastern part of the country as they have traditionally relied on the coal mined in the Donbas region. But the Russian invasion and the occupation of part of the region, including a large steelmaking center such as Mariupol, has resulted in steel plants working at around 15% capacity most of the time.

Ukraine hopes that it can mobilize public and private sector funding to restore its industry and economy after the end of the war.

The cost of reconstruction and recovery for Ukraine after the war is more than $400 billion, a joint assessment by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the United Nations showed one year after the Russian invasion.

Ukraine will need $40 billion for an initial reconstruction, whose first order of business will be the iron and steel industry, Rostyslav Shurma, deputy head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told Reuters this week.

Ukraine is making its pitch to governments and the private sector at the ongoing Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 hosted by Ukraine and the UK in London on Wednesday and Thursday. Related: Energy Regulator Claims Canadian Oil Production Will Plunge 76% By 2050

The conference, bringing together governments and industry leaders to develop a multi-sector plan to help Ukraine to recover, will focus on mobilizing international support for Ukraine's economic and social stabilization and recovery from the effects of war.

There is a chance that the iron and steel industry could be rebuilt to use renewable sources of power instead of coal, Shurma said.

The industry, second only to agriculture, generated 10% of Ukraine's GDP in the year before the Russian invasion, and accounted for one-third of Ukraine's revenues and 15% of carbon emissions.

The industry has suffered more than any other sector of the Ukrainian economy from the war, Oleksandr Kalenkov, president of trade association Ukrmetalurgprom, told Ukraine-based consultancy GMK Center last year.

As of the autumn of 2022, Ukraine's steel plants were working at 15% capacity, he added. Two giant steel plants in Mariupol produced more than 40% of Ukraine's steel, Kalenkov noted.

Shurma, the deputy head of Zelenskyy's office, told Reuters ahead of the ongoing recovery conference,

"If you have to rebuild, it is logical to rebuild green in line with new technologies."

"Our vision is to build a 50 million tonnes green steel industry in Ukraine," Shurma added.

The recovery of Ukraine will have strong support at the London conference, hosts and participants have said.

The UK government will launch a $12.8 million (10 million) InnovateUkraine Green Energy Challenge Fund at the summit.

"The fund will spark and accelerate the development of low-carbon, affordable energy projects for Ukraine, with researchers, businesses and NGOs able to apply for financial backing to make their green energy ideas a reality, with the hope of being able to roll out some of the projects to communities in Ukraine routinely facing blackouts and energy shortages," the UK said.

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Representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ukraine's largest institutional investor, are also attending and will host on Thursday an event on "Investments in Energy for Green Recovery", moderated by Ukrainian energy think-tank DiXi Group.

"The EBRD's aim from the start has been a very practical one: to support the resilience of Ukraine's real economy in the here and now, working primarily on energy security, vital infrastructure, food security, trade and support for the private sector," EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said in a statement.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in London on Tuesday, "this week is very much about encouraging the private sector to invest in Ukraine's rebuilding and recovery."

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Uzbekistan has reached a deal with Russias Gazprom to buy 2.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually over the coming two years as part of a broader effort to prevent winter-time shortages.

The Energy Ministry said in a statement on June 19 that daily deliveries of 9 million cubic meters of gas will start from October 1.

The ministry said in its statement that the tariff will be based on market rates and prices within Uzbekistan.

While short of the 6 billion cubic meters per year deal that the Russian media had forecast earlier this month, this agreement marks a breakthrough in Moscows fraught efforts to negotiate the sale of gas to buyers in Central Asia.

For the gas to be sent from Russia to Uzbekistan, it will need to be pumped via Kazakhstan through the Central Asia-Center, or CAC, pipeline, which has historically been used to carry gas from south to north.

Opponents of this trade have argued that Uzbekistan should avoid developing a dependence on Russian gas for its domestic needs. They also bemoan this turn of events as a consequence of the governments failure to properly develop the countrys own resources. As recently as last year, Tashkent earned money selling gas to China. But those exports were halted amid mounting public anger over a nationwide wave of power outages.

Russia spotted an opportunity in this crisis. In November, President Vladimir Putin spoke during a meeting in Moscow with Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev about the idea of setting up a trilateral [gas trading] union  a so-called gas troika  that would also include Uzbekistan.

While the Uzbek reaction was initially wary, officials soon warmed to the idea. When Uzbekistan reached an agreement with Russia in late January to explore the possibility of reversing the flow of gas in the CAC pipeline, it appeared as though the start of deliveries would be imminent.

Devising a technical framework for the agreement has held things up, however.

A new gas metering station will need to be built by September to accommodate this set-up, the Uzbek Energy Ministry said. Under the same sales deal, three gas-pumping stations will be modernized, and 22 kilometers of pipelines will be added to the network.

In related news from last week, Gazprom agreed on terms with Kazakhstans QazaqGaz on the transit of the gas to Uzbekistan. Kommersant business daily cited its sources as saying the agreement envisioned the transit of 6 billion cubic meters annually  a figure that implies that Central Asian buyers other than Uzbekistan are looking to import Gazprom fuel.

The most likely candidates are Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

This arrangement is setting the stage for Russia both exporting and importing gas to and from Central Asia. The CAC pipeline has until now been used to dispatch gas northward from Turkmenistan.

And at least one strand of the route will need to be kept for that purpose as things stand.

According to Russias former ambassador in Ashgabat, Gazprom imported around 5 billion cubic meters of gas from Turkmenistan in 2022 under an agreement that is supposed to last until 2024.

The question that arises is why Uzbekistan does not simply itself buy the gas it needs from Turkmenistan, its immediate neighbor. A supply arrangement was in place until mid-January, when Turkmenistan ceased making deliveries amid technical complications caused by the intensely cold weather.

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Uzbekistan could, as long as there is not an unanticipated surge in demand, make do with what it gets from Russia.

When quizzed by Kommersant newspaper, Sergey Kondratiev, an energy market expert at the Moscow-based Institute for Energy and Finance, said that he anticipates domestic demand for gas in Uzbekistan to rise to 51-52 billion cubic meters in 2023, up from 48.4 billion cubic meters in 2022.

By Eurasianet.org

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White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there will be deliverables on the defense cooperation front when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington later this week, but declined to provide details.

Kirby acknowledged at a briefing on June 20 that India would be pressed regarding its Russian oil and arms purchases during the state visit, adding that Ukraine is without question going to be a topic of discussion.

However, he emphasized that the United States would make Indian sovereignty a priority in the discussions, noting that India should and must speak for itself on where it stands.

Kirby suggested the meeting would focus more on U.S.-Indian ties than on Indias relationship with Russia.

The state visit is not about Russia. What were trying to dois improve the bilateral relationship on its own, he said.

India has not condemned Russia's war in Ukraine and has frustrated Western countries by increasing its imports of Russian oil and defense equipment.

However, Kirby called India a terrific contributor to humanitarian aid to Ukraine so far.

Through statements and through votes at the UN, India has made it clear its deep concern about what Russia is doing inside Ukraine, Kirby said.

Additionally, he praised Indias adherence to the price cap on Russian oil, which he said has proven effective in both keeping the supply stable while simultaneously limiting revenues flowing to the Russian state. Kirby said he hopes India will continue to buy within the price cap to limit Moscows war funds.

Modi was upbeat as he left for the trip, his fifth to the United States since he became prime minister in 2014 but the first with the full status of a state visit.

We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas, Modi said on Twitter on June 20.

After arriving in New York City on the first stop of his visit, he posted a link to an interview he did with The Wall Street Journal in which he said that ties between New Delhi and Washington are stronger and deeper than ever. He also responded to the criticism of Indias stance on Russias invasion of Ukraine.

"I don't think this type of perception is widespread in the U.S.," he said in the interview. "I think Indias position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that Indias top-most priority is peace."

Kirby also said he would welcome any role India wanted to play in building peace in Ukraine, but he would not be able to give any details until after the discussions take place.

Modi is scheduled on June 22 to address a joint meeting of the House and Senate -- one of the highest honors Washington affords to foreign dignitaries -- followed by a state dinner.

Kirby said that he expects additional discussions to be centered around global health, emerging technologies, and climate change. President Joe Biden has made clear he sees U.S. ties to India as a defining relationship that will jointly address some of the most difficult global challenges and Chinas growing power in the Indo-Pacific.

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The president was reminded by members of Congress as Modi arrived to raise human rights issues.

Seventy-five Democratic members of Congress -- 18 senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives -- said in a letter to Biden that they "stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy."

They asked the president to "discuss the full range of issues important to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship between our two great countries."

By RFE/RL

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A regional court in Kazakhstan has dismissed a claim of $5.1 billion brought by the Kazakh Environmental Protection Ministry against North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), the operator of the largest offshore oil project in the country, Kashagan.

The courts ruling in favor of the consortium comprising supermajors, including ExxonMobil, was made public after hearings were held in May and June, Upstream reported on Wednesday.

Kazakhstans massive oilfield Kashagan, which pumps around 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), is operated by a consortium of firms, North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), which includes Kazakhstans state firm KazMunayGas, as well as Italys Eni, U.S. ExxonMobil, UK-based Shell, Frances TotalEnergies, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), and Japans Inpex.

Earlier this year, the Kazakh Environmental Protection Ministry asked the court to fine the operator of Kashagan with $5.1 billion for violation of environmental standards. The consortium was accused of keeping larger volumes of sulfur at its onshore facility in Bolashak than the amount permitted by law.

The Environmental Protection Ministry inspected the site in early March and cited the exceeding of the amount of sulfur stored as the basis for the fine it was seeking. The regional court, however, dismissed that key claim, which would have served as a basis for the fine.

Kazakhstan and the NCOC consortium are locked in another legal dispute in which the country is seeking a court ruling on its claim that it is owed as much as $16.5 billion by NCOC and Karachaganak Petroleum Operating, the operator of another huge Kazakh oilfield, Karachaganak.

In April, Kazakhstan took to court the oil majors developing the Kashagan and Karachaganak oilfields. The country began arbitration proceedings to claim $13 billion in costs deducted as part of profit-sharing agreements for Kashagan and another $3.5 billion for Karachaganak. Under the profit-sharing agreements, the companies can deduct some costs from the income before sharing it with the government of Kazakhstan. The Karachaganak consortium includes Eni and Shell as joint operators, U.S. supermajor Chevron with 18%, Russias Lukoil, and KazMunayGas.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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ExxonMobil and the government of Guyana are discussing which unexplored offshore blocks the U.S. supermajor should return to the country under its 2016 exploration and production contract, Reuters reported on Wednesday, quoting sources close to the talks.

Under the original contract from 2016, Exxon should return in 2023 a total of 20% of the offshore acres that have been awarded to the Exxon and Hess Corp-led consortium and that have remained unexplored to this date.

Areas will include some parts of the Stabroek block, in which Exxon has made the biggest discoveries offshore Guyana so far.

Exxon is in ongoing discussions with the government regarding these requirements, in respect to both timing and area, a spokesperson for the U.S. supermajor told Reuters.

The government of Guyana wants to welcome more foreign operators to its already booming oil industry after huge finds from the Exxon-Hess consortium made it the newest oil producer in 2019. Guyana is set to hold its first-ever offshore licensing round this year. In April, the government pushed the deadline for receiving bids from mid-April to July 15, in response to industry feedback and the advanced pace of modernising the oil and gas regulatory framework.

The government is developing a new model for Production and Sharing Agreements (PSA). Last week, Guyanas Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo told Reuters that the oil auction was further pushed by one month, to the middle of August, to finalize the PSA model and regulations that go with it.

Supermajors Shell and Chevron, as well as Brazils state oil firm Petrobras, are reportedly among the 10 companies considering bidding in the licensing round.

Guyana has become a hotspot for exploration and development in recent years after Exxon and Hess found more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent offshore the South American country.

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Currently, Guyana produces around 360,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, all from Exxon-operated wells.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Tesla is planning to make a significant investment in India, Reuters has reported, citing a local media partner following a meeting between CEO Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"He (Modi) really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do," Musk said, adding "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible."

Last year, EV sales in India rose to 50,000, which was a fourfold increase from 2021 but still a meager number compared to the 1.4 million EVs sold in China in the same year. According to the International Energy Agency, however, sales of electric vehicles in India have the potential to really take off.

The Indian government has poured some $3.2 billion in the form of incentives for the industry, CNBC reported earlier this year, attracting $8.3 billion in investment. Some of the worlds biggest carmakers including VW, Volvo Cars, and Stellantis, are venturing into the EV market on the subcontinent. It was only a matter of time for Tesla to join the crowd.

I think [the] four-wheeler industry is one [area], but you also will have two-wheeler industry, even buses on the electric side that will come, and also three-wheelers, the head of Audi India, Balbir Singh Dhillon, told Autocar India last year.

So I think the whole ecosystem is going to develop at a much faster pace than we can imagine, he added at the time.

Indeed, Tesla had plans to set up shop in India last year but scrapped those plans when the Modi government refused to lower import taxes on carsthese taxes in some cases reach 100%, which would make Teslas prohibitively expensive. The idea of the government was to motivate Tesla to manufacture cars locally rather than import them.

Based on the comments following the meeting between Musk and Modi, the differences have been resolved, as suggested earlier, when Tesla returned to India to negotiate setting up a factory with the government, per a Reuters report from May.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A 45-year-old Nebraska prison inmate convicted of killing his wife by stabbing her 22 times has died.

Bobby Wallace was found unresponsive in his cell Sunday at the Reception and Treatment facility in Lincoln, which is managed by the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Staff members initiated CPR procedures, but emergency medical personnel pronounced Wallace deceased, according to a spokeswoman for the Corrections the Corrections Department.

Wallace was serving a 40 to 60-year sentence for second-degree murder, attempted second-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. On May 25, 2013, LaVern "Nikki" Eubanks, 34, was killed by Wallace in a domestic disturbance near 33rd and Pratt Streets.

Prosecutors said Eubanks hit Wallace with a frying pan, and Wallace grabbed a knife and stabbed her 22 times. She died at an Omaha hospital.

The Nebraska State Patrol will investigate Wallace's death. As is the case whenever an inmate dies, a grand jury will conduct an investigation, the spokeswoman said.  Kevin Cole
A group of Nebraska health care associations and educators are going back to the beginning to address the states health care workforce shortage.

The Nebraska Health Careers Pipeline Program will create a hands-on, interactive health sciences curriculum for students in third through 12th grade that can be deployed in schools across the state.

Stacey Ocander, dean of health careers at Metropolitan Community College, said participants are finishing the curriculum now and will begin training this fall, working with existing after-school providers to deliver the lessons.

In January, they will pilot one-hour weekly lessons  with activities for students in elementary grades with the aim of building to a yearlong, after-school program by fall 2024. Each week, participating students will be introduced to a different career in the health care field. For a youth who is not interested in health care per se, that could include data informatics. Such lessons can be delivered by people who are not health care providers.

By next summer, the partners will be prepared to offer weeklong summer camps  four to five hours a day, four or five days a week  for students in seventh through 11th grade. Seniors will complete internships in a health care facility in their area of interest in order to complete the service learning component of their high school education.

All of that, of course, will involve partnering with school districts and after-school programs across the state and with providers in a variety of health care facilities, from clinics to nursing homes.

Its very interactive, it relies greatly on our workforce partners, Ocander said, noting that participants have buy-in from community college health deans and educational service units across the state.

Partnering to create the program are the Nebraska Hospital Association in collaboration with the Nebraska Health Care Foundation, the Nebraska Medical Association and Medica.

Jeremy Nordquist, the hospital associations president, said the initiative was spurred by the states health care workforce shortage. A report released recently with the Nebraska Workforce Collaborative indicated that the states hospitals have job vacancy rates of 10% to 15%. In some areas, including critical care and behavioral health nursing, half or more of full-time positions are vacant.

The collaborative was announced earlier this year by 20 Nebraska health care and educational organizations with the goal of developing long-term health care workforce solutions by sharing information about the states current and future workforce needs and strengthening its health care education pipeline.

Hospitals, he said, are taking steps to retain staff coming out of the pandemic and to recruit workers through scholarship and loan forgiveness programs. Members earlier this year sought  and obtained  from the Nebraska Legislature $3 million a year to fund additional clinical sites for nurses to complete hands-on training.

But officials realized they needed to do more to begin building the pipeline even earlier.

We see this as a way to jump-start that interest in health care careers at the earliest ages, he said.

Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Nebraska Health Care Association, said people who work in long-term care describe an immense sense of purpose. But they often encounter those careers only because of personal experiences, such as having a grandparent in an assisted living facility.

About 30,000 Nebraskans work in long-term care. Staffing is down about 10% since the start of the pandemic. While it has recovered slightly, its not at the levels that are needed, she said, which has resulted in closures of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, particularly in rural areas. That results in backlogs across the health care spectrum, with hospitals unable to discharge patients to long-term care.

Said Nordquist, The crisis is really having an impact on all Nebraskans.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023
The new commander at the 55th Wing isnt so new, after all.

The wings deputy commander, Col. Mark Howard, will step up and take the place of Col. Kristen Thompson during a ceremony Thursday at Offutt Air Force Base.

Howard is a career RC-135 combat systems officer aboard who has served multiple tours at Offutt since being commissioned as an Air Force officer in 2000. Offutt is the home of the RC-135 fleet.

He was a combat systems instructor, a flight commander and a weapons officer with the 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt from 2002-07.

During the mid-2010s, Howard served additional tours at Offutt as director of operations for the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron and as director of staff for the 55th Wing.

His overseas tours included command of the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in 2016-17, and as strategy division chief with the 607th Air Operations Center at Osan Air Base, South Korea, from 2020-21.

In addition to earning a bachelors degree and three masters degrees, Howard has accumulated 2,300 flying hours  nearly half of them in combat or combat-support roles.

He became 55th Wing deputy commander in June 2021, the same month Thompson took command of the Wing.

A 22-year veteran E-3 Sentry AWACS pilot with 3,800 flying hours (including 700 in combat), she was the first woman ever to hold the position.

During her command tour, Thompson oversaw the return of 55th Wing flight operations to Offutt from temporary quarters at the Lincoln Airport following the complete rebuilding of Offutts 80-year-old single runway. She also supervised some of the first full-scale reconstruction efforts on the southern part of the base, which was inundated by a major flood in March 2019.

Thompsons next assignment will take her to New York, where she will serve as a military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The 55th Wing is the largest in the Air Force, with 33 squadrons, operations groups and two detachments operating RC-135, WC-135, and EC-130 reconnaissance aircraft out of Offutt, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and several overseas locations. It has been deployed continuously to the Middle East since August 1990.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023
A 22-year-old man Council Bluffs man injured in a shooting Saturday night during a fight in northwest Omaha has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Austin Petersen, who was also arrested on suspicion of using a firearm to commit a felony, was released from an Omaha hospital Tuesday night and booked into the Douglas County Jail. He is accused of fatally shooting Tristan Vincent, 21, of Council Bluffs during a fight at a car show near 90th Street and Military Avenue.

Police were called to the parking lot of the former Gordmans store shortly after 8 p.m. Investigators determined that shots were fired during a fight in the parking lot where a large crowd had gathered for a car show.

Military Avenue westbound was closed during the investigation, and eastbound traffic was diverted south near 91st Street. Two other men, ages 22 and 23, were also shot. Both men have been released from the hospital.

Vincent became Omahas fifth homicide victim of the year. That compares with nine homicides at this time in 2022 and 14 in 2021.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP, at omahacrimestoppers.org or on the P3 Tips mobile app. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to a shooting arrest.
An Omaha man is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly broke into a Bellevue home early Monday morning.

Austin Hall, 23, is charged with attempted second-degree murder, burglary, terroristic threats and assault by strangulation. On Wednesday, a Sarpy County judge set Halls bail at 10% of $2 million, meaning he would have to pay $200,000 to be released.

According to an arrest affidavit:

Bellevue police were dispatched to the home near 27th Street and Schneekloth Road for a robbery at about 3:15 a.m. Monday. Officers were told the suspect was still inside the residence.

Upon arrival, a woman was outside the home and told police that Hall was still inside with her children. He was found sitting on the floor in the bedroom of a 17-year-old boy, and complied with directions from officers as they ordered him to leave the bedroom and placed him in emergency protective custody.

Hall allegedly told officers that he had been drinking at his parents house and left after an argument. During the argument, he apparently made demonic statements and told his mother if they didnt take him seriously, his little brothers may die.

Hall allegedly told officers about visions that brought him to the Bellevue home, which once belonged to one of Halls childhood friends. He allegedly told police that he planned to kill his old friend, though he said the friend had never wronged him.

Hall allegedly broke in through the back door and sneaked into a downstairs bedroom, staying in the house for about 30 minutes until he saw the lights turn off.

Once in the bedroom of the 17-year-old, Hall allegedly woke the boy, who proceeded to punch him. Hall allegedly then choked the boy for three to four seconds, leaving marks on his neck.

Police arrived shortly after and took Hall into custody. He was transported to the hospital and discharged to the Sarpy County Jail later that morning.

Halls prior criminal record in Nebraska is minimal. He was convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2017, but has no felony record.

He will appear for a preliminary hearing in late July.

Photos: New Douglas County Justice Center opens in Omaha
NEW YORK  Dozens of LGBTQ+ pride flags were damaged and ripped down at the Stonewall National Monument over the weekend, the third such bout of vandalism at the LGBTQ+ landmark during this Pride month, police said.

The latest occurrence happened Sunday, after others on June 9 and last Thursday. No arrests have been made in the incidents, and it's unclear whether they were connected. The New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.

On Sunday, officers were called at about 8 a.m. and found about 33 pride flags broken and tossed to the ground, police said.

Park volunteer Steven Menendez told New York's Fox 5 News that 68 flags  nearly a quarter of those displayed  were damaged in some way.

"We have so much hatred and anger in the air right now," Menendez told the station. "We really need to reverse that and replace it with love compassion and acceptance."

The Stonewall National Monument, the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ history, was dedicated in 2016. It encompasses a park across the street from the Stonewall Inn, a bar where patrons fought back against a police raid on June 28, 1969, and helped spark the contemporary LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The Stonewall rebellion is commemorated every year with pride marches in cities across the U.S. and the world.

From Stonewall to today: 50+ years of modern LGBTQ+ history 1969: Stonewall Riots 1969: Gay Liberation Front forms 1972: Sweden allows people to legally change gender 1972: UK has first Pride parade 1973: Lambda Legal forms 1973: Homosexuality is no longer classified as a mental illness 1974: First openly lesbian officials elected 1977: First openly gay man elected 1979: First national LGBTQ+ march 1981: Norway enacts anti-discrimination laws 1982: Wisconsin passes LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination law 1983: BiPOL forms 1984: HIV discovered 1986: Bowers v. Hardwick 1986: New York passes anti-discrimination bill 1987: UK opens first HIV/AIDS clinic 1987: Barney Frank comes out as gay 1987: ACT UP 1988: National Coming Out Day starts 1989: Denmark legalizes same-sex unions 1990: First Pride parade in South Africa 1994: 'Don't ask, don't tell' enacted 1994: American Medical Association opposes conversion therapy 1995: Gay and lesbian workers can get government security clearance 1996: High schooler starts Gay-Straight Alliance 1997: Ellen DeGeneres comes out 1998: Bisexual flag created 2000: Vermont recognizes same-sex unions 2000: Netherlands recognizes same-sex marriage 2002: New York City passes LGBTQ+ rights law 2003: US legalizes consensual same-sex acts 2004: Massachusetts performs first same-sex marriage 2009: Hate Crimes Prevention Act 2010: Same-sex marriage legal in Iceland 2011: 'Don't ask, don't tell' repealed 2012: First openly LGBTQ+ senator 2013: Supreme Court recognizes same-sex marriage 2014: Transgender students get federal protection 2014: First transgender person nominated for Emmy 2015: US legalizes same-sex marriage 2016: Ban lifted on transgender troops 2017: First openly transgender state legislator elected 2018: 'Rainbow wave' in politics 2019: Taiwan passes same-sex marriage 2019: Transgender troops banned from military 2019: Mayor Pete runs for president 2019: Being transgender no longer a 'disorder' 2020: NYC Pride March canceled by coronavirus 2021: Biden reverses Trump-era ban on transgender people in the military 2021: Switzerland and Japan make strides toward marriage equality 2022: Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in US states 2022: First openly lesbian women elected governor 2023: Gender-Affirming Care
LINCOLN  The former director of History Nebraska, the state agency tasked with collecting and preserving state history, has been charged with a felony in connection with his alleged mishandling of more than $270,000 in funds in 2020, according to new court filings.

Trevor L. Jones, who resigned from his post as CEO and executive director of the agency last July after six years in the role, was charged with felony theft by deception, according to a complaint filed Friday by David Bydalek, the states chief deputy attorney general.

The charge against Jones, 50, stems from a request he made in June 2020, seeking $269,926.24 in discretionary funds from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation in an effort to offset anticipated loss of quarter four revenue due to COVID, Nebraska State Patrol Investigator Amanda DeFreece said in the probable cause statement for Jones arrest.

The State Historical Society Foundation  an independent, nonprofit corporation created in 1942 to support state history and the agency responsible for curating it  sent History Nebraska a second check for $325.09 in July 2020, DeFreece said in the probable cause statement.

Both checks were endorsed with a stamp that read: Pay to the Order of State Treasurer, Nebraska State Historical Society, History Nebraska, according to court filings and an August 2022 report from the state auditor following that agencys own probe into the transfer.

But instead of remitting the funds to the state treasurer for proper recording and disbursal, as required by law, Jones allegedly scratched out the stamped endorsement and deposited the money into a History Nebraska Foundation bank account, DeFreece said.

The History Nebraska Foundation is a private organization created in 2020 to rival the State Historical Society Foundation, which had served as the agencys primary fundraiser for decades, devoting 75% of its income to History Nebraska.

Jones, who was among the organizations initial board members, opened the History Nebraska Foundations bank account in December 2019 and identified himself as the charitys president on initial First National Bank of Omaha financial documents, according to the auditors report.

The funds that were allegedly rerouted from the State Historical Society Foundation to its newly created rival comprised almost 99% of the entire balance the History Nebraska Society had on hand in July 2020, according to the auditors report.

Without these two diverted checks, which were intended for the use of History Nebraska to offset financial losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this account would have had a negative balance of $92,324.94 in January 2022, Deputy State Auditor Craig Kubicek wrote in the report.

The History Nebraska Foundations total assets are worth $247,000, according to GuideStar, an organization that tracks nonprofits. The State Historical Society Foundations assets total more than $18 million, according to the nonprofit tracker.

The money the State Historical Society Foundation sent at Jones request was, in part, made up of private donations that had been specifically designated for History Nebraska purposes, like historic preservation, archaeology or conservation, according to the probable cause statement filed last week.

But once it landed in History Nebraska Foundations account, the money was used, in part, to pay legal fees related to the foundations creation  and, at least once, the foundation paid Jones himself.

The foundation issued a $99.60 check to Jones in September 2021. And the foundations debit card was used at coffee shops and restaurants in Lincoln and Omaha six times between June and December 2021 in purchases that Jones may have benefited personally from, according to the auditors report.

Mr. Jones appears to have played an important, if not actually managerial, role in administering the financial affairs of the History Nebraska Foundation for much of 2020 and 2021, Kubicek wrote in the 2022 report.

In addition to endorsing over 100 checks deposited into the History Nebraska Foundations bank account through October 2021, Mr. Jones was one of only two signatories for the organizations check payments during that period.

Whether Jones benefited from the funds isnt central to the criminal case the State Patrol outlined in Fridays court filing, though.

DeFreece, the State Patrol investigator, made no mention in her affidavit of how the funds may have aided Jones personally  accusing him only of deceiving the State Historical Society when he sought the funds by indicating in his request form that the money would be used to offset pandemic-related shortfalls.

The charges mark an apparent reversal on behalf of the authorities. In December, the Nebraska Examiner reported that Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condons office had declined to file criminal charges in connection with the probe.

Jones has not been arrested, and its unclear whether he knows hes been charged with the crime. The Attorney Generals Office filed a request Friday asking the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office to deliver the complaint against him to his last known address.

In June 2022, Jones told History Nebraska officials that he and his wife planned to move to France following his resignation from History Nebraska, the Examiner reported. In his LinkedIn biography, the longtime museum director and curator wrote that he is taking the year to travel the world.

Jones did not immediately return an email seeking comment Tuesday.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023
The Senate of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has elected Justus Sokefun, a professor, as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), a statement from the university said on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement, signed by Ibrahim Sheme, NOUNs Director, Media and Publicity, said that Mr Sokefun polled 48 votes to defeat Gbenga Ojo, also a professor, who got 18 votes in the election for the office during a senate meeting in Lagos.

Reviewing Mr Sokefuns CV, Mr Sheme said the new DVC was the Director, Lagos Study Centre of the university.

The statement revealed that the new DVC studied Law at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), and obtained a Bachelor degree in Law in 1984.

It indicated that he started his career as a Graduate Assistant at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he taught between 1985-1986.

According to the statement, Mr Sokefun served as Special Assistant to the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation between 1993-1994, and later became the Sub-Dean, Faculty of Law, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, from 1994 to 1997.

Mr Sokefun became Dean, Faculty of Law, at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, between 2001 and 2007, joined NOUN as a Professor in 2007, and was appointed as Dean, Faculty of Law.

(NAN)
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led executive as being responsible for budget delay since he came into power.

The Senate on Wednesday started the second reading of the 2019 N8.83 trillion budget, which Buhari presented to it on December 19, 2018.

Owing to breaks they have not been able to hold a debate on the proposal.

Responding to the lead debate on the budget by the Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, Ekweremadu argued that the constitutional provision for the nations financial year, has been from January to December of each year.

He then regretted that the President had always presented the budget before the joint sittings towards the end of December, thereby, making it difficult for quick passage.

Mr. President, my distinguished colleagues, I must commend the Senate leader, for the elaborate lead debate on the budget.

However, the executive is always responsible for budget delay. Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution as amended provided the budget circle from January to December of every year.

In laying the annual budget before us late December as he has been doing makes it difficult for us to meet up with January to December requirements, he said.

According to Ekweremadu, who got re-elected for the 5th time, late passage of the budget affects agriculture in Nigeria because farmers cannot access funds for commercial farming.

His position counters Buharis claim some time ago that the 8th Senate has been slowing down his administration by not passing annual budgets on time.
The Bishop of Diocese on the Coast, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion) in Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State, Rt. Revd Ebunoluwa Ogunele is dead.

According to NAN, the Anglican cleric died on Thursday in Akure, the state capital, after battling with an undisclosed illness.

The town of Ilutitun in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State was on Friday thrown into mourning following the development as pastors, politicians and residents of Ilutitun and environs trooped to the Bishops Court in the town, to condole with the family of the deceased.

Pastor Peter Akinyelure, Chairman, Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Okitipupa Chapter, described the late bishop as a great man of God, who was always ready for the service of God and humanity.

He was a man of God with integrity, always ready to serve God and mankind, we will dearly miss him, he said.

Mr Bode Ikulala, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Okitipupa LGA, described the deceased as one who had succeeded in bringing the Christian fold together without sentiments.

His death is a big loss to all Ikaleland because he worked tirelessly to pursue the development of the Anglican Communion in the area.

Mr Tunde Ikumawoyi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Okitipupa LGA, said the man of God was in the forefront of fence-mending as regards religious, ethnic and political differences in the area.

The late bishop was born in 1950 in Ilutitun, and was consecrated the Lord Bishop of the Diocese in 2002.
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tuesday arrived in Paris, France, preparatory to the Summit on New Global Financing Pact, which will be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

President Tinubu was received at the airport by Ambassador Kayode Laro and other top government officials from the Nigerian Embassy and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the plane touched down at 6.47pm local time.

President Tinubu will receive detailed briefs on Wednesday from Ambassador Laro, Permanent Secretary Adamu Lamuwa, and other officials on Nigerias position on the Summit, and the scheduled sideline meetings with leaders and multilateral institutions.

The President will participate in a two-day Summit, June 22nd and 23rd, that looks at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges, especially the most indebted, mobilize innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change and economies struggling with the effects of Covid-19 and energy crisis.

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.Also okays formal structure for VPs Office

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved the return of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the Office of the Vice President for supervision, in compliance with their various establishment Acts.

Prior to now, NEMA was under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development while NAHCON fell within the purview of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

According to a release issued on Tuesday by the Director of Information in the office of the Vice President, Mr Olusola Abiola, the President also approved a formal structure for the Office of the Vice President as well as an appropriate number of technical and administrative aides that will work with the Vice President in the discharge of his duties.
Two thieves have been arrested for stealing diesel from a government generator in Ekiti state.

The Ekiti police command confirmed the arrest in a statement that reads:

On 20/06/2023 at about 1830hrs, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS), while on patrol along NTA Road, Ado Ekiti, arrested one Joseph Danjuma with a 25litres jerrycan containing diesel suspected to have been stolen.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to have stolen the diesel from the government generator plant located along NTA road powering the street lights in Ado metropolis.

The suspect confessed to have been stealing diesel from the generator plant and mentioned one Bankole Idowu who was subsequently arrested as his partner in the crime.

The two(2) suspects will be arraigned accordingly.
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From Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi

Apparently thrilled by the endless outpouring of encomiums on his son, the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Sen George Akume, by top leaders across the globe, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof James Ayatse, has expressed his joy that the SGF has made Benue State and the Tiv nation proud. The paramount ruler of the Tiv nation stated this at the reception in honour of the newly appointed SGF by friends of the SGF in Abuja described the event as first of its kind to be accorded on any of his sons. He said Akumes appointment was an answer to his prayers that God should lift his subjects and Benue State people to higher positions in Nigeria. The Tor Tiv commended Senator Akumes friends for the honour and urged them to continue to support him to give his best for the unity of the country. The Chairman Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers assured of the unwavering loyalty and support to the new and promising administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Hyacinth Alia to enable them take Nigeria and Benue State to the promised land.

Also, the immediate past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Benue State chapter, Rev. Akpen Leva, has hailed President Ahmed Bola Tinubu over the appointment of Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), saying its recognition of Benue State and North Central Nigeria.

Leva who stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said with the well deserved appointment, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recognized not just the Benue community but entire people of the North Central Nigeria.

The former CAN Chairman said the wealth of experience of Senator Akume would bear on the administration of President Bola Tinubu for the benefit of the nation.

Leva who informed that Senator George Akume had prepared himself adequately and was qualified for the appointment explained that Senator Akume had served creditably in all the places he had worked.

The cleric who urged the SGF to regard the appointment as Gods choice counselled him to continue to put God first in all he does and expressed the belief that it was a sure way he would contribute his quota to his father land.

While describing Senator Akume as a seasoned administrator he also emphasized that the SGF is a man of courage with full of wisdom adding qqqqthat the Benue born politician has all it takes to succeed in that office.

Leva called on Benue people and the entire people of North Central to support Senator Akume in his new assignment to enable him perform maximally for the development of the country.

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Igbo Mandate Congress IMC do hereby applaud President Bola Tinubu on the appointment of Rear Admiral E A Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser.

Rear Admiral OgalLa, a member of the 39th Regular Course, from Enugu Ezike in Enugu State, is the first among equals of the able Igbo GENERALS IN THE Army, Navy and Air Force whose names were put up for the appointment.

This is the second time his name is appearing for appointment as Chief of Naval Staff. The Sfirst, during the second term of President Buhari.

Igbo Mandate Congress IMC has been at the forefront of the campaign for a Service Chief from South East since 2017 in concert with Igbo Ohanaeze Integrity Groups IOIG, Isi Ebubeagu Ndigbo, and Chief Mbazulike Amechi in his capacity as Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council. These groups and individuals made numerous representations to the Buhari government and cabals for Service Chiefs of Igbo Exyraction

All promises from the Buhari Cabals yielded nothing till January 2021 when Major General Lucky Irabor was made the Chief of Defense Staff CDS

With the advent of the Tinubu Presidency, Igbo Mandate Congress,IgIbo Ohanaeze Integrity Groups and Isi Ebubeagu Ndigbo continued the pressures and enlisted the support of credible influencers

Our agitations also got the support of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who authorized the groups to inform the powers that be that Ohanaeze Worldwide is behind the scheme.

Our agitations also got the endorsement of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing led by Barrister Obasi Onu and Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu who during the 3rd Convention of Stakeholders, Past and Present Leaders in Enugu on June 10th, in paragraph four of the communique , ,asked President Tinubu to make Igbo Service Chief.

Igbo Mandate Congress is glad that we have a listening president who in the past twenty days in office has tried to manage Nigerias diversity.

Rear Admiral E A Ogalla has been associated with meticulous discharge of functions, fairness and discipline.

His previous assignments include Director of Audit, Director of Public Relations at the Naval Headquarters.. He was also once the Directing Staff at the National Defense College (NDC), Deputy Commandant Hydrography, Naval Headquarters and Commandant, Hydrography School. Rear Admiral Ogalla is an expert at policy and Planning and Compliance.

Igbo Mandate Congress wishes him the best of luck in his new assignment.

Igbo Mandate Congress also congratulates Mallam Nuhuy Ribadu on his elevation as the National Security Adviser NSA.IMC having followed the antecedents of Ribadu since 2023 as Anti-Graft Chief, Ribadu managed the aspects of intelligence gathering, prosecution and recovery of hundreds of billions of looted funds without the unnecessary media trial and circus show which has brought the anti-graft body to serial infamy.

Igbo Mnadate Congress believes that his wealth of knowledge will result in better management of Nigerias Intelligence Architecture, especially in clinically finding solutions to the IPOB Crisis devoid of bloodshed and unnecessary conflict.

Igbo Mandate Congress thanks President Bola Tinubu for this gesture and asks that the distribution of other political offices follows the same national spread.

Igbo Mandate Congress also thanks Barrister Capeoo EA Okpala Okpalaukwu, who in concert with Rev Obinna Akukwe and late Chief Mbazulike Amechi started this campaign since 2017.

Signed

Rev Obinna Akukwe

Director General, Igbo Mandate Congress IMC

Rev Paschal Nwaigwe

Head of Internal Communications IMC

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Abductors of Reverend Elisha Noma of Nagarta Baptist Church, Angwan Makiri, near Udawa, Chikun local government area of Kaduna State have demanded N20 million ransom, The Nation reports.

The armed kidnappers, numbering about 20, reportedly stormed the village around 1:30 am on Wednesday and forced their way into the Pastors house.

They went away with him and his son.

But, they later released the son, Emmanuel Elisha, who was threatened to go and raise unspecified amount of money as ransom to secure the release of his father within five day or risk being killed.

According to the pastors son: They came around 1 am. They were about 20 armed men came to the village and started hitting at doors but nobody opened.

They then forced their way into houses and vandalised properties. They carted away some valuables including mobile phones and clothing in my mothers box.

They picked me together with my father. But after a while into the bush, I was released and they went away with my father. One of them was dressed in military camouflage.

As they released me, they threatened that if we fail to bring money in five days even though they didnt mention the specific ransom, they will kill him.

We are yet to report to the police because even when we had similar experience in the past and we contacted them, they did not do anything about it. So, it is of no use, he said.

The kidnappers have contacted the pastors family, demanding for N20 million ransoky.

Emmanuel Elisha, who confirmed the development said: The kidnappers called this afternoon and demanded for N20 million ransom.

They still reiterated their threat that, they will kill him if we fail to bring the money within five days.

But, we are still negotiating with them, because we cannot raise N20 million.
President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the discovery of another Islamic rehabilitation centre in Kaduna, where 147 victims were rescued by the police on Saturday, October 19, 2019.

The Kaduna state police command had uncovered another illegal Islamic rehabilitation centre in the Rigasa area of the state.

About 147 victims with some of them in chains were rescued from the facility popularly known as Malam Nigas Rehabilitation Centre.

22 females and four foreigners were among those rescued.

The owner of the centre was immediately arrested and has been taken to the commands office for questioning.

The rescued victims have been evacuated to the Hajj Camp in Mando area of the state capital for further profiling and medical attention.

After the exercise, the state government promised to reunite the victims with their families.

In reaction, President Buhari commended the police for discovering the centres and exposing their operators.

The statement by his Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu reads:

Reacting to the incidents and arrests, President Buhari notes that such arrests is in line with his commitment to human rights and dignity of the citizens regardless of their age, religion and ethnicity. President Buhari will including the abduction of children and selling them off illegally. On torture chambers, in this day and age, no responsible democratic government would tolerate the existence of the torture chambers and physical abuses of inmates in the name of rehabilitation of the victims. The President, therefore, lauds the efforts of the police in exposing these human rights abuses by individuals and criminal groups and is optimistic that these efforts will be sustained to check illegal activities of this nature. The President appeals to members of the general public to remain vigilant and assist security agencies in crime prevention and control by reporting the existence of criminal activities around their communities. The sharing of human intelligence is everybodys responsibility in order to make our society safe and this government is ever committed to supporting the police to be more effective in the performance of its duties through proper funding and motivation of its personnel.

Meanwhile, KanyiDaily had reported few days ago that Police uncovered another house of horror in President Buharis home town, Daura, Katsina State.

The Police raided the torture centre following a riot by the inmates over excessive abuses.
<! Keniebi Okoko >

By Abankula

Keniebi Okoko, Bayelsa-born billionaire businessman and philanthropist, has died in Lagos, throwing many Bayelsans into mourning.

Some reports said Okoko, son of Professor Kimse Okoko, died on Tuesday during a liposuction surgery in a Lagos hospital.

A power outage was blamed for the death.

Okoko was in his early 40s.

He contested the Bayelsa primary for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party last year. He did not succeed.

He was also a pastor of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt.

Many Bayelsans and people who he had touched in his lifetime, were shocked by his sudden death.

They poured out their anguish in posts on Facebook.

Ojims Michael wrote: Keniebi Okoko please wake up, please remember all we prayed about.

This one came as a big shock to me last night, suddenly gone forever OMG you are just too young for this I cant even wrap my head around this oh God why?, wrote Stephanie T.Douglas.

Pro-Jane Whatson said: A big loss to all of us at salvation ministries. Just take it as God know why and celebrate his salvation and look very for God while on Earth.

Michael Osaro Jnr wrote a lengthy tribute:

I cant find the rationale behind the death of a promising and wealthy young man like this who is even a pastor, a giver and a faithful servant of God.

Na waaa oooo. Watin man go do for this life self. Life is absolutely nothing my brother.

Rest in Peace and sleep well in the bosom of the Lord my beloved pastor Keniebe Kimson Koko. We will miss you greatly

Okoko was the founder and CEO KDI Group, said to be involved in oil and gas.

He was reputed to be the godson of former Nigerian leader, Goodluck Jonathan.

According to his Facebook wall, Okoko attended University Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS), Choba.

He also went to University of Port Harcourt.

In 2018, he went for the certificate programme in Harvard Business School.
Barely nine days to President Muhammadu Buharis inauguration for a second term on May 29, ministers have intensified lobby to retain their appointments in the federal cabinet, LEADERSHIP Sunday has learnt.

This comes as the president is expected to convene the last meeting of the current Federal Executive Council (FEC) and officially dissolve its membership this week.

A special FEC will hold on Monday for the ministers to attend to last- minute memos and projects, while the valedictory FEC meeting is slated for Wednesday.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that about 70 percent of the current ministers are desperately lobbying to serve in the next cabinet.

Some top government and party sources told our correspondents in confidence that some of the minister seeking to return to the cabinet have abandoned their tasks and are busy chasing after close associates of the president to help them into the anticipated federal council.

Another source in the All Progressives Congress (APC) revealed that President Buhari has weighed his options for a new cabinet that would help him deliver on his campaign promises, stressing that he had already compiled a list of such ministers.

The source said, There is intense lobbying. This is because they have realised that unlike in 2015 when it took about six months for the president to show up with his list of ministers, he is determined to hit the ground running this time around. From all indications, Mr. President is going to set the ball rolling. He is bent on sending his list of ministers to the Senate almost immediately it is convened in June.

According to him, the president intends to do a clean sweep of the cabinet and gather a new team that would help him deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians. They have held talks with the members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and other close associates of Mr President.

Another reliable source disclosed that APC members who lost their governorship and senatorial elections are also lobbying to make the cabinet. It was learnt that some of them would be compensated with ministerial and other federal appointments.

A source said President Buhari will have an extended cabinet this time around, disclosing that apart from the mandatory 36 ministers from each state of the federation, the president is likely pick six extra ministers, one from each geopolitical zone. He said: Remember the president mooted the idea of an expanded cabinet in 2017 but had to shelve the idea because of various political interests. But, definitely, this time we are going to have an expanded cabinet.

This time around the Power, Works and Housing Ministry will be unbundled into three different ministries for efficient service delivery. The Aviation ministry will be promoted to a full ministry and will no longer be under the ministry of transportation.

The President is also likely to relinquish the petroleum ministry while the minister of state for petroleum portfolio will be abolished, the source said. Another top source, who spoke in confidence, said: No one knows the mindset of the President on how he will constitute the next Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The situation is so dicey that those rated as closer to the President in the cabinet cannot authoritatively say whether or not they will be retained.

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A dismissed soldier identified as Lance Corporal Khalid Mohammed was on Wednesday August 7, paraded alongside 78 others by Kaduna state Police Command for armed robbery.

The suspect said he has been into armed robbery since 2006 after being dismissed from the Nigerian Army for shooting his then Guard Commander.

The father of two, arrested for robbing an apartment in Upper Volta area of Malali in Kaduna state, promised to change upon being arrested and also accepted to take any punishment he is served because he deserves it.
NORMAL  Extraordinary sounds are shaping up for Make Music Normal.

The free, two-day music festival takes over Uptown Normal this weekend, bumping to many styles of nearly 50 artists. The lineup includes several musicians and bands previously interviewed in this column, and it's been splendid following them all.

Headlining Friday is the funky, cosmic circus party of Sun Stereo, which boasts Beatlesque vocals and astronomically high-tempo jams. They thoroughly dazzled the Summer Camp Music Festival Campfire Stage in Chillicothe late last month. If you didnt catch that show, dont miss out when they blast off at 9 p.m. Friday from the North Street Stage.

Two teaching rock stars of the Twin Cities will be stealing Saturdays top billing show with their Champaign-crafted college band. Poster Children returns for its first concert here since 2018, and includes two Illinois State University Creative Technologies professors, guitarist Rick Valentin and bassist Rose Marshack. The creators of quirky 1990s indie rock tracks like If You See Kay take the North Street Stage at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Marshack told me this week Poster Children is so excited to play. And, they dont play in the same town very often, because they want to make every performance very special.

She exclaimed: Playing Make Music Normal is thrilling because it is such an inclusive, participatory event!

Marshack added their hometown neighbors and colleagues who know them in their regular lives might be surprised to discover their on-stage personas.

Poster Children is also touring through the region to promote the re-release of the bands first album, Flower Power (a double-vinyl recorded by Steve Albini) and Marshacks book Play Like a Man, which hit shelves early this year and was featured January in this column.

Bloomington rap artist V8 Vast Change will also be throwing down smooth bars at 9:45 p.m. Saturday on the Uptown Circle stage. Dominique Stevenson was one of the first artists I interviewed for this column April last year, and his show bookings and new material continues to impress me.

Last month, V8 Vast Change pitched in hard for cypher track I Wanna Know You, where Brutha Rick and Javier Zachi matched him up against six other artists for a music video filmed outside the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts. Stevenson said he sat on Ricks invite for a while, as hes cautious about joining in projects with so many performers. However, he said he decided he couldnt pass it up, and enjoyed shooting the video and holding a friendly competition on who could write the best verses.

Stevenson said every year, he looks forward to Make Music Normal. His first time there was in 2018, he said, after Marcos Mendez (also performing Saturday) tipped him off about the event.

"This festival will always have my support," he said, "and heart no matter how big I get."

Urbana-Champaign power-pop group Modern Drugs were rained out of two shows last year at Connie Link Amphitheater following my August column that featured the five-piece group.

But the rock doctors are back in for a 6:45 p.m. Saturday set on the Broadway Stage. Guitarist Ryan Groff told me Wednesday hes 100% excited for a show with no rain forecast this weekend. He expects the big festival will activate to its full potential.

It will be their first show in town since they joined Junior Varsity at nightshop July last year, so make sure to get a good dose of tracks like Under Attack before this dispensary of rock runs out of stock.

One more top-notch rock band, which was featured in this column last month, is also making it to Make Music Normal. Harlem Hayfield is playing the North Street stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. This Decatur hard rock group hits hard with track Sick Style, so dont be a sheep and sleep on their set.

Hard rock, high repute

Drew Cagle has got a Reputation to uphold. And, he makes no apologies in keeping that real.

He termed Drew Cagle & The Reputation as an unapologetically high-energy, national touring hard rock band. Next stop is 3:45 p.m. Saturday on the fests Beaufort Street Stage.

The 22-year-old Champaign vocalist with guitar and piano training is on a mission to produce authentically original material. Cagle said in order to make people feel the same way he felt hearing his favorite bands, he has to make music that hasnt ever been made before.

The frontman said as a lead vocalist, his top inspirations come from Axl Rose of Guns N Roses, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, and Motley Crues Vince Neil, a likeness he hears a lot from fans.

Although he mostly shows off his vocal chords on stage, Cagle also at times takes his hand to rhythm guitar. The Reputation released an eight-track debut album Halloween 2021 titled Haunted. Playing fourth on that record is Haunted By Your Love, layering serene vocal harmonies over solidly-themed acoustic guitar riffs.

Cagle said Haunted is a concept album about living with past regrets and the thoughts that accompany them. He added the record is a series of stories told with an underlying theme in each song, which continues the overall message as you progress through each song.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is another fresh rock anthem released by The Reputation, as well as South Side of San Francisco. When songwriting, Cagle said hes a fan of alliteration, and as a writer, Im right there with him.

His most recent local shows were at the Corn Crib Stadium, opening Oct. 15 last year for Lita Ford, and then July 10 for Puddle of Mudd at that same venue.

Cagle said performing at the Puddle of Mudd show was a dream come true, and one of his favorite concerts.

Normal welcomed us with open arms we spent the rest of the night at the merch table (with fans), he said.

Cagle said hes excited to perform in Normal again, and his band is banked up on a bunch of unreleased music concertgoers could hear Saturday. He aims to release a new single, or maybe a full album in late 2023 or early 2024.

Festival attendees may park for free at the College Avenue Parking deck, or other surface lots in Uptown Normal. More information can be found on the Town of Normals website at normalil.gov/1653/Parking

Make Music Normal schedule Friday, June 23 North Street Stage 5:45-6:30 p.m.  The Bashful Youngens 7:15-8 p.m.  Tambora 9-10 p.m.  Sun Stereo Broadway Street Stage 5-5:45 p.m.  Soft Coup 6:30-7:15 p.m.  Formidable Foe 8-9 p.m.  Merry Travelers Uptown Circle 5-5:45 p.m.  JaM Acoustic 6:15-7 p.m.  Darius 7:30-8:15 p.m.  Josh Catalano 8:45-9:30 p.m.  Phanie Rae & Neil Walker Alley Stage 5-5:45 p.m.  Adelphi Set 6:30-7:15 p.m.  The Green Embers 8-8:45 p.m.  Dirty Rotten Revenge Beaufort Street Stage 5:45-6:30p.m.  Geoff Beran & The Mystery Van 7:15-8:00p.m.  Whiskey Seven 8:45-9:30p.m.  Random Hands Uptown Lounge Stage 5-7:45 p.m.  Open Mic 8-10 p.m.  Karaoke by Sparrow Entertainment Normal Theater 10:15-11:45 p.m.  Make Music Normal Drag Show After Party with Rita Tarot and Friends Saturday, June 24 Normal Theater 4:30-5:30 p.m.  Intro to DJing, featuring Jodah North Street Stage 12:15-12:45 p.m.  ISU String Project 1:30-2:15 p.m.  MIOpera 3-4 p.m.  BCAI-CAH 4:30-5:15 p.m.  Denise La Grassa Band 6:00-6:45 p.m.  Ryan Byfield and Nuclei 7:30-8:15 p.m.  Harlem Hayfield 9-10 p.m.  Poster Children Broadway Stage 12:45-1:30 p.m.  Angelia Mendoza 2:15-3 p.m.  Marcos Mendez 4-4:30 p.m.  Stan $tax 5:15-6 p.m.  Tatiana 6:45-7:30 p.m.  Modern Drugs 8:15-9 p.m.  Josie Lowder Band Uptown Circle 12:30-1 p.m.  Ethan Orr 1:30-2:15 p.m.  Drew Goss 2:45-3:15 p.m.  Marcfirst Melodies 3:45-4:30 p.m.  Pete Jive 5-5:45 p.m.  Isabel Osorio 6:15-7 p.m.  Maestro Jones 7:30-8:15 p.m.  Kyle Yap 8:45-9:30 p.m.  V8 Vast Change Make Music Weird Stage 1:15-2 p.m.  Shinzon 3-3:45 p.m.  Jimonah 4:45-5:30 p.m.  Sad Rat 6:15-7 p.m.  Big Bright Karl Fire 7:45-8:30 p.m.  Brandon Cattle with The Branding Irons Beaufort Street Stage 12:30-1:15 p.m.  Nitsch Theater Arts 2-3 p.m.  "Airness" Air Guitar Competition 3:45-4:45 p.m.  Drew Cagle & The Reputation 5:30-6:15 p.m.  Straight Answer Jazz Trio 7-7:45 p.m.  Live Karaoke Band 8:30-9:30 p.m.  Live Karaoke Band Uptown Lounge 12-1 p.m.  ARC Open Jam Session 1:15-3 p.m.  Open Mic 3:30-4:30 p.m.  Gardner Family Band 5-9:30 p.m.  Open Mic

Photos: Making music around Normal 062418-blm-loc-2music 062418-blm-loc-3music 062418-blm-loc-5music 062418-blm-loc-6music 062418-blm-loc-7music 062418-blm-loc-8music 062418-blm-loc-1music 062418-blm-loc-9music 062418-blm-loc-4music 062418-blm-loc-10music 062418-blm-loc-11music 062418-blm-loc-12music
BLOOMINGTON  A fraternity that had struggled with recruitment issues is returning to Illinois Wesleyan University in the fall, the university announced Wednesday.

Acacia Fraternity, which was founded in 1904 at the University of Michigan, shut down its IWU chapter temporarily in spring 2022.

Acacia was having trouble maintaining solid membership numbers, so the chapter was put on hold for the 2022-23 school year, Julia Perez, assistant director of communications, told The Pantagraph in an email.

A chapter update featured in the the fall 2022 edition of The Triad of Acacia, the fraternitys magazine, states that due to the size of the chapter, an undue burden was placed on the remaining members. However, the fraternity had secured its return to campus in fall 2023, it said.

The Illinois Wesleyan chapter of Acacia, founded in 1957, experienced its first shutdown in January of 1985 when the university terminated the chapters charter, according to the chapters website. The university officially returned the chapters charter in May of 1991.

Before the most recent shutdown, the chapter hosted activities including community cleanups and fundraising events, as shown on the chapters Twitter page.

Were excited to see the fraternity making a return for the fall semester with increased recruitment efforts, Perez said.

In a social media post, IWU encouraged students to stay tuned for opportunities to support the return efforts.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man is facing burglary and trespassing charges after authorities said he broke into a neighbor's home.

Philip R. McCullum is charged with one count of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony, and one count of criminal trespass to a residence, a Class 4 felony.

Assistant States Attorney Aaron Fredrick said that according to police, McCullum broke into a residence on June 19 on the 1500 block of W. Forrest Street with the intent to steal money. He was later arrested after police found him at his home.

Although the state requested a $100,000 bond, Judge Amy McFarland set bond at $20,000, meaning McCullum would need to post $2,000 to be released. McCullum also was ordered to have no contact with the residents of the home he entered.

An arraignment hearing was scheduled for July 7 at 9 a.m.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones
EAST PEORIA  The Tazewell County Health Department will host the 7th annual Bumps2Babies resource event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 8.

The event will be held at the Fondulac Park District building at 201 Veterans Drive in East Peoria.

The health department will offer free diapers and other baby items at the event, including prizes. The Bumps2Babies event is open to all expecting parents and families with a baby up to 1 year old.

Topics will include the benefits of a health pregnancy, effects of smoking on pregnancy, nutrition, car seat safety, breastfeeding education and more.

All participants will be entered in a drawing for a prize. The event is free and funded by the Illinois Department of Human Resources.

Call 309-929-0233 for more information.

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BLOOMINGTON  The Bloomington Fire Department is conducting live fire training in a mock airplane today at Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington.

The training, required by the Federal Aviation Administration, began at 10:30 a.m. today and will end around 4 p.m., according to a news release from the fire department.

People in the area may notice smoke and an increased amount of emergency vehicles on the airfield.

The training will focus on extinguishing fires inside the airplane, creating a safe path using simulated foam for evacuating persons on board the aircraft, and using specialized nozzles operated from within the CRASH truck to create exit paths and extinguish fuel fires, the fire department said.

BFD provides 24-hour aircraft rescue and fire-fighting protection to CIRA.

Photos: Emergency crews train on air disaster readiness at Bloomington airport 061222-blm-loc-1training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-2training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-3training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-4training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-5training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-6training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-7training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-8training.jpg
China's Yichang advances green shipping for better environment of Yangtze River

10:19, June 21, 2023 By Yu Weiliang, Qiang Yuwen, Fan Haotian ( People's Daily

In the downstream section of the Gezhouba Dam on the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei province, a pure electric cruise can be seen for sightseeing services. The vessel, with no pungent smell of diesel fuel or the engine roar, boasts a maximum range of 150 kilometers with a single charge.

Photo shows the pure electric cruises ship Yangtze River Three Gorges 1. (Photo from China Three Gorges Corporation)

The ship has consumed a total of 950,000 kWh of electricity since its maiden voyage in March last year, which is equivalent to a reduction of more than 750 tons of carbon dioxide emissions compared to regular fuel-powered vessels of similar power.

Yichang is located at the juncture of the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It is home to the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydropower project, and the Gezhouba Dam, one of the largest run-of-river hydropower stations in the world.

Each year, around 60,000 vessels pass by the section. Therefore, it is of great significance to protect the ecology of the Yangtze River by making ship trips more environmentally friendly.

Over recent years, Yichang has intensively and continuously promoted green shipping and achieved fruitful results. Ships berthing or waiting for the lock basically achieve zero emission, and shore power has been widely used. Besides, more new energy vessels are manufactured and put into operation.

When the sun just went down, cargo ship Dayang 86 lowered its anchor at an anchorage in Yichang. The ship generated 3 cubic meters of domestic sewage during its week-long voyage.

Captain Li Yongjiang submitted a form of pollutant handover on a mobile application named Jing Xiao Yi, which means "clean Yichang" in Chinese. Just 15 minutes later, a vessel came near his ship and picked up the sewage.

Jing Xiao Yi is an information system for the synergetic governance of pollutants from ships launched by Yichang authorities. With this system, ships, pollutant-picking vessels, transferring vehicles and institutions responsible for final disposal are able to collaborate online, and thus form a closed loop for the disposal of pollutants from ships.

At present, domestic garbage and sewage from ships are received, transferred and disposed of for free. It is as easy as hailing an "online cab" for ships to get their pollutants picked, said Hu Zhaohui, head of the municipal traffic and transport bureau, adding that ships and barges today are handing over their pollutants voluntarily.

A large garbage cleaning boat is heading to the waters near the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, central China's Hubei province. (People's Daily Online/Zheng Jiayu)

At midnight, the Yangtze River Three Gorges 1 moored at a dock of the Three Gorges Dam tourist area after a 2-hour sightseeing tour, where clean shore power was continuously delivered to the "hotel on the river."

The ship has four battery cabins consisting of lithium iron phosphate battery packs, carrying power equivalent to the total battery capacity of over 120 electric vehicles.

According to Li Xingheng, a shore power technician with a branch of State Grid Corporation of China in Yichang, high-voltage shore power can be turned into low-voltage electricity by transformers on the ship, and the ship can also replenish power at multiple docks in the upper stream.

This new model has solved the high-power charging problem of large pure electric vessels, Li added.

In the past, power generation relied on fuel while ships were berthed, which created air and noise pollution.

A cargo ship refuels with liquefied natural gas at a new energy dock in Guizhou township, Yichang, central China's Hubei province. (People's Daily Online/Zheng Jiayu)

A cargo ship refuels with liquefied natural gas at a new energy dock in Guizhou township, Yichang, central China's Hubei province.

Today, Yichang has launched six typical shore supply systems that meet the demand for power consumption of various types of ships with different docking modes. It has also built a cloud networking platform to provide vessels and ports with mobile payment and other convenient services.

Yichang is the first city along the Yangtze River to be completely covered by standardized shore power. So far, shore power has become available at 63 commercial docks and two anchorage sites in the Yichang section, providing a total of 25 million kWh of clean shore power for more than 14,000 vessels.

The consumption of shore power in the section is expected to exceed 7 million kWh this year.

The Yangtze River Three Gorges 1 was built by a local shipbuilder in Yichang, and Three Gorges Tourism, a company based in Hubei province, is one of the investors.

"It has completed nearly 300 trips and carried a total of 280,000 passengers, creating tourism revenue of over 12 million yuan ($1.67 million). The pure electric cruise is operating with promising results," said Liu Jun, deputy general manager of the company operating the vessel, which is under the Three Gorges Tourism.

According to him, the company invested in two other pure electric cruise ships last year, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Yichang enjoys a long history of shipbuilding. It is home to 25 shipbuilders and over 100 shipping companies.

Today, focusing on the development of new and clean energy-powered ships, the city is accelerating the green transition and high-quality development of its shipbuilding industry.

In March this year, China's first R&D studio for green and intelligent ships was established in Yichang. Six cooperation projects participated by enterprises, universities and research institutions are currently in progress, which aim at breaking the technological bottlenecks in the manufacturing of pure electric cargo vessels.

On May 18, an industrial park for green and intelligent shipbuilding was put into use in the city. With a total investment of 8 billion yuan, the park is attracting green and intelligent shipbuilders as well as relevant supporting enterprises along the industrial chain.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Police in Nigeria are calling on victims of an internet prankster to come forward and report him for the distress he has caused them.



Trinity Guy films and uploads skits to social media for his thousands of viewers. Some of these show him pretending to be shot dead, to the shock of unsuspecting passers-by.



"I think the guy should have been arrested. Those individuals who feel the heat and fear of the pranks should be reporting the pranksters as many of their pranks are criminals [sic], immoral, and evil," commented police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi about the video below.



"These women have a good case against him," he added.



Some online have hit back at the police, saying the force should deal with its own record of brutality and corruption that prompted Nigeria's #EndSars protest movement.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ghanas Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is fostering close collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria in the fight against cybercrime.



Combining survey results from INTERPOL showed an increase of 132 per cent in reported cybercrime between 2013 and 2015, with an average of USD2.7 million from businesses and USD422, 000 from individuals stolen each year. However, an average of 30 per cent of cybercrimes reported to law enforcement in the region over the same period resulted in arrests.



The paper shows two major types of threat actors who are active throughout the region  so-called Yahoo boys and Next-Level Cybercriminals.



Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah(Mrs) at the opening of the Cybercrime Peer Exchange Programme hosted by the EFCC, Nigeria was elated over the collaboration.



She disclosed that it would go a long way to enhance the fight against cybercrime within the West African Sub-Region.

 I am excited about the fact that the EFCC agreed to host us for this program which would serve as a potent mechanism for sharing experiences, reinforcing best practices, identifying deficiencies, and assessing capacity-building needs to foster policies, standards and practices that would lead to effective crime fighting and crime prevention strategies, in the West African sub-region, she revealed.



Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC commended EOCO for its collaborations with his outfit over the years in combating economic and financial crimes and upholding the principles of justice and integrity.



EOCO has remained a long-standing partner of the Commission and our relationship has been an excellent example of the value of fostering strong partnerships and cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies across the globe. Such alliances have been instrumental in combating economic and financial crimes and upholding the principles of justice and integrity. Today, we embark on another step in this journey as we welcome our distinguished delegation from Ghana, he said.



He expressed hope that the Peer Exchange Programme would offer a unique opportunity for both countries to engage in peer learning through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices in the field of law enforcement and anti-corruption efforts.



Together, we can contribute to strengthening the fight against economic and financial crimes and the promotion of the rule of law in our respective countries, he stressed.



The Regional Peer Exchange is supported by GIZ Governance for Inclusive Development Programme Co-funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.



These organisations in the last two years have been supporting state and non-state institutions in strengthening structures and systems in the fight against Serious and Organised Crime.



As part of the programmes goal to strengthen regional cooperation, the regional peer exchange between the Economic and Organised Crime Office, Ghana and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Nigeria was therefore organised.



The aim of the exchange is to strengthen regional collaboration and cooperation in the fight against Cybercrime and other Serious and Organised Crime.



It also aims at providing an opportunity for the two institutions to exchange best practices and discuss existing challenges with regard to regional cooperation mechanisms and how to effectively cooperate to tackle Cybercrime and other Serious and Organised Crime.



In attendance are 14 staff from EOCO, two from the Ghana Police Service and Four from GIZ.

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Investigations into attempted exports of five containers of Rosewood species in June and July 2021 are yet to be concluded, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has said.



In June 2021, five containers loaded with Rosewood were impounded at the Tema Port.



Following reports of the arrest, a team from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource, led by Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, a Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, inspected the containers and after going through all required processes, the containers were evacuated to the Forestry Commission Depot in Achimota, and the Rosewood subsequently were allegedly donated to the National Cathedral Project.



Meanwhile, giving an answer to a question on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday by Mr Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu, a National Democratic Congress (NDC), Member of Parliament (MP), for Tamale North, Mr Jinapor said he was informed that investigations were ongoing.



Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, who asked the question on behalf of Mr Sayibu, inquired about the outcome of investigations into attempted exports of five containers of Rosewood species in June and July of 2021.



Mr Speaker, apart from this specific investigation of the five containers, on 30th August 2021, I wrote to the Minister for National Security requesting full-scale investigations into the cartels involved in this Rosewood business, and I am informed that this investigation is also ongoing, he said.



Mr Jinapor, also a New Patriotic Party (NPP), MP for Damango, emphasised that the matters of investigations and law enforcement were within the remit of the various security agencies established by law.



According to him, the Ministry continued to provide these agencies with the needed support and cooperation to execute their mandate and to ensure that all those found culpable were made to face the full rigours of the law.



Mr Jinapor further told the House that a ban on the harvesting, trading, exporting and importing of Rosewood, as well as the issuance of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), permits for the export of Rosewood, remained in full force.



And Mr Speaker, we have, largely, come to grips with legalities associated with Rosewood. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to protect, preserve and conserve this precious endangered species, he said.









Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Parents of students missing after an attack on a school in western Uganda are flocking to the local police station to submit DNA samples that could identify their children among the 42 bodies that have been recovered.



One of Uganda's biggest massacres in recent decades occurred Friday night at Lhubirira Secondary School. Assailants set a dormitory full of boys alight, then attacked a dormitory full of girls, hacking victims to death with machetes and knives.



Six students were also abducted by the attackers, who the authorities say were fighters from an Islamic State-affiliated group based across the border in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.



Regional police commander Tai Ramadhan said many of the dead bodies were charred beyond recognition, forcing investigators to use DNA samples from relatives to try to identify them.



Simon Kule, who had come to Bwera Police Station to give a DNA sample, was still looking for his son, Philmon Mumbere.



"So they should help us to know - either these people are still there or they are in the mortuary so that we should prepare in time."



Solomon Mulekya was looking for his daughter, Trephine Kaghuo.



"We are not happy, because we have lost our children," he said. "I'm there in suspense, whether the rebels they have taken her or we don't know they killed her along the way."



Authorities said on Monday that 20 suspected "collaborators" of the attackers, including the school's head teacher, had been detained for questioning.









Source: Reuters









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Executive Director of the Centre for Intellectual Excellence, Mr. Patrick Arthur has emphasized the need to appreciate diversity by embracing different backgrounds and experiences as a society.



This according to him can be done by welcoming and being inclusive of diverse ideas and perspective as well as ensuring that equitable measures are put in place to support diverse populations.



Mr. Patrick Arthur said this in an interview with Peace News Journalist Sampson Kwame Nyamekye at the Opening of the World Diversity in Leadership Conference at the Coast Nisku Inn and conference centre Edmonton, Canada under the theme Climate Change and Mental Health, the Impact of Diverse leadership skills



This global conference saw attendees include leaders, decision-makers, researchers, students, and community leaders from all walks of life.



According to Mr Arthur, discussions will focus on workplace mental wellness, indigenous relations, Sex and Gender Diversity, Cultural Diversity, Racial Diversity, and Disability rights among other topics.



He told Sampson that the Centre for Intellectual Excellence (CeFIE) is committed to creating space and opportunity for people to harness their skills and potential but this dream is not achievable without recognizing and addressing the barriers against equitable participation.



Welcoming the participant's President and Founder of the Organization, Dr Hilda Arthur added that Climate change and mental health are two urgent and complex problems that require innovative solutions and compassionate leadership adding that by bringing together diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences, society would have the opportunity to unlock new approaches, foster resilience, and promote well-being in the face of adversity.



He said this conference will again serve as a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration as we explore strategies, tools and skills that can be employed to address and minimize the impact of climate change and mental health.



The previous two conferences have been resounding successes, leaving an impressive impact on the global population and leadership landscape. With the contributions from our past speakers and participants, we have ignited conversations, fostered collaborations, and inspired change that reaches far beyond the conference walls she said.



The Centre for Intellectual Excellence (CFIE) is a non-profit educational and professional organization based in Edmonton, Alberta established in 2019. The Organization aims to provide resources for educational and professional growth to individuals from diverse backgrounds enabling them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Source: SAMPSON KWAME NYAMEKYE- EDMONTON, CANADA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Mercer Agyapa, has refuted assertions that the ousted Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, is being prosecuted because the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wants a majority in parliament.



According to him, the ousted MP committed a crime and the fact that his conviction would affect the numbers at parliament is not a reason for him not to be prosecuted.



Speaking in a TV3 interview shared on Facebook on Monday, June 19, 2023, Agyapa Mercer added that the evidence is clear that Gyakye Quayson committed a crime and he has no doubt that he would be jailed.



This gentleman who is taking the NDCs abuse willingly, violated the statutory declaration, saying that he owed no allegiance to any other country.



And I hear some argument to the effect that the man had tendered his application to the Canadian authorities, really and that is exculpatory. Are we serious?



The deputy energy minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, added, What kind of joke is this? What kind of joke is this? The law is clear on this... He had another citizenship other than Ghana he is going to jail.



The High Court in Accra, on Friday (June 18, 2023), ruled that the ongoing criminal trial of ousted Assin North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, will be heard daily starting from Tuesday, June 20, 2023.



This was after the presiding judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, turned down an application for the trial to be adjourned till after the by-election.



The Court has since fixed June 20, 21, and 23 for the trial to continue.



Quayson was recently ousted from parliament after the Supreme Court of Ghana ruled that he was ineligible to contest in the 2020 parliamentary election because he failed to renounce his Canadian citizenship in time.



But there is still one case the former MP has to face in court after the Office of the Attorney General accused him of deceiving public officers to acquire state documents.



On February 12, 2022, the State charged James Gyakye Quayson with five counts; deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration.













Source: ghanaweb.com









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In line with its global initiative Responsib'All Day, Pernod Ricard Ghana, a subsidiary of the Pernod Ricard Group, a leading producer of wines and spirits, has provided a treated water facility for Dzapatara, a small community in the Eastern Region.



The long-term water project for the Dzapatara community is in partnership with Tovila Water Solutions, a leading firm specializing in the field of research and all water treatment and engineering services.



Speaking on the water project, Eunice Osei-Tutu, the Sustainability and Responsibility Manager at Pernod Ricard Ghana, said the initiative is aimed at ensuring quality water is available to the community with a population of about 700, on a sustainable basis and for their wellbeing.



"ResponsibAll Day is a special day for the Pernod Ricard Group. It is a day where globally, all over 19,000 employees dedicate their time to actively contribute to the Groups Sustainability & Responsibility Roadmap, Good Times from a Good Place. The theme for this year is Wellbeing of Our People and Communities. In line with the theme, we in Ghana decided to provide quality water for Dzapatara on a sustainable basis. Dzapatara is a small community in the Upper West-Akyem district, that struggles with access to safe potable water, which is a basic necessity for the wellbeing of all human beings. And so, we are excited to work with Tovila on this sustainable project for the community".







Mrs. Osei-Tutu further mentioned that the gesture is aligned with the second pillar of Pernod Ricards sustainability and responsibility roadmap, which is Valuing People.



In addition, employees donated clothes, shoes, sanitary pads, and stationery to the natives of the community.

On Dzapataras behalf, Odikoro of Adeamra No. 2, Bafour Opare Ampofo Yentumi ll, commended Pernod Ricard Ghana for the water facility.



"We are very grateful to Pernod Ricard Ghana for giving us safe drinking water. We used to drink the same water as the cows in the community, so this gesture means a lot to us. We will ensure we take good care of this water facility. Again, we call on other corporations to support us with a hospital and school".



ResponsibAll Day is a reflection of the Pernod Ricard Groups long-term commitment to supporting its communities, partners, and employees. Launched in 2011, it is celebrated annually and seeks to encourage the sharing of best practices as well as the implementation of concrete initiatives by gathering all Pernod Ricard employees for one day devoted to CSR.

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The wife of world-renowned expert and advocate of sickle cell disease, Mrs. Janet Ohene-Frempong has donated items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to two sickle cell clinics at two health facilities in Ghana.



The facilities are the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH). Items presented include stationery and some refreshment for the children attending the clinic. The donation was in honour of her late husband, Professor Kwaku Ohene-Frempong. It is also her contribution to the sickle cell community to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day 2023.



World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) is marked on 19th June every year ever since it was officially designated by the UN in December 2008. It was first commemorated in June 2009 to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and related conditions, and the challenges experienced by patients, their families, and healthcare providers.



On WSCD and within June each year, individuals, groups, and organizations organize activities across the world to give hope to persons living with the disease. One such individual who has impacted many lives in the sickle cell community nationally and globally is the late Prof. Ohene-Frempong.



Mrs. Ohene- Frempong, revealed that, Throughout his years, Prof. Ohene-Frempong, advocated for quality healthcare services for persons living with sickle cell disease in Ghana. It is based on this that I celebrate him, as the world celebrates World Sickle Cell Day.



Speaking on the theme Support for Sickle Cell Warriors  In Honour of Prof. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, Mrs. Ohene-Frempong, who is also the Board Chair of Sickle Gene International Foundation in the USA, explained, My husband and I have known the challenges and the pain of having to live with sickle cell disease. Our son, Kwame, was born with it in May of 1972. From May of 1972 until May of 2022, when my husband passed away, he devoted 50 years of his medical career to keeping as many people with sickle cell disease alive and as well as possible. Prof Ohene-Frempong is no longer here amongst us. But I am. And I will work along with many others to see that persons living with sickle cell disease get the quality of care they deserve. With screening for early detection and with the provision of affordable hydroxyurea and other disease-modifying medications, we can make life better for thousands of people. This, in turn, can give people hope for when a safe, accessible, and affordable cure becomes available. Meanwhile, let us treasure and celebrate each precious life.



Madam Awo Twumasi, a parent of a teenager with sickle cell disease shared her experience with Prof. Ohene-Frempong, KOFs legacy of work, dedication, and passion lives on. For KOF, putting a smile on a childs face through this donation to the Sickle Cell Association of GARH. These books, coloring materials, and items will go a long way to minimize the stress in children who might be in distress or experiencing an SCD crisis while visiting the SCD clinic.



In addition, Madam Awo, who is also the President of the Sickle Cell Association of Ghana, Greater Accra Regional Hospital Chapter, said On this World Sickle Cell Day, Were reminded of KOFs tireless body of work to improve the quality of lives of people with Sickle Cell Disease. His motivation reaffirms our commitment to stay the course of improving the lives of people with SCD by keeping the flame alive through the advancement of newborn Screening in Ghana and strengthening our partnerships with Global healthcare organizations to make available the best treatment therapies like Hydroxyurea and related options to people with sickle cell disease.



Prof. Ohene-Frempong was well known in the global sickle cell disease community for his tireless efforts in advocating for persons living with sickle cell disease. He brought hope to many in the sickle cell disease community, especially in his homeland Ghana. His vision was to get every child in Ghana screened at birth and if diagnosed positive, start early treatment to live a full and healthy life.



Popularly known in the sickle cell community as KOF, Prof. Ohene-Frempong introduced to Africa and Ghana the method of newborn screening in sickle cell disease which has and continues to benefit thousands of families with sickle cell disease.



Not only did he introduce and led in the implementation of newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Ghana. Prof Ohene-Frempong, through his long history with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), developed a relationship with Novartis, which resulted in the implementation of Hydroxyurea Therapy for a large number of persons with sickle cell disease in Ghana and the establishment of 12 new Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers in Regional Hospitals in Ghana.



He was the President of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana and the National Coordinator of the Newborn Screening Programme for Sickle Cell Disease. He was an Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania and Director Emeritus of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at CHOP. He was a founding member of the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network, national coordinator for the American Society of Hematology Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa, and Chief Medical Officer, Board of Directors Chairman, and Board Member Emeritus of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Among others, he served as a member of the following institutional boards: Newborn Screening Technical Advisory Committee, Dept. of Health, Pennsylvania; Blood Products Advisory Committee, Food and Drug Administration, USA; Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, National Institutes of Health; Chairman, Executive Committee, National Advisory Board, National Coordinating and Evaluation Center, Sickle Cell Disease and Newborn Screening Program, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children, Secretary of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Source: Peacefmonline com









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Its a typical sunny day at the James Town Beach in Accra. Boats and canoes are lined up alike, on sea and ashore.



Fishers have returned with their nets and are sorting out the catch for the day. Some of these individuals have been dependent on fishing as a job for years and with its proceeds, they feed their families and provide for the home.



Previously, the catch from one fishing trip to the sea could produce tons of fishes, translating to more money and happy fishers but today, the nets are either half-empty or virtually empty.



Fishes are moving away from what used to be their habitat into deeper waters to either find some cool or comfort away from the harsh temperatures which have made the waters warm.



And when fishes migrate, fishing becomes hectic and the fisher catches lesser fish with each corresponding attempt; making the future grimmer by the day.



Climate change and its impact on fisheries:



Climate change has come to be as a result of human activities which release harmful gases into the atmosphere including greenhouse gases which are responsible for the heat and carbon dioxide concentration.

The effect of climate change has not only been felt by plant life, farming etc. but also marine animals.



Research has indicated that ocean basins have experienced extreme temperature events in recent times, leading to dire consequences on fish and other aquatic animals.



According to Science Advances; globally, the frequency of marine extreme high temperatures has been affecting many ecosystems since 1982 and is projected to further increase due to global warming.



Dr. Andrews Agyekumhene, an expert and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Fisheries and Marine at the University of Ghana, speaking to GhanaWebs Wonder Ami Adu-Asare, explained how climate change has affected fish and marine life in Ghanas waters.



The climate is changing as most of us are aware and the driving force or the number one culprit is that we are introducing a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is coming into the atmosphere as a result of mans activity like the release of fossil fuel. There are gases in the atmosphere called greenhouse gases, their main role is to trap this heat and make like bearable. It is important because that heat helps plant photosynthesize and even helps our clothes dry.



One of the key effects of climate change as we know is increasing temperatures and that is where the impact on the marine system comes in. Every organism including man has a temperature range within which we are most active and with this changing climate, this temperature range has been exceeded. We are having temperature extremes and that is making life in the ocean unbearable, he noted.



Animals in the marine environment are uncomfortable because of these extreme temperatures. For fish, they can be stressed and when the temperatures are high, the first thing is that, these animals get stressed. When the temperatures increase to a certain range, the habitats are affected and the animals have to move or die off; migration and that is why now we dont have a lot of fish in our system like we used to have. The waters are hot and the fishes have gone deeper, he added.







In addition, he says the increased temperatures have contributed to bleaching of coral reeves which makes the condition of that area non-habitable for these marine mammals and fish, leading to migration.



How fishers are affected:



To get a first-hand idea about how bad the situation is, GhanaWeb spoke to some fishers and fishmongers at the James Town Beach. For these people, times have changed, and fishing is even more difficult in recent times because of the change in temperatures and what would have taken very little effort to get, they now use much more energy and resources to obtain.



Nii Armaah, a fisher who has been in the vocation for years, told Wonder Ami Adu-Asare that fishing which he used to enjoy doing with his father as a young man has now become difficult for him.



Because of the impact of climate change on the waters, fishing has become tedious and he makes more losses than gains when he goes fishing.

Nii who depends on this vocation to feed his family says he has had to quit and sell fish which he deems more profitable now.



I used to go fishing but I have quit because there are no fishes and we are making more losses than profit. The money we invest to go fishing is a lot but when we come back, we dont get a lot and thats why I decided to quit and rather buy and sell. We go to Takoradi, the fuel we waste, food and water, by the time we come, we dont get any profit, he said.



Another woman, Madam Shai, who has been selling fish for over 30 years explained that her business has seen a significant drop in recent times because there is no fish. According to her, when fishers return, they come back with very little fish unlike what used to be.



When I started selling fish, I was very happy with the produce. They used to get a lot of fish, different species too. In a season like this, they used to harvest a lot of fishes but now the fishes have gone deep into the sea, we cant get them, so we just come and walk around and get nothing, then we go back, she noted.



Dr. Agyekumhene also explained that fishes and marine animals die and are washed ashore as a result of the extreme temperatures caused by climate change in recent times.



Plastic waste and climate change:



The marine and fisheries expert also explained that plastic waste which has taken over most of Ghanas waters also has a significant impact on climate change. Explaining how this works, Dr. Agyekumhene noted;



There are chemicals that are used in the production of plastic. Polyethylene is one of them and methylene is also one of them, they are all products of fossil fuel. The extraction of these products can lead to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Again, after they have been extracted, they must be processed. During every production, there are by-products and the release of carbon dioxide also comes as a result of the production of plastics. So along the extraction stage to the production stage of plastics, we have the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, he noted.



The way forward



The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement recognizes the need for effective and progressive responses to the urgent threat of climate change through mitigation and adaptation measures, while taking into account the particular vulnerabilities of food production systems.



Dr. Agyekumhene agrees with this, suggesting that critical measures are taken to reduce the emission of harmful gases that are contributing to climate change to consequently reduce the impact of climate change on fish and marine animals.



According to him, if nothing is done about the situation, the food production system, particularly with regard to fish will be affected.



He proposed the following as some measures to curb the growing impact of climate change on fish.



Awareness. If people are aware of some of the activities that can bring carbon dioxide into the environment, maybe we can get some of them stopped. If people are aware of how in their daily activities can help rid the environment of carbon dioxide, then we can help.



But everything points to policies. If Im planting trees today and my grandchild cannot sit under it because someone is going to cut it, Im not doing anything so we need policies that are going to make the environmental system well catered for, he noted.



We must let the punishment fit the crime, he added.



Dr. Agyekumhene also advocated for the ban on the production of plastic waste as part of efforts to reduce carbon dioxide in the environment.



This report is produced in fulfilment of the UNESCO & CIJ London Climate Change in News Media project facilitated by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development".











Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr John Kwakye, has suggested that the announcement by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas that his next expose would shake the foundations of Ghana, is for his (Anas) parochial interest.



Dr Kwakye, who was reacting to an article by GhanaWeb on Anass announcement, said that if Anas' aim is not to profit from the 2024 elections, he should not release the documentary before the elections as he has indicated but wait till after.



In a series of tweets shared on Tuesday, June 21, 2023, the IEA boss advised the investigative journalist to stop entrapping Ghanaians and catch persons committing crimes.



If Anas isnt interested in cashing in on the elections, he should wait to publish his documentary after not before.



Anas shouldnt think that he can hold the whole country to ransom. No one is without blemish in this world. He himself isnt an angel.



Anas should work to catch people who commit actual crimes. He shouldnt set people up to commit crimes. Thats unacceptable and should be condemned, he wrote.



Background:



Renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas disclosed that he will soon release a documentary that will shake the foundation of Ghana.



The documentary, according to Anas, would be released before the 2024 elections and would be an investigative piece on some politicians in the country.



The journalist, who made these remarks in an interview on DW Africa, added that he has not released any piece on Ghana for a couple of months now because of the work that is going into the upcoming expose.



The work that I am doing now might be the last before we get into the elections. But already the signs are very clear and I can tell you that the foundation would be shaken once again.



There are a couple of international ones that are about to be released. But this one talking to you as a Ghanaian, I mean the foundation of Ghana would be shaken, he said.































Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Deputy Ranking Member of the Education Committee in Parliament has called on the leadership of the committee to mobilise all relevant stakeholders in the education sector for questioning.



This reaction comes on the back of the number of teachers who failed the retake of the 2023 teacher licensure exam.



The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Clement Apaak, also expressed that the National Teaching Council, Colleges of Education and affiliates, the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Education and the education committee in parliament ought to sit together to ascertain the cause of the extreme failure of teachers in the licensure exam.



The MP made this appeal during an engagement with Accra-based Citi News.



The stakeholders in education and the parliamentary sub-committee on education in particular ought to hold a hearing by inviting those charged with preparing teachers which will include the colleges of education, the universities that the various colleges are affiliated to, the National Teaching Council, the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education so that we find out exactly where the problem is and why such a colossal number of teachers failed to pass a licensure exam, he said.



A total of 1,277 out of the 7, 728 teachers passed the retake of the 2023 licensure exams.



The Public Relations Officer for the National Teacher Council, Dennis Osei-Owusu, in an interview, revealed that some of the teachers were writing the same paper for the 2nd and 9th time, respectively.



Over 28,000 newly trained teachers sat for the first-ever teacher licensure examination on Monday, September 10, 2018.



Out of the 28,757 teachers who wrote the first examination, 21,287, representing 74 percent passed, while 7,432 failed.



The examination sought to ensure that only qualified teachers were employed to teach as a way of improving the standard of teaching.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Former PNC General Secretary, Atik Mohammed has passed criticisms about the candidature of Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto who is contesting the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race.



The former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto resigned from office to contest the NPP presidential primaries.



He is among ten aspirants going to the partys Super Delegates Congress in August this year to trim the number to five who will be contesting in the main congress.



Discussing the prospects of the aspirants in the race, Atik Mohammed cast doubts over Dr. Afriyie Akotos chances of winning the contest.



He questioned the former Ministers motivation for going into the election.



"Quiet frankly, I do not know what is pushing him to contest. Sometimes, we need to tell ourselves the hard truth. The first question is what are you taking forward?"



To him, Dr. Afriyie Akoto didnt prove himself worthy when he was at the Ministry of Agriculture, hence wonders why he would even have the courage to go into the primary.



"We didn't see any wonders at the Ministry of Agriculture," he said on Peace FMs Kokrokoo morning show.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Isaac Adongo, the acting Ranking Member for the Finance Committee, has challenged Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to present a better vision for the country beyond resorting to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



Adongo questioned Bawumia's claim of having a vision for Ghana, stating that if Bawumia truly had a vision, the country wouldn't have experienced the economic challenges it currently faces. Adongo criticized the government's reliance on the IMF, suggesting that it reflects a lack of vision and economic mismanagement.



During a press conference on June 21, Adongo expressed his anger at hearing those who he believes drove the country's economy into a state of decline now speak about having a vision.



In the midst of this gargantuan economic mismanagement, I heard Dr. Bawumia saying he has a vision for Ghana. I'm wondering what vision he has other than what he and his boss, Nana Addo, have contracted with IMF for the good people of Ghana. What is Dr Mahamudu Bawumia going to do that he couldn't do in this government? It is annoying to hear those who drove a car in perfect condition into a ditch now talking about "vision". If they had vision,Ghana wouldn't have sunk this low in the first place, he said.



Meanwhile, last Friday, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia submitted his presidential nomination forms at the NPP head office in Asylum Down, Accra. The event attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters, marking the beginning of his campaign for the 2024 elections.



During the submission of the nomination forms, Dr. Bawumia emphasized his unwavering commitment to the party and his dedication to serving the nation. He recounted his previous roles as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Vice President, highlighting the government's achievements in infrastructure development and transformative policies.



Dr. Bawumia expressed pride in the current administration's accomplishments and vowed to continue the process of transforming Ghana through hard work, honesty, dedication, and discipline.



As the NPP flagbearer race continues, the clash between Adongo and Bawumia sheds light on the different visions and approaches presented by the candidates, adding depth to the political discourse surrounding the party's future direction.











Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed his disappointment at the on-going criminal trial of the ousted MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.



Speaking to the media after court proceedings on the case on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Ablakwa said that he is ashamed to be a Ghanaian because of the ordeal Gyakye Quayson is going through even though he has committed no crime.



He said that the government is abusing its power to ensure that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wins the Assin North by-election which is slated for March 27, 2023.



He added that there are more important cases that the courts should be looking at but it has been silent and it is being manipulated to look into the Assin North case.



What is going on is very, very clear that Honourable James Gyakye Quayson is a victim of political shenanigans, abuse of power and manipulation of the judiciary.



Gyakye Quayson has committed no crime, even before the 2020 election, some people raised the same issue of his dual citizenship and petitioned the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission looked into it, they assessed all his documents and cleared him.



This Quayson case is a national embarrassment. It is disgraceful and like many Ghanaians, I am ashamed to be a Ghanaian at this time under President Akufo-Addo with this clear and blatant manipulation of the judiciary that we are seeing, he said.



The MP added that even if Gyakye Quayson is imprisoned, the people of Assin North will elect him to be their representative just like Dr Kwame Nkrumah was elected when he was in prison.



The High Court in Accra, on Friday (June 18, 2023), ruled that the ongoing criminal trial of ousted Assin North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, will be heard daily starting from Tuesday, June 20, 2023.



This was after the presiding judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, turned down an application for the trial to be adjourned till after the by-election.



The Court has since fixed June 20, 21, and 23 for the trial to continue.



Quayson was recently ousted from parliament after the Supreme Court of Ghana ruled that he was ineligible to contest in the 2020 parliamentary election because he failed to renounce his Canadian citizenship in time.



But there is still one case the former MP has to face in court after the Office of the Attorney General accused him of deceiving public officers to acquire state documents.



On February 12, 2022, the State charged James Gyakye Quayson with five counts; deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration.









Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Eric Sekyi Nketia, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has decided to withdraw from the flagbearership race of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).



The lecturer cited unjust treatment from the party as the reason behind his withdrawal.



Eric Sekyi Nketia revealed that he had made three attempts to obtain nomination forms from the party's headquarters, but his efforts were in vain.



Despite reaching out to the Chairman of the National Council and the General Secretary through a petition, Nketia said his concerns were ignored.



Consequently, he has chosen to step aside from the race, allowing other candidates to compete.





Source: class fm









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Charles Bissue, the Secretary to the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), has turned himself in to the Special Prosecutor to assist in the ongoing investigations into a case involving him.



The Office of the Special Prosecutor, on Tuesday, June 13, declared Charles Bissue wanted due to his failure to appear for interrogation into suspected corruption within the defunct IMCIM of which his name was mentioned.



Mr. Bissue recently filed a writ at the High Court in Accra against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the court, six days ago, upheld an interim injunction restraining the OSP from placing him on public notice or under arrest.



The court adjourned hearing of the substantive case to Thursday, June 22, 2023.



According to a statement sighted by Peacefmonline, Charles Bissue turned himself in to the Office of the Special Prosecutor at 11:45 am today, June 21.



"He was immediately placed under arrest, interviewed and subsequently released on bail", the statement signed by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, said.

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Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Some officials of the largest oppositon National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been caught in a video sharing fertilizers, spraying machines, wellington boots among other things ahead of the June 27 by-election in the Assin North constituency.



The NDC is allegedly in the thick of affairs at Kanokrom, Afenase, Obiri Kweku, Camp C, Aworbe, Wawase and Atentan electoral areas sharing fertilizers, spraying machines, wellington boots, cash and even paying electricity bills of households according sources in the constituency.



Watch video





The EC on May 31, 2023 announced Tuesday, June 27, 2023, as the date for the Assin North Constituency by-election in the Central Region after it was notified by Parliament that the seat was vacant following the Supreme Courts ruling that declared the election of the former MP, James Gyakye Quayson, unconstitutional.The court held that his election was null and void because at the time he filed to contest, he owed allegiance to another country contrary to the laws of Ghana.Per the balloting, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Charles Opoku would be the number one on the ballot paper, with the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) candidate, Bernice Enyonam Sefenu occupying the second position on the ballot and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, James Gyakye Quayson picking the third spot on the ballot paper.

Source: Peacefmonline









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Popular social commentator, A Plus, has lashed out at critics for attacking him over his controversial take about Yvonne Nelsons book.



Earlier in what many perceived as an attack, A Plus labeled Yvonne Nelsons mother promiscuous for not knowing who the actress father is.



He said Sarkodie was right to have rejected a pregnancy from Yvonne, who exhibited similar characteristics as her mother, adding that, it was evident in the number of boyfriends the actress had.



A Plus' statements were in reaction to portions of Yvonne Nelsons book where she disclosed conducting DNA tests in the quest to unravel the real identity of her father, after the man whose surname she bears turned out not to be her father.



In response to the heavy backlashes he has received for what has been termed as disrespecting Yvonnes mother, A Plus still stands by his opinions.



He said the insults would not deter him from speaking his mind.



Me I write book about my "moda" sleeping with multiple men to sell and make money??? No! E be who write? E be Yvonne Nelson write. I take my money buy some. Yes! I will comment paa. If you want to insult my "moda" insult! Go ahead. Go ahead. Do I care? Life is very simple for me ooo. I'm not here to please anyone!! What haven't I done for individuals and communities in Ghana? Do you even remember? Monfa mo gyimie nfri me so!!!, he wrote in a mixture of Twi, pidgin and English.



He established that just like Ghanaians have forgotten previous important events, they are likely to toss the issue to the wind in a matter of weeks, adding that Yvonne shouldnt feel special about the manner in which Ghanaians are commiserating with her.



Me I just don't care ooo. Say what you want. mfa me ho barko sei!!! I only care about those very few people who like me for who I'm because those are the few sensible Ghanaians. There is not a single sensible person in Ghana who doesn't like me. Nyansani biaa p masm. Moa moaka no nyinaa mo y mboa!!



In two weeks or less, they will forget this one too. Tweaaa!! When dealing with these people called Ghanaians, be as hard as 4ck! They will forget!! Don't you see what Akufo Addo is doing to them? He will leave power and they will miss him! They have forgotten about Atsu. If you ask them who is Abrokwa, 90% of them won't remember that he is Afia Schwarzenegger's ex-husband who threatened to bathe her with acid which trended for weeks. They don't even remember that they have a nude video of Afia Schwarzenegger on their on their own phone! Wei nom? They have forgotten that Agradaa was arrested not long ago, and those who remember that she was, don't remember her offence. 99% of them don't remember the Charles Adu Boahen story, one of the biggest stories in 2022, he added.



Read the full post below:



They have forgotten about Atsu. If you ask them who is Abrokwa, 90% of them won't remember that he is Afia Schwarzenegger's ex-husband who threatened to bathe her with acid which trended for weeks. They don't even remember that they have a nude video of Afia Schwarzenegger on their on their own phone! Wei nom? They have forgotten that Agradaa was arrested not long ago, and those who remember that she was, don't remember her offence. 99% of them don't remember the Charles Adu Boahen story, one of the biggest stories in 2022.



If Jesus Christ comes to Ghana right now they will be at the airport in their numbers to welcome him. (That guy self he go come by air or land?)  Few weeks later they will start insulting him on social media; masa fa wo Yesu Yesu no fri h k. Jesus will say, "I'm the way." They will be like, "masa, you miss road abi?"  Ghanaians! You don't know these people. 



Me I just don't care ooo. Say what you want. mfa me ho barko sei!!! I only care about those very few people who like me for who I'm because those are the few sensible Ghanaians. There is not a single sensible person in Ghana who doesn't like me. Nyansani biaa p masm. . Moa moaka no nyinaa mo y mboa!! 



In two weeks or less, they will forget this one too. Tweaaa!! When dealing with these people called Ghanaians, be as hard as 4ck! They will forget!! Don't you see what Akufo Addo is doing to them? He will leave power and they will miss him! 



Me I write book about my "moda" sleeping with multiple men to sell and make money??? No! E be who write? E be Yvonne Nelson write. I take my money buy some. Yes! I will comment paa. If you want to insult my "moda" insult! Go ahead. Go ahead. Do I care? Life is very simple for me ooo.



I'm not here to please anyone!! What haven't I done for individuals and communities in Ghana? Do you even remember? Monfa mo gyimie nfri me so!!













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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: Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164036

Faced with a drought of data concerning Appalachian drinking water quality and resulting health outcomes, researchers dug deeply to find what trickles they could.

Alasdair Cohen, assistant professor of environmental epidemiology in public health, has studied drinking water and health challenges in rural areas internationally and in California. Since arriving at Virginia Tech in 2019, he has been studying similar issues in rural Appalachia.

"My first few years at Virginia Tech, I reached out to academics, nonprofits, and state and local government agencies to try and better understand what was known about water quality in the region," said Cohen, who researches and teaches in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. "I was waiting for someone to say, 'Oh, we have the data, here it is,' as far as these are the contaminants of concern for a particular region. But increasingly it became apparent that data on water quality and related health outcomes in rural areas are limited."

Amanda Darling, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering's Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering who is mentored by Cohen, is the lead author on a recently published systematic review and meta-analysis peer-reviewed study in the journal Science of the Total Environment. The study examined 3,452 scientific publications from the past 20 years to find data that met pre-established criteria for gauging microbial and chemical drinking water contamination in Appalachia and associated health outcomes.

The study found only 85 such publications, with a scarcity of studies involving the Central Appalachian region or asking questions about health outcomes.

"As someone who has been working on issues related to water and sanitation in Appalachia for over a decade, I was not surprised by these results," said Leigh-Anne Krometis, associate professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Engineering and a co-author of the study. "Unfortunately, while Appalachia has long been recognized as a region with acute infrastructure needs, on-the-ground data sets are incredibly limited, which makes the identification and prioritization of effectiveness interventions very difficult."

The researchers cast a wide net to find any prior studies that are relevant.

"We also included papers whose research questions may not have even been focused just on drinking water quality and contaminants we're interested in," Darling said. "Some were focusing just on impacts from fracking, but we took the data, still being under our big research umbrella of things we were looking at. So even though we did find 85 eligible papers, a lot of them weren't intended to answer the questions we are interested in."

Darling said many of the existing studies were conducted in response to various contamination events, such as chemical spills in rivers.

Five of the seven co-authors are associated with Virginia Tech. Besides Darling, Cohen, and Krometis, co-authors include Hannah Patton, who recently finished her Ph.D. in biological systems engineering, and Md Rasheduzzaman, a postdoctoral researcher in the population health sciences working with Cohen. Two undergraduates at the University of Virginia at Wise are also co-authors, Rachel Guevera and Joshua McCray.

"The benefit of a systematic review and meta-analysis study is that it provides a rigorous way to review a body of literature and then systematically extract data and analyze it," Cohen said. "In a way, it's like a lab experiment. This is where this type of study differs from a narrative review. In a systematic review, you also review the literature, but you do so in a way that, like a lab experiment, could be replicated and ideally is pre-specified."

The study will help researchers from Virginia Tech and elsewhere know what gaps need to be filled, which in the case of Appalachian drinking water quality and contaminants are many and wide.

The study also provided an important opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students to participate as authors on a publication in an important scientific journal, starting with the lead author, Darling, a Via Scholar in the College of Engineering. Darling completed her undergraduate work at the University of Illinois and has received master's degrees in environmental engineering and public health at Virginia Tech.

"I try to provide opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to be involved in research that can lead to co-authorship opportunities on journal papers," Cohen said. "For me, that's a really important part of mentoring to try to provide those opportunities. I think it's exciting for anybody to contribute to a scientific publication, but I've found from my experience it's especially so for undergrads."

Cohen is leading multiple research studies in rural areas in partnership with local utilities and nonprofits in Southwest Virginia and with collaborators at Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and East Tennessee State University. Together, they are collecting water samples, survey and health data, and sharing water testing results with households, all to help fill some of the research gaps identified in this new publication.

More information: Amanda Darling et al, Microbiological and chemical drinking water contaminants and associated health outcomes in rural Appalachia, USA: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164036 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
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

Nearly a decade ago, researchers from Brigham Young University, Utah State University and Rutgers published a disheartening study revealing how discrimination in bank loan services was tainting the American Dream for minority entrepreneurs.

Unfortunately, even in 2023, not much has changed. A newly published paper from this core group of authors finds banks still offer Black customers inferior loan products and service, even when those Black customers have objectively stronger financial profiles and FICO scores than white customers.

"Even though a lot of time has passed and a lot of reckoning has taken place in society, we are still seeing the same discrimination patterns we've seen in the past," said study co-author Glenn Christensen, a professor in the BYU Marriott School of Business. "It hasn't changed, it hasn't ameliorated, and it's still a problem."

But there is a silver lining to the new Journal of Marketing Research paper: while the onus is unequivocally on the financial institutions to eliminate discrimination, the study identifies specific empowering approaches minority small business owners can use to signal a level of sophistication to secure business loans more regularly.

"Individuals may be totally oblivious that they are being treated differently," said study co-author Sterling Bone, a professor of marketing at USU's Huntsman School of Business. "We don't want to pass the burden to the consumer, but we find there are ways to turn off the bias."

To assess the continued racial bias found in financial lending institutionsand to ultimately discover mitigation strategiesthe researchers carried out three field studies:

Study 1: Twelve Black and 12 white testers visited 52 bank branches in the Atlanta metro area over a four-month window as potential customers seeking loans for small businesses. The testers were given business profiles strong enough to easily qualify for a loan, with Black testers given better profiles (greater business income, more years in operation, more money in the bank and higher credit scores). Despite having better financial profiles, Black testers were offered a business line of credit (BLOC) significantly less often than white testers.

Study 2: Black and white testers were given either a high or low socioeconomic profile and instructed to inquire about small business loans with banks in the Washington, D.C., metro area over a six-week period. Researchers found that white customers with low socioeconomic profiles were treated significantly more favorably than their Black counterparts with the same profile. However, the study also showed that Black testers with high socioeconomic profiles received similar treatment as their white counterparts.

Study 3: Researchers surveyed 266 small business owners across the country to see how the structures of their companies (e.g., sole proprietorship vs. LLC) impacted their loan approvals. They found loan approvals for Black-owned sole proprietorships were less than half that of white-owned sole proprietorships. However, when Black entrepreneurs' business structures were joint proprietorships or partnerships, the racial bias on loan approvals was mitigated. Additionally, when Black entrepreneurs had LLC, S corps or C corps, the racial bias was reversed: 75% of Black owners had loans approved, as opposed to 42% of white owners.

"There are still problems we need to root out; banks need to recognize the bias that exists," Bone said. "But there is some hope, as we are seeing ways to empower consumers with interventions to improve the situation from their end. There are little extra steps to signal you are more legitimate and sophisticated than what might be perceived."

Christensen said one specific step small business owners can do is spend $45 to register their company as an LLC, which potential lenders see as an outside indicator of sophistication. He added that the study findings suggest minority business owners with high FICO scores should be sure to make that clear up front when they are seeking a loan.

"Everyone should tell their very best story," Christensen said. "The data backs that up: if minority loan seekers can manage the moment, the outcome will be more favorable."

More critically, the researchers call on financial services executives to acknowledge they have work to do and take action to pre-empt employee biases. The study's authors suggest firms develop policies to ensure loan product options are uniformly offered to all customers and require at least two employees to independently evaluate each loan application. Furthermore, firms can increase internal compliance with legal frameworks, deliberately design more inclusive products and use self-service technology to reduce bias, researchers said.

Finally, the study suggests policymakers step up in specific ways as well by creating standardized small business lending forms, funding programs that provide technical assistance and education for minority-owned business, and increasing oversight and enforcement.

"The bias training at banks is simply not working," Bone said. "It's time to do something different."

More information: Maura L. Scott et al, EXPRESS: Revealing and Mitigating Racial Bias and Discrimination in Financial Services, Journal of Marketing Research (2023). DOI: 10.1177/00222437231176470 Journal information: Journal of Marketing Research
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As the climate changes, living things must adapt to new environmental conditions in one of two wayseither geographically or genetically. While it's relatively simple for scientists to track and record a species' geographic movements, proving their genetic adaptation over time can be much more difficult.

A new study led by Colorado State University researchers in Nature Climate Change is one of the first to document climate adaptation at the genomic level in a wild population. Specifically, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcheran endangered migratory birdhas shown an increase in genetic variation associated with tolerance to wetter and more humid environmental conditions.

Sheela Turbek, a postdoctoral researcher in CSU's Department of Biology, led this study that sequenced the genomes of the Willow Flycatcher over a 100-plus year period, comparing DNA from museum specimens from the late 1800s to modern samples taken today.

The research findings suggest that increases in genetic variation in the San Diego, California Willow Flycatcher population is allowing them to better adapt to changing climates, and that these genetic changes began as long ago as the late 1800s.

Climate adaptation on a genetic level

Turbek hypothesized that the changing climate in San Diego, California, where weather conditions have gotten wetter and more humid over time, would lead to genetic shifts in wild populations.

"We used over 200 contemporary samples from the Willow Flycatcher to scan the genetic material for specific regions of the genome associated with important environmental variables," said Turbek.

"This includes things like monthly precipitation and monthly maximum temperature. Once we identified the regions of the DNA we think are involved in climate adaptation, we extracted the genetic information from those regions in both our historical and our modern San Diego samples."

Her work revealed that there has been an increase in genetic variation in Willow Flycatchers from past to present, and that genetic regions associated with humidity and precipitation in Willow Flycatchers have both shifted in a direction that is consistent with climate adaptation.

Proving genetic adaptation over time

Turbek, who is a part of Kristen Ruegg's lab at CSU, picked up this research after Ruegg and collaborators had been working on a similar project for around 10 years. The technology needed to sequence whole genomes advanced significantly over the 2010s, making this work possible today.

Turbek focused on the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher because of its endangered status. Ruegg's foundation of preliminary research showed the birds had locally adapted to different climate conditions across space.

"The Willow Flycatcher is made up of four different subspecies, and the subspecies in the southwest has faced really precipitous population declines and was listed as federally endangered in 1995," said Turbek. "So, there's a lot of interest from government agencies to effectively manage this subspecies and save it from climate induced extinction, which is something that Kristen has demonstrated it could potentially suffer from in the future."

To prove genetic adaptation over time is much more complicated.

Decades-old samples often contain degraded, contaminated or low-yield DNA, which is why, until now, it has been difficult to prove genetic adaptation to an appropriate degree of certainty.

"Museums will send us a little clipping from a toe pad that often has really low DNA concentrations so it's hard to acquire enough reads of the DNA to have a good idea of what the genetic code looks like," said Turbek.

After the years-long effort of sequencing the historical genome, and comparing the historical results to modern samples, the researchers determined that the Willow Flycatcher had seen an increase in genetic variation over time.

"We think that it was actually mixing or gene flow into the population from neighboring populations that helped recover the gene pool of the Willow Flycatchers in the San Diego area," said Ruegg.

Validating predictions of climate change effects

Turbek and Ruegg are excited to be able to validate scientists' predictions of how some species will adapt to climate change.

"Human-induced climate change is really having a drastic effect on the reproductive activities of many species, and it is going to drive a lot of organisms to the brink of extinction," said Turbek.

"So, the fact that we can document this amount of adaptation over a century-long time scale is somewhat encouraging in that these birds seem to be responding to the amount of climate change that has already occurred. It can help us better predict what's going to happen in the future, and how species might respond."

More information: Sheela P. Turbek et al, Historical DNA reveals climate adaptation in an endangered songbird, Nature Climate Change (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-023-01696-3 Journal information: Nature Climate Change
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Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have achieved an unprecedented stabilization of the high-temperature phase of Li 3 PS 4 a critical material for all-solid-state batteriesthus attaining exceptional ionic conductivity even at room temperature. This breakthrough brings us one step closer to the realization of all-solid-state batteries and the adoption of this technology in a broad range of applications, including electric vehicles. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

All-solid-state batteries are expected to be put to practical use as next-generation energy storage devices that integrate high levels of safety and enhanced energy density, thereby realizing a sustainable society. All-solid-state lithium batteries operate by facilitating the movement of lithium ions through a solid electrolyte. However, since ions cannot move freely within solids, the development of solid electrolytes with high ion conductivity that, like liquid electrolytes, enable the rapid movement of lithium ions, is imperative.

A research group led by Professor Akitoshi Hayashi and Associate Professor Atsushi Sakuda of the Graduate School of Engineering at Osaka Metropolitan University succeeded in stabilizing, for the first time, the high-temperature phase of Li 3 PS 4 (-Li 3 PS 4 ), which exhibits high ion conductivity, at room temperature via rapid heating to crystallize Li 3 PS 4 at 400 C min1. Since Li 3 PS 4 is a promising solid electrolyte, this achievement makes possible the development of materials for all-solid-state batteries with higher performance.

Professor Hayashi explained, "Li 3 PS 4 showcases varied crystal structures depending on temperature variations. The high-temperature phase is generally recognized for its superior ionic conductivity; however, the challenge has been to stabilize this phase at room temperature. We finally accomplished it by focusing on the heating rate during crystallization. This is the culmination of nearly 20 years dedicated to the development of all-solid-state battery materials."

More information: Takuya Kimura et al, Stabilizing High-Temperature -Li3PS4 by Rapidly Heating the Glass, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03827 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society
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A recent wildfire in Nova Scotia sends smoke into the atmosphere. More smoke from fires in Canada could hit the Northeast this week. Credit: Shutterstock/Abdulkhalek Saad

Smoke from hundreds of wildfires in eastern Canada shrouded the Northeast and Midwest in a dense ochre haze this month, and more smoke could return to both regions of the United States this week as the conflagrations continue.

Dartmouth professors Justin Mankin and Laura Paulin weighed in on what the wildfires in Canada and their historic encroachment into major population centers indicate for a future shaped by climate changeand how we should prepare for it.

One driver of the extensive media coverage of the Canada wildfires was that large-scale blazes are much more common in western North America than on the wetter, greener Atlantic Seaboard. But these latest burns revealed that global warming can enhance wildfire risk no matter where you are, said Mankin, an assistant professor of geography and co-lead of the NOAA Drought Task Force.

Unlike wildfires in the West that result from long-term aridity, fire conditions in Canada developed relatively quickly from an unlucky period of below-average precipitation combined with far higher-than-average spring temperatures likely attributable in part to global warming, Mankin said. A month of below-average precipitation would not necessarily lead to widespread fire, but elevated temperatures accelerated drought conditions in only a few weeks, he said.

"Intense wildfire seasons occur when it is hot and dry, and this event is no exception. A high-pressure system parked itself over Canada in May and, just like a boulder disrupts the flow in a stream, this system steered rainstorms away from the country," Mankin said. "A decline in precipitation from this pressure anomaly combined with exceptionally warm spring temperatures was enough to dry forests. Then all you needed was ignition and favorable winds."

While we do not know precisely how much global warming increased the likelihood of this particular event, Mankin said, a warming climate does make it more likely that it will be hot anytime it happens to be dry, casting the die in favor of wildfires.

Unfortunately, the tipping point for wildfire in eastern North America is not well known given the lower intensity of wildfires compared to the West. Scientists do not have a great sense of how sensitive wildfire is to temperature versus precipitation changes in eastern North America, nor how this sensitivity is shaped by decades of fire suppression practices and declines in ecosystem health due to pests and tree disease, Mankin said.

"The implications with climate change are that places we think of as having wet climates, such as eastern Canada, can have an increased temperature sensitivity to wildfire," Mankin said. "Though we think of wildfire as a risk primarily in western North America, this event indicates that no place is immuneespecially when we include the widespread ancillary impacts such as wildfire smoke and the untoldand unregulatedpublic-health burden it represents."

Paulin, an assistant professor of medicine and of epidemiology at the Geisel School of Medicine and a pulmonologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, said that concern over exposure to this month's thick smokecomprised mostly of particulate-matter air pollutionhighlighted what will likely be a more common as climate change not only likely results in more wildfires, but also diminished air quality due to heat, humidity, and ozone.

The air quality in New York City on June 7 was the lowest of any major city in the world and the worst in the city's history. Smoke from continuing wildfires in Canada caused air quality to reach unhealthy levels in the Upper Midwest late last week, with Saint Paul, Minn., having the nation's worst air quality June 14, according to the federal government's air-quality monitoring site, AirNow.

"We anticipate that these events are going to be happening more frequently and it's a good time for people to learn what they can do and what the health effects are. People should not think of this as a one-and-done thing, but they should be asking themselves, 'what do I do when this happens again," Paulin said.

"We are exposed to a lot of air pollution that you can't see and there should always be some level of concern," she said. " Major events like these bring more exposure to air quality, but giving people the tools to know where to get that information every day is important."

People should familiarize themselves with public-health tools such as the air quality index and be aware of their own limitations and the seriousness of breathing in smoke. There may be a temptation to proceed with life as normal, but the small airborne particulates found in smoke can cause respiratory distress and are associated with short- and long-term heart and lung disease.

"Individuals may want to consider avoiding exercise during events like we just experienced. When we exercise, we're breathing heavier and more through the mouth, bypassing the nose's natural defenses and inhaling a larger particle load," Paulin said.

"And if we as health care professionals are recommending people don't go outside, it's important to be cognizant of what people are doing indoors in terms of creating more particle load," she said. "We recommend people stay inside and don't smoke or burn anything in the house such as candles and wood."

One factor that would enhance public preparedness is if the effects of climate change and extreme weather events were more regularly part of the curriculum and training for doctors and health care professionals, Paulin said.

"Things are changing and people are learning more about climate change and air pollution in medical school, but there's still a lot of opportunity to teach health care professionals about counseling patients during these events and recognizing the symptoms of exposure to them," she said.

"I don't think we're completely prepared for that now," Paulin said. "We're talking about it right now, but it takes one of these events to get people aware."
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Chemical Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1039/D2CC06818D

The chemical origin of life on Earth is a puzzle that scientists have been trying to piece together for decades. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain how life came to be and what chemical and environmental factors on early Earth could have led to it. A step required in a number of these hypotheses involves the abiotic synthesis of genetic polymersmaterials made up of a sequence of repeating chemical units with the ability to store and pass down information through base-pairing interactions.

One such hypothesis is the RNA (ribonucleic acid) world hypothesis, which draws from this concept and suggests that RNA could have been the original biopolymer of life both for genetic information storage and transmission, and for catalysis. However, in the absence of chemical activation of RNA monomers, studies have found that RNA polymerization would have been inefficient under primitive dry-down conditions without specialized circumstances such as lipid or salt-assisted synthesis or mineral templating.

While this does not necessarily make the RNA world hypothesis less plausible, primitive chemical systems were quite diverse and could not have possibly been as clean to just contain RNA and lipids, suggesting that other forms of primitive nucleic acid polymerization may have also taken place.

One of the major hypotheses suggests that perhaps a different type of nucleic acid, termed "pre-RNA," could have preceded RNA on early Earth.

Thus, a potentially promising way of investigating the origins of genetic polymers is to not only focus on synthesis of RNA under prebiotically plausible conditions, but also investigate other currently unknown mechanisms of prebiotic synthesis of non-RNA nucleic acids (or nucleic acid-like polymers) that could have existed on early Earth, such as co-polymerization of monomers of alternating nucleoside analogs with linker molecules.

A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology, led by Research Scientist Ruiqin Yi, took up the task of examining such co-polymerizations in a non-RNA-based prebiotically relevant genetic polymer candidate.

In their recent breakthrough published in Chemical Communications, the team explored alternating co-polymerization of glycol nucleic acid (GNA) monomers with substituted and unsubstituted dicarboxylic acids (DCA) under primitive dry-down conditions to produce both linear and branched xeno nucleic acid co-polymers.

"Research suggests that putative pre-RNA molecules could be assembled from monomers with linkers that potentially served to conjoin other functional polymers to form macromolecular hybrid structures," explains Dr. Yi. "This additional chemical interconnectivity not only increases the complexity of the polymers, but also may have imparted them with novel or emergent functions. Such polymer co-synthesis can potentially help trace the origin of primitive genetic molecules back to an era before enzymatic catalysis or RNA."

To investigate the co-synthesis of polymers, GNA monomers N1-(2',3'- dihydroxypropyl)thymine (DHPT) or N9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine (DHPA) (which contain the thymine and adenine bases observed in modern DNA and RNA, respectively) were reacted with a range of substituted and unsubstituted DCAs via dehydration synthesis to form ester bonds capable of connecting the GNA components with the DCA components.

The synthesized product molecules were then subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) to analyze the types of products that could potentially be produced. The results revealed that reactions with unsubstituted DCAs produced alternating linear co-polymers, while the ones with substituted DCAs produced both linear and branched co-polymers; in all cases, the products were composed of a polydisperse population of polymers of different lengths.

By varying the DCA or GNA composition, temperature, or reaction pH, products of different lengths could be obtained. When MS/MS analysis was applied to "sequence" the product polymers, it was revealed that the DCA/GNA ratio affected the amount of branching of the products; higher DCA/GNA ratios resulted in more branching, while lower ratios resulted in more linear polymers.

Finally, the team also found that the mixed reaction of DHPT and DHPA with -tartaric acid led to the formation of a random sequence of polymers consisting of both types of bases (thymine and adenine), which themselves can typically base-pair. These products indicate a potential pathway for this system to form short-chained polymers capable of genetic information transmission via base-pairing, similar to RNA or other primitive nucleic acids.

The results of this research thus suggest that both branched and linear GNADCA-based xeno nucleic acid co-polymers might have been abundant on early Earth if the inventory of prebiotic organic molecules had a diverse composition, and that simple differences in the chemical composition could have led to population-level differences in abundance of branched vs. linear informational polymers.

For example, in environments with less GNA monomers compared to DCA molecules, branched polymers would have dominated, which could have been related to hyperbranched polymer-based globular protoenzymes.

Conversely, in environments with more GNA monomers compared to DCA molecules, a potentially highly diverse population of linear polymers capable of storing and passing down genetic information would have dominated, which could have resulted in further selection and evolution leading to other novel functions or nucleic acids.

"We found that not only could non-canonical xeno nucleic acids be formed through simple dehydration of two types of abundant primitive molecules (GNA and DCA), but also that these polymers (which contain two types of complementary bases) could have had useful information storage properties. We're now in the process of diving deeper into the potential functions of these co-polymers and hope to uncover more answers to questions about the types of polymers that could have existed and functioned on early Earth," concludes Dr. Yi.

More information: Ruiqin Yi et al, Alternating co-synthesis of glycol nucleic acid (GNA) monomers with dicarboxylic acids via drying, Chemical Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1039/D2CC06818D Journal information: Chemical Communications
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Even in sparsely populated, remote spots like the Three Parallel Rivers region in Yunnan, China, drug-resistant fungal strains are capable of propagating and spreading very quickly, researcher Jianping Xu says. Credit: Jianping Xu

New research has found that a disease-causing funguscollected from one of the most remote regions in the worldis resistant to a common antifungal medicine used to treat infections.

The study, published today in mSphere, showed that 7% of Aspergillus fumigatus samples collected from the Three Parallel Rivers region in Yunnan, China, were drug resistant.

Perched 6,000 meters above sea level and guarded by the staggering glaciated peaks of the Eastern Himalayas, the region is sparsely populated and undeveloped, which makes the presence of antimicrobial-resistant strains of A. fumigatus all the more striking for Jianping Xu, who led the study with colleagues in China.

"Seven percent may seem like only a small number, but these drug-resistant strains are capable of propagating very quickly and taking over local and regional populations of this species," explains Xu, a professor of biology at McMaster University and a member of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research. "There is a need for increased surveillance of drug resistance in the environment across diverse geographic regions."

This study is the third in a trio of related studies by Xu and colleagues. The first study found that approximately 80% of A. fumigatus samples from Yunnan greenhouses were resistant to commonly used antifungal drugs, while the second study determined that around 15% of samples from Yunnan agricultural fields, lake sediments, and forests were likewise resistant.

Jianping Xu, professor in the Department of Biology at McMaster University and lead author of the study. Credit: McMaster University

Xu, whose research also supports the Global Nexus School for Pandemic Prevention & Response, says that while there is increasing evidence supporting the natural development of resistance in the environment, the outward gradation of resistance from greenhouses indicates that these resistant Himalayan strains of A. fumigatus were likely born from the spores of other fungi that were overexposed to agricultural fungicides in other settings.

That these drug-resistant spores could potentially travel to and propagate in such remote areas is concerning for global spread, Xu says.

"This fungus is highly ubiquitousit's around us all the time," he explains. "It is estimated that we all inhale hundreds of spores of this species every day. While it doesn't always cause noticeable health problems, three to four million people experience disease symptoms caused by A. fumigatus each year. It can be very dangerousit can lead to lung removal or even deathand now, increasingly, many of these infections will be impacted by drug resistance."

Already, in conducting other research, Xu has examined identical mechanisms of resistance in strains of fungi found in the Northwest Territories and Indiasome 10,000 kilometers apart.

"Unlike viruses like COVID-19, fungi don't need a host to spread," Xu explains. "They can travel on humans, through trade, and even on strong winds."

With the latter in mind, Xu will soon head back to the mountainous regions of China to sample the air for fungal spores, which he hopes will add clarity to how these resistant strains are reaching and growing in such remote regions.

More information: Genetic Structure and Triazole Resistance among Aspergillus fumigatus Populations from Remote and Undeveloped Regions in Eastern Himalaya, mSphere (2023). DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00071-23
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Credit: Gemeente Tiel

Dutch archaeologists on Wednesday revealed an around 4,000-year-old religious sitedubbed the "Stonehenge of the Netherlands" in the country's mediawhich included a burial mound serving as a solar calendar.

The burial mound, which contained the remains of some 60 men, women and children had several passages through which the sun directly shone on the longest and shortest days of the year.

"What a spectacular archaeological discovery! Archaeologists have found a 4,000-year-old religious sanctuary on an industrial site," the town of Tiel said on its Facebook page.

"This is the first time a site like this has been discovered in the Netherlands," it added in a statement.

Diggings around the so-called "open-air sanctuary" started in 2017 in the small village about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of Utrecht, with the results made public on Wednesday.

Studying a difference in clay composition and color, the scientists located three burial mounds on the excavations, a few kilometers from the banks of the Waal river.

The main mound is about 20 meters (65 feet) in diameter with its passages lined up to serve as a solar calendar.

"People used this calendar to determine important moments including festival and harvest days," the archaeologists said. This video is in Dutch.

"This hill reminded one of Stonehenge, the well-known mysterious prehistoric monument in Britain, where this phenomenon also occurs," NOS, the Dutch national broadcaster, added.

Scientists also discovered two other smaller mounds. The three mounds were used as burial sites for about 800 years, the archaeologists said.

They made another fascinating discovery: a single glass bead inside a grave, which after analysis was shown to have originated in Mesopotamia, today's Iraq.

"This bead traveled a distance of some 5,000 kilometers, four millennia ago," said chief researcher Cristian van der Linde.

"Glass was not made here, so the bead must have been a spectacular item as for people then it was an unknown material," added Stijn Arnoldussen, professor at the University of Groningen.

He told the NOS that the Mesopotamian bead may have been around for a long time before eventually ending up in the area around Tiel, called the Betuwe in Dutch.

"Things were already being exchanged in those times. The bead may have been above ground for hundreds of years before it reached Tiel, but of course, it didn't have to be," Arnoldussen said.

 2023 AFP
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Credit: Harvard University

The amount of data generated by scientists today is massive, thanks to the falling costs of sequencing technology and the increasing amount of available computing power. But parsing through all that data to uncover useful information is like searching for a molecular needle in a haystack.

Machine learning (ML) and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools can dramatically speed up the process of data analysis, but most ML tools are difficult for non-ML experts to access and use. Recently, automated machine learning (AutoML) methods have been developed that can automate the design and deployment of ML tools, but they are often very complex and require a facility with ML that few scientists outside of the AI field have.

A group of scientists at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and MIT has now filled that unmet need by building a new, comprehensive AutoML platform designed for biologists with little to no ML experience. Their platform, called BioAutoMATED, can use sequences of nucleic acids, peptides, or glycans as input data, and its performance is comparable to other AutoML platforms while requiring minimal user input. The platform is described in a new paper published in Cell Systems and is available to download from GitHub.

"Our tool is for folks who don't have the ability to build their own custom ML models, who find themselves asking questions like, "I have this cool data set, will ML even work for it? How do I get it into an ML model? The complexity of ML is what's stopping me from going further with this data set, so how do I overcome that?'", said co-first author Jackie Valeri, a graduate student in the lab of Wyss Core Faculty member Jim Collins, Ph.D. "We wanted to make it easy for biologists and experts in other domains to use the power of ML and AutoML to answer fundamental questions and help uncover biology that means something."

AutoML for all

Like many great ideas, the seed that would become BioAutoMATED was planted not in the lab, but over lunch. Valeri and co-first authors Luis Soenksen, Ph.D. and Katie Collins were eating together at one of the Wyss Institute's dining tables when they realized that despite the Institute's reputation as a world-class destination for biological research, only a handful of the top experts working there were capable of building and training ML models that could greatly benefit their work.

"We decided that we needed to do something about that, because we wanted the Wyss to be at the forefront of the AI biotech revolution, and we also wanted the development of these tools to be driven by biologists, for biologists," said Soenksen, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wyss Institute who is also a serial entrepreneur in the science and technology space. "Now, everyone agrees that AI is the future, but four years ago when we got this idea, it wasn't that obvious, particularly for biological research. So, it started as a tool that we wanted to build to serve ourselves and our Wyss colleagues, but now we know that it can serve much more."

While various AutoML systems have already been developed to simplify the process of generating ML models from datasets, they typically have drawbacks; among them, the fact that each AutoML tool is designed to look at only one type of model (e.g., neural networks) when searching for an optimal solution. This limits the resulting model to a narrow set of possibilities, when in reality, a different type of model altogether may be more optimal. Another issue is that most AutoML tools aren't designed specifically to take biological sequences as their input data. Some tools have been developed that use language models for analyzing biological sequences, but these lack automation features and are difficult to use.

To build a robust all-in-one AutoML for biology, the team modified three existing AutoML tools that each use a different approach for generating models: AutoKeras, which searches for optimal neural networks; DeepSwarm, which uses swarm-based algorithms to search for convolutional neural networks; and TPOT, which searches non-neural networks using a variety of methods including genetic programming and self-learning. BioAutoMATED then produces standardized output results for all three tools, so that the user can easily compare them and determine which type produces the most useful insights from their data.

The team built BioAutoMATED to be able to take as inputs DNA, RNA, amino acid, and glycan (sugars molecules found on the surfaces of cells) sequences of any length, type, or biological function. BioAutoMATED automatically pre-processes the input data, then generates models that can predict biological functions from the sequence information alone.

The platform also has a number of features that help users determine whether they need to gather additional data to improve the quality of the output, learn which features of a sequence the models "paid attention" to most (and thus may be of more biological interest), and design new sequences for future experiments.

Nucleotides and peptides and glycans

To test-drive their new framework, the team first used it to explore how changing the sequence of a stretch of RNA called the ribosome binding site (RBS) affected the efficiency with which a ribosome could bind to the RNA and translate it into protein in E. coli bacteria. They fed their sequence data into BioAutoMATED, which identified a model generated by the DeepSwarm algorithm that could accurately predict translation efficiency.

This model performed as well as models created by a professional ML expert, but was generated in just 26.5 minutes and only required ten lines of input code from the user (other models can require more than 750). They also used BioAutoMATED to identify which areas of the sequence seemed to be the most important in determining translation efficiency, and to design new sequences that could be tested experimentally.

They then moved on to trials of feeding peptide and glycan sequence data into BioAutoMATED and using the results to answer specific questions about those sequences. The system generated highly accurate information about which amino acids in a peptide sequence are most important in determining an antibody's ability to bind to the drug ranibizumab (Lucentis), and also classified different types of glycans into immunogenic and non-immunogenic groups based on their sequences. The team also used it to optimize the sequences of RNA-based toehold switches, informing the design of new toehold switches for experimental testing with minimal input coding from the user.

"Ultimately, we were able to show that BioAutoMATED helps people 1) recognize patterns in biological data, 2) ask better questions about that data, and 3) answer those questions quickly, all within a single frameworkwithout having to become an ML expert themselves," said Katie Collins, who is currently a graduate student at the University of Cambridge and worked on the project while an undergraduate at MIT.

Any models predicted with the help of BioAutoMATED, as with any other ML tool, need to be experimentally validated in the lab whenever possible. But the team is hopeful that it could be further integrated into the ever-growing set of AutoML tools, one day extending its function beyond biological sequences to any sequence-like object, such as fingerprints.

"Machine learning and artificial intelligence tools have been around for a while now, but it's only with the recent development of user-friendly interfaces that they've exploded in popularity, as in the case of ChatGPT," said Jim Collins, who is also the Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering & Science at MIT. "We hope that BioAutoMATED can enable the next generation of biologists to faster and more easily discover the underpinnings of life."

"Enabling non-experts to use these platforms is critical for being able to harness ML techniques' full potential to solve long-standing problems in biology, and beyond. This advance by the Collins team is a major step forward for making AI a key collaborator for biologists and bioengineers," said Wyss Founding Director Don Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., who is also the also the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, and the Hansjorg Wyss Professor of Bioinspired Engineering at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).

More information: BioAutoMATED: an end-to-end automated machine learning tool for explanation and design of biological sequences, Cell Systems (2023). dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cels.2023.05.007 Journal information: Cell Systems
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Credit: DGLimages/Shutterstock

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently outlined a plan to improve math skills in England, which will see young people study the subject at school until they are 18. This sounds straightforward but it's worth considering how tricky new educational policy is to get right.

Take, for example, a previous attempt by the UK government to improve children's math skills. In 2016, a multi-million pound initiative was launched offering more than 8,000 primary schools in England funding to buy math textbooks featuring teaching methods based on those used in some east Asian countries.

We don't yet know if the schools who used the textbooks saw any effect on their pupils' attainment. The results of SATstests taken at the end of primary schoolhaven't been published since 2019 due to the COVID pandemic.

However, my research with colleagues shows this initiative, which ran until the 2021-22 academic year, was not widely popular with teachers and school leadersand that the majority of English primary schools did not take up the funding. Of those that did, more than a third have subsequently stopped using the textbooks completely.

Data suggests that on average, children in England do pretty well at math compared with other countries. The latest international study shows the performance of England's nine- to ten-year-olds has increased steadily, now ranking eighth out of 58 jurisdictions.

But challenge lies behind the averages. England has one of the largest gaps in the world between the highest and lowest performers, and a persistent gap in math attainment between pupils from disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged backgrounds.

Wanting to change these patterns for our youngest learners, the government looked to the teaching practices of the highest performers internationallypredominantly east Asian regionsto see what England could "borrow".

Englands international standing in mathematics attainment for nine- to ten-year-olds (data extracted from TIMSS 2019 report). Credit: CC BY-NC-ND

Several exchange projects later saw the "mastery" teaching approach pushed in English primary schools. The mastery method breaks learning down into small blocks and requires that a pupil is competent in a topic before they can move on to another.

Schools minister Nick Gibb announced extended funding in 2016 supporting this push, with a central strand being provision for around 8,000 eligible schools to purchase math textbooks through matched-funding grants of 2,000.

Schools could choose from two government-approved textbook schemes: MathNo Problem! and Power Math. Each scheme included physical textbooks, workbooks for pupils to write in (which must be renewed each year), and subscription-accessed online material including lessons and teacher guides.

To assess the popularity and effectiveness of this approach, we distributed a nationwide survey to all 17,038 state primary schools in England in 2021-22. We received 664 responses, a representative sample. We wanted to find out more about the resources teachers were using to teach math and how far this included the government-approved mastery textbooks.

We were taken aback to discover that more than 100 different math resources are in use in primary schools across England. These vary from complete schemes to topic-focused resources, from online to physical and from free to pay-per-view.

We also found that teachers spend considerable time sourcing and adapting material, with more than a third of primary teachers spending their own money purchasing resources. This clearly clashes with the government aspiration that schools should move to teaching predominantly through textbooks.

A mismatched approach

Author created from survey data

Our survey found that two-thirds of the schools eligible for textbook funding under the scheme launched in 2016 did not take it up. While some were unaware they were eligible, others made a resolved choice not to participate.

Participants from these schools told us of an ideological dislike of textbook-based teaching. A quarter of schools felt they couldn't meet the matched-funding element, or the ongoing costs. This shouldn't come as a surprise, given that costs to schools are growing more quickly than previously experienced.

Of greater concernespecially looked at from a value-for-money perspectivewas that 37% of primary schools that took up the funding have since completely stopped using the textbooks. A further 24% are only using the purchased textbook schemes in a partial wayfor example, still using the physical textbooks but not purchasing pupil workbooks or renewing their online subscriptions to support materials.

In all, only just over 10% of primary schools that were eligible for the textbook scheme took it up and are still using it in full.

Summary of our survey results:

The government's shift to learning from the east Asian education system was a complete about-turn. It meant importing practices that sat at odds with primary school approaches in England, where teachers look after all needs of their class, rather than being subject specialists.

Textbooks, particularly in primary math, have not been popular in primary schools for some time. As well as being costly, they can be seen as a threat to professional identity by taking away teacher control.

Our research underlines that we need a solid understanding of how math teaching is done in England before adding in any new initiatives or policynot only what's happening in classrooms, but the complex reasons behind why it is happening. We hope governments learn from the inefficient administration reported here before implementing further new or borrowed policies.

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Selected background characteristics and aspiration to work in computer science. Credit: International Journal of Science Education (2023). DOI: 10.1080/09500693.2023.2179379

England's girls and other underrepresented groups are at risk of being failed by the current computing curriculum, which excludes their interests, according to new research published recently.

A study by University of Reading, in partnership with Kings College London, published in the International Journal of Science Education, found the current school system creates a gender imbalance in computer science that is reflected in the workplace. The solution, they say, could be to revamp the curriculum to include more creative aspects, such as developing students' skills in digital art, to increase interest and engagement in computer science while also equipping them with valuable skills for the future workforce.

Researchers analyzed questionnaire data from 4,983 secondary school students in England and found that among those who chose to study GCSE Computer Science, girls were 42% less likely to aspire to be a computer scientist compared to boys.

Dr. Billy Wong, Associate Professor at the University of Reading and co-investigator, said, "Given there is high demand for computing graduates in the workplace, it is worrying to see that girls and other marginalized groups are being put-off from thinking about being a computer scientist."

"Students are not a homogenous group, and our observations suggest that the current computing curriculum may not be aligned with the diverse interests, aspirations and backgrounds of young people."

The current GCSE has a strong emphasis on technical skills, especially coding. However, many young people said they cannot see themselves in a future career involving only these skills.

Experts propose that a reform of the GCSE qualification and the wider curriculum, along with other strategies such as encouraging parental support, could help achieve greater gender parity in computing.

Principal investigator Dr. Peter Kemp, Senior Lecturer in Computing Education at King's College London, said, "There is no doubt that computer science is valuable for individual, national and global prosperity," he said. "However, when these findings are viewed with the knowledge of the current gender imbalance in computer science, from school to the workplace, this should be of concern for us all."

"While digital skills are increasingly important for future jobs and the economy, the current GCSE is focused on computer science and developing programming skills, and this seems to deter some young people, in particular girls, from taking up the subject."

The research team suggests that broadening the GCSE and the curriculum to include practices that use digital technology as part of the creative process, would appeal to more students who want to develop digital skills for their future careers but do not see the relevance of the current curriculum and GCSE Computer Science.

Dr. Jessica Hamer, Research Associate at King's College London, and co-investigator, said, "This research is shedding much-needed light on a phenomenon that we knew existed but have so far failed to address adequatelythe uptake of girls in secondary school level computing in England. We hope it will lead to more evidence-based policies and practices, which will eventually enable more young people to see digital jobs as a possibility for them."

As well as examining differences in gender, the researchers also considered the impact that other non-demographic characteristics may have on a child's aspiration to become a computer scientist. For example, if the student has family support and a positive view of people who work in computer science, the study shows they are more likely to want to pursue a career in the field.

More information: Jessica M. M. Hamer et al, Who wants to be a computer scientist? The computing aspirations of students in English secondary schools, International Journal of Science Education (2023). DOI: 10.1080/09500693.2023.2179379
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Rodrigo Hamede and a Tasmanian devil. Credit: University of Tasmania

Research led by the University of Tasmania has found that the deadly devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) responsible for wiping out two-thirds of the species over the last 30 years is evolving to coexist with devil populations.

University of Tasmania disease ecologist Dr. Rodrigo Hamede said that changes in tumor genetic diversity in long-term affected areas like West Pencil Pine in the northwest of Tasmania resulted in lower infection rates and devil population decline leveling off.

"This could be due to differences in how deadly and how transmissible different tumor variants are, or due to devils developing resilience against DFTD, or a combination of both, but we have found that they can now coexist," Dr. Hamede said.

The research team from across Australia, France and U.S. analyzed 159 tumor genomes of the West Pencil Pine devil population to assess the dynamics of tumor variants during the course of the decade-long epidemic. "The tumor is in the detail: local phylogenetic, population and epidemiological dynamics of a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils" was published in the journal Evolutionary Applications.

"We know that shortly after DFTD arrived in West Pencil Pine in 2006, it reached its peak of genetic diversity," Dr. Hamede said.

"Over time, some DFTD variants were weeded out, while a few became better adapted and fixed in the population.

"This suggests that, through selective processes, the tumor is fine tuning its optimal virulence (how deadly it is), a trade-off between transmission rate and disease-induced mortality in the animals."

"This means that DFTD is very unlikely to drive the devil to extinction, but it also means the disease will not disappear, it's an evolutionary deal to coexist with each other."

Dr. Hamede said that the research proves that evolutionary processes can lead to the coexistence of host populations and diseases, even when disease-induced mortality is extremely high, such as in DFTD.

He also argued that while a reduction of infection rates and population decline are good news, it's still critical to keep monitoring and protecting long-term affected devil populations.

"These adapted populations are particularly valuable when planning conservation efforts, as they possess key adaptive traits for future generations of devils.

"We also need to make sure we reduce all other threatening processes, such has habitat loss and fragmentation, genetic deterioration in local populations and roadkill.

"Extinctions are rarely driven by one factor, but act in synergy with other threatening processes."

More information: Rodrigo Hamede et al, The tumour is in the detail: Local phylogenetic, population and epidemiological dynamics of a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils, Evolutionary Applications (2023). DOI: 10.1111/eva.13569
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Graffiti has become so mainstream in recent years that auction houses, museums and entire art shows cater to street art connoisseurs and collectors around the world. Images in the news of young vandals responsible for marking walls have been replaced by sleek websites belonging to global phenoms such as Banksy and Shepard Fairey.

In cities around the world, graffiti is now associated with "street artists" rather than violent street gangs. Today, many cities, from Pittsburgh to Pretoria, invite street artists to help brand neighborhoods that are being revitalized and gentrified as legitimately hip destinations for business owners, home buyers and influencers. Some up-and-coming neighborhoods in cities like Dakar, Senegal; Mexico City; Brisbane, Australia; and Seoul, South Korea offer street art tours and host graffiti festivals.

The vibrantly colored walls in such places attract travelers to parts of town once deemed "sketchy." These same neighborhoods are home to bookstores that carry graffiti coffee table books and universities that offer courses on graffiti art. I have taught such courses myself. But it hasn't always been this way.

The history of tagging

Before becoming an academic who teaches and writes about graffiti, I was a graffiti writer. I started tagging, or illegally writing my nameCisco CBSon surfaces across Los Angeles in the early 1990s.

At the time, local governments were cracking down on wall writers with anti-gang legislation, such as California's 1988 Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act, and a variety of "broken windows theory" policing initiatives.

Law enforcement didn't seem to understand what the writing on walls meant or who was behind those cryptic images and personal monikers. Many residents couldn't read or understand it either. Graffiti was interpreted as gang-related and, therefore, territorial and violent. Vandals were targeted with well-funded anti-graffiti task forces and police crackdowns on taggers like me.

It was not enough, it seemed, to rightfully charge graffiti writers with vandalism. Rather, police and district attorneys, backed by a morally panicked public, were making an example of graffiti writers, charging them with felonies, giving them six-figure fines and sending them to prison for illicitly marking walls.

By the end of the 1990s, as the violent crime rate in cities across the U.S. declined and gentrification increased, new residents felt they could safely move into lower cost, "up-and-coming" neighborhoods.

Local governments turned to gang injunctions, a restraining order targeting alleged gang members, to help rid neighborhoods of the remaining taggers and wall writers who were labeled gang members and were painting political wall murals.

The Guadalupe, or La Virgen, was used to signal the Chicano community's faith in God's protection, delivering them from the violence of the streets at the hands of gangs and police alike. But such murals, often done by local graffiti artists who were themselves deeply rooted in the Chicano community, were forced to make room for "street art" in the context of neighborhood change and urban redevelopment.

As real estate prices went up, the Guadalupe murals came down, symbolizing local displacement by gentrification. While physical displacement was being experienced firsthand by long-standing residents, the transformation of the walls in these communities symbolized a broader cultural change. By the early 2000s, politically neutral street art images replaced depictions of social struggle, Chicano/a history, and community life.

Graffiti made legit

By 2011, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles hosted the first-ever museum survey of street art and graffiti. At this time, I was finishing my dissertation on the "Changing Face of Wall Space," which explored graffiti in the nearby neighborhoods of Echo Park and Silver Lake. In it, I analyzed how graffiti writers such as Eyeone, Mear and Cache were navigating the legal, social, economic and cultural shift taking place in Los Angeles. In the midst of this struggle over wall space and aesthetics, many of my friends were invited inside to tag the walls of the Art in the Streets exhibition.

Just outside the museum gallery, the newly branded Arts District soon welcomed muralists and graffiti writers from around the world. These were the same streets where many of us had been chased, beaten and arrested by police for doing what was now fashionable and profitable. Los Angeles, like many cities in the U.S., had the lowest homicide rate in more than a generation. In this new context, it became more difficult to connect graffiti to the gangs: Gang violence just wasn't there. Graffiti had made a comeback, arriving inside the Trojan Horse of legitimate street art.

Urban blight or community history

Self-described critical Chicana muralists, such as Judith Baca, and pachuco graffiti writers such as Chaz Bojorquez, had been painting on walls around Los Angeles as early as the 1970s. These wall artists' styles were often maligned by city leaders, business owners and wealthy Anglos. But something changed when these inner city aesthetics became the mainstream backdrop for arts communities.

No longer does the writing on the walls signal blight and disorder. Rather, graffiti increasingly tells the story of urban change. It took seeing it as "safe" in the form of "street art" for people to start paying attention to its visual power.

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Credit: Paul Scherrer Institute

Using cryo-electron tomography, researchers have uncovered details of how the dynein motor protein drives cilia to beat. Understanding this motion may help to tackle health problems that affect cilia, which range from fertility issues to lung disease and COVID-19.

The outside of many eukaryotic cells are covered in hair-like organelles known as cilia. In the human body, their rhythmic movementsor beatingserve some fascinating jobs. Waving like arms, they are responsible for pushing the egg along the oviduct. They also give sperm their tails; thus playing roles in both women's and men's fertility. In the throat, like bristles on a brush, they sweep viruses and dust out of our airways. Their dysfunction is linked to various types of lung disease, and indeed COVID-19 is known to target cells in the airways possessing cilia. In embryos, the beating of cilia helps to establish left-right asymmetry.

Although researchers know a lot about the roles of cilia, less is known about how they beat. Yet understanding the mechanisms of their motion is important to understanding their functionand, eventually, developing treatments linked to their malfunction. Now, using cryo-electron tomography, scientists from Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have shed new light on their motion. Cilia wave on the outside of cells from the human bronchia. Like bristles on a brush, the cilia sweep viruses and dust out of our airways. The movie was made using light microscopy. Credit: Paul Scherrer Institute / Akira Noga and Takashi Ishikawa

How do cilia move?

Takashi Ishikawa raises his arm, moves it quickly down and then whips it back up. "This is the metachronal motion of a cilium," he explains. Cilia don't perform this movement in isolation. The term metachronal describes a type of sequential motion. On one cell, hundreds of cilia beat in turn like a Mexican wave. "We want to understand this beautiful motion," says Ishikawa, whose research group at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is investigating the cellular and molecular structural biology of eukaryotic cilia.

In a recent publication in The EMBO Journal, the research group describes the mechanism of the motor that drives the cilia: a protein called dynein. The name comes from the word "dyne"a unit for force.

Cilia consist of an outer structure of nine pairs of microtubules, long tube like molecules that are part of the cell cytoskeleton, arranged into a circle. Connecting them are hundreds of dynein motor proteins. The source of energy for the motor protein dynein is the universal energy-currency of the cell, ATP. When dynein hydrolyses a molecule of ATP, it changes shape, dragging the microtubule on to which it is anchored and causes the microtubule pair to bend.

Cryo-electron tomography reveals motion of the dynein motor protein

In the latest study, the researchers were interested in how dynein generates its force. To investigate this, they focused on the detailed motion of part of the motor protein known as the outer dynein arms, which is responsible mainly for force generation.

The researchers investigated the different conformations the outer dynein arm makes during cilia beating using a technique called cryo-electron tomography. This is a version of cryo-electron microscopy in which samples are tilted to create 3D image reconstructions.

Ph.D. student and study first author Noemi Zimmermann isolated the outer beating part of ciliaknown as the axonemefrom the cell body of plankton. This is the part that contains the dynein motor protein. Its motion in plankton is identical to in our body. The researchers then added ATP to make the motors move. "Amazingly, when you add ATP to isolated axonemes, they still beatjust like a mechanical part," explains Zimmerman.

They then rapidly froze the samples in liquid nitrogen. Taking millions of electron microscopy images at different tilt angles, they could piece together the motion of the outer dynein arm. Similar to the different phases of the swimming stroke front crawl, dynein generates force in a procedure known as the power stroke cycle.

The researchers were able to describe very precisely conformations of the outer dynein arm during different phases of this movement. In particular, they identified several intermediate conformations that were previously unknown, which showed how anchorings of the protein on the microtubule cross over at the beginning of the cycle. "This was quite a surprise, because it was not how most people expected it would work," says Zimmerman.

How do dyneins talk to each other?

This piece of research adds one piece to the mammoth jigsaw puzzle that is the complex motion of the cilia. On each cilia, hundreds of dynein motor proteins must work together like synchronized swimmers to coordinate the bending of the microtubules so that the cilia beat.

"If they are just randomly making the force, it will not end up with orchestrated motion," says Ishikawa. How the dynein proteins cross-talk to achieve this feat is another fascinating question that Ishikawa and his team are currently trying to answer.

More information: Noemi Zimmermann et al, ATPinduced conformational change of axonemal outer dynein arms revealed by cryoelectron tomography, The EMBO Journal (2023). DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112466 Journal information: EMBO Journal
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The Indian Oceans heat is having effects on land, too. Credit: NOAA Coral Reef Watch

Ocean temperatures have been off the charts since mid-March 2023, with the highest average levels in 40 years of satellite monitoring, and the impact is breaking through in disruptive ways around the world.

The sea of Japan is more than 7 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) warmer than average. The Indian monsoon, closely tied to conditions in the warm Indian Ocean, has been well below its expected strength.

Spain, France, England and the whole Scandinavian Peninsula are also seeing rainfall far below normal, likely connected to an extraordinary marine heat wave in the eastern North Atlantic. Sea surface temperatures there have been 1.8 to 5 F (1 to 3 C) above average from the coast of Africa all the way to Iceland.

So what's going on?

El Nino is partly to blame. This climate phenomenon, now developing in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is characterized by warm waters in the central and eastern Pacific, which generally weakens the trade winds in the tropics. This weakening of those winds can affect oceans and land around the world.

But there are other forces at work on ocean temperatures.

Underlying everything is global warmingthe continuing rising trend of sea surface and land temperatures for the past several decades as human activities have increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

The world just came off three straight years of La NinaEl Nino's opposite, characterized by cooler waters rising in the equatorial Pacific. La Nina has a cooling effect globally that helps keep global sea surface temperatures in check but can also mask global warming. With that cooling effect turned off, the heat is increasingly evident.

Arctic sea ice was also unusually low in May and early June, and it may play a role. Losing ice cover can increase water temperatures, because dark open water absorbs solar radiation that white ice had reflected back into space.

These influences are playing out in various ways around the world.

Sea surface temperatures are running well above the average since satellite monitoring began. The thick black line is 2023. The orange line is 2022. The 1982-2011 average is the middle dashed line. Credit: ClimateReanalyzer.org/NOAA OISST v2.1

The effects of extraordinary Atlantic heat

In early June 2023, I visited the NORCE climate center in Bergen, Norway, for two weeks to meet with other ocean scientists. The warm waters and mild winds across the eastern North Atlantic brought a long stretch of sunny, warm weather in a month when more than 70% of days normally would have been downpours.

The whole agricultural sector of Norway is now bracing for a drought as bad as the one in 2018, when yield was 40% below normal. Our train from Bergen to Oslo had a two-hour delay because the brakes of one car overheated and the 90 F (32 C) temperatures approaching the capital were too high to allow them to cool down.

Many scientists have speculated on the causes of the eastern North Atlantic's unusually high temperatures, and several studies are underway.

Weakened winds caused the Azores high, a semi-permanent high pressure system over the Atlantic that affects Europe's weather, to be especially weak and brought less dust from the Sahara over the ocean during the spring, which may have increased the amount of solar radiation reaching the water. A decrease in human-produced aerosol emissions in Europe and in the United States over the past few yearswhich has succeeded in improving air qualitymay also have reduced the cooling effect such aerosols have.

A weakened monsoon in South Asia

In the Indian Ocean, El Nino tends to cause a warming of the water in April and May that can dampen the crucial Indian monsoon.

That may be happeningthe monsoon was much weaker than normal from mid-May to mid-June 2023. That can be a problem for a large part of South Asia, where most of the agriculture is still rain-fed and depends heavily on the summer monsoon.

Credit: The Conversation

The Indian Ocean also saw an intense, slow-moving cyclone in the Arabian Sea this year that deprived land of moisture and rainfall for weeks. Studies suggest storms can sit for longer over warmer waters, gaining strength and pulling moisture to their core, and that can deprive surrounding land masses of water, increasing the risk of droughts, wildfires and marine heat waves.

North American hurricane season up in the air

In the Atlantic, the weakening trade winds with El Nino tend to tamp down hurricane activity, but warm Atlantic temperatures can supercharge those storms. Whether the ocean heat, if it persists into fall, will override El Nino's effects remains to be seen.

Risk of marine heat waves in South America

Marine heat waves can also have huge impacts on marine ecosystems, bleaching coral reefs and causing the death or movement of entire species. Coral-based ecosystems are nurseries for fish that provide food for 1 billion people around the world.

The reefs of the Galapagos Islands and those along the coastlines of Colombia, Panama and Ecuador are already at risk of severe bleaching and mortality from this year's El Nino. Meanwhile, the Japan Sea and the eastern Mediterranean Sea are both losing their biodiversity to invasive speciesgiant jellyfish in Asia and lionfish in the Mediterraneanthat can thrive in warmer waters.

These kinds of risks are increasing

Spring 2023 was exceptional, with several chaotic weather events accompanying the formation of El Nino and the exceptionally warmer temperatures in many parts of the world. At the same time, the warming of the oceans and atmosphere increase the chances for this kind of ocean warming.

To lower the risk, the world needs to reduce baseline warming by limiting excess greenhouse gas emissions, like fossil fuels, and move to a carbon-neutral planet. People will have to adapt to a warming climate in which extreme events are more likely and learn how to mitigate their impact.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University detected elevated PFAS levels in the blood of pet dogs and horses from Gray's Creek, N.C.including dogs that only drank bottled water. The work establishes horses as an important sentinel species and is a step toward investigating connections between PFAS exposure and liver and kidney function in dogs and horses.

The study included 31 dogs and 32 horses from the community, and was conducted at the behest of community members concerned about their pets' well-being. All of the households in the study were on well water, and all of the wells had been tested and deemed PFAS contaminated by state inspectors.

The animals received a general veterinary health check and had their blood serum screened for 33 different PFAS chemicals. These PFAS were chosen based on compounds that were present in the Cape Fear River basin and the availability of analytical standards.

From the targeted list of 33 PFAS of interest, researchers found 20 different PFAS in the animals. All of the animals in the study had at least one chemical detected in their blood serum, and over 50% of the dogs and horses had at least 12 of the 20 detected PFAS.

PFOS, a long-chain PFAS used for years in industrial and commercial products, had the highest concentrations in dog serum. The perfluorosulfonic acid PFHxS, a surfactant used in consumer products and firefighting foams, was detected in dogs, but not horses. Consistent with wells being the known contamination source, some ether-containing PFAS including HFPO-DA (colloquially known as GenX), were detected only in dogs and horses that drank well water.

In dogs who drank well water, median concentrations of two of the PFASPFOS and PFHxS were similar to those of children in the Wilmington GenX exposure study, suggesting that pet dogs may serve as an important indicator of household PFAS. Dogs who drank bottled water, on the other hand, had different types of PFAS in their blood serum. However, 16 out of the 20 PFAS detected in this study were found in the dogs who drank bottled water.

Overall, horses had lower concentrations of PFAS than dogs, though the horses did show higher concentrations of Nafion byproduct 2 (NBP2), a byproduct of fluorochemical manufacturing. The finding suggests that contamination of the outdoor environment, potentially from deposition of the PFAS onto forage, contributed to their exposure.

"Horses have not previously been used to monitor PFAS exposure," says Kylie Rock, postdoctoral researcher at NC State and first author of the work. "But they may provide critical information about routes of exposure from the outdoor environment when they reside in close proximity to known contamination sources."

Finally, the veterinary blood chemistry panels for the animals showed changes in diagnostic biomarkers used to assess liver and kidney dysfunction, two organ systems that are primary targets of PFAS toxicity in humans.

"While the exposures that we found were generally low, we did see differences in concentration and composition for animals that live indoors versus outside," says Scott Belcher, associate professor of biology at NC State and corresponding author of the work.

"The fact that some of the concentrations in dogs are similar to those in children reinforces the fact that dogs are important in-home sentinels for these contaminants," Belcher says. "And the fact that PFAS is still present in animals that don't drink well water points to other sources of contamination within homes, such as household dust or food."

The work, title "Domestic Dogs and Horses as Sentinels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Exposure and Associated Health Biomarkers in Gray's Creek North Carolina," appears in Environmental Science and Technology.
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A new analysis of data from the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) gives fresh insight into how gluons contribute to proton spin. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

A new publication by the PHENIX Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) provides definitive evidence that gluon "spins" are aligned in the same direction as the spin of the proton they're in. The result, just published in Physical Review Letters, provides theorists with new input for calculating how much gluonsthe gluelike particles that hold quarks together within protons and neutronscontribute to a proton's spin.

Whether and how much gluons contribute to proton spinan intrinsic angular momentum that's associated with the protons' optical, magnetic, and other propertieshas been an open question since 1987. That's when an experiment at Europe's CERN laboratory revealed that quarks, the other components of protons and neutrons, cannot account for a proton's total spin value.

"I was involved in the CERN experiment that established that quarks didn't carry too much of the spin. That was a big surprise; it ignited a 'spin crisis,'" said Abhay Deshpande, a physicist at Stony Brook University (SBU) and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, where RHIC operates as a DOE Office of Science user facility for nuclear physicists from all over the world. "Obviously, the remaining spin had to come from somewhere else. So, at the time, there were ideas that gluons might carry the rest of the spin."

The search for answers turned to Brookhaven Lab, where RHIC was taking shape to explore a different set of physics questions related to the way quarks and gluons existed in the early universe. But the spin mystery attracted a whole new set of collaboratorsand significant contributions from Japan's RIKEN laboratoryto expand RHIC's capabilities. These included specialized accelerator components that allow RHIC to align and "flip" the spins of protons (making it the only polarized proton collider in the world), and additional equipment for making key spin measurements at the PHENIX experiment, one of RHIC's first particle detectors.

"At the beginning of the RHIC project, we felt this is the place we must go," said Hideto En'yo, a RIKEN physicist and one of the spokespersons of the first proposal for polarized proton acceleration at RHIC. "We were so excited when we realized that RHIC is polarizable, which enables us to resolve gluons' role in the proton spin crisis."

Brookhaven Lab accepted the proposal for the accelerator and detector additions, and RIKEN provided funding.

"In addition, because this was more than just participating in one experiment, RIKEN decided to establish the RIKEN-BNL Research Center (RBRC) to be RIKEN's forward base and home at Brookhaven Lab for the experimentalists and theorists needed to pursue these questions," En'yo said.

Golden measurement

The new PHENIX result is one of the "golden" measurements proposed as a key motivator for the RHIC spin physics program. It's a comparison of the number of "direct photons" (particles of light) emitted when RHIC collides protons with their spins pointing in opposite directions (either at or away from each other) with the number of direct photons produced when the protons in the two beams are pointing in the same direction (colliding head to tail).

For reasons having to do with the way quarks and gluons can interact to emit photons (and knowing that net quark spins are positively aligned with proton spin), seeing a difference would indicate that gluon spins are also aligned, or polarizedand, importantly, in which direction. That is, the collision condition producing more direct photons would tell them whether the gluon spin alignment was positivepointing in the same direction as the proton spin and contributing to that valueor negative (pointing in the opposite direction and counteracting the quarks' contributions to spin).

"This is a very clean and simple result for interpretation," said Brookhaven Lab physicist Alexander (Sasha) Bazilevsky, deputy spokesperson for the PHENIX Collaboration. "The beauty of the direct photons is that their production at RHIC is dominated by quark-gluon interactions," he said. In other words, these particles of light come directly from the interaction of a quark in one proton beam with a gluon in the otherrather than from the decay of some other particle produced in the collision.

"And, when a photon is created, because it doesn't carry any color charge [the form of charge that drives strong-force interactions among quarks and gluons] it doesn't interact with the surrounding nuclear matter," Deshpande said. "That's what makes it such a clean measurement."

But despite that apparent simplicity, "it's pretty hard to measure experimentally," Bazilevsky said.

Direct photons () are emitted when a quark in one proton interacts with a gluon in the other proton. By comparing the number of direct photons emitted in collisions where proton spins are pointing in opposite directions (as shown) with the number emitted when one proton spin is flipped so both are pointing in the same direction, scientists can determine whether gluon spins are aligned with or against the proton spin direction. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

The numbers game

One reason for the difficulty is that lots of other photons stream out of RHIC collisions. Finding those that come directly from quark-gluon interactions requires a systematic process of elimination.

"No other experiment or detector could do this measurement," said Yasuyuki Akiba, a physicist at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, spokesperson for the PHENIX Collaboration, and Experiment Group Leader at the RBRC. "But because PHENIX had the most finely grained electromagnetic calorimeter (EMCal) ever built for a collider experiment, it provided the capabilities needed to separate out direct photons from those coming from other sources," he explained.

For example, if a photon picked up in the detector is surrounded by other particles, it likely came from radiative processes that happened after the collisionso those photons are not direct. Likewise, if the energy and angles of a pair of photons can be reconstructed to have originated from the decay of a parent particlea pi zero meson, saythen those photons are also not direct photons. After all the eliminations, the photons with no other obvious source are assumed to have originated from a quark-gluon scattering event.

To be left with enough direct photons for a proper statistical analysis after filtering out other photon-producing processes, the scientists also needed a very high number of collisions, or luminosity. When RHIC first started colliding polarized protons in the early 2000s, it didn't have the numbers.

"Robert Bennett (now a data scientist in Washington, DC) was the first of my students to start working on this in the late 2000s, using analysis methods originally developed by Kensuke Okada of the RBRC and RIKEN," Deshpande said. "The method worked, and we got preliminary results, but we didn't have enough statistics to have a publication."

Meanwhile PHENIX and STAR, RHIC's other large detector, made other measurements related to gluon spin. STAR's analysis of particle jets and PHENIX's analysis of pi zero mesons showed that gluons were indeed polarized. "It was a big discovery," Bazilevsky said.

But those measurements couldn't reliably reveal the direction of the gluons' spin alignmentwhether it was along the direction of proton polarization or against it. In addition, because the particles tracked in those measurements do interact via the exchange of color charges, their signals were not as clean as the expected direct photon measurements.

Fortunately, the communities of experimental and accelerator physicists who were seeking to push RHIC to ever-higher levels of performance persevered.

"Many scientistsincluding those at RIKEN, the RBRC, and local Brookhaven Lab physicists Gerry Bunce of the Physics Department and Yousef Makdisi of C-ADhelped to push the program forward," Deshpande said. "Sasha and I came in as young scientists/RBRC fellows, and they were the seniors who were mentoring us in every way."

"And Thomas Roser [an accelerator physicist who later became Collider-Accelerator Department (C-AD) chair] was a big promoter of the spin program," he added. "He understood how difficult it was. But he also understood that the challenge was exciting, and that new scientists would come here to take on the challengeand that their efforts would improve the collider for the entire RHIC program."

The investment paid off. By 2013, RHIC's luminosity for both polarized proton and heavy ion collisions far exceeded the limits of its initial design. And innovative advances in accelerator physics had pushed the degree of polarization in the proton beams to nearly 60%.

Dedicated student(s) and experience

One more ingredient was still needed: a student willing to take on the complex analysis.

"When the luminosity and polarization of RHIC were coming up, it was to the credit of Zhongling Ji, who joined my group as a Stony Brook University graduate student in 2015 and understood how difficult this problem was, that he still jumped in and stuck with it," Deshpande said.

The analysis progressed over Zhongling's graduate career, extended a bit longer than a typical Ph.D. student's work by the delays imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As noted, one of the major obstacles in this analysis is effectively removing the considerable background of photons that come from the decay of other particles produced in RHIC's collisions," said Ji, now a postdoctoral scholar at UCLA. "Our analysis built on the work of Okada and Bennett, as well as the contributions of Sasha and Sanghwa Park while she was a postdoc at Stony Brook (now a physicist at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility). They were heavily involved in the analysis. Where reconstructing photons resulting from the decay of other particles was not feasible, we instead relied on dedicated simulations to determine the frequency of these occurrences and carefully remove them from the data. That allowed us to zero in on a high enough number of direct photons to perform a statistically valid analysis."

To investigate gluons' contribution to spin, scientists compared the number of direct photons emitted from two different types of longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions: Ones where the proton spins were pointing in opposite directions (in this case, at each other, top) and ones where the two proton spins were pointing in the same direction, colliding head to tail (bottom). More direct photons emerged from the collisions of oppositely aligned protons, revealing that gluons' spins are indeed aligned in the same direction as the proton they are in. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

The results published in PRL are based on data collected in 2013, the last year high-energy longitudinally polarized protons were run while RHIC's PHENIX detector was still collecting data. (PHENIX shut down in 2016 to make way for sPHENIX, RHIC's brand new detector.) The data analyzed corresponds to about 5.4 trillion proton-proton collisions.

"In the end, it took five students over 15 years to complete this analysis," said Deshpande, praising Zhongling's dedication but also acknowledging the experience gained through those earlier efforts. "Everything all these students did was building toward this. It was all important work."

The findings and the future

The PHENIX results show a clear difference in direct photon yields, with higher yields coming from the collisions where the proton spins are pointing in opposite directions (at or away from one another). This is clear evidence that the gluon spins are aligned in the same direction as the proton spin and make a significant contribution to the proton's overall spin value. The new analysis will now provide input for theorists' calculations to determine just how much of a contribution that is.

Does that finally solve the proton spin mystery? Not quite, the scientists say.

The final contribution to proton spin is likely the orbital motion of quarks and gluons within these composite particles. Those details are inaccessible in collisions of longitudinally polarized protons.

Collisions at RHIC where protons are collided with their spins pointing "up," or transversely, have shown hints of the gluons' orbital motion. But precision measurements of orbital motion will have to wait for the opening of the Electron-Ion Collider, a new facility for nuclear physics research that will be built by repurposing much of RHIC's infrastructure.

The EIC will use polarized electron-proton collisions to measure the spin contribution of gluons with higher precision. These EIC experiments will improve significantly on the measurements that have been possible at RHIC in a complementary way. Furthermore, while RHIC gave excellent access to the highest "momentum fraction" gluons (those carrying a large fraction of the overall proton momentum), the EIC will give scientists access to low momentum fraction gluons. While these "low x" gluons each carry a small fraction of the overall proton momentum, they may make an outsized contribution to proton spin due to their relative abundance.

Bazilevsky noted how the EIC will bring the spin mystery full circle: "The spin crisis started with deep inelastic scattering experiments at CERN in collisions of muons (cousins of electrons) on protons, which showed the quarks alone can't account for spin. Then RHIC's proton-proton experiments have revealed a lot about gluons. Now we will go back to electron-proton collisions at the EIC, with higher collision rates and both beams polarized, to finally solve this puzzle."

More information: Measurement of direct-photon cross section and double-helicity asymmetry at  s = 510 GeV in  p +  p collisions, Physical Review Letters (2023). journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/  ysRevLett.130.251901 Journal information: Physical Review Letters
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A paper published in SCIENCE CHINA: Earth Sciences estimated the land use changes on the Tibetan Plateau during the peak carbon period (2021-2040), the carbon neutral period (2051-2070) and the end of the 21st century (2081-2100) based on shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs). The land use trends and land use shift characteristics of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau under the future "double carbon" target were estimated. Credit: Science China Press.

Land use change is closely related to human activities, affecting ecological environment and species diversity, and how to make scientific observations and simulations to predict it has become a focal issue.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "third pole of the world," is extremely sensitive to global climate change. Its complex physical geography and unique social and human processes have made it a hot spot for global research. Land use change on the Tibetan Plateau is an important foundation of ecological security barrier, and it has significant impacts on the Tibetan Plateau, its surrounding regions and the world.

This study predicts land use changes in the Tibetan Plateau during the carbon peak (2021-2040), carbon neutral (2051-2070), and late 21st century (2081-2100) based on shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). In the base period (1995~2014), the areas of arable land, forest land, grassland, urban land and bare land on the Tibetan Plateau are about 14103, 349103, 1853103, 0.3103 and 235103km2, respectively.

Compared with the base period, the area of grassland will decrease in the next three periods, and urban, forest land and bare land will increase. By the end of the 21st century, grassland will decrease by 6.1 to 21.7%, and woodland is the land use type with the largest increase in area, increasing by about 21.2 to 72.8%.

The work is published in the journal Science China Earth Sciences.

More information: Runhong Xu et al, Projected land use changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at the carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets, Science China Earth Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11430-022-1077-y Journal information: Science China Earth Sciences
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The sub-10 nm nanopores in the WO 3 nanosheets created using single swift heavy ions. Credit: Xu Lijun and Zhai Pengfei

Chinese scientists have proposed a new method for direct fabrication of sub-10 nm nanopores in WO 3 nanosheets using swift heavy ions. The results have been published in Nano Letters.

The study was conducted by the scientists at the Materials Research Center of the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and their collaborator at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Russia.

Fabrication of high-quality solid-state nanopores is of great importance to the applications of single molecule detection, nanofluidic devices and nanofiltration membranes. The most popular way to fabricate nanopores in inorganic films, such as SiN, SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 , is to use focused ion or electron beams.

However, a feedback system or direct imaging is required when using this poring method, and only one single nanopore can be fabricated at a time, which limits mass production. Therefore, it is necessary to explore a new poring method that could create size- and density-controllable nanopores without any feedback system.

Based on the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL), the scientists have demonstrated a direct poring method in WO 3 nanosheets using swift heavy ion irradiation.

In addition, they applied molecular dynamics simulations to explain the underlying mechanism. It was found that the viscosity and surface tension of the transient molten phase caused by swift heavy ions are the key factors for the formation of nanopores.

By selecting ions of different electronic energy losses, the scientists created nanopores with sizes from 1.8 to 7.4 nm in WO 3 nanosheets. They can control the density of nanopores by applying different ion fluences.

This new method, involving no chemical etching process, has the potential for wide application. It paves the way to fabricating solid-state nanopores in materials with a low viscosity and surface tension using swift heavy ions, and provides new insights into the latent ion track formation in solid materials.

More information: Lijun Xu et al, Direct Fabrication of Sub-10 nm Nanopores in WO3 Nanosheets Using Single Swift Heavy Ions, Nano Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00884 Journal information: Nano Letters
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Chitvan Killawala developed a sensor capable of detecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the warm zone of structural fires. Credit: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami

Chitvan Killawala and Umer Bakali want to help protect firefighters from a potential threat. Their strategy to do so does not involve creating a better forcible-entry axe or a thicker face shield, but relies instead on deploying a device no bigger than a USB flash drive.

The two University of Miami graduate students have developed a special sensor capable of detecting the real-time presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the warm zone at structural fires.

A class of chemicals that result from burning coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco, PAHs can bind to or form small particles in the air. In laboratory animals, they are known to cause certain cancers.

Scientists using bulky instruments such as mass spectrometers, which require industrial compressed gas cylinders, have measured levels of PAHs in samples in laboratory settings. But deploying such large devices in the field to test for the presence of the chemical is not practical, according to Bakali, a doctoral candidate in biochemistry and molecular biology at the Miller School of Medicine.

"As a consequence, there's very little solid evidence on the levels of PAHs firefighters are exposed to, particularly inside the warm zone of an active fire scene where team staging activities occur and where they aren't suited up in personal protective gear. So, our sensors help fill a void," said Killawala, a doctoral student in biomedical engineering, who started developing the special sensor about two years ago.

He and Bakali used small commercially available sensors designed to measure vinyl chloride, benzene, and other chemicals. "We tweaked their parameters a bit so that we could test for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons," Bakali explained. "The PAHs interact with the sensor and cause a voltage drop, basically a dip in the way that the sensor reads. And that gives us a readout that we can compare to a baseline when there are no PAHs present."

To test the effectiveness of their sensor, the two graduate students had to find a way to position it close enough to a fire without putting themselves at risk. So, they purchased a miniature remote-controlled monster truck from a hobby store, modifying its exterior and mounting their sensor on its top.

Then, during controlled live burns at fire-training facilities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Pinellas counties, they drove their modified mobile rover into the warm zones of structural fires. The sensors, which render a readout in just a few seconds, recorded elevated levels of PAHs, providing evidence that firefighters would be wise to don protective gear in the warm zone as a precaution.

"This was a way to get our analytics out into the field in a way that integrates seamlessly with the firefighter," said Bakali, who is part of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center's Firefighter Cancer Initiative.

He and Killawala are modifying their sensor to make it more effective and are planning further testing at fire academies such as the City of Miami's Fire-Rescue Training Center in Coconut Grove.

Researchers from multiple areasamong them, the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Miller School's Department of Public Health Sciences, and the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institutehave assisted Killawala and Bakali in their project.

They envision their sensor being integrated into the gear firefighters carry, allowing them to measure levels of PAHs at command posts in the warm zone. "Another avenue is just to deploy it in fire stations to measure the concentration of PAHs in the air," Bakali said.

Firefighters with whom the two graduate students collaborated are optimistic about the sensor's potential, according to Killawala. "And that's actually the most exciting part of what we're doing," he said. "We see how much they value our data. So, that's a huge motivating factor for us. This could help inform changes in policy and lead to better occupational safety."
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Comparison of moderate resolution image with image using cubesat technology. Credit: Prof. Michael Alonzo.

The early blooms of some of Washington D.C.'s iconic cherry blossoms this year set off a flurry of questions: Were trees communicating sensitivity to climate change?

As scientists try to understand the effect of climate on trees, advances in imaging technology are helping them see both the whole forest and every individual tree. High-resolution images taken by cubesatssmall, shoebox-sized devices launched into low-Earth orbitare helping environmental scientists make more precise measurements about trees' response to a warming climate.

With cubesat imagery, new research by Prof. Michael Alonzo, assistant professor of environmental science in American University's College of Arts and Sciences, raises questions about the role of heat in the early onset of urban forest growing seasons.

The paper is published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.

According to the findings, urban heat may not advance "green up," or seasonal vegetation leaf emergence, as much as was previously understood. This is because scientists have relied on pixelated images from moderate-resolution satellites, and the mix of plants, grasses and trees in each pixel made it look as if tree canopies in cities were greening up earlier.

"If we want to learn whether a given species or plant is changing its life cycle events due to warming, we need to do a better job zooming in on individuals and how they interact with their environment," Alonzo said.

Studying the urban heat island effect gives scientists a preview of how global warming might affect vegetation in non-urban areas. The urban heat island effect occurs when impervious surfaces trap and radiate heat and cause city temperatures to grow 2 to 3 degrees warmer than non-urban areas.

With satellite technology, scientists study large areas of trees and their growing seasons. This has led to conclusions that trees in cities green up earlier and lose leaves later compared with their those in rural and natural areas. Scientists largely attribute longer growing seasons to heat. Alonzo's work with images from cubesats is calling this into question.

"A lot of research focuses on urbanization and the urban heat island effect as the reason for longer growing seasons," Alonzo said. "Urban heat plays a role, but we may be overstating its importance."

Walk in any city, even for a short walk, and you'll see complex and varied vegetation: Cultivated trees, shrubs, and turfgrass in highly managed areas mix together closely and are interspersed with natural vegetation and impervious surface. Pixelated images do not let scientists study all these different species individually, nor does the technology provide imagery on a daily basis. Cubesat imagery allows scientists to monitor continuous changes, such as how leaves develop day after day when the growing season begins.

Alonzo and his colleagues downloaded cubesat imageryfor growing seasons from 2018 to 2020covering more than 10,000 tree crowns on streets Washington, D.C., in a sample that included 29 species of broadleaf, leaf-shedding trees.

Piecing together hundreds of images taken nearly every day, they monitored the timing of green up in the spring and leaf loss in the fall for every tree, and analyzed how much the length of a tree's growing season could be attributed to its species, and how much to its planting location. They also considered how other site factors such as air temperature and impervious surface cover influenced these timings, using other available data.

Alonzo concludes that understanding how species composition varies between rural and urban areas is critical to improving models of how trees and other types of vegetation respond to heat. Though the study was conducted on trees in D.C., Alonzo said the findings apply to other urban and non-urban areas, and different types of trees.

While cubesats are often associated with NASA or the private space industry, Alonzo is part of a small, emerging group of scientists studying trees using its imagery. He uses many tools in his analyses of tree health, including drones, satellites, and traversing D.C. via his bicycle or car to gather air temperature readings. These tools pair well with cubesats as scientists embrace new methods for mapping and monitoring ecosystems, Alonzo said.

In the future, Alonzo will collaborate with professors in the School of International Service to use cubesat imagery to monitor changes in agricultural activity in Nigeria and forest changes in Haiti.

More information: Michael Alonzo et al, Canopy composition drives variability in urban growing season length more than the heat island effect, Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163818 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
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Euclid, the European Space Agencys space telescope, will be launched on the first of July if everything goes to plan. During the coming six years, it will be mapping one third of the sky. Credit: ESA

The Euclid space telescope has a target launch date of July 1, 2023 (18:11 Finnish time at the earliest) with a backup launch date of July 2, 2023.

In six years, Euclid will complete a task that would take older telescopes like Hubble or Webb over a century. The main objective is to solve the problem of dark energy, i.e., why has the expansion of the universe started to accelerate?

A map to reveal the secrets of dark matter and dark energy

The objective of Euclid is to help us understand two of the most enigmatic, yet key phenomena in the universe; dark matter and dark energy.

"The gravity of dark matter and dark energy affects the movements of galaxies and the expansion of the universe. Though we cannot see either of them directly, they make up some 95% of the universe," says Professor Hannu Kurki-Suonio from the University of Helsinki.

Euclid will produce a three-dimensional map of the universe with billions of galaxies. The map will cover over one third of space, up to 10 billion light years away. The further away an observed galaxy is, the further we can see into the pastall the way to 10 billion years ago.

The part of space to be mapped has been selected because that is where the furthermost galaxies are most clearly discernible, avoiding the plane of the Milky Way and our own solar system. Euclid will also measure the gravitational lens effect; how the gravitation of dark matter bends the trajectory of light so that it distorts how we see far-away galaxies. In this way we will be able to map the distribution of dark matter.

The three-dimensional map produced by Euclid will help us study how the universe has expanded and how large-scale structures, like galaxies, have developed during cosmic history. This, in turn, depends on the characteristics of dark matter and dark energy.

Euclid will be launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, where it will be able to make observations without interference. There is a telescope on Euclid with a diameter of 1.2 meters, along with two instruments: one for taking sharp images in visual light, the other one for taking spectra and images in infrared.

Both instruments on Euclid contain a large camera. The images from visible light contain more than 600 million pixels and the ones from infrared more than 60 million pixels.

Euclid will take images from one area for over an hour, and then it will be turned towards another area. Euclid differs from previous space telescopes specifically in that it can take in a much larger portion of space at one timethe portion of space covered by one image is larger than the full moon can conceal.

More than 300 research institutes and 2,000 researchers from 21 countries are participating in Euclid. The total cost of the project is more than 1 billion euros. The observational data from Euclid will be analyzed in nine separate Euclid science data centers, one of which is located in Finland.

The Finnish scientists have collaborated in developing computing methods, producing simulated data, and developing data quality-assurance methods for Euclid. The Finnish members also hold a strong position in combining observations made from Earth with Euclid data. In addition to the data gathered by the space telescope, we also need a huge amount of data collected from Earth in order to determine the distances of galaxies.

"In order to collate all this data, we need long-term collaboration between observatories and data centers around the world, but once it is finished, it will also offer scientists the best material for research into the structure of the universe," says University Lecturer Aku Venhola from the University of Oulu.

"Data-intensive computation is a swiftly growing field within science. The Finnish Euclid science data center is a spearhead example of this," says Director Janne Ignatius from CSC, the IT Center for Science.

"The development of efficient methods of data analysis poses cross-discipline challenges between cosmology and IT," adds Associate Professor Maarit Korpi-Lagg from Aalto University.

Finnish researchers have especially developed methods for computing statistical measures like correlation functions to describe the structure of the universe. After the launch, the Finnish computing center will be responsible for processing 5% of the data from Euclid.

Euclid will start collecting the measurements three months after the launch. The first measurement period will last one year, after which a period of 14 months has been set aside for analysis. The first results from the Euclid project are expected by the end of 2025.
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Volvic is famous for its mineral water. But local streams are drying up and some residents blame the plant.

The public fountains in Volvic, the home of one of the world's most famous mineral waters, have been turned off.

Just down the road from the bottling factory at the foot of the old volcanic hills of central France, streams once powerful enough to drive flour mills are drying up and villages are under a hosepipe ban.

Campaigners such as Sylvie de Larouziere, head of the water conservation group PREVA, point the finger at the Volvic plant. "It seems like it's always getting bigger," she complained.

A local aristocratic trout farmer is suing the company, owned by French multinational Danone, after a stream that fed his 17th-century fish ponds abruptly dried up.

The Puy de Dome region is sometimes called the "water tower" of France, with heavy and reliable rainfall meaning farmers downstream used to slosh around in their fields because the soil was so wet.

But those days are long gone. In early May with supplies "abnormally weak", authorities imposed a hosepipe ban and outlawed the filling of swimming pools in 31 nearby districts, hitting some 60,000 people.

Volvic's public fountains were switched off and villagers fear water cuts this summer.

"It was a shock," said Maria-Louisa Borges, a retired cleaner who has lived in Volvic for 50 years. "We're just coming out of winter."

French officials say there is no proof that Volvic's operations are causing nearby streams to dry up.

The restrictions, affecting somewhere so famous for its abundant water, underline the worsening strains on supplies in France and the competing demands for an increasingly rare resource.

Two-thirds of the country's water tables are below normal, Environment Minister Christophe Bechu said last week as he voiced "very serious concerns".

But it also raises questions about the future of France's enormous mineral water industry, already decried by environmentalists for billions of plastic bottles it produces annually.

France is both the world's biggest exporter of bottled water and the home of its most famous brands from Volvic to Evian, Vittel to Perrier.

'Critical state'

For decades, experts have been warning about the risk to global fresh water supplies posed by climate change, population growth, and over-consumption.

Problems have been gathering in France, though mostly beyond the public eye. But this winter, the country went a record 32 days without rainfall, from January 21 to February 21. Even villages in the foothills of the snow-topped Pyrenees mountains are having to be supplied by truck.

The dry winter followed punishing heat last summer with months of drought and high temperatures parching even the normally lush Alps and rendering mighty rivers like the Rhine unpassable for barges.

A protester attacks riot police during clashes over irrigation reservoirs in Sainte-Soline, France, on March 25.

President Emmanuel Macron said it spelled "the end of abundance".

"Climate change is adding to an already degraded situation, with long droughts, heatwaves but also winter droughts," former French environment minister and a Green MP, Delphine Batho, told AFP. "That's leading to a critical state for drinking water."

In a sign of conflicts experts anticipate in future, activists opposed to farmers building rainwater-capture facilities in Batho's constituency in western France clashed violently with security forces in March.

Two protesters were left in a coma.

Rain shortfall?

No blows are being traded in Volvic, but fears are growing. Similar tensions are playing out in the eastern Vosges region, where Nestle-owned Vittel is accused of over-exploiting the water table.

Other disputes between water companies and locals have occurred as far afield as Mexico, California and Fiji.

"Sending water to the other side of the world while we die of thirst here? It bothers me," said Jose da Silva, a 69-year-old who worked for 30 years at the Volvic plant.

Volvic takes 8,500 times more water from the source than it did in 1950.

"They try to claim it's not the same source (as for the drinking water), but I'm not convinced," he told AFP.

The Volvic brand has been around since 1935, the water naturally filtered through a granite-lined volcanic basin in a process that takes five years, according to the company.

Pumping has rocketed from around 200,000 liters a year in 1950 to an estimated 1.7 billion liters in 2020, according to its own figures.

Yet Volvic is exempt from the latest water restrictions imposed on locals. The company, however, has pledged to respect a five-percent reduction of its extraction limit of 2.5 billion liters.

Given that it is currently withdrawing less than the limit, campaigners say the pledge makes no difference.

But the company insists it only uses 22 percent of the local water, with 50 percent taken by the public water system.

"Undertaken downstream from the drinking water source, the activities of Volvic do not have an impact on the availability in the drinking water system of the area," it said in a statement.

The local government prefect's office, which sets the annual quota for Volvic, also denied any link between the company and the water restrictions.

Fish farmer Edouard de Feligonde blames Volvic's owner Danone for the shortages.

It blamed a shortfall in rain, saying it was 24 percent below average in 2022.

The water use restrictions were "preventative and aim to reduce consumption in order to avoid bigger supply tensions", it said.

Legal fight

But PREVA and another local group, Marsat, suspect the six deep wells used by Danone are drawing down the level of Volvic's aquifer.

Trout farmer Edouard de Feligonde has spent four years suing the French state for 32 million euros ($35 million) and taking Volvic to court to recover losses caused by his water source drying up.

He is confident an expert report ordered by a judge last year will validate his findings that show Danone is to blame.

"At the moment, authorities are trying to make us believe that the water shortages are linked to the general problem of drought. It's false," he told AFP.

He said many people are scared to speak out as Danone is by far the biggest local employer, with about 1,000 people on its payroll.

"I'm not the only one affected, but I'm the only one to have the means to fight back," he said.

 2023 AFP
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ATLANTIC CITY  As the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved more cannabis businesses for Atlantic City, and with more likely on the way, members at the Tuesday meeting of the Board of Directors asked when enough will be enough.

The board gave unanimous approval to five planned cannabis businesses in the city, in its role as the planning authority within the citys Tourism District. That area overlaps with the citys Green Zone redevelopment area, where cannabis businesses are an approved use.

So far, the CRDA has approved 16 or 17 weed businesses, Planning and Development Director Lance Landgraf told the board in response to a question from members.

Both City Council and the CRDA have a role in supporting cannabis businesses, but Atlantic City does not have the final word. That rests with New Jerseys Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which approves licenses for the cultivation and sale of weed and cannabis-infused products in New Jerseys recently legal market.

Board member Mike Beson questioned the number of cannabis businesses that have already come for approval. He mentioned that the CRDAs role should be to improve the quality of life for residents.

At some point, is it too much? he said.

While some towns have allowed one or two licenses, and most beach communities have said no to cannabis businesses altogether, Atlantic City has not set a cap on the number of cannabis businesses in the community, instead relying on the market to decide how many there should be.

Later in the meeting, board member Brett Matik raised a similar concern, saying that for several meetings, cannabis businesses have been most of the proposals for new businesses that the board has seen.

If there is no cap, then I think we need to be stricter with the variances, Matik said.

In many cases, the businesses require variances, including for setbacks, height or parking. But as Landgraf said at the meeting, in most cases that is because they are planned for existing properties. They are often vacant buildings which are being repurposed for cannabis businesses.

Attending the CRDA meeting, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said not every proposal for a new business makes it all the way through to an opening. In some cases, financing, licensing or other issues can lead to a business withdrawing its application.

The city has taken a position to support as many companies as possible, he said.

City officials have cited the potential for jobs and investment within the city, and the number of applications coming before the CRDA appears to be a sign that cannabis is drawing new investment to formerly vacant properties.

Not all of the planning proposals heard Tuesday related to cannabis. The board said yes to eight single-family units in an attached building at 10 S. New Hampshire Ave., as well as a two-story restaurant with a mezzanine and room for 157 guests at 2322-2324 Arctic Ave. and the conversion of four apartments into two in that building.

But weed businesses were a significant portion of the discussion.

One, Starboard Industries, has already been approved for a large-scale cannabis growing facility on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Neighbors say work there is underway.

New Jersey eyes new rules on intoxicating hemp products A legal loophole that has allowed an intoxicating product derived from hemp to be sold over 

But construction has taken longer than expected, according to the CRDA discussion Tuesday, so the business plans a new location in an already existing building at 1810 Baltic Ave.

At one point, the CRDA wanted that building for itself. It is a warehouse and electrical supply company near Tanger Outlets The Walk. As approved, the new plan would include cannabis cultivation and sales, as well as office space and the potential for other businesses upstairs.

The city amended its Green Zone redevelopment to include the property this year.

Also approved Tuesday were Atlantic License Development LLC for a cannabis retail spot and consumption lounge at 901 Atlantic Ave.; Sweet Leaves LLC, also for a retail cannabis dispensary and consumption area for 19-21 Tennessee Ave.; and Tree Breeze LLC for a site plan for a recreational cannabis dispensary at 27 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. with two apartments on the second floor.

The board also unanimously approved plans for an adult-use cannabis location at 12 Park Place for Design 710 LLC. That location is already open for sales of medical marijuana, and the owners say they plan to expand into the recreational market sometime this summer.

Thats close to the planned High Rollers Dispensary, a large dispensary and consumption lounge in the works for the former casino floor in The Claridge hotel.

Its been a little over a year since the first licensed sales of cannabis began in New Jersey, under a package of laws approved after voters strongly said yes to legalization in a 2020 referendum. Investors expect to see millions of dollars in flowing into Atlantic City construction in the short term, hoping that a sizable percentage of the 28 million annual visitors who come to the city for the beaches, nightlife, dining and casinos will add cannabis to their list of indulgences during their visit.

GALLERY: Third annual 420 Festival in Atlantic City
NORTHFIELD  The Atlantic County Board of Commissioners passed an amended resolution on offshore wind Tuesday, eliminating a request for a moratorium on the new technology and instead supporting a new federal investigation and more public comment time on the Atlantic Shores South project.

In light of recent events  the announcement of a federal investigation into the impact of offshore wind development ... Id like to offer a few amendments so we dont muddy the waters, said Republican Commissioner Richard Dase, one of two sponsors of the resolution.

The board then amended the resolution to remove requests for a moratorium and to instead support a federal investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office into matters relating to the potential impacts of offshore wind energy development in the northern Atlantic between Maine and New Jersey.

The GAO is the independent watchdog agency of Congress. It agreed June 15 to conduct the review, which is expected to include effects on whales and other marine life, the fishing and tourism industries and more.

It agreed to the study at the request of U.S. Reps. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, and Chris Smith, R-4th, as well as two out-of-state Congress members.

The amended resolution also supported requests by several coastal communities for a 90-135 day extension on the time allotted to a public comment period on the 6,200-page draft environmental impact statement for the Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm.

The 45-day comment period opened May 19 and ends July 3.

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2 are proposed for a lease area of more than 100,000 acres, with the closest turbines 8.7 miles off the coast. Combined, Atlantic Shores South is set to be the biggest offshore wind project in the state, according to Joris Veldhoven, CEO of Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind.

There are also two wind farms being developed by Danish firm rsted, located about 15 miles off Atlantic and Cape May counties.

Atlantic County commissioners to vote on offshore wind moratorium The Atlantic County Board of Commissioners will vote Tuesday on a resolution supporting an i

All seven Republican commissioners voted for the resolution, as did District 1 Commissioner Ernest Coursey, a Democrat. Voting no was Democratic Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick, of Linwood, who is running for the state Assembly this year.

Coursey said he supports offshore wind but also understands concerns of some about the impacts of the new industry and wants the public to get their questions answered.

Nobody has been able to prove (the deaths of whales) have anything to do with windmills at this point, Coursey said. Im more inclined to support asking for additional answers. I do not support a moratorium.

Fitzpatrick said there is an opportunity for the public to ask the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management about the Atlantic Shores offshore wind plans from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday evening at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

There has been an exhaustive application process by the developers, Fitzpatrick said. Studies have been done by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). It seems like when people arent getting the answer they want, they want to keep asking questions.

She also reminded people of the effects of oil spills in the Delaware River on area beaches, where she remembered tar balls washing up decades ago, and of the threat of offshore drilling.

What do you want, offshore wind ... or oil rigs? Fitzpatrick asked.

I question the whole economics of wind power, said Commission Chair John Risley, a Republican who is the resolutions other co-sponsor. A number of questions have to be answered  whether or not our economy, the fishing industry, is going to be damaged in some way.

A large crowd came out to express their views on the matter, with many speaking on each side.

Those in favor of offshore wind farms cited the jobs they will bring, the fossil fuel use they will displace and their impact on climate change.

Those against them talked about industrialization of the ocean and how that will damage ecosystems and wildlife, and effects on the fishing and tourism industries.

The Cape May County Board of Commissioners has hired law firms to help fight plans for offshore wind farms.

Offshore wind plans face other challenges as well. Ocean City and Ocean Wind 1 are fighting over permits to bring power lines from wind turbines across that community at 35th Street, and other organizations are also seeking to hold off the work.

On Friday, the anti-wind power groups Save LBI, Defend Brigantine Beach and Protect Our Coast NJ announced they filed with a state appellate court challenging a Department of Environmental Protection certification of the Ocean Wind 1 project.

In April, the DEP found the project proposal was consistent with the states Coastal Zone Management Act.

The court filing seeks to overturn that decision, and members of the groups said this is only the beginning of the legal challenges to be filed.

The Biden administration and Gov. Phil Murphy support offshore wind energy, seeing a means of reducing carbon emissions believed to contribute to climate change. Both have also cited the potential for new jobs in a clean-energy sector.
OCEAN CITY  Strict new limits on the Boardwalk seem to have had an impact on problems with crowds of teenagers, but time will tell if the city has fully addressed the issue.

Police Chief Jay Prettyman said there were fewer curbside warnings and stationhouse adjustments compared to Fathers Day weekend last year.

Both are means for police to address violations committed by juveniles, with curbside warnings essentially amounting to a talking to by an officer, while the other involves a trip to the station and a call to a parent or guardian.

But overall it was a relatively quiet weekend and nothing like Memorial Day weekend, city spokesperson Doug Bergen said Wednesday.

Officials, business owners and some Boardwalk patrons described Memorial Day weekend as out of control, with large crowds of teenagers and multiple reports of fights, shoplifting, vandalism and public intoxication by those under 18 years old. Several juveniles were transported to the hospital.

In response, Mayor Jay Gillian ordered beaches closed at 8 p.m. each evening. In 2021 and 2022, the city allowed teens to gather on the beach, with the understanding that police could keep a better eye on them.

But Memorial Day weekend convinced officials they needed a tougher stance. That also included new ordinances to create an earlier curfew for juveniles  11 p.m. instead of 1 a.m.  and a ban on backpacks on or near the Boardwalk after 8 p.m., with the intent of preventing the concealment of alcohol.

Ocean City Council passes ordinances to curb rowdy teens In unanimous votes, and with no comments from the public, Ocean City Council on Thursday approved a change in the citys curfew for juveniles to 11 p.m., instead of 1 a.m., and another ordinance that bans backpacks and other bags from the Boardwalk as of 8 p.m. each night.

Bergen said the next few weekends may be better indicators of the impact of the new rules, as New Jersey schools will be done for the summer and more teens will be in town.

In previous interviews, Gillian said some have criticized the early beach closure, but more people have thanked the city for taking action.

In 2022, city police issued 1,019 curbside warnings over Fathers Day weekend, including Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 16 stationhouse adjustments.

This year, police issued 918 curbside warnings and 13 stationhouse adjustments, according to details provided by the city.

Overall, calls for service were up this year. While the curbside warnings apply to juveniles, calls for service include all calls to which officers respond.

There were 806 calls for service over Fathers Day weekend 2022, compared with 1,446 calls for service this year.
Los Angeles: Hollywood actor Tom Cruise jokes that he "still" dances in his underwear 40 years after the iconic scene in 'Risky Business'.



Cruise, who is currently promoting his new film, 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One', said that the 1983 film 'Risky Business' helped him on the path to action stardom.



As per People, in an interview to Access Hollywood, the actor reminisced about the popular scene in 'Risky Business' in which he danced in only a shirt, briefs, and socks.



Cruise, 60, joked: "Look, I grew up dancing in my underwear in my house. Who didn't?"



Asked if such dancing continues 40 years later, he responded with a smile: "Yeah, I still (do)."



In the scene in 'Risky Business', Cruise plays the teenaged character of Joel Goodsen who is celebrating a house to himself, and struts and dances to Bob Seger's rendition of 'Old Time Rock & Roll'.



Cruise expressed awe that the film turns 40 this year. "That's amazing," he told Access Hollywood. "I made it in '82, I was 19 when I made it. I'll never forget that night, that day that I shot that scene."



'Risky Business' writer and director Paul Brickman said that he worked with the actor on its famous opening shot of Cruise sliding into the centre of the frame after Cruise choreographed the dance sequence.



"I had to figure out how I slide across the floor in my socks," remembered the Oscar nominee.



"So I saw the opening frame and I go, 'I want to hit centre frame'. And it didn't work. And then I said, 'Well, let's just put (slick) stuff on the floor - and I slid all the way across."



A sticky spray placed in the centre of the frame eventually did the trick, Cruise added, revealing how "it was a learning experience for me...I went to the editing room and I saw the shots and looked at how editorially they were putting it together. So I started really understanding that cinematic process right from the very beginning."



He continued: "I feel very lucky to have that opportunity, to be able to have that kind of script and that kind of material at that age."

IANS
Animal cruelty is a crime, and abandoning a pet is no less than a crime. But to help furry babies in need, several rescue and animal shelters are at work. Even recently, the bill passed on the consideration of cats and dogs in livestock and livestock import and exportation, meaning they can be counted as meat, has been withdrawn because of the immense efforts of these animal shelters and NGOs. Listed below are some of the top seven animal shelters in Pune.

Paws Care (Lohegaon):

Paws Care is an animal rescue organization that only works for onsite treatments for wounded animals for free! If anyone comes across any such case, one can visit their website, where the contact numbers and other details are provided.

Working hours: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 am to 5:00 pm

Address: Porwal Road, Nimbalkar Nagar, Kutwal Colony, Lohegaon

Saahas For Animals (Pune University):

It is a non-profit organization in Pune working towards rescuing, rehabilitating injured animals, onsite treatments, etc. The team has always been working towards giving a better life for the babies. The shelter also releases the rescued dog once they are fully recovered as there is no space left in the shelter. But they make sure that the wounded canine is thoroughly looked after. For making donations and recent updates, their Instagram and Facebook page is operational.

Working Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Address: Pune University, Pune

RESQ (Bavdhan):

This is the only rescue in Pune that works for all sorts of rescues of different animals, reptiles, etc. It welcomes abandoned pets with open arms; they provide technical animal rescues like aerial, confined space, underground, and many more. They also have a facility for Lifetime Sanctuary Care for small and big animals. Their website provides all the details to volunteer and raise a voice for the voiceless or help them in any way possible. Several camps are organized by the organization for adopting these animals as well.

Working Hours: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Address: Plot No. 3906, Paud Mulshi Road, Old Jakat Naka, Near 115 Hilltown, Bavdhan, Pune - 411021

Pets Force (Wagholi):

Pets Force works for the rescue operation, treatment of ill and wounded dogs, sterilization, and adoption of the rescued dogs. Sterilization is as essential as rescuing a dog. The heartwarming part is that they have a sanctuary for the dogs who are not in the condition of living on the streets again, so they let a dog choose a pack of dogs to stay with at the sanctuary! They also have a separate pack of special needs dogs.

Working Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Address: Bakori Village, Khandoba Vasti, Haveli, Near Wagholi, Pune- 412207

Mission Possible Foundation (Gurunanak Nagar):

It is one of the famous shelters in Pune. Recently they rescued a 4-month-old Siberian Husky puppy who the owner brutally beat. The spirit of working for the welfare of the street animals is what they strive for. They provide services like animal shelter, animal rescue, and adoption.

Working Hours: Everyday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Address: 11A Gulshan Mahal Gurunanak Nagar, Pune- 411002

Make New Life (Dhankawdi):

Make New Life is the messiah for those who sleep hungry every day. They provide daily food to almost 1000+ stray dogs in different areas of Pune. Their motive is to build a rabies-free community through maximum vaccinations and sterilizing dogs to reduce the population in the city. Not only this, but they also provide post-operative care, adoption, and medical aid.

Working Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Address: S. No. 14/15, B4/7, Chavan Nagar, Dhankawdi, Pune- 411043

RESQ for Wildlife Conservation: (Bavdhan)

This part of the organization works only to conserve wildlife species. Maharashtra is rich in biodiversity with many rare species. Where these animals are about to get extinct, RESQ comes to the rescue of these animals and also works on Human-Wildlife Conflict management. At the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, they give animals veterinary treatment, surgery, and post-operative care, rescue wildlife animals, and reintroduction of programs for wildlife orphans and illegal captive wildlife.

Working Hours: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Address: Plot No. 3906, Paud Mulshi Road, Old Jakat Naka, Near 115 Hilltown, Bavdhan, Pune - 411021
A Silvis man on mandatory supervised release from the Illinois Department of Corrections is facing kidnapping, meth and gun charges in Scott County after he allegedly forced a woman into his vehicle at gunpoint Tuesday and was later caught with meth after fleeing officers, Davenport Police said.

William Joseph Fues, 35, is charged with one count each of second-degree kidnapping and possession of more than 5 grams of methamphetamine.

Each charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. However, second-degree kidnapping is a forcible felony under Iowa law. A person convicted of this charge must serve 70%, or 17  years, in prison before parole can be granted.

Fues also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, eluding and violating Iowas drug tax stamp law. Each of those charges is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Cpl. Erin Pape and Davenport Police Detective Lucas Rusk, at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Fues forced a woman into his vehicle, a 2000 Dodge Dakota, at gunpoint during what Pape described as a heated verbal argument.

Fues then took the woman into Illinois before coming back into Iowa during a police pursuit.

While the victim was inside the vehicle, she yelled for Fues to let her go several times. At one point she tried to jump out of the pickup while it was moving, but Fues slapped her across the chest and pulled her back in, preventing her from escaping.

Rusk said in his affidavit that he tried to stop the pickup in the area of 300 Gaines Street. Fues fled and at times was traveling more than 80 mph in a 25 mph zone.

The pursuit came to an end in the area of Hickory Grove Road and Pine Street. Fues fled on foot and was able to barricade himself for a period until he was taken into custody.

During a search of Fues' pickup, officers seized a loaded stolen firearm. Also seized were four plastic bags, two of which contained a total of 23.15 grams of marijuana, and two of which contained a total of 15.9 grams of meth.

Police have said that the normal dose of meth is one-tenth of a gram, meaning that Fues allegedly had 159 doses of meth to sell.

A digital scale also was seized.

During a first appearance on the charges Wednesday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Richard Wells scheduled a preliminary hearing for June 30. Wells also set Fues' bond at $50,000, cash only.

Fues was being held Wednesday night in the Scott County Jail.

Fues is currently serving two years on mandatory supervised release out of the Illinois Department of Corrections Sheridan Correctional Center, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

During a hearing March 29, 2021, in Mercer County Circuit Court, Fues pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony under Illinois law that carries a prison sentence of three to seven years. He had been arrested on the charge in April of 2020, and received credit for the time he served awaiting trial and sentencing.

Fues was admitted to the Sheridan Correctional Center on June 3, 2021, and was placed on mandatory supervised release on Nov. 23, 2022. He was to have been on mandatory supervised release until Nov. 25, 2024. Illinois Department of Corrections officials can now move to revoke Fues supervised release and send him back to prison.

Federal authorities could take over the new gun and drug charges against Fues and prosecute him under Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Instituted in 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods is a Justice Department initiative that brings together law enforcement at all levels to reduce gun violence.

As a convicted felon, Fues would face a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Additionally, he could be charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime, which carries a minimum prison sentence of five years that is automatically consecutive to any other sentence he may receive.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is again asking the White House for federal assistance for costs related to the partial collapse of 324 Main St., Davenport, which left three men dead and about 100 households displaced.

Removal of debris at the downtown Davenport site resumed Wednesday after an emergency order halting the demolition expired Tuesday night. Excavators picked up debris and dropped it into lined containers, which were then hauled away in trucks. The Scott Area Landfill is the disposal site for building debris, which requires special handling, given the rubble is likely to contain asbestos. By late Wednesday afternoon, the city said in a news release that the building "is now fully dismantled." Site clean-up is expected to take several weeks, according to the city, and there will be an increase of vehicles in and around the site as debris is removed.

"The emergency measures required as a result of the severity and destructiveness of this major structural building collapse are beyond the capability of the State of Iowa and affected local governments to perform or contract for, thus requiring federal assistance," Reynolds wrote.

Reynolds previously asked the White House on June 6 to make an emergency declaration to direct federal assistance for the collapse, including activating help from FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"To date, I have not received a formal determination as to the status of that request," Reynolds wrote.

In her letter, Reynolds asked for the White House to make a major disaster declaration to authorize debris removal and emergency protective measures, and direct federal assistance for Scott County.

Emergency measures in the wake of the collapse are estimated to cost $5 million to $6 million, the governor wrote.

Iowa's U.S. senators and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks urged the president to make the declaration in a letter.

The Davenport City Council, meanwhile, is planning to vote to amend its budget, adding $3 million to the fiscal year ending June 30 for unanticipated costs related to the building collapse and the city's response to it.

Of that, according to council documents, $500,000 is for public safety response and $2.5 million is for "general government."

Since the May 28 collapse, the city has hired demolition company D.W. Zinser and two engineering and investigative firms to study the cause of the collapse, according to previous statements from the city.

The City Council will vote this cycle to ratify an emergency contract to D.W. Zinser for $1.2 million for "executing a two-phased demolition" at 324 Main St.

In Phase 1, the city contracted Zinser to "assist in recovery operations after the initial collapse," City Council documents state. Phase 2 "involves demolishing, dismantling and removing the remaining threat structure."

Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Ott wrote in an email that the amendment to the budget includes "any currently known costs associated with the response to the partial building collapse and is anticipated to build in enough flexibility that may be incurred before the end of the fiscal year (June 30)."

Included in that is the Zinser contract.

Other contracts that the city has entered into as part of the emergency response, however, "are not anticipated to exceed $100,000 and therefore are not on the agenda for approval," Ott wrote in an email.

Several residents attending the council meeting Wednesday asked about the Zinser contract and how the city would pay for the unanticipated costs.

City Chief Financial Officer Mallory Merritt assured council members the city would be able to reconcile its budgets to pay for the $3 million in extra expenses.

The governor still has two open requests for federal assistance, Ott added, and the city "is tracking and recording costs so that if either of these requests are approved, we may receive reimbursement under eligible categories."

City Attorney Tom Warner said during the council meeting Wednesday that the city had an avenue to recoup costs from the building owner.

Previously, Warner has implied the city intends to force building owner Andrew Wold to cover demolition costs.

The city took action in court against Wold for failing to maintain the safety of the building. Warner, in a June 1 news conference, said that action "was filed with the purpose to try to prevent the owner from transferring the property to avoid a large demolition lien."

"When we bring that building down, it's going to be costly," Warner said. "The last thing we want is that owner to transfer that property and avoid that."

U.S. Small Business Administration authorizes disaster loans The U.S. Small Business Administration has authorized low-interest disaster loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted by the May 28 Davenport apartment building collapse. It offers loans of up to $40,000 for renters with a deadline of Aug. 7.
Dakota State University and ArmyCyber signed an educational partnership agreement Monday to promote joint research, collaboration, educational programs and professional projects.

The partnership will forge a cooperative relationship to further the educational, research and service missions of the two institutions, according to a press release from the university. This is the first partnership of its kind for ArmyCyber because it encompasses all five of its mission objectives: operate, defend, attack, influence and inform.

Lt. Gen. Maria Barrett, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, said in a press release the Army is proud and excited to broaden its relationship with DSU.

DSUs students and faculty have proven to be innovative, skilled, and forward-thinking  just the kind of talented, focused, and driven young minds our nation needs in its cyber workforce to counter our cyber adversaries and defend the networks and critical infrastructure that are vital to our nation, Barrett said in a press release.

DSU President Jose-Marie Griffiths said the five-year agreement will help DSU and ArmyCyber develop a deeper understanding of each others needs and capabilities, and help students see cyber career paths they may not be aware of, such as civilian roles available with the military. Students could also be on the front lines with jobs that havent been created yet.

This agreement will provide us with distinctive opportunities to contribute to our nations security while providing cutting-edge workforce experience for our students, Griffiths said in a press release.

Gov. Kristi Noem said the partnership is yet another opportunity for DSU to raise the bar.

Its raising the bar for universities across the country who are getting involved in the cyber security field, but it is also raising the bar for our students, and for students all over the country, Noem said in a press release. DSU is giving students the kind of career opportunities that they cant get anywhere else.

As the partnership was signed Monday, more than 100 middle school girls were on campus at DSU for GenCyber Girls in CybHER camp. Barrett, Noem and Sen. Mike Rounds explained the significance of this agreement to the campers, and described what doors the agreement can help open for rising cyber careers in these students future.

Rounds, a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and co-chair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus, said Mondays agreement was long in the making.

This agreement opens up a world of possibilities for DSU students and is another opportunity for South Dakota to play a critical role in maintaining the defense of our country, Rounds said in a press release.
A number of grant-funded projects aiming to expand high-speed fiber-optic internet infrastructure in the Bitterroot Valley are in the planning stages and slated to begin this summer as private companies put American Rescue Plan Act funds to work.

Internet access in the Bitterroot is mainly provided through wireless service providers currently, but theres only so much bandwidth that can fit over those airwaves according to Grizzly Broadband Executive Director Joseph Smith.

Especially with the density that we have in the valley, it's impossible to serve everybody at the same speeds over the air, Smith said. So, for example, a good portion of the houses in a Ravalli County, if they can see one of our towers, or one of the other wireless providers towers, they're probably getting 10 megabits per second or less  it definitely varies quite a bit. But with the fiber, for example, our lowest speed is going to be 100 megabits per second. So it's quite a bit faster.

Both Grizzly Broadband and Blackfoot Communications will be working on projects that expand broadband access in the Bitterroot this summer. These fiber projects create opportunities for businesses to grow, and give families more options to meet their technology needs. Most fiber lines are buried, which helps mitigate risk factors that create outages and protects against damage during wildfire, extreme snow or seismic events.

It's a huge need in this area, Smith said. Honestly, things like this project, this is a direct parallel to what happened with the rural electrification project in the 1940s that created all the electric co-ops. I see this as being a direct parallel to that. And we're going to be providing a much-needed service to these rural areas that just haven't had it before. And the grant funding is important, because that's the reason they hadn't had it  it just didn't pencil out, you know, to go to a lot of these rural areas, but now we're able to make it happen.

Grizzly Broadband is preparing to begin its Corvallis project and is planning a public town-hall style meeting at the Corvallis High School Gym on July 10 at 6 p.m. The meeting will include a question-and-answer period to address any public concerns or questions. Grizzly Broadband will be breaking ground on the Corvallis project on July 10, the same day as the meeting, and customers will be able to start receiving broadband service by mid-August.

The project is also supported by funds awarded through Connect Montana and the American Rescue Plan Act. Grizzly Broadband has been awarded funds to build high-speed fiber-optic internet infrastructure in five project areas in the Bitterroot Valley. Projects will be taking place in Hamilton, Victor, Stevensville and Florence. The Stevensville project is on slate to start next summer, and all of the projects are scheduled to be completed by 2026.

Blackfoot Communications and Southern Montana Telephone were awarded $11.75 million from the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) Middle Mile Grant Program. The program supports new fiber construction in remote areas. The project will create an additional 137 miles of new middle-mile fiber to complete a 365-mile fiber ring network that loops around the Sapphire Mountain range, connecting the Missoula, Bitterroot and Big Hole valleys. Middle-mile fiber refers to broadband infrastructure that does not connect directly to an end-user location, but enables other projects that will reach consumers desktops throughout the Bitterroot Valley. Chris Laslovich, Blackfoot Communications Public Affairs Manager in Missoula, described the Middle-Mile Grant Project as the main line that connects everything else together.

The project is estimated to cost nearly $17 million and will be constructed in four phases. Phase 1 will build from Hamilton to Sula, Phase 2 will connect Missoula to Hamilton, Phase 3 constructs Sula to Battlefield, and Phase 4 will complete the route from Anaconda to Rocker. Planning for construction will begin this summer and the project is expected to be completed in 2025. Blackfoot has nearly 70 years of experience building and maintaining networks, serving western Montana since 1954.

This project is a game-changer for rural communities in western Montana said Blackfoot Communications CEO Jason Williams in a statement released last week. Access to high-speed, reliable, and secure internet connectivity will soon be a reality for many previously unserved and underserved communities thanks to this investment. Were excited to partner with Southern Montana Telephone and put our nearly 70 years of experience building and maintaining networks to work building this critical infrastructure, connecting businesses, schools, and hospitals to more opportunities.

Completion of this project will facilitate deployment of broadband service to more than 9,600 locations that will be within 1,000 feet of the middle-mile fiber, according to Blackfoot Communications. Of these 9,600 locations, 5,810 are currently unserved and 3,822 are underserved. Also included in these 9,600 locations are more than 70 anchor institutionsincluding schools, hospitals, and libraries.

Blackfoot Communications is planning to construct new fiber lines throughout Ravalli County over the next few years, including fiber-to-the-premise to nearly 2,000 locations in the Darby area and south Ravalli County according to Laslovich. Fiber-to-the-premise refers to the installation of optical fiber directly to individual buildings such as single-family homes, apartments and businesses to provide broadband access.

One Blackfoot Communications project in the Darby area, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered through Connect Montana and the Montana Department of Administration, will bring broadband to approximately 900 locations in 2025 Laslovich said. Another Blackfoot project in the area surrounding Darby will be completed by the end of 2027, connecting more than 850 additional locations. They are also working on a third project expected to be completed in 2025 in the Alta area, south of Sula. Project costs for those three projects total more than $30 million, $25 million of which is grant-funded. All three fiber-to-the-premise projects will connect to the larger main line network loop around the Sapphire Mountains.

Today, with the way that businesses, schools, our homes operate, the need for access to high-speed internet and connectivity in greater speeds is only increasing, Laslovich said. A unique thing about these projects is that we do we bury the vast majority of our fiber. It takes longer, it's more expensive, but it's the most reliable and resilient and secure way to build a network. So it's really an investment in long term infrastructure that is future-proof and will last and meet the needs of consumers for a generation or more.
Friends of Fort Owen and Montana State Parks are hosting an event this Saturday, June 24, to celebrate successes of the past few years, and discuss plans for the future. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Owen State Park on the north edge of Stevensville.

Restoration of the historic adobe East Barracks building has been the major project since 2021. Event participants will enjoy a tour and explanation of the work by Park Manager Ben Dickinson. Friends of Fort Owen also will present a gift in memory of Philip Maechlin, historic preservationist and former Vice President of the organization, who passed away suddenly in late April. Philip was a key player in the adobe restoration research and activities at the Park.

During lunch, which is provided free to participants, Sally Thompson will talk about the stories written by John Owen in his journal about the construction of the adobe trading post (a unique form of construction in Montana).

Dickinson also will discuss State Parks' plans and timeline for new interpretive exhibits at the Park, and Friends of Fort Owen will talk about their current and upcoming projects. The Friends group also seeks people interested in serving on their board or helping with volunteer projects.

For more information, visit Friends of Fort Owen's website at www.friendsoffortowen.org.
An old black and white photo showing three Union Civil War officers prompted research that reconnected the two dissimilar halves of James Frederick Rowes life.

A picture can teach history if one takes the time, Susan Mann Anderson wrote in her research of Rowe, who was her husbands great, great uncle.

This Saturday, June 24, at 4 p.m., a headstone rededication service will be held in Billings Mountview Cemetery at Rowes graveside  132 years after his death  complete with military honors provided by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and American Legion Post No. 4.

In a short video recounting Rowes life, Anderson calls the ceremony making peace with the past at last.

Family and friends are coming from Michigan, California, Wisconsin and Utah in order to pay their respects June 24 to their Civil War grandfather and uncle, she wrote in an email.

Shot

Rowes agonizing death, two days after being shot in the stomach, left Billings residents with little knowledge of the 48-year-old mans previous life as a Civil War officer, ambulance corps leader, husband and father.

According to a March 26, 1891, article in the Billings Gazette, Rowe was shot following an argument with a roommate over a $6 grocery bill.

Roe (sic) was considerably under the influence of liquor at the time, but whether the other man was in a like condition is not known, the story said. Harsh words passed between the two men, with an Anaconda newspaper story saying Rowe used very insulting language  reflecting on (the shooters) parentage.

The killer, 19-year-old John Goulden, left the cabin only to appear a little later carrying a six-shooter in each hand and demanding a retraction of the epithets used, which Rowe refused.

No hope was entertained for Rowes recovery the day after he was shot with a .44 caliber pistol, one of two revolvers reportedly brandished by Goulden.

Trial

Goulden, who was born in England and bears rather a hard name, fled the scene of the shooting but was eventually caught in Malta aboard a Northern Pacific train and brought back to Yellowstone County for trial, newspapers reported. Somehow the county attorney misplaced Rowes dying statement and the general inefficience of the learned prosecuting attorney, made a very weak case for the state, the Gazette reported.

In the end, the jury found Goulden guilty of manslaughter. The judge sentenced him to 10 years, of which he served only six, entirely unfitted to the crime, the Gazette wrote. Rowe was buried in Mountview Cemetery, with the cost born by his son, according to coroner Dr. Henry Chapples handwritten note.

In reporting on the story, the Anaconda newspaper said Rowe was respectably connected, but from hard drinking had sunk down in the social scale.

That prompted Anderson to muse, After the guns of war are silenced and the killing stops and there are no more injured to be removed from the battlefields, personal battles may emerge and wounds not outwardly visible can fester within, not recognized or treated at the time. She wrote of an ailment now commonly recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder. So many veterans then, as today, turned to alcohol to escape. Such was the rumored case with Captain Rowe.

Soldier

In her research that began a few years ago, Anderson found Rowe was one of the first Union soldiers injured in the Civil War when his Sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was sent to defend Washington, D.C., only three days after the Confederacy attacked Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861.

On the way to D.C. by train, the regiment was stalled by rioters in Baltimore; Maryland was sympathetic to the Southerners cause. A letter written by Rowe, at the time possibly a 23- or 24-year-old 3rd Lieutenant, was published in the Boston Journal describing the mob encounter.

We marched in close ranks so as not to let them get into our company. They said we could never go through alive, and called us everything but honest men, Rowe wrote. We paid no attention to them until they began to press upon us.

As the mob hurled stones and bricks in an attempt to hold the soldiers back, other rioters began tearing down the railroad bridge to halt the militias progress. But we were too quick for them and rushed across, driving them at the point of the bayonet. Then the pistols of the rowdies began to play upon our men.

Although ordered not to fire upon the rioters, the militia began to let the cold lead fly, and to lay them right and left, Rowe continued. They were astonished, I can assure you.

Andersons research found that Rowe was one of the first officers wounded in the encounter. Her inquiry further indicated Rowe may have been nursed by Clara Barton. In 1881, Barton founded the American Red Cross, providing supplies and support to soldiers on the front lines of the war. Such a possibility hit home for Anderson, who is a nurse.

Re-enlisted

By August, Rowes enlistment had expired. He had been living in Stoneham, Massachusetts, 10 miles northwest of Boston before the war.

At some time he was presented with a commemorative personalized sword and scabbard by his Stoneham Light Infantry Company men, meticulously etched with patriotic and camp scenes along with the date of the Baltimore incident, Anderson wrote. This sword is still in existence in the family with evidence of wear indicating he carried it throughout the war after re-enlisting.

Rowes descendants stumbled upon the sword when doing genealogy research. It was being advertised at an antique auction and the descendants contacted the buyer who agreed to sell it to the family.

In 1862, Rowe joined the 33rd Massachusetts Infantry, this time for three years of duty. He was later detached to the newly formed Ambulance Corps where he commanded a division. The following year, at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Ambulance Corps was sorely tested. Union casualties were around 23,000 with another 14,500 injured.

Rowe was later promoted to Chief of Ambulance 20th Army Corps, following the Union Army as it swept south all the way to Atlanta. It wouldnt be until April 9, 1865, that the Confederacy surrendered. A month later, Rowe was relieved from duty.

Married

Following the war he married a Southern woman, Mary Cora Osgood, and fathered one son, Alvan Bacon Rowe, who was born in 1868.

After going into business with old army buddies, Rowe left for the West for reasons not known, perhaps looking for better opportunities, or fleeing his personal demons and leaving his wife and child behind in Brunswick, Georgia, Anderson wrote. Family stories passed down were feelings of shame not knowing what had become of him, or if his wife did, hiding the facts.

Nobody knew what happened to him when I started doing this, Anderson said. Then she discovered the newspaper articles about his shooting death. Lo and behold, James Rowe began coming to life.

Rowes wife Cora would live to age 76, surviving her son who died in 1913 at age 45. Like his father, Alvan had one son, Alvan Jr. There is no mention of James Rowe in his sons obituary. Alvan was married just before Christmas on Dec. 23, 1890. His father would be shot only a few months later.

New stone

What brought James Frederick Rowe so far West, more than 2,000 miles away from his family? When did he leave, and where did he go?

The Billings Gazette provides some background. Roe (sic) came here from Red Lodge a short time ago where it is said he made some pretentions as a lawyer. An 1890 census of surviving U.S. soldiers shows him residing in adjoining Stillwater County.

On the Find a Grave website that recounts Rowes agonizing death, Anderson left a poignant note about the long-dead relative of her husband, recalling the historical journey. Gone and (almost) forgotten for 130 years. Thank you for your service and sacrifice from the first rebellious hostilities through the innovative establishment and training of the life-saving Ambulance Corps, which served as a model for future care.

Last year a new headstone was set to mark Rowes grave. It includes his photo, list of military achievements and a note regarding his service in the ambulance corps. Anderson said finding out about Rowes tragic death called out to her from the past.

I cant believe were really coming after all this time, she said. It will be a final goodbye for the old soldier.




NEW YORK/NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States on Tuesday for a state visit that has been projected as a milestone in ties between the two countries that would deepen and diversify their partnership.





Modi has been to the U.S. five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but his visit until Saturday will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.





It also marks only the third state visit of Joe Biden's presidency and the third by an Indian leader to the U.S., a sign of the strengthening bond between Washington and New Delhi and the distance they have traveled since being on opposite sides of the Cold War.





Modi landed on Tuesday afternoon in New York, where he has business meetings and will mark International Day of Yoga on Wednesday before heading to Washington. There he has a private dinner with Biden on Wednesday, followed by talks at the White House and a state dinner on Thursday.





The visit is expected to see the two countries expand cooperation in the defense industry and high-tech sectors, with India getting access to critical American technologies that Washington rarely shares with non-allies.





"This special invitation is a reflection of the vigor and vitality of the partnership between our democracies," Modi said in a statement before departure.





"I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains."





Modi met on Tuesday with Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, who was to brief him on plans to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing base in India, a source with direct knowledge of the arrangement told Reuters.





"It was excellent and a very good conversation," Musk said after meeting Modi, adding he planned to visit India next year.





"I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk said when asked by reporters about a timeline.





Tesla has had discussions with the Indian government about incentives for car and battery manufacturing and proposed establishing a factory in India to build electric vehicles, Reuters reported in May.





Musk is also the executive chairman of Twitter, which has had run-ins with Modi's government.





Last week, Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey said New Delhi threatened to shut it down in India unless the social network complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the handling of farmer protests, a charge Modi's government called an "outright lie".





VITAL PARTNER





The U.S. sees India as a vital partner in its efforts to push back against China's expanding influence worldwide, although some analysts question India's willingness to stand up collectively to Beijing over issues such as Taiwan. Washington is also concerned about India's unwillingness to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.





U.S. officials nevertheless see a stronger India that can defend its own interests and contribute to regional security in the Indo-Pacific as good for the United States.





U.S. lawmakers invited Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress. It will be Modi's second such address, a rare honor for a leader once denied a visa to enter the United States over human rights concerns.





Dozens of Biden's fellow Democrats on Tuesday urged him to raise human rights with Modi. The lawmakers said they were concerned about religious intolerance, press freedom, internet access and the targeting of civil society groups.





Differences persist between Washington and New Delhi over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. India has not condemned Russia and urged both sides to resolve their differences through diplomacy.





India remains dependent on old friend Moscow for its defense needs and has sharply increased its imports of cheap Russian oil, frustrating the West.





Asked by the Wall Street Journal about U.S. criticism of India for not taking a more forceful stance against Russia over Ukraine, Modi said: "I don't think this type of perception is widespread in the U.S."




The health of a community isnt measured by just one issue alone. A fair and comprehensive evaluation thoughtfully considers the well-being of everyone and the barriers that keep some neighbors from achieving good health. Bon Secours daily strives to provide accessible spaces in which dignified care can be delivered to at-risk populations such as the poor, the dying and the underserved.

With input from stakeholders and local residents, the organizations most recent Community Health Needs Assessment revealed several key factors impacting the current state of health within underserved communities in the greater Richmond area. The need for access to chronic disease management and preventive care ranked high on the list.

Bon Secours supports a safety net of health care available to the poor. The overall goal is to increase the availability of treatment options and to provide education to empower residents with knowledge in how to prevent and manage chronic diseases like asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes. Thanks to the recent opening of Bon Secours Manchester-based Community Health Clinic and the East End Wellness Center, uninsured and underinsured patients now have convenient options where they can readily find the care, services and information theyre looking for.

The Community Health Needs Assessment identified engagement and inclusion as another important focal point of community health, guiding Bon Secours to create a series of events and town-hall-style gatherings where residents can make their voices heard to effect change through face-to-face communication with local leaders and stakeholders in the organization.

Like so many communities, the Richmond population has demonstrated a steadily growing need for mental and behavioral health services in recent years. Bon Secours is working to expand access to this essential care through increased screenings, referrals and community partnerships. Initiatives like the new behavioral health partial hospitalization program launched last year in the East End and in Petersburg offer treatment in an intensive outpatient setting that bridges the gap between hospitalization and traditional outpatient care. Bon Secours is also investing more than $1 million in school-based mental health supports to help meet children and community members in their own familiar environments.

Interpersonal and community violence has touched nearly every neighborhood in Richmond. To promote safer communities and expand the scope of services available to victims, the Bon Secours Violence Response Team responds to calls at all of the organizations hospitals and emergency departments. Plans are in motion to strengthen the range of services the team is able to provide in Petersburg and the East End.

By partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Richmond and maintaining the Sarah Garland Jones Center for Healthy Living, Bon Secours gives local youth safe physical and virtual spaces where they can meet up with friends, stay active and even pick up valuable life skills. The free eight-week RVA C.O.O.K.S. program, a partnership with the Richmond Police Department, provides teens with the foundational tools and preparation they need to pursue employment in the culinary field and beyond. Bon Secours continued sponsorship of the annual RVA East End Festival celebrates the musical and artistic achievements of participating school kids, while helping to raise over $400,000 for the Richmond Public Schools arts programs in Richmonds East End.

To learn more about how Bon Secours is working to create safe spaces that support healthy communities in Richmond, visit bonsecours.com.
Two critically acclaimed African American artists inextricably tied to Richmond  one by birth, the other by a moving tribute  are featured in two installations at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts that visitors can see for the price of one.

One ticket will enable visitors to see Benjamin Wigfall and Communications Village and Whitfield Lovell: Passages at the VMFA through Sept. 10.

Combined, the exhibitions are a shared space by two distinguished artists  one focused on memory and identity, the other on community and daily life  whose muse took them in opposite directions with Richmond as a point of intersection.

We are delighted to bring attention to the works of these remarkable artists, said Alex Nyerges, VMFAs director and CEO. Benjamin Wigfall and Communications Village celebrates Wigfall, who hailed from Richmonds Church Hill neighborhood, and his lifes work as a barrier-breaking abstract artist, educator and mentor to future artists. Visitors to Whitfield Lovell: Passages will be captivated by the erased histories, including the stories of individuals from the citys important Jackson Ward neighborhood, intimated by Lovells profound works.

Lovell, a native of the Bronx, traveled from New York to Richmond in 2001 to pay homage to Jackson Ward, a national historic landmark and onetime center of commerce where William Washington Browne and Maggie L. Walker became the first Black man and Black woman to charter banks in the United States.

His work Visitation: The Richmond Project features dozens of faces known and unknown and a soundtrack reading the names of Jackson Ward residents. Tucked amid the likenesses are boxes filled with pennies  a nod to Walkers St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. He created the work at the Hand Workshop Art Center, now the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

Lovell, 63, was awarded a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, the so-called Genius Grant, in 2007.

His VMFA exhibition, the most comprehensive collection of his work to date, showcases his collection of vintage photographs spanning from 1863s Emancipation Proclamation through the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Its anchored by his Richmond work and Deep River, a multisensory room designed to immerse visitors in the waters of the Tennessee River, from the perspective of the enslaved seeking escape.

Alexis Assam, a curator at the VMFA, said Lovells works breathe new life into the likenesses of anonymous individuals and confront the viewer with past histories and their importance to our present understanding of American history.

Benjamin Wigfall and Communications Village comprises nearly 90 works of art by Wigfall and visitors to the village  including Virginia-connected artists Betty Blayton and Mavis Pusey  as well as 12 printing plates and blocks and more than 50 archival objects.

More than 50 works in the exhibition were recently added to VMFAs permanent collection as a major acquisition from the Wigfall estate, enabling the museum to expand its representation of the artist beyond his early works, Chimneys and Corrosion and Blue. In addition to 36 works by Wigfall, the acquisition included 19 prints by artists who visited Communications Village.

The exhibition on Wigfall, who died in 2017 at age 86, is both biographical and geographical, said Sarah Eckhardt, who co-curated the exhibition with Drew Thompson, associate professor of Visual Culture and Black Studies at Bard Graduate Center.

Its the portrait of the artist as a young man whose life began to change in the late 1940s when he successfully lobbied his principal at Armstrong High School to hire an art teacher, Stafford Evans. It was Evans who introduced Wigfall to VMFA, where the student was encouraged to apply for a VMFA fellowship to attend Hampton Institute, now Hampton University  the start of a consequential and enduring relationship for both the artist and the institution. He would receive additional museum fellowships and remain in frequent correspondence with museum director Leslie Cheek.

I dont think theres another artist, period  not just African American artist  who is more woven through the warp and weft of both the art education and the art mission of the museum, Eckhardt said during a media preview of the exhibition.

Benjamin Wigfall and Communications Village showcases his development as an artist who would shift from painting to printmaking. But it also tracks his journey from Richmond to Hampton University, where he studied and taught art, before earning a master of fine arts degree from Yale University. In 1963, he began teaching at State University of New York at New Paltz. In search of a Black community, he found one in Ponckhockie an African American neighborhood in Kingston, New York. With the help of local youths, he converted an old livery stable into Communications Village, a neighborhood community arts center and printmaking studio where Wigfall and visiting artists from New York would mentor young people.

Visitors to his exhibition will be greeted by his seminal 1951 oil-on-canvas abstract work, Chimneys, portraying the smokestacks beside the former Marshall Street Viaduct connecting downtown to Church Hill. Wigfall received a VMFA prize for the painting, and the museum purchased a second painting by Wigfall, Corrosion and Blue, in 1958.

But Wigfalls fruitful relationship with the museum occurred as Virginia became enveloped in the Massive Resistance era.

During the 1950s, a new auditorium opened at the museum with integrated seating, per orders by Cheek. But white patrons complained, and VMFA as a state agency was compelled to segregate its seating, Eckhardt said.

Although Wigfalls talent had earned him respect and patrons in the local art community, he could not escape the bigotry of his hometown. He was tackled by police outside the Miller & Rhoads department store in downtown Richmond  where one of his works of art was hanging inside  and was handed a trumped-up charge that was later dismissed with the aid of attorney Oliver Hill, Eckhardt said, citing coverage of the event by The Hampton Script, the student newspaper of Hampton University, where Wigfall was a beloved art teacher.

Theres no way that that history of segregation would disappear in an institution like this, she said. A space was made, a small space. But that doesnt mean that he wasnt feeling the effects of racism and segregation every time he probably set foot in the museum.

Wigfalls work generally was not overtly political. But the undertones are clear in his Picasso-esque 1955 etching, Victim and Accused, an anti-segregation statement.

He had to take a bus from Church Hill and into this completely white neighborhood to get to the museum, Eckhardt said. So I dont want to in any way erase how he would have felt in that circumstance. And I think that is what is key to Communications Village and to what he established in Kingston, and to the questions he started asking. Really the shift from the early 60s, with the emphasis on integration, to the late 60s, when he was thinking much more about what Black culture had to offer and what it would mean to root his own practice in Black culture.

Massive Resistance cost Virginians more than desegregated schools. Its ripple effects had an impact on culture.

Really, after Massive Resistance, I think that you lose the thread on African American art at VMFA for about 30 years, Eckhardt said.

The centerpiece of Wigfalls VMFA exhibition is the Communications Village, formally organized in 1973. A photo of the brick building takes up an entire wall; the opposite side features photos of professional artists and community people, and its stated mission to produce prints, audio recordings and photos to document the life and history of the community.

In one life-size photo, Wigfall  in shirt, tie and jacket, wearing headphones and toting recording gear  looks more like a radio journalist than an artist. Its clear he viewed the roles as complementary and interchangeable.

In one interactive room, the transcribed words of residents are written on prints, with their recorded words available at the push of a button.

What he wanted to do for the kids there, I think, and the message he had repeatedly said over and over was: You dont have to leave your community to make art, Eckhardt said.

His goal wasnt to make them artists. It was to help them see differently. And that you could see differently within your own community. You could find art. ... And I think that that, to my mind, is very attached to what he learned, and then what he wasnt able to learn, at VMFA when he was here.

The nurturing of his talents across racial lines might have seemed unlikely, given the racial divides of his formative years. But Wigfall appeared to absorb the notion that it takes a village to raise an artist.

You would really be surprised how Richmond becomes a point of origin for so much  historically, artistically, said Valerie Cassel Oliver, curator of modern and contemporary art at the VMFA. Wigfall took roots nourished in Richmond and planted them elsewhere, to create and flourish opportunities for other artists, particularly young artists of color.

PHOTOS: VMFA's new exhibitions of Whitfield Lovell: Passages & Benjamin Wigfall and Communications Village
Anxious Democrats are seeking to downplay  or ignore altogether  the impact of new criminal charges against President Joe Biden's son, Hunter. And as Democrats dodge, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies seized on the legal development to tighten his grip on the GOP and deflect from his own legal shortcomings. But in a nation deeply divided by partisanship, there were few signs immediately after Hunter Bidens plea deal was announced on Tuesday that the unprecedented prosecution of a presidents son had shifted the 2024 election in any significant way. Democratic officials privately described the federal case against his son as a minor distraction at most that could linger deep into next year.
Henrico County Police are investigating a shooting early Wednesday morning that killed a juvenile male.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 4900 block of Wood Thrush Circle just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. When they arrived on scene, they located a juvenile male suffering obvious signs of trauma, according to a statement from Henrico Police.

Police rendered aid at the scene until emergency responders arrived and took the victim to an area hospital. Henrico police announced on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon that the victim, who is not being identified because of his age, died of his injuries.

Detectives identified a suspect, also a juvenile male, who has been taken into police custody. He currently faces a charge of underage possession of a firearm, though police say more charges may be forthcoming.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Detective Seay at (804) 501-7323 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at (804) 780-1000.

Top five weekend events: 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,' David Cross & Caribbean Fest Caribbean Festival 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' David Cross Fireworks at the Squirrels DesignRVA
Greg Baka appeared likely to win the GOP primary for the Henrico County Board seat representing the Tuckahoe District, one of several contested local races on the primary ballot Tuesday.

Henrico County had two Democratic primaries and one Republican primary for its board of supervisors. In Hanover County, there were two contested Republican primaries and one uncontested Republican primary for its board. Chesterfield County had just one party primary for commonwealths attorney.

Henrico County

As of 9:30 p.m., Baka held a 71.78% (2,259) edge over Craig Suros 28.22% (888) portion of the vote in the Tuckahoe Republican primary.

The winner will inherit the task of making sure retiring Tuckahoe supervisor Pat OBannons seat stays red in November. The Henrico Board of Supervisors is currently made up of three Republicans and two Democrats.

Baka, who has represented Tuckahoe on the countys Planning Commission since 2016, was endorsed by the departing OBannon. Suro currently serves as a board member at Parham Doctors Hospital.

Anne-Marie J. Leake and Jody Rogish are going head-to-head in the Tuckahoe Democratic primary to see who will advance to the general election. Rogish is leading the race with 56% (1,554) of the tallies, with Leake sitting at 44% (1,221).

Leake is a board member for the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District; Rogish is a consultant for Impact Makers, a business and technology firm.

Democrats have held the majority of Henrico board seats once in the past three decades  a seven-month stretch in 2017-18  but Leake or Rogish will look to change that in November.

The Three Chopt District has two Democratic candidates vying for the partys nomination  Noah Page and Misty Whitehead.

Page has been an outspoken local advocate for issues like housing affordability, the prevention of gun violence, transit and walkability, labor, election reform and abortion. Whitehead is a family and criminal law attorney who campaigned on education, social justice, reproductive rights and gun control.

Whitehead ended the night with a tight lead: 50.68% (1,260) of the vote to Pages 49.32% (1,226). All precincts are reporting with provisional votes yet to be counted.

The winner will go on to face the districts multi-term incumbent Tommy Branin in November.

Branin has been Three Chopts Republican supervisor since 2016. He won the districts 2015 race, earning 53% of the vote against Democratic and Independent challengers.

That district has not elected a Democrat since at least 2003, according to the earliest Virginia Department of Elections available online.

Hanover County

Hanover had two contested Republican primaries that could bring new supervisors to the Beaverdam and Mechanicsville Districts.

Beaverdam is contested by three people running for the Republican primary.

The incumbent Supervisor Robert Monolo won his seat after running unopposed during a November 2022 special election. The seat opened up after the death of longtime supervisor Aubrey Bucky Stanley, who first took the seat in 1983.

He is running against two Republican contenders in Jeff Stoneman and Doug Schuhle.

Stoneman is a small business owner and ordained Baptist deacon for Beaverdam Baptist Church. He was endorsed by the Virginia Citizens Defense Leagues PAC. Schuhle is a U.S. Army combat veteran and current branch manager for a mortgage lender in Henrico.

Monolo has ended the evening with a slight edge over Stoneman. Monolo has 45.62% (787) of the vote to Stonemans 44.99% (776). Schuhle is behind the two with 9.39% (162) of the vote.

The Mechanicsville District hosts a contest between an incumbent, current board Chair W. Canova Peterson IV, and challenger Ryan M. Hudson.

Hudson holds a lead over Peterson. Hudson attained 57.51% (452) of the vote, compared to Petersons 42.49% (334). Provisional votes are all that remain to be tallied.

Hudson is a licensed real estate agent who started his career as an EMT. He is also a registered nurse and worked at VCU medical center for nearly a decade. Peterson has been on the board since he was elected in 2011, and served as chairman in 2014 and again since 2019.

Hanovers republican primary for the Ashland District will go to Yael Levin after her opposition, M. Travis Crown, dropped out of the race.

Levin has been an outspoken about her beliefs that diversity, equity and inclusion have had a negative impact on schools. She has picked up endorsements from people like Del. Nick Freitas, Del. Kim Taylor and a chapter president for No Left Turn in Education.

The Ashland incumbent is Faye Pritchard, who is in her 23rd year as an elected official and was formerly Ashlands Mayor. A Republican last won the district in 2011. Pritchard later defeated that candidate with 63% of the vote in 2015.

Chesterfield County

The Virginia Public Access Project as of 9:30 p.m. was calling a narrow victory for Chesterfield County Commonwealths Attorney Stacey Davenport in her re-election bid against prosecutor and former Virginia State Trooper Tom McKenna in the Republican primary.

Davenport earned 51.36% (12,605) of the vote, while McKenna finished slightly behind at 48.64% (11,937), according to VPAP.

The winner will face challenger Erin Barr, a prosecutor who is running as an Independent on the November ballot.

Davenport defeated Democrat Scott Miles in 2019 with 54% of the vote to earn her current position as commonwealths attorney.
An abandoned gas station on the long-neglected Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground will soon become the new face of the historic site with the installation of a mural.

The artwork would be installed on the facade of the 1305 N. Fifth St. building, and would feature three horizontal lines painted red, black and green. An inscription would be written across the lines in white vinyl stenciling, reading, Beneath this old gas station, that billboard and I-95/65 is Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground. Active 1816-1879.

The art piece will serve as one part in the ongoing Shockoe Project, which aims to recognize, acknowledge and honor the estimated 22,000 free and formerly enslaved bodies interred there.

The plan is to have the artwork in place until a more complete design can be developed.

The push to install a mural at the historic site comes from several community member with support from Sixth District Councilwoman Ellen Robertson at a community meeting this month.

According to a public art master plan issued by the commission, the goal is to use the public art piece as a way to acknowledge the city and neighborhoods history and to engage the public in honoring people and their stories.

Smaller-scale projects created by artists that interact with neighborhood residents can contribute to the texture and identity of an area, the plan states.

The Planning Commission voted 4-1, with Commissioner Burchell Pinnock abstaining, to approve the proposed project.

The Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground is a historic landmark located on two acres in the citys Jackson Ward neighborhood. For several years, it served as the burial site for thousands of Black Richmonders.

While the site has seen numerous buildings erected on the grounds  including several roads, a railway, an almshouse, a hospital and a gas station  one of the greatest disturbances was due to construction on the interstate above the burying ground.

As a result of numerous desecrations of the site, the city government sought to provide funding to purchase the property and develop a plan to acknowledge the sites historic significance. In 2021, the city purchased a portion of the land and has set aside funds to memorialize the site. In 2022, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Former Del. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, made a stunning political comeback Tuesday night, knocking off Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Petersburg, in a Democratic primary that pitted the party establishment against a longtime maverick in a contest that centered on the protection of abortion rights.

Aird halted the Morrissey political saga two years after she lost her own seat in the House of Delegates. On Tuesday, Aird won a well-financed challenge of an old nemesis in Senate District 13, anchored in eastern Henrico County.

Aird, who will turn 37 on Thursday, spoke in a union hall in Highland Springs in Henrico, while Morrissey, 65, conceded at an election night gathering at a pizza parlor outside of Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, part of the Tri-Cities political base that swept him into the Senate four years ago.

Former Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, and Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, led the cheers for their former colleague in the House of Delegates, but Aird was introduced by Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, one of six Democratic women senators who endorsed her over Morrissey, their colleague.

Never in history has it been done that the women in office rebuke a colleague, but it had to be done, Aird said.

She singled out Planned Parenthood of Virginia for its support, and credited the financial backing of the Clean Virginia Fund and the workers of UNITE HERE, who broke into the chant, When we fight, we win!

We have forever put behind us a dark cloud that for too long has tainted the commonwealth of Virginia, Aird said.

Morrissey said in an interview that he had congratulated Aird and wished her success in the Senate.

If shes successful, the district benefits, he said.

More than 40 years after his first political race, Morrissey said I have no intention of running for office again. He added: Im looking forward to the next chapter of my life: being a full-time dad. My children are my heart. Theyre everything to me.

Another Senate incumbent in the Richmond area, Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, held the seat he won in a special election less than three months ago after facing an energetic challenge from progressive Democrat Katie Gooch in Senate District 14, based primarily in Richmond instead of his home turf in Henrico.

Bagby said in a statement: "Henrico and Richmond continue to show they have my back. I am looking forward to continuing to work for them." Referring to his wife, Jevata Herman Bagby, he added: "It's my wife's birthday so we have a lot to celebrate."

Gooch said in a statement: "I congratulate Lamont Bagby on his win tonight and I hope he will continue to go on and win in November."

Aird won Petersburg, Morrisseys political base, in part because of strong support from UNITE HERE, a hospitality workers union that strongly opposes the casino resort proposed in Petersburg by The Cordish Companies, a Baltimore-based casino operator that the union opposes because of the wages and benefits it provides workers.

Sam Epps, political director for UNITE Here, said union members knocked on some 68,000 doors to support Aird in the district, including in Petersburg. We had to go down there and take it from him, Epps said at an election night party for Aird at IBEW Local 666 in Highland Springs.

Aird was winning every locality in the district, with almost 80% in Henrico, where most of the voters in the district live.

Thats pretty darn impressive, Henrico Supervisor Tyrone Nelson said at Airds party.

GOP challenger will be Eric Ditri in fall

Aird will now face Republican Eric Ditri in November, but the district leans Democratic.

The high-dollar race in Senate District 13  together, Aird and Morrissey had raised more than $2.2 million through June 8  ultimately centered on abortion rights. Morrissey, a Catholic who personally opposes abortion, tried to smooth over his public position on the issue, but Aird used his own words from a radio interview to suggest that he would side with Youngkin and other Republicans to restrict access to the procedure. He countered that she held a more extreme position, evidenced in her support of legislation in 2020 to loosen restrictions on late-term abortions.

Lashrecse Aird made this race about protecting abortion rights  something the majority of Americans overwhelmingly agree on, Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, said Tuesday night.

A twice-disbarred attorney who played a prominent role on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Morrissey also focused on his substantial legislative record, especially on bills he sponsored to reform the criminal justice system as well as on his ongoing effort to allow Petersburg to host a casino resort while blocking a second public referendum on a proposed casino in South Richmond.

However, he struggled to overcome a wide gap in fundraising, endorsements of Aird by establishment Democrats and his own turbulent personal life, which has repeatedly spilled into public view.

Morrisseys estranged wife, Myrna, filed for divorce during the campaign, accusing him of infidelity and abuse, which he denied. Their relationship began when she was a 17-year-old assistant in his Henrico law office. In 2015, he commuted to the House of Delegates, in which he then served, from jail after agreeing to an Alford plea on a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was given a one-year sentence with six months suspended. Then-Gov. Ralph Northam pardoned him shortly before leaving office.

Joe and Myrna Morrissey married in 2016 and had three children together. He often featured his family in his 2019 Democratic primary victory over Sen. Rosalyn Dance, D-Petersburg, but the couple separated on the night of his general election victory. Earlier this year, they engaged in a highly public battle over custody and treatment of their children.

Aird had Democratic establishment support

Aird, a former aide to Dance who served six years in the House, is making a political comeback after losing her seat to Del. Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie, in a 2021 election that helped give Republicans a narrow majority in the House of Delegates.

The U.S. Supreme Court created a political opportunity for Aird a year ago when it struck down Roe v. Wade, a 1973 court ruling that made abortion legal across the country. The decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization left abortion restrictions to states. That focused attention in Virginia on the narrow Democratic majority in the Senate that Youngkin has sought to overcome to restrict the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.

Morrissey took advantage of his swing vote in the narrowly divided Senate to gain leverage with Democrats on his legislative priorities, including budget language last year that temporarily prevented Richmond from holding a second casino referendum until after a study of Petersburgs viability as a potential casino site. He lost much of that leverage early this year, when Democrat Aaron Rouse won a special election in Virginia Beach to replace Sen. Jen Kiggans, a Republican who had won election to Congress last fall.

During the primary campaign this spring, Morrissey said he had never discussed abortion with Youngkin and never had voted to ban the procedure. Aird allied with abortion rights groups in a Roe Not Joe campaign tour that focused on his co-sponsorship of legislation that Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, introduced last year to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks except when the mothers life or long-term health is endangered. A Senate committee killed the bill, so Morrissey never voted on it, but he advocated bringing it to the Senate floor for debate. Chase also lost her seat Tuesday, falling to former Sen. Glen Sturtevant in a GOP primary.

Aird had the support of Democratic establishment, including Virginias six Democratic women senators, along with U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both former governors. She also was endorsed by newly elected Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, who trounced Morrissey in a four-way party-run primary in December to fill the congressional seat vacated by the death of Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th, on Nov. 28.

A look at June's Election Day in photos across Richmond region
State Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, says she plans a legal challenge to Tuesdays primary election results, in which she lost to former Sen. Glen Sturtevant.

She asserts that early voting was done on voting machines that did not comply with state law.

But it is not clear that rejecting those votes would be enough to give her the victory.

Chase said she is seeking a lawyer to address her concerns. She said she would not concede until she was confident that the official vote count was correct and any election day concerns of voters were resolved.

No voter should have been voting early on those voting computers until they were in compliance with Virginia State law, she said in a statement.

Were not asking for a recount. A recount wont correct the problem. We will never know for sure if there were bad actors in the early voting certification process, Chase said.

Were asking for those who acted illegally to be held accountable for their unethical actions during early voting.

A legal challenge is different than a recount, since it alleges an election was conducted improperly.

In Virginia, a candidate cannot ask for a recount if results are more than 1 percentage point apart.

Chase lost the three-way race to Sturtevant, who won 39.47% of votes cast to her 37.86%, according to the unofficial results reported by the state Department of Elections. Religious freedom campaigner Tina Ramirez was the third candidate in the primary, and received 22.67% of votes.

Chase had a 415-vote margin over Sturtevant with ballots cast on election day. He had 335 more votes than she did among early votes cast on machines. Sturtevant received 426 more votes on mail-in ballots than she did, which was enough to give him a 346-vote margin of victory, according to the elections departments unofficial tally.

Chase complained that Sturtevants campaign manager was chosen illegally as the sole Republican to certify early voting machines during early voting.

Chase had previously complained that she had zero confidence that the early voting machines were properly certified.

Chase had represented much of what is now the 12th district for two terms, but redistricting brought in a portion of the district Sturtevant represented for one term before his defeat in 2019 by Democrat Ghazala Hashmi.

Although a Republican, Chase is not a member of the Senate GOP caucus. She was censured by the Senate in 2021 for a pattern of unacceptable conduct, including a lack of civility and making false and misleading statements. In 2021, she sought the GOP nomination for governor that went to Youngkin.

Chase has questioned President Joe Bidens election, and in 2022 she proposed that the General Assembly appropriate $70 million to audit the 2020 election results in Virginia, in which Biden beat then-President Donald Trump by 10 percentage points. The state Senate rejected her proposal.
Susanna Gibson claimed victory in one of the most watched primary races in greater Richmond on Tuesday night, defeating Bob Shippee for the Democratic nomination in western Henrico County and eastern Goochland County.

Gibson, a nurse practitioner, won 55% of the vote and beat Shippee, a retired banking director who became a political advocate. Gibson claimed the 57th House district by roughly 600 votes.

In a race that commanded a serious amount of fundraising, Gibson raised more than $300,000, and Shippee more than $220,000, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. It's an important seat because of its implications for November. It could swing in either direction, as Republicans will attempt to hold on to their slim margin in the House of Delegates.

Gibson will face Republican David Owen, who has drawn his own share of financial contributions  roughly $280,000. Theyll compete in a competitive district that chose Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2021 by a 51%-to-48% margin in 2021.

Gibson said Tuesday she will work to preserve abortion rights, make prescription drugs affordable and to provide access to mental health care. She'll also strive for common-sense gun laws.

"Together, we'll move this district forward," she said.

The 57th district includes Short Pump, northwestern Henrico and western Goochland County, an affluent section of greater Richmonds far west end.

 Del. Buddy Fowler, R-Hanover, defended his spot as the Republican nominee in the 59th House district Tuesday night.

With 57% of the vote, Fowler beat two challengers, Graven Craig, a trial attorney from Louisa County, and Philip Strother, a civil lawyer and winery owner from Henrico County. Craig got 33% of the vote, and Strother won 10%. The district, which leans Republican, includes western Hanover County, most of Louisa County and a small chunk of northern Henrico.

Fowler, 67, has been a delegate for 10 years and was endorsed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Craig raised almost as much money as Fowler and won the majority of votes in his home county, Louisa. Fowler did well in Hanover, his home county, where the most votes were up for grabs, and won enough in Louisa.

Fowler said his team knocked on about 5,000 doors.

I really do believe we earned this thing, Fowler said. We worked extremely hard knocking.

Come November, Fowler will take on Democrat Rachel Levy. Fowler said Virginia needs to become more attractive when competing for businesses compared to states farther south. Virginia needs more taxpayers, fewer taxes and cheaper electricity, he said.

The Republican party can grow its majority in the House of Delegates by a few seats, he believes. Democrats control the Senate.

Weve got great people, Fowler said. I think weve got a great message.

 Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Henrico, easily fended off a challenge from Terrence Walker in the 81st House district, which includes eastern Henrico, a small portion of Chesterfield County and all of Charles City County.

McQuinn, who won 83% of ballots, could face an open path back to the legislature. No Republican is currently running in the strongly Democratic district.

 Rae Cousins claimed victory in the Democratic nomination for the 79th House district, which runs across eastern Richmond on both sides of the James River.

Cousins, a lawyer, defeated Ann-Frances Lambert, a small-business owner and member of the Richmond City Council, and Richard Walker, CEO of a nonprofit called Bridging the Gap in Virginia. Cousins got 63% of votes, compared to 30% for Lambert and 8% for Walker.

Cousins will face Eric Sundberg, an independent, in a district that is heavily Democratic.

 Mark Earley Jr. won the Republican nomination in the open 73rd district, located in western Chesterfield, claiming 69% of the vote. Opponents Yan Gleyzer, an entrepreneur, got 10%, and Ryan Harter, a member of the Chesterfield County School Board, managed 21%.

Earley, a lawyer and the son of former Attorney General Mark Earley Sr., will face Democrat Herb Walke in November. Earley will be considered the favorite  the district swung heavily toward Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2021.

It will be Earleys second crack at public office. In 2021, he lost to Del. Dawn Adams, D-Richmond. Out-fundraised, Earley raised about $140,000 compared to Gleyzers $210,000.

 Destiny LeVere Bolling cruised to the Democratic nomination for House District 80, located in central Henrico, winning 74% of ballots. Bolling, who has worked as communications director at Virginia AFL-CIO, defeated John Dantzler, who owns a child care center and real estate company.

She will face Michael Harned, an independent. The 80th district voted heavily Democratic in 2021.

 Kimberly Pope Adams defeated Victor McKenzie Jr. for the Democratic nomination in the 82nd House District. Adams, an auditor at Virginia State University, took 61% of the vote. Next, she will face Del. Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie, in what should be a competitive race. The 82nd district includes the city of Petersburg, portions of Dinwiddie and Prince George and all of Surry County.

Adams, who grew up in Hopewell, said her lifetime of experience prepared her for public office.

Ive always said Im the home-grown candidate, and people can see themselves in me, Adams said.

Out-fundraised by a wide margin, Adams said she was always considered the underdog in the race. But a grassroots campaign with constant door knocking turned the tide.

At the end of the day, money cant buy hard work, she said.

A look at June's Election Day in photos across Richmond region
Here's a look at five quick lessons from Tuesday's primaries:

Joe Morrissey, Amanda Chase and Marie March defeats

The General Assembly is about to get less colorful and unpredictable with Tuesday's defeats of Sens. Joe Morrissey, D-Petersburg, and Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield and Del. Marie March, R-Floyd.

We'll always have the memories of Morrissey hoisting an assault-style rifle in the General Assembly in 2013 while pushing for tougher gun laws, Chase berating a Capitol Police officer over a parking spot and March pursuing assault charges against a political rival who bumped her. That rival, Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick, was acquitted. He defeated March in Tuesday's primary.

Youngkin and abortion

Gov. Glenn Youngkin's bid for more abortion restrictions just got tougher. Former Del. Lashrecse Aird, who beat Morrissey, had made the contest a referendum on support for abortion rights. Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, head of the Senate Education and Health Committee, also won her primary on Tuesday and will resume her post in the Democrats' "brick wall" against new abortion curbs.

5 senators lost

The changing of the guard is accelerating. While Lucas and Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, hung on to win Senate primaries on Tuesday, at least five other senators lost. Between retirements and primary defeats, at least 15 of the 40 current state senators will not return in January.

The influence of Fairfax

Fairfax continues to lose clout. Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax, co-chairman of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee, lost his primary to Stella Pekarsky, a member of the Fairfax County School Board. Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, lost his primary to Saddam Azlan Salim, a financial consultant and immigrant from Bangladesh.

In the General Assembly power comes from seniority. Due to retirements, the Fairfax delegation is already losing Senate Majority leader Dick Saslaw; Sen. Janet Howell, the other co-chair of Senate Finance & Appropriations; former Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn, and Del. Ken Plum, a delegate for more than 40 years.

Youngkin's influence

Youngkin still has some sway. All 10 of the GOP candidates the governor endorsed in contested legislative nominations prevailed. Now comes the tougher test - whether the governor can swing the key swing districts in November.

A look at June's Election Day in photos across Richmond region
George Barker, Senate Democrats budget maven, lost his seat in Northern Virginia after 16 years because a lot of voters probably didnt know him. Joe Morrissey, Senate Democrats unreliable rogue on reproductive rights, lost his seat in the Richmond area after four years because a lot of voters probably know too much about him.

Both were casualties Tuesday in thinly attended primaries  there were more than 40 across the state  that not only framed the fight this fall for control of the General Assembly but also, to some degree, reshaped the parties that will wage that battle. It is one that could be decided in a handful of House of Delegates and Virginia Senate districts in the Richmond, Washington and Hampton Roads suburbs.

Among them: a Democratic-trending Henrico County Senate seat, held by Republican Siobhan Dunnavant, which Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg is threatening to flip by pressing Dunnavant on her opposition to abortion  an issue that resonates powerfully with moderate suburban voters, particularly women; also, a newly drawn, swing House seat in Henrico, where Democrat Susanna Gibson  a nurse practitioner nominated on her support for abortion rights and gun control  faces Republican David Owen.

At least eight incumbents in both parties were denied nominations, and final official vote counts could push that number to nine. The results, paired with announced retirements from a third of the seats in both chambers, augur a legislature  already national in its outlook  that more closely resembles a deeply riven Congress in tone and temperament.

With the defeats of such veterans as Barker and a fellow Fairfax senator, Chap Petersen  his loss to Saddam Salim, a Bangladeshi immigrant, was among Tuesdays surprises  the Democrats establishment wing was dealt a stunning setback by the increasingly diverse and younger progressive forces that have been steadily pulling the state party leftward since 2016, financed with millions from husband-wife, green-energy activists Michael Bills and Sonjia Smith.

Republicans shed some of their more shrill, MAGA-centric members  most notably, Sen. Amanda Chase of Chesterfield County, defeated by former Sen. Glen Sturtevant, and apparently Del. Dave LaRock, whod moved from Loudoun County to seek a Winchester-area Senate seat in an eight-candidate free-for-all. This perhaps will make it easier for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to present the GOP as he prefers to be seen: Trump-ian in his conservatism, courtly in his manners.

Democrats, whose Senate candidates and incumbents, alone, collected $31 million during this three-year campaign cycle, $12 million more than Republicans, fear Youngkins fundraising prowess and the difference it could make in the general election. His political action committee, having collected $10 million since 2021, has been running online advertising and is building out a voter-mobilization program. Youngkin can personally supplement spending, drawing from his giant fortune, as he did as a candidate.

The results of this nominating season  candidates were selected in state-run, open-to-anyone primaries and, in some Republican contests, party-controlled caucuses and members-only mini-primaries  suggest that the narrow divide in the General Assembly could endure, possibly putting out of reach the agendas of both parties. In this years General Assembly session, Democrats controlled the Senate, 22-18; Republicans held the House, 52-48.

Unless Youngkin  approaching the midpoint of his nonrenewable four-year term  can restore full Republican control of the legislature, he might leave office thwarted in his promise of further tax cuts, abortion restrictions and a rollback of what he depicts as woke-ism in public education. Democrats would be similarly frustrated, denied tougher restrictions on firearms and constitutional protections on abortion rights.

Youngkins prospective presidential candidacy  he refuses to say definitively whether hell join the growing field for 2024  could be jump-started by a Republican takeback of the General Assembly, a sign of effective pulling power and personal appeal not seen since his narrow victory in 2021. This spring, he demonstrated clout within the party, picking winners in all 10 of the nomination contests in which he made endorsements.

Democrats with presumed ambitions for governor in 2025 also showed  or can claim  a measure of influence. Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, whos moving to Northern Virginia from Henrico, and former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn of Fairfax County backed winners. Filler-Corn even sided with Salim over Petersen, among the few prominent Democrats to do so.

Stoney and Filler-Corn endorsed incumbent Creigh Deeds over Del. Sally Hudson for a Charlottesville-anchored Senate seat in a race that had a distinct generational dimension, pitting a centrist baby boomer with 30 years in the General Assembly against a liberal millennial first elected in 2019.

Barker  defeated by Stella Pekarsky, who sits on the Fairfax County School Board  was a victim of the center-left struggle among Democrats as well as redistricting; in particular, an overhaul of mapmaking that he pushed in 2020 and 2021 despite warnings it would weaken the party.

Barker landed in a district, drawn by the Republican-dominated Virginia Supreme Court because a voter-endorsed bipartisan commission deadlocked, that included only 6% of his previous seat. In contrast, half of Pekarskys school board district is within the Senate district, giving her something of a home-field advantage and a credential of greater relevance to voters than Barkers clout in Richmond as co-chairman of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.

For Pekarsky, that has to be significant in a bustling region where few local figures stand apart in a political and economic landscape shaped by Northern Virginias looming neighbor across the Potomac: the federal government. Plus, Pekarsky is an emblem of a school system  one of the most highly regarded in the nation  in which many Fairfax residents feel vested, more so given Youngkins attacks on public education.

Progressive voters were prominent, too, in Lashrecse Airds victory over Morrissey. A former delegate, Aird harnessed post-Roe fears of a retreat on abortion rights by singling out Morrisseys willingness to support Youngkin in mostly banning the procedure after 20 weeks. Virginia is the only state in the South with virtually no restrictions on abortion in the first two trimesters, a legacy of Democrats total control of state government from 2020 to 2022.

Morrissey, himself, was an issue. Running in a new district whose largest jurisdiction, Henrico , was heavily hostile to him, Morrissey was dogged by the latest tabloid-like stories about his personal life: his pending divorce from his young wife, with whom he had a sexual affair when she was a minor, and alleged dalliances while their marriage was collapsing.

There was a personal dimension, as well, to an incumbent-on-incumbent Democratic Senate primary in Hampton Roads between Louise Lucas of Portsmouth and Lionell Spruill of Chesapeake. They were lumped in the same district, guaranteeing that one of these veteran Black legislators would be sent packing. Conventional wisdom favored Spruill because Chesapeake is the dominant locality in the new seat.

But primaries have a way of upsetting expectations. And Lucas powerful vote in Portsmouth and stronger-than-expected performance on Spruills turf ensured her nomination and likely re-election. Now shes got to hope Democrats retain the Senate, allowing her  as head of the Senate Education and Health Committee  to continue in the role she emphasized as a candidate: chief tormentor of Glenn Youngkin, the self-styled brick wall blocking his thrust to sharply limit abortion.

Lashrecse Aird election night 2023 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries DOMINANT ART
Former state Sen. Glen Sturtevant won the Republican nomination for the Chesterfield County-based 12th Senate District Tuesday night, ousting firebrand state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield.

The two left religious freedom campaigner Tina Ramirez well behind in the three-way race.

Sturtevant won 8,493 votes, or 39.5% of ballots cast. Chase received 8,153 votes, or 37.9%, and Ramirez received 4,874, or 22.6%, with 57 of 57 precincts reporting unofficial results according to the state Department of Elections. Provisional ballots and those mailed before election day but that have not been delivered yet are still to be counted. Sturtevants margin is currently too large for a recount.

The primary pitted Chase, who has called herself Trump in heels  a state senator who is the only Republican who is not in the Senate GOP caucus  against a former one-term senator, Sturtevant, and Ramirez, a candidate with a fat war chest from a failed nomination contest for Congress.

The district, which comprises the western half of Chesterfield and the city of Colonial Heights, is very Republican  voting 57% for Glenn Youngkin in his 2021 election as governor. Sturtevants nomination could give the Senate GOP Caucus a more reliable ally.

All three candidates said they would defend gun rights, support school choice and oppose abortion.

But Sturtevants past votes  on red flag laws as well as the Equal Rights Amendment  were a focus of Chases campaign, as was what she called her 100% record on gun rights.

Sturtevant now says he would vote to overturn the red flag law, saying his 2019 vote for a red flag bill that ultimately was left to die in the Senate Finance Committee was a mistake. Democrats passed a red flag law in 2020, when they led both chambers, after Sturtevant had left the legislature.

Ramirez has said there should not be any gun-free zones. She and Chase said all law-abiding citizens should be able to carry guns in schools.

Besides her voting record on gun rights, Chase stressed her opposition to mask mandates and her stance for parents rights, saying she is pro-God, pro-life, pro-business, pro-veteran, pro-law enforcement and pro-rule of law.

Sturtevant stressed his experience as a legislator who could get complex bills enacted.

Ramirez says she is a single mother of a daughter. Ramirez wants to get government out of the way and put an end to what she describes as toxic cancel culture.

Chase is currently not a member of the Senate Republican Caucus. She was censured by the Senate in 2021 for a pattern of unacceptable conduct, including a lack of civility and making false and misleading statements. In 2021, she sought the GOP nomination for governor that went to Youngkin.

Chase had little luck on her measures this year, which focused on gun rights, rolling back COVID-19 vaccination requirements, restricting abortion and the banning of insurance coverage for gender transitions for minors.

Sturtevants term in the 2016 to 2019 sessions included passing a measure that created a fast-track program for licensed teachers to earn credentials to teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science. But while he won broad bipartisan support for a bill authorizing low-cost health insurance that only covers catastrophic illnesses, the bill was vetoed by then-Gov. Ralph Northam. Sturtevant, a lawyer, is a former member of the Richmond School Board.

With her experience working for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Ramirez founded Hardwired Global, an organization that develops childrens books and education material to address the causes of religious conflict and to defend the rights of those oppressed for their religious beliefs. She failed in a bid for the GOP nomination for the 7th Congressional District in 2020.

Candidates deployed expensive campaign tactics only rarely seen in Virginia legislative races.

Ramirez spend $230,462 on TV and radio ads, and another $45,220 on web advertising, while Sturtevant spent $117,000 on TV and radio ads, and another $50,600 on web advertising.

But even on the more old-fashioned purchases of signs and bumper stickers, Sturtevant outspent Chase and Ramirez. His $310,000 for these was 50% more than their combined total.

Ramirez was the big spender on robo calls and texting, with just under $12,000 for these.

Sturtevant was the favored candidate of the GOP establishment and of some of the most influential lobby groups in the General Assembly. Dominion Energy, for instance, gave $135,000; political action committees associated with state Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, gave $40,000; the Republican State Leadership Committee gave $25,000; and GOPAC and Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City County, each gave $12,500.

But Republican legislators and committees sat on their hands for Chase and Ramirez.

Their grass roots outreach, at least as measured by campaign fund donations, was more extensive. Some 835 small donations of less than $100 went to Chase, while Ramirez saw some 569 small donations, compared to Sturtevants 198.

About 53% of the districts voters come from Chases old district, and 40% come from the northern part of the county that was part of the district Sturtevant represented and that leans less strongly Republican. Some 7% of voters live in a newly added area around Ettrick that votes strongly Democratic. In the fall, the Republican nominee will face Democrat Natan McKenzie, a financial adviser.

A look at June's Election Day in photos across Richmond region
Virginia aims to sell hundreds of acres on the campuses of two state mental hospitals and a now-shuttered facility for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities outside Lynchburg.

The state Department of General Services has declared 293 acres of the 543-acre Central State Hospital campus in Dinwiddie County as surplus and available for sale.

The state is building a $400 million replacement hospital on part of the site. Site work is underway, and construction is set to start in the fall.

Virginia, meanwhile, has contracts for the sale of 346 acres of Eastern State Hospitals Williamsburg-area campus. This is a mainly wooded area bordered by state Route 199 and west of the current hospitals building.

In a recent report to the General Assembly, the general services department put an estimated value of $18.5 million on these sales.

State officials also are working with a Williamsburg-area nonprofit, Hope Family Village, which wants to establish a neighborhood where 25 families of individuals with serious mental illnesses could build homes. The neighborhood would also have common areas on the Eastern State campus, so families could support those individuals and one another.

Meanwhile, Amherst County and its Economic Development Authority are looking over the Central Virginia Training Center campus, once home to hundreds of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to see if they want to buy it for future development. The campus is across the James River from Lynchburg.

Under a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Virginia has closed all but one of its training centers, shuttering the Amherst County facility in 2020. In the 1920s and 1930s, the facility  then called the Colony for Epileptics and Feeble-Minded  was a center for Virginias eugenics program, which sterilized individuals. Carrie Buck, a resident, was the plaintiff in the lawsuit through which the U.S. Supreme Court approved the practice.

The state closed the Southside Virginia Training Center in Petersburg in 2014, the Northern Virginia Training Center in Fairfax County in 2016 and the Southwestern Virginia Training Center in the Carroll County town of Hillsville in 2018. Only Southeastern Virginia Training Center, in Chesapeake, remains open for those who need the residential care offered by a large institution.

The state sold 98.5 acres of the Southwestern Virginia Training Center campus to Galax Treatment Center last year, for $4 million. The buyer agreed that the site would be used to provide health care services for at least five years.

At Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie, the state plans to replace 13 separate buildings with a single structure, much as it did at Western State Hospital a few years ago.

The Central State project is more complicated, because the hospital is also the site of Virginias maximum-security unit for patients with criminal histories.

Virginias other state hospitals do treat individuals involved with the courts, either because they have been found not guilty by reason of insanity or because they were deemed incompetent to stand trial, but most of these people do not need the kind of secure facility that Central State operates.

The next step with the surplus land at Central State  now that the Secretary of Natural Resources has reviewed the site to evaluate environmental issues  is to contact Dinwiddie and its development authority so they can launch a 180-day review, as outlined in state law.

The aim is to give the locality and the authority first crack at acquiring the site for development. If they do not come up with a viable proposal, the property will be sold, either by public auction, sealed bids or by marketing through one or more real estate brokers.

The hospital is on the grounds of the former Mayfield Plantation, which the state acquired from Petersburg more than 130 years ago to replace a Reconstruction-era hospital for Black people that was founded in 1870 in what is now East Richmond. It remained racially segregated until 1968.

Other surplus properties on the for-sale list include a portion of Virginia Correctional Enterprises 5 acres near the Chesterfield County airport, for which the state is negotiating a sale, and the Department of Corrections White Post Mens Diversion Center, 11 miles south of Winchester.

Last year, the state received $44.8 million from sales of surplus property, up from $4.4 million the year before, the general services department reported to the legislature.

From the Archives: Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Central State Hospital
Chihuahua man wanted for rape arrested from residential streets of Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A man wanted in the state of Chihuahua has been arrested in Playa del Carmen. On Wednesday, State Attorney General (FGE) of Quintana Roo reported on the arrest of Geovanni C who was wanted for rape and sexual abuse.

According to the FGE, Geovanni C was captured by elements of the Investigative Police when he was walking along Coba Street with Chemuyil Avenue in the Paseos Xacel subdivision of Playa del Carmen.

After his arrest, Geovanni C was handed over to the agents of the Chihuahua State Attorney Generals Office, who will transfer him to the state of Chihuahua Wednesday evening to face charges.

Giovanni C was arrested from the public residential street of Playa del Carmen on an outstanding arrest warrant for rape and sexual abuse in Chihuahua.
Crime rates in Tulum down reports authorities

Tulum, Q.R.  The Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC) of Quintana Roo says criminal activity in Tulum has been reduced. SSC head Ruben Oyarvide Pedrero says the crime reduction is due to investigations and operational strategies being implemented.

We are going to continue working on reducing figures, he said adding that they have also taken a zero impunity approach.

We are going to continue attacking with the premise of zero impunity. It takes time, yes, but we are going to produce results and I think Tulum is a clear example of this effort that is being made due to this work, he explained during a Monday press conference in Tulum.

Oscar Montes de Oca Rosales, who is the head of the State Attorney Generals Office, confirmed influential arrests. During the press conference, he said that operations and arrest warrants have resulted in searchs that have lead to those arrests.

Municipal Mayor Diego Castanon Trejo said that murder rates have also decreased in Tulum and that there are currently only three cases reported, whereas before, it was not uncommon to have as many as 15 in a month.

Drugs and weapons seized by authorities during a single Tulum bust this month. Photo: SSC June 2023.

He said that Tulum, which one of the most important tourist destination in the state, is working hard on security strategies in which National Guard, National Defense and Navy as well as the State Attorney Generals Office, Public Security of Tulum and the state, participate to ensure peace in the municipality.

During the press conference, Ruben Oyarvide Pedrero of the SSC detailed 41 arrests, 23 loaded weapons and 2,907 bags of drugs of marijuana, powered cocaine, crack, crystal meth, LSD and bricks of cocaine, were seized during Tulum operations between May and June.
The European Union (EU) unveiled a proposal Tuesday (June 20) to protect its bloc from the economic risks posed by unreliable suppliers in countries that do not share its values. While the wording did not mention any country as the plans were "country agnostic," it is believed the proposal was directed against China and Russia due to the war on Ukraine.

The European Commission was aiming to develop measures to protect trade and investment, which rivals might seek to exploit for security or military purposes, such as the tech and communication sectors.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the proposal, which must be endorsed by the EU to its member countries, saying the world has become "more contested and geopolitical" and that there was a limited set of key technologies that could be used differently and aggressively.

"Given the changing nature of the risks, we now need a strategic vision for how we are going to handle these risks," she said.

Von der Leyen added the EU should be "more assertive" in using the tools that it has to tackle and develop new ones.

Read Also: Polestar Partners With Xingji Meizu To Create a New Operating System for Chinese EVs

The plans would be aligned with the commission's new drive to "de-risk" its relations with China without completely "decoupling" since the bloc's economies, in general, were reliant on China to tackle global challenges such as climate change.

In addition, the plans aim to make European economies and supply chains more resilient to threats while keeping the trace flowing.

Von der Leyen added the capital, expertise, and research of European countries must not be "abused by countries of concern for military applications," particularly the concern for the security of 5G and 6G telecoms networks.

The commission particularly considered Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE to be high-risk suppliers, so much so that it endorsed moves by some 27 EU member states to exclude both companies from their 5G networks.

Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure such as pipelines, undersea cables, power generators, and transport networks were the other risks the commission needed to counter. The EU should also be able to address threats posed by countries using trade or investment to change their policies.

EU leaders are expected to discuss the plans at their June 29-30 summit in Brussels, which could come as a challenge since each member state has its own national policies toward countries like China and Russia.

Related Article: Ukraine, Czechia, Slovakia Plan to Buy 1,000 Swedish-Made CV90 IFVs

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Helicopter en route to Pemex platform goes down in Sound of Campeche

Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche  UPDATED: A pilot and co-pilot aboard a helicopter that went down in the Sound of Campeche remain missing. On Wednesday morning, a Heliservicios helicopter that was hired by Pemex was involved in the accident.

Details as to how and why the helicopter plunged into the sea are not known. In a press release, Pemex has reported that the helicopter went down at 6:43 a.m., 11 nautical miles from Ciudad del Carmen.

Secretariat of the Navy personnel continue to work on search and rescue efforts. According to Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), the pilot and co-pilot left a heliport at Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche and were en route to a Pemex platform in the Sound of Campeche at the time of the accident.

The Secretary of the Navy had two boats out searching for the two on board after learning the helicopter went down.

At the same time, and as befits these cases, the institution began the investigation procedure for the root cause of the incident, in order to determine what caused this emergency.

Petroleos Mexicanos endorses its commitment to the safety of its workers, its facilities, the community and the environment where it operates, Pemex said in their statement.

There has not been any additional public updates provided regarding the accident since late Wednesday morning.

UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, search and rescue officials reported locating the two men inside the helicopter. Both men were found deceased.
Man sentenced to nine years in Cancun prison for harboring illegal migrants

Cancun, Q.R.  A man found guilty of human trafficking has been sentenced to nine years in Cancun prison. The Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) in Quintana Roo reported the sentence of Ricardo R Tuesday.

Ricardo R  has been sentenced for his full responsibility in the commission of the crime of trafficking in undocumented immigrants, in its modality of shelter, with aggravating circumstances.

According to the investigation, Ricardo R was detained by State Police in SM 250 of Cancun earlier this year after police were tipped off. The citizen tips reported a home in Villas del Mar Plus Fractionation of Cancun housing numerous foreigners.

The report also included allegations of violence coming from inside the house.

When police arrived at the address, they observed Ricardo R leaving the house. However, upon noticing the police presence, he tried to flee, for which he was persecuted and arrested, the FGR reported.

Inside the home there were 22 foreigners, 16 from India and six from Brazil, who were being sheltered. A review of their immigration status showed an illegal stay.

Ricardo R is currently serving his time in the CERESO, the Centro de Reinsercion Social prison of Cancun.
Its a given among most academics today that Britains empire and economic success was the result of the depredation of native cultures and gross exploitation. But what if its not true?

There is a comedy sketch from British television, now made immortal by the internet, in which a Nazi soldier, waiting for Russian troops to advance on his armys position, uneasily examines the skull insignias on his uniform and wonders if they might, in fact, be the baddies.

Today it is ordinary Westerners who find themselves wondering, after all, if they are the bad ones. A flood of revisionist scholarship presents European colonialism and empire as an unmitigated evil and an exceptional crime. Worse still, the arguments run, todays Western wealth, in both America and Europe, is built on the proceeds of that crime. Nor have imperialisms racist assumptions gone away: they are foundational to modern Western societies and still permeate every corner of our lives. Revolutionary change is presented as the only decent answer.

Older generations approach all this with a wary scepticism. We remember being taught something very different: the nobility of the Wests imperfect but ongoing quest for a society of freedom and opportunity for all. For those now coming of age, however, tales of Western plunder and exploitation may be all they have ever known. Professors like Sir Hilary Beckles, who claims Britains wealth and power were founded upon a crime against humanity, have become authorities. The guilt-stricken intensity of the woke is best understood as the horrified reaction of a generation that has been taught to accept Western depravity as unquestionable and is now desperate for absolution.

Enter Professor Nigel Biggar, asking a disarmingly simple question: Is it true? His new book, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning, assesses the case against the British Empire. Rather than a narrative history, Biggar proceeds thematically, tackling each of the major accusations that are made in turn. These include Britains role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade as against its leadership of the anti-slavery movement; whether its economic policies were exploitative; and whether its use of violence was excessive.

Biggars approach is calm and measured, preferring factual historical enquiry to the nuance-vaporising ideological apparatus of more fashionable takes. It is also not merely a historical investigation but a moral one. As such it asks hard questions about responsibility and foreknowledge, refusing to accept that every terrible outcome is proof that someone is to blame. A theologian and ethicist by training, Biggar is well placed to help the reader confront the difficulties that emerge when we stop hunting for reasons to condemn and try to judge honestly.

The result, it should be said, is no celebration of empire as an unmitigated good. Biggar lays many evils at the feet of British colonialism, produced by a mix of culpable wrongdoing, unjust actions, and unintended harm. These include:

brutal slavery; the epidemic spread of devastating disease; economic and social disruption; the unjust displacement of natives by settlers; failures of colonial government to prevent settler abuse and famine; elements of racial alienation and racist contempt; policies of needlessly wholesale cultural suppression; miscarriages of justice; instances of unjustifiable military aggression and the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force; and the failure to admit native talent to the higher echelons of colonial government on terms of equality quickly enough to forestall the build-up of nationalist resentment.

This grim list is, as Biggar states, lamentable. Not all the evils were deliberate, but where there is culpability, they merit moral condemnation.

Yet Biggars analysis also tears apart many popular cartoons of imperialism. It was never a uniform or coherent project. Nor was it sustained by constant and overwhelming violence, as Frantz Fanon claimed in the 1960s and more recent scholars like Caroline Elkins continue to maintain. The British Empire, Biggar finds, relied on widespread acquiescence, participation and cooperation of native peoples. That cooperation was frequently earned by the establishment of security and the rule of law, and it was maintained by the honesty and integrity of officials.

Incidents of racist contempt were part of the imperial picture, but so too was a fascination and respect for the cultures of the colonized. In India, Sanskritic civilization was saved from oblivion thanks to Western administrators like Warren Hastings, who said, In truth, I love India a little more than my own country.

The philologist William Jones, who with Hastings enthusiastic support founded the Calcutta Asiatic Society, helped give Hindu nationhood its material basis. That is not an isolated irony but an emblem of the wider historical reality. The liberal ideas that underpinned the British Empire were used to justify its paternalism, but they also handed ammunition to independence movements. Free trade disrupted Indias traditional spinning and weaving industries while driving a market expansion that actually increased traditional production. By the late 1800s, Indian entrepreneurs working within the imperial system had imported the new industrial techniques and built factories of their own. Manchester became the one that was outcompeted.

Biggar also demolishes another pillar of todays anti-Western histories: imperialism as a kind of economic original sin, with all our wealth built on a foundation of ill-gotten loot. He cites the Swiss historian Rudolf von Albertini, whose extensive studies concluded colonial economics cannot be understood through concepts such as plunder economics and exploitation. On the controversial Williams thesis, which claims that the profits of slavery made a major capital contribution to Britains industrial revolution, Biggar details the scholars who have left the claim wholly discredited. By contrast, the British Empires naval suppression of the Atlantic slave trade over six decades was the most expensive example [of costly international moral action] recorded in modern historyand was itself only part of the empires anti-slavery campaign, which lasted for a century and a half.

For those who insist on seeing the horrors of slavery as somehow emblematic of Western capitalism, it is also clarifying to encounter a scathing quote on the subject from Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalism, well before abolitionism had become mainstream. In 1759, in his Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith presented African slaves as possessing greater moral dignity than their masters. He called them nations of heroes who were subjected to the refuse of the gaols of Europe, to wretches who possess the virtues neither of the countries which they come from, not of those which they go to. Here, as elsewhere, Biggars approach recovers the pasts complexity and escapes the unexamined abstractions that structure too much postcolonial scholarship.

In doing so, Biggar strikes a deliberate blow against something far more important than tendentious historical interpretation. What is at stake, he writes, is not merely the pedantic truth about yesterday but our self-perception and self-confidence todayand our ability to defend our values in the future. He wrote this book, he explains, to protect the security of the West itself.

That could sound overblown, but spreading a toxic, distorted narrative that denigrates the Wests record will inevitably corrode confidence in the Western order. That order, for all its faults, is built around principles of individual dignity, economic liberalism, and the rule of law. Unnuanced narratives of imperial evil only help the authoritarians in Moscow and Beijing who are eager to present their methods as a workable alternative. Meanwhile, basic principles of the liberal order like freedom of expression are already losing ground to cancel culture, eroding the values that make democratic politics work. Biggars first publisher of this book pulled out for fear of controversy. Progress, he notes, can roll backwards.

The nations of the West must resist the self-loathing that enables such institutional decay. We are not historys real baddies. Biggar shows that for all the crimes of the British Empire, there was nothing morally equivalent to Nazi concentration or death camps, or to the Soviet Gulag. In contrast, the British Empire stood against Nazi aggression and for international law and order in World War II and evolved into an important part of the postwar anticommunist Western alliance.

As a new kind of Cold War descends, we need to remember the lessons of the last one. The Cold War against the Soviets required not just strong military forces but also the confidence to stand up for the Western tradition. As President Ronald Reagan said in his Westminster address of 1982, The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets, but a test of wills and ideas, a trial of spiritual resolve.

For too long, the Wests spiritual resolve has been attacked from within by what Biggar, quoting the historian Elie Kedourie, calls the canker of imaginary guilt. The arguments of this book cannot hope to cure that blight alone. But by offering an honest account of the British Empires record, in all its complexity, Biggar has shown that history uncorrupted by imaginary guilt is still possible. Better yet, his sales figures show it is popular as well. When the market of ideas is kept open, truth remains a winning proposition.
The best way to start summer is to stock up on the newest book releases and to revisit the classics. Whether youre concerned about growing populism among the right and left, how to think through humanitarian aid within your church, or the more significant questions of human flourishing, there is something for everyone. And if youre one of the 900 attendees at Acton University this week, I encourage you to visit the book shop, where you will find the best selection of books and videos for those lazy summer days. If you couldnt make it to Acton University in person, dont despair: all these titles are available online.

The Next American Economy: Nation, State, and Markets in an Uncertain World is the latest release by Samuel Gregg. If youre worried about the growth of government in general or the rise of American political populism in particular, this book is for you. Gregg wades into the populist debates that seem to agree on only one thingmore government is the remedy for what ails us. National conservatives embrace government as the solution to what they view as modern problems of globalization and markets run amok, including the alienation of the working class, the outsourcing of American manufacturing, and the rise of China. Gregg takes these challenges from the New Right seriously rather than dismissing them. He provides a rich historical framework for Americas long affection for tariffs, subsidies, and protectionism, and exposes them as the sources of even more cronyism and the misallocation of resources. Americas economic future depends on freeing market economies, which Gregg argues makes everyone more prosperous. Most importantly, he provides a positive and hopeful view of the future by encouraging us to embrace our commercial republic. You can watch Sam Gregg discuss his book here. Poverty, Inc. is a documentary produced by the Acton Institutes Michael Matheson Miller, available on DVD, Netflix, VUDU, and Amazon Prime. I find a way to work this video into any class I teach, whether on international trade, microeconomics, or public policy. Its a powerful story that helps us understand that good intentions are insufficient. Our Christian call to help the poor is a matter of both heart and We must not unintentionally undermine our well-intended efforts to do good. The video leads us through gut-wrenching stories of the damning unintended consequences of many domestic and international humanitarian actions. Moreover, were guided through the vast web of paternalism and cronyism that plagues the development industry. The film has won over 60 awards and received accolades from intellectuals across the ideological spectrum. You can listen to EconTalk host Russ Roberts interview Miller on the documentary here. The Struggle for a Better World by Peter J. Boettke is a collection of lectures and essays that powerfully articulates a compelling vision for a prosperous society composed of free people afforded equal dignity and open access to the market economy. My favorite quote in the book, Economic growth is a moral imperative, is contentious, yet Boettke persuasively demonstrates that the classical liberal project emancipates people from historical patterns of discrimination and exclusion. As the circles of exchange are widened, the market offers agency where it had previously been denied, generating trust, a cosmopolitan order, and human flourishing. As a collection of essays and lectures, you can read this from front to back, which I recommend, or pick and choose chapters of interest. Listen to Professor Boettke discuss his book on the Human Progress Podcast here. Theres No Free Lunch: 250 Economic Truths by David L. Bahnsen is hot off the press and just what we need. This book is a treasury of examples of the economic way of thinking and helpful to both econ specialists and curious generalists. His goal is to define and defend free enterprise, and he argues that one must first understand basic economic truths to grasp the importance of free enterprise. Economics is the study of human action; thus, we must start with a proper understanding of the human person before we can advance human freedom and flourishing. Theres No Free Lunch is now a video series produced by National Review and available on YouTube, where you can watch Bahnsen converse with Father Robert Sirico. Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt, first published in 1946, is always worth revisiting. Short chapters and pithy writing make this timeless classic accessible to everyone. Hazlitt begins with the broken window fallacy, so prominent in peoples thinking today about the efficacy of public policy. Its a short story about a boy who breaks a shop owners window, which requires the owner to invest resources to repair it. We must not celebrate the breaking of a window because it encourages production. Instead, we should lament that the store owner must redirect his resources to fix what was broken, because those resources were destined for other ends. We cant build up economies through destruction. Production isnt good for its own sake; its only beneficial if it creates real value for people in society. In this he distinguishes between good and bad economists: bad economists look only at the direct or seen consequences of a policy, whereas good economists inquire about the unseen consequences and their effects on all groups. This book makes it into my syllabi each year, and I learn something new every time I read it. You can listen to Hazlitt discuss the fallacies that plague contemporary public policy here.

Whether you choose to steal quiet morning hours with a hot cup of coffee or prefer to read with a cold glass of lemonade poolside, I encourage everyone to expand on this starter list, even if you cant get to every book by summers end. Summer may have to end, but enlightenment should be a yearlong adventure.
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Roanokes downtown late Tuesday evening, but no charges have been placed against the driver.

City police said the collision occurred at about 9:50 p.m. near the intersection of Second Street and Franklin Road Southwest.

Police said the vehicle was traveling north on Second Street when the pedestrian entered the road near the intersection and was struck.

Responding officers found an unconscious man lying in the road, police said. Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel took him to a hospital for treatment.

The victim has not been identified and his condition was not available.

Police said the driver of the vehicle remained on the crash scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles 2022 crash facts report, 171 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes statewide last year, a nearly 37% increase in pedestrian fatalities over 2021.

Most of those fatalities occurred at non-intersections on urban roads that were not lighted, according to the crash facts report. Forty-nine of the 171 involved drinking pedestrians, largely between 6 p.m. and midnight.

There were four pedestrian fatalities within Roanoke in 2022, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles interactive crash locations map: one in January on Williamson Road Northeast, one in June on Shenandoah Avenue Northwest, one in October off of Franklin Road (U.S. 220) and one in November on Salem Turnpike Northwest.

So far in 2023, the city has recorded three pedestrian fatalities: one in February on Williamson Road Northeast and two in April, the first on Brandon Avenue Southwest and the second on Bennington Street Southeast.
Will Davis appeared to have easily won the Republican primary for Virginias new 39th House of Delegates District on Tuesday, according to unofficial returns.

Davis received just under 80% of the votes in the new district against his opponent Ron Jefferson. The district consists of the entirety of Franklin County as well as a portion of Roanoke County.

Davis is a Rocky Mount resident who has spent most of his life in Franklin County. He grew up working on his grandparents farm in Glade Hill.

Davis obtained his bachelors degree at Bridgewater College and attended law school at Regent University in Virginia Beach. After graduation he returned to Rocky Mount and joined his familys law firm, Davis Davis Davis & Davis. He is the fourth generation in his family to work for the firm.

In the runup to Tuesdays primary, Davis campaigned on bringing more economic development to the district, which includes all of Franklin County and a portion of Roanoke County. He stated a commitment to supporting small businesses in Virginia through deregulation and the reduction of what he considered burdensome taxes and fees. He also promised to work with Virginia farmers.

Davis also said he supports Second Amendment rights and will fully support and fund law enforcement and first responders.

Davis outperformed Jefferson by more than 80% in nearly every voting precinct in Franklin County. He received more than 90% of the vote in his hometown voting precincts of Rocky Mount East and Rocky Mount West as well as in Penhook, Hodgesville and Endicott.

Jefferson performed best in the Snow Creek and Scruggs voting district where he was able to obtain 36% and 33% of the vote respectively.

In Roanoke County, Davis won 58% of the vote.

Davis will now be facing Democrat Gregory Maxwell in the November general election. Maxwell is also a Franklin County native who resides in the Sontag community.
Trish White-Boyd will be the Democratic candidate in 4th District state Senate race this fall.

White-Boyd, a Roanoke City Council member, defeated fellow council member Luke Priddy and political newcomer DeAnthony D.A. Pierce in a party primary Tuesday. The primary included a low voter turnout and a computer glitch that complicated vote tallying in Roanoke.

White-Boyd, according to unofficial results late Tuesday night, was about 1,400 votes ahead of Priddy, with Pierce a distant third.

A new statewide system to track votes was not working for Roanoke Registrar Andrew Cochran, he said shortly after press deadline at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Its not working at all, Cochran said. I cant even get past the first precinct. I save data there, I go back and its gone.

Turnout was low, according to registrars in Montgomery County, Roanoke County and Salem last week. Cochran on Tuesday night also said turnout was lacking.

Turnout was just hauntingly low, Cochran said. It definitely increased after the rain stopped.

In the general election, White-Boyd will face incumbent Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, who seeks a third term.

The new district, which covers Roanoke and Montgomery counties, plus the cities of Roanoke and Salem. White-Boyd won every locality Tuesday night, but accumulated her largest support in Roanoke, where she outpaced Priddy by close to 1,000 votes.

A General Assembly map put Suetterlein and incumbent state Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, in the new 4th District. Edwards has announced his retirement, opening the way for a new Democratic candidate.

White-Boyd has emphasized her commitment to working for segments of the community who need a voice in Richmond.

The district, redrawn in 2021 during statewide redistricting, includes roughly 155,000 registered voters, about 55% of whom voted for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2021, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project.
It will be Del. Wren Williams, not Del. Marie March, who will carry the Republican party banner into this falls election in the new 47th Virginia House of Delegates district.

The two incumbents, both elected to the House in 2021, were flung into competition for the seat after redistricting merged portions of what had been neighboring districts. Williams, R-Patrick, and March, R-Floyd, ended up battling for their partys nomination for the 47th, which includes Floyd, Carroll, Patrick and part of Henry counties, and Galax.

Preliminary results on Tuesday night showed Williams winning the primary with about two-thirds of the vote  about the same percentage he held in the 2021 primary contest in which he defeated Republican incumbent Charles Poindexter.

On Tuesday, Williams gained a majority in each locality of the new district except Floyd County, where March had about 63 percent of the vote.

This was the outcome that we expected, Williams said. We knew that people in our district were excited about having a proven conservative leader represent them. These are my folks.

March did not reply to requests for comment Tuesday.

Williams victory in the primary means that he will face Democrat Patty Quesenberry in November.

Williams, 34, said that his campaign would emphasize Republicans hopes to expand the partys lead in the House of Delegates and capture a majority in the Virginia Senate  steps that would set up at least two years for a GOP-dominated General Assembly and Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin to turn the partys priorities into legislation.

Williams and Marchs intra-party rivalry was fierce, with scathing exchanges online and via news releases  which intensified in September, when March took out a criminal warrant against Williams. March said that her fellow delegate committed assault and battery by bumping into her as people left a party meeting in Wytheville.

In January, a judge dismissed the charge.

Afterward, on social media, March complained that the judge agreed with Williams attorneys objections and prevented testimony from a series of witnesses. Judges are appointed by politicians and the Swamp is deep, folks, March wrote. Our country is in a sad state of affairs.

Williams issued a statement after the court case calling Marchs warrant a political hit job and a desperate move, and calling March unhinged.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Williams raised $373,254 ahead of Tuesdays primary and spent $359,620. Combined with Williams starting balance, that left him with $22,682 as of June 8.

Williams top donors during the past two years were Dominion Energy and the candidate committee of Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, who is Virginias Speaker of the House. Each donated $25,000. The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association contributed $21,500.

The Virginia Public Access Project reported that March raised $65,531 and spent $78,968. Because she had a positive balance in her campaign funding to start with, March ended up with $3,543.

March was her own top donor, putting $10,333 of her own money into the campaign. Her next highest donor was Shelor Motor Mile with $10,000.

Quesenberrys Democratic campaign has so far raised $839, the Virginia Public Access Project said.

Williams said Tuesday that despite his lead in fundraising, he did not relax in his campaign against March and would not slow as he turns toward November.

We treat every race as if we were down by five, Williams said. You cant take anyone for granted. People have underestimated me. Those people are no longer in the General Assembly.
After losing her bid for reelection Tuesday night, one-term Del. Marie March, R-Floyd, used social media Wednesday morning to blame Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin for the outcome.

Youngkin worked hard and routed the lobbyist money to lie and buy elections across VA in order to flush the Conservative pro-lifers down the toilet, March wrote on Facebook. Wake up Virginia!

Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick, won the 47th District GOP primary by more than a 2-to-1 margin over March on Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Williams continues on to the general election in November, competing against Democratic candidate Patty Quesenberry in a Republican-leaning district. Also in the race is independent Jacob Frogel, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Our campaign focused on the issues and our proven record in Richmond, Williams said in a press release Tuesday night. I look forward to returning to Richmond and continuing our fight for conservative results.

In a post conceding the election results, March on Tuesday night took aim at Williams campaign fundraising.

We were funded by small dollar contributors, he spent half a million dollars $500,000 of the big time lobbyists donations and his familys big money and the backing of the Richmond Swamp, March said. Goes to show you, elections can and are being bought every single day!

Williams spent $359,000 on the House District 47 campaign against March, who raised almost $79,000, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project.

Most of Marchs campaign contributions, as with Williams, came from cash contributions more than $100, the data shows.

In a Facebook post made at 5:51 a.m. Wednesday, March said she was one of only four actual conservatives who ran in Tuesdays primary. She named Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, Matt Strickland and Hermie Sadler as the other actual conservatives, all of whom lost during primary elections Tuesday.

The China Carlisle Group takeover of VA politics is complete, March wrote. One big happy family of sell-outs, pretending they care about you and messaging you they are good, kind and concerned.

March said all the lobbyist money and Youngkins minions aimed to rid Virginia of its right wing goals. Goals that restore life and liberty, she wrote.

We have the most bought and paid for and OWNED Governor and his crew in the United States, March wrote. I have always known it when I looked into those black lying eyes. Shark eyes ... snake eyes.

Marchs social media posts this week are similar to those she made in January, after assault allegations she sought against Williams were dismissed in a Wythe County courtroom. At the time, she blamed the judge and her state-appointed attorney for that legal loss.

The Roanoke Times has attempted to reach March for comment numerous times in recent weeks.

Youngkins office did not respond to a request for comment about Marchs allegations. But in a press release Tuesday night, Youngkins Spirit of Virginia political action committee said that the state Republican Party is united ahead of November elections.

We nominated strong, dedicated public servants who are committed to our commonsense agenda and improving the lives of every Virginian, Youngkin said in the press release. Heres our opportunity: strengthen the spirit of Virginia, empower parents, keep our neighborhoods safe, provide greater opportunities in every corner of the Commonwealth and deliver real results for everyone.

Out of the 10 contested candidates who Youngkin endorsed during this primary election season, all won Tuesday, according to the press release.

Voters want to send leaders to Richmond who will work with Governor Youngkin, the press release said.
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(Photo : NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden denied the allegations that he was involved to his son, Hunter Bidens foreign deals.

Hunter Biden, the son of the president of the United States, has reached a provisional agreement with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to two minor tax offenses and confess to the facts of a gun charge under terms that will likely keep him out of prison, according to court documents filed on Tuesday.

Per Washington Post, a federal judge would have to sanction any prospective plea agreement. The prosecutors and defense attorneys requested a judicial hearing where Hunter Biden, 53, can submit a plea.

Hunter Biden Aims to Avoid Time Behind Prison

The agreement, according to the attorney for the younger Biden, "concludes" the lengthy criminal investigation into the president's son.

However, US Attorney for Delaware David Weiss, the case's primary prosecutor, stated that the investigation "is ongoing," implying that matters beyond the tax and firearms issues are still under investigation.

The investigation was initiated in 2018, during the presidency of Donald Trump. Since 2020, Republican politicians have repeatedly accused Hunter Biden of extensive malfeasance in his international business dealings and predicted that the Biden administration would be unwilling to pursue the case.

The terms of the proposed agreement, which were negotiated with Weiss, a holdover from Trump's administration, were swiftly rejected by congressional Republicans on Tuesday, who pledged to continue their investigation into the Biden family.

Hunter Biden has provisionally agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax offenses for failure to pay in 2017 and 2018, according to documents filed in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday.

A court document indicates that in both of these years, Biden was a resident of Washington and earned more than $1.5 million in taxable income, for which he owed more than $100,000 in late income taxes.

According to people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity to characterize aspects of the case that are not yet public, prosecutors intend to recommend probation for these counts. Representatives of Biden have previously stated that he paid the IRS what he owed.

The second court document pertains to the firearms allegation. The letter states that "the defendant has agreed to engage into a Pretrial Diversion Agreement regarding the firearm Information."

Biden would not technically be pleading guilty to the firearms allegation if the case were handled as a diversion case. A diversion is usually an option for nonviolent offenders with substance addiction issues.

Federal agents investigating Hunter Biden announced on October 6 that they had gathered sufficient evidence to charge him with tax and gun-related offenses.

Read Also: Blinken Says US Does Not Support Taiwan's Independence During Visit to China

Joe Biden: 'I am Very Proud of My Son'

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden voiced his support for his son Hunter. Joe Biden is in the Bay Area until Wednesday, primarily to raise funds for his presidential campaign in 2024. However, he appeared before the cameras for less than five minutes on Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco at an event about artificial intelligence policy alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Per Daily Mail, Joe Biden stated, "I am very proud of my son," in response to a barrage of inquiries about Hunter's plea agreement. He initially dismissed them but eventually responded.

When asked if he had spoken with Hunter today, he did not respond to a shouted question about whether he had encouraged his son to enter a guilty plea. The press was then led out of the chamber.

Joe Biden has previously stated that he is "proud" of Hunter, citing his recovery from drug abuse. The Department of Justice provided details about Hunter's plea agreement, which was criticized by former President Donald Trump and his top congressional allies.

Five years ago, the president's son was investigated for tax and financial allegations and for purchasing a handgun while attesting that he did not abuse narcotics. That contradicted his own autobiography, in which he described a crack cocaine addiction that led to a spell in rehab.

A federal judge must still authorize the agreement with prosecutors, and it comes at a time when the Justice Department is under scrutiny for its handling of high-profile investigations of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

According to NBC sources, prosecutors will recommend probation for the president's son, which would spare him prison time but could find him in hot water if he violates the terms. The tax offenses to which he will plead guilty are both misdemeanors.

Related Article: Report: Hunter Biden Helps Burisima Execs To Create Account With 'Corrupt' Foreign Bank

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
Soaking up water is one of the main services provided by soil. Rainwater that doesn't get absorbed into the ground and instead flows over it is called "runoff." Let's say your hometown gets a sudden downpour. If the soil is already oversaturated with water when the rain starts falling, it won't be able to soak up much more of the liquid. As a result, there could be an awful lot of runoff  and that greatly increases the odds of a flash flood breaking out.

Yet if the soil is too dry, that can also be a problem. Dry dirt tends to be compact, which limits its ability to absorb water, as well. Another point worth mentioning is the fact that not all substrates are created equal: Loose, sand-based dirt has a much easier time soaking up rainwater than clay-heavy soils do. And then there's the added problem of urbanization. Manmade surfaces like concrete and asphalt are (for the most part) quite bad at absorbing even small amounts of rainwater.

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With this information in mind, let's review the Zhengzhou incident, which killed at least 25 people and displaced hundreds of thousands of others. The city received more than its annual average rainfall in just four days  and nearly 24 inches (624 millimeters) in just one hour on July 20, according to the World Meteorological Organization. An abundance of roads and waterlogged soil led to significant runoff, which turned streets into rivers that poured into the region's tunnels and subways.
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 103F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
Modi calls for 'one earth, one family, one future' at U.N. yoga event

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a celebration of International Yoga Day at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday and called on people "to join hands together to realize the goal of one earth, one family, one future."

The United Nations in 2014 declared June 21 the International Day of Yoga, adopting a measure proposed by Modi.

"Let us use the power of yoga, not only to be healthy, happy, but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other," Modi told a gathering of yoga devotees seated on yellow mats on the north lawn of U.N. headquarters by New York's East River.

"Let us use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world, and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future," he said.

Modi is in the United States for talks with President Joe Biden that the White House sees as bolstering "one of the defining partnerships of our age."

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit, despite concerns over what is seen as a deteriorating human rights situation under his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Modi is to head from New York to Washington for a private dinner with Biden on Wednesday evening, followed by talks at the White House and a state dinner on Thursday.

Before taking to the stage to speak on Wednesday, Modi paid his respects before a bust of Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in the U.N. grounds.

Gandhi, who was born in 1869, played a key role in India's fight for independence. He was assassinated by a Hindu radical on Jan. 30, 1948, just a few months after he led India to freedom from British rule through a nonviolent struggle.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a video message to the yoga event, saying he wanted to "recognize Prime Minister Modi for all he has done to promote understanding of yoga and its many benefits."

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
SINGAPORE  Increased military spending is not in and of itself troublesome, but such fiscal measures could cause regional arms races if not for diplomacy and restraint, Singapores defense minister has warned.

Ng Eng Hen was speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, which took place June 2-4. The International Institute for Strategic Studies hosted the event, which brought together defense ministers and military leaders from the Indo-Pacific region and the wider world.

Global military spending rose 19% during 2013-2022, and has grown every year since 2015, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Sweden-based think tank.

Ng cited this trend during his plenary speech on Sunday, adding that within the Asia-Pacific region, without any physical conflict, combined military expenditures has increased to $575 billion, he said.

Last year, the world spent $2.2 trillion on defense, according to SIPRI, with Singapore spending $11.7 billion of that.

Ng acknowledged that defense spending is core to deterrence. But in the absence of a strategic framework of engagement and mutual restraint, cooperation despite competition, that balance tilts away from deterrence and the risk of conflict increases. In that context, the increased military spending veers towards an arms race with greater potential for destruction.

The minister also called for Japan to improve relations with China for the sake of regional stability, noting tension remains as a result of World War II, during which Japan invaded China.

Asked how Japan could contribute more to regional security, Ng said the most important thing that Japan can do is improve its relations with China, noting there is still a residual feeling in Asia that there is no accountability for Japans actions during WWII like that of Germany.

This feeling is particularly strong in China, which lost Manchuria in 1931 and subsequently saw large parts of its territory invaded and occupied by imperial Japan between 1937 and 1945.

Last year, Japan spent $46 billion on defense, while China spent an estimated $292 billion, according to SIPRI data.

The Japanese military also occupied Singapore from 1942 to 1945. Ties between their defense forces have steadily improved in recent years, with Ng meeting his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada at the dialogue.

Both countries also inked an agreement concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology over the weekend. It is a follow-up to an enhanced memorandum on defense exchanges that both countries signed in June 2022, and it establishes a legal framework for the import and export of defense equipment and technology between Singapore and Japan.

This provides the Singapore Armed Forces with more options to meet its training and operational requirements, according to a statement released by the countrys Defence Ministry.
(Photo : Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

The US Coast Guard said the Titan has less than 40 hours of oxygen left, while reports discover OceanGates questionable reputation after several passengers spoke up.

Authorities say the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible Titan has less than 40 hours of oxygen left inside as the US and Canadian Coast Guards search for the sub and its five passengers.

According to US Coast Guard (USCG) Boston spokesperson Capt. Jamie Frederick, the search area has covered 7,600 square miles (19683.91 sq. km.), larger than the state of Connecticut.

The Shady Operation of the Titan

The rescue task force included an over 300-foot vessel with remote operation capabilities that dove to the last known location of the Titan.

Frederick told reporters Tuesday (June 20) the Titan is equipped with 96 hours of oxygen for five people onboard. He added the search is particularly complicated as the location, which included the shipwreck site of the Titanic, is far from any coastline, making it logistically difficult to bring rescue crafts to the area.

French and British authorities were also reported earlier Tuesday to assist the Americans and Canadians in the search and rescue operation.

It was reported that the passengers were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulaiman.

There is speculation that the Titan has been operating without proper testing and has "not been approved by any regulatory body," CBS reported. The Titan was built using RV supplier Camping World parts and is controlled with a 2011 Logitech gamepad controller.

Maritime experts also questioned how the sub was constructed and why it was even allowed to make commercial trips in the first place. The report went viral after CBS reporter David Pogue said the Titan was "jerry-rigged."

New York-based comedy writer and producer Mike Reiss told the BBC of his experience aboard the Titan Tuesday (June 20). He said OceanGate made him sign a "massive waiver" that "mentions death three times on page one" when he became a paying passenger last year.

"If [the sub is] down at the bottom, I don't know how anyone is going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up," he said.

The sentiment of fear was echoed by Harding's friend Jannicke Mikkelsen, saying there was "no way" for a manned rescue to reach the Titan at the depth of the Titanic. "Hamish and the rest of the crew aboard...are trapped in a metal can at the bottom of the ocean where the atmospheric pressure is 400 times that of here at ground level," she added.

Read Also: Titanic Tourist Sub Goes Missing in Atlantic

OceanGate, USCG Pointing Fingers About Response Time

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported conflicting statements between OceanGate management and the US Coast Guard regarding the speed of the rescue effort.

OceanGate legal adviser David Concannon said the equipment and crew the USCG needed to rescue the Titan could only be deployed once the mission was authorized. "That's unacceptable," he said. "I don't want to discourage the government officials that are helping because they're doing their jobs, but we need to do it quicker."

Concannon was supposed to join the five crew members of the Titan.

On the other hand, the USCG repeatedly stated that its main focus was to locate the Titan before deploying any vessel capable of rescuing it and the crew aboard. The force also told the Daily Mail it took OceanGate nearly eight hours to report that the Titan was missing after its mothership, the Polar Prince, lost contact with the vessel.

Both parties have yet to respond to The Post's request for further information.

This is a developing story. Please check back on HNGN later for more updates.

Related Article: Passengers, Crew of Missing Titanic Sub 'Titan' Identified

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SIOUX CITY -- Leif Erikson Pool reopened Wednesday with sheriff's deputies on-site, after being closed for nearly a week following a melee involving roughly 20 teenagers.

The Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department said in a statement that is has "taken significant steps to enhance security measures" in an effort to provide a "safe and enjoyable experience" for all "valued pool patrons." Leif Erikson is open daily from 1 to 6 p.m. through August 13.

"The Sioux City public swimming pools are popular recreational destinations in the summer months. We are committed to maintaining their status as a safe and fun place for families, friends and individuals of all ages to spend time," the statement said. "Our reopening represents a collective effort to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. We appreciate the ongoing support and patience of our community as we strive to maintain the highest standards of safety and security."

Deputies, who will be present during public swimming hours, will respond to "any potential issues and help visitors as needed," according to the statement. The Parks and Recreation Department is also restricting children under the age of 12 from coming to the pool without a parent or guardian who is at least 16 years old.

Chief Deputy Tony Wingert said deputies and reserve deputies are being paid by the Sioux City pools to provide security at Leif Erikson.

"They want two bodies there. There may be some times that we couldn't get two deputies, so we'll have four of the reserve deputies that will be filling in," he said. "There will for sure be one deputy there. The other one may be a reserve deputy or it may be another deputy."

At 4:30 p.m. on June 15, Sioux City police responded to a physical disturbance at the pool.

Officers had to physically separate those fighting, including taking a juvenile female to the ground. A 13-year-old female and a 16-year-old female were charged and taken to juvenile detention. An 18-year-old female, who was initially targeted by the group of teens, was taken to the hospital for treatment of head injuries, following the melee.

During Monday's Sioux City Council meeting, Mayor Bob Scott spoke about how a Sioux City Police officer was attacked during the incident.

"If you have kids that take a cop down and start kicking him, I take that as a little more than a neighborhood skirmish," he said. "It's unacceptable that any kid would have that much disrespect for our police officers."

Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore told the council that officers have already been called to the pool 10 times this season.

Wingert said the deputies will be on the lookout for "trouble spots" at the pool, paying close attention to the actions of people congregating.

"They're going to move in and separate the parties and try to deescalate, find out what's going on," he said. "If they need to, they're going to ask people to leave. If people still refuse, then, there can be an arrest made. That's not what we're looking to do. But, ultimately, to solve the problem and keep the peace, if somebody doesn't want to play well with others, they may end up going to jail."

Wingert said one of the reserve deputies is a school teacher who knows some of the young people who frequent the pool.

"That's going to be a big advantage for him and for us. Maybe already has relationships with some of those people and can help deescalate things even quicker," he said. "I'd like to think here in Woodbury County, the state of Iowa, there's still some respect for the uniform and the badge that maybe just our appearance there will help calm some things down. If we have to take any enforcement action, we'll be forced to do that."
SIOUX CITY  A Sioux City woman charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend has pleaded not guilty of possessing of more than 1,000 fentanyl pills.

Katrina Barnes, 33, entered her written plea Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and two counts of child endangerment.

According to court documents, police officers investigating Barnes' suspected sale of fentanyl pills executed a search warrant at her home in the 1400 block of Prescott Street June 9 and found 1,250 fentanyl pills in Barnes' bedroom. She admitted to police she is a drug dealer, and 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 on charges related to the June 9, 2022, shooting death 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. While investigating the shooting, police found 18 pills believed to be laced with fentanyl in her purse, plus 17 grams of marijuana.

Barnes has pleaded not guilty of second-degree murder, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance and is scheduled to stand trial July 25.

Her attorney has filed notice that Barnes was justified in using deadly force to protect herself.
NORTH SIOUX CITY  UnityPoint Health  Sioux City is building a new clinic in Dakota Dunes.

According to a statement from UnityPoint, the clinic, which is slated to open next year, will offer additional convenience to residents in Dakota Dunes and North Sioux City by providing healthcare services close to home.

Located at 350 Gold Circle Drive, UnityPoint Clinic  Dakota Dunes will include 7,500 square feet of space and will be home to urgent care and family medicine services. This new location will also feature specialty services initially offering foot and ankle surgery services.

"We are proud to be building a new UnityPoint Clinic location in Dakota Dunes. This new medical building will address the increasing demand for healthcare services in our community," said Jane Arnold, senior vice president of operations and regional vice president of ambulatory operations at UnityPoint Health  Sioux City. "I'm excited for us to be able to offer important urgent care services for patients of all ages and stages in this community."
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SEATTLE  The company whose submersible vanished in the North Atlantic on a tourist dive to the wreck of the Titanic was repeatedly warned that there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way it was developed, documents show.

With five people aboard a vessel that if still functioning would have a dwindling amount of oxygen, an expanding international fleet of ships and airplanes is searching for the Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions. The undersea exploration company based in Everett, Washington, has been making yearly voyages to the Titanic since 2021.

David Lochridge, OceanGate's director of marine operations, wrote an engineering report in 2018 that said the craft under development needed more testing and that passengers might be endangered when it reached "extreme depths," according to a lawsuit filed that year in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

OceanGate sued Lochridge that year, accusing him of breaching a non-disclosure agreement, and he filed a counterclaim alleging that he was wrongfully fired for raising questions about testing and safety. The case settled on undisclosed terms several months after it was filed.

Lochridge's concerns primarily focused on the company's decision to rely on sensitive acoustic monitoring  cracking or popping sounds made by the hull under pressure  to detect flaws, rather than a scan of the hull. Lochridge said the company told him no equipment existed that could perform such a test on the 5-inch-thick carbon-fiber hull.

"This was problematic because this type of acoustic analysis would only show when a component is about to fail  often milliseconds before an implosion  and would not detect any existing flaws prior to putting pressure onto the hull," Lochridge's counterclaim said.

The craft was designed to reach depths of 13,000 feet, where the Titanic rested. But, according to Lochridge, the passenger viewport was only certified for depths of up to about 4,300 feet, and OceanGate would not pay for the manufacturer to build a viewport certified for 13,000 feet.

OceanGate's choices would "subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible," the counterclaim said.

The company said in its complaint that Lochridge "is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan."

He was fired after refusing to accept assurances from OceanGate's lead engineer that the acoustic monitoring and testing protocol was, in fact, better suited to detect any flaws than a scan would be, the complaint said.

OceanGate Chief Executive Stockton Rush defended the approach in a speech to a conference in Seattle last year hosted by the tech news site GeekWire. He described how he took a prototype down to 13,000 feet: "It made a lot of noise," he said.

So he brought the vessel back up, and on a second dive it made the same troubling noises, even though it should have been dramatically quieter. The company scrapped that hull, which was made by a marine manufacturer, and built another one with an aerospace supplier, Rush said.

In a statement, a spokesman for the company said the missing sub was completed in 2020-21, so it would not be the same as the vessel referenced in the lawsuit.

OceanGate also received another warning in 2018, this one from the Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers and educators.

In a letter to Rush, the society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching to safeguard passengers.

Rush refused to do so.

Rush was piloting the vessel that is now missing.

The letter, reported by the New York Times, said society members were worried that "the current experimental approach adopted by Oceangate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry."

In a 2019 interview with Smithsonian magazine, Rush complained that the industry's approach was stifling innovation.

"There hasn't been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years," he said. "It's obscenely safe because they have all these regulations. But it also hasn't innovated or grown  because they have all these regulations."
DES MOINES-- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is co-hosting a donation drive to raise money for crisis pregnancy centers to mark the one-year anniversary of the end of Roe v. Wade and federal abortion protections.

Bird joined eight other Republican attorneys general in the drive, taking place Tuesday through Saturday and operated through Her PLAN, an anti-abortion organization that works with the centers and health care providers. Through the organizations website, people can donate items and supplies to various pregnancy centers, including six in Iowa. Centers include Crossroads of Crawford County, Her Health Womens Center in Sioux City and InnerVisions HealthCare in West Des Moines.

By donating critical baby supplies, we can each do our part to support women through motherhood, build up loving environments for mothers to raise their children in, and embolden a culture that promotes life, Bird said in a news release.

The centers counsel against abortion and provide expecting mothers with supplies, information and education related to pregnancy and parenting. Abortion rights advocates are critical of the centers, which generally are not medically licensed clinics, and say they provide misleading information.

In a statement Tuesday, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa criticized the donation drive, which comes after Birds office paused payments for emergency contraception and abortions for victims of sexual assault.

Iowans deserve better. Brenna Bird should be ashamed that her main focus is continuing to dismantle the high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care that used to exist in Iowa, Planned Parenthood spokesperson Mazie Stilwell said.
Iowa Republican lawmakers and biofuels interest groups expressed disappointment Wednesday after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule that holds steady the amount of corn-based ethanol that oil refiners must blend into the nation's fuel mix over the next three years.

While increasing blending volumes overall by raising the level for advanced biofuels, the new rule includes lower mandates for ethanol in 2024 and 2025 than the EPA had initially proposed.

Industry officials, farm advocates and members of Iowas congressional delegation said the levels ignore production capacity and projected growth in biofuels. The industry is an important market for Iowa farmers because more than half of the states corn is used to produce ethanol.

While the overall increased volumes for biodiesel are a slight improvement, it comes at the expense of ethanol, therefore pitting one biofuel against another, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in a statement.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said biofuels can play a key role in fighting off this energy crisis and provide millions of Americans with cheaper, cleaner burning fuel.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the final rule will reduce reliance on foreign sources of oil by up to 140,000 barrels a day and support continued growth of biofuels that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gasoline or diesel.

Todays final rule reflects our efforts to ensure stability of the program for years to come, protect consumers from high fuel costs, strengthen the rural economy, support domestic production of cleaner fuels, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Regan said in a statement.

Most gasoline sold in the United States contains 10 percent ethanol, and the fuel is a key part of Iowas economy and that of other Midwestern states.

Ethanol plants in Iowa produced an estimated 4.5 billion gallons in 2022  a record  and supported more than 57,000 jobs and accounted for nearly $7.2 billion in economic activity in the state, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

Environmentalists argue investing in increased corn production to generate more ethanol fosters unsustainable farming practices that erode soil and water quality, raises food prices and actually increases emissions.

Iowa Republican U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst said the EPA should have held to its initial ethanol proposal, and gone further to require even more use of advanced biofuels.

Its an insulting bait-and-switch for the American biofuels industry, and totally inconsistent with this administrations climate agenda, Grassley said in a statement.

He asserted that President Joe Bidens administration is turning its back on an opportunity to reduce emissions, consumer costs and reliance on foreign oil.

Ernst echoed Grassley, arguing the Biden EPA is failing to protect our energy security.

Leading up to the release of the final volumes, Ernst, Grassley and biofuels groups pressed the EPA to raise the volumes to match expected production.

Final numbers show a 250-million-gallon reduction in total corn-ethanol volumes for 2024 and 2025 from a December proposal, setting those volumes at 15 billion gallons for both years.

The EPA set corn-ethanol volumes at 15.25 billion gallons for 2023, including a supplemental 250 million gallons, part of restoring 500 million gallons illegally waved by the agency in 2016. It follows the implementation of a 250-million-gallon supplement for 2022.

EPAs final rule sets the total target for all kinds of renewable fuels at 20.94 billion gallons for 2023, an increase from the Biden administrations biofuels blending mandate of 20.63 gallons for 2022. The target grows to 21.54 billion gallons for 2024 and 22.33 billion gallons for 2025, according to the EPA.

The rule calls for growth in cellulosic biofuels made from fibrous plant materials, biomass-based diesel and other advanced biofuels.

The EPA also removed a controversial proposal from the final rule that would have allowed Renewable Fuel Standard blending credits to be generated by electric vehicle manufacturers.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw called the finalized ethanol blending requirements a step backward from their historic proposal" and ignores the rapid growth of biodiesel and renewable diesel.

What changed in the marketplace to justify cutting ethanol blending by half a billion gallons? Nothing, Shaw said in a statement inviting Biden to attend the Iowa State Fair to meet with farmers and biofuel producers.

Lets grab a pork chop on a stick, sit down, and try to work out why this EPA continues to ignore the proven ability of Midwest biofuels to be part of the energy security, jobs and low carbon solution, Shaw said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Property owners living inside Southeast Community College's 15-county service area could see a big increase on their tax statement when they go to pay their 2023 taxes next year.

On Tuesday, the SCC Board of Governors gave preliminary approval to a plan to raise the total tax levy to 11.25 cents per $100 of valuation, the maximum allowed under state law, in order to fund a $358.5 million budget.

The board will give final approval to the 2023-24 budget and property tax levy at its September meeting.

Combined with an expected 15.3% average increase in property valuations throughout the district  including more than 23% in Lancaster County alone, which accounts for half of SCC's $79 billion taxable value  some taxpayers could see the amount paid in support of the community college go up by as much as 40% next year.

But college administrators say a change in how Nebraska's six community colleges will be funded in the future as decided by the Legislature this year necessitated the change and added a new tax credit that will return half of the property taxes paid to SCC in 2024 and 100% of the taxes paid beginning in 2025.

In January, Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil introduced a bill (LB783) on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen that eliminated SCC and other community college's ability to levy local property taxes beginning in the 2026-27 school year, replacing that funding with state tax dollars.

Eliminating the roughly $250 million in property taxes paid to support community colleges would save Nebraskans between 5%-6% on their tax bill, the Platte Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank, estimated at a hearing in February.

Community colleges raised concerns about the plan to the Revenue Committee, however, highlighting that removing the taxing authority of community college boards would erode local control and make the colleges less responsive to the needs of students, businesses and communities.

If, for example, a new manufacturing business were going to locate in McCook and told Mid-Plains Community College it needed to hire as many as 100 new welders within a short span of several months, the college would have no way to generate the funds needed to quickly expand the training program.

Rather, Mid-Plains, under LB783, would have needed to convince a state senator to bring an appropriations bill in the following session and hope that 25 lawmakers agreed to the plan on the floor in order for it to pass.

Depending on when a community college sought additional aid to respond to a need in their service area, it could take between 18-24 months before the college could respond to the needs of industry and the demands of students with that taxing authority removed.

Instead, during negotiations that SCC President Paul Illich and Nebraska Community College Association Executive Director Courtney Wittstruck described as collaborative and productive, negotiations with senators on the Revenue Committee and members of Pillen's team struck a middle road.

The agreement, which was included in LB243, a property tax reform package from Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, will continue to distribute state tax dollars to community colleges through the appropriations process, which occurs in every long, 90-day session.

Under LB243, community colleges will also retain their ability to levy 2 cents per $100 of valuation to pay for capital improvement projects on their campuses throughout the state  something SCC has taken advantage of since 2017, when it began an aggressive plan to renew and replace aging facilities in Lincoln, Beatrice and Milford.

The funding for community colleges' general operations that previously came from property taxes will be moved from a maximum 9.25-cent property tax levy to a "Community College Future Fund," a cash fund to be automatically funded by the Legislature every year.

The amount of funding each community college will receive from the future fund will initially be based upon the levy set for the 2023-24 fiscal year, or if community colleges are unable to raise their levy to the maximum, an amount equal to a levy of 7.5 cents per $100 of valuation.

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year and for every year after, the distribution to community colleges from the cash fund will increase by 3.5%. Colleges that experience enrollment growth in certain educational units could see their distribution from the future fund grow beyond that amount.

But over time, the 3.5% cap is expected to ultimately slow and then limit a community college's budget growth, which Illich said necessitated SCC, which has not captured all of the funds through property taxes that it was authorized to in recent years, to move to set a high budget baseline moving forward.

"We have to set those rates based on future needs because we no longer have the ability to wait and go up later in property tax," Illich said. "You set it based on your future needs. This is not a one-time thing."

During a meeting at the Jack Huck Continuing Education Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, SCC administrators told board members there is a backstop built into LB243 for the colleges and a safety net for the taxpayers.

The backstop allows a simple majority of SCC's board and other community college boards to raise their property tax levy to meet the institution's needs if the state fails to provide full funding from the Community College Future Fund.

That provides some insurance to the colleges so that they can continue to operate into the future. More than two decades ago, in the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 school years, an infusion of money from the Legislature in order to reduce property taxes was later pulled back after an economic recession took hold.

And the safety net gives property taxpayers a state income tax credit on all property taxes paid to community colleges  both to the general fund levy and the capital improvement fund  beginning in 2025, which would offset what they are expected to pay next year, college officials said.

An existing law will provide taxpayers with a 50% tax credit in 2024 on property taxes paid in support of community colleges this year.

Illich said SCC plans to meet with taxpayers across its district in order to explain that while they may see a huge increase on their tax bills this year, those dollars will be returned as the funding system for community colleges shifts over the next few years.

The board approved the preliminary plan on a 10-0 vote, with board member Brandon Gunther of Hickman abstaining.

Gunther said he was concerned about taxpayers seeing "a substantial increase" on their bills next year and not understanding the tax credit that will be available in the future.

Board member Arlyn Uhrmacher of Lincoln said SCC was acting to protect the college into the future by setting the highest baseline it could when its funding shifts from local property taxes to the cash fund set up by the state.

"We didn't ask for this," Uhrmacher said. "Nobody sitting at this table asked for our taxing authority to be taken away. Nobody asked for that, the community colleges didn't ask for that, but the governor wanted it and this is the situation we're set up with."

Chairman Neal Stenberg of Lincoln said requesting any less than the maximum property tax levy now could result in significant increases in tuition in the future when SCC is not receiving enough funding to meet its needs.

Hiking tuition too fast or too high could result in enrollment losses, which would be detrimental to SCC's open-access mission, as well as the local workforce that depends upon the college's training programs, Stenberg said.

"We've got one chance to get this right, and if we mess it up, it won't be just students that suffer, but the community will suffer," he said. "I know it's not an easy decision."

Top Journal Star photos for June 2023
The first case of West Nile virus in Iowa this year was confirmed recently, the state health department announced.

The infection was found in an adult between the ages of 61 and 80 in Plymouth County, and confirmed through a test at the State Hygienic Lab, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said.

Mosquito bites are the primary method in which West Nile virus is spread to humans. The health department recommends people use insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535 to lower the risk of mosquito bites.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus and Para-menthane-diol should not be used on children younger than 3, and DEET should not be used on infants younger than 2 months, the state said.

There were nine diagnosed cases of West Nile virus in Iowa in 2022, with zero deaths, according to the state.

More information on the virus can be found at the state health departments website.







Kim Reynolds leads trade mission

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday embarked on a two-week trade mission to Italy, Kosovo and Israel. The goal of the trip is to develop business growth opportunities and renew sister state agreements, the governors office said in a news release.

Reynolds will be joined on the trip, which concludes July 1, by her husband Kevin Reynolds, Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham and Iowa National Guard Adj. Gen. Stephen Osborn.

Italy, Kosovo and Israel hold great promise for Iowa in terms of trade and investment, Reynolds said in the news release. With one of the strongest and most resilient economies in the country and a workforce well-known for its skill and productivity, there is no better time to position Iowa as a strong global partner.







Iowa AG hosts donation drive for pregnancy centers

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is co-hosting a donation drive to raise money for crisis pregnancy centers to mark the one-year anniversary of the end of Roe v. Wade and federal abortion protections.

Bird joined eight other Republican attorneys general in the drive, taking place Tuesday through Saturday and operated through Her PLAN, an anti-abortion organization that works with the centers and health care providers. Through the organizations website, people can donate items and supplies to various pregnancy centers, including six in Iowa. Centers include Crossroads of Crawford County, Her Health Womens Center in Sioux City and InnerVisions HealthCare in West Des Moines.

By donating critical baby supplies, we can each do our part to support women through motherhood, build up loving environments for mothers to raise their children in, and embolden a culture that promotes life, Bird said in a news release.

The centers counsel against abortion and provide expecting mothers with supplies, information and education related to pregnancy and parenting. Abortion rights advocates are critical of the centers, which generally are not medically licensed clinics, and say they provide misleading information.

In a statement Tuesday, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa criticized the donation drive, which comes after Birds office paused payments for emergency contraception and abortions for victims of sexual assault.

Iowans deserve better. Brenna Bird should be ashamed that her main focus is continuing to dismantle the high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care that used to exist in Iowa, Planned Parenthood spokesperson Mazie Stilwell said.







Treasurer highlights IAble savings plan

Iowa State Treasurer Roby Smith is encouraging eligible Iowans to take advantage of IAble, a savings plan for people with disabilities.

Money in the state-sponsored account is not figured into asset caps for federal benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid. Up to $100,000 in an IAble account is not counted in Supplemental Security Income eligibility. Iowans making contributions to an IAble account also are eligible for a tax deduction.

Iowans can visit IAble.gov to find out if they or someone they know is eligible.
Iowa's health and human services agency has hired a consulting firm to study ways to boost service delivery following the merger of the states former public health and human services departments.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has hired Michigan-based firm Health Management Associates to study the delivery of health and human service programs in Iowa.

The firm, which previously provided technical assistance, support and analysis for Iowas Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP), will be paid $430,911 for its work, according to an amendment to its existing contract with HHS.

Of that, $250,000 will come from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health infrastructure funding received by the state. The remainder will be paid using state budget surplus funding, according to an HHS spokesman.

HMA kicked off its assessment last week, and will continue through the summer and early fall, according to the state's website on the project. The consulting group is expected to present recommendations to state officials sometime in October.

According to the HHS assessment website, the consulting firm will study current delivery systems and structures under the new state agencys umbrella, including local public health departments, mental health regions, area agencies on aging, community action agencies, family planning services and more.

Consultants will assess current operational capacities and how services are delivered, including funding and resources and a scan of providers within the service delivery system.

In so doing, state officials say they hope to identify gaps as well as duplication of services within those programs, create consistency in the way Iowans access health and human services, make better use of funding, and improve the way the agency works with local community partners.

This assessment will give HHS a clearer understanding of the linkages that currently exist between systems and current Medicaid programs, who the primary beneficiaries of these programs are, who the decision-makers involved in each system are, and how to better connect these services to the Iowans who need them, according to an agency news release.

Kelly Garcia, director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, said in the release that the ongoing realignment of public health and human services into a single agency presents an opportunity to take lessons learned from the pandemic and address inconsistencies within the agency that create burdens for Iowans and local governments in receiving and administering state services.

Weve spent the last two plus years aligning the state agencies that oversee these programs and services, Garcia said. Now its time to align the system that underpins the delivery of these supports to Iowans.

Garcia noted Iowans access health and human services in different ways in each of Iowas 99 counties, with separate administrative systems and multiple decision-makers at the state, regional, county and city level that create inconsistencies that made it difficult for Iowans to navigate and local officials to administer programs.

These challenges result in significant inefficiencies that can delay getting necessary funding, resources, and other supports to people on the front-line providing services to Iowans, Garcia said in her statement. This assessment aims to understand these systems and provide solutions to improve them.

HMA will produce a recommendation that will include at least two proposed service delivery options, and at least two proposed funding models, according to HHS officials.

The new Department of Health and Human Services affects hundreds of thousands of Iowans, including those on Medicaid and receiving food assistance.

The merger affected more than 5,000 state workers and more than $2 billion in state funding, or more than a quarter of the state budget. And it helped pave the way for Gov. Kim Reynolds larger reorganization of state government passed by Iowa lawmakers this year that consolidates Iowas cabinet-level agencies from 37 to 16.

The Gazettes Erin Murphy contributed to this report.

Photos: Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers the condition of the state address
South Africa: SA to participate in the new Global Financing Pact Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to attend and participate in the New Global Financing Pact Summit to be held in Paris, France, on 22 and 23 June 2023.

This at the invitation of his counterpart, the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana as well as senior government officials will accompany President Ramaphosa to the summit.

Under the theme, Towards More Commitments to Meet the 2030 Agenda? the Summit aims to build a new contract between the North and the South, to facilitate access to financing by the vulnerable countries.

The summit builds on previous and ongoing work, which includes the Review of the Capital Adequacy Frameworks of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs); The Bridgetown Initiative, the World Bank (WB) Evolution Roadmap; and the Vulnerable 20 (V20) Accra to Marrakech Agenda.

According to the Presidency, the Summits ambition is to bring together several agendas: climate, development, debt and to propose innovative solutions to address these issues.

This has been unpacked into the following objectives of the Summit:

- Increasing fiscal space and mobilising liquidity.

- Unlocking finance for the private sector in Low-Income Countries.

- Scaling up investment in green infrastructures.

- Designing innovative financial solutions for climate vulnerability.

The Summit also aims to set a new shared agenda which will be outlined in a Heads of State and Government Vision Statement on a New Global Financing Pact as well as to deliver a set of new commitments and concrete results.

The Summit also intends to catalyse an ambitious agenda for upcoming 2023 international events with the aim to push for concrete results on these occasions.

Although not aligned with the existing multilateral processes, the Paris Summit will provide a selected group of countries a platform to reach agreements on issues that can be used to influence the outcomes of the discussions in other international and multilateral platforms, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit, G20 Summit, World Bank/International Monitory Fund Annual Meetings, the 28th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 28), among others, the Presidency said.

More than 30 Heads of State and Government are confirmed to attend the Paris Summit, from Brazil, Germany; the European Union (EU) - President of the European Commission; the Peoples Republic of China (at Prime Minister level); Barbados; Sri Lanka and Cuba.

Other countries confirmed to attend the Summit include Benin; Gabon; Madagascar; Mauritius; Mozambique; Senegal; Tunisia; Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Union of Comoros, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the Togolese Republic.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-06-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Experts: Time for US to build on goodwill

10:45, June 21, 2023 By ZHANG YUNBI ( Chinadaily.com.cn

President Xi Jinping meets with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing, June 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Relations: Analyst calls for averting decline of ties

Officials and policy observers have welcomed the meetings that President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese diplomats had in Beijing with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying that the talks offered hope on reining in the two-way tension and introducing more certainty to future prospects.

Now it's time for Washington to continue trading goodwill with Beijing, faithfully implement the consensus made between the two sides and minimize the chance of dragging the ties to another low, they said.

During President Xi's meeting with Blinken on Monday afternoon, Xi "spoke with an overarching perspective and elaborated on the principled position on stabilizing and developing China-US ties", said Yang Tao, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs.

The series of meetings with Blinken were "candid, in-depth and constructive", he said, adding that the top priority now  and the most important outcome of the China trip  is for both sides to faithfully implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state at their meeting last year in Bali, Indonesia, and return to the agenda set by that meeting.

"We're on the right trail here," US President Joe Biden said on Monday regarding Blinken's visit.

The latest meetings have attracted great attention from the public in both countries, analysts said.

Cai Tongjuan, a researcher at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, said, "There are many individuals and organizations from both nations calling for securing the bilateral friendship."

Tom Watkins, president and CEO of TDW and Associates, a US-based business and education consulting company, said Xi's meeting with Blinken "sent a clear message to the world that both sides value dialogue and cooperation over conflict".

Rong Ying, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said it is a point made consistently by Beijing that the relations matter not only to both nations, but also to the peace, development and stability of the whole of humanity.

"We expect the Biden administration could tackle China-US ties from this perspective and work together in exploring the way for the two major countries to get along well in the new era," he said.

Wichai Kinchong Choi, senior vice-president of Thai bank Kasikornbank, said it is "good to have the two countries get back to the negotiating table", as "Thailand and other ASEAN countries want to see the region have peaceful and stable development, which is largely affected by the world's two largest economies".

Lawrence Loh, a professor of strategy and policy and director of National University of Singapore's Centre for Governance and Sustainability, said the visit was "a significant development amidst the escalating geopolitical tensions between the two countries", adding that "a stable bilateral relationship must be based on firm actions rooted in the fundamental principle of mutual respect".

Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, said, "China always wishes for a strong and stable China-US relationship.

"The US must engage in dialogue and cooperation based on equality and mutual respect, and maintain a commitment to inclusivity and openness rather than exclusivity and confrontation," he said.

Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said, "It is time for translating into reality the latest consensus made between Beijing and Washington, and the US should break away from its two-faced approach in dealing with China  saying one thing and doing another.

"Washington should focus on perceiving China in an objective, rational way and adjust its China policy to avert the further decline of the relations," she added.

During State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang's meeting with Blinken, the two sides agreed to encourage people-to-people exchanges and actively discuss an increase in passenger flights between the two countries.

The departments of both countries in charge of this matter "have maintained communication" on increasing the number of passenger flights, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday.

"We are willing to work with the US side to promote the increase of passenger flights in a flexible and pragmatic manner," she said.

Xu Weiwei in Hong Kong, Yang Wanli in Bangkok and Su Qiang in New York contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
(Photo : Anna Szilagyi - Pool/Getty Images)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is on his first international travel since assuming office, is anticipated to discuss trade, climate change, and the conflict in Ukraine with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Germany and China tentatively agreed to integrate their economies further and work together to combat climate change, despite the fact that Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition increasingly regards the government in Beijing as a competitor rather than a partner.

On Tuesday in Berlin, Scholz hosted Chinese Premier Li Qiang for negotiations witnessed by senior ministers from both governments.

China, Germany Underline Importance of Cooperation

At a joint news conference, they each delivered a statement delineating areas in which their nations can deepen cooperation, but without providing many specifics or answering reporters' queries, as per Bloomberg.

Li, who is on his first international travel since assuming office, is anticipated to discuss trade, climate change, and the conflict in Ukraine with Scholz.

According to Al Jazeera, this is the seventh time that Germany and China have held high-level government consultations, and it comes a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese President Xi Jinping, signaling an effort by Beijing to strengthen relations with the West.

Li, a former Shanghai Communist Party secretary who became China's No. 2 official in March, met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and dined with Scholz at the chancellery on Monday.

Despite concerns about China's increased assertiveness and refusal to condemn Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany is eager to maintain good relations with China, its largest trading partner.

China is described as a partner, competitor, and systemic foe in Germany's recently released national security strategy. Scholz has stated that he intends to reduce Germany's reliance on Chinese trade and diversify its supply of critical products, a strategy he refers to as "derisking," while rejecting the concept of "decoupling" from China.

Russia's conflict in Ukraine, Beijing's deepening engagement with Moscow, and China's simmering tensions with the United States, Germany's most important ally, have strained relations between the two countries.

Read Also: PHOTOS: Multiple Tornadoes Leave Trail of Destruction in Southern US

China Remains Most Important Economic Partner of Germany

These will be the first consultations for Scholz, as well as Li's first visit to Berlin as premier, accompanied by a large train of ministers. There is little doubt that their mandates will conflict, despite their efforts to influence areas of shared interest.

Per NY Times, the meeting will provide Germany with an opportunity to assert a new posture, one in which China remains one of its most important economic partners but is also a "systemic rival."

Therefore, Berlin will attempt to protect its essential technologies and encourage its companies to diversify away from China. It will be an opportunity for China to persuade its largest European trading partner to continue doing business as usual, and to drive a wedge between Berlin and Washington.

Germany is still learning how to maintain necessary economic ties with China despite mounting US pressure to align with it against Beijing. A German official referred to it in private as Berlin's "three-body dilemma."

German officials no longer have the privilege of separating their economic and political interests, as they are keenly aware that Washington is their security guarantee. German-Chinese, German-American, and American-Chinese relationships, which were once viewed as bilateral and distinct, now appear entangled.

Germany's economic ambitions have been affected by security concerns in ways that were not previously a concern. The annexation of Ukraine by Russia compelled Germany to reevaluate economic relationships it had taken for granted, such as its reliance on inexpensive gas from Russia, which once supplied 50 percent of its supply.

Germany was able to transition to alternative energy sources, narrowly avoiding a severe energy crisis but not a recession. In comparison, a Chinese attack on Taiwan that sparks a US-Chinese military confrontation would be significantly more agonizing.

Related Article: Blinken Says US Does Not Support Taiwan's Independence During Visit to China

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Political caucuses, corn fields, and county fairs have become synonymous with Iowas Midwestern charm and hospitality. Unfortunately, health care in the Hawkeye state is falling behind, posing a serious threat to the thousands of Iowans living with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Remaining the heart and soul of the Midwest and a driving force in national politics means little to Iowa if its citizens dont have enough health care coverage to live with dignity, which is why the Iowa Legislature must step in and protect those with kidney disease.

Lagging behind many of its Midwestern neighbors, Iowa does not require insurers to offer affordable Medigap plans  which provide supplemental coverage for what Medicare does not pay for  to ESRD patients under the age of 65.

ESRD is a chronic stage of kidney disease, with those diagnosed incapable of proper kidney function without either regular dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. It is a difficult disease, and patients suffer from fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, bone pain, and even the inability to use the bathroom. These circumstances are the everyday reality for the more than 3,000 Iowans under 65 with ESRD.

In addition to kidney patients losing key champions in Congress, they also suffered a defeat last summer when the Supreme Court eroded protections for ESRD patients by ruling in favor of an employer-provided health plan that jeopardizes patient access. This ruling opens the door for plans to discriminate against kidney patients, despite rules under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act that require employer-sponsored plans to provide coverage for up to 30 months following an ESRD diagnosis.

The Supreme Court put Iowans and others on dialysis at risk, by potentially allowing for individuals to be pushed out of their private insurance and into government coverage. While Medicare is an important safety net, it only covers 80 percent of the cost of dialysis. Without access to affordable Medigap plans, the cost of the treatment  which can be tens of thousands of dollars every year  comes out of patients pockets.

Having those 30 months of guaranteed coverage is critical to the health care, financial security, and mental health of the thousands of Iowans who are now deciding between paying for expensive out-of-pocket care or buying groceries.

Iowa now needs to build on its legacy of kidney patient advocacy and protect patients. Our states own Jack Reynolds  who was a lifelong dialysis patient and the namesake of a bipartisan effort to expand access to Medigap coverage for ESRD patients  spoke out frequently on the ways that access to affordable coverage allowed him to lead the life he wanted to, and the importance of ensuring other patients could do the same.

I sincerely hope Gov. Kim Reynolds will honor this legacy and work with the legislature to introduce a bill protecting ESRD patients by requiring Medicare to close the Medigap loophole and provide access to comprehensive coverage for all patients without adequate private insurance. While this may sound like a heavy lift, our neighbors in Kansas, Missouri, and Minnesota have already accomplished it.

Just a few months ago, the Nebraska legislature proposed a bill that would allow Nebraska ESRD patients under 65 to qualify for Medigap plans. Nebraska has far fewer ESRD patients under 65 than we do, and it is imperative that we dont get left behind. Expanding health care is a priority of Governor Reynolds, and I implore her to add protecting ESRD patients to the top of her agenda.

Kidney disease can be overwhelming, with the ensuing dialysis treatments and the chronic pain of ESRD taking an enormous toll on the time and mental health of those diagnosed. We can make the lives of patients a little bit easier by passing legislation that provides comprehensive health care and alleviates crippling financial burdens.

Gov. Reynolds has delivered for our community countless times, and I am confident she will do so again.

Tom Greene is a retired pharmacist and former state senator from Burlington. During his time in the Legislature, the Republican served on the human resources committee and was a member of the rural and primary care advisory board. He had a sister donate a kidney to a non-relative with a deteriorating condition but now, after receiving the donation, is thriving.
President Joe Biden has convened a group of technology leaders in San Francisco to debate the risks and promises of artificial intelligence. The Biden administration is seeking to figure out how to regulate the emergent field of AI, looking for ways to nurture its potential for economic growth and national security and protect against its potential dangers. Biden says, Well see more technological change in the next 10 years that we saw in the last 50 years, adding that AI is already driving that change. His meeting Tuesday included eight technology experts from academia and advocacy groups.
This piece is part of Not Quite Pride, a special series exploring how LGBTQ+ people are really feeling this June during Americas anti-queer state of emergency. Listen to Outward, Slates LGBTQ+ podcast, for more.

Just a few years ago, it felt as though the lives of queer Americans were steadily improving. As recently as 2018, my primary concern was that the successes of the LGBTQ+ rights movement werent reaching the most marginalized members of our community.

Its different now. In 2023, we are consumed with discussions about hiding, fleeing, moving. We ask one another how bad it will get, how much time we have, and where we might go to be safe. For those of us not currently in danger, we ask how we can help people escape from parts of our own country where their daily lives are being criminalized, and why no one is doing anything.

These conversations in the queer community are tinged with mourning for the many, many people we know wont make it. There isnt enough money, or enough time. Even if we could somehow pluck every adult in need out of danger, queer people will continue to be born, trapped inside families in red states hostile to their very existence. A sense of shock and grief has permeated the root of our lives, a dawning that all we can do is blunt the worst of it for ourselves and for the people closest to us.

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Perhaps not even that.



As a journalist, I hear regularly from parents whose childrens medical needs have been outlawed. Theyre asking themselves and each other what to do next, if its possible to continue treatment or if their children will face forcible detransition, whether its safe to seek help out of state, and if they need to flee. I hear from friends in Florida who are organizing gray-market networks to try to get refills of their medications, because access to their needed prescriptions was cut off without warning by religious zealots. For these same friends, its also illegal to use public restrooms. We dont know how far all this will spread, but we know it will spread because nothing is stopping it.

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When I talk to these people, the primary emotion is palpable: despair. Many of us dont want to succumb to that: We want action, hope, progress again. But its time we face the truth of what so many of us are feeling.

It was in 2016 when I started to realize things were gonna get real dark, real bad, said Ryan Campbell. Campbell is a married cisgender gay man from California, one of a half-dozen people I talked with about the despair thats taken hold of queer communities. If people see it, they dont care. This is naked fascist-style aggression that is happening right now. You cant justyou have to fight this.

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We are living through the death of hope for a future where healthy, thriving queer youth are the norm, not the exception.

Each of these conversations was different, but also in many ways the same. We all connected the loss of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in red states to a wider trend targeting women, the Black community, immigrants, Jewish people, and people of color. Almost everyone mentioned the paralyzed inaction on climate change as feeling similar, but in this case, its even more shocking, brazen, and all-encompassing.

Campbell stood out for his willingness to speak frankly about the shock of abandonment. Like me, hes been most troubled by the dawning realization that the mainstream seems to have decided to just let this happen.

I try to hold on to the idea that hate burns hot, but it burns out, Campbell said. I think things will probably continue to get worse for a bit. This is a thing that will rise and fall, but in the meantime, people are getting hurt now.

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For A. Tony, a Black nonbinary lesbian, finding out that the mainstream doesnt care was less of a shock to their system. They talked about feeling ground down by seeing scattered outrage wash through the mainstream, but then seem to come to nothing.

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You try and get people to listen, and then they listen to you and they think thats all they have to do, but thats only the first step. You have to act. You have to do something to make change, they said. If I could fix all of this myself, I would. But its dependent on so many people.

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For A. Tony, the despair theyve felt as a queer person is closely connected to despair over the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown and the movement for Black lives. These deaths sparked an uprising against police violence that was violently suppressed by brutal police riots and, more recently, resulted in a vigilante backlash that is costing still more lives.

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I dont want to spend my whole life trying to convince people that I matter, A. Tony said. Im so tired. You find whole new ways to be tired with the ways that people treat you.

When I was a child, in the late 80s, I remember first learning that being gay was something bad, and understanding what gay meant well afterward. Transgender didnt exist in my world growing up as that type of human being, but I saw the crude stereotype of a man in a dress as something to laugh at and as something frightening, a predator. As a trans person, my understanding of myself was crippled, distorted by confusion, doubt, shame, and self-hatred. As I came to accept myself, first as a queer woman and then later as transgender, I came to hope that children wouldnt need to grow up like I had. There was a promise in the air that queer youth could be loved by their parents and valued by their communities and live openly. There was hope that difference didnt have to be seen as a danger or a sickness.

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The loss of that promise comes hard. It feels unimaginable, unacceptableyou want to caveat it and say its not that bad. It is that bad. In Florida, today, children are attending schools that ban any mention of people like me. We are living through the death of hope for a future where healthy, thriving queer youth are the norm, not the exception.

Tyler Cohen is the queer parent of a queer kid, and an art educator who teaches the rich history of queer comics and helps students make their own. They said that despair is common for queer youth, and that they see their role as trying to model hope during a time when hope is hard to come by.

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For the youth, for the teens, its all this on top of climate change, on top of rising fascism, on top of the murders of Black men by police, and the youth dont see adults taking any action. And theyre going from all that to literally being told, You shouldnt exist,  Cohen said.

I had a student say they were despairing, having trouble making their work, and asking Why? Why make art in this time? But this time is exactly when it matters. I teach queer comics, and one of the tremendous values of that is these students getting the long view and a sense of how weve been here before. This shittiness is not new, but neither is the persistence, the storytelling, the experience of people finding themselves, seeing themselves. There are all these types of media that people made for each other in the past, and that matters. Thats why theyre trying to silence it.

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Im grateful to adults like Cohen who are offering some shelter and comfort to young people faced with a foreshortening of their futures. My hopes for queer youth are so much more modest than they were five years ago. I hope some of them will have loving grown-ups in their lives to help navigate a time of violent backlash. I hope some families of trans youth in Texas, Missouri, Florida, and other states with care bans will get their kids out safely. I no longer imagine a world where no young person grows up hating and fearing themself for who they are, but one where the lucky ones can serve as an example of whats possible, and as a beacon for the rest to run to. I have accepted further reenactments of a ritual queer adults have been forced into for generations, one of leaving homes and families behind to find somewhere theyll be accepted.

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Last summer, in one of the lowest points of my own personal despair, I considered learning a trade, then going stealth. Id written for Slate about stealth trans guys years ago, so Id heard stories about what its like to run into someone who once knew you as a girl and have them not recognize you, and of living with the pervasive fear that someone might find out your secret. A stealth trans life presents a one-sided bargain with transphobia: You agree to try not to be visible, and if anyone finds out, theyre allowed to destroy you.

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Related from Slate Leo Herrera Ron DeSantis Thinks He Has Florida in a Chokehold. Gays Have Other Ideas. Read More

One of my best friends lives in Missouri, and theyve been worrying about whether they can even get health care. Theyre nonbinary and feeling pushed into being either a man or a woman, said Lee Cattarin, who is nonbinary and transmasculine. Being a normative man socially is kind of a shit deal. No close friendships, no physical contact, no big emotions, Cattarin said. I cant help agreeing: Strict gender binaries hurt everyone. For the far right, punishing gender non-conforming people isnt the main pointthe point is to scare the mainstream into compliance by making an example of the most visible and marginalized examples of gender-nonconformity.

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When I was nebulously young, I was shown pictures of Iran before the revolution, with women walking around free and uncovered. And my conclusion was, This is a place like the U.S.,  said Emma, a bisexual trans woman. Theres no reason why what happened there cant happen here. It can be both paralyzing and motivating at different times. Despair can be freeing in some cases. Theres a sort of abandon in it.

Emma and I talked about the ways in which you can allow despair into your life without destroying yourself. After you let go of the idea that you can stop whats coming or that you can protect yourself, whats left? You can still choose to defy evil for defiances sake, without worrying whether youll be effective or anyone will listen. You can still challenge yourself to remain unbowed as long as possible.

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What does a life of defiance look like? I also talked with Chris Kreussling, a married cis gay man who moved to the East Village in 1979, when they were 20. (Kreussling has come to prefer they/them pronouns as a signal of visibility and solidarity with the trans community.)

They have to isolate us from each other in order to keep us down, Kreussling said. My coming out story was looking at the section on homosexuality in the card catalog. It was well-thumbed, the evidence of other people having been through this before me. I was alone, but it showed me that I wasnt alone in an absolute sense. I was the only gay person in my high school  until my high school boyfriend. The only one in college, until I decided, Lets have a gay discussion group.

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For myself and many others, weve begun reorganizing our lives around a long struggle, a time of setbacks and pointless cruelty and violence. Finding one another, being visible even when visibility risks everything, and seeing the people around us through this, however hard things get, is the meaning queer people make when the hope of transformative change feels distant.

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During the 1990s, Kreussling maintained a list of men in their life who died of AIDS. Cohen teaches young people to make comics. Cattarin makes crafts, most recently stickers with a skull saying Trans Rights, with the proceeds going to Rainbow Railroad. Last October I started a daily website monitoring and fact-checking anti-trans propaganda. These acts of visibility and defiance arent done with the expectation that we can prevent the GOP agenda from destroying good peoples lives out of malice and cruelty. Thats already baked in, already happening. Our role now is to describe the harm were seeing without shying away or putting a happy smiling face on it, to provide a record and beacon for those attempting to escape political oppression in our country and beyond, and to be there for one another.

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I first had the idea to write a piece about despair more than a year ago. Let me leave you with the knowledge that none of this was unexpected. For many in the queer community, weve moved well past the point of fearing something might happen, and on to figuring out how were going live through this. Our despair is grounded in grim acceptance and practicality. We are learning that life goes on after you accept the fact that no help is coming, and youve been left alone to defy or defend or escape, or just bear witness.

Listen to a Conversation About This Piece on Outward

Read more of the Not Quite Pride series.
In another least-surprising surprise of our times, last week Donald Trump expressed his intent, if elected to a second term as president, to utilize his Justice Department to destroy his political opponent. The New York Times reported that Trump had promised, in a speech after his arraignment, to appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family, and went on to explain the plan to reinvent a DOJ entirely beholden not to the laws of the land, but the president. As the Times noted in its opening paragraph, such a move would fully jettison the post-Watergate norm of Justice Department independence.

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Its interesting that we still refer to the proposition that the White House doesnt direct the DOJ to go after political rivals as a normmuch less a norm the White House has observed since Watergatewhen in actual fact, only Democratic administrations have adhered to this standard. Long before the Trump era, George W. Bush deployed theories of a unitary executive to make claims about a DOJ that answered to him.

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Trumps own use of his Justice Department during his term as president to go after political enemies and reward sycophants is well documented. Whether it was issuing subpoenas for Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell for investigating Kremlin election meddling, conscripting his attorney general, Bill Barr, to distort the findings of the Mueller investigation, or roping John Durham into investigating the origins of the FBIs inquiry into Russian election interference, no sane person believes there was a meaningful wall of separation between Trump and his DOJ. And there wasnt a word of concern from Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Sen. Mitch McConnell, or Rep. Jim Jordan when the Jan. 6 hearings revealed the extent to which Trump had leaned on his Justice Department to support his claim that the 2020 presidential contest had been stolen, including telling acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen to Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen. It was understood that Trump thought his DOJ worked for Trump.

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But do you know who has adhered to the norm that walls off the DOJ from the White House? President Joe Biden. And the attorney general he appointed, Merrick Garland. And special counsel Jack Smith. They have taken elaborate care to keep Trumps criminal investigation at arms length from the White House. This is not an aberration for Democratic administrations. Remember, Loretta Lynch stepped away from the Hillary Clinton email investigation (leaving it to Jim Comeys judgement) just because she had run into Bill Clinton on a plane tarmac. Democratic leaders in the White House have taken pains to not just reaffirm the norm that separates the two entities, but to rebuild it as more of an immutable border than it was before.

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Related from Slate Aymann Ismail Is Donald Trumps 2024 Inevitability Cracking? There Are Some Bad Signs for Him in Iowa. Read More

The DOJ/White House wall of separation is just one of many, many norms that Democrats have honored and Republicans have continuously, flagrantly violatedalongside blue slips for judges, or the use of the filibuster, or abiding by the Hatch Act, or the norm that says you seat a Supreme Court justice, even in an election year.

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Why is this happening? Is it that Democrats are virtuous and Republicans are hypocrites? Or that Republicans are strategic and Democrats are chumps?

Neither characterization is the most useful way to think about this. We use the word norm to refer to rules and conventions. But we keep missing the fact that norms are values systems. We dont live in a country with a shared values systemindeed, our values are often in direct conflict. So we make the mistake of assuming that MAGA voters and their leaders will at some point be persuaded to return to American norms which they never agreed to in the first place.

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It is well past time to realize that Trump, and the Trumpists and MAGA Republicans who have picked up this playbook, are not violating norms. On the contrary, they are honoring their own set of norms, which are radically different from the norms of mainstream liberal American democracy.

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Norms are set by the social systems in which we live. Trump and his MAGA enthusiasts reference pointsFox News, Truth Social, their donors, their votershave come to believe any Democratic government to be illegitimate, which is why accepting norms like respect for an independent judiciary or support for national security seem traitorous. Turning on your own national intelligence apparatus makes sense if your norm is that the entire government is an illegitimate cabal hellbent on purging patriots (a deep state). These norms predate Trump and MAGA specifically, by the way. Consider that when Trump accidentally suggested imposing gun safety measures post-Parkland, he had to walk it all back. Its a mistake to think that if he disappeared tomorrow the norms would snap back, as well.

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In January 2016, on the eve of the Iowa caucus, Donald Trump famously said, I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldnt lose any voters, OK? After the 2016 election, as we came to realize he had been correctand that nothing he could do would cost him any of his votersno one imagined that if he actually committed an unthinkable crime, it would not cost him the support of any Republican politicians, including congressional leaders in the line of succession to the presidency. What if he maintained and shared confidential national security documents, as opposed to shooting someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue? Now we know that a third of Americans, as well as Republican congressional leaders (including the speaker of the House), would vehemently attack the police for arresting him rather than question Trump for the crime itself. The shared norm around presidential crimes being unacceptable is now gone.

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Perhaps it is time to reconsider what we call a norm, and also to ask why we bind ourselves to ideas and values that are not shared. If the norms of democratic governance are not shared, then they are simply rules to which one side binds itself and the other does not. So perhaps instead of referring to all these soft rules and conventions and traditions as norms, we should more accurately refer to them as rules to which we adhere and they do not.

Its emphatically true that if you cast these norms in that light, you begin to look like a chump. When one side is persistently priding itself on going high while the other side is already plotting the ways in which it can sink lower, one is forced to wonder whether following norms for their own sake is an end in itself. Maybe its just misplaced confidence in the moral arc of the universe. Instead of waiting for MAGA Republicans to come to their senses and embrace a set of norms of governance to which they do not adhere and to which they dont want to adhere, its long past time we come to our senses and realize that their norms are not ours, and never have been. Thus, the stakes are not the preservation of norms, but democracy itself, and who writes the history of these times.
About the only thing going right so far for Ron DeSantis in his neophyte presidential campaign is the money. But the way he is pulling it in is legally dubious, to say the least: The GOP presidential hopeful appears to be pioneering all sorts of ways to flout federal campaign finance law, both to goose his coffers and to allow his supposedly independent super PAC to run core elements of his campaign. The most glaring example? Using $82.5 million from his state-level super PACwhich was created to support his gubernatorial ambitionsto juice his national run.

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First things first: Super PACs, according to campaign finance law, are supposed to operate independently of campaigns and their candidates. That independence is what allows them to raise infinite amounts of money from corporations and the super rich, thanks to the conservative Supreme Court majority ruling in Citizens United.

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But DeSantis super PACs arent just working closely with his campaigntheyre taking over entire core campaign functions.

The super PAC supporting DeSantis national bid for president is the Never Back Down PAC: It is already organizing events for DeSantis on the campaign trail (a tactic favored by Carly Fiorina in the 2016 presidential Republican primary). And it is structuring, staffing, and building out an entire ground-game operation on DeSantis behalf, something seemingly unprecedented in a presidential primary.

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Rather than just pouring money into independent expenditures like pricey TV-ad buys, as super PACs usually do, Never Back Down is hiring field organizers and recruiting an entire volunteer network to approximate a grassroots apparatus, complete with door-knocking. The Washington Post reported that the super PAC is running a paid-field operation bigger than ever before tried in a presidential primary, on the scale of four simultaneous congressional races. This is not a campaign bringing in enthusiastic volunteers; its a supposedly independent political entity paying doorknockers to gin up support on behalf of the DeSantis campaign. The super PAC has similarly spearheaded a campaign to drive small-dollar donations to DeSantis own campaign coffers.

To my knowledge, a super PAC has never previously run the field operation for a hopeful president, Brendan Fischer, deputy executive director of the watchdog group Documented, said in a recent interview. Its probably the first time weve seen a super PAC drive small-dollar donations to a presidential candidate, he said, as well.

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The most unprecedented thing, thoughand this is where it goes from definitely unsavory and clearly in violation of the spirit of campaign finance law to possible actual transgressionis that transfer of $82.5 million from a state super PAC to DeSantis national super PAC.

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Candidates are not allowed to take money raised by a state-level organization and spend it on federal races. (Campaign finance law is not especially equivocal on this point; its a violation of the ban on soft money, a key part of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill of the early 2000s.)

And yet, DeSantisworld moved a gargantuan sum that he raised as governor of Florida (for a PAC now called Empower Parents), and reallocated it to fund expensive ad spots for his presidential run. Now, money raised to support DeSantis as governor is burnishing his culture war commitments and combating his reputation as a guy who eats pudding with his bare fingers nationwide. According to a complaint filed by Campaign Legal Center, a watchdog group, the transfer marks an $82.495 million violation of the $5,000 campaign contribution limit.

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DeSantis role model in this money transfer is not Fiorina, but Republican congressman and fellow Floridian Byron Donalds. When Donalds ran for Congress in 2020, he resigned from the state committee associated with his time in the Florida statehouse. The money raised in that position was then transferred a handful of times, and was ultimately reallocated to a super PAC in support of his congressional ambitions. This, too, would seem like a violation of the soft money ban, as funds were transferred from a state-level PAC to a federal one.

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But the FEC deadlocked last year in its finding over whether or not Donalds violated federal campaign finance laws. No surprise, it split along partisan lines: The bodys three Republicans said it was fine, its three Democrats said it was illegal. This was in regards to $107,000.

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For the record, a deadlock decision does not mean the act is legal. But the DeSantis campaign took Donalds case as a model, and supercharged it. While Donalds defense hinged on the notion that he resigned the state-level committee before he had made clear any intention that he was running for federal office, DeSantis dispensed with that pretense altogether. (This month, at the Iowa Roast and Ride conservative campaign kickoff, DeSantis and his child were spotted autographing his national super PACs tour bus.)

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The money in question is also roughly 800 times greater.

Its pretty brazen. Its illegal for DeSantis to spend his $82 million state campaign war chest in support of his presidential run, and hes doing it anyway, said Fischer. It remains to be seen if the FEC does anything, and even if they do find he violated the law, the decision wont come until years after the election.

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Stuart McPhail, a litigation counsel at the liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told the Lever the same thing. Theres no one really guarding the vault here, McPhail said to reporter Andrew Perez. Even if someone did try to enforce the law, you have a current [Supreme] Court that is very skeptical of any kind of campaign finance law. And I think a number of them feel like they have friends on the court. The donors behind the campaign have friends on the court.

Meanwhile, the FEC remains hamstrung by its partisan divide, and effectively useless in cracking down on these violations.

Its a new big-money blueprint for politicians with national ambition: Win state office in a place like Florida with extremely lax campaign finance laws; raise six- and seven-figure checks from donors or corporations (a move that would be prohibited in states with actually existing money-in-politics statutes, like Minnesota); transfer the money to a federal super PAC; and then dare the FEC to enforce the rules. Its also a way to pursue a huge competitive advantage in national races, where it can be harder to raise legal money, on the gamble that the rules wont matter down the line.

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Theres just one problem: DeSantis may think he is above the law, but he is not Trump. And while his antics have gone largely unpunished to this point, he doesnt seem to have his rivals panache when it comes to beating a rap (or much else, for that matter). Just last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said that his office had opened an investigation into the flights of migrants sent from Florida to California orchestrated by DeSantis office, and was evaluating potential criminal or civil action. Criminal charges have been filed in Texas over the DeSantis offices flying of migrants to Massachusetts. Its possible the Department of Justice may not be as favorable towards Meatball Ron as a deadlocked FEC.

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Meanwhile, its hard to see how the DeSantis campaign could even exist without the support of this super PAC and big donations that finance it. The day DeSantis announced his run, his team reported a record fundraising day, having raised $8 million, but even that amount of money appears entirely reliant on big donors. Behind the facade of popular support being projected by the Florida governor, the New York Times found little grassroots enthusiasm:

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The DeSantis campaign said it had around 40,000 donors in May as we raised over $8.2 million, according to text messages and emails to supporters asking for more donations. That works out to an average of more than $200 per donor  a figure far higher than is typical for a campaign heavily funded by grass-roots support. By comparison, Senator Bernie Sanders, who was a Democratic online fund-raising powerhouse, raised $5.9 million in his first 24 hours in 2019  but from 223,000 donors, for an average donation of around $26.

The Sanders comparison is useful, but a Trump comparison is more apt. Trump is also a master of small-dollar fundraising (by Republican standards), of volunteer organizing, and of legitimate grassroots support. In 2020, he raised $378.1 million from small individual contributions, half of his total haul. Small-dollar Don, as Politico has called him, has continued to pace the GOP field in this respect. DeSantis, meanwhile, has his super PACs.
Its a big week for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His trip to the United States marks his first official state visit to the countrymeaning, this time hell be the guest of honor at a formal state dinner with President Joe Biden, and hell address a joint meeting of Congress. The sojourn signals the firm commitment of the U.S. to its ally India, despite worries from dozens of sitting Congress members over the countrys horrific human rights abuses as well as its suppression of free speech and activism. Nevertheless, Modi has received a rapturous welcome stateside, kicking things off Wednesday with an International Day of Yoga session at the United Nations headquarters, where he was joined by New York Mayor Eric Adams and actor Richard Gere, among others. Hes also taken the opportunity to meet business leaders as he seek[s] to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology, Modi wrote in a Monday tweet. It turns out, one of those meetings occurred the very next day, with Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk.

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Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

Say, you might be thinking, werent there some issues with Twitter and India recently? Youd be correct: Among the many problems Musk inherited with his November acquisition of Twitter, the platforms strained relationship with the Indian government was a big one. Last summer, in the months leading up to Musks takeover, Twitter whistleblower Peiter Mudge Zatko alleged in a legal filing that Indias government forced Twitter to hire specific individual(s) who were government agents without disclosing that fact. The Zatko revelations came on the heels of Twitters lawsuit against India, filed in July over the Modi administrations nonstop flurries of requests to either obscure from sight or fully take down tweets and accounts belonging to users that opposed the Indian governments messages around policy, protests, and religious expression. The affected accounts encompassed several journalists and politicians from opposition parties. Furthermore, Twitter spelled out in the suit, India elected to use brute force in the face of the social networks initial defiance, dispatching police to raid Twitter India offices and otherwise threaten employees of the company in the country. These sordid tales of Twitters pre-Musk tangles with India gained renewed attention last week after former CEO Jack Dorsey told the podcast Breaking Points about Indias censorship requests and threats to scuttle Twitters presence within the subcontinent altogether, including through office raids and employee arrests. Naturally, Modis ministers denied all of this. (By the way, has Musk, new Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino, or any international outlet commented recently on the still-ongoing lawsuit, which last year was touted worldwide as a watershed moment for free speech? No, no, they have not.)

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Has that checkered context influenced Elon Musks approach to Indias information policing? Not in the slightest. For one, Twitters general functionality under Musk has suffered in India, thanks to his mass layoffs of Indian staffers and reduction of Twitter server capacityall part of his aggressive cost-cutting at the website. For another, hes allowed the reinstatement of Hindu nationalist accounts that had been formerly banned for disparaging and encouraging violence against Indian Muslims, whove faced steep persecution under the Modi regime. And, as has been well documented, Twitter has not let up in acceding to Indias censorship requests, whether those concern links to documentaries critical of Modi, Sikh diaspora members worried about governmental crackdowns, and official accounts affiliated with countries that are considered to be Indias enemies. Last month, he notably acquiesced in similar fashion to Turkish censorship requests in the midst of a critical election.

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It can be safely assumed that none of this came up during Musks conversation with Modi, which the former referred to as an honor. After the New York meeting, Musk did comment on these issues when reporters asked him about Indias stranglehold over Twitter. Twitter doesnt have a choice but to obey local governments, Musk stated, repeating a line hes used as an excuse for government-demanded content takedowns again and again. We will get shut down. So, the best we can do is hew close to the law in any given country, but its impossible for us to do more than that, or well be blocked and our people will be arrested.

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#WATCH | Twitter and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk after meeting PM Modi in New York, says "Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws, we will get shut down so the best we can do is to work close to the law in any given country, pic.twitter.com/4B4mgzxz9e  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

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Such superficial reasoning doesnt even touch whether the laws in questionin this case, the punitive digital-information-control measures that India passed in 2021are compatible with an information society that was once celebrated for allowing greater modes of popular expression, or how twisted it is to admit that the government youre sucking up to will kick you out and arrest your employees should you disobey them. Sure, moneys tight at Twitter, and Musk does not want to lose the platforms third-largest market. But theres likely another reason for Musks accommodative stance toward the Modi government.

Related from Slate Jacob Silverman What the Powerful Men Boosting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Really Want Read More

In another Tuesday post-meeting briefing, this one situated in front of multiple Indian flags, Musk told the press that Modi is pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do, alluding to plans to visit the country next year on behalf of Tesla and Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Musks SpaceX. He mentioned that he and Modi have known each other a whilethe PM visited Teslas Fremont, California, factory back in 2015and that hes unambiguously a fan of Modi.

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#WATCH | Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, says "I'm incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as he's pushing us to make significant investments in India. I am a fan of Modi. It pic.twitter.com/lfRNoUQy3R  ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023

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The two werent always so chummy. A little over a year ago, Musk announced that longtime negotiations to set up a Tesla manufacturing plant in the south Indian state of Karnataka had stalled because the national government would not allow Musk to elide import taxes on automobile products. Nevertheless, Musk has determined to push for a Tesla presence in India, and he met with government officials last month, reports Reuters, to seriously discuss establishing electric vehicle factories and battery plants. Perhaps the simplest read of the situation is the most likely: that the leader of one company that would like to do business with India might be willing to allow his other, far less lucrative company to let a few things slide for that governments benefit. Hes certainly warped Twitters usual practices for less.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
In April, Reddit announced that it would, for the first time, charge companies for access to its data. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman suggested that the move was about A.I. companies using the sites data to train their large language modelsbut the move didnt just affect the big guys. Also asked to pay up were smaller developers who make apps built off the sites application programming interface, or API. And the developers behind these apps, which are all built around the Reddit ecosystem, were not happy that something that was once free would now cost money. The much-loved Apollo, for examplewhich is basically a better version of the official Reddit appsaid it couldnt afford to pay and would have to shut down.

Once Reddits very active, very vocal users heard that Apollo and other apps would shut down, they went into revolt mode. They protested in their Reddit way, by turning a group of subreddits darkand more than a week later, some subreddits are still protesting.

On Fridays episode of What Next: TBD, I spoke with Sarah Needleman, who covers Reddit for the Wall Street Journal, about what the war between Reddit and its users says about the internet today. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. (Note: This is a developing story, and our interview was recorded last week.)

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Emily Peck: Since its inception, Reddits API has been open and free to use, and thats spawned an ecosystem of apps that make the experience of scrolling through Reddit better. Who uses these apps, and who will be affected by the change?

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Sarah Needleman: These are all apps that are meant to be used by Reddit people. Theres a Reddit app thats meant to help people who are blind to hear the content. There are many tools that are meant just for the moderators, for making sure their communities are safe. Reddit has promised to make similar tools, but hasnt stepped up to the plate on that, and so [moderators] feel that they have no choice but to rely on these third-party apps.

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The Apollo app is a type of Reddit app used for commercial purposes. It eats up a lot of data, and Reddit has signaled that it is not going to continue getting free access. The creator of Apollo has been very vocal on both Reddit and other social media, like Twitter, saying thats going to force him to close the app; he cant afford to access the data going forward.

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Reddit has said that other third-party apps, like the ones that help people with disabilities, would not be expected to pay. So its only ones that have commercial purposes and that eat up a ton of data. That would also include a very interesting crowdthe generative artificial intelligence crowd.

Reddit isnt the first social media platform to close off its API. Which other companies have taken similar steps?

Were seeing Twitter do the same thing. Some other applications have also either increased prices or started introducing prices. I do think theres a good chance that the generative A.I. boom is what sparked this. Right now, the tech sector is hurtingweve seen massive layoffs. All these factors are making the tech sector a little bit shaky these days and putting them in a position of Gee, we really need to find other ways to generate revenue and become profitable. And this is kind of right in their face: This is stuff theyve been giving away for free all this time, and a lot of companies dont do that.

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The nature of Reddit is all about democratization. The whole concept of it is that you can have these communities of your own and volunteer moderators keep tabs on them. I mean, the company does have moderators itself, dont get me wrong. But for the most part, these communities are run on autopilot, or by the people who are creating them in the first place. And that gives them so much autonomyI think theyve grown very used to that. When you get something for free for a really long time and then suddenly youre being asked to pay for it, it can be jarring.

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When Twitter started asking users to pay for their previously free blue checks, there was no blackout moment, no protest. Its interesting that Reddit users can mobilize in a way that other social media sites users wouldnt or cant.

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Reddit users can mobilize because they have control over the communities, they can turn them private. On Twitter, certainly any one user could just stop posting or cancel their accounts, but its not going to have this big effect. The other thing about Reddit is, even though these different communities have all their different narrow focuses, they do unite together broadly. Theyre used to having that autonomy and will band together if they feel like somethings not right.

Because Reddits native app has always been pretty bad, the company has long relied on third-party developers to make the experience better. Reddit flourished off their labor, but its now effectively kicking them to the curb without much warning. Why hasnt the Reddit app itself gotten any better?

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Theyve always said that they are working to make the experience for users better, investing in new tools and features all the time, adding video, for example. This is a small company, less than 2,000 employeesperhaps they just dont have the manpower to do some of these things. Or perhaps they think that their app is better, maybe its a little bit subjective. But that is a constant complaint from moderators: Why Reddit isnt doing more, why isnt Reddit adding some of their favorite features from these third-party developers? Perhaps this blackout will inspire that, maybe the company will really get going on redeveloping its app and adding new features. Sometimes thats what it takes.

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Two years ago, Reddit said it was planning to go public. Is this its way of looking better to potential shareholders ahead of an IPO? Are they saying, Look, now we have a diversified revenue stream; maybe one day well make a profit?

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I think thats a fair conclusion to make, that they are making a statement to potential future investors. I also think its just a step for getting to the point where they can potentially do an IPO. Tech stock evaluations slumped right around the time that they made that announcement and havent really improved a lot since then. I think the focus is just getting to break-even at this point, and the concern about potential future investors is maybe in the back of their minds.

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Related from Slate Daniel Johnson Theres Some Very Official Military Business Happening on Reddit Read More

Reddit kind of defines the free internet. Do you think this move is a turn away from the free internet?

Im a little bit skeptical of that. Only 10 percent of third-party app developers are the ones who would have to pay, and thats a pretty small number. And thats separate from Reddit itself. Reddit itself is 100 percent free. I cannot see them charging a subscription for access to it. I suppose its possible there could be premium communities that want to charge something, and maybe Reddit would take a cut down the line. Its a bit hard to imagine though, because its just so radically different from how theyve operated all this time. And I think thats why theyre doing this: Its a small way to generate revenue, not from direct users. Its something that other companies are doing, too, so its not making them seem totally out there and different from the pack.

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Its hard to know the exact size of the blackout. Is there a way to gauge whether this was the action of a whole community or that of a handful of moderators on some of the largest subreddits?

Theres a list on Reddit itself of all the participating subreddits that are protesting, and the list is in the thousands at this point. But again, theres more than 100,000 active communities, so you would need tens of thousands, probably, to really cause a significant jolt.

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Could this be a pivotal moment where people could actually leave the community entirely, for other options like Discord?

We saw what happened with Twitter, a lot of people said they were going to go over to Mastodon and Bluesky and Hive and all that. And so far, each of those has gotten a little bit of a bump for a while, but theyre not going gangbusters. Discord is pretty established, and it is pretty big, so thats a little bit different. But whether people actually take the time, if they dont already have a Discord account, to go over there and sign up and start using it, its hard to say.

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So this is maybe an attempt by Reddit to sort of wrestle back some of the self-governance its allowed its users to have over the years. But in doing that, is there a chance that its kind of ruining what makes Reddit special in the first place? The promise of the free internet, a democratic site where the users are in controlis Reddits move a step back from that?

I think its a small step back. If they were charging access to the API to anyone, I could see that being the case. But because theyve taken a very, very narrow approach, I think its possible that what youre saying is a bit of an overreach. The other possibility is that this is just the beginning. That theyre going to take baby steps and gradually wrest back more control, which could have a very negative effect in the long term.

So I think it would take a little bit more to make that point. But I wouldnt rule it out, either.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Its time to start paying attention to Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to some of the wealthiest, most reactionary tech and business leaders in the country. Elon Musk is the most visible member of this clique. Over the weekend, he helped catalyze an online mob made up of thousands of his sycophants and a seemingly equal number of podcasters to force a Joe Roganmoderated debate between RFK Jr. and Peter Hotez, a doctor and scientist who develops low-cost vaccines for the global south, and who had criticized the politicians message. The subject of the debate would be RFK Jr.s bete noire and personal obsession: vaccines and the role they supposedly play in a government and corporate conspiracy to undermine public health.

Peter, if you claim what RFKjr is saying is misinformation I am offering you $100,000.00 to the charity of your choice if youre willing to debate him on my show with no time limit. https://t.co/m0HxYek0GX  Joe Rogan (@joerogan) June 17, 2023

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Over the last month, RFK Jr. has become an object of fascination for Twitter-addled tech moguls. Some of them lean Republican, while others conform with the very rich persons tendency of donating widely and strategically, to Democrats and Republicans alike. Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya has donated to everyone from the Democratic Party of Vermont to Ted Cruz to Joe Biden to Evan McMullin. Now hes on the RFK Jr. train, calling him really dynamic and credible. Then theres former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, a Bitcoin obsessive who has tweeted approvingly of Austrian School economist Murray Rothbard and has tended to focus on pet causes like universal basic income while donating to Andrew Yang and Tulsi Gabbard. Recently he said that RFK Jr. can and will beat Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. And billionaire financier Bill Ackman described RFK Jr.s appearance on Rogans podcast as one of the most powerful and mind opening interviews that I have ever heard.

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He can and will https://t.co/zrKLc2BKhz  jack (@jack) June 4, 2023

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Some of RFKs new boosters in finance and tech genuinely appear to share some of his beliefs, particularly around the futility of the war in Ukraine and fears of tech censorship. But that doesnt suffice to explain why they would line up behind a figure whos been known up until this point largely for his anti-vaccine activism. Rather than a meeting of heterodox minds, these moguls and others may instead see in RFK Jr. a useful instrument for complicating President Joe Bidens re-election run. While RFK Jr. is unlikely to be the Democratic Party nomineehes currently polling around 14 percent of Democratic primary votershe can still be a problem for the incumbent. An occasionally charming kook with a famous last name, RFK Jr. hopes to force Joe Biden to the debate stage, where the presidents declining mental acuity might be exposed and his policies challenged. Certainly the presidential primary process is too closeddominated by money and a sclerotic party leadership that undermines progressive candidates like Bernie Sanders. Theres nothing inherently wrong about RFK Jr.s decision to run. But the motives of his high-profile supporters matter. Its hard not to see the recent surge of Silicon Valley cash flowing to RFK Jr. as anything but a disingenuous effort to screw over Democrats.

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RFK Jr. is a prolific speaker and has long made the rounds of obscure podcasts and conspiratorial online media, talking about his false belief that vaccines cause autism, that they have killed more people than they have saved, that big pharma is conspiring against public health, and other choice selections from the conspiracists handbook. Hes offered much of the same on channels like MSNBC, too; his views arent a mystery, and experts have debunked most of his claims. As the leader of a major anti-vaccine organization, his work has had a genuinely deleterious impact. He has helped stoke anti-vaccine sentiment in Samoa, where in 2019 a measles outbreak killed at least 32 people and sickened thousands. His work as an environmental lawyer and activist has produced some good outcomes, such as helping improve the health of the Hudson River, but any achievements have been surpassed by his dark-eyed paranoia about proven drugs that have saved millions of lives.

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Related from Slate Heather Schwedel The Kennedys Really Hate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Maybe Theyre Onto Something. Read More

This latest round of RFK Jr. publicity has coincided with a profound disenchantment with political and public health authorities and their botched response to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. politicians from Trump on down failed to adequately respond to the crisis, and the fact that we still do not have paid sick leave or universal health care reflects a barbarous indifference on behalf of the ruling elite and their insurance-industry donors. But much of what can be chalked up to negligence, incompetence, or systemic corruption has been recast, in the minds of RFK Jr. and millions of other armchair theorists, as a deliberate and murderous conspiracy against the public.

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While RFK Jr. has been periodically banned from YouTube and other platforms, his views have found some purchase on Elon Musks freewheeling version of Twitter. And now they have the attention, and some of the resources, of Musk himself and his wider political and social network. Earlier this month, Musk hosted RFK Jr. for a discussion on Twitter Spaces. Recently, venture capitalist and Musk advisor David Sacks hosted a fundraiser for RFK Jr., just weeks after he had introduced Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign on a balky Twitter livestream. RFK Jr. has repaid the favor of his new boosters, for example, by appearing at the annual Bitcoin Conference in Miami, where he touted the importance of cryptocurrencies as a force for freedom. Hes also appeared on Steve Bannons podcast and posed for pictures with Michael Flynn and Roger Stone.

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On Tuesday, RFK Jr. announced that he was setting up shop on Rumble, a once-obscure video startup that in the last couple years has attracted investment and talent from the right. Now emphasizing its belief in free speech and flush with money from a SPAC offering, Rumble has given contracts to a number of conservative influencers and media figures while insisting its a nonpartisan outfit. Sacks is a Rumble shareholder and recently joined the companys board after it acquired Callin, his social podcasting startup. As with Rumble, Callin attracted its share of disillusioned leftists whose critiques of liberalism, identity politics, or the Democratic Party sometimes put them in awkward alliance with more conservative Republicans and right-wingers.

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That seems to be, approximately, where RFK Jr. stands now. His peacenik sensibility, his advocacy for the environment and the homeless, and his sense of outrage toward the cruel indifference of the power elite (of which hes of course a scion) hold some appeal for those outside the corporate Democratic Party base. He and Sacks both speak in similar blinkered language about bloodthirsty American neocons committing Ukraine to a devastating war. But his deep well of bizarre conspiracy theories goes beyond eccentric skepticism to something genuinely harmful, particularly if hes allowed to have command over public health policy. His alliance of convenience with right-wing tech millionaires and billionaires who have otherwise been vocal, paid-up DeSantis supporters makes one doubt his sincerity. In other contexts, such as his unvarnished support for Israel, RFK Jr. has revealed himself as a proud militarist.

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We wouldnt be talking about RFK Jr. if there werent some fundamental problems with American politics and the bipartisan consensus around major issues of war and peace, the economy, and the primacy of corporate power. American elites and governing institutions have failed the public, when not contributing to its outright exploitation. But RFKs most powerful backers are among the main beneficiaries of that unequal status quo, and their motives deserve scrutiny. We should ask how they have become so wealthy and powerful as to be able to help prop up two presidential campaigns as we near 2024. After all, it shouldnt be long until Sacks hosts another fundraiser for DeSantis, the candidate hes long pushed. Which one does he really want to be president?
This years much-anticipated Amazon Prime Day will return on July 11 and 12. Prime members across the U.S. are gearing up for the largest savings event of the year, offering deals from top brands including Bose, Hey Dude, Theragun, and more.

Prime Day typically presents small businesses, creators, and other entrepreneurs with an opportunity to get tech and other items they may need for their companies at discounted prices often reserved for the end of the year.

Amazon is pushing the envelope this year, with new deals released every 30 minutes during specific intervals across the two-day extravaganza. Prime Day is all about making our Prime members feel like a big deal, Jamil Ghani, Vice President of Amazon Prime, stated, confirming that the exclusive Invite-only deals are set to provide prime members with access to doorbuster deals at unbeatable prices.

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The shopping spree doesnt stop at big brands. This years event also highlights a stronger focus on supporting small businesses, Amazon says. Prime members can explore early deals on products from small businesses, including Black-owned, women-owned, and military family-owned brands.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can leverage this Prime Day for their back-to-school and college shopping, with Amazon offering thousands of products under $5, $10, and $20. These deals extend beyond Amazon.com, with the new Buy with Prime shopping benefit enabling members to shop directly from brands like Briogeo Hair Care, Anker, Wyze, and Pickleball Central.

For those who wish to make the most out of this event, Amazon has introduced the Prime Visa offer where members can earn a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval from June 29 through July 26. Members can also benefit from the early savings on Prime Video and Amazon Music with a selection of titles available at up to 50% off.

Technology enthusiasts and gadget lovers can save big on Amazon Devices. Up to 55% discounts are available on select Alexa-enabled devices, including the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) and the all-new Echo Pop. Deals also extend to Ring bundles, eero mesh Wi-Fi systems, Blink Outdoor (3rd Gen), and Hisense smart TVs with Fire TV built in.

Amazon has prepared for Prime Day by providing members with several ways to keep track of their favorite deals. Members can sign up for invite-only deals, set personalized deal alerts, explore various delivery options, receive deal notifications from Alexa, and even ask Alexa for an event reminder.

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Small business owners can be held responsible for damages caused if they accept a fake ID. It is the businesss duty to verify ID by using reasonable methods.

Whether you own a bar, vape shop, or live music booking venue that sells alcohol, a variety of small business owners need to learn how to spot fake id photos and features.

Heres all you need to know.

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Types of Fake IDs

To learn how to spot a fake id, you need to know that there are variations of fake IDs.

Borrowed IDs: Borrowed ids are often stolen ids used without the permission of the person who owns the id.

Borrowed ids are often stolen ids used without the permission of the person who owns the id. Altered IDs: Altered ids begin as actual ids but are changed somehow to help the user pass off the fake id. For example, the owners photograph is replaced with a photograph of the person who wants to use the fake id.

Altered ids begin as actual ids but are changed somehow to help the user pass off the fake id. For example, the owners photograph is replaced with a photograph of the person who wants to use the fake id. Forged IDs: Forged ids are created from scratch and intended to be a replica of a typical id. The most common forged ids are drivers license copies.

Why Do People Use Fake IDs?

People use fake IDs for a variety of reasons, often revolving around deceiving or circumventing systems put in place for safety, legality, or trust. Here are a few examples of why people may use a fake ID:

Underage Purchase: This is perhaps the most common reason. Some people, especially minors, use fake IDs to buy age-restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products.

This is perhaps the most common reason. Some people, especially minors, use fake IDs to buy age-restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products. Financial Fraud: A person might use a fake ID to commit financial fraud, such as opening a bank account under someone elses name, obtaining credit cards, or making purchases with someone elses money.

A person might use a fake ID to commit financial fraud, such as opening a bank account under someone elses name, obtaining credit cards, or making purchases with someone elses money. Evading Law Enforcement: Individuals with a criminal history or outstanding warrants may use fake IDs to avoid detection by law enforcement. This could include everything from traffic stops to more serious police investigations.

Individuals with a criminal history or outstanding warrants may use fake IDs to avoid detection by law enforcement. This could include everything from traffic stops to more serious police investigations. Renting Property: People with a bad credit history, previous evictions, or criminal backgrounds might use a fake ID to deceive landlords or rental agencies. They might also use fake IDs to rent vehicles without a valid drivers license or to commit theft or fraud.

People with a bad credit history, previous evictions, or criminal backgrounds might use a fake ID to deceive landlords or rental agencies. They might also use fake IDs to rent vehicles without a valid drivers license or to commit theft or fraud. Identity Theft: Some people use fake IDs to impersonate others, often intending to commit further crimes such as fraud or harassment.

Some people use fake IDs to impersonate others, often intending to commit further crimes such as fraud or harassment. Evading Age Verification: Some online platforms have age restrictions for certain services or content. People may use fake IDs to evade these restrictions and gain access to the content or services.

Some online platforms have age restrictions for certain services or content. People may use fake IDs to evade these restrictions and gain access to the content or services. Job Applications: Individuals may use fake IDs when applying for jobs to hide a problematic employment history or criminal record.

Individuals may use fake IDs when applying for jobs to hide a problematic employment history or criminal record. Immigration Status: Some people may use fake IDs to hide their immigration status, either because they are illegally in the country or have overstayed their visas.

Businesses, landlords, and law enforcement need to be vigilant about checking IDs and understanding how to spot a fake one. Not only does this help protect against potential loss, but it also helps maintain safety and legality in their operations. As a business owner that requires ID checks, like a wine business or a liquor store, its crucial to train yourself and your staff on the common signs of a fake ID.

Recognizing Security Features on Genuine IDs

Real ids have security features. Although a fake id may look exactly like a real id, the process of creating the security features is difficult to replicate  even for accomplished, tech-savvy criminals.

Holograms and Microprinting

Many state-issued ids use microprinting and holograms as security features. You can only see these using a magnifying glass with 10x power magnification properties. Different states locate those security features in different spots on the ids.

UV Features

UV features add another layer of protection. There are certain security features that only show up when the id is held under UV light.

Feel of the ID

A typical drivers license is thick. One way to spot a fake id drivers license is to feel it. If it feels thin and is easily flexible, it may be fake. Those who create fake ids dont use the same lamination process.

Another way to spot altered ids is to run you finger over the main surface, in particular, the photo area. If another photo has been placed over the photo area, youll feel a slight bumpiness in that area.

ID Security Features Details How to Spot Holograms Holograms are images with a special property that allows them to change when viewed from different angles. Many state-issued IDs use holograms as a form of security feature. Use a magnifying glass with 10x power magnification to see the holograms. The exact location of the holograms varies from state to state. Microprinting Microprinting involves printing small text or patterns that are difficult to replicate without the correct equipment. This text or pattern can only be seen clearly under magnification. To see the microprinting, use a magnifying glass with 10x power magnification. The exact location of the microprinting varies depending on the state. UV Features These are security features that only become visible when the ID is held under ultraviolet light. Different states use different UV designs. To see the UV features, hold the ID under a UV light source. The UV designs will appear under this light condition. Feel of the ID The feel of the ID can also be a security feature. Authentic IDs are typically thick and not easily flexible due to the lamination process used. If the ID feels thin and is overly flexible, it might be a fake. Compare the feel of the ID in question with a known authentic ID for reference.

Each of these methods provides a way to validate the authenticity of an ID, but the effectiveness of each method can vary depending on the quality of the fake ID. The best approach often involves using a combination of these methods.

Identifying Fake IDs by State

Small business owners should have access to the Drivers License Guide. The Drivers License Guide is an ID-checking tool that explains the unique characteristics of each states drivers license. Anyone familiar with bar terminology or who often needs to check IDs for purchases should be familiar with this option.

Another valuable tool is using an App that scans bar codes. Many IDs have barcodes. When the barcode is scanned, it will reveal information about the cardholder. That information should match the description on the card. Forged ids wont include info with the barcode  its too expensive and difficult to use that technology.

Each state has specific security features which are located in particular areas of the license. Here are some examples of that:

Spotting Fake IDs in California

On a California license, the drivers signature has raised lettering.

Spotting Fake IDs in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the holders date of birth is laser engraved.

Spotting Fake IDs in Illinois

When the drivers license is tilted and held under UV light, the state name shows up diagonally on the card.

How to Spot a Fake Military ID Card

Military ids are the rarest of fake IDs or altered IDs. Of course, the wrong people may attempt to use one, especially if it gains them significant discounts.

Manufacturing, altering or using a fake military id card is a felony. This is one of the reasons that military id fraud is not as common as other types of id fraud.

To spot fake ids of this type, compare the persons description to the persons actual appearance. Also, ask for a drivers license or other photo id to compare.

How to Spot a Fake ID Picture

A common scam is creating a fraudulent ID by altering only the picture. When this is done, security features such as microprint do exist. Only the photo has been changed.

Discrepancies in Picture Quality

The photo quality is blurry or grainy.

Identifying Age Inconsistencies

The age of the person depicted on the card doesnt match the age of the person in the photo.

The Telltale Bump

When a photo is added to an existing ID, it is placed over the spot where the original photo is located. An ID card should have a smooth surface. An added photo will be slightly raised from the cards surface. This can be felt.

FAQs: How to Spot Fake ID

Arm your business with tools such as the drivers License Guide and a barcode scanning app. Also, train employees so that they have the skills and knowledge to handle someone attempting to use a fraudulent ID.

What light can identify fraudulent ids?

Certain security features will show up under ultraviolet light.

What are the common features of fake Identification?

If a photo is added, that will create a discernible raised area. The photo quality may be poor.

Fake ids may contain misspellings and inaccurate state abbreviations.

Be on alert for suspected underage customers attempting to purchase vape equipment, butane, tobacco products and/or alcohol. These types of purchases are common for attempted use of fake ID.

Should a Small Business Owner Report ID Fraud?

Absolutely. Although some states treat the crime as a felony, in most cases it is a misdemeanor. Fines to the perpetrator range from $500 to $1000.

Call law enforcement. You can hold the suspected fake ID until police arrive.

What are some rarely altered IDs and why?

Military IDs are rarely altered, possibly because that crime is treated as a felony.

An original birth certificate should have a raised seal from its state of origin. This is tough to forge.

How can I spot fraudulent drivers license use specifically?

A drivers license may be the most common type of fraudulent ID use.

It is most often used by underage persons attempting to buy alcohol, tobacco/vaping products or butane products. So spotting fake drivers licenses is an essential part of learning how to manage a bar.

Use your security knowledge and tools, such as your drivers license guide, UV light and a 10x magnifying glass. Compare the height, weight and age information to the person attempting to use the license.

Also, ask questions. Dont ask obvious questions, such as birthdate and address. Someone attempting to use the license has memorized that information. Instead, ask an offbeat question such as What year did you graduate from high school?

That should elicit an instant answer; someone should not be standing there, trying to do the math.
(Photo : RAIGO PAJULA / AFP) (RAIGO PAJULA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Estonian government made history after passing a new law that legalizes same-sex marriage in the region, becoming the first Central European country to do so.

Estonia passed a new law that legalizes same-sex marriage, becoming the first central European country to do so amid a slew of opposition to the LGBTQ+ community in various countries worldwide.

The decision made by the country's parliament comes as the majority of Western Europe legally allows same-sex marriage. However, Central European countries are different as they were once under communist rule and members of the Moscow-led Warsaw Pact alliance but have now become NATO members under the European Union.

Estonia Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

In a statement, 46-year-old Annely Lepamaa, a lesbian, said that the new law has made her feel like she is finally accepted for who she is. She added that until now, she needed to fight for everything she wanted, such as going to court to adopt her children.

The bill was supported by 55 votes in the 101-seat parliament, which came from the coalition of liberal and social democratic parties. These parties were the ones that Prime Minister Kaja Kallas assembled after her strong victory in the 2023 election, as per MSN.

Kallas said that her message to Central Europe was that marriage and love need to be promoted despite it being a difficult fight. The prime minister added that the region has developed in the last three decades since being freed from Soviet occupation.

The new law that legalizes same-sex marriage will take effect starting in 2024. A poll by the Centre for Human Rights showed that 53% of the roughly 1.3 million people in the largely secular Baltic country supported same-sex marriage. This number comes after a decade since it was found to be 34%.

Despite the new law, 38% of Estonians still share the same view that homosexuality is unacceptable in human society. The ethnic-Russian minority opposes same-sex marriage, as they make up roughly a quarter of the country. Only about 40% of this group supports same-sex marriage.

The Estonian government said that gay people in the region had been forced to be discreet about their identity. Authorities added that half of them have experienced harassment in recent times, according to Reuters.

Read Also: Ukraine in Talks with Western Arms Makers to Boost Weapons Production

Overcoming Conservative Opposition

In a statement, the Head of Studies at the International Centre for Defense and Security, Tomas Jermalavicius, said that the new law's passage is a good opportunity for the Estonian government. He said this is because public opinion on same-sex marriage has recently become positive.

Furthermore, Jermalavicius said that support for same-sex marriage was enough after this year's election to overcome the conservative opposition. Kallas argued that everyone has the right to marry the person they are in love with and want to commit to.

The prime minister noted that the new law's passage allows Estonia to take one step forward in joining other Nordic countries and other democratic countries that have supported marriage equality.

Kallas added that the decision did not take away anything from anyone but still gave something important to many people who needed it. She said that it proves that the region's society is caring and respectful towards each other, said CNN.

Related Article: Blinken Says US Does Not Support Taiwan's Independence During Visit to China

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Famine in Ukraine recognised as genocide, ex-foreign affairs minister mulling presidential run, and the state of the Petrzalka tram extension.

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Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, June 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Recognition 16 years in the making

Kyiv, Ukraine. (Source: AP/SITA)

In 2007, the Slovak parliament approved a declaration on the 1932-33 famine that killed millions in what was then the Soviet Ukraine, but it did not recognise it as genocide, instead calling it an act of extermination.

Now, sixteen years later, MPs have approved a resolution recognising the Holodomor, also known as the Terror-Famine, as genocide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Slovak parliament for its recognition of the famine this week.

Read more about the situation in Ukraine:

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

BRATISLAVA: Mega trolleybuses to be on Bratislava streets by end of summer, hybrid vehicles also expected.

CULTURE: The Bratislava City Gallery (GMB) has started to offer a range of programmes for its English-speaking visitors.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY

Not your ordinary graphs

Martin Skoviera (first from right) with foreign colleagues. (Source: Archive of M. S. )

What comes to mind when you hear the word "graph"? Is it maybe a bar chart that shows results of elections? The kind of graphs which mathematician Martin Skoviera of the Comenius University in Bratislava studies are completely different.

In fact, although it might seem strange, if you are a budding wedding planner, you could do worse than learn a thing or two about his field  graph theory. Learn more by clicking here.

EVENT FOR THURSDAY

Architecture Night

One of the works students showcased during the last Architecture Night in February. (Source: Matus Beno)

Starting at 16:00 PM, the popular multi-genre platform showcasing works of students from the Faculty of Architecture and Design, STU in Bratislava, will be held at its premises at the Namestie Slobody (Freedom Square).

For more information click here (in Slovak).

In other news

The Constitutional Court has ruled that Article 363 of the Penal Code is not at odds with the Slovak Constitution. The article allows the Prosecutor General to overturn the final decision of a prosecutor or police officer. The controversial paragraph was challenged by a group of MPs in late 2021 and by President Zuzana Caputova this January, after a slew of controversial cancellings of indictments by Prosecutor General Maros Zilinka.

The article allows the Prosecutor General to overturn the final decision of a prosecutor or police officer. The controversial paragraph was challenged by a group of MPs in late 2021 and by President Zuzana Caputova this January, after a slew of controversial cancellings of indictments by Prosecutor General Maros Zilinka. Ex-foreign affairs minister Ivan Korcok said on Wednesday that he did not yet know whether he would run in the 2024 presidential election. "I need time to carefully consider all aspects related to whether I will accept a presidential candidacy or not," he said. Korcok said he had not expected President Zuzana Caputova's decision not to seek re-election.

"I need time to carefully consider all aspects related to whether I will accept a presidential candidacy or not," he said. Korcok said he had not expected President Zuzana Caputova's decision not to seek re-election. The government has approved Katarina Kaszasova's candidacy to become a member of the European Court of Auditors . Kaszasova is the countrys top auditor as the head of the Auditing Oversight Authority. Learn more about her by clicking here.

. Kaszasova is the countrys top auditor as the head of the Auditing Oversight Authority. Learn more about her by clicking here. Parliament overrode President Zuzana Caputova's veto and passed a construction reform bill . The bill is designed to do away with hindrances slowing down construction processes. The head of state had vetoed the bill on the grounds that it goes against European legislation and standards in environmental protection.

. The bill is designed to do away with hindrances slowing down construction processes. The head of state had vetoed the bill on the grounds that it goes against European legislation and standards in environmental protection. Among the 64 countries assessed in the World Competitiveness Ranking, Slovakia finished 53rd, falling from 49th place last year. Among the Visegrad Group, the Czech Republic finished 18th, Poland 43rd and Hungary 47th.

WEATHER FOR THURSDAY:

Several weather warnings have been issued, click here to see the map. A level 2 high temperature warning applies for western- and southernmost Slovakia, with a level 1 warning for the rest of the country. A level 1 storm warning has been issued for the entire country.

Cloudy and occasionally rain, storms. Daily temperatures between 27 C and 32 C, rising to 35 C in the southwest. (SHMU)

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

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1932-33 Holodomor killed millions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the Slovak parliament on May 10. (Source: Sme - Jozef Jakubco)

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Slovak parliament has recognised the 1932-33 Holodomor in Ukraine as genocide.

The man-made famine, also known as the Terror-Famine, killed millions of Ukrainians.

According to the resolution (in Slovak) passed on Tuesday, the Holodomor was perpetrated by Joseph Stalin's Soviet regime with the intent to destroy a group of people by purposefully introducing awful living conditions leading to their physical ruination.

In addition, the resolution commemorates the Holodomor victims and expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people, denounces Russia's war in the country and the former's manipulation of how the famine is remembered, and expresses regret that there are still people in Slovakia with sympathies towards the totalitarian regime.

Related article

Related article The Ukrainian offensive begins at Povazie in Slovakia Read more

With the exception of a few unaccounted for MPs, the OLaNO, SaS, and Sme Rodina parties voted in favour of the resolution, as did the former members of their caucuses.

Smer MPs either abstained from voting or were not present, as did MPs from the Hlas party, and extremists from Kotleba's LSNS and the Republika party.

In 2007, parliament approved a declaration on the famine, but it did not recognise it as genocide. The document stated that parliament was aware of the famine and its perpetrator and called it an act of extermination.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Slovak parliament for its recognition of the famine this week.

"I am grateful to the Slovak parliament for recognising the Holomodor in 1932-33 as a genocide of the Ukrainian people," he posted on social media.
Capital's Public Transport Company also expecting arrival of hybrid vehicles.

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The first 24-metre double-articulated trolleybuses will take to Bratislava's streets at the end of the summer, the capital's Public Transport Company (DPB) has announced on social media.

"Some bus bodies have been already completed, and electrical equipment is currently being installed [in them]," DPB wrote in the post. The deployment of the vehicles, which will undergo a series of tests before they go into full use, comes as the capital's transport system is expanded.

The body of a double-articulated trolleybus soon to arrive in Bratislava. (Source: DPB)

In addition to these "mega trolleybuses", the transport company is expecting to take delivery of 18-metre and 12-metre hybrid trolleybuses. These will be used to transform some bus lines into trolleybus lines.

DPB also recently announced that 30 new modern trams, which are being built in the Czech republic, will soon arrive in Bratislava.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/us-navy-deploys-experts-deep-ocean-salvage-system-to-search-for-titanic-submersible-1111347919.html

US Navy Deploys Experts, Deep Ocean Salvage System to Search for Titanic Submersible

US Navy Deploys Experts, Deep Ocean Salvage System to Search for Titanic Submersible

The US Navy is deploying its subject matter experts and the appropriate assets to assist in the search and rescue operation for the submersible that went missing on a dive to the Titanic wreckage.

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"In addition to that, the Navy has been in touch with the Coast Guard and is working to provide personnel such as subject matter experts and assets as quickly as possible," Singh said. The US Navy is also deploying a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System (FADOSS)," which can lift up to 60,000 pounds, US media reported, citing a spokesperson. The equipment and personnel are expected to arrive at St. Johns by Tuesday night to support the US Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard said on Tuesday that efforts to locate the submersible have not yielded any results as the remaining oxygen suspected available on board the vessel is set to dwindle down in 40 hours.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/at-least-25-inmates-burned-to-death-dozens-injured-in-honduran-womens-prison-riot-1111349065.html

At Least 25 Inmates Burned to Death, Dozens Injured in Honduran Women's Prison Riot

At Least 25 Inmates Burned to Death, Dozens Injured in Honduran Women's Prison Riot

At least 25 inmates of a women's penitentiary in Honduras have died in a fire, seven others have been stabbed to death and dozens injured during violent clashes between two warring prison gangs, local media reported on Tuesday.

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At least 25 charred female bodies have been found in the bathrooms of the Women's Social Adaptation Center (CEFAS) in the Francisco Morazan Department in the central part of the country, Honduran media reported. The inmates were reportedly killed by members of the opposing gang who locked their adversaries inside and then started the fire. The Honduran Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed Tuesday that a total of 41 inmates have died in the clashes between two warring prison gangs at the penitentiary. Five injured women have since been taken to a local hospital."Preliminary, it is known that 41 people have lost their lives; however, more detailed information in this regard will be available after the investigation on the site of the accident," the statement on the prosecutor's office's website read.Deputy Security Minister Semma Julissa Villanueva said on Twitter that the law enforcement agencies and firefighters had to interfere in the riot, and declared a state of emergency in the prison. Honduran President Xiomara Castro tweeted Tuesday that she was "shocked by the monstrous murder of women" at CEFAS, adding that the incident happened "in full view and with the connivance" of the security personnel. She further expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, summoned Minister of Security Ramon Sabillon and the head of the revision commission of the prosecutor's office for explanations and pledged to take "drastic measures" in connection with the incident at the penitentiary.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/belgiums-defense-minister-says-arms-used-in-raid-from-ukraine-not-discussed-with-russia-1111362564.html

Belgium's Defense Chief Says Arms Used by Ukrainian Saboteurs Not Discussed With Russia

Belgium's Defense Chief Says Arms Used by Ukrainian Saboteurs Not Discussed With Russia

Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said on Wednesday that she had not discussed with the Russian side the Ukrainian sabotage groups using Belgium-made weapons in a cross-border raid into Russia.

2023-06-21T12:18+0000

2023-06-21T12:18+0000

2023-06-21T12:38+0000

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Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said on Wednesday that she had not discussed with the Russian side the Ukrainian sabotage groups using Belgium-made weapons in a cross-border raid into Russia."No, there have been no such contacts [with the Russian side]," Dedonder told media. The minister added that she had talks with her Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov, at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on June 15. If Ukrainians want to give the supplied arms to some other groups, they must ask Belgium's permission, which they have not done, the Belgian defense minister said. The Belgian-developed weapons, specifically FN SCAR automatic rifles, were identified in videos of Ukrainian sabotage groups filmed during an incursion into Russia's border Belgorod region in late May. Brussels has demanded an explanation from Kiev, as the weapons are sent on the condition that they are used exclusively for defense, but is yet to receive a response.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230605/west-encourages-use-of-weapons-supplied-to-ukraine-for-attacks-on-russian-territory-1110920868.html

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belgian defense minister ludivine dedonder, ukrainian sabotage groups, belgium-made weapons
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/black-day-for-norwegian-nature-as-oslo-plans-to-open-its-waters-for-deep-sea-mining-1111352038.html

'Black Day for Norwegian Nature' as Oslo Plans to Open Its Waters for Deep-Sea Mining

'Black Day for Norwegian Nature' as Oslo Plans to Open Its Waters for Deep-Sea Mining

Critics say Norway's plans to mine lucrative subsea deposits runs contrary to the country's environmental commitment and may ruin its "green" image abroad.

2023-06-21T07:06+0000

2023-06-21T07:06+0000

2023-06-21T07:06+0000

economy

norway

oslo

united kingdom (uk)

european union (eu)

norwegian petroleum directorate (npd)

scandinavia

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mining

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Norway's Labor-led government has proposed opening the country's waters to deep-sea mining despite fierce opposition from environmental campaigners, political parties and even fellow European countries.The small country with 5.4 million inhabitants was propelled to immense wealth by its vast oil and gas reserves, which helped fill its Petroleum Fund which at more than $1 trillion ranks as the world's largest sovereign fund. Its position in Europe was cemented further after the EU's recent sanctions campaign against Russian energy, which effectively robbed the continent of a major provider, while clearing a lion's share of the market. Norway even came even under fire when it was suspected of profiteering from the energy crisis that gripped Europe.Now, Oslo seeks to shift from a reliance on hydrocarbons to new sources of economic activity, tapping into the high demand to transition from fossil fuels. According to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, there are large mineral resources on the Norwegian continental shelf, including several million tonnes of copper, zinc and cobalt, which could potentially mean large revenues for Norway.Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland emphasized that the minerals are necessary "to succeed with the green transition". An earlier study indicated the presence of a "substantial" amount of coveted rare earth minerals in high demand in areas ranging from consumer electronics to military gear.The areas slated for opening are located in the Greenland Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea which in total cover an area of some 280,000 square kilometres - about the same size of Italy or Great Britain and Ireland taken together.Massive Opposition From Politicians and Conservationists AlikeThis move, however, sparked controversy with eco-activists and politicians alike, who argue that deep-sea mining would threaten the biodiversity of vital ecosystems.Frode Pleym, head of Greenpeace Norway, called it "a new low" from the Norwegian government, which he also rebuked for continued oil exploration "in the fragile Arctic."And Karoline Andaur, a specialist in environmental services industry, and she refused to mince her words as she called it a "black day for Norwegian nature". She also ventured that Norway puts itself in an unfortunate light on the international stage.France banned deep-sea mining in its waters earlier this year, and Germany has called for a pause in the development of the industry.The environmental spokesman for the Liberal Party, Ola Elvestuen, called the plans to allow seabed mining an "assault against the environment"."It shames Norway internationally. That we need these minerals for the green transition is nonsense," Elvestuen told local media.Norway's Parliament is set to debate the proposal this autumn. The center-left coalition rules in a minority, which is why the support of the opposition parties is crucial. However, Labor's traditional archenemies, the Conservatives, initiated a similar process during their previous stint in power and said they would consider backing it, thus giving a rare helping hand.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230307/norway-rakes-in-record-oil-and-gas-revenues-amid-ukraine-conflict-1108135201.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/china-patrolling-disputed-islands-northeast-of-taiwan-1111368975.html

China Patrolling Disputed Islands Northeast of Taiwan

China Patrolling Disputed Islands Northeast of Taiwan

China has conducted a maritime patrol near disputed islands in the East China Sea known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan, the China Coast Guard said on Wednesday.

2023-06-21T16:34+0000

2023-06-21T16:34+0000

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"On June 21, The China Coast Guard (CCG) 2502 fleet patrolled the territorial waters of our Diaoyu Islands. This is a rights protection patrol in accordance with the law," the statement said. In May, Japanese media reported that two Chinese government vessels traveled close to the disputed islands. In June, the Japanese government sent two separate protest notes to China after the entry of a Chinese research vessel into the territorial waters around the islands. The second protest note was sent after Chinese patrol vessels followed. Both Japan and China have extended territorial claims over the islands. Japan insists on its sovereignty over the Senkaku islands effective since 1895, while China points to Japanese maps from 1783 and 1785 designating the islands as Chinese territory. After World War II, the islands went under the control of the United States and were passed on to Japan in 1972. Japan believes that China's sovereignty claims over the islands were prompted by the discovery of valuable minerals in their shelf waters in the 1970s. The territorial dispute escalated in 2012, when the Japanese government purchased three of the five islands from a private owner, thereby confirming Japan's affiliation with the islands.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230516/chinese-japanese-defense-ministers-open-hotline-to-manage-and-control-crises-1110404682.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/chinese-foreign-ministry-expresses-protest-over-bidens-remarks-about-xi-jinping-1111355108.html

Chinese Foreign Ministry Expresses Protest Over Biden's Remarks About Xi Jinping

Chinese Foreign Ministry Expresses Protest Over Biden's Remarks About Xi Jinping

BEIJING (Sputnik) - Earlier, US President Joe Biden has said that Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not have all the information about the balloon incident. 21.06.2023, Sputnik International

2023-06-21T08:25+0000

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Beijing has expressed a strong protest to Washington in connection with the recent statement by US President Joe Biden regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday."China expresses acute discontent and strong protest," Mao told reporters, noting that Biden's remarks are "extremely absurd, extremely irresponsible, contradict the facts, seriously violate diplomatic etiquette, [and] are a serious infringement on China's political dignity and an open political provocation."During his address to his supporters in California on Tuesday, the US president said that Xi did not have all the information about the incident with the balloon earlier this year, adding that this was "a great embarrassment for dictators." In February, the United States detected and later shot down four unidentified flying objects, including a Chinese surveillance balloon. Washington alleged that it was designed to gather intelligence about sensitive military sites in the country. Beijing insisted that the balloon was a mere meteorological device that entered the US airspace accidentally while expressing protest over Pentagon's decision to shoot it down.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/us-military-reportedly-tracking-another-balloon-that-flew-over-hawaii-1110015930.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/cypriot-president-christodoulides-rules-out-arms-supply-to-ukraine-1111351306.html

Cypriot President Rules Out Arms Supply to Ukraine

Cypriot President Rules Out Arms Supply to Ukraine

Cyprus does not plan to supply weapons to Ukraine, because otherwise it would remain unprotected, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday during a news conference after 100 days in power.

2023-06-21T04:48+0000

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2023-06-21T05:22+0000

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A journalist asked whether the Cypriot government was considering negotiating the exchange or purchase of new weapons systems with other countries, with the prospect of providing Ukraine with Soviet-made arms currently in service with the national guard. He said Cyprus' five-year goal is to increase defense spending, strengthen the deterrent power of Cyprus, reach the level of 2 percent of GDP.Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with military aid since the start of hostilities in February 2022. The support evolved from light artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023. In recent months, Ukraine has been pushing to be supplied with fighter jets. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/west-touting-kievs-offensive-to-justify-arms-supplies---russian-intelligence-1111305257.html

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared the American government's "deep concerns" regarding the possibility of China creating a spy base in Cuba.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States government would have "deep concerns" over Chinese military activities in Cuba following a meeting with Beijing officials.

The American official's remarks came after a report claiming Beijing is planning to construct a new training facility in the Caribbean.

Blinken Warns Against Chinese Military Activities in Cuba

During a press conference held in London following a diplomatic trip to Beijing, Blinken said that he made it clear to his Chinese counterparts that the American government would have deep concerns about PRC intelligence or military activities in Cuba.

The secretary of state added that the situation was something that the American government would be monitoring very closely, adding that they would continue to protect their homeland and its interests.

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal, the first to report about the new training facility, cited current and former US officials. It said that the Asian nation and the Caribbean were negotiating to establish a joint military training facility on the island that could lead to Chinese troops being stationed roughly 100 miles off the coast of Florida, as per Reuters.

The media outlet added that the discussions for the facility were already at an advanced stage but noted that they had yet to conclude. Furthermore, it notes that United States President Joe Biden's administration has already contacted Cuban authorities to stop the deal from being finalized.

Last week, Washington said that it made its concerns clear to Cuban authorities regarding hosting Chinese spy operations. Furthermore, the American government has suspected for a while now that Beijing has been conducting an intelligence gathering operation in a village located near Havana, which is found on Cuba's northern coast.

On the other hand, the Chinese government has denied accusations that it was using Cuba as a base for spy operations. The latter added that the only military incursion within its territory is the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, which is under the control of the United States.

Read Also: Donald Trump Denies Showing 'Secret' Government Documents on 2021 Audio Tape

Potential Spy Base in Cuba

According to CNN, one of the sources that confirmed reports about the situation said that if the deal was finalized, the facility in Cuba could host as many as several hundred troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Now, the intelligence about the issue is being perceived by some who have seen it as China's supposed response to the United States military's activities in Taiwan. The self-governing island nation is the same distance from mainland China as Cuba is from Florida.

In February, there were reports that the US was planning to increase the number of its troops training Taiwanese forces. Furthermore, a senior administration official said they could not confirm or comment on reports about the facility specifically.

China has long been trying to influence the global order, not only by simply challenging the economic and military leadership of the United States. This was also shown by Beijing seeking to prevent the spread of the democratic model that it, and its ally, Russia, oppose, such as Taiwan and Ukraine, said the Miami Herald.

Related Article: Hunter Biden Expected To Plead Guilty in Tax, Gun Case

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/dangling-nato-membership-in-front-of-kiev-will-escalate-conflict-may-end-in-nuclear-war-1111368454.html

Dangling NATO Membership in Front of Kiev Will Escalate Conflict, May End in Nuclear War

Dangling NATO Membership in Front of Kiev Will Escalate Conflict, May End in Nuclear War

France has reportedly dropped a decade-and-a-half-old objection to Ukrainian membership in NATO, ostensibly in the interests of pushing Russia to the negotiating table amid Kievs flagging counteroffensive. The move is not only foolhardy, but extremely dangerous, a retired US Army major general has told Sputnik.

2023-06-21T17:37+0000

2023-06-21T17:37+0000

2023-06-21T18:10+0000

emmanuel macron

volodymyr zelensky

joe biden

russia

ukraine

kiev

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President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly agreed to the possibility of speeding up Ukrainian accession into NATO, reversing course on a policy pursued jointly by Paris and Berlin since 2008 to avoid triggering a direct conflict with Moscow.Ukraines entry into NATO would be perceived by Russia as something confrontational. You cant imagine it with this kind of Russia, Macron said as recently as December 2022.The apparent shift in position, which comes against the backdrop of the Ukrainian militarys stalled counteroffensive, which has run into well-prepared Russian defensive lines costing Ukraine thousands of troops and hundreds of NATO-provided heavy tanks and armored vehicles, renews concerns about the proxy conflict escalating or even going nuclear as Western powers are sucked directly into the crisis.Naive, Dangerous StepIts very naive for President Macron to believe that Ukrainian membership in NATO could somehow bring an end to the conflict, says Paul E. Vallely, a retired US Army major general now serving as chairman of the Stand Up America Foundation, a US advocacy and non-profit.If Ukrainian integration into NATO proceeds, it will give Moscow the justification to expand its military operations, maybe take Kiev, Odessa and basically finalize the conflict and remove Zelensky from power, the retired general added.David T. Pyne, an EMP Task Force scholar and former DoD officer, says that behind the scenes, NATO members know that membership for Kiev is a fairy tale, and always has been."The Biden administration and many NATO members, including Germany, Hungary, and Turkiye understand very well that NATO membership for Ukraine would effectively mean war with Russia and they very much want to avoid that. NATO leaders are not suicidal, although sometimes it seems they act that way. The time has long passed for the US and NATO to support a ceasefire and armistice agreement along the lines of my peace proposal in The National Interest," Pyne added.In fact, the observer recalled, "if the Biden administration had issued a written guarantee to Russia that Ukraine would never be allowed to join NATO, I think the chances that President Putin would have ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine would have been very low." Moscow's hand was forced after the failure of diplomatic efforts to avert the crisis, with US leaders "refus[ing] to conclude a mutual security agreement with Russia that would ensure Ukraine's security and enable it to keep most or all of its internationally recognized territory."Even after the conflict escalated in February 2022, Russia was immediately "waiting at the negotiating table," striking a draft peace deal with Kiev which was broken off by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who "flew to Kiev" in April 2022 "to persuade Zelensky to renege on his commitment to peace with Russia," Pyne said.No NATO Not the End of the WorldThe Western alliance set the stage for the present crisis in 2008, when the bloc agreed that Ukraine and Georgia should eventually become members of NATO. Russia warned repeatedly that it would act if NATO crossed its security red lines in Ukraine, stressing that alliance military equipment and missiles would undermine Russian strategic security.In late 2021, as Kiev prepared an offensive to crush Donbass, Russia urgently sent the US and NATO a pair of comprehensive security proposals designed to squash tensions, including a dramatic scaling back of conventional troop deployments and exercises, and no Ukrainian membership in the bloc. Washington and Brussels balked at the proposals, saying the alliance would not alter its open door policy. Weeks later, Eastern Europe became engulfed in the military conflict.Frances apparent about-face on Ukrainian NATO membership notwithstanding, officials in Kiev have tempered their expectations for the upcoming Vilnius summit. Kiev wants some kind of invitation  or at least commitmentto look at the time frame and modalities of our membership, Ukrainian ambassador to NATO Natalia Galibarenko said this week, referring to alliance chief Jens Stoltenbergs comments on Monday that the summit will not include a formal invitation for membership.NATOs membership rules prohibit countries that have unresolved internal conflicts or border disputes with neighbors from joining. Ukraine, which claims Russian-controlled territory in Crimea, Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporozhye, does not match these criteria, and its membership in the alliance would threaten to trigger Article 5  the NATO Charter article requiring collective defense in support of a bloc member.The Western alliance has been known to bend these rules, integrating Greece and Turkiye into the alliance in the early 1950s in spite of the history of conflict between the two nations. But to date, the bloc has not moved to expand into a country engaged directly in an armed conflict with a neighbor, much less a nuclear weapons-armed power like Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230617/putin-kiev-threw-possible-russia-ukraine-settlement-deal-into-dustbin-of-history-1111251774.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/british-ex-pm-johnson-in-texas-to-urge-republicans-to-keep-arming-ukraine-1110534729.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230615/report-biden-administration-weighing-israel-model-for-ukraine-instead-of-nato-membership-1111165251.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/eu-commission-proposes-boosting-blocs-2024-2027-budget-by-72bln-for-ukraine-aid-1111350836.html

EU Commission Proposes Boosting Bloc's 2024-2027 Budget by $72Bln for Ukraine Aid

EU Commission Proposes Boosting Bloc's 2024-2027 Budget by $72Bln for Ukraine Aid

The European Commission has reviewed the draft EU budget for the 2024-2027 period and asked member states to increase it by 66 billion euros ($72 billion), mostly to fund assistance for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

2023-06-21T04:37+0000

2023-06-21T04:37+0000

2023-06-21T09:08+0000

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The European Commission has reviewed the draft EU budget for the 2024-2027 period and asked member states to increase it by 66 billion euros ($72 billion), mostly to fund assistance for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. Out of the 66 billion euros, 50 billion euros is earmarked for loans and grants for Ukraine, 15 billion euros for migrant and refugee programs, and 1 billion euros for improving the EU's competitiveness, von der Leyen added. Csaba Domotor, the secretary of state in the office of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said Tuesday that the EU had no finances because of the aid to Ukraine, adding that Budapest has not received "a penny" of money from EU funds due to Hungary while the bloc is proposing another 50 billion euros in aid to Kiev. "The EU is asking for money from member states. That is, because of the financing of the war and Ukraine, the EU's coffers have emptied, so several tens of billions must be added to the budget... The largest part will go to further finance Ukraine. It will be 50 billion euros," Domotor said in a video message on social media. He recalled that the changes in the EU budget must be approved by a unanimous decision of all member states. "Therefore, the discussion will be interesting and strange. Because while we are expected to make additional payments, we have not yet received a penny of the EU funds due to us. But they are in the budget and are specified in the agreements. And yet we have not received anything," the official said, adding that "it would be good to have an answer to this controversial issue" when the proposal to the member states to pay more money to the EU budget is put on paper. In 2020, the EU adopted a 1.1 trillion euro budget for the period of 2021-2027. Additionally, the bloc approved a 750-million-euro rescue fund aimed at helping EU member states mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19 restriction measures.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/us-unveils-325mln-security-aid-package-for-ukraine--blinken-1111119467.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/eu-commission-says-will-present-proposal-on-immobilized-russian-assets-before-summer-break-1111362161.html

EU Commission Says Will Present Proposal on Immobilized Russian Assets Before Summer Break

EU Commission Says Will Present Proposal on Immobilized Russian Assets Before Summer Break

The European Commission will present a proposal on using immobilized Russian assets for supporting Ukraine before the summer break, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

2023-06-21T11:58+0000

2023-06-21T11:58+0000

2023-06-21T11:58+0000

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The European Commission will present a proposal on using immobilized Russian assets for supporting Ukraine before the summer break, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday. EU banks were holding 24.1 billion euros' ($26.3 billion) worth of assets belonging to individuals and private entities, Wigand added.EU member states have also reported having more than 200 billion euros' worth of Russian Central Bank assets frozen in their banks. The next European Council meeting will consider ways of physically working with the interest on the assets, according to the spokesperson. The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the European Union of stealing the assets. In 2022, the European Parliament was in recess over the summer holidays from July 25 - August 21 and resumed its operation on August 22.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/eu-freezes-26bln-in-private-assets-of-sanctioned-russians-since-february-2022---reports-1110637142.html

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european commission, european commission president ursula von der leyen, immobilized russian assets
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/italys-prime-minister-submits-romes-bid-to-host-world-expo-2030-1111352408.html

Italy's Prime Minister Submits Rome's Bid to Host World Expo 2030

Italy's Prime Minister Submits Rome's Bid to Host World Expo 2030

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday submitted a bid for Rome to host World Expo 2030 while proposing to "carry history together into the future."

2023-06-21T05:46+0000

2023-06-21T05:46+0000

2023-06-21T05:46+0000

beyond politics

giorgia meloni

rome

world

italy

bureau of international expositions (bie)

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday submitted a bid for Rome to host World Expo 2030 while proposing to "carry history together into the future." "Sustainable development, strong partnerships between countries, responsible and inclusive cooperation with the most vulnerable, a legacy of progress for the international community - these are the cornerstones of our project," Meloni said during a presentation at the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris, adding that "Rome was the first megalopolis in history, the capital of culture and home to one of the largest universities in Europe, a city with an ancient heart that beats to the rhythm of a history in which it has been a key player." Meloni recalled Rome's role in the dialogue of monotheistic religions and that the city is the headquarters of dozens of international organizations. The theme of the Expo in Italy would be "peoples and territories: revitalization, inclusion and innovation," with a focus on the environment and human rights, she said. The prime minister added that the Expo would not end after the six months that the event lasts in the event of Rome winning the bid, but pavilions would remain for any country that would ask for it. The South Korean city of Busan and Saudi's Arabia capital Riyadh are also bidding to host World Expo 2030. The prime minister wished Rome's competitors good luck.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220128/expo-2020-in-dubai-russian-pharma-industry-adapts-to-pandemic-open-to-cooperation-with-arab-world-1092557663.html

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italian prime minister giorgia meloni, world expo 2030
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/kazakh-foreign-ministry-proposes-ending-meetings-on-syria-in-astana-format-1111356789.html

Kazakh Foreign Ministry Proposes Ending Meetings on Syria in Astana Format

Kazakh Foreign Ministry Proposes Ending Meetings on Syria in Astana Format

Kazakhstan proposes that the recent, 20th Astana talks on Syria become the final round of meetings in this format, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Kanat Tumysh said on Wednesday.

2023-06-21T09:06+0000

2023-06-21T09:06+0000

2023-06-21T09:06+0000

world

syria

astana

kazakhstan

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Kazakhstan proposes that the recent, 20th Astana talks on Syria become the final round of meetings in this format, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Kanat Tumysh said on Wednesday."We propose declaring the 20th international meeting the final round of the Astana process on Syria. We ask that this decision be included in the joint statement," Tumysh said during a plenary session after the 20th round of talks. Kazakhstan's proposal can be partially explained by "the return of Syria to the Arab family," the senior diplomat added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230510/lavrov-meets-with-iranian-turkish-syrian-counterparts-in-moscow-1110233449.html

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astana talks, final round of meetings, kazakh deputy foreign minister kanat tumysh
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/kremlin-on-bidens-words-on-xi-us-pursuing-controversial-unpredictable-policy-1111357915.html

Kremlin on Biden's Xi Comment: US Pursuing Controversial, Unpredictable Policy

Kremlin on Biden's Xi Comment: US Pursuing Controversial, Unpredictable Policy

The United States is pursuing a controversial and unpredictable policy, but this is Washington's business, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, commenting on the recent statement by US President Joe Biden.

2023-06-21T09:40+0000

2023-06-21T09:40+0000

2023-06-21T10:48+0000

world

joe biden

dmitry peskov

china

kremlin

xi jinping

us

chinese balloon over us

russia

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During his address to his supporters in California on Tuesday, the US president said that Xi did not have all the information about the incident with the balloon earlier this year, adding that this was "a great embarrassment for dictators." Earlier in the day, Beijing firmly protested to Washington about the recent statement by Joe Biden."China expresses acute discontent and strong protest," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters, noting that Biden's remarks are "extremely absurd, extremely irresponsible, contradict the facts, seriously violate diplomatic etiquette, [and] are a serious infringement on China's political dignity and an open political provocation."What Did Biden Say?"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didn't know it was there. I am serious, that was a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened," Biden said at a fundraising event in California on Tuesday.The US leader added that the balloon was blown off course and Xi was very upset and even denied that the balloon was over the US territory.The creation of QUAD, an alliance of Australia, India, Japan and the United States, was another great disappointment for Xi, Biden said."He called me and told me not to do that," Biden said.Additionally, the US president said that when speaking to the Chinese leader over the phone, Xi urged him not to worry too much about China, as the country has "real economic difficulties."In February, the United States detected and later shot down four unidentified flying objects, including a Chinese surveillance balloon. Washington alleged that it was designed to gather intelligence about sensitive military sites in the country. Beijing insisted that the balloon was a mere meteorological device that entered the US airspace accidentally while expressing protest over Pentagon's decision to shoot it down.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/blinken-visits-china-as-us-provocations-continue-to-intensify-1111306434.html

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russia

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china, russia, us, joe biden, xi jinping, kremlin, dmitry peskov
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/london-risks-losing-fortunate-position-in-nato-if-army-downsizing-persists---commander-1111349522.html

London Risks Losing 'Fortunate' Position in NATO If Army Downsizing Persists - Commander

London Risks Losing 'Fortunate' Position in NATO If Army Downsizing Persists - Commander

The UK is only just holding on to its influence in NATO and could lose its "fortunate" position in the alliance if it does not abandon downsizing the army personnel.

2023-06-21T02:23+0000

2023-06-21T02:23+0000

2023-06-21T02:22+0000

military

nato

united kingdom (uk)

ukraine

russia

british army

downsizing

troops

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"I think we [the British Army] are too small ... We do need to grow ... Were in a fortunate position here," Radford said in an interview with UK media. The general noted that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine showed that technological advancement cannot be at the expense of personnel, adding that "equipment is only as good as the people that are managing and operating it." "I think weve had a slight awakening after Ukraine, but we need to do a twin track approach. We need to stay at the leading edge of innovation and technology and lead on that as much as we can. But at the same time it needs to be underpinned with hard fighting power," Radford argued.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/uk-to-boost-number-of-troops-in-kosovo-ahead-of-nato-led-drills-1111124471.html

united kingdom (uk)

ukraine

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uk, nato, downsizing ranks, gen. sir tim radford, the deputy supreme allied commander europe
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/long-costly-legal-battle-awaits-attempt-to-seize-frozen-russian-assets-for-ukraine-reconstruction-1111370843.html

Long, Costly Legal Battle Awaits Attempt to Seize Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Reconstruction

Long, Costly Legal Battle Awaits Attempt to Seize Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Reconstruction

The EU claims to have more than 200 billion in Russian assets frozen in its members banks. Spurred on by Kiev, there have been several threats and attempts to seize that money and give it to Ukraine - so far with no avail.

2023-06-21T18:07+0000

2023-06-21T18:07+0000

2023-06-21T18:07+0000

world

jacques sapir

ukraine

european union (eu)

membership action plan

nato

world bank

reconstruction

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At a conference in London on Wednesday, several Western countries backing Ukraine pledged a total of several billion dollars toward rebuilding Ukraine that will ostensibly pave the way for the countrys incorporation into the European Union and the NATO alliance.Delegates from some 60 countries attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which saw funding pledges that included a $1.3 billion pledge from Washington, $305 million in aid and 3 billion (over $3.8 Bln) in World Bank loan guarantees from London, and $416 million from Berlin, alongside investment pledges by dozens of major multinational corporations such as BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase, and Hyundai Engineering.According to World Bank estimates, the costs of reconstruction exceeded $411 billion as of February 2023. Not included in those estimates are the destruction in front-line cities like Artemovsk (Ukrainian: Bakhmut) where battle has raged in recent months, or the numerous destroyed villages downstream from the Kakhovka dam that was blown up on June 6, triggering extensive flooding along the lower Dneper River.Preparing Kiev for EU, NATOBrussels has said it hopes to incorporate Ukraine into the bloc one day, but that is many years away as Kiev faces numerous hurdles, including problems of corruption and judiciary reform, to say nothing of its present conflict with Moscow.NATO, a separate military alliance also headquartered in the Belgian capital, also has plans to add Ukraine to its membership, although it has similar standards regarding liberal democratic government, corruption, and a resolution of internal and external conflicts that make its addition in the near future unlikely at best.That said, London indicated on Wednesday that it would support waiving those standards in the case of Kiev, with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stating that many of the requirements of the Membership Action Plan are actually being delivered by Ukraine - including, he claimed, reform of the armed forces.While the Ukrainian militarys cooperation with neo-Nazi paramilitary groups to suppress and terrorize the Russophone population was well-known before Russia launched its special operation in February 2022, it has since openly incorporated those elements into its armed forces as regular units.Attempting to Seize Russian AssetsSeveral Western nations have also proposed seizing the Russian assets in foreign banks, which were frozen at the start of the conflict as a retaliatory measure, and using them to finance the reconstruction effort.However, the legality of such a move remains in question. Jacques Sapir, Director of Studies at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) in Paris, told Sputnik that doing so would induce an extremely long and costly legal procedure and would prevent any reconciliation with Russia.Corruption Keeps Companies SkepticalSapir said the West was pushing ahead with the rebuilding program as a result of the failure of the long-vaunted Ukrainian counteroffensive to make significant headway against Russian lines.We know that several heads of State in Europe, and specifically [French President Emmanuel] Macron, are considering that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is now bogged down and will not produce significant results, he said. Still, I dont think it was the main reason for the new financial package. European countries cant do more than what they have done in the military field. Stocks are now empty and it will take years to recomplete them. But rebuilding Ukraine and preventing a complete financial and economic collapse is still a priority. That would explain this new plan.Sapir said Ukraines corruption problems are well-known and so deep that Kiev would require a supervisory structure for many years to come, otherwise there is a risk that a share of the economic aid would be wasted and would end up in a secret foreign bank account.I understand perfectly that for Ukrainians it would be against their own sovereignty. But, without this structure, private direct investments would be few.Sapir noted that while some 400 companies from 38 countries have verbally committed to investing in Ukraine, the proposed rebuilding effort was still being funded primarily by contributions from governments because a reliance on financial markets to do so would probably have levied too high a cost.Here again it is important to consider the stretch of time on which this amount is to be disbursed. If one considers an eight-year period, we will reach a $56 billion-a-year limit. The EU could fund half of this amount by combining member states resources AND the financial market. Of course, if the European Central Bank agrees to back specific securities, one could reach the total amount. But, this is a tricky decision now that the ECB is engaged in a rate-raising process.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/ukraine-talks-with-western-weapons-makers-to-boost-home-production-just-a-money-scam--analyst-1111351901.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/kiev-regime-reportedly-cant-account-for-hundreds-of-millions-in-weapons-1111308886.html

ukraine

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Fantine Gardinier

ukraine; reconstruction; russian assets; london
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/moldova-does-not-have-enough-money-to-meet-all-demands-of-farmers---prime-minister-1111361049.html

Moldova Does Not Have Enough Money to Meet All Demands of Farmers - Prime Minister

Moldova Does Not Have Enough Money to Meet All Demands of Farmers - Prime Minister

Moldova's government does not have the necessary financial resources to fulfill all the demands of farmers, but some requests of agricultural producers are already being implemented, Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.

2023-06-21T11:07+0000

2023-06-21T11:07+0000

2023-06-21T11:07+0000

world

moldova

ukraine

farmers

agriculture

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Moldova's government does not have the necessary financial resources to fulfill all the demands of farmers, but some requests of agricultural producers are already being implemented, Prime Minister Dorin Recean said. "The government understands the difficulties in the agricultural sector and is seeking solutions, including with European partners, to be together with the farmers. I discussed this on the square with representatives of the Power of Farmers association," the prime minister said on Facebook*.He said the association is demanding too much from the government now. He said the government helps farmers with specific measures, for example subsidies, taking into account their requests. The protesters demand that the government suspend or limit grain imports from Ukraine, provide compensation for Moldovan grain producers - about 3,000 lei per hectare ($170), and also ask to pay off last year's subsidy arrears and refund VAT for fuel. In 2022, Moldovan farmers also held protests, took tractors to highways to draw attention to their problems: drought, rising fuel prices, higher prices for fertilizers and pesticides, problems with crop export routes.*Facebook and its parent company Meta is outlawed as an extremist organization in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230518/moldovas-farmers-stand-ready-to-declare-indefinite-protest-starting-june-7-1110430472.html

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ukraine

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demands of farmers, necessary financial resources, agricultural producers
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/moscow-reports-about-kievs-failed-attempt-at-terrorist-attack-on-moscow-region-using-uavs-1111353162.html

Kiev's Attempted Terror Drone Attack on Moscow Region Thwarted, Russia Says

Kiev's Attempted Terror Drone Attack on Moscow Region Thwarted, Russia Says

Kiev tried to carry out a terrorist attack on objects in the Moscow Region, using drones, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

2023-06-21T06:32+0000

2023-06-21T06:32+0000

2023-07-16T05:54+0000

russia

moscow

kiev

moscow region

russian defense ministry

uav

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Kiev tried to carry out a terrorist attack on objects in the Moscow Region, using drones, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. "Today, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on objects in the Moscow region with three aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles was thwarted," the ministry said in a statement, adding that all UAVs were suppressed by means of electronic warfare. As a result of the failed terrorist attack, there were no casualties or damage, the statement read.Special services are currently working on the site and the scene has been cordoned off.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230617/russia-repels-ukraines-drone-attack-on-druzhba-pipeline-in-bryansk-region-1111243096.html

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terrorist attack, moscow region, drones, kiev's failed attempt
A federal judge blocked Arkansas' ban on transgender gender-affirming medical care for minors, a victory for trans youth and their families.

The law, passed in 2021, is the first-ever law in the United States (US) to prohibit doctors from providing gender-confirming hormone therapy, puberty blockers, or surgery to underage folks.

Federal Judge Blocks Arkansas Trans Medical Care Ban for Kids

According to NBC News, Eastern District Arkansas US District Judge James Moody Jr. declared the ban on transgender medical care for kids unconstitutional. His latest ruling overturns and permanently blocks the law banning gender-affirming care for the underage.

The federal judge argued that the Arkansas law violates the First Amendment and 14th Amendment. Judge Moody Jr. wrote, "Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients." And as such, he says that the law prohibiting such medical care "undermined the interest it claims to be advancing."

NBC News notes that it was the first time a judge had overturned a ban on gender-affirming care altogether. A total of 19 other states have laws similar to the prohibition in Arkansas, and as of writing, other states are also on the verge of passing similar measures.

As per CNN, the 80-page ruling of the judge rules that the law passed in 2021 is permanently banned from taking effect due to its violations of the US Constitution. Laws.

However, it is worth noting that federal judges have temporarily blocked the ban in other states, such as Indiana. CNN reports that Moody Jr. temporarily blocked the Arkansas law from taking effect last June 2021.

Read Also: Donald Trump Likely to Pardon Himself if Re-Elected President, Asa Hutchinson Predicts

Arkansas Plans to Appeal the Trans Medical Care Ban Ruling

Although the ruling only applies to Arkansas, the decision has broader implications beyond state boundaries. It sets a crucial precedent for similar cases across the country and reinforces the rights of transgender minors to receive gender-affirming care.

However, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin slammed the decision to block the law. He says, "I am disappointed in the decision that prevents our state from protecting our children against dangerous medical experimentation."

As The Guardian reports, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson vetoed the bill when the Republican lawmakers passed it in 2021. However, they overrode the veto to enact the law.

Hutchinson's successor, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who signed the law last March to reinstate that ban, criticized the latest ruling. In a recent tweet, she blurted, "Only in the far left's woke vision of America is it not appropriate to protect children."

Related Article: Missing Missouri Doctor Found Dead in Arkansas Lake Days After Proposing to Fiancee

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/russias-deputy-foreign-minister-swiss-ambassador-discuss-implementation-of-istanbul-deal---moscow-1111351449.html

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Swiss Ambassador Discuss Implementation of Istanbul Deal

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Swiss Ambassador Discuss Implementation of Istanbul Deal

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Swiss Ambassador to Moscow Krystyna Marty Lang discussed the implementation of the Istanbul agreements, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

2023-06-21T04:55+0000

2023-06-21T04:55+0000

2023-07-17T11:38+0000

sergey vershinin

russia

the united nations (un)

istanbul

grain

black sea grain deal

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Swiss Ambassador to Moscow Krystyna Marty Lang discussed the implementation of the Istanbul agreements, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "A detailed exchange of views took place on various issues of bilateral cooperation at international sites with an emphasis on coordination within UN organizations in Geneva, including the UN Human Rights Council. The implementation of the Istanbul 'package' agreements to ensure the supply of food and fertilizers to world markets was discussed," the ministry said. Provision of comprehensive international humanitarian assistance to Syria was also considered, taking into account Bern's informal supervision of this dossier in the UN Security Council in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2672, which envisions, in addition to "cross-border" aid supplies, the establishment of broad and sustainable internal access through the lines of contact and implementation of projects for the early restoration of civilian infrastructure. Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN reached an agreement on July 22, 2022 to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships carrying food and fertilizer exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. On May 18, 2023, Russia extended the deal, called the Black Sea Grain Initiative, for 60 days, until July 17. The deal is an integral part of a package agreement. The second part - the Russia-UN memorandum, designed for three years - envisions the unblocking of Russian exports of food and fertilizers, the reconnection of the Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT, the resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery, spare parts and services, the restoration of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and a number of other measures. Moscow says this part of the package agreement has not been implemented yet.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/russia-believes-grain-deal-will-end-on-july-18-1111330768.html

russia

istanbul

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russian deputy foreign minister sergey vershinin, swiss ambassador to moscow krystyna marty lang, istanbul agreements
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/russias-nuclear-triad-ensures-global-balance-of-power---putin-1111362453.html

Russia's Nuclear Triad Ensures Global Balance of Power - Putin

Russia's Nuclear Triad Ensures Global Balance of Power - Putin

Russia's nuclear triad makes it possible to maintain a balance of power in the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

2023-06-21T12:10+0000

2023-06-21T12:10+0000

2023-06-21T13:52+0000

world

vladimir putin

russia

nuclear arsenal

yars missile

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Russia's nuclear triad makes it possible to maintain a balance of power in the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. "Russia's nuclear triad makes it possible to effectively and reliably ensure strategic deterrence and maintain a global balance of power. This is an expression of the results of the colossal long-term work of our enterprises, design bureaus, workers and engineers, military and civilian specialists," Putin said at a meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions. About half of the units of Russia's strategic missile forces are equipped with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems, the president said, adding that Russia will continue the development of the nuclear triad.On Ukrainian CounteroffensiveSpeaking about situation in the zone of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, President Putin siad that the Ukrainian forces are suffering huge casualties during their counteroffensive.Putin recalled that Kievs offensive started on June 4, and the Ukrainian military is using strategic reserves."Oddly enough, we are seeing some sort of calmness. This is due to the fact that the enemy is suffering serious losses both in personnel and in equipment," Putin said.The Russian president also said that Ukraine is afraid of suffering huge losses in the future as it may lead to them losing their military potential."Some elements of hostilities, of course, take place - shelling, reconnaissance-in-force. So far, active offensive operations have not been carried out," Putin said.Vladimir Putin added that Russia will keep supplying strike robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles to its national troops, with production of the equipment scheduled to be increased and accelerated."The improvement of the production of counter-battery systems will continue, just like the supply to the troops of unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic strike systems, which have acquitted themselves well in combat conditions. We will boost their mass production," Putin said at a meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions.Strengthening the army remains Russia's priority, Putin added, adding that the country would continue to improve its armed forces, as well as develop the latest models of armored vehicles, strike combat and air defense systems.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230603/whats-behind-us-new-start-countermeasures-and-whos-poised-to-lose-the-most-1110875137.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230617/scott-ritter-ukrainian-counteroffensives-second-week-ends-in-failure-1111243899.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/scott-ritter-ukraines-counter-offensive-loses-momentum-as-logistics-falters-1111363622.html

Scott Ritter: Ukraine's Counteroffensive Loses Momentum as Logistics Falters

Scott Ritter: Ukraine's Counteroffensive Loses Momentum as Logistics Falters

The Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia has been largely futile due to a mismatch between political objectives and military capabilities to achieve them, leading to a political endgame favoring Russia.

2023-06-21T16:50+0000

2023-06-21T16:50+0000

2023-06-21T16:51+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

armed forces of ukraine

high mobility artillery rocket system (himars)

the united nations (un)

crimea

russia

ukraine

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viral

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With Ukraine's current military condition desperate and dire, the political leadership in Kiev may be planning to target Crimea with Western-supplied HIMARS and Storm Shadow missiles, Sergey Shoigu, Russia's defense minister, said. Speaking at the Russian Defense Ministry Board Session, he warned, the "[d]eployment of these particular missiles outside the special military operation zone will be regarded as direct involvement of the US and UK in the conflict and will result in immediate retaliatory strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine's territory."Scott Ritter believes that the rationale for Ukraine's move is to provoke an intervention by the West, stressing, however, "they've lost this war."Despite a seemingly impressive army on paper, Ritter explained to Sputnik that the Ukrainian forces cannot penetrate Russia's fortified defenses, which he describes as "one of the most heavily fortified defensive positions in the history of modern warfare." As the Ukrainian Armed Forces falter and stand at the precipice of collapse in their counter-offensive, Ritters view of the Russian military stands in stark contrast, as he believes they have managed to quietly amass a significant force, maintaining a notable numerical advantage and demonstrate strategic prudence in their operations.Ritter underlined the chaotic and disorganized nature of Ukraine's defense logistics system, asserting that large quantities of military aid are being mismanaged or lost in transit. Furthermore, he pointed out that Ukraine has a notorious reputation for corruption, which may exacerbate the issue. According to him, accountability for this military aid is being overlooked mainly by the West due to the intensity of the ongoing conflict. A recent US media report says Ukrainian government documents show that over $800 million have been spent by Ukraine since 2022 on partially or completely unfulfilled arms supply contracts.For more in-depth analysis on the issue, check our Fault Lines broadcast.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230617/scott-ritter-ukrainian-counteroffensives-second-week-ends-in-failure-1111243899.html

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ukrainian counteroffensive, scott ritter, russia, russia-ukraine conflict, crimea, himars, storm shadow, missiles, armed force of ukraine, usa, uk, russian federation, retaliatory strikes, ukrainian forces, russia fortified defenses, ukrainian defense logistics, conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/surovikin-defensive-line-impregnable-kiev-should-sue-for-peace-to-avoid-further-losses-1111373042.html

'Surovikin Defensive Line' Impregnable, Kiev Should Sue for Peace to Avoid Further Losses

'Surovikin Defensive Line' Impregnable, Kiev Should Sue for Peace to Avoid Further Losses

The former head of Estonian foreign intelligence has acknowledged that Kievs summer offensive has been brought to a standstill by the long defensive lines along the entire length of the front prepared by Russia. How have Russian troops been able to halt the NATO-trained, armed and equipped Ukrainian forces? Sputnik spoke to experts to find out.

2023-06-21T19:06+0000

2023-06-21T19:06+0000

2023-06-21T19:30+0000

sergei surovikin

vladimir putin

russia

ukraine

nato

us army

russia's special operation in ukraine

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The colloquially named Surovikin Defensive Line has thrashed Ukrainian forces, with the Russian military reporting thousands of enemy casualties and the destruction of nearly 200 tanks and over 400 armored vehicles over the past two weeks.Named after Sergei Surovikin, the Russian general who commanded the Joint Group of Forces in the Special Military Operation Zone last fall and winter, and who was charged with the task of preparing Russian defenses for a Ukrainian counteroffensive, the Surovikin Line consists of vast networks of zigzag infantry trenches, anti-tank dragons teeth, berms and minefields across a frontline that stretches hundreds of kilometers.Kievs long-awaited counteroffensive  expected since March, began in early June, and is now widely acknowledged to have bogged down, with even senior Ukrainian officials and their Western patrons admitting in recent days that Ukrainian forces have wasted significant resources and lives probing the highly-fortified Russian defensive lines.The Ukrainians are yet to push deeply into Russian defensive lines, Rainer Sachs, the former head of Estonian Foreign Intelligence who until about a month ago believed that Kiev had been successful in creating the preconditions for an offensive, said this week. Russia considers it very important to hold onto the southern part of the front, so more defensive lines have been built there, the intelligence analyst said.The term Surovikin Line is actually a product of Western tabloid media, and was originally used to mock Russias military preparations, and dismissed as grandiosely senseless and completely insane in terms of uselessness  but wildly expensive in terms of execution cost.The past weeks have proven otherwise, with President Putin announcing late last week that despite some local gains, Ukrainian forces failed to penetrate even the first layer of the network of defensive lines anywhere along the front, instead becoming trapped and facing horrendous casualties.Citing reports that Ukrainian troops have taken ten times more casualties and lost three times more tanks than Russian forces in the past two weeks, Pyne said that the longer the counteroffensive continues, the heavier Ukrainian casualties will be and the more vulnerable Ukraine will be to a Russian counteroffensive that could enable Russia to take control over western Donetsk [Region] and perhaps Kharkov [Region] as well.If that happens, Pyne said, the peace terms Russia will offer will likely be significantly worse than the peace terms it is offering Ukraine today. Accordingly, he said, Western leaders must face the reality that there is no chance Ukraine can defeat Russia and therefore we must negotiate the best deal for Ukraine we can get without further delay.Boyan Bilbia, a columnist and former editor at Politika, Serbias oldest newspaper, says the last weeks have demonstrated that defeating the Russian defensive network now looks like an absolutely impossible mission even for a much more powerful military force than Ukraine, and agreed with Pyne that Kiev and its backers should start peace negotiations immediately.It would be something out of the realm of science fiction if Kiev could, progressing at the same pace as they are now, turn the tide of hostilities, occupy Crimea and so on. It looks absolutely unrealistic. For Ukraine, its better to start peace negotiations as soon as possible, because the situation for Kiev will continue to get worse and worse, the journalist predicted.Key to Success: Layered DefensesThe key to the success of Russias defenses is their layered defense of three lines, Bilbia said.The defense of the first line is conducted not to the bitter end, but to the extent that it can be without losses. The Ukrainians were barely able to break through the first, simplest layer in some areas of this three-layer line, which in some places has a depth of up to 30 km, he said.Lebanese military expert Amin Hteyt calls the Surovikin Line is unique and unprecedented in its construction and reliance on a sequential plan that takes into account all possible attacks and actions of the enemy, and based on strongpoints which simultaneously allow for offensive and defensive operations..The line is based on the construction of both stationary and mobile defenses simultaneously, and is effective not only in fortified areas, but also has advantages in terms of fire and supporting troops moving in depth. The line is characterized by its unprecedented intensity of fire and the ability to move in three directions at once, which made it possible to destroy Ukrainian Armed Forces at several points. There is no possibility of a breakthrough by Ukrainian forces, since all existing lines adapt to an offensive and contain it extremely effectively, the observer said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/ukraines-offensive-runs-into-russian-defensive-wall--ex-estonian-spy-chief-1111361416.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230618/west-likely-alarmed-about-uncertainty-over-ukraine-counteroffensive-1111259285.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/ukrainian-tank-crews-feign-breakdowns-to-avoid-combat-1111358862.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/sweden-to-procure-up-to-3000-nato-compatible-military-trucks-from-italy-1111352900.html

Sweden to Procure Up to 3,000 NATO-Compatible Military Trucks From Italy

Sweden to Procure Up to 3,000 NATO-Compatible Military Trucks From Italy

Having abandoned non-alignment and applied to NATO, Sweden is en route to raising its military expenditure and is in the process of re-establishing bases and units.

2023-06-21T12:31+0000

2023-06-21T12:31+0000

2023-06-21T12:31+0000

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The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration has signed a framework agreement with the Italian company Iveco Defense Vehicles (IDV) to provide up to 3,000 light vehicles to the Swedish Armed Forces.The initial order will be for 400 Light Multi-Purpose Vehicles (LMPV) of the MUV 44 (Military Utility Vehicle) type at a cost of SEK 850 million ($79 million). Iveco will also provide Sweden with associated maintenance and services.The Framework Agreement extends over four years (from 2023 until 2027) with the option to extend the agreement for an additional five years.The first delivery to the Armed Forces will take place at the end of 2024 and the majority of the vehicles will be delivered in 2025.What is MUV 4x4?The MUV 4x4 is the successor to Iveco's M40E15-WM purpose-built vehicle. The latest version is touted as rugged, mobile and deployable in austere environments in temperatures from ranging from minus 32 to plus 49 degrees Celsius. It is NATO-compatible can carry payloads weighing up to 4,000 kilograms.The MUV 44 is available in 12 different variants including troop transport vehicles, medical variant vehicles, communication vehicles, logistic vehicles, and dog transport (with a special compartment for service dogs), all with several combinations in terms of gross vehicle weight, chassis, cab, engine and driveline.Sweden's Military BuildupOver the past decade, Sweden has been engulfed in a militarist push as Cold War-era rhetoric has started to return. The nation in effect abandoned all pretence to non-alignment as it last year applied to NATO and is en route to raising its military expenditure to the alliance's target level of 2 percent  a process that may take until the late 2020s.In recent years, the Swedish military has adopted a more generous spending plan envisaging the opening and reopening of military sites and units decommissioned after the end of the Cold War during the short window when Sweden was reaping "peace dividends." In 2019, for example, Sweden re-inaugurated its giant underground naval base in the southern part of the Stockholm archipelago at Musko. The base, dug inside a rock in the Sixties, was designed to provide Swedish vessels with subterranean docks safe from attack.The funds also underpin the procurement of costly materiel, such as the US-made Patriot air defense systems.Furthermore, the strategic Baltic Sea island of Gotland was re-militarized and conscription was reintroduced - all accompanied by the incessant talk of the "Russian threat" and borderline comical attempts to find a "Russian trace" in all the ongoing events such as alleged submarine sightings or making it the scapegoat for economic woes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/as-nato-bid-fizzles-sweden-conjures-up-cold-war-boogeyman-of-russian-attack-1111270503.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/taiwan-spots-19-chinese-military-aircraft-near-island-on-wednesday---defense-ministry-1111360706.html

Taiwan Spots 19 Chinese Military Aircraft Near Island on Wednesday - Defense Ministry

Taiwan Spots 19 Chinese Military Aircraft Near Island on Wednesday - Defense Ministry

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that 19 aircraft and five ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) were seen approaching the island.

2023-06-21T10:59+0000

2023-06-21T10:59+0000

2023-06-21T11:00+0000

military

taiwan

beijing

chinese people's liberation army (pla)

kevin mccarthy

china

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The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that 19 aircraft and five ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) were seen approaching the island. The ministry added that the Taiwanese military monitored the situation and tasked its aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to "respond these activities." Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous entity but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official foreign contacts with Taipei and regards Chinese sovereignty over the island as indisputable.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230611/taipei-claims-24-chinese-military-jets-detected-near-taiwan-strait-on-sunday-1111066299.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/three-vessels-join-search-for-titanic-tourist-submersible---us-coast-guard-1111369920.html

Three Vessels Join Search for Titanic Tourist Submersible - US Coast Guard

Three Vessels Join Search for Titanic Tourist Submersible - US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard said on Wednesday that three additional vessels have joined the search-and-rescue efforts this morning for the submersible Titan that went missing on a dive to the wreck of the Titanic.

2023-06-21T16:49+0000

2023-06-21T16:49+0000

2023-06-21T16:49+0000

beyond politics

us coast guard

titanic

us

submersible

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The US Coast Guard said on Wednesday that three additional vessels have joined the search-and-rescue efforts this morning for the submersible Titan that went missing on a dive to the wreck of the Titanic. "Three vessels arrived on-scene Wednesday morning. The John Cabot has side-scanning sonar capabilities and is conducting search patterns alongside the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin," the First Coast Guard District announced via Twitter. Earlier in the day, US media pointed out that searching crews had detected "acoustic feedback" and it resembled knocking sounds. Data obtained by the searching aircraft has been transferred to US Navy experts for analysis, the report said. Hamish Harding, a billionaire and adventure traveler, Shahzada Dawood, vice chairman of the Pakistani corporation Engro, and his son Suleman, have been confirmed to be on board the submersible. Media reported that French maritime expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate Expeditions President Stockton Rush are also in the submersible.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/what-do-we-know-so-far-about-missing-titanic-sub-1111353917.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/top-notch-diplomacy-state-dept-doesnt-think-bidens-dictator-remark-needs-further-clarification-1111372705.html

Top-Notch Diplomacy: State Dept. Doesn't Think Biden's 'Dictator' Remark Needs Further Clarification

Top-Notch Diplomacy: State Dept. Doesn't Think Biden's 'Dictator' Remark Needs Further Clarification

State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Wednesday he believes that US President Joe Bidens "dictator" remark regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping does not need further clarification.

2023-06-21T18:46+0000

2023-06-21T18:46+0000

2023-06-21T18:46+0000

americas

joe biden

china

us

xi jinping

chinese balloon over us

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State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Wednesday he believes that US President Joe Bidens "dictator" remark regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping does not need further clarification. He further said that the United States and China continue to have "differences and disagreements," but Washington believes diplomacy is the only way forward in bilateral relations."It should come as no surprise, of course, that we have differences and disagreements with the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] and the President [Biden] believes that diplomacy, including this recent trip undertaken by the Secretary [of State Antony Blinken] is a responsible way to manage tensions, clear up misperceptions, avoid miscalculations, and all of this is in our interest to do that. That does not mean, of course, we will not be blunt and forthright about our differences," Patel said during a press briefing.Earlier on Wednesday, Biden said that Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not have all the information about the incident involving a Chinese balloon that the United States shot down, adding that it was a "great embarrassment for dictators."Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said Beijing had expressed a strong protest to Washington regarding Biden's recent statement about Xi.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/kremlin-on-bidens-words-on-xi-us-pursuing-controversial-unpredictable-policy-1111357915.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/chinese-foreign-ministry-expresses-protest-over-bidens-remarks-about-xi-jinping-1111355108.html

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us, china, us-china relations, xi jinping, joe biden, baden calls xi dictator, americans call it diplomacy
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/trump-leads-biden-in-polls-blinken-china-meeting-ukraine-threatens-crimea-1111348239.html

Trump Leads Biden in Polls; Blinken China Meeting; Ukraine Threatens Crimea

Trump Leads Biden in Polls; Blinken China Meeting; Ukraine Threatens Crimea

Former President Donald Trump is maintaining a lead over Joe Biden in the 2024 election race despite recent charges levied against him.

2023-06-21T04:06+0000

2023-06-21T04:06+0000

2023-06-21T11:06+0000

the critical hour

radio

donald trump

cornel west

iran

saudi arabia

hollywood

antony blinken

ukraine

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Trump Leads Biden in Polls; Blinken China Meeting; Ukraine Threatens Crimea Former President Donald Trump is maintaining a lead over Joe Biden in the 2024 election race despite recent charges levied against him.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that Ukraine planning an attack on Crimea using UK Storm Shadow missiles. Also, Belarusian coup plotters trained in Poland.Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, and Counterpunch, joins us to discuss the 2024 election. Former President Donald Trump is maintaining a lead over Joe Biden in the 2024 election race despite recent charges levied against him. Also, Cornel West blasts Joe Biden and vows to travel to Trump country.KJ Noh, peace activist, teacher, writer, joins us to discuss China. US ties may be mending but the road ahead is tough. Also, the Prime Minister of India is coming to DC and the US is sending nuclear submarines to the Korean peninsula.Jon Jeter, journalist, and author, joins us to discuss the new world order. Saudi Arabia is creating a naval alliance with Iran as a new non-aligned world order takes form. Also, Africa is becoming a world influence.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss Julian Assange. The Assange trial is an unholy masquerade of tyranny disguised as justice and his imminent extradition means the death of journalism.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss foreign policy. Secretary Blinken's trip to China may ease tensions for a bit but the hawks in DC have alternative options to create mischief. Also, the President of France may be defying the US empire.Caleb Maupin, journalist, and political analyst, joins us to discuss domestic issues and BRICS. BRICS emerges as US interests take second place to the needs of the Global South. Also, the FBI creates fake terrorists and Hollywood provides subtle propaganda.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.

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the critical hour, trump leads in polls; blinken in china; ukraine threatens crimea, uk storm shadow missiles, cornel west presidential bid, nuclear submarines to the korean peninsula, julian assange, blinken's trip to china, brics
(Photo : SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Barbara Wible was hospitalized earlier this month and her organization, Canine Lifeline, was not aware of the dead dogs in her house.

Authorities in Mantua, Ohio, discovered 146 deceased dogs at the home of an animal rescue organization's "founding operator" last Friday (June 16).

The Portage Animal Protective League stated a search occurred at the house of Canine Lifeline president Barbara Wible. "Inside the home, the Humane Agent discovered 146 deceased dogs in varying stages of decay," the statement wrote Monday (June 19).

It was further reported many of the dogs were found dead while confined within their crates. Authorities plan to conduct necropsies to determine how the dogs died.

"She just left. Not a care in the world," Wible's neighbor Jon Collier told local TV station WKYC.

Read Also: TIMELINE: Bulldogs Marshall and Millions' Brutal Killing in London

In response, Canine Lifeline wrote a statement on Facebook saying Wible was hospitalized on June 2 after she collapsed in her home. Nevertheless, they expressed their shock about the discovery at her Mantua home, saying they are "grieving [the] tragedy" and are cooperating with authorities about the discovery.

"No volunteers were aware of any medical conditions that Wible had been diagnosed with prior to this most recent hospitalization, nor were any aware of the number of dogs she harbored, nor the condition of her home," the group stated.

Meanwhile, surviving dogs from Wible's Parma home were taken to an animal shelter in that community. Both Mantua and Parma are towns near Cleveland.

Related Article: Man Stabs Pit Bull to Death in Central Park After Argument With Dog Walker

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/trump-the-peacekeeper-1111348533.html

Trump the Peacekeeper

Trump the Peacekeeper

Trump sat down with Fox News in an interview and told the host that he would like to be viewed as less "controversial".

2023-06-21T00:36+0000

2023-06-21T00:36+0000

2023-06-21T00:36+0000

political cartoons

donald john trump jr.

bret baier

fox news

cartoons

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In an interview with Fox News Bret Baier that aired on Monday night, former US President Donald Trump voiced his frustration at being seen as combative, going on to blame the media for its coverage of him. It's worth noting that the remark is a consistent complaint made by the former president about the media, especially during his years in office.Earlier in the interview, of which a second part will be released on Tuesday evening, Baier derailed Trumps 2020 election claim that his successor had not won fairly. Trump made a quip later in the interview, by saying Fox News is now watched by a lot fewer viewers than it once maintained.At one point, Baier, who has been hailed for his handling of the interview by talk show hosts on The View as well as MSNBC news anchors, began listing former associates and aides turned their backs on Trump after he left office. That clip has since gone viral.The interview proved damning for Trump, as the former president appeared to essentially confessed to mishandling classified documents, legal experts have said. The remarks came days after he pleaded not guilty to 37 federal counts in the Mar-a-Lago case.

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donald trump, fox news, bret baier, america, us politics
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/uae-to-launch-satellite-on-soyuz-2-from-russias-vostochny-next-week---dubai-media-office-1111350983.html

UAE to Launch Satellite on Soyuz-2 From Russia's Vostochny Next Week - Dubai Media Office

UAE to Launch Satellite on Soyuz-2 From Russia's Vostochny Next Week - Dubai Media Office

The United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) next week will launch a satellite into space from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome on a Soyuz-2 carrier rocket, the Government of Dubai Media Office said Tuesday.

2023-06-21T04:41+0000

2023-06-21T04:41+0000

2023-06-21T04:41+0000

beyond politics

russia

uae

vostochny cosmodrome

satellite

science & tech

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The United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) next week will launch a satellite into space from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome on a Soyuz-2 carrier rocket, the Government of Dubai Media Office said Tuesday. The office added that the initiative will be jointly led by MBRSC and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, which will be "at the forefront of global collaborations, providing space access and hastening the sustainable progression of novel space technologies." MBRSC said on Twitter that the modular satellite platform was created in 2022 as part of the Payload Hosting Initiative in partnership with the world's first global satellite 5G operator, OQ Technology, and SteamJet, which will deliver an Internet of Things (IoT) communication payload that will store and forward data collected from Internet-connected devices located in remote areas using 5G into orbit. MBRSC Director General Salem Al Marri tweeted that PHI-Demo "is a 100% Emirati developed satellite with all its mechanical components completed in the #UAE in collaboration with the private sector." He added that the initiative's goal is to "ensure access for everyone to take part in the development and exploration journey." The Russian authorities have earlier said that PHI-Demo would be an additional payload during the launch of a Meteor-M weather satellite. A Russian government decree published in early June read that 42 small satellites, including one from each Belarus, Malaysia and the UAE, would be carried by the rocket.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230224/russias-rocket-with-unmanned-spaceship-launched-to-iss-to-replace-soyuz-ms-22-spacecraft-1107754394.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/ukraine-talks-with-western-weapons-makers-to-boost-home-production-just-a-money-scam--analyst-1111351901.html

Ukraine's Talks With Western Weapons-Makers to Boost Home Production 'Just a Money Scam' - Analyst

Ukraine's Talks With Western Weapons-Makers to Boost Home Production 'Just a Money Scam' - Analyst

If Ukraine is in talks with Western arms manufacturers to boost production of weapons on its own soil, this is likely no more than a money scam on the part of the Kiev regime, military analyst Vasily Dandykin told Sputnik.

2023-06-21T08:58+0000

2023-06-21T08:58+0000

2023-06-21T11:02+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

ukraine crisis

vladimir putin

sergei boyev

volodymyr zelensky

donbass

european union (eu)

kalibr

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If Ukraine is in talks with Western arms manufacturers to boost production of weapons on its own soil, this is probably no more than a scam on the part of the Kiev regime, military analyst Vasily Dandykin told Sputnik.As Western-made weaponry provided to Kiev is consistently destroyed by Russian forces, and Ukraine fails to reach any strategic objectives amid its ongoing counteroffensive, the authorities in Kiev are not only haggling for more military support, but are apparently looking for solutions from outside to rebuild their tattered military-industrial sector. Now, Ukraine is purportedly about to sign contracts with military companies in Germany, France, Italy, and eastern Europe, including for the production of drones, according to Sergiy Boyev, deputy minister for Strategic Industries in Ukraine, addressing Western media."We are in very detailed discussions with them. And we are certain that we will have the contract agreements signed within the next few months," Boyev was cited as saying on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.Last month, President Volodomyr Zelensky claimed there had been talks with UK defense company BAE Systems to build everything ranging from tanks to artillery on Ukraine soil. Still earlier, Germany's Rheinmetall touted a joint venture with Ukraine's Ukroboronprom to build and repair tanks in Ukraine. Now, a spate of reports point to further plans of moving foreign production of weapons to Ukraine.But Dandykin, a retired Russian naval officer, has asserted that Kiev does not want to invest in domestic production, even if it has the opportunity to do so, since it continues to receive mind-boggling financial resources from its Western benefactors.Why bother to invest - he continued - when Kiev is fully aware that Russia has all the possibilities to turn such military production facilities into rubble with a distant strike using aircraft, sea-based missiles, the very same Iskander ballistic missile systems. He clarified that every and any such production facility is a legitimate military target for Russias forces in the course of the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.Those working in the office of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky will soon burst from [an excess of] dollars and euros funneled to support the Wests ongoing proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, he added.He cited the recent news that the European Commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, has unveiled an aid package for Kiev worth 50Bln euros ($55Bln), set aside to rebuild Ukraine. However, Russias forces only target military facilities, said Dandykin, unlike the Kiev regime, which consistently strikes civilian targets, as it had been doing for years in Donbass. Dandykin said that if any weapons-producing facility begins to be built on Ukrainian territory - by a German company or some other European arms manufacturer - Russia has every right to target the factory with Kalibr cruise missiles, or Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. Russian troops fighting Ukraines regime have already done this several times, striking deep into Ukraine's territory to hit repair units, drone-assembly plants and many other facilities. This also applies to shipbuilding and other objects of military importance.Knowing full well that this is what to expect, Kiev's authorities would be quite content to use donated money and allow Western firms to invest their time and money in building military production on Ukraines soil. Once such facilities were wiped out by Russian forces, the Ukrainian side would simply go begging for more hand-outs, Dandykin added.As for whether incoming Western manufacturers would set up factories directly on the territory of Ukraine, the military analyst believed they will be wary of doing so at present.As to what countries might be more likely to agree to host production facilities churning out weapons for Ukraine, the analyst suggested Poland as a likely option, or boosted production in Slovakia, Germany. However, the question is, when and how will everything which is needed be delivered, especially since the European countries' own stockpiles are being rapidly depleted, and taxpayers' money would be needed to boost such production for the needs of Kiev.The Kiev regime is quickly devouring everything being given to it, said Dandykin. But it has no qualms about begging for more, convinced that the war will write everything off.Looking ahead, the future of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex looks pretty bleak if, indeed, production is transferred to foreign companies, the retired Russian naval officer emphasized. Besides the obvious fact that Ukraine will have ceded it to Western control, at present it is a "legitimate target for Russia's missile and aviation strikes," Dandykin concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/eu-commission-proposes-boosting-blocs-2024-2027-budget-by-72bln-for-ukraine-aid-1111350836.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/kamikaze-tank-used-by-russia-in-ukraine-is-nothing-new-1111344650.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230616/putin-on-ukraines-counteroffensive-kiev-lost-186-tanks-418-armored-vehicles-losses-mounting-1111221996.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/ukraines-offensive-runs-into-russian-defensive-wall--ex-estonian-spy-chief-1111361416.html

Ukraines Offensive Runs Into Russian Defensive Wall  Ex-Estonian Spy Chief

Ukraines Offensive Runs Into Russian Defensive Wall  Ex-Estonian Spy Chief

Ukraines NATO-armed and trained military has lost thousands of troops and hundreds of heavy tanks and armored vehicles since kicking off its so-called counteroffensive on June 4. The military operation comes with extremely high stakes for Kiev, whose military and economy would collapse in days without Western support.

2023-06-21T11:34+0000

2023-06-21T11:34+0000

2023-06-21T11:51+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

sergei surovikin

ukraine

russia

nato

ukrainian armed forces

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/10/1111223184_0:8:1084:618_1920x0_80_0_0_570072583aa65b029162b18ff6bf8cc7.png

The Ukrainian Armed Forces grossly underestimated Russias potential in their attempts to breach Russian defensive lines, former head of Estonian Foreign Intelligence Rainer Sachs has said.The bulk of the fighting is taking place on the southern front, Sachs said in an interview with Estonian television while giving an overview of the strategic situation in the conflict area.The defensive lines the spymaster was referring to are also known as the Surovikin Line, informally named after General Sergei Surovikin, the Russian commander tasked with commanding the Joint Group of Forces in the Special Military Operation Zone between October 2022 and January 2023. It was under Surovikins command that Russia began the large-scale construction of defensive positions in Kherson and Zaporozhye regions in preparation for the long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive. These defensive positions have demonstrated their significance in blunting Ukrainian offensive operations in recent weeks.Pointing to Russian air superiority across the front, Sachs said it would be highly risky for Ukraine to try to cross the Dnepr River and transfer large numbers of troops to areas where defensive positions may be weaker with the help of pontoon bridges. It would be difficult to cover these forces from the air, so I think the Russians can be pretty certain that such a river-crossing operation will not be undertaken by Ukraine, he said. The spy added however that Ukraine is definitely trying to organize special forces raids along the front, with smaller unites designed to go to the other side [of the Dnepr] to irritate Russian defenses.Another problem for Kiev mentioned by Sachs are Russias helicopter gunships, which he pointed out have a firing range beyond that of Ukrainian air defenses, although this also means reduced accuracy and coordination.Sachs comments are a stark reversal from predictions he made just a month ago, when the former spy chief cited Ukraines successful preparations for an offensive. As recently as a week ago, he assured that Ukrainian forces had yet to throw their reserves into battle, and that they may be driving Russian forces into a cleverly designed trap.Footage from the frontlines from recent weeks has shown that Ukraine has lost much of its NATO-provided heavy armor and assault vehicles. Last Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Kiev lost 186 main battle tanks and 418 armored vehicles to date, with Ukraines losses more than ten to one against Russian forces.The United States and its allies have poured tens of billions of dollars in advanced military hardware into Ukraine over the past year-and-a-half, and trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops for the ongoing NATO-Russia proxy war in that country.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/ukrainian-tank-crews-feign-breakdowns-to-avoid-combat-1111358862.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/ukraine-talks-with-western-weapons-makers-to-boost-home-production-just-a-money-scam--analyst-1111351901.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/us-congressman-threatens-blinken-with-subpoena-to-produce-afghanistan-withdrawal-documents-1111369231.html

US Congressman Threatens Blinken With Subpoena to Produce Afghanistan Withdrawal Documents

US Congressman Threatens Blinken With Subpoena to Produce Afghanistan Withdrawal Documents

US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, threatening to subpoena him if the State Department does not produce requested documents related to the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

2023-06-21T16:41+0000

2023-06-21T16:41+0000

2023-06-21T17:45+0000

americas

antony blinken

michael mccaul

afghanistan

us

us withdrawal

us troop withdrawal

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McCaul previously wrote to Blinken on June 8 to warn him that the committee is prepared to pursue a compulsory process if certain materials were not produced by June 15. The State Department produced one priority document by the deadline, but failed to address the other two, McCaul said in the letter, dated June 20. The State Departments most recent reply failed to address requests related to the Afghanistan After-Action Review (AAR) files and the official order initiating a noncombatant evacuation operation, the letter said. The panels request for the Afghanistan AAR is longstanding, dating back to January 12, 2023, the letter added. The letter specifically requests complete and unredacted versions of the requested information. The United States withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, following a rapid takeover of the country by the Taliban (under UN sanctions). The US military led the chaotic evacuation of thousands of people from Afghanistan via the airport in Kabul, where a terrorist attack killed 13 US troops and 170 Afghans. In April, Blinken said that more could and should have been done by the US government to prepare for the fall of Kabul.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230407/blinken-admits-uss-lack-of-preparedness-for-hasty-afghanistan-withdrawal-1109232413.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/us-encounters-record-125-people-on-southern-border-this-year-on-terror-watchlist---cbp-1111351116.html

US Encounters Record 125 People on Southern Border This Year on Terror Watchlist - CBP

US Encounters Record 125 People on Southern Border This Year on Terror Watchlist - CBP

US Border Patrol agents have apprehended a record all-time high 125 individuals along the US-Mexico border so far this year who are on the terrorist watchlist, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data revealed.

2023-06-21T04:45+0000

2023-06-21T04:45+0000

2023-06-21T04:45+0000

americas

us customs and border protection (cbp)

border patrol

us

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US Border Patrol agents have apprehended a record all-time high 125 individuals along the US-Mexico border so far this year who are on the terrorist watchlist, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data revealed. The CBP data released on Tuesday showed that so far in fiscal year 2023, which started in October, 125 individuals caught crossing illegally into the United States along the southern border are on the US terrorist watchlist. The previous record was set last year when 98 individuals on the US terrorist watchlist were apprehended on the southern border. The numbers over the last two years dwarf the number of individuals the Trump administration identified to be on the terrorist watch list who were encountered on the southern border.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/america-lost-control-of-cartel-owned-southern-us-border--1110288105.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/us-justice-is-blind--unless-your-name-is-hunter-biden-1111364046.html

US Justice is Blind  Unless Your Name is Hunter Biden

US Justice is Blind  Unless Your Name is Hunter Biden

Hunter Biden has escaped prosecution and jail for corruption and influence-peddling with a zero-time plea bargain. Commentators Jim Jatras and Jim Hoft were not surprised.

2023-06-21T16:58+0000

2023-06-21T16:58+0000

2023-06-21T17:16+0000

hunter biden

us

joe biden

ukraine

americas

jim jatras

jim hoft

gateway pundit

republicans

fbi

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/11/1111248367_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_9d518915b4528e60171c9b7db853ba9e.jpg

US President Joe Biden's son was brazenly let off scot-free in a "sweetheart deal," say two media commentators.Hunter Biden had been under investigation by the FBI for soliciting millions in bribes from foreign businesspeople in return for influence over the then-vice president.That includes an alleged $5 million from Mykola Zlochevsky, co-owner of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings which employed Hunter as a company director and which was investigated for corruption by Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin until Joe Biden pressured Kiev to sack him.Hunter is also suspected of owning a handgun unlawfully, which reportedly ended up being thrown in a dumpster. Furthermore, a trove of photos on his abandoned "Laptop from Hell" appeared to show him using crack cocaine and sleeping with underage prostitutes.But on Tuesday, it was reported that he had struck a deal with prosecutors  pending approval by a federal judge  to plead guilty to tax evasion and illegal possession of a firearm in return for avoiding jail time. Former US diplomat Jim Jatras told Sputnik that Hunter Biden's plea bargain was a "sweetheart deal." The foreign policy expert said that was "an outrageous miscarriage of justice." "I know the rich and powerful and the politically well-connected and treated differently from everybody else, but this is really just unprecedented," Jatras stressed.The pundit said the plea bargain deal would play into the hands of the Republican Party.Journalist Jim Hoft told Sputnik that he was not surprised that the president's wayward son got off scot-free.The editor said Hunter Biden was "one of the most crooked people in the country." "And he gets a pass and a little slap on the wrist, if that," Hoft observed. "It's really it's stunning what's happening to our country. We're all witnessing it."For more in-depth analysis of current events, tune in to our Sputnik Radio shows.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/tucker-carlson-believes-hunter-biden-foreign-agent-selling-access-to-joe-biden-for-years-1111352228.html

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hunter biden escapes jail through a plea bargain with federal prosecutors, hunter biden investigated for corruption and influence-peddling, did the biden family take bribes from ukraine's burisma holdings?
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/us-ready-to-bring-forces-to-middle-east-as-needed-to-deter-any-aggression---us-general-1111369094.html

US Ready to Bring Forces to Middle East as Needed to 'Deter Any Aggression' - US General

US Ready to Bring Forces to Middle East as Needed to 'Deter Any Aggression' - US General

The United States is ready to bring additional military forces to the Middle East in order to maintain stability and to deter any possible aggression in the region, Combined Forces Air Component Commander for US Central Command Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said on Wednesday.

2023-06-21T16:34+0000

2023-06-21T16:34+0000

2023-06-21T16:34+0000

military

alexus grynkewich

us central command (centcom)

us air force

syria

russia

middle east

us

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"We are here to stay, and we will bring forces into the region as needed to deter aggression," Grynkewich told reporters during a digital press briefing when asked to elaborate on the effect of the recent US deployment of F-22 fighter jets in the area. Grynkewich did not clarify what type of 'aggression' the United States seeks to deter. However, he said that the US jets would contribute to regional stability and efforts to reset the US relationship with their Russian counterparts in Syria. "While the US does not have as many forces in the region on a daily basis as we did, say, three or four years ago, we do have the ability to very rapidly bring other forces from outside the region," he said. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said last week that it had deployed F-22 fighter jets to the Middle East in response to Russia's alleged "unprofessional" behavior in the region. In May, the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria accused US Air Force pilots of "gross violations" of deconfliction protocols in Syria after they allegedly activated their weapons systems when approaching Russian military aircraft.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220717/iran-slams-us-for-trying-to-create-crises-in-middle-east-as-biden-wraps-up-his-region-tour-1097397069.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/what-do-we-know-so-far-about-missing-titanic-sub-1111353917.html

What Do We Know So Far About Missing Titanic Sub?

What Do We Know So Far About Missing Titanic Sub?

here is what we know so far about missing Titanic submersible.

2023-06-21T11:42+0000

2023-06-21T11:42+0000

2023-06-21T12:45+0000

titanic

jeff bezos

simon harding

us coast guard

blue origin

submersible

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Amid the ongoing search and rescue operation to find the Titanic submersible, missing since Sunday, banging sounds were heard on June 20, according to an internal government memo cited by a US media report. A white rectangular object had been spotted in the water by a Canadian P3 aircraft involved in the search operation, the same update added. Furthermore, an underwater remotely-operated craft was being sought by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center to assist in the search, according to the memo. OceanGate, the owner of the sub, has not offered any official comments in the wake of the new reports. The five people on board the submersible had "about 40 hours of breathable air left" the US Coast Guard stated at 1 p.m. ET Tuesday.As the search continues, here is what is known so far about the missing Titanic submersible.What is the Titanic Submersible? A company based in the US state of Washington - OceanGate Expeditions - is the owner of the underwater craft - the Titan - a submersible typically used for scientific analysis. Made of titanium and filament wound carbon fibre, the sub can dive 4,000 meters with a comfortable safety margin, according to media-cited documents filed by OceanGate in April with a Virginia District Court. Back in 2021, OceanGate went on record as hailing the sub's unparalleled safety feature that "assesses the integrity of the hull" for the duration of a dive. The submersible in question had undergone over 50 test dives, including to depths equivalent to the watery resting place of the iconic wreck - the Titanic.Submersibles such as the Titan require a ship to launch and recover them. A support vessel for the current OceanGate expedition to the wreck of the Titanic was hired for the purpose - Canadian research icebreaker the Polar Prince. Where was the Titanic Sub Going?The Titan submersible was journeying to the iconic wreck of the Titanic, a massive passenger liner that struck an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City. The vessel sank in April 1912, about 400 miles east of Newfoundland, and has been lying about 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometers) below the surface.The goal of OceanGates submersible was to survey the degree of deterioration of the wreck to metal-eating bacteria, besides taking stock of the impact on the underwater ecosystem. This was OceanGates third annual voyage to the Titanic. What Happened to the Titanic Sub?The submersible owned by OceanGate Expeditions went missing en route to the wreckage of the Titanic. It lost contact with its mother ship after about 1 hour and 45 minutes of its descent, according to the US Coast Guard, about 900 miles (1,448.41 kilometers) east of Cape Cod in the North Atlantic, at a depth of around 13,000 feet (3.9 kilometers). According to information released since, the sub has a capacity for five people and oxygen supply lasting around 96 hours. The US firm deploying submersibles for deep sea expeditions confirmed in a statement on Monday that it was trying to re-establish contact with one of its vessels, saying:At the time, OceanGate did not reveal how many people were on board the vessel and whether there were any tourists there.Who Was on Board Missing Titanic Sub?One pilot and four mission specialists were onboard the missing submersible, according to US Coast Guard.Typically, OceanGate expeditions to the watery grave of the Titanic comprise marine biologists, archaeologists and paying guests, referred to as mission specialists. Reports state that such guests take turns performing various tasks such as, for example, operating the sonar equipment. The cost of taking part in such an expedition is approximately $250,000 per person, according to OceanGates website, with the trip taking off from St. Johns, a city in Newfoundland off Canada's Atlantic coast. The city is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador province. The expeditions then proceed approximately 640 km (400 miles) into the Atlantic to the wreckage site of the Titanic.The four "mission specialists" are said to be Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood and his teen son Suleman, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush.Action Aviation, a company that British billionaire Hamish Harding is the chairman of, was cited as confirming that the businessman was on board the sub. Harding is cited as having posted on social media earlier in June that he was heading out on an expedition on the submersible, with the maiden dive slated for Sunday. Incidentally, the adventurer was one of six people who flew on the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin's mission last year. Harding also boasts several records with the Guinness Book of World Records, including for the "fastest circumnavigation of Earth via both the geographic poles" by airplane, accomplished in 2019 in just over 46 hours.The family of Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son, Suleman, also confirmed that they were on board the Titan and told media:One of Pakistan's richest men, Shahzada Dawood is vice chairman of the Engro Corporation, which produces fertilizers, food, and energy. He holds a similar post with the Dawood Hercules Corporation, which makes chemicals. Pakistans Engro corporation had announced that its vice chairman and his son were on board the missing submersible, saying:French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, dubbed a Titanic expert, as per OceanGate's website, led six expeditions to the ship's wreckage site before the current expedition.The CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush, was also on board his companys Titan submersible.Were There Problems With the Sub Before?It has since surfaced that David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, had warned of quality control and safety issues linked to the submersible back in 2018.Lochridge claimed a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan, and reportedly raised the issue with OceanGates CEO and founder Stockton Rush. However, he was purportedly wrongfully terminated, as per a lawsuit cited in the media.The same year, diving experts are cited as having sounded the alarm about similar issues. The experts claimed that the submersibles design was such that it could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry.How is the Rescue Operation Proceeding?The United States Coast Guard has been spearheading the operation to locate the missing submersible. The international search and rescue operation is doing everything possible as part of a complex search effort, but has so far not yielded any results, US Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick told reporters Tuesday at a 1 p.m. ET news conference. The unique and challenging search effort has brought together our nation's best experts, he said.At the time, Frederick speculated that the sub was down to 40 hours of oxygen.The United States Navy is deploying its subject matter experts and the appropriate assets to assist in the search and rescue operation, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Tuesday, adding:The US Navy has also deployed a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System (FADOSS)," which can lift up to 60,000 pounds, US media reported, citing a spokesperson. Meanwhile, the French National Institute for Ocean Science sent its robot scout to search for the submersible, a French newspaper reported, citing French State Secretary for the Sea Herve Berville. The deep-dive robot scout Victor 6000 would dive to the wreck of the Titanic at a depth of 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) and conduct a search operation using monitoring equipment, the newspaper reported.As of Wednesday, after a Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area, ROV operations yielded negative results, but continue, US Coast Guard Northeast tweeted.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/us-navy-deploys-experts-deep-ocean-salvage-system-to-search-for-titanic-submersible-1111347919.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/uk-search-mission-for-titanic-submersible-blocked-by-us-1111333789.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/what-to-know-as-special-counsel-durham-faces-congress-over-fbis-russiagate-probe-1111358668.html

What to Know as Special Counsel Durham Faces Congress Over FBI's 'Russiagate' Probe

What to Know as Special Counsel Durham Faces Congress Over FBI's 'Russiagate' Probe

Special Counsel John Durham, who released a report in May on the FBIs Russiagate probe, is testifying to Congress.

2023-06-21T14:04+0000

2023-06-21T14:04+0000

2023-06-21T14:49+0000

us

donald trump

robert mueller

house judiciary committee

house intelligence committee

mike turner

john durham

durham report

mueller report

americas

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Special Counsel John Durham, who completed an almost four-year-long review of the FBIs handling of allegations of Russian meddling with the 2016 election and the Russiagate hoax earlier in the year, is set to face the House Judiciary Committee for his first public statements and questioning on Wednesday. The day before, Durham testified behind closed doors to the US House Intelligence Committee.The FBI was badly in need of reform, were the conclusions drawn by both House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio), and Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-Conn.) after the testimony.'Seriously Deficient' Russiagate ProbeIt all started back in 2019, when then-Attorney General William Barr tasked John Durham, serving as the Connecticut US attorney, with probing the FBI's decision to launch the Russiagate investigation. The latter was a probe into the Donald Trump presidential campaign launched on July 31, 2016. The investigation was launched after the release of another special counsel's report - by Robert Mueller - failed to find any evidence of Russia -Trump collusion, peddled by the Hillary Clinton campaign, the Barack Obama administration, and the FBI in the final weeks of the presidency of the 44th POTUS. Donald Trump was forced to spend close to three years of his Oval Office stint swatting away the claims (since debunked) that he colluded with the Kremlin during the 2016 presidential election - allegations he vehemently branded a hoax.Robert Mueller's 2018 report - also the result of a Trump-ordered probe - laid bare the FBI's surveillance of Trump and his 2016 presidential campaign team. Accordingly, after the Mueller report, Durham was elevated to rank of special counsel in 2020, and ploughed away with his probe - at the time already under the Joe Biden administration. After an investigation lasting almost four years, Durham released his 316-page highly-anticipated report in May, 2023.Released by the US Justice Department and titled a "Report on Matters Related to Intelligence Activities and Investigations Arising Out of the 2016 Presidential Campaigns," it covered the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation, spanning 2016 and early 2017, aimed at digging into allegations that Donald Trump's presidential campaign ostensibly had connections with the Russian government.Durham's report was highly critical of the FBI, saying agents showed "confirmation bias," and determined that the basis for opening an investigation into the alleged Russia-Trump "collusion" was "seriously deficient" and based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence." Manipulation for 'Political Purposes'Furthermore, the special counsel blew the lid on Democratic players, including former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and her entourage, who had flogged the false anti-Trump narrative linking him to Russia's Alfa Bank and the Kremlin. While swift to investigate Trump on dubious pretexts, the FBI swept under the rug at least four probes into Donald's presidential rival, Hillary Clinton.According to John Durham, the Federal Bureau of Investigation also failed to corroborate any claims contained in the notorious anti-Trump Steele dossier. Former British MI6 agent Christopher Steele, the author of the infamous research doc, compiled it for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. The outlandish claims in it were wielded by the FBI in a spate of secretive preliminary probes against Trump from 2016 onwards. The Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) funded the dossier through the law firm Perkins Coie, which employed Marc Elias and Michael Sussmann at the time. However, John Durham found that Steele's source, Brookings Institution scholar Igor Danchenko, who had compiled the claims for the dossier, when questioned by the FBI was unable to confirm any of the assumptions. Former President Donald Trump repeatedly lambasted the "completely fake" Steele dossier, describing it as a political witch hunt. Amid Russiagate, Moscow called the Steele dossier media speculation, and repeatedly denied interfering in the US election.As a result of the Durham's investigation, former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith was charged and convicted after admitting to doctoring an email to push ahead with surveilling former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Democratic lawyer Michael Sussmann, however, was acquitted on charges of lying to FBI investigators about his ties to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. The case against Russian analyst Igor Danchenko also ended with an acquittal.In response to the release of Durham's report, Trump posted on social media that it said, "in other words, the American Public was scammed, just as it is being scammed right now by those who dont want to see GREATNESS for AMERICA!"

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230520/durham-report-is-reckoning-coming-for-clintons-and-bidens-1110490817.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230515/us-special-counsel-probe-finds-fbis-handling-of-trump-russia-probe-seriously-deficient-1110387179.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20211106/analyst-as-steele-dossier-source-charged-with-lying-all-roads-lead-to-hillary-clinton-campaign-1090517273.html

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Due to an accounting error, the Pentagon has sent Ukraine an excess of $6.2 billion worth of military aid, including defense weaponry.

The Pentagon spokesperson admits to the embarrassing error that has inadvertently resulted in a massive boost to Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Pentagon Sends Ukraine Extra $6.2 Billion Military Aid

According to CNN, the error led to a jaw-dropping surplus of $6.2 billion, which the Pentagon mistakenly allocated to Ukraine's military aid package. Even the most meticulous institutions are not immune to the occasional hiccup.

Ukraine embroiled in a long-standing conflict with Russia, has been yearning for additional resources to bolster its defense capabilities. Little did they know that a simple accounting mistake would provide them with a stroke of good fortune. The Pentagon revealed the excess military aid last May and estimated it was worth around $3 billion. The error frustrated Republicans, believing the mishap had reduced the country's military aid for Ukraine's counteroffensive.

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul and House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers addressed the mishap in a joint statement last month. They wrote, "These funds could have been used for extra supplies and weapons for the upcoming counteroffensive, instead of rationing funds to last for the remainder of the fiscal year."

However, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh explains that the excess money is "just going to go back into the pot of money that we have allocated."

According to the Associated Press (AP), the Pentagon spokeswoman revealed that the final calculations show that the error created an excess of funds worth $3.2 billion for the current fiscal year. On the other hand, the 2022 fiscal year includes $2.66 billion. All in all, the extra money the US sent to Ukraine cost more than $6 billion.

Read Also: Pentagon Cancels Pride Month Drag Shows at Nevada Air Force Base: Here's Why!

Pentagon Explains Accounting Error

According to Channel News Asia (CNA), Singh disclosed that the Pentagon discovered the massive accounting error last month while diving into the protocols for valuing equipment.

She further explained that the error specifically used the replacement costs of the weaponry rather than their net book value, leading to a significant overestimation of value. Thus, the US sent excessive Ukraine military aid money that was intended.

The Pentagon has assured the public that measures are being taken to rectify the accounting mistake swiftly. The surplus funds are expected to be considered additional money to support Ukraine as it has started its counteroffensive against Russia.

AP News notes that the commander in chief of the Ukraine armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, says their counteroffensive primarily focuses on heavily mined terrains and reinforced defensive fortifications.

Related Article: Pentagon Leak Suspect Jack Teixeira Indicted Over Release of High-Classified Military Documents

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Trainer Melanie Wrenn took top honours on Tuesday's (June 20) Western Kentucky State Fair program at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel, accounting for three of the afternoon's 17 winners in Kentucky Proud Series competition.

Summer Getaway kicked off Wrenn's hat trick with a 1:59 win in a $12,000 event for two-year-old trotting fillies, carded as Race 5. With Peter Wrenn aboard, the daughter of Swan For All-Sweet Summer cleared from post eight, yielded to 3-5 favourite My Rory and re-emerged at the top of the stretch to evade a late charge from Noble Nadia by 1-1/4 lengths and pay $10.48 to win.

The Wrenns teamed to win a pair of $9,000 two-year-old colt trot divisions, doing so with Beaueastel ($3.58), a convincing 6-1/4-length winner over Toms Muscle in 2:00.2; and Swan Explosion ($8.66), who reeled in 2-5 pacesetter Yo Monty from the pocket to score by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:00.3.

Peter Wrenn kicked off a driving grand slam in the first race on the pari-mutuel card, steering James Avritt Jr. trainee Ninja ($2.98) to a 1:56.4 win over Tameudown in a $9,000 event for rookie pacing fillies.

John MacDonald matched Wrenn with four driving wins on the day, sweeping the Early Pick-3 with three-year-old pacing filly Sugar Britches ($3.12, 1:53.1), three-year-old trotting filly Cessna Pride ($4.98, 1:56.1) and three-year-old trotting gelding Ahadi As ($8.86, 1:57.2) before capturing the penultimate race of the day with two-year-old pacing filly JS Kryptonite ($17.32, 1:56.4).

Rico Johnson's Ifudntnomebynow ($2.90) turned in the fastest mile of the day, defeating Sure Thing Captain in a three-year-old male pace by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:52.3 with trainer Randy Crisler at the helm. The trotting speed badge went to Yo Tater ($2.42), whom owner-trainer-driver Verlin Yoder teamed to a 1:55.1 score in a sophomore male trot.

Other winners on the program were two-year-old male trotter Mont Saint Michel (2:03, Joey Putnam), two-year-old trotting filly House Of Love (2:01, Julien Dubois), two-year-old male pacer Designated Freak (1:54.1, Verlin Yoder), three-year-old trotting filly Cupid Express (1:57.3, Carson Conrad), three-year-old male pacers Folsom Prison (1:55, Charlie Conrad) and Speaking Volumes (1:55.2, Carson Conrad), and three-year-old pacing filly Equuls Sequel (1:54.3, Kevin Wallis).

Racing at Oak Grove resumes on Sunday, June 25, with a nine-race card slated to begin at 3 p.m. CDT.

(Oak Grove Racing)
With just 11 weeks remaining before the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot, the management at MGM Yonkers Raceway is already extending invitations and has its eyes open for potential additions to the trotting classic.

Yonkers Raceway will host the 1-1/4-mile event for some of the worlds best older trotters on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Each week, a new contender for the race will be unveiled and first up is the Danish representative Get A Wish. Born in Denmark and sold as a yearling to trainer Bo Westergaard, the five-year-old is in the mold of his American-bred sire Wishing Stone and owned by an 11-person group called the My Little Pony Stable, a moniker chosen to honour the horses diminutive size.

A winner at both two and three, Get A Wish captured his biggest victory as a four-year-old in the $300,000 Danish Trotting Derby, going all the way on the lead in the 1-7/8-mile race. To date in 2023, Get A Wish has won a pair of $25,000 Open Trots for his age group and was among the favourites in the $200,000 Oslo Grand Prix before making a break in stride at the start from post one due to driver error, according to Westergaard.

With the Yonkers International Trot still a few months away, Get A Wish is planning to start next in the $160,000 Jarlsberg Grand International in Norway on July 9. After that, the five-year-old is hoping to get a couple of invites in Europe before potentially heading across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to Espen Edvardsen, who represents the ownership group, they are all very excited about the trip to the United States for the International and are planning to make a week out of the experience.

To us, it will certainly be the experience of a lifetime, said Edvardsen, who doesnt believe the smaller track will be an issue for Get A Wish despite no experience over a half-mile surface. He is extremely fast behind the gate and he can cope with any size of turns. Of course, the post position is important, but the horse races good from behind as well.

The Yonkers International Trot will be part of a blockbuster program that includes a pair of six-figure Invitationals and the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Day of Champions to honour the best two and three-year-olds in the state. Post time for the special card is noon.

(Yonkers Raceway; Photo of Espen Edvardsen with Klaus Koch)
The Women of Chateau Lafayette (2021) by Stephanie Dray follows three women through four wars. One thread that connects the novels characters is Chavaniac, or the Chateau Lafayette, the marquis de Lafayettes childhood home. Another thread is the womens commitment to Lafayettes ideals of freedom. The three women of Chateau Lafayette include Adrienne, a noblewoman, Beatrice, a former dance-hall girl, and Marthe, an orphan.

Adrienne and Gilbert Lafayette married in 1774 when she was 14 and he was 16 years old. Three years later, a pregnant Adrienne sent her husband to fight in the American Revolutionary War. While in America, Lafayette made a name for himself as a hero. He then brought his ideals of freedom for everyone to France where they were met with mixed results. Drays book then follows Adrienne through the turmoil of the French Revolutionary period.

Socialite Beatrice Astor-Chandler worked to support France before the U.S. entered WWI. She used her connections to raise large amounts of money to purchase supplies for the French soldiers. Eventually, she and her husband purchased Chavaniac, turning it into an orphanage.

Marthe was raised at the Chavaniac orphanage during the latter part of WWI, then went on to teach at the orphanage. She used her artistic talents to make her corner of France a better place in spite of WWII and the Nazi presence in France.

If you dont like reading a book that moves through different time periods, this is not the book for you. The chapters are short, and rotate through each woman. Sometimes the women are tackling similar issues through the rotation, including relationship trials and facing down enemies. Each woman has her own distinct personality.

I found all three of the womens stories equally interesting, so I didnt enjoy one storyline more than another. However, I did read The Women of Chateau Lafayette with a Wikipedia tab open. I discovered Chavianic is a real place, and further explored the history of some of the more remarkable characters.

The author was kind enough to include an authors note explaining which characters were real (most of them were), and which events actually happened. As in all my historical novels, the most outrageous bits are true, says Dray.

I would recommend The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray to anyone who enjoys women-centric historical novels, particularly those that happen during war-time. You can find this title at the Gering Public Library on the shelf next to Americas First Daughter which Dray wrote about Patsy Jefferson Randolph. Dray joins a number of authors writing about women during war-time, including Lauren Willig, Martha Kelly, and Kate Quinn.

New Nonfiction Books: The Middle Kingdoms: a new history of central Europe by Martyn Rady; All My Knotted-up Life: a memoir by Beth Moore; Paris: the memoir by Paris Hilton; Cook it Wild: sensational prep-ahead meals for camping, cabins, and the great outdoors by Chris Nuttall-Smith; The best minds: a story of friendship, madness, and the tragedy of good intentions by Jonathan Rosen.

New Fiction Books: Atlas: the story of Pa Salt, the final book of the Seven Sisters Series by Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker; Vera Wongs Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, a cozy mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto; House of Cotton, a sly social commentary by Monica Brashears; Two Wars and a Wedding, a WWI novel by Lauren Willig; Hello Beautiful, Oprahs newest book club pick by Ann Napolitano.
Members of the public education advocacy group, Support Our Schools Nebraska, are driving efforts to repeal LB 753, which was recently passed by the 2023 legislature.

LB 753, otherwise known as the Opportunity Scholarship Act, seeks to offer tax credits to taxpayers who make donations to opportunity scholarship funds. Those funds would then offer scholarships to students wishing to attend a private or parochial school, effectively making school choice more accessible across the state.

Support Our Schools Nebraska is currently collecting signatures on a petition that would place the issue on the General Election ballot in 2024, thus letting the citizens of Nebraska decide whether or not the legislation is right for them. Persons gathering petitions started their effort in Scottsbluff and Gering last week.

When George Norris started the unicameral years and years ago, he said we are one house, Nebraska State Education Association President Jenni Benson said during a visit to Scottsbluff Wednesday, June 14. Not a senate and a house. But the second house is the people of Nebraska. Thats all were saying. When a bill goes through, if you dont like it, you have the ability to do this  To get it on the ballot for the second house to decide.

Benson said that Support Our Schools Nebraska supporters take issue with several parts of LB 753, but that its key takeaway has to do with the use of public tax dollars to fund private education. She said that the voters of Nebraska have shown their lack of support for that practice multiple times in the past.

This has happened three other times years ago. They were all soundly defeated, Benson said. The bottom line is about using public dollars for private education, and our Constitution of Nebraska says that we should not do that.

According to Benson, LB 753 would treat donations made through its provisions very differently than those made to public schools and other nonprofit organizations, which would incentivize wealthier citizens to take advantage of the system.

Our bottom line interpretation is that if you are someone who owes $10,000 in taxes, you get to take $5,000 of those and donate it to an opportunity scholarship fund, Benson explained. If you donated to a public school foundation, or to the Cancer Society or to any nonprofit, you get a 7% deduction on your income tax. This gives you a 50% dollar-for-dollar credit. So if its really about kids, why wouldnt you just donate to the school of your choice?

LB 753 would cap out at $25 million each year at first, but is allowed to grow up to $100 million annually. Benson said that similar legislation in other states, like Arizona, has led to caps up to $250 million. Support Our Schools Nebraska and other allied organizations fear that such amounts of money could significantly alter the landscape of education in the state.

Now they (Arizona) have charter schools in strip malls and subpar schools. Because if you can get this money, why not start a school? Theres no accountability, you dont have to be approved, Benson said.

Of the 11 Panhandle counties, only Scotts Bluff County and Box Butte County currently house private schools, but such institutions are far more numerous on the eastern side of the state. According to Benson, that means that the majority of money donated to opportunity scholarship funds through the LB 753 provisions by Panhandle residents would be funneled out of the area.

Its one pot of money, so most of that pot is not going to go to the Panhandle, she said.

To get the issue placed on the 2024 General Election Ballot, the organizers need to reach a certain total number of signatures in addition to certifying enough counties. Each county has a required number of signatures for certification based on its population.

Were trying for 90,000 signatures, Benson said. We have to get 60,000 and 38 counties.

Support Our Schools Nebraska must submit its signed petitions to the Nebraska Secretary of State by Aug. 30. If successful, the issue will be put before Nebraska voters in November of 2024.

On Friday, June 16, another group calling itself Keep Kids First, announced the launch of a campaign urging people to decline to sign the petition. A press release on the effort included statements from Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, a sponsor of LB 753, and other senators, including Panhandle senator Tom Brewer.
Columnist Abdel Moneim Ali Issa slammed efforts made by a couple of hundred of Syrian NGOs to form a civil umbrella for their work. They met in Paris earlier this month. Below are excerpts from his op-ed.

In 2006, a charitable organization emerged with the goal of promoting positive change in the Levant and the United Kingdom by nurturing civil society. Over time, it adapted to Western perspectives and changed policies related to the Syrian crisis.

In 2021, the organization launched the Civil initiative, led by Ayman Asfari, who believed in the capacity of civil society organizations to bridge the gap between the Syrian population and existing political entities. Initially focused on socio-cultural work, the initiatives impact extended into the realm of politics, indicating a broader influence.

Recently, the initiative expanded its goals to include political engagement, as expressed by Amna Khawlani, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Madaniyya. This shift was evident at the Paris Meeting, where numerous civil society organizations gathered to emphasize their significance and demand attention.

The Paris Meeting received support from French authorities, aiming to gradually shape Syrian society with different orientations and approaches. While external support is important, it is not the sole pillar for these movements, which align with the broader trend of liberalism in Syria.

This trend emerged after the collapse of the socialist camp in 1989, attracting individuals from various ideological backgrounds who gravitated towards liberal ideas. Regional and global events, such as the fall of Baghdad in 2003 and the Arab Spring, further accelerated this shift.

The revitalization of civil society organizations reflects a convergence between external actors and internal liberals who recognize the decline of traditional parties and the need to fill the void. Economic transformations since the late 1990s have also played a significant role in fueling the growth of liberalism in Syria. The rise of the market economy has had a profound impact on the societal landscape.

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.
Signs emerged that Duba had ambitions to seize the presidency after the death of Assad's son, Bassel, in 1994, according to al-Modon.

The story of General Ali Duba, the founder of the Syrian regimes modern military intelligence service and one of Hafez al-Assads most reliable advisers and old guard, has come to an end after more than 30 brutal years.

On Wednesday, people close to him mourned Doba, who passed away at the age of 89. Duba hailed from a small Alawite family in the village of Qarfis, located in the countryside of Jableh city, south of Lattakia governorate.

Dubas exceptional relationship with Assad, as one of the key supporters and architects of the 1970 coup, led to his appointment as the head of the military intelligence service in Damascus in November 1970. He later served as the deputy head of the military intelligence service in Syria for three years before assuming the role of its head from 1978 until 2000.

In 1981, Duba was elected to the Central Committee of Syrias ruling Baath Party and promoted to the rank of major general in the Syrian army.

During Dubas tenure, the military intelligence service, in collaboration with the Defense Brigades led by Rifaat al-Assad, the brother of Hafez al-Assad, was involved in the infamous 1982 Hama massacre.

Multiple sources indicate that when Assad fell ill in 1983, the responsibility of governing the country was entrusted directly to Duba. This move led Rifaat al-Assad to attempt a famous coup against his brother in 1984. However, the coup ultimately failed thanks to the efforts of a group of loyal men to Hafez al-Assad, led by Ali Duba.

Duba was able to amass significant wealth by taking advantage of a monopoly on smuggled goods, including drugs, through illegal crossings from Lebanon to Syria, establishing a powerful financial empire.

Those who were close to Duba note that during the 1990s, he held a position second only to Hafez al-Assad, not only within the regime but also among the Alawite community on the Syrian coast, to which both Duba and Assad belonged. However, their relationship became competitive, leading Assad to marginalize Duba. Signs emerged that Duba had ambitions to seize the presidency after the death of Assads son, Bassel, in 1994, which prompted Assad to shift his focus towards preparing his second son, Bashar, to inherit power.

Upon Bashar al-Assads ascent to power in 2000, Duba was sidelined, fulfilling Assads intention to phase out the old guard, as recounted by contemporaries. Duba made his last public appearance in 2021, appearing in a video clip in a wheelchair at a polling station in his village, participating in the election of Bashar al-Assad.

Duba is recognized for establishing the notorious Palestine Branch and overseeing numerous field executions in the Mezzeh and Palmyra prisons under the Military Intelligence. These actions were confirmed by the Western sanctions imposed on Duba at the outset of the Syrian revolution in 2011.

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.
Thaer Khaled Rahhal's efforts to save his child and provide for his family came to a devastating end, Syria TV writes.

Syrian pages and accounts shared the news on social networking sites, confirming the tragic discovery of the body of Thaer Khaled al-Rahhal, a young Syrian man, among the victims of a fateful boat incident off the coast of Greece. Rahhal had embarked on this perilous journey to Europe in search of medical treatment for his cancer-stricken son.

According to Rahhals cousin, who spoke to Syria TV, the deceased hailed from the governorate of Daraa and departed from Jordan on the ill-fated boat, hoping to secure proper care for his son battling cancer.

Numerous pages and accounts expressed their grief over the loss of this young man, and some mentioned that the funeral at the deceaseds fathers residence would be postponed until a memorial service could be held to honour all the victims from Daraa who perished in the boat tragedy.

The cousin stated that Rahhal used to work in a vegetable market in Amman, the capital of Jordan, while his wife took care of their sick child with cancer in Syria, alongside their other siblings.

Due to the critical condition of their child, the wife spent most of her time in hospitals, which placed significant strain on the couple and their family. Despite efforts from neighbours and relatives to provide support, the children needed the presence of their parents by their side, as the cousin of Rahhal explained.

In light of these circumstances, Rahhal had to resign from his job in order to shoulder the responsibilities of caring for the children and managing the household, while his wife accompanied their child to medical facilities.

The cousin of the deceased mentioned that Rahhal had reached out to several humanitarian organizations, seeking employment opportunities that would enable him to personally cover the costs of his sons treatment, without having to rely on assistance from others.

The cousin tearfully adds that the man was desperately in need of a job that could sufficiently support his family during this difficult time. Unfortunately, the organizations that offered him employment provided a salary that fell short of covering the treatment costs, and the job was only guaranteed for a duration of three months.

He further explains, My cousin was initially hesitant to embark on this journey, but when he learned that his child required a spinal cord transplant, a medical procedure unavailable in Syria, he felt compelled to travel, hoping that it would offer a chance of survival for his son.

Debt, fraud and an unfortunate end

Rahhal and his wife found themselves without any support, particularly since humanitarian organizations did not contribute to securing treatment for their sick child. With the dire economic conditions in Syria, the parents were unable to afford the exorbitant costs of treatment on their own.

According to the cousin of the traveller, Rahhal was left with no choice but to borrow significant amounts of money from his friends in order to embark on the journey to Europe. However, in his first attempt, he fell victim to a fraudulent smuggler, which forced him to borrow again. As a result, his debts accumulated to at least four thousand dollars.

Tragically, Thaer Khaled Rahhals efforts to save his child and provide for his family came to a devastating end. The overcrowded boat carrying hundreds of refugees, including Rahhal, sank off the Greek coast last week. The perilous journey, which originated from Libya and was intended to reach Italy, claimed the lives of many, with only 104 people managing to survive.

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 Astana parties have started exchanging political messages through military escalation before the meeting, according to al-Modon.

The Astana parties have started exchanging political messages through military escalation before the meeting, aiming to achieve their political demands. However, these demands were not evident in the final mobile statements but rather in the statements made by officials after the completion of the talks. Consequently, the differences between the parties manifested as a field escalation on the ground following the conclusion of the negotiations.

The 20th round of Astana talks commenced in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, on Tuesday. It involved representatives from the guarantor countries (Russia, Turkey, and Iran), as well as two delegations representing the Syrian regime and the Syrian opposition.

Prior to the round, Turkey initiated a field escalation, marking the first such incident against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) since Operation Claw-Sword in November 2022. This involved the bombardment of military sites belonging to the Kurdish units using drones, artillery, and missiles, resulting in the deaths and injuries of numerous fighters.

Both the regime forces and the Russian forces were not exempt from Turkish aggression. Turkish forces bombed military sites belonging to the regime, resulting in the deaths of three members and injuries to others. Additionally, an artillery shelling targeted a patrol of the Russian military police within SDF-controlled areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo, resulting in the death of one Russian soldier and the injury of three others, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

On the other hand, Russia has also contributed to the field escalation by launching three separate airstrikes in areas under Turkish influence since the official announcement of the twentieth round of Astana talks. The most recent airstrike occurred on Tuesday, targeting the outskirts of Idleeb, which is affiliated with Ankaras areas of influence.

However, what is particularly noteworthy is the Syrian regimes involvement in the escalation just before the Astana meeting. The regime deployed large convoys consisting of tanks, self-propelled guns, and hundreds of soldiers to the frontlines in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The ultimate destination of these forces is still unknown, but opposition activists informed Al-Modon that they are likely headed towards the concentration areas of the SDF in Manbij, located in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, near the points of contact with the Turkish-backed opposition factions.

According to the pro-regime newspaper Al-Watan, these reinforcements coincide with the Turkish escalation against the SDF, indicating that the primary target of these convoys is likely the areas controlled by Kurdish units.

The fact that these columns are subordinate to the 105th Brigade in the Republican Guard, which has experience in battling opposition factions since the conflicts in Damascus and its countryside, suggests a potential escalation. It is particularly significant because it is the first time that such forces, equipped with tanks and advanced equipment, have been deployed to northern Syria. The brigades main role has traditionally been to protect the regime, its president Bashar al-Assad, and the strategically important military headquarters in the capital city of Damascus.

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.
(Photo : SAVO PRELEVIC / AFP) (SAVO PRELEVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Crypto fugitive and the founder of Terraform Labs, Kwon Do-hyeong, also known as Do Kwon, was sentenced to four months in a Montenegro prison for allegeldy forging travel documents.

Crypto fugitive and Terraform Labs founder Kwon Do-hyeong, also known as Do Kwon, has been sentenced to four months in a Montenegro prison for allegedly forging travel documents.

The suspect was first arrested in March while he was in Montenegro's capital of Podgorica alongside Terraform Labs' former finance officer, Han Chang-joon. The two individuals spent several months hiding in Serbia before their arrest.

Crypto Fugitive Do Kwon Sentenced to Balkan Prison

Officials taking the two men into custody ended a cat-and-mouse chase from South Korean authorities, which requested assistance from Interpol to issue a red notice for the two suspects' arrest across 195 countries.

Authorities discovered that the suspects possessed falsified travel documents, including two Costa Rican passports, two Belgian passports, and two identity cards. They also recovered laptops and several other gadgets from the two men.

The United States and South Korea have been competing to extradite the alleged crypto scammer from Montenegro. As per Quartz, do Kwon was found to have orchestrated the $40 billion downfall of the TerraUSD and Luna tokens.

In a statement, South Korean prosecutor Dan Sunghan, who has been leading the investigation into the suspect, said earlier this month that Do Kwon could be tried in both countries. He added that the suspect could also spend his sentence first in one nation and then followed by the other.

The charges against the suspect in South Korea include breaching capital markets law, and he is facing a 40-year prison sentence. On the other hand, Do Kwon faces fraud charges in the United States, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) suing the individual for financial crimes and trying to manipulate capital markets.

Regulators also allege that the suspect caused U.S. retail and institutional investors "devastating losses." In February, SEC chair Gary Gensler said that Terraform Labs and its founder failed to provide the public with "full, fair, and truthful disclosure as required for a host of crypto asset securities."

Read Also: Blinken Expresses 'Deep Concern' Over China's Military Activities in Cuba

Forged Travel Documents

In a statement, the court that issued the prison sentence to the two individuals said that their sentences include the 85 days they spent in detention. In October last year, Do Kwon said that he did not believe the charges against him were legitimate, claiming they were "politically motivated," according to CBS News.

While authorities were hunting Do Kwon, he repeatedly claimed he was not "on the run," arguing that he did not reveal his whereabouts over worries about his security.

On Monday, the court in Podgorica said that the sentence would be written and delivered to Do Kwon and Han within the next 30 days. The two men can also appeal the decision within eight days of receiving the letter.

A South Korean court issued arrest warrants for Do Kwon and five other individuals that officials believed were connected to the case last year. Prosecutors added that Terraform Labs, registered in Singapore, violated capital market rules. The situation comes as Montenegro does not have extradition treaties with the United States or South Korea, said BBC.

Related Article: Taiwanese Parents Fear for Their Children's Safety After Kindergarten Druggings

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This statement comes at a time when 19 countries, including leading economies in the region, are awaiting approval to join the bloc, according to Athr Press.

Finance Minister Kenan Yaghi recently made an announcement during the Petersburg International Economic Forum held in Russia, where he represented Syria. Yaghi stated that Damascus intends to apply for membership in the BRICS bloc and the Shanghai Organization.

Yaghis statement comes at a time when 19 countries, including leading economies in the region, are awaiting approval to join the bloc. The BRICS bloc has become a prominent global economic alliance. Therefore, it is important to understand the significance and requirements for joining the BRICS. Can Syria currently meet these requirements, or are there other implications to consider?

The discussion surrounding the BRICS began in 2005. However, it was officially announced as the (BRIC) forum after the summit of the presidents of Brazil, Russia, India, and China in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. This forum marked the establishment of a new multipolar global economic system. South Africa joined the forum in 2010, leading to its renaming as (BRICS), encompassing five countries with the fastest economic growth in the world.

The BRICS countries collectively represent approximately 40% of the worlds population and occupy 26% of the global land area. In 2020, the BRICS countries made a significant contribution to the global GDP, accounting for 27% of it. Remarkably, for the first time last year, they surpassed the advanced economies of the Group of Seven (G7) countries. The BRICS contribution to the global economy reached 31.5%, surpassing the G7s contribution of 30.7%.

Does Syria have the requirements to join?

Regarding the importance of Syrias application to join the BRICS bloc and the likelihood of its success, Dr. Adnan Suleiman, an economics professor at Damascus University, expressed his perspective in a statement to Athr Press. He emphasized that Syria currently faces significant economic challenges, with a modest growth rate and a gross domestic product of around $30 billion after enduring 12 years of war and economic devastation. Syria also experiences trade and balance of payment deficits, with minimal exports. Dr. Suleiman believes that meeting the necessary conditions for joining the BRICS in the near future is difficult to achieve.

When comparing the prospects of joining the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the economics professor suggests that there may be a preference to join the SCO due to its focus on geopolitical and security matters, with less stringent joining requirements. While joining the BRICS is deemed necessary and potentially beneficial for development and investment, Dr. Suleiman opines that it would require substantial time and effort to improve Syrias macroeconomic indicators in the foreseeable, medium, and long term.

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 primary task of this group is to provide perspectives and strategies addressing the Syrian conflict and its multifaceted dimensions, al-Modon reports.

In the Belgian capital of Brussels, a group of Syrian men and women has initiated a political endeavour titled The Road to the Third Republic.

This announcement follows a two-day meeting in Brussels, which brought together Syrian opposition figures representing various ideologies and regions.

In their statement, the group expressed satisfaction with the productive dialogue during the meeting, and they agreed to establish an inclusive Endorsement Group that welcomes the involvement and participation of individuals.

The primary task of this group is to provide perspectives and strategies addressing the Syrian conflict and its multifaceted dimensions, including intellectual, political, economic, and societal aspects. Their approach is grounded in rationality, political science, and a national democratic vision.

After extensive and responsible deliberation, the participants reached a consensus and released a comprehensive political document titled The Road to the Third Republic.

Furthermore, they committed to the ongoing dialogue in the future to develop effective working mechanisms, interim plans, and a framework of guidelines to facilitate the groups endeavours.

The Massa Group aims to contribute to the Syrian cause and collaborate with other Syrian civil, cultural, and political organizations for the betterment of Syria.

The formation of the Masaa Group follows similar movements by Syrian opponents in Europe and the United States in response to the Arab countries normalization process with the Syrian regime. In early June, over 180 Syrian civil society organizations convened the Civil Platform conference in Paris, France, to counter President Al-Assad and his regime, advocating for a free and democratic Syria.

In the United States, the American Alliance for Syria organizations have been actively working to discourage normalization with Assad and his regime. They have successfully garnered support from American lawmakers across party lines in the House of Representatives, leading to the approval of the resolution Anti-Normalization with Assad by the Council Foreign Relations Committee in mid-May.

On Tuesday, the Foreign Relations Committee also discussed a new resolution urging U.S. President Joe Bidens administration to establish a United Nations General Assembly mechanism for holding Assad and his regime accountable for the crimes committed against the Syrian people over the past 12 years.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

On Wednesday, Kazakhstan unexpectedly announced its decision to discontinue hosting talks intended to resolve the Syrian conflict, which surprised Russia. Simultaneously, Turkish authorities deported seven Syrian refugees, including a minor girl, back to Syria via the Tel Abyad crossing in the northern Raqqa Governorate. In another event, clashes between Syrians and the Israeli police in the occupied Golan Heights persisted for a second day on Wednesday, resulting in numerous protesters allegedly sustaining injuries from rubber bullets and tear gas inhalation.

Kazakhstan abruptly announces it will no longer host Syria talks, amid Russian surprise

Kazakhstan abruptly said on Wednesday it will stop hosting talks aimed at resolving the Syrian conflict that erupted 12 years ago, The Associated Press reported.

The decision was a surprise to Russia and other participants at the wrapping up of the 20th round of talks held in the capital, Astana

Since 2017, the former Soviet nation has provided a venue for talks to representatives of Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iran on ways to resolve the Syrian conflict.

Kazakhstans Foreign Ministry said that the talks have fulfilled their mission and the initial goals, including the creation of de-escalation zones, ending the bloodshed and reducing the number of casualties have been fully implemented.

The foreign ministry spokesman, Aibek Smadiyarov, cited Syrias recent return to the Arab League and the efforts to restore ties with Turkey as proof that the Astana talks have achieved their purpose.

Complete surprise

But Alexander Lavrentyev, Russian President Vladimir Putins envoy to Syria, who led Moscows delegation at the talks, said that Kazakhstans decision came as a complete surprise.

The Kazakh foreign ministrys move was unexpected, he told reporters after the talks wrapped up.

Lavrentyev said that no decision has been made regarding the venue for future talks, but added that they could be held in Moscow, Ankara, Tehran, or even Damascus in the second half of the year.

This weeks round of talks followed an ongoing improvement in ties between Syria and some Arab countries that once backed opposition groups fighting inside the country and called for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Lavrentyev hailed Syrias reinstatement to the Arab League in May during its summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as an important step towards ending the conflict.

Representatives from the UN and Syrias neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq attended the Astana talks as observers. They expressed hope to see a swift end to the conflict and the return of millions of refugees living in their countries.

A statement by Turkey, Russia, and Iran noted that the latest round of talks in Astana was constructive and discussed progress in preparing the roadmap for the restoration of relations between Turkey and Syria.

Moscow has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to help Assads government reclaim control over most of the country.

While the bulk of Russias armed forces has been busy fighting in Ukraine, Moscow has maintained its military foothold in Syria and has also made persistent efforts to help Assad rebuild fractured ties with Turkey and other countries in the region.

Turkey has had troops in northwestern Syria backing opposition fighters in an opposition-held enclave there.

Turkey should withdraw: Syria

Syrian Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan said on Tuesday that Turkey should produce a clear timeline for the withdrawal of its forces from Syria.

In May, Turkey and Syrias foreign ministers agreed to set up a roadmap to improve strained ties following talks in Moscow, days after the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League. It marked the highest-level contact between the two countries since the start of the uprising turned-civil war over a decade ago.

The Syrian conflict killed nearly 500,000 people and displaced half of the countrys prewar population of 23 million.

Turkish authorities forcibly deport 7 Syrian refugees

Turkish authorities deported on Wednesday seven Syrian refugees, including a minor girl, back to Syria through the Tel Abyad crossing in northern Raqqa Governorate, northern Syria, North Press reportedv.

The deported refugees were handed to the Military Police affiliated with Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka Syrian National Army (SNA), that arrested them under the pretext of investigation.

A military source in Tel Abyad said that the deportees included three young men from Raqqa, two from Deir-ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, and a young couple from Hasakah Governorate, northeast of the country.

The Military Police of the SNA transported them to an investigation center to extort their families for money.

Civil Police of the SNA is in charge of such kind of arrests, but the Military Police repeatedly exploits such incidents for financial gain, as it does with arbitrary detention of refugees seeking asylum in Turkey, the source added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on May 23 that Turkey will deport one million Syrian refugees to northern Syria.

Turkey carries out periodic deportations against Syrians under the pretext of committing violations and lacking documentation.

Protests continue in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights for the second day

Clashes between Syrians and the Israeli police in the occupied Golan Heights continued for a second day on Wednesday. Tens of protesters were reportedly injured by rubber bullets and tear gas inhalation, as reported by The New Arab.

In one instance, angry protesters threw firebombs at an Israeli police vehicle, dispelling skunk water.

One video showed a young man with a face injury, apparently hit in the eye by a rubber bullet.

Another video showed several protesters blocking a road in Masada, one of three towns where demonstrations are concentrated. Israel has pushed hundreds of its forces to suppress the dissent.

Druze Syrians who oppose works to plant wind turbines on their land say the project harms agriculture, a key source of income for some 20,000 Syrians in the area living under Israeli occupation since 1967.

The project targets the peoples presence in the Golan and their income, Majid Qadamani, a Syrian community activist, told The New Arab.

The Syrian Golan Heights are about 1,000 sq kilometres in size. Some 20,000 Israeli settlers live in 30 illegal settlements in the Golan.

Only one percent of the land remains in the hands of the original inhabitants, the Druze Syrians, according to Majid Qadamani. The residents argue that Israel can quickly shift the location of the turbines away from their farms and homes.

The community firmly rejects the turbines. We believe the authorities are deliberately seeking to carry on with the project to harm agricultural land and encircle the Golan Syrians because theyve rejected the occupation, he added.

On Wednesday, Israeli settlers rampaged through the occupied West Bank town of Turmus Aya, torching several properties belonging to Palestinians.

According to Palestinian sources, at least 177 Palestinians, including 30 children, have been killed since the start of the year.

Interview: Syria could have a better wheat harvest without obstruction from the U.S., and its allies, says official

Syrias annual wheat yield this year seems promising but could have been much better if the U.S. forces and their allied militias werent present in agriculture-rich areas in northeastern Syria, an official told Xinhua in an interview.

Abdul Latif al-Amin, director general of the Syrian Grain Foundation, said that the preliminary data have suggested the wheat output this year could be better than last year.

Amin expressed optimism that Syrian wheat production has started to recover, noting that the agriculture ministry is working to utilize desert lands to plant wheat.

The official attributed the estimated promising wheat harvest to the governments support for farmers and producers by securing all production requirements for guaranteeing a high wheat yield to meet domestic needs.

However, Amin mentioned that the crops could be much better if the northeastern province of al-Hassakeh, a pivotal breadbasket of Syria, were well under the control of the government.

He said the presence of the U.S. forces and its allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in al-Hassakeh is impeding the flow of the provinces gain to the government.

Amin said although the government has established three centers in government-controlled parts of al-Hasakah to buy the harvest from the farmers, the so-called SDF is preventing the farmers from selling their crops to the state-run centers.

The official condemned the U.S. forces and the SDF for imposing tough conditions on farmers who want to sell their harvest to the government.

Syria is an integrated agricultural country and the conducts of the U.S. and the SDF created a crack in the integration or self-sufficiency of agricultural production in Syria, he said.

In addition to the presence of ground forces in resource-rich areas in Syria, al-Amin also spoke of the negative impact of the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Syria.

He said the sanctions are affecting the production requirements and the imports of spare parts necessary to keep agricultural machinery running.

Calling the sanctions, known as the Caesar Act, unfair, al-Amin said the act has deprived Syria of reaching many of the production requirements and accessing the spare parts for industrial establishments and consequently has damaged Syrias overall economy.

Victory in Syria is possible without resorting to force

In an opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post, columnist Hadeel Oueis highlights the alignment between the US and its Arab allies regarding the US mission in Syria, serving as a reminder to President Assad of the consequences of the chaos he created.

The presence of U.S. troops in northeast Syria, along with Turkeys presence in northwest Syria, prevents Assad from returning to the pre-2011 status quo.

The writer argues that while the U.S. mission in Syria should continue for now to defeat ISIS and prevent Assad and Russia from declaring complete victory, diplomatic efforts should be intensified to ensure long-term US interests are not compromised.

The writer suggests shifting from a strategy of punitive isolation to step-by-step diplomacy with Damascus, utilizing pressure tools such as sanctions and the U.S. presence to drive political changes and facilitate the safe return of refugees. Additionally, the writer emphasizes the importance of economic stability in northeast Syria to exert pressure on Assad and encourage political compromises that could lead to a decentralized Syrian political system.

The goal is to advance U.S. interests and create a stable and safe Syria where refugees can return. The writer also calls for diplomatic efforts with Turkey to safeguard northeast Syria and negotiate a reasonable arrangement with the Kurds. Ultimately, the writer believes that achieving these goals would be a historic diplomatic victory for the U.S. in the Middle East without the need for military intervention or regime change.

How the Caesar Act Restricts Normalisation with Syria

US Syria experts Andrew J. Tabler, and Matthew Zweig published a joint report in Al-Majalla, a London-based review.

The article argues that the Caesar Act has significantly restricted the normalization of economic relations with Syria by imposing extensive secondary sanctions and creating deterrents for entities involved in Syrian reconstruction under the Assad regime, thereby hindering efforts to bring about a political settlement to the war.

The authors discussed the impact of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, also known as the Caesar Act, on the normalization of economic relations with Syria.

They explain that the Caesar Act, which contains extensive secondary or derivative sanctions on entities facilitating transactions related to Syrias reconstruction without a political settlement, has significantly restricted efforts to bring the Assad regime back into the economic fold.

The article provides a historical overview of US sanctions against Syria, starting from its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979. It highlights the evolution of sanctions, including the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act (SALSRA) in 2003, which imposed additional sanctions on Syria. The authors note that the Obama administration further expanded and transformed the Syrian sanctions regime in response to the Syrian uprising and war.

The Caesar Act represents a significant change in the strategic calculus of sanctions against Syria. It mandates secondary sanctions not only for US entities but also for non-US entities involved in Syrian reconstruction under the Assad regime. The authors emphasize the potency of the Caesar Act by citing the Trump administrations sanctions on regime facilitators and the potential for future administrations to reinvigorate enforcement.

However, the authors also highlight concerns regarding the Biden administrations approach to the Caesar Act. They mention the slow pace of sanctions designations and potential unintended consequences, such as financial institutions cutting ties with humanitarian actors due to de-risking measures. The authors discuss the Anti-Assad Normalization Act, which aims to extend and strengthen the Caesar Act, targeting those involved in property seizures and preventing the regime from profiting from the reconstruction.

The article concludes by stating that unless there is progress on a political settlement, Arab countries and companies risk being sanctioned until the Caesar Act sunsets at the end of 2024. The potential passage of the Anti-Normalization Bill would further extend and strengthen the sanctions, closing the door to economic normalization and making it difficult to entice Assad toward a political settlement.

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 Ahrar Houran Gathering website recorded 21 cases of arrests by the regime in the Daraa governorate during May, according to Syria TV.

Confidential sources informed Syria TV that a woman and three of her sons were apprehended by the Air Force Intelligence of the Syrian regime at the Izraa bridge on the Damascus-Daraa international road. This occurred despite the youths having resolved their situation during the recent settlement process.

According to the sources, an officer named Sumar from the Air Force Intelligence, holding the rank of major, conducted the arrest on June 14th. The family, originally from the Daraa camp for displaced people, was stopped at a checkpoint established by the officer at the Izraa bridge.

The detainees, identified as Mrs. Kafaa Qassem Owaid Al-Mahamid and her three sons, Sami, Majd, and Muhammad Al-Awad, were subsequently transported to the Air Force Intelligence branch in the capital city of Damascus. At present, their fate remains unknown.

The Air Force has alleged that their arrest was prompted by the interception of a phone call made by one of the young men in the family. The call was monitored by an adult party assigned to eavesdrop and monitor communications.

A representative from Daraa al-Balad, speaking to Syria TV, expressed their attempts to establish communication with Syrian regime officials to ascertain the whereabouts and well-being of the detained family. Unfortunately, they have yet to receive a clear response, but it is known that the family is currently in the custody of Air Force Intelligence.

The dignitary emphasized the urgency for Air Force Intelligence to rectify the situation and release the family promptly, particularly to prevent any potential escalation in the area. He further criticized the continued crackdown by regime security services on civilians in the Daraa governorate.

The arrests carried out by the Syrian regime persist, even for individuals who possess the settlement card, and such operations are prevalent at military checkpoints situated along the Damascus-Daraa international road. One notable checkpoint is the Mankat al-Hatab checkpoint, jointly operated by Military Intelligence and Air Force Intelligence.

According to the sources, the regimes intelligence apparatus has recently intensified the establishment of temporary checkpoints, referred to as flying patrols. These patrols, comprised of multiple vehicles, halt for approximately an hour between two towns in the Daraa countryside. It is common for these checkpoints to involve the presence of more than one security branch.

The Violations Documentation Office at the Ahrar Houran Gathering website recorded 21 cases of arrests by regime forces in the Daraa governorate during the month of May. Among these cases, four individuals were released within the same month.

On June 15th, the Syrian regime concluded settlement operations in the Houryat Palace building located in the center of Daraa. It is worth noting that this operation encompassed thousands of people from the governorate.

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 concluding statement of Astana 20 emphasized the continuation of talks regarding the normalization of relations between Turkey and the Assad regime, al-Souria Net reports.

The 20th round of the Astana talks on Syria concluded on Wednesday after two days of discussions involving representatives from the guarantor countries, as well as delegations from the regime and the opposition.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan released the final communique of the meeting, suggesting that it should be the last one in this particular format.

Kanat Tomish, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, expressed, Given the recent positive developments in Syria, we propose that this meeting marks the conclusion of the Astana process.

However, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the decision to conclude the current version of Astana had already been made. This statement was made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in an interview with the TASS news agency.

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, Putins representative to Syria, these talks are expected to relocate to a new venue and follow a new framework, the specifics of which are yet to be determined.

New speech at Astana 20

The concluding statement of Astana 20 emphasized the continuation of talks regarding the normalization of relations between Turkey and the Assad regime.

The statement underscored the significance of advancing this operation based on goodwill and good-neighbourliness to counter-terrorism.

Sustaining active efforts to mend relations between Turkey and Syria is of utmost importance.

This marks the first occasion where the final communique of the Astana talks addresses the relationship between Turkey and the regime.

The meeting serves as part of the dialogue-building process between Turkey and the regime, aimed at exploring the potential for normalizing relations between the two sides.

During the quadripartite meeting, the proposed road map put forth by Russia was discussed as a preliminary step towards restoring relations between Turkey and the regime.

According to the final statement of Astana 20, the quadripartite consultations were deemed constructive, focusing on the progress made in formulating the roadmap for the restoration of relations between Turkey and Syria.

He also emphasized the significance of coordinating with the defence ministries and intelligence agencies of Syria, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, and continuing efforts in this regard.

Recently, discussions have emerged regarding a roadmap presented by Russia as part of the normalization process between Turkey and the regime.

According to the semi-official Al-Watan newspaper, the roadmap includes a defined timeline for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria.

Informed sources cited by the newspaper indicated that the Russian roadmap is likely to incorporate a clear indication to schedule the Turkish withdrawal from Syrian territory.

This action reflects Moscows aspiration to advance the development of relations between Damascus and Ankara.

However, Russia has not officially addressed this step, which the regime insists upon as a precondition for normalization with Turkey, while the latter currently rejects it.

Final Statement

The final statement of Astana 20 encompassed key topics that were raised in previous meetings, including national sovereignty, counterterrorism, repatriation of refugees, and the political process.

The statement emphasized the importance of establishing favourable conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Syrians, with the active involvement of UNHCR.

Furthermore, it underscored the need to invigorate the political process and ensure the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian assistance across all of Syria.

The statement strongly condemned the activities of terrorist organizations and groups in Syria, emphasizing the necessity of implementing all existing agreements in northern Syria.

It also denounced the continuous Israeli aggressions on Syrian territory, deeming them a violation of international law, Syrias sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Participants of Astana 20 expressed their commitment to advancing the political process as a means to achieve a resolution in Syria. They rejected any separatist plans and the pursuit of autonomy in eastern Syria.

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 Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has issued Trade Notice No. 08/2023-DGFT on June 20, 2023. The notice outlines the procedure for the allocation of a quota for the export of broken rice on humanitarian and food security grounds. This measure is based on requests received from other countries governments and aims to maintain transparency and objectivity in the allocation process.

The trade notice explains that the export policy of broken rice under HS Code 1006 40 00 was amended by the Government of India, prohibiting its export. However, certain exceptions were made for consignments that met specific conditions. The notice also highlights the recent amendment to the export policy, allowing export on the basis of permission granted by the Government of India to other countries to meet their food security needs.

Exporters who have previously exported rice (all varieties) to Senegal, Gambia, and Indonesia in the three years prior to the financial year (FY) in which the export was prohibited are eligible to apply for quota allocation. The allocation process follows a pro-rata system based on past export records and quantity applied for, subject to a minimum threshold of 8000 MT by sea. Unutilized quota will be reallocated to eligible exporters on a pro-rata basis.

To apply for export authorization under the approved quota, exporters must submit their applications online through the DGFTs ECOM system within the specified timeframe. The validity of the Export Authorization will be until December 31, 2023. It is crucial for allocated exporters to submit the Landing Certificate within one month of completing the export of the allocated broken rice quota.

The DGFTs Trade Notice No. 08/2023-DGFT provides exporters with the procedure to apply for quota allocation for the export of broken rice on humanitarian and food security grounds. Eligible exporters must apply online through the DGFTs ECOM system within the specified timeframe. The allocation process follows a pro-rata system based on past export records and quantity applied for. It is essential for allocated exporters to submit the Landing Certificate within one month of completing the export of the allocated broken rice quota. For further information and to access the online application portal, visit the DGFT website at https://www.dgft.gov.in.

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Department of Commerce

Directorate General of Foreign Trade

Trade Notice No. 08/2023-DGFT | Dated: 20th June, 2023

To

1. All Regional Authorities of DGFT

2. All Customs Commissionerate

3. Members of Trade

Subject: Procedure for allocation of quota for export of broken rice on humanitarian and food security grounds, based on requests received from Governments of other Countries.

Government of India amended the export policy of broken rice under HS Code 1006 40 00 from Free to Prohibited vide Notification No.31/2015-2020 dated 8th September, 2022. The Notification came into effect from 9th September, 2022. The provisions as under Para 1.05 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020 regarding transitional arrangement is not be applicable under this Notification for export of broken rice. During the period from 9th September, 2022 till 15th September, 2022, which was later extended upto 15th October. 2022, the following consignments of broken rice were allowed to be exported:

i. where loading of broken rice on the ship has commenced before this Notification;

ii. where the shipping bill is filed and vessels have already berthed or arrived and anchored in Indian ports and their rotation number has been allocated before this Notification; The approval of loading in such vessels will be issued only after confirmation by the concerned Port Authorities regarding anchoring/berthing of the ship for loading of broken rice prior to the Notification; and

iii. where broken rice consignment has been handed over to the Customs before this Notification and is registered in their system / where broken rice consignment has entered the Customs Station for exportation before this Notification and is registered in the electronic systems of the concerned Custodian of the Customs Station with verifiable evidence of date and time stamping of these commodities having entered the Customs Station prior to 8.9.2022. The period of export shall be upto 30th November, 2022.

3. The Government of India further amended the export policy of broken rice vide Notification No.07/2023 dated 24th May, 2023 incorporating the following policy condition:

Export will be allowed on the basis of permission granted by the Government of India to other Countries to meet their food security needs and based on the request of their Government.

4. The requests received from the Government of Senegal, Gambia and Indonesia for import of broken rice from India during the FY 2023-24 has been approved by the competent authority.

5. Accordingly, applications are invited from exporters of rice for allocation of quota. In order to maintain objectivity and utmost transparency in allocation of the quota, the mode of allocation is decided as under:-

I. Applications may be submitted through an online portal;

II. Only those exporters are eligible to submit applications who have exported rice (all varieties) to Senegal, Gambia and Indonesia in three years previous to FY in which the item was prohibited.

III. Allocation may be made with minimum threshold of 8000 MT by sea.

IV. Application would be allowed only if the exporter applies for quantity more than the minimum threshold.

V. Allocation will be first made on the basis of pro-rata to average export of rice (all varieties) respectively to the country concerned in three years previous to FY in which the item was prohibited and quantity applied for, whichever is less subject to minimum threshold.

VI. Any unutilized quantity will then be reallocated again to the eligible exporters on pro-rata basis as in point V.

6. Based on the above mode of allocation, the procedure to apply for the export authorization under approved quota is outlined as below:-

a. Exporters can apply online through DGFTs ECOM system for Export Authorisations Non-SCOMET Restricted Items (Please refer Trade Notice No. 03/2021-22 dated 10.05.2021. There is no need to send hard copy of the application via mail or post.

b. Validity of the Export Authorisation will be till 31st December, 2023.

c. Online applications filed from 21/06/2023 to 30/06/2023 will only be considered.

d. The documents to be submitted along with the application must include the following:

i. Export data for three years previous to FY in which the item was prohibited;

7. All applicants seeking export authorization for restricted items may apply online by navigating to the DGFT website (https://www.dgft.gov.in) -> Services -> Export Management Systems -> License for Restricted Exports.

8. Deficient applications or applications received through mails or by post will not be considered.

9. The exporters who have been allocated the quota of broken rice will submit the Landing Certificate within one month of completion of export of allocation quota of broken rice.

This issues with the approval of competent authority.

(S.K. Mohapatra)

Joint Director General of Foreign Trade

E-mail: mohapatra.sk@nic.in

(Issued from F. No. 01/91/171/35/AM20/E-file/Part-2/E-35458)
PORTLAND  Authorities say Kenneth R. Pruitt, 42, of Seattle, is the suspect who led police on a chase through multiple counties in Washington state, including Cowlitz, before being apprehended in the Portland area Sunday night, according to Sgt. Kevin Allen of the Portland Police Bureau.

Currently held at the Multnomah County Detention Center in downtown Portland, Pruitt faces charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, escape in the third degree, and aggravated harassment.

Allen said officers of the Portland Police Bureaus North Precinct did not engage in the pursuit. Still, an officer with the Portland Police Bureau did perform a PIT maneuver and thus ended the vehicle chase and launched a foot chase.

Pruitt was later taken into custody by Washington State Troopers and officers of the Portland Police Bureau.

Allen said Pruitt allegedly resisted arrest, attempted to bite an officer, and spat on a firefighter.

Tacoma Police Public Information Officer Wendy Haddow told The Daily News that just before 7 p.m. on Sunday, Pruitt was involved in a domestic violence episode in which he allegedly choked and stabbed a person with a pencil. He then fled from the scene in the victims car.

According to Washington State Patrol, Pruitt struck a vehicle in the southbound lane of Interstate 5 just before entering Cowlitz County.

WSP spokesperson Trooper Will Finn said Pruitt was driving between 80 to 100 mph.
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:

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush emerges from the hatch atop the OceanGate submarine Cyclops 1 in the San Juan Islands, Wash., on Sept. 12, 2018. Rescuers in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean raced against time Tuesday, June 20, 2023, to find a missing submersible before the oxygen supply runs out for five people, including Stockton, who were on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic. Credit: Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP

In a race against the clock on the high seas, an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday for a submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.

U.S. Coast Guard officials said the search covered 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) but turned up no sign of the lost sub known as the Titan. Although rescuers planned to continue looking, time was running out because the vessel would have less than two days of oxygen left if it is still intact and functioning.

"This is a very complex search, and the unified team is working around the clock," Cpt. Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District in Boston told a news conference.

Frederick said the crew would have no more than about 41 hours of oxygen remaining as of midday Tuesday. That means its air supply could run out Thursday morning.

He added that an underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic and that there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.

Three C-17 transport planes from the U.S. military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. John's, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokeswoman for U.S. Air Mobility Command said.

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. On Monday, June 19, 2023, a rescue operation was underway deep in the Atlantic Ocean in search of the technologically advanced submersible vessel carrying five people to document the wreckage of the Titanic, the iconic ocean liner that sank more than a century earlier. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File

The Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specializes in dive medicine.

Authorities reported the carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's. At the helm was pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers were British adventurer Hamish Harding, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

CBS News journalist David Pogue, who traveled to the Titanic aboard the Titan last year, said the vehicle uses two communication systems: text messages that go back and forth to a surface ship and safety pings that are emitted every 15 minutes to indicate that the sub is still working.

In this photo released by Action Aviation, the submersible Titan is prepared for a dive into a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Rescuers raced against time Tuesday, June 20, to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: Action Aviation via AP

Both of those systems stopped about an hour and 45 minutes after the Titan submerged.

"There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless," Pogue told the Canadian CBC network on Tuesday.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. One system is designed to work even if everyone aboard is unconscious, Pogue said.

Eric Fusil, director of the University of Adelaide's Shipbuilding Hub, said there are other scenarios that could cut communications, including an electrical fire that could create toxic fumes and render the crew unconscious.

Another possibility is that Titan became entangled in the wreck of the Titanic and is stuck there, Fusil said.

In this photo provided by Blue Origin, NS-21 (New Shepard-21), astronaut Hamish Harding receives his Blue Origin astronaut pin after a successful flight to space on June 4, 2022, in Van Horn, Texas. According to Action Aviation, a company for which Harding serves as chairman, the U.K. businessman was one of the mission specialists onboard a missing submersible carrying five people to view the wreckage of the Titanic that was reported overdue late Sunday, June 18, 2023. Credit: Felix Kunze/Blue Origin via AP

"What I would like to believe ... is that Titan suffered from a power loss, but they could still go back to the surface" and be spotted by aircraft and ships, he said.

Experts said the rescuers face steep challenges.

Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, said submersibles typically have a drop weight, which is "a mass they can release in the case of an emergency to bring them up to the surface."

"If there was a power failure and/or communication failure, this might have happened, and the submersible would then be bobbing about on the surface waiting to be found," Greig said.

Another scenario is a leak in the pressure hull, in which case the prognosis is not good, he said.

"If it has gone down to the seabed and can't get back up under its own power, options are very limited," Greig said. "While the submersible might still be intact, if it is beyond the continental shelf, there are very few vessels that can get that deep, and certainly not divers."

In this photo released by Action Aviation, the submersible Titan is prepared for a dive into a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Rescuers raced against time Tuesday, June 20, to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: Action Aviation via AP

The Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was supporting the Titan, was to continue conducting surface searches with help from a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, the Coast Guard said on Twitter. Two U.S. Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft also conducted overflights.

The Canadian military dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds from the Titan.

OceanGate's expeditions to the Titanic wreck site include archaeologists and marine biologists. The company also brings people who pay to come along. They take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the submersible.

Rush told The Associated Press in June 2021 that the Titan's technology was "very cutting edge" and was developed with the help of NASA and aerospace manufacturers.

"This is the only submersiblecrewed submersiblethat's made of carbon fiber and titanium," Rush said, citing a design that includes 5-inch-thick carbon fiber and 3.25-inch-thick titanium.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, talks to the media, Monday, June 19, 2023, in Boston. A search is underway for a missing submersible that carries people to view the wreckage of the Titanic. Canadian officials say the five-person submersible was reported overdue Sunday night about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland and that the search is being led by the U.S. Coast Guard. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

Passengers included Harding, who lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country; and French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist based in California and a friend of Rush, called the lost submersible "a fundamentally new submarine design" that showed great promise for future research. Unlike its predecessors, the Titan was not spherical and instead relied on a cylindrical shape that tapers at one end.

"Stockton was a risk taker. He was smart ... he had a vision. He wanted to push things forward," Stone said.

The expedition was OceanGate's third annual voyage to chronicle the deterioration of Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew. The wreckage was discovered in 1985 and has been slowly succumbing to metal-eating bacteria.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, speaks to the media, Monday, June 19, 2023, in Boston. A search is underway for a missing submersible that carries people to view the wreckage of the Titanic. Canadian officials say the five-person submersible was reported overdue Sunday night about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland and that the search is being led by the U.S. Coast Guard. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

In this photograph released by Action Aviation, company chairman and billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding looks out to sea before boarding the submersible Titan for a dive into the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Rescuers raced against time Tuesday, June 20, to find the missing submersible carrying Harding and four other people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: Action Aviation via AP

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush is seen on Oct. 22, 2013, in Seattle. Rescuers in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean raced against time Tuesday, June 20, 2023, to find a missing submersible before the oxygen supply runs out for five people, including Rush, who were on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic. Credit: Greg Gilbert/The Seattle Times via AP

Conservation International's Greg Stone, a marine biologist who helps run the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory at the University of Hawaii, travels in the Picses V submersible off the coast of Hawaii's Big Island in this Sept. 6, 2016, file photo. Credit: AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File

OceanGate CEO and co-founder Stockton Rush speaks in front of a projected image of the wreckage of the ocean liner SS Andrea Doria during a presentation on their findings after an undersea exploration, on June 13, 2016, in Boston. Rescuers in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean raced against time Tuesday, June 20, 2023, to find a missing submersible before the oxygen supply runs out for five people, including Stockton, who were on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic. Credit: AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, front, faces reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard says a search covering 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) has turned up no signs of a missing submersible off New England. Authorities made the announcement Tuesday. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, center left, faces reporters as Coast Guard Chief Public Affairs Specialist Robert Simpson, right, looks on during a news conference, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard says a search covering 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) has turned up no signs of a missing submersible off New England. Authorities made the announcement Tuesday. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, center, faces reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard says a search covering 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) has turned up no signs of a missing submersible off New England. Authorities made the announcement Tuesday. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

OceanGate's website described the "mission support fee" for the 2023 expedition as $250,000 a person.

Recalling his own trip aboard the Titan, Pogue said the vessel got turned around looking for the Titanic.

"There's no GPS underwater, so the surface ship is supposed to guide the sub to the shipwreck by sending text messages," Pogue said in a segment aired on "CBS Sunday Morning." "But on this dive, communications somehow broke down. The sub never found the wreck."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Dessiree Hernandez, president of the Mexican Association of Commercial Announcers, speaks at a recording studio in Mexico City.

Voice actors around the globe are mobilizing against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate and clone human voices that they fear poses a threat to their livelihoods.

"We're fighting a very big monster," said Mario Filio, a Mexican artist who has done voiceovers for Hollywood star Will Smith, the Obi-Wan Kenobi character in Star Wars and the party-loving lemur King Julien in the animated movie "Madagascar."

Campaigning under the slogan "Don't steal our voices," more than 20 voice acting guilds, associations and unions from Europe, the United States and Latin America have created the United Voice Artists coalition.

It represents the faceless voiceover artists and narrators of commercials, movies, audiobooks and video games who fear that their voices will be replaced by machines, or even cloned by artificial intelligence without their consent.

"The undiscriminating and unregulated use of artificial intelligence is a risk that could lead to the extinction of an artistic heritage of creativity and wonder, an asset that machines cannot generate," according to the group, which says its members include the US National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) and Latin America's Organization of United Voices.

"Our voices are our livelihood," NAVA vice president Carin Gilfry said in a statement last month.

"And if we don't have control over how those voices are used, we can't make a living," she added.

Voice artists were already competing with text-to-speech technology that turns written words into synthetic voice.

'We're fighting a very big monster,' Mexican voiceover artist Mario Filio says of the threat from artificial intelligence.

Now artificial intelligence has brought a new threat.

Thanks to machine learning, software can compare a voice sample with millions of existing ones, identifying patterns that generate a clone.

"It's fed by voices that we've been providing for years," said Dessiree Hernandez, president of the Mexican Association of Commercial Announcers.

"We're talking about the right to use your voice without your consent," she added.

'Adapt or disappear'

Platforms offer human sounding text-to-speech services for a fraction of what professionals would charge.

One, revoicer.com, says that it does not intend to replace human voiceovers, but to offer a quicker and cheaper alternative.

Although they continued to be hired, voice actors suspect that companies are using their voices to build up their archives.

The artists are seeking tools to track their voices in the face of sophisticated piracy.

Artists want laws to prevent recordings of their voices being used to develop AI without their consent, says Colombian voice actor Daniel Soler de la Prada.

They want laws to prevent recordings of their voices being used to develop AI without their consent, and also support setting quotas for human voiceovers, said Colombian voice artist Daniel Soler de la Prada.

In the future, audiences could hear a famous actor's voice in several languages but with the intonation of a dubbing artist, Filio said.

While that could generate employment and benefits for the public, voice artists "need to charge what's fair," he added.

Mexican voice artist Maclovia Gonzalez said that she would only sign a contract with an AI company if it provided enough information about how the content would be used.

"I want to be part of this revolution, but not at any price," she said.

Art Dubbing, a company that has received several requests from clients to use synthetic voices, faces a dilemma: "adapt or disappear," said its Mexican founder, Anuar Lopez de la Pena.

Filio for his part said that he stopped recording for many clients for fear of hurting his colleagues' livelihoods.

But he is skeptical that artificial intelligence will replace voice actors completely because the machines have "no soul," he added.

 2023 AFP
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AEP for a Morecambe Bay barrage and North Wales coastal lagoon with various numbers of turbines, generator ratings and SRs. Credit: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy (2023). DOI: 10.1680/jener.22.00077

Tidal range schemes are financially viable and could lower energy bills, say researchers from Lancaster University's School of Engineering and the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology. They combined a tidal range power generation model with its cost model to demonstrate the viability of tidal power.

Professor George Aggidis, Head of Energy Engineering at Lancaster University, said, "The obvious question for the U.K., with one of the best tidal resources globally, is why haven't we already got a tidal barrage scheme?"

The research published in Proceedings of the Institution of Civil EngineersEnergy demonstrates the benefits of tidal energy, which does not suffer from unpredictable intermittency as power is generated both day and night.

The creation of a tidal barrage could operate for 120 years or more to meet future demand and storage problems.

Professor Aggidis said, "There is an urgent need to kick-start the selection and development of schemes around Britain. Tidal range generation is predictable renewable energy driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. The environmental and economic benefits are huge as barrages can protect coastal areas from flooding and sea level rise. With two-way generation and pumping, the full range of existing tides can be maintained within impoundments to protect and support low-lying intertidal areas such as saltmarshes and mudflats.

"Our studies show that with modern technology and operating procedures, estuarine barrages are the only practical way to protect these vital habitats. Coastal lagoons have also been proposed for several locations around Britain's coast. Schemes will provide jobs in construction and manufacturing for generations to come as well as opportunities for transport, communication, conservation, and recreation. In the long-term they will provide reliable power with reduced costs."

The U.K. has the second highest tidal range in the world and offers the U.K. a level of independence from global prices and in the long-term cheap clean power.

Currently the Tidal Range projects under commercial consideration offer an achievable 10 GW installed capacity, delivering over 20TWh/y, about 5% of U.K. energy use. Based on the U.K. relevant resource availability there is the potential to further increase this installed capacity over 4 to 5 times with other tidal range project sites around the U.K..

Such developments are essential to assist the U.K. to reduce its carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel power stations. The current U.K. total generating capacity is around 42.8 GW that includes fossil fuels (19.2GW 44.9%), renewables (16.5GW, 38.5%), and low carbon (7.1GW16.6%). The La Rance Tidal Range plant in France today generates the cheapest electricity in the EDF fleetcheaper than nuclear.

More information: David Vandercruyssen et al, Tidal range generation: combining the Lancaster zero-dimension generation and cost models, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil EngineersEnergy (2023). DOI: 10.1680/jener.22.00077
(Photo : AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Two Palestinian assailants shot and killed four Israeli civilians outside a Jewish settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Two Palestinian attackers opened fire at a restaurant and gas station near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on Tuesday, killing four Israelis and wounding several others before being shot dead as violence wracked the occupied territory a day after a deadly Israeli military raid.

Israeli settlers attempted to carry out retaliatory assaults across the northern West Bank, sparking concerns of a repeat of a February rampage that destroyed dozens of Palestinian homes and vehicles and resulted in the death of a Palestinian man.

Palestinians Fatally Shoot 4 Israelis Before Being Killed

Ghassan Daghlas, an official from Nablus, reported that hundreds of Israeli settlers drove to the northern Palestinian communities of Hawara, Beit Furik, Burin, and adjacent villages, where they burned dozens of vehicles, threw stones, and attempted to set residences on fire.

There were no reports of significant injuries immediately. Tuesday's violence highlighted the precarious nature of the situation in the West Bank, where on Monday an Israeli military raid into the northern Jenin refugee camp sparked the fiercest Israeli-Palestinian fighting in years, resulting in the deaths of six Palestinians and the wounding of dozens more.

Palestinian militants detonated powerful roadside explosives against Israeli military vehicles, and Israeli forces deployed helicopter gunships to evacuate stranded soldiers.

In the Balata refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus, two Palestinian adolescents were killed when homemade explosives they were handling unintentionally detonated, according to a statement from the local branch of Islamic Jihad.

The militant group identified the two Palestinians slain as Mohammed Hashah, 17, and Alaa Hafnawi, 18. Palestinian media reported that a third of those injured by the explosion were Palestinians.

The Associated Press reports that a surge in violence in recent months has resulted in the deaths of at least 130 Palestinians and 24 Israelis so far this year, prompting many on both sides of the conflict to fear a potential escalation.

Read Also: China, Germany Hold High-Level Meeting, Agree to Deeper Cooperation

Israeli-Palestinian Violence

Video footage revealed that the shootings occurred at a restaurant and petrol station adjacent to the settlement of Eli, approximately 40 kilometers north of Jerusalem.

According to security officials, an Israeli civilian shot and killed one of the attackers, a Palestinian from a nearby Arab village, and a second attacker was later shot in his escape vehicle following a manhunt.

Hamas, the Islamist militia and political movement that dominates the Gaza Strip, stated that the assailants were members of its armed branch and attributed the violence to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, police raids on a mosque in Jerusalem, and military incursions in the northern West Bank.

According to NY Times, Hamas has avoided direct acknowledgement of any involvement in West Bank violence in recent years. Its decision to claim responsibility this time has increased the likelihood of Israeli retaliation against Hamas leaders and infrastructure in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Israeli forces undertake daily raids within Palestinian communities in the West Bank, in what experts describe as the most sustained military operation there since the second Palestinian uprising, or intifada, in the early 2000s.

One such raid on Monday prompted an unusually protracted gun conflict between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants in another region of the northern West Bank, resulting in the deaths of six Palestinians and the uncommon destruction of Israeli military vehicles.

This increased the number of Palestinian deaths this year to over 160. The majority of them were slain in Israeli military raids in the West Bank, one of the highest mortality rates in the past fifteen years.

Related Article: VIDEO: 4 Dead After Blaze at New York E-Bike Shop Spreads Apartments

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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The two companies have made major investments in AI companies. Credit: kovop / Shutterstock

Microsoft and Google have recently made big investments in two of the most valuable companies in artificial intelligence (AI). OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, has received a staggering investment of US$10 billion (7.8 billion) from Microsoft, while Google has invested US$300 million in Anthropic.

The companies' financial support for AI has pushed an ongoing rivalry in to the public spotlight. Google's struggle for dominance with Microsoft is increasingly at the forefront of discussions about AI's future success.

Google has made enormous contributions to the field of AI development, including the invention of transformersa particular form of machine learning, where an algorithm improves at tasks as it is "trained" on datathe advancement of techniques for automating the translation of languages and the acquisition of AI company DeepMind.

Although Google has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of AI development, a significant milestone was reached with the introduction of ChatGPT. California-based company OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022 and a more advanced version, GPT-4, was unveiled in February 2023.

The arrival of ChatGPT sparked widespread discussion about artificial general intelligence (AGI)where machines surpass human intellect. This was also the focus of warnings by Geoffrey Hinton, an influential figure in AI, who gave several interviews outlining his concerns about the technology after resigning from Google earlier this year.

Consequently, the number of research papers focusing on large language models (LLMs)the type of AI technology ChatGPT is based onsurged. Other AI research areas, such as dialog systems and information retrieval, stand to lose out.

Amid this rapid technological disruption, it seems that Google fears losing its technological edge and market dominance.

Contradictory position?

This concern is not unwarranted. ChatGPT, made by a direct competitor, has made use of Google's pioneering internet search techniques to generate significant profit. Furthermore, the flow of talent from Google to OpenAIalong with the latter's rapid growthhas become a worrying trend for the search giant.

When OpenAI was founded, one of its principles was making software that was "open source", where software is publicly available, allowing developers to share and modify it. Google, meanwhile, has maintained a relatively consistent commercial approach regarding its plans and ambitions.

However, OpenAI's recent shift towards commercialism and closed-source practices seems to contradict its original corporate philosophy.

Some industry insiders have criticized OpenAI for its somewhat contradictory posture. While it presents itself as a champion of open-source AI, it is undeniably a commercial entity, a fact it does not readily admit.

ChatGPT has been successfully using search techniques pioneered by Google. Credit: Giulio Benzin / Shutterstock

This tension between OpenAI's public image and business realities has made the rivalry with Google even more intriguing.

One likely outcome of this competition is the continued evolution and refinement of AI technology, spurred by the need to stay ahead in the market. Google's techniques, once exploited by OpenAI for commercial gain, will probably undergo further innovation.

This evolution will not only enhance the functionality of AI applications, but also greatly improve user experiences.

Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president at Microsoft, recently indicated that the company didn't feel it necessary to overhaul the search landscape, as even a single point increase in market share represented a US$2 billion hike in value This strategic downsizing of their ambitions could be an attempt to lessen competitive pressures in the tech industry.

Stronger scrutiny

It's worth noting that Microsoft's association with OpenAI adds another layer to this complex rivalry. Google has also shown a willingness to invest in external AI projects to extend its influence.

For instance, the company's investment in Anthropic, an AI research company, reflects Google's strategy to maintain its technological lead through strategic partnerships.

One concern that resonates with many people, including me, is the potential for misinformation, disinformation and distortion created by ChatGPT. With over 200 million users, it serves around 2.53% of the global population.

Widespread disinformation on social media has significantly eroded trust in online content and reportedly influenced the 2016 US presidential election.

With such a vast user base for ChatGPT, it is conceivable that tech companies could manipulate conversations, subtly swaying users' preferences and decisions in numerous ways. Therefore, the need for stronger scrutiny and regulation of these large language models is becoming increasingly urgent.

Despite the growing competition over AI, Google remains a respected entity in the global tech industry. The AI rivalry between Google and Microsoft has driven both companies to push the boundaries of this technology, promising exciting advancements in the years to come.

The various strategies employed in this competition, from talent acquisition to strategic investments, reflect the significance of the stakes in the AI landscape. Specifically, acquiring top talent allows these companies to advance their AI capabilities, giving them a competitive edge.

Strategic investments, on the other hand, allow for diversification and expansion into new AI applications and sectors, increasing their influence and market share in the AI field. These actions underscore the high value and potential of AI technology in shaping our future.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

President Joe Biden smiles as members of the media leave the room and ask questions about his son Hunter Biden, during a discussion on managing the risks of Artificial Intelligence during an event in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

President Joe Biden convened a group of technology leaders on Tuesday to debate what he called the "risks and enormous promises" of artificial intelligence.

The Biden administration is seeking to figure out how to regulate the emergent field of AI, looking for ways to nurture its potential for economic growth and national security and protect against its potential dangers.

"We'll see more technological change in the next 10 years that we saw in the last 50 years," Biden said as the meeting with eight technology experts from academia and advocacy groups kicked off.

"AI is already driving that change," Biden said.

The sudden emergence of AI chatbot ChatGPT and other tools has jumpstarted investment in the sector. AI tools are able to craft human-like text, music, images and computer code. This form of automation could increase the productivity of workers, but experts warn of numerous risks.

The technology could be used to replace workers, causing layoffs. It's already being deployed in false images and videos, becoming a vehicle of disinformation that could undermine democratic elections. Governments, as well as the European Union, have said they are determined to regulate and put brakes on AI before it is too late.

People hold signs as the motorcade with President Joe Biden drives through the area in Kentfield, Calif., where he will attend a campaign fundraiser. Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Biden said social media has already shown the harm technology can do "without the right safeguards in place."

In May, Biden's administration brought together tech CEOs at the White House to discuss these issues, with the Democratic president telling them, "What you're doing has enormous potential and enormous danger."

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients' office is developing a set of actions the federal government can take over the coming weeks regarding AI, according to the White House. Top officials are meeting two to three times each week on this issue, in addition to the daily work of federal agencies. The administration wants commitments from private companies to address the possible risks from AI.

Biden met Tuesday at the Fairmont hotel in San Francisco with Tristan Harris, executive director of the Center for Human Technology; Jim Steyer, the CEO of Common Sense Media; and Joy Buolamwin, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, among others. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was also in attendance.

President Joe Biden walks from Marine One with trip director Travid Dredd at the Crissy Field Landing Zone in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, as he returns from a campaign reception in Kentfield, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

President Joe Biden speaks during a discussion on managing the risks of Artificial Intelligence during an event in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, as California Gov. Gavin Newsom listens. Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Biden is also in the San Francisco area to raise money for this 2024 reelection campaign. At his first fundraiser of the night, Biden spoke about what he saw as freedoms under siege, particularly for the LGBTQ community and with the overturning of abortion protections by the U.S. Supreme Court. And as president, it's his job to help safeguard the right to choose.

"I think the American people need to have the confidence that we're going to do what we say we're going to do," he said.

Climate change has also been a priority in Biden's speeches at the fundraisers. On Tuesday, he told a group that he expects that John Kerry, the special envoy for climate, will soon return to China for talks on reducing carbon emissions.

 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 pilot study was conducted at Residencial Baltimore in Uberlandia, Minas Gerais state. Credit: Flavia Almeida

Brazil has a housing deficit of 5.876 million units (5.044 million in urban areas and 832,000 in rural areas), according to the latest government survey.

The number corresponds to 8.1% of the nation's total stock of private dwellings, permanent and improvised. To make good at least part of this huge social debt, the federal government launched a low-income housing program called Minha Casa Minha Vida ("My Home My Life") in 2009.

However, funding was insufficient to meet demand of this size, and low investment allocated to construction of each unit resulted in problems such as lack of thermal comfort, a constant complaint by residents.

To develop simple and low-cost solutions to the problem, a pilot study was conducted at Residencial Baltimore, a social housing project in Uberlandia, Minas Gerais state, by researchers affiliated with the Federal University of the Minas Triangle's Institute of Technological and Exact Sciences (ICTE-UFTM) and the University of Sao Paulo's Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE-USP), also in Brazil. The study was led by Dominique Mouette, a professor at USP's School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH).

An article on the study is published in the journal Sustainability.

"The best design in terms of thermal comfort combined three simple, cheap and sustainable solutions: replacing conventional windows with fully openable tilting windows; replacing brick walls with monolithic expanded polystyrene walls; and replacing ordinary window glass with green-tinted tempered glass," said Vitoria Elisa da Silva, second author of the article and a researcher at ICTE-UFTM.

Residents frequently complain that the houses are hot and stuffy, she explained. The usual windows in these projects can only be half-opened. Tilting windows can be fully opened, substantially boosting airflow and natural ventilation. The use of expanded polystyrene in the walls and green-tinted glass in the windows contribute to insulation, blocking part of the thermal energy received from the environment.

The walls are made of sheets of expanded polystyrene (EPS) coated with stucco (cement plaster). EPS is inexpensive, lightweight, resistant to water and moisture, and widely used for thermal and acoustic insulation.

Its thermal conductivity is very low compared with conventional wall materials such as hollow bricks or concrete blocks so that less heat is conveyed from the outside to the inside of the wall. The main drawback is that it is a petroleum product and hence non-biodegradable. When dumped in a landfill, it takes at least 500 years to decompose. However, as the article notes, it can be effectively recycled, and this reduces its carbon footprint.

Energy saving

According to Mouette, enhancing thermal comfort was a major motivation for the study, but it was part of a much broader research effort. "The study can be considered a contribution to the search for energy-saving alternatives that reduce global carbon emissions. In many cases, air conditioners account for at least half the electricity consumed by a home or office. We set out to develop a cooling solution that could be cheaper and have less environmental impact," she said.

Besides guzzling electricity, air conditioners are a source of environmental warming. They expel warm air, creating islands of heat above and around tall buildings and entire city blocks. "The result is a vicious circle because external warming induces extra use of air conditioners, and all this has a huge environmental impact that can only aggravate the climate crisis," Mouette warned.

The association between thermal comfort and air conditioning is questionable, she added, because this kind of artificial indoor cooling can actually be uncomfortable, not to mention unhealthy.

Cylon Liaw, first author of the article and a researcher at IEE-USP, highlighted the social aspect of the problem. "The units built by the program are all the same, whatever the climate where projects are located. The solutions we proposed for Residencial Baltimore in Uberlandia also took into account the financial situation of the families involved, who can't afford air conditioning or the huge electricity bills it entails," he said.

As for whether the proposals will be implemented, Liaw noted that when the government relaunched the program in February 2023, it stated its readiness to listen to residents' complaints. "I don't know if that includes the issue of thermal comfort, but I do think our study represents at least a step in the right direction," he said.

Minha Casa Minha Vida was shut down in 2020 and replaced by an entirely different social housing program called Casa Verde e Amarela. "The amount allocated to the program was drastically reduced on a per-unit basis, and we had to adjust our own cost estimate when we conducted our study in 2021 and 2022," Law said, adding that another co-author, Rebecca Maduro, an architect and also a researcher at IEE-USP, made a most important contribution in this regard. "She participated in the program for more than two decades. Her input was fundamental."

To develop their solutions, the researchers constructed a model based on the standard unit's living room, with an area of just under 11 square meters and a ceiling height of 2 meters, and with multiple interacting variables, such as airflow, heat transfer, temperature and humidity, all integrated and quantified using systems dynamics and computational treatment.

"The next step entailed setting values for entry variables such as useful ventilation area or glazing and wall materials and then simulating the different resulting scenarios. From the worst to the best scenario, the peak temperature was substantially lower for larger window openings, demonstrating that natural ventilation and simple, widely available building elements contribute to thermal comfort in the home," Silva said.

More information: Cylon Liaw et al, Thermal Comfort Analysis Using System Dynamics ModelingA Sustainable Scenario Proposition for Low-Income Housing in Brazil, Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.3390/su15075831
(Photo : ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP via Getty Images)

At least 41 persons were killed in clashes between rival gangs at a women's prison in Honduras on Tuesday.

Tuesday's disturbance at a women's penitentiary in Honduras resulted in the deaths of at least 41 women, the majority of whom were burned to death, according to authorities.

Yuri Mora, the spokesperson for the national police investigation agency of Honduras, stated that the majority of victims were incinerated, but there were also reports of inmates being shot at the prison in Tamara, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of the capital city of Tegucigalpa.

Women Killed in Riot at Women's Prison in Honduras

At least seven female prisoners were being treated at a hospital in Tegucigalpa for firearm and knife wounds, according to hospital staff.

According to CBS News, Honduran President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya stated on Twitter that she was "shocked by the barbaric murder of women in CEFAS, planned by criminals in full view of security officials."

The head of the country's prison system, Julissa Villanueva, attributed the unrest to recent efforts by authorities to tighten down on illegal activity inside prisons and attributed Tuesday's violence to "actions we are taking against organized crime."

Mora stated that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue their efforts, adding that some of the victims died from fires and others from firearm wounds. Per CNN, he stated that the primary assistance center in Tegucigalpa had received several injured persons.

The nation has a history of incidents in its prisons, which have been criticized for their overcrowding and deplorable conditions amid a rise in organized crime. In 2003, 63 individuals perished in a prison riot, and in 2021, more than 300 perished in a prison conflagration.

According to Delma Ordonez, who represents the detainees' families, members of a rival gang broke into the cell of an opposing group and set it on fire. She informed the media that this section of the prison was "completely devastated."

Ordonez stated that the CEFAS correctional facility in Tamara housed approximately 900 offenders.

Read Also: VIDEO: 4 Dead After Blaze at New York E-Bike Shop Spreads Apartments

Honduras Corruption, Criminals

Honduras is rife with corruption and criminals, which have infiltrated the highest levels of government. Along with El Salvador and Guatemala, Honduras forms the so-called "triangle of death" in Central America, which is afflicted by the maras, which govern drug trafficking and organized crime.

Drug trafficking organizations and gang members are primarily responsible for Honduras's skyrocketing homicide rate, which was four times higher than the global average last year at 40 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.

Numerous young people have given up hope for an improved future and are solely focused on immigrating to the United States. The majority of Colombian cocaine and other narcotics destined for the United States pass through Honduras.

In April 2022, former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez was extradited to the United States on narcotic charges, just over a year after his brother Tony Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison in New York.

Per The Strait Times, US prosecutors assert that Hernandez transformed Honduras into a "narco-state" in which the military, police, and civilian population were involved in drug trafficking.

Former national police superintendent Juan Carlos Bonilla was also extradited to the United States to stand prosecution for allegedly supervising drug trafficking operations on Hernandez's behalf in May of last year.

Related Article: Palestinian Shooters Killed Israeli Civilians in Revenge Attack Near West Bank

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FICTION: The autobiographical novel looks at class struggles in Morocco in the 1960s.

"Watch Us Dance" by Leila Slimani, translated by Sam Taylor; Viking (322 pages, $28)



The defining scene in Leila Slimani's "Watch Us Dance" comes near the end.

It's the wedding of wealthy Aicha Belhaj, whose Moroccan family profited during France's 1956 withdrawal from their country. As she and her friends party, impoverished employees and neighbors watch from a nearby glade, enjoying the music from a party to which they were not invited and hoping for plates of leftovers. Slimani packs a lot into that scene about a changing Morocco whose citizens are becoming fed up with subsisting on handouts.

It never seemed right to classify Slimani's international blockbuster "The Perfect Nanny" as a thriller. Yes, a nanny kills her charges but, despite that crime, "Nanny" is more about interrogating privilege and bigotry than finding thrills. That's also true of Slimani's "In the Country of Others," a fictionalized look at Slimani's grandparents in the 1950s, when her native Morocco broke free.

Wealthy Amine and Mathilde are still around in "Watch Us Dance," building a swimming pool and worrying about flaunting their wealth while so many around them have nothing. But the focus shifts to the next generation, including industrious daughter Aicha and spoiled son Selim.

"Watch" reads like loosely linked stories in its first half, which follow various family members as they figure out where their lives are going. Selim takes up with hippies and embarks on a shocking affair, while Aiche will-they-or-won't-theys with a fellow student.

Throughout the novel, there are signs of change on the horizon. Selim's travels are interrupted by a possible coup, during which it's briefly believed that the king has been killed. The nation watches the first moon landing. The language and culture of France are shoved aside by young Moroccans who yearn for a fresh start.

These themes emerge gracefully in Slimani's languid, atmospheric prose, translated from French by Sam Taylor. But the language is in tension with the events, which accelerate rapidly toward the end of "Watch," a sign that Moroccans aren't always going to be satisfied with occasionally being handed plates of chicken and potatoes. Soon, they will want a seat at the table.
According to the College Station Police Department, Brian Jutson, a 45-year-old College Station resident, stabbed his wife to death following a domestic dispute at their home Tuesday morning.

Police said they were dispatched to a home in the 14000 block of Renee Lane near Barron Road at 10:42 a.m. where an adult female was found deceased.

According to officers, the husband fled the scene and was later detained through combined assistance from the Bryan Police Department and the Department of Public Safety.

The victim has been identified as 44-year-old College Station resident Sherry Jutson, according to police.

Brian has been charged with murder and no one else was injured, according to a tweet by the CSPD Twitter account.

Police said the case is still under investigation and asks that anyone with information to please contact CSPD at 979-764-3600.
College Station resident Brian Jutson was detained for murder Tuesday following the stabbing death of his wife in their home, according to the College Station Police Department.

At 10:24 a.m. Tuesday, officers said CSPD responded to a call in the 14000 block of Renee Lane in College Station to a report of a death.

According to police, they received the report from Jutson's daughter who told police that her father had called her saying that he had murdered her stepmother, Sherry Jutson.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers said they confirmed Jutson's death and began trying to locate her husband.

Brian Jutson was located exiting his daughters residence in Bryan by the Bryan Police Department after his daughter informed CSPD that he might be there, according to police. Officers said Jutson was taken into custody pending the ongoing criminal investigation and transported to the CSPD for interrogation.

According to police, Jutson waived his Miranda rights and told officers that he had physically assaulted his wife during a verbal argument by strangling her until he said she could no longer breathe. Police said Jutson admitted to grabbing a nearby blade and stabbing his wife multiple times as she lay on the floor.

Police said Jutson told them that during the assault his wife begged him to stop but that he did not. Police also said that although Jutson had received emergency first-aid training through his employment, he admitted to not attempting to save his wifes life and had waited until she no longer appeared to be alive before calling his daughter.

According to police, when officers asked him why he had not called 911 he reportedly said that he had forgotten the number.

Jutson has been charged with murder and is being held under a $500,000 bond, according to Brazos County Jail records.

A Gofundme fundraiser for Sherry's family was organized by Ezra Walton. According to the fundraiser page, donated funds will go to helping her family with the funeral, memorial and other expenses.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas requests that Texans voluntarily reduce electricity use, if safe to do so, due to extreme temperatures and forecasted record demand. Their Voluntary Conservation Notice is in effect from 4-8 p.m. today.

The Voluntary Conservation Notice is part of ERCOTs Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS), alerting the public of grid conditions. Last week, ERCOT issued a Weather Watch from June 15-21 due to increased temperature and high demand.

"[Monday], ERCOT broke the June peak demand record, unofficially, with 79,304 [megawatts], passing last Junes record of 76,718 MW. Last summer, ERCOT set 11 new peak demand records. The current all-time record of 80,148 MW was set on July 20, 2022, according to a Tuesday press release. ERCOT is using additional tools to manage the grid reliably, including using reserve power, calling upon reductions by large electric customers that have volunteered to lower their energy use, and bringing more generation online sooner.

Locally, Bryan and College Station are also calling for conservation.

Pat McIntyre, energy coordinator for College Station Utilities, said as of Tuesday afternoon College Station was about 10% under its record for energy use, which is 231 megawatt-hours. For reference, a megawatt-hour is equal to 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

We could hit it [Tuesday] if we didnt hit it over the weekend with everyone home for Fathers Day; but we may stay under, he said. At this time of year the peak is going to be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tomorrow is the longest day of the year.

So far in the month of June, McIntyre said College Station has seen more usage this month. He anticipates its peak in August.

We are 10% under, normally we are running around high 180s [megawatt-hours] and low 190s, and usually June you start using more electricity and the 100s have come a little early this year, he said. We hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Meagan Brown, Bryan Texas Utilities public information officer, said BTUs system hit an all-time peak record last summer.

That is possible that we could also set that again this week or sometime in the future. It doesnt look like we are going to be getting any relief from warm temperatures in some time, she said. Our previous record from last year was 373 megawatts.

Brown said she didnt think Bryan would set a record this year, however it was hit during July of last year.

We were still pretty well south of [our record] this morning, but as it gets hotter we usually end up climbing and later in the afternoon when it is still very hot outside and people are coming home from school and work and cranking up the air conditioner and maybe starting laundry or cooking dinner, those types of chores and activities end up adding to that electrical demand, she said. We had a much milder spring and that is how it was trending up to this really hot weather we have been having.

As far as conservation reminders for residents, Brown said it is about small behavioral changes.

Instead of keeping your thermostat at your normal temperature that is comfortable, try just a couple degrees above that, it typically wont change your comfort level much, but it will be better for the grid as a whole, she said. The Department of Energy estimates that for every extra degree of cooling that you turn your thermostat down, you can expect your energy usage to increase by 6-8%.

Additional energy-saving tips can be found at ercot.com/txans.
US President Joe Biden called China's top leader Xi Jinping a "dictator" during a Tuesday fundraiser in California.

The recent bold remarks of the President of the US (POTUS) come days after no less than the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken officially visited Beijing.

Biden Labels China's Xi Jinping a Dictator

According to DW, President Biden likened his Chinese counterpart to a "dictator" amid his speech at a fundraiser in California. The POTUS says the spy balloon incident embarrassed the Chinese leader. It is worth noting that the incident scarred the diplomatic relations between the two giants.

During his California fundraiser, Biden talked about the spy balloon incident wherein over 125 people, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, attended.

The President says, "The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he [did not] know it was there."

He then states it was "a great embarrassment for dictators when they [did not] know what happened."

As per NBC News, the POTUS revisited an incident last February involving a Chinese spy balloon that floated above the US. On the other hand, China claimed that the "spy balloon" is an unmanned civilian airship, which Beijing says was for meteorological research. The US Air Force shot down the aircraft when it started hovering about sensitive areas of the US Military.

Read Also: Fox News Dubs Joe Biden as 'Wannabe Dictator' Amid Donald Trump's Post-Arraignment Speech

State Secretary Blinken's Official China Visit

As per CNBC, Biden praised State Secretary Blinken during the fundraiser, saying he did "a good job" during his recent official visit to China. The President says, "Antony Blinken just went over there ... did a good job and [it is] going to take time."

But despite that, NBC News notes that Washington and Beijing have yet to restore all the military communication channels, which have been cut off after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit.

The recent visit of Blinken to Beijing is the first-ever since 2018. The meeting was supposed to occur last February. However, the State Secretary moved it to a later date following the spy balloon incident. After four months after the balloon incident, US and China resumed their meetings, which had been paused for roughly four months.

Nevertheless, Biden still asked his fundraising audience to avoid worrying about the growing tensions between China and the US. He told them, "[do not] worry about China. I mean, worry about China, but [do not] worry about China."

Notably, Biden's public characterization of Chinese President Xi as a dictator marks a notable shift in US-China relations. Beijing has consistently rejected accusations of human rights abuses and maintains that its policies are necessary for stability and development.

As of writing, the Chinese Embassy has yet to respond to the recent remarks of Biden against Xi.

Related Article: Biden Bribery Case: POTUS Berates Reporter for 'Dumb Question' Over 'Big Guy' Reference

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Asana, Inc. (NYSE:ASAN  Get Rating) CEO Dustin A. Moskovitz purchased 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $24.37 per share, with a total value of $974,800.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 39,312,803 shares in the company, valued at approximately $958,053,009.11. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Asana Price Performance

NYSE ASAN traded down $0.82 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $24.20. 2,654,458 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,013,454. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $19.74 and a 200-day moving average of $17.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Asana, Inc. has a one year low of $11.32 and a one year high of $29.51. The stock has a market cap of $5.25 billion, a PE ratio of -13.44 and a beta of 1.30.

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Asana (NYSE:ASAN  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.18) by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $152.41 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $150.55 million. Asana had a negative return on equity of 121.25% and a negative net margin of 63.97%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 26.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.52) EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Asana, Inc. will post -1.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Institutional Trading of Asana

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Asana from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $10.00 target price on shares of Asana in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Asana from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on Asana from $25.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Friday, June 2nd. Finally, Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and set a $18.00 target price on shares of Asana in a research note on Monday, March 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Asana presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $21.98.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASAN. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Asana in the 1st quarter valued at $441,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in Asana by 28.8% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 88,411 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,689,000 after purchasing an additional 19,777 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Asana by 53.5% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 39,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,579,000 after purchasing an additional 13,757 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Asana by 170.0% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 14,596 shares of the companys stock valued at $583,000 after buying an additional 9,191 shares during the period. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in Asana by 2.3% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 76,708 shares of the companys stock worth $3,066,000 after buying an additional 1,716 shares during the last quarter. 24.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Asana Company Profile

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Asana, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates a work management platform for individuals, team leads, and executives in the United States and internationally. Its platform helps organizations to orchestrate work from daily tasks to cross-functional strategic initiatives; and manages product launches, marketing campaigns, and organization-wide goal settings.

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CCFNB Bancorp (OTCMKTS:CCFN  Get Rating) is one of 204 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare CCFNB Bancorp to similar businesses based on the strength of its earnings, valuation, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and risk.

Dividends

CCFNB Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.35 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. CCFNB Bancorp pays out 43.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 11.6% and pay out 15.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. CCFNB Bancorp lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

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Insider & Institutional Ownership

3.7% of CCFNB Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 34.2% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 4.7% of CCFNB Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 14.1% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CCFNB Bancorp N/A N/A N/A CCFNB Bancorp Competitors 33.70% 10.22% 0.85%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares CCFNB Bancorp and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares CCFNB Bancorp and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CCFNB Bancorp N/A N/A 13.82 CCFNB Bancorp Competitors $2.76 billion $654.59 million 353.88

CCFNB Bancorps rivals have higher revenue and earnings than CCFNB Bancorp. CCFNB Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for CCFNB Bancorp and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CCFNB Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A CCFNB Bancorp Competitors 962 2794 2890 33 2.30

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 502.01%. Given CCFNB Bancorps rivals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe CCFNB Bancorp has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Summary

CCFNB Bancorp rivals beat CCFNB Bancorp on 10 of the 10 factors compared.

CCFNB Bancorp Company Profile

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CCFNB Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. that provides banking and related financial services to individual, business, and government customers. It accepts checking, savings, money market, interest checking, individual retirement, and repurchase sweep accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; and demand and time deposits. The company offers commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans; financial and agriculture, tax-exempt, commercial, and consumer real estate loans; and installment loans to individuals. It also provides trust services; personal, corporate, pension, and fiduciary services; stocks, bonds, and other non-insured financial services; and remote capture, internet banking, telephone and mobile banking, and automated teller machine services, as well as investment and insurance products. The company is based in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

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Orion Oyj (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Rating)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $24.40 and last traded at $24.40, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $24.40.

Orion Oyj Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $6.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.68 and a beta of 0.30. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $25.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $26.13. The company has a current ratio of 3.19, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22.

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Orion Oyj (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter. Orion Oyj had a net margin of 24.76% and a return on equity of 37.95%. The company had revenue of $298.14 million for the quarter.

About Orion Oyj

Orion Oyj develops, manufactures, and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Finland, Scandinavia, other European countries, North America, and internationally. It provides prescription drugs and self-care products, which includes Nubeqa for the treatment of prostate cancer; dexdor and Precedex for intensive care sedative; Stalevo and Comtess/Comtan for Parkinson's disease; Simdax for acute decompensated heart failure; and Precedex for intensive care sedative, as well as Fareston for breast cancer.

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Contravisory Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Get Rating) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 23,421 shares of the communications equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $6,701,000. Motorola Solutions accounts for 1.9% of Contravisory Investment Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 1.2% in the first quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 24,589 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $7,036,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 2,453 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $696,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. IAM Advisory LLC lifted its position in Motorola Solutions by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. IAM Advisory LLC now owns 5,615 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,607,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the period. Lantz Financial LLC bought a new stake in Motorola Solutions during the first quarter worth about $234,000. Finally, Northstar Advisory Group LLC grew its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 66.1% in the first quarter. Northstar Advisory Group LLC now owns 9,658 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $2,763,000 after purchasing an additional 3,844 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.93% of the companys stock.

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Motorola Solutions Stock Performance

MSI stock traded up $0.87 on Wednesday, hitting $279.98. The company had a trading volume of 176,756 shares, compared to its average volume of 729,628. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.15. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 12-month low of $204.09 and a 12-month high of $299.43. The stock has a market cap of $46.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.90, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.93. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $286.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $272.54.

Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend

Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The communications equipment provider reported $2.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $2.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.12 billion. Motorola Solutions had a negative return on equity of 1,549.95% and a net margin of 14.63%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.53 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 10.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is currently 44.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reissued a maintains rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Friday, May 5th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Motorola Solutions in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $300.00 to $305.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $303.00 to $329.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Motorola Solutions from $310.00 to $335.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $301.67.

Insider Transactions at Motorola Solutions

In related news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,933 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.01, for a total transaction of $558,656.33. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,611 shares in the company, valued at $465,595.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $291.13, for a total value of $14,556,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 91,843 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,738,252.59. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,933 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.01, for a total value of $558,656.33. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at $465,595.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 101,933 shares of company stock worth $29,642,156 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Motorola Solutions Profile

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Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.

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British American Tobacco p.l.c. (LON:BATS  Get Rating) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the six research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 3,788 ($48.47).

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 4,100 ($52.46) price target on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, March 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered British American Tobacco to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from GBX 3,600 ($46.07) to GBX 3,100 ($39.67) in a report on Monday, March 13th.

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Insider Buying and Selling at British American Tobacco

In related news, insider Jack Bowles acquired 1,016 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 2,885 ($36.92) per share, for a total transaction of 29,311.60 ($37,506.85). In other news, insider Veronique Laury acquired 1,650 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 19th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 2,593 ($33.18) per share, for a total transaction of 42,784.50 ($54,746.64). Also, insider Jack Bowles acquired 1,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 2,885 ($36.92) per share, with a total value of 29,311.60 ($37,506.85). Over the last 90 days, insiders purchased 12,682 shares of company stock worth $32,993,748. 7.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

British American Tobacco Trading Up 0.6 %

British American Tobacco Company Profile

Shares of BATS opened at GBX 2,586.50 ($33.10) on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is GBX 2,733.60 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 2,987.35. British American Tobacco has a twelve month low of GBX 2,543 ($32.54) and a twelve month high of GBX 3,645 ($46.64). The stock has a market cap of 57.94 billion, a PE ratio of 877.13, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.98.

(Get Rating

British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It offers vapour, tobacco heating, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands.

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Nuveen Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NMI  Get Rating) and Goldman Sachs BDC (NYSE:GSBD  Get Rating) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Nuveen Municipal Income Fund and Goldman Sachs BDCs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nuveen Municipal Income Fund N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Goldman Sachs BDC $357.45 million 4.30 $55.00 million $0.41 34.24

Goldman Sachs BDC has higher revenue and earnings than Nuveen Municipal Income Fund.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Analyst Ratings

16.8% of Nuveen Municipal Income Fund shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 28.9% of Goldman Sachs BDC shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Nuveen Municipal Income Fund shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Goldman Sachs BDC shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Nuveen Municipal Income Fund and Goldman Sachs BDC, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nuveen Municipal Income Fund 0 0 0 0 N/A Goldman Sachs BDC 0 4 0 0 2.00

Goldman Sachs BDC has a consensus price target of $15.67, indicating a potential upside of 11.59%. Given Goldman Sachs BDCs higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Goldman Sachs BDC is more favorable than Nuveen Municipal Income Fund.

Profitability

This table compares Nuveen Municipal Income Fund and Goldman Sachs BDCs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nuveen Municipal Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Goldman Sachs BDC 10.90% 14.15% 6.03%

Dividends

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund pays an annual dividend of $0.35 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Goldman Sachs BDC pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 12.8%. Goldman Sachs BDC pays out 439.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Volatility and Risk

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund has a beta of 0.16, meaning that its share price is 84% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Goldman Sachs BDC has a beta of 1.19, meaning that its share price is 19% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Goldman Sachs BDC beats Nuveen Municipal Income Fund on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Nuveen Municipal Income Fund

(Get Rating)

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund is a closed-end investment fund/investment trust. The funds objective is a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax. The company was founded on April 20, 1988 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

About Goldman Sachs BDC

(Get Rating)

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. is a business development company specializing in middle market and mezzanine investment in private companies. It seeks to make capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, senior secured debt, junior secured debt, including first lien, first lien/last-out unitranche and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt and, to a lesser extent, investments in equities. The fund primarily invests in United States. It seeks to invest between $10 million and $75 million in companies with EBITDA between $5 million and $75 million annually.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO  Get Rating) in a report issued on Sunday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

ARGO has been the topic of a number of other reports. Raymond James cut shares of Argo Group International from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 28th. Compass Point cut shares of Argo Group International from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $30.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Monday, March 13th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Argo Group International from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th.

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Argo Group International Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of ARGO opened at $29.55 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $29.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The stock has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.74 and a beta of 1.03. Argo Group International has a 52-week low of $19.00 and a 52-week high of $40.15.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Argo Group International

Argo Group International ( NYSE:ARGO Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.31) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by ($1.11). The business had revenue of $419.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $461.90 million. Argo Group International had a negative net margin of 9.98% and a positive return on equity of 0.06%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Argo Group International will post 2.85 EPS for the current year.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ARGO. FourWorld Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Argo Group International during the 1st quarter worth about $80,747,000. Corbin Capital Partners L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Argo Group International during the 1st quarter worth about $38,957,000. FIL Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Argo Group International during the 1st quarter worth about $34,137,000. Glazer Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Argo Group International during the 1st quarter worth about $30,840,000. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Argo Group International during the 4th quarter worth about $23,090,000. 89.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Argo Group International

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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.

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Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust PLC (LON:BGCG  Get Rating) announced a dividend on Wednesday, April 5th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 22nd will be paid a dividend of GBX 1.70 ($0.02) per share on Wednesday, July 26th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 22nd. The official announcement can be seen at this link.

Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of BGCG stock opened at GBX 222 ($2.84) on Wednesday. Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust has a 1 year low of GBX 204.53 ($2.62) and a 1 year high of GBX 348 ($4.45). The companys fifty day simple moving average is GBX 231.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 262.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market capitalization of 137.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,120.00 and a beta of 0.55.

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Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust Company Profile

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Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust PLC is an open-end equity mutual fund launched by Witan Investment Services Limited. It is co-managed by Dalton Investments LLC;Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited;Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.;Matthews International Capital Management, LLC. It invests in public equity markets of Asia / Pacific region.

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Berkshire Bank cut its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) by 10.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 28,722 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 3,434 shares during the period. Berkshire Banks holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,991,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Elmwood Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Elmwood Wealth Management Inc. now owns 13,686 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $973,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the period. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 14.2% during the 4th quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,131 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $81,000 after buying an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Cigna Investments Inc. New boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Cigna Investments Inc. New now owns 26,379 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,898,000 after buying an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Royal Capital Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Capital Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,132 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $365,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Catalyst Financial Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 6,001 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $416,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BMY opened at $65.86 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $67.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $69.98. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $63.07 and a 1-year high of $81.43. The stock has a market cap of $138.36 billion, a PE ratio of 19.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.44.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.96 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 66.47%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BMY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Bank of America increased their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Barclays cut their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $66.00 to $65.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. 51job reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $78.62.

Insider Activity

In other 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

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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.

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Boliden AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:BDNNY  Get Rating) has been assigned an average rating of Reduce from the eleven brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $364.00.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered Boliden AB (publ) from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Berenberg Bank lowered Boliden AB (publ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 19th. Morgan Stanley lowered Boliden AB (publ) from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. DNB Markets lowered Boliden AB (publ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group assumed coverage on Boliden AB (publ) in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. They set an underperform rating on the stock.

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Boliden AB (publ) Trading Down 4.8 %

BDNNY stock opened at $58.95 on Friday. Boliden AB has a 1 year low of $55.19 and a 1 year high of $92.60. The stocks fifty day moving average is $68.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $76.32.

Boliden AB (publ) Cuts Dividend

Boliden AB (publ) ( OTCMKTS:BDNNY Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter.

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.8424 per share. This represents a yield of 9.63%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 9th. Boliden AB (publ)s payout ratio is currently 22.82%.

About Boliden AB (publ)

(Get Rating

Boliden AB (publ) engages in the exploring, extracting, and processing of base metals and precious metals in Sweden, other Nordic region, Germany, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, North America, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Business Area Mines and Business Area Smelters.

Further Reading

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Germany rejects all forms of decoupling, "de-risking" not "de-sinicization" -- Scholz

Xinhua) 11:20, June 21, 2023

BERLIN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Germany rejects all forms of decoupling and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization," said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz here on Tuesday.

The German side welcomes China's development and prosperity, which is conducive to world peace and stability, he said during a meeting with visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

He also pledged that Germany is committed to developing stable relations with China, and is willing to further strengthen bilateral exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and forge more consensus for cooperation in addressing climate change and boosting green development, among others.

Germany supports two-way investment and will provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in the country, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
A Utah school district has reversed its decision to ban the Bible from elementary and middle school libraries.

The Davis School District, Utah's second biggest public system, banned the Bible in May after a parent complained about its "vulgarity" and "violence."

Utah School Reverses Bible Ban

As per the Associated Press (AP), Bibles are making their comeback in the northern Utah school district after its ban last month. Davis School District officials announced the ban reversal at a board meeting on Tuesday, June 20. They argue that the religious text is appropriate for elementary and middle school students.

The committee says, "The Bible has significant, serious value for minors which outweighs the violent or vulgar content it contains."

More than 70 people have appealed the ban, which took place last month. And now, the Davis School District board has sided with these complaints. And as such, the Bible is now accessible to all students again. The school district is home to roughly 72,000 learners to the North of Salt Lake City.

Read Also: Target Faces Bomb Threats in Utah Stores Amid LGBTQ Pride Month Collection Backlash

Why Did the Utah School District Ban the Bible?

The Davis School District initially banned the Bible in May after a parent complained that it contained "vulgarity or violence."

According to NBC News, a parent filed a complaint to the Davis School District to ban the Bible from its bookshelves. The complainant did so to prove a point while criticizing the 2022 Utah law, which enables schools to remove books with "indecent" content. In other words, the move was an act of protest against book bans in the state.

BBC News notes that the Bible ban comes as the new law targeted several books which dive into topics of LGBT and racial identities. The Utah parent who complained says that the King James Bible "has no serious value for minors," arguing that it contains pornographic content, violating the Utah law banning books.

The eight-page complaint was pretty specific, noting that the Bible includes "prostitution," "dildos," "incest," and even "rape."

After its examination, the district ruling agreed that the holy scripture contains "vulgarity or violence not suitable for younger students." However, the committee decided to retain the religious text to bookshelves available to high school students.

However, students have not encountered the initial ban since they are still spending their summer vacation. Classes are resuming on August 17. With the new ruling, students in primary or high school are returning to their schools with the Bible available on bookshelves.

Related Article: Kouri Richins Case: Utah Mom Accused of Fatally Poisoning Husband Googled 'Luxury Prison for Rich' After Committing Crime

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC  Get Rating) has been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the ten brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $729.60.

HSBC has been the topic of a number of research reports. CICC Research raised shares of HSBC from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of HSBC from GBX 650 ($8.32) to GBX 730 ($9.34) in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on HSBC from GBX 880 ($11.26) to GBX 1,000 ($12.80) in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on HSBC in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on HSBC from GBX 650 ($8.32) to GBX 630 ($8.06) in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On HSBC

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HSBC. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in HSBC by 14.8% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 79,629 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,725,000 after buying an additional 10,252 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in HSBC by 55.1% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 16,494 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $564,000 after buying an additional 5,861 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its position in HSBC by 204.5% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 48,310 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,653,000 after buying an additional 32,446 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its position in HSBC by 5.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 8,603 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $294,000 after buying an additional 463 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its position in HSBC by 14.2% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,676,933 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $57,385,000 after buying an additional 208,393 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.37% of the companys stock.

HSBC Price Performance

HSBC opened at $39.36 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $157.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 0.58. HSBC has a 12 month low of $24.77 and a 12 month high of $39.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $35.60.

HSBC (NYSE:HSBC  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The financial services provider reported $2.60 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.85. HSBC had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 32.20%. The company had revenue of $20.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.10 billion. On average, research analysts expect that HSBC will post 6.42 EPS for the current year.

HSBC Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.08%. HSBCs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.46%.

About HSBC

(Get Rating

HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking and wealth products, including current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services; and wealth management services comprising insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions.

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Shares of Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT  Get Rating) have been assigned a consensus rating of Buy from the five ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $43.50.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on CHCT. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. TheStreet downgraded Community Healthcare Trust from a b- rating to a c rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 6,728 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $241,000 after acquiring an additional 255 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 11,750 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $431,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA raised its position in Community Healthcare Trust by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 6,602 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $239,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 28,309 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,011,000 after buying an additional 360 shares during the period. Finally, Brinker Capital Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Brinker Capital Investments LLC now owns 21,254 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $761,000 after buying an additional 363 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.87% of the companys stock.

Community Healthcare Trust Trading Down 1.3 %

Community Healthcare Trust Increases Dividend

CHCT stock opened at $33.84 on Wednesday. Community Healthcare Trust has a 1-year low of $30.38 and a 1-year high of $43.88. The companys 50 day moving average is $34.86 and its 200 day moving average is $36.88. The stock has a market cap of $889.99 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 116.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.73.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This is a boost from Community Healthcare Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. Community Healthcare Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 620.71%.

Community Healthcare Trust Company Profile

(Get Rating

Community Healthcare Trust, Inc engages in the acquisition of real estate properties that are leased to hospitals, doctors, healthcare systems, and other healthcare services providers. It invests in healthcare properties including outpatient treatment and diagnostic facilities, urgent care centers, acute care hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, assisted living and long-term care facilities, medical office buildings, clinics, specialty hospitals and treatment centers.

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ETRACS 2xMonthly Leveraged Wells Fargo Diversified Business Development Company Index ETN Series B (NYSEARCA:BDCY  Get Rating) shares were down 0.6% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $9.73 and last traded at $9.74. Approximately 18,400 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 168% from the average daily volume of 6,861 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.80.

ETRACS 2xMonthly Leveraged Wells Fargo Diversified Business Development Company Index ETN Series B Stock Down 0.6 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $9.74 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.74.

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Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM  Get Rating)s stock price traded up 3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $33.65 and last traded at $33.65. 105 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 93% from the average session volume of 1,567 shares. The stock had previously closed at $32.66.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Grupo Simec in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

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Grupo Simec Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $5.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.31 and a beta of 0.31. The firms fifty day moving average price is $34.91 and its 200 day moving average price is $32.30.

Institutional Trading of Grupo Simec

Grupo Simec ( NYSEAMERICAN:SIM Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $687.21 million during the quarter. Grupo Simec had a net margin of 13.44% and a return on equity of 14.87%.

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Grupo Simec stock. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM  Get Rating) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 7,455 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $273,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.18% of the companys stock.

About Grupo Simec

(Get Rating)

Grupo Simec, SAB. de C.V. manufactures, processes, and distributes special bar quality (SBQ) steel and steel alloys products in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, and internationally. The company produces I-beams, channels, structural and commercial angles, hot rolled bars, flat bars, rebars, cold-finished bars, electro-welded wire mesh and mesh panels, and wire rods, as well as semi-finished tube rounds and other semi-finished trade products.

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Severn Trent (OTCMKTS:STRNY  Get Rating) and Pennon Group (OTCMKTS:PEGRY  Get Rating) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, earnings, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Severn Trent and Pennon Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A $0.82 42.84 Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A $0.58 34.12

Pennon Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Severn Trent, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Profitability

Severn Trent pays an annual dividend of $1.47 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. Pennon Group pays an annual dividend of $0.17 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. 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. Pennon Group pays out 29.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

This table compares Severn Trent and Pennon Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Severn Trent and Pennon Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Severn Trent 1 2 4 0 2.43 Pennon Group 0 3 0 0 2.00

Severn Trent currently has a consensus target price of $2,932.50, suggesting a potential upside of 8,254.70%. Given Severn Trents stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Severn Trent is more favorable than Pennon Group.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.1% of Severn Trent shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Severn Trent beats Pennon Group on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

About Pennon Group

(Get Rating)

Pennon Group Plc provides clean water and wastewater services in the United Kingdom. It provides water and wastewater services for customers in Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset and Somerset; water-only services in the areas of Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire; and water and wastewater retail services to non-household customers in Great Britain. The company also offers regulated water to approximately 1.2 million customers in the Bristol region. It serves approximately 50 million household and non-household customers. The company was incorporated in 1989 and is based in Exeter, the United Kingdom.

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Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. (OTCMKTS:TKGBY  Get Rating) is one of 208 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. to related companies based on the strength of its dividends, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Dividends

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.9%. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. pays out 10.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 11.6% and pay out 15.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. N/A N/A 1.84 Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Competitors $3.30 billion $790.24 million 364.41

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.s peers have higher revenue and earnings than Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. 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.

33.4% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 14.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. N/A N/A N/A Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Competitors 35.43% 9.58% 0.78%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings for Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. 0 2 1 0 2.33 Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Competitors 976 3001 3044 34 2.30

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 508.83%. Given Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.s peers higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. peers beat Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. on 11 of the 13 factors compared.

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. provides various banking products and services. It offers current, savings, time and term deposit, ELMA, structured deposit, and gold accounts; and general purpose, auto, revolving, house, discount, SME project, installment, working capital, foreign currency, mortgage, and other loans, as well as spot TL and foreign currency, letters of guarantee and reference, and overdraft accounts. The company also provides various cards; and auto, liability, health, unemployment, life, house, individual accident, automobile, business premises, fire, freight, engineering, accident, loan, and agriculture insurance products, as well as pension products. In addition, it offers mutual funds, T-bills/government bonds, Eurobonds, repos, equities, dual currency deposit transactions, Turkish derivatives exchange, e-trader, forward transactions, and taxation services; cash management services; and SME specific products, such as support packages, foreign trade financing and legislation, and related services. Further, the company provides leasing, fleet management, factoring, investment and private banking, payment, safety box, and Internet and mobile/SMS banking services. As of May 18, 2022, Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. operates as a subsidiary of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.

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Matson (NYSE:MATX  Get Rating) and Amsc Asa (OTC:ASCJF  Get Rating) are both transportation companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Matson and Amsc Asas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Matson 19.54% 33.72% 17.67% Amsc Asa N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Matson and Amsc Asa, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Matson 0 3 0 0 2.00 Amsc Asa 0 0 1 0 3.00

Valuation & Earnings

Matson presently has a consensus price target of $73.33, suggesting a potential downside of 0.81%. Given Matsons higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Matson is more favorable than Amsc Asa.

This table compares Matson and Amsc Asas gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Matson $4.34 billion 0.61 $1.06 billion $19.42 3.81 Amsc Asa N/A N/A N/A C$0.46 7.78

Matson has higher revenue and earnings than Amsc Asa. Matson is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Amsc Asa, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

84.8% of Matson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 2.1% of Amsc Asa shares are held by institutional investors. 1.9% of Matson 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.

Summary

Matson beats Amsc Asa on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Matson

(Get Rating)

Matson, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides ocean transportation and logistics services. The company's Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia. It primarily transports dry containers of mixed commodities, refrigerated commodities, foods and beverages, building materials, automobiles, and household goods; livestock; seafood; general sustenance cargo; and garments, footwear, e-commerce, and other retail merchandise. This segment also operates an expedited service from China to Long Beach, California, and various islands in the South Pacific, as well as Okinawa, Japan; and provides stevedoring, refrigerated cargo services, inland transportation, container equipment maintenance, and other terminal services to ocean carriers on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, as well as in the Alaska locations of Anchorage, Kodiak, and Dutch Harbor. In addition, the company offers vessel management and container transshipment services. Its Logistics segment provides multimodal transportation brokerage services, including domestic and international rail intermodal, long-haul and regional highway trucking, specialized hauling, flat-bed and project, less-than-truckload, and expedited freight services; less-than-container load consolidation and freight forwarding services; warehousing and distribution services; supply chain management services, and non-vessel operating common carrier freight forwarding services. The company serves the U.S. military, freight forwarders, retailers, consumer goods, automobile manufacturers, and other customers. The company was formerly known as Alexander & Baldwin Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Matson, Inc. in June 2012. Matson, Inc. was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.

About Amsc Asa

(Get Rating)

AMSC ASA, through its subsidiaries, operates as a ship owning and lease finance company in the United States. The company purchases and bareboat charters out vessels to operators and end users. It operates a fleet of nine product tankers, one shuttle tanker, and one subsea construction vessel. The company was formerly known as American Shipping Company ASA and changed its name to AMSC ASA in October 2022. AMSC ASA was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Lysaker, Norway.

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GAM (OTCMKTS:GMHLY  Get Rating) is one of 1,149 public companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare GAM to similar companies based on the strength of its earnings, valuation, profitability, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for GAM and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score GAM 0 0 0 0 N/A GAM Competitors 1041 4417 5725 81 2.43

As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 86.37%. Given GAMs competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe GAM has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Dividends

Insider & Institutional Ownership

GAM pays an annual dividend of $0.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 200.7%. GAM pays out 58.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.0% and pay out 632.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. GAM is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

32.5% of shares of all Asset Management companies are owned by institutional investors. 18.1% of shares of all Asset Management companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares GAM and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets GAM N/A N/A N/A GAM Competitors 374.85% 7.95% 5.16%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares GAM and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio GAM N/A N/A 0.29 GAM Competitors $434.81 million $3.18 million 5.47

GAMs competitors have higher revenue and earnings than GAM. GAM 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.

Summary

GAM competitors beat GAM on 8 of the 10 factors compared.

GAM Company Profile

(Get Rating)

GAM Holding AG is a publicly owned asset management holding company. The firm provides its services to institutions, financial intermediaries and private investors. Through its subsidiaries, the firm manages separate client focused equity and fixed income portfolios. Through its subsidiaries, it also launches and manages equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds. Through its subsidiaries, the firm invests in public equity and fixed income markets. GAM Holding AG is based in Zurich, Switzerland with an additional office in Geneva, Switzerland and London, United Kingdom.

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Weaver Consulting Group decreased its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHQ  Get Rating) by 12.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,157 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,195 shares during the quarter. Weaver Consulting Groups holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF were worth $1,096,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of SPHQ. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $150,000. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 5.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 44,610 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,226,000 after acquiring an additional 2,226 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 12.7% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,421 shares of the companys stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 23.7% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,463 shares of the companys stock valued at $173,000 after acquiring an additional 663 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 44.5% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $432,000 after acquiring an additional 2,618 shares during the last quarter.

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Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Price Performance

Shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF stock opened at $49.56 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.44. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF has a 12 month low of $39.18 and a 12 month high of $50.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.07 and a beta of 0.94.

About Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks selected by return on equity, changes in net operating assets and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors, scaled by market cap.

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Clearview Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Get Rating) by 61.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 12,066 shares of the companys stock after selling 18,938 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF comprises about 1.1% of Clearview Wealth Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Clearview Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $1,130,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Prospera Financial Services Inc lifted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 129.7% during the 4th quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 6,692 shares of the companys stock worth $561,000 after acquiring an additional 3,779 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 23.2% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 344,693 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,872,000 after buying an additional 64,928 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 28.2% in the 4th quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 268,613 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,518,000 after buying an additional 59,162 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 57.1% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 7,219 shares of the companys stock valued at $605,000 after buying an additional 2,625 shares during the period. Finally, Verus Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 26.6% in the 3rd quarter. Verus Capital Partners LLC now owns 11,629 shares of the companys stock valued at $844,000 after buying an additional 2,444 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of EFG stock traded down $1.37 on Wednesday, hitting $95.53. The company had a trading volume of 503,563 shares. The firm has a market cap of $13.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $95.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $91.37. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $67.58 and a twelve month high of $85.81.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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New data revealed the extent of the U.S. military's decades-long discrimination against gay and lesbian service members, showing that more than 29,000 people who were discharged due to their sexual orientation were denied honorable discharges.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Estimates have long suggested that approximately 14,000 service members were separated from the military under "don't ask, don't tell," the policy that banned gay men and women from serving openly from 1994 to 2011.

The new information, which CBS News received from Legal Aid At Work after making a Freedom of Information Act request, spans the three decades from 1980 to 2010, when the federal courts repealed the prohibition on gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

The data show that from October 1, 1980 to September 20, 2011, 35,801 people "received a discharge or separation because of real or perceived homosexuality, homosexual conduct, sexual perversion, or any other related reason." Of those cases, 81 percent resulted in general discharges that were not honorable discharges, bad conduct discharges, or dishonorable discharges.

Read also: Pentagon Cancels Pride Month Drag Shows at Nevada Air Force Base: Here's Why!

US Military Shows Different Numbers

The military has recently provided conflicting numbers, underscoring the long-standing uncertainty on the number of affected service members.

(Photo : by Morris MacMatzen/Getty Images)

SCHLESWIG, GERMANY - JUNE 09: US military personal stand next to an A-10 fighter plane at Jagel airbase during a media event prior to the Air Defender 2023 military exercises on June 9, 2023 in Jagel, Germany.

When CBS News contacted the Defense Department over the new data, authorities there presented alternative numbers from its Office of Legal Policy suggesting that between 1970 and 2011, the majority of service members who were separated due to homosexual behavior were dismissed under honorable terms.

The government provided a partial breakdown after being asked for more information: 23,392 honorable discharges, 11,023 general discharges under honorable conditions, and 5,374 uncharacterized discharges. Statistics on the harshest types of discharges were not included.

While the reasons for the disparity between the data from the Defense Department's Office of Legal Policy and that division's own Freedom of Information Division are unknown, experts said that it is not surprising.

Since the military itself lacks clarity and transparency, academics, activists, and lawmakers have argued over how to quantify and identify these people.

The research also revealed that the U.S. military has not taken any proactive steps to track down and reexamine instances in which service members were found guilty of crimes and given criminal records as a result of engaging in same-sex relationships.

While certain military rules explicitly forbade homosexual behavior, other laws were used as justifications to kick gay men and women out of the military, so these figures might only represent a small portion of the total toll.

Related article: LGBTQ Pride Flags Vandalized at New York's Stone Monument 3 Times, Police Confirm

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Shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:LOMA  Get Rating) saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 122,023 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 46% from the previous sessions volume of 226,889 shares.The stock last traded at $6.94 and had previously closed at $6.84.

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $6.39 and a 200-day moving average of $6.68. The stock has a market cap of $804.34 million, a PE ratio of 136.80, a PEG ratio of 0.18 and a beta of 1.26.

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:LOMA  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $211.80 million during the quarter. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima had a return on equity of 0.50% and a net margin of 0.44%. Research analysts predict that Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima will post 1.15 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima Company Profile

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 1,061.9% in the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,311,238 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,113,000 after purchasing an additional 1,198,382 shares during the last quarter. Autonomy Capital Jersey L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 20.1% during the 4th quarter. Autonomy Capital Jersey L.P. now owns 1,210,494 shares of the companys stock worth $8,292,000 after acquiring an additional 202,400 shares during the last quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its stake in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 29.1% during the 1st quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 909,579 shares of the companys stock worth $6,322,000 after acquiring an additional 205,146 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 180.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 650,370 shares of the companys stock worth $4,455,000 after acquiring an additional 418,875 shares during the last quarter. Finally, abrdn plc lifted its stake in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 69.4% during the 1st quarter. abrdn plc now owns 538,707 shares of the companys stock worth $3,744,000 after acquiring an additional 220,707 shares during the last quarter. 19.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

(Get Rating)

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina SA operates as a cement manufacturing company. It operates through the following segments: Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime, Concrete, Railroad, Aggregates and Others. The Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime segment comprises of the procurement of raw materials from quarries.

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Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (CVE:YAK  Get Rating) was down 3.3% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$1.19 and last traded at C$1.19. Approximately 2,400 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 11,932 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$1.23.

Mongolia Growth Group Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$32.50 million, a PE ratio of 119.00 and a beta of 0.70. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$1.25 and a 200 day moving average price of C$1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.56 and a quick ratio of 0.24.

About Mongolia Growth Group

(Get Rating)

Mongolia Growth Group Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides property management, leasing, renovation, and development services in Mongolia. The company operates through three segments: Investment Property Operations, Corporate, and Subscription Products. Its investment portfolio consists of office, retail, land and redevelopment, and commercial and residential properties.

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Paradigm Financial Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Get Rating) by 4.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,319 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 736 shares during the period. Paradigm Financial Partners LLCs holdings in General Mills were worth $1,395,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of GIS. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in General Mills by 123,599.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,076,005 shares of the companys stock worth $928,723,000 after buying an additional 11,067,051 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of General Mills in the 4th quarter valued at about $382,081,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of General Mills by 341.6% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,438,344 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,305,000 after purchasing an additional 2,659,821 shares during the period. Capital Wealth Planning LLC increased its holdings in shares of General Mills by 42.2% in the 4th quarter. Capital Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,547,188 shares of the companys stock valued at $297,432,000 after purchasing an additional 1,052,899 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of General Mills by 14.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 8,249,549 shares of the companys stock valued at $691,725,000 after purchasing an additional 1,051,169 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.73% of the companys stock.

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General Mills Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of General Mills stock opened at $81.04 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $47.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.42, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $86.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $83.28. General Mills, Inc. has a 12-month low of $67.34 and a 12-month high of $90.89.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

General Mills ( NYSE:GIS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 23rd. The company reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.06. General Mills had a return on equity of 24.51% and a net margin of 14.04%. The company had revenue of $5.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.84 earnings per share. General Millss revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.24 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on GIS shares. Mizuho upped their target price on General Mills from $75.00 to $80.00 in a report on Monday, March 27th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on General Mills from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. UBS Group upped their target price on General Mills from $88.00 to $96.00 in a report on Monday, March 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on General Mills from $84.00 to $86.00 in a report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $76.00 price objective on shares of General Mills in a report on Friday, March 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $84.76.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Bethany C. Quam sold 21,734 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.86, for a total value of $1,866,081.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 47,560 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,083,501.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Jodi J. Benson sold 3,009 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.59, for a total value of $272,585.31. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 35,491 shares in the company, valued at $3,215,129.69. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Bethany C. Quam sold 21,734 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.86, for a total value of $1,866,081.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 47,560 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,083,501.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 55,371 shares of company stock valued at $4,849,178. 0.67% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About General Mills

(Get Rating)

General Mills, Inc manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates in five segments: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet. It offers ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream, nutrition bars, wellness beverages, and savory and grain snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables.

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PM CAPITAL Ltd reduced its stake in shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Get Rating) by 12.0% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 191,701 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 26,169 shares during the quarter. Oracle accounts for about 3.7% of PM CAPITAL Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position. PM CAPITAL Ltds holdings in Oracle were worth $17,813,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Clear Investment Research LLC bought a new position in shares of Oracle during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Steward Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Oracle in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in Oracle in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Oracle in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC bought a new position in Oracle in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 43.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Oracle news, CEO Safra Catz sold 1,837,101 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.86, for a total value of $172,430,299.86. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,118,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at $104,991,045.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Safra Catz sold 1,837,101 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.86, for a total transaction of $172,430,299.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,118,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at $104,991,045.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jeffrey Berg sold 4,866 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.31, for a total transaction of $609,758.46. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 207,409 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,990,421.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 1,886,967 shares of company stock valued at $177,254,308 over the last three months. Insiders own 43.70% of the companys stock.

Oracle Stock Performance

Oracle stock opened at $121.88 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $102.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.54, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market cap of $329.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 1.00. Oracle Co. has a fifty-two week low of $60.78 and a fifty-two week high of $127.54.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 12th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $13.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.74 billion. Oracle had a net margin of 17.02% and a negative return on equity of 470.73%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.31 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Oracle Co. will post 4.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Oracle Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 12th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 11th. Oracles dividend payout ratio is presently 52.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on ORCL shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Oracle from $125.00 to $135.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Oracle from $84.00 to $120.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of Oracle from $105.00 to $120.00 in a report on Friday, June 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Oracle from $93.00 to $109.00 in a report on Monday, June 12th. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price target on shares of Oracle from $120.00 to $150.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $115.21.

Oracle Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, April 21st, RTT News reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.475 per share by the utilities provider on Monday, July 17th. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.98%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 23rd. This is a positive change from Portland General Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.45.

Portland General Electric has increased its dividend by an average of 5.6% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 17 years. Portland General Electric has a dividend payout ratio of 62.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Portland General Electric to earn $3.08 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.90 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 61.7%.

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Portland General Electric Stock Down 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE:POR opened at $47.68 on Wednesday. Portland General Electric has a 52-week low of $41.58 and a 52-week high of $56.37. The stock has a market cap of $4.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.47, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.58. The business has a fifty day moving average of $49.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $48.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Portland General Electric ( NYSE:POR Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.01. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 9.06% and a net margin of 8.88%. The firm had revenue of $748.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $622.50 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Portland General Electric will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on POR. Bank of America upgraded shares of Portland General Electric from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $47.00 to $52.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price target on shares of Portland General Electric from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 21st. Guggenheim cut Portland General Electric from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Portland General Electric in a report on Monday, May 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $56.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Portland General Electric from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, June 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Portland General Electric currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $50.57.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.12, for a total value of $153,360.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 15,489 shares of the companys stock, valued at $791,797.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in POR. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in Portland General Electric by 21.8% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,067,961 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $334,647,000 after purchasing an additional 1,087,996 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Portland General Electric by 37.2% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,339,567 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $162,473,000 after purchasing an additional 905,308 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Portland General Electric by 927.0% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 970,767 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $47,568,000 after buying an additional 876,246 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,268,761 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $489,739,000 after buying an additional 848,958 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Portland General Electric in the 4th quarter valued at $25,507,000.

About Portland General Electric

(Get Rating)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2022, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,255 circuit miles, including 269 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 573 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 926 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:AAP  Get Rating)  Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2023 earnings estimates for Advance Auto Parts in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, June 14th. Zacks Research analyst L. Shahu now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $1.77 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $2.88. The consensus estimate for Advance Auto Parts current full-year earnings is $6.01 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Advance Auto Parts Q3 2023 earnings at $2.05 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $1.62 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $6.16 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $1.58 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.92 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.94 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $1.79 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $7.23 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $2.64 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $8.85 EPS.

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Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 31st. The company reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.60 by ($1.88). The company had revenue of $3.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.43 billion. Advance Auto Parts had a net margin of 3.61% and a return on equity of 22.67%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.57 EPS.

Advance Auto Parts Stock Down 1.8 %

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Advance Auto Parts from $145.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. TheStreet downgraded Advance Auto Parts from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. 92 Resources restated a maintains rating on shares of Advance Auto Parts in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. UBS Group dropped their target price on Advance Auto Parts from $132.00 to $75.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Advance Auto Parts from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $84.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Seventeen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Advance Auto Parts has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $103.89.

AAP stock opened at $67.98 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a current ratio of 1.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.10, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $105.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $127.79. Advance Auto Parts has a one year low of $63.56 and a one year high of $212.25.

Advance Auto Parts Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.47%. Advance Auto Partss dividend payout ratio is presently 89.15%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Advance Auto Parts

In other news, Director Douglas A. Pertz purchased 4,575 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $66.02 per share, for a total transaction of $302,041.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 12,831 shares in the company, valued at $847,102.62. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Douglas A. Pertz acquired 4,575 shares of Advance Auto Parts stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $66.02 per share, with a total value of $302,041.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 12,831 shares in the company, valued at $847,102.62. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Carla Jean Bailo bought 500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $65.90 per share, for a total transaction of $32,950.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 500 shares in the company, valued at $32,950. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have purchased 5,463 shares of company stock worth $359,924. Corporate insiders own 0.63% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Advance Auto Parts

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AAP. Golden State Equity Partners purchased a new position in Advance Auto Parts during the first quarter valued at $256,000. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in Advance Auto Parts by 16.8% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 8,587 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,044,000 after purchasing an additional 1,235 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC increased its position in Advance Auto Parts by 107.8% in the first quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 4,646 shares of the companys stock worth $565,000 after buying an additional 2,410 shares in the last quarter. Power Corp of Canada lifted its position in shares of Advance Auto Parts by 121.6% during the 1st quarter. Power Corp of Canada now owns 24,610 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,728,000 after buying an additional 13,504 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harvest Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Advance Auto Parts by 140.5% in the 1st quarter. Harvest Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,693 shares of the companys stock worth $1,179,000 after acquiring an additional 5,663 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.32% of the companys stock.

Advance Auto Parts Company Profile

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Advance Auto Parts, Inc provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts.

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RDA Financial Network grew its stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO  Get Rating) by 5.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 19,625 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 955 shares during the quarter. RDA Financial Networks holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $793,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Thomasville National Bank boosted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 3.6% in the first quarter. Thomasville National Bank now owns 7,120 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $288,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its holdings in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 39.5% during the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 907 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,183 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $372,000 after buying an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. Accel Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 63.3% in the 4th quarter. Accel Wealth Management now owns 722 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Colorado Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Colorado Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,514 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $448,000 after buying an additional 281 shares during the last quarter.

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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSEARCA:VWO traded down $0.14 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $40.83. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,725,152 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,779,268. The firms fifty day moving average price is $40.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.40. The stock has a market cap of $72.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 12-month low of $34.88 and a 12-month high of $43.22.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Profile

The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

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Smith Anglin Financial LLC boosted its stake in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 15.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,729 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,309 shares during the period. Smith Anglin Financial LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $278,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Bank of America by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 602,457,736 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $18,194,222,000 after purchasing an additional 3,313,229 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 108,111.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 193,168,025 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,397,725,000 after purchasing an additional 192,989,515 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in Bank of America by 22.7% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 127,177,786 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,212,128,000 after purchasing an additional 23,532,190 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 123,636,775 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,087,307,000 after purchasing an additional 1,327,840 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in Bank of America in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,436,543,000. Institutional investors own 67.34% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Odeon Capital Group downgraded shares of Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $35.20 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of Bank of America from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $38.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 10th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $41.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $48.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Bank of America has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.77.

Bank of America Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE:BAC opened at $28.83 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $229.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.67, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.37. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.20. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $26.32 and a 12 month high of $38.60.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $26.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $25.28 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.80 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 1st. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 26.43%.

Bank of America Company Profile

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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.

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Spirit of America Management Corp NY boosted its holdings in The AES Co. (NYSE:AES  Get Rating) by 92.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 13,500 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 6,500 shares during the quarter. Spirit of America Management Corp NYs holdings in AES were worth $325,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in AES. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AES by 12.2% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 51,262 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,319,000 after acquiring an additional 5,594 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in shares of AES by 9.5% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 91,659 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,358,000 after purchasing an additional 7,975 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its position in shares of AES by 1.2% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 309,233 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $8,291,000 after buying an additional 3,755 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in AES by 2.1% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 110,543 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,844,000 after buying an additional 2,285 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its position in AES by 24.2% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 22,300 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $574,000 after acquiring an additional 4,351 shares during the last quarter. 94.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on AES shares. UBS Group dropped their price objective on AES from $30.00 to $27.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Wolfe Research cut AES from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $32.00 price objective on shares of AES in a research note on Monday, March 6th. StockNews.com lowered shares of AES from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, May 20th. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of AES from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Monday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AES has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $30.30.

AES Trading Down 1.5 %

AES opened at $21.01 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.23, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The companys 50-day moving average is $21.89 and its 200 day moving average is $24.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.06 billion, a PE ratio of -25.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.95. The AES Co. has a fifty-two week low of $18.90 and a fifty-two week high of $29.89.

AES (NYSE:AES  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.24 by ($0.02). AES had a negative net margin of 3.59% and a positive return on equity of 38.46%. The company had revenue of $3.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.84 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.21 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that The AES Co. will post 1.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About AES

(Get Rating)

The AES Corporation operates as a diversified power generation and utility company. It owns and/or operates power plants to generate and sell power to customers, such as utilities, industrial users, and other intermediaries. The company also owns and/or operates utilities to generate or purchase, distribute, transmit, and sell electricity to end-user customers in the residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental sectors; and generates and sells electricity on the wholesale market.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Get Rating) in a research report released on Saturday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the technology companys stock.

WidePoint Price Performance

Shares of WidePoint stock opened at $1.92 on Friday. WidePoint has a twelve month low of $1.70 and a twelve month high of $3.06. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $1.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.94. The firm has a market cap of $16.77 million, a PE ratio of -1.10 and a beta of 1.04.

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WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 27th. The technology company reported ($1.02) earnings per share for the quarter. WidePoint had a negative net margin of 16.03% and a positive return on equity of 2.98%. The business had revenue of $23.34 million during the quarter.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About WidePoint

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WYY. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of WidePoint by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 390,757 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $833,000 after buying an additional 34,072 shares during the period. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC raised its position in shares of WidePoint by 94.5% during the 3rd quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 68,171 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 33,113 shares during the period. Channel Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WidePoint during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WidePoint during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of WidePoint during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. 11.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(Get Rating)

WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. The company offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploy identity management solutions that provide secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments.

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Sonar buoys have detected banging sounds at 30-minute intervals as the search for the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible Titan is running out of time.

An internal email update sent by the US Department of Homeland Security's National Operations Center stated the "sounds" were detected by the US Coast Guard (USCG) early Wednesday (June 21), Rolling Stone reported, but it has not been confirmed whether they were coming from the Titan.

The USCG Northeast District tweeted they redeployed remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations in areas where a Canadian P-3 Orion detected the "underwater noises" to explore where they were coming from. "Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue," the unit added.

The US DHS email added the underwater bangs were also detected by a Boeing P-8 Poseidon, a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft that has underwater detection abilities from the air.

Banging Sounds May Come From Titan Crew, Expert Says

The five passengers onboard the missing vessel was earlier identified as OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, retired French submariner Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding, and British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulaiman.

In an email to Live Science, the University of Portsmouth marine biologist Nicolai Roterman said the 30-minute intervals would "certainly be consistent" with the theory the trapped crew was still alive and trying to contact the outside world while conserving energy and oxygen.

"If this is the case, then it would indicate that the submersible is on the seafloor, and either the system for jettisoning weight has failed, or Titan is snagged or trapped somehow," he added.

In addition, Harding's friend and fellow explorer Chris Brown told the BBC the banging sounds at 30-minute intervals were unmistakably human. "I'm sure they're all conserving oxygen and energy because it's cold and dark down there," he said.

Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue. 1/2  USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 21, 2023

How Could the Sub Be Surfaced?

Roterman said there are no submersibles capable enough to rescue people from a trapped submersible at the depth of the Titanic (3,800m/12,500ft), but it could be possible for an ROV to help unsnag the Titan or tether it to the surface.

He added if the Titan has no power or auxiliary systems, the submersible would also be cold and dark, and the conditions inside would be cramped. "Given the situation, a big challenge for the occupants of Titan will be to maintain composure and not to panic so as to prolong their air supply," he added.

Read Also: Missing Titanic Sub Has Less Than 40 Hours of Oxygen Left, Authorities Say

Running Out of Time and Oxygen

It was earlier reported the Titan went missing on Sunday (June 18), 1 hour and 45 minutes into its two-hour descent into the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean. As of 05:00 Eastern Time Wednesday (09:00 UTC), the submersible has less than 30 hours of oxygen remaining.

The cause for the Titan losing communication with its mother ship Polar Prince remains unknown, but experts present possible scenarios like power loss, getting snagged on a piece of the Titanic, or an implosion.

The discovery of possible banging sounds underwater could mean the passengers might still be alive, making search efforts come to a fever pitch.

"Time is of the essence because once you...have an area where you know that the bangs are coming from...you need to get assets there...to investigate," American oceanographer David Gallo explained to CNN.

Ex-OceanGate Employee Says the Titan Needs More Testing

Earlier reports suggest the Titan was constructed out of conventional materials, steered by a gaming controller, and was not fit for sea voyage in the first place.

Supporting the latter claim was former OceanGate employee David Lochridge, who said the Titan needed more testing before they could accommodate paying passengers in an engineering report he wrote in 2018.

Lochridge, a former Royal Navy marine engineer, and ship's diver, was terminated from the company and subsequently sued by OceanGate for allegedly breaching a non-disclosure agreement. He sued the company back for wrongfully firing him, the Daily Mail reported.

In his counterclaim, Lochridge said OceanGate would 'subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible' despite it not being equipped to reach the depth of the Titanic's wreck. He added his concerns focused on the company's decision to rely on sensitive acoustic monitoring to detect flaws than a scan of the hull.

However, OceanGate argued that Lochridge was "not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan." The company fired him after refusing to accept assurances from its lead engineer that the acoustic monitoring was better suited to detect any flaws than a scan would be.

The case was settled on undisclosed terms several months after it was filed.

This is a developing story. Please check back on HNGN later for more updates.

Related Article: Missing Titanic Submarine Steered by Cheap Logitech Gaming Controller

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Stokes Capital Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO  Get Rating) by 3.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 9,989 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 393 shares during the quarter. Stokes Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $404,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in VWO. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 311.0% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 637 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 482 shares during the last quarter. Endurance Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 303.2% in the 4th quarter. Endurance Wealth Management Inc. now owns 633 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 476 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 110.1% in the 4th quarter. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA now owns 689 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 361 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000.

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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance

VWO stock traded down $0.16 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.81. The stock had a trading volume of 4,059,003 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,803,297. The firm has a market cap of $72.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. The business has a 50-day moving average of $40.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $40.40. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 52-week low of $34.88 and a 52-week high of $43.22.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Profile

The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

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Summit Financial Group Inc. trimmed its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWO  Get Rating) by 21.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 980 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 275 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial Group Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF were worth $222,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of IWO. Dfpg Investments LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $395,000. Capital Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF during the 1st quarter worth $201,000. Diversified Trust Co grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 4,194 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $951,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the period. General Partner Inc. bought a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 17.0% during the first quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 964 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $219,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Stock Down 0.4 %

NYSEARCA IWO opened at $239.12 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $10.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.55 and a beta of 1.15. The companys 50 day moving average is $228.79 and its 200-day moving average is $226.82. iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF has a 12-month low of $198.00 and a 12-month high of $248.98.

About iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market.

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The Aarons Company, Inc. (NYSE:AAN  Get Rating) has received a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the five ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $13.20.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on AAN. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Aarons in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Stephens restated an equal weight rating and set a $18.00 target price on shares of Aarons in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Loop Capital reduced their target price on Aarons from $20.00 to $15.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Aarons from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on Aarons from $6.50 to $7.80 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th.

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Insider Transactions at Aarons

In other news, Director John W. Robinson sold 3,928 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.00, for a total value of $54,992.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 316,604 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,432,456. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 4.54% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aarons

Aarons Price Performance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AAN. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Aarons in the 4th quarter valued at about $8,838,000. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Aarons by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,714,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $114,746,000 after acquiring an additional 398,527 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Aarons by 940.2% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 346,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,039,000 after acquiring an additional 313,044 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Aarons by 17.1% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,649,563 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,934,000 after acquiring an additional 240,995 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Aarons by 478.6% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 286,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,767,000 after acquiring an additional 236,900 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.25% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE AAN opened at $13.37 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $413.27 million, a PE ratio of -29.07 and a beta of 1.01. Aarons has a fifty-two week low of $7.64 and a fifty-two week high of $16.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.10. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $12.49 and a 200-day moving average of $12.45.

Aarons (NYSE:AAN  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $554.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $564.87 million. Aarons had a positive return on equity of 8.18% and a negative net margin of 0.60%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 21.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.87 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Aarons will post 1.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Aarons Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a $0.125 dividend. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Aaronss payout ratio is currently -108.70%.

Aarons Company Profile

(Get Rating

Headquartered in Atlanta, The Aarons Company, Inc (NYSE: AAN) is a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. Aarons engages in direct-to-consumer sales and lease ownership of furniture, appliances, consumer electronics and accessories through its approximately 1,300 company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com.

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UCB (OTCMKTS:UCBJY  Get Rating) is one of 376 public companies in the Biotechnology industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare UCB to similar companies based on the strength of its earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares UCB and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio UCB N/A N/A 60.61 UCB Competitors $183.53 million -$156,780.82 43.71

UCBs peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than UCB. UCB is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Analyst Ratings

UCB pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. UCB pays out 46.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Biotechnology companies pay a dividend yield of 2.7% and pay out 12,180.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for UCB and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score UCB 0 0 2 0 3.00 UCB Competitors 523 1646 4338 35 2.59

UCB currently has a consensus target price of $96.50, suggesting a potential upside of 108.56%. As a group, Biotechnology companies have a potential upside of 107.42%. Given UCBs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe UCB is more favorable than its peers.

Profitability

This table compares UCB and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets UCB N/A N/A N/A UCB Competitors -633.35% -62.28% -23.52%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

25.7% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are owned by institutional investors. 25.4% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

UCB beats its peers on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

UCB Company Profile

(Get Rating)

UCB SA engages in the research and development biopharmaceuticals products. It offers medicinal products such as briviact, keppra, vimpat, neupro, cimzia, nootropil, xyrem, xyzal, and zyrtec. The company was founded by Emmanuel Janssen on January 18, 1928 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

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Wealth Enhancement & Preservation of GA LLC lifted its position in shares of Hormel Foods Co. (NYSE:HRL  Get Rating) by 18.8% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 15,775 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,497 shares during the quarter. Wealth Enhancement & Preservation of GA LLCs holdings in Hormel Foods were worth $629,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 7,456 shares of the companys stock worth $340,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 20,805 shares of the companys stock worth $948,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares during the period. Insight Folios Inc boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Insight Folios Inc now owns 6,889 shares of the companys stock worth $314,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SA boosted its position in shares of Hormel Foods by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA now owns 17,674 shares of the companys stock valued at $805,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank boosted its position in shares of Hormel Foods by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 33,885 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,543,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 40.49% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, VP Mark J. Ourada sold 9,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.00, for a total transaction of $377,200.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 20,684 shares of the companys stock, valued at $848,044. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, Director Becerra Jose Luis Prado sold 5,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.01, for a total value of $202,852.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 18,410 shares of the companys stock, valued at $718,174.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Mark J. Ourada sold 9,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.00, for a total value of $377,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 20,684 shares in the company, valued at $848,044. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 57,000 shares of company stock valued at $2,305,404. Company insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Hormel Foods Stock Performance

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on HRL. Barclays dropped their price target on Hormel Foods from $45.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Hormel Foods from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $47.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. TheStreet downgraded Hormel Foods from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Credit Suisse Group dropped their target price on Hormel Foods from $44.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Hormel Foods in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hormel Foods presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $43.71.

Shares of HRL stock opened at $40.78 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 2.42. Hormel Foods Co. has a fifty-two week low of $37.78 and a fifty-two week high of $51.69. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $40.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $42.41. The company has a market capitalization of $22.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.85, a PEG ratio of 4.09 and a beta of 0.18.

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.01. Hormel Foods had a return on equity of 12.36% and a net margin of 7.61%. The firm had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.48 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 3.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Hormel Foods Co. will post 1.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Hormel Foods Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.275 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.70%. Hormel Foodss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 64.33%.

Hormel Foods Profile

(Get Rating)

Hormel Foods Corp. engages in the production of meat and food products. It operates through the following segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International and Other. The Grocery Products segment focuses on the processing, marketing, and sale of shelf-stable food products sold in the retail market.

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In October, billionaire business magnate and investor Elon Musk completed his purchase of the social media platform Twitter. Since that time a variety of moves to cut costs as well as try and generate more revenue for the platform have led some to wonder whether Musks acquisition was the beginning of the end for popular microblogging site.
Local school divisions in Virginia just learned they will receive $201 million less in state aid than they expected  including $58 million less for the current K-12 school year that is almost three-quarters done.

The Virginia Department of Education has acknowledged the mistake in calculating state basic aid for K-12 school divisions after the General Assembly adopted a two-year budget and Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed it last June. The error failed to reflect a provision to hold localities harmless from the elimination of states portion of the sales tax on groceries as part of a tax cut package pushed by Youngkin and his predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam.

State Superintendent Jillian Balow notified school division superintendents by email on Friday, promising to provide corrected estimates of basic aid for this fiscal year and the next one after the House of Delegates and Senate adopt competing budget revisions on Feb. 9.

It was human error on our part, said Charles Pyle, spokesman for the Department of Education. We regret that it was not identified until December.

For big school divisions, the shortfalls are sizable for the two fiscal years  almost $18 million for Fairfax County, the states largest; $10.8 million for Chesterfield County; $8.1 million for Henrico County; $3.2 million for Richmond; and $2.6 million for Hanover County.

But the effects could be disproportionately damaging to small and rural school divisions that rely more on state aid for K-12 schools than urban and suburban divisions, which bear a higher share of the cost because of their ability to pay.

Theres a little bit of panic right now, said Bristol School Superintendent Keith Perrigan, who also is an officer at the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and president of the Coalition of Small and Rural Schools in Virginia.

Perrigan doesnt blame the state for the mistake, but he wants to be sure that local school divisions are part of discussions on how to fix the error and help localities with school budgets that were based on the wrong numbers.

Theres a solution and wed like to be at the table to come up with that solution, rather than just bemoaning the problem, he said.

House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said he was blindsided by the new basic aid numbers on Monday.

I didnt know anything about it at all until this afternoon, Knight said. Im not very happy. They did not bother to tell Appropriations that the numbers had changed.

We need to have some open communication here, he said. Now its on me, what do we do?

Petersburg is an urban member of the coalition because it is small and poor, so it relies more on state aid to pay for schools than bigger divisions do.

Preliminary estimates show that Petersburg would get $853,486 less in state aid, including about $246,000 less for this school year, which is already well into its third quarter.

Bristol, the division that Perrigan leads in the far southwestern corner of the state, would receive $140,488 less in this fiscal year, which ends on June 30, and $347,000 less in the next one, which begins on July 1. It has a low score on the Local Composite Index, which measures a localitys ability to pay, so it relies more on state funds to meet the Standards of Quality for public education.

We have already adopted [budgets based on] what we thought we were going to get from the state and localities, he said. Now, we are rounding second [base] and headed to third, and finding out that the number is going to be different.

School divisions also have begun developing their budgets for next school year, while relying on estimates of the state aid they will receive.

Pyle, at the Department of Education, said, We know that its going to be inconvenient.

He said the mistake, while regrettable, did not affect what the school divisions actually received from the state during the current year.

This is not money that school divisions received that theyre going to have to give back, Pyle said.

Balow, the state superintendent, said the mistake was made when the department inadvertently failed to recognize the effect of a hold harmless payment made to local school divisions to offset money they receive directly from the states portion of the sales tax on groceries.

The General Assembly included the hold-harmless provision when it eliminated the state portion of the grocery tax, effective Jan. 1. The decision reduced sales tax revenues by $107.3 million in this fiscal year and $265.1 million next year.

As a result, the calculation tool used by the state inflated estimates of basic aid for localities. Balow provided school division superintendents with new formulas to apply to the revised calculation tool released on Dec. 16, the day after Youngkin proposed his new budget.

Were not as concerned about the mistake as how do we find a solution to it? Perrigan said.

29 photos from The Times-Dispatch archives
The North Korean threat actor known as ScarCruft has been observed using an information-stealing malware with previously undocumented wiretapping features as well as a backdoor developed using Golang that exploits the Ably real-time messaging service.

"The threat actor sent their commands through the Golang backdoor that is using the Ably service," the AhnLab Security Emergency response Center (ASEC) said in a technical report. "The API key value required for command communication was saved in a GitHub repository."

ScarCruft is a state-sponsored outfit with links to North Korea's Ministry of State Security (MSS). It's known to be active since at least 2012.

Attack chains mounted by the group entail the use of spear-phishing lures to deliver RokRAT, although it has leveraged a wide range of other custom tools to harvest sensitive information.

In the latest intrusion detected by ASEC in May 2023, the email comes bearing a Microsoft Compiled HTML Help (.CHM) file -- a tactic first reported in March 2023 -- that, when clicked, contacts a remote server to download a PowerShell malware known as Chinotto.

Chinotto, in addition to being responsible for setting up persistence, retrieving additional payloads, including a backdoor codenamed AblyGo (aka SidLevel by Kaspersky) that abuses the Ably API service for command-and-control.

It doesn't end there, for AblyGo is used as a conduit to ultimately execute an information stealer malware dubbed FadeStealer that comes with various features to take screenshots, gather data from removable media and smartphones, log keystrokes, and record microphone.

"The RedEyes group carries out attacks against specific individuals such as North Korean defectors, human rights activists, and university professors," ASEC said. "Their primary focus is on information theft."

"Unauthorized eavesdropping on individuals in South Korea is considered a violation of privacy and is strictly regulated under relevant laws. Despite this, the threat actor monitored everything victims did on their PC and even conducted wiretapping."

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CHM files have also been employed by other North Korea-affiliated groups such as Kimsuky, what with SentinelOne disclosing a recent campaign leveraging the file format to deliver a reconnaissance tool called RandomQuery.

In a new set of attacks spotted by ASEC, the CHM files are configured to drop a BAT file, which is then used to download next-stage malware and exfiltrate user information from the compromised host.

Spear-phishing, which has been Kimsuky's preferred initial access technique for over a decade, is typically preceded by broad research and meticulous preparation, according to an advisory from U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies.



The findings also follow the Lazarus Group's active exploitation of security flaws in software such as INISAFE CrossWeb EX, MagicLine4NX, TCO!Stream, and VestCert that are widely used in South Korea to breach companies and deploy malware.
Gainful season seen for global rice suppliers including Vietnam

By Nguyen Tuong Wed, June 21, 2023 | 9:41 am GTM+7

Vietnam and other major rice exporters are likely to enjoy higher demand and prices in the 2023-24 season, says the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.

In its half-yearly World Food Outlook report issued this month, the FAO forecasts world rice production to rise 1.3% year-on-year to 523.5 million tons in this season.

The anticipated output increase mostly reflects positive incentives provided by generally higher producer prices, easing fertilizer costs and continuing government assistance measures, the report says.

Asian production this season could end 1% above the last, but still fall short of the record high in 2021-2022, it adds.

Farmers harvest rice in Vietnams Mekong Delta. Photo courtesy of Can Tho city newspaper.

It also notes that many uncertainties persist for secondary crops being currently planted along and south of the equator and for main crops being sown in the Northern Hemisphere.

These uncertainties primarily surround weather conditions, given the high probability of an El Nino event emerging during the Northern Hemisphere summer and its association with reduced rainfall over parts of Southern and Southeastern Asia.

Price rise

Rice prices have remained on an upward trajectory after rising for much of last year. The FAO All Rice Price Index climbed 7.5% from December to 127.8 points in May, its highest level since October 2011.

The price increases reflected both demand and supply factors, the report says.

On the demand side, prices have drawn support from strong purchases by Asian buyers, often resulting from public efforts to keep domestic prices in check and/or to reconstitute reserves.

Meanwhile, suppliers including Argentina, Brazil, Russia, the U.S. and especially Pakistan are expected to see their 2023 rice exports hampered by supply tightness stemming from output reductions.

On the other hand, Australia, Cambodia, Guyana, Thailand and Vietnam are all seen counting on sufficient supplies to step-up shipments in 2023, or to keep them at overall high levels, as is expected to be the case in Paraguay and Uruguay.

A rice field in Vietnams Mekong Delta. Photo courtesy of Youth newspaper.

Record high stocks

With output forecast to surpass utilization, rice stocks are predicted to reach 198.3 million tons at the close of the marketing seasons, up 1.8% from a year earlier.

This would be an all-time record high, being sufficient to cover 4.5 months of projected global consumption, the FAO report says.

Rice exporting countries are expected to boost reserves 3.2% from a year earlier to 66.7 million tons. Stocks in Vietnam are expected to be little changed whereas Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Uruguay may all need to draw on their reserves to meet expected consumption and export needs.

Much of the increase in stocks could be attributed to India, the FAO report says, adding that output recoveries could also let Pakistan and the U.S. reconstitute their reserves. The report expects to see accumulation in Thailand.

Vietnams quality focus

Vietnam, the worlds third-largest rice exporter after India and Thailand, is seeking to boost quality to increase value and will cut its annual rice exports by 44% to four million tons by 2030. The changes are part of the countrys latest rice development strategy issued in late last month, which will be implemented until the end of the decade.

Vietnam shipped 7.1 million tons of rice overseas last year, a 10-year record high, generating revenues of $3.45 billion, up 5.1% year-on-year, according to government official data.

The strategy envisages Vietnam diversifying export markets to reduce its reliance on any particular country. By 2025, 60% of Vietnamese rice exports will be shipped to Asian markets, 22% to Africa, 7% to American markets, 4% to the Middle East, and 3% to Europe. By 2030, Asian and European markets will respectively account for 55% and 5% of Vietnams rice exports.

In the first five months of this year, Vietnam shipped 3.62 million tons of rice overseas, higher than the corresponding 2.77 million tons in 2022 and 2.59 million tons in 2021, according to the General Department of Customs.

Meanwhile, according to the Vietnam Food Association, the prices of several Vietnamese rice varieties are currently higher than that of similar types of Indian and Thai rice. The price of Vietnamese 5% broken rice reached $498/ton early this month, compared to $492 and $453 for Thailand and India, respectively.

On June 17, the Bangkok Post quoted Thailands Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit as saying El Nino is likely to propel rice exports across the world as countries stock up while bracing for the effects caused by the ongoing weather phenomenons impacts.

He said the Philippines is expected to increase its rice purchases by 2-3 million tons, while Indonesia is expediting procurement of a substantial quantity from both Thailand and Vietnam.

He said the Philippines is expected to increase its rice purchases by 2-3 million tons, while Indonesia is expediting procurement of a substantial quantity of rice from both Thailand and Vietnam.

The Philippines has long been Vietnams biggest rice buyer, accounting for 45% of its rice shipments in 2022. Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at a regional meeting in Indonesia last month that Vietnam was willing to supply rice to the Philippines for the long term at reasonable prices.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated this week that a section of Interstate 95 (I-95) that was damaged by a gasoline tanker collision ten days ago will partly reopen this weekend. Crews have been working around the clock to repair a crucial portion of the roadway, making this news come considerably earlier than planned.

Unexpectedly Quick Reopening

Earlier this month, a gasoline tanker incident and related fire caused an elevated section of I-95 in northern Philadelphia to collapse, killing one person.

About 160,000 cars use the fallen portion every day, and it has been blocked indefinitely in both directions for miles after the collapse. More than 100,000 people who utilize the bridge every day had their commutes severely disrupted when the structure crumbled.

Finally, according to Shapiro, "Our commuters will finally be able to set their Monday morning [June 26] alarm clocks back to the regular time. Our struggling local businesses here will hopefully be filled again."

As one frustrated commuter put it, "There is a lot of inconvenience, detours, and everyone is having a hard time," Chico Robinson told CBS News.

Engineers used a substance called recycled glass aggregate to fill up the space left by the fallen bridge and pave the path for the creation of new lanes. The recycled bottles and jars were transformed into a rock-like substance that was utilized in the repair process.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll expressed full faith in the building approach, saying, "I have 100% confidence in its ability to withstand the traffic."

An engineering professor at the University of Delaware, Michael Chajes, said it is difficult to avoid catastrophic damage in events like this.

"It's hard to fire-proof a bridge. There's no prohibition against the types of vehicles that go over it. There's no ban on, on vehicles that might be very combustible," Chajes stated.

Also Read: VIDEO: 4 Dead After Blaze at New York E-Bike Shop Spreads Apartments

Philadelphia Bridge Collapse

From Miami to the Canadian border in Maine, I-95 is a major freeway that stretches along the East Coast of the US. Four short years ago, a $212 million rebuilding project included the bridge in question, and the damage is already apparent.

On Sunday morning, June 11, a big tanker truck caught fire beneath I-95 near Philadelphia, causing a portion of the roadway to collapse. Black smoke could be seen rising from the blaze in local and online media accounts of the incident.

The disaster happened in Northeast Philadelphia, close to the exit onto Cottman Avenue. Highway authorities stopped both directions of traffic between the Woodhaven and Aramingo exits, advising motorists to find an alternative route.

Officials later discovered a corpse in the rubble. The truck driver killed in the collision, fire, and collapse on I-95 was identified by family members as Nathaniel Moody, according to ABC News.

Also Read: PHOTOS: Multiple Tornadoes Leave Trail of Destruction in Southern US

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Vietnam industrial, logistics real estate flashing on investors radars

By Nguyen Thuy Wed, June 21, 2023 | 11:32 am GTM+7

Industrial and logistics properties in Vietnam are the preferred asset choice for foreign investors, with the country growing into a new global manufacturing hub, while the office segment is also in demand, said Cushman & Wakefields Asia Pacific CEO Matthew Bouw.

It is important to keep in mind that commercial real estate is intrinsically local, which means it will perform differently by local market and by asset class. As an example, the office market in Ho Chi Minh City is different from the office market in Hanoi, and performance will often differ between the two, he said during a recent working visit to Vietnam to offer updates on global market developments.

He added that though international investors prefer industrial and logistics property in Vietnam, some will look at grade-A offices since HCMC, the countrys economic powerhouse, is still a landlord-favorable market.

Cushman & Wakefields Asia Pacific CEO Matthew Bouw. Photo courtesy of the company.

The Vietnamese real estate market is becoming a more institutional investor market which is a good thing, Bouw noted.

Cushman & Wakefield held a large client event in Singapore about two months ago where the property services company welcomed 80 world-leading investors, a number of whom operate in Asia. During the event, the firm asked them to rank their preferred real estate investment markets and the responses were often Japan, Australia, and Vietnam.

The positive sentiment around Vietnam is due to a number of factors, including the fast-growing manufacturing sector, and the growth dynamics of Vietnam more broadly, said Bouw.

I have noticed a number of new regulations issued in Vietnam, and many other positive initiatives the government is undertaking to improve compliance and the general business environment. These initiatives are a positive step for Vietnam as an investible market for commercial real estate.

Many major multinational companies are already present in Vietnam, including Samsung, LG, Amkor Technology, Intel Inc., Foxconn, Goertek, Lego, Panasonic, and Canon, just to mention a few.

This is a really positive sign for institutional investors because where occupiers go, institutional investors will follow, Bouw said.

He stressed that in Southeast Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines are two of the more sought-after emerging markets for institutional investors.

The port cluster of Cai Mep-Thi Vai in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Ba Ria-Vung Tau newspaper.

Emerging markets are very nuanced and specific so investors need local intelligence and partnerships to secure approvals, source materials and talent. That is an easier way for institutional investors to enter Vietnam, so you will likely see a lot of this activity and those partnerships will continue their momentum as the market matures, Bouw explained.

The opportunities of the future lie in industrial and logistics, high-end manufacturing and data centers. In the last two years, the amount of data stored in the world has doubled, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

With the growth of online gaming, shopping, and cloud usage in general, Vietnam can become a center for that. By maintaining the growth drivers but putting in the necessary support columns  regulation, transparency, compliance, etc  to facilitate that growth, Vietnam will be able to increase its competitiveness within the region and become even more attractive to investors, said the firms Asia Pacific CEO.

In the Asia Pacific data center industry, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, and Malaysia are the leading markets, according to the Data Center Market Share 2023 report issued on Monday by research, analytics and consultancy company Precision Reports.

Meanwhile, Research and Markets, the worlds top market research store, said this March that Vietnams data center market size is expected to increase to more than $1 billion by 2028 from $561 million in 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.68%.

In its Vietnam Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028 report, the firm said existing operators are expanding their presence in the country by investing in new facilities.

The markets strong growth is being driven by government efforts and initiatives, for example, Vietnams Digital Transformation Program 2025 which aims to transfer around 50% of businesses to digital platforms.

Some current key investors in the Vietnamese data center market are Japan-based NTT Global Data Centers, and Vietnam-based firms Viettel, VNG Corp., HTC Telecom International (ECODC), FTP Telecom, CMC Telecom, VNPT, and VNTT.

NTT Global Data Centers is building its second data center in Vietnam in partnership with domestic firm QD.Tek. The facility, called NTT Global Data Centers HCMC1 and located in HCMCs Saigon Hi-Tech Park, is set to open in 2024.

In August 2022, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of its edge data centers in Hanoi and HCMC. AWS joined the largest ever U.S. business mission to Vietnam from March 21-23, organized by the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, to discuss and sound out investment opportunities. AWS and other tech firms in the delegation said they want to help develop Vietnam's digital economy.
The Big Muddy Monster is, in a word, elusive. Yet, the creature will be the center of attention at a number of Jackson County events this weekend, including a first-of-its kind festival in his  or its  honor.

Almost 50 years to the day from what is likely the most famous sighting of a hairy, ape-like creature along the banks of the Big Muddy River at Riverside Park, the Big Muddy Monster Festival brings presentations, special activities and a new statue to Murphysboro.

The Big Muddy Monster is a big part of Murphysboro and it is what we are known for, at least in certain circles, festival organizer Mike Noe explained. Its been 50 years since the famous sighting in 1973 and it became quite the commotion.

Noe, owner of Muddy Monster Comics, said the one-day festival will include vendor fairs, a 5K race as well as presentations from experts and a screening of Creature from Big Muddy, a documentary about the sightings.

Were really excited about it, Noe added. We have a top-notch, blue ribbon panel of speakers on the subject matter, especially specific to the area, he said.

Speakers include Chad Lewis and Kevin Nelson, co-authors of The Big Muddy Monster: Legends, Sightings and Other Strange Encounters; documentarian Joe Tury; Harold Benny from Hillsboro, a member of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Association and Zach Stamm, founder of Southern Illinois Monster Hunters.

Lewis and Nelson will also be giving a free presentation Friday at the Carbondale Public Library. Their 5 p.m. talk, Sea Serpents, Werewolves and the Mysterious Creatures of the Midwest, is a family-friendly presentation that will cover a variety of monsters seen through the Great Lakes and will include discussions about the Big Muddy Monster.

These legends make places like Murphysboro unique, Lewis said. I think in a lot of these towns that celebrate the legends, many people in the town dont believe them necessarily as being true, but they love them and the legend, the folklore and the unique history.

Perhaps one of the biggest draws of the festival will be the unveiling of a new statue near the corner of Illinois 13 and 127 featuring a likeness of the Big Muddy Monster. The new, 9-foot-tall bronze statue will unveiled at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 24, on the appropriately-named Muddy Monster Road.

Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens said the statue was commissioned by Joe Koppies, owner of the citys Holiday Inn Express and Suites. Stephens said the new piece is a great compliment to the chainsaw-carved Big Muddy Monster which currently is inside the hotels lobby as well as a mural featuring the creature just off Walnut Street in the citys downtown area. He added the new festival is a good fit for the community.

This is another thing that makes Murphysboro a great place, he said. Weve got interesting legends and lore and the Big Muddy Monster is right in there.

Noe said he hopes the festival becomes an annual event.

Information on Lewis and Nelsons Friday evening presentation in Carbondale is available on the public librarys website at www.carbondalepubliclibrary.org. A schedule of events and more information on the Murphysboro festival can be found by searching for Big Muddy Monster Festival 2023 on Facebook or by visiting the events website at www.bigmuddymonsterfestival.com.
COLUMBIA  Criminal defendants with repeat violent charges will have a harder time getting out of jail as they await trial and could spend more time in prison if they are convicted of the crime while out on bond under legislation approved by the General Assembly.

Gov. Henry McMaster signed the legislation into law on Tuesday, instructing the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to develop comprehensive standards for electronic-monitoring companies and bail bondsmen and to strictly enforce compliance.

The governor also directed the Department of Insurance to use its enhanced licensing power to hold bondsmen accountable and ensure timely reporting of electronic-monitoring violations.

McMaster encouraged solicitors to submit bondsmen-related complaints to DOI.

Both Republican-led legislative chambers overwhelmingly approved the bill that would require the payment of a full cash bond to post bail for people charged with a subsequent violent or firearm-involved offense while out on pretrial release for a first offense. A conviction on the subsequent charge  even if they are found not guilty of the initial crime  would allow another penalty carrying up to five years imprisonment that could run concurrently or consecutively.

The full cash bond on the second violent charge could still be paid through a bail bondsman but any bonds for additional charges would have to be posted by the defendant themself.

Supporters said the measure provides tools to help close the "revolving door" of a small number of people who continually commit much of the state's violent crime. Opponents said the bond restrictions favor wealthy defendants who have the money to pay full cash and would disproportionately pack poor defendants into jails. They argued the additional five-year penalty undermines the presumption of innocence.

House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, a criminal defense attorney in Columbia, noted the deplorable conditions at local jails in population centers that have recently prompted wrongful death lawsuits. One case alleges that a 27-year-old man was found dead last year with fresh rat bites and no running water in a South Carolina jail cell where he'd been detained for two weeks for reckless driving.

The Democratic representative also raised concerns that law enforcement officials could abuse the statute by trumping up charges for people awaiting trial who haven't been found guilty.

"We are mandating that a charge, not a conviction, is enough," he said. "And that should scare you."

Republican Rep. Jeff Johnson, a member of the committee that negotiated the bill, argued it applies punishments for people who violate their bond conditions.

Democratic Sen. Gerald Malloy, another committee member who supported the bill, emphasized that judges have discretion to apply as many as five years on top of whatever sentence they gave the defendant for the conviction on the second violent charge.

"What we know is that repeat offenders are problematic. We see them going over and over again in the community," Malloy told reporters. "Obviously, we have to get to the point where the Legislature says, 'Guys, please stop it. Let's put a pause on this.'"

The bill also places regulatory authority of electronic monitoring devices under the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. A list of certified bonding and electronic monitoring companies would be kept by the state agency.

It's unclear how frequently people charged with violent crimes commit additional offenses while awaiting trial in South Carolina. Elected officials have pointed to instances like an April traffic stop where a state trooper was shot in the face by a man with a stolen gun who had posted bond for criminal charges in neighboring Georgia.

McMaster said in a statement after signing the bill, "Although I am deeply disappointed that the conference committees compromise proposal watered down several important measures contained in the version of this legislation previously passed by the House of Representatives, H. 3532 still represents a much-needed and long-overdue step in the right direction.

"I write today to underscore that this legislation must not be the final step and to again convey the urgent need for the General Assembly to close the 'revolving door' for repeat offenders and career criminals.

"Notwithstanding the foregoing, my approval of H. 3532 does not absolve the General Assembly of its inherent police power to provide for and protect public safety ..."
Orangeburg County School District trustees have approved spending up to $21.2 million on additions to William J. Clark Middle and Lake Marion High schools.

The trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price of $16.8 million for the additions during a meeting last week. That includes $894,322 in contingency costs.

With the addition of $4.3 million in soft costs, the total guaranteed maximum price could be as high as $21.2 million. Soft costs include such things as fees, surveys, geotechnical work and inspections.

Trustees Mary Ulmer and Dr. William O'Quinn voted in opposition to the guaranteed maximum price. Trustee Peggy James-Tyler was absent.

The projects are part of the larger, $190 million in school building plan approved by voters in November.

The guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the new East Elementary School in Holly Hill is still being finalized. The latest construction estimates for the school are $40.9 million, with soft costs of $6 million for a total construction cost of $46.9 million.

The guaranteed maximum price will be presented for consideration at a future board meeting.

William J. Clark

The 500-student, 26,340-square-foot addition to William J. Clark Middle School in Orangeburg will provide additional classroom space.

The first floor of the addition will include the main classrooms, science lab, chorus room, piano room and music lab.

The second floor will include core classes for sixth-grade students.

The documents have been finalized and given to the contractor.

The guaranteed maximum price for the addition is $9.2 million, which includes about $489,054 in contingency costs. Estimated soft costs are about $2.2 million, for a total cost of $11.4 million.

Due to the challenges of traffic flow at the school, the parent drop-off entrance will be placed on Boulevard Street. The visitor parking lot will remain where it currently is on Bennett Street and the bus drop-off will be on Bennett Street.

The school plans have been submitted to the state Office of School Facilities for design development review.

The school will become the home of middle-level students throughout the central area of the county, including those within Clarks attendance zone and students previously zoned for Howard Middle School.

The construction will take place in the summer with a move-in date of December 2024.

Lake Marion

The guaranteed maximum cost for the Lake Marion additions is $7.6 million. This includes $405,268 in contingency costs.

The addition of about $2.1 million in soft costs would bring the total to $9.8 million.

The new, single-floor, 20,530-square-foot wing at Lake Marion High School in Santee will house 500 students. It will be added to the existing 24,530-square-feet for a total space of 45,060.

The traffic flow at the school will remain relatively the same as at present. The bus drop-off will remain at the north side and the middle school drop-off will be off of Tee Vee Road. There will be a new visitor entrance as part of the middle school addition.

The new wing will open in August 2024. The school will serve students from Holly Hill-Roberts Middle and Elloree Middle. Both Holly Hill-Roberts and Elloree Middle will close.

Middle school students will be separated from high school students.

The high school and middle school students will share a cafeteria, gymnasium, auditorium, media center, and band and chorus space, although schedules will be staggered to keep the children separate.

East Elementary

There has been a change in the site plans for the planned East Elementary School in Holly Hill.

As we continued to investigate the site of the school and where the building needed to be as we are preparing to present documents to the Office of School Facilities to review, we determined that a small portion of the elementary school wing resided in a flood plain area, Clint Riddle with LS3P construction design said.

In order to avoid the issues the district would encounter with paying flood taxes, we decided to slightly relocate the building on the site, he said.

Riddle said the change did allow the playground to be moved away from Brant Avenue.

It allowed us to get a more advantageous solar orientation of the building that will help a little bit with the mechanical and heating and cooling loads, Riddle said.

The school will be built on the existing site of the Holly Hill Elementary School at 1490 Brant Ave. The school will remain operational during construction.

The bus entrance will be located off of Brant Avenue and the new main administration entrance will be off of Camden Road.

A temporary parking lot will be built and the existing school will be torn down for the placement of a permanent parking lot.

The school will house 750 students with expansion to 900 possible.

The 110,000-square-foot, two-floor school will house special education, grades 1 to 3, administration, dining room, media center, and performance and music classrooms on the 83,000-square-foot first floor.

The 23,000-square-foot second floor will house upper grade classrooms and science labs.

The school is to serve students currently attending St. James-Gaillard Elementary, Holly Hill Elementary and Vance-Providence Elementary. Those three schools will close.

The school is expected to be complete in December 2024. The school should be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2025.

O-W High School

While the construction of the new Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School was not on the agenda, O'Quinn informed LS3P officials about an email he received from an adjacent forest and agriculture landowner.

O'Quinn asked if the appropriate studies have been done on the proposed site for the high school and if the projects impact the adjacent property owner has been studied.

Have we done any other studies to see what affect it may have on neighboring lands? O'Quinn said. Are we going to affect that situation over there?

The landowners were in attendance at the meeting but did not make any comments.

O'Quinn noted he has seen where environmental studies have been conducted for wetlands on about 15 acres of the proposed 90-acre school site.

Allen Taylor with LS3P said the studies were done on the proposed high school site.

We have studies that cover all of it, Taylor said, referring to the district's property. There have not been any further studies on neighboring property impacts.

Taylor said the company will investigate the matter.
Washington -- American Farmland Trust, in partnership with several South Carolina organizations, is launching Palmetto 2040: Visioning Alternative Futures, Launching Solutions, a geospatial mapping and policy analysis to identify future threats to South Carolinas farmland, jobs and quality of life.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Lexington County Farm Bureau, American Farmland Trust and the Winthrop Family Fund are providing support for the project, with SustainSC as the convening partner.

Using Lexington County as a pilot, the analysis will precisely project what land is at highest risk of development by 2040, accounting for both rapid population growth and climate change impact on settlement patterns and agriculture.

Palmetto 2040 seeks to identify how Lexington Countys agriculture, business, quality of life, and environment would fare under the alternative scenarios modeled; discuss tradeoffs among these factors; agree on the most optimal path for future development; and identify potential policy solutions.

FROM ATTIC TO BASEMENT: 'The sunshine vitamin' The summertimes most prolific nutrient is found above. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is unique in the fact that its predom

When it comes to balancing the need for development with protecting farmland and resources, none of these conversations are easy, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said. We look forward to working together to identify the best paths forward for South Carolina.

Lexington County has long been a top producer of agricultural commodities in South Carolina, and now we are losing farmland at one of the highest rates in the state, Lexington County Farm Bureau President Brandon Myers said. This project will help us make a plan to grow our county and state responsibly, while continuing to be stewards of our most important resource: land.

AFTs Farms Under Threat: The State of the States report, released in 2020, concluded that South Carolina is at very high risk for future farmland loss, with over 280,000 acres of farmland converted between 2001 and 2016, giving the Palmetto State the eighth highest threat score in the nation. Lexington County led the state in conversion, with over 29,000 acres of farmland paved over, fragmented or compromised by commercial, industrial, and residential development.

The Palmetto 2040 project will first convene key stakeholders in Lexington County, with AFT reaching out to public and private conservation organizations, land trusts, farm groups, and state and local officials working on farmland protection. Second, AFT will produce maps of the threats that will face Lexington Countys agricultural land by 2040. Finally, the partnership will use the maps in a visioning and consensus-building process including stakeholders representing agriculture, business, and conservation in Lexington County, as well as key citizen groups.

AFT will build a broad coalition around the policy solutions identified and will target public and private conservation organizations, land trusts, farm groups, state agencies, local planners and interested citizen groups.

Together our coalition will highlight the opportunities to improve state and local farmland protection policies, increase state and local funding, and take advantage of federal matching funds, said Ryan Murphy, American Farmland Trust GIS Manager.

Combining our geospatial analysis and policy insights will ensure that local and state policymakers are better informed about the need to act  and more motivated to do so  than ever before.
(TBTCO) - Lam phat cua My ha nhiet ang ay nhanh a giam gia cua ong o la, voi muc giam khoang gan 13% so voi ro tien te, tu muc cao nhat trong hai thap ky vao nam ngoai va ung o muc thap nhat trong 15 thang. Do ong o la la tru cot cua he thong tai chinh toan cau, nhieu loai tai san se uoc huong loi neu ong tien nay tiep tuc giam gia.
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Wyoming is aging at a faster rate than the U.S., a new analysis shows, raising questions about how the states health and elderly care systems will accommodate the growing number of older Wyomingites.

The aging of baby boomers is largely responsible for the growth in Wyomings 65 and over population, according to the June analysis by the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. Younger workers have left the state while Wyomings fertility rate has dropped. Both also contributed to the state outpacing the rest of the country with its aging population, said Wenlin Liu, the chief economist for the Department of Administration and Informations Economic Analysis Division.

From 2010 to 2020, Wyomings 65 and older population grew by more than 45%, while the states median age increased by nearly two years. From 2020 to 2021 alone, the states 65 and over population grew at a rate more than 10 times the general population, according to another analysis published by the Department of Administration and Information in July of last year.

At the same time that baby boomers aged, the states lost residents between the ages of 18 to 44, due in large part to the slowing of the energy industry in the latter half of the decade. Wyomings 45 to 64-year-old population declined by almost 10% over the decade, according recently released U.S. Census Bureau data showed.

While the issue of aging baby boomers is a national conundrum, Wyoming has a significant gap between the baby boomers and the next generation, Generation X, Liu said. Wyoming has one of the highest proportions of a baby boomers in the country and one of the lowest of Generation X, the July 2022 analysis concluded.

Wyoming doesnt have enough population to immediately replace these baby boomers [who] are retiring right now, Liu said.

The trend of an aging Wyoming will continue through the next several years as baby boomers grow older. Until 2030, Wyomings 65 and over population will continue to increase, Liu said.

Right now, the proportion of 65 and over in Wyoming is about 17.7% and its going to be over 20% by 2030, he said. That means by then 1 out of 5 people will be 65 and over.

By 2030, Wyoming will have some 135,000 elderly people.

Rising costs

Wyomings aging population is a growing worry for the states health and elderly care systems, including those who operate the states nursing and long-term care homes. Its also a significant concern for AARP Wyoming, which advocates for the states seniors.

Wyomings aging population is not new, but discussion of the subject has been muted in part because its difficult to acknowledge the consequences and challenges of growing older, said Tom Lacock, AARP Wyomings associate state director for state advocacy and communications.

To Lacock, the demographic trend thats equally important to the growing number of elderly people is the migration of younger people out of the state. Fewer young people means fewer family caregivers, an essential support for the elderly and aging. Earlier this year AARP Wyoming and the national organization released a report estimating the state has roughly 58,000 family caregivers that contribute $910 million in unpaid care each year.

The family caregiver is really sort of that hidden hero, the person who's taking care of a loved one, not getting paid for it and also keeping them out of the state's general fund system in terms of health care costs, Lacock said.

As baby boomers grow older, the state and Wyoming communities will have to contend with two basic challenges. The first is ensuring that they meet the care needs of another roughly 30,000 people, everything from transportation and medical care to help preparing meals, a not insignificant task given Wyomings rural geography and the post-pandemic workforce challenges that already exist. Lacock puts the second succinctly:

There's going to be a big spend.

Simply put, more elderly means more costs for both the state and the federal government. Medicaid is the joint state-federal public insurance program that covers nursing homes and long-term care. Projections from the Wyoming Department of Health estimate that by 2030 annual costs for Medicaid long-term care alone will increase by more than $50 million in Wyoming, with annual costs totaling nearly $190 million, according to June presentation at the Laramie County Aging Issues Summit.

Wyoming has a number of other social programs to support the elderly, including meal delivery and home services, some of which are largely funded by the state. In previous years, economic downturn has forced the state to make wide cuts, putting some programs for seniors like the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, on the chopping block. Others like state block grants for senior centers and the Wyoming Home Services Program run by the Department of Health are also often among those eyed for cuts, Lacock said.

Yet, those same programs that the Legislature has debated funding are also what keep costs down, a problem that will only be magnified as Wyomings aging population grows and requires more money. The majority of funding in-home services, for example, comes from the states general fund.

What you're trying to do is you're trying to slow people to descend into that nursing home level of care need, Lacock said.

The roughly $3.8 million annual budget for at-home services may seem inconsequential, but the cost of a nursing home care for one person is about $2,750 more per month than at-home care, a gap thats forecasted to only widen over the next decade and a half, according to the Department of Health.

As the Wyomingites grow older, the state and its communities will have to come up with creative ways to both fund senior programs and ensure that the elderly get the services they need, Lacock said.

We're getting older, we're getting sicker, there's a lot more people, he said. It's going to have a lot higher cost to the state, so we have to figure out what we can do about it.

Strained systems and looming questions

For Wyomings health and long-term care systems, Wyomings aging will bring one immediate change.

A growing elderly population will mean that public insurance programs increasingly reimburse medical facilities for care, a significant development since public health insurance like Medicare typically pays less than private insurance.

Amid rising costs, funding is a concern for long-term facilities and nursing homes, said Eric Boley, the president of the Wyoming Hospital Association and Leading Age Wyoming, a coalition of long-term care and assisted living providers. Medicaid reimbursement rates have either been frozen or declined over the last decade and Wyoming hospitals that operate nursing homes have largely been subsidizing them to keep them afloat, though additional state funding will kick in in July easing the burden for now.

But one worry rises above the rest for Boley and the states long-term care facilities  the work force.

The major concern is our aging population is outpacing the workforce, Boley said. There are concerns about how we're going to have enough staff to take care of them.

Like much of Wyomings health care system, the states assisted living facilities and nursing homes are struggling to find the staff they need to meet the demand. Fewer and fewer people are interested in what can sometimes be the difficult task of caring for the old for relatively low pay. At present, long-term care facilities could accommodate more elderly Wyomingites  the beds are open  but they cant find the people that they need to cover them all, a problem that could be worsened by proposed federal rules that would lower the staffing ratios facilities must meet to operate, Boley said.

It's tough work, he said. We're seeing folks that could potentially become certified nursing assistants and then move on to become nurses entering other industries because the works not as taxing and as hard.

While Boley, Gov. Mark Gordons Health Task Force and the state have been working on ways to bolster the long-term care work force they have found few clear solutions. Some initiatives like developing new nurse training programs are in progress but they will not immediately bridge the gap in workers that long-term care facilities need as Wyoming grows older.

The pressures and the problems that we're seeing in healthcare, it's spread all the way across the country, Boley said. But when we talk especially about long-term care and aging populations, it's going to be worse in our state just because our population is going to be older than many.

Boley thinks that the state needs to consider bringing in foreign workers on visas to meet the demand that Wyomings aging population is already bringing and will bring. Wraparound services to keep older people healthy and in their homes longer will also be key, Boley said.

Its a view that Lacock and the states aging adults also share. A 2020 AARP Wyoming survey revealed that roughly 80% of Wyomingites 45 and older want to age in their homes as long as they can, Lacock said.

Our hope is continued efforts to serve people through home services, he said.

As Wyoming weighs how to support a growing number of its residents, one thing is clear.

We've never seen a silver tsunami like this, Lacock said.
A 12-year-old girl from New Mexico claimed she was raped in the middle school restroom in October 2021. That event was not revealed until the child's mother found her journal entry detailing what happened, as reported by The Post Millennial.

The girl was using what was presumably a girls-only restroom at the ASK Academy middle school in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. An unidentified guy entered the room, proceeded to the girl, and reportedly pinned her against the counter before wrestling her to the ground.

The girl claims the man punched her in the head, then kept her down and raped her.

Behind the Girl's Sudden Change in Behavior and Mental State

"I was raped. I was raped. I was raped. F***ing kill me," the girl, identified only as Ray, allegedly wrote in her journal.

Maggie, the mother, discovered the occurrence and realized that this explained her daughter's sudden and puzzling change in behavior and mental state. It is said that the girl was displaying symptoms of grief, anxiety, and depression.

The mother believed that her daughter had been tormented at school, so she started counseling as well.

The girl's parents questioned her about the journal entry months later, and she confirmed that an attack had occurred. The family had the daughter checked out medically and started questioning the school.

See Also: UK Teacher Calls Student 'Despicable' After Conversation on Gender Identity

Is the School's Gender Ideology to Blame?

According to Blaze Media, the mother allegedly reasoned that the school's acceptance of gender ideology was what ultimately allowed the heinous deed to occur. According to Maggie, they found out that kids were swearing allegiance to the Pride flag rather than the American flag.

"We learned that some teachers were discussing daily the normalcy of transgender people and gender dysphoria and that this school had a higher population than anyone would expect for such a small school of kids saying they were trans and parents not knowing," she stated.

The girl also allegedly claimed she felt compelled to allow guys in traditionally female-only areas because of the school's belief. As per reports, instructors stressed the need to not judge transgender persons too quickly or too harshly.

CEO Edward Garcia of ASK Academy was contacted by the Independent Women's Forum to provide comment and clarification on the school's toilet regulations. Garcia answered that the school provides an "inclusive learning environment for all students" and that it does "not discriminate against any student."

When asked whether sexual harassment and assault were typical occurrences at ASK Academy, Garcia strongly refuted these allegations. The question of whether or not female facilities are accessible to biological boys was reportedly not answered by Garcia.

The now-13-year-old girl had little compassion for such transgender-inclusive scenarios, stating, "By them saying the only thing that matters is how they feel and not how I feel is very selfish of them."

See Also: Taiwanese Parents Fear for Their Children's Safety After Kindergarten Druggings

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After receiving some national and local backlash, Albany County Commissioner Terri Jones doubled down that the proposed name change of Swastika Lake is an erasure of history  a calling card of communists  but the board voted Tuesday to relabel it Knight Lake.

Knight Lake was chosen in honor of Samuel H. Knight, who was a long-time resident of Albany County, according to the Albany County Historical Society.

He was named as Wyomings citizen of the century in 1999 by the American Heritage center.

Knight, known as Mr. Geology of Wyoming, spent 60 years at the University of Wyoming, during which he expanded the geology department, became the department head and helped make it a nationally recognized program, according to the Wyoming Historical Society.

He is also closely associated with the location of the lake, as he founded a UW science camp only a half-mile away, the Albany County Historical Society said. Thousands of students have studied the ecology of that lake.

The lake is located in Medicine Bow National Forest near Green Rock Picnic Site just off Highway 130. Federal officials must approve the proposed change because it sits in a national forest.

The new name will be sent to the Wyoming Board of Geographical Names for approval before making its way to the United States Board on Geographical Names.

A debate over the name change started earlier this month when the boards only Republican member, Jones, argued society should not change names to soothe sensitive people, and the change is an attempt to erase history, she said during a council meeting.

In response, Robert K. Kraft, well-known owner of the New England Patriots and founder of the Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism, submitted an official statement Friday explaining the word itself doesnt promote education.

Today, many Western countries, including Germany, have criminalized public displays of the swastika and any language that distorts the Holocaust or glorifies the Nazi party, Kraft wrote in the statement. [W]e believe there are many more efficient ways to educate the public around the history and origin of the word

Jones thanked Kraft for his letter Tuesday night, stating she was never trying to promote antisemitism.

My intention was not to pick a fight ... Today, our government is employing Nazi tactics to divide people in this country  pitting one group against another, Jones said during the meeting. It is painfully clear people do not know history, as they are following the piper.

She went on to say schools are failing, which is, in part, to blame for the rise of antisemitism. Jones learned more about biology while hunting and fishing with her father when she was a little girl than in school, she said.

Kim Viner, who represents the Albany County Historical Society, said the communism argument needs to be set aside, as its not applicable in Albany County.

He pointed out that other locations with the word swastika in the name already took the word out of use due to negative connotations, Viner said during the meeting. And in 1940, a handful of Native American tribes signed a proclamation to stop using the swastika in artwork, clothes and other crafts because it was desecrated by another nation, he said.

Lindsy Sanders, who brought the name-change petition, originally proposed the title Fortune Lake, which is closer to the original meaning of the swastika, when it was known as a symbol of good fortune and well-being.

The swastika was meant to be encouraging of life at its conception, an Encyclopedia Britannica entry states. It has been used by cultures throughout history to promote positive ideals. Most notably as a symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism cultures.

During Tuesdays meetings, Sanders admitted she didnt particularly care about the new name just as long as the old name was removed.

My goal here is really to remove a name that is so painful to many people, and that is accomplished whether or not we use Fortune Lake or whether we use Knight Lake, Sanders said.
Human remains discovered near Granger in 1982 have been identified, according to the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office.

Jack Clawson of Sedalia, Missouri went missing in 1981 while traveling through Wyoming on his way home from a trip to Fremont, California. His family lost contact with him during the trip. They reported him missing when he failed to show up for a hunting trip with friends, a Wednesday release states.

His remains were discovered in 19823, a year after he was reported missing. A group of pipeline surveyors found them near Granger, south of Interstate 80. An investigation and autopsy showed no signs of foul play, the sheriff's office said. The conclusion was that he likely died of exposure during the winter.

Unable to identify the remains or tie them to a missing person's report, Clawson's case went cold.

Until May of 2011.

Detectives sent biological samples to the University of Northern Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. It was part of an effort to solve some historical cases, including that of Christine Thornton who was killed in Wyoming by Rodney Alcala, the Dating Game Killer.

In March of 2023, the remains finally had a name. Jack Clawson.

A final resolution of this case for Mr. Clawsons family would not have been possible without the incredible technological advancements in forensic analysis and the outstanding teamwork of everyone involved including our lead detective, Stephanie Cassidy, the University of Wyoming Department of Anthropology, the Wyoming State Crime Lab, and the University of Northern Texas Health Science Center, Sheriff John Grossnickle said in the release.
AN aviation company plans to run commercial flights using an electric engine that creates no carbon emissions by 2025.

ZeroAvia has flown nine test flights with its hydrogen-electric engine at Cotswold Airport, near Cirencester.

The only emission created by the engine is water.
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The nephew of former commissioner of police McDonald Jacob, who had been remanded into custo
Reddit is having its worst month as it faces problem after problem. Countless users and moderators still have an issue with the new API pricing, and now hackers that are presumed to be Reddit's previous perpetrator is joining in the fold.

Reddit Hacker Has Some Demands

The moderators going on protest alone is already a big headache for the social networking site. In addition to that, the ransomware group BlackCat, who claimed responsibility for the attack last February has given Reddit an ultimatum.

The company has to pay the threat actors $4.5 million in ransom and cancel its new API pricing policy, or it would publicize the data that was stolen in the previous attack. It goes without saying that the threat actors are on the protesters' side in this feud.

Around 80 GB of data are at risk of being exposed if the demands aren't met, according to The Verge. The hackers managed to access the company's data including documents, and contact information for employees as well as advertisers through a phishing attack.

Despite the reports, Reddit claims that the hackers didn't actually access any private data, just the ones that were already available to the public. The ransomware group's demand to roll back the API policy brings the protesters closer to victory.

Before the hacker became a factor, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman could have just waited out until things went back to normal, as he referred to the protest as something that "will pass," but it's an entirely different thing to have sensitive data be exposed.

While the $4.5 million ransom can already be a huge loss for the company, rolling back its API policy will mean that it will lose a huge potential source of income, which can generate millions for them each year as third-party apps continue to operate.

Read Also: Reddit CEO Adds New Policy That Lets Users Remove Moderators

February Breach

The previous cyber attack that Reddit had suffered occurred in early February, wherein the threat actors managed to breach its systems, access internal systems, and steal internal documents as well as the source code.

The hackers managed to successfully enter the system by creating a false intranet site that appeared like the real one. It would then target Reddit employees, tricking them into entering credentials and stealing two-factor authentication tokens.

Reddit says that aside from internal documents and code, the threat actors also obtained internal dashboards and business systems. However, there were no signs that it accessed Reddit's primary production system which holds the majority of the company's data.

This means that data like credit card information, passwords, and ad performance were safe from the breach, as mentioned in Bleeping Computer. The social networking site also mentioned that it was similar to an attack conducted against Riot Games.

Although, Reddit is getting a smaller sum for ransom compared to the video game company. After stealing Riot Games' source code for League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics, they demanded a $10 million ransom from the company, as opposed to Reddit's $4.5 million.

Related: Biggest Subreddits Are Now Public Only Posting About John Oliver
June 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday said a debris field was discovered within the search area by a remotely operated vehicle 
About a week ago, I wrote about a friend who was robbed on Stanmore Avenue. That was a Frida
Q: We are taking a cruise next month from Miami. I booked an 11:30 a.m. return flight from Miami to Chicago on American Airlines.

A few months before our cruise, American Airlines canceled our 11:30 a.m. flight and moved us to a 9 a.m. flight. We will still be on the ship at 9 a.m.

I called the airline and asked for a flight later in the afternoon. An agent advised me that all flights were full and they could not move my party to any other flights, even out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

I waited a few weeks and called again, hoping availability would open up, but it did not. An agent told me to cancel my tickets and that I would get a refund. So I did.

I have had an email conversation spanning weeks with American Airlines. They only process refunds via email and give no phone option. They keep denying my refund. So, I asked for an extension on my ticket credit. American Airlines denied that, too. Can you help?  Allison Bilski, Munster, Indiana

A: American Airlines created this problem by moving your flight. It should show some flexibility  something the agent who promised you a refund understood.

Too bad you didnt get that promise in writing. If you had, then this case would be easy to resolve.

American Airlines saw it differently. It has a four-hour rule when it comes to ticket changes. Its policy says that if it cancels or changes your flight, but reschedules you to arrive within four hours of your original arrival, it would not be required to refund your ticket. You were well within that window.

But your circumstances were special because you were coming off a cruise. If you ever get stuck in a situation like this again (and I hope you dont), try reaching out to one of the American Airlines executives, whose names I publish on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. They may be able to review the problem and figure out a solution.

You ended up booking a flight home on a different airline. I contacted American Airlines on your behalf. It offered to convert the $1,462 you spent on your flight into credits you can use any time next year. You are happy with that resolution.
The F-16s that NATO allies may send to Ukraine arent likely to arrive in time to help with Kyivs current offensive. The used planes wont be enough to turn the tide in the air war against Russia, either. The alliance has a different message in mind.

By providing some of the most sophisticated and expensive weapons to date, Kyivs backers will tie Ukraines military more closely than ever to the bloc, showing Vladimir Putin hes wrong to think he can outlast them in the conflict.

Its a potentially risky approach. While allies have managed to reduce the upfront expense by offering planes from its members existing fleets, keeping those aging F-16s in the air could cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year  just as pressure is growing in Europe and the US over the rising bill for continued support of Ukraine.

The big takeaway here is that flying a limited fleet of antiquated aircraft  through contractors and maintaining them with contractors  is going to be really freaking expensive, said Brynn Tannehill of the Rand Corp. in Washington. It bolsters the message that the long-term goal is to integrate Ukraine into NATO.

Alliance officials wont say when the planes might be delivered. The Netherlands and Denmark are planning to set up a training center in Eastern Europe for pilots and repair personnel, including from Ukraine.

Then you have a sustainable solution because every pilot needs to continue training, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said Thursday. Of course were talking not only about pilots, also all the technical personnel you need for maintenance of the aircraft.

While he welcomed the prospect of getting the planes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hoping for stronger commitments from the alliance at its summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania.

So far, NATO members are divided on how far to go in promising Kyiv a clear path to membership or providing other long-term guarantees of its security. The alliance is pushing members to commit to contribute 500 million euros annually to modernize its military and tighten ties with NATO for years to come.

Of course, sustaining the F-16s and other sophisticated weapons and paying for missiles and other ordnance to keep them shooting is likely to be far more expensive. The older planes that NATO allies could send will cost less up front, but also have a shorter useful life because theyve already been flying for decades in some cases.

Since the start of the war, the US has provided more than $40 billion in security aid for Ukraine, but skepticism is growing in Congress over how long that can be sustained.

When you start going down this road, you are talking about a much longer-term security assistance package, said Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. The logistics tail for an F-16 is just infinitely larger than it is for a Stinger or a Javelin, he said, referring to the portable anti-aircraft and antitank missiles that dominated alliance supplies to Ukraine early in the war.

Just flying older F-16s such as those Ukraine is likely to receive as NATO members get new fighters costs as much as $32,000 per hour, according to the Defense Department. Overall, maintaining the jets could cost as much as buying them, General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on May 25.

Sometimes certain things get labeled as, you know, This is going to be the magic weapon, he said. There are no magic weapons  and F-16s not, and neither is anything else.

Russias advanced fighters, including the MiG-31 and Su-35, have an advantage over Ukraines current jets. They also have more advanced radars and longer-range air-to-air missiles that might allow them to shoot down F-16s before trained Ukrainian pilots would even be able to see them, according to Rands Tannehill.

The Pentagon long argued that maintaining and supporting F-16s would take a lot of work, but Tannehill argues that F-16s with the right weapons systems  such as Lockheed Martins joint air-to-surface standoff missile, or JASSM  could still help Ukraine given the worn-down state of its current Russian-built fighter aircraft.

Its going to be expensive, but if you give it the right weapons systems to go along with the airframe, it could provide substantial combat value, she said, adding that the jets were a a bridge to a post-war, NATO-integrated Ukraine.

At the opening of a meeting of allies in Brussels Thursday, officials underlined that support for Kyiv is a long-term project.

Citing the F-16s, along with support for German-made Leopard tanks, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said allies are committed to ensure that Ukraines forces have the capabilities that they need to defend their country against Russian aggression in the future.
Aerospace and defense giant Raytheon Technologies Corp. has rebranded itself as RTX, and its defense businesses, including Tucson-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense, will be operated under the name Raytheon, with top management based in Tucson.

The changes, detailed Monday at an investors conference at the Paris Air Show, are part of a corporate restructuring announced in January that condenses the company into three businesses: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon.

The changes announced by Arlington, Virginia-based RTX are not expected to result in any operational changes in Tucson, a Raytheon spokeswoman said.

Raytheon is the Tucson regions biggest employer with about 13,000 local workers.

While we honor our legacy, we are always looking to the future  and that future is RTX, RTX Chairman and CEO Gregory Hayes said, citing a $180 billion order backlog for its commercial aerospace and defense platforms.

The investor event in Paris included a presentation by Wes Kremer, president of the combined Raytheon business after heading Raytheon Missiles & Defense since Raytheon Co.s 2020 merger with United Technologies Corp. to form Raytheon Technologies Corp.

Under the new corporate structure, Raytheon Intelligence & Space business will no longer be a separately reporting business unit. The Virginia-based business was the result of a post-merger combination of two former Raytheon Co. business units, Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services and Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems.

Another previous Raytheon unit, Integrated Defense Systems, was folded into Raytheon Missiles & Defense as part of the 2020 merger.
Boeing isn't giving up on its first crewed Starliner mission.

Company president and CEO Dave Calhoun recently stated that Boeing isn't shutting its doors on Starliner despite the indefinite delay it is facing due to numerous issues it found a month before its first crewed launch.

Boeing is still unsure when its first crewed Starliner mission will launch into space, considering the work it is doing to rectify the issues the spacecraft has.

Boeing Starliner Mission Plan Details

Calhoun stated in an interview on Aviation Week's "Check6" podcast, which was published on June 16, that Boeing is not shutting its doors on its Starliner spacecraft and the first crewed mission it was supposed to go on in early June.

He said that Boeing believes in the Starliner spacecraft and mission and that it will do whatever NASA asks it to do when asked about the program at the tail end of the podcast.

Regardless, he did acknowledge that Boeing has fallen behind in its efforts on Starliner compared to the work SpaceX does on its Dragon spacecraft. Calhoun added that they at Boeing think they know what they're doing technically and that, ultimately, Boeing will demonstrate it with every successful launch.

Whether Clahoun means Starliner's launch is unclear. According to Space News, Boeing has been having internal talks about the spacecraft's future and how it will move forward with it, according to a statement from Starliner program manager and vice president Mark Nappi.

Read More: Submersible Touring the Titanic Wreck Remains Missing

He clarified that meant long-term evaluations about building another spacecraft and shifting from the Atlas 5. Despite Starliner's issues, Nappi revealed that there had not been "serious discussions" about terminating the program in the company's internal talks.

When Will Starliner Launch?

As of press time, neither NASA nor Boeing provided an update on whether it had fixed the issues that prevented Starliner from being given the go-signal to launch on its first crewed mission. You may recall that the spacecraft's parachutes used "soft links" on their suspension lines, which have a failure load limit lower than previously thought, preventing them from handling Starliner's load should one fail during re-entry.

Similarly, its internal wiring is protected with lengths of flammable adhesive tape, which will become a hazard during launch and re-entry into Earth.

Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator for space operations, said at a June 8 Space Transportation Association event that Boeing and NASA want to make sure Starliner launches when it's ready.

Boeing is one of two commercial companies NASA picked to fly astronauts to and from the ISS through the space agency's multibillion-dollar fixed-cost contracts in its Commercial Crew Program. As such, the company is likely responsible for any additional costs due to the delays of its crewed launch; it already incurred $900 million in expenses and charges against its earnings for the program from past problems and delays.

Despite that, Calhoun said Boeing intends to make money on it despite its expenses, but the company has to "let the market and our customer let that play out, and we'll see what happens."

Related Article: Boeing, NASA Indefinitely Delays First Crewed Starliner Launch
A coalition of Southern Arizona environmental groups is suing the U.S. Forest Service over several new mining ventures in the Patagonia Mountains.

The eight groups, most of them from Tucson, accuse the federal agency of failing to consider the cumulative effects of the projects, especially on endangered species in the area.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Tucson by the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Tucson Audubon Society, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Friends of the Santa Cruz River, Friends of Sonoita Creek, Earthworks, and the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition.

The Patagonia Mountains serve as breeding territory for the threatened Mexican spotted owl and yellow-billed cuckoo, and may be used by elusive jaguars and ocelots as they venture north from Mexico.

The mountain range about 65 miles southeast of Tucson is also home to several proposed mines, including the Sunnyside copper project by Canada-based Barksdale Resources and the adjacent Flux Canyon exploration by Australia-based South32.

According to the lawsuit, the two projects could result in the construction of as many as 37 exploratory drill shafts thousands of feet deep. The work will involve machinery running day and night for several years, driving away wildlife and threatening to contaminate the water supply of the nearby town of Patagonia, the suit says.

Reckless exploratory mining has no place in the wild, biodiverse Patagonia Mountains, said Laiken Jordahl, Southwest conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a written statement. Endangered species like jaguars, ocelots and Mexican spotted owls already face threats from border walls, climate change and habitat loss. The last thing these rare animals need is a new copper mine ravaging the heart of their Arizona range.

The Patagonia Mountains and Sonoita Creek watershed are the lifeblood of our beautiful region, added Patagonia Area Resource Alliance president Carolyn Shafer. Our priority must be to protect this critical habitat, which is the source of drinking water, clean air and the biological wealth that fuels our regional nature-based restorative economy.

The Forest Service signed off on Barksdales seven-year exploratory well program on June 16, less than three weeks after granting approval for drilling to begin at the Flux Canyon site about a mile away.

Flux Canyon is part of South32s much larger Hermosa project, a proposed $1.7 billion zinc and manganese mine now under federal review as part of an Obama-era program aimed at streamlining the permitting process for critical infrastructure.

Both manganese and zinc are designated as critical minerals by the U.S. Geological Survey, and President Joe Biden has authorized increases in domestic manganese mining and processing under the Defense Production Act to strengthen the large-capacity battery supply chain.

South32 is the worlds largest producer of the mineral, but no significant ore deposits have been mined in the U.S. since the 1970s.

Company officials are expected to make a final decision later this year on whether to proceed with underground mining on the private land the firm owns at the Hermosa site. If developed as planned, the project would represent the single largest investment in the history of Santa Cruz County.

The Hermosa site is just northwest of the proposed San Antonio project, another Barksdale-owned effort to explore a suspected copper deposit on about 6,300 acres of land in the Patagonia Mountains.

All of the recent exploration projects are located in historic mining districts that date back to the 1800s but have not seen significant activity for decades.

The Forest Service manages much of the Patagonia range as part of the Coronado National Forest. The agency and Coronado National Forest Supervisor Kerwin Dewberry are both named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Forest Service spokeswoman Starr Farrell said the agency would not comment on the litigation.

The environmental groups are seeking an immediate injunction that would block the Forest Services approvals and halt any drilling work until a more thorough review is conducted.

All eight groups are being represented in the lawsuit by attorneys for the Western Mining Action Project and the San Francisco-based environmental law organization Earthjustice.

These projects threaten to drive away imperiled species and cut off wildlife movement between Mexico and the American Southwest, said Scott Stern, associate attorney for Earthjustices Biodiversity Defense Program. This needs to be sent back to the drawing board so the government can properly consider the potential harm to the land, water and species of Southeast Arizona.
Raytheons Tucson operation was awarded a $1.15 billion contract for production of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and related work for the Air Force, Navy and 18 foreign allies  including Ukraine.

The work will be performed in Tucson, where Raytheon is the largest employer with about 13,000 workers at several factory sites, and the contract is expected to be complete by January 2027, according to a Defense Department contract notice.

About 40% or nearly $450 million of the contract value is for unclassified foreign military sales to Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

The latest production contract includes an unspecified number of missiles, missile telemetry systems, spare parts and production engineering support.

First fielded in 1991 and significantly upgraded over the years, the radar- and GPS-guided AIM-120 AMRAAM is one of the most widely deployed air-combat missiles in the world, in use by 40 nations.

From Kosovo to Ukraine

The supersonic, all-weather air-combat weapon has a reported effective range of 35 to 80 miles, depending on the version. It has been test-fired more than 5,000 times and credited with air-combat kills in conflicts over Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, India and Syria.

The AMRAAM also is used with some ground-based air defense systems.

In its effort to repel Russia, Ukraine launches AMRAAMs from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which was jointly developed by Raytheon and Norways Kongsberg Defence.

The U.S. delivered two NASAMS batteries to Ukraine late last year and in December, the U.S. Army awarded Raytheon a contract worth up to $1.2 billion to deliver six additional batteries.

Last September, Raytheon was awarded a three-year, $972 million contract to upgrade AMRAAMs with new hardware and software for the U.S. Air Force and Navy and 19 allied countries.

The latest version of the AMRAAM costs about $950,000, and the Air Force and Navy are seeking to buy a total of 831 of the missiles in the Pentagons pending fiscal 2024 budget request.

Multi-year buy debate

The AMRAAM is one of 15 munitions programs Congress approved for multi-year contracting in last years National Defense Authorization Act, a policy document that generally prescribes appropriations.

Seen as a way to save money and stabilize the defense industrial base, multi-year contracting has been allowed in the past mainly for big platforms like planes and ships.

By allowing defense contractors to optimize production plans and buy materials ahead, multi-year contracts can save 5% to 15%, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service said in a report issued in 2020.

The Pentagon has proposed multi-year buys for the AMRAAM and other critical munitions  also including Raytheons Standard Missile-6 interceptor and the Raytheon-Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile  as part of a pilot procurement program.

But last week, the Republican majority on a defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee voted to disallow authority for some multi-year munitions procurement programs, including AMRAAM.

That drew fire from Democrats, who said the decision flew in the face of a recent report on countering threats from China, which recommended multi-year contracting as a way to boost munitions production and stockpiles.
BERISLAV, Ukraine  Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to bring down a Ukrainian dam that collapsed earlier this month while under Russian control, according to exclusive drone photos and information obtained by The Associated Press.

Images taken from above the Kakhovka Dam and shared with the AP appear to show an explosive-laden car atop the structure, and two officials said Russian troops were stationed in a crucial area inside the dam where the Ukrainians say the explosion that destroyed it was centered. The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The dams destruction led to deadly flooding, endangered crops in the worlds breadbasket, threatened drinking water supplies for thousands and unleashed an environmental catastrophe. Ukrainian commanders say it also scuttled some of their plans to take Russian positions in a counteroffensive that is now in its early stages.

Each side has accused the other of destroying the dam, but the various Russian allegations  that it was hit by a missile or taken down by explosives  fail to account for a blast so strong that it registered on seismic monitors in the region.

Russia has benefited from the timing of the massive flooding that followed the explosion  though areas it occupies also experienced a deluge and the consequences may have been more extensive than expected.

In the region around the dam, the Dnieper River forms the front line between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with Russian ones in control of the dam itself.

Two Ukrainian commanders who had been in the area but at different locations told the AP that the rising waters quickly swamped their positions and Russian ones and destroyed equipment, forcing them to start all over again with their planning and leaving them facing a much larger distance to cover, all in mud. One spoke on condition of anonymity in order to reveal more frankly the extent of the problems caused by the rising waters.

Its a regular practice, to mine (places) before a retreat, said the other, Illia Zelinskyi, commander of Bugskiy Gard. In this context, their actions were to disrupt some of our supply chains as well as complicate a crossing of the Dnieper for us.

In recent weeks, Ukraines armed forces have reported limited gains in the beginnings of a counteroffensive to take back territory seized by the Russians since their invasion in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin himself indirectly acknowledged the advantage to his forces last week, although he maintained Russias denials of responsibility: This may sound weird, but nonetheless. Unfortunately, this disrupted their counteroffensive in that area.

Speaking before a meeting of military correspondents, he explained his use of the word unfortunately with bravado: It would have been better if they had attacked there, he said. Better for us, because it would have ended very badly for them, attacking there.

Kakhovka is one of a series of Soviet-era dams along the Dnieper River that were built to withstand enormous force, amounting to thousands of pounds of explosives. They were constructed in the wake of the infamous World War II Dambusters raids that destroyed German dams. Taking out the Mohne dam in 1943, for instance, required five 4.5-ton, specially made bouncing bombs, according to the Imperial War Museum archives.

Ukraine is not believed to possess any single missile with that kind of power.

Sidharth Kaushal, a researcher with the London-based Royal United Services Institute, said the Ukrainians are not believed to have any missiles with a payload greater than about 1,100 pounds.

Nor does it seem credible that Ukrainian commandos could have sneaked in thousands of pounds of explosives to blow the dam, which was completely controlled inside and out by Russian soldiers for months.

As recently as the day before the structures June 6 collapse, Russians set up a firing position inside the dams crucial machine room, where Ukrhydroenergo, the agency that runs the dam system, said the explosion originated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said as early as October 2022 that the dam was mined.

Zelinskyi, who is not related to the Ukrainian president, confirmed that the explosion seemed to come from the area where the machine room is located. He and an American official familiar with the intelligence both confirmed that Russian forces had been ensconced there for some time. The American spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive material.

The Institute for the Study of War, an American think tank that has monitored Russian actions in Ukraine since the war began, has assessed that the balance of evidence, reasoning and rhetoric suggests that the Russians deliberately damaged the dam.

In the days leading up to the single explosion, Ukrainian military drone videos showed dozens of Russian soldiers encamped on a bank of the Dnieper, relaxed as they walked back and forth to the dam with no cover  suggesting their confidence in their control of the area and especially the dam, which was strategically crucial.

The photos, taken from Ukrainian drone footage, obtained by the AP and dated May 28, showed a car parked on the dam, its roof neatly cut open to reveal enormous barrels, one with what appears to be a land mine attached to the lid and a cable running toward the Russian-held side of the river. Its not clear how long the car remained.

A Ukrainian special forces communications official, who also noted the car appeared to be rigged, said he believed the purpose of that was twofold: to stop any Ukrainian advance on the dam and to amplify the planned explosion originating in the machine room and destroy the top of the dam. The car bomb itself would not have been enough to bring down the dam. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to preserve operational secrecy.
PHOENIX  Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed legislation Tuesday she said could make criminals out of some who aid undocumented migrants.

The proposal by Tucson Republican Sen. Justine Wadsack was among 15 measures approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature  many on party-line votes  that the Democratic governor said Tuesday were unacceptable.

Others ranged from harsher sentences for certain fentanyl-related offenses to barring certain critical infrastructure purchases from citizens of certain countries.

Hobbs also rejected a bid to tell social media platforms who they cannot keep from posting.

The original proposal Wadsack pushed through the Senate would have made it a Class 2 felony to use a telephone, computer program or application to assist in any human smuggling. That carries a presumptive sentence of five years in state prison.

But by the time Wadsack got the bill to the House, she agreed to narrow the focus. A Class 2 felony would have applied only if the person using the electronic device was intending to conceal a person from a peace officer or assisting a person in fleeing.

The criminals have figured out how to use encrypted apps, Matthew Thomas, chief deputy of the Pinal County Sheriffs Department, told lawmakers during hearings on the measure. He said Senate Bill 1408 would give law enforcement and prosecutors an additional tool so we can get these criminals and keep them behind bars.

But Marilyn Rodriguez of the American Civil Liberties Union called even the scaled-back version too broad. She said it would target even those who aid people who crossed the border illegally but surrendered themselves to Border Patrol to seek asylum.

This could strengthen the suggestion that anyone providing humanitarian or legal services are assisting in the smuggling of human beings, Rodriguez said, quoting from the language of SB 1408. The language is broad enough to pose a serious concern for service providers who interact with migrants on a regular basis and use mobile phones or computer applications in their day-to-day operations.

Rep. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, told of working with a nun and others with the Catholic Church in Texas to provide showers, food and clothing for border crossers.

Im wondering if its your intention to lock up a Catholic nun, she asked Wadsack.

In my opinion, if somebody is trafficking or harboring somebody, theyre trafficking and harboring, Wadsack responded. It shouldnt matter if theyre a clergyman or an ex-convict or somebody who works in a Walmart.

Hobbs did not agree.

This bill is yet another attempt by the majority to criminalize organizations and individuals who aim to support immigrants and refugees, Hobbs wrote in her veto message Tuesday. I implore the majority party to work with stakeholders to provide real solutions for our border communities.

Fentanyl

Hobbs also rejected House Bill 2802, a bid by Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, to impose a presumptive 10-year prison term on anyone who sells, attempts or intends to sell even a single pill that contains two or more milligrams of fentanyl. Gress said the penalty is appropriate.

If someone takes that drug you intend to sell, they will die, he told colleagues. Its a known fact, its indisputable, if you ingest more than two milligrams of fentanyl, you will die.

Ortiz questioned the hard-and-fast rule, saying the offender not only may not know the dose but also may be selling the drug to a friend solely to support his or her own habit.

Rep. Melody Hernandez, D-Phoenix, said all the legislation would do is put more Arizonans behind bars. She said the state has a higher incarceration rate than not just many other states but also than El Salvador, Rawanda and Cuba.

Hobbs had her own problems with the legislation.

This bill will criminalize substance abuse disorder, she wrote in vetoing HB 2802. Instead of locking people up who are suffering from the effects of the opioid epidemic, we must prioritize treatment and risk reduction.

Candidates postings

The governor also rejected a bid by Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, to regulate how national and international social media platforms operate in Arizona.

Rogers SB 1106 would have put into state law that once people become candidates for any public office, they could not have their posting rights taken away  pretty much no matter what they say, truthful or otherwise. Only violations of the federal Communications Decency Act would result in loss of privileges.

Rogers, in testifying for her bill, said special treatment for candidates is merited. This legislation seeks to reinforce the First Amendment, especially for political speech, she said.

Hobbs said she found no merit in the measure.

This bill does not attempt to solve any of the real problems social media platforms create, the governor wrote.

Critical infrastructure

Hobbs also rejected another Rogers proposal, which would have barred any governmental entity or private business from entering into any agreement for critical infrastructure with a company owned by citizens of China, North Korea, Iran or Russia. Such infrastructure already is defined elsewhere in state law as any system or asset so vital to the state or the county that its incapacitation would have a debilitating impact on security, economic security, public health or safety.

That led Rep. Keith Seaman, D-Casa Grande, to ask if there have been problems in Arizona that this legislation would resolve. Rogers said she did not have specific examples other than China being involved in computer production.

Hobbs, for her part, objected to creating a presumption that all citizens of certain countries are enemies of the state.

She said there are also practical concerns, such as disqualifying many Arizonans who may have dual citizenship.

Moreover, the bills broad language would jeopardize businesses entering the Arizona market, a significant tailwind in our economy as the U.S.s top state for foreign-direct investment, Hobbs said. She raised the question of whether this would bar investment from Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

Other bills nixed Tuesday

Hobbs also vetoed measures to:

Set up new procedures for parents to file complaints if they believe schools are violating their parental rights and collecting that information on a statewide level. Hobbs called it an unnecessary mandate on school districts.

Require that more people convicted of certain crimes be listed on a sex-offender website maintained by the Department of Public Safety. She said existing law already requires posting of the names of the most dangerous.

Eliminate the requirement that attorneys be members of the State Bar of Arizona, a change that would have left all discipline of lawyers solely to the Arizona Supreme Court. She said the Bar is best equipped to do the job and noted the high court justices opposed the measure.

Mandate a head-to-head test of hand counts versus machine counts of ballots, all in the wake of continued claims by failed candidates that machine counting is inherently suspect and susceptible to fraud and hacking. The 2022 election is settled, Hobbs wrote, telling lawmakers it is time to move on and start addressing real problems.
PHOENIX (AP)  The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a law criminalizing per-signature payment is constitutional, possibly complicating efforts for groups trying to get initiatives on the ballot.

The seven-member panel unanimously agreed the 2017 law does not violate the First Amendment rights of petition circulators, reversing an Arizona Court of Appeals opinion. The court determined the law was not broadly restrictive.

"The statute forbids only per-signature compensation, leaving other productivity-based compensation intact," Justice Clint Bolick wrote. Our clarification also means that the statute is not vague on its face.

The case was brought by Petition Partners, the state's largest signature gathering firm. In 2020, then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, slapped the company with 50 misdemeanor criminal counts for its bonus programs that paid people for signatures collected for Proposition 208, a tax on incomes over $250,000.

Drew Chavez, owner of Petition Partners, said he sees the decision as a win because the high court definitively answered their questions about the law.

Its a victory for Arizona and the process moving forward, Chavez told The Associated Press. It was so vague it was impossible to follow. Today we got clarification which is the only thing we were looking for.

The company never paid people a per-signature rate, he added, but they did impose different pay scales that petition circulators could toggle between based on productivity, according to court documents.

In this case all I wanted to do was pay our very good employees for signatures without us or them violating the law, he said.

The case has been remanded to trial court. Petition Partners still faces up to $5 million in fines.

The appeals court ruled the law has a chilling effect on free speech rights of people trying to get proposed laws on the ballot.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that some of the bonus programs the company used ran afoul of the 2017 law. However, the court's ruling did not touch on the measure's constitutionality.

Former Republican state Sen. Vince Leach, who sponsored the original bill restricting one-for-one payment for petition signatures, said he was pleased with the court's decision.

Im not surprised it was challenged," said Leach, who is running for a state Senate seat in southern Arizona. They have a business model. This interfered with it. While I can see that, I really dont feel sympathetic about it.

Compensating workers per signature increases the likelihood of fraud, according to Leach. But he said he is not opposed to petition circulators getting paid for their time.

The ban on per-signature payments is one of several restrictions on petition collectors enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature after liberal groups used the citizen initiative process to make changes lawmakers opposed, including an increase in the minimum wage.
Rescuers on Wednesday rushed more ships and vessels to the area where a submersible disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site, hoping underwater sounds they detected for a second straight day might help narrow their search in an increasingly urgent mission.

Crews were scouring an area twice the size of Connecticut in waters 2 1/2 miles deep, said Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District, who noted that authorities are still holding out hope of saving the five passengers onboard the Titan.

This is a search and rescue mission, 100%, he said. ... Well continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members.

But even those who expressed optimism warned that many obstacles remain: from pinpointing the vessels location, to reaching it with rescue equipment, to bringing it to the surface  assuming its still intact. And all that has to happen before the passengers oxygen supply runs out, which some have estimated might happen as early as Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, newly uncovered allegations suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during the submersibles development.

The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan went missing on Sunday is prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search-and-rescue mission, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol. The lost submersible could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the surface near the watery tomb of the Titanic.

Key to the search are camera-equipped remote-operated robots, which are designed to scan the seafloor in real-time at depths other vessels cant reach. Two were operating in the area Wednesday and more were on the way, officials said.

Frederick said while the sounds that have been detected offered a chance to narrow the search, their exact location and source hasn't yet been determined.

"We don't know what they are, to be frank, he said.

Retired Navy Capt. Carl Hartsfield, now the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, said the sounds have been described as banging noises, but he warned that search crews have to put the whole picture together in context and they have to eliminate potential manmade sources other than the Titan.

The report was encouraging to some experts because submarine crews unable to communicate with the surface are taught to bang on their submersibles hull to be detected by sonar.

A U.S. Navy official said during a media briefing Wednesday that a special naval salvage system that could be used to pull the Titan to the surface has arrived in St. Johns, Canada, but it is expected to take another 24 hours to prepare it for use. The Navy said in a statement that the equipment is capable of hoisting large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels."

The Titan weighs 20,000 pounds (9,071 kilograms). The Navys Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System is designed to lift up to 60,000 pounds (27,216kilograms).

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon.

Lost aboard the vessel are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers are a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Authorities reported the 22-foot carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

Frank Owen, a submarine search and rescue expert, said the estimated 96-hour oxygen supply is a useful target for searchers, but is only based on a nominal amount of consumption." Owen said the diver on board the Titan would likely be advising passengers to do anything to reduce your metabolic levels so that you can actually extend this."

Titans passengers were likely enduring extremely difficult conditions, including temperatures just above freezing, said Jeff Karson, a professor emeritus of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University.

I am sure it is horrible down there, Karson said. It is like being in a snow cave and hypothermia is a real danger.

At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGates submersible to the Titanic wreck site in 2021 and 2022, according to letters the company filed with a U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, that oversees matters involving the Titanic shipwreck.

But documents show that OceanGate had been warned there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way the experimental vessel was developed.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, said in a 2018 lawsuit that the companys testing and certification was insufficient and would subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

The company insisted that Lochridge was not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan. The firm also says the vessel under development was a prototype, not the now-missing Titan.

The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators, also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush, OceanGates chief executive. The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. The New York Times first reported on those documents.

Chris Brown, a British adventurer who paid a deposit to go on the Titan voyage but later withdrew because of what he called safety concerns, has criticized the use of a simple commercially available video game controller to steer the Titan. But OceanGate has said that many of the vessels parts are off-the-shelf because they have proved to be dependable.

Its meant for a 16-year-old to throw it around, and is super durable, Rush told the CBC in an interview last year while he demonstrated by throwing the controller around the Titans tiny cabin. He said a couple of spares are kept on board just in case.

The search for the missing vessel has drawn international attention. In Dubai, where the missing British adventurer Hamish Harding lives, Crown Prince Hamadan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum wrote: Dubai and its people pray for their safety and hopeful return home.

Others aboard include Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country. In Pakistan's port city of Karachi, employees at his firms said they prayed for the two's safe return, as did government officials. French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet also was on the vessel.

Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, who is now deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University, said the disappearance of the submersible underscores the dangers associated with operating in deep water and the recreational exploration of the sea and space, "two environments where in recent past weve seen people operate in hazardous, potentially lethal environments, Murrett said.

I think some people believe that because modern technology is so good, that you can do things like this and not have accidents, but thats just not the case," he said.

Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia; and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
Yankton Press & Dakotan. June 20, 2023.

Editorial: Jobless Rates And Labor-Pool Solutions

South Dakota and Nebraska  along with New Hampshire  currently share the distinction of having the lowest unemployment levels in the nation, each with a jobless rate of 1.9%.

As has been the case of late, this number is a double-edged sword.

The low jobless rate gives politicians a chance to pump themselves up, because low unemployment just looks and feels good. And certainly, something approaching full employment is a good thing.

On the other hand, there are more jobs in South Dakota and Nebraska (and, no doubt, New Hampshire) than there are available workers, and that creates a real problem. It can put retail businesses in a tight spot in terms of staffing, and it can potentially hinder manufacturers looking to expand but unable to do so because the workers simply arent there to fill the new slots to meet the new targets.

There are several theoretical solutions, perhaps the most high-profile (and politically controversial) of which is promoting more immigration to expand the work force.

Another, more patient approach can be seen in Yankton, where potential new employees are gradually being developed.

For instance, manufacturers have worked with RTEC to train new employees in such skills as welding with hopes that it will eventually help fill some of the holes in the local workforce. In the process, its giving these people skills that will help them advance in technical fields.

There was also the efforts of the Yankton Manufacturing Academy (YMA) and the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training Camp programs, which held their combined graduations recently at RTEC.

Here again, the intent is to draw more people into (as the names suggest) the manufacturing and nursing fields. In these cases, the programs introduce high school students to these areas in which they have an interest in entering.

Gwen Maag, an instructor with Avera Education, ran the CNA training camp and knows just how badly these people are needed.

CNAs are in high demand. We need people with boots on the ground, she said during the recent graduation ceremony. The Department of Labor says the CNA field will see an 18% growth by 2024. We dont have enough people to do that. We dont have enough workers in health care.

Meanwhile, the Manufacturing Academy seeks to introduce students to industrial fields.

Our goal is to open (the students) eyes and steer the kids in that direction, RTEC director Monte Gulick said. We need trained staff (in all fields).

These outreach efforts are only a small part of the answer to the much bigger problems in terms of the local and national labor pool, but these efforts are a start. They sow the seeds of potential, and that could lead to partial solutions down the line. That can potentially benefit the Yankton area for years to come.

Madison Daily Leader. June 20, 2023.

Editorial: Contract with Army Cyber is a great achievement

Dakota State University has signed an educational partnership with the U.S. Army Cyber Command. While weve gotten used to DSU signing notable agreements with many agencies of the federal government, this particular one can be considered a remarkable achievement.

Most people, especially older Americans, still think of wars in terms of in-person battles. World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf wars were all combinations of air, sea and ground battles. But the Russia/Ukraine war, as well as others, have involved substantial cyber operations.

The battles could start months or years before a shot is fired. In the future, wars may not even involve bullets, bombs, missiles or other ammunition. Cyber attacks could disable a country or organization. Cyber defense could protect a country from surrendering to another.

Many of us still think of wars in terms of geographic boundaries, but future wars could very well be fought against ideologies or groups that arent defined by a sovereign country, like the Taliban.

Todays cyber warfare is really an extension of centuries-old combat. Combatants always wanted to knock out capabilities, such as electricity plants or airports. But instead of bombing them, the attacks could be over the internet. Propaganda battles  once fought by dropping leaflets from airplanes  could now be fought over social media or other methods of communication.

The goal of this particular agreement is to develop new technologies and transfer technologies from civilian to military use so that U.S. soldiers have as many technology capabilities as possible, Lt. General Maria Barrett said. Training and education will evolve rapidly: as a new cyber attack is invented, a new cyber defense will be developed to counteract it. And the cycle starts over.

We offer our congratulations to DSU and all those involved in this agreement and thank them for their service to America.

END
Speaker schedule

Saturday, June 24

11 a.m. Bob Blackburn, former director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, presents "The Revolutionary Turning Point in Oklahomas Modern Highway System. Blackburn served as director of the Oklahoma Historical Society from 1999-2021. He led the effort to build the Oklahoma History Center, a 215,000-square-foot museum and research center.

1 p.m. Joe Sonderman, author and media personality, will present Route 66: An Authors Perspective. Sonderman is a radio personality and traffic reporter in St. Louis. He has articles about Route 66 and has a collection of thousands of postcards and archival images that he says capture a simpler time, when people were not in such a hurry.

3 p.m. Candacy Taylor, documentarian, and Edward Threatt, Black historian, present The Roots of Route 66, moderated by Wade Bray, curator of AAA Route 66 Road Fest. Taylor is an award-winning author, photographer, art curator and cultural documentarian. She is the owner and operator of Taylor Made Culture, which produces multidisciplinary projects that enrich, challenge and inspire new ways to think about culture and identity. Taylors work has been featured in media outlets including The Atlantic, CBS Sunday Morning, The Economist, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Threatt is the grandson of Allen Threatt Sr., who established the only known Black-owned service station on Route 66. Edward Threatt is committed to and passionate about commemorating the station for travelers to enjoy and reminisce about the important history of his grandfathers establishment and all it did for the Black community.

5 p.m. Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckeys Corporation, presents Roadside Treasures & the Great American Road Trip with Stephanie Stuckey. Stuckey is the current CEO of Stuckeys Corporation. She emphasizes supporting the vision of the great American road trip within her work. Stuckey is also a former politician, having served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1999-2013.

Sunday, June 25

1 p.m. Author Brennan Matthews presents Miles to Go: An African Family in Search of America along Route 66. Matthews will have a conversation with Ken Busby followed by a book signing. Matthews is the author of Miles to Go: An African Family in Search of America along Route 66. Matthews is the editor of ROUTE Magazine, a national American bi-monthly magazine that focuses on the fascinating human stories behind U.S. road travel, Route 66 and classic Americana.

3 p.m. Journalist and historian Michael Wallis presents In Conversation with Michael Wallis. Cultural czar Ken Busby interviews Sheriff from the movie "Cars." Wallis is an award-winning American journalist, historian, author and speaker. He has written 17 books, including "Route 66: The Mother Road." His work has also been featured in Time, Life, People, the New York Times and more. He was the voice of Sheriff, a 1949 Mercury 2-door police cruiser and the Carburetor County sheriff in "Cars."
To quote the late Bobby Darin, how was I to know there was a party going on?

I had recently come across notice that El Bunker was approaching its first anniversary, and decided to pay the place a visit on a recent Saturday evening.

The restaurant, at 6510 E. 21st St., started out its life in the 1970s as a Western Sizzlin steakhouse, which was noted as much for its extensive salad bar as it was for its entrees. In 2017, it opened as Miami Nights Restaurant & Lounge and specialized in Cuban cuisine. That restaurant closed in December 2021, following the untimely death of its owner, who was shot while trying to quell an altercation in the restaurants parking lot.

It took about six months before a new group took over the space, naming it El Bunker Restaurant & Lounge.

Ive had numerous occasions to drive by the restaurant, and on this particular Saturday evening, the parking lot was more occupied than I had noticed it to be of late. But then, Im rarely driving past the place between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Saturdays, when it converts to a 18-and-older nightclub, and maybe that is when this joint truly gets jumping.

Once my companion and I entered, the young woman who ultimately came to greet us asked simply, Party? When we replied we were a party for two, she led us to the eastern side of the restaurant, where indeed there was a party going on. As near as we could make out from all the pink and white balloons and the mostly female guests, it was some sort of baby shower or bride-to-be shindig.

It took a moment to convince the hostess that we were not on that particular guest list, that we only wanted to eat. So we were then directed to the western side, where about 15 or so tables are set up. Other than a group who were obviously part of the families involved with the party, and a couple of young men who finished their meal soon after we sat down, we were the only people in the place.

My companion can speak a smattering of French and Italian, and my Spanish is less than spotty, so we ended up pointing to items on El Bunkers fairly extensive menu to place our order.

On its social media, El Bunker describes itself as a family owned restaurant offering citizens of Tulsa the best Mexican and Seafood. The menu includes such familiar items as street tacos, enchiladas, tortas and quesadillas, along with such creations as the Coco Relleno, a half-coconut shell filled with shrimp, scallops, octopus and cooked crab meat, in a mushroom sauce and covered with melted cheese ($20; the same melange served inside a halved pineapple is $22).

(Note: We made several attempts to talk with someone about the restaurant and the family that operates it, including the reasons behind the rather unusual name. One interview was arranged but was canceled because of a family emergency, and efforts to have questions answered through some other means were not successful.)

El Bunker retains the bones of what I remember from those far-off days when the Western Sizzlin was a regular Sunday afternoon dining spot. Two main rooms  one that appears set up for restaurant use, the other for celebrations such as the baby shower  are linked by a passageway that, if memory serves me right, was the location of the salad bar.

Three large-screen TVs are set up in the restaurant area; on the night we were there, one was set to Tejano music videos, played at high enough volume to make casual conversation impossible. We requested the volume be lowered, but to no avail.

It was perhaps out of a sense of nostalgia that I ordered the carne asada with shrimp ($15.99), which included a serving of grilled flank steak with rice, a cup of brothy beans that had been cooked with a lot of bacon, and a small salad. The steak was topped with eight small shrimp, a few sauteed red onions and a blistered jalapeno pepper. Four small corn tortillas came with the meal.

In preparation, we also ordered the fried calamari ($15) and a cup of queso ($6). The calamari arrived first, and was cut into sticks, rather than the more familiar rings. They also were obviously a pre-made frozen product, as it took a couple of tries to find one that was fully cooked.

Those that werent still cold had an oddly fishy taste; the strips had been cross-hatched on one side prior to whenever they had been breaded, perhaps to make them easier to bite through. We ended up leaving most of them behind. They were served with a cup of ranch dressing.

The carne asada came next. It consisted of two pieces of beef, one wafer-thin, the other a bit thicker. This latter side was cooked to medium rare and was tender and flavorful; the other side was tough and tasteless, as were the eight tiny shrimp scattered atop it, which were so overcooked that they had a woody texture. We left most of those behind, as well.

The queso was the last dish to make it to our table, and it was a distressingly disappointing concoction, with the consistency of 2% milk and a similar flavor.

I gave El Bunker another try for an early evening dinner, where again I was the only person in the place who was not either a member of, or related to, the staff. Again I was served a basket of chips with a cup of the house salsa, which El Bunker serves warm.

After the last experience with the calamari, I was not entirely sanguine about sampling what El Bunker might do to scallops or octopus, so we again focused on shrimp dishes: the shrimp empanadas ($8 for four) and a dish called Momias ($18.99), which were shrimp wrapped in bacon and cheese.

The empanadas were quite large but contained only two badly overcooked shrimp along with a helping of molten white cheese flecked with what I believe was bits and pieces of poblano pepper. The thick crust had an unusually orange color, and they were served with slivers of avocado atop each empanada, and small ramekins of ranch dressing and a spicy sort of Thousand Island dressing. Neither really added anything to the empanadas.

Ive had dishes similar to El Bunkers Momias at other Mexican restaurants, and enjoyed them. This was maybe the most successful dish I tried, as the shrimp were not overcooked and actually tasted like shrimp, and the bacon was crisp without being burned. The salad and rice that accompanied them were nothing special. A crock of French fries came with the meal, with a couple of packets of ketchup tossed on top.

The packets werent necessary, as each table held a tray stuffed with at least a half dozen well-used bottles of different commercial hot sauces, as well as a large bottle of ketchup.

NOTE: On Monday, June 19, El Bunker posted on its Facebook page that Due to problems from the storm that whipped us last night El Bunker Mexican Restaurant & Lounge will be closed until further notice. We thank you for your understanding and hope everyone is OK.

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Kang Mi-sun, a principal ballerina at Universal Ballet, has shared the best female dancer award at the Benois de la Danse, one of the world's most prestigious ballet awards. Yonhap



Kang Mi-sun, a principal ballerina at Universal Ballet, has shared the best female dancer award at the Benois de la Danse, one of the world's most prestigious ballet awards.



The Korean dancer picked up the honor at the awards ceremony in Moscow on Tuesday (Moscow time), together with China's Qiu Yunting. The winners beat four other competitors from ballet companies from around the world.



Universal Ballet is one of Korea's two major ballet companies, along with the Korean National Ballet.



The 40-year-old Kang was recognized for her lead role as a widow in "Mirinaegil," a creative piece premiered by the ballet company at a theater in Seoul in March.



"Honestly, I had completely no expectations as I was emptying my mind. I was truly surprised when my name was called, and I am grateful to receive this honorable award," she told Yonhap News Agency by phone after receiving the honor.



She performed the ballet "Mirinaegil" with Lee Dong-tak, who is also a principal dancer from Universal Ballet, in a gala concert that was held at the Bolshoi Theater right after the ceremony.



"I still love dancing," Kang said when asked about her future plans. "I hope to have more opportunities to showcase Korean ballet in other countries like this time. I want to introduce the beauty of Korean ballet to the world."



The Benois de la Danse is one of the world's most authoritative ballet awards, founded by the International Dance Association in Moscow in 1991 to honor distinguished French choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810).



Park is the fifth Korean to win a Benois de la Danse prize after Kang Sue-jin (1999), Kim Joo-won (2006), Kim Ki-min (2016) and Park Sae-eun (2018).



Having graduated from Sunhwa Arts High School, Kang is currently serving as a principal dancer at Universal Ballet. Prior to that, she trained at the Washington Kirov Academy of Ballet in the United States.



In 2002, she joined Universal Ballet as an apprentice and rose through the ranks  starting as a corps de ballet dancer, then becoming a demi-soloist, a soloist and a senior soloist  before being promoted to principal dancer in 2012. (Yonhap)




Tulsa's first Pollo Campero, an international chain specializing in fried and grilled chicken, is set to open July 1, at 7819 E. Admiral Place.

The Tulsa location is the third Pollo Campero outlet that Tulsa resident Mike Woolf and his team have opened in the state, after opening shops in Oklahoma City and Yukon.

The restaurant will offer Campero Fried or Citrus Grilled bone-in chicken, sandwiches, and salads, along with sides that include familiar items such as fries and coleslaw, as well as yucca fries, rice and beans, and sweet plantains.

Pollo Campero, which was founded in 1971 as a small, family-run restaurant in Guatemala, is described as the world's largest Latin American chicken franchise, with more than 85 U.S. locations and another 270 worldwide.

Woolf, part of the team behind the deli chain City Bites, was introduced to Pollo Campero by Guatemalan employees who couldnt stop raving about it.

The number of Central Americans in Oklahoma, and certainly the United States, is not slowing down. So why not be able to offer them and provide them what they want?" Woolf said in a statement. "And once anybody...tries Pollo Campero, they really love the food, the brand and everything about it.

Pollo Camperos new Tulsa location is part of its plan to open 250 U.S. restaurants over the next five years. That plan includes adding three to five locations in Oklahoma over the next 10 years, with each location creating 40 jobs for local communities.

Weve had many years of success abroad, and this success has set the stage for U.S. investors to want to bring a tried-and-true brand to their market, said Blas Escarcega, Pollo Camperos director of franchise development, in a statement. We are always looking for passionate leaders with strong ties in their communities to join our family, (and Woolf) knows exactly what makes Pollo Campero so special, and we couldnt be more excited to have him introduce the brand to diners who havent tried us yet.

For more information, go to us.campero.com

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A federal appellate court panel Tuesday overturned Jimcy McGirts sexual abuse convictions after finding that the trial judge gave an improper instruction to the jury.

A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that McGirts civil rights were violated when the trial judge limited how the jury could consider inconsistent witness testimony.

We are left in grave doubt whether the district courts error had a substantial influence on the verdict and therefore must reverse the convictions, the Denver-based court ruled in a 38-page decision.

Following a three-day trial in Muskogee federal court, McGirt was found guilty in November 2020 of three felonies related to the sex abuse of a then 4-year-old girl in 1996.

Chief U.S. District Judge John H. Heil III sentenced McGirt in August 2021 to serve three life terms.

McGirt was tried in federal court after the U.S. Supreme Court in July 2020 ruled that the state of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to try him in 1997 because the Muscogee Nation reservation  where the alleged abuse occurred  had never been disestablished by Congress.

The ruling overturned McGirts three state felony convictions, multiyear prison terms and life without parole sentence for one of the convictions because the state of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to try him since he was a member of the Seminole Nation and the alleged crime occurred within the Muscogee Nation reservation boundaries.

Similar state court rulings later expanded the McGirt ruling to include the reservations of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Quapaw and Seminole nations covering much of eastern Oklahoma.

During the federal trial, Richard OCarroll, McGirts attorney, read to the jury past witness statements from McGirts state trial in an attempt to point out inconsistencies in their present-day testimony.

In some cases, witnesses said they did not recall some statements made during the 1997 trial that appeared to contradict their present day testimony.

In addition to pointing to inconsistent testimony, the appellate court noted that OCarroll elicited background information that could suggest that the victims mother had reason to dislike McGirt long before the alleged abuse occurred.

The appellate court also noted significant inconsistencies in testimony from the victims grandmother.

But while drawing up jury instructions Heil rejected a proposed instruction from OCarroll that would permit the jury to consider the inconsistent testimony as evidence of the truth of what the witness said in the earlier statement, rather than only to assess their credibility.

The district courts decision to prevent the jury from considering the witnesses earlier testimony as substantive evidence effectively excluded evidence that strongly supported that narrative of manufactured allegations, the court wrote in its published opinion.

The court also rejected the governments contention that the jury instruction was not harmless error.

It (the governments argument) attempts to minimize the significance of the prior testimony by arguing that none of the prior statements was exculpatory and therefore they would not have impacted the jurys verdict, the court wrote. As stated previously, the jury could certainly have convicted Mr. McGirt even if the court had permitted it to use the prior testimony for substantive purposes. But in our view the government has not carried its burden of establishing harmlessness

The court continued: To be sure, even if the jury credited all the prior testimony relied on by Mr. McGirt the jury could still have concluded that Mr. McGirt abused (the 4-year-old) the court said. But this was no open-and-shut case. There was no physical evidence: the medical examination showed nothing and, somehow, no one could produce the alleged confession letter or the alleged tape of (the victims) statement to her mother and aunt. And the incriminating testimony was vague and far from fully consistent. In that light, we cannot say that the jury would necessarily have rejected Mr. McGirts defense  based largely on the state-court testimony  to the allegations against him.

OCarroll and federal officials could not be reached for comment.

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McGirt v. Oklahoma: Supreme Court decision and aftermath May 11, 2023: Ottawa, Peoria and Miami reservations still exist, court rules Feb. 26, 2023: Tulsa County Public Defenders Office in 'better shape' than most Feb. 2, 2023: Court strikes down challenge by Choctaw Nation couple Aug. 19, 2022: State backs Tulsa on McGirt-related traffic ticket appeal July 23, 2022: Oklahoma AG tells state prosecutors to pursue Indian country cases July 12, 2022: Cherokee Businesses to contribute $10 million for expansion of tribe's law enforcement July 4, 2022: Prosecutors diving into cases involving non-tribal members victimizing tribal members June 29, 2022: Oklahoma can prosecute non-tribal citizens on tribal land June 19, 2022: Power generating company drops McGirt-based challenge to property taxes June 2, 2022: Cherokee Nation drops plan to turn north Tulsa property into a courthouse April 24, 2022: Gov. Stitt concerned about what McGirt ruling doesn't say, its far-reaching interpretations April 13, 2022: City can still issue traffic citations to Native citizens March 31, 2022: Gov. Stitt calls McGirt ruling 'preposterous' on Fox News' 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' March 9, 2022: City of Tulsa says McGirt ruling makes tribal members second-class citizens Feb. 23, 2022: Supreme Court won't hear McGirt arguments from state of Oklahoma Feb. 22, 2022: Federal lawsuit challenges Oklahoma's right to tax Native Americans Feb. 7, 2022: Gov. Stitt says Thats not fair' regarding McGirt-related case at State of the State Feb. 2, 2022: 'It is not too late for us to begin anew,' Muscogee Nation Chief says Jan. 22, 2022: Supreme Court lets McGirt ruling stand, will consider letting Oklahoma share jurisdiction Jan. 9, 2022: Most released due to McGirt have been charged either federally or tribally, Tulsa World analysis finds Dec. 14, 2021: Tribal leaders sound off as Stitt seeks change to hunting, fishing license compacts Dec. 12, 2021: Cherokee Nation disputes state's claim McGirt ruling has caused 'chaos' Oct. 28, 2021: Tulsa Indian Affairs Commission asks city to withdraw brief on McGirt Oct. 21, 2021: State appellate court extends McGirt ruling to include Quapaw Nation Sept. 18, 2021: Oklahoma AG asks Supreme Court again to reverse or limit McGirt Aug. 27, 2021: Gov. Kevin Stitt says McGirt legal decision is state's 'most pressing issue' Aug. 26, 2021: Man at center of McGirt landmark legal case sentenced to 3 life sentences Aug. 6, 2021: State asks U.S. Supreme Court to overturn landmark McGirt decision Aug. 1, 2021: U.S. House rejects $154 million for tribal judicial systems July 19, 2021: Gov. Stitt sues federal government July 19, 2021: Osage Nation seeks court affirmation that its reservation also was never disestablished July 13, 2021: Contentious McGirt forum ends early after shout-down from audience July 9, 2021: Cherokee Nation highlights expansion of legal system on anniversary of ruling July 8, 2021: 'McGirt v. Oklahoma Community Impact Forum' set for July 13; tribal leaders irked June 10, 2021: '80s serial rapist's claim he is 'Indian' for criminal jurisdictional purposes rejected May 26, 2021: U.S. Supreme Court signals they could limit ruling May 19, 2021: State-Tribal Litigation Fund bill passes May 17, 2021: How Cherokee Tribal courts are handling the surge in cases May 11, 2021: Oklahoma congressman's bill would allow tribes to compact with state on criminal jurisdiction May 10, 2021: Cherokee, Chickasaw tribal chiefs announce support for federal legislation April 29, 2021: State appeals court overturns two more death sentences April 28, 2021: AG seeks to intervene in case of power plant objecting to property taxes April 15, 2021: Appellate court rejects claims of two who failed to prove ancestry April 14, 2021: Chickasaws question Gov. Stitt's rhetoric about McGirt impact April 9, 2021: Four serving life sentences in state prison to get new trials April 8, 2021: Death-row inmate's state conviction, sentence are in jeopardy April 8, 2021: State appellate court dismisses five more cases on jurisdictional grounds April 6, 2021: Cherokee AG says some cases dismissed by ruling could go unretried April 1, 2021: State appellate court expands McGirt ruling March 31, 2021: 'Fracture' in criminal system created by decision, Tulsa County DA says March 18, 2021: Manslaughter conviction for ex-Tulsa Police officer overturned March 14, 2021: Broken Arrow power plant claims county has no authority to levy property taxes March 11, 2021: Court ruling means hundreds of state criminal cases will be shifted to tribal or federal courts March 11, 2021: Cherokees expanding criminal justice system for larger role March 7, 2021: Former principal chief isn't happy as McGirt decision hits home March 4, 2021: Rogers County judge dismisses over 100 criminal cases Feb. 1, 2021: Gov. Stitt takes on McGirt ruling during State of the State address Jan. 28, 2021: McGirt decision impact on state oil and gas industry examined during OEPA briefing Jan. 23, 2021: Oklahoma governor urges tribes to begin negotiating issues Jan. 15, 2021: Tribes want Congress to allow criminal justice compacts with Oklahoma Jan. 8, 2021: Former Tulsa police officer's double-jeopardy, statute-of-limitations claims denied Jan. 4, 2021: McGirt decision results in record number of criminal federal filings in 2020 Nov. 7, 2020: Federal jury finds McGirt guilty in retrial Oct. 23, 2020: Gov. Stitt panel releases principles for state-tribe relations Oct. 5, 2020: McGirt ruling could have impact on state tax collections Oct. 1, 2020: Attorney General Bill Barr meets with Cherokee Nation leadership, local federal prosecutors Aug. 29, 2020: Man charged in 1990s rapes freed due to McGirt ruling Aug. 14, 2020: McGirt makes federal court appearance in child sex abuse case Aug. 7, 2020: McGirt-related murder cases increase Tulsa federal court's caseload Aug. 1, 2020: Feds file charges against two men whose state convictions were overturned July 29, 2020: Attorneys general for Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation discuss ruling on 'Let's Talk' July 21, 2020: Gov. Stitt forms commission to study impact of decision on state July 20, 2020: Oklahoma AG tracking scores of appeals that could be affected by decision July 17, 2020: Attorney general, tribes reach agreement on jurisdictional issues July 15, 2020: Ruling could affect case of mother charged with killing children July 14, 2020: Homicide in Tulsa 'first real test' of decision July 12, 2020: Decision to have little impact on nontribal residents, TU law professor says July 10, 2020: Tribal law expert calls ruling 'most important' in state history July 9, 2020: U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision December 2019: U.S. Supreme Court to hear McGirt v. Oklahoma McGirt v. Oklahoma: Supreme Court decision and aftermath
OKLAHOMA CITY  The head of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs requested an audit of his state agency after it was embroiled in controversy for months under a previous leader.

Department of Veterans Affairs Interim Executive Director Greg Slavonic asked the State Auditor and Inspectors Office this week for a performance audit of the agency that serves Oklahomas veterans, according to a news release.

The request comes after Gov. Kevin Stitts Secretary of Veterans Affairs and members of the Department of Veterans Affairs governing board raised questions and concerns about previous management of the agency.

In March, commissioners questioned cost overruns on a project to build a new veterans center in Sallisaw. They also aired concerns about cybersecurity issues at the agency and a growing number of employee complaints. In May, Department of Veterans Affairs officials requested additional funding from the Oklahoma Legislature due to a roughly $10 million budget shortfall at the agency.

Slavonic, a former U.S. Navy undersecretary, said seeking an audit of an organization is his standard practice when he takes a new leadership role.

Since I did not have the opportunity for an orderly turnover from ODVA senior leadership due to terminations or resignations, my ability to gain an insight into the agency and ask questions was not possible, he said in the news release. This audit will provide objective insight into the agency and identify past discrepancies for corrective action.

Slavonic is asking that the audit review agency operations from 2021 through 2023. Performance audits provide information to help government officials initiate corrective action to improve agency operations and help safeguard public assets and ensure the efficient delivery of government services.

A spokesman for State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd confirmed her office received the audit request.

The Oklahoma Veterans Commission in conjunction with Slavonic conducted an employee survey in April after hearing concerns from some staffers.

The hardworking and dedicated staff of ODVA deserve better, Slavonic said. Its my duty to deliver on that promise.

Previous audits have been critical of the agencys operations. A 2018 audit found the department operated in a culture of fear and intimidation. The director of the Department of Veterans Affairs at the time resigned the following year, which led the Veterans Commission to promote Kintsel to lead the agency.

The State Auditor and Inspectors Office also conducted two other audits of the Department of Veterans Affairs that covered July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014.



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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a plan to enhance the flow of water in the Arkansas River by using dams and channels on this day in 2007.

A $154 million project funded by a 0.4 percent county tax was set for voter approval in October 2007. It included low-water dams in Sand Springs and Jenks; modifications to Zink Dam; and channeling of the river from Zink Dam to 71st Street.

Overall, the river package and other improvements totaled $282 million including private pledges from George Kaiser and other individuals for $117 million in enhancements for gathering spots on the river. The plan was defeated 52 to 48 percent.

Here's a look back the Arkansas River:
OKLAHOMA CITY  The leader of the state Senate, who is serving as acting governor, declared a state of emergency in eastern Oklahoma on Tuesday after severe storms ravaged the area over the weekend and left many residents without power.

But some of the states top elected officials blamed Gov. Kevin Stitt for the delay in the emergency declaration because the states chief executive is out of the country and he did not tell the head of the state Senate, who is second in the gubernatorial line of succession, that he was leaving the state.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said he signed an executive order declaring the state of emergency within an hour of being told by the Governors Office that he was serving as acting governor until Stitt or Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell return to the state.

In a fiery news release, Treat said he was unaware until Tuesday afternoon that he was serving as acting governor. He also criticized Stitts office for putting out a news release calling on Treat to declare a state of emergency after the head of the state Senate had already signed the needed executive order.

The confusion over who was serving as governor prompted Oklahomas attorney general to call for a change in state law.

Stitt left Friday for the Paris Air Show, an aerospace trade show he has previously attended. Pinnell left for a work conference in Georgia around 2:30 p.m. Monday, spokeswoman Mariah Carter said.

With Stitt and Pinnell out of the state, Treat was serving as acting governor, but he didnt know that for almost 24 hours.

Treat has served as acting governor before, but he said the Governors Office stopped telling him last year when Stitt was leaving the state. The Governors Office also did not notify the Lieutenant Governors Office that Stitt was going out of the state, but Pinnell knew about Stitts travels from other sources, Carter said.

The state of emergency is in effect for Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Harper, Mayes, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner counties. The executive order Treat signed will last for 30 days, but can be renewed.

The emergency declaration relaxes laws and regulations on the shipping of goods for emergency use and allows state agencies to have more purchasing powers, among other measures in order to bring relief. The declaration also automatically triggers state law prohibiting price gouging, Treat said.

I personally witnessed the damage and devastation of the storms as I drove back to Oklahoma City from Catoosa yesterday, Treat said in a news release. It was clear that people in eastern Oklahoma are struggling and need all the support the state can give them during this time.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond encouraged lawmakers to change state law to require the Governors Office to notify the next person in the line of succession when he goes out of town.

Currently, the governor is not required to notify the lieutenant governor when the states chief executive leaves the state. There is also no requirement that the lieutenant governor notify the Senate president pro tem when the former leaves the state.

My fellow Oklahomans in the Tulsa area have been suffering a great deal and deserve the utmost focus and attention in times like these, Drummond said in a news release. I hope the Governor and Legislature will work to ensure Oklahoma families and businesses dont experience similar delays when future disaster strikes.

Stitt spokeswoman Kate Vesper pointed to Drummonds comments and reiterated there is no requirement that the governor inform the next person in the line of succession when he leaves the state.

In the news release calling on Treat to declare a state of emergency, Stitt said the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has been working closely with local jurisdictions while surveying storm damage and debris. In a tweet, Pinnell said the survey assessment was a necessary step that established a state of emergency could be declared for northeastern Oklahoma.

Stitt said he has been in close communication with Public Service Company of Oklahomas CEO as the electric company oversees more than 2,700 crews trying to restore power. The state has also met all requests from local jurisdictions for power generation, water and waste treatment plants, according to the news release.

My heart goes out to the Oklahomans impacted by last weekends severe weather, and the many people still overcoming the aftermath of those storms, Stitt said.

Stitt faced some criticism in 2021 when he was on a ski trip with his family in New Mexico while Oklahoma faced a severe winter storm.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said the emergency declaration will help the city further assist residents affected by the severe weather and align resources to seek federal reimbursement for the costs of storm cleanup efforts.



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Correction: This story originally misidentified Sport Clips. The story has been corrected.

Robert Heatley knows his planes. At the Christiansen Jet Center, he rode in a plane he hadnt seen in years: a Stearman biplane from World War II.

Heatley, 98, served in the Army during World War II as a master sergeant and flew in the plane out of Tulsa Riverside Airport as part of the Dream Flights program.

It was a short flight, but it was a nice flight, Heatley said Tuesday.

Heatley, the oldest of the veterans present, was a commercial pilot at one time but said he hadnt flown in 14 years.

The Dream Flights program allows senior veterans to fly in the historical plane for a 15- to 20-minute flight. Eight veterans were scheduled to fly Tuesday, and six more are scheduled for Wednesday.

Darryl Fisher, the founder of Dream Flights, started the program in 2011 after flying with his father to pick up a biplane.

I got to thinking, since Im in the senior living business, I said, Do you mind if I give some flights at our gas stops to some senior veterans at care facilities? Fisher said.

Fisher said his father said yes, and after that trip his wife asked him why they would ever stop flying veterans.

Dream Flights is now a nonprofit and has given almost 6,000 flights, Fisher said.

Fisher flew the restored open-cockpit biplane called the Spirit of Wisconsin. The plane is the same kind of aircraft that was used to train aviators during World War II.

The program is funded by companies like Sport Clips and American Airlines. Employees of Sport Clips helped veterans to board the plane.

Dean Patmor is Fishers neighbor. He directed the volunteers from Sport Clips and helped Fisher to prepare for the flights. Fisher calls him whenever his regular team isnt available.

The pilot for this mission had an injury, not related to aviation, and so Darryl filled in and called me up and asked me if I would help, Patmor said.

It was the fourth time Patmor had helped with the program. Patmor said he likes giving back to people who have made his freedom possible.

Lee Keylon started his military career in the National Guard before transferring to Fort Sill. Later, Keylon traveled to more than 30 different countries and reached the rank of sergeant. He has taken several training courses in flying and often operates remote control airplanes.

Since I was about that tall, Ive wanted to fly in a biplane, Keylon said, showing an inch of space between his fingers.

Many of the veterans were familiar with planes and served in various eras and wars, including Vietnam. Keylon served in Panama when Gen. Manuel Noriega was removed from power in 1989.

As a World War II veteran, Heatley was invited to sign the tail of the plane. Fisher also signed the bill of a Dream Flight-branded hat that he gave to Heatley.

To a great pilot, Heatleys hat read.

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City councilors voted 6-3 on Wednesday to reject a proposed million-dollar settlement with a former elementary school art teacher who filed a lawsuit against the city and two police officers for allegedly violating her First Amendment rights.

Sheila Buck, 65, was arrested outside the BOK Center before then-President Donald Trumps June 2020 campaign rally.

The lawsuit alleged that Buck was arrested and removed from a city street by Tulsa police, at the direction of the Trump campaign, because she was wearing a T-shirt with the words I Cant Breathe on the front.

Buck, who had a ticket for the rally, was forcibly removed from a cordoned-off area outside the arena and taken to the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, where she was booked on a complaint of obstructing a police officer.

Last month, a Tulsa County District Court judge threw out the misdemeanor charge against Buck.

City Councilors Phil Lakin, Christian Bengel, Jeannie Cue, Crista Patrick, Grant Miller and Jayme Fowler voted to reject the proposed settlement. Councilors Lori Decter Wright, Vanessa Hall-Harper and Laura Bellis voted against the motion to reject.

Patrick, the councils chairwoman, declined to comment after the vote because the litigation now remains ongoing.

Buck first filed her lawsuit July 1, 2021, in state court.

The lawsuit was amended after the case was transferred to Tulsa federal court July 20, 2021.

In her civil rights lawsuit, Buck named multiple defendants, including two Tulsa police officers involved in her arrest, the city of Tulsa, two unnamed Secret Service agents and the Trump campaign.

City officials argued that the Trump campaign was exempt from the city permitting requirement, which would have allowed the campaign to limit access to the event, citing an ordinance that exempted activities conducted by a governmental agency.

But U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan noted in an April 2022 ruling that the Trump campaign was not a government agency, but rather a political rally that was not a presidential event.

Eagan also rejected the citys claim that the cordoned-off area of Denver Avenue constituted restricted grounds where the president is protected by the Secret Service.

The Court is highly skeptical that a political campaign rally is an event of national significance  a rally for one particular political candidate stands in stark contrast to widely-recognized events of national significance, such as Inauguration Day or events commemorating federal holidays such as Veterans Day, Independence Day and so forth, Eagan wrote.

Eagan also ruled that Secret Service agents cannot be sued under the federal civil rights legislation because it dealt with persons acting under color of state law, adding no set of facts could plausibly establish that the Secret Service agents were acting under color of state law.

Eagan also dismissed Trumps re-election campaign organization and one of its employees from the lawsuit in her April 2022 ruling.



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City of Tulsa officials updated residents on the status of the city following this past weekend's storms that downed trees and power lines and left thousands without power.

Related

Guidance from PSO

Call 1-833-776-6884 (1-833-PSO-OUTG) to report an outage or safety hazard like downed wires, downed poles or trees that have fallen on

power lines. Do not approach utility crews while they are working to restore power across the city, PSO says, urging residents to consider their own safety. Call 1-833-776-7697 (1-833-PSO-POWR) or go to psoklahoma.com/outages to get updated information.

Cooling and power stations

 Reed Park Community Center, 4233 S. Yukon Ave.  8 a.m.-8 p.m. through the rest of the week

 Lacy Park Community Center, 2134 N. Madison Place  8 a.m.-8 p.m. through the rest of the week

 John 3:16 Mission, 906 N. Cheyenne Ave.  8 a.m.-8 p.m.

 Salvation Army, 102 N. Denver Ave.  8 a.m.-8 p.m.

 Tulsa County Social Services, 2301 Charles Page Blvd.  8 a.m.-8 p.m.

 Case Community Center, 1050 W. Wekiwa Road, Sand Springs  8 a.m.-9 p.m.

 Hutcherson YMCA, 1120 E. Pine St., Tulsa, OK, 74106, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

 Crosstown Church of Christ, 3400 E. Admiral Place  24/7 (Open through Thursday at 5 p.m. Leashed pets are allowed thanks to Humane Society of Tulsa.)

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Photos: See the aftermath as high winds devastate the Tulsa area last weekend Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Peoria utility lines Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Tulsa storm damage Storm Storm Storm Storm Storms Charging Station Lamp Post Repair Blown Over Stoplight Utility Crew Liberty Towers Storm Damage Cooling Station Cooling Station Storms Storms Storms Storms Storms Storms Storms Storms Storms Storm Cleanup Storm Cleanup Storm Cleanup Storm Cleanup Storm Cleanup Storm Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES
As many as 150 Indian enterprises will take part in a trade and investment cooperation conference which will be held in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam for the first time between Tuesday and Thursday next week.

The Peoples Committee of Dong Thap Province on Tuesday held a press briefing to provide information about the conference.

The conference is aimed at introducing the potential and images of Dong Thap, its people, the environment, and investment opportunities in the province to attract Indian investors, said Nguyen Phuoc Thien, vice-chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee.

In addition to the conference on the trade and investment cooperation between India and Dong Thap, the Indian delegation will participate in many other activities, such as the International Yoga Day 2023, meetings between enterprises to build the cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and information technology, and practical visits.

For the first time, some 150 Indian enterprises in the agriculture, agricultural engineering, food processing, seafood, information technology, and tourism sectors will join the conference, said Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City.

I believe that the event will mark a turning-point in the mutual cooperation and bring positive results in the coming time," the Indian consul general said.

Trade between Vietnam and India reached US$15.1 billion in 2022 and [the figure] is forecast to amount to $20 billion by 2025.

We expect Dong Thap to dispatch high-skilled laborers to India to learn about mango processing experience.

"If [Indian] enterprises can open processing factories in Dong Thap, the province will become a new mango processing center in Vietnam."

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Phuc Khang Corporation aims to boost and focus on human development, improve the internal manpower capability, and attach great importance to the building of corporate culture to create an efficient, fair, safe, and happy living and working environment.

Phuc Khang made the statement at the VBCWE (Vietnam Business Coalition for Women's Empowerment) Business Forum 2023, themed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  ESG Key Factors in Sustainable Development.

At the forum, Phuc Khang Corporation was among the first Vietnamese enterprises to get the certificate for the workplace gender equality using the Gender Equality Assessment, Results and Strategies (GEARS) tool.

The green project developer has passed three strict assessment rounds, including personnel database, a policy and reality questionnaire, and a staff survey seriously conducted and carefully analysed by Australian appraisal experts.

GEARS is a tool developed by Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government catalysing inclusive economic growth through womens economic empowerment in Southeast Asia, to assess gender equality policies and reality at workplaces, based on a study of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency under the Australian government.

Four Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, have applied the tool.

Phuc Khang Corporation conducted a GEARS survey in the corporation at the end of 2022.

Leadership and accountability in ensuring gender equality at workplaces

This is a key focus of Phuc Khang Corporation. The survey results showed that the criterion was the most important among the 10 criteria.

In particular, the leadership of the corporation, especially the general director, frequently makes commitments on gender equality in the workplace during its high-level meetings.

The general director and directors of units of the corporation have reached gender equality objectives and criteria during their meetings.

Leaders and managers of the units have later popularized these objectives and criteria to their subordinates.

The objectives include prioritizing the recruitment of female workers to ensure gender balance in its workforce, increasing the number of female leaders, and recruiting the disabled so that they account for two percent of the firms total employees.

With these foundations, the green project developer will take more specific acts to make gender equality at workplaces as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion become a custom of the firm.

HR employees of Phuc Khang Corporation participate in an annual internal training course, themed Phuc Khang people on a sustainable development journey.

Applying flexible working rules to improve productivity and support employees

Another key focus at Phuc Khang Corporation is the application of flexible working rules to increase work efficiency and facilitate employees.

The GEARS survey indicated that the corporation has developed flexible working policies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic with its Announcement No. 13 on the adaption to COVID-19, allowing employees infected with COVID-19 to work at home with full pay for seven days.

The company provided technical instructions about the work-from-home mode and monitored the employment of the mode thanks to its timesheet.

Phuc Khang also offered welfare policies not required by the government to all employees.

In the future, Phuc Khang Corporation will enhance the support of employees who are parents in taking care of their families and children.

The firm will also offer more benefits for female laborers.

In particular, it will provide consultancy for laborers, support parents returning to work after days off, and taking care of their family members.

Positive indicators for equality in recruitment and promotion

Phuc Khang Corporations GEARS survey showed that the firms leaders play a positive role in boosting gender equality and integration among its employees.

In particular, during the recruitment process, the firm ensures that all dossiers are considered and assessed in an equal manner.

The corporation has also employed various recruitment channels to attract talents.

The leadership of the firm has proactively encouraged the recruitment, promotion and training of its workforce.

Based on the practical survey, the report on the workplace gender equality using the GEARS tool showed that Phuc Khang Corporation is among the prestigious enterprises in the real estate sector in Vietnam. The company aims to boost and focus on human development, improve the internal manpower capability, and attach much importance to the building of corporate culture to create an efficient, fair, safe, and happy living and working environment.

Phuc Khang Corporation is a green project developer with over 14 years of establishment and development.

With a mission of pioneering in and encouraging the creation of better lifestyles for the public health and the sustainable human and ecological environment in line with the global green standards, the firm has mapped out strategies to cement its internal force and focus on people.

The event of receiving the certificate for the workplace gender equality using the GEARS tool is a milestone during the firms sustainable development journey heading towards a green future.

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Director Um Tae-hwa of "Concrete Utopia," a post-apocalyptic Korean film set to come out in August, speaks during a press conference in Seoul to promote the movie, June 21. Yonhap



"Concrete Utopia," an upcoming post-apocalyptic Korean film, imaginatively explores what may sound rather unrealistic: What would happen if the apartment complex where I live were the only building to survive a massive earthquake that devastated the world?



Based on the second episode of the popular webtoon series titled "Joyful Outcast" by Kim Sung-nyung, the disaster thriller depicts the struggle to survive of the residents of an apartment complex that becomes the only surviving building after a catastrophic quake in Seoul.



They face a new threat when a few survivors from outside arrive, seeking shelter from the ruins and the harsh cold.



"I saw the webtoon series about four years ago and found that it has an apartment building as its setting unlike other disaster stories," Director Um Tae-hwa of the film said during a press conference at a Seoul theater Wednesday to promote the project.



"Since an apartment is a space familiar to many Koreans and where they were born and raised, I adapted the work while trying to imagine what would happen there in an extreme situation," he said.



The director, best known for "Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned" (2016), said he put his blood and soul into creating the filming set because "it was important to make the story sound real."



The production team actually built an old-style apartment building that can be easily found in Korea but with only three stories, according to the director.





Actor Lee Byung-hun speaks during a press conference in Seoul to promote "Concrete Utopia," a post-apocalyptic Korean film set to come out in August, June 21. Yonhap
Barely making a buzz, a two-seat helicopter powered by an electric battery landed softly on the tarmac at the Paris Air Show after a 15-minute flight.

Such futuristic "flying taxis" are among the star turns of this year's aerospace industry event as they move closer to the day when they can be used by the public.

For the VoloCity made by German firm Volocopter, the next stop is the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, when it plans to ferry passengers across the French capital -- more than a decade after its first test flight.

With a maximum airspeed of 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour, the 18-rotor aircraft has room for a pilot and a passenger.

"The good news is (that) it's very simple to fly. It has a very clever digital flight control system," said VoloCity pilot Paul Stone, who used to test fighter jets for Britain's Royal Navy.

Experienced helicopter and airplane pilots will be trained to fly the VoloCity, he said.

"The irony is for helicopter pilots, they will have to unlearn many very clever skills and learn to fly an aircraft simply again, because it's much simpler to fly than, say, a helicopter," Stone said.

Volocopter has been conducting test flights in the Paris region for more than a year as it preps for the Olympics.

The company has been working on the project with Groupe ADP, which operates Paris airports, state-owned metro and bus operator RATP, and the Ile-de-France region government.

ADP chief executive Edward Arkwright said more than 20 flights spanning 200 kilometres have taken place.

The air taxi will fly between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and nearby Paris-Le Bourget Airport as well as a heliport near Versailles and a "vertiport" installed on a barge in the Seine river in southeast Paris.

Ile-de-France president Valerie Pecresse said the region will spend one million euros to build the barge.

Volocopter is waiting for the greenlight from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for permission to fly by spring 2024.

'Not easy market'

Volocopter has ploughed $600 million into its air taxi -- an expensive endeavour as it has yet to be made available to consumers.

"It's a market not easy to enter, you have high investments," said Christian Bauer, the company's chief financial officer.

"It's a challenge but we're very close to the commercial phase," he said.

The company has already received 300 pre-orders from private firms for its eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft.

In addition to selling aircraft, Volocopter will manage the routes with an app that will enable online reservations.

Whether on not eVTOL aircraft become as easy to take as an Uber is an open question, but the aerospace industry is taking their potential impact seriously and for the first time they have their own dedicated space at the airshow.

Investment hasn't been lacking. A recent study by the Deloitte consultancy found the sector attracted 6 billion euros in investment in 2021, before falling to 2.7 billion in 2022 after the pandemic hit.

"Four years ago it was still a very experimental sector. The market has consolidated a bit and today we have real prototypes and it is becoming a reality," said Jean-Louis Rassineux, a senior partner at Deloitte responsible for the aerospace and defence sectors.

Orders are starting to flow in.

On Monday, the French startup Ascendance Flight Technologies announced another 110 orders for its Atea eVTOL, taking the total to 505.

The US firm Archer has 100 orders for its eVTOL by United Airlines worth more than a billion dollars which will be used as electric air taxis ferrying people from O'Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago.

Its Midnight eVTOL, can carry four passengers in addition to a pilot.

"Midnight is a convenient product which can take you from the airport to city centre for a cost that is similar to a ride share in an Uber ... it can replace a ninety-minute commute by a five-minute commute," Archer's chief executive Adam Goldstein told AFP.

An Uber ride from Charles de Gaulle airport in to central Paris typically costs around $40.

Electric motors help drastically reduce maintenance costs compared to regular helicopters, said Goldstein, who rejected the idea that air mobility should be reserved for the rich, a criticism often addressed at eVTOLs.

Less maintenance requirements not only reduces costs but allows for more flights per day, meaning the price for consumers is lower.

The major aircraft manufacturers are making sure they don't miss out.

Boeing has ploughed money into US startup Wisk Aero, which is presenting an pilotless eVTOL at the airshow.

If the autonomy doesn't work: we fail," said Wisk CEO Brian Yutko. "We don't have a plan B trying to figure out how to have an optional pilot. This venture is absolutely committed to certify the first autonomous aircraft."
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces largest destroyer, Izumo, arrived at Cam Ranh Port on Vietnams central coast on Tuesday morning, starting a four-day visit to the Southeast Asian country, Japans NHK public television reported the same day.

The Izumo, accompanied by destroyer Samidare, is scheduled to stay at the port, in Cam Ranh Bay of Khanh Hoa Province, until Friday.

On board the destroyers is a delegation of 559 officers and sailors, led by Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro, commander of the Izumo, according to the Vietnam Peoples Army newspaper.

At a welcome ceremony hosted by Senior Captain Nguyen Thai Hoc, deputy chief of staff of Vietnams Naval Region 4, Takahiro said that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force wishes to strengthen regular exchanges with the Vietnamese Navy and boost cooperative relations so that they can coordinate when necessary.

The East Vietnam Sea also plays a crucial role for Japan, the rear admiral stated.

A year has passed since the helicopter destroyer Izumo docked at the Cam Ranh Port for the first time in June 2019.

The destroyer has been conducting overseas deployments for six years as part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The first visit by the Izumo took place as one of various activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan, marking a positive development in the bilateral defense ties, according to the aforementioned newspaper.

As planned, during their stay in Khanh Hoa, the warships' commanders will pay a courtesy call to the Naval Region 4 Command as well as the provinces administration office.

They will also visit the Vietnamese Naval Academy and the ships crew members and their peers from the Naval Region 4 Command will have sport exchanges.

The Japanese side will invite Vietnamese naval officers to make a tour of the ships and entertain them with a party on board, the newspaper said.

Before visiting Vietnam, the Izumo took part in a joint exercise in the East Vietnam Sea with U.S. naval ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, from June 10 to 14, according to NHK.

With a length of 248 meters, the Izumo has a full displacement of 27,000 metric tons and can accommodate up to 970 people, including the crew and soldiers, and 14 helicopters.

It is now one of the two largest warships in Japan, along with the helicopter destroyer Kaga.

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Check out the latest news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- JS Izumo, the largest destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF), made a port call at Cam Ranh Bay in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam on Tuesday morning, accompanied by the MSDF destroyer Samidare, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

-- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has been assigned to oversee issues in two additional fields, including science-technology and information-communications, which were previously covered by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Business

-- Vietnam is not on the U.S.s monetary manipulation monitoring list, according to the U.S. Treasury Departments report released last Friday on macroeconomic and foreign exchange policies of major trading partners of the U.S..

-- Ho Chi Minh City collected close to VND2.7 trillion (US$114.6 million) worth of fees from users of infrastructure facilities and public services at seaport terminals in the city over the past year, said a municipal transport official on Tuesday afternoon.

-- Major Vietnamese hospitality service provider Saigontourist Group has filed a lawsuit against Saigontourist Transport JSC for allegedly using the exclusive trademark Saigontourist unlawfully.

Society

-- A downpour during the evening rush hour in Hanoi on Tuesday left many streets in the Vietnamese capital city heavily inundated, worsening traffic congestion and making life tougher for daily commuters.

-- One worker died and two others were injured due to electrocution when they were conducting geological exploration in a paddy field in north-central Ha Tinh Province on Tuesday afternoon.

World news

-- U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes and to enter into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge, according to a court filing on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

-- Estonia's parliament approved on Tuesday a law to legalise same-sex marriage, making it the first central European country to do so, according to Reuters.

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Hanoi Metro One Member Company (Hanoi Metro) will recruit 463 employees for the operation of the Nhon  Hanoi Station metro line, the second of its kind in the Vietnamese capital city, after several delays.

Vu Hong Truong, general director of Hanoi Metro, confirmed the recruitment to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday.

The recruitment is expected to get the elevated section of the 12.5-kilometer-long metro line ready to serve Hanoi dwellers and visitors.

The new employees will work in several rooms and divisions in charge of operation, technology, monitoring, and repair and maintenance; as well as at stations.

The station management team needs 158 workers, the highest among other teams.

Workers will be given a modern working environment with high technology and have opportunities for promotion, as well as a stable income.

The Hanoi Peoples Committee had earlier written to the prime minister asking for permission to delay the launch of the elevated section of the Nhon  Hanoi Station metro line to August this year instead of late 2022.

The Hanoi administration also proposed extending the completion of the metro line to 2027 and adding VND1.9 trillion (US$80.8 million) to the total cost of the project.

The prime minister approved these proposals on May 30.

Work on the Nhon  Hanoi Station metro line project started in September 2010 and was slated for completion in 2016.

The line features an 8.5-kilometer-long elevated section and an underground section with a length of four kilometers.

After 13 years of construction, the project, which will cost VND34.53 trillion ($1.5 billion), is just 75 percent complete.

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A newly launched multi-stakeholder committee has been introduced to involve buffer zone communities in biodiversity conservation activities in Cat Tien National Park, located in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam.

The pilot initiative was launched on June 16 by the Biodiversity Conservation component, implemented by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation project.

The initiative, called the Collaborative Management Mechanism (CBM), is in the form of a multi-stakeholder committee, which includes representatives from the Cat Tien National Park management board, buffer zone communities, and the Women's Union.

The CBM is considered a pioneer as it is one of a few similar pilot initiatives, supported by the USAID Biodiversity Conservation, in seven of the project's 21 protected areas in Vietnam.

They are aimed at showcasing different approaches to engaging local communities in how protected areas are managed, including finding solutions to common problems.

The committee will facilitate dialogue events, engaging a wide range of stakeholders to address specific challenges such as the conflict of interest between livelihoods and conservation priority or the issues related to forest environmental service payment policies.

Although the committee is only a pilot, it is expected that the model could be used for the whole country if successful.

"The creation of a formal mechanism for community involvement will increase the potential for enhancing biodiversity as well as understanding and respecting the social benefits of the globally important Cat Tien National Park," said Nick Cox, chief of party for the USAID Biodiversity Conservation.

He emphasized that most successful conservation models around the world all involve local communities.

In those models, local communities have opportunities to share their concerns and be part of finding solutions and ways to ensure benefits for the communities.

Pham Xuan Thinh, director of Cat Tien National Park, also said that people's participation is extremely important.

"Forests without doors, natural resources are common. But there are not many resources left. Forest protection is a common issue, and not only the forest rangers' duty," Thinh said.

According to Thinh, fostering cooperation and shared responsibility will help with safeguarding the unique ecosystems of Cat Tien National Park and securing the livelihoods and well-being of the communities that depend on them.

He said that people's awareness is higher but it is necessary to get them to participate in environmental protection more professionally.

It is also necessary to convey the legal message in more simple ways for the people to understand and implement.

The USAID Biodiversity Conservation, being implemented from July 2020 to June 2025, aims to maintain and increase forest quality as well as protect and stabilize wildlife populations in high conservation value provinces. It also targets 14 special-use forests and seven protection forests, linking forest management units across the landscape to maintain forest coverage and connectivity of habitats vital for the protection of Vietnams threatened and endemic species. The USAID Biodiversity Conservation is being implemented by the WWF-U.S. in collaboration with the projects partners including the WWF-Vietnam, Helvetas, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife, Re:wild (formerly Global Wildlife Conservation, GWC), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Education for Nature Vietnam, and the Fauna & Flora International.

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The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) will propose developing the T2 terminal with a capacity of six million passengers per year at Phu Quoc International Airport off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam to increase the airports annual capacity to 10 million passengers.

In a report on the ability to allocate capital to the expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport sent to the Ministry of Transport, the ACV said that the airport currently has a 3,000-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway and an apron with 14 aircraft parking spots.

The current terminal was put into use in 2012 with an initial capacity of 2.65 million passengers per year.

It was expanded to be able to handle four million passengers per year in 2018.

However, the airport welcomed more than 5.5 million passengers with 90-100 flights per day last year.

The number of passengers is expected to surge to seven million per year by 2025.

Thus, Phu Quoc International Airport has posted strong growth, exceeding its designed capacity and overwhelming the apron and passenger terminal.

As a result, the upgrade of the airport is vital to meet the transport demand in the future and improve service quality.

The ACV has drawn up a mid-term investment plan for the 2021-25 period, including the construction and upgrade of facilities at Phu Quoc International Airport, and submitted it to the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises.

After the Ministry of Transport adjusts the planning for the airport in the 2021-30 period with a vision to 2050, the ACV will propose developing the T2 passenger terminal and upgrading the apron, said ACV leaders.

Under the revised planning for Phu Quoc International Airport in the 2021-30 period with a vision to 2050 prepared by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Phu Quoc International Airport will have a capacity of 10 million passengers and 25,000 metric tons of goods per year by 2030.

The respective figures will be 18 million and 50,000 metric tons per year by 2050.

To reach a capacity of 10 million passengers per year, it is necessary to expand the runway and apron as well as construct the T2 passenger terminal at the airport.

The terminal will be later expanded so that the airport will have a total capacity of 18-20 million passengers per year by 2050.

The Peoples Committee of Kien Giang Province has recently written to the prime minister and relevant ministries suggesting early upgrading Phu Quoc International Airport, with a priority for the development of the second runway and terminal by 2025, to ensure the safe and effective operation of the airport.

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Tomorrow 9NOW will screen Power Our Planet: Live in Paris, an event from advocacy organisation Global Citizen.

The event will gather the worlds leading artists, young climate activists and world leaders at the historic Champ de Mars, before a live audience of 20,000, to call for systemic change and climate justice.

It will feture performances from Lenny Kravitz, Billie Eilish, H.E.R. and Jon Batiste, as well as special guests FINNEAS and Mosimann, plus appearances by John Boyega, Connie Britton, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Cyril Dion, Danai Gurira, Diane Kruger, Aissa Maiga, Norman Reedus and Michelle Yeoh and leading youth climate activists, including Xiye Bastida, Camille Etienne, Jerome Foster, Brianna Fruean, Helena Gualinga, and Mitzi Jonelle Tan.

Under the high patronage of Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, Power Our Planet: Live in Paris will rally global leaders attending the New Financial Pact Summit, chaired by President Macron. The Power Our Planet campaign, which is co-chaired by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, is calling for a seismic shift in the way the worlds financial systems work to give the worlds poor and developing nations access to the financing they urgently need to quicken their transition to clean energy, strengthen their resilience against natural disasters, and address their most urgent needs. Power Our Planet: Live in Paris event is hosted in partnership with the City of Paris, and is produced by Live Nation.

Additional leaders including Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, Luiz Inaicio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil; William Ruto, President of Kenya have just been announced.

Friday afternoon on 9Now.

Streamed live from 4am AEST on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, Apple Music & the Apple TV app, iHeartRadio, globalcitizen.org, the Global Citizen App and more.
Its only taken her nearly 31 years, but Lynne McGranger, Australias longest-serving female actor in a sustained role, has landed her first ever Logie nomination.

And she couldnt be happier, even if it pits her head to head with cast mates Ada Nicodemou and Emily Symons (also celebrating her first nomination) as Most Popular Actress.

Remarkably, with Home & Aways other nominees Ray Meagher and James Stewart, this years Summer Bay batch honours survivors instead of the usual hot young thing traditionally landing the front of a TV Week magazine.

Im so proud of my girlfriends and of course, Ray and Jimmy, she tells TV Tonight.

There isnt a nominee from Home & Away under the age of 46. Thats got to be a first!

Im thrilled that three mature women on the show have been nominated. The mean age is probably around 60, which is hilarious!

Its kind of longevity versus class

Also in her category are Kitty Flanagan and Julia Zemiro both for ABCs Fisk and Celeste Barber from Netflix comedy, Wellmania, all of whom McGranger holds in high esteem.

Its kind of longevity versus class, she jokes. Id like to think that one of the diner ladies can pull a Steven Bradbury.

McGranger joined Home & Away in 1993 replacing Jacquy Phillips as Irene Roberts, an Aussie battler (and initially a drunkard) role she is convinced she landed after feeling decidely crook in her screen test. She credits producer Andrew Howie as an early champion of her role in the soap and Script Producer Coral Drouyn for saving her later when drama execs were ready to axe the character.

McGrangers entry into showbiz had humble beginnings and tracked a colourful path to primetime.

When I was a kid I used to put concerts on in the backyard and make the neighbours come and see me and have a beer with mum and dad. I would be reciting the entire album of My Fair Lady, including the Rex Harrison role! she laughs.

I went to teachers college because I didnt know what else I was going to do. I fell in with a drama troupe, did a lot of revue stuff, some plays and I won the 1974 Wagga Wagga Drama Festivals Best Actress for Brian Friels Lovers: Winners and Losers, complete with Irish accent.

I thought, This is something I can do!'

What the actual! Im getting paid to do this?

Amateur theatre in Cronulla would follow and the lunchtime Q Theatre at an old AMC building, which later moved to Penrith.

The very first production they put on in 1977 was Lock up Your Daughters with Linden Wilkinson, the lovely Kevin Jackson, Richard Brooks, Ron Hackett, Vola Van Dere, who was an original beautiful theatre doyenne so loving and caring, she recalls.

I was cast as Clarissa, Linden Wilkinsons handmaid, and I got paid! What the actual! Im getting paid to do this? So I joined Equity, got an agent I thought I better go to drama school, I havent got a bloody clue what Im doing! I did classes part time for two year I while I was still doing casual teaching.

She was part of Murray River Performing Group, Brisbanes La Boite Theatre and performing comedy with Lynda Gibson & Denise Scott in Mebourne.

Assorted small roles followed in TV including The Flying Doctors, Seven Deadly Sins, Skirts and Sky Trackers.

My very first speaking television role was A Country Practice with the lovely Penny Cook, God rest her soul, and Grant Dodwell. His mother was in the hospital and I was the nurse. I had to pull the curtain aside and say, Im gonna have to ask you to leave Dr. Bowen, and then close the curtain again, she explains.

That was my first ever professional talking TV role, a 50 worder!'

So what keeps her in the role on Home & Away for over three decades?

Well, firstly, the vain hope that one day I might get nominated for a Logie, she jokes.

Im living Irenes life and I love it.

I think its because Irene lives a life. Im sure all actors in ongoing soaps will say the same thing. Its not like Im doing the same thing for 30 years. Im not even working with the same people all the time. Im living Irenes life and I love it. You know, shes an idiot, shes funny, shes compassionate, shes flawed, all of those things that we all are, she continues.

Some days, Im just going Gday darl can I get you a cuppa? and then other days, like for the last six weeks, Ive had really emotional stuff.

I do a lot of work with Shane Withington, whos great fun and is about as subtle as I am. But I love all my friends.

D***heads dont last very long

Its a great gig. Im so happy. Ada is one of my very best friends. Theyre just nice people on the show.

And like a lot of things, d***heads dont last very long, so Im very pleased that apparently, Im not a d***head. That makes me feel very happy.

Because if I was a d***head I dont think Id still be there 31 years later.

Voting at tvweeklogies.com.au continues until July 30.
Gafira Qadir | Twocircles.net

We thought it was our chance to become rich, so we celebrated the news but the happiness did not last for long, says Karan Singh, 62, a resident of Salal village in Jammus Reasi district.

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In February this year, the union government found 5.9 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves for the first time in the country in Jammu. Lithium which is a non-ferrous metal is one of the key components in EV batteries, among other industries.

The Discovery Triggers Worry in Salal

Karan and other villagers were initially happy when they received the news of lithium discovery in the area. However, upon learning about the consequences associated with it, their joy quickly faded away.

The realization of the potential negative outcomes dampened their spirits and left the villagers feeling concerned about what the future might hold.

Salal which is home to 10,000 people, is a village enveloped by snow-capped mountains, offering breathtaking natural beauty and a picturesque environment. Its rich natural beauty and environmentally friendly atmosphere make it a desirable destination for nature enthusiasts.

Lithium mining can cause such an impact that we wont just lose our land and homes but Salal will lose its identity and beauty, Karan told Two Circles.

Lithium Mining Disastrous for Ecology: Experts

The mining of lithium, as per the experts, can lead to massive environmental destruction and the Salal that has been there for centuries will no longer exist.

As per various environmentalists, extraction of lithium, also known as white gold, is not just harmful to communities where the mining takes place but can lead to environmental destruction too. Lithium extraction has a track record of polluting the water and land as well as ecosystem destruction.

In regions such as Chile and Argentina, which are major lithium producers, there have been reported instances of water scarcity and land pollution associated with lithium mining operations.

Raja Muzaffar Bhat, a Kashmir-based environmental activist, said a lot of mining and excavations in the mountains will prove disastrous for our ecology and environment. If the mining is done on a huge level [in Salal], it is highly possible that the Chenab (River) will not survive, he said.

A lot of muck and silt will go into Chenab River during the mining, and it will cause severe threat to this river, he said.

What Does the Lithium Discovery Mean for India?

Despite the harmful impact of lithium mining, the demand for lithium is likely to rise 40 times by 2040, primarily driven by the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and the growing need for energy storage systems.

In many countries, EV sales have increased, and India is no exception. As part of its initiatives to lessen pollution and reliance on fossil fuels, the Indian government has been actively encouraging the adoption of EVs.

Indias electric vehicle sales crossed the one million-unit mark in fiscal year 2023. According to a report by JMK Research, EV sales in March 2023 rose by 82 percent from the March 2022 figure.

The discovery of significant lithium reserves in Salal comes at a time when the country is seeking to electrify private vehicles and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Assuming global average reserve-resource ratio, the deposit could be more than sufficient to electrify the entire passenger vehicle and two-wheeler installed base in India, according to Jefferies, an American investment bank.

However, the bank also added that developing and scaling up a lithium mine typically takes several years, and mining operations can have adverse environmental impacts, including high water intensity and potential effects on local biodiversity.

Mining, Not Good for Agriculture: Locals and Activists

Raja Muzaffar, the activist, said that the Jammu ecology is fragile. I dont think it (mining) will benefit the local villagers.

Several villagers that Two Circles spoke with said that they are scared of losing their land and livelihood. Salals major income source has been agriculture but most of the agricultural land has been marked under the mining project.

Pritam said that the villagers are confused if they should be happy or concerned. We hardly understand the consequences of the mining because the government hasnt reached out to us for awareness, he said.

Fear of Losing Land and Displacement Looms Over Villagers

Rajinder Singh, 50, is a farmer who owns 70 kanals (measurement of land) of agricultural land but fears losing it all to the mining project. Im afraid that Ill lose my land and will be displaced, he said.

The government acquired his land when a dam was built in the 1980s. My family gave 17 kanals of land for the dam construction and we were not even compensated well, he said.

He said that the government will cut trees and demolish residential houses to start mining. According to Rajinder, of the nearly 1000 houses in Salal, 329 are to be demolished. Two Circles couldnt independently verify the number.

The Pritam Singh, the village head said that the mining will be allowed only once we are rehabilitated and compensated well. There are residential houses, schools, and health centers on the land where the mining is to happen. We should be given all the required facilities, he said. Rajinder and others agree.

If [the lithium mining] comes at the cost of our lives, we wont let the government move an inch this time, Rajinder declared.

According to a senior official at the Geology and Mining Department Jammu and Kashmir, the lithium mining project is at an early stage. We are still doing several exercises and there is still some study left. Once we are done with that, only then we will plan further, he said. In all such important projects, displacement is inevitable. But I cant say much for now.

Burdening an Already Fragile Ecosystem

The extensive infrastructural projects have already made Salals ecology worse with the lithium mining adding more misery.

The Indian government built the hydropower dam  which generates 690 MW of power most of which meets the energy needs of northern India  in the 1980s on the Chenab River in J-Ks Reasi district. A year after commissioning the project, the dams reservoir started silting up followed by the two severe oods in 1988 and 1992.

The Chenab River flows through both India and Pakistan and is one of the largest tributaries of the Indus River. Pakistan, Indias arch-rival, objected to the construction of the dam in the 1970s when the country initiated the project.

The lithium mining in Jammu and Kashmir is seen as yet another reason for the feud between the countries given the environmental concerns.

Mining Will Also Lead To Pollution: Villagers

Back at Salal, Rajinder, and Karan, along with other villagers, believe that mining will nearly destroy their village. Deforestation will happen again and its sad to see our home go through such an environmental disaster, he said. Mining will also lead to pollution.

The villagers believe that its not just the area of mining that will be affected by the consequences, but the remaining part of Salal will be negatively impacted too. It will not be easy for the remaining residents to live in the village either because of the pollution, said Karan.

In his whole life, Karan has seen Salal pollution free and scenically rich. He worries due to the lithium mining, the future generation of Salal will never know how beautiful and rich their village was.

This seems like the end of our village, he said.

Gafira Qadir is an independent journalist. She tweets at: @GafiraQadir
Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of streaming giant Netflix, second from left, and director Park Chan-wook, right attend a talk program for film students at a move theater in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



Director Park Chan-wook, who has garnered international acclaim for his distinct storytelling style and visually stunning films, advised film students Wednesday to watch a wide range of classic films to become a skilled filmmaker.



"When you study films, it's important to watch lots of older films, not just contemporary movies," Park said during an open interview and talk program he had with Ted Sarandos, visiting co-CEO of the streaming giant Netflix.



The show was held at a movie theater in Seoul with about 100 films students attending. It was also streamed live on YouTube for journalists and international movie fans.



Sarandos agreed, saying: "As director Park said, watch the older films because it will inform so much of what you do, and now you have the tools and the access to do that at your one push of a button. This is the best time in the history of storytelling to be telling great stories. So you've got a great advantage in that way."



He arrived in South Korea on Tuesday for his first trip to the country as a Netflix co-CEO. During his three-day stay, he will also hold a press conference and meet ranking South Korean government officials, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.



Park has been working as producer and co-writer on "War and Revolt," his first collaboration with the global streaming giant.



Set against the chaos of the Japanese invasions of Korea in the 16th century, the historical film tells the story of two childhood friends who meet again as adversaries during the war, according to Netflix.



"It's a large-scale period film project, and I'm pleasantly working on it, as Netflix has pledged to support it well," Park said, adding he has been given as much freedom from the platform as possible so far.



Sarandos showed his strong affection for Korean films.



"We fell in love with Korean cinema years ago," he said, emphasizing South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's Netflix film "Okja" (2017) was the platform's very first international film.



"From that point, I really felt like I've got a crash course on the current state of Korean cinema storytelling. And the level of artistic achievement from Korea is unparalleled." When questioned what makes a great film, Sarandos stated he thinks movies "thrilling the audience they were made for" are great movies.



Park answered a good film is one that expands people's narrow-mindedness.



"Everyone has limited experiences. A good film is one that expands those limitations. It can show exotic landscapes or reveal different professional worlds," he said.



He then cited Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuaron's Netflix movie "Roma" (2018) as a good example of such a movie.



The two also shared their views on the future of the global film industry.



Sarandos said while he still enjoys watching movies in a darkened theater, the options for viewing films have expanded with the increased number of streaming platforms. Park, however, expressed complex feelings about the trend of movie theaters becoming less popular.



"It's not a bad thing that people can choose to watch movies at home, or on their computers," he said. "But I just wish they wouldn't watch them on their phones. Personally, I find it is the most difficult thing to stand," he added, driving laughter from the audience. (Yonhap)


The main objective of the 11th package is to crack down on the circumvention of the multiple penalties that have been imposed since February 2022.

Brussels has grown increasingly concerned about a steep rise in EU exports to countries in Russia's periphery, such as Armenia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, a possible red flag that prohibited items are making their way into the Kremlin's hands.

The new sanctions reinforce export bans and target a limited set of non-Russian companies that are suspected of taking part in the evasion.

The list includes three China-based companies, several diplomats told Euronews, speaking on condition of anonymity because the final document is not yet public.

This marks the first time China, one of the few allies that Moscow has left on the international stage, becomes directly entangled in the EU sanctions against Russia.

The selection, however, was initially wider: five Chinese firms were removed from the list of sanctions during negotiations as a result of pressure from Beijing and demands from certain member states, a diplomat said. (The information was previously reported by the South China Morning Post.)

The list also features a handful of companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uzbekistan, whose names were not revealed, another diplomat said.

The sanctions agreed on Wednesday afternoon also introduce a novel mechanism to restrict the sale and transfer of sensitive technology and dual-use products to other countries that are considered to be enabling circumvention.

The mechanism, focused on entire nations rather than particular companies, marks an important evolution in the EU's foreign policy but officials say it will be triggered only as a last resort and in exceptional cases.

Additionally, the sanctions blacklist 71 people and 33 entities accused of being involved in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

''I welcome the political agreement on our 11th sanctions package," said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.

''It will deal a further blow to Putins war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin. Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods.''

The breakthrough comes mere hours after the Ukrainian authorities decided to temporarily suspend the listing of five Greek shipping companies included in the list of ''international sponsors of war.''

Greece and Hungary had for weeks blocked the agreement on the new sanctions, which were proposed more than a month ago, in protest of the designation of their domestic companies.

Nevertheless, Kyiv kept intact the listing of OTP Bank, Hungary's largest commercial bank. The firm, which serves over 2.4 million clients in Russia, has previously described its addition to the list as ''unjustified.''

The new sanctions will enter into force after their publication in the EU's official journal, when the names of the targeted companies will become known.

This article has been updated with more information about the sanctions.
Jim Crowley returns on surprise big race winner Mostadaf with owner Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdam bin Rashid al-Maktoum walking alongside (JUSTIN TALLIS)

Mostahdaf won the feature Prince of Wales's Stakes on the second day of Royal Ascot on Wednesday as fortune finally smiled on Frankie Dettori.

Mostahdaf was guided home by Jim Crowley whose legendary weighing room rival Dettori had to wait until the penultimate race of day two to enter the winner's enclosure.

The 52-year-old Italian superstar, at his farewell Royal Ascot in his final season before retirement, had endured a wretched winless opening day that also included a nine-day ban for careless riding.

But Dettori clicked with favourite Gregory in the Group Two Queen's Vase to take his overall tally of winners to 78 at the royal festival.

"I thought it was never going to come!," beamed Dettori.

"At my last Ascot to ride a winner is fantastic. I feel very sad and happy," he added.

Gregory was trained by John and Thady Gosden, who have enjoyed great success with Dettori over the years.

And the father and son team had earlier watched as Crowley eased Mostahdaf past Luxembourg and 2021 Epsom Derby champion Adayar to land the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Both had finished in front of him in last October's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when he finished last.

"It was a fantastic run, John and Thady have done a great job on him," said Crowley prior to receiving his trophy from Queen Camilla.

"He was bouncing coming into the race today but I did not think he would romp home like that."

Although Gosden senior has paid many a visit to the Royal Ascot winners enclosure, for Tom Clover it was a novel experience.

The young English trainer's Rogue Millennium gave him his first win at the meeting and the stable their first ever Group race success when she won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

"Our first Group win in what has been a really tough year with loads of seconds," said Clover.

"It takes some explaining and it hasn't sunk in to be honest."

Her victory under Danny Tudhope presented a conundrum for one of the members of the winning syndicate The Rogues Gallery -- Rishi Persad.

He had to keep his cool as he was conducting the interviews in the winners enclosure for broadcaster ITV.

"This is really special," said syndicate head Tony Elliott.

"I just do it for the love of racing and this is the pinnacle of racing."

Elliott's new pair of shoes bought specially for the week did not prove as resilient as Rogue Millennium -- the right shoe fell to pieces.

"I will be in to the shop on Monday," he said.

-'Champagne on ice' -

There were two heart-warming winners in the opening couple of races.

The first produced a crackerjack of a finish as US raider Crimson Advocate just kept his nose in front from the fast finishing Relief Rally to take the Queen Mary Stakes.

Crimson Advocate's trainer George Weaver's wife Cindy came close to death following a riding accident at Saratoga last year.

Weaver recorded the 14th-US trained winner at the meeting in what was only his second runner -- his first being in 2015.

"It is a little hard for our horses coming across the Atlantic," said winning jockey John Velazquez, who was riding his fourth career winner at the meeting.

"But this meeting is so special that is why I keep coming back each year," added the three-time Kentucky Derby winning rider.

Cindy was present but Irish trainer Jessica Harrington, who has recently finished treatment for breast cancer, stayed away.

As a result the 76-year-old missed 25/1 outsider Villanova Queen winning the Kensington Palace Fillies Handicap.

Harrington has travelled over in a rare outing to the races since she was diagnosed last October.

However, having attended Tuesday's opening day she opted to stay behind at her close friend trainer Nicky Henderson's house -- he had a winner on the opening day.

"You cannot keep her away for long, you know my mum," said her daughter Kate.

"This means a lot as it has been a very tough year.

"She will have the champagne on ice for Nicky when he gets back tonight!"

pi/nr/jc
It's the fifth time that SIA has won the prestigious accolade.

Singapore Airlines named world's best airline in 2023 Skytrax awards. (PHOTO: Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been named World's Best Airline at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, taking over the top spot from Qatar Airways.

It's the fifth time the country's national air carrier has won the prestigious accolade. In 2019, 2021 and 2022, SIA came second after Qatar Airways.

The Skytrax awards are based on surveys of more than 20 million travellers across over 100 nationalities, who rated more than 325 airlines between September 2022 and May 2023.

Japan's All Nippon Airways is in third place this year, with Emirates and Japan Airlines coming in fourth and fifth, respectively.

SIA took the top spot in four categories at this year's Skytrax awards, including Best First Class Airline, Best First Class Comfort Amenities, and Best Airline in Asia.

Scoot named Best Long Haul Low-cost Airline

SIA's low-cost subsidiary Scoot was named Best Long Haul Low-cost Airline, and ranked second in the World's Best Low-cost Airlines category.

A passenger jet for Singapores low cost airline Scoot takes off from Changi International Airport in Singapore on February 9, 2020. (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

SIA's chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong received the World's Best Airline award on behalf of the Airline in Paris on Tuesday (20 June).

"This award is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people, who worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices to ensure that SIA was ready for the recovery in air travel. That has allowed us to emerge stronger and fitter from the pandemic as a leading international airline," Goh said in a statement.

He added that they are very grateful to their customers for their loyalty and support, especially during the pandemic.

Edward Plaisted, Skytrax's chief executive, congratulated SIA for the achievement and said that the success should be a source of great pride and satisfaction for the airline management and staff.

World's top 10 airlines in 2023

Singapore Airlines Qatar Airways ANA All Nippon Airways Emirates Japan Airlines Turkish Airlines Air France Cathay Pacific EVA Air Korean Air

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BorgWarner Inc. BWA and Eldor Corporation have signed a Share Purchase Agreement, according to which BorgWarner has agreed to buy Eldor Corporations Electric Hybrid System business segment for 75 million at closing. The buyout is expected to complement and consolidate BorgWarners electric product portfolio.



Eldor is a leader in the automotive business and a supplier to the main automotive manufacturers across the world. It operates in 20 locations, including Italy, Germany, the USA, China, Turkey, Brazil, Japan and South Korea. Eldors EHS segment manufactures components like onboard chargers (OBCs), DC/DC converters and integrated high-voltage boxes. All these components are expected to complement BorgWarners existing electric product portfolio.



The acquisition will enhance BorgWarners engineering capabilities. With the acquired potential, it can design compact and efficient 400V and 800V onboard chargers that are compatible with the variety of regional grid configurations found globally. It will also add innovative and cost-efficient high-frequency DC/DC converter technology to the portfolio.



The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.



BorgWarner anticipates that Eldor's EHS division will yield 25 million in revenues throughout the entire year of 2023. With regard to BorgWarner's Charging Forward 2027 goals, the company foresees revenues reaching approximately 250 million by 2027. Also, BorgWarners 2023 electrification revenues are expected to increase to more than $1.5-$1.8 billion, up from $870 million in 2022.



Frederic Lissalde, president and CEO of BorgWarner, said that Eldors technology is a great addition to BorgWarners ePropulsion portfolio, specifically because it relates to expanding high-voltage power electronics beyond the inverter.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

BWA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.



Some top-ranked players in the auto space are Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. ALSN, Li Auto Inc. LI and Wabash National WNC, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1.



Allison manufactures fully-automatic transmissions for medium and heavy-duty commercial and heavy-tactical U.S. defense vehicles. The Zacks Consensus Estimates for ALSNs 2023 sales and earnings imply year-over-year growth of 7.5% and 19.5%, respectively.



Li Auto designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric SUVs. The Zacks Consensus Estimates for LIs 2023 sales and earnings indicate year-over-year growth of 131% and 2,400%, respectively.



Wabash is one of the leading manufacturers of semi-trailers in North America. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WNCs 2023 sales and earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 12% and 90.7%, respectively.

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Paris explosion: 24 injured as gas blast rocks France capital with buildings set on fire

Smoke billows from rubbles of a building at Place Alphonse-Laveran (AFP via Getty Images)

A massive gas explosion caused buildings to burst into flames in Frances capital on Wednesday leaving 24 people injured, four of them critically.

Flames leapt 100ft high in central Paris 5th arrondissement, close to the historic Pantheon monument and the Latin Quarter.

In the immediate aftermath, debris littered the street, as people stood around, looking stunned by the force of the explosion about 5pm local time (4pm GMT).

Some 270 firefighters were involved in putting out the flames and 70 emergency vehicles were sent to the scene.

The fire was contained but not yet extinguished as Paris bars and restaurants celebrated the summer solstice with a city-wide annual music festival.

One man told France Info public radio: It was shocking. Its a disaster.

Police told people to avoid the Val de Grace area after the facade of a building collapsed and the fire appeared to have spread to neighbouring buildings.

Explosion a Paris: sept personnes en situation d'urgence absolue et neuf en urgence relative pic.twitter.com/FrVOKrkA39  BFMTV (@BFMTV) June 21, 2023

A student at Ecole des Mines on Boulevard Saint-Michel told Le Parisien newspaper: I was in front of the Val de Grace, I heard a huge boom and I saw a ball of fire 20 or 30m high.

And the building collapsed with a huge noise. I smelled gas, but took several minutes to come to my senses.

A Paris police official told the local media 24 people were injured, including four in critical condition and 20 with less severe injuries sustained mainly when they were blown off their feet by the blast.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said one building housed a private school, the Paris American Academy. Founded in 1965, it offers teaching in fashion design, interior design, fine arts and creative writing.

BFMTV and Le Figaro reported police sources saying that at least four people were in a critical condition.

French firefighters put out a fire (AFP via Getty Images)

Jema Halbert, who owns a butchers shop close to the explosion site, said she went upstairs to fetch something, adding: I heard a boom. ... So then I went downstairs, where I found my husband in shock, dust by the till and I thought, wait, theres a problem. So I stepped outside and I saw big flames and I said, its impossible. I called my daughter. She was crying. She was shocked.

Edouard Civel, deputy mayor of the 5th arrondissement, attributed the explosion to a gas leak but other officials were more cautious. A judicial official said a gas explosion was one of the possible causes under investigation.

District Mayor Florence Berthout said on French TV channel BFM that firefighters were searching for two people believed to have been inside the building at the time of the blast. The explosion was extremely violent, she said, describing pieces of glass still falling from buildings.

An emergency services spokesman said: The explosion was in the Rue Saint-Jacques.

After the detonation, the facade of a building collapsed. Numerous fire engines and ambulances are at the scene.

The French capital has been plighted by fires caused by a faulty gas supply in recent years.

In 2019, two firefighters and a Spanish woman were killed by a huge blast at a bakery.

The emergency services were responding to a gas leak when a dramatic explosion occurred, also injuring 47 other people.

It happened near the Paris Opera  an area hugely popular with tourists.
Peruvian restaurant Central, by chefs Virgilio Martinez and Pia Leon, was crowned Best Restaurant in the World 2023 on Tuesday evening by the influential 50 Best Restaurants ranking.

The restaurant in Lima was rewarded for its cuisine celebrating "the diversity of ingredients" as well as "the history and traditions" of Peru, according to the 50 Best, which held their awards ceremony this year in Valencia, Spain.

"Thanks to all the people who in different ways have accompanied us in the life of CENTRAL and have been part of this different route, at different times since the opening" said the owners of the restaurant on social media.

"We represent a territory, a diversity and a culture", exclaimed Martinez, who noted that the award is important for Peru and for Latin America, thanks to the visibility it brings to its gastronomy, as well as its culture and its art.

The awards host country Spain, performed well in the 2023 edition. Second place went to Barcelona restaurant Disfrutar, whose kitchen is led by chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casanas. Disfrutar was followed by two more Spanish tables: the Madrid establishment Diverxo (3rd) and the Basque Asador Etxebarri (4th).

Four French restaurants placed in the top 50 this year, compared to three last year: Table by Bruno Verjus, a newcomer in 10th place, Septime by Bertrand Grebaud (24th), Plenitude by Arnaud Donckele (36th), and La Grenouillere by Alexandre Gauthier (48th).

World's best female chef is Mexican Elena Reygadas

Chef Elena Reygadas won The World's Best Female Chef 2023 award - Fernando Llano/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.

A few weeks ago, the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants named Elena Reygadas, owner and chef of Rosetta, a restaurant and bakery in her hometown of Mexico City as the best female chef in the world in 2023.

The 50 Best ranking has been awarded since 2002 by 1,080 independent experts (chefs, specialized journalists, restaurant owners, etc.) under the aegis of the British Restaurant magazine, from the William Reed press group.
The industrial manufacturer headed by Nat Rothschild, the prominent financier, is to tap shareholders in a cash call to fund its biggest acquisition to date.

Sky News has learnt that Volex, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, will announce on Thursday that it has struck a roughly-$175m (137m) deal to buy Murat Ticaret, a Turkish manufacturer of complex wire harnesses.

The deal will be funded in part by a share sale that will seek to raise about 55m, and is expected to be announced alongside the results.

The cash call will comprise a placing and retail offering to shareholders, one investor suggested on Wednesday evening.

If completed, it will mark a further transformational step for Volex, whose value has soared since Mr Rothschild came to the helm in 2015 after a brief spell as a non-executive director.

Murat Ticaret is headquartered in Turkey and has significant global exposure to the off-highway manufacturing market in sectors such as agricultural and construction machinery, as well as commercial vehicles.

It serves customers including JCB, Bobcat and John Deere, supplying them with specially designed systems to keep myriad wires or cables organized within a machine.

A person familiar with Volex said it would be the company's 11th acquisition since 2019, describing the Turkish deal as "transformational" by increasing its scale significantly and giving it access to a new market beyond the electric vehicles, consumer electricals, medical and complex industrials sectors.

The deal would also represent a significant step forward in achieving Volex's five-year plan, announced by executive chairman Mr Rothschild last year, in which the group said it would deliver $1.2bn (939m) in revenue by the end of its 2027 financial year.

Analysts said that Murat Ticaret's 2022 sales of $170m (133m) combined with Volex's annual revenues - disclosed in April - of at least $710m (556m) would mean it was clearly on track to achieve its objectives.

Volex now employs 8,000 people in 22 countries, and is among the largest companies by market value on London's junior AIM stock market.

At Wednesday's closing share price of 286p, it had a market capitalisation of about 450m.

Mr Rothschild became a prominent and at times controversial figure in the City after he floated two vehicles which went on to acquire overseas natural resources companies.

Under his stewardship, shares in Volex have multiplied more than threefold, with operating profits up more than sevenfold.

The share sale is being handled by HSBC and Peel Hunt, the investment banks, according to one source.

A Volex spokesman declined to comment on Wednesday.
The University of North Georgia (UNG) hosted its third annual Advancing GenCyber Education for North Georgia Teachers (AGENT) Initiative from June 5-9 to help 25 middle and high school teachers and administrators learn how to teach cybersecurity to students. They will also have the chance to gain further training through the rest of the year.

Five UNG faculty and staff in the Mike Cottrell College of Business and College of Education and three teachers who have previously completed the AGENT program served as instructors in the academy held at the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. A National Security Agency (NSA) grant of more than $144,000 funded the Initiative.

Some teachers were more experienced in cybersecurity education, while others were grateful for a new challenge. Lavon Sampson, who teaches algebra at Dekalb Early College Academy, said the "jam-packed" AGENT schedule put numerous resources in his toolkit as his school does not have computer science classes yet.

"I want to pioneer the program at our school," Sampson said. "I have a lot of students who are tech-savvy, but we don't have a tech program. It's going to be an amazing opportunity."
China to work with U.S. on increasing flights with flexibility, pragmatism: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 13:12, June 21, 2023

BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with the United States on increasing flights with flexibility and pragmatism, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on a related query.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached a positive common understanding on promoting people-to-people exchanges. Both sides agreed to encourage more people-to-people and educational exchanges, and had positive discussions on increasing passenger flights between the two countries, Mao noted.

Both sides welcomed more mutual visits by students, scholars and business people, and agreed to provide support and facilitation to this end, Mao added.

"Competent departments of China and the United States have been in communication on increasing passenger flights. China stands ready to work with the United States on increasing flights with flexibility and pragmatism," she said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
A promotional image of Dunamu's Woody artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot service / Courtesy of Dunamu





By Lee Min-hyung







Stockplus, a stock investment platform operated by Dunamu, has introduced an interactive artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot service using ChatGPT that allows investors to receive real-time investment information more accurately.







Dunamu, the company operating Korea's largest cryptocurrency Upbit, said investors can now gain access to key investment-related information with more ease by using the service called Woody. Investors no longer have to search for news and visit various platforms to find the information they need, according to the company.







For instance, they can simply ask Woody for a summary of business reports of a certain company and save time looking for information before making investments. Any Stockplus user can access the service.







Stockplus plans to keep updating the service and offer customized question guidelines to each user. When users take a look at information about a certain stock, Woody will automatically create a list of recommended questions on the stock, so investors can gather up-to-date information more easily.







As most AI chatbots deliver diverse answers to a certain keyword and the sentence structure of a question, Woody's question guideline service will enable investors to gain more accurate information faster, according to Dunamu.







"Woody will help investors reduce their burden of searching everywhere to secure certain information," a spokesman at Dunamu said.







Stockplus is a total investment solution application with 6.3 million cumulative downloads. Securities transactions worth more than 200 trillion won have so far been made through the platform.






Developed by Anantara, The Vietage offers memorable luxury travel experiences seamlessly connecting Anantara Hoi An Resort and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas.

The 12-seat reservation-only carriage now offers a host of new on-board experiences, including a selection of cleverly-curated cocktails and mocktails, all created to order by on board mixologists, exclusive teas from Epicurean Sao, a growing local tea brand, which selects leaves directly from tea leaf growers to ensure the freshest flavours. Epicurean is a lifestyle with origins in the Greek Philosopher Epicurus, while Sao represents the star on the Vietnamese flag.

An upgraded selection of free-flow wines, along with premium a la carte wines, elevates every wine lovers palate, while a dedicated vegetarian menu including a tingling citrus salad, light and fluffy lasagna and a decadent lava cake among the many plant-based treats, is a dream for the taste buds.

Every guest boarding The Vietage will now also receive a souvenir ticket to take home as a memory, as well as a Discovery Book, which provides information on the overall experience during the journey, along with some insights and tips on the scenery, flora and fauna, the story behind the design of the carriage and team uniforms, plus some extra fun facts.

For those celebrating a special occasion, transform your private booth into the ultimate place to enjoy a birthday, honeymoon or just for the fun of creating something memorable. The Vietage is also available for exclusive custom-designed buyouts to throw a wow-factor party for friends, or even launch a company product in an unbelievably unique location.

A one-way ticket between Da Nang and Quy Nhon costs US$400 per person, including a three-course meticulously-created dining experience, free-flowing wines, beers, exclusively-crafted cocktails and mocktails, soft drinks, tea and coffee, bar snacks and a 15-minute head and shoulder treatment. The evening journey from Quy Nhon to Da Nang costs US$350 per person and also includes a sleeper booth.

Combination accommodation packages are available with Anantara Hoi An Resort and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas for guests to tailor-make their own experiences in each destination and can be booked directly on the website at https://www.anantara.com/en/vietnam.

The Vietage also contributes to the Dollars for Deeds programme, in which US$1 per ticket is donated and guests on board are at liberty to make their own contribution. Donations are given to the Kianh Foundation, a not-for-prot charity providing a full-time, customised, special needs curriculum for children with disabilities in the Quang Nam Province of Central Vietnam.

For further information and reservations, please contact The Vietage team on +84 256 368 6168, or at vietage@thevietagetrain.com.

About Vietage:

The Vietage is a 12-seat reservation-only carriage on the daily return railway route between Da Nang and Quy Nhon in South Central Vietnam, offering luxury train travel experiences for guests exploring Vietnam. The Vietage departs from Da Nang station every morning for the six-hour journey to Quy Nhon and returns in the evening.

More information can be found at https://www.thevietagetrain.com/

: +84 256 3686 168
HA NOI  Official press channels remain the first choice of enterprises to increase transparency in the dissemination of information, especially on social networks.

Nguyen Duy Huong, chairman of SSI Securities Corporation, a company sensitive to information and rumours, pointed out the importance of accurate information regarding publicly traded companies - and the havoc caused by inaccurate news. Rumours can make the market wobble and some companies struggle to recover from damages caused by false information.

Rumours have caused sell-offs in the stock market in the past, as well as bank runs.

Overly subjective and one-sided reporting from some news outlets has also been known to cause problems for businesses.

Nguyen Quang Vinh, Deputy President of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that there was still one-sided reporting causing misunderstandings and this is making firms hesitant to share information.

When attacked by rumours or fake news, official press channels were among the first choices for businesses to disseminate accurate information into the market, according to Hung.

In the context of the information explosion thanks to the rapid development of social networks, official press channels were still the first choice to provide transparency and publicity in the most timely and accurate way, he said.

According to Nguyen Ngoc Canh, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises, the information on social networks is increasingly interactive and quickly goes viral, which significantly affects traditional journalism.

This does not, however, undermine the role of the traditional press but rather provides an opportunity for it to take a leading role in guiding socio-economic information.

The press provides full coverage about socio-economic issues and the Governments policies, through which enterprises develop a clear orientation in how they can promote the countrys development, Canh stressed.

Nguyen Van inh, Deputy President of Viet Nam Real Estate Association, said the press played an important role in promoting the development of the real estate market and putting it back on track. The press plays a pivotal role in promoting the sustainable and healthy development of the real estate market, he said.

Nguyen Thi Minh Thanh, Deputy Chairwoman of Viet Nam Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Small and Medium Enterprises, said the press also played an important role in handling communication crises, orienting public opinion and relieving pressure on enterprises.

A number of economic newspapers produce content for businesses such as market updates, prices, management policies and corporate governance which were helpful for enterprises to make adjustments to their production and business plans, especially in the context of international integration.

Building trust

The mainstream media, however, was under considerable pressure to keep up readership due to the explosion of social media and difficulties in obtaining up-to-date information from businesses.

According to the Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan (The People) daily newspaper Le Quoc Minh, recent studies found that the percentage of people looking for news and information on social networks is now higher than in mainstream newspapers. This trend is driven by younger generations.

The mainstream media such as print, television and radio remained more appealing to older people, he said.

These challenges raise an urgent need for the mainstream media to win back the trust of audiences by not only providing more accurate and objective information but also increasing their presence on social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Zalo, Twitter and TikTok.

According to Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, there are roughly one million enterprises across the country, 98 per cent of which are SMEs.

SMEs still faced many problems in managing communications, he said, adding that many wanted to reach press agencies, but they did not know how and where to start. It's necessary to enhance the cooperation between the two sides to establish relations in information exchanges, he said.

Luong Chi Cong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Ha Noi Newspaper, said it was important to build relationships between the press and businesses on the basis of understanding, sympathy and a willingness to share. At the same time, enterprises need to be timely and accurate in providing information to the press.

Mac Quoc Anh, Deputy President of Ha Noi Association of SMEs said that the press and the business community needed to strengthen cooperation to spread positive values. At the same time, it was critical to reign in fake and misleading news.

"Enterprises want objective, timely and accurate reporting from the press," Le Van Tuan, Lilama Corporation general director said.

Nguyen Phuong Lam, the owner of a transportation company in Hai Phong, said firms were seeing a lot of difficulties in the first stage of economic recovery after the pandemic coupled with the impact of the RussiaUkraine conflict.

Lam said in this difficult time, the press must enhance its role in providing adequate and accurate information about policies and forecasts to help firms adjust their business strategies.

According to Minh, problems in communicating with the press occurred not only at SMEs but also at larger enterprises.

Understanding of the effectiveness of the press and how to cooperate with them remains limited.

"In the context of the rapid development of digital information, there is no other way than to cooperate and increase proactiveness from both sides to ensure the smooth flow of information," Minh said.

Chu Hai Cong from MB Bank said the press and news agencies needed to develop digital communication strategies that are more pervasive.

In addition, more funding should be invested in developing a diversified and modern press ecosystem to increase efficiency and better support the business community.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese shares rebounded yesterday after a four-day decline, led by large-cap stocks on the two local exchanges.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange rose 0.57 per cent to close at 1,111.72 points after falling 1.5 per cent in the previous four trading days.

Investors traded more than 695.6 million shares worth VN13.6 trillion ($126.4 million) on the southern bourse.

Market breadth was positive, with 298 gainers and 127 losers.

Banks, insurance companies and energy firms were the major stocks that helped push the market up yesterday.

HDBank (HDB), Vietinbank (CTG), and Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BID) were the strongest gainers in the banking sector. These stocks advanced between 0.5 per cent and 2.1 per cent.

In the insurance sector, Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), BIDV Insurance Corp (BIC) and Viet Nam National Reinsurance Corp (VNR) rose 0.7 per cent, 5.8 per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively.

Energy stocks, including PetroVietnam Gas Corp (GAS), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Service Corp (PVD) and PetroVietnam Technical Services Corp (PVS), also rebounded. GAS was up 1.4 per cent, PVD added 1.8 per cent and PVS ended up 0.9 per cent.

Gains were also seen in other mid-cap and small-cap stocks.

Real estate and construction stocks draw capital, including Binh Duong Mineral and Construction JSC (KSB) jumping 3.2 per cent and Dream House Investment Corp (DRH) up 4.6 per cent.

Pharmaceutical companies also advanced, including Gemadept Corp (GMD), Domesco Medical Import Export JSC (DMC) and DHG Pharmaceutical JSC (DHG).

The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange edged up 0.99 per cent to end at 228.77 points.

Movements during the session were mixed up and down and the liquidity decreased compared to previous sessions. The positive point is that profit-taking pressure has cooled down and there has been no sign of rising pressure on the general market, said Viet Dragon Securities Co.

It is expected that the market will need more time to re-test supply and demand around the current level before showing more specific signals.

Therefore, investors need to slow down and observe supply and demand movements in the near future. At the same time, it is advisable to consider taking profits in stocks that have rocketed recently or are under selling pressure from resistance areas to realise the results, it said. VNS
HA NOI  New features in the amended Law on Electronic Transactions represents a crucial milestone in boosting electronic trading activities, said experts.

The amended Law, which was passed by the National Assembly on Thursday by a vote of 468 to 477, includes eight chapters and 53 articles and will take effect from July 1, 2024.

The revised Law adds provisions on the validity of the conversion between paper and electronic forms, and regulations on electronic certificates. It also expands the scope of the law.

Moreover, it prohibits activities that take advantage of electronic transactions to infringe upon national interests, ethnic groups, national security, social order and safety, public interests, and the lawful rights and interests of agencies, organisations, and individuals.

Illegal actions to hinder or prevent the process of creating, sending, receiving, or storing data messages or engaging in other acts to sabotage the information system serving electronic transactions are also forbidden.

"The expansion of the scope of the Law will help cut costs compared to traditional transactions," Vuong Quoc Thang, member of the Science, Technology, and Environment Committee of the National Assembly, told baodautu.vn.

"State agencies perform an average of 600,000 transactions on administrative procedures a day. If these transactions are done in electronic form by default, it is estimated to save at least VN9 trillion (US$383 million) per year."

au Anh Tuan, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) cum Director General of the VCCI's Legal Department said that the revised Law on Electronic Transactions impacts all activities of social life, saving more money than traditional transactions, creating breakthroughs, and bringing greater efficiency.

"It will save a lot on transaction fees, as the parties in the transaction are not required to meet face-to-face to complete the transaction. Transaction times are short since parties may conduct transactions from anywhere using electronic devices," Tuan explained.

The amended Law also added regulations on the use and recognition of foreign electronic signatures, helping to reduce cross-border transaction expenses for firms and individuals and promoting international electronic transactions.

In addition, it includes regulations on databases, data sharing, and connections between state agencies.

The amended Law stipulates that data messages are used and have the same validity as the original if the information in the data message is guaranteed to be intact since it is first initialised.

If the revised regulations are successfully implemented, administrative procedures will be much simpler.

Digital economy and transformation promotion

The Director General of the VCCIs Legal Department said that the amended law, once in effect, will have a widespread impact on activities in the electronic environment of state agencies, individuals, and enterprises.

Electronic transaction execution mechanisms that are clearly defined would assure the validity of electronic transactions, offering a full legal corridor for the transformation of activities from the physical to the digital across all industries.

Meanwhile, in the National Strategy for Development of the Digital Economy and Society to 2025, the Prime Minister set a target for the percentage of the adult population using digital signatures or personal electronic signatures to reach over 50 per cent by 2025 and 70 per cent by 2030.

The strategy also identifies the deployment of remote digital signatures in the direction of prioritising the universalisation of the use of personal digital signatures for citizens in a simple, convenient, and secure way.

As a result, the revised Law will help successfully implement the national digital transformation strategy.

Personal digital signatures aid in the settlement of all electronic transactions that need the authentication of the user's identity, according to Vu Ngoc Son, Technical Director of NCS Company, so this will be an indispensable component in the development of the digital economy.

The universalisation of personal digital signatures will help solve all administrative procedures through the internet, shorten the time for processing documents, reduce administrative costs, and improve the efficiency and transparency of online transactions.

Personal digital signatures can also be applied to replace authentication with OTP codes in banking and financial transactions with higher security, he added.

"If every citizen has a digital identity and a digital signature, we will gradually move towards a paperless society. Most of the procedures can be done online while still ensuring the same reliability as printed documents. It will be a revolution in digital transformation for everyone," said Son.  VNS
HA NOI  The 14th Vietnam Manufacturing Expo (VME) and the 10th Viet Nam-Japan Supporting Industry Exhibition will return to the capital city in August.

VME 2023 is one of the leading exhibitions on machinery and technology for manufacturing. This year will see the participation of more than 200 exhibitors including producers, distributors and machine manufacturers from 20 countries, the event's organiser RX Tradex Co said.

The Viet Nam-Japan Supporting Industry Exhibition, hosted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Office in Ha Noi and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)'s Trade Promotion Agency will attract nearly 50 enterprises from Viet Nam and Japan.

Viet Nam's industrial sector has made significant improvements thanks to the State's mechanisms and policies, Director of Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu.

The country is now home to about 2,000 enterprises manufacturing spare parts and components. Of them, 300 have participated in global support chains, providing more than 600,000 jobs, Phu said at the press conference in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

In recent years, supporting industries have significantly contributed to the development of the country's economy. Businesses have continuously tried to improve product quality, strengthen competitiveness, and meet strict market requirements, he said.

The MoIT has actively implemented effective support programmes to enhance production and management capacity for businesses and collaborate with multinational corporations and large FDI companies in Viet Nam. This has led to improvements in the quality of human resources and enhancements in the competitive capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in the processing and manufacturing industries.

An example is the co-operation project to assist Vietnamese enterprises in the automotive supporting industries with Toyota Vietnam.

He added that the ministry has also established three technical support centres for industrial development in the three northern, central and southern economic regions. These centres aimed to help enterprises in supporting industries accelerate innovation, technology transfer for production and testing, and improve productivity and quality while seeking to participate in the global supply chains.

At the same time, the Ministry has also helped build connections between domestic supporting enterprises with FDI investors through trade promotion activities and business-matching events.

According to Phu, the Viet Nam-Japan Supporting Industry Exhibition (SIE) will help Vietnamese firms in supporting industries connect with Japanese partners and enhance their production capacities.

The chief representative of JETRO Office in Ha Noi Takeo Nakajima said the percentage of domestic procurement in Viet Nam for Japanese companies increased to 37 per cent in 2022 from 28 per cent 10 years ago as per a JETRO survey.

However, the rate remained low compared with the economic growth of the two countries, he said.

During this year's SIE, 22 Japanese exhibitors will express their desire to buy goods from local manufacturers. Meanwhile, 28 Vietnamese manufacturers in the supporting industry will display their products and introduce their supply capabilities.

The two expos will take place from August 9-11 at Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition.  VNS
HA NOI  A series of photography and art activities have been held in Ha Noi to celebrate the 98th anniversary of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day (June 21).

The 6th edition of the Khoanh Khac Vang (Golden Moment) press photo contest has been officially launched in Ha Noi by the Vietnam News Agency, aiming to honour outstanding photojournalists for their work.

Eligible entries must capture unique and impactful scenes through the camera lens in various topics like politics, economics, culture, society, science, technology and sports.

The entry period begins on June 21 and lasts until August 15. The photo entries must have been taken between January 1, 2022, and August 15, 2023.

The winner will receive a special award of VN30 million (US$1,300). In addition, two gold prizes, four silver prizes, six bronze prizes, and two encouragement prizes, evenly divided between the two categories of single photos and photo series, will also be awarded.

As part of this years contest, an exhibition displaying a series of outstanding press photos is being held at the headquarters of the Vietnam News Agency on No. 5 Ly Thuong Kiet Street. The series includes the works of seven veteran journalists who won the State Prize and Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts last year.

Journalist Vu Viet Trang, general director of the Vietnam News Agency, emphasised the importance of the Golden Moment award, particularly when the agency has a rich tradition in photojournalism.

She added that the contest has received thousands of high-quality press photos over the course of five seasons, many of which have made a profound impact and resonated with viewers.

"This demonstrates the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the press industry, which is keeping pace with the country's development and integration," she noted.

Initiated by the Vietnam News Agency in 2008, the photo contest aims to enhance the quality of press photos. After a few hiatuses, the sixth edition of the contest has returned to the photography community this year.

The organiser has stated its intention to hold the Golden Moment contest on an annual or at least a biennial basis in order to ensure the award's broad reach and impact.

Those who are interested in press photography can visit the official website of the contest khoanhkhacvang.vn. The organiser has posted a series of award-winning works from the first to the fifth editions, along with the story behind each photo and the rules for this years edition.

Journalism in Viet Nam before 1945

Also celebrating the 98th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, the National Archives Centre 1 under State Records and Archives Department has organised an online exhibition called Journalism in Viet Nam before 1945 complete with 3D animation.

The exhibition introduces roughly 100 newspapers, documents, and images regarding the policies of the government, press, and journalistic activities from the colonial period up to the Revolution in 1945. The exhibits are selected from the stacks of documents being preserved at the National Archives Centre I as well as collections from libraries and research institutions in Viet Nam and from abroad.

The event recognises the contributions made by the National Museum of History and newspaper collector Nguyen Phi Dung who provided papers published in Viet Nam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

I am honoured to have contributed a small part in the exhibition, Dung said.

The exhibition includes two parts.

Part one's theme centres around Milestones of Viet Nams Newspapers and introduces a number of important tipping points in the history of Vietnamese journalism: from the French invasion of Cochinchina to before 1945. It displays the promulgation and implementation of typical legal documents as well as highlights key news articles of each period.

Part two, Publication and Circulation, displays documents and images related to printing newspapers, printing houses, depositories, sales, and advertising.

Nam Ky (Cochinchina) became the cradle of modern Vietnamese journalism, including papers published in Cochinchina in the 1860s. It was not until the 1880s that the first newspapers appeared in Bac Ky (Tonkin). From then until 1945, hundreds of newspapers in French, Chinese, and Quoc Ngu (the Vietnamese alphabet) were published in all three areas.

The introduction of newspapers into Viet Nam led to the development of many industries associated with this field such as paper production, printing, distribution, and advertising.

At first, the press mainly published legal documents of the colonial government. Over time, the content and genres of newspapers became more diverse. Besides the daily newspapers that provided the latest information on the ongoing situation at home and abroad, there also emerged weekly, semi-weekly, monthly, and semi-monthly newspapers. There were also research journals for scholars and specialised journals for children and women.

The Journalism in Viet Nam before 1945 exhibition opens today on the website and Facebook page of the NAC1, https://archives.org.vn/baochi.

Press illustration exhibition

More than a thousand excellent illustrations by 55 artists from the press and publishing sector across the country are also being showcased at an exhibition being held in the centre of Ha Noi.

The exhibition with the theme "Art of Illustration for Publishing Press in Viet Nam 2023" is being held by the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association to celebrate the 98th anniversary of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day.

It brings together artists from three regions of North, Centre and South of the country to connect and network with the editorial boards of newspapers, and publications with illustrations to exchange and share experiences in journalism, according to painter Le Tien Vuong, an organising board representative.

The event will gather outstanding authors, including professionals and amateurs, who love the art of journalism. Many attendees have their works appearing regularly in newspapers and books published nationwide.

Each of them brings a different style and expression of visual language.

The exhibition opens at Exhibition Hall 16 Ngo Quyen Street, Ha Noi and runs until June 25.  VNS
PHNOM PENH  A Viet Nam-HCM City tourism promotion programme has been launched in Phnom Penh, highlighting HCM Citys tourism strengths.

The programme is co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and HCM City Department of Tourism, featuring HCM Citys newest tourism products and services and promoting tourism linkages between the two.

Ngo Van Tuat, minister counsellor of the embassy, said on Monday that tourism is the strength of both countries, with rich cultures, heritages, and UNESCO-recognised wonders like Angkor Wat and Ha Long Bay.

Tourism has always been a highly-prioritised sector, and together with the underlying potential of the two nations, it has seen incredible developments, which contribute to general economic growth and provide job opportunities for its people, Tuat said.

Viet Nams tourism before the pandemic contributed 9 per cent to its GDP, and it has been witnessing great improvements post-pandemic, with a total income of $20.9 billion last year.

In Cambodia, tourism is one of four main sectors and has been leading its economy, with over 2.37 million international visitors last year.

The Cambodian government has set its goal to welcome over four million international visitors this year.

He also noted with pleasure their success in tourism cooperation, with an increasing number of people travelling between both countries.

Cambodian travellers are among the four main types of those coming to Viet Nam last year. Within the first five months of this year, Cambodian tourists accounted for 3.63 per cent of total tourists, he said.

On the flip side, 21.7 per cent of visitors to Cambodia last year were from Viet Nam, and until March this year it has welcomed over 200,000 Vietnamese visitors.

Big cities like Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat, HCM City, and Phu Quoc are among the top destinations, and most Cambodians visit HCM City for medical purposes as it has modern facilities.

Despite many strengths in tourism, both countries have not reached their desired goals, he said.

Tuat said that there has not been enough collaboration among enterprises from both nations, and tourism promotion is still small-scale.

Thus, the programme is a great opportunity for strengthening tourism linkages between the two countries, especially HCM City and Phnom Penh, which will introduce several tourism products and services to enterprises and Cambodians to build connections between tourism enterprises.

He said that the embassy would also be a bridge connecting tourism partnerships, enhancing the solidarity between the two countries.

Prak Chandara, Under Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, believed that the success of the programme would be leverage for both nations to rebound post-pandemic.

Together with the citys Department of Health, we have been supporting enterprises in setting diverse medical tourism packages, as the citys health sector has seen great improvements, said Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of the city Department of Tourism.

With 131 hospitals, modern facilities, and highly-qualified doctors, medical tourism in the city would be a chance for boosting tourism and collaborations in the near future.

Besides introducing Vietnamese culture, tourism, and cuisine through short videos, the event also had representatives from hospitals and clinics to promote medical tourism products available in HCM City and a business-to-business connection activity linking enterprises from both countries.  VNS
Sean Nolan

HA NOI  Few experiences challenge one's patience and decorum like the act of queuing, especially if you grew up in the UK.

Of course, the sanctity of orderly lines and the unspoken rules that govern them vary from one corner of the globe to another, but it's pretty cut and dry where I come from.

Queuing is so ingrained in the British psyche that when the British Expeditionary Force was harried all the way to the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940 by Nazi Germany, the British soldiers formed orderly lines from the beach to the sea while waiting to be rescued. Not even the risk of death or captivity was enough to convince them to jump the line.

Yet, in Viet Nam, queuing is a little beast entirely. Passive-aggressive nudging, shoving, and blatant queue-jumping are expected and accepted, be that in supermarkets, petrol stations or airports.

Perhaps most frustrating is when this (mal)practice carries over to elevator etiquette.

Nobody enjoys their time in an elevator. Being trapped in a metal box in close proximity to strangers is nobody's cup of tea.

When the doors open, I'm yet to meet a person that hangs around for a little longer, reluctant to leave the metal box that they had been locked in, not least because the doors will snap shut again in a few seconds.

So why is it that some people insist on forcing their way into an elevator before those who are inside have gotten out?

Even taking into account base selfishness and impatience, it makes little sense. By getting into the lift when somebody else is trying to get out, you're guaranteed to create a bottleneck that can only be resolved with some awkward shoulder-rubbing and tummy-tucking to make room.

It doesn't make the process of travelling in the elevator any quicker and instead just adds to everyone's collective stress.

Of course, it would be foolish to act as though my own habits and cultural norms are the best way anything should be done, and I am sure there are a million things that foreigners do that melt Vietnamese people's minds (shoes indoors, anyone?).

That being said, I'm not sure I'll ever get used to muscling my way to the front of a queue without feeling a sense of guilt.

It is a reminder that cultural immersion demands an open mind, a willingness to shed preconceptions, and an understanding that the world's diverse customs and traditions offer valuable lessons for personal growth  or at least a practice in patience. VNS
gettyimagesbank



Korean gov't receives 7 more letters of intent for arbitration



By Anna J. Park



A five-year legal battle between the Korean government and activist fund Elliott Investment Management over a controversial merger of two Samsung Group affiliates has finally reached a conclusion following a ruling by an international tribunal. But the Korean government faces five other similar disputes at international courts.



On Tuesday, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ordered the Korean government to pay about $53.59 million plus interest in compensation to the U.S.-headquartered hedge fund.



The Ministry of Justice explained that the amount the government must pay is about 7 percent of the $770 million that Elliott originally sought as damage compensation. The tribunal's decision requires the Korean government to pay 5 percent interest on the compensation as well. As a result, the Korean government needs to pay approximately $108.5 million in total to Elliott.





The Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Peace Palace in the Hague, Netherlands / Courtesy of PCA







Although the ruling ended the investor-state dispute case that started in 2018, five more similar dispute settlement cases are pending at international tribunals.



According to ISDS Navigator operated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Wednesday, 10 ISDS (investor-state dispute settlement) cases were filed against the Korean government and five of them are currently pending. Five others either reached a ruling already, including the high-profile Lone Star case, or have been discontinued.



Out of the remaining five pending ISDS cases, the oldest case is one filed by U.S.-based hedge funds Mason Capital and Mason Management back in September 2018. Like the case of Elliott, which claimed it had suffered damage from the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries because of Korea's state pension fund's support for the deal, Mason argued that their minority shareholders' rights on Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics' stocks was infringed upon by the Korean government's unfair intervention in the merger process.



Alleging that senior government officials acted in favor of a large shareholder of Checil Industries, resulting in losses to the claimants' stakes, the plaintiffs are claiming $200 million in damage. The case is currently pending at the PCA.



Another pending case was filed by Switzerland-based elevator company Schindler Holding against the Korean government in October 2018. The Swiss elevator company claimed that the Korean government failed to exercise financial oversight related to Hyundai Elevator's share capital increases and the use of the company's funds from 2013 to 2015.



Schindler claimed that such capital increases were done to strengthen the Hyundai owner family's management control, rather than for the sake of facilitating the elevator company's business. Schindler added that the government's lack of proper oversight allegedly caused significant impairments to their rights in Hyundai Elevator as the second-largest shareholder. The Swiss company is demanding $190 million in damage compensation.



Iran's Dayyani family also filed lawsuits against the Korean government in 2015 and 2021. The previous case ended in favor of the Iranian family, as the PCA ordered the Korean government in 2018 to pay $53.2 million. The second case is about the delay of the Korean government's supposed payment of the damage compensation. The government has faced difficulty in paying the damage compensation due to global sanctions against Iran.





An image of arbitration case proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, Netherlands / Courtesy of PCA
On the occasion of the 98th Anniversary of the Viet Nam Revolutionary Press Day on June 21, Bao Tin Tuc (News) reporter spoke with Assoc. Dr. o Chi Nghia, permanent member of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Education on how journalists can maintain the quality of their work while still ensuring their own safety.

Protection for journalists facing threats hasnt been up to expectations. There are many cases of journalists being threatened and assaulted that havent been handled. What are your thoughts about this problem?

Journalism is a dangerous profession. It is easy to understand, because journalists are always the ones who reveal the truth and bring up issues that many may not want to come to light. It has been reported internationally that many journalists are physically assaulted, and even put in life-threatening situations.

In Viet Nam, the press receives great attention by the Party and State, and it is protected by law and (the protection) is regulated very clearly (in the law), including the relationship between journalists, the public and society. Journalists always have the respect of readers and the public. However, due to the nature of the profession, there are still some cases of journalists being assaulted or having their work hindered.

It is the job of a journalist to bring the truth to the public. There are barriers (to their work). It is important for journalists to have skills and knowledge to reduce the risk of being assaulted/harmed, for example, not being impatient and rushing into dangerous places without protective measures.

Journalists need to have a plan to protect themselves and should not unnecessarily put themselves in danger by pushing the frustration to the climax and should have skills to deal with the problems tactfully.

So if it affects the lives, bodies, and health of citizens and especially working journalists, it would be a pity and it is necessary to find every way possible to avoid it.

It is evident that journalists face risks when reporting in the field. What about digital environment, what are the risks they may face and how we can protect them in this environment?

The danger of journalism lies not only in the clashes of relationships in the society but also in the way information is delivered. Journalists must report an event as it happens. The thing is in some cases, we can not really know the essence of the event immediately at the time it happens.

For example, when a fire occurs. A journalist closest to the scene will see the fire from the first floor to the second floor, then the fire engulfs and then is extinguished. But the second journalist who arrived later only described the raging fire, and the third journalist who arrived even later saw the fire being extinguished, and the scene being cleared.

In this case, through the eyes of the journalist, there are three realities with three different perspectives. And even if we can see the reality, approach subjects, write news articles, how can reporters know what people are thinking deep inside? The challenge is how to look deeply and immediately see the essence of the problem.

It is a process from getting information to decoding whats happening and getting close to the truth. And it requires journalists to be really quick. Being slow is not a trait of a journalist.

In my opinion, the most important thing is for journalists to sharpen their professionalism. The journalists must closely follow their beats to acquire specialised knowledge, have many sources and verification skills. By doing so, journalists will be able to grasp the essence of the topics in their field.

Journalists must also be cautious. It is important to ensure timeliness of the news stories however, they must also find ways to deliver information quickly. The initial information is like that, the reporter will come to the scene to reflect, and the more in-depth information will continue to be passed on to readers and the public in the following news or through other press works.

Next, there must always be factchecking. Without factchecking, journalists may face legal risks.

It is also worth highlighting that journalism is a profession that is honoured and it has great impact on society. However, currently many newsrooms pursue viewership or quantity and do not pay much attention to in-depth pieces.

In some newsrooms, reporters are a bit hasty in collecting information without having knowledge of the essence of the events.

Journalists who cover sensitive topics may put themselves in danger or in situation when they unconsciously break the law. What should news agencies do to equip reporters with skills to deal with these situations?

Newsrooms play a very important role here and they must not leave their reporters to work in risky conditions. It is necessary for the heads of the newsrooms to have experience and expertise in this.

When considering a pitch or a certain topic, it is necessary for the heads to direct (reporters in a proper way). Managers and editors-in-chief must have political sensitivity, basic legal knowledge and good professional knowledge of journalism.

They must bear the responsibility to protect their team of reporters. Once they have a direction, the risks due to personal spontaneity will be reduced. Journalism is a profession that requires you to deal with fresh information so if you are spontaneous and hasty, it would put you in unexpected situations and it is also a matter of professional ethics.

It is also important to strengthen training of legal knowledge for journalists. It is not necessary to require them to attend a law school. It is crucial to think of scenarios and have journalists discuss them. If newsrooms can do these things on a daily basis, I think it would be much more practical instead of attending formal seminars.

I think that management agencies and associations in the press sector need to continue to pay attention to specific case studies, analysing them from ethical and legal angles to help journalists avoid putting themselves in difficult situations and unnecessary risks.

With your many years working as a lecturer at the Academy of Journalism and Communications and later as editor-in-chief of Thoi bao Doanh nhan (Entrepreneurs' Times) and ai bieu Nhan dan (People's Deputies) newspapers, could you please share with journalists and reporters how they can protect themselves?

I had 19 years working as a journalism lecturer at the Academy of Journalism and Communication and more than 12 years as editor-in-chief of two newspapers. I also witnessed many risky cases. It is important to think about your safety first. Without safety, you fail. Safety doesn't mean we stay behind, it doesn't mean we avoid it. But its important for us to make sure that we have the best journalists continue to work.

Firstly, journalists must be able to anticipate possible situations, firmly grasp the topics, sources and understand the legal issues that may arise in the process of reporting.

The second is to take advantage of the relationship with colleagues and managers. While working with managers and colleagues, it is important to learn from their experience and how to deal with certain situations.

Third, journalists must build relationships with experienced people who have knowledgeable positions in the system of law enforcement agencies such as courts, police, prosecutors and lawyers. This helps them have many perspectives and knowledge on how to ensure the high quality of their work while still ensuring their own safety.  VNS
HA NOI  The Nhan Dan (People) newspaper and the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House on June 20 held a ceremony to launch a book about the people's trust and support for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the Viet Nam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925-2023).

Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the Party Central Committees Commission for Popularisation and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia attended the event and gave the book's copies as presents for participants.

The book Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with domestic peoples trust and international friends support consists of 181 pieces of writing, articles, poems, letters and messages, which are selected from thousands of articles and writings on newspapers and social networks.

At the event, Pham Thi Thinh, Deputy Director and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Su That National Political Publishing House, said that the book aims to provide authentic information and documents from diverse perspectives, which reflect not only the affection for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong but also the trust and expectation of people in all parts of the country and the support of international friends for the Party and State in Viet Nams renewal cause.

The book focuses on a number of theoretical and realistic issues about socialism and the path to socialism in Viet Nam; the fight against corruption and negative phenomena; ethics and lifestyle of cadres and party members and building a culture of integrity; and the Party leader's style and ethics.

Thinh said that the book follows two previous ones on the Party General Secretary  the first entitled General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong, with affection from the country's people and international friends published in 2019 and the second The affection of the countrys people and international friends for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2021.

Besides the printed version, the book is also available online at stbook.vn for free.

Deputy head of the Party Central Committees Commission for Popularisation and Education, Chairman of the Viet Nam Journalists Association, and Editor-in-Chief of the Nhan Dan newspaper Le Quoc Minh affirmed that the book about General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has a great significance and practical values.

The book contains articles and opinions of people from all walks of life, saying that the Party General Secretary's thoughts and guiding viewpoints reflect his vision, wisdom, insight, determination, comprehensiveness, and convincingness; contribute to clarifying the theoretical thinking of the Party on corruption and negativity prevention and control as well as Party building work, he said.

"The fight against corruption and negativity requires persistent and drastic actions. It's a must and an inevitable trend that cannot be reversed. Therefore, the collection and inclusion of those opinions in the book will help to spread the trust in the leadership of the Party and the General Secretary for this key task," Minh said.  VNS
KHANH HOA  The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's largest destroyer, Izumo, and accompanying destroyer JS Samidare docked at Cam Ranh International Port in the south central province of Khanh Hoa on Tuesday, starting their visit to Viet Nam from June 20-23.

Colonel Nguyen Thai Hoc, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 4 High Command presided over a welcome ceremony for the Japanese destroyers. On board of the destroyers is a delegation of 559 officers and sailors, led by Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro, commander of the Izumo's flotilla.

The vessels visit to Viet Nam is one of the activities to implement the project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan (September 21, 1973-2023), creating a positive mark in defence relations between the two countries.

Within the framework of the visit, the Commanding Group of the ships paid a courtesy visit to the leaders of Khanh Hoa provincial People's Committee, Naval Region 4 Command, and the Naval Academy. The Japanese side invited a Vietnamese representative to visit the ship, organised a reception, and coordinated with the Navy Region 4 to hold sport exchanges between soldiers of the two countries.

The visit contributes to boosting mutual understanding and coordination ability between Viet Nam's Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, actively consolidating and promoting the bilateral defence cooperation relationship between the two countries.  VNS
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee will pay a state visit to Viet Nam from June 22-24 at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong. On this occasion, President Yoon Suk Yeol grants an interview to Vietnam News Agency

After three decades of establishing diplomatic relations, Viet Nam and the RoK officially elevated their relations to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2022. As the President of the RoK, how do you evaluate the new dimensions and content of this partnership in terms of bilateral cooperation?

Over the three decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, our two countries have built an exemplary, mutually beneficial partnership on all fronts. It is important for us to develop more qualitative, future-oriented bilateral relations that adjust to volatile internal and external environments, rather than settle for what has already been achieved.

In this context, our two countries upgraded bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties last year. This demonstrates how committed our two countries governments and peoples are to solidarity, broadening the scope of cooperation and deepening bilateral exchanges.

First of all, I intend to strengthen security cooperation with Viet Nam, so a rules-based order will be able to take firm root in the Indo-Pacific region. The RoK will continue to cooperate with Viet Nam in maritime security. Moreover, I hope that cooperation in the defence industry will be further expanded based on the RoKs technological prowess which has a proven track record in the global market.

Forward-looking cooperation between the RoK and Viet Nam will also be stepped up to ensure that our two countries can prosper together. We will continue to support VKIST, or the Viet Nam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology, in order for it to establish itself as Viet Nams centre for scientific and technological development. The creation of this institute marks the RoK governments single largest grant project. In particular, a new grant aid project will be announced on the occasion of my upcoming state visit to help Viet Nam bolster its ability to conduct research in the fields of science and technology.

The world is confronting a polycrisis on a level unlike any before. The RoK and Viet Nam should navigate through these challenges together. The Korean and Vietnamese governments are placing a special focus on critical minerals supply chains, energy, digital transformation, smart cities and climate change responses when it comes to future cooperation.

This year marks the spirited beginning of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two countries. I hope that my state visit to Viet Nam in this meaningful year will serve as a catalyst for opening a new chapter of bilateral cooperation.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the RoK and Viet Nam have made remarkable progress in various fields, particularly in the economic domain. Could you kindly provide insights on the RoK governments future plans to expand economic cooperation and investment with Viet Nam?

In December last year, the Vietnamese President and I presented our goal of achieving US$150 billion in trade by 2030, but bilateral trade could not avoid negative growth this year due to the global economic downturn. As part of our efforts to restore the dynamism of bilateral trade, I will travel to Viet Nam with a large business delegation.

Viet Nam is a key partner in the RoKs Indo-Pacific strategy, and we need to further deepen and expand the extent of our primarily manufacturing-focused bilateral cooperation into finance, the retail industry, IT, cultural content and other service sectors. The means of cooperation should also aim for a horizontal division of labour, playing off each others strengths. Cooperation to help Viet Nam develop its industrial technology will be significantly enhanced.

No less important is to work together for such future agendas as carbon neutrality by 2050 and the digital transformation. I hope that our two countries future generations will become key actors for such future agendas.





The RoK has been implementing key foreign policies, namely the Global Pivotal State (GPS) vision and Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI), etc. Could you please elaborate on potential cooperation between Viet Nam and the RoK in policy coordination on both bilateral and multilateral aspects?

Until his last moments, President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved father of the Vietnamese nation, remained occupied with the desire for the country to become independent, people to enjoy freedom, and everyone to have food to eat, dress to wear, and school to attend. And now  as it pursues world peace and active international cooperation  Viet Nam is moving toward its goal of being ranked among the developed countries by 2045.

Viet Nam's goals are in line with the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) that I announced last November at the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as part of the RoKs efforts to realise its Global Pivotal State vision.

The RoK governments GPS vision echoes our determination to contribute more actively in the region and international community by playing a role thats commensurate with our elevated national power and status. Accordingly, we intend to explore creative ways for cooperation and work closely together with Viet Nam  our comprehensive strategic partner  in order to contribute to peace and prosperity in the international community through multilateral organisations and consultative bodies, including the United Nations, APEC and P4G.

My upcoming visit to Viet Nam will be the first bilateral visit to a Southeast Asian country since my inauguration as President. First and foremost, my visit this time is significant as it marks the full-fledged implementation of the KASI with Viet Nam, the RoKs key partner.

In particular, the RoK aims to enhance substantive and forward-looking cooperation with ASEAN and the Mekong region. Based on respect for ASEAN Centrality and the needs of ASEAN, the RoK will expand substantive cooperation in such future-oriented fields as digital transformation, climate change responses and healthcare and medical services. Furthermore, we will expand strategic cooperation in areas of mutual interest between the RoK and ASEAN, including maritime security and the defence industry. In addition, we will continue to provide support for Viet Nam's priorities like developing the Mekong region while narrowing the development gaps within it.

As a way of expressing our strong commitment to strengthening ASEAN-RoK relations, I hope to upgrade those relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of our dialogue partnership next year. To this end, after the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit scheduled for September this year, the RoK will submit a proposal containing the RoK governments specific plans to ASEAN.

I am deeply grateful to Viet Nam  the country coordinator for ASEAN-RoK dialogue  for carrying out its role as a bridge between the two sides in an exemplary manner. Both with the KASIs implementation going forward and with the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the RoK and ASEAN next year, I look forward to communicating and cooperating more closely with Viet Nam. Through this, I believe that our two countries can contribute even more to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region including ASEAN.

Viet Nam and the RoK share many historical and cultural similarities, which have greatly contributed to the robust development of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries over the past three decades. Could you please shed light on the RoK governments upcoming policies aimed at promoting people-to-people exchanges and the exchange of human resources between our two nations?

Since my father contributed to people-to-people exchanges between our two countries, this state visit to Viet Nam is very personally meaningful to me. He was convinced that exchanges between future generations are important for the development of bilateral relations and sought to contribute to our academic exchanges in 1993  right after the establishment of diplomatic relations  by enrolling students from National Economics University in Ha Noi and University of Economics HCM City in Yonsei Universitys Graduate School of International Studies.

Over the past 30 years, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have exploded thanks to all levels of society in both countries making invaluable efforts. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, nearly 5 million people from both countries visited the other annually via more than 500 direct flights every week. Needless to say, it was the biggest people-to-people exchange that the RoK has ever experienced with a Southeast Asian nation.

Even last year after we regained our normal daily lives, Koreans made up the largest number of international visitors to Viet Nam. Viet Nam is said to be Koreans most popular overseas tourist destination this summer. Korean people have grown so familiar with rice noodles, bun cha, and Vietnamese coffee as to consider them parts of everyday life.

Around 170,000 Koreans currently reside in Viet Nam  the largest Korean presence in Southeast Asia. The number of households with both Koreans and Vietnamese in Viet Nam also reached 6,500. More than 80,000 Korean-Vietnamese multicultural families live in the RoK. Since Ly Long Tuong, a descendant of the Ly Dynasty in Viet Nam, came to the Goryeo Kingdom, Korea and Viet Nam have maintained an in-law relationship over the past 800 years of history. Now, it is no exaggeration to say that we are one family.

The RoK government will provide institutional support, so our people-to-people exchanges can become more vibrant. During my upcoming visit to Viet Nam, Viet Nam's top leaders and I will put our heads together to find ways that will ensure that our two peoples can conveniently travel back and forth and lead safe and happy lives.

In particular, we will provide more support to expand exchanges between the next generations who will lead the future of our bilateral relations. More assistance will be offered to the youth of Viet Nam, so they can receive high-quality Korean language education locally. Opportunities will be expanded to help more Vietnamese study in the RoK as well. I believe that when our future generations come to better understand and like each other, the future of bilateral relations will shine brighter. VNS
HA NOI - Minister of Public Security General To Lam and Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) Kim Jong-Uk discussed cooperation orientations between the two agencies during their talks in Ha Noi on June 21.

Lam noted with pleasure outstanding, comprehensive developments of the relations between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) in various spheres, stressing the bilateral relationship has been built up on the firm foundation of political trust, strong economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges for mutual development.

Notably, the collaboration between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the KCG has made progress, he said.

On the basis of outcomes of the working session between the two agencies last April, their units have coordinated in implementing cooperation programmes and plans substantively and effectively, Lam continued.

A memorandum of understanding between the two agencies, which is expected to be signed in the time ahead, will be a highlight in the materialisation of the action programmes implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and will be a milestone in making long-term commitments by the two agencies in the areas of shared concern, according to the minister.

Speaking highly of the KCGs decision on patrol ship supply to the MPS, Lam said it demonstrates mutual support in the fight against cross-border crimes, and the RoK sides assistance in enhancing research and rescue capacity for Vietnamese police.

For his part, Kim pledged to push ahead with the finalisation of key cooperation contents between the two sides, firstly the completion of procedures for the patrol ship handover.

The officers agreed to actively conducted key cooperation activities where the RoK has strengths and the MPS has demand, and organise training courses for Vietnamese waterway police.

They will also exchange all-level delegations to put forth specific cooperation plans. VNS
HA NOI  The National Assembly will consider effective measures to prevent lump-sum social insurance withdrawals, which have increased in recent years, said Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs ao Ngoc Dung.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), before 2019, the number of people who claimed lump-sum social insurance withdrawals stood at about 500,000 per year. In 2022, nearly 900,000 people made the request.

The lump-sum social insurance withdrawal has become a trend in recent years. If this trend does not slow down, it will threaten social welfare insurance for the elderly and breaks down the sustainability of the social insurance system, according to Dung.

Most people who made withdrawal requests (up to 72 per cent) are labourers from the southern region. Low income and unstable lives are the reason for their choice.

The proposed amendment of social insurance law would not limit labourers rights but offer more benefits to social insurance members, he said.

Under the current law, employees working under normal conditions and having reached the law-prescribed retirement age would be entitled to a monthly pension if having paid compulsory or voluntary social insurance premiums for at least 20 years.

Many labourers, especially those in labour-intensive sectors like textiles, say they are unable to wait for 20 years.

Citing this fact, Dung said it was necessary to reduce the time for social insurance premium payment to under 15 years, and in the long run, 10 years to be consistent with international regulations.

Compared with the lump-sum social insurance withdrawal mechanism of other countries, Minister Dung quoted International Labour Organisation experts who said there was no single country that has an open social insurance withdrawal regulation like Viet Nam.

International practice only allows withdrawal for those who suffer from incurable diseases and move to live abroad. Viet Nam allows the freedom of lump-sum withdrawal. But he said it was a citizen's right, so it could not be banned.

Dr Bui Sy Loi, former vice chairman of the National Assemblys Social Affairs Committee, said it was necessary to raise awareness of labourers on the values and meanings of social insurance, at the same time, offer supportive packages to help them solve difficulties in the short term.

The lump-sum withdrawal sometimes still could not help labourers afford expenses, he said, highlighting the need to offer preferential loans to labourers, have sustainable solutions for the labour market and support businesses to stabilise production.

Under the 2014 Law, an employee who has paid social insurance premiums for less than 20 years may request for a one-off payout of social insurance benefits after 12 months from the time he/she stops paying social insurance premiums.

The MOLISA proposes two options in the amended law to settle such requests.

The first option says that the employee may receive a full payout for the entire period of participating in social insurance and then would not be entitled to a monthly pension.

As per the second option, the employee would receive a one-off payment of benefits for at most half of the contribution period to the retirement and survivorship allowance fund. The remaining period would be reserved for the calculation of social insurance benefits when the employee reaches retirement age.

Loi said the second option might help labourers get out of difficulties in the short term and ensure social welfare at the retirement age. But this option would require more explanation regarding strengths and weaknesses to gain public consensus.  VNS
HA NOI  Digital transformation is a critical path that press agencies must follow swiftly and decisively to avoid lagging behind, losing readership, and facing inevitable consequences for their survival, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan (The People) newspaper and Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh has said.

During a recent event on the digital transformation of journalism organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with Google, Minh stated that digital transformation would not discriminate between large and small newspapers.

A small newspaper, equipped with an effective digital transformation strategy to retain a loyal readership and maintain content delivery to readers, would be more likely to succeed in digital conversion than larger newspapers lacking proper strategies, he said.

Minh expressed his belief that along with content transformation, digital transformation in journalism also entailed a cultural transformation within the newsroom. This included leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) systems to manage infrastructure and optimising operational processes for administrators, editors, and reporters.

He further emphasised that each media agency would have its unique approach to digital transformation and invest in technologies that align with their newsrooms.

Readership as the central focus

Readers' news consumption habits are changing from gathering news from print newspapers and television to scanning news and information through applications or on social media platforms like Facebook, Zalo, Youtube, WhatsApp, and more.

In the trend of digital transformation, many media agencies have leveraged new technological platforms, resulting in the continuous growth of several newspapers.

VietnamPlus, the online newspaper of the Vietnam News Agency, serves as an example. The online newspaper constantly updates itself on digital transformation trends and adopts a multimedia approach to information delivery, expanding its presence across multiple platforms to a diverse readership.

VietnamPlus has succeeded in expanding its distribution on digital platforms as a reliable news source. In addition to its Vietnamese-language Facebook fanpage, VietnamPlus has established accounts on widely-used platforms such as Zalo, TikTok, MyClip, and Twitter.

The news and articles produced by VietnamPlus are also presented in a modern style, such as Mutex clips (commentary displayed through subtitles on copyrighted music), which cater to viewers' preferences and habits of watching videos on smartphones and tablets.

Currently, some modern media products are utilising AI to increase user engagement and deliver personalised messages to readers with different needs. VietnamPlus, for example, employs AI tools to recommend content to readers in formats such as newsletters or editors' picks.

Nguyen Hoang Nhat, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of VietnamPlus, said that in the future, VietnamPlus would continue to develop on digital platforms, producing multimedia information products in line with new and modern journalism trends.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA), along with VietnamPlus, have been early adopters of digital transformation to spread reliable information, contributing to political dissemination, ideology, and policies of the Party and the State and providing authentic information to the public.

The VNAs information sources and publishing units have incorporated various new forms of information such as infographics, long-form articles (integrating text, images, videos, and charts in a single product), mega stories (digital works of journalism including audio, video, images, and data), and timelines (chronological summaries). They have actively promoted information about Viet Nam on social media applications in multiple languages, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, English, French, and Spanish.

Currently, the VNA has 14 verified Facebook fanpages focusing on disseminating official information and showcasing achievements in the nation's renewal, construction, and development, as well as the ongoing anti-corruption campaign initiated by the Party. Facebook pages in different languages have proven effective in fulfilling information supply tasks.

Mentioning the VNAs 2023 mission deployment, General Director Vu Viet Trang highlighted that digital transformation would be the main trend of journalism in 2023.

This would require the VNAs units to uphold the core values, be adaptive and responsive to enhance the quality of information, and the strengths of each information unit and permanent agency at home and abroad to create the comprehensive strength of the major national multimedia agency.

Le Quoc Minh emphasised that the future of journalism would depend on building closer interactive relationships with readers.

A digital transformation strategy centred around readers can help boost revenue and advertising. Media agencies need to adjust their advertising plans based on understanding readers' trends and directly collecting readers' data, he said.

Building a suitable digital transformation strategy

According to Tran Anh Tu, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Information and Communication Magazine, digital transformation in the media refers to the strategy of each media agency. The application of digital technology enables media agencies to automate work processes in all departments, reducing time and operational costs.

With the adoption of new technologies such as AI and Big Data, the media can create various media products such as mega stories, timelines, 360-degree photos, and 360-degree videos.

Digital transformation and technology adoption will help media agencies establish systems to collect customer data, gradually moving towards enhancing customer experiences and meeting their needs.

Under the direction of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Viet Nams journalism sector will have many digital ecosystems in the near future, such as digital radio platforms, digital newspaper platforms, and digital television platforms.

Tu also highlighted the development of new payment methods, specifically in the area of paid journalism.

Currently, some newspapers such as VietnamPlus by the VNA, and Ngay Nay E-magazine by Vietnamnet had applied various forms of paid journalism. However, more technology application was needed to provide payment capabilities for readers, he added.

Tu said each media agency needed to enhance direct information gathering from their primary readers. Analysing readers behaviour and habits could only be achieved through the application of reader measurement technologies across media platforms.

Based on that, media agencies could create new information products suitable for various types of readers, thereby increasing revenue, he said.

Asserting that digital transformation is the inevitable path for journalism, Tu said that some media agencies had not been determined in their digital transformation. They still perceived no need for change as they continued to generate income without significant decreases or budget cuts.

The strategy for the digital transformation of journalism by 2025 with a vision towards 2030 targets that 100 per cent of media agencies will publish content on digital platforms, 90 per cent of media agencies will utilise analytics and data processing platforms, leveraging AI to optimise operations.

It also targets that 100 per cent of media agencies will operate and implement converged newsroom models and models aligned with the development of advanced global science and technology, producing content in line with digital journalism trends.

Media agencies will optimise revenue sources, with at least 50 per cent of them increasing revenue by a minimum of 20 per cent.

Tu affirmed that digital transformation would no longer be a choice but a mandatory requirement for each media agency to meet reader demands, keep up with the development of communication technology in the new era, and optimise resources and achieve higher efficiency in media revenue.  VNS
MEKONG DELTA  To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan , representatives of both sides had a meeting to find out the most effective cooperation direction in the future based on promoting competitive advantages in human resources and land resources in the Mekong Delta.

During the event held in Can Tho City on June 18, Nguyen Thuc Hien, vice chairman of the Can Tho City People's Committee, said there remains huge potential for the Mekong Delta region and Japanese businesses to set up and expand cooperation because the advantages of the Mekong Delta region are suitable for the demand of the Japanese side.

Authorities of the Mekong Delta region hope that the event will serve as a bridge calling on Japanese investors to take part in important projects of the city in the future, affirming the localitys commitment to coordinate with Japanese investors so that the two sides can achieve harmonised interests.

Viet Nam and Japan have closely cooperated at multilateral forums and mechanisms at both regional and global levels; actively coordinate in regional and international issues of mutual concern, promote economic linkages, and liberalize trade through the signing and implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Hien said.

Regarding local relations, Can Tho City has established cooperative relations with three Japanese localities, namely Hyogo province, Okayama City and Nasushiobara City in Tochigi Province. Currently, Can Tho City has six direct investors from Japan, with a total registered investment capital of about US$1.35 billion.

In 2022, Can Tho's import-export turnover with Japan is US$233 million and in the first four months of 2023, this figure reached US$50 million.

However, these figures are still quite modest compared to the advantages of the close friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as well as the available potential between the localities, Hien said.

As one of three localities that signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Can Tho, Watanabe Michitaro, Mayor of Nasushiobara city, said that Japanese investors highly appreciate Vietnam's young and abundant human resources. In addition, there is the hard work and willingness to learn of the workers.

Watanabe Michitaro said that, in order to further increase the competitive advantage in human resources, Vietnamese workers need to build an industrial style and a sense of discipline at work.

The Mayor said he hopes it can pave the way for concrete cooperation between the two cities in the future, adding that they can develop their collaboration in other fields as well.

Can Tho and Nasushiobara began cooperating in January 2020. Up to now, the relationship between the two localities has continuously strengthened with many friendship activities. The senior leaders of the two localities have paid working visits to each side to develop the great potential for cooperation, especially in the fields of agriculture and tourism.

The signing of the MoU is essential so that the two sides can promote cooperation and complement each other in line with development needs.

Toshiyuki Ishii, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hau Giang Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, said that Japanese businesses very much want Vietnamese workers working in Japanese companies to build their working style such as being on time and meeting production standard.

In addition, Toshiyuki Ishii wants workers in the Mekong Delta to focus on developing working skills. This is a key factor to be able to meet job requirements in the new era, and to master automation and high-tech equipment.

To strengthen cooperation between the Mekong Delta region and Japan in the coming time, experts suggested continuing to create favourable conditions for businesses of the two sides to exchange and explore the demand, advantages, and actual capacity of each side, thereby promoting effective collaboration in the fields of agriculture and tourism, creating a premise for trade and investment cooperation.  VNS
AGMs, touted as the pinnacle of transparency, turned out to be elusive, frustrating, and at times, downright comical. Join me on a deeply personal and critical journey as I peel back the layers of the AGM experience, highlighting the emotional turbulence and persistent pursuit of truth.

A rollercoaster of emotions: To block or not to block?

The veil of secrecy extended beyond the walls of the AGM room, leaving me feeling like an outsider in search of a forbidden treasure. Countless companies conveniently overlooked the presence of journalists, selectively inviting a privileged few to deliver their tailored narratives.

Left with limited options, I found myself either investing my own hard-earned money to acquire shares of interest or relying on my connections with stockbrokers and investors to secure proxy rights. But even then, gaining access was far from guaranteed.

Picture this, my portfolio boasts 10 carefully selected stocks, yet I received a mere three email invitations for this year's AGM season. Conversations with Vuong Nam, a broker at Mirae Asset Vietnam Securities, exposed the disheartening truth that this was an all-too-common occurrence.

When brokerage firms inquired about the lack of invitations, companies conveniently blamed the postal service, claiming invitations were lost in transit. Year after year, this dance of evasion persisted, leaving investors and journalists alike to scour websites for morsels of information.

The struggle didn't end with securing an invitation. Numerous companies, in a bid to preserve the illusion of exclusivity, set ownership conditions that effectively silenced smaller shareholders. Only those who owned a minimum of 2,000 shares were granted entry, while the rest of us were relegated to the fringes, treated as inconsequential observers.

The fine art of journalistic care

Some companies went to extraordinary lengths to ensure journalists remained mere spectators, denying us the opportunity to dig beneath the glossy surface.

An anonymous communications director from a construction company revealed their cloak-and-dagger approach, "We meticulously scrutinise the shareholder list, singling out the smaller, newer names. If we find that their contact addresses match those of media organisations, we immediately alert the leadership and the team, assigning someone to keep a watchful eye on them."

It was a bittersweet mix of amusement and frustration, realising we were viewed as potential troublemakers rather than truth-seekers.

Even when we managed to overcome these hurdles and check-in successfully, our ability to extract meaningful information was systematically stifled. The chairpersons, who held the reins of power during the AGMs, tightly controlled the Q&A sessions, prioritising questions from larger, more familiar shareholders.

This biased approach left little room for genuine engagement or the revelation of pertinent internal matters. Additionally, AGMs often featured imbalanced schedules, with excessive time allocated to procedural formalities or the rehashing of previously published reports, effectively curtailing shareholders' right to question company executives.

Case studies: Transparency and empathy triumph

Amidst the labyrinth of obfuscation, a few AGMs pierced through the veil, leaving an indelible mark on my soul.

At the 2023 AGM of Dabaco Corporation, chairman Nguyen Nhu So offered a rare moment of candidness. He shared the company's hardships, confessing a staggering loss of $3.4 million in the last quarter of 2022 and a meagre annual profit of only $226,000, a devastating 99 per cent decline compared to the previous year.

Dabaco had weathered the dual storms of African swine fever and the pandemic-induced economic downturn, leaving shareholders reeling with empathy and a glimmer of hope for the company's resurgence.

Unlike other gatherings, Bamboo Capital Group's (BCG) leadership showcased an unwavering commitment to transparency and genuine engagement. In a departure from the common practice of allowing a select few favourite shareholders to pose multiple questions at once, BCG's approach was refreshingly different.

They embraced an individualised Q&A format that prioritised fairness and inclusivity, giving each shareholder the opportunity to have their concerns addressed directly. They broke free from the mould, accepting questions from shareholders one by one, including those brought forward by journalists.

From inquiries about the ever-changing regulatory legal framework to concerns about the company's strategic direction, no topic was off-limits. What also impressed me was the boards ability to articulate their responses with utmost clarity, even when communicating in English. Their fluency and command of English surpassed that of many directors in the Vietnamese market, making them stand out on an international stage.

As I stepped into the AGM 2023 of ACB, a profound sense of empathy permeated the air. The shareholders, united by their unwavering support for the bank, shared stories of resilience and loyalty. Through tearful testimonials and heartfelt exchanges, I witnessed a genuine sense of camaraderie and a deep-seated connection between the shareholders and the institution they believed in.

Listening to their tales of investing in ACB when it was still finding its footing, I couldn't help but be moved by the deep emotional connection they had forged with the bank. In this poignant gathering, I realised that ACB's success was not just about financial figures and market performance. It was about the unwavering loyalty and enduring belief of these elder shareholders who had witnessed the bank's journey from struggling underdog to emerging leader.

Their presence served as a powerful reminder that businesses are not just about profits and losses; they are about the human stories and connections that shape them.

These AGMs remind me that openness, empathy, and a genuine willingness to listen are the building blocks of a robust corporate culture that not only values shareholders but cherishes the human connections that lie at the heart of every business.

The AGM journey, laden with emotion, has taught me the power of transparency and the value of its relentless pursuit. It is imperative that companies cast aside the shackles of secrecy and embrace genuine openness, creating a platform for true dialogue between shareholders and the leadership.

VIR to host Digital Media for a Stronger Business Partnership talk show Government regulators and industry experts will converge for a stimulating discourse on the prospects and hurdles of media digitalisation at the VIR studio on the morning of June 20, commemorating Vietnam's 98th Revolutionary Press Day.

The impact of media on investment Vietnams business press has been making contributions to the successful performance of enterprises and experts in the country. However, improvements are needed to meet the growing demands of readers.


Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, top left, and Tehran Times Editor-in-Chief Mohammad Sarfi, top right, show their respective copies of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed to promote cooperation between the two news outlets, during an online signing ceremony, Monday. Other participants are Managing Director Mohammad Mahdi Rahmati, top right, and Iranian Ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Koozechi, bottom right. Korea Times photo by Kwak Won-hee







By Jeon Yae-wool



The Korea Times and the Tehran Times have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for content exchange and to explore possible business collaborations.



The MOU, signed on June 19 via an online conference, calls for the two media organizations to share selected content including text, photos, videos and other media formats.



Korea Times President Oh Young-jin said, "In an era where there is no borderline, the free flow of information is pivotal. We expect to see improvement in readership, business opportunities and global context for our mutual readers through this MOU."



Mohammad Mahdi Rahmati, managing director of the Tehran Times, said that the Tehran-based English daily needs more connections between reliable news sources to provide real insight into what is happening around the world.



"I hope this agreement will provide the ground for better and more coverage of news items in the two countries," he said.



After the two leaders signed the MOU, Saeed Koozechi, Iranian Ambassador to South Korea, offered a congratulatory remark. "Increasing news exchanges can lead to a better understanding of the public opinion of Iran and South Korea. I believe this MOU will lead to better and closer cooperation between the two countries."



The MOU is expected to allow the two media outlets to provide more diverse cross-cultural content with insightful perspectives to their readers.


In its latest report on global economic prospects released over a week ago, the World Bank predicted that in 2023, lacklustre growth in the global goods trade, which is a key engine of East Asia and Pacific in recent decades, is expected to weigh on activity, particularly in Vietnam where growth is projected to moderate.

Containers at Gemalink International Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. (Photo: VNA)

The bank has lowered Vietnams economic growth for 2023 from 6.3 per cent in its January forecast to 6 per cent this year, 6.2 per cent in 2024, and 6.5 per cent in 2025.

However, these rates are the highest in Southeast Asia, with the growth rate in 2023 being 5.5 per cent for Cambodia, 4.9 per cent for Indonesia, 4.3 per cent for Malaysia, and 3.9 per cent for both Laos and Thailand.

The Vietnamese economy is facing external headwinds as weakening external demand weighs on exports, translating into weak industrial production. While domestic consumption remains robust, credit growth slowed, reflecting weak credit demand, the World Bank said in its May bulletin on the Vietnamese economic performance.

According to the Vietnamese General Statistics Office, Vietnams index for industrial production (IIP) in the first five months of this year dropped 2 per cent compared to the same period last year, when the IIP climbed 8.1 per cent on-year.

The IIP for the processing and manufacturing sector declined 2.5 per cent against the corresponding period last year, when it rose 8.9 per cent on-year. The electricity production and distribution sector climbed only 0.8 per cent on-year, while the mining sector fell 3.5 per cent on-year, and the water supply, wastewater, and waste management and treatment sector expanded 6.4 per cent.

Spanish global analysts FocusEconomics told VIR that in Vietnam, economic momentum will soften this year due to slower growth in private consumption, fixed investment, and exports.

That said, stronger fiscal spending would add support, and Vietnam would remain among ASEANs top performers, FocusEconomics said. Foreign exchange fluctuations, monetary policy, relations with the US, and the impact of Chinas recovery on exports are key factors to watch.

The analysts forecast Vietnams GDP to expand to 5.4 per cent in 2023, down by 0.3 percentage points from the firms forecast made one month ago, and increase to 6.5 per cent in 2024.

After sliding 11.2 per cent on-year in April, industrial output rose 0.1 per cent on-year in May. This still signals a worsening trend in the industrial sector.

FocusEconomics sees industrial production expanding 5 per cent in 2023, down by 2.5 percentage points from one month ago, and climbing to 8.8 per cent in 2024.

Prompted by economic woes, the International Monetary Fund has also lowered its projection for Vietnams growth from 6.2 per cent in January to 5.8 per cent for this year and 6.9 per cent for next year. Despite the revision, this will still be among the highest in the emerging and developing Asia group of 30 economies.

At the National Assembly, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said, The crucial thing for enterprises is that they must have orders as soon as possible because orders will help them boost production and business activities. However, they are facing numerous burdensome administrative procedures. Many businesses are lamenting that such procedures in many localities are very slow as state cadres dont want to work, and instead shirk responsibility.

According to the World Bank, one of the biggest drivers for economic growth in Vietnam is to boost public investment.

Acceleration of public investment disbursement could support aggregate demand and economic growth in the short run while ensuring investments in human capital and resilient and green infrastructure will bolster long term economic development, the bank said

Vietnams GDP grew 8.02 per cent last year, the highest in 10 years, while total per capita income hit $4,110.

Looking ahead, we think that headwinds to the property sector will remain significant amid a broader slowdown in the economy and rising costs of financing. We forecast Vietnams real GDP growth to slow from 8.02 per cent in 2022 to 6.5 per cent in 2023, and we expect the State Bank of Vietnam to hike its benchmark policy rate by 100 basis points in 2023. The challenging outlook for real estate will, in turn, weigh on Vietnams banking prospects. Official estimates suggest that around one-fifth of the banking sectors loans are owed by the property sector. While Vietnams non-performing loan ratio has remained low, at generally less than 2 per cent since 2018, we think that it could rise to as high as 2.5-3 per cent in 2023. Lastly, the banking sectors capital adequacy is difficult to ascertain and is probably overstated. The latest available data from the International Monetary Fund showed that the banking sectors regulatory capital to risk weighted assets ratio stood at 11.3 per cent at end-2021, slightly above the minimum regulatory capital adequacy requirement of 9 per cent. However, the data is impaired by the fact that many banks were not reporting in line with Basel II requirements back then. A growing number of banks have been gradually adopting the more stringent Basel II standards ever since. We expect the data to soon reflect the weakening picture of Vietnams banking capitalisation levels.Source: Fitch Solutions.

ASEAN, Eurasian Economic Union hold business dialogue A business dialogue between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was held on June 15 in the framework of the 26th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia.
Jones Lang Lasalle Group (JLL) announced on June 14 that it has effectively advised on the sale of a portfolio of three prominent Southeast Asian hotels, one in Indonesia and two in Ho Chi Minh City.

The three hotels, including the Pullman Jakarta Central Park (Indonesia), the Ibis Saigon South, and the Capri by Fraser (both in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City), were sold smoothly in transactions exceeding $106 million in value. According to JLL, this is their first sale of a hotel portfolio in the Southeast Asian market in 2023.

At the end of May, Keppel Group announced spending approximately $135 million to acquire stakes in two properties from Khang Dien House Trading and Investment JSC in Thu Duc city  Emeria (6 hectares) and Clarita (5.8ha). Consequently, Keppel Group now owns 49 per cent of the two enterprises, while Khang Dien retains the remaining 51 per cent.

Neil MacGregor, managing director of Savills Vietnam, stated at the end of last month that the company's investment consulting division was working on more than five merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions worth between $50 and $100 million each.

In addition to the three negotiations involving office structures in operation in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with institutional investors from abroad as the purchasers, a number of domestic investors also have their sights set on hotel properties.

According to the Vietnam Association of Realtors (VARS), the number of outside investors engaged in and gaining knowledge about M&A deals for real estate projects is rising dramatically.

Notable is the array of Singaporean, South Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Malaysian investors. However, according to VARS, the number of successful transactions to date has been extremely low, and no major M&A transactions have yet been disclosed.

According to VARS, the challenging economic climate has compelled multi-industry businesses to concentrate on their core markets, leaving them with only the capacity for small- and medium-sized transactions.

Only a few real estate developers in the country are able to organise the capital flows needed to buy, in light of their diminished liquidity and elevated financial costs. Therefore, VARS believes that foreign capital inflows alone can increase the volume of billion-dollar transactions. However, the majority of these are still in the evaluation and negotiation stages.

"Another reason why two parties may be unable to close a deal is that many project investors still have regrets or unrealistic expectations, or they encounter challenges when trying to generate a profit. Therefore, the asking price was not convincing," VARS explained.

In addition, legal barriers make many projects ineligible for transfer, even if they desire it. This is due to the inconsistency of the legal system and the complexity of land administration procedures, VARS added.

"The M&A capital flows, if executed and signed in the near future, are anticipated to be an impetus for the market's recovery," emphasised VARS.

Nations real estate requiring a greater policy drive The second quarter of this year will see new legal documents issued that will alleviate difficulties in Vietnams real estate market. Nguyen Van Dinh, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Association, spoke with VIRs Hai Van about the issues involved.

Capital thirst to fuel real estate M&A: insiders Many property developers are planning asset and stock sales as they look to slash debts, restructure business and stay afloat, which is expected to lead to a surge in M&A deals in the market.
Discussing how planning plays a significant role in the development of the country and its localities, Minister Dung said, "Hai Duong has achieved many positive results in its development as it is located in an economic development corridor. However, it is still underdeveloped due to low per-capita income, an economic growth rate placing it 8th out of the 11 provinces in the region, an unsustainable budget, and an inability to entice adequate investment to the province."

Minister Dung requested a clear indication of where the bottleneck is and what the greatest obstacles are to shift the necessary resources to speed up a development breakthrough.

The minister agreed with the development of an economic zone in Hai Duong, as recommended in the draft provincial master plan, due to the province being landlocked with no port or even an airport.

"Foreign investors in the semiconductor sector are actively looking for investment opportunities in Vietnam's economic zones. This is a precious opportunity for the province to rearrange development spaces based on attractive policies for investors in this field," said Dung.

According to Chairman of Hai Duong People's Committee Trieu The Hung, the province is aiming to become a modern, civilised, industrialised province through sustainable development and with a rich cultural identity. "Average regional GDP growth for each person will be higher than that of the whole country by 2030 and will be the dynamic industrial centre of the Red River Delta region," Hung said.

The draft provincial master plan sets the regional GDP growth in the period 2021 - 2030 at 9.5 per cent per year. The current GDP per person in Hai Duong province will hit about VND100 million ($4,250) by 2025 and VND180 million ($7,650) by 2030.

To realise these goals, the total capital needed is estimated at VND582 trillion ($24.7 billion), according to the draft of the master plan.

The development of Hai Duong will be based around the North-South development axis, that connects the two major cities of the province, Hai Duong and Chi Linh with easy connections to Hanoi, and the East-West development axis of the provincial centre, based on Hanoi to Haiphong Expressway.

The East-West axis passes through the northern region of the province through Chi Linh city, connecting to Noi Bai International Airport. A new motorway between Noi Bai and Halong will be complete by 2030, further strengthening the regional economy.

The economic development along the river routes will be focused on the Thai Binh River and will promote water transport and develop local agricultural and tourism activities.

New ventures underpinning Hai Duongs prosperity Foreign capital in the northern province of Hai Duong is increasingly prosperous, thanks to its attractive potential and incentives, as well as environmental reforms which enhance high competitiveness.

PM Pham Minh Chinh pays working visit to Hai Duong province Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a working visit to northern Hai Duong province on March 15, during which he toured of economic and social facilities, such as Ford Vietnam Co.Ltd and local social protection centre, and attended a ceremony to recognise the provinces fulfillment of the new rural development task.
Matec, a subsidiary responsible for managing the entirety of Hoa Binhs machinery and equipment, will be divested to Ashita Company, an investor specialising in machinery trading, which will acquire the shares for VND1.1 trillion ($46.7 million).

Le Van Nam, CEO of Hoa Binh Construction, stated that the divestment of the subsidiary aligns with the company's restructuring plan.

Once the necessary procedures are completed, the funding will be disbursed to Hoa Binh's various business operations. The move follows a previous resolution by Hoa Binhs Board of Directors on May 20, which involved the transfer of the entire capital contribution of Hoa Binh Innovation Centre Limited Liability Company to Nuance Limited Liability Company for VND167 billion ($7.1 million).

"The comprehensive restructuring of Hoa Binh is an urgent and necessary plan for this year. We will retain only those companies with efficient business activities while continuing to invest towards our goal of an initial public offering in the near future," said Nam.

Furthermore, Nam indicated that the financial departments of all subsidiaries and affiliates will be consolidated under the Financial Committee of the conglomerate to achieve centralised financial management and risk control.

On February 13, after internal turbulence at the top level, the companys Board of Directors approved the resignation of Nguyen Cong Phu, an independent member of the board. The company has also received a resignation letter from Le Quoc Duy, another board member, which will be considered at this year's shareholders' meeting.

Meiko Corporation to invest $200 million in electronic manufacturing project in Hoa Binh province Japans Meiko Corporation has recently partnered with the leadership of Hoa Binh province to propose an investment plan for constructing an electronic circuit manufacturing facility at the Da River Left Bank Industrial Park in Hoa Binh city.
The landmark new partnership aims to harness the power of new technologies to improve the standards of healthcare for Vietnamese patients.

This strategic partnership is the latest phase in Hoan Mys digital transformation and road to clinical excellence  a programme to integrate and embed modern medical equipment, services, and digital technologies throughout its network in Vietnam.

In partnering with Siemens Healthineers, Hoan My aims to accelerate this transformation and deliver more seamless, efficient, and effective treatment and care.

The partnership will include cooperation in specialities such as radiology, using advanced devices like high-end CT and 3T MRI machines to diagnose and monitor patients suffering from some of the most challenging diseases.

The partnership aims to establish Centres of Excellence in medical and surgical specialities, using international experts to deliver the most advanced specialised care in Vietnam.

The agreement will also see Siemens Healthineers work with Hoan My to improve its cardiology services through modern imaging techniques and digital technologies.

The partnership aims to establish Centres of Excellence in medical and surgical specialities, using international experts to deliver the most advanced specialised care in Vietnam.

Dilshaad Ali Bin Abas Ali, CEO of Hoan My Medical Group said, New technologies have the power to transform healthcare, enabling doctors to better diagnose diseases and improve the standard of care for patients.

Thats why Hoan My is optimising its entire ecosystem, so patients can experience more seamless and personalised healthcare. This strategic partnership is another step on our mission to be the pioneer of innovative private healthcare in Vietnam, Ali continued.

Managing director of Siemens Healthineers Southeast Asia Fabrice Leguet stated, Siemens Healthineers is excited to partner with Hoan My to achieve its goal of becoming the leading and most-trusted healthcare organisation in Vietnam.

"As one of the worlds biggest medtech companies, we can provide clinical insight, medical innovation, strategic vision, and implementation expertise to Hoan My, its medical professionals, and its patients. I look forward to a long and productive partnership together," concluded Leguet.

Thomson Medical Group in negotiations to bolster stake in FV Hospital Singapore's Thomson Medical Group is in talks to strengthen its controlling stake in FV Hospital, potentially acquiring a substantial $400 million equity sale.

Vietnam, Cuba to enhance trade, investment ties Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi held a working session with Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz in Hanoi on September 27.

Vietnam, Japan partner to develop startups, innovative companies A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on innovation cooperation has been signed, under which Japan will help Vietnam develop startups and innovative companies within the 8th phase of the Vietnam - Japan Joint Initiative.
The Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Sanur in Bali, Indonesia. (Source: thebalisun.com)

Jakarta  PT Pertamina Bina Medika Indonesia Healthcare Corporation (IHC) has announced that it is constructing Bali International Hospital (BIH), an internationally recognised healthcare facility in the Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Sanur, Bali.

IHC's Main Director Mira Dyah Wahyuni told the media on June 19 that the hospital is expected to boost healthcare tourism of Indonesia.

BIH will have centres of excellence, known as CONGO (Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Gastroentero-Hepatology, and Orthopedic).

Additionally, medical check-up (MCU) services and diagnostic centres will be available to ensure comprehensive healthcare services.

According to Mira, about 2 million Indonesians annually still seek medical services abroad because domestic medical services do not meet standards. Therefore, the establishment of BIH will ensure medical services for people in the country. In the long term, BIH will attract tourists who have demand for medical tourism including convalescence and treatment in Bali.

She said that BIH is designed as a medical tourism service in Indonesia and plans to commence operations in the second quarter of 2024. The hospital is built with an eco-friendly hospital concept, aiming to reduce waste, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

The hospital ps five hectares with four floors and 260 wards. Collaborating with Mayo Clinic, a globally renowned and trusted hospital in the US, BIH aims to deliver high-quality services to Indonesian patients with international standards.

Bali bans foreign tourists from using crypto for payment The provincial government of Bali on May 28 warned tourists against paying for goods and services in cryptocurrencies on the popular resort island of Indonesia.
The ibis Saigon South and Capri by Fraser were among the latest transactions announced last week by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.

Investors are seeking quality hotels in the post-pandemic landscape

In its latest announcement, JLL said that a landmark transaction, including two developments in Vietnam and one in Indonesia, settled for $106.1 million, marking the first hotel portfolio sale in the Southeast Asia region for 2023. Three hotels are strategically located in the key gateway cities of Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City, representing 632 rooms.

Investors are extremely confident on the fundamentals of Southeast Asias hotel space. 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, says Julien Naouri, SVP of Investment Sales in Asia-Pacific for JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.

The Capri by Fraser and ibis Saigon South are the only internationally branded hotels situated in walking distance of offices tenanted by multinational companies and the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, the citys largest exhibition facility.

Despite macroeconomic headwinds, the project was completed within six months of its launch, reinforcing the strength of JLLs global investment advisory network. Through our deep understanding of the local markets, we successfully navigated the intricacies of the investment environment, identifying the right buyers and achieving optimal outcomes for our client, said Nihat Ercan, CEO in Asia-Pacific for JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.

As a consultant who regularly contacts investors, Phan Xuan Can, chairman of Sohovietnam, a company specialising in the transfer and sale of real estate projects, said that there were currently a number of domestic and international investors with capital resources in hand, looking for 4-star and 5-star hotels.

The asking price of hospitality in this period is softened significantly compared to before the pandemic, with more opportunity open for both buyers and sellers, Can said.

Potential buyers are funds specialising in hotel and resort investments from wealthy families around the world. These funds have clear strategies and criteria for the Vietnamese market.

After the pandemic, they all see this as an opportunity to buy quality hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, or in coastal areas like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Hoi An. The portfolio that these funds have is usually 5-7 hotels worth about $50-70 million per asset, Can said.

The second potential group is foreign companies and corporations operating in other fields, such as essential consumer goods and medical equipment, and want to expand their portfolio into the hotel and resort segment.

In the past 10 years, Vietnam market has been the focus of the property mergers and acquisitions sector with dozens of deals carried out involving foreign capital. The most favoured destinations are Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Phu Quoc, Dalat, and Quang Nam.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have a hotel merger and acquisition (M&A) market outperforming the rest, while the latter is the leader in terms of transaction value across the country.

In the past, Ho Chi Minh City was not only the centre of high-class hotel M&A transactions on a national level, but also entered the top 10 most popular hotel M&A deals in the Asia-Pacific region.

Among the deals were Indochine Park Tower, Movenpick Saigon, Riverside Serviced Apartments, New World Saigon Hotel, Duxton Hotel Saigon, and Intercontinental Asiana Saigon.

Hospitality industry looks to level up Savills Hotels, in partnership with WeHub, hosted a Meet The Experts event in Ho Chi Minh City on March 30. More than 40 speakers held lively discussions with international developers, hotel owners, and professionals while the industry's performance was reviewed and market prospects were discussed.

Hospitality and real estate conference a soaring success Vietnams largest Hospitality and Real Estate conference Meet The Experts, organised by Savills in partnership with Dulux Professional, took place at InterContinental Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on March 30.

2023 Vietnam Hospitality Conference kicks off Post-pandemic tourism is expected to boost the Vietnamese hospitality real estate industry despite various hurdles, according to speakers at the 2023 Vietnam Hospitality Conference.

Vietnams hospitality attracts foreign investors The emergence of foreign hotel brands through investment capital, acquisition of exploitation rights, and mergers, highlights the hotel business as an attractive field for foreign capital.
The partnerships initiatives and activities will be implemented through the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam (PSAV), currently chaired by the MARD and co-chaired by Nestle Vietnam.

Within the framework of the collaboration, Nestle Vietnam will work with the MARD to share and advance regenerative farming practices among coffee farmers. These practices will help reduce CO 2 emissions and improve the resilience of farms to climate change. The company will share technology, research, and digital capabilities with the MARD and with farmers, and will further enhance multi-stakeholder cooperation in the sector.

The agreement was reached during an official meeting between Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Quoc Tri and Ulf Mark Schneider, chief executive of Nestle S.A. We want to transition to an ecological, low-emission agriculture model to help Vietnam achieve its net-zero goal, said Tri.

Strengthening the public-private partnership with businesses that are at the forefront of sustainability will contribute to more sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Vietnam, he added.

As part of the meeting, Schneider and Tri kicked off an agroforestry and reforestation project in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The project aims to plant and grow over 2.3 million forest and fruit trees on the coffee farms of the Central Highlands of Vietnam by 2027. It is estimated that these trees will sequester 480,000 tonnes of CO 2 over a 5-year period.

This initiative will help provide additional and more stable income to farmers and improve coffee-farm productivity in the long term. It will make farms more resistant to pests as well as to climatic hazards, including droughts and heavy rains, and will improve soil quality and biodiversity.

Agriculture within our supply chains accounts for more than two-thirds of our total greenhouse gas emissions, said Schneider. As one of our key coffee sourcing origins, Vietnam is a major priority for us. We are committed to helping coffee farmers in the country transition to regenerative agriculture to improve livelihoods and address climate change through our Nescafe Plan. We are also working to restore Vietnams forests and natural ecosystems.

Nestle aims to plant 200 million trees within its sourcing landscapes globally by 2030. The companys reforestation scheme is a key part of its Net Zero Roadmap.

Nestles long-term goals to support Vietnams regenerative agriculture Since climate change has become a major threat to agriculture, Nestle is aiming to become a net-zero company and accelerating the move towards regenerative food systems at scale. David Rennie, deputy executive vice president and head of Nestle Coffee Brands and Philipp Navratil, SVP and head of Coffee Strategic Business Unit at Nestle S.A., shared with VIRs Mai Van the groups regenerative agriculture approach and its importance for Nestles roadmap.

Nestle Vietnam promotes the circular economy model On April 13, the 2023 Sustainable Development Conference brought together experts and representatives of industry leaders in Vietnam. These included Binu Jacob, general director of Nestle Vietnam, who shared his belief that environmental pollution and resource depletion are disrupting the natural regeneration cycle and causing climate change.
The RoK's Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young Ju. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam, Oh Young Ju, has said the upcoming Vietnam visit by the RoKs President Yoon Suk Yeol from June 22-24 holds significance as it is the first year the two countries have deployed their Comprehensive strategic partnership.

It will be the first State visit to Vietnam by the RoK President, and Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian country that the leader will visit since he took office in May 2022.

In an interview recently granted to the press, Oh said this will be an occasion for Vietnamese and Korean leaders to share views on orientations and set forth visions for the bilateral ties. It will also be an opportunity for them to reach consensus on an action plan to effectively realise the Comprehensive strategic partnership and further develop the bilateral relationship that has been developing strongly and fruitfully over the past three decades.

According to the ambassador, economy has been the most important cooperation area between the two nations over the past years. The two countries have been effectively working together in this field, utilising the most efficient approaches and forms to mutually support and complement each other.

During this visit, over 200 Korean enterprises, including executives of five leading Korean groups, will accompany President Yoon. It is the highest number of businesses participating in a president's visit to a foreign country in recent times, demonstrating the rapidly growing and impressive economic, investment, and trade cooperation between the two nations.

Looking back on the past time, Oh said the bilateral investment cooperation has primarily focused on the fields of manufacturing and processing. However, both governments and businesses of the two countries have recently recognised the importance of identifying new projects and areas of cooperation, such as climate change response, environment, digital transformation, smart city development, and energy transition. It is expected that there will be the presence of many Korean enterprises related to these fields in the visit.

The RoK Government expects that through this visit, the bilateral collaboration in diplomacy, defence and culture will also be stepped up, she said, expressing her hope that Vietnam and the RoK will further enhance coordination at multilateral forums to contribute to stability, peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

Asked about Vietnams position in the RoKs strategic foreign policy priorities, the diplomat said the administration of President Yoon has outlined a new diplomatic strategy with the goal of becoming a central global player to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

In the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Korean-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) initiated by the Korean Government, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an important partner of the RoK. Especially, Vietnam plays a crucial role in tightening the ASEAN-RoK relations and bridging ASEAN with the RoK.

According to the diplomat, the RoK-Vietnam relations are witnessing strong development in many fields, especially in economy, diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges.

She hoped that in the future, the RoK will engage in discussions and exchanges with Vietnam to further boost comprehensive cooperation in various spheres such as economy, security, culture, people-to-people exchange and official development assistance (ODA).

The ambassador affirmed that the President's upcoming visit will carry another important message, which is the continued determination of both countries to enhance their relationship for a better future that brings benefits to their people, with a focus placed on the promotion of people-to-people exchanges and the building of practical support policies for their younger generations.

Number of Vietnamese labourers in RoK grows The number of Vietnamese workers registered to work in the Republic of Korea (RoK) has reached more than 23,400, nearly double the agreed recruitment target between Vietnam and the RoK, the Centre for Overseas Labour under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs announced.

Vietnam ranks second in number of students in the RoK The number of Vietnamese students in the Republic of Korea (RoK) ranks second, behind China, with 37,490 students as of April 1, according to statistics released by the Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI).
For nearly three years now, An Phat Holdings  a leader in environmentally friendly plastic production  has been selling its bioproducts on Amazon to consumers in the US and EU markets.

Nguyen Le Thang Long, deputy CEO of An Phat Holdings said, Online exports prove a smart move in the digital era. Doing business on Amazon helps the company to directly approach the end-users. Our sales revenue through this platform rose 21-fold last year compared to 2021.

An Phat Holdings has leveraged the Amazon platform to reach US and EU consumers for several years

Similarly, in 2021 Long An Food Processing Export JSC (Lafooco) started selling its cashew nut products on Amazon.

To achieve this, the company has had to implement many procedures required by Amazon, such as acquiring a certificate from the US Food and Drug Administration, and compliance with US stamp and packing requirements.

As of now, the companys diverse processed cashew nut products are selling well on Amazon. Having exported cashew nut products reach US consumers bearing the Vietnamese firm's brand was a big motivating for Lafooco to make strides selling products on Amazon.

According to Lai Viet Anh, deputy director general of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, overseas e-commerce has helped Vietnamese companies to upscale their businesses, which in turn has significant spillover effects on many other firms.

The global business-to-consumer revenue through e-commerce platforms is estimated to reach $2.88 trillion in 2023.

The product sectors with bright export potential on the Amazon platform include consumer goods, fine handicrafts, wooden furniture, and processed agricultural items.

More businesses join training programmes offered by Amazon to facilitate their business on international e-commerce platforms and access more end users.

Figures by the UK-based public policy consultancy Access Partnership show that Vietnams business-to-consumer (B2C) online export revenue approximated $3.5 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2027.

In a more upbeat scenario, this firm even puts Vietnams online export revenue at $13 billion by 2027.

The global B2C revenue through e-commerce platforms is estimated to reach $2.88 trillion in 2023.

The constant development of e-commerce markets among Vietnams major training partners such as China, Japan, South Korea, and the EU ushers in multiple opportunities for firms with solid products and business acumen.

CEO of Amazon Global Selling Vietnam Gijae Seong reported that, in 2022, the export value of Vietnamese businesses selling on Amazon showed a 45 per cent jump on-year.

Vietnamese partners sold nearly 10 million items on Amazons online platform across the globe.

Transition period sets path for UK export prospects Exporters of industrial items in Vietnam will have to abide by a new marking regulation from Great Britain when they want to export their goods there.

Rubber producers aspire rosy profit picture in 2022 Many listed rubber businesses aspire to beautify their profit picture this year, leveraging both favourable market conditions and abrupt factors.

Generali Group closes H1 with rosy performance At a recent meeting chaired by chairman Gabriele Galateri di Genola, the Board of Directors of Italy-based Generali Group approved the consolidated financial report for the first half, expressing satisfaction with the excellent results achieved in a particularly challenging environment.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Monday. AP-Yonhap



Beijing's attempt to manage bilateral tensions ruffles Pyongyang: analysts



By Jung Min-ho



North Korea on Wednesday belittled U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to Beijing as a "begging trip" to reduce bilateral tensions, in remarks analysts believe revealed the regime's desire to maintain the Cold War-like status quo.



Citing Jong Yong-hak, an analyst on international affairs, the North's official Korean Central News Agency portrayed Blinken's trip as an admission of the failure of U.S.' policy of putting pressure on China, following one of the most significant exchanges between the two nations under President Joe Biden.



The state news agency then slammed the "double-dealing and impudence" of Washington, siding with Beijing, which demands the lifting of all U.S. tech restrictions targeting Chinese companies.



"China tends to view North Korea as a liability when it has a good relationship with the United States and treats it as an asset when that relationship is bad. The media report shows North Korea's anxiety about a possible U.S.-China detente," Park Won-gon, an expert on North Korea at Ewha Womans University, told The Korea Times.



"China has given undivided support for the North on the world stage (such as at the United Nations) in recent years. It fears that China's support may weaken as its relations with the U.S. improves," he added.



In other words, Pyongyang fears a scenario where China uses North Korea as a diplomatic card against the U.S. Taking advantage of the new Cold War climate amid Russia's war in Ukraine and China's intensifying hegemony rivalry with the U.S., the North has been able to develop unlawful weapons, while avoiding additional sanctions with China and Russia  permanent members of the U.N. Security Council  rejecting any united move to punish its behavior.





A TV screen shows a report of North Korea's missile launch at Seoul Station, June 15. AP-Yonhap
In Singapore (Photo: AFP)

Hanoi  Singapore has for the first time overcome Hong Kong (China), London (UK) and New York (US) to become the most expensive city for an upper-class lifestyle, according to the 2023 Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report released recently by Julius Baer Group based in Switzerland.



The report indicated that cars and basic health insurance in Singapore are more expensive than the global average, with costs standing at 133% and 109%, respectively. These figures are part of the 12 consumer goods and 8 services reflecting the spending patterns of the wealthy.



Singapore is one of the first cities in Asia to ease COVID-19 restrictions, and it has quickly witnessed an influx of wealth into the island state.



The report also highlighted that Singapore has a high demand for housing, expensive education, and a high cost of living in general.



Shanghai, which held the top position in 2022, has dropped to the second place, possibly due to prolonged pandemic restrictions compared to other cities. Hong Kong ranks third, while Johannesburg (South Africa) is placed at the bottom of the list, which includes 25 cities worldwide.



Last year, Singapore and New York topped the list of the world's most expensive cities to live in, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).



The increasing population, both local and foreign, in a small land area is considered the primary reason for the consistently high cost of living in Singapore. The city-state has limited natural resources and needs to import almost all of its food. The cost of owning and using a car in Singapore is also among the highest in the world.

Singapore biggest foreign investor in HCM City Singapore was the biggest foreign investor in Ho Chi Minh City in terms of newly-registered projects and capital contribution for share purchases in the last five months, with 72 new projects worth 121.5 million USD, accounting for 60.8 per cent of the total capital of the new projects.

Singapore, US agree to enhance defence cooperation Singapores Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen had a meeting with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin at the Shangri-La Singapore hotel on June 2, during which the two sides affirmed their commitment to continue seeking opportunities to promote bilateral defence cooperation.
However, before the transaction would be finalised, the client demanded to see evidence of how the manufacturer based in Vietnam adopted responsible corporate practices, particularly in the treatment of its employees and their working conditions. I asked him about the size of the two companies and to my surprise, he indicated both companies were small- and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs).

Sustainability reporting in Vietnam: why it matters (illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com)

Years ago, few businesses cared about how suppliers treated their workers, let alone based their transactions on such matters. It used to be the big and multinational companies that embraced the idea because of their global presence, stakeholder obligations, and brand promotion objectives. But here we are, SMEs are also considering the working conditions of employees of prospective suppliers before placing orders.

Dr. Samuel Buertey - Accounting lecturer, Business School, RMIT Vietnam

More than ever before, there is much expectation for companies to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable business practices. Stakeholders are interested in the impact of companies on the economy, environment, and society. Such societal expectations were once only known in advanced countries. Things have changed.

Even though local expectations in developing countries may be low, the demand for sustainable business practices has moved beyond national borders. External forces also push local companies towards such practices, especially in countries where companies are exposed to international markets. And this is where many emerging economies, such as Vietnam, find themselves.

Vietnam has gradually positioned itself as a manufacturing and business process outsourcing location for many global brands, and the 2021 Kearney Global Service Location Index ranked Vietnam as the sixth viable offshore destination out of 60 countries.

While factors such as cost, skilled labour force, and stable economy are central attraction points for the growth in Vietnams business process outsourcing, recent data shows that many more companies are factoring in the planet when it comes to outsourcing decisions.

Thus, most companies looking to improve their business process with outsourcing are also keen on being as sustainable as possible. Companies do this by ensuring that they work with a supplier who cares as much as they do to transform our world for the better.

In a 2020 Harvard Business Review article, the authors indicated a growing number of global groups would be pledging to work only with suppliers that commit to social and environmental standards. This forms part of their wider sustainable supply chain management efforts that seeks to cascade sustainable practices throughout the organisation-wide supply network.

Research from Ernst & Young in 2022 found that eight out of 10 supply chain leaders are committing to sustainable supply chain operations, focusing on, among other things, ethical sourcing as part of their larger sustainability goals.

Companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development goals through reporting.

Sustainability reporting is the disclosure and communication of environmental, social and governance goals as well as the progress towards them. Such reporting should not only be seen as the reserve of big public companies and multinationals. Any company that genuinely prioritises sustainability must have little problem producing a list of its sustainable goals and how it is working towards them.

There are certainly some notable efforts by a number of companies currently producing sustainability reports in Vietnam. However, there are too few, and they are generally large publicly-listed companies. According to the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, only 19 public companies issued a separate sustainability report in 2022.

Considering the current global trend where many companies are committing to sustainable supply chain management through outsourcing, it is expected that many more companies in Vietnam will not only embrace sustainable business practices but will put in place measures to document and report on such to remain attractive in the international business process outsourcing industry.

Sustainability reports still underutilised Besides annual reports, sustainability reports are increasingly creating competitive advantages and attracting investor attention. However, only a few listed companies in Vietnam have issues such a report, with most only at acceptable quality.
Illustrative image (Source:malaymail.com)

Kuala Lumpur  Vietnam is among the six ASEAN economies forecast to grow by 4.2 per cent in 2023, outpacing the global gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2 per cent, according to Maybank Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli.

Opening the ongoing hybrid conference Maybank Invest ASEAN 2023 themed ASEAN Reboot: Reimagining The Future held by Maybank in Singapore from June 20-21, Ramli emphasised the resilience of ASEAN after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that with a combined population of over 660 million and a collective GDP of almost 3.66 trillion USD in 2022, ASEAN ranks as the third largest regional economy in Asia and the fifth biggest economy in the world, after the US, China, Japan, and Germany.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to ASEAN rebounded in 2021 to 174 billion USD, up 42% from the previous year, reflecting the attractiveness of the regions economy for global investors.

ASEANs resilience was evident in portfolio fund flows, he said, noting that even when foreign investors pulled out of equities last year, there was a sufficiently deep domestic investor base in the region to absorb the volatility.

Another area of optimism for the region's economy is on digitalisation, particularly in the financial service sector, he added.

Vietnam presses ahead with commitment to sustainable development Vietnam's attendance in the upcoming Paris Summit for a New Global Financial Pact reflects the country's continued strong and consistent commitment in responding to climate change and responsibility in joining hands with the international community to address global challenges, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang said.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang (Photo: VNA)

Paris - Vietnam's attendance in the upcoming Paris Summit for a New Global Financial Pact reflects the country's continued strong and consistent commitment in responding to climate change and responsibility in joining hands with the international community to address global challenges, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang said.

Making the statement in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the event, which will take place on June 22 and 23, Ambassador Thang said the conference is an initiative actively promoted by France and is expected to serve as a bridge between the Bridgetown Initiative and other important international events this year, such as the G20 Summit in India, UN SDG Summit in New York, and UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28) in Dubai, UAE.

The Paris Summit will be attended by nearly 100 leaders of countries and international organisations, as well as a large number of representatives from the private sector and businesses. The Vietnamese delegation to the event is led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Regarding Vietnam's participation in this event, Thang said as a country greatly affected by natural disasters and climate change, the Southeast Asian nation has identified green growth as an important strategy towards sustainable development.

According to the diplomat, in recent years, the Vietnamese Party and the State have consistently shown special attention and allocated financial resources to green growth, with the resolve to respond to climate change and build a green, circular, and environmentally friendly economy. This is evident through its strong commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 made at the COP26 conference and decision to join the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). These commitments are expected to serve the countrys socio-economic development and contribute to the international community's climate change response efforts.

The attendance at the Paris Summit is a step for Vietnam to mobilise financial resources and technologies to carry out its policy on developing green and circular economy, and realise its commitment to net zero emisssions by 2050 with international support, Thang said.

The Ambassador affirmed that, like other developing countries, Vietnam believes that the energy transition process should be fair. Each country needs to fully consider the rights of all its people and ensure that no one is left behind. Big emitters of greenhouse gases in the past have the responsibility to fulfill their historical obligations and support developing countries in terms of finance, technology and capacity enhancement in energy transition. At the same time, developing countries need to have appropriate transition roadmaps that take into account their specific conditions and circumstances.

According to him, France highly appreciates Vietnam's commitments and policies in the climate and environmental fields, the country's role as a partner in climate diplomacy, and its support for climate and environmental development. The French Development Agency (AFD) is also at the forefront of implementing Frances climate policies in Vietnam, providing significant funding for related projects.

Sustainability reporting in Vietnam: Why it matters I recently met a businessman at a networking event who introduced himself as a procurement professional. Part of his job entails linking international companies with manufacturers based in Vietnam. Not long ago, he received a request from a client, connected them to a local supplier, and even provided samples for their perusal.
Speaking at a press conference on June 20, Takeo Nakajima, chief representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) stated, "Although the proportion of Japanese companies procuring raw materials, components, and spare parts in Vietnam has risen from 28 per cent in 2013 to 37 per cent in 2022, the growth is still exceedingly slow."

He additionally announced an arrangement for cooperation to reveal the 10th Vietnam-Japan Supporting Industry Exhibition (SIE) in Hanoi, along with the 14th Vietnam Manufacturing Expo.

Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu stated that Vietnam currently has approximately 2,000 enterprises producing spare parts and components. However, only approximately 300 enterprises partake in the multinational supply chain, generating over 600,000 jobs. Approximately 4.5 per cent of the total number of enterprises in processing and manufacturing industries are presently engaged in supporting industries.

Nakajima stated that all foreign investors are now interested in the process of mechanisation in manufacturing and supporting industries, not just those from Japan.

Nakajima posed the questions, "Can Vietnam make the necessary adjustments to become a crucial industrial production hub in the region in a timely manner? How can businesses learn from one another to keep up with the market-dominating digital transformation and AI trends?"

According to Vu Trong Tai, general manager of RX Tradex Vietnam  an exhibition organiser  Vietnam is establishing itself as a rival production base to China for global semiconductor manufacturers, serving as a foundation for industrial and technological growth, especially in new fields such as AI.

Since September 2003, JETRO has alternately organised the SIE in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with the backing and cooperation of the Vietnamese government in an effort to increase the localisation rate. This year, there are 22 Japanese exhibitors in the SIE display area who wish to purchase products from Vietnamese manufacturers.

28 Vietnamese enterprises were selected to participate as exhibitors. The majority of the selected companies, which are prospective manufacturers in supporting industries, will participate in the exhibition by displaying their products and highlighting their supply capacity.

Auxiliary border gates, crossings with China to reopen Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has allowed the re-opening of auxiliary border gates and border crossings to resume trading activities between Vietnam and China, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Exhibition promoting direct interactions with global suppliers in the plastics and rubber industry With the keen interest of many individuals, organisations, and enterprises, Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2022 - Vietnams leading event on plastic and rubber technology, raw materials and equipment, and machinery - will officially take place between July 6 and 8.
West community leaders are negotiating with Loves Travel Stops to place a center just outside the West city limits, hoping for a deal that would include the city annexing the land where Loves builds.

We are in negotiations as we speak, West Mayor Tommy Muska said. We want them to build on the citys north side, on the west side of Interstate 35. It is not in the city limits at this time, but is a prime spot for them to have a truck stop. The problem were having is getting infrastructure to that property. We do have the means to annex, which is what we are now negotiating, that and our share of the costs.

Loves Travel Stops, headquartered in Oklahoma City, was founded in 1964 and remains family owned and operated. It has created a travel network with more than 610 locations in 42 states. Muska and Mayor Pro Tem David Pratka said company officials told them the Loves location in the Central Texas community of Troy, on I-35 about 45 miles south of West, is among the busiest in the system.

The company also launched an initiative in April to invest more than $1 billion updating 200 locations over the next five years. That comes out to an average of $5 million at each facility, and the company reported it expects the typical range to be $2 million to $7 million.

Pratka said West has no true truck stop, and that having Loves build one on the citys north side would open up that area to development. He said private landowners are watching closely city negotiations with Loves, and will buy the land if West does not. In that scenario, the city would have little if any say about what developments materialize, Pratka said.

Should West strike a deal that includes annexation, the city would reap benefits other commercial ventures would create, he said.

The Loves truck stop would generate sales tax revenue, something the city heavily relies on, Pratka said. He said the West city budget runs about $2 million annually, and sales taxes generate about half that amount.

The Texas Comptrollers Office reports it has sent West sales tax rebates totaling $460,859 for the calendar year through June, a 2.7% increase from the $448,641 in rebates through June last year.

McLennan County Judge Scott Felton said he is glad to see the city of West pursuing a quality company such as Loves.

Asked if money from the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corp. fund could be made available to lure Loves to West, Felton said he is not aware of a request. He said the city and county consider return on investment, employment, pay, capital improvement value and sales tax generation when weighing projects for funding.

Loves is excited, Pratka said of the possibility the chain would build on land just north of the Marable Street bridge. He said the exact number of acres Loves will need remains under discussion.

Pratka estimated the city would spend $4 million on infrastructure upgrades and installation to serve the Loves Travel Stop and other commercial development that may arrive later. That tab would cover costs related to installing a lift station and water and sewer lines, Pratka said.

He said almost certainly West will face sweetening the deal by offering tax abatements, also a subject of negotiations and legal input.

Pratka said West on July 14 will break ground on $22 million worth of infrastructure improvements, including expanding its sewage plant, to deal with residential growth and a lot of subdivisions coming up.

Loves operates a travel center at I-35 and Corsicana Highway in Hillsboro, about 15 miles north of West, and the Buc-ees chain has announced it will build a 74,000-square-foot store and fueling station at 165 State Highway 77 in Hillsboro. But as Pratka noted, Buc-ees does not allow 18-wheelers on the premises.

Pratka said he may have something to announce in August.

Loves spokesperson Brett Dawson said in an email that Loves is doing due diligence on a location in West, Texas. He said he could not comment further.
Waco police arrested a 26-year-old man Monday after they said he choked his ex-girlfriend for several minutes, until she thought she would be killed.

Brian Anthony Rodriguez was booked into McLennan County Jail on Monday on a third-degree felony charge of assault family violence by strangulation. He was released from jail Tuesday on $5,000 bond.

According to Rodriguezs arrest affidavit, officers were called Monday to a home in the 1500 block of Crow Drive. The affidavit says Rodriguez's ex-girlfriend was outside when officers arrived and told them Rodriguez became angry, choked her for several minutes and slapped her in the face during an argument.

The affidavit says she believed the choking lasted about five minutes. She told officers Rodriguez squeezed her neck so tight she could not breathe for about a minute, the affidavit says.

She told police she begged Rodriguez to let her say goodbye to her 1-year-old child in the other room, as she believed Rodriguez would kill her.

"She was begging him to let her say goodbye to the baby before he strangled her to death," the affidavit says.

The affidavit also says a child at the home witnessed the incident, and corroborated the information the woman reported to police.
Jurors will hear witness accounts of a fatal July 2020 shooting as the murder trial of Courtney ONeil Washington unfolds this week in Wacos 19th State District Court, prosecutors revealed in opening statements Tuesday.

Washington's defense attorneys said the investigation was incomplete and the witnesses are not credible.

Washington, 29, of Waco, is accused of killing Larry Bryant Jr., 50, on July 13, 2020, at Bryants garage apartment in the 2600 block of Sanger Avenue.

During the trial the jury of seven women and five men selected Tuesday morning will hear from people who were there to see and hear how Bryant died, McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Kristen Duron said to open the state's case. Duron acknowledged that many of the witnesses who were there have led a "colorful life" that includes narcotics.

Washington's defense attorney, Nora Farah, said some witnesses the state will bring are not credible and are narcotics abusers.

"They lied to the police and they will lie to you," Farah told the jury.

Other witnesses the state will bring are police officers and detectives who based their investigation on what unreliable witnesses told them, Farah said. The police investigation also was incomplete, she said.

"Half of the people who were there that night were never interviewed," Farah said. "Half the people who were there were never tested for gunshot residue. No DNA or fingerprint evidence will link Courtney Washington to that house."

Duron said the shooting was a complete shock to one of the witnesses.

"They will all tell you they were scared when Courtney Washington shot Larry Bryant Jr. four times," Duron said.
New traffic signals at 21 of 22 intersections along a 5-mile stretch of Waco Drive are expected to be operational by the end of this week, Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson Jake Smith said.

As of Tuesday, 18 of 22 signals were installed and operational on permanent poles, Smith said. Signals at 17th Street, 18th Street and Clifton Street are expected to be installed and activated by the end of the week, with the final intersection at Lake Air Drive set to be completed next week, pending ongoing third party utility work, he said.

Smith said the traffic signal portion of the $9.9 million project will be over following the installations, but the work on reconstructing Waco Drives sidewalks will continue. He said the sidewalk work has expected completion date of the end of the summer, almost two years since construction on the project to address pedestrian safety started in fall 2021.

In addition to completing the sidewalks, crews need to remove the old signals and do general cleanup of the road before the project is officially considered finished, Smith said. The Tribune-Herald previously reported the project was estimated to be complete by the end of last year, but Smith said the availability of materials and third party utility were to blame for the delay in the projects completion.

Smith said the funding for the project came from TxDOTs Road to Zero initiative, which aims to cut traffic deaths in half by 2035 and completely eliminate them by 2050. Construction began in fall 2021 with reconstruction of sidewalks and replacement of traffic signals along Waco Drive from Lake Air Drive to Clifton Street.

The improved intersection and pedestrian facilities, including sidewalks and updated traffic signals, will enhance the safety of the roadway and increase connectivity for the residents in the area which will aid TxDOTs broader efforts to eliminate traffic deaths, Smith said.

Before the work, Waco Drive did not have a continuous sidewalk for pedestrians. Smith said the project brings transportation facilities in the Waco Drive corridor up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Waco Public Works Director Amy Burlarley-Hyland said the traffic signal controller cabinets were upgraded with the latest equipment meant to better detection and programming capabilities. She also said sidewalks were updated to include accessibility ramps for wheelchair users to get on and off the sidewalk.

For the first time there will be continuous accessible sidewalk from Centerpoint (Drive) to Clifton Street; a distance of more than 5.5 miles, Burlarley-Hyland said by email. New signals will have increased visibility as well as pedestrian crossing features and enhanced capability to optimize signal timing and coordination. City staff is extremely happy to have this large scale project that improves the quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses.

Burlarley-Hyland also said the project continues a trend of updating traffic signals across Waco. She said lights at several intersections around the city, including La Salle Avenue and University Parks Drive, 19th Street and Lake Shore Drive, 19th Street and Park Lake Drive, Franklin Avenue and 17th Street, and Franklin Avenue and 18th Street, are being improved. She said new signals, where there are not currently signals, have been approved but not yet installed at New Road and Old Robinson Road, Valley Mills Drive and Hilltop Drive, and La Salle and Third Street.

Waco resident and retired Baylor administrator Ashley Bean Thornton said she is a walking enthusiast and used Waco Drive to walk from her home to Baylor when she worked there. She said sidewalk replacements were desperately needed, as there was no fully connected sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to either walk in the street or in the grass, which would sometimes become too muddy.

Sidewalks need connectivity all the way through for it to be a viable form of transportation, Thornton said. It doesnt do you any good to have a stretch of sidewalk here, a patch of grass there.

Thornton also said a crosswalk signal at the intersection of 29t Street was old and worn out and would not activate the crosswalk.

Thornton said she has a car and just prefers to walk places, but many Waco residents do not have that luxury and must rely on walking or buses to get where they need to go. Repairing the sidewalk allows residents to safely walk along Waco Drive, one of the busiest roads in the city, she said.
The city of Waco is about a quarter of the way through a mission to track down any remaining lead water lines throughout the city and create an inventory of service lines, utility officials told the Waco City Council during a presentation Tuesday.

A revision to the Environmental Protection Agencys Lead and Copper Rule focuses on eliminating the risk of lead exposure through water lines, residential or otherwise, and new testing requirements for schools and child care facilities, with a complete database due by Oct. 16, 2024.

Over the next year and a half water utility staff will make their way through meters grouped into all 20 of the citys water billing cycles to determine the presence of lead service lines on both the city and customer side of each of Wacos 50,367 water meters.

Crews started in East Waco with cycle one in March and have completed about a quarter, or 12,729, of the meters as of Tuesday night. Staff completed 221 checks Tuesday, for a rate of 30-35 meters per hour.

Of the first three and a half cycles that have been checked, six lead lines were found on the city side, all in the same neighborhood, and all six have been replaced, Water Utility Director Lisa Tyer said. Just one house built in the early 1900s was found to have lead on the customer side, she said.

Tyer said contaminants in drinking water can come from service lines off the water meter, but also may come from internal fixtures in the home. Prior to 1986 lead was commonly used in fixtures, and even some lead-free labeled fixtures sold up to 2014 had a small percentage of lead in them, she said.

Currently the city enacts a corrosion control plan, which involves using corrosion inhibitors, testing for lead at specified spots around the city and replacing lead pipes any time they are found during routine line break fixes or routine maintenance. Tyer said the city uses a caustic corrosion inhibitor, which puts a calcification layer in the pipe and stops the pipe material from leeching into the water.

The corrosion control plan involves notifying customers not only when lead pipes are found, but also when their water tests above 15 parts per billion, the limit enacted by the original EPA rule. Tyer said Waco is on a reduced testing schedule based on its history of lead-free test results.

Through the new program utility staff will open up the water meter, vacuum out the debris and determine the material of the pipe in a process that takes about 5 to 10 minutes, Tyer said. Information about each pipe, including the service line size on both the citys side and the customers side, will be logged in an app developed by the citys information technology department, and the app will be available to customers when the inventory is complete in October 2024.

I cant wait to look up mine because our home was built 96 years ago and so that was not current best practices in water piping for sure, Council Member Josh Borderud said. So I assume a lot of residents would have those questions and be eager to look their residence up  or prospective homes that they might be looking at.

If lead service lines are found the city workers will meet with the resident face to face or leave a door hanger asking them to contact the city for more information.

We provide information on the steps the customer can take to reduce their exposure, Tyer said. We provide a filtered water pitcher and six months of filters. We offer a free lead test of the water if lead service is found and we schedule the service line for replacement if its on our side.

If the city does not hear from the customer within 10 days the information and a filter pitcher will be sent via certified mail.

Customers will be responsible for replacement of service lines leading up to their residence, while the city will pay to replace pipes connecting the meter to the water main. Tyer estimates it would cost about $5,000 to replace a customers service line and $6,000 to replace the citys.

Residents  and property owners if tenants are renting  will be provided with information on how to flush pipes and the risk of lead exposure, as well as steps to move forward with pipe replacement. A customers water may be shut off temporarily for line replacements or other work, but they do not have to replace their pipes if they are found to have lead before their water is turned back on, Tyer said.

One of the unique things about this regulation is if we have to turn your water off for any reason, we have to either know the service line material, we have to identify the sort of service line material while were out there or we have to notify you to flush before turning the water back on, she said.

Funding assistance for customers is available up to $20,000 through the city Housing and Community Development Departments Lead is Preventable Program.

Additionally, many customers have galvanized pipes, which could require replacement if they are corroded. Lead particles may build up in corroded sections of galvanized pipes, and the city will engage in further investigation to determine if the galvanized pipe has ever been downstream of a lead service line.

If weve ever had a lead line in front of that galvanized line, we have to treat that galvanized line as if its also a lead line, Tyer said. And the other thing is if we cant find proof that theres never been a lead line there, we still have to treat it like its a lead line.

Customers with galvanized pipes that cannot be confirmed lead-free or have been downstream of a lead pipe can choose not to replace their pipes, but will be re-notified with lead prevention information every year, she said.

The water department is requesting $5 million in capital improvement funding in 2024 to put toward the project.

The city has submitted a pre-application for a $20 million loan with 51% forgiveness to the Texas Water Development Board to help with both the citys and customers replacement of required pipes. If the pre-application is approved the full application can be submitted next month, and funding will be known at the end of the year.

The revision of the EPA rule will also require water testing for Wacos 84 child care facilities and 40 public and private schools serving students in eighth grade and younger. The testing must begin after the October 2024 deadline, Tyer said.

The rule requires that 20% of the facilities be tested each year, but Waco will test all schools and child care facilities during the first round of testing. Each facility will be tested once every five years after the first round.

We did not want to have the one school that there might be some issue be the school were testing in year five, so we just thought were going to test everybody in year one and know where we stand right there and then, Tyer said.

More information about lead awareness can be found at https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/Water-Utility-Services/Lead-Awareness.
Employees of Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital hold pickets to urge the hospital to retract its decision to shut down in front of the hospital in downtown Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



The decision to shut down Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital is raising concerns over a possible medical service vacuum in central Seoul, as the 82-year-old facility, the only general hospital in Seoul's Jung District, has also played a significant role as a medical institute dedicated to infectious diseases.



On Tuesday, the hospital's board of directors finalized the decision on the closure of the hospital due to mounting losses.



The hospital, located near Myeongdong Cathedral, has accumulated a deficit of 174.5 billion won ($135 million) over the last two decades despite its desperate efforts to normalize its business, according to hospital officials.



They say the hospital will support the transfer of patients currently hospitalized there and the reemployment of its nearly 400 employees at affiliated hospitals, including one in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.



If due procedures are carried out as planned, the hospital is expected to be closed at the end of August.



After the decision was finalized, medical staff and a union as well as the Seoul Metropolitan Government expressed concerns that the closure will create a medical services vacuum in the city center and pose a threat to people's lives.



The hospital has been fulfilling its duty as the only general hospital in the district, dealing with emergency cases in the area.



Its shutdown could force emergency patients to be transferred to other hospitals, such as Seoul National University Hospital, disrupting operations of their already-crowded emergency rooms.



Concerns are also centered on the possible outbreak of a serious infectious disease in the future, as Paik Hospital was dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, providing domiciliary treatment for nearly 80 percent of the virus patients in the district.



"The shutdown decision should not be made due simply to financial reasons," a group of professors working at the hospital said in a statement. "We request the hospital to draw up recovery measures and have a dialogue with its employees."





Professor Cho Young-kyu of Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital holds a press conference at the hospital in downtown Seoul, June 12, to urge the hospital not to shut down. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
Enslaved Texans had to wait two and a half years before the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation became theirs, when a Union general pulled into Galveston with gunboats and made it stick. That day, June 19, 1865, was the first Juneteenth.

It took the same kind of patience and persistence, and some worn-out shoes, for Opal Lee to persuade the U.S. government to recognize Juneteenth a national holiday, 156 years later.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, was signed into law in 2021 by President Joe Biden.

Opal Lee, the Fort Worth activist known as the grandmother of Juneteenth will speak Thursday at a sold-out Waco event about the tireless campaign that included a 1,400-mile trek on foot from her home to Washington, D.C., in 2016 and petition drive that drew 1.6 million signatures.

She was 90 when she took that walk. Now she is 96 and still going strong, making the lecture and interview circuit, serving on nonprofit boards in her hometown and helping raise money for the National Juneteenth Museum that is set to open in Fort Worth in 2025.

Lee will appear at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 305 N. 30th St., for an interview with Delisa Smith, a member of the sponsoring organizations, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the Community Race Relations Coalition.

I will just tell them about the journey to Juneteenth, Lee said this week in an interview with the Tribune-Herald. Ill talk about my walk to D.C., talk about whatever comes to mind.

The free event sold out quickly, and Community Race Relations Coalition board Chair Jo Welter said she has had to turn away many requests from people eager to attend.

I think Juneteenth is an important holiday here, and it has been even before it was an official holiday, Welter said. I also think many people here want to make a difference in creating unity, and shes very inspiring in that regard, because she has worked in so many ways to bring about the unity of people.

Lee said she believes the national Juneteenth holiday declaration has paid off in building bridges and helping young people understand American history.

Lee participated in a Juneteenth parade in Fort Worth on Monday that drew thousands.

You should have seen how diverse it was, she said. Maybe someone is getting the word that when we come together we can do so much more than we can on our own.

Lee was born in the East Texas town of Marshall in 1926 and moved to Fort Worth in 1937 with her family. Over the course of her long life she has had ties with Waco, having married a man from a Waco family and sending two of her three children to Paul Quinn College when it was in Waco.

Juneteenth has been a touchstone of Lees life since her earliest memories in East Texas.

We went to the fairgrounds and had music, food, games, speeches, and food, and food and food. You name it, they had it, anything theyd grown, she said. As young people would say today, it was off the chain.

When the family moved to a mostly white part of the Near Southside neighborhood in Fort Worth, she found that people there tended to celebrate Juneteenth at home with their families.

One of the most terrifying days of Lees life also occurred on Juneteenth.

On June 19, 1939, hundreds of white rioters terrorized Black people in her neighborhood and attached the familys home at 940 E. Annie St., setting it ablaze along with furniture they had dragged outside, Lee recounted in a 2022 interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The family moved to another part of the neighborhood, and Lee graduated at age 16 from Fort Worths I.M. Terrell High School, a segregated school. Lee said despite the discriminatory environment she grew up with in Texas, she never considered leaving.

Texas is all Ive ever known, she said. Why would I move? You take the good, bad and ugly. Thats what weve done in all our times.  Weve had some horrific things happen, but our grandparents and my mother always said, whatever you start you have to finish, come hell or high water.

Lee married young and had four children, but the marriage fell apart, and she had to work long hours to support her family, with her mother helping with child care. She eventually found time to get an elementary education degree from Wiley College in Marshall in 1952 and returned to Fort Worth, where she enjoyed a 24-year career as a teacher and counselor.

Near Southside has continued to be Lees home base throughout a life of community service. She has served on the boards of community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and led a major expansion effort for a Fort Worth food bank.

Work with a Black history and genealogy organization led her to get involved in elevating the Juneteenth holiday. She joined forces with Ronald Myers with the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, which aimed to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

She continues to be a leader in the effort to open the National Juneteenth Museum in her Fort Worth neighborhood, which will offer 50,000 square feet of space for exhibits and performances. The $70 million museum is set to open in 2025.

Im ecstatic, she said. I could do a holy dance. Its going to be fabulous.

Lee said the museum will address not only slavery and emancipation but the legacy of Jim Crow discrimination into the 20th century, as well as modern-day effects of racism, such as redlining in home lending practices.

Weve overcome some of that, but there are still some vestiges of racism, plenty that needs to be addressed, she said. Hopefully, people can say, I can do something about that, and make themselves a committee of one. I dont mean to say something is going to happen in a day, but if people can be taught to hate they can be taught to love. I believe we can overcome our past and we can become the greatest nation in the world.

Lee said she is concerned about efforts in Texas and elsewhere to restrict books in public and school libraries for controversial depictions of racial history. Some activists have targeted books written by Black authors, such as The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

I think its ridiculous, Lee said of book restriction efforts by the Texas Legislature. We cant erase history, because it actually happened. The youngsters need to be able to learn for themselves and make sure it never happens again.

This year, Lee is reckoning with her own childhood encounter with racial violence. In recent years she has become interested in acquiring the brushy, neglected lot at 940 E. Annie St., where she lived until the riot in 1939.

She found it belonged to Habitat for Humanity, which had earmarked it for an affordable home.

We build in that neighborhood, but we had no idea of the history of the lot, said Christine Panagopoulos, chief operating officer for Fort Worths Trinity Habitat for Humanity. She told us that was her family home.

Panagopoulos said Habitat agreed to sell the lot to Lee for $10 and to be the general contractor for building her a new home there, though Lee does not qualify for financial assistance through the nonprofit.

She said the groundbreaking is set for Lees 97th birthday on Oct. 7.

We are so excited and blessed to participate, Panagopoulos said.

Lee said she is looking forward to living once again at the home site that was denied to her family 84 years ago.

Hows that for full circle? she said.
CERESCO  Ceresco residents have few options when it comes to in-town recreation. Theres Ceresco Park, the Ceresco Elementary playground and sidewalks that in some spots are neglected and force people to walk in the street.

An effort to build a trail system in and around the village could change that.

At the Ceresco Village Board of Trustees May meeting, representatives from the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) presented a grant opportunity that would help the village pay for a trail system. Money is available through the federal Recreational Trails Program and is administered locally through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

If selected, a trails project in Ceresco could receive 80% of the projects funding through the grant program. To be eligible for federal funding, the project would need an estimated cost between $50,000 and $250,000.

Since the May meeting, a preliminary trail route has been drawn up, running generally around the villages borders, with an additional spur looping from 2nd Street to Ashland Road to County Road 19.

The villages Facebook page announced the trail route early last week, and feedback from residents was positive, with posters pleased by the prospect of having an alternative to walking on sidewalks or in the villages streets.

The topic came before the Ceresco Planning Commission on June 15, where an informal discussion was held to gauge interest from residents.

People are talking about it and everything, and it seems like their comments have ranged from very positive to very negative and everywhere in between, said Planning Commission Chairman Arnie Lowell. Were anxious to have some discussion about it from board members and the public.

Much of the feedback at the board meeting  attended by about 15 residents  was negative, with many people concerned about the proposed route and unintended consequences the trail could have.

Nancy Witters, who lives along Ashland Road between 2nd Street and County Road 19, said she was worried about the impact the trails construction would have on her property, which is protected by a windbreak that she feared would be torn out to make way for the trail. She also questioned whether the trail would be restricted to foot and bicycle traffic or whether it would be open to motorized vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs.

I would not be upset with hiking, biking and walking, Witters said, but the motorized vehicles I dont particularly want to see going by my house all the time.

Another opponent of the trail, who declined to give his name, said he would be concerned about the public having access to the backside of his northeast Ceresco property from the proposed trail route. He wondered what would happen if trail users let their dogs off of their leashes in that heavily wooded part of town.

As soon as they get in the trees and they think theyre out in the country, theyre going to cut them off the leash and theyre going to run and chase my cows and my horses, he said.

Lowell specified several times at the meeting that the proposed trail is only preliminary and could be altered to appease residents and property owners.

If there was a route we could find that everybody liked and the owners liked, thats where it would go, Lowell said.

Travis Edwards was the only member of the public who spoke at the meeting in support of the trail. He said he exercises regularly and that the addition of a trail system in town would be great for the community. He said he thought young families in Ceresco would largely be in support of the trail, too.

Village Clerk Joan Lindgren said early planning for the trail has moved swiftly because of the September deadline to apply for the Recreational Trails Program grant.

At the last meeting, the board found out from SENDD that money was out there for trails, she said. The deadline is September, and its June, so thats why it was thrown out there so quickly, to see if theres even any interest to move on.

The decision before the planning commission was whether to nix the plan or to push it along for consideration by the Board of Trustees. Planning commission member Larry Wendt said he would not support any effort to create a trail system in Ceresco.

I dont think theres a need for trails in town at all, he said.

The rest of the commission was willing to entertain the idea, although member Dave Burklund said he didnt think it was feasible to have a trail system planned and ready to submit by September.

The commission voted 8-1 to recommend that the board of trustees further study the concept of an in-town trail. The board of trustees met on Tuesday, and the trail plans were an agenda item. Check next weeks paper for coverage of their meeting.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been arrested for allegedly shooting at a car in November.

No injuries were reported in the shooting and no victims came forward, according to court records.

On Tuesday, police arrested Jonathan Fully, 20, for misdemeanor reckless use of a firearm.

Neighbors called authorities after hearing five to seven gunshots in the 1100 block of West Sixth Street around 9 p.m. Nov. 27. Officers found spent shell casings on the street and sidewalk.

The matter went unsolved until April 20, when police found a loaded 9 mm Taurus G3 pistol and marijuana during a traffic stop in the area of Kimball Avenue and Ivanhoe Road.

Ballistics tests linked the gun to the November shooting, and a search of Fullys phone turned up photos of him with the weapon around the time of the shooting, according to court records

Police records show Fully suffered a gunshot wound about a year ago. He was taken to MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center on April 16, 2022, with a bullet wound to this inner thigh, according to court records.

He told police he was shot in the area of Clay Street Park, but officers didnt find any evidence of a shooting there. Police did find blood at a friends home on Franklin Street in Cedar Falls, according to court records.

Then in May 2022, sheriffs deputies found a loaded 9 mm Mossberg handgun in a vehicle where he was a passenger during a traffic stop in rural Waterloo. He was charged with interference for not cooperating with deputies during the stop.

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
WATERLOO  Despite worries from some residents and one councilmember, a revitalization program for housing was passed unanimously by the City Council on Tuesday.

The council renewed the City Limits Urban Revitalization Area program, which covers Waterloo outside of the most populated areas of the city. Qualified real estate within the area is eligible to receive a total or partial exemption from property taxes for a specified number of years.

The previous CLURA was only available for new construction of single- or two-family homes and provided one tax abatement schedule: 100% for three years.

Qualified real estate will now include childrens day care facilities and new construction of multi-family homes.

Resident David Dryer expressed concern about the addition of multi-family housing, saying he wont be here when the city recoups the money through property taxes.

The thing that disturbs me about the modus operandi of Waterloo is we keep giving a lot of money to a lot of people, and now were going to include multi-family dwellings, he said.

Another resident, Forest Dillavou, also expressed concerned about Waterloo raising taxes because of the implementation of tax breaks. He questioned the number of out-of-state landlords connected to some developments the city has approved.

You say you dont like absentee landlords, he said, noting that a local real estate business celebrated a 90-year anniversary Tuesday with no recognition from the city. We need to take care of the people we have here before we start spreading money elsewhere.

A second tax exemption schedule also was implemented, which provides 10 years of a partial exemption  from 80% to 20%, decreasing each year.

Councilmember Dave Boesen, although apprehensive about including multi-family dwellings in the CLURA since some projects might qualify for tax breaks under both the CLURA and the infill incentive program, voted for the ordinance due to the new sliding tax scale.

I dont want to hold this up, and Ill support this on our ability to get some tax revenue  and help homeowners so they dont have sticker shock after three years, Boesen said.

Mayor Quentin Hart tied the new CLURA additions to the citys vision plan for 2030, saying the city needs quality housing in every part of the community.

Right now our strategic goal for the 2030 vision plan focuses on elevating housing, Hart said. Its a critical point in our citys history to compete to attract, and hopefully one day we may not need to have these incentives, but right now we need all hands on deck.

Ward 4 Councilmember Belinda Creighton-Smith echoed Harts statement about providing housing to the entire community.

This provides opportunities for other individuals in the community who oftentimes are disproportionately affected, she said. This provides them the opportunity to own a home and to have some equity and acquire some wealth.

Ward 2 Councilmember Jonathan Grieder applauded the inclusion of childrens day care centers in the program.

In other business, a development agreement for a truck wash passed 5-2, with Boesen and Creighton-Smith voting against it. Freedom Truck and Trailer Wash LLC and Deer Creek Development will construct a 4,600-square-foot automated truck and trailer wash at the southeast corner of Greyhound Drive and Cyclone Drive with a minimum assessed value of $2.2 million.

The agreement states the developers will get a tax rebate of 85% for years one and two; 80% for years three through seven; 75% for years eight through 10; and 50% for years 11 and 12.

Boesen was uneasy that the development agreement was for a lease and not to purchase the land.

Its a disturbing amount shy of $600,000 and tax rebates over 12 years, he said. Im concerned that were financing leased developments on these properties and giving tax rates.

The city clerk also read bids for the citys fiber-to-the-premises feeder and backbone network project. There were four bidders.

Quanta Telcom Solutions of Loganville, Georgia had a base bid of $42.9 million. Its most expensive alternate bid would cost $81.7 million.

MP of Maple Lake, Minnesota had a base bid of $55.4 million. Its most expensive alternate bid would cost $104.9 million.

Michels Power of Neenah, Wisconsin had a base bid of $56.1 million. Its most expensive alternate bid would cost $106.9 million.

ITG Communications LLC, of Tullahoma, Tennessee had a base bid of $37.7 million. Its most expensive alternate bid would cost $77.9 million.
WASHINGTON  The House voted Wednesday to censure California Rep. Adam Schiff for comments he made several years ago about investigations into Donald Trump's ties to Russia, rebuking the Democrat and frequent critic of the former president along party lines.

Schiff, who will stand in front of the House while the resolution is read, becomes the 25th House lawmaker to be censured. He was defiant ahead of the vote, saying he will wear the formal disapproval as a badge of honor" and charged his GOP colleagues of doing the former president's bidding.

I will not yield, Schiff, who is running for the Senate in his home state, said during debate over the measure. Not one inch.

More than 20 Republicans voted with Democrats last week to block the censure resolution, but they changed their votes this week after the measure's sponsor, Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, removed a provision that could have fined Schiff $16 million if the House Ethics Committee determined he lied. Several of the Republicans who opposed the resolution last week said they opposed fining a member of Congress in that manner.

The final vote was 213-209. The revised resolution says Schiff held positions of power during Trumps presidency and abused this trust by saying there was evidence of collusion between Trumps campaign and Russia. Schiff was one of the most outspoken critics of the former president as both the Justice Department and the Republican-led House launched investigations into Trumps ties to Russia in 2017. Both investigations concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election but neither found evidence of a criminal conspiracy.

Representative Schiff purposely deceived his Committee, Congress, and the American people, the resolution said.

Schiff, the former Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and the lead prosecutor in Trumps first impeachment trial, has long been a top Republican political target. Soon after taking back the majority this year, Republicans blocked him from sitting on the intelligence panel.

The House has only censured two other lawmakers in the last 20 years. Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona was censured in 2021 for tweeting an animated video that depicted him striking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., with a sword. Former Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York was censured in 2010 for serious financial and campaign misconduct.

The censure itself carries no practical effect, except to provide a historic footnote that marks a lawmakers career. But the GOP resolution would also launch an ethics investigation into Schiff's conduct.

While Schiff did not initiate the 2017 congressional investigation into Trump's Russia ties  then-House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican who later became one of Trumps most ardent defenders, started it  Republicans arguing in favor of his censure Wednesday blamed him for what they said was the fallout of that probe, and of the separate investigation started that same year by Trump's own Justice Department.

Luna said that Schiff's comments that there was evidence against Trump ripped apart American families across the country and that he was permanently destroying family relationships. Several blamed him for the more than $30 million spent by then-special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the Justice Department probe.

Schiff said the censure resolution would accuse me of omnipotence, the leader of some a vast Deep State conspiracy, and of course, it is nonsense.

Democrats aggressively defended their colleague. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who led Trump's second impeachment, called the effort an embarrassing revenge tour on behalf of Donald Trump.

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Rescuers have rushed more ships and vessels to the area where a submersible disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site. They said Wednesday that they're hoping underwater noises they've detected for two straight days might help narrow their search for the Titan. The vessel has five people onboard. Even those who expressed optimism warned that many obstacles remain. Search crews need to pinpoint the vessel's location, reach it, and bring it to the surface. Some have estimated the vessel could run out of oxygen as soon as Thursday morning.
In 2010 I said below, after an experience with the USA Embassy in Ukraine

One thing that stood out to me was the political undertones from the American Embassy in Ukraine that infiltrated into the Ukraine Governmental section. America is and has been buying the Ukraine government for some time now. Biden just bought and paid for Ukraines help to rearm Georgia. That is a No  No and should be stopped. American politics need to stay out of Ukraine or any other country for that matter

I warned everyone about USA actions in Ukraine many times (I even saw that Biden was working out of Ukraine to affect Georgia.) and no one cared and or listened and when they did listen it was three letter agencies from the USA and they, wanted my head on a platter

Question: Why the hell dont you listen to truth?

Nuff said

WtR
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India Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears on the screen during the International Yoga day event at United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Modi has joined diplomats and dignitaries at the United Nations for a morning session of yoga, praising it as truly universal and a way of life. Modi kicked off the public portion of his U.S. visit at an event honoring the International Day of Yoga. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee, left, and French first lady Brigitte Macron pose at Elysee Palace in Paris on June 20. Yonhap



Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee and French first lady Brigitte Macron discussed cultural exchanges between their two countries as they had lunch together at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday, Korea's presidential office said.



Kim, who is accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol to Paris, was invited by Macron to lunch at the French presidential office and residence in their third meeting since last June.



During lunch, Macron recalled that K-pop girl group BLACKPINK took part in a gala concert she helped organize for vulnerable groups, saying she was impressed not only by "hallyu," the Korean Wave, but also the disciplined manner in which hallyu fans enjoyed the show, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon said in a written briefing.



"I'm pleased that a positive message is being sent out through hallyu at this difficult time," Kim responded, according to Lee.






The around-the-clock search for the missing Titan submersible engrossed the world for days. But after news of the catastrophic implosion that killed the pilot and his four passengers near the Titanic shipwreck, investigators are focusing on how it happened  and if it could have been prevented. Deep-sea robots continue searching the North Atlantic ocean floor for clues. Investigators in Canada are looking at the Titans Canadian-flagged support ship. U.S. authorities are looking into other aspects of the tragedy. The Titan, owned by undersea exploration company OceanGate Expeditions, had been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around the sunken ocean liner in yearly voyages since 2021.
After enduring the agonizing grip of the pandemic, San Franciscans are itching to break free, socialize, and raise a glass.

This is more than welcome news for an industry that has weathered the storm over the past few years and, thankfully, a wave of fresh and exciting watering holes have sprung up to quench our collective thirst.

The new kids on the nightlife block are a dynamic mix, each adding its own flavor to the city. We've seen the rise of a pulsating Latin-inspired rooftop bar, a secretive speakeasy hidden beneath a popular Tenderloin restaurant, a free-spirited Marina haunt serving up drinks in unconventional glassware (hint: bongs), as well as several energetic wine bars.

Spread across the city, many hotspots have emerged in the booming Mission Bay neighborhood and, surprisingly, the Financial District (giving us reason to venture to that part of town again after all).

Here are the seven most exciting spots to drink in San Francisco right now.

The Felix underground speakeasy features vibrant cocktails and decor. (Courtesy of The Felix)

The Felix

Bodega SF opened in the Tenderloin in 2022 as a rebirth of a Vietnamese family restaurant that had shuttered five years prior. The new, more modern version quickly won over all the cool kids. Recently, the team opened the Felix, a speakeasy in the basement of Bodega. Push a framed photo to open the door marked by a Felix the Cat and, inside, youll find a dimly lit lounge with yellow velvet couches, graffitied walls, and neon signs. Cocktails are playful and colorful, featuring Asian spirits and ingredients. Try the Bohemian Rhapsody, which pairs Vietnamese gin with chrysanthemum syrup and creme de sassis. The food menu currently only has two optionssoft shell crab pineapple bun sliders or tom yum chex mixwith plans to expand in the future. // 138 Mason St. (Tenderloin), instagram.com/thefelixsf

Cavana

Rooftops used to be hard to come by in SF, but with more than a handful opening in recent years, they are now some of the hottest places to drink in the city. Cavana is a buzzy Latin American cocktail bar with a small but killer food menu atop the Luma Hotel in Mission Bay. Take the elevator to the 17th floor to be transported into a lively, sky-high party with sweeping bay and city views from the wrap-around deck. There are heaters and fire pits, but you can enjoy the view without the chill through floor-to-ceiling windows from the indoor bar. The cocktail menu highlights native Latin American ingredients such as purple chicha morada, mole, and purple corn. Try the guava colada for a taste of the tropics. // 100 Channel St 17th Floor (Mission Bay), cavanasf.com

Mili Wine Bar

The Financial District isnt quite the same these days, which is why were happy to a non-job-related reason to visit. Longtime Silicon Valley engineer Shubhra Sarkar opened Mili, which means meeting Sanskrit, after making a career shift mid-pandemic. Sarkar hopes the bar will serve as a meet-up spot for people from all walks of life. The space features soaring ceilings and seats at the bar and high-top tables. Order by the glass or bottle from the global wine menu, as well as small plates including charcuterie boards, caviar, and more. // 110 Folsom St (FiDi), miliwinebar.com

Rendezvous

Sometimes you just want to grab a drink without the fuss, somewhere between dive bar and swanky lounge; a neighborhood joint with good cocktails, solid food, and a friendly vibe. Thats what you get with Rendezvous, a new watering hole in the Marina opened by longtime bartender Shaher Misif. Nights here are full of unfussy fun. Music videos play on the TV and the intimate space encourages natural mingling. Drinks are as playful as the atmosphere. Try the Netflix and Chill (butter-washed bourbon in a classic red-and-white striped popcorn box) or the popular Mind Blazer, a tequila shooter infused with pineapple and served in a glass bong. The food menu is small but surprisingly fresh and filling. // 2030 Lombard St. (Marina), sfrendezvous.com

Novelty glassware abound at Rendezvous in the Marina. (Courtesy of Rendezvous)

Heartwood

Also new in FiDi, Heartwood centers around the natural beauty of California. The 2,000-square-foot space, which dates back to 1907, underwent significant restoration to preserve its brick walls, original floors, and wood beams. Murals by artist Leah Tumerman feature local flora. From behind the silver oak bar, bartenders craft nature-inspired cocktails using local plants, fruits, herbs, and spices. The shareable plates are extensive and diverseeverything from Thai curry soup to pigs in a blanketbut theres also a full lunch and dinner menu with salads, pastas, sandwiches, and plenty of plant-based options. Of the roughly dozen cocktails available (plus a selection of soda-based high-balls and a seasonal slushy), the Apple Propaganda is probably the most popular drink. // 531 Commercial St. (FiDi), heartwoodsf.com

GluGlu

One of the citys hottest new wine bars is inside Thrive City. Opened by Rebecca Fineman and Chris Gaither, the master sommelier husband-and-wife pair behind Dogpatch's Ungrafted, GluGlu features both traditional and unconventional wines from around the world, with an emphasis on sustainable, small-production, and women- and minority-owned wineries. You'll also find beer, sake, traditional rice beverages, and ciders. Solid wine is no surprise here, but the level of deliciousness found on the food menu is. Chef David Aviles, who previously ran a two-Michelin-star team in Chicago, is crafting the small but mighty menu packed with Mediterranean flavors. // 7 Warriors Way, ste. 202 (Mission Bay), gluglusf.com

Dragon Horse

The pandemic took out a lot of the citys late-night dining options, and Dragon Horse in SoMa aims to fulfill that need by offering cocktails, sushi, skewers, and more until 1am six days a week. Japanese ingredient-focused craft cocktails include the Smoked Umami, and the Framing Dragon comprised of rose baijiu, gin, hot pot cordial, coconut oolong tea, yuzu and lime. The food menu includes sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, gyoza, and ramen. Bonus points for a private karaoke room where you can sing away with your friends until 2am. // 917 Folsom St (SoMa), dragonhorsesf.com
Christina Weaver

Bouzy in Hyde Park Village is the latest concept from the Cru Hospitality Group.

Hyde Park Village, a collection of over 60 shops, services and restaurants often referred to as the hub of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, continues to add to its roster of unique retail and gastronomic establishments.Procure by the Womens Creative, located on the second level of Village Circle, in front of the parks famous fountain, is a new retail concept where women-owned, product-based businesses can showcase their wares. Browsing among the many small-batch and handmade items such as skin care, jewelry, personal accessories, home decor and childrens clothing, the word eclectic comes to mind. Its the perfect place to purchase things you wont see anywhere else.At street level and just around the corner from Procure, on Snow Avenue, the wordeclectic also seems to apply to the newest concept from the Cru Hospitality Group, the parent company of Cru Cellars. Bouzy is a charming, intimate champagne and cocktail bar offering small plates and entrees created by well-known Tampa chef, Eric Bach. Sommelier-trained bartenders serve up sparkling and still wines and champagnes from a curated menu of over 200 selections. You can people-watch outside from cafe tables, meet old friends and new ones in the lively bar and lounge, or opt for a romantic evening in the champagne cellar, which can also be reserved for receptions and private parties.Since being acquired by WS Development, based in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, in 2013, the six-block Hyde Park Village district has undergone a major transformation into a destination lifestyle center, including the restoration of its iconic fountain. Hyde Park Village was named Tampas Best of the Best  Retail Project of the Year in 2019 and 2020 by NAIOP, known as the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.Both Jen Bingham, co-owner of Cru Hospitality Group, and Christina Weaver, co-creator of The Womens Creative, mentioned their confidence in WS Holdingsmanagement of Hyde Park Village as deciding factors in locating there.A Tampa native, Christina Weavers career and marriage had taken her to St. Louis, where she started supporting women in developing countries by selling their fair trade items online and through pop-up markets. That effort turned into The Womens Creative, which Weaver describes in its current form as an event producer. The Procure locations in St. Louis and Tampa represent the retail arm of the company.Weaver has deep roots in Tampa.Im from a big Lebanese family, our business is Kimmins Contracting Corporation, she says. Weve been in Tampa a hundred years.More than just a retail shop, Procure is about making a positive impact.The small business scene in Tampa is thrivingTampa is booming, Weaver says. I wanted to have a presence here and to give women-owned small businesses a chance to get out in front of people and tell their stories. Every woman has a story. Within those stories, they solve problems or address issues that concern them, and they often do that through their art and their passion. The woman who creates our skincare products had eczema and couldnt find products that were safe for her. The swimsuits Procure sells are handmade of recycled material, and for each one sold a portion of the price goes towards saving the coral reefs. We curate womens products and help tell their stories."Jen Bingham has a story. Her career started on what she calls the wine side of thebusiness," working in wine bars in Chicago. After college, Bingham wanted to do it right so she became a sommelier, a recognized industry designation of a trained andknowledgeable wine professional.After meeting at college in Ohio and marrying in Chicago, Jen and her husbandTorrey decided to start their new life in warmer weather and thought theyd give Florida a shot. They checked out several towns on the Gulf Coast and found Tampa had the best vibe. Jen found a job as a wine rep with a Tampa Bay distributor.In 2010, they opened Cru Cellars in Palma Ceia. The rest, as they say, is history. Jenand Torrey Bingham are now the co-owners of Cru Hospitality Group, which includeslocations at Armature Works, the Westshore Marina District and their newest concept,Bouzy, named after a village in the Champagne region of France.Bouzys twenty-page menu reads like a gourmands delight, encompassing everything from sweet potato waffles with creme fraiche, to lobster bao buns, a personal obsession, to filet mignon. Your favorite bubbly, wine, or cocktail can be served with five different kinds of caviar.Courtney Bond, recently promoted to director of events and marketing of the Cru Cellars Group, got Bouzy up and running as general manager. She says the Hyde Park Village location is the perfect fit for the restaurants clientele who appreciate being able to order nineteen different wines by the glass including hard-to-find Pet Nap style, a younger more natural champagne with less sugar.We dont have happy hour at Bouzy, we have bubble hour, Bond says.For more information, go to Procure by the Women's Creative and Bouzy
Tamboran secures exclusivity over compression and mini-LNG facilities for potential early Beetaloo production



Tamboran enters framework agreement with CEFA facilities

Sydney, June 21, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tamboran Resources Limited ( ASX:TBN ) ( TBNNY:OTCMKTS ) has entered into a Framework Agreement with the Clean Energy Fuels Australia (CEFA) group of companies including Clean Energy Fuels Australia Marketing Pty Ltd (CEFAM) to obtain exclusivity over gas compression and liquefaction facilities for potential early production from the Beetaloo Basin.



These facilities have the potential to accelerate gas production and minimise flaring from appraisal wells under the Northern Territory's "beneficial use of gas" regulation as early as 2024, subject to standard regulatory, stakeholder and joint venture consents and approvals.



The parties will work together to finalise a contract for long term use of the compression and gas conditioning facility for the proposed pilot development. Exclusivity will last until the end of 2023 when the parties expect to move into longer term arrangements.



The existing compression facilities can be expanded to utilise any available capacity in either the Amadeus Gas Pipeline (AGP) or McArthur River Pipeline (MRP).



Tamboran has also secured exclusivity over a mini-LNG facility for four months, which could be deployed to supply remote NT communities or mines by the end of 2024, subject to approvals.



The supply of LNG into the region aims to provide a cleaner and economic alternative to diesel for electricity generation and fuel in the transport and mining industries. This is in line with the Federal Government's Clean Energy Regulations "Emissions Reduction Guidelines".



Tamboran Resources Limited Managing Director and CEO, Joel Riddle, said:



"Securing exclusivity over these facilities is a significant step towards achieving first production from the Beetaloo Basin and providing low reservoir CO2 gas to local communities and industry that are currently reliant on diesel for fuel and electricity generation.



"We have committed to the Northern Territory Government to deliver early gas from the Beetaloo Basin to the domestic NT market. This is the first step in fulfilling our promise to provide these remote communities with alternative affordable and cleaner fuel.



"It can sometimes take years to secure this type of infrastructure, and we look forward to working with the Clean Energy Fuels Australia team to progress these agreements. The team has demonstrated strong commercial thinking in offering a solution to achieve early production through this legislative change."





About Tamboran Resources Limited





Tamboran Resources Ltd (ASX:TBN) is a natural gas company that intends to play a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future by developing low CO2 unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tamboran's key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.




Korea plans to provide emergency humanitarian aid worth $300,000 to Cuba, which has been hit hard by heavy torrential rains and floods recently, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.







Korea plans to deliver emergency medicine and medical supplies through the U.N. Children's Fund, according to the ministry.







The ministry said it hopes the emergency assistance will be of help to flood victims and efforts to restore disaster-stricken regions in Cuba.







Although it lacks formal diplomatic ties, 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. (Yonhap)


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The former 'BH90210' star, who shares Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 11, Finn, 10, and six-year-old Beau with Dean, has yet to address his since-deleted divorce announcement.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tori Spelling didn't celebrate this year's Father's Day after Dean McDermott announced their split. The "BH90210" alum did not pen any tribute to her husband, with whom he shares five children together.

The 50-year-old actress kept mum after Dean announced on Instagram that they had parted ways. Sharing a throwback photograph of the two, he penned, "It's with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and 5 amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways, and start a new journey of our own."

"We will continue to work together as loving parents and guide and love our children through this difficult time," he added. "We ask that you all respect our privacy as we take this time to surround our family with love and work our way through this. Thank you all for your support and kindness."

The announcement came as a surprise as Tori shared a family portrait together with Dean less than a week prior. Dean himself has deleted his post, with a source claiming that the two are not separating.

"They've had their ups and downs like any couple, but have continued working on their marriage through couple's counseling," the insider told Us Weekly hours after Dean's post made headlines. "They love each other and are not going to split."

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Simon Pegg and his castmates are always afraid something might go wrong whenever the Ethan Hunt depicter performs his own daring stunts on set of their action movie.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Simon Pegg says that the "Mission: Impossible" cast and crew are always worried about Tom Cruise's spectacular stunts. The 53-year-old actor is back as Benji Dunn in "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" and constantly fears that his co-star's daring nature could get the better of him.

"You know, I'm lucky because Benji just kind of stays behind the computer and he does his thing. Tom is jumping off cliffs on a motorbike, you know, he's hanging off trains - it's genuinely dangerous stuff," Simon told Deadline at the movie's Rome premiere on Monday, June 19.

"There's always a sense that, you know, one day, something might go wrong... we might lose Tom, you know. Anytime there's a big stunt, we all have that sense of, you know, fear, but he always pulls it off."

Pegg is also working on the new movie's sequel "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two" and is unaware of any plans to bring the action franchise to an end. The "Shaun of the Dead" star said, "I have no idea, we'll have to wait and see if it's the end of me. If it went on, then I'll be sitting there in the cinema watching it for sure."

Tom was at the premiere and reiterated his commitment to making blockbusters for the big screen as the film industry bounces back from the coronavirus pandemic. The Hollywood legend, who returns as Ethan Hunt in the film, said, "I want to make movies, I make movies for the big screen, that is what I do."

"I understand. There's other areas and other platforms, I understand that I've studied everything up down and centre, from making movies to studios to distribution. And I understand that I make movies for audiences, first and foremost."

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The 'One Big Happy' actress recounts in details her flirty encounter with the 'Jurassic Park' actor, claiming the Hollywood star ended up asking for her phone number.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kelly Brook reveals Jeff Goldblum once asked for her phone number in a Snappy Snaps. The 43-year-old star has said that she "bumped into" the Hollywood actor in the photo-printing store, and Kelly claims that Jeff, 70, actually asked for her phone number.

"Have you met Jeff Goldblum?" she was asked by her co-host on "Heart Drive with JK and Kelly Brook". "I did, in Snappy Snaps," the brunette beauty replied before subsequently recalled her unusual encounter with the movie star. "I met him in Snappy Snaps, I was picking up my holiday pictures," she shared.

JK then asked her, "Hang on a second  and you bumped into Jeff Goldblum, in Snappy Snaps  did you get to look at his Snappy Snaps or not?" Kelly explained that she actually had a flirty exchange with Jeff. She said, "No, he was looking at mine [laughs]  he asked for my number."

Despite this, Kelly also insisted that "nothing happened" between herself and the "Jurassic Park" actor.

Asked how she rejected the movie star, Kelly replied, "Who said I turned him down! I was an actress, I would have done anything for that role! That's a joke, that's a joke - that's not a good joke! Well, you didn't see me in 'Jurassic Park 2' so you know nothing happened!"

Meanwhile, Kelly recently revealed that her sex life is better than ever. The model - who married Jeremy Parisi in 2022 - admits that she's never felt so confident in the bedroom, after overhauling her lifestyle.

Kelly told The Sun newspaper, "Sex is better with age and, yes, also when you are feeling healthier as you are feeling more confident in your body. If I am training and I am eating well I definitely feel sexier. If you feel good then that definitely spills over to other areas in your life, for sure."

Listen to "JK and Kelly on Heart" weekdays from 4 PM - 7 PM and on Global Player.

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The 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' actor is described as 'a one-man studio' by his female co-star who heaps praise on him for his work ethic.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Hayley Atwell sees Tom Cruise as an inspiration. The 41-year-old actress has teamed up with Tom, 60, on the "Mission: Impossible" film franchise, and Hayley has been wowed by his work ethic, describing her co-star as "deeply inspiring."

"He's a one-man studio. There is nothing this man doesn't know about movie-making and the cinematic experience for the audience," the brunette beauty told ET Canada.

"It's deeply inspiring to find someone who is so committed to something, whose work ethic extends to so many different departments. For me, he remains a real inspiration as a professional, dedicated, enthusiastic guy, whose own success has never been his demise."

Hayley believes Tom is a unique character in the movie business. The London-born star - who was previously rumoured to have dated Tom - said, "He's always hungry, always searching, and has kind of a childlike wonder about movies  There's never been anyone like him and never will be."

Earlier this year, Tom revealed that he watches his own movies at the cinema. The actor - who is one of the most bankable stars in the business - revealed that he likes to watch his own films on the weekend they open. He said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", "I go opening weekend. I love seeing movies that are made for the screen on the big screen."

The Hollywood star is ultimately determined to make entertaining and engaging movies for his fans. Tom also described his work as a "pleasure." The actor - who starred in the first "Mission: Impossible" movie back in 1996 - shared, "When they really enjoy it, that's what I want. I make my movies for audiences, for you all. So it's a pleasure. I just want to entertain you."

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Ellie Williams loves and misses her famous father in a Father's Day message posted more than a week after the actor passed away following a fatal motorcycle accident.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Treat Williams' daughter loves and misses the actor in a Father's Day tribute. Devastated Elinor "Ellie" Williams, 25, wrote the message on her Instagram stories after the "Everwood" star died in a motorcycle accident on June 12 aged 71 when it crashed into a SUV that was turning left into a parking lot.

"I love you, Dad. I miss you," she posted.

Her message came days after Ellie posted an image on Instagram as her family got together at Treat's $1million Vermont estate, showing the actor's dog Woody and the note, "We're home, dad."

Police have said Treat was "unable to avoid a collision" when his $3,500 1986 Honda VT700c bike crashed into a 2008 Honda Element driven by Ryan Koss, 35, as it cut across the northbound lane of Route 30 in the Morse Hill Road area of Dorset, south-west Vermont.

The actor was wearing a helmet at the time and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to hospital via helicopter, where he was pronounced dead, and it is currently not known when Treat's funeral will be held.

The Boston Globe has reported Lieutenant Steven Coote said investigators have not yet made "a formal determination" on who was to blame for the fatal crash.

He added Ryan, who is from Pownal in the south-western corner of Vermont, was screened and officers "determined there wasn't any evidence of impairment" such as alcohol involved at the time.

Ellie Williams told fans after her dad's death she was experiencing pain like she had "never felt." She captioned a throwback image of her father posted on her Instagram Story, "This is a pain I have never felt. I am absolutely shattered." Ellie added, "Thank you to everyone who has sent messages and kept our family in your hearts during this terrible heartbreak."

Treat's close relationship with Elinor is obvious from his Instagram, with the actor last week captioning a snap of her on his feed, "I miss you daughter." She replied in the comments, "Thanks dad I love you."

Along with Ellie, Treat is survived by his wife Pam Van Sant, 68, whom he married in 1988, and his 31-year-old son Gill.

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While the 'Shazam!' actress and the embattled actor have yet to confirm whether they are dating, they prove that things are going strong between the two as they walk side-by-side at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Meagan Good isn't giving up on her beau Jonathan Majors' amid his legal issue. The "Shazam!" actress was spotted holding hands with the "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" actor during his court appearance for his assault case.

On Tuesday, June 20, the couple was seen walking hand-in-hand as they entered and exited the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City. For the outfit, the 41-year-old sported a nude dress, matching trench coat and a nude clutch that she paired with sunglasses.

Jonathan, for his part, wore a wrinkled dark brown blazer, white button up and a pair of brown slacks. He also completed his look with a pair of sunglasses.

During the court appearance, Judge Rachel S. Pauley set an August 3 date for a trial in Jonathan's case. The actor himself was arrested in March after an alleged altercation with ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, and was subsequently charged with two counts of assault in the third degree, aggravated harassment and attempted assault.

"Within a few weeks of these false allegations, we provided the District Attorney with evidence of Mr. Majors' innocence. Last week, we delivered additional compelling evidence to the District Attorney," Jonathan's attorney, Priya Chaudhry, said in a statement on Tuesday. "Following this, we strongly requested the District Attorney dismiss all charges against Mr. Majors immediately."

"While we are hopeful that the District Attorney is reviewing these materials in good faith and will do the right thing soon, to accelerate our case, we've requested a trial date ASAP," the lawyer continued.

As for Jonathan and Meagan's dating rumors, they were first reported by TMZ in May. Later that month, the pair were seen boarding a flight together from New York City to Los Angeles. In mid-June, they were spotted rug shopping in L.A.

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In other news related to Meghan, Queen Camilla seemingly shades the Duchess of Sussex after a spokesperson for the latter debunked reports regarding a potential deal between the Duchess and Dior.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith weighed in on Spotify ending its $20 million deal with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. In a new episode of "The Stephen A. Smith Show", the host made it clear that he's not a fan of British royal family, dragging the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

"If Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex ain't complaining about the royal family, I don't know if anyone cares what they have to say," Stephen said. "I'm not trying to dog (Meghan) like she doesn't have any talent or anything like that. She did damn good on. I love 'Suits'."

He went on noting, "Matter of fact, I'm gonna watch it again. I'm gonna watch it again. I love that show. But what I'm saying is, you don't really care what they have to say unless they're insulting their family."

Stephen's comments came after Bill Simmons, the CEO of The Ringer whose podcasts are housed on Spotify, slammed the couple on his own podcast. " 'The f**king grifters'. That's the podcast we shoulda launched with them," Bill said shortly after Spotify and the Sussexes issued a joint statement about the end of their deal.

Bill later claimed that he had been called in to help Harry, "I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of this Zoom I had with Harry to try to help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories." He added, "I wish I had been involved in the 'Meghan and Harry leave Spotify' negotiation. That's a podcast we should've launched with them."

A source also said that the pair were "lazy" compared to the Obamas, who also had a Spotify contract. After signing the deal in 2020, Meghan only delivered just 13 hours of programming in two and half years.

"Although 'Archetypes' did well and got a couple of awards, when you go into a deal like this, to have just one series over that course of time is not great," the source said. "To put that into context, the Obamas and their production company, Higher Ground, delivered multiple new series."

In other news related to Meghan, it appeared that Queen Camilla shaded Meghan after a spokesperson for Meghan debunked reports regarding a potential deal between the Duchess and Dior. During an out and about in Berkshire, England with King Charles for the opening of the Royal Ascot on Tuesday, June 20, the Queen was seen wearing a design from the famed French house.

Camilla looked regal in a resplendent white coat which was a custom Dior design. Meanwhile, the King was suited and booted in a top hot.

It's unclear if Camilla's wardrobe choice was intentional but the timing does raise people's eyebrows. TMZ also notes that the Queen "isn't known as a regular Dior consumer."

Meghan was previously reported to be on the verge of signing a massive deal with the famed French couture house. "There have been rumors for weeks that she's about to sign a deal with Dior which has put the gossip mill into overdrive. If she pulls that off, then no one will remember that her silly little podcast got canceled after one season," Caroline Graham of the Daily Mail claimed. Her rep, however, said that the claims were untrue, adding that the house's team was "nonplussed as to how the story came about."

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Nearly one week after being slapped with gun possession by a felon charge, the 'Wipe Me Down' rapper is reported to be able to return home in the fourth week of June.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Boosie Badazz might have to fork out $50,000 for his release. Nearly one week after his arrest by federal agents for gun possession by a felon, the "Wipe Me Down" rapper, who was formerly known as Lil Boosie, was uncovered to have his bond set by a judge.

On Tuesday, June 20, TMZ reported that should the 40-year-old and his team be able to post the set bond in accordance with their plans, he is expected to be released in the fourth week of June. His lawyers, Meghan Blanco and Damon Alimouri, told the outlet that the bond was set during a hearing.

Boosie's lawyers additionally revealed that prosecutors initially planned to make the rapper stay in custody until his trial. Fortunately, the judge did not accept the request and decided to set the $50,000 bond.

The "Out Here Grindin" rapper's pal, DJ Akademiks, also shared the happy news on Instagram. Along with a screenshot of a post about Boosie getting a bond, Akademiks simply wrote in the caption, "Boosie has allegedly been granted bond."

Boosie was arrested outside of a San Diego courtroom by federal agents on Wednesday, June 14. At that time, he attended the court in San Diego for a gun case. Shortly after his case got dismissed and he left the courtroom, he got arrested for another gun case.

Federal files of Bossie's arrest, which were obtained by TMZ, showed that he was charged with gun possession by a felon, similar to his previous case. It stemmed from his Instagram Live streaming on May 6, wherein he was spotted having a gun tucked in the waistline of his pants while sharing the filming process of a music video.

Officers from the San Diego PD later pulled over a Mercedes SUV car that had Boosie, his guard and his driver in it. Upon further search, a cop discovered a loaded Hellcat 9mm in his guard's bag as well as a loaded Glock 9mm on the back seat of the car where Boosie was seated.

The loaded Glock matched with the gun tucked in Boosie's waistline in his Instagram Live. As a result, Boosie, his guard and his driver were all arrested. Investigators further claimed that they heard the spitter shouting at the guard, "You told me they were in the bag," during the arrest.

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President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a ceremony where six European firms announced a combined $940 million in investments into Korea at a hotel in Paris, Wednesday (local time). From left behind Yoon are CIP Managing Partner Jakob Baruel Poulsen, Continental Korea CEO Marin Kueppers and Equinor Chairman of the Board Jon Erik Reinhardsen. Yonhap



Yoon proposes creation of international organization for digital order



By Nam Hyun-woo



Six European firms have pledged to invest $940 million (1.2 trillion won) in Korea during President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to France, Wednesday (local time), as part of their efforts to enhance partnerships with Korean companies in rechargeable battery, eco-friendly vehicle and renewable energy businesses.



The companies reported their investment plans to the Korean government during a ceremony in Paris, where Yoon visited to attend the general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions a day earlier to promote Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030.



Of the companies, France-headquartered Imerys will make investments to build facilities for carbon black, which is used as additives for cathode materials in rechargeable batteries, and Belgium-headquartered Umicore will build anode materials facilities and an R&D center in Korea.



Automobile parts giant Continental will invest in advanced electronic component facilities in Korea, the U.K.'s Nylacast will allocate investments into advanced polymer facilities, and energy firms Equinor and CIP will invest in offshore wind power generation systems in Korea.



The Korean government did not reveal the amounts of each company's investment, but noted that the combined $940 million accounts for 12 percent of $8 billion that European companies announced as investments in Korea last year.



"The Korean government will create the world's best environment for foreign businesses to invest and create jobs in Korea," Yoon said. "I will abolish regulations that do not meet global standards and will provide incentives for companies contributing to a stable supply chain and advanced industries. Please let me or the Korean government know if you face difficulties or need assistance," he added.



Before the investment ceremony, Yoon attended an event called the Paris Digital Vision Forum at Sorbonne University and proposed the "Paris Initiative," aimed at setting up an international organization tasked with enacting and executing global rules and order in digital space, including artificial intelligence ethics.









"The most important condition for digital order is that the international community should closely cooperate for the operation and execution of regulation systems," Yoon said. "I propose an international organization that can apply basic principles of digital ethics to our digital economic and social activities and serve as a benchmark for setting standards and regulations."



During his speech, Yoon floated the idea that the world's debates on digital norms should encompass not only technological and economic aspects, but also include the perspectives of humanism, law and philosophy.



Yoon proposed basic principles to govern the norms of digital order  expanding freedom and well-being, ensuring free trade, bridging the digital divide, ensuring fair access and compensation, possessing appropriate risk regulations and sanctions against illegal activities, and facilitating close international cooperation.



The president added that various discussions should take place to explore ways to establish the organization, while the talks should take place under the United Nations to draw international agreements.





U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Monday. Reuters-Yonhap
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The 'Yellowstone' actor reportedly confronted tech entrepreneur Daniel Starr, who rented his guesthouse on his California estate, following a fallout with his wife Christine Baumgartner.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prior to trying to evict his estranged wife from his estate, Kevin Costner reportedly confronted a tenant who got too close to Christine Baumgartner. The actor reportedly tried to kick out tech entrepreneur Daniel Starr from his $60,000-plus-a-month beachfront guesthouse in California before she filed for divorce from him.

According to The Sun, Daniel signed a 12-month lease in June 2022. While he was living there, Kevin was away filming and Daniel had been regularly hanging out with Christine. Daniel reportedly even had a close relationship with all of Kevin's children, particularly his older son Joe, 35.

"Daniel was really happy living in the house. It's right on the beach and he has a four-year-old son who he wanted to feel settled," a source told the outlet. "After he moved in he became close friends with Chris and Kevin. They'd hang out together with their kids. But Kevin was always away filming, so Chris must have been lonely."

"Chris and Daniel hung out a lot. She would come into his house almost daily," the source added. But things turned sour following a fallout between Christine and Daniel. While the source claimed Daniel is a "respectful guy" and did not cross any lines, "Chris didn't like Daniel's attitude towards their friendship."

"But there was a fallout and Kevin got wind of it. There was a row between him and Daniel and things escalated from there," the source shared. "She texted him and said she wanted him out."

Daniel, who was just six months into his tenancy, tried to calm the situation. The source dished, "Daniel was really upset. He loved living there and felt hed done nothing wrong. That's when he brought his lawyer in."

"Daniel thought really highly of Kevin and thought he was an excellent father to his kids. But Kevin hit the roof and sided with his wife," the source claimed. "Ultimately, he wasn't willing to hear Daniel out."

Daniel eventually packed his bags and moved out of Kevin's guesthouse in March this year, cutting his lease short by three months.

Kevin is currently in the middle of divorce with Christine after she filed to end their marriage on May 31. His rep has shut down any allegations that he was unfaithful to his wife during their marriage, telling Yahoo in a statement last month, "Any suggestion of infidelity on the part of Mr. Costner is absolutely not true."

It was recently reported that the 68-year-old star is trying to get his estranged wife out of his estate. He claimed that according to their prenup, Christine had 30 days to vacate the home he owns, but she still hasn't moved out of the house.

He also said that he's already given his ex a whopping $1.2 million per his obligations under the prenup and the amount he's shelled out has grown to around $1.45 million, which he claims is more than enough for her to find somewhere else to live.

In response to his request, Christine's attorney John Rydell said "The Bodyguard" actor has no "legal basis" to kick out his ex. "Although the legal basis for Kevin's request to kick his wife and children out of their home is all but nonexistent, this is still a matter of critical importance for Christine," John wrote in a court document.

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The 'Hold It Against Me' songstress reveals that she recently visited her estranged sister on set, following report that her mother Lynne was 'begging' her to make amends with her younger sibling.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Britney Spears has seemingly patched things up with another family member after years of estrangement. The pop superstar revealed she recently reunited with her sister Jamie Lynn Spears amid report that her mother was "begging" her to make amends with her younger sibling.

Britney unveiled the joyful moment in one of her latest Instagram posts. On Tuesday, June 20, she posted a video of her dancing seductively while on board a yacht with her husband Sam Asghari.

In the clip, the 41-year-old rocked a sexy pink bikini and a brown round hat. She told her husband, who was smoking a cigar, to "go away," prompting the actor to playfully slap her bottom before walking away. She's later seen dancing with her longtime friend and manager Cade Hudson.

In the caption, Britney claimed that she visited her sister Jamie Lynn on a set last week, but did not specify what set she was on. "It was nice to visit my sister on set last week !!! I've missed you guys so much !!! Loyal girls stay home but it's so nice to visit family !!!" she wrote.

She also claimed that she and her husband Sam may have not been in a vacation together since the beginning of the year before this. "This is me and Hesam's first vacation in a year !!! I'm so so blessed and l'm gonna play the queen of hearts now !!!" she added.

The "Toxic" hitmaker went on rambling about language, writing, "Normally that's Spanish right mamma !!! Should I do French from now on ??? Latin ??? Portuguese or German ??? Nahh I dunno because I don't speak English."

Britney unveiled her reunion with Jamie Lynn after it was reported that their mother tried to broker a truce between her two daughters. "Lynne is begging Britney to make amends with her sister Jamie Lynn now," a source told Daily Mail earlier this week. "They are both leaning towards a yes. Lynne knows that Britney does miss her sister and she told her that the feeling is obviously mutual."

"Lynne is figuring out now how to make this happen, but she is not going to rest until everything is perfect again," the source added of Lynne's alleged approach to the situation. "Lynne knows that it still will take time to get back on the same page and fall into all the right places their relationship needs to be."

Lynne herself just reunited with Britney when she visited her home in Los Angeles on May 24. "My sweet mama showed up at my door step yesterday after 3 years ... it's been such a long time," Britney expressed her joy on Instagram after the meet-up. They are said to "have been in constant communication since" then.

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After deleting his Facebook post which showed him posing at the concert venue, Brian Szasz, whose stepfather Hamish Harding is among the five passengers onboard the missing submersible, says he's 'not sorry' for going to the show.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - The stepson of British billionaire Hamish Harding is not apologetic for attending a Blink-182 concert amid the uncertainty surrounding his stepfather's fate. Brian Szasz has defended his decision to go to the show during the high-stake rescue mission to find his stepfather and other four passengers onboard the missing Titanic submarine.

"Yes I went to @blink-182 last night," Brian posted on his Instagram Story on Tuesday, June 20 along with a photo of him at the venue. "What am I supposed to do sit at home and watch the news? Not sorry this band has helped me through hard times since 1998."

Brian Szasz is 'not sorry' for attending Blink-182 concert while search for his stepfather Hamish Harding is currently underway.

Brian revealed he went to the concert just hours after he shared on Facebook that his stepfather is one of the passengers onboard the missing submersible. "Hamish my stepdad is lost in a submarine thoughts and prayers that the rescue mission will be successful," so he posted on Monday.

In another post uploaded hours later, he shared a picture of him smiling while posing at the concert venue. "It might be distasteful being here but my family would want me to be at the blink-182 show as it's my favorite band and music helps me in difficult times!" so he claimed.

He, however, later deleted the post, noting that his mom Linda "asked me to delete all related posts. Thanks for the support."

Taking to Twitter, the audio engineer based in San Diego credited the band members, Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, for cheering him up during this difficult time. "My stepdad Hamish is on this submarine lost at sea," he tweeted on Monday night. "I'm devastated but coming to the San Diego show tonight so you guys can give me hope and cheer me up."

The Titanic tourist submarine was carrying five people when it went missing on Sunday, June 18. OceanGate lost communication with the submersible named Titan almost 2 hours into its journey down to the wreckage of the iconic boat that sank in 1912 in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Titan was roughly 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and around 13,000 feet deep in the water, when it disappeared. It has a 96-hour emergency supply of oxygen onboard, which has likely dwindled to about 40 hours remaining. The U.S. Coast Guard has begun a search for the missing vessel and the passengers onboard.

"Our entire focus is on the crew members in the submersible and their families," OceanGate said in a statement. "We are deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible."

Other four passengers onboard the vessel are identified as CEO Stockton Rush, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood.

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In a new episode of their joint podcast 'Separation Anxiety', the 48-year-old TV personality and her 32-year-old boyfriend talk about the possibility of them having kids sometime in the future.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Larsa Pippen is ready for another round of motherhood now that she's in a relationship with a much-younger boyfriend. The reality TV personality has revealed that she's open to having another child while dating Marcus Jordan.

In a new episode of their new joint podcast, "Separation Anxiety With Hosts Larsa Pippen & Marcus Jordan", the pair talked about the possibility of them having kids sometime in the future. "I think there's [mostly] been conversations around it," Marcus said, explaining that they haven't gotten into specifics when it comes to that particular discussion.

"When we go and we meet people, or I'm introducing you to some of my friends, or you introduce me to some of your friends I feel like it gets brought up," he shared, noting that they may have never had a conversation about the topic between the two of them before. "But I feel like we've never had a one-on-one, private conversation about having children."

"It's one of those things where I think time will tell," Larsa, who shares three sons and a daughter with ex-husband Scottie Pippen, chimed in. "I feel like I'm happy, because I have four kids, and I feel like you don't have kids, so basically it'd be a question for you. Because I'm really fulfilled with my four children."

"And I think that's something that goes unsaid with dating, and when there's an age gap," Marcus added. "Like if the man is older, he might have kids, if the woman is older, she might have kids."

Marcus admitted that his mind has been occupied with work currently. "But for me, I've always viewed Trophy Room as my baby," he explained, referring to his upscale boutique sneaker store. "I always wanted to establish my own name, outside of being Michael Jordan's son. So for me, Trophy Room gave me that opportunity as my business. So I've always nurtured it and treated it as my child."

"Now obviously, that's not the same as having an actual baby, but it's occupied all of my time," he went on stressing. He shared, "Having a child was always so far out of my mind frame... but [recently] there's definitely thoughts."

Larsa, meanwhile, is down to being a mother again. "I have four kids, and I love being a mom, and I feel like I would be open to having one more child," she told her boyfriend. In the end, they agreed that the time to talk about kids will come as they prepare to celebrate their first anniversary as a couple.

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While promising to 'continue to help out as much as possible,' the 'Money in the Grave' spitter hands out the money check directly to Fayette C.A.R.E. Clinic's executive director.

Jun 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Rick Ross has saved a healthcare facility from closing. Upon learning that a Fayette County clinic was in danger of stopping its operation, the "Money in the Grave" rapper showed his generous nature by unhesitatingly giving away $30,000 in donation.

On Monday, June 19, the 47-year-old rapper arrived at Fayette C.A.R.E. Clinic to give more than $30,000 check directly to the clinic's executive director, Geneva Weaver. According to TMZ, the artist heard that the clinic is in danger of closing due to the lack of funds from his lawyer Steve Sadow.

During his visit, Rick spoke to local media WSB-TV about the reason why he donated. "A clinic like this means a lot to me. I lost my father at an early age and I felt like one of the reasons I lost them so early was because of his lack of Health Care," he stated.

Rick further expressed his commitment to continue assisting the healthcare facility. He added, "This is just the start and I look forward to continue to help out as much as possible. I consider you family friends and of course neighbors so."

In response to Rick's generosity, Geneva told the rapper, "Thank you very much for your donation of the $30,179." She went on to say, "The patients that come to this clinic, all of them, their income level is 200% below the national poverty level."

Geneva additionally revealed that most of the funding for the clinic was obtained from fundraising, grants and donations. Rick's donation was apparently the largest amount of money the clinic has ever received from an individual donation.

This was not the first time Rick showed his kindness to others. He previously offered Don Lemon a new job after the news anchor was fired from CNN. "I just found out Don Lemon was terminated from CNN. Damn, Don. But guess what? A brother's got your back! We're hiring at WingStop," he said on his Instagram Story on Monday, April 14.

The "Gold Roses" rapper went on to say, "And for some reason, I believe you know what you're doing with them LEMON pepper wings. So, man just send over your resume. 17 years, damn. But, I'm gonna make sure I get you in front of the right grill, brother. Stay solid, brother."

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CNN-News18, India's leading English news channel, is thrilled to announce its comprehensive live coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to the United States, branded as "Modi in America." This highly anticipated visit, scheduled from June 21st to June 24th, will witness PM Modi's participation in several significant events, showcasing India's remarkable progress on the global stage.

Also Read: BARC Ratings: CNN-News18 remains No.1 in English news genre

Also Read:How not to fall for paid blue ticks & AI:CNN-News18 is setting an example for Indian media

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As part of our exclusive coverage, Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor of CNN-NEWS18, will be reporting live from ground zero, providing in-depth insights and firsthand accounts of the events. Our network will present special shows on June 21st and 22nd at 9 PM IST, featuring exclusive coverage from Washington D.C., and New York City.

The visit kicks off on June 21st with PM Modi's participation in the Yoga Day celebrations at Times Square in New York. This symbolic event not only pays homage to India's ancient heritage but also highlights its continued influence on the world stage.

On June 22nd, Prime Minister Modi will address the joint session of the United States Congress, emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations and sharing his vision for the future. Additionally, PM Modi will be honored as a distinguished guest at a state dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and the first lady, underscoring the significance of this diplomatic gesture.

Continuing the momentum, on June 23rd, PM Modi will engage with the Indian diaspora in Washington D.C., recognizing their invaluable contributions and reaffirming India's commitment to its citizens living abroad.

This historic visit serves as a beacon of hope as India's success story shines brightly amidst global challenges such as war and economic slowdown. CNN-NEWS18 aims to shed light on the emerging world order and explore how PM Modi's visit will further strengthen India's position on the global stage.

Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor, CNN-News18 said "We are thrilled to announce CNN-NEWS18's comprehensive live coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to the United States, branded as 'Modi in America.' This highly anticipated visit showcases India's remarkable progress on the global stage and signifies a momentous occasion. Through our exclusive coverage, we will provide in-depth insights and firsthand accounts, bringing viewers closer to the events. Join us as we shed light on the world's most popular leader visiting one of the world's oldest democracies, capturing the essence of this pivotal moment in history."

CNN-NEWS18 invites viewers to witness the unfolding action of PM Modi's visit to the United States through its extensive coverage. Stay tuned to CNN-NEWS18 and be part of this momentous occasion.
Disney+ Hotstar is all set to release its first-ever Malayalam web series called "Kerala Crime Files - Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara" as part of its Hotstar Specials on the 23rd of June, 2023. The show features an engaging crime story set in the picturesque backdrop of Kerala, providing viewers with a fresh and exciting viewing experience.

Disney + Hotstar Specials Kerala Crime Files Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara' will feature the talented actors Lal and Aju Varghese in lead roles, bringing their acting prowess to the forefront. As the plot unfolds, viewers will be taken on an intense journey of crime and investigation, leaving them at the edge of their seats. The series will be available in multiple languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Bengali and Marathi.

Kerala Crime Files Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara' produced by Rahul Riji Nair under the banner of First Print Studios and directed by the talented and promising director Ahammed Khabeer, is set to be a visual delight. The series is written by the skilled storyteller, Ashiq Aimar, while Jithin Stanislaus captures the essence of the story through his cinematography. The music is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab, and the editing is done by Mahesh Bhuvanend.

In contrast to a feature picture, according to director Ahammed Khabeer, the extra time has allowed the ability to convey the story thoroughly and engagingly. Further talking about the series, Producer Rahul Riji Nair said, Being Disney + Hotstar's first original web series in Malayalam, Kerala Crime Files has been made without compromising on production value and quality. Although the story takes place in the backdrop of Kerala, the making and storytelling of Kerala Crime Files is at par with popular web series in India.

Krishnan Kutty, Head - Business and Content for Disney Star for South India and Maharashtra, said, Disney+ Hotstar is renowned for providing viewers with specially crafted content in their preferred languages. With Kerala Crime Files, we embark on an exciting journey with original Malayalam content by working with incredible talent like Lal and Aju Varghese and many more who are portraying roles and characters that have never been seen before. With our new show, we are starting a journey that will offer the audience in the Malayalam market a fresh, new content experience.
News18 Uttar Pradesh / Uttarakhand, the region's No. 1 news channel, has always been dedicated to addressing critical issues that impact the region and its people. In alignment with its core values, the channel is thrilled to announce the launch of "Mission Safai," a special campaign aimed at achieving cleaner and better surroundings for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

A fundamental aspect of "Mission Safai" is recognizing that waste and trash management is the responsibility of individuals themselves. News18 emphasizes the importance of not littering and instead properly disposing of waste. The channel urges people to treat their surroundings with the same care and cleanliness as they do their own homes. By adopting responsible waste management practices, citizens can contribute significantly to creating a cleaner and healthier environment.

"Mission Safai" recognizes that a clean environment is not only crucial for individual well-being but also contributes to the overall development of a society. By addressing the issue of sanitation and cleanliness, the campaign aims to uplift the living conditions of the people and create a sustainable and healthier future for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

News18s team is dedicated towards driving a positive change through "Mission Safai" and is committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the campaign's progress, highlighting success stories, and showcasing the collective efforts of citizens and authorities.

Watch Mission Safai only on News18 Uttar Pradesh / Uttarakhand.
WhatsApp has announced the launch of two new updates aimed at enhancing privacy features for its users. The introduction of Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup will provide increased protection and control over incoming calls, as well as empower users to customize their privacy settings.

Privacy has always been at the core of WhatsApp's mission, and it continues to build upon its foundation of end-to-end encryption to ensure secure communication for its users. The latest updates further reinforce this commitment by offering additional layers of privacy, including the recently introduced Chat Lock, Disappearing Messages, screenshot blocking for View Once, and the ability to maintain online privacy.

Silence Unknown Callers is a valuable feature designed to provide users with enhanced privacy and control over incoming calls. This feature automatically screens out spam, scams, and calls from unknown individuals, thus offering increased protection. While these calls will not ring on the user's phone, they will be visible in the Call list in case they are from someone important.

To raise awareness about the importance of privacy options on WhatsApp, the company is introducing Privacy Checkup. This step-by-step feature ensures that users are well-informed about their privacy settings and guides them through the process of choosing the right level of protection. Accessible through the Privacy settings, users can initiate the Privacy Checkup and explore multiple privacy layers that reinforce the security of their messages, calls, and personal information.

Securing private communication is crucial, as WhatsApp recognises the importance of offering a safe space for individuals to connect and share. To reinforce this message, the company is encouraging users worldwide to reach out to friends and loved ones securely via private messages. This initiative aims to ensure that everyone knows they have a secure environment in which to open up and communicate freely.

The new features, Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup, are available to users immediately. To experience these updates and explore the enhanced privacy options, users need to update their WhatsApp app to the latest version.

Meanwhile, to encourage women to check in on each other privately, Whatsapp has partnered with actor Anushka Sharma to launch a series of mirrored messages appearing in private spaces  womens restrooms  in malls across Delhi.

A message will appear on the restroom mirror when triggered by motion, alongside a QR code that offers suggestions for checking in via a private WhatsApp message. Afterwards, the message vanishes without a trace, just like a Disappearing Message on WhatsApp.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Anushka Sharma said, Women dont always feel safe to speak up about issues theyre facing, however they tend to open up with a friend who reaches out to them, privately. Ive partnered with WhatsApp to drive awareness around the importance of having a secure space for women to confide in others and how a private conversation can be empowering for women to speak up and seek help when their safety and well-being might be at risk. I truly feel it is important to check in on a friend, colleague, loved one, especially if you havent heard from them in a while and that one private message can be a lifeline. I am happy to be a part of this campaign that can be a safe space for women to open up.

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President, Meta India, said, At WhatsApp, we believe protecting users personal conversations with their family and friends is the most important type of privacy we can give them. Were thrilled to add two new privacy-first features that further strengthen and add to WhatsApps built-in layers of protection to offer users a safe space to have their most private conversations. Through the series of mirrored messages, were spreading the word on the importance of checking in on a friend or a loved one, encouraging women to reach out and support each other to speak up. We hope it helps start important conversations on WhatsApp, which always start with a single private message.
Maharashtra's leading Hindi Daily Navabharat successfully organised the second edition of YOGA with Corporate Gurus as a precursor to the International Day of Yoga.This unique initiative aimed to raise awareness about yoga and promote a healthy lifestyle among its readers in accordance with the call given by our Honourable PM Narendra Modi.

In the high-stress corporate world, personal well-being is often neglected. This special session was organised by Navbharat in association with the IIM Nagpur to offer direct experience & sensitise corporate honchos to Yogas benefits.

Yoga has garnered immense popularity among influential leaders and corporate heads. Prominent figures such as Ratan Tata, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Rajiv Bajaj, and Anant Ambani have embraced yoga as an integral part of their lives & are on record stressing the personal benefits they have got from this ancient practice.

Major business leaders who attended the event were all praised for it.




By Jon Dunbar







This newspaper has published a high amount of articles about Korea's underground music scene, and it may seem frivolous to many readers. Some of the articles maybe are.







But the return of the Geeks, Korea's first youth-crew hardcore band and the first in the local music scene to tour internationally should be a big deal.







If you're a K-pop snob, well, these guys are technically K-pop, having played the first ever "K-Pop Night Out" Korean music showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas, in 2013 (since renamed "Korea Spotlight") along with Galaxy Express, No Brain, Guckkasten, f(x), Jeong Cha-shik and Yi Sung-yol. But the Geeks held their own among this crowd, due to having built up a U.S. following by touring the DIY circuit in the U.S. years earlier, a feat the other bigger-name acts hadn't pulled off yet.







"I personally love K-pop and what it did to promote Korea," said Geeks lead vocalist Seo Ki-seok, known widely among his hardcore friends worldwide as Ki. "It may sound strange  When we were the ones pushing for Korean representation, no one knew or cared. We had to fight for awareness and win the audience. We somehow felt like we made a small contribution. Now it is totally different. Surreal. Now everyone knows and wants to learn more about Korea."







The five-member band was formed in 1999. "It was an era where 'indie' music exploded," he said of the early days. "Every show was full of passionate young kids. I think it was one of those things where things happen first and legal stuff comes later on."







Despite images of the music being full of heavy drinking and alleged illegal drug use, Ki has maintained a clean lifestyle, adhering to the "straight-edge" movement which eschews intoxication.







"I think it was in second grade of high school when I learned about straight-edge and decided to live this lifestyle," Ki said. "No alcohol or tobacco in my life. No urge or desire. On a personal level, it was a true victory of me trying to live my life the way I wanted to. No compromise!"







In the early years, the Geeks became the first in the Korean scene to tour places like Japan, the U.S., Canada and Southeast Asia.







"We toured with local bands. No Korean crowd, no other Korean bands, just five random Korean dudes along on those tours, representing Korea. We were the only Koreans on the bills and we were the first 'Korean band' for a lot of kids in those shows," Ki said. "A lot of kids in Asia have told us that they felt proud of us going out to the world and representing Asia. I feel super humble and proud at the same time!"







In 2001, the Geeks released a split album with Japanese hardcore band In My Pain, a very early achievement in the local scene. They have since brought to Korea many overseas bands through connections made on their international journeys, including Sick of It All, Bane, Strike Anywhere, Terror, No Turning Back and Outbreak.







In all its history, the band lineup has remained mostly the same. Ki said the current lineup has been together for about 15 years when Kim Myoung-jin (Gene) was added.







"The fact that we've been together with the same lineup for such a long time makes me feel super proud," Ki said. "We just believe in us and what it means to us, the collective vision and mission. The older we've gotten, the more important and significant this has been."







But the Geeks have had a difficult time in recent years, not just from the pandemic but also because guitarist Kang Jun-sung moved to China. The band's last show was in Tokyo in February 2020, but the last show with Kang was in 2019.







"Just to clarify we never broke up. I think the word 'comeback' insinuates that we all went our separate ways," Ki said. "We have been just waiting and waiting and now he is back here. Now we can play again."







The Geeks will be playing their first show together in almost four years this Saturday at Club SHARP. Opening bands include End These Days, FLUSH!!, Green Flame Boys and Turn For Our.







Ki emphasized that this is not just a one-off reunion show, and the band has plans to continue.







On July 19, they'll support the U.S. punk band Anxious on a tour here. After that, Ki said the sky's the limit.







"We will continue to find opportunities to play," he said. "Prior to the pandemic, we had an amazing plan to tour overseas in Southeast Asia and the U.S. and more. Now is the time to put it back on track!"







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The Federal Council

Bern, 21.06.2023 - At its meeting on 21 June, the Federal Council approved an agreement to retain a digital backup copy of the archives of the Colombian Truth Commission. Dealing with the past is a key focus area of Switzerland's long-standing peace policy work in Colombia. In safeguarding such sensitive data, Switzerland is supporting the peace process in the long term.

Dealing with the past is an important aspect of Swiss peace policy in Colombia. After the government's peace agreement with the FARC rebels in 2016, Switzerland provided support, among other things, to the work of the Colombian Truth Commission. The Truth Commission completed its mandate in August 2022 and published a final report. It has asked Switzerland to keep a digital backup of its archives, which contain sensitive information on human rights violations as well as testimonies.

The Colombian request is a strong sign of confidence in Switzerland, its peace policy and its pioneering role in the retention of archives.

Address for enquiries

For further information:

FDFA Communication

Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55

kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




India has hit out at China for blocking a move to designate Pakistan-based LeT leader Sajid Mir as a global terrorist by the UN, saying it shows a lack of genuine political will to fight the scourge of terrorism.

China on Tuesday blocked a proposal moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mir is wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In a strongly-worded statement, Joint Secretary at Indias permanent mission in New York Prakash Gupta said on Tuesday if efforts to ban terrorists fail due to petty geopolitical interests, then we really do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism.

The first and most critical gap we feel addressing is avoiding double standards, and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists. Terror act is a terror act, plain and simple. Any justification of any kind being used should not be countenanced by anybody, he said at United Nations counter-terror meeting.

Gupta said in this day and age of accountability and transparency, can evidence-based listing proposals be blocked without giving any reason.

He said India has fought against terrorists in practically real-time on a daily basis.

While the 9/11 terror bombings in this iconic city of New York had changed the landscape of the global counterterrorism architecture, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks shook the collective conscience of the worlds largest democracy, he said.

Gupta also played an audio clip of Mir in which he can be heard instructing terrorists from Pakistan during the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks.

Ten fully armed assailants from across the borders well trained in conducting urban warfare, descended on the shores of Mumbai and wreaked havoc for three days. The carnage resulted in the killing of 166 innocents, including 26 foreigners.

Justice still continues to elude the victims of the Mumbai terror attack, he said. Mir was listed as a proscribed terrorist under the national laws of India and under the laws of the United States and several other countries globally, he said.

But when the proposal for listing him did not go through the Security Council sanctions regime, we had strong reasons to believe that something was genuinely wrong in the global sanctions regime, as manifested in the Security Council, Gupta said.

If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes, listed under the Security Council architecture for petty geopolitical interests, then we really do not have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism, he added.

Gupta rued that 15 years after the Mumbai terror attacks, its masterminds in Pakistan have not yet been brought to justice.

Mir, believed to be in his mid-40s, is one of Indias most wanted terrorists and has a bounty of USD 5 million placed on his head by the US for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In June last year, Mir was jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities had in the past claimed Mir had died, but Western countries remained unconvinced and demanded proof of his death. This issue became a major sticking point in FATFs assessment of Pakistans progress on the action plan late last year. Mir is a senior member of the Pakistan-based LeT and is wanted for his involvement in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Our Media Editor Anne Dachel is amazing. She transcribed relevant vaccine safety portions of the Joe Rogan Spotify interview with Presidential Candidate Robert Kennedy Jr,. She also created a list of follow up questions for skeptics.



#1999 - Robert Kennedy, Jr.  The Joe Rogan Experience (spotify.com)



By Anne Dachel

ANYONE who attacks Robert Kennedy, Jr. and dismisses him as anti-vaccine and dangerous, should have to response to the following questions concerning what Kennedy revealed during his interview with Joe Rogan.

HOW do you explain the governments denial of any connection between vaccines and autism, and yet in cases like Sarah Bridges, her son was awarded $20 million dollars for vaccine-induced autism in federal court?

WHY do our health agencies rely on vaccine promoters to prove vaccine safety?

WHY does the government selectively ignore critical vaccine research that challenges their safety claims, like in the case of Dr. Thomas Burbachers macaque monkey study?

WHY didnt health officials publicly disclose findings clearly linking vaccines to autism revealed at a secret meeting in 2000 at a Methodist retreat center in Norcross, GA?

WHY is every child mandated to be vaccinated when manufacturers and the Supreme Court state that vaccines are unavoidably unsafe?

WHY do health officials declare vaccines to be safe and effective when there were never double blind studies on any of them during licensure?

WHY arent parents told that vaccine makers have no liability for the products theyre selling?

WHY is there no interest in whats causing the exponential increase in autism that top experts like Dr. Irva Hertz-Picciotto say is a true epidemic of disabled children.

WHY are we exposing children to neurotoxic vaccine adjuvants like aluminum?

WHY are over half of children in America chronically ill, when 40 years ago, it was only six percent?

WHY are our children the most vaccinated and the most chronically ill kids in the world?

WHY arent health officials answerable on any of these questions?





#1999 - Robert Kennedy, Jr.  The Joe Rogan Experience (spotify.com)

By Anne Dachel



This is a remarkable interview by Joe Rogan.

Robert Kennedy, Jr. explains how he became aware of the background of our unsafe, unchecked vaccine schedule and the alarming side effects connected to it.

If even a fraction of the information Kennedy cites here is true, this is the biggest scandal in public health care in history.

Kennedy methodically presents the web of corruption, collusion and cover-up that is simply indefensible. He talks about the phony science that has been used by compromised health officials to promote vaccines as safe and effective AND the total lack of ANY genuine research on vaccine side effects.

Kennedy describes his personal encounters with vaccine promoters like Paul Offit, Peter Hotez and Tony Fauci, people well ensconced with Big Pharma.

He cites 1986 as the year that started the chronic disease epidemic in America because of the passage of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act that year. This removed any liability for damages on the part of the vaccine makers, and the childhood schedule exploded in the following years.

Kennedy talks about a lot of familiar events in the history of vaccine damage cover-up, including the secret 2000 meeting of health officials and Big Pharma at Simpsonwood in Norcross, Georgia where they discussed the clear link they were seeing between vaccines and autism, and his bombshell story, Deadly Immunity published in 2005 in Salon and Rolling Stone, and later retracted under pressure from the vaccine makers.

So why arent the vaccine promoters and insiders willing to debate Kennedy on his issues?

Where is their data that disprove his claims? As Kennedy reveals, Paul Offit and Tony Fauci promised to send him the safety studies on vaccines, but both men failed to do so.

IF there are no double blind safety studies on ANY VACCINES, why should Americans allow their children to be industry guinea pigs?

This eye-opening talk needs to be the major focus of anyone running for office. What are elected officials going to do to stop the chronic illness epidemic that Kennedy succinctly ties to the mandated vaccine schedule? How long will our federal health agencies be run at the behest of the industry theyre supposed to oversee?

11:45

Kennedy: So these women start showing up at every lecture I give, public lectures. They would come and sit in the front seat, occupy the front, theyd come early and occupy the front row, and then afterwards theyd stay late. They would ask to talk to me.

They would say to me in a very respectfuland by the way, these women all looked kind of similar. They were very pulled together. They were women in childbearing years.

As it turns out, they were all the mothers of intellectually disabled children, and they believed that their children had been injured by the vaccines, by mercury in the vaccines.

They would say to me in a kind of respectful but vaguely scolding way, if youre really interested in mercury contamination exposures to children, you need to look at the vaccines.

This was something I didnt want to do.

First of all, Im not a public health person. I wanted to do environmental stuff.

Second of all, Ive been involved, since I was a little kid, in the whole area of intellectual disabilities. My aunt had been intellectually disabled, my Aunt Rosemary. Eunice Shriver who is my godmother founded Special Olympics in 1969

My family had written a lot of the legislation that protected people and gave rights to people with intellectual disabilities. 

Public Health authorities were saying that these women were crazy. But they didnt look crazy to me, and they were rational. They werent excitable. And they had done their research

And I was like, I should be listening to these people, even if theyre wrong. Someone needs to listen to them. 

I had seen so many times when the scientists were wrong and the commercial fishermen were right about what was happening in the Hudson River. 

If a woman tells you something about her child, you should listen.

One of these women came to my home and her name was Sarah Bridges. She was a psychologist from Minnesota. ...She took out of the trunk of her car, a pile of scientific studies that was 18 inches thick. She put it on my front porch, my stoop, and then she rang the bell.

And then she pointed to that pile. She said, Im not leaving here until you read those.

As it turns out, her son, Porter Bridges, had been a perfectly healthy kid, got a battery of vaccines when he was two, and lost the ability to speak. He lost his toilet training. He began head banging and engaging in other stereotypical behavior like stimming, hand flapping, toe walking and got an autism diagnosis. The Vaccine Court had awarded her $20 million for acknowledging that the child had gotten autism from the vaccines. She didnt want it to happen to other kids.

I sat down with this pile of studies. Im used to reading science. Ive very comfortable it. I wanted to be a scientist when I was a little kid. My legal career has been about science.

Virtually all the cases, hundreds and hundreds of cases involve some scientific controversy, so Im comfortable with reading science. I know how to read it critically. I know how to look for the flaws in it, how to attribute weight to the various studies.

I sat down while she was there, and I read through the abstracts of these studies, one after the other. Before I was six inches down in that pile, I recognized that there was this huge delta between what the public health agencies were saying, were telling us about vaccine safety and what the actual peer-reviewed published science was saying.

Then I took the next step. I started calling people, high level public officials. I had access to everyone. I called Frances Collins. I called Marie McCormick who ran the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences. I called Kathleen Stratton at the National Academy of Sciences. It was a chief staffer, and I was asking her about these studies. I realized, during these conversations, that none of these people had read any of the science. They were just repeating things that they had been told about the science.

They kept saying to me, I cant answer that detailed question. You need to talk to Paul Offit.

Paul Offit is a vaccine developer who made a $186 million deal with Merck on the rotavirus vaccine. It was odd to me that government regulators were saying you should talk to somebody in the industry.

I used to talk to EPA people all the time, asking them, what does this provision mean in the permit, why did you put it in there. And if they said to me, I dont know, what don t you go talk to the coal industry or this lobbyist from the coal industry, and he will tell you what were doing, I would have been very puzzled and indignant.

It was weird to me that the top regulators in the country were telling me, go talk to somebody whos an industry insider because we dont understand the science.

When I talked to him, I caught him in a lie. And both of us knew he was lying, and that both of us knew that he was lying.

Rogan: What was the lie?

Kennedy: I asked him this question: Why is it that CDC and every state regulator recommends that pregnant women do not eat tuna fish to avoid the mercury, but that CDC is recommending mercury-containing flu shots with a huge bolus dose of mercury. I mean massive doses to pregnant women in every trimester of pregnancy?

And he said to me, Well Bobby, theres two kinds of mercury. Theres a good mercury, and theres a bad mercury.

And I knew theres a different kind of mercury in the vaccines. Its ethylmercury in the vaccines and methylmercury in the fish. But I know a lot about mercury. Ive been suing people. When you sue somebody, you get a PhD in that. You know more than anybody in the world. You have to, or youre not going to win your lawsuit. So I knew a lot about mercury.

I knew that his argument was not with me but it was with the periodic tables, because theres no such thing as a good mercury.

And I also knew the history of why he was saying that. Mercury was added to vaccines in a form called thimerosal in 1932. Eli Lilly, which was the manufacturerpeople knew thenmercury is a thousand times more neurotoxic than lead.

You would never shoot lead into your baby.

Rogan: Why was thimerosal introduced?

Kennedy: It was allegedly introduced as a preservative  It wasnt a good preservative.

What NIH admitted to me in 2016, the real reason it was there was as an adjuvant. An adjuvant is a toxic material that they add to dead virus vaccines to amplify the immune response. Regulators expressed a preference for dead virus vaccines.

A dead virus vaccine however, will not produce a durable or robust immune response enough to get a license. The way you get a license for a vaccine showing that you got an antibody response for a certain amount of time, and that is a strong antibody response. But the dead virus vaccine wont produce that.

But vaccinologists figured out that if you added something tremendously toxic to the vaccine, that your body confuses that toxic product, you add it with the dead antigen, which is the viral particle. Your body confuses that toxin with the viral particle and gets frightened and mounts huge, humongous immune response. The next time it sees that virus, the immune response is there.

At that point vaccinologists went around searching around the world trying to find the most horrendously toxic materials to add to vaccines.

Theres a mantra in vaccinology that the more toxic the adjuvant, the more robust the immune response. Thats why toxicologists and vaccinologists dont get along with each other.

Because the toxicologists would say to the vaccinologists, I understand it gives you an immune response, but then what is the fate of that in your body? Where is it going? Is it being excreted? Is it being lodged in the brain? Is it penetrating the blood brain barrier?

The vaccinologists could not answer those questions and did not want to, so they basically moved the toxicologists out of thesethe whole vaccine universe.

So when it was added in 1932, the industry said, Eli Lilly said

Because everybody was saying, how can you put mercury into a child? Who would do that?

They said, its a different kind of mercury. Its ethylmercury, and ethylmercury is excreted very quickly. 

They had no science to say that, but thats what they were saying for years.

THEN in 2003, a CDC scientist Pichichero did a study where he gave tuna sandwiches that were mercury contaminated to children and then measured their blood. The mercury from the tuna sandwich was there, half life, 64 days later. So it was still there 64 days.

Then he injected the children with mercury from a vaccine, and that mercury disappeared from their blood within a week.

This kind of confirmed what Eli Lilly had said in 1932Oh, it disappears really quickly from the body. That was published in the Lancet or Pediatrics.

But immediately the journal began getting letters from people including this famous scientist called Dr. Boyd Haley, who was the chair of the chemistry department, University of Kentucky.

He said, What happened to the mercury? Pichichero couldnt find it in the childrens urine or in their feces or hair or sweat or nails. So where is it?

NIH actually commissioned a study, because at that point they were really trying to figure out whether this was dangerous. They commissioned a very famous scientist called Thomas Burbacher at the University of Washington, Seattle to do a study with monkeys, macaques.

And he did the same study Pichichero, but he did something you cant do with children. He then killed the monkeys, and then he looked for the mercury.

What he found was the mercury, yes, it left their blood immediately, the ethylmercury from the vaccines was gone from their blood in a week, and the methylmercury from the tuna fish was there two months later.

But when he sacrificed the monkeys and did postmortems, he found that the mercury had not left their body. Instead, the reason it was disappearing from their blood is because ethylmercury crosses the blood brain barrier much easier than methylmercury.

The ethylmercury from the vaccines was going directly to the brains of these animals and was lodging there and causing severe inflammation.

We now know its there 20 years later.

So when Im on the phone with Offit, and I saidhe said the ethylmercury is excreted quickly, I said, How do you know that?

He said, Because of the Pichichero study. Because the study by Pichichero found that it was excreted quick in a week.

And I said, But youre familiar with the Burbacher study that showed its gone to the brain?

And there was dead silence on the phone.

And then he said to me, Well, youre right. Its not that study. Its a whole mosaic of studies.

And I said, Can you cite any of them for me?

And he said, Ill send them to you. And he never did. And that was the last I heard from him.

So at that point, I knew there was something wrong. And then someone handed me a transcript of a secret meeting that took place in 1999. It might have been 2000.

It was called the Simpsonwood Meeting. And what happened is

The history is that in 1986. Ill go back a little further. In 1979, 80when I was a kid, I only had three vaccines.

My kids got 72 vaccines. Thats what you need now to get through school. 72 vaccines doses of 16 vaccines.

It started changing in the 80s and 90s.

In 1979, they brought on a vaccine called the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine.

That vaccine was very dangerous. It was killing or giving severe brain damage to one in 300 kids. It was pulled in the United States. It was pulled in Europe.

But Bill Gates still gives it to 161 million African children every year.

Rogan: The same vaccine?

Kennedy: The same vaccine. And to south Asian kids.

We now know what that does because the Danish government did a study in 2017 that showed that African kids, and thats published in a journal called, Biopharma. It was done by the leading deities of African vaccinology, all of them pro vaccine people. 

They went to Africa They had 30 years of data.

And Gates had gone to the Danish government and said, Give us money because weve saved millions of lives with this vaccine in Africa.

And the Danish government said, Can you show us the data?

And he couldnt.

So they went to Guinea-Bissau, which is a country in the west of Africa,

The Danes for 30 years had been paying for these very advanced health clinics. The clinics were weighing every child at three months and at six months.

In the 80s, they began giving the DTP vaccine at the first visit, the three month visit.

As it turns out, they had 30 years of data where half the kids were vaccinated and half the kids were not between two months and five months of age.

It was a perfect natural experiment.

And they went in there, and they looked at 30 years of data, and they found that girls who got that vaccine, the DTP vaccine, were over 10 times more likely to die over the next three months than children who did not. And they werent dying of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. They were protected against those by the vaccine.

They were dying of anemia but mainly they were dying of pneumonia. And what the researchers said is that the vaccine is almost certainly killing more children than diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis prior to the vaccine because it was protecting them against the targeted illnesses, but it had ruined their immune systems. They could not defend themselves against these other minor infections.

And nobody noticed for 30 years that is was the vaccinated children who were disproportionately dying.

And thats the problem with not doing real placebo controlled trials.

None of the vaccines are subjected to true placebo controlled trials. It is the only medical product that is exempt prior to licensure.

The DTP vaccine, when it was pulled in this country, was pulled because so many people were suing the drug companies.

Wyeth, which is now Pfizer, the primary manufacturer, they went to the Reagan Administration in 1986, and they said, You need to give us full immunity from liability for all vaccines, or were getting out of the business.

Were losing $20 in downstream liability for every dollar were making in profits.

And Reagan said to them, Well, why dont you make a vaccine safe?

And they said, Because vaccines are unavoidably unsafe.

Thats the phrase they use, and that phrase is in the statute.

Its also in the Bruesewitz Case, which is the Supreme Court decision upholding that statute.

So anybody who tells you vaccines are safe and effective, the industry itself got immunity from liability by convincing the President and Congress that vaccines are unavoidably unsafe.

Rogan: The argument against that would obviously be: Theyve prevented disease that would have killed untold numbers of children.

Kennedy: Exactly. And that vaccine injuries are very rare. That is the argument that is used against them. And both of those arguments, in CDCs own studies, have been severely challenged.

The CDC did a study in 2010. It was Harvard scientists who looked at one of the HMOsand they were testing a machine counting system

Fewer than one in a hundred vaccine injuries are ever reported. 

They developed a system of machine counting, so it doesnt rely on voluntary reporting.

What you do is look at all the vaccine records per population and all of the medical claims, the subsequent medical claims, and you do machine counting, cluster analysis.

And CDC had asked this team to design a machine counting system because their VAERS system was so heavily criticized by everybody. Congress had told them you have to accurately count vaccine injuries, and they werent doing it.

So when they did it, when they actually looked, they found that its not one in a million. One in every 37 kids had potential vaccine claims.

You cant tell whether any of those claims were actually from the vaccine. Its machine counting, so its statistical. But you can say that the number of injuries was much higher than anybody was admitting.

Then in the year 2000, CDC did a study with Johns Hopkins because there was this emerging claim that vaccines had saved millions and millions of lives around the world. 

This is the principle effort by CDC to actually verify that claim. They looked at the history of each vaccine and health claims.

There was this huge decline in mortalities from infectious disease that took place in the 20th centuryan 80 percent drop in deaths from infectious disease. And what caused that?

Was it vaccines?

And what they said was, no. It had almost nothing to do with vaccines. The real drop happened because of better housing, sanitation, chlorine, sewage treatment, mainly nutrition. Nutrition is absolutely critical to building immune systems.

What was really killing these children was malnutrition. It was the infectious disease that was kind of knocking them off at the end. But the real cause of death was malnutrition and collapsed immune system. And that is what the Guyer study showed.

This was the only time CDC ever looked at this. It was published in Pediatrics. Its CDC and Johns Hopkins in the year 2000.

I believe the study is true, and its borne out by many, many others. 

They passed the Vaccine Act in 1986, and the Vaccine Act gave immunity from liability to all vaccine companies for any injury. No matter how negligent you are, no matter how reckless your conduct, no matter how toxic the ingredient, how shoddily tested or manufactured the product, no matter how grievous your injury, your vaccine company, you cannot be sued.

So this was a huge gift for this industry because the biggest cost for every medical product is downstream liabilities.

And all of a sudden, those have disappeared. You not only have taken away that cost, and incentivizing production of many new vaccines, youre also disincentivizing, youre removing the incentive to make them safe because no matter how dangerous they are, they cant be sued.

You may say, if theyre really dangerous, nobodys going to buy them.

But the problem with that is, nobody has a choice. They not only got rid of the downstream liability, but they dont have any advertising or marketing costs because the federal government is ordering 76 million kids to take the product a year.

IF you can get that on the schedule, its like printing a billion dollars for them. And so there was a gold rush.

And the other thing is they are exempt from pre-licensing testing. They dont have to be tested. And theyre not.

I said this for many, many years: Not one of these 72 vaccines has ever been tested pre-licensing in a placebo controlled trial where youre looking at vaccinated vs unvaccinated kids, looking for health outcomes. Never been done.

Tony Fauci was saying, hes lying. Hes not telling the truth. This is vaccine misinformation.

In 2016, Donald Trump asked me to run a vaccine safety commission. I agreed to do it. He then order Fauci and Collins to be with me  I had meetings with all these guys.

I actually went into that meeting with Fauci with three people. One was Del Bigtree, another one was Aaron Siri, the attorney. Another one was Lyn Redwood, who is a very, very famous nurse practitioner, public health official in Georgia.

During that meeting there was a referee from the White House. I said to Fauci, I give kind of a lecture showing what we knew. I said to him in the middle of itby the way, hes known my family forever. My uncle was chair of the health committee, writing his salary every year.

I said to him, Tony, youve been telling people Im a liar when I say no vaccine has ever been, none of the mandated vaccinesnone of them have ever been tested in a placebo-controlled trial safety test prior to licensing.

And I said, Can you show me one vaccine that has been subject to a safety test. Show me one study that shows that.

He made this show of looking through They had brought in from NIH, this big tray full of file folders, and he made a show of looking through that at the time. He couldnt find whatever he was looking for.

Then he said, Its back at NIH in Bethesda, and Ill sent it to you.

Well, he never did.

So Aaron and I sued him, sued HHS and said, Show us one study thats ever been done on pre-licensing safety testing for vaccines.

After a year of stonewalling, they finally gave us a letter and said, We dont have any.

They literally dont have any.

So nobody knows what the risk profiles for these products are. So theyre telling people they avert more harm than they cause, but theres no science behind that statement. Its just a guess work.

Rogan: But its an amazingly effective narrative. And that narrative, the way its spread through this country. Like I said, its gotten me and I think its gotten a lot of people. And I think people are terrified of being called an anti-vaxxer. Its a very dismissive pejorative, a very bad term. 

Its kind of amazing what theyd done, especially in a world where were very aware of the side effects that were hidden from the public with other drugs. 

Maybe it has to do with protecting children because good parents want to trust science and they want to think that medical science is the reason people live so well today, and a lot of thats true. But they want to think that its all connected.

So if they say youre supposed to get 72 shots

Kennedy: Youre absolutely right about the opioids. There are many, many other examples, but the opioids is a good one because if anybody goes and looks at that Netflix documentary, Dopesick 

That documentary shows how all of these subtle forces that lead to agency capture and this corrupt collusion between the industry and the regulators.

It was the regulator who agreed, the FDA who agreed to put on the label its safe and effective and its not addictive.

You had the entire medical community who said, oh, we must be wrong because FDA says its safe and effective.

You can imagine if they did that for vaccines, and then you saw what they did in COVID. They had to continually change the goalposts. .. And everybody would just go on with the next claim without ever saying, wait a minute, why should we trust you now? 

Rogan: But it seems to be the same pattern over and over again. Its just bizarre that it takes so long to get the narrative out to people. When you get a corporation, any corporation, any group of people who can make money unchecked, it seems to be a normal human characteristic that they do that. When theyre unregulated or unchecked, when someones not watching them, or the people that are watching them are compromised, and then were literally funding media. So youre funding all these shows

52:46

The vaccine schedule, immediately after they passed the Vaccine Act, exploded because all these companies were rushing to get new vaccines onto the schedule. Many for diseases that werent even casually contagious, like hepatitis B. You get hepatitis B from sharing needles or from going to a really seasoned prostitute or from homosexual compulsive behavior. 

Why would you give it to a one day old baby or a three hour old baby?...

Originally what happened was Merck and CDC designed this for prostitutes and male homosexuals, promiscuous male homosexuals, and they couldnt sell it. 

So all these crazy diseases, rotavirus, were put on the schedule and they starting seeing all this explosion in chronic disease, and particularly autism.

Congress said to EPA, what year did the autism epidemic begin?

And EPA is a captured agency, but its captured by the coal industry and the oil and the pesticide industry, but not by the Pharma, because it doesnt regulate Pharma. So it actually did real science, and it said 1989 is the year the epidemic began. Its a red line.

And 1989 was the year the vaccine schedule exploded. That doesnt mean thats a correlation, it does not mean causation, but it is something that should be looked at.

NIH decided to look at it because woman were saying it was the vaccine again and again and again and again and again and again.

Women were coming with the same story: I had a perfectly healthy two year old, exceeded all his miles stones. I gave them on their second birthday or 18th month wellness visit, the full battery of six or eight vaccines, and that child spiked a fever that night, has a seizure and over the next three months loses their language, loses their capacity to make eye contact, to finger point. Social interactions and language disappear.

And it happened so many times that NIH was saying, we got to look to see if its the vaccines. 

So CDC hired a Belgian epidemiologist named Thomas Verstraeten, and they opened up the Vaccine Safety Data Link, which is the biggest database for vaccines for HMOs.

All the top HMOs have all their records in there, so they have all your vaccination records and all your health claims, so you can do these kinds of cluster analyses.

Verstraeten went in there, and he looked at one thing: He looked at children who got the hepatitis B vaccine within their first month of life and compared those health outcomes in children who did not. In other words, children who got it after 30 days or didnt get it at all. That was the second cohort.

What he found in his first run through the data is there was an 1135% greater or elevated risk for an autism diagnosis among the kids whod gotten it in their first 30 days.

At that point, they knew what caused the autism epidemic because a relative risk, its called a relative risk of 11.35. A relative risk of two is considered proof of causation, as long as theres biological plausibility.

The relative risk of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years and getting lung cancer is ten. This was 11.35.

So there was a panic throughout the industry as people heard about this study.

CDC wanted to do a meeting with all big parjarams of the industry. And they didnt want to do it on CDC campus because then they thought it would be subject to a Freedom of Information Law request. They wanted to do it, keep it secret.

So [in 2000] they found this retreat center, a Methodist retreat center in Norcross, Georgia called Simpsonwood, and they assembled, I think there was 72 people there, and they were from WHO, CDC, NIH, FDA, and all the vaccine companies and all the big academicsthe people who basically develop vaccines in the academic institutions. They were all there.

And they spend the first day, they give them all a copy of the Verstraeten study, but they have to give it all back because they dont want it out there.

And then they have a day of talking about it where theyre all saying, holy cow, this is real. The lawyers are going to come after us. Were all in trouble.

And then they spend the second day talking about how to hide it.

Rogan: How do you know this?

Kennedy: Because somebody made a recording of it. And I got a hold of the transcripts, and I published excerpts from those transcripts in Rolling Stone [Deadly Immunity, 2005].

Anyone can go and read these now on our website. Its called Simpsonwood. You can read through the whole things or you can read my Rolling Stone article.

When I read then I was like, I got to drop everything and do something about this. And I published this article in Rolling Stone and I was kind of shocked by just to power of the reaction against it. People coming after Rolling Stone and Salon which also published it, and were just bulldozed by these hate reactions. And then Salon, six years later

There were four or five corrections in the article in the next week. All of those corrections were made by the editors of Salon and Rolling Stone. 

And six years later, Salon, under pressure from the pharmaceutical industry, takes it down and says we found mistakes in it. But they never found mistakes in it. Ive said repeatedly to them, show me one mistake in that published piece, show me one.

And they have not been able to do it.

And they also forgot that the four mistakes that they found were all made by them. They edited my 16,000 word piece down to a 3,000 word piece. And then they were doing that they made some errors.

So what you had after that is this explosion in chronic disease In the 1960s when I was a kid, six percent of Americans had chronic disease.

What do I mean by chronic disease? Basically three categories, plus obesity.

One: neurological disorders, ADD, ADHD, speech delay, language delay, tics, Tourette s syndrome. narcolepsy, ASD, autism.

Autism went from one in 10,000 in my generation, its still one in 10,000

In my kids age, now one in every 34 kids has autism. Half of those are full blown.

Rogan: Whats the conventional explanation for that?

Kennedy: Theres no real explanation. They try to say, well were just noticing it more, which is ridiculous because, first of all theres all kinds of studies that say, really good studies like Irva Hertz-Picciottos. Very famous scientist, epidemiologist, statistician who was commissioned by the California State Legislature to answer that question. Shes at the MIND Institute at UC Davis.

And she came back and said, no, the epidemic is real. Its not better diagnostics or changing diagnostic criteria.

Any real scientist now, even the big backers like Paul Offit, I dont think even he will say that.

Nobody from CDC is actually going to stand up and say that. They certainly wont debate the point.

But even more so, if its NOT AN EPIDEMIC, WHERE ARE THE ONE IN 34 sixty-nine year old men who are wearing helmets and are non-toilet trained?

If youve got autism, you live forever. It doesnt affect life span. These kids are going to be around forever. But theres nobody my age who looks like that.

So if it was really better recognition, youd see it in every ago group, not just in children.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IT CHANGES EVERY YEAR. IT GETS WORSE AND WORSE EVERY YEAR. So they cant keep saying, oh, were just noticing it for the first time.

Rogan: How does it get worse every year?

Kennedy: The CDC releases new dataits the monitoring system. Theres been all kinds of scandals with that because the CDC tries to manipulate and theres all kinds of whistleblowers from different states who say that theyre pressured to not report cases and that kind of thing.

But the CDC releases new data every year. Every year it gets worse.

Its now one in every 22 boys.

Rogan: Has the rate of vaccinations changed?

Kennedy: The rates of vaccinations have gone up.

Mercury has been removed from a lot of the vaccines, but theres aluminum in those vaccines which operates on the same biological pathways and does the same kind of damage. Its extremely neurotoxic. And then theres other things, lots of other toxins in the vaccines.

Theres hundreds and hundreds of scientific studies and nobody ever reports them.

I did a book in which I had 450 studies that are digested in that book, that I summarize and cite and 1,400 references. And everybody will say, theres no study that shows autism and vaccines are connected. Oh, thats crazy.

Thats people who are not looking at science.

Rogan: But they want to say that.

Kennedy: Its part of their religion. And the heretics have to be burned at the stake, have to be humiliated, silenced, and destroyed. 

The same is true in science. You dont trust the experts. 

The second category is autoimmune diseases. All those neurological diseases exploded in 1989, as I say. Autism exponentially explodes

The autoimmune diseases like diabetes juvenile diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Crones DiseaseI didnt know any of these diseases when I was a kid

They were so rare. I didnt know anybody who had peanut allergy

Why do five of my seven kids have allergies?

And of course we know why. Aluminum adjuvants give you allergies. Theyre designed create a hyper immune response to foreign particles.

And the last category is the allergic diseases: peanuts allergies, food allergies, eczema.

I never knew anybody with eczema when I was a kid. Asthma, I knew people with asthma. It wasnt one in every four black kids, like it is today.

We went from six percent of Americans having chronic disease, by 1986, were starting to add the vaccines, 11.8 percent of kids now, so its doubled.

2006, 54 percent. These are kids who are permanently disabled. They have to be on medication their whole lives.

We have the sickest generation in history. Theres no other country in the world that has this kind of chronic disease epidemic. Of course this is one of the reasons we had the highest death rate during COVID. Because we have the highest chronic disease burden in the world.

Its not just the vaccines, and I have never said that. Our children are swimming around in a toxic soup.

What we can say, most of it started in 1989. Theres a finite number of culprits you can point to and sayit has to come from a toxic exposure because genes dont cause epidemics. They can provide a vulnerability, but you need a toxic exposure.

But what is it? 



The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health (Childrens Health Defense)

By Robert F. Kennedy Jr.



#1 on AMAZON, and a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Over 1,000,000 copies sold despite censorship, boycotts from bookstores and libraries, and hit pieces against the author. The Wuhan Cover-Up: How US Health Officials Conspired with the Chinese Military to Hide the Origins of COVID-19 (Childrens Health Defense)



From the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Publishers Weekly bestselling author of The Real Anthony Fauci comes an explosive expose of the cover-up behind the true origins of COVID-19.








Seattle-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) will build a $232 million micro-modular reactor assembly plant in Gadsden, the company announced today.

When operational, the plant will employ 250 professional and technical workers. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, with the facility operational by 2027.

The automated facility will manufacture, assemble, test and inspect non-radiological modules needed to construct USNCs micro-modular reactor.

No radioactive material will be used or stored at the Gadsden assembly plant, the company said.

USNCs Chief Nuclear Officer Dan Stout, made the announcement at the 10th Advanced Reactors Summit and Technology Trailblazers Showcase in Charlotte, N.C., today, with Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford in attendance.

Gadsden won out over hundreds of locations in other states. Gov. Kay Ivey said the unique facility will reinforce Alabamas reputation for cutting-edge manufacturing operations.

Alabama is home to an impressive array of highly innovative companies, so our state is an ideal place for Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp.s new advanced microreactor assembly plant, Ivey said in a statement.

The 578,000-square-foot factory will use advanced manufacturing processes and equipment and will be capable of producing up to ten complete micro-modular nuclear units per year. There is also a high potential for expansion and suppliers to locate in the area, according to the company.

Ford called the announcement a game-changer.

When I took office less than eight months ago, this was one of the first industrial project requests to cross my desk and working toward todays announcement has been my top priority since, he said. With this plant being focused on manufacturing and assembly, our workforce is built for exactly this type of industry. We look forward to filling the hundreds of innovative, technology-driven jobs once this new assembly plant becomes operational in 2027. Gadsden and USNC are excited to grow together.

Ted Coulter, Plant Director for the MMR factory at USNC, said the company was attracted to Gadsden by its workforce, support and training programs.

In Gadsden, I have confidence we can hire local talent and operate with both safety and efficiency, Coulter said. We are looking forward to becoming a member of the community.
Retired Mobile Councilman Fred Richardson found himself in good company Wednesday, metaphysically speaking: Tricentennial Park  featuring a lake named after the Rev. Joseph Day and a walking trail named for pioneering councilwoman Irmatean Watson, was officially christened as Frederick D. Richardson Jr. Tricentennial Park.

They were great people, Richardson said of Day, who died in 2014, and Watson, who died in 2022.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Richardsons District 1 successor Cory Penn and other dignitaries, the former councilman laid out the history of the park.

Massive floods in 1980 and 1981 wiped out hundreds of homes along Three Mile Creek. My house was taken out, Richardson said. The disasters led to the city buying up condemned property and the Corps of Engineers implementing flood-control measures. At one point, the Corps planned to do away with the spring-fed lake on the north side of the creek east of Stanton Road, routing the creek channel through the lake site. According to archival Press-Register accounts, Day was among those who physically blocked bulldozers during protests in 1991. The city council voted to preserve the lake, which later was named for Day.

Watson, one of the states first Black pharmacists, became Mobiles first Black councilwoman when the city switched to its current mayor-council government in 1985 and served until 1993. She too had been an advocate of the park, and so the trail around Day Lake was named for her.

Richardson was appointed by Mayor Mike Dow in 1997 and won an election later that year, serving until 2021. He said that when the city began developing plans to celebrate the tricentennial of its founding in 2002, Dow challenged his Tricentennial Planning Committee to create something that would define this moment.

Richardson said Wednesday that he seized upon the idea and aimed to create that something within District 1. The area around the lake had basically been allowed to grow wild, he said, but he saw the potential for a park there. Dow and the council approved it, and the rest is history  literally.

I challenge you to find any other landmark in the city that defines this moment, he said, meaning the tricentennial. It was the subject of yearlong festivities in 2002, but most of those events left little trace.

People ride by and they dont have a clue what tricentennial means, Richardson said. I want a no-doubt moment. Right here. Because people dont know. I want a no-doubt moment. So Im going to challenge my mayor and my city council to create this no-doubt moment. And Im going to give you my vision for this no-doubt movement.

As Tricentennial Park was renamed in his honor on June 21, 2023, former Mobile Councilman Fred Richardson was joined by family including , from left, infant great-grandchild Jahmari Stewart, granddaughter Crystal Stewart, great-grandchild London Lawson and granddaughter Maya Lawson.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Richardson said hed like the stretch of land along Stanton Road between the creek and the park entrance to feature a series of flags representing the six nations that had laid claim to Mobile  France, Great Britain, Spain, the Republic of Alabama, the Confederacy and the United States  plus one representing the Native Americans who preceded all those claims.

The city has gone through some contentious discussions of flag symbolism. In 2005 the city dropped the Confederate battle flag in favor of the Confederacys third national flag, and in 2015 the council took all flags except the United States one off the city seal. Stimpson did not sound like someone eager to plunge into another such brouhaha. Well certainly think about that, if its possible to do that in todays times, he said.

But Stimpson didnt hesitate to sing praises of Richardson as an active, engaged representative for District 1 during his long tenure on the council. He even quoted one of Richardsons familiar slogans: You ring, I spring.

And he meant it, Stimpson said. He was sincere about it. Truly there was no issue too small nor too big for him to take on.

The mayor said that he and Richardson had butted heads on occasion, but he had no doubts about Richardsons sincerity. At the end of the day what I knew was that Fred in his heart thought he was doing what was right for those citizens in District 1 that he was representing, Stimpson said.

Tricentennial Park would not exist if it were not for Freds vision to get this done, Stimpson said. And it absolutely transformed this area, so for that we will be forever grateful.

Richardson, for his part, thanked Stimpson for the renaming of the park, saying he knew it never would have happened without the mayors support. The reason that this sign is here is because Mayor Stimpson said yes, he said.

The park also is the site of the first stretch of a greenway that will one day provide a path from downtown to the area around Langan Municipal Park. Stimpson said progress on that project had taken much longer than what we anticipated, but news was coming. Later Wednesday, the city announced a Thursday groundbreaking for the next piece of the greenway, to the west of the park.

READ: Its bigger than man: Looking back at Mobiles flood of 1981
A Delta Air Lines crewmember was arrested Friday at Edinburgh Airport, forcing the cancellation of a flight from Scotland to New York.

Lawrence Russell Jr. of Georgia appeared in court on Monday with no plea, and was remanded into custody, according to the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotlands prosecution service.

ABC News reported Russell is a pilot who was at the time allegedly over the alcohol limit to fly.

He was arrested at the airport at around 10 a.m. Friday  just before the scheduled departure at 10:35 a.m.  in connection with the Railways and Transport Safety Act of 2003.

Among other regulations, that law declares a pilot unfit for duty when impaired by alcohol or drugs at a 0.02% blood-alcohol content  lower than the 0.08% level that makes it illegal to drive in the U.S.

After the flight was canceled, passengers were rebooked on other flights, according to Delta.

The airline said it has no tolerance for violation of its alcohol policy, which it called among the strictest in the industry.

We apologize to customers impacted by this cancellation, Delta said in a written statement.

Atlanta-based Delta said it is assisting authorities with their inquiries.

2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves traveled to Alabama for a Republican fundraising event as people in his state were still reeling from back-to-back tornadoes that killed one person, injured dozens and destroyed homes and businesses, and in the midst of lingering power outages from severe thunderstorms.

Gov. Kay Ivey and Reeves headlined a Republican Governors Association fundraiser on Monday at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Birmingham, according to an invitation obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. Ticket prices ranged from $5,000 for one person to $50,000 for four people.

Reeves is policy chairperson for the RGA and is seeking a second term as governor this year. His campaign manager Elliott Husbands said in response to questions Tuesday that the event was planned long ago, and money raised there was not earmarked for any specific campaign. Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi have the only governors races this year.

Reeves has stayed in contact with Mississippi Emergency Management Agency leaders since storms started pounding the state last week, including during his Alabama trip that lasted about three hours, Husbands said.

The Governor also has personally communicated with local leaders in the affected areas, Husbands said. In addition, he has already said publicly he is going to be on the ground in the impacted areas tomorrow.

Brandon Presley, Mississippis northern district public service commissioner, is the Democratic nominee for governor. His campaign communications director, Michael Beyer, on Tuesday criticized Reeves for attending the Republican Governors Association event.

It is no surprise to see Tate Reeves leave the state for a fundraiser in the middle of storm recovery  when given a choice between rubbing elbows with the wealthy and well-connected or speaking face-to-face with Mississippians who have had their lives upended by this storm, he will always go after the money, Beyer said. If it would mean furthering himself, Tate Reeves would go to Antarctica for a campaign check.

Reeves did not fly on the state airplane to the fundraiser, Husbands said.

Thousands of people have been sweating without air-conditioning since severe thunderstorms knocked out electrical service last week in central Mississippi.

A tornado that struck Jasper County in eastern Mississippi overnight Sunday to Monday killed one person, injured nearly two dozen people and damaged more than 70 homes. Later Monday, another tornado struck coastal Jackson County. It injured six people and damaged about 100 structures. The city of Moss Point was hardest hit.

Reeves said Tuesday on social media: Well be here for the long haul to support these communities and help them recover.
The search for the missing research submersible, named Titan, that disappeared Sunday, continues Wednesday with 24 hours of oxygen remaining.

A Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises as a massive operation searched early Wednesday in a remote part of the North Atlantic for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.

A source familiar confirmed to ABC News that there were reports of banging that were picked up by sonar in the search area on Tuesday morning, but nothing has yet been found.

A statement from the U.S. Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be, though it offered a glimmer of hope for those lost aboard the Titan as estimates suggest as little as a days worth of oxygen could be left if the vessel is still functioning.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue, the Coast Guard said on Twitter. Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue. 1/2  USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 21, 2023

Heres what we know as of Wednesday morning:

Who is on the submersible?

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British businessman, pilot and space tourist; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French diver and Titanic expert; Shahzada Dawood, a Pakistani businessman, and his son Suleman Dawood.

Possible locations

Johns Hopkins University expert on deep-sea operations Jim Bellingham told USA TODAY there are three possible locations for the submersible.

It could be floating on the oceans surface after an electrical failure or some other mishap

It could be drifting in the water column  anywhere between the surface and the bottom  because it became buoyantly neutral.

It could be on the sea floor, perhaps tangled with something that wont let it float to the top.

Bellingham cites the first option is by far the best position.

A monumental task

One of the best-case scenarios that might have happened to the Titan would be if it has been entangled in the wreckage of the Titanic, an ocean explorer and expert said Tuesday.

Tim Taylor, an ocean explorer and the CEO of Tiburon Subsea, told NBC News Now the best-case scenario is that the Titan would have been entangled in the wreckage

Lifting the submarine off the bottom is not as hard or difficult as one may think if its still intact, Taylor said.

Its unclear what happened to the submersible, and searches are ongoing.

Youre really fighting a clock here, Taylor said. They dont have a lot of options. Every hour that goes by, their options get less and less. ... This is a monumental task, he said.

Who is helping?

Three C-17 transport planes from the U.S. military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. Johns, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokesperson for U.S. Air Mobility Command said.

The Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specializes in dive medicine. It also dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds from the Titan.

In addition to an international array of ships and planes, an underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.

The search for the missing vessel has drawn international attention. In Dubai, where the missing British adventurer Hamish Harding lives, Crown Prince Hamadan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum wrote: Dubai and its people pray for their safety and hopeful return home.

Were there warnings of problems?

Questions remain about how teams could reach the lost submersible, which could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the surface near the watery tomb of the historic ocean liner. Newly uncovered allegations also suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during its development.

Documents show that OceanGate had been warned there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way the experimental vessel was developed.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, said in a 2018 lawsuit that the companys testing and certification was insufficient and would subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

The company insisted that Lochridge was not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan. The firm also says the vessel under development was a prototype, not the now-missing Titan.

The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators, also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush, OceanGates chief executive. The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. The New York Times first reported about those documents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville said today it hopes for the safe return of the Titan submersible craft and its crew and confirmed it consulted on the deep-sea exploring vehicle with builder OceanGate.

But the NASA center said it did not conduct testing and manufacturing (of the submersible) via its workforce or facilities.

We regret to hear the Titan submersible is missing, and we remain hopeful the crew will be found unharmed, said the statement released by Marshall Acting News Chief Lance D. Davis.

NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center had a Space Act Agreement with OceanGate and consulted on materials and manufacturing processes for the submersible, the statement said. NASA did not conduct testing and manufacturing via its workforce or facilities, which was done elsewhere by OceanGate.

Titan went missing with its crew Saturday near the site of the sunken ocean liner Titanic. Searchers continued to look for submersible today.

OceanGate Expeditions had said in a 2020 news release reported again this week in the wake of the submersibles disappearance that Marshall will serve as the facility where the development and manufacturing of a new aerospace-grade hull is completed. This design effort is key to OceanGate completing its latest Cyclops-class submersible that is intended to dive to 6,000 meters (19,800 feet) with five crewmembers on board.

With global attention centered on the missing submersible, OceanGate Expeditions confirmed that CEO Stockton Rush was onboard and piloting the craft on a mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. The submersible went missing Sunday after losing contact with its surface ship.

There were five people onboard including Hamish Harding, a British billionaire, French sea-diving expert Paul Henry Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman.

Developments Tuesday included the Navy saying it is deploying its Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System to assist in the search. The equipment is designed for the recovery of large, bulky, and heavy undersea objects and has deep ocean lifting capacity, reports said. The Air Force is also moving rescue equipment to the St. Johns Newfoundland, reports said.

One of the main concerns was whether the five-person crew would have enough oxygen. The vessel had a 96-hour emergency supply of oxygen when it was reported missing over the weekend.
Murder suspect Jung Yoo-jung, wearing a hat and a mask, leaves a police detention center en route to the prosecution in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, June 2. Yonhap



Jung Yoo-jung, a Busan woman arrested last month for allegedly killing another woman she met via a tutor app "out of curiosity about murder," was indicted by prosecutors Wednesday.



The Busan District Prosecutors Office charged the 23-year-old with murder, destruction and abandonment of a dead body, and theft, saying the crime was a premeditated murder that was meticulously prepared alone.



Jung is accused of killing the victim, known as a freelance tutor, dismembering her body and dumping some of the body parts in a riverside bush in Yangsan, just north of the southern port city, on May 26. Her arrest came after police were tipped off by a taxi driver who took the suspect to Yangsan and found it strange that she dumped a bloodstained suitcase in the woods.



The suspect triggered social resentment after she reportedly confessed that she killed the victim with no personal connection just out of her curiosity about murder.



Prosecutors concluded that the crime may have been influenced by her psychopathic personality after investigating her behavior, method of selecting the victim, and the process of planning and executing the crime.



They said she needed someone to vent her anger on, adding her resentment may have built up from her unfortunate childhood, discord with her family, and failure to go to college and get a job. Her psychopathic characteristics led to her executing the crime, they speculated.



Indeed, Jung's psychopath index was estimated at 28 points, higher than the 27 points of notorious serial killer Kang Ho-soon, during the police probe, though her index slightly fell to 26.3 points later during the prosecution investigation.



According to prosecutors, Jung approached 54 people through an app specialized in matching private tutors with students and parents, and chose the victim after evaluating her as an easy target for the murder.



Earlier on June 1, police disclosed her name, age, and facial photo in consideration of the seriousness and brutality of her crime. (Yonhap)


The new head of the Birminghams FBI office said he and his team are committed to helping to fight violent crime in city and the Northern District of Alabama.

Its about establishing effective partnerships. Were in this together, said Northern District of Alabama Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples.

We live in this community. We worship in this community. Our kids and families go to school in these communities so violent crime affects us all.

Peeples was appointed earlier this year as the special agent in charge of the Birmingham Field Office, which covers 31 counties in northern Alabama and has more than 200 employees.

He joined the FBI in 1998 and has worked counterintelligence, public corruption, civil rights, violent crime, and gang investigations and served on the SWAT team.

Peeples has served as the chief of the FBIs entire civil rights program, the senior supervisory special agent in the Atlanta Field Office, the assistant special agent in charge of the Jacksonville Field Office in Florida, and most recently as an inspector in the Inspection Division at FBI Headquarters.

Prior to joining the FBI, Peeples served in the U.S. Army and as an operations supervisor for a logistics and shipping company.

In each of those stops, Ive worked or managed every program weve had in the Bureau, Peeples said. I think I bring a lot of expertise in addressing criminal problems and national security problems.

Peeples executive team includes James DeLoatch II, assistant special agent in charge of the criminal branch of the Birmingham division, which includes public corruption, violent crime, white collar crime and hate crimes, and Deen Abbott, assistant special agent in charge of the national security programs for the Birmingham Field Division, which includes counterintelligence and counterterrorism.

Asked his observations of crime in Birmingham, Peeples said, I think its been painted nationally as Birmingham is one of the most violent cities in America. I dont know if thats true, I dont know where that information came from and how its comparable to other cities.

Birmingham is a violent city, he said, and its the job of law enforcement to come together to find ways to address the threat.

Some of the barriers that we face are that a lot of these individuals that commit these violent crimes are juveniles, he said. Its a hurdle that we face federally and from a local and state law enforcement perspective, not only from an investigated aspect but also from a prosecutorial perspective.

While its a challenge, Peeples said, there are partnerships in place to address the ongoing crime problems.

Were looking to put the most violent offenders behind bars for longer periods of time, he said, so they dont constantly get out and re-victimize the community again and again.
A bodyboarding enthusiast found himself being chased across a Northwest Florida beach by cops after he ignored dangerous surf warnings and ventured into the Gulf of Mexico, Bay County officials say.

It happened Tuesday, June 20, in Panama City Beach, and video shows Bay County deputies were applauded by beachgoers when they caught their suspect in the dunes.

Double Red Flags were posted on the beach at the time, a warning that swimming was prohibited due to dangerous surf and deadly rip currents. Panama City Beach is in the Panhandle, about 140 miles east of Pensacola.

Deputies responded to Beach Access 85 to find a man in the water with a boogie board, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Swimming conditions in the water were too dangerous for anyone, even with a Boogie Board. ... Deputies used their public address systems to alert the man to the danger. He refused to leave the water. The BCSO Air Unit hovered over the man in the water but again, he refused to leave the surf.

Boogie boarding, also known as bodyboarding, is the art of riding waves in a prone position, close to the surface of the ocean water, according to Surfer Today.

The suspect came ashore after 25 minutes and tried to outrun deputies through the large crowd that had gathered to watch, officials said.

Deputies quickly caught up and, though the man fought, he was taken into custody, officials said.

The 38-year-old suspect, a local man, not a tourist, was charged with violation of double red flag ordinance, obstruction of justice, and resisting and battery on a law enforcement officer, officials said.

The arrest came just days after an Alabama man drowned off a Bay County beach while attempting to rescue his daughter from a rip current. His daughter survived.

Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico is prohibited during Double Red Flag conditions, and offenders are subject to arrest and fines of $500 for the first offense. The Bay County Sheriffs Office says bodyboarding is also prohibited, and only those tethered to a surfboard can enter the water during Double Red Flags.

2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Pentagon said it will be able to spend $6 billion more than originally expected on arms for Ukraine thanks to what it called accounting errors.

The Defense Department overstated the value of weapons sent from its stockpiles by $2.6 billion in fiscal 2022 and $3.6 billion in fiscal 2023, for a total of $6.2 billion, deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters Tuesday at the Pentagon.

Its just going to go back into the pot of money that we have allocated for Ukraine, she said, adding that it doesnt alter the total amount of support authorized by Congress.

Singh attributed the error to inconsistencies in equipment valuation, with military services using replacement cost for equipment transferred to Ukraine rather than the net book value. Previous reports pegged the valuation difference in the $3 billion range.

The latest figures are final, Singh said.

Although President Joe Biden has said consistently that the U.S. and its allies will back Ukraine against Russias invasion for as long as needed, some Republican lawmakers have objected to the cost and indefinite timeline of security assistance. With no end in sight for the war, the administration faces the prospect of seeking additional money over such opposition once current funding runs out.

Ukraines government has pushed for more assistance as it conducts a long-awaited counteroffensive to eject dug-in Russian forces from more of its territory. Officials from Kyivs key allies gather in London this week to discuss funding for reconstruction of the country.

___

2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The lawmakers who will draw Alabamas new congressional district map will hold their first meeting and public hearing on Tuesday.

The reapportionment committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the State House in Montgomery. All the committees meetings will be livestreamed here. On the select location tab, select Room 200.

The deadline to submit proposed maps to the committee is July 7 at 5 p.m. The committee has scheduled another meeting for July 13 at 1:30.

A three-judge federal district court issued an order Tuesday giving the Legislature until July 21 to create a new congressional map. That was the date requested by attorneys representing the state. Attorneys representing the Black voters and the organizations who sued to challenge the map agreed with the date. The new map will be used in Alabamas 2024 congressional elections.

Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to call the Legislature into special session to consider the new district plan. It would take at least five days to approve a plan.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 8 that Alabamas current map most likely violates the Voting Rights Act because it dilutes the influence of Black voters. The Supreme Court sent the case back to the three-judge court, which had made the same finding last year. Six of Alabamas seven congressional districts are majority white, while Blacks make up 27% of the states population. The courts ruled that to fix the Voting Rights violation, the new plan must have a second district that is majority Black or that is close enough to majority Black to give Black voters an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice.

If the Legislature fails to approve a plan by July 21, the three-judge court will draw the map. The court has a cartographer and a special master ready to do that.

If the Legislature approves the plan, the plaintiffs in the litigation have until July 28 to file any objections. The court would hold a hearing on that beginning on Aug. 14 at the federal courthouse on Birmingham.
Congressional leaders unveiled a new stamp Wednesday in a Capitol ceremony commemorating former Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon who served more than three decades in Congress and died in 2020.

The stamp features a photograph of Lewis taken by Marco Grob on assignment for the August 26, 2013, issue of Time magazine.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said commemorative stamps tells stories, honor heroes and capture important moments in history.

By adding John Lewis to this collection, we are honoring an extraordinary contribution to the American story and inspiring future generations to follow his lead, McCarthy said.

Louis DeJoy, the postmaster general of the United States, said the main post office facility in Atlanta would be named after Lewis in an August ceremony. He said the Lewis forever stamp  which can be used to mail a one-ounce letter regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used  will be issued in July.

Lewis was best known for leading some 600 protesters in the Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. He also joined the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and four other civil rights leaders in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. He spoke to the vast crowd just before King delivered his epochal I Have a Dream speech.

Lewis won his seat in Congress in 1986 and spent much of his career in the minority. After Democrats won control of the House in 2006, Lewis became his partys senior deputy whip, a behind-the-scenes leadership post in which he helped keep the party unified.

Lewis was a forceful speaker with a booming voice. He would encourage colleagues and young visitors to the Capitol to find what he called good trouble.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., now the Democratic leader in the House, recalled meeting Lewis on the House floor in January 2013. Lewis called the freshman lawmaker over and told him that Washington can be a rough place. So, young man, I dont want you to get into any trouble, unless its good trouble.

McCarthy said he visited Selma twice with Lewis, including on the 50th anniversary of the march. He said he got goosebumps and tears that day thinking about how Lewis had been beaten nearly to death simply because he wanted to register people to vote and five decades later was introducing then-President Barack Obama to the crowd.

He used what was right with America to fix what was going wrong in America, McCarthy said.
Now that school is out and summer is in full swing, more and more people are looking to coastal Alabamas abundant natural resources for things to do, including places to swim.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Mobile Baykeeper and the city of Daphne all test the local waters at various locations to determine if the water is safe. Specifically, the agencies test for enterococcus, a bacteria that is a common cause of infections, including UTIs, bacteremia and infective endocarditis, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Mobile Baykeeper, which runs the Swim Where Its Monitored (SWIM) program from April-September, measures the bacteria level as a Most Probable Number (MPN), a statistical measurement. According to the EPA, the safe to swim threshold for enterococcus in MPN is 104. The safe to swim threshold for E. Coli is 235 MPN, though E. Coli bacteria is only measured at one site.

ADEM measures the level of enterococcus as number of bacteria colonies per 100 milliliters. The threshold in that measurement is 104 per 100 mL.

[Heres a printable version of this chart.]










English News World's hub for small commodities embraces more prosperous development

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 20 Juin 2023



In the first four months, 195,000 livestream shows were hosted in Yiwu with total retail sales of 13.91 billion yuan, up 24.93 percent year on year. The city's e-commerce transactions in the same period went up 10.74 percent from a year ago to over 130.3 billion yuan.

By Li Zhongwen, Yang Kai, Han Weizheng, People's Daily The Yiwu International Trade Market, the world's largest wholesale market of small commodities located in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang province, is constantly crowded. Vehicles enter and exit the market 88,600 times each day on average, or once every second.



"Since the first quarter of this year, the market has been receiving about 200,000 visits per day on average, including 2,000 made by foreign merchants, which is equivalent to the pre-pandemic level," said Huang Haiyang, deputy general manager of Zhejiang China Commodities City Group, the company that manages the market.



The thriving business at the Yiwu International Trade Market, dubbed "the world's supermarket," comes from the sound business environment, the high-level opening up, and the application of digital technologies.



How long does it take to establish a company in Yiwu?



In the Yiwu municipal administrative service center, a woman named Yang Xiaomin finished business registration at a self-service counter in just less than 20 minutes, and was told that the license would be delivered to her later for free. She said the service was convenient and caring.



A Jordanian merchant nicknamed Mude has been doing business in Yiwu for 21 years. He's quite satisfied with the business environment in the city.



"Yiwu is a fantastic city for business. Your problems can be well settled here," the man told People's Daily.



It was echoed by an Indian businessman by the name of Loki, who said that government departments of the city have established a number of chat groups on social media WeChat, so as to ensure that merchants can be reached soon once they encounter difficulties.



This year, the freight trains via the Yixin'ou (Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe) route, a symbol of the city's opening up, have made a total of over 700 trips, carrying nearly 60,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.



Facing sluggish foreign demand, Yiwu has firmly encouraged its enterprises to explore more possibilities overseas. Since November last year, Yiwu has sent seven business delegations comprising a total of more than 320 enterprises to Germany, the UK, the United States, Japan and other foreign markets, where they inked deals totaling over 100 million yuan ($13.98 million).



In the first four months of this year, Yiwu's exports increased 13 percent year-on-year to 147.64 billion yuan, said Yang Yanxiang from Yiwu's customs.



Digital technologies also contribute to the prosperity of "the world's supermarket."



"Over 30 percent of our new clients are from online channels," said Fu Miaoling, who runs a woodwork company in Yiwu. Her company is laying more and more emphasis on Chinagoods, the official online platform of the Yiwu International Trade Market, which has brought it more business than before.



"Through the intelligent transformation of workshops, the production efficiency of our company has jumped 55 percent, while the production cost has been lowered by 28 percent, which significantly strengthens our competitiveness in the market," said deputy director Zeng Jian'gen of the IT center of Huading Nylon, a manufacturer of premium nylon materials headquartered in Yiwu.



Zhu Rongfang, general manager of a supply chain management company in Yiwu, told People's Daily that the company helps Chinese suppliers make targeted sales strategies based on analyzing consumer preferences in the overseas market.



"Such information services can lift domestic suppliers' profit by 10 percent," Zhu said.



In Yiwu, all government departments, enterprises and individuals are working for progress and innovation.



High-quality development calls for efficient reform mechanisms, which require quick fixes to assist enterprises with their problems. Yiwu authorities have paid regular visits to enterprises and provided each with a servant. Difficulties can be solved with a phone call.



Many foreign traders are doing business in Yiwu. To solve foreign-related commercial disputes, the city has creatively set up a specialized mediation committee, which invites credible experts that speak foreign languages and excel in foreign trade to help solve disputes related to foreigners.



So far, the committee has handled 1,170 disputes that involve transactions totaling 128 million yuan, with the rate of dispute resolution reaching 96 percent.



Yiwu merchants have fully developed themselves in fierce market competition. Ten years ago, they had to visit other countries to learn the design of hats, but today, about 90 percent of hats in foreign countries are manufactured in Yiwu. "Yiwu is already at the forefront of fashion," said Chen Xinping, who runs a hat company in Yiwu.



Relying on Yiwu's advantages in commodity supply and logistics, the city has established a complete industrial chain of livestream commerce, attracting many entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.



Today, Yiwu is actively embracing new business forms. It has set up the first livestream commerce college of Zhejiang province and encourages various types of enterprises to build livestream commerce bases.



In the first four months, 195,000 livestream shows were hosted in Yiwu with total retail sales of 13.91 billion yuan, up 24.93 percent year on year. The city's e-commerce transactions in the same period went up 10.74 percent from a year ago to over 130.3 billion yuan.



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Karl Marx, in his essay The 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, wrote:

Hegel remarks somewhere that all great world-historical events and personalities are repeated twice: the first time as a tragedy and the second time as a farce.

Hegel was wrong.

In a reverse order of Hegel's observation, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky first was a comic actor and then the real president of Ukraine. Zelensky played the hero of the popular movie series, Servant of the People, in the role of a simple teacher who improbably became president of the state, and then became Ukraine's real president, and supreme commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army and a tragic hero in the war unleashed by the Russian Federation on Feb. 24, 2022.

It is possible that the opportunity for a nonpracticing Jew to become president of Ukraine arose only because Zelensky first played the role of president of Ukraine in the popular comic series Servant of the People.

In that role, Zelensky prepared public opinion for his paradoxical election as a member of Ukraine's once-persecuted Jewish people to president of that country. The successful comic actor and film manager became an outstanding performer in the tragic role of the Ukrainian leader and an effective political manager. He was helped in the formation of this new post-Russian Ukraine by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

This war began as an attack by a former suzerain, which wanted to regain suzerainty on a former vassal state, the latter of which sought to get rid of even memories of its past servitude.

The war of Ukraine against Russia was a war for its independence, a patriotic war.

It gave a powerful impetus to the crystallization of the Ukrainian nation. What Ukrainians have not been able to achieve for years in forming a coherent state came to them thanks to the terrible and destructive war initiated by Russia.

The Russian Federation significantly accelerated the process of the Ukrainian nation and its independence from the aggressor.

In Russia, the authorities and many media accused Ukraine of dependence on the West. If the government of the Russian Federation wished to weaken this dependence, its war only strengthened it. Ukraine has since become an important state. Thanks to the war, Ukrainians are becoming a mature nation.

The Russian Federation leaders' mockery of a "laughable" country led by a "clown" turned out to be a serious miscalculation. The "jester" (Zelensky) was smarter than the "king" (Putin), as in Shakespeare's plays. The war unleashed by Russia to prevent Ukraine from joining Europe has had the opposite effect: Ukraine has moved closer to Europe, most of whose countries have sided with it and are giving it assistance.

Russia's attack on Ukraine, on Kyiv, dramatically changed Europe's entire security architecture, turning it against Moscow. Russia fell into isolation not seen for centuries. It wanted to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and has achieved the opposite effect: Ukraine is actually closer to NATO than it was before the war, as it is flooded with Western weapons as never before and capable of harming Russia as never before.

One of the two declared goals of the Russian occupation of Ukraine, "demilitarization," has failed: instead of "demilitarizing" Ukraine, the number of weapons and shells in that country has increased by many orders of magnitude thanks to Western assistance. According to the Russian political elite, Ukraine is a "helpless puppet of its Western masters". But aid came to Ukraine from all sides. Its enormous size was not taken into account by the Russian Federation because of its imperialistic self-confidence.

Russia threatens other countries explicitly and its interests implicitly.

In French, there is an expression rira bien, qui rira le dernier  he who laughs last will laugh well. It is taken from the fable Two Peasants and a Cloud by the 18th-century French writer and fable writer Jean Pierre Florian.

Russia's mockery of Ukraine's attempts to become an independent country looks like a mockery that has turned the mocker into a laughingstock. Putin laughs at Ukraine's claims to live without Russian leadership. He insists that the state of Ukraine is an artificial entity created by the Bolsheviks at Lenin's whim, a historical curiosity. The Ukrainian people, he argues, do not exist at all, because Ukrainians and Russians are in fact one people.

Is Russia a naturally created state? There are 160 peoples living on the territory of the Russian Federation. Russia's seizure of Siberia, the Far East, Kamchatka, the Caucasus, and Chukotka is referred to in Russian history as the "development" of these lands inhabited by 159 non-Russian peoples. As in the period of the Russian Empire, the "development" and "annexation" of lands by the Russian Federation, i.e., typical imperialist actions of "development," "annexation," and "liberation" of lands that never belonged to the new Russian Federation, formed in 1991, is taking place in Ukraine.

Russian troops have come to return Ukraine to the past, to the former site of an artificial satellite orbiting Russia in Soviet times. One of the main slogans of Russia attacking Ukraine: "Ukrainians are our brothers" most characterizes the aggressive aims of the Russian Federation, because as the Russian state propaganda has it, Ukrainians are our big brothers, so big that there is no difference between us and them, we are one people.

Since Russians and Ukrainians are one people, as Putin claims, Ukrainians do not need their own state.

By declaring the purpose of its attack on Ukraine to be its "denazification," the Russian Federation has declared that the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II gives it alone the moral right to determine which country is a Nazi and what "punishment" that country should bear for its "guilt," as established by the Russian Federation.

The Russian Federation believes that the victory of another state, the USSR and its allies in World War II, gives it a moral advantage over other countries in any conflict.

According to the English historian Arnold Toynbee, twentieth-century Russia continues to be related to the Byzantine Eastern Roman Empire in two ways. The first is the conviction that it is always right, and the second is the institutions of totalitarian power.

The Russian Federation has appropriated for itself the rich inheritance of two empires, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Moscow is the Third Rome. The Russian Federation inherited the Soviet consciousness of absolute rightness and totalitarianism in foreign and domestic policy. The political blindness characteristic of a totalitarian state prevents the Russian Federation from realizing that its costly efforts to weaken Ukraine lead to a stronger opponent. It cannot stop, look back, and realize the destructive nature of its own actions. There is no reverse in the empire's gearbox, just as the Russian Empire had none in the war it lost to Japan in 1905.

In Ukraine, the theme of victory over Russia is often heard encouraging the people.

Russia has done much for this victory: Ukraine has become a quagmire in which the Russian Federation is bogged down. The war in Ukraine is becoming for Russia similar to Napoleon's war against Russia, the U.S. war in Vietnam, and the Soviet Union's war in Afghanistan. Thanks to this war, Kyiv has become one of the most important European capitals: it has been visited by almost all the heads of government of the major countries. Destroyed, bleeding Ukraine becomes stronger against the enemy that has imposed war on it.

Servant of the People is the name of the party founded by Zelensky and the TV series in which he played the role of president of Ukraine perfectly before he came to power.

He liked the role to such an extent that he changed his role: from actor and producer, to politician and leader of the nation.

Zelensky's comic past and tragic present have merged into a tragicomedy that can have different scenarios.

One striking manifestation of the tragicomedy is that the main Ukrainian is of Jewish heritage. This is an astonishing phenomenon in a country where for years Jews were unloved stepchildren, victims of brutal pogroms, citizens of an inferior class.

After a series of failures of Ukrainians as presidents of Ukraine, the people of that country elected a Jew as head of state, and a Jew chose the role of leader of the Ukrainian nation. There are many examples in history of Jews trying to save European countries, including Russia, Soviet and non-Soviet, and how nothing good came of it for those countries or for the Jews of those countries.

In 1938, Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev wrote in his article "Christianity and anti-Semitism. The Religious Destiny of Jewry.":

I recall that during my years in Soviet Russia at the height of the Communist revolution the Jewish landlord of the house where I lived often said when I met him: "What an injustice, you will not be responsible for the fact that Lenin is Russian, and I will be responsible for the fact that Trotsky is a Jew."



Will Zelensky be the exception to the rule of blaming Jews for the misfortunes of other nations?

Image: Immanuel Giel, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0
Feature: Dragon Boat Festival held in Mauritius after three-year hiatus with applause, cheers

Xinhua) 13:17, June 21, 2023

PORT LOUIS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- After a three-year suspension due to health restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dragon Boat Festival of Mauritius resumed Sunday with its 15th edition, attracting large crowds on the waterfront in the Mauritian capital of Port Louis.

Eight teams from all over Mauritius competed in a dragon boat race, the major event of the day. After three rounds of competitions, the Kwong Hwa Lion's Group and the Chung Tan Society from Rodrigues were declared joint winners of this year's race.

Organized for the first time in 2006, this festival is a major celebration of the Chinese community in Mauritius, just like the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, said Mike Wong, president of the Dragons and Lion Dance Federation in Mauritius, co-organizer of the festival.

"As early as in the 1900s, dragon boat demonstrations were organized at Les Salines, south of Port Louis. It was on the initiative of a former minister, Emmanuel Leung Shin, that the Dragon Boat Festival was born. He wanted this highly significant festival to have national resonance," said Wong.

The organizers have had to turn down a number of applications this year, with only eight teams selected for the final. "It's impossible to accept more applications because otherwise, we don't have enough time to organize elimination events," explained Wong.

In addition to the dragon boat race, there were also demonstrations and performances of Chinese culture, including dragon and lion dances, Chinese martial arts and traditional Chinese songs and dances, which won the applause of visitors and tourists from around the world.

A Mauritian national, who identified himself as Iqbal only, came to the seafront with his family for the festival. He said the sharing of culture is something that is experienced every day. "The Chinese community (in Mauritius) has very colorful festivals and China Town is always very lively. The Dragon Boat Festival is an opportunity to discover another facet of our compatriots of Chinese origin. The children loved watching the boat competitions."

Rajshree and her two daughters, who came specially from Mahebourg, at the other end of the island, were equally delighted. "We're used to having traditional pirogue regattas in Mahebourg. The Dragon Boat Festival is different, because the boats are not powered by sails, but by arms."

For Ralph and Zita, a tourist couple from Belgium on their first trip to Mauritius, it was a wonderful discovery. "We came to discover the capital, and then we came across this boat race. Back home, we have rowing competitions, but the boats aren't as pretty," admitted Ralph.

Originating in China thousands of years ago, the dragon boat race is one of many traditions in celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, which commemorates the Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan (about 340 BC-278 BC) on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The festival, now a national holiday in China, falls on June 22 this year. People always enjoy Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) for the day.

The Indian Ocean island nation's Dragon Boat Festival was sponsored by the Dragon and Lion Dance Federation of Mauritius, in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage of Mauritius, the Chinese Cultural Center of Mauritius, and the Chinese Embassy in Mauritius.

"It's a festival that Mauritians look forward to every year," said Arvind Boodhun, director of culture at the Mauritian Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage. "It's a festival for the Chinese community first and foremost, but there are also other Mauritians from different communities who come to enjoy the Chinese culture that has been passed down from generation to generation."

"We have a population that comes from different horizons, different continents to make a united country today. It's important to celebrate this special heritage and build this cultural bridge," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)




A Korean tourist died at a subway station on the outskirts of Paris last week for unknown reasons, and the bereaved family called for a thorough probe, officials said Wednesday.







The 36-year-old man, who was traveling alone in France, is presumed to have died at the VillejuifLouis Aragon station of the Paris Metro between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on June 12 (local time).







After confirming that he did not board his return flight on June 14, his family contacted the Korean Embassy in Paris on June 15.







Embassy officials discovered his body at a forensic center the following day, and police said he was presumed to have died by an electric shock as he appeared to have been trying to cross the railroad tracks there.







The family wants to check surveillance footage to learn exactly what happened to him.







"We call for French police's swift and fair investigation into the case to figure out the cause of his death, while maintaining close communication with the French authorities," an embassy official said.







"We also provide all necessary consular assistance to the family while keeping close communication," he added.







The office worker visited France on vacation and had planned to get married soon. (Yonhap)


Yale Law School professor Oona Hathaway wrote an especially revealing Guest Essay in the pages of the New York Times. By aiding the governments exceptional indictment against a former U.S. president, she may have violated several laws; the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct; and the American Association of Law School (AALS) Statement on Law Professors in the Discharge of Ethical and Professional Responsibilities.

Hathaways essay demonstrates how extreme ideological fervor can make law professors legally blind to what the law actually says. However, Hathaways essay, which is but one of many such partisan essays by law professors, amounting to a form of public relations (e.g., this essay), should stop immediately.

What the professors themselves dont generally appreciate is that they undermine their credibility and that of their institutions, and they violate the core principle of the legal system: objectivity. The concepts of objectivity and neutrality are as basic to law as thermodynamics is to engineering. Choosing sides in the pages of major mass media discards that principle and turns a professor into a political mercenary.

Some might argue that Hathaway and others merely demonstrate legal advocacybut there is a vast difference between law professors who teach law principles in a classroom and lawyers who use those principles to advocate for a client in a courtroom. Regulations address both these functions, but law school professors struggle to maintain a necessary firewall between them or even to understand that academic freedom is intended for the academy.

Image: Yale Law School by Nick Allen. CC BY-SA 3.0.

As University of Nebraska professor David Moshman explained, Academic freedom is the freedom to do academic work. Writing in the pages of the New York Times is not academic work; it is public relations work, and with it comes other professional responsibilities that outweigh all others. The AALS Statement asserts that:

American law professors typically are members of two professions and need to comply with the requirements and standards of both. Law professors who practice law are subject to the law of professional ethics in force in the jurisdictions in which they are licensed to practice. In addition, as members of the teaching profession, all law faculty members are subject to the regulations of the institutions at which they teach and to professional guidelines that are more generally applicable, such as the Statement of Professional Ethics of the American Association of University Professors. This Statement does not diminish the significance of these other sources of ethical and professional conduct. Instead, it is intended to provide general guidance to law professors concerning ethical and professional standards because of the intrinsic importance of those standards and because law professors serve as important role models for law students. (Italics mine).

Some might argue that Hathaway and others are demonstrating rhetoric, which is a major part of law. To an extent, it is, but what exactly is rhetoric? To be rhetorical does not mean to be deceptive, mendacious, or even misleading. Rhetoric matters as an art of thinking coherently because, no matter how convincing a lawyer may believe she is, if the rhetorical device does not convey truth and accuracy to a judge or jury, then it generally fails to persuade or withstand appeal.

Hathaways argument in the Times is not meant to persuade but to influencebut not influence that educates or stimulates reason among general newspaper readers. Instead, her argument is meant to stop thinking and to be passively influenced. Hathaway does this, in part, by inference, with photos of closed, unverified document boxes stacked in unverified locations; and by association, by showing pictures of an unrelated party accused of a national security violation.

Mostly, Hathaway seems intent on building a narrative for sentencing. Her essay includes an image of Reality Winner posing as the Lefts apparent archetype of a rural deplorable, complete with barbed wire fencing, a dilapidated van, and a trailer in the background. Winner was convicted on charges involving secure documents in a national security setting and received a sentence exceeding 5 years for a single count. Ms. Hathaway suggests that Trump should receive a longer sentence for his 37 counts (31 under the Espionage Act).

As renowned criminal defense attorney Gerry Spence said, Skepticism, not cleanliness, is next to godliness. Skepticism is the father of freedom. It is like the pry that holds open the door for truth to slip in.

Perhaps the most central intellectual pillar of the entire legal trade, including teaching, is the concept of Higher Duty. What does this mean? The ABA (America Bar Association) gives the definition centrality in its Preamble: A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice. Further:

As a public citizen, a lawyer should seek improvement of the law, access to the legal system, the administration of justice and the quality of service rendered by the legal profession. As a member of a learned profession, a lawyer should cultivate knowledge of the law beyond its use for clients, employ that knowledge in reform of the law and work to strengthen legal education. In addition, a lawyer should further the publics understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority. A lawyer should aid the legal profession in pursuing these objectives and should help the bar regulate itself in the public interest.

Instead, Hathaway does the opposite, undermining public confidence in the law and in the judiciary, not only by misinterpreting what the law says but also by undermining the court system with a public legal argument that contaminates the core principles of law itself, including presumption, due process, evidence standards, and balancing, while officially endorsing publicly a dubious if not extra-legal indictment. Her essay appears crafted to influence judges by loading an effective amicus curia into public domain mass media, ahead of trial. As Yale and Harvard Law represent nine out of ten Supreme Court Justices (with a revolving door into their law schools, such as Justice Breyer at Harvard), the schools seemingly believe theyre a private channel to the judicial system.

The other key professional obligation that law professors undermine by such partisan (and intellectually immature) behavior involves their responsibilities in a larger university system. University of Chicago Nobel economist George J. Stigler addressed the problem in Academic Freedom and Responsibility, and it is especially relevant:

Professors believe they should be free to express their opinions and free of penalties for themselves and their institutions. That is asking quite a lot. If we could decrease our entanglement in contemporary policy issues, whether by anonymity or self-discipline, we would not invite the often-correct suspicion that professional knowledge was being used for partisan purposes. I hope for societys sake that we become more professional in the use of our knowledge.

Hathaways essay ultimately appears to be an awkward effort by a law school professor to vicariously act out the role of a prosecution team member, but in so doing, political ideology overwhelms the rational poise necessary to act as a mature legal thinker, and thereby as a role model to law students.

This highlights why defense doctrine is the natural posture for a law professor to take because it freezes speculation and sets the order of law as a priority.

Intriguingly, its law professors from the elite category of law schools such as Yale who demonstrate partisan activity. It would be unusual to find one of Americas trade-focused, regional law schools commenting publicly about, let alone encouraging faculty to aid and abet, such government legal irregularity.

This raises a fascinating question as to whether institutions such as Yale are actually law schools or whether they have become something else altogether, where politics is indulged as law, and law is celebrated and rewarded as radical political activism. In his famous 1960 Rosenthal Lecture given at Northwestern University, Law and its Compass, Lord Radcliffe stated that it is more important to decide what law is for, than what it is. The law academy often demonstrates to law students that both can be subordinated to ideology.

Matthew G. Andersson is a former CEO, law and policy writer, and the author of the upcoming book Legally Blind concerning how ideology affects law. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Financial Times, and has testified before the U.S. Senate. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago, and studied with White House National Security Advisor W.W. Rostow at the Johnson School of Public Affairs.
Did you wake up alive today? No, that's not a joke; it's a serious question. I ask it because exactly five years ago today, St. Greta of Thunberg, the little child who has led the "climate change" movement across the Western world, promised that, as of June 21, 2023, the world would cease to exist.

In the past, doomsday predictions arose when masses of people faced imminent death (e.g., the Black Death, which killed one third to one half of Europe's population in the mid-14th century) or contemplated natural phenomena they could not explain (e.g., Halley's Comet).

Although one would think that, in the modern era, these predictions would die out, they've only become worse. To name but a few, we saw Jim Jones, the Y2K panic, and the Heaven's Gate cult (governed not by Halley's Comet, but by Hale-Bopp). None, though, have been as influential as the cult of Climate Change.



Image by Andrea Widburg using Pixlr AI.

The Climate Change cult began in the 1960s, when scientists, whom we revered, and the media, which we trusted, began predicting that all life would end due to famine, overpopulation, nuclear war, a new Ice Age, ozone depletion, global warming...

In 2019, Mark J. Perry compiled a list of the left's many failed climate change predictions. Here are a few of the more apocalyptic ones, but you should go to the link to see the entire list:

1. 1967: Dire Famine Forecast By 1975 [snip] 3. 1970: Ice Age By 2000

4. 1970: America Subject to Water Rationing By 1974 and Food Rationing By 1980

5. 1971: New Ice Age Coming By 2020 or 2030 [snip] 8. 1974: Another Ice Age?

9. 1974: Ozone Depletion a Great Peril to Life (data and graph)

10. 1976: Scientific Consensus Planet Cooling, Famines imminent [snip] 15. 1988: Maldive Islands will Be Underwater by 2018 (theyre not)

16. 1989: Rising Sea Levels will Obliterate Nations if Nothing Done by 2000 [snip] 19. 2002: Famine In 10 Years If We Dont Give Up Eating Fish, Meat, and Dairy [snip] 23. 2009: Climate Genius Prince Charles Says we Have 96 Months to Save World

24. 2009: UK Prime Minister Says 50 Days to Save The Planet From Catastrophe [snip] 36. 2006: Super Hurricanes! [snip] 39. 1970: Nitrogen buildup Will Make All Land Unusable [snip] 43. 1969: Worldwide Plague, Overwhelming Pollution, Ecological Catastrophe, Virtual Collapse of UK by End of 20th Century [snip] 45. 1970: Oceans Dead in a Decade, US Water Rationing by 1974, Food Rationing by 1980 [snip] 49.1989: UN Warns That Entire Nations Wiped Off the Face of the Earth by 2000 From Global Warming

What that list could not include, because the end date hadn't yet passed, was a prediction from a pale, neurotic, mildly autistic, rather dim, and very angry and frightened little girl whose parents were hard-left activists. I'm speaking about Greta Thunberg, who took the world by storm with her doomsday predictions.

One of Thunberg's most terrifying predictions said that "a top climate scientist is warning that climate change will wipe out all of humanity unless we stop using fossil fuels over the next five years."

The date of that prediction? June 21, 2018, exactly five years ago today. However, if you woke up alive today, St. Greta of Thunberg was wrong  as wrong as any other doomsday cultists have been over the millennia.

There's an important difference, though, between Greta's cult and all other cults. Every doomsday cult of the past insisted that individuals must change if they wanted to ward off the end or face final judgment without fear.

The leftists' climate doomsday cult is the first to demand change at the government level. They insisted that governments give away their citizens' money and implement policies to return their prosperous, safe societies to a pre-modern era of darkness, dirty water, famine, disease, and endless wars over limited resources.

If the end is indeed near, it's not because of fossil fuels. It's because Thunberg and her ilk were false messiahs, and they have brought us to the brink of civilizational collapse by removing all the pillars of civilization.

UPDATE: A reader pointed out that Greta's quote actually says yesterday wasn't the end; it was just the beginning of the end. However, here we are, five years later, and there's not even a scintilla of evidence supporting the assertion that we're at a watershed, point-of-no-return moment. That's why I believe it fits well with Mark Perry's long list of utterly failed climate change predictions. It wasn't intended to be true; it was intended only to spark a panic transferring more power to the government and quickly degrading the underpinnings of Western civilization.
A point I often make is that Donald Trumps travails were not because of Democrats. Instead, they were because of Republicans. Had the Republicans supported him, the past seven years would have been very different. And if you doubt that Republicans are a problem, just check out how the Republicans in North Dakotas legislature vote.

When Democrat voters cast their ballots for a Democrat candidate, they know what theyre getting: Someone who will reliably vote in lockstep with Democrat party leadership, whether that leadership comes from the White House or Congress, and whose votes will invariably hew left. Thats not true for conservative voters. When they cast their ballots for a Republican candidate, the likelihood that their candidate will support conservative ideas and people, including the President of the United States, is slender indeed.

Image: The Uniparty by Pixlr AI.

That point was brought home by a computer algorithm analysis looking at the voting patterns of the Republicans in the North Dakota legislature. (Hat tip: Powerline.)

Minot Republicans Mike Blessum and Zach Lessig used a computer algorithm to analyze the votes of every North Dakota legislator to determine how they voted. Or more accurately, who they voted with. The results in the North Dakota House are stunning  45 of the 84 members who caucus Republican vote more with the liberal members of the House than with the conservatives. [Click on this link to see the chart.] Some are only marginally to the left of center, but there are more than enough moderate Republicans (shown in light blue) voting with the 12 Democrats (dark blue) to effectively control the agenda in the House. Click here to see the full analysis of North Dakota legislative votes. The website compares the votes of each member with every other member and then aggregates that into one chart.

We intuitively know, without a study, that the same result would apply in legislatures across America, including Congress: While Democrat politicians almost never vote with Republicans, Republican politicians routinely vote with Democrats, making Democrats the effective political majority across America, even though their political values are not mainstream while conservative values are.

When it comes to Trump, it was a foregone conclusion that this populist president would face opposition from Democrats. However, given that Republicans controlled Congress for the first two years of his administration, Trump ought to have been able to make good on all his promises, starting with that wall. Instead, his own party fought him every step of the way. It was Republicans who blocked the wall and Obamacares repeal. It was they who, when they served in his administration, routinely stabbed him in the back.

It's easy to say, Well, thats because it was Trump, and he was unique. However, the analysis of North Dakota legislative voting patterns shows that it has nothing to do with Trump. Likewise, the fact that every conservative initiative in Congress fails, including censuring Adam Schiff for committing fraud against Congress and the American people, also shows that it has nothing to do with Trump.

Heres the bottom line: The Republican party is not conservative. Instead, it is Democrat-lite. OKeefe Media Groups BlackRock expose may explain some of this, but its also a really bad mindset that transcends something as simple as bribery.

When you vote for a Republican, you are getting people like Asa Hutchinson, who freely admit that the DOJ was highly politicized against Trump but refuse to support the idea of a special prosecutor because that would politicize the DOJ. (Starting at 6:10 in the video below, you can see what I mean.)

Catholics Fight Drag Night pic.twitter.com/BMrMn13meU  The Michael Knowles Show (@MKnowlesShow) June 20, 2023

The Republican Party is not conservative. Instead, it just wants to introduce leftism at a slower pace and, it believes, a lower cost.

Honestly, Im not sure how to overcome this core problem, which is that the party does not represent the people. In the Democrat party, the radicals took over. In the Grand Old Party, the Vichy Republicans are holding the line.

Conservatives who believe in the Constitution; free markets; functional borders; nuclear families with male and female parents; the gender binary; the sexual innocence of children; punishment for readily recognizable crimes such as murder, assault, and robbery; a military dedicated to defense, not social justice; a colorblind society; and so many more core American ideas, must figure out how to break through the wall of the Republican party. If they dont, this country as we once knew it and believe it still can be, is lost.

UPDATE: When I wrote this post, I hadn't even seen what happened in New Jersey.
New York is inviting criminals to move to the state. Not literally, but its actions once again are showing that it won't hold criminals accountable. It began with liberal politicians decriminalizing certain crimes and forcing police to prioritize the calls they answer because of shortages of police officers.

However, some criminals do get arrested. If that happened, liberal district attorneys drop charges, or liberal judges dismiss cases.

If criminals are unlucky enough to be convicted for their crimes, well, New York now wants to make sure no one can find out about a person's criminal record. The state Legislature passed a bill that automatically seals most criminal records, and Democrat governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign it into law.

The "Clean Slate Act" seals the records of criminals convicted of a misdemeanor three years after they are released from prison. It also seals the records of felons eight years after they are released from prison.

"Clean Slate offers a genuine second chance to individuals who have fully paid their debt to society, enabling them to restart their lives and become positive contributors to their communities," said Democrat Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. "By passing Clean Slate, we affirm our belief in redemption and improve our society by providing formerly incarcerated individuals a better opportunity to enter the workforce and establish stable lives."

While this is a laudable goal, it places the citizens of the state in a vulnerable position. What happens if a convicted bank robber or embezzler gets a job in finance? What if a convicted sex offender gets a job that brings him into contact with potential victims? Ordinarily, employers could have discovered this prior to a problem arising, but the state is now going to hide essential information. They will have become accessories to crimes that arise because they hid information.

Now, the bill allows some exceptions, such as Class A felonies that could warrant life in prison sentences, like terrorism, murder, kidnapping and some sex crimes. How long do you think those exceptions will last before liberal legislators start pushing to include the exceptions into the bill? Liberals have shown they don't know the difference between right and wrong, or they do and have switched the definitions of the words.

"This law is completely irresponsible," said state Republican rep. Mike Tannousis. "When are we finally going to hold criminals accountable for their actions? I have been here for three years, and have yet to see the day. Let's hope it comes soon before the rest of the New Yorkers that still live in this state flee."

This is also an effort by liberals to cater to their voters, especially since major crimes increased 22 percent in New York City last year. By encouraging criminals to stay in the city and state, they are likely to vote for Democrats and keep them in power.

It doesn't matter that the Democrats are allowing their state to go down the toilet like liberal cities like Chicago and San Francisco. They are following the example of Lucifer in John Milton's Paradise Lost that it is "better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven."

Michael A. Letts is the CEO and founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs.

Photo credit: rawpixel.com, license.
Washington Democrats were surprised that Native Americans were not rejoicing with them when secretary of the interior Deb Haaland seized control of the Navajo Nation land surrounding the Chaco Culture National Park in northwest New Mexico. They were shocked when members of the Navajo Nation kept Secretary Haaland from celebrating her actions at Chaco.

What will Washington Democrats be if the Navajo Nation files suit against Secretary Haaland and her seizing control of land belonging to the Navajo Nation?

In my forty years of experience working with members of the 19 Pueblos, Hopi, Dine, and Apache, I learned of the many challenges they faced individually and as communities.

I quickly became acquainted with the competing interests within their communities, among the surrounding native communities, and with local and state governments. I learned never to become enmeshed in Native American politics.

In 1853, the federal government forced the Dine off their land, and they marched over four hundred miles to an unfamiliar land in the dead of winter. The Dine still refer to this as "The Long Walk." In 1868, Washington allowed the Dine to return to eastern Arizona, also home to the Hopi people. What was once a friendly relationship between Hopi and Dine became a bitter rivalry. It took almost 150 years, hundreds of millions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of acres of land to settle the conflict between the Hopi and the Dine that the federal government created. Now Deb Haaland as secretary of interior is behaving with almost as heavy a hand.

Haaland rekindled old conflicts between the nineteen Pueblos and the Navajo Nation when she unilaterally seized control of over 350,000 acres of Navajo Nation Land and BLM land surrounding Chaco on behalf of nineteen Pueblos on June 2, 2023. UNESCO's website states, "Chaco Canyon, a major centre of ancestral Pueblo culture between 850 and 1250, was the focus for ceremonials, trade and political activity for the prehistoric Four Corners area."

The nineteen Pueblos and the Navajo Nation have been discussing how to manage energy development in the area surrounding Chaco and protect the rights of the Dine who live on those lands. Haaland usurped the ongoing discussion and seized control of the land, which favored her Laguna Pueblo and the other eighteen Pueblos.

Haaland has demonstrated that she is not at all different from any other secretaries of the interior who preceded her. She seized control of native lands without regard for agreements and Native sovereignty. I believe that this is why Native American leaders across the nation have not voiced their approval of her actions. They understand they could be next.

Washington leaders, bureaucrats, and lobbyists still view the West and its inhabitants in terms of nineteenth-century caricatures and believe that they are as benevolent as the Wizard of Oz, which could not be farther from the truth. This needs to change now. President Biden should start by rescinding Secretary Haaland's unilateral order and encouraging the Navajo Nation and the nineteen Pueblos to create an agreement that addresses their competing interests on their lands. The federal government should continue with President Trump's decentralization of the Department of Interior.

Image: Shane Balkowitsch.
When you pull the lid off an already stinking garbage pail, it shouldn't be a surprise that it stinks even more.

That's what seems to be the case with James O'Keefe's latest undercover video targeting Blackrock, the financial services giant which is famed for its investments in big corporations that have suddenly been forced to embrace DEI and ESG wokester policies.

BREAKING: @BlackRock Recruiter Who Decides Peoples Fate Spills Info on Companys World Impact



Its not who the president is- its whos controlling the wallet of the president



You got $10K? You can buy a senator"



War is real f***ing good for business #BlackRockExposed pic.twitter.com/DZIy1DuZKF  James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) June 20, 2023

It turns out that a corporate recruiter for the company, named Serge Varnay, is bragging about buying politicians, with senators going for a cheapie $10,000 a pop.

Is it time to look at those senators who've taken the Blackrock dime?

According to OpenSecrets.org, citing the 2022 cycle, 20 Democrat senators and senate candidates got a grand total of $303,837, and 18 Republican senators and senate candidates got $168,250 from Blackrock, both the company itself, and its individual employees.

Here are the big fish:

Chuck Schumer, who pocketed $113,950 from the financial giant, including the nice neat $10,000 from Blackrock itself.

Lisa Murkowski, who took $46,400, again including that nice neat $10,000 from Blackrock itself, and the rest from employees of Blackrock.

Could they have been donations by the Blackrock employees and agents whom the recruiter Varnay said were handed half a million dollars and told that they knew what to do? That's too murky to know for sure, so let's just look at the members of the Blackrock $10,000 club and see who we find besides Schumer and Murkowski:

Ron Wyden, a leftist from Oregon, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, who won her election by a very thin margin, Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, Republicans Chuck Grassley of Iowa and John Boozman of Arkansas, Democrat Chris Van Hollen, Republican Todd Young of Indiana, Republican Jerry Moran of Kansas, Republicans James Lankford of Oklahoma and John Thune of South Dakota.

Bob Menendez of New Jersey also took cash from Blackrock as a company, but at the fire sale rate of $4,000. Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina took $2,000. Democrat Dick Blumenthal of Connecticut got $5,000. Democrat Tammy Baldwin got $2,500. Republican Bill Hagerty of Tennessee got $2,500. Democrat Sherrod Brown got $2,500. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky got $2,500. Republican Steve Daines got $1,500. Texas Republican John Cornyn got $1,000.

Other senators took lesser amounts only from employees of Blackrock, not the company -- Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin were seen in that club.

Plenty of prominent names from the House came up as prodigious takers of the Blackrock campaign cash, too -- Paul Ryan, Maxine Waters, Rob Portman, Ruben Gallego, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Gregory Meeks, Nancy Pelosi, Brad Sherman...

Joe Biden took $537 from Blackrock employeesm so it's possible he was very cheap indeed, but based on the House investigation led by Rep. James Comer, he seems to have commanded higher prices elsewhere.

Now, this is not to say that everyone who took money from Blackrock was taking a bribe. I have a very hard time thinking Sen. Chuck Grassley would ever take a bribe, especially from these Blackrock guys, given his fearless work rooting out Democrat corruption. There are probably others. But still, we'd be naive to say that money doesn't buy influence in Washington.

If I were a senator and saw that tape from O'Keefe's target, though, I'd be thinking about returning that money back to Blackrock, given Varnay's boast.

Blackrock has already been the topic of videos like these:

GatewayPundit has more summarizations of what O'Keefe found in his video from the Blackrock employee.

And here is a chart featured in O'Keefe's video, showing Blackrock's big corporate holdings.

Now there's an allegation that they buy senators cheaply and "everybody" does it. If that's the case, nobody should want to be holding that money ,which given the latest allegations, might just say to some voters: 'I got bought cheaply.'

Image: Twitter screen shot
The first thing everyone needs to see is the definition of fascism, since Republicans are frequently referred to as fascists to intentionally mislead the public. One definition via Merriam-Webster:

Fascism: a way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government

Conservatives don't like pushing young children into making the decision to permanently attempt to change their gender, just like most Americans. They encourage people not to shop at Target because it is pushing gender-altering products to children. They are not blocking the doors or doing anything to prevent people shopping at Target if they want. They are not writing regulations to prevent people from shopping at Target.

So why are they frequently referred to the fascist right? The answer is to intentionally mislead the public. Via the progressive American Prospect:

Corporate Support of LGBT Rights Is Teetering The fascist right is finding it easy to bully Target and other companies with a campaign of homophobic terror.

Democrats have been seeking to destroy oil companies for years because they claim they are destroying the planet. Many conservatives want to boycott Bud Light, but they won't prevent people who want Bud light from buying it.

Democrats want to prevent people buying gas-powered cars, and they are doing it through government regulations. They are seeking to prevent freedom of choice. That is fascism.

So why are Democrats not referred to as the fascist left? The answer is simple: because the media and other Democrats always intentionally mislead the public.

The White House and media continually say they are not out to ban natural gas stoves while their DOE is writing regulations to get rid of gas stoves. So why do the media go along with that lie? To intentionally mislead the public.

The DOE efficiency standards could eliminate half of the gas stoves currently on the market, according to the agency.

Leftists are not seeking to boycott a movie on de-transitioning. They don't want anyone to be able to see it.

AMC Theatres Cancels De-Transitioner Film Following Trans Group's De-Platforming Campaign AMC Theatres abruptly canceled a film showcasing the voices of young people who have de-transitioned after having hormone therapy and surgeries to purportedly "affirm" their "gender identity." "No Way Back: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care" was set for initial release on June 21 in dozens of theaters across the country. Producers of the film say AMC caved to the pressure of a de-platforming campaign by a transgender group called the Queer Trans Project.

That is a very different from people encouraging people not to buy Bud Light or to go to a Disney movie. I am sure that people can see the difference. Why is the left so focused on blocking people from seeing a documentary talking about people wanting to embrace their true sex? The answer is that it doesn't fit the leftist agenda, and they are scared that it would reverse their radical movement.

Where are the governors who are complaining about books being blocked from children (not a ban) not complaining about this ban on the movie? The answer is they don't care.

Most protests at Planned Parenthood facilities are peaceful, where they have "choose life" signs or some other version of that message, yet these protesters are treated as criminals.

Meanwhile, the protests at crisis pregnancy centers are often violent, yet the Justice Department rarely cares. The attackers are mostly above the law.

Why are leftists so concerned about people being given alternative thoughts like having a baby and putting it up for adoption? The answer is that PP makes a lot of money performing abortions.

The DOJ has yet to announce any arrests in attacks on pro-life centers

Dems used to say they wanted abortions to be rare. Now they brag about offering abortion at all stages of a pregnancy. States advertise and brag about how many people travel to their state to abort their children.

We were told a year ago how many women's lives would be in danger if abortion had limits. So where is the list of those who have died? My guess is that the list is very short, or we would have seen it by now. It would probably be a running chyron on CNN.

Elizabeth Warren wants to shut down all crisis pregnancy centers because they don't advocate abortion. That is fascism, when the government controls what you do and say.
My guess is that this is the first time that a wife has been a part of the jury in her husband's trial. One would think that the prosecution would immediately strike a juror married to the accused. Of course, this is no ordinary defendant, and she is no ordinary juror. He is Ken Paxton, recently impeached as attorney general of Texas. She is Angela Paxton, a Texas state senator who will vote yes or no on his charges.

This is the dynamic story from the Texas Tribune:

After weeks of speculation, state Sen. Angela Paxton announced late Monday that she will attend the impeachment trial of her husband, suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, the McKinney Republican said in a statement issued late Monday. "Each time I was elected, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of this great state, and Texas law compels each member of the Senate to attend when the Senate meets as a court of impeachment," Angela Paxton's announcement stated. "As a member of the Senate, I hold these obligations sacred and I will carry out my duties, not because it is easy, but because the Constitution demands it and because my constituents deserve it." Ken Paxton faces 20 articles of impeachment as a result of a months long investigation by the House General Investigating Committee. Those articles include accusations of bribery, retaliating against whistleblowers and obstruction of justice. As a result, the suspended attorney general will face a trial in the Senate by Aug. 28 in which the upper chamber's 31 members will act as jurors in the decision of whether to remove one of the state's top elected Republicans from office. Texas law requires each member to attend when the Senate meets as a court of impeachment, but Angela Paxton's participation wasn't clear before her announcement. Her role in the impeachment has been a point of speculation since her husband was impeached just days before the regular legislative session ended in May.

Talk about stand by your man. Senator Paxton is one of 19 GOP senators in the Texas Senate. It will take 21 votes to convict the suspended Mr. Paxton, and we assume that all 12 Democrats will vote yes.

What a horrible place for a wife to be in. If she votes "no," then the Paxton opponents will throw the flag and accuse her of this and that. Bad summer for the Paxtons, who both enjoyed strong re-elections last November.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: Seal of the Governor of Texas.
Donald Trump's general philosophy was to give more power and money back to the people. For that, the media and other Democrats repeatedly lied by calling him an authoritarian. He was also called divisive. In fact, he was compared to Hitler, and I do not recall the media lecturing Democrats for using divisive terms.

Two powerful House Democrats have invoked Adolf Hitler's actions in Germany and the treatment of Jews during World War I and in the 1920s to warn against the direction the US is moving in, with both saying Donald Trump's presidency presents an unprecedented threat to democracy.

Meanwhile, Biden seeks to transfer more power and money to the government and continually calls those who disagree with him "white supremacists" and "domestic terrorists."

The Justice Department is clearly politicized to target Trump and parents who dare speak out against policies they disagree with. They compared parents at meetings to domestic terrorists to shut them up. They went after Catholics.

Hillary and Joe, who mishandled classified documents and committed other crimes, have never been charged, while Trump has been targeted in search of crimes for over seven years.

And now the media are lecturing Trump and other Republicans for being divisive by pointing out what the tactics of the Biden administration look like.

Trump and other Republicans conjure a familiar enemy in attacking Democrats as 'communists' Lashing out after his arraignment on federal charges last week, Donald Trump took aim at President Joe Biden and Democrats with language that seemed to evoke another era: He was being persecuted, he said, by "Marxists" and "communists." Trump has used the labels since he first appeared on the political scene, but it lately has become an omnipresent attack line that also has been deployed by other Republicans. The rhetoric is both inaccurate and potentially dangerous because it attempts to demonize an entire party with a description that has long been associated with America's enemies.

And suddenly, after years of slow investigations, Hunter Biden is going to get a slap on the wrist from the Justice Department for gun and tax charges. He will have to spend his probation in rented mansions and the White House.

Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and can avoid prosecution on a gun charge. Under a deal with the Justice Department, the president's son agreed to probation for filing his taxes late, and he can avoid a charge that he lied about his drug use when he purchased a handgun.

Meanwhile, trespassers in the U.S. Capitol are sentenced to harsh jail time. This shows how little the Justice Department cares about taxes and guns when a special person is involved.

I can see the talking points now: the media and other Democrats will say this shows that we have an independent Justice Department, and no one is above the law.

What a crock!



Caricature by Donkey Hotey, CC BY 2.0 license.
One of the treasures of the American Museum of Natural Historys permanent collection is a large piece of extra-terrestrial rock called the Willamette Meteorite. At 15.5 tons, it is the largest meteorite ever found in the United States, and the sixth largest in the world.

The Willamette Meteorite is mostly composed of iron and nickel, and like all iron meteorites, it was formed billions of years ago when the solar system was still forming out of cosmic dust. Gravity caused these dust particles to come together to form protoplanets and heavier metals like iron and nickel sank into the interior to form the core. Some time later, this protoplanet must have collided with another planetary body, causing it to fracture, sending chunks of rocks rich in iron and nickel out into space.

Credit: Mike Cassano/Flickr

The pieces of the protoplanet continued to circle the sun for the next several billion years, until about 17,000 years ago, when the orbits of the earth and that of one of the rockswhich will eventually become the Willamette Meteoriteintersected. The meteorite crashed into the earth at more than 64,000 kmph, somewhere in an ice cap in western Canada.

Over the centuries, moving glaciers slowly transported the meteorite to Montana to the vicinity of an ice barrier that had formed across the Clark Fork River. This barrier had ponded a huge amount of water at the Lake Missoula. Just as the meteorite reached the area, the ice dam crumbled releasing one of the largest floods ever documented. Trapped in ice, the meteorite floated down the Columbia River until its ice case broke and the meteorite sank into the river bottom near the modern day city of Portland.

At the end of the last Ice Age, as the waters ebbed, the meteorite became exposed to the elements. Over thousands of years, rainwater mixed with iron sulfide in the meteorite produced sulphuric acid, which slowly dissolved portions of the rock creating hollows on its surface.

Two boys sit inside the hollows of the Willamette Meteorite.

The meteorite was first discovered by the Clackamas Chinook people, who lived in the Willamette Valley of Oregon before the European settlers arrived. The Clackamas named the meteorite "Tomanowos", believing the rock to be a representative of the Sky People and exemplifying a union between the sky, earth and water. For the Clackamas, Tomanowos was sacred. They revered it as a spiritual being with powers to heal and empower people of the valley. They used the rock in various ceremonies, using the water collected in the meteorite's crevices to cleanse and purify themselves. Tribal hunters, before they went out to hunt, dipped their arrowheads in the water.

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In 1902, a miner named Ellis Hughes saw the meteorite, and recognizing the rocks significance, secretly moved it to his own propertya task that took three months. Once the meteorite was on his land, he began charging admission to view the Willamette Meteorite. The land where the meteorite originally stood belonged to the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. When the theft was discovered, the rocks legitimate owner sued for and won possession of the meteorite. The company sold the meteorite to Mrs. William Dodge, who then gifted it to the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Credit: Wikimedia

The Willamette Meteorite remained on display at the museum for nearly a century, when in 1999, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (CTGRC), a confederation of Native American tribes, demanded that the revered Tomanowos be returned to them. A case was filed against the American Museum of Natural History, and later that year, an agreement was reached according to which the meteorite remained at the museum but tribal members were allowed to conduct a private ceremony around the meteorite once a year. A section of the meteorite that was cut from the larger rock was also returned to the CTGRC.
A sign reading "Women Friendly Seoul" is displayed on the wall near a restroom in Seoul Metro's Sindang Station in this Sept. 16, 2022 photo, where a female subway worker was killed two days earlier by a male coworker accused of stalking and harassing the victim. Korea Times photo by Choi Joo-yeon



Victim's consent no longer required to prosecute stalkers



By Lee Hyo-jin



Stalkers will now face criminal punishment regardless of a victim's consent, following a revision to the so-called "anti-stalking law" that was passed at a plenary session of the National Assembly, Wednesday.



The bill was passed unanimously by all 246 lawmakers attending the session, which is a rare occurrence in Korea's parliament.



Through the revised bill aimed at strengthening punishment for stalking crimes, the Assembly decided to abolish a controversial clause stipulating that a stalker cannot be held criminally responsible if the victim does not consent to punishment.



The initial law legislated in 2021 stipulated that stalkers can be punished only after obtaining the permission of the victim. As a result, the law had been strongly criticized by civic groups for failing to address the core nature of stalking crimes. A lot of stalking victims tend to give up seeking punishment against perpetrators due to fears of retaliation. Because of that, many perpetrators have avoided criminal punishment after reaching settlements with the victims.



Women' rights groups said the revision was long overdue.



"It's something that should have been done years ago. We had expressed grave concerns on the matter since the legislation of the initial anti-stalking law and repeatedly called on the government to eliminate the unreasonable clause," Song Ran-hee, head of the Korea Women's Hotline, told The Korea Times. "It's hard to welcome their belated move."



She lamented that many stalking crimes  including the murders of victims  could have been prevented if the government had introduced proper laws and preventive measures in the first place.



Eliminating the controversial clause of the anti-stalking law was a campaign pledge made by President Yoon Suk Yeol, who vowed to get tough on crimes against women. But after taking office in May last year, his administration had not swiftly taken steps to carry out the promise.



Discussions on strengthening the anti-stalking law finally gained momentum in September of last year following the brutal murder of a female subway employee by a former coworker in a restroom at Sindang subway station in Seoul.



The offender, Jeon Joo-hwan, who had been stalking and threatening the victim for over two years, committed the murder just one day before he was to be sentenced on stalking charges.



Public anger mounted against law enforcement officials and the legal system for failing to prevent the crime despite the fact the Jeon had shown typical signs of a violent stalker, sparking calls for legal reforms and stronger punishments.



Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Justice announced in October plans to revise the anti-stalking law, which was eventually put to vote at Wednesday's plenary session.



"I believe that the revision encompasses most of what can be considered in order to protect stalking crime victims," Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon said during an Assembly session, Tuesday, vowing to swiftly enforce the measures once the revision gets the green light.


AI technology is a growing entity, and its rooting its way into more industries. AT&T, a major US phone carrier, just announced that it developed a new AI tool to help out its employees. According to a blog post from the company (via Insider), its called Ask AT&T, and its meant to help out its employees in several ways.

This AT&T AI tool was developed with Microsoft

It should be no shock that big companies are jumping on the AI train. The thinking behind this is to increase productivity. This seems to be the thought behind Ask AT&T. This is a generative AI Tool that the employees can use to help augment their work.

AT&T collaborated with Microsoft in order to develop this tool. As you may know, Microsoft has been a huge investor in OpenAI, and its pushing the technology into more of its services. So, working with Microsoft seems to be a good call.

As for what the chatbot will do, there wont really be a customer-facing change. Basically, dont expect to speak to an AI chatbot when youre trying to get customer service. Instead, its more of a way to help people who are on the inside.

AT&T mentioned developers as an example. The rise in generative AI spells trouble for developers because it gives anyone the ability to generate code based on text prompts. AT&T mentioned this, but it said that its tool will help and assist its internal developers with their coding.

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Another example has to do with customer documentation. One thing about AI is that its really good at processing and presenting information for you to absorb. This is one thing that Google wants to do in the medical field.

Well, the tool could be used to translate customer documentation. This may mean that it will allow people to pull up specific information about customers without needing to look up their entire documents.

There are plenty of applications for this chatbot, so it might be a major step forward for the company. Lets just hope that this doesnt lead to any massive layoffs from the company. This is one of the main things that people worry about in this new AI-driven era.
Samsung is expecting foldable sales to jump significantly this year. The company has reportedly set an internal target to sell 1.3 times more foldable smartphones in 2023 than it did in 2022, which would be a 30% annual growth. The Korean behemoth discussed this target during the ongoing global strategy meetings of its senior executives. It is gearing up to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 next month.

We have set the sales target for foldable devices this year at approximately 1.3 times higher than last year, Twitter tipster @Tech_Reve quoted an unnamed person who participated in the meeting. The tipster added that Samsungs internal assessment of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has returned a significant amount of positive feedback. The improvements this years clamshell foldable brings over its predecessor should help in driving sales. Flip models have always sold in higher numbers than the Fold.

Samsung is eyeing big growth in foldable sales in 2023

Samsung has been the undisputed king of the foldable market so far. But thats largely because it never faced stiff competition globally. Apart from China, the Korean firm has had a near-monopoly in this niche pretty much everywhere. That may not be the case this year, though. Most Chinese vendors are going global with their foldable phones in 2023, while Google is also entering this market.

However, Samsung is still eyeing big growth this year. In February, the companys mobile chief said that its foldable sales will grow double digits in 2023, with total shipments crossing 15 million units. According to research firm Canalys, the Korean behemoth sold 12 million foldable devices in 2022. So that would mean about a 30% growth in foldable shipments this year. It has stuck to the target despite the economic uncertainties.

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Samsung wont be the only company selling more foldable phones this year, though. The market itself is estimated to double in 2023, reaching 30 million shipments globally. If the Korean company manages to achieve its target, then it would capture about 50% of the company. As many as nine brands are expected to compete for the remaining 50%, including Huawei, Honor, OPPO, Vivo, Tecno, Google, OnePlus, Motorola, and Xiaomi.

Notably, Samsungs foldable market share would drop from 80% in 2022 to 50% in 2023. But that isnt because of weaker demand for its products but because of growing competition. The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 will bring a handful of upgrades over their respective predecessors, including a redesigned hinge. Time will tell whether they help Samsung hit its foldable sales target for 2023.
Samsung seems to have pulled back the long-awaited June update for the Galaxy S23 series. The original build reportedly contained some bugs that the company needs to fix first. It will push a new build after the bugs have been fixed. Theres no timeline available for its release.

The Galaxy S23 series was long rumored to get a major update in June. Samsung had announced multiple new camera features for the latest flagships. After a slight delay, the update arrived last Friday with most of the promised goodies and an OTA (over the air) size of around 2.2GB. The rollout began in a handful of Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. However, it didnt make it to any other country.

While it was unclear why Samsung was taking so long to bring this update to other markets, turns out the company has halted the rollout. According to noted tipster Ice Universe on Twitter, some users who installed the big June update on their Galaxy S23 found bugs in the new build. The tipster couldnt provide further details on the bugs discovered by users but suggested that Samsung has pulled the update from its servers because of those bugs. It would release a new build after fixing the issues.

One Galaxy S23 user commented that they havent noticed anything wrong with their phone since updating it to the June firmware build. However, the issue seems to be big enough for Samsung to stop the rollout. The company is already working on a new June build (AWF3). The original build number ends with AWF1. Hopefully, it wouldnt take much longer to push the new build. Galaxy S23 users have already waited a long for the June update. We will let you know when the rollout begins.

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The June update for the Galaxy S23 series brings a lot of changes

An OTA update of 2.2GB is pretty big, and that means a lot of changes. The June update for the Galaxy S23 series brings a 2x zoom option for Portrait Mode in the stock camera app. The latest Samsung flagships currently let you capture portrait shots in 1x and 3x zoom only. Additionally, the Korean firm is pushing improvements to the Night mode, camera autofocus, haptic feedback, and system animations and transitions. There may be more changes but we will have to wait until Samsung resumes the rollout for confirmation.
These days, most ISPs have some sort of data cap on their service. Some of them keep the data cap so high that youd almost never hit it. While others keep it pretty low, to charge you overages. Now, the FCC is getting involved.

The Federal Communications Commission chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel is wanting to open a formal Notice of Inquiry into the impact of internet data caps on consumers. This is according to a new FCC document. Which means that it hasnt yet started the investigation, but its only a matter of time.

They are also looking at whether they should take action to ensure that the data caps dont harm competition, or impact access to broadband services.

Rosenworcel wrote in a statement Internet access is no longer nice-to-have but need-to-have for everyone, everywhere. When we need access to the internet, we arent thinking about how much data it takes to complete a task, we just know it needs to get done. Its time the FCC take a fresh look at how data caps impact consumers and competition.

The FCC cant take any action yet

While this all sounds like good news, the FCC cant actually take any action yet, since it only has four members. Theres two democrats and two republicans on the commission. And the US Senate refused to confirm President Bidens first nominee, Gigi Sohn. Who then withdrew her name from consideration. The White House then nominated telecom attorney Anna Gomez. It appears that Gomez does have the support of the telecom industry, and a nomination hearing is set for June 22.

You might remember, that during the pandemic, most of the ISPs including Comcast, Spectrum and AT&T, all lifted their data caps. Since we were all at home, all day, everyday, it made sense to lift those data caps. But some, have added them back. If there was no problem during COVID, why is there a problem with data caps now? The answer is most likely, money. But thats something the FCC will find out during its inquiry.
Wait whats my password again? Uh oh Youve uttered these words before when trying to log in to an account. It happens to all of us. However, when this happens while youre trying to log in to a Google account, it can be quite a struggle. If this has happened to you, dont worry. Heres how to recover your Google account in the case of a lost password.

Weve all clicked the Forgot password button more than we care to admit. However, when it comes to a Google account, things are a little bit more complicated. Google really takes security seriously, so youre likely to jump through more hoops when retrieving your account. Just know that theres a chance that you might not be able to retrieve it at all.

After we explain how to get your account back, well tell you some ways that you can prevent this from happening in the future. There are some things that you can do to keep your account accessible.

How to recover your Google account if you lose your password

Losing your password to your Google account can be a frustrating ordeal especially if you have a lot of useful data associated with it. This is why Google offers a few ways for you to get your account back if you forget your credentials.

Firstly, when youre at the login screen, type in the email address that youre trying to access. After you do that, youll see the password screen pop up.

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Under the text field, youll see the Forgot password button. This will take you to another screen. Now, this step will vary depending on what type of recovery information you gave when you made the account. When you make your account, youre given the chance to enter information like a recovery phone number and a recovery email address. These are for situations just like these when you lose your password.

Recovery methods

Google will send a code to the number or email address to verify that its you whos trying to get into the account. If you didnt add any recovery information, then regaining access to your account will be much harder. If you did give information, then youll go ahead and enter it.

As you see in the screenshot, there are several options. If you tap/click on the phone number option, then your phone will receive a text message with a unique code. Enter that code into the text field. After you do that, youll be taken to a screen where youll enter your recovery email address.

Just like with the phone number, youll get a code sent to your recovery email address. Enter that code, and youll be taken into your account.

Passkey

Google also implemented passkeys as a substitute for passwords. If you add a recovery email, and there are devices connected to that account, then youll have the option to send a notification to those devices.

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When that device gets the notification, youll see a prompt fill the screen asking if youre the one trying to sign in. If you tap on the Yes, its me button, then youll be taken into your account.

What if you dont have access to your recovery email or number?

Well, this is where the story ends If Google asks you for the recovery information, and you cant access it, then you wont be able to log into your account. As stated before, Google is really big on security. The company wont let you log into the account unless its absolutely sure that its you.

The recovery information is its last attempt to identify you. If you cant provide the information, then you might have to think about making a new account.

Tips to prevent this from happening

Why go through this mess when you can avoid it? There are different ways to avoid losing access to your account in the case that you forget your password.

Keep a log of your password

First and foremost, make sure to keep a log of your password where youre not likely to lose it. Get a notetaking app, word processing program, or good old pencil and paper. Make sure you keep it where it wont be stolen. You can also sign up for a password manager. Just make sure that its a trustworthy brand that doesnt have a history of data breaches.

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Keep your password safe

Once you have your password jotted down, make sure that you keep it in a place where no one else can gain access to it. If you have it written down on a document, make sure no one can come in and steal it. Theyll be able to access your account and log you out.

Set up your recovery information

This is a step that many people skip only to kick themselves later. When we set up our new account, we tend to speed past the recovery step just so that we can get into our account. Well, dont do that!

When youre prompted to set up a recovery email or phone number, make sure its one that you have access to. If this is your first email address, then make sure to ask a friend or family member to use theirs. It has to be one that you can access if you need to use it. The same goes for the recovery number. Make sure its one that you have access to. Keep a log of those addresses so you know which ones to send the verification code to.

Keep your recovery information updated

Now that you have your recovery information, keep it up to date. Check back every so often and make sure that you have access to the recovery information. If you get a new phone with a new number, then log in to your account and update the number. If something happens with your recovery email address, make sure to change it.

Check up on everything

Take some time every couple of months to check up on your information. Look at where you have your password saved, check your recovery information, and make sure everything is in order. Steps like these are make-or-break when it comes to keeping your account safe.
Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Korea Times file



A woman was taken into custody Wednesday on suspicion of killing her newborn babies and storing their bodies in a refrigerator in her residence, police said.



The mom in her 30s allegedly strangled two babies to death shortly after giving birth, one in November 2018 and the other in November 2019, and had kept their bodies in a fridge in her apartment in Suwon, just south of Seoul, according to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency.



She delivered the babies at hospitals but killed one at her home and the other near the hospital just one day after their births, police said.



During the interrogation following a raid on her residence earlier in the day, she admitted to killing the infants due to economic hardships while raising three children, saying she lied to her husband that she had an abortion.



Her husband claimed he was aware of her pregnancies but did not know about the alleged murder, as he just believed what she had said, police added.



Police launched the probe earlier this month after receiving a report from the Suwon city government about the babies, who were not reported at birth but had birth records.



The Board of Audit and Inspection first found out the case of unregistered babies during a recent audit into the welfare ministry, and the municipal government tried to conduct an on-site inspection into the suspect but failed due to her refusal.



The police plan to request an arrest warrant for her after wrapping up the probe and an autopsy to figure out the exact cause of their deaths. (Yonhap)




The award-winning Broadway production of Life Of Pi will end its run next month, it has been announced.

The show, based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, will see its last performance at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on July 23.

It comes shortly after the show scooped several wins at the 76th Tony Awards on June 11.

Announcing the news on social media on Tuesday, the show said: Our Broadway journey is coming to an end on Sunday, July 23rd.

Just FIVE WEEKS left to see the 3-time Tony Award-winning theatrical wonder.

To our incredible #LifeOfPiBway family  thank you for everything.

Written by British actress and writer Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Max Webster, the Broadway play opened on March 30.

Andrzej Goulding, left, and Tim Hatley accept the award for best scenic design of a play for Life Of Pi at the 76th annual Tony Awards (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Its British creative team were honoured at the Tonys, with the production taking home awards for best scenic design, best lighting design and best sound in a play.

The accolades were accepted by Tim Hatley and Andrzej Goulding, Tim Lutkin and Carolyn Downing respectively.

Goulding and Downing both gave shout-outs to Sheffield Theatres in the UK, where their play had its world premiere.

Life Of Pi tells the story of a 16-year-old Indian boy, Pi Patel, who survives more than 200 days stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger, a hyena, a zebra and an orangutan.
The defence has closed its case in the trial of a gunman accused of murdering a Metropolitan Police sergeant using an antique revolver smuggled into a south London custody centre.

Lawyers acting for Louis De Zoysa have argued that he has a partial defence to the murder of Sgt Matt Ratana on the grounds that his responsibility was diminished by an autistic meltdown.

Jurors at Northampton Crown Court have been told Sgt Ratana, 54, died of a chest wound after being hit by two bullets at Croydons Windmill Road custody block in the early hours of September 25 2020.

Sgt Matt Ratana. (Metropolitan Police/PA)

De Zoysa, 25, from Banstead, Surrey, denies committing murder while he was handcuffed in a holding room, after being found with bullets by members of a street patrol.

His defence case was closed by his KC, Imran Khan, on Wednesday, after a series of facts agreed with the prosecution were read to the jury by junior defence counsel Paramjit Ahluwalia.

The agreed facts, outlining De Zoysas diagnosis with autism aged 13, included details of two previous arrests in March 2018 and June 2019, neither of which led to any charges being brought.

De Zoysa was taken to Barking and Dagenham Custody Centre during the first incident, and to Croydon after the second arrest.

Louis De Zoysa captured on CCTV inside a police van. (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Ms Ahluwalia told the jury: Louis De Zoysa worked for HMRC at the Croydon office for approximately 16 months, as an officer grade data analyst.

His work involved the collection of data and data analysis.

He was considered by colleagues to be technically adept, good at coding and one of the few who could write his own coding scripts from scratch.

Earlier in the trial, Mr Khan told the jury that De Zoysa says he did not mean to or want to kill Sgt Ratana, or to cause him really serious harm.

Mr Khan said: The reason Louis De Zoysa says he is not guilty of murder is because at the time he was suffering from an abnormality of mental function.

The trial continues.
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has written to the Prime Minister urging him to scrap controversial legislation to address the legacy of Northern Irelands Troubles.

Sir Jeffrey said that an amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said he did not think he would ever be able to persuade the DUP to support the Bill.

Campaigners protest against the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill in Belfast earlier this year (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

It would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

While the Government introduced a number of amendments to the Bill earlier this month, the Stormont parties, Irish government and victims groups remain opposed to it.

The legislation is set to return to the House of Lords on Wednesday.

A number of protests have been staged by victims groups against the Governments legacy Bill (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The DUP leader said: The Governments legacy proposals have been rejected by the vast majority of victims and survivors, who suffered the most during the Troubles and who still live with the terrible legacy of pain, trauma and loss.

An amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

As things stand, the only condition placed on a terrorist seeking immunity is that they give their account of the acts of terrorism they were involved in.

There is absolutely nothing in the way of protection for those families who they terrorised and left without fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. Indeed those who fled criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland could return to avail of the scheme without any repercussions.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris defended the Bill earlier this week (Liam McBurney/PA)

This is wrong. It is not too late for the Prime Minister to do the right thing and choose the side of justice and innocent victims.

Sir Jeffrey said it was not too late for the Prime Minister to halt the Bill.

He added: I have urged Rishi Sunak to recognise that imposing this Bill against the express wishes of communities and political parties in Northern Ireland would be a retrograde step.

Reconciliation will not be achieved by sacrificing justice. Access to justice must be preserved and the principle of everyone be equal under the law should be protected.

Speaking in the Commons, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle said: The Secretary (of State) has said that Government needs to demonstrate that Northern Ireland remains a strong and integral part of the United Kingdom in order to restore powersharing.

Shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland Peter Kyle warned that the Bill could damage the union (Beresford Hodge/PA)

A problem for him, though, is that his department still plans to impose immunity for terrorists on Northern Ireland against the wishes of all local parties and all victims groups there.

Does he not see the damage this could do to the union?

Mr Heaton-Harris responded: Yes, none of the political parties in Northern Ireland are behind this particular Bill, but in great fairness to the Democratic Unionist Party, they have never been behind any sort of amnesty.

It is a principled position on their part from the Belfast Good Friday Agreement onwards, which I completely understand.

I dont think I will ever be able to win that argument with them.

He added: I actually think the Bill that we will present  which will be Article 2 compliant, I truly believe that  will actually go to getting information for a whole host of families that have not had it for well over 25 years.
An environmental campaigner is staging a Supreme Court fight after objecting to the extension of oil drilling near Gatwick and raising concerns about the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

Sarah Finch, 59, has challenged Surrey County Councils decision to allow a well about six miles from where she used to live in Redhill, Surrey, to be retained and expanded by Horse Hill Developments.

She has already lost fights in lower courts  a High Court judge ruled against her, and three Court of Appeal judges dismissed an appeal by a two-to-one majority.

Five Supreme Court justices began considering arguments on Wednesday (Aaron Chown/PA)

Friends of the Earth has backed Ms Finch, who brought the challenge on behalf of the Weald Action Group and says the case could have widespread implications.

Five Supreme Court justices, Lord Kitchin, Lord Sales, Lord Leggatt, Lady Rose, and Lord Richards, began considering arguments at a Supreme Court hearing in London on Wednesday.

The hearing is due to end on Thursday.

Ms Finch, who now lives in Exeter, Devon, says council bosses failed to assess the indirect greenhouse gas impacts and did not take into account environmental protection objectives.

Council bosses, who gave Horse Hill Developments permission to extend drilling at Horse Hill, dispute Ms Finchs claim.

Lawyers representing the council say Ms Finchs approach to the interpretation of environmental impact requirements is misguided.

Justices were told that an environmental impact assessment had considered the impacts of direct releases of greenhouse gases but did not assess the impacts of downstream emissions.

Barristers representing Ms Finch told justices that her case was simple.

Marc Willers KC and Estelle Dehon KC said the appeal concerned the climate impact of fossil fuel development and turned on the correct interpretation of the 2017 Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

They said planning permission could lawfully be granted in respect of developments which encompassed certain extractive industry developments, unless an environment impact assessment had been carried out in respect of that development.

In this case, Horse Hill Developments Ltd sought planning permission from the council for the large-scale production of fossil fuel (predominantly oil for sale and use as fuel in transportation), on land at Horse Hill, Surrey, for a period of 20 years and certainly beyond the year 2040, they said, in a written case outline.

The amount of oil to be produced over the lifetime of the development is not known, but it was agreed by the parties that: the development could in theory produce up to about 3.3 million tonnes of crude oil over the 20-year production period  

They added: The appellants case is simple: on the plain language of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, the likely significant effects on climate of the combustion of material obtained from a development whose sole purpose is to obtain that material for combustion are, as a matter of law, indirect effects 

Accordingly, where, as in this case, planning permission is sought for the extraction of oil for commercial production, such that greenhouse gas emissions will unavoidably result from the inevitable use of the refined oil via combustion, a plain language interpretation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations means it is unlawful for a relevant planning authority to grant planning permission without the benefit of an assessment of the nature and magnitude of the greenhouse gas emissions which would be caused by the combustion of the oil.

They said the Court of Appeal was wrong to find otherwise.

Ms Finch has also taken legal action against Horse Hill Developments and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Barrister Richard Moules, representing Mr Gove, told justices they were not being asked to make findings about the science of climate change.

He said the issue was whether the downstream greenhouse gas emissions, resulting from the eventual combustion of the refined end products produced from the oil originating from the development, were indirect effects of the development which had to be assessed.

It is common ground that the question is one of statutory construction, he said in a written case outline.

The court is not required to make any findings about the science of climate change.

He said the urgent imperative to address climate change was the basis for legislation.

Ms Finch had said outside court: The biggest climate impact from this project will occur when the oil is eventually burned.

If councils can ignore these downstream impacts when making planning decisions, then we have no hope of staying within safe climate limits.

The present lack of clarity over environmental impact assessments is dangerous.

I hope that the Supreme Court will confirm that no fossil fuel development  coal, oil or gas  should be allowed without consideration of its full climate impact.

Solicitor Rowan Smith had said: Its difficult to overstate the importance of this case.

The Supreme Court will rule conclusively on whether or not the climate change impact of fossil fuel development in the UK must be taken into account before planning permissions are granted.

There is a huge amount at stake for the future of the planet and the UKs ability to meet its carbon reduction targets.

Friends of the Earth said the case might have implications for a planned coal mine on the outskirts of Whitehaven, Cumbria.

This is a critically important legal challenge that could have significant repercussions for new fossil fuel projects, including the proposed new coal mine in Cumbria, said Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe.

Sarah Finchs legal challenge could ensure that the full climate impacts of new fossil fuel developments have to be taken into account in the environmental impact assessment when planning applications are considered.

Were in a climate crisis and its absurd that this is not happening already.

Local campaign groups echoed Friends of the Earths sentiments.

A spokeswoman for the Horse Hill Protection Group said: Horse Hill matters, not just for the local community but for people and ecosystems everywhere affected by extraction and by climate breakdown.
A father who ended up homeless because he could not prove his right to work in the UK has described his lengthy experience with the Windrush compensation scheme as worse than hell.

Fitzroy Maynard said he had been unable to get work for around a decade after losing his job as a residential caretaker in 2007.

Having come from Antigua as a child in 1980 and later worked in the UK for years, he found himself sofa-surfing after being unable to prove to prospective employers that he had the right to work in the UK as he lacked the relevant documentation.

Becoming tearful as he recalled his desperate situation, the 57-year-old said: Its been worse than hell. Just imagine you have no money, you have no food, you have nowhere to sleep, youre freezing, youre in the same clothes for weeks, you dont know whats going to happen.

He said he had been offered some compensation by the Home Office but none to cover his loss of access to employment because they cant see a reason why it was their fault.

He said: Im not claiming for losing my job, Im claiming for loss of access to employment after I lost my job. They really think either people cant read or we are stupid. Im fed up with the behaviour because they know exactly what theyre doing.

He said he is determined to fight for what he is entitled to and insisted anyone using the scheme needs the support of a legal professional.

He said: They keep on saying people do not need a lawyer to do this (but) people need a lawyer.

Fitzroy Maynard said the Windrush anniversary celebrations had only come about because of the misery caused to people (Jeff Moore/PA)

Mr Maynard, who lives in Hackney, north London, and now works as a part-time handyman while he is a full-time carer for his eight-year-old daughter, said he feels celebrations being held this year to mark the Windrush 75th anniversary are only happening because of the misery that has been caused to people.

He said: This celebration has only come because of misery to people. They (the Government) are only starting to recognise it because they have done lots of bad and theyre trying to make it right.

Human rights charity Praxis, which has helped Mr Maynard and others, said the compensation scheme only adds serious insult to serious injury for victims of the scandal, and called on it to be made independent from the Home Office.

(PA Graphics)

Praxis chief executive Sally Daghlian said: Perhaps unsurprisingly, the department that shredded thousands of lives is now failing at compensating its victims for the hardship they had to endure.

The compensation scheme should be removed from the hands of the Home Office and managed by an independent body working closely with the communities affected, providing a simplified and speedy process with expert, independent representation available for claimants.

Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie, who has helped people claim compensation through the scheme, said people dont have faith in the system due to their poor experiences with the Home Office.

She said: Theyre saying were being re-traumatised, the process of actually making a claim is re-traumatising us.

The Home Office said it continues to listen and respond to feedback to ensure the scheme is operating effectively for all.

A spokesperson said: We continue to make improvements so people receive the maximum award as quickly as possible.

This includes establishing a review process for those dissatisfied with their compensation offer.

However, we know there is more to do, and will work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated.
The gates for Glastonbury Festival 2023 have been officially opened by co-organiser Emily Eavis with people at the front of the queue setting off from their homes as early as 1.30am to secure their spot.

Thousands of campers will descend on Glastonbury today, with stages across the 900-acre site hosting world-class music stars as well as speeches by politicians, film screenings, theatre and circus performances from Wednesday until Sunday.

Speaking from the front of the queue, Nigel Hayes, 42, who is a kitchen fitter from London, told the PA news agency he has been to every Glastonbury since 2002.

His 40-year-old sister Joanne Hayes, who is also from London and works as a personal assistant, has been to every one since 2007.

Mr Hayes said: We got here at 4.30am, we set off at 1.30am from London it would be nice to set off and get a beer.

Ms Hayes added: Were a bit surprised to be at the front to be fair.

When asked what he likes about the festival, Mr Hayes said: Glastonbury is all about the people, its a lovely vibe, its a lovely place to be.

Ms Hayes added: Theres something for everyone, I always say  no matter who you are, try it once if you can. Theres so much going on with music and comedy.

Festival-goers could experience travel disruption as they make their way to Pilton in Somerset due to wet weather but the skies are due to clear across Worthy Farm as the music kicks off on Friday.

Emily Eavis said she loves welcoming people to Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA)

Arctic Monkeys will top the bill on Friday night on the Pyramid Stage, which will be their third time headlining the festival having previously done so in 2007 and 2013.

However, their slot has been thrown into question after the rock band had to cancel their Dublin show which was scheduled for Wednesday at the last minute due to their frontman Alex Turner suffering from acute laryngitis.

Saturday night will see US rockers Guns N Roses headline, after the original line-up of Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan reunited in 2015.

Lizzo will play immediately before and has joint headline billing on the line-up poster.

However, the acts closing the Pyramid Stage throughout the festival will be all-male.

Asked how it felt to greet the crowd and open the festival, co-organiser Ms Eavis told PA: It was good. I love welcoming people in  its always my favourite moment.

Sir Elton John will close out the show on Sunday (Ian West/PA)

Sir Elton Johns headline slot on Sunday night is expected to draw large crowds, as it marks the end of his scheduled farewell tour dates in the UK.

Yusuf/Cat Stevens will perform during the teatime legends slot on Sunday afternoon, followed by classic rock outfit Blondie.

The veteran folk-rocker, best known for a string of albums in the 1970s, follows in the footsteps of artists such as Dolly Parton, Kylie Minogue and Diana Ross in the coveted slot.

Also on the bill across the weekend are Christine And The Queens, Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi and Lil Nas X.

Eurovision winners Maneskin will make their debut at the festival, as will Brits Rising Star winners Flo.

Fridays main stage also has a mystery band listed as the The Churnups who are set to perform before Arctic Monkeys and rock duo Royal Blood. They are rumoured to be the rock band Foo Fighters.

Yusuf will perform during the teatime legends slot (Julien Behal/PA)

Impactful thunderstorms in Devon and Cornwall and eastern areas of England were predicted to cause travel disruption on Tuesday with wet weather expected for Wednesday.

However, the festival should avoid the worst of the storms as some showers are expected for the first couple of days with temperatures set to be remain warm at 22C on Wednesday and Thursday.

Towards the weekend, the rain is expected to clear, making way for dryer and brighter conditions with highs of 26C expected on Sunday for Sir Eltons headline performance.

Organisers have also urged festival-goers not to bring a number of items, with disposable vapes top on the list as they pollute the environment and can be hazardous at waste centres.

Gazebos, non-biodegradable body glitter, disposable wipes, knives and anything made of glass are also all on the what not to bring list this year.

The 2023 event will run from June 21 to 25 at Worthy Farm in Somerset.
A compensation scheme for people whose lives were devastated by the Windrush scandal has been criticised for being slow and inefficient, as the latest figures show hundreds of cases have been in the system for at least a year.

A lawyer who has met hundreds of people needing help with their claims has accused the Home Office of institutional racism, saying she believed no other group of people in society would be treated this callously.

Jacqueline McKenzie, partner at the law firm Leigh Day, said they had had clients who were initially rejected for any compensation who were then offered tens of thousands when their case was reviewed in what she said is evidence of poor case-working.

Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie said she believes there has been a mixture of inefficiency, lack of prioritisation and institutional racism with the compensation scheme (Nick Ansell/PA)

The Windrush Compensation Scheme is available to people of all ages and nationalities including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who have suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK.

It was set up after the Windrush scandal, which erupted in 2018, saw people with a right to live in the UK lose access to work and be wrongfully detained or deported.

The latest figures show that, since 2019 and up to April this year, 72.6 million had been offered through the scheme  of which 61.3 million had been paid out.

PA analysis shows that of the 2,235 claims in progress as of April, 347 (16%) had been in the system for at least 12 months, including 162 for over 18 months.

A year earlier in April 2022, a lower number of claims were in progress  1,904  but a higher number had been in the system for 12 months and over: 541, or 28% of the total.

(PA Graphics)

Over the same period, the proportion of claims in the system for just one to three months has gone up, from 19% in April 2022 to 33% in April this year.

Ms McKenzie said the system is so slow  and her comments came as a leading campaigner told of his fears the Home Office could be working towards closing the scheme.

Patrick Vernons concerns come in the 75th anniversary week as it was reported that the Home Office unit set up with responsibility for reforming the department in the wake of the scandal  which saw many lose homes, jobs and face the threat of deportation  is to be disbanded.

The Home Office has said the Government is honouring its Windrush commitments and providing support to those affected every day, adding that the compensation scheme will stay open as long as needed.

On the scheme, Ms McKenzie said: It takes about 12 months to get an initial decision. And then those initial decisions are often wrong.

She said the firm had a client who put an application in and was told he was not entitled to any compensation, but when it was reviewed he was told he is entitled to 289,000, while another saw a mother and two daughters go from zero to being told they are entitled to between 70,000 and 100,000.

Asked why she thinks they are seeing such drastic changes when cases are reviewed from initial rejections, she said: I think some of the problems are that theyve not resourced the team.

They themselves say theyre under-resourced so thats a big issue but also very poor quality case-working.

I think theyre inefficient. I just dont think that the Home Office has properly skilled this up.

She said her team have been involved in tier one reviews of cases and they have felt due diligence was not done on the cases initially.

The case was there, there was enough evidence there, she said.

Even if people havent put in all the legal language, the Home Office can see from those cases that this is somebody whos eligible, why dont they just phone them up and say well, we need a bit more of this, or send a letter and say well, we need that.

They dont do that and its so distressing because remember, these people are seriously traumatised. I have not met anybody affected by the Windrush scandal thats not traumatised.

The 2020 Lessons Learned review into the scandal found the Home Office had demonstrated institutional ignorance and thoughtlessness towards the issue of race and the history of the Windrush generation.

But its author Wendy Williams said the actions did not satisfy all of the features of institutional racism.

Three years on, Ms McKenzie said she believes you cant have tenets of racism without racism, you cant be a bit racist  youre racist or youre not.

She said: I think its difficult to find any other explanation for me. Unless youve just got a whole load of inefficient people and I dont think they are. And I think there are people in the Home Office who really care.

I think its a mixture of inefficiency, lack of prioritisation and institutional racism. I dont believe they would treat another group in society this callously.

There are advocates, there are people speaking up. The media is constantly over this story and yet were still where we are five years on. How is that possible?

It must mean that youre not seeing it as a priority. If youre not seeing how youve damaged and traumatised a group, if you cant see that that (the scheme) is a priority, to me its that youre seeing them as less than and that is institutional racism.

A Home Office spokesperson said the department remains absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of Windrush adding that they are determined to create a Home Office worthy of every community it serves.

They added: Through this work, we will make sure that similar injustices can never be repeated.
The Irish government has a moral and legal obligation to take an interstate case against the UK if the Westminster governments controversial legacy Bill becomes law, a protest has heard.

Mark Thompson, CEO of Relatives For Justice, addressed families of those killed during the Troubles, who gathered with signs and pictures of their loved ones outside the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast.

What we want the Irish government to do is to take an interstate case against the UK to Strasbourg, he said.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

Mark Thompson (left), of Relatives for Justice, urged the Irish government to take action (Niall Carson/PA)

It would also halt future civil cases and inquests relating to the conflict.

Strasbourg is the home of the international court of the Council of Europe, which interprets the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

States can lodge applications against each other in the European Court of Human Rights under article 33 of the ECHR.

In the Dail on Wednesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the government would give consideration to whether an interstate case is appropriate.

Speaking at the protest on Wednesday, Mr Thompson said the Irish government had a moral and legal obligation to take the case under the Good Friday Agreement.

We are now saying to the Irish government, to Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin, the diplomatic channels have not worked. You need to set out now the mechanism by which and how you will take the case to Strasbourg, he said.

You need to do it. This society needs you to do it. All victims of all persuasions are opposed to this. You will be taking in the interests of every single victim across these islands, and throughout this entire jurisdiction you will be taking that.

You have a moral and legal duty to do that under the Good Friday Agreement as well.

This Bill not only flouts international law, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act, it also flouts the Good Friday Agreement itself because the Human Rights Act is an essential component of that agreement.

He added: Were speaking up and with one voice. Were asking the Irish government: do the right thing. Go and take the case on behalf of every single victim. You have a duty to do it.

Members of victim groups joined the protest against the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill (Niall Carson/PA)

Previous interstate cases have been taken in relation to the Troubles. For example Ireland took an interstate case against the UK in relation to interrogation techniques used in Northern Ireland from 1971 to 1975.

The legacy Bill has been opposed by victims groups and all Stormont parties, as well as the Irish government.

The Bill is currently in the report stage in the House of Lords.

Mr Thompson said the legacy legislation denied bereaved families the right to an investigation.

So just to make it clear, this Bill is anti-rule of law, anti-victim, anti-Good Friday Agreement, anti-international human rights law, he said.

It denies the right to a basic investigation and truth and accountability.

Thats all that families have been wanting for decades since their loved ones were killed, and their tenacity and never-giving-up spirit to go on is amplified again and again and again.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly attended the protest on Wednesday.

The families here will never give up, they will keep fighting on in the courts, but also its up to the Irish government, to take on their behalf  theyre Irish citizens  to take on their behalf an interstate case to the British government to try and destroy this, he said.
Elementary school students visit the U.N. Forces First Battle Memorial at the Osan Jukmiryeong Peace Park in Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, four days before the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War. The park was set up in 2020 in memory of the Battle of Osan on July 5, 1950  the first ground battle of the U.N. Forces, known as Task Force Smith, against North Korea during the war. Yonhap
Kim Kardashian says she still has imposter syndrome, despite the global success of her multi-million dollar shapewear business Skims.

The reality star, 42, said the brand, which was founded in 2019, had exceeded everything that I ever imagined.

Kardashian stars on the cover of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 issue.

Speaking to the US publication she discussed her business, which she co-founded with its chief executive Jens Grede and his wife.

Skims says it made 500 million dollars in 2022 (392 million), 25% more than projected and 80% more than it made in 2021.

Obviously you have big hopes, but this definitely exceeded everything that I ever imagined, Kardashian told Time.

I still have, like, impostor syndrome or whatever, but I think thats part of what keeps me going.

Known for starring in campaigns with her children, Kardashian said she had not yet figured out how to incorporate them into her own business.

A recent get-together between Ice Spice and her nine-year-old daughter North led to the US rapper starring in a Skims campaign, but also a complaint from Kardashians former husband Kanye West after the pair appeared in a TikTok video together singing explicit rap lyrics.

As soon as I saw the words, I was like, Oh no, were taking this down, said Kardashian.

I saw on the internet, (saying) Kanye was right, and maybe he was in that instance.

But (North) loves making slime videos and doing her little hair tutorials, and I will fight for her to be creative.

The full interview with Kim Kardashian can be found online and in Times 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 issue, which is published on Wednesday.
Rescuers are racing against the clock to find a British billionaire and four other people missing in a deep-sea vessel near the wreck of the Titanic ocean liner before their breathable air runs out.

The US Coast Guard is leading the search for the small craft, named Titan, which was reported overdue about 435 miles (700km) south of St Johns in Newfoundland, Canada, on Sunday.

Titans dive was one of many that have been made to the wreck, which is about 2.4 miles (3.9km) below the surface, by OceanGate Expeditions since 2021.

With the temperature on the ocean floor near freezing and an estimated 40-hour oxygen supply remaining on the vessel, the occupants are at increasing risk of hypothermia or suffocation.

Here the PA news agency sums up what we know so far:

(PA Graphics)

 What has the US Coast Guard said?

The US Coast Guard announced on Wednesday morning that underwater noises have been detected in the search area.

It tweeted: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remote operating vehicles) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

The P-3 submarine hunter is described by its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, as the ultimate maritime patrol aircraft and was used in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Hurricane Katrina and the BP Horizon oil rig disaster in the US.

On Tuesday, Captain Jamie Frederick, of the US Coast Guard, said a unified command of multiple agencies has been formed to tackle the very complex problem of finding Titan.

He told a press conference in Boston there were approximately 40/41 hours of breathable air, out of the vessels reported 96-hour oxygen supply, left on board.

He added: Since Sunday, the Coast Guard has co-ordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Air National Guard aircraft and the Polar Prince, which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.

He said these efforts have involved aircraft searching by sight and with radar and sonar buoys, and that on Tuesday Deep Energy, a 637ft (194m) pipe-laying vessel with underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) capability, had joined the search.

Capt Frederick said several private research vessels with ROV capabilities are making preparations to join the efforts.

Hamish Harding is one of five people on board (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA)

But he was non-committal when asked if there is any way to retrieve the submersible and save the five people on board if it can be located, saying experts will look at the next course of action if they get to that point.

 Who is in the vessel?

British billionaire Hamish Harding and four other passengers are on board the 22ft (6.7m) long OceanGate Expeditions vessel.

They are UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, reportedly together with French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

On Tuesday, OceanGate confirmed that its chief executive and founder, Stockton Rush, is aboard the submersible as a member of the crew.

On social media at the weekend, Mr Harding said he was proud to finally announce that he would be joining the mission to the wreck of the Titanic.

Mr Harding holds three Guinness World Records  for longest duration and distance traversed at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel, and fastest circumnavigation via both poles by aeroplane.

(PA Graphics)

In June 2022 he went into space on Blue Origins New Shepard rocket.

His cousin, Kathleen Cosnett, told the Daily Telegraph she sees him as daring and inquisitive, and that she was devastated to learn he was missing.

A family statement obtained by CNN on Tuesday confirmed Mr Dawood and his son, who belong to one of Pakistans most prominent families, are on board.

Mr Dawood is the vice chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation, which was founded as a fertiliser business, and is a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by the King.

It is understood that Charles has asked to be kept up to date with the situation and that his thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family and all those involved.

A view from inside Titan (Alamy/PA)

The Dawood family, who live in Surbiton, south-west London, are in Canada for a month, the PA news agency understands.

Mr Rush originally trained as a pilot, becoming the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world in 1981 at the age of 19, according to his profile on the OceanGate website.

He has been married to Wendy Rush, nee Weil, since 1986, with their wedding announcement published in the New York Times.

In a 2017 interview with the alumni magazine for Princeton University, where he studied mechanical aerospace engineering, he said: I was interested in exploration. I thought it was space exploration. I thought it was Star Trek and 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars and then I realised its all in the ocean.

A former commander who served in the French navy for 25 years, Mr Nargeolet, reported to be 77, was in the first human expedition to visit the ship in 1987, according to the Telegraph.

As director of the Underwater Research Programme with RMS Titanic Inc, he led the retrieval of items from the sunken liner across several expeditions.

He lives in Connecticut, US, while his adult children live in Cork, Ireland, the Telegraph has reported.

 What are conditions on board Titan like?

The submersible, a Cyclops-2 model, is the second Cyclops model built by OceanGate, after the Cyclops-1.

There are no doors on the craft so passengers begin their journey by climbing in through an entry hatch which is then bolted shut from the outside before they descend 13,000ft (2.4 miles) beneath the ocean surface to the Titanic, Mail Online reported.

There are no seats on the 22ft (6.7m) long, 9.5ft (2.9m) wide and 9.2ft (2.8m) high cylindrical vesssel, meaning passengers must sit on the hard floor without shoes, which they are required to leave behind.

If they need the toilet, they must use a small black box separated by a curtain from the rest of the crew.

Cut off from communication with the outside world, they have no idea whether they will ever be found.

There are no windows except a small porthole directly next to the toilet at the front of the craft, which is also the primary viewpoint to look out at the Titanic.

When the craft was still operational, the pilot used a modified Logitech games controller to steer it.

 What other dangers await the passengers?

Even if rescuers locate the craft before its oxygen supply runs out, the occupants face other dangers.

One possibility is that they are stranded at the bottom of the ocean near the site of the Titanic, about 370 miles (595km) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

The Polar Prince expedition ship is taking part in the search for the missing vessel (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA)

If that is the case, those on board will be faced with a rapidly dropping temperature which puts them at risk of hypothermia.

Rescuers are in a race against time to reach the vessel before the oxygen runs out, which is expected to happen on Thursday.

David Gallo, senior adviser for strategic initiatives for RMS Titanic, told CNN that temperatures on the ocean floor are just above freezing cold.

He said: It is a race against time  you are fighting oxygen levels, also fighting the cold if the sub is still at the bottom, because the deep ocean is just above freezing, so hypothermia is an issue.

The water is very deep  two miles plus. Its like a visit to another planet, its not what people think it is. It is a sunless, cold environment and high pressure.

 Could passengers suffer the bends?

According to oceanologist Dr Simon Boxall, of the University of Southampton, one common misconception is that people will get decompression sickness, commonly known as the bends, if the submersible moves up to the surface too quickly.

He told PA that those on board would not suffer ill-effects because the vessel is at atmospheric pressure.

He also said it is a mistake to believe passengers could use escape hatches, because if they did they would be crushed.

He told GB News that the craft is not above the surface because if this was the case crews would be able to use radios.

Message from President Richard Garriott Regarding the Ongoing Titanic Search and Rescue Mission pic.twitter.com/ec7YX5VQCY  ExplorersClub (@ExplorersClub) June 21, 2023

 What is the latest on their condition?

Rescue operations are continuing after noises were detected from the search area.

The Explorers Club, of which Mr Harding is a founder member, shared an upbeat message on Wednesday morning that there is cause for hope.

President Richard Garriot de Cayeux said they are ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) which is certified to travel as deep as 3.7 miles (6,000m).

In a statement on its website, deep water specialist Magellan said it was contacted by OceanGate on Monday and immediately offered knowledge of the site and expertise in operating at depth.

The company added that it has been working with UK and US agencies to move its specialist equipment and support crew to St Johns, Newfoundland, following instructions to mobilise from OceanGate.

Magellan is 100% focused on supporting the rescue mission to recover the submersible, the organisation said.
Two sisters who did not know of each others existence have united after more than 60 years following a surprising DNA test.

Julie Mamo, 66, and Julie Ansell, 64, now known by family as Julie 1 and Julie 2, were living across the world from each other unaware of their sisterhood until their nephew, Jason Fisher, was curious about his ethnic heritage last year.

The pair had never met as their mother, Lillian Fisher, was 17 years old and unmarried when she gave birth to Ms Mamo, in Dover in 1956, and faced pressure to give her up for adoption.

Ms Mamo was adopted at nine days old and moved to Australia with her family as a child.

Ms Fisher later went on to have four more children, calling the eldest Julie, who now lives in St Margarets Bay, Kent.

While Ms Fisher has since died, Ms Ansell remembered when she was 12 that her mother told her she had given a baby up for adoption when she was younger.

Ms Ansell told PA news agency: At that age, nothing sinks in. Months roll into years and you dont think about it.

On finally connecting with her sister, the carer added: We just get on, we dont even try, its no effort. We have just slotted into each others lives like a jigsaw puzzle.

Ms Mamo said: Its surreal still even though we are together now, its still really unreal, its beautiful.

Julie Mamo joined Julie Ansell in the UK to meet the family. From left, niece Jess Fisher, Julie Mamo, Julie Ansell, brother Ted Fisher and nephew Jason Fisher (MyHeritage.com/PA)

The sisters have been able to make up for lost years since Mr Fishers decision to do a DNA test from genealogy site MyHeritage.com.

The results brought up his two sisters as matches of around 70%, and Ms Mamo, unknown to him at the time, as his strongest match of more than 90%.

The dad-of-three then began a mission to track down the mysterious match and made contact with Ms Mamos daughter on Facebook.

After taking a while to work out the connection, Ms Ansell was on a flight to Australia to meet her long-lost sister last month, and they realised how much they had in common from eating spiders and Vicks Vaporub as children to hobbies such as making wooden crafts.

The Julies then travelled back to the UK together for Ms Mamo to meet the family, as well as her wider adopted family based in Kent who she hadnt seen for 45 years.

Mr Fisher said: Im so glad theyve got each other, adding: Shes inherited all of us, shes always smiling. Every day I talk to Julie (Mamo) its like I have known her all my life.

The 34-year-old added: It cost me 35 to find this out and I got an auntie and cousin who are the best.

When you have a stranger come into your life, you think how is it going to go and shes just slotted in.

Ms Mamo added: The hardest part is how I go back now, my family will still be here.

Ms Mamo is set to go back to Australia later this month after a whirlwind reunion, but the sisters hope to meet in Bali next year for another meet-up.

They are also currently in the process of doing a further DNA test to see if they also share the same father as now they believe anything is possible.
House of Lords membership and the role of the appointments commission is set to be under the spotlight, as MPs prepare to launch a new inquiry into the upper chamber.

It comes as Boris Johnsons resignation honours list, published hours before he dramatically quit as an MP, continues to generate criticism and questions over the appointments of certain new peers.

Among the seven nominees in the long-awaited list were Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen and Charlotte Owen, a former adviser to Mr Johnson.

Recent days have also seen Tory politician Shaun Bailey face calls to turn down his peerage after a video emerged of a mid-lockdown party at Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

The powers of House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac), as well as the size and role of the second chamber, will be among the issues considered by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry.

The cross-party committee will examine whether the current appointments system produces an effective and trusted upper chamber, with MPs also looking at the relationship between the Lords and the Commons.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson (Victoria Jones/PA)

There have been long-standing concerns over the expanding size of the second house, with Labour pledging to abolish the Lords if it wins power at the next election.

Committee chairman William Wragg said: The House of Lords plays an important constitutional role in the UK political system but there has long been concern about its size, membership and the appointments process.

Previous inquiries from parliamentary committees concluded with clear recommendations to reduce the size of the chamber and reform the appointments process to maintain confidence in the Lords.

The Government committed to review the matter, yet five years on we have seen no sign of reform, and large numbers of new members continue to be appointed.

Debates about wholesale reform of the second chamber have been around for decades, but this inquiry seeks to consider the immediate questions, that cannot wait for such reform, before they are addressed.

The committee will consider the possibility of reforms to the appointment system and whether changes are needed to the role and powers of Holac.

MPs will also ask whether the size of the Lords should be reduced and whether a term limit might be needed for membership, as well as what expectations should be placed on peers as regards participation.

It comes amid concerns about the attendance record of some recently appointed peers.
Armed police are among officers who have been called to a reported stabbing at a hospital.

One man has been arrested, the Metropolitan Police said.

Some reports on social media suggested that patients at Central Middlesex Hospital in north west London had to shelter in safe rooms, but this has not been officially confirmed.

We're aware of an incident at Central Middlesex Hospital in #Brent. Armed officers are among those responding. A man has been arrested. More information to follow.  Brent MPS | North West BCU (@MPSBrent) June 21, 2023

In a statement on Twitter, London Ambulance Service said it was at the scene with paramedics and an air ambulance and hazardous environment team have also been dispatched.

LAS said: Weve sent a number of resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic, an ambulance crew, a medic in a fast response car, and

@LAS_HART.

We also dispatched @LDNairamb. The incident is ongoing and we are working with our emergency services partners.
A man has been taken to hospital after he was hit by a falling lamppost.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Kirklee Road, near to Kelvinside Academy, in the west end of Glasgow at around 4.25pm on Tuesday.

It is understood Glasgow City Council will be checking other lampposts in the area as a precaution.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: We received a report that a man had been injured on Kirklee Road, Glasgow, around 4.25pm on Tuesday.

The man has been taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it sent one appliance to the scene after it was called to a report of a person trapped on Kirklee Road.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: Officers attended the site and made the area safe.

The lighting column has been removed and an investigation will be carried out.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: We received a call at 1621 on June 20 to attend an incident at Kirklee Road, Glasgow.

One ambulance, a critical care paramedic and special operations response team were dispatched, and one patient was transported to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western leaders to help rebuild his war-torn country, as he hailed the reconstruction project as a crucial part of its fight for freedom.

He addressed the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London via video-link on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated their support for the country.

The eyes of the world are looking at us and whether we will defeat Russian aggression exactly as freedom deserves to win, that is without compromising our values, said Mr Zelensky.

Also, the world is watching to see if we will restore normal life in such a way that our transformation will land an ideological defeat on the aggressor.

We protect Ukraine, and thus we protect freedom. And when we build Ukraine, well build freedom.

Mr Zelensky, who is pushing for Ukraine to join Nato and the European Union, urged Western leaders to have the courage to acknowledge that his country is already a key part of their economic and defence alliances.

We are only waiting for the courage of the alliance leaders to recognise this reality, politically.

Mr Zelensky highlighted Ukraines importance in global food supply and its potential to become a major green energy power.

He said the country could be the largest source of economic, industrial and technological growth in Europe for decades and decades.

Thousands of delegates from business, government and civil society groups have gathered for the conference, which Mr Sunak hailed in an opening address as an opportunity to plant the seeds of Ukraines future.

It came as he announced three billion US dollars (2.35 billion) in bank loan guarantees to bolster the rebuilding of Kyiv, in partnership with the World Bank.

Downing Street said the guarantees amount to the first bilateral package of multi-year fiscal assistance to be set out by a G7 country, with the funding expected to support public services, including the cost of running schools and hospitals.

Mr Sunak also announced a commitment of up to 250 million of new capital for British International Investment, the UKs development finance institution.

Before this terrible war, Ukraines economy was becoming a huge investment opportunity, Mr Sunak said.

It was the breadbasket of Europe, exporting millions of tonnes of food and grain each month, a top-five exporter of iron ore and steel, a leader in energy  pushing forward renewables, hydrogen and electric vehicles  and a start-up nation which helped spark names like PayPal, WhatsApp and Revolut, with a thriving tech sector which actually had a record year in 2022.

The truth is, that opportunity is still there today  in fact the war has only proved how much Ukraine has to offer.

Ms von der Leyen also told the conference she has no doubt that Ukraine will join the EU.

Praising the countrys progress on reform, she said: Together we gather here to tell Ukrainians that their dream is also our dream.

Ukrainians tell us, when they imagine their future, they see Europes flag flying over their cities. I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of our union.

The EU will provide up to 50 billion euro (42 billion) over the next four years in the form of grants and loans to support the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine.

The US also announced a new funding package for Ukraine, with US secretary of state Antony Blinken confirming it will provide 1.3 billion dollars (1 billion) more in aid to Ukraine to go towards the energy grid and other infrastructure.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly welcomes European Commission presiden Ursula von der Leyen to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Zelensky also appeared to offer Mr Sunak a fresh invitation to visit Ukraine, following his trip there last year.

By the way, Prime Minister Rishi, we have not seen each other in Kyiv for quite a while.

Mr Sunak responded: Thank you, Volodymyr, not least for providing options for my summer holiday in a couple of months.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson, who also joined proceedings on Wednesday, called for the West to focus on ensuring a Ukrainian victory and equip Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets.

We need to focus on the Ukrainian counter-offensive and make sure that the Ukrainians have everything that they could possibly need, he said in a video posted on Twitter.

My message to everybody is very simple: Yes, of course, lets talk about rebuilding Ukraine. Lets talk about the Ukrainian recovery, but the absolute pre-requisite of that conversation is ensuring a Ukrainian victory, and a Ukrainian victory as fast as possible.

Foreign ministers from around the world addressed delegates on Wednesday morning, with Mr Blinken among those pledging backing for Kyiv as leaders stressed the importance of the private sector and foreign investment in the redevelopment of Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky told the audience: Russia is very afraid of our democracy.

Democracy paves the way for the rule of law.

We will strengthen it anyway, no matter what they do in Russia.

He stressed that re-constructing Ukraine is and should be a global priority: By building Ukraine, we are building much more than one country.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (left) and Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (centre) listen as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers his speech (Henry Nicholls/PA)

Ukraines prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, who was one of a number of leaders hosted by the King at a reception at St Jamess Palace on the eve of the conference, represented his country at the conference.

Ukraine is changing and Ukraine is winning. Our victory will be the beginning of a renewed and stronger Europe, he told the audience.

Ms von der Leyen and Mr Sunak met on the edge of the conference, No10 said, with the Prime Minister also meeting Mr Shmyhal.

He also met with Mr Blinken, as well as the Latvian prime minister and Estonian president.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: Discussing the important role of the private sector in the rebuild of Ukraine, the Prime Minister said it was fantastic to see so many companies and businesses attend the London summit.

The leaders also discussed the importance of a united approach to global challenges, including artificial intelligence and Indo-Pacific stability.
Facebook Marketplace is the most complained-about online retail platform for selling counterfeit, poor-quality and potentially unsafe goods, Trading Standards has reported.

The online giant, which enables third-party sellers to trade goods on the platform via the marketplace, was criticised for being slow to take action against problem sellers and for enabling misleading product descriptions, counterfeit goods and potentially harmful products to reappear on its platform after being taken down.

A national survey by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) found the online giant causes its officers the most concern, as well as being unresponsive or unco-operative when contacted about problem sellers.

More than half (53%) of respondents representing about 50 local authorities across the UK identified Facebook as the most complained-about online marketplace  more than all of the others combined.

The CTSIs survey, the first of its kind, also found that Trading Standards teams were unable to properly address problems with online marketplaces because of a triple whammy of recurring issues  unco-perative businesses, unsuitable legislation and limited resources.

Just 10% of Trading Standards officers said they had been able to take action against online marketplaces as a result of these three obstacles.

The CTSIs survey found that 45% of officers cited a lack of co-operation from online marketplaces as a recurring problem, 63% said the law as it stands is not fit for purpose and 57% had received no response when attempting to contact sellers on online marketplaces.

Some 59% said they had been unable to locate details about where third-party sellers on online marketplaces were based and 29% said they wee unable to deal with complaints about online marketplaces because of a lack of time and resources.

CTSI chief executive John Herriman said: Facebook Marketplace needs to up its game. At a time when more and more people are going online to buy things, there is a real urgency for online retailers to take their responsibilities to their customers more seriously.

The fact that Facebook Marketplace is an offshoot of a social media platform rather than a service that was built as an online retailer from the ground up speaks volumes. If it wants to be seen as a proper online retailer where people can buy safe and legitimate goods, it needs to start acting like one.

Failing to take action against sellers who use their platform to mislead, rip off and potentially endanger consumers just isnt good enough.

We are calling for all online marketplaces to take action against problem sellers, for the law to be tightened up so enforcers have more tools at their disposal to protect consumers, and for more resources that enable us to do that more effectively.

A Meta spokesman said: We take these issues seriously and when we find listings that violate our rules, we remove them.

We also work closely with external partners and respond to valid legal requests from law enforcement and the Office for Product Safety and Standards, to prevent illegal activity on our platforms.

Phil Lewis, director general of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), said: Criminals rely on legal e-commerce platforms, social media, maritime freight companies, express couriers, airlines, postal services and internet hosting services to set up rogue shopping sites.

ACG is calling on government to recognise the growing international threats to our families, job-providing businesses and the economy.

Appropriate enforcement resources and a policy architecture are desperately needed to ensure the companies providing these services work alongside our enforcement authorities and businesses, to combat this intensifying threat.

Martyn Allen, technical director of the charity Electrical Safety First, said: Sadly, the high number of complaints Trading Standards officers receive regarding online purchases comes as no surprise.

Currently, online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are operating with fewer safety regulations than traditional high street retailers, eroding fair competition and allowing the sale of unsafe goods to flood the market unabated. This puts UK citizens at serious risk of injury and harm.

Its been a year and a half since the UK Government promised publication of the Product Safety Review, which is expected to include proposals to protect British consumers when they shop online.

The time for waiting is over  the Government must prioritise publishing the Review without any further delay.

Yvonne Fovargue, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Consumer Protection, said: Since the pandemic and now, with the cost-of-living crisis, more people are buying products from online marketplaces.

These consumers deserve to be treated fairly and should be able to be confident that what they buy is safe and accurately described.

Online retailers like Facebook Marketplace need to be held to account just like any other type of business, otherwise consumers and legitimate businesses lose out.
The Government has accused peers of trying to delay controversial strike reforms that unions fear will make it easier to sack workers.

The House of Lords had made a series of amendments to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill aimed at protecting workers and trade unions, plus requiring the Government to consult further and conduct an impact assessment on the changes.

But on Wednesday, the House of Commons overturned the amendments after pleas from the Government frontbench to allow the Bill to become law.

The Bill would allow ministers to impose minimum levels of service during industrial action by ambulance staff, firefighters, railway workers and those in other sectors deemed essential.

The TUC has called for an urgent rethink by ministers and warned the Bill, if not amended, will mean that workers who lawfully vote to strike could be forced to attend work or be sacked if they do not comply.

Peers have been trying to amend the Bill to ensure workers cannot be sacked if they fail to comply with a work notice on strike days.

But MPs rejected the Lords amendment aimed at ensuring this protection 277 to 209, majority 68.

Peers attempts to ensure the Government consult further on the Bill and conduct an impact assessment were rejected by MPs 283 to 205, majority 78.

A series of amendments from the Lords aimed at ensuring unions are not tasked with ensuring their members obey work notices were also overturned.

MPs rejected them 280 to 214, majority 66.

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said the amendments from peers were not a meaningful attempt to reach agreement, adding: I fear we are having a somewhat repetitive debate which is delaying us from getting on with the important business of minimising disruption to the public during periods of strike action.

DUP MP Jim Shannon (Strangford) earlier said: Does the minister not agree that decent, ordinary people only vote for strikes when they feel voiceless and also invisible to management, and that government and big business can prevent strikes by listening and acting before the stage of strikes, however, the right to strike must always be a last-ditch possibility and they reserve that right?

Mr Hollinrake replied: We agree on all those points made, of course they should be a last resort and of course workers should be able to take industrial action when they feel their voices arent being heard so I entirely agree with that.

I dont think theres anything in this legislation that cuts across that.

Shadow business minister Justin Madders said the Lords were attempting to make the Bill slightly less draconian, adding Labour opposes the legislation as a whole.

He said: This Bill is the act of a weak Government that has lost the authority and the will to govern for everyone, a Government that prefers legislation to negotiation, prefers diversion to resolution and prefers confrontation to consultation.

How ministers have the gall to come to this despatch box and talk about the importance of minimum service levels when we have seen under this Government the decimation of public services is beyond me.

For the SNP, Alan Brown described it as a God-awful Bill, adding: The Government is bringing in legislation making it easier to sack workers at a time when we dont even have enough workers to fill vacancies.

Labour MP John McDonnell claimed that ambitions to grow the economy could be undermined by industrial disputes fuelled by the Bill, as he urged ministers to accept amendments to it.

The Hayes and Harlington MP said: If it (the Government) sees to go ahead like this, I can see nothing but further conflict happening and actually it will undermine the whole commitment I think that we have across the House to try and see if we can develop a growth economy rather than one that is held back as a result of some of the disputes that have been engineered in the recent times because of a cost-of-living crisis.

The proposals are currently in the stage of the parliamentary process known as ping-pong, in which the unelected Lords and the Commons send the Bill back and forth until they can agree the final wording.
Nationwide Building Society has promised to keep its high street branches open until 2026 in a bid to keep face-to-face banking alive in local communities.

Britains biggest building society said it was extending its branch promise as in-person banking remains popular with its members.

Under the pledge, Nationwide says it will not leave any town or city in which it is already based until at least 2026. The commitment has been in place since 2019.

It means the lender vows to keep its network of 605 branches open for the next three years.

Some 46 million has been invested in maintaining its branch network, it said.

If there are multiple sites in one area then the group can still close a branch, or in circumstances such as if a lease expires. Since last year, 20 branches have been closed across England and Scotland.

Nationwide, which is a mutual organisation owned by its members, said there is still demand for in-person banking despite the growth in online options.

People still want to visit a branch to access services such as setting up a current account or a bond, or to access financial advice or support, the building society said.

Almost half of openings of its recently launched Fairer Share Bond, which pays 4.75% to savers, were arranged face-to-face, and more than a third of current accounts were opened in a branch so far this year, Nationwide revealed.

It marks a contrast from other major British lenders who have cut hundreds of branches in the past year, arguing that they are far less popular than they used to be as more people prefer to bank digitally.

Barclays, Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, NatWest, RBS, TSB, Virgin Money and Nationwide have announced the closure of about 330 branches between them since the start of the year, according to data from Link, a cash machine company.

Nationwide said its in-person banking services are still popular despite the rise in online options (Mike Egerton/PA)

Banking giants such as Barclays and Lloyds said the number of visitors to high street banks has dropped sharply over the past few years, while online and mobile banking usage has soared.

But Nationwide said that people still want the choice to visit their bank in person.

Debbie Crosbie, the building societys chief executive, said: Nationwide is different. We give customers a choice about how they do their banking and we support the British high street.

Because our customers value face-to-face contact, and were owned by them, we act in their interests.

Around 63% of people say they value their local branch, according to the lenders survey of about 2,000 consumers.

The top reasons people cited for visiting a branch were withdrawing cash, checking balances, opening an account, getting financial advice and discussing financial difficulties.


By Lee Eung-tae



Ever since I became an adult, I have always thought about my identity. Who am I? Where was I born? What was I like when I was a baby? Most of my questions were answered by my older siblings and my late mother. But still, I was curious about my early childhood or, more specifically, my babyhood. This feeling got so strong that I suggested to my wife a visit to my birthplace. According to my sister, this place called White Rapid Village is on the outskirts of Yeongdo, Busan. It is now one of the most popular places in Busan. It must have been different 60 years ago. Or, so I thought.



On the bus I wondered about the village. My eldest sister told me that we lived there until I was five, when we all moved to Jinhae. In my hazy memory, I used to run with other kids up and down the hillside overlooking the sea. How much had time changed my childhood place?



Alighting, my wife grimaced at the blinding sun but beamed at the picturesque view. Silver rills twinkled on the surface of the sea. It was Saturday afternoon, so young couples strolled up and down the hill. We walked on as fancy took us, up to a narrow path leading to the village. Small stores and restaurants lined the path. Presumably, they had been residential houses in the past. In fact, those houses were tiny. And I reckoned that I must have been born in one of them. I felt sorry, wondering how a family with five children lived in a tiny house 60 years ago. My sadness deepened when I recalled my eldest sister told me that I would have been tied by the leg in a small room for several hours each day while our mother went out to work. What else could she have done as a mother of five children whose husband was in the army? Out of the blue, I called up the image of a starving baby, all skin and bones. That was me? And I felt tears of shame flood my eyes. Due to the pandemic restrictions, I hadn't been able to say goodbye to Mother on her deathbed. This melancholy contemplation brought us to a familiar-looking alley. Once I allowed my mind to return to the village, I could remember more and more. Recalling one thing, suddenly I was reminded of other things.



From the steep hill commanding the panoramic view of the sea, the view seemed like an exotic village along the shores of the Mediterranean. I was amazed to realize that I was born in this fantastic-looking place.



Dilapidated walls and doors were painted with cute cats and flowers from a fairy tale. Ugly houses turned into artistic attractions in harmony with the beauty and splendor of blue water. By the narrow alley, a European lady was eating noodles on a makeshift bench, relishing the view. She seemed to be enjoying her visibility. When our eyes met, she smiled at me. Suddenly she became a character in this fairy tale village just like the cat painted on the village wall, enhancing the beauty of the scene for passersby. All the way home on the bus, the image of me as a five-year-old, chasing cats around the village that overlooked the blue sea, warmed my heart.


Retail giants WH Smith, Marks & Spencer and Argos are among firms who have been named and shamed by the Government for breaking the minimum wage law.

Almost 5 million was found to be owed to around 63,000 workers following investigations by Her Majestys Revenue and Customs dating back as far as 2017.

Named employers have been made to pay back what they owed, and in addition were fined around 7 million.

High street retailer WH Smith was the worst offender, according to HMRC, with the new figures claiming it failed to pay around 1 million to 17,607 workers.

Marks and Spencers store on Oxford Street, London. The retailer has been named on the list of firms (James Manning/PA)

The retailer blamed this on an error related to its company uniform policy.

A spokesman for WH Smith said: Following a review with HMRC in 2019, and in common with a number of retailers, it was brought to our attention that we had misinterpreted how the statutory wage regulations were applied to our uniform policy for staff working in our stores.

This was a genuine error and it was rectified immediately with all colleagues reimbursed in 2019.

Kevin Hollinrake, minister for enterprise, markets and small business, said: Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but were sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or youll face the consequences.

Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the Low Pay Commission, said: Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.

The Government said Lloyds Pharmacy were another employer at fault, reporting that it failed to pay 903,307 to 7,9116 workers.

Lloyds has been contacted for comment.

It also reported that Marks & Spencer failed to pay 578,390 to 5,363.

In response, an M&S spokesman said: Like many other organisations, M&S is only named in the list because of an unintentional technical issue from over four years ago.

This happened simply because temporary colleagues were not paid within the strict time periods specified in the national minimum wage regulations and was remedied as soon as we became aware of the issue.

Our minimum hourly pay has never been below the national minimum wage, it is currently above it and no colleagues were ever underpaid because of this.

Meanwhile, Sainsburys-owned retailer Argos was named for failing to pay 480,093 to over 10,000 workers.

A Sainsburys spokeswoman said: Back in 2018, a payroll error was identified which affected some Argos store colleagues and drivers and dated back to 2012, before Sainsburys acquisition of Argos.

We launched an immediate investigation, working alongside HMRC, and put this right at the time.

Since then we have completed the integration of Argos onto Sainsburys systems which will prevent this from happening again.
There has been a significant rise in the number of teenage girls diagnosed with eating disorders in recent years, academics have warned.

Experts also sounded the alarm over an increase in rates of self-harm among teenage girls.

With more girls diagnosed in wealthier neighbourhoods, eating disorder experts said there could be a postcode lottery of care, with those in more deprived communities unable to access the support they need.

The new study, published in the Lancet Child And Adolescent Health journal, saw experts examine UK GP records for children and young people aged 10 to 24 between 2010 and 2024.

The researchers from the University of Manchester, Keele University, University of Exeter and mental health research charity The McPin Foundation looked at anonymised GP health records of over nine million patients from 1,881 general practices in the UK.

Since March 2020, when the pandemic hit, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia were 42% higher than would be expected for teenage girls aged 13-16, and 32% higher for those aged 17-19, they found.

The number of cases of self-harm was 38% higher than expected among girls aged 13 to 16.

No increase in self-harm was observed among boys or girls of other ages.

The researchers said they did not identify a rise in reported eating disorders among boys.

But the charity Beat said it had seen significant increases in contacts from young men.

And it said the overall figures were not surprising after the charity had a 300% increase in calls to its helpline during the pandemic.

Rounding up our celebrations for Mental Health Awareness Week, the fantastic Georgia walks us through the best tips for reaching out to loved ones for the first time. Give it a read belowhttps://t.co/VeaZWfvjfY#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek#ToHelpMyAnxiety pic.twitter.com/Jee66V5vPo  Beat (@beatED) May 21, 2023

The charity also raised concerns over inequitable access to care for patients, with children from wealthier backgrounds more likely to be diagnosed.

Even before Covid, a diagnosis of an eating disorder was more common among girls from affluent backgrounds.

But after the crisis, the gap rose even further with those in wealthy communities seeing a 52% higher rate of diagnosis compared to previous trends, while those from poorer backgrounds had a 22% rise in cases.

Lead author Dr Pearl Mok, from the University of Manchester, said: The reasons for the increase in eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm episodes amongst teenage girls during the pandemic are likely to be complex and could be due to a mixture of issues such as social isolation, anxiety resulting from changing routines, disruption in education, unhealthy social media influences, and increased clinical awareness.

Our study is large but episodes of self-harm that were not treated by health services were not captured in our data, so the rise in self-harm incidence might have been even greater than we observed. However, it is also possible that cases of self-harm not coming to the attention of services may have exhibited a different pattern.

We found that the increase in eating disorders and self-harm was greater in less deprived than in more deprived areas. This may reflect differences in service provision and challenges in accessing clinical care, rather than greater increases in risks for self-harm and eating disorders during the pandemic amongst those living in the least than in the most deprived communities.

Commenting on the study, Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at eating disorder charity Beat, said: These figures are shocking but sadly not surprising; during the height of the pandemic we saw demand for our helpline services spike by 300% and it is still remaining high.

We also know that the NHS is treating more children and young people than ever before, with healthcare professionals under huge amounts of strain.

It is surprising that there has been no increase in diagnoses in young men, as we have seen significant increases in contact and the latest NHS data shows more demand in both young men and women.

This much-needed research has also raised some pertinent questions around care inequality.

The rise in diagnoses in less deprived areas cannot be attributed to any one cause, but in general people in those areas will have easier access to primary care, making it more likely that eating disorders will be spotted earlier. We know there is still a postcode lottery and these gaps must be addressed so that everyone can get the help they need as quickly as possible.

Gemma Byrne, policy and campaigns manager at mental health charity Mind, said: It is deeply concerning to see such an increase in the number of young women experiencing eating disorders, and facing a postcode lottery when it comes to treatment.

Across the board, from community to acute care, the services are struggling to keep pace with a nation in the grip of a mental health crisis.

Young people with mental health problems are bearing the brunt of years of under-investment.

The mental health care system needs a complete overhaul to deal with the level of demand services are facing.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We recognise the devastating impact eating disorders can have on an individual and familys life, which is why were investing an additional 2.3 billion a year in NHS mental health services by March 2024, so more adults, children and young people in England can receive appropriate treatment.

Capacity at children and young peoples community eating disorder services is also being increased across the country thanks to an additional government investment of up to 54 million a year by March 2024.
An environmental campaign group says a Supreme Court ruling on a fight over an oil well could have significant repercussions for new fossil fuel projects.

Friends of the Earth says campaigner Sarah Finchs battle with Surrey County Council is critically important.

Ms Finch, 59, objects to the extension of oil drilling near Gatwick and has raised concerns about the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental campaigner Sarah Finch outside the UK Supreme Court in London (Brian Farmer/PA)

She has challenged Surrey councils decision to allow a well about six miles from where she used to live in Redhill, Surrey, to be retained and expanded by Horse Hill Developments.

Friends of the Earth is backing Ms Finch, who brought the challenge on behalf of the Weald Action Group.

Five Supreme Court justices, Lord Kitchin, Lord Sales, Lord Leggatt, Lady Rose, and Lord Richards, began considering arguments at a Supreme Court hearing in London on Wednesday.

The hearing is due to end on Thursday and justices are expected to publish a ruling later in the year.

Ms Finch has already lost fights in lower courts  a High Court judge ruled against her, and three Court of Appeal judges dismissed an appeal by a two-to-one majority.

Ms Finch, who now lives in Exeter, Devon, says council bosses had failed to assess the indirect greenhouse gas impacts and did not take into account environmental protection objectives.

Council bosses, who gave Horse Hill Developments permission to extend drilling at Horse Hill, dispute Ms Finchs claim.

Lawyers representing the council say Ms Finchs approach to the interpretation of environmental impact requirements is misguided.

Justices were told that an environmental impact assessment had considered the impacts of direct releases of greenhouse gases but did not assess the impacts of downstream emissions.

They were told that the issue was whether downstream greenhouse gas emissions were indirect effects.

Barristers representing Ms Finch told justices that her case was simple.

Marc Willers KC and Estelle Dehon KC said the appeal concerned the climate impact of fossil fuel development and turned on the correct interpretation of the 2017 Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

They said planning permission could only lawfully be granted in respect of developments which encompassed certain extractive industry developments, if an environment impact assessment had been carried out.

The appellants case is simple, they said.

On the plain language of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, the likely significant effects on climate of the combustion of material obtained from a development whose sole purpose is to obtain that material for combustion are, as a matter of law, indirect effects.

Ms Finch has also taken legal action against the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove (Lucy North/PA)

A barrister representing Surrey council said the case was essentially an issue of law.

This is not a climate change case, Harriet Townsend said.

It turns on the interpretation of what are ordinary words in their particular legislative context.

She said justices should dismiss the appeal.

Ms Finch has also taken legal action against Horse Hill Developments and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove.

Barrister Richard Moules, representing Mr Gove, told justices they were not being asked to make findings about the science of climate change.

He said the issue was whether the downstream greenhouse gas emissions, resulting from the eventual combustion of the refined end products produced from the oil originating from the development, were indirect effects of the development which had to be assessed.

Friends of the Earth said the case might have implications for a planned coal mine on the outskirts of Whitehaven, Cumbria.

This is a critically important legal challenge that could have significant repercussions for new fossil fuel projects, including the proposed new coal mine in Cumbria, Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe said.

Sarah Finchs legal challenge could ensure that the full climate impacts of new fossil fuel developments have to be taken into account in the environmental impact assessment when planning applications are considered.

Were in a climate crisis and its absurd that this is not happening already.
The Prince of Wales will meet Windrush passengers in a new documentary to be aired on ITV later this year.

The programme aims to celebrate the Windrush generation and its pioneering contribution to Britain.

The broadcaster announced the film ahead of the 75th anniversary on Thursday of the HMT Empire Windrushs arrival at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

William will join celebrities including newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald, Spice Girl Mel B, Britains Got Talent Judge Alesha Dixon and comedian Judi Love to meet members of the Windrush generation and hear their inspirational life stories, in the film produced in association with the Daily Mirrors Pride Of Britain Awards.

The contributors will also be invited to the Pride Of Britain Awards in October where they will accept a special award on behalf of others in the Windrush generation.

The HMT Empire Windrush was the first of many ships to arrive between the late 1940s and 1970s, bringing people from the Caribbean who answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

Alison Phillips, editor of the Daily Mirror, said: We are delighted to be working with ITV on this hugely important documentary to highlight the achievements  and challenges  members of the Windrush generation and their descendants have faced in this 75th anniversary year.

We hope it brings the very best values of Pride Of Britain to a documentary which will entertain, inspire and challenge us all.
Rescue teams are racing against the breathable air clock after noises were detected from the search area for the missing deep-sea vessel near the wreck site of the Titanic.

The submersible, named Titan, lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

The Titan has five people on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, and the 6.7m (22ft) long OceanGate Expeditions vessel may have as little as 24 hours of oxygen left.

The others on board are Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman and OceanGates chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, reportedly together with French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The US Coast Guard on Wednesday morning said: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remote operating vehicles) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

The P-3 submarine hunter is described by its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, as the ultimate maritime patrol aircraft and was used in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Hurricane Katrina and the BP Horizon oil rig disaster in the US.

An array of vessels are involved in the search effort, including Bahamian research vessel Deep Energy, French research vessel LAtalante, His Majestys Canadian Ship Glace Bay  for a mobile decompression chamber and medical personnel  and four Canadian Coast Guard vessels, according to the US Coast Guard.

The Explorers Club, of which Mr Harding is a founding member, shared an upbeat message on Wednesday morning.

(PA Graphics)

President Richard Garriot de Cayeux said in a statement: There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

They precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can help deploy We believe they are doing everything possible with all the resources they have.

Mr Garriot de Cayeux said they are ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000m.

In a statement on their website, deep water specialists Magellan said they were contacted by OceanGate on Monday and immediately offered knowledge of the site and expertise in operating at depth.

The company added that it has been working with UK and US agencies to move its specialist equipment and support crew to St Johns, Newfoundland, following instructions to mobilise from OceanGate.

(PA Graphics)

Magellan is 100% focused on supporting the rescue mission to recover the submersible, the organisation said.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the UK-based Nato Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) team is available to offer expertise and guidance to the search operation.

But reports indicate the the depths involved in the search greatly exceed that which the NSRS can safely operate.

An MoD spokesperson said: As the host nation for NATOs multinational submarine rescue capability, we continue to monitor the incident in the North Atlantic and will guide and assist in any response activity as appropriate.

Meanwhile, US media outlet The Rolling Stone reported an internal US government memo said banging was detected by Canadian search aircraft in 30-minute intervals on Wednesday.

Chris Brown, an explorer and friend of Mr Harding, told BBC Breakfast that making banging sounds is just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with.

Hamish Harding is one of five people on board a missing submersible tourist vessel (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA)

Retired UK navy rear admiral Chris Parry said that without an emitting signal from the deep-sea vessel near the wreck site of the Titanic it will be impossible to find it in the timescale.

It is understood the King is being kept informed of the search efforts, as Shahzada Dawood is a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, which are charities founded by Charles.

A former employee of OceanGate had raised concerns over safety and quality control issues regarding the Titan to OceanGate executive management, according to court filings.

David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed in the August 2018 court document he was wrongfully fired after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design.

After issues of quality control with Titan were raised, the filings say Mr Rush asked Mr Lochridge to conduct a quality inspection report on the vessel.

During this process, Mr Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns but he was allegedly met with hostility and denial of access to necessary documents before later being fired.

(PA Graphics)

The document claims he became concerned about a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan, and that he stressed the potential danger to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths.

In a November 2022 episode of his Unsung Science podcast, CBS journalist David Pogue interviewed Mr Rush ahead of going on a Titan expedition to the wreckage.

In the podcast, Mr Rush told him: You know, at some point, safety is just pure waste.

I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed, dont get in your car, dont do anything.

At some point, youre going to take some risk, and it really is a risk-reward question.

I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules.

The RMS Titanic in her resting place (Atlantic Productions/PA)

Mr Pogue said he had signed a waiver before going on the dive which allegedly said: The experimental submersible vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and that the trip could result in death.

OceanGate has been approached for comment.

On Tuesday, David Mearns, a deep-sea shipwreck hunter who is friends with Mr Harding and Mr Nargeolet, said he had seen reports of tapping being heard in the water, which he said could indicate the passengers are alive.

He told Channel 4 News: Theres some reports that Ive just read from my own club, which is how I know Hamish, is that somebody today has heard some tapping.

Now theyve got sonar buoys out there, there may be some other hydrophones that the mothership, the Polar Prince, had in the water.

Its hard to imagine how they could have heard that but still, they are at least trying to operate or encourage the rescue efforts to continue on and to be redoubled on the fact that theyve heard something which suggests that the men are alive in the submersible.

On Tuesday, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said a unified command of multiple agencies was formed on Monday to tackle the very complex problem of finding the submersible and estimated the Titan had 40 hours of breathable air left.
Safety fears were raised over Titan vessel before it went missing

Safety fears had previously been raised about the deep-sea vessel which went missing on a dive to the Titanic shipwreck.

The submersible, named Titan, lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

Titan has five people on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, and on Tuesday the US Coast Guard estimated the 6.7 metres (22ft) long OceanGate Expeditions vessel had just 40 hours of oxygen left.

The others on board are Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman and OceanGates chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, reportedly together with French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

It is understood the King is being kept informed of the search efforts, as Shahzada Dawood is a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by Charles.

As the race to find the vessel intensified on Tuesday, it emerged a former employee of OceanGate had raised concerns over safety and quality control issues regarding the Titan to OceanGate executive management, according to court filings.

David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed in the August 2018 court document he was wrongfully fired after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design.

After issues of quality control with Titan were raised, the filings say Mr Rush asked Mr Lochridge to conduct a quality inspection report on the vessel.

During this process, Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns but he was allegedly met with hostility and denial of access to necessary documents before later being fired.

Hamish Harding is one of five people on board a missing submersible tourist vessel (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA)

The document claims he became concerned about a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan, and that he stressed the potential danger to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths.

In a November 2022 episode of his Unsung Science podcast, CBS journalist David Pogue interviewed Mr Rush ahead of going on a Titan expedition to the wreckage.

In the podcast, Mr Rush told him: You know, at some point, safety is just pure waste.

I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed, dont get in your car, dont do anything.

At some point, youre going to take some risk, and it really is a risk-reward question.

I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules.

(PA Graphics)

Mr Pogue also said he had signed a waiver before going on the dive which allegedly said: The experimental submersible vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and that the trip could result in death.

OceanGate has been approached for comment.

On Tuesday David Mearns, a deep-sea shipwreck hunter who is friends with Mr Harding and Mr Nargeolet, said he had seen reports of tapping being heard in the water, which he said could indicate the passengers are alive.

He told Channel 4 News: Theres some reports that Ive just read from my own club, which is how I know Hamish, is that somebody today has heard some tapping.

Now theyve got sonar buoys out there, there may be some other hydrophones that the mothership the Polar Prince had in the water.

Its hard to imagine how they could have heard that but still, they are at least trying to operate or encourage the rescue efforts to continue on and to be redoubled on the fact that theyve heard something which suggests that the men are alive in the submersible.

The RMS Titanic in her resting place (Atlantic Productions/PA)

On Tuesday, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said a unified command of multiple agencies was formed on Monday to tackle the very complex problem of finding the missing submersible, which has so far not yielded any results.

Speaking at a press conference in Boston, Captain Frederick estimated there was approximately 40/41 hours (of oxygen left) on the vessel, which started with 96 hours of breathable air.

Captain Frederick was non-committal when asked if there is any way to retrieve the submersible and save the five on board if it can be located.

So, right now all of our efforts are focused on finding the sub, he said.

What I will tell you is we have a group of our nations best experts in the unified command and if we get to that point, those experts will be looking at what the next course of action is.

He added: On Sunday, the co-ordination command centre in Boston received a report from the Canadian expedition vessel Polar Prince of an overdue 21-foot submarine, Titan, with five people on board.

The Titan was attempting to dive on the wreck of the Titanic, approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod and 400 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

The submersible Titan is prepared for a dive into a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean (Action Aviation/AP)

Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the scheduled dive, the Polar Prince lost all communication with the Titan, Polar Prince conducted an initial search and then requested Coast Guard assistance.

Since Sunday, the Coast Guard has co-ordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Air National Guard aircraft and the Polar Prince, which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.

He said these efforts have involved aircraft searching by sight and with radar and sonar buoys, and that on Tuesday Deep Energy, a 194-metre pipe-laying vessel, with underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) capability had joined the search.

To date, those search efforts have not yielded any results, he added.
A second SNP MP has announced that he will not stand at the next general election, saying he could not be certain that he would be able to cope with the physical and mental demands of another five years in office.

Peter Grant, who represents Glenrothes and Central Fife, announced he would not seek re-selection as the SNP candidate for the next Westminster general election.

While an election has not yet been called, parties are all in the process of selecting candidates.

Mr Grant, who was first elected in 2015, announced the news on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

I have decided not to seek nomination as a candidate at the next Westminster election.https://t.co/HnI1iy2btX  Peter Grant MP (@PeterGrantMP) June 21, 2023

He said: With the Scottish National Party about to begin the formal process of nomination and selection of candidates for the next Westminster General Election I and my colleagues need to decide on our own part in the process.

After a great deal of soul searching I have decided not to seek re-election.

Depending on the timing of the election the next Parliament is likely to run until I am 68 or possibly 69 years old. I owe it to everyone to ask myself whether I will be able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job when I reach that age.

I dont think in all honesty I can give a firm yes to that question and that means in all conscience I cant ask volunteers to campaign for me and ask voters to vote for me when I have doubts in my own mind about my ability to serve a further full term at the level of intensity I know will be needed.

Mr Grant said it was important to know when its time to step down, adding:

For me that time has not yet come but it is likely to come during the next Parliament and it is fairer on everyone if I acknowledge that now.

For the remainder of my time as an MP I will continue to serve the interests of my constituents to the best of my ability as well as pressing the case for Scottish Independence which most people now regard as both essential and inevitable.

The MP said his commitment to the SNP and independence remains strong as ever.

He is the second SNP MP to announce he would not be standing again after former Westminster leader Ian Blackford announced he would not be seeking re-election earlier this month.
Showers are set to remain across parts of the UK as festival-goers arrive at Glastonbury on Wednesday, the Met Office said.

Four yellow warnings were in place until Tuesday evening and Scotlands Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia was temporarily suspended after just nine minutes due to a waterlogged pitch at Hampden Park.

Wednesday and Thursday will continue to see scattered rain, including in south-west England, with some areas experiencing thunder and lightning.

The wet weather will not douse the heat though, as temperatures are set to reach more than 30C (86F) by the weekend.

The South West could experience scattered showers as festival-goers arrive at Glastonbury on Wednesday (Yui Mok/PA)

Spokesman for the Met Office Greg Dewhurst said: On Wednesday, it is going to be generally across the whole of the UK another day of sunny spells and some scattered showers.

Showers could be heavy and thundery at times, particularly across the north and west of the UK.

At the moment we dont have any warnings for thunderstorms but there could be potentially some more that get issued and perhaps at short notice.

It is a repeat performance on Thursday with some sunshine and showers, perhaps with more of a focus on parts of England and Wales.

Heavy rain flooded the pitch in Scotlands game against Georgia (Jane Barlow/PA

Temperatures are still on the warm side, perhaps a degree higher, so 29C in the South East.

It is a similar picture in the South West to the South East, with a risk of some showers over the next couple of days.

The showers should become less frequent for England and Wales on Friday but it does turn wetter and breezier for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Temperatures again are around 30 degrees at the maximum in the South East.
The UK could be in favour of offering Ukraine a shorter route to Nato accession, the Foreign Secretary indicated.

James Cleverly said during a conference on Ukrainian reconstruction the UK would be very supportive if it was decided Kyiv did not need to go through the membership action plan stage of the process to join Nato.

We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve incredibly quickly, he told a press conference during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

Jens Stoltenberg, at the Nato informal foreign ministers (summit), said that actually, many of the requirements of membership action plan are actually being delivered.

The reform of their armed forces is happening whilst engaged in conflict.

I think the UKs position would be very, very supportive if we moved on from the membership action plan, recognising that the offer to both Sweden and Finland didnt require that and Ukrainians have demonstrated their commitment to reform the military for requirement of Nato membership through their actions on the battlefield.

And I think all Nato allies recognise that.

Ukraine has long pushed for both Nato and EU membership as it continues to battle Vladimir Putins forces, but western capitals have differing views on the possibility and timeline for Ukraine to join both groups.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who addressed the conference via videolink, had earlier urged western leaders to have the courage to acknowledge that his country is already a key part of their economic and defence alliances.

We are only waiting for the courage of the alliance leaders to recognise this reality, politically.

The comments by Mr Cleverly come ahead of a major Nato summit in Lithuania later this summer, in which a compromise on Ukrainians route to membership is expected to be brokered.

Nato agreed in 2008 that Ukraine would join the organisation one day, but did not set a date for it to start membership talks.

As the war continued, Ukraine applied for accelerated accession to Nato on September 30.

The Map stage is designed to help countries prepare for accession, but it is unclear whether other Nato members would back Ukrainian skipping such a process.
Sejong Government Complex / Yonhap



Low pay, heavy workload, rigid office culture said to be behind public service exodus



By Lee Kyung-min



Young public servants are quitting their jobs and heading to the private sector, due to frustration over low pay, limited prospects of promotion and a rigid work culture, according to market watchers. The exodus has accelerated since the government's ministries began to move to Sejong, an administrative city located 112 km south of Seoul.



A woman in her late 20s in the public service said she quit her job.



"I make no more than 1.8 million won ($1,400) a month, unless I work overtime. I don't see the point anymore."



She said minimum wage workers make more money than she does.



"The same hours worked means 1.8 million won for me and over 2 million won for minimum wage part-time workers. I felt stuck."



Similarly, a Sejong-based public servant said he went on leave. Months of people-facing service at the complaints department left him drained.



"I thought the public service was not that bad a choice, since it has high job security and a pension. But every time I go home from work, I feel like quitting. I will look for a new job or do something else."





Students attend a public service exam preparation class in Seoul, Oct. 13, 2021. / Yonhap
Noises have been detected from the search area of the missing deep-sea vessel near the wreck site of the Titanic as those on board face a dwindling supply of oxygen.

The submersible, named Titan, lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

Titan has five people on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, and on Tuesday the US Coast Guard estimated the 6.7 metres (22ft) long OceanGate Expeditions vessel had just 40 hours of oxygen left.

The others on board are Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman and OceanGates chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, reportedly together with French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

The US Coast Guard on Wednesday morning said: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remote operating vehicles) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

The Explorers Club, of which Mr Harding is a founding member, shared an upbeat message on Wednesday morning.

President Richard Garriot de Cayeux said in a statement: There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

They precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can help deploy We believe they are doing everything possible with all the resources they have.

Mr Garriot de Cayeux said they are ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000 metres.

Meanwhile, US media outlet The Rolling Stone reported an internal US government memo said banging was detected by Canadian search aircraft in 30-minute intervals on Wednesday.

It is understood the King is being kept informed of the search efforts, as Shahzada Dawood is a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by Charles.

Hamish Harding is one of five people on board a missing submersible tourist vessel (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA)

It comes as a former employee of OceanGate had raised concerns over safety and quality control issues regarding the Titan to OceanGate executive management, according to court filings.

David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed in the August 2018 court document he was wrongfully fired after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design.

After issues of quality control with Titan were raised, the filings say Mr Rush asked Mr Lochridge to conduct a quality inspection report on the vessel.

During this process, Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns but he was allegedly met with hostility and denial of access to necessary documents before later being fired.

The document claims he became concerned about a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan, and that he stressed the potential danger to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths.

In a November 2022 episode of his Unsung Science podcast, CBS journalist David Pogue interviewed Mr Rush ahead of going on a Titan expedition to the wreckage.

In the podcast, Mr Rush told him: You know, at some point, safety is just pure waste.

I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed, dont get in your car, dont do anything.

At some point, youre going to take some risk, and it really is a risk-reward question.

I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules.

The RMS Titanic in her resting place (Atlantic Productions/PA)

Mr Pogue also said he had signed a waiver before going on the dive which allegedly said: The experimental submersible vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and that the trip could result in death.

OceanGate has been approached for comment.

On Tuesday David Mearns, a deep-sea shipwreck hunter who is friends with Mr Harding and Mr Nargeolet, said he had seen reports of tapping being heard in the water, which he said could indicate the passengers are alive.

He told Channel 4 News: Theres some reports that Ive just read from my own club, which is how I know Hamish, is that somebody today has heard some tapping.

Now theyve got sonar buoys out there, there may be some other hydrophones that the mothership the Polar Prince had in the water.

Its hard to imagine how they could have heard that but still, they are at least trying to operate or encourage the rescue efforts to continue on and to be redoubled on the fact that theyve heard something which suggests that the men are alive in the submersible.

On Tuesday, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said a unified command of multiple agencies was formed on Monday to tackle the very complex problem of finding the missing submersible.
Questions remain about the impact of introducing voter identification for Mays local elections, the Labour chairman of the Commons Levelling Up committee has said.

Clive Betts, who chairs the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, said the elections watchdog must reveal whether requiring voter ID discouraged people from casting their ballot.

Mays local elections were the first time voters in Great Britain were required to show ID before collecting their ballot paper.

Passports, driving licences and blue badges were among the IDs permitted, as were the free certificates that could be applied for ahead of the vote.

But the move was widely criticised amid concerns about voter disenfranchisement.

The Electoral Commission is expected to publish its initial analysis of the rollout of voter ID this month.

Mr Betts told the PA News Agency: The questions are  did it prevent or deter people from voting who otherwise would have voted? And was the impact different among different parts of the electorate?

Different people in different circumstances, did they react differently to the restrictions that were put on them?

The committee chair added: We are going to have the Electoral Commission give evidence and ask them questions about what they found and what they are recommending, because in the end the Electoral Commission has a responsibility to make sure voting is fair and transparent but also to make sure that people are encouraged to vote, not discouraged.

UK Parliament photo of Clive Betts, Labour MP for Sheffield South East (David Woolfall/UK Parliament/PA)

Figures collected by PA from 95% of councils that held elections last month suggest nearly 34,900 people were turned away from polling stations for not having the correct identification, of which more than 21,600 returned later with the right ID and were able to vote.

This leaves just over 13,200 people who did not return and who therefore did not cast a vote.

Mr Betts has previously raised concerns about the methods used to alert people they needed to bring ID to cast their vote.

While clerks at all polling stations were told to remind voters to show their ID, in some areas, greeters at the door also carried out the task.

Mr Betts told PA: What the Electoral Commission said to us was they would only take the figures from those polling stations where there was no one who was pre-screened before people actually got to the clerks.

The problem with that of course is that councils tended to use pre-screening at the busiest polling stations, and they may be ones, say, in particularly built up areas with high concentrations of different types of the electorate.

Mr Betts said the picture in his Sheffield South East constituency had been varied, adding: Certainly in my own constituency, many of the polling stations said virtually nobody turned up without ID.

In another, 13 women from the Pakistani community were all turned away.

I think there is some evidence that perhaps people from the BME community were less aware of the need or hadnt got easy access to the particular requirements.

He also called on the Government to learn from the rollout of voter ID, and introduce more valid identification documents for younger people.

The senior Labour MP said: I think it particularly applies to young people. I think the likelihood is that it could be a much bigger challenge around the general election, because we know at local elections the turnout is lower, and proportionally fewer young people vote at local elections.

I think you will just see enormous problems unless you expand the voter ID potential to more forms of ID for young people at the general election.

Following the May elections, the Electoral Commission said its initial assessment was that the polls were well run, but it added it would carry out further work to assess the impact of voter ID.

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: We already know from our research that the ID requirement posed a greater challenge for some groups in society, and that some people were regrettably unable to vote today as a result.

It will be essential to understand the extent of this impact, and the reasons behind it, before a final view can be taken on how the policy has worked in practice and what can be learnt for future elections.
A Windrush campaigner has called on the Government to categorically rule out closing the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal, as an anniversary tribute service was held in London.

Caribbean high commissioners to the UK joined British politicians for the commemorative event held at Windrush Square in Brixton, south London.

Wednesdays event in memory of Caribbean men and women who served the UK in past conflicts, came a day ahead of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush to England.

Caribbean high commissioners and other dignitaries attended the commemorative event at Windrush Square in Brixton (Harry Stedman/PA)

Campaigner Patrick Vernon said the anniversary was bittersweet, and that those whose lives had been devastated by the scandal were being re-traumatised.

The scandal, which erupted in 2018, saw many British citizens, mostly from the Caribbean, denied access to healthcare and benefits and threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in the UK.

The HMT Empire Windrush first docked in England on June 22 1948 at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing people from the Caribbean who had answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

Mr Vernon, who spoke at Wednesdays event, previously voiced concerns that the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal could be wound down within a year, saying thousands would miss out.

It has been reported that the Home Office unit set up with responsibility for reforming the department in the wake of the scandal  which saw many people lose their homes, jobs and face the threat of deportation  was to be disbanded.

The Home Office has said the scheme  available to people of all ages and nationalities, including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who had suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK  would stay open as long as needed.

But Mr Vernon insisted that more clarity from the Government was needed.

He told the PA news agency after the service: Rishi (Sunak) could press the button and sort out the compensation scheme and make it easier for everyone, right now. I believe that.

Asked about uncertainty around the scheme, Mr Vernon said: It would be great for the Government to give a categorical no, but it all feels bit by bit.

These indicators make you question whether they are serious about this.

The scheme has faced criticism for being slow and inefficient, and the latest figures show hundreds of cases have been in the system for at least a year.

Addressing those gathered at the event, Mr Vernon said: We shouldnt call it the Windrush scandal anymore, I think we should call it the Home Office scandal, because the Windrush generation played their part, made their sacrifices and are now being re-traumatised as a result of failure of Government.

(It is) another chapter of racial discrimination in Britain, and unfortunately Windrush Day will always be bittersweet.

Its going to be bitter because of the injustice thats still ongoing and were still fighting for, but it has to be sweet to recognise those pioneers.

Helen Hayes MP, left to right, Florence Eshalomi MP and Bell Ribeiro Addy MP in front of the memorial (Harry Stedman/PA)

Deputy Mayor of London Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard was among those giving speeches during the event, as well as Mayor of Lambeth Sarbaz Barznji.

Mr Barznji said: The Windrush generation brought talent, knowledge and determination, that shaped our cultural fabric.

He stressed that the anniversary should be a catalyst for change, adding: Your resilience and unwavering determination have enriched future generations. We owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be paid fully.

Artist Alexander D Great performed several songs describing the struggles of the Windrush generation and remembering those who had served in the world wars.

Wreaths of flowers were laid by the respective high commissioners on the African Caribbean War Memorial, which was built on the 50th anniversary in 1998.

John Agards poem Windrush Child was read out during the event to a crowd that included dignitaries, passers-by and a group of local schoolchildren.
More than 70 people were shot, 13 fatally, in Chicago over the holiday weekend, including a father of four who was gunned down at a large family Father's Day park gathering, according to police.

The violence over the Father's Day and Juneteenth holidays also left a number of teenagers injured, including a 14-year-old boy who died after being shot multiple times on a street in the Garfield Park neighborhood on the city's West Side, according to a review by ABC News of weekend incident reports from the Chicago Police Department.

Police officials said at least 75 people were shot across the city in 51 separate incidents that occurred between 6 p.m. on Friday and 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

"Every time I read and hear about another life that is lost because of violence, my heart breaks," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said at a news conference on Monday. "Fifteen-year-olds, 14-year-olds, you all know I'm raising children in Chicago. It hurts."

The series of shootings came amid declines in both homicides and shootings this year in Chicago compared to 2022. Prior to the weekend, homicides in Chicago were down 7% from the 257 slayings that occurred in the first half of 2022, according to the Chicago Police Department's crime statistics. Shooting incidents are also down 5% this year compared to this time last year, the crime data shows.

STOCK PHOTO: View of Chicago skyline at sunrise. (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images/)

This weekend's shootings marked one of the most violent holiday weekends this year in Chicago, surpassing Memorial Day weekend when 53 people were shot, 11 fatally, in 42 separate incidents across the city, according to police. At least 31 people were shot last weekend in Chicago, four fatally, in 26 separate incidents, police said.

Father's Day park shooting

Among those killed this weekend was a 32-year-old father of four, identified as Brian Ross, who was shot to death along with another man during a large family Father's Day gathering at Smith Park in the Roseland community. Ross' relatives told ABC station WLS in Chicago that the gunshots were fired from a passing car, killing Ross and the 37-year-old victim, whose name was not immediately released.

"They literally stopped where they were at, opened fire on them, didn't care about the kids being around or nothing. And, by the grace of God, no kids get hit," Ross' wife, Kandace Ross, said. "They didn't care about nothing or nobody because there were kids out there. There were women out there, there were grandmas, anybody. They just came and just shot it up just so they can, I don't know, brag about it."

Cmdr. Tyrone Pendarvis of the Chicago Police Department said the shooting unfolded just before 8 p.m. and that in addition to the two men gunned down, three others were hit by gunfire and treated at a hospital.

"It's unfortunate today that this occurred because it was a fine day and people just enjoying their family activity, but violence prevails in the city and it's unfortunate that these five individuals were shot," Pendarvis said at a news conference.

Car-to-car gunfire

One man was killed and three others were wounded in a shooting Monday in the Ashburn neighborhood on the city's South Side, police said. The victims were riding in a car when gunmen in another vehicle headed in the opposite direction opened fire, police said. A 20-year-old man, whose name was not immediately released, was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

The three other victims, including a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man, were struck by bullets and treated at the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to police. Four guns were recovered at the scene, but no arrests were announced.

MORE: Juneteenth celebration horror: 23 shot, 1 fatally, at Illinois event

Also on Monday, a 32-year-old man was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital after being shot multiple times while driving through the West Garfield neighborhood on the city's West Side at about 7:25 a.m., according to police. The circumstances of the shooting remained under investigation Tuesday and no arrests have been announced.

Fight prompts fatal shooting

Four men were shot, one fatally, in the Austin neighborhood early Sunday after a fight broke out and a fifth man fighting pulled and gun and opened fire, according to police. The shooting occurred just before 3 a.m. in the Austin neighborhood of the city's West Side. The victim who died, a 31-year-old man, was shot multiple times and taken to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests were announced.

Among others fatal shootings victims over the weekend were a 48-year-old man, who was discovered Saturday with a gunshot wound to the head in the Woodlawn section of the city's South Side, and a 58-year-old man who was shot and pronounced dead at the scene also on the city's South Side, police said.

A 32-year-old man was fatally shot just after 11 p.m. on Sunday in the vestibule of a fast-food restaurant in the West Pullman neighborhood of the city's South Side when he got into a physical altercation with the unidentified man who shot him. No arrests have been announced.

75 people shot, 13 fatally, in Chicago over violent holiday weekend originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Disgraced influencer Andrew Tate will face trial on charges of rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, authorities in Romania said Tuesday.

Tate, his brother Tristan and two other suspects have been under house arrest after a police investigation that led to their arrest in December. They deny the allegations.

Romania's organized crime agency, DIICOT, said in a statement that it would send four people to court: two British-American dual nationals and two Romanians. The Tate brothers are both dual U.S.-British nationals.

Andrew Tate indicted in Romania (Daniel Mihailescu / AFP via Getty Images)

Andrew and Tristan Tate were not explicitly named by authorities Tuesday but a spokesperson for the brothers confirmed their indictment to NBC News.

"While this news is undoubtedly predictable, we embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation," the spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, said in a statement.

The indictment will allow the Tates and their team to "present a comprehensive body of evidence, diligently collected and prepared over time, which will undoubtedly substantiate the brothers claims of innocence," Petrescu added.

No trial date has yet been set.

Prosecutors accuse the four defendants of forming a criminal gang at the beginning of 2021, the crime agency statement said, in order to carry out human trafficking in Romania, the U.S. and the U.K.

The statement alleges that the four men falsely brought seven victims to Romania by misleading them into thinking they were in a real romantic relationship, a grooming technique DIICOT called the loverboy method.

The victims were then taken to houses in Ilfov county, which surrounds Bucharest, and subjected to physical violence, mental coercion and sexual exploitation, DIICOT said. Three of the victims are civil parties in the criminal case against the Tates and their associates.

An unnamed defendant is accused of accessing a digital device belonging to one of the victims and posted pictures of her in what DIICOT called compromising poses.

The indictment provided a long list of property that prosecutors have requested permission to seize, including 15 properties, 15 luxury cars, 2 metal ingots and a medal, as well as Bitcoin, the virtual currency, worth about $385,000.

Romanian authorities said in January they had seized luxury cars and other assets worth $3.9 million from a compound near Bucharest, the Romanian capital, as part of the investigation into Tate.

The brothers were remanded in custody and released on house arrest in March.

Tate is a former kickboxer who has built up a massive social media following by sharing provocative, often misogynist views on the role of women and masculinity.

Teachers across the English-speaking world and beyond have discussed how to deal with young people who have been influenced by Tate's more extreme views.

He was banned from several leading social media platforms last year but has since been reinstated on Twitter, where he has continued to update his followers on his detention.

On Tuesday, Tate retweeted a Twitter account with the username @Tatenews_ which said: "Up until now no judge has reviewed the evidence in the case file. It was all based on arguments to keep the Tate brothers in jail and under house arrest."

CORRECTION (June 20, 2023, 1:44 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this article misstated how much Bitcoin prosecutors want to seize from Tate. It is about $385,000, not $385,000,000.
A former CNN producer who reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors for sexually abusing a nine-year-old girl has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

John Griffin of Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty last year to charges of using interstate commerce to entice and coerce the girl to engage in sexual activity at his Vermont ski house. As part of the 2022 plea deal, the government dropped two remaining counts of enticement of a minor against Griffin, 46.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison and an additional 15 years of supervised release during a US District Court hearing in Burlington, the Associated Press reports.

Griffin, a Princeton University alumni, worked closely with ousted anchor Chris Cuomo during their time at CNN. Griffin worked for eight years at the network but was fired following his December 2021 indictment and arrest in the child sexual assault case.

He had previously worked as a producer at ABC, Fox News, and CBS, according to his LinkedIn page.

The disgraced network producer initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, before reaching a plea deal that allowed a federal judge to sentence him to at least 10 years and up to the remainder of his life.

Griffin was also ordered to pay $1.1m in restitution to the victims.

According to the indictment, Griffin met Heather Carriker on a website during the summer of 2020 and persuaded her to bring her nine-year-old daughter to his ski home, where he molested the minor.

Griffin paid the woman and girl to fly from Nevada to Boston, picked them up and drove them to his Vermont home where the girl said Griffin sexually assaulted her, court records say.

Prosecutors argued in their initial complaint that Griffin approached women online, and tried to convince them that he should sexually train their minor daughters, because a woman is a woman regardless of her age.

The minors he allegedly attempted to sexually assault were as young as seven years old, per the criminal complaint.

Griffin cannot have contact with people under the age of 18, except in the presence of an adult who has been approved by a probation officer, and is prohibited from being in areas where children congregate, such as schools, playgrounds and theme parks, unless approved by the probation office beforehand.
CANNES, France  Ronald McDonald's associates are on a comeback tour to delight and surprise customers, and Grimace is the latest member of the McDonald's (MCD) bunch taking center stage on social media.

According to McDonalds chief marketing and customer experience officer Tariq Hassan, it's all part of the fast food company's plan to become a "cultural icon" and use that status to drive the business.

"What we uncovered actually a few years ago when [chief marketing officer Morgan Flatley] first launched Travis Scott and our famous orders was an awakening of the brand," Hassan told Yahoo Finance Live at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity on Tuesday (video above). "People reconnecting and realizing that there was a value to this brand that frankly, I think, we had forgotten and we'd lost a bit of our swagger."

McDonald's launches new Grimace campaign with Twitter takeover

What is Grimace, exactly?

Grimace, a fast-food marketing icon in the 1980s, has taken over McDonald's social media as part of an omnichannel marketing initiative promoting a special meal for the character's birthday.

After debuting in 1971 as "Evil Grimace," a mascot known for stealing McDonald's shakes, Grimace has evolved over the years into a much more friendly mainstay at the chain. But what exactly is the 'Purple Pal' that has seen a 2023 transformation?

"First of all, Grimace represents joy and happiness," Hassan said, describing the character as the "McDonalds-land friend glue."

Hassan added that while there's a lot of debate over what Grimace actually is, "the lore is that he represents a taste bud."

Now the purple gumdrop-shaped figure has the opportunity to cook up additional sales for the Golden Arches.

McDonald's leans into nostalgia marketing

Grimace isn't the first reintroduction of a nostalgia-inducing McDonalds character.

In 2015, the Hamburglar returned in an advertising campaign and looked more akin to a Magic Mike than a beef patty thief  and consumers didnt seem too upset about that.

Fast forward to 2023, and Hamburglar will be seen throughout national marketing efforts once more, this time appearing more similar to the image crafted for the character during the 1980s, but with the 2023 standards of screen resolution.

"At the end of the day, our responsibility is also to drive the business and make sure we're showing up for our franchisees and growing the business," Hassan said, reflecting on the strategic business decision to reintroduce its brand characters to a younger audience.

And some analysts on Wall Street are convinced that the marketing effort toward Gen Z and millennials is gaining traction.

Ronald McDonald, Hamburglar, and Grimace of McDonald's attend the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Guggenheim reiterated its Buy rating and "best idea" status for McDonald's. In a note, analyst Gregory Francfort called the franchise still the most "McCompelling" stock in the restaurant sector.

"We think McDonalds success is the cumulative effect of years of investment in the asset base, improvements in the marketing message, and a digital engagement story that has legs," Francfort added.

And for anyone wondering when Ronald McDonald will get his own ad campaign, it likely won't be anytime soon.

However, "if it's what the fans are looking for, I think we're showing we can deliver on it," Hassan said.

Brad Smith is an anchor at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @thebradsmith.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
DNA on a knife sheath found at the off-campus home where four Idaho college students were killed last November directly links accused murderer Bryan Kohberger to the crime scene, according to court documents filed by prosecutors last week.

Law enforcement officials used investigative genetic genealogy to link DNA found on the sheath to Kohberger, 28, a doctoral student at nearby Washington State University studying criminology, according to the June 16 filing from the Latah County Prosecutors Office. The investigation found that the DNA was at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be Kohbergers than an unrelated member of the public, the document states.

Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho, on Nov. 13. A motive remains unknown.

Some information about the use of DNA to identify Kohberger was already known: Law enforcement sources previously told NBC News that DNA played a role in helping investigators hone in on Kohberger, and a probable cause affidavit unsealed in January stated that male DNA was left on the button snap of the knife sheath and that DNA retrieved from the trash of Kohbergers family home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 27 showed there was a high probability it was from the biological father of the person who left the DNA on the sheath at the crime scene.

But the more recent filing provides new details about how investigators used DNA  and genetic genealogy, which has been used to identify several victims and suspects in recent years  to identify Kohberger as the prime suspect in the case.

Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson / AP)

Use of genetic genealogy

Investigators first submitted DNA from the knife sheath  found facedown on a bed next to the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves, and partially under Mogens body and the comforter  to the FBI database CODIS, which tracks DNA profiles of people who have been arrested or convicted, according to the filing. When that didnt turn up a match, investigators turned to genetic genealogy, commissioning a private lab to build a DNA profile that could be used to search for relatives, the filing states.

The FBI then took over and uploaded the DNA profile to one or more publicly available genetic genealogy services to identify possible family members of the suspect based on shared genetic data, the filing states. Investigators then built a family tree of hundreds of relatives using the same tools and methods used by members of the public who wish to learn more about their ancestors, the filing states, citing social media, birth and death certificates and user-submitted information as examples. FBI investigators then sent local law enforcement a tip to investigate Kohberger.

After law enforcement obtained the DNA from Kohbergers father and, later, a cheek swab from Kohberger, they found the statistical match showing it was overwhelmingly likely that the DNA found on the knife sheath matched Kohbergers, the filing states.

Experts have cautioned that DNA evidence isnt foolproof and shouldnt be the sole basis for an arrest or prosecution, and that law enforcements growing use of genetic genealogy allows them to gain access to the DNA of nonsuspects as well.

The filing outlines steps investigators took to protect the data of Kohbergers relatives and users of the unnamed publicly available genetic genealogy service, including not downloading or making copies of publicly available records and removing Kohbergers DNA profile from the service.

This means the FBI no longer has access to view much of the information it used to create the family tree and cannot view it again without resubmitting the DNA profile to the genetic genealogy service, the filing says.

Officers investigate a homicide at an apartment complex south of the University of Idaho campus on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Zach Wilkinson / The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP file)

Filing attempts to keep details sealed

Through the filing  a motion for protective order  prosecutors are seeking to keep more detailed information under wraps, including raw data and lab notes about the DNA profile and information about Kohbergers potential relatives used to build the family tree.

Prosecutors are willing to disclose other information, including documentation proving that the DNA test was performed and information related to the analyses performed on DNA culled from the knife sheath, from Kohbergers parents trash and from a buccal swab performed on him, the filing states.

Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30 in Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. A grand jury in Latah County indicted him on murder charges on May 16, and he was arraigned on May 22, when he stood silent and a judge entered not guilty pleas on all murder charges. His trial is tentatively set to begin on Oct. 2.

Kohberger remains held in Latah County Jail without bail, online records show.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Newly unsealed court documents paint a horrifying picture of Harmony Montgomerys final moments, including how her father Adam Montgomery allegedly killed the five-year-old girl and then spent months moving her body around.

During an interview with police detectives, Adams estranged wife Kayla Montgomery said he repeatedly punched Harmony in the face on 7 December 2019, after becoming upset with her for having bathroom accidents in the car their family was staying in.

Harmony had been living with Adam, Kayla, and their three children in Manchester, New Hampshire, since February 2019, after her mother Crystal Sorey lost custody in 2018 due to a substance abuse issue.

They were evicted in November 2019.

Harmony was last seen alive in October 2019, and an investigation into her disappearance was initiated in December 2021. Her remains have never been found.

The 48-page affidavit of probable cause was submitted with an arrest warrant for Adam, who was charged with her murder last October. The document was obtained by Law & Crime after it was unsealed on Tuesday 20 June.

Kayla described how Adam allegedly delivered sets of three-to-four blows with a closed fist to Harmonys face/head on three separate occasions over the course of a few minutes on the December morning when she died.

After the final blow, Adam reportedly said I think I really hurt her this time. I think I did something, Kayla recalled, adding Harmony made a moaning type noise for approximately five minutes and then stopped.

No one checked on Harmony or stopped to get her medical attention, Kayla told investigating officers, as the family continued on to a Burger King before returning to the apartment complex where they parked their car since being evicted from their home.

Adam Montgomery has been charged with the second-degree murder of his daughter Harmony (Manchester Police)

They remained in the parking lot for 20 minutes before driving off again. In a second interview, Kayla admitted she and Adam used heroin and fentanyl during this interval.

It was only when their car, a Chrysler Sebring, broke down that Kayla and Adam discovered Harmony was not breathing and had died.

Adam then allegedly placed Harmonys lifeless body in a red duffel bag. While living in the parking lot, Kayla claimed Adam would occasionally leave Harmonys body out in the snow to slow the rate of decomposition.

When the family moved in with Kaylas mother and her boyfriend, Adam placed the duffel bag in a red cooler in the common hallway of their apartment building.

After that, the Montgomerys moved into a shelter house, where the bag began to leak and emit an odour. Adam reportedly put the duffel bag into a trash bag, and stowed it inside a vent shaft in the ceiling of their room.

Police officers later removed the entire section of the ceiling, including the vent, and found stains consistent with signs of decomposition.

Kayla also gave detectives two different versions of how Adam transferred Harmonys body to a much smaller, maternity tote bag which would not likely fit Harmonys body unless it was dismembered or grossly distorted.

In spring 2020, Kayla said Adam rented a U-haul truck to dispose off Harmonys body during the middle of the night. When he returned the next morning, he allegedly said words to the effect of its done.

On 24 October 2022, Adam was charged one count of second-degree murder for recklessly causing the death of Harmony. Other charges against the 33-year-old include falsifying evidence for altering, destroying, concealing or removing the girls body and the abuse of a corpse for unlawfully removing, concealing or destroying Harmonys body.

Kayla Montgomery arrives for her plea and sentencing hearing at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester, N.H., on 18 November 2022. Montgomery, the stepmother of a New Hampshire girl who disappeared in 2019 at age 5 and is presumed dead was sent to prison for at least a year and a half Friday after pleading guilty to perjury charges. (David Lane/Union Leader via AP, Pool)

Adam has also been accused of tampering with witnesses or informants, which he allegedly did by attempting to coerce Kayla into lying to investigators.

His trial is scheduled for November.

Kayla was sent to prison for at least a year and a half last November after pleading guilty to perjury charges.

She admitted she had lied to a grand jury about working at a doughnut shop on 30 November 2019, the day she said she last saw her step-daughter.

She also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors who have charged her estranged husband with second-degree murder in the childs death.

The Independent has contacted Adams legal team for comment.
Washington  Special counsel John Durham, who scrutinized the origins of the FBI's investigation into possible links between Russia and former President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, testified before a House committee on Wednesday, detailing the "sobering" findings of his controversial report one week after its release.

Durham's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee was the second time he appeared before lawmakers this week. He testified behind closed doors to the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday.

"As we said in the report, our findings were sobering," Durham told the committee. "I can tell you, having spent 40 years plus as a prosecutor, they were particularly sobering to me."

Durham's 316-page report was critical of the FBI, saying agents showed "confirmation bias" and finding that the basis for opening an investigation into whether Trump's campaign was coordinating with Russia in 2016 was "seriously flawed."

"Neither U.S. law enforcement nor the Intelligence Community appears to have possessed any actual evidence of collusion in their holdings at the commencement of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation," the report said, referring to the codename for the FBI's Trump probe.

A career federal prosecutor and Justice Department official, Durham was serving as the Connecticut U.S. attorney in 2019 when then-Attorney General William Barr tasked him with examining the FBI's decision to open an investigation into the Trump campaign in 2016. He was elevated to special counsel the following year and allowed to continue his probe under the Biden administration.

Special counsel John Durham testifies about his report on the FBI's inquiry into potential contacts between Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, before a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 21, 2023. / Credit: JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS

Throughout the course of the four-year investigation, Trump and his allies were convinced Durham's investigation would show the FBI unfairly targeted him when it opened an investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

On Wednesday, Durham underscored that the production of the so-called Steele dossier, an opposition memo that included unproven accusations compiled by a former British intelligence officer, was funded by the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign, and was a deeply flawed record that was used by the FBI to secure surveillance warrants.

Under questioning from Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, Durham agreed that he had the authority to pursue charges against Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or former FBI Director James Comey in his role as special counsel  if he had the evidence. Durham also agreed Attorney General Merrick Garland did not interfere with his investigation.

"Attorney General Garland never asked me not to indict somebody," Durham said.

Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse asked Durham if he sides with some conservatives who believe the Department of Justice and the FBI should be defunded.

"I don't believe the Department of Justice or the FBI should be defunded," Durham said. "I think there maybe ought to be some changes and the like, but defunded, no."

Trump is now fighting federal charges alleging he mishandled classified documents and obstructed the government's efforts to retrieve them, prompting the former president and his supporters to once again claim the Justice Department has been "weaponized" against him.

Much of Durham's findings echoed details revealed in the Justice Department inspector general's 2019 investigation into the FBI's probe, which identified several procedural errors but concluded there was no "political bias" at the bureau.

Just three prosecutions resulted from Durham's investigation. Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty, admitting that he doctored an email that was submitted to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court as part of an application used to surveil former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Prominent Democratic lawyer Michael Sussmann was acquitted on charges of lying to investigators about his ties to Clinton's presidential campaign when he brought allegations to the FBI related to the Trump investigation.

The case against Russian analyst Igor Danchenko also ended with an acquittal. Danchenko was accused of lying to investigators about the sources of information he provided to Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer behind the controversial dossier about Trump and Russia.

In an apparent reference to the lack of significant criminal convictions stemming from the probe, the report said that "not every injustice or transgression amounts to a criminal offense."

"[T]he law does not always make a person's bad judgment, even horribly bad judgment, standing alone, a crime," it said.

Moving forward, Durham recommended in his report a career official be assigned to challenge the FBI's politically sensitive surveillance applications.

Catherine Herridge contributed to this report.

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Participants cut a ribbon during the opening ceremony of Hyundai Than Cong Manufacturing Vietnam's second factory in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, in this November 2022 file photo. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group



By Park Jae-hyuk



Hyundai Motor and its sister company, Kia, unveiled plans on Wednesday to solidify their lead in the rapidly growing Vietnamese market through the release of new models and sales of popular vehicles.



The announcement was made ahead of Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun's upcoming visit to the country, which is ranked fourth in Southeast Asia in terms of automobile production and sales. Chung will accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol on his three-day state visit to Vietnam later this week, as a member of the business delegation.



After establishing a joint venture named Hyundai Thanh Cong Manufacturing Vietnam (HTMV) with Vietnam's Thanh Cong in 2017, Hyundai Motor has produced the Grand i10, Avante, Tucson and Santa Fe in the Vietnamese province of Ninh Binh.



In 2019, HTMV became Vietnam's leading carmaker in terms of sales volume, selling 79,568 vehicles annually, beating Toyota Motor, which sold 79,328 vehicles. As HTMV sold 81,368 vehicles in 2020 and 70,518 vehicles in 2021, it maintained its lead for the third straight year.



Based on the success, Hyundai Motor established another joint venture regarding sales in 2021 and built its second HTMV factory in 2022.



Kia started its operation in Vietnam in 2004 in collaboration with Truong Hai Auto. The carmaker sold 28,986 vehicles in 2018 and 30,103 vehicles in 2019.



In contrast to Toyota Motor, Mazda Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors and Ford Motor, all of which faced declining sales in Vietnam in 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kia saw a 30.2 percent year-on-year increase in its sales to 39,180 vehicles at the time. In 2022, the Korean firm sold over 60,000 vehicles in Vietnam.



As of May this year, Hyundai Motor took the top spot in sales volume in Vietnam, selling 22,903 vehicles in Vietnam, outperforming Toyota Motor, which sold 21,547 vehicles. Kia has sold 13,951 vehicles in Vietnam during the first five months of this year.



In order to maintain its lead, Hyundai Motor plans to boost sales of the Accent, Creta and Santa Fe, while developing new SUVs and minivans. In addition, it will start the local production of the IONIQ 5 in July to expand its presence in the Vietnamese electric vehicle market. During the second half of this year, the two HTMV factories will begin to produce the IONIQ 5, Venue and Palisade.



Kia also plans to boost the sales of the Sonet, Carnival, Sportage and K3 in Vietnam.



"Hyundai Motor and Kia will continue their efforts to raise their brand awareness and boost sales in the Vietnamese automobile market, which is expected to grow continuously," a Hyundai Motor Group official said.


Khadija Horton/Getty

Were not going to lie and say that abortion access in America is in great shape. But we can tell you not to despair. Thanks to the hard work of activists and community organizers who have been agitating tirelessly throughout the past year, weve seen reproductive justice victories both big and small across our country.

Hearst Owned

Six statesIndiana, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wyominghave blocked would-be abortion bans. Michigan, Minnesota, and several other states have enacted stronger abortion protections at the state level. Even in the 14 states where the procedure is now completely prohibited, abortion advocates havent given upand theyre seeing more people join the effort than ever before.

So to mark the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision on Dobbs, were checking in with some of the same defenders of reproductive justice we spoke to last year for the Its Not Over project. Here, a look at their biggest takeaways from this past year to help carry the fight forward.

#1: This isnt just about abortion.

There are so many nuances to reproductive justice that are rooted in social inequities and oppression. Abortion access does not exist in a vacuumthe decision to become a parent depends on our mental, physical, and socioeconomic well-being, and we must be ready, willing, and steadfast to keep fighting on all these fronts.

Kennedy Moore (she/they); manager of digital and youth organizing at Abortion Action Missouri (formerly known as Pro-Choice Missouri); Saint Louis, Missouri

Hearst Owned

The reproductive justice movement requires equity and intersectionality. We need to listen to the most marginalized among us. Indigenous people, people of color, and transgender people have always fought for reproductive justice. Yet white middle- to upper-class women have held the spotlight. The fact is, white women will never be able to truly understand the needs of marginalized communitiesand for justice to be made, their voices need to be at the center.

Toni Miller (she/her); cofounder of the Justice Through Empowerment Network (JEN), an abortion fund and practical support network; Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Hearst Owned

A post-Roe society on the back end of COVID-19 has exacerbated the daily needs of Black women, pregnant-capable people, and our families around issues like housing, food, safe neighborhoods, and sustainable compensation. For Black women, girls, and pregnant-capable people, this moment is about so much more than abortion access. It always was and it always will be.

Cherrisse Scott (she/her); CEO and founder of SisterReach; Memphis, Tennessee

Hearst Owned

The reproductive justice movement requires expansiveness. Reproductive justice is the framework, but the desire or ability for reproduction is not required. In order to have safe and sustainable environments, we need solidarity and cross-pollination with all movements of care and liberation. Reproductive justice requires gender-affirming care, clean air, abolition, communities free from violence, and financial resources.

Aye Johnson (they/homie); blueprint manager for Apiary for Practical Support; Richmond, Virginia

Hearst Owned

The reproductive justice movement requires all of us. The increased attacks on trans communities is directly tied to the attacks on abortion rights. This was especially clear in the discriminatory legislative bill 574 in Nebraskas legislature that combined a gender-affirming care ban with a 10-week abortion ban. We all have a right to bodily autonomy, and being trans or pregnant doesnt change that. Our liberation is connective and collective.

Jo Giles (she/her); executive director, Womens Fund of Omaha; Omaha, Nebraska

Abby Silverman - Getty Images

#2: You need to be patient. This is gonna take a while.

Hearst Owned

I still remind people that although this might feel overwhelming, this is not the time to feel discouraged. This will be a long fight, and we need to remain stronger than ever. There are many tactics and opportunities for everyone to take meaningful action. Everything counts. From following your local organizations on social media to bringing your friends to community gatherings to contacting your representatives to either thank them for the work theyre doing or hold them accountable. Keep yourself informed, and always keep spreading the word that abortion is not a stigma, its health care.

Gabriela Fuentes (she/ella); advocacy manager, Planned Parenthood North Central States/Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa

Hearst Owned

If I didnt know it before, Ive learned that it takes time to see the fruits of our labor from all of this work. Patience is key, and the reproductive justice movement requires tenacity. Talking to so many of my mentors in the fight and hearing how some of their wildest dreams from five or more years ago are just coming true shows me why this is a lifelong battle for so many of us.

Kennedy Moore (she/they); manager of digital and youth organizing at Abortion Action Missouri (formerly known as Pro-Choice Missouri); Saint Louis, Missouri

Hearst Owned

Ive really focused on protecting my peace. This means knowing when to step up, step out, or step back. We also know that advocacy for bodily autonomy will continue to shift, so were focusing some of our organizational power in places where it will make the most impact and building more movement leaders and grassroots power for the work ahead.

Jo Giles (she/her); executive director, Womens Fund of Omaha; Omaha, Nebraska

#3: We cant always count on our leaders, but we can count on ourselves.

Hearst Owned

Anti-abortion activists are more focused on controlling people who are making reproductive health care decisions for themselves rather than focusing on improving conditions in the health care system itself. Their antics are not new, but without federal protections in place, we have become more vulnerable to their attacks and harm. Our path to reproductive freedom cannot rely on the opposition when we have each other. Across Ohio, we have come togetherwe are taking care of ourselves, expanding and implementing safety nets, and letting folks know they are not alone. We are here, and as long as we have each other, we will never be defeated in protecting abortion access.

Rhiannon Carnes (she/her); executive director of Ohio Womens Alliance; Pickerington, Ohio

Hearst Owned

We are still here and were still fighting. And we are NOT defeated. We know the community takes care of each other, and we are continuing to support our community in new and transformative ways. Instead of shrinking, we are growing and expanding the work we do so that we can build a sustainable organization and support people in the different parts of their reproductive lives. Currently, we are operating with 10 team members, our largest team yet.

Kamyon Conner (she/her); executive director at Texas Equal Access Fund; Denton, Texas

Hearst Owned

People will always leave folks out. With the overturning of Roe, a lot of folks shifted to assisting people who can go out of state. And so it was just kind of like, Okay, what about the people who arent going to go out of state? What are they going to do? What about undocumented people without licenses and all these other groups? That was disappointing. But Ive also realized that theres always a group of people who get it. They realize that we need this reproductive justice work here, even if were in a state without abortion access.

Jenice Fountain (she/her); executive director of the Yellowhammer Fund; Birmingham, Alabama, serving Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle

Hearst Owned

We know now, as weve always known, that our legislatures, the government, and policies arent designed for us. They arent designed to provide equitable care. In order to get the care that we deserve and need, its going to take collective community care. We dont ask people to tell us what they need help for. We trust our communities. Community care in the form of mutual aid is definitely something thats even more important now, especially as folks fall deeper within the gaps.

Krystal Redman, DrPH, MHA (they/she); executive director of Spark Reproductive Justice; Atlanta, Georgia

Hearst Owned

#4: There is power in rest.

Hearst Owned

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We deserve restit is our duty. I always want to show that I am human first and prioritize my own joy. I play rugby as an outlet physically, and having community is helpful too. I have had interns and volunteers check and monitor my social media to protect me from the worst trolls. I have gone on a lot of vacations. I celebrate the big wins hard, like joyfully crying with my old intern manager after the passage of the EACA, expanding abortion access to Medicaid recipients and state employees in Rhode Island. I dont ignore the terrible headlines, but I am grounded in the reality that more people care and are committed to abortion access and are funding that more than ever before.

Tiara Mack (she/her); state senator and board member of Womens Health and Education Fund (Rhode Islands only abortion fund); Providence, Rhode Island

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I make sure to hold space for myself, my team, and our community. When Roe was overturned, our immediate call to action was to be in community with one another. We held a community discussion on what the impact meant to us in Ohio and for folks to share their feelings of anger, anxiousness, and sadness. You do not always have to be the one leading to be a valuable leader. There is power in rest and being still. It allows me to gain my strengthmentally, emotionally, physicallyfor the long fight ahead.

Rhiannon Carnes (she/her); executive director of Ohio Womens Alliance; Pickerington, Ohio

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Protecting mental health is difficult when youre under attack, but I try my best to keep appointments with my therapist, travel when able, and just take time off to find my peace and joy.

Erin Smith (they/them); executive director of the Kentucky Health Justice; Louisville, Kentucky

#5: Anti-choicers are *not* the majority.

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[Anti-choicers] overplayed their hand. We know that they attack abortion access to gain power and control. The antis let this small number take control of the movement, and their zealot-like behavior took the anti-abortion movement to its logical extremean extreme that the overwhelming number of people do not want. So now that they have shown everyone who they really are, we all believe them and are voting them out, taking back control, and shouting that we are pro-abortion from every bouncy tundra valley to glacial mountainside.

Rose OHara-Jolley (they/them); Alaska state director, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Anchorage, Alaska

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Ive learned that our opposition is afraid of the voice of the people. Last year, KHJN [the Kentucky Health Justice Network] was part of a ballot measure campaign that defeated a constitutional amendment that would have denied abortions in the state constitution. The people answered and the measure was defeated. Despite the victory, Kentucky is still battling the courts for the ban to be lifted. The state attorney generalnow GOP gubernatorial candidate for 2024denied the voice of the people. This win shows that ballot measures do not work when used to try to restrict the rights and needs of the people.

Erin Smith (they/them); executive director of the Kentucky Health Justice Network; Louisville, Kentucky

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The opposition, despite how strong they may seem, lacks the same level of joy and community that weve built with each other. Most of the attacks were seeing right now come from copied-and-pasted legislation written by right-wing think tanks, and that is no match for the work of true community building. When we organize effectively together, we have the power to defeat them. But it requires a true united front, which were still working to build.

Josie Pinto (she/they); cofounder and executive director of the Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire

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Anti-abortion activists are extremely well funded and well organized, but they are the minority in this country. For most of American history, abortion was not an issue at the forefront of politics. When Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, the American right wing didnt really care about abortion, not even the evangelical Christians. The shift that led to abortion being a hot topic for the right actually had nothing to do with abortionit was sparked by desegregation. After the Supreme Court ordered schools in the South to desegregate, many white parents pulled their children from public schools and sent them to all-white private schools that eventually had their tax-exempt statuses revoked, which enraged evangelical Christians and helped to solidify their role as leaders on the political right. Because publicly opposing desegregation was no longer socially acceptable, the right needed to find a new tactic. Criticizing Roe v. Wade and pushing back against abortion rights became a way to talk about government overreach, states rights, and the need to protect the family without having to actively oppose civil rights or desegregation. The anti-abortion movement in America is inextricably linked to race and has far less to do with abortion than many of us would guess. The anti-choice movement positions themselves as the movement for babies, for mothers, and for life, when in reality, abortion is often an act of lovefor the pregnant person, the parents, the other children in the home, and the unborn fetus.

Simran Singh Jain (she/they); membership coordinator at SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective; Durham, North Carolina

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#6: When people arent listening, we need to get louder.

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The reproductive justice movement requires brazen advocacy because the majority of folks support freedom and autonomy in multiple forms. Unless we all unapologetically and actively move toward that world together, we wont ever get there.

Rose OHara-Jolley (they/them); Alaska state director, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Anchorage, Alaska

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We cannot rely on the courts, because thats what got us into this horrible nightmare. Now the right wing is even trying to ban abortion medication such as mifepristone, and their ultimate goal is a nationwide abortion ban. We continue to protest in the streets, demanding Legal Abortion on Demand and Without Apology Nationwide, and we will not stop until this demand is met.

Liz Rees (she/her); activist with Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights; Honolulu, Hawaii

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There is no compromise on our autonomy. There is no negotiating away our human rights. And sometimes folks arent going to want to take the big risks with you, but change doesnt happen when we remain small and continue advocating for replicas of what existed in the past.

Eloisa Lopez (she/her); executive director for Pro-Choice Arizona and the Abortion Fund of Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona

#7: Abortion is not a dirty word.

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The grassroots energy fighting to protect abortion access feels infectious right now. We need to keep that up by speaking out and telling stories. Just saying the word abortion is vital in the fight. And VOTE, especially in local and regional elections.

Caitlin Shea; Chelseas Fund board member; Jackson, Wyoming

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After Dobbs, all the people and community groups who didnt want to associate with our work and organization in the past were suddenly talking about abortion everywhere. Abortion rights and access and the concept of reproductive justice finally broke into every household and office and company across America. It was a conversation that could no longer be ignored. Moving into uncomfortable conversations is a first step in normalizing and destigmatizing abortion health care.

Eloisa Lopez (she/her); executive director for Pro-Choice Arizona and the Abortion Fund of Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona

Abby Silverman - Getty Images

#8: Little victories matter.

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Chelseas Fundalong with several other plaintiffs including a Wyoming abortion clinic and two physicianshave filed suit against all three abortion bans that have been passed in the past two years in Wyoming. After winning a preliminary injunction against the first post-Dobbs ban, we won a temporary restraining order against the next ban, meaning abortion remains legal in Wyoming today. We will continue to fight these bans in court over the next year.

Caitlin Shea; Chelseas Fund board member; Jackson, Wyoming



We did a reproductive justice fellowship and taught everyone how to self-manage [an abortion] and also taught everyone how to teach their community to self-manage. Little strides like that do make me think, Okay, well, there are people who are ready to band together and do whatever it takes to keep people safe.

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Jenice Fountain (she/her); executive director of the Yellowhammer Fund; Birmingham, Alabama, serving Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle

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Our countrys political leaders, especially the U.S. Supreme Court majority, have betrayed us. But we are not giving up. I couldnt stop smiling in the days after the election last November when it became clear that the Reproductive Liberty Amendment won a majority in every single one of the 237 towns in Vermont.

Felicia Kornbluh, PhD (she/her); board vice president at Planned Parenthood of Vermont Action Fund; professor of history at University of Vermont; author of A Womans Life Is a Human Life: My Mother, Our Neighbor, and the Journey From Reproductive Rights to Reproductive Justice; Williston, Vermont

#9: We have to do a better job of amplifying the good stuff thats happening.

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Amazingly, in the past year, Wyoming gained an abortion clinic that provides comprehensive reproductive health care and abortion up to 23 weeks, 6 days [of pregnancy]. Prior to this clinic, the entire state had only one clinic plus a telehealth medication abortion provider that provided medication abortions up to 10 weeks. This is truly a monumental achievement during a time when the state is trying to severely restrict abortion access.

Caitlin Shea; Chelseas Fund board member; Jackson, Wyoming

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The unanimous decision by the Montana Supreme Court in Helen Weems v. State of Montana permanently struck down an unnecessary law that banned nurse practitioners and nurse midwives from providing abortion care in the state. The decision also reaffirmed the right to privacy and the fundamental right to seek abortion care under the Montana state constitution. Represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights and the Montana ACLU, this is a huge win for abortion access. The Montana State Constitution is a beautiful and visionary document. We have to fight like hell to maintain an impartial judiciary to protect it.

Helen Weems (she/her); nurse practitioner, founder, and sole clinician at All Families Healthcare; Whitefish, Montana

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#10: There is hope for the future.

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There is a reckoning happening in many health care spaces around how abortion seekers and abortion providers are viewed within medicine. Theres been a paradigm shift within the medical community on what needs to change going forward for abortion to be treated as the essential health care that it is. Although we have not won back reproductive freedom at the Idaho courts, we have educated and mobilized many in medicine to truly understand the impact of whats been lost post-Dobbs. In the next year, we will continue to break down the stigma around abortion that has kept it marginalized in medicine, especially since this is in direct contrast to how essential it is to the health, well-being, and safety of our communities.

Caitlin Gustafson, MD (she/her); rural family physician advocate and Physicians for Reproductive Health fellow; McCall, Idaho

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I worked at abortion clinics in Fargo, North Dakota, for nearly 30 years, but when the Dobbs decision came out last year, a trigger ban went into effect and we were forced to leave. But that didnt stop us. We opened a new clinic in Moorhead, Minnesota, in August 2022in just 47 days. It was under duress and in a very short time, but I am so proud of that. Ive had time to breathe, to dream, and to think about how we can leverage the support and momentum that we have in Minnesota to further solidify and protect abortion rights in that state. We hope to be providing telehealth medication abortions within the next year and to have expanded our building, which has been getting remodeled, to ensure an even better patient experience. Since being in Minnesota, Ive listened to state legislatures passionately defend abortion and speak eloquently about how its a vital health care need. Its been such a refreshing change from the hateful rhetoric we were used to in North Dakota.

Tammi Kromenaker (she/her); clinic director at Red River Womens Clinic; Moorhead, Minnesota

If you need an abortion, check out the resources at INeedAnA.com or AbortionFinder.org. You can also dive into the Guttmacher Institutes resources for more detailed info on the policies in your state.

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On Sunday, June 18, 2023, an underwater exploration vessel to the Titanic's wreckage lost contact with its chartered research ship, and its location remains unknown. The 22-foot-long submersible craft, aptly named the Titan, is owned by the Washington-based company OceanGate Expeditions. Five people are currently aboard.

The Titan lost contact about halfway through a two-and-a-half hour dive, per The New York Times. The submersible dives about 4000 feet down to the Titanic wreckage, and is equipped with about 96 hours of oxygen, per the OceanGate Expeditions website. As of June 20, the expedition only had about 40 hours of oxygen left, according to the New York Times.



With the National Guard racing the clock in attempt to find the missing submersible, here is everything to know about the Titan and its exploration:

What happened to the Titanic?

In April 1912, the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg four days into its journey from Southampton, England to New York City. It was the largest and most majestic passenger ship at the time, and its sinking is one of the most well-known tragedies. There were more than 1,500 fatalities (although the exact number is still unknown). Prior to its first and only voyage, the Titanic was deemed "unsinkable" for its design.

Where is the Titanic located?

The Titanic wreckage is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 370 miles off the coast of the Canadian province Newfoundland. It's about 2.4 miles beneath the ocean surface, and wasn't discovered by explorers until 1985, per The New York Times.



Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard is searching for the Titan with unwavering effort around the area of the Titanic wreckage.

Who is aboard the submarine?

As of June 20, only four of the five passengers aboard the Titan have been identifiedand one is rumored. The OceanGate Expeditions mission reportedly cost $250,000 per person for the eight-hour exploratory experience. Here are the known passengers of the Titan:

Hamish Harding: Harding, 58, is a British businessman and explorer. He is the chairman of Action Aviation and also traveled to space with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket company.

Victoria Sirakova - Getty Images

Paul-Henri Nargeolet: Paul-Henri, 77, has traveled down to the Titanic wreckage over 35 times. He is nicknamed "Mr. Titanic," and is the director for RMS Titanic, INC, a company that owns the salvage rights to the Titanic.

JOEL SAGET - Getty Images

Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood: Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman, 19, are also both aboard the Titan. Shahzada is vice chairman of the Engro Corporation, and the descendant of one of Pakistan's wealthiest families.



Reuters

Stockton Rush: It has not been confirmed by the company, but it is rumored that Stockton Rush, 61, the CEO and founder of OceanGate, is also currently aboard the Titan. His company has embarked on about 200 dives, but started offering the immersive Titanic experience in 2021, per The Daily Beast.

Reuters

If the submersible is still underwater, there is no way to rescue those aboard.

There is a possibility the submersible has returned to the ocean's surface, but if it is still underwater, a rescue mission is likely out of the question. To date, the deepest submarine rescue that's been accomplished traveled down only 1,500 feetand the Titan could be as far as 13,000 feet down, per CBS News.

Very few vessels can manage to go that deep, and if they are able to recover the submersible, it could take weeks. Searchers are currently scouring the area around the Titanic wreckage for the boat, and weather conditions have improved since the submersible went missing. Hopefully, the Titan will be found soon.

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Courtesy of Netflix



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Content warning: The following piece contains mentions of suicide, abuse, and trauma and may be triggering for some. Reader discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or visit their website.

Maya Kowalski was only 10 years old when she was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in 2016 for symptoms from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a rare illness that made her sensitive to stimuli of all kinds and that disabling pain radiated through her legs and feet, requiring the use of a wheelchair," as reported by The Cut. As seen in the new Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya, the medical team began to question her parents, Beata and Jack Kowalsk's, involvement in her illness after her mother suggested ketamine, a drug that had previously been prescribed to help alleviate Maya's symptoms. They believed the young girl was a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a condition in which a parent deliberately makes a child ill in order to reap sympathy and gratitude.

Hospital staffers later contacted the Department of Children and Families and Dr. Sally Smith, a child-abuse pediatrician. Social worker Catherine Cathi Bedy was eventually brought in to examine the situation, and Maya was put into state custody, where she was unable to see her parents for over three months.

Maya's mother, Beata's mental health began to decline, and in January 2017, she died by suicide. People shared an email Beata had written that was discovered after her death: "I 'm sorry, but I no longer can take the pain of being away from Maya and being treated like a criminal. I cannot watch my daughter suffer in pain and keep getting worse." Maya was released into her father's custody days later.

According to The Cut, the Kowalski family filed a lawsuit against the hospital, Child Abuse Pediatrician Dr. Sally Smith, All Children's Hospital, the Department of Children and Families Suncoacst Center Inc (a privatized health system that employed Smith), and Maya's social worker, Catherine Cathi Bedy. Bedy's role in Maya's hospitalization and subsequent lawsuit has left viewers wondering where she is now. Read ahead for everything we know about where Cathi Bedy is now.



Who is Catherine "Cathi" Bedy?

Prior to encountering Maya's family at All Children's Hospital, Bedy held a previous role managing foster-care children for Suncoast. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bedy was arrested on child abuse charges after she was accused of holding a 10-year-old to the ground and covering his face with a towel in June 2007. According to the outlet, Bedy "grabbed the boy's head, causing him to fall down," and "placed both knees on the boy's chest" before he turned red and said that he couldn't breathe. The Cut claims Bedy, in a court deposition, denied using her knees on the child. She also declined comment for the outlet's article.

According to The Cut, Bedy would escort Maya on afternoon walks on hospital grounds. The social worker declined several of Beata's FaceTime calls that were allowed as part of the state's shelter order. In January 2017, Bedy and a nurse reportedly entered Maya's room and told her to undress so that they could take photos of her body before a court proceeding. The Cut claims Maya refused to cooperate, and Bedy "began to forcibly remove her pants and shirts." Maya wrote a detailed description of the account in a legal filing.

So, where is Catherine Cathi Bedy now?

According to Cathi's LinkedIn profile, she lives in Clearwater, Florida, and is employed as a licensed clinical social worker at OBGYN Associates.

A judge determined that there was evidence for punitive damages for Kowalski's claims of battery and false imprisonment. Earlier this year, Suncoast and Smith settled their portion of the lawsuit for $2.5 million. The case against All Children's Hospital and Bedy will begin in September 2023.





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Netflix seems to have gotten its own real-life "Jaws" remake. A crew for the streaming service that was filming in Hawaii recently experienced back-to-back encounters with tiger sharks that resulted in one "exploded" boat and an emergency landing.

The crew was filming for the Netflix docu-series "Our Planet II," narrated by British biologist Sir David Attenborough. Huw Cordey, one of the show's producers, told Forbes that at one point, the team was following a Laysan albatross chick in Hawaii to see how the "longest-lived birds" journey around the planet. They wanted to do an underwater shoot around the Hawaiian island of Laysan where they could film tiger sharks waiting in the shallows as albatross chick spend the first months of their lives learning how to fly.

"But the first day the tiger sharks were around, the crew got into these inflatable boats  and two sharks attacked them," Cordey said. "It was like something out of 'Jaws.' The crew was panicked, and basically made an emergency landing on the sand."

Toby Nowlan, a producer and director for the show's first and third episodes, also spoke of the ordeal. He told Radio Times that when the crew was in the inflatable boats, there was suddenly a "v" of water that "came streaming towards us."

"This tiger shark leapt at the boat and bit huge holes in it," he said. "The whole boat exploded. We were trying to get it away and it wasn't having any of it. It was horrific. That was the second shark that day to attack us."

Nowlan said that the crew was only about 328 feet from the shore, so they were able to make it safely to land, though barely. On land, they then patched the boat and deployed a rubber dinghy  but that was attacked by giant travallies, marine fishes that can grow to be up to 6 feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds. That attack knocked out the dinghy's motor.

The behavior of the sharks they encountered was "extremely unusual," Nowlan told Radio Times.

"They were incredibly hungry, so there might not have been enough natural food and they were just trying anything they came across in the water," he said.

"Our Planet II," was released on Netflix on June 14, and contains four episodes that are about 50 minutes each. Each episode follows animal populations as they continue to navigate an ever-changing planet, including humpback whales, polar bears, bees, sea turtles and gray whales.

Despite the "horrific" circumstances of the crew's experience with tiger sharks in Hawaii, shark attacks remain rare. Kayleigh Grant, the founder of Kaimana Ocean Safari in Hawaii, previously told CBS News that people "shouldn't be scared of sharks."

"Sharks are not out to get us. They are not like what has been portrayed in 'Jaws,'" Grant said, adding that the animals are "really misunderstood."

"...They're not the enemy. They're something that we should be working with to help keep the ecosystem healthy and in balance."

Wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin has also told CBS News that sharks are indicators of healthy ecosystems, and that while it's the unwanted encounters with them that make headlines, they are typically all around people with them not even knowing it.

"The truth is  when you're in the water, if you're in a healthy marine ecosystem...you're often never more than 100 yards from a shark," Corwin said. "...In places in the world  marine environments where we see collapse  often the first thing we see is a disappearance of their apex predator, which are sharks. ... They've been on our planet for 100 million years. It tells us something's awry when we lose our sharks."

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A car split in half during a high-speed crash that killed the passenger, according to Florida police.

The sedan was traveling at a high speed on June 20 in Seminole when the driver lost control just before 10 p.m., according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The car left the road and hit a guide wire used to stabilize a utility pole, the report says. The car then slammed into a block wall and tore into two pieces.

A 30-year-old passenger died and a 26-year-old driver was seriously injured in a high-speed crash on June 20, Florida police said.

The back end of the car kept traveling and hit a tree and two fences before landing in someones backyard, according to the report.

Photos from the scene show two mangled pieces of a car with twisted metal and debris.

The occupants were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, Florida police said.

Both the 26-year-old driver and a 30-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital, the report says. There was no one else in the car.

The passenger died of his injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was not identified in the report.

The driver was seriously injured, according to the report. Neither occupant had been wearing a seat belt, police said.

Seminole is about 25 miles southwest of Tampa.

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By Trevor Hunnicutt and Ryan Woo

KENTFIELD, California/BEIJING (Reuters) -China hit back on Wednesday after U.S. President Joe Biden referred to President Xi Jinping as a "dictator", saying the remarks were absurd and a provocation, in an unexpected spat immediately following efforts by both sides to lower tensions.

Biden's comments came just a day after top U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing to stabilize bilateral relations that China says are at their lowest point since formal ties were established.

Attending a fundraiser in California, Biden said Xi was very embarrassed when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was blown off course over U.S. airspace early this year, making a personal comment on the Chinese leader when Blinken said on Monday the "chapter" should be closed.

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didn't know it was there," Biden said.

"That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened. That wasn't supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course," Biden added.

Xi became China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong after securing a precedent-breaking third term as president in March and head of the Communist Party in October.

Biden also said China "has real economic difficulties."

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Biden's remarks were "extremely absurd" and "irresponsible".

Expressing China's strong dissatisfaction, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Biden's comments seriously violated facts, diplomatic protocol and China's political dignity.

"They're an open political provocation," she told a news conference.

Asked how aware Xi had been about the balloon's movements, Mao reiterated China's previous explanation that the passage of the balloon through U.S. airspace had been unintended and caused by circumstances beyond its control.

'BIG MOUTH'

"Biden's big mouth is a loose cannon," said Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai.

"Mutual trust is what China has been stressing, so Biden's comments are very destructive and damaging," Wu said, while adding that the remarks may not totally undo what Blinken had achieved on his China visit.

Blinken and Xi agreed in their meeting on Monday to stabilize the intense rivalry between Washington and Beijing so it did not veer into conflict.

While no breakthroughs were made during the first visit to China by a U.S. secretary of state for five years, both sides did agree to continue diplomatic engagement with more visits by U.S. officials in the coming weeks and months.

Biden said later on Tuesday that U.S. climate envoy John Kerry may go to China soon.

A day earlier, on Monday, Biden said he thought relations between the two countries were on the right path, and he indicated that progress was made during Blinken's trip.

Chiming in from Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Biden's comments contradicted the efforts of his secretary of state to ease tensions with Beijing, describing the remarks as "incomprehensible".

"These are very contradictory manifestations of U.S. foreign policy, which speak of a large element of unpredictability," Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

"However, that's their business," Peskov said. "We've our own bad relations with the United States of America and our very good relations with the People's Republic of China."

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; additional reporting by Ryan Woo, Ethan Wang and Albee Zhang in Beijing; Writing by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Stephen Coates & Simon Cameron-Moore)
President Biden, while attending a fundraiser in California on Tuesday, called Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator.

The U.S. president also echoed comments about a Chinese spy balloon that drifted across the U.S. earlier this year, saying Xi was embarrassed that the balloon was blown off course.

Reuters reported that Biden made the remarks at a fundraiser in California, a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the Chinese president in China to ease tensions between the two countries.

BIDEN ATTENDS SILICON VALLEY FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY BILLIONAIRE WHO TRAVELED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN'S ISLAND

President Biden, right, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they meet on the sidelines of the G20 leaders summit in Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 14, 2022.

Following his meeting with Xi on Monday, Blinken told reporters the relationship between the U.S. and China took a "positive step" during his trip, as both agreed on the need to stabilize the relationship.

Biden said over the weekend he hopes to speak with Xi about how the U.S. and Beijing can "get along."

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Biden planned to attend four fundraisers in California since his arrival on Monday, as he ramps up his 2024 campaign.

Reuters contributed to this report.
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada and the Dominican Republic have agreed that Canada will coordinate assistance for Haiti by boosting staff at its embassies in Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo, the countries said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The agreement settles a public dispute last week over a proposed Canadian office in Dominican territory that risked further complicating an international plan to boost Haiti's outgunned police force.

"Canada and the Dominican Republic have solid bilateral relations and are long standing partners including on regional security matters," the joint statement said.

Both countries agree that the Haiti crisis requires enhanced international cooperation, humanitarian, and security assistance, the statement said.

"We will enhance coordination in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Canada and other locations as required including through increased presence at the Canadian embassies in Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo," the countries said in the statement.

Last week, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced plans to set up an office to coordinate Haiti assistance in the neighboring Dominican Republic, but a day later, her Dominican counterpart, Roberto Alvarez, said there was no deal to authorize such an office.

The Dominican Republic has strained relations with Haiti, with which it shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Since gang violence escalated last year in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Santo Domingo has stepped up border security and deported tens of thousands fleeing the crisis back to Haiti.

Since last year, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has called for an international force to rein in the gangs. The groups now control large parts of the country, which has fueled a humanitarian crisis that has displaced tens of thousands of Haitians.

The United States has pushed Canada to take a leading role, but to date no country has offered to lead an international force.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Chris Reese and Sandra Maler)
A Canadian aircraft deployed to assist with rescue efforts for the missing Titanic tourist submersible picked up "underwater noises" in the vessel's search area, according to the Coast Guard (USCG).

"Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area," the USCG in the Northeast region announced on Twitter early Wednesday morning.

The Coast Guard said the detection of the underwater sounds in the designated search area prompted investigators to deploy remotely operated vehicle to relocate and investigate the origin of the unusual noises.

Though the search efforts "yielded negative results," the USCG said the operation continues.

ONE OF PAKISTAN'S RICHEST MEN, SON, ABOARD MISSING OCEANGATE TITANIC TOURIST SUBMARINE

Search and rescue operations continue by the U.S. Coast Guard in Boston after a tourist submarine bound for the Titanic's wreckage site went missing off the southeastern coast of Canada.

The branch stated that data has been shared with experts in the U.S. Navy for "further analysis" that will be considered in future search plans.

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As of Tuesday morning, over 10,000 square miles had been searched in efforts to find the 21-foot submersible, the Coast Guard reported, but the vessel has not been detected since it disappeared on Sunday.

The sub, which is carrying five people, was in the process of diving approximately 12,500 feet underwater to view the Titanic's wreckage site.

The 21-foot submersible had five people on board when it lost contact with Canadian research vessel Polar Prince approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive to view the Titanic wreckage site.

OCEANGATE, COMPANY BEHIND MISSING TITANIC TOURIST SUB, ONCE SUBJECT OF LAWSUIT OVER SAFETY COMPLAINTS

First Coast Guard District Response Coordinator Capt. Jamie Frederick said multiple agencies with expertise and special equipment are participating in the "complex" search effort.

"While the Coast Guard has assumed the role of Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, we do not have all of the necessary expertise and equipment required in a search of this nature," Frederick said. "The Unified Command brings that expertise and additional capability together to maximize effort in solving this complex problem."

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick discusses "complex" search efforts for the submersible that went missing during a deep dive to view the Titantic's wreckage site.

Earlier on Tuesday after a press briefing, Chief Petty Officer Robert Simpson declined reports of an alleged tapping or banging noise coming from the vessel, adding that crews have not heard "any sounds from the sub."

The submersible, which was only equipped with a 96-hour oxygen supply, began its dive at 8 a.m. on Sunday and was expected to resurface at 3 p.m. The Coast Guard said it received a report at 5:40 p.m. from Canadian research vessel Polar Prince alerting that the sub was overdue for its return.

The Polar Prince also reported that it lost contact with the sub approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive.
Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong enters the Seoul Central District Court to attend a hearing for conspiracy allegations in an illegal merger and accounting fraud in this October 2022 file photo. Yonhap



By Park Jae-hyuk



Debate is heating up on whether the government should ask Samsung to compensate $108.5 million worth of taxpayers' money that is to be paid to Elliott Management, or whether the country should lodge an appeal against the international tribunal's latest ruling in favor of the U.S. private equity firm, according to industry officials, Wednesday.



The controversy was sparked when the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands delivered a verdict on Tuesday, ordering the Korean government to pay Elliott $53.59 million  around 7 percent of the amount the U.S. firm had claimed  in addition to interest in arrears and legal fees.



The court saw that the Korean government is responsible for the losses of Samsung C&T shareholders, as the National Pension Service approved in 2015 the company's controversial merger with Cheil Industries, which was apparently intended for Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong to inherit the group's control from his father.



Progressive civic groups and the opposition bloc urged the government to ask Lee's family and former government officials under the Park Geun-hye administration to make up for the loss.



"For the sake of the Samsung owner's family and Lee's illegal managerial succession, Korea is on the verge of paying around 130 billion won worth of taxpayers' money," the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice said in a statement, Wednesday. "It is reasonable for Lee's family and those responsible for the case to make full compensation."









Lawyer Song Ki-ho of the law firm Suryun Asia, which specializes in international trade laws, also said the government should consider asking Lee and Park to indemnify the country's loss.



"If the government continues to lodge an appeal against the international tribunal's ruling, it will not be able to exercise its right to ask offenders to make compensation," he said.



When the government lost in the previous international litigations filed by Iran's Dayyani and U.S. Lone Star Funds, it did not attempt to get compensation from those who were responsible for the legal battles, according to the lawyer.





Samsung C&T's flag waves in front of the company's office building in Seoul in this file photo. Newsis
BEIJING (AP)  After years of breakneck growth, Chinas security and surveillance industry is now focused on shoring up its vulnerabilities to the United States and other outside actors, worried about risks posed by hackers, advances in artificial intelligence and pressure from rival governments.

The renewed emphasis on self-reliance, combating fraud and hardening systems against hacking was on display at the recent Security China exhibition in Beijing, illustrating just how difficult it will be to get Beijing and Washington to cooperate even as researchers warn that humankind faces common risks from AI. The show took place just days after Chinas ruling Communist Party warned officials of the risks posed by artificial intelligence.

Looming over the four-day meet: Chinas biggest geopolitical rival, the United States. American-developed AI chatbot ChatGPT was a frequent topic of conversation, as were U.S. efforts to choke off Chinas access to cutting-edge technology.

This new technology contains a great potential danger, said Fan Weicheng, Director of Tsinghua Universitys Center for Public Safety Research. He clicked through a presentation featuring an AI-generated figure of Barack Obama speaking, illustrating the risks of deceptive images and video that can now be digitally created.

The United States has a 21st century national security strategy. Russia has a national security strategy. Germany has a strategy. So does Japan," Fan said. We in China are also working on this.

Chinese academics, Fan says, are working on an early warning system to identify and manage potentially disruptive technology, creating indexes and formulas to measure the impact emerging technology could have on China's national security.

In the past decade, Chinas AI technology has made rapid advances, fueled in part through cooperation with American research institutes and tech firms. As in the U.S., Chinese leaders are worried about advances in artificial intelligence.

But there's an additional challenge. As geopolitical tensions have reached a fever pitch in recent years, Washington has moved to cut Chinas access to American technology  pushing Chinese tech firms towards self-reliance.

Remarks from a meeting chaired by Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month urged a renewed focus on potential risks from new technologies.

The complexity and severity of national security problems faced by our country have increased dramatically, said a readout of the meeting by the official Xinhua news agency. We must be prepared for worst-case and extreme scenarios.

China needs to develop locally-made products and become self-reliant, while keeping an eye on new developments coming out of the West, exhibition-goers said.

It's the AI era. The future has arrived, said Liu Caixia, a director at a Chinese policing research institute. Those in the academic community are feeling fear.

Weve seen in some sci-fi blockbusters, theres only intelligent machines left in the world, and human beings are kept like pets, said Liu. What kind of attitude should we adopt to deal with it?

Lius answer was clear and in line with China's determination to lead in cutting edge technologies: Push forward, and deploy AI in new fields.

But it also reflects a contradiction between Chinas technology ambitions and deepening concerns about the possible social and political risks of such technologies. China's tech firms have approached chatbots like ChatGPT with caution, for example, because of heavy censorship, having AI generate politically sensitive content is a no-go.

But ChatGPT begs the question: Should China rush to embrace AI and possibly fall prey to its pitfalls, or tiptoe cautiously and risk falling behind the United States?

Across the Pacific, American tech executives and policymakers are grappling with the same questions. Waves of U.S. sanctions have targeted Chinese chipmakers and AI companies to restrict Beijings access to cutting-edge technology. Politicians worry about Chinas growing prominence in the field.

With Sino-U.S. frictions at a boiling point, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing this week to stabilize ties, seeking to assure Chinese counterparts that Washington was not looking to decouple from China  only de-risk and diversify.

Though both sides declared the trip a success, Beijing expressed frustration with U.S. sanctions, with Chinas top foreign affairs official Wang Yi demanding the U.S. abandon suppression of Chinas technological development.

Some experts believe cooperation, not conflict, is necessary to confront what they see as a threat to all humanity. Earlier this month, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dialed into a conference hosted by the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence to encourage collaboration between Chinese and American researchers to mitigate the risks of AI.

The stakes for international cooperation have never been higher, Altman said, noting that China was home to some of the worlds top AI researchers. We must manage the risk together.

Such concerns were mirrored at the conference in China, where executives expressed concern about the potential for AI-generated voice and imagery to be used in fraud, hacking, and disinformation campaigns.

The potential for fraud is very high, said Li Congting, chief AI scientist at video surveillance manufacturer Uniview. Many people have already played around with ChatGPT. Everyone thinks its ability to interact is really good, like theres a real person behind it.

Scientists and tech industry leaders in the U.S., including high-level executives at Microsoft and Google, recently warned about the potential perils of artificial intelligence.

Many Chinese researchers echoed those concerns. But at the Beijing expo, there was little talk of cooperation with the United States.

Tech innovation has become the main battlefield of international geopolitics, said Gao Lei, a top official at a state-run enterprise managed by Chinas Ministry of Public Security. The US has escalated its suppression of Chinas tech industry, Gao said, saying it was imperative to replace American technology with local computer chips.

Though both countries grapple with concerns about AI, stark differences in their approaches to the technology make cooperation difficult.

China has built one of the most intrusive digital surveillance systems in the world, blanketing city streets and rural villages with cameras and tracking citizens through chat apps and mobile phones.

The U.S. government has sanctioned many Chinese tech companies for their role in Beijings high-tech crackdown in Chinas far west Xinjiang region, where digital technology was used to flag ethnic minorities for arrest on often spurious grounds.

Many of the companies at the expo had been sanctioned, including telecoms giant Huawei, camera-maker Hikvision and surveillance specialist Meiya Pico. A representative for Meiya Pico declined an interview with The AP, citing a blanket ban on speaking with foreign media.

Use of policing technology in the U.S. is constrained by civil society and legal challenges. But that has not prevented many from deploying questionable privacy-infringing tech including facial recognition and predictive policing, feeding charges of hypocrisy and fueling suspicions in China that U.S. sanctions are politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies are continuing to deploy technology in ways that Western lawmakers find concerning.

At the conference, one China Mobile researcher discussed drones his company was providing to the Hong Kong police. They were used to monitor protesters during 2019 anti-government protests, the researcher said. Advances in 5G telecommunications technology mean officers no longer need to pilot the drones in the field, but can do so from the comfort of their offices.

With the click of a mouse, they can get drone footage from the field sent to their computer, said the researcher, Su Yu. This improves efficiency.

With tensions at an all-time high, experts say, its an open question whether the two countries can find a way to work together.

How do the U.S. and China coexist with such fundamentally different norms around the use of technology and society? said Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at Yale Law School studying Chinese tech policy. We have to find a way forward. Politically, it is not going to be easy to do.
Women who court records indicate they were targeted with stalking, peeping, indecent exposure say Wake County criminal justice system fails them. (imaginima/Getty Images)

A bill that could soon be on the state Senate floor would allow an increase in lobbyists for the Conference of District Attorneys, a group whose director is married to the groups current lobbyist.

Even with a single lobbyist, or liaison, the prosecutors group already wields influence in the General Assembly. Multiple measures have been proposed in the current session to benefit the group, from the increase in lobbyists to a taxpayer-funded pension.

At the same time, the DAs group is also pushing for stricter rules for the process of reversing wrongful convictions.

The current executive director of the Conference of District Attorneys is Kimberly Spahos, who is married to Chuck Spahos, a liaison who lobbies for the conference, according to state lobbying records.

She makes $147,142 per year, and Chuck Spahos makes $144,602 per year, according to Office of State Controller data analyzed by The N&O.

Allowing for more lobbyists

House Bill 193 would increase the number of liaisons allowed for the group from one to as many as four, though the groups president said there are no immediate plans to do so.

Conference of District Attorneys President Ernest Lee told The News & Observer on Wednesday that the bill wouldnt necessarily add liaisons for the agency, but that it wouldnt have to go through the Administrative Office of the Courts if it chooses to do so. That would not mean additional hires, he said.

It simply allows for the designation of existing personnel on an as needed basis, Lee said.

Most agencies dont have to seek permission to appoint liaisons, he said in an email, so the bill puts the agency on the same footing.

HB 193, which also includes other changes to courts, has sailed through committees with little to no discussion after being presented by the bills sponsor, Rep. Sarah Stevens, a Mount Airy Republican and the House speaker pro tem.

Among other proposals that have come to the surface in this years legislative session:

 House Republican budget leaders removed a provision in their budget proposal that would have moved the groups executive director into a more lucrative pension system reserved for judges and other high-level judicial employees. The pension payout would have cost taxpayers more than $642,000 and was removed after The News & Observer wrote about it.

 A new law allows the conference to provide legal counsel and advice to district attorneys and their staff. It also exempts this counsel from public records laws. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 116 into law on June 9. It had passed the Senate unanimously.

 Earlier versions of that bill provided that the executive director of the conference receive longevity pay, which allows district attorneys and others to receive yearly bonuses that increase with years in service.

In late April, when longevity pay was under consideration, The N&O tried to reach Stevens by emailing, calling and stopping by her legislative office but was unsuccessful. The N&O emailed Stevens on Wednesday to ask about the lobbyists bill.

Why pay and benefits are under consideration

Also in late April, Spahos forwarded an inquiry about the pay and pension provisions to the groups executive committee, which provided Seth Banks, president-elect of the conference and DA for the 35th Prosecutorial District, to answer questions.

Banks said Spahos already receives longevity pay due to her role as a resource prosecutor.

A resource prosecutor is a former assistant district attorney who has left the employment of the district attorneys office to serve in a specific, time-limited position, with the conference, state law says.

Our effort in HB 116, or I think the legislatures effort in HB 116, was to codify current practice, Banks said in late April, when the pay provisions were still included in the bill.

The bill, said Banks, was also meant to recognize Spahos status, essentially, as a peer with the director of IDS.

The North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services provides legal representation for defendants and others. The director, who receives longevity pay and the enhanced judicial retirement benefits, prepares and submits the proposed budget for the agency, maintains financial records for the office and more.

Meanwhile, the Conference of District Attorneys is made up of the states elected DAs, who meet twice a year. The director is responsible for developing programs and materials and consensus-building, according to the conferences website. They do not receive judicial retirement benefits and receipt of longevity pay is not codified in state law.

Other people who are part of that retirement system include judges, district attorneys, clerks of superior court and public defenders.

Banks said theres an equity issue as Spahos position is similar to the IDS position, and other appointed positions that qualify for the enhanced retirement benefits.

The executive director of the Conference of District Attorneys, its a big role, he said.

The N&O asked Banks on Wednesday about the latest provision adding more lobbyists for the conference. He deferred to the president of the conference, Ernest Lee.

Pension payout that was removed

Under the budget provision considered earlier this year, Kimberly Spahos and future conference directors would have been moved into the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System from the Teachers and State Employees Retirement System, according to an actuarial note from the Retirement Systems Division under the State Treasurers Office.

After reporting from The N&O, the provision that wouldve allowed Spahos to receive enhanced retirement benefits was removed as part of a technical corrections amendment at the end of a several hours-long Appropriations Committee meeting.

Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat and former judge, told The N&O in March that state employees have a certain retirement system that they contribute to, and a judicial retirement benefit is almost twice as much.

Its a very preferred retirement, but its for judges. Its for elected DAs, its for the chief appointed public defender ... people who have been elected, and (those) who have tremendous responsibilities in courtrooms, she said.

This particular position is a Conference of DAs who meets twice a year who oversees or coordinates 40 DAs. So for that type of job to be in judicial retirement is an outlier from all the other positions. Morey said.

In late April, in regards to HB 116, Morey said, here we go, again, with a special paragraph, benefiting one person in one state position.

I just see suddenly these special extravagant benefits are coming out in our statute for one person, she said.

Wrongful convictions bill moves forward

Another bill that involves the conference could significantly lengthen the timeline for cases to determine whether the state wrongfully convicted someone, detractors say.

The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, created by the legislature in 2006, reviews criminal cases in which there may have been a wrongful conviction. DAs prosecute those cases.

Three judges consider evidence at a hearing and then vote whether the person is innocent. The vote must be unanimous.

In the hearing, all credible, verifiable evidence relevant to the case, even if considered by a jury or judge in a prior proceeding, may be presented, says state law.

Under the bill, which passed the Senate rules committee Wednesday, the North Carolina Rules of Evidence would apply, which are stricter.

Democratic Sen. Natasha Marcus, during a committee meeting Tuesday, questioned the need for these changes, asking whether the commission has been finding people to be innocent wrongly in some way? Or why are we changing the way in which theyre currently operating?

Republican Rep. Reece Pyrtle, the bills main sponsor, replied that the legislation follows conversations with stakeholders, and would provide that as early as possible, district attorneys (are) confronted with new evidence that provides innocence or that undermines the evidence that was relied upon for the conviction, act to see that the defendants case is resolved appropriately.

Its leveling the playing field for the district attorneys, he said.

Since its inception, 15 individuals have been exonerated through the innocence commissions process or as a result of its investigations. It has also confirmed guilt in 10 cases, according to its website.

Theres already a very high burden for evidence, said Bradley Bannon, past president of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, who said he represents people who claim to be innocent.

If the rules of evidence were made to apply at this stage, they would extraordinarily lengthen both the pre-hearing process and the hearing process itself, Bannon said.

But Lee, the conference president, wrote that using the rules of evidence would create consistency in the state when these panels conduct hearings.

As to the allegation that this would lengthen the time to conduct a hearing, I would point out that historically these cases rarely go all the way to a three-judge panel, and when they do, the bill would provide for a full and thorough hearing of the evidence in each case, Lee wrote.

Chuck Spahos told lawmakers the conference supports the change and that if youre going to undermine the jurys verdict and the judges sentence, then you should do it with admissible evidence.
BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union countries on Wednesday agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine aimed at countering sanctions circumvention through third countries and businesses.

The EU had previously imposed 10 rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Banks, companies and markets have been hit  even parts of the sensitive energy sector. More than 1,000 officials are subject to asset freezes and travel bans.

Much work in the latest batch of sanctions has involved closing loopholes so that goods vital to Putins war effort don't get through via nations that trade with the EU and have maintained a business-as-usual relationship with Moscow.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU's executive arm, said the new package will deal a further blow to Putins war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin.

Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods, she added.

It is the first time that plans have been announced to target trade via other countries, apart from sanctions against Iranians alleged to be supplying drones to Russia.

It also prohibits the transit via Russia of products and technologies which might help boost its defense and security sector.

Under the latest package, if the EU sees for example that exports of a certain computer chip increase five-fold to one nation, and then sees that such exports from the country increase by about the same amount to Russia, the bloc would be able to take tougher action to end the practice.

The new package specifically allows the implementation of measures restricting the sale, or export of sensitive dual-use goods and technology to third countries who could then transfer them to Russia. Under the new rules, the EU could exert much more pressure to end the practice than before.

It does give a big stick with which the EU can say: please dont do it, and then, if it continues we go to restrictive measures, said an official from an EU nation on condition of anonymity because the rules had yet to be published in the EU's official journal.

The rules cannot be excessively rigid, since the EU does not want to immediately alienate nations.

We need to look for a balance with nations. When we address their bad behavior, we have to make sure we don't immediately drive them into the arms of Putin, the official said.

The new package will also target 71 extra persons and 33 entities in relation with the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Also included is the prohibition to access to ports in the EU by vessels engaged in ship-to-ship transfers when there is a suspicion that a boat is not respecting the ban on importing seaborne Russian crude oil and petroleum products into the bloc.

In addition, the package extends the suspension of the broadcasting licenses in the EU of five Russian media outlets under state control.

Past sanctions have been agreed on in just months  extremely quickly for the EU. But new measures are becoming increasingly hard to endorse as they inflict damage on the economic and political interests of some member countries even as they aim for the Kremlin.

Hungary, for instance, had said earlier this week it wouldn't allow EU measures targeting Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom, insisting on the importance of nuclear energy for Europes security and environmental goals.

Hungary signed new agreements in April to ensure its continued access to Russian energy, a sign of the countrys continuing diplomatic and trade ties with Moscow that have confounded some European leaders amid the war in Ukraine.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
By Yimou Lee

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's government says China will try to interfere in key elections in January by illicitly funding Beijing-friendly candidates using communications apps or group tours, according to three internal security reports reviewed by Reuters.

President Tsai Ing-wen's government has repeatedly warned of China's attempts to influence public opinion on the democratically governed island, which Beijing claims as its own territory despite Taipei's strong objections.

Although senior Taiwan officials, including the head of the National Security Council, Wellington Koo, have this year warned that China could try to sway the presidential and legislative elections with influence campaigns including misinformation, details of how Taiwan thinks China may use illicit funding have not previously been reported.

"They hope to influence Taiwanese people by reaching out to the grassroots," said one Taiwan security official with direct knowledge of the matter. "They hope to influence swing voters who don't have particular political affiliation and would vote for whoever gives them benefits."

High on the government's watch list for likely recipients in Taiwan are small political parties that support Beijing's sovereignty claims over the island, local councillors, and temples that engage in exchange activities with China, according one of the classified reports reviewed by Reuters.

Beijing could also offer free trips to China to hundreds of Taiwanese involved in election campaigns ahead of the vote to "influence voting decisions", another of the internal reports said, pointing to local politicians such as borough chiefs and village heads.

The government formed a cross-ministry security task force dubbed "Ping Shun", or safe and sound, this year to look into possible voting interference at home or abroad, according to that person and another security official with direct knowledge of the matter. Both declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

It is illegal under Taiwanese law for an election campaign to receive money from "external hostile forces," including China.

According to another of the internal reports, which Reuters has reviewed and is based upon Taiwanese intelligence, China could send money in via popular Chinese social networking and chat app WeChat, which allows direct transfers among users, and is available in Taiwan.

The Chinese government could "instruct candidates to set up public WeChat accounts and then mobilise users to give monetary support via 'viewer donations'," the report said. WeChat allows individuals to transfer up to 50,000 yuan ($6,971) to others in a single transaction and a maximum of 200,000 yuan a day.

The report, citing an analysis of intelligence, also said China could work with travel agencies and ask members of group tours to carry cash into Taiwan. The report said the underground banking systems in Taiwan, which are widely known but difficult to regulate, could provide foreign exchange support.

"The Chinese Communist Party could financially support specific domestic groups or people and give them political donations or funding needed for elections," a third classified report from the agency said.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment. China has refused to talk to Tsai or her Democratic Progressive Party, calling them separatists. She cannot run for president again because of term limits.

"China has used various means to actively intervene in elections to interfere in or influence election results," Taiwan's China policy-making Mainland Affairs Council told Reuters, adding the moves were meant to push for China's political agenda that included "promoting unification" with Taiwan.

Some Taiwanese have been prosecuted in recent years over receiving illicit support from China in election campaigns. A government unit in southern China sponsored COVID-19 self-testing kits for the election campaign of a borough chief candidate in New Taipei City last year, who was this month found guilty of violating bribery and anti-infiltration laws.

The reports say other possible funding channels include payment cards that use the China UnionPay network, which allows Taiwanese to legally withdraw money from bank accounts in China, as well as via direct transfers to Taiwan-based charitable funds.

($1 = 7.1717 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting By Yimou Lee. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
By Jarrett Renshaw and Hyunjoo Jin

(Reuters) - Texas said it will require electric vehicle charging companies to include both Tesla's NACS standard as well as the CCS standard if they want to be part of a state program to electrify the state's highways using federal dollars.

The move comes in response to GM, Ford and Rivian adopting the Tesla standard and shunning efforts by the Biden administration to make CCS the dominant charging standard in the United States.

"The decision by Ford, GM, and now Rivian to adopt NACS changed requirements for Phase 1. Each Direct Current Fast Charge port will be required to have 1 CCS connector and 1 NACS connector," the Texas Department of Transportation said in an email to Reuters on Tuesday.

(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Chris Reese)
By Aram Roston and Joseph Tanfani

BOCA RATON, Florida (Reuters) - Ukrainian-American businessman Lev Parnas and his business partner were arrested in 2019, accused by the U.S. government of funneling a Russian oligarchs money into American political campaigns. One recipient of Parnas donations -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis -- has said he was barely an acquaintance.

The governor does not have a relationship with these individuals, DeSantis spokesperson at the time, Helen Aguirre Ferre, said in a statement on Oct. 10, 2019. Six days later, DeSantis told reporters that Parnas "was just like any other donor, nothing more than that.

But DeSantis and Parnas worked more closely together than the Republican governor has disclosed, according to a detailed account of their relationship Parnas provided to Reuters and 63 previously unreported text messages from DeSantis to Parnas between May and October 2018, as DeSantis campaigned for governor. A jury later found Parnas guilty of campaign finance crimes and other charges.

As DeSantis prepares to take a widely anticipated leap into the 2024 presidential campaign this week, the disclosures from Parnas cast new light on the Florida governors relationship with the businessman and the role Parnas played in helping DeSantis gain entree to the circle of former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis spokesman Dave Abrams did not respond to specific questions on the existence of the texts and Parnas account of their relationship. This is another recycled narrative that has been proven wrong many times over," he said. DeSantis gave back the contribution after Parnas ran into legal trouble.

The text messages reviewed by Reuters show that DeSantis frequently  in more than 20 texts  appealed to fellow Floridian Parnas for introductions, advice and other fundraising help during his hotly contested campaign for governor. Two sources close to DeSantis during his 2018 campaign confirmed the texters number belonged to DeSantis at that time.

The texts also reveal that Parnas served as an intermediary between DeSantis and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who at the time was the personal attorney of then-President Trump. In one case, 10 days before the 2018 election, DeSantis sent Parnas a text with suggested wording for a Giuliani tweet in support of his candidacy, the messages show.

Giuliani did not respond to questions sent through his attorney and his spokesman. Ferre, DeSantis former spokesperson, did not respond to requests for comment.

WE BECAME VERY FRIENDLY

Parnas, now 51, shot to prominence in 2019. He was a key figure in the events leading to Trumps first impeachment, working with Giuliani to gather damaging information on Democrat Joe Bidens son Hunter in Ukraine. Accused of withholding aid to Ukraine unless Kyiv investigated Biden, Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House of Representatives and charged with abuse of power. He was acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate.

A federal judge sentenced Parnas last year to 20 months in prison on a separate matter, defrauding investors in a sham company and illegally making donations to U.S. political candidates on behalf of Russian oligarch Andrey Muraviev. Muraviev has been charged in the case but is a fugitive. He declined to comment.

Even before his criminal case, Parnas had an unusual resume for a political rainmaker. After moving to Florida from New York in 1995, he worked for penny stock companies that ran into regulatory problems, according to public records. In 2016, a federal court in New York issued a $508,734 judgment against him for defrauding an individual whose family trust lent Parnas money for a movie, called Anatomy of an Assassin, according to the judges ruling. Parnas says he did nothing wrong in that case.

Parnas is serving out his sentence under house arrest. Wearing shorts and an ankle bracelet, he spoke with Reuters for several hours at his home in Boca Raton. Parnas says he now regrets his alliance with Giuliani and Trump, believing he was used. He said he shared the texts with Reuters because he feels betrayed by DeSantis, who he says stopped returning texts or calls once he won the governors race.

Parnas once considered DeSantis a close confidant, he said. We became very friendly.

In 2018, Parnas was a well-known figure in Trumps orbit, often seen with Giuliani. Parnas and his business partner, another Ukrainian American named Igor Fruman, would later pay Giuliani $500,000 for consultant work, Reuters has reported.

Parnas said he first met DeSantis on May 9, 2018, about three months before Republican primary elections in Florida. DeSantis, then a three-term U.S. Representative, was locked in a tight primary race for governor with Adam Putnam, Floridas then-commissioner of agriculture.

Ron DeSantis approached me at the Trump International Hotel and introduced himself, telling me that he was told to come meet me because I was very close with Donald Trump, Parnas said. Reuters could not establish who told DeSantis to meet with Parnas at the Washington D.C. hotel.

While Trump had already tweeted support for DeSantis the prior December, DeSantis wanted a formal endorsement by Trump ahead of the August primary. He told me he heard I was the guy to speak to because of my relationship with Trump, thats how he worded it, Parnas said.

Theres no evidence Parnas had any direct influence with Trump. A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.

But Parnas conferred frequently with Giuliani. At 9:49 p.m. that day in May 2018, DeSantis texted his cell phone and email addresses to Parnas, according to the messages reviewed by Reuters. Parnas replied by sending his own email address to DeSantis.

At their first meeting at the hotel, Parnas described himself as a bit standoffish with DeSantis because he hoped to launch a cannabis business and considered DeSantis hostile to legalized marijuana. In another meeting several days later, also at Trumps hotel, DeSantis told him he was not opposed to expanding medical marijuana use in Florida, Parnas said.

Reuters could not independently corroborate the hotel meetings. One frequent hotel patron, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he remembered seeing DeSantis and Parnas speaking together in the lobby that May or June. The hotel has since been sold.

Parnas said Dana Rohrabacher, a former Republican congressman from California, was present at the second meeting where Parnas said DeSantis discussed medical marijuana use. Rohrabacher told Reuters he does not recall the meeting or hearing DeSantis talk about marijuana. What do I remember from five years ago?

Parnas says after their second meeting, he told DeSantis that he would try to secure a formal Trump endorsement by promoting DeSantis with Giuliani. Parnas spoke with Giuliani the next day, recommending that he talk with DeSantis and back him, he said.

In July 2018, DeSantis publicly expressed support for medical marijuana.

MAKE SURE HE GIVES A LOT.

Within a week of their second meeting, DeSantis and Parnas began exchanging ideas and gossip about potential donors, the texts show. On May 29, 2018, DeSantis sent Parnas a text introducing his fundraising aide, Heather Barker, and enlisting Parnas help in lining up donors for events in Boca Raton and on Star Island, an exclusive community in Miami.

Let me know a good time this week to chat about logistics and date ideas, Barker texted Parnas.

Barker requested that Reuters email her questions for this report, but did not respond to the questions.

The next month, the texts show, DeSantis asked Parnas for advice on how to handle a potential major donor.

Would it be reasonable to ask him to donate $50K? DeSantis asked. I think he did six figures for Trump.

DeSantis had done his homework: The donor, South Florida roofing contractor Michael Trussell, had contributed $100,000 to a joint Trump-Republican Party fundraising committee in 2016, campaign records show.

Parnas replied by text that he would call DeSantis. On the phone, he told DeSantis that Trussell was an acquaintance and would indeed be good for about $50,000, Parnas said.

Ten days after that exchange, campaign finance records show, Trussells roofing firm donated $10,000 to DeSantis, and added another $13,000 before the 2018 election. The firm has contributed another $143,000 since, campaign finance records show.

Trussell said he met Parnas once at a Trump fundraiser but had no relationship with him, adding that DeSantis did not mention Parnas when he called seeking a campaign donation.

On the evening of June 5, DeSantis reached out to Parnas. Ill swing by Trump Hotel tonight, he said, before I go on Laura Ingraham  is that ok? Ingraham is a host on Fox News, the rightwing news and opinion channel. DeSantis appeared on her show that evening.

Perfect, Parnas texted back. Parnas said the two met at the hotel and discussed Giulianis support of DeSantis.

On June 21, 2018, Parnas company, Global Energy Producers, donated $50,000 to DeSantis campaign for governor. The company was unusual. Although incorporated in early 2018 as an energy investor, it never completed a single deal, according to the U.S. charges against Parnas.

After thanking Parnas for the contribution, DeSantis pushed him again to help land a big donor: Robert Pereira, president of construction firm Middlesex Corp. Parnas knew the businessman from past fundraisers in Florida.

Now lets bring Robert home! DeSantis wrote. Three weeks later, DeSantis added, Make sure he gives a lot.

Pereira later co-hosted a fundraiser for DeSantis with Parnas and his company donated $115,000 to DeSantis 2018 campaign, campaign finance records show. He declined to discuss Parnas with Reuters and did not respond to detailed questions.

IM GOING TO HAVE RUDY DO A TWEET

Political donations from Parnas company later emerged as part of the criminal case against Parnas and Muraviev, the Russian oligarch who federal authorities indicted for making illegal campaign contributions to boost a planned marijuana business.

Justice Department officials said Muraviev tried to influence the 2018 U.S. elections by plotting to send $1 million to candidates and campaigns, hoping to win favor for a cannabis business venture. It is illegal for foreign nationals to donate to American political campaigns.

Parnas said DeSantis had agreed to meet Muraviev and knew of the tycoon's ambitions to enter the cannabis business in Florida. The meeting, however, never happened.

Prosecutors did not specifically mention the $50,000 donation by Parnas company to DeSantis in their federal case.

But they said Parnass donations were part of a scheme that included circumventing campaign finance laws and soliciting money from a foreign national to win influence in Florida. There is no evidence that DeSantis knew of wrongdoing.

Parnas defrauded the American public with the foreign donor scheme and lied about the source of funds for political contributions, said a Justice Department statement after Parnas sentencing last year.

On June 22, 2018, Trump tweeted a strong formal endorsement for DeSantis. Ron is strong on Borders, tough on Crime & big on Cutting Taxes - Loves our Military & our Vets. He will be a Great Governor & has my full Endorsement!

Promoting Trumps support in his mail and TV ads, DeSantis opened a wide lead. On Aug. 28, he won the Republican primary.

But going into the general election, DeSantis was the underdog, trailing Democratic opponent Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, the first Black nominee for Florida governor. As a federal corruption investigation into Tallahassees government made headlines, threatening to torpedo Gillums prospects, Parnas sent DeSantis a text on Oct. 26, telling him, Im going to have Rudy do a tweet on Gillum.

He needs to hit him on his scandal, DeSantis texted back to Parnas. Can say as a prosecutor this would be an indictable case etc.

Parnas texted back a thumbs up emoji and wrote, Tomorrow.

The next day, Parnas texted DeSantis a picture of Giulianis tweet. It wasnt exactly what DeSantis suggested but did use the phrasing: As a former prosecutor and Mayor, I ask the people of my adopted State Florida to reject a Mayor with highest murder and crime rates in State

During the general election, Parnas attended rallies with DeSantis, taking Giulianis plane from one event to the next.

Big day my brother!!! We will win!!! Parnas texted on election day.

With Gillum weighed down by the corruption investigation, DeSantis eked out a narrow victory. Parnas was photographed hugging DeSantis that night at the victory party. A jury this month acquitted Gillum of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and failed to reach a verdict on charges that he pocketed campaign contributions. The remaining charges were dismissed last week.

Had the FBI not leaked their investigation, which ultimately  and correctly  ended up in an acquittal, there is no question that Andrew Gillum would be the Governor of Florida today, Gillums lawyers said in a statement. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment.

After the election, DeSantis quit responding to Parnas texts. By then, Parnas and his business partner, Fruman, were facing federal scrutiny over their political donations. After Parnas was indicted in October 2019, DeSantis returned his $50,000 donation to the U.S. government. Fruman pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges in 2021 and was sentenced last year to a year in prison.

A jury convicted Parnas of campaign finance crimes. He pleaded guilty to fraud related to his "Fraud Guarantee" business, which boasted it could insure people against fraud while defrauding its investors of more than $2 million, according to federal prosecutors.

Infuriated at being frozen out, Parnas claims that DeSantis reneged on a promise to give him a place on a gubernatorial transition committee. Finally, he said, DeSantis agreed to a private meeting in January 2019 at a jet terminal at West Palm Beach International Airport. He said DeSantis assured him that Im still his boy, even if he had to avoid associating with him in public.

Parnas said he subsequently spoke several times with DeSantis by phone, but they never resumed their close relationship. He says he remains angry at DeSantis.

Remember, he was my friend, Parnas said. I didnt just look at him as the governor - he was my friend.

(Reported by Aram Roston in Boca Raton, Florida, and Joseph Tanfani in Washington. Additional reporting by Maria Tsvetkova in New York. Editing by Jason Szep)
A Southwest Florida mom is out on bail after being charged with child neglect in a disturbing case in Charlotte County.

Chloe Wisniewski, 21, was arrested Friday after a four-month investigation, according to court records.

According to the arrest affidavit, on Feb. 14, Charlotte County deputies went to a home in Port Charlotte, about an hour south of Tampa, on Feb. 14 to investigate a dog bite.

They met with Wisniewski, who said she placed her baby, whose age was not released, in a bassinet so she could take a quick shower.

While in the bathroom, the woman heard screaming, and exited to see the new family pet Apollo, a 3-month-old pit bull mix they had gotten the night before, chewing on the infants hand. She said she immediately pulled the dog off of the baby, wrapped the wounds in a cloth, and called 911.

A Florida mom was arrested and charged with child neglect four months after a pitbull puppy named Apollo chewed off her babys fingers

After emergency crews stabilized the baby, she was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where she required surgery for her injuries. Surgeons amputated three fingers from her left hand and partially amputated two fingers from her right, says the complaint.

Charlotte County Animal Control took custody of Apollo, and the Department of Children and Families conducted an assessment of the mother. A urine analysis tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, authorities said.

The case was forwarded to the Charlotte County Sheriffs Offices Major Crimes Unit, which conducted the months-long probe.

Authorities found probable cause that Wisniewski did, by culpable negligence, fail to provide the baby with the care and supervision and services necessary to maintain physical health, causing permanent disfigurement to the child.

As for Apollo, local station NBC-2 reports that he was quarantined as part of protocol, and transferred to the Animal Welfare League.

As the baby recovers with family members, Wisniewski, who posted $7,500 bond on Monday, was granted supervised visitation.
DNA on a knife sheath found at the off-campus home where four Idaho college students were killed last November directly links accused murderer Bryan Kohberger to the crime scene, according to court documents filed by prosecutors last week.

Law enforcement officials used investigative genetic genealogy to link DNA found on the sheath to Kohberger, 28, a doctoral student at nearby Washington State University studying criminology, according to the June 16 filing from the Latah County Prosecutors Office. The investigation found that the DNA was at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be Kohberger's than an unrelated member of the public, the document states.

Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho, on Nov. 13. A motive remains unknown.

Some information about the use of DNA to identify Kohberger was already known: Law enforcement sources previously told NBC News that DNA played a role in helping investigators hone in on Kohberger, and a probable cause affidavit unsealed in January stated that male DNA was left on the button snap of the knife sheath and that DNA retrieved from the trash of Kohbergers family home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 27 showed there was a high probability it was from the biological father of the person who left the DNA on the sheath at the crime scene.

But the more recent filing provides new details about how investigators used DNA  and genetic genealogy, which has been used to identify several victims and suspects in recent years  to identify Kohberger as the prime suspect in the case.

Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson / AP)

Use of genetic genealogy

Investigators first submitted DNA from the knife sheath  found facedown on a bed next to the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves, and partially under Mogen's body and the comforter  to the FBI database CODIS, which tracks DNA profiles of people who have been arrested or convicted, according to the filing. When that didn't turn up a match, investigators turned to genetic genealogy, commissioning a private lab to build a DNA profile that could be used to search for relatives, the filing states.

The FBI then took over and uploaded the DNA profile "to one or more publicly available genetic genealogy services to identify possible family members of the suspect based on shared genetic data," the filing states. Investigators then built a family tree of hundreds of relatives "using the same tools and methods used by members of the public who wish to learn more about their ancestors," the filing states, citing social media, birth and death certificates and user-submitted information as examples. FBI investigators then sent local law enforcement a tip to investigate Kohberger.

After law enforcement obtained the DNA from Kohberger's father and, later, a cheek swab from Kohberger, they found the "statistical match" showing it was overwhelmingly likely that the DNA found on the knife sheath matched Kohberger's, the filing states.

Experts have cautioned that DNA evidence isn't foolproof and shouldn't be the sole basis for an arrest or prosecution, and that law enforcement's growing use of genetic genealogy allows them to gain access to the DNA of nonsuspects as well.

The filing outlines steps investigators took to protect the data of Kohberger's relatives and users of the unnamed publicly available genetic genealogy service, including not downloading or making copies of publicly available records and removing Kohberger's DNA profile from the service.

"This means the FBI no longer has access to view much of the information it used to create the family tree and cannot view it again" without resubmitting the DNA profile to the genetic genealogy service, the filing says.

Image: (Zach Wilkinson / The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP)

Filing attempts to keep details sealed

Through the filing  a motion for protective order  prosecutors are seeking to keep more detailed information under wraps, including raw data and lab notes about the DNA profile and information about Kohberger's potential relatives used to build the family tree.

Prosecutors are willing to disclose other information, including documentation proving that the DNA test was performed and information related to the analyses performed on DNA culled from the knife sheath, from Kohberger's parents' trash and from a buccal swab performed on him, the filing states.

Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30 in Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. A grand jury in Latah County indicted him on murder charges on May 16, and he was arraigned on May 22, when he stood silent and a judge entered not guilty pleas on all murder charges. His trial is tentatively set to begin on Oct. 2.

Kohberger remains held in Latah County Jail without bail, online records show.
Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two tax violations and one gun felony in what Republicans are blasting as a "sweetheart" plea deal following a five-year investigation.

Fox News has confirmed that the president's son will plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax and one count of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

"Its no coincidence that less than a week after President Trump is arraigned by the DOJ, Hunter Biden is pleading guilty to a sweetheart deal with no jail time," Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The DOJ is going for the low-hanging fruit by charging Hunter Biden with a gun felony and two tax misdemeanors, after years of slow walking their investigation."

"For AG Garland to maintain his mantra that there is one standard of justice is pathetic," Blackburn continued. "If the DOJ thinks this dismisses the $5 million alleged bribery scheme or the years of reported Biden family corruption, they are mistaken. We will not allow full accountability to fall by the wayside."

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Hunter Biden, and Rep. Clay Higgins

HUNTER BIDEN AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL TAX, GUN CASE

The first son has been under federal investigation since 2018, which began amid the discovery of suspicious activity reports (SARs) regarding funds from "China and other foreign nations."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The firearms charge stemmed from allegations that Hunter Biden lied during a gun purchase in 2018.

US President Joe Biden's sister Valerie Biden (R), and son Hunter Biden (L), board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 11, 2023.

Republicans have accused Hunter of selling President Bidens influence overseas during his vice presidency.

"America has 2 million people incarcerated right now," Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., told Fox News Digital. "We have six thousand jails. We could have found a place for Hunter. But the truth is, nobody really cares about Hunter Biden. Hunter was a rookie influence peddler and a troubled young man selling access to his Dad. Hes a part of the Biden Crime Family, but hes not the Big Guy, he wasnt the VP, and hes not the inaugurated President."

"House Oversight Committee Republicans know what our job is. Were focused on The Big Guy, Joe Biden," he added.

U.S. President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden (L) attend the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 10, 2023 in Washington, DC.

BIDEN'S CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF HUNTER'S BUSINESS DEALINGS IS BECOMING HARDER TO MAINTAIN

"This is deflection, deflection, deflection," Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., told Fox News Digital. "Hunter Biden has been involved in more serious crimes and this plea deal creates an illusion that justice has been servedit hasnt."

The news of the charges against Hunter Biden came one week after Former President Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential front-runner, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to 37 federal felony charges in a classified records case.

"We have a very clear picture right now of what it looks like when the Biden DOJ goes after someone it wants to take down," Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital. "This is clearly not that."

"Lets be clear: the Department of Justices charges against President Bidens son Hunter reveal a two-tiered system of justice," House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement.

"Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery," Comer said. "These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committees investigation. We will not rest until the full extent of President Bidens involvement in the familys schemes are revealed."

HUNTER BIDEN, BURISMA-LINKED ASSOCIATES ATTENDED DAD'S HOLIDAY BASH DAYS AFTER INFAMOUS 2015 UKRAINE TRIP

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called Attorney General Merrick Garland a "disgrace."

"Let's be clear: if anyone without the Biden last name engaged in even a fraction of Hunter's misconduct, they'd face real consequences," Cotton tweeted.

"Biden's son got a sweetheart deal for laundering money, accepting millions in bribes, committing gun crimes, and evading taxes & child support," the senator added. "Yet DOJ targeted a pro-life pastor w/ a 25-person SWAT team and serious charges. AG Garland is a disgrace."

Trump compared the charges to a traffic ticket on his TruthSocial site.

"Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN!" Trump wrote.

John Yoo, a former deputy assistant attorney general under the Bush administration, told Fox News Digital: "We will still need to see all the facts, but if this plea bargain ends the Justice Departments investigation into any influence peddling by the Biden family, it will only reinforce the perception that the administration is treating Trump and Biden differently. It will fall to Congress to continue investigating the allegations of improper foreign payments to Hunter Biden and others."

The Republican National Committee tweeted: "It is clear that Joe Biden's Department of Justice is offering Hunter Biden a sweetheart deal. Does anyone think the DOJ would ever offer this to an American who wasn't related to Joe Biden?"

"This is the epitome of the politicization and Weaponization of Joe Bidens Department of Justice as they give a slap on the wrist to President Bidens son  a tax fraud and corrupt pay-to-play criminal," Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital.

"Its never been more clear that we have a two tiered system of justice when you have the son of the sitting President of the United States selling our country out to the highest bidder, laundering money, committing tax fraud, accepting bribes, illegally obtaining a firearm, and shamefully avoiding child support," she continued. "House Republicans will not rest until the full illegal corruption of the Biden Crime Family is exposed. Joe Biden must and will be held accountable."

The White House reacted to the charges Tuesday morning.

"The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life," White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement. "We will have no further comment."

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden joined by Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden attend their granddaughter Maisy Biden's graduation from the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field on May 15, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Fox News Brooke Singman and David Spunt contributed to this report.
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, arrives at the general assembly of the Bureau International des Exposition, Tuesday, June 20, in Paris. AP-Yonhap



Competition is heating up for the right to host the 2030 World Expo, a massive event that can generate revenue, jobs and global attention - if everything goes well.



Rome, the Saudi capital Riyadh, and South Korea's second-biggest city Busan presented their bids at a key meeting Tuesday of the Paris-based International Bureau of Exhibitions. A vote among member countries is expected in November.



Amid criticism in the West of its human rights record, Saudi Arabia seems to be putting on the biggest marketing push.



It financed a "Riyadh 2030'' exhibit in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower  a monument built for the 1889 World's Fair  and splashed ads on Paris taxis. Its crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is on a weeklong trip to France where he's meeting with top officials.



Italy's premier and Korea's president, meanwhile, came to Paris in person to push their bids.



The Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odesa also submitted a bid for 2030 before Russia invaded Ukraine last year. With fighting still raging in Ukraine, Odesa's bid wasn't part of the official presentation Tuesday.



Arriving at Tuesday's event, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed confidence.





Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, smiles as she arrives at the general assembly of the Bureau International des Exposition, Tuesday, June 20, in Paris. AP-Yonhap



"I believe that Rome's winning hand ... is being able to reconcile tradition and innovation,"' she said.









Rome is pledging to respect the environment and the "idea of cooperating with other nations that we are trying to represent, as well with our foreign policy that is never a 'hit and run' policy,'''' she said, according to news agency Lapresse.



Tourism accounts for 13 percent of Italy's GDP, so it is a big driver of the national economy. The country hosted Expo 2015 in Milan and is gearing up to host the next Vatican Jubilee in 2025, with re-paving and other road construction to make mobility easier in the traffic-clogged Italian capital.



For Saudi Arabia, hosting the expo would boost the crown prince's push to diversify the kingdom's oil-dominated economy and attract more foreign investment. The kingdom's expo plan includes a massive public transit network, a major park and plan to turn Riyadh into an "open art gallery without walls," said Fahd al-Rasheed, the CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.





Saudi Foreign Affairs minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrives at the Bureau International des Exposition to discuss Riyadh's bid to host Expo 2030 World Expo in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, on June 21. AFP-Yonhap
DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran met in Qatar with European Union mediator Enrique Mora as part of efforts to revive its 2015 nuclear pact with world powers, as Tehran and Washington seek to cool tensions with a mutual "understanding" to help end the deadlock.

Having failed to revive the deal in indirect talks that have stalled since September, Iranian and Western officials have met repeatedly in recent weeks to sketch out steps that could curb Iran's fast advancing nuclear work, free some U.S. and European detainees held in Iran and unfreeze some Iranian assets abroad.

"(I) had a serious and constructive meeting with Mora in Doha. We exchanged views and discussed a range of issues including negotiations on sanctions lifting," Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani said on Twitter, without elaborating.

Mora tweeted that the Doha talks were "intense" and had touched on "a range of difficult bilateral, regional and international issues, including the way forward on the JCPOA" - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the nuclear deal is officially called.

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said the bloc was "keeping diplomatic channels open, including through this meeting in Doha, to address all issues of concern with Iran".

Bagheri Kani said last week that he had met his British, German and French counterparts in the United Arab Emirates to discuss "a range of issues and mutual concerns".

The 2015 agreement limited Irans disputed uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for Tehran to develop the means to produce nuclear weapons, in return for a lifting of international sanctions against Tehran.

But then-U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the pact in 2018, calling it too lenient on Iran, and reimposed sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

Tehran responded by gradually moving well beyond the pact's restrictions on enrichment, rekindling U.S., European and Israeli fears that it might be seeking an atomic bomb.

The Islamic Republic has long denied seeking to weaponise the enrichment process, saying it seeks nuclear energy only for civilian uses.

The meeting between Bagheri and Mora in Qatar's capital Doha came days after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last say on all state matters such as the nuclear dossier, said a new nuclear deal with the West was possible.

(Additional reporting by Sabine Siebold in Berlin; writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by Jon Boyle and Mark Heinrich)
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -A Swedish appeals court on Wednesday convicted Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini of gross assault for implanting artificial tracheas in three patients who later died, sentencing him to two-and-a-half years in prison.

Macchiarini, who has denied wrongdoing, said he would appeal the outcome. His lawyer did not elaborate, but such cases could be appealed to Sweden's Supreme Court.

The former surgeon at Karolinska University Hospital, which is linked to the institute that awards the Nobel Prize for Medicine, was charged over the experimental trachea procedure carried out in 2011-12.

Last year a lower court had found Macchiarini not guilty of aggravated assault in all three cases of death, and guilty of causing grievous bodily harm in a fourth case, handing down a suspended sentence.

Striking down the three acquittal verdicts, the appeals court said in a statement it did "not question that the surgeon hoped his method would work" but found that Macchiarini had "acted with criminal intent".

"The investigation shows that he realised the risk that the procedures would cause the patients physical injuries and suffering, and that he was indifferent to the realisation of these risks," it added.

Macchiarini told a press conference he was disappointed by the outcome of the trial, and in particular with the court's conclusion that he had acted with intent.

As a result of the case he had already lost his job and career, Macchiarini said, adding that he felt "imprisoned".

In 2016 the Swedish government dismissed the board of the Karolinska Institute after an investigation found it was negligent when hiring Macchiarini and letting him operate on patients.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik and Mark Heinrich)
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced plans to visit Lithuania next month to attend a NATO leaders' summit as his country steps up cooperation with the Western organization amid China's increasingly assertive military activity.

Kishida stressed the importance of dialogue with China in order to develop constructive and stable relationship with Beijing while his country cooperates with its key ally, the United States. He said the state of U.S.-China relations are crucial to international peace and stability.

At a news conference marking the end of a five-month long parliamentary session, Kishida said reinforcing diplomatic and security measures were among his top policy priorities in the first half of this year. The goal he said, is to raise Japan's presence in the international society, to defend the peace of our country and the people's lives.

Japan has been strengthening ties with NATO against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and concerns that it may embolden Chinas already assertive military activity in East Asia.

The prime minister said he will join NATO leaders at the July 11-12 summit in Lithuania at the invitation of the organization. He said he also will visit NATO headquarters in Belgium. Discussions are also underway to open a NATO office in Japan.

Describing the current security environment of the global community as the most severe and complex" of the postwar era, Kishida vowed to fully utilize diplomatic tools" to contribute to the peace and stability of the global community while serving Japan's national interest.

Kishida said Japan will cooperate with the United States on China policy, while encouraging Beijing to fulfill its responsibility as a global power to observe international rules and order.

Japan is increasingly concerned about China's coercive activity in the region, especially around Japanese-controlled disputed East China Sea islands that Beijing also claims.

It is important to continue making effort to have close dialogue at all levels, including myself, and in that process I will consider my possible visit to China, though nothing has been decided right now," Kishida said.

His comment comes on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting earlier this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where they agreed to stabilize their countries' deteriorated ties but fell short of resuming military-to-military contacts aimed at avoiding mishaps and conflict over Taiwan.

Kishida also stressed the importance of dialogue with North Korea, and reiterated that he is stepping up his effort toward achieving a possible summit with leader Kim Jong Un on the decades-old issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by Pyongyang. The issue was only partially resolved and North Korea has never provided a full account for those still believed to be held.

With many families of the abductees growing older, resolving the problem has become an increasingly urgent human rights issue, Kishida said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Plant-based courses of millet and stuffed mushrooms are on the menu for some 400 guests invited to Thursday's fancy White House state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi is a vegetarian and first lady Jill Biden enlisted California-based chef Nancy Curtis, who specializes in plant-based cooking, to help in the kitchen. Biden previewed the menu and decor for the news media on Wednesday after she returned from an outing with the prime minister.

She described the menu as stunning.

For her part, Curtis declared herself so excited.

You must understand the pressure I'm under standing here before you, but it's a kind of pressure that is also an elation because, when you're asked by the first lady to come and join her at the White House, it's an experience that I hope many chefs get to have, she said.

This is definitely a pinnacle moment in my career and truly a pleasure to be able to work with the first lady and help her to bring her culinary vision to life, Curtis added.

Politicians, CEOs, celebrities, White House and administration officials and other guests will dine on a salad of marinated millet, corn and compressed watermelon, stuffed Portobello mushrooms and saffron risotto, and a strawberry shortcake infused with rose and cardamom.

Curtis said the menu showcases the best of American cuisine seasoned with Indian elements and flavors. She said India is leading an international year of recognition for millet.

Trolleys will deliver guests to a pavilion built on the south grounds for the affair. It will be decorated in the green and saffron colors of India's flag, with translucent walls offering views of iconic symbols of American democracy and history, including the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument.

Lotus flowers, native to Asia and featured in Indian design, will be incorporated throughout, along with saffron-hued floral arrangements that differ from table to table. Dinner will be candlelit, reflecting the first lady's love of candles.

Each table arrangement, she said, is warm and unique. We hope guests feel as if someone has set that table just for them  because we have.

After dinner, guests will enjoy music by American violinist Joshua Bell; Penn Masala, a South Asian a cappella group founded by students at the University of Pennsylvania; and the U.S. Marine Band Chamber Orchestra. They will exit the grounds by walking across a lawn illuminated by hundreds of glowing lanterns.

Earlier Wednesday, the first lady and Modi visited the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, for an event highlighting workforce training programs. He flew in from New York where earlier in the day he performed backbends and corpse poses during a yoga session with a multinational crowd on the lawn of the United Nations.

Our universities are partnering together, leading research, creating apprenticeships and internships that span the ocean," Biden said at the event. "And as weve seen here, students from both countries are learning and growing alongside of each other, discovering the people they want to become and building a better world together.

Modi spoke about the emphasis India has placed on education, integrating learning and training. Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade or tech-ade, the prime minister said, speaking in Hindi.

President Joe Biden, who extended the state visit invitation to Modi, could not join the outing because he was flying back from California after raising money for his reelection campaign. The president returned to Washington in the evening and he and the first lady hosted Modi at the White House for a more intimate dinner before Thursday's splashier affair.

As the official gift, the Bidens presented Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th century, the White House said. The president also gave Modi a vintage American camera and a hardcover book of American wildlife photography, while the first lady gave him a signed, first-edition copy of Collected Poems of Robert Frost.

Despite deep differences with India over its record on human rights and its approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, Biden nevertheless extended to Modi the administration's third invitation for a state visit. With all the pomp and attention being paid to Modi, Biden hopes to firm up his relationship with the leader of a country the U.S. believes will be a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come.

Biden hosted the presidents of France and South Korea on official state visits in December 2022 and April of this year, respectively.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on President Bidens student debt relief plan as soon as Thursday, and one loan servicer in particular has been thrown into the center of the debate.

The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, more commonly known as MOHELA, is one of the largest federal student loan servicers in the country and a central player in Biden v. Nebraska.

Before deciding whether Bidens plan is lawful, the court must first rule that at least one of the challengers  six Republican-led states, and two individual borrowers  has legal standing to bring their lawsuit.

The states and individuals promote various standing arguments. But the justices in particular have focused on MOHELA, mentioning the servicer 142 times during Februarys oral arguments.

Heres what to know about MOHELA and its role in the Supreme Court fight over student debt relief:

What is MOHELA?

MOHELA has been in the student loan business for more than 40 years. Missouri state legislators created it in 1981 to provide low-cost loans for students and a source of revenue for the state.

The servicer works with private and federal student loans and assists borrowers in answering questions about billing and payment options. MOHELA is able to collect payments, inform borrowers about different payment options and help with requests for forbearance or deferment.

It has also become the sole student loan servicer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH), two federal loan payment options for individuals with certain jobs.

MOHELA makes money from its contract with the federal government, which pays the servicer a monthly amount for each student loan borrower they are servicing. The amount it gets paid for servicing a loan can vary depending on the status of the loan, whether a student is still in school or a borrower is in delinquency.

MOHELA is supposed to transfer its proceeds to the state in two ways.

In 2007, state lawmakers passed a bill that provided for MOHELA to transfer $350 million to the Lewis and Clark Discovery Fund, which funds capital improvement projects at public colleges across the state. The servicer so far has given $245 million, according to court filings.

It has also contributed more than $100 million over the last 12 years to state scholarship and grant programs, court documents indicate.

Why does MOHELA matter in the student debt fight?

The Supreme Courts conservative majority appeared skeptical during oral arguments that the Biden administration had the authority to forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in debt for more than 40 million borrowers.

But before the court can strike down the plan, the justices must first find that at least one of the eight plaintiffs has legal standing to bring their lawsuit.

Missouris standing theory  which involves MOHELA  has received the most attention.

Standing requires a plaintiff to show three components: they suffered an injury-in-fact, the defendant caused the injury and that the court can remedy it.

The Biden administration contends that none of the states or individual borrowers can meet all three prongs, so the Supreme Court should throw out their lawsuits and allow the debt relief to proceed.

But Missouri has put MOHELA in the center of the fight by indicating that the servicer will lose revenue if student debt forgiveness is given to borrowers, arguing the plan would eliminate many accounts MOHELA collects fees from.

These financial losses establish Missouris standing for two reasons: (1) MOHELA is a Missouri-created and -controlled public instrumentality, so its harms are harms to the State; and (2) MOHELAs losses jeopardize its financial contributions to Missouri, the state wrote in its brief.

The administration has pushed back on both fronts, first contesting that MOHELA is an arm of the state.

It also rejects that any losses MOHELA faces would lead the state to miss out on financial contributions from the servicer. MOHELA hasnt paid funds to the Lewis and Clark Discovery Fund in years and has previously said further payments were not probable, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar told the justices.

Although the Biden administration has not directly advanced the argument, some outside groups have further questioned whether MOHELA would actually suffer a net loss from the debt relief plan in the first place.

MOHELA did not respond to The Hills request for comment.

Why isnt MOHELA a party in the case?

Proponents of Bidens debt relief plan have pushed back on Missouris standing argument by noting that the loan servicer itself has not challenged the plan.

MOHELAs executives were not involved with the decision of the Missouri Attorney Generals Office to file for the preliminary injunction in federal court on September 29, 2022, the servicer wrote in a letter to Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) last year.

MOHELA became the elephant not in the room at Februarys Supreme Court oral argument: The word MOHELA appears 142 times in the transcript.

The administration indicated it wouldnt contest standing if MOHELA had sued instead. That caught the attention of conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who along with the courts liberals probed the attorney representing the states about it.

Why didnt the state just make MOHELA come then? Barrett asked. If MOHELA is really an arm of the state and all of this would be a lot easier  I mean, the solicitor general conceded that if MOHELA was here, MOHELA would have standing. If MOHELA is an arm of the state, why didnt you just strong-arm MOHELA and say, Youve got to pursue this suit?'

Nebraska Solicitor General James Campbell responded, Thats a question of state politics.

But we believe as a matter of law that the state has the authority to assert its interests, he added.

MOHELA has not put out any public statements for or against the case Republicans are arguing on its behalf, but internal emails obtained by Student Borrower Protection Center showed some employees were completely taken aback finding out they become the main focal point of canceling student loan forgiveness.

MOHELA isnt technically a part of that lawsuit, the Missouri AG is suing on their behalf. However, its all about the [Federal Family Education Loan] stuff, and since they changed the rules, that lawsuit should be ruled as lacking standing, read one email from an employee, whose name was partially redacted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday that U.S. President Joe Biden's reference to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as a dictator showed U.S. foreign policy was inconsistent and erratic.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was a contradiction between Biden's comment and the efforts of his secretary of state, Antony Blinken, to lower tensions with Beijing at a meeting with Xi earlier this week.

"These are very contradictory manifestations of U.S. foreign policy, which speak of a large element of unpredictability," Peskov told reporters.

He said Biden's comment was an "incomprehensible" follow-up to what he described as "various conciliatory statements" during Blinken's visit.

"However, that's their business," Peskov said. "We have our own bad relations with the United States of America and our very good relations with the People's Republic of China."

Beijing hit back at the United States on Wednesday, saying Biden's remarks were absurd and a provocation.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Peter Graff)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a celebration of International Yoga Day at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday and called on people "to join hands together to realize the goal of one earth, one family, one future."

The United Nations in 2014 declared June 21 the International Day of Yoga, adopting a measure proposed by Modi.

"Let us use the power of yoga, not only to be healthy, happy, but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other," Modi told a gathering of yoga devotees seated on yellow mats on the north lawn of U.N. headquarters by New York's East River.

"Let us use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world, and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future," he said.

Modi is in the United States for talks with President Joe Biden that the White House sees as bolstering "one of the defining partnerships of our age."

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit, despite concerns over what is seen as a deteriorating human rights situation under his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Modi is to head from New York to Washington for a private dinner with Biden on Wednesday evening, followed by talks at the White House and a state dinner on Thursday.

Before taking to the stage to speak on Wednesday, Modi paid his respects before a bust of Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in the U.N. grounds.

Gandhi, who was born in 1869, played a key role in India's fight for independence. He was assassinated by a Hindu radical on Jan. 30, 1948, just a few months after he led India to freedom from British rule through a nonviolent struggle.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a video message to the yoga event, saying he wanted to "recognize Prime Minister Modi for all he has done to promote understanding of yoga and its many benefits."

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Praising yoga as a way of life," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed poses ranging from cobra to corpse alongside a multinational crowd Wednesday at the U.N. headquarters as he kicked off the public portion of his U.S. visit.

With a checkerboard of made-in-India yoga mats covering the U.N.'s spacious north lawn, Modi stopped and bowed at a statue of the assassinated Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi before saying in brief remarks that yoga was an all-ages, portable practice accessible to all faiths and cultures.

It is a very old tradition, but like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic, Modi said. Yoga is truly universal."

While yoga is a means to physical fitness, mental calm and emotional contentment, it is not just about doing exercise on a mat. Yoga is a way of life, said the year-old leader of the world's most populous nation.

For Modi, who arrived Tuesday in New York on a trip that will offer plenty of time to discuss global tensions, highlighting an ancient pursuit of inner tranquility was a savvy and symbolic choice. He has made yoga a personal practice and a diplomatic tool.

Taking his spot on a mat amid the throng of a thousand or more, the 72-year-old Modi participated over the next 35 minutes in breathing exercises, meditation, backbends and other poses  from palm tree to diamond, hare to half-camel, crocodile to stretched-up frog.

The event honored the International Day of Yoga, which Modi persuaded the U.N. to designate in 2014 as an annual observance. This year's version set a Guinness World Record, announced on-scene, for most nationalities  135  at a yoga lesson. It drew actor Richard Gere, singer-actor Mary Millben, New York Mayor Eric Adams, U.N. General Assembly President Csaba Korosi and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, among other dignitaries. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is at a conference in Paris, sent in a video greeting.

The shouts of demonstrators across the street could be heard during the meditative utterances of Om. About 200 Modi supporters and 50 critics rallied, kept apart by barriers and closely watched by New York police.

The pro-Modi group cried out greetings to him and held signs with such messages as America Welcomes Narendra Modi and United We Stand, accompanied by a photo of the U.S. flag. Opponents yelled, Modi, go back! and waved large yellow flags referring to Khalistan, the name of the homeland that Sikh separatists seek to create in India.

First practiced by Hindu sages, yoga has become one of Indias most popular cultural exports. Modi has energetically promoted it as a feel-good way of stretching the countrys influence abroad.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist, presents himself as an ascetic who adheres to his religions strictures on vegetarianism and yoga. He has posted social media videos over the years of himself practicing yoga poses and provided live visuals of him meditating in a Himalayan mountain cave after national elections in 2019.

Modi last visited the U.N. during the 2021 General Assembly, where he said that all kinds of questions have been raised" about the world body's effectiveness on matters including climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and terrorism.

He also made a point of staking out his country's place on the global stage, noting that every sixth person in the world is Indian. Since then, India has surpassed China to claim the world's largest population, at 1.425 billion, and it is the world's biggest democracy.

India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council, the U.N.'s most powerful group. India has been elected to a two-year seat several times, most recently for 2021-22.

The prime minister flew to Washington later Wednesday afternoon and joined first lady Jill Biden for a visit to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. President Joe Biden and the first lady were set to host Modi for a private dinner at the White House.

With this official visit, we are bringing together the worlds oldest and worlds largest democracies. But our relationship isnt just about governance," Jill Biden said. "Were celebrating the families and friendships that span the globe. Those who build the bonds of both, both of our countries.

Modi spoke about the emphasis India has placed on education, integrating learning and training. Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade or tech-ade, the prime minister said, speaking in Hindi.

Modi will hold formal talks with Biden in the Oval Office on Thursday, take question from reporters, address a joint meeting of Congress and be honored with a White House state dinner. A State Department luncheon will be hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother was born in India, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The U.S. has been looking to India as a key partner on matters that include checking China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. India wants to bolster military and trade connections with the United States.

Human rights advocates want Biden to press Modi on human rights issues, both international and within India. Modi has faced criticism over legislation that fast-tracks citizenship for some migrants but excludes Muslims; a rise in violence against Muslims and other religious minorities by Hindu nationalists; and the recent conviction of Indias top opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, for mocking Modis surname. (Gandhi recently visited the U.S. himself, speaking to journalists, university students and an Indian diaspora group.)

A bipartisan group of more than 70 lawmakers wrote Biden this week calling on him to raise concerns about the erosion of religious, press and political freedoms when he meets with Modi. Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar on Minnesota have said they will boycott Modis address to Congress.

The Indian government defends its record and insists that the nation's democratic principles remain rock-solid.

___

Associated Press journalists Edith M. Lederer and Ted Shaffrey at the United Nations, Krutika Pathi in New Delhi and Darlene Superville and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  Outside a Harlem subway station, Yusef Salaam, a candidate for New York City Council, hurriedly greeted voters streaming out along Malcolm X Boulevard. For some, no introductions were necessary. They knew his face, his name and his life story.

But to the unfamiliar, Salaam needed only to introduce himself as one of the Central Park Five  one of the Black or Brown teenagers, ages 14 to 16, wrongly accused, convicted and imprisoned for the rape and beating of a white woman jogging in Central Park on April 19, 1989.

Now 49, Salaam is hoping to join the power structure of a city that once worked to put him behind bars.

Ive often said that those who have been close to the pain should have a seat at the table, Salaam said during an interview at his campaign office.

Salaam is one of three candidates in a competitive June 27 Democratic primary almost certain to decide who will represent a Harlem district unlikely to elect a Republican in Novembers general election. With early voting already begun, he faces two seasoned political veterans: New York Assembly members Al Taylor, 65, and Inez Dickens, 73, who previously represented Harlem on the City Council.

The incumbent, democratic socialist Kristin Richard Jordan, dropped out of the race in May following a rocky first term.

New York City Council candidate Yusef Salaam smiles during an interview with The Associated Press.

Now known to some as the Exonerated Five, Salaam and the four others  Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise  served between five and 12 years in prison for the 1989 rape before a reexamination of the case led to their convictions being vacated in 2002.

DNA evidence linked another man, a serial rapist, to the attack. The city ultimately agreed in a legal settlement to pay the exonerated men $41 million.

Salaam, who was arrested at age 15, served nearly seven years behind bars.

When people look at me and they they know my story, they resonate with it, said Salaam, the father of 10 children. But now here we are 34 years later, and Im able to use that platform that I have and repurpose the pain, help people as we as we climb out of despair.

Those pain points are many in a district that has some of the citys most entrenched poverty and highest rent burdens.

Poverty in Central Harlem is about 10 points higher than the citywide rate of 18%, according to data compiled by New York Universitys Furman Center. More than a fourth of Harlems residents pay more than half of their income on rent. And the district has some of the citys highest rates of homelessness for children.

Salaam said he's eager to address those crises and more. His opponents say he doesnt know enough about how local government works to do so.

No one should go through what my opponent went through, especially as a child. Years later, after he returns to New York, Harlem is in crisis. We dont have time for a freshman to learn the job, learn the issues and re-learn the community he left behind for Stockbridge, Georgia, Dickens said, referring to Salaams decision to leave the city after his release from prison. He returned to New York in December.

Taylor knows that Salaams celebrity is an advantage in the race.

I think that folks will identify with him and the horrendous scenario that he and his colleagues underwent for a number of years in a prison system that treated him unfairly and unjustly, Taylor said.

But his is one of a thousand in this city that we are aware of, Taylor added. "Its the Black reality.

Harlem voter Raynard Gadson, 40, is cognizant of that factor.

As a Black man myself, I know exactly whats at stake, Gadson said. I dont think theres anybody more passionate about challenging systemic issues on the local level in the name of justice because of what he went through, he said of Salaam.

During a recent debate televised by Spectrum News, Salaam repeatedly mentioned his arrest, prompting Taylor to exclaim that he, too, had been arrested: At age 16, he was caught carrying a machete  a charge later dismissed by a judge willing to give him a second chance.

We all want affordable housing, we all want safe streets, we all want smarter policing, we all want jobs, we all need education, Salaam said of the candidates' common goals. What he offers, he said, is a new voice that can speak about his community's struggles.

I have no track record in politics. I have a great track record in the 34 years of the Central Park jogger case in fighting for freedom, justice and equality.Yusef Salaam

I have no track record in politics, he conceded. I have a great track record in the 34 years of the Central Park jogger case in fighting for freedom, justice and equality.

All three have received key endorsements. Black activist Cornell West has backed Salaam. Dickens has the backing of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former New York U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel. Taylor is being supported by the Carpenter's Union.

Rangel recalled at a campaign rally that Salaam had called to let him know he was entering the race. Rangel then quipped that Salaam had a foreign name." Salaam responded pointedly on social media.

I am a son of Harlem named Yusef Salaam. I went to prison because my name is Yusef Salaam," he tweeted. "I am proud to be named Yusef Salaam. I am born here, raised here & of here  but even if I wasnt, we all belong in New York City.

Rangel later apologized.

Salaam also would like an apology from Donald Trump, who in 1989 placed ads in four newspapers before the group went on trial with the blaring headline, Bring back the death penalty.

When asked by a reporter in 2019 if he would ever apologize, Trump said there were people on both sides of the matter.

They admitted their guilt, Trump had said, of the Central Park Five, referring to what the men said were coerced confessions. Some of the prosecutors," Trump added "think the city should never have settled that case. So, well leave it at that.

When Trump was indicted in New York in April on charges of falsifying business records, Salaam mocked him with his own ad on social media that visually mimicked Trumps from long ago.

Over 30 years ago, Donald Trump took out full page ads calling for my execution, Salaam tweeted above the ad, headlined: Bring Back Justice & Fairness."
(Reuters) - The Air National Guardsman accused of leaking highly classified U.S. military documents pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to six federal charges, CNN reported.

Jack Douglas Teixeira, 21, appeared in a federal court in Worcester, Massachusetts, for an arraignment after his arrest in April over the disclosure of U.S. documents related to the Ukraine war and numerous other sensitive issues.

Teixeira has been held in federal prison in Plymouth County, south of Boston, while waiting trial. No trial date has been set.

Prosecutors say Teixeira leaked classified documents to a group of gamers on the messaging app Discord. The leak is considered the most serious U.S. national security breach since more than 700,000 documents, videos and diplomatic cables appeared on the WikiLeaks website in 2010.

The leaked documents held highly classified information on allies and adversaries, with details ranging from Ukraine's air defenses to Israel's Mossad spy agency. President Joe Biden has ordered an investigation into why the alleged leaker had access to the sensitive information.

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub; editing by Jonathan Oatis)




President Joe Biden has notified U.S. Congress of his intention to extend the national emergency declaration period with regard to threats posed by North Korea, the White House said Tuesday.







In a letter sent to Congress, the U.S. president also cited proliferation risks posed by Pyongyang.







"The existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons?usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula; the actions and policies of the Government of North Korea that destabilize the Korean Peninsula and imperil United States Armed Forces, allies, and trading partners in the region, including its pursuit of nuclear and missile programs; and other provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States," said the letter, released by the White House.







"For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 with respect to North Korea," Biden added in the letter.







The national emergency declaration is automatically terminated unless the president publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to Congress a notice stating the emergency will continue at least 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the declaration, according to the letter.







"I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to North Korea that was declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008 ... is to continue in effect beyond June 26, 2023," said the released letter. (Yonhap)


MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck is scheduled to have surgery next week to insert a plate to help a facial fracture heal after he was hit by a batted ball.

Houck was hit below the right eye by a line drive from the New York Yankees Kyle Higashioka on Friday night. The 26-year-old right-hander saw a doctor Tuesday and it was determined a plate was needed.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that the outcome was a best-case scenario for Houck because he was hit below the eye and temple. Cora said he envisions Houck returning to pitch this season.

Sounds bad, right? Fracture, Cora said. "But the fact that he knows hes going to be part of this, its good. Its the best news we can get.

Cora said there's currently no timetable for Houck's return.

Houck received stitches after the incident and was checked at a hospital after he walked off the mound on his own with a towel covering his bleeding face. He's 3-6 with 5.05 ERA this season, making 13 starts.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
An ancient square where historians believe Julius Caesar was stabbed to death  one of the most infamous assassinations in history  was opened to the public for the first time Tuesday.

The Sacred Area of Largo Argentina, containing the remains of four ancient temples in a bustling part of downtown Rome, can now be seen up close via a lowered walkway for 5 euros ($5.50).

The site also contains the remains of the Curia of Pompey, a central meeting place for senators where it is believed Caesar was stabbed to death on March 15 (the Ides of March) in A.D. 44.

Successive generations had built on the site since ancient times, and it was only rediscovered when buildings were demolished in 1926. Three years later, another dictator, Mussolini, inaugurated it as an important historical site.

Two new exhibition areas also document the many archaeological finds at the site over the ages. The works were funded by the fashion house Bulgari and managed by the Capitoline Superintendency for Cultural Heritage.

Image: (Domenico Stinellis / AP)

The site could previously only be seen from street level and had become overgrown with weeds. Tourists photos posted online show the area being enjoyed by stray cats  there is cat sanctuary on a corner of the square.

One of the most beautiful and precious places in Rome is finally fully usable by Roman citizens and tourists, who from now on will be able to see from nearby wonderful archaeological finds from various periods of the history of our city, Miguel Gotor, councilor for culture for the city of Rome, said in a news release.

The first recorded structure of importance on the site dates to the early third century with the construction of what is referred to as Temple C, probably dedicated to the Roman goddess Feronia.

Fires in 111 B.C. and A.D. 80 destroyed much of the earliest buildings, with those remains buried under a new floor built by the emperor Domitian in the first century.

Caesar's death has endured in Western culture as one of the most seismic political events in history, even as its details and wider implications continue to be debated.

In Shakespeares dramatic retelling, the dying dictator last words were Et tu, Brute? after he saw that his old friend Marcus Brutus, one of the murder conspiracys main ringleaders, was among his killers.

What is agreed upon is that Brutus and a group of Roman senators had grown concerned over the size of Caesar's power and influence and his undermining of the Republic.

Gaio Giulio Cesare (Fototeca Storica Nazionale / Getty Images file)

However, Caesar's killing unleashed a period of reprisal and civil war that killed thousands and effectively killed the Republic. His named successor, his adopted 18-year-old son, Octavian, became what is regarded as Rome's first emperor in A.D. 27, known by then as Augustus.

Such is Italy's vast wealth of archaeological treasures that many important sites have yet to be excavated and thousands of found items have never been put on public display.

Historians' understanding of ancient Rome is still evolving as more items are found. In April a new study shed light on the use of Roman wineries in theatrical ceremonies, while in May archaeologists revealed how people were killed in an earthquake triggered by the immense eruption at Vesuvius in A.D. 79.
Two drones were brought down outside Moscow as they approached the warehouses of a local military unit, Moscow region Gov. Andrei Vorobyov said Wednesday, in what could be the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia during the early stages of Kyiv's most recent counteroffensive.

The wreckage of a third drone was found about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the site of the crash, Russian media reported. No damage or casualties were reported.

Russias Defense Ministry claimed it was an unsuccessful attempt at a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime on its facilities in the Moscow region, adding in a statement that all three drones were brought down by radio-electronic means.

Ukraine, which usually doesn't confirm attacks on Russian soil, made no immediate comment about the downed drones. Previously, Ukrainian officials have emphasized the countrys right to strike any target in response to Russia's invasion and war that started in February 2022.

In December, Moscow claimed it had shot down drones that targeted military air bases in the Saratov and Ryazan regions in western Russia.

Other drones have reportedly flown deep into Russia multiple times. Since February, when a UJ-22 crashed 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Moscow, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly approached the Russian capital.

Last month, a drone attack jolted the Russian capital, though it caused only slight damage, in what appeared to be one of Kyivs deepest and most daring strikes into Russia. It was the second reported strike on Moscow that month after Russian authorities said two drones targeted the Kremlin.

At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscows air defense worked in a satisfactory way, but added it was clear what we need to do to plug the gaps in the system.

Meanwhile, train traffic was disrupted on the Crimean Peninsula on Wednesday, according to its Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Aksyonov didnt say what caused the disruption, but some Russian media outlets reported that the rail lines were blown up overnight in apparent sabotage operations.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considers illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his country aims to reclaim the peninsula in a counteroffensive that began in recent weeks.

In response to Ukraines military threat using advanced weapons supplied by Western allies, Russia has in recent weeks expended significant effort on assembling elaborate defensive lines on the approaches to Crimea, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry.

For the Kremlin, ensuring control of Crimea is a top political priority, the ministry said in a tweet Wednesday. There is intense fighting in parts of southern Ukraine where Kyivs forces are testing Russian defenses, it added.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
A search operation is underway deep in the Atlantic Ocean after the OceanGate Expeditions Titan submersible, carrying five people to the wreckage of the Titanic, went missing. Above, the Titan in 2021. (OceanGate Expeditions)

As search-and-rescue teams raced against the clock Tuesday to find a submersible that vanished on an expedition to explore the wreck of the Titanic, a group associated with two of the people believed to be on board issued a statement saying there was "cause for hope" that the passengers were alive.

"There is cause for hope, based on data from the field  we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site," the statement read.

The statement followed a report by Rolling Stone that "banging" had been detected at 30-minute intervals within the area where the submarine disappeared. The report was based on internal emails from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Operations Center that said a Canadian aircraft had detected the noise after deploying several "sonobuoys."

The mission, in a remote area of the Atlantic, is a complex search effort requiring expertise and equipment that involves multiple agencies from the U.S. and Canada, along with OceanGate Expeditions, which owns and operates the missing sub, Capt. Jamie Frederick, a response coordinator with the U.S. Coast Guard's 1st District, said at a news conference Tuesday.

Officials said the effort covers an area of about 7,600 square miles  larger than Connecticut  focusing both on surface and subsurface search.

"Those search efforts have not yielded any results, Frederick said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, officials believed there were about 40 hours of emergency oxygen left in the submersible, named the Titan, based on the initial air supply of 96 hours.

OceanGate said its chief executive, Stockton Rush, is one of the five people aboard the missing 21-foot sub. He's the pilot of the vessel carrying four other people.

Though officials have so far declined to release any details of those aboard, the other four people have been identified through public statements. They include Hamish Harding, chairman of Action Aviation, a Dubai-based company dealing in aviation sales and acquisitions, and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a veteran and accomplished diver with more than 30 trips to the wreck site . Harding and Nargeolet are both members of the Explorers Club, according to the professional society. Also on board are Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and son Sulaiman.

Since Sunday evening, C-130 aircraft have been conducting surface searches, including with radar, and P-3 aircraft have dropped sonar buoys for subsurface detection. An underwater robot with specialized equipment has been deployed, Frederick said. A Canadian P-3 aircraft is conducting a six-hour search of the area, with more expected Tuesday evening.

Additional Canadian coast guard vessels also are expected to arrive, along with divers from the U.S. Navy. More private research vessels are making preparations to join the efforts, and several civilian ships also have volunteered to help, Frederick said.

Experts have said the mission is complex because of its remote location, which means it takes longer to deploy equipment, and because it covers areas above and below the surface of the Atlantic. Frederick described the effort to deploy equipment to the scene as a full-court press.

But even if the vessel is located, the rescue could be equally complicated, particularly given the dwindling oxygen supply. We will do everything in our power to effect a rescue, Frederick said.

#Update A Canadian Aircraft P3 Aurora has arrived on scene to conduct sonar searches.



The R/V Polar Prince and R/V Deep Energy are continuing their surface searches.



Total search area completed as of this morning is 10,000 SQ miles.#Titanic  USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 20, 2023

Former U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Andrew Norris said that it's "extraordinarily unlikely" that the five people on the submersible can be saved at this point, emphasizing the logistical challenges. "Its really a very novel, very, very, very challenging situation, he said.

Norris said the main hope is that the submersible has resurfaced and could be found on the water, and officials have not ruled out that possibility. But Norris said that if it is entangled in the wreck's debris thousands of feet below the surface, for example, extrication would be very difficult, given the time constraints.

The sub lost contact with the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive Sunday morning, about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Mass., the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The search is unfolding in a far-flung location about 13,000 feet deep, officials have said.

OceanGate organized the dive and owns and operates the missing submersible. The company has been running expeditions with citizen explorers to the Titanic since 2021 on its Titan sub, according to its website. The trip can cost around $250,000.

According to its website, OceanGate is a privately owned company in Everett, Wash., established in 2009, that operates a trio of fiveperson submersibles for site survey, scientific research, film production and exploration travel. Its vessels can reach depths of about 13,123 feet, the company said.

The company offers an eight-day, seven-night voyage to the Titanic wreck, according to its website. The round-trip from St. Johns in Canada takes intrepid travelers to explore the Titanic wreck. Dives can begin as early as Day 3.

Harding had detailed parts of his trip that began Friday across social media until he went missing Sunday. A weather window had opened up, allowing for a dive to the wreck Sunday, Harding wrote on his Facebook page . It was likely to be the only manned mission this year because of the harsh winter, he wrote.

His company, Action Aviation, also posted on Twitter about the voyage.

RMS TITANIC EXPEDITION 2023



4am start this morning on the RMS Titanic Expedition Mission 5 with @oceangateexped. The sub had a successful launch and Hamish is currently diving.

Stay tuned for further updates!



@the_explorers_club @ActionAviation0#titanic#titansub#discoverypic.twitter.com/qVGoYeHVwd  Action Aviation (@actionaviation) June 18, 2023

Last summer, CBS news correspondent David Pogue went aboard the Titan for an expedition to the Titanic wreck and interviewed Rush.

Pogue described the Titan as having as "much room as a minivan" and containing "improvised" pieces of equipment, which included a ceiling fixture that Rush said was acquired from Camping World and a video game remote control that Rush said runs "the whole thing." A waiver for the Titan declared the "experimental" vessel is not approved or certified by any regulatory body and could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma or death.

The first attempt by Pogues expedition to reach the wreck resulted in the sub getting lost for a few hours because of a communication breakdown with the surface vessel, which sends text messages to guide the sub's journey because there is no GPS underwater. The teams second attempt to locate the Titanic was successful.

OceanGate has faced criticism previously.

The April 16, 1912, front page of the Los Angeles Times on the sinking of the RMS Titanic. (Los Angeles Times)

Rush's peers in the submersible industry expressed deep concern about the Titan and what they described as OceanGate's refusal to adhere to certain industry safeguards. In a private letter to Rush in March 2018, the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee at the Marine Technology Society called on him to allow for third-party safety review of OceanGate's submersibles.

"Our apprehension is that the current experimental approach adopted by OceanGate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry," the letter stated.

William Kohnen, the chairman of the committee, told The Times that Rush's more cavalier style of innovation troubled industry leaders, who felt compelled to speak out. "OceanGate raised a number of eyebrows and was the subject of many conversations," Kohnen said.

That same year, David Lochridge, a former OceanGate employee, raised red flags about the Titan in litigation against the company, particularly OceanGates refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design of the hull. Lochridge, a submersible pilot hired to do quality and safety inspections, said he was terminated for coming forward. He said he disagreed with Rushs decision to subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible."

OceanGate said in its own court papers that Lochridge did not accept information provided by a lead engineer on the vessels safety. It also claimed that he filed a false report with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and that he violated his contract by discussing the company's confidential information with outside parties.

The case was settled in 2018. Lochridge did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a 2022 article in Maptia, a digital storytelling platform, Rush took shots at the submersible industry.

"One of the jabs that gets thrown at us is: Hey, you arent certified. But how can you do something new and get certified?" Rush asked. "If the rules exist for how to do it, then you are operating outside of the rules by doing something different. I think it was MacArthur who said, You are remembered for the rules you break. We try to break the rules intelligently and intentionally."

The Titanic was a British luxury liner that embarked on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, on April 10, 1912, bound for New York with 2,227 passengers and crew aboard. But the vessel, then the largest in the world, hit an iceberg and sank in the early hours of April 15, killing more than 1,500 people. In September 1985, an American and French team of researchers found the liner thousands of feet below the surface of the ocean.

Times staff writers Summer Lin and Jeremy Childscontributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEW YORK (AP)  Geraldo Rivera has quit as one of the lonely liberal voices on Fox News' popular political combat show The Five, saying Wednesday that a growing tension that goes beyond editorial differences made it no longer worth it to him.

The last scheduled appearance on The Five for the television veteran, whose 80th birthday is on July 4, is next week.

It has been a rocky ride but it has also been an exhilarating adventure that spanned quite a few years, he said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday. I hope it's not my last adventure.

Rivera said that it was his choice to leave The Five, but that Fox management didnt race after me to say, Geraldo, please come back. There was no immediate comment from Fox.

Despite airing in the late afternoon instead of prime time, The Five has become Fox's most-watched program, with an average of more than 3 million viewers last year. Its conceit is simple  five people, four of them conservative and one liberal  kick around the issues of the day.

Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino and Jeanine Pirro are the regular conservatives. Rivera has rotated as the liberal voice with Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr., a former congressman from Tennessee.

Rivera said he planned to remain as a correspondent at large at Fox, with a contract that expires in January 2025.

He said he'd been suspended a handful of times, most recently in early May. He had tweeted shortly after Fox fired Tucker Carlson on April 24 that he found Carlson's theories about the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection to be bullshit, leading Gutfeld to respond via tweet, You're a class act Geraldo, a real man of the people. Carlson had downplayed the violence on Jan. 6, calling people who invaded the Capitol sightseers.

Rivera and Gutfeld had a handful of particularly contentious exchanges. In late April, Rivera told him stop pointing at me when they argued over electric vehicles. He called Gutfeld an arrogant punk on the air last year during a fight about abortion.

Rivera would not comment directly about Gutfeld.

There has been a growing tension that goes beyond editorial differences and personal annoyances and gripes, he said. It's not worth it to me.

Rivera, once a friend of Donald Trump who split with him over the former president's false claims of winning the 2020 election, said that under no circumstances do I think Donald Trump should be president of the United States again and that's an important message I am committed to bringing to the American people between now and November 2024.

Although The Five and its large viewership would seem a prominent place for him to deliver that message, he said you can imagine the friction that role by definition would provoke.

I'm 80 years old, he said. I don't want the friction. The Five is too intimate a place and it gets too personal.

The argument over electric vehicles illustrated the challenge faced the liberal voice on The Five. As he talked, onscreen chyrons below him read Biden pushing pricey electric cars on Americans and Americans not buying Biden's EV hype.

Rivera had a colorful syndicated talk show that aired from 1987 to 1998, and hosted an evening news and interview show at CNBC in the late 1990s. He was brought to Fox shortly by then-chairman Roger Ailes after the September 2001 to be a war correspondent at first and has remained. On Wednesday he expressed some regret, in retrospect, for not leaving the network after the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011.

He said his relationship with his colleagues on The Five is a reflection of what the country is going through. ... It's not an easy job if you take it as personally as I do.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves traveled to Alabama for a Republican fundraising event as people in his state were still reeling from back-to-back tornadoes that killed one person, injured dozens and destroyed homes and businesses, and in the midst of lingering power outages from severe thunderstorms.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Reeves headlined a Republican Governors Association fundraiser on Monday at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Birmingham, according to an invitation obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. Ticket prices ranged from $5,000 for one person to $50,000 for four people.

Reeves is policy chairperson for the RGA and is seeking a second term as governor this year. His campaign manager Elliott Husbands said in response to questions Tuesday that the event was planned long ago, and money raised there was not earmarked for any specific campaign. Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi have the only governors races this year.

Reeves has stayed in contact with Mississippi Emergency Management Agency leaders since storms started pounding the state last week, including during his Alabama trip that lasted about three hours, Husbands said.

The Governor also has personally communicated with local leaders in the affected areas, Husbands said. "In addition, he has already said publicly he is going to be on the ground in the impacted areas tomorrow."

Brandon Presley, Mississippi's northern district public service commissioner, is the Democratic nominee for governor. His campaign communications director, Michael Beyer, on Tuesday criticized Reeves for attending the Republican Governors Association event.

It is no surprise to see Tate Reeves leave the state for a fundraiser in the middle of storm recovery  when given a choice between rubbing elbows with the wealthy and well-connected or speaking face-to-face with Mississippians who have had their lives upended by this storm, he will always go after the money," Beyer said. "If it would mean furthering himself, Tate Reeves would go to Antarctica for a campaign check.

Reeves did not fly on the state airplane to the fundraiser, Husbands said.

Thousands of people have been sweating without air-conditioning since severe thunderstorms knocked out electrical service last week in central Mississippi.

A tornado that struck Jasper County in eastern Mississippi overnight Sunday to Monday killed one person, injured nearly two dozen people and damaged more than 70 homes. Later Monday, another tornado struck coastal Jackson County. It injured six people and damaged about 100 structures. The city of Moss Point was hardest hit.

Reeves said Tuesday on social media: Well be here for the long haul to support these communities and help them recover."
WASHINGTON (AP)  The special counsel who investigated the FBIs probe of ties between Russia and Donald Trumps 2016 campaign found himself at the center of a heated political fight as he appeared before a congressional committee Wednesday, with Democrats denouncing his inquiry and Republicans arguing that its findings helped prove an anti-Trump bias within law enforcement.

John Durham, the Justice Department special counsel who recently completed his report, testified before the House Judiciary Committee in a hearing that unfolded against the backdrop of a 37-count indictment of Trump on charges he illegally retained classified documents.

Despite roughly six hours of testimony, the hearing broke little new ground. Under questioning from Republicans, he repeated many of the strongest findings of condemnation in his 306-page report and also faced criticism from Democrats over a four-year investigation that produced just one conviction and fell short of Trump's claims that it would expose the crime of the century.

The hearing spotlighted well-established law enforcement errors during the years-old Trump-Russia investigation, but Durhams appearance took on more contemporary political resonance in light of the criminal case against Trump and efforts by the former president and some Republican allies to undermine public confidence in the FBI.

They're never going to stop. Seven years of attacking Trump is scary enough, but what's more frightening, any one of us could be next, said the committee chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, said Americans believe there's a two-tiered system of justice that, he said, was terrifying."

Here we are seven years later, still talking about President Trump and this Democrat-invented scandal, Hunt said.

Democrats, for their part, went after Durham and his investigation in personal terms  Rep. Ted Lieu of California derided him for behaving like a partisan hack. They accused Republicans of using Durham's appearance as a pretext to criticize the FBI for its continued scrutiny of Trump and to distract from the former president's current legal troubles.

Thats why youre here today, not because of anything that happened in 2016, New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the top Democrat on the committee, told Nadler.

Durham, who was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of Trump-Russia investigation, tried to keep the focus of the hearing on his findings.

He noted that his review found that FBI investigators examining potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia ignored exculpatory evidence, used a largely discredited dossier of opposition research to obtain a surveillance warrant on a former Trump campaign aide, withheld key information from judges and lacked an adequate basis to open a full investigation in the first place.

He said the errors in the investigation were notable because the inquiry was not a run-of-the-mill investigation but instead concerned a presidential campaign."

He said current and former FBI agents had personally apologized to him for the way the Russia investigation was conducted.

Its so highly sensitive, it could affect the outcome of a presidential election and the future of the nation, Durham said. "You would expect that the discipline that would have been followed would have been higher than ever. And that didnt happen here. There's a sort of analytical rigor, the discipline in how we investigate criminal matters, that was just absent here in large measure.

Democrats repeatedly steered the hearing back to Durham's track record, the abrupt and publicly unexplained departure of his top deputy, and the fact that many of his more damning findings were already revealed years earlier in a Justice Department inspector general report. His investigation yielded just one guilty plea from a little-known FBI lawyer, a case referred to his office by the inspector general. And the two cases that Durham's team took to trial ended in swift jury acquittals.

In a tense exchange, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., tried to portray Durham as a prosecutor lacking legal standing and integrity who was attempting to protect Trump and his campaign for president.

You had a good reputation, thats why the two Democrats supported you, Cohen said, referring to the Democratic senators from Connecticut who had backed Durham's nomination for U.S. attorney. But the longer you hold on to Mr. Barr and this report that Mr. Barr gave you as special counsel, your reputation will be damaged as everybody's reputation who gets involved with Donald Trump will get damaged.

Durham responded: My concern about my reputation is with the people who I respect and my family and my Lord and Im perfectly comfortable with my reputation with them, sir.

GOP animosity toward the Justice Department was further fueled by Tuesdays announcement that President Joe Bidens son Hunter will likely avoid jail time in a plea deal on tax and gun allegations. Jordan tweeted that it was a DOUBLE STANDARD OF JUSTICE."

The bureau also is facing bipartisan criticism of how it handles intelligence collected electronically under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows spy agencies to collect foreign phone calls and e-mails for their investigations.

A newly declassified surveillance court opinion found that the FBI had run thousands of unsupported searches of Americans, including queries tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection and the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd.

Previewing Durham's private meeting Tuesday with the Intelligence Committee, Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the panel's chairman, alleged last week that the FBI went off the rails and hurt the justice system's credibility.

Rules and laws need to be changed so that these mechanisms cannot be used again in this way to really harm the American public, he said.

Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the panel's top Democrat, said after the committee's meeting that Durham didn't recommend any changes to existing law but broadly discussed the issues in the report and the handling of politically sensitive investigations.

Our hearing was not political. Nobody was looking to score points, Himes said. People asked questions that indicated their political affiliation, but thats because they were doing due diligence around things that concern them.

FBI Director Chris Wray has acknowledged errors in the Trump-Russia probe. In a statement Tuesday, the bureau said it had  already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time."

The Durham report "reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect, the statement said.
KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was quoted on Wednesday as saying progress in Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces was "slower than desired", but that Kyiv would not be pressured into speeding it up.

"Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not," Britain's BBC quoted him as saying in an interview to be broadcast later in the day. "What's at stake is people's lives."

His adversary, Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Moscow had observed a "lull" in Ukraine's counteroffensive, which began early this month. Although Ukraine still had some offensive potential, Kyiv understood it had "no chance", Putin said in televised remarks.

Ukraine says it has reclaimed eight villages so far in its long-awaited counter-offensive, its first substantial gains on the battlefield for seven months.

But Ukrainian forces so far have yet to push their way to the main defensive lines that Russia has had months to prepare. Kyiv is believed to have set aside 12 brigades of thousands of troops each, most of which have yet to join the fight.

Reuters has visited some villages recaptured by Ukrainian forces and confirmed an advance of several kilometres. Moscow says it has been resisting the Ukrainian advances since early June.

Ukraine's armed forces general staff said on Wednesday evening there had been 35 armed clashes in the main sectors of the front over the past 24 hours, without giving details. It said anti-aircraft units had downed 32 of 35 Iranian-made Shahed drones.

The report also noted enemy offensive action in the Lyman sector in Ukraine's east, where officials say Russian forces have become more active. There was Russian shelling throughout the east and in Zaporizhzhia region.

MINES

The BBC quoted Zelenskiy as saying the military push was not going easily because 200,000 square km (77,220 square miles) of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces.

"Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best," he added.

After a flurry of early gains, Kyiv has claimed to have captured only one additional village over the past week, the hamlet of Pyatikhatky. Officials said on Wednesday forces in the south were mostly consolidating earlier gains, while troops in the east were holding off Russian attacks.

"They had partial success over the past day, they have consolidated at the boundaries that were reached and they have evened up the front line," Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said.

Zelenskiy's interview with Britain's public broadcaster was timed to coincide with a conference in London where allies were due to pledge billions of dollars in economic and reconstruction aid.

Washington offered $1.3 billion. Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Kyiv was hoping for almost $7 billion from the event.

The West has already given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment, including hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles that form the core of the force it is set to unleash in its counteroffensive.

Some of Ukraine's supporters worry that Kyiv will have to show impressive results on the battlefield in coming weeks or risk political support waning in the West.

Both sides have stepped up longer range attacks with missiles and drones in preparation for the fighting at the front. Russia said on Wednesday it had shot down drones that had reached the region surrounding Moscow. Kyiv never comments on reports of attacks inside Russia.

Elsewhere on the diplomatic stage, European Union governments agreed to an 11th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at stopping other countries and companies from circumventing existing measures.

(Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Gareth Jones)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an acceleration of Black Sea grain shipments from Ukrainian ports under a deal allowing safe wartime exports, a U.N. spokesperson said on Tuesday as Russia threatens to quit the pact next month.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help tackle a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion of its neighbor and blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

But food exports "have dropped significantly from a peak of 4.2 million metric tonnes in October 2022 to 1.3 million metric tonnes in May, the lowest volume since the Initiative began last year," said deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Guterres was disappointed by a slowing pace of ship inspections and the exclusion of Pivdennyi (Yuzhny) port - one of three Ukrainian ports covered by the Black Sea export deal.

"The Secretary-General calls on the parties to accelerate operations and urges them to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of this vital agreement, which is up for renewal on 17 July," Haq said in a statement.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin said last week that Russia was considering withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal.

The Black Sea deal also allows for ammonia shipments, but none have happened. Russia used to pump up to 2.5 million tonnes of ammonia annually to Pivdennyi port for global export. But the pipeline was shut down by the war and earlier this month Moscow accused Ukrainian forces of blowing up part of the pipeline.

Restarting the pipeline was one of several Russian demands made in talks to extend the Black Sea grain deal. Last month it began stopping vessels traveling to Pivdennyi port under the Black Sea grain deal until the ammonia pipeline was restarted.

To convince Russia to agree to the initiative, a three-year pact was also struck in July 2022 in which the United Nations agreed to help Moscow overcome any obstacles to its own food and fertilizer shipments.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

The U.N. has confirmed that it cannot do anything to address some of Russia's central grievances, the state TASS news agency cited Russia's Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday.

Haq said the United Nations was "fully committed" to supporting the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the pact to facilitate Russia food and fertilizer exports.

"This is especially critical now as the new grain harvest begins in both Ukraine and the Russian Federation," he said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Medical teams to be sent to India's heat wave-affected states

Xinhua) 13:19, June 21, 2023

NEW DELHI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Tuesday decided to immediately send medical teams to the heat wave-affected states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where nearly 100 people have died over the past few days.

While 54 people have died in Uttar Pradesh, 44 people have lost their lives due to the extremely hot weather in Bihar so far, according to local media reports. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the maximum temperature in several parts of the two states was recorded at 42.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, which was said to be 4.7 degrees above normal.

In at least 11 districts of Bihar, the temperature surged past 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Sheikhpura town of Bihar remained the hottest place recording 45.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

In Uttar Pradesh, Ballia has been one of the worst affected districts, with at least 400 people admitted to a district hospital during the last three days with complaints of fever, breathlessness and other health complications, said a media report by India Today.

At a high-level meeting in the national capital, federal Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that health experts will be deployed to the two states amidst the rising number of deaths due to heat stroke.

"A team of experts from the union health ministry, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will visit the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to support them in public health response measures to address heat-related illnesses," said the federal health minister.

He also directed the ICMR officials to conduct research on how to minimize the effect of heat waves on health with specific action plans.

Besides, the IMD has been asked to issue daily weather forecasts in a manner that can be easily interpreted and disseminated.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Hunter Biden greets people on a street as U.S. President Joe Biden visits Dundalk, Ireland, April 12, Reuters-Yonhap



U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes and to enter into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge, according to a court filing on Tuesday.



The news sparked accusations of favorable treatment for the Democratic president's son from former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, who for years have attacked both Bidens.



Their accusations of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden relating to Ukraine and China prompted the investigation by David Weiss - the U.S. attorney in Delaware appointed by Trump - that led to the charges. The two misdemeanor tax charges were Hunter Biden's first.



The younger Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant to foreign companies, investment banker and artist, and has publicly detailed his struggles with substance abuse.



The announcement by the Justice Department comes as President Biden is in the middle of a re-election campaign that may pit him again against Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024. As president, Trump asked Chinese and Ukrainian authorities to investigate Hunter Biden's activities in their countries.



According to court filings, Hunter Biden received taxable income of more than $1.5 million in 2017 and in 2018 but did not pay income tax those years despite owing in excess of $100,000.



He is also charged with unlawfully owning a firearm from roughly Oct. 12 to Oct 23, 2018 when he was using and addicted to a controlled substance, the Justice Department said. For that charge, he entered a pretrial diversion agreement, an alternative to prosecution that is sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid prison time or a criminal conviction.



"It is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved," his attorney, Christopher Clark, said in a statement. "I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward."



Weiss said the investigation is ongoing, a standard statement in such announcements.



The White House on Tuesday declined to comment on the charges or the deal.



"The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment," spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement.



Hunter Biden is likely to face a sentencing range of 12-18 months for the tax charges, about half of which could be spent inside a prison cell, according to sentencing expert Tess Lopez.



But the odds he will get sentenced to prison are low, based on the tax loss amount, his status as a first-time offender and his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions.



"He's not going to prison," said Michael Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who now chairs the white-collar practice at the law firm Cole Schotz. "He is facing prison time, but whether or not practically and realistically he goes is very different."





The U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., is seen in this June 20 photo. AFP-Yonhap



Republicans see 'slap on the wrist'



Hunter Biden disclosed in December 2020 that Weiss's office was investigating his tax affairs. He denied wrongdoing.



He described in a 2021 memoir dealing with substance abuse issues in his life, including crack cocaine use and alcoholism. He was discharged from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2014 after testing positive for cocaine, sources said at the time.



The Weiss inquiry initially examined potential violations of tax and money laundering laws in foreign business dealings, principally in China, sources told Reuters.



The investigation headed by Weiss began as early as 2018, according to U.S. media reports. Weiss was asked to stay on in the role, after Trump left the White House and President Biden began, to continue the probe.



The probe followed accusations of influence peddling against Hunter Biden by Trump and others, as well as Trump's efforts to get Ukrainian officials to investigate the son of the man he saw as his likely 2020 presidential challenger. Those efforts, including a suspension of congressionally approved military aid for Ukraine, led to Trump's first impeachment.



Republicans on Tuesday roundly criticized the deal as being favorable to the president's son.



Representative James Comer, the Republican chair of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, which has been leading House Republicans' investigations into Biden's family, called the plea deal "a slap on the wrist" and said it would not deter his panel's work.



Representative Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight panel, accused Republicans in a statement of "wailing about the work" of a Trump-appointed attorney.



"This development reflects the Justice Department's continued institutional independence in following the evidence of actual crimes and enforcing the rule of law even in the face of constant criticism and heckling by my GOP colleagues who think that the system of justice should only follow their partisan wishes," Raskin said about the charges.





House Oversight Committee chairman Rep. James Comer speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., June 20. AFP-Yonhap
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  An independent expert working with the United Nations on the issue of human rights in Myanmar urged the international community on Wednesday to find a different approach to resolve the crisis in the Southeast Asian country, saying the current course of action is not working.

Tom Andrews, a special rapporteur working with the U.N. human rights office, told a news conference in Jakarta the world is looking to Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for leadership on the situation in Myanmar.

I came to Indonesia because the human rights situation in Myanmar is dire and getting worse, and because I believe that Indonesia is positioned to play a critical role in the resolution of this crisis, Andrews said after meeting with Indonesian and ASEAN officials.

Myanmars crisis began after its military in February 2021 seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover prompted widespread public protests, whose violent suppression by security forces triggered an armed resistance that now spans much of the country.

Andrews, a former U.S. congressman, said the situation in Myanmar is also losing visibility outside of the country.

He said the Myanmar military has killed more than 3,600 civilians since the crisis began, while more than 19,000 people have been jailed as political prisoners.

ASEAN, of which Myanmar is a member, two years ago agreed on a five-point plan that includes a call for an immediate stop to killings and other violence and the start of a national dialogue. The military rulers in Myanmar initially accepting the plan, but have made little effort to implement it.

Andrews said the 10-member regional bloc should not invite the junta to any of its meetings and should not allow Myanmar military personnel to participate in defense meetings.

I cannot help but have the impression that there are two different time zones when it comes to ASEAN and the crisis in Myanmar: one being the reality of the people of Myanmar who face daily attacks by junta forces and rapidly deteriorating conditions. The other is the world of ASEAN officials who caution that progress could take years, even decades, he said.

The people of Myanmar do not have decades. They need a strong international response to the crisis that is carried out in the same time zone as the brutal attacks that they are suffering, he said.

Special rapporteurs work with the U.N. human rights office in Geneva based on mandates handed out by the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, a 47-member body that currently counts both China and Russia as members.
Rescuers on Wednesday rushed more ships and vessels to the area where a submersible disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site, hoping underwater sounds they detected for a second straight day might help narrow their search in an increasingly urgent mission.

The full scope of the search was twice the size of Connecticut in waters 2 1/2 miles deep, said Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District, who noted that authorities are still holding out hope of saving the five passengers onboard the Titan.

This is a search and rescue mission, 100%, he said. ... Well continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members.

But even those who expressed optimism warned that many obstacles remain: from pinpointing the vessels location, to reaching it with rescue equipment, to bringing it to the surface  assuming its still intact. And all that has to happen before the passengers oxygen supply runs out, which some have estimated might happen as early as Thursday morning.

The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan went missing on Sunday is prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search-and-rescue mission, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol. The lost submersible could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the surface near the watery tomb of the Titanic.

Meanwhile, newly uncovered allegations suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during the submersibles development.

Frederick said while the sounds that have been detected offered a chance to narrow the search, their exact location and source hasn't yet been determined.

"We don't know what they are, to be frank, he said.

Retired Navy Capt. Carl Hartsfield, now the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, said the sounds have been described as banging noises, but he warned that search crews have to put the whole picture together in context and they have to eliminate potential manmade sources other than the Titan.

The report was encouraging to some experts because submarine crews unable to communicate with the surface are taught to bang on their submersibles hull to be detected by sonar.

The U.S. Navy said in a statement Wednesday that it is sending a specialized salvage system thats capable of hoisting large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels."

The Titan weighs 20,000 pounds (9,071 kilograms). The U.S. Navys Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System is designed to lift up to 60,000 pounds (27,216kilograms), the Navy said on its website.

Lost aboard the vessel are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers are a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Authorities reported the 22-foot carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

Frank Owen, a submarine search and rescue expert, said the estimated 96-hour oxygen supply is a useful target for searchers, but is only based on a nominal amount of consumption." Owen said the diver on board the Titan would likely be advising passengers to do anything to reduce your metabolic levels so that you can actually extend this."

At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGates submersible to the Titanic wreck site in 2021 and 2022, according to letters the company filed with a U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, that oversees matters involving the Titanic shipwreck.

Chris Brown, a British adventurer who paid a deposit to go on the Titan voyage but later withdrew because of what he called safety concerns, said word that the searchers have heard sounds is both good news and bad news.

If the sounds are coming from below the water indicator then that indicates that they may be alive in the water, but now weve got time pressures in getting them up to the surface, Brown told ABCs Good Morning America Wednesday.

Brown has previously criticized the use of a simple commercially available video game controller to steer the Titan. But OceanGate has said that many of the vessels parts are off-the-shelf because they have proved to be dependable.

Its meant for a 16-year-old to throw it around, and is super durable, Rush told the CBC in an interview last year while he demonstrated by throwing the controller around the Titans tiny cabin. He said a couple of spares are kept on board just in case.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon.

Jeff Karson, a professor emeritus of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University, said the temperature is just above freezing, and the vessel is too deep for human divers to get to it. The best chance to reach the submersible could be to use a remotely operated robot on a fiber optic cable, he said.

I am sure it is horrible down there, Karson said. It is like being in a snow cave and hypothermia is a real danger.

Documents show that OceanGate had been warned there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way the experimental vessel was developed.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, said in a 2018 lawsuit that the companys testing and certification was insufficient and would subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

The company insisted that Lochridge was not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan. The firm also says the vessel under development was a prototype, not the now-missing Titan.

The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators, also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush, OceanGates chief executive. The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. The New York Times first reported on those documents.

The search for the missing vessel has drawn international attention. In Dubai, where the missing British adventurer Hamish Harding lives, Crown Prince Hamadan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum wrote: Dubai and its people pray for their safety and hopeful return home.

Others aboard include Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country. In Pakistan's port city of Karachi, employees at his firms said they prayed for the two's safe return, as did government officials. French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet also was on the vessel.

Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, who is now deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University, said the disappearance of the submersible underscores the dangers associated with operating in deep water and the recreational exploration of the sea and space, "two environments where in recent past weve seen people operate in hazardous, potentially lethal environments, Murrett said.

I think some people believe that because modern technology is so good, that you can do things like this and not have accidents, but thats just not the case," he said.

___

Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia; and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department on Wednesday announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign government officials and agents who assist fugitives in evading the U.S. justice system.

The Fallon Smart policy is named after a 15-year-old who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Oregon in 2016, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the statement, adding that the foreign national accused of causing Smart's death fled the United States to avoid being tried for manslaughter.

"The Department of State is committed to deterring and promoting accountability for extraordinary foreign government involvement in aiding fugitives to evade the U.S. justice system," Blinken said in the statement.

The Oregonian newspaper reported in 2018 that the man accused in Smart's death, a Saudi Arabian national, likely fled the country with the assistance of the Saudi government.

A State Department spokesperson said in a statement that because visa records are confidential under U.S. law "we cannot disclose the identities of individuals who are or may be subject to this policy."

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon in March said he would lift his hold on the nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, after commitments from the State Department on revoking visas of foreign nationals assisting those evading prosecution or fleeing the U.S. justice system.

"Todays announcement of the Fallon Smart Policy' enshrines in U.S. policy the principle that there can be no room in America for foreign officials who help criminal suspects dodge the law," Wyden said on Wednesday.

"The loss of Fallon to her family and loved ones can never be erased, but this new State Department policy named for this young Portlander killed by a foreign national establishes genuine accountability for any foreign official who assists fugitives fleeing U.S. justice."

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Costas Pitas; Editing by Alistair Bell and Stephen Coates)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said lawmakers will be starting from scratch on figuring out how to regulate the new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S.

In a speech during a Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) event Tuesday, Schumer said lawmakers have no choice but to acknowledge the coming changes with AI, noting that many want to ignore necessary regulations due to the complexity of the new technology.

AI is unlike anything Congress has dealt with before, Schumer said in his speech.

Its not like labor or health care or defense, where Congress has a long history we can work off of, he added. Experts are not even sure which questions policymakers should be asking. In many ways, were starting from scratch.

Schumer added in his speech that Congress is up for the challenge to address AI usage in the country, noting a list of legislation that has passed in Congress in the last two years under his leadership.

Dont count Congress out, he quipped.

The New York senator said he plans to reveal the framework of his SAFE Innovation Act on Wednesday  a bill meant to protect, expand and harness the potential of the new technology.

Lawmakers interest in AI comes as other companies have introduced services this year implementing the technology. Microsoft announced earlier this year that its new premium messaging service, Teams Premium, will be powered by Open AIs ChatGPT program.

ChatGPT  a free tool launched in November  automatically generates humanlike responses to users queries in a way that is more advanced than previous technology. President Biden traveled to San Francisco to meet with AI experts and researchers Tuesday to discuss managing the risk of the new technology.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday outlined his two-pronged approach for crafting artificial intelligence (AI) policy, as Congress and the administration race to regulate the booming industry.

The Democratic leader unveiled his framework for AI regulation and announced a series of expert forums to guide Congress as lawmakers tackle a range of issues posed by the technology, from national security concerns to copyright law.

Schumer said his SAFE Innovation Framework for AI aims to incorporate safeguards raised by stakeholders while still promoting innovation in the industry.

I call it that because the right framework must prioritize innovation. Its essential to our country, he said during a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The U.S. has always been a leader in innovating on the greatest technologies that shape the modern world.

The Senate majority leader unveiled more details of the framework, which was first announced in April, one day after President Biden met with tech leaders to discuss AI and a day after a bipartisan House bill on the technology was introduced.

Schumers framework has five key pillars: security, accountability, protecting foundations, explainability and innovation.

In his speech Wednesday, the senator said innovation must be our North Star in crafting regulation and stressed the need for bipartisanship in setting the ground rules for AI.

To help in laying down a new foundation for AI policy, Schumer said Congress should hear from top minds in AI through a series of forums later this year.

If we take the typical path  holding congressional hearings with opening statements and each member asking questions five minutes at a time, often on different issues  we simply wont be able to come up with the right policies, he said.

By the time we act, AI will have evolved into something new.

Schumer said the forums cant and wont replace efforts already underway in Congress.

Members of both parties have zoomed in on issues posed by AI.

In the House, a bipartisan bill was introduced Tuesday that would create a commission to review, recommend and establish regulations for AI.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, among others, has held a series of hearings on AI risks and opportunities  including a high-profile hearing in May featuring Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAi, the company behind the popular ChatGPT tool.

ChatGPT burst onto the scene in November and has skyrocketed in popularity since. The tool  along with the launch of rival AI chatbots such as Googles Bard and other generative AI video and image tools  has left U.S. lawmakers and global leaders mulling AI regulation.

Schumer stressed the urgency of congressional action to set guardrails for the technology that align with democratic norms.

If not, he said, theres a risk others  namely the Chinese Communist Party  could set standards, and democracy could enter an era of steep decline.

Schumer has established a bipartisan group of senators to lead on the issue alongside himself: Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

The framework is just one piece of the federal governments sweeping attempt to rein in the booming AI industry.

On Tuesday, Biden met with tech leaders in San Francisco to discuss AI.

Biden said he expects to see more change in the next 10 years than weve seen in the last 50 years, and maybe beyond that, adding that AI is driving that change.

We need to manage the risks to our society, to our economy, and our national security, he said. I have a lot to learn, and we also have a lot to discuss.

The White House has said that AI is a top priority for the president, and chief of staff Jeff Zients is overseeing a process to rapidly develop decisive actions on AI to take over the coming weeks, a White House official told The Hill on Tuesday.

The meeting in California followed previous meetings Biden and Vice President Harris had with executives of companies leading the way on AI, including Google and Microsoft, at the White House in May.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
South Carolina Republicans have scheduled their presidential primary for Feb. 24, 2024  a relatively late date that could force candidates to invest more time and money in the state while scrambling campaign strategies in the first four GOP contests.

With Iowa and New Hampshire potentially holding votes in January, and Nevadas plans in flux, there could be a substantial gap in the calendar before South Carolina.

This will give our voters the chance to do what they do best  interact one-on-one with our candidates, South Carolina GOP Chairman Drew McKissick said Monday when announcing the date. This will provide a great economic boom to our state and I look forward to welcoming all of the candidates to the Palmetto State and participating in the historic First in the South primary.

Most of the 2024 candidates remained silent on the move, including former President Donald Trump, who won the primary in 2016, and the two contenders from South Carolina: Sen. Tim Scott and former Gov. Nikki Haley. The notable exception was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose campaign quickly framed the late February date as a victory.

This could not have shaken out any better for us, DeSantis spokesperson Andrew Romeo said in a statement to NBC News and other outlets. We were happy to support this decision and look forward to competing to win in all four early states. Gov. DeSantis has the strongest political operation and footprint of any of the announced candidates, including Joe Biden.

DeSantis allies also cheered the news.

Actually tickled pink, said one adviser to Never Back Down, the pro-DeSantis super PAC.

Spokespeople for other Republican campaigns, including the two South Carolina candidates, declined or did not respond to requests to comment on the record for this article.

Josh Putnam, an expert on presidential primary rules who runs the consulting firm FHQ Strategies, cautioned against reading too much into the South Carolina decision. He noted that none of the other three early states has set a date.

Republicans in Iowa and New Hampshire are working to move their contests to January, to keep ahead of a Democratic calendar that prioritizes other states and leads off with a South Carolina primary on Feb. 3. And if Nevada Republicans are able to opt out of a Feb. 6 date set to accommodate the Democrats, they could hold a primary or caucus closer to South Carolinas vote.

South Carolina Republicans spun it a little bit differently  that were going to give the candidates a chance to campaign here and spend money here over the course of two or three weeks, Putnam said. It may work out that way. But Nevada will have some say in that.

In 2016, when Republicans last had a robust competition for their presidential nomination (the 2020 primary was canceled, with Trump running unopposed for a second term), the first four states all held their caucuses and primaries within 22 days. South Carolina came third, 11 days after New Hampshire and three days before Nevada. The whirlwind allowed Trump, after narrowly losing the Iowa caucuses, to reclaim momentum by winning the next three contests in rapid succession en route to the White House.

The resources required to compete on the ground and on the air early in four states, including pricey media markets like Boston, which reaches into New Hampshire, can stretch even the flushest of campaigns. So while 2024 hopefuls may have some breathing room after the Iowa and New Hampshire gauntlet, keeping ads on TV in South Carolina could be a challenge, especially if lackluster performances in the first two states spook donors.

Putnam acknowledged that there could be an advantage for DeSantis, given the large political operation and long-haul strategy that the governors supporters have been preparing in anticipation of fighting Trump or other GOP hopefuls deep into primary season. DeSantis is set to make his third visit to South Carolina  his second since declaring his candidacy  on Thursday with an event in North Augusta.

I mean, if Im sitting in DeSantis headquarters in Tallahassee, I could see where they could arrive at that conclusion, Putnam said. Its a money thing, yes. But the deeper South Carolina goes into the calendar, the further after Iowa and New Hampshire that it is, thats just going to put pressure on other candidates to put up or shut up: What have you won lately?

Trump leads GOP polls nationally and in South Carolina. But DeSantis consistently places second in those surveys. Hes also a prolific fundraiser whose campaign and supportive super PAC, Never Back Down, are expected to have plenty of cash to promote his candidacy. A state-level political committee that backed DeSantis re-election campaign in Florida, which he won last year by a 19-point margin with plenty of money to spare, recently transferred more than $80 million to Never Back Down. The super PAC has taken on get-out-the-vote duties, already knocking on more than 76,000 doors in South Carolina.

The political battleship that the DeSantis team is building has raised expectations for him in the early states. Failing to meet them in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada would raise the pressure on DeSantis in South Carolina, especially if Scott or Haley is still in the race and looking to make the case that he or she  and not DeSantis  is the strongest Trump alternative.

Theres significant support for Tims message and vision for the country in South Carolina, said one Republican strategist who is supportive of Scott but not authorized to speak publicly on the race. The more than 140 South Carolina endorsements he just received accurately reflects the enthusiasm around his candidacy following a great announcement in Charleston.

Another Republican, who is advising a different presidential campaign and spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly, cast the later South Carolina primary as bad news for Scott and Haley.

I think its a death knell for their home state candidates, both of whom are likely to underperform in Iowa and New Hampshire, the adviser said. By adding another state before South Carolina, it forces them to be competitive in a third state. At least before they just needed to hold on until [South Carolina]. That will be more difficult.

Some observers, including Putnam, viewed the South Carolina date through the lens of Bidens first primary victory in 2020. He went 0-for-3 in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada but used a dominating Palmetto State victory as a catapult into the Super Tuesday states and the Democratic nomination.

A Republican could potentially do the same in 2024, especially if a stridently anti-Trump candidate like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie shakes up the results in fiercely independent New Hampshire and leaves the field with no clear front-runner.

South Carolina is still the first big test of the presidential campaign, and the gap between here and Iowa and New Hampshire gives a chance to kind of reset the chessboard, said Josh Kimbrell, a South Carolina state senator who has served as a surrogate for the DeSantis campaign. A lot of them are going to go to all the counties in Iowa, and theres nothing wrong with that, but some might want to do the same in South Carolina.

Alex Stroman, a former executive director of the South Carolina GOP who for now is neutral in the primary, took a shot at New Hampshire, exhibiting the kind of competitive trash talk that often exists among early voting states.

Of the early primary states, South Carolina has the best record for choosing the nominee, Stroman said. By having so much time between Iowa and South Carolina, some candidates could skip New Hampshire entirely and come right to the state that actually picks presidents.
One of the defendants at the centre of the Harvard University morgue scandal boasted about his skull collection in a resurfaced article published more than 15 years ago.

Tattoo artist Mathew Lampi, 52, is among five people charged with stealing and selling human remains donated to Harvard Medical School for research. Prosecutors revealed in shocking court filings last week that a morgue manager, his wife, a mortician, a creepy doll collector and Mr Lampi were part of a multi-state ring that exchanged and sold heads, brains, skin and bones.

The scheme, which is part of a larger black market, is alleged to have gone on from 2018 to 2022.

Mr Lampi, who owned a now-closed tattoo shop in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, is accused of exchanging over $100,000 in online payments with a supplier from Pennsylvania, who obtained the body parts from a morgue worker supposed to cremate the remains. According to the complaint, Mr Lampi allegedly purchased genitals, hearts, swaths of skin, skulls and the body of a stillborn baby boy, among other body parts.

But a resurfaced magazine article from 2008 hints at Mr Lampis alleged particular interest in collecting skulls. The article published in the February issue of Skin Deep and unearthed by The Pioneer Press delves into Mr Lampis  fascination with the human form and what lies under the skin and the twisted and macabre [inspiration] from the dark recesses of his mind.

My mind never relaxes. I am always in a constant state of flux. When I am not tattooing or designing, I collect items. My collection consists of several tantric Kampalas, human skulls, a morticians make-up kit (previously used of course) and a customers toe, Mr Lampi is quoted saying.

Mr Lampi also said at the time that he became bored with the traditional style of tattooing, noting that his style was a mix between realism and illustration.

Pennsylvania police were tipped off last summer about the packages sent to Mr Lampi. He then reportedly asked his contact, 41-year-old Jeremy Pauley, what law enforcement was onto.

 ... in the end the only thing that mattered was nothing was proved grave robbed or stolen out of a morgue, Mr Pauley reportedly texted Mr Lampi, according to court documents obtained by the Pioneer Press.

Mr Lampi has not entered a plea in his case.

Mr Lampi, Harvard Medical School Morgue manager Cedric Lodge, 55, and his wife Denise, 63, were arrested on 14 June along with Katrina Maclean, 44, of Salem, Massachusetts  who owns a store in nearby Peabody called Kats Creepy Creations that specialises in creepy dolls, oddities and bone art  and Joshua Taylor, 46, of West Lawn, Pennsylvania.

Mr Pauley and Candace Chapman Scott of Little Rock, Arkansas, were previously indicted for buying and selling stolen body parts intended for cremation and pleaded not guilty. They face up to 15 years in prison on charges of conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods.

The Independent has reached out to all the defendants attorneys for comment.

Ms Maclean is accused of selling remains stolen by Mr Lodge to other buyers in multiple states, including to Mr Pauley, to whom she allegedly shipped a package of human skin in 2021 having engaged his services to tan the skin to create leather, after which he sent it back to her, according to The New York Times.

According to the federal indictment, Mr Lodge would spirit the dissected body parts away from the HMS morgue and store them at his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Mr Lodge, who was hired by Harvard in 1995, allegedly allowed potential buyers into the morgue to choose which body parts they wanted.

He and his wife would then sell them as part of a national network of traffickers trading in human remains, conducting transactions on Facebook and PayPal and making use of the US Postal Service.

Some crimes defy understanding, United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam said in a statement. The theft and trafficking of human remains strikes at the very essence of what makes us human. It is particularly egregious that so many of the victims here volunteered to allow their remains to be used to educate medical professionals and advance the interests of science and healing.
NoSystem images - Getty Images

SHOCK, FLASHBACKS, AND DENIAL are just some of the emotions that can accompany a traumatic event . Sometimes, you need trauma therapy to work through this emotional distress, especially if its affecting your relationships or ability to carry out your day.

Trauma therapy can greatly improve a persons ability to heal from past trauma and regain emotional security, says Angeleena Francis, L.M.H.C., executive director at AMFM Healthcare . Seeking professional support to identify the most effective modality to address trauma is the first step.

About 70 percent of adults have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives, according to the National Council for Behavioral Health . It could stem from abuse, an accident, natural disaster, grief, war or conflict, or witnessing a violent act.

The events can be profoundly altering, says Avi Klein, L.C.S.W., clinical director and owner of Downtown Somatic Therapy in New York City and a Mens Health advisor. People develop coping strategies or long-term changes in their behavior and ways of relating as a result of those experiences.

Trauma therapy, or trauma-focused therapy , can help you heal and learn to cope with the emotions that come from the traumatic event. It can encompass several different types of therapy , including cognitive behavioral therapy , eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), exposure therapy, and others.

Trauma therapy has been really impactful, Klein says. For people who feel hopeless, theres a lot of hope and possibility out there for them.

Here, therapists explain what trauma therapy is, how it can help, and what you should know about seeking out the treatment.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional response to a horrific event, according to the American Psychological Association . It can cause fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings that have a long-term negative impact on your life, including how you think, view the world, and function daily.

Goodboy Picture Company - Getty Images

It can result from abuse, military combat, being the victim of a crime, being in an accident or natural disaster, or anything other impactful experience.

Trauma can range in severity and isnt a diagnosable condition, Klein says. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a diagnosable psychological disorder, but not everyone whos experienced trauma meets the criteria for PTSD.

Sometimes therapists might say there's a capital T trauma and then lower-case T trauma, he explains. There are experiences and events that might be the classic symptoms of PTSD, like flashbacks, nightmares, and dissociation. And, then there are other events that can be traumatic, which are overwhelming and frightening.

A hallmark of trauma is unprocessed experiences, and thats why flashbacks are common, Klein says. It seems as if something that happened in the past is happening in the present, and you have cortisol spikes at moments when you wouldnt expect to.

Other symptoms of trauma can include:

Headaches

Pain

Fear

Depression and anxiety

Stomach problems

Nightmares

Mood swings

Sleep problems

Isolation

What Is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma-focused therapy basically focuses on a specific trauma from your life, explores how the trauma affects you, and helps you heal from it, explains Alfred Tabaks, L.P.C. , a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks in Arlington, Texas , who specializes in trauma.

Healing looks different from person to person, but the way I usually describe it is: trauma is a wound that will eventually scar over, he says. It doesn't necessarily go away, but its impact lessens, and we learn how to handle it as it comes.

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For instance, if the trauma stems from abuse or another event caused by another person, you might focus on forgivenessfor you, not the other person, Tabaks says. Forgiveness doesnt necessarily mean reconciliation but helps you release yourself from the hurt.

Therapy for event-related trauma might focus on acceptance, he adds. Its important to realize that trauma can rewire the brain.

What Are the Types of Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy creates a safe space for you to process the emotional consequences of the trauma, Francis says. It can include several different types of therapy.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are linked, and how changing one area can improve another, according to the APA . It helps you learn to change behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that interfere with your functioning. CBT targets the symptoms related to trauma and helps you learn coping skills.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

EMDR was developed in the late 1980s to treat PTSD, according to the APA . It relies on Adaptive Information Processing, which is a theory suggesting that your brain stores normal and traumatic memories differently. EMDR is a multi-step therapy that encourages patients to focus on the traumatic memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation, usually eye movements. The goal is to make the memory feel less vivid and reduce the emotions associated with it.

Cognitive Reprocessing Therapy

This is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you learn to challenge trauma-related thoughts and beliefs and change how you react to them, according to the APA. It can help you feel unstuck with your thoughts and behaviors, and its a common treatment for PTSD.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy helps you confront your fears, which can help you break your trauma-related thoughts and behavior patterns, APA says. Your therapist will create a safe space to expose you to what you fear and avoid, which will, over time, help you feel less fearful and stoping avoiding it.

The Benefits of Trauma Therapy

Different people respond to different types of trauma therapy. Klein says the goal is to access feelings of safety so helping them ground, focus on their breath, orient themselves to the present, and retrain their body to relax.

Grace Cary - Getty Images

Trauma therapy helps you process the traumatic event and deal with it without the emotional response, Francis adds. You learn to feel safe in having the memory.

At the core of trauma therapy is the assistance in that scarring over of the wound, Tabaks says.

Trauma therapy can ultimately reduce stress levels and the intensity and severity of triggers, he adds. Youll also learn coping skills for dealing with the emotions related to the trauma.

Are There Any Downsides to Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy can be intense, Tabaks says. You should prepare yourself for possibly mentally reliving the trauma and for the feelings from the trauma to resurface.

A good therapist will ensure that youre prepared for this experience, he adds.

Trauma therapy works best when you also use other tactics to help you deal with stress and anxiety, like meditation, exercising, journaling, or other kinds of self-care, Klein says.

Should You Seek Trauma Therapy?

Trauma, especially unresolved trauma, can affect every aspect of your life: relationships, work, and anxiety levels, Francis says. When its interfering with your ability to be self-sufficient or function normally, you should seek help.

Trauma-focused therapy takes work, though, Tabaks says. It's difficult and can even be scary at times, but it's worth it, he adds. You don't need to feel alone, and you don't need to do this on your own. There are plenty of therapists who are experienced in trauma therapy that are ready to work with you. Sometimes, the most difficult step is starting.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters as he arrives at a hotel in New York City, June 20. Reuters-Yonhap



Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States on Tuesday for a state visit that has been projected as a milestone in ties between the two countries that would deepen and diversify their partnership.



Modi has been to the U.S. five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but his visit until Saturday will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.



It also marks only the third state visit of Joe Biden's presidency and the third by an Indian leader to the U.S., a sign of the strengthening bond between Washington and New Delhi and the distance they have traveled since being on opposite sides of the Cold War.



Modi landed on Tuesday afternoon in New York, where he has business meetings and will mark International Day of Yoga on Wednesday before heading to Washington. There he has a private dinner with Biden on Wednesday, followed by talks at the White House and a state dinner on Thursday.



The visit is expected to see the two countries expand cooperation in the defense industry and high-tech sectors, with India getting access to critical American technologies that Washington rarely shares with non-allies.



"This special invitation is a reflection of the vigor and vitality of the partnership between our democracies," Modi said in a statement before departure.



"I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains."





Flags of India and U.S. adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington, D.C., June 20. AFP-Yonhap



Modi met on Tuesday with Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, who was to brief him on plans to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing base in India, a source with direct knowledge of the arrangement told Reuters.



"It was excellent and a very good conversation," Musk said after meeting Modi, adding he planned to visit India next year.



"I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk said when asked by reporters about a timeline.



Tesla has had discussions with the Indian government about incentives for car and battery manufacturing and proposed establishing a factory in India to build electric vehicles, Reuters reported in May.



Musk is also the executive chairman of Twitter, which has had run-ins with Modi's government.



Last week, Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey said New Delhi threatened to shut it down in India unless the social network complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the handling of farmer protests, a charge Modi's government called an "outright lie".





Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters as he arrives in New York, U.S., June 20, AP-Yonhap
Former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) will offer a split-screen moment in New Hampshire next week as they appear at dueling events on the same day.

Trump is set to appear at the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Womens Lilac Luncheon in Concord, N.H., next Tuesday, according to an event listing on the organizations website.

Meanwhile, DeSantiss campaign confirmed to The Hill that the Florida governor would be in Hollis, N.H., on the same day as Trumps visit. The news of the dueling visits in the Granite State was first reported by Fox News.

The development comes as the 2024 GOP presidential field has started to solidify, with national polls showing Trump as the front-runner and DeSantis generally polling in second place. Trump and DeSantis have started to crisscross early presidential primary states like New Hampshire and Iowa, with their campaigns largely focusing ammo on each other.

Still, while the Florida governor has taken some opportunities to take a few jabs at Trump, hes largely avoided harshly and directly targeting Trump in the same manner that the former president has directed toward DeSantis.

It underscores the tricky balance Republicans must face as they seek to court Trump-aligned GOP voters while differentiating themselves from the pack.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The US this year dropped further behind other countries in closing the gender gap among several measures, according to new data from the World Economic Forum.

The country ranked 43rd in gender equality out of 146 countries, down from 27th place last year, according to the WEFs 17th annual Global Gender Gap report.

Overall, it will take 131 years to close the gender pay gap across the world economy, the report found, a marginal improvement from the previous estimate of 132 years. Its still a delay of three decades compared to the WEFs estimate from before the pandemic.

While the level of gender parity has regained the progress it lost during the pandemic, converging economic and political crises are creating an uneven landscape worldwide, the WEF said, with progress slowing down overall and AI posing an additional risk.

While there have been encouraging signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels, women continue to bear the brunt of the current cost of living crisis and labour market disruptions, WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said in a press release. An economic rebound requires the full power of creativity and diverse ideas and skills. We cannot afford to lose momentum on womens economic participation and opportunity.

The 'Fearless Girl' statue which stands in front of Wall Street's Charging Bull statue is seen in New York, U.S., March 15, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

In the US

Each year, the WEF publishes an annual Global Gender Gap which measures progress towards gender parity using a numeric index with four pillars: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

The US saw one of the largest drops among the 50 highest-ranked countries, with the WEF reporting a 2.1- percentage-point decline in its gender parity score. The country experienced the largest drop in its political empowerment rating  driven by the share of women ministers dropping to just 33%, as measured by the UN. The US has also never had a female head of state.

According to the WEF, health parity also worsened, while the US improved in wage equality for similar work and estimated earned income. The country has nearly closed the gender gap in terms of its literacy rate and enrollment in primary and higher education, but it lags behind in secondary education.

Coupled with the 0.2 percentage point decline in Canada's overall gender parity score, it would take 95 years to close the gender gap in North America given the current rate of progress, the report found.

While there have been encouraging signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels, women continue to bear the brunt of the current cost of living crisis and labour market disruptions, WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said in a press release. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Global gender parity

Overall, educational attainment saw the most improvement in 2023  surpassing pre-pandemic levels  while the WEF warned that progress on political empowerment was stagnating and economic participation among women has worsened. For instance, the rate of women's participation in the labor force registered at the second-lowest level since the first WEF report in 2006.

Across all 146 countries that were listed by the WEF, none has achieved full parity. Iceland was the country with the greatest progress for the 14th year in a row, having closed 91.2% of the gender gap. Its score is due to the high levels of female leadership in government and level of education attainment, the WEF said.

Rounding out the top five countries were Norway, Finland, New Zealand, and Sweden.

The increasing levels of women in leadership that are seen in the best-performing countries stand in contrast to the globe as a whole. For the first time in eight years, the share of women hired into leadership roles declined in 2023, returning to 2021 levels, the WEF reported.

Afghanistan, the lowest-ranked country on the list, is the only one to have made it less than halfway to the end of its gender gap.

"Accelerating progress towards gender parity will not only improve outcomes for women and girls but benefit economies and societies more widely, reviving growth, boosting innovation, and increasing resilience," Zahidi wrote in the executive summary.

Gender and AI

For the first time this year, the WEF reported a new metric on the gender gap in the AI workforce, which is exploding across industries. According to this metric  which uses data from LinkedIn  only 30% of AI workers are female, despite a six-fold increase in the share of professionals who work in AI from 2016 to 2022.

The WEF warned that the rise of AI could exacerbate the progress that is being lost in economic participation among women.

When womens perspectives, experiences, and insights are not adequately incorporated into AI development and deployment, biased algorithms and technologies may be perpetuated, risking biased and suboptimal solutions to emerging challenges, WEF wrote in the report.

Jared Mitovich is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @jmitovich

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A A handout photo made available by the Russian Defense ministry press-service shows Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu delivering his speech during a meeting of the Collegium of the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, June 20. EPA-Yonhap



Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday that Moscow had information that Ukraine was planning to strike Russian-controlled Crimea with longer-range U.S. and British missiles and warned Russia would retaliate if that happened.



Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, but considers it to be outside the scope of what it calls its "special military operation" which is focused in eastern and southern Ukraine where Ukraine is fighting to retake territory.



Kyiv, which says it is battling for its survival in a war of colonial conquest, says it wants to reclaim all of its territory however, including the Crimean peninsula which hosts Russia's Black Sea naval base.



Shoigu told a meeting of military officials that Moscow had information that Ukraine planned to strike Crimea with U.S.-supplied HIMARS long-range rocket systems and with British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles.



"The use of these missiles outside the zone of our special military operation would mean that the United States and Britain would be fully dragged into the conflict and would entail immediate strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine," said Shoigu.



Ukrainian generals and politicians have said many times they do not announce their military plans ahead of time.



Shoigu said Ukraine's armed forces had carried out 263 attacks on Russian forces' positions since June 4, referring to what Moscow regards as the start of Ukraine's counteroffensive.



"Thanks to the smart and selfless actions of our units all of them (the attacks) have been repelled, the enemy has not accomplished its goals," said Shoigu.



Ukraine says it has recaptured eight villages in the early stages of its counteroffensive and a defense official has promised that Kyiv's "biggest blow" lay ahead despite tough resistance from Moscow's troops. (Reuters)




YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly is visiting Armenia June 22-23, 2023, the U.S. Embassy announced. The Governors visit will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Kansas-Armenia State Partnership, and strengthen ties between the State of Kansas and Armenia.



Governor Kelly is joined by U.S. Brigadier General Michael Venerdi on his first visit to Yerevan since being appointed as Adjutant General for the State of Kansas.

Governor Kelly and Brigadier General Venerdi will meet with the Prime Minister and senior officials from the Armenian government, including the Minister of Defense, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister for Education, and Minister of Economy. They will also visit the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade, the Military Hospital, the National Defense Research University, Military University, and the Armenia National Agrarian University.



In 2003, the Republic of Armenia signed an agreement with the State of Kansas and the U.S. Department of Defense to establish the Kansas-Armenia State Partnership Program. Under the program, the Kansas National Guard has worked closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, and other governmental agencies on joint initiatives including military training, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, business, medical, public health, educational and humanitarian exchanges.
All these officers belong to various cadres of the 1989 and 1990 batches

Under this reshuffle, the 1989-batch IPS officer of Uttarakhand cadre Safi Ahsan Rizvi and five other officers have been promoted as Special Directors in the IB from the post of Additional Directors.(Representational Image/File)

NEW DELHI: In a major reshuffle, the government on Tuesday promoted six IPS officers, working as additional directors in the Intelligence Bureau as special director while six others have been elevated as Special DGs.

All these officers belong to various cadres of the 1989 and 1990 batches. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Monday approved these appointments following the proposals received earlier from the Union home ministry.

Under this reshuffle, the 1989-batch IPS officer of Uttarakhand cadre Safi Ahsan Rizvi and five other officers have been promoted as Special Directors in the IB from the post of Additional Directors.

Mr Rizvi has been posted to the new rank against an existing vacancy from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier, a Ministry of Personnel notification reads. The promotion of five other officers in the IB are based on "in situ basis" by temporarily upgrading the posts of Additional Director held by them from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

According to the notification, the five other officers posted in IB are 1989 batch IPS officers Rahul Rashgotra and Vivek Srivastava as well as 1990 batch officers TV Ravichandran, Rajiv Ranjan Verma, and Harinath Mishra as additional director as special directors on in situ basis by temporarily upgrading the post of additional director held by them from the date of their assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders whichever is earlier.

Similarly, a 1989-batch IPS officer from Uttar Pradesh cadre, PV Ramasashtry, and his one batch junior YB Khurania of Odisha cadre have been promoted as Special Director General against the existing vacancies from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. They are presently posted as Additional DGs in the BSF.

1990-batch IPS officers Daljit Singh Chaudhary, and SS Chaturvedi have been promoted to the post of Special Director General in the CRPF against vacancies from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Currently, they are posted as Additional DG in the CRPF. The ACC has also approved two grants of "in situ" promotion due to the non-availability of sanctioned posts. The officers are Nina Singh from a 1989 batch of the Rajasthan cadre and AM Kulkarni from a 1990 batch of the Maharashtra batch as Special DG in CISF and NIA respectively.

However, Mr Kulkarni has been appointed as Special Director General in the NIA on in situ basis by temporarily upgrading the post held by the officer from the date of assumption of charge of the post up to January 31, 2024, or the date of his superannuation or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He is currently posted as the Additional DG in the NIA.
The apex court also observed that the tenor of the high court order was to ensure a free and fair election in the state

NEW DELHI: Dismissing the petitions of the West Bengal government and the State Election Commission (SEC) challenging the Calcutta high court order directing the state poll body to deploy Central forces for the July 8 panchayat elections, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said holding elections cannot be a "licence for violence".

The apex court also observed that the tenor of the high court order was to ensure a free and fair election in the state.

Hours after suffering a loss of face at the Supreme Court, the West Bengal SEC requisitioned Central forces from the ministry of home affairs. However, as it asked for only 22 companies of Central forces for 22 districts, questions are being raised over the intention of the state poll panel about its plan to deploy the Central forces. Only 22 companies implies that one district will get only one company, which the Opposition parties claim is inadequate to cover all 61,636 polling booths in the state.

The main Opposition party in West Bengal, the BJP, claimed that the apex courts order was a "resounding defeat" for chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who had made panchayat polls a "prestige issue and a launch pad for her nephew".

The BJP alleged that the SEC, by not requisitioning force within 48 hours of the Calcutta high courts order, was "already in contempt" and that after the apex courts "scathing comments," it leaves them with "little moral authority to conduct a free and fair poll." The party claimed that the TMC has "already faced moral defeat in court while the political outcome of the elections is awaited".

Several people have been reportedly killed in clashes in the run-up to the July 8 polls, including on June 15, the last day for filing nominations, prompting the Calcutta high court to order deployment of Central forces across the state. Polling will be held in over 61,000 booths, many in sensitive areas.

A Supreme Court vacation bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Manoj Misra rejected the two petitions, observing that "Holding elections cannot be a licence for violence. Elections cannot be accompanied by violence."

"The fact remains that the tenor of the order of the high court is ultimately to ensure that there is a free and fair election conducted in the entire state of West Bengal since the state is conducting the said elections for the local bodies on a single date and having regard to the number of seats which are going to the polls," the bench said.

The apex court said that the order of the high court does not call for any interference, and the top court is not inclined to interfere with any other directions issued by the high court with regard to holding elections to the three-tier panchayati raj institutions.

The bench said West Bengal is one of those states where democratic set-up exists even at the lowest level and it is at the grassroots level that the elections are taking place.

"But, at the same time, elections cannot be accompanied by violence. If persons are not able to go and file their nominations or those who have filed their nominations are ultimately finished off, or there are group clashes, where is free and fair election?" the court said.

The counsel for the state government said that sometimes facts and figures are different from impressions.

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the SEC, said that the poll panel is aggrieved by two directions of the high court, including the one that says it will requisition Central forces and deploy them across the state.

She said it is not within the jurisdiction of the SEC to requisition and deploy Central forces for the conduct of elections.

"Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the SEC to conduct free and fair elections," the bench said, adding, "The question is, how are you aggrieved by the order? The point is this. You have yourselves requested for deployment of forces to the state government. Now, from where the forces come is not your concern. How is your SLP (special leave petition) maintainable?"

The bench told the counsel appearing for West Bengal that even according to the state, the police force, as of now, was inadequate to meet the situation and therefore, it has requisitioned police forces from half a dozen states.



"What the high court has thought is, instead of requisitioning police forces from half a dozen states, let the Central forces be brought in," it said, adding the high court has also said the expenditure will be borne by the Centre and not the state.

Reacting to the apex courts order, BJP state unit chief Sukanta Majundar said, "The Supreme Courts observation today has exposed the failure of Ms BanerjeeShe wants to avoid the Central forces, SC has made it clear that elections cant be any sort of justification for violence. She has left nothing to save her face. Her intention to project her nephew has also failed."

The WB EC's failure to comply with the Calcutta high court's order by refraining from using force within 48 hours constitutes contempt. Furthermore, the Supreme Court's harsh criticisms add to their lack of moral standing in conducting an election that is truly equitable and unbiased. In order to save face, her only option is to resort to poll rigging as a means to secure a victory."

BJP IT cell head and co-incharge of the state, Amit Malviya, said the courts order was a "resounding defeat" of the CM" and that "irrespective of the political outcome, Ms Banerjee has "lost the perception battle, even before the first vote is cast."

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "After the Supreme Court's judgement, the Mamata Banerjee government stands completely exposed that it was not only giving protection to violent activities but it approached the apex court using constitutional tools to stop efforts being taken to stop violence in the state."

He added that after the violence, arson and murderous attacks on the BJP and other party workers, the apex courts decision should be seen as a "protector of democracy and a lesson to the West Bengal government".

"They (TMC) have already faced moral defeat in the court while the political outcome of the elections is awaited," the BJP spokesperson said, hitting out at the West Bengal government over a series of incidents of violence in the state during the nomination filing process for the panchayat polls.
The People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran has reported the death of a man and hundreds injured in a camp located north-west of the Albanian capital that is home to thousands of its members and their families. The Albanian government says that its action is part of a wider police investigation. Computers and other equipment were seized. Iran attacks the group again, calling it a terrorist organisation.

Tirana (AsiaNews)  Albanian police raided the Ashraf-3 refugee camp on the north-western outskirts of the Albanian capital, Tirana, where thousands of members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK)[*] and their families have been living for over a decade.

As a result of the clashes between law enforcement and camp residents, one person died and hundreds were injured from pepper-spray, some of them taken to Tiranas Mother Teresa Hospital. Police also seized scores of computers.

Outlawed in Iran, the MEK is one of the most active groups opposing the theocratic regime established in the wake of the 1979 revolution.

In a statement, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which is dominated by the MEK, slammed the criminal and suppressive onslaught by more than a thousand police agents, which caused the death of Abdul Wahab Farajinejad (Ali Mansherari).

The NCRI calls on the United States and the United Nations to guarantee the safety and well-being of the residents of Ashraf and protect them from outlaw" actions that flagrantly violate many international treaties, like the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the European Declaration of Human Rights.

For the Iranian group, the Albanian government, by its violent crackdown (see videos), acted At the behest of the religious fascism ruling Iran.

Albanian agents broke many doors, closets, and equipment and attacked the residents with tear gas and pepper spray. Many computers were broken or taken away.

The actions of the Albanian police are reminiscent of the criminal attacks by Nouri al-Maliki forces on Camp Ashraf in Iraq between 2009 and 2015.

MEK is suspected of carrying out cyber-attacks against foreign institutions. In a statement, Albanian police said that they had acted on a court order due to the "violation of agreements and commitments" made by the group "when they settled in Albania solely for humanitarian purposes."

Albanian Interior Minister Bledi Cuci and senior police officials deny any responsibility in the death of the elderly man as the MEK claimed. Mr Cuci noted that the death had nothing to do with the actions of the police.

The minister insisted that the MEKS reaction was unacceptable, intolerable, and reprehensible, adding that some 15 police officers and 21 members of the MEK were injured and several police cars were damaged.

The incident began when MEK members resisted police after they found server rooms and computer equipment. Suspecting they were illegal, police seized 96 computer units and about 50 laptops and tablets. They also reported an attempt to burn documents during the raid.

The operation was part of an investigation by the Special Anti-Corruption Agency (SPAK).[] The prosecutor's office has initiated several criminal cases, but I cannot tell you why the Iranians of the MEK are suspected," Cuci said.

The minister refused to confirm links between the group and cyber-attacks last September on Albania, which led to a serious falling out between Tirana and Tehran that resulted in Albania cutting off diplomatic relations.

Irans Foreign Ministry reacted to developments in Albania by renewing its verbal attacks against the MEK, which it called a terrorist organisation.

For the ministrys spokesman, Nasser Kan'ani, the MEK will always be a threat to the security of their host due to their terrorist nature. For this reason, the Iraqi government expelled them and other governments refused to accept them.

Iran accuses the group of carrying out assassinations and bombings against Iranian government and civilian targets, backed by Iraqs dictator Saddam Hussein.

It claims that out of the nearly 17,000 Iranians killed in terrorist attacks since the Islamic Revolution, about 12,000 were victims of the MEK.

[*] Mojahedin-e-Khalq.

[] Struktura e Posacme Anti-Korrupsioni (Special Anti-Corruption Structure)
China refused to include Sajid Mir on the global terror list. The Pakistani is wanted in connection with multiple attacks that killed 166 people in 2008. Had HIS name been added, he would have been subjected to an asset freeze and a travel ban. This comes as Indian PM Modi starts a state visit to the United States. For an Indian minister, geopolitical interests are undermining the fight against terrorism.

New York (AsiaNews/Agencies)  As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes a state visit to the United States, China has blocked a proposal before the United Nations Security Council to include on the global list of terrorists, Sajid Mir, a Pakistani national wanted for his involvement in the Mumbai terrorist attacks of 26 November 2008, which left 166 people dead and over 300 wounded.

India and the United States had submitted a proposal to that effect to the UNSCs 1267 al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee. By being designated a global terrorist, Mir would have had his assets frozen, and would have been subjected to a travel ban and arms embargo. Last September China put a technical hold on the proposal.

In June 2022, a Pakistani court sentenced Sajid Mir to more than 15 years in prison for his involvement in a terrorist financing case. The verdict came just as Pakistan was seeking to be removed from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental watchdog set up develop policies to combat money laundering.

For Indian authorities, Mir masterminded of the 2008 massacres. At a UN counterterrorism summit hosted in Mumbai last year, an audiotape was played in which the Pakistani can be heard directing the attack on Chabad House, a Jewish centre targeted along with big hotels.

India was none too pleased by Chinas move. If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes listed under security council architecture for pure geopolitical interest, then we do not really have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism, said Prakash Gupta, UNP[*] division joint secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), speaking at the United Nations.

[*] United Nations Political.
Today's headlines: Police in India still use carrier pigeons; Rohingya refugees will be allowed access to university in Malaysia; In Vietnam, Facebook continues to censor content unwelcome to the Communist Party; The Knesset wants to prevent a summer camp for Israeli and Palestinian orphans; Moldova declares a pro-Russian party illegal.

CHINA - PAKISTAN

The China National Nuclear Cooperation and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission have signed a .8 billion agreement to build a nuclear power plant, Chashma 5, in the eastern province of Punjab. Work on the project will begin immediately, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. Two years ago, the country's sixth nuclear power plant was inaugurated in Pakistan.

MALAYSIA

Malaysia's Education Minister announced that Rohingya refugees in the country will have the opportunity to study at the International Islamic University thanks to a million donation from the Qatar Development Fund. Responding to the criticism, Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, "This will not compromise the sovereignty of the country. We are one of the civilised countries that understand that we have to help the refugees".

VIETNAM

According to former Meta employees and human rights activists, Facebook, in order to retain large numbers of users, has made several concessions to Vietnam's authoritarian government, systematically censoring dissent and allowing those seen as threats to be kicked off the platform. Meta adopted an internal list of Vietnamese Communist Party officials who should not be criticised on Facebook and included it in the content moderation guidelines.

INDIA

The police in the eastern state of Orissa continue to use carrier pigeons in case of communication breakdown during natural disasters. This is a service that dates back to the rule of the British colonial empire. "We kept the pigeons for their historical value and to preserve them for future generations," explained Satish Kumar Gajbhiye, Inspector General of Police in Cuttack district.

ISRAEL

During a meeting of the Knesset Education Committee, Likud MP Hanoch Milwidsky warned the director of the Ben Shemen Youth Village that it will not be able to host a summer camp for orphaned Israeli and Palestinian children sponsored by the Parents Circle organisation this summer, threatening to closely scrutinise all public funds allocated to the initiative.

RUSSIA

Moscow Duma Speaker Volodin urged all relokanty, the Russians who fled abroad due to the war, to return by 2 July, after which date they would lose their Russian Federation tax residency and suffer a tax increase from 13% to 30%. According to Putin, 'half of the Russians abroad have already returned', and of those abroad only 9% still work for remote Russian firms. A third of the relokanty consider their condition 'very heavy'.

MOLDOVA

The Constitutional Court of Moldova recognised the pro-Russian party 'Sor' as illegal. The deputies elected with it can continue their parliamentary activity as independents, as the party 'acted in contradiction to the priority of the law, endangering the sovereignty and independence of the republic', and called for its complete liquidation.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

One year after the elections, questions are being asked about the real possibility of alliances between the various groups and movements opposing the government. But the distances remain marked and difficult to overcome. There is concern that the repercussions of what is happening in Ukraine may also excessively condition life in Georgia.

Tbilisi (AsiaNews) - The parliamentary elections in Georgia are a year away, and the opposition to the ruling Georgian Dream party is wondering about possible strategies to defeat it, taking the country to a more decidedly pro-European line and moving away from Moscow's influence. However, the problem is also conditioned by the many contradictions within the opposition forces themselves, which do not seem easy to overcome.

Two Georgian political scientists who are quite popular in the country, David Darcjasvili and David Zurabisvili, discussed these issues on Ekho Kavkaza. The basis of the comparison is a consideration based on the experience of the past few years, whereby the less likely the opponents are to win, the more attempts are made to reunify them before the elections.

Zurabisvili is decidedly sceptical about the possibility of real coordination, given the heterogeneity of the different groups and movements opposing the government, with different political histories behind them that are not without conflict and still open wounds. The only factor of convergence is the aversion to the Georgian Dream, but this does not seem to be enough: "An extreme polarisation must take place, from all or nothing, and this can happen if the ruling party itself reaches a level of total radicalisation of its positions, which at the moment cannot be affirmed".

According to the political scientist, 'if the elections will propose the alternative: either with Ivanisvili and Russia, or without Ivanisvili and Europe, then perhaps there will be a confrontation of equals', but the likelihood of such a clear-cut confrontation is by no means a foregone conclusion. In that case, if the politicians do not unite, the voters will certainly take sides. And in any case, much depends on the EU's reactions to Georgian political events, and the events on the Ukrainian front: the more Ukraine can assert a winning position, the more Georgia will be drawn to the West.

Darcjasvili recalls the various 'Popular Front' experiments of the 1980s, even before the end of the USSR, which partly fuelled internal conflicts in the Caucasian country. In his opinion, the pro-Russian excesses of the Georgian Dream policy could recreate a similar situation, but 'it will also have to be seen whether Putin will be able to stay in place after the failures of the Ukrainian operation'. The 'National Movement', the main opposition party, was founded by ex-President Saakashvili in continuity with the anti-Soviet and anti-Russian Front.

The Georgian Dream, on the other hand, tries to disguise itself behind the 'defence against dictatorship' of the Saakasvili period, which had introduced the military state throughout the country for the war with Russia. On the other hand, the government's position is not openly anti-European, indeed it subscribes to 80% of the EU's demands, reserving some options to defend its own interests, especially those of founder Ivanisvili. However, Darcjasvili assures Darcjasvili, there are many in the party who wholeheartedly support Georgia's entry into NATO and the EU, 'not a group of fascist and Putinist fanatics'.

The government's propaganda emphasises that the West's interest is not focused on Georgia, it mainly wants to weaken Russia, and therefore 'a lot of caution' is needed, and this would actually be Ivanisvili's line, rather than 'plotting with the Kremlin'. In truth, both sides of the Georgian political spectrum are apprehensive about the over-radicalisation of Ukrainian politics, which could in turn excessively affect the life of neighbouring Georgia.

However, the 'Saakashvili factor' remains open, the uncertain fate of the ex-president in prison and seriously ill, who is not allowed to seek treatment abroad, as requested by his supporters and by the government of Ukraine itself, whose nationality the 'presidential dissident' holds. All the oppositions, the two political scientists conclude, 'are in favour of Saakashvili, but they are in conflict with each other', and the ex-president, however much he may still influence Georgian politics, is not known for his ability to bring contenders together.

Photo: Flickr / Vladimer Shioshvili
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This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. In a race against the clock on the high seas, an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday, June 20, for the submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. AP-Yonhap





A renowned Titanic expert, a world-record holding adventurer, two members of one of Pakistan's wealthiest families and the CEO of the company leading an expedition to the world's most famous shipwreck are facing critical danger aboard a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean.







The submersible Titan was reported overdue Sunday night about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland, according to Canada's Joint Rescue Coordination Center, spurring a desperate international rescue effort. Rescuers were racing against the clock because the oxygen supply could run out by approximately 6 a.m. Thursday.







A Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises during the hunt for the Titan. The U.S. Coast Guard said via Twitter early Wednesday that as a result of the noises detected by the Canadian P-3 patrol aircraft, search efforts have been relocated and the data is being used to help guide the ongoing effort.







The expedition featuring the Titan was led by OceanGate, making its third voyage to the Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew.







A pilot and four other people are on the Titan. They are:











Although his background is in aerospace and technology, Rush founded OceanGate in 2009 to provide crewed submersibles for undersea researchers and explorers, according to the company's website. Rush is the Titan's pilot, said company spokesperson Andrew Von Kerens.







The private company based in Washington started bringing tourists to the Titanic in 2021 as part of its effort to chronicle the slow deterioration of the wreck.







"The ocean is taking this thing, and we need to document it before it all disappears or becomes unrecognizable," Rush told The Associated Press in 2021.







In an interview with CBS News last year, Rush defended the safety of his submersible but said nothing is without risk.







"What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface  overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazard,." he said, adding that a good pilot can avoid such perils.







Rush became the youngest jet transport rated pilot in the world at age 19 in 1981, and flew commercial jets in college, according to his company biography. He joined the McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1984 as a flight test engineer. Over the past 20 years, he has overseen the development of multiple successful IP ventures.







Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist and a friend of Rush, called him "a real pioneer" in the innovation of submersibles.







"Stockton was a risk-taker. He was smart. He was, he had a vision, he wanted to push things forward," Stone said Tuesday.











A British businessman, Harding lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Action Aviation, an aircraft brokering company for which Harding serves as chairman, said he was one of the mission specialists, who paid to go on the expedition.







Harding is a billionaire adventurer who holds three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. In March 2021, he and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo dived to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench. In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.







"Both the Harding family and the team at Action Aviation are very grateful for all the kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues," the company said in a statement.







In a Facebook post Saturday, Harding said he was "proud" to be part of the mission.







"Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023," he posted. "A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive (Sunday)."







Harding was "looking forward to conducting research" at the Titanic site, said Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club, a group to which Harding belonged.







"We all join in the fervent hope that the submersible is located as quickly as possible," he said in a statement.







U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, center, faces reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, June 20, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. AP-Yonhap









Father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood are members of one of Pakistan's most prominent families. Their family said in a statement that they were both aboard the vessel.







"We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety while granting the family privacy at this time," the statement said. "The family is well looked after and are praying to Allah for the safe return of their family members."







Their firm, Dawood Hercules Corp., based in Karachi, is involved in agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunication infrastructure.







Shahzada Dawood also is on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Dawoods live in the UK, according to SETI.







Shahzada Dawood is also a member of the Global Advisory Board at the Prince's Trust International, founded by Britain's King Charles III to address youth unemployment.







He has degrees from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) in the U.S.











Nargeolet is a former French navy officer who is considered a Titanic expert after making multiple trips to the wreckage over several decades.







David Gallo, a senior adviser for strategic initiatives and special projects at RMS Titanic, said in an interview with CNN that Nargeolet was on board.







He is director of underwater research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc., has completed 37 dives to the wreck and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artifacts, according to his company profile.







He was expedition leader on the most technologically advanced dive to Titanic in 2010, which used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the bow and stern sections as well as the debris field.







While with the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of Sea, he led the first recovery expedition to the Titanic in 1987. (AP)






A construction crew works on the Burlingame Phase III project in Aspen on Tuesday. While the city of Aspen is pursuing multiple affordable housing projects, Pitkin County commissioners are at an impasse in trying to come up with funds for its housing program.
Molly Absolon is a contributor to Writers on the Range (writersontherange.org), an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She writes in Idaho.
From One Generation to the Next, Idaho Body Shop Builds a Legacy

Published June 21, 2023

Following Fathers Day, CARSTAR is highlighting a family-focused facility that exemplifies what it means to be a member of the CARSTAR family.

CARSTAR Hayden, located at 1770 W. Hayden Avenue in the city of Hayden, ID, opened its doors in 2018 and has been positively impacting the community ever since. From stellar customer service to industry-leading collision repair, the CARSTAR Hayden team has been a staple for those in the area.

Greg Solesbee, owner of CARSTAR Hayden, comes from a long history of vehicle repair. As the youngest of seven, Solesbee grew up surrounded by the automotive industry. Now married with four kids of his own, Solesbee and his wife, Rachelle, set out to open their own collision repair facility.

My dad actually started a collision repair business back in 1969, and there was a moment where his business almost failed, said Solesbee. So, I asked him what he thought, and when that next customer came in, he thought, Oh boy. I asked him how he treated that customer and he told me, Man, I treated them like gold. I grew up with that principle and incorporated it into my working style. At CARSTAR Hayden, we view our customers as gold and believe people should be treated as such. On top of car repair and making sure that the vehicle is repaired the way it should be, we also want to make sure the customer is treated the way they should be treated. Correct car repair is no accident here!

Solesbee is continuing the legacy of family values and works alongside his son, Zachry, in the shop. Zachry is a parts extraordinaire and supports CARSTAR Hayden by logging, checking and verifying that the parts for repairs are accurate and performing at quality levels. His second oldest son, Colin, assisted with hands-on mechanical and diagnostics work before leaving for a mission trip.

When working with your immediate family, there is a level of assumed trust, said Solesbee. You can count on them to show up and be present. However, well-explained expectations, goals and boundaries are all incredibly important to pay attention to. I always tell my children that because they hold the family name, theyre held to a higher standard for our community and our team.

The entrepreneurial spirit also extends to the two youngest Solesbee children, Asher and Paisley, who assist with janitorial work, lawnmowing and car washing at the shop. Asher has a small business he calls Ashers Eggs and has a team of 30 chickens who keep him busy. Most recently, Asher built and sold a chicken coop he made from recycled pallets. Paisley has her own business as well, Paisleys Rocks, where she sells custom-painted rocks.

Their passion for resolving negativities in the repair process is felt throughout the Hayden community as evidenced by their nearly perfect online reviews. From employment to customer service and of course the repairs themselves, CARSTAR Hayden is here to expertly repair cars according to manufacturer standards and to create a positive environment while doing it.

For more information on CARSTAR visit CARSTAR.com.

Source: CARSTAR
Texas Body Shop Gifts Teen with Repainted Van

Published June 21, 2023

The Maaco Euless team in Euless, TX, recently donated a surprise paint job to a local teen battling Friedreich's ataxia, an inherited nerve disorder that has similar effects to ALS or muscular dystrophy, with a repainted Scooby Doo-themed van.

Weston Groff, a 17-year-old teen living in the Euless community, has been battling this disease his entire life. One of his biggest wishes in life has been to take a trip to see the Grand Canyon, and what better way than to do so in a Scooby Doo Mystery Machine.

When the opportunity came to us to help make Westons trip even more special, we were ecstatic, said Steven Cidlik, owner of Maaco Euless. We were honored to work on this project and aid in giving such a deserving child a special memory.

Groffs family and friends have been raising money to help fund the trip for Groff and his family. Now, the family has a vehicle to comfortably travel the more than 1,000-mile trek from Euless to the Grand Canyon.

This project was special because it filled my team and I with so much pride, said Cidlik. Seeing the way the group jumped right in to tackle this project was incredible. I look forward to continuing our efforts in giving back to our deserving community!

For more information about Maaco, visit Maaco.com.

Source: Maaco
SUV

4WD

First, there was the smallest crossoverfrom the company to date, the Lexus LBX  a subcompact luxury CUV introduced this month in Milan, Italy, as the first model from the brand using the TNGA-B platform. It is obviously twinned with the XP210-series Toyota Yaris Cross, from where it also derives its 1.5-liter M15A-FXE inline-three gasoline-hybrid mill, albeit in a higher 134-hp state of tune.Secondly, in the United States, Lexus delivered a double blow to its rivals on June 8 when it premiered in an ensemble event the 2024 Lexus TX, the first of its kind and the third generation of the mighty 2024 GX full-size luxury off-road SUV. The former is another twin, this time of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander family-oriented three-row crossover SUV, and they are both built in Indiana, the US. The latter, meanwhile, has been the real star attraction of the recent Lexus introduction show, as it not only paves the way for the upcoming generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado but also helped signal the return of the legendary Land Cruiser nameplate to the United States.Even better, Lexus fans and critics have almost unanimously appreciated this "sophisticated utility vehicle" for its bold design statement combined with premium interior and daringness to innovate in the field of stalwart SUVs . There, it will meet fierce opponents like the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the eternal Land Rover Defender, or the Caddy Escalade titan. And, for sure, it needs all the help it can get to stand out in that stunning crowd properly, right?Well, that is probably what the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube thought as they have recently imagined the CGI looks of the upcoming visual configurator for the all-new GX 550 luxury SUV. The premise is simple  Lexus only showed the GX 550 (3.4-liter V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6 with 349 hp, 479 lb-ft / 649 Nm, ten-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission, and full-time) with a few color options  both inside and out, where the hero shots were of two subtle GXs dressed in tan or dark gray.As such, the resident pixel master took matters into their hands and devised a big color reel for the exterior  including ritzy or exotic hues. Then they moved to the interior to portray the possible shades that may help Lexus buyers personalize their GX 550 according to all wishes and desires. However, do note this is all an unofficial CGI presentation, so take them with a pinch of salt until the Japanese company decides to make public the official online configurator tool.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hand with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk during their meeting in New York, Tuesday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap



Twitter owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday he discussed potential "significant investments" in India after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States.



Musk, one of the world's richest men, said that Modi was "pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we intend to do, and are trying to figure out the right timing".



New Delhi has rolled out the red carpet for top global investors and companies  including tech giants like Google and Apple  in the last few years.



Since the coronavirus pandemic, many companies have expanded their presence in India as a way to cut their supply-chain dependence on China and tap into the South Asian nation's huge domestic market.



Modi, who saw the tech billionaire shortly after arriving from India on a state visit, said it had been "great meeting" Musk in New York.



"We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality," Modi tweeted on Wednesday, a day before he is due to be hosted by US President Joe Biden for a state dinner.



Musk said he was a "fan" of Modi. "I am actually incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world," he added.



Musk has faced questions from free speech activists over Twitter reportedly caving into the Indian government's demands for takedowns of critical posts.



Critics accuse India's government of democratically backsliding, including by curtailing free speech and not doing enough to check attacks on journalists and minorities. Last week, former Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey said the platform he founded had come under sustained pressure from Indian officials during his tenure.



Indian information technology minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded that Dorsey's claim was an "outright lie", while also accusing Twitter of repeated violations of local laws.



Twitter said last year that India ranked fourth globally in the number of requests made by a government to remove content  behind Japan, Russia and Turkey. (AFP)


That didn't take long, huh? Mazda rolled out its largest-ever sport utility vehicle  the CX-90  in January 2023 for the 2024 model year. Five months later, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published recall number 23V-429.

ABS

NHTSA

Only 18 vehicles are called back, with said vehicles manufactured between March 4 and March 11 at the company's Hofu plant in the Yamaguchi Prefecture. Bolts may have been sufficiently torque during assembly, which is why there's a possibility that certain suspension and steering bolts may have fallen out. From the separation of the steering system's intermediate shaft to the separation of the front upper control arms orwheel speed sensor harnesses, the potential consequences of improperly torqued bolts are significant.Mazda became aware of loose or missing bolts on May 28 after two field reports from the Japanese market alleging the separation of the front upper control arm and steering knuckle. As expected, production records indicated that both vehicles had several components replaced under quality check activities. In light of this discovery, the safety boffins called for a quality audit committee meeting to review the available information and to decide whether to recall or not recall.A document published by the federal watchdog reveals that dealers have been instructed to check for the tightness of two nuts and five bolts. More specifically, the bolts and nuts connecting the upper arm ball joints and steering knuckles, the bolts connecting the brackets, which fix the ABS wheel speed sensor harnesses in the steering knuckles, and the sole bolt connecting the intermediate shaft to the steering gear.The document in question  which you can access below as a PDF  lists different torque ratings for the potentially loose or missing bolts: 42.5 Nm (31.15 pound-feet), 9.5 Nm (7 pound-feet), and 29 Nm (21.4 pound-feet). Dealers will test drive affected vehicles following the repair to ensure proper operation. The final stage of the repair procedure is to affix a campaign label to the inside of the hood, a label reading 5923F, which is Mazda's internal number for this recall.Owners will be notified by first-class mail in the first half of July, but no later than July 14. Based on the two VINs provided by Mazda in their safety recall campaign report for the, both vehicles are rocking the inline-six turbo.The standard powertrain is mild hybrid, whereas the optional naturally-aspirated four is a plug-in hybrid. Pricing for the sixer is available from $39,595 sans freight charge, whereas $47,445 is the recommended starting price for the plug-in hybrid. While it may seem like much by Mazda standards, bear in mind the CX-90 is based on a rear-biased platform.It's also a notch above front-biased siblings in terms of standard equipment, which becomes pretty obvious the moment you step inside. Not long now, the CX-90 will be joined by a two-row alternative by the name of CX-70.
Elon Musk said a possible Tesla investment in India is very likely after meeting prime minister Narendra Modi in New York. While this doesn't necessarily mean an EV gigafactory, it might signal that India is open to lowering the car import tariffs that prevented Tesla from selling its EVs into the country.

EV

BREAKING: Elon Musk confirmed @Tesla is looking to invest in India & says he is visiting next year.



We dont want to jump the gun on an announcement, but its quite likely that there will be a significant investment and relationship in the future. pic.twitter.com/09RMDaZlRZ  Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) June 20, 2023

The first rumors of Tesla entering the Indian market surfaced in 2020 , although themaker and the Indian government could not agree on the conditions. India has a massive 110% tariff on vehicles imported from China, and Elon Musk could not convince local authorities to make an exception for Tesla. India wanted Tesla to build its cars in the country, but the American carmaker wanted to test the market before committing to local manufacturing. This deadlock has caused Tesla to freeze its plans for the Indian market and consider alternatives, such as Indonesia and South Korea, for possible gigafactory locations. Neither is as attractive as India, though, especially as the other two countries are much closer, geographically, to Giga Shanghai. India is also a huge market, although it's probably best suited for entry-level models. This is perhaps why Musk met India's prime minister Narendra Modi again in New York on Tuesday and why the talks appeared fruitful this time.After the meeting, Modi announced "multifaceted conversations," while Musk was more enthusiastic, announcing a "significant investment and relationship in the future." Musk also said that Modi "urged Tesla" to invest in India. The Tesla-India relationship has officially entered a new phase with this meeting, as countries around the world court Musk for local investments. Musk confirmed he would visit India next year and that Tesla would be in the country "as soon as humanly possible."Reuters reported that Musk would brief Modi on plans to establish a manufacturing base in India. This doesn't necessarily mean an EV gigafactory, as the two men also discussed solar power, stationary battery packs, and space exploration. Later, India's foreign ministry spokesperson tweeted saying Modi had invited Musk to "explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector."India might be a big market, but it lacks a charging infrastructure, and sales of electric vehicles are almost zero. While this seems like a huge impediment, it can also be an opportunity. There's a massive market to be fed with electric vehicles in the following decades, and Tesla has a chance to become the region's dominant player. Tesla's next-generation compact EV might be ideally suited for the local market Tesla is expected to pick a location for its next gigafactory by the end of the year. India is high on its radar, allowing it to reduce reliance on China as its main manufacturing base. China increasingly becomes a risky position as tensions between Washington and Beijing increase. So far, Tesla has been spared the drama, thanks to the great personal relationship of Elon Musk with Chinese leaders. Still, that might not last forever if things change for the worse.
Polestar has long been the carmaker spearheading the Android Automotive push, as it was one of the first companies to adopt Google's car operating system. Today, all its vehicles run on Android Automotive.

That's going to change in China, as Polestar has recently joined forces with Meizu specifically to reinvent the infotainment experience.As you'd normally expect, given this is a joint venture with a Chinese company, the chosen Android Automotive replacement is a solution developed locally. Flyme Auto is Meizu's big and super-advanced bet in the infotainment space, coming with a myriad of features that truly aren't available anywhere else (I recently posted a very detailed look at Flyme Auto , and I recommend you to check it out to understand why it's such an impressive piece of software for today's cars).If you've never heard of Meizu, the company is typically involved in the smartphone biz, as it typically happens lately, these firms are constantly looking into ways to expand to new markets. As such, Meizu is also looking at the automotive market, and Flyme Auto is the biggest attempt in this direction. The partnership with Meizu is the second.As Polestar says loud and clear, cars sold in China will give up on Android Automotive for Flyme Auto. On the other hand, Android Automotive will continue to power the infotainment experience behind the wheel of a Polestar in international markets.The partnership between the two isn't necessarily surprising if you look at the upper management details. Meizu's owner is Geely chairman Li Shufu. Geely owns Volvo, Polestar's parent company, so Meizu working with Polestar on reinventing the infotainment experience in the car looks like a deal that was bound to happen sooner or later.Sure enough, many people might wonder if this partnership can also expand to international markets. While such a thing would make perfect sense, I highly doubt it, as Android Automotive has greater marketing potential in Europe and the United States than a Chinese product, especially given today's geopolitical tensions. Furthermore, with many people already using an Android device and Google services, Android Automotive makes more sense in a car than an operating system developed by a Chinese company.This doesnt necessarily mean Flyme Auto isn't a great product. It certainly is, and the feature lineup is absolutely mind-blowing, turning the infotainment into a much more dynamic system overall. Polestar is unlikely to be the only company using Flyme Auto in China, as other local carmakers will probably adopt it in the coming months.Sure enough, no specifics have been offered at this point, but keeping it exclusive to Polestar models sold in China could make sense from an organizational perspective but not from a business point of view for Meizu.
As much as we can sometimes anticipate data and pictures of future models, their official world premieres are the moment of truth. In the Ram Rampage case, it confirmed most of the information we shared with our readers but added more official images that give us a proper idea of what the new unibody pickup truck offers in terms of styling.

Photo: Pedro Brito/Stellantis

kW

Photo: Pedro Brito/Stellantis

Photo: Pedro Brito/Stellantis

Photo: Pedro Brito/Stellantis

Predictably, the Rampage's proportions have more to do with the Fiat Toro than with the Ram 1500 that inspired it. That does not prevent the new pickup truck from having its own styling signature. After all, Stellantis invested R$1.3 billion ($248.5 million at the current exchange rate) to develop the new vehicle. Considering some of these projects can cost more than $1 billion, it was a bargain. The automaker also said that a team of more than 800 engineers and technicians employed 1.2 million hours to develop the Rampage.With the premiere, we now have the exact dimensions of the new pickup truck. The Rampage is 5.03 meters (198 inches) long, 1.89 m (74.4 in) wide, 1.78 m (70.1 in) tall, and has a wheelbase of 2.99 m (117.7 in). These numbers are slightly different from those obtained by Autos Segredos, apart from the ground clearance, which the Brazilian website did not have: it is 264 millimeters (10.4 in). The good news is that Autos Segredos hit the nail on the head regarding the engines and transmission.There are two powertrain options. One is a 2-liter turbodiesel that delivers 168 hp (125) and 280 pound-feet (380 Nm). The other is the 2-liter GME  or Hurricane 4 among those more familiar with it. It will first burn only gasoline, delivering 200 kW (268 hp) and 400 Nm (295 pound-feet). Stellantis should make it burn ethanol in the future. A 9-speed automatic transmission and power on all four wheels are standard.The Rampage will indeed have only three derivatives, but they are not exactly those Autos Segredos said we would see. The entry-level is the Rebel, which starts at R$ 239,990 ($45,866) with its turbodiesel mill. Previously, it seemed it would be the most expensive one. The Big Horn may eventually emerge, but it does not do that right now. The price jumps to $249,990 ($47,777) for the Rebel with the gasoline engine. That's the same price tag the Laramie turbodiesel version charges from its customers. The Hurricane 4 mill makes the Laramie cost $259,990 ($49,689).The top-of-the-line derivative is the R/T, sold for R$ 269,990 ($51,600). With a different suspension setup, the Rampage R/T can reach a top speed of 220 kph (137 mph), which makes it the fastest pickup truck for sale in Brazil. Optionally, buyers may select the Pack Elite, which adds ambient light, a Harman Kardon sound system, and the driver seat with electric adjustments. It costs R$6,000 ($1,147).The turbodiesel derivatives can carry up to 1,015 kilograms (2,237.7 pounds) of cargo, while the gasoline versions have a 750-kg (1,653.5-lb) limit. The bed has a volumetric capacity of 980 liters (34.6 cubic feet). Pre-sales will start on June 22, but deliveries are only expected to begin in August  more than a month of wait.The journalists that have already driven it said it is surprisingly luxurious inside and lively during accelerations. Some of them stated that the Rampage was the fastest Ram truck in the world, but I did not get enough time to check if that was true, so I'll stick with what Stellantis cared to say: that it is the fastest pickup in Brazil, the first market where it will be sold. Other Latin American countries will also get it, and there are rumors even the US may get Rampage units. We're yet to learn where it will be made for the American market, but the only choice it may have to dodge the Chicken Tax is the US.In Brazil, the Rampage will compete against the Fiat Toro, Ford Maverick, and Chevrolet Montana . Some of my colleagues there bet that the new unibody pickup truck may even beat entry-level derivatives of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S10, Nissan Frontier, and Mitsubishi Triton. Although the truck market in that country is pretty far from that in the US, it is gaining importance and volumes, something the Ram Rampage should help Stellantis achieve in that segment  even if it is not exactly affordable.One thing is for sure: the new Rampage should last much longer in the market than its Dodge predecessor and sell in much bigger numbers as well. As I wrote before, Brazil was the country that developed it and which will produce it first. Still, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and several other South American countries should have access to the new pickup truck. Include Mexico on that list. The remaining doubt is if it will get the Rampage from Brazil or if it will make it for its internal market and also for the US.
After jumping on the NACS bandwagon, Rivian went the extra mile and announced it would offer free NACS adapters to access Tesla Superchargers. Rivian clarified that only the first adapter would be provided free of charge, with additional adapters available to buy in the Gear Shop.

EV

Rivian was the latestmaker to announce a pact with Tesla to use its Supercharger network. According to this deal, Rivian owners will have access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers via an adapter starting next spring. The announcement doesn't clarify whether this means the Superchargers built with Magic Dock or other Superchargers that are open to owners of non-Tesla EVs via a separate adapter.After the official announcement , Rivian published guidelines about what the deal means for existing and future owners. It also emailed owners and reservation holders, explaining how their ownership would change in light of the partnership with Tesla. In the email sent to current owners, Rivian promised to offer a NACS adapter next spring to allow them to charge at Tesla charging sites.In an Instagram post, Rivian official account said that owners of vehicles built with CCS charge ports would get their first NACS adapter for free. Although Ford and GM signed similar deals with Tesla, none promised a free adapter. The news was hailed by Rivian owners on forums and social media, although an adapter should not be very expensive. Still, it makes sense for the carmaker to offer it for free since the change was out of the owners' control. They can purchase additional adapters in the Gear Shop, should they need them.Rivian will build future vehicles with a NACS charge port, and the email sent to reservation holders who weren't assigned a VIN reflects that. According to the email, Rivian will build future R1S and R1T with a NACS port as standard in 2025. Naturally, these prospective owners would get a CCS adapter to charge their NACS vehicles at CCS third-party stations. Either way, all Rivian current and future owners should get access to more than 25,000 DC fast-charging stations across North America.Rivian announcements make sense, although an adapter might not be needed from 2025. With federal incentives mandating that charging networks build stations with a CCS port to access federal funding, there should not be a shortage of CCS chargers. On the other hand, Texas DoT announced that it would require charging networks to offer both NACS and CCS to access the NEVI program in the state. The move is likely to be followed by other states, meaning that owners of NACS-equipped Rivians are covered too.Either way, the adapter will only be helpful for a limited time as the industry standards settle. If the NACS wins and CCS disappears, most EVs will be built with NACS anyway. If the Biden administration somehow manages to keep CCS alive, most charging networks will still offer NACS as an option. Hopefully, this means more choices for EV owners, helping accelerate EV adoption.
Tesla scored victory after victory as carmakers and service providers adopted the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Still, things are only getting sweeter as Texas now requires charging networks to include both NACS and CCS if they want to be part of a state program to electrify highways using federal dollars.

EV player and the owner of the largest DC fast-charging network in North America and the world, Tesla had no problems convincing others to adopt its own standard after it The battle between the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) and the North American Charging Standard (NACS) is heading for an abrupt end as more and more companies adopt Tesla's plug. It might be the fastest for an industry standard to be demoted to the "and others" category. As the dominantplayer and the owner of the largest DC fast-charging network in North America and the world, Tesla had no problems convincing others to adopt its own standard after it open-sourced it last year.

The adoption rate accelerates exponentially, making the outsider NACS the new national standard in record time. The latest event is Texas's decision to mandate charging networks to include both NACS and CCS if they want to access state programs. Texas Department of Transportation announced that Ford, GM, and Rivian adopting NACS changed the requirements for Phase 1 of a state program to electrify highways using federal dollars. DC fast chargers are now required to feature one CCS and one NACS connector to qualify.

Texas's decision deals a blow to the Biden administration's efforts to make the CCS the dominant charging standard in the US and will likely be followed by other states. According to Reuters, California, Iowa, and Michigan are also reviewing the shift in the charging market. At least one other state is considering giving applicants bonus points on applications if they include the Tesla charging port. From here, it will snowball into an avalanche, as charging networks must comply to access subsidies.

Earlier this year, the US Department of Transportation said that charging networks must provide CCS compatibility to be eligible for up to $7.5 billion in federal funding. The administration aims to build high-speed chargers on 7,500 miles (12,000 km) of the nation's busiest highways. Still, the new development might change things significantly. States are responsible for managing the federal money offered through this program, and they can make up their own guidelines as long as they meet minimum federal standards

This strongly incentivizes charging networks to adopt NACS as soon as possible. I'm sure Electrify America, one of the US's leading DC fast-charging station operators, will soon announce adopting NACS. EA was founded by Volkswagen in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal and is seen as the most reluctant to adopt NACS. Volkswagen is also quiet about the chances of switching to NACS, although both could happen simultaneously. So far, Stellantis, Hyundai-Kia, and Mercedes-Benz are also evaluating NACS and might consider switching.
A stalwart of the segment, the Camry sold 295,201 units in the United States last year. The number one passenger car in this part of the world for 21 years and counting, the Camry isn't without faults. Neither is Toyota, which issued a recall for 298 examples of the breed over potentially loose wheel lug nuts.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA

On June 9, the safety boffins at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing America received a report alleging excessive play in all wheels of the vehicle. The dealer-submitted report also stated that multiple lug nuts weren't properly tightened.Said vehicle was processed by a specific third-party contractor. Toyota issued a hold for a few other sedans inspected by the contractor, which isn't named in documents filed with the. From June 12 through June 13, the company received new reports alleging improperly torqued lug nuts and  get this  an incident alleging wheel separation. Toyota determined that said contractor had processed those sedans as well.A wise man once said that good help is hard to find, but come to think of it, tightening 20 lug nuts at the specified torque isn't rocket science. It's hard to understand how that contractor even received Toyota's business, especially in this increasingly competitive segment. If the Japanese automaker preferred this third-party contractor over another, then chances are Toyota did it for the price rather than the quality of their services.A grand total of 298 vehicles are recalled, split between internal combustion-only and hybrid-assisted examples of the Camry. Their production dates range from April 6 through April 25, with all of them assembled in Kentucky. The Georgetown-based facility was founded in 1986, and the first vehicle to be made there was a prototype four-pot Camry.Owners of the suspect Camry sedans will be informed of this blunder no later than August 14. Owners may also take matters into their own hands by either contacting the nearest dealer or checking the VIN on the's web portal for free.The Camry is presently $26,320 from the outset, not including the destination freight charge. $28,655 is the starting price of the hybrid, whereas the V6 costs $33,385 at the very least for the sporty-looking TRD. Customers who need all-wheel drive should fret not because that feature costs merely $1,400.Even though sedans are going extinct due to the rising popularity of crossovers and trucks, Toyota remains committed to the Camry. A ground-up redesign is due next year for the 2025 model year, and the prototypes captured by the spy photographers thus far show an evolutionary turn rather than a revolutionary makeover. The Avalon, however, isn't coming back due to the Crown. The crossover-bodied Crown is the first of four family members , with the upcoming derivatives being referred to as Sedan, Sport, and Estate.
Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Sunny skies with gusty winds developing later in the day. Hot. High near 105F. SW winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 73F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph.
21 June 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

A group of separatist 'officials' who made themselves deaf and blind are making a cabinet for themselves in the heart of Karabakh, and talk nonsense. A separatist named Gurgen Narsisyan, who is trying to promote himself as the minister of the so-called state in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, has been motivated and has come out with the offer of negotiating with the heads of state at the table. After all, I mentioned a while ago - such people who are addicted to high position have also hearing and vision problems. Just as the anarchist forces supporting them from Yerevan and from different parts of the world can be both deaf when it is for their own favor.

As for Narsisyan's desire for a kind of minister position, there is a solution for this, but this is not related to Karabakh. Because both he and his surrounding who encouraged him in this work, should know that the book on the fate of Karabakh has been concluded for a long time. Now is the time for the separatist forces, whose only hope lies in the Russian peacekeepers, to think more deeply and choose the right direction. Yes, it is important for the Armenian minority living in Karabakh to hold talks with Azerbaijan. The head of state has repeatedly proposed this, but each time it has been rejected by the separatists and the Armenian authorities, who try to slow down the processes of peaceful negotiations. The reason is very clear: first of all, the agreement on the citizenship of the Armenians in Karabakh and, most importantly, the return of the Western Azerbaijanis who were deported at the end of the 1980s. The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, was approached about this - but why did the people's appeal remain unanswered. It means that the leadership of Armenia also has a problem of hearing. In addition, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has a special statement regarding the issuance of Azerbaijani passports to Armenian minorities living in Karabakh. Moreover, the state of Azerbaijan assumes all responsibility for those people to live in peace and tranquility in Karabakh, which is developing within the framework of equal rights. What more..?

A group of minorities of Armenian origin living in Karabakh already know that such so-called ministers and leaders, who are trying to harm their destiny, will eventually leave them halfway. Why not... For example, from the Second Karabakh war until today, how many people in Karabakh declared themselves as separatist leaders, gathered the people on the streets with empty promises and told fairy tales. What results have been achieved in the last two and a half years?

Of course, there is a clear answer to this question - Armenia only intensified environmental and mine terrorism in Karabakh, as well as provocation by firing at our soldiers from different directions. As a result, a border control checkpoint was placed on Lachin road. Perhaps that is the reason whichmade Narsisyan to propose this unreasonable meeting. After all, how much will they have to walk under the piles of smelly Russian peacekeepers pants...?

The best option for Narsisyan would be to leave Karabakh unilaterally and not to mention the word "artsakh" in his language. Maybe Azerbaijan has enough time to wait if he and his surrounding still have confidence in someone. Because working on giant projects, Azerbaijan never gives any significance to thinking of separatists with their brains like sparrows'. Azerbaijan knows that time is against them and that sooner or later they will be exhausted and finally the black cloud over the heads of the poor Armenian minority will disappear in an instant. That day is not far away.

Like the saying goes in politics: 'Like Saturn, the Revolution devours its children.'

Be it Narsisyan, Vardanyan, or Harutunyan, their end is either prison or a one-way direction from which no return is possible. First of all, they should answer for their crimes, recognize the laws of Azerbaijan and stop their dirty deeds before the time comes for them. One day, when their hope is cut off everywhere, they will eat each other's flesh and shamelessly accuse each other like the one in the Armenian parliament. There have been many such incidents in political history. Deep discussions in the Yerevan parliament are deafening today. The Prime Minister of Armenia blames the opposition and the separatists among them for the failure in the Second Karabakh War. For two and a half years, Armenia has experienced such a blow that the numb they suffered is now opening, and the authorities are pointing those harmful elements among them with finger. Yes, today, in one of the fiery speeches of the speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, there were exactly these statements: "Some are waiting for unexpected and interesting details. As I understand it, the prime minister will present everything in detail," he said.

Pashinyan's sensational detailed statement will not only be the most interesting event in the short history of Armenia, but will also be a clear acknowledgment that elements in Karabakh have become insignificant.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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21 June 2023 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The scandal in the Armenian parliament was memorable with many interesting moments. The topic discussed in the agenda was the reasons for Armenia's great defeat in the Second Karabakh War in 2020. It seems that Armenia has started to feel the pain of the defeat now. When some forces tried to accuse Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as the cause, the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan considered it inappropriate. Even Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that he would reveal sensational details at a meeting of the commission investigating the 44-day war.

Such a statement by Pashinyan was not unambiguously accepted by the opposition and politicians, and there was even an accusation against the prime minister.

According to the Armenian Speaker, by speaking live the Prime Minister is trying to shift the responsibility for the lost war from himself to the opposition.

Alen Simonyan believes that Pashinyan's live performance is not a manifestation of an unequal attitude towards politicians. To date, no one has expressed a desire to speak live at the commission, as many have tried to avoid it.

According to him, "some people are waiting for unexpected and interesting details. The Prime Minister will present everything in detail."

The opposition had the opportunity to ask the prime minister live questions on all the accusations voiced in recent years, but they did not take advantage of this opportunity.

What is the reason for such a statement by the Prime Minister of Armenia, whose domestic policy is split in two different groups?

In fact, Pashinyan's statement can be partially clarified if we look at some of the events that happened in the Armenian army until the end of 2020.

Recall that the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in one of his speeches, stated that the Armenian army destroyed in the 44-day war was not only the army of Pashinyan, but also the army of Sargsyan and Kocheryan (the old Karabakh clan). After Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the Karabakh clan destroyed its army as a result of corruption. With reference to Armenian sources, it is reported that the head of the Armenian army in Karabakh kept some of the weapons in a special warehouse and sold them to foreign terrorist groups. But during the war, he blew up the warehouse because he was afraid that the weapons would be seized. Also, news leaked from the Armenian media about the destruction of the arms factory created by General "Tushonka" and Terpetrosyan, which sold military food of the Armenian army on the grocery.

Thus, some of the mentioned facts indicate that the number one causes of Armenia's defeat were the opposition forces and internal corruption.

"Most likely, Nikol Pashinyan will not say anything new, except for some details that should not significantly change the general understanding of the causes and development of the conflict, as well as its settlement process."

Ukrainian political expert Vitaliy Yarmolenko told this Azernews while commenting on Pashinyan's speech.

The expert added that Pashinyan will not give a new opinion in his statement about the cause and development of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Because if Pashinyan touched on this issue, it could lead to further growth of the existing conflict. The main goal of the Armenian prime minister is to clarify the reasons for the bitter defeat in the war and the reluctantly signed capitulation document. In short, the Armenian authorities are blaming the former opposition political elites, known as the Karabakh Clan, for the course of all these events.

"Most likely, this is pressure on Pashinyan, who has recently been pursuing a less pro-Russian course in foreign policy. Even opening the Zangazur corridor, which in the interest of Russia, is a pretext to reduce the rating of the current government," Yarmolenko added.

Everyone knows that the opening of the Zangazur corridor is economically beneficial for neighboring regions, especially for Russia.But all the same, some politicians and opposition in Armenia persistently stand their ground and lead the opposite way. Do they have more important factors than the development of their country?; the expert said that there are fears on the Armenian side about the possible pressures from Azerbaijan, of course, in some necessary cases. Besides, Yerevan fears that Baku will try to take transport communications and adjacent territories under physical control.

In conclusion, the expert stressed that there is no way out for Armenia other than to normalize relations with Azerbaijan and its closest partners. This kind of step can even be a tool that can pave the way for Armenia's economic development and becoming an independent state.

"Pashinyan most likely understands that in the current geopolitical conditions, when Russia is strategically weakened through a war with Ukraine, it is in Armenias interest to seek a peace agreement with Azerbaijan and normalize relations with Turkiye and the West," the expert added.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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21 June 2023 18:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Not having a lesson from the last happenings, Armenia continues to draw water to its own mill by manipulating the facts. Especially after a humiliating defeat in the 44-day War in 2020, the country's irrational foreign policy against its neighbors reached to impasse. First up, Armenians started to reproach their allies not sacrificing themselves on behalf of Armenia during the war. Seeing that it does not work, they changed their strategy and commenced to perform a scene of an oppressed one. Frankly saying, Armenians are master actors in this performance as it is national folklore of them. The last such barefaced performance was acted by the Armenian Foreign Ministry on world refugee day. The Armenian Foreign Ministry posted a tweet and accused Azerbaijan of allegedly ethnic cleansing and implored to the international community to focus on it.

Reading the tweet, some could think that the Ministry is wrapping the world around their little finger. Because it was not Azerbaijan, but Armenia who stacked local Azerbaijanis into the cattle wagons without food, and half-naked in the mid-winter and expelled them from Kapan, a city compact-settled by Muslims, to Azerbaijan in 1987. Immediately, after the completion of Kapan's deportation in February 1988, Armenians in Karabakh made protests and claimed self-determination. Over 30 years, Armenian statesmen and public figures have tried to separate these two events and din into minds that the overlapping of time was just a coincidence. However, the interviews of then-officials, especially Igor Muradyan, with international media outlets confirm that it was not a coincidence but deliberate deeds, because Armenians feared that Azerbaijanis in Kapan could claim self-determination like Armenians in Karabakh. They were not limited to Kapan, the same crime i.e. ethnic cleansing was reiterated by Armenians in Irevan (today's Yerevan), Alaverdi, and Zangazur.

Thousands of local Azerbaijanis and Muslim Kurds expelled from Armenia found shelter in Azerbaijan. Later, the "civilized" compatriots of "little and proud" Armenia attacked cities and villages located in Karabakh and adjoined districts and invaded them. These civilized chauvinists killed, raped, and looted thousands of Azerbaijani citizens. It is worth noting that not only Azerbaijanis but also Meskhetins and Muslim Kurds were subjected to Armenian terror in Karabakh. Hatred against other nations has turned Armenians into blind to such an extent that they see other nations as a political instrument. In an interview with a British Journalist Thomas de Waal, Igor Muradian stated that Azerbaijanis were the instruments of power  and we werent interested in their fate and were not interested now. Shepherded by such chauvinist ideology, they turned multinational Armenia and Karabakh into a mono-ethnic regions populated only by Armenians.

Relating to the invasion of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians, the UN adopted four resolutions calling on Armenian Armed Groups to withdraw immediately. However, Armenia shamelessly ignored these resolutions and even claimed that they had created a buffer zone.

The world has witnessed a myriad of wars for thousands of years, and no invaders have driven out local civilians, except Armenians. Even Adolf Hitler, the most notorious dictator in the world, did not commit such kind of crime. However, as is said, after rain comes fairy weather. With the help of Azerbaijani's grandiose victory in 2020, Armenians understood that no crime can evade justice forever. Azerbaijan liberated most of the lands that had been carved out by Armenia. Just now, Azerbaijan pushes for Armenia to sign the peace agreement and to stop supporting separatism in Karabakh and to allow refugees, more precisely Azerbaijanis and Muslim Kurds, to return to their hometowns in Armenia. However, Armenia fidgets to evade taking responsibility. In vain, hoping for external assistance, Armenia grasps at straws to gain time. Armenia, so to say, is a suitcase without a handle. No one can save this failed state in the South Caucasus but only rational foreign police and peace with other neighbors. So, we advise Armenians to give up heinous behaviors and find the way leading to peace.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

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21 June 2023 12:07 (UTC+04:00)

Kazakhstan proposed to create a venture fund Silkway Ventures to support startups in the Turkic countries, Azernews reports.

An extraordinary meeting of the countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTG) was held, where local digital solutions were presented, issues of cooperation in various sectors of the economy for the development of digitalization were discussed.

The Minister of Digitalization of Kazakhstan, Bagdat Musin, shared that he presented the idea of the Silkroad Innovation Hub, which will be located in Silicon Valley in the United States. According to him, the project will become a network center for IT specialists of the Turkic states.

"There are many vectors for the development of our cooperation, one of the main ones, it seems to me, should be the program for integrating the e-government system, where it will be possible to receive various documents online - a birth certificate, work permit, opening a company or selling a car," the minister noted.

To develop start-ups and attract investors, it was proposed to promote the Digital Nomad Visa, as well as open technology parks in the territory of the UTC countries under the Hero Training program. Kazakhstan, according to the minister, with the help of the program could help developers and startups to enter new markets.

And in order to carry out this assistance, it is logical to create and develop a joint venture fund Silkway Ventures, an early stage fund in the amount of $100 million to support startups in the Turkic countries, Bagdat Musin added.

In addition, the minister called for the exchange of knowledge and experience for the further development of IT in the region. For example, he highlighted the following strengths:

Turkiye: gamedev, spacetech;

Azerbaijan: AR/VR, fintech;

Uzbekistan: edutech, BPO;

Kyrgyzstan: IT outsourcing, BPO, etc.

And he expressed confidence that there are many more projects that will become popular in the near future.

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21 June 2023 10:54 (UTC+04:00)

On the sideline of the 141st/142nd Session of the Customs Cooperation Council of the World Customs Organization, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee (SCC) Lieutenant General of the customs service Shahin Bagirov met with the delegation led by the Director General of the Norwegian Customs Administration Oystein Bormer, Azernews reports, citing SCC.

The meeting discussed the perspectives of cooperation between the customs authorities of the two countries, further expansion of relations, and sharing of best practices, especially the study of Norway's experience in determining the customs value.

Also at the meeting, issues related to strengthening cooperation between the customs services of the regional countries and establishing communication in an easier and simpler way were discussed in order to improve the activity and efficiency of the European Regional Office for Capacity Building of the OCT located in Baku.

At the same time, the issues to be discussed in the session and the elections to the Customs Cooperation Council of the OCT were exchanged.

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21 June 2023 12:51 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans main task in the field of religion is to achieve further improvement of state-religion relations, Azernews reports, citing the Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Mubariz Gurbanli telling at the conference on Azerbaijan's State-Religion Model held on June 21.

He said that important tasks have been set before Azerbaijans victory. In this direction, the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations also has duties.

Noting that there are up to 2,500 mosques in Azerbaijan, and 1,500 of them are permanently functioning, the chairman of the committee said that cases of abuse in the name of religion are not only related to Islam. He noted that there are cases of abuse of other religions as well. The task facing Azerbaijan is to make Azerbaijan the strongest state in the region.

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21 June 2023 13:22 (UTC+04:00)

The delegation of the Czech-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic has started its visit to Aghdam, which was freed from occupation.

Azernews reports that during the visit, the delegation will get acquainted with the war crimes committed in Aghdam, which was occupied by Armenia for nearly 30 years, as well as the restoration and construction works carried out by the Azerbaijani state after the city was freed from occupation.

********

"I read about how beautiful Aghdam used to be, but while I am visiting now, I see that the city has been destroyed," Michal Ratiborsky, a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, who is on the visit in Aghdam, said in an interview with local media outlets.

He noted that it is sad to see Aghdam like this and hopes the city will recover soon and develop again.

It should be noted that the delegation of the Czech-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic visited Aghdam, which was freed from occupation, today. During the visit, the delegation got acquainted with the war crimes committed in Aghdam, which was occupied by Armenia for nearly 30 years, as well as the restoration and construction works carried out by the state of Azerbaijan after the liberation of the city from occupation.

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21 June 2023 15:03 (UTC+04:00)

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has prepared a regular report on Azerbaijan and Armenia within the 6th monitoring period, Azernews reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The document emphasizes that since the report was compiled in 2016, positive changes have taken place in Azerbaijan in certain areas.

The report notes that ECRI understands that the population of Azerbaijan, including numerous internally displaced persons, has suffered from a long conflict and clashes.

The ECRI report on Armenia notes that incidents with incitement to hatred, including violence, regularly occur in the public and political life of the country. It is noted that in Armenia, the terms Azerbaijani and Turk are used to denigrate political opponents in order to internally split and impede peace negotiations.

In addition, it is emphasized that there is no longer an Azerbaijani community in Armenia, and the number of Turks living in the country or visiting it is unknown.

Note that the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), established by the Council of Europe, is an independent human rights body specializing in issues related to racism, discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance in Europe. The Commission regularly publishes reports on these topics and makes recommendations in this regard to the member countries of the Council of Europe.

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21 June 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini on Tuesday reiterated his opposition to surrogacy, saying it amounts to "buying children," Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

"Parliament must legislate, less room must be left for interpretation: this applies to birth certificates, to the highway code," Salvini told Radio 24.

On gestational surrogacy, "there is the law that will outlaw renting uteruses not only in Italy, as is already the case, but also internationally, and therefore the purchase of children and women's bodies, the mere thought of which is horrible," he said.

"I am for free love in all its forms; as far as I am concerned, children must be adopted and come into the world if there is a mother and a father," added Salvini.

Parliament is currently examining a bill presented by the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party of Premier Giorgia making gestational surrogacy, which is already illegal in Italy, a universal crime in order to be able to prosecute Italians who resort to using surrogate mothers in countries like Spain and the US where it is legal.

Many gay couples in Italy have had children via surrogacy.

Furthermore, in March the government drew criticism from the opposition and rights activists after it instructed city mayors to stop registering both members of a same-sex couple as the parents of a child via a procedure based on the transcription into Italian civic registers of the foreign birth certificates of children conceived via surrogacy or assisted fertility, which is only available to heterosexual couples in Italy, citing a ruling by the Court of Cassation, Italy's highest court.

This has led to concern that same-sex parent families will face multiple practical and legal problems, with only the member of the couple who is the biological parent of the child registered as its legal parent.

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21 June 2023 20:25 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in London, to discuss various issues, including Sweden's accession to NATO, defense cooperation, as well as bilateral ties, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The talks took place in central London, where the two counterparts had arrived for the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Fidan told reporters before the meeting, "Today, we are here in London to demonstrate our support for Ukraine."

Although the two countries may not see eye to eye on every issue, Fidan noted that their longstanding alliance within NATO and other platforms compel them to continue working together.

Recalling that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden established Turkiye-US strategic mechanisms last year in the Spanish capital Madrid, Fidan said the goal of the mechanism is to address the outstanding issues and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation.

For his part, Blinken said it is a pleasure to meet with the "colleague of many years, referring to Hakan Fidan, Turkiyes new foreign minister.

He praised bilateral relations, saying, "There's so much the US and Turkiye are doing together on the most essential, vital issues."

He underlined that during the meeting, the upcoming NATO summit, Sweden's accession to the alliance and defense cooperation between the US and Turkiye will be on the agenda, as well as bilateral ties.

"...and moving forward, a number of issues, including energy and economic collaboration, but the relationship between our countries is deep and rich," Blinken added.

The two ministers arrived at the InterContinental London hotel, where they were attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

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21 June 2023 20:55 (UTC+04:00)

Tinatin Zoidze, the Head of the Tourism Department of Georgias western region of Adjara, on Wednesday said the number of trips that brought foreign visitors to the locality reached 333,848 between January-March, marking a 93 percent increase year-on-year and a 33 percent rise compared to the pre-pandemic figures from 2019, Azernews reports, citing Agenda.ge.

Zoidze noted 711 flights had been recorded to the region in the first five months of the year - a 1.14 percent increase over the same period of 2022 and 19 percent more compared to 2019.

She also noted Batumi was hosting many international events this year, a fact she said would make a positive impact on increasing the number of tourists in the region.

The official also highlighted the regional Governments efforts in developing tourism infrastructure in municipalities of Kobuleti, Khelvachauri, Keda, Shuakhevi and Khulo, including creation of new picnic zones, hiking tracks and more.

Zoidze also mentioned the Department was organising press tours hosting media professionals from various countries to promote the region. It said last year about 500 journalists, bloggers and representatives from tourism agencies visited Adjara as part of the promotional campaigns.

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Being among the very first customers of the new Chick-fil-A on Rosedale Highway was never the goal of Jordan Montoya and his companion Jessica
Natalina Davis had mixed feelings last week as she stood outside the Great American Antique Store at 625 19th St. knowing this anchor of downt
One of the most powerful N.C. lawmakers of the 2000s is asking the N.C. Appeals Court to allow him to pursue his political discrimination complaint against the state agency that fired him last year.Bill Culpepper filed a brief Wednesday with the state's second-highest court. It spells out his case against the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings. OAH Director Donald van der Vaart fired Culpepper as OAH's general counsel in June 2022.Culpepper had served as a Democratic member of the N.C. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2006. That tenure included seven years as the powerful Rules Committee Chairman under House Speaker Jim Black. Democratic Gov. Mike Easley appointed Culpepper to the N.C. Utilities Commission in 2006. Culpepper served in that role until 2013. He joined OAH as general counsel in 2015.Van der Vaart fired Culpepper from the post last year after redesignating the job as exempt from career status protections tied to the State Human Resources Act.An administrative law judge ruled in December 2022 that Culpepper should have his career status restored. The judge also awarded Culpepper back pay and benefits. But the judge ruled in OAH's favor on the political discrimination claims.Culpepper spells out for Appeals Court judges why he should be allowed to proceed with his case. Culpepper is thein the case. OAH is theaccording to the brief.The brief highlights Culpepper's political history.according to the brief.Culpepper's brief also notes Republican legislators' assessment of him asThe brief describes van der Vaart as aappointed by Republicans to leadership positions at the state Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Management Commission, and OAH.Culpepper also references van der Vaart's prior work with the John Locke Foundation, which oversees Carolina Journal.(The reference is incorrect. The John Locke Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit public policy organization. The foundation has no role in Republican Party politics.)The brief asserts that van der Vaart played a role in securing a provision within the 2021 state budget. The provision allowed van der Vaart to designate five OAH employees as exempt from career status protections. Culpepper was one of four employees who had career status removed after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed the budget into law.according to the brief.the brief continued.Culpepper argued.Culpepper's brief argued.OAH will have a chance to respond to Culpepper's arguments before a three-judge Appeals Court panel proceeds with the case.
This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is Alex Baltzegar On Wednesday, the North Carolina House passed a bill to fund students through a method lawmakers have deemed "backpack funding" rather than funding government schools directly.House Bill 823 (H.B. 823) would expand the opportunity scholarship program to all K-12 students in North Carolina with grant amounts based on household income.The House passed H.B. 823 by a 65-45 vote margin, with only one Democrat voting in favor.The following table shows the scholarship amount allowed per K-12 child by household income.House Democrats opposed the bill by a 45-1 margin, while all House Republicans voted in favor.One House Democrat, Rep. Julie von Haefen, a white woman from Wake County, said school choice was a legacy of white supremacy.After von Haefen accused the school choice idea of having white supremacist roots, her Democratic colleague, Shelly Willingham, D-Edgecombe, voted in favor of the bill anyway.
REDWOOD CITY, CA Local wife Jill Williams spent the better part of Tuesday having a drawn-out argument with her husband Tad that occurred entirely in her own head.Jill told her husband in her mind, two hours after he left for work.Tad responded by apologizing in Jill's mind for not prioritizing the project.Jill continued the debate throughout the day, working out every possible response from every possible angle.When Tad returned home from work, he reportedly failed to apologize for not prioritizing the bathroom remodel and also failed to complement her new haircut, as Jill had clearly rehearsed for him in her head. The nail in the coffin, however, was when he also didn't invite her to get coffee or tell her she was his soulmate the way he had in her imaginary argument.At publishing time, Tad had asked his wife several times why she was acting mad at him for no reason.
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health is proud to announce its accreditation from the prestigious Public Health Accreditation Board. This achievement recognizes DPH's commitment to meeting the highest standards of public health practice and demonstrates its dedication to improving the health and well-being of the residents of North Carolina. This recognition enhances the department's ability to attract funding, partnerships and resources to support public health initiatives and improve health outcomes across the state.Accreditation by the PHAB is a rigorous process that evaluates an organization's ability to meet a set of quality standards, measuring the division's performance against nationally recognized public health standards. The accreditation process examines various aspects of DPH operations, including the effectiveness of its programs and its capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The PHAB also noted key strengths including the division's strong commitment to continuous quality improvement and strong engagement with local health departments.said Mark Benton, Deputy Secretary for Health.Accreditation by the PHAB is built on evidence-based standards that allow health departments to demonstrate performance and accountability to communities, policymakers and other stakeholders.said Dr. Susan Kansagra, Assistant Secretary for Public Health.By achieving accreditation, the NCDHHS Division of Public Health joins a select group of state and local health departments across the country that have earned this distinction. This accomplishment underscores the department's dedication to advancing the health and well-being of North Carolina's diverse population.Accreditation from the PHAB provides a strong foundation for NCDHHS's ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities and build a healthier North Carolina.
The trial balloon over Thom Tillis trying to move into the govenor's mansion from DC seems to have deflated. The 3 to 1 vote by NCGOP state convention delegates to censure Tillis for his leftwing ways ripped an irrepairable hole in it, but it was already deflating from the 53 counties and several districts that had already passed similar resolutions of censure this year, including Beaufort County.

Now, Tillis' handler, RINO consultant Paul Shumaker, who was also RINO Senator Richard Burr's handler, and the guy behind RINO Pat McCrory's run for Senate, has come up with a new candidate. He is pushing RINO Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. Troxler had alluded to possibly running for something different in his speech at the recent NCGOP convention.

Troxler's candidacy stuck in the craw of many loyal NC Republicans when he first ran for Agriculture Commissioner. The reason was that Troxler had been state chairman of "Farmers for John Edwards" when slick liberal Democrat personal injury lawyer Edwards ran against incumbent conservative Republican US Senator Lauch Faircloth. The fact that Faircloth's own background before he was a senator was in agriculture, made this a particularly brazen move by Troxler.

A "Republican" who can back liberal Democrats seems a perfect fit for a snake like Shumaker. He is right in line with other Shumaker candidates like Tillis, Burr, and McCrory. But it is not what the grassroots Republican activists and voters want. We do not need another Thom Tillis sitting in the governor's mansion or as our nominee for such.

And Shumaker? He is one of the two RINO consultants caught by Civitas taking very large sums of money from national far left environmental activist organizations to promote the far left green agenda in the NC General Assembly, a process that gave us North Carolina's Green New Deal, HB951. To any conservative, Shumaker's association with a campaign should be the kiss of death.

Troxler has also been questionable on gun rights issues which is a huge contrast with frontrunner Mark Robinson, who gained fame originally with support of gun rights.

https://dailyhaymaker.com/the-charge-of-the-troxler-brigade/
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The Tennessee attorney general's office, which is looking into transgender healthcare practices and "potential medical billing fraud" at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., secured more than five years of a transgender patients' medical records from the hospital, according to a June 20 report from The Tennesseean.

VUMC made patients aware of the state's investigation into its "billing for transgender care services provided to individuals enrolled in state-sponsored insurance plans," the report said.

The state has the legal authority to request patient medical records relating to an investigation. "VUMC was obligated to comply and did so," John Howser, chief communications officer at the health system, told Becker's.

"Vanderbilt University Medical Center complies with all healthcare privacy and security requirements established under both fand Tennessee law including, but not limited to, HIPAA," he said. These laws "generally require that personally identified patient healthcare information be maintained as confidential" and not be disclosed to third parties, Mr. Howser said, noting the attorney general's office gave the hospital "assurance that the records would remain confidential as required by Tennessee law."

VUMC paused performing gender affirmation surgeries on patients younger than 18 in October after receiving a letter of concern Sept. 28 from about 60 Republican Tennessee lawmakers. In the letter, they wrote they were "alarmed by recent reports" that detailed "the surgical mutilations of minor children" at VUMC.

In a response letter, VUMC said gender-affirming surgical procedures had been performed on "an average of five [patients] each year" between 2018 and September 2022, but it maintained "none of these patients were under age 16, none had received genital procedures and VUMC obtained parental consent to these procedures in all cases."

Becker's asked Mr. Howser if VUMC restarted performing gender-affirming surgeries on patients younger than 18 in the nine months since it "paused" transgender care. He offered this statement: "Pertaining to gender-affirming care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, we continue to fully comply with all federal and state laws and are carefully following the legal proceedings challenging the constitutionality of Tennessees new law."

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation March 2 banning gender-affirming healthcare for youths in the state. The law goes into effect July 1.
The following hospitals and health systems have announced or shared plans for raising workers' pay since May 20.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list.

1. Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare System raised its minimum wage from $15 to $16 per hour. The change will affect about 2,000 employees.

2. Members of the New York State Nurses Association approved a new contract at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in New York City. 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.

3. Members of the Committee of Interns and Residents reached a tentative deal with management at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West, both in New York City. The three-year contract includes a pay increase of 7 percent retroactive to March, 6 percent in March 2024 and another 5 percent in 2025, according to a union statement shared with Becker's. The union said it also includes a ratification bonus of $2,000, access to flex spending starting early 2024 and increases in meal money.

4. Members of the Oregon Nurses Association reached a tentative agreement with St. Charles Bend. According to the union, the tentative agreement includes the following provisions related to pay:

The hourly starting base wage for a nurse holding a BSN degree will increase nearly $17 over the life of the contract.

The average base wage for nurses currently on steps 1 through 5 will increase by 48 percent over the life of the contract, including steps and negotiated increases to the wage scale.

The union said the contract also includes significant pay raises for nurses on higher steps within the wage scale; additional contract protections related to rest and meal breaks; and assurances that nurses will receive their breaks or will receive payments when their breaks are missed.

5. St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, N.Y., part of Rockville Centre, N.Y.-based Catholic Health, reached a tentative contract with the New York State Nurses Association. According to the union, the new tentative agreement includes set nurse-to-patient staffing ratios to improve patient safety, expedited staffing enforcement language, and an average wage increase of 20.5 percent over the life of the contract.

6. Sunrise Health System and its three Las Vegas hospitals, which are part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, reached a tentative three-year contract with SEIU 1107. Under the tentative agreement, there is a 13.75 percent wage increase over the life of the contract and an additional $2.25 million for wage adjustments to align with competitive rates, according to a news release.

7. Members of the Committee of Interns and Residents and Mount Sinai in New York City reached a tentative agreement, ending a three-day strike at NYC Health + Hospitals' Elmhurst Hospital Center. The tentative agreement, reached May 24, includes a $2,000 ratification bonus for physicians and an 18 percent wage increase over the life of the contract.
Several hospitals and health systems across the U.S. are facing lawsuits regarding data breach incidents that involved patients' protected health information.

Here are lawsuits involving four health systems as reported by Becker's since June 13.
CVS Health subsidiary Signify Health has expanded its footprint outside the United States, opening a new tech center in Ireland.

The two-story, 20,000-square-foot complex in the city of Galway will eventually house more than 125 tech workers, including software engineers and product developers. CVS bought the home health company in March for $8 billion.

"Signify Health is using its data-driven solutions and technology platform to help connect people to care where, how and when they need it, and help create a more humanized system of care delivery in the U.S.," Signify CEO Kyle Armbrester said in a June 20 news release. "We chose Galway as our first operations outside the U.S. because of its world-class technology and engineering talent, and we have not been disappointed by the quality of employees already hired here in Ireland."
Olympic Medical Center, a 126-bed hospital in Port Angeles, Wash., is down $7.9 million in the first four months of 2023, Peninsula Daily News reported June 17.

That is compared to a $16.1 million loss in 2022, according to the hospital's CEO Darryl Wolfe. He addressed the financial crisis at a gathering of 11 healthcare and community leaders June 15.

Stagnant Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates and fewer commercially insured patients have contributed to the losses, but high labor costs are the hospital's primary problem, according to Mr. Wolfe. Employee costs as a percentage of revenues have increased 10 percentage points as of late, and the hospital employs 78 travel workers whose wages cost $300,000 per week. The hospital, Clallam County's largest employer, currently has 275 open positions.

In addition, the hospital has paid more than $1 million due to a "huge liability" around a recent legal case, Mr. Wolfe said. Josiah Hill, MD, a former emergency room physician at the hospital, has been charged with five counts of indecent liberties by a healthcare provider and one count of second-degree rape. Three women have filed lawsuits against Dr. Hill or the hospital, which has since switched emergency room operators.

Mr. Wolfe says he will continue petitioning lawmakers for financial relief while implementing a two-phase plan to cut costs. Phase one is a hiring freeze that will replace contract workers with permanent ones, monitor overtime closely, restructure debt, and finish some capital projects while ending others. Phase two will eliminate redundancies in services offered at other locations nearby, and cut hours in other services  a "strategic redeployment" of staff and hours, according to the CEO.

"There is a strategic way to do this," Mr. Wolfe said. "We need to right-size expectations."
Hospitals across the U.S. are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding, community grants and donations to purchase, create, upgrade and install better IT equipment and IT hubs.

Here are four hospitals and health systems that have received outside funding to further develop their technology stack:
Here are the IT leaders of U.S. News & World Report's top 10 children's hospitals for 2023-24, rankings that were unveiled June 21.

1. Marianne James, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Ms. James serves as senior vice president and CIO. Since joining Cincinnati Children's in 2021, she has held positions in finance, physician services, practice management and IT.

2. Heather Nelson, Boston Children's Hospital

Ms. Nelson became senior vice president and CIO in 2021. She is responsible for collaborating with leadership and key stakeholders across the hospital to help chart its cybersecurity and EHR plans.

3. Myra Davis, Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)

Ms. Davis was appointed senior vice president and chief information innovation officer in 2019, having joined the hospital in 2002.

4. Shakeeb Akhter, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Mr. Akhter became senior vice president and chief digital and information officer in 2022. He is responsible for technology infrastructure, software applications, information services, cybersecurity and data analytics.

5. Matt MacVey, Children's National Hospital (Washington, D.C.)

Mr. MacVey serves as CIO and executive vice president. A former Cerner executive, he is responsible for enterprisewide IT strategy, cybersecurity and operations. Since joining Children's National in 2016, he has helped increase digital engagement technologies, uplift core enabling infrastructure, optimize provider EHR workflows and expand data-driven research platforms.

6. Denise Zabawski, Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio)

Ms. Zabawski has been CIO since 2006. During her time at the hospital, she has led the implementation of multiple EHRs, enterprise resource planning systems and two new data center construction projects.

7. Conrad Band, Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Mr. Band was named senior vice president and CIO in April, having joined the hospital as chief information security officer in 2017. He is responsible for developing the legacy of information security, building infrastructure to align technology delivery and supporting enterprise operations.

8. Srinivasan Suresh, MD, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Dr. Suresh joined UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2014. He serves as vice president, CIO, chief medical information officer and a pediatric emergency physician. In his role as CIO, he is responsible for the hospital's EHR, data warehouse and advanced analytics initiatives.

9. Albert Oriol, Rady Children's Hospital (San Diego)

Mr. Oriol has been CIO since 2006. He previously worked in IT leadership for Children's Hospital Denver and Sarasota (Fla.) Memorial Hospital. He is also a vice president.

10. Richard Mendola, PhD, Johns Hopkins Children's Center (Baltimore)

Dr. Mendola joined Johns Hopkins Medicine and University as vice president and CIO in March. He had served in a similar capacity for Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare and University since 2005.
Jupiter (Fla.) Medical Center named Traci Simonsen chief philanthropy officer of its foundation, effective immediately.

Ms. Simonsen joined the foundation in June 2022 as associate vice president of philanthropy, according to a June 20 news release shared with Becker's. She previously served as executive director of major and planned gifts for Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare and Children's Hospital Foundation.

The appointment comes as Jupiter Medical Center undergoes "the most transformative period in its history," according to the news release. The hospital recently partnered with Enola, Pa.-based PAM Health on a $25 million rehabilitation hospital, received final approval from the city to build a $110 million patient tower, and plans to unveil a $100 million surgical institute by the year's end.
Dozens of university professors and organizations wrote letters to Mayo Clinic protesting the suspension of a physician who publicly criticized the National Institutes of Health, CNN reported June 16.

On June 15, 33 professors from Cambridge, Mass.-based Harvard University, New Haven, Conn.-based Yale University, New York City-based Columbia University and other institutions wrote a letter to Mayo Clinic protesting the decision to suspend Michael Joyner, MD.

"Placing academic freedom in jeopardy is certain to tarnish Mayo's reputation among the many who have always thought of Mayo as a beacon of scientific integrity," the professors wrote. "In persecuting one of its most senior and valuable professors, Mayo is sending a terrible message not only to its other faculty, but also to other institutions in academic medicine."

Dr. Joyner is principal investigator on a government-funded study on convalescent plasma. When interviewing with CNN in January for a story related to the study, he said he was "frustrated" with the National Institutes of Health's "bureaucratic rope-a-dope," criticizing the agency's COVID-19 treatment guidelines convalescent plasma and the NIH's hesitancy to make it available to patients.

Dr. Joyner received a disciplinary letter from Mayo regarding his comments to the media and was suspended for one week without pay. The letter warned him that a set of "behavior changes must be immediate and sustained" and failure to comply would result in termination.

Earlier in June, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and the Academic Freedom Alliance wrote letters regarding the disciplinary action. The Academic Freedom Alliance called it "a direct attack on his academic freedom."

Dr. Joyner is also under scrutiny for comments made to The New York Times and his alleged mistreatment of co-workers. The disciplinary letter stated that Dr. Joyner "failed to work consistently within Mayo Clinic guidelines related to media interactions" and that colleagues had described "your tone as unpleasant and having a 'bullying' quality to it. One individual has asked to not work with you anymore because of your behavior."

"Mayo disciplined Dr. Joyner for treating co-workers disrespectfully and for making unprofessional comments about the NIH's regulation of convalescent plasma," Andrea Kalmanovitz, a Mayo spokesperson, told Becker's. "Mayo Clinic supports academic freedom, as evidenced by the hundreds of interviews Mayo physicians, including Dr. Joyner, give each year. Dr. Joyner's comments about the NIH did not reflect the expression of a scientific or academic opinion, but instead were an expression of his personal frustration with the NIH's regulation of a therapy he had championed."

Carlos Mantilla, MD, PhD, chair of Mayo's department of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, told CNN that "this most recent situation sheds light on a negative and unprofessional pattern of behavior exhibited by you for some time. Your use of idiomatic language has been problematic and reflects poorly on Mayo Clinic's brand and reputation."

However, Dr. Joyner's attorney told CNN that "it's pretty clear that use of idiomatic language would be a form of creative expression when discussing his own scholarship and research."

Ms. Kalmanovitz said that "Dr. Joyner's disciplinary action was not issued in a vacuum; it was issued in the context of serious disciplinary action in 2020 that involved overlapping issues related to disrespectful interactions with employees and inappropriate behavior related to Dr. Joyner's work on convalescent plasma. Specifically, Dr. Joyner's discipline in 2020 was based on a finding that he (1) engaged in rude and disrespectful communications with internal colleagues and external partners, and (2) gave Mayo an ultimatum and threatened to stop his work on convalescent plasma if, within 48 hours, Mayo did not agree to give him an up-front seven-figure payment or a percentage of funds he claimed he was generating for Mayo Clinic. The 2020 disciplinary action was unrelated to any of Dr. Joyner's frequent interactions with reporters. Both the 2020 and 2023 disciplinary actions were reviewed and supported by a committee of Dr. Joyner's physician peers, who carefully considered all relevant facts and history before reaching their decision, as is Mayo's standard process. Details of these actions are included in the unredacted personnel records that can be obtained from Dr. Joyner's representatives."
Interview: Syria could have better wheat harvest without obstruction from U.S., its allies, says official

Xinhua) 13:20, June 21, 2023

DAMASCUS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Syria's annual wheat yield this year seems promising but could have been much better if the U.S. forces and their allied militias weren't present in agriculture-rich areas in northeastern Syria, an official told Xinhua in an interview.

Abdul Latif al-Amin, director general of the Syrian Grain Foundation, said that the preliminary data have suggested the wheat output this year could be better than last year.

Al-Amin expressed optimism that Syrian wheat production has started to recover, noting that the agriculture ministry is working to utilize desert lands to plant wheat.

The official attributed the estimated promising wheat harvest to the government's support for farmers and producers by securing all production requirements for guaranteeing a high wheat yield to meet domestic needs.

However, al-Amin mentioned that the crops could be much better if the northeastern province of al-Hasakah, a pivotal breadbasket of Syria, were well under the control of the government.

He said the presence of the U.S. forces and its allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in al-Hasakah is impeding the flow of the province's gain to the government.

Al-Amin said although the government has established three centers in government-controlled parts of al-Hasakah to buy the harvest from the farmers, "the so-called SDF is preventing the farmers from selling their crops to the state-run centers."

The official condemned the U.S. forces and the SDF for imposing tough conditions on farmers who want to sell their harvest to the government.

"Syria is an integrated agricultural country and the conducts of the U.S. and the SDF created a crack in the integration or self-sufficiency of agricultural production in Syria," he said.

In addition to the presence of ground forces in resource-rich areas in Syria, al-Amin also spoke of the negative impact of the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Syria.

He said the sanctions are affecting the production requirements and the imports of spare parts necessary to keep agricultural machinery running.

Calling the sanctions, known as the Caesar Act, "unfair," al-Amin said the act has deprived Syria of "reaching many of the production requirements and accessing the spare parts for industrial establishments and consequently has damaged Syria's overall economy."

Earlier this month, Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous said the country's wheat yield this year is expected to reach one million tons.

The prime minister noted that the wheat quality this year is good, as shown by indicators including the complete maturity of the grain and the specific weight in hard and soft varieties, which tell the plumpness of grains.

Despite hopes for a good harvest, it's still way below the pre-war average grain harvest of 4.1 million tons.

Due to the civil crisis, Syria, a country that used to be self-sufficient in wheat, now has to import wheat from abroad to meet domestic demands.

In his interview with Xinhua, al-Amin said he didn't think that there would be wheat exports from Syria this year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Mountain View, Calif.-based El Camino Health is using a donation from philanthropists Pamela and Edward Taft to launch a fund dedicated to healthcare technology innovation.

The health system is already moving forward with eight innovation projects focusing on the use of technology to improve the patient experience, coordinate care and improve clinical outcomes. The projects are expected to be completed over the next 18 months, with new projects launched on an ongoing basis, according to a June 20 El Camino Health news release.

The fund will target innovations in wearables, smart devices, mobile communication, artificial intelligence and virtual reality,

Mr. and Ms. Taft have financially supported El Camino for more than 20 years.
Can ChatGPT help physicians communicate bad news to patients more compassionately? Oncologist Ranjana Srivastava, MD, wrote June 21 in The Guardian that she is already using the artificial intelligence chatbot for this purpose.

After reading a recent New York Times story about how physicians are employing the AI tool to become more empathetic, she told ChatGPT: "I am an oncologist, help me deliver bad news. What can I do wrong with my communication? I need tips to support my patients receiving bad news."

"The responses are detailed and helpful," she wrote. "They contain reminders to take time, avoid jargon, acknowledge emotion and be sensitive. There is sound advice but also specific language to consider, my favorite being: 'Before we proceed, I want to make sure you are comfortable having this conversation now. Make sure to stop me. We can take this at your pace.'"

Dr. Srivastava noted that ChatGPT won't fix the physician shortage or "resolve existential grief, offer a healing touch, or sense the tears and be ready with the tissues."

"But so long as there is no wave of humans with the time and expertise to teach doctors how to get better at giving bad news, I will be telling my trainees to open another browser and chat to ChatGPT in times of need," she wrote. "Rather a patient rescued with a little help from a chatbot than one devastated by a doctor."
An Arkansas law banning gender-affirming medical care for teens and children was struck down by a federal judge on June 20, in what could become a bellwether precedent for lawsuits against similar bans in other states, according to The New York Times.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas brought the case against the state and argued that the law banning gender-affirming healthcare for minors violated the constitutional rights of those who are seeking that care. The judge's ruling upholds parents' rights to make decisions on behalf of their children and physicians' rights to provide medical care.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said he would appeal the decision to strike down the law.

"The case had been closely watched as an important test of whether bans or severe restrictions on transition care for minors, which have since been enacted by 19 other states, could withstand legal challenges being brought by activists and civil liberties groups," the Times report said, adding the Arkansas ruling "is the first ruling to broadly block such a ban for an entire state, though judges have intervened to temporarily delay similar laws from going into effect" in other states.

Little Rock Federal District Court Judge James Moody Jr. wrote in his 80-page ruling that Arkansas' ban "both discriminated against transgender people and violated the constitutional rights of doctors," the Times said.

Mr. Moody also wrote the state failed to prove that healthcare provided to transgender youths by Arkansas physicians was "experimental or carelessly prescribed."

"Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that by prohibiting it, the state undermined the interests it claims to be advancing," Mr. Moody wrote.






Denmark-based Novo Nordisk filed multiple lawsuits June 20 against spas and clinics across four states that allegedly marketed and sold unapproved compounded versions of the drugmaker's popular Ozempic and Wegovy products.

For alleged copycats, Novo Nordisk filed litigation against Champion Health and Wellness Clinics in Houston; Pro Health Investments in Memphis, Tenn.; Ekzotika's Cosmetic Laser Professionals Med Spa in Miami; Effinger Health's Nuvida RX Weight Loss clinic in Tallahassee, Fla.; and Flawless Image Medical Aesthetics operating in East Syracuse, N.Y.

Ozempic, a Type 2 diabetes drug, and Wegovy, a weight-loss management therapy, have the same active ingredient: semaglutide. Novo Nordisk accused the clinics and spas of infringing on its trademarks, false advertising and unfair competition, according to court documents.

Some states  none of which have seen a suit from Novo Nordisk on this matter  are working to prevent pharmacies from compounding unauthorized solutions of Ozempic and Wegovy because of safety concerns.

The drugmaker requested the courts order the businesses to stop promoting their products as Wegovy and Ozempic solutions.
An Ohio licensed practical nurse pleaded guilty to 17 counts of unwanted sexual contact with male patients.

Brian Frey, 54, worked at Marysville, Ohio-based Scotts Miracle Gro Corp.'s Wellness Center as an employee of Premise Healthcare, a Union County prosecutor news release said. In 2022, the Ohio Board of Nursing was notified by Marysville Division of Police of allegations of inappropriate behavior reported by a patient. An investigation alleged Mr. Frey performed testicular examinations on male patients, including juveniles, that he was not trained for nor qualified to perform and were outside the scope of practice for a licensed practical nurse.

Victims said Mr. Frey also asked inappropriate questions about their sex lives and texted patients after finding their information in their medical records. More than 17 victims were identified, but only 17 were used when pressing charges due to the passage of time or evidentiary issues, according to the release.

Mr. Frey pleaded guilty to 16 gross sexual imposition felonies and one misdemeanor charge of sexual imposition. He surrendered his nursing license at the initiation of the criminal investigation.
San Francisco's top attorney is requesting information from U.S. News & World Report on its rankings of hospitals, including details on payments the media outlet receives from hospitals.

David Chiu, San Francisco's city attorney, sent a letter to U.S. News & World Report June 20 demanding that the media outlet explain its methodology, how it intends to address apparent biases, and immediately publicly disclose the revenue it receives from hospitals.

"Consumers use these rankings to make consequential healthcare decisions, and yet there is little understanding that the rankings are fraught and that U.S. News has financial relationships with the hospitals it ranks," Mr. Chiu said in a news release issued from his office.

"The hospital rankings appear to be biased towards providing treatment for wealthy, white patients, to the detriment of poorer, sicker, or more diverse populations. Perverse incentives in the rankings risk warping our healthcare system," Mr. Chiu said. "Hospitals are treating to the test by investing in specialties that rack up the most points rather than in primary care or other worthy specialties."

Mr. Chiu is requesting that U.S. News provide evidence that substantiates its advertising claims that its hospital rankings are "authoritative," based on "world-class data and technology" and help patients and families "find the best healthcare," "make data-informed decisions," and "find sources of skilled inpatient care."

Mr. Chiu is also zeroing in on the exchange of payments between hospitals and the ranking outlet, requesting a list of the hospitals that have paid U.S. News or its agents as well as the number of website impressions for the hospital rankings in the last four years. In his letter, Mr. Chiu notes that the outlet appears to violate FTC regulations by not disclosing payments it receives from the hospitals it ranks, including fees to license Best Hospitals badges, subscriptions to Hospital Data Insights, and payments for online and print advertisements on the U.S. News website and its Best Hospitals Guidebook.

A U.S. News spokesperson shared the following comment with Becker's in response to the inquiry filed by the San Francisco city attorney:

"U.S. News categorically disagrees with the assumptions and conclusions in the City Attorney's letter. U.S. News' hospital rankings provide an important public service to individuals and families making critical decisions about medical care for themselves or their loved ones. We have consistently stated that our rankings should be one factor in that decision-making process, and any medical decisions should be made in consultation with a physician. Families facing a serious or complex medical problem deserve to have a place where they can easily identify the factors that are important to them and help determine which hospital is the best suited for their individual needs. U.S. News is the leading trusted source for quality hospital rankings precisely because we do not in any way accept or engage in compensation for rankings placement. Our rankings and ratings are based wholly on the data we analyze and detail in our transparent methodology, which is fully disclosed on USnews.com. Our esteemed journalists and data analysts who participate in creating the rankings take their responsibility to produce quality journalism very seriously, which has earned the trust of consumers for more than 30 years."

The city's scrutiny of U.S. News' ranking methodology and mission follows that exercised by law schools, medical schools and even some health systems in the past year. More than a dozen medical schools withdrew their cooperation from the premier ranking, beginning with Harvard Medical School on Jan. 17.

The medical and law school tumult raised questions about whether hospitals would follow suit and begin to question or downplay their rankings, which are released in the summer. Unlike medical schools, however, the hospitals are ranked by publicly available data from CMS as well as the American Hospital Association, medical associations and physician surveys. Children's hospitals are invited to participate in their evaluation.

In early June, St. Luke's University Health Network  a nonprofit 14-hospital system based in Bethlehem, Pa.  announced it would pull back from the rankings, alleging they run on "misguided methodology."

Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis for U.S. News, told Becker's earlier this spring that no sudden movement from hospital stakeholders had been detected since the law school and medical school shakeups. Mr. Harder also emphasized the cooperation U.S. News exercises in working with hospitals and health systems to collect, analyze and act on stakeholder feedback, including adjustments to its methodology to better account for health equity and changes in care delivery.
Eli Lilly plans to acquire Dice Therapeutics  a biopharmaceutical company that develops oral therapeutics for autoimmune diseases  in a deal valued at $2.4 billion.

In the deal expected to close in the third quarter, Eli Lilly will buy Dice for $48 per share in cash, according to a June 20 joint news release from the companies. Dice uses proprietary technology to develop oral therapeutic drugs to treat autoimmune diseases. The company has inhibitors in clinical development, and its lead drug is for psoriasis and is in a midstage trial, according to CNBC.

"In combination with its novel technology and expertise in drug discovery, Dice's talented workforce and passion for innovation will enhance our efforts to make life better for people living with devastating autoimmune diseases," Patrik Jonsson, executive vice president at Eli Lilly, said in a the release.
Fifty-two percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients used in U.S. medications are made outside the country, according to an annual report from the FDA.

The agency released its "Fiscal Year 2022 Report on the State of Pharmaceutical Quality" on June 20, which included details on the FDA's surveillance inspections on drug manufacturers' plants and its COVID-19-era changes to traveling to some facilities.

Here are 10 things to know from the report:

1. The agency discovered 892 of 1,552 samples tested in FDA laboratories were noncompliant. Nearly 600 of these samples were from undeclared drugs and ingredients shipped to customers.

2. For imported samples, 375 were compliant and 592 were not. COVID-19 products  many of which were hand sanitizers  saw 228 noncompliant samples and 117 compliant ones. Better compliant-noncompliant ratios were found within drug quality sampling and testing (57 to 9) and inspections (50 to 1).

3. Of the 72 warning letters the FDA sent, 47 were for facilities in the U.S., eight in Latin America, six in China, four in Europe, three in India and four in other locations. "An increased proportion of warning letters issued to domestic manufacturers, as compared to the prior two years, is attributable to an increased percentage of domestic inspections due to ongoing travel restrictions [and] a significant drop in hand sanitizer related warning letters issued to sites in Latin America," the report said.

4. Compared to the previous four years, fiscal year 2022 saw the smallest number of warning letters.

5. Most warning letters mentioned issues in quality control, production record reviews and investigations, written procedures and deviations, equipment cleaning and maintenance, and testing and release.

6. For recalls among USP therapeutic categories, respiratory tract agents saw 129 recalls, cardiovascular agents 119, non-opioid analgesics 93, antibacterials 89 and gastrointestinal agents 78.

7. The five most recalled drug products were acetaminophen-containing products, losartan with and without hydrochlorothiazide, fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline hydrochloride, and magnesium citrate. "Most of these products were recalled due to temperature abuse or improper storage conditions in warehouses," the FDA said.

8. About 4 in 5 import alerts with drug quality issues were in sites manufacturing hand sanitizer.

9. "Sites in China and South Korea accounted for most import alerts, 43 percent and 36 percent, respectively," the report said. "As a point of comparison, China and South Korea represent only 15 percent and 4 percent, respectively, of foreign sites in the catalog."

10. About 9 in 10 essential medicine products have at least one U.S.-based finished dosage form manufacturer. A little over half of these products, or 52 percent, are "completely reliant on foreign sites for active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing."
Keene, N.H.-based Cheshire Medical Center will pay $2 million in connection with an incident in which gallons of fentanyl solution were lost or unaccounted for in a four-month period.

The investigation began after a nurse stole 23 intravenous bags of fentanyl solution from a dispensing machine, according to a June 21 Justice Department news release. The hospital disclosed the theft to the DEA in February 2022 and later reported that an additional 634 bags were unaccounted for.

Cheshire Medical said it beefed up security in February and March of 2022 to avoid similar losses, but state regulators said another 11 bags were lost between March and June. The nurse who allegedly stole the drugs died March 3, 2022.

In April, the DEA conducted an audit of the eight controlled substances at the inpatient pharmacy. The audits found an additional 17,961 missing controlled substance units and several "record-keeping deficiencies, such as failing to maintain accurate purchase and dispensation records." The hospital also failed to regularly review reports to look for possible diversion and did not enforce various controlled substance security policies, the release said.

Since the investigation was launched, the chief nursing officer, pharmacy director and a pharmacist were disciplined and no longer work at the hospital, New Hampshire Public Radio reported June 21.

Chief Nursing Officer Amy Matthews, DNP, RN, had her license temporarily suspended in May 2022, though it was reinstated in June 2022. However, she was replaced as CNO in June 2022.

Melissa Siciliano, PharmD, the hospital's pharmacy director, temporarily had her license suspended, but it was reinstated by June 2022. On July 20, she reached a settlement agreement with the state's pharmacy board in which she admitted to failing to control all drugs issued or dispensed in the pharmacy and to not properly supervising employees with prescriptions. Under the agreement, she must pay a $1,000 fine, participate in education courses on controlled substance security and is prohibited from serving in a pharmacist-in-charge role for three years.

The $2 million the hospital is set to pay resolves allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act.
CMS recently issued a memo outlining "areas of concern" related to missing or inaccurate patient information when patients are transitioning from hospitals to post-acute care providers.

The memo, released June 6, identified information that hospitals frequently fail to share with post-acute care referral partners. The lack of information can put patients at risk of harm and "can cause avoidable readmissions, complications and other adverse events."

"When a patient is discharged from a hospital, it is important to provide their post-acute provider and caregivers as applicable with the appropriate patient information related to a patient's treatment and condition in order to decrease the risk of readmission or an adverse event," the CMS says.

Here are the five most common areas of missing information identified by CMS:

Patients with serious mental illness, complex behavioral needs, and/or substance use disorder and treatments implemented to manage these conditions.



Incomplete lists of medications prescribed during or prior to a patient's hospital stay.



Information related to any wounds, such as pressure ulcers, bruising or lacerations and the durable equipment used in treatment.



Patients preferences and goals for care.



A patient's needs at home or what home environments may affect their health after discharge from a skilled nursing facility.

CMS requires hospitals to "have an effective discharge planning process that focuses on the patient's goals and treatment preferences" and are required to refer patients to post-acute care with "all necessary medical information pertaining to the patient's current course of illness and treatment."
Higher-ups within HCA Healthcare place pressure on staff in hospitals to persuade patients' families to initiate end-of-life care, which can limit treatments for patients but curb in-hospital mortality rates and length of stay for the hospital operator, according to claims made in a June 21 NBC News report.

The NBC News article is based on interviews with six nurses and 27 physicians who currently or previously practice at 16 HCA hospitals in seven states. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA operates 184 hospitals in 21 states and the United Kingdom.

Each clinician said the HCA hospitals pushed palliative and hospice care in pursuit of better quality or operational measures, such as in-hospital mortality rates, readmissions and length of stay.

HCA's in-hospital mortality rate is one of 10 "quality of care" metrics used since 2021 to calculate the incentive pay received by top company executives, according to financial filings reviewed by NBC News.

HCA spokesperson Ed Fishbough denied the claims in the following statement with Becker's:

"While NBC News admits there is no tangible support for their claims, the suggestion that medical care in HCA Healthcare hospitals is based on anything other than a physicians independent medical judgement is not true, and it is irresponsible.

"Due to patient privacy, we were not able to address medical care provided to any individual patient without their permission. Despite several requests, NBC News refused to help us secure permission. We urged NBC News to review the medical records of any patient they intended to use in their story," Mr. Fishbough said. "It is important to know, and we shared this with NBC News, that when a physician recommends hospice care, that recommendation is included in the medical record, whether the patient/family agrees to hospice care or not. It would be misleading and dishonest to ignore the medical record when reporting on care provided to any patient."

NBC News said internal hospital documents and texts between hospital employees provided to the news network support the healthcare professionals' views.

One document recommends palliative care be considered for "patients with prolonged length of stay." Staff described an algorithm  called the vulnerability index  used at two HCA hospitals to identify patients who are most likely to die soon. Patients who rank high on the index become candidates for palliative care.

An internal analysis from one HCA hospital about three years ago shows that almost one-third of its palliative care consultations resulted in admission to inpatient hospice or a hospice discharge plan, according to the NBC News report.

The HCA spokesman declined to comment to NBC News about the algorithm.

The NBC News report is related to and coincides with an 18-page report issued June 21 by union SEIU  titled "Masking Mortality"  which analyzes hospice care practices at HCA hospitals. SEIU members are calling on regulators to investigate HCA's practices around patient discharges to hospice and other serious allegations.

"The SEIU propaganda document, upon which the NBC News stories are based, is not a serious report," Mr. Fishbough said in a comment on behalf of HCA Healthcare to Becker's. "It is filled with misleading and absurd accusations based on a lawsuit that was voluntarily dismissed after the government decided not to intervene. Length of stay and mortality rates are two common metrics used by CMS and others in healthcare to measure hospital quality. We believe aligning our leaders compensation with quality is not only the right thing to do but also supports our focus on continuous quality improvement.

"Unfortunately, it appears NBC News decided to be a willing participant in SEIUs smear campaign against our organization."












Richard Ferkel, MD, recieved the 2023 Arthroscopy Association of North America Distinguished Service Award, according to a June 21 news release shared with Becker's.

Dr. Ferkel works with the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys. The AANA award recognizes physicians' service for the orthopedic community. Dr. Ferkel was honored for his dedication to teaching, innovation and community service.

He worked as the team physician for multiple high school and college teams for over 40 years. He also is a go-to foot and ankle surgeon for many professional athletes.

"The mission to improve outcomes for my patients and others has defined my practice and career, and I share that mission with AANA," Dr. Ferkel said in the release. "Being recognized for fulfilling my duty to our field and community is a true honor, and I am humbled to be included amongst generations of dedicated surgeons who enable better lives for orthopedic patients everywhere."
From left, Trevor Haslett, chair of CASE, Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Dr Jayne Brady, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary, Department for the Economy

US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy III has said Northern Irelands special access to the UK and EU economies gives it an unparalleled opportunity in the move towards net zero.

President Joe Bidens appointee joined Scott Woodard, director of energy transformation at the US State Department and Dr Jayne Brady, head of the NI Civil Service, among keynote speakers at the NI Energy Summit on Wednesday.

Mr Kennedy told the event at ICC Belfast that he had been appointed as Special Envoy to NI for Economic Affairs to double-down on the US commitment to spreading prosperity around NI.

And he described the move towards net zero as a global fight, and every country and every community must do its part.

The US, in fact, has much to learn from Northern Ireland.

Over the last year, 48.5% of Northern Irelands electricity was renewably generated. A great deal of that power came from harnessing the wind. Other renewable sources, including solar and geo-thermal, have increased over 27% in the last five years.

The transition is challenging. But you are already well positioned to not just power the transition at home but to lead it abroad. With unique access to the economies of both Europe and the UK, you have an unparalleled opportunity to innovate.

As Special Envoy, Mr Kennedy said he was able to bring good news back to American investors about the opportunities here, such as net zero technologies.

He added: High tech, financial services, medical devices, and cyber security are just a few where the ties are particularly strong between the US and Northern Ireland.

The NI Energy Summit was led by the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), in partnership with corporate law firm A&L Goodbody, NIE Networks, SONI and Transmission Investment.

Jayne Brady, head of the NI Civil Service, said: Northern Ireland is small, but we have the potential to be a giant player in clean energy and low carbon tech and we need to ensure the economic benefits of our future success reach every person and every place.

This will be a challenge but we all must step up. We have a golden chance to leverage our expertise and passion for innovation and engineering in order to deliver lasting generational transformation for people here.

Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary of the Department for the Economy, said: Our Energy Strategy  The Path to Net Zero  sets out a vision to deliver self-sufficiency in affordable renewable energy for Northern Ireland.

"Through the strategy and associated action plans, we will grow the skills base for the low carbon economy, providing opportunities for our younger people to be the engine room for our growth.

"In turn this will help realise our 10X Economic Vision to position Northern Ireland as one of the worlds leading small economies.
Jens Eskelund, president of the European Chamber, speaks at the launch of the European Business in China: Business Confidence Survey in Beijing (AP)

Foreign companies are shifting investments and their Asian headquarters out of China as confidence plunges following the expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges, a business group has said.

The report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China is one of many signs of growing pessimism despite the ruling Communist Partys efforts to revive interest in the worlds second-largest economy following the end of anti-virus controls.

Companies are uneasy about security controls, government protection of their Chinese rivals and a lack of action on reform promises, according to the European Chamber.

They are also being squeezed by slowing Chinese economic growth and rising costs.

Business chiefs warned that firms are moving investment out of China (AP)

Business confidence in China is pretty much the lowest we have on record, the European Chamber president, Jens Eskelund, told reporters ahead of the reports release.

Theres no expectation that the regulatory environment is really going to improve over the next five years, Mr Eskelund said.

President Xi Jinpings government, in a bid to shore up economic growth that sank to 3% last year, is trying to encourage foreign companies to invest and bring in technology.

But the companies are uneasy about security rules and plans to create competitors to global suppliers of computer chips, commercial jetliners and other technology.

That often involves subsidies and market barriers that Washington and the European Union say violate Beijings free-trade commitments.

Two-thirds of the 570 companies that responded to the European Chambers survey said doing business in China has become more difficult, up from less than half before the pandemic.

Three out of five said the business environment is more political, up from half the previous year.

A man with a shopping bag walks out from a ZARA flagship store at a shopping mall in Bejing (AP)

Companies are on edge after police raided offices of two consultancies, Bain & Co and Capvision, and a due diligence firm, Mintz Group, without public explanation. Authorities say companies are obliged to obey the law but have given no indication of possible violations.

Companies also are uneasy about Beijings promotion of national self-reliance. Mr Xis government is pressing manufacturers, hospitals and others to use Chinese suppliers even if that raises their costs. Foreign companies worry they might be shut out of their markets.

Last month, the government banned using products from the biggest US maker of memory chips, Micron Technology, in computers that handle sensitive information.

It said Micron had unspecified security flaws but gave no explanation.

One in 10 companies in the European Chamber survey said they have shifted investments out of China. Another 1 in 5 are delaying or considering shifting investments.

In aviation and aerospace, one in five companies plan no future investment in China.

China has long been a top investment destination due to its huge and growing consumer market, but companies complain about market access restrictions, pressure to hand over technology and other irritants.

Mr Eskelund said confidence had plunged following the expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges (AP)

The ruling party has tightened control since Mr Xi took power in 2012, pressing foreign companies to give the party board seats and a direct say in hiring and other decisions.

The European Chamber noted it was not just foreign companies that are moving: two out of five in its survey reported Chinese customers or suppliers are shifting investments out of the country.

A separate group, the British Chamber of Commerce in China, said last month its members were waiting for greater clarity about anti-spying, data security and other rules before making new investments.

The biggest concern is the ruling partys sweeping expansion of its definition of national security to include the economy, food, energy and politics, Ms Eskelund said.

What does qualify as a state secret? Where does politics begin and the commercial world stop?

That creates uncertainty about where we can operate as normal businesses.

In the European Chamber survey, the top destination for companies moving their Asian headquarters out of China was Singapore, with 43% of companies that moved, followed by Malaysia. Only 9% went or plan to go to Hong Kong.

Leaders including Premier Li Qiang, Chinas top economic official, have promised to improve operating conditions, but businesses say they see few concrete changes.

Our members are not really convinced that we are going to see tangible results, Mr Eskelund said.
Superstar Taylor Swift will be coming to Dublin in 2024.

The Blank Space hitmaker will be playing the Aviva Stadium on June 28 and 29 next year.

Tickets are to go on sale on July 13, 2023.

The star will play multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, also visiting Madrid, Lyon, Zurich and other European cities.

Swift will kick off the UK and Irish leg of the European tour with two Edinburgh concerts at the BT Murrayfield Stadium on June 7 and 8.

Following this, the pop icon will play Liverpools Anfield Stadium on June 14 and 15.

Shell then be in Cardiffs Principality Stadium for one day on June 18.

She will also be playing four Wembley Stadium shows on June 21, 22 as well as August 16 and 17.

After the first two London shows, shell play the Dublin dates and jet off to Amsterdam.

Shell finish off the tour with the two final London dates.

Swift is currently on the American leg of the Eras tour, which has drawn recording-breaking crowds.

The set of the show spans hits from her entire career. She performs 45 songs in the three and a half hour extravanganza.

Earlier this year, Swift was named global recording artist of the year for a third time  making her the most decorated act in the prizes decade-long history.

The 33 year old pop superstar previously won the award in 2014 and 2019.

Fans can register on each citys official ticket registration page here up until June 22 at 11:59pm (local time) in the UK, and on June 23 at 11:59pm (local time) in Ireland and Europe.
A former DUP councillor who posed as a younger man then asked two 'children' to send him pictures in their school uniforms has avoided jail.

William Walker was handed an enhanced combination order consisting of 100 hours' community service and three years' probation after he admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.

Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard the 60-year-old contacted two teenage girls posing as a 24-year-old man.

The girls - who stated they were teenagers in their conversations with Walker - were actually members of a paedophile hunters group acting as decoys.

In the course of the conversations he had with 'Sammy Jo' and 'Daisy May', Walker told one of them he would take her virginity whilst he asked the other if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend.

As he sentenced Walker, Judge Geoffrey Miller KC said that whilst there was no actual contact between Walker and the 'girls', his claim that he had no sexual interest in children "has to be viewed with scepticism."

The judge said: "There can be little doubt that the defendant was motivated by perverse sexual desires in engaging in what was deliberate sexual grooming."

Walker - formerly from Killyleagh but with a current address at Palentine Road in Blackpool - set up a fake profile in the name of Peter Patterson and initially contacted 'Sammy Jo' on February 11 2022 when he sent her a Facebook friends request.

Aware that 'Sammy Jo' was 14, Walker began exchanging messages with her and asked to be his girlfriend.

He discussed teaching her how to kiss, talking about having sex with her and taking her virginity and asked if they could meet.

The former Mourne and Down District councillor also sent 'Sammy Jo' a picture of a topless man claiming it was him, suggested giving her 100 and told her 'I bet you look stunning in your school uniform.'

The contact ended when Walker asked 'Sammy Jo' for a picture of herself in her school uniform.

Around the same time, Walker made contact with a second decoy posing as a teenager called 'Daisy May.'

He sent her a friend request using the fake profile, told her she was stunning and on February 16, 2022 he sent her a message asking if she had a boyfriend. She replied, said she didn't and said it was her 14th birthday that day.

Walker gave her his phone number and the chat moved to WhatsApp. He called her on February 17 and 18 and during these conversations, Walker said he would treat her and told her he would buy her a new phone which she should hide from her mother.

Walker also suggested meeting up the following month, told her he would teach her how to kiss and asked if she had learned sex education in school.

'Daisy May' was asked by Walker to send pictures to him of her in her school uniform - and the contact continued until February 22 when he told her he would spoil her.

The matter was reported to police and when Walker was arrested, he admitted he had set up a fake profile.

When asked about 'Sammy Jo', Walker accepted they had communicated but claimed he believed she was over 18.

Regarding 'Daisy May', Walker admitted contacting her but said he had little recollection of what he had done and said he had been drinking 'big time' over the relevant period.

Walker told police he had no intention of meeting either of the girls - and subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child on dates between February 10 and 23, 2022.

Noting Walker has amassed 34 previous convictions - a majority of which are linked to politically motivated protests - Judge Miller accepted there were no prior sexual offences on his record.

He also spoke of a character reference supplied by a DUP councillor and said "he obviously doesn't know" Walker very well "or he wouldn't describe him as a man of good character."

The judge said he had also considered defence submissions which set out Walker's health problems and the impact his offending has had on him.

Addressing Walker in the dock, Judge Miller told him to stand then revealed he had considered imposing a 12-month sentence.

The judge then imposed the enhanced combination order as a "direct alternative to custody" and warned Walker than any further offending or breach of the order would result in a return to court and the possibility of jail.

Walker was also made the subject of a five-year sexual offences prevention order and will be on the sex offenders' register for the same period.
Her stepfather has been jailed for 22 years for murder, while her mother has been sentenced to 11 years after pleading guilty to allowing death of a child

A little girl murdered by her stepfather in a brutal campaign of violence had more than 70 injuries at the time of her death  including a fractured skull, ribs and pelvis.

Nadia Zofia Kalinowska was just five when she was fatally assaulted in her Fernagh Drive home in Newtownabbey in December, 2019.

An ambulance was called to the family home in the early hours of December 15. Nadia was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital but was pronounced dead at 3.40am.

Abdul Wahab (35) initially denied murdering her, but changed his plea earlier this year to guilty.

He was told on Wednesday that he will spend the next 22 years in prison.

The Pakistani national also admitted causing Nadia grievous bodily harm with intent in an attack on a date between December 11 and 15, 2019, as well as carrying out a campaign of assaults against her on dates between July 1 and December 14, 2019.

Belfast Crown Court heard that two medical experts estimated Nadia was subjected to between four and six episodes of violence in the months leading to the fatal attack in December.

As he imposed the tariff on Abdul Wahab for her murder, Mr Justice O'Hara spoke of the "brutality" inflicted on the child which resulted in a "horrific collection of injuries".

The cause of her death was due to a skull fracture which led to bleeding on the brain, as well as abdominal bleeding from injuries to her liver and bowel.

Nadia had sustained fractures and re-fractures to her ribs, a fractured collarbone and a broken pelvis. She also had 70 surface injuries including bruising and abrasions.

Police scans show the wounds inflicted on Nadia Zofia Kalinowska

PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/01/2023A mother and her husband have denied abusing and murdering an "innocent and beautiful" five-year old girl.Nadia Zofia Kalinowska died after sustaining injuries at her home at Fernagh Drive, Newtownabbey, County Antrim in December 2019.Her mother Aleksandra Wahab, 28, and 34-year-old stepfather, Abdul Wahab, went on trial in Belfast on Wednesday.The court heard Nadia's injuries included a fractured skull and laceration to her liver.21/06/2023A man has been told he must serve a minimum of 22 years in prison for the "brutal, merciless and outrageous" murder of his five-year-old stepdaughter.Nadia Zofia Kalinowska died after she was found with multiple injuries at her family home at Fernagh Drive in Newtownabbey in December 2019.At Belfast Crown Court, Mr Justice O'Hara sentenced Abdul Wahab, 35, for repeatedly attacking and beating Nadia, who had suffered more than 70 injuries, including a fractured skull, over many months.

PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/01/2023 A mother and her husband have denied abusing and murdering an "innocent and beautiful" five-year old girl. Nadia Zofia Kalinowska died after sustaining injuries at her home at Fernagh Drive, Newtownabbey, County Antrim in December 2019. Her mother Aleksandra Wahab, 28, and 34-year-old stepfather, Abdul Wahab, went on trial in Belfast on Wednesday. The court heard Nadia's injuries included a fractured skull and laceration to her liver. 21/06/2023 A man has been told he must serve a minimum of 22 years in prison for the "brutal, merciless and outrageous" murder of his five-year-old stepdaughter. Nadia Zofia Kalinowska died after she was found with multiple injuries at her family home at Fernagh Drive in Newtownabbey in December 2019. At Belfast Crown Court, Mr Justice O'Hara sentenced Abdul Wahab, 35, for repeatedly attacking and beating Nadia, who had suffered more than 70 injuries, including a fractured skull, over many months.

Mr Justice O'Hara noted that many of her injuries were due to blunt force trauma, which would have required a "significant degree of destructive force.

He added that many of the serious wounds inflicted prior to the fatal attack, including fractures to her ribs and collarbone, would have left her in much pain and distress.

Her mother, Aleksandra Wahab (29), was handed an 11-year sentence. Originally from Poland, she pleaded guilty to an 'alternative' charge to murder - namely causing or allowing the death of her daughter.

She also admitted a charge of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm on a date between December 11 and 15, 2019, and of allowing Nadia to suffer over a period from July 1 and December 14, 2019.

As he imposed the sentence, which was divided equally between prison and licence, the judge said she must have been aware of the "violent beatings" her husband was inflicting on her daughter, but "completely failed" to protect her.

He said: "I don't accept for a second that she did not know that Nadia was being repeatedly beaten and attacked by her husband."

Pointing out Nadia's death was not the result of a single loss of temper or control, but instead came following "brutal criminal conduct" which had been going on for months, Mr Justice O'Hara said there were multiple opportunities for Aleksandra Wahab to "protect and save" the child.

He added: "Parents have an absolute duty to protect children from harm. Mrs Wahab brought Nadia into this world but did not do that. She completely failed Nadia and for that she must be punished."

During the tariff hearing, Mr Justice O'Hara said he rejected claims from the pair that Nadia was clumsy and fell often. He also rejected Abdul Wahab's version of how the girl sustained the fatal injuries.

Abdul Wahab claimed that in the early hours of the morning, he feared Nadia had got up to go to the toilet but had fallen down the stairs.

He said he ran down the stairs and when he reached the bottom, Nadia was crying on the floor. He also claimed that as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he tripped and fell onto her stomach, placing his full weight on her.

Mr Justice O'Hara noted that while Nadia suffered serious injuries, she was never taken to a GP or hospital. In addition, her teeth were badly decayed yet she was never taken to a dentist.

Nadia Zofia Kalinowska

This, he said, was in contrast to Mr and Mrs Wahab's two-year-old son who, after his sister's murder, was examined and found to be completely free of any injuries and had healthy teeth.

The judge also read part of a victim impact statement made by Nadia's grandmother in Poland.

She told of her shock and grief at Nadia's death: "I have never imagined that something like this could happen and that the life of my granddaughter could be taken by my daughter and her current husband."

After passing sentence, Mr Justice O'Hara reminded Abdul Wahab that he will spend the next 22 years behind bars before he is considered eligible for release by the parole commissioners.

He will also be on licence for the rest of his life when released and will be subject to recall if he breaches the terms of his licence.
Nadia was just a child, say heartbroken family in emotional tribute

The heartbroken family of a five-year-old girl murdered by her stepfather said her young and innocent life was cruelly taken away.

Abdul Wahab was jailed at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday over the brutal, merciless and outrageous killing of Nadia Zofia Kalinowska.

Little Nadia was savagely assaulted in her Fernagh Drive home in Newtownabbey in December 2019.

Abdul Wahab (35), her stepfather, was handed a minimum 22 year prison term for her murder.

Her mother Aleksandra Wahab (29) was handed an 11-year sentence for a lesser charge of causing or allowing her death.

Police described it as the ultimate betrayal of trust.

Stepfather and mother sentenced over merciless murder of five-year-old in Newtownabbey

In an emotional statement, the little girls family said: Nadia was just a child. A child who had her young and innocent life cruelly taken away.

Our little one was loved and treasured by her family here in Poland.

We have supported the police investigation over the last traumatic three and a half years, and are truly grateful to everyone for their support.

Were still, however, trying to come to terms with what happened to Nadia. And Im not sure that we ever will. To be honest, our worlds have been shattered.

Nadia will always remain in the heart of her loving grandmother and her closest family in Poland.

The Wahabs, of Fernagh Drive, were both originally charged with murder.

Earlier this year, Mr Wahab pleaded guilty to the murder of Nadia as well as two charges of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mrs Wahab had also changed her pleas to guilty in relation to the lesser charges.

At the time of their initial arrests, the Wahabs both claimed Nadia's death was accidental.

Police scans show the wounds inflicted by Nadia Zofia Kalinowska

As he imposed the tariff on Abdul Wahab, Mr Justice O'Hara spoke of the "brutality" inflicted on the child which resulted in a "horrific collection of injuries".

Jailing Aleksandra Wahab for causing or allowing the death of her daughter, the judge said she must have been aware of the "violent beatings" her husband was inflicting on her daughter - but "completely failed" to protect her.

He said: "I don't accept for a second that she did not know that Nadia was being repeatedly beaten and attacked by her husband."

Afterwards, a senior PSNI detective said Nadia was a young and innocent child who had suffered dreadfully.

Detective Inspector Gina Quinn, from the Major Investigation Team, said: Nadia died from head and abdominal injuries, however, she also sustained multiple fractures to her skull, ribs, pelvis and collarbone and serious injuries to her brain and liver.

"At the time of her death, she had over 70 surface injuries on her body which had been inflicted on various occasions over a six-month period.

Nadia Zofia Kalinowska

Nadia, who was a young and innocent child, had been subjected to a campaign of violence by her stepfather, while her mother ignored the very obvious attacks being carried out on her young daughter.

"They failed to ever seek medical treatment for any of her injuries. This was the ultimate betrayal of trust by the two people who should have protected, loved and cared for Nadia.

This has been a lengthy investigation and from the start we have worked closely with specialist prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Service to get justice for Nadia.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of colleagues in the Ambulance Service and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, who fought so hard to save Nadias life.

My thoughts today are with Nadias grandmother and extended family in Poland, who have suffered unimaginable heartache and pain.

Ciaran McQuillan, the assistant director of the Public Prosecution Service and Head of the Serious Crime Unit, said the case was deeply distressing and difficult to comprehend.

"Her injuries included multiple fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, a fractured forearm and extensive bruising and abrasions, he said.

The violence eventually resulted in her tragic death in hospital from a fractured skull and severe internal injuries. The medical evidence paints a picture of a shocking catalogue of abuse that culminated in her brutal murder.

We in the PPS hope the conclusion of this case brings some comfort to Nadias wider family circle and all those who loved her as they try to cope with her death.

An NSPCC NI spokesperson said: This is an absolutely heart-breaking case where a young child died at the hands of the very people who should have been nurturing and caring for her.

Nadia Kalinowska deserved a happy and healthy future, but that was taken away from her by the cruelty of her stepfather, Abdul Wahab, and the failure of her mother, Aleksandra Wahab, to protect her."
Pacemaker Press 21/06/23 Stephen Matthews appears at Laganside Court in Belfast on Wednesday, pictured beside Jamie Bryson Pic Pacemaker

Stephen Matthews appears at Laganside Court in Belfast on Wednesday. Pic Pacemaker

This is alleged UVF boss Stephen Matthews waving at cameras as he arrived at a Belfast court on Wednesday.

Matthews (60), of Pansy Street, along with Derek Lammey (58), of Spring Place, appeared at Belfast Crown Court for an arraignment hearing.

The two men have been ordered to stand trial accused of taking part in an alleged loyalist show of strength in east Belfast.

Matthews replied "not guilty' to charges of unlawful assembly, affray and intimidation.

Reported UVF chief Stephen Matthews (Mackers) waves as he arrives at Belfast court

Lammey replied "definitely not guilty'' to the three charges.

The charge of intimidation states on court papers that they "unlawfully caused by force, threats or menaces or in some other way other persons, namely persons within the Ballymacarett Centre, to refrain from doing an act, namely returning to their place of residence''.

The offences relate to the gathering of nearly 40 masked men in the Pitt Park/Fraser Pass area of the lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast on February 2, 2021.

A prosecution barrister asked Judge Paul Ramsey KC for a trial date to be fixed and that defence statements should be "lodged with the court forthwith''.

But defence counsel for Matthews, John Larkin KC, asked for three weeks to lodge his defence statement "given the time of year''.

Judge Ramsey agreed to three weeks for the defence statements to be lodged by Mr Larkin and by Lammey's defence counsel Eugene Grant KC.

Mr Larkin told the court that the trial is expected to last two to three weeks and it would likely be held sometime in 2024.

Judge Ramsey said the case would be reviewed in the new court term on September 6, 2023, when it is likely a trial date will be fixed.

Both defendants were released on continuing bail.
Review urges major shake-up in current system to ease pressures and address a staffing crisis

Permanent secretary at the Department of Health Peter May

More than 4,000 children here are estimated to be on the waiting list for assessment and help from social care services, a study has revealed.

The NI Review of Childrens Social Care Services was commissioned by Health Minister Robin Swann in October 2021.

It was led by Professor Ray Jones, Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Kingston University and St Georges University of London.

Although there are a reported 1,832 cases waiting to be allocated a social worker, Prof Jones said the real number was considerably higher.

Some of them are not individual children, there are families which might have one or two or three children, he told the Belfast Telegraph.

You add that up and you probably have around 4,000 children... where families are experiencing difficulties. The care that might be given to the children is really on the edge, and there are no social workers being allocated to those children to find out whats happening.

The report makes 53 recommendations, with a focus on pressures facing the system and the crisis in staff recruitment and retention.

It suggests organisations delivering child social care should undertake their own recruitment, and review pay banding and grading structures.

Retention is maybe a bigger issue than recruitment. We can keep recruiting newly-qualified social workers, but what we need to do is keep our experienced workers as well, he added.

One recommendation is to reward people for staying and recognise the contribution they make in terms of their experience and expertise.

They are undertaking tasks that if they had family support workers, contact workers doing some of the practical tasks with families, they could free up time for them to do the work they need to do.

He also recommends locating statutory children and family social care services within a stand-alone organisation where it is the primary focus, warns against any privatisation of childrens care, and calls for the appointment of a Minister for Children and Families.

Statutory childrens social care is provided by the five health trusts, which are really busy organisations trying to tackle issues of hospitals and healthcare, Prof Jones added.

Childrens social care doesnt really get all the attention people would like to give it and one of the ways of moving that forward is to create a childrens social care agency for Northern Ireland.

That would help to give more consistency and attention to childrens social care; and to have a Minister for Children and Families who would work alongside the Childrens Commissioner would make sure political attention is being given to this.

As well as poor mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, and domestic violence, we have to deal with an additional toxic trio of issues, according to the expert.

He explained: The legacy of the Troubles and the trauma that people still carry with them is generating higher levels of mental health issues in Northern Ireland.

Secondly, its not just historic, you have people living in communities today where there is still a threat and fear. That is also adding to mental health issues, drug and alcohol issues, and potentially the vulnerability of children and women in particular.

Thirdly... you have the absence of an operating political government, so if issues need addressed, they are not getting the attention or action they require.

Department of Health permanent secretary Peter May said: We fully accept that change is necessary if we are to meet the ever-increasing demand for childrens services in Northern Ireland and ensure children and families get the help they need.

Permanent secretary at the Department of Health Peter May

The department has commenced work to address the challenges facing our workforce.

In March 2022 we completed a review of the social work workforce and established a workforce reform board.

A priority for the board has been the stabilisation of the childrens services workforce and I am pleased significant progress has been made.

Trusts are on target to end the use of agency social workers by the end of this month.

The other key recommendations from this review will require significant service changes, and in some cases cut across a number of government departments.

Therefore, these are decisions that will need to be considered by a minister and an Executive.

In the meantime, my department will undertake a public consultation on the organisational and service changes recommended, and make the necessary preparations for an incoming minister.
The last living survivor of the deepest successful sea rescue in history fears the worst for the five passengers aboard the small submersible that vanished while visiting the Titanic wreck over the weekend.

Rescuers racing against the clock to save the five people trapped inside a submersible that went missing during a voyage to the Titanic wreckage can take hope from a rescue operation off the coast of Ireland in 1973.

As of Wednesday, there was fresh hope the rescue would be a success as the US Coast Guard said a Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area.

The five people inside the submersible have until approximately 11am on Thursday before their oxygen runs out.

Speaking to Times Radio, Roger Mallinson (85) recalled his frightening experience after his submersible sank off the Atlantic coast of Ireland 50 years ago.

Read more Titanic sub: More noises heard from search area as hours run short for rescuers

The incident remains the deepest sub rescue in history as Englishman Mr Mallinson and his diving partner, the late Roger Chapman, spent 84 hours trapped at 1,575 feet underwater in a six-foot wide vessel.

Race against time: The search for missing Titanic tourist submersible

If the rescue of the OceanGate Expeditions submersible is a success, it could prove a much more difficult operation compared to Mr Mallinsons as the wreck of the Titanic, which was built in Belfast, sits 12,000ft below the surface off the coast of Newfoundland.

However, it is still not clear how deep underwater the vessel is.

Mr Mallinson and Mr Chapman  who were 35 and 28-years-old at the time of their sinking  were laying transatlantic telephone wire 150 miles off the coast of Cork in a submersible named Pisces III.

Onboard the Titan submersible's trip to the Titanic with OceanGate that is now subject of frantic search

The machine room hatch of the sub was accidently wrenched open by the surface ship they were tethered to.

At the end of their eight-hour shift, an alarm went off and they could hear water gushing in before the sub flipped over.

The towline snapped and Pisces III hit the seabed at 40mph causing their electrics to turn off.

Its very cold and its very dark and its really frightening because you dont know what the outcome is going to be, Mr Mallinson told Times Radio. Your life support is withering away very quickly and [theres] nothing to cover it.

In a strange twist, Mr Mallinson recalled getting into an argument with a crew member before the dive and stole an extra bottle of oxygen to get his own back  it ended up saving his and his diving partners lives.

Search continues for Titanic tourist submarine missing in Atlantic with five people aboard

They knew that every ounce of air needed to be preserved. Every 40 minutes the balance would be checked and, if necessary, CO2 was removed and oxygen was put into the cabin to restore the correct pressure. The scarce resources hampered communication with each other.

We didnt talk because we didnt have enough oxygen really so we couldnt even talk, Mallinson said.

He added: Every time we spoke on the underwater telephone, thousands of dolphins chatted back.

The whole time we were down they were with us, and they were with us as we lifted up. They came up with us. You couldnt see them, but you could hear them.

Read more Everything we know about missing Titanic submersible so far

Mr Mallinson and Mr Chapman were also in constant contact with their rescuers.

Youve got to trust people because youre inside and theyre doing outside work, Mr Mallinson said. Youve got to rely on them.
Chris Quinn has been appointed as Northern Irelands next childrens commissioner (NICCY/PA)

Northern Irelands next childrens commissioner has been appointed by the Secretary of State in the absence of a functioning Stormont Assembly.

Chris Heaton-Harris announced that Chris Quinn will take up the post as Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) in September.

Mr Quinn has served as director of the NI Youth Forum since 2008 and was instrumental in setting up Belfast City Councils first Youth Council.

He will be the fourth commissioner, following in the footsteps of his most recent predecessor Koulla Yiasouma, who finished her term in March.

Koulla Yiasouma, the former Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (PA)

The appointment was made by Mr Heaton-Harris in the absence of a First and deputy First Minister.

NICCY chief executive Mairead McCafferty said the team are very much looking forward to working with Mr Quinn, adding he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.

We look forward to continuing our vital work  particularly in the current context in NI  with Chris our new commissioner in safeguarding and promoting the rights and best interests of children and young people in NI, she said.

Head of the Civil Service Jayne Brady also welcomed the appointment, and thanked Ms Yaisouma for her work.

The role of childrens commissioner is vital in safeguarding and promoting the rights and best interests of our children and young people, she said.

I believe that Chris has all the skills and experience needed to take forward this important work and I want to wish him every success when he takes up his post.

I also want to express my gratitude to the outgoing childrens commissioner, Koulla Yiasouma. The energy, drive and passion she brought to the role ensured she was at the forefront of championing children and young peoples issues in Northern Ireland for many years.

Mr Quinn will serve as commissioner for four years, with the possibility of reappointment after that term.
Three men have been charged following the theft of a large quantity of alcohol from a number of stores across Co Down and Co Antrim.

The thefts occurred at premises in the Lisburn & Castlereagh and Antrim & Newtownabbey policing districts on Wednesday.

The three men, aged 32, 28 and 21 years, were charged with multiple counts of theft, attempted theft, handling stolen goods and going equipped for theft. They are due to appear Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The PSNIs lead for Business Crime, Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones said: These charges are the result of great police work from our Auto Crime Team, who carried out the arrests, and Local Policing Teams.

2We want to reassure retailers that we are here to support and work with you to protect your business. We are committed to working with you to reduce business crime and, in particular, shoplifting.

Police have asked that anyone with information contact them via 101.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

.
Woman whose father was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries disgusted by engagements

The Northern Ireland Affairs Commitee, of which Simon Hoare is the chair, has said the Tory MPs recent visit to NI was to fact find to inform House and Committee discussion on paramilitary activity and organised crime.

The Belfast Telegraph understands that the Conservative MP for North Dorset held talks on June 5 and 6 with members of the UVF and UDA, focused on the paramilitary groups transitioning from organised crime, and exploring what would be necessary for them to move to support the Windsor Framework.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has defended Simon Hoares decision to meet with such individuals, and confirmed that he facilitated the discussions.

While Former Aontu councillor Denise Mullen, who saw her father murdered by the Glenanne Gang in 1975, said she was disgusted at the news.

A spokesperson for the NI Affairs Committee has since stated: The Chairs visit to Northern Ireland was to fact find to inform House and Committee discussion on paramilitary activity and organised crime in Northern Ireland. The visit was not an attempt to represent the Committee or communicate its views.

However, Mr Hoare previously told the Belfast Telegraph that he wasnt reporting back to anybody, adding that he was there in a purely personal capacity.

I categorically refute the description of my private conversations as secret talks, he added.

I wasnt there as an envoy sent by Number Ten or the Northern Ireland Office. I wasnt there to negotiate or make an offer to loyalists.

I am chairman of a select committee. I have no power. This was a listening engagement.

On Wednesday morning, Mr Bryson stated that the engagements were all with legitimate and constituted community groups.

While Mr Bryson did not respond to repeated attempts by the Belfast Telegraph to contact him after the newspaper broke the exclusive story, he posted a statement to his social media, in which he said he facilitated a range of private engagements for Mr Hoare, who had sought to obtain a greater understanding of of grassroots unionist and loyalist feeling.

Mr Bryson continued: These engagements were NOT about being persuaded to accept the Protocol, in fact (among other things) quite the reverse  it was about why it will never be tolerated and Mr Hoare hearing that message.

"Mr Hoare was not aware of the identity of the attendees at any of the meetings in advance. These engagements were all with legitimate and constituted community groups.

The Donaghadee native said he will continue to engage with Mr Hoare, adding: We wont agree on much politically, but we will keep talking and arguing out the points.

"Malicious leaks designed to derail difficult but positive engagement wont have the desired effect, he noted.

Denise Mullen, a former councillor who lost her Mid Ulster seat in last months local election, was just three-years-old when she witnessed the brutal shooting of her father, Denis.

She told the BBCs Stephen Nolan show that she was disgusted a British MP had met up with loyalist gangsters.

"Its wrong, she said.

"Are the PSNI going to get involved now with this Conservative guy coming over and meeting the UVF?

"Would he like to come and meet me? Would he like to come and meet my mother, who at 80 years of age, for the last 20 years has been sitting there almost numb now?

"All that she can talk about is reliving that night my father was shot. Id like him to come and visit me, she said.

Sources said senior UDA and UVF men took part in some of the meetings as representatives of community organisations.

Mr Hoare has also said he would be willing in future to also meet dissident republicans, including the New IRA and its political wing, Saoradh.

There has been widespread political backlash against Mr Hoare for the meetings.

Nationalist commentator and columnist, Chris Donnelly, accused the British government of continuing to indulge still active and illegal loyalist gangs 25 years post-Good Friday Agreement.
A Dublin minister will today become the Presbyterian Churchs first Moderator in nearly a quarter of a century to come from a congregation in the Republic.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland will open on Wednesday evening in Assembly Buildings in Belfast, when Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney, the minister of Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church in Dublin, takes office.

The annual meeting will be welcomed by the outgoing Moderator, Rt Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick, who will perform one of his last duties when he constitutes the General Assembly for its three days of worship, debate and discussion.

Dr Mawhinney will be the 178th person to hold the office since the establishment of the Church in 1840 and the 10th from a Dublin city congregation.

He will address the General Assembly on his theme for the year  Confident in Christ  after he has been formally nominated, elected and installed, chairing the meeting over the coming days.

The new leader has already caused some controversy. Earlier this year, more than 150 Presbyterians signed an open letter criticising Dr Mawhinneys comments on the ordination of women. In a BBC interview, Dr Mawhinney had said he is against the ordination of women even though it is church policy.

However, he said it was his personal view and that he recognised there are people who disagree with me and that he didnt want to make it a primary issue.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland later said it was clear its policy of ordaining women ministers has not changed.

The letter claimed Dr Mawhinneys remarks ignore the fact that it has been the policy of the Presbyterian Church to ordain women to eldership for almost a century, and to the ministry for exactly 50 years.

During the General Assembly, the church will examine its methods and procedures for dealing with dissent and decision-making as the final report from the Decision Making and Dissent Task Group is presented to the General Assembly.

In 2018, the General Assembly was enveloped in controversy after it adopted a new policy meaning anyone in a same-sex relationship cannot be a full member of the Church.

Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Trevor Gribben, said that there were a number of significant areas of business that would be before members, and he expects it to be a busy time.

Each member receives a copy of the Blue Book containing the reports and resolutions, and at 416 pages, it is 140 pages longer than last years, and one of the largest in recent memory.

So it will be a busy and important few days, Rev Gribben added.
A Belfast black taxi tour, focused on telling the history of the city during the Troubles, has been ranked as the fifth best overall tourist experience in the UK.

The Cab Tours Belfast tour around the peace walls was ranked in the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards in the Top Overall UK Experiences category.

Last year, the tour around the peace walls was ranked at number 17 in the top overall world experiences list, which also included the likes of canal tours in Amsterdam, food walks around Reykjavik and a hot air balloon ride in Egypt.

It marked the only entry from Northern Ireland to achieve the feat and in 2023, it is the only NI company to place in any category as well, coming among the top five in the UK.

Cab Tours Belfast describe their offering as providing a balanced unbiased viewpoint of Belfasts turbulent history from a company owned by both a Catholic and a Protestant.

The company was formed by Thomas Campbell and Isaac Swindell, both from north Belfast, in January 2017.

The business partners are from opposing sides of the sectarian divide, with one a Protestant and the other a Catholic.

TripAdvisor awards accolades based on the quality and quantity of reviews, and both Thomas and Isaac believe their approach to explaining Northern Irelands troubled history goes some way to explaining their popularity.

Isaac Swindell of Cab Tours Belfast with reporter Niamh Campbell

Last year, Isaac told the Belfast Telegraph: The question I get asked the most when Im taking people on tours is whether Im a Protestant or a Catholic. I tell them they can have a guess by the end of the tour.

This year, the activity came behind a historical pub walking tour of London, a high-speed River Thames cruise, an immersive chocolate-making experience in Edinburgh, and a Harry Potter-themed Tour for Muggles in London.

The Belfast-based experience also ranked one place higher than a guided tour of Celtic Park, and beat out other top attractions such as the Jack The Ripper walking tour in London, and tours of Londons West End, Glasgow and Oxford University.
Leader of the DUP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has urged the Prime Minister to scrap legislation to deal with the legacy of the NI Troubles (Liam McBurney/PA)

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has written to the Prime Minister urging him to scrap controversial legislation to address the legacy of Northern Irelands Troubles.

Sir Jeffrey said that an amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said he did not think he would ever be able to persuade the DUP to support the Bill.

Campaigners protest against the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill in Belfast earlier this year (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

It would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

While the Government introduced a number of amendments to the Bill earlier this month, the Stormont parties, Irish government and victims groups remain opposed to it.

The legislation is set to return to the House of Lords on Wednesday.

A number of protests have been staged by victims groups against the Governments legacy Bill (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The DUP leader said: The Governments legacy proposals have been rejected by the vast majority of victims and survivors, who suffered the most during the Troubles and who still live with the terrible legacy of pain, trauma and loss.

An amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

As things stand, the only condition placed on a terrorist seeking immunity is that they give their account of the acts of terrorism they were involved in.

There is absolutely nothing in the way of protection for those families who they terrorised and left without fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. Indeed those who fled criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland could return to avail of the scheme without any repercussions.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris defended the Bill earlier this week (Liam McBurney/PA)

This is wrong. It is not too late for the Prime Minister to do the right thing and choose the side of justice and innocent victims.

Sir Jeffrey said it was not too late for the Prime Minister to halt the Bill.

He added: I have urged Rishi Sunak to recognise that imposing this Bill against the express wishes of communities and political parties in Northern Ireland would be a retrograde step.

Reconciliation will not be achieved by sacrificing justice. Access to justice must be preserved and the principle of everyone be equal under the law should be protected.

Speaking in the Commons, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle said: The Secretary (of State) has said that Government needs to demonstrate that Northern Ireland remains a strong and integral part of the United Kingdom in order to restore powersharing.

Shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland Peter Kyle warned that the Bill could damage the union (Beresford Hodge/PA)

A problem for him, though, is that his department still plans to impose immunity for terrorists on Northern Ireland against the wishes of all local parties and all victims groups there.

Does he not see the damage this could do to the union?

Mr Heaton-Harris responded: Yes, none of the political parties in Northern Ireland are behind this particular Bill, but in great fairness to the Democratic Unionist Party, they have never been behind any sort of amnesty.

It is a principled position on their part from the Belfast Good Friday Agreement onwards, which I completely understand.

I dont think I will ever be able to win that argument with them.

He added: I actually think the Bill that we will present  which will be Article 2 compliant, I truly believe that  will actually go to getting information for a whole host of families that have not had it for well over 25 years.
The Home Office has been criticised over its slow and inefficient handling of the Windrush compensation scheme (Yui Mok/PA)

A compensation scheme for people whose lives were devastated by the Windrush scandal has been criticised for being slow and inefficient, as the latest figures show hundreds of cases have been in the system for at least a year.

A lawyer who has met hundreds of people needing help with their claims has accused the Home Office of institutional racism, saying she believed no other group of people in society would be treated this callously.

Jacqueline McKenzie, partner at the law firm Leigh Day, said they had had clients who were initially rejected for any compensation who were then offered tens of thousands when their case was reviewed in what she said is evidence of poor case-working.

Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie said she believes there has been a mixture of inefficiency, lack of prioritisation and institutional racism with the compensation scheme (Nick Ansell/PA)

The Windrush Compensation Scheme is available to people of all ages and nationalities including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who have suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK.

It was set up after the Windrush scandal, which erupted in 2018, saw people with a right to live in the UK lose access to work and be wrongfully detained or deported.

The latest figures show that, since 2019 and up to April this year, 72.6 million had been offered through the scheme  of which 61.3 million had been paid out.

PA analysis shows that of the 2,235 claims in progress as of April, 347 (16%) had been in the system for at least 12 months, including 162 for over 18 months.

A year earlier in April 2022, a lower number of claims were in progress  1,904  but a higher number had been in the system for 12 months and over: 541, or 28% of the total.

(PA Graphics)

Over the same period, the proportion of claims in the system for just one to three months has gone up, from 19% in April 2022 to 33% in April this year.

Ms McKenzie said the system is so slow  and her comments came as a leading campaigner told of his fears the Home Office could be working towards closing the scheme.

Patrick Vernons concerns come in the 75th anniversary week as it was reported that the Home Office unit set up with responsibility for reforming the department in the wake of the scandal  which saw many lose homes, jobs and face the threat of deportation  is to be disbanded.

The Home Office has said the Government is honouring its Windrush commitments and providing support to those affected every day, adding that the compensation scheme will stay open as long as needed.

On the scheme, Ms McKenzie said: It takes about 12 months to get an initial decision. And then those initial decisions are often wrong.

She said the firm had a client who put an application in and was told he was not entitled to any compensation, but when it was reviewed he was told he is entitled to 289,000, while another saw a mother and two daughters go from zero to being told they are entitled to between 70,000 and 100,000.

Asked why she thinks they are seeing such drastic changes when cases are reviewed from initial rejections, she said: I think some of the problems are that theyve not resourced the team.

They themselves say theyre under-resourced so thats a big issue but also very poor quality case-working.

I think theyre inefficient. I just dont think that the Home Office has properly skilled this up.

She said her team have been involved in tier one reviews of cases and they have felt due diligence was not done on the cases initially.

The case was there, there was enough evidence there, she said.

Even if people havent put in all the legal language, the Home Office can see from those cases that this is somebody whos eligible, why dont they just phone them up and say well, we need a bit more of this, or send a letter and say well, we need that.

They dont do that and its so distressing because remember, these people are seriously traumatised. I have not met anybody affected by the Windrush scandal thats not traumatised.

The 2020 Lessons Learned review into the scandal found the Home Office had demonstrated institutional ignorance and thoughtlessness towards the issue of race and the history of the Windrush generation.

But its author Wendy Williams said the actions did not satisfy all of the features of institutional racism.

Three years on, Ms McKenzie said she believes you cant have tenets of racism without racism, you cant be a bit racist  youre racist or youre not.

She said: I think its difficult to find any other explanation for me. Unless youve just got a whole load of inefficient people and I dont think they are. And I think there are people in the Home Office who really care.

I think its a mixture of inefficiency, lack of prioritisation and institutional racism. I dont believe they would treat another group in society this callously.

There are advocates, there are people speaking up. The media is constantly over this story and yet were still where we are five years on. How is that possible?

It must mean that youre not seeing it as a priority. If youre not seeing how youve damaged and traumatised a group, if you cant see that that (the scheme) is a priority, to me its that youre seeing them as less than and that is institutional racism.

A Home Office spokesperson said the department remains absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of Windrush adding that they are determined to create a Home Office worthy of every community it serves.

They added: Through this work, we will make sure that similar injustices can never be repeated.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was the wrong approach to give former army servicemen, former IRA and paramilitary terrorists immunity from prosecution (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Irish premier Leo Varadkar has restated that Ireland will consider taking an interstate case if the UK governments controversial legacy Bill is passed.

The legacy Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

Victims groups, human rights experts, Amnesty International and all political parties in Northern Ireland are opposed to the Bill.

The legislation is set to return to the House of Lords on Wednesday.

Raising the issue in the Dail, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that if it passed the Lords stage, it would definitively shut the door on families efforts to achieve truth and justice through the courts, and it will of course give an amnesty to those responsible for their deaths.

Asked what action Ireland intended to take, the Taoiseach responded: The Bill has not yet been enacted, and certainly if it is enacted, if it does become law, we will then at that point give consideration to whether an interstate case is appropriate, so we certainly dont rule that out.

But I would encourage everyone to play their part when it comes to legacy issues, we all have a role to play.

He told TDs: I just want to reiterate and restate the governments opposition to this legacy Bill.

We think its entirely the wrong approach to give former army servicemen, former IRA and paramilitary terrorists immunity from prosecution.

We owe it to the victims to make sure that we all do everything we can to make sure that any information that can be given to the police is given to the police and that those people are prosecuted if at all possible.

And thats why were very much against this legacy Bill and Ive made that very clear to the Prime Minister, as has the Tanaiste (Micheal Martin) with his counterparts.

Its been discussed with the US president, and is discussed at European level as well.
Rescue teams are continuing the search for the submersible tourist vessel Titan which went missing during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck

Safety fears had previously been raised about the deep-sea vessel which went missing on a dive to the Titanic shipwreck.

The submersible, named Titan, lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

Titan has five people on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, and on Tuesday the US Coast Guard estimated the 6.7 metres (22ft) long OceanGate Expeditions vessel had just 40 hours of oxygen left.

The others on board are Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman and OceanGates chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, reportedly together with French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

It is understood the King is being kept informed of the search efforts, as Shahzada Dawood is a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by Charles.

As the race to find the vessel intensified on Tuesday, it emerged a former employee of OceanGate had raised concerns over safety and quality control issues regarding the Titan to OceanGate executive management, according to court filings.

David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed in the August 2018 court document he was wrongfully fired after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design.

After issues of quality control with Titan were raised, the filings say Mr Rush asked Mr Lochridge to conduct a quality inspection report on the vessel.

During this process, Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns but he was allegedly met with hostility and denial of access to necessary documents before later being fired.

Hamish Harding is one of five people on board a missing submersible tourist vessel (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA)

The document claims he became concerned about a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan, and that he stressed the potential danger to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths.

In a November 2022 episode of his Unsung Science podcast, CBS journalist David Pogue interviewed Mr Rush ahead of going on a Titan expedition to the wreckage.

In the podcast, Mr Rush told him: You know, at some point, safety is just pure waste.

I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed, dont get in your car, dont do anything.

At some point, youre going to take some risk, and it really is a risk-reward question.

I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules.

(PA Graphics)

Mr Pogue also said he had signed a waiver before going on the dive which allegedly said: The experimental submersible vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and that the trip could result in death.

OceanGate has been approached for comment.

On Tuesday David Mearns, a deep-sea shipwreck hunter who is friends with Mr Harding and Mr Nargeolet, said he had seen reports of tapping being heard in the water, which he said could indicate the passengers are alive.

He told Channel 4 News: Theres some reports that Ive just read from my own club, which is how I know Hamish, is that somebody today has heard some tapping.

Now theyve got sonar buoys out there, there may be some other hydrophones that the mothership the Polar Prince had in the water.

Its hard to imagine how they could have heard that but still, they are at least trying to operate or encourage the rescue efforts to continue on and to be redoubled on the fact that theyve heard something which suggests that the men are alive in the submersible.

The RMS Titanic in her resting place (Atlantic Productions/PA)

On Tuesday, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said a unified command of multiple agencies was formed on Monday to tackle the very complex problem of finding the missing submersible, which has so far not yielded any results.

Speaking at a press conference in Boston, Captain Frederick estimated there was approximately 40/41 hours (of oxygen left) on the vessel, which started with 96 hours of breathable air.

Captain Frederick was non-committal when asked if there is any way to retrieve the submersible and save the five on board if it can be located.

So, right now all of our efforts are focused on finding the sub, he said.

What I will tell you is we have a group of our nations best experts in the unified command and if we get to that point, those experts will be looking at what the next course of action is.

He added: On Sunday, the co-ordination command centre in Boston received a report from the Canadian expedition vessel Polar Prince of an overdue 21-foot submarine, Titan, with five people on board.

The Titan was attempting to dive on the wreck of the Titanic, approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod and 400 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

The submersible Titan is prepared for a dive into a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean (Action Aviation/AP)

Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the scheduled dive, the Polar Prince lost all communication with the Titan, Polar Prince conducted an initial search and then requested Coast Guard assistance.

Since Sunday, the Coast Guard has co-ordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Air National Guard aircraft and the Polar Prince, which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.

He said these efforts have involved aircraft searching by sight and with radar and sonar buoys, and that on Tuesday Deep Energy, a 194-metre pipe-laying vessel, with underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) capability had joined the search.

To date, those search efforts have not yielded any results, he added.
Rain is forecast for the next few days (PA)

Showers are set to remain across parts of the UK as festival-goers arrive at Glastonbury on Wednesday, the Met Office said.

Four yellow warnings were in place until Tuesday evening and Scotlands Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia was temporarily suspended after just nine minutes due to a waterlogged pitch at Hampden Park.

Wednesday and Thursday will continue to see scattered rain, including in south-west England, with some areas experiencing thunder and lightning.

The wet weather will not douse the heat though, as temperatures are set to reach more than 30C (86F) by the weekend.

The South West could experience scattered showers as festival-goers arrive at Glastonbury on Wednesday (Yui Mok/PA)

Spokesman for the Met Office Greg Dewhurst said: On Wednesday, it is going to be generally across the whole of the UK another day of sunny spells and some scattered showers.

Showers could be heavy and thundery at times, particularly across the north and west of the UK.

At the moment we dont have any warnings for thunderstorms but there could be potentially some more that get issued and perhaps at short notice.

It is a repeat performance on Thursday with some sunshine and showers, perhaps with more of a focus on parts of England and Wales.

Heavy rain flooded the pitch in Scotlands game against Georgia (Jane Barlow/PA

Temperatures are still on the warm side, perhaps a degree higher, so 29C in the South East.

It is a similar picture in the South West to the South East, with a risk of some showers over the next couple of days.

The showers should become less frequent for England and Wales on Friday but it does turn wetter and breezier for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Temperatures again are around 30 degrees at the maximum in the South East.
Flowers were laid at the Windrush Square memorial during the service (Harry Stedman/PA)

A Windrush campaigner has called on the Government to categorically rule out closing the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal, as an anniversary tribute service was held in London.

Caribbean high commissioners to the UK joined British politicians for the commemorative event held at Windrush Square in Brixton, south London.

Wednesdays event in memory of Caribbean men and women who served the UK in past conflicts, came a day ahead of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush to England.

Caribbean high commissioners and other dignitaries attended the commemorative event at Windrush Square in Brixton (Harry Stedman/PA)

Campaigner Patrick Vernon said the anniversary was bittersweet, and that those whose lives had been devastated by the scandal were being re-traumatised.

The scandal, which erupted in 2018, saw many British citizens, mostly from the Caribbean, denied access to healthcare and benefits and threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in the UK.

The HMT Empire Windrush first docked in England on June 22 1948 at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing people from the Caribbean who had answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

Mr Vernon, who spoke at Wednesdays event, previously voiced concerns that the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal could be wound down within a year, saying thousands would miss out.

It has been reported that the Home Office unit set up with responsibility for reforming the department in the wake of the scandal  which saw many people lose their homes, jobs and face the threat of deportation  was to be disbanded.

The Home Office has said the scheme  available to people of all ages and nationalities, including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who had suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK  would stay open as long as needed.

But Mr Vernon insisted that more clarity from the Government was needed.

He told the PA news agency after the service: Rishi (Sunak) could press the button and sort out the compensation scheme and make it easier for everyone, right now. I believe that.

Asked about uncertainty around the scheme, Mr Vernon said: It would be great for the Government to give a categorical no, but it all feels bit by bit.

These indicators make you question whether they are serious about this.

The scheme has faced criticism for being slow and inefficient, and the latest figures show hundreds of cases have been in the system for at least a year.

Addressing those gathered at the event, Mr Vernon said: We shouldnt call it the Windrush scandal anymore, I think we should call it the Home Office scandal, because the Windrush generation played their part, made their sacrifices and are now being re-traumatised as a result of failure of Government.

(It is) another chapter of racial discrimination in Britain, and unfortunately Windrush Day will always be bittersweet.

Its going to be bitter because of the injustice thats still ongoing and were still fighting for, but it has to be sweet to recognise those pioneers.

Helen Hayes MP, left to right, Florence Eshalomi MP and Bell Ribeiro Addy MP in front of the memorial (Harry Stedman/PA)

Deputy Mayor of London Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard was among those giving speeches during the event, as well as Mayor of Lambeth Sarbaz Barznji.

Mr Barznji said: The Windrush generation brought talent, knowledge and determination, that shaped our cultural fabric.

He stressed that the anniversary should be a catalyst for change, adding: Your resilience and unwavering determination have enriched future generations. We owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be paid fully.

Artist Alexander D Great performed several songs describing the struggles of the Windrush generation and remembering those who had served in the world wars.

Wreaths of flowers were laid by the respective high commissioners on the African Caribbean War Memorial, which was built on the 50th anniversary in 1998.

John Agards poem Windrush Child was read out during the event to a crowd that included dignitaries, passers-by and a group of local schoolchildren.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has joined diplomats and dignitaries for a morning yoga session at the United Nations in New York City as he kicked off the public portion of his US visit by flexing Indias cultural reach.

With yoga mats covering the UN headquarters spacious north lawn, Mr Modi stopped and bowed at a statue of the assassinated Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Then, Mr Modi praised yoga as truly universal  an activity for all ages, and accessible to all faiths and cultures.

When we do yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally content. But it is not just about doing exercise on a mat, Mr Modi said.

Narendra Modi meets Elon Musk in New York City (YouTube via AP)

Yoga is a way of life.

Then the leader of the worlds most populous nation took his spot on a mat amid the throng, hands folded, as a yoga instructor led the opening chants.

The event honours the International Day of Yoga, which Mr Modi persuaded the UN to designate in 2014 as an annual observance.

Mr Modi arrived in New York for a trip that will offer plenty of time to discuss global tensions. But starting out by highlighting an ancient pursuit of inner tranquillity is a savvy and symbolic choice for a premier who has made yoga a personal practice and a diplomatic tool.

The Hindu nationalist casts himself as an ascetic who adheres to his religions strictures on vegetarianism and yoga.

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He has posted social media videos over the years of himself practicing yoga poses (to say nothing of providing live visuals of him meditating in a Himalayan mountain cave after national elections in 2019).

Mr Modi last visited the UN during the 2021 General Assembly, where he said that all kinds of questions have been raised about the UN and its effectiveness on matters including climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and terrorism.

He also made a point of staking out his countrys place in the international community, noting that every sixth person in the world is Indian.

In the years since his speech, India has surpassed China to claim the worlds largest population, at 1.425 billion.

Mr Modi greets supporters in New York City (AP)

India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council, the UNs most powerful organ. India has been elected to a two-year seat several times, most recently for 2021-22.

Mr Modi plans to head to Washington later on Wednesday for a three-day visit that includes an Oval Office meeting with US President Joe Biden, an address to a joint meeting of US congress, a White House state dinner and more.

The plans also include a state department lunch hosted by US vice president Kamala Harris, whose mother was born in India, and by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The visit comes as both countries are interested in strengthening ties.
Palestinian firefighters try to extinguish a fire set by Jewish settlers in the West Bank town of Turmus (AP)

Hundreds of Israeli settlers have stormed into a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to dozens of cars and homes to avenge the deaths of four Israelis killed by Palestinian gunmen the previous day, residents said.

Palestinians said one man was killed in the violence.

In further violence, an Israeli drone attacked a Palestinian car in which suspected Palestinian gunmen were travelling in the northern West Bank.

Palestinian firefighters try to extinguish a fire in a West Bank town (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

The late-night attack marked an escalation in Israels ongoing campaign against militants in the area.

The identities of the people on board were not immediately known. But the army said it had identified a terrorist cell inside a suspicious vehicle that had been responsible for a number of recent shooting attacks on Jewish settlements.

The settler attack came as the Israeli military deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new settler homes in response to the deadly shooting.

The moves threatened to further raise tensions after day days of deadly fighting in the West Bank.

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Residents in Turmus Ayya said some 400 settlers marched down the towns main road, setting fire to cars, homes and trees.

Mayor Lafi Adeeb said some 30 houses and 60 cars were partly or totally burned.

He said: The attacks intensified in the past hour even after the army came.

At least eight Palestinians were hurt during the ensuing clashes, which the army tried to disperse by firing rubber bullets and tear gas.

Cars and homes were torched by settlers in the West Bank (AP)

Palestinian medical officials said one man  identified as 27-year-old Omar Qatin  was killed by army fire and two other people were wounded. Residents said Mr Qatin was a father of two small children and worked as an electrician for the local municipality.

Tuesdays shooting in the settlement of Eli came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a day-long battle against Israeli troops in the militant stronghold of Jenin.

The worsening violence has created a test for Israels government and prompted calls for a widespread military operation in the West Bank.

As Israel deployed more forces to the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had approved plans to build 1,000 new homes in Eli.

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Our answer to terror is to strike it hard and to build our country, Mr Netanyahu said.

The international community opposes settlements on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians for a future independent state. Mr Netanyahus far-right government is dominated by settler leaders and supporters.

Israeli media identified the four killed in the shooting as Harel Masood, 21, Ofer Fayerman, 64, and Elisha Anteman, 18, Nahman-Shmuel Mordoff, 17. An Israeli civilian killed one assailant at the scene, while Israeli troops chased and killed the second shooter after he fled.

The army said it was beefing up its troop presence in the West Bank. On Wednesday morning, it said troops arrested three suspects in the Palestinian village of Urif in connection to the attack and mapped out the homes of the two gunmen ahead of their likely demolition.

Israeli border police patrol a main road next to the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya (AP)

Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers as part of a policy it says aims to deter others, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.

Hamas did not officially claim responsibility for the attack, although it identified the two gunmen  Mohannad Faleh, 26, who was killed by a civilian at the scene and Khaled Sabah, 24, who was killed by the army as he fled  as its members.

In the aftermath of Tuesdays attack, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in adjacent villages, causing extensive property damage. At least five Palestinians were wounded in attacks by Israeli settlers, Israels army radio reported.
Missing five have just hours of oxygen and are at serious risk of hypothermia: US Coast Guard

The five people inside a submersible that went missing during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic had around 40 hours of breathable air left on Tuesday evening, according to the US Coast Guard.

Those on-board the submersible named Titan lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

With temperatures on the ocean floor near freezing and the vessels oxygen supply running down, occupants are at increasing risk of hypothermia or suffocation.

Speaking at a press conference in Boston, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said: So, first of all, its an estimate, right?

We know from the data we were using, a starting point was 96 hours.

We know at this point were approximately about 40/41 hours [of oxygen left].

We know theres about 40 hours of breathable air left, based on that initial report.

Rory Golden is the first Irish diver to visit the wreckage of the Titanic, and is on board the ship that launched the missing submersible.

A spokesperson for the Belfast Titanic Society said earlier yesterday they were very concerned about everyone potentially in danger, and their thoughts are with those on board and their friends and family.

We have been in touch with Rory Golden to pass on our thoughts at this time, and we understand he is safe on board their ship atop, the spokesperson added.

Rory says he is well. They are concentrating on the rescue effort at international level, and his communications are restricted due to keeping bandwith open for the rescue efforts.

Along with a British billionaire explorer, one of the other people on board the missing vessel has family living in Ireland.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, believed to be the pilot of the missing Titanic tourism sub, has relatives in Cork.

The renowned French diver (77) has a grandson still being educated in the city, as well as two adult children. His son was recently with him on a research trip in the United States.

The scientist gave a talk at University College Cork on his Titanic work in October 2019, just before Covid struck, with all proceeds going to the benefit of his grandsons school.

He was quoted at the time as saying: Whether you are 11 metres or 11 kilometres down, if something bad happens, the result is the same.

When youre in very deep water, youre dead before you realise that something is happening, so its just not a problem.

The Titan was just above the shipwreck when communications went down.

OceanGate Expeditions said: We are exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely.

Our entire focus is on the crew members in the submersible and their families. We are working toward the safe return of the crew members.

Guests are believed to pay around $250,000 (around 195,000) to see the Titanic wreck, which lies 12,500ft beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

Yesterday morning, the Ministry of Defence indicated that Natos submarine rescue system (NSRS) may not be able to reach the submersible because the depths of water involved greatly exceed those at which it can safely operate.

An NSRS submersible, used to rescue stricken submarine crew, can operate at 610m, while a remotely operated vehicle can go to depths of 1km. The Titanic wreck is much deeper at 3,800m.

British billionaire and famous explorer Hamish Harding is among the five people trapped on the submarine, alongside Pakistani business advisor Shahzada Dawood and his son, who live in the UK.

The family of Shahzada Dawood, who serves on the board for Princes Trust International, said: Our son, Shahzada Dawood, and his son, Suleman, had embarked on a journey to visit the remnants of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean.

As of now, contact has been lost with their submerisible craft and there is limited information available.

A writer who took the Titanic submersible trip last year said he felt optimistic for the missing OceanGate craft.

Mike Reiss told the BBC communication was also lost during his dive down to the Titanic.

Mr Reiss said: Im optimistic just because I know the logistics of it. And I know really, again, how vast the ocean is, and how very tiny the craft is.

He added: So the idea is, if its down at the bottom, I dont know how anyones going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up. There is a hope that its at, or near, the surface.
The Titan submersible has five people on board: (from left) OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Suleman Dawood and his father Shahzada

More noises have been heard in the area where the Titanic submersible went missing.

Rescuers continuing to search for the craft are hopeful that new underwater banging noises are signs of life, according to the US Coastguard.

Tapping sounds were detected on Tuesday and then again on Wednesday but searchers "don't know what they are," Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coastguard has said.

The five people inside the submersible have until approximately 11am on Thursday (BST) before their emergency oxygen runs out, says Captain Frederick.

He said: "Yesterday a Canadian P3 detected underwater noises in the search area. "As a result ROV (remotely operated vehicle) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Although the ROV searches have wielded negative results, they continue.

"The surface search is now approximately two times the size of Connecticut, and the sub-surface search is up to 2.5 miles deep, exponentially expanding the size of the search area.

"With the respect to the noises specifically, we don't know what they are, to be frank with you, they're P3 detected noises, that's why they're up there, that's why they're doing what they're doing, that's why they put sonar buoys in the water."

A specialist rescue vessel has now been tasked to help find the missing Titanic wreckage voyagers that have not made contact with land since Sunday.

Heavy machinery and supplies were loaded onto the Horizon Artic, which set sail shortly after 12am today from where the OceanGate expedition left on Saturday  St Johns in Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada.

According to The Daily Mail, at the docks, a man who claimed to be on standby to travel with the vessel said: There's enough air and water assets right now that they're not letting anybody else go right now. There's only so much you can do on the surface.

This is the last kick at it. This is the last chance. There's no other chance other than this ROV (underwater vehicle).

The rescue vessels journey will take 15 hours to reach the search zone around the Titanic shipwreck, roughly 400 miles out to sea, just as the five men in the lost submersible begin to exhaust their last hours of oxygen.

In a statement on Twitter, the US Coast Guard said: "Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

"Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans."

It usually serves as a tourist or research vessel, with guests believed to pay around $250,000 (around 195,000) to see the Titanic wreck, which lies 12,500ft beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

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The Explorers Club, which two of the people on board are members of, shared an upbeat message on Wednesday morning.

President Richard Garriot de Cayeux said in a statement: There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

They precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can help deploy We believe they are doing everything possible with all the resources they have.

Mr Garriot de Cayeux said they are ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000 metres.

An internal email from the Explorers Club president reads: "It is being reported that at 2 a.m. local time on site that sonar detected potential tapping sounds at the location, implying crew may be alive and signaling.

The Boston Coast Guard, which is leading the search effort, hasn't yet commented on the nature of the sounds.

Meanwhile, US media outlet Rolling Stone reported an internal US government memo said banging was detected by Canadian search aircraft in 30-minute intervals on Wednesday.

British billionaire and famous explorer Hamish Harding is among the five people trapped on the submarine, alongside Pakistani-British business advisor Shahzada Dawood and his son, who also reside in the UK.

Search continues for Titanic tourist submarine missing in Atlantic with five people aboard

It is understood the King is being kept informed of the search efforts, as Shahzada Dawood is a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by Charles.

French veteran pilot and diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet and chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush are also on the vessel, according to reports.

Mr Nargeolet has family in Cork, including a grandson being educated in the city and two adult children.

CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, which owns the submersible, Stockton Rush, is also on board.

The submersible was reported overdue on Monday but contact was lost 1 hour 45 minutes into its dive on Sunday afternoon, the coast guard said.

Irish oil executive Oisin Fanning, who has previously made the OceanGate voyage himself, expressed confidence in the Titan crew and said "there's a very good chance they will be found.

Onboard the Titan submersible's trip to the Titanic with OceanGate that is now subject of frantic search

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had been on the submersible with Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Stockton Rush.

"The two guys on the sub currently, Paul and Stockton, are both consummate professionals," he said.

"I mean, to be honest, if I was in trouble, I'd want to be on a sub with them.

"They will be conserving energy from day one. So I wouldn't be surprised if the action lasts a lot longer because they'll know exactly what to do.

"I mean, you're talking about people who have dived to the Titanic alone 38, 40 times - you know, their careers (are) about diving."

They will be advising the people on board with them "not to panic", he added.

"I think there's a very good chance they will be found. These are not fly-by-nighters, these are very highly professional people."

However, retired navy rear admiral Chris Parry told LBC: "I'm afraid the odds are vanishingly small.

He said that without an "emitting signal" from the vessel, it will be "impossible" to find them in the timescale.
Indonesian police said Wednesday they had arrested 532 suspects in a nationwide crackdown against human trafficking operations that victimized more than 1,500 people, most of whom were lured with false promises of overseas jobs.

The police task force on human trafficking conducted raids across the country from June 5 to June 19, following hundreds of tip-offs from the public, national police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said. Most of the cases involved women who were recruited as migrant workers or domestic help to work in other countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.



Of the more than one thousand victims, 711 were adult women and 86 girls. There were also 731 adult men and 44 boys, he told journalists, adding most of them did not have the proper papers or protections required by Indonesian law for overseas workers.

Authorities were still investigating 83 cases, prosecuting 347 cases and had completed one case with a conviction, he said.

During a meeting on Tuesday of senior police officials from across Southeast Asia, Indonesian police chief Sigit Listyo Prabowo described human trafficking as a serious challenge in the region.

He said he hoped that the meeting in Yogyakarta would result in more cooperation and safeguards for Indonesian workers abroad, according to a statement from the police

Indonesia is one of the worlds largest source countries for migrant workers, with an estimated 9 million citizens working abroad in 2017, according to the World Bank. Only about 4.7 million of these workers are officially registered by the labor protection agency, leaving the rest vulnerable to exploitation by illegal syndicates.

Most of the Indonesian migrants are women who work for low wages in sectors such as domestic service, construction and agriculture and manufacturing. They mainly go to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

In late May, Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo promised to crack down on human trafficking syndicates after a government agency revealed that nearly 2,000 Indonesian workers had died in the past three years due to mistreatment, accidents and illnesses after being sent abroad via illicit means.



Jokowi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during talks in Kuala Lumpur this month, agreed to establish a special bilateral mechanism to resolve problems of Indonesian migrant workers, the Indonesian leader said.



Wahyu Susilo, the executive director of Migrant Care, an NGO that advocates for migrant workers rights, welcomed the polices actions but hoped they would not be short-lived.



He called on the police to expose the national network of the traffickers and their protectors within the security apparatus.



It would be very helpful if this disclosure could explain or illustrate the national chain of command and investigate the alleged involvement of officials and their backers, Susilo told BenarNews.

Another expert expressed cynicism about recent crackdowns.

The arrests were an attempt to boost the governments image ahead of the end of its term in 2024, said Trubus Rahardiansyah, a public policy expert at Trisakti University in Jakarta.



Many people think that this is just for show. They start strong but end weak, he told BenarNews.



Arresting traffickers was not enough to solve the problem, he said. In his view, there should also be strict law enforcement that would deter them from committing crimes again.



Once they are in prison, they will collude with the police again. Corruption is rampant because of the money involved in human trafficking. It has to stop, Trubus said.



He also urged the government to take preventive measures to address human trafficking, including by forming a special commission involving experts, activists and security officials under the presidents supervision.



It should include representatives from different fields and operate with openness and responsibility, he said.

Thats what should be done if the government is serious.
Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo walks past the countrys flag on a navy ship during his visit to a military base in the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea, Jan. 8, 2020.

Indonesia is moving the first planned military exercise with other Southeast Asian nations away from disputed South China Sea waters where Beijing has increasingly been asserting its sweeping territorial claims.

The Indonesian military announced Wednesday a change of location for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations exercise, scheduled for Sept. 18-25. The non-combat drills were originally planned to take place in the North Natuna Sea, which lies within Indonesias exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but parts of which China claims.

Indonesia is this years holder of the rotating ASEAN chairmanship.

The new ASEAN exercise locations include Batam [near Singapore] and the waters of South Natuna that are part of Indonesias archipelagic sea lane, military spokesman Col. Suhendro Oktosatrio said. He was referring to designated areas where foreign ships are allowed passage while transiting through those waters innocently.

These new locations were chosen because they were suitable for non-combat drills such as joint maritime patrols, medical evacuation and disaster relief, said another Indonesian military official, Rear Adm. Julius Widjojono.

Priority is given to areas that are prone to [natural] disasters, he said.

Indonesia renamed the southern reaches of the South China Sea the North Natuna Sea in 2017, to emphasize its sovereignty over those waters, which encompass natural gas fields.

Indonesia does not have any territorial disputes with China, but it has repeatedly lodged protests against Chinese fishing boats and coast guard vessels entering its EEZ near the Natuna Islands.

China has claimed traditional rights over fishing resources in the area. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Taiwan and ASEAN member-states Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2016, a U.N. arbitration court ruled that Chinas nine-dash line, a boundary used by Beijing on Chinese maps to illustrate its claim, was invalid. But Beijing has rejected the ruling and insisted it has jurisdiction over all areas within the dashed line.

Chinese officials said back then that the nine dashes were for security and order at sea.

China has built artificial islands and military installations on some reefs and shoals in the South China Sea, raising concerns among other claimants and the United States.

The United States has regularly conducted freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to challenge Chinas claims and has urged ASEAN countries to stand up to Beijings assertiveness.

Indonesias military commander Adm. Yudo Margono, who proposed the ASEAN drill during a meeting of the blocs defense forces chiefs in Bali earlier this month, said the joint drills would enhance regional stability and boost our countries economy.

Afraid of clashing

But Cambodia and Myanmar, two ASEAN members with strong ties to China, did not take part in an initial planning conference for the exercise on Monday, according to military spokesman Suhendro. It was not clear whether they would join the drills.

The Indonesian military said it sent official invitations for the planning meeting to the Cambodian and Burmese defense attaches in Jakarta but got no response.

Myanmar, which has been wracked by violence since the military ousted an elected government in 2021, is persona non grata at major ASEAN meetings.

Cambodias defense ministry said earlier this month it had not decided on participation in the ASEAN joint exercise, saying that it was still waiting for more information from Indonesia, according to media reports in that country.

Arie Afriansyah, an expert in international sea law at the University of Indonesia, said there could be many reasons for the change of the locations, such as safety and security considerations.

Maybe they are afraid of clashing with other countries. If it is conducted in South Natuna, Indonesia has full control in that area, Arie told BenarNews.

It would be a shame if fear of China is the reason, because this exercise is a way for ASEAN countries to show their unity on the North Natuna and South China Sea issue, which Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also support, he said.

The joint ASEAN drill is planned as an effort to maintain regional stability, Khairul Fahmi, a military and security observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, told BenarNews.

The message will not come across well if some ASEAN countries are not on board, he said.
This screengrab from a Chinanews.com video shows passengers at Hainans Haikou Meilan International Airport checking in for an inaugural direct flight to Apia, Samoa on May 28, 2023.

Samoa has severed ties with a Hong Kong tour company contracted to market the Pacific island country in China after criticism of a cabinet ministers links to the business  the latest transparency scandal for the government of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

Fiame acknowledged in Samoas parliament on Tuesday that Samoa Royal Tours, which has been operating as the local agent for Travel Focus Hong Kong Ltd. despite lack of experience in the tourism industry, is owned by children of agriculture and fisheries minister Laauli Leuatea Schmidt (also known as Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi).

It was evident from a statement released by Travel Focus Hong Kong Limited that Minister Laauli Leuatea Schmidt was involved with this company, she said, calling for cabinet ministers to abide by principles of good governance and transparency.

In May, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo was criticized for attempting to get customs clearance for a relatives vessel that arrived in Samoa from neighboring American Samoa without the necessary approvals. Samoas media association said he had attempted to intimidate a reporter who investigated the issue.

Separately, Samoas government last week released a statement denying any endorsement of a reportedly Hong Kong-based initiative to launch a Samoa stock exchange, a Samoa cryptocurrency exchange and a special economic zone.

The tourism industry in Samoa, home to some 200,000 people, has mainly relied on visitors from Australia and New Zealand and the countrys tourism authority has been keen to tap the vast China market.

Samoa Tourism Authority said in March that it had appointed Travel Focus Hong Kong to market Samoa as a destination in mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong, according to travel industry trade journal TTG Asia.

The Hong Kong company organized weekly direct charter flights to Samoas capital Apia from Haikou in Chinas Hainan province, starting last month, bringing dozens of Chinese tourists to the island country. However the attempt to boost the number of Chinese visitors was beset by problems.

Established tour agents in Samoa complained that Royal Samoa Tours, as a new company, lacked the capacity to carry out tours.

Fiame told parliament that the venture also appeared ignorant of aviation rules. Charter flights from China were postponed because necessary permits werent secured far enough in advance including for a return flight to China, she said.

A passenger ferry service between Samoas two largest islands also was disrupted, Fiame said, with passengers forced to wait four hours until a Chinese tour group arrived.

Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata  afa attends the 79th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at the U.N. regional office in Bangkok, May 15, 2023. [Sakchai Lalit/AP]

Fiame became Samoas first female prime minister in 2021 after voters narrowly rejected a ruling party in power for nearly three decades. She is the only woman head of government in the Pacific.

The statement issued by Fiames office last week about Samoa Stock Exchange, a Samoa Digital Asset Exchange and an Oceania Special Economic Zone said the government had received proposals and was reviewing them but has not given any endorsement or approval despite speculation on social media to the contrary.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported that the three ventures have been registered as private companies with Samoas business registry.

The government said it welcomed new investments that would improve Samoas economy and benefit its people but it must ensure such initiatives are safe, sound and feasible.

Proposals of this nature require proper frameworks to regulate the exchange platform and protect market users and investors, the statement said.
Thousands of firearms surrendered by members of the former guerrilla group Moro Islamic Liberation Front are seen after being turned over and decommissioned in Sultan Kudarat, southern Philippines, as part of a peace deal with the Philippine government, Sept. 27, 2022.

The Philippine military defended itself Wednesday against allegations that it killed members of a former Muslim guerrilla group, which had signed a peace deal with Manila in 2014, during a weekend shootout in the south.

Philippine officials say the seven people slain during the clash with government forces in Maguindanao on Sunday were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a pro-Islamic State group and breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Maguindanao lies within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which the latter group now controls as part of the peace agreement struck nine years ago.

On Sunday, police and army personnel carried out an operation to serve a search warrant for a cache of firearms owned by BIFF commander Nasser Yusuf Hussain and Nurjihad Hussain, outside Datu Paglas, a town in Maguindanao, officials said. The two however resisted and opened fire on the government troops, provoking a gun-battle that led to their deaths and those of the five other BIFF fighters, the military said.

Troops fired back, which resulted in the deaths of the seven BIFF members, including the two subjects of the search warrants, regional military spokesman Major Andrew Linao said.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of three 45-caliber pistols, two M-16 rifles, an Uzi machine pistol, and assorted ammunition, he said.

He insisted that the slain men were BIFF militants, and not with the MILF.

The important thing is theres a warrant, and they resisted. The military and police executed the task as ordered by the judge, Linao told reporters. We are certain the seven were BIFF. There was just a claim they are MILF but we respect that statement. We will not refute [it]. But for us in the military, we know these guys.

Heavily armed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) stand in formation in the jungles of Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao, southern Philippines, July 29, 2009. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews/File]

The BIFF has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, and has been active in bombing activities in the south. It supported the siege of Marawi city by pro-IS militants in the south in 2017, but did not send fighters to the area. Instead, it launched diversionary attacks elsewhere to ease the military pressure on their comrades.

Linao said the Hussain brothers were also involved in a brief occupation of a public market in the town of Datu Paglas in May last year that spurred the evacuation of residents near the area.

Sundays operation was covered by a warrant, he said.

The government troops were just performing their task. The question is why did they [BIFF] open fire? Its a legitimate government operation, Linao said.

Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF peace implementing panel who is a senior official in the government of the autonomous region, disputed the Philippine militarys assertions.

He said those who were gunned down belonged to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, now a political entity with jurisdiction in the area where the clash occurred.

There was no coordination for the operation, Iqbal told reporters, adding that the MILF was preparing to file a complaint against the operating team for allegedly violating a pact that called on the national police to coordinate with MILF forces if they were carrying out an operation in MILF-controlled areas to avoid mis-encounters.

Mohagher Iqbal, the chief peace negotiator for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the current minister for education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is shown during an interview in this undated photo taken in Cotabato, Philippines. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews/File]

Mirinda Madidis Hussain, the mother of the two targets of the arrest warrant, said her sons were not BIFF members but with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. One of the brothers, Nasser, was a brigade commander of the MILF, a fact confirmed by the group.

They forcibly entered our house and shot [my sons], she said.

But regional police head Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza said that Nasser Hussain was on the governments wanted list as a leader of the BIFF responsible for carrying out recent attacks.

The BIFF was also blamed for a 2019 bomb attack in the market of Isulan town that injured more than two dozen civilians.

Froilan Gallardo and Richel V. Umel contributed to this report from Cagayan de Oro city, southern Philippines.
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The Emerson String Quartet, formed in 1976 and now in the final months of its farewell national tour, demonstrated why its the cream of the chamber music crop during its final Tanglewood performance.
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Anyone who has been around Christian culture for some time has most likely heard the phrase, the gates of hell will not prevail. This idea is often thrown around without a contextual understanding of what it means. The phrase appears in the middle of Jesus conversation with his disciples in Matthew 16. In verse 18, Jesus says to Simon Peter, You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Typically these verses are used to communicate that Jesus intended for the church to attack the gates of hell with the confidence that no power of the devil can prevail. While His church does have authority over the power of the enemy as confirmed throughout Scripture (see an example in Luke 10:19), carefully looking at the Biblical meaning of the gates of hell indicates a different meaning than what is often understood and communicated.

What Does Jesus Talk about the Gates of Hell?

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus uses the phrase pulai hadou (gates of hell), a Jewish expression translated as the realm of the dead. This same phrase is found in Job 38:17 and Isaiah 38:10 in the Septuagint version, providing a clearer understanding of the terms meaning.

And do the gates of death open to thee for fear; and did the porters of hell quake when they saw thee? (Job 38:17, Brentons Septuagint) I said in the end of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I shall part with the remainder of my years (Isaiah 38:10, Brentons Septuagint)

In both of these verses, the term pulai hadou refers to the grave, indicating that the gates of hell imply the unseen place of the deadthe end of life on earth as we know it. Additionally, in biblical times, gates were considered places of great strength and government where councils were held.

With these two details in mind, a proper understanding of the gates of hell implies the power and rule of death. We know that Jesus overcame the devil and the power of death on the cross (Hebrew 2:14). However, the Bible tells us that the last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26). At the end of the age, we will finally see the fulfillment of the promise: Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Where Was Jesus When He Mentioned the Gates of Hell?

Jesus conversation with his disciples is set in the Caesarea Philippi district, at Mount Hermons base. At that time, Caesarea Philippi was considered the red light district of the worlda place devout Jewish people avoided at all costs. Jesus, the greatest teacher of all time, brought his disciples to this pagan and cultic region to show them first-hand a truth that would forever change them and mark the beginning of His church.

To set the stage, picture a city full of Greek pagan worship and sexual immorality. Originally called Panias under Greek influence, Caesarea Philippi was filled with temples and shrines dedicated to the worship of their half-goat, half-man god known as Pan. Interestingly, Merriam-Webster explains the word panic originates from this Greek god. One can only imagine the fear, darkness, and chaos pervading a district devoted to worshiping the god of panic. Under the rule of Herod the Great, Panias became known as Caesarea Philippi in 20 BC in honor of the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus; however, worship of Pan continued.

Caesarea Philippi was home to a cave known to the pagan occupants as the gate to the underworld. These pagan worshippers believed that their city was literally at hells gates, where fertility gods lived during the winter. A stream flowed from the caves mouth, believed to be used by fertility gods traveling in and out of the cave. To attract the gods return, every springtime, they would engage in horrific, immoral acts such as prostitution and sexual interaction between humans and goats.

With this in mind, when Jesus uses this phrase while teaching His disciples in Matthew 16:18, it takes on a richer dimension. He applies a familiar Jewish expression that his disciples would recognize and uses that term in the very place where the reported physical gates of hell existed. He declares to his disciples that they will not be defeated by the power and rule of death on display right before their very eyes. Jesus confirms his truth using a physical picture and a deeper spiritual meaning.

What Word Did Jesus Use for Hell?

Hell is an English word translated in place of four words used in the original Hebrew and Greek languages, each holding a distinctly different meaning. Jesus chooses to use the Greek word Hades when speaking of the gates of hell, which means unseen or the place (state) of departed souls. In the Old Testament, the corresponding Hebrew word is Sheol meaning the world of the dead. Understanding the differences between these words is crucial to interpreting the word hell whenever we read it in Scripture.

The Greek word that describes hell closest to how we typically interpret it in English is Gehenna, meaning a place of everlasting punishment. The word Gehenna comes from the Hebrew word ge-hinnom, translated as the Valley of Hinnom. This was a valley south of Jerusalem where the Israelites passed children through fire, or sacrificed their children to the Canaanite god Molech (2 Chronicles 33:6). In Jeremiah 19, the Lord describes this place by saying,

Therefore, behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when this place shall no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter (Jeremiah 19:6 ESV).

He goes on to describe all the judgments coming upon the city and ends the chapter by declaring,

I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the disaster that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words (Jeremiah 19:15 ESV).

In His time on earth, Jesus doesnt dance around the idea of hell but warns His disciples lovingly to avoid sin that would lead to hell. He describes it as a place where worms do not die, and fire is not quenched (Mark 9:47 ESV). Speaking of the Pharisees, Jesus warns, You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell (gehenna)? (Matthew 23:33 ESV).

In Revelation 20:13-14 we read about the final judgment before the great white throne, and interestingly we read that death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. Again this verse confirms that Hades is distinct from hell since the Bible is clear that Hades was thrown into hellthey are not one and the same.

However, in Matthew 16, when Jesus talks about the gates of hell, he doesnt use Gehennaintentionally. He instead uses the word Hades, or the place of departed souls. It seems clear that he isnt referring to the literal power of hell as we think of it but rather to the grave and the fact that death and its rule cannot overpower or prevail against his church.

Do Gates of Hell Imply Hell is Always On the Defensive?

Many may argue that since gates are defensive, this verse implies that the church is called to attack the gates of hell offensively. However, a proper interpretation of the phrase doesnt seem to support that view. Weve established earlier that the phrase Jesus used, and the Biblical understanding of gates leads us to understand the gates of hell as the power and rule of death.

With this in mind, if we interpret this Scripture as calling the church to be on the offensive, we are saying that the church is called to attack the power of deathwhich Jesus has already overcome on the cross. Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). Therefore, when Jesus says that the gates of hell will not overpower or prevail, He declares that death has no authority over His church. This sounds familiar to 1 Corinthians 16:54, confirming that Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (ESV).

The reality that death has been abolished (2 Timothy 1:10) is the bedrock of our faith. It is the eternal hope that we live confidently within. We know that, through death, Jesus destroyed the one with the power of death and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (Hebrews 2:14 ESV).

As His church, we have received the promise of eternal life (1 John 2:25), and we can live in such a way that we are not afraid of the gravebecause it could not hold Jesus and therefore cannot hold us. We live confidently in the truth that death and the one who holds its power, Satan, already lost when Jesus said, It is finished!

In the last book of the Bible, Jesus describes His church at the end of the age by saying, and they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11 ESV).

This is a beautiful and profound picture of the truth that the gates of hell will not prevail. It doesnt mean that we are called to attack the gates of hell or that the church will not face physical death. It means that even in the face of death, we overcome because the blood of the Lamb has covered us. This is the greatest hope of our salvation, which must grow deeper in our souls as the days on earth grow darker. While the world currently lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), we have been raised with Christ and must stand in his truth. Death has lost its grip, and our King holds the keys!

Charles Spurgeon sums it up best:

You can never kill the church till you kill Christ, and you can never defeat her till you defeat the Lord Jesus, who already wears the crown of triumph.

Photo Credit:  Getty Images/Pavel_Chag

Maddy Rager is a copywriter who recently launched her own freelance business. She has always had a passion for writing and conveying the truths of God's word to compel others to know Him more deeply. She also loves to write music and released a personal EP in 2020. Maddy and her husband live in Franklin, TN and are actively involved in their church and community where they lead worship together in various contexts.
The horn on an animal is used for battle or attack. Horns are used for defense and protection. Jesus wants us to see the horn as a symbol of protection. It symbolizes that we are in the right place: under the care and ownership of a strong King. When we think of the horn of salvation of God, it means that He defends and assumes care for His own. He wards off our battles and means to protect and guard us by His great strength.

Where Does the Bible Use the Phrase Horn of Salvation?

Specifically, a phrase in the Bible references the horn of salvation. This is a more technical term than even horn. This horn of salvation references that Jesus will defeat our spiritual enemies. Think of a strong horn on an animal; the horn causes all the animals enemies to feel afraid. Similarly, the salvation of God is our horn. He has cast fear into the hearts of his enemies because His salvation is strong. It is the ultimate defense against sin and evil.

The Bible uses the phrase horn of salvation in three locations. In 2 Samuel 22:3, the horn of salvation is referenced along with other attributes of God, like refuge, shield, and stronghold. Psalm 18:2 also references the horn of salvation in a passage that mentions other descriptions for God, such as rock, fortress, deliverer, and shield.

Luke 1:69 is a special usage of the term horn of salvation. It refers to Zechariahs prophecy, where he speaks of Jesus Christ. Old Testament language is deployed to reference Jesus Christ as the strong one of God. He is the deliverer, shield, refuge, rock, and fortress. Because this term is used to describe Jesus, we can know that our salvation does all of this for us: it protects and provides us with spiritual strength. We will never be turned over to our spiritual enemies because we have secured an interest in the blood of Christ.

Where Else Does the Bible Reference Horns?

Deuteronomy 33:7 utilizes horn in Moses blessing upon the house of Joseph before his death. This is where it is used to mean strength. Psalm 89:17 references a horn that is raised or exalted. And, here is where it means victory.

Jesus wants us to know that His is the victory. And, His is the strength. We can draw on these passages of Scripture to recognize that no one but our God could secure for us what Jesus has done. There is no one with the strength of the victory of our God. That is why we worship Him and praise Him for being the horn of salvation for us.

Do Horns Symbolize Anything in the Bible?

As previously mentioned, Scripture uses a horn to symbolize strength. Furthermore, a raised horn is a sign of success and victory. Pair this with the notion of salvation, and we have the kind of victory Christ alone can secure.

Interestingly, the two passages referencing the horn of salvation in the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 22:3 and Psalm 18:2, are attributed to David. David was a great warrior and king. He found victory on every side of God in battle. And even further, his personal life of flight from King Saul (when David was assumed to be the next king, but Saulthe current kingwanted to hunt David down) means that David had a lot of experience gaining victory over others in the strength that God alone could provide.

David was also a great king who was named to be after Gods own heart. He shows us the path to the heart of God after he sins against God in adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, her husband. He lays out his heart in deep sorrow that he had sinned against God (Psalm 51). God shows us that part of being a strong king is having a heart of great sorrow over our sins. This is a quality that many of the kings of Israel lackedand lacked significantly. Many of the Israelite kings did what was evil in the eyes of the Lordand David did as well, but God forgave him because he repented.

Having these horn of salvation passages attributed to David means that he is, in a sense, the forerunner of Christ. He shows us that God gives us victory over our enemies, as He did for Israel in battle. He also shows us that the King of Israel has a noble heritagefor David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord by fleeing from Saul and not taking Sauls life when he had the opportunity to do so. David honored Gods king, even when he was evil in Gods sight. David waited for God alone to make him king, not taking these matters into his own hand.

David also shows us the need for a Savior concerning his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. God was very displeased with these actions, but he used them to show what a truly repentant heart would look like. Many have learned from the repentant heart of David. David shows us that we need an ultimate horn of salvation to comeone with the statute, victory, and nobility of David and one without sin. Christ would come from this line of David. The horn of salvation over Davids life was God. And there was one who would be born of the Holy Spirit, and from Davids line, to be the ultimate horn for us.

Who Is Our Horn of Salvation?

Jesus is our horn of salvation, raised from the house of David. He is the emblem of true victory and praise. He is the strong horn giving us spiritual success, and He is the raised hornas though victory is proclaimed from on high. Luke 1:69 states that Jesus is a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.

The Messiah was promised. He would sit on Davids throne and secure Israels eternal victory and prosperity. This is a blessed promise for the Jewish people. David had many successes, and Israel fared well under his leadership. Jesus will come and set up his eternal kingdom, signaling a time when utter victory and prosperity will come through His reign. He will be the Person of utmost dignity, nobility, righteousness, justice, and wonder. Through His reign, the earth will be brought into a state of peace like never seen by man since before the fall in Genesis 3.

We can look forward to the final inauguration of the reign of the Horn of Salvationour Jesus Christ. It will be a time when we will see the triumph of God and His people. Evil will not be permitted to reign, but goodness will triumph over evilin our hearts and the world. God will unite all things under His ultimate, good, and perfect rule.

David looked to God to be his horn of salvation. And, we have an eternity to which we can look forward when the Horn of Salvation takes His thronedescended from David and born of the Holy Spirit. He is God, all-powerful to reign, and like us, having taken our sins upon Himself and securing our victory through His righteous resurrection. He is coming. Jesus reigns; let the earth be glad.

Lianna Davis is author of Keeping the Faith: A Study in Jude and Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss. She is also a contributor to We Evangelicals and Our Mission with Cascade Books. Lianna is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter. You can learn more about her writing at her website.
South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV worldwide. Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment can greatly improve their health outcomes and life expectancy. It stands to reason that self-testing for the virus puts their health in their own hands, and is set to be the way of the future.

Source: Supplied. Hans Croukamp, bioLytical Laboratories' chief operating officer.

South African born Hans Croukamp, bioLytical Laboratories' chief operating officer, explains how his company has implemented a dedicated local team in South Africa to provide rapid, reliable home testing for HIV particularly among the youth.

"We have a crucial need to safeguard the health and well-being of our youth by addressing the rising prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among this demographic," he says."

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, testing rates among high school students are extremely low. The youth face various challenges when it comes to HIV testing. Fear, stigma, lack of access and concerns about confidentiality are common barriers.

"In addition, the social and emotional pressures that accompany this period of self-discovery can make traditional testing methods seem daunting or intimidating. Recognising these challenges, self-testing offers a solution, aligning with the mindset of the youth and addressing their unique needs."

Here Croukamp unpacks the impact his company's HIV-1/2 antibody self test is having on the most vulnerable in our communities.

Since when have people been able to self-test to ascertain their HIV status in South Africa? The Insti

HIV-1/2 antibody self test (ST) received its World Health Organization prequalification (WHO PQ) in 2018, allowing bioLytical to sell the test across the African continent (we received our CE mark in 2016 and Health Canada authorisation in 2020).

Where do people get hold of these test kits?

Currently kits are primarily available through government hospitals and clinics, as well as outreach programmes. There is also limited access to the kits in private pharmacy chains. These test kits form part of the SA governments strategic plan to reduce the burden of HIV/Aids in South Africa and we are in discussions to make these kits more easily accessible for the general public.

How do they work?

Insti is a single-use rapid test that uses proprietary flow-through technology to detect HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies using a drop of human fingerstick blood. The test is intended for untrained lay-users. The test has three simple steps. First, use the lancet to collect a drop of blood and add to bottle 1 and shake. From there, you pour the bottle onto a membrane. Once bottle 1 has been absorbed, pour in bottle 2, and once bottle 2 is absorbed, pour in bottle 3. Once bottle 3 has absorbed, you can read your results.

While there is not yet an HIV cure, as care has evolved, effective treatments now offer those with HIV a chance to live long and healthy lives and not transmit HIV to HIV-negative partners. The risk is not knowing! Learn more: https://t.co/8lmI461pzN #KnowYourStatus #HIV pic.twitter.com/AQgrBWMMv8  INSTI Tests by bioLytical (@INSTI) June 14, 2023

How much do they cost?

Approximately R90.

How reliable are they?

Insti is incredibly accurate with 100% positive percent agreement (PPA; sensitivity) and 99.5% negative percent agreement (NPA; specificity).

Do the test results get fed back into a central government database?

Yes. As the government is the custodian of HIV data, there is a mandatory requirement to report to them the number of test kits dispatched as well as the details of any patients who test positive.

How has the South African market responded? From your data, who is buying the kits, and what has the demand been?

The South African market, specifically government-sponsored NGOs have responded very positively to the kits. From the feedback we have received, end users have indicated that the speed at which the kits work has really helped reduce backlogs in testing and helped prevent patients spending an entire day (or more) just waiting to be tested and then to be counselled.

What impact is the test having on South African women and children, and what impact will it have in the future?

With reported rates high among women (24.5 per 100,000 pop.) and children (no rate, but approx. 270,000 kids are living with HIV) (UNAids, 2021), having an accessible test that can be used at home and used when and where it is convenient for people, helps get more women and children tested and then connected to care.

Source: Supplied. Twitter/@INSTI.

Self-testing is the way of the future (in addition to point of care (Poc)- and lab-based tests) as it will put the individuals health back in their own hands.

Self-testing is another way to reach those who may not have access to healthcare, may face fear or stigma getting access, or may not have the time or means to travel. It also allows people to test when it works best for them.

The only way to know one's status is through a test, and increasing testing access is vital to ending HIV as a public health threat.

What was the motivation for developing such a product? How long did it take to develop?

The motivation for developing an HIV self-test aligns clearly with our mission: Were on a global mission to ensure every person has access to our tests to learn their status, faster.

We know that to end HIV as a public health threat in South Africa and beyond, creating an accessible test that people can take where and when it best suits them will help more people learn their status and connect to care and treatment if needed.

The Insti HIV-1/2 antibody test took the better part of a decade to develop to a level that we would know is of the utmost quality and reliability. We launched in 1999, incorporated in 2002, and achieved our first Insti authorisations in 2006 (Health Canada, CE mark) with the HIV Ab test receiving WHO PQ in 2013.

Based on our initial HIV Poc test, we developed our Insti self test to offer more ways to reach more people.

Can you tell me a bit about the developers? And who bioLytical has partnered with to make this self-test kit available to South Africans?

Do you mean distributors? We do not sell direct to consumers in SA but do have 100% of the public distribution. Lechoba Medical Technologies handles all private and public market sales on our behalf.

How many other companies have developed and brought such a product to market?

OraSure and bioLytical HIV self tests are currently the only self tests that are part of the governments HIV response. Chembio, Viatris and Abbott are also looking to have their kits included as part of the government response.

Does this kit fall in line with SA's new five-year action plan for HIV, TB and STIs under the auspices of the new deputy president, Paul Mashatile?

The Insti HIV ST kit completely conforms to the new action plan; specifically in relation to maximising equitable and equal access to HIV services and solutions; having the Insti HIV ST kit allows for more people to know their status and connect to care and end STIs such as HIV as a public health threat.

The only way to know is to get tested  the more people that know their status, the more people that connect to lifesaving treatment, decreasing onward transmission.

Is this the future of HIV testing? Do you foresee the test kits replacing traditional blood tests for HIV in SA? Globally? If 'yes' why? Could you unpack this a bit?

While Poc and lab-based testing will continue to play a key role in healthcare (such as confirmatory testing), self-testing will become a significant player in healthcare. While Covid came with many challenges, it also helped boost self-testing and rapid testing as a whole, creating awareness across the globe of the benefits of being able to test when and where it best meets you.

Self-testing has become incredibly reliable and accessible, offering hard-to-reach demographics an option to know their status. While traditional blood tests have their need and role, self-testing is quick and can help boost testing efforts and allow providers, NGOs and CBOs, among others, to focus on treatment, care, and awareness.

The more people that know their status, the less chances of onward transmission.The roll-out of rapid self testing will likely depend on government policy, funding, access, and overall prevalence rates. With SA experiencing among the highest rates of HIV, implanting a broad self-testing programme that will enable rapid, accurate testing anywhere in the country is the first step to combatting the infection.

Is this self-testing kit part of a series of test kits for other viruses? Could you explain.

The Insti HIV-1/2 antibody ST is one of the tests in the bioLytical product lineup. Alongside the HIV Poc test, bioLytical also offers a multiplex combo test (CE marked, Health Canada authorised) that tests for HIV and syphilis with one drop of blood (sample).As a platform, Insti is adaptable to other infections; (up to four) on the platform

BioLytical envisions self-testing as a key component to global healthcare and will help address some of the worlds most severe health challenges by creating self-tests for a variety of diseases.
NHTSA's 2021 car accident report indicated that approximately 42,915 people died in auto crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the figures recorded in 2020.

These projections smashed the 2020 15-year record of 38,824 fatalities to set a new 16-year record. However, 2005 remains the year with the highest number of deaths in recent history, with almost 55,000 casualties on American roads.

A dangerous trend

While 2021 numbers are way lower than those recorded in 2005, they indicate a dangerous two-year trend of increased road accident fatalities after a three-year decline in road accidents on American roads from 2017 to 2019.

Most experts believe the uptick in auto accidents in 2020 had everything to do with the pandemic. First, the emptier roads were an invitation to some to drive recklessly. Also, seemingly there was less traffic rule enforcement due to a myriad of reasons.

Open roads and less enforcement opened the door for other risky behavior such as DUI, distracted driving, and speeding, says car accident lawyer John Yannone.

Negligible Improvement

While volume of traffic picked up in 2021 as many Americans started venturing out, the bad habits at the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns outlived continued the upward trend in the number of accidents. According to Dr Steven Cliff, the current NHTSA administrator, the crisis is a matter of urgency, but reversible.

In 2020 fatality rates per 100 million VMT stood at 1.34 fatalities but decreased only slightly to 1.33 fatalities in 2021. The fatality rates stayed relatively high in the first quarter of 2020 but declined in the other three quarters of the year.

Federal government intervention

While releasing the preliminary report, Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation secretary, acknowledged that the country is facing a real road tragedy, and all players in the sector must make conscious efforts to address it. Buttigieg expressed the federal government's commitment to reversing these trends as envisioned in passing the Biden administration's infrastructure law.

The law emphasises improving road safety under the new Safe Roads and Streets for All Programme. The programme, which opened its first round of applications in mid-May, seeks to inject $6bn over five years to fund states' efforts in curbing the runaway fatalities in individual states.

The bipartisan infrastructure law also seeks to advance Complete Street Policies and Standards requiring standardised technology such as speed cameras, traffic lights, etc. The programme also prioritises funding for the Highway Safety Improvement Programme, which helps states achieve a data-driven road safety approach.

The real picture

The NHTSA launched the 'click-it or ticket campaign', coinciding with the agency's efforts to create awareness about the effectiveness of the seat belt in saving lives. According to the CDC, seat belts can reduce the chances of death in a crash by up to 45% and serious injury by 50%.

2021's increase in auto crash fatalities was recorded across 44 states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Also, the report indicated a rise in all categories of accidents, with multi-vehicle crashes and urban road fatalities topping the list at a 16% increase.

Fatalities involving older adults (65+) were up 14%, pedestrian fatalities 13%, truck accidents 13%, and daytime fatalities 11%. Motorcycle fatalities rose by 9%, cyclists by 5%, speed-related accidents by 5%, and alcohol-related crashes by 5%.




Over 1,000 people who have been displaced due to massive flooding in areas of the Western Cape have been provided with two weeks' supply of food, says Adel Terblanche, ForAfrika's Western Cape community development officer.

Team working at the Paarl distribution centre

At least two people were killed when large areas of the province, including the southern parts of the West Coast, the Winelands and the Overberg, were devastated by flooding in the wake of four cold fronts that have hit the region since 15 June, the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre stated on Monday, 19 June 2023.

The water was up to my knees in places, Terblanche said after delivering two weeks food supply to 132 people in the Strand, one of the badly affected areas.

ForAfrika is working with other humanitarian assistance organisations in the province, concentrating its efforts on the Helderberg and Drakenstein areas. The organisation is working with other non-governmental organisations at a soup kitchen that has been set up in Paarl where more than 1,000 people will be fed until they can return to their homes once floodwaters subside.

Displaced people who are being accommodated in municipal and church halls are in need of mattresses, food, baby food and other necessities for infants, animal food and blankets, Terblanche said.

To donate: https://www.forafrika.org/
South Africa and the governments of the Netherlands and Denmark on Tuesday, 20 June, launched a $1bn green hydrogen fund to help kickstart an industry seen as critical to the country's decarbonisation efforts.

President Cyril Ramaphosa talks with the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen after their official talks with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. Source: Reuters/Alet Pretorius

South Africa's energy transition plan envisages setting up an ecosystem and export hub for green hydrogen, which is made using renewable energy and without producing greenhouse gas emissions.

The nation wants to produce the fuel for use in aviation, green steel, transport and more, as well as for export to the European Union. But President Cyril Ramaphosa has said this would require R319bn.

The new fund, dubbed SA-H2 and run by Climate Fund Managers, a joint venture between the Dutch development bank, FMO, and South African insurer Sanlam, will look to support South Africa's green hydrogen sector.

"The SA-H2 Fund initiative will aim to secure $1bn in funding, to be raised directly in South Africa or indirectly via other channels," Climate Fund Managers said in a statement.

Just Energy Transition Partnership

A group of rich countries, including France, Germany, Britain, the United States and the European Union, pledged $8.5bn to South Africa in 2021 for its green transition.

A similar fund targeting green hydrogen was also set up for Namibia last year.

Critics say a key challenge to setting up a green hydrogen industry in South Africa is its slow renewable energy roll-out, an imperative for green hydrogen production.

According to Boston Consultancy Group, South Africa would need to set up 6-7 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity per year for the next two decades to support a green hydrogen industry, compared with the 6GW it has managed in total since 2011.
African Bank has strategically partnered with media company, Arena Holdings, and marketing agency, Yellowwood, on the Sunday Times GenNext survey.

Sunday Times GenNext survey Source:  Matthias Ziegler 123rf African Bank has strategically partnered with media company, Arena Holdings, and marketing agency, Yellowwood, on theGenNext survey

Unpacking the results and other insights into the youth demographic of South Africa is an important undertaking for African Bank, says Sbusiso Kumalo, group chief marketing officer at African Bank.

The three-year partnership is not only about the awards but also delivers insights into youth brand preference and behaviour which will provide African Bank with a youth behaviour report that will assist with understanding what drives and motivates the financial behaviour of young people from 8 - 30 years old.

Kumalo adds that this is an important demographic for them because according to Statistics South Africa, the youth population in the 8 - 30-year-old demographic is estimated to be 20,6 million, just over a third of the reported South African population.

This demographic has influence in key purchasing decisions in the household, as well as growing purchasing power in the market.

The bank chose the three-year partnership because it will give them comprehensive picture of the youth demographic and not just a snapshot.

Having that invaluable data will guide the types of products and services we are providing to young people and make sure that they see African Bank as a preferred partner for their financial future, says Kumalo.

Its vital for us as a bank for the people, by the people, serving the people to ensure that we understand them better.

This includes digitally led offerings, the need for speed in service delivery and availability and a brand that is intentional about creating meaningful connections with its consumers.

Our bank is about encouraging young people to dream, to be audacious, and to know that we are here to take that audacious journey with them, he expands.

Just like our pioneering founders, who envisioned a trusted financial partner that would walk alongside our people on the path to prosperity, we want to help the youth of South Africa by giving them the keys to a brighter future.

The African Bank partnership with GenNext includes an interactive showcase.

The showcase is an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with young people and gain a deeper insight into the influences that shape their thinking, adds Kumalo.

Apart from the Sunday Times GenNext Awards, the Sunday Times GenNext Youth Marketing Conference also brings the latest trends in the youth sector together in one place.
Both globally and locally, coffee market players are increasingly expressing significant interest in sustainability, driven by ongoing concerns surrounding environmental issues and climate change. As a result of this focus, market players have been increasingly putting the 'green' back in coffee, by highlighting various sustainability efforts, including the introduction of recyclable or compostable packaging, as well as various other efforts that emphasise players' commitments to sustainability.

Insight Surveys latest South African Coffee Industry Landscape Report 2023 carefully uncovers the global and local coffee market, based on the latest intelligence and research. It describes the latest global and local market trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges, to present an objective insight into the South African coffee industry environment and its future.

In 2023, the global coffee market is expected to reach an estimated value of approximately $495.5bn. Furthermore, the market is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%, to reach a value of approximately $541.1bn by 2025, as illustrated in the graph below.

Locally, the South African coffee market experienced very strong growth in terms of off-trade retail value, at current 2022 prices, achieving a significant increase of 17.4% year-on-year, relative to 2021. This increase is expected to continue, with the market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% between 2023 and 2027.

As coffee continues to gain in popularity locally and across the globe, industry players have launched various initiatives to address ongoing environmental issues, and to meet intensifying consumer expectations in terms of sustainability. For example, in the global market, several coffee players are launching new coffee capsule products that utilise recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging. This includes Rokit Health and CafePod, which both recently launched 100% recyclable pods in the United Kingdom (UK), as well as Chamberlain Coffee, which introduced a new line of commercially compostable coffee pods, made up of patented plant-based materials.

Moreover, in response to ongoing global sustainability concerns surrounding coffee production and supply, lab-grown coffee products are trending in the global market, with players such as Stem, VTT Technical Research Centre, and CULT Food Science introducing new lab-grown coffee products as sustainably produced coffee options.

This focus on sustainability is also strongly notable in the South African coffee market, with local players focusing on eco-friendly packaging and highlighting their efforts towards a green future. Specifically, in terms of packaging, sustainable coffee pods and capsules, which reduce or remove the use of plastic, have begun trending in the local market, in line with heightened consumer and brand awareness of ongoing environmental and sustainability issues.

For example, LOr recently launched a new aluminium capsule, made from 100% recyclable material, which is designed to be used with Nespresso Original coffee machines. Caffeluxe has also made strides in eco-friendly packaging, launching the Caffeluxe ReNu Cleaning Capsule, which is indicated to be biodegradable, as well as its new limited-edition aluminium premium Coffee Capsule range that features sustainable aluminium casing.

Similarly, Lavazza introduced a brand-new range of Coffee Icons capsules, which are all encased in aluminium, in support of the companys focus on sustainability. Furthermore, Nestle launched a new capsule range, namely Starbucks At Home by Nespresso capsules, which is made from 80% recycled aluminium, and forms part of the companys ambition to make 100% of its packaging recyclable and reusable by 2025.

In terms of other packaging efforts in this area, SEAM Coffee has recently partnered with Nampak to successfully develop a South African-made range of coffee packaging, which is both recyclable and has a low environmental impact. This packaging range will soon be available for sale in the country.

Nespresso South Africa also highlighted its commitment to sustainability with the introduction of a new retail environment space, at its flagship store in Sandton City. This new store features tabletops made from used coffee grounds, with wood sourced from reforestation programmes, amongst several other environmentally focused features, all of which aim to minimise waste and create a design that is restorative by nature.

The South African Coffee Industry Landscape Report 2023 provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the local and global coffee industry from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the entire value chain  market sizes and forecasts, industry trends, latest innovation and technology, key drivers and challenges, as well as a manufacturer and distributor overview, retail and pricing analysis.

Some key questions the report will help you to answer:

What are the current market dynamics (production, consumption, trade, pricing) of the global and South African coffee industry?



What are the latest global and South African coffee industry trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges?



What are the South African coffee market size value and volume trends (20172022) and forecasts (20232027), as well as channel distribution?



Which are the key manufacturers, distributors, roasters, and retail players in the South African coffee industry?



What is the latest company news for key players in terms of products, new launches, and marketing initiatives?



What are the prices of popular coffee brands and products (instant, ground, beans, capsules and ready-to-drink) across South African retail outlets?

Please note that the 160-page full report is available for purchase for R40,000.00 (excluding VAT). Alternatively, individual sections can be purchased for R17,500.00 (excluding VAT). For more information, please email az.oc.yevrusthgisni@ofni, call our Cape Town office on (021) 045-0202 or call our Johannesburg office on (010) 140- 5756.

For a full brochure: South African Coffee Industry Landscape Brochure 2023.




Man loses bid to get back money he paid for a child who is not his.

A High Court judge has rejected a mans attempt to get back support he paid for a child who turned out not to be his. Photo: Brian Turner via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

One spouse has no legal duty to disclose to the other an extra-marital affair, a High Court judge has said.



Judge Corne van Zyl in the Bloemfontein High Court dismissed a damages claim brought by a man against his former wife.



The man accused his wife of fraud because she did not disclose an extra-marital affair which led to the birth of their third child.

A man who claimed damages against his ex-wife for fraud, because she did not disclose that she had an extra-marital affair resulting in the birth of their third child, has lost his case.

The man, identified only as MN in the ruling handed down by Bloemfontein High Court Judge Corne van Zyl, was claiming R1.4m for the support he had paid for the youngest child following the couples divorce.

The matter was heard during 2017, and Judge van Zyl dismissed the application with costs in 2018. But the judge only gave his written reasons last week. He gave no reason for the delay.

Judge van Zyl said there was no legal duty on one spouse to disclose the existence of an extra-marital affair to the other.

The defendant [the ex-wife] therefore had no legal obligation to have informed the plaintiff [MN] of her one-night sexual encounter. Her failure to have done so consequently did not constitute a fraudulent non-disclosure, the judge said.

The judge also found that MNs claim was against public policy.

The couple married in 1991. Their youngest child was born in December 1997.

They divorced in 2012 and a deed of settlement, which included child support, was made an order of court.

However, about three years later, it was established through blood tests that the youngest child was not MNs biological child.

MN, in his pleadings, said he had raised the child under the impression that she was his own.

His ex-wife denied she had acted fraudulently and said they were both under the mutual impression that the child was his.

His claim was contrary to the best interests of the child, she contended.

In his evidence, MN said fidelity was important to him and had he known at the time of the birth of the child that she was not his, he would have walked away from the marriage. He said the child had a medical condition which was not in the health history of their family. Her features were also different.

While he wanted peace of mind that his children were being well cared for, when his ex-wife applied for an increase in maintenance, he decided to request the paternity test  a decision he took with a heavy heart, since he did not wish to upset the children.

He said he loved the child as if she were his own, but he had no obligation to maintain her.

While he suspected that his ex-wife had had a relationship with a pastor, in her evidence she said she had had a one-night stand with a man she met through work.

However, she always believed that MN was the father of the child.

She had been shocked by the DNA results.

Judge van Zyl said there was no evidence that the mother actively or pertinently made any representations or lied to MN.

She simply kept her silence.

On MNs own version, he never confronted her about a possible affair, even when he suspected she was having a relationship with the pastor.

The judge said he could not find, on the evidence, that it had been proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the mother knew that the child was not MNs biological child.

Citing international and local case law, Judge van Zyl said there was no legal duty on a spouse to disclose the existence of an extra-marital affair to the other.

The judge said the irreparable emotional damage the case had caused to the child, to her relationship with MN, and to the whole family relationship, was very evident from the totality of the evidence.

This article was originally published on GroundUp.
The locations are a key milestone in IWG's plan to add 1,000 new locations globally over the next year.

Sidi Abdellah Mall, in the west of Algeria, is an impressive 1430 sq. mt Regus workspace complete with co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms and creative spaces



In addition, following the fifth partnership in Algeria, the opening of the Dar Imane, situated in the best building in Hydra



The new locations are part of the drive to provide top-class facilities in a wide variety of locations as hybrid working becomes a reality for more workers



These openings follow a partnership agreement with the building owners, Sarl CNM Travaux Dentreprise and Flex World, who have invested in the IWG platform to create a branded flexible workspace in their building



IWG, the worlds largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands including Spaces, Regus and HQ, is opening state-of-the-art flexible workspaces in Algiers as the demand for hybrid working rapidly accelerates. The first opening is being delivered in cooperation with the Sidi Abdellah Mall and the second with the Dar Imane centre in Hydra; both building owners chose the IWG flexible workspace platform and have entered into a management agreement with the Regus brand.

Unprecedented demand from companies of all sizes and workers looking for hybrid working solutions means IWG will add 1,000 new locations over the next year. Hybrid working offers companies a significantly lower cost base with an average saving of $11k per employee.

Algiers is one of Algerias fastest-growing regional locations. Demand for workspaces in the area has performed strongly, with the number of enquiries for space in IWG locations continuing to sharply increase.

The building owners decided to invest in the IWG platform to maximise the return on their real estate space by capitalising on the rapidly expanding demand for hybrid working. With an annual investment of around 50m into its technology platform, IWG provides partners with access to all the companys expertise, design and fit-out support, and sales and marketing capabilities.

The new Algiers locations will include facilities including private offices, meeting rooms, co-working and creative spaces.

The Sidi Abdellah Mall centre, IWGs first Regus centre close to the fine sandy beaches of Algeria in the area of Zeralda, is located on the third floor of the business centre in the mall and will provide space for established firms and start-ups across a range of industries, while IWGs Design Your Own Office service allows companies to tailor their space entirely to their requirements.

The Dar Imane centre in Hydra adds 1,000m2 to a total of now 6,000m2 in Algeria. Near to Sonatrach, the biggest oil and gas company in Africa, this new Regus centre is situated in a premium area in the midst of five-star hotels and premium amenities.

IWG is the worlds leading provider of flexible workspace  with 3,500 locations in more than 120 countries and members able to access all locations and business services via the IWG app.

As the ongoing shift towards hybrid working accelerates, conventional office occupancy will continue to fall as businesses require less traditional space and turn to flexible workspace instead. In 2022, IWG welcomed hundreds of new partner locations and is on track to add around 1,000 over the course of the next year. IWG already counts 83% of Fortune 500 companies among its customer base.

Mark Dixon, CEO and founder of IWG, commented: We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Algeria, - with five partnerships so far including this latest opening. As an important business hub, Algiers is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal. We are very pleased to work in partnership with Sarl CNM Travaux Dentreprise (Sidi Abdellah) and Flex World (Dar Imane) to develop the Regus brand under a management agreement that will add a cutting-edge workspace to their building.

Our centre openings in Algiers comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction while helping the environment. Our workplace model also increases productivity and allows a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.

IWGs multi-brand expansion strategy is designed to appeal to every type of business and entrepreneur. IWG creates personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size, from some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of flexible working to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. Friedrich Nietzsche

Were not dealing with a government that exists to serve its people, protect their liberties and ensure their happiness.

Rather, we are the unfortunate victims of the diabolical machinations of a make-works program carried out on an epic scale whose only purpose is to keep the powers-that-be permanently (and profitably) employed.

Case in point: the FBI.

The governments henchmen have become the embodiment of how power, once acquired, can be so easily corrupted and abused. Indeed, far from being tough on crime, FBI agents are also among the nations most notorious lawbreakers.

Whether the FBI is planting undercover agents in churches, synagogues and mosques; issuing fake emergency letters to gain access to Americans phone records; using intimidation tactics to silence Americans who are critical of the government, or persuading impressionable individuals to plot acts of terror and then entrapping them, the overall impression of the nations secret police force is that of a well-dressed thug, flexing its muscles and doing the boss dirty work.

Clearly, this is not a government agency that appears to understand, let alone respect, the limits of the Constitution.

Indeed, this same government agency has a pattern and practice of entrapment that involves targeting vulnerable individuals, feeding them with the propaganda, know-how and weapons intended to turn them into terrorists, and then arresting them as part of an elaborately orchestrated counterterrorism sting.

Basically, it works like this: in order to justify their crime-fighting superpowers, the FBI manufactures criminals by targeting vulnerable individuals and feeding them anti-government propaganda; then, undercover agents and informants equip the targeted individuals with the training and resources to challenge what theyve been indoctrinated into believing is government corruption; and finally, the FBI arrests the targeted individuals for engaging in anti-government, terrorist activities.

This is what passes for the governments perverse idea of being tough on crime.

For example, undercover FBI agents pretending to be associated with ISIS have been accused of seeking out online and befriending a 16-year-old with brain development issues, persuading him to secretly send them small cash donations in the form of gift cards, and then the moment Mateo Ventura, turned 18, arresting him for providing financial support to an Islamic terrorist group.

If convicted, the teenager could spend up to 10 years in prison.

Yet as The Intercept explains, the only terrorist he is accused of ever being in contact with was an undercover FBI agent who befriended him online as a 16-year-old This law enforcement tactic has been criticized by national security researchers who have scrutinized the FBIs role in manufacturing terrorism cases using vulnerable people who would have been unable to commit crimes without prolonged government assistance and encouragement the Ventura case may indicate that authorities are still open to conjuring terrorists where none existed.

In another incident, the FBI used an undercover agent/informant to seek out and groom an impressionable young man, cultivating his friendship, gaining his sympathy, stoking his outrage over injustices perpetrated by the U.S. government, then enlisting his help to blow up the Herald Square subway station. Despite the fact that Shahawar Matin Siraj ultimately refused to plant a bomb at the train station, he was arrested for conspiring to do so at the urging of his FBI informant and used to bolster the governments track record in foiling terrorist plots. Of course, no mention was made of the part the government played in fabricating the plot, recruiting a would-be bomber, and setting him up to take the fall.

These are Machiavellian tactics with far-reaching consequences for every segment of the population, no matter what ones political leanings, but it is especially dangerous for anyone whose views could in any way be characterized as anti-government.

As Rozina Ali writes for The New York Times Magazine, The governments approach to counterterrorism erodes constitutional protections for everyone, by blurring the lines between speech and action and by broadening the scope of who is classified as a threat.

For instance, it was reported that the FBI had been secretly carrying out an entrapment scheme in which it used a front company, ANOM, to sell purportedly hack-proof phones to organized crime syndicates and then used those phones to spy on them as they planned illegal drug shipments, plotted robberies and put out contracts for killings using those boobytrapped phones.

All told, the FBI intercepted 27 million messages over the course of 18 months.

What this means is that the FBI was also illegally spying on individuals using those encrypted phones who may not have been involved in any criminal activity whatsoever.

Even reading a newspaper article is now enough to get you flagged for surveillance by the FBI. The agency served a subpoena on USA Today / Gannett to provide the internet addresses and mobile phone information for everyone who read a news story online on a particular day and time about the deadly shooting of FBI agents.

This is the danger of allowing the government to carry out widespread surveillance, sting and entrapment operations using dubious tactics that sidestep the rule of law: we the people become suspects and potential criminals, while government agents, empowered to fight crime using all means at their disposal, become indistinguishable from the corrupt forces they seek to vanquish.

To go after terrorists, they become terrorists.

To go after drug smugglers, they become drug smugglers.

To go after thieves, they become thieves.

For instance, when the FBI raided a California business that was suspected of letting drug dealers anonymously stash guns, drugs and cash in its private vaults, agents seized the contents of all the safety deposit boxes and filed forfeiture motions to keep the contents, which include millions of dollars worth of valuables owned by individuals not accused of any crime whatsoever.

Its hard to say whether were dealing with a kleptocracy (a government ruled by thieves), a kakistocracy (a government run by unprincipled career politicians, corporations and thieves that panders to the worst vices in our nature and has little regard for the rights of American citizens), or if weve gone straight to an idiocracy.

This certainly isnt a constitutional democracy, however.

Some days, it feels like the FBI is running its own crime syndicate complete with mob rule and mafia-style justice.

In addition to creating certain crimes in order to then solve them, the FBI also gives certain informants permission to break the law, including everything from buying and selling illegal drugs to bribing government officials and plotting robberies, in exchange for their cooperation on other fronts.

USA Today estimates that agents have authorized criminals to engage in as many as 15 crimes a day (5600 crimes a year). Some of these informants are getting paid astronomical sums: one particularly unsavory fellow, later arrested for attempting to run over a police officer, was actually paid $85,000 for his help laying the trap for an entrapment scheme.

In a stunning development reported by The Washington Post, a probe into misconduct by an FBI agent resulted in the release of at least a dozen convicted drug dealers from prison.

In addition to procedural misconduct, trespassing, enabling criminal activity, and damaging private property, the FBIs laundry list of crimes against the American people includes surveillance, disinformation, blackmail, entrapment, intimidation tactics, and harassment.

For example, the Associated Press lodged a complaint with the Dept. of Justice after learning that FBI agents created a fake AP news story and emailed it, along with a clickable link, to a bomb threat suspect in order to implant tracking technology onto his computer and identify his location. Lambasting the agency, AP attorney Karen Kaiser railed, The FBI may have intended this false story as a trap for only one person. However, the individual could easily have reposted this story to social networks, distributing to thousands of people, under our name, what was essentially a piece of government disinformation.

Then again, to those familiar with COINTELPRO, an FBI program created to disrupt, misdirect, discredit, and neutralize groups and individuals the government considers politically objectionable, it should come as no surprise that the agency has mastered the art of government disinformation.

The FBI has been particularly criticized in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks for targeting vulnerable individuals and not only luring them into fake terror plots but actually equipping them with the organization, money, weapons and motivation to carry out the plotsentrapmentand then jailing them for their so-called terrorist plotting. This is what the FBI characterizes as forward leaningpreventativeprosecutions.

The FBI has also repeatedly sought to expand its invasive hacking powers to allow agents to hack into any computer, anywhere in the world.

Suffice it to say that when and if a true history of the FBI is ever written, it will not only track the rise of the American police state but it will also chart the decline of freedom in America: how a nation that once abided by the rule of law and held the government accountable for its actions has steadily devolved into a police state where justice is one-sided, a corporate elite runs the show, representative government is a mockery, police are extensions of the military, surveillance is rampant, privacy is extinct, and the law is little more than a tool for the government to browbeat the people into compliance.

This is how tyranny rises and freedom falls.

The powers-that-be are not acting in our best interests.

Almost every tyranny being perpetrated by the U.S. government against the citizenrypurportedly to keep us safe and the nation securehas come about as a result of some threat manufactured in one way or another by our own government.

Think about it.

Cyberwarfare. Terrorism. Bio-chemical attacks. The nuclear arms race. Surveillance. The drug wars. Domestic extremism. The COVID-19 pandemic.

In almost every instance, the U.S. government (often spearheaded by the FBI) has in its typical Machiavellian fashion sown the seeds of terror domestically and internationally in order to expand its own totalitarian powers.

Consider that this very same government has taken every bit of technology sold to us as being in our best interestsGPS devices, surveillance, nonlethal weapons, etc.and used it against us, to track, control and trap us.

Are you getting the picture yet?

The U.S. government isnt protecting us from threats to our freedoms.

The U.S. government is creating the threats to our freedoms. It is, as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, the source of the threats to our freedoms.

WC: 1772


In the guise of collecting scientific data, data brokers are running a massive privacy invasion. Researchers should stop helping them

Many on both the Left and Right have criticized the bill, calling it the Patriot Act on steroids or the Patriot Act 2.0.

Monday, March 13, 2023 - FBI admits to buying geolocation data

The last couple of months have been rough on the FBI. The Twitter Files let the genie out of the bottle, and now more serious allegations against the agency just keep piling on.

Friday, September 23, 2022 - US military bought mass monitoring tool that includes email and browsing data

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has revealed that the US Naval Investigative Service (NCIS) has a contract for Augury  a mass monitoring tool that reportedly covers 93% of the worlds internet traffic and provides access to petabytes of current and historical data

Millions of Americans everyday movements can be traced by police with the click of a mouse and possibly without a warrant, thanks to a data broker thats selling phone geolocation data to state and local law enforcement, an Electronic Frontier Foundation investigation has found.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 - How the Federal Government Buys Our Cell Phone Location Data

Over the past few years, data brokers and federal military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies have formed a vast, secretive partnership to surveil the movements of millions of people. Many of the mobile apps on our cell phones track our movements with great precision and frequency. Data brokers harvest our location data from the app developers, and then sell it to these agencies. Once in government hands, the data is used by the military to spy on people overseas, by ICE to monitor people in and around the U.S., and by criminal investigators like the FBI and Secret Service. This post will draw on recent research and reporting to explain how this surveillance partnership works, why is it alarming, and what can we do about it.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - New reports on DHS surveillance and profiling

Two new reports from university think-tanks call attention to surveillance and profiling  including surveillance of, and action against, domestic and international travelers  by the Department of Homeland Security and its components.

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - CDC Used Phone Location Data to Monitor Churches and Schools to Determine Whether Americans Followed Covid Lockdown Orders

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention used phone location data to track millions Americans in 2021. The CDC monitored curfew zones, churches, schools, neighbor-to-neighbor visits and trips to pharmacies through SafeGraph, a controversial data broker.

A new class-action lawsuit filed in California targets Otonomo, a data broker that harvests location data from tens of millions of vehicles around the world and then sells access to that information.

Imagine being filmed 24/7. Knowing someone is watching you the whole time, would your behaviors and decisions remain the same? When governments or tech companies promote smart cities projects, they talk about how having more data about us could make things better. What they dont talk about is the way having surveillance technologies embedded in our physical surroundings would change the way we behave and impact our fundamental rights and freedoms.

News outlets entrusted with promoting transparency and privacy are also lobbying behind closed doors against proposals to regulate the mass collection of Americans data.

This government of Peeping Toms is watching everything we do, reading everything we write, listening to everything we say, and monitoring everything we spend. Beware of what you say, what you read, what you write, where you go, and with whom you communicate, because it is all being recorded, stored, and catalogued, and will be used against you eventually, at a time and place of the governments choosing.

Smart-home devices like thermostats and fridges may be too smart for comfort  especially in a country with few laws preventing the sale of digital data to third parties

Sunday, January 24, 2021 - US Defense Intelligence Agency Buys Your Smartphone Location Data From Brokers

US Defense Intelligence Agency has just confirmed that the US government does indeed buy your location data collected from your smartphones by brokers.

Monday, December 28, 2020 - The Internet Of Bodies (IoB) And Hacking Your DNA

Friday, December 18, 2020 - DEA Ditches Location Data Vendor Currently Being Investigated By Congress

The Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement agencies needed a warrant to obtain cell site location info. The ability to turn third parties (like telcos) into proxy long-term tracking devices concerned the court, which decided this wasnt permissible under the Fourth Amendment. Every American carries a cellphone. But just because they do doesnt mean they agree the government should be able to track their movements with them.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020 - The Border Patrol Is Monitoring Millions Of Americans Cellphones Inside Their Homes

The Feds are using the pandemic as an excuse to ID and track millions of innocent American's cellphones inside their homes. This past August, a Motherboard article revealed the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) had signed a $476,000 contract with Venntel, a cellphone data mining corporation.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - How UK "Track-And-Trace" Data From Restaurants Is Being Harvested And Sold

This latest revelation will no doubt be an embarrassment to what is already looking like a haphazard biosurveillance operation being run by the UK government.

A Virginia-based software company founded by two US military veterans with backgrounds in intelligence has been tracking hundreds of millions of mobile phones across the world, according to documents reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.

Saturday, June 20, 2020 - IRS says it bought in to location database for millions of US cellphones to track tax crime suspects

The United States Internal Revenue Service says it purchased access to a marketing database that offers location data for millions of US cellphones, so the IRS can identify and track persons suspected of tax-related crimes.
An IRS agent used a fake identity to approach and threaten a taxpayer, following which House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel seeking further information on the incident.

The incident occurred on April 25, 2023, when an IRS agent identifying as Bill Haus with the agencys Criminal Division visited the home of a taxpayer residing in Marion, Ohio, according to the June 16 letter (pdf). The agent initially lied to the taxpayer that he was visiting with regard to her improper estate filings and that she owed a substantial amount to the IRS. Before his visit, the taxpayer had not received any notification from the tax agency regarding unpaid dues on the estate.

After the taxpayer showed proof that she had paid all taxes for the estate, agent Haus then said that the true purpose of his visit was not related to the estate but that the taxpayer allegedly had several delinquent tax return filings. He then proceeded to provide documents for the taxpayer to fill outincluding submitting sensitive personal information.

The taxpayer immediately called her attorney, who asked Agent Haus to leave her home. The agent responded aggressively, insisting that I am an IRS agent, I can be at and go into anyones house at any time I want to be.

Before leaving her home, Haus threatened the taxpayer that she had one week to pay off her dues, failing which he would freeze her assets and put a lien on her home, the letter notes. In May, the taxpayer contacted Haus supervisor, who subsequently resolved the matter. On May 30, she received a letter from the IRS stating that her case had been closed.

The committee asked the IRS commissioner to provide certain documents so that it could examine how to best protect Americans fundamental freedoms and to assist the Committee in its oversight. The documents are to be submitted by June 30.

The committee is seeking all documents and communications related to Haus visit to the taxpayer together with IRS reasons for conducting the field visit. Documents and communications between the IRS, Treasury, and any other executive branch related to the visit need to be submitted as well.

The judiciary committee also wants all materials sent or received by the agent related or referring to the taxpayer, the MPD officer, or the estate as part of the investigation.

Complaint Against Investigating Officer

Agent Haus also filed (pdf) a complaint against an officer investigating him in relation to his visit to the Ohio taxpayer. After Haus left, the taxpayer called the Marion, Ohio Police Department (MPD), worried that she was subject to a scam.

After checking the license plate of the car that Haus drove, the MPD learned that the name was an alias. An officer then contacted Haus to verify his identity.

Suspecting that he was trying to scam the taxpayer, the MPD asked Haus to not approach the taxpayers home or risk getting arrested. Haus then complained about the officer to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

This behavior from an IRS agent to an American taxpayerproviding an alias, using deception to secure entry into the taxpayers home, and then filing an Inspector General complaint against a police officer examining that matteris highly concerning, the letter stated.

The IRS has previously been criticized for suspicious behavior against law-abiding citizens. In March, Jordan had questioned the IRS regarding the agencys alleged in-person visit to the home of investigative journalist Matt Taibbi, suggesting that this could involve potential witness intimidation.

The visit occurred on March 9the same day Taibbi appeared before Congress to testify on government abuse. Taibbi was one of the journalists involved in the Twitter Files expose.

In light of the hostile reaction to Mr. Taibbis reporting among left-wing activists and the IRSs history as a tool of government abuse, the IRSs action could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate a witness before Congress, Jordan wrote in a letter to the IRS commissioner.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the agency for comment.

Defunding IRS

The controversy surrounding Agent Haus comes as the IRS has been under scrutiny, with many questioning its existence. In an interview with radio host Dana Loesch on May 25, Floridas Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he will defund the IRS if he becomes president in 2024 and Congress sends him such a bill.

I think the IRS is a corrupt organization, and I think its not a friend to the average citizen or taxpayer. And so we need something totally different, he said.

Ive supported all of the single rate proposals, I think they would be a huge improvement over the current system, the governor added. And I would be welcoming to take this tax system, chunk it out the window, and do something thats more favorable to the average folks.

An analysis of IRS data showed that the amount of taxes collected from American citizens under the Biden administration has jumped up when compared to the Trump administration.

For fiscal year 2022, the IRS collected $4.26 trillion in net taxes, up from $2.76 trillion in fiscal year 2020, the final year Trump was in office.
PSYOP-BIDEN is nothing more than an exercise in demoralization, and the accelerated deterioration of America.

The senile diaper soiling ice cream licking pedo criminal puppet was installed to quite literally induce in every critically thinking person feelings of hopelessness, betrayal and depression.

The only "crimes" that Hunter Biden was charged for are actually not crimes at all. Every single person that comprehends the Constitution appreciates that the illegitimate Federal government has infringed on our 2nd Amendment rights, while demanding under perpetual threat of State violence their protection racket money in the form of direct and unapportioned (i.e. unconstitutional) income taxes.

Therefore, by pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax (violation of USC  7203 is a totally bogus law), and agreeing to enter a pretrial agreement for the charge of possession of a firearm charge by a drug addict (nowhere in the Constitution does it mention alcohol, drugs or addiction), Hunter Biden has been used to amplify and reinforce PSYOP-BIDEN and the full spectrum demoralization soft war on We the People.

In other words, what Hunter Bidens wrist slap settlement deal was designed to do was slap every conscious American across their face.

Everyone knows about his laptop from hell. Everyone knows that he and his low-grade pedo mob boss father aka 10% to the Big Guy were taking pay-to-play quid pro quo bribes from the CCP, Russia and Ukraine. Everyone knows that the son was the bagman for the Biden Crime Family, and Joes strip club bankrupting younger brother was a professional grifter. Everyone knows that Hunter Biden and the sons of other politicians were running money laundering hedge funds that had less than zero business managing a penny, let alone being productive members in the private sector. And most importantly, everyone knows that their government is telegraphing their crimes and corruption out of the foreign nation of Washington, D.C. such that the tax slave domestic terrorists never forget that the Banana Republic known as America only has a color of law two-tiered legal system; a weaponized two-tier legal system that may at any time be deployed against anyone except for criminals like Hunter Biden, and his dementia daddy.

PSYOP-BIDEN is a powerful social engineering operation, with the CIA-creation and OG Manchurian Candidate Barack Hussein Obama always lurking in the shadows, always aiding and abetting his and his former Veeps handlers in pulling the stumbling and mumbling and falling POTUS puppets strings.

Hunter Bidens charges are for laws that are themselves illegal, and those are the only laws that the America people suckers best abide by, or else. That is precisely why those laws were invoked: to reinforce the State brainwashing of the slaves. And because you suckers will never find yourselves in positions of power affording you the opportunities to engage in international money laundering, bribery, trafficking, running illegal bioweapon labs, and all of the other various seditious high crimes that the politicians, government agency higher-ups and their offspring and associates commit on a daily basis.

Do not fall for the latest politrix kabuki theater psyop.

Do not be outraged.

Do not be depressed.

There is only one action that you must engage in: total noncompliance.

Do NOT comply.
Research on the manufacture of egg-like and sperm-like cells for the purpose of producing laboratory-crafted human children is proceeding rapidly. The objective is to turn ordinary body cells of prospective parents into artificial eggs and sperm. Though ostensibly developed to facilitate reproduction in individuals for whom this capability is impaired or unavailable, the use of laboratory produced eggs and sperm represent an opening for the routine production and commercialization of designer babies. [1] These are individuals whose hereditary components are technologically modified to meet one or more specified objectives.

Researchers refer to creating eggs and sperm (gametes) in the laboratory as in vitro gametogenesis or IVG. The experimental process begins with somatic or body cells, e.g., from adult blood or skin. These cells are not those that evolved to produce gametes during embryonic development. The somatic cells are modified with extra DNA or RNA, or by exposing them to proteins or drugs, which has the effect of turning some of them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The iPSCs are next exposed to other biomolecules or drugs, to convert them into cells resembling the specialized cells of the body, such as eggs or sperm. Molecular tests of artificially differentiated cells invariably show them to be not identical to their natural counterparts (also see below).[2]

Promoters suggest that IVG would make it possible for medically infertile people to have biologically related children without seeking authentic eggs or sperm from a donor. Additionally, advocates for the technologys clinical use argue that it will help people have biologically related children who are not medically infertile but who could be considered socially infertile. This category would include same sex couples or gay individuals as well as people past the age of viable medical reproduction.[3] The technology would also make it possible for a fertile person wanting to become a single parent of a biologically related child to do so without gametes (egg or sperm) donated by an identifiable second person (solo IVG).

If it works, the technology will also make it possible to assist a uni-parent to reproduce; that is, a person from whom both synthetic eggs and sperm are derived. There are also possibilities for assisting multiplex parenting where more than two individuals want to have genetic ties to a single child.[4] For all these categories, the preferencing of genetically related children over adopted children is implicit.

The technology, should it find its way into fertility clinics, may reduce the number of donor gametes that are necessary, but it is likely to vastly increase the need for women to serve as surrogates, especially for same-sex males seeking to reproduce genetically, unless the creation of artificial wombs, currently an actively researched prospect, becomes a reality.[5] Proponents of IVG, acknowledging the health risks and discomfort associated with egg extraction, count as a benefit the expected reduced demand for womens eggs. They fail to note, however, that for many decades the fertility industry has ignored calls for it to include health warnings on advertisements seeking young women to supply eggs and to investigate the long-term health risks for egg donors by establishing a national health registry.[6] This does not bode well for how the increased number of surrogates would be targeted, especially in impoverished and patriarchal countries where patterns of coercive paternalism work against the ability of women to consent freely to function as surrogates.

From April 19-21, 2023, The US National Academies of Sciences (NAS) held a three-day workshop titled, In Vitro Derived Human Gametes as Reproductive Technology: Scientific, Ethical, and Regulatory Implications: A Workshop[7]. Here, we offer a critique of that NAS workshop.[8]

We observe, first, that there was no sustained discussion at the workshop about whether clinical application of this exotic technology should be allowed. Instead, the events unquestioned presumption was that the technology would advance to clinical use. While some invitees evinced concerns about moving forward with this technology, no one put forth a vigorous challenge to employing gametogenesis in fertility clinics. Some debate may have occurred in break-out sessions, but the proceedings of those were not shared with the public. In the plenary sessions, however, no one articulated significant opposition to the idea that commercial laboratories should be permitted to manufacture synthetic embryos for implantation and eventual birth. Our analysis of workshop deliberations suggests that, confined by structure and topical framing, while reservations about IVG may have been aired they were not debated. Based on the state of the relevant science and the lack of any pressing health need we conclude that IVG for reproductive purposes should be strongly opposed.

Corralling cautions and setting the agenda

The framing of the workshops agenda and labelling of its subsections discouraged consideration of whether synthetic gametes should be used to create functionally equivalent human embryos for implantation.[9] Indeed, Yale University reproductive scientist Hugh Taylor enthused early on that, impressed by how quickly the field was evolving, he was confident that it was not a matter of if this technology would be available for clinical practice but when. He speculated that availability of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of embryos would increase opportunities for expanding embryo screening. That creating large numbers of embryos makes it possible to select for desirable traits was acknowledged as problematic, but did not dampen enthusiasm for moving forward.[10] Boosters of the technology must have been gratified to hear Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), share with them the advice he likes his staff to offer lawmakers: [y]oure not going to put the genie back in the bottle. Its going to progress, whether it progresses here in the US or elsewhere. If we dont get into thisyoure just putting ourselves behind the 8 ball of [not] being able to take some leadership in making sure its done correctly. No one rejoined that the US could alternatively take leadership in curtailing its progress and avert a global scramble to the ethical bottom. Indeed, as the workshop wound down, Stanford Law Professor and bioethicist, Hank Greely, had heard nothing to dissuade him from the optimistic view that it was a matter of, when this ultimately gets adopted.

The agendas printed objectives for the social, ethical, and legal consideration of IVG and for how to engage the public, channeled critique into categories that presumed that fertility clinics would, eventually, offer IVG. Operative concepts included imagining pathways to clinical trials, facilitating governance of the technology, identifying challenges to securing equitable patient access, identifying stakeholders, and highlighting best practices.

During discussions, concerns were raised about how IVG amplified the possibility of eugenic outcomes, and was likely to exacerbate social inequities, especially in the global south where the demand for women to serve as surrogates would increase. There was also mention of the importance of ensuring safety for children born in this way. Notwithstanding all this, no one argued that ethical concerns about IVG were of a sufficient magnitude to support calls for a moratorium, a ban, or a prohibition of any aspect of IVG. A few non-scientist attendees lamented the lack of a presentation from a disability rights perspective, the intended panelist having cancelled owing to health concerns. Perhaps a more powerful consideration of how eugenic proclivities inhere in the very idea of IVG would have emerged had the cancellation not occurred.

Some concern was expressed about how the genetic essentialism of IVG carried an implied devaluing of children born using donor gametes. Yale Law School lecturer, Katherine Kraschel, noted that the gay community is not a monolith. Where some might welcome opportunities to have biologically related children as do their heterosexual counterparts, others, with an eye to challenging entrenched values, may be discomfited by the devaluing of children conceived using donor gametes.[11] But no one made a sustained case for how this technology, marketed as preferencing the desirability of biologically related children, socially de-values adopted children, whether to gay or straight families, around the globe. Their status was implicitly sub-texted by gametogenic promoters as a substandard substitute for the real thing.

Only briefly referenced, but not discussed much less debated, is that embryo selection at the scale expected is eugenics. Moreover, manipulative intervention to bring about traits (in addition to those already offered through conventional prenatal selection in reproductive markets, such as sex, eye color, and presumed life prospects) will be unavoidable given the inherent commodification of the enterprise. Eugenics is not a possibility that can be avoided. It is inherent in the undertaking and is already underway. [12]

Conflicts of interest

Biographies of presenters listed academic affiliations and scientific institutional or science society affiliations. None, however, listed bio-companies that scientists either founded or with which they were affiliated. Similarly, the biographical summaries of legal-bioethical presenters, some of whose presentations were clearly facilitating moving the technology into clinical use, listed no connections to named commercial bio-labs. Once the workshop was underway, a few presenters made disclosures of their corporate ties or funding sources.[13] How these might function to compromise neutral analysis of the technology was also not discussed. One funder of the workshop itself was also a funder of ongoing IVG research.[14] There was no assessment of how those who stand to profit lavishly from the normalization of commercially produced gamete-like cells might be compromised as presumed sources of balanced social and ethical analysis of the technology. There was no recognition that clinicians operate as part of a multi-billion-dollar IVF industry that constitutes a massive global profit-focused concern. Fortune Business Insights, which conducts market studies of global businesses, reports that the global market for in vitro fertilization is estimated to reach USD 36.39 billion by 2026.[15] The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), a self-described professional society, possesses powerful and operational lobbying capacity. One workshop conferee was its president-elect. Another, also a member of the planning committee, was an ASRM past president. A balanced analysis of IVG might include their points of view and input. But to avoid explicitly discussing the influence such connections may have on the conference framing, structure, and proposed policies suggests that disclosure of a conflict of interest is considered by the NAS to magically neutralize the effects of its possession. Registering any concern to the contrary did not appear to be an option.

Regulators or midwives?

Whereas the workshop format limited critical discussion, there was ample space for considering whether and how IVG could be shepherded into socio-legal acceptance and clinical use given the current regulatory landscape. This calls into question what it is that constitutes the role and social function of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS.) Is it meant to function as advocate for controversial technology? The self-described raison detre of the NAS is to, provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society.[16] The workshop on IVG, however, was less an independent, objective consideration of the scientific, regulatory, and ethical implications of reproductive use of gametogenesis, than a brainstorming opportunity to think through what it would take to assist IVG into becoming a legally accepted, societally normalized feature of clinical practice.

Scientists summarized their research, explaining how they are learning to make and mature gametes (actually, gamete-like cells) from stem cells, and they related what limitations they have encountered, given scientific, ethical, and regulatory constraints. In response, bioethical techno-boosters energetically shared advice on how to overcome obstacles to moving forward. This included speculating on how to skirt regulations and gain FDA approval by redefining terms and potentially parsing the creation of IVG embryos as not involving eggs and sperm, per se, but manufactured products.

Harvard Law professor and bioethicist Glenn Cohen asked scientists what questions they needed answered to get their experiments off hold. Alta Charo is Professor Emerita of Law and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin. After disclosing several conflicts of interests (including serving as a paid consultant to Conception Bioscience, whose CEO was also presenting at the workshop) her presentation and Q & A discussion analyzed the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, and a 2016 budgetary rider that prohibits federal funding of, research in which a human embryo is intentionally created or modified to include a heritable genetic modification.[17] Would this apply to embryos made from IVG gametes? The language is, Charo advised, susceptible to multiple interpretations. But the original motivation behind the language would preclude it being liberally interpreted: You might get away with the current language, you could have an interpretation that gives you the freedom, but Id say that theres an excellent chance that at the state and federal level, somebodys going to catch on and pass something else that clarifies that this, too, is not allowed.

Matt Krisiloff, CEO and Cofounder of Conception Bioscience, (and patent applicant) suggested that it could be argued that gametogenesis was less manipulative than other technologies, adding later that it might be possible to designate it as therapy and thereby evade prohibitions.

Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research of the FDA, fielded the question as to whether IVG embryos could be regulated as standard commercial biological products? Would the 12-year exclusivity period apply? Or would this be considered more of a human cell/tissue product? Marks responded that, Youd like to refer to it as a cell or tissue product but given how its made, its more manipulated than that.The reasons why I love what I do is that youd probably have to find another pathway or adapt another pathway to make things work here. The concept of a human embryo having 12-year exclusivity is off the rocker. But weve had to do worseI never thought wed be regulating human stool, and Im doing that right now. So, well find a way to adapt. Wed obviously have to do it in a humanistic way because, at the end of the dayyou dont want these childrenyou dont want somebody to be growing up and feel like they werefigure out some nice name for new product  that thats what they were. Wed want to figure out a way that would make this humanized. There is an irony in fretting over how not to dehumanize non-existing future children while ignoring the present devaluing, if not dehumanization, of people with disabilities, adopted people, people born of donor gametes, and children of some ethnic groups who, owing to their disproportionate representation among the poor, do not participate in reproductive technologies.

No one questioned why it was appropriate for a representative of the FDA to be counseling IVG promoters concerning what it will take, in terms of defining terminology, to see the technology approved in advance of public consideration of whether it should be approved. Quite the contrary, bioethicist Hank Greely counseled Marks that he might want to think about ways of expediting the approval process.

Johns Hopkins bioethicist, Jeffrey Kahn counseled that when seeking approval, promoters might get traction with legislators if they talked about the issue of competitive leadership. Peter Marks agreed: talking about advanced technology leaving our shores gets some people woken up.

Near the end of the workshop, UCLA stem cell biologist Amander Clark admitted that,

It makes me very nervous to think of a [human] embryo as a manufactured product. But this comment immediately followed her approvingly anticipating that we will be manufacturing a gamete that is then used to generate an embryo. The cognitive dissonance is striking. How can an entity, constituted in a laboratory from manufactured gametes, not itself be a manufactured product? Either way, the terminological gymnastics of IVG advocates lands them on shaky ground. On the one hand, declaring the lab manufactured entity to be an embryo makes for an easier sell to potential parents who do not wish to burden their child with the stigma of being a product; on the other hand, declaring the entity to be a product could, arguably, avoid triggering federal funding prohibitions which applies to embryos (see above and footnote 17).

There is another key aspect concerning terminology that the NAS workshop overlooked: scientist-entrepreneurs are not manufacturing true gametes but, rather, gamete-like cells. The administrators and bioethicists at the NAS meeting went along with the scientist-entrepreneur business principals in referring to IVGs as gametes: i.e., eggs and sperm. Relevant to this is that IVG research is part of a larger program of scientific investigation devoted to deriving cells of all types from laboratory-engineered induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. Scientists working in this area, both outside and inside the reproductive context, continually acknowledge that differentiated cells derived from IPSCs only resemble the real thing. They fall short in ways that can be measured genetically. Much of the field of IPSC research is devoted to bringing the gene expression profiles of experimental products in line with in vivo[18] cell types. By this criterion the engineered cells that give rise to IVGs are germ cell-like cells, not actual germ cells. [19]

The acceptance by clients (potential parents) of this procedure will depend on their being seduced into thinking there is no difference between gamete-like cells and actual gametes. It is possible that there will be no way to produce completely normal gametes by these methods. There is a range of variations among normal gametes and there will be a different range for IVGs. There will be an overlap, but when hundreds of expressed genes are at issue (which is likely to be the case) normality cannot be rigorously defined. The criteria for calling something an egg or sperm cell are likely to be arbitrary and nonrigorous.

Opposing lab-manufactured humans

The most compelling reason to move forward with reproductive gametogenesis, declared Hank Greely, is that those who desire to have a biological child but cannot are suffering; because they are suffering, they deserve to be helped. The only good reason not to move ahead, he asserted, would be lack of safety guarantees. His framing went unchallenged at the workshop: any other ethical hesitations offered at the conference lost standing as justifications for curtailing the technology.

There is, of course, good reason to be concerned about safety. At what point can a child resulting from a synthetic embryo be considered safe from unintended consequences? The definition, health, and suitability for reproduction of authentic gametes depend on hundreds of thousands of factors whose coordinated function has been refined over millions of years of evolution. There is no way to test exhaustively if an IVG cell, concocted from a somatic cell in the lab, fulfills these criteria. While they can be used in fertilization and possibly yield something that looks like a normal embryo, how can its lack of procedure-introduced anomalies be confirmed? What are the criteria for determining safety? Over how many generations?

Conferees recognized the difficulties of tracking these human experiments, i.e., children born from IVG. Parents could give their consent to following the fate of their own children. But, at some point, the children themselves would need to give consent. And what about those childrens children? How many generations need to be tracked before IVG can be considered safe? Is intergenerational consent possible? If such human experimentation fails and children down the road are found to have developmental anomalies or impairments, who along the chain of production would be liable? If experimentation is not controlled (in the sense of comparative treatments with critical factors omitted), if accountability is impossible, is the program ethical? Enthusiasts were troubled but not deterred by the difficulties of long-term tracking of generations of children. The question of whether one can conduct a rigorous on-going scientific experiment without adequate data collection went unanswered. The even more fundamental questions of whether one can ethically experiment on prospective humans, the human gene pool, the human species, and with evolution itself went unasked.

Conclusion: Who wants synthetic eggs and sperm?

The National Infertility Association, RESOLVE, is a patient advocacy group for medically infertile people seeking to build families. When its representative at the workshop was asked if her clients were seeking synthetic gametes she replied, somewhat reluctantly, that they were not. Her answer opened an inquiry that was inadequately considered. But at a later session, University of Cape Town Professor of Sociology, Amrita Pande, asserted that, demand for many things can be createdits not just about supply meeting demand. The observation begs questions: who, right now, is asking for IVG and what does it tell us?

Conception Bioscience is a company working to develop egg-like cells to be fertilized, implanted, and gestated. Its CEO Matt Krisiloff, mentioned above, reported that his company is often contacted by people wanting to have biological children. Such desires represent potential demand. IVG boosters in attendance shared ideas on undertaking patient advocacy to stimulate market demand, including selecting the most appealing first human experiment candidate to trigger sympathetic appeal (proposed as a young, female cancer survivor.) But, at present, there is scant call for synthetic eggs or sperm from medically infertile people seeking to have a child.

By contrast, entrepreneurial scientists with patent applications want in vitro gametes. Venture capitalists want them. IVF industry clinicians, in anticipation of an assumed demand, want them. Privately funded companies, like Conception Bioscience, which came into existence to capitalize on the expectant emerging disease category of the socially infertile, want them. Anyone with the incentive to invest in the technology wants them. And this raises a question: should individuals and contingents with such financial motivations be leading the opening volley on whether society should experiment so dramatically with the human species and, while doing so, embrace the ultimate human commodification: children.

Much disliked by techno boosters is the 1997 dystopian film Gattaca, describing as it does a future where, through freely chosen genetic selection, society has devolved into eugenic classes, the genetic haves and have nots (the movies valids and invalids). In 2015, a Nature editorial counseled its professional readers not to participate in discussions of the film, and a science writer for the NY Times called for an international ban on invoking it.[20] Similarly, at the NAS workshop, Alta Charo prefaced her remote presentation with the off-hand instruction to colleagues in the room that its a good idea to avoid engaging the topic of eugenics.[21]

In The New Yorkers coverage of startup companies behind gametogenesis, The Future of Fertility, Emily Witt quotes Hank Greely predicting that, in the next twenty to forty years sex will no longer be the method by which most people make babies (among humans with good health coverage, he qualified). No wonder promoters of genetic reproductive technologies advise not talking about eugenics or its film avatar, Gattaca. If Greelys prediction is correct, the films prescience (along with that of Aldous Huxleys equally dystopian 1931 novel Brave New World) would be amply supported. While estimates vary, IVG users would be implanting their fabricated embryo after selection for experimental success (suitable traits, lack of evident errors) from scores or hundreds of similar ones. This would be assembly-line eugenics, with predictable social effects.[22]

The NAS workshop on IVG was an occasion for interested parties to think through what it will take to enable IVG to become a legally accepted, societally normalized feature of clinical practice  an option on fertility clinics menu of services. The gathering was structured to dissipate the impact of objections to using IVG to create fabricated embryos for implantation and gestation. Rather than offering a balanced assessment of what is at stake for humanity should gametogenesis be clinically employed, the conference functioned to fine-tune public lobbying for normalization of an exotic and controversial technology. Advocates of the technology suggested instituting public outreach programs. Programs could include science museums for children that introduce them to eggs, embryos, and IVG; outreach should instill a degree of scientific literacy, pitched to a grade-school level, and sympathetically packaged. But there was no mention of teaching about the always-present risks of powerful technologies, or the need for social-science literacy, one that takes seriously critical considerations that advocates at the workshop did not see fit to engage.

The concept of the technological imperative is that new technologies, considered useful by their promoters, will inevitably be developed and applied. Even so, public debate fittingly ensues as to whether chatbots are conscious, whether AI paintings are art, or whether the imitative properties of lab-manufactured meat warrants the nutritive deficits required to accomplish them. Elite science society meetings should not obscure the fact that manufacturing synthetic embryos will blur the boundaries between humans and objects and, further, provide an incentive for quality control that develops, inexorably, into a platform for eugenics.[23]

California coda

Technologies can stray far afield from their originally approved contexts. Conception Biosciences Matt Krisiloff explained, for example, the choice of California for its corporate base: it is a state that permits the creation of embryos. But California did not legalize the creation of embryos to enable manufacturing them, up to scale and on demand, to create children. Rather, California permitted creating embryos to facilitate researching embryonic stem cells to assist in finding cures for an array of diseases. Will a company be able to secure an enabling environment when the originating approval was for an entirely different reason? Should it be allowed to? Just how far can technologies be allowed to stray from their original contexts.[24]

California has a lot at stake in getting the answer right. It may be a state that permits the creation of embryos but it is also a state that acknowledges its own shameful role in promoting 20th century eugenics. In March 2003, Governor Gray Davis apologized to all those affected by Californias eugenics movement.[25] In June 2003, the California Senate passed Senate Resolution SR 20 acknowledging that: The goal of the eugenics movement of the twentieth century was racial betterment through the elimination of hereditary disorders or genetic defects by means of sterilization, selective breeding, and social engineering. It urged all citizens to become familiar with the history of the eugenics movement and resolved that: this resolution addresses past bigotry and intolerance against the persons with disabilities and others who were viewed as genetically unfit by the eugenics movement [26] There has been sustained effort to compensate the victims of state sponsored eugenics.[27] Additionally, in 2018, faculty at the University of California, Berkeley uncovered that the university was receiving ongoing research funding from the Genealogical Eugenics Institute Fund. The funds were frozen, and in 2020 its payouts were repurposed to educate the campus community and the public about eugenics cruel history.[28]

Promoters of technologies with eugenic capacity often attempt to distinguish between state sponsored eugenics, on the one hand, and the mere aggregation of choices made in a free market, on the other. The distinction is disingenuous. Twentieth century eugenics is replete with examples of Fitter Family Contests.[29] What could be more free market than competition? As public debates on reproductive gametogenesis get underway, California needs to consider its leadership role. Will it undo the singular moral impact of denouncing its infamous leadership in 20th century eugenics only to launch a new chapter, leading the nation in 21st century techno-eugenics?

Stuart Newman is Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, and a member of the board of directors of the Alliance for Humane Biotechnology (AHB), San Francisco, California. Tina Stevens is Lecturer Emerita of History, San Francisco State University and Director of the AHB. They are the authors of Biotech Juggernaut: Hope, Hype, and Hidden Agendas of Entrepreneurial Bioscience (Routledge, 2019). This article is based on an AHB White Paper.

Footnotes

[1] Newman, Stuart, Our Assembly-Line Future?, CounterPunch, July 31, 2018, https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/07/31/our-assembly-line-future/

[2] Vaughan-Jackson, Alun, Szymon Stodolak, Kourosh H. Ebrahimi, Cathy Browne, Paul K. Reardon, Elisabete Pires, Javier Gilbert-Jaramillo, Sally A. Cowley, and William S. James. 2021. Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells to authentic macrophages using a defined, serum-free, open-source medium. Stem Cell Reports 16 (7):1735-1748. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.05.018; Chen, SW., Wong, YH. (2023). Directed Differentiation of Human iPSCs into Microglia-Like Cells Using Defined Transcription Factors. In: Huang, YW.A., Pak, C. (eds) Stem Cell-Based Neural Model Systems for Brain Disorders. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2683. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3287-1_5

[3] See, for example, Emily Witt, The Future of Fertility: a new crop of biotech startups wants to revolutionize human reproduction, The New Yorker, April 17, 2023. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/04/24/the-future-of-fertility

[4] See Day 1 presentation by Paula Amato of Oregon Health and Sciences University

[5] Ibid.

[6] http://www.humanebiotech.org/sign-egg-donor-petition

[7] https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/04-19-2023/in-vitro-derived-human-gametes-as-a-reproductive-technology-scientific-ethical-and-regulatory-implications-a-workshop?i=_w2WaLdVBmoX8Qhu35lMHUiFdk-doqH7

[8] See also: Katie Hasson, Lab-Made Gametes Takes Center Stage, BioPolitical Times, 05.16.23: https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/lab-made-gametes-take-center-stage

[9]National Academies, Agenda for workshop on In Vitro Derived Human Gametes.: Scientific, Ethical, Regulatory, Legal and Clinical Implications: A Workshop, April 19-21 https://www.nationalacademies.org/documents/embed/link/LF2255DA3DD1C41C0A42D3BEF0989ACAECE3053A6A9B/file/DA5ED106FF2081C69862FF4741D440B29583B2E3B06E?noSaveAs=1

[10] Hugh Taylor, MD. Yale University, past president of (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) ASRM https://www.nationalacademies.org/documents/embed/link/LF2255DA3DD1C41C0A42D3BEF0989ACAECE3053A6A9B/file/D6E1AB97133CA53B50915EF694553F8AAAB166467CDE?noSaveAs=1.

[11] On the questions of whether IVG is actually a boon for LGTBQ families see, Darnovsky, Marcy, Bioengineered Gametes: Techno-Liberation or Techno-Trap, BioPolitical Times 08.26.2020: https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/bioengineered-gametes-techno-liberation-or-techno-trap

[12] IVG also ramps up possibilities for the controversial use of polygenic risk scores to predict social success. See, Ball, Philip, Polygenic screening of embryos is here but is it ethical, The Guardian,10.17.2021

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/oct/17/polygenic-screening-of-embryos-is-here-but-is-it-ethical

and Shanks, Pete, ACMG: Do Not Use Polygenic Risk Scores for Embryo Selection, 03.21.2023, https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/acmg-do-not-use-polygenic-risk-scores-embryo-selection

[13] Dr. Ari Brivanlou of Rockefeller University, for example, disclosed that he is also a Cofounder of Rumi Scientific which deals directly with clinical applications of the kind of work they do; Lawyer-bioethicist Alta Charo sits on the boards or advises bio-companies that are developing the technologies e.g., Conception BioSciences; Paula Amato, President elect of ASRM, receives funding from Open Philanthropy which also funded the workshop.

[14] Open Philanthropy, a funder of the National Academies Workshop also funds research by Paula Amato and Katsuhiko Hayashi, for example.

[15]Fortune Business Insights: In Vitro Fertilization Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Conventional IVF, and IVF with ICSI), By Procedure (Fresh Non-donor, Frozen Non-donor, Fresh Donor, and Frozen Donor), By End User (Hospitals, and Fertility Clinics) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/in-vitro-fertilization-ivf-market-102189

[16]https://www.nationalacademies.org/about#:~:text=The%20National%20Academies%20of%20Sciences,for%20the%20benefit%20of%20society.

[17] [The] Dickey-Wicker Amendmenthas been passed annually within the federal budget for the US Department of Health and Human Services since 1995, prohibiting scientists from obtaining funding for human embryo research work from the US NIHThe Dickey-Wicker Amendmentspecifically bans federal funding for the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes or research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subject to risk of injury or death, including developing hESC lines. The amendment only applies to federal funding and does not affect R&D funded by state or local governments or private institutions. Mathews, Kristin RW and Morali, Daniel, National human embryo and embryoid research policies: a survey or 22 top research-intensive countries, Regenerative Medicine Vol. 15 No. 7

https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/10.2217/rme-2019-0138

[18] In vivo refers to a process that takes place inside a living organism, as opposed to test tubes culture dishes.

[19] See, for example, Seita Y, Hwang YS, Sasaki K. Reconstitution of Human Prospermatogonial Development from Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol. 2023; 2656:145-159. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3139-3_8. PMID: 37249870. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37249870/

[20] See, Stevens, Tina and Newman, Stuart, Biotech Juggernaut: Hope, Hype and Hidden Agendas of Entrepreneurial BioScience (New York: Routledge 2019) p. 118).

[21] This admonition does not appear in the edited recorded version.

[22] See UC Davis Professor of Law Lisa Ikemotos presentations and Q & A regarding access and cost issues.

[23] Newman, Stuart, Our Assembly-Line Future?, (op. cit., ref. 1)

[24] Could gametogenic development be put in the service of global defense departments calls for human augmentation for military purpose? See, Ministry of Defence, Human Augmentation  the Dawn of a New Paradigm.https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/986301/Human_Augmentation_SIP_access2.pdf

[25]Ingram, Carl, State Issues Apology for Policy of Sterilization, Los Angeles Times, March 12, 2003.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-12-me-sterile12-story.html

[26] https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=200320040SR20

[27] https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB3052

[28]Manke, Kara, Berkeley Public Health announces plans to rename, repurpose former eugenic fund, Berkeley News, October 26, 2020.

https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/10/26/berkeley-public-health-announces-plans-to-rename-repurpose-former-eugenics-fund/

[29]Uenuma, Francine, Better Babies Contests Pushed for Much-Needed Infant Health but Also Played Into the Eugenics Movement, Smithsonian Magazine, January 17, 2019. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/better-babies-contests-pushed-infant-health-also-played-eugenics-movement-180971288/
A former CNN television producer who had pleaded guilty to luring a 9-year-old girl into illegal sexual acts was sentenced Tuesday to more than 19 years in prison and an additional 15 years of supervised release during a U.S. District Court hearing in Vermont.

John Griffin of Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in federal court in December to using interstate commerce to entice and coerce the girl to engage in sexual activity at his Vermont ski house.

As part of the 2022 plea deal, the government dropped two remaining counts of enticement of a minor against Griffin, then 45 year old.

Griffin had initially pleaded not guilty in 2021. He has been ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

According to the plea deal, Griffin met a woman on a website during the summer of 2020 and persuaded the woman to bring her daughter to his Ludlow, Vermont, ski home for sexual activity.

Griffin paid the woman and girl to fly from Nevada to Boston, picked them up and drove them to his Vermont home where the girl said Griffin sexually assaulted her, court records say.

A CNN reporter fell victim to a 'smash-and-grab' robbery while reporting on San Francisco's "rampant street crime." In a series of tweets on Friday, CNN correspondent Kyung Lah described how her rental car's rear window was smashed within seconds by thieves who then made off with her bags.

Saturday, December 11, 2021 - CNN Producer Arrested, Accused Of Raping Children As Young As 9

A CNN producer who worked shoulder to shoulder with Chris Cuomo for years was just arrested for soliciting children for sex

Saturday, December 14, 2019 - CNN Producer Accused Of Rewarding Female Employees For Sexual Favors Quits Following Project Veritas Expose

An October expose by Project Veritas has resulted in the resignation of CNN producer Steve Brusk, who was accused on undercover footage of sexual misconduct and rewarding female employees for sexual favors.
Ever since he took over Twitter, Elon Musk has been under fire from various political and media corners, and the EU was hardly to be expected to miss out on this witch-hunt of sorts.

Now, Musk appears to be appeasing the Brussels bureaucrats by promising that his social media company will respect EU laws designed to fight disinformation and hate speech.

This transpires from an interview Musk gave to the France 2 channel, and according to reports, he phrased it like this (the interview was, as is the custom in continental Europe, dubbed in the local language rather than subtitled):

If laws are passed, Twitter will obey the law.

The law he seems to have been referring to, responding to a question, is the Digital Services Act (DSA), which is already in force and will start to be applied on August 25.

It basically regulates content moderation  or, some would say, censorship  on the web.

The EU is certainly not one of those who would call it that  positive language is used instead to describe the legislation, as something that will force big platforms to protect consumers, and, reduce harm.

Notwithstanding its actual market position and user numbers  compared to true Big Tech behemoths  the EU now considers Twitter a very large platform, and thus, content posted on there is fair game under the DSA.

But Musk appears to be talking out of both sides of his mouth in a way that might please free speech enthusiasts, but is positively enraging EU officials  namely, he removed Twitter from a group of social media companies that had previously agreed to the EUs anti-disinformation code.

It is formally a voluntary commitment  but in reality, it was introduced as something these companies would either submit to  or else.

The European Commission has not only a commissioner for values and transparency  but also a deputy, one Vera Jourova, who scathingly described Musks decision to abandon the voluntary code as picking to go about things the hard way and heading towards confrontation with the bloc.

(So much for the voluntary nature of it all, eh.)

Speaking for France 2, Musk seems to have gone for a platitudes word salad, perhaps on purpose.

Here are some of the things he has said:

(Twitters goal is to have) good interactions from many different viewpoints (promoting) better understanding between people from different political parties or different countries  and  I want Twitter to be a force for good in civilization.
YouTube has continued its censorship of those with opposing positions on Covid 19 and vaccines. This week it prevented users from hearing the views of Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Despite Kennedy running on the failures of the pandemic response, YouTube will not allow users to hear what it considers harmful thoughts.

On Sunday, both Kennedy and podcast host Jordan Peterson tweeted that they were the latest to be censored by the company. Kennedy tweeted: What do you think Should social media platforms censor presidential candidates? My conversation with [Peterson] was deleted by [YouTube].

He added: Luckily you can watch it here on [Twitter] (thank you [Elon Musk]).

The incident shows why many on the left continue an unrelenting attack on Musk and Twitter. Musk eliminated most of the companys censorship system and, despite a few censorship controversies, the site is now the most open social media site among the major companies.

A Google spokesperson told Fox News Digital YouTube removed a video from the Jordan Peterson channel for violating YouTubes general vaccine misinformation policy, which prohibits content that alleges that vaccines cause chronic side effects, outside of rare side effects that are recognized by health authorities.

Rather than allow experts and others to debate that question, Google and YouTube will not allow the debate to occur. It is consistent with calls from Democratic leaders for dissenting voices to be removed on subjects ranging from Covid to gender identity to climate control.

We have been discussing efforts by figures like Hillary Clinton to enlist European countries to force Twitter to restore censorship rules. Unable to rely on corporate censorship or convince users to embrace censorship, Clinton and others are resorting to good old-fashioned state censorship, even asking other countries to censor the speech of American citizens.

President Joe Biden has at times acted as a virtual censor-in-chief, denouncing social-media companies for killing people by not censoring enough. Recently, he expressed doubt that the public can know the truth without such censorship by editors in Big Tech. There is growing evidence of long-suspected back channels between government and Democratic political figures and Big Tech. Some of those contacts were recently confirmed but Congress again refused to investigate.

For years, scientists faced censorship for even raising the lab theory as a possible explanation for the virus. Their reputations and careers were shredded by a media flash mob. The Washington Post declared this a debunked coronavirus conspiracy theory. The New York Times Science and Health reporter Apoorva Mandavilli was calling any mention of the lab theory racist.

When a Chinese researcher told Fox News that this was man-made, the network was attacked and the left-leaning PolitiFact slammed her with a pants on fire rating.

The mask mandate and other pandemic measures like the closing of schools are now cited as fueling emotional and developmental problems in children. The closing of schools and businesses was challenged by some critics as unnecessary. Many of those critics were also censored. It now appears that they may have been right. Many countries did not close schools and did not experience increases in Covid. However, we are now facing alarming drops in testing scores and alarming rises in medical illness among the young.

The point is only that there were countervailing indicators on mask efficacy and a basis to question the mandates. Yet, there was no real debate because of the censorship supported by many Democratic leaders in social media. To question such mandates was declared a public health threat and what the WHO called our infodemic.

A lawsuit was filed by Missouri and Louisiana and joined by leading experts, including Drs. Jayanta Bhattacharya (Stanford University) and Martin Kulldorff (Harvard University). Bhattacharya previously objected to the suspension of Dr. Clare Craig after she raised concerns about Pfizer trial documents. Those doctors were the co-authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for a more focused Covid response that targeted the most vulnerable population rather than widespread lockdowns and mandates. Many are now questioning the efficacy and cost of the massive lockdown as well as the real value of masks and the rejection of natural immunities as an alternative to vaccination. Yet, these experts and others were attacked for such views just a year ago. Some found themselves censored on social media for challenging claims of Dr. Fauci and others.

The media has quietly acknowledged the science questioning mask efficacy and school closures without addressing its own role in attacking those who raised these objections.

Yet, the censorship continues to the point that even a presidential candidate is now being silenced on social media.

The censorship of Kennedy is a national disgrace. Despite the proven legitimacy of prior censorship of viewpoints like the lab theory and natural immunities, Google continues to silence those with opposing views.

YouTube is signaling that this election will be another exercise in corporate approved messaging and ideas.

If you want to use YouTube, you will now have to engage in self-censorship, eliminating views that Google disagrees with. You may be able to Broadcast Yourself but you must first Censor Yourself . . . or YouTube will do it for you.


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Casino : Le concert mene par Fimalac detient 12,05% du capital

21 juin (Reuters) - L'Autorite des marches financier (AMF) declare dans un communique publie mercredi a propos de Casino Guichard Perrachon SA:

* LE CONCERT COMPOSE DES SOCIETES F. MARC DE LA LACHARRIERE (FIMALAC), FIMALAC DEVELOPPEMENT ET GESPARFO A PORTE SA PARTICIPATION A 12,05% DU CAPITAL

* F. MARC DE LA LACHARRIERE (FIMALAC) DETIENT 9,39% DU CAPITAL, FIMALAC DEVELOPPEMENT 1,0% ET GESPARFO 1,65% Pour plus de details, cliquez sur (Redaction de Paris)
"Chinese Bridge" language contest held in Lao capital

Xinhua) 13:24, June 21, 2023

Contestants, organizers and guests of the 22nd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Lao college students take a group photo after the competition held in Vientiane, Laos, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition, an annual Chinese proficiency competition for non-Chinese college students, was held in the Confucius Institute at the National University of Laos (NUOL) in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday.

NUOL President Oudom Phonekhampheng said in his opening address that the competition helps Lao students improve their Chinese language skills, and promotes educational and cultural exchanges between Laos and China, contributing to Laos-China friendship.

Du Changqing, a diplomat with the political section of the Chinese Embassy in Laos, said in his speech that the cultural exchanges between China and Laos have shown great vitality.

Du expressed hope that all participants in the competition will jointly work to enhance exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

The competition themed "One World, One Family" comprised three sections of speech, a knowledge quiz and a talent show. A total of 15 contestants from universities across Laos shared their understanding of the theme and their stories of Chinese language study and learning about Chinese culture, while demonstrating their knowledge about Chinese culture and giving Chinese art shows.

Lattanavong Phonethip from the NUOL Confucius Institute won the first prize in the competition. She will travel to China as the representative of Laos to participate in the 22nd "Chinese Bridge" global finals.

The NUOL started its Chinese language teaching in 2003.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
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Postal Code
A judge has ordered the arrest of a 16-year-old boy found guilty of attacking a Chinese national on a busy street in Dublin.

Dublin Children's Court heard the father was beaten up by youths in front of his daughter, racially abused and made to apologise after giving out to another boy who squirted him with water.

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The teen had denied the charge, claiming he acted in self-defence and was protecting his little brother, who had used a water gun before the incident which "escalated" into a gang attack.

The accused was found guilty by District Court President Judge Paul Kelly following a contested hearing in April.

Judge Kelly asked for a victim impact statement and a probation report on the teen for his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, however, the boy did not come to court and Judge Kelly issued gardai with a bench warrant.

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CCTV footage showed the boy repeatedly punching him while his teenage daughter stood nearby.

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He admitted that he hit the victim up to seven times before the others joined in, dragged the man along railings, and reined blows and kicks to his head and body.

Garda Ciara Burke told the court that the man had a swollen eye, bloody face, and blood coming from his nose when he arrived at Store Street Garda station minutes after the incident.

The victim reported he had spoken to a young boy who sprayed him with a water gun, but the accused became racially abusive and hit him before "a whole load of youths became involved".

Afterwards, they followed him and "made him apologise", or they would not leave him alone.

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Attack

Garda Burke obtained CCTV footage from the scene and arrested the boy after overhearing him telling a person about the incident three days later. The court heard the teen told her: "I just swung until he backed off."

In evidence, the victim recalled telling the defendant's brother, who squirted him with water, "Stop it", and he put his hands out but not him.

He said he was worried for his daughter and tried to walk away, but the accused started hitting him. Then, he said: "Some guys came across the road and hit me really bad. I was covered by my hat, so I did not see anything, and they kept hitting me; one guy hit me really bad."

He agreed with State solicitor, Mairead White, the group of youths made him apologise afterwards, telling the man: "If you don't say sorry, we won't let you go."

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The teen claimed in court that the victim had put his hand on his little brother and started giving out, so he went to defend him.

He alleged the man came at him and kicked him, and he claimed he was acting in self-defence but backed off and kept his distance when the incident escalated.

In cross-examination, the prosecution suggested he would have pulled his brother away if he had been protecting him.

The defence argued the boy had an "instinctive reaction" to defend his brother. However, Judge Kelly said the teen acted aggressively, not defensively, conviting the teen.
An Irish-based Chinese organised crime group has laundered millions of euros of drug trafficking proceeds on behalf of Irish criminals, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has alleged in the High Court.

CAB said members of the Chinese group for a fee provided a route for Irish-based criminals to access their criminal proceeds overseas.

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The bureau claims the leader of the Chinese gang, Mr Peng Fei He, has been seen meeting with Ciaran OSullivan, who, CAB alleges, has been convicted of drug offences in Spain and has alleged historical links to Christy Kinahan Sr.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens was satisfied the bureau made out a case that a money laundering operation involved people who immigrated to Ireland years ago from China.

He made orders on Wednesday deeming as crime proceeds various sums of cash, luxury goods and vehicles linked to a married couple before him nursing home worker Ms Xiaoxia Zheng and sushi restaurant courier Mr Jianfei Zheng and another Chinese national Mr Xie Xing Xue, who has an address in Bray who did not appear in court or enter a defence.

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A fourth person Mr Xues partner, Ms Feng Yun Chen consented to orders disposing of 43,000, an Audi A6 and a Louis Vuitton wallet in settlement of the Cabs case against her.

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The court heard the four are among 13 individuals alleged to be part of the Chinese criminal gang allegedly headed by Mr He, who has served time in prison for drug offences.

The bureaus case against the nine other alleged members, including Mr He, has yet to be heard.

CAB's barrister, Shelley Horan, told the court that individuals purchased high-value goods in Brown Thomas and other Irish stores to export them as a way of laundering money derived from crime.

Surveillance operation

Gardai seized hundreds of thousands of euros in cash during searches at various locations in June 2020 following a surveillance operation, she said. There was also evidence of vast sums passing through various bank accounts linked to members of the Chinese group, she said.

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Ruling in the CAB application for orders in respect of Mr and Ms Zheng and Mr Xue, Mr Justice Owens said it was quite clear they lent themselves to handling very very large sums of money that cannot be explained by their modest incomes.

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The explanation for the colossal sums is fairly obvious, and is answered in the confidential information obtained by investigating gardai that led to seizures of cash and luxury items, the judge said.

The evidence was coercive, he said, in demonstrating that Ms Chen was involved in opening a unit at Remedy Self Storage in Bray in which 117,000 cash accumulated in a short period.

He was also persuaded that Ms Zheng and Mr Xue were involved in opening a deposit box at Merrion Vaults in Ballsbridge that amassed 235,000 cash from 2019 to June 2020.

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Some 144,000 and 20,000 cash seized in a June 2020 search of Mr and Ms Zhengs address at The Grove, Millbrook Lawns, Tallaght, could not relate to any activity other than crime proceeds or criminal activity, the judge found.

The individuals simply did not have any identifiable assets that could cause them to obtain the working capital to engage in the overseas selling of luxury goods to the point of it producing the enormous sums in their bank accounts, he said.

Various explanations given to gardai about the source of the money do not add up, the judge added.

Mr Justice Owens said he listened carefully to Ms Zhengs explanation to the court, but she was in difficulty as she did not swear an affidavit in defence of the claim against her.

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PPE

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Ms Zheng earlier said some of the money was given to her to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used in China during the pandemic. Other sums were in her account because people asked her to keep it there, she said adding: I did it. I was so stupid I didnt know I would be helping something like this.

Other money found in her house was payback for money she lent Mr Hes wife and children while he was in prison, she added.

Her husband, she said, did not know anything about any of this and just goes to work and comes back home.

CAB told the court the assets associated with Mr Zheng were a Nissan Qashqai and 8,400 in an AIB account that previously contained much larger sums.

The judge said Ms Zhengs reference to PPE was entirely new and completely inconsistent with other explanations previously provided.

He accepted the well-founded belief evidence of CAB's chief bureau officer in relation to each of the assets linked to the three individuals.

Although the bureau did not disclose the confidential source of the original tip-off information, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, the judge said, and much circumstantial evidence emerged as silent witnesses in the case.

He deemed the various sums of cash and money in bank accounts to be, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, proceeds of crime. Many designer items, including handbags and wallets and three vehicles, were also, on the balance of probabilities, crime proceeds, he said.
A judge has urged parties to "meaningfully engage" in a High Court assessment of damages case in which the defendant is disputing the amount of compensation sought by a lorry driver who suffered horrific injuries in a head-on collision.

Roman Cios (65) was seriously injured when his lorry was hit head-on by another heavy goods vehicle which veered on to the wrong side of the road on September 21st, 2020, on the N24 Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel Road in Co Tipperary.

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Mr Cios (65), of Brooklawn, New Ross, Co Wexford, sued the vehicle owners, Heaney Meats Catering Ltd, with a registered address at Greenhills Road, Dublin.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey urged the sides to engage following cross-examination of Mr Cios and the presentation of video evidence.

The defendant claims the evidence calls into question Mr Cios's alleged disability which had led to claims that he now needs a single storey home, rather than the two-storey dwelling he currently lives in, and an adapted car.

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The judge said there seemed to be very little dispute about the medical evidence, and the court now had Mr Cios' response to the video evidence, adding it seemed to him that the parties should engage meaningfully to see if the issues could be narrowed.

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"The battle lines have now been drawn and it behoves the parties to engage with a view to achieving a settlement," the judge said.

Fatal collision

Opening the case, Michael Counihan SC, for Mr Cios, told the court that the driver of the other vehicle died as a result of his injuries while Mr Cios was seriously injured.

He said Mr Cios was rushed to hospital following the crash, where he spent a number of weeks in intensive care. His injuries included multiple fractures to his arms and left leg, a perforated duodenum and a pancreatic injury.

Liability is admitted but, while accepting Mr Cios' arm and upper body have been left badly affected, it is disputed that his mobility is affected by the injuries to his lower limbs.

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Mr Cios told the court, through a Polish interpreter, that he has problems with balance when walking as a result of the incident and was unable to use the stairs at home without assistance. He now has a bedroom downstairs, the court heard.

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He claimed he had only returned to driving the family car three or four months ago, explaining that his wife sometimes has to assist him in and out of the vehicle and someone has to be with him at all times when he was driving.

He also said he has been unable to return to professional driving, but the court heard he recently renewed his Polish licence to drive articulated vehicles and was certified by a Polish doctor to do so.

Mr Cios claims he would have continued working until he was 70 had it not been for the collision.

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The court heard is severely restricted in his ability to walk and wants to buy a single-storey house so he does not require assistance in going upstairs.

The defence alleges there is no medical evidence to support his claims about his mobility or that he will require to use a wheelchair in the future.

It is also disputing other aspects of the claiming, including 48,000 for an adapted car because he says his current vehicle is too low and he has difficulty getting in and out of it.

Video evidence was played to the court of Mr Cios getting into his car on two occasions between April and October 2022, and also last week.

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Moira Flahive SC, instructed by Declan O'Flaherty of Tormey Solicitors LLP, for the defendant, put it to Mr Cios that the videos showed not only was it some 14 months ago, not three or four months ago as he claimed, since he was able to resume driving, but that he had no problem getting in and out of the car or driving himself.

Mr Cios said sometimes his wife has to assist him getting in and out of the car, and even when she did not, she was always available to assist him.

Counsel also put to him, in relation to his loss of earnings claim, that there was no guarantee his company would continue to employ him after the normal retirement age of 65. He replied that before the collision, it was his intention to continue until he was 70 as others have done it, adding that he enjoyed working.

The case continues on Thursday.
Dermot Kennedy has issued an apology to the Irish Traveller community for comments he made during an interview with a Canadian music channel.

When asked to provide examples of Irish slang, he discussed a term derogatory to the Traveller community.

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In an apology posted on his Instagram account, Kennedy wrote: I would like to apologise to the Irish Traveller Community for any offence caused when discussing Irish slang in a recent interview.

I was not referring to anyone specific, and I never mean to cause harm with the words I say, so I am sorry for any distress Ive caused.

Dubin Senator Eileen Flynn labelled the comment "foolish".

Ms Flynn told Newstalk: "I dont think he was thinking."

She said some members of the Traveller community find the term offensive, while others do not.

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I dont think he meant harm by it, but it shows how normalised it is to be racist towards the Traveller community, she said.

I dont believe Dermot Kennedy was racist towards our community, he never mentioned the Traveller community in the video to be fair to him. But using the slur is not appropriate.

Ms Flynn, who is a member of the Traveller community, said she had emailed Kennedy to ask him for an apology.

Kennedy is set to perform at Dublin's Marlay Park on Friday, June 22nd and Saturday, June 23rd.
Ireland was among the most expensive countries in the EU for household expenditure on goods and services last year with prices 46 per cent above the EU average.

New figures published by the European Commission confirmed the high cost of living in the Republic, with only Switzerland and Iceland having higher overall consumer prices in 2022.

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The high level of overall prices in Ireland was largely driven by expensive alcohol and tobacco, energy, transport and communications prices, the report found.

With regard to alcohol and tobacco, the Republic had the most expensive prices in the EU, coming in at more than double the EU average.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Ireland were 116 per cent higher than average EU prices and 3.3 times more expensive than the cheapest EU country, Bulgaria. The report added that consumers spend on average 6 per cent of all household expenditure on such products.

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The report is based on price surveys covering more than 2,000 consumer goods and services across 36 European countries, including the 27 EU member states. It claimed the large price variation for alcohol and tobacco was mainly due to differences in how these products are taxed.

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The report also revealed that Ireland was the fourth most expensive country in the EU for food and non-alcoholic beverages in 2022, with prices 15 per cent above the EU average.

Only Denmark, Luxembourg and Malta were more expensive than Ireland for basic grocery items last year, on which consumers spend almost one fifth of their income.

Energy

Ireland was also found to have the second-highest energy prices in the EU, after Denmark. The figures showed the cost of electricity and gas in the Republic is 38 per cent above the EU average.

Irish consumers also face costly prices for communication services, which were 56 per cent above the EU average  the third most expensive in the EU after Belgium and Greece.

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The cost of restaurants and hotels was 28.5 per cent above EU average prices, making us the fourth most expensive country after Denmark, Finland and Luxembourg.

Motoring costs here were the third-highest in the EU and 13 per cent above average levels, while public transport prices were 27 per cent higher, making them joint-fourth most expensive alongside Denmark, coming in behind Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands.

On a positive note for Irish consumers, the cost of clothing in the Republic was 2 per cent below the EU average last year, while furniture prices were just 1 per cent higher the EU average.

The figures showed clothing prices in Ireland are comparatively cheaper than most EU member states, while footwear is also moderately priced by EU standards, at 5 per cent above average levels.

Similarly, the cost of household appliances in Ireland is relatively cheap, just 6.5 per cent above the EU average, and consumer electronics are 6 per cent above the EU average.

Overall, consumer prices in Romania were the lowest in the EU, with overall costs 42 per cent below the average, while Turkey has the cheapest cost of living among the countries examined, with prices 60 per cent below the EU average.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has restated that Ireland will consider taking an interstate case if the UK governments controversial legacy Bill is passed.

The legacy Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

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Victims groups, human rights experts, Amnesty International and all political parties in Northern Ireland are opposed to the Bill.

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The legislation is set to return to the UK's House of Lords on Wednesday.

Raising the issue in the Dail, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that if it passed the Lords stage, it would definitively shut the door on families efforts to achieve truth and justice through the courts, and it will of course give an amnesty to those responsible for their deaths.

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Asked what action Ireland intended to take, the Taoiseach responded: The Bill has not yet been enacted, and certainly if it is enacted, if it does become law, we will then at that point give consideration to whether an interstate case is appropriate, so we certainly dont rule that out.

But I would encourage everyone to play their part when it comes to legacy issues, we all have a role to play.

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He told TDs: I just want to reiterate and restate the Governments opposition to this legacy Bill.

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We think its entirely the wrong approach to give former army servicemen, former IRA and paramilitary terrorists immunity from prosecution.

We owe it to the victims to make sure that we all do everything we can to make sure that any information that can be given to the police is given to the police and that those people are prosecuted if at all possible.

And thats why were very much against this legacy Bill, and Ive made that very clear to the Prime Minister, as has the Tanaiste (Micheal Martin) with his counterparts.

Its been discussed with the US president, and is discussed at European level as well.

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A man has gone on trial charged with neglect, reckless endangerment and sexual abuse of his partners very young children.

The 29-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the now seven-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 10 charges involving sexual assault, reckless endangerment and child cruelty on dates between March 2018 and April 2018. The children were just under two and three years old at the time.

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Shane Costelloe SC, prosecuting, told the jury that it would hear evidence the nearly two-year-old girl was taken to hospital in April 2018, following a home visit by gardai and social workers, after they had noticed bruising and facial injuries.

On examination of the child, doctors discovered severe injuries to her genital area. Medical staff concluded that the injuries were so traumatic that there would have been potentially fatal consequences for the child had those injuries been left untreated.

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Mr Costelloe said that six months earlier, in November 2017, an investigation commenced after the then 18-month-old girl was taken to the Emergency Department of a Dublin hospital due to extensive bruising on her body.

This led to a referral being made to Tusla and the gardai being alerted.

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Shopping centre incident

Mr Costelloe said in April 2018 gardai were contacted when concerns were raised about the way a young boy and girl were being treated by a man in Dublin shopping centre.

The jury were told they will be shown CCTV footage from the shopping centre that day and hear evidence from security officers who were working there.

Mr Costelloe said that same day, gardai discovered the siblings on their own outside an apartment block.

A decision was then made to arrange a visit to the childrens home and gardai attended there with social workers that same day, when a decision was made to take the little girl to hospital.

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Mr Costelloe said the man did not want the child to be taken to hospital.

Counsel said during the childs medical examination her nappy was removed and it was immediately apparent that she had a significant injury to her vagina.

Mr Costelloe said the injury was so severe that the back of the childs vaginal wall had effectively been obliterated and that the injury had extended it to the little girls perianal region.

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Counsel told the jury that doctors concluded that the injuries had potentially fatal consequences had they been left untreated.

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The girl was also X-rayed that day and it was discovered that she had a fracture to her wrist. The doctors determined that the injury was about least four weeks old as it had begun to heal.

The following day, the boy was brought in for medical examination and was found to have bruising on his body.

Mr Costelloe said the children were later interviewed by specialist gardai and the jury will be shown videos of these interviews. The man was arrested and questioned.

Charges

The man pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the infant girl by penetrating her vagina with an object and to intentionally or recklessly endangering her by failing to seek medical help for injuries to her genital area and on another occasion by failing to seek medical help for an injury to her wrist.

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The man also pleaded not guilty to wilfully assaulting or ill-treating the infant boy by causing bruising to his penis, body and face and to wilfully assaulting or ill-treating both children at a Dublin shopping centre.

The man pleaded not guilty to wilfully, illtreating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing the children by leaving them alone together outside the door of an apartment.

Finally, the man pleaded not guilty to wilfully, assaulting or illtreating the girl by causing bruising to her face and body and additionally to sexually assaulting the same child by biting her on her genital area.

The trial continues before Mr Justice David Keane.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/, or visit Rape Crisis Help
A paramedic who suffered significant injuries when his ambulance driver was forced to brake violently to avoid a collision has been awarded 50,500 in the Civil Circuit Court.

Judge James ODonohoe heard that Matthew Landy (52) was looking after an elderly critically ill patient in the back of the ambulance when he was thrown from his seat onto the floor when the ambulance driver had to take evasive action to avoid the car, which had pulled out in front of the ambulance, the court heard.

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Mr Landy, of Golden Grove Road, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, had sued The National Ambulance Service and the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) for 60,000 damages arising from the non-collision incident in July 2017.

Barrister Jack Nicholas, who appeared with Hogan Dowling McNamara Solicitors, said Mr Landy had been tending to a patient who had inhaled vomit into her lungs and was being rushed to hospital in Drogheda at the time.

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Mr Nicholas explained a since-untraced car had suddenly pulled out in front of the ambulance, causing the ambulance driver to have to brake suddenly. Mr Landy was thrown from his seat in the rear of the ambulance during the incident.

Mr Landy said that after having administered treatment to the patient, he had been reading her medical notes while monitoring her condition and sitting, facing the patient, on the observers seat. When the emergency braking manoeuvre occurred, he had been thrown onto the floor, landing on the base of his spine.

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He suffered an undisplaced fracture to his coccyx, and although he returned to work two months after the incident, he still suffered pain while sitting which affect continues to impact him, particularly after a shift or when lying in bed.

Mr Landy said he was still working for the ambulance service and confirmed to the judge that he had not been wearing his safety belt at the time.

The court heard there was a sign in the back of the ambulance which stated the safety belt should be worn while the revolving seat was facing the front of the vehicle. However, Mr Landy said he had been seated facing his patient at the time, and a forensic engineer told the court the across the chest safety belt would not have prevented him from falling sideways off the seat.

Dismissing the case against The National Ambulance Service, Judge ODonohoe awarded Mr Landy 50,500 against the MIBI, which is the compensation fund in incidents where the vehicle responsible is untraced or uninsured.

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This is an unfortunate situation, Judge ODonohoe said. The plaintiff is a very impressive and truthful witness and is to be commended for having risked his own safety while looking after the patient.

The judge added that Mr Landys co-worker was very experienced and had given very fair evidence, noting that had she not braked she would have collided with the car which had pulled out ahead of her.
Plans for a major new regional water treatment plant to serve communities near the Co Cork village of Whitegate have been put on hold following objections by two local residents.

Appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against the recent decision of Cork County Council to grant planning permission for the new plant at a site at Knocknamadderree, Kilva, Co Cork  around 1.5km northwest of the village of Cloyne.

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Uisce Eireann  formerly known as Irish Water  has claimed that the proposed multi-million euro facility will end the frequent boil water notices that have affected communities in parts of east Cork in recent years.

The company, which is working in partnership with Cork County Council on the project, has stated that the new state-of-the-art water treatment facility will serve approximately 10,300 people living in east Cork.

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It blamed the problems affecting the water supply in the area on various complex issues and noted that the source of the supply was highly vulnerable to infection with cryptosporidium.

'Traffic hazard'

One of the appellants, Margaret Glavin, claimed the proposed facility is being constructed on the highest point in east Cork which meant it could be seen from as far away as the Galtee Mountains.

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Ms Glavin also expressed concern that there is no provision for parking for construction staff and associated machinery and warned the development could create a major traffic hazard.

I cant see how a safety officer can sign off on this, she remarked.

Another appellant, Richard Glavin, claimed that Uisce Eireann was incorrectly claiming to own a party boundary ditch in planning files submitted to the council.

Mr Glavin also cited concerns about traffic levels and the location of the plant which he warned would be a prominent feature on the highest point in east Cork for hundreds of years to come.

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You cant hide this plant but it can be designed right and blended in, he added.

Mr Glavin argued that the facility could be located anywhere adjacent to the pipeline that runs between the reservoir at Knocknamadderree and the water source near Ladysbridge, Co Cork.

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He also warned that the case could end up in court if An Bord Pleanala upholds the councils grant of planning permission and it interfered with the party boundary ditch or his property.

Mr Glavin acknowledged that the project was a vital plant for east Cork and that he would look favourably on it if Uisce Eireann withdrew its current application and submitted a revised proposal which included secure legal boundaries and embankments around the site.

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Boil water notices

A boil water notice for the area is ongoing.

The utility had expressed hope to start construction on the development in early 2024 with a completion time expected in late 2025.

Uisce Eireann highlighted how projects of such a scale would traditionally take around seven years from concept design to completion but the timeframe had been shortened for the new plant in Whitegate.

It said the project would address the problem of cryptosporidium which would significantly reduce the risk to public health and remove the site from the Environmental Protection Agencys remedial action list.

The development provides for the decommissioning of the existing water treatment plant and the construction of the new state-of-the-art facility.

It will contain a new coagulation, flocculation and clarification system as well as new filtration and disinfection systems.

Glan Agua has been appointed to deliver the Design, Planning, Construction and Commissioning works on behalf of Uisce Eireann. The project will address risks to water quality by providing enhanced treatment facilities at a brand new Water Treatment Plant (WTP) adjacent to the existing plant.

A ruling on the case by An Bord Pleanala is due in mid-October.
There were unique developments at the Stardust Inquest on Wednesday when, during a recess, it is alleged the former floor manager of the club was heard on microphone speaking to a person off-camera who said the doors in the nightclub were locked on the night of the fire, to which the witness replied: Its nothing to do with me, so Im not saying that.

The incident happened as Phelim Kinahan was giving his evidence remotely to the Dublin Coroners Court sitting in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital, during an inquest into the blaze that swept through the Stardust ballroom in the early hours of February 14th, 1981.

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During a recess in Wednesday's proceedings, Mr Kinahans microphone was still switched on, and when the court resumed, Des Fahy KC, who is representing a number of the families of the victims, told the jury that a disagreement was overheard between Mr Kinahan and someone not visible on screen.

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You were heard having a disagreement with someone. The person who overheard it heard a person say that the doors were locked, and you said: Its nothing to do with me so Im not saying that, Mr Fahy said to Mr Kinahan.

I dont remember saying it, Mr Kinahan replied.

If the doors were locked, is your position that it was nothing to do with you? Mr Fahy asked, to which the witness replied that it was.

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The coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, warned the jury that the matter of what may have been said when the microphone was still on was only second or third-hand evidence.

Locked

Earlier in the day, Mr Kinahan said he did not remember the doors being locked in the Stardust.

Mr Fahy said that the inquest will hear evidence from the head doorman, who will say that he was given a direction around midnight to open all the other exit doors which had been locked up to that point.

It appears every single exit door was locked, Mr Fahy said.

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Mr Fahy asked whether, if every door was locked at some point, if that was part of or against the policy in place at time.

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As far as I can say, that was against the policy. They were closed, but not locked, the witness said.

As far as I can remember, all the exit doors were open. There might have been a chain over them to give the impression they were locked, but they were not locked, Mr Kinahan added, going on to say that he did not remember what system was in place for opening the doors if they had been locked for a period of time on any given night.

A member of the coroners legal team, Simon Mills SC, told the court that the deposition of Mr Kinahan which was read out the previous day contained an error.

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He said the deposition indicated that Mr Kinahan said he believed the doors were locked, but in a handwritten version of the same statement he said the doors were unlocked. Mr Mills said the existence of the earlier written statement had not been brought to the attention of all parties, and he apologised for this.

Mr Fahy replied that this did not matter one iota in terms of Mr Kinahans credibility. He asked the witness which doors he believed were unlocked, to which Mr Kinahan replied that it was all the doors.

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Mr Kinahan said that when all customers were in the Stardust and a concert was on, all the doors were unlocked in case of necessity. He said the policy was to keep the doors locked for roughly the first hour until the people were inside.

So, when you told the gardai in the handwritten statement that you thought the doors were unlocked, that was not correct? Mr Fahy asked.

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Mr Kinahan replied that the impression given was that the doors were locked because there was a chain over the bar.

Statement

Mr Fahy asked him about the morning after the fire, when staff members were asked to go to the Stardust to make a statement to the managements solicitors.

He asked if the reason might have been that statements were required from staff to help with a compensation claim.

I do not know fully. Eamon Butterly did his own thing, Mr Kinahan said.

Mr Fahy put it to Mr Kinahan that the witness was an Eamon Butterly man in 1981 and he remained an Eamon Butterly man now.

I think so, Mr Kinahan replied.

Bernard Condon SC, representing 10 of the families, asked Mr Kinahan about the description of the fire he had given in statements. He said that in the statement he had given to Mr Butterlys solicitors, he saw the fire jump from one seat to another.

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Mr Condon said Mr Kinahan had not said this in his statements to gardai and suggested that this detail was added to support other peoples versions of events.

Mr Kinahan replied that he did not remember, nor did he remember giving evidence about seeing smoke that seemed to be coming from a hole in the ceiling that may have been an air vent.

Chained

Michael OHiggins SC, representing a number of families, asked him about the practice of putting a chain around the bar of the door to give the impression it was locked. He asked Mr Kinahan how he got the impression that the door would still open easily.

I was there, in every hotel, thats what they did, the witness replied, going on to confirm that he never tried to force open the doors.

Mr OHiggins said a substantial number of patrons complained that when they tried to push the bars the doors were jammed and they could not open the doors. He said that, if correct, it would appear that wrapping a chain around a door like that was very dangerous.

Mr OHiggins said that experiments were carried out after the fire where chains were wrapped around the doors to see if there was any resistance, and it was discovered that if someone pressed both bars down at the same time, the doors jammed.

Now its been brought to your attention, do you see how dangerous it was? Mr OHiggins asked. A bit dangerous, yes, Mr Kinahan replied.

No one in their right minds would be doing this if the situation were being done again? Mr OHiggins said, to which the witness agreed.

Sean Guerin SC, representing a number of families, asked him if he remembered getting a very bad smell of rubber in the Stardust on a previous night, a smell that disappeared when the heaters were turned off.

The witness replied that he did not recall that, nor did he recall Eamon Butterly later telling him that he had put a new motor into the heater. Mr Kinahan also said that he did not remember DJs having a problem with equipment overloading the electric system in the Stardust.

Mr Kinahans evidence will continue on Thursday.
A young Dublin man, who suffered a brain injury from a fall while out running to raise funds for a charity, died just over 48 hours later after a sudden deterioration in his condition, an inquest has heard.

Conor Cronin (26) hit his head during an unwitnessed fall while out jogging near Dublin City University on Ballymun Road around lunchtime on November 4th, 2020.

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The cybersecurity analyst from Walnut Avenue in Drumcondra had been running as a team leader for his workplace, Edgescan, in aid of the mens health charity, Movember.

An inquest at Dublin District Coroners Court on Wednesday heard Mr Cronin died in Beaumont Hospital on November 6th, 2020 following unsuccessful emergency surgery to reduce extreme levels of pressure on his brain.

It was also informed that Conors family had agreed to donate his organs, as he would have wanted, which had benefited five other patients.

Delay in transfer

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Solicitor for Mr Cronins family, Jamie Hart, said the deceaseds relatives were concerned there had been a delay in transferring him to Beaumont from the Mater Misericordiae Hospital where he was originally brought after suffering the fall.

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However, a consultant neurosurgeon at Beaumont, Ciaran Bolger, said he believed the time of transfer between the two hospitals had made no difference as Mr Cronin had already been receiving maximum therapy after his pupils became fixed and dilated without any positive response.

Prof Bolger, who had been consulting with colleagues in the Mater about the patient, said there had been no significant changes in two CT scans that had been conducted on Mr Cronin on the day he suffered the fall.

Tests showed he had some bruising of the brain and a skull fracture.

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Prof Ciaran Bolger, consultant neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins

Prof Bolger said Conor was classified with Category 2 injuries which were not deemed to require surgery and would be managed conservatively.

However, he said the patient had become unresponsive the following day after which he was transferred to the Maters intensive care unit where his condition stabilised.

The inquest heard that there was an agreement that an urgent transfer of the patient to Beaumont was required for better monitoring.

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The situation was upgraded to an emergency transfer after there was a further significant deterioration in Conors condition.

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Prof Bolger told coroner Clare Keane that Conor had received treatment about the usual level for a Category 2 patient.

He said only 2 per cent of Category 2 patients ever needed neurosurgery, while only 20 per cent of those with more traumatic head injuries classified as Category 3 would ever need surgery.

'Very unusual'

He observed that the condition of patients with mild head injuries very rarely deteriorated but Conors case was very unusual.

It was extremely unfortunate as there was no indication from the original injury that Conor would ever need neurosurgery, he added.

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Prof Bolger said he could not explain why it happened but there were some types of swelling of the brain which could not be reversed.

The inquiry heard that the low sodium levels were recorded in the patient which Prof Bolger acknowledged could affect swelling of the brain.

However, he said he was unable to judge its significance in Conors case, before adding: It certainly did not help.

He described the death of Mr Cronin as particularly tragic. It affected all of us, Prof Bolger remarked.

He told the inquest that it was a death known as talk and die syndrome whereby someone with a relatively minor head injury, who appears to be fine, dies suddenly.

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In reply to questions from Mr Hart, he said 12 calls made between the two hospitals about Conors care was unusual for a Category 2 patient.

While he agreed that staff at the Mater seemed anxious to get the patient transferred to Beaumont, Prof Bolger said that was true for all hospitals with patients with brain injuries.

The inquest also heard from several doctors at the Mater that Mr Cronin had been given glucose for his diabetes which could reduce sodium levels in his body.

Ciaran Cronin, brother of the late Conor Cronin. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins

The deceaseds brother, Ciaran Cronin, told Dr Keane that his late brother was in extremely good condition, despite being diagnosed with diabetes as a child, and was always working out and exercising.

The witness said he travelled to the Mater and got to speak to his brother for 10 minutes before he was admitted to the emergency department after being alerted about the fall by a paramedic.

Mr Cronin said his brother had a lot of blood around his head and was confused but had recognised him.

He said he was still not overly concerned when he was later informed that Conor was being transferred to the hospitals high dependency unit.

Mr Cronin said he went into work the following day as he did not believe his brother was in a life or death situation.

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However, he told the hearing that he was contacted just after 11am to be informed that Conor had been intubated and ventilated and was due to be transferred to Beaumont.

Mr Cronin said he was later notified that his brother required emergency surgery as his condition was extremely grave.

The inquest heard surgeons had removed a large piece of the deceaseds skull in order to reduce pressure on his brain but it had no impact.

'Lovely person'

Mr Cronin described his brother as great fun and a lovely person who had a girlfriend and was enjoying his job.

He was so much fun and was just getting into the prime of his life, he added.

Its so sad that this happened, he remarked.

In reply to questions from the coroner, Mr Cronin said his brother was a bit annoyed with himself over the fall.

The person who discovered the deceased after his fall, Denise Clarke, said blood had been coming from his ear and he appeared unconscious although he soon came around.

Ms Clarke said she did not think he had been lying on the ground for long as it was a busy road but he was shaking when she found him.

The inquest was attended by a large group of Mr Cronins family and friends including his long-term girlfriend, Eavan Atkinson.

The hearing was adjourned and will resume on Thursday.
Cecilia Rabess has written one of the most highly anticipated debuts of the year

Fiction

1. Everythings Fine by Cecilia Rabess is published in hardback by Picador. Available now

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This Thursday, we publish Everything's Fine by Cecilia Rabess. Our lead debut for 2023, and the book that has already got everyone talking - we can't wait to see what you think 



Pre-order from @Waterstones now: https://t.co/kAUsY1bwoo pic.twitter.com/Li88yUOAh6  Picador Books (@picadorbooks) June 5, 2023

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Cecilia Rabesss debut novel Everythings Fine has already caused quite a stir online. If it isnt already at the top of your summer reading list, then it should be. To call it a romance would do the novel a disservice  it is much more complex than that. It highlights a necessary and familiar debate  how do you square the circle of having vastly different political beliefs to your loved ones? Jess  who is black  and Josh  who is white  first meet at university, and once again when they start working at Goldman Sachs. Their working relationship blossoms into a friendship and then, inevitably, a relationship. The novel attempts to reckon with Americas not too distant past and shows the polarisation experienced by American society in the dawn of the Trump age with the eventual strain in the protagonists relationship. Intensely readable and relatable, with snappy, smart dialogue, you will stay up to the wee hours devouring this.

10/10

(Review by Lauren Gilmour)

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2. The Fire by Daniela Krien is published in hardback by MacLehose Press. Available now

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'A quietly devastating portrayal of a marriage in decline.' @guardian



How can two lovers find a way back to each other, when the pain of the past stands between them? THE FIRE by Daniela Krien (trans. Jamie Bulloch) is out now from @maclehosepress. pic.twitter.com/m4FEUUya0e  Quercus Books (@QuercusBooks) June 8, 2023

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Dont go into The Fire expecting a fast-paced, plot-driven book  instead, its a deeply engaging look at one womans experience of middle age. Set over three weeks in a remote country house in Germany, Rahel finds herself at a crossroads with her husband Peter: does she still love him? Does he still want her? This is a subdued book, but that doesnt make it any less captivating. Through Rahels not always likeable but very realistic perspective, we learn about her complex relationship with her children and the changing world around her as someone who grew up in a divided Germany. Its beautifully written, subtle and shines a light on the feelings and desires of middle-aged women  a group too often ignored.

8/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

3. The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan is published in hardback by Sphere. Available now

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(Sphere/PA)

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Third-generation pilot Morag is ticking off what shes internalised as a good life: a nice boyfriend, a well-paid promotion and the glamour of long haul. Then her Scottish roots call her home for one last job for her family-owned, island-hopping flight path. Jenny Colgans portrayal of the highland archipelago is beautifully done, while the characterisation has real warmth, and Morag comes alive when she finds herself off-the-grid  and at the mercy of nature  on the island of Inchborn. The Summer Skies takes at least 100 pages to draw you in but when it finally does, its full of comedic details, thought-provoking questions about identity, inner strength and lifes pivotal moments. The ending may have that romantic-comedy predictability but youll be racing through the pages to get there nonetheless  and possibly booking a holiday to the northern Scottish islands too.

7/10

(Review by Lauren Taylor)

Non-fiction

4. This Is Not America: Why Black Lives In Britain Matter, by Tomiwa Owolade is published in hardback by Atlantic Books. Available June 22nd

I am delighted to finally reveal the front cover of my book This is Not America. Many thanks to the cover designer @jodi_hunt. The book is out on June 22. You can pre-order it here: https://t.co/IhAqVwNmS1 pic.twitter.com/XWw4u7wtL9 Advertisement  Tomiwa Owolade (@tomowolade) February 27, 2023

This Is Not America starts strongly, with a few compelling points  too long has racism in Britain seen through an American lens, which is unhelpful as the black British experience is vastly different to the black American; and the black British experience is varied and cannot be reduced to one homogenised story. Owolade then goes onto explore this in a bit more detail  looking at racism in America, where black people largely trace their roots back to violence and slavery, compared to the UK, where black communities broadly come from peaceful immigration. While Owolade makes sure to emphasise he doesnt want to diminish racism in the UK, some readers might find certain points somewhat controversial, such as Owolade suggesting the incident at a Buckingham Palace event where Ngozi Fulani was asked repeatedly where shes really from wasnt necessarily racism.

6/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

Childrens book of the week

5. The Family Tree By Kate Ferdinand, illustrated by Emma Randall, is published in paperback by Puffin. Available now

Were feeling all the love today, because its the #BookBirthday of The Family Tree by Kate Ferdinand & our Plum @EmBemShem ! 

Published by @puffinbooksuk, The Family Tree is a heartfelt story filled with fairies, baking, and the magic of blended families pic.twitter.com/A5a4ELl62u Advertisement  The Plum Agency (@Plum_Agency) June 8, 2023

Ex-TOWIE star and wife of Rio, Kate Ferdinand presents her first childrens book, The Family Tree. This preschool age picture book offers a gentle introduction to the often tricky topic of blended families through a soothing story about fairies, with helpful tips at the end. Brother and sister, Ash and Willow, live harmoniously with their dad, until Dads new friend Hazel enters the picture and they worry she is starting to take the place of their beloved mum, who they miss greatly. Especially when Hazel wants to help them bake  the thing their mum loved most. Ferdinand has clearly reflected on her own experiences  as viewed in the BBC documentary Rio And Kate: Becoming A Stepfamily  and its a sensitively written book as a result. Though the fairies baking subject matter may be a bit too saccharine (and overdone) for even a preschool audience, the book is sweet and helpful nonetheless.

6/10

(Review by Holly Cowell)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 17th

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. The Making Of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks

2. A Death In The Parish by Reverend Richard Coles

3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

4. Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang

5. Winters Gifts by Ben Aaronovitch

6. Happy Place by Emily Henry

7. Atlas: The Story Of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker

8. Killing Moon by Jo Nesbo

9. The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson

10. The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan

(Compiled by Waterstones)

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HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. 1964: Eyes Of The Storm by Paul McCartney

2. The Extra Mile by Kevin Sinfield

3. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

4. The Future Of Geography by Tim Marshall

5. Surviving To Drive by Guenther Steiner

6. Hitler, Stalin, Mum And Dad by Daniel Finkelstein

7. Pageboy by Elliot Page

8. The Wager by David Grann

9. Unbreakable by Ronnie OSullivan

10. Johnson At 10 by Anthony Seldon & Raymond Newell

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

2. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

3. Act Of Oblivion by Robert Harris

4. Atomic Habits by James Clear

5. Winters Gifts by Ben Aaronovitch

6. No Sweet Sorrow by Denzil Meyrick

7. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

8. Spare by The Duke of Sussex

9. Mythos by Stephen Fry

10. Choose Your Enemies by Sandy Mitchell

(Compiled by Audible)
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has written to the British prime minister urging him to scrap controversial legislation to address the legacy of Northern Irelands Troubles.

Sir Jeffrey said that an amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

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The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

Campaigners protest against the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill in Belfast earlier this year. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

It would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

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While the British government introduced a number of amendments to the Bill earlier this month, the Stormont parties, Irish government and victims groups remain opposed to it.

The legislation is set to return to the House of Lords on Wednesday.

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A number of protests have been staged by victims groups against the Governments legacy Bill. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA.

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The DUP leader said: The governments legacy proposals have been rejected by the vast majority of victims and survivors, who suffered the most during the Troubles and who still live with the terrible legacy of pain, trauma and loss.

An amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

As things stand, the only condition placed on a terrorist seeking immunity is that they give their account of the acts of terrorism they were involved in.

There is absolutely nothing in the way of protection for those families who they terrorised and left without fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. Indeed, those who fled criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland could return to avail of the scheme without any repercussions.

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This is wrong. It is not too late for the prime minister to do the right thing and choose the side of justice and innocent victims.

Sir Jeffrey said it was not too late for the prime minister to halt the Bill.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris defended the legacy bill earlier this week. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

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He added: I have urged Rishi Sunak to recognise that imposing this Bill against the express wishes of communities and political parties in Northern Ireland would be a retrograde step.

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Reconciliation will not be achieved by sacrificing justice. Access to justice must be preserved and the principle of everyone be equal under the law should be protected.

The Bill must be scrapped and for good.

Speaking to the Institute for government in London on Tuesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris defended the legislation and said it represents the best chance for families to find out information about what happened to loved ones killed during the Troubles.

He said: It might just give some of the families enough information to feel comforted that they know what happened to their loved ones.

I also know that for 25 years since the Troubles, these families have not had anything.
European Union countries have agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia over its war against Ukraine.

Sweden, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said that the package includes measures aimed at countering sanctions circumvention and individual listings.

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Details of the measures will be unveiled later this week when the sanctions are officially adopted by written procedure.

The EU had previously imposed 10 rounds of sanctions on Russia since president Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine on February 24th, 2022.

I welcome the political agreement on our 11th sanctions package.



It will deal a further blow to Putins war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin.



Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on https://t.co/MlQlxNzNeR Advertisement  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 21, 2023

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Banks, companies and markets have been hit  even parts of the sensitive energy sector. More than 1,000 officials are subject to asset freezes and travel bans.

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Much work has involved closing loopholes so that goods vital to Mr Putins war effort do not get through.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the new package will deal a further blow to Putins war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin.

Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods, she added.

It is the first time that plans have been announced to target trade via other countries, apart from sanctions against Iranians alleged to be supplying drones to Russia.

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Under the latest package, if the EU sees for example that exports of a certain computer chip increase five-fold to one nation, and then sees that such exports from the country increase by about the same amount to Russia, the bloc would be able to take tougher action to end the practice.

Ursula von der Leyen said the new package will deal a further blow to Putins war machine (PA)

The new package specifically allows the implementation of measures restricting the sale, or export, of sensitive dual-use goods and technology to third countries who could then transfer them to Russia. Under the new rules, the EU could exert much more pressure to end the practice than before.

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It does give a big stick with which the EU can say: please dont do it, and then, if it continues we go to restrictive measures, said an official from an EU nation.

The rules cannot be excessively rigid, since the EU does not want to immediately alienate nations.

We need to look for a balance with nations. When we address their bad behaviour, we have to make sure we dont immediately drive them into the arms of Putin, the official said.

The new package will also target 71 extra persons and 33 entities in relation with the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Also included is the prohibition to access to ports in the EU by vessels engaged in ship-to-ship transfers when there is a suspicion that a boat is not respecting the ban on importing seaborne Russian crude oil and petroleum products into the bloc.

In addition, the package extends the suspension of the broadcasting licences in the EU of five Russian media outlets under state control.

Past sanctions have been agreed on in just months  extremely quickly for the EU. But new measures are becoming increasingly hard to endorse as they inflict damage on the economic and political interests of some member countries even as they aim for the Kremlin.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has joined diplomats and dignitaries for a morning yoga session at the United Nations in New York City as he kicked off the public portion of his US visit by flexing Indias cultural reach.

With yoga mats covering the UN headquarters spacious north lawn, Mr Modi stopped and bowed at a statue of the assassinated Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.

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Then, Mr Modi praised yoga as truly universal  an activity for all ages, and accessible to all faiths and cultures.

When we do yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally content. But it is not just about doing exercise on a mat, Mr Modi said.



Narendra Modi meets Elon Musk in New York City (YouTube via AP)

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Yoga is a way of life.

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Then the leader of the worlds most populous nation took his spot on a mat amid the throng, hands folded, as a yoga instructor led the opening chants.

The event honours the International Day of Yoga, which Mr Modi persuaded the UN to designate in 2014 as an annual observance.

Mr Modi arrived in New York for a trip that will offer plenty of time to discuss global tensions. But starting out by highlighting an ancient pursuit of inner tranquillity is a savvy and symbolic choice for a premier who has made yoga a personal practice and a diplomatic tool.

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The Hindu nationalist casts himself as an ascetic who adheres to his religions strictures on vegetarianism and yoga.





Delighted to take part in the #YogaDay programme at @UN HQ. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and further wellness. https://t.co/XvsB8AYfGs  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023 Advertisement

He has posted social media videos over the years of himself practicing yoga poses (to say nothing of providing live visuals of him meditating in a Himalayan mountain cave after national elections in 2019).

Mr Modi last visited the UN during the 2021 General Assembly, where he said that all kinds of questions have been raised about the UN and its effectiveness on matters including climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and terrorism.

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He also made a point of staking out his countrys place in the international community, noting that every sixth person in the world is Indian.

In the years since his speech, India has surpassed China to claim the worlds largest population, at 1.425 billion.



Mr Modi greets supporters in New York City (AP)

India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council, the UNs most powerful organ. India has been elected to a two-year seat several times, most recently for 2021-22.

Mr Modi plans to head to Washington later on Wednesday for a three-day visit that includes an Oval Office meeting with US President Joe Biden, an address to a joint meeting of US congress, a White House state dinner and more.

The plans also include a state department lunch hosted by US vice president Kamala Harris, whose mother was born in India, and by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The visit comes as both countries are interested in strengthening ties.
The Israeli military has deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank and prepared to demolish the homes of two Palestinian gunmen who killed four Israelis in one of the worst such attacks in the past year.

The families laid to rest the victims in the deadly shooting in the West Bank settlement of Eli, in which two Palestinian militants opened fire at a petrol station restaurant.

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Israeli media identified the four killed as Harel Masood, 21, Ofer Fayerman, 64, and Elisha Anteman, 18, Nahman-Shmuel Mordoff, 17.



Palestinians are seen in their home behind a broken window, allegedly damaged by Israeli settlers, in the West Bank village of A Laban al-Sharkiyeh (AP)

An Israeli civilian killed one assailant at the scene, while Israeli troops chased and killed the second gunman after he fled.

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The shooting came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a day-long battle against Israeli troops in the militant stronghold of Jenin.

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The worsening violence has created a test for Israels far-right government and prompted calls for a widespread military operation in the West Bank.

The army said it was beefing up its troop presence in the West Bank.

On Wednesday morning, it said troops arrested three suspects in the Palestinian village of Urif in connection to the attack and mapped out the homes of the two gunmen ahead of their likely demolition.

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25 isnt just a number.



Since the beginning of 2023, 25 people have been killed by Palestinian terrorists. 25 friends, siblings, partners and parents. Every single one of them remains in our memories   Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2023

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Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers as part of a policy it says aims to deter others, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.

Hamas did not officially claim responsibility for the attack, although it identified the two gunmen  Mohannad Faleh, 26, who was killed by a civilian at the scene and Khaled Sabah, 24, who was killed by the army as he fled  as its members.

In the aftermath of Tuesdays attack, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in adjacent villages, causing extensive property damage.

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At least five Palestinians were wounded in attacks by Israeli settlers, Israels army radio reported.

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Tuesdays shooting followed a massive gun battle between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops in the northern Jenin refugee camp a day earlier.

Seven Palestinians were killed and more than 90 others were injured in that clash. On Wednesday, the death toll from the raid rose to seven when 15-year-old Sadeel Naghniyeh succumbed to wounds sustained in the gun battle, Palestinian health officials said.



Relatives of Harel Masood, 21, mourn during his funeral in Yesodot (AP)

Eight Israeli soldiers were also wounded in the shootout.

Tuesdays deadly shooting was the latest in a long string of violence in the region over the past year and half that shows no sign of relenting.

At least 130 Palestinians and 24 people on the Israeli side have been killed so far this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press.

Israel has been staging near-nightly raids in the West Bank in response to a string of deadly Palestinian attacks targeting Israeli civilians early in 2022.

Israel says most of the Palestinians killed were militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state.
Hundreds of Israeli settlers have stormed into a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to dozens of cars and homes to avenge the deaths of four Israelis killed by Palestinian gunmen the previous day, residents said.

Palestinians said one man was killed in the violence.

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In further violence, an Israeli drone attacked a Palestinian car in which suspected Palestinian gunmen were travelling in the northern West Bank.



Palestinian firefighters try to extinguish a fire in a West Bank town (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

The late-night attack marked an escalation in Israels ongoing campaign against militants in the area.

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The identities of the people on board were not immediately known. But the army said it had identified a terrorist cell inside a suspicious vehicle that had been responsible for a number of recent shooting attacks on Jewish settlements.

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The settler attack came as the Israeli military deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new settler homes in response to the deadly shooting.

The moves threatened to further raise tensions after day days of deadly fighting in the West Bank.





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25 isnt just a number.



Since the beginning of 2023, 25 people have been killed by Palestinian terrorists. 25 friends, siblings, partners and parents. Every single one of them remains in our memories   Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2023

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Residents in Turmus Ayya said some 400 settlers marched down the towns main road, setting fire to cars, homes and trees.

Mayor Lafi Adeeb said some 30 houses and 60 cars were partly or totally burned.

He said: The attacks intensified in the past hour even after the army came.

At least eight Palestinians were hurt during the ensuing clashes, which the army tried to disperse by firing rubber bullets and tear gas.

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Cars and homes were torched by settlers in the West Bank (AP)

Palestinian medical officials said one man  identified as 27-year-old Omar Qatin  was killed by army fire and two other people were wounded. Residents said Mr Qatin was a father of two small children and worked as an electrician for the local municipality.

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Tuesdays shooting in the settlement of Eli came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a day-long battle against Israeli troops in the militant stronghold of Jenin.

The worsening violence has created a test for Israels government and prompted calls for a widespread military operation in the West Bank.

As Israel deployed more forces to the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had approved plans to build 1,000 new homes in Eli.





           pic.twitter.com/wcM4Y2ceOD  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) June 21, 2023

Our answer to terror is to strike it hard and to build our country, Mr Netanyahu said.

The international community opposes settlements on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians for a future independent state. Mr Netanyahus far-right government is dominated by settler leaders and supporters.

Israeli media identified the four killed in the shooting as Harel Masood, 21, Ofer Fayerman, 64, and Elisha Anteman, 18, Nahman-Shmuel Mordoff, 17. An Israeli civilian killed one assailant at the scene, while Israeli troops chased and killed the second shooter after he fled.

The army said it was beefing up its troop presence in the West Bank. On Wednesday morning, it said troops arrested three suspects in the Palestinian village of Urif in connection to the attack and mapped out the homes of the two gunmen ahead of their likely demolition.

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Israeli border police patrol a main road next to the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya (AP)

Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers as part of a policy it says aims to deter others, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.

Hamas did not officially claim responsibility for the attack, although it identified the two gunmen  Mohannad Faleh, 26, who was killed by a civilian at the scene and Khaled Sabah, 24, who was killed by the army as he fled  as its members.

In the aftermath of Tuesdays attack, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in adjacent villages, causing extensive property damage. At least five Palestinians were wounded in attacks by Israeli settlers, Israels army radio reported.
The family of Julian Sands say they continue to keep the British actor in our hearts with bright memories, as searches in southern California continue.

In a statement put out by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, the family again thanked all those who were working tirelessly to find him.

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The 65-year-old actor has now been missing for more than five months, after failing to return from a hike in the Mounty Baldy area of the San Gabriel mountains on January 13.

Sands  known for his roles in films A Room With A View, Leaving Las Vegas and Warlock, as well as TV appearances on 24, Smallville and Banshee  was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area.

Although missing hiker, Julian Sands, was not located during the recent search mission, the case remains active. We want to thank all the individuals who assisted in the June 17th search and the previous search missions. pic.twitter.com/TQqSvA1wAR Advertisement Advertisement  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) June 21, 2023

We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, a family statement on Wednesday read.

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We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer.

The sheriffs department added although Sands had not been found during recent searches on June 17, that the case remained active.

Previous searches have been hampered by poor conditions in the area, and halted in March due to the risk of avalanches.

The sheriffs department said that Saturdays search had included over 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff, with their efforts supported by two helicopters, and drone crews.

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Sands has been missing for more than five months after failing to return from a hike (Ian West/PA)

Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions. Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet of ice and snow, the department said in a previous statement.

Since January, the Sheriffs Department has conducted eight searches (ground and air) specific to Mr Sands, with volunteer searcher hours exceeding 500 hours.

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Additionally, eight unrelated search and rescue operations have been conducted in the Mount Baldy area.

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Mr Sands missing person case remains active and search efforts will continue in a limited capacity.

A spokesperson for the sheriffs department previously said its goal was to bring closure to Sands family.
Two drones have been brought down outside Moscow as they approached the warehouses of a local military unit, Russian officials have said.

It is thought the move is the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia during the early stages of Kyivs most recent counter-offensive.

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At the same time, Russian president Vladimir Putin claimed that the Ukrainian forces were regrouping after what he described as a failed counter-offensive and could be readying new attempts to attack Russian positions.

The two drones came down near the village of Lukino, administratively part of the city of Moscow, Russian media reported.

The wreckage of a third drone was found about 12 miles away from the site of the crash. No damage or casualties were reported.

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Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 21 June 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/JZXB5VmisV



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/bgeFU1Vt6X Advertisement  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 21, 2023

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Russias defence ministry claimed it was an unsuccessful attempt at a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime on its facilities in the Moscow region, adding that all three drones were brought down by radio-electronic means.

Ukraine, which usually does not confirm attacks on Russian soil, made no immediate comment about the downed drones.

Previously, Ukrainian officials have emphasised the countrys right to strike any target in response to Russias invasion and war that started in February 2022.

In December, Moscow claimed it had shot down drones that targeted military air bases in the Saratov and Ryazan regions in western Russia.

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Other drones have reportedly flown deep into Russia multiple times. Since February, when a UJ-22 crashed 60 miles from Moscow, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly approached the Russian capital.

Ukrainian troops fire towards Russian positions in the Donetsk region (AP)

Last month, a drone attack jolted the Russian capital, though it caused only slight damage, in what appeared to be one of Kyivs deepest and most daring strikes into Russia. It was the second reported strike on Moscow that month after Russian authorities said two drones targeted the Kremlin.

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At that time, Russian president Vladimir Putin said Moscows air defences worked in a satisfactory way, but added it was clear what we need to do to plug the gaps in the system.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, confirming Wednesdays drone attack, said only that the means of combatting drones did their job.

Meanwhile, train traffic was disrupted on the Crimean Peninsula on Wednesday, according to its Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Mr Aksyonov did not say what caused the disruption, but some Russian media outlets reported that the rail lines were blown up overnight in apparent sabotage operations.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considers illegal.

Servicemen carry the coffin of volunteer soldier Ivan Shulga, killed in a battle with the Russian troops near Bakhmut (AP)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that his country aims to reclaim the peninsula in a counteroffensive that began in recent weeks.

In response to Ukraines military threat using advanced weapons supplied by Western allies, Russia has in recent weeks expended significant effort on assembling elaborate defensive lines on the approaches to Crimea, according to the UKs Ministry of Defence.

For the Kremlin, ensuring control of Crimea is a top political priority, the ministry said in a tweet Wednesday.

There is intense fighting in parts of southern Ukraine where Kyivs forces are testing Russian defences, it added.

Mr Putin claimed there had been a recent lull in the fighting in Ukraine, claiming that Kyivs forces were regrouping after suffering heavy losses.

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He warned in an interview with Russian state television, however, that their offensive capability hasnt been exhausted yet, they have reserves and the enemy is considering where and how to use them.

As analysts cautioned the war could go on for years, Mr Putin said that more Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, fitted to some Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles, will be deployed and that the new Sarmat ICBM, code-named Satan by Nato allies, is set to enter service soon.

The Russian military will also add more drones, he told military academy graduates.

Also on Wednesday, European Union countries agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia over the war, including measures aimed at preventing third countries and businesses from circumventing existing sanctions.

For example, they would restrict the export of sensitive technological goods to third countries who could then transfer them to Russia.
Town of Victoria Park residents have passed a motion of no confidence in an electors meeting, calling for the immediate resignation of all councillors over a series of major decisions they claim have left ratepayers out of pocket and in the dark.

Those decisions include a move to take over the maintenance of a 17-hectare housing estate in Burswood, the bungled sale of a Woolworths car park, and the alleged mishandling of a project to restore a heritage building in East Victoria Park.

Sam Zammit, Vince Maxwell and Rick Snedden from the Ratepayers Association of Town of Victoria Park, which filed a motion of no confidence in the council at a recent electors meeting. Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt

[Councillors] behaviour is reflective of representing the staff and not the ratepayers, said Ratepayers Association of Town of Victoria Park member Graham Ferstat.

There is no transparency or accountability  all decisions are made behind closed doors.
Latest News Sydney woman jailed for 15 years for defrauding NAB Lavish embezzlement scheme cost bank almost $9 million

The work from home contrast between banks and brokers How brokers have a choice that bank employees don't have

Winning the Young Gun of the Year at the Australian Mortgage Awards can help grow your career as a young broker, according to two recent winners.

The national award, which will feature again as part of this years upcoming 2023 Australian Mortgage Awards, recognises the best broker aged 35 and under who has less than two years experience.

Andrew Hadjidemetri (pictured above right), who won the Young Gun of the Year  Independent Award in 2021, said winning the award was an incredible and humbling experience.

It was a moment of immense pride and joy, knowing that my hard work and dedication as a mortgage broker were recognised and celebrated by industry professionals, said Hadjidemetri, director and finance broker at Australian Financial and Mortgage Solutions.

In terms of his business, Hadjidemetri said winning this prestigious accolade has had a profound impact.

It has enhanced my reputation and credibility within the industry, positioning me as an emerging leader and expert in my field, Hadjidemetri said. The recognition has opened doors to new opportunities, attracting a wider client base and generating increased visibility for my services.

Luke Whitbread (pictured above left), broker at Mortgage Choice Erina and Young Gun of the Year  Franchise 2021 award winner, agreed saying the accolade helped his relationships with older clients.

If youre young and youre giving advice to people who are older people, you need that credibility to ensure that you know what you are talking about, Whitbread said. Thats why I got my AMA award in my office and in my email signature because it gives clients confidence. Its been mentioned a few times actually and I can see they are impressed.

Building a career

For Whitbread, the award also set into motion his career progression.

After working as an assistant with the old franchise owner, Whitbread started writing loans about a year before the awards.

It was doing all the little things like looking after clients and keeping them happy. The client reviews and recognition within the Mortgage Choice also helped as well, said Whitbread. Its not rocket science. If you have the clients best interests at heart, they can see that easily and it will begin to resonate among the industry as well.

After the award, he began a three-year transition with his colleague to take over the franchise from his boss and mentor.

With the amount of business weve been getting lately my role has shifted into a more of a managerial role and a business owner rather than just a broker. Its allowed us to scale the business with future Young Guns and hopefully one day they too will win this award, Whitbread said.

Advice for future Young Guns

Whitbread urges other young brokers to get a good mentor and to look inwardly to figure out how you can improve yourself.

Hadjidemetri agreed, saying his advice, first and foremost, was to never stop learning.

The mortgage industry is constantly evolving, so staying informed about market trends, regulations, and industry best practices is crucial, Hadjidemetri said. Second, build strong relationships. Cultivate a network of professionals, clients, and industry contacts who can support and guide you along your journey.

Third, prioritise exceptional customer service. Going the extra mile for your clients, providing personalised solutions, and maintaining clear communication will earn their trust and loyalty.

Celebrating industry excellence

Celebrating its 22nd year, the Australian Mortgage Awards has established itself as a premiere event for the broking community.

Organised by Key Media with the support of Australian Broker and Mortgage Professional Australia, the AMAs recognise the outstanding industry achievements across 27 categories.

Within the Broker of the Year Awards, recognition will be given in five distinct categories: commercial, residential, regional, specialist lending, and a special young gun of the year award.

The lender awards include accolades such as fintech lender of the year, as well as bank and non-bank of the year.

Westpac is back again for its 14th year as event partner while NAB and PRPTY360 are premium partners with the latter also the champagne sponsor.

A total of 22 other organisations have sponsored the 2023 AMAs, including ANZ, Liberty, La Trobe Financial, Pepper Money, MFAA, FBAA, Bankwest, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Mortgage Choice, OnDeck Australia, PropTrack, Adelaide Bank, Equity-One, Firstmac, ubank, Gateway Bank, Rate Money, Resimac and Q2.

VIP post awards event sponsor is FINSTREET and the social media sponsor is Maxiron Capital while Fifo Capital is sponsoring the photo booth.

Nominations for the 2023 Australian Mortgage Awards close on June 30 and tickets are selling fast.
By Josh Eidelson

Apple Inc. coercively interrogated retail employees about their pro-union sympathies and restricted the circulation of union flyers, a US labor board judge ruled, marking a victory for labor organizers at the worlds most valuable company.

In a Tuesday decision, a National Labor Relations Board judge wrote that Apple violated the rights of employees at its World Trade Center store in New York City, one of several around the country where workers waged union campaigns last year.

The judge wrote that Apple should be required to cease and desist from coercively interrogating workers about their legally protected labor activism. It should stop confiscating pro-union literature in its break rooms and interfering with, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights, according to the decision.

Tuesdays decision is the first time an NLRB judge has ruled against Apple. Rulings by the NLRBs administrative law judges can be appealed to the labor boards members in Washington and, from there, to federal appeals court. The agency has the authority to order changes to company policies, but not to hold executives personally liable for violations or to impose punitive damages.

An Apple spokesperson didnt have an immediate comment. The Cupertino, California-based company has previously denied wrongdoing.

Also Read International Labour Day: Celebrations, history, and all you need to know Apple opens its first official store in Mumbai; what we know so far Labour Day 2023: History, Evolvement, Importance, Celebration of day Apple illegally interrogated staff about union, labour board judge rules Apple BKC Mumbai store previewed ahead of April 18 opening: See pictures Michelin with CleanMax Enviro to raise renewable energy usage to 37% Saya Group to invest Rs 2,000 cr in 1.4 mn sq ft-shopping mall in Noida TCS signs $1.1 bn contract with UK's pension scheme Nest for 10 years Largest single aircraft order placed by any airline with Airbus: IndiGo Vedanta likely to sell copper plant in Tamil Nadu for Rs 4,500 crore

Apple fosters an open and inclusive work environment whereby employees are not just permitted, but encouraged, to share their feelings and thoughts on a range of issues, from social justice topics to pay equity to anything else that they feel is an important cause to promote in the workplace, company attorney Jason Stanevich said at a January hearing before the judge.

At the January hearing, NLRB attorney Ruth Weinreb said that as a result of the companys behavior, the organizing campaign came to an end at the World Trade Center site. US labor board prosecutors have also issued a still-pending complaint accusing Apple of violating workers rights at an Atlanta store, one of two at which organizers filed and then withdrew unionization petitions.

Workers at two of Apples roughly 270 retail stores voted to unionize last year, in Maryland and Oklahoma, amid a broader wave of landmark organizing wins at longtime nonunion firms such as Starbucks Corp., Amazon.com Inc. and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

The Communications Workers of America  the union behind the World Trade Center campaign and the Oklahoma win  said Workers should take notice of the NLRB judges ruling.

What Apple executives are doing is wrong, the groups secretary-treasurer, Sara Steffens, said in a statement, and we have your back, and will hold them accountable.
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has received the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s approval to retain $2 billion over and above the $3 billion loan it had raised during the last financial year, The Economic Times (ET) reported.

RIL had to seek RBI's permission since the amount it wanted to collect was more than the limit set by the central bank, the report said citing people aware of the developments. The money is likely to be used to support the working capital needs of the company besides expansion in energy and telecom businesses.

One of the people cited above told ET that Reliance has a strong credit rating and cash flows and for this reason, banks across the globe wanted to lend money to the company. Notably, this is not the first time that the central bank has extended the limit of loans. In fact, Reliance has received a similar approval before, ET reported.

Elaborating on the special approval for the country's biggest company in terms of market value, the newspaper quoted a person in the know as saying that such permissions are granted on a case-by-case basis and the company in question is required to make a sound argument to raise large amounts as in this case.

According to RBI's external commercial borrowing (ECBs) rules, individual loan exposure is capped at $750 million per fiscal year. To borrow beyond this limit, special permission is needed from the central bank to raise money abroad.

The loan is a five-year ECB and is the largest which involved global banks from countries like the UK, the US, India, Taiwan, and South Korea, among others, the ET report said.
By Blake Brittain

(Reuters) - Alphabet's Google must pay patent holding company Personal Audio LLC $15.1 million for infringing two patents related to audio software, a Delaware federal jury said in a verdict made public on Wednesday.

Personal Audio had argued that Google's music app Google Play Music featured playlist downloading, navigation and editing features that violated its patent rights.

The jury also said that Google infringed the patents willfully, which could lead to a judge increasing the award by up to three times the verdict amount.

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said on Wednesday that the company was disappointed with the verdict and plans to appeal. He said the verdict concerns a "discontinued product" and would not affect customers.

A spokesperson for Personal Audio's law firm Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth said on Wednesday that the firm was pleased with the verdict.

Also Read Pixel 7a review: Google's entry-level phone is mixed bag of hits and misses Algo rhythm: India's global patent share now higher than UK, shows data Google's June Feature Drop for Pixel phones: Know what is new in update NCLAT declines stay on CCI's Rs 936 cr Google penalty, asks firm to pay 10% NCLAT upholds Competition Commission's Rs 1,337 crore penalty on Google Frozen meat exporter HMA Agro Industries IPO subscribed 55% on Day 2 Ola commences construction of its 100GWh gigafactory at Tamil Nadu facility HAL, Argentinian aerospace firm FAdeA to explore collaboration in MRO space SMFG India Credit plans to double AUM to over Rs 70,000 cr in 3 years Parry Enterprises, Memsift to set up membrane manufacturing facility

Beaumont, Texas-based Personal Audio had requested $33.1 million in damages, according to a May court filing. It first sued Google in 2015 over the patents in a lawsuit that was later moved from Texas to Delaware.

The Delaware verdict came less than a month after a San Francisco jury ordered Google to pay Sonos $32.5 million for patent infringement amid a sprawling intellectual property dispute between the companies over smart-speaker technology.

The case is Personal Audio LLC v. Google LLC, U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, No. 1:17-cv-01751.

For Personal Audio: Steve Hanle, Doug Hahn and Salil Bali of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth

For Google: Melissa Baily, Jeff Nardinelli, David Perlson, Antonio Sistos and Patrick Stafford of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

Read more:

US jury says Google owes Sonos $32.5 million in smart-speaker patent case

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington)
Google has been looking at shifting part of its capacity to assemble Pixel mobile phones that are currently assembled in China to markets like India, to create a more diverse manufacturing base instead of relying on China.

According to reports, the tech giant sent a top team to scout around for suppliers, which include Dixon, Lava and Foxconn, just a few weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his visit to US.
Electric vehicle company Ola on Wednesday said it has commenced construction of its 100 GWh gigafactory at its manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu.

The company has installed the first pillar of its cell factory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu today.

A gigafactory is a facility where equipment and components related to electrification and decarbonisation technologies are manufactured.

In February, Ola signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government committing investments of Rs 7,614 crore for manufacturing electric cars, two wheelers and lithium cell gigafactories in the state.

Spread across 115 acre, the Ola Gigafactory is expected to commence operations by early next year with an initial capacity of 5 GWh (Giga Watt hours). It would be scaled up to 100GWh in phases, a company statement said.

On commencement of operations at full capacity, it is claimed that the factory would be one of the world's largest cell manufacturing facilities.

Also Read Amara Raja launches gigafactory in Telangana to produce lithium ion battery Ola announces price hikes for its electric scooters, to cost Rs 15k more Ola Cabs starts laying-off employees; issues pink slips to 200 people Ola Electric unveils 5 electric motorcycles, launch planned next year Ola Electric launches third software update for its e-scooter customers HAL, Argentinian aerospace firm FAdeA to explore collaboration in MRO space SMFG India Credit plans to double AUM to over Rs 70,000 cr in 3 years Parry Enterprises, Memsift to set up membrane manufacturing facility MedPlus launches discount scheme to sell over 500 off-patent drugs Sylvester daCunha, creator of Amul's 'utterly butterly' girl, passes away

"This is a proud moment for us as we installed the first pillar of our gigafactory today. Our gigafactory will be a major milestone in India's electrification journey, bringing us closer to making India a global EV hub," said company founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal.

Ola has also invested in cell and battery research and development and has set up one of the advanced cell r&D facilities in Bengaluru.

As per the MoU signed with state government, the company would set up an electric behicle Hub which would house advanced cell and electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, vendor and supplier parks and the larger ancillary ecosystem for electric vehicles, at a single location.
Record plane orders by India's top two carriers show the country's untapped potential for air travel and its rise as an aviation superpower, but recent airline failures and rows over regulations suggest progress may not be smooth.

Indian budget airline IndiGo announced at the Paris Airshow on Monday the biggest ever plane order by number of aircraft with a deal for 500 Airbus narrowbody jets.

A day later, rival Air India firmed up an order for 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft that, until Monday, had been the industry leading plane deal.

With a total of almost 1,000 jet orders between them, IndiGo and Air India are betting an economic boom and growing middle class will spur demand for domestic air travel, and new jets will help them grab a bigger share of international traffic.

The number of domestic air passengers in India is expected to surge to 350 million by 2030, up from 144 million in 2019, with international air travellers up to 160 million from 64 million in 2019, according to aviation consultancy CAPA India and government data.

The number of airports in India is also set to climb to 200 over the next five years from 150 today, as the government looks to connect the country's remotest areas by air.

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"It is time to seize the skies," civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, adding the new planes would help Indian airlines expand at home and across continents.

IndiGo, which operates a fleet of 300 planes, is yet to take delivery of some 500 jets from previous orders with Airbus.

This puts the total deliveries by planemakers to Indian carriers at more than 1,500 over the next decade and beyond - double India's existing fleet of 700 planes across all airlines.

That makes India a key market for planemakers, especially Airbus which has bagged the bulk of new orders, outdoing U.S. rival Boeing, and engine manufacturers whose wares will be put to test.

Leasing concerns



But while the opportunity in India is big, so are the risks, says Ameya Joshi, an independent aviation analyst.

The recent failure of Go First, the third Indian airline to go under in 11 years, has exposed a gap in local regulations over the protection of rights of foreign leasing firms that finance many large plane deals. Indian budget carrier SpiceJet is also facing the ire of lessors over unpaid dues.

Leasing companies warn that restrictions on repossessing their assets in case of defaults will drive up costs for all Indian airlines - even for IndiGo and Air India.

"There needs to be a huge regulatory revamp to protect lessors' interests. It will eventually help Indian airlines by lowering risk and moderating lease rental costs," said Joshi.

India is a critical market for lessors. Sale-and-leaseback deals - where airlines sell planes to lessors to free up capital and then rent them back - accounted for 75% of plane deliveries in India from 2018 to 2022, compared with a global average of 35%, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

This is causing concerns among some leasing companies that fear being too exposed to a market fraught with risks.

Some analysts also say that the airlines could be over-ordering jets in pursuit of the same passengers.

The bullish outlooks from IndiGo and Air India, which together control about 80% of the domestic market, suggest both are starting to benefit from their scale compared to rivals.

Joshi expects annual passenger growth in India to taper to 6%-10% going forward, coming off highs of 20% seen in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. But he thinks the market will stabilise as weaker airlines will fall by the wayside.

"India is moving towards becoming a stable market where growth will not be as high but airlines will be profitable and connectivity will be better despite higher fares," he said.
Tata Power Company emerged as the most attractive employer brand in India in 2023, followed by Amazon and Tata Steel, according to research by HR organisation Randstad India. Big Basket topped the list of most attractive startup employers in the country.

According to Randstad Employer Brand Research 2023, Tata Power Company scored high on financial health, good reputation and career progression opportunities, the three Employee Value Proposition (EVP) drivers for the organisation as per the survey. It helped the brand get to the winning spot from rank 9 in 2022.

The other companies that featured in the top ten rankings were Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Samsung India, Infosys, Tata Motors, IBM and Reliance Industries. Interestingly, four out of the top 10 were the companies of the Tata Group.

In 2022, the list was topped by Microsoft, followed by Mercedes-Benz and Amazon. In 2021, Google India was the top employer brand, followed by Amazon and Microsoft India.

In terms of sectors, the automotive sector has claimed the top spot as most attractive in 2023, with 77 per cent attractiveness. IT, ITeS and telecom follow it at 76 per cent and FMCG, retail and e-commerce at 75 per cent.

Tata Motors was the most attractive brand for employees in the auto sector. It was followed by Mercedes-Benz and Maruti Suzuki.

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Trends in working terms and conditions

The report showed that the job market in India is still volatile. Of about 163,000 employees surveyed for the research, 30 per cent have switched jobs in the last six months. Moreover, 43 per cent said they plan to change employers in the next six months.

The inclination towards moonlighting is also very high.

Nine in ten employees agree that an employer is much more attractive if they are allowed to take up additional jobs/assignments for supplemental income. Interestingly, the desire to take up a second job is relatively stronger among women than men (92 per cent vs 89 per cent).

This, the report said, is "a subtle hint of the prevailing gender-pay gap".

Also, the sentiment to moonlight is strongest among the workforce within the age group of 25-34 years.

82 per cent of those surveyed said they find non-material benefits very important when choosing one employer over the other. Notably, 73 per cent said a good relationship with their manager and/or colleagues is the most important non-material benefit.

"Talent is getting increasingly serious - not just about the job, but a long-term career progression and job satisfaction that allows them to enjoy the non-material benefits of being associated with the employer, along with identifying a clear purpose at work. Employers must be in touch with their employees to understand the real sentiments and continue to monitor how they feel on important EVP drivers such as salary, work-life balance, career progression and more," says Viswanath PS, managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO), Randstad India.
Vedanta Limited, a multinational mining company headquartered in Mumbai, subscribed electoral bonds to donate Rs 155 crore to political parties in FY23, according to the stock exchange disclosures.

In the last five years, the company has donated Rs 457 crore to political parties through these bonds, according to a report in The Economic Times (ET).

Vedantas donation in FY23 was higher than Rs 123 crore in FY22, according to stock exchange disclosures by the company.

The electoral bond scheme was launched in 2018 as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties.

The State Bank of India (SBI) is the only authorised bank in India to issue and encash these bonds.

Between 2018 and 2022, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received Rs 5,270 crore as donation, the Congress received Rs 964 crore, and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) received Rs 767 crore through electoral bonds, according to the ET report.

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In its latest annual report, Vedanta said that it has invested $1.2 billion via growth capex in FY23 and is "committing another $1.7 billion in FY24 towards growth projects".

During FY23, Vedanta Limited has been declared as the preferred bidder for various mining licences, namely Bicholim iron ore block in Goa, Sijimali bauxite and Ghogharpalli coal blocks in Odisha, and Kelwar Dabri in Chhattisgarh.

Vedanta Resources (VRL), the UK-based parent company of Vedanta, was in the media glare for $4.2 billion payment dues this fiscal year. The company has paid $2 billion of its liabilities until June 2023, and the remaining amount is due on January 21, 2024.
Venture capital (VC) firm Avaana Capital on Wednesday announced the first close of its Climate and Sustainability Fund at $70 million for investments in technology-driven climate solutions.

The fund has institutional investors like Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund, and the UK India Development Cooperation Fund (UKIDCF). Godrej Group, Murugappa, Torrent, Tsadik, and Bellerive Capital are among companies investing in the fund.

With significant global capital flowing, supportive policies, corporate interest and wealth of entrepreneurial talent in the climate sector, Indias climate-tech story is rapidly progressing. At Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund, we evaluate over 200 new climate opportunities every quarter, said Anjali Bansal, founding partner, Avaana Capital.

The home-grown firm said it is targeting a total corpus of $100-125 million for the fund, which will invest in sectors like energy transition and resource management, mobility and supply chains, and sustainable agriculture and food systems.

India, with its responsibility to uplift the standards of living for over 400 million citizens, requires swift acceleration in the adaptation and adoption of technology for climate action. Avaana is the leader in climate tech and the crucial mission of mitigating climate risk, said S Ramann, chairman and managing director of SIDBI.

Avaana Capital has portfolio investments in Eeki Foods, Aerem, Kazam, sentra.world, FarMart, Eggoz, Ninety One 91, Turno and Terra.do.

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Suresh Kohzikote, of Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund, said: The SRI Funds investment objective is to support onward growth capital to boost the economy and create a self-reliant India. Our partnership with Avaana Climate and Sustainability FundIndias first tech-led climate fundis to realise those objectives through climate solutions from India.
Facing flak from various quarters, the central government has withdrawn the draft Livestock and Livestock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023 . If passed, it could reportedly have paved the way for the promotion of export of live animals.

"The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, being the pre-constitutional / pre-independence Central Act, a need has been felt to align it with the contemporary requirements and prevailing circumstances related to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, and its extant Allocation of Business Rules, 1961, the official order said. The Department of Animal Husbandrys role, the order added, primarily pertains to offering support through upgraded livestock health facilities, hygiene etc., including animal welfare for the overall development of the animal husbandry sector.

However, it added, that during consultation, it was felt more time was needed to understand the proposed draft and allow for further comments or suggestions.

Representations had been made expressing concerns over the proposed draft. These involved matters of sensitivity towards and emotions for animal welfare, hence the Bill would need wider consultation, the order said.

"Considering the aforesaid views and with the approval of the competent authority, the proposed draft Bill stands withdrawn," the order said.

The Bill had drawn strong objections from animal rights activists, right-wing groups and Jain religious leaders who demanded it be withdrawn for various reasons.

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Sources in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh said while the Bill could be a panacea for the menace of stray animals, the organisation would not allow religious sentiments and cultural beliefs to be hurt.

Animal rights activists took to social media on June 17, flagging how the department gave only 10 days to receive comments and suggestions from "stakeholders, importers and exporters".

The deadline expired on June 17.

The draft also said that the Centre, by notification in the official gazette, would prescribe measures as necessary for the promotion of the export of livestock and livestock products.

Animal rights groups, among others, interpreted it as a clandestine way to promote the export of live animals, which until now isnt easy.

In 2022-23, India exported $5.11 million worth of live animals, the bulk of which was sheep and goats.

Sources in the business said that most of these animals are exported during festivals to West Asian countries.

"The livestock importation and exportation Bill will blatantly increase the cruelty towards animals. Inclusion of dogs, cats and birds in the definition of livestock is preposterous. This Bill is definitely a bane and should be opposed, Faizan Jaleel, an animal rights activist, had told Business Standard. Countries like New Zealand have stopped the cruel practice of transporting live animals as commodities," he had added.

The row over the Bill
Three civilians were injured in Bishnupur district in ethnic violence-affected Manipur after an SUV parked at a culvert in Kwakta area exploded on Wednesday, sources said.

A bomb inside the vehicle was possibly triggered after the driver alighted and slipped away.

The three injured were standing near the vehicle and were shifted to Bishnupur District Hospital.

Doctors at the hospital said one of them was injured severely.

More than 100 people have lost their lives in the violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur that broke out over a month ago.

Clashes first broke out in Manipur 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.

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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.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened an all-party meeting on June 24 in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur which has witnessed sporadic violence since May 3.

"Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah has convened an all party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur," a home ministry spokesperson tweeted.

The announcement came after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met the home minister here this evening.

Sarma is also the convenor of the NDA's Northeast chapter NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance).

He had also visited Imphal a fortnight ago and met Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and a number of political leaders.

Violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

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So far, nearly 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 are injured.

Amit Shah had also visited the state for four days last last month and met a cross sections of people in his efforts to bring back peace in the northeastern state.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently conducted raids at 14 locations in Mumbai and one outside the city as part of an investigation into an alleged scam involving jumbo coronavirus centers. Here is everything you need to know about the case and its development so far.

What is the coronavirus centre scam?

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) set up field hospitals in Mumbai. The BJP alleges that contracts for these hospitals were awarded at inflated rates to contractors who had connections with Shiv Sena leaders but lacked experience in the healthcare sector.

The ED's money-laundering investigation into the alleged scam is based on a case registered in August of the previous year at Azad Maidan police station by Kirit Somaiya. Later, in October 2022, the case was transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).

The estimated amount involved in the scam is Rs 38 crore according to the Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), while BJP leader Kirit Somaiya claims it to be an Rs 100 crore scam.

Whose premises are being searched?

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As previously reported by Business Standard , the premises being searched by the ED include the residence of Suraj Chavan in Chembur, who is a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, the son of Uddhav Thackeray, and the residence of Sujit Patkar in Santacruz, a close aide of Sanjay Raut, another leader from Shiv Sena.

Additionally, the ED is searching the premises of Sanjeev Jaiswal, an IAS officer who was an additional municipal commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Lifeline Hospital Management Services in Sasmira Marg, Worli, as well as the suppliers, contractors, and middlemen, are also being investigated for their respective involvement in the alleged scam.

Who is named in the case and what are the allegations?

The first information report (FIR) filed on August 24, 2022, mentioned Lifeline Hospital Management Services and its partners, including Sujit Mukund Patkar, Dr Hemant Ramsharan Gupta, Sanjay Madanlal Shah, and Raju Nandkumar Salunkhe. The EOW obtained contract and payment details related to Lifeline Hospital Management Services, which was responsible for setting up jumbo Covid centers during the pandemic.

According to Kirit Somaiya's police complaint, the accused firm obtained the contract through forged documents, which include their partnership deed. He also claims that the firm concealed the fact that it had been blacklisted by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority for providing medical services.

The probe, by the BMC, focused on finding irregularities in contracts that were awarded for healthcare services and staff. The EOW is investigating the criminal aspects of the alleged scam, while the ED is tracing the money trail of the proceeds from the alleged crime.

Who has been arrested so far?

The EOW has arrested two individuals: Raju Nandakumar Salunke, also known as Rajiv, and Bala Ramchandra Kadam, also known as Sunil. During the investigation, it was discovered that around Rs 82 lakh was transferred from the bank account of Salunkhe (one of the partners in Lifeline Hospital Management Services) to Kadam's account.

According to the Indian Express (IE), amounts of Rs 87.31 lakh and Rs 45 lakh were transferred from the company's bank account to Kadam's account. When questioned about these transactions, Kadam failed to provide supporting documents. Furthermore, when asked about the Rs 45 lakh transaction, he claimed it was used for office rent but the landlord stated that no payment was received.

Who else has been questioned?

The EOW has interviewed several BMC officials, including municipal commissioner IS Chahal and joint municipal commissioner (improvement) Ramesh Pawar, according to the IE report. Pawar was questioned about the circumstances, under which the Patkar-led company was allowed to participate in the tendering process despite lacking healthcare experience. However, Pawar is not considered a suspect in the case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Elon Musk and a group of academicians in New York on Wednesday (IST). These include names like Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Robert Thurman, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, among others.

After the meeting, Tesla chief and Twitter owner commented on PM Modi's Twitter post, "It was an honour to meet again."

To this, PM Modi replied, "Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality."

In a press release, the ministry of external affairs said, "Prime Minister appreciated Mr Musk's efforts at making technology accessible and affordable in various sectors. Prime Minister invited Mr Musk to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector."

While talking to reporters after the meeting, Musk said that India has more promise than any other large country and that he is "incredibly excited" about its future. Asked if Tesla will enter the Indian market, Musk said he is planning to visit the country next year. "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," he said.

Musk said last month that Tesla would probably pick a location for a new factory by the end of this year, adding India was an interesting place for a new plant.

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Meeting other thought leaders

PM Modi also met statistician Nassim Nicholas Taleb in New York. He wrote on Twitter, "Professor @nntaleb has interesting perspectives on many issues and I had the opportunity to hear them on some of those subjects. He was greatly interested in India's development strides. I emphasised on how we are nurturing a spirit of enterprise and risk-taking among our youth."

According to MEA's statement, in his conversation with Taleb, PM Modi also highlighted the "risk-taking abilities of India's young entrepreneurs and growing start-up ecosystem in India".

After meeting Ray Dalio, PM Modi tweeted, "Met my friend, the distinguished author and investor @RayDalio. Urged him to deepen investments in India and also talked about the reform trajectory of our government."

PM Modi also met Nobel laureate Paul Romer and held discussions on "how to make our cities more sustainable and people friendly".

Discussions on new education policy

In a meeting with a group of academics, PM Modi discussed the new education policy of India. After the meeting, he tweeted, "In New York City, held an extensive interaction with a group of academics. They shared their views on how to further strengthen the education sector in India with a focus on skills and innovation. I talked about the transformative potential of our national education policy."

Yoga Day celebrations and state dinner to follow

On June 21, PM Modi will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters in New York. PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.

(With agency inputs)
The southwest monsoon has started on a weak note and this has delayed the sowing of kharif crops. Though a cause for concern, the situation hasnt reached a stage where it warrants any panic response.

Moreover, according to meteorologists and industry players, monsoon rains will witness a revival in the coming few weeks. There have been instances when rainfall was poor in June but that did not translate into it remaining weak for the entire season. In 2019, the rainfall in June was around 32 per cent less than normal as the southwest monsoon arrived late, by seven days around June 8.

The progress of monsoon was also sluggish that year, just like this year, due to the impact of cyclone Vayu in the Arabian Sea. But, after the cyclone waned, rainfall revived in July that year and 2019 emerged as a normal monsoon year. This year too, weathermen and scientists believe that a monsoon revival is on the cards that would wipe off most of the shortfall which has already started coming down in the last few days.

The second pulse of southwest monsoon has started and it will extend right up to the middle of July, and we can expect good monsoon over hitherto untouched parts of central, west, and northern India by next week. Rains will cover the entire country by the middle of July and the deficit will also narrow down considerably, but for June yes, it will be below normal rains on the whole as has been predicted, D Sivananda Pai, scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and well-known authority on Indian monsoons, told Business Standard. He advised: One should panic or become unduly worried if there is something unknown or unpredictable. Sowing is delayed but then proper remedial strategies though agro-advisories are already in place, Pai said.

A more worrisome situation would have happened if rains went for a big break after sowing, which isnt the case so far, he said. Rainfall in June until June 23 is around 33 per cent below normal. Sowing of kharif crops until June 16 is marginally less than last year, with rice, pulses, and oilseeds being the biggest losers in terms of acreage.

Ravinder Balain, president-South Asia, Corteva Agriscience, said the delay in the progress of the southwest monsoon will have a small impact on demand for agrochemicals in the country, but it will be temporary.

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The agrochemical industry is well prepared to address issues caused by delayed and less rainfall. Today, we have climate-positive solutions with beneficial environmental profiles like hybrid seeds and bio-pesticides, helping address challenges like water scarcity and climate change, delivering safe, affordable, and reliable products, Balain told Business Standard.

Corteva is one of the world's premier agriculture companies. Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, country divisional head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, said that based on the recent predictions of the IMD, the company remains hopeful that we will have good (monsoon) coverage across the country swiftly.

As a company, Bayer is fully prepared with its entire portfolio of products, solutions, and advisory to ensure immediate access to any solution that our farmers may require through all its channels for a successful kharif season, said Wiebusch.

But, not all are extremely positive. Atul Garg, managing director, GRM Overseas, one of the leading rice exporters in the country, said the severity of El Nino holds the key for this year. "Paddy cultivation requires a lot of water supply. The canal network is good in the states like Punjab and Haryana. Therefore, water shortage due to deficient rainfall wont affect paddy sowing in these regions. However, its a serious concern for paddy growers in other states. But, as a revival in monsoon is expected in last week of June, we can expect a turnaround in paddy sowing, Garg said.

Rahul Chauhan, commodity analyst at iGrain India said the rains are delayed, farmers may go for short-duration crops and crops consuming less water like pulses and grains like maize, jowar, and bajra.

He said overall oilseeds acreage could remain less this year, and paddy and sugarcane which consume more water might get impacted.
American entrepreneur Elon Musk is planning to visit India next year, after receiving an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore opportunities in the country for investments in electric mobility and the commercial space sector.

Following his meeting in New York with the prime minister, who is on a three-day state visit to the US, the Tesla Motors CEO said the company would set up shop in India as soon as humanly possible.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Musk said: We do not want to jump the gun on an announcement but I think it is quite likely that it will be a significant investment in our relationship with India. I am extremely excited about the future for India. India has more promise than any large country in the world, he said, adding, He (Modi) really cares about India, and is pushing us to make significant investment in the country, which is something that we intend to do. We are figuring out the right timing.

The entrepreneur also said that he intends to visit India next year.

On his meeting with Musk, Modi tweeted: Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. To this, Musk replied: It was an honour to meet again.

Asked by reporters about areas in which he would like to invest in India, Musk replied in all three pillars of sustainable energy future. This includes, sustainable energy generation from solar and wind; creating the battery infrastructure; and finally electric vehicles.

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He said he hopes to bring SpaceXs Starlink satellite internet service to India, as well.

Starlink is a satellite internet system, comprising about 4,000 small satellites orbiting the low Earth orbit. I think Starlink internet could be incredibly helpful, especially to connect remote or rural villages which may have no access to the internet, he said.

Besides Musk, the Prime Minister met several thought leaders from various walks of life, including astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio. He met one-on-one with some of them, while others interacted with him in groups.

Tesla has been c planning to enter India as early as 2019. One of the demand that it has made is reducing the high import duty on electric vehicles. According to Indian laws, an electric vehicle that costs over $40,000 attracts 60 per cent import tax. This will further make Tesla cars expensive in India.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari earlier this year said that Tesla is eligible for subsidies and discounts provided it manufactures in India and does not bring in already build cars from China.

According to a Reuters report, officials from Tesla visited India last month and held talks with minsters and bureaucrats on establishing a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in India.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday left for France to attend a two-day summit in Paris that will discuss a new global financing pact.

Sitharaman will meet heads of state and government, ministers, leaders of international organisations, officials of global financial institutions, private sector and civil society representatives to discuss multilateral and bilateral engagements.

The summit is co-organised by France, Barbados and India. Its objective is setting the foundations for a new global financing architecture beyond the Bretton Woods system to address climate change, biodiversity crisis and development challenges and help countries achieve their Sustainable Development Goals.

The pact seeks to set up an architecture that will be robust enough to deliver more resources, protect them from possible economic or geopolitical shocks.

In the months to come, there is an opportunity to reshape the architecture of development and climate finance for a stronger and more efficient international financial system, according to nouveaupactefinancier.org, the summits official website.

It said that the key decisions will have to be taken at the G20 Summit in September and the COP 28 conference. In the meantime, it may be useful to work and seek a basis for consensus. In that spirit, the Summit can be seen as a stepping stone, a focal point for discussion and identification of possible convergences.

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The summit will provide a platform for non-states actorspublic and private funds, the private sector and civil societyto participate in discussions, assess key actions towards development and climate finance objectives.
The G-20 working group on sustainable finance has made a case for facilitating flow of private capital to fund investment in green carbon technologies through policies and financial instruments with a view to mitigating the impact of climate change, an official said on Wednesday.



It also underlined the need for creating an enabling framework for startups to come up with new technologies to reduce carbon emissions.



The outcome of the three-day meeting of the G-20 sustainable finance working group, held at Mahabalipuram, would be taken up at the meeting of the G-20 Finance Ministers and central bank governors on July 17-18 in Gandhinagar.



Briefing reporters after the meeting, Geetu Joshi, advisor in the Department of Economic Affairs, said the sustainable finance working group in its third meeting has "finalised key deliverables" for the year under India's G-20 Presidency.



"The finalised version of G-20 Sustainable finance deliverables under the Indian presidency consists of voluntary recommendations which have been finalized through consensus and collaborative approach. We have broadly made recommendations for a list of options to expand de-risking facilities, as well as policies and financial instruments to support private capital for investment in green and low carbon technologies," Joshi said.



There are recommendations for the analytical framework for sustainable development goal (SDG)-aligned finance, which will complement the G-20 Sustainable finance roadmap consisting of recommendations on nature-related data and reporting and social impact investment.



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With regard to new technologies which could be used to mitigate the impact of climate change, Chandni Raina, Advsior in the Department of Economic Affairs, said there is a need to finance early-stage technologies, which are mainly developed by startups.

"This is the time when (early stage climate) technology needs the resource at a concessional rate, at a rate that enables it to grow to the scale that we need. The discussion was on how do we do that because the normal instruments of mobilizing (funds) will not work," she said.



Stating that early stage climate technologies are housed in startups, Raina said there was a need for creating enabling frameworks to scale up the operations of startup and bring those technologies to the market.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are entering into discussions to address concerns raised by exporters regarding the extensive details of manufacturing and procurement required by customs authorities in both countries.

These extensive details are a part of the 'rules-of-origin' requirements outlined in the free trade agreement (FTA) signed last year by the two nations. Additionally, the two nations have decided to enhance non-oil trade amid the global decline in commodity prices. These developments came after the first review of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) last week.

According to a report by Mint, one of the main concerns raised by Indian exporters is the burden of complying with rules-of-origin requirements. These requirements determine the origin country of goods and determine their eligibility for preferential treatment (i.e tariff reductions) under the FTA.

This challenge has risen because UAE tariffs are not significantly high, so exporters are questioning whether it is worthwhile to undergo the compliance burden. Indian exporters have expressed these concerns to the Ministry of Commerce.

The certification of the country of origin confirms that the exported goods meet specific criteria to qualify as originating from a particular country. Although the country of origin may be reflected in actual exports with a delay, it serves as a reliable indicator of utilisation and compliance with the trade agreement.

An even greater concern for India is the potential circumvention of rules-of-origin requirements since the UAE serves as a transnational hub. Due to India's insistence on strict rules-of-origin, the UAE has also adopted a similar stance.

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The same report added that the UAE has requested detailed information about the manufacturing process, which exporters are uncomfortable sharing as it involves disclosing intellectual property rights.

Indian exporters perceive this as a risk and the issue was discussed during the India-UAE joint committee meeting on June 12th and has been referred to the sub-committee on rules of origin. The sub-committee is expected to provide recommendations to the joint committee by November.

The India-UAE CEPA, implemented on May 1st last year, eliminated duties on 90 per cent of India's exports to the UAE by value and covered various sectors, including gems and jewelry, textiles, leather, and engineering goods. Notably, gems and jewelry, automobiles, cereals, and machinery and mechanical appliances have been the top beneficiaries in terms of value.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after reaching the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Tuesday, said that he is looking forward to the programmes including interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day celebrations at UN headquarters.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Landed in New York City. Looking forward to the programmes here including interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day programme tomorrow, 21st June."

PM Modi received a grand reception at the airport as soon as he arrived in New York on the first leg of his historic state visit to the United States.

Members of the Indian diaspora chanted 'Modi, Modi' slogans as they await PM Modi's arrival in New York.

PM Modi also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and was seen shaking hands with them.

Today, PM Modi is expected to meet CEOs, Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians, and health sector experts today.

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Meanwhile, the Indian Diaspora members were seen waiting for PM Modi outside his hotel in New York. While waiting, some of the Indian diasporas were performing Garba.

A few Indian communities gathered outside Lottee New York Palace to welcome PM Modi.

"This visit is really big for all the Indians because a nation is like a family and the prime minister is the head of the family. And we are blessed to have him as a prime minister. Because he as the prime minister, India is growing and India is having more prestige, success, and the world is now doing acknowledgement of India's progress. So it's a big thing that Modiji is coming and I am here just to meet the head of the family," a woman of Indian origin in New York.

He will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.

On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will review heatwave preparedness with the affected states over a video conference at noon today, informed health department sources.

Mandaviya, on Tuesday, while chairing a high-level meeting in the national capital to review public health preparedness to deal with heatwave conditions prevailing in parts of the country, said that a team of officers will be sent to states experiencing heatwaves to assist the state governments.

"A team of experts from the Union Health Ministry, ICMR, IMD and NDMA will visit the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to support them in public health response measures to address heat-related illnesses," the minister said.

Underscoring the importance of sturdy and timely preparedness through awareness and early actions, Mandaviya has also directed ICMR to conduct research on how to minimise the effect of heat waves on health, with specific short, medium and long-term action plans.

"The Centre has taken timely measures ahead of the summer season to address the heat wave-related illnesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review preparedness ahead of the summer season in March while the Union Health Ministry issued a heat wave advisory in February where States were advised to review health facility preparedness in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, packs, ORS, drinking water as well as dissemination of necessary IEC materials," he added.

As per the Ministry of Health, during the meeting, Mandaviya was briefed on the status of heat waves in various states and about the preparedness of Central agencies in terms of the availability of required supplies and hospital infrastructure to provide timely and effective healthcare services.

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He was also apprised that daily surveillance on heat-related illness under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) has been ensured in all states and districts on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) and all the health facilities have been asked to participate using P-form level login, the ministry said.

The Union Health Minister asked IMD to issue daily weather forecasts in a manner that can be easily interpreted and disseminated.

Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), Dr Rajiv Bahl, NITI Aayog, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with India Meteorological Department (IMD) experts were also present at the meeting.

Many people are suffering from the scorching heat across the country.

On Monday, two persons amid soaring temperatures in the Gaya district of Bihar died at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College, the hospital informed. A total of 58 patients were admitted at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College on Monday.
Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer while offering her greetings upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US has expressed hope that the two countries will have a "momentous future together."

Following PM Modi's arrival in the US, the Indian embassy in the US has posted the message of the Michigan Governor on Twitter.

"Statement by Governor #Michigan @GovWhitmer on the State Visit of Prime Minister @narendramodi to the #USA," tweeted India in US.

In her welcome message, Whitmer said that she was truly grateful for all the contributions PM Modi has made to the US.

She also said, "Based on your shared values and commitment to global peace and prosperity, the partnership between our state and your nation continues to grow," adding, "I have no doubt that our countries will have a momentous future together that is rooted in mutual growth and success."

"I look forward to paving the way for greater collaboration between our state and your country in the years to come. Again, welcome! I look forward to continuing to world together to build a brighter future for our countries and for the world," her letter concluded.

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PM Modi remained involved in a series of meetings earlier in the day. He met Tesla CEO Elon Musk, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and others. He also chaired several meetings with big names in various fields, including members of think tanks, health sector experts and also with academicians.

PM Modi is in the United States for his historic State visit at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

PM Modi will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.

On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden are expected to discuss issues concerning policies, past agreements, and human rights along with discussions to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

PM Modi has travelled to Washington this week on an official state visit to discuss issues related to economics, technology, policy, and defense.

During this meeting, areas of concern from both nations are likely to come up. Experts speculate that some of the key points raised would include issues on non-immigrant visas, the still pending social security agreement (SSA), the restoration of India's GSP status, and penal duties & import tax on steel and aluminum, according to a report by the Hindu BusinessLine.

India has been a member of the US generalised system of preference (GSP) programme since it was launched in 1975, it was denied beneficiary status in 2019. As beneficiaries of this programme, eligible products can enter the US duty-free.

Currently, 20 countries have an SSA with India that ensures citizens and residents of India do not have to pay a double social security tax while working in foreign countries.

On the US side, Reuter has reported that 75 lawmakers in the US have urged Biden to raise issues regarding human rights in a letter sent to the president.

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According to the report, lawmakers are concerned about religious tolerance, press freedoms, internet access, and the targeting of civil society groups.

"A series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access," the letter read.

They did add that Washington wanted a "close and warm relationship" with the world's largest democracy. Therefore, while common areas of interest needed to be shared, differences should also be discussed "in an honest and forthright way."

Both countries want to create close ties to better counterweight China's influence in global economics.

US President Joe Biden will be hosting a state dinner for PM Modi on Wednesday, June 21 after the celebration of International Yoga Day on the lawns of the United Nations headquarters.

The Prime Minister will also address a joint sitting of the US Congress.
The 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at United Nations headquarters in New York under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a new Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities on Wednesday.

PM Modi led the celebrations today and addressed the gathering of people from more than 135 nationalities.

Today there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today in New York, at the UN, they have 135. It is a new Guinness world records title, the Guinness World Records official adjudicator Michael Empric said.

While addressing the gathering, PM Modi said "I'm delighted to see you all. And I thank you all for coming. Friends. I'm told that almost every nationality is represented here today,"

"Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender, and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal. Yoga is free from copyright, from patents, and from royalty payments" PM Modi said.

The celebrations saw many popular and renowned faces like Hollywood actor Richard Gere, UN General Assembly President Csaba Korisi, New York city Mayor and deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed.

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PM Modi is on his sixth visit to the US, however, this is his first official visit. He arrived in the US on June 20.





In India, a Yoga Day event organised in Surat city of Gujarat on Wednesday also broke the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering for a yoga session at one place with 1.53 lakh people joining the program, officials said. During his visit, PM Modi will meet the US leadership, members of Congress, American CEOs, and members of the Indian-American community.

The representatives of the Guinness World Records confirmed that 153,000 people participated in the Yoga session in Surat.



Rajasthan's Kota held the previous record where 100,984 people participated in a Yoga Day session in one place in 2018.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to the fallen UN peacekeepers at the Wall of Peace at the UN headquarters here and asserted that their selfless service will never be forgotten.

Modi was in New York to lead a yoga session celebrating the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN headquarters.

The prime minister is on an official state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Modi took to Twitter and said, "Humbled to pay my tributes at the Wall of Peace at the @UN HQ today. We honor and remember the brave peacekeepers who gave their lives for a more peaceful world. Their selfless service will never be forgotten."



Earlier this month, the UN General Assembly adopted a draft resolution introduced by India to establish a memorial wall in the UN Headquarters to honour fallen peacekeepers.

Modi, who was here on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US, also paid respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the North Lawn of the UN headquarters at the beginning of the event that created the Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

"Had the honor of paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his bust in the



@UN HQ. His enduring message of peace, nonviolence and harmony continues to guide and inspire us, and stands as a beacon for the world," Modi tweeted.

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The bust was installed in December last year under India's presidency of the UN Security Council.
(Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States may encourage more American companies to consider investing in the South Asian country as they look to reduce their reliance on China for manufacturing-related activities.

The United States is the third largest source of foreign investment for India, with over $60 billion invested between 2000 and 2023, according to official data.

Following are some recent investment announcements, mostly by U.S. companies:

TESLA

Elon Musk said Modi was pushing the electric-car maker to make a "significant investment" in the country, adding that such an announcement was expected soon.

MICRON TECHNOLOGY

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India's cabinet approved the chipmaker's $2.7 billion plan for a new semiconductor testing and packaging unit, a senior government source said, ahead of Modi's state visit to the United States.

Boeing The aircraft-maker plans to invest about $24 million in India to set up a logistics centre for airplane parts. The announcement preceded the company bagging an order for 220 jets from Air India.

AMAZON.COM

Amazon Web Services said it planned to invest $13 billion in India by 2030 to build its cloud infrastructure and create thousands of jobs

APPLE

The U.S. tech giant opened its stores in Mumbai and Delhi in April. It has been trying to make India a bigger manufacturing base and has started manufacturing several products there through contract electronics makers Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp

During his visit to India in April, CEO Tim Cook said Apple was "committed to growing and investing across the country."

FOXCONN

The Taiwanese contract manufacturer plans to invest $500 million to set up manufacturing plants in the south Indian state of Telangana and almost $968 million in neighbouring Karnataka. The investments are expected to create more than 70,000 jobs, Indian officials have said.

The Apple supplier also plans to build a factory in India to manufacture AirPods, Apple's wireless earphones.

CISCO SYSTEMS

The U.S. networking equipment maker will begin manufacturing from India as it looks to diversify its global supply chain. It has set a target of $1 billion in production and exports from India over the next few years.

WALMART

The retail giant's CEO met Modi during his India visit last month and reiterated that the company planned exports from India worth $10 billion a year by 2027.

(Reporting by Sakshi Dayal in New Delhi, Akash Sriram and Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing by Robert Birsel and Anil D'Silva)
(Adds graphic)

By Aditi Shah and Tim Hepher

NEW DELHI/PARIS (Reuters) - Record plane orders by India's top two carriers show the country's untapped potential for air travel and its rise as an aviation superpower, but recent airline failures and rows over regulations suggest progress may not be smooth.

Indian budget airline IndiGo announced at the Paris Airshow on Monday the biggest ever plane order by number of aircraft with a deal for 500 Airbus narrowbody jets.

A day later, rival Air India firmed up an order for 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft that, until Monday, had been the industry leading plane deal.

With a total of almost 1,000 jet orders between them, IndiGo and Air India are betting an economic boom and growing middle class will spur demand for domestic air travel, and new jets will help them grab a bigger share of international traffic.

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The number of domestic air passengers in India is expected to surge to 350 million by 2030, up from 144 million in 2019, with international air travellers up to 160 million from 64 million in 2019, according to aviation consultancy CAPA India and government data.

The number of airports in India is also set to climb to 200 over the next five years from 150 today, as the government looks to connect the country's remotest areas by air.

"It is time to seize the skies," civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, adding the new planes would help Indian airlines expand at home and across continents.

IndiGo, which operates a fleet of 300 planes, is yet to take delivery of some 500 jets from previous orders with Airbus.

This puts the total deliveries by planemakers to Indian carriers at more than 1,500 over the next decade and beyond - double India's existing fleet of 700 planes across all airlines.

That makes India a key market for planemakers, especially Airbus which has bagged the bulk of new orders, outdoing U.S. rival Boeing, and engine manufacturers whose wares will be put to test.

LEASING CONCERNS

But while the opportunity in India is big, so are the risks, says Ameya Joshi, an independent aviation analyst.

The recent failure of Go First, the third Indian airline to go under in 11 years, has exposed a gap in local regulations over the protection of rights of foreign leasing firms that finance many large plane deals. Indian budget carrier SpiceJet is also facing the ire of lessors over unpaid dues.

Leasing companies warn that restrictions on repossessing their assets in case of defaults will drive up costs for all Indian airlines - even for IndiGo and Air India.

"There needs to be a huge regulatory revamp to protect lessors' interests. It will eventually help Indian airlines by lowering risk and moderating lease rental costs," said Joshi.

India is a critical market for lessors. Sale-and-leaseback deals - where airlines sell planes to lessors to free up capital and then rent them back - accounted for 75% of plane deliveries in India from 2018 to 2022, compared with a global average of 35%, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

This is causing concerns among some leasing companies that fear being too exposed to a market fraught with risks.

Some analysts also say that the airlines could be over-ordering jets in pursuit of the same passengers.

The bullish outlooks from IndiGo and Air India, which together control about 80% of the domestic market, suggest both are starting to benefit from their scale compared to rivals.

Joshi expects annual passenger growth in India to taper to 6%-10% going forward, coming off highs of 20% seen in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. But he thinks the market will stabilise as weaker airlines will fall by the wayside.

"India is moving towards becoming a stable market where growth will not be as high but airlines will be profitable and connectivity will be better despite higher fares," he said.

(Reporting by Aditi Shah and Tim Hepher; Additional reporting by Joanna Plucinska in Paris; Editing by Mark Potter)
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Rs 1 crore had been allotted for the development works of Bahanaga Hospital and another Rs 1 crore to develop the village and nearby villages

Vaishnaw held a meeting with the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and State government officials in Odisha's Balasore.

Vaishnaw arrived here on Monday for a three-day tour of the state. He also interacted with local individuals who generously provided assistance.

The minister announced Rs 1 crore from his MP local area development (LAD) fund and another Rs 1 crore from Railways funds for the development of Bahanaga village and the hospital there.

He said that the concept for Balasore station was presented during the meeting and the option chosen is related to Jagannath temple.

"Work on a total of 1,200 railway stations in the country is underway and today the concept for Balasore station has been presented. There were three options, the option chosen is related to the Jagannath temple. We will work on it now," said Ashwini Vaishnaw on Balasore station's new project.

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The tragic incident of a triple train accident on June 2 which involved the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the Howrah-bound Shalimar Express and a goods train claimed the lives of 288 people.

Vaishnaw is scheduled to visit Balasore in Odisha on today, two weeks after a tragic rail accident occurred in the district.

This visit coincides with International Yoga Day, during which BJP leaders will participate in yoga activities throughout the country.

It is noteworthy that Ashwini Vaishnaw has experience in disaster management as a collector of the district of Balasore, Vaishnaw has handled the super cyclone crisis in the past.

Vaishnaw also reached the accident site in Balasore after a few hours of the accident leading a team of over 2300 officials to ensure the restoration of the rail line and the successful completion of rescue and relief operations.
By Nidhi Verma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's rising imports of Russian oil hit a record high of about 1.95 million barrels per day (bpd) in May denting purchases from Iraq and Saudi Arabia fell, tanker data from trade and industry sources showed.

India, the world's third biggest oil consumer and importer, buys more than 80% of its oil from overseas markets.

Its refiners have been gorging on Russian oil since the West imposed sanctions over Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian oil accounted for about 40% of India's crude imports in May, cutting imports from Iraq to a three-year low and from Saudi Arabia to their lowest since September 2021, an analysis of the data showed.

India imported 801,400 bpd of Iraqi oil in May, down about 13.7% from April, while supply from Saudi fell 15% to 616,100 bpd, the data show.

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India's overall May oil imports rose marginally from April to 4.8 million bpd, the data showed.

Its imports from Russia are expected to remain high, as its landed price remains far cheaper than Middle East crude.

In April the landed price of a tonne of oil from Russia was about $500, equivalent to $68.21/barrel using a conversion factor of 7.33, while that from Iraq cost $570 and from Saudi Arabia was $637.40, according to the government data. Price details for May arrival cargoes have not yet been updated.

Due to higher purchases of discounted Russian oil, the share of imports from the Middle East -- traditionally its top source -- fell to an all-time low of about 39% in May from 44% in April, the data showed.

OPEC's share of India's oil imports in May fell to a record low of 42.6% and averaged 44.3% in the first two months of this fiscal year, the data showed.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma; editing by Jason Neely)
In a relief to arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, the Supreme Court Wednesday refused to stay a Madras High Court order allowing to shift him to a private hospital for treatment notwithstanding fervent request by the Enforcement Directorate.

The Enforcement Directorate, which arrested Balaji in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the state's transport department, had moved the apex court against the Madras High Court order.

Balaji, 47, underwent a coronary bypass surgery at a private hospital in Chennai on Wednesday and was said to be doing fine.

A vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice M M Sundresh noted a habeas corpus petition filed by Balaji's wife against his "illegal" arrest is still pending in the high court and asked the ED to approach it.

The top court noted the high court is yet to pronounce its final judgement on the maintainability of the habeas corpus petition and on the ED's request for exclusion of the period of Balaji's stay in hospital from the duration of remand which the trial court had granted the central agency for the minister's custodial interrogation.

"Since both these issues are likely to be examined by the High Court on the date fixed i.e. June 22, 2023, or soon thereafter, we deem it appropriate to post these Special Leave Petitions for further hearing on July 4, 2023.

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"It is clarified that the pendency of these Special Leave Petitions shall not be taken as a ground to adjourn the matter pending adjudication before the high court," the bench said.

The bench said observations made by the high court in the interim order or any oral observation made by the apex court during the course of the hearing shall have no bearing on the merits of the case.

At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, said the high court order set a wrong precedent as it was contrary to three constitution bench judgments.

"The person has got himself admitted and he is undergoing some surgery etc. I am challenging the order of remand which is made conditional which makes the remand virtually meaningless," Mehta submitted.

The solicitor general said this is a case where because of the interference of the high court, the ED is unable to exercise the right of remand.

"No one can take away your right of remand. You're entitled to it. The only question is should it be deferred or postponed till the day the person recovers from the ailment," the apex court told the central government's law officer.

Bajali, the electricity and prohibition and excise minister of Tamil Nadu, was arrested on June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam that took place when he was the transport minister in an AIADMK government led by J Jayalalithaa.

The high court passed an interim order for shifting the minister to a private hospital after Balaji's wife filed a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal arrest.

In its plea before the top court, the ED said the high court erred in entertaining the habeas corpus petition, claiming it was not maintainable after a judicial order had already been passed remanding Balaji in the custody of the federal anti-money laundering agency.

"The high court has erred in allowing the arrestee (Balaji) to be shifted to a private hospital without there being any basis to do so and without first considering the request of the ED to constitute an independent medical board for evaluation.

"Having allowed shifting of the arrestee to a private hospital, the high court has erred in not entertaining the plea of the investigating agency of excluding the period of treatment to be undergone in the private hospital from the period of custody as interrogation and investigation would be rendered meaningless while the arrestee is in hospital," the ED's plea said.

The probe agency said the high court erred in entertaining the habeas corpus petition when Balaji had already been remanded in custody by way of a judicial order by a court of competent jurisdiction.

"The validity of arrest cannot be challenged in a habeas corpus petition once the person arrested has been validly remanded to custody. The high court has erred in entertaining the habeas corpus petition when Senthil Balaji has been duly remanded to custody by the Special Court. The said petition was liable to be dismissed at the outset for being not maintainable," the ED said.

It said the order to shift Balaji to a private hospital, without considering the specific averment made on behalf of the ED that an independent and impartial medical opinion be sought with respect to his medical condition, is untenable.

The HC had on June 15 allowed the the minister, who was then undergoing treatment at a government hospital after his arrest, to be shifted to a private facility.

The Madras High court has also issued notice to the ED on the main plea of 'illegal' arrest of Balaji and posted the matter to June 22.

The high court had said Balaji will continue to remain in judicial custody and allowed the probe agency to have its own team of doctors examine the minister.
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday issued an appeal for peace in violence-hit Manipur and said the unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people of the state has left a deep wound on the nation's conscience.



In a video message shared by the Congress on social media, she expressed sadness that people were forced to flee the only place they called home and leave behind all that they had built over their lifetime.



"It is heartbreaking to witness our brothers and sisters who have coexisted peacefully turn against each other," she said in her message.



Gandhi said the history of Manipur stands testament to its ability to embrace people of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds, and the myriad possibilities of a diverse society.



"It takes tremendous trust and goodwill to nurture the spirit of brotherhood, and a single misstep to fan the flames of hate and divisiveness," she noted.



"Today, we are at vital crossroads. Our choice to embark on the path of healing will shape the kind of future that our children will inherit. I appeal to the people of Manipur, especially my brave sisters, to lead the way in bringing peace and harmony to this beautiful land," Gandhi said.



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The former Congress chief said that as a mother, she understands their pain and appealed to their good conscience to lead the way.



"It is my sincere hope that over the coming weeks and months, we will set out on the long journey of rebuilding trust and emerge stronger from this trial. I have immense hope and faith in the people of Manipur and I know that together we will overcome this ordeal," Sonia Gandhi said in her 2.5-minute video message.



The Congress has been accusing the BJP of playing "divisive politics" in Manipur and alleged that the governments in the state and at the Centre have failed in their duty to maintain law and order in the northeastern state.
By Mihir Sharma



This week, Americans will once again be treated to the scenes of bonhomie that have come to mark visits by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US: cheering crowds of Indian-Americans, warm photo-ops with leaders of both parties, and a triumphant speech to a joint session of Congress. No doubt Modi will declare that India and the US have grown closer than ever. A few joint programs will be announced. And most casual observers will conclude that all is well with what has been breathlessly described as the most important relationship of the 21st century.



All is not, in fact, well. India has been visibly unenthusiastic about condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and discontent has built up in New Delhi over expectations that it should declare itself on the Wests side in the conflict. Meanwhile, the US foreign policy establishment has belatedly woken up to Indias unwillingness to jump on any US-led bandwagon. A series of recent essays and op-eds have questioned where the Indo-US partnership is heading.

Some of the blame, according to these pieces, must be assigned to Indias democratic backsliding under Modi, which has opened up a gulf in values between the worlds two biggest democracies.

That argument has considerably intensified New Delhis resentment of US lecturing. As far as Indias foreign policy elites are concerned, values are a distraction: Mutual concern about an aggressive and coercive China has brought New Delhi and Washington together and little else is required to ensure the relationship grows ever closer. Whatever Indias attitude toward a free press or minority rights, its size and location ensure it cannot be abandoned by the US. At this point, not many US officials would disagree.

In practice, however, values do matter. Having a shared set of organising principles allows governments to trust one another  and thus to make deals that last.

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Before Modi came to power a decade ago, both US and Indian leaders believed precisely this  that common values, even more than shared interests, dictated a closer relationship. The expectation that liberal democratic principles would put us on the same page of history pushed the bilateral relationship beyond Cold War-era acrimony.

The landmark deals struck by US President George W. Bush and Indias then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were not transactional in nature. Indeed, they represented a leap of faith on both sides. Choosing to strengthen ties with India despite few immediate benefits for the US represented, as one commentator said at the time, one of the few foreign policy successes of the Bush years, as India would grow into a new role as a leader of the free world.

The breakthrough came about because Indian leaders believed their nations future lay with other liberal democracies and because the US, in Bushs words, wanted to enlist Indias leadership in freedoms cause.

Hope of this sort emboldens you to take long-term decisions. India opposed the Iraq war, did not send troops to Afghanistan, and was dissatisfied with continued US support for Pakistan. But that did not matter, because it seemed the arc of history would bring us together.

Todays less hopeful, less trusting relationship limits the progress that the two nations can make. The Quad  which also includes Japan and Australia  looks less and less likely to grow into the Indo-Pacific NATO that China fears. Both the US and India see fewer benefits from trading with each other than they did a decade ago.

There are areas, of course, that continue to drive the relationship forward. Defense is one, investment flows another.

Yet both of these require long-term commitments, which are harder to make in an atmosphere of declining trust. While Indian decision-makers may want US arms, they balk at the possibility that their supply might one day be interrupted because of a breakdown in relations. US companies may not want to invest in Indias defense sector if, in the future, politics gets in the way of profit. And so the various deals that may be announced this week  India may start co-producing GE jet engines, for example  are small in comparison to Indias potential needs.

Tensions over values thus impose hard constraints on the Indo-US relationship. Unfortunately, the very things we expected would bring us together, our democratic traditions, are now driving us apart. It is impossible to imagine a US president being applauded in New Delhi today for a speech about standing with reformers and dissidents and civil society organisations because history is on their side. Yet Bush was, in 2006.

Jettisoning our search for shared values would be a mistake. When Modis predecessor addressed a joint session of Congress, he put it rather well: There are partnerships based on principle and partnerships based on pragmatism.  We can embark on a partnership that draws on principle as well as pragmatism. One supports and magnifies the other. Until this generation of leaders remembers that fact, the US-India partnership will continue to underperform.
On the occasion of the 9th International Yoga Day, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that yoga is India's gift to the world. She also performed yoga at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

"Yoga is one of our civilization's great accomplishments and India's great gift to the rest of the world. Yoga brings together the body and the mind and it is a holistic approach to life. Yoga helps us all to be in a better position to meet the increasing challenges around us," President Murmu said.

Urging everyone to perform yoga, she said, "On this day, I urge everyone to adopt yoga in their daily lives and experience its transformative power."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the countrymen on the occasion of the 9th International Yoga Day, and said that the coming together of more than 180 countries on India's call is 'historic'.

The Prime Minister is presently on his maiden state visit to the United States, during which he will lead celebrations of International Yoga Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York today.

"At around 5:30 pm IST, I will participate in the Yoga program which is being organised at the headquarters of the United Nations. The coming together of more than 180 countries on India's call is historic. When the proposal for Yoga Day came to the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, it was supported by a record number of countries," PM Modi said in a video message on Wednesday morning.

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Shares of Aether Industries hit a record high of Rs 1,103.75, as they rallied 10 per cent on the BSE in Wednesdays intra-day trader after fund raising via qualified institutional placement (QIP). The stock of specialty chemicals has surpassed its previous high of Rs 1,055.95, touched on June 9, 2023.Aether Industries on Monday, June 19, launched a QIP issue to raise up to Rs 750 crore. The floor price of the issue has been fixed at Rs 984.90 per share.The company may at its discretion offer a discount of not more than 5 per cent on the floor price for the Issue The issue price will be determined by the company in consultation with the book running lead managers appointed for the issue, Aether Industries said.The company proposes to utilize the net proceeds for funding capital expenditure for the expansion at manufacturing facility 3, funding capital expenditure for setting up of manufacturing facility; funding working capital requirements of Company; and general corporate purposes.Aether Industries is a speciality chemical manufacturer in India focused on producing advanced intermediates and speciality chemicals involving complex and differentiated chemistry and technology core competencies. The company have three business models under which it operate (i) large scale manufacturing of its own intermediates and speciality chemicals; (ii) contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS) and (iii) contract/exclusive manufacturing.The company has established market position in the specialty chemical business is backed by presence in a niche product portfolio, reputed clientele, and strong relations with customers. The strong and reputed customer base includes BYK Chemie, Corteva, Divis Lab, Aarti Drugs, Moehs Catalana, Neogen Chemicals, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Reddys laboratories etc.Continuous research and development has helped company to manufacture products using multiple chemistries and multiple technologies and thus widen the product portfolio and diversify the end-user industry which has contributed materially to the revenue growth.
Nifty FMCG Index

The Nifty FMCG Index, is currently trading at a level of 52,164.70. In order to gain further insights into the potential price movements, let's analyze the chart patterns and key resistance and support levels.

According to the chart analysis, there is a strong resistance zone expected between 52,250 and 52,375 for the FMCG Index. This range represents a significant barrier for the index to overcome, as it has previously faced selling pressure at these levels. Traders should pay close attention to price action within this range, as it could indicate a potential reversal or consolidation phase.

The price pattern suggests that this range might serve as the near-term high for the week, implying that the index could encounter difficulty in surpassing these levels in the short term.

To manage risk effectively, traders are advised to set a strict stoploss at 52,525. This will help protect against potential losses in case the index breaks out above the resistance range. By implementing a stoploss, traders can limit their downside risk and exit the trade if the price moves unfavorably.

On the downside, if the index fails to sustain its current levels and breaks below the range of 51,825 to 51,710, it would indicate a strong sell signal. This breakdown would suggest a shift in the market sentiment and could potentially trigger further selling pressure.

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In such a scenario, traders should be prepared for a potential decline in the index. The next support levels on the charts are expected around 51,150 to 49,850. These levels are anticipated to provide some cushioning and attract buying interest. Traders should closely monitor price movements around these support levels, as they can serve as potential entry points for buying opportunities if the index shows signs of reversal.

In summary, the Nifty FMCG Index is currently facing a strong resistance zone, indicating a potential near-term high. Traders should exercise caution and consider selling opportunities within this range, with a strict stoploss in place. A breakdown below the support levels would suggest a bearish sentiment, while the support zones could provide potential buying opportunities.

Nifty Pharma Index

The Nifty Pharma Index, currently trading at a CMP (Current Market Price) of 13,238.85, is showing signs of being in an overbought zone. Traders are advised to consider selling on any price rally as the index is expected to encounter strong resistance around the 13,425 level.

On the downside, there is support anticipated on the charts around 13,100 and 12,925. These levels may act as cushions and provide some buying interest for the index.

The RSI (Relative Strength Index), a technical indicator used to assess the momentum of an asset, is displaying a downtrend. This further supports the selling bias for the index and its constituents.

Given these factors, selling on rallies is considered the best trading strategy for the Nifty Pharma Index. Traders should look for opportunities to sell the index at higher prices, taking advantage of the potential downward movement.

(Ravi Nathani is an independent technical analyst. Views expressed are personal).
These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper

Mobile phone PLI is an India success story

A story for every screen

Yoga Day spreads message of 'One Family, One Earth' across the globe

India's energy transition beyond dependence on renewables

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The Indian defence industry ecosystem is buzzing with optimism. Stocks of defence companies are soaring with record price-to-earnings ratios, while venture funds and angel investors are vigorously hunting for defence start-ups. Market analysts are ramping up their defence teams. Foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are knocking on the doors of potential Indian partners for Make in India initiatives. From being the worlds largest importer of arms and ammunition, Indian defence exports are growing at a scorching pace, with India having a distinct possibility of becoming one of the top five defence exporte

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Cyclone Biprajoy is the latest extreme weather event that has focused attention on the impact of global warming on the lives of millions. Moving away from fossil fuels to reduce the carbon footprint of the economy has assumed increased urgency. India has accepted the goal of net zero emissions (NZE) by 2070.

Energy transition involves intense competition for the limited carbon space. Developed countries and China have exhausted 80 per cent of the carbon budget and they are now eating into the meagre space remaining at a faster pace since their per capita emissions are higher than that of India or other developing countries. China has emerged as the largest emitter. Its emission stood at 11.4 billion metric tons, or 30 per cent of the global emissions of 37.12 billion metric tons in 2021. The Indian share was 2.7 billion metric tons, or 7.27 per cent, well behind China, the US, and the EU. Chinas relative share in the global basket will go up in the future since the emissions of the EU and the US have started declining, while China will peak its emissions only in 2030.

The developed countries and China have completed their infrastructure development and industrialisation. Accepting the goal of net zero emissions imposes smaller sacrifices on their part. India has a more difficult choice as its infrastructure development will take time. In case the emissions are capped before diversification to clean energy is made, its development trajectory will be affected. The window is closing fast as the recent G7 Summit called for major economies to accept peaking by 2025.

Reaching the goal of NZE requires converting energy into electricity generated from emission-free sources. Electricity accounts for 20 per cent of the energy basket globally. Its share in the energy mix will go up as new sectors like mobility and industry are electrified. This increases the demand for electricity. What is the minimum electricity required for India to reach the goal of NZE by 2070? There are different estimates by think tanks. Most have placed their estimates in the range of 3,500 TWhr to 6,000 TWhr, though their timelines are different and some have not charted the full course to NZE. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has given an estimate of 3,400 TWhr as Indias demand by 2040. A study by Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) Task Force, with mathematical modeling by IIT Bombay, has projected the demand at 24,000-30,000 TWhr by 2070. A CEEW study has placed the demand at 24,000 TWhr by 2100. Thus, there is a wide divergence. Which one is correct? According to NITI Aayog data, Indias energy consumption in 2020 was 6292 TWhr. Is it conceivable that Indias energy consumption 20-50 years down the line will be less than its consumption in 2020, a pandemic year when economic activities slowed down?

If these demand estimates (3,400-6,000 TWhr) relate to the power sector alone, we will never reach net zero emissions. According to IEA, the power sector in India accounts for 45 per cent of its total emissions. India just does not have forest cover or sink to absorb the balance of 55 per cent of emissions.

It is worth mentioning that the VIF study has chosen a more stringent standard. The mathematical modeling by IIT Bombay is based on converting 75 per cent of total energy into electricity with hydrogen supplying 10 per cent to 25 per cent of demand to cater to hard-to-abate sectors. The IEA prescription is based on 50 per cent of energy being converted into electricity. If the remaining 50 per cent of energy is to be based on fossil fuel, will we achieve NZE? India does not have a sink to absorb emissions on this scale. The IEA model does not meet the requirement of either energy adequacy or a clean environment.

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What is the most cost-effective solution for the minimum quantum of electricity needed? There is a widespread perception that renewables are far cheaper than coal or nuclear power. However, the tariff structure in India does not include the cost of systems. Renewables are intermittent and have to be backed by other sources of power to supply electricity when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. A study by the Forum of Regulators estimated the additional cost of renewables which is not captured by the existing tariff at Rs 2.12 per unit in 2021. Adding this, the actual cost of solar power is in the range of Rs. 4.12 per unit or more, which makes it more expensive than either coal (Rs. 3.25 per unit) or nuclear (Rs. 3.47 per unit).

What is the experience of other countries? Germany has the highest renewable penetration in the world (46 per cent). It is no coincidence that the German power tariff is the highest in the world. Though Germany is phasing out nuclear power generation at home, it draws nuclear power from the Czech Republic and France. India does not have the luxury of a regional grid. All its neighbours are energy deficient, except Bhutan.

While we should work to achieve the target of 500 GW of installed capacity based on non-fossil sources by 2030 as announced by the government, there is a need for caution in case of further expansion. MIT and OECD studies have brought out that exclusive reliance on renewables for achieving low emission targets will increase the cost disproportionately. This can be moderated by the inclusion of nuclear in the energy mix. The VIF-IIT Bombay study has found that the renewable-high scenario to achieve NZE by 2070 is the costliest at $ 15.5 Trillion. The nuclear high scenario at $ 11.2 trillion is the cheapest.

Renewables are also the most land-intensive option. The installed capacity (more than 25,000 GW) needed to reach NZE in 2070 by renewable high route will require more than double the surplus land available (2,00,000 sq. km) in India now.

The share of nuclear power in Indias generation mix (3 per cent) is lower than those of other major economies. This percentage is 20 per cent for each of the US and EU-28. China is trying to raise this to 10 per cent by 2030. Japan is restarting its nuclear programme despite the Fukushima accident. Ramping up nuclear power rapidly requires incentives to be given to this sector, including parity with renewables. An expansion on this scale requires resources that cannot be internally generated by NPCIL. While joint ventures with other PSUs are welcome, there is a need to look at the examples of the UK and UAE, which not only allow the private sector but foreign vendors to bring in capital and technology. This will require an amendment of the Atomic Energy Act.

The writer is a former ambassador and Coordinator, VIF Task Force on Indias Energy Transition in a Carbon-Constrained World.

These are the personal opinions of the writer. They do not reflect the views of www.business-standard.com or the 'Business Standard' newspaper.
Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam is this years International Day of Yoga (IDY) theme. It highlights the continuing, intrepid, and persistent efforts of all involved in IDY to build a world that is holistically healthy, joyous, peaceful, and dynamic. Yoga brings in positive energy, and Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam is seeing and believing in the world as one big family. Seen in this way, the ancient traditional practice of India, that is Yoga, becomes a powerful driving force to realise the prayer of yore: Sarve bahvantu sukhina, sarve santu niramaya" (may all become happy and may all become disease-free).

At the very outset, I reiterate that Ayush as a whole has made tremendous progress in the last nine years. It is the visionary approach, farsightedness and the deep understanding of traditions of India of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji that made Ayush grow in leaps and bounds. His unfailing commitment towards the service of multitudes, and desire to see India excelling in every field resulted in IDY being celebrated across the globe wherein every year the number of participants increased manifold. Our Honourable Prime Minister, way back in 2014, gave the mantra of global wellbeing and holistic health before the member states of the United Nations in the form of a proposal of International Day of Yoga celebration on June 21 every year. The member states of the UN accepted the proposal unanimously then, and now the world is adopting it wholeheartedly.

Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam is not a making of one day. It is a theme which is well thought out, discussed, reflected upon by many and envisioned by our Honble Prime Minister. Representatives of G20 Nations and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) member countries and partners of SCO also hold Yoga in high esteem. This year, the delegations from various countries will be practicing Yoga in India on International Yoga Day.

International Day of Yoga, as we see it now, is the making of increased acceptance of Yoga en masse, whole government approach wherein each ministry of the government of India, and all the stakeholders working in synergy. The Ministry of External Affairs encourages Indian embassies; Indian missions abroad and consulates worldwide to organise yoga events on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga. This promotes Yoga among the global community and strengthens India's cultural diplomacy. Similarly, other Ministries too, work in the field of their relative strength.

To realise the full potential of IDYs 2023 theme, the first and foremost task is to reach out to the every nook and corner of the world. Last year we had Guardian Ring of Yoga for this purpose. This year we are having Yoga demonstrations for the Ocean Ring, and as Yoga from Arctic to Antarctica"countries falling on or near the prime meridian line. These two observations on June 21 will not only increase the involvement of the global communities, but also demonstrate that Yoga is a life-sustaining force, come what may be the situation or place be. Yoga will also happen in the North and South Pole regions, at Himadri, the Indian research base in Svalbard, Arctic; and at Bharti, the third Indian research base in Antarctica.

To involve every section, class, group in the IDY2023 celebration, different programmes are being executed on International Day of Yoga in our country too. Yog Bharatmala will be created which will witness participation from Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Border Roads Organization. Amrit Sarovars of the Ministry of Rural Development will also be part of this years celebrations. The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence along with other key ministries of the government of India are part and parcel of this celebration. This also reflects the whole government approach. The idea is to clearly show that IDY is every ones affair and each one of us has a part to play.

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Common Yoga Protocol will be observed at Village level and for this common service centres are also roped in. Ayush Health & Wellness Centres under National Ayush Mission will also witness observance of Common Yoga Protocol. This will happen in all the Health and Wellness Centres across India. CYP will be practiced in all Ayush facilities like Educational Institutes, Hospitals etc. One Ayush Gram of each state will also participate in CYP practice and for this Yoga trainers are appointed in identified villages so that the status of Sampoorna Yoga Gram '' can be achieved. The ultimate objective is to achieve Har Aagan Yoga by taking to rural & remote areas, for this provision has been made to train people in Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) in more than 2 lakh villages in India.

This year, our Honourable Prime Minister will lead a Yoga demonstration at United Nations headquarters in New York. I am sure this will garner big support for Yoga at international level. Also, the main event of this year's IDY will take place in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on June 21. Honourable Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, will lead a mass yoga demonstration at Garrison ground, Jabalpur. The Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Minister of State of Ayush Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai, and other dignitaries will also attend.

As we inch forward toward the IDY 2023 celebration, every minute, every second and every place acquires importance of higher degree. Every one of us has a role to play to make IDY2023 a grand success. Take some time and immerse yourself in the curative and healing power of Yoga, as I myself do daily. Believe me; this Years IDY is special as Yoga is combined with the power of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam.

The writer is Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

These are the personal opinions of the writer. They do not reflect the views of www.business-standard.com or the 'Business Standard' newspaper.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written a letter to the opposition parties to discuss the Centre's ordinance that effectively nullifies the Supreme Court order over control of services in Delhi while alleging that similar ordinances could be brought for other states too.

Kejriwal appealed to the leaders of opposition parties to discuss how to defeat the bill related to the Centre's Ordinance in Rajya Sabha in their upcoming meeting scheduled to take place in Bihar's Patna on June 23.

"On June 23, the meeting of opposition parties in Bihar should first discuss how to defeat the ordinance in Parliament," Arvind Kejriwal said in his letter dated June 20.

He said, "The ordinance is an experiment, and if it is successful, the Centre will bring similar ordinances in non-BJP states and take away the right of the state government from the subjects of the Concurrent List."

"The day is not far when the Prime Minister will run all state governments through 33 governors/LG," he said in the letter.

Kejriwal said that democracy will end in Delhi if the ordinance is implemented and after Delhi, it will also end in other states.

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"Once the ordinance is implemented, democracy will end in Delhi, the Center will run the government through LG, and after Delhi, democracy will end in other states too," Kejriwal said in his letter.

The first meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), formed through the Centre's Ordinance was conducted on Tuesday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that the newly constituted body is 'futile' as its remaining two members-- Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary of Delhi-- are officers of the Central government and can pass any order with a majority.

He said that the Delhi government will move to the Supreme Court against the Centre's Ordinance.

The NCCSA was formed, for the first time, last month after the Centre brought an Ordinance and gave it the power to recommend the transfer and posting of all Group A officers and officers of DANICS serving in Delhi.

According to the Ordinance, NCCSA is headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi, with the Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary of Delhi being the other two members.

Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called a meeting of top Opposition leaders to mobilise the opposition against BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The meeting will be held in Patna on June 23, JD(U) national president Lalan Singh said.
Underwater worlds surely appear like wonderscapes  boundless blue expanses dotted with colourful oceanic flora and fauna, muted sounds, and a feeling that everything has slowed down around you to a languid drift. Add to this a shipwreck and you might as well be travelling in a time-capsule!

This is what the tourists travelling in OceanGates Titan submersible must have also been looking forward to when they boarded the vessel. The submersible lost contact with the surface ship an hour and 45 minutes after it started to dive on Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Nearly 72 hours have passed since then.

The titan is a 22-foot carbon-fiber and titanium craft, deployed by the Canadian expedition ship M.V. Polar Prince, to travel nearly 13,000 feet down to the shipwreck site of the Titanic, on the ocean floor off Newfoundland. Claimed to be the only crewed submersible in the world that can take five people as deep as 4,000 meters, the Titan has taken people on tours of the Titanic site since 2021, and guests have paid OceanGate $250,000 for each such trip.

What are the OceanGate expeditions about?

OceanGate organizes expeditions that can last up to nine days for tourists who are willing to pay hefty prices to travel to shipwrecks and underwater canyons. According to the companys website, OceanGate also provides crewed submersibles for continuous surveys to inspect underwater infrastructure, wrecks, or sensitive environmental habitats without resurfacing. Its submersibles have been used in scientific research, oceanic surveys, and film and media productions, as well.

OceanGates tourist expeditions are fairly new though and began only in 2021; the company was founded in 2009 by US aerospace engineer and pilot, Stockton Rush. Rush is one of the 5 occupants of the missing submersible.

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What is the major wreck-diving spots in the world?

Wreck-diving is emerging as a fast-growing segment of the global underwater diving tourism market, which was valued at $3.93 blllion in 2022. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4 per cent, to reach a valuation of $5.2 billion by the end of 2028, between 2023-2028, according to a report by Market Data Forecast.

While OceanGates Titanic expedition is fairly new, there are numerous other sites that offer divers a unique opportunity to experience the ocean as a museum.

Theres the SS Thistlegorm, Sharm-El-Sheik, Egypt, often hailed as one of the best wrecks dives in the world. its accessible by both dive safari and day trips from Sharm El-Sheikh. This 420-foot (128-meter) British transport ship was sunk in 1941 following a German air attack. At advanced recreational depths, the Thistlegorm is a fantastic glimpse into history. Divers can still view the ships cargo, including tanks, trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and even a locomotive.

But one of the most accessible wrecks is the USAT Liberty, with its upper section just 10 feet (3 meters) underwater. The ship was originally an American warship. It survived WWI only to be sent into WWII. In 1942, it was torpedoed by the Japanese off the coast of Bali. The captain beached the ship, and it sat rusting above the water for 30 years. In 1963, a volcanic eruption shifted the ship into the shallow waters just offshore.

Then there is SS President Coolidge. Originally built as a luxury cruise liner, it became a troopship during World War II. In 1942, she was struck by friendly mines after the captain failed to receive information about a safe passage to the harbour. Today, the ship sits between 65 and 230 feet (20 and 70 meters) and is a nationally protected dive site. Scuba divers in Vanuatu can explore the various decks and holds, finding guns, cannons, trucks, and The Lady, an Elizabethan statue that sits above the fireplace in the ship's central dining hall.

Other popular dive wreck sites include, the Fujikawa Maru stranded 30 feet (9 meters) below the surface in the Chuuk Lagoon at the Federated States of Micronesia, the Hilma Hooker at Bonaire, the Caribbean Netherlands, and the Gunilda, a luxury steam yacht billed as the most opulent boat at the turn of the 20th Century, sunk near Rossport, Canada.

What are the different approaches to wreck diving?

Non-Penetration Diving: This is the least risky type of wreck diving. Generally, divers descend, circle the wreck and work their way back to the surface.

Limited Penetration: Here, divers can penetrate the wreck so long as an exit point is still visible, and a minimum of natural light exists.

Full Penetration: With the greatest risks, full penetration allows scuba divers to enter the wreck past the light zone and without the ability to escape in an out-of-air situation.

Is wreck-diving dangerous?

The most common risk in wreck diving is entanglement. This can occur in non-penetration wreck diving  where the tourists circumnavigate the wreck and do not enter the remains  as fishermens nets and lines often become ensnared on ship structures. A reliable dive knife can go a long way in solving this issue.

Another common risk is that of silt-out. In a limited penetration situation, a silt-out can become dangerous if the nearby exit is blocked from view. Limited visibility causes confusion and often divers will progress further into the wreck accidentally.
Recently, Apple unveiled its much-anticipated mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 (WWDC). The headset has sparked a great deal of interest. However, some glasses wearers had expressed concerns about its compatibility with prescription glasses.

In response, Apple had said that the Vision Pro would support optical inserts that would be provided by German camera and lens company Zeiss. The lens maker has now provided a first look at its prescription lenses for the headset, which will be available in the United States next year.

Zeiss provided a glimpse of the optical inserts on its website. The company said the magnetic lenses will let users who wear spectacles use the Vision Pro headset without any hindrance.

While Zeiss did not reveal the price of the optical inserts, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had estimated a pair of Zeiss prescription glasses for the Apple Vision Pro could cost at least $300 (roughly Rs 24,700) and could go as high as $600 (roughly Rs 49,500). Zeiss said its optical inserts for Apple Vision Pro will be available early next year in the US. Zeiss and Apple have not made any announcements regarding the launch date of the lenses in India.

Customers who require vision correction and wish to use Apple's upcoming Vision Pro mixed reality headset could end up spending around $4,000 (roughly Rs 2,86,600), as the headset itself is priced at $3,499 (roughly Rs 3,25,100).

Launched at the WWDC, the Apple Vision Pro will be available in the US beginning in 2024. It features VisionOS and has two ultra-high-resolution micro-OLED screens. It also introduces a three-dimensional user interface controlled by a user's eyes, hands, and voice. Vision Pro will run on M2 and R1 chipsets manufactured by Apple.
India has been ranked as the world's eighth most polluted country in 2022, dropping from the fifth place the previous year, according to Swiss firm IQAir in its 'World Air Quality Report'.



In the list of most polluted cities in the world, out of the 50 cities, 39 are in India. The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) are trying to address this problem. They have developed a low-cost mobile air pollution monitoring framework in which, pollution sensors mounted on public vehicles can dynamically monitor the air quality of an extended area at high spatial and temp
By Malathi Nayak



Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and Activision Blizzard Inc. CEO Bobby Kotick will be in court this week to try to persuade a federal judge in California to reject the Federal Trade Commissions effort to block their $69 billion deal.



US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley is presiding at a five-day hearing in San Francisco starting Thursday over the FTCs bid to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Activision while the agencys legal challenge to the deal is pending. Nadella and Kotick were listed as key witnesses in a joint court filing Tuesday.

Other top Microsoft executives, including Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood and Phil Spencer, who heads Microsoft Gaming, are expected to take the witness stand, as well as Activisions Chief Financial Officer Armin Zerza, according to the filing.

By appearing in court, the executives will defend the blockbuster deal, which would catapult Microsoft to the No. 3 position in the global games market after Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Sony Group Corp., and submit to tough questioning from FTC lawyers.

Its unclear when Corley may rule, but a decision could come as soon as right after the hearing, which is slated to last through June 29. The deadline for closing the deal is July 18.

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FTC attorneys have argued in filings that the deal will hurt competition in the markets for console gaming and cloud gaming, which lets gamers stream games to PCs and consoles rather than downloading them. For example, Microsoft could exclude Activision games, specifically the popular shooter game Call of Duty, from rival Sony PlayStation devices, which dominate the console market, the regulator said.

Microsoft claims it wont limit Call of Duty to its Xbox console, according to court filings. It also argues the FTC cant establish that the nascent cloud-gaming market will develop or that Microsoft would be a dominant player in it.

Our most senior executives will testify in person to answer any questions about our business strategy, said David Cuddy, a Microsoft spokesman. This deal means more choice for gamers, a fact that only becomes clearer the more you look at the case.

Nadella and Kotick will both testify live for 45 minutes, according to the court filing. The Microsoft CEO will face questioning about the deal and his gaming unit strategy, while Kotick will discuss Activisions game business and future plans.

The companies didnt disclose what day or time the CEOs would testify, but the schedule may be discussed at a pre-evidentiary hearing on Wednesday.

US authorities are not the only ones who have challenged the deal. UK competition regulators vetoed the merger, though Microsoft is appealing that order.

The case is Federal Trade Commission v. Microsoft Corp., 3:23-cv-02880, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).
Ad-hoc workers have decided to protest at Prime Minister's Secretariat over non-payment of salaries for the past 18 months, reported Pakistan vernacular media.

As per Siasat, Ad-hoc workers have decided to celebrate Eid at the Gate of the Prime Minister's Secretariat in protest of not getting salaries for the past 18 months.

The workers said that unless their demands were met they would not go to their homes and would continue to sit near the PM Secretariat.

Earlier, Pak Government announced that the salaries of government employees will be paid ahead of schedule as Eid approaches later this month, reported Aaj, Pak vernacular media.

"I have directed the finance secretary and discussion with the prime minister, who is in Baku, so on this Friday, June 23, we release the payments instead on month end or first date," said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

He added that arrangements were being made despite the Eid date not being officially set yet, but it was expected to be around June 29.

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The government raised the salaries of its employees in the recent budget. Employees up to grade 16 were given a 35 per cent increase, while employees from grades 17-22 were given a 30 per cent raise. The gains were made via an ad-hoc allowance, reported Aaj.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presented Rs 14.46 trillion (USD 50.45 billion) worth of budget in the National Assembly.

The government will target a budget deficit of 6.54 per cent (Rs 7.57 trillion) of economic output in the fiscal year starting on July 1, he said, slightly below the current year's revised estimate of 7 per cent.
By Josh Eidelson





Apple Inc. coercively interrogated retail employees about their pro-union sympathies and restricted the circulation of union flyers, a US labor board judge ruled, marking a victory for labor organizers at the worlds most valuable company.

In a Tuesday decision, a National Labor Relations Board judge wrote that Apple violated the rights of employees at its World Trade Center store in New York City, one of several around the country where workers waged union campaigns last year.

The judge wrote that Apple should be required to cease and desist from coercively interrogating workers about their legally protected labor activism. It should stop confiscating pro-union literature in its break rooms and interfering with, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights, according to the decision.

An Apple spokesperson didnt have an immediate comment. The Cupertino, California-based company has previously denied wrongdoing.

Apple fosters an open and inclusive work environment whereby employees are not just permitted, but encouraged, to share their feelings and thoughts on a range of issues, from social justice topics to pay equity to anything else that they feel is an important cause to promote in the workplace, company attorney Jason Stanevich said at a January hearing before the judge.

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Rulings by NLRB administrative law judges can be appealed to the boards members in Washington and, from there, to federal appeals court. The agency has the authority to order changes to company policies, but not to hold executives personally liable for violations or to impose punitive damages.

At the January hearing, NLRB attorney Ruth Weinreb said that as a result of the companys behavior, the organizing campaign came to an end at the World Trade Center site. US labor board prosecutors have also issued a still-pending complaint accusing Apple of violating workers rights at an Atlanta store, one of two at which organizers filed and then withdrew unionization petitions.

Workers at two of Apples roughly 270 retail stores voted to unionize last year, in Maryland and Oklahoma, amid a broader wave of landmark organizing wins at longtime nonunion firms such as Starbucks Corp., Amazon.com Inc. and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
International Yoga Day has been celebrated every year on the 21st of June since 2014 when PM Modi first proposed the idea of International Yoga Day. The United Nations General Assembly officially adopted it in 2015, recognising the universal appeal yoga has gained across the world.

The day aims to spread awareness about the benefits of Yoga, which significantly improves mental and physical health, enhances flexibility and strength, while giving stress relief and much more.

Yoga also helps to maintain balance in life, and one can grow spiritually to stay peaceful mentally, which gives better clarity in life.

PM Modi will celebrate International Yoga Day at the UN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a US trip from June 20 to June 24. He shared a video message to the countrymen, extending his wishes on the occasion of the 9th International Yoga Day.

He will celebrate International Yoga Day at United Nations headquarters with the UN leaders and members of the international community.

Piyush Goyal responded to PM Modi leading a Yoga celebration at the UN headquarters, saying it symbolises India's growing strength on the world stage.

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PM Modi shared a message over Twitter and wrote, "Landed in New York City. Looking forward to the programmes here including interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day programme tomorrow, 21st June."

G20 delegates celebrate Yoga Day at Raj Bhavan in Goa

The G20 delegates from different nations in India celebrated the 9th International Yoga Day on Wednesday in the premises of Raj Bhavan in Goa. Several Indian ministers joined the delegates, which included Goa Governor PS Shreedharan Pillai, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and State Defence Minister Ajay Bhatt.

All the delegates and ministers performed several Yoga 'asanas' before the scheduled G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting.

What is the theme for the 9th International Yoga Day 2023?

The theme for the 9th International Yoga Day 2023 is "Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
About 1,000 Yoga enthusiasts on Wednesday held a massive event in Nepal's Pokhara in a bid to promote the traditional Indian fitness routine, as the world marked International Yoga Day.

The event, which featured Nepal's Tourism Minister Sudan Kirati and Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, also focussed on promoting tourism with an eye on the Indian market.

The chief minister of Nepal's Gandaki province, Surendra Raj Pandey, too, graced the event at the Pokhara Rangashala ground which drew a sizeable count of Yoga enthusiasts.

The event, organised by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, in association with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), lasted for over an hour.

"To practise Yoga in the lap of nature, we invite Indian tourists to this city. Tony Hagen has rightly stated that there is possibly no matching beauty like that of Nepal. On International Yoga Day, I wish to invite Indian tourists to the city. We want you all to visit Pokhara and be enthralled by its boundless natural beauty. We are desperate to welcome you all to Nepal," Kirati, Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said at the event.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu organised a similar event to promote Yoga on the premises of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Wednesday's event was the second in a row to be organised by the Embassy to promote Yoga as well as the tourist hotspots in the landlocked Himalayan country.

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"The bilateral relationship between India and Nepal has always remained cordial, as the two countries share the same philosophy, culture and civilisation. With time, our relationship has only deepened. Through Yoga, our provincial government has decided to promote our religious shrines and pilgrimage sites around Gandaki," Pandey said at the event.

Yoga, a traditional medication method for psychological as well as physical well-being developed in the Indian sub-continent, got recognition from United Nations General Assembly (UN) on December 11, 2014.

On September 27, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the UN General Assembly, proposed the idea of marking International Yoga Day every year. The draft resolution passed by India was supported by 177 nations.

With the universal recognition and the growing popularity of Yoga, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21, 2015.

Speaking at the event, the Indian Ambassador of Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, acknowledged the growing tourist inflow from India into the Himalayan country, adding that he was hopeful that the number would increase further through such events marking International Yoga Day.

"Through more such events to mark International Yoga Day, Pokhara would soon emerge as the centre of Yoga. The Indian embassy, with the help of the Tourism ministry and the provincial government of Gandaki, should hold more such events every year on International Yoga Day," Srivastava said.

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka 'Prachanda' also issued a message on the day saying, Nepal could be a prime destination for worldwide researchers to carry out Yoga-related studies.

Dahal stated that Yoga was a priceless treasure of Nepal and the Yogmaya Ayurveda University, envisaged for natural environmental causes, should take the academic lead in the area as a credible educational space.

"Nepal's key civilizations -- Shiva civilization, Janak civilization and Buddha civilization -- are found to have been established based on Yoga foundation. If we explore the cultural history of Nepal, the science and knowledge of Yoga and Vaastu engineering have been found used in ancient structures and building of cities," the Nepalese PM added.

The influence of Yoga is all-pervasive, whether in the temple or sculpture or painting, PM Dahal said, adding that knowledge of the ancient fitness routine has also been utilised in the construction of stone spouts, ponds, wells and canals.

In his address at the UNGA in 2014, PM Modi suggested June 21 as the date for marking International Yoga Day, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has a special significance in many parts of the world.
Traders in Nepal have resumed importing onions from India, more than two weeks after they stopped buying from the neighbouring country following the Nepal government's move to impose a hefty 13 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on vegetables last month.

Vegetable vendors started bringing onions to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market, Kathmandu's main vegetable trading centre, on Monday, with the largest consignments of onions being poured in on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Onions have started arriving in the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market, said Arjun Prasad Aryal, Deputy Executive Director of the market's Development Committee.

"In total, 145 metric tonnes of onions arrived in Kathmandu's major vegetable wholesale market on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aryal said, adding that there is a smooth supply of the vegetable in the market as traders have started bringing onions by paying VAT.

According to the financial bill introduced in the Himalayan country's Parliament on May 29, imported onions, potatoes and other vegetables and fruits will now be subjected to a 13 per cent VAT.

Onion, sold in the wholesale market for Rs 48 per kg, costs Rs 70 in retail markets.

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We have started bringing onion from India for three, four days, said Bharat Upreti, a vegetable vendor at the Kalimati market.

Before paying 13 per cent VAT, we also need to pay 9 per cent vegetable import tax and 5 per cent advance tax, he said.

Our demand for removing VAT is still there, but we have started importing onions in the interest of the customers, added Upreti, who brought 21 metric tonnes of onions from India on Wednesday.

I brought 25 tonnes of onions on Wednesday after paying VAT, said Ram Bilash, another trader, adding that the sellers are stuck on their demand of removing VAT from onions.

We want (the) government to allow trading onions under PAN (Personal Account Number), he said, adding that imposing VAT on vegetables such as potato and onion is "ridiculous".

Although the supply of onions in Kathmandu's markets is relatively smooth now, the market price has soared to Rs. 70 from the previous price of Rs. 50, a straight 40 per cent increase.

Nepal imports almost all its onions from neighbouring India. Last year, it imported 173,829 tonnes of onions from India.

Nepal grows potatoes that cater to around 60 per cent of local demand, while the rest of the vegetables are also imported from India.
President Joe Biden is likely to raise US concerns about human rights during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but he will not "lecture" the Indian leader on the issue, a top American official said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Modi will hold high-level talks with President Biden on Thursday during which the two leaders would discuss a wide range of issues of mutual and global interests.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Wednesday indicated that President Biden would raise his concerns on human rights with Modi.

"We do so publicly. We do so privately. We do so in a way where we don't seek to lecture or assert that we don't have challenges ourselves....And that will be the nature of the conversations that take place here over the course of the next couple of days," he was quoted as saying by the US media.

On Wednesday, a senior State Department official said the US has had at every level, including the highest levels, frank and constructive discussions about the human rights issue.

"As a genuine partner and friend in India, we speak (honestly) and constructively about our differences. We have raised our human rights and religious freedom concerns regularly to senior government officials. We do this in an atmosphere of mutual respect. It's important that we support all pillars of Indian democracy - to that end, we regularly meet with civil society and journalists," the official said on condition of anonymity.

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On Tuesday, a group of American lawmakers wrote to President Biden, asking him to raise directly with Prime Minister Modi "areas of concern" and discuss with him the full range of issues important to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship between the two countries.

"As longtime supporters of a strong US-India relationship, we also believe that friends can and should discuss their differences in an honest and forthright way," read the letter signed by 75 lawmakers, including Indian-American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal.

"That is why we respectfully request that - in addition to the many areas of shared interests between India and the US - you also raise directly with Prime Minister Modi areas of concern," the letter read.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also urged President Biden to address issues of religious freedom and other related human rights in India during Prime Minister Modi's state visit.

"With India's upcoming state visit, the Biden administration has a unique opportunity to explicitly incorporate religious freedom concerns into the two countries' bilateral relationship, said USCIRF Commissioner David Curry.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has welcomed India's budget carrier IndiGo's multi-billion-dollar order of 500 Airbus aircraft as a major win for the UK aerospace sector, which will support thousands of jobs and economic growth of the country.



IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share, and Airbus, one of the largest commercial aerospace companies in the UK, announced a purchase agreement earlier this week for 500 A320 family aircraft, making it one of the largest aircraft purchases by an airline in civil aviation history.



It takes the total number of Airbus aircraft on order by IndiGo to 1,330, which also established IndiGo's position as the world's biggest A320 customer.



This contract is a major win for our aerospace sector, Sunak tweeted on Tuesday.



Airbus's deal with IndiGo will be worth billions to the UK and support thousands of jobs across the country  helping to grow the economy, he said.



The deal was signed at the Paris Air Show this week by Rahul Bhatia, Promoter and Managing Director of IndiGo, Dr Venkataramani Sumantran, Chairman and Non-Executive Independent Director of IndiGo, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Head of International.



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It is difficult to overstate the significance of IndiGo's new historic order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. An order book now of almost 1000 aircraft well into the next decade, enables IndiGo to fulfill its mission to continue to boost economic growth, social cohesion and mobility in India, said Elbers.



Airbus CCO Christian Scherer said the order is a "resounding endorsement" of the A320 family's best-in-class operating economics.



This landmark order marks a new chapter in Airbus and IndiGo's relationship that is democratising affordable air travel for millions of people in the world's fastest-growing aviation market, said Scherer.



New Delhi-headquartered IndiGo pitches itself among the fastest-growing carriers in the world.



Since its first narrow-body A320neo aircraft was delivered in March 2016, its fleet of A320neo family has grown into one of the world's largest with 264 aircraft in operation  including 162 A320neo, 79 A321neo, 21 A320ceo and 2 A321 freighters.



Over the last two decades, the A320neo has been instrumental in democratising air travel in India as an expanding economy and rising disposable incomes continue to add millions of first-time flyers to a booming aviation market, the company said.



With a fleet of over 300 aircraft, the airline says it operates over 1,800 daily flights, connecting 78 domestic destinations and plans to grow its international footprint to 32 international destinations.
New York [US], June 21 (ANI): Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accomplishments both for the Sikh community and the country, Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a member of the Sikh community, expressed strong support for PM Modi, stating that the Sikh community stands behind him due to his significant contributions.

While talking with ANI, Dhaliwal said, "The Sikh community really stands behind our Prime Minister. He has done lots of great things for the Sikhs and India. And we are very proud to have them here today."

Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi received a grand reception upon his arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. PM Modi was received by India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu and India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj.

Meanwhile, on the Sikh community supporting PM Modi, another Indian origin in the US, Vipin Dutta said that not only Sikhs but everybody supports the Prime Minister.

Dutta praised PM Modi for his achievements over the past nine years and said, "Not only Sikhs, but everybody is in support of Narendra Modi, our prime minister because he has done great things, amazing things in the last eight or nine years. You can see and everybody knows about it, how we India have come to this level in the international level of the whole world where we stand."

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"So, Sikhs, certainly are very thankful to Narendra Modi for what he has done for us. And that's the reason we are especially coming here today to welcome him when he is coming to us on a state visit. So we are very proud of him. We are happy to be here," he added.

Meanwhile, another Indian origin residing in the US asked that in the history of India, since its independence when has there been a leader that has given so much attention to the Sikh community, and given it respect?

He thanked Dashan Dhaliwal for inviting him here. "First of all, I must thank Mr Dashan Dhaliwal. It's because of him that we are here today. He reached out to me. He says, Baba, can you invite some people? Then he gave me some context also."

"Today, everybody in the world knows that the defenders of India are a Sikh community. I am proud to be from Punjab. I am from Kapurthala and I grew up in our family. The oldest boy wore a turban. So the Sikh community by and large understandshow they are benefiting where they were sometimes being labeled targeted, none of that. Modiji will not allow that. These are the defenders of our country," he said.

He further added, "We have to be grateful to them (sikh community). Look at the Amritsar, Golden Temple. Irrespective of people from a different faith, everybody wants to go there. Why? They get something out of there, the message. So, the image of the Sikh community around the world is paramount today. It's on the highest level that I have seen ever. So you look at the Sikhs, you know, these are the people who defend India. This is a prosperous community. And one thing with the Sikh community, we love to have fun. We Punjabis is we just know how to have fun. I wish the world could experience more of that. That's why I think it's important to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the Sikh community to achieving what we are today. Modiji knows that very well.
BENGALURU (Reuters) -IndiGo, India's largest airline, on Monday placed an order for 500 Airbus narrowbody jets, the largest ever plane deal by number of aircraft, overtaking an earlier deal by rival Air India that was firmed up on Tuesday.

Following are the biggest plane deals, by number of aircraft.

INDIGO - 500 JETS - 2023

IndiGo on Monday agreed to buy 500 single-aisle jets from Airbus, making it the single largest order of any aircraft. The order is expected to include the popular A320neo family of planes including the longer range A321XLRs which will help expand its network into Europe and deeper into Southeast Asia.

The airline hopes to take deliveries of the jets from 2030 to 2035.

AIR INDIA - 470 JETS - 2023

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Air India on Tuesday finalised an order for 470 jetliners that includes 250 planes from Airbus and 220 from Boeing, with options for buying 70 more from the U.S. planemaker.

The Tata-owned airline's order comprises 400 narrowbody and 70 widebody planes. Air India is expected to take delivery of the first few widebody Airbus A350 jets by the end of the year.

AMERICAN AIRLINES - 460 JETS - 2011

American Airlines in 2011 placed orders with Airbus and Boeing for a total of 460 airliners.

The airline placed an initial order for 260 Airbus A320 aircraft with an option to buy an additional 365 for a possible total order of 625. The airline also placed an initial order with Boeing for 200 of its 737-family of aircraft, with options to buy an additional 100.

INDIGO PARTNERS - 430 JETS - 2017

U.S. private equity firm Indigo Partners in 2017 placed an order for 430 Airbus A320neo jets for the four carriers in which airline pioneer Bill Franke's investment firm has a stake - U.S.-based Frontier Airlines, Mexico's Volaris, Chilean carrier JetSmart and Hungary's Wizz.

INDIGO - 300 JETS - 2019

IndiGo in 2019 placed an order for 300 of Airbus's A320neo family of planes.

INDIGO PARTNERS - 255 JETS - 2021

Franke's Indigo Partners in 2021 placed an order for 255 Airbus A321neo jets in the first major fleet purchase since COVID-19, betting on a quick snapback in tourist travel after the pandemic.

INDIGO - 250 JETS - 2015

India's biggest airline in 2015 finalised an order for 250 Airbus A320neo aircraft.

UNITED AIRLINES - 200 JETS - 2022

United Airlines in December said it was ordering 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 100 737 MAXs in a push for post-pandemic growth, replacing older, less-efficient aircraft.
Minister also meets with former Global High Schools category winner and CEO of Mazi Mobility

Supported by the UAEs pioneering award, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, M-KOPA is on track to reach 4 million underbanked consumers in sub-Saharan Africa by this year



During a visit to M-KOPA, one of Africas leading fintech platforms, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in creating technologies that create lasting positive change in vulnerable and remote communities, while helping to meet our climate ambitions and keep 1.5C within reach.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622235262/en/

COP28 UAE President-Designate visits award-winning Kenyan fintech leader M-KOPA on the sidelines of Africa Energy Forum (Photo: AETOSWire)

M-KOPA, one of the fastest growing companies in Africa, is one of 106 past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's pioneering award that recognises groundbreaking contributions across the fields of health, food, energy, water and climate action.

During a tour of M-KOPAs facilities and a briefing by its Managing Director, David Damberger, Dr. Al Jaber, who helped establish the Prize and is its Director General, said: Prize winners continue to address some of the most pressing sustainable development challenges we face today. They are providing quality healthcare, nutritious food, essential energy, and access to safe waterin short, a better world for us all.

Dr Al Jaber is in Kenya for the Africa Energy Forum to prepare for the UAEs hosting of COP28, which will take place in Dubai at the end of the year and marks the next step in global cooperation on fighting climate change. The summit comes at the crucial halfway point between the landmark Paris Agreement of 2015 and the 2030 target for climate action, with the first global stocktake of emissions cuts providing a valuable opportunity to align global efforts.

This moment also shines a spotlight on the work of M-KOPA and other past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which have been addressing climate-related challenges in vulnerable countries around the world. In line with the UAE's own priorities, they have been taking important steps to reform land use, transform food systems and ensure a pragmatic energy transition.

Since its founding in 2010, M-KOPA has reduced more than 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, connected 400,000 first-time Internet users, and served over 3 million customers across sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, the company has built one of the worlds most advanced connected financing platforms, deploying US $1 billion in credit to the financially excluded. The company has also provided extensive training and employment, generating more than US $180 million in extra income for its sales agents.

M-KOPA's flexible credit model allows individuals to pay a small deposit and get instant access to everyday essentials, including electric motorcycles, solar power systems, smartphones and then graduate to digital financial services such as loans and health insurance. Most recently, the company successfully closed over $200m in sustainability-linked debt financing to drive womens financial inclusion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its East African markets by further developing its solar products offering, making a meaningful contribution to fighting climate change.

David Damberger, Managing Director of M-KOPA, said: It was a privilege to receive His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber today and showcasing the remarkable impact we have made through our sustainable solutions.

Receiving the Zayed Sustainability Prize, marked a pivotal moment in our journey, and we are deeply grateful for the recognition," he added. "At M-KOPA, we have been driven by a deep-rooted commitment to empower underbanked consumers whilst combating climate change through our flexible credit model and clean energy solutions. We sincerely hope that our success serves as an inspiration for other small businesses and entrepreneurs across Africa to apply for the Prize, as it has the power to drive transformative change. Moreover, it is a testament to the UAE's support of African small businesses and it's humanitarian legacy, which continues to empower and uplift communities worldwide.

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also met with former winner in the Prizes Global High Schools category and current CEO of Mazi Mobility, Jesse Forrester, who updated the COP President-Designate on his e-mobility company, which operates a fleet of electric motorbikes and tuk-tuks.

Dr. Al Jaber said: The Global High Schools category was launched to inspire youth to realise their potential and encourage them to pursue careers in the field of sustainability. To see this come to fruition through one of our previous winners speaks volumes on the transformative impact of the Prize. Seeing first-hand what Jesse has built is truly inspiring and should serve as a model for other young entrepreneurs who want to change the world.

Climate change poses a challenge across health, food, energy, and water, amongst other issues, and only by adopting an 'all of the above' approach can we hope to ensure a just transition that leaves nobody behind. SMEs represent 80% of global GDP but the vast majority have not even started their net-zero journeys. The Zayed Sustainability Prize is determined to empower those who strive to create value in the energy transition and demonstrate that climate action can lead to sustainable development. As we approach COP28, I am determined to empower the voices and perspectives of young entrepreneurs, like Jesse, and to ensure that we deliver practical solutions that can change the lives of millions more like him.

In its 15th year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has transformed the lives of over 378 million people around the world by empowering 106 past winners to make a difference. Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories receives US $600,000 to expand the scope and scale of their sustainability solutions. Six winners in the Global High Schools category each receive up to US $100,000. By empowering entrepreneurs to build their solutions, the Prize has to date awarded US $3.6 million.

About the Zayed Sustainability Prize

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Prize aims to drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognising and rewarding organisations and high schools that are delivering innovative sustainable solutions across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. For over 15 years, through its 106 winners, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of over 378 million people in 151 countries.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622235262/en/
MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, today announced the launch of Quantitative Investment Solutions (QIS)  a new set of tools to help portfolio managers customize separately managed account (SMA) portfolios efficiently and at scale.

Using MSCI QIS, managers can tailor portfolios to their clients specific values and investment goals quickly and efficiently. In addition to tax requirements, managers that offer SMAs can implement customization requests spanning single company exclusions, industry exclusions, ESG and style preferences.

The QIS toolkit includes a portfolio construction service for separate account management that enables equity portfolio managers at asset managers and other investment advisers to manage tax implications for their clients across different scenarios,  such as close model tracking, tax neutral, or tax loss maximization,  in addition to providing daily updates that show proposed trades for different accounts based on the clients investment objectives.

MSCI QIS gives portfolio managers access to unique tax strategy templates, enabling them to select and apply a variety of constraints and objectives that match their clients current tax and exposure considerations.

Through cloud-based technology, QIS links the MSCI tax optimization tool to MSCIs indexes, ESG ratings, carbon emissions and factor models to allow portfolio managers to implement unique portfolio requests from clients in an efficient manner.

Asset managers are challenged to meet the growing demand for SMAs across their client base. The implementation of custom requirements for SMAs is highly labor intensive and requires integrations of various technological systems and teams in such ways that create operational risks.

Mark Carver, Head of Equity Portfolio Management and Equity Factors at MSCI, said: In an age where customization is in demand in every facet of business, portfolio managers are constantly being faced with the challenge of balancing multiple investment objectives to address an individual clients needs. Whether its reflecting their personal preferences with respect to investment strategies in their portfolios, or managing their ongoing tax liabilities, MSCI QIS is designed to not only allow portfolio managers to gauge their clients needs, but also compete more effectively for assets by meeting a wider range of custom requirements in a shorter period.

About MSCI Inc.

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or performance and involve risks that may cause actual results or performance differ materially and you should not place undue reliance on them. Risks that could affect results or performance are in MSCIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year ended on December 31 that is filed with the SEC. MSCI does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. No information herein constitutes investment advice or should be relied on as such. MSCI grants no right or license to use its products or services without an appropriate license. MSCI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION HEREIN AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621074262/en/
Visa (NYSE: V) today announced the appointment of Chris Suh as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Suh, who succeeds longstanding Visa CFO Vasant Prabhu, will serve as CFO Designate from July 10 until August 1, when he will assume full responsibility for the role. As previously announced, Prabhu will depart the Company on Sept. 30, 2023, after assisting in a smooth transition.

Suh joins Visa from Electronic Arts (EA), where he held the role of Chief Financial Officer. He will report to Visa Chief Executive Officer Ryan McInerney and sit on the Companys global leadership team. Suh will be responsible for Visas financial strategies, planning and reporting, in addition to all finance operations and investor relations.

Prior to EA, Suh was the Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Cloud + AI group at Microsoft, where he oversaw the rapid growth and transformation of the Azure and Dynamics businesses. During his more than 25-year tenure at Microsoft, Suh served in a variety of senior finance roles, including five years leading investor relations, and played a critical role in the companys growth as a cloud-first business.

I am delighted to welcome Chris to Visas leadership team, said McInerney. His deep experience in finance and technology, plus his leadership in growing and scaling businesses, will be extraordinarily valuable to us as we continue to drive growth and better serve our clients around the world.

Suh said, Visa is an incredible brand and the company has a great culture. I have long admired Visas history of innovation and industry leadership and Im excited to play a part in shaping the future of payments around the globe.

McInerney added, We are grateful to Vasant for his outstanding strategic and financial leadership over the past eight years. He has had a remarkable career, and we wish him the very best in his next chapter.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230620795884/en/
China confiscates 4.74 tonnes of drugs in border anti-narcotics enforcement

Xinhua) 13:53, June 21, 2023

BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Over the first half of this year, Chinese authorities have confiscated 4.74 tonnes of drugs of various kinds in their anti-narcotics enforcement at border ports, arresting 528 criminal suspects, according to an official statement Wednesday.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said in the statement that as of Tuesday, relevant operations had solved 361 border cases, among which there were 102 drugs weighing more than 10,000 grams in each case.

A total of 528 suspects of drug-related crimes have been arrested, and the law enforcers have also dealt with 192 individual drug dealers, the statement said, adding that 31 transnational or interprovincial drug-trafficking rings have been busted.

The authorities also confiscated more than 703 tonnes of materials for drug manufacturing.

These operations have effectively curbed the cross-border transport of drugs and relevant materials to and from the country, according to the statement.

The statement said the NIA will further implement arrangements for an anti-drug special campaign, strengthen control at border ports, intensify the investigation of relevant violations, target drug-trafficking rings and networks as well as their leaders, and enhance law enforcement cooperation among different countries and regions.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 3:04PM

DoorDash Canada has joined forces with some of the country's favourite local restaurants to offer menu items for $1 this weekend only. From Friday June 23  Sunday June 25 between 2 pm - 5 pm, consumers can enjoy affordable meals from the comfort of their home in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax.

DoorDash is partnering with local favourites like Daves Hot Chicken (Toronto), Tacofino (Vancouver) and Jeans Chinese (Halifax) to bring the first-of-its-kind campaign to life in Canada. The $1 menu items will be available at over 500 participating restaurants. This offer is available to new and existing DoorDash customers for one weekend only.

If youve been thinking about ordering that delicious dish from your favourite local restaurant, no better time than this weekend with menu items for just $1 on DoorDash! said Shilpa Arora, General Manager, DoorDash Canada. This special promotion gives Canadians the opportunity to explore the best of their neighbourhood and support local restaurants at an affordable cost.

From Friday June 23 - Sunday June 25, DoorDash members can enjoy select items for just $1 at participating restaurants, while supplies last. Some highlights include:

Vancouver

Donair Dude

Kokomo

Tacofino

Juke Fried Chicken

Toronto

Dave's Hot Chicken

Naan Kabob

Happy Burger

Lazeez Shawarma

Halifax

Cha Time

Bar Burrito

Jeans Chinese

Habaneros Modern Taco Bar

DoorDash customers who place a delivery order via the DoorDash app from participating restaurants can enjoy select $1 menu items between 2pm to 5pm. Use promo code for each day at checkout: Friday June 23 - FRIDOLLAR, Saturday June 24 - SATDOLLAR, and Sunday June 25 - SUNDOLLAR. See their site for terms & conditions.
Which Phobia Do You Have? Know the 103 Phobias

Etymologically speaking, the term 'Phobia' finds its root in the Greek word, 'Phobos', which means 'fear' or 'horror'. A phobia is defined as an unjustified fear of something that will not hurt you.

A phobia is a tenacious, exorbitant, and irrational fear of something, someone, an animal, an activity, or a circumstance. It is classified as an anxiety disorder. A person suffering from a phobia either attempts to avoid the source of the fear or endures it with significant anxiety and distress.

Many of us tend to confuse 'Phobia' and 'Fear'. However, there is a thin line of difference between both. Fear is a natural reaction to a threat; nevertheless, Phobias generate fear even when there is no threat. Phobias can be associated with a variety of objects or situations, such as a fear of heights, flying, spiders, needles, or vomiting. So, here we will be discussing the various aspects of 'Phobias'.

Phobias are Classified into Three Types:

1. Specific Phobia (Simple Phobia):



People who suffer from this most common type of phobia may be afraid of specific animals (such as dogs, cats, spiders, and snakes), people (such as clowns, dentists, and doctors), environments (such as dark places, thunderstorms, and high places), or situations (such as flying in a plane, riding on a train, or being in a confined space). These conditions appear to be genetic (inherited) in nature and to run in families.

According to the DSM-5, Specific Phobias Typically Fall Within Five General Categories:

fears related to animals (spiders, dogs, insects)

fears related to the natural environment (heights, thunder, darkness)

fears related to blood, injury, or medical issues (injections, broken bones, falls)

fears related to specific situations (flying, riding an elevator, driving)

other (fear of choking, loud noises, drowning)

2. Social Anxiety Disorder (Formerly Called "Social Phobia"):

People suffering from social anxiety disorder are afraid of being humiliated, embarrassed, or judged by others in social circumstances. They become especially apprehensive when they are around unfamiliar people. Fear of performing, such as giving a lecture, concert, or business presentation, may be circumscribed. Or it could be more generalized, with the phobic individual avoiding various social settings, such as eating in public or using a public lavatory. Social anxiety appears to run in families. People who were timid or lonely as children, or who had unhappy or poor social experiences as youngsters, appear to be more susceptible to acquiring this disease.

3. Agoraphobia:

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in public areas when making a sudden exit would be difficult or embarrassing. A person suffering from agoraphobia may avoid going to the movies, concerts, or using the bus or train. Many persons who suffer from agoraphobia also have panic symptoms or panic disorder (which includes severe fear as well as unpleasant physical sensations including trembling, heart palpitations, and sweating).

The early years of phobias are most common between the ages of 5 and 9, and they usually only last a short time. Most long-term phobias develop later in life, particularly in adults in their twenties. Adult phobias can remain for many years and are unlikely to disappear on their own unless treated. A phobia can raise an adult's chance of developing other types of psychiatric illness, particularly other anxiety disorders, depression, and substance dependence. When someone has a phobia, they are terrified of a specific thing or scenario. Phobias differ from ordinary anxieties in that they produce severe distress, potentially interfering with daily life at home, work, or school.

The American Psychiatric Association describes some of the most prevalent phobias in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). People who have phobias either deliberately avoid or tolerate the phobic object or scenario with intense fear or anxiety. Phobias occur across numerous shapes and sizes. Because there are an unlimited number of items and situations, the list of specific phobias is truly vast.

The aforementioned categories include an endless number of specific objects and situations. There is no official list of phobias other than those included in the DSM-5, therefore clinicians and researchers originate names for them as they go. This is typically accomplished by combining a Greek (or Latin) prefix that describes the phobia with the -phobia suffix. A fear of water, for example, would be called by combining "hydro" (water) and "phobia" (fear).

A nervousness of fear (phobophobia) is actually a real thing. This happens more frequently than you might think. When people with anxiety disorders are in particular settings, they may experience panic attacks. These panic episodes can be so unpleasant that people will go to great lengths to prevent them in the future. If you experience a panic attack while sailing, for example, you may fear sailing in the future, but you may also worry about panic attacks or becoming hydrophobic.

List of Some Common Phobias:

It is a challenging process to research specific phobias. Because most people do not seek treatment for these medical conditions, most incidents go undetected. These phobias differ according to cultural experiences, gender, and age. Here are some examples of phobias that have been identified, which are 103 in number:

Sl. No Various Types of Phobias Who are Afraid of 1. Achluophobia Fear of Darkness 2. Acrophobia Fear of Heights 3. Aerophobia Fear of Flying 4. Agoraphobia Fear of Public Spaces or Crowds 5. Aichmophobia Fear of Needles or Pointed Objects 6. Ailurophobia Fear of Cats 7. Alektorophobia Fear of Chickens 8. Algophobia Fear of Pain 9. Amaxophobia Fear of Riding in a Car 10. Androphobia Fear of Men 11. Anginophobia Fear of Angina or Choking 12. Anthophobia Fear of Flowers 13. Anthophobia Fear of People or Society 14. Aphenphosmphobia Fear of Being Touched 15. Arachnophobia Fear of Spiders 16. Arithmophobia Fear of Numbers 17. Astraphobia Fear of Thunder and Lightning 18. Ataxophobia Fear of Disorder or Untidiness 19. Atelophobia Fear of Imperfection 20. Atychiphobia Fear of Failure 21. Autophobia Fear of Being Alone 22. Bacteriophobia Fear of Bacteria 23. Barophobia Fear of Gravity 24. Bathmophobia Fear of Stairs or Steep Slopes 25. Batrachophobia Fear of Amphibians 26. Belonephobia Fear of Pins and Needles 27. Bibliophobia Fear of Books 28. Botanophobia Fear of Plants 29. Cacophobia Fear of Ugliness 30. Catagelophobia Fear of Being Ridiculed 31. Catoptrophobia Fear of Mirrors 32. Chionophobia Fear of Snow 33. Chromophobia Fear of Colors 34. Chronomentrophobia Fear of Clocks 35. Cibophobia Fear of Foods 36. Claustrophobia Fear of Confined Spaces 37. Coulrophobia Fear of Clowns 38. Cyberphobia Fear of Computers 39. Cynophobia Fear of Dogs 40. Dendrophobia Fear of Trees 41. Dentophobia Fear of Dentists 42. Domatophobia Fear of Houses 43. Dystychiphobia Fear of Accidents 44. Entomophobia Fear of Insects 45. Ephebiphobia Fear of Teenagers 46. Equinophobia Fear of Horses 47. Gamophobia Fear of Marriage or Commitment 48. Genuphobia Fear of Knees 49. Glossophobia Fear of Speaking in Public 50. Gynophobia Fear of Women 51. Heliophobia Fear of the Sun 52. Hemophobia Fear of Blood 53. Herpetophobia Fear of Reptiles 54. Hydrophobia Fear of Water 55. Hypochondria Fear of Illness 56. Iatrophobia Fear of Doctors 57. Insectophobia Fear of Insects 58. Koinoniphobia Fear of Rooms Full of People 59. Leukophobia Fear of the Color white 60. Lilapsophobia Fear of Tornadoes and Hurricanes 61. Lockiophobia Fear of Childbirth 62. Mageirocophobia Fear of Cooking 63. Megalophobia Fear of Large Things 64. Melanophobia Fear of the Color Black 65. Microphobia Fear of Small Things 66. Mysophobia Fear of Dirt and Germs 67. Necrophobia Fear of Death or Dead Things 68. Noctiphobia Fear of the Night 69. Nosocomephobia Fear of Hospitals 70. Nyctophobia Fear of the Dark 71. Obesophobia Fear of Gaining Weight 72. Octophobia Fear of the Number 8 73. Ombrophobia Fear of Rain 74. Ophidiophobia Fear of Snakes 75. Ornithophobia Fear of Birds 76. Papyrophobia Fear of Paper 77. Paruresis Fear of Urinating in Public Places or in the Presence of Others 78. Pathophobia Fear of Disease 79. Pedophobia Fear of Children 80. Philophobia Fear of Love 81. Phobophobia Fear of Phobias 82. Podophobia Fear of Feet 83. Pogonophobia Fear of Beards 84. Porphyrophobia Fear of the Color Purple 85. Pteridophobia Fear of Ferns 86. Pteromerhanophobia Fear of Flying 87. Pyrophobia Fear of Fire 88. Samhainophobia Fear of Halloween 89. Scolionophobia Fear of School 90. Selenophobia Fear of the Moon 91. Sociophobia Fear of Social Evaluation 92. Somniphobia Fear of Sleep 93. Tachophobia Fear of Speed 94. Technophobia Fear of Technology 95. Thalassophobia Fear of Deep Water 96. Tonitrophobia Fear of Thunder 97. Trypanophobia Fear of Needles or Injections 98. Trypophobia Fear of Clustered Patterns of Holes 99. Venustraphobia Fear of Beautiful Women 100. Verminophobia Fear of Germs 101. Wiccaphobia Fear of Witches and Witchcraft 102. Xenophobia Fear of Strangers or Foreigners 103. Zoophobia Fear of Animals

Combating/Treating a Phobia:

Typically, phobias are addressed with counseling, medication, or a combination of the two:

Exposure Therapy: During exposure treatment, a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, you work with a psychologist to learn how to desensitize yourself to the object or circumstance that you fear. The goal is to improve your quality of life so that your fear no longer hinders or bothers you.

During exposure treatment, a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, you work with a psychologist to learn how to desensitize yourself to the object or circumstance that you fear. The goal is to improve your quality of life so that your fear no longer hinders or bothers you. Antianxiety Medication: Your doctor may prescribe anxiety-relieving drugs to assist you with exposure therapy. While these drugs are not a cure for phobias, they can make exposure therapy less painful.

Your doctor may prescribe anxiety-relieving drugs to assist you with exposure therapy. While these drugs are not a cure for phobias, they can make exposure therapy less painful. Other Medications: To alleviate anxiety or panic, your doctor may also prescribe beta-blockers and benzodiazepines.

The Crux:

Phobias are persistent, strong, and irrational dread about a certain object or scenario. Specific phobias are associated with specific things and situations. They usually correlate with the dread of animals, natural environments, medical difficulties, or specific scenarios. While phobias can be incredibly unpleasant and difficult to overcome, therapy and medication can help. If you suspect you have a phobia that is interfering with your life, consult your doctor for an evaluation and treatment options.
This year, the monsoon arrived in Kerala on June 8th, and several parts of the state experienced isolated heavy rainfall in the initial days. Today, after witnessing heavy rain in many cities, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for the next four days. In the northern part of the country, Rajasthan is facing heavy spells of rain due to the Biporjoy cyclone, while in the North East, incidents of fire, lightning strikes, landslides, mudslides, and heavy rainfall have been reported from many parts of Meghalaya.

Do you ever wonder if these events occur in all countries? While monsoon-like weather patterns are prevalent in many countries, there are a few regions in the world that do not experience the typical monsoon season.

The polar regions, including the Arctic and Antarctic, do not experience a monsoon season as they are characterized by extremely cold temperatures and unique climatic conditions. The high latitudes and icy landscapes create an environment where the formation of monsoonal weather systems is unlikely.

Desert areas such as the Sahara Desert in Africa, the Arabian Desert in the Middle East, and the Gobi Desert in Asia have arid or semi-arid climates and receive very little rainfall throughout the year. These regions lack the necessary conditions for the development of a monsoon season due to their geographical features and atmospheric dynamics.

The Mediterranean region, encompassing countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, and parts of North Africa, has a climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. While it experiences seasonal variations in rainfall, it does not have a distinct monsoon season like in other parts of the world.

Certain islands in the Caribbean, such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, have a relatively arid climate and do not experience a traditional monsoon season. These islands receive less rainfall compared to other Caribbean destinations, resulting in a drier climate throughout the year.

High-elevation mountainous regions, including the Himalayas in Asia and the Andes in South America, do not typically experience a monsoon season. The unique topography and cold temperatures at high altitudes create an environment that is less conducive to the formation of monsoonal weather patterns.

Some of the driest Places on Earth with no occurrence of Rainfall are

1. McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: the driest place on Earth

2. Arica, Chile: the driest city on Earth

3. Kufra, Libya

4. Luxor, Egypt

5. Pelican Point, Namibia

Indian Monsoon

India's geographical location plays a crucial role in the occurrence of monsoons. It is located in the tropical region, with the Indian subcontinent positioned between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. This positioning exposes India to two major weather systems: the Southwest Monsoon and the Northeast Monsoon. The monsoons are not only a climatic phenomenon but a cultural and emotional one as well.

They bring relief from the sweltering heat, fill the air with the earthy scent of wet soil, and symbolize renewal and abundance. The monsoons have shaped India's way of life, influenced its festivals and traditions, and played a significant role in its literature and art. As we marvel at the arrival of the monsoons each year, let us also appreciate the intricate mechanisms of nature that make it possible.

India's monsoons are a testament to the remarkable interplay of geographical factors, atmospheric dynamics, and global climate patterns. They remind us of the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystem and the interconnectedness of all living beings.

So, the next time you witness the beauty of the monsoons in India, take a moment to ponder the scientific marvel behind this extraordinary phenomenon and the role it plays in shaping the country's landscapes, economy, and culture.
Maharashtra's First Year Junior College or 11th Grade is presently accepting applications for admission, and interested individuals have already completed their forms. On June 21, 2023, the Maharashtra Directorate of Education's official website, @11thadmission.org.in, will publish the FYJC 1st Merit List 2023 for Class 11.

Overview

Name of the authority Directorate of Education, Maharashtra

Class 11th or first year

Streams Arts, science, and commerce

Regions Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Amravati, Nashik

Official link 11thadmission.org.in

Merit List

The FYJC Counselling 2023 for Maharashtra Class 11th Admission 2023 has received a large number of applications. If your name appears on the initial merit list of FYJC, you will be eligible for admission to the Class 11th streams of Science, Arts, and Commerce. It is with great pleasure that I notify you that the Directorate of Education, Maharashtra, will release the FYJC Cut Off List on June 21, 2023.

How to View the FYJC First Merit List 2023 ?

Step 1: First and foremost, go to the FYJC Admissions official website at @11thadmission.org.in.

Step 2: Navigate to the Std. 11th Centralised Online Admission Process 2023-24 Region Wise Portal.

Step 3: From the home page, go to the Notifications section.

Step 4: Look for and select the FYJC 1st Merit List Link.

Step 5: Log in with your Login ID and Password.

Step 6: Finally, click the submit button.

Step 7: Download the FYJC First Merit List PDF and review the information.

Admissions Procedure

Candidates must first review the merit list to engage in the counselling process and gain admission to their desired college. The FYJC 1st merit list 2023 will be posted on the official website by the authority. Students can then check the cut-off to see if their name will appear on the merit list or not
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an open education system under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is an autonomous organisation that was established in 1989 with the aim of providing quality education through open and distance learning mode. The institute offers a variety of courses at the secondary, senior secondary, vocational, and certificate levels to learners across the country and abroad. NIOS operates on the principle of openness, flexibility, and learner-centricity. It provides learners with the freedom to choose their own learning pace, place, and time. This makes education accessible to those who cannot attend regular schools due to various reasons such as geographical barriers, economic constraints, and personal reasons.

An Overview About NIOS

The NIOS system is based on a modular approach, where the curriculum is divided into self-contained units called modules. Learners can complete each module at their own pace and take an examination when they are ready. The examination is conducted twice a year, in April-May and October-November, and the results are declared within six weeks of the examination. NIOS offers courses at the secondary and senior secondary levels that are equivalent to the courses offered by other boards such as CBSE and ICSE. The syllabus is designed to be learner-centric and relevant to the needs of the learners. The institute also offers vocational courses that are designed to equip learners with the skills and knowledge required to pursue a career in a particular field.

The vocational courses offered by NIOS are recognized by the government and industry, and are designed to be job-oriented. The courses are available in a variety of fields such as hospitality, tourism, agriculture, healthcare, and engineering. The vocational courses are designed to provide learners with practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in the workplace. NIOS also offers certificate courses in a variety of fields such as computer applications, office management, and library science. These courses are designed to provide learners with specific skills and knowledge that can be applied in their daily lives or in their jobs.

NIOS has established a number of study centres across the country, which provide learners with support and guidance. The study centres offer facilities such as study materials, counselling, and practical training. The institute also offers online support through its website, where learners can access study materials, submit assignments, and interact with tutors and other learners. NIOS has made education accessible to a large number of learners who would otherwise have been left out of the formal education system. The institute has provided learners with the opportunity to complete their education at their own pace and in their own time. This has helped learners to gain knowledge and skills that have helped them to improve their lives and careers.

What do Streams 1, 2, and 3 for Class 10 in NIOS mean?

Are you familiar with the NIOS streams that are offered for entrance to the 10th grade? Do you understand what NIOS Streams 1, 2, 3 are ? Through Streams 1, 2, 3 you can apply for online admission to the NIOS Board Secondary Course. The NIOS offers flexibility to students applying to Secondary Level Courses by offering a variety of streams, including Stream 1, Stream 2, Stream 3. However, people who wish to enrol in the NIOS board for classes 10 lack comprehensive knowledge of these streams. As a result, they find it challenging to determine which stream they should apply for admission to the NIOS Board. We will try to explain in simple terms what NIOS Stream 1, 2, 3 are and what the differences are. Following this, you should have no trouble getting into 10th grade under NIOS Stream 1/2/3.

What does NIOS Stream 1 mean?

All students may apply for online admission to the 10th grades in NIOS Board's Stream 1 through Blocks 1 and 2. As you are probably already aware, the NIOS Board holds public exams for the Secondary courses twice a year-the first time in March-April and the second time in October-November.

Stream 1 Block 1: You must enrol in 10th grade online under Stream 1 Block 1 if you intend to sit for the public exam for the first time, which will be held in March or April.

Stream 1 Block 2: Similar to this, you must enrol in 10th grade under Stream 1 Block 2 if you want to be the first to appear in the public exam, which will be held in October or November.

What does NIOS Stream 2 mean?

Students who failed or passed in class in grades 10 from any recognised board and desire to improve their marks are admitted under Stream 2 at NIOS. They could enrol in Class 10 under Stream 2 at NIOS and then take the failed/passed subject or up to 4 other courses to improve their marks by taking the public examination in October or November.

Advantages of Enrollment in NIOS Stream 2

Students who failed their 10th grade exams from a recognised board can save a year by sitting for the exam in October or November by enrolling in NIOS's Stream 2 programme. The number of disciplines in which a student wants to improve their grades might be up to 4.

What does NIOS Stream 3 mean?

All 10th grade students from any recognised board, whether they passed or failed, must take the On Demand Examination in order to be admitted to Stream 3 at NIOS.

Who is eligible for admission to Stream 3?

All 10th-class New Learners from recognised boards are qualified to apply for admission under Stream 3.

Students who desire to improve their grades after having passed or failed the 10th grade at any recognised board.

They may show up in as many as 4 subjects.

Students who have not taken the 10th examination from any recognised board (CBSE or State Board).

Who is not eligible for admission to Stream 3?

All current NIOS 10th graders who wish to take the On Demand Examination are not required to apply via Stream 3.

Note: NIOS board students who have already been admitted are considered existing learners. Students from other recognised boards (CBSE/State Board) who have not applied for admission to the NIOS Board are considered new learners.

NIOS Board Class 10 Stream 1 Exam Dates: Academic Year 2023-24

Admission under Stream 1 (Block 1)- without late fees from 16 March 2023 to 31 July 2023.

Admission under Stream 1 (Block 2)- without late fees from 16 September 2023 to 31 January 2024.

NIOS Board Class 10 Stream 2 Exam Dates

Dates will be released soon on the official site.

NIOS Board Class 10 Stream 3 Exam Dates

Stream for On-line Admission is open throughout the year for learners who have already passed the Secondary Examination from a recognised Board and want to take part admission in one subject or up to four subjects for updating their qualification, or learners who had appeared but could not clear, or who were eligible but could not appear in the Public Examination of the Secondary level from any recognised Board and want to appear through On Demand Examination System.

NIOS Class 10 Online Admission 2023-24

Basically, you have three choices for NIOS Class 10 applications.

Visit the NIOS Student Portal directly at https://sdmis.nios.ac.in/ to register online. You can register for the 10th grades via Stream 1 (Block 1 & Block 2) on the sdmis.nios.ac.in website.

Ask for assistance with online registration at the closest AI (Study Centre) or Facilitation Centre to be admitted. OR

Visit the NIOS Regional Centre and seek assistance there for NIOS Registration for Classes 10.

Eligibility Requirements

For admission to NIOS 2023-24, you must meet the eligibility requirements listed below:

For 10th Class: To be eligible to register online for NIOS 10th Admission, students must have completed the 8th grade from a recognised board and be at least 14 years old.

Documents Required

What documentation is needed for admission to NIOS Secondary Level Courses while applying online? You are suggested to prepare a scan of the following documents before filling out the NIOS Online Application Form for registration or admission.

Photo

Signature

Address Proof

Caste Certificate

Birth Certificate

Previous Qualification Certificate

NIOS Registration Procedure

What steps are involved in registering online with NIOS? Fill out the online application for nios registration to Class 10 by following the instructions below.

1. Go to https://sdmis.nios.ac.in/, the NIOS Student Portal, first.

2. Select "Admission -> Academic->Stream 1 (Block 1) OR Stream 1 (Block 2) OR Stream 2" from the homepage.

3. Now, enter the right information into the online application form.

1. Select a State/UT

Choose your state or UT

Identification type-Aadhaar, passport, ration card, or birth certificate-and then enter your identity type's unique identification number.

Choose a course: secondary or senior secondary

2. Basic Information

The candidate's name

Parent's Name

Mother's Name

Birthdate

Gender

Aadhaar Number

Mobile Contact

Email address

Select "Generate OTP" You will now receive an OTP on your registered mobile number and email address, which you must enter to validate.

Address Information: Be sure to accurately and completely include your permanent address and correspondence address.

Additional Information

Category/ Caste

Medium of Study- English/ Hindi/ Gujarati/ Malayalam/ Sanskrit/ Marathi/ Urdu

Select Previous Qualification

Previous Qualification Status - Failed/Compartment or Passed

Declaration: Select "Declaration" from the menu.

3. Optional Information

Any information shown under "Optional details" is not required, so we will completely exclude it.

4. Subjects

Apply for TOC- No/Yes

Select your subjects from the list now

5. Centre for Study

You must choose three study locations based on your preferences.

Country

State/UT

District: Choose the district where you want your NIOS Study Centre

6. Document Upload

Photo

Signature

Identification Card

Certificate of Birth

Certificate of Previous Qualification

Address Evidence

Caste/Category Certificate

Any Additional Certificate

7. Review

Examine your application form in detail.

NIOS Exam Class 10: Fees Detail

Registration Fees: Rs.1800/- for Male / Rs.1450/- for Female / Rs.1200/- for SC/ ST/ Ex-s/ PWD (For the compulsory 5 subjects only with no late fees for admission in 10th Class).

Online applications Fees: Rs.50/-.

Total Fees: Rs.1850 for Men, Rs.1500 for Women, and Rs.1250 for PWD, SC, ST, and Ex-S.

Please take note that you must deposit Rs. 720 for each additional topic.

Note: In NIOS, the exam fee and the admission fees are completely different. You must pay the admission fee while applying for admission to NIOS. On the other hand, you must pay the NIOS Exam Fees in order to take the exam.

NIOS Class 10: Subjects

The NIOS Secondary level subjects are separated into two groups, Group A and Group B, as shown below:

Group A subjects include: Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Assamese, Nepali, Malayalam, Oriya, Arabic, Persian, and Tamil.

Group B subjects include: mathematics, science and technology, social science, economics, business studies, home science, data entry operation, psychology, Indian culture and heritage, and painting.

A minimum of five subjects, including at least one language but no more than two, must be taken by students. You can select up to seven subjects. The NIOS board requires a 33 percent score in order to pass. Students must pass a minimum of five subjects in the Secondary class, with at least one language coming from Group A and the other three or four coming from Group B.
Toyota Motor Philippines has introduced one of its most important new models of the year: the all-new Wigo. As Filipinos seek to become more...
Democracy is in decline across the Americas, as governments are undermining civil liberties and the institutions meant to protect them. How can human rights defenders protect and promote the most fundamental democratic freedoms amid this challenging environment?

Drawing inspiration from history, this event will explore President Carter's response to a similar crisis during his tenure, highlighting his pioneering approach of incorporating the defense of human rights into foreign policy.

View agenda and panelists 

How President Carter Advanced Democracy and Human Rights in the Region

Coinciding with the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly, join USIP, the Carter Center, the Inter-American Dialogue, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the U.S. Permanent Mission to the OAS for a discussion of the Carter administrations legacy defending human rights throughout the Americas and what it can teach todays policymakers and human rights defenders.



Through a series of discussions, expert panelists will analyze the Carter administration's policies and initiatives; discuss successful interventions and lessons learned; and provide insights into the diplomatic, economic and legal tools employed by the administration to advance human rights in the Americas. By learning from history, we can pave the way for a more effective and impactful defense of human rights in the Americas today.
Montreal-based Tonic DNA has acquired Ngenious Studio, all of its IP assets, and has appointed Ngenious founder Eric Gervais-Despres as its new head of R&D and pipeline development.

According to Tonic, this acquisition is part of a larger strategy at the company to better position itself in a marketplace that is increasingly interested in mixed 2d/3d animation. It will also allow the company to develope techniques and technology for future productions, both in film/series and advertising.

Tonic will look to benefit from Gervais-Despres experience gained over decades of animation and vfx work on major global productions including Leap!, Gnomeo & Juliet, 300, and Fantastic Four (2005), as well as his years at Walt Disney Feature Animation.

Acquisition details:
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that apart from discussing energy with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, they also touched upon the topic of spirituality.

Modi met Musk on Tuesday as part of his three-day state visit to the US, where he met several prominent personalities from across the spectrum.



"Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality," the prime minister said in a tweet.



Musk reacted: "Great conversation" with Modi.



The Tesla CEO also posted about his meeting with Modi in New York: "It was an honour to meet again".



After the meeting, Musk said that his electric vehicle and battery company will now come to India "as soon as it is humanly possible".



"I am a fan of Modi. India is great for solar energy investment. We are also hoping to bring Starlink internet to India," the outgoing Twitter CEO told reporters.





"I am incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world," he added.



Musk recently discussed the meaning of life and whether he believes in God on the Full Send Podcast.



"I would say I generally agree with the teaching of Christianity, but I'm not religious. I've never been particularly religious," he said.



When asked if he believed in God, Musk answered, "Something created the universe, or the universe is here."


Dr. Flora Tydings, Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents, has accepted the resignation of Dr. Ty Stone as president of Cleveland State Community College, effective June 30, 2023. Dr. Stone became the colleges seventh president on July 1, 2022. Chancellor Tydings has appointed Dr. Ray Brooks as Cleveland States interim president as of July 1.

She was named a year ago as the college's first black female president. She was previously president of Jefferson Community College in Watertown, N.Y.

Dr. Brooks retired as president of Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina, in 2021, after 13 years as the colleges chief executive officer. He previously served 22 years as president of Northwestern Technical College in Rock Spring, Ga.

During his 35 years of experience as a college president, he assisted in recruiting $2 billion in capital investments and creating thousands of jobs.

The Tennessee Board of Regents will begin the search process for Cleveland States next president later. The first step will be developing and approving criteria for the position, posting the position for applications and nominations, and appointing a search advisory committee with representatives of the board, the campus community, and business and civic leaders from the broader community. No timetable has been set.
A man working on Roanoke Avenue reported to police that a grey BMW sped through their work zone. He said he was able to stop the vehicle, when a black female rolled down the window and started yelling, "My car doesn't go that slow." The vehicle then turned on to Hardy Street, did a burnout and left. The vehicle is registered in Georgia.

* * *

An employee at Sams Club at 6101 Lee Hwy. told police the Coca-Cola vending machine that was at the gas pumps was stolen. A black SUV pulling a trailer was seen on video at the pumps. The vehicle adjusted to pull the trailer as close as possible to the vending machine. A man exited the passenger side of the vehicle and went to the drink machine just off camera. The man looked to have his face covered with a white cloth and was wearing a red shirt and dark colored shorts. The drink machine was seen falling onto the trailer and then the man returned to the vehicle. The vehicle pulled off and headed out to Lee Highway. While the vehicle was pulling off, the trailer stuck the Pepsi machine. Based on the video footage it is unclear what type of vehicle it was, but the passenger rear tail light was out.

* * *

An employee at a store at Hamilton Place told police a black female with short hair wearing all black entered the store and put on a pair of Nike Air Max shoes. She left on a bicycle passing all points of sale without attempting to pay for the merchandise.

* * *

An employee for AT&T told police he was on a service call at an apartment building on N. Germantown Road and discovered that approximately 260 feet of aerial cable wire was removed from the rear of the building. The man said the cost to replace the wiring would be approximately $5,000. It is believed the theft possibly occurred overnight.

* * *

A woman on E. 46th Street told police, through her daughter translating, that her wallet was taken out of her vehicle while it was parked in front of her house. There was no time frame and also no suspect information. She said her Tennessee I.D. as well as her work visa were in her wallet, along with her Social Security card.

* * *

Police were called to Sharp Street where a woman and her ex-boyfriend were in the process of breaking up and both were trying to pack up their belongings and leave. Police were able to wait while the man packed up his few belongings and he then left. The woman stayed and continued to pack up her stuff.

* * *

A woman on Hixson Pike called police and said the back glass to her Pontiac Vibe had been busted out. She didnt have any suspect information but kids in the area told her who had done it, but she didnt believe them.

* * *

Police were called to Walmart at 501 Signal Mountain Road where a caller said two suspects had swapped tags on two remote control cars and were now in the parking lot of the Walmart playing with them. An officer arrived and spoke with the two men and recovered the cars. He escorted them back to the loss prevention office and spoke with complainant. The officer was shown camera footage of the suspects scanning the wrong tag that had been placed on the box for the RC cars. The suspect paid around $15 for the RC cars but they are worth $60 each. Walmart decided to not press charges for the theft. Both men were informed if they shoplifted again, they would be banned from all Walmart property.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee invited local law enforcement agencies and schools to apply for nearly $200 million in grant funding to further strengthen security at Tennessee schools.

These two grant programs  a result of bipartisan action by Gov. Lee and the General Assembly to pass strong school security measures into law during the 2023 legislative session  include significant funding to support placing a full-time, armed school resource officer (SRO) at every public school and make physical security improvements at public and non-public schools across Tennessee.

Nothing is more important than making sure that Tennessee students and teachers return home from school safely each day, said Governor Lee. This year, together with the General Assembly, we made significant investments to secure schools across Tennessee, and were now inviting local law enforcement agencies and schools to partner with us by applying for these historic funds.

Local law enforcement agencies and schools across Tennessee are invited to apply for the following grant programs to further strengthen school safety:

Statewide School Resource Officer Grant

The FY23-24 budget includes $140 million to place a full-time, armed SRO at every Tennessee public school.

Local law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply for a Statewide School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant, not to exceed $75,000 per year, per school for which they are responsible for providing SRO services. Applications are being accepted and reviewed by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security on a rolling basis.

Tennessee local law enforcement agencies are invited to apply here.

Public & Non-Public School Security Grants

Additionally, the FY23-24 budget dedicates significant one-time funding to strengthen security at Tennessee schools, totaling $40 million for public schools and $14 million for non-public schools.

The grant funding, administered through the Tennessee Department of Education, can be used to support a variety of school security efforts, including improved physical security, emergency operations planning, violence prevention programs, conflict resolution and safety training for staff members.

Public School Security Grant

Public school security grant applications must demonstrate a connection between requested funding and the vulnerabilities identified in the schools yearly safety assessment, developed by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Public schools are invited to learn more and apply for grant funding here no later than September 29.

Non-Public School Security Grant

Non-public schools must submit an Intent to Apply through the Tennessee Department of Education by August 4 here. Final grant applications are due no later than October 27.

Non-public schools are encouraged to learn more about grant funding and school eligibility here.

Learn more about Gov. Lees enhanced school safety legislation and commitment to strengthen security at Tennessee schools each year since 2019 here.
Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR members met at the Tea Cottage on Hickory Valley Road for their last meeting before the summer break. The June meeting is a time to celebrate membership accomplishments from the past year and to remember the ladies who are no longer with them.

Chaplain and Honorary Regent Teresa Rimer led the memorial service for 12-year member, Katie Bell. Ms. Bell will be missed and thoughts of her family will remain with the chapter members for some time to come.

Regent Jennifer Harvey honored chapter members with awards to celebrate their participation and leadership in chapter activities. The awards included Outstanding Community Classroom to Candace Barger, Most Committee Proclamations to Carol Anne Mingle, Chapter Patriots Organizing Board to Wanda Garrett, Past Regent Project to Kay Sencabaugh, Best Committee Report DAR Schools to Meg Lance, Outstanding Patriotism Flag of the USA to Donna Dodson, Outstanding Treasurer to Debra Croft, Outstanding Centennial Program 14 Quilts of Valor to Teresa Rimer, and Outstanding VA Clinic Support to C.J. Cox.

Chapter members were also recognized for attending every chapter meeting from September 2022 to June 2023. Those members were Candace Barger, CJ Cox, Luanne DeWitt, Christine Keefe and Carole Anne Mingle. Many of the Tennessee State Society awards were also distributed to members during this time.

Each year chapter members are requested to record their volunteer time in Service to America log to bring to light all of the community activities they participate in throughout the year. Last year, Chief John Ross goal was to complete 5,280 volunteer hours. Regent Harvey was happy to announce this goal was achieved and exceeded. The chapter logged 6,156 hours for the 2022 calendar year. She was pleased to present the Most Volunteer Hours award to Patty Parks. Ms. Parks logged an amazing 1,513 hours for her work with veterans and sewing activities.

Susan Sawyer, registrar, and Teresa Rimer, Chapter chaplain, led the New Member Ceremony. Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR, had 17 new members from June 2022 through June 2023. New members in attendance for the ceremony were Sherry Gravitt, Virginia Kidd, Lisa Legg, Alexandria Parks, Barb Wise and Jane Womack. Each woman received a special Centennial New Member Certificate along with a red rose. The chapter has well exceeded the request from the National Society to increase membership by four before 2024.

The winner of the new member recruitment contest was announced by Chapter Registrar Susan Sawyer. The contest was for the member with the most prospective member recruits who sign their application for membership during the past year. The winner would get their supplemental application for a new patriot to be paid by the chapter. The contest winner was Linda Moss Mines for recruiting four new members.

Chief John Ross Chapter in Chattanooga has grown steadily in membership since its founding almost 100 years ago and is proud now to be the third largest chapter in the state of Tennessee with 188 members. Any female 18 years or older who can prove that a Revolutionary War patriot is in her direct line is eligible and welcome to join the Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR.






Mary Lou was born on March 29, 1929, in Gladstone, Michigan and spent her early years in the Upper Peninsula. She died on June 20, 2023.

She graduated from St Marys Spring Academy in Fond du Lac, Wi. in 1943; Rosary College in Chicago, 1947; and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, Chicago, 1951. Her first employment was as a secretary with the CIA in Wash DC, followed by two years in Salonica, Greece.

Mary Lou married Arthur Thivierge, a grade school sweetheart in 1956. They had four children: Justin, Julie, Ann, and Neal. The family had an exciting and adventurous 30 years living and working in Asia and Africa, beginning in Afghanistan in 1963. Other countries included Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Sudan, and Kenya.



In 1993, Mary Lou and Art returned to the United States and retired to Alexian Village, Signal Mountain. They enjoyed extensive travel and tent camping throughout the US. Beginning in 1998, Mary Lou and Art were commissioned as Comboni missionaries to work in South Africa for two years. They subsequently completed missions for Maryknoll in China and in Thailand. Upon returning to the U.S in the early 2000s, Mary Lou and Art co-founded and spent eight years operating the Riversville Foundation college scholarship program for underserved youth. The couple celebrated 67 years of marriage in May of this year.



The Thivierge family wishes to sincerely thank the Alexian Health and Rehabilitation Unit staff and Hearth Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.



Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, www.lanefh.com, 423 877-3524.


Check Into Cash celebrates its 30th birthday this week with an optimistic future and a history of groundbreaking success, said officials. The company was founded in Cleveland by Allan Jones on June 21, 1993, although he admits he had no idea that Check Into Cash would one day have 4,000 employees.

Check Into Cash, as part of Creditcorp, merged into the Community Choice Financial family of Dublin, Ohio, in 2021. On July 8, 2022, Community Choice Financial acquired Speedy Cash. Mr. Jones contributed additional capital to make the acquisition possible.

Mr. Jones said the path that led to the creation of Check Into Cash began when he left college at age 20 to help his father (William A. Bill Jones) stabilize the family's small business, the Credit Bureau of Cleveland. He purchased the business from his father in 1977 with 12 employees (five in the collections division and seven in the credit reporting division) and developed it to become the largest credit bureau database in the state, covering 63 counties.

In June 1993, Mr. Jones had a collection agency serving communities across Tennessee, and in Atlanta. He had offices in Cleveland, Chattanooga, Nashville, Tullahoma, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, Jackson, Memphis, Dalton, Johnson City and Knoxville.

Mr. Jones sold the credit reporting side of the business to Equifax in 1988, although he retained the name and the company's collection agency. He then focused on collections and built the company to be the largest in Tennessee with offices from Memphis to Atlanta.

He sold the agency to a company called Asset Management Outsourcing from Atlanta in 1998. At the time of the sale, it was the largest collection agency in Tennessee  even bigger than the collection agencies in Nashville and Memphis. The company remains a tenant today at the Village Green.

Mr. Jones got the idea for Check Into Cash in June 1993.

I had heard about a guy there named James Eaton who had a very successful business, Mr. Jones said. I was in Knoxville, when I heard about it. I left in my Piper Saratoga and flew to Johnson City to look at what he was doing."

What Mr. Jones discovered was surprising.

"Eaton was located in an old gas station," Mr. Jones recalled. He was charging his customers 20 percent for a payday advance. His customers were non-stop.

Mr. Jones said Eaton told him it was a lot cheaper than overdrafts, and he was bringing his customers value. This made a lot of sense to Mr. Jones.

Once I realized the value it was bringing to customers for such a small one-time fee, I realized this was a much-needed service, Mr. Jones said. The concept of a payday advance with a one-time fee was very simple. If your electricity is about to be turned off, or if you need to put food on the table for the kids, you can borrow just $100 and pay it back within two weeks for a small fee.

Mr. Jones returned to Cleveland and opened his first Check Into Cash store on Keith Street in Cleveland 10 days later. He capitalized the business with $10,000. His second store was in Chattanooga and the third was in Athens. He then hired Steve Scoggins as president of the company.

He admits he initially thought people would come in, take his money, and never pay it back.

After a lull of a couple of days, the business began to be successful. The first Check Into Cash transaction was a young U.S. Army recruiter.

"His son's birthday was that weekend, and he hadn't received his paycheck, Mr. Jones said. He used a $100 Check Into Cash payday advance to buy the boy a bicycle and was happy to pay us back the following Tuesday. The customer couldnt have been happier.

Check Into Cash then began expanding to other communities across Tennessee.

"We quickly opened eight new stores, he said. Many of our customers were middle class and needed $50 to $200. We catered to housewives, nurses, and schoolteachers. We even had some key customers who were bank employees that needed to make sure their accounts didnt get overdrawn."

Mr. Jones said that when he realized bad debt wasn't an issue, the business continued to expand. In August 1995, Check Into Cash had 18 locations.

Mr. Jones then told Mr. Scoggins he was ready to invest $1 million of his own money in 42 locations. The idea was to have 42 locations on Mr. Jones 42nd birthday (Dec. 31, 1995).

I was financing the company out of my hip pocket, Mr. Jones said.

Mr. Scoggins was successful and by Dec. 31, the company had 63 locations.

The business then went to Kentucky and Indiana.

In 1998, Check Into Cash got a new home when Mr. Jones bought the original Village Mall, which he later renovated and renamed The Village Green Town Center.

Mr. Jones did not take a penny from the business over its first 10 years of existence. He put all of the money back into the corporation. He relied on his other businesses for personal revenue at the time.

Mr. Jones said a key to the Check Into Cash success story was always putting customers first. At its high point, the company had 1,325 stores in 30 states.

"We worked with our customers, and we would talk with them, and do everything we could to help them. We even formed focus groups and listened to what their needs were.

Looking back, Mr. Jones realizes he watched an industry being born.

There were no regulations in the beginning, he said. Then I saw the first round of regulations, followed by a second round and then a third round and now there is the Consumer Protection Agency. Government regulations have made a small, short-term payday advance very complicated.



Mr. Jones said he merged Check Into Cash into the Community Choice Financial family in 2021 to ensure a strong future. The Speedy Cash deal was made for the same reason.

"The company feels like one big family now more than ever, Mr. Jones said. And we've been serving our communities and families for 30 years - that's definitely worth celebrating."

Mr. Jones is also looking forward to another birthday in July. It was on July 1, 1946  two weeks after his discharge from the U.S. Coast Guard  that Mr. Jones father, William Bill Jones, purchased the Cleveland Credit Exchange from businessman Fred Dunham.

The Cleveland Credit Exchange was organized in 1938 by a man named Mr. Richie for the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber quickly sold it to Mr. Dunham.

After suffering through World War II and all of the soldiers being gone, Mr. Dunham was very glad to sell the business to my father, said Mr. Jones. Of course, the economy took off when the war ended, and dad did very well.

Mr. Jones only employee at the Cleveland Credit Exchange was Margaret Wilkerson Duggan, who came to work in 1946. She stayed for the next 40 years, later working with Allan Jones and his children (Bill Jones grandchildren) Courtney, Wil, Abby and Bailey.

Before the 2021 merger with Community Choice, Mr. Jones had 438 employees working in the downtown area.

Jones Management Services is the remnants of the old Cleveland Credit Exchange of 1938, said Mr. Jones. Today, both the original owner, the local Chamber of Commerce, and the purchaser of the collections company (Asset Management Outsourcing) are still tenants of the Village Green.
Collegedale officers were alerted on Monday, June 19, at 11:30 p.m. by Hamilton County Sheriffs deputies of a vehicle associated with a fugitive out of Florida in the Walmart parking lot.

Collegedale officers made contact with the fugitive, Jason Whitehill Smith, as he was exiting the store on Little Debbie Parkway, and took him into custody. Smith is wanted for a Florida court violation related to an aggravated battery with a firearm.



While searching Smith, officers found him to be in possession of a glass pipe typically used to smoke illegal drugs. Officers also located methamphetamines inside the vehicle he had driven to the store. The fugitive was charged with drug possession and disorderly conduct.



Approximately one hour later, Christine Lynn Lonergan drove herself to the Walmart parking lot to take possession of the vehicle Smith had been driving. Ms. Lonergan appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant, and after being given a series of sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI. She was also charged with possession of illegal drugs after a search of her vehicle uncovered narcotics and marijuana.



Both remain in custody at the Hamilton County Jail. Smith is being held on a $2,000 bond and has a court date of Aug. 16. Ms. Lonergan is being held on a $3,500 bond and has a court date of Aug. 23.
Longtime community engagement specialist and advocate Daniela Paz Peterson is now the Tennessee program director for Belonging Strategies for the Tennessee office of Trust for Public Land.Ms. Peterson's key responsibility will be to drive programs that encourage a sense of inclusion and belonging throughout TPLs initiatives in Tennessee. This involves fostering relationships with local organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, the arts community and neighborhood leaders to create inclusive environments.A native of Chile, Ms.Peterson holds a degree in social work from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso She joined TPL as a creative placemaking fellow in 2018 and most recently served as its community strategies senior advisor. Among her achievements are the East Lake Free Family Photo Day, a project offering professional photographs for families in their local park, and the Park Listeners Program, focused on community input in park planning.Her work has gained national recognition, earning her awards such as the Footprint Foundations Footprint Award (2019), La Paz Chattanoogas Latino Leadership Award (2017) and TPLs Will Rogers Fellowship. She serves on the Board of La Paz Chattanooga, ArtsBuild, the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.Working alongside members of the Chattanooga community to help connect more families with the rich benefits of parks and high-quality public spaces has been both my profession and my passion for years, said Ms. Peterson. Im honored to accept this new role with TPL and eager to find ways to continue the important work weve begun in neighborhoods like Alton Park, Oak Grove and everywhere else.Chattanooga has been on a tremendously strong growth trajectory for years, which makes our mission of creating and protecting public space more essential, says Noel Durant, TPLs Tennessee state director. As we do more of this work locally, particularly in partnership with our public schools, and across the rest of the state, its equally essential that we be intentional about how we include families of all kinds and from all neighborhoods. There is simply no better person for this job than Dani Peterson.


The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested one of the main conspirators, who was absconding for more than three years, involved in the murder of Head Constable Rattan Lal during northeast riots 2020 in the national Capital, an official said on Wednesday. The accused identified Mohd Ayaz (53), a resident of Chand Bagh in Karawal Nagar area, was carrying a reward of Rs one lakh on information leading to his arrest and he was nabbed from a village in district Chikkaballapur near Bengaluru, Karnataka.



During northeast riots in Delhi on February 24, 2020, Ratan Lal was killed, while Anuj Kumar, the then Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gokulpuri and Amit Sharma, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara sustained multiple grievous injuries.



Sharing the details, the Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal said that in January 2020, Ayaz along with his brother Khalid and others started an anti-CAA/NRC protest at Chand Bagh, Delhi in the line of Shaheen Bagh demonstration.



Thereafter, on February 23, 2020, a secret meeting was held at his home's basement and it was unanimously decided to bring sticks, iron rods among others to block the road in view of the visit of the then US President Donald Trump so as to gain maximum attention at international level.



"Thereafter, as per pre-planned conspiracy, the rioters blocked the road leading to Jafrabad Metro Station and consequently, different groups started rioting in various parts of North-East and Shahdara Districts of Delhi and the same continued till February 26, 2020 resulting in death of over 50 people, injury to hundreds of persons and huge loss of government and private properties. Over 750 cases were lodged in different police stations of Shahdara and North-East districts of Delhi in this regard," said the Special CP.



"A huge mob gathered at the Chand Bagh protest site in the morning of February 24, 2020 and attempted to block the main Wazirabad Road. However, when the police team tried to stop them, Ayaz, his brother Khalid and other rioters started pelting stones and attacked the police party causing the death of Delhi Police Head Constable Ratan Lal," said the Dhaliwal.



He said that a close watch was being kept over the close contacts of Ayaz and his brother Khalid.



"The technical and manual surveillance revealed that Mohd. Ayaz and his brother Khalid were changing their hideouts frequently. After incessant efforts, it emerged that both of them had moved to rural areas in Manipur to evade their arrest. Thereafter, efforts were made to track their movement in Manipur," said the Special CP.



Police came to know that Ayaz had moved to Bengaluru in the first week of June 2023.



"It was further revealed that he was in search of a suitable hideout in the rural area of Dibburahalli, around 100 kms from Bengaluru. Following the trail, a team located him in the area of Dibburahalli and he was nabbed on June 17," said Dhaliwal.








The U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected an attack on the Indian Child Welfare Act, an absolute victory for tribes, children and Indian Country, according to Cherokee Nation Attorney General Sara Hill.
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This 29-year-old guy has been dating his girlfriend, who is 26, for about two and a half months.

They apparently first met in Paris but have been doing long-distance ever since because he is still in Paris, and she is currently in Portugal.

His girlfriends plan is to continue living in Portugal for six more months at least, too.

But she says she wants to come to Paris after that, he said.

Since his girlfriend is originally from Mexico, though, this is actually her first time ever living away from home.

So, they have made sure to stay in touch texting every single day for the past three months.

He claimed that they had also seen each other in person twice.

She came to spend four days with me in Paris a couple of weeks ago, and it was amazing, he recalled.

They were also planning to see each other again soon.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
Pixabay/WOKANDAPIX

A Christian charity in Hong Kong has called on the government to support mental health first-aid training. It is reportedly a response from a survey revealing that over half of the region's employees are facing poor psychological and physical health.

Significance of Physical and Mental Health Among Employees

A report from UCA News stated that Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) emphasized the significance of physical and mental health, particularly among employees facing various life and work challenges that significantly impact their performance and overall well-being. They recommended that the government provide subsidies to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement EAP and mandate employers to offer insurance coverage for their employees while encouraging participation in the program. Moreover, the charity advised equipping employees with knowledge and techniques to improve their physical and mental well-being. Employees are encouraged to learn stress management, including a five-step approach to stress reduction. They also noted that awareness and understanding of mental health should be raised across organizations.

On the other hand, HKCS mentioned that financial support should be extended to SMEs to enable them to provide relevant services to their employees and raise awareness of mental health among staff members. Furthermore, the charity suggested that employers organize Mental Health First Aid training, adjusting the ratio of Mental Health First Aiders based on job types, company size, and employee characteristics. The charity shared the case of Chan (pseudonym), a 50-year-old worker in the finance industry who suffered from high stress and emotional breakdowns due to an excessive workload. Chan reportedly enrolled in the EAP scheme in 2022, which provided him with a mental health counselor. With professional counseling for six months, Chan made significant progress in recognizing and managing his negative emotions, including overcoming crying spells, insomnia, poor appetite, and contemplating suicide.

Also Read: Church-Going Man Arrested for Killing 3 People in Nottingham, Allegedly Struggles with Mental Health

Surveys on Hong Kong SMEs Neglecting Worker Health

According to a new study, Hong Kong small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are placing less emphasis on the health and well-being of their employees, Insurance Business reported. The research revealed that the percentage of SMEs considering employee health and well-being as their most relevant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issue dropped from 50% in 2022 to 43% in 2022. The study, conducted by QBE, also highlighted decreases in SMEs' adoption of wellness initiatives. Accordingly, flexible working hours decreased from 37% to 31% annually, care packages dropped from 28% to 27%, and wellness benefits declined from 37% to 28%. With the COVID-19 situation improving, SMEs are now considering a return to the office for some employees.

The percentage of respondents expecting employees to work from home (WFH) decreased from 28% in 2022 to 20% in 2023, while belief in hybrid options also slightly dropped to 18% from the previous year's 20%. The study also revealed mixed opinions on the effects of WFH and hybrid working on employee mental health. While 40% and 38% of respondents believed that WFH and hybrid working had worsened mental health, 35% and 38% thought these working arrangements had improved mental health. Based on a report from Human Resources Online, the recognition of supporting employees' mental health and well-being as a core business responsibility is on the rise. It is seen as a duty of care during uncertain times and a crucial component of good business practice to enhance productivity, sustainability, and growth.

Related Article: Texas Legislators Greenlight School Chaplains in Response to Escalating Mental Health Crisis
Pixabay/Mark Thomas

The Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from the College of the Ozarks, a Christian college in Missouri. The College had sued the Biden administration over its decision to protect transgender individuals from housing discrimination.

Rejecting Christian College's Appeal

The housing provision of the Fair Housing Act contains similar language to the workplace law, explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sex. The connection between sex and transgender rights formed the basis for the Biden administration's interpretation of the law to include protection for transgender individuals. As per Yahoo! News, the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the College of the Ozarks' appeal maintains the lower court rulings and affirms the Biden administration's position on transgender housing protection. The impact of this decision goes beyond this specific case, as it further establishes a legal precedent for protecting transgender individuals from discrimination in various aspects of life.

Moreover, The Hill reported that lower courts, including the St. Louis-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, ruled favor of the Biden administration on procedural grounds. They found that the College of the Ozarks did not have legal standing to sue because the government had not attempted to enforce an anti-discrimination complaint against the school. The Biden administration defended its 2021 guidance by emphasizing that it does not require the College or any other housing provider to take specific actions. They also argued that the College had not alleged any past, current, or threatened enforcement related to the guidance.

In addition, the Supreme Court has declined to hear the College's appeal, thereby blocking the progress of its ongoing lawsuit. The decision has come as a significant victory for LGBTQ students, especially in light of the legal battles being fought in Republican-led states over laws that restrict the participation of transgender students in activities or areas that align with their gender identity. Accordingly, the lower courts are currently grappling with these challenges.

Also Read:Supreme Court Rejects Appeal From Church That Might Be Closed By Chicago Govt

CO's Fight Against President Joe Biden

In a legal battle of the College of Ozark against President Joe Biden's recent ban on housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Andrew Bailey, the Attorney General of Missouri, has announced his support for CO, Springfield News-Letter reported. On Tuesday, Mar. 28, Bailey announced that his office had spearheaded a group of 19 states to submit an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of a lawsuit filed by a private religious college. According to Bailey's brief, the federal directive has been criticized for lacking "reasoned decision-making" as it fails to consider or weigh the concerns of religious organizations.

As mentioned, late in 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals dismissed a federal lawsuit, ruling that the College did not have standing or jurisdiction to pursue the case. In April 2021, a lawsuit was filed. The College requested the U.S. Supreme Court last month to review the decision. The Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF) is representing the Point Lookout campus legally. Additionally, the College reportedly teaches that biological sex is an individual's "God-given, objective gender," regardless of whether it aligns with their internal sense of "gender identity." The College has implemented a policy prohibiting individuals who identify as a gender different from their biological sex from residing in dormitories designated for the opposite gender. It means biological males who identify as females are not allowed to live in female dormitories, and vice versa.

Related Article: U.S. Senate OKs Same-Sex Marriage Bill; President Joe Biden Vows To Sign Bill Proudly and Promptly
Pexels/Erik Mclean

The recent firing of a well-known Texas professor is igniting a discussion about discrimination, academic freedom, and freedom of religion. Johnson Varkey, a part-time instructor of human anatomy and physiology at St. Philip's University, alleges he was fired for advocating a biological sex determination theory that is consistent with his knowledge of science and his religious convictions.

Four students left Varkey's class last November when he said that X and Y chromosomes determine biological sex. Varkey started teaching at St. Philip's in 2003 and has always received "stellar performance reviews," according to his legal counsel, First Liberty. His assertion is consistent with his research into human biology and his Christian faith. The scholar serves as the assistant pastor for free at his neighborhood church.

Texas University Professor Allegedly Fired for Teaching Sex Determination Theory

According to the article in Christian Headlines, A university vice president alerted Varkey that he was being looked into for an alleged ethics violation on January 12 of this year. His employment formally ended on January 27. The institution was informed of "religious preaching, discriminatory remarks about homosexuals and transgender people, anti-abortion rhetoric, and misogynistic banter," according to the letter of termination.

These allegations are denied by First Liberty, which claims that the professor was following a "school-approved and science-based curriculum" and that he or she did not express personal opinions, whether religious or not, on human gender or sexuality. The company claims that Varkey's rights to free speech and religious expression, which are protected by U.S. law, were violated by the institution. Both the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act's protections for religious liberty were violated.

Also Read:Fired Christian Doctor Advocates for 'Standing Up' and 'Affirming Truth' Amidst Trans Pronoun Controversy

Other Professionals Fired for the Same Reason

In a related story shared in Fox News, Dr. David Mackereth, a Christian doctor, was fired for refusing to use transgender pronouns in a U.K. emergency room, claiming it was a matter of honesty and faith. The doctor said he would never treat a transgender patient differently but couldn't conform to gender ideology principles, calling it a 'dishonesty' in medical practice. ]

His dismissal was on the grounds of 'harassment' under the U.K. Equality Act of 2010. After being dismissed, he sued his employer for religious discrimination but lost. However, his case was partially overturned by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in May 2022 while still upholding his firing. The General Medical Council determined there was no evidence that his beliefs impaired his practice. Mackereth plans to appeal his case in a European court and urges other medical professionals and Christians to affirm the truth on gender identity.

According to Christianity Daily, Mackereth sought the General Medical Council's (GMC) opinion, which found no evidence his beliefs impaired his medical practice. Mackereth's case is a unique, compelling discussion about free speech and the use of transgender pronouns in the workplace. He argues that compelled speech is dishonest and urges for legal clarity in the U.K. regarding such issues.

Related Article:Democratic Governor's Resurfaced Photo with Anti-Christian LGBTQ Group Creates Stir in Top Race of the Year
By Peggy Kelly

She is always at the annual Santa Paula Optimist Club Christmas Parade, either helping with organizing and even judging, but now Robin Gillette will lead the 69th annual procession as grand marshal.

Gillette, the principal of Renaissance High School, was selected by her club peers to lead the parade, which will step out into downtown Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m.

The theme of the 2018 Christmas parade is Christmas Dreams. Optimist Pacific Southwest District Governor Cathy Hicks said it is only fitting to select Gillette, who has lived her dreams as she raised her two daughters and developed her career as an educator in the Santa Paula High School system as a teacher, vice principal and now principal at Renaissance High School.

Robin is helping students live their dreams as she works with them in an alternative educational environment, said Hicks. Robin said there are many different methods in education to reach the same goal.

Hicks noted that Robin has

been very active in the community over the years, but she has not been as visible. The Optimist Club likes to recognize folks who are helping our community in a quiet way but they may not be getting recognition.

Robin is involved in a variety of activities in the community to help students attain their dreams, said Optimist and Parade Coordinator Ron Merson.

Gillette was at first hesitant to accept the honor. I was really shocked; I never thought about it, said Gillette, who described the honor as surreal and humbling to have this  spotlight shined on you for doing the things that I love to do.

She said she is looking forward to the parade. Theyre fun. I really love judgingI asked Ron can I come back really quick and judge after being driven along the parade route?

Gillette said she has always enjoyed the parade and the holiday spirit it evokes, although sometimes Christmas can happen at any timefor example, when I see students doing well, graduation when we move the tassels...for me, this is huge and all of us at RHS get to share in such an epic moment for the students and their familys lives. In a way, I am living a dream. How many people can honestly say they love what they do? Each day is a new adventure and I thank Robin Gillette God for my family, friends, that town where I was raised, and to know that the Lord has put me in the places where Im needed to be. How blessed is this?

The parade offers an emotional respite, and Gillette particularly enjoys all the entries and the Christmas spiritit seems like the last couple of years there have been so many emotions. The parade brings our town together, our families and the kidsand I especially like seeing the kids, enjoying being a part of the oldest holiday parade in Ventura County.

The 69th annual Santa Paula Christmas Parade will feature marching bands, toy soldiers, floats, automobiles, fire engines, police vehicles, veterans organizations, equestrians, community groups, churches, youth groups, Santa Claus and more. Each year, there are thousands of people who want to be a part of the merriment by lining Main Street to enjoy the parade, which stretches from Seventh to 11th streets, and ring in the holidays with cheer.

Floats may be self-propelled or towed by another vehicle. It is desirable for the float theme to be carried out so that all spectators can enjoy the entry, whether coming or going.

The parade is held rain or shine; for safety reasons, entrants must not throw candy to spectators. The parade will be filmed by Bob Allen of KADYTV.com and archived for viewing on demand.

All decisions of the judges are final. Judging will be based on execution of the theme, originality of design and spectator appeal.

Parade applications can be downloaded at http://www. ci.santa-paula.ca.us/Xmas%20 Parade%20Application.pdf or picked up at the Santa Paula Times, 120 Davis St.

For more information, contact Merson at 805-525-9439 or at santapaulaparades@hotmail. com.
Unsplash/Emmanuel Ikwuegbu

In a tragic series of events, Fulani herdsmen are accused of killing 46 Christians over the course of two days, June 3 and 4, in a number of villages in Nigeria's Benue state. Reports that the attackers had left a trail of dread and ruin had the neighborhood in a state of shock.

Local accounts state that on June 3, the herders attacked the village of Imande Mbakange early in the morning. 28 Christians were killed in the attack, according to a news release from the Shitile Development Association (SDA) that was signed by its president, Samuel Door, and secretary, Ephraim Zuai.

Violence and Death Persist for Christians in Nigeria

According to the article in Christian Today, another 18 Christians were killed by Fulani herders the following day, with even more brutality. According to the SDA, the attacks were spread out throughout the villages of Michihe, Achamegh, and Mbagene Kpav. Community leaders revealed that 46 Christians were brutally killed during a two-day attack on their communities. They expressed disappointment at the authorities' lack of effective action to stop the violence, even though the identities of the attackers were known to them.

Following the shocking incidents, survivors are said to be leaving their homes and farms in search of a safe haven. According to the SDA leaders, as their people are escaping, herders are taking over their lands and grazing without any restrictions. The leaders disclosed the enormous scale of the catastrophe, explaining that countless lives had been tragically lost across various villages, casting a pall of grief and mourning over the entire region. Despite fear making the accurate gathering of data difficult, the leaders confirmed the gravity of the situation.

In the article that was shared in Christian Persecution, the attacks were confirmed by Alfred Atera, a councilman for the Kastina-Ala Local Government Area, in his press release. Atera called the violence "inhuman and barbaric," and he urged security organizations to step up their efforts to stop this uptick in violence. The unrest in the Katsina-Ala region was confirmed by Catherine Anene, a spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command. She said that in order to stop the violence, law enforcement is being enlisted in addition to other security personnel.

Also Read: Anglican Communion in Nigeria Takes Resolute Stance Against Same-Sex Marriage

One of the Top Christian Persecutors in the World

According to Open Doors' 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report, Nigeria had the highest number of Christians murdered worldwide in 2022, at a dismal total of 5,014 deaths. Nigeria also has the highest number of Christian abductions, cases of faith-based sexual assault, forced marriages, physical or mental torture, as well as attacks on houses and businesses, and also, the nation also holds the dubious distinction of having several other undesirable characteristics. Nigeria also came in second position for both the number of internally displaced persons and church attacks.

The List claims that in Nigeria, violence is still the biggest and most pervasive threat. Christians are the targets of vicious and indiscriminate killings, mostly in northern Nigeria, but the violence has recently spread to the south. Christian farmers have difficulty accessing farmlands due to the militant Fulanis and "bandits" in the southern woodlands. Christian women and girls are at significant risk of sexual assault and forced marriages because of these militants. The List also draws attention to an alarming increase in kidnappings for ransom, especially those of church leaders.

Related Article: Catholic Priest Fatally Attacked and Killed in Southwest Nigeria
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The Roman Catholic Church is considered to be the largest of all Christian denominations. Recently, several Kenyans went to their first Catholic mass, and although they did their best, they were confused about the sequence of the church activities.

Kenyans' Confusion on Catholic Church Activities During Mass

Unlike members of most other religions, Roman Catholics adhere to a set order for the daily mass, and all Roman Catholic parishes worldwide share the same readings. The majority of the traditions, such as the sequence of the mass, are considered routine for those who belong to the traditional church; nonetheless, this has always caused a lot of newcomers to feel excluded from the group.

According to a report from Tuko, Kenyans recalled their experiences, and most said they had difficulty coming up with answers during the catholic mass. After a bit of confusion over the arrangement of the actions, several people indicated that they decided to sit down for the whole mass. Moreover, a Kenyan comedian posted a video on TikTok discussing the challenges some individuals face when attending a church for the first time. He emphasized non-Roman Catholics' challenges on their first day in a Catholic Church, ranging from sitting while others in the church are kneeling or standing to shouting at calm moments.

As per Opera News, a member of the Kenyan community also recalled the day when they were first years and went to Thika Catholic church. At that time, the priest did not think that two Kenyan friends who lived in the Somali area were Catholics; therefore, he refused to administer the sacraments to them. In addition, to demonstrate that they were devout Catholics, they must bring their baptismal and confirmation certificates. Accordingly, there will not be a problem if people scream, "Amen." The issue will arise if they attempt to receive sacraments without first completing holy communion classes. Everyone is reportedly welcome, and there are no exceptions to saying Amen.

Also Read: IMB Missionary's Effort To Teach True Gospel Bears Fruit in Kenya

Importance of First Holy Communion in Catholics

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion constitutes one of the three sacraments of initiation that Roman Catholics practice, along with the Sacrament of Baptism. They attain the status of full members of the church after participating in the initiation ceremonies, known as sacraments. St. Eugene Catholic Church stated that during the sacrament known as "First Holy Communion," young Catholics are given their first taste of the Holy Eucharist. The term "Holy Eucharist" alludes to the fact that Christ's flesh, blood, soul, and divinity are genuinely present in the bread and wine that have been dedicated and are presently referred to as "the Body and Blood of Christ" on the altar.

When Roman Catholics make their First Holy Communion, they participate in a ritual regarded as one of the holiest and most important events in their life. It reportedly entails partaking in sanctified bread and drinking consecrated wine that is being administered for the first time to a person. Furthermore, since 7 or 8 years of age is regarded as the age of reason, most Catholic children acquire their First Holy Communion at this point in their lives. On the other hand, when all of the prerequisites set down by the Catholic Church are satisfied, older people are also eligible to take communion for the first time.

Related Article: Kenyalang's Holy Trinity Church Welcomes Missionary Fr. Eugene Maglasang as New Rector
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The Supreme Court has recently refused to entertain the College of the Ozark's attempt to capsize a national law that will ban housing discrimination based on one's sexual orientation or gender identity.

This recent case was a reply to an executive order that was signed by President Biden on his first day in office, which led the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate a directive. The directive acknowledged sexual orientation and gender identity as aspects protected by anti-sex-discrimination clauses within multiple federal laws. This resulted in a reinterpretation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) by the HUD.

Supreme Court Denies Christian College's Appeal Challenging Federal Gender Discrimination Directive

The Hill reported that the College of the Ozarks aspired to align its dormitory assignments with the school's Christian principles, assigning students based on their biological sex rather than gender identity.

The college initiated a lawsuit against the Biden administration in April 2021, challenging the updated interpretation of the FHA. However, both a trial judge and a split panel of appeals court judges found out that the college had no legal strength to continue its lawsuit, stating a lack of demonstrable harm.

The college sought a Supreme Court review of this decision, arguing that they had been denied the chance to provide input before the directive's implementation. Lower courts dismissed this argument, stating that the college is not currently under threat of enforcement.

In court filings, the college's lawyers expressed concern about the significant potential impact of the decision. According to an article from My Champlain Valley, they warned that the Department of Housing and Urban Development might bypass the rule-making process if it succeeded in redefining the Fair Housing Act through its directive. This could delay judicial review until after an enforcement action is completed, causing potential harm to the regulated entity.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group known for challenging various pro-LGBTQ laws and access to mifepristone, a common abortion medication, represented the college.

Also Read:Utah's Latest LGBTQ+ Church Leader Foresees Inevitable Political Engagement

Some Courts Backed the Biden Administration

Lower courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, determined that the college lacked standing to contest the Biden administration last year due to no attempts being made to enforce anti-discrimination laws against it. As reported by USA Today, the Biden administration clarified that their 2021 guidance did not impose any specific actions or restrictions on the school, and the college had not reported any alleged past, present, or future enforcement.

The administration's memo was motivated by the 2020 Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which deemed workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity unlawful under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Related Article:Governing Assembly of Christian Reformed Church Votes to Uphold Doctrine, Denies Appeal to Retain Same-Sex Married Deacon
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Throughout the decades, Rev. Doc William Barber II has been an influential church leader at the Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro. However, due to health problems, the well-known religious personality, who also advocates for civil rights, recently bid farewell to his congregation and preached his final sermon.

Rev. Dr. William Barber II's Last Sermon

Rev. Barber became a member of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro in 1993. Over the 30 years, he became well-known for his efforts in combating various social concerns, including poverty, injustice, and racism. A report from ABC 11 stated that between 2005 and 2017, Rev. Barber held the position of president of the North Carolina NAACP. In order to put an end to legislation that he disagreed with, he has, on multiple occasions, advocated for "nonviolent direct action" in the form of demonstrations.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, the weekly Moral Monday rallies organized by Barber's Forward Together Moral Movement earned the organization recognition on a national scale in 2013. These protests drew thousands of people to the North Carolina General Assembly 2013. Moreover, The Daily Beast reported that after more than three decades of dedicated devotion, Rev. Barber delivered his final sermon to the members of his church on Sunday, Jun 18, before he retired. As mentioned, the influential church leader and civil rights activist, who is now 59 years old, has struggled for a long time with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful form of arthritis that may lead the vertebrae of the spinal to fuse. "I have no reason to be standing here but by the grace of God," he noted.

Also Read: ChatGPT Conveys Sermon of Hope to St. Paul's Church, Inspires Congregants to Embrace Life Beyond Fear of Death

Civil Rights Activities of Rev. Dr. William Barber II

Even though Rev. Barber is standing down from his role as pastor of the church, that does not mean he is giving up his leadership responsibilities. The prominent church leader, well-known for being the founder of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival and his Moral Monday marches, discussed his next journey in an interview with The Root at the end of last year.

Rev. Barber announced he would lead the newly established Center for Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School. He reportedly expressed his excitement about transitioning from pastoring the church members, which he has held for the previous thirty-five years, to pastoring the movement, which will be his responsibility at this center. As mentioned, the center's mission is to instill a sense of moral leadership in the next generation of activist leaders by providing them with training in its application.

On the other hand, Rev. Barber and his devoted soldiers travel across every corner of the United States to cast a bright light of justice on the many facets and manifestations of wealth and income disparity. He shows that attempts to combat poverty are not just a moral need but also a matter of life and death in the United States of America. As stated, 700 individuals lose their lives every day due to poverty and inequality, and even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 140 million people were living in poverty or having trouble making ends meet.

Related Article: William Barber Says Faith, Illness Inspired His Activism
Christians rejoice when atheists give their lives to Christ, but typically we only see the end result. Unless we know the skeptic personally, we rarely get a detailed picture of what brought about an openness to faith. In Atheists Finding God: Unlikely Stories of Conversions to Christianity in the Contemporary West, C. S. Lewis Institute teaching fellow and Side B Stories podcast host Jana S. Harmon presents findings from her conversations with 50 atheists who came to faith. Christopher Reese, editor of The Worldview Bulletin, spoke with Harmon about her research and its implications for sharing the gospel with skeptics.

What were some of the commonly held beliefs of the atheists you interviewed before their conversions?

Generally speaking, they viewed Christian belief and believers through a negative lens. Lacking exposure to genuine forms of belief, many developed their perception of Christianity through an unfriendly, distanced cultural perspective, which led to reductionistic caricatures and stereotypes. Or, for those who had some contact with religion or religious people, they found Christianity to be wanting and unattractive. Faith was often painted as superstitious, delusional, and uneducated, irreconcilable with science and contemporary ways of thinking and living. Christians were often seen as intolerant, bigoted, judgmental, and hypocritical.

Interestingly, not nearly as many of these former atheists had good reasons to justify their own godless perspective. They seemed to know what they were against much more than what they were for. Many had readily dismissed God and faith out of hand without thoughtful analysis of exactly what they were rejecting or what they were embracing. They simply presumed a settled perspective based upon what they heard around them in the surrounding culture or by esteemed authorities.

For many former atheists, difficult life experiences had convinced them there could not be a good, present, or powerful God. Others held understandable objections to belief, to the Bible, to a perceived irreconcilability of science and faith, to bad religion and religious people, and to various Christian claims about morality.

Did you detect any patterns in the circumstances that led these skeptics to reconsider Christianity?

Nearly two-thirds of the former atheists I spoke with thought they would never leave their atheistic identity and perspective. They were not looking for God or interested in spiritual conversations. So what breached their walls of resistance? In general, people are not comfortable questioning their own views until something disrupts the status quo. And in these cases, there was some catalyst, some form of dissatisfaction that caused them to question their own atheism or begin looking more closely at Christianity.

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We all want to make sense of the world and be satisfied in our lives. Dissatisfaction can prompt searching for something more than our worldview has to offer. Disruptive longings can grow in someone as they look for better explanations to understand the world around them or their own lives.

What were some of the challenges your interview subjects faced after embracing Christian belief?

Unfavorable cultural stereotypes of Christians abound in Western culture. Within that context, conversion to Christianity came at great social cost. Nearly one-third of respondents reported negative responses or rejection from friends and family. They found their newfound faith to be socially frowned upon, embarrassing, and relationally alienating.

One former atheist recalled, We lost a lot of friends, honestly. Even then our beliefs were very liberal and, in some sense, more closely aligned with atheism than with Christianity on all sorts of issues. But just saying, Were going to church this Sunday or Jesus is God meant a lot of people hated us and wouldnt even talk to us anymore because of that. It was difficult. Even so, his newfound joy and peace in Christ sustained him in his new faith.

Is there a conversion story that you found particularly surprising or moving?

Every story of conversion is surprising and moving. For me, though, what stands out most are the stories of coming to faith against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Take Jeffrey, for instance. He became an atheist following a childhood tragedy where he lost two brothers in a house fire. His deep pain fueled a vitriolic hatred against God and instability in his own life. During the next 20 years, he developed strong arguments to support his emotional resistance to belief. When his wife unexpectedly became a Christian, his anger against God only grew.

One evening his wife called and asked him to pick her up at the home of the Christians who had led her to Christ. Jeffrey was expecting a heated exchange, but instead received warm hospitality. Feeling valued, he was drawn back again and again toward meaningful conversation. Over time, his walls of resistance began to melt, friendship and trust developed, and intellectual questions were answered. Eventually, he lost his resistance to God and found the peace and joy that had long eluded him.

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When it comes to sharing the gospel with skeptics, what lessons can we learn from your research?

In many ways, sharing the gospel with skeptics is similar to sharing the gospel with anyone who doesnt know Christ. The first thing to recognize is that everyone is unique. Just because you call yourself an atheist doesnt mean we can presume exactly who you are or what you believe. Beliefs are always formed and then held in the context of our own life stories. Its important, then, to take time to listen to individual perspectives, to hear what people believe and why they believe it. This not only allows you to value who they are and what they think; it also reveals personal questions that are often lurking beneath the surface of intellectual objections. It gives you a pathway toward meeting people where they are.

It is also important to be present in the lives of skeptics. Your life provides an embodied example of genuine Christianity, and a potential counter-narrative to the negative stereotypes. Being present in someones life also allows you to be available at moments of possible openness to Christianity.

Along the same lines, keep in mind that someones willingness to seriously consider God or faith can take a long time to develop. It requires what one former atheist calls relational patience. In the meantime, we should prepare our minds for action, as the apostle Peter says (1 Pet. 1:13). We need to be able to seriously address the big questions and hard issues so that when the door opens and objections come, we are ready to effectively engage with thoughtful responses.

Finally, we need to be constant in prayer for those who are far away from Christ. It is only through the loving work of the Holy Spirit that hearts, minds, and lives are changed. We work in participation with what God is already doing and depend fully upon him to use us in ways that make the gospel attractive.

What would you like atheists who read the book to take away from it?

I wrote this book to take an honest look at how and why atheists embrace atheism, become open to change, and convert to Christianity. My hope is that any atheist who reads it will appreciate why intelligent, educated atheists have become convinced that Christian faith makes the most sense of reality. More than that, I hope they will seriously consider the claims of Christianity for themselves and be inspired by the tremendous life changes detailed in the pages of this book.

[ This article is also available in espanol, , and . ]

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Evangelical churches do not have an official or formally recognized pope. But there are individuals in churches whose counsel is received as if it is from God himself, even if they do not hold top leadership positions.

In King Davids life, this influential individual was Ahithophel, his trusted counselor. When Davids son, Absalom, planned a treacherous rebellion against his father, Ahithophel entered the picture as a minor character with a major role in 2 Samuel 15:12.

Most of us would expect Ahithophel to offer morally righteous guidance to the royal family. Instead, he told Absalom to sleep with his fathers concubines and even volunteers to embark on a covert mission to murder David.

As a pastor in the Philippines, I have encountered several modern-day Ahithophels in ministry. On the one hand, they may offer biblical, ethical advice that helps the church to grow spiritually. On the other hand, they may pursue hidden agendas and perpetuate disorder and dysfunction within a congregation. These damaging effects to the church are exacerbated when people constantly defer to their wishes and desires. Consequently, pastors and church leaders may make decisions not because they are the best course of action to undertake but because they are what a particular person of influence wants.

Some of the Ahithophels in our churches today may be influential because they are major donors. Others may have such a likable and charismatic personality that everyone is drawn to listen to their counsel, even if they may not have the wisest opinion or an accurate diagnosis of the problem.

Through Ahithophels life story in Scripture, we get a glimpse of what happens when we place too much trust in such godly advisersespecially when their words become less and less in line with Gods will.

Frightful folly

Little is known about Ahithophel, whom Scripture describes as King Davids counselor and Jehoiada and Abiathars predecessor (1 Chron. 27:3334). As Jehoiada is a chief priest (1 Chron. 27:5), and Abiathar is a priest (1 Sam. 23:9), it is likely that Ahithophel is also a member of a priestly clan and serves as Gods representative and spokesperson. No wonder David and Absalom sought him as a counselor.

Securing Ahithophels support for his rebellion helps Absalom draw many followers to his cause (2 Sam. 15:12). The ambitious prince must have known the extent of Ahithophels influence, because he makes sure that Ahithophel will participate in his treasonous plans.

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Scripture is silent about why Ahithophel betrays David and supports Absaloms devious scheme. Maybe he was disgruntled with Davids leadership, or maybe Absalom offered him something he could not turn down. The only thing we know for certain is that Absalom handpicks Ahithophel as a coconspirator (2 Sam. 15:31).

David, however, has a long list of valiant warriors on his side. Why would Absalom choose Ahithophel over them?

The answer lies in a short description of Ahithophel: Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophels advice. (2 Sam. 16:23)

The royal familys deep-seated trust in Ahithophel can only have arisen out of a long track record of giving wise and godly advice. Absalom held so much respect for Ahithophel that he wanted the counselors support. David looked so highly to Ahithophel that he dreaded the fact that his counselor had sided with Absalom. All David could do was pray in desperation, Lord, turn Ahithophels counsel into foolishness. (15:31)

Ahithophels subsequent advice to Absalom shows how God answers Davids prayer. The counselor goes from being Gods representative to becoming a parodic prophet when he tells Absalom to sleep with his fathers concubines so that all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute. Absalom gladly engaged in these immoral acts (16:2122).

What went wrong here? Was Ahithophel unaware of Gods moral standards?

In my view, Ahithophels counsel is simply a means to an end. Absaloms illicit behavior is not about satisfying his sexual appetite, but about displaying power and showing the people of Israel who truly wields it.

Absaloms actions make him odious before his father. David cannot do anything but flee for safety and ask God to thwart Ahithophels plans. This suggests that, at this stage, David is no longer able to address his sons betrayal publicly because he no longer possesses the power to hold Absalom accountable for what he has done.

What is most troubling is that Ahithophel seems to have no qualms about advising Absalom to engage in sin, all for the sake of displaying power in hopes of getting Israels support. Ahithophels willingness to compromise moral standards shows that no one is immune to the temptation to acquire power and influence, regardless of the cost.

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Fatal consequences

Besides acting as a mouthpiece for immorality, Ahithophel exemplifies how damaging hubris can be. When the counselor volunteers to lead an army to pursue and attack David while he is weary and weak, Absalom and Israels elders consider this a good plan (2 Sam. 17:13).

Ahithophel now presumes that he can lead an army to fight against Israels best warriors and appears to regard King David as prey to be hunted down. Here, he seems to have overestimated his capabilities to lead an army against what is arguably Israels best and most experienced soldiers.

While Absalom is conspiring with Ahithophel, David asks his friend, Hushai the Arkite, to stay in the kings palace to alert him of any impending danger (2 Sam. 15:3237). Unexpectedly, Absalom reaches out to Hushai to seek his counsel on the best way to defeat his father (2 Sam. 17:5).

Hushai says that Ahithophels advice is not good because David and his men are experienced warriors, and Ahithophel and his army will not be able to defeat them. Instead, he encourages Absalom to gather all of Israel, lead them into battle, and ambush David.

The errant prince and his cronies experience a change of heart: The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel (2 Sam. 17:14).

In convincing Absalom to adopt his plan over Ahithophels, Hushai is trying to protect the king. As an added precaution, Hushai sends messengers to warn David of the threat on his life, and the king manages to escape death when he crosses the Jordan River at night instead of remaining in the wilderness (vv. 1516, 22).

After learning that Absalom chose to support and follow Hushais advice, Ahithophel takes his own life (v. 23). Suicide may seem like an excessive response to having his counsel rejected. But Ahithophel may have done so upon realizing that he would not have influence over Absalom if the latter became king. That Absalom chose to follow Hushais advice instead may have added to Ahithophels humiliation. Also absent in Ahithophels response is repenting and seeking forgiveness from King David.

Scripture beseeches us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Phil. 2:3), but our actions and decisions sometimes reflect self-aggrandizement, desire for control, and unrepentant hearts. Like Ahithophel, we may place our yearning for powerconsciously or otherwiseabove morality, ethics, national interest, peoples safety, loyalty, and friendship.

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Beyond face value

Ahithophels life trajectory shows us that power and influence are like perfume: A little of it can make us smell good, but once we start ingesting it, we are poisoning ourselves. Someone described as a man of God is not immune to being tempted by and grasping for power. A trusted advisers lust for power may engender disastrous results, not only for himself or herself, but also for the congregations he or she is a part of.

The Ahithophels in our churches may be wise guides who shepherd us in love and lead us toward joyfully obeying Gods plans and purposes. Or they may act as wicked puppeteers who can significantly change a churchs direction in order to fulfill their own agenda. As CTs editor in chief Russell Moore writes, When the calling outweighs the thirst for power, the result can be very good. But when the will to power is stronger, the result can be terrible.

The Word of God is infallible, but those who teach and interpret it are not. I encourage fellow pastors and church leaders who seek wisdom from the Ahithophels in their midst to be grounded in Gods Word and to continually cultivate the gift of spiritual discernment. Those who listen must listen cautiously, like the Bereans who examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11).

If you serve as an Ahithophel in your church, I exhort you to constantly examine whether your words are consistent with Gods teaching and whether you are free from any selfish agendas. Those who speak into church leaders ears, minds, and hearts have the power to influence for good or evil, and this power can easily be abused.

Ahithophels story need not be ours. Misguided counsel, moral failure, or betrayal can be addressed in ways that bring life rather than death. This begins with genuine repentance for the hurt caused by our wrongdoing to fellow believers and the church. If you have wandered in the ways of Ahithophel, hold onto what Proverbs 24:16 says: Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.



Samson Uytanlet has been involved in pastoral and teaching ministry in the Philippines for more than 25 years. Books he has written include Matthew: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary and Manual for Sojourners: A Study on Peters Use of Scripture and Its Relevance Today.
Christian converts hospitalized after relatives beat them for praying to Jesus in Uganda

NAIROBI, Kenya  Relatives of two brothers who accepted Christ in May beat them for leaving Islam earlier this month in eastern Uganda, sources said.

Janati Tisuubira, 22, and his 33-year-old brother Ibrahim Musa Kakembo received hospital care for nearly a week after family members attacked them on June 3 following a burial service for their sister in Bunya, Mayuge District, Kakembo said.

The two brothers moved to Mbale, about 135 kilometers (84 miles) away, for work reasons and heard a Gospel broadcast there that led them to visit the radio preachers church in Mbale on May 22, he said.

At the end of the service, my brother and I remained behind, Kakembo told Morning Star News. There we talked to the pastor and asked several questions relating to the Gospel message that he had preached over the radio. After that we believed in Issa [Jesus].

On June 2, they learned that their sister had died in Bunya, and the next day they returned there for the burial. At about 10 p.m., they were listening to the pastor on the radio in their room.

Before ending the preaching, he asked the listeners to join him in prayers, Kakembo said. We then joined him in prayers and began praying. One of our elder brothers saw us praying in the room and went and informed other members of the family, who came to see what was going on. They found us seriously praying, following the pastor on the radio.

The family members made mobile phone video recordings of the brothers praying, then called them into the sitting room to question them about why they were praying in the name of Christ rather than Muhammad, he said. The brothers remained silent.

They accused us that we are no longer Muslims, Kakembo said. Our elder brother, Shaban, a teacher by profession at Ibun Bazi Islamic Center, got angry with us and started beating us with a blunt object which he had with him as the rest of the members also joined in and started beating us badly.

He said their father came in and began shouting, Stop, dont kill them in my house, just send them away from my home  from today on, I am no longer their father, and they are no longer my children.

My brothers obeyed our dad and sent us away in the night, Kakembo said. I was bleeding from a deep cut near the right eye and the forehead, while my brother suffered a deep cut on his forehead, an eye injury and a swollen neck.

After walking about 200 meters, they telephoned the pastor in Mbale, who arranged for Christians in Bulamogi, Kaliro District 124 kilometers (77 miles) away to rescue them. They took the brothers in the middle of the night to a medical clinic in Kaliro, and they were discharged on June 10.

The Christians have taken refuge in an undisclosed location.

We are ostracized and disowned  we need prayers so that God may comfort us as we feel rejected, Kakembo said.

The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12% of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams says God told him to talk about faith in public

Correction Appended

Calling himself the perfectly imperfect child of God that shows the power of God, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a fiery Fathers Day speech on Sunday that he wont stop talking about God and the importance of faith in society, despite attacks from the media about it, because God told him to do it.

This is an Esther 4:14 moment. God made me for such a time like this. God took the most perfectly imperfect person and brought him to a level of being the most powerful man in the city of New York, Adams said in a message to congregants at Lennox Road Baptist Church in Brooklyn, led by senior pastor, the Rev. Kirkpatrick Cohall.

Adams, 62, who identifies as a Christian, was raised in the Church of Christ but now attends mostly nondenominational services.

He revealed that God told him more than 30 years ago that he would become the mayor of New York City and it came to pass. So when God told him recently to start talking about his faith publicly, he is choosing to be obedient again.

Thirty-something years ago, I woke up out of my sleep in a cold sweat. God spoke to my heart and said, You are going to be the mayor January 1, 2022. And the message was clear. God stated, you cannot be silent, you must tell everyone you know. Because it's a Judges 7 verse 2-7 moment, Adams said.

Judges 7:2-7 recounts the story of how Gideon wins the battle against the Midianite army that was 135,000 strong, with only 300 men, because God had him send home all the men who were scared to fight.

Adams, a former police captain, said God allowed him to become mayor despite his background being dyslexic and getting arrested as a youth because God did not want him to credit himself when he became mayor.

He said as he followed Gods vision that led him to become mayor, he would get inspiration about what needed to be fixed in the city as well as who could help him turn the city around.

I would start seeing the people who I needed to be part of my administration. So the people you see in my administration, they're not here by accident, Adams said. They are non-traditional people who did not come up through  the normal way of politics.

He said he chose to do things differently by not choosing traditional experts for his administration because despite their history of involvement working in the city, 65% of black and brown children are still not able to read in the school system, and the city was still struggling with issues such as homelessness.

At the citys annual interfaith breakfast on Feb. 28, Adams urged faith leaders to boldly exercise their faith in the public square and said it was a mistake for the U.S. Supreme Court to ban school-sponsored prayer in public schools, triggering public criticism and national headlines.

In his message on Sunday, Adams said he was just following God again.

The same message I got 30 years ago, a few months ago I woke up [in the] same state, Adams said.

God said, talk about God. And I started to say, don't tell me about such separation of church and state. Don't tell me that when you took prayer out of school guns came in. Don't tell me that I have to remove my feeling of God. And you saw what happened. You saw all the front pages and the national stories. You know, How dare the most powerful mayor on the globe start talking about God, he added. I don't care what anyone says. It's time to pray. It's time to pray.

Adams said he intends to keep talking about faith, suggesting that the lack of faith in the nation today was leading vulnerable children, especially to a life of despair.

What do they think they can do to me? he said of the press.

You try to beat me with your news articles. I've got the scars already. You try to beat me with your commentary. I got the stars already. You can't do anything to me, Adams said. I know whose voice I hear. I know my role.

Correction: This article has been corrected to make clear that Mayor Eric Adams was raised in the Church of Christ denomination, not the Church of God in Christ.
1 year after Dobbs, Republicans look to refute the 'pro-birth' only narrative Rep. Elise Stefanik lauds numerous bills spearheaded by Republicans to help parents, families

WASHINGTON  A top House Republican is urging her colleagues in Congress to support a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks gestation and separate legislation to support families raising children as the pro-life movement looks to refute the narrative that they're merely pro-birth as opposed to pro-life.

The pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America held a press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday, four days before the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision determining that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion. Following an introduction by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., addressed the pro-life activists and media gathered at the event.

Stefanik, chair of the House Republican Conference, discussed the state of the pro-life movement a year after the landmark decision that reversed the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Stefanik praised the Dobbs decision for providing a historic opportunity to continue to strengthen the culture of life in America.

While she acknowledged that some of the worst aspects of humanity were on display following the Dobbs decision in the form of attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers and churches, as well as threats of assassination directed at Supreme Court justices, Stefanik expressed gratitude that the vast majority of Americans involved in this important conversation continue to conduct themselves in a respectful, meaningful manner that advances the dialogue.

The lawmaker devoted much of her speech to discussing congressional efforts to enact new and better policies that protect the unborn, and encourage and support women and expect more from fathers. The first example she cited, the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, provides healthcare for babies who survive abortion procedures.

The congresswoman lamented, 210 House Democrats alarmingly voted against this bill. The extreme Democrat position of today is to oppose protecting children who are born alive, refuse to provide access to any medical care and leave babies to die after their first miraculous breaths outside the womb.

Stefanik also noted that House Republicans passed a resolution in support of crisis pregnancy centers, some of which have been subject to attacks following the Dobbs decision. It is telling that 209 House Democrats voted against this resolution, she said. Both the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and the resolution condemning the violence against pro-life pregnancy centers are tied up in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where they are unlikely to come up for a vote.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, pro-life activist Lila Rose called on lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to enact policies that will help make the U.S. a friendlier place for families.

Stefanik agreed that state, local and federal policymakers have a role to play in enacting pro-life legislation, echoing Roses analysis even before an audience member mentioned that life after birth can be difficult, while suggesting that the federal government had an obligation to help parents provide for their children.

The life after birth comment, as well as Roses advocacy on behalf of initiatives to provide both private and public financial support for families to help them raise their children, come as pro-life advocates face the common criticism that they are pro-birth rather than pro-life. Stefanik rejected the idea that the pro-life movement does not care about babies after they are born.

The life movement deeply understands that we must support and lift up mothers and families, and it is why the life movement must continue to advocate for the value and dignity of all Americans throughout their lives, and we can do that by focusing on the evident needs of new mothers and fathers, Stefanik stated.

The congresswoman pointed to the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, which she summarized as a bill that works to provide working mothers the access and accommodations they need while breastfeeding while they continue to work, as an example of legislation designed to address such needs. The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act became law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, approved by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29, 2022.

Stefanik discussed additional legislation that has been introduced but still has to work through the committee process, including the After Hours Childcare Act. The After Hours Childcare Act would provide federal funding to eligible entities that enter into contracts with childcare providers that cater to the needs of parents who work outside the traditional work hours of weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Stefanik, along with Reps. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., and Mark Pocan, D-Wis., have introduced the legislation in the House, while Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., have introduced it in the Senate. The House bill has been referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

The After Hours Childcare Act has secured five additional co-sponsors since its May 24 introduction in the House: Reps. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Tracey Mann, R-Kan. The bipartisan support for the legislation comes as Stefanik insists that the American people are far more united than they appear on the divisive topic of abortion.

Throughout her speech before pro-life activists and the media Tuesday, Stefanik made the point that while those in the media want to portray Americans as viscerally divided on this issue, I believe there is far more consensus than the media would like to admit. She pointed to a June 2022 Harvard-Harris poll finding that 72% of voters support limiting abortions at 15 weeks, including 75% of women, 70% of independents and 60% of Democrats.

Its Republicans and the life movement who represent the consensus, and it is the Democrats who are the radicals, out of touch with the vast majority of the American people, she added. The majority of the American people believe that a baby born alive should be provided necessary healthcare. The majority of the American people condemn violent attacks on crisis pregnancy centers.

As she proclaimed that terminating the life of an unborn child is not healthcare, Stefanik described the consensus surrounding abortion as a historic opportunity to turn our attention to enacting a federal law that protects an unborn child when he or she can feel pain. Stefanik declared that at the federal level, we do have a role to play in this, ensuring that no taxpayer dollars go towards funding abortions and having a minimum of a 15 weeks bill with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.

Stefanik also mentioned H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023, as a permanent solution to ensure taxpayer dollars never support abortions. While the Hyde Amendment and similar longstanding riders attached to government spending bills prohibit the use of federal tax dollars to pay for abortions, Stefanik cited congressional Democrats ultimately unsuccessful efforts to remove the Hyde Amendment from appropriations bills as reasons why the measure is necessary.

H.R. 7, which has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Ways and Means, has secured 162 co-sponsors, all Republicans. Stefanik told attendees of the press conference that the Houses next major focus is the appropriations process, explaining that subcommittees are already working through those appropriations bills and that would ensure those Hyde protections remain in place.

While much of Stefaniks remarks focused on the federal governments efforts to enact pro-life legislation following the Dobbs decision, she also discussed how the ruling has enabled states to decide on the legality of abortion. Since the Dobbs decision, several states have enacted total or near-total bans on abortion. According to data compiled by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, 24 states have enacted pro-life laws, although some of the states currently find their pro-life legislation subject to litigation.

Specifically, the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin have laws on the books that prohibit abortions through all nine months of pregnancy, while Georgia outlaws abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, usually at around six weeks gestation.

Additionally, Nebraska and North Carolina ban abortions after 12 weeks gestation, while Florida prohibits the procedure after 15 weeks when an unborn baby is known to be able to feel pain. The states of Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming currently have pro-life laws tied up in court, while the remaining 26 states and the District of Columbia have few or no protections for unborn babies in place.

Stefanik pushed back on the perception of pro-life laws passed at the state level as new and extreme, the invention of religious extremists, opponents of womens rights and antagonists of modern healthcare. She maintained that the exact opposite is true, stressing that Pro-life advocates are not extremists, we are not anti-woman.

On the other hand, voters in California, Michigan and Vermont have approved referendums establishing a right to abortion in their respective state constitutions in the past year. According to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, the states of Colorado, New Jersey, Oregon and Vermont allow abortion up until the moment of birth.

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island and Washington allow abortions up until the point of viability, which refers to an unborn babys ability to survive outside the womb.
The ocean soundtrack of our imagination is a largely silent one, interrupted only by the vocalisations of migrating whales or playful dolphins.

Human activity, however, has progressively altered this soundscape. Examples include seismic surveys that produce high-energy, low-frequency, short-duration sounds aimed at detecting the presence of petroleum and gas deposits below the seafloor. These sensing techniques are, at times, a major component of present ocean soundscapes in many areas.

Further anthrophony comes as an unintended by-product of shipping. Increased shipping has contributed to an estimated 32-fold growth in the low-frequency noise present along major shipping routes.

Evidence shows that these anthropogenic noises can interfere with natural auditory signal processing by marine animals, an effect termed 'masking' which reduces their communication space. Indeed, anthropogenic noise overlaps with the frequency band of hearing of certain species masking signals or environmental cues indicating the presence of prey or predators. This may result in loss of social cohesion, missed opportunities for feeding, or failure to avoid a predator.

Recent research proves that climate change and human activity are disrupting marine ecosystems, contributing to the destruction of an already fragile underwater landscape.

As the Field Operations Manager for Oceans Without Borders in Mozambique, working to foster healthy, nearly silent oceans has been my life mission since I was a young boy.

Dedicated to community-led development and conservation of Africa's natural environments, my day-to-day involves extensive marine research, baseline monitoring and local engagement. We work to establish or enlarge Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and seek higher conservation status for the coastline, aiming to make a difference in marine habitat protection.

Our work starts with communities, but it has a global impact. Last year, world leaders made a global commitment to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030 (30x30).

Marine scientists and conservation charities argue that by creating a global network of marine protected areas, we can effectively preserve the health of the world's oceans and mitigate the effects of climate change.

As we celebrate World Oceans Day, this promise needs to be at the forefront of international agendas rather than just an afterthought. It must be equally and holistically considered alongside terrestrial environments within international agreements that give priority to biodiversity and climate issues.

According to the Marine Conservation Institute, a mere 8.2% of the world's ocean is safeguarded by some form of marine protection, with only 2.9% actually being considered 'fully' or 'highly' protected.

Covering over 70% of our planet's surface, the ocean is not only a vital resource but the very essence of life, sustaining humanity as well as all living organisms on Earth. What is more, oceans produce at least 50% of the planet's oxygen and serve as the primary source of protein for over a billion people worldwide.

Despite these benefits, a fraction of big fish populations remain unexploited or unharmed and over half of the Earth's coral reefs have already been destroyed.

Since our establishment, our projects have expanded to care for marine hotspots that run alongside Africa's eastern coastline from Mnemba Island, Zanzibar in the north, through Mozambique and almost to South Africa in the south.

We positively impact 75 communities and directly conserve our primary footprint of 1 million acres. Our 2030 vision is to scale our impact through partnerships to support the conservation of an associated 40 million acres of key biospheres and to double our 2020 impact investment, while offering discerning travellers a rare and exclusive experience of the world as it should be.

Collaboration and community-led initiatives with local island and coastal communities have proven indispensable for the success of our projects.

As an example, our fisheries and food security programme works to build resilience, productivity and sustainability of small-scale fisheries on our island sites by cooperating with Universidad Lurio in Mozambique. The development of a Marine Community and Conservation Ranger project, whereby men and women from local communities are recruited, trained and employed, additionally aims to establish education courses in schools to raise marine conservation awareness.

Initiatives such as the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, empowered by our conservation partner Tusk, connect us with other rangers across Africa encouraging conversations and bringing attention to potentially unexplored areas of conservation.

As society places a growing emphasis on the 'blue economy' due to its resources and economic potential, taking a holistic and collaborative approach to find solutions for the sustainable use of the ocean is critical.

Issues such as anthropogenic noise cannot be neglected and must not be rendered the 'elephant in the room' of global ocean change.

The path that lies ahead is riven with crests and troughs - but collectively ocean conservation in all its forms should remain a priority in international agendas, to successfully fulfil our 30x30 vision and ensure the future prosperity of marine ecosystems.
Its hellish doctrine to believe God wants you to be happy, never suffer': Pastor Kent Christmas

Founding pastor of Regeneration Nashville, Kent Christmas, has slammed the idea that God wants Christians to be happy and never suffer as a hellish doctrine being driven by lazy Christians.

There has been a hellish doctrine that has gotten loose in the church that says God wants you to be happy, never suffer, never walk in sacrifice. But I'm telling you, there is a price to pay, said Christmas in a recent sermon in which the Pentecostal church leader lamented the dedication of American Christians to the faith.

The reason we're in the mess that we're in is because we got too many lazy Christians that don't pray, don't go to church, don't fast, don't give, but they want the best that God has. It doesn't cost like that, he said before quoting from Romans 12. I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your body as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto the Lord.

Christmas, who was reacting to unfounded claims that the state of Vermont was allowing babies to be killed up to 21 days after birth, began speaking in tongues and declared that he is at war with evil and is ready to die fighting for the Gospel.

I am at war with evil. Hallelujah. This is one preacher thats not backing down. I can tell you this, I will give my life for the Gospel. You want to know why the Muslim faith has had its advancements? It's because the Muslims were willing to die for their beliefs, Christmas said. They were willing to strap bombs to their chest. They believe in the afterlife. God give us some men and women that will get a hold of some passion in the spirit that said, I will lay down my life for the Gospel.

Highlighting John Foxes Book of Martyrs, which he says recounts the story of more than 30 million Christians dying for their faith since the crucifixion of Christ, Christmas urged Christians to embrace the idea that to live a life following the path of Jesus, includes suffering.

This thing was born in blood. It started with the death of Jesus Christ. And the blood kept flowing with the 11 of the 12 disciples, Christmas said. And the one that wasn't martyred, they tried to kill him multiple times from burning him in oil to you name it.

The Apostle John, who wrote the Gospel of John, the book of Revelation as well as three epistles named after him, was the one disciple of Jesus who was not put to death because of his faith.

John is believed to have spent his final days ministering in Ephesus which is located in modern-day Turkey where the Basilica of St. John, remains in Selcuk today.
Judge strikes down Arkansas law banning puberty blockers, trans surgeries for minors

A federal judge has struck down an Arkansas law that seeks to ban sex change surgeries and interventions like puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones for minors with gender dysphoria. The state plans to appeal the ruling.

U.S. District Judge James M. Moody, Jr. of the Eastern District of Arkansas issued the decision on Tuesday, striking down House Bill 1570, also known as the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act or Act 626. The billy was signed into law in 2021.

"It is widely recognized in the medical and mental health fields that, for many people with gender dysphoria, the clinically significant distress caused by the condition can be relieved only by living in accordance with their gender identity, which is referred to as gender transition," wrote Moody, who was appointed to the bench in 2014 by former President Barack Obama.

"If Act 626 takes effect, adolescents whose parents and doctors agree that gender-affirming medical care is appropriate treatment for their gender dysphoria will be unable to receive that care in their home state and unable to get referrals from their doctors to receive care in other states. This will cause irreparable harm to the Plaintiff adolescents, Plaintiff parents and Plaintiff doctor."

Moody wrote that while "gender-affirming medical treatments can have potential risks and side effects," he believes these risks were "not categorically different than the types of risks that other types of pediatric healthcare pose."

"For these reasons, the Court finds that the State has failed to prove that its interests in the safety of Arkansas adolescents from gender transitioning procedures or the medical community's ethical decline are compelling, genuine, or even rational," he continued.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which helped to represent four families of trans-identified youth and two doctors who sued the state, celebrated the ruling.

"This ruling offers an enormous relief to transgender youth and their families across Arkansas and across the country," said Chase Strangio, deputy director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU's LGBTQ & HIV Project, in a statement.

"We hope that this sends a message to other states about the vulnerability of these laws and the many harms that come from passing them. We're so thankful for the bravery of our clients and the tireless work of advocates in Arkansas."

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement that his office will appeal the Moody decision before the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"I am disappointed in the decision that prevents our state from protecting our children against dangerous medical experimentation under the moniker of 'gender transition,'" said Griffin.

"Unfortunately, Judge Moody misses what is widely understood across the United States and in the United Kingdom and European countries: There is no scientific evidence that any child will benefit from these procedures, while the consequences are harmful and often permanent. I will continue fighting as long as it takes to stop providers from sterilizing children."

The SAFE Act was passed after lawmakers overruled a veto by then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican. That made Arkansas the first state in the nation to ban the use of puberty blockers and elective cosmetic gender surgeries on youth.

About 20 other states have followed suit in enacting policies banning sex change surgeries or hormonal interventions on minors with gender dysphoria. A court order is preventing Alabama from enforcing a similar law.

In February 2022, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Psychiatric Association issued a joint statement denouncing state efforts to criminalize what they call "gender-affirming care" for minors.

Internationally, other governments and medical bodies appear to be taking more cautious approaches to how gender dysphoria is being treated amid an exponential rise in children being referred for gender identity intervention.

Earlier this month, England's National Health Service announced that it is restricting access to puberty blockers to clinical research, citing concerns about "significant uncertainties surrounding the use of hormone treatments."

Sweden, the first country to introduce a legal gender transition, has restricted hormone intervention for minors except in rare cases. In December, Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare stated that mastectomies for teenage girls struggling with their gender identity should be limited to a research setting, AFP reports.

A feature news article published by The New York Times last November showed that an increasing number of medical professionals and formerly trans-identified people, also called detransitioners, are concerned about the unknowns surrounding the long-term harmful effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.
Round 2: Lila Rose debates Ben Crump on 'Dr. Phil Show,' rebukes 'mischaracterization' of pro-lifers

Live Action Founder Lila Rose raised concerns about the harms of abortion on women's mental health in part two of a contentious debate over the issue on "The Dr. Phil Show."

Rose, a lifelong pro-life advocate, refuted often repeated claims by abortion activists that the movement doesn't help pregnant women, despite the numerous pregnancy centers that offer support to mothers and their families before, during and after birth.

Representing the pro-life argument on the show, which aired Wednesday, Rose was joined by Democratic state Sen. Katrina Jackson of Louisiana, vice president of legal affairs for The Right to Life League Susan Swift Arnall, and Democrats for Life Communications Director Jess Meeth.

Those arguing in favor of abortion included attorney Ben Crump and National Organization for Women President Christian Nunes.

Democrats have focused heavily on abortion ahead of the midterm elections as they try to maintain control in Congress. Whereas Republicans have focused on parental rights in education, the economy and crime.

The two-part episode with host Dr. Phil McGraw was broadcast in September and on Oct. 26, two weeks ahead of the midterm elections and just months after the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization last summer. In the court's abortion ruling, the justices also overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Now, each state has the power to decide whether to set limits on abortion, like most nations, or allow abortion up to birth.

At one point during last week's episode, a man in the audience said that, as a husband and father, he was opposed to what he deemed as "government-mandated pregnancy." Nunes agreed with his talking points, adding that states nor the federal government have the right to interfere with a persons autonomy, saying thats part of our human rights.

Rose agreed that the government should not control a womans body but noted that once she becomes pregnant, an additional human life is involved.

Whats the point of rule of law? Whats the point of law in a society? Rose asked. Its to protect the weak, right? The strong can care for themselves, but the weak are vulnerable. They need the support of the law and the law should protect the first human right, of course, which is life. The right to live, to not be killed in a violent abortion.

The Live Action founder went on to say that abortion is violence and it traumatizes women, citing data from a 2002 study that suggested women were 150% more likely to attempt suicide in the year after she has an abortion.

The study derived its conclusion by examining the records of 173,279 low-income California Medicaid recipients who underwent abortions.

McGraw disagreed, claiming that there is no evidence for any post-abortion syndrome, adding that some data suggests women experience higher levels of stress before the abortion instead of after.

According to a 2008 American Psychological Association study, which reviewed scientific literature published on abortion 10 years earlier, purports women who abort in the first trimester do not experience a higher risk of mental health problems than women who carry their pregnancy to term. The study also asserts that the state of a womans mental health before the abortion is the strongest predictor of how she will feel afterward.

Other studies, however, indicate that having an abortion can increase a womans risk of experiencing mental health problems, including a 2011 quantitative analysis study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The study found that post-abortive women experience an 81% increased risk of having subsequent mental health issues.

Rose informed McGraw that her organization would soon publish a white paper that includes metadata from dozens of studies across the world to analyze the impact abortion has on womens mental health.

The pro-life advocate also debated abortion with Crump, the attorney for Nancy Davis, a Louisiana woman whose child was diagnosed with a fetal anomaly. A hospital in her state had purportedly refused to perform an abortion, fearing it would violate Louisianas abortion law. Davis said she had to travel to New York to get an abortion at 16 weeks into her pregnancy.

As part of his argument, Crump said he would respect pro-life people more if they focused their advocacy on people after birth instead of advocating for the pre-born.

McGraw spoke up in Live Actions defense, saying that the organization is proactive about supporting children after birth and connecting them to resources. The Live Action founder thanked the talk show host, saying that the idea that pro-lifers dont help children after birth is a mischaracterization.

The reality is, were out there offering solutions, offering options; financial care for women, job placement, adoption plan options, fostering kids, she said. Working with families, thats the pro-life solution. Seeing the value of the mother and the child, bringing the family together, supporting families; there are thousands of pregnancy centers.

In the first episode that aired in September, Rose debated McGraw over when life begins.

McGraw claimed that there is a lack of consensus within the scientific community about when life begins in response to Roses claim that 95% of scientists agree it starts at conception. The talk show host noted that some neuroscientists think it starts once brain waves become detectable.

"But Dr. Phil, in an abortion, if it's not a human life, why do you have to kill it?" Rose asked.

The pro-life leader also listened to Davis story of having an abortion due to her babys adverse diagnosis. As a mother who lost a child to a miscarriage, Rose sympathized, agreeing that news of their babys death is one of the worst things for a mother to hear.

"Those were some of the darkest days of my life, and they were dark days because it was our child," she said.

"We knew this was a baby, and I think that's the fundamental point here is that we're talking about a baby. We're talking about a human life. And the pro-life position is that all humans have human rights, and the first right is life  to not be killed."

The Live Action Founder said that in Davis case, the doctors should have offered her hospice or palliative care so that her child could die naturally "instead of at the abortionist's tools."
Well-being of pastors drops significantly, especially in having true friends: study

In key measures of well-being such as physical, mental, emotional and overall health, pastors have suffered significant declines over the last seven years, especially when it comes to having true friends, a new report from Barna Research shows.

Citing data collected for their Resilient Pastor research from 2015 to 2022, the Evangelical polling organization showed pastors suffered significant declines in all areas of well-being when asked to rank how they felt as excellent, good, average, below average, poor or dont know.

The 2015 data was collected between April and December that year and is based on 901 interviews with Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. The 2022 data was collected from Sept. 6-16, 2022, and was based on 585 online interviews with Protestant senior pastors in the U.S.

When it comes to having true friends, the data show that 20% of pastors in 2022 ranked themselves as below average in that area compared to 10% who did so in 2015. Another 7% ranked themselves as poor when it comes to having friends in 2022 compared to just 2% in 2015. While 34% of pastors ranked themselves as excellent when it comes to having true friends in 2015. That share dropped to 17% in 2022.

Pastors also indicated that their physical health suffered significantly between 2015 and 2022. In 2015, only 7% of pastors ranked their physical well-being as either below average or poor. Seven years later in 2022, that number has more than tripled to 22%, with some 18% reporting their condition as below average. Only 9% of pastors reported their physical health as excellent in 2022 compared to 24% who did so in 2015.

The share of pastors who reported their mental and emotional health as below average increased from 3% in 2015 to 10% in 2022. The share that reported their mental and emotional health was excellent also fell from 39% in 2015 to just 11% in 2022.

Ministry leaders who participated in The Summer Sabbatical webinar such as Resilient Pastor faculty member Sharon Hodde Miller, noted that pastors who take time to rest, replenish themselves, and are more mindful of their overall health tend to fare better on the measures.

Sabbaticals are not about vacation, Miller argues, but about counter-formation and all the ways that our culture is malforming us in a way that undermines the image of God and Christ in us. Practicing Sabbath, taking sabbaticals, is one way that we push back against that malformation.

The data taps into a previous report from Barna that found more pastors had considered quitting their jobs in 2022 compared to a year earlier, citing stress and loneliness.

More than half of pastors, 56%, who considered quitting full-time ministry said, the immense stress of the job was a huge factor behind their thinking. Beyond these general stressors, two in five pastors, 43%, reported that I feel lonely and isolated, while another 38% said current political divisions made them think about calling it quits at the pulpit.

Glenn Packiam, lead pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California, urged churches to prioritize sabbaticals for their leaders as preventative healthcare.

I think one of the best things you can do if youre introducing [sabbatical] to your church is to make it really clear who gets a sabbatical, how frequently and for how long, Packiam said in the Barna report.

[In the past at my church], a sabbatical was either a prelude to someones exit or a punishment for something that a person had done. And its not meant to be any of that, he added. This is preventative healthcare, if you will.
A false choice: God or country

For the past 2,000 years, essentially all progress on behalf of human rights and the spread of moral truth have depended on Christian involvement. Some of historys most fortuitous moments resulting in the betterment of the human condition have come about when followers of Christ inserted themselves into governmental and cultural affairs.

Many today, however, would vehemently disagree with that statement. Sadly, most pastors today stunt their congregations potential for impact by staying silent on cultural issues.

Many evangelical celebrities use their social media platforms to remind Christians that our hope is not in politics. It does sound pious to say that Our allegiance is to God, not man. Our priority is the Gospel, not government.

For many a zealous Christian today, the Churchs position in relation to politics amounts to one of two choices: either you love the Lord and His Kingdom, or you have gotten in bed with the state and supposedly have your eyes only on this world.

Dichotomizing the landscape to only these two options is unnecessary and, I believe, misleading. The Churchs posture should be, as Augustine taught, that believers are accountable to both the city of God and to the city of man.

For the Christian believer, of course, our true home is Heaven, and certainly our number one priority is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Savior. But should the Church be politically vocal, and can we do this without compromising our loyalty to our King and His Kingdom? Absolutely. In fact, we have inherited many blessings today from courageous Christians before us who were intensely politically engaged.

Consider Melito, an ancient Christian leader and pastor from Sardis (now Turkey). In 175 AD, Melito met with Emperor Marcus Aurelius, urging him to make Christianity the official religion of Rome. Melito reasoned that church and state were complimentary works of God for mankinds benefit. He saw no conflict in meshing Christian beliefs with political discourse.



Most have heard of William Wilberforce and his crusades before Parliament to end slavery in Britain. Perhaps less well-known is his colleague Thomas Clarkson, but together they acted on their deeply-held Christian convictions, speaking publicly about (and to) the British Empire. They successfully engaged the help of Parliament member Thomas Buxton in their establishment of abolitionist societies, their work on behalf of child rights, and ultimately, the ending of slavery. Good thing that these men (and their contemporaries) were eager to have their Christianity shape their cultural involvement.

In his book Discovering An Evangelical Heritage, historian and theologian Donald Dayton documents the pronounced political involvement on the part of Christian converts during the second Great Awakening of the 19th century. Dayton notes that evangelists such as Charles Finney were instrumental in adding thousands to the active ranks of American churches, but also urged that these new converts become active participants in every forward movement of their time.

Do we serve Jesus and live for Heaven, or do we immerse ourselves in current events and cultural involvement? I believe that the answer is both.

For those who advocate political disengagement, it is helpful to remember all of the immeasurable good done by Christians who were courageous enough (and wise enough) to understand the Churchs responsibility to a lost world: servant of the poor Mother Theresa, civil rights reformer Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., evangelist Billy Graham, educator Jerry Falwell, prison ministry champion Charles Colson ... to name but a few.

May the Lord empower us to also make a tangible mark for Christ in our world today  in our culture and government as well. Children and youth need to be raised to believe in Jesus, but also to know that the call to discipleship also comes with a call to bold patriotism.
A Southern Baptist pastor's wife responds to the 'women pastor' issue

Dont ever think youre going to use those gifts of a pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention.

Our interviewer looked me square in the eyes as he read me the results of my spiritual gifts test. My husband, Kelly, and I were 25 years old, meeting in Atlanta with the SBC Home Mission Board. Earlier that year in 1996, as we graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, we said yes to Gods call to church planting. Our Southern Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, where my husband served as interim pastor, sent us to that years SBC convention in New Orleans. There, after Dr. Bob Reccords plenary message, God very clearly called Kelly and me to plant, not just a church, but a Southern Baptist church. Through that decision, He ultimately led us to Colorado. Here, the Colorado SBC leaders welcomed us and found us the opportunity to apply for the church planter apprentice program.

Giving God our word

When we gave God our yes to church planting, we promised to do what He told us to do regardless of how the provision came, who believed in us, or what opposition we faced. Still, the opportunity for some monthly support from the SBC was almost too good to be true. We decided to apply.

The rigorous process included personality tests, background checks, recommendations, interview calls, and spiritual gifts tests. We followed the vetting process prayerfully. Finally, we were flown to SBC headquarters to meet for our final interviews and assessments. We were excited and nervous, but nothing prepared us for the way it all unfolded. The denouement moment came when the interviewer read us our spiritual gifts test results. He started with Kellys and then read mine.

Allowed to use your spiritual gifts  unless youre a woman

We all know Scripture teaches that spiritual gifts are from God. He chooses who gets which gifts; He decides how they are appointed. 1 Corinthians 12:11 clarifies, It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Nonetheless, our interviewer told me, after reading my test results, that my gifts were nullified because I am a woman. Your spiritual gifts are those of a pastor, he said, and dont ever think youre going to use those gifts of a pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention. He didnt open other doors or offer suggestions for how to use my God-given spiritual gifts in different ways. He simply, firmly and arrogantly told me what I would never do and knocked the wind out of me.

The battle to say yes to church planting was the biggest act of submission in my entire young life. My husband and I were seeking to courageously enter this lifelong ministry of starting and leading a church. We needed every resource, every fiber of strength, every ounce of resolve, every bit of partnership, every piece of our seminary training, every word of encouragement, AND every spiritual gift God has given the two of us. But there, in that meeting room, one of us had point-blank been invalidated and had our hands tied behind our backs.

Kelly and I returned to our hotel room, both stunned by the blow. The next day we were on a plane back to Colorado, back to a state out West where the Southern Baptist leadership believed in us as a couple. They unbound our hands and allowed us to begin the overwhelming work of church planting.

Still keeping our word

Almost 27 years later, my husband is still the senior pastor of Vanguard Church. We have seen 3,350 public professions of faith through baptisms, the last of which I was privileged to perform for a boy named Kael a couple of weeks ago. Ive faithfully served alongside Kelly all these years using the spiritual gifts God has given me. I started the Family Disciple Me ministry, and Ive led thousands of people through the decades. Along the way, some have begun to call me Pastor Tosha. To be clear, I have not sought, nor do I have the official title of pastor. However, I am grateful that my husband affirms that I am not just a Mrs., as important as that is. My pastor husband also affirms my God-given spiritual gifts, which happen to align with those of a pastor, writing about women in leadership.



Truth is, I may be called Pastor Tosha, but I am not overtaking his role, subverting the elders authority or striving to rule over men. My commission has been to submissively, and yet simultaneously, courageously, boldly, vocally and lead all those God has entrusted to me.

I know Im not the only woman with this calling.

The SBC keeping its word

Turns out, as of this week, the Southern Baptist Convention is true to its word given me years ago, voting to communicate to every woman gifted by God with pastoral gifts: You will never use those gifts of a pastor in the Southern Baptist convention.

The thing is, I will also be true to my word. Back in 1996, I made a promise with my husband to God that we were going to serve Him for a lifetime, leading a church and using every gift and resource He has given us. Its not about titles; its about faithful, enduring commitment to the sovereign God who made us.

I dont know what the future holds regarding the SBC and Vanguard Church  or any other Southern Baptist church with women who serve in pastoral roles or have pastoral gifts. But I do know this. I have not been called by men. I have been called by God, and I will keep my word and obey Him as long as He gives me breath.

May such be so in your life, as well.
Aware its losing culture wars, Left tries a new tactic

If you cant get your way through popular opinion, its time to use governmental force to intimidate.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is apparently not a fan of Target shifting its position on its Pride Month merchandisewhich included a tuck-friendly swimsuit for men who want to wear womens suits, an LGBT-themed onesie, and items designed by a company known for its Satan Respects Pronouns pin.

In a move that would generally elicit frantic cries about the end of democracy, James, a Democrat, has decided that she and other elected officials, not Targets customers or employees, should decide the retail giants marketing strategy.

Targets decision to pull some of its pride merchandise because of backlash from anti-LGBTQ+ customers is wrong, tweeted James on Wednesday.

Hatred and bigotry cant win: New York elected officials and I are urging @Target to reverse its decision and stand up for #LGTBQ+ rights, she added, saying that she and other elected officials had sent a letter.

@Target's decision to pull some of its pride merchandise because of backlash from anti-LGBTQ+ customers is wrong.



Hatred and bigotry can't win: New York elected officials and I are urging @Target to reverse its decision and stand up for #LGTBQ+ rights.  NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) June 14, 2023

How is this James or other New York elected officials business?

Before you bring up Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis war with Disney, remember this: Disney started that by speaking out against the Parental Rights in Education bill, legislation that had the audacity to limit what could be said about sexual orientation or gender identity among kids in kindergarten through third grade.

Target, as far as I know, has taken no positions on New York legislation. Nor did James cite any examples in her tweets.

No, this is just straight-up a politician trying to intimidate a private business because that private business isnt acting the way the politician prefers.

And by using her government Twitter account and citing a letter signed by her and other elected officials, James is making no pretense of acting as a private citizen. No, shes talking as one of the most powerful people in one of the most influential states in the U.S.

Shes also taking a move straight from the playbook of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who tweeted earlier this year that California wont be doing business with @walgreens after Walgreens announced it wouldnt sell abortifacient drugs in some states.

California won't be doing business with @walgreens  or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women's lives at risk.



We're done.https://t.co/OB10cYfm8H  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 6, 2023

Three months later, Newsoms threat appeared to be mostly bluster. California has now reportedly allowed Walgreens to bid for a major contract again. The state also continues to let Medicaid patients use Walgreens. (But dont think Newsom had a change of heart. Apparently, its likely illegal to ban Medicaid patients from Walgreens.)

Walgreens move, mind you, came when 21 states attorney generals announced they didnt think it was legal for pharmacy chains to sell abortifacient drugs in their states.

Still, though, Newsom clearly tried to use Californias economic muscle to force pharmacies in red states to uphold blue states values.

Again, democracy is not in fashion when it comes to people who dont hold the right views.

That brings us to the real reason James (likely) is taking this completely inappropriate step: The Left is suddenly in real danger of losing the culture war.

Sure, leftists may have forced same-sex marriage on all 50 states in a 2015 Supreme Court decision that went against the votes of 31 states residents. Yes, they might be manipulating laws and regulations to promote the trans agenda, even at the expense of womens safety and privacy. And yes, they may have captured the boardrooms, Big Tech, the universities, Hollywood, and so many more institutions.

But as the Bud Light boycott and the Target backlash shows, people are beginning to wake up  and realize theyre not alone.

In fact, there are a lot of Americans who have an issue with a man who identifies as a woman promoting womanhood. There are a lot of Americans who think that they shouldnt have to explain to their kids when running errands what a tuck-friendly swimsuit is. There are a lot of Americans who think that teen girls shouldnt have to risk their safety and compete against teen boys in girls sports, just because the boys want to say theyre now girls.

Bud Light is no longer the top-selling beer in the country. (Congratulations to Modelo Especial, which took the crown.) Bud Light sales have been roughly 25% lower year-over-year in every single week since it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for an Instagram post in early April, reports CNN. Things are so dire that Bud Light is planning to provide financial assistance to its wholesalers and reimburse fuel for distributors trucks, CNN also reported.

Meanwhile, Targets stock was at its lowest price in three years Wednesday. It got dinged by Bank of America, which lowered its price objective from $180 to $145 while saying the reduction is a response to weakened peer multiples, decelerating traffic, and modest mobile app engagement, reported Fox Business.

Other companies are no doubt taking note.

Thats what leftists like AG James cant stand.

The Left doesnt just accept losses. Whether its through an activist Supreme Court, lawmaking by bureaucrats, or other moves, the Left is always trying to find some way  no matter how absurdly unconstitutional it is  to get its objectives through.

So, James is trying something new, and effectively saying to Target, shame if anything happened to that nice business you got. Even more amazingly, this comes at a time when Target is reportedly getting bomb threats from someone who accused Target of betraying the LGBTQ+ community, per The Washington Post.

For once in recent years, the Left is losing a battle in the culture war. But instead of doubling down on their arguments for their views and making the case democratically, theyre resorting to thuggish intimidation.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Christian woman tackles illiteracy to bring the gospel to Kenya

"You're 12, you're old enough to share your testimony of salvation"  my father said to me out of the blue one Saturday evening, to my astonishment, as I had little personal faith at the time. After that conversation, I realised that if I was going to take faith seriously and talk to people about Jesus, then I needed to know Him first. And to do that, I needed to read my Bible.

My home is in the Eastern part of Kenya, about 175km from Nairobi. On a clear morning we can see the very top of Mount Kenya. My grandparents were among some of the first to become followers of Jesus when the missionaries from Church Missionary Society (CMS) came to our area. My father was an ordained Anglican priest, so we were not short of Bibles, and I was able to grow up with a strong knowledge of Christian theology.

Unfortunately, my story is not the norm across Kenya. True, not everyone has a priest for a father, but the problem is not a lack of Bibles. It is the inability of many Kenyan communities to read them.

Illiteracy is a significant obstacle to developing a personal relationship with Jesus, if we cannot read the Bible, how can we get to know Him? Many people in my country are therefore completely reliant on their pastor's teachings to get around this. But lots of these pastors have a limited understanding of theology too, which can result in the blind leading the blind. This can be a challenge even for those who can read, due to the lack of access to Bibles which have been translated into the mother tongue of such communities.

Fortunately, concerted efforts are being made by local Bible translators to ensure that these communities can read and hear the bible in their mother tongue, thanks in part to Langham Literature and Langham Scholars.

When I came back home to Kenya after studying in the UK, I was introduced to Langham Partnership  a global charity which equips and resources indigenous leaders around the world to multiply disciples  through a preaching seminar in Uganda. By the end of the seminar, I had volunteered and committed myself to help coordinate the formation of 'preaching clubs' around the country, so that the pastors who attended the seminar could continue practising what they had learned.

Over the next few years, I visited pastors who were working among some of the unreached people groups in Northern Kenya and was exposed to their inspiring passion for reaching these communities with the gospel, but also to their low literacy levels. As a result, Langham Preaching developed seminars designed to be completely oral to support and equip these pastors with biblical preaching skills.

It was at one of these seminars that I was first asked to share the gospel. Sat before me was a congregation who held no bibles, and nor could many understand Kiswahili, the main language in Kenya in which I preached. The pastor had to interpret my sermon into their local language to ensure the gospel message came across correctly.

However, the impact of that sermon was brought home to me five months later when I revisited the congregation and a little girl came running up to me and repeated some of my sermon. I was speechless. The girl had been present in the church on the day I preached there, remembered it, and was now reading the Bible to her illiterate parents to help them understand it, as were many of the other children.

Oral teaching is key to reaching the unreached in Majority World nations, if people cannot hear about Jesus, how can they get to know Him? Partnerships are essential in gospel work, and I have grown to appreciate just how important our partnership with local UK churches is. Much of our work stems from you, and your churches have just as much ownership and play just as essential a role in establishing God's kingdom and reaching those who have not heard of Jesus as we do.

Mercy Ireri is Langham Preaching worker in Kenya. Are you looking for a way to change lives and impact communities with the gospel? This year, Langham is inviting people across the UK to get involved through its 'Magnify' campaign. Visit Langham's Magnify website to learn more about Langham and find out about local 'Magnify' events happening where you are.
New Zealand court cancels Christian teacher's license for refusing trans pronouns

(CP) A New Zealand court has ruled in favour of cancelling a Christian high school math teacher's licence to teach after he refused to call a trans-identified student by a preferred name and pronouns.

The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal  an independent body with each panel chaired by a lawyer and two teachers  issued a decision against an unnamed math teacher in February. The ruling was made public on Monday.

At issue was the teacher refusing to call a 14-year-old student, born female at birth, by the "preferred male name" because it went against his sincerely held Christian beliefs.

Deputy Chair Timothy MacKenzie authored the decision, writing that for the "teacher to not only ignore the student's wishes (and the instruction of the school), but also to isolate them and advise them it was wrong, risked quite significant harm.

"Whilst the role of a teacher (particularly at a secondary school) will from time to time require the application of some paternalism in the lives of their students, this conduct was completely inappropriate and out of line," MacKenzie continued.

"It risked belittling the student and minimizing the huge personal event occurring in [their] life. It transgressed well outside of the boundaries of a teacher's role."

The tribunal emphasized that it did not want to be viewed as "moving to punish" the teacher for his religious beliefs, claiming that the teacher "is entitled to his views and religious beliefs."

"What we must do is consider whether he has insight and rehabilitative prospects that we could address," the tribunal stated. "In our view, there is a real and appreciable risk that such conduct, or similar conduct, will be repeated by [the teacher] if he was to be in that position again. Indeed, given [the teacher's] statements to us, we would say that it is quite likely to occur again in similar circumstances."

According to The New Zealand Herald, the teacher told the tribunal in February that he refused to accept the idea of gender transitioning in any way.

The teacher also reportedly rejected a proposed compromise by the trans-identified student to use a "preferred male name" while also continuing to use the she/her pronouns that correspond to the student's sex.

During the February hearing, the teacher denied breaking any school rules. He also claimed that he felt as though calling the student by her preferred pronouns and name would be engaging in serious misconduct and child abuse.

The teacher claimed that anyone trying to change their gender identity needs "help and deliverance" and that the school is wrong for supporting the notion that "gender is a choice."

The teacher also reportedly compared preferred pronouns to students wanting to identify as "earthly royalty or a judge" and demanding to be referred to as "Your Honor."

"Although these examples may seem absurd, they are the same logic as calling a girl a boy, or a boy a girl and may lead to abuse of teachers and others. Is it appropriate for a teacher to call a student by the pronoun 'Your Honour' or to expect teachers to refer to students as different animals?" the teacher said, as quoted by The Herald.

In addition to the teacher's license being cancelled, he reportedly resigned from his teaching position at the school.

The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand said in a statement released Monday that it supports the decision, stating that "the teacher should have applied the code and the values of the teaching profession, when asked by a student to use their preferred pronouns."

"All teachers are legally bound and regularly recommit to comply with the code, which sets out the commitments to the teaching profession, learners, families and whanau and society. In essence, it describes how a teacher must behave. When the code is broken, it can result in disciplinary action being taken," the TCANZ stated, as quoted by the Herald.

"Teachers need to help learners to think critically about issues and understand different views, theories, perspectives and experiences and it is not okay for a teacher to use their authority to undermine the personal identity of their learners, or to inappropriately influence them to take a course of action."

 The Christian Post
Explainer: Key messages from Xi's meeting with Blinken

Xinhua) 15:32, June 21, 2023

BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.

The meeting took place at a critical time for China-U.S. relations and was closely watched by the world.

What key messages did the meeting convey? A look at Xi's remarks during the meeting will offer some hints.

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Xi told Blinken that the two countries should act with a sense of responsibility for history, people and the world, and handle China-U.S. relations properly.

China-U.S. relationship had hit obstacles when Blinken made the visit. Xi's meeting with him and the emphasis Xi placed on responsibility have demonstrated the Chinese side's broad-mindedness, broad vision, and great sense of responsibility.

To be responsible for history, one should understand that "whether the two countries can find the right way to get along bears on the future and destiny of humanity," Xi told Blinken.

The most important event in international relations over the past 50 years was the resumption and development of China-U.S. relations, which has benefited the two countries and the whole world, Xi once noted, adding that the most important event in international relations in the coming 50 years will be for China and the United States to find the right way to get along.

To be responsible for the people, one should understand that "the Chinese, like the Americans, are dignified, confident and self-reliant people, and they both have the right to pursue a better life," Xi said.

The sound and stable growth of bilateral relations serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

The international community is generally concerned about the current state of China-U.S. relations. It does not want to see conflict or confrontation between China and the United States or choose sides between the two countries. It expects the two countries to coexist in peace and have friendly and cooperative relations. It is imperative to understand this for one to be responsible for the world.

The U.S. side should understand that to draw ideological boundaries, divide camps and engage in bloc confrontations is bound to bring disasters to the world.

MAJOR-COUNTRY COMPETITION AGAINST TREND OF TIMES

Xi stressed that major-country competition does not represent the trend of the times, still less can it solve the United States' own problems or the challenges facing the world.

The trend of the world, as Xi once pointed out, is unequivocal. It is the trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation.

For some time, China-U.S. relations have nosedived to a low point. The root cause is that the U.S. side does not have a clear understanding of the trend of history, but sticks to a misconception about China, which had led to misguided China policies.

The old system of colonialism and hegemonism will not operate in today's world. It can only lead to a dead end. The only alternative is peaceful development, a path that China has been unswervingly committed to.

As Xi said to Blinken, planet Earth is big enough to accommodate the respective development and common prosperity of the world's two largest economies.

"China respects U.S. interests and does not seek to challenge or displace it. In the same vein, the United States needs to respect China and must not hurt China's legitimate rights and interests," Xi said.

China always hopes to see a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship and believes that the two major countries can overcome various difficulties and find the right way to get along based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, Xi added.

TURN POSITIVE STATEMENTS INTO ACTIONS

Action speaks louder than words. China is looking forward to the U.S. actions.

In his meeting with Blinken, Xi called on the U.S. side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude and work with China in the same direction.

He noted that the two sides need to remain committed to the common understandings he and President Joe Biden had reached in Bali, Indonesia, last year, and translate the positive statements into actions so as to stabilize and improve China-U.S. relations.

In response, Blinken said the United States is committed to returning to the agenda set by the two presidents in Bali.

The United States stands by the commitments made by President Biden, namely the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, its alliances are not directed at China, it does not support "Taiwan independence," and it does not seek conflict with China, said Blinken.

While China has a clear-cut answer to the question "whether China and the United States can properly deal with their relations," the ball is now in the U.S. court. The world will wait and see.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Further to the Co-operatives announcement on 12 June 2023, see attached a copy of the Notice of Meeting for the Special Meeting of Shareholders  Capital Return to be held virtually at 10:30am on 12 July 2023.

The Notice of Meeting contains a special resolution to approve a return of capital to shareholders by way of a share buyback and, at the same time, a share subdivision.

The Notice of Meeting, including the Explanatory Notes, provides shareholders with the information required to enable them to vote.

In accordance with the Initial Court Orders, relevant materials being sent to farmer shareholders are also attached.

ENDS

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Seeka Limited [NZX: SEK ] has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of forecast full year earnings. The group result for the full year to 31 December 2023 is likely to be a net loss before tax of between $20 million and $25 million. This forecast reflects much lower than anticipated New Zealand kiwifruit volumes. Seeka has completed its New Zealand kiwifruit harvest packing a total of 29.8m class 1 trays, compared to 42.4m in the previous corresponding period. Seekas regional market share is comparable between years and the lower volumes primarily relate to record low per hectare yields from orchards across all regions.

All growing regions experienced adverse weather events including;

 a severe frost on 7 October 2022.

 storms in January and February 2023 primarily affecting the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay that also impacted the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.

 wetter conditions during pollination and throughout the growing season.

Seeka is a seasonal business and expects to record a profit in the six months ended 30 June 2023. However, as a result of much lower kiwifruit yields than expected, inventory levels in coolstores are low and the company expects to record a loss in the second six months ending 31 December 2023.

The Company has put in place cost containment measures and is progressively reviewing and restructuring every business unit.

Seeka has engaged with its banking syndicate through a renewal process and expects to finalise this by 30 June 2023.

Seeka anticipates improving volumes in 2024 reflecting better growing conditions with El Nino weather patterns, winter chill, increased areas of new orchards coming into production and better frost impact mitigation preparedness by growers.

The Company will release its 6 months result by 31 August 2023.

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(Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees have been pouring into neighboring countries in the past months following the breakout of an armed conflict in Sudan, straining the host countries' meager resources and raising worries about their future struggles for survival.

As Tuesday marks the World Refugee Day, the predicament of Sudanese refugees, along with millions of other forcibly displaced in the Middle East and elsewhere, has highlighted the urgency to help them meet their pressing needs and address the root causes of their displacement.





HUMANITARIAN CRISIS





The number of displaced people worldwide has reached a record of 110 million, driven by the newly erupted conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said earlier this month.





Syrian refugees are seen at Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, on Aug. 2, 2022. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

In the Middle East, the huge numbers of refugees have created huge economic and social burdens on the host countries, the majority of which are developing countries with their own economic and social problems, said Adnan Bourji, director of the Lebanese National Center for Studies.





Taking Lebanon for example, the country with a population of about 5.5 million, is hosting about 1.5 million Syrian refugees, who fled the 12-year civil war that has plagued Syria. In a 2021 report, the UNHCR said nine out of 10 Syrian refugees live in extreme poverty in Lebanon, which has been deeply mired in a financial crisis since August 2019.





The cost of hosting millions of Syrian refugees has prompted the Lebanese government to repeatedly call for the refugees' rapid return to their home country.





Last week, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib warned of "an increasing risk of tension and violence" between the Lebanese and the Syrian refugees who now compete for jobs.





Turkiye, which has a long border with Syria, hosts about 3.6 million Syrian refugees because of the civil war in Syria, accounting for over 60 percent of the total Syrian refugee population in the world.





The resentment among hosting Turkish communities has been growing against the Syrian refugees, as they add another huge economic burden on the country struggling with an economic crisis in the past years.





Egypt, which is already struggling with financial difficulties caused by a shortage of U.S. dollars, has received more than 210,000 Sudanese refugees fleeing the armed conflict that erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.





In the Egyptian capital of Cairo, the UNHCR found out that many new arrivals in the Sudanese communities are struggling to meet their basic needs, including housing and food. The housing rent has a fourfold increase since April.





"It is not easy to count the number of negative effects of forced displacement on the displaced people, his country and the country that is hosting them," said Bourji.





ROOT CAUSES





Of the total refugees who need international protection, about half of them came from three war-ravaged countries: Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan, making wars and conflicts the biggest cause of their displacement.





"We are in a very polarized world, where international tensions play out all the way into humanitarian issues," said UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi earlier this month.





His view was echoed by Syrian political expert Mohammad al-Omari, who blamed the sanctions and military interventions of some Western countries, coupled with their economic sanctions and siege, for forcing people to flee their own countries to become refugees.





"Whether through wars or sanctions, Western policies create a difficult humanitarian situation and push people to become refugees elsewhere," said al-Omari.





In Syria, the United States occupies the oil-rich areas, stealing the oil and even deliberately destroying the agricultural and industrial foundation of the country, said Bourji.





Meanwhile, its sanctions on Syria have greatly impeded the country's reconstruction, making the return of the displaced Syrians all the more difficult.





Hussam al-Dajani, a Gaza Strip-based Palestinian political expert, said the cost of wars is more refugees in all parts of the globe, and stopping them is an obligation the U.S.-led West should not shun way from.
Iran recently procured two Airbus A340-212 jet transports formerly used by the French Air Force. The French sold them to a company in Indonesia that turned out to be owned by Iranian Mahan Air. Economic sanctions prevent Iran from buying airliners legally, so Iran resorts to illegal deals, usually involving older Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The market for second-hand airliners is large but involves a lot of older aircraft that dont have much useful (flying) life left. Such was the case with the two A340-212s. Both are nearly 30 years old but are ideal for military use because they have exceptional range (13,800 kilometers) and four engines. This makes them safe for flying long distances to remote airports. France has interests in many African and South American nations and this made the A340-212s idea.

France didnt discover that the Indonesian firm that bought the two airliners was secretly owned by Iran, as was the company in the central African nation of Mali where the aircraft were supposed to go. Instead, the aircraft landed in Iran and became part of Mahan Air, the state owned Iranian firm that operates a fleet of illegally obtained airliners. Mahan regularly flies weapons from Iran to Syria, Lebanon and even more distant destinations. The A340-212 are ideal for long distance work because they were designed for that sort of thing. Only 28 A340-212s were built in the 1990s and only six are still in use.

Israel sometimes destroys Mahan air aircraft on the ground in Syria, after they had flown in missiles and other weapons from Iran. With the A340-212 Iran can fly military cargo to Syria, unload it at Damascus airport and then fly right back to Iran. Mindful of this sort of thing, Israel recently carried out an airstrike on the Damascus airport and damaged the main runway and other airport facilities. Mahan Air probably wont use the A340-212s for flights to Damascus but rather use them for longer flights to other more distant trouble spots where Iran is involved militarily or economically.
Advantest, NXP and Arizona State University Collaborate to Launch New Test Engineering Curriculum Published: 21 June 2023 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

TEMPE, AZ  Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) and Arizona State University (ASU) today announced their collaboration with global semiconductor company NXP Semiconductors to create a new, first-of-its-kind test engineering course at ASU. Officially titled EEE 522 Radio Frequency Test, the course content was originally developed by faculty in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU and, through this collaboration, was enhanced with laboratory experiments designed by Advantest and administered jointly by Advantest and NXP during the 2023 spring semester. The course will be offered each year going forward.

The need for the course was first recognized in mid-2022 by colleagues at Advantest and NXP, spurred by two key facts. First, the flurry of wafer-fab construction in Arizona (already home to numerous advanced chipmaking plants) would soon heighten demand for test engineers. Second, local university engineering programs did not offer classes specifically aimed at training and preparing engineers to enter the semiconductor test industry. Advantest and NXP, both of which have multiple locations in Arizona, subsequently approached ASU about implementing such a class and were met with an enthusiastic response.

This course is a great example of what can happen when theres true collaboration between industry and academia, said Raghu Maddali, senior director - test engineering, with NXP and one of the courses original developers, who worked together with Paul Hirsch, senior global account manager with Advantest. It came to fruition in a relatively short time, thanks to the dedication and commitment of all involved. In addition to conceiving and developing the necessary labs, the two companies contributed resources to ensure its success. Advantest provided a state-of-the-art V93000 SoC test system, installing it at ASU Research Park in Tempe, with experts from both NXPs and Advantests engineering teams donating time to serve as lab supervisors, helping students conduct lab experiments designed to reinforce classroom concepts and, in the process, gain familiarity with an industry-leading ATE platform.

Course professor Sule Ozev, Ph.D., who has taught at ASU for 15 years, noted, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of building the curriculum for this new course from scratch, with the assistance of Advantests application engineering team. Its exciting to be part of a program that will provide the semiconductor industry with a new generation of much-needed test engineers.

Offered through the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE), part of the Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU, the RF test course covers current production test schemes for mixed-signal and RF circuits, the economics of production testing and recent research techniques in reducing production test costs. Students learn to define test conditions and test flows, write and optimize test programs, interpret measurement data, identify potential manufacturing problems and automate the test process.

Added Advantests Hirsch, What started with an idea shared between two colleagues quickly blossomed into a tangible means of providing real-world training that will help prepare students for high-demand positions while further supporting our industry and Arizonas economy.

With multiple locations in Arizona, both Advantest and NXP are highly invested in the region and will continue providing support for the course, as well as for new courses that may be added to the program in the future.
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Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele
Background and Organizational Context

The UN Human Rights Office (Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights  OHCHR) represents the world's commitment to universal ideals of human dignity. It has a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect all human rights.

The OHCHR field presence in Moldova, led by the Human Rights Adviser, assists the UN RC Office, UN Country Team in Moldova (UNCT), Government and civil society in strengthening human rights and human rights-based approaches, working closely with the UN Country Team on capacity building and mainstreaming human rights in their work, as well as providing support in engagement with national actors on human rights, including advising national authorities upon request. Thematic priorities for work are: Strengthening rule of law and accountability for human rights violations; Enhancing equality and countering discrimination Integrating human rights in sustainable development; Enhancing civic space and peoples participation.

Position Purpose

Starting from June 2023, OHCHR will begin a protection monitoring project aiming at improving the protective environment and the equal access to services for refugees with specific needs and the most vulnerable host community members in Moldova including the Transnistrian region. With the overall aim to ensure effective Programme implementation, OHCHR plans to hire a Driver/Administrative Clerk, based in Chisinau, Moldova to support the work of the OHCHR country team.

Under the guidance of the Human Rights Adviser, the direct supervision of the Administrative and Finance Associate, the incumbent assists in the implementation of the project through a range of actions, including driving and administrative support. The employee applies and promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with OHCHR rules and regulations.

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with OHCHR programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

Provision of reliable and secure driving services

Proper use of vehicle

Day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle

Delivery of the documents/supplies.

Car maintenance and driving

Ensure proper day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle through timely minor repairs, arrangements for other related repairs, timely changes of oil, check of tires, brakes, car washing, etc.

Ensures proper use of vehicle through accurate maintenance of daily vehicle logs, preparation of monthly summary of fuel consumption and reports to the Administrative and Finance Associate;

Provide reliable and safe driving services:

Drive vehicles for the transport of OHCHR staff and visitors;

Delivery/collection of mail, documents, cargo, pouch and other items;

Meeting official personnel and visitors at the airport including arranging visa and customs formalities when required;

Ensure safe and timely driving for field trips in- or out-side the country;

Ensure availability of all the required documents/supplies including vehicle insurance, vehicle logs, office directory, map of the city/country, first aid kit, necessary spare parts in the assigned vehicle;

Ensure that all relevant OHCHR rules and regulations are met if involved in an accident.

Clerical Duties

Provide support to the Administrative and Finance Associate/Programme team in performing registry-related duties, such as photocopying and archiving correspondence/project files;

Deliver the project correspondence/material, mails and project documents;

Provide logistical support to Administrative and Finance Associate/Programme team for the organization and preparation of workshops, meetings and events, travel and accommodation arrangements for project personnel/consultants;

Assist Administrative and Finance Associate in obtaining quotations for vehicle repairs/servicing;

Ensures office space meets security requirements;

Perform minor renovation works in the office space;

Other duties as assigned.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Education

Secondary Education. Valid Drivers license.

University Degree in Technical Sciences is an advantage.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

0 years of experience as a driver (with Bachelor s degree) or 3 years of experience as a driver (with Secondary Education);

safe driving record;

experience in administrative/clerical work;

previous experience working in an international organization or driving senior-level officials is an advantage;

experience in minor vehicle repair is an advantage;

experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), experience in handling various office equipment an advantage.

Fluency in both oral and written Romanian and Russian, basic knowledge of English;

Fluency in written and oral English is an advantage;

Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible Act with Determination LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Core Behavioral Competencies & Technical competencies:

Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and ambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels Administration and Operations Vehicle management Knowledge of policy and procedures on fleet management Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Business Management Act with Determination Pursue everything with motivation and drive Not give up in the face of adversity and setbacks; demonstrate resilience and composure Demonstrate courage, self-motivation and initiative to act on opportunities without being prompted by others Be authentic and modest, get things done without unnecessary noise Learn Continuously Actively pursue opportunities for learning and self-development professionally and personally Keep abreast of new developments in ones professional area Proactively seek feedback, demonstrates a desire to learn from others as well as from experiences, both positive and negative

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

UNDP is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

To apply please follow the link/Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply

Advertisement end date/Data de incheiere a postului vacant: 05 July 2023
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
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The Charity Commission has urged banks to take action to prevent existing banking issues faced by charities from being prolonged any further.

Speaking yesterday at an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Charities and Volunteering event, the regulator said that individual banks need to step up their levels of customer service and better understand the nuances and diversity within the charity sector.

The event, organised by NCVO, heard from sector representatives and leaders including Different Strokes, Charity Finance Group (CFG) and UK Finance, the membership body for the banking and finance industry.

Panellists discussed the challenges of charity banking and what more could be done to ensure charities can manage their finances properly.

Growing sense of worry about banking services

The panellists said that charities have long faced banking challenges including difficulties accessing accounts, finding new accounts or having their accounts suddenly closed or frozen, with very little communication about when they might be available again or what trustees need to do to resolve that.

Sam Jackson, assistant director of policy at the Charity Commission, said that there is definitely a growing sense of worry about banking services.

Thats something we hear time and time again at the Charity Commission. It comes through on our phone lines, it comes through when we do public meetings with trustees, and its very rare that we do a charity visit without this issue of being raised with us.

During Small Charity Week, its really important to remember the voluntary nature of trustee roles. Charities have a lot on their plate at the moment, particularly in the cost-of-living crisis, so the last thing they do need is this extra layer of frustration thats been described and the anxiety around the banking services that theyre able to access.

Banks urged to step up customer service levels

Jackson acknowledged that banks operate in a highly regulated environment, citing money laundering checks and the know your customer procedures, and face commercial pressures.

However, he said: Ultimately, we cant make headway into this problem without commitment from individual banks, considering their wider social responsibility as well and putting proportionate resource into help rectify common service issues and the blockages that have been described over the course of this session.

He added: There is also a need for banks to step up their levels of customer service, and I think that is linked [] to building understanding within banks of the nuances and diversity that we have in the charity sector in terms of the type of charity, their legal structures, their sizes and the digital expertise [].

So clearly, the banking issues charities face are not new and we do need targeted action to prevent them from being prolonged any further.

Poor banking services at local level

Austin Willett, chief executive officer of Different Strokes, told attendees that his charity has experienced poor banking services at local level.

He said that his organisation has a network of about 30 volunteer-led groups, with incomes ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, and all have their own bank accounts.

Firstly, one bank we have, which we have a number of accounts with, has made it virtually impossible for us to set up online banking with them. There are simply far too many hoops to jump through, its far too bureaucratic. The vast majority of groups has effectively given up trying to do online banking with this bank because its just so difficult.

Secondly, updating signatures on the account is extremely difficult. Sometimes to get an update done, all existing signatories may have to sign a form, which is a challenge if some of these people have left the organisation. On more than one occasion weve done this, paperwork [went] through to a bank and its been lost and weve had to do it again.

Willett said that there are three main issues with banks: a general dismissiveness of their customers, a general lack of understanding of how charities work and a lack of interest from some banks in having charity accounts.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Kevin Taylor-McKnight, founder of campaign group Charity So Straight, has called for charities to stand with trans people in what is an increasingly hostile environment.

Speaking at a Small Charity Week event yesterday, Taylor-McKnight announced the launch of his organisations Stand with Trans campaign, which will ask charities to sign a pledge to demonstrate that they stand with trans and non-binary people.

Taylor-McKnight said it was important for charities to create safe places for all LGBTQIA+ people to work and suggested that charity leaders should consider asking their staff to add their pronouns to their email signatures.

Charities should engage with Pride month meaningfully, he said, and urged organisations to pause before getting the rainbow bunting and flags out.

He also appeared to criticise Oxfam Internationals recent decision to remove an LGBTQIA+ Pride video after it received pushback.

Share your pronouns all the time

If youre comfortable sharing pronouns, do it all the time. It can make people feel more comfortable in sharing theirs. If youre a charity leader, think about requesting people to add it to their email signature, said Taylor-McKnight.

By using our pronouns we encourage people to use theirs and it enables them to feel safer to do so in the workplace.

This is something that doesnt take a lot of time or practice.

He suggested charity leaders think about who might feel alienated or an outsider to their place of work when reviewing the language it uses.

Taylor-McKnight said while many grew up to believe there are two genders, that really is not the case anymore, so it is best for employers to avoid using language that enforces this binary thinking.

He gave the example of replacing terms like ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, husbands and wives with everybody, all of you, children, young people, students.

Engaging with Pride meaningfully

Taylor-McKnight said one way organisations can become better allies to the LGBTQIA+ community is by making time to find out more about their experiences.

Whether thats the dramatic rise in hate crime or the normalisation of transphobia in the media, he said.

The queer community is currently going through a lot, especially trans and non-binary people.

It is important organisations consider how to engage with Pride month meaningfully and intentionally, he said.

Pause before getting the rainbow bunting and flags out and think  what do we want to achieve by engaging with Pride?

Ive seen national charities say they are going to seven prides this year  which is great, nice party  but what is the meaningful action there?

Consider the pushback you might receive

Earlier this month, Oxfam International removed an LGBTQIA+ Pride video, which featured an image of a person wearing a badge saying terf, a term which stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, after receiving criticism.

Some Twitter users suggested the person wearing the badge looked like Harry Potter author JK Rowling. Oxfam deleted its video and reuploaded it without the image.

Taylor-McKnight appeared to criticise Oxfams response and said it was important for charities to consider how to prepare for criticism they might receive for showing allyship to some communities.

He asked the audience: Will you stand firm or will you take down your video?

Consider the pushback you might receive right from the outset, he said.

I dont think that as a sector its good for gender conservatists to win this conversation, he said.

Inclusive language is important

Taylor-McKnight gave examples of how charities can create an inclusive workplace for the massive spectrum of people from the LGBTQIA+ community.

While Taylor-McKnight is comfortable with people using the word queer to describe the community, he said others may not be as it has been used as a slur and to oppress people historically.

So do check in with people first before using that to be sensitive with peoples lived experience.

Many people can be afraid of getting things wrong when talking about the LGBTQIA+ community, he said.

If you use the LGBTQIA+ term and get it wrong, thats okay. Take steps to do it right, apologise and move on and try not to make the same mistakes, he said

He gave the example of when he apologised after accidentally misgendering someone.

Stand with Trans campaign

Charity So Straight this week launched its Stand with Trans campaign which aims to encourage conversation about the inclusion of transgender and non-binary people in the charity sector.

Anti-trans narrative creates an increasingly hostile community for trans and non-binary people to be in and its growing rapidly in the UK, he said.

While we cannot manage the wider picture we can manage our organisations, he said.

Part of the campaign will give organisations the opportunity to sign the Charity So Straight pledge to demonstrate that they stand with trans and non-binary people.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Islamic Relief Worldwides income rose by 28% to 234m last year due to an increase in donations from member organisations and funding from the United Nations.

This is the third consecutive year that the charitys income has risen by over 10%, growing by more than 100m in three years.

Accounts for the year to December 2022 show the charity received 19.1m from the United Nations Development Programme (up from 1m the year before) for its programme to support people in Afghanistan facing extreme hunger and poverty.

The charitys biggest source of income was 145m from its global member organisations (up from 123m the year before) as it appealed for donations in response to severe droughts in East Africa and Afghanistan, flooding in Pakistan and conflicts in Yemen and Ukraine.

Islamic Relief USA and Canada increased their donations to the parent charity by the greatest amounts, 12.4m and 7.3m respectively.

A year of once-in a-lifetime humanitarian crises

Waseem Ahmad, Islamic Relief Worldwides chief executive, said it had been a year of once-in a-lifetime humanitarian crises.

Afghanistan has suffered its worst drought for 30 years, and East Africa its most severe this century. Pakistan is still reeling from the worst floods in living memory, while Europe has seen the worst refugee crisis since World War II.

It is testimony to the unfailing generosity of Islamic Reliefs donors, the hard work of our staff and volunteers, bilateral and multilateral donors and other strategic partners that we have been able to rise to these challenges.

What matters is not just the number of people we are assisting, but also the long-term impact of our work and what the communities we serve think of what we are doing.

Costs rise by 20m

Islamic Relief Worldwides expenditure rose by 19.7m to 193m last year, due to an increase in costs related to its humanitarian activity.

The charitys staff costs were 16.7m in 2022, up from 14.7m the year before. Its average number of employees increased by 21 to 469 in the year.

Ahmads remuneration was 96,261 in 2022, down from 97,982 the previous year.

Meanwhile, Islamic Relief received 44 complaints about its fundraising activity, down from 141 the year before.

The charity received 46 safeguarding cases in 2022, the same as the year before, 21 of which related to staff. It said this led to some investigations and disciplinary action.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
A week after the May 1 strangulation death of Jordan Neely, demonstrators assembled outside the Broadway-Lafayette subway station for a candlelight vigil. Freelance photographer Stephanie Keith was there to cover events, and when police began to arrest protesters, she moved into the street to get the shot. Soon Keith was in handcuffs, being led away by two officers, facing charges of disorderly conduct.

I was dumbfounded. I thought it was a mistake, Keith told me. I really didnt understand why this was happening to me.

Keiths arrest might be a relatively minor incident in Americas press freedom landscape if it were not the case that police routinely impede the rights of the press to cover protests and demonstrations.

I spent 2022 as a fellow at the Knight First Amendment Institute researching the issue. I spoke with dozens of journalists across the country, with leading experts on policing, with First Amendment scholars, and with the police themselves (none would speak on the record). I pored over data from the US Press Freedom Tracker, and researched the history of police-press interactions from the civil rights era to the present day. My report Covering Democracy: Protests, Police, and the Press is out today.

The report documents a troubling reality: despite the protection of the First Amendment, the right of journalists to cover protests has not been secure. As the Associated Presss assistant general counsel Brian Barrett explained, what matters most is what a police officer decides at two in the morning in a heated environment.

In most instances journalists and protesters themselves enjoy the same rights, including the right to photograph and otherwise record events, so long as they do not interfere with the activities of the police. But by tradition, journalists covering protests have sought to distinguish themselves in some wayby standing off to the side, but wearing credentials or distinctive clothing, or by verbally identifying themselves to police. In most instances police respected the role of the press and allowed journalists to do their job. But where the institutional relationships have broken down, and particularly when police employ force, journalists have been arrested and attacked in significant numbers.

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The issue came to a head most recently during the summer of 2020, when Americans took to the streets in record numbers following the murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis. According to the US Press Freedom Tracker, 129 journalists were arrested or detained while covering the protests during 2020, and hundreds more were attacked or assaulted by police, in some cases resulting in serious injuries.

One of the most notorious episodes occurred on May 30, 2020, the day after CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez was arrested on live television. That evening, as police in Minneapolis enforced a citywide curfew, they swept through a group of about two dozen journalists who were standing apart from protesters, wearing credentials and carrying professional camera equipment. Police attacked them using less lethal munitions, including pepper spray, and shoved several who tried to escape the onslaught over a six-foot retaining wall.

Ed Ou, a Canadian war photographer who had moved to the US because he wanted to work in a country where the rights of journalists are respected, was hit in the face with what he believes was a flash-bang grenade; he was seriously injured. Ou later told me that because of the violence and suddenness of the police response in Minneapolis, my radar for whats safe has been completely fried.

Ou decided to participate in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU against the police and state and local authorities on behalf of journalists who had been attacked and injured. That case, Goyette v. City of Minneapolis, resulted not only in monetary compensation for the plaintiffs but a settlement requiring police to refrain from attacking or arresting journalists. A scathing Justice Department report on the Minneapolis Police Department released Friday noted that officers regularly retaliate against members of the pressparticularly by using force.



Police in Minneapolis and across the country often claim they cant possibly distinguish between journalists and protesters when everyone has a cellphone. But the First Amendment requires that they do so, as affirmed in the Goyette settlement and a federal court ruling in another case, Index Newspapers v. City of Portland. In that instance, the court determined that police must ensure that journalists are not subject to violence, arrest, and dispersal and directed officers to identify journalists based on observable behavior, often called a functional test.

Police at times have resisted that standard because they allege that protesters falsely claim to be journalists in order to evade arrest. But my research indicates that such behavior, while troubling, is exceedingly rare. Much more common, and thoroughly documented, are instances in which police attack, assault, or arrest journalists who are clearly identifiable and engaging in newsgathering. In one instance Australian correspondent Amelia Brace and her crew were assaulted live on camera by US Park Police while covering a protest outside the White House in June 2020. Brace later testified before Congress that she was shocked by the violence of the attack and that she had expected to work freely and safelyin the worlds greatest democracy.

Brace is right. The media has a critical role in ensuring that all First Amendment rights are protected, including the right to assembly and speech. The recent arrest of Stephanie Keith drives home the fact that, as Keith herself put it, the cops are so arbitrary, and they have so much power over you. As we enter a polarizing election session in which some of Americas messy politics are likely to play out in the streets, police across the country must ensure that journalists are able to document protests without the risk of attack or arrest.

Joel Simon is the founding director of the Journalism Protection Initiative at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolinas state House speaker is being sued by a local elected official who alleges the powerful Republican ruined his marriage by having an affair with his wife.

Lawyers for Scott Lassiter claim that for more than three years Speaker Tim Moore willfully interfered in the marital relationship between Lassiter and his wife, who leads an agency within the state courts system.

Moore has rejected Lassiters claims. Moore, who has been elected to five terms in the job since 2015, is the states longest serving House speaker.

Lassiter wants at least $200,000 in compensatory and punitive damages against Moore and another unidentified man whom Lassiter said conspired with Moore in recent weeks to install a camera outside Lassiters suburban Raleigh home.

Moore used his position as one of the most powerful elected officials in North Carolina to entice Plaintiffs wife  in an illicit relationship with him, says the lawsuit filed over the weekend in Wake County Superior Court.

Lassiter lawsuit alleges that his wife, Jamie Liles Lassiter, wouldnt end her relationship with Moore for fear of losing her job  leading to their separation in January after more than nine years of marriage.

In a statement, Moore said it was a baseless lawsuit from a troubled individual. We will vigorously defend this action and pursue all available legal remedies.

Jamie Lassiter is executive director of the North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court. She called the lawsuit outrageous and defamatory and said her husband is lashing out at the end of their divorce proceedings.

The claims are not only false but impossible as weve been separated with a signed separation document for years, she said in a news release from her attorney. Im a strong professional woman, and the only person who has ever abused me or threatened my career was my soon to be ex-husband.

North Carolina is one of a handful of states that still allow lawsuits by jilted spouses seeking damages from a cheating spouses lover under claims of alienation of affection and criminal conversation  also known as adultery. These and other claims are in Lassiters lawsuit, which alleged Moore willfully pursued a sexual relationship and with reckless disregard of the destruction he was causing to the marriage.

Lassiter, an assistant principal in the Wake County school system, is a former Apex town council member and current elected member of the little-known county soil and water conservation board. The Republican ran briefly for a state House seat last year before he suspended his campaign when districts were redrawn.

The complaint speaks for itself, Lassiter attorney Alicia Jurney wrote in an email Monday in response to the denials from Moore and Lassiters wife. There is irrefutable evidence to support Mr. Lassiters claims.

According to the lawsuit, Lassiter conducted surveillance in December of his wife and obtained evidence of her and Moore having dinner in Raleigh and spending several hours together.

The lawsuit says his wife confessed to the affair, and a few days later Moore admitted to the relationship when he and Lassiter met at a Raleigh breakfast eatery. The Lassiters separated a couple of weeks later, the lawsuit says.

The N.C. Conference of Clerks of Superior Court is designed to help the elected clerks in all 100 counties carry out their duties.

Moore, who is divorced with two adult sons, is himself a lawyer and has represented a region just west of Charlotte for 20 years. He wasnt at the dais on the House floor when the chamber held an administrative session Tuesday morning. Floor votes are expected Wednesday. The General Assembly is in the anticipated final weeks of its chief annual work session.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The city will not be the first to bring back ranked choice voting (RCV) as City Council, during its meeting Tuesday (June 20) voted not to accept its Charter Review Commissions recommendation to put the change in voting method on the November ballot.

After meeting for 11 months, the 11-member Commission put before council 10 possible amendments to the citys charter. Council then had the authority to vote on which recommendations would go before voters this fall.

RCV was probably the most striking of the proposed charter changes, in that, when electing city office holders, it would have required voters to rank their choices of up to six candidates, depending on how many candidates are on a ballot.

Each ranking position would be weighted, with a number one ranking carrying the most weight, and number six, the least. If there were more than six candidates, those who finish lower than sixth would not receive any points.

In explaining the RCV method, the Commissions report stated: If no candidate received enough first-choice votes to win an office or seat, the candidate with the fewest number of votes is eliminated, and the counting of votes then proceeds to another round.

In the next round, if a voters first choice of candidate has been eliminated, that voters second choice of candidate is counted. The elimination process is repeated until each office or seat is filled.

In simplest terms, a voter would only have to be concerned with ranking, in his or her individual order of preference, up to six candidates.

There was much debate and discussion on the idea, but approving any of the 10 recommendations on Tuesday was made difficult by the fact that council had only a quorum of five representatives. Former councilwoman Barbara Blankfeld resigned on June 1 and her spot has yet to be filled. Meanwhile, Councilman John Rach was not present for the meeting.

In order to get the charter changes on the ballot, a supermajority of five votes was needed, meaning one vote in opposition would kill a recommendation. In the case of RCV, three votes were cast against it, by Vice Mayor Michele Weiss, Councilwoman Sheri Sax and Councilman Christopher Cooney. Voting in favor were Councilman Brian King and Councilwoman Threse Marshall.

Marshall had been a member of the Charter Review Commission before being appointed to council last month to replace former councilman Justin Gould, who resigned April 18.

Currently, there are no municipalities in Ohio that use RCV, although there are 58 cities across the country that use the method.

After the meeting, Weiss said there was too much of a discrepancy and confusion between the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and its stated ability or inability to conduct an RCV election, and the group Rank the Vote Ohio, who has urged that the city move forward with such an election. I was just too uncomfortable with that (confusion), Weiss said.

Rank the Vote Ohio Executive Director Kyle Herman attended the meeting and spoke of his belief in RCV. The groups volunteers, anticipating that RCV might be on the November ballot, canvassed University Heights the afternoon of June 17 to talk with residents about the method of voting.

After councils vote Tuesday, Herman said of the outcome, There was a lot of confusion about the various responses from people within the Board of Elections. Some of us did get confirmation (from the Board) that, if University Heights was to choose to make it (RCV) part of their (election process), then the Board of Elections would work toward certifying it.

Herman, of Stow, said the machines the Board of Elections will be installing in August are the same that will be used for RCV in Portland, Ore. in 2024.

As for RCVs history in Ohio, Herman said it had been used in five Ohio cities at various times between 1913 and 1961, including the city of Cleveland.

University Heights City Prosecutor Michael Cicero, who served as the Commissions legal advisor, told council that if it chose to put RCV on the ballot, and if voters approved of it in November, the Board of Elections would have had to find a way to provide that method of voting. He said Secretary of State Frank LaRose would be compelled to make accommodations for RCV if that was the will of University Heights voters.

Law Director Luke McConville concurred with Cicero. I can say that the citys legal position is we have a right to do this (RCV) because we are a charter municipality with home rule powers, and that how to conduct a local election is almost uniquely a matter of self government, and that is a key phrase in the Ohio Constitution.

Chartered municipalities have the right to enact laws that govern matters of local self government, and how you choose your elected officials -- I can hardly conceive of a court disagreeing with that position.

Sax gave a lengthy account of her communications with the Board of Elections and Herman in detailing her belief that the Board might not be able to handle RCV at this time, and of her concerns over whether the method would truly elect the candidates voters most want in office.

On a local scale, Sax said, this very important issue needs more work in getting current information and all relative input from all stakeholders sitting at the same table so we can make a fully formed, current decision.

While Sax was in her ninth minute of speaking about her reservations, an upset Stephen Wertheim, who served as the Commissions chairman, stood up from his seat in the audience and walked out of the meeting.

A much happier Wertheim opened the meeting during the public portion by thanking Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and council for the opportunity of serving.

If theres a common theme that runs through this document (of Commission recommendations), Wertheim said, it is that we want to see a community where the government is accessible, transparent and open to more citizen (and) employee participation, regardless of class, roots, or ethnicity. Today Im here asking you to vote Yay on all 10 amendments.

Commission Vice Chair Chris Myrick also took to the speakers podium and read a statement based on the theme of We the people. Myrick said that while there is a growing movement to restrict the will of the people, that, We the people of the Charter Review Commission want to reverse that trend. Our amendments actually expand the democratic process.

If these amendments are bad, then the voters will reject them, he said. Whats the harm in letting we the people decide?

Councilman Brian King said he would be voting to send all 10 recommendations to the voters, and did so.

Speaking about RCV, King said, The (Board of Elections) is a bureaucracy that does not have the ability to dictate how we form our elections. That power lies only with our charter. By passing this amendment, we create a need for the Board and state to support us.

Although he did not have a vote, Brennan said, he, too, believed all the recommendations should have been passed through to the November ballot.

Brennan said that he believed the idea of RCV was driven by its ability to whittle down the number of candidates by serving as an instant runoff, saving the city the money from having to conduct a separate runoff election, while also ensuring that the winner, particularly in a mayoral election, had a 50-percent majority.

Brennan selected four Commission members, while council members each selected one, making for seven chosen by council.

Critical of council choosing to vote against putting four of the 10 Commission recommendations on the November ballot, Brennan said, Given that the majority of the Charter Commission was appointed by City Council, it seems redundant that the City Council gets a second bite at the apple to approve or deny which amendments go to voters.

The last time the charter had been reviewed, in 2008-09, the Commissions recommended amendments went directly to the voters, without a council vote.

Speaking about the change this time around, Brennan, after the meeting, said, When Michele Weiss put the ordinance together (forming the 2022-23 Commission), she changed it, and thats how it was presented to council.

Council did elect to put on the November ballot six recommended amendments. They include:

-- Having the Vice Mayor, who is akin to the council president in other cities, run council meetings, instead of the mayor, as is now done.

-- Modernizing the names of city departments.

-- Replacing gendered terms that are now part of the charter.

-- Modifying the process for recall of an elected official.

-- Broadening anti-discrimination language now included in the charter.

-- And, making it easier for voters to propose any ordinance or resolution, or to approve or reject any council ordinance or resolution by reducing the number of required referendum petition signatures.

In addition to RCV, those recommendations that did not get approval for ballot inclusion were:

-- A proposal to eliminate term limits.

-- A call for a mandatory charter review every 10 years, starting in 2033.

-- And, allowing the mayor, rather than council, to hire and fire, with councils approval, the director of law.

See more Sun Press news here.
BROOKLYN, Ohio -- When a wrecking ball represents a starting gun.

Thats exactly what is taking place in Brooklyn where the current demolition of the city hall/police station gives way to the construction of the Cuyahoga County Public Librarys new $17.5 million branch to be located on Memphis Avenue.
NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio -- Donations from strangers to North Olmsteds Oxcart Pantry arent common but one recent contribution wont soon be forgotten.

The Linda Sue Gregson Trust included a $92,612.37 donation to the North Olmsted food pantry.

I was shocked but pleasantly surprised, North Olmsted Director of Recreation & Public Engagement Tim Pinchek said. Its not often somebody donates a large portion of money like that to the city, specifically for a charitable donation to help out everybody else.

An influx of cash provides so much more opportunity for food to help out the many families here in North Olmsted. Its so well received.

North Olmsted City Council recently approved a resolution accepting the generous donation.

Its believed North Olmsted resident Gregson, who passed away a year ago, was good friends with an Oxcart Pantry volunteer.

Oxcart Pantry Case Manager Georgia Wilder said the nonprofit received donations from resident wills and trusts in the past but Gregsons amount is wonderfully unbelievable.

The money will help us to cover food costs and expenses for many years to come, she said.

In 2022, the Oxcart Pantry served 1,276 families (3,533 people) and provided 59,291 meals to North Olmsted residents.

We also served 463 families -- 1,222 people -- during our mobile produce pantry, which is free produce in the summer months open to residents of any community, she said.

We received 71,149 pounds of food from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank in 2022. Im guessing another 20,000 pounds of food was donated by individuals and groups.

As for the recent donation, Wilder has a special plan in mind.

We will honor Ms. Gregson with a plaque at the Oxcart Pantry, she said.

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald here.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A lawyer who once represented a former East Cleveland police officer charged in a wide-ranging corruption investigation testified Tuesday that he did not review many pieces of evidence in the case or investigate the confidential informants background before his client pleaded guilty to a felony bribery charge in January.

But attorney Bret Jordan maintained that he went over the pertinent pieces of evidence that he believed would be most problematic for Demarkco Johnson if he had gone to trial. The attorney also maintained that he did not tell Johnson whether or not to take the plea deal.
GROVE CITY, Ohio  An Amazon driver making a delivery to a residence in a Columbus suburb was wounded when he was shot by a man who lives in the home, reports say.

Keith Grubb, 59, of Grove City, is charged with felonious assault in connection with the shooting, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records. Grubb posted a $1,085 bond Tuesday after making his initial appearance in court.

The shooting occurred on Sunday, the Franklin County Sheriffs Office tells the Columbus Dispatch. The driver reportedly made a delivery at about 4:42 a.m. Sunday and was walking back to his vehicle when Grubb came out of the house armed with a shotgun and shot the driver with birdshot, the Dispatch reports.

Authorities say the driver suffered wounds to his face and rib cage, WCMH Channel 4 reports. The drivers vehicle also was damaged by birdshot, WBNS Channel 10 reports.

The Dispatch reports the driver was not directly employed with Amazon but was an independent contractor for the company.

Were deeply concerned by the incident involving our delivery partner and are grateful hes home and recovering, Alisa Carroll, an Amazon spokesperson, tells WBNS. Well continue cooperating with authorities as they investigate.
Even though the U.S. and other territories have become fully vested players in the annual music festival market, Britains Glastonbury remains one of the grandaddys, an almost mythical rite thats gone on for 51 years on Worthy Farm in Somerset.

Technology allows the rest of the world to share in the festivities, so Glastonbury 2023 will be available for all eyes through Sunday, June 25, streaming via BBC Musics YouTube channel, with highlights uploaded regularly on bbc.com.

Meanwhile, several virtual private networks, including Express VPN, also will carry the BBC livestream. This years Glastonbury features the final U.K. date of Elton Johns Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour along with performances by Guns N Roses, Arctic Monkeys, Lizzo, Lewis Capaldi, Phoenix, Lana Del Rey, Queens of the Stone Age and many more.

Other events (all subject to change):

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

Country star Eric Church celebrates the 10th anniversary of his first live album at 7:30 p.m. with the premiere of Caught in the Act: The Film, a documentary from a show at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, Tenn. Tickets via nugs.net.

The current incarnation of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band digs in at 8:30 p.m. Tickets via veeps.com.

Widespread Panic will be live at 9 p.m. from Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Tickets via nugs.net.

String Cheese Incident streams its performance from the Electric Forest Festival in Michigan at 9 p.m. It will do the same at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24. Tickets via nugs.net.

Australias King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard rolls out its June 1 concert from Pelham, Tenn. at 9 p.m. Tickets via nugs.net.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

A Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies allows Deadheads to gather and watch the groups June 22, 1991, show at Soldier Field in Chicago, in front of 60,000 fans. Theaters and ticket information via MeetUpAtTheMovies.com.

Dead and company, meanwhile, continues its final tour at 6:30 p.m. from Fenway Park in Boston. Tickets via nugs.net.

Blake Shelton tops this weekends bill from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, streaming at 9 p.m. via circleallaccess.com.

Keyboardist Bob Malone holds his third annual Malone at Home Tour Warmup Concert at 9 p.m. Tickets via stageit.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Trumpeter Terrell Stafford and bassist Rodney Whitaker are joined by a selection of Friends at 5 and 7:30 p.m. from Dizzys Club in New York City. Watch via jazzlive.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27

The jam band Goose goes on live at 8 p.m. from KEMBA Live! in Columbus. Tickets via nugs.net.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

Paul McCartney speaks with Stanley Tucci at 9 a.m. in s special conversation to promote the formers new photo book, 1964: Eyes of a Storm, which chronicles one year in the life of Beatlemania. Tickets via npr.org.uk.

Country veteran Sara Evans performs virtual at 8 p.m. for AARP. Tickets via aarpconcerts.org.

The independent duo Gypsy Soul plays at 9 p.m. on YouTube. Sign up via gypsysoul.com.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Hes said it more than once, and Im not sure how to feel about it: My soon-to-be husband Tom is more excited for our honeymoon than for our actual wedding.

I suppose I cant blame him, though. He has planned the ultimate honeymoon for us. We are flying around the world to sit in paradise  an all-inclusive resort in the Maldives  for one full week.

Yes, I did say Tom planned the honeymoon. Not a typo.

I have a hard time handing over control in many aspects of my life, so this was a difficult decision for me. I definitely had a say in where we traveled for our honeymoon, but at the end of the day, I put the trip planning in Toms hands so that I had one less thing to worry about.

Tom has had his heart set on the Maldives for a long time. He often discusses bucket-list trips, and to paraphrase him, its best we go to the islands now before theyre underwater (due to climate change, of course). Well save the trips to New Zealand and a trek through Patagonia for... later.

I was initially hesitant not because of the destination; it is beautiful beyond words. But I could not even begin to imagine how much the trip could cost. That reluctance was assuaged, though, when Tom said he would plan and pay.

I dont know that price, and its possible Ill never ask. Thats right, I have no idea how much the honeymoon costs. Tom is covering the cost for the whole thing, using a new credit card he opened in his name (not ours) for the rewards points and paying using money he already had saved.

This is also something totally foreign to me; Ive mentioned several times throughout this column that I am frugal (almost to a fault). So is my fiance, but he is better about spending for special occasions than me. I think, in this case, staying in the dark is my best bet.

Tom has told me, friends and family that he initially intended to handle all the planning on his own. But there were so many options: flights, resorts, packages, etc. So we decided, together, that itd make sense to use a travel agent.

Neither of us has employed a travel agent before, but luckily, we did not have to search for long. Tom has an acquaintance who also honeymooned in the Maldives a few years ago, and he and his wife raved about their travel agent. There were a couple of initial communication hiccups with the agent, but its been smooth sailing (as far as I know) for months. We have a trip itinerary, and we are ready  at least in theory  to take flight the Monday after our weekend wedding.

There are a few things I know about our resort. There are rooms on the beachfront, but we are staying in an over-water bungalow. We have our own private deck, with chairs, a lounging area and a ladder that leads straight into the ocean.

The all-inclusive resort means all meals are included, except a few restaurants. My fiance definitely wants to pay out-of-pocket for a restaurant thats entirely underwater, with only a thick glass tube to contain us. Exciting, unique, but slightly nerve-wrecking.

As far as I know, the resort also has plenty of excursions to book, but there are some included classes like yoga on the beach that I plan to participate in. We also hope to do some twilight snorkeling. But honestly, Im most excited to enjoy a week (mostly) away from my phone, basking in the sun for as long as I can before my fair skin begins to burn. The relaxation time will be well-deserved.

As much as I love to travel, travel also makes me very nervous. It comes back to those pesky issues with anxiety and control. What if we take off late and miss our connection? What if our bags get lost? What if, what if, what if? Thats all that runs through my mind before a trip.

We have one domestic stop in Chicago (with a long layover) before flying to the Middle East (and another long layover), then on to the main airport in the Maldives and then a roughly 30-minute flight on a sea plane to our resort. I havent done the math in a while, but I believe our travel time is close to 30 hours. So much airport time for my mind to run wild, but Im trying to set that aside.

I have had plenty of time to prepare in advance for the long trip, as well as buy new clothes  a few new dresses, swimsuits, water shoes  for the trip. Luckily, or unluckily, I have not given myself much time to worry about the honeymoon, as I have so much wedding prep to handle before then.

Im coming down to the time where I just repeat one mantra, Deep breath in, long breath out, and hope for the best.

This column is part of a series Im writing on my wedding planning adventures ahead of my summer 2023 nuptials. If you have a topic that interests you; an anecdote youd love for me to read; or thoughtful words of encouragement, you can email me at jmorice@cleveland.com or follow me on Twitter at @janemorice.

Read my most recent columns:

Dont skip pre-marital counseling before walking down the aisle

As wedding season rolls in, dont repeat my mistake; remember to RSVP

Taking time to rest and reset before a dash to say I do
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Importer BCI Foods Inc. in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, has recalled about 13,561 pounds of chicken-noodle soup products that were not presented for import reinspection, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The items were shipped to distributors in California, Michigan, Minnesota and Tennessee.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cleveland Clinic Childrens Hospital and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital tied for third place on U.S. News & World Report 2023-2024 Best Childrens Hospitals rankings for Ohio hospitals, released Wednesday.

Along with being named among the best childrens hospitals in Ohio, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center and Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus earned spots on the U.S. News Best Childrens Hospitals Honor Roll of nationally ranked childrens hospitals. Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center ranked first and Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus ranked sixth in the national rankings of 10 medical centers.

Cincinnati Childrens and Nationwide Childrens were the only Ohio hospitals included in the U.S. News honor roll of nationally ranked childrens hospitals.

The rankings are designed to help parents of seriously ill children choose the best hospital for them, U.S. News said. Hospitals were evaluated over several specialties, including cancer, cardiology, neonatology and orthopedics.

Parents of sick children face many difficult challenges, including how to identify the best childrens hospital to treat their illness or condition, Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News, said in a statement. The rankings, which are increasingly determined by objective measures of hospital quality, can help them make informed decisions.

In addition to national rankings, U.S. News also listed its five top childrens hospitals in each state. Cincinnati Childrens and Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus ranked first and second, respectively, on the list of the states top childrens hospitals.

Akron Childrens Hospital and Dayton Childrens Hospital tied for fifth place on the list of top Ohio childrens hospitals.

Nationally, U.S. News placed 10 healthcare systems on its Best Childrens Hospitals Honor Roll.

In addition to Cincinnati Childrens being ranked first, Bostons Childrens Hospital and Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston were ranked second and third on the national Honor Roll.

Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (4) and Childrens National Hospital in Washington, D.C. (5) completed the national honor rolls top 5 hospitals.

For the 2023-2024 rankings, U.S. News and RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 119 childrens hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Top-ranked childrens hospitals excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and other factors, U.S. News said.

This year, the methodology placed less emphasis on expert opinion and more emphasis on commitment to best practices and to equity, diversity and inclusion.

The full rankings for the 2023-2024 Best Childrens Hospitals Honor Roll, regional and specialty rankings can be found at USNews.com.

Two Ohio hospitals earned spots on the 2023-2024 U.S. News Best Childrens Hospitals Honor Roll of nationally ranked childrens hospitals. Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, seen here, ranked first and Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus ranked sixth.Ryan Kurtz

Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A prominent proponent and opponent of State Issue 1 debated in Columbus on Wednesday, previewing arguments both sides will use when they try to convince Ohioans how to vote Aug. 8 on whether it should be harder to amend the state constitution.

The Columbus Metropolitan Club, a civic organization, hosted the debate. Arguing in favor was State Sen. Rob McColley, a Northwest Ohio Republican who helped write the official pro-Issue 1 argument that the state has made available to voters. Arguing against was Mike Curtin, a former Columbus Dispatch reporter and editor who served as a Democrat in the state legislature in the 2010s.

State Issue 1, if voters approve it, would amend the state constitution to require future amendments to get a 60% supermajority in a statewide vote in a future in order to pass. Thats compared to the current 50% simple majority standard thats been in place for more than a century.

It also would make it harder for potential issues to qualify for the ballot by expanding mandatory signature-gathering requirements for amendment campaigns.

The higher approval threshold would apply to any number of future issues, such as minimum wage or redistricting reform campaigns that could be coming in future years.

But Republican lawmakers specifically approved it this year to try to foil an expected abortion-rights amendment that could be before voters in November. Backers of the amendment are gathering signatures ahead of a July deadline to submit them to the state.

Voting yes on the issue would approve the change, while voting no would strike it down.

Read more: Coverage of State Issue 1

The yes argument

McColleys main point was that it should not be just as easy for citizen groups to propose a constitutional amendment as would be to propose a law change.

Both processes currently require a 50% majority vote to pass, while State Issue 1 would require a 60% vote to approve future constitutional amendments.

Our constitution is an overriding document that is instructive on how were supposed to manage our government, and what rights our citizens will enjoy, McColley said. As a result it deserves that elevated protection and also needs to be something that is widely accepted and widely supported to avoid the danger of factions that were seeing across the country right now.

McColley said the current system is susceptible to influence by deep-pocketed special interests. He pointed to a 2009 amendment in which 53% of Ohio voters approved legalizing casino gambling. The amendment language, underwritten by gambling interests, included individual parcels of land in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo where gambling would be allowed.

The move at best was a sweetheart deal and at worst, a monopoly, McColley said.

Thats something we need to guard against, he said.

Curtin said that because State Issue 1 is such an important issue, the campaign likely to attract special interest money on both sides. But, he said its galling for McColley and other Republicans to describe their measure as defeating out of state special interests, since Richard Uihlein, an Illinois billionaire, spent $1 million pressuring lawmakers to place State Issue 1 on the ballot. How dare they talk about special interests? It offends me, Curtin said.

While Republican lawmakers and many current GOP activists are in favor of State Issue 1, and Democrats broadly are opposed, McColley said the idea has drawn bipartisan support in the past. He said a Democratic state lawmaker co-sponsored a 60% approval requirement in 2018, although that measure didnt advance and the legislator is no longer in office.

McColley also explained the rationale behind another part of the proposal that, by requiring constitutional amendment campaigns to collect a minimum number of voter signatures from all 88 Ohio counties, would set perhaps the highest bar in the country, among the 18 states that allow citizens to propose amendments.

He said it would ensure that only proposals with broad support qualify for the ballot.

The danger of being able to of certain people or a small majority to be able to strong arm people elsewhere in the state, thats why we put this in place, McColley said. To make sure that something has broad-ranging, widespread support across the State of Ohio.

The no argument

Curtin said the current system is hard enough, given that voters have approved only 19 of the 71 citizen-proposed constitutional amendments since 1913.

He said short-sighted Republican lawmakers want to kneecap an important tool citizens can use as a check on the legislature, and pointed out voters in Arkansas and South Dakota rejected similar proposals last year.

There are special interests who are bankrolling these things in state after state after state because they find more pliability in the legislature than they do in the citizens at large, Curtin said. They want to take away your right to hold them accountable.

Curtin also said that legislators use constitutional amendments for more routine matters, like borrowing money or changing rules for local governments, and making amendments harder would tie their hands in the future.

The tougher signature gathering rules, which would require campaigns to collect a certain number of signatures from all 88 counties, compared to the current 44 counties, would allow a single county to effectively veto something that residents in all 87 other counties want to vote on, Curtin said.

Most of the 18 U.S. states that allow citizens to propose constitutional amendments require that campaigns collect signatures by congressional or legislative district, Curtin said. Only three, including Ohio, require the signatures to be collected by county. And only Ohio, if State Issue 1 passes, would require them from every county.

Ohios signature-gathering quotas already are among the toughest in the nation. State Issue 1 would make it unquestionably the toughest in the nation, Curtin said.

What about abortion?

The forums moderator, Rodney Dunigan, asked the participants about how much of the measure was driven by the abortion ballot issue that voters may see in November. Backers of the amendment have been working to collect the roughly 413,000 valid voter signatures they need to submit to the state before a July 5 deadline.

While some of the yes campaigns most enthusiastic backers are anti-abortion activists, and many Ohio Republicans explicitly have cited the issue as the reason for their support, McColley said the coalition also includes business groups that have their own reasons for opposing the amendment that are unrelated to abortion or other social issues.

As for the timing? McColley said making it harder to amend the state constitution been something thats been discussed for years, and it just happened that the August election was the way to get it to happen.

The only way we were going to be able to get it on the ballot was the way that we did, he said.

Curtin said that Republicans scheduled an exceedingly rare August election, just months after they generally outlawed them, specifically in order to try to sneak State Issue 1 through.

Otherwise, he said they couldnt state convince voters to remove a check on the legislature theyve enjoyed for over 100 years. Summer elections traditionally attract very low turnout compared with the typical primary and general election schedule  an eventuality the Ohio Republican Party has said its preparing for in the case of State Issue 1.

This is the most important prospective constitutional change in 111 years, Curtin said. And the honorable tradition respected by all their predecessors up until today of seeking maximum voter participation in the most important issues facing us now is being tossed aside.

Curtin added: That should sadden us and anger us.

How would Ohio compare to other states if State Issue 1 passes?

McColley and Curtin traded talking points about how Ohio would compare to other states if State Issue 1 passes.

McColley said only nine of the 18 states that allow citizens to amend the state constitution require an across-the-board, simple majority to approve them.

Curtin responded that only three of the 18 states require a supermajority.

For amendments proposed by the state legislature, only three states: Colorado (55%), Florida (60%) and New Hampshire (66%) require a supermajority vote, according to the Council of State Governments, a nonpartisan association for state governments.

And heres a table of state-by-state requirements for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, as of January 2023. Ohio is among the 17 U.S. states where citizens are able to propose constitutional amendments. We arent including Mississippi because a 2001 ruling from the states supreme court rendered the process effectively impossible.

State-by-state rules for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments (As of January 2023)

Source: Council of State Governments / John Dinan, Wake Forest University.

State Distribution of signatures Approval threshold Ohio - NOW 44 of 88 counties 50% State Issue 1 88 of 88 counties 60% Arizona None 50% but 60% for tax hikes Arkansas 50 of 75 counties 50% California None 50% Colorado 33 of 33 state senate districts 55%, but 50% for repeals Florida 14 o 28 congressional districts 60%, 66% for new taxes Illinois None 60% Massachusetts No more than 1/4 from one county 50% Michigan None 50% Missouri 6 of 8 congressional districts 50% Montana 40 of 100 House seats and 10 of 25 Senate districts 50% Nebraska 38 of 92 counties 50% Nevada 4 of 4 congressional districts 50% in two straight elections North Dakota None 50% Oklahoma None 50% Oregon None 50%* South Dakota None 50%

* Oregon requires a supermajority vote for approval if a proposed amendment contains a supermajority voting requirement

Note: Massachusetts and Nebraska require a minimum number of overall votes, in addition to the percentage requirement, for amendments to pass.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
WASHINGTON, D. C. - House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan regards a report released last month by Special Counsel John Durham as proof that the FBI pursued a partisan probe of whether former President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign colluded with Russia.

Sixty percent of Americans now believe theres a double standard at the Justice Department, the Champaign County Republican claimed Wednesday as his committee spent hours questioning Durham about his report. You know why they believe that? Because there is. "

During several hours of testimony, Durham told Jordans committee that his report found the FBI did not have an adequate basis for launching its full-blown Crossfire Hurricane investigation of whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia.

He also said the FBI failed to examine all exculpatory evidence, that FBI leadership continued the investigation even when case agents were unable to verify evidence, that FBI agents failed to interview key witnesses for the probe, and individuals within the FBI abused their authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to intercept peoples communications.

Durham said the problems his report showed could result in significant national security risks and further erode the publics faith and confidence in our justice system if theyre not rectified.

The top Democrat on the Committee, New York U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, accused Republicans of using the report to give Trump and his MAGA Republicans someone else to blame for Trumps problems, and deflect attention from Trumps June 8 indictment on 37 counts of mishandling classified information. He said Trump wanted Durham to investigate the investigators to show the deep state conspiracy, but you never found one.

Do not be misled, said Nadler. Former President Donald Trump is not a victim. He did this to himself. For all its flaws, Durhams report does not show that anyone else is responsible for the presidents legal woes, past, present or future.

The report Durham released last month after four years of examining how the FBI investigated supposed links between Russia and Trumps 2016 presidential campaign accused the FBI of aggressively pursuing leads in examining Trump, while taking a more cautious approach to claims about foreigners trying to sway the Democratic candidate in the race, former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton.

As our report details, the FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research, such as the Steele dossier, Durham told the committee, while still warning that his report should not be read to suggest that Russian election interference was not a significant threat. It was.

During his testimony, Durham confirmed the FBIs investigation did not stem from the Steele dossier, a political opposition research document funded by Clintons presidential campaign, but from the the bureaus affirmative obligation to examine an Australian diplomats report that a Trump campaign operative had bragged to him about Russia having dirt that would damage Hillary Clinton.

Durhams report stopped short of saying the FBIs decisions were motivated by political bias, but said its handling of the Trump probe showed confirmation bias in believing allegations of Russian meddling. It also suggested changes in how the FBI should handle future politically sensitive investigations, such as assigning a career employee to raise questions about surveillance requests.

The speed and manner in which the FBI opened and investigated Crossfire Hurricane during the presidential election season based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence also reflected a noticeable departure from how it approached prior matters involving possible attempted foreign election interference plans aimed at the Clinton campaign, the report said.

The only person convicted as a result of Durhams investigation  ex-FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith  pleaded guilty to a felony charge of making a false statement for altering an email that was used to extend court-ordered FBI surveillance of ex-Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Clinesmith said he altered the message to save himself time. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 400 hours of community service.

Last year, separate federal juries found Democratic attorney Michael Sussman not guilty of making a false statement to the FBI related to allegations of computer links between Trump and Russia, and acquitted Russian policy researcher Igor Danchenko on four felony false-statement charges that resulted from Durhams probe.

Tennessee Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said Durhams skimpy prosecution record showed the report was a nothing burger and the point of his probe was to help Trump and hurt Democrats. He said it ended up harming Durhams own legal reputation, as everybodys reputation who gets involved with Donald Trump is damaged.

To applause from Republicans, Durham replied that hes only concerned about his reputation with people I respect and my family and my Lord. And Im perfectly comfortable with my reputation with them, sir.

Several Republicans expressed their own disappointment with the report.

Were baffled, utterly baffled, that more people have not been held accountable for their crimes, said Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs.

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz accused Durham of not pushing the investigation hard enough and participating in a cover-up. Durham told them he was away from his family for four years doing the investigation, regarded it as a sincere effort. He called Gaetz cover-up allegation offensive

People who worked on this investigation, have spent their lives trying to protect people in this country, said Durham.

U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, a Dayton Republican who chairs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, interviewed Durham behind closed doors on Tuesday. After that session, he told reporters they had bipartisan conversation with great camaraderie among our members to determine what reforms would be needed to address any misconduct.

The real focus of our committee is whats next, said Turner. We dont want this to happen again, to the American public, to a president, to a candidate.

Jordan called for using the congressional spending process to limit how the Justice Department spends tax dollars, and for fundamental changes in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that allows law enforcement to conduct searches and electronic surveillance.

He said Durhams report shows how the whole false Trump Russia narrative started, and how it used the Steele dossier  which was funded by the Clinton campaign  to seek surveillance powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

He said the report demonstrates how the preeminent law enforcement agency in the world failed in its fundamental mission of adherence to the rule of law, and claimed Democrats dont care because theyll never stop attacking Trump.

Seven years of attacking Trump is scary enough, but whats more frightening is, any one of us could be next, said Jordan.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
WASHINGTON, D. C. - The U.S. Department of Commerce on Wednesday issued a preliminary finding that a pair of Chinese tin mill steel makers who compete with Ohios Cleveland-Cliffs benefit from significant government subsidies.

Its announcement was in response to an anti-dumping complaint that the Cleveland-based steel maker filed in January along with the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union.

The Commerce Departments International Trade Administration also said it will issue determinations on August 17 on the companys anti-dumping claims against other manufacturers in Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

A statement from Cleveland-Cliffs, which is North Americas largest supplier of automotive steel, applauded the ruling and said it will require importers of steel from the designated Chinese plants to post cash deposits.

Both of Ohios U.S. Senators, as well as U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, a Marietta Republican, sent the Commerce Department a letter that expressed support for Cleveland-Cliffs request for an antidumping and countervailing duty investigation, and the addition of tariffs to products being sold below normal market value.

Their letter said Cleveland-Cliffs produces tin mill steel at its facility in Weirton, W.Va., that employs more than 950 people, many of whom live in Eastern Ohio. They said its production has nearly ground to a halt due to unfair foreign competition.

The steel at issue is used to make tin cans and other forms of food packaging that must follow specific and rigorous processing requirements, and maintaining its production in the United States is necessary to protect our nations food security, their letter said.

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, a Bowling Green Republican, signed a separate letter that opposed the potential tariffs. It said the proposed tariffs could cause significant price increases and possible job losses for can manufacturers, and increase already high grocery prices.

When food prices increase, canned food items become a crucial low-cost option for American families, said the letter from Latta and a bipartisan group of 35 other Congress members. Canned good cost increases would particularly impact vulnerable populations, food banks and consumers who rely on government nutrition and feeding assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC.

A separate opposition letter from a coalition of food manufacturers said duties sought by Cleveland-Cliffs would put tens of thousands of union and non-union jobs on the line, while failing to fix chronic quality and on-time delivery issues that domestic tin mill steel producers have not addressed despite years of trade relief.

Their letter described the petitions inclusion of Chinese steel as a red herring, noting that China accounts for only 10% of U.S. tin mill steel imports.

Imposing duties on allies like Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey is not only without merit, but runs counter to long-standing trade partnerships and diplomatic efforts to oppose Chinas geopolitical influence, their letter continued.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
Heres a look at some of the top stories trending online today. They include an update on the search for a missing sub, people around the world welcome the summer solstice and much more.

Top stories

Biden calls Xi a dictator, fueling Chinese anger (NBC)

Missing Titanic sub search continues as banging sounds heard (CNN)

Lawsuit: Insufficient prototype testing could put Titanic sub passengers in extreme danger (AP)

Summer solstice brings druids, pagans and thousands of curious people to Stonehenge (NPR)

Tropical Storm Bret racing toward Caribbean as forecasters monitor another budding system (AccuWeather)

Hunter Biden to plead guilty to federal tax crimes, take deal on gun charge (CNBC)

Republicans vow to keep investigating Biden family in wake of Hunter Biden plea deal (ABC)

Other trending headlines

Judge to unseal identities of 3 people who backed George Santos $500K bond (CBS)

Ukrainian troops dig in after partial success in south, fighting rages in east (Reuters)

Supreme Court turns away veterans in case over 1966 hydrogen bomb accident (Politico)

Search for missing actor Julian Sands resumes 5 months after he disappeared on hike (Fox)

Paxton Whitehead, stage veteran and sitcom character actor, dies at 85 (EW)
Highlights of Chinese premier's official visit to Germany

Xinhua) 16:02, June 21, 2023

BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang is paying an official visit to Germany starting from Sunday, where he also co-chaired the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The following are some of the highlights during his visit.

-- Li said that China values Germany's role and stands ready to work with Germany to uphold peace, development and cooperation, play a constructive role in contributing to global stability and prosperity, and provide more certainty to a volatile world.

-- The biggest risk is non-cooperation and the biggest hidden security danger is non-development, Li said, noting that China always supports openness and cooperation.

-- Risk prevention and cooperation are not opposites, said Li, noting enterprises should be re-put in the driving seat in terms of risk prevention.

-- With economic globalization, the world economy has become interconnected, which entails a dialectical view of dependence, said Li.

That means refraining from exaggerating the degree of dependence or even simply equating interdependence with insecurity, Li said.

-- Germany rejects all forms of decoupling and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization," said Scholz.

-- Li proposed tackling climate change as one of the guiding principles for China-Germany cooperation in the future.

The two countries should promote cooperation in green technology and industry, and explore the establishment of a rational and orderly division of labor in the green energy industry chain, Li said.

-- China and Germany should become partners in green development, strengthen communication and coordination on green and environmental issues, promote green energy technology development and industrial technology upgrading, and deepen cooperation in such fields as new energy vehicles, green finance, and third-party markets, Li said.

-- Li said under the current changing and turbulent situation, strengthening cooperation is the right way to mutual benefit and win-win results, and is also the right thing that we should do with all efforts.

-- Scholz said Germany will not take the path of anti-globalization, will adhere to the open policy, continue to strengthen cooperation with China, and accelerate the development of bilateral cooperation after the pandemic.

-- China and Germany should work together to deepen economic and technological cooperation, so as to set an example and lead the way in strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe and promoting global development, Li said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
SAMI-AEC, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), has announced a strategic partnership with Lockheed Martin which paves way for the official designation of its Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) Repair Center as the Middle East's premier repair facility for Line-Replaceable Units (LRUs), offering enhanced maintenance and repair services.

Saudi Arabia's national champion of defense industries, SAMI said this unique designation in the Middle East signifies a major milestone for both SAMI-AEC and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in fortifying their defense capabilities through state-of-the-art technology and innovation.

This collaboration aligns perfectly with SAMI-AEC's pledge to support the localization of 50% of the country's military spending by the end of the decade, a goal set forth by Saudi Vision 2030.

In tandem with Lockheed Martin, SAMI-AEC is not only enhancing local defense capacities but also contributing to the development of Saudi Arabia's industrial and commercial sectors.

Lockheed Martin's decision to select SAMI-AEC's facility as its primary hub for specialized unit repairs reinforces the unrivalled competencies and expertise of SAMI-AEC in the realm of contemporary electronics and manufacturing, said a top official.

"This cooperation with Lockheed Martin solidifies our outstanding reputation in providing superior repair and maintenance services. As the only designated repair center in the Middle East for the Sniper Pod LRU, we are set to deliver time and cost-efficient solutions to our clients," remarked ist CEO Ziad Al Musallam.

"We remain dedicated to the fulfillment of Saudi Vision 2030's objectives, reaffirming our commitment to bolstering the Kingdom's defence sector," he added.

Joseph Rank, Chief Executive for Lockheed Martin in Saudi Arabia and Africa, said: "Partnering with SAMI-AEC allows us to tap into their world-class repair proficiency, ensuring the continuous upkeep and improvement of our LRUs. By working together, we aim to provide advanced defensive capabilities that outmatch and pre-empt emerging threats."

"This cooperation aligns with our mission of delivering innovative solutions that help our clients navigate, deter, and stay ahead of potential threats," he stated.

"Our partnership with SAMI-AEC reflects our deep support to the Kingdom localization agenda and Vision 2030," he added.

Al Musallam said this groundbreaking collaboration had already shown remarkable progress. "SAMI-AEC has seen a 53% increase in the Sniper Pod LRU repair capability," he stated.

"We are an industry-leading technology and manufacturing enterprise specializing in the defence and aerospace, digital, energy, and security sectors established in Riyadh in 1988. With a 2,800-strong workforce, including 85% qualified Saudi nationals and more than 800 expert engineers, the company provides high-tech product design, development, service, and maintenance," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
UAE's antional airline Etihad Airways is readying to welcome more than 4 million passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport during the summer season until September 30.

A high volume of travellers will be joining locally in Abu Dhabi, with the remainder connecting from across Etihads extensive network of 66 destinations, including new summer routes to Lisbon, Malaga and Mykonos, which launched over the weekend.

Etihads upgraded online check-in allows guests to complete passport and visa checks prior to reaching the airport. The Auto Doc Check feature ensures guests have met all relevant travel and visa requirements for a hassle-free airport experience.

In addition, the airlines self-service bag drop facility provides a quicker and more efficient check-in process, accommodating a greater number of guests and minimising queue times.

Once checked-in online, the self-service facilities allow travellers to seamlessly retrieve their booking, print the bag-tag and process their bags on time.

Shaeb Al Najjar, General Manager of Hub Operations at Etihad Airways, said: "We are also looking to welcome pilgrims, whether they are starting their journey from the UAE or connecting from other destinations across our extensive network."

"Thanks to Etihads award-winning cabin crew, family-friendly offerings, and cabin propositions, guests can expect the best travel experiences. By embracing cutting-edge technologies, we can deliver a more seamless and personalised experience for our guests," he added.
Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Luminar Technologies' year-to-date stock performance.

Luminar Technologies : "That's very risky, they're not making any money. You know, I don't recommend stocks on this show that are losing money, it is too dangerous for me."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Icahn's year-to-date stock performance.

Icahn : "Too dangerous, too dangerous for me. It doesn't matter, it's too dangerous for me. I want to see more information, I'm not really sure what's in it. I don't like that."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Verizon's year-to-date stock performance.

Verizon : "No, I think you can hold it, but I don't like the fact that it yields seven. Strangely enough, I don't like it because it means it's maybe a questionable pay out."

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CNBC's Jim Cramer sat down with Ford CEO Jim Farley on Tuesday to discuss the company's earnings, future, electric vehicles, the charging deal with Tesla and more at Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

Farley said his team didn't really hesitate when it came to Ford's partnership with Tesla because they liked the reliability and locations of the company's charging network. Under the agreement between the two rival companies, Ford electric vehicle drivers will be allowed access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada sometime in 2024.

"I have no problem being opportunistic when it comes to advantaging my customers," Farley said. "Our team didn't really hesitate because it's good for customers." He added that even though his company's charging network was extensive before the Tesla deal, the additional stations will be a boon for Ford drivers.

During negotiations, Farley said Tesla CEO Elon Musk was respectful but "more because of Henry Ford than Jim Farley." Farley added he isn't worried that Musk's Cybertruck venture will take his customers away.

"The reality is, America loves an underdog  and we are the market leader for EV trucks and vans, and we know those customers better than anyone," Farley said. '"And if he wants to design a Cybertruck for Silicon Valley people, fine."

"It's like a cool high-end product parked in front of a hotel," Farley continued. "But I don't make trucks like that. I make trucks for real people who do real work, and that's a different kind of truck."

The company split off its EV undertaking from the rest of its vehicles, and Ford now has three main sectors: Ford Blue for its conventional vehicles, Ford Model e for its EVs and Ford Pro for its commercial vehicles. Farley said the automaker is the dominant player globally in commercial vehicles, but 90% of its Pro business comes from small or medium-sized contractors like plumbers, electricians and emergency responders.

Even though its EV revenue was down this quarter, Farley expects to see a positive margin of 8% by the end of 2026. Ford's latest earnings report saw revenue hit $41.5 billion, well above the $39.25 billion consensus estimates.

Farley also noted the company is determined to keep the majority of its production in North America despite the fact that it may soon be facing tough negotiations with the United Auto Workers union.

"We'll see what happens, but the reality is we have always been in America at our company," Farley said. "We believe in American-made BlueOval city in Tennessee or Kentucky-built pickup truck, EV pickup truck; people will pay for that American technology."
Pedestrians cross a street in front of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, operated by Japan Exchange Group, in Tokyo, Japan.

Asia-Pacific markets largely fell on Wednesday, tracking Wall Street stock moves as two major Chinese indexes lost ground amid declines in tech and other sectors.

Mainland Chinese markets were all weaker, with the Shenzhen Component down 2.18% and ending the day at 11,058.63, dragged by education and tech stocks and leading losses in the region. The Shanghai Composite also fell 1.31% to close at 3,197.9 and record its third-straight day of losses.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index tumbled about 2%, mainly due to healthcare and technology stocks.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was the only major index in the green as it reversed earlier losses and gained 0.56% along with the Topix, which rose 0.49%. The Nikkei closed at 33,575.14, while the Topix finished at 2,295.01.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.26% to snap a seven-day winning streak, ending the day at 7,314.9. South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.7% to close at 2,582.63, its third straight day of losses, and the Kosdaq closed 1.21% down at 875.7.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought for China's CCTV on June 13, 2023.

Desertification and drought are global issues. Currently, one-third of the Earth's land surface is affected by desertification, and it is predicted that by 2050, drought may impact over three-quarters of the global population according to the United Nations.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) describes that desertification is not simply the natural expansion of deserts but refers to land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas due to factors such as abnormal climate conditions and human activities.

An ecologist called Dukes from Stanford University states that prolonged droughts can reduce land productivity and even render it barren.

Africa and Asia are particularly affected by desertification, especially concerning agriculture and food supply.

A recent study from the Bocconi University revealed that between 1995 and 2005, drought led to global losses of approximately 1.7 million tons of corn, 81,000 tons of rice, 786,000 tons of soybeans, and 430,000 tons of wheat, with the majority of these losses concentrated in Africa and Asia.

The study also indicates that from 1990 to 2015, desertification caused a reduction in income by approximately 12% across Africa. It is estimated that by 2079, the losses caused by desertification will be equivalent to 16% of Africa's GDP.

Apart from food security issues, desertification leads to frequent occurrences of dust storms, which in turn affect human health. In regions such as the Sahara, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia, dust storms have caused approximately 15% to 50% of cardiovascular and respiratory-related diseases and deaths.

According to a study by the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, by 2050, around 4 billion people may live in drought-prone conditions, with over 2 billion in Asia and at least 1 billion in Africa.

How can we address the issue of drought? Cloud seeding or artificial rain-making techniques have been attempted since the 1940s, and recently, this technology has regained attention.

The process of cloud seeding involves artificially introducing catalysts such as silver iodide into clouds, lowering their temperature and causing cloud droplets to become large enough to fall.

Lately, in regions of the western United States and Mexico, extreme drought and climate warming have increased the demand for rainfall and snowfall. Cloud seeding programs are being conducted in several areas, including Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, and California. Advocates of cloud seeding in the United States claim that this technology can increase precipitation in specific regions by up to 15% compared to clouds without seeding.

However, it should be noted that artificial rain-making remains a subject of debate within the meteorological community, and it does not provide a fundamental solution to global drought. The United Nations calls for increased cooperation among governments and environmental organizations to combat land degradation through actions such as ecological restoration and afforestation.




 This is the script of CNBC's news report on the World Sleep Day for China's CCTV on March 16, 2023.

Sleeping may seem like the most ordinary thing in our lives, but it has a crucial influence on our physical and mental health.

According to the Casper-Gallup State of Sleep in America 2022 Report, 33% of respondents described their sleep as "fair" or "poor," 35% described it as "good," and the remaining 32% considered their sleep as "very good" or "excellent."

Sleep quality has a bidirectional relationship with mental health. First, sleep affects people's perception of their life situation. According to the Gallup survey, among those who reported their sleep as "very good" or "excellent," 84% expressed high satisfaction with their current life. In contrast, among those who rated their sleep as only "fair" or "poor," the proportion of individuals satisfied with their life dropped to 44%.

Emotional changes also affect sleep quality. In the same survey, 50% of individuals who reported having a good mood during the day were able to sleep well at night, while only 8% of those with a negative mood had a good night's sleep.

Sleep can also influence how people engage with their communities. The survey revealed that Americans who reported good sleep quality were more likely to donate to charities, volunteer in their communities, and help strangers in need. Especially in terms of volunteering, those who considered their sleep as "very good" or "excellent" had a 27% higher likelihood of engaging in volunteer services compared to those with "fair" or "poor" sleep.

In addition to individual impacts, insufficient sleep can also result in economic losses at the societal level. Gallup estimated that unplanned absences caused by poor sleep quality among employees would lead to an annual economic loss of $44.6 billion in the United States.

Nowadays, addressing sleep issues has become a thriving industry in the form of the Sleep Aid Economy. According to the IMARC, an international market research company, the Insomnia market size is projected to reach $6.1 billion by 2028. This includes prescription and non-prescription sleep aids, medical devices, and various therapies aimed at improving sleep.

Assurance IQ, a U.S. internet insurance sales platform, conducted a survey in January of this year, involving around 3,000 Americans from different states. The survey revealed that insomnia topped the list of health issues people were willing to spend money on to resolve. Many individuals expressed their willingness to spend an average of $27,000 to permanently alleviate their insomnia.

The market for technological sleep aid products is also rapidly developing. Smart rings that track sleep quality and body data, such as the Oura Ring, are gaining popularity. The CEO of Oura Ring company stated that as people increasingly prioritize health, the wearable device market related to it will continue to expand.

Harpreet Rai

Oura Ring CEO

"I think you're gonna continue to see these use cases for wearables keep expanding, and frankly, that's going to keep driving consumer interest."

In terms of medication, melatonin, a sleep aid, has a growing market size. According to Persistence Market Research, the global market value of melatonin raw materials was approximately $1.7 billion in 2022, with an estimated average compound annual growth rate of 15.1% from 2023 to 2033.

However, Dr. Robbins from Harvard Medical School advises caution in using melatonin. It is important to follow medical advice and control the dosage, and it should only be used as a short-term aid, not as a long-term dependency, said Dr. Robbins. To overcome insomnia, it is necessary to prioritize self-care and attention to one's own body.

Harvard Medical School's Rebecca Robbins

"So again, really speak to your health care provider. Really look at these as a short term fix if you're experiencing difficulties, and try to get over to the healthy sleep hygiene, making sleep a priority relaxing and unwinding before bedtime. managing stress over the course of the day, can all go a really long way to improving the quality of your sleep."

According to the World Sleep Society, there are three indicators worth noting regarding sleep: sleep duration, the ability to sleep through the night without interruption, and sleep depth. These dimensions are essential considerations.That is all about our reporting on World Sleep Day, and we wish you a good dream tonight!




Ole Kaallenius (front, r), CEO of Mercedes, signs a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on June 20, 2023, alongside Zhimin Qian (front, l), Chairman of the State Power Investment Corporation, in front of Li Qiang (back, l), Premier of the People's Republic of China, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, back, r).

BEIJING  European businesses in China are finding it harder to operate in the country, even after it has re-opened from Covid, the EU Chamber of Commerce in China found in its latest member survey, released Wednesday.

Mainland China ended its stringent Covid controls in December, and authorities pledged to support more business travel in and out of the country.

But an initial economic rebound has lost steam, while regulatory hurdles remain.

"Zero-Covid has ended, but other headwinds will need to be addressed if China is to regain its attractiveness," the Chamber's report said.

Its annual business confidence survey found a large increase in companies saying they missed out on opportunities in mainland China due to restrictions on market access or regulatory barriers.

While the survey noted part of those were due to Covid controls, the outlook remains grim.

There's "no expectation that the regulatory environment is really going to improve over the next five years," Jens Eskelund, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, told reporters in a briefing.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) meets with Elon Musk (L) in New York, United States on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he is "incredibly excited about the future of India," adding it has "more promise than any large country in the world."

"I am a fan of Modi," Musk admitted Tuesday in a video interview published on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official YouTube page.

"He really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies, but at the same time make sure it accrues to India's advantage," said the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX after their meeting in New York.

Modi and Musk last met in 2015 when the Indian prime minister visited Tesla's Fremont Factory in California.

The Indian prime minister is on his first state visit to the U.S., where he's expected to hold high-level talks with leaders and business executives on defense, technology and India's role in the Indo-Pacific.
LONDON  A cease-fire in Ukraine is not enough for European officials, who want lasting peace in the region, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told CNBC.

"We are very clear we do not want only a cease-fire and a frozen conflict in regions of Ukraine, because these regions will always be fragile. No investment will go there, and the conflict could [at] any time flare up again, as we have learned since 2014. So it has to be a real peace," von der Leyen said on the sidelines of a conference on reconstruction efforts for Ukraine.

Kyiv has been fighting a Russian attempt to fully invade the nation since February 2022. Territorial tensions with Moscow go back to 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea  which Kyiv considers part of Ukraine.

Ukraine is in the early stages of its counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory in the south and east of the country. Military analysts argued that Kyiv is making small gains.

Peace talks seem to be elusive for the time being, with Western officials skeptical of the success prospects of international propositions, such as the 12-point plan unveiled by Russia's major trade partner China on the first-year anniversary of the conflict.

Beijing's plan did not condemn Russia for its invasion, and it did not include Kyiv's aim to regain Crimea.

Speaking to CNBC's Steve Sedgwick, von der Leyen said China can nevertheless be a crucial player in the peace process.

"China is a permanent member of the U.N., and this comes with responsibility. And China has influence on Russia, so we expect China to use this influence to convince Russia to sit down at the negotiating table," she said.
Market Movers rounded up the best reactions from investors and analysts on FedEx . The experts, including Jim Cramer , discussed the shipping company after it issued soft guidance for 2024. Late Tuesday, FedEx forecasted flat to low single-digit-percent revenue growth year over year for fiscal 2024. For its latest quarter, the shipping giant posted adjusted diluted earnings that beat expectations, but it missed on revenue . Bank of America reiterated FedEx as a buy, adding the company's "structure transformation" is in progress .
Goldman Sachs expects an oversupply in the global market of battery parts for electric vehicles to have major implications for four major companies. The investment bank said cathodes, a part of a battery that attracts positive charge, are increasingly being seen as a commodity. This means that many companies are producing similar kinds of cathodes, which could lead to an overabundance. Such oversupply typically means companies lower prices to stay competitive which can potentially eat into profits. Potential losers The bank's analysts expect POSCO Future M and EcoPro BM, two major Korean cathode producers, to be negatively impacted by this surplus. The First Trust Asia Pacific Ex-Japan ETF holds both stocks. Goldman Sachs expects shares of POSCO to decline by 41% from the current level to 220,000 South Korean won ($170 ), and EcoPro BM's stock to fall by 52% to 262,000 won. "We see limited room for further volume expansion from recent capacity announcements and expect surplus to lead to significant margin compression risk. We thus initiate at Sell on Posco Future M and Ecopro BM," said Goldman Sachs analysts led by Nikhil Bhandari in a note on June 12. And winners While Korean cathode manufacturers are expected to face potential margin compression, Korean battery cell makers LG Chem and Samsung SDI are deemed to be in a more favorable position. According to Goldman Sachs, the entry barrier for assembling battery cells is higher than for producing cathodes, making it a less crowded market. In other words, it is harder for new companies to break into the battery cell-making industry because it requires significant upfront investment in research and development and initial capital expenditure. This is unlike cathode production, which many firms are now capable of doing, leading to increased competition. The investment bank's analysts expect Samsung SDI and LG Chem shares to rise by 32% and 19% over the next 12 months, respectively. Investors have access to these stocks through SmartETFs Sustainable Energy II , Franklin FTSE South Korea and EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETFs. Around 7%-8% of these funds are allocated to both stocks. Due to the limited number of companies producing cells, the contracts they secure are typically longer-term and may offer better protection for their profit margins. For instance, while cathode makers like Posco Future M and Ecopro BM usually sign contracts for 2-3 years, battery cell manufacturers like LG Chem and Samsung SDI typically secure deals with electric vehicle makers that last 6-7 years, according to Goldman.
An attractive valuation and diminished risks make Petrobras a buy despite its recent rally, according to Goldman Sachs. Analyst Bruno Amorim upgraded the Brazilian petroleum company to buy . His price target of $18.10 implies an upside of 27.2% over Tuesday's close, meaning the stock's rally could still have momentum. "We believe the recent stock rally reflects greater visibility on what will be the new management's approach on fuel pricing policy and capital allocation for the current cycle," he said in a note to clients Tuesday. "Although we acknowledge visibility still remains limited, we believe those announcements at least partially reduced the possibility of an eventual worst case scenario that was expected by some investors." Shares are up more than 1% before the bell. The stock has gained 33.6% so far in 2023, outperforming the broader market. PBR .SPX YTD mountain Petrobas vs. the S & P 500, year to date But Amorim said the stock is still attractive with valuation at around 15% of free cash flow between 2024 and 2025. By comparison, global majors are in the mid-to-high single digits when looking at the percentage of free cash flow with similar assumptions for oil prices. He also said the company has mitigated tail risks following new clarifications on policies from the government, which holds stake in the company. Petrobras management has already said a 25% payout on earnings is too low and mentioned the possibility of buybacks. A new dividend policy is expected by the end of July, Amorim said. While the new pricing policy for fuel is considered convoluted, Amorim said the company should still follow international price trends. There could be a delay or small discount compared with international prices, he noted. Amorim said the new policy can also potentially limit the risk of heavy subsidies on the fuel industry weighing on profitability. Capital expenditures tied to low carbon initiatives are expected to move to between 6% and 15% of the total from 6% now, he said. Outside of low carbon, the company said it's focused on the upstream segment, refining and renewable energy. Amorim also noted the potential for the company to take a controlling stake in Braskem and acquire Vibra back after the fuel distribution business went private in 2019.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
Google , which has spent years defending itself against claims of monopolistic behavior across the U.S. and Europe, is going public with its own complaint of anti-competitive practices by longtime rival Microsoft .

In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday, Google alleged Microsoft uses unfair licensing terms to "lock in clients" to exert control over the cloud-computing market.

The letter was sent in response to a broad FTC request for comment on potential anti-competitive acts in the cloud industry. A spokesperson for the FTC declined to comment further.

Google singled out Microsoft in the complaint, arguing that through its dominant Windows Server and Microsoft Offices products, the company can make it difficult for its massive roster of clients to use anything but its Azure cloud infrastructure offering. Google described Microsoft's licensing restrictions as a "complex web" that prevents businesses from diversifying their enterprise software vendors.

Google also said such control represents a significant national security and cybersecurity risk. It highlighted successive cyberattacks involving Microsoft products, including the SolarWinds breach. Microsoft and Google both have active cybersecurity practices that respond to and research cyber threats.

Google is no stranger to antitrust concerns. In January, the U.S. Department of Justice filed its second antitrust lawsuit against Google in just over two years, targeting its advertising business.

The department's earlier lawsuit, filed in October 2020 under the Trump administration, accused Google of using monopoly power to cut off competition for internet search through exclusionary agreements. That case is expected to go to trial in September.

Google also faces three other antitrust lawsuits from large groups of state attorneys general, including one focused on its advertising business led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

In its FTC letter, Google also alleged Oracle's practices are harmful to customers.

"With overly complex agreements that seek to lock in clients to their ecosystems," Google said, companies such as Microsoft and Oracle "are not only forcing customers toward a monolithic cloud model but also limiting choice, increasing costs for customers, and disrupting growing and thriving digital ecosystems in the U.S. and around the world."

In the 1990s, Microsoft was involved in one of the most notorious antitrust cases in U.S. history. The company was accused of using its dominance in desktop software to push consumers to its internet browser, killing off competition from upstarts such as Netscape. The government won the case, ultimately forcing Microsoft to allow PC makers to use other companies' browsers.

WATCH: Microsoft could hit $500 in five to seven years
GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday said its vaccine to protect adults ages 60 and older from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, remained effective across two seasons of the disease.

A single dose of the shot was 67.2% effective in preventing lower respiratory tract illness over two RSV seasons, according to new results from a phase three clinical trial. That's compared with 82% after one viral season, which typically lasts from October to March in the Northern Hemisphere.

The shot was also 78.8% effective against severe RSV disease after two seasons, compared with 94% after one season. Severe disease refers to cases that prevent normal, daily activities.

The London-based company said high efficacy was similarly maintained in older adults with underlying conditions, who are most at risk of severe RSV.

GSK also evaluated the effectiveness of an annual vaccination schedule, which involves administering a second dose of its shot after a year. The company said the cumulative efficacy of two doses was 67.1%, "suggesting revaccination after 12 months does not appear to confer additional benefit for the overall population."

That means the vaccine may only need to be administered every other year, which could give GSK an edge over RSV shot rivals such as Pfizer and make it easier for seniors to protect themselves against the virus.

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Each year the virus kills between 6,000 and 10,000 seniors as well as a few hundred children younger than 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

GSK presented the results to an advisory committee of the CDC on Wednesday. The committee will form a recommendation on when and how often the company's RSV shot  and a vaccine from rival Pfizer  should be administered in the U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration approved GSK's vaccine in May, making it the world's first authorized shot against RSV.

Pfizer's RSV shot became the second to win approval shortly after. The company also presented new clinical trial data on its vaccine Wednesday.

That shot was roughly 49% effective against lower respiratory tract illness with two or more symptoms after 18 months, which is a steep decline from the shot's 66.7% efficacy at one year.

Neither drugmaker has established a list price for its vaccine.
"Environmental, social and governance investing has become a cancer and a fraud within our capital markets, steering retail investors, sometimes unwittingly, into lower-performing, less diversified and higher-fee funds," Barr told CNBC.

Retail investors would also need to be notified if their financial advisors invested their funds in an ESG. In addition, advisors would need to disclose the difference in fees and performance between ESG funds and a similar index. Proponents say ESG investing is intended to promote the social good, although critics say it hurts investors.

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., will introduce a bill Wednesday that would target funds that consider environmental, social and governance issues , known as ESG. Barr's measure would update the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to require retirement funds to focus only on maximizing profits, limiting the ability to invest in ESG options.

House Republicans are continuing their attempt to pump the brakes on so-called "woke" investing with new legislation that could place limits on financial advisors and retirement funds.

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., center, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., right, and Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., attend a signing ceremony for a resolution that disapproves of a rule related to the "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights, in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Barr's bill doesn't specifically block funds from being invested in ESG options. Rather, his goal is to ensure investors' returns are prioritized ahead of social and environmental goals. Those who want to invest in ESGs would be able to do so but they would need to provide consent in writing.

Republicans have already sought to limit investments in ESG. Earlier this year, both chambers of Congress voted to roll back a Biden administration rule allowing fiduciaries to consider ESG factors when they make investment decisions. Three Democrats  Rep. Jared Golden and Sens. Joe Manchin and Jon Tester  supported the rollback. President Joe Biden ultimately vetoed the bill, and an attempt to override it fell short. Similar legislation Barr previously introduced was sponsored by Republicans but not Democrats.

While Barr's broader ESG bill is unlikely to make it to Biden's desk or even to the Senate, it could be a part of a larger effort Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee will make to highlight concerns around ESG investing in July. Barr, who's a senior member of the committee, said several hearings are planned on the topic, as well as a package of bills.

"Whether you are a Republican, a moderate or a Democrat, or conservative or liberal, we're trying to depoliticize investing in America," Barr said. "Your 401(k), your 529, your investment account should work for you. It should deliver returns. It shouldn't be a mandatory political statement."

The federal push comes as several Republican-controlled states have implemented or are considering similar limits to ESG funding. Those jurisdictions includes Barr's home state of Kentucky, where Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed one of the strongest anti-ESG laws, mandating the state's fiduciaries to maximize profit.

Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, said the federal government shouldn't interfere with how states want to invest in various funds.

"I believe in democracy. States get to do what states want to do," he said.
Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives with wife Melissa Cohen Biden prior to President Biden awarding Presidential Medals of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington, July 7, 2022.

President Joe Biden's son Hunter is scheduled to appear next month in federal court, where he is expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges, according to a court filing Wednesday.

The initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, is set for 10 a.m. ET on July 26, Judge Maryellen Noreika ordered.

The court proceeding will come more than a month after Hunter Biden, 53, agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of failing to pay federal income taxes and cut a separate deal related to a felony gun charge.

Biden's attorney and federal prosecutors had both asked to consolidate both the tax and gun matters into one court appearance.

NBC News reported Tuesday that U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss agreed to recommend that Biden receive a sentence of probation for the tax crimes.

Biden, who has been open about his substance abuse struggles, also agreed to enter into a so-called pretrial diversion agreement in connection with a federal felony charge of possession of a gun by a person who is a user or addict of illegal drugs. Diversion agreements can end with criminal charges being dismissed if completed successfully.

Christopher Clark, the lawyer for the president's son, said Tuesday that with the plea agreement and diversion deal, "it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved."

Clark did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the judge's order scheduling the hearing.

In an MSNBC appearance Tuesday, Clark said he expects Hunter Biden to be released without conditions after the court proceeding. "Hunter feels happy to move on with his life," Clark said.

Noreika, 56, was nominated to the bench by then-President Donald Trump in 2017. Her nomination received bipartisan support in the Senate, which confirmed her by voice vote in 2018.

The information charging Biden with tax crimes said he did not pay any federal income taxes in 2017 and 2018, despite making more than $1.5 million annually and owing more than $100,000 each year. Those taxes were reportedly repaid.

The other information stated that Biden in 2018 possessed a revolver "despite knowing he was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance."
Pedestrians enjoying ice-cream on a hot summer day in Srinagar, Indian administered Kashmir. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

Asia is in the grip of a scorching heatwave. With temperatures hitting all-time highs, consumers are turning to ice cream and chilled drinks to beat the heat  and analysts say some sectors could benefit. related investing news UBS names its 'best single stock ideas' in the U.S. right now "We'd expect the heatwave coming to Asia will have similar effects on purchasing as we observed in other parts of the world, such as the UK mid last year where fan sales, air conditioning units at home rose, and ice creams, beach equipment, coolers for out-of-home picked up," said Bain & Company's Associate Partner Zara Lightowler. Several Southeast Asian cities hit record high temperatures in May as global climate change exacerbates heat waves and air pollution in the region. The blistering temperatures this year can be attributed to a combination of factors, including lower rainfall over the past winter and El Nino, a weather phenomenon that typically brings hotter and drier conditions to the region.

Drinks, ice cream and fans

Certain consumer goods could benefit. Soft drink companies could see more prominent advances. In Southeast Asia specifically, analysts expect bottled water and drinks to see an uptick in sales. "An ice-cold carton of soya milk can work wonders when the temperature is rising," said Kuo, highlighting Hong Kong's Vitasoy International and soft drink giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Shares of PepsiCo are up 18.5% in the last 12 months, while Coca-Cola is higher by 3.8% in the same period.

A street vendor selling bottles of chilled water amid high temperatures in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

"Another consumer goods company that could benefit is Unilever which makes Walls range of ice cream," said David Kuo, co-founder of The Smart Investor. Air-conditioners and fans could also see a boost in sales. "Use of air-conditioning will skyrocket, benefiting the HVAC industry but leading to extremely high levels of energy usage," said Allison Malmsten, public research director at Daxue Consulting. Kuo also mentioned that fans could be "an affordable and more sustainable way than aircons to stay cool in warm weather."

Crops and cattle

Crop prices could also rise due to the extremely dry conditions, driven higher by declining crop yields such as rice, soy, wheat, corn  and even tea leaves. Cattle feed is commonly made up of corn, wheat, rice and oats, amongst other grains, a lot of which saw large spikes in the middle of last year and remain notched at heightened levels. That means the cost of cattle feed could go up, consequently raising the price of meat as well, said Daxue Consulting's Malmsten. Severe weather conditions recently fueled concerns that coffee beans in certain major coffee producers could be hit. Rice, a particularly vulnerable crop consumed by billions across the globe, was also not spared.

Cattle feeding at a cattle farm on December 13, 2020 in Pingliang, Gansu Province of China. Cattle feed is commonly made up of corn, wheat, rice and oats, amongst other grains, a lot of which saw large spikes in the middle of last year and remain notched at heightened levels. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images

Other crops that could see gains include tea leaves and palm oil. "Looking down the road we can expect the heatwave to have an impact on yields for example impacting tea harvests in Laos, palm oil in Malaysia, ultimately risking further price increases," Bain & Co's Lightowler estimates.

Sustainability in focus
U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on September 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pool | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet President Joe Biden on Thursday during his first state visit to the U.S. High on the agenda will be deepening of defense ties, partnerships in technology and India's role in the Indo-Pacific. Ties between India and the U.S. are at a turning point and the relationship between the two nations have improved in the last decade, said Harsh V. Pant, vice president of studies and foreign policy at Observer Research Foundation, a Delhi-based think tank. "This is a very important visit, it is as much about India reaching out to the U.S., as it is about the U.S. reaching out to India," Pant said. Biden has only hosted two state visits during his presidency, the first with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in December 2022, and the second with South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol in April. "This visit symbolizes the unwavering commitment to deepening ties and signifies the immense potential for both countries to collaborate amidst global challenges," Farwa Aamer the director of South Asia initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said. "For many in India and the U.S., the visit is a testament to the promise and high expectations for the future of U.S.-India collaboration  one of shared prosperity," Aamer said. The U.S. is looking at India as a partner it can rely on, but its partnership will be very different since India is not an ally, Pant told CNBC. "The U.S. is not used to having partners that are not allies, but is willing to look at its partnership with India differently  one that is relatively independent minded but will help American priorities as well," he said in a phone interview.

Strengthening defense ties

India and Russia have long shared a steadfast relationship, with India relying heavily on the Kremlin for oil and military weapons. The South Asian nation is the world's largest buyer of Russian arms, accounting for approximately 20% of Russia's current order, Reuters reported. "India has been too dependent on one country and that is not good, and although dependence has dropped from 80% in the 1990s to about 65% now, dependence is still huge," Pant pointed out. However, because of the war in Ukraine, Russia has not been able to send critical defense weapons it had promised India, pushing the Indian military to look to others  such as the U.S.  for supplies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization leaders' summit in Samarkand on Sept. 16, 2022. Alexandr Demyanchuk | Afp | Getty Images

Still, analysts are optimistic that the meeting between Biden and Modi could lead to more weapons agreements. India has long been interested in buying SeaGuardian drones from the U.S., but the hoped-for deal that could be worth between $2 billion to $3 billion has been long hampered by "bureaucratic stumbling blocks," Reuters reported. The deal could still be brought back to the table. "India's Ministry of Defense has reportedly approved the purchase so it seems likely. The U.S. would like this to go through," Manjari Miller, senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations told CNBC. "It would be important for the partnership  only a few military allies and NATO countries have this drone, and the U.S. is particular about whom it sells U.S. weapons and technology to." She highlighted that now is an important time for the deal to come through as it will draw "India closer into the U.S. defense orbit, and is a step away from India's dependence on Russian arms and equipment." India is undermining its strategic options by thinking it can continue to rely on Russia, Lisa Curtis, senior fellow and director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. "It wants to try to keep a wedge between Russia and China because it doesn't want to contemplate the idea of Russia and China both arrayed against it. Then you throw Pakistan in there and things look really dire from the Indian perspective," Curtis told the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The drones will also enhance the Indian armed forces "intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capabilities" that will aid the country in securing their borders with China and Pakistan, Karthik Nachiappan, research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore said. Tensions between India and China over the disputed border in the Himalayan region has been ongoing since the 1950s with no end in sight. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in June 2020 in hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops, followed by another clash in December 2022. But India wants to "go beyond a buyer-seller relationship," with the U.S., Pant said adding that India is working toward a "co-production and co-development relationship" with the U.S. so it can build its own domestic manufacturing defense base. Private sectors in the U.S. could also start making more significant investments in India, with the two countries set to work together on producing fighter jet engines, said Pant. "There's a change in the way the U.S. looks at India, and defense will be a beneficiary of that. India will definitely be looking to reduce its dependence on Russia, and that will be quite an extreme move," he added. Without mentioning China, the White House said in May 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 defense, clean energy, and space." "Both the United States and India share the objective of not having an Asia that is dominated by China, or an Indo-Pacific region that is subject to Chinese coercion and assertiveness," said Ashley Tellis, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment in a Q&A report.

Energy: Reliance on Russian oil

Although India's purchase of Russian weapons could fall, the same can't be said for oil. When Western nations imposed sanctions on Russian oil as a result of the unprovoked war in Ukraine, India doubled down on its purchases. Russian oil currently accounts for almost 20% of India's annual crude imports, a significant increase from just 2% in 2021, Reuters reported. Oil prices were extremely volatile at the start of the Ukraine war in February last year, spiking to $100 for the first time since 2014 . But India has continued to buy cheap Russian oil since and continues trading with the country despite global sanctions on the Kremlin.

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"India has become very close to the West in the last five to 10 years, but it understands that it cannot simply detach from Russia," Amit Ranjan, research fellow at the NUS Institute of South Asian Studies said. "Russia is an old friend of India, and India understands the importance of the relationship  Oil is an important piece of that relationship," Ranjan said.

Technology: Diversifying from China

Partnerships in technology will be also be top on the agenda for Modi. "I think the technology issues have become so critically important, as we see China making advancements and hear about China's advancements with AI," according to Curtis. "In seeing how much China is advancing, the U.S. now understands the importance of really cooperating closely with India and trying to take advantage of the strengths on both sides," she said. "There are so many ways that the two sides can benefit from this increased technology cooperationnot to mention the progress that has been made on semiconductors. This has been a real area of focus for India and the United States, and I see that only growing as we move into the future," Curtis added. There will also be a flurry of business meetings with tech leaders. Tesla chief Elon Musk met Modi in New York to discuss the EV company's ambitions in India and the possibility of setting up a manufacturing facilities in the country. Modi is also expected to meet other CEOs, including Apple's Tim Cook, Google's Sundar Pichai, Microsoft's Satya Nadella and FedEx's Raj Subramaniam at the White House state dinner on Thursday, sources told CNBC. The growing partnership between India and the U.S. also gives room for the two nations to adopt a "China plus one" strategy and push more technology companies to set up operations in India, analysts told CNBC. The U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology was announced in May last year. The iCET initiative aims to "elevate and expand" the two countries' technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation, the White House said in January. Pant said it points to the two countries' willingness to work together  both in terms of research and development, and what both governments can do together. In the last six months, more U.S. technology companies have set their eyes on India.
Top intelligence and law enforcement officials in Washington are issuing a stark warning to American companies: The Chinese government wants to replace you.

That message comes in a new CNBC documentary, "China's Corporate Spy War," which details the increasing sophistication of Beijing's efforts to steal sensitive U.S. technology and corporate information.

For years, corporate America largely saw theft by the Chinese government and state-run companies as an attempt to catch up with advanced U.S. technology. But officials now say the effort is more nefarious than generally understood, viewing  in many cases  an adversary that wants to eliminate the American companies they are targeting, not just narrow the gap between Chinese firms and their U.S. competition.

Asked whether the Chinese government wants to compete with or eliminate American companies, FBI Director Christopher Wray told CNBC: "Well, their definition of competing, I think, involves embracing the idea of eliminating."

In an interview, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., warned that U.S. companies are "committing long-term suicide" by doing business with China and risking their high technology trade secrets.

"I think every major American corporation in any of these fields needs to assume that they are a target to be either replaced or gutted," Rubio said.

His Democrat counterpart on the committee, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., admitted in an interview with CNBC that he brought an approach to China that has turned out to be wrong.

"I was part of the more general consensus: the more you bring China in the [World Trade Organization]  everything's going to come along," Warner said. "And that presumption that we were all working on, that the closer we all come together, it's going to be kumbaya, I think has proven to be factually wrong."

"China's Corporate Spy War" details an FBI sting operation that took down Chinese Ministry of State Security officer Xu Yanjun, a spy who targeted employees at icons of the U.S. aerospace industry, including GE , Boeing and Honeywell .

In 2017, Xu Yanjun pursued an engineer at GE Aviation who had valuable knowledge of the company's jet engine composite fan blade technology. Posing as an academic official and using a fake name, Xu was introduced to the GE engineer who was visiting Nanjing, China, to give a speech at a prestigious university. Xu began a pressure campaign to get the engineer, who had family in China, to reveal more and more information about the engine tech the Chinese government had targeted.

But the FBI discovered the GE engineer's travel and alerted GE, which confronted the engineer in a dramatic meeting at the company's Cincinnati offices. FBI agents presented the engineer with a stark choice: He could face the consequences for his actions so far, or he could cooperate with U.S. law enforcement in an operation to expose the Chinese operation.

When the engineer agreed to cooperate, he became a double agent  working for the FBI against the Chinese spies.

Decorated 31-year CIA veteran James Olson, the agency's former chief of counterintelligence, called the operation a textbook double agent operation. U.S. intelligence ought to be running more double agents back against Chinese intelligence in order to frustrate their efforts to gather American secrets, he added.

China's embassy issued the following statement to CNBC:

The Chinese government has never participated in or supported anyone in any form in stealing commercial secrets. Some people and institutions in the US have been making false accusations. We ask the US side to handle the case without bias and in accordance with the law and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens. These facts show that China remains a popular destination for foreign investment. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) recently released its 2023 White Paper on the Business Environment in China, which noted that more than 90% of the participating companies select China as one of the most important investment destinations and 75% of the companies plan to reinvest in China in 2023. This is because China has a huge market and full-fledged industrial and supply chain networks. It is also a result of our relentless effort to advance high-level opening up, our support for the multilateral trading system and a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework. This past January saw an influx of foreign investment into China. The paid-in foreign investment reached 127.69 billion yuan, up 14.5% year on year. Foreign companies including US investors have been upbeat about the China market and plan to expand in China. According to statistics from the US Department of Commerce, total trade in goods between the US and China hit a record $690.6 billion in 2022. All this speaks to the fact that trade and investment cooperation between China and the US are mutually beneficial and win-win. Decoupling and cutting off industrial and supply chains benefits no one. It has no support and will not lead anywhere. No matter how the international landscape may change, we will not waver in our resolve to open wider at a high standard and our determination to share development opportunities with the rest of the world. We welcome US and other foreign companies to access the Chinese market, share development dividends and work together for a stronger world economy.

Xu Yanjun's attorney declined CNBC's interview request. Former GE engineer David Zheng declined to comment. A GE spokesperson, in a statement sent to CNBC on Wednesday, said: "Intellectual property is among our most valued assets, and we appreciate the Department of Justice's efforts in pursuing this case."

CNBC's Katherine Liu, Bria Cousins, Laura Measher and Wally Griffith contributed to this report.

"China's Corporate Spy War," an hourlong CNBC documentary, premieres at 10 p.m. ET Wednesday on CNBC.
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021.

WASHINGTON  A Donald Trump supporter who drove a stun gun into the neck of a D.C. police officer who was abducted by the mob during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison on Wednesday.

Daniel "D.J." Rodriguez, a California man who traveled to D.C. with fellow Trump supporters who belonged to a Telegram group called the "PATRIOTS 45 MAGA Gang," pleaded guilty in February to felony conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, tampering with documents or proceedings, and inflicting bodily injury on officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon.

"There will be blood," Rodriguez wrote in "MAGA Gang" Telegram chat on the night of Jan. 5, just hours before attending Trump's rally at the White House Ellipse. "Welcome to the revolution."

On Jan. 6, after joining the fight in the Capitol's lower west tunnel  where some of the most violent scenes of the day played out  Rodriguez attacked officer Michael Fanone, later bragging about his actions in the Telegram chat.

"Omg I did so much f---ing s--- [right now] and got away," Rodriguez wrote to fellow members of the Patriots 45 MAGA Gang. "Tazzed the f--- out of the blue."

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson imposed Rodriguez's 151-month sentence on Wednesday, saying he was a "one-man army of hate, attacking police officers and destroying property" on Jan. 6.

Fanone, speaking during Rodriguez's sentencing hearing, called Rodriguez's life story "pathetic" and said he lost his career, friends, and faith in the criminal justice system because of what he went through that day.

"I don't give a shit about Daniel Rodriguez. He ceased to exist to me as a person a long time ago," Fanone said on Wednesday. "Any compassion or empathy I felt toward those who laid siege to our Capitol, whose actions I felt were at least in part influenced by their leader Donald Trump and his lies, has been eroded  eroded by the attacks directed at me and my family by supporters of Donald Trump and the right- wing media."

Fanone, referencing special counsel Jack Smith's ongoing investigation into Trump's actions leading up to Jan. 6  called for the Justice Department to pursue an indictment against Trump and anyone else responsible "regardless of their wealth or current political position," and prove the mantra that no one is above the law.

"Your honor, we must all join in the fight against Donald Trump and the destructive divisive movement he has come to represent," Fanone said. "We must offer him no safe harbor, and to his enablers  whether in business, in politics and the media  give no quarter. In the fight to preserve our Republic, there can be no spectators.

Ahead of his sentencing, Rodriguez spoke for about 20 minutes in a rambling speech, saying he "truly" thought a civil war was going to begin and that he believed the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers formed because police were standing down across the country. He acknowledged his actions against Fanone, but stopped short of an apology.

Federal prosecutors wanted Rodriguez to spend 14 years in federal prison  an upward departure from his sentencing guidelines, which suggested a sentence of roughly eight to 10 years  saying that Rodriguez committed an act of terrorism. Rodriguez's "egregious" conduct "displayed a clear intent to stop Congress from certifying the results of the election" and was "calculated to stop the peaceful transfer of Presidential power for the first time in the nation's history," prosecutors argued, calling Rodriguez's efforts "a quintessential example of an intent to influence government conduct through intimidation or coercion."

Rodriguez's federal public defenders said Trump's "incendiary lies" about the election "created a frenzy of anger and uncertainty" and that Rodriguez's "unwavering belief in the words of the former president that drove him to lose all sense of right and wrong." Rodriguez "deeply respected and idolized Trump," whom he saw "as the father he wished he had," they wrote, saying Rodriguez "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."
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell arrives to testify during the House Financial Services Committee hearing titled "The Federal Reserve's Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report," in Rayburn Building on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Let it be known: The leader of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the most important central bank in the world, is a Deadhead.

No one is ever likely to confuse Jerome Powell with Jerry Garcia, but the policymaker apparently likes to stop and smell the "Scarlet Begonias" when he can.

Indeed, Powell was snapped June 3 at a Dead & Company show in Bristow, Virginia. An ensuing Twitter post created a bit of a social media sensation.

No one dared ask Powell about his excursion at last week's post-meeting press conference. But the subject finally did come up Wednesday when he addressed legislators on the House Financial Services Committee.

Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) said he was "excited" to hear that Powell was at the show, and asked him what he thought.

"It was terrific. What can I say? It was great," Powell replied. "I've been a Grateful Dead fan for 50 years."
Pfizer 's vaccine that protects adults ages 60 and older from respiratory syncytial virus was slightly less effective after 18 months, according to clinical trial results the company announced Wednesday.

The data is from New York-based Pfizer's clinical trial on more than 34,000 older adults over two RSV seasons. The latest data is specifically on participants in the Northern Hemisphere at "mid-season two" in the trial, which is around 18 months after vaccination.

The shot was 78.6% effective against more severe lower respiratory tract illness with three or more symptoms through mid-season two, down marginally from 85.7% through the end of season one. Those symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid and shallow breathing, and mucus production.

The vaccine was roughly 49% effective against the same condition with two or more symptoms through mid-season two, according to Pfizer. That's a steeper decline from the shot's 66.7% efficacy through one season.

The vaccine was generally well tolerated, with no adverse events reported by participants through mid-season two.

Pfizer presented the results to an advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday. The committee will form a recommendation on how often the company's RSV vaccine should be administered in the U.S., such as whether the shot should be on an annual schedule.

The advisors will also recommend the shot to a specific age group.

Pfizer's RSV vaccine is the second to win Food and Drug Administration approval after a shot from GlaxoSmithKline , which will present similar longer-term data on Wednesday.

Pfizer's results are a first glimpse at its vaccine's durability in protecting against RSV, which causes mild symptoms similar to a cold in most people but more severe infections in older adults and children.

The data suggests that the protection the vaccine provides slowly wanes over time, similar to what is observed with shots for Covid and the flu.

But the mid-season two data also suggests Pfizer's shot is still generally protective against RSV after one year.

It's still unclear what the vaccine's efficacy will look like over two full seasons. Pfizer expects to release that data later this year, which will provide a better picture of the shot's durability.

Annaliesa Anderson, head of Pfizer's vaccine research and development, told CNBC that the company is "very encouraged" by data from the phase three clinical trial.

She noted the vaccine maintained high efficacy against lower respiratory tract illness with three or more symptoms, which is more severe than the same condition with two or more symptoms.

"As with most vaccines, you're really looking for an impact against more severe disease that causes higher levels of mortality, morbidity and health-care associated contact," Anderson told CNBC. "To be able to see high efficacy carrying on is very important to us, and we think it's going to provide people comfort as they take the vaccine."

Pfizer hasn't released data on the effectiveness of its vaccine against severe RSV disease defined as a patient requiring hospitalization, oxygen support or a mechanical ventilator.

Anderson said studies are ongoing, and so is research evaluating the shot's efficacy in older adults with weak immune systems.

RSV kills 6,000 to 10,000 older adults and hospitalizes 60,000 to 160,000 of them every year, according to the CDC.

The risk of hospitalization increases with age, and adults ages 70 and older are more vulnerable.

Pfizer estimates that if 50% of people ages 60 and older receive its shot for older adults, the vaccine could prevent more than 5,000 deaths, 68,000 hospitalizations, 51,000 emergency department visits and more than 422,000 outpatient visits.
View some Delta Air Lines planes parked at Terminal 1 of John F. Kennedy International Airport on May 12, 2020 in New York, NY.

A Delta Airlines pilot was arrested in Scotland after he showed up drunk for a New York City-bound flight and forced the trip's cancellation, officials alleged Tuesday.

Flight 209 normally leaves Edinburgh Airport at 10:35 a.m. SCT on a 7-hour journey to John F. Kennedy International Airport, but it never got off the ground Friday.

The pilot, identified only as a 61-year-old man, was arrested at about 10 a.m. local time, police said.

He was booked on suspicion of violating the U.K.'s Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, which bars pilots and other transport operators from being impaired on the job.

The flight was "canceled and customers were reaccommodated on other flights," Delta said in a statement.

"We apologize to customers impacted by this cancellation," it added.

A Delta representative declined Tuesday to say whether the pilot was still employed or flying for the carrier.

"Delta is assisting the authorities with their on-going" investigation, the spokesperson said.

A representative of the Air Line Pilots Association declined Tuesday to say whether the suspect is a member or whether the union is providing any legal representation.

Delta operates daily flights from Edinburgh Airport to New York, Boston and Atlanta.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-vaccine activist who's now running for president, has another wealthy backer in his corner: veteran Wall Street executive Omeed Malik.

Last month, Malik took Kennedy to a swanky private dinner at the Bellagio in Las Vegas to rub elbows with an array of political power players, according to people familiar with the matter.

Attendees at the dinner, which coincided with the SCALE Global Business Summit, included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Trump economic advisor Gary Cohn, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Democratic megadonor Marc Lasry, the people said.

Many of the attendees were listed as speakers at the summit. A spokeswoman for Cohn confirmed his attendance at the dinner and that the gathering included many of the speakers at the summit. Representatives for Kennedy, Clinton, Pompeo, Summers and Lasry did not return requests for comment about the dinner. A spokesperson for Johnson could not be reached.

While these people said Kennedy didn't pitch himself as a candidate, his attendance at the dinner represents another way to beef up his presence in the political conversation despite having publicly pushed numerous conspiracy theories, including debunked takes on vaccines. The people declined to be named to in order to speak about private deliberations and conversations.

The election was nonetheless on attendees' minds at the dinner. A person familiar with the matter said there were some, including Clinton, who suggested that President Joe Biden's age could be a hurdle that he'll need to shrug off to voters. Clinton also cheered on Biden's tenure as president, another person said. She previously said at a Financial Times event in May that Biden's "age is an issue. And people have every right to consider it." Biden will turn 82 soon after next year's general election, while former President Donald Trump will be 78 come November 2024.

Kennedy has also gained a little traction in polls pitting him against Biden in the Democratic primary race. A June Quinnipiac poll shows Biden with 70 % support among Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters, while Kennedy has 17% in approval among those same groups.

Name recognition is likely a part of that. Kennedy is the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential run in 1968, and the nephew of late President John F. Kennedy, who was shot dead in 1963.

Malik, meanwhile, joins other rich donors in their support for Kennedy. Venture capitalist David Sacks and fellow tech leader Chamath Palihapitiya hosted a fundraiser for Kennedy this month, according to a tweet by Palihapitiya. The tweet said that "turnout was amazing" and attendees were Democrats, Republicans and independents. The event raised approximately $500,000 for Kennedy's campaign, according to another person with direct knowledge of the matter. Kennedy was also once a guest on Sacks and Palihapitiya's podcast.

Billionaire Twitter owner Elon Musk hosted Kennedy in a recent Twitter Spaces. Malik joined the discussion. Musk said last year he was leaning toward backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president. He later hosted a glitchy Twitter Spaces for the Florida Republican when he announced his run for president.
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Saudi Arabia's foreign minister made a high-profile visit to Tehran over the weekend, drawing coverage and praise about the improvement in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, two longtime foes.

"Mutual respect, non-interference in the two countries' internal affairs and commitment to the United Nations Charter" will be at the core of bilateral relations from now on, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's top diplomat, said at a news conference during the visit.

His Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian praised the re-establishment of diplomatic ties, saying it would improve security for the region.

The meeting was the result of Iran and Saudi Arabia agreeing to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies in each other's countries after China-led negotiations in Beijing in March. The rapprochement was a watershed moment for diplomacy in the region.

But hopes for immediate trust and consistency will likely have to wait, many regional analysts say, as the two regional powers continue to have dramatically divergent geopolitical and religious goals.

A small example of that was evident on Saturday, when the Saudi foreign minister refused to hold a joint press conference in front of a portrait of the late Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who for decades directed Iran's proxy wars around the Middle East. The Iranian hosts complied with the minister's request for a change of venue in order to avert a diplomatic incident, regional outlets reported.

"The meeting shows us that despite minor delays, both sides are prioritizing deescalation as part of a new regional strategy aimed at tactical threat reduction," Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House.

"Despite this progress," she said, "nothing has been resolved between both capitals. What exists is a fragile agreement that can only be made stronger with time, consistency and trust building."
People walk by a Dollar Tree store in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, December 11, 2018.

Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading.

Amazon  Shares of the online retail giant slumped 0.8% after the Federal Trade Commission said it was suing Amazon over allegations of deceptively pushing customers to sign up for Prime and frustrating them in their efforts to cancel.

FedEx  The delivery company fell 2.5% after quarterly revenue missed expectations and announced Chief Financial Officer Mike Lenz would retire July 31. The company posted revenue at $21.93 billion, below the consensus estimate of $22.67 billion, according to Refinitiv. Adjusted earnings were better than expected at $4.94 per share against the anticipated $4.89, while forward guidance was about flat.

Coinbase , Riot Platforms  Coinbase added 1.8%, while crypto miner Riot popped 3.8%. The jumps come despite multiple challenges for Coinbase recently, including disagreements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and BlackRock's launch of a bitcoin exchange-traded fund.

MicroStrategy  Shares of the enterprise software company jumped 5.7%. The move coincides with a 7% pop in bitcoin. MicroStrategy has made a big bet in the cryptocurrency.

Tesla  The electric-vehicle maker slid 5.5% following a downgrade to equal weight from overweight by Barclays. The firm said it may be time to take profits after recent outperformance. Rivian tumbled 6.7%, a day after the company said customers would have access to Tesla's charging network beginning next year.

GlaxoSmithKline  Shares moved 1.5% higher after the biopharma company said its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine to protect adults ages 60 and older remained effective across two RSV seasons.

Petrobras  U.S. shares of the Brazilian oil giant gained 5% after Goldman Sachs upgraded them to buy. The Wall Street bank said the company still has an attractive valuation, and mitigated risks make the stock still worth buying despite its recent outperformance.

OneSpaWorld  The spa company traded up 2.8% on the back of an upgrade to buy from hold by Loop, which noted its exclusive rights to serve major cruise lines.

Walt Disney Company  Shares of the media giant fell 1.2%, putting them on track for their third straight session with a decline of more than 1%. Influential Needham analyst Laura Martin said in a note to clients that sentiment around Disney is becoming more negative, questioning the company's long-term plans with CEO Bob Iger set to retire at the end of 2024.

Advanced Micro Devices  Shares of the chipmaker pulled back 5.7%. AMD has had a huge run this year amid optimism toward artificial intelligence. The stock is still up more than 70%.

Palantir Technologies  Palantir Technologies slid 7.3% during midday trading along with other notable AI beneficiaries. On Tuesday, the software stock was downgraded to outperform from strong buy at Raymond James, which cited its recent rally. Palantir is 128% higher this year.

Dollar Tree  Shares of Dollar Tree popped 4.6% after the discount retailer reiterated its fiscal second-quarter 2023 earnings guidance. The company expected quarterly earnings between 79 cents per share and 89 cents per share. It also maintained its full-year outlook for the fiscal year.

 CNBC's Yun Li, Michelle Fox, Jesse Pound, Sarah Min and Brian Evans contributed reporting.
Bolt is set to launch food delivery via robot in partnership with the robotics firm Starship Technologies.

Estonian ride-hailing firm Bolt says it will begin delivering food to people's doors from a fleet of self-driving robots through a partnership with robotics firm Starship Technologies.

The company said it would start offering online food deliveries in its home city of Tallinn later this year in an initial rollout of Starship's robots, which are roughly the size of a suitcase.

"We are focused on providing well-rounded solutions to help make local transportation as sustainable as possible," Markus Villig, founder and CEO of Bolt, said in a statement Wednesday.

"Starship offers a smart and much-loved service that has proven itself over the past five years and we're excited to introduce this service to more people."

Bolt, one of Europe's most highly valued tech companies with a valuation of $8.4 billion, made a name for itself challenging Uber in the U.S. ride-hailing giant's key international markets, particularly the U.K.

The company has since expanded into several other lines of business, including online food and grocery delivery and e-scooters.
A Ukrainian soldier of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade fires at Russian positions at the front line near the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, on June 17, 2023.

It's becoming clear that Ukraine could have a long and bloody slog ahead of it when it comes to its counteroffensive aiming at recapturing Russian-occupied territory in the south and east of the country.

Ukraine's counteroffensive has produced only limited gains so far, with eight settlements reclaimed in the last two weeks. Ukrainian officials are the first to admit that the country's armed forces face a "tough duel" with Russia in the weeks and months ahead.

"We knew from before we started [the counteroffensive] that this wasn't going to be a walk in the park," Yuriy Sak, a senior advisor in Ukraine's defense ministry, told CNBC Tuesday.

"We knew that Russians had months to prepare for it, we knew that they have built very, very strongly-fortified defense lines, that they have laid millions of mines along the front line. They're dug in so deep, that we already had a very good idea that this will be not an easy task," he added.

Read more on the story here: 'Tough duel' ahead for Ukraine as Russia mounts fierce resistance to counteroffensive

 Holly Ellyatt
The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images

Justices considering 'several thorny issues'

There's no precedent for the kind of sweeping debt forgiveness the Biden administration is trying to carry out. And at an estimated cost of $400 billion, the policy would be among the most expensive executive actions in U.S. history. As a result, Biden's plan "raises several thorny issues," Schwinn said. "This case is a little tricky  trickier than we might think at first glance," he said.

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There is the core issue of whether or not Biden has the power to forgive so much student debt without authorization from Congress. Administration officials insist that he's acting within the law, pointing out that the Heroes Act of 2003 grants the U.S. secretary of education the authority to make changes to the federal student loan system during national emergencies. The country was operating under an emergency declaration due to Covid-19 when the president rolled out his plan to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for borrowers. Yet the plaintiffs trying to block forgiveness say the president is incorrectly using the law, which they argue allows only for narrow applications of relief and not the kind of across-the-board loan cancellation the president wants to deliver. Around 37 million people would benefit from Biden's program.

Plaintiffs left some justices unconvinced

The justices also have to consider if the plaintiffs against the Biden administration have successfully shown they'd be harmed by the president's policy, which is typically a requirement to gain the right to sue. The need to prove so-called legal standing is designed to prevent people from suing against different policies and programs simply because they disagree with them. Two legal challenges against the program made it to the high court: one brought by six GOP-led states  Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina  and another backed by the Job Creators Network Foundation, a conservative advocacy organization. The states argue that a reduction in loan business for the companies in their states that service federal student loans would hurt their bottom line. Meanwhile, the complaint by the Job Creators Network Foundation centers on two student loan borrowers who would be partially or fully excluded from the aid.

[Justice] Barrett was vocally and deeply uncomfortable about ruling that any of the plaintiffs had standing. Jed Shugerman law professor at Fordham University and Boston University

Before the justices considered these challenges during oral arguments at the end of February, most legal experts expected the conservative justices to side with the plaintiffs. However, several pundits changed their tune afterward. Conservative justice Amy Coney Barrett seemed especially unconvinced that the plaintiffs proved injury, said Jed Shugerman, a law professor at Fordham University and Boston University. "Barrett was vocally and deeply uncomfortable about ruling that any of the plaintiffs had standing," Shugerman said. At least one or two other conservative justices also seemed conflicted over the question of standing, Shugerman said, adding more reason to why the deliberation is taking time.

Decision still expected before end of term

In high-profile cases that attract a lot of political attention such as Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, the justices also tend to write lengthier decisions that try to show they arrived at their conclusion through legal rather than partisan reasoning, Shugerman said. And longer opinions take more time to write. Still, anxious borrowers can take some relief in knowing the high court is most likely to announce their ruling by early July, Schwinn said: "It'll almost surely come before the end of the term."
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Alma Salas and her daughter, Marisol Perez. Courtesy: Alma Salas

As Marisol Perez fought for her life in a Texas hospital in autumn 2021, her mother, Alma Salas, sat with her every day praying. Perez, then 42, had such a virulent case of Covid and pneumonia that doctors at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare facility, had put her on a ventilator and into a coma to try to save her. Salas said she believed her daughter would pull through, but doctors and nurses at the hospital kept telling her otherwise. Over 10 days in October, less than a month after Perez entered St. David's, Salas received repeated visits from a palliative care nurse, her hospital record shows. Every other day, Salas said, the nurse urged her to initiate end-of-life care for her daughter. Several of Perez's doctors also pressed Salas to remove her daughter from the ventilator, she said, in visits confirmed by details from Perez's chart. On one occasion, six or seven doctors and nurses gathered around Perez's bed, Salas said. "We really feel it is in the best interests of your daughter to let her go," she recalled one doctor telling her. Salas held firm. "I don't have the authority to take anyone's life," she said she told them. A month later, St. David's discharged Perez, her chart shows. She went on to make a full recovery. St. David's is one of 182 hospitals in the U.S. and the U.K. operated by HCA Healthcare, the nation's largest hospital chain. HCA is highly profitable  last year it earned $5.6 billion  and its stock is a Wall Street darling. As an industry leader, HCA's practices are followed closely by competitors. But HCA's profits come at a cost to patients and workers, some of its doctors and employees contend. They have cited severe understaffing and insufficient investment in facilities as having caused harm to patients. Now, new criticisms are arising related to HCA's palliative and end-of-life care for patients, according to some physicians and nurses who have worked in its facilities. They say HCA officials press staff to persuade families of ailing patients to initiate such care, as Salas says she experienced with her daughter. Although this can harm patients by withdrawing lifesaving treatments, the push can benefit HCA two ways, the doctors and nurses said, and an internal hospital document confirms. It reduces in-hospital mortality rates, a closely watched quality measure, and can free up a hospital bed more quickly for HCA, potentially generating more insurance reimbursements from a new patient. This article is based on interviews with six nurses and 27 doctors who currently practice at 16 HCA hospitals in seven states or did so previously. All said their HCA hospitals pushed palliative and end-of-life care in pursuit of better performance metrics. Internal HCA hospital documents and texts between hospital staffers provided to NBC News support these health care professionals' views. Ed Fishbough, an HCA spokesman, denied the contentions. "Suggesting that medical care in HCA Healthcare hospitals is based on anything other than a physician's independent medical judgment of what is in the patient's best interest is untrue and wrong," he said in a statement. Two weeks after NBC News began raising questions with HCA about its hospice referrals, one physician at a company hospital reported what he believes is a precipitous decline in the number of referrals at the facility. Regarding Perez's care at St. David's, Fishbough said, "Severe, life-threatening illnesses are gut-wrenching experiences, and St. David's HealthCare physicians, nurses and staff are dedicated to guiding patients and their families throughout the process of managing a severe illness." He said he could not discuss details of Perez's experience because of privacy laws. NBC News provided HCA with a waiver signed by Perez allowing St. David's Hospital to provide information about her medical care and discuss it with NBC News. HCA said it would only talk about her care if Perez signed two HCA waivers. One was "Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information for Marketing and/or Promotional Purposes" and another was "Consent for Use and Disclosures of Image, Voice and/or Written Testimonials," giving HCA the right to videotape Perez and record her voice. Perez declined. Although few patients likely realize it, transfers to hospice care reduce a hospital's inpatient mortality rate. Here's why: If a patient passes away in a hospital, that death adds to the facility's inpatient mortality figures. But if that person dies after a transfer to hospice care  even if the patient stays at the same hospital in the same bed  the death doesn't count toward the facility's inpatient mortality rate because the patient was technically discharged from the hospital. A reduction in lengthy patient stays is a second benefit to the push to palliative and then end-of-life care, an HCA hospital document shows. Under end-of-life care, patients don't typically live long, so the practice can allow HCA to replace patients that may be costing the facility money because their insurance has run out with those who generate fresh revenues. Offering palliative care to seriously ill patients has gained traction industry-wide in recent years as a treatment for symptoms as well as providing comfort and pain management and support for their families. Palliative care differs from hospice care. According to the National Institutes of Health, patients in palliative care can receive treatments for symptoms along with those intended to cure their illnesses, while hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life for a patient approaching death. Patients in hospice typically receive only pain medication, making it crucial, many doctors say, to be cautious when suggesting hospice to family members. Depending on the situation, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers cover some costs of palliative as well as hospice care. While palliative care and hospice care differ, the HCA spokesman confirmed that the two treatments work in tandem at its facilities. Palliative care acts as a gateway to hospice care for some patients; if palliative care is recommended, a consultation typically takes place to ensure the patient and family agree. A recommendation to move forward from there to hospice care also requires physician and patient or family sign-off. For example, one internal HCA document describes palliative care consultations as the first step to hospice care, and another explains how the palliative care coordinator recommends hospice options to family members. If they agree, "the patient will be discharged from an inpatient status and rolled over" into what's known as General Inpatient Hospice, or GIP, the document says. An internal HCA hospital analysis from about three years ago shows that almost one-third of its palliative care consultations resulted in admission to inpatient hospice or a hospice discharge plan. Deaths in those plans were excluded from the hospital's inpatient mortality rate. Another document recommends palliative care be considered for "patients with prolonged length of stay," indicating that the services may be seen as a way to reduce patient stays. At HCA, the push to palliative care and then hospice is constant, according to the doctors and nurses who spoke with NBC News. At two HCA hospitals, the practice appears to be mechanized, with staff citing an algorithm used to identify patients who are most likely to die soon. This is also known as a vulnerability index, texts shared with NBC News show. Patients ranking high on the vulnerability index become candidates for palliative care, the texts show. In one, a palliative care team member at an HCA hospital identified such a patient; "Algorithm = 97% risk of mortality today," it said. The HCA spokesman declined to comment on the algorithm. One HCA hospital document lists seven ways palliative care helps the facility; topping the list is "Reduction of re-admissions and hospital mortalities that reflect negatively on our hospital." Another benefit, the document says: "Decrease in hospital length of stay." Entities rating the quality of care at hospitals track inpatient mortality rates  the popular IBM Watson Health Top Hospitals ranking is an example. HCA's in-hospital mortality rate is important in another way  it is one of 10 "quality of care" metrics used since 2021 to calculate the incentive pay received by top company executives, its financial filings show. In other words, better mortality results at HCA contributed to better company performance for executive pay purposes. There is no direct evidence that HCA's palliative and hospice care push was intended to increase its executives' pay. HCA says in its filings that it calculates its mortality rate for pay purposes "internally" using a model devised by IBM Watson Health that excludes patients who die after discharge, such as those in hospice. HCA uses the model "because it includes all patients rather than being limited to Medicare patients, includes more conditions, and has a shorter lag time in the data," the spokesman said.

Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare, speaks about Covid-19 in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 14, 2020. Alex Brandon | AP

Over the two years that HCA's board has used mortality rates to calculate incentive pay, Samuel N. Hazen, HCA's chief executive, received $35.3 million in total compensation. Some $305,400 of that was incentive pay generated by the mortality rate calculation, HCA said. Through a spokesman, Hazen declined an interview. The three major publicly traded hospital companies that HCA considers competitors do not cite the use of mortality rates in their pay calculations, securities filings show. They are Community Health Systems Inc., Tenet Healthcare Corp., and Universal Health Services Inc. HCA administrators overseeing individual hospitals also receive compensation based on mortality rates, the company said. "We believe all hospital executives should have quality metrics  including mortality  as part of their incentive compensation," the spokesman said. Ghasan Tabel, a doctor who practices at Riverside Community Hospital, an HCA facility in Riverside, California, is troubled by HCA's palliative care and hospice push. He said he has seen many situations where patients' families were pressured by staff and told NBC News that the palliative care team does not always consult the attending physician when encouraging a patient's family to choose the program. "Sometimes it is reasonable to talk about comfort care, but usually it is done prematurely," said Tabel, who was involved in a lawsuit against Riverside that the hospital settled. "What is very alarming to me is if they mislead the patient's family about the prognosis, paint the worst-case scenario, sometimes graphically, to convince the family to go to palliative care and withdrawal of care." The HCA spokesman said: "The decision to start palliative care for a patient is based on discussions among the patient, family and physician. Patient care at Riverside Community Hospital is based solely on a physician's independent medical judgment. Any claims to the contrary are irresponsible and untrue." As for Marisol Perez, she believes that if not for her mother, she would be dead and her 9-year-old daughter, Annaliese, orphaned. Of her experience with HCA, she said: "People used as dollar signs and pushed off somewhere else to die  that is not OK."

'You're not God'

Tabel is the rare doctor at an HCA hospital voicing public concerns about the company's palliative care practices. The 26 other doctors NBC News interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation by the company. All said, however, that the push for palliative and hospice care at their HCA facilities is insistent and aimed at improving performance measures. Physicians that do not promote the programs are told to toe the line, Tabel and some of the other doctors told NBC News. One doctor recalled attending meetings at which hospital administrators discussed the importance of transfers to hospice care before a patient dies. "The primary area of discussion was, 'Why didn't this patient get moved to hospice 12 hours before?'" the doctor recalled. "'What was the delay in getting them on hospice?'" Failing to make a well-timed transfer, the doctor said, was considered a "missed hospice opportunity" by the hospital. HCA declined to comment on this allegation. The company "does not have an enterprise-wide palliative care program," the spokesman said. "These programs are developed locally under the purview of independent medical staff organizations." While the programs may be developed locally, the performance of any hospital deploying them is closely monitored by HCA, a company known for applying performance metrics to all of its facilities and placing them in competition with one another. Speaking at a health care conference last month, Michael A. Marks, senior vice president of finance at HCA, detailed the company's "internal benchmarking tool that takes 166 measures of cost and operating efficiency" at each facility. "Every hospital will know exactly how they perform against the rest of HCA," Marks said. "It helps our hospitals really find where their variability is." Although HCA does not have an enterprise-wide palliative care program, transfers to hospice care have risen across most of its hospitals in recent years, Medicare claims data shows. Researchers at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which has labor agreements with some HCA facilities, found that from 2017 to 2021, the average hospice transfer rate among HCA hospital discharges grew by more than half  from 3.4% to 5.2%. The national average of hospice transfers also grew during the period, but HCA's growth rate was roughly double the national average, the research shows. The research covered 140 hospitals, SEIU said, excluding acute care facilities, children's hospitals and those with too few claims in a given year. More than half of those hospitals ranked above the 80th percentile nationally for hospice transfer rates in 2021, the analysis shows. At the same time, in-hospital deaths at the HCA facilities grew far more slowly than the national average, the Medicare data shows. In-hospital deaths at the HCA hospitals rose 17% from 2017 to 2021, while the average rose 45%. More from NBC News: Some workers at U.S. hospital giant HCA say it puts profits above patient care

'Indentured servitude': Nurses hit with hefty debt when trying to leave hospitals

Kesha 'almost died' after egg freezing complication due to autoimmune disorder Fishbough, the HCA spokesman, said the company strongly disagrees with the report, calling it inaccurate and misleading. He did not dispute the Medicare data findings in his criticisms. Maritza Tamarit said she felt pressured to place her disabled husband, Pedro, in hospice care after he'd spent months at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, a 488-bed acute care facility in Miami, in the summer of 2021. Pedro Tamarit, 60, entered the hospital in May, with circulation problems in his leg, his wife said. After surgery, his condition worsened. In September, the push for palliative care began, Tamarit said. "One doctor told me, 'I think your husband would be better placed in hospice,'" she recalled. "I said, 'Why?' and he said, 'Your husband will not be alive for more than six months.'" She refused, she said, telling the doctor: "You're not God to say how long that person can live." After Tamarit rejected hospice care for her husband, she took him home, she said. Soon she moved Pedro to a different hospital not owned by HCA. He lived for another year. "I just wanted my husband to have another chance," Tamarit said. She said she is telling her story so that other people can avoid this experience. HCA's spokesman said Mercy Hospital "provides multi-disciplinary patient care, including palliative services, to help patients manage pain and symptoms. As such, care goals are set independently by the treating physicians and care teams in the patient's best interest."

'Deceiving changes in mortality reporting'

Academics have begun to notice that transfers of critically ill patients to hospice care can allow hospitals to improve their mortality rates. A study published in the Journal of Healthcare Management in 2020 concluded: "Although appropriate in allowing the positive impact of hospice care," transfers "may induce deceiving changes in mortality reporting in several high-volume hospital diagnoses." Christa Schorr, professor of medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, in Camden, New Jersey, co-wrote the study. "If you have the capability of providing these services, are you being realistic about what your mortality rate is?" she asked in an interview. Calculating hospital executives' incentive pay using a mortality rate that can be reduced by hospice transfers "doesn't seem appropriate," she added. Tabel said the palliative and hospice care push at his HCA hospital began in 2019, a time frame supported by documents provided to NBC News and interviews with doctors at other facilities. On Jan. 1 of that year, Hazen became the chief executive of HCA after years in its management ranks. The HCA spokesman declined to say whether Hazen played a role in the heightened focus. More recent internal documents obtained by NBC News show that an HCA facility closely tracked deaths inside and outside of the palliative care and hospice programs and set goals for deaths in hospice to meet a certain level. When the hospital exceeded the goals  with more deaths occurring in hospice  the facility's mortality rate dropped. "Healthcare professionals should present hospice as an option to all patients and families when death within a year would not be surprising and should reintroduce the hospice option as the patient declines," another HCA hospital document states. It notes that the program was introduced to the hospital's staff in 2019 and a weekly analysis tracked its progress. Going forward, the document stated, the hospital planned to "offer goals for increased compliance with this standard." In addition to being pushed to promote hospice care at Riverside Community Hospital, Tabel says he is pressured to reduce how long his patients remain in the facility. HCA closely monitors a metric known as length-of-stay, internal documents show, and Tabel said he is pressed to discharge patients that he believes are not ready to go. Limiting lengths of stay at any hospital reduces patients' chance of infection and is a measure of health care efficiency used across the industry. Tabel agrees in concept but says the many elderly and infirm patients he treats require longer stays than the hospital prefers and often have nowhere to go to receive the care they need. He says shorter stays can benefit the hospital by removing a costly patient and freeing up a bed for higher reimbursements. Tabel said hospital officials have told him they were under pressure from HCA higher-ups and he had to bring his length-of-stay numbers down. Tabel said he told them he would not kick people out of the hospital to improve its numbers. In 2015 Tabel sued Riverside, alleging retaliation for refusing to meet the hospital's length-of-stay metric. The hospital reduced patient referrals to him as punishment, he alleged. Riverside disputed his claim, but Tabel received an undisclosed settlement from the hospital in the case in 2019. Now, Tabel says, the hospital is again pressuring him to reduce his patients' stays, demanding that he agree to abide by new rules in exchange for keeping his privileges at Riverside. He has refused and his status at the hospital is the subject of an internal hearing. The HCA spokesman declined to comment, citing the dispute with Tabel, but said that "we hold our independent physicians to high standards on clinical outcomes set by the medical staff."

Expanding hospice services
ideaForge, India's largest drone maker, plans to raise nearly Rs 570 crore through its issue, out of which Rs 240 crore will be raised through fresh equity. Through its IPO, ideaForge is looking at post-issue implied market cap of up to Rs 2,800 crore.

The IPO (initial public offering ) for Indias largest drone maker, ideaForge Technology Ltd, opens for subscription today, i.e. Monday, June 26 and will be available for public to bid till June 29. The price band for the IPO has been set at Rs 638-672 per share.

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ideaForge plans to raise nearly Rs 570 crore through its issue, out of which Rs 240 crore will be raised through fresh issuance of equity.

The company has also undertaken a Rs 60-crore pre-IPO funding, in which 360 One, Think Investments, Tata AIG, Motilal Oswal were buyers. Through its IPO, ideaForge is looking at post-issue implied market cap of up to Rs 2,800 crore.

Out of the Rs 240 crore which will come into the company through the IPO, Rs 50 crore is expected to be used towards debt repayment and Rs 135 crore towards working capital requirement. Following the utilisation of funds, the companys debt is expected to come down to Rs 35 crore. As per the management, it is expected to hover around Rs 30 crore levels.

ideaForge Technology Important Dates Finalisation of Basis of Allotment July 4 Refunds/Unblocking ASBA Fund July 5 Credit of equity shares to DP A/c July 6 Trading commences July 7

ideaForge Technology Issue Break-up QIB 75% NIB 15% Retail 10%

ideaForge Technology Ltd was incorporated in 2007. It is the pioneer and market leader in the Indian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) market, with a market share of approximately 50 percent in FY22.

The company had the largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs across India, with an ideaForge manufactured drone taking off every five minutes on an average for surveillance and mapping, as of fiscal 2023.

The companys product portfolio consists of hardware, software and embedded sub-systems and solutions. Their growth over the years is attributable to their indigenous design and technological capabilities, ability to invent, design and deliver customer-centric offerings, and their vertically integrated operations.

Product portfolio

Hardware, which primarily includes UAVs, payloads, batteries, chargers and communication system

Software and embedded sub-systems, which includes the ground control station (GCS) software

Solutions, which enable industry- and application-specific software that enhance the value of their UAVs to the end customer

Earlier, the company has raised funding from various investors like Infosys, Qualcomm Asia Pacific, Celesta Capital II Mauritius, Celesta Capital II-B Mauritius, Florintree Enterprise, Export Import Bank of India and Infina Finance.

The promoter and promoter group hold 35 percent in the company right now and post-IPO will continue to hold over 30 percent stake in the company.

The company has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 137 percent in terms of revenue from operations over the last three fiscals, with a Return on capital employed of 12.51 percent in FY23.

The defence segment contributed 69 percent to companys revenue in FY23 whereas the balance 21 percent came from civil applications. The management, in an interaction with CNBC-TV18, said that they expect to grow the civil side of the market significantly.

Competitive Strengths

Pioneer and the market leader in the Indian UAS industry, with first-mover advantage.

Diversified product portfolio with a robust technology stack and track record of successful outcomes in critical use cases.

Strong relationships with a diverse customer base.

Significant product development capabilities powering the software and solutions and product differentiators.

Inhouse design to delivery capabilities.

Strong management capabilities with a demonstrated track record of delivering robust financial performance.

Continuing to invest in product innovation, engineering and design.

Expanding into international markets.

Expanding the product portfolio and catering to new end-use applications and industries

Focus on indigenisation

(Written with inputs from Axis Capital)
(CNN)  Taking daytime naps may help maintain brain health as we age, according to a new study. However, prior research has shown that excess napping can also be harmful.

Habitual napping was linked with larger total brain volume, which is associated with a lower risk of dementia and other diseases, according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of the Republic of Uruguay.

On average, the difference in brain volume between nappers and non-nappers was equivalent to 2.5 to 6.5 years of aging, researchers said.

Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older, said senior author Victoria Garfield, a senior research fellow at UCL, in a statement.

While the study was well-conducted, limitations include the fact that napping habits were self-reported, said Tara Spires-Jones, president of the British Neuroscience Association and deputy director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study.

The results show a small but significant increase in brain volume in people who have a genetic signature associated with taking daytime naps, she told the Science Media Centre.

Even with those limitations, this study is interesting because it adds to the data indicating that sleep is important for brain health, she said.

In response, lead study author Valentina Paz, a researcher at the University of the Republic of Uruguay and UCL, told CNN that she agreed the work has some limitations, but theyre confident in the method used in the study.

Statistical approach

In the study, published Monday in the journal Sleep Health, researchers used a technique called Mendelian randomization to analyze DNA samples and brain scans from 35,080 people aged 40 to 69 involved in the UK Biobank study, a large biomedical database and research resource that followed UK residents from 2006 to 2010.

Mendelian randomization is a statistical approach that uses genetics to provide information about the relationship between an exposure and outcome.

Researchers looked at sections of genetic code linked to peoples likelihood of regular napping and then compared brain health and cognition results between those with the napping genes and those without.

By looking at genes set at birth, Mendelian randomisation avoids confounding factors occurring throughout life that may influence associations between napping and health outcomes, said lead author Paz in the statement.

However, such a technique can only show an association between nap and brain health, not cause and effect. In addition, researchers did not have information on nap duration, which can impact whether sleep is helpful or harmful.

Paz told CNN that previous findings suggest that taking a short nap (5 to 15 minutes) in the early afternoon may benefit those needing it.

Napping can be harmful too

Meanwhile, previous research has shown that frequent napping or regularly napping for extended periods during the day may be a sign of early dementia in older adults.

Elderly adults who napped at least once a day or more than an hour a day were 40% more likely to develop Alzheimers than those who did not nap daily or napped less than an hour a day, according to a study published in Alzheimers and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimers Association, in March 2022.

And in July 2022, a study found that people who often nap have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure and having a stroke.

Study participants who typically napped during the day were 12% more likely to develop high blood pressure over time and were 24% more likely to have a stroke compared with people who never napped.

This may be because, although taking a nap itself is not harmful, many people who take naps may do so because of poor sleep at night. Poor sleep at night is associated with poorer health, and naps are not enough to make up for that, said clinical psychologist Michael Grandner in a statement at the time. Grandner directs the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at the Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, and was not involved in the study.

Excessive napping can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder, sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, told CNN in a prior interview.

Sleep disorders are linked to an increase in stress and weight regulation hormones which can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes  all risk factors for heart disease, he said. I do believe napping is a warning sign of an underlying sleep disorder in certain individuals.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Daytime naps may be good for our brains, study says."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  This June, GCash, the Philippines' leading mobile wallet, joins the celebration of Pride Month by promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion not only within its work culture, but also through its accessible financial services.

GCash adheres to international goals such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in advocating gender equality while reducing workspace inequalities of all kinds, and to promote inclusive economic growth.

Product for All: Inclusive financial products

GCash, through GInsure, is an avenue for its partner insurance companies to support the mandate of the Insurance Commission (IC) to allow policyholders to designate their same-sex partners as beneficiaries for their plans.

With GInsure, same-sex couples can now have access to a wide selection of affordable insurance products from GCashs insurance partners namely FPG Insurance, Singlife, Sun Life, and Generali. These companies allow LGBTQIA+ couples to easily designate their partners as beneficiaries for their chosen insurance coverage.

All people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, must experience fair and equitable access to market opportunities. Thats why we at GCash have developed simple, affordable, and inclusive products, and work with like-minded partners that promote fair and non-discriminatory processes for users - breaking the stigma and bias against the LGBTQIA+ population, says GCash head of new business Winsley Bangit.

Aside from offering inclusive financial products for all, GCash also helps the community have equal and fair access to funding and loans through a suite of lending products such as GGives, GLoans, and GCredit.

These services have a non-discriminatory and easy application process as it only considers in-app behavior and approves eligibility regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, place of birth, family background, race, age, or ability.

Cultivating a diverse and inclusive work culture

More than just providing inclusive financial services, GCash also values the importance of embracing its employees' unique identities.

GCash upholds non-discriminatory policies which allow its employees to freely express themselves. This policy ensures all employees, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, are treated fairly in work evaluation, and are given equal employment opportunities where everyone can advance into leadership positions and progress into their career path. The company follows a no-mandatory dress code per gender and requires employees, company-wide, to undergo a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training to further educate and empower each one to cultivate a safe space for all in and out of the company.

To strengthen the community spirit among its employees, GCash is also a proud member of the Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP)  a collaborative, voluntary, and non-profit community that serves as the leading voice and champion of LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion in the Philippines.

GCash also conducts relevant and meaningful communities where employees can connect with like-minded peers such as GCash Pride Club, while encouraging the talent of the community through participation in Drag Events and the Pride Parade.

No one should experience prejudice as everyone deserves to have a voice and be treated fairly wherever they are. At GCash, we always make it a mission to foster inclusive work culture where different views, backgrounds, culture, and experiences are valued and nurtured. This is one of the companys ways to effectively address not only the needs of our consumers, but of the very people behind this amazing app. With the help of GCashs diverse team and leaders, we are on our way to make our Finance for All vision a reality, says GCash chief people officer Robert Gonzales.

Beyond the historic Pride Month, GCash continues to become a better ally to the community and remains firm in its mission to make Filipino lives better everyday, and transform the country into a more equal, diverse, and inclusive nation where everyone from all walks of life can work with pride, now more than ever.

GCash is one with the LGBTQIA+ community in the celebration of Pride Month as we all #WerkWithPride.

For more information about GCash and its advocacies, you may visit www.gcash.com or follow its official Facebook page.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  YouTube has terminated the channel of megachurch leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing several charges in the United States.

The online video sharing platform said Wednesday that the channel violated its guidelines.

It was responding to the tweet of a user who flagged that the "Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy" account continues to post videos despite the televangelist's standing arrest warrant with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

"Hey, update here: upon review, we've determined that the channel is in violation of Community Guidelines & has been terminated," YouTube's reply read.

Quiboloy has been on FBI's most wanted list since February 2022 for sex trafficking, fraud, coercion, and bulk cash smuggling charges.

RELATED: Quiboloy on FBI's most wanted list

The FBI said he is wanted for "alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.

However, he has been actively posting updates on his social media accounts and the YouTube account of his church The Kingdom of Jesus Christ. He also recently posted his interview with former President Rodrigo Duterte on the YouTube page of his media company SMNI News.

CNN Philippines has sought comment from Quiboloy and SMNI News but has yet to get a reply.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  A co-accused in the drug case of former Senator Leila de Lima was caught outside the detention center at the headquarters of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), prompting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to warn those responsible would be held liable for the incident.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano confirmed Jad Dera was caught together with five NBI security offers and one plantilla aboard a van at midnight outside the NBI compound.

Clavano said they received "confidential information" on the whereabouts of Dera who was out of his detention facility

"This prompted us to inform the NBI that he was not in his detention center. And that prompted the NBI to create a task force at inabangan sa mismong gate ng NBI," he said. "At around midnight, pumasok yung van na yon, pinara ng mga agents and don nahanap si Jad Dera at yung mga escorts niya."

[Translation: This prompted us to inform the NBI that he was not in his detention center. And that prompted the NBI to create a task force who waited at the gate of the NBI. At around midnight, the van came in and was stopped by the agents, and this was where Jad Dera was found along with his escorts.]

He added it was clear there was connivance between NBI personnel and detainees.

"I just want to emphasize na itong pangyayari na ito [that this incident] has revealed that there is this connivance between certain people in detention and those in the NBI that allow for them to temporarily go out of the detention center and come back in so this would not have happened if there was no connivance," Clavano said.

"We are hell bent on making heads roll for this incident. This is unacceptable and we will file the necessary disciplinary actions and any other cases that this may warrant," he added.

Clavano said the investigation will see just who is responsible, and how high up the chain of command they go. He said money was obviously involved.

Taken from Dera was money inside a bag, along with a cellphone and arms.

According to Dera's lawyer, his client was returning to the detention facility when he was arrested.

"They came from, according to him nagpunta sila, naghahanap ng doctor dahil masama yung pakiramdam ng tao. They left around past 8 p.m. then went back past 12 pagbaba nila ng NBI marked vehicle. Paglakad nila pabalik sa that's the time they were arrested," said Raymund Palad.

[Translation: They came from, according to him they went to find a doctor because he wasn't feeling well. They left around past 8 p.m. then went back past 12 where they came down from the NBI marked vehicle. They were walking back and that's the time they were arrested.]

In a statement, the NBI said they would not condone acts of betrayal of public trust.

"The Chief of the Security Management Section was already relieved from his post pending investigation of the case," the statement said.

The NBI also gave its assurance investigators would look into the incident thoroughly and file appropriate criminal and administrative cases.

Clavano also said they could not confirm whether Dera was the bagman of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves. Palad claimed there is no connection between the two.

CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario and Pia Garcia contributed to this story.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged local government units to encourage the elderly and those with comorbidities to receive bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, saying they remain vulnerable despite the drop in cases.

We call upon the local government units to bring those who are in the vulnerable category and encourage all of them to get these bivalent vaccines, he said at the ceremonial vaccination in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Marcos also said that while the general populace is experiencing much milder symptoms compared to the onset of the pandemic, senior citizens and people with underlying illnesses are still highly vulnerable amid the emergence of new COVID-19 variants.

We must not let our guard down But rest assured, that with the use of science-based strategies and a whole of society approach, these risks will remain manageable, he added.

Last June 3, the Philippines received a total of 390,000 doses of bivalent vaccines donated by the Lithuanian government.

The Food and Drug Administration previously said that bivalent vaccines include a component that not just corresponds to the original COVID-19 strain but also provides better protection against the Omicron variant and its subvariants.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier said that he would push for the acquisition of more bivalent shots.

Marcos also urged Filipinos to do their part in preventing the resurgence of COVID cases.

I thus appeal to everyone especially those who have yet to receive their primary series of vaccinations to get vaccinated against Covid-19. This is not for your own good alone but also for the protection of your families and the general public, he said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said he is open to relaxing some rules being followed by lawmakers in the upper chamber, but improvements should be observed when it comes to the conduct of proceedings.

Ang improvement siguro (The improvement needed maybe) is to pay more attention to the proceedings during plenary so if you are paying attention, you are not talking to someone, so you are not creating noise, Pimentel told CNN Philippines The Source.

Pimentel, who was Senate president from July 2016 to May 2018, also urged his colleagues to have better presence during plenary discussions.

They may be in the Senate lounge, but we are not sure if they are listening to show interest in what is happening, Pimentel said.

The lawmaker said he observed this during plenary debates for the Maharlika Investment Fund bill. While there are those who expressed their support for the proposed measure, very few were present during discussions on the floor.

Sasabihin nila they support it dahil napaka-importante, it will also be intergenerational benefit and yet wala sa floor, walang nakikinig, walang nagpapakita ng interest, so that means ang conclusion ko, hindi sya importante, alam din nilang hindi sya importante, Pimentel pointed out.

[Translation: They say they support it because it's improtant, it will also be intergenerational benefit and yet they are not on the floor, no one is listening, no one is showing interest, so that means my conclusion, it is not important, and they also know it's not important.]

On the other hand, Pimentel said he favors easing the required attire for senators. He noted that even in the Spanish parliament, government officials are now wearing casual clothes.

Pimentel's statement came after former Senate President Franklin Drilon on June 15 urged current Senate leader Juan Miguel Zubiri to draw the line amid the "erosion of the prestige of the Senate as an institution" due to the "lack of decorum" among some of its members.

Senator Robin Padilla recently drew flak online after a video showed the neophyte lawmaker struggling to make a motion during a plenary session. He was also criticized after getting caught combing his mustache in another hearing.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald dela Rosa was accused of debasing the upper chamber as an institution by kneeling and begging drug-linked cops to tell the truth during a committee hearing.

While Dela Rosa said he can make adjustments, Padilla said he does not see the need to make amends, adding that younger senators have a different way of doing things.

READ: Dela Rosa, Padilla react to 'lack of decorum criticism
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  Instead of hiring unlicensed nurses, authorities should focus on improving the board exam and keep the 75% passing rate to ensure competency and integrity of medical professionals, Senate Minority leader Koko Pimentel said Wednesday.

Stick to 75%, reexamine the exam, make it direct to the point, really test competence and readinessIt must be basic, entry-level questions for the nursing profession, Pimentel told CNN Philippines The Source.

On Monday, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa said he plans to hire nursing graduates who scored at least 70% in their board exam to fill the over 4,000 vacant positions in the department.

The DOH also said in May that the Philippines, which is a major deployer of medical workers abroad, has a shortage of nearly 130,000 nurses. Filling this gap may take 12 years, it noted.

Herbosas plan was supported by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP). Dr. Rontgene Solante, president of PCP, said doing so will help the nurses to eventually pass the licensure test through the training they will receive in the hospital.

For Pimentel, employing nurses who scored below the passing mark may lessen the integrity of the test systems. The 75% passing rate was set to identify those who are competent enough and are ready to serve the public, he noted.

The judgment has already been rendered in that exam that the (health) secretary was referring to, 75 was the passing grade, Pimentel said. We cannot do something and then make believe that those who got lower than 75 all the way down to 70, we will make believe that they have also passed.

Patients will feel secure knowing that the medical worker they are dealing with is certified, he pointed out.

If the hiring of unlicensed nurses will be implemented, the senator said it should start during the next board exam. Any adjustments should also be announced before the next cycle, he added.

The first nursing board exam for this year was held in May, to be followed by another batch in November.

If the plan is implemented retroactively, this may lead to violations to existing laws and regulations, like the setting of the 75% passing grade, Pimentel noted.

In a statement on Tuesday, Pimentel also urged the DOH to prioritize improving the salaries of healthcare workers before it moves to hiring unlicensed nurses.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Geraldone of the alleged masterminds in the murder of veteran broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasawas not a police officer, the Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified on Wednesday.

DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said Bantag did not serve in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He added that Bantag was rather a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy.

I regret any confusion this may have caused and hope this clarification clears up any misunderstandings, he said.

Clavanos statement came as the PNP refuted his earlier remarks on Bantag being part of the police force.

In a statement, it said that Bantag has never been a member of the PNP.

Based on record, he used to be a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer before his appointment in Bureau of Corrections and this is to set right some news articles that came out recently, the PNP said.

It was in reaction to Clavanos statement earlier this week that Bantag used to serve in the PNP.

Clavano also said that Bantag has been receiving tips from his network in the PNP, making the manhunt against him a little bit tricky.

But the PNP stressed that irrespective of one's rank, stature, or source of commissionship of any officer, they would arrest any person who has violated the law.

Since the issuance of the arrest warrants for Bantag and Zulueta, upon orders of the CPNP (chief of the PNP), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Groups tracker teams are working round the clock and at all times in support of the National Bureau of Investigation and other officers of the law to apprehend the fugitives promptly, the PNP said.

The DOJ on Monday announced a 3-million reward for information that would lead to the arrest of Bantag and his ex-deputy Ricardo Zulueta.

READ: Bounty seen to quicken info gathering for Bantag's arrest
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21)  The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it respects the sentiments of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier dared the entire police force to resign as he claimed it has become a gatekeeper of the illegal drug trade.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, PNP Spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said it is normal for Duterte to have strong opinions on the matter since the fight against illegal drugs was the centerpiece of his administration.

Unang-una, nirerespeto natin yung pahayag ng ating dating pangulo at alam din natin yung pinanggagalingan ni former President Rodrigo DuterteYou can just imagine the frustrations ng ating dating president nung may mga na-involve na pulis dito sa illegal drugs, Fajardo said.

[Translation: First of all, we respect the former presidents statement, and we know where he's coming from. You can just imagine his frustrations over police involvement in illegal drugs.]

The former chief executives remarks came amid controversies involving some police officers in the alleged cover-up of the 990-kilogram shabu haul in Tondo, Manila last year.

Fajardo assured Duterte that despite the controversies the PNP is facing, there is no letup in its measures to cleanse its ranks of misfits.

With regards to Duterte's statement that he would prefer that the whole PNP surrender all its firearms and let the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) take over, Fajardo said this may pose a challenge for both agencies since they have different scopes of work.
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Hong Kong: Security chief wraps up GBA visit

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today visited Zhuhai and Jiangmen during the second day of his trip to the Greater Bay Area.

Accompanied by Macau Secretary for Security Office Chief Cheong Ioc-ieng and Macau Public Security Police Force Commissioner Ng Kam-wa, Mr Tang visited Qingmao Port in the morning to learn about its clearance mode, in order to explore its implementation in Hong Kong. The port adopts collaborative inspection and joint clearance under which visitors only need to queue up, have their documents inspected and biometrics collected once to complete the respective inspection by both sides.

He then departed for Zhuhai to call on Zhuhai Vice Mayor and Zhuhai Municipal Public Security Bureau Director-General Xie Rensi.

In the afternoon, he met CPC Jiangmen Municipal Committee Standing Committee Member Li Huiwen as well as Jiangmen Vice Mayor and Jiangmen Municipal Public Security Bureau Director-General Feng Xiaogang to discuss issues including combatting cross-border crimes and illegal immigration, and explored co-operation in different fields.

Mr Tang introduced to them the new Greater Bay Area Emergency Response Operational Plan formulated by Hong Kong, which aims to enhance bay area cities capability of handling incidents together.

He also visited Gree Electric Appliances Incs headquarters in Zhuhai where he learnt about the technology-based enterprises development.

Mr Tang concluded his two-day trip and returned to Hong Kong in the evening.

This story has been published on: 2023-06-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Creative coffee becomes new highlight in China's coffee market

People's Daily Online) 14:00, June 21, 2023

As China's coffee market has become increasingly competitive in recent years, many coffee brands have come up with new and creative coffee to appeal to customers.

The coffee creations always combine a wide range of elements. In a coffee culture festival held in Shanghais Changning district not long ago, blended coffee has caught the eye of many coffee drinkers. One example is coffee featuring lychee and rose, whose color gradually turns pink from lilac as a result of sedimentation. A concoction made with wine also appeared at the festival.

Chinese herbs are used to make coffee on the table at a store of Zhima Health, the sub-brand of Chinese pharmaceutical company Tong Ren Tang. (Photo/vip.people.com.cn)

Some coffee shops also draw inspiration from the traditional Chinese cuisine of different parts of the country. Some in Yuncheng city, north China's Shanxi Province, have brought Americano and vinegar, a local specialty together, giving the beverage a sour taste. In Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, some coffee stores have integrated Nanjing salted duck, a mouthwatering local dish, with coffee.

China's coffee market has likewise witnessed a crossover coffee shop model. Tong Ren Tang, a well-established traditional Chinese pharmaceutical company with a long-standing reputation, launched its own brand of coffee. Zhima Health, its sub-brand, launched some coffee products such as latte with goji berries, and Americano with Siraitia grosvenorii.

Quite a few coffee shop owners are open to innovation. One in Shanghai believes that inventive coffee shows how popular the coffee culture is in Shanghai. "Shanghai is home to an enormous number of coffee shops, allowing customers to enjoy it at different prices. This is why diverse coffee creations are seen here," the owner said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Brute-force credential guessing attacks against database servers are ramping up with MSSQL being at the top of the target list. Thats because attackers can leverage the many extensibility features that Microsofts database server provides to integrate with other Windows components and features to elevate their privileges and gain full control of the underlying servers.

Last week, researchers from security firm Trustwave released data collected over four months from their global honeypot project, a network of sensors distributed around the world to mimic vulnerable systems and record information about attacks. In this exercise, the honeypots were configured to act as popular database management systems (DBMS) running on their default ports: MS SQL Server (MSSQL), MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Oracle DB, IBM DB2, Cassandra and Couchbase.

It quickly became clear that the activity of MSSQL has been much higher than other databases, the researchers said. The disproportion is so large (>93%) that comparing it to the other DBMSs was sometimes difficult.

The researchers found that attacks happen in waves and have peaks, but the intensity of MSSQL brute-force attacks dwarfed those against any other database. For example, the second-most targeted database servers, MySQL and Redis, registered attack peaks of around 150,000 login attempts. By comparison, attacks against MSSQL honeypot sensors had peaks of over 3 million login attempts.

Another interesting finding is that even though Trustwave had MSSQL sensors deployed in different countries, attackers clearly displayed regional preferences in their attacks. For example, the sensors located in the UK were the most targeted ones with a bit higher number of attacks registered than those in China, even though China has a much higher number of MSSQL servers exposed to the internet. The US was in sixth place after countries like Ukraine, Russia, and Poland.

According to Shodan, more than 450,000 MSSQL instances are available on the internet with more than 133,000 instances located in China. One would expect China to top of the list for the number of attacks.
Today he seems as comfortable on TikTok as with delivering impassioned speeches to the nation - an assured presence on any platform at home or abroad.

Even the public estrangement from his brother Prince Harry has left the Prince of Wales unruffled, outwardly at least.

And as a doting father to George, nine, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five, William's evolution from party prince to future king is now surely complete, with his once famous nights on the town increasingly rare.

William is now central to the running of the Royal Family and a key figure in all the big decisions from the departure of his brother to America to plotting the way ahead for the monarchy itself.

Once known as a Party Prince, William took full advantage of his student years at St Andrews University and his periods of leave from the army. In his twenties, he was often seen living it up in London London's glitziest nightclubs, including Mahiki (left) and Boujis, now closed, in 2007

Royal statesman and loving father: now in his fifth decade, The Prince of Wales has put his party-loving days firmly behind him. Pictured: with Charlotte, Louis and George and Kate from their 2022 Christmas card

Wind back the decades though to the Prince's teenage years and William cut a very different character, with the young royal regularly photographed enjoying London's high society nightclubs including Mahiki and the now-closed Boujis in South Kensington.

He is a less-troubled character, too. Today, the passionate young man who would angrily berate his father in private does his best to present a calm, humorous face to the world, cracking jokes with members of the public - and making surprise appearances on TikTok.

At Eton, William was promoted to prefect and cut a dashing figure in the school's uniform of a black tailcoat and waistcoat with a starched white collar.

But it was there, at the country's most exclusive boarding school, that William's penchant for partying first emerged. By the time he'd enrolled at St Andrew's University to study geography, the prince was regularly 'papped' enjoying student life.

Famously, Prince William met Kate Middleton while both were in the same year at the university.

The couple became friends in their first year before romance blossomed after William saw 'hot' Kate strut down a charity fashion show catwalk in a sheer dress. They graduated in 2005 and William proposed five years later.

Their romance wasn't without one serious wobble though.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton leaving Boujis nightclub in 2007

Prince William pictured at Eton in 2000, after growing up in public, the Prince now appears to be more confident in his role as future king

Today, the couple are happy parents to three young children and, in this picture to mark their graduation from St Andrews, Kate and William seem very much in love. But there was time when William found it hard to make a commitment and their relationship faltered before the engagement the nation had been hoping for was eventually announced

In the spring of 2007, the second in line to the throne's life in the Army appeared to see him struggling to commit himself to Kate. He enjoyed nights out with his fellow soldiers and reportedly partied with other women at his barracks.

A blonde student who enjoyed a night out with the Prince and his friends while he was training to be an armoured troop commander in Camp Bovington in Dorset described the then 24-year-old royal as the 'perfect gentleman'; William was also pictured with his arm around an 18-year-old Brazilian student.

The pair announced their dramatic split in 2007. At the time, a 'close friend' of the Prince and Miss Middleton told The Sun newspaper: 'As far as Kate is concerned, William simply hasn't been paying her enough attention. Kate feels hugely frustrated that their relationship just seems to be going backwards at a rate of knots.'

Just a few months later, William's fears over committing to Kate appeared to have eased and the couple were reconciled, with the Prince proposing while on holiday in 2010.

Shortly after his graduation, William joined the Army, stating at the time that he didn't want to marry until he was '28 or 30'. Prince William had embraced the social life at St Andrews University. Pictured right, he is seen seen in the final year of his four-year degree looking thoughtful in St Salvator's Quad.

After briefly splitting in 2007, the St Andrews sweethearts were reunited - and William's commitment issues apparently resolved - and the couple announced their engagement in November 2010

Respect: A teenage William pictured with his grandmother; despite his penchant for partying, the Prince has never wavered in his commitment to public life

At the height of his courtship with Kate in 2008, after his return from a secondment with HMS Iron Duke in the Caribbean, William let his hair down at Raffles in Sloane Square - with the couple spilling out of the club at 3:45am.

While fatherhood has clearly seen Prince William embracing responsibility and middle age, the Duke showed he still loves a night out in 2017, when a then 34-year-old William, already Dad to Prince George, was filmed dancing with fellow skiers in the Farinet nightclub in Verbier.

Prince William skipped a major Commonwealth ceremony with the Queen to party with friends in the Swiss Alps where he was seen enjoying a boozy lunch with a glamorous Australian model.

Hours before other royals attended a service at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day, an occasion with deep personal resonance for the monarch, the then 34-year-old future king was drinking and dancing in a club in the upmarket resort of Verbier.

In a series of video clips that emerged, he was seen putting his hands on the waist of a mystery blonde and gyrating with another glamorous clubgoer. William later commented to the BBC that his dad dancing had 'got me into trouble'.

Loyal to his family as well as the Crown, a 21-year-old Prince William inspects dairy cattle with his father at Home Farm, part of the Duchy of Cornwall, in Gloucestershire

Doting Dad: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge leaving the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, with their newborn son, Prince George of Cambridge in 2013

As heir to the throne, William is well aware of the burden he carries. With the grief and tension clear upon their faces, the Prince and Princess of Wales watch Queen Elizabeth's Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall

Yet as Prince William, now 41, enters his fifth decade, he is every inch the future king. William has played a major part in family discussions for some time now, including the negotiations over the futures of his younger brother, Harry, and his troubled uncle Prince Andrew.

He is on hand to support his workaholic father, the King, and is expected help lead the way as the Royal Family embarks on a world-wide charm offensive following Charles's Coronation.

Meanwhile, the Cambridge family unit has never appeared more united. The Prince and Princess of Wales frequently carry out public duties together - including for the mental heath charities they support - and regularly share glimpses into their family life.

Today, William looks assured in every situation, whether laughing with teenagers or appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony - seen here with his family during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee

Heirs: Prince Charles and Prince William have maintained a close relationship - after revelations from Prince Harry have seen the once-close brothers estranged

William is taking on an ever greater role within the Royal Family. The heir to the throne played a prominent part in the state funeral for his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II - and in the discussions beforehand

One picture stands out. Taken during a family holiday to Jordan, it shows William sitting between Prince George and Princess Charlotte with his youngest, Prince Louis perched on his shoulders. He beams contentedly as his children roar with laughter.

George, Charlotte and Louis each played a role in the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year, with Louis stealing the show with his animated reactions on the Buckingham Palace balcony to an RAF fly-past, and in the stands at the Party at the Palace concert.

Friends have spoken about the importance of William's family to him. One told the Daily Mail: He just loves being a dad and having a settled family around him.

'Having children always puts things into perspective... Whatever happens at work, he has to go home and be a normal person for the sake of his kids, which has made him more at peace with the reality of his other life.
Canada's first ever bodybuilder with Down Syndrome - who was born with several holes in his heart - has inspired other people with disabilities to start their training journey.

Kyle Landi, 23, is a bodybuilder, aspiring model and actor, from Milton, Ontario, Canada, who struggled with his self confidence growing up.

He had a complete switch in mentality after picking up weights aged just six years old, and at 12 he joined his first gym and has never looked back.

Kyle's father, Joseph Dominie, a police officer, from Nova Scotia, has supported his son on every step of his amazing journey.

Joseph said that Kyle has inspired others with disabilities to train, adding that they receive 'thousands' of messages on social media.

Kyle Landi, 23, is a bodybuilder, aspiring model and actor, from Milton, Ontario, Canada. He had a switch in mentality after picking up weights at a young age

Fast forward to the present day, and he is setting his sights on competing in 2024 and also obtaining his first black belt in Karate.

He said: 'Kyle began training with his mum in our basement at the age of six - maybe seven.

'At the age of 12, my wife Kimberly and I got him his first gym membership, and we have been training together ever since.

'Training has improved Kyle's self-confidence, vitality, quality of life, and it's improved his communication skills.

'Prior to bodybuilding, Kyle walked with a slouch with his head down.

'Today, he carries himself differently. He is humble but very confident in himself, and his mindset is that of a champion.

'Today, he walks chest up, shoulders back and with a chin high. This would not be possible without bodybuilding.

'Kyle's plan for the future is to compete in 2024 and obtain his black belt in karate. He is pursuing a career in modelling and acting.'

At just six years old, he began training, and at 12 he joined his first gym and has never looked back (pictured now)

Kyle is setting his sights on competing in 2024 and also obtaining his first black belt in Karate. Pictured: Kyle with world-record-holding powerlifter, Larry Wheels

Kyle was born prematurely with several holes in his heart. His father, Joseph, said that he had a 'bleak chance' of survival

Joseph said: 'On social media, we received literally hundreds - if not thousands - of messages informing us that because of Kyle, the senders started to train.

'Because of Kyle, people in their lives with disabilities are training and want to be like him too.

Kyle was born prematurely with several holes in his heart. His father said that he had a 'bleak chance' of survival.

But Kyle 'held on' for nine months until he was able to have surgery to repair the holes in his heart.

Joseph added: 'Kyle's work ethic inspires everyone around him to work harder. His personality inspires anyone who meets him to be a better version of themselves.

Joseph said that Kyle has recieved 'thousands' of messages online about how he has inspired other people with disabilities to start their training journey. Pictured: Kyle with American bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman

One of Kyle's achievements includes saving another student's life at school. They were having a seizure and Kyle went to get help and told teachers to call 911

Kyle used to walk around 'with a slouch and his head down' but he has found confidence since he started training

Kyle is currently a red belt in karate - but hopes to become a black belt - and recently became Canada's first and only Down's syndrome body builder

'He is a positive role model who leads by example, holding himself to a high standard of performance in and out of the gym.

'Kyle has many achievements - such as saving student's life who was having a seizure in school.

'The student was disabled, and they were the only two present. Kyle ran to get help and told the teachers to call 911.

'Kyle is a red belt black stripe in karate and recently became Canada's first and only Down's syndrome bodybuilder.'
Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer donned trendy blazers as they attended designer Veronica Beard's summer party at The Serpentine last night.

The two sisters - who are nieces of the late Princess Diana - struck poses as they flaunted their chic ensembles at the event in London yesterday.

Lady Amelia, 30, opted for a green ensemble, wearing a pair of smart green trousers with a matching checked blazer.

Meanwhile her twin Lady Eliza, who earlier this year married her childhood sweetheart Greg Mallett, opted for a peach pink blazer and a pair of black jeans.

The sisters opted for similar neutral makeup, wearing their hair loose in waves across their shoulders.

Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer, both 30, donned trendy blazers as they attended designer Veronica Beard's summer party at The Serpentine last night

Meanwhile her twin Lady Eliza, who earlier this year married her childhood sweetheart Greg Mallett, opted for a peach pink blazer and a pair of black jeans

Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia grew up between Constantia, South Africa, and their family's seat, Althorp.

But since moving to London full time in 2021, Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia finally began stepping out of their eldest sibling Kitty's shadow.

The twins quickly started appearing in society magazines like Tatler and Hello.

Amelia and Eliza, who are both signed to Storm Model Management, are looking forward to fulfilling long-held ambitions; Amelia hopes to become a wedding planner and Eliza dreams of being an interior designer.

And this summer is no different - with the twins attending a number of high profile fashion and society events in the past few months.

The Spencer sisters looked stunning in summery dresses at the preview of the Chelsea Flower Show last month.

While Lady Amelia, 30, chose a floaty, floral number from Sydney fashion brand Zimmermann, her twin opted for a slim-fit, turtleneck polka dot dress that was reminiscent of one worn by the sisters' late aunt, Princess Diana, in the 1980s.

Lady Eliza's long-sleeved pink dress was made by Italian-born, London-based designer Alessandra Rich, who is famous for feminine fashion with a twist.

Sharing a strong likeness with the dress Princess Diana wore to visit Freemantle Women's Hospital in Australia on April 7 1983, Lady Eliza's dress fell just below the knee and had a cinched waist.

The sisters opted for similar neutral makeup, wearing their hair loose in waves across their shoulders (pictured left and right)

Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia grew up between Constantia, South Africa, and their family's seat, Althorp (pictured)

Lady Amelia opted for a green ensemble, wearing a pair of smart green trousers with a matching checked blazer

Just a few weeks on from her South African wedding, Lady Amelia looked equally fashionable with a bold red clutch bag and matching heels.

Amelia and her husband Greg Mallett first met through mutual friends in Cape Town 13 years ago. In July 2020, Lady Amelia Spencer got engaged to long-term boyfriend Greg following a romantic proposal in South Africa.

The society beauty, who is the cousin of Princes William and Harry, met her real estate beau while they were both studying at the University of Cape Town.

The couple were together for 11 years before Greg, 32, popped the question at the exclusive Clouds Wine & Guest Estate in Stellenbosch.

Announcing their engagement on Instagram, Greg wrote: 'So this was the best day of my life. 22nd of July 2020, I asked the love of my life to spend the rest of her life with me and she said YES.

'Couldn't be happier and I love you with all my heart @ameliaspencer15.'

In 2021, the couple relocated from South Africa to London shortly after Amelia's big sister Kitty's lavish wedding in Rome - with celebrations being spread over four days.

The couple tied-the-knot at exclusive venue at Quoin Rock Manor House on a mountaintop in the winelands of South Africas Western Cape on March 21.

The bride wore a custom Versace dress which took over two-and-a-half months to craft.

Speaking to Hello following their ceremony, Greg said: 'My love for Amelia has been reborn. Every day I fall more in love with this beautiful human by my side.'
Ascot revellers looked a little worse for wear as the first day of the racing festival wrapped up last night - while for some, the party was just getting started.

Racegoers dressed in all their finery were spotted stocking up on evening snacks, taking some time out with a cigarette and having a little lie-down on the pavement.

However for some, the party looked set to go on all night as they were spotted carrying drinks as the sun set on the Berkshire racecourse.

Some well-dressed ladies among the stylish guests were spotted taking a stoop on the kerb to change out of their heels and into their flat shoes before making the journey back home.

And for one reveller, the walk back home was a little too much to bear - so her strapping pal instead hurled her over his shoulders.

A long day comes to an end: This young woman, who perhaps couldn't face the journey home barefoot was carried out of the racecourse on Day One of Royal Ascot

The exhausted revellers made their way home after a thrilling first day of Royal Ascot 2023, where racegoers put their best feet forward in stunning outfits to enjoy the day.

And the festival was given the royal touch as members of the royal family arrived and took part in a procession in King Charles's first as Monarch.

Royal family members spotted at the Berkshire racecourse included racing-mad Princess Anne and Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and King Charles and Queen Camilla.

As part of this year's festival, organisers paid tribute to Ascot's 'biggest fan', Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September.

After developing a love and passion for horse racing throughout her 70-year reign, the late monarch only missed one Royal Ascot event in seven decades, which was last year.

This young woman, who had taken off her heels at the end of the day, appeared to be somewhat overwhelmed by the day's festivities

Stocking up! This gentleman, who had added a fetching fascinator to his outfit at some point during the day, thought ahead on his way home and picked up some crisps for the journey

This young reveller, sporting a stylish white ruffled fascinator, took a final sip from a bottle of what appeared to be tonic water

Just a little pit-stop... this reveller laid down on the pavement and took off her headband while she enjoyed a cigarette

Home-time! These stylish revellers still looked glamorous as they exited the racecourse on their way home, although the boys' ties had come loose

This woman took a rest on the kerb as she sat in her zebra-print flat shoes, while her discarded heels were beside her

This woman, who sported a chic pink midi dress with a frilled hem and jazzy mule heels, appeared exhausted as she left the course

A sweet moment was captured as two revellers put their arms around each other and headed home

Another round please! This racegoer gestured towards her empty glass, perhaps suggesting she'd like another, as the sun set on day one of the races

Drink up! This reveller finished her mini bottle of prosecco as the fun and festivities of day one came to a close

This year, Royal Ascot has paid tribute via renaming a race in the late Queen's honour. The Platinum Jubilee Stakes, a six-furlong sprint which is staged on the Saturday of Ascot's five day meeting, will from now on be known as the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Queen Elizabeth II had 24 winners in total, having been a keen racehorse owner, with her final triumph coming by way of Tactical in the Windsor Castle Stakes three years ago.

Choir Boy raced home as her first ever winner during the 1953 Royal Hunt Cup, which occurred during the same week of Her Late Majesty's coronation at Westminster Abbey.
Viewers have been left in tears over the finale of Best Interests, calling it the 'most moving show of the year'.

The harrowing drama tells the tale of parents - played by Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen - feuding over the right to keep their disabled daughter alive.

The final episode, which aired last night, follows parents Andrew and Nicci as they battle doctors in court over the fate of their disabled daughter Marnie (played by Niamh Moriarty).

The ending saw the court side with the hospital and take Marnie of life support, leaving her parents - and many viewers - in tears.

Many also praised Horgan and Sheen, who gave 'powerful' and 'heart wrenching' performances as grieving parents, with many saying the two are likely to get a BAFTA nod.

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Viewers have been left in tears over the finale of Best Interests, calling it the 'most moving show of the year. Sharon Horgan and Alison Oliver are pictured

The harrowing drama tells the tale of parents - played by Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen (pictured) - feuding over the right to keep their disabled daughter alive

'One of the best dramas I've seen for awhile. Brilliant performances from all the cast. Michael Sheen, just amazing. I can see a BAFTA!' said one.

'Sharon Horgan is so going to win every award going for Best Interests, right?' added another.

The four-part series opens with Marnie - who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a baby - suffering a severe cardiac arrest.

As a result of this, the 13-year-old is left brain damaged and completely reliant on a ventilator for her survival.

After Marnie's doctor Samantha (played by Noma Dumezweni) suggests taking the teenager off life support, Nicci tries desperately to fight the hospital's stance.

The series follows Andrew and Nicci (played by Sharon Horgan) as they go to court to decide their disabled daughter's fate

Left: Andrew played by Michael Sheen. Right: Katie played by Alison Oliver in the latest episode of Best Interests

Meanwhile, Andrew finds himself siding with the medical team's opinion and refuses to stand with his wife in court - leaving their daughter Katie caught in the middle.

In the heartbreaking finale, the court found against keeping Marnie alive on life support, as Nicci sobs while the verdict is read out.

The family are then seen saying goodbye to their daughter, who is taken of life support, before leaving together.

'I don't know where we're going, but we're going together,' Nicci says.

The ending saw the court side with the hospital and take Marnie of life support, leaving her parents - and many viewers - in tears

The episode ends with the couple in the car reconciling, and saying they're going to miss their daughter - before saying they 'made her happy'.

Their eldest daughter 'glass child' Katie (Alison Oliver) then suggests they go out for Italian food, before a flash back to the family eating a picnic on a hill.

In the scene, Katie is a toddler while Marnie is a baby, the family laugh and joke showing the happier times.

Many viewers were particularly moved by Sheen's performance, who said: 'I feel obliged, out of love' to let her daughter go, while other praise Horgan for her moving speech telling the court: 'I can't tell you how many times as a mother of a disabled child you're told to give up'.

Katie (played by Alison Roman) with younger sister Marnie (played by Niamh Moriarty, who has a form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia)

Noma Dumezweni (pictured) plays Marnie's doctor, who advises Nicci and Andrew cease treatment

'Thank you BBC for putting this on. I'm now crying so much, but its important for people to try to understand all the difficulties encountered,' one fan wrote.

'Bloody hell I'm crying my eyes out here,' said another.

'What a truly fantastic piece of drama. Thank you BBC for bringing these hideously difficult decisions to life. Best thing I've watched for ages,' commented a third.

Praising the series overall, another fan tweeted: 'Despite the very sad subject matter, it remains heartwarming, profoundly nuanced and true to itself while going into even more emotional depth with every single episode.'

Many also praised Horgan and Sheen, who gave 'powerful' and 'heart wrenching' performances as grieving parents, with many saying the two are likely to get a BAFTA nod

Elsewhere in the series, flashbacks show Nicci and Andrew learning their daughter has muscular dystrophy, and learning more about what it means for her future.

Breaking the news that their daughter had the incurable condition, the doctor tells them that a 'further deterioration seems likely, while she's unlikely to be able to walk unaided and will see further deterioration to key organs.

'I think you should prepare yourself than Marnie's life will not be a full one.'

He continued: 'There are many beautiful stories in this life. Marnie's life is going to be different. You will find such joy if you adapt to that difference.'

Nicci wants every possible intervention for her daughter, including experimental treatments discovered on the internet.

Muscular dystrophy The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of inherited genetic conditions that gradually cause the muscles to weaken, leading to an increasing level of disability. MD is a progressive condition, which means it gets worse over time. It often begins by affecting a particular group of muscles, before affecting the muscles more widely. Some types of MD eventually affect the heart or the muscles used for breathing, at which point the condition becomes life-threatening. There's no cure for MD, but treatment can help to manage many of the symptoms. Advertisement

The mother-of-two tells doctors: 'She still laughs, she still loves.'

However the medical team claim ongoing intervention isn't in Marnie's 'best interests', saying she is 'decreasing rapidly', though there's a suspicion it's really a question of money.

The series was written by Jack Thorne - who wrote the script for His Dark Materials.

Previously speaking of the project, Michael said: 'Jack Thorne is such an extraordinary writer and he has approached this incredibly important and urgent subject with humanity, honesty and humour.'

Niamh, who has a form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia, previously said of the role of Marnie: 'I didnt think I would ever get the opportunity to prove myself and my talents' and called on those casting for disabled parts to use disabled actors.

She told the Irish Independent: 'I hope that they [young people] will feel seen, because when I was a child, I never saw myself on a screen and I think if I did, it would have completely brightened my world and I would have felt so represented.'

The teen actor, who was raised in Killiney, County Dublin, said it was hugely important to her to get the character's 'physicalities' right.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands brought all the glamour to the red carpet as she attended a state dinner in Belgium last night.

The Dutch royal, 52, is currently on an official state visit to the country with her husband Willem-Alexander, 56.

Last night, King Phillippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium hosted a state dinner for the visiting royal couple.

As she arrived for the occasion in Brussels, Maxima looked sensational in a one-shouldered pleated gold gown.

The sophisticated dress had a short train and was cinched in at the waist with a glistening belt.

Pictured: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (right) on the red carpet with Queen Mathilde of Belgium this evening

Off-setting the tone of her gown, Maxima wore a chunky diamond necklace with a large amber pendant.

The royal styled her blonde hair in loose waves and opted for her signature brown smokey eye.

Braving the 24 degree heat this evening, Maxima carried a small white fan and finished off her outfit with a square gold clutch bag.

Meanwhile, Queen Mathilde, 50, opted for a glistening silver floor-length gown with floral appliques.

The European royal swept her hair into a chic up-do and wore a pretty floral diamond necklace.

What's more, both King Phillipe and King Willem-Alexander looked dapper in black tuxedos for the occasion.

It comes as both Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were twinning in floral dresses as they attended the Climate Tech Forum earlier today.

Both queens looked typically glamorous as they stopped to chat at the cafe in the Serre d'hiver.

The European Queens pose with their husbands Phillipe and Willem-Alexander, who were dressed in tuxedos

The European Queens pictured waving at crowds as they arrived for the state dinner in Brussels this evening

As she arrived for the occasion in Brussels, Maxima looked sensational in a one-shouldered pleated gold gown

The royal styled her blonde hair in loose waves and opted for her signature brown smokey eye

The sophisticated dress had a short train and was cinched in at the waist with a glistening belt

Maxima completed her ensemble with a gold clutch bag and a lavish diamond necklace and matching earrings

Last night, King Phillippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium hosted a state dinner for the visiting royal couple

Queen Mathilde looked chic in a green floral ensemble which she paired with a dusty pink hat.

She completed her ensemble with matching pink heels, gloves and a leather clutch bag.

Maxima's stylish gown featured a colourful pattern and was paired with a sophisticated matching hat.

The royal completed her look with beige heels and added a bit more glamour with gold earrings.

The Queens were joined by their husbands Dutch King Willem-Alexander and King Philippe of Belgium for the tech forum.

It comes after the royals attended a gala dinner in Brussels yesterday evening.

Braving the 24 degree heat, Maxima carried a small white fan and finished off her outfit with a square gold clutch bag

Maxima paired her gold Grecian-style frock with an amber diamond pendant necklace last night

Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde attend a concert offered by the Netherlands to the Belgian King and Queen at Flagey

Queen Mathilde looked sophisticated in a chic white floor length gown which she paired with a silver clutch bag

King Willem-Alexander of The Netherland also looked smart in a black suit and a white shirt

Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde appeared in great spirits as they walked the red carpet

The royal pair posed up a storm on the red carpet as they attended a concert in Brussels

The royal looked incredible as she stepped out in her showstopping gold gown and flawless makeup

Maxima's dewy makeup looked enhanced her flawless complexion and featured a pink lip

King Phillippe warmly greeted Maxima as she arrived on the red carpet ahead of the concert

Queen Maxima with Queen Mathilde during the contra performance at Culture House Flagey

Queen Maxima waved at the crowds of fans who showed up at the venue to greet the royal

Queen Mathilde, King Philippe of Belgium, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Queen Maxima attend a concert

Queen Maxima made sure she chatted to guests while at the event hosted by the Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (left) and Queen Mathilde of Belgium (pictured right) looked elegant at the Climate Tech Forum in Belgium

The Queens looked typically glamorous as they stopped to chat at the cafe in the Serre d'hiver (pictured)

The Dutch royal, 52, was joined by Queen Mathilde of Belgium at Tour & Taxis, on the second day of her official state visit

Queen Mathilde of Belgium during a drawing workshop and the unveiling of a comic book wall at Institut Saint-Andre

Roses for the Queen! Maxima was all smiles as she greeted royal fans in Belgium this afternoon

The Queen wore a stunning white floral dress and a matching hat for the walkabout in Belgium

Queen Mathilde of Belgium stunned in a green floral dress with a pink headband

Hosted by the Belgian royals at their official residence, the Castle of Laeken, the gala dinner took place on the first night of Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander's three-day state visit to Brussels.

Looking effortlessly elegant, Queen Maxima sported a dusty pink gown, which featured a beaded bodice and a full, ruffled skirt.

With her hair brushed back, the Dutch Queen wore the Stuart Tiara dating back to 1897 for the momentous occasion.

Queen Maxima previously wore the elaborate tiara for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in October 2018.

The finishing touches of an ornate diamond necklace and matching diamond drop earrings made Queen Maxima dazzle.

Meanwhile, her host, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, looked equally elegant in an embellished pale blue strapless gown.

Queen Mathilde looked chic in a green floral ensemble which she paired with a dusty pink hat (pictured left and right)

The Queens were joined by their husbands Dutch King Willem-Alexander and King Philippe of Belgium for the tech forum

The 50-year-old mother-of-three wore a long lace shawl draped over her shoulders and carried a small clutch bag.

Also wearing a tiara, a diamond necklace and diamond earrings, Queen Mathilde's jewellery was just as spectacular as Queen Maxima's,

The two Heads of State, King Phillipe and King Willem-Alexander, both of whom were due to deliver speeches, looked smart in white tie and tails.

Later today, the King and Queen of the Netherlands will travel to Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Waterloo and Charleroi, before heading to Leuven and finishing in Antwerp.

The state visit aims to reaffirm the excellent ties between the two neighbouring countries, which have strong historical, social and economic links.

Along the tour, the two royal couples will visit many different centres, museums and companies that are working towards a sustainable future in which energy is green and affordable.
READ MORE: Royal Ascot revellers don their finery for the second day of the racing festival

Queen Camilla was a vision in pink as she attended the second day of the Royal Ascot this afternoon.

The royal, 75, looked effortlessly elegant in a V-necked pastel piece of outerwear, which she first wore to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018.

The sophisticated garment is by British designer Anna Valentine and features fringing on the front and lapel.

Recreating the outfit she wore to her stepson's Windsor nuptials, Camilla paired her summery coat dress with a five-stranded pearl necklace with a large pink topaz in the middle.

The antique item was originally an Edwardian-era brooch and is said to have been purchased at auction by the Royals in 2000.

Pictured: King Charles and Queen Camilla seen arriving in a horse-drawn carriage for the second day of Royal Ascot

Camilla then paired this necklace with a matching set of dangly earrings with pink topaz jewels.

However, the newly-crowned Queen did slightly alter the outfit she first debuted in May 2018 by changing up her hat for today's event.

The royal opted for camel-toned headpiece by her favourite designer Philip Treacy, which designed her wedding headpiece in 2005 and the feathered style she to Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding.

Camila was also pictured wearing a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet in blue.

The stylish royal completed her ensemble with a nude clutch bag and taupe suede heels.

The King and Queen arrived at Royal Ascot today in a horse-drawn carriage with the Earl and Countess of Halifax.

The Countess of Halifax was formerly married to Andrew Parker Bowles' brother Richard, which makes her Camilla's ex-sister-in-law.

The two couples were seen happily talking amongst themselves as they arrived at the event and waved to the crowds.

The sophisticated garment is by British designer Anna Valentine and features fringing on the front and lapel

Pictured: Queen Camilla first debuted this outfit at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor in May 2018

The royal altered her outfit from Harry and Meghan's wedding day by debuting a new hat by Philip Treacy

What's more, the outfit Camilla wore to Ascot yesterday also had a connection to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle too.

The Royal raised eyebrows after wearing a Dior dress to Royal Ascot, amid speculation Meghan Markle was turned down from collaborating with the brand.

Camilla opted for a soft cream coat and dress, with a matching broad-brimmed hat, from the French designer which she paired with her late mother-in-law's brooch.

The choice of fashion house is surprising after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were rumoured to be signing 15million a deal to become ambassadors for the brand - only for sources close to both Harry and Meghan and Dior to deny it.

A source told the Telegraph: 'The Duchess of Sussex is not in talks to sign a deal with Dior.

'There is no truth to the claims that she will partner with the French fashion house.'

Pictured: The stylish royal completed her ensemble with a nude clutch bag and taupe suede heels

Pictured: King Charles and Queen Camilla seen arriving at the second day of Royal Ascot in a horse-drawn carriage

A Dior insider said its team was 'nonplussed as to how the story came about'.

The denial came after a resurfaced clip from a low-budget crime drama featuring the Duchess showed her working her angles in a photoshoot for a perfume ad.

Royal experts have previously claimed the Duchess of Sussex was 'unresponsive' to Queen Consort Camilla's advice to her when she first joined The Firm.

A biography of the Queen Consort, written by Angela Levin, claims the then-Duchess of Cornwall organised lunches with Meghan and did her best to welcome her into the family - but her advice fell flat with an 'unresponsive' Meghan.

An extract of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: A Royal Survivor, which was published in the Telegraph, Levin claims Camilla was keen to help Meghan at the beginning of her relationship with Harry after herself struggling to be accepted by the Royal Family, and 'warmly' welcomed her when she first arrived in London.

The Duchess off Edinburgh stunned in an all-white outfit as she arrived in the Royal Procession on the second day of Royal Ascot 2023

Mother-of-two Sophie, 58, beamed as she sported a white shirt dress with bow detailing and buttons down the front

The Duchess of Edinburgh stunned in white as she took part in the royal procession at Royal Ascot for the second day of festivities.

As the Duchess arrived alongside her husband Prince Edward, 59, she beamed as they strolled through the course.

As the picture-perfect couple arrived, they joined other royals including Zara and Mike Tindall.

Zara's attendance on the second day of the festival followed her show-stopping appearance on Tuesday, where she donned a 660 Cecilia pale green floral midi dress by Leo Lin for the occasion.

She matched the elegant outfit with a nude clutch bag and nude Sauvereign shoes adorned with gold gems and her initials on the bottom.

As the festivities continues for its second day in the baking summer sunshine, partying racegoers will no doubt be ready for another day of celebrations.

Keen racegoers brought glamour to Berkshire once more this morning as they arrived at the second day of Royal Ascot 2023.

Queen Camilla has raised eyebrows after wearing a Dior dress to Royal Ascot, amid speculation Meghan Markle was turned down from collaborating with the brand

Meghan is seen in head to toe Dior at the service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral in June 2022

Stylish ladies were spotted walking into the racecourse ahead of another day of nail-biting races and plenty of partying.

The glamorous and colourful scenes at the beginning of day two come after hilarious antics captured last night as the opening day of the festival came to a close.

Among the scenes of revellers who were heading home after a day of partying were savvy women who had ditched their high heels in favour of sensible flat shoes to travel home in, as well as a gentleman who had picked up some snacks to tide him over for the evening.

In this year's pamphlet, the newly-crowned King and Queen took the opportunity to write a special message to guests.

They wrote: 'We are delighted to welcome you to Royal Ascot in this, the year of our Coronation.

'Five days oh highly competitive racing will again be watched and enjoyed by millions, both here and abroad.

'We are happy in the knowledge that this historic race meeting continues to be a key influence on the global racing and breeding industries.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were among the royals at the Berkshire racecourse this afternoon

The Prince and Princess walked arm-in-arm, with Prince Michael donning a three-piece suit and the Princess in a lilac two-piece

'The Royal Meeting always played a central role in Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth's calendar and the naming of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes will be a most appropriate way to mark this lifelong interest.

'A photographic exhibition in the Grandstand will also celebrate The late Queen's close association with Royal Ascot, including images of some of her twenty four winners.

'We are sure his exhibition will prompt many happy memories.

'As improving sustainability is crucial to all events and businesses, we were pleased to hear that the Village Enclosure at Ascot will be net carbon zero this year and that the racecourse is making renewed efforts to minimalise waste.

'Finally, we wish the very best of good fortune to all the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and hardworking stable staff with runners this week.

'It is a huge and rare achievement to have a runner at Royal Ascot and we very much hope that you all enjoy the experience.'

This year, organisers of the race have paid tribute to Royal Ascot's 'biggest fan', Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September.

During her 70-year reign, Her late Majesty attended almost every single Royal Ascot festival, with the exception of last year.

This year, organisers have displayed a heartwarming collection of photos of the Queen visiting Ascot over the years.

They include a black-and-white photo of the royal riding on the tracks in 1960 when she was 34-years-old.

The mother-of-four was pictured with a headscarf and riding boots on on as hwe horse galloped along the track.

The Queen was taking part in an unofficial race with others members of her royal party and ended up finishing fourth.

What's more, the organisers also selecting a photograph of the Queen beaming at Ladies Day in 2013.

The event turned out to be one of the Queen's most successful Ascots as her horse Estimate won the Gold Cup - making her the first monarch in 200 years to scoop the prize.

The late royal was pictured beaming at her trophy, which was presented to her by her son Prince Andrew.

The Queen was dressed in one of her signature coat dresses in a pretty shade of purple.

Underneath her jacket, the monarch wore a pretty floral dress - which perfectly complimented the flowers on her hat.

In the image, the Queen is seen wearing a three-strand pearl necklace - which she also wore to her final ever Ascot in June 2021.
Celebrities are constantly keeping a step ahead of the masses when it comes to the fashion stakes and it appears a new trend is slowly building in popularity.

Recently red carpets - and stars' Instagram feeds - have been filling up with mind-bending outfits that have a bit more edge: the element of an optical illusion.

Just this week, Harry Potter star Emma Watson baffled fans with a gravity-defying Loewe mini-dress that she wore during a photoshoot for brother Alex's gin brand Renais.

And earlier this month, Jennifer Lawrence walked the Madrid premiere for her new movie, No Hard Feelings, in another Loewe outfit, but this time it was constructed to look like it was two-dimensional when photographed from the front.

Emma Watson left fans bamboozled with her 'gravity-defying' dress after posting snaps of herself posing with brother Alex to Instagram for his new gin brand, Renais. She was wearing a stunning strapless baby blue draped minidress boasting asymmetric wiring, from Loewe's spring 2023 collection. But the superstar's followers were immediately confused over the garment's structure. One fan asked: 'What in the wingardium leviosa is that dress?' while another added: 'The dress looks like it's floating. I'm trying to understand'

But they're not the first A-listers to try on the trend for size.

Back in May, Elsa Hosk stunned Cannes with her double-bodice look from Viktor & Rolf.

On the other hand, a number of other celebrities - such as Ashley Graham, Kourtney Kardashian and Gigi Hadid - have been trying out the 'naked' look.

Their takes on the trend have made people do double-takes as they gave the illusion of being nude with some clever prints.

Meanwhile Heidi Klum made a splash with a sheer silver gown that was designed to look like flowing water. Fittingly she was at the premiere of Avatar: The Way Of Water.

And UK stars Emma Corrin and Ikram Abdi Omar took the optical illusion trend to new heights.

Emma wore a dress that mimicked a goldfish in a bag, while Ikram stunned on the Cannes red carpet in a black-and-white gown that could trick the eye.

FEMAIL has laid out the celebrities who have taken on the tricky trend below.

Jennifer Lawrence's 2D-looking dress for red carpet premiere

The Oscar-winning actress stepped out in a Loewe Fall 2023 dress that was made to look 2D from the front for the Madrid premiere of her new movie, No Hard Feelings, earlier this month. Jennifer, 32, paired the cream number with a pair of black open-toed pumps

When the actress turned to the side you got to see more of how the illusion was created as the bust appears to be constructed to sit straight-up, instead of flush on the body to create the 2D effect

Ashley Graham flaunts her curves in eye-catching dress

The 35-year-old model showed off her figure in this Syndical Chamber dress that had a body print and a thigh-high split for Vas J Morgan's 2022 British Fashion Awards' afterparty that was hosted by Rita Ora back in December. The mauve number with cutout detailing across her chest gave the illusion that she was naked until you took a closer look

Elsa Hosk has people seeing double at Cannes

The Swedish model, 34, swept the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in May with this Viktor & Rolf gown that featured the unique design. The dress was intentionally made to look like its top blue tulle layer had slipped off to expose an undergarment bodice. It featured in the luxury label's spring/summer 2023 collection. But the look almost didn't come together after Elsa's luggage was lost and it had to be flown from Los Angeles

Olivia Rodrigo's mind-bending Grammys look by Vivienne Westwood

Back in April 2022, Olivia made her first Grammy Awards appearance in a black Vivienne Westwood gown with pink beading outlining the curves of a woman's body. The optical illusion dress was paired with coordinating chokers, and gave the then 19-year-old a distinct 90s look. She also wore opera-length gloves

Bella Thorne's 'naked' dress is not all that it seems

In another entry from the Syndical Chamber label, Bella, now 25, rocked this 'naked' dress back in March 2022. The red body-print dress definitely caught the eye during a Morbius fan screening in LA. When she turned around, it exposed a tramp stamp tattoo printed on the back. Bella paired the number with red patent pumps

Heidi Klum steps out in silver tulle number made to look like flowing water

Known to go the extra mile when it comes to her outfits (see: her Halloween costumes), the 50-year-old supermodel wanted to look the part for the premiere of Avatar: The Way Of Water back in December. She donned this exquisite silver gown made out of a sheer tulle and designed by Lever Couture that gave the illusion of flowing water

Ikram Abdi Omar stuns in black-and-white optical illusion dress and matching hat

In a show-stopping moment, the UK model wore this black-and-white striped gown and matching hat realized by Harris Reed for Nina Ricci at this year's Cannes Film Festival in May. 'Before even stepping out, I felt like I was wearing a masterpiece. I don't think one person walked past me without telling me how beautiful it was. I really felt spectacular,' she told Vogue at the time

She also gushed about Reed's designs, adding what she loved most about his work was 'the drama and theatrics.' She continued: 'I also love how so much of his collection is modest, its the perfect balance'

There's something fishy about Emma Corrin's red carpet look

Emma's red carpet outfit had people doing a double-take with the dress bearing a very striking resemblance to a goldfish in a bag. The October 2022 look, from JW Anderson, was for the London Film Festival premiere of My Policeman, which Emma starred in alongside Harry Styles

Kourtney Kardashian makes heads turn in this 'nude' dress

In January, Kourtney, who just revealed she was expecting her first child with husband Travis Barker, showed off her figure in this Balmain number, with the front of the dress giving the illusion that she's nude. When she turned around, it revealed a more modest design with cherubs featured on the back of the dress on a sky blue background

Gigi Hadid's own 'naked' moment in Balmain bodysuit
READ MORE: Royal Ascot revellers don their finery for the second day of the racing festival

The Princess Royal was back at Royal Ascot to enjoy a second day at the glamorous British race meet this afternoon, spending time with daughter Zara as the racing got underway once more.

Anne, 72, didn't take part in the traditional Royal Parade - led once again by King Charles and Queen Camilla - as she did yesterday, instead making a lower key entrance to the royal enclosure.

Looking elegant in a Tiffany blue A-line pleated dress matched with a white a white jacket and wide-brimmed royal blue hat, Anne appeared to embrace a vintage look for the stylish society event.

Princess Anne looked elegant in Tiffany blue, wearing a vintage style dress and white jacket, with a matching hat as she enjoyed a second day at the races with daughter Zara Tindall

As the races - and the champagne pouring - continued for its second day in the baking summer sunshine, royals aplenty arrived for the second day of action including King Charles and Queen Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Mother-of-two the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, beamed as she sported a brilliant white silk frock with bow detailing and buttons down the front from Suzannah, costing 3,450, as she took part in the carriage parade.

The mother-of-two accessorised with an wide-brimmed hat and wore her hair pinned into a sleek up-do.

She shone in the sunshine as she sported a purple dress while sitting in the royal procession as she arrived at the Berkshire racecourse for another day of fun, following a full-on royal display on day one.

As the Duchess arrived in the Royal Procession next to Lady Sarah Keswick, she waved to race attendees.

Accessories: Princess Anne donned a three-strong string of pearls, drop earrings and a beautiful blue brooch

Eschewing the carriage parade, Princess Anne opted for a lower key entrance, joining daughter Zara in the royal enclosure

Charles and Camilla have attended both days so far. In this year's race pamphlet, the newly-crowned King and Queen took the opportunity to write a special message to guests.

They wrote: 'We are delighted to welcome you to Royal Ascot in this, the year of our Coronation.

'Five days oh highly competitive racing will again be watched and enjoyed by millions, both here and abroad.

'We are happy in the knowledge that this historic race meeting continues to be a key influence on the global racing and breeding industries.

'The Royal Meeting always played a central role in Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth's calendar and the naming of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes will be a most appropriate way to mark this lifelong interest.

'A photographic exhibition in the Grandstand will also celebrate The late Queen's close association with Royal Ascot, including images of some of her twenty four winners.

'We are sure his exhibition will prompt many happy memories.

The Duchess off Edinburgh stunned in an all-white outfit as she arrived in the Royal Procession on the second day of Royal Ascot 2023

'As improving sustainability is crucial to all events and businesses, we were pleased to hear that the Village Enclosure at Ascot will be net carbon zero this year and that the racecourse is making renewed efforts to minimalise waste.

'Finally, we wish the very best of good fortune to all the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and hardworking stable staff with runners this week.

'It is a huge and rare achievement to have a runner at Royal Ascot and we very much hope that you all enjoy the experience.'

This year, organisers of the race have paid tribute to Royal Ascot's 'biggest fan', Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September.

King Charles led the royal arrivals at Ascot today as he arrived alongside Queen Camilla for a second day of festivities

Camilla opted for a pink dress coat for the second day, which appeared to be very similar to the outfit worn to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding

Meanwhile, keen equestrian Zara Tindall and her rugby pro husband Mike were also in the procession, with Zara opting for a navy blue look

During her 70-year reign, Her late Majesty attended almost every single Royal Ascot festival, with the exception of last year.

This year, organisers have displayed a heartwarming collection of photos of the Queen visiting Ascot over the years.

They include a black-and-white photo of the royal riding on the tracks in 1960 when she was 34-years-old.

The mother-of-four was pictured with a headscarf and riding boots on on as hwe horse galloped along the track.

The Queen was taking part in an unofficial race with others members of her royal party and ended up finishing fourth.

What's more, the organisers also selecting a photograph of the Queen beaming at Ladies Day in 2013.

The event turned out to be one of the Queen's most successful Ascots as her horse Estimate won the Gold Cup - making her the first monarch in 200 years to scoop the prize.

The late royal was pictured beaming at her trophy, which was presented to her by her son Prince Andrew.

The Queen was dressed in one of her signature coat dresses in a pretty shade of purple.

Underneath her jacket, the monarch wore a pretty floral dress - which perfectly complimented the flowers on her hat.

In the image, the Queen is seen wearing a three-strand pearl necklace - which she also wore to her final ever Ascot in June 2021.
King Charles has proudly unveiled portraits he commissioned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation as he praises their 'immeasurable' contribution to the UK.

The monarch, 74, said it is his 'sincere hope' that the project will act as a reminder that 'our society is woven from diverse threads, each comprising stories of remarkable courage and sacrifice, determination and strength'.

The exhibition will go on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is His Majesty's official residence in Edinburgh.

The subjects were carefully selected by the specially-appointed Windrush Portraits Committee - which was chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin.

Titled 'Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation', the display honours the men and women who arrived in Britain on the HMT Empire Windrush from the Caribbean 75 years ago in 1948.

King Charles shakes hands with Gilda Oliver during a reception to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Buckingham Palace

Queen Camilla pictured speaking with John Richards at the Buckingham Palace reception last week

In the foreword to a book accompanying the portraits, Charles said: 'History is, thankfully and finally, beginning to accord a rightful place to those men and women of the Windrush generation.

'The 10 portraits in this series, together with the tributes to other members of that indomitable generation, are a small way to honour their remarkable legacy.

'It is, I believe, crucially important that we should truly see and hear these pioneers who stepped off the Empire Windrush at Tilbury in June 1948 - only a few months before I was born.

'And those who followed over the decades, to recognise and celebrate the immeasurable difference that they, their children and their grandchildren have made to this country'.

The portraits will be honoured as part of the official Royal Collection as a powerful reminder of the people of Windrush and their personal resilience and determination.

The ten sitters, who are now into their 80s and 90s, include RAF veterans Delisser Bernard and Alford Gardner, founding member of the Learie Constantine West Indian Association John (Big John) Richards and actress Carmen Munroe OBE, among others.

The portraits, which were done by black artists personally selected by the King, will be displayed for two weeks on 500 billboards and 600 shopping centre screens across the UK.

The newly-crowned monarch pictured with Edna Henry, who is part of the Windrush generation

Pictured: the portrait of Edna Henry during a reception to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush

Pictured: this portrait of Professor sir Godfrey Palmer is included in the exhibition which will be displayed in Edinburgh

The sitters were selected by the Windrush Portraits Committee, appointed by Charles and chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin, along with Paulette Simpson, Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Rudolph Walker.

Last week King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a Buckingham Palace reception where he met the 10 individuals whose faces have been immortalised in paint.

The newly-crowned King and Queen were joined by BBC News anchor Clive Myrie - whose parents were part of the Windrush generation and travelled to the UK in the 60s.

Other high profile guests at the event included veteran journalist Sir Trevor McDonald, former Loose Women panelist June Sarpong and Jamaican-born entrepreneur Levi Roots.

The former troop ship Empire Windrush landed in Britain on June 22, 1948, carrying people from across the Caribbean who had responded to an ad offering tickets for 28 (around 1040 in today's money) to those wanting to work in the UK.

Pictured: King Charles seen speaking with members of the Windrush generation and their family at the reception last week

Pictured: a portrait of Windrush generation member Jessie Stephens, who travelled over to the UK from the Caribbean

Pictured: a portrait of Linda Haye, which was commissioned by King Charles last year when he was still the Prince of Wales

Between 1948 and 1970 more than half a million Windrush migrants from the West Indies left their homes to emigrate to the UK.

Those who came from former and current British colonies had an automatic right to settle in the UK, as the country recognised the reconstruction of the British economy required a large influx of labour from abroad.

Many of the migrants had fought for the UK in the Second World War and soon took up jobs as nurses, cooks, engineers, mechanics and more.

The appeal for new workers was primarily aimed at white Europeans, who had dominated immigration to Britain during the century before the Second World War and still played an important role after 1945.

Working age adults and many children travelled from the Caribbean to join parents or grandparents in the UK or travelled with their parents without their own passports.

Since these people had a legal right to come to the UK, they neither needed nor were given any documents upon entry to the UK, nor following changes in immigration laws in the early 1970s.

Many worked or attended schools in the UK without any official documentary record of their having done so, other than the same records as any UK-born citizen.

The Windrush scandal, brought about in 2012 by the Government's 'hostile environment policy,' saw migrants who arrived from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1973 wrongly deported, detained or stripped of their homes and jobs.

After the fiasco came to light, the Government pledged compensation for anyone who suffered, but there has been criticism that the response has been too slow.
A woman who used to work in Harrods has shared some of the luxury brand's top secrets.

British influencer Maggie Anne, took to TikTok to reveal some 'cool facts' she learned during her two-year stint at the department store in London.

The make-up artist posted a morning routine video, where she explained that Harrods kept secret 'VIP tunnels' reserved for A-list celebs and royalty.

Perhaps the most bizarre of the reveal was that she was instructed to snub celebrities or she would face the 'sack' like the cohorts before her.

The intriguing expose was lapped up by her fans who demanded to know more - while fellow 'Harrods gang' members told their own tales.

British influencer Maggie Anne took to TikTok to reveal some 'cool facts' she learned while working at Harrods

Maggie claims to have worked for Harrods (pictured) for two years and says colleagues were fired for fawning over celebrities

She explained: 'I worked in Harrods for two years and there's some pretty cool things that go down in that place that the general public will have no idea about'.

While applying a number of make-up products to her face, she adds: 'So I thought we could talk about it'.

'So I don't think a lot of people actually know this but in Harrods there is actually a sort of special secret tunnel - like a VIP tunnel.

'I'm pretty sure there's only like five staff members in the whole of Harrods that actually are allowed to know the entrance and the exits to these VIP tunnels.

'Basically these VIP tunnels are used for like A-list celebrities and royalty to enter and exit Harrods without the general public and normal customers knowing that they're even there.

She went on to tell how celebrities were able to sneak in and out of the vicinity, as well as shop in complete privacy.

She said that the super rich enjoyed shopping sprees in 'penthouses' and 'private suite areas' with dedicated personal shoppers.

While a few thought the tale was a work of fiction, others lapped it up and demanded to know more

'Another cool fact is that if you are working in Harrods and you were to see an A-list celebrity or anyone you recognise.

'You are not allowed to let that celebrity know that you have recognised them and you know who they are.

'So there was many a time when I was serving celebrities and I would not be allowed to let them know that I know who they are - even if it's very obvious.

'I've known people to literally get the sack because they've asked for pictures with celebrities and you are not allowed to do that.

'That is a no go. You do not ask a celebrity for a selfie when you're working in Harrods. Absolutely not'.

And although many presume that the mega-rich stroll around with wads of cash, Maggie claims there's a 2,000 limit to the amount you can spend in store.

Among the most bizarre was that she was instructed to snub celebrities or she would face the 'sack' like the cohorts before her

She contends that her memory may be slightly hazy, however she recalls that the strict rule was put in place to help employees weed out 'dodgy' money.

One person replied to the clip asking for 'more stories please'.

One former employee was lucky enough to spot Prince Diana: 'I worked in Harrods in 1995 and saw lady Diana'.

'So true! I served Rupert Grint and I had to act like I had no clue who he was' added one from the 'Harrods gang'.

Someone else said: 'Harrods gang. I was in the head office though! Miss it'.

The viral video has received a staggering 1.1 million views - it's proven to be so popular, the content creator has added another 3 parts to the Harrods series.

Maggie, who recently got engaged to her long term partner, owns a nail polish business called Maggie Anne Beauty.
Has Marvel star Chiwetel Ejiofor quietly become a father? That's certainly the role he looked to be playing when he stepped out in New York City on Tuesday alongside his girlfriend Sacha Bertagnon, while cradling a baby girl in his arms.

The Doctor Strange actor, 45, was seen carrying the little girl in his arms as the couple strolled through the Big Apple.

He was joined by his girlfriend of two years, a dog groomer who runs London's Le Wag, whom he reportedly fell for after taking his own pampered pooch in for services.

Bertagnon has previously posted a series of snapshots to Instagram documenting her pregnancy - but Ejiofor has not made any official comment.

Chiwetel Ejiofor has sparked widespread speculation that he has become a father after he was seen holding an adorable tot during a stroll with girlfriend Sacha Bertagnon

The Marvel actor, 45, was spotted carrying a little girl as the couple strolled through New York on Tuesday

The rumored family kept it casual for the outing with Ejiofor opting for khaki wide-leg pants, a blue shirt and white sneakers

The actor was joined by Bertagnon, a dog groomer who runs London's Le Wag, whom he reportedly fell for after taking his own pampered pooch in for services

The couple kept it casual for the outing with Ejiofor opting for khaki wide-leg pants, a blue shirt and white sneakers.

Bertagnon looked equally dressed down in an all-black ensemble and pulled her hair into a messy bun.

She pushed a Doona baby stroller down the sidewalk - but it appeared to be somewhat redundant as Ejiofor held the young girl, who appears to be around one years old, in his arms instead.

Bertagnon has posted a series of updates to her Instagram Story documenting their trip to America - including eating pancakes at Bubby's, making a trip to the Color Factory and taking in views from the Empire State Building.

In one of the shots, the new mom held the little girl as the pair gazed out over the aerial view of the city.

She uploaded it alongside a caption that read: 'Exploring the world with my mini me gives me the best feeling ever.

'It keeps me so [grounded] and makes me appreciate all the little things to another new level I had forgotten about.'

Ejiofor has not made any official comment about becoming a father but it comes after Bertagnon took to social media with a series of snapshots as she journeyed into motherhood.

Bertagnon has posted a series of updates to her Instagram Story documenting their trip to America - including the mother-daughter duo taking in views from the Empire State Building

She pushed a Doona baby stroller down the sidewalk - but it appeared to be some what redundant as Ejiofor held the young girl in his arms instead

Bertagnon has previously posted a series of snapshots to Instagram documenting her pregnancy - but Ejiofor has not made any official comment

In 2021, after years of stepping out with a string of glamorous models and Hollywood stars, Ejiofor began dating Bertagnon (pictured)

The little girl, who appeared to be in good spirits as Ejiofor carried her through New York, looked to be around one years old

In March 2022, she showcased her blossoming baby bump in a Calvin Klein crop top and jeans as she perched on a stool.

She uploaded the professional black-and-white shot alongside a caption that read: 'Growing an angel.'

And, in June of that year, the businesswoman shared a picture as she cradled a newborn who she described as 'my sunshine' before also walking through London with a pushchair.

She and Ejiofor began dating in 2021.

The Kinky Boots star had previously stepped out with a string of glamorous models and Hollywood stars including 007 actress Naomie Harris and Balmain model Frances Aaternir.

DailyMail.com has contacted Ejiofor's representative for comment.
Mary then discovered Kelsey was the 'miracle' baby she saved

22 years later, Kelsey and Mary's son unexpectedly met and fell in love

A nurse has revealed she met her future daughter-in-law 22 years before her son did when she saved her life at birth.

In 2001, Mary Ann West was working as a Labor and Delivery nurse in Bountiful, Utah when she assisted in the delivery of a baby girl, that baby girl named Kelsey Poll, who unbeknownst to her, would be her son's future wife.

When Kelsey's mother, Stacy Poll, arrived to the hospital, Mary stepped in to help ease her anxieties and even ended up ensuring the baby was safely delivered after discovering the expectant mother had a life-threatening condition.

22 years later, Mary discovered her son, Tyler's, wife, Kelsey, was the same baby she saved on June 15, 2001.

Mary Ann West (pictured right) from Utah saved her future daughter-in-law, Kelsey's, life at birth

In 2001, Mary Ann West was working as a Labor and Delivery nurse when she assisted in the delivery of a baby girl named Kelsey Poll, who would turn out to be her son's future wife

When Kelsey's mother, Stacy Poll, arrived to the hospital, Mary ensured the baby was safely delivered after discovering the expectant mother had a life-threatening condition

Two decades before Kelsey and Tyler tied the knot, Mary helped Stacey welcome a healthy baby girl, according to KSL.

Stacey came in extremely anxious, and Mary helped comfort her.

However, Mary soon discovered that Stacey had a life-threatening condition known as velamentous cord insertion, which is a pregnancy complication that occurs when the umbilical cord from a fetus doesn't insert into the placenta correctly, according to Cleveland Clinic.

If the condition isn't noticed, it can result in extreme blood loss and even death for the mother and baby.

Luckily, because of Mary's quick thinking and skill, she was able to save the baby's life.

Referring to Mary, Stacey told KSL: 'She touched Kelsey before I did. She put her on my stomach and let me see that she had 10 fingers and 10 toes.'

After helping to deliver Kelsey, Mary waved goodbye to Stacey and her new baby daughter, never imagining their paths would cross again.

However, 22 years later, while Kelsey was working at a bank, Tyler came in and the two ended up hitting it off.

22 years later, Mary discovered her son, Tyler's, wife, Kelsey, was the same baby she saved on June 15, 2001

Mary revealed she was over the moon when she discovered the 'miracle' baby she helped deliver was going to be an official member of her family

They soon made the decision to get married and introduce each other to their families.

When Mary met Kelsey she thought she 'looked familiar', however, couldn't exactly place her.

She ultimately decided to bring out her photo albums and see if there was any truth behind her suspicions.

There, in the photo book, was a picture of Mary inking baby Kelsey's feet.

The family was shocked.

Kelsey told the outlet: 'It was one of those things that confirmed to me that Tyler was someone I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, and it also made me feel closer to his mom and his family.'

And Mary revealed she was over the moon when she discovered the 'miracle' baby she helped deliver was going to be an official member of her family.

She added: 'It really does feel like it was meant to be.'

And Stacey is forever grateful for Mary's help during the delivery, and that her daughter will have two moms that have an unbreakable bond in her life.
Lady Amelia Windsor oozed effortless glamour this evening as she attended the V&A summer party.

The royal, 27, who is the granddaughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, flashed her pins on the red carpet as she arrived at Victoria and Albert Museum in South London.

Amelia looked sensational a cropped peachy-pink bustier with a sultry high waist skirt that split right up to the knee, and featured a distinct black panel.

Both items were designed by New York fashion house Hellessy and appeared in their upcoming 2023 Fall collection.

She paired the stylish ensemble with some Michael Kors chunky platform sandals in a paisley print.

Lady Amelia Windsor (pictured) gave a flash of leg in her Hellessy as she arrived at the V&A's summer party

The royal accessorised her outfit with some paisley platform heels and a black silk Lulu Guinness bag

Amelia accessoried her outfit with a black handbag by British fashion designer Lulu Guinness, which is currently priced at 295.

For her jewellery, the royal carefully selected an array of gorgeous gold jewels including hooped earrings, a set of bracelets and a necklace.

She donned statement pieces on her fingers, wearing two chunky gold rings.

The stylish royal also wore a purple heart gemstone ring designed by British jewellery brand Missoma.

Her blonde locks fell loosely behind her shoulders and kept her makeup minimal - simply adding a liquid eyeliner flick.

Officially open to the public from the 24th of June, the 'DIVA' exhibition is said to celebrate the 'power of iconic performers to transform and inspire', as well as explore the 'intersection of women, power and creativity through the prism of performance'.

The the event - supported by NET-A-PORTER - will showcase over 250 objects spanning fashion, photography, design and music.

Amelia wowed onlookers at the Victoria and Albert Museum 'DIVA' exhibition preview - which was also attended by the Marchioness of Bath, who wore a blue art-inspired silk slip with an animal-print trim.

Vick Hope also put on a racy display in a sexy black sheer dress as she led the star-studded arrivals at the V&A summer party.

The stylish royal also wore a purple heart gemstone ring designed by British jewellery brand Missoma

Lady Amelia Windsor has cut a stylish figure while attending the the V&A Summer Party at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London

Lady Amelia flashed her pins on the red carpet as she arrived at Victoria and Albert Museum in South London

Officially open to the public from the 24th of June, the 'DIVA' exhibition is said to celebrate the 'power of iconic performers to transform and inspire',

Her blonde locks fell loosely behind her shoulders and kept her makeup minimal - simply adding a liquid eyeliner flick

Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath, wore a blue silk slip dress which featured famous pieces of artwork

Emma Weymouth's stunning dress also featured an animal-print trim. The mother pictured posing as she arrived at the event

The Tatler cover girl is currently 43rd in line to the throne and was famously dubbed the most beautiful member of the royal family when she graced the magazine's cover in 2016.

A fashion powerhouse, she has been signed with Storm Model Management since 2016, joining an illustrious roaster of clients including Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Lady Kitty Spencer.

Amelia, who lives in Notting Hill with her sister, has also been making a name for herself with designer collaborations, including collections with SALOME and Pretty Ballerina.

In 2017, she walked for Dolce and Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week, and featured on the cover of Vogue Japan that same year.

She walked for D&G again in 2019 when the fashion house presented its 2019 Spring collection.
The hotel dates had been booked for 2024 not 2023

Kristina Calder flew to London then realised she had no accommodation

A traveller was left sobbing on the streets of London after realising her accommodation had accidentally been booked for June 2024 instead of 2023.

Kristina Calder and her boyfriend Joel, from Perth, touched down in the UK over the weekend and were excited to start the first leg of their European holiday.

However, upon arrival at the hotel no booking was found, leaving the pair with no place to stay.

'First stop and my travel agent has booked all our accommodation for next year,' she said in a TikTok video gone viral.

'I'm balling my eyes out crying because we just got to London, we've flown for 24 hours and.. I just don't know what to do.'

After a speaking to Flight Centre for more than two hours she claims it was a 'third part issue' as all her documentation included the correct 2023 dates.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Flight Centre for comment.

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Kristina Calder was left crying on the street after touching down in London after being told her accommodation had been booked for June 2024, not 2023

Although after a speaking to Flight Centre for two hours she claims it was a 'third part issue' as all her documentation included the correct dates

Kristina questioned how such a huge mishap could occur, and initially blamed her travel agent, however there was an explanation.

'Flight centre did organise new accommodation for us but it did take about two and a half hour of being on the phone to them for things to get sorted,' she said in a follow-up video.

'Turns out it was a third party issue - obviously I book through Flight Centre, they book through a different company - and that's who had sent the wrong dates.

'All of my documentation said 2023 - it had the correct dates, I had gone through it with my travel agent - I don't know how this could've happened.'

Kristina continued by saying she booked the trip back on February and luckily her flight agent managed to secure a new hotel within proximity to the original location.

'We're not actually staying where we wanted to stay. This is just last minute accommodation that would take us,' she said.

'It's summer over here in Europe so everything is booked out or four times the price of what we paid back in February.'

The first video has exceeded 1.7million views in just three days with hundreds urging the young traveller to seek compensation after the trip and investigate what happened.

'I'm a travel agent and it's definitely a third party problem. You have to constantly follow up behind them. so sorry this happened babe,' one wrote.

A Flight Centre employee even commented on the scenario.

'I work at there and this happened to me recently - totally a third party issue and trust me I felt horrible,' she said.

A fourth said: 'I would've been so upset'.

Global General Manager of Flight Centre Brand, Andrew Stark, told FEMAIL: 'After what would have understandably been a very stressful situation for Kristina, our customer care team were able to rebook the portion of the trip at no additional charge.

'We regret this unfortunate experience with sincere apologies to Kristina, we wish her a wonderful trip and look forward to speaking to her in person when she gets back to Australia.'
A Canadian expat has been left stunned by the 'freezing' weather in Australia and says the winter chill is 'far worse' as temperatures plummeted to five degrees on Wednesday morning.

Georgia Louise recently moved back to Sydney after living on the Canadian ski slopes for 12 years - and she wasn't prepared for Australian winter in the slightest.

The expat revealed that despite Canada going down to -20C and -30C, the houses there are much better equipped to dealing with low temperatures and saw her using her summertime pyjamas year-round.

However, Australians have to bear outdoor temperatures inside their homes due to bad heating and insulation.

'Australians don't have any of the things Canadian houses do to make them comfortable in the cold,' Georgia complained.

The mum also revealed that her children were 'suffering' through the cold temperatures despite enduring North American winters with ease.

Georgia made a video explaining why it was so much more difficult to live through winters Down Under.

'You know what I don't have time for? How cold it is in Australia,' she began.

'Canada is cold, it's well below -30C in the winter, and it snows all the time - but we go out in our big jackets, practical footwear, and we're golden.

'I just came back to Australia after 12 years, and this is a whole other ball game. This winter business is absolutely insane.

'The whole world thinks it's not cold in Australia - and while it may not be cold outside, it's freezing inside.'

Georgia said that Australian homes were built for summertime because of the floor tiles and lack of internal heating.

'I'm constantly frozen - the bath towels don't even dry overnight. If my kid splashes in a puddle and I bring the shoes inside, they take three weeks to dry.'

A Canadian expat was stunned by the 'freezing' weather in Australia and revealed that the winter chill was actually 'worse' Down Under because of one surprising reason

Australian homes are falling below WHO safety guidelines for winter Australian homes have been described as 'winter tents' that are failing to meet the standard of warmth set by the World Health Organization for a 'safe' environment. As an unusually cold winter sends temperatures plummeting, new research shows Aussie houses rarely warm up to 18C - the minimum recommended by the UN body for 'safe and well-balanced' indoor living. Temperature trackers placed in 70 rental properties uncovered the homes were below 18C 70 per cent of the time. One house recorded overnight temperatures as low as 6C - only slightly higher than if a person was sleeping in a car. READ MORE: Australian homes were not built to withstand real winter Advertisement

Georgia added that while it might only be 8C outside, it was also the same temperature inside.

'Some new houses have split system air conditioning that also doubles as heating, but that doesn't make it up to the bedrooms or the bathrooms,' she said.

'You get out of a shower in the winter you're frozen, you're an ice cube. You need to have blow heaters in the bathroom so you're able to step out of the shower.'

Georgia revealed that even when she lived on the ski hills in Canada, her home was 21C year-round.

Another reason Canadian homes are better prepped is because they have furnaces ducted throughout the property.

'You have to have heating in winter so that your pipes don't freeze - otherwise you'll have no water,' she said.

'But in Australia, you have nothing. We only have Ugg boots. The tiles in the winter are death - you can't step on them.'

'I genuinely don't know what to do here, I'm a loss,' she said finally.

Another reason Canadian homes are better prepped is because they have furnaces ducted throughout the property

Many agreed with her and condemned the freezing temperatures in Australia.

'I'm another Canadian who lives in Australia, and I've never been as cold in my own home, ever,' a woman said.

'I'm from Queensland, and it's warmer outside than inside my house in winter,' another wrote.

A third noted, 'Australia is in denial about having cold winters. Not prepared for it at all.'

'Nobody believes me when I say I've never been that cold in Poland as I am in Australia,' a Polish citizen revealed.

Another added, 'I'm Scottish living in Australia and I agree ... the houses are ridiculous! Single glazed windows, no insulation, no heating. I hate it.'
A mum was recently bewildered by a 'mystery' item that was entered into her local community's charity raffle.

Sarah Louise was sorting through several donated items when what appeared to be a photo frame left her scratching her head.

The piece also had a tiny stainless steel bowl attached to it along with a chain which could be used to hang the item.

Many mistook the elusive item to be a holy water font or a candle holder, but the reality was something much different.

After much research, it was revealed the mystery item was a bird feeder designed to look like a photo frame that offers a 'picture-perfect' scene when birds use it.

A mum was recently bewildered by a 'mystery' item that was entered into her local community's charity raffle

The frame feeder can easily hang from a railing, balcony awning or branch for native birds to feast on snacks.

Before solving the mystery, Sarah asked a popular social media group to help her identify the item.

'Any idea what this is, please? It has been donated as a raffle prize but no one knows what it is!' she wrote.

'If it hangs [on a wall] the little sliver dish is not level.'

Sarah Louise was sorting through several donated items when what appeared to be a photo frame left her scratching her head

Many thought the mystery item was a tea light candle holder, or an instrument used to distribute holy water at churches.

'I think it might be a holy water font that Catholics used to hang by the front door so they could bless themselves either going out or coming in. You would need to hang it on an extended hook to keep it level,' a woman said.

'I'm not Catholic, but I immediately thought of the church. It looks like one of those things they put by the exits,' another said.

'My grandmother had something similar with a statue of Jesus in the middle,' a Catholic revealed.

Another wrote, 'I would put it above a radiator and put a wax melt in it. It could make a great feature wall.'

After much research, it was revealed the mystery item was a bird feeder designed to look like a photo frame that offers a 'picture-perfect' scene when birds use it (like above)

But many others correctly identified it as a bird feeder.

'It can't be a tea light holder because it would burn the wood,' a woman said. 'It's possibly a bird feeder.'

'I think it's a bird feeder you can put on the outside of your window so that you can see the birds eat,' a second wrote.

'It's a bird feeder to "frame" the birds while they're eating,' revealed another.
After having a baby through IVF, one in five women may go on to get pregnant naturally.

Thousands of British and American women have fertility treatment to try to have a baby.

Many, who have tried unsuccessfully to conceive for more than a year, and are told they are 'subfertile', believe getting pregnant naturally is impossible.

But a scientific review of 11 studies, including almost 5,200 women, and spanning more than 40 years, has concluded that at least one in five women who have a child through fertility treatment will go on to conceive naturally afterwards.

It may be that they simply needed to keep trying for longer, or, some experts believe, they were helped to get pregnant again by the fertility treatment itself.

Around 55,000 people a year in the UK have fertility treatment to try to have a baby. Many, who have tried unsuccessfully to conceive for more than a year, and are told they are 'subfertile', believe getting pregnant naturally is impossible

Other experts suggest having one child could help with health conditions which cause infertility, such as endometriosis, or remove the stress of trying to get pregnant, which may make it easier to do so a second time.

Dr Annette Thwaites, lead author of the scientific review, from University College London, said: 'Our findings suggest that natural pregnancy after having a baby by IVF is far from rare.

'This is in contrast with widely held views  by women and health professionals  and those commonly expressed in the media, that it is a highly unlikely event.'

The research, published in the journal Human Reproduction, looked at global studies on natural pregnancy after IVF, published between 1980 and 2021.

The overall data showed at least one in five women conceived without help after having a baby using fertility treatment, which was mainly IVF.

Some 18 per cent conceived naturally within only three years of giving birth to a child from fertility treatment.

The study authors say women should be aware that getting pregnant after having a child through a process like IVF is not a rarity and is in fact relatively common.

Women need to know this could happen, because those who do not realise, and don't use contraception, could end up pregnant again far faster than they expect, when they are not yet physically or emotionally ready for another child.

Infertility is defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex, and it is estimated to affect one in seven heterosexual couples.

But it does not mean they are permanently infertile, and around half of couples who struggle to conceive naturally in the first year of trying will go on to do so in the second year.

The study concludes that at least one in five women become pregnant naturally after having a baby through fertility treatment, because the figure could be higher.

The studies included in the review varied in how long they kept track of women after they had a child, from two to 15 years, so could have missed subsequent pregnancies.

More research is needed, as some of the studies were only of moderate quality.
A model claims he was left looking like a 'shark' after flying to Turkey to get his teeth done.

Jack James, from Manchester, wanted to fix his crooked teeth in order to look 'better on camera'.

But unable to afford a procedure in the UK, the desperate 22-year-old spent 3,000 on getting veneers in Istanbul last September.

Upon returning to the UK, Mr James was initially happy with the results and boasted that they 'looked good'.

Yet in May, he suddenly struggled to floss and soon experienced bleeding gums and 'terrible breath'. He also claims his mouth started to 'pus and leak'.

Jack James, from Manchester, decided to fix his crooked teeth in order to look 'better on camera'. But unable to afford the high cost of dentistry in the UK, the desperate 22-year-old spent 3,000 on surgery in Istanbul last September

Mr James said: 'I decided to get my teeth done to look better on camera.' 'They looked good until they started to bleed and hurt. They started to puss and leak. My breath stunk.' (Pictured before he had the veneers fitted in Turkey)

This graphic shows how a tooth is shaved down slightly to make room for a thin veneer

An emergency dentist appointment in Manchester confirmed he had an infection, in the form of an abscess.

Mr James claims his dentist said his teeth were 'a mess' and told him it would cost up to 20,000 to fix.

Describing his horrifying ordeal, he said: 'When they took the veneers out I saw they had shaved my teeth down so much.

'I looked like a shark. It was like something out of a horror movie.'

Unsure of what to do, Mr James contacted the clinic in Turkey for help, however 'they were adamant it wasn't their fault', he said.

He added: 'They said I'd have to pay again to get it fixed.'

Quoted 4,500 by the same clinic  a quarter of the price expected in the UK  he decided to return to Istanbul this month to have the veneers removed. He was given a new set.

He said: 'They took all my teeth and the abscess out and put temporary teeth in.'

One of Mr James' new veneers - a porcelain cover that fits over a tooth - has already fallen out, leaving him with a gap in his teeth.

Mr James is now warning others to do their research before heading abroad for dentistry treatments.

He said: 'I feel so upset with myself. I feel like plucking all my teeth out.'

An emergency dentist appointment in Manchester confirmed he had suffered an infection and his teeth were 'a mess' - but he was told it would cost up to 20,000 to fix. When the dentist took his veneers out he realised he was left looking 'like a shark'

After having a new set of veneers fitted, he returned to the UK earlier this month. But while brushing his teeth one of his veneers - a crown - has already fallen out, leaving him with a gap in his teeth

Unsure of what to do, Mr James contacted the clinic in Turkey for help, however 'they were adamant it wasn't their fault,' he said. He added: 'They said I'd have to pay again to get it fixed.' Quoted 4,500 by the clinic - a quarter of the price expected in the UK - he decided to return to Istanbul in June to have the veneers removed

For decades, Brits have been warned against seeking cheaper surgery in places like Turkey, Eastern Europe, or South East Asia.

Turkey is not inherently more dangerous than other surgical tourism hotspots.

But cheap flights between it and the UK  as well as the rise of the trend combining cosmetic surgery with a holiday  have made it one of the leading destinations for Brits looking to go under the knife.

This is especially the case for dentistry, with millions of Brits struggling to see their own dentist. The combination has sparked the 'Turkey teeth' trend.

One of the most common procedures offered in Turkey, made popular by stars such as Katie Price and Love Island's Jack Fincham, involves filing down natural teeth to pegs then replacing them with crowns or veneers.

In recent months, desperate Brits have had to resort to using shoelaces and pliers to pull out their rotting teeth.
US health chiefs are investigating the death of a Brazilian woman who became a rare victim of swine flu.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials plan to probe samples collected from the patient, 42, who died from an H1N1 variant spreading in pigs.

Her death earlier last month has sparked concern because she had no direct contact with pigs  which may signal onward transmission from someone else.

The woman had two close contacts who worked at a nearby farm, but both tested negative for influenza and never had respiratory symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) - which is collaborating with the CDC on the case - said the risk to the public was still 'low' and that there was 'no evidence' of onward transmission.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials plan to probe samples collected from the patient, 42, who died from an H1N1 variant spreading in pigs (stock image)

Occasional spillovers of H1N1 swine flu are recorded every year in the US, normally linked to agricultural workers or fairs, but these rarely prove fatal.

There were six cases recorded last year, with the most recent being registered in September at a fairground in Michigan. In this case, the patient had come into contact with an infected pig.

Scientists are concerned that the next pandemic could come from flu viruses  such as H1N1  which can be spread by pigs.

In 2009 the world faced a swine flu pandemic after an H1N1 subtype killed up to 575,000 people globally.

Since the outbreak there have been sporadic fatalities linked to swine flu jumping from pigs to humans.

Recent deaths have been sporadic and rare. A fatality was reported in Vietnam in 2019 in a 37-year-old woman, which prompted authorities to put 40 people into quarantine.

The case in Brazil was spotted in the southern state of Parana with the woman dying two days after she was hospitalized.

The individual was reported as having developed a fever, headache, sore throat and abdominal pain on May 1 this year.

She was hospitalized on May 3 with an acute respiratory infection and the following day shifted to intensive care. She died on May 5.

Brazil first notified the WHO of the case on June 7, after testing showed her illness was caused by a subtype of H1N1 linked to infections in pigs.

It was not clear how the patient became infected, although investigators have focused on two close contacts that worked at a nearby pig farm.

A spokesman for the WHO said: 'Based on the information currently available, the WHO considers this is a sporadic case, and there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of this event.

'The likelihood of community-level spread among humans and/or international disease spread through humans is low.'

A spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added: 'Given the severity of illness of the recent human cases, CDC has also been discussing with partners the feasibility of increasing surveillance efforts among severely ill persons in the ICU during the summer months, when seasonal influenza activity is otherwise low.'

Most people who catch swine flu face a mild illness that clears up on its own, doctors say.

But children under five years, older adults and those with underlying conditions were particularly at risk from the virus because they tended to have weaker or immature immune systems.

The virus is able to jump from pigs to humans with very few tweaks because both have similar receptors on their cells for the virus to bind to.
Almost 100,000 people have died needlessly from heart attack and stroke since the start of the pandemic, according to a report.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said ongoing disruption to the NHS and the fallout from Covid has left the country is in the 'grip of a heart and stroke care emergency'.

Its analysis of official data found there have been more excess deaths involving cardiovascular conditions than any other disease with 96,540 since March 2020.

It means there have been more than 500 extra deaths a week over and above what would be expected for heart disease since the start of the pandemic.

The charity has called for heart care must to be urgently prioritised while steps must also be taken to reduce growing preventative risk factors, such as obesity.

Excess deaths in England involving cardiovascular disease (any mention on death certificate), compared to deaths where the underlying cause was Covid and where cardiovascular disease was also mentioned on the death certificate. Red line relates to excess deaths involving CVD. Blue lines shows deaths where underlying cause was Covid, and where CVD was also mentioned on the death certificate

Bernie Lawrence, 74, from Farnborough, Hampshire, worries that if he were to have a heart attack in 2023, he would not survive

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive at the BHF, said: It is deeply troubling that so many more people with cardiovascular disease have lost their lives over the last three years.

'For years now, it has been clear that we are firmly in the grip of a heart and stroke care emergency.

'If little changes, we could continue to see a sustained rise in death rates from cardiovascular conditions that undoes decades of scientific progress to reduce the number of people who die of a heart attack or stroke.'

Retired sales manager, 74, fears he'd die if he had a heart attack due to state of NHS Bernie Lawrence, 74, from Farnborough, Hampshire, worries that if he were to have a heart attack in 2023, he would not survive. In 2018, the retired sales manager went to Frimley Park Hospitals A&E with severe chest pains and was diagnosed with angina  chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. The very next day, he had a special type of X-ray called an angiogram, which revealed he had disease in his coronary arteries and was at significant risk of having a life-threatening heart attack. Just nine days after going into hospital with chest pains, he was on the operating table having quadruple heart bypass surgery. Bernie said: When I went into hospital with angina in 2018, the doctor had said I could have had a heart attack, collapsed, and died if Id exerted myself any further. Thankfully my condition was discovered at a time when the NHS was working well and waiting lists were at manageable levels. I dread to think what would happen if I had angina or a heart attack now, and its something I often think about. Im convinced I wouldnt survive. Mr Lawrence said his experience of NHS heart care in 2023 has been very different to three years earlier. While on holiday on New Years Eve 2022, he rang 111 and was told to go to Gloucester Royal Hospitals A&E because his heart was racing, and he was dizzy. There were no A&E beds available, so he was treated in the corridor during his 27-hour stay and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). He was told he would need an urgent scan of his heart called an echocardiogram but after four months of waiting, he chose to have it done privately because of the toll on his mental health. He said: My experience with the NHS this year has been awful. When I went into A&E on New Years Eve, it felt like a war zone with hundreds of people waiting to be treated  some were even on drips. It was standing room only. I felt really sorry for the NHS staff who were rushed off their feet  thats an understatement. When I was discharged, I was really worried about my atrial fibrillation diagnosis, but there was no-one I could speak to about it. I didnt feel safe. After more than three months, my echocardiogram hadnt even been triaged yet. Its not the fault of doctors, nurses or paramedics. Theyre doing what they can with very little resource. But something is very broken, and its taken a psychological toll on me. I just feel so sad that Ive had to look elsewhere and been forced to go private for the service that we used to get and should get on the NHS. Advertisement

More than half of the excess deaths involving CVD occurred during the first year of the pandemic, with Covid known to cause significant heart and circulatory problems.

The data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) showed these fell dramatically in the second year, between March 2021/22 but rebounded during the same period last year.

Experts said ongoing disruption to NHS heart care are likely behind the spike, with record waiting lists and disruption from strikes leading to further treatment delays.

This is on top of the additional heightened risk of heart attack and stroke caused by Covid.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, Associate Medical Director at the BHF and Consultant Cardiologist, said: 'Covid-19 no longer fully explains the significant numbers of excess deaths involving cardiovascular disease. Other major factors are likely contributing, including the extreme and unrelenting pressure on the NHS over the last few years.

'Long waits for heart care are dangerous  they put someone at increased risk of avoidable hospital admission, disability due to heart failure and premature death. Yet people are struggling to get potentially lifesaving heart treatment when they need it due to a lack of NHS staff and space, despite cardiovascular disease affecting record numbers of people.'

The number of people waiting for time-sensitive cardiac care was at a record high of nearly 390,000 at the end of April, according to latest figures.

While ambulance response times strokes have improved since lows of 90 minutes in December 2022, average waits were consistently above 30 minutes last year.

Meanwhile, detection rates of conditions that put people at higher risk of disease have fallen.

NHS England figures show 2 million fewer people were recorded as having controlled hypertension in 2021 compared to the previous year.

Research has shown people without pre-existing heart conditions who caught Covid before the vaccine roll-out were 40 per cent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, with those who experienced severe infection at higher risk.

Professor John Greenwood, President of the British Cardiovascular Society, said the numbers are 'worrying, but unfortunately not surprising'.

He said: 'We know that Covid has caused direct (Covid leading to new CVD), indirect (reduced treatment and prevention of CVD) and long-term effects (CVD and Long Covid).

'The BCS recommends urgent prioritisation of CVD prevention and treatment, as well as an increase in the cardiovascular workforce (primary and secondary care, and multidisciplinary team) to begin tackling the backlog of work and long waiting lists for treatment. Added to this we need a strong public health strategy from government to promote healthy behaviours and prevent heart disease in the first place.'

A government spokesperson said: 'We are cutting waiting lists, ambulance response times are falling, staff increasing and we are improving access to blood pressure and health checks.

'We know there is more to do which is why we are consulting on a Major Conditions Strategy to tackle cardiovascular disease - including strokes and diabetes  and we have opened 108 community diagnostic centres that have delivered over 4 million tests, scans and checks including for those with cardiovascular disease.

'The government is also working with NHS England to combat some of the causes of cardiovascular disease, with schemes to support increased physical activity, reduce obesity rates and encourage people to stop smoking.'
Lab-grown chicken can be legally sold in restaurants and stores across the US for the first time, regulators say.

The Department of Agriculture gave the green light to the sales on Wednesday after reviewing the manufacturing process and labeling for the products.

Companies behind the lab-grown meats say they have begun filling orders for high-end restaurants in San Francisco and Washington D.C., and hope to get their meats to grocery stores by 2028.

The lab-grown foods had already been given the go-ahead by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which found that they were manufactured in safe conditions and were suitable for human consumption.

Shown above is a chicken breast grown in a lab in Emeryville, California. It was made by Upside Meats. This will go on sale at restaurants in San Francisco and Washington D.C. in the coming weeks

Cultivated meats could be coming to a high-end restaurant near you this year. Pictured: Founder of Upside Foods Uma Valeti peers into one of the cultivators where lab-grown meats are manufactured

Lab-grown meat is made by taking a small sample of cells from livestock, such as chicken or cows, and cultivating them in a lab.

They are processed inside an enormous steel vessel called a bioreactor which makes them look and taste just like a real cut of meat.

Today's decision makes the US the second country in the world to have approved lab-grown meats for sale. The first was Singapore, which gave them the green light in 2020, although a single chicken nugget will set you back $50.

Heralding the move today, the CEO and founder of Upside Foods Uma Valeti said: 'This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table.

'It's a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future  one that preserves choice and life.'

He said their first order had come from chef Dominique Crenn, who runs a restaurant called Bar Crenn in San Francisco.

Good Meat, which also manufactures lab-grown meat, said it has sold lab-grown meat to celebrity chef Jose Andres who plans to serve it at one of his restaurants in the capital Washington DC.

The companies have not said how much the lab-grown meat will cost consumers, but this is likely to be at a high-end price point.

Manufacturers hope to scale up production in order to make the meats more affordable and get them into grocery stores by 2028.

There is demand for lab-grown meats in the US, with more than two-thirds of Americans saying they were willing to try it in a survey carried out last year.

Businesses plan to pitch them as more ethical and environmentally friendly than meats from conventional livestock. They also hope to overcome any aversions to their products among shoppers.

For comparison, the meat industry has come under pressure for years over the poor quality of life and housing afforded to animals destined for dinner plates, overuse of antibiotics and for 57 percent of greenhouse gases produced by agriculture.

For example, many countries  including those in the European Union  have outlawed sow stalls, a metal cage that doesn't allow a female pig to stand up or sit down and in which she is kept during pregnancy.

But only ten states in the US have taken a similar move, with none of these being among the top five pork producers in the US.

A worker at Upside foods pictured moving a tray of frozen chicken cells from the freezer to a 'seed lab' at the facility in Emeryville, California

Founder and CEO Mr Valeti walks along a row of cultivation tanks at the Upside Foods plant

A big challenge for the nascent industry is growing its supply chain, with Upside saying it can currently churn out about 400,000 pounds of cultivated meat per year.

This is a drop in the ocean compared to the 106billion pounds of conventional meat and poultry produced in the US in 2021, according to lobby group the North American Meat Institute.

The companies have launched fundraising which has raised $2billion for building the supply chain. But analysts say they are going to need billions more.

Upside worked with the FDA for four years before receiving the agency's green light in November, Valeti told Reuters.

Other companies growing meat in labs for sale include Good Meat based in California, Mosa Meat, in the Netherlands, and Believer Meats, in Israel. These are also in discussions with the FDA to get approval.

Believer Meats is currently building a new factory in North Carolina, set to begin working in early 2024, ahead of the approval.

The European Union, Israel, and other countries are working on regulatory frameworks for cultivated meat but have not yet approved a product for human consumption.
A single friend of mine is having a recurring problem when dating. When John is out on a date, everything goes well to begin with.

He impresses his potential love interests with tales of a diplomatic career thats taken him all around the world, his numerous interests and great singing voice.

Its all looking good  until he is inevitably asked where he lives. John, who is 35, currently lives at home with his parents. It is fair to say his dates are not impressed.

You do know having your own place is a fundamental mark of success? hes invariably told, in not so many words. It shows youre independent.

But why? John asks back. John is the epitome of independent. He lived abroad for more than a decade, and has supported himself financially ever since he went out and got a job straight from university.

Sharing the costs: In the UK, taboo still remains around adults living in the family home. But it is often an enjoyable way to live with real benefits for all family members

But he also likes his family and  especially after years away  enjoys living with his parents and sharing the household costs.

If youre looking for someone independent, thats me, John explains. But I am also someone who is loyal, values family and being able to spend time with people I care about.

In the UK, a taboo still remains around adults living in the family home. But why? Why is there such hesitancy to admit that it is often an enjoyable way to live with real benefits for all family members?

Im sure some parents look forward to an empty nest, but many are happy to continue living as a family unit.

Take, for example, reader Sandra Dew from Leominster, Herefordshire, 65, who told me this week that her youngest daughter and partner and her grandson moved in with her three years ago and it suits all of them well.

We split the bills, I help out with childcare and they look after my dogs when I go on holiday, says Sandra.

The rising cost of living means that, had they not moved in and shared the bills, Sandra would have struggled to keep the heating on and pay for groceries.

My great grandmother lived with her daughter and son-in-law after losing her husband in World War I until her death in 1974, she adds. If you get on, I think the idea of living with grandparents is the way forward.

Sure, not all families get on as well as Johns and Sandras  but why should they be made to feel embarrassed when they do?

And why is it so much more socially acceptable for family members to live together when one or more needs looking after than when they are in good health?

Globally, adults living with their parents is often the norm.

In countries such as Malta, Croatia, Italy and Greece, young adults dont tend to leave home until they hit their 30s.

In China and India its more taboo to have other people looking after your elderly parents than forming multi-generational households.

And in the UK, it is increasingly common for adults to live with their parents. Close to five million do  an increase of 15 per cent in a decade.

Young adults who live at home are often on a faster track to home ownership than those renting by themselves or with friends.

After all, they are likely to be in a better position to save for a deposit if they dont pay private rental costs.

Of course, it is not always out of choice. It is sad when people cannot live where and with whom they choose because of financial pressures. But when that happens, its not because theyve failed  its because weve failed them.

Weve created an economy where tenants in the UK have to fork out 28 per cent of their pre-tax pay on rent on average, according to figures released by property portal Zoopla yesterday.

And weve ended up in a situation where the number of first-time buyers in the UK dropped by 11 per cent last year as the average deposit required soared to 62,500, according to data from Halifax.

Growing numbers of households could be forced to move in with other family members and share costs as mortgage payments continue to rise.

Its time to rethink how we judge people who live with family  whether theyve chosen to or have no other option.

John looks forward to finding someone who appreciates the fact he lives at home  and his mum looks forward to meeting them.

Let me know your experience  Id love to hear your stories.

r.rickardstraus@dailymail.co.uk
I set up a standing order of 550 a month to pay off my buy-to-let mortgage with Barclays.

Twelve monthly payments were sent to Barclays Bank, using the correct sort code and account number.

On receiving our annual statement in January, I was shocked to see that no payments had been credited.

I discovered that I had given the wrong mortgage reference number when setting up the standing order and, as a result, my money had been credited to another customers account.

I have spoken to Barclays on four occasions to sort this out, each time waiting over an hour to get through, and it still has not been resolved. Please help.

N. P., London.

Wrong reference: A reader sent a year's worth of mortgage payments - totalling - 6,000 - to the wrong account

Sally Hamilton replies: I asked Barclays to investigate what had gone wrong and to retrieve your missing 6,600 pronto.

It seems that you made the mortgage payments into a general account at Barclays, which many mortgage customers make payments into.

Payments are then redirected to the correct customers mortgage account, based on the loan reference numbers they give.

In your case, you had made a small slip with the reference number when setting up your standing order.

As bad luck would have it, the number matched another borrowers mortgage account.

Had the reference number you gave not matched that of any customers, the payments would have been rejected and landed back in your account, allowing you to rectify the reference error.

I wonder why the accidental recipient of your funds didnt query these monthly windfalls. Perhaps they believed the mortgage fairy had visited. Or maybe, like you, they simply didnt notice.

However, on my intervention, Barclays upped its efforts and soon put things right, crediting your 6,600 to your loan.

A Barclays spokesman says: We have every sympathy with our customer who mistakenly made mortgage payments to an incorrect account. The funds were recovered and applied to the correct account.

He adds: We encourage customers to always double check that they have the correct details before arranging standing orders.

Ill second that.

Insurance refund went to cancelled card

I am trying to recover 459 owed to me as a refund from a motor insurance policy. My 72-year-old husband has terminal cancer and has months to live.

To reduce my outgoings, I decided to downsize to a cheaper car and so cancelled the insurance on our old vehicle on February 17.

The insurer sent a refund to the credit card I used to buy the cover, which was our John Lewis Partnership card.

However, this card was cancelled when John Lewis changed its card provider from HSBC to a new firm.

I have contacted HSBC numerous times over the past few weeks but it says the refund cant be retrieved. Please can you help us get this money back?

S. W., Epsom, Surrey

Sally Hamilton replies: John Lewis faced an avalanche of complaints from disgruntled customers when it changed the provider of its John Lewis Partnership branded credit card from HSBC to New Day last year.

The gripes centred on a range of issues from long-standing customers being rejected by the new card issuer to having their spending limits cut.

Anyone who stopped using the card, whether by force or choice, could have ended up in a situation like yours if a refund was due to them and was sent after their account had been closed.

This is a fairly common occurrence for cardholders who have cancelled a credit card, and the process for returning the money should be routine.

The usual arrangement is for the money owed to go into a holding account with the original provider. The issuer should then arrange directly with the customer what to do with the payment, which might be to refund it to the new card if it is simply a replacement with the same issuer or, if not, usually a cheque is sent out to the customer.

Something went wrong in your case, and HSBC was taking an inordinately long time to organise your refund.

You and your husband have enough on your plate to worry about without having to chase up money that is rightfully yours.

I approached John Lewis for help, which in turn contacted its old HSBC pals to escalate your case urgently.

I am pleased to say this did the trick and your 459 was swiftly returned. You were also sent a bunch of flowers as an apology.

An HSBC spokesman says: We work hard to ensure that any refunds issued to customers closed accounts are processed in a timely manner.

We apologise for the delay in getting this matter resolved.

I wish you and your husband all the best at this difficult time.

Straight to the point I asked Three to move my phone contract to pay as you go on April 25 but it says the transfer is stuck. I have contacted Three but nothing has been done. Im 77 and worry I will miss a message from my doctor or bank. D.A., via email. Three says the delay was due to a technical issue with your new number, which has now been resolved. It has offered you a 200 gesture of goodwill, which you have accepted. *** I booked a one-night stay at the Sofitel Hotel, Gatwick Airport for July 2020 through Holiday Extras Ltd. Our stay was cancelled due to the pandemic and we were given a voucher for 149.99. As we are not in good health and are unlikely to travel abroad in the future, I asked for a refund but havent had a response. R.N., Essex. Holiday Extras has apologised for the delay and you have since received a full refund. *** In April I paid 254 for a desk and chair from IKEA, which would be delivered to my home the following week. When the order arrived the desk was missing. I have contacted IKEA multiple times but cannot get the issue resolved. M.C., via email. Ikea apologises for the issue and has offered you a full refund and 75 voucher as a gesture of goodwill. *** I sent a parcel of baby clothes to my son in the U.S. on March 13 via Parcel Force. The clothes were worth 129 and the postage cost 54. It has still not arrived. Please help. K. H., via email. When you contacted Parcel Force you were told the service used provides an estimated delivery speed and does not guarantee delivery. Your son has since received the package, 77 days after you posted it. *** In April I returned an item of clothing to Zara in Brighton. I should have been refunded 19.95 but instead my card was charged 37.05. I contacted customer services but I still havent had my money back. S. C., via email. Zara apologises for the delay in refunding you, which it says falls below its usual standards. You should receive your refund within four working days. *** In December I received an email from Virgin Money saying that because I spent more than 20,000 on its Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card in a year I am entitled to a reward voucher. However, I cant seem to claim it, can you help? C. B., Glasgow. Virgin says the voucher was added to your account on May 6. It has extended the expiry date for another six months and it is now valid until June 30, 2025.
There is a lot of interest in the mortgage market right now  its on the front pages and is the subject of significant political debate.

Rising mortgage rates create concern among mortgage holders and people looking to get on the housing ladder.

Cost-of- living pressures and higher rates, coupled with steep house prices, are affecting affordability.

People are looking at their finances closely and making decisions about what they can afford.

Most mortgages are fixed rates  about 80 per cent of residential mortgages are fixed  so those borrowers dont see any immediate change in their monthly payment if Bank Rate rises.

Support: UK Finance chief executive David Postings (pictured) says people are looking at their finances closely and making decisions about what they can afford

Around 800,000 of these are due to end later this year and a further 1.6m in 2024.

For those looking to get a new mortgage or re-mortgage, there is understandable frustration when lenders pause or withdraw products.

The reason they do this is to manage service levels as they are dealing with large volumes of applications and responding to pricing factors outside their control.

However, industry-level data shows there is still good mortgage availability across all loan to value bands.

Rishi Sunak has highlighted how there is support available for people worried about their mortgage. The Prime Minister is absolutely right.

Anyone who is worried should contact their lender at the earliest possible opportunity. People often leave it too late, but its much better to do this before missing a payment.

Contacting your lender to find out the options available wont impact your credit score, but missing payments will.

There has also been concern around arrears and repossessions with some alarmist headlines.

But the number of households in arrears remains close to historic lows, which tells us that the majority of homeowners are keeping up with their payments.

Similarly, while repossessions are increasing, they are also doing so from a very low base and the numbers are much lower than in previous years.

Over the past year lenders have helped nearly 200,000 borrowers who cannot meet their full mortgage payments by providing tailored forbearance.

This could be a period of reduced payments, a period of zero payments or a temporary switch to interest-only.

Lenders have teams of experienced and understanding advisers who will develop a solution tailored to your individual circumstances.

We are in the midst of a really challenging economic environment, and there could well be more pain ahead. Lenders stand ready to help.

David Postings is chief executive of UK Finance
Australian teachers have fired up over male students expressing their support for controversial social media personalities in the classroom.

One Perth teacher recently took to Reddit to ask: 'The high school I teach at has seen a huge increase in boys idolising Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate; how are schools addressing this?'

Peterson is a Canadian academic, psychologist, author and social commentator who gained significant attention for his divisive views on political correctness, free speech, gender identity and racial privilege.

Andrew Tate is an ex-kickboxer turned influencer and online entrepreneur who is facing criminal charges in Romania, accused of organised crime, human trafficking and rape.

The 36-year-old, who has found fame on - and been kicked off - every social media platform, shares his views and advice on fitness, entrepreneurship, dating and personal development.

He often presents himself as an advocate for a self-reliant, 'alpha' mindset that promotes discipline, hard work, and self-improvement. But he is also a self-proclaimed champion of misogyny and 'toxic masculinity'.

The teacher's question prompted a flood of responses from Redditors and a fiery debate.

On Tate, one teacher said: 'I'd just say that's a conversation for another time and eventually they would get bored of trying to bring it up.'

'If they did argue, I'd just mention I'm sure they'd want privacy to discuss how they might find supporting an accused criminal problematic. Most were quiet at that.'

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian academic, psychologist, author and social commentator who is popular with the far-right

Another teacher said: 'Talk to them about it. I found that many liked the idea of saying something controversial rather than the ideologies. Once I questioned them, they quickly quietened down.'

'Instead of arguing about the views try to reiterate that Andrew Tate and those that admire him create a world that is unsafe for women, and the women in their lives will act accordingly because they are now someone who is making the world less safe for them.'

'If they argue, shut it down by saying we don't need to discuss the ideology and we don't need to agree.'

'But the person shouldn't tell someone how to feel or act, and if they choose to follow Andrew Tate, then they are also choosing to make the world less safe for their female friends, mothers, sisters and those women will treat them accordingly.'

Another added: 'My 15-year-old nephew idolises a guy who calls himself the alpha male. His parents let him because it's a 'phase'.

'This was a problem mostly among my year seven kids last year. Immature teenagers will always be immature, the vast majority grow out of it,' another teacher said.

Some argued that while they didn't necessarily support their views, they were filling a gap for young boys.

'Kids get bombarded with messages about woman's rights, minority's rights, LBGT rights and indigenous rights. None of these are bad, but can be overwhelming. We need to provide them something other than these guys to latch onto,' one said.

Another said: 'Some teachers have extreme views and force them on kids. If people stopped telling young boys they're the problem then they'll stop seeking people like this.'

A third added: 'With all the hate thrown at males, and all the blame on everything 'patriarchy' can you really not see why young, impressionable and vulnerable kids are looking for heroes where they can?'

Tate, 36 - who has millions of followers on Twitter even though he is still banned from other platforms - and his brother Tristan were arrested in Bucharest, Romania, in December 2022 on suspicion of organised crime, human trafficking and rape.

Andrew Tate, 36, who has millions of followers on Twitter, though he's been banned from other platforms, and his brother Tristan were arrested in Bucharest, Romania in December 2022

Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism said in a statement it had identified six alleged victims in the human trafficking case.

The victims were allegedly subjected to 'acts of physical violence and mental coercion' and sexually exploited.

The agency claimed the alleged victims were lured with pretences of love and later intimidated, placed under surveillance and subjected to other control tactics while allegedly being coerced into engaging in pornographic acts for the financial gain of the crime group.

Tate has denied all charges and claimed they are part of a conspiracy to silence him.

According to an article in The Guardian from February 2023, Tate is popular among British teenage boys, who mimic his phrases and philosophies.

The paper reported 'virtually every parent in Britain' had heard of him, and parents and schoolteachers expressed concern that he was influencing boys to exhibit misogynistic or aggressive behaviour.

A 2023 survey conducted by Hope not Hate found that eight in ten British boys aged 16 - 17 had consumed Tate's content.

And that 45 per cent of British men aged 16 - 24 had a positive view of him, compared to 1 per cent of British women aged 16 - 17.
A picture of a hardworking tradie questioning the raising of the retirement age has won support from many online who are opposed to the gradual lifting of pension eligibility from 65 to 67.

The tradie is holding a sign that says: 'Only a bloke who's worked in an office his whole life would think you can work until you're 70.'

It comes as Australia's pension age rises to 67 on July 1 this year, with research suggesting that will need to rise again to 70 by 2050.

But many are angered by the change, particularly blue-collar workers who say it is asking too much of people approaching 70 to keep up physically demanding labour.

'My body is just tired, as is my husband's, who is 66. We both need to just rest now. We had planned on retirement at 65. Then they changed the goal posts,' one person posted in replying to the image.

'I've worked 43 years as a butcher. I'm almost 65 yrs old, I think I've done enough, and my body agrees,' a second added.

'I spent many years in a quarry as well as a coal mine, my body is physically worn out, so I 110 per cent agree with his poster,' a third wrote.

Outraged Australians are sharing a single photo of an Aussie worker (pictured) in response to the suggestion the pension age should be raised to 70

'My husband is now 60 in a physically demanding job, his body is saying 'enough',' another person said.

'He has done his job, raised a family, put food on the table, a roof over our head. He has earned the right to slow down and enjoy some time doing what he wants now.'

Others have argued that politicians and bureaucrats cannot appreciate how hard it is to keep up physical work for that long.

'The politicians all need to get out of their chairs and do a tradies' job for a week or two then they will know what a bad back is and realise that the body won't let you work until you are 70,' one person wrote.

A second added added: 'I would like to see all politicians work a week as a bricklayer, a boilermaker, a plumber, or a builder - doing what we did to 65, they couldn't for a week.'

Currently, Australians are able to access a pension wage at 65 years and 6 months as long as they were born between July 1, 1952 and December 31, 1953.

Those born after that date will be able to access their pension from the age of 66.

However, from July 1, anyone born after January 1, 1957 will have to work even longer with the pension age increasing to 67-years-old.

However that may not be the end of it.

Macquarie University Professor of statistics, Hanlin Shang, suggests the pension age will need to increase to 70 years old to prevent government spending getting out of control.

'As Australians live longer than before, it presents a challenge to the government to fund retirees through a pension scheme,' Professor Shang said.

'Less people in the working group and more in retirement will make the old age dependency ratio (OADR) higher.

'What this means is there are less working people to support elderly people. And with more elderly people in the population, this will create a burden for the government pension system.

'Raising the pension age is the obvious way to sustain the current pension scheme without collecting more taxes.'

The research suggests a higher pension age of 70 should not be introduced until 2050, following a rise to 68 by 2030 and 69 by 2036.
A few weeks ago, I wrote in The Mails new Royals section about the problems I've had as a historian and biographer in trying to access historical royal records.

Time after time, I have found myself banned from looking into even the most mundane files, including records which have been bought with public money specifically for the purpose of opening them to the public.

I have been told that many royal files have been destroyed with no record kept. Others listed in the catalogue then appear to have been lost while some that were previously open have been mysteriously removed from the National Archives.

There is a frustrating pattern to all this. Indeed experience of the past few years has led me to conclude that the Monarchy and our government are, together, allowing history to be falsified.

Official files relating to the disgraced Duke of Windsor are particularly hard for historians to access. Many have been destroyed. More remain closed. Some have simply disappeared

The National Archives at Kew. Britain is supposed to have a Freedom of Information Act but it isn't working, says Andrew Lownie

One historian wrote in response to the Mail's Royals section to say he'd tried to see official files on Charles Bedeaux, a millionaire industrialist and close friend to the Duke of Windsor, who arrange his trips to Nazi Germany. Bedeaux died in FBI custody yet today the Bureau claims to have no records

The response to the MailOnline article suggests my problems are not unique  particularly when it comes to matters relating to the disgraced Duke of Windsor.

Barrister and former immigration Judge, Andrew Rose, the author of The Prince, the Princess and the Perfect Murder: An Untold History, wrote to say that an intriguing Special Branch file on the cover up of a murder by a former girlfriend of the future Duke of Windsor had been closed without warning.

Mr Rose, always looking to update his book, had already made extensive notes from the file in question, MEPO 38/151 (HRH The Prince of Wales: Protection File:1924-1935) in July 2011.

But when he asked to see it more recently, he was told it was not available.

I also heard from Professor Adrian OSullivan researching a book on Charles Bedaux, the millionaire industrialist and close friend of the Duke of Windsor.

Bedeaux is a person of great interest who committed suicide in odd circumstances  while in FBI custody.

As Professor OSullivan explains:

I phoned the FBI and spoke to someone (anonymous) who assured me that they had lots of stuff on Bedaux and encouraged me to submit a formal FOI request to them.

This I did promptly and, several months later during the autumn of 2009, received a reply from the FBI informing me that my FOI application to the FBI for the release of Bedaux records was rejected on the grounds that, after a search of the indices to our central records system at FBI Headquarters and all FBI field offices, the Bureau was unable to identify responsive main records.

Which is a long-winded way of saying they didnt have anything, after all.

Obviously, the FBI have a death-while-in-custody on their hands, which a fishy suicide verdict does little to mitigate. Is that alone sufficiently embarrassing to merit a wholesale cover-up 65 years after the event?

And what about Bedaux's link to the Windsors, whose pre-war visits to Germany and the USA he undoubtedly facilitated?

Is there perhaps 'problematic' material on the Windsors in the FBI files on Bedaux? Have the British authorities in any way 'nobbled' the FBI? How can I possibly find out?

How, indeed? Professor OSullivan has now abandoned the book.

Dr Alison McClean, a lecturer at the University of the West of England, researching support for both sides in the Spanish Civil War among members of the British aristocracy, has also had trouble.

This is not least at The Royal Archives where she ruefully notes that she was allowed to see only three very thin folders of correspondence relating to Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain and Princess Beatrice Orleans y Borbon (both British-born first cousins of George V who returned to England after the fall of the Spanish monarchy in 1931).

Having archivists acting as gatekeepers is a significant barrier to research and it really shouldnt be left to the discretion of archivists or other members of the Royal Household to determine what should be seen and by whom.

Last summer, I listed a series of files concerning the Duke of Windsors personal protection as evidence in an appeal against a Decision by the Information Commissioner not to release a similar protection file.

They had been available at the National Archives for almost twenty years,

Yet within days of citing the files, they had been closed whilst access is under review.

To be clear, these files are old and include, for example:

MEPO 3/557 Special Protection afforded to the Royal Family, Cabinet Ministers and others by Special Branch 1925-1932

MEPO 3/558 Officers attending members of the Royal Family and the formation of a regular establishment 1932-1934

MEPO 2/2828 H.R.H. The Prince of Wales: Police protection by an Inspector 1932

And so son.

It is difficult to see what could be so sensitive after all this time about someone who died more than half a century ago.

My Freedom of Information requests to discover on what grounds they were closed and seeking for them to opened remain unanswered after a year .

I wonder how many other serious pieces of research are never started or not completed because of these failures to adhere to our Freedom of Information Act.

I accept that striking a balance between accountability and transparency on the one hand and protecting national security and the mystique of the Royal Family on the other is difficult.

Once records are released the genie is out of the bottle.

But it is hard to argue that records, which in many cases are over 60 years old and where the officials involved are dead, should not be released.

Deceit, lies and falsification are not acceptable  especially when they come from government departments, the police and the Royal Household.

Historian Andrew Lownie is campaigning for access to royal records, many of which remain closed. Some have been secretly destroyed

Bedaux, seen here with his wife, arranged the American tours of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. A historian was told there were copious files available. Yet when he made an official request, they had disappeared

Professor Adrian O'Sullivan has written a book about a former girlfriend of the Duke of Windsor who committed murder. He has written in to explain that when he requested a further look at the key file on the case, it was mysteriously closed

Many historians are frightened to speak out for fear of jeopardising their careers or particular privileged access but it is important they should go public, especially those with platforms in the media or Parliament.

With a new reign, it is now time for more transparency with regard to royal records , not least with a public inventory of the papers held in the Royal Archives.

There also need to be parliamentary enquiries into the current failure to adhere to Freedom of Information legislation, most notably by the Cabinet Office, and more robust action taken by the Regulator of Information Rights, the ICO, to those public authorities who break the law.

If our history is to be written accurately, and this is especially true of royal history, the records must be made available. Otherwise we are no better than a banana republic or the dictatorships of Russia and China.
An Australian man has sparked hilarity after claiming he is sleeping in a tent in his garage with an air filter' after his partner dropped precautions against the virus.

The man - who tweets under the handle @Jason_gasdive - posted a picture of the tent he's supposedly sleeping in - sending Twitter into a firestorm with the now-viral post receiving hundreds of mixed reactions.

Jason, who claims to have never had COVID-19, was questioned by fellow Twitter users about his decision, but claims it's a matter of safety.

Alongside the picture, Jason explained to his handful of followers: 'This is my bed in the garage because my partner has dropped precautions. I take precautions 100% of the time. Don't tell me that this hasn't upended every f**king second of my life.'

It comes almost four years after the world was plunged into lockdown when the pandemic struck in late 2019. Now, most governments have lifted all restrictions as the disease has become milder and most people have taken the vaccine.

An Australian COVID-19 obsessive claimed he is sleeping in a tent in his garage with an air filter after his partner 'dropped precautions' against the virus - almost four years after the pandemic rapidly spread across the globe in late 2019

Jason jokingly claimed he was among those who still saw the pandemic as an imminent risk and continue to live with pandemic-era restrictions and mandates.

The Australian man was mocked by other social media users when he told followers that he had 'tried to sleep in a mask,' but can't.

'I've tried to sleep in a mask and I can't. I know people sleep in CPAP masks all the time, so it's possible but I can't do it,' he wrote on Twitter.

'And yeah, the alternative is a neurotropic bat virus that hollows you out and wears your body like a cheap suit It's not as exciting as the zombi [sic] movies.'

Jason also slammed critics who believed he was 'faking' and for those questioning why he didn't 'just leave' that he 'loves' his partner but found the tent helpful.

'I found the tent helped. Note that there's a HEPA poked through the door,' he tweeted. 'When I had it set up indoors I also had 2 HEPA inside the tent with me.

Many poked fun at Jason for being too afraid of the virus, calling him a 'moron' and saying he has a 'mental illness'

'So it was pressurized, nothing could leak in, only out. Over 120 ACH meant I could unmask after 20 air changes, 10 min.'

Many who saw the post appeared to fall for the prank and were concerned they were an indication that Jason was suffering from a 'mental illness' and should 'seek help.'

'You are very gravely mentally ill and constitute a threat to yourself and those around you. Please seek emergency psychiatric attention immediately,' said one critic.

'This is a mental illness,' another said. While others had less patience and said: 'Ur (sic) a f*****g moron lol.'

One questioned the real reason he was actually in the garage, saying: 'Jason, be honest with us. Your partner put you in the dog house.'

However, not everyone was against his obsessive precaution, like-minded Twitter users surfaced from the depths of the internet to show their support for Jason - one calling anyone who isn't still thinking about the pandemic a 'selfish self absorbed a*****e.'

'People give up because they're selfish self absorbed a******s PERFORMATIVE a******s,' they wrote.

'You want to join the others in your SARS love fest have at it. BUT that's your failure not ours.'

Another user said: 'Oh wow. I'm so sorry you're forced to endure life like this. If I were in your situation I would be doing the same.'

One person claims they stopped speaking to their family because they'd 'stopped masking' despite mask requirements being eased in Australia.

'My parents make negative comments about my mask and refuse to go outside to meet me,' they claimed.

While not a lot is known about Jason, he does reveal to his followers, that he lives in Australia and provides figures to support his concerns, although its unclear whether he's been vaccinated.

'I live in Australia. 200 people a week die with COVID on their death certificate,' he tweeted. '400 excess deaths a week. You'd have to have brain damage to think it's over.'

According to the World Health Organization in May Australia saw a peak of COVID related deaths for the week starting May 8 which sat at 207.

This was however not the case for the rest of the month where a dramatic drop was seen with only 49 COVID related deaths by the week of May 29.
The Pentagon announced Tuesday that an accounting error meant it had overestimated the cost of weapons and ammunition sent to Ukraine in the past two years, creating a $6.2 billion surplus that can be used for future assistance.

Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said a review of the accounting error found that the military used replacement costs rather than the book value of equipment that was pulled from Department of Defense stocks and sent to Ukraine.

She said final calculations show there was an error of $3.6 billion in the current fiscal year and $2.6 billion in the 2022 fiscal year, which ended last Sept. 30.

As a result, the department now has additional money in its coffers to use to support Ukraine as it pursues its counteroffensive against Russia.

And it come as the fiscal year is wrapping up and congressional funding was beginning to dwindle.

Ukrainian servicemen fire a M777 howitzer at Russian positions near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The M777s were supplied by the US

Ukrainian servicemen prepare to fire towards Russian positions with a 155mm M777 Howitzer artillery weapon on the front line somewhere near the city of Bakhmut on March 11, 2023 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine

'It's just going to go back into the pot of money that we have allocated' for the future stock drawdowns, said Singh.

The revelation comes as Ukraine moves ahead with the early stages of its counteroffensive, in an effort to dislodge the Kremlin's forces from territory they've occupied since a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The counteroffensive has come up against heavily mined terrain and reinforced defensive fortifications, according to Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces.

Russia, meanwhile, has been bombarding the Kyiv region with dozens of Shahed exploding drones, in an assault that has exposed gaps in the country's air protection after almost 16 months of war. Officials said Ukrainian air defenses downed 32 of 35 drones that were launched by Russia early Tuesday.

The Pentagon has repeatedly used presidential drawdown authority to pull weapons, ammunition and other equipment off the shelves, so that it can get to Ukraine far more quickly than going through a purchase process.

Based on previous estimates announced June 13, the U.S. had committed more than $40 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded. Using the new calculation, the U.S. has actually provided less than $34 billion in aid.

Officials have not been able to give exact totals for the amount of money that remains for the drawdowns or for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides longer-term funding to purchase weapons, including some of the larger air defense systems.

The U.S. has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion, totaling about $113 billion, with some of that money going toward replenishment of U.S. military equipment that was sent to the frontlines. Congress approved the latest round of aid in December, totaling roughly $45 billion for Ukraine and NATO allies. While the package was designed to last through the end of the fiscal year in September, much depends upon events on the ground, particularly as the new counteroffensive ramps up.

Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said a review of the accounting error found that the military used replacement costs rather than the book value of equipment that was pulled from Department of Defense stocks and sent to Ukraine

President Joe Biden and his senior national security leaders have repeatedly stated that the United States will help Ukraine 'as long as it takes' to repel the Russian forces. Privately, administration officials have warned Ukrainian officials that there is a limit to the patience of a narrowly divided Congress  and American public  for the costs of a war with no clear end.

Members of Congress have repeatedly pressed Defense Department leaders on how closely the U.S. is tracking its aid to Ukraine to ensure that it is not subject to fraud or ending up in the wrong hands. The Pentagon has said it has a "robust program" to track the aid as it crosses the border into Ukraine and to keep tabs on it once it is there, depending on the sensitivity of each weapons system.

Singh said the accounting mistake won't affect the ongoing delivery of aid to Ukraine.

The error was first revealed last month. Although it was initially calculated at $3 billion, it triggered Republican anger.

'These funds could have been used for extra supplies and weapons for the upcoming counteroffensive, instead of rationing funds to last for the remainder of the fiscal year,' said House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul and House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers.

They called on the Biden administration to make up for lost time in supplying Ukraine with weapons.
The case was brought following allegations made that VUMC punished employees that objected to its gender-affirming treatments

The state requested medical records from January 1, 2018, to the present and VUMC has complied

VUMC is being investigated by the state's Attorney General for billing practices in relation to it transgender care services

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has released the records of its transgender patients to the Tennessee Attorney General in response to an investigation.

VUMC said the state was investigating billing for transgender care services provided to individuals enrolled in State-sponsored insurance plans.

The Attorney General's office confirmed Tuesday it launched a probe into the medical school for potential medical billing fraud.

The state requested medical records from January 1, 2018, to the present, and VUMC started providing relevant records in December 2022.

In a letter the clinic told patients that their records were handed over on the 'assurance that the records would remain confidential as required by Tennessee law.'

The case was brought following allegations made by conservative advocates that VUMC punished employees that objected to its gender-affirming treatments, the Tennessean reported. VUMC denied the allegations.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said he would investigate the clinic's practices following allegations of employee discrimination

The facility reportedly wrote to patients informing them of the move, in a letter seen by The Tennessean and posted to social media

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Governor Bill Lee said they would investigate the clinic's practices in response to the allegations.

The facility reportedly wrote to patients informing them of the move, in a letter seen by The Tennessean and posted to social media.

The clinic told patients that their records were handed over on the 'assurance that the records would remain confidential as required by Tennessee law.'

'The Attorney General's Office is not permitted by law to disclose these medical records or make public use of them except in the discharge of its duties or in legal proceedings involving the state,' they added.

'VUMC was obligated to comply and did so.' John Howser, VUMC's chief communications officer, said in a statement.

'VUMC received requests from the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General as part of its investigation seeking information about transgender care at VUMC' he wrote.

'The Tennessee Attorney General has legal authority in an investigation to require that VUMC provide complete copies of patient medical records that are relevant to its investigation.'

However, AG Chief of Staff Brandon Smith told DailyMail.com the state was 'surprised that VUMC has deliberately chosen to frighten its patients like this.'

John Howser, VUMC's chief communications officer said the clinic 'was obligated to comply and did so'

AG Chief of Staff Brandon Smith told DailyMail.com the state was 'surprised that VUMC has deliberately chosen to frighten its patients like this.'

The issue of transgender rights has become increasingly fraught in Tennessee, where there is a Republican supermajority, in recent months

Jeffrey R, Balser CEO of the VUMC that is under investigation for its medical billing practices

Smith added: 'The Office does not publicize fraud investigations to preserve the integrity of the investigative process. The Office maintains patient records in the strictest confidence, as required by law.

'The investigation is focused solely on VUMC and certain related providers, not patients, as VUMC is well aware.'

Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBTQ advocacy organization, told The Tennessean that three different parents of transgender children called him in a panic after they were told by Vanderbilt that their child's medical records were released to the attorney general, with no further information.

'They're terrified,' he said. 'They don't know what's next, they don't know how this will be used or whether they will be targeted in some way. They feel like their privacy has been violated.'

The issue of transgender rights has become increasingly fraught in Tennessee, where there is a Republican supermajority, in recent months.

A recently passed law bans any treatments or procedures prescribed to treat children with gender dysphoria, including puberty blockers.

The law is currently being challenged in a federal lawsuit and a judge is weighing whether to grant a preliminary injunction ahead of trial.
Comes after Jacqui Lambie referred senior leaders within the ADF to the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

Sunrise host Natalie Barr has confronted a war veteran after he referred senior Australian Defence Force leaders to the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan.

Military lawyer and veteran, Glenn Kolomeitz signed the referral alongside Senator Jacqui Lambie.

The referral to The Hague asked the criminal court to examine the country's high commanders 'through the lens of command responsibility'.

The pair claim senior commanders have avoided investigation over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

On Wednesday morning, Barr asked Mr Kolomeitz whether the country had any right to judge what soldiers did overseas.

'I've got to ask you. This is a question I get asked every time we discuss this general issue,' she said.

'We trained these people to kill, and we trained them to operate in a war setting. None of us as civilians have any idea what that's like and we cannot judge them for when they go over there to war. What do you say to that?'

Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie (left) and Mr Kolomeitz (right) have requested the International Criminal Court in Hague investigate senior ranks in the defence force over alleged war crimes

Mr Kolomeitz stood firm in his view that defence force personnel, regardless of rank, must be investigated if they've committed or covered up a criminal act.

'I worked with these guys on a couple of rotations, and quite frankly, they are amazing advocates for our country, but if they've done the wrong thing, they must be properly investigated, and they must be vigorously prosecuted. That's the reality,' he said.

'You can't ignore the commanders. You vigorously investigate and prosecute those who have done the wrong thing, including those with command responsibility.'

The Sunrise presenter asked whether the chief of the defence force, Angus Campbell, should be investigated as well.

Mr Kolomeitz responded: 'Every joint task force 633 commander in that job during the period of the enquiry.'

The military lawyer drafted the letter that would be sent to the International Criminal Court.

'If Australia does nothing about it, the ICC can potentially assume jurisdiction over the higher command and excise the higher command investigation from the ongoing investigation of junior soldiers,' he said.

The 2020 Brereton report found 'credible' evidence that 25 current or former Australian SAS soldiers unlawfully killed 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2005 and 2016.

The report recommended administrative action be taken against ADF personnel where there is credible evidence of misconduct, but not enough for a criminal conviction.

It ruled that senior commanders were not criminally culpable for the alleged crimes.

In an emotional speech yesterday, Senator Lambie - a former ADF member - said leadership had not been held to account for their actions.

Senator Lambie slammed ADF leadership for 'throwing their diggers under the bus' in the Senate on Tuesday

'The government is no doubt hoping this will all just go away,' she told the Senate on Tuesday.

'They're hoping Australians will forget that when alleged war crimes in Afghanistan were investigated, our senior commanders got a free pass while our diggers were thrown under the bus.

'Well, we don't forget. I won't forget. Lest we forget.

'There is a culture of cover-up at the highest levels of the Australian Defence Force. It is the ultimate boys' club.'

An Office of the Special Investigator has been set up to address potential criminal matters raised in the Inspector-General of the ADF's Afghanistan inquiry report, which looked at alleged war crimes committed between 2005 and 2016.

She said the referral was a method of last resort.

'Quite frankly, I feel embarrassed Australia is in this situation, so I am helping the government today,'' Senator Lambie said.

'I am giving you a second chance to get this right and fix this mess.

'High command needs to be held responsible.'

She sought to table the referral to The Hague in parliament, but the government, opposition and Greens said they wanted to view the documents before making a decision.
A leading Australian construction company has been fined $130,000 over the death of a worker who was killed after the haul truck he was driving fell 15m in an open pit mine.

Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd (Hanson) pleaded guilty to failing to maintain a safe work environment in Western Australia's Midland Magistrates Court on Monday.

The incident occurred on June 20, 2019, at Hanson's Red Hill quarry, about 30km northeast of Perth, where aggregate or 'blue metal' was being mined.

A construction company has been fined $130,000 over the death of a worker in a WA mine

The truck was travelling along a road carved into the outer wall of the quarry, known as a 'bench', which at one point went from a width of 11m to 6.5m.

On one side of the bench road was a sheer drop.

The experienced driver, who had been working at the quarry for seven months, had restricted visibility of about 7m to ground level due to the size of the truck.

At about 6.50am, a front wheel of the truck went over the edge of a narrow part of the road, tilting the vehicle and causing it to topple to the bench below.

It was found Hanson failed to meet safety thresholds or recommended safety features in the construction of a barrier along the edge of the bench to deflect vehicles, known as a 'windrow'.

Acting WorkSafe chief inspector Mines Christina Folley said the tragedy could have been avoided.

A construction company has been fined $130,000 over the death of a worker in a WA mine

'This incident is a timely reminder that all companies should make worker safety their number one priority,' she said.

'Hanson Construction Materials should have conducted a risk assessment of the haul truck operation on the bench where the incident occurred.

'The company failed to implement these practicable measures in a consistent and adequate way.'

The company was not charged with causing the worker's death and was also ordered to pay $4,000 in costs.

Hanson has since significantly increased the height of the windrows on the bench and improved its composition, according to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
A tourist tried to take a snap of an emu

Footage shows the moment a curious tourist got the fright of his life when Australia's largest native bird decided it wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot.

In the video, the man got up close and personal with the emu for a selfie but soon found himself chased at a high speed through Nambung National Park in Western Australia.

'Funniest day at the Pinnacles Cervantes,' Joanne Colely, who uploaded the clip to social media wrote.

Footage shows the moment a curious tourist got the fright of his life when Australia's largest native bird decided it wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot

In the video, the man got up close and personal with the emu for a good photo but soon found himself chased at a high speed through Nambung National Park in Western Australia

The unidentified man was filmed by Ms Colely at the park's popular Pinnacles site as he began to creep up on the emu.

As soon as he got close enough to snap his pic the bird immediately turned on him and gave chase.

The pursuit lasted roughly 20 metres as the man showed a surprising turn of speed to out-pace the emu, which is capable of running up to 50 kilometres per hour.

Adding to the comedy of the sight was the addition of the famous Benny Hill Show theme music, Yakety Sax, to the clip.

A friend who was with the man helped scare off the towering bird, which was mere moments away from catching up to his friend.

'The other man yelled "boo" and it ran,' Ms Colely wrote.

After that fright the two-metre tall emu began flailing its head as it retreated behind a nearby bush.

'Love it how he ran to the [friend] for protection, it'd been funny if he started running too,' one person commented.

'If you don't succeed, run like f***,' a second added.

Although there have been no reports of emus attacking people in Cervantes, it is common for the flightless birds to intimidate other creatures by sprinting after them.

However, the scene could've turned ugly had the emu caught up to the man, according to Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction district manager Chris Stewart.

'Wild animals are unpredictable, so it's always best to take photos of them in the landscape and from a distance,' Mr Stewart told Perth Now.

'They have quite sharp beaks, so in this situation its best to ask if the photo is really worth it.'

There has never been a reported incident of an emu killing a human, either with its beak or razor sharp talons.

Its close relative on the other hand, the Cassowary in Queensland, is far more dangerous and has been known to kill humans.

Although there have been no reports of emus attacking people in Cervantes, it is common for the flightless birds to intimidate other creatures by sprinting after them
Elon Musk has pledged to roll out Tesla in India 'as soon as humanly possible' after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York days after Jack Dorsey claimed Twitter was under pressure from the Indian government to 'take down' content.

'It was excellent and a very good conversation,' Musk told reporters when asked about his meeting with Modi, adding he planned to visit India next year.

'I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible,' Musk said when asked by reporters about a timeline on Tesla coming to India.

Musk said Modi was pushing the car maker to make a 'significant investment' in the country, adding that such an announcement was expected soon.

His comments came during the Indian leader's state visit to the United States.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes the hand of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk during their meeting in New York City on June 20, 2023

Musk leaving the Lotte New York Palace hotel on Tuesday where he met Modi. 'It was excellent and a very good conversation,' Musk told reporters

US President Joe Biden welcomed Modi on Wednesday for two days of talks that the White House sees as bolstering 'one of the defining partnerships of our age,' despite ongoing concerns about human rights.

Last week Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey accused India of threatening to shut down the platform for not complying with content takedown orders during a 2020-2021 protest.

India called the allegation an 'outright lie'.

'Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws, we will get shut down...,' Musk told reporters on Tuesday.

A source previously told Reuters that Musk would brief Modi on plans to set up a manufacturing base in India.

India has strong potential for a sustainable energy future including solar power, stationary battery packs and electric vehicles, Musk said, adding that he hopes to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to India as well.

'He [Modi] really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do,' Musk told reporters after the meeting at the Lotte New York Palace hotel.

Later, India's foreign ministry spokesperson tweeted saying Modi had invited Musk to 'explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector'.

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.

The South Asian country is now looking to allow some US companies to initially collaborate with Indian firms for investments in its space sector, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

India opened the way for private launches in 2020 and wants its private space companies to increase their share of the global launch market five-fold within the next decade.

Executives of Tesla visited India and held talks with Indian bureaucrats and ministers last month on establishing a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in India.

Musk said last month Tesla would probably pick a location for a new factory by the end of this year, adding that India was an interesting place for a new plant.

Musk posted a picture of the meeting with Modi. The Indian leader is on a state visit to the United States

Many US companies are trying to reduce reliance on China as a manufacturing base in the face of tensions between Washington and Beijing. Tesla last year shelved its India entry plans due to high import tax structures.

Musk said in April that he did not know 'what exactly happened' when Twitter took down content related to a documentary critical of Modi earlier this year, adding that some rules related to social media content were 'quite strict' in India.

In January, India ordered the blocking of a BBC documentary that questioned Modi's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying that even the sharing of any clips via social media was barred.

The government had issued orders to Twitter to block over 50 tweets linking to the video of the documentary, Kanchan Gupta, an adviser to the government, had said.

While the BBC had not aired the documentary in India, the video was uploaded on some YouTube channels, Gupta had said.

'I am not aware of this particular situation... don't know what exactly happened with some content situation in India,' Musk said in an interview with the BBC broadcast live on Twitter Spaces, when asked if the site took down some content at the behest of the Indian government.

Tensions escalated in the capital, New Delhi, at Jamia Millia University on January 25 where a student group said it planned to screen the banned documentary, prompting scores of police officers equipped with tear gas and riot gear to gather outside campus gates.

Police, some in plain clothes, scuffled with protesting students and detained at least half a dozen of them, who were taken away in a van.

The university cut off power and the internet on its campus before the documentary was scheduled to be screened by a students' union.

Authorities said it would disturb peace on campus, but students nonetheless watched the documentary on their laptops and mobile phones after sharing it on messaging services like Telegram and WhatsApp.

The documentary also caused a storm at other Indian universities.
A conspiracy theory has emerged just hours after Allen's announced it would be discontinuing the Fantales lolly after nearly a century of production.

The chocolate-covered caramel treats feature movie trivia on the wrappers and were once described as 'Australia's most defining lolly' by the New York Times.

But Allen's announced on Tuesday that Fantales would be discontinued, saying sales had dropped and the equipment used to make them was breaking down.

Despite Allen's offering a valid explanation for the end of the lolly, some conspiracy theorists are convinced it's all a publicity stunt to revive interest in the product.

The 'publicity stunt' theory first emerged on social media, before it was spread on national television by Sunrise host Natalie Barr on Wednesday morning.

'Do you think it's a publicity stunt?' she asked during an interview with Russ Eats, a popular influencer who reviews snack foods.

Russ Eats said it was 'a bit odd' for Allen's to announce the discontinuation via a press statement, adding that usually this kind of news is 'leaked' by an employee.

He suggested the announcement was instead a threat to consumers that the lolly could be axed 'if you don't buy more', which prompted Barr to say: 'Let's hope it's a publicity stunt.'

Nestle has announced it will stop producing classic Australian lolly Fantales (above) in July

Russ Eats said if was a publicity stunt, it had worked very well for Allen's.

'I went to Woolies and Coles, and there were empty boxes everywhere because people flocked to buy the last Fantales,' he remarked.

Thousands of Fantales fans have called for Nestle to reconsider its decision.

'Why is it the good old things get discounted? Why can't we still have our favourites still in store?' one person wrote online.

'What do you mean they're discontinuing Fantales? They're the only lollies I actually like,' another tweeted.

Others said they did not understand how Fantales could have suffered from a decline in sales, with many observing the household staple is often sold out.

'I love them but they are never on the shelf! I'm always looking for them!' one woman wrote.

'I don't understand these "declining" sales. They release absolutely ridiculous flavours nobody buys and keep them on the shelf,' another said.

A Nestle spokeswoman responded to the 'stunt' claim on Wednesday, saying: 'Sadly, its not a media stunt. Our last bag of Fantales will roll down the line in mid-July, then theyll be available in store only while stocks last.'

Nestle will stop producing the lolly in mid-July, but said Fantales production-line workers will be given other roles within the factory.

'Many of us grew up with Fantales and have fond memories of them,' said Allen's spokesman Andrew Lawrey. 'Despite the sense of nostalgia Fantales evoke, unfortunately people simply aren't buying them as often as they used to.

'In addition, our Fantales equipment needs significant investment. It's become increasingly difficult to get the parts we need to maintain it, and with declining sales, replacing it isn't viable.'
A family who has lived and worked in Australia for 18 years face deportation after they were scammed by an immigration officer.

Wonsang Lee, his partner Soonyoung Park and their children Sojung, 25, and Donghoon, 23, have lived in Melbourne since 2005.

Mr Lee applied for permanent residency in 2016 but his application was denied after his migration agent disappeared with the family's $20,000.

They have pleaded to Immigration Minister Andrew Giles for ministerial intervention as they now face the prospect of being sent back to South Korea.

Sojung is the only family member who is allowed to stay in Australia as he has been granted permanent residency - meaning he could be left alone in the country.

A family who has lived in Australia since 2005 face deportation after they were scammed of $20,000 and a chance at a permanent visa by their migration agent (pictured)

The family have started a Change.org petition pleading for Mr Giles to personally consider their situation.

'We have built a life here in Australia, and leaving would mean leaving behind the place we have called home for almost two decades,' Mr Lee wrote.

Mr Lee had recently worked as a travel agent after spending years as a bus driver while Ms Park has spent over a decade as a registered nurse.

Sojung has also taken after her mother, studying as a nurse and working long hours on the front line throughout the Covid pandemic.

'This situation has caused significant stress and emotional hardship for my family and me, as we have lost valuable time and our only genuine opportunity to become permanent residents,' Mr Lee wrote.

'We came to this country with dreams and aspirations of building a meaningful and dedicated life in a place that values freedom, respect, and equal opportunities.

'Australia has become our home, and we have contributed to this society through our work and daily lives.'

The father pleaded for help from Australians as his family fear being separated across the world.

'We are dependent on each other for mental and social support, and it would be a difficult situation for my daughter to remain in Australia alone,' Mr Lee wrote.

The petition currently has over 11,000 signatures of its 15,000 goal.

They have called on Immigration minister, Andrew Giles (pictured), intervene on the immigration status so they can continue to live in Australia

Mr Lee explained he had applied for an Employer Nomination Scheme visa in 2016.

He claimed his migration officer ran away with the $20,000 after writing up fraudulent visa forms that she claimed were submitted with the Department of Immigration.

The migration agent reportedly had their registration cancelled by the Department of Immigration's Professional Standards and Integrity Office in April of 2016 following another case of fraud in 2014, Herald Sun reported.

The department said the agent had manufactured 'fraudulent departmental correspondence' and demonstrated behaviour of an 'extremely serious nature'.

The Lee family have received cross-bench support from two MPs, including Labor's Ged Kearney and Liberal Party member Michael Sukkar, as they make their bid to stay in Australia.

The family have two potential options for visas, another three-month bridging visa which would give them time to apply for a Parent visa.

However, a Parents visa can take over a decade to process, meaning the family would have to relocate back to South Korea where the visa may not be granted.

'We are calling on the Minister for Immigration Andrew Giles MP to consider our case with compassion and empathy, so we can continue living in Australia as a family,' Mr Lee wrote.

'This is our last hope and chance, our future as a family hangs in the balance.'
WH Smith, Marks & Spencer and Argos are among more than 200 companies that have been 'named and shamed' for breaking minimum wage law.

Nearly 5million was owned to 63,000 employees since 2017, an investigation by HMRC found.

The named companies, who have branded the mistake a 'genuine error', will now be made to pay back what the staff are owed as well as being fined around 7million.

High Street stationer WH Smith was the worst offender, with the figures showing it failed to pay around 1million to 17,607 workers.

Marks & Spencer failed to pay 578,390 to 5,363, while Lloyd's Pharmacy failed to pay 903,307 to 7,9116 staff members.

Kevin Hollinrake, minister for enterprise, markets and small business, said: 'All businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.'

High street stationer WH Smith was the worst offender at the top of the HMRC's list, with the figures showing it failed to pay around 1 million to 17,607 workers

He added: 'Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we're sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you'll face the consequences.'

A spokesman for WH Smith said: 'Following a review with HMRC in 2019, and in common with a number of retailers, it was brought to our attention that we had misinterpreted how the statutory wage regulations were applied to our uniform policy for staff working in our stores.

'This was a genuine error and it was rectified immediately with all colleagues reimbursed in 2019.'

Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the Low Pay Commission, said: 'Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.'

In response, an M&S spokesman said: 'Like many other organisations, M&S is only named in the list because of an unintentional technical issue from over four years ago.

'This happened simply because temporary colleagues were not paid within the strict time periods specified in the national minimum wage regulations and was remedied as soon as we became aware of the issue.

Marks & Spencers store on Oxford Street, London. The high street brand was one of 200 who failed to pay minimum wage

'Our minimum hourly pay has never been below the national minimum wage, it is currently above it and no colleagues were ever underpaid because of this.'

Meanwhile, Sainsbury's-owned retailer Argos was named for failing to pay 480,093 to over 10,000 workers.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'Back in 2018, a payroll error was identified which affected some Argos store colleagues and drivers and dated back to 2012, before Sainsbury's acquisition of Argos.

'We launched an immediate investigation, working alongside HMRC, and put this right at the time.

'Since then we have completed the integration of Argos onto Sainsbury's systems which will prevent this from happening again.'

A spokesperson for LloydsPharmacy comments: 'LloydsPharmacy can confirm that this unintentional underpayment relates to an investigation by HMRC that was concluded in 2019, when it was part of McKesson UK. It was brought about by HMRC's rules around company uniforms.'

'As soon as LloydsPharmacy was made aware of it we acted quickly to notify the affected colleagues and re-imburse them. We also updated our uniform policy to ensure it did not recur.'

'LloydsPharmacy can confirm all our employees are paid above the national minimum wage and would like to take this opportunity to reassure them of our commitment to fair and equitable pay.'
A note in which Lucy Letby wrote I am evil, I did this after being accused of killing premature babies should be read literally, a court heard yesterday.

The neo-natal nurse earlier told her trial that she wrote the message, found in her diary when police searched her home, when she was panicking after being moved off her hospitals neonatal unit.

She said she was blaming myself but not because Id done something, because of the way people were making me feel.

However, prosecutor Nick Johnson KC told Manchester Crown Court yesterday that the note should be viewed as a confession.

He said it was not, as she claimed, the anguished outpourings of a woman in fear and despair at having been moved away from the frontline nursing job she loved.

A note in which Lucy Letby (pictured) wrote I am evil, I did this should be read 'literally,' a court heard

It should be taken literally, he told jurors.

Mr Johnson also told the court that Letby was completely out of control when she murdered two identical triplets 23 hours apart after she returned from a holiday in Ibiza.

She had already got away with murdering five children and attacking nine others in plain sight when she killed the premature baby boys, it is alleged.

It had given her the misplaced confidence to do pretty much whatever she wanted, jurors heard.

After the second triplet collapsed, Letby, 33, even happily predicted to a doctor that he would die because she knew the endgame and was enjoying playing God, it is claimed.

Addressing the jury on the second day of his closing speech, Mr Johnson said Letby killed the first triplet, known as Baby O, in a cruel and violent way, in June 2016.

She assaulted his abdomen, causing his liver to rupture and bleed internally, before injecting air into his stomach and circulation, blocking blood flow to his heart, he claimed.

Within minutes of his death, the barrister said, she was sabotaging his brother, known as Baby P, by overfeeding him milk and injecting air into his feeding tube before she clocked off for the day.

Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC told Manchester Crown Court yesterday that the note should be viewed as a confession

She allegedely evaded detection because none of her trusting colleagues could initially contemplate the possibility that a member of their neonatal 'family' was working against them (File photo: A general view of the Countess of Chester Hospital, where Letby used to work)

On her way home, Mr Johnson said, Letby lay the ground for his murder on her shift at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester the following day by gas-lighting her colleagues in text messages, writing that she was worried as the siblings were identical.

Mr Johnson told jurors: We say simply that the murder of Baby O was cruel and violent.

She had got away with so much by the time she returned from Ibiza it gave Lucy Letby the misplaced confidence that she could pretty much do whatever she wanted.

We say, frankly, by this stage she was completely out of control and determined to meet out the same treatment to Baby P the very next day.

Letby is accused of injecting air into Baby Ps feeding tube, causing his stomach to blow up and crush his lungs - less than 24 hours after Baby O died. She also allegedly dislodged his breathing tube before his fatal collapse.

Mr Johnson added: We suggest Baby Ps case shows the malevolence of Lucy Letby at its height.

By midday on June 24, as Baby P deteriorated, doctors decided he needed to be transferred to a more specialist centre.

Around the same time, the court heard, Letby told a senior female consultant: Hes not leaving here alive, is he? And, the court heard, she was right.

The neo-natal nurse (pictured) earlier told her trial that she wrote the message while 'panicking' after being moved off her hospital's neo-natal unit

Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC told Manchester Crown Court (pictured) the note should be taken 'literally'

Baby P collapsed for a final time shortly after the transport team arrived to move him.

Mr Johnson asked the jury: Why did she [Letby] say it? There is only one answer - because she knew the end game.

'She knew what was going to happen, she was controlling things, she was enjoying what was going on and happily predicting what she knew was going to happen. She was in effect playing God.

Earlier, Mr Johnson said doctors on the unit who suspected something abnormal was going on after the two triplets died hadnt gone to police because they simply hadnt witnessed Letby doing anything untoward.

He questioned exactly what they would have told officers, adding Letby had been operating in plain sight.

The third triplet survived after his parents begged for him to be moved to another hospital. It is the prosecution case that Letby planned to murder him too.

Letby, of Hereford, denies the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of ten others between June 2015 and June 2016. The trial continues.
The Indigenous Affairs minister has sparked mass confusion and outrage after claiming a Voice to Parliament would have no interest in trying to change the date of Australia Day.

Linda Burney has repeatedly sidestepped questions from the Opposition in Parliament this week - Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley, in particular - about the scope of the advisory body.

Ms Ley has repeatedly called on Ms Burney to outline what the Voice would and would not be able to make representations to parliament on - with Ms Burney ruling out on Tuesday that it would give advice about Australia Day.

She said: 'I can tell you what the Voice will not be giving advice on. It won't be giving advice on parking tickets.

'It won't be giving advice on changing Australia Day. It will not be giving advice on all of the ridiculous things that that side has come up with.'

But constitutional experts have cast doubt on Ms Burney's claim.

Linda Burney has repeatedly avoided questions from the Opposition this week - Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley, in particular - about the scope of the advisory body

Ms Ley hit back on Wednesday morning in an interview with Peter Stefanovic, calling on Ms Burney to return to parliament to 'correct the record'.

'I think Linda Burney is in real trouble here,' she said.

'If you mislead parliament, unintentionally perhaps, you need to step back into the chamber and correct the record.

'It is clearly not the case that the Voice would not be able to make representations about Australia Day.'

The government has stood firm in its message that the advisory body - should the Voice succeed at the referendum - would be able to make representations to parliament on all matters impacting First Nations people.

Critics and the Opposition are calling for the government to be more specific, given the idea of what impacts Indigenous people varies depending on who you ask.

Ms Ley had asked Ms Burney if the Voice could 'make representations to the Chief of the Defence Force on military acquisitions or the location or operation of military bases'.

Ms Ley had asked Ms Burney if the Voice could 'make representatives to the Chief of the Defence Force on military acquisitions or the location or operation of military bases'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - along with most other Labor MPs in the chamber - laughed in response.

The government argues these questions have been asked in 'bad faith'. Any advisory body would have no veto power, and decision making would remain with the government of the day and parliament.

Constitutional law expert George Williams told The Australian it is 'conceivable' to expect a group like the Voice to Parliament to make representations on the date of Australia Day.

The debate over whether Australia should change the date of the national day has been raging for decades, and only been amplified in recent years.

Mr Williams said: 'The question is "matters relating to Indigenous peoples" and a public holiday commemorating the colonisation of Australia might be something they make representations about. I only say "might" - we don't know - but it'd be open to them to do so if they wanted and then it would be a judgment call.

'[Ms Burney] may know better than me. It's her community after all. She may be making a judgment that she doesn't believe they will. That's why I don't think she's wrong; it's just a judgment.'

Constitutional experts have cast doubt on Ms Burney's claims on Tuesday that the body would not be interested in Australia Day

Other experts say a date change is likely not a high priority, but could not give assurances that it would never be on the agenda.

The prime minister said Australians will be afforded a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to improve the lives of First Nations people between October and December.

'Where's the downside here?' he asked. 'What are people risking here?

'From my perspective this is all upside.'

Mr Albanese said 'the truth is for most people watching this it will have no impact on their lives', but that it 'might make things better for the most disadvantaged people in Australia'.

After years of doing things 'for' Aboriginal people, often with the best of intentions, the PM said a Voice to Parliament would allow Indigenous people to take the front seat on matters crucial to them.

There have been many concerns about what exactly this means. Critics of the Voice say there is not enough detail provided on just what matters the advisory body will have input on.

Ms Burney said: 'I can tell you what the Voice will not be giving advice on. It won't be giving advice on parking tickets. It won't be giving advice on changing Australia Day. It will not be giving advice on all of the ridiculous things that that side has come up with'

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus tried to clear up that confusion during the press conference.

He listed five key issues which will become the core focus of the advisory group: health, employment, education, housing and justice.

'No harm can come from this referendum, only good,' he said. 'The parliament has done its job and now it's up to the Australian people.'

Both the Yes and No campaigns will now ramp up efforts to connect with voters ahead of the referendum, which will likely take place in October this year.

The Liberal Party, Nationals and One Nation will all oppose the Voice and contribute to official No pamphlets to be delivered to every household.

Labor and the Greens, along with several independents, will collaborate on a Yes pamphlet.

READ MORE: Bombshell tweets reveal Yes campaigner's vision for Australia after the Voice is introduced: 'Reparations, land back, paid rent'
The captain of a fishing boat that was denied a $3.5million prize for reeling in the biggest fish at a North Carolina tournament has insisted the organizers were wrong to disqualify them and vowed to fight for the prize.

Greg McCoy's boat, Sensation, was given a rapturous reception Saturday when it returned to the marina in Morehead City, North Carolina.

The marlin, which took angler Bailey Gore over six hours to reel, weighed 619 pounds, making them - they thought - the winner of the contest to be the first to bring home a 500-pound fish.

But organizers announced after the weigh-in that the Sensation crew was disqualified because the marlin had a large bite mark on its flank.

Greg McCoy, 56, the captain of the Sensation, said he and his crew think they fairly won $3.5 million prize in a North Carolina fishing tournament

The crew of Sensation and their 619-pound blue marlin was pictured with their catch before they were disqualified from the tournament after it was noticed the fish had been mutilated

McCoy is pictured on a previous fishing trip. He vows to fight and organizers were wrong to disqualify their multi-million dollar catch

International Game Fish Association rules state: 'Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh. Injuries caused by leader or line, scratches, old healed scars or regeneration deformities are not considered to be disqualifying injuries.'

McCoy and his crew insisted they were robbed and legitimately won the contest. They have appealed and hired a lawyer. A panel should adjudicate their appeal in five days.

'We worked hard, we felt like what we did was incredible with this fish, we knew we had won the tournament,' he told CNN.

'I knew that fish was gonna destroy the other fish on the leaderboard weight-wise, and that's exactly what it did.

'We followed all the rules. There was nothing nefarious or cheating or anything like that on our part.

'We feel like it was taken away from us.'

The enormous fish was seen being brought onto land - ready for its weigh in

The board detailing the Sensation's catch with a whopping weight of 619.4lbs

The prize money went to the crew of Sushi, which brought in a 484.5-pound blue marlin: they were awarded $2,769,438. The total amount was less as they missed a bonus as their fish did not weigh more than 500lbs.

Organizers of the 65th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in North Carolina insisted they have followed the rules.

'This decision is consistent with prior decisions made by the tournament in similar circumstances over the last 65 years,' the tournament added.

But McCoy said they feel cheated, and are convinced they are the legitimate winners.

'The tournament is about catching the biggest fish. We caught the biggest fish.

'I'm not a sour grapes person. I'm not a sore loser. We won the tournament. We caught the biggest fish,' he said.

'As they say, put that in your pipe and smoke it.'

One of the devastated crew members of Sensation was seen being consoled following their disqualification from the tournament and loss of $3.5million in prize money

A statement by organizers explained why Sensation's catch was disqualified from the tournament and lost its $3.5million payday

McCoy, 56, said Saturday was a rollercoaster of emotion.

'We went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. It's a tough pill to swallow,' he said.

'We don't know whether that fish was bit before, earlier in the year, the week, or on our hook. We don't know that.'

The ship's owner, Ashley Bleau, said he was not convinced the wounds even came from a shark.

He said the line had been wrapped around the marlin's tail when they brought it up and injuries may have come from the line as they winched it up.

'It was a lot like skinning your knee. It's not like it was missing a tail or fin, or had organs displaced or stomach torn out, or something that would have been detrimental to kill the fish,' said Bleau.

'I truly believe that it was more so something that ended up possibly happening in the winching process rather than during the fight.'

Bleau said the damage on the enormous catch was so small as to be almost insignificant.

'The mutilation was less than the size of my hand,' Bleau told Pirate Radio during a discussion about the tournament on Monday.

Ashley Bleau, the owner of a North Carolina fishing boat, who reeled in a 619lb marlin says the rules over 'mutilation' are outdated and unclear after his winning catch was disqualified

If they had won, McCoy himself would have received 10 percent of the $3.5 million, which he said was 'life-changing.'

'I'm getting old. I need to think about my future,' he said.

'I've got young kids, an 18- and 20-year-old son, I could have set them up pretty good.

'I'm a hard-working blue-collar guy. I pay my bills, and this money would have been put aside to go to my kids,' he said.

'I feel like we earned it.'

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in North Carolina has become extremely popular in recent years, with more than 270 boats taking part in this latest competition.

The competition is serious business with several fishing lines cast in the hope of catching something big

A total of 271 vessels took to the open water off the North Carolina coast on Saturday

Those on board the Sensation are seen in a blurry, yet dramatic action shot from Saturday

Bleau said he knew something was amiss shortly after his boat landed and the massive marlin was examined while a crowd of hundreds chanted, 'weigh the fish!'

'I saw two of the judges whispering to one another and asked what was going on. They pointed out the shark bite on the side of the fish. There was no discussion of disqualification at that time. We weighed the fish and we were on cloud nine.'

When their marlin's total weight was announced, there were cheers from the crew and the crowd, but Bleau was informed his catch would likely be barred from being entered into the competition.

A shark bite near the fish's head was noticed by the tournament weigh masters and brought to the attention of the boat's crew.

'I think the mutilation rule is outdated,' said Bleau.

'We've got a more prevalent shark population but in a nutshell the rule needs to be done away with, period.

'In the past three years, this rule has come into effect twice.

'There's different interpretations. It's about as clear as mud. Everybody thinks it's black and white and it's not.'
A Florida couple sued the CEO of Titanic tourism company OceanGate Expeditions and accusing him of misleading them about their trip to visit the wreck and refusing to refund their $210,258 when they complained.

Marc and Sharon Hagle, who made their fortune in commercial real estate, are well known for their philanthropy and their adventurous spirit. In March 2022, they were on the fourth Blue Origin passenger space flight and became the first married couple to become space tourists.

In 2016, while on a trip to the South Pole, they decided their next adventure would be underwater. In 2017 they were announced as among the first customers for OceanGate, which was founded in 2009 by Seattle-born aviator and businessman Stockton Rush, now 61.

But they never got to take their trip, and in February this year sued Rush, accusing him of selling the adventure knowing it was not on schedule, and refusing to refund their cash.

OceanGate's submersible, the Titan, is currently missing with five people on board after it lost communication during a dive to the Titanic's wreckage, which is around 12,500ft below the Atlantic.

A frantic search and rescue operation is underway to locate and recover the vessel before its 96-hour oxygen supply runs out.

Marc Hagle, 74, and his wife Sharon, 73, went to space on Blue Origin's fourth trip, in March 2022. They intended to visit the Titanic wreck with OceanGate, and paid in 2017, but sued in February this year for fraud

This is the last sighting of the submersible, Titan, which was launched on Sunday. It is seen in a photograph shared by Hamish Harding's company. He and the four others onboard remains unaccounted for

OceanGate Expeditions is one of the only companies that offers the tours. Tickets cost up to $250,000.

Who was Stockton Rush? San Francisco-born Rush, 61, founded OceanGate Expeditions in 2009 - after trying, and failing, to buy explorer and businessman Steve Fossett's submersible, after the adventurer died in a 2007 plane crash. As a young man, Rush was more interested in space than deep seas: At 19, he became the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world, qualifying with the United Airlines Jet Training Institute. For the next three years he flew for Saudi Arabian Airlines on his summer holidays from his aerospace engineering course at Princeton. From 1984 he worked with the US Air Force on F-15s and anti-satellite missile programs, with the aim of eventually taking part in the space program. Rush obtained an MBA from Berkeley and went on to work for multiple companies, specializing in sonar, subsea technology and radars. Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate He built a Glasair III experimental aircraft which he flew regularly, and his own Kittredge K-350 two-man submersible. Rush always intended to take tourists to the Titanic: in 2017, he said he planned to then branch out to excursions to hydrothermal vents or deep-sea canyons, and underwater battlefield tours. He then hoped to work with oil and gas exploration. In 2018, the Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society, a 60-year-old trade group, warned that the 'current 'experimental' approach' of the company could result in problems 'from minor to catastrophic.' The company also fired David Lochridge, who was Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, after disagreeing with his demand for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, including 'testing to prove its integrity'. Additionally, the company opted against having the craft 'classed', an industry-wide practice whereby independent inspectors ensure vessels meet accepted technical standards. The first trips to see Titanic began in 2021. Rush was killed in the June 18 disaster. Advertisement

Among those taking part in the the most recent expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai, and Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, plus his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19.

Rush is also understood to be on board the vessel, which vanished Sunday, along with French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet.

The Hagles claim that Rush, a Princeton-educated engineer and pilot with a MBA from Berkeley, traveled to their home in Winter Park, a suburb of Orlando, Florida, to convince them to buy in to his company.

The submersible he intended to use was named Cyclops 2 at the time - it has since been renamed Titan.

'During their September 27, 2017 meeting, Rush made several false statements of material fact to Plaintiffs, including, without limitation: (a) regarding the status of development and testing of Cyclops 2 as of that date, (b) that Cyclops 2 would be ready to dive on the Titanic by June of 2018,' the suit, obtained by The Daily Beast, reads.

'(c) if plaintiffs had any questions or concerns as to the integrity of Cyclops 2 and/or the timing of the expedition if it were to be delayed, they could request, and would receive, a full refund of all monies paid with no questions asked, and (d) plaintiffs' deposits were, and any future payments by plaintiffs would be, held in a dedicated client escrow account separate from his or OceanGate's funds.'

They claim the trip was postponed by a year three separate times, due to testing requirements and unspecified 'equipment failure.'

They said their money was not - as had been promised - kept in a separate account, where they could recover it.

The company allegedly told the Hagles they could join a 2021 mission to the Titanic's sunken hull, but not get a refund.

They argued that Rush violated state fraud and unfair and deceptive practices statutes.

The Hagles are seeking the return of their money, as well as attorneys fees and other reimbursement for their pains. it's unclear the status of the lawsuit

'Given the willful, wanton, and egregious nature of Rush's conduct, plaintiffs reserve the right to seek to have punitive damages awarded herein,' the complaint states.

Marc Hagle, asked about the suit, told The Daily Beast: 'My thoughts go out to the owners of Oceangate, the people that are on the submersible, both the crew and the guests.

'And we're hoping for a miracle and that everybody comes home safely.

'I think the pleadings speak for themselves.'

OceanGate, asked about the case, said: 'Our entire focus is on the wellbeing of the crew and every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely.'

It emerged on Tuesday that OceanGate's safety record had been questioned by an industry body.

A 2018 letter to Rush, obtained by the New York Times, warned that 'the current 'experimental' approach' of the company could result in problems 'from minor to catastrophic.'

Leaders in the submersible industry sent a letter to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (pictured)  who is currently missing along with the vessel  urging him to take caution

It was sent by the Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society, a 60-year-old trade group that aims to promote ocean technology and educate the public about it.

But it is unclear if any employee or Rush himself responded to the letter, and there was no further detail on why the approach was considered dangerous.

Officials searching for the missing sub have warned that they may not be able to rescue the missing tourist sub even if they find it.

The sub's oxygen supply was at just 40 hours from Tuesday afternoon, giving rescue crews until Thursday morning to find it before it runs out.

Rescue crews from the US, France and Canada are still trying to find the vessel, which is understood to have last 'pinged' while directly above the Titanic wreck.

First District Response Coordinator Capt. Jamie Frederick said the Coast Guard has already searched 7,600 square miles of ocean - a search area the size of Connecticut.

The Boston Coast Guard is now looking for the missing vessel. The wreckage of the Titanic sits 12,500ft underwater around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine) a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are among the five people missing in the submersible that set off to see the wreck of the Titanic, it was revealed today

At 12,500ft underwater, there are few vessels able to dive deep enough to find it.

It comes after DailyMail.com revealed that OceanGate refused to put their submersible through an independent inspection process and fired a director in 2018 after he asked for more rigorous safety tests.

Bosses fired David Lochridge, who was Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, after disagreeing with his demand for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, including 'testing to prove its integrity'.

The company also opted against having the craft 'classed', an industry-wide practice whereby independent inspectors ensure vessels meet accepted technical standards.

OceanGate, which charges up to $250,000 for a seat on the submersible, suggested that seeking classification could take years and would be 'anathema to rapid innovation'.

In 2019, the firm added that seeking classification for Titan would not 'ensure that operators adhere to proper operating procedures and decision-making processes  two areas that are much more important for mitigating risks at sea'.

Titan is currently missing with five people on board after it lost communication during a dive to the Titanic's wreckage, which is around 12,500ft below the Atlantic

OceanGate bosses fired David Lochridge, who was Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, in 2018 after it disagreed with his demand for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, which is missing after a mission to the Titanic wreckage

Classification involves recruiting an independent organization to ensure vessels like ships and submersibles meet industry-wide technical standards. It is a crucial way of ensuring a vessel is fit to operate.

The Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society said in a statement about the tragedy that the 'modern commercial submarine industry' is 'regulated in accordance with international safety standards through classification societies.'

They added: 'These organizations have rules and safety standards for the design and construction of systems ranging from submersible vehicles to super tankers and oil platforms.

'The main classification organizations for submersibles include the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Det Nortke Veritas (DNV) and Lloyds Registry (LR) among others.

'The submarine industry has a safety record of fifty years without incident.

'This is due to the engineering discipline and professional approach exercised by members of the industry, and the collective observation of (and adherence to) a variety of safety standards.'
Bud Light has suffered its worst weekly sales drop following its disastrous partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

The beer's sales dropped 26.8 percent for the week ending June 10, the worst week-on-week performance since its early April advertising campaign resulted in a swift backlash.

It's a deeper drop from the week ending on June 3, which saw a 24.4 percent drop, according to Bump Williams Consulting and NielsenIQ. The new low beats the previous worst - an almost 26 percent drop - for the week ending May 25.

It comes after Bud Light lost its crown as America's bestselling beer to Modelo, a Mexican lager brewed by Grupo Modelo - which is also owned by Bud manufacturer Anheuser-Busch.

Anheuser-Busch's other US brands - including Budweiser, Michelob Ultra and Natural Light - have also seen a significant decline in sales since the controversy. Bud is down 10 percent, while Natty Light and Michelob are down 2.3 and 2.4 percent, respectively.

The once-popular beer company saw its worst week in sales since teaming up with Mulvaney, 26, to celebrate her 365th day of girlhood, dropping 26.8 percent the week of June 10

Anheuser-Busch's other brands - including Budweiser and Natural Light - have also seen a significant decline in sales since the April 1 controversy with Mulvaney

'This was a tough week for Bud Light and other beer brands,' Bump Williams, owner of the consulting company, said.

Since the Anheuser-Busch scandal, the nation's formerly second-largest beer - Modelo - has quickly risen through the ranks, rising up 5.7 percent in sales the week ending on June 10.

Anheuser-Busch's chief marketing officer said while accepting an award at an advertising awards ceremony on Monday that the Bud Light partnership with Dylan Mulvaney was a humbling reminder it needs to understand its consumers better.

Marcel Marcondes ironically made the comments while accepting an award for 'Creative Marketer of the Year' at Cannes Lions - a lavish industry conference in the south of France dubbed the 'Oscars for the adverting industry.'

It comes months after the company lost $27billion in value due to a campaign.

Though AB was named the winner of the award before the fiasco erupted, it was not officially awarded until Monday, meaning there was a mighty elephant in the room. Some even said the company should turn down the award, the Wall Street Journal reported.

'In times like this, when things get divisive and controversial so easily, I think it's an important wake-up call to all of us marketers first of all to be very humble,' he said.

'That's what we're doing, being very humble, and really reminding ourselves of what we should do best every day, which is to really understand our consumers.

'Which is to really celebrate and appreciate every consumer that loves our brands - but in a way that can make them be together, not apart.'

The session was described in programming notes as a talk in part about AB InBev's 'relentless focus on connecting with consumers in meaningful ways,' The Wall Street Journal reported.

Budweiser is down 10 percent, while Natural Light and Michelob Ultra, were down 2.3 and 2.4 percent, respectively

Marcondes has worked at AB InBev for nearly two decades, according to his LinkedIn profile, and now oversees its global marketing strategies of AB brands including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA, Stella Artois and others.

'It's tough to see the controversial and divisive debates that have been happening in the US in the last couple of weeks involving lots of brands and companies, including and especially Bud Light,' Marcondes said during the Monday presentation.

'It's tough exactly because what we do is all about bringing people together.'

'That's what Bud Light stands for - it exists to make beer easy to drink and easy to enjoy,' he said.

'That's what we all, as a team, will be doing moving forward as a group. That's what leaders do. Bud Light is coming back. It's going all around the country, reconnecting with consumers, moving forward. That's what you can expect from Bud Light in the US.'

Anheuser-Busch's global chief marketing officer Marcel Marcondes (pictured) said the Bud Light partnership with Mulvaney was a humbling reminder it needs to understand its consumers better

Bud Light was accused of alienating their traditional customer base by partnering with Mulvaney

Modelo has seen an increase in sales since the boycotts started with Bud Light

Bud Light's historic decline came after it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a marketing campaign.

The hangover from the catastrophic advertising push has been ongoing since the collaboration was released in early April.

In the controversial promotion, Mulvaney, 26, posted a video on April 1 of herself cracking open a Bud Light on her Instagram page.

She showed off the customized can with her face on it - one of many corporate freebies she gets and promotes to her millions of followers.

Bud Light was accused of alienating their traditional customer base by partnering with Mulvaney, which led many conservatives - including Kid Rock - to boycott the brand.

Conservatives have continued with the boycott, leading to the Belgian based brewer to place two executives responsible for partnership Alissa Heinerscheid, the vice president of marketing, and her boss, Daniel Blake  on leave in April.

Heinerscheid was hired to overhaul Bud Light's marketing in June 2022 with the vision of freshening up its image, while Blake had worked at Anheuser-Busch for nearly nine years.

Heinerscheid's short-lived tenure reportedly included a widely-lauded Super Bowl ad featuring Miles Teller and wife Keleigh Sperry, as well as 'the Bud Light Carry' campaign that showed a woman carrying a round of beers to a table of friends without spilling a drop.

Those ads, statements from the beer brand revealed, were part of Heinerscheid's vision to make the brand more female friendly - something she described only a few months ago as a 'passion point'.

But that vision was swiftly cut down on April 3 with the brand's partnership with Mulvaney, a controversial trans activist with a mass following on social media, which proved to be a step too far for Bud Light's loyal customers.

After Anheuser-Busch tried to distance itself from the Mulvaney promotion, Bud Light also faced backlash from the opposite direction, with pro-LGBTQ groups accusing the company of abandoning the transgender influencer.
For decades, they were the outdoor boots of choice for everyone from farmers to festivalgoers.

Hunter wellies had a royal warrant from the late Queen and commanded a premium price after being made a footwear must-have by fashion icons including Princess Diana and Kate Moss.

But now Edinburgh-based Hunter Boots has gone into administration with debts of more than 100milion, including 11.5million owed to UK trade creditors.

The firms collapse has been blamed on prolonged dry weather in America hitting demand, as well as high freight costs and the shutdown of its Chinese factory during Covid.

There had also been customer complaints about quality since production moved to China in 2008.

Hunter wellies had a royal warrant from the late Queen and commanded a premium price after being made a footwear must-have by fashion icons including Princess Diana and Kate Moss

Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their honeymoon in 1981. She is wearing Hunter Wellington Boots

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall seen out walking near Sandringham House on November 24, 2006 in King's Lynn

The UKs only Hunter retail outlet, in Oxfordshire, has now closed and it is understood that 11 of the companys workforce have been made redundant with the remaining 110 jobs at risk.

But the brand name and intellectual property rights have been bought by the US company Authentic Brands Group, which also owns Reebok and Ted Baker.

Yesterday the Hunter website carried a message saying: Were creating a new experience for you. Sign up below to be notified when we launch!

Clare Kennedy, one of the administrators at AlixPartners, said: We are delighted to have assisted in securing a new home for this storied British brand.

Hunter wellies had a royal warrant from the late Queen and commanded a premium price after being made a footwear must-have

The UKs only Hunter retail outlet, in Oxfordshire, has now closed and it is understood that 11 of the companys workforce have been made redundant with the remaining 110 jobs at risk

We wish Authentic the very best for the future as they look to further elevate the Hunter brands global presence.

The boots, which have existed as wellies since 1956, were seen as a pioneering innovation when the earlier designs were created a century before following the discovery of vulcanised rubber.

The firm enjoyed record revenues of 113.8million in 2018 but business slumped during the pandemic.
Television star Julian Morrow has had a devastating legal loss against a former business partner who dubbed him 'Lord Voldemort' in an email to ABC management.

Morrow, a founding member of The Chaser satirical comedy team, was compared to the supreme villain in the Harry Potter books and films by experienced TV producer Nick Murray.

Murray and Morrow had jointly produced consumer affairs show The Checkout which ran for six seasons on the ABC from 2013.

The program, which used a satirical sketch-comedy format to highlight misleading, dishonest and unethical practices of well-known brands, was cancelled in 2018.

Television star Julian Morrow (above) has had a devastating legal loss against former business partner Nick Murray who dubbed him 'Lord Voldemort' in an email to ABC management

Julian Morrow and Nick Murray jointly produced a consumer affairs show called The Checkout (above) which ran for six seasons on the ABC. Morrow (top right) was a founding member of The Chaser comedy team

Murray agreed to sell Morrow his share of the pair's TV production company for $50 before learning his onetime partner was pitching a show similar to The Checkout to the ABC without him.

Morrow's proposed program, Are You Being Served? did not go ahead after Murray refused to sign a deed to release their joint venture The Checkout Pty Ltd.

What followed was a years-long multimillion-dollar legal dispute which saw Morrow engage high-profile barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC to claim Murray had breached their sale agreement.

Murray, who produces Gruen for the ABC, launched a counter-claim that Morrow had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct by attempting to revive The Checkout.

Nick Murray's email to ABC dubbing Julian Morrow 'Lord Voldemort' Nick Murray wrote to Michael Carrington, then acting head of content distribution at the ABC, on September 13, 2019. In this edited extract of his email Murray refers to Julian Morrow as 'Lord Voldemort' and mentions discontinuing his production of Gruen XL. [Gruen XL ran on ABC2 the night after Gruen screened on the main channel and included extra discussions on the topics covered in the original]. 'FYI, we are paid $1450 per week for Gruen XL. When we agreed to start Gruen XL, we had no idea how hard it would be to do. I suspect that is why no one else is doing a similar thing.' 'It is a significant exercise for me personally as I cut the show because the rest of the team are working on the following week's show by Wednesday. It is very difficult and results in me having a 14 hour day in the edit suite running two edits and two audio suites concurrently. 'So Gruen XL is a source of some frustration. 'That is the background to my comment that my enthusiasm for Gruen XL will reduce to zero in the circumstances you describe below. I have offered to repay the $1450 per week personally so neither the ABC, nor [Cordell Jigsaw] is out of pocket. 'On the other hand, I have been very disappointed by the refusal of ABC legal to provide the documents we've been seeking. We are stuck in the middle here and are receiving no assistance in our attempts to resolve it. The ABC is in possession of the material which would enable us to prove or disprove our suspicions. We've already spent a huge sum on legal fees and have received another threat of legal action this week. It is debilitating. 'That is why I don't want to continue Gruen XL if there is a new show developed with Lord Voldemort. 'As an aside, I wrote to [ABD managing director] David Anderson some weeks ago about this issue requesting a meeting and never heard back. That doesn't shout valued partner to me.' Advertisement

Morrow claimed a series of angry emails Murray sent to ABC management contained 'injurious falsehoods' that implied he had fraudulently deceived Murray.

In one email Murray referred to Morrow as Lord Voldemort and threatened to discontinue Gruen XL - an extended version of the program which runs the night after its original screening - if the national broadcaster developed a show with Morrow.

Morrow, who claimed Murray sought to 'destroy him and his relationship with the ABC', called character evidence from witnesses including the broadcaster's medical expert Dr Norman Swan and former Labor senator Kristina Keneally.

Last year a NSW Supreme Court judge awarded Morrow $35,000 in defamation damages but the Court of Appeal has now overturned that ruling.

Morrow, who claimed Murray sought to 'destroy him and his relationship with the ABC', called character evidence from witnesses including the broadcaster's medical expert Dr Norman Swan (right) and former Labor senator Kristina Keneally (left)

Justice Christine Adamson found on Tuesday that Murray had made out the defence of qualified privilege as the ABC had a commercial interest in negotiations between him and Morrow, and he was entitled to update management about them.

Murray (above) learnt his onetime partner was pitching a show similar to The Checkout to the ABC without him

She also found Morrow had not proved his erstwhile business partner was acting with express malice when he sent the emails, as he believed his allegations to be true.

Morrow also failed in his appeal against a finding he had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct by not informing Murray of his attempts to resuscitate The Checkout.

'His failure to disclose his negotiations with the ABC constituted misleading or deceptive conduct,' Justice Adamson found.

Morrow's company, The Checkout Pty Ltd, was ordered to pay $500,000 to Murray's company, CJZ - formerly known as Cordell Jigsaw - in damages.

Morrow was also ordered to pay Murray's legal costs for both proceedings which have been estimated at $2.5million.

Murray called the case a 'disastrous farce' which 'never should have happened', according to Nine newspapers, while Morrow said he was 'very disappointed by this outcome'.

'We need to absorb the decision and work out what's best from here,' Morrow said.
A federal judge struck down Arkansas' 2021 first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for children as unconstitutional on Tuesday, in the first ruling of its kind as a growing number of Republican-led states adopt similar restrictions.

It sets the stage for a rash of future legal challenges as Republican candidates for the 2024 election use the issue in their culture war manifestos.

Arkansas was the first state to ban doctors from providing gender-affirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery to anyone under 18.

But U.S. District Judge Jay Moody temporarily blocked the law in 2021 and on Tuesday made the stay permanent.

In his order, he said the ban violated the rights of doctors and discriminated against transgender people.

A 2021 rally against the law outside the Arkansas state capitol in Little Rock

'Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that, by prohibiting it, the state undermined the interests it claims to be advancing,' he wrote

The law also would have prohibited doctors from referring patients elsewhere for such care.

At least 19 other states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors since Arkansas led the way, and nearly all of them have been challenged in court.

Moody's ruling will be closely watched as it is the first time a federal court has decided the legality of such bans.

The state's attorney general immediately said he would appeal.

'Judge Moody misses what is widely known: There is no scientific evidence that any child will benefit from these procedures, while the consequences are harmful and often permanent,' Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said on Twitter.

'We will appeal to the Eighth Circuit.'

Republican lawmakers in Arkansas enacted the ban in 2021, overriding a veto by former GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson, who left office in January and is now seeking the Republican presidential nomination, said the law went too far by cutting off treatments for children currently receiving such care.

Tim Griffin, the state's attorney general, immediately said on Twitter he would appeal

The ruling affects only the Arkansas ban but may carry implications for the fates of similar prohibitions, or discourage attempts to enact them, in other states.

'This decision sends a clear message. Fear-mongering and misinformation about this health care do not hold up to scrutiny; it hurts trans youth and must end,' said Holly Dickson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas.

'Science, medicine, and law are clear: gender-affirming care is necessary to ensure these young Arkansans can thrive and be healthy.'

The ACLU challenged the law on behalf of four transgender youth and their families and two doctors.

The ruling comes as even more states are poised to enact bans on care for transgender youth.

Louisiana's Democratic governor has said he intends to veto a similar prohibition, though the Republican Legislature likely has the votes needed to override him. Proposed bans are also pending in North Carolina and Ohio's legislatures.
Five passengers have less than 45 hours of oxygen

An Australian engineer fears the tourist submersible that went missing while exploring the sunken wreckage of the Titanic could 'collapse like a tin can'.

The OceanGate submarine was reported missing deep in the Atlantic ocean, about 700km south of Newfoundland, Canada, at 6.13am AEST on Monday.

Five people including British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet and UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman were onboard.

The expedition vessel, known as Titan, lost contact with the surface while taking the passengers 3,810 metres under water to view the Titanic wreckage in a $250,000-a-head tour.

Engineer Ron Allum, who helped build the submarine to film the wreckage of the boat for the 1997 movie 'Titanic', revealed it was a race against time as authorities searched for the missing submersible.

He said temperatures would reach as low as 2C inside the submarine, oxygen would be limited, and the vessel's hull could collapse from enormous underwater pressure.

Titan is currently missing with five people on board after it lost communication during a dive to the Titanic's wreckage

The wreckage of the Titanic sits 3,810 metres (12,500ft) under water around 700km (370miles) south of Newfoundland, Canada

'Let's hope it's not an engineering problem, if the hull were to collapse it is catastrophic,' he told A Current Affair on Tuesday.

'That would be the worst case. If it's still on the bottom of the ocean... and it's collapsed, they would be no longer.

'Usually if a pressure vessel was to collapse it is fairly catastrophic. It's over in an instant.'

Mr Allum explained just how perilous it would be to be trapped onboard.

'The pressure hull is like a geometric shape - a cylinder or a sphere - and are inherently strong while they are a sphere or cylinder but as soon as they go out of round, bang! The thing is going to collapse like a tin can,' he said.

Mr Allum said he would like to see a positive outcome and is hoping an electrical fault was behind the submarine's loss of communication.

'I'm hoping that it is purely just a battery outage or a connector may have failed,' Mr Allum said.

'Submersibles have failsafe systems and hopefully, say they have lost power, one of the failsafe systems would drop a weight and the sub will ascend at some stage.

'Loss of power shouldn't prevent a failsafe helping to bring it back to the surface if it were to be activated.'

Australian Submarine engineer Ron Allum (pictured) explained the 'worst case scenario' would see the vessel's hull collapse from enormous underwater pressure

Mr Allum said if the situation was more dire with the submersible stuck at the bottom of the ocean, there are no rescue vehicles capable of aiding anyone that deep.

A Current Affair host Ally Langdon first met Mr Allum in 2012 on an expedition inside Titanic director James Cameron's submarine which was used to film the Hollywood blockbuster.

Langdon recalled barely being able to fit inside the one used for filming, with Allum adding the submarine was not built for comfort.

A desperate search mission is underway to locate the OceanGate submersible before its passengers run out of oxygen.

Titan lost communication with the surface just one hour and 45 minutes into its journey.

The US Coast Guard is leading the search for the 22ft (6.7metre) vessel, which is believed to have less than 45 hours of oxygen left - enough to last until 12pm (9pm AEST) on Thursday.

Inside the small tourist submersible there are no seats only one toilet - a small black box - with a black curtain drawn across for privacy. All passengers are barefoot and must sit on the floor.

Inside the small tourist submersible there are no seats only one toilet. All passengers are barefoot and must sit on the floor. It is believed passengers have enough oxygen to last until 12pm (9pm AEST) on Thursday

People inside a Titan taking photos of the wreckage on their smartphones through a round window at the front

British billionaire Hamish Harding (left) and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet (right) are among the passengers onboard the missing vessel

Former Royal Navy commander Ryan Ramsey, 53, warned there was 'no way' of rescuing the crew if the tiny craft is still thousands of feet under the sea because the technology required 'doesn't exist'.

However, rescue crews are hoping the vessel is floating on the surface of the water, which would make it easier to locate before the air runs out.

The US and Canadian Coast Guards are leading the search for the submersible and have deployed vessels and aircrafts to search above and below the water.

Rear Admiral John Mauger, first district commander of the US Coast Guard is overseeing the search and rescue operation.

'We were notified yesterday [Sunday] afternoon and we began immediately to mobilise assets to search both the surface of the water, search from the air, and to detect any vessels under the water as well,' Admiral Mauger told reporters.

'We've had a comprehensive search to find these people. 'It is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area but we are deploying all available assets to make sure we can locate the craft and rescue the people on board.'

The US Coast Guard has deployed two C-130 aircraft as part of their search, while they are in contact with commercial ships in the area to monitor the water's surface in case the missing submersible has come back up.

CEO of OceanGate exhibitions Stockton Rush (left) and Vice-Chairman of Engro Corporation Limited Shahzada Dawood along with his son Suleman (right) are among the passengers onboatd

The commercial boats also have access to sonar buoys that are capable of listening to a depth of 13,000ft, Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard added.

While the search initially focused on the surface of the water, the team of rescuers are now expanding their search into deeper waters.

A deep sea pipelay vessel, named Deep Energy, arrived at the Titanic wreckage site so its crew can search the seafloor using cameras.

France will also send a ship equipped with a deep-sea diving vessel to help the search-and-rescue operation.
She had dementia and was carrying a knife

Clare Nowland, 95, was Tasered by an officer

Mention of a Taser, a knife and a 95-year-old's movements were removed from the first public statement NSW Police drafted about the fatal stunning of the great-grandmother, new documents reveal.

Clare Nowland was tasered during a confrontation with police while walking with a frame and holding a steak knife at the Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. The mother-of-eight, who had dementia, died a week later in hospital.

A 71-word press release, approved by Police Commissioner Karen Webb was issued 12 hours after Mrs Nowland was injured but provided little detail about her 'interaction with police'.

'No further details are available at this time,' it said.

But documents released under freedom of information laws reveal the statement was published after police slashed a much-longer draft that included several key details, including the use of the Taser.

Clare Nowland, 95, was Tasered by a NSW Police officer. A draft NSW Police Media Unit press release included key details, such as how she was Tasered and was carrying a knife at the time of her death, however documents obtained by AAP show they were deleted

The 171-word draft prepared by the NSW Police Media Unit outlined how police responded at 4.15am to reports that an aged care home resident had a knife and found a woman 'still armed ... in a small room'.

'Police and paramedics attempted to speak to the woman; however, all instructions were ignored,' it said.

'When she stood up and moved towards officers, a Taser was deployed by a constable.'

The draft noted the woman was treated by paramedics at the scene and left space for her latest hospital condition to be included.

The published statement omitted both details, stating her condition was 'being monitored' in hospital.

The officer's job being placed under review was also removed.

Mrs Nowland was unnamed in both versions, as per standard police procedure.

Police did not publicly comment on the incident again until after multiple media reports emerged more than 36 hours after the tasering.

In an extraordinary press conference on May 19, Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter detailed how Mrs Nowland had a serrated steak knife in a small treatment room when she moved slowly towards officers and was tasered.

'She had a walking frame but she had a knife,' he said.

Ms Webb later defended the decision to omit mention of the Taser in the first press release, of which she had oversight.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has admitted having oversight over the initial press release - which did not mention the critical details

Mrs Nowland was laid to rest in Cooma on June 13. The service was packed with hundreds of locals

'It was important the family was informed of the situation in a factual matter before we went public on it,' she told Sydney radio 2GB on May 22.

'That's very necessary and I'm sure that family appreciates that now.'

She denied police were hiding anything, saying the Nowland family deserved to learn about the incident via police, not media reports.

The incident sparked calls for more independent police oversight and the release of the police body camera footage.

Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells mentioned Mrs Nowland to reinforce the need for a greater understanding of and support for people living with dementia.

The officer who fired the stun weapon has since been suspended with pay and charged with three offences, including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.

Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, will appear in a Cooma court on July 5.
Climate change is endangering cuckoos as the iconic migratory birds' body cycles can't adapt to global warming, warns new research.

It could put them as out of fashion as the 18th Century mechanical time-keeping instruments, say scientists.

Lead author Dr Chris Hewson, of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), said: 'Many other species are thought to be able to bring forward their arrival by adjusting their internal clocks to leave their wintering grounds sooner - but this doesn't appear to be an option for the UK Cuckoo population.'

Spring is arriving earlier each year but cuckoos can't shift their annual trek in response.

They cross the Sahara after the arrival of west African spring rains - which have remained constant.

Climate change is endangering cuckoos as the iconic migratory birds' body cycles can't adapt to global warming, warns new research

It could put them as out of fashion as the 18th Century mechanical time-keeping instruments, say scientists

Spring is arriving earlier each year but cuckoos can't shift their annual trek in response

It means they reach European breeding grounds out of sync with peak availability of hairy caterpillars, their favourite snack.

Dr Hewson said: 'Migrating birds are, in general, arriving back to their breeding grounds earlier to adapt the changing climate. Some, however, are not and their population trends are less favourable than those that do.

'Using data from 87 satellite tracked common cuckoos from the UK, we find the spring arrival of one such species is constrained by seasonal changes in conditions at a stopover site in West Africa.

We also find evidence attempting to keep up with the demands of earlier springs at the breeding grounds results in costly trade-offs, increasing the mortality rate in early-migrating birds.'

The phenomenon may have implications for survival of the globally threatened bird. Most species that breed in Europe, but spend the winter in sub-Saharan Africa have made the necessary adjustments.

Previous research has shown a link between migratory birds with fixed arrival dates and more severe population declines.

Now, Dr Hewson and colleagues have used data from the long-running BTO Cuckoo tracking project to reveal why cuckoos are so vulnerable.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, also shows the possible impact on the struggling UK population.

Cuckoos migrating to the UK leave their wintering grounds in the rainforests of central Africa in late February.

They spend a month or so fattening up in west Africa ahead of their arduous non-stop Sahara crossing.

Information collected on 87 Cuckoos tagged since 2011 reveal the birds must wait for the explosion in invertebrate prey brought each year by monsoons.

Although the timing of that annual event remains unchanged, spring is arriving earlier in Europe.

It has led to a mismatch between the Cuckoos' arrival, the peak availability of the caterpillars they rely on for food and the breeding cycles of the host species they parasitise.

Species that are unable to shift the timing of their arrival on their breeding grounds are known to be declining more quickly than those that can.

The reasons for this have so far remained unknown, with reduced breeding success appearing to play a surprisingly unimportant role.

Results suggest cuckoos are exposed to a greater risk of death as they race to arrive back on their breeding grounds in time.

This increased mortality could be one mechanism through which populations are impacted.

Providing better quality habitat at strategic locations along cuckoo migration routes might help the birds complete their epic journeys in a more timely and less energetically costly way, helping them adapt to our changing climate.

Dr Hewson said: 'It is fantastic to have this new insight into what determines the spring arrival of our Cuckoos, 12 years after the tracking project first allowed us to follow their return from central Africa.'

He added: 'Understanding why these are not arriving back earlier - and the possible costs that individual Cuckoos pay for trying to do so - will help us to best direct efforts of flyway restoration that may allow them to make their migrations in a more timely and successful fashion.'
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The desperate hunt for the five men trapped on the lost Titan submersible has entered its make-or-break day as more ships set up above the Titanic wreck with time quickly running out to pull off the deepest undersea rescue mission ever.

As rescuers scramble to pull off a miracle amid a dwindling oxygen supply for those aboard, experts fear that even if the craft automatically resurfaced as planned, the crew of five would still suffocate in hours because they can't physically open the hatch from the inside.

The bleak outlook comes as the US Coast Guard conceded in day two's press conference that even if the OceanGate Expeditions sub is located, it may be too late to save the five passengers. The authorities estimated 40 hours of oxygen was left between the five in their 1pm conference (6pm UK time).

On board the sub is British billionaire Hamish Harding, UK-based Prince's Trust board member Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and French world-renowned explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Their best chance of survival is to repeatedly bang on the hull in the dark and scream for help.

They are thought to have paid 195,000 to be taken on a 12,500ft dive to see the famed Titanic wreckage, which is about 370 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada.

Last night, shipwreck hunter David Mearns who is friends with Mr Harding, claimed to have heard reports of 'tapping' from inside the sub in an interview with Channel 4, which would suggest there were signs of life. MailOnline contacted Mr Mearns, who is a member of The Explorers Club with Mr Harding, for clarification on this.

State-of-the-art underwater drones are also being deployed in the desperate hunt in the waters where the cursed Titanic sunk 111 years ago

British billionaire Hamish Harding (left) is one of the five men who went missing on the OceanGate tourist submersible on Sunday

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (left) is also aboard. The The desperate hunt for the five men trapped on the lost Titan submersible has entered its make-or-break day

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are among the five people trapped in the sub

French world-renowned explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet is also aboard. Time is running out to save the lives of the five missing passengers

As families wait in agony for news, OceanGate, who started dives to the Titanic in 2021, are facing questions after it emerged the Titan suffered electrical damage and had to be rebuilt for not being able to withstand the ocean before it vanished.

The tourist company responsible for the missing submersible also took eight hours to report it to the Coast Guard after it lost contact an hour and 45 minutes into its descent on Sunday, the DailyMail.com revealed yesterday.

What happened on day two on the hunt for missing Titan sub? It emerged that coastguards were not notified until eight hours after the submarine vanished; Rescuers are scouring 10,000 square miles of the North Atlantic in case Titan has surfaced as well as probing the icy depths up to three miles down; A drone with a camera was last night diving to the craft's last known position; Surface sonar buoys are 'listening' for any sound of the billionaire tourists or crew banging on the hull; A former passenger revealed he had to sign a waiver before his trip listing 'three ways you can die'; He also claimed the submarine suffered repeated communications problems; Rishi Sunak pledged the Royal Navy's help; The French sent a research ship with an underwater robot; Experts warned the tourists could die of hypothermia and one said the craft could have 'imploded'. King Charles has asked to be kept abreast of the situation  Mr Dawood is on the board of his flagship charity. Advertisement

By yesterday, a fleet of US and Canadian rescue ships and aircraft had swarmed to the scene, along with a growing number of private vessels.

Speaking at search headquarters in Boston, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coastguard announced: 'Those search efforts have not yielded any results.'

But last night some of the commercial vessels with specialist underwater drones were sending them down. Mr Frederick offered his 'most heartfelt thoughts and prayers' to the lost crew and their loved ones, and pledged they were doing 'everything possible'. But he admitted the rescuers were entering the final hours.

When he was asked 'Even with that amount of time left, if you were to find the submersible at this moment, would that give you enough time to save those five people on board?' he replied: 'I don't know the answer to that question. All I know is we will do everything within our power to effect a rescue.'

The Titanic wreckage lies at 12,500ft, and Titan was one of the only craft in the world capable of reaching it. Even nuclear submarines cannot safely go that deep. Deep water dive specialists are assisting coastguards in the 'unique and challenging' operation, said Mr Frederick.

Standing on a dockside, he told reporters: 'Getting salvage equipment on scene is a top priority. It is very heavy equipment, it is very complex, but the best experts are on scene. If the sub is located, the experts will look at the best course of action for recovering the sub.'

Among the equipment is a decompression chamber for the five passengers should they be brought to the surface.

The last signal from Titan was at 9.45am (2.45pm UK time) on Sunday, but its disappearance was not reported to the US Coastguard until 5.40pm (10.40pm UK time), some eight hours later. There are fears the craft could be snagged on the doomed cruiseliner itself, making rescue all but impossible.

Horrifyingly  even if Titan had made it to the surface  the passengers would still face suffocation unless they were located because the submarine cannot be opened from the inside. Its door is sealed by 17 bolts to withstand the enormous water pressure at depth. Titan is designed to automatically resurface after a certain number of hours underwater, even if it has lost power, with weights being dropped to make the craft buoyant.

The Titan sub is shown on Sunday morning, seconds before submerging at around 8am with five people onboard

The Polar Prince is the expedition ship being used in the dives. It is now helping out in the rescue mission to locate the sub

OceanGate Expeditions offers tours of the famous Titanic shipwreck of 1912. Tickets cost up to 195,000 per passenger onboard

Former Royal Navy commander Ryan Ramsey warned: 'There is no way of rescuing them. The technology, as far as I'm aware, doesn't exist to carry out a rescue operation that deep.'

READ MORE: Coast Guard says it can't guarantee rescue of missing Titanic submersible even IF they find it Advertisement

But shipwreck hunter Mr Mearns claimed his Explorers Club had received reports of 'tapping' in the sub. Speaking on Channel 4 News yesterday, he said: 'The only thing and there's some reports I've just read from my own club, which is how I know Hamish, that somebody today has heard some tapping.

'Now they've got sonobuoys out there. There may be some other hydrophones the mothership the Polar Prince had in the water. It's hard to imagine how they could have heard that but still.

'They are at least trying to operate or encourage the rescue efforts to continue on and be redoubled on the fact they've heard something would suggest the men are alive in the submersible.' MailOnline has contacted Mr Mearns but could not reach him last night.

As time ticks on, billionaire Mr Dawood's family, including his wife Christine and daughter Alina, released a statement saying they were 'praying to Allah for the safe return' of him and his son.

OceanGate, which advertises its adventures as 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to 'safely dive the Titanic wreckage site' in a '12,500ft journey to the bottom of the sea', has said in a statement: 'Every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely.'

It was reported yesterday that the company fired a director who raised concerns about safety in 2018.

The 21ft submersible has an oxygen supply of up to 96 hours but it is thought the crew of five have less than 40 hours of breathable air left

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

Harding excitedly posted to social media about being on the mission before launching the submarine in an Instagram post

The US Coast Guard in Boston is now looking for the missing vessel. The wreckage of the iconic ship sits 12,500ft underwater around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada

OceanGate disagreed with his demand for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible and suggested that seeking classification could take years and would be 'anathema to rapid innovation'.

A friend of Mr Harding then came forward to reveal that that he had pulled out of joining the billionaire on the missing sub due to 'safety concerns.

Chris Brown, 61, had paid the deposit to go on the doomed voyage, but says he changed his mind after becoming concerned by the quality of technology and materials used in the vessel, The Sun reported.

Among his concerns were OceanGate's use of 'old scaffolding poles' for the ballast and the fact that its controls were 'based on computer game-style controllers'.

He said that despite being 'one of the first people to sign up for this trip', he ultimately decided the 'risks were too high'.

OceanGate initially planned to use the sub for a trip to the Titanic in 2018 but this was abandoned after it sustained damage to its electronics from lightning.

Then, in 2019, the voyage was postponed again because of a problem with complying with Canadian maritime law limitations on foreign flag vessels, according to technology news site GreekWire.

Images from Ocean Gate, one of the tour companies that operates the expeditions, show the wreckage

Then it suffered further problems in 2020 and had to be completely rebuilt after tests showed signs of cyclic fatigue that reduced the hulls depth rating to 3,000 meters, which was well short of what it required to get close to the Titanic.

The vessel, built of carbon fibre and titanium was originally designed to take five people to depths of 4,000 metres (13,123 feet).

G Michael Harris, who said he knew some of the five on board Titan, told Fox News: 'Worst situation is something happened to the hull and our fear is that it imploded at around 10,000ft.'

The extreme water pressure would doom the craft if even the smallest part of its carbon-fibre and titanium body failed  it would be squashed flat in a fraction of a second.

Before chaos broke out on Sunday, billionaire British entrepreneur and explorer Hamish Harding, 58, had excitedly posted a message on social media before entering the Titan submarine. He said there was a break in the bad weather and promised 'more expedition updates IF the weather holds'.
The bill to enable the referendum passed on Tuesday

He stumbled through questions on exactly how it will work

The PM appeared on The Project to speak about the Voice

Anthony Albanese has struggled to directly answer a series of simple questions about the Voice to Parliament during an appearance on The Project.

The Prime Minister was interviewed after the bill to enable a referendum on the proposed Voice passed the Senate on Monday.

Mr Albanese spoke about the purpose and goal of the Voice was but stumbled when host Hamish McDonald asked exactly how it would work.

When asked about how many people would sit on the Voice, he said 'that would be determined by the Parliament', before launching in to a long-winded response.

'But there's been a review, (which) was given to the former government and considered by their Cabinet twice... and that talked about a group of around about 24 people,' Mr Albanese said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has stumbled a question regarding how the Voice to Parliament would work during an appearance on Ten's The Project

'But that would be determined by the Parliament. So, our Constitution... determines the bigger principle and, like everything else, the Parliament will determine... and that will change over a period of time as well.'

McDonald tried several times to interject during the Prime Minister's answer in a bid to seek further clarity.

'People want to understand this, right - so I'm giving you the opportunity to give that clarity,' the host eventually said.

McDonald followed up by asking how members of the Voice would be chosen.

The Prime Minister again failed to provide a precise response.

'They would be elected. That would be in consultation with Indigenous Australians themselves,' Mr Albanese said.

'So it might be, for example, South Australia has a Voice to Parliament... It might be that it's that Voice to Parliament elects people to the national Voice structure.'

'In Victoria at the moment... there's an election at the moment of Indigenous people to their...'

McDonald interjected again to stress that he was 'trying to keep this as simple as possible' before firing off another question.

'If the Voice disagrees with the government of the day on something, who has primacy there?' he asked.

McDonald continued, 'if you get that advice, which says do one thing...', before the Prime Minister spoke over the top of him to answer simply: 'The government.'

The prime minister was asked a series of questions on the show by host Hamish McDonald (pictured), who stressed to Mr Albanese to 'keep it simple' as Australians were trying to understand how the Voice would work

Labor senators applaud after the bill to enable the Voice referendum passed the Senate chamber on Monday

'There is no right of veto of this... parliament's structure remains in place, is not affected by any of this and that's been made perfectly clear,' Mr Albanese said.

'All this is, is an advisory group.'

The Senate passed laws  52 votes to 19  on Monday to pave the way for a referendum on the Voice.

The vote means the referendum will be held in the next two to six months, with the government already flagging that it will take place between October and December.

The bill passed to a standing ovation in the public gallery and rounds of applause.

Yes and No campaigns will now ramp up efforts to connect with voters ahead of the referendum.

The Liberal Party, Nationals and One Nation will all oppose the Voice and contribute to official No pamphlets to be delivered to every household.

Labor and the Greens, along with several independents, will collaborate on a Yes pamphlet.
Sir Keir Starmer is planning to appoint up to 100 new Labour peers if he wins power at the next election, despite previously vowing to abolish and replace the House of Lords.

Sir Keir is said to have plans to send dozens of supporters to the unelected upper chamber to help smooth the passage of leftwing legislation he wants to push through in his first term in office.

Labour currently has just 174 peers, to the Tories' 263, with 183 neutral crossbenchers forming the second-largest block in the upper chamber.

Sir Keir last year vowed to reform the Lords in his first term in power, a pledge he has since walked back from, insisting he wanted to do it, but it was not a first-term priority any more.

Last week he pledged not to put in a resignation honours list, after being highly critical of Boris Johnson's appointments. However, Labour could use the regular new Year and King's Birthday Honours lists to alter the balance of the chamber in their favour.

'We will need to level the playing field to get any of our legislation through. And abolishing the Lords is hardly mission critical to the first three years of a Labour government,' a source told The Times.

Labour currently has just 174 peers, to the Tories' 263, with 183 neutral crossbenchers forming the second-largest block in the upper chamber.

Sir Keir (pictured right at a reception with the King last night) last year vowed to reform the Lords in his first term in power, a pledge he has since walked back from, insisting he wanted to do it, but it was not a first-term priority any more.

Labour has a commanding lead in the opinion polls and the current economic turmoil facing Britain means even senior Tories are privately admitting they will do well to keep power.

House of Lords membership and the role of the appointments commission is set to be under the spotlight, as MPs prepare to launch a new inquiry into the upper chamber.

It comes as Boris Johnson's resignation honours list, published hours before he dramatically quit as an MP, continues to generate criticism and questions over the appointments of certain new peers.

Among the seven nominees in the long-awaited list were Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen and Charlotte Owen, a former adviser to Mr Johnson.

Recent days have also seen Tory politician Shaun Bailey face calls to turn down his peerage after a video emerged of a mid-lockdown party at Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

The powers of House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac), as well as the size and role of the second chamber, will be among the issues considered by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry.

The cross-party committee will examine whether the current appointments system produces an 'effective and trusted' upper chamber, with MPs also looking at the relationship between the Lords and the Commons.

There have been long-standing concerns over the expanding size of the second house, with Labour pledging to abolish the Lords if it wins power at the next election.

Committee chairman William Wragg said: 'The House of Lords plays an important constitutional role in the UK political system but there has long been concern about its size, membership and the appointments process.

'Previous inquiries from parliamentary committees concluded with clear recommendations to reduce the size of the chamber and reform the appointments process to maintain confidence in the Lords.

'The Government committed to review the matter, yet five years on we have seen no sign of reform, and large numbers of new members continue to be appointed.

'Debates about wholesale reform of the second chamber have been around for decades, but this inquiry seeks to consider the immediate questions, that cannot wait for such reform, before they are addressed.'

The committee will consider the possibility of reforms to the appointment system and whether changes are needed to the role and powers of Holac.

MPs will also ask whether the size of the Lords should be reduced and whether a term limit might be needed for membership, as well as what 'expectations should be placed on peers as regards participation'.

It comes amid concerns about the attendance record of some recently appointed peers.
Sir Bernard Jenkin voted to end Boris Johnsons political career over Partygate  despite the Tory grandee facing a potential police probe for his own alleged lockdown-busting behaviour.

Sir Bernard voted with MPs on Monday night to approve the Privileges Committee report he co-authored that condemned Mr Johnson.

And Sir Bernard yesterday maintained his silence, seven days after claims were aired that he attended a birthday drinks party for his wife in December 2020.

Alcohol and cake were allegedly on offer at the gathering and sources with knowledge of the event allege that social distancing went out of the window.

It is said to have taken place in the office of Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing after Sir Bernards wife, Baroness Jenkin, invited her favourite people.

Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin (pictured) has stayed silent following claims he attended a lockdown-busting drinks party in December 2020

An ally of Sir Bernard claims he thought it was a work event. Scotland Yard is assessing reports lockdown rules were broken, and Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has ordered Parliamentary officials to assist.

Rishi Sunak abstained from Mondays vote, with No10 yesterday refusing to say what the Prime Ministers view was. Mr Sunak blamed a diary clash for his Commons absence and has declined to give his opinion on the report by the Privileges Committee on his predecessor-but-ones conduct over lockdown gatherings in Downing Street.

His official spokesman said the PM respects the decision of the House to approve the report, which means Mr Johnson will be stripped of having a former MPs pass.

Asked whether Mr Sunak believes his predecessor did mislead the House, the spokesman simply said: He respects the decision the House has come to, this follows extensive work by the committee.

Asked whether the Prime Minister thought the matter was now closed, the spokesman said: Yes.

The row has seen Mr Johnson loyalists warning that Tory MPs could face deselection by their local Conservative associations if they backed the finding that the former PM deliberately misled the Commons.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said yesterday that the caravan has got to move on after the Commons overwhelmingly backed the sanctions against Mr Johnson.

But Mr Sunak was accused of a cowardly cop-out by the Liberal Democrats for avoiding the vote, which saw MPs overwhelmingly endorse the committees report by 354 to seven votes. Had Mr Johnson not resigned as an MP, he would have been suspended for 90 days.

Mr Stride said Mr Sunak had been busy with long-standing events, including hosting his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson on Monday and couldnt attend the vote.

The Work and Pensions Secretary told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I dont think it is odd that he should be in a position before a vote which is a free vote in which he has made clear it is for the House to decide on these matters.

Mr Stride told Times Radio that he accepts the findings but said he abstained as the 90-day suspension that would have been recommended if Mr Johnson had not resigned made him feel quite uneasy.

Much of the Government payroll did not take part in the vote, but some Cabinet ministers including Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk chose to support it. Joy Morrissey, who was appointed assistant whip by Mr Johnson and continues to hold the role under Mr Sunak, wrote on her website that she joined those voting against the deeply flawed report, adding: This report with all its flaws risks a chilling impact on the rights of parliamentarians....

One Johnson-backing Tory MP said last night: Bernard is the walking definition of hypocrisy.

It is beyond a joke he has forced out of Parliament one of the greatest election-winning Conservatives due to nothing more than his own personal spite  and all while being in the middle of an alleged lockdown breach himself.
English sparkling wine triumphed over Champagne in a blind taste test across the Channel.

Some 60 per cent of French wine drinkers said they preferred wine made by Chapel Down in Kent to their native Champagne during the tasting which took place on the streets of Reims last month.

Disguised under the French label Chapelle en Bas - which literally translates to Chapel Down - French consumers were invited to compare the English wine with the leading champagne brand, Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial.

Unwittingly, Frenchmen described the undercover English drink as lighter, fresher and more perfumed than its homegrown competitor.

And six in ten of those polled in the streets of France said they liked Chapel Downs sparkling English wine more than their native Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial.

More than half of French wine drinkers said they preferred wine made in Chapel Down in Kent (File photo: A vineyard in Chapel Down in Kent)

Shocked faces and raised eyebrows from incredulous French drinkers were caught on camera as the big reveal was made.

Champagne aficionados often claim that Champagne has a better flavour and higher quality than English sparkling versions.

And Brits drink nearly three times more Champagne than sparkling wine.

But in this blind taste test it was the English brand that came out on top and was found to have a certain je ne sais quoi.

The hilarious stunt was arranged by Chapel Down to mark this years English wine week which runs until Sunday.

Chapel Down vineyard (pictured) sold 790,000 bottles of sparkling wine last year, representing 33 per cent of the English wine market

Last year Chapel Down sold 790,000 bottles of sparkling wine representing 33 per cent of the English wine market.

Chapel Downs Chief Marketing Officer Liam Newton said: We are incredibly proud of the exceptional quality of our English sparkling wine, and it was great to have this affirmed by the French themselves.

The French know a thing or two about sparkling wine, with their centuries of winemaking heritage, so what better place than Champagne to sample our Chapel Down Brut?

A 60 per cent result like this propels us even further in changing the way the world views English wine.
China to see robust consumption during Dragon Boat Festival holiday

People's Daily Online) 15:23, June 21, 2023

Traditional festivals are becoming an opportunity to boost consumption.

With the Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, approaching, products related to the traditional festival, which falls on June 22 this year, have posted strong sales. The festival economy is injecting vitality into the consumer market in China.

Photo shows zongzi on sale in a supermarket in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. (Photo/Dahe.cn)

Sales of freshly-made zongzi, a glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, which is a time-honored delicacy that Chinese people eat during this festival, has increased significantly, growing to 400 to 500 from 200 in ordinary times, said a staff member of a fresh food supermarket in Beijing.

Multiple major brands have launched festival limited edition products. "A special cake made for the festival has been sold out in our store," said an employee of a store of Beijing's time-honored snack brand Daoxiangcun in the city's Xicheng district. The employee added that the festival limited products are usually sold out before the festival.

The holiday economy and festival economy have become flashpoints for consumption and strong driving forces of consumption and promoting economic growth, said He Jianhua, a researcher of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

People's desire to travel is high during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Chinese online travel agency Qunar said train tickets for June 22, the first day of the holiday, were sold out in some routes such as Shanghai-Hangzhou and Shanghai-Qingdao on June 8.

As of June 8, train bookings for June 21 and 22 soared more than 30 times from a year earlier, and air ticket and car rental bookings jumped over sevenfold and nearly fourfold, respectively, said a report from online travel platform Fliggy.

A wide range of policies and measures to support the recovery and expansion of consumption are expected to be introduced, including improving the consumption environment, releasing the potential of service consumption, stabilizing automobile consumption, accelerating the construction of charging piles and energy storage facilities, and upgrading supporting power grids, the National Development and Reform Commission recently said.

With peak consumption seasons such as the Dragon Boat Festival and the summer vacation approaching, consumer demand for leisure, shopping and tourism will be further released, said Shu Jueting, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Commerce.

Shu added that the consumer market is expected to continue to maintain steady growth in the second quarter of the year thanks to consumer demand and consumption promotion policies.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Monkeys will be banned as pets in the UK after the RSPCA reported finding widespread abuse - including incidents of them being given Class A drugs.

Under new laws, owners will have to prove they can keep monkeys and primates to high zoo-level standards and will require a licence.

The RSPCA estimates there are between 4,000 and 5,000 marmosets, capuchins, squirrel monkeys and other primates in UK homes.

They say it is inappropriate for primates to be kept as pets because they experience complex emotions, form relationships and suffer when alone, which is most often the case when in a domestic setting.

The trend for keeping monkeys as pets in recent years has been blamed on celebrity monkey enthusiasts including Justin Bieber, whose pet Capuchin monkey OG Mally was confiscated from him in Germany in 2013 by customs officials.

The RSPCA estimates there are between 4,000 and 5,000 marmosets, capuchins, squirrel monkeys and other primates in UK homes. Pictured: A common Marmoset

The trend for keeping monkeys as pets in recent years has been blamed on celebrity monkey enthusiasts including Justin Bieber, whose pet Capuchin monkey OG Mally was confiscated from him in Germany in 2013 by customs officials

READ MORE: Milly the monkey who was flushed down a toilet and offered cocaine in campaign of abuse has a new lease on life after her rescue Advertisement

The Government has opened a four-week consultation period to hear views on how it should frame the exact conditions of such a licence.

Dr Ros Clubb, head of wildlife at the RSPCA, said: Primates needs simply cannot be met in a domestic environment. They are intelligent, sentient and highly social animals with complex needs.

He added: Sadly, our frontline officers are still seeing shocking situations where monkeys are cooped up in bird cages, fed fast food, sugary drinks or even Class A drugs, deprived of companions of their own kind, living in dirt and squalor and suffering from disease.

Animal welfare minister Lord Benyon said: Todays announcement is the start of the process of ensuring these intelligent and curious wild animals are better protected and respected.

This will fulfil the Governments manifesto commitment to ban the keeping of primates as pets.

The Government consultation is open until July 18 and once confirmed, the new measures will be implemented under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Rescuers are trying to locate the sub that went missing on its way to the Titanic

Noises have been detected from the search area of the missing deep-sea vessel near the wreck site of the Titanic as those on board face a dwindling supply of oxygen, the US Coast Guard has confirmed.

The submersible, named Titan, lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland during a voyage to the shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

Titan has five people on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, and on Tuesday the US Coast Guard estimated the 22ft long OceanGate Expeditions vessel had just 40 hours of oxygen left.

The others on board are Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, 19, OceanGate's chief executive and founder Stockton Rush and French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

A Canadian aircraft heard noises at 30-minute intervals in the area the capsule vanished on Tuesday. The banging was noted in emails exchanged with the US Department of Homeland Security and seen by Rolling Stone, but it was not clear when they were heard.

Coast Guard officials confirmed underwater noises were heard by a plane and operations were 'relocated' to determine the origin. But as of early Wednesday, they have 'yielded negative results'.

Rescue crews will further analyze the data, which could be considered for future search plans in the deep Atlantic Ocean since the submersible launched Sunday and quickly lost contact with the surface.

Richard Garriot de Cayeux, President of The Explorers Club, confirmed in a Tuesday night social media post that 'there is cause for hope.'

He said in a statement: 'We have much greater confidence that 1) There is cause for hope, based on data from the field - we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.'

A Canadian Aircraft (file photo) heard 'banging' at 30-minute intervals in the area the submarine disappeared, a leaked memo suggests

Last known sighting: The Titan was pictured just before it embarked on the dive into the Atlantic Ocean to view the Titanic shipwreck

At 9.45am - an hour and 45 minutes into the dive - it lost contact with its mothership, the Polar Prince. But it wasn't reported as missing to the US Coast Guard until 5.40pm, eight hours later. Canada 's Coast Guard wasn't alerted until even later - 9.13pm on Sunday night.

Billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are reported to be the people stuck in the sub.

The DHS memo on the banging sounds said the Canadian air force and coast guard launched a Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which has underwater detection capabilities in the air.

'It reported a contact in a position close to the distress position,' the memo read. 'The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.'

The timing - or cause - of the banging is not revealed by the memo but it has raised hopes that rescuers could locate the submersible.

Garriot de Cayeux added The Explorers Club are confident the U.S. Coast Guard 'precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can deeply' and 'believe they are doing everything possible with all resources they have'.

One of the five men on the ship, Harding, is a founding member of the Board of Trustees for the Explorers Club.

The group said they have a direct lines to Congress, The Coast Guard, Air Force and Nave and the White House.

The missing OceanGate submersible, the Titan, lost contact with the mothership during its descent to the shipwreck Sunday morning

A DHS announcement also stated that 'the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre is working to find an underwater remote-operated vehicle through partner organizations to possibly assist.'

A massive search operation remains underway to find the missing OceanGate submersible, the Titan, after it lost contact with the mothership during its descent to the shipwreck Sunday morning.

Rear Admiral John Mauger, who is helping coordinate the search, said it could be stuck.

'We don't have equipment onsite that can do a survey of the bottom,' Mauger said on Tuesday.

'There is a lot of debris, so locating it will be difficult. Right now, we're focused on trying to locate it.'

Royal Navy Rear Admiral Chris Parry likened the bottom of the Atlantic to 'being in space', saying: 'It's utterly dark down there, and you have also got a lot of mud and other stuff getting swept up. You can only see about 20 feet in front of you with searchlights. There are very strong ocean currents which are pushing you along.'

The 21ft submersible has an oxygen supply of up to 96 hours but it is thought the crew of five have just 40 hours of breathable air left

The US Coast Guard is coordinating the enormous search for the missing OceanGate vessel

The search site is some 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. Getting there is a difficult enough feat without finding the missing sub beneath the ocean surface

If the mini-sub lost power, with no working propellers, lights or heating, its five passengers will be in total darkness in temperatures of around 3C (37F) as the doomed craft rolls along the seabed.

Oceanographer and Titanic expert David Gallo said: 'Where is it? Is it on the bottom, is it floating, is it mid-water? That is something that has not been determined yet.

'The water is very deep  two miles plus. It's like a visit to another planet. It is a sunless, cold environment and high pressure.'

The basic problem is the submersible, Titan, has stopped transmitting signals, making it almost impossible to locate. It is supposed to send a sonar 'ping' (radar and GPS not functioning underwater) to mothership Polar Prince every 15 minutes, but the last one was at 9.45am on Sunday  an hour and 45 minutes into the dive as it was floating right above the Titanic.

For some reason, OceanGate Expeditions, the company that runs the tours of the Titanic, took eight hours to call the coastguard Sunday. It was reported to the US Coastguard at 5.40pm, and Canada's Coastguard was alerted even later, at 9.13pm.

The vessel's oxygen supply was estimated at 96 hours, which gives rescue teams until Thursday morning to find the vessel.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS: The Titan lost contact with the surface sparking panic. All timings given in BST, five hours ahead of EST.

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his 19-year-old son Sulaiman Dawood were on the vessel

As families wait in agony for news, OceanGate, who started dives to the Titanic in 2021, is facing questions after it emerged the Titan suffered electrical damage and had to be rebuilt for not being able to withstand the ocean before it vanished.

The tourist company responsible for the missing submersible also took eight hours to report it to the Coast Guard after it lost contact an hour and 45 minutes into its descent on Sunday, the DailyMail.com revealed yesterday.

By yesterday, a fleet of US and Canadian rescue ships and aircraft had swarmed to the scene, along with a growing number of private vessels.

'Passengers have to sign a waiver which mentions DEATH three times' A former Titan passenger has revealed how adventurers have to sign a waiver warning them of deadly risks before embarking on the submarine. Mike Reiss, a New York-based writer who travelled on the Titan to the Titanic wreckage last year, said that communication failures were commonplace. He told the BBC: 'I have taken three different dives with this company, one at the Titanic and two others and you almost always lost communication.' He added: 'Nobody walked into this with any illusions. You sign a waiver before you even get on the boat. It mentions death, and three different ways you can die, on page one. 'If, in the worst case, they are down at the bottom of the ocean, I can't see how anyone can get to them, much less rescue them.' Advertisement

Speaking at search headquarters in Boston, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coastguard announced: 'Those search efforts have not yielded any results.'

But last night some of the commercial vessels with specialist underwater drones were sending them down. Frederick offered his 'most heartfelt thoughts and prayers' to the lost crew and their loved ones, and pledged they were doing 'everything possible'. But he admitted the rescuers were entering the final hours.

When he was asked 'Even with that amount of time left, if you were to find the submersible at this moment, would that give you enough time to save those five people on board?' he replied: 'I don't know the answer to that question. All I know is we will do everything within our power to effect a rescue.'

The Titanic wreckage lies at 12,500ft, and Titan was one of the only craft in the world capable of reaching it. Even nuclear submarines cannot safely go that deep. Deep water dive specialists are assisting coastguards in the 'unique and challenging' operation, said Frederick.

Standing on a dockside, he told reporters: 'Getting salvage equipment on scene is a top priority. It is very heavy equipment, it is very complex, but the best experts are on scene. If the sub is located, the experts will look at the best course of action for recovering the sub.'

Among the equipment is a decompression chamber for the five passengers should they be brought to the surface.

A thrill-seeker who intended to join billionaire Hamish Harding on the missing Titanic sub pulled out of the dive because he thought OceanGate was 'cutting too many corners', it has emerged.

Chris Brown, 61, paid the deposit to go on the doomed voyage but said he changed his mind after becoming concerned by the quality of technology and materials used in the vessel, The Sun reported Tuesday night.

Among his concerns were OceanGate's use of 'old scaffolding poles' for the ballast and the fact that its controls were 'based on computer game-style controllers'.

He told the newspaper that despite being 'one of the first people to sign up for this trip', he ultimately decided the 'risks were too high'.

Brown added he felt 'really upset about Hamish', who is among the five passengers on the submersible, called the Titan, that are currently missing.

Harding had posted about going on the trip before the Titan was put in the water and later lost contact with the surface

Brown and Harding signed up for the voyage after sharing a 'few beers' while holidaying on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island.

The pair paid the 10 percent deposit for the trip, which has since more than doubled in price, while the Titan was still being developed, he claimed.

But Brown alleged that in the years that followed, he learned OceanGate had 'missed key targets' when depth-testing the submersible.

The multi-millionaire digital marketing tycoon found it concerning that the vessel was controlled by a modified Playstation controller.

He also is understood to have been worried by the technical issues and delays throughout the development process.

He told The Sun: 'I found out they used old scaffolding poles for the sub's ballast.

'If you're trying to build your own submarine you could probably use old scaffold poles. But this was a commercial craft.'

Brown, who said he is 'not one to shy away from risk', eventually emailed OceanGate and asked for a refund.

He is worried for his friend but said Harding is not the panicking type. He believes the billionaire is likely keeping 'extremely calm' and 'processing plans, schemes and ideas through his enormous brain'.

Brown said Harding will be 'giving hope' to the other passengers.

The Titan vessel will have a carbon dioxide scrubber on board to remove excess toxic gas that builds up when passengers exhale in the confined space, but in most craft it has a limited capacity. There is also a risk of hypothermia due to the low temperatures in the depths of the ocean, as well as hyperventilation induced by panic attacks, which can use up more valuable oxygen

The Titan vessel that is still missing will have a carbon dioxide scrubber on board to remove excess toxic gas that builds up when passengers exhale in the confined space, but in most craft this will have a limited capacity

A US Navy veteran warned of the chilling health effects of being trapped in a submarine just weeks before the Titanic tourism sub went missing, DailyMail.com can reveal.

In a scientific paper published in a medical journal last month, Dr. Dale Mole, the former director of undersea medicine and radiation health for the US Navy, detailed the 'hostile' environment onboard commercial submersibles, with passengers facing depleting oxygen supplies, toxic carbon dioxide levels and plummeting temperatures.

The Titan vessel that is still missing will have a carbon dioxide scrubber on board to remove excess toxic gas that builds up when passengers exhale in the confined space, but in most craft, those have a limited capacity.

A scrubbing system removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making the air safe to breathe.

Speaking to DailyMail.com Tuesday, Mole said it is 'very much' a race against time to rescue the passengers, if they are not already dead from a 'catastrophic rupture of the pressure vessel.'

He added: 'Anytime humans are confined in an airtight space, most people may think of oxygen, but carbon dioxide is actually a bigger concern.

'In a submersible, they'll have some system of scrubbing carbon dioxide. If they lost battery power, then that system would no longer work.'

There is also a risk of hypothermia due to the low temperatures in the depths of the ocean, as well as hyperventilation induced by panic attacks, which can use up more valuable oxygen.

Cargo being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic at the harbour in St John's, bound for the search area

Marc Hagle, 74, and his wife Sharon, 73, went to space on Blue Origin's fourth trip, in March 2022. They intended to visit the Titanic wreck with OceanGate, and paid in 2017, but sued in February this year for fraud

It has also emerged that a Florida couple sued the Rush, CEO of the Titanic tourism company OceanGate Expeditions, accusing him of misleading them about their trip to visit the wreck and refusing to refund their $210,258 when they complained.

Marc and Sharon Hagle, who made their fortune in commercial real estate, are well known for their philanthropy and their adventurous spirit. In March 2022, they were on the fourth Blue Origin passenger space flight and became the first married couple to become space tourists.

In 2016, while on a trip to the South Pole, they decided their next adventure would be underwater. In 2017 they were announced as among the first customers for OceanGate, which was founded in 2009 by Seattle-born aviator and businessman Stockton Rush, now 61.

But they never got to take their trip, and in February this year sued Rush, accusing him of selling the adventure knowing it was not on schedule, and refusing to refund their cash.
Experts fear that even if the craft automatically resurfaced as planned, the crew of five would still suffocate in hours because they can't open hatch from inside

It's been dubbed the Titan crew of five's 'last chance,' as they are in their final hours of their oxygen supply

Supplies from the US have arrived in Canada to be placed on the ship, the Horizon Arctic, which was due to set sail at midnight

A battery of heavy machinery and submarines dubbed the 'last chance' for the crew of the Titan tourist submarine arrived in Canada tonight - but it now faces a race against time to help rescuers in the desperate search.

The array of winches, cables and unmanned vehicles capable of going 19,000 feet underwater were delivered to St John's airport in Newfoundland by three US Air Force cargo planes.

It was taken with a police escort to the port where a waiting ship, the Horizon Arctic, was due to set sail at midnight.

But with the 15-hour sea journey to the search area where five people were trapped underwater, it will arrive perilously close to the time when the Titan will run out of air.

The desperate hunt for the five men trapped on the lost Titan submersible has entered its make-or-break day as more ships set up above the Titanic wreck with time quickly running out to pull off the deepest undersea rescue mission ever.

The array of winches, cables and unmanned vehicles capable of going 19,000 feet underwater were delivered to St John's airport in Newfoundland by three US Air Force cargo planes

It was taken with a police escort to the port where a waiting ship, the Horizon Arctic, was due to set sail at midnight

Three C-17 aircraft from the US Air Force - which are thought to have flown in from North Carolina and New Jersey - landed at a cargo terminal in St John's where they were met by six waiting flatbed trucks

Rescue crews are in a race against time and air to find the Titan five - the people trapped on a submersible at the site of the Titanic shipwreck. The Titan was launched Sunday morning and lost contact with the surface within two hours.

Billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are reported to be the people stuck in the sub.

A massive effort, involving several countries, is underway to try and rescue the crew.

Late Tuesday, rescuers reported hearing 'banging sounds'. The Explorers Club, of which Harding was a founding Board of Trustees member, reported that 'likely signs of life have been detected.'

As rescuers scramble to pull off a miracle amid a dwindling oxygen supply for those aboard, experts fear that even if the craft automatically resurfaced as planned, the crew of five would still suffocate in hours because they can't physically open the hatch from the inside.

Three C-17 aircraft from the US Air Force - which are believed to have flown in from North Carolina and New Jersey - landed at a cargo terminal in St. John's where they were met by six waiting flatbed trucks.

The equipment was taken off the planes by a military loader then put onto the trucks by a forklift truck.

One load contained a giant red roll of thick cable and two large machines with a blue frame and a sign on the side saying 'high voltage.' While the exact purpose of the cable was unclear, it appeared to have enough length to go deep into the ocean.

Another load contained two heavy-duty Hyundai winches with '6000 kg line pull' written on the side of each.

The equipment was taken off the planes by a military loader then put onto the trucks by a forklift truck

One load contained two heavy duty Hyundai winches with '6000 kg line pull' written on the side of each. The Titan weighs 10,432 kg meaning that both would need to be used to pull it out

The supplies are pictured being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic

The Titan weighs 10,432 kg meaning that both would need to be used to pull it out.

One load contained a shipping crate with the words 'Pelagic Research Services' - a Massachusetts-based company that specializes in deep-sea rescue tools.

In a statement on its website the company said it was providing 'critical support' to the rescue effort. The company said: 'Currently, PRS is in the process of mobilization as quickly and as safely as possible to assist in the search and rescue effort.

'PRS is committed to helping bring the best possible outcome to this situation. Our sincere thoughts and wishes are with all the families, friends, and rescue personnel of those affected by this emergency.'

The company did not specify what it was sending but among its craft are the Odysseus 6K, which is capable of going to a depth of 6,000 meters, or 19,000 feet. The Titan is thought to be at a depth of around 12,500 feet.

According to the company's website, the control room is built into a shipping crate, which appears to tally with what was being loaded onto the Horizon Atlantic.

Earlier, three Customs and Border agents were seen speaking to the truck drivers and the cargo is understood to have been rushed through so it could get on its way.

A crowd of onlookers formed at the airport taking photos with one saying to his friend: 'The cavalry is coming.'

British billionaire Hamish Harding (left) and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (middle) are two of the five men who went missing on the OceanGate tourist submersible on Sunday. French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (right) is believed to be taking part in the expedition

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are among the five people trapped in the sub

Once the trucks were loaded up, they slowly made their way through St. John's with a police escort and dropped off at the waiting Horizon Arctic, which was due to head to the search area near the wreckage of the Titanic.

At the docks, a man who claimed to be on standby to travel with the vessel said: 'There's enough air and water assets right now that they're not letting anybody else go right now. There's only so much you can do on the surface.

'This will be gone by midnight tonight. It's a miniature submarine that's going to go down,' he continued. 'They'll get there in about 15 hours. There will be a chance, a slight one.

'This is the last kick at it. This is the last chance. There's no other chance other than this ROV (underwater vehicle).

'I'm hoping for the best. I'm really, really hoping. It will be a tragedy for everyone if this is not found. A tragedy on top of a tragedy.'

Landscape photographer, Jonathan Hancock, 44, of St. John's, was at the dockside with wife and his 13-year-old son.

He said: 'I have mixed emotions. It's scary to think you can go down on a sub as a tourist and possibly lose power or get tangled in something and know you're not going to get back up. It is so sad to see something like that happen.

'I have a little hope that they'll find them. It's small. They're going to need a miracle.

'It's great to see they're coming to the country, the US Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard, the military to try to find them, to do everything they can.

'Those boys in the mine in Thailand, nobody thought it was possible to get them out. But the world came together and rescued them.'
He used Facebook to ask for places to stay on his walk

A registered sex offender who claimed to be on a charity walk to raise money for mental health has been arrested for failing to inform police of his whereabouts.

Warren 'Wazza' Wright, was arrested near Warrnambool, about 270km south-west of Melbourne, on Monday during his fundraiser trek across Victoria.

Wright used his public Facebook page to ask for accommodation as he made his way across the state - at one stage even staying at a woman's house for two nights before she discovered his criminal past.

The 49-year-old was charged with four counts of failing to comply with his reporting obligations as a registered sex offender.

Wright was placed on the sex offenders register for eight years after he was convicted in 2020 of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in a caravan park in Mildura.

He claimed during his walk he was affiliated with R U OK? and Beyond Blue; however, both charities confirmed last week they did not have any connection with him.

Registered sex offender Warren 'Wazza' Wright (pictured) was arrested while on a charity walk across Victoria. The 49-year-old was charged with four counts of failing to comply with his reporting obligations as a registered sex offender

Wright faced Warrnambool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and made no application for bail.

Willaura local Wendy Seggie believes 'justice has been served' after she let Wright sleep on her couch for two nights from June 5 without knowing he was a registered sex offender.

Ms Seggie allowed him to sleep on the couch while her six-year-old granddaughter and two daughters, aged 19 and 20, were also living in her house.

'When he left there was something still bothering me about him and that's when I found the post [online] about what he had done in Mildura,' she told the Herald Sun.

'I feel sick and so violated that a person on the sex offenders register can just go and stay wherever they like and not have to inform people of their history.

'I have to live with this every day knowing I put my family at risk of harm... I constantly feel sick knowing I had him in my home. It's absolutely horrifying.'

Ms Seggie said she felt some 'relief' knowing Wright was behind bars, and no longer hides inside her home out of fear he could return.

Wright was allegedly seen loitering around the Hamilton area over the past week asking residents if he could stay with them.

Wright used his public Facebook page to ask for accommodation as he walked across the state to raise money and awareness for mental health. He claimed to be affiliated with R U OK? and Beyond Blue; however, both charities have claimed to have no connection with him

Locals who were aware of his criminal history shared their encounters on social media and kept a record tracking his movements.

He was allegedly seen at the front gate of Monivae College on June 15 and then early the following day at Hamilton skate park before he was removed from both locations.

Wright was remanded in custody and will appear in court on June 26.
Incredible pictures show California's Lake Oroville full of water following a crippling drought that left it at a critically low level.

The images provide a comparison between the reservoir in July 2021 and June 2023 - when it was filled completely for the first time since 2012.

Oroville's water levels dipped to their lowest ever in late 2021, at just over 628 feet, or 24 percent capacity. Now, however, they're measuring at 100 percent capacity, and 127 percent of where they usually are around this time of year.

The improving drought conditions in California are a 'stark difference' to the last three years, according to California Department of Water Resources director Karla Nemeth, who spoke to ABC News.

Oroville, which is capable of holding up to 3.5million acre-feet of water, receives most of its flow from snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains in April.

Lake Oroville in California in 2021, when the major West Coast reservoir sat at a dangerously low level

Now, the reservoir is 100 percent full, following a year that included a record amount of rainfall and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains

 Slide me  Lake Oroville in California is one of the many important reservoirs in the American West that reached a critically low level during the drought, but is now filled to the brim

Some parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains received as much as 200 percent more snowpack than normal this year due to the nearly dozen atmospheric rivers that hit the West Coast this winter.

An atmospheric river is a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture, or, water vapor, carried in the air from the tropics. It can bring with it significant bouts of rain.

Melting snowpack is another major contributor to the nearly full reservoirs in California.

'It's refreshing to see Lake Oroville and other State Water Project (SWP) reservoirs like San Luis near or at capacity,' Nemeth said.

The San Luis Reservoir in Merced, California, is measuring at about 99 percent full. In April, it was sitting at 114 percent of its historical average.

This time last year, the reservoir sat at less than half capacity and continued to lose water in the warmer months.

A boat departs a dock at Lake Oroville on June 15, 2023. After several winter storms that brought record snowfall to California's Sierra Nevada mountains, Oroville, California's second largest reservoir, is at 100 percent capacity

In an aerial view, water is released on the main spillway at Lake Oroville on June 15, 2023

 Slide me  Satellite pictures showing the difference in the San Luis Reservoir between last summer and now

The excessive regional rain, snow and flooding this year have turned the areas surrounding both reservoirs from brown, dry landscapes, to lush green ones.

California's largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, about 120 miles north of Lake Oroville, is also close to full - reaching almost 97 percent capacity last week.

In April, when most reservoirs were measuring near completely full, the DWR announced that the State Water Project would be delivering 100 percent allocation for the first time in more than 15 years.

This means that officials are monitoring the strategic release of water in the reservoir as water continues to flow into the lake in order to avoid flooding that could occur as the snowpack melts more quickly in the warmer months.
Joe Biden has called Xi Jinping a dictator in off-the-cuff remarks during a campaign stop - just a day after Antony Blinken visited the Chinese premier to try to ease tensions.

Blinken became the first top U.S. diplomat to visit China in five years, and his trip was in the shadow of COVID, Taiwan tensions and the 'spy balloon' saga.

Washington and Beijing said progress was made without detailing concrete examples.

But Blinken's work was soon eclipsed by Biden's remarks at a California fundraiser on Tuesday.

'The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didn't know it was there,' said Biden, referencing the February incident.

'That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened. That wasn't supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course.'

Joe Biden is seen on Tuesday speaking at an Artificial Intelligence event in San Francisco. He later attended a fundraiser, where he labeled China's president a dictator

Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, is seen in Beijing on Monday meeting Xi Jinping. Blinken is the first top U.S. official to visit China in five years

China is yet to respond to Biden's comments.

In March, Xi secured a precedent-breaking third term as president after clinching in October another five years as chief of the ruling Communist Party, making him China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

Biden also said that China 'has real economic difficulties.'

China's economy stumbled in May with industrial output and retail sales growth missing forecasts, adding to expectations that Beijing will need to do more to shore up a shaky post-pandemic recovery.

The World Bank earlier this month forecast U.S. growth for 2023 at 1.1 percent - more than double the 0.5 percent forecast in January.

China's growth, meanwhile, is expected to climb to 5.6 percent, compared to a 4.3 percent forecast in January.

Blinken and Xi agreed in their Monday meeting to stabilize the intense rivalry between Washington and Beijing so it did not veer into conflict, but failed to produce any breakthrough during a rare visit to China by the secretary of state.

They did agree to continue diplomatic engagement with more visits by U.S. officials in the coming weeks and months.

The Chinese 'spy balloon' is pictured on February 4 being shot down off the coast of South Carolina

The 'spy balloon' is seen on February 1 over Billings, Montana. It traversed the U.S. before it was shot down

Biden said Monday he thought relations between the two countries were on the right path, and he indicated that progress was made during Blinken's trip.

Biden said on Tuesday that Xi had been concerned by the so-called Quad strategic security group, which includes Japan, Australia, India and the United States.

The U.S. president said he previously told Xi the U.S. was not trying to encircle China with the Quad.

'He called me and told me not to do that because it was putting him in a bind,' Biden said.

Later this week, Biden will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China is expected to be a topic of discussion between the two leaders.
A Hamptons market has sparked outrage for selling guacamole for $29 per pound - over quadruple the price of most stores.

The tub, sold by the Seafood Shop in Wainscott, New York, was slammed online for its outrageous price tag.

Joe Marino Jr., a 36-year-old real estate investor, posted the pricy dip on his TikTok account telling his followers: 'I think we need to draw the line at $29 guacamole.'

'This was just a regular kind, too, not any sort of specialty,' Marino said. '[Prices have] gotten worse, I think maybe over the last couple of years,' Marino added.

Joe Marino Jr., a 36-year-old real estate investor, posted the dip on his TikTok account

The one pound pot of guacamole sold by the Seafood Shop in Wainscott, New York, was slammed online for its outrageous price tag

The video has now been viewed more than 1 million times, and users have expressed their outrage. 'Does it make you fly?' one commenter joked.

Another added: 'Not even Bezos will buy it for that price.'

Marino, whose online handle is @theretiredmillenial, said the Seafood Shop is a 'got to for Ina Garten, Jimmy Fallen, and Katy Perry' among others.

Wainscott, where the offending guacamole was for sale, is a celebrity hotspot that has been visited by the likes of Martha Stewart, Jimmy Buffett and Richard Gere.

The 36-year-old defended the purchase after commentators suggested buying the pot encouraged businesses to raise prices even further.

'A friend from out of town picked it up without looking' he claimed.

'He ran as a good gesture to pick up some chips and walk in some oysters, and I just threw it in the car,' Marino said.

Wainscott, where the offending guacamole was for sale, is a celebrity hotspot that has been visited by the likes of Martha Stewart, Jimmy Buffett and Richard Gere

The 36-year-old defended the purchase after commentators suggested buying the pot encouraged businesses to raise prices even further

'Then I was sitting there in the backyard and I looked down and saw the price, and my gut reaction was, 'I can't believe this.''

The hefty cost of the Seafood Shop runs counter to the wider smashed avocado market, according to the Wall Street Journal, who recently reported an 18 percent year-on-year drop of Hass avocado.

'Right now, we're seeing avocado prices that are the lowest we've seen in a number of years, and that's definitely helping us,' Chipotle Chief Financial Officer Jack Hartung told the outlet.

Anoop Rai, a finance professor at the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University on Long Island, told The Post that 'the most likely explanation [for the extreme markup] is a combination of high demand and a clientele that can afford to pay these prices.'

He also explained the price by suggesting there was likely a convenience fee at play here, too.

'It's summer in the Hamptons, and no party or dinner is likely to go without avocado dips. Add to this the [vehicular] traffic congestion, high-end consumers would rather pay than search for alternatives  most of whom probably do not even look at the prices.' Rai added.
An Idaho man appeared in court Tuesday accused of shooting dead his four neighbors after he became enraged at the teenage son of the family performing a sex act within sight of a window.

Majorjon Kaylor, 31, who has 'savage' tattooed above his eyebrow, reportedly told police he 'lost it', and acted to protect his three young children.

On Sunday evening he became involved in an argument with the teenager's mother, Kenna Guardipee, 41.

She lived in the Kellogg, Idaho, home with her sons Devin Smith, 18, and 16-year-old Aiken, plus her father Kenneth Guardipee, 65.

Majorjon Kaylor, who has 'savage' tattooed above his eye, is accused of shooting dead his four neighbors on Sunday evening. He told police he killed them to protect his three children

Kaylor, a 31-year-old miner, appeared in court in Wallace, Idaho, Tuesday accused of shooting dead his four neighbors Sunday evening

Kaylor is accused of murdering (from left) Kenneth Guardipee, 65; his grandson Devin Smith, 18; Devin's mother Kenna Guardipee, 41; and her 16-year-old son Aiken

Five days before the shooting, police were called to the Guardipees' home after Kaylor reported Devin Smith had exposed himself to his wife, Kaylie, and daughter.

A family friend of Smith, Katy James, told The Spokesman-Review that Devin Smith had a learning disability and struggled socially, but had been getting help through a program at school.

A classmate, Daisy Sawyer, told the paper he had harassed her at school and was known to be inappropriate.

Kaylor came home from working in a mine Sunday evening and confronted Kenna Guardipee, angry that her son was unlikely to face further punishment for his acts.

Kaylor then shot the mother in the head, as well as her father and two sons.

Police responded to reports of shots fired at a duplex at 515 W. Brown Ave around 7:20pm on Sunday.

Shortly after the first call, a second call came in reporting that someone had 'executed his neighbors,' according to court documents.

Kaylor is seen with his wife Kaylie: the couple have two daughters and a son

Kaylor and Kaylie are seen in a photo from her social media

The Kaylors lived in the upstairs unit of this duplex in Kellogg, Idaho

Investigators found a .45 caliber Hi-Point semi-automatic pistol with what appeared to be blood on it in a truck parked in the duplex's driveway, according to court documents obtained by The Spokesman-Review.

Kaylor told police that he 'snapped' and 'lost it' over the dispute, saying he had spoken to Kenna Guardipee and her father, but was upset that they did not appear to take his concerns seriously.

His wife told investigators he 'said he did what he had to do, and to tell their kids he protected them.'

She added that she overheard him saying he had killed four people.

A GoFundMe has been started for Kaylie and the three children by Kaylor's brother Buddy.

'I am trying to raise money for my sister-in-law and 3 small children for rent groceries and the necessities to live after a tragic event,' wrote Buddy Kaylor.

'After enduring continuous unthinkable sexual harassment by a neighbor the current situation has left my brother in jail and the three kids and mom without a provider, thank you for your donations anything helps.'

Kaylor could face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.

He also faces a separate felony burglary charge, and police said he had a 'sparse and sporadic' criminal history for drug abuse, battery and traffic offenses, according to KXLY4 News.

Kaylor is seen in court on Tuesday, sitting with his head down. A judge did not set bail

Kenna Guardipee is pictured with her sons Devin and Aiken

From left: Devin Smith, 18; his mother Kenna Guardipee, 41; and his brother Aiken Smith, 16

On Tuesday, Kaylor appeared in court in Wallace, Idaho - 50 miles east of Coeur d'Alene - in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.

Prosecutor Benjamin Allen said Kaylor confessed to the shooting when interviewed by police.

'Admissions were ultimately made to the offenses charged,' Allen said.

Allen said the killings were carried out in a 'horrific manner.'

Magistrate Judge Keisha Oxendine did not set bond and Kaylor will continue to be held in jail. Another hearing has been set for July 3.
A national television presenter and well-known designer said his character has 'been smeared' by a driving charge after it was thrown out of court.

The Living Room co-host Barry Du Bois had been charged with driving while his licence was suspended under road traffic legislation after he was stopped by police at 8.30am on May 17 in Bondi.

However, police withdrew the charge in Waverley Court on Wednesday and replaced it with a lesser charge of driving while his licence was suspended under the NSW Fines Act.

The 62-year-old was well dressed in a navy jacket, white shirt and black pants as he pleaded guilty to the 'administrative error', which he attributed to a wariness of text scams.

Barry Du Bois (left) had been charged with driving while his licence was suspended under road traffic legislation after he was stopped by police at 8.30am on May 17 in Bondi

The court heard police stopped the renovation expert at 8.30am on May 17 while he was driving along Hall St in Bondi after noticing his grey Isuzu was missing a front number plate.

Police then discovered his licence had been suspended days earlier due to an unpaid fine.

Mr Du Bois admitted he had received a text from Revenue NSW but he had dismissed it as an attempt to scam money from him.

Outside the courthouse, he explained he was on high alert for swindlers after he had recently fallen victim to a scam that cost him more than $1,000.

'He made an error, he got the text,' Magistrate Ross Hudson said in court.

'That's as high as it goes.'

In his letter of apology, Mr Du Bois explained his licence had been suspended due to an unpaid fine on a car he had been using as part of an ambassadorship for Mitsubishi.

The car hadn't been in his possession at the time and he hadn't been notified of the toll fine because he wasn't the owner, the court was told.

Mr Hudson noted the author had a 'limited' driving record with a 'smattering of offending' and pointed to his consistent philanthropic efforts.

'He has a positive bank of good character by which he's given back to the community in many ways and forms over many years,' he said.

'He should be afforded leniency for such an error.'

The magistrate dismissed the charge and reminded Mr Du Bois to always check on his driving eligibility.

However, police withdrew the charge in Waverley Court on Wednesday and replaced it with a lesser charge of driving while his licence was suspended under the NSW Fines Act

Outside court, Du Bois agreed with the message and said he hoped his legal troubles would serve as a warning for others to be wary of unknown penalties.

He said the driving charge had been very difficult for him and his family, and revealed he had lost an ambassadorship due to the ensuing media coverage.

'My good character has now been smeared,' Mr Du Bois said.

He said he was 'relieved' the ordeal was over as he left the courthouse with his lawyers.

The Cancer Council Australia ambassador will now be able to turn his mind to his health as he continues his years-long battle against blood cancer.

He grinned that he was feeling 'fighting fit' after the driving charge was dismissed.

Mr Du Bois is best known for co-hosting Network 10's The Living Room for the past decade. The show is currently on hiatus.
The Pentagon said an accounting error resulted in a $6.2billion overestimation of the value of weapons being sent to Ukraine over the last two years as the European nation fights off a Russian invasion.

The significant error means there is a surplus of funds available for future military aid packages sent to Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told the press that the multi-billion dollar error was the result of military services using replacement costs as opposed to the book value of the equipment.

That error drove up the cost of each aid package, as new weaponry is more expensive than old weaponry, and therefore led relevant individuals to believe that more of the approved funding had been used than had actually been spent.

The Pentagon admitted Tuesday to a $6.2billion accounting error in the amount of strategic aid the US has sent to Ukraine in the last two years

Military aid, delivered as part of the United States' security assistance to Ukraine, is unloaded from a plane at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine

The discovery of the error was found toward the end of fiscal 2023, which gives the Pentagon an extra $6.2billion to spend on military aid to Ukraine next fiscal year.

The Department of Defense often uses what is called presidential drawdown authority in order to get weapons to Ukraine faster than it would take if they went through the normal bureaucratic process.

It allows the DoD to pull supplies off the shelves or from the stockpile and send them directly to the war-torn country.

The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, run by the Pentagon, is meant to provide long-term funding for purchases like air defense systems.

According to the Associated Press, the US has committed over $40billion in security assistance funds - i.e. money for long-term defense projects - to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. Now, accounting for the Pentagon's calculating error, that figure is more like $34billion.

Officials have approved nearly $113billion in funding to Ukraine, divided into four rounds - some of that funding is dedicated to restocking equipment being used on the frontlines.

U.S. Marines and British Royal Marines perform a landing-from-sea exercise during Baltops 23 military drill near Ventspils, Latvia June 6, 2023

Lithuania's military aid including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, delivered as part of the security support package for Ukraine, is unloaded from a C-17 Globemaster III plane at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine

Members of Congress have urged the DoD to keep better track of the aid the US is sending to Ukraine, lest US taxpayer dollars wind up in the wrong hands.

The Pentagon has assured those concerned members that a 'robust program' is in place to track all aid that enters Ukraine, and is subsequently used to keep tabs on it while it is there.

Singh clarified that the accounting error will not impact the delivery of American aid to Ukraine.

The White House currently has no plans to ask Congress for additional aid to Ukraine before the end of the fiscal year in September.
They have issued a grovelling apology to the country

The couple, who are from Iran, were spared prison time

A migrant husband and wife have been spared jail time for their role in directing a childcare subsidy fraud syndicate.

Alee Farmann and Lubna Hashimy apologised to the country they defrauded before they were allowed to walk out of Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Judge Jane Culver sentenced the couple to imprisonment but granted the couple a three-year recognisance release order.

Farmann, who drove a Range Rover and purchased a flash $1.5million townhouse in 2018, was to serve 33 months imprisonment and his wife was to serve three years for directing a fraud syndicate through company Red Roses Family Day Care Pty Ltd.

The couple instead will be required to maintain good behaviour for three years under community corrections supervision.

Husband and wife, Alee Farmann (pictured), 53, and Lubna Hashimy, 44, have been spared prison time for their role in directing a childcare fraud syndicate

Farmann (left) was the sole owner of the company and directed staff to photograph children at care locations to legitimise records, while Hashimy (second from the right) instructed staff on how to fill out timesheets and submissions to the Department of Education

Farmann purchased a $1.5million home (pictured) in 2018

The daycare company was used to defraud the federal government's child care subsidy scheme from 2018 to 2019.

At least $89,000 worth of claims were made by Hashimy and $79,000 by Farmann.

'Not a single cent has been recovered,' Judge Culver told the court.

Farmann, 53, was the sole owner of the company and had directed staff to bring and photograph children at care locations to legitimise company records.

The Georges Hall man instructed two educators on how to evade detection during periods of intensified government scrutiny, even going so far as to terminate then reinstate one staff member to avoid suspicion.

Hashimy, 44, instructed staff members on how to fill out timesheets and submissions to the Department of Education.

She also signed off on the fraudulent claims made to the department.

The daycare company was used to defraud the federal government's child care subsidy scheme from 2018 to 2019

Members of the scheme pretended to look after each others' children and claimed the up to $146 a week per child rebate

Farmann is arrested in a suit at his south-west Sydney mansion in June 2018, above

In one instance, one Red Roses educator made subsidy claims for regular morning sessions of care for Hashimy's children.

The children never attended the educator's home for care and were instead collected then delivered to school, the court heard.

Hashimy knew educators were not entitled to claim a subsidy for driving children but continued to repeatedly submit via Red Roses claims for sessions of care.

Judge Culver acknowledged full time custody for the couple would be difficult their mental and physical health.

Farmann fled to Australia in 1999 by boat following deteriorating conditions for Iraqi expats in Iran after the Gulf War.

He apologised to Australia in a letter to the court.

'I've let the principles of my country down,' he wrote.

Ms Hashimy left Iraq due to her mother being of Iranian background, moving to Sydney in 2006 on a partner visa.

'I apologise to the Australian people. This is a shameful event in my life that will stain my heart,' Hashimy wrote in a letter to the court.

Farmann (pictured), who fled to Australia in 1999 by boat following deteriorating conditions for Iraqi expats in Iran after the Gulf War, apologised to Australia in a letter

Hashimy (pictured), who fled to Australia in 2006 on a partner visa, said in her letter: 'I apologise to the Australian people. This is a shameful event in my life that will stain my heart.'

The judge also acknowledged imprisonment would challenge caretaking of their children.

The couple's daughter, 23, wrote a letter to the court, outlining the impact media reports of the court proceedings had on her two younger siblings.

'We began to feel racially attacked,' the daughter wrote.

'As for my younger brother, boys from his school began to recognise his name  and to harass him about it.'

Judge Culver agreed imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence, but it did not necessarily have to be conducted in full custody.

Imprisonment within the community would be more suitable for the offences, she said.
This comes after Tash Peterson called him 'insecure'

A controversial celebrity chef has doubled down on his decision to ban vegans from his restaurant after he received threats that activists will stage a protest.

UK-born celebrity chef John Mountain was responding to comments from notorious vegan activist Tash Peterson and others online who suggested they might stage a protest at his Fyre restaurant at Connolly in Perth's north.

Phone the police and the ambulance, have them on standby, because if they try pulling a stunt with me, good luck,' Mr Mountain told Triple M co-hosts Xav and Michelle on Wednesday.

The controversy started after a vegan diner left a one-star review discussing his 'shortcomings as a chef' that Mr Mountain took personally, leading him to ban anyone who identified as vegan via Facebook.

'Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre for mental health reasons. We thank you for your understanding. xx,' he wrote on Tuesday.

UK-born celebrity chef John Mountain has doubled down on his vegan ban after activists tried to destroy his reputation: 'F*** vegans'

UK-born celebrity chef John Mountain was responding to comments from notorious vegan activist Tash Peterson (pictured) and others online who suggested they might stage a protest at his Fyre restaurant at Connolly in Perth 's north

The Google review firestorm that Fyre subsequently received left its average score at 2.8, which was markedly down from the respectable 4.3 it had held before the incident.

'I'm not against vegans in any way shape or form, I think theyre all beautiful people,' Mr Mountain told the co-hosts.

'It's just when they behave like a**holes.'

Since the incident first occurred yesterday Ms Peterson, who has been known to stage protests inside diners before, said that the chef was guilty and insecure.

He's obviously quite triggered by veganism and I think maybe it's a defence mechanism for his own guilt, she told 7News.

When asked for a response to her comment and what might happen to protestors setting foot in his business, Mr Mountain said ambulances would need to be on standby.

'She obviously is not a trained psychologist, is she,' he said.

'I'm the licensee of those premises, I've spent almost half a million of my own hard earned cash. I've got no investors, no nothing. I will physically pick them up and throw them out.'

Mr Mountain confirmed that threats of a physical protest had already been sent to him, which he responded to with 'lol' before blocking the senders on social media.

'You'll never please all the people all the time. And to be honest, I always have one vegetarian option and I always will,' he continued.

Poll Is John Mountain acting fairly towards vegans? Yes No Is John Mountain acting fairly towards vegans? Yes 1292 votes

No 191 votes Now share your opinion





'Vegan, it's a little different. I don't know what you can make without butter.

Listeners called in during the live segment, with many supporting the move while one vegan admitted it was a little disappointing that they weren't able to dine there anymore.

'I have his back on this one, there's no need to act like a peanut and tarnish someone's business over it,' one listener said.

Less than 48 hours after the hailstorm began, Fyre restaurant is currently sitting on a 4.4 review score - which is better than it was before Mr Mountain banned vegans.

The chef says that the influx of online bookings has crashed his website three times in a day and has now declared that business is booming.

The controversy started after a vegan diner left a one-star review discussing his 'shortcomings as a chef' that he took personally, leading him to ban all of them via Facebook

Mr Mountain discussed the situation with Triple M co-hosts Xav and Michelle on Wednesday

The ordeal first started when Mr Mountain received an email several weeks ago from the diner who ended up giving him the poor review.

She got in contact with me a few weeks before... it's like, how do you know theres a vegan in your restaurant? Well, they've told you 17 times,' he shared with the hosts.

'Shed said, "what's your alternatives, what do you have, I'm VEGAN in capitals - because I cant read lower case.'

After asking what her favourite foods were, she told him that gnocchi and risotto were among her top preferences.

'I thought gosh, shes well travelled,' he said in a sarcastic tone.

The meal she got was a $32 vegetable dish which her review described as 'ok but not that filling'.

'I think it's incredibly important nowadays that restaurants can accommodate everyone and to not be able to have actual plant-based meals shows your shortcomings as a chef,' the aggrieved diner's contentious review stated.

But it was the diner's remarks about Mr Mountain's skillset that motivated the chef to make the move to ban vegans from returning again.

'The straw that broke the camel's back, she was questioning my ability as a chef. Get flipped,' he said during Wednesday's radio appearance.

Mr Mountain has lived in Australia for seven years after arriving from Britain where he was a celebrity chef who shared an agent with kitchen superstar Jamie Oliver.

He starred in cooking shows the Great British Menu and Chef Race UK v US.

He has also worked with culinary trailblazers Heston Blumenthal at the original famed Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire, England, as well as the brash Michelin three-starred Marco Pierre White at the Mayfair in London.
A woman who went into a restricted area to pose for a social media snap touching ancient rock art has been fined hundreds of dollars.

The woman is one of a number of people fined $431 for touching the rock art sites at Carnarvon National Park, located near Roma in central Queensland, which are of international importance.

'The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service makes no apology for taking compliance action against people who break the rules because they believe they are influencers,' Senior Ranger Luke Male said in a statement.

A woman has been fined $431 for touching ancient indigenous rock art in Queensland

Park rangers have fined six people for going into restricted areas to snap selfies

'Some visitors to Carnarvon National Park think the rules don't apply to them, and they're entering Restricted Access Areas to pose for photos,' Mr Male said.

'In some instances, they are posing in front of Indigenous rock art that is thousands of years old, or they're actually touching it.'

In the last year, six fines have been issued for going into Restricted Access Areas to take selfies or touch the rock face.

In the same period, 18 fines have been issued for various other offences including camping in a protected area and fire offences.

'The ochre stencil art of the region is unique, diverse, highly complex and spectacular, and the rock art is embedded within sandstone that is incredibly fragile,' Mr Male said.

Sunscreen, sweat and hand sanitiser can damage the artwork and touching the rock can cause wear.

'It is a great honour and privilege for us to be able to see these rock art sites, and touching them can damage cultural artefacts that are thousands of years old.'

Mr Male said rangers will issue fines to anyone who enters restricted access areas around the rock art, and routinely check social media for selfies that have been taken unlawfully.

'We also receive information, including photos from members of the public about people who have broken the rules,' he said.

Indigenous locals said the site is culturally sacred and touching the rock can damage the artwork

'People have to understand that the Traditional Owners remain connected to this place and the rock art within it, and they regard the entire Carnarvon National Park as cultural site.

'The artwork on the sandstone walls of Carnarvon Gorge is part of what makes Carnarvon National Park such an iconic and much-loved national park.

'The boardwalks are designed to give people the best possible view of the sites, and people don't get a better view by leaving the boardwalk.'
A real estate boss has admitted to asking a woman he was interviewing what she would do to secure a job before later grabbing her hand and unzipping his pants.

Create Real Estate director Steven Tabban, 38, was supported by his heavily pregnant wife as he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two women at Melbourne County Court on Tuesday.

The two separate incidents took place during 'after hours' job interviews at Tabban's office in Sunshine, west Melbourne.

In November 2019, a then 19-year-old went to his office with the understanding she was being interviewed for a receptionist role.

Director of Create Real Estate Steven Tabban (pictured) sexually assaulted two women who believed they were being interviewed for a position at his Sunshine office, in west Melbourne

The former Brimbank Council candidate told the teenager another applicant was being interviewed at the same time but the pair would be kept in separate rooms, reported the Herald Sun.

Tabban asked the young woman 'what would you do to secure the role?' She then replied she would put in extra hours.

The real estate boss left the room and upon returning claimed the other applicant offered 'a full body massage and a hand job', but the woman said she was not willing to do that.

Tabban told the woman he would have to inform the other applicant her offer was better.

The pair then discussed an employment contract before Tabban insisted the woman enter a back room in the office to give him a massage.

The woman complied but was told she had to finish her 'end of the bargain' when she asked to finalise the contract.

Tabban then grabbed the woman's hand before unzipping his pants and told her, 'You don't have to give me a blow job, just give me a hand job.'

The woman refused and asked Tabban if he would like his daughter treated in the same manner.

Tabban continued to ask the woman to perform the sex act and claimed it would 'benefit her', before she was able to leave when someone knocked on the room door.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the woman said she was left traumatised by Tabban's offending.

'Since that day, I barely ate, let alone sleep, because every time I closed my eyes I found myself back in that room in his grasp,' she said while fighting back tears.

Tabban asked both women what they would do to secure the role. In one of the incidents, the 38-year-old unzipped his pants and grabbed the hand of a then 19-year-old before suggesting she perform a sex act

In a separate incident in 2018, a woman in her early twenties was asked a similar question by Tabban.

He asked the young woman what she would be willing to do to get 'everything she wanted' before suggesting she run naked through the office screaming 'Create is great'.

The woman refused and asked if there was anything else she could do.

Tabban told the woman he had 'something in mind' and told the woman to sit on his lap before he put his hand on her thigh and then under her armpit.

He then tried to kiss her but was rejected by the woman, who told him she felt uncomfortable.

The woman said she found it difficult to work and face other men after her interview with Tabban, in a victim impact statement read out in court on her behalf.

'I feared facing another male one-on-one in a close space, fearing it would happen again,' the woman said.

'I started thinking all small-business owners had the same personality as him.'

Both incidents were reported to police, with investigators setting up pretext phone calls with Tabban and raiding his office.

The former Brimbank Council candidate (pictured) pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting both women and will be sentenced later in the year

Tabban admitted to some of his conduct during the phone calls but later refused to comment, the Herald Sun reported.

Prosecutor Richard Pirrie told the pre-sentence hearing Tabban planned the assaults and used his position of power to prey on the young women.

Judge Gregory Lyon commended the women for having the courage to give their impact statements, but said it was unlikely Tabban would receive jail time as he has no prior criminal record.

Judge Lyon told Tabban he would have to successfully complete a sex offenders program.

'[Avoiding jail] will rely entirely on your motivation, Mr Tabban,' Judge Lyon said.

Tabban is on bail and will face court for sentencing later this year.
Thunderstorms are set to strike Britain again today, hours after sun-worshippers flocked to Stonehenge to celebrate Summer Solstice and revellers descend on Glastonbury.

A fresh set of yellow weather warnings have been released by the Met Office affecting northern regions and the south west of the UK the most.

Swathes of heavy rain are set to pour down across much of the country, with lightening and hail expected.

Some flooding, causing disruption to travel and potentially damaging some properties, is also expected.

It comes as flash floods yesterday caused mayhem up and down the country, seeing motorways, schools and railways close as a result.

Thunderstorms are set to batter Britain again today on the Summer Solstice, after days of heavy downpours sparked chaos

Heavy rain falls down over Manchester as roads start to flood

Revellers are caught in heavy downpours at Glastonbury Festival

Revellers were seen standing by the stones waiting for the sun to rise in Wiltshire

As thousands of Glastonbury-goers descended on the fields, one hid from the rain under a food stand

Sheltering from the rain, a camper shoves a t-shirt over her head as she walks to the campsite

In northern parts of the country, the warning is in place from midday until 6pm. The Met Office said: 'Heavy showers and thunderstorms perhaps causing some flooding and disruption.'

The warning stretches from Aberdeen and Wick in Scotland to Edinburgh, with Newcastle and Whitby being affected further south.

For South Wales and the south west of England the warning will also come into place at midday but will last until 7pm.

It comes as temperatures are expected to rise later this week and into the weekend, with heatwaves being predicted.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: 'What's chiefly responsible for these thundery showers is that the UK is under the influence of low pressure, with daytime heating helping to develop unstable air which can be responsible for these bursts of heavy rain.'

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates added: 'More of a northwest/southeast split in the UK weather is developing from Friday and into the weekend.

'High pressure will begin to establish itself from the southeast, allowing a good deal of settled weather through the weekend, with temperatures likely building towards, or slightly exceeding, 30C in some spots.

'However, it's a much more unsettled picture to the northwest through the weekend, with weather fronts pushing in from the Atlantic bringing more in the way of rain and some gusty coastal winds, especially for those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.'

Festivalgoers carry inflatable mattresses in the rain on the first day of the Glastonbury festival

Festival-goers seek shelter from a heavy downpour at Glastonbury Festival

Festival-goers seek shelter from a heavy downpour at Glastonbury Festival

Revellers trudging in the rain at Glastonbury festival

Two women carry air mattresses over their heads as they walk through the rain to their campsite.

Festivalgoers at Glastonbury will be treated to a mixture of sun and rain, as they party into the weekend

The weather remained clear earlier today as an alliance of druids, pagans, hippies and tourists gathered at Stonehenge to express their devotion to the sun - or see the historic celebration in action.

Summer Solstice marks the first day of summer across the UK and for druids and pagans alike the day is linked to the ancient Celtic religious order holding great importance.

It is no coincidence that Glastonbury music festival - one of the world's biggest music festivals - has also opened its doors today.

Festivalgoers will be treated to a mixture of sun and rain, as they party into the weekend.

Many seen arriving today were seen using an array of items to creatively shelter from the rain - from air mattresses to duvets and pillows and even beer crates.

The interchangeable weather predicted for the week comes as storms battered Britain yesterday, causing mayhem on runways, roads and train-lines, while flash floods caused schools to shut.

In Cornwall an ominous funnel cloud was spotted spinning its way across the Cornish countryside.

Parts of the M6 near Coventry were also forced to close, while trains were disrupted on the Southern and Thameslink lines.

It comes as temperatures are set sizzle once again in a 30C heatwave over the weekend.

The Met Office have now put a yellow heat alert in place for the majority of England, with temperatures rising from Friday and becoming more widespread by SAturday.
A sneaky jibe at a political opponent has backfired on Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney after she suggested a Liberal MP of Italian heritage could not read English.

The minister was responding to a query by Tony Pasin, the MP for Barker in South Australia, during Wednesday's Question Time about the powers of the proposed Voice to Parliament.

Ms Burney sarcastically paused midway through her sentence and said: 'I am sorry you are unable to read...'

She continued a moment later: '...the very simple instructions for what this is about...'

The theatrical pause caused uproar in the chamber with loud interjections from the Coalition benches as Mr Basin angrily protested about the insult to Speaker Milton Dick.

The minister officially withdrew the remark, after Mr Basin pointed out he had been brought up in a non-English speaking home as the child of Italian migrants.

'I ask that the minister withdraw - while I did grow up in a household where English was not my first language, I can read,' he told parliament.

A sneaky swipe at a political opponent has brutally backfired on Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney after she implied Liberal MP Tony Pasin (pictured) couldn't read

The MP is the son of Italian immigrants who moved to Australia shortly before he was born in South Australia's Mount Gambier in 1977.

The minister immediately withdrew the comment and added: 'Very happy to assist the house and I withdraw that comment.'

She had been asked by Mr Basin to clarify how the Voice referendum question limits its power and influence.

'Where in the wording proposed to create a new chapter in the Constitution is the Voice restricted from offering advice to the Government and the executive, on any issue it chooses?' he asked.

After the furore over her initial reply subsided, the minister said she had repeatedly spelled out the restrictions on The Voice.

'I have said on at least five or six occasions, this week, what the Voice is responsible for...especially in relation to matters that affect Indigenous people differently,' she said.

'I think it is patently clear.'

Linda Burney (pictured) sarcastically paused midway through her sentence when she told Barker MP Tony Pasin: 'I am sorry you are unable to read...'

She added: 'I have been to communities that are crying out for a different way of doing things.

'I've been to communities where babies are drinking sweet cordial instead of water because it is cheaper.

'I have been to communities, where there are 30 people living in two bedroom homes.

'Do not tell me [the Voice] is not needed. I am not interested in culture wars. I am interested in closing the gap.'
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If rescue crews do manage to locate the missing submarine thousands of feet below sea level, they face a series of barriers and an incredibly complex mission to retrieve the vessel that is unlike any ever performed.

There is no way for the crews from the US and Canada to rescue the five men by transferring them to another submarine.

This means the only real chance that they could be saved is for a sophisticated remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, to travel the 12,500ft under water and hook a cable onto the Titanic submersible before reeling it up to the surface where the craft's hatch could be drilled open.

But even this is an incredibly time-consuming task that could take a day - and time is something that those onboard the Titan don't have. The clock is ticking as air inside the cramped craft runs out.

This plan of action is also dependent on rescue crews being able to find the exact spot where the small vessel is located - but there are hopes the craft could be found after a Canadian aircraft heard banging sounds at 30 minute intervals on Tuesday.

If rescue crews do manage to locate the missing submarine (file photo of the Titan) thousands of feet below sea level, they face a series of barriers and an incredibly complex mission to retrieve the vessel that is unlike any ever performed

While there are very few remotely operated vehicles that could reach the same depths of the Titanic, the US Navy does have one called CURV-21, which can reach a depth of around 20,000ft. It's not clear if it is being deployed for this search.

However, French officials are now racing to send their remotely operated vehicle Victor 6000, which can go to depths of 20,000ft, to the search site before the oxygen runs out in less than 30 hours. But the ship carrying the ROV is not expected to arrive at the scene until Wednesday evening.

The remotely operated vehicle is tethered to a surface ship with a two-inch cable, allowing the pilot to control it from above using thrusters and relay images from sonar and camera systems.

Stephen McGinty, author of The Dive: The Untold Story of the World's Deepest Submarine Rescue, told Sky News there is 'no reason' why crews could not use 'a remote controlled vehicle' to attach a rescue line to Titan.

He said: 'It would take a long time, hours to get down to the bottom - and then attach, if they find it, a rescue line'. Mr McGinty says it will come down to whether they find the sub in time and what depth it is at.

Any ROV would need another sophisticated US Navy system - a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System (FADOSS) - to help it lift the heavy load.

The US Navy used the FADOSS to successfully salvage a crashed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter from 12,400ft below the South China Sea in early 2022, meaning it would be able to help pull the submersible above sea level if an ROV found the vessel.

And raising the hopes of the desperate families of those on board, including British billionaire Hamish Harding and UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman, the US Navy yesterday deployed a FADOSS to assist in the search and rescue efforts.

The FADOSS, along with remotely operated vehicles and an array of winches arrived at St John's airport in Newfoundland, Canada, last night before departing on a ship, the Horizon Arctic, towards where they believe the Titan is located.

However, with the 15-hour sea journey to the search area, the heavy machinery dubbed the 'last chance' for the crew on the Titan submarine will arrive perilously close to the time when those on board will run out of air.

Retired Navy Captain Ray Scott McCord told CNN that a sophisticated ROV could reach the wreckage of the Titanic at a pace of around 1,000 feet per hour. The Titan is believed to be located at more then 12,000ft below sea level, meaning any rescue mission would take 24 hours - and that's once the equipment finally arrives.

The array of winches, cables and unmanned vehicles capable of going 19,000 feet underwater were delivered to St John's airport in Newfoundland by three US Air Force cargo planes on Tuesday

The FADOSS, along with remotely operated vehicles and an array of winches arrived at St John's airport in Newfoundland, Canada, last night

Another load contained two heavy duty Hyundai winches with '6000 kg line pull' written on the side of each

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, (pictured together) are on board the missing submarine

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

If the ROV manages to attach a hook to the vessel, there is still a major risk to the safety of those on board. The submersible could be trapped beneath part of the Titanic's wreckage, which means that it could be damaged while the ROV tries to winch it out.

'If there is hull breach, the occupants would succumb to the ocean in a near instance, given [the sheer scale of] pressure exerted by the ocean at the depth of 3,800 metres (12,467ft), which is 380 times the air pressure at the surface,' said Dr Nicolai Roterman, deep-sea ecologist and lecturer in marine biology at the University of Portsmouth.

But this is all dependent on the rescue crews being able to find the submersible. Indeed, as McCord points out, 'none of that stuff works until you find the submersible'.

If the submersible has dropped down to the ocean floor, there are a series of unknowns that would make finding the vessel incredibly difficult.

'We know more about the moon's surface than the bottom of the ocean, because we just haven't surveyed it,' Jamie Pringle, a forensic geoscientist at Keele University said.

'Aquatic search is pretty tricky, as the ocean floor is a lot more rugged than on land, and water isnt homogenous either  there are different stratified levels, currents,' he added.

'It's pitch black down there,' said Tim Maltin, an expert on the Titanic's sinking and wreckage. 'It's freezing cold. The seabed is mud and it's undulating. You can't see your hand in front of your face.'

File image of the Titan submersible that has gone missing in the Atlantic Ocean

The Boston Coast Guard is now looking for the missing vessel. The wreckage of the iconic ship sits 12,500ft underwater around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada

David Gallo, senior adviser for Strategic Initiatives, RMS Titanic, said it is now a 'race against time' to find the sub and save those inside.

He said: 'Where is it? Is it on the bottom, is it floating, is it mid-water? That is something that has not been determined yet. We will have to wait and see and hope for the best. The water is very deep  two miles plus.

'It's like a visit to another planet, it's not what people think it is. It is a sunless, cold environment and high pressure'.

But there is a faint glimmer of hope that the submersible could be located by picking up sounds, and last night a Canadian P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft heard banging at 30 minute intervals - potentially from the missing men hitting the hull. However, so far, the remotely operated vehicles have not found any signs of the submersible.

Sonar buoys have also been dropped into the Atlantic Ocean to listen for the Titan. They 'ping' for submarines and work out the location of underwater objects.

Rescuers' only hope of rescuing those onboard the Titan is using the ROV to pull the vessel to the water's surface - as there is 'no way' to rescue them from underwater using a submarine-to-submarine technique, experts say.

The OceanGate submersible doesn't have a mechanism on its hull that would allow another vessel to lock onto it and transfer passengers to a rescue submarine, David Marquet, a retired caption of the nuclear submarine USS Santa Fe, told PBS.

The 22ft vessel's carbon fibre composite and titanium structure was designed to withstand the extreme pressure of the deep waters where the Titanic was located, but its design meant that its crew are 'drilled shut' into the craft from the outside.

'There's no way to rescue people underwater on this type of submersible as you would need two ships with the same type of mating surface that would then come together,' Marquet said.

'And on this [submersible], the hatch is bolted on from the outside. It doesn't have that kind of a mating surface. And the rescue ships that had those kinds of mating surfaces have been retired and don't go that deep anyway.

However, some experts, including Royal Navy Commander Ryan Ramsey, 53, have said that even if the missing Titan is found on the sea bed - they are unlikely to be able to rescue the five people on board.

Cdr Ramsey, who served in the Navy's submarine service for 23 years, told MailOnline that those on board - including French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush - will now be facing dwindling oxygen levels, while another expert warned the crew members face the risk of hypothermia.

Indeed, with no sign of the craft yet, the five Titanic tourists and adventurers inside face the double threat of dwindling oxygen and extreme cold at two miles below the surface.

Experts believe the vessel has a maximum of 96 hours of life support, meaning that air in the sealed sub will run out at around lunchtime on Thursday.
It comes experts say the group will run out of oxygen onboard by tomorrow

The bangs were heard at 30-minute intervals in the area surrounding the Titanic

The US Coast Guard confirmed today a Canadian plane had picked up the noises

Desperate family and friends of the five missing on the Titan submarine fear they are 'losing time' after 'banging' noises were picked up by sonar devices  but experts warn the crew has just 24 hours of breathable air left.

Rescue teams are racing against the clock three days after the deep-sea vessel disappeared near the wreck of the Titanic.

Loud banging noises had last night been detected in the search area, the US Coast Guard confirmed, but it added that initial attempts to locate the sub using underwater equipment had 'yielded negative results'.

Nevertheless it sparked fresh hopes that the passengers onboard were alive and could be hitting the side of the craft with cups in a frantic attempt to be detected on sonar.

But at 12,500ft  nearly two-and-a-half miles  below the surface, there are possibly just two vessels on Earth capable of rescuing them.

Last night the US Coast Guard estimated the 22ft long OceanGate Expeditions vessel had just over 40 hours of oxygen left.

The five onboard, which includes British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, remain in the dark depths of the Atlantic, which experts have likened to 'being in space'.

Shahzada Dawood, 48, his son Suleman, 19, OceanGate's chief executive and founder Stockton Rush and French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet, are also stuck inside.

Above the surface of the wreck five vessels remain on standby helping the frantic search efforts  with four more from the US Coast Guard on their way, including one boat filled with medical personnel, according to marine tracking data.

In a heartbreaking plea this morning, one of Mr Harding's close friends Jannicke Mikkelsen warned 'we are losing time'.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'm nervous. I'm sick to my stomach with nerves. I'm terrified, I'm anxious. I'm not sleeping at the moment. I'm just hoping for good news. Every single second, every single minute feels like hours.'

Colonel Terry Virts, another friend who dubbed Mr Harding 'the quintessential British explorer', also stressed that 'the clock is ticking' to find the five onboard.

Meanwhile retired British navy rear admiral Chris Parry told LBC that hopes of finding the missing deep-sea vessel without an 'emitting signal' will be 'impossible' to find in the timescale.

It comes as:

It emerged that OceanGate refused to put Titan through an independent inspection process;

Machinery was flown into a Canadian airport to help with the 'last chance' rescue;

And a friend of Mr Harding said he pulled out of the mission due to 'safety concerns.

Overnight search equipment was seen being loaded off a US aircraft to be taken to the St John's area as the frantic search continues

Five people are onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding

Amongst those on board are Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, 19 (pictured together)

Harding (pictured) is the CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about the trip on Sunday. His friends called him the 'quintessential British explorer' this morning

French Navy veteran Paul-Henry Nargeolet (left) is taking part in the trip, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Expeditions

Admiral Parry said: 'I'm afraid the odds are vanishingly small. Obviously, we want to remain hopeful and optimistic but there are two problems here  one is actually finding the thing and secondly is how on earth are you going to get it off the seabed?

'It's never been done before and I don't think anybody's got any ideas about how to do it at the moment.'

Scientist Dr Michael Guillen, who 'almost died' when visiting the Titanic wreck in 2000, said that the trapped crew could be using cups to bang on the side of the sub to communicate.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'If their hydrophone failed so early in the mission, less than two hours down which means they never made it to the bottom, the very least they could take their cups and bang it on the side of the sub.

'That's what I would do if I were down there and I am sure that's what the pilot will be telling everybody.

'They have five people, they can make quite a racket by just banging on the side as sound communicates extremely well in water.'

Dr Guillen added that when he heard the news it gave him 'great hope that perhaps they're still alive'.

Another friend of the British billionaire Chris Brown revealed he pulled out of the doomed voyage after becoming concerned about the quality of the technology and materials used in the vessel.

The 61-year-old, who is also an explorer, told BBC Breakfast of the banging sounds: 'That is just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with.'

'There's always hope. As an explorer, you never give up anyway,' he added.

Scientist Dr Michael Guillen, who 'almost died' when visiting the Titanic wreck in 2000 told Good Morning Britain today that the crew could be using cups to bang on the side of the submarine

Banging sounds have been detected in the massive search for the missing Titanic submarine

Last known sighting: The Titan was pictured just before it embarked on the dive into the Atlantic Ocean to view the Titanic shipwreck

A Canadian aircraft (file photo) heard 'banging' at 30-minute intervals in the area the submarine disappeared, a leaked memo suggests

Last night search equipment was seen being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic to be taken to the harbour at St John's to help with the search effort

The sounds, heard at 30-minute intervals, could be coming from those trapped within the submarine intensely banging on the vessel's hull in order to be picked up by a sonar.

Sonobuoys in the ocean listen to sounds before transmitting the sonar sound energy  this most commonly referred to as a 'ping' that notifies the buoys at the surface.

Five vessels located in the search area There are currently five vessels located in the search area above the Titanic wreck, according to marine tracking data. There are also four more vessels listed by the US Coastguard travelling to the area, Sky reports. Vessels currently at the wreck site are the Polar Prince, Deep Energy, Atlantic merlin, Skandi Vinland and CGS Cabot. Those described as 'en route' include Canadian CGS Ann Harvey, Canadian CGS Terry Fox, Motor Vessel Horizon Arctic, and French Research L'Atalante. Advertisement

Rear Admiral John Mauger, who is helping coordinate the search, said yesterday that the submarine it could be stuck.

'We don't have equipment onsite that can do a survey of the bottom,' he said.

'There is a lot of debris, so locating it will be difficult. Right now, we're focused on trying to locate it.'

Titan stopped transmitting signals on Sunday. It is supposed to send a sonar 'ping' (radar and GPS not functioning underwater) to mothership Polar Prince every 15 minutes, but the last one was at 9.45am  an hour and 45 minutes into the dive as it was floating right above the Titanic.

Speaking of the conditions in the depths of the ocean, Admiral Parry added: 'It's utterly dark down there, and you have also got a lot of mud and other stuff getting swept up. You can only see about 20ft in front of you with searchlights. There are very strong ocean currents which are pushing you along.'

Colonel Virts, a former commander of the International Space Station, told the Today programme he believes if the group 'can be rescued they will be because of the amount of effort being put in'.

He added: 'They're in a tough situation and the clock is ticking. According to the company and submarines spec, by Thursday they will be out of oxygen.

'So hopefully we get them up soon as the clock is ticking.'

'The water is very deep  two miles plus. It's like a visit to another planet. It is a sunless, cold environment and high pressure.'

Last night, search equipment was seen being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic to help with the frantic search, hours after the Canadian aircraft first detected the noises.

The bangs were first noted in an email exchange with the US Department of Homeland security  seen by Rolling Stone  but was later confirmed Coast Guard officials.

Cargo being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic so it can be taken to the harbour in St John's and help with the search efforts

Equipment arrives at St John's airport in Newfoundland, Canada, yesterday

They said underwater noises were heard by a plane and operations were 'relocated' to determine the origin. As of early today, they have 'yielded negative results'.

The memo, while did not reveal the timing or cause of the noises, read: 'CC Halifax launched a P8, Poseidon, which has underwater detection capabilities from the air.

It added that the aircraft had 'reported a contact in a position close to the distress position'. 'The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.'

Rescue crews will now analyse the data further to help form a search plan into the deep Atlantic Ocean.

As the search continues, OceanGate has continued to come under fire, with Admiral Parry slamming the company this morning claiming the submarine trip was 'fundamentally dangerous' and had 'no back-up plan'.

'Why on earth you would go in a dodgy piece of technology where you actually have to sign away any right to sue the company for emotional damage, injury or death is beyond me', he added.

'It is fundamentally dangerous, there was no back-up plan, it's experimental and I'm afraid to say there's an element of hubris if you want to go down and do that.'

But a businessman who has previously made the deep-sea voyage to the wreck of the Titanic said he had confidence in the crews, adding 'there's a very good chance they will be found.'

Oisin Fanning told the BBC: 'The two guys on the sub currently, so Paul and Stockton, are both consummate professionals.

'I mean, to be honest, if I was in trouble, I'd want to be on a sub with them.'

Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president of The Explorers Club, said last night that 'there is cause for hope.'

He said in a statement: 'We have much greater confidence that 1) There is cause for hope, based on data from the field  we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.'

Mr Garriott de Cayeux said he believed US Coast Guard was 'doing everything possible with all resources they have'.

Mr Harding is a founding member of the board of trustees for The Explorers Club.

The group said they have a direct lines to Congress, the Coast Guard, Air Force and Navy as well as the White House.

The missing OceanGate submersible, the Titan, lost contact with the mothership during its descent to the shipwreck Sunday morning

The 21ft submersible set off with an oxygen supply of up to 96 hours

The US Coast Guard is coordinating the search for the missing OceanGate vessel

The search site is some 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, 400 miles south-east of Newfoundland, Canada. Getting there is a difficult enough feat without finding the missing sub beneath the ocean surface

If the mini-sub lost power, with no working propellers, lights or heating, its five passengers will be in total darkness in temperatures of around 3C (37F) as the craft rolls along the seabed.

Oceanographer Mr Gallo said: 'Where is it? Is it on the bottom, is it floating, is it mid-water? That is something that has not been determined yet.'

For some reason, OceanGate Expeditions, the company that runs the tours of the Titanic, took eight hours to call the coastguard on Sunday. It was reported at 5.40pm, and Canada's Coastguard was alerted even later, at 9.13pm.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS: The Titan lost contact with the surface sparking panic. All timings given in BST, five hours ahead of EST.

OceanGate, which started dives to the Titanic in 2021, is now facing questions after it emerged the Titan previously suffered electrical damage and had to be rebuilt to withstand the deep seas.

'Passengers have to sign a waiver which mentions DEATH three times' A former Titan passenger has revealed how adventurers have to sign a waiver warning them of deadly risks before embarking on the submarine. Mike Reiss, a New York-based writer who travelled on the Titan to the Titanic wreckage last year, said that communication failures were commonplace. He told the BBC: 'I have taken three different dives with this company, one at the Titanic and two others and you almost always lost communication.' He added: 'Nobody walked into this with any illusions. You sign a waiver before you even get on the boat. It mentions death, and three different ways you can die, on page one. 'If, in the worst case, they are down at the bottom of the ocean, I can't see how anyone can get to them, much less rescue them.' Advertisement

The Titanic wreckage lies at 12,500ft, and Titan was one of the only craft in the world capable of reaching it. Even nuclear submarines cannot safely go that far down. Dive specialists are assisting in the 'unique and challenging' operation, said Captain Jamie Frederick from the US Coast Guard.

Standing on a dockside, he told reporters: 'Getting salvage equipment on scene is a top priority. It is very heavy equipment, it is very complex, but the best experts are on scene. If the sub is located, the experts will look at the best course of action for recovering the sub.'

Among the equipment is a decompression chamber for the five passengers should they be brought to the surface.

Last night friend of Mr Harding, Mr Brown, also a thrill seeker who intended to join the group on the missing Titanic sub pulled out of the dive because he thought OceanGate was 'cutting too many corners', it has emerged.

He paid the deposit to go on the doomed voyage but said he changed his mind after becoming concerned by the quality of technology and materials used in the vessel, The Sun reported last night.

Among his concerns were OceanGate's use of 'old scaffolding poles' for the ballast and the fact that its controls were 'based on computer game-style controllers'.

He told the newspaper that despite being 'one of the first people to sign up for this trip', he ultimately decided the 'risks were too high'.

Mr Brown added he felt 'really upset about Hamish', who is among the five passengers on the submersible.

Harding had posted about going on the trip before the Titan was put in the water and later lost contact with the surface

Mr Brown and Mr Harding signed up for the voyage after sharing a 'few beers' while holidaying on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island.

The pair paid the 10 per cent deposit for the trip, which has since more than doubled in price, while the Titan vessel was still being developed, he claimed.

But Mr Brown alleged that in the years that followed, he learned OceanGate had 'missed key targets' when depth-testing the submersible.

The multi-millionaire digital marketing tycoon found it concerning that the vessel was controlled by a modified Playstation controller.

He also is understood to have been worried by the technical issues and delays throughout the development process.

He told The Sun: 'I found out they used old scaffolding poles for the sub's ballast.

'If you're trying to build your own submarine you could probably use old scaffold poles. But this was a commercial craft.'

Mr Brown, who said he is 'not one to shy away from risk', eventually emailed OceanGate and asked for a refund.

He is worried for his friend but said Mr Harding is not the panicking type. He believes the billionaire is likely keeping 'extremely calm' and 'processing plans, schemes and ideas through his enormous brain'.

He said his friend will be 'giving hope' to the other passengers.

The Titan vessel will have a carbon dioxide scrubber on board to remove excess toxic gas that builds up when passengers exhale in the confined space, but in most craft it has a limited capacity. There is also a risk of hypothermia due to the low temperatures in the depths of the ocean, as well as hyperventilation induced by panic attacks, which can use up more valuable oxygen

The Titan vessel that is still missing will have a carbon dioxide scrubber on board to remove excess toxic gas that builds up when passengers exhale in the confined space, but in most craft this will have a limited capacity

A US Navy veteran warned of the chilling health effects of being trapped in a submarine just weeks before the Titanic tourism sub went missing, DailyMail.com can reveal.

In a scientific paper published in a medical journal last month, Dr. Dale Mole, the former director of undersea medicine and radiation health for the US Navy, detailed the 'hostile' environment onboard commercial submersibles, with passengers facing depleting oxygen supplies, toxic carbon dioxide levels and plummeting temperatures.

The Titan vessel that is still missing will have a carbon dioxide scrubber on board to remove excess toxic gas that builds up when passengers exhale in the confined space, but in most craft, those have a limited capacity.

A scrubbing system removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making the air safe to breathe.

Speaking to DailyMail.com Tuesday, Mole said it is 'very much' a race against time to rescue the passengers, if they are not already dead from a 'catastrophic rupture of the pressure vessel.'

He added: 'Anytime humans are confined in an airtight space, most people may think of oxygen, but carbon dioxide is actually a bigger concern.

'In a submersible, they'll have some system of scrubbing carbon dioxide. If they lost battery power, then that system would no longer work.'

There is also a risk of hypothermia due to the low temperatures in the depths of the ocean, as well as hyperventilation induced by panic attacks, which can use up more valuable oxygen.

Cargo being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic at the harbour in St John's, bound for the search area

Marc Hagle, 74, and his wife Sharon, 73, went to space on Blue Origin's fourth trip, in March 2022. They intended to visit the Titanic wreck with OceanGate, and paid in 2017, but sued in February this year for fraud

It has also emerged that a Florida couple sued the Rush, CEO of the Titanic tourism company OceanGate Expeditions, accusing him of misleading them about their trip to visit the wreck and refusing to refund their $210,258 when they complained.

Marc and Sharon Hagle, who made their fortune in commercial real estate, are well known for their philanthropy and their adventurous spirit. In March 2022, they were on the fourth Blue Origin passenger space flight and became the first married couple to become space tourists.

In 2016, while on a trip to the South Pole, they decided their next adventure would be underwater. In 2017 they were announced as among the first customers for OceanGate, which was founded in 2009 by Seattle-born aviator and businessman Stockton Rush, now 61.

But they never got to take their trip, and in February this year sued Rush, accusing him of selling the adventure knowing it was not on schedule, and refusing to refund their cash.
Women up to 23 weeks pregnant will be able to self refer to clinic

It brings the states laws into line with most of Australia

Sweeping abortion law reforms will be introduced to West Australian parliament this week in what has been touted as a 'historic moment for women' in the state.

The Cook government's proposed reforms of the outdated laws will bring it in line with most other Australian jurisdictions, fully decriminalising abortion.

Premier Roger Cook said the overturning of the Roe v Wade decision in the US brought the issue 'into sharp focus', with abortion still included in WA's Criminal Code.

'(Our) laws have now fallen way behind in terms of community expectations and in terms of best practice for public health processes,' he said.

Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery said she was 'confident' the Bill, being introduced to parliament on Wednesday, would pass.

'We will conduct the debate respectfully and there will be some who have strong views opposing the Bill,' she said.

'They will be able to express their views ... and scrutinise the Bill.'

Western Australia is set to change their abortion laws, bringing it in line with most other Australian jurisdictions, fully decriminalising abortion

WA's abortion laws, which have remained unchanged for 25 years, require those seeking an abortion to have a GP referral and to undergo mandatory counselling.

Instead, pregnant women up to 23 weeks will be able to self refer to a clinic or medical practitioner.

While these referral and counselling requirements will be scrapped under the proposed legislation, so too will the requirement for abortions beyond 20 weeks to be authorised by two medical practitioners.

Presently, both of the practitioners in such cases must belong to a statutory panel, appointed by the health minister.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said such situations arose in only 1 per cent of abortion cases and the Bill would 'remove clinically unnecessary barriers' for women.

'Most of them are planned and wanted pregnancies that have just received a devastating diagnosis at the 19 or 20 week scan, and the clock is ticking for them to make one of the most difficult decisions that they'll ever have to make,' she said.

The changes will include abortion in the Public Health Act 2016 that Ms Sanderson said would provide 'more certainty for clinicians ... and also for the women'.

Premier Roger Cook said the overturning of the Roe v Wade decision in the US brought the issue 'into sharp focus', with abortion still included in WA's Criminal Code

Under the proposed changes, abortions after 23 weeks will require medical practitioners to consult with another medical practitioner, and both will need to be satisfied the circumstances are appropriate for an abortion to be performed.

Former Labor MP and renowned abortion rights champion Cheryl Davenport led the decriminalisation of abortion in 1998.

On Wednesday, she said the proposed legislation would allow more women to have access to safe medical procedures, as women in WA have until now 'relied solely on two clinics'.

'It will bring with it the opportunity for us to have more clinics ... in both the private and the public sector,' she said.

'It will give access to lower socio-economic women and First Nations women who have great difficulty now when they actually have to pay for late stage terminations to go to the eastern states.'

The proposed changes follow extensive consultation with clinicians and more than 17,500 community members.

The survey found the majority of respondents endorsed the proposed changes.

Ms Sanderson presented the Bill, that will be subject to a conscience vote, to parliament on Wednesday.
Lotus Biscoff McFlurries will be available from today in UK McDonald's stores as part of its summer menu.

But diners after the sweet treat will have to be quick, as the new item is only available for six weeks, or until stock runs out.

The move is in response to calls from customers as the announcement read: 'You asked for it. We deliver.'

The dessert has been available previously overseas, but this is the first time British customers will be able to try it.

Thomas O'Neill, Head of Marketing for McDonald's UK and Ireland said he was 'so pleased' to bring the Lotus Biscoff McFlurry to the UK

From today, Lotus Biscoff McFlurries are available in the UK, starting at 1.49 for a mini, with a regular at 1.99

For the pleasure, a regular will set you back 1.99, or 1.49 for a mini.

Thomas O'Neill, Head of Marketing for McDonald's UK and Ireland said he was 'so pleased' to bring the Lotus Biscoff McFlurry to the UK and Ireland, and that it has been 'a long-time hope' to some.

After the news broke on Twitter, users were quick to share their delight.

'Biscoff McFlurry coming to the UK? I will be there no matter what,' one said.

Another added: 'Finally, something to look forward to this summer!'

And one more ice cream enthusiast said: 'Lotus Biscoff is my absolute favourite, I've dreamt of this.'

As soon as the new item had come onto the menu, McDonald's UK tweeted another teaser hinting at another addition to the summer menu.

People are pretty confident they can decipher what the item will be, after a tweet listed the item with letters missing.

People are pretty confident they can decipher what the item will be, with 'double chocolate pie' fitting the bill

A double chocolate pie seems to fit the bill, and there was more delight at this announcement.

One user asked: 'Double Chocolate Pie... no way! When can we get this?'

Another said: 'I really need to try this.'

One user had a more left-field solution to the puzzle, suggesting the 'Double Chocolate Pig' would consist of sausage and bacon inside a chocolate muffin, drizzled in more chocolate.

Time will tell who has guessed right.
26 victims were burned to death and the remainder were shot or stabbed

Gangs rioted at the prison in Tamara on Tuesday, about 30 miles from the capital

At least 48 women have been burned, shot or hacked to death with machetes in a massacre at a Honduras female prison, where clashes between rival gangs sparked a fire, police said.

President Xiomara Castro said Tuesday's riot in the town of Tamara, about 30 miles north-west of Honduras' capital, was 'planned by maras (street gangs) with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities'.

Castro pledged to take 'drastic measures' but did not explain how inmates identified as members of the Barrio 18 gang were able to get guns and machetes into the prison, or move into an adjoining cell block and slaughter all prisoners there.

Video presented by the government from inside the prison showed several pistols and a heap of machetes and other bladed weapons were found after the riot.

Sandra Rodriguez Vargas, assistant commissioner for Honduras' prison system, said the attackers 'removed' guards at the facility - none appeared to have been injured - around 8am on Tuesday and opened the gates to an adjoining cell block and began massacring women there. They started a fire that left cell walls blackened and bunks reduced to twisted heaps of metal.

Gangs slaughtered 48 women, many of them burned, shot or stabbed to death, at a women's prison in Honduras on Tuesday. Pictured: Police and military guarding the prison

The relative of an inmate reacts while others try to comfort her as they wait for news about their loved ones

Twenty-six of the victims were burned to death and the remainder shot or stabbed, said Yuri Mora, a spokesman for Honduras' national police investigation agency. At least seven inmates were being treated at a Tegucigalpa hospital.

The riot appears to be the deadliest at a female detention center in Central America since 2017, when girls at a shelter for troubled youths in Guatemala set fire to mattresses to protest rapes and other mistreatment at the overcrowded institution. The smoke and fire killed 41 girls.

The worst prison disaster in a century also occurred in Honduras in 2012 at the Comayagua penitentiary, where 361 inmates died in a fire possibly caused by a match, cigarette or some other open flame.

There were ample warnings ahead of Tuesday's tragedy, according to Johanna Paola Soriano Euceda, who was waiting outside the morgue in Tegucigalpa for news about her mother, Maribel Euceda, and sister, Karla Soriano. Both were on trial for drug trafficking but were held in the same area as convicted prisoners.

Soriano Euceda said they had told her on Sunday 'they (Barrio 18 members) were out of control, they were fighting with them all the time. That was the last time we talked.'

Another woman, who did not want to give her name for fear of reprisals, said she was waiting for news about a friend, Alejandra Martinez, 26, who was being held in the ill-fated Cell Block One on robbery charges.

'She told me the last time I saw her on Sunday that the (Barrio 18) people had threatened them, that they were going to kill them if they didn't turn over a relative,' she said.

Gangs sometimes demand victims 'turn over' a friend or relative by giving the gang their name, address and description, so enforcers can later find and kidnap, rob or kill them.

Relatives of inmates get into the Forensic Medic installations with the victims, after a fire following the brawl

Officials described the killings as a 'terrorist act,' but also acknowledged that gangs essentially had ruled some parts of the prison.

Julissa Villanueva, head of the prison system, suggested the riot started because of recent attempts by authorities to crack down on illicit activity inside prisons and called Tuesday's violence a reaction to moves 'we are taking against organised crime'.

'We will not back down,' Villanueva said in a televised address after the riot.

Gangs wield broad control inside the country's prisons, where inmates often set their own rules and sell prohibited goods. They were also apparently able to smuggle in guns and other weapons, a recurring problem in Honduran prisons.

'The issue is to prevent people from smuggling in drugs, grenades and firearms,' said Honduran human rights expert Joaquin Mejia. 'Today's events show that they have not been able to do that.'

Meanwhile, the grim task continued of trying to identify the bodies, some terribly burned.

It had previously been reported that 41 women had died - although the public prosecutor's office confirmed on Wednesday that the number has risen to 48.

'The forensic teams that are removing bodies confirm they have counted 41,' said Mora earlier.

National Police officers then transferred members of the women's prison after the brawl

The wait for news was torture for many families of inmates. Dozens of anxious, angry relatives gathered outside the rural prison.

'We are here dying of anguish, of pain ... we don't have any information,' said Salomon Garcia, whose daughter is an inmate at the facility.

Azucena Martinez, whose daughter was also being held at the prison, said: 'There are a lot of dead, 41 already. We don't know if our relatives are also in there, dead.'

Tuesday's riot may increase the pressure on Honduras to emulate the drastic zero-tolerance, no-privileges prisons set in up in neighboring El Salvador by President Nayib Bukele.

While El Salvador's crackdown on gangs has given rise to rights violations, it has also proved immensely popular in a country long terrorized by street gangs.
A now regular procedure of Just Stop Oil campaigners slow-walking in a road before police move them continued again this morning as the repetitive protests continued.

London's Hammersmith Road was the location today as around four climate activists, clad in their familiar orange hi-vis jackets entered the stretch.

Motorists and members of the public fatigued by the campaigners' antics phoned the police immediately after they were spotted at 8.09am.

Officers were scrambled to the scene and arrived within four minutes to come face to face with the protesters.

Two minutes later the force issued a Section 12 condition was issued on the stretch making it an arrestable offence to say in the road.

Just Stop Oil's protest repeated yet again this morning in Hammersmith Road before police

Officers dealt with the campaigning swiftly and clear the road after just ten minutes of protest

Linda Lancaster, a grandmother of three, from Bognor was among the protesters today

By 8.19am - just ten minutes after the protest started - the campaigners were moved on and the street cleared.

It meant they were only able to promote their cause for around ten minutes, undoubtedly sparking more questions about the point and effectiveness of this style of activism.

One of those on the road this morning, Linda Lancaster, a grandmother of three, from Bognor said:

'I am marching this morning out of concern for my grandchildren. Rishi Sunak thinks that he can licence over 100 new fossil fuel projects, destroying not only my grandchildren's futures, but his own daughters' futures as well.

'The scientists are telling us, there can be no new oil, gas and coal projects if we want to survive. Even the oil company scientists were saying it decades ago!'

Just Stop Oil say it is going to be carrying out the same tactics and actions forever unless the government and multi-national corporations cave in to their demands.

The campaign group wants an end to new fossil fuel projects, yet have so far failed to target any of the countries who are the worst environmental offenders.

A young man was seen ripping a Just Stop Oil poster from marching activists on Monday

A school pupil remonstrated with Just Stop Oil protesters as they carry on their actions of bringing traffic to a standstill to the streets of London on Monday morning in Stratford

Just Stop Oil has angered motorists and most members of the public since it was created last February.

On Monday schoolchildren - whose generation's future JSO say they are campaigning to help - turned on them.

They berated them at a protest in Stratford, east London, and Ealing, west London, for their now-familiar street shuffle.

The outfit has recently become something of a political hot potato. The Tories say Labour are in the pocket of them, due to both organisations receiving donations from the same eco-entrepreneur, Dale Vince.

The tycoon who founded energy company Ecotricity even joined the protesters last week for one of their marches.

It comes after measures to tackle eco-zealots were approved by the Lords last week.

Peers voted against moves to throw out Suella Braverman's proposals, which will give police wider powers to tackle road-blocking protesters.

The Home Secretary said groups such as Just Stop Oil were 'putting people's lives at risk' by blocking ambulances and stopping patients from getting to hospital.

A Met Office spokesperson said this morning: 'Police were made aware of Just Stop Oil protesters walking slowly in Hammersmith Road at 8.09am.

'Officers were on the scene at 8.13am. At 8.15am, a Section 12 condition was issued. At 8.19am, the road was cleared, and the traffic was moving.'
The government is investigating a school where a 13-year-old girl was branded 'despicable' by her teacher for rejecting her fellow pupil's request to be identified as a cat.

Two Year 8 pupils at Rye College in East Sussex were ordered to stay behind after a lesson having refused to accept their classmate's claim.

One of the girls secretly recorded their conversation with the teacher, who can be heard reprimanding them both for their views that gender is binary, calling it 'really despicable' and 'very sad'.

The school has since faced a huge backlash, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also wading into the row via his spokesman, who said it is not right for children to be influenced by the 'personal views' of teachers when it comes to transgender issues.

Now, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has ordered the regional director for the South East to visit Rye College and 'look into the matter further', the Department for Education told MailOnline.

Two teenage Year 8 pupils at Rye College in East Sussex were ordered to stay behind in class after clashing with their classmate who identifies as a cat

Now, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan (pictured) has ordered the regional director for the South East to visit Rye College and 'look into the matter further', the Department for Education told MailOnline

A spokesman for Rye College said: 'Whilst we are not aware at this stage of any plans for a visit from the Department for Education, we will continue to keep them proactively updated on this situation and would of course support any enquiries they may have.

'We are committed to offering our pupils an inclusive education. Teachers endeavour to ensure that pupils' views are listened to, and encourage them to ask questions and engage in discussion. Teachers also aim to answer questions sensitively and honestly.

'We strive to uphold the highest standards across the school. We are reviewing our processes and working with the relevant individuals to ensure such events do not take place in the future.'

It comes after the PM's spokesman yesterday asked for headteachers to not be afraid to intervene in extreme cases.

'In broad terms, teachers have a responsibility to encourage their students to engage respectfully with those they disagree with,' the spokesman said.

'They should also not be teaching contested opinions as fact, shutting down valid discussions and debates.

'It's important parents and carers are reassured that children aren't being influenced by personal views of those teaching them. Any example that strays from this would be wrong and we would expect headteachers to act.'

The mother of one of the girls reprimanded, who has asked to be kept anonymous, told MailOnline earlier this week: 'I'm so proud of my daughter, she will always stand up for what she believes is right and this is all that she did.

'She expressed a view that many, many of her classmates and their parents would share yet she was shouted down and bullied by someone in authority.'

She continued: 'For that teacher to tell her to leave and go to another school if she didn't like what she was being told made my blood boil. What kind of welcome is that for a 13-year-old girl.

As the row over Rye College continues to escalate, further stories are emerging of pupils who identify as animals with very human characteristics - often known as 'furries'.

At a state secondary school in Wales, one student is said to 'meow' when asked questions by a teacher, rather than answering in English.

In other schools, one apparently insists on being addressed as a dinosaur, one claims to identify as a horse while another is said to wear a cape and demands to be acknowledged as a moon.

These are known as 'neo pronouns', which refer to objects or animals as opposed to traditional genders.

Now further stories are emerging of pupils who identify as animals with very human characteristics - often known as 'furries'

A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (pictured) said that it is not right for children to be influenced by the 'personal views' of teachers when it comes to transgender issues

It comes as the government is due to issue new guidance on self-identity this week, but the issue of 'furries' will not be specifically addressed.

A DfE spokesman said teachers would be trusted to apply 'common sense' in each individual case.

Tracy Shaw, of the grassroots Safe Schools Alliance, said she has seen an increasing number of reports of children identifying as animals, but added that these remain in small numbers.

'This is worrying, as there is a high probability that those children have been online in unregulated chat forums,' she said.

'We know predators will do anything to get to children and what better way than to infiltrate chat forums pretending to be a cute furry animal? These children are often already isolated and vulnerable; they may also feel that they don't fit in.

'Teachers need to be showing professional curiosity when they encounter children who are identifying as animals.

'Affirming children as animals harms those children as it fails to look into their lives and get them the help them need. It also harms other children in the school.

'We are appalled that children are expected to ignore the evidence before their own eyes and pretend that children are something they are clearly not.'

Rye College is a member of the Aquinas Trust, which boasts that one of its key values is 'promoting equality, celebrating diversity, and addressing disadvantage'

Earlier this year, it emerged that the Safer Schools safeguarding organisation had issued guidance for parents and teachers on how to support 'furries'.

It's unclear how many UK pupils identify as such, but Safer Schools published a lengthy document advising how to respond if they encounter one who does.

The series of observations about furries includes reassurances that it's in no way unusual for pupils to want to do this: 'It's normal for young people to express themselves through ''dressing up''.'

The post on the organisation's website explains how members of the furry 'community' like to take on the persona of an animal  a 'fursona'  and interact with other like-minded 'fursonas' by chatting and in acts of role play.

It further outlines how furries take on the personality and physical attributes of their chosen animal and some members make or buy vibrant costumes of their characters, known as 'fursuits'.

Conventions are held around the world where these like-minded people can meet up in their altered animal ego, it says.
The UK has been hit with glorious weather and blistering sunshine throughout much of June.

The hot weather may could be set to continue, as summer officially begins on June 21, thanks to the annual landmark of the summer solstice.

In 2023, the summer solstice falls on June 21 in the UK. But what actually is the summer solstice and how is it celebrated?

Read on below for everything you need to know about the occurrence of this year's summer solstice.

A woman with floral headgear and tattoos attends the solstice in a green dress

The sun is seen rising above Stonehenge for the summer solstice in 2022, as thousands gathered to witness the beautiful site

People gather for sunrise at Stonehenge, on June 21, 2022 in Wiltshire, England. The summer solstice occurs this year on June 21. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

A smiling man wields a wooden staff as he stands beneath one of the stones at Stonehenge whilst wearing a hat topped with plant sprigs

A woman beams as she soaks up the morning sun today whilst wearing a purple floral headpiece at Stonehenge

What is the summer solstice?

The summer solstice takes place when the Earth's tilt towards the Sun is at its peak, making June 21 the longest day of the year in 2023.

It could see the UK have more than 16 hours of daylight, while the Arctic will likely experience a 'polar day' of complete light for 24 hours.

Two solstice events take place every year, with a summer solstice in June and a winter solstice following in December.

The Sun is currently located above the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern hemisphere, which is the northernmost latitude it reaches each year.

Meanwhile, the North Pole is also tilted greatly towards the Sun, stretching out the number of daylight hours experienced by more northerly countries.

In contrast, nations in the Southern Hemisphere will experience their shortest day of the year with fewer hours of light.

While Venus and Mars should be visible once the darkness kicks in, it is important to bring along binoculars or a telescope to a good stargazing spot.

NASA also recommends checking the weather forecast ahead of time to find a cloudless area.

Druids are seen wearing traditional costumes and wielding staffs as they celebrate the solstice at Stonehenge in 2022

Precious moment: People are seen resting with their eyes closed against the stones at Stonehenge as they mark the summer solstice

Holy moment: Some of the revellers at Stonehenge are seen with their hands clasped together in prayer after watching the sun rise

How is the summer solstice celebrated?

The origins of the summer solstice could lie in the timings of crop cycles.

It was typically marked by Celtic, Slavic and Germanic people, who lit bonfires with the intention of increasing the suns strength for the remainder of the crop season to ensure a healthy harvest.

In the UK, many people celebrate the summer solstice by venturing to the monument of Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

This is because the summer solstice was famously marked on Stonehenge by pagans thousands of years ago, as the rising sun only reaches the centre of the stone circle on one day of the year.

Elsewhere in the UK, the day is still often marked by Maypole dancing, picnics and bonfires.

Stonehenge is built on the alignment of the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle.

People play music at sunrise at Stonehenge. The summer solstice will see the planets of Mars and Venus will shine brightly in the night sky - just a month before they are set to align with Mercury in a mini 'planetary parade'

A woman does a headstand in front of Stonehenge as others stand and sit nearby after watching the sun rise

Rays of sunlight are then channelled into the centre of the monument. Indeed, it is believed that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years.

The summer solstice will see the planets of Mars and Venus will shine brightly in the night sky - just a month before they are set to align with Mercury in a mini 'planetary parade'.

Venus, Mars and the moon will be visible to those in London as they head towards the western horizon at around 10pm GMT, according to Stellarium charts.

In 2022, a livestream ran by English Heritage - which runs the site of Stonehenge - livestreamed the event for people to watch remotely, which was watched by 170,000 people.
Video shows the moment the OceanGate Expeditions submersible began its doomed voyage to the Titanic wreck in selfie footage posted to TikTok.

Abbi Jackson, a 22-year-old videographer employed by the company onboard the mothership, Polar Prince, shared the short video before the vessel disappeared.

The post, captioned 'watching a submarine go down to the Titanic' pans away from the ship's deck to show Titan on the surface of the Atlantic some distance away.

Miss Jackson also filmed one of the sub's passengers, Paul Henri Nargeolet, who has been dubbed 'Mr Titanic' for visiting the wreckage 37 times. The 77-year-old is seen sitting on the side of an inflatable boat before waving and smiling at the camera.

Miss Jackson has since shared her thoughts on the missing sub on Instagram, where she thanked well-wishers for their concern and asked them to pray for the five people who remain missing under the Atlantic.

Abbi Jackson, a 22-year-old videographer on the mothership, Polar Prince, shared a video of the Titan (seen here just to the left of her camera) moments before it went under water

Miss Jackson also filmed one of the sub's passengers, Paul Henri Nargeolet - dubbed Mr Titanic - shortly before he boarded the missing craft

Also on board were British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, 58, UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, and OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush.

READ MORE - Sound of BANGING is heard in search for missing sub Advertisement

At 9.45am - an hour and 45 minutes into the dive - it lost contact with its mothership, the Polar Prince.

But it wasn't reported as missing to the US Coast Guard until 5.40pm, eight hours later. Canada's Coast Guard wasn't alerted until even later - 9.13pm on Sunday night.

Now, experts say the crew - who were estimated on Tuesday to have around 40 hours of oxygen left, have just a one per cent chance of survival.

'If I was advising the Prime Minister, I'd say their chances are one per cent,' Lt. David Marquet, a former nuclear submarine commander for the US Navy told DailyMail.com this morning.

Last year, the Titan lost communications with the mothership for two hours during a similar dive. It resurfaced, and the mishap was documented jokingly by a CBS reporter who happened to be on board at the time.

The Titan sub is shown on Sunday morning, seconds before submerging at around 8am with five people onboard

The Polar Prince is the expedition ship being used in the dives. It didn't alert the Coast Guard until 5.40pm

TIMELINE OF EVENTS: The Titan lost contact with the surface sparking panic. All timings given in BST, five hours ahead of EST.

Five vessels located in the search area There are currently five vessels located in the search area above the Titanic wreck, according to marine tracking data. There are also four more vessels listed by the US Coastguard travelling to the area, Sky reports. Vessels currently at the wreck site are the Polar Prince, Deep Energy, Atlantic merlin, Skandi Vinland and CGS Cabot. Those described as 'en route' include Canadian CGS Ann Harvey, Canadian CGS Terry Fox, Motor Vessel Horizon Arctic, and French Research L'Atalante. Advertisement

The company has not yet explained why it took so long to alert the Coast Guard when the Titan lost communications on Sunday.

In a statement on Tuesday, it said: 'For some time, we have been unable to establish communications with one of our submersible exploration vehicles which is currently visiting the wreck site of the Titanic.

'Our entire focus is on the wellbeing of the crew and every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely.

'We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible.

'We pray for the safe return of the crew and passengers, and we will provide updates as they are available.'

'We havent even found them yet. If we do, I would raise it to 15 per cent. It is bleak  I dont want to say it but Im trying to be realistic.

'Miracles do happen [like the Thai boys who were lost in a cave in 2015] but this is a different situation.

'This is a desperate race against time.'

Paul Henri Nargeolet - dubbed Mr Titanic' - (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

Sulaiman Dawood, 19, who is missing on board the submarine is pictured with his mother Christine

Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine) a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are amongst the five people missing in the submarine that set off to see the wreck of the Titanic, it was revealed today

He compared it to trying to find a 'minivan' in the enormous ship's wreckage.

READ MORE - Friend of missing billionaire Hamish Harding says he pulled out of joining him on sub due to 'safety concerns' Advertisement

'The problem, it is most likely on the bottom at this point because it wasnt found on the surface and it doesnt seem to be making any noises so this leads me of a pessimistic thought-process that they are unable to turn on the hull.

'Were then talking about trying to find a minivan amongst the wreckage of the Titanic.

'Once they find it though we've got to get it up to the surface which means either freeing it if its lodged in the Titanic somehow.

'Or more likely, they have lost the ability [to surface], so we need to hoist them which needs a ship with a 2.5mile-long cable.

'The most difficult part will be getting the hook on to it. It's like that arcade game except you can't see, so paint the walls black, and make it 2.5miles long - and theres wind in there so it is blowing around.

'All is not lost yet because they still have oxygen but imagine the sub is on the far side of the moon  that is a better representation.

READ MORE - Sub suffered electrical damage and had to be rebuilt for not being able to withstand the deep ocean BEFORE it went missing Advertisement

'Even if you find it, how do you get it back up? They can't open it from the inside - its bolted from the outside.'

Marquet lamented the fact that there are few other - if any other - vessels with the capability of diving to 12,500ft to rescue them.

'The US and Royal Navy have a long history of operating submarines and they dont go as deep as these guys do. They are in uncharted territory. If our subs went that deep, everyone would be dead.

'The sub would rupture  there would be a crack in the hull, or a pipe would burst, it would fill with water sink to bottom. And the pressure... everyone would die.'

'At this pressure - its 400 times the pressure of sea level. That is hard to conceive

'It would take all the air in a room and collapse it to the size of a trash can. At these pressures, if it sprung a leak, they would be dead before they know it.'

A desperate search is currently underway for a 22-foot deep-sea vessel (shown in this graphic) that went missing with five people on board as it dove towards the wreck site of the Titanic, who are now cut off from the world in claustrophobic conditions

Aaron Amick, a US Navy contractor and veteran, echoed his concerns.

'I know everyone is waiting on the US Navy to save the day, but our rescue sub is limited to 2,000ft depth.

'There is no one able to reach the Titan who can rescue Titan. Her only hope is to find a way to the surface on her own where we can help,' he said.

Amick likened the Titan to a 'tomb' dropped in the water with no emergency air breathing devices onboard.

'They basically lock 5 people in a tomb and drop it to the bottom. The crew never had a chance,' he said, adding that occupants can only get out if it is on the surface.

He said he imagines the sub is 'sitting on the bottom', well out of reach.

'Loss of power or structural failure are my two best guesses. Both? Sitting on the bottom either way,' he said.

Rear Admiral John Mauger, who is coordinating the search, said on Tuesday crews had been working 'round the clock' to locate it.

'This is a complex case and the Coast Guard doesn't have all the resources to be able to affect this kind of rescue, although this is an area within our search zone,' he said on Tuesday during an appearance on Good Morning America.

OceanGate is in charge of the underwater search, he said. The firm has not provided specifics on when the vessel went missing, or when it was reported to the Coast Guard.
A festival goer collapsed and started having bouts of fits after she was 'duped' into taking a puff on a stranger's vape as part of a disturbing new trend.

Chloe Hammerton, 26, who lives in Southampton, was attending the Isle of Wight festival on Saturday with her partner Natasha Ward when the nightmare unfolded.

They and her brother William were approached by a man who encouraged her to try his vape.

Natasha, who was stood next to her queuing for food, claims within a minute of taking a puff she collapsed and began drifting in and out of consciousness

She said Chloe was unable to speak or move any part of her body and that she also started fitting, while her pupils kept constricting and dilating.

She claimed that she had to wait over an hour for any medical response from the festival staff after the incident - which organisers deny.

Chloe Hammerton collapsed and started having bouts of fits after she was 'duped' into taking a puff on a stranger's vape

The 26-year old, who lives in Southampton, was attending the Isle of Wight festival on Saturday with her partner Natasha Ward and her brother William when she was approached by a man who encouraged her to try his vape

Natasha, who is a recruitment consultant, posted on social media criticising the festival staff for their 'incompetence and lack of urgency' during the ordeal.

Government refused to create new spiking offence The Government said it will not create a specific offence for spiking  despite committing last year to look at new legislation. Home Office minister Sarah Dines said a new law is 'unnecessary' because there are 'already several offences which cover incidents of spiking' and the Government has not found 'any gap in the law that a new spiking offence would fill'. The minister confirmed the Government's position in a letter to Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson, who chairs the Home Affairs Committee, written in December but published by the committee on Wednesday. She also said the Government plans to consult on the potential changing of statutory guidance to include 'explicit reference to spiking being illegal and give examples of such spiking'. The committee previously said a specific spiking offence would have 'several benefits', including increasing reporting of incidents, facilitating police work by improving data and 'sending a clear message to perpetrators that this is a serious crime'. Miss Dines said the Government carefully considered the case for legislation. Advertisement

She said that Chloe's collapse was called in as a 'crash call', which is used to indicate when a person is suffering a cardiac arrest, which later proved not to be the case, but medics were still slow to respond.

Natasha claimed that Chloe, who works in the ambulance service, would have died if she really had gone into cardiac arrest as there was 'no equipment, medication or staff qualified' to help her.

She said she was left 'begging and screaming' for help while festival staff sat and stared at Chloe laying on the floor.

At one point, William was forced to run to the one of the festival's welfare tents, but was unable to find any medics and instead had to ask for help from volunteers who were 'disrespectful, patronising and unhelpful', Natasha claimed.

She added that she was finally offered help by a nurse from the crowd and her sister-in-law and a student nurse, Sophie, who changed the outcome of the situation.

Vape spiking is a worrying new trend and has seen warnings issued by the police.

Emma Sugrue-Lawrence is another victim and told Cosmopolitan she was on a night out with friends in Wolverhampton when a man offered to buy her a drink.

She said she declined the drink, but later saw the man again standing near her group of friends in the smoking area outside.

Emma explained on Facebook how she offered the man her vape to try, which he then took to the toilet. 'I asked him for my vape back and started vaping it, within 10 minutes I started to feel unwell,' she said.

Emma continued: 'I told my mate I needed to go outside, by the time I got out the club and across the path my legs went and I couldn't stand up.'

The mum of three, who is also a support worker for people with drug and addiction issues, added 'I knew I had been spiked, from then my body started to shut down. I couldn't move at all, not one single part of me.'

People attending Glastonbury this week have been told not to bring disposable vapes to the festival as part of organiser's efforts to 'reduce, reuse and recycle' plastics.

The festival updated its packing 'what not to bring' guidance last week, banning disposable vapes from the site as 'they pollute the environment and can be hazardous at waste centers'.

However, with more than 200,000 revellers set to attend Glastonbury, which starts today, it is difficult to see how such a guideline will be enforced.

Emma Sugrue-Lawrence, 43, couldn't move normally for two days after her electronic cigarette was laced with suspected mamba spray while on a night out in Wolverhampton

Natasha (right), who is a recruitment consultant, posted on social media criticising the Isle of Wight festival staff for their 'incompetence and lack of urgency' during the ordeal

Festival goers have started making their way to Glastonbury today, where the festival has banned the use of vapes as part of organiser's efforts to 'reduce, reuse and recycle' plastics

More than 200,000 revellers are set to attend Glastonbury, which starts today

One festival goer celebrates after getting through the main gate of the festival

Isle of Wight organisers said they were 'confident' staff dealt with the incident 'in a timely manner' and that 'an appropriate medical practitioner' was on site within five minutes of Chloe's collapse.

They added that her condition was assessed as 'non-life-threatening' and she was transported to the on site hospital.

Natasha said in her post on Facebook: 'We are so so so grateful for the amazing support and help we DID get, and that she is still with us here today - I could not live without her, and dread to think what actually could've happened, or what one more inhalation would've done.

'She was left to die by the IOW Festival and they probably won't even care because she didn't, so it won't effect their insurance or profits, but for anyone attending in future, please understand if you experience a medical emergency on their site you cannot rely on getting the help you need.'

Natasha also criticised the police at the event as they 'didn't conduct proper drug testing' and people weren't properly searched for drugs on the way in.

An Isle of Wight spokesperson said: 'We operate a zero tolerance policy for anyone attempting to bring drugs to the festival and have robust systems in place to deal with anyone who attempts to do so.

'This was an isolated incident dealt with quickly and professionally by all teams on site and no further reports of this nature have been recorded.

'Our event medical team employs a wide range of appropriately qualified healthcare professionals. These fully trained individuals work 24 hours a day across our medical facilities on site.

'Regarding the incident reported on social media, we are confident the team dealt with it in a timely manner, with an appropriate medical practitioner on site within 5 minutes and the patient's condition assessed as non life-threatening and subsequently transported to the on site hospital.

'The safety and wellbeing of attendees is our utmost priority and alongside our partners in the police, security and medical teams, we work incredibly hard over the festival weekend to ensure everyone is looked after.'

Hampshire Police said: 'We are investigating following a report of a woman becoming unwell after using a vape at the Isle of Wight Festival.

'It has been reported that on the evening of Saturday, 17 June a 26-year-old woman was offered a vape by a man while at the festival.

'After using a small amount of the vape she became unwell and required medical assistance.

'The matter is under investigation. Officers are in contact with the woman and will be carrying out drugs testing to help further the investigation.'
The chilling last images of a Polish hotel worker have emerged as police revealed she could have been forced to send a reassuring message to her boyfriend before allegedly being handcuffed, raped and strangled on Kos.

The half-naked remains of Anastazja Rubinska were found by police in a bag hidden under a bush after a week-long investigation following the 27-year-old's disappearance in a case that has shocked Greece.

Investigators said she sent a text message to her boyfriend saying she was in danger followed by another one minutes later telling him she was fine.

They added that she may have been forced to send the latter or her killer may have sent the message.

Last seen on Monday, June 12 in a local cafe, a video shows her leaving with a man from Bangladesh who has since been arrested for her murder.

The strangled remains of Anastazja Rubinska were found by Greek police after a week-long investigation following the 27-year-old's disappearance

Final chilling images have emerged of Rubinska leaving a shop with the 32-year-old suspect, named as Salahuddin S

Now photos have emerged in local media showing the woman leaving a shop with the 32-year-old suspect, named as Salahuddin S., who was picked up with scratch marks on his arms and face

Now photos have emerged in local media showing the woman leaving a shop with the 32-year-old suspect, named as Salahuddin S., who was picked up with scratch marks on his arms and face.

Rubinska was found dead about half a mile from his home and 500 metres from where her mobile phone was found on Saturday.

He appeared in court on Monday and denied all charges.

Salahuddin S. was employed on a local farm after reportedly arriving in Greece as an illegal immigrant 'two or three years ago'.

Local radio Ekfrasi97 told Poland's Fakt newspaper: 'As an illegal immigrant, [he] was arrested and then passed an identification process.

'He probably spent some time in the camp and then applied for asylum.'

Originally telling cops that he had had consensual sex with the victim, officers searched his apartment and found traces of her DNA, a bloodied blouse and strands of her blonde hair.

They also found a plane ticket he had bought the day after her disappearance for a flight to Italy.

Salahuddin S. appeared in court on Monday and denied all charges

He later denied having sex with the woman. It is now thought that after leaving the apartment she was taken to an abandoned house where she was raped and murdered before her body was wrapped in a bag and dumped nearby.

Rubinska was from Wrocaw and worked in a five-star hotel in the tourist town of Marmari together with her Polish boyfriend.

Her devastated father, Andrzej Rubinski, said she was very trusting and 'thought everyone was friendly', adding to Polish newspaper Onet: 'She was a good girl, albeit reckless.'

Rubinska's father said his wife travelled to identify their daughter's body.

He said her body was in such a 'terrible state' after being outside in the heat for six days, the coroner reportedly had to 'properly prepare the corpse first so that my wife would not get a shock.'

When his wife flew to Greece on Friday, he said he already had a bad feeling and told his wife she was only 'going for the body'.

For the devastated father, who stayed behind in Poland, there is no doubt she was 'kidnapped, raped and murdered' after disappearing a week ago.

He said she had burned her hand a few days before she went missing and in her search for remedies, had the 'stupid idea to smoke a joint', which some men she met at the market allegedly wanted to arrange for her.

Anastazja Rubinska is seen in a Greek cafe shortly before her disappearance

Photos show the Polish hotel worker, who was last seen on Monday, June 12 in a local cafe

Her devastated father, Andrzej Rubinski, said she was very trusting and 'thought everyone was friendly', adding to Polish newspaper Onet : 'She was a good girl, albeit reckless'

'They were deceiving her, apparently waiting for it to get dark. Maybe in the few hours she spent with them, they put something in her drink,' her father speculated to Onet about his trusting daughter.

Now, Poland has demanded that Greece hands over the man accused of her murder.

Having only been on the island for a couple of weeks, according to local reports she met a group of men from Bangladesh and Pakistan and wanted to buy some cannabis.

A few minutes after telling her partner one of them would drive her home, she contacted him again asking him to pick her up, and sent him the location.

But when he arrived she was nowhere to be found.

The Polish government has said it wants to open its own investigation into the case and has demanded Greek authorities hand over 'all evidence.'

Poland's prime minister has also called for the man to be extradited so that he can be 'dealt with severely.'

PM Mateus Morawiecki said: 'I am shocked by Anastazja's brutal murder.

Police have now said she could have been forced to send her boyfriend a reassuring message telling him she was fine - before she was killed

Rubinska's father said his wife travelled to identify their daughter's body. He said her body was in such a 'terrible state' after being outside in the heat for six days, the coroner reportedly had to 'properly prepare the corpse first so that my wife would not get a shock'

Police confirmed that the body was that of Rubinska, who was from Wroclaw and worked in a five-star hotel in the tourist town of Marmari together with her Polish boyfriend

'The killer must bear the most severe consequences. This is why we will ask Greece to extradite the suspect so that he can be tried before a Polish court and receive the harshest penalty.'

Meanwhile, the woman's brother has told Greek media: 'I want to meet him, finish him'.

Adrian Rubinski told local media in Kos: 'I would like ten minutes to meet with this man and finish him myself.

'I certainly don't think it was an accident. I can't say anything else. Let justice be done. The people who did it must be punished as they deserve.'

He added: 'I hope her murder will be a warning to other girls when they are in other countries to watch their company and be more careful.

'She was a young woman who had many dreams, she loved to travel and dreamed of becoming a model. She was with her partner for 13 years. They were traveling together but not thinking of getting married.'

Rubinska's brother paid tribute to his sister on social media, writing: 'It's hard for me to write this... But rest in peace, sis.

'Be blessed in the next world, and rest assured that justice will be done.'

Poland has also called upon Greek authorities to hand over details of the investigation.

Posting on Twitter on Monday, Poland's justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro said that he had 'ordered an investigation' and that 'the case will be handled by the District Prosecutor's Office in Wroclaw.'

He added: 'Prosecutors will immediately ask Greek investigators to provide evidence.'

When his wife flew to Greece on Friday, he said he already had a bad feeling and told his wife she was only 'going for the body'. For the devastated father, who stayed behind in Poland, there is no doubt she was 'kidnapped, raped and murdered' after disappearing a week ago
Jo Cox's widow Brendan today revealed their children were 'excited' when he broke the news he was going to propose seven years after their mother's murder, with his youngsters proudly telling him: 'You're never going to do any better'.

Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo - a Labour MP - was viciously shot and stabbed to death by a far-Right extremist while she met constituents in 2016, is tying the knot with Anna Ryder, director of the Killed Women's network that aids bereaved families of women and girls.

The couple are believed to have met two years ago through a mutual friend and are reportedly planning a woodland ceremony in Herefordshire, which Brendan said they are 'both very much looking forward to celebrating with our families'.

A source last night told The Sun newspaper: 'They are very happy together. It's lovely news for the family. Brendan's a fantastic dad and his focus has been very much on the children. It was with their encouragement that Brendan and Anna wanted to take this step. They are very excited for the wedding.'

And taking to ITV's This Morning programme today, father-of-two Brendan, 44, said his children Cuillin, 12, and Lejla, 10, were delighted at the news as he admitted he 'never thought' he would again find love after Jo's horrific killing.

Brendan Cox, 44, was introduced to Anna Ryder, 37, through a mutual friend two years ago.

Jo was shot and stabbed by extremist Thomas Mair as she attended her Batley and Spen constituency surgery in Birstall in 2016

Taking to ITV's This Morning programme today, father-of-two Brendan said his children Cuillin, 12, and Lejla, 10, were delighted at the new he was marrying Anna Ryder

Congratulating him on his engagement to Ms Ryder, This Morning host Lorraine Kelly added: Jo wouldnt have wanted you to be on your own.'

Brendan said: No, actually before Jo died, a friend of ours tragically lost their husband and we talked about it at the time about what we would do if one of us ever died. And we were both of the view that... we should get married next week.

I always knew that she would want that. But I never thought it would happen because when you lose someone like Jo you never think youll find somebody with the energy and the love and the enthusiasm and the excitement that Jo had. Im incredibly lucky that I have.'

Speaking of his children, he added: Theyre on really good form. In fact before I asked Anna to marry me, I said Im thinking about asking Anna to marry me what do you think?.

I think their response was youre never going to do any better than Anna which I think was supposed to be a nice thing and a compliment. But theyre very excited about it.'

Jo was shot and stabbed by extremist Thomas Mair as she attended her Batley and Spen constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire during the referendum on EU membership in June 2016. White supremacist Mair was jailed for life for murdering her later that year.

Since her tragic death, Brendan founded the Together Coalition and has worked to support survivors of terror attacks while also raising the couple's children, Cuillin and Lejla.

Brendan and Anna (pictured on holiday) are reportedly planning a woodland ceremony in Herefordshire.

Anna Ryder (pictured) met Brendan through her work as the director of of Killed Women, a network which works to support the bereaved families of victims of domestic violence

Mr Cox told Lorraine on This Morning he thought he would 'never' find someone like his former wife, Jo, as he spoke about her today seven years on from her murder. He is pictured on This Morning

Labour MP Jo was fatally shot and stabbed by a far right extremist as she attended her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, in June 2016

The Jo Cox Foundation was also set up in his wife's memory, which works to spread the MP's message of unity from her maiden speech in Parliament where she said: 'We have more in common than that which divides us'.

READ MORE: Loner who murdered Jo Cox MP had researched killing his mother on the internet and may have been on his way to do so when police pounced on him Advertisement

Jo and Brendan married in 2009 and their children were aged just five and three at the time of her death.

Brendan and Anna's families are said to be supportive of their marriage, a source told The Sun last night.

Jo Cox was brutally murdered by loner Mair, while she was at a local surgery for her constituents.

Mair, 53, spent hours looking up information on the Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist organisations before brutally attacking the Labour MP in her hometown of Batley, West Yorkshire.

He lay in wait outside Birstall Library for the mother-of-two to arrive for a constituency surgery before repeatedly stabbing her with a 7in dagger and firing a .22 rimfire rifle.

He viciously attacked the mother of two, shooting her three times through the hands as she tried to protect her head, after being stabbed in the heart, lungs, stomach and liver.

Jo Cox's killer Thomas Mair had researched 'matricide' online and may have been on his way to kill his mother when police arrested him

Mrs Cox heroically told her aides to stay away as she was been brutally attacked by Mair

Mair used this weapon to shot Ms Cox during his vicious attack against the 41-year-old on June 16, 2016

Mair viciously attacked the mother of two, shooting her three times through the hands as she tried to protect her head, after being stabbed in the heart, lungs, stomach and liver. Pictured is the knife recovered by police used during the attack

Heroically, Mrs Cox warned her two aides to stay back and told them 'let him hurt me, don't let him hurt you' as Mair carried out his attack.

The Neo Nazi was arrested about 30 minutes after he killed Mrs Cox and told police he was a 'political activist'.

Mair was found with a leaflet in his bag from the pro-EU Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, which the Labour MP supported.

He was also heard shouting: 'This is for Britain, Britain will always come first.' While another witness said the killer yelled: 'We're British independence' and 'Keep Britain independent'.

During his trial. a jury later heard the savage had researched Tory Ian Gow - the last sitting MP murdered when he was killed by the IRA in 1990 - and Conservative Yorkshire MP William Hague, who also backed Remain, before carrying out his attack.

As well as carry out research on a 'far-right' internet publication, Mair also searched to see if his .22 calibre rifle was 'deadly enough to kill with one shot to a human's head'.

And he even looked up the death penalty in Japan, further Nazi material and the act of killing one's mother

The court heard that on the night before he killed Ms Cox, he researched coffins, the Waffen SS and lying in state.

Mair was handed a whole-life sentence during a hearing at London's Old Bailey, becoming one of 70 prisoners serving such a tariff in the UK, joining the likes of Peter Sutcliffe, Ian Brady, Dale Cregan and Michael Adebolajo.

Mair was handed a whole-life sentence during a hearing at London's Old Bailey, becoming one of 70 prisoners serving such a tariff in the UK. Pictured is Jo Cox's widow, Brendan on This Morning today

Jo Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater and her mother and father Jean Leadbeater and Gordon Leadbeater embrace outside the Old Bailey courthouse after the conviction and sentencing of Thomas Mair for their daughter's murder

Mair remained emotionless as he was jailed for life for the murder of Jo Cox

Speaking after his wife's killer was convicted, Mr Cox said: 'We feel nothing but pity for him that his life was so devoid of love and filled with hatred, his only way of finding meaning was to attack a woman who represented all that was good about the country in an act of supreme cowardice.'

Mrs Cox's sister Kim said of her family: 'Whilst we can't change what's happened, we can try and chose how we respond - I for one will not be beaten. It's the last thing my sister would have wanted. As a family we will respond with strength, love and positivity.'

The jury took just 90 minutes to return the verdict. The trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie refused Mair's request to make a statement in court after the jury had spoken.

The judge told Mair that Mrs Cox was the 'true patriot' and not him. Mair's murderous attack on the MP was 'brutal and ruthless', the judge said.
He was on the second day of his holiday with his girlfriend Ashleigh Thomas, 30

Dan Boyle fell from his balcony in April, due to what is thought to be pneumonia

The family of a British father who suffered brain damage after he tumbled off a third-floor hotel balcony have begged for help to raise 33,000 to bring him home.

Dan Boyle, 31, was rushed to a hospital in Lanzarote in late April when he fell while on holiday with his girlfriend, Ashleigh Lomas, 30.

Their daughter Daisy, eight, said in a touching message to her father: 'I really miss you, Daddy. I want you home.'

It's thought Mr Boyle's lungs filled with fluid because of a chest infection which made his heart stop beating and then made him tumble over the balcony.

He suffered a fractured skull, a fractured breast bone, a torn kidney and broke his ribs in the horror 30ft plunge.

Dan Boyle, 31, was rushed to a hospital in Lanzarote in late April when he fell from his third-floor hotel balcony while on holiday with his girlfriend, Ashleigh Lomas, 30 (pictured together)

His family have now released pictures of Mr Boyle in a coma as he fights for his life in a hospital in Lanzarote

Photos released by his family show Mr Boyle lying in his hospital bed, in a neurological ward, surrounded by masses of life-saving equipment.

Doctors only later discovered the father-of-two had undiagnosed pneumonia and he was then placed in an induced coma.

Ms Lomas said her family are still trying to raise 33,650 to fly him back to the UK on a medevac aircraft and described the past few months as a 'living nightmare'.

Mr Boyle has since woken up and although he's largely unresponsive, Daisy recorded a personal message for him.

Ms Lomas said: 'She basically sent him a video message, not knowing I had his phone. She said, 'Hi Daddy. I hope you're doing ok in hospital. I really miss you.

'Don't worry, we're going to find the funding to get you home with everybody.

'She also told him what she had done at school with swimming that day, and then she said 'I really miss you, Daddy. I want you home.'

She also shared pictures of their other child, Daniel, three, and Daisy with matching stencil arm drawings bearing the words 'daddy', as they try to raise awareness of his cause.

His daughter Daisy (pictured), eight, said in the touching message to her Dad: 'I really miss you, Daddy. I want you home'

Mr Boyle suffered a fractured skull, a fractured breast bone, a torn kidney and broke his ribs in the horror 30ft plunge

Ms Lomas went on: 'It's been an absolute nightmare, a living nightmare. I would never wish something like this to happen to anybody, let alone ourselves.

'At the moment he's been out of sedation for a full week. He's classed as being in a vegetative state but obviously, he's got time to come out of it.

'His eyes are open. His mouth is moving. He's moving his arms and his legs, but he's just not following commands when asked to do things.

'It's just literally a waiting game. But there are no other things wrong at the moment. Everything is fine with him.

'We just need to get him home and around his family so he can hear familiar voices.'

The couple, who have been together for 12 years, arrived at the sunshine island off the coast of West Africa on April 23.

But the accident happened the day after they had started their holiday.

Ms Lomas said: 'He was perfectly fine. We were in the pool together half an hour before, laughing and joking.

The couple have been together for 12 years and have two children, Daniel, three, and Daisy

'He had a little cough but we didn't think it was anything.

'It wasn't a constant cough, it was just a little one, so you obviously wouldn't think anything of it.'

Doctors have told Ms Lomas they think her partner will have 'really bad' damage to his brain but they won't know the full extent until he is fully awake.

He will also need to take the specialist flight back to his home in Stockport, which is sadly not covered by their insurance.

His step mum, sales manager Paula Boyle, 42, said she had decided to sell her engagement ring to help get him back to the UK.

She added: 'For me personally, it's just a necessity. It's a material object.

'It was about 2,000 when it was bought ten years ago, but what can an engagement ring give me when we can possibly get him back to his family?

'I'm not bothered because we care more about Dan than my engagement ring.'

Ms Lomas, a barmaid, is desperately raising money for the medical evacuation flight so he can 'get the care that he needs' in the UK.

She said: 'It would mean everything for him to come home, everything would be so much easier for everybody.

'He will be able to be around people who he knows and get the care that he needs.'

You can visit their GoFundMe page to donate.
Mr Mountain says since the ban business is booming

The review also took aim at his abilities as a chef

A celebrity chef who banned vegans from his ritzy restaurant claims business is booming.

UK-born restaurateur John Mountain announced this week he will no longer cater to plant-based diners after an angry woman triggered a series of one-star reviews on his page following a bad experience.

The exclusion caused a stir across the country, with notorious vegan activist Tash Peterson leading the charge to stage a protest at his Fyre restaurant at Connolly in Perth's north.

But Mr Mountain on Wednesday told The Project he has no regrets.

'I have nothing against nobody apart from those who want to damage my business,' he said.

UK-born celebrity chef John Mountain (pictured) has doubled down on his vegan ban stating since the move his business is doing better than ever

The controversy started after a vegan diner left a one-star review discussing his 'shortcomings as a chef' that he took personally, leading him to ban all of them via Facebook (pictured)

'I don't care whether you're green, yellow, orange, you could be Mexican, I don't give a monkeys.

'You try and damage my business, you come after me, you are going to have the wrath of Johnny Chuffin Mountain against you.'

He also joked that he always knows when a vegan in his restaurant.

'You always know when you have a vegan in your restaurant because they will tell you 17 times they are vegan before they even step a foot in your building,' he said.

Despite sparking outrage for many, Mr Mountain says business has picked up dramatically.

'Things have worked out ridiculously well... I usually do half a dozen people in this beautiful restaurant.. I have 35 booked for dinner (on Wednesday night),' he said.

'Thank you so much for your vegans, I can go buy a new farm now and look after my animals beautifully.'

Mr Mountain said his decision was simple as if you come at him and his business he will come at you (pictured: Mr Mountain's restaurant Fyre)

Notorious vegan activist Tash Peterson (pictured) and others online suggested they might stage a protest at his Fyre restaurant at Connolly in Perth 's north

The controversy all stemmed from a vegan diner leaving a one-star review that discussed his 'shortcomings as a chef'.

Mr Mountain took the remark personally and it led to him banning anyone who identified as vegan via Facebook.

'Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre for mental health reasons. We thank you for your understanding. xx,' he wrote on Tuesday.

Following his remarks vegan activist Ms Peterson, who has been known to stage protests inside diners before, said that the chef was guilty and insecure.

Poll Is John Mountain acting fairly towards vegans? Yes No Is John Mountain acting fairly towards vegans? Yes 1292 votes

No 191 votes Now share your opinion





'He's obviously quite triggered by veganism and I think maybe it's a defence mechanism for his own guilt,' she told 7News.

The woman who wrote the scathing review first emailed the restaurant several weeks prior.

She stated in capitals that she was VEGAN and her dishes of choice were gnocchi and risotto.

The meal she received was a $32 vegetable dish which her review described as 'ok but not that filling'.

'I think it's incredibly important nowadays that restaurants can accommodate everyone and to not be able to have actual plant-based meals shows your shortcomings as a chef,' the aggrieved diner's contentious review stated.

Mr Mountain has lived in Australia for seven years after arriving from Britain where he was a celebrity chef who shared an agent with kitchen superstar Jamie Oliver.

He starred in cooking shows the Great British Menu and Chef Race UK v US.

He has also worked with culinary trailblazers Heston Blumenthal at the original famed Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire, England, as well as the brash Michelin three-starred Marco Pierre White at the Mayfair in London.
A German adventurer who paid to see the wreck of the Titanic on the missing Titan submarine two years ago has called the voyage a 'suicide mission'.

Arthur Loibl, 60, dived down 12,500 feet to the Atlantic wreck site in August 2021 and says he was 'incredibly lucky' to survive.

His story echos much that has been learned about the OceanGate tourist vessel since it vanished on Sunday, with past reports highlighting how many components were purchased off-the-shelf. It has also been revealed to have been uncertified to dive to the necessary depths to reach the Titanic.

Speaking to German tabloid Bild, Loibl recalls the first submarine they tried didn't work and a second attempted dive had to be abandoned. He said parts fell off and the mission went into the water five hours late due to electrical problems.

This, Loibl suspects, could be the cause of the Titan's disappearance.

German explorer Arthur Loibl, 60, dove the 12,500 feet to the Atlantic ocean wreck side in August 2021, and says he was 'incredibly lucky' to survive. He is pictured (right) on board with OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush (centre) and French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet (left) who are both now missing

Speaking to German tabloid Bild, Loibl (pictured in front of the OceanGate sub) recalls that the first submarine they tried didn't work, that a second attempted dive had to be abandoned, parts fell off, and that his mission went into the water five hours late due to electrical problems

'It was a suicide mission back then!' Loibl tells Bild.

The German knows a thing or two about risk taking, too. He has previously travelled to the north and south pole, and flown over Russia in a MiG-29 fighter jet.

But out of all his adventures, 'the Titanic was the most extreme,' he says.

He paid 100,000 euros and booked the trip through an English company that organises special safaris, Bild reports.

He says the start of the expedition was bumpy.

'The first submarine didn't work, then a dive at 1,600 meters had to be abandoned. My mission was the 5th, but we also went into the water five hours late due to electrical problems,' he recounts to the publication.

Shortly before the sub was launched, Loibl says the bracket of the stabilisation tube - used to provide balance as the craft descends into the depths - fell off the vessel.

'That was reattached with zip ties. That didn't worry me,' he tells Bild.

As for conditions inside the vessel, the adventurer says they were challenging.

On his voyage, he was joined by French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 73, and OceanGate's CEO and pilot Stockton Rush, 61.

Both are currently on the Titan and have been missing since Sunday, along with British adventurer Hamish Harding and Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman.

Up to five passengers can be taken on the 22-foot long Titan. There are no seats, a single toilet (with a black curtain pulled across for 'privacy'). At a depth of around 3,200 feet, sunlight can no longer penetrate the darkness of the ocean.

'You need strong nerves, you mustn't be claustrophobic and you have to be able to sit cross-legged for ten hours,' Loibl says. 'It must be hell down there. There's only 2.50 meters of space, it's four degrees, there's no chair, no toilet.'

When he did reach the Titanic, however, he described a sense of euphoria.

With Loibl inside, the Titan travelled around the wreck twice and once even touched down on its deck, he said, before making the return journey.

The German said he is closely following the news of the missing submersible and the search operation - which is rapidly running out of time.

'I feel bad, I'm nervous, I have a sinking feeling in my stomach. I was incredibly lucky back then,' he told Bild. Like many, he is hoping for a miracle.

For his next adventure, Loibl said he had hoped to fly into space with Virgin Galactic for $250,000. But after the 'drama' surrounding the missing Titan vessel, he said, 'my whole pursuit of extremes is now in question'.

Loibl (pictured) knows a thing or two about risk taking, too. He has previously travelled to the north and south pole, and flown over Russia in a MiG-29 fighter jet

Pictured: German explorer Arthur Loibl (second from right) along with two British men. Also pictured are French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 73, and OceanGate's CEO and pilot Stockton Rush, 61 , both of whom are currently missing on the Titan

German explorer Arthur Loibl (right) is seen with French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet

Family and friends of the missing passengers are in for an agonising 24 hours, as experts warn the 'opportunity to find them alive' is fading, with oxygen supplies within the submarine thought to be dwindling.

Titan lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St John's Newfoundland during its voyage off the coast of Canada.

Last night the discovery of loud banging noises sparked fresh hopes that the passengers were still alive and could be banging on the side of the craft to be detected on sonar.

But at 12,500ft below the surface, and with possibly just two vessels on Earth capable of rescuing them, time is running out to find the craft.

Experts have said rescuers searching for the orca-sized submersible are facing a gargantuan task that will test the limits of technical know-how, with only a very slight chance of success.

Teams from around the world are racing against the clock to locate the vessel before its oxygen runs out - with little more than a day's supply left - as of midday on Wednesday.

But scouring a 20,000-square-kilometer area of the North Atlantic to a depth of more than two miles is not easy.

'It's pitch black down there. It's freezing cold. The seabed is mud, and it's undulating. You can't see your hand in front of your face,' Titanic expert Tim Maltin told NBC News Now. 'It's really a bit like being an astronaut going into space.'

US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters Tuesday that his organization was coordinating the search.

But, he said, it was incredibly difficult and far beyond what the coast guard would normally tackle.

'While the US Coast Guard has assumed the role of search and rescue mission coordinator, we do not have all of the necessary expertise and equipment required in a search of this nature,' he said.

'This is a complex search effort, which requires multiple agencies with subject matter expertise and specialised equipment.'

Frederick added that rescuers were using several methods as they comb the area for the Titan, which lost contact with its mothership just two hours into its dive.

'The search efforts have focused on both surface with C-130 aircraft searching by sight and with radar, and subsurface with P-3 aircraft, we're able to drop and monitor sonar buoys.'

So far, the searches have proved fruitless.

The effort was being augmented Tuesday by a huge pipe-laying vessel, which has a remotely operated vehicle expected to be deployed at Titan's last known position.

Jules Jaffe, who was part of the team that found the Titanic in 1985, said there were two likely explanations for the sub's disappearance. 'It's either a mechanical failure, or an electrical failure,' he told AFP news agency in La Jolla, California.

'I'm hoping it's an electrical failure, because they do have weights, one of the safety procedures that they have is to make themselves lighter. So if you're heavier than the water, you sink, if you're lighter than the water you float.'

Jaffe, a research oceanographer at the University of San Diego, said rescuers would be looking on the surface, in the water column and on the seafloor.

'The worst place for them to be would be on the seafloor, which would imply that the vehicle itself either imploded or got tangled somehow.'

Adding to the challenge is the enormous pressure four kilometers under water, around 400 times what it is on the surface. Such pressures put huge strains on equipment and very few vessels can survive these depths.

Nuclear submarines generally operate at just 300 meters, according to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Jamie Pringle, a professor of forensic geosciences at Keele University in Britain, said if the mini-sub had settled on the ocean floor, it could be very difficult to spot.

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted on social media about being there on Sunday

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, (pictured together) are on board the missing submarine

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

The Boston Coast Guard is now looking for the missing vessel. The wreckage of the iconic ship sits 12,500ft underwater around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada

'The bottom of the ocean is not flat; there are lots of hills and canyons,' Pringle said, according to NBC.

Further complicating the seafloor prognosis is the debris field from the Titanic itself - the very thing the adventurers had gone to see.

'It's a mangled wreck, with probably all kinds of treacherous things which would not be very friendly for a small boat,' said Jaffe.

'The opportunities for finding them in a mangled wreck within the next 36 hours, I think are practically impossible.'
The sinking of the Titanic in April 1912 with the loss of more than 1,500 lives has long captivated experts and amateurs alike.

This week's disappearance of a submarine carrying five people including British billionaire Hamish Hamilton has triggered a frantic search before oxygen onboard the vessel runs out.

But the unfolding tragedy is just the latest chapter in a chequered history of humanity's relationship with the ocean.

Of the thousands of vessels which have been lost at sea or disappeared in mysterious circumstances, some stand out for the fact that their final resting places - or the fate of their crew - remain unknown.

Perhaps most famous is the Mary Celeste, which was found abandoned in the Atlantic in 1872, with its ten crew having disappeared without a trace.

Below, MailOnline explores the story of the ship and five other vessels that either vanished or sank and have never been found.

Mary Celeste (1872)

To this day, the story of the Mary Celeste remains perhaps the greatest of all sea mysteries.

The ship, an American brig, was found derelict in the Atlantic halfway between Portugal and the Azores on December 4, 1872.

The sails were set and a meal was still on the table.

To this day, the story of the Mary Celeste remains perhaps the greatest of all sea mysteries. The ship, an American brig, was found derelict in the Atlantic halfway between Portugal and the Azores on December 4, 1872

The vessel, which was carrying crude alcohol, had sailed from New York with ten people onboard and was bound for Genoa.

Among those on the ship was Captain Benjamin Briggs, who was with his wife and two-year-old daughter.

In the decades since, there have been dozens of theories about what might have happened.

They include outlandish theories that the crew could have been attacked by a giant squid or abducted by aliens.

It was also suggested that the captain could have succumbed to madness and killed everyone on board.

Another theory suggested that the highly volatile alcohol cargo could have vapourised, prompting the crew to move onto the lifeboat.

The lifeboat could then have been lost in a storm with the crew.

The ship had started life as The Amazon but after suffering deaths, collisions, fires and bankruptcies by various owners, her name was changed in the hope it would change the vessel's fortunes.

After the disappearance of the crew in 1872, sailors refused to serve in her and she changed hands 17 times in 11 years.

The 'ghost ship' was eventually left to rot away on a remote Caribbean reef.

The vessel, which was carrying crude alcohol, had sailed from New York with ten people onboard and was bound for Genoa

Among those on the ship was Captain Benjamin Briggs (left), who was with his wife and two-year-old daughter (right)

MV Joyita (1955)

With 25 people aboard, the MV Joyita left Samoa in October 1955, heading for the Tokelau Islands, north of New Zealand

The motor vessel was found derelict 36 days later, drifting 167 miles from Fiji with no crew on board and her cargo gone too.

She was partially submerged and listing heavily to port side.

One theory suggested she could have been the victim of Japanese soldiers who had not surrendered after the end of the Second World War.

It was also claimed that the crew abandoned her when she started to leak and were perhaps unable to call for help because the radio was broken.

However, being a refrigerator vessel, cork in her hold meant she was virtually unsinkable.

With 25 people aboard, the MV Joyita left Samoa in October 1955, heading for the Tokelau Islands, north of New Zealand The motor vessel was found derelict 36 days later, drifting 167 miles from Fiji with no crew on board and her cargo gone too

USS Cyclops (1918)

The disappearance of the USS Cyclops with 304 people on board was the biggest loss the US Navy suffered during the First World War.

The ship's captain, John Worley, was of German descent and generally disliked by both officers and men.

The ship was carrying 10,800 tons of manganese, which was insured for half a million dollars.

There was also 1,000 tonnes of coal in the ship's hold, meaning she was 15 inches lower in the water than usual.

The disappearance of the USS Cyclops with 304 people on board was the biggest loss the US Navy suffered during the First World War

After she vanished north of Puerto Rico, there were claims of enemy agents, a treacherous crew, Bolshevik involvement and even that Worley was a spy and had taken the ship to Germany.

A popular theory was that a sudden shift of the ship's cargo in rough seas had caused it to capsize.

It is thought water could have gushed into the vessel, causing it to sink before the crew could had time to raise the alarm or radio for help.

Santa Maria (1492)

The Santa Maria was one of three ships which were part of Christopher Columbus's expedition to the New World in 1492.

During the voyage, which took Columbus to the Caribbean, the Santa Maria sank.

Columbus is believed to have left an inexperienced cabin boy to steer the ship after he and another crewman decided to take some time to sleep.

The Santa Maria was one of three ships which were part of Christopher Columbus's expedition to the New World in 1492

During the voyage, which took Columbus to the Caribbean, the Santa Maria sank. Columbus is believed to have left an inexperienced cabin boy to steer the ship after he and another crewman decided to take some time to sleep. Above: An 1892 replica of the ship

The ocean currents are believed to have caused the ship to run aground off what is now Cap-Haitien, Haiti.

The ship then sank the next day. On realising that the ship was beyond repair, Columbus ordered that the vessel be stripped of its timbers, which were later used to build a fort.

An explorer claimed to have found the ship in 2014, but an expert team from UNESCO later concluded that the wreck in question could not be that of the Santa Maria.

Flor de la Mar (1511)

Although she sank in 1511, the Flora de la Mar remains one of the most sought-after missing wrecks, due to the belief that it is filled with a precious cargo of diamonds, gold and other riches worth more than 1billion.

The vessel, which was notorious for springing leaks, sank after being called to assist in Portugal's conquest of Malacca in what is now Malaysia.

It is believed the ship was in or near the Strait of Malacca, which runs between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra when she sank.

Despite decades of searching, the wreck is yet to be found.

Treasure hunter Robert Marx has spent around 15million looking for the ship, which he described as the 'richest vessel ever lost at sea.'

Although she sank in 1511, the Flora de la Mar remains one of the most sought after missing wrecks, due to the belief that it is filled with a precious cargo of diamonds, gold and other riches worth more than 1billion

The Merchant Royal (1641)

The trading vessel was lost off Cornwall's Land's End in rough weather in September 1641.

The ship was carrying at least 100,000 of gold worth hundreds of millions of pounds in today's money.

Also on board were 400 bars of Mexican silver and hundreds of thousands of coins, making it one of the most valuable wrecks of all time.

In 2007, a search operation by US firm Odyssey Marine Exploration found wreckage that they believed could be the Merchant Royal, but coins that were recovered suggested it was a Spanish frigate.

In 2019, the Merchant Royal's anchor was found from waters off Cornwall, but the location of the ship itself remains a mystery.

The Merchant Royal was lost off Cornwall's Land's End in rough weather in September 1641. The ship was carrying at least 100,000 of gold worth hundreds of millions of pounds in today's money
Footage has emerged of a French adventurer dubbed 'Mr Titanic' - just days before he went missing along with four others on a sub headed to explore the wreck.

Mariner Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, is a veteran of 37 trips to the Titanic wreck and was part of the five-strong team on the Titan.

Now, a clip has emerged showing him in Atlantic Ocean near the site of the wreck just days before he went missing.

The video, shared by videographer Abbi Jackson, sees Nargeolet waving as he lounges in a boat. It was uploaded with the caption 'what a legend'.

Nargeolet is widely considered to be a 'leading authority' on the sunken cruiser, leading several expeditions to the Titanic wreckage site off the coast of Newfoundland and even supervising the recovery of thousands of artifacts  including the 20-ton section of the Titanic's hull.

The video, shared by videographer Abby Jackson, sees Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, waving as he lounges in a boat. It was uploaded with the caption 'what a legend'

Based on his expertise with these deep dives, Nargeolet told the Irish Examiner in 2019: 'If you are 11 meters or 11 kilometers down, if something bad happens, the result is the same.

'When you're in very deep water, you're dead before you realize that something is happening, so it's just not a problem.'

Nargeolet was born in Chamonix, France and sent more than two decades in the French Navy, rising to the rank of commander.

He retired in 1986 and joined the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of Sea, leading deep sea submersibles.

In that position, Nargeolet participated in the Five Deeps expedition, exploring the deepest parts of all five of Earth's oceans and even breaking the record for the deepest submersible dive  at 10,928 meters, or 35,853 feet, below sea level.

By 1987 he led the first expedition to the Titanic, two years after its discovery.

He later said that when he came across the wreckage site for the first time, he and his two crew members were stunned into silence for 10 minutes as 'we were at the foredeck, the most beautiful part where you saw the anchor chains, bronze winches still polished by the water and sedimentation... you could read perfectly they were made in Glasgow.'

From there, Nargeolet continued to lead dives to the Titanic, helping to map the site and chart the course of deterioration.

'At the beginning we were scared to recover artifacts owned by passengers, but then we realized we could learn a lot about the passengers,' he once said, according to the Telegraph.

'We are resurfacing the history of these families, and for me, that's a good thing.'

When asked why the Titanic fascinated him so much more than 100 years since it crashed into an iceberg and sank, he said: 'The word Titanic is magic in my opinion because it always sparks a reaction.

'There are those who are interested in the construction of the boat. There are those who are interested by the billionaires of the time on board, as they were the stars of the time, some are interested in the immigrants looking for a new life in North America... everyone can find an interest in the Titanic.

'Once you've put your head in the Titanic, it's hard to take it out.'

Nargeolet now resides in Connecticut, while his adult children live in Cork, Ireland.

John Paschal, 31, Nargeolets stepson who has a Connecticut address, said just a few words about the search, declined to say anything personal at this time, not wanting to sound like he was speaking of him in the past tense.

I dont want to speak in terms of active and passive with him. I just want the search and rescue process to play out at this point. We hope for the best possible result for everyone whos on board. We hope they return safely and soundly, and were keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers. We appreciate the efforts made by everyone so far in the search and rescue effort.

Also on board the submersible is billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about starting the trip on Sunday

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, (pictured together) are also on board the missing submarine

Nargeolet is now said to be running out of air on a small submersible with British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and a British father and son duo.

The vessel began its dive on Sunday morning, and will run out of oxygen on Thursday morning eastern time, if it is still intact and has not imploded due to a fault.

Inside the 22-foot long vessel, there are no seats and only one toilet  a small black box with a black curtain drawn across for privacy. All passengers are barefoot and must sit on the floor.

There is no 'door' to get in and out of the vessel.

Instead, the passengers are bolted in from the outside before their journey begins with 17 bolts, which begins with the Titan being launched from a recovery platform, which has tanks used to sink and resurface the vessel.

It was also revealed yesterday that tourists who pay $250,000 to descend almost 13,000 feet below sea level to view the wreck of the Titanic must sign a waiver saying they accept the submersible is not approved by any regulatory body.

But in a May 2021 court filing, OceanGate said the Titan had an 'unparalleled safety feature' that assesses the integrity of the hull throughout every dive.
Blinken's diplomatic work was soon eclipsed by Biden's remarks at a fundraiser

China has accused President Joe Biden of 'blatant political provocation' after he labeled Chinese leader Xi Jinping a dictator.

The new clash of words comes just over a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing that sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low.

But Blinken's work was soon eclipsed by Biden's remarks at a California fundraiser on Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday said Biden's comments 'go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China's political dignity.'

'It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition,' Mao said at a daily briefing. 'The U.S. remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible.'

Joe Biden is seen on Tuesday speaking at an Artificial Intelligence event in San Francisco. He later attended a fundraiser, where he labeled China's president a dictator

Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, is seen in Beijing on Monday meeting Xi Jinping. Blinken is the first top U.S. official to visit China in five years

Chinese President Xi Jinping looks on as meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday

Blinken's visit, during which he met with Xi, was aimed at easing tensions between the two superpowers but appeared not to have achieved any solid results.

The Secretary of State became the first top U.S. diplomat to visit China in five years following tensions between the two superpowers over COVID, Taiwan and the 'spy balloon' saga.

Both Washington and Beijing said progress was made without detailing concrete examples.

But just over a day later, Biden, in off-the-cuff remarks at a fundraiser on Tuesday night, said that Xi was embarrassed over the recent tensions surrounding a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had been shot down by the Air Force over the East Coast.

'The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didn't know it was there,' said Biden, referencing the February incident.

'That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened. That wasn't supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course.'

Mao reiterated China's contention that the balloon was intended for meteorological research and had been blown off-course accidentally.

'The U.S. should have handled it in a calm and professional manner,' she said. 'However, the U.S. distorted facts and used forces to hype up the incident, fully revealing its nature of bullying and hegemony.'

The Chinese 'spy balloon' is pictured on February 4 being shot down off the coast of South Carolina

The 'spy balloon' is seen on February 1 over Billings, Montana. It traversed the U.S. before it was shot down

In March, Xi secured a precedent-breaking third term as president after clinching in October another five years as chief of the ruling Communist Party, making him China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

Biden also said that China 'has real economic difficulties.'

China's economy stumbled in May with industrial output and retail sales growth missing forecasts, adding to expectations that Beijing will need to do more to shore up a shaky post-pandemic recovery.

The World Bank earlier this month forecast U.S. growth for 2023 at 1.1 percent - more than double the 0.5 percent forecast in January.

China's growth, meanwhile, is expected to climb to 5.6 percent, compared to a 4.3 percent forecast in January.

Blinken and Xi agreed in their Monday meeting to stabilize the intense rivalry between Washington and Beijing so it did not veer into conflict, but failed to produce any breakthrough during a rare visit to China by the secretary of state.

They did agree to continue diplomatic engagement with more visits by U.S. officials in the coming weeks and months.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday said Biden's comments 'go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China's political dignity'

Prior to his damaging remarks, Biden said Monday he thought relations between the two countries were on the right path, and he indicated that progress was made during Blinken's trip.

Biden said that Xi had been concerned by the so-called Quad strategic security group, which includes Japan, Australia, India and the United States.

The U.S. president said he previously told Xi the U.S. was not trying to encircle China with the Quad.

'He called me and told me not to do that because it was putting him in a bind,' Biden said.

Later this week, Biden will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China is expected to be a topic of discussion between the two leaders.
South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by an apparent suicide at the age of 33.

He was found by police at his home in the Yeoksam-dong district of Seoul at 9.41am on Tuesday, according to The Korea Times.

It comes just two years after he was exposed for lying about having multiple types of cancer and asking fans to donate cash for his treatment. He later apologised for the deception.

Sung-bong rose to fame on Korea's Got Talent on tvN aged 22 in 2011, before signing a record deal with Bong Bong Company.

He came in second place in the competition with his operatic performance of Ennio Morricone's Nella Fantasia, which gained over 21 million views on YouTube. The clip of his performance also received praise from stars such as Justin Bieber, BoA and Jung-Hwa Umwho.

South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by an apparent suicide at the age of 33

Choi rose to fame on Korea's Got Talent on tvN in 2011 (pictured), before signing a record deal with Bong Bong Company

Bieber wrote on Facebook at the time: 'This is awesome. Never say never, and good luck to this kid. Great story.'

At the time he was hailed by media outlets as being Korea's answer to Susan Boyle.

The news of Choi's sudden death comes two years after he was exposed for lying that he had multiple forms of cancer and asking fans to donate cash for his treatment.

After it was revealed to be a hoax, he apologised and promised to return any donations.

Police believe that he died by suicide due to a note he posted on his YouTube channel the day before his death in which he apologised for his 'foolish mistakes'.

In it, he thanked his fans for their support of his career, writing: 'From 2011 to the present, I have been receiving attention and love from so many people. I sincerely thank you and express my gratitude.'

He went on to apologise for the 2021 scam: 'I am sincerely sorry for my foolish mistakes and those who have suffered damage, and I have repeatedly made mistakes.

'For the past two years, we have returned all those who have asked for a return of donations.

'Looking back, since I was young, I tried my best to enjoy a normal life, like every day for 10 years, but in the end, I'm sorry.

Choi was found by police at his home in the Yeoksam-dong district of Seoul at 9.41am on Tuesday

Choi's emotional audition for Korea's Got Talent in 2011 aged 22 moved the judges to tears

'I have no regrets about the journey of life that I have lived brilliantly. I have lived to the best of my ability and tried to have happiness every day.

'I am sincerely sorry to the many people who have been harmed because of me... I'm sorry to the many people who helped me.'

After his stint on the talent show, he released a number of singles, including Slowcoach in 2016, Tonight in 2021 and I PRAY in 2022.

Choi also wrote a memoir after his rise to fame, exploring his impoverished upbringing and telling how he dropped out of music school due to financial worries.

In his audition for Korea's Got Talent, he revealed he was left in an orphanage aged three but said he ran away after being beaten at just five years old.

He said he had lived homeless since then, moving around from place to place on his own. He added that singing was the one thing that had brought him joy during this immensely troubling time.

Despite saying that he wasn't a good singer, Choi brought the judges to tears with his emotional and powerful performance.

It comes just a week after South Korean actress Park Soo Ryun died aged 29 after falling down a set of stairs while returning home.

Choi also wrote a memoir after his rise to fame, exploring his impoverished upbringing

Park, who starred in the Disney+ K-drama Snowdrop, was taken to hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced brain-dead despite attempts to save her.

The country has grappled with a string of deadly misfortunes as multiple tragedies have rocked K-pop and K-drama in recent years.

Just two months ago, South Korean actress and model Jung Chae-yul, who gained notoriety for her role in Zombie Detective, was found dead in her home at the age of 26. It is yet to be established how she died so young.

Then just days later, K-Pop star Moonbin was also found dead in his apartment in a suspected suicide. The singer, actor, dancer and model was just 25.

And earlier this month, glamorous South Korean influencer BJ Ahyeong, a K-pop DJ, was found dead and dumped in a pit in Cambodia weeks after she quit her social media career.

If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact The Samaritans helpline 24/7 on 116 123 for help and support.
Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO to recognise the 'reality' that Ukraine should be a member of the military alliance as he addressed a conference in London today.

Speaking remotely from Kyiv, the president said leaders need to have the 'courage' to acknowledge that the fates of their countries were already linked.

He also appealed for international support for Ukraine to recover economically from the war with Russia.

The comments came after Rishi Sunak announced 2.35billion in bank loan guarantees to bolster the rebuilding of Kyiv, in partnership with the World Bank.

And the PM joked that he might go to the Ukrainian capital for his summer holidays, after Mr Zelensky noted that he had not visited for a while.

Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO to recognise the 'reality' that Ukraine should be a member of the military alliance as he addressed a conference in London today

The comments came after Rishi Sunak announced 2.35billion in bank loan guarantees to bolster the rebuilding of Kyiv, in partnership with the World Bank

Thousands of delegates from business, government and civil society groups have gathered for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Mr Sunak hailed in an opening address as an opportunity to 'plant the seeds of Ukraine's future'

Thousands of delegates from business, government and civil society groups have gathered for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Mr Sunak hailed in an opening address as an opportunity to 'plant the seeds of Ukraine's future'.

Mr Zelensky said: 'The eyes of the world are looking at us and whether we will defeat Russian aggression exactly as freedom deserves to win, that is without compromising our values.

'Also, the world is watching to see if we will restore normal life in such a way that our transformation will land an ideological defeat on the aggressor.

'We protect Ukraine, and thus we protect freedom. And when we build Ukraine, we'll build freedom.'

As well as stepping up his push for Ukraine to join NATO and the EU, Mr Zelensky highlighted Ukraine's importance in global food supply and its potential to become a major green energy power.

He said the country could be 'the largest source of economic, industrial and technological growth in Europe for decades and decades'.

Downing Street said the loan guarantees amount to the first bilateral package of multi-year fiscal assistance to be set out by a G7 country, with the funding expected to support public services, including the cost of running schools and hospitals.

Mr Sunak also announced a commitment of up to 250million of new capital for British International Investment, the UK's development finance institution.

'Before this terrible war, Ukraine's economy was becoming a huge investment opportunity,' Mr Sunak said.

'It was the breadbasket of Europe, exporting millions of tons of food and grain each month, a top-five exporter of iron ore and steel, a leader in energy  pushing forward renewables, hydrogen and electric vehicles  and a start-up nation which helped spark names like PayPal, WhatsApp and Revolut, with a thriving tech sector which actually had a record year in 2022.

'The truth is, that opportunity is still there today  in fact the war has only proved how much Ukraine has to offer.'

Ms von der Leyen also told the conference she has 'no doubt' that Ukraine will join the EU. Praising the country's progress on reform, she said: 'Together we gather here to tell Ukrainians that their dream is also our dream.

'Ukrainians tell us, when they imagine their future, they see Europe's flag flying over their cities. I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of our union.'

Mr Zelensky also appeared to offer Mr Sunak a fresh invitation to visit Ukraine, following his trip there last year. 'By the way, Prime Minister Rishi, we have not seen each other in Kyiv for quite a while.'

Mr Sunak responded: 'Thank you, Volodymyr, not least for providing options for my summer holiday in a couple of months.'

Boris Johnson, who has been a vocal backer of Ukraine since leaving office, called for the West to focus on 'ensuring a Ukrainian victory' and equip Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets.

Ursula von der Leyen also told the conference she has 'no doubt' that Ukraine will join the EU

'We need to focus on the Ukrainian counter-offensive and make sure that the Ukrainians have everything that they could possibly need,' he said in a video posted on Twitter.

'For months and months I have been saying that what they need is the deep fires, the long-range  missiles that they're going to need to take out the Russian command-and-control positions.

'It's also increasingly clear that it's no good just giving the Ukrainians help with armour from the West, armoured vehicles, Bradleys, Challenger tanks, Leopards, and so forth, unless the Ukrainians also have air superiority.

'That's why we've got to go back to that question urgently of giving them the F-16s, the planes that they need to command the airspace and take out those Russian attack helicopters.

'So, my message to everybody is very simple: Yes, of course, let's talk about rebuilding Ukraine. Let's talk about the Ukrainian recovery, but the absolute pre-requisite of that conversation is ensuring a Ukrainian victory, and a Ukrainian victory as fast as possible.'
A former OceanGate employee raised concerns over the submersible that has vanished on a mission to the Titanic's wreckage before he was fired, a lawsuit has alleged.

David Lochridge, formerly OceanGate's director of marine operations for the Titan project, wrote an engineering report in 2018 that said the craft under development needed more testing and passengers may be endangered when it reached 'extreme depths,' according to a lawsuit filed that year in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

OceanGate sued Lochridge that year, accusing him of breaching a non-disclosure agreement, and filed a counterclaim alleging that he was wrongfully fired for raising questions about testing and safety.

Lochridge said in the counterclaim that OceanGate, which charges up to $250,000 for a seat on the vessel, would 'subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible'. He also said Titan was not equipped to reach depths of around 13,123 feet, where the Titanic wreck rests.

The case settled on undisclosed terms several months after it was filed.

Five people are thought to be on the vessel in the North Atlantic after embarking on a dive to the wreck. If still functioning, the sub has a dwindling amount of oxygen left, as an expanding fleet of ships and airplanes searches for it before time runs out.

David Lochridge (pictured), formerly OceanGate's director of marine operations for the Titan project, wrote an engineering report in 2018 that said the craft under development needed more testing

Titan is currently missing with five people on board after it lost communication during a dive to the Titanic's wreckage in the North Atlantic, which is around 12,500ft below sea level

Lochridge's concerns revealed in the lawsuit primarily focused on the company's decision to rely on sensitive acoustic monitoring - cracking or popping sounds made by the hull under pressure - to detect flaws, rather than a scan of the hull.

He said the company told him no equipment existed that could perform such a test on the 5-inch-thick (12.7-centimeter-thick) carbon-fiber hull.

'This was problematic because this type of acoustic analysis would only show when a component is about to fail, often milliseconds before an implosion, and would not detect any existing flaws prior to putting pressure on to the hull,' Lochridge's counterclaim said.

Further, the craft was designed to reach depths of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). But, according to Lochridge, the passenger viewport was only certified for depths of up to 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), and OceanGate would not pay for the manufacturer to build a viewport certified for 4,000 meters.

OceanGate's choices would 'subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible,' the counterclaim said.

But the company said in its complaint that Lochridge 'is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan.'

He was fired after refusing to accept assurances from OceanGate's lead engineer that the acoustic monitoring and testing protocol was, in fact, better suited to detect any flaws than a scan would be, the complaint said.

OceanGate Chief Executive Stockton Rush (pictured) defended his company's approach to not put Titan through an independent inspection process

Pictured: File photo of inside the OceanGate Expeditions sub which is currently missing with five people on board

In a 2018 court document, lawyers for the company also said Lochridge's employment was terminated because he 'could not accept' their research and plans, including safety protocols.

OceanGate also claimed Lochridge 'desired to be fired' and had shared confidential information with others and wiped a company hard drive. The company said he 'refused to accept the voracity of information' about safety from Titan's lead engineer.

Lochridge had relocated from the UK to Washington to work on the development of the Titan  which was previously called Cyclops 2.

A former Royal Navy marine engineer and ship's diver, he was described by OceanGate as an 'expert in the field of submarine operations and rescue'.

OceanGate Chief Executive Stockton Rush defended his firm's approach at a conference in Seattle last year hosted by the tech news site GeekWire. He described how he had taken a prototype down to 4,000 meters: 'It made a lot of noise,' he said.

So he brought the vessel back up, and on a second dive it made the same troubling noises, even though it should have been dramatically quieter. The company scrapped that hull, which had been constructed by a marine manufacturer, and built another one with an aerospace supplier, Rush said.

Warnings also came in 2018 from the Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as 'a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators'.

The Coastguard is now looking for the missing vessel. The wreckage of the Titanic sits 12,500ft underwater around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada

In a letter to Rush, the society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers.

Rush had refused to do so. Rush was piloting the vessel that is now missing.

The letter, reported by the New York Times, said society members were worried that 'the current experimental approach adopted by OceanGate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry.'

In a 2019 interview with Smithsonian magazine, Rush complained that the industry's approach was stifling innovation.

'There hasn't been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years,' he said. 'It's obscenely safe because they have all these regulations. But it also hasn't innovated or grown - because they have all these regulations.

It comes after it was revealed that OceanGate in 2019 openly refused to put Titan through an independent inspection process.

In a blog post titled 'Why Isn't Titan Classed?', OceanGate suggested classification would take too long.

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine) a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are amongst the five people missing in the submarine that set off to see the wreck of the Titanic, it was revealed today

The company said seeking classification for Titan would not 'ensure that operators adhere to proper operating procedures and decision-making processes  two areas that are much more important for mitigating risks at sea'.

Classification involves recruiting an independent organisation to ensure vessels like ships and submersibles meet industry-wide technical standards. It is a crucial way of ensuring a vessel is fit to operate.

The post said: 'While classing agencies are willing to pursue the certification of new and innovative designs and ideas, they often have a multi-year approval cycle due to a lack of pre-existing standards

'Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation.'

The company said its 'innovations' included a real-time (RTM) hull health monitoring system which is 'not currently covered by any classing agency'.

OceanGate suggested its own in-house safety protocols were sufficient. The blog concluded that 'by itself, classing is not sufficient to ensure safety'.
The saga of the missing Titanic submersible Titan continues to grip the world. And now three days after the OceanGate watercraft vanished, anger is beginning to mount over the doomed mission.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush is one of the five men on the Titan, with around 20 hours of oxygen left.

The Titan is currently missing with five people on board after it lost communication during a dive to the Titanic's wreckage, which is around 12,500ft below the Atlantic.

A frantic search and rescue operation is underway to locate and recover the submersible - if any vessels are able to reach it.

Among those taking part in the expedition are billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai, and Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, plus his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19.

Rush is on board the vessel, which vanished on Sunday, along with French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet who has completed previous trips to the Titanic.

Here, DailyMail.com takes a closer look at Rush and the other OceanGate executives, who are likely to face intense attention - and possible legal action - in the coming weeks, regardless of whether the sub can be saved.

Stockton Rush, full name Richard Stockton Rush III, is the CEO of OceanGate and is one of five people who boarded its Titan submersible to visit the site of the Titanic wreck

Banging sounds have been detected in the massive search for the missing Titanic submarine

Stockton Rush: Millionaire teen jet prodigy and 'face' of firm who's among five men trapped in stricken Titan with time running out

Seattle-born Rush, 61, founded OceanGate Expeditions in 2009 - after trying, and failing, to buy explorer and businessman Steve Fossett's submersible, after the adventurer died in a 2007 plane crash.

As a young man, Rush, full name Richard Stockton Rush III, was more interested in space than deep seas and dreamed of being the first man on Mars.

How long was Rush's pilot career?

At 19, he became the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world, qualifying with the United Airlines Jet Training Institute.

For the next three years, he flew for Saudi Arabian Airlines on his summer holidays from his aerospace engineering course at Princeton.

From 1984 he worked with the US Air Force on F-15s and anti-satellite missile programs, with the aim of eventually taking part in the space program.

He also spent two decades as chair of Remote Control Technologies, as director of Entomo, Inc., and director for BlueView Technologies.

As a young man, Rush, full name Richard Stockton Rush III, was more interested in space than deep seas and dreamed of being the first man on Mars

At 19, he became the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world before going on to graduate from Princeton with a degree in aerospace engineering

OceanGate have provided tourists with the opportunity to explore the Titanic wreckage for a number of years

Where did Rush go to college and work before OceanGate?

Rush obtained an MBA from Berkeley, and graduated from Princeton with a degree in aerospace engineering in 1984, going on to work for multiple companies, specializing in sonar, subsea technology and radars.

He built a Glasair III experimental aircraft which he flew regularly, and his own Kittredge K-350 two-man submersible.

When did he set up OceanGate - and why?

At the age of 44, he decided that the final frontier was in fact, the ocean. Mars, he said, just wasn't economically viable.

He founded OceanGate Expeditions - recently valued at $66million - after failing to buy explorer and businessman Steve Fossett's submersible in 2007.

He went on to buy his first submarine from a private seller in 2009 and, a year later, added the submarine Antipodes.

The two vessels allowed him to make 130 dives within two years and he quickly began making his own vessel, a submersible.

Discussing his determination to reach the Titanic, Rush said in 2019: 'If you ask people to name something underwater, it's going to be sharks, whales, Titanic.'

In a 2017 interview, he said: 'I realized that what I really wanted to do was explore. I wanted to be Captain Kirk and in our lifetime, the final frontier is the ocean.'

OceanGate charges $250,000 per seat and Rush said in 2017 that his first clients were all travellers on Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic.

Rush, whose net worth is unclear, founded OceanGate in 2009, beginning with a five-person submarine he bought from a private owner

TIMELINE OF EVENTS: The Titan lost contact with the surface sparking panic. All timings given in BST, five hours ahead of EST.

Rush grew up in a wealthy family, with his maternal grandparents Ralph K. Davies, chair of the American President Lines

Rush always intended to take tourists to the Titanic: in 2017, he said he planned to then branch out to excursions to hydrothermal vents or deep-sea canyons, and underwater battlefield tours. He then hoped to work with oil and gas exploration.

The so-called 'adventure travel market' is the key target of OceanGate, Rush said previously. 'There's a huge demand for unique travel experiences,' he added.

Speaking about his company's trademark undersea trip, Rush said in 2017: 'It really is a life-changing experience and there aren't a lot of things like that

'Rather than spend $65,000 to climb Mt. Everest, maybe die, and spend a month living in a miserable base camp, you can change your life in a week.'

The words now take on a haunting edge as his friends and family - including wife Wendy - pray for his rescue.

Who is Rush married to and what do we know about his family life?

The CEO is a descendant of two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton.

Rush grew up in a wealthy family, with his maternal grandparents Ralph K. Davies, chair of the American President Lines, and Louise M. Davies, who paid $5 million for a San Francisco concert hall that is named for her.

The CEO is a descendant of two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Rush (right) and Richard Stockton (left)

In a 2017 interview, he said: 'I realized that what I really wanted to do was explore. I wanted to be Captain Kirk and in our lifetime, the final frontier is the ocean'

Wendy Rush, the wife of Stockton Rush and also Director of Communications at OceanGate

Going further back, he is descended from Annis Stockton, a celebrated poet and friend of George Washington, who was one of the most prolific and widely published women writers in 18th Century America.

She also kept vital documents hidden during the Revolutionary War. Later ancestors include US Attorney General Richard Rush and US Civil War commander Richard Henry Rush.

He married his wife Wendy, a Licensed pilot and substitute teacher in 1986, and the pair had two children together.

Wendy is currently working for OceanGate in their Communications department, though the company appears to have outsourced amid the ongoing search efforts.

The couple had Quincy, 32, a Law Clerk at the United States District Court in the Central District of California and Richard, 33, a pilot in Washington.

On social media his son, who is married, appears to have his father's enthusiasm for deep sea diving and posted several photos of himself investigating various underwater wrecks.

The couple had Quincy, 32, (right) a Law Clerk at the United States District Court in the Central District of California and Richard, 33, (left) a pilot in Washington.

The so-called 'adventure travel market' is the key target of OceanGate, Rush said previously. 'There's a huge demand for unique travel experiences,' he added

Scott Griffith: OceanGate's Director of Logistics and Quality insurance who is responsible for planning and executing ALL missions

Scott Griffiths, Director of Logistics and Quality, is one of the leadership team who takes responsibility for all of the expeditions, according to his LinkedIn.

He has worked for OceanGate since 2013, becoming the logistics boss in 2020, and creates the 'risk assessment' documents for each dive the company makes.

The company website states: 'He has spent the past seven years supervising the maintenance, testing, and operation of Antipodes, Cyclops 1, Titan, and OceanGate's patented launch and recovery platform, and additionally he has led numerous OceanGate Expeditions across the globe a Mission Director.'

Griffith also piloted several deep submersibles on numerous expeditions  including five dives to the Titanic wreck.

Scott Griffiths, Director of Logistics and Quality, is one of the leadership team who takes responsibility for all of the expeditions, according to his LinkedIn. Pictured on Titan

Wendy is currently working for OceanGate in their Communications department, though the company appears to have outsourced amid the ongoing search efforts

He has worked for OceanGate since 2013, becoming the logistics boss in 2020, and creates the 'risk assessment' documents for each dive the company makes

Before joining OceanGate in 2013, Griffith was a principal of a design consulting firm where he oversaw projects and managed all sectors of the firm: Architects, Engineers, Forensic consultants, Project Managers, and office staff.

In 2018, the Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society, a 60-year-old trade group, warned that the 'current 'experimental' approach' of the company could result in problems 'from minor to catastrophic.'

The company also fired David Lochridge, who was Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, after disagreeing with his demand for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, including 'testing to prove its integrity'.

Additionally, the company opted against having the craft 'classed', an industry-wide practice whereby independent inspectors ensure vessels meet accepted technical standards.

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, (pictured together) are on board the missing submarine

Before working at OceanGate Doug Gorder co-founded Vigilos which provided physical security management tools to the U.S. Navy and FBI.

Doug Gorder: Chief Financial Officer of OceanGate co-founded company that created security management tools for the US Navy and FBI

Doug Gorder is responsible for managing all financial aspects of the company, as well as working with the leadership team to achieve the company's mission.

Before working at OceanGate he co-founded Vigilos which provided physical security management tools to the U.S. Navy and FBI.

He has raised over $85 million in venture and angel financing for a dozen companies.

Gorder was also a co-founder and CFO/VP Operations for The Cobalt Group, which serves the automotive industry, completed an IPO in 1999 and was acquired in 2010 by ADP for $400 million.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Washington State University and an MBA in Finance and MIS from the University of Washington.

Paul-Henry Nargeolet is considered the world's leading expert on the Titanic and is also missing on the sub

OceanGate Expeditions offers the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a specially trained crew member safely diving to the Titanic wreckage site

NASA Astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski raved about his journey thousands of feet below the ocean surface to view the Titanic wreckage just two months before a tourist sub went missing

Scott Parazynski: NASA astronaut on board of directors raved about $250K trip 12,500ft below the surface on sub to view Titanic

Scott Parazynski is one of six directors of OceanGate,and is a former NASA astronaut who has been to space multiple times.

The a highly decorated physician and best-selling author joined the Titanic Survey Expedition in 2021 and boasted about the experience.

'It's tougher to go to the bottom of the ocean than it is to the far side of the moon,' Parazynski said. 'We saw thing that maybe human eyes have never seen before.'

Parazynski was featured on the promotional video for OceanGate Expeditions among other guests and crew members who gushed about the $250,000 experience that descends 12,500ft into the Atlantic Ocean.

Parazynski, who has crewed five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks, joined the Titanic Survey Expedition in 2021

Parazynski said that the experience is a very well engineered and very safe but and the team is very focused on safety first'

Parazynski, who has crewed five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks, earned his Level 1 submersible pilot credentials during his previous work with OceanGate Expeditions and jumped at the chance to journey to the bottom of the sea.

'Every time you take to the sea, you know there's so many things that have to go right,' he said on the video.

'All the electrical systems and navigation systems that have to check out this is a very complex vehicle.'

'It is a very well engineered and very safe but and the team is very focused on safety first,' he continued.

In 1992 he was selected to join NASA's Astronaut Corps and led the first joint US-Russian spacewalk while docked to the Russian space station Mir; serving as Senator John Glenn's crewmate and 'personal physician'; and assembly of the Canadian-built space station robotic arm.
A mother-of-three jailed for illegally procuring her own abortion outside the legal limit is still behind bars today after seeing an application to appeal against her prison sentence rejected.

Carla Foster's case sparked widespread controversy when she was jailed for more than two years earlier this month for taking pills which claimed the life of stillborn Lily.

The 44-year-old, who lived in the Staffordshire village of Barlaston, lied about how advanced her pregnancy was in order to obtain the 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.

Today, lawyers representing Foster submitted an appeal against her 28-month prison sentence, but the application - under the so-called slip rule - was rejected at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Carla Foster's (pictured) case sparked widespread controversy when she was jailed for more than two years earlier this month for taking pills which claimed the life of stillborn Lily

Today, lawyers representing Foster (pictured outside court) submitted an appeal against her 28-month prison sentence, but the application - under the so-called slip rule - was rejected

The slip rule gives courts the power to alter a sentence or order made within 56 days.

The defendant's defence team argued that the sentence did not take into account the length of time for the case to get to court and the absence of any mental health assessment or psychiatric report from 2020.

But the application was thrown out by Mr Justice Pepperall, as the court was told 'two detailed psychiatric reports' had been made available.

The judge said: 'The imprisonment of Carla Foster has sparked a passionate public debate against the law to criminalise late-term abortions.

'My duty was to apply the law as provided by Parliament and sentence in accordance with the guidelines given by the Court of Appeal.

'I was aware of the fact that this matter had been hanging over her since May 2020 and I took the delay into account together with all the other aggravating and mitigating factors in this case in determining the appropriate sentence after trial was three years, rather than five years, imposed by the Court of Appeal in R V Catt.

'As it happens, the delay was similar in Catt. I conclude there are no proper grounds for re-considering sentence and I dismiss the application.'

Foster's lawyers still have the option to take the case to the Court of Appeal following today's decision.

The application was made at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court (pictured) this morning

Foster posted this message on Facebook at 3am, just hours before she was jailed

Foster posted this message on Facebook at 7pm, the day before her sentencing

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.

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

Despite a plea for leniency from medical bodies and charities which wrote to the judge, she was jailed for two years and four months earlier this month.

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, 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 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.

The court heard that Foster had been having sex with two men and did not know which was the father when she became pregnant.

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'.
Britain's Royal Air Force scrambled fighter jets last night to intercept Russian military aircraft seen flying close to NATO air space, officials have said.

RAF Typhoons currently based in Estonia were sent up to meet a Russian Navy Tupolev Tu-134 and two Sukhoi Su-27 flankers.

The British air force shared photos on Twitter of the Typhoons making the interception, flying along-side the larger Tu-134 with 'Baltic Fleet' written on the side.

'This evening, RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and 2x Su-27 'FLANKER' Bs flying close to NATO airspace,' the RAF said in the post on the social media platform.

'The Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control agencies,' it added.

Britain's Royal Air Force scrambled fighter jets last night to intercept a Russian navy aircraft seen flying close to NATO air space (pictured), officials have said

RAF Typhoons (right) currently based in Estonia were sent up to meet a Russian Navy Tupolev Tu-134 (left) and two Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets in the skies near Estonia

The intervention is the latest in a string of incidents where Moscow's jets have strayed close to NATO air space since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine last year.

A near-identical incident happened on Friday, which saw RAF Typhoons intercept a Russian Air Force IL-20 COOT A and two SU-27 near Estonian airspace.

Moscow's jets 'failed to comply with international norms' then as well, the RAF said.

Estonia, a former Soviet state, borders Russia and is one of the 31 members of NATO, and has been one of Ukraine's most staunch backers since Russia invaded.

The RAF has sprung into action on a number of occasions since the war in Ukraine began in order to deter Russian aircraft from breaching NATO airspace.

On June 9, British jets were scrambled for a second time in 24 hour when Typhoons intercepted an Antonov An-12 Cub and an Antonov An-72 Coaler that were flying south from mainland Russia towards the Kaliningrad Oblast.

The same fighters were then re-tasked to intercept two Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bombers and two Su-30SM Flanker H fighters that were detected flying from mainland Russia over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea, the RAF said.

And this came after RAF Typhoons and Swedish Air Force Gripens were scrambled to intercept a Russian Air Force IL-20 Coot A and a Su-27 Flanker on June 8. The Russian jets were flying near Swedish airspace on this occasion.

In a sign of tensions in the airspace around Ukraine, it was revealed earlier this year that a Russian fighter jet attempted to shoot down a manned RAF jet over the Black Sea, in what could have amounted to an act of war.

The intervention from the RAF jets comes just days after a near-identical incident, in which RAF Typhoons intercepted Russian Air Force IL-20 COOT A and two SU-27 on Friday near Estonian airspace (pictured)

Fortunately, the missile malfunctioned in an incident US defence officials today revealed was far more serious than first thought.

READ MORE: Zelensky urges NATO to recognise 'reality' that Ukraine should be a member of the military alliance at London conference Advertisement

The blundering Su-27 pilot mistakenly believed a radar operator on the ground had given him permission to fire on the British jet and take it down on September 29.

The Russian jet locked on the RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft and let rip - but its deadly missile failed to launch properly and missed. Previously it was believed the missile was launched by accident - not a deliberate act of war.

Wednesday's interception came as Western allies gathered in London and promised to make Russia pay for its invasion of Ukraine, as governments and private investors met to fund the country's reconstruction from the ravages of war.

The World Bank has put an estimate of $14 billion on Ukraine's immediate needs for repairing the damage caused by the bitter fighting.

But a recent study by the World Bank, the UN, the European Union and the Ukrainian government said the wider recovery of the economy would cost $441 billion.

'Let's be clear: Russia is causing Ukraine's destruction,' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told delegates at the London conference.

'And Russia will eventually bear the cost of Ukraine's reconstruction,' he added.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak voiced a similar message, promising to keep tough sanctions in place 'until Russia pays up', and use seized assets to get Ukraine back on its feet.

In the conflict overnight, Russia said it had downed three Ukrainian drones in the Moscow region, while Ukraine said its air defence systems had shot down six Iranian-designed attack drones in the west.

The conference comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky oversees a military fight-back by his troops using Western-supplied heavy weaponry to regain territory lost to Russian forces since last year.

'Every day of Russian aggression brings new ruins, thousands and thousands of destroyed houses, devastated industries, burnt lives,' Zelensky told the London delegates by videolink.

But he set out his stall for future investment in Ukraine, saying that despite the devastation, the country was ripe for development in sectors from technology and green agriculture to clean energy.

International help for Ukraine would send a strong message to the world for generations to come, he said.

'Also, the world is watching to see if we will restore normal life in such a way that our transformation will land an ideological defeat on the aggressor.

'We protect Ukraine, and thus we protect freedom. And when we build Ukraine, we'll build freedom.'

Wednesday's interception came as Western allies gathered in London and promised to make Russia pay for its invasion of Ukraine, as governments and private investors met to fund the country's reconstruction from the ravages of war

Leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries are attending the International Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 - the second to be held since the Russian invasion in February last year.

The first, in Lugano, Switzerland, in July last year saw Kyiv's allies commit to supporting Ukraine through what is expected to be an eye-wateringly expensive and decades-long recovery.

African countries, though, have voiced concern that by pumping aid to Ukraine, the West is backing off from its pledges to help the continent with development and fight climate change.

Sunak told delegates that Kyiv's allies would support Ukraine 'on the battlefield and beyond' for as long as it takes.
A woman from Essex has been crowned owner of the UK's messiest car in a competition which has seen people across the country send in snaps of their cluttered vehicle interiors.

Lindy Winship, 60, described her car as a 'graveyard' as she took the top spot with photos inside her Saab estate, with rubbish piled so high she cannot take any passengers.

Vehicle service provider ATS Euromaster awarded Lindy a 200 Amazon voucher after organising the contest, which closed on June 11.

Ms Winship's vehicle contains clutter that is piled so high she is unable to ever take anyone else inside, instead driving around her collection of clothes, tools, a broom and even what appears to be a discarded computer keyboard.

Other entries showed piles of discarded food wrappings, crumpled receipts and personal belongings.

Competition winner Lindy Winship, 60, from Manningtree, Essex shared this photo of her Saab Estate

Rachel, 38, from Longridge, Scotland shared the state of her Hyundai i30

Lindy joked that her and her husband always thought the car could win the 'untidiest car in Britain'...

Speaking about her car, Lindy said: 'She is affectively known as the graveyard as she's used as a general run around and a mobile tip!

'Whatever needs clearing up or has been carried somewhere to clean up or repair around the farm, it all gets thrown in her.

'My husband even has all the bad snacks and drinks in there too.

'When my husband loses tools, I always say it's probably in the graveyard, so a frantic search begins for a much-needed tool, which creates more mess!

'Apparently, everything in her comes in handy at some point.

'It's a mammoth task to clean her, and I have to give my husband a days' notice at least!'

Other cars in the competition were seen to contain Amazon parcels, a huge pile of used facemasks, children's toys and blankets.

Helen, 48 from Scarborough, North Yorkshire revealed the mess in her Kia Sportage, mainly made up of discarded food wrappings

Mel, 57, from Benfleet, Essex's Ford Fiesta contains parcels, empty boxes and shopping

Alison, 56, from Harleston, Norfolk, has a huge pile of used facemasks in her Toyota Yaris

Satvinder, 42, from Leicester showed how the footwell of his Honda Jazz is used to store rubbish

Rachel, 38, from Malmesbury, Wiltshire sent a photo of the dirt and rubbish in her BMW 320D

Angus, 21, from Dundee had empty bottles, coffee cups and wrappings in his Ford Fiesta

The competition was designed to raise awareness of the risks of having a dirty vehicle, which can lead to MOT failure or even a fine if police officers consider a driver's view to be inhibited.

Whilst there is no specific fine for having a messy car interior, too much litter could see you slapped with a penalty and three penalty points if you are found to be driving without due care and attention.

Paul Maynard, Technical Training Manager from ATS Euromaster commented: 'Many drivers will admit that their cars aren't squeaky clean, and it can be easy for them to build up with clutter.

'The messiest car competition highlighted the state of many drivers' cars, and hopefully made them think about the dangers it could create.

'As well as potentially obscuring a driver's view out of windows or mirrors, if the driver needs to brake sharply the loose items could move forward and possibly interfere with the vehicle pedals and steering.

'A messy interior can be classed as dangerous driving, and results in a 100 fine.

'Having an excessive mess of any sort can also cause MOT failure.

'If your car is really dirty, technicians can refuse to even conduct the MOT at all due to the tester not being able to assess testable items due to customer property within the vehicle.'
The family of the missing Titan sub tourists, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, have gathered above the water where the vessel was last seen as oxygen levels continue to diminish onboard.

Operated by OceanGate Expeditions, the sub has been underwater since Sunday with five onboard, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, a French navy veteran and the UK-based businessman and his son.

A family source in Karachi, Pakistani, where Mr Dawood is from, released a new picture of the father and son to MailOnline and said: 'I can tell you that Mrs Dawood and her daughter are currently in the search area at the moment and will remain there for as long as they can.

'Naturally this is a very tough time for the family and they're not coping at all well with the situation, they are drawing strength from each other and hoping and praying for the best.

'The messages of support they are getting from all around the world are also keeping them positive and they are grateful for everyone's kind thoughts and wishes.

Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood is one of five passengers onboard the OceanGate Titan sub

Suleman Dawood, 19, is the youngest passenger on the missing sub, which was last seen on Sunday

Timeline (British Summer Time) of the search for the Ocean Gate submersible, if Titan has lost its power the crew will be in complete darkness facing temperatures of 3C

'It's not clear what it was that made Mr Dawood want to go and visit the Titanic with his son, but he is driven by a passion of exploration, and I understand this was something that had been planned for some time.'

This afternoon, the sister of the businessman said the family's 'sole focus' is on their rescue, as the sub is believed to have less than 20 hours of oxygen left.

In a statement, Sabrina Dawood added: 'May Shahzada and Suleman return to us safe and sound. We are sure they would be as moved as we are by the support of the global community during this period of difficulty.'

At a press conference this evening, US Coastguard Captain Jamie Frederick insisted there is still hope for the five missing crew members, despite dwindling oxygen supplies.

'We have to remain optimistic and hopeful when we are in a search and rescue case.

'If we continue to search, potentially we could be at that point... And that's a discussion we will have with the families long before I am going to discuss here publicly.'

Search and rescue teams are racing against time as they scour an area where noises were detected for the missing Titan sub, with experts saying they are continuing to analyse the sounds which were heard as recently as this morning.

Experts earlier warned however that the underwater sounds were not necessarily 'banging', as was previously suggested, and said that were concerned about speculation that they were human-made and may have come from the sub.

Regarding the noises, which were first detected yesterday and heard again today, Capt Frederick admitted: 'We don't know what they are, to be frank with you... The good news is that we are searching in the area where the noises were detected'.

'Sometimes, we don't find what we are looking for and you have to carefully consider all of the factors and make a tough decision but we are not there yet,' he said.

As time runs out, more equipment is expected to arrive as late as tomorrow morning, including more remote operated vehicles (ROV) to detect noise as planes continue to scour the ocean from above.

The search area has now expanded to around 14,000 square miles - twice the size of the state of Connecticut - and equipment in the sub-surface search is currently only able to reach depths of about 13,000 feet.

Sulaiman Dawood, 19, who is missing on board the sub is pictured with his mother Christine

Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine) is a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity

Five people are onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding

A French ship carrying an underwater vehicle capable of rescuing the Titan five was today racing towards Newfoundland but will not get there until midnight UK time - leaving less than 12 hours to find the stricken sub before the oxygen runs out.

Hopes of finding the sub - which disappeared on Sunday while descending 12,500ft to the wreck of the Titanic - rest on the Victor 6000, which can reach depths of 20,000ft.

But rescuers face a battle against time, with US Coast Guards estimating the sub may have less than 20 hours of oxygen left. An expert said those inside would be trying to minimise their breathing to preserve the remaining supplies.

The Victor 6000 ROV may be able to fix a cable onto the sub before it is hauled to the surface by the Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, a specialist winch which in 2021 managed to rescue a helicopter from 19,075ft deep.

A team from France is expected to arrive in Canada on Wednesday to operate a remotely operated robot and a submarine (pictured) which are deployed from the Atalante ship

The ROV is onboard the French-flagged ship Atalante, which is owned by the Ifremer ocean research institute and is currently in the north-west Atlantic travelling at 11.6kn (13mph), according to a marine tracker.

A second ROV that can dive down to 19,000ft, the Odysseus 6K, is owned by US-based Pelagic Research Services (PRS). Today, PRS said it had sent the vehicle to assist. An airport official told a US news website that the vehicle had landed in Newfoundland on a plane - but it is not clear if it will reach the rescue site on time.

A third ROV that can reach the required depth, the CURV-21, has not been dispatched by its owners, the US Navy.

Today, the US Coast Guard released a photo of the area where the sub is believed to be located showing the pipe-laying ship Deep Energy, which has joined the search. While it also has ROVs onboard they only operate at a maximum depth of 3,000 metres (9,842 feet).

The Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Glace Bay, which has a six-person hyperbaric recompression chamber, is also on its way to the site but is not expected to arrive until midday tomorrow, CBC reports.

Banging noises have been detected in the rescue area every 30 minutes by a Canadian plane with underwater sonar capabilities. This has led to fresh hope that the crew of the Titan vessel are still alive, and are deliberately making noises against the hull.

This image shared by the US Coast Guard is the first from the search site, some 900 miles off the coast of the US. It shows Deep Energy - a pipe-laying ship that has joined the hunt

The ROV is onboard the French-flagged ship Atalante, which is owned by the Ifremer ocean research institute and is currently in the north-west Atlantic

Last known sighting: The Titan was pictured just before it embarked on the dive into the Atlantic Ocean to view the wreck of the Titanic

Who is in the rescue fleet? Ships known to either be on the way or already on site are: Polar Prince Deep Energy Atlantic Merlin Skandi Vinland L'Atalante Horizon Arctic Glace Bay John Cabot Ann Harvey Terry Fox Advertisement

Oceanographer David Gallo said that hitting the side of the sub to try and alert rescuers was something one of those trapped inside - diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet - 'would certainly do'.

Speaking to CNN, he said: 'One of the wonders I have is: did [searchers] make any signal back, acoustically, to signal to the sub that we hear their signal? Sound carries very easily through the ocean  you would hear it in the sub for sure.'

But former rear admiral Chris Parry warned this may be emanating from the Titanic itself, which 'makes a lot of noise'.

READ MORE - Scary animation shows how deep missing Titanic sub could be Advertisement

Today, John Mauger of the US coastguard - which is the leading the search  said the underwater noises are a 'target' of the operation but said the source of the sound is unknown.

Joe MacInnis, a doctor and renowned diver who's made two trips to the Titanic wreck, said those inside the sub would be trying to minimise their breathing to preserve oxygen.
Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard member accused of leaking highly classified military documents on a social media platform, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal felony charges.

Teixeira, 21, entered the pleas during a hearing in Worcester's federal court days after he was indicted by a grand jury on six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information.

Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Handcuffed and wearing orange jail garb, Teixeira smiled at family seated in the gallery at the start of the hearing.

He stood at the defense table next to his lawyers and leaned over to say 'not guilty, your honor' into the microphone after the judge read each count.

FILE - In this artist depiction, Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, seated second from right, appears in U.S. District Court, in Boston, April 19, 2023. Teixeira, accused of leaking highly classified military documents on a social media platform, is due back in court on June 21, after being indicted on federal felony charges. (Margaret Small via AP)

Jack Teixeira, 21, the suspected Pentagon leaker, has been ordered to remain in jail as he awaits trial on charges he violated the Espionage Act

The judge also denied a defense request to reconsider his detention order.

Teixeira, of North Dighton, has been behind bars since his April arrest on charges stemming from the most consequential intelligence leak in years.

A magistrate judge ruled last month that Teixeira must remain in jail while the case plays out, saying that releasing him would pose a risk that he would attempt to flee the country or obstruct justice.

The leak left the Biden administration scrambling to assess and contain the damage and reassure allies that its secrets are safe with the U.S.

Teixeira's family said in a statement Wednesday that they 'remain committed as ever' to supporting him.

'The important thing is Jack will now have his day in court,' they said. 'We are hopeful that Jack will be getting the fair and just treatment he deserves.'

Teixeiras attorney has said his client 'will answer the charges' and 'will be judged by his fellow citizens.'

In pushing for his release, Teixeira's attorneys argued that the government is not alleging Teixeira ever intended that the information be widely disseminated.

Jack Michael Teixeira arrives for the detention hearing for his son Teixeira on Friday

These are two of the leaked documents which have been shared by the New York Times

Teixeira posted the treasure trove of top secret files under his online user name 'Jack the Dripper' for months before the leak was uncovered.

He worked as a junior cyber security specialist in the intelligence unit based at the Otis Air National Guard Base in western Cape Cod.

He posted about guns, games and top secret US government information but some of his fellow chatroom members reported his activities to investigators.

It is alleged that the 21-year-old used his government computer to search classified intelligence reporting for the word 'leak' on April 6.

That was the day when the first stories broke about the huge security breach.

Prosecutors claim he searched the term to establish whether US intelligence had information on the identity of the person behind the leaks.

He was identified as the ringleader of a chatroom, known as Thug Shaker Central, on Discord.

Authorities say Teixeira, who enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2019, began around January sharing military secrets with other Discord users - first by typing out classified documents and then sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings.

FILE - This artist depiction shows Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, right, appearing in U.S. District Court in Boston, April 14, 2023. Teixeira has been indicted on federal felony charges. The Justice Department says Teixeira faces six counts in the indictment of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. (Margaret Small via AP, File)

Prosecutors say he continued to leak government secrets even after he was warned by superiors about mishandling and improper viewing of classified information.

Justice Department lawyers revealed in earlier court filings that Teixeira had a history of disturbing online remarks.

He wrote in November that he would 'kill a (expletive) ton of people' if he had his way, because it would be 'culling the weak minded.'

He also used his government computer in July to look up mass shootings, searching terms such as 'Mandalay Bay shooting' and 'Uvalde,' prosecutors said.

Authorities have provided few details about an alleged possible motive, but accounts of those in the online private chat group where the documents were disclosed have depicted Teixeira as motivated more by bravado than ideology.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement last week that Teixeira was entrusted with information 'that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if shared.'
Dozens of migrants have been arrived at Dover this morning after trying to sail across the Channel, bringing to total number to illegally reach the UK to almost 10,200 this year.

'Almost 100' illegal immigrants were escorted by UK Border Force officials into the Kent port today, a witness said, taking this year's provisional total to 10,188.

The numbers are slightly down on the same period last year, which saw a record-breaking total of 45,755 crossings throughout 2022.

Border Force vessel Defender brought the latest batch of asylum seekers into the port, as Britain experienced its longest day today after weeks of soaring temperatures.

Photos of the arrivals appeared to show a group made up mostly of younger males, wearing red life jackets.

Up to 50 illegal migrants were escorted by UK Border Force officials into the Kent port today, a witness said, taking the provisional total to 10,188

The numbers are slightly down on the same period last year, which saw a record-breaking total of 45,755 crossings throughout 2022. Pictured are migrants arriving this morning

Pictured is the provisional number of migrants to have arrived in the UK in 2023

A witness said slightly choppy conditions in the Channel had meant only a handful of migrants arrived today.

It was a change from earlier in the month, which has seen crossings picking up following a quiet spell, with 2,529 people reported to have arrived between June 10 and 17.

Over the weekend, 707 people were detected making the treacherous crossing from France in 14 boats, the Ministry of Defence said.

However, poor weather at the start of the week has seen the numbers arriving into the UK dip slightly, with only 46 people making the journey on Monday and none yesterday.

However, the total number of crossings so far this year remains below the equivalent number at this point last year.

More than 11,300 crossings had been detected by June 17 2022 - over 1,000 higher than the 10,188 detected so far in 2023.

It comes after it was revealed that the Home Office and French government are to join forces to launch a surveillance plane which will fly over the English Channel 24/7 to catch people smugglers.

The move, designed to cut the overall numbers of migrants and vulnerable asylum seekers from crossing the Channel on small boats, is being seen as the 'final piece in the puzzle' to cut crossings.

Dozens of migrants were pictured being brought into Dover today, just days after more than 200 were intercepted trying to cross the Channel by Border Force officials

The migrants were taken into Dover on the Border Force vessel Defender today (pictured)

Nearly 10,000 have already made the dangerous crossing in small boats this year, on top of more than 45,000 who made the journey in 2022

The news comes after the French Interior Minister told RFI on Thursday: 'We are guarding the border for the British people. Therefore you would expect to receive thanks rather than complaints.'

READ MORE: Home Office to fly 24/7 surveillance plane over English Channel to catch migrant smugglers Advertisement

The plane is said to be capable of flying in all weathers, meaning it will not be affected by conditions which affect drones currently employed in similar roles, which cannot be flown in heavy cloud cover.

It is hoped the plane will improve the ability of French and English authorities to prosecute people smugglers due to its capability to film crossings for evidence in potential legal action.

It will also improve authorities' ability to track boats making the dangerous crossing.

Meanwhile, an investigation has revealed how Albanian migrants who have entered the UK illegally are paying smugglers up to 30,000 to be provided with fake families.

The migrants are being offered sham marriages over TikTok by gangs who have recruited British or EU single mothers and their children.

The investigation found TikTok videos are being targeted at prisoners attempting to fight deportation from the UK as well as those who have entered the country illegally.

Migrants were brought to shore in Dover earlier this week after being picked up by Border Force

The latest TikTok scam comes after it was revealed Albanian gangs had launched an advertising blitz offering stowaway trips to migrants trying to come to the UK as well as channel crossings.

More than a quarter of the 45,755 people who crossed the Channel in small boats last year came from Albania.

The Telegraph reported that one TikTok account was posting clips offering to act as a middle-man to link migrants with the gang's recruited mothers.

The account, created on May 10, also reportedly offered the service of finding guarantors who would provide fake UK addresses.

These services could help an illegal migrant receive an immigration bail, something they can only currently do if they have a place to live in the UK.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system.

'Our priority is to stop the boats, and our Small Boats Operational Command is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.

'The government has gone further by introducing legislation which will ensure that those people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.'
Three people have been injured after a large marquee collapsed in a park.

The 410ft-long, 165ft-wide structure was being dismantled by technicians when it came crashing down at about 9am today.

A witness described hearing a 'man's screams for help' after the marquee 'suddenly' collapsed with a loud 'bang' in Southampton.

'Several workers ran out of the way,' the witness told the Daily Echo newspaper. 'Then I saw a man lying on his side crying out and several people ran over.'

The temporary structure had featured at the Seawork-Marine Civil exhibition in Mayflower Park last week. The cause of the collapse is unclear but an investigation has now been launched.

The vast 410ft-long, 165ft-wide structure was being dismantled by technicians when in Mayflower Park, Southampton, when it came crashing down (pictured)

Three people were hurt during the collapse this morning. Pictured are emergency services at the scene

An investigation has now been launched following the structure's collapse. Pictured is a map showing the location of the incident, in Southampton

Witnesses to the marquee collapse that injured three people have reacted to the accident, calling it 'scary'.

Sahar Hamidy, a worker at Kuti's Brasserie next to the park, saw the aftermath of the incident. She said: 'My son works for the company, and he's only 21. This makes me really worried for him. It's scary.'

A worker at the Holiday Inn, which overlooks the park, was on the front desk when he heard a 'loud noise'.

He said: 'I was working and heard a really loud noise, and I ran over there to see what had happened. I couldn't see anything.

'I hope no one was injured badly. The metal looks heavy.'

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service added: 'Two of those patients were treated and discharged at the scene and the third was taken to University Hospital Southampton for further treatment.'

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said it had been alerted to the incident at about 8.30am, with four crews being mobilised.

Firefighters provided immediate care to the casualties before they were handed over to paramedics.

A spokeswoman for the fire service added: 'No persons were trapped beneath the structure, but three casualties did suffer minor injuries.'

The marquee, called Alu Hall, is owned by contractors Neptunus. The company has since launched an investigation into the incident.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'The Alu Hall has an impeccable safety record and is one of the most popular structures in our range.

A witness described hearing a 'man's screams for help' after the marquee 'suddenly' collapsed with a loud 'bang'. Pictured is the entrance to the park

The temporary structure had featured at the last week's Seawork-Marine Civil exhibition between June 13 and 15

'It has been extensively and successfully used at hundreds of global events and exhibitions over the years.

'Technicians were in the dismantling process when the collapse occurred. An investigation is now underway to determine the cause.'

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident.
More underwater 'banging' sounds were detected this morning in the search for the missing Titanic submersible, but the US Navy cannot yet conclude whether they are coming from the stranded vessel.

The Titan, a tourist vessel operated by OceanGate Expeditions, has been underwater since 8am on Sunday with five people on board. It lost contact with its expedition ship, the Polar Prince, at 9.45am but was not reported as missing to the Coast Guard until 5.40pm.

Since then, there has been a frantic, multi-nation effort to find it and rescue the five men trapped inside.

According to OceanGate's website, the Titan can provide up to 96 hours of oxygen, which theoretically runs out on Thursday morning.

A glimmer of hope came yesterday when it was reported that a Canadian P3 search aircraft had detected sounds coming from underwater.

At a press conference on Wednesday, US Coast Guard First District response coordinator Jamie Frederick confirmed more of the sounds were heard again today.

At a press conference on Wednesday, US Coast Guard First District response coordinator Jamie Frederick confirmed more of the sounds were heard again today

Ten ships are on their way to the Titanic wreck site to try to find the missing submersible as its oxygen supply dwindles to just 20 hours

As the search for the missing Titan submersible reaches its desperate final hours, some of the world's most advanced underwater search equipment has been deployed to scour the depths of the Atlantic

He would not confirm that they were 30 minutes apart, as had been reported, nor did he describe them as being an SOS signal, as others had claimed.

However Frederick said the sounds and the ongoing search meant there was still reason 'for hope'.

'Several flights heard noises yesterday... the P-3 heard noises today as well. We don't know what the noises are, to be frank with you... they have been described as banging noises but they are inconclusive.

'The good news is we are searching in the area where the noises were detected,' he said.

The search area has now expanded to around 14,000 square miles - twice the size of the state of Connecticut.

The Coast Guard station in Boston, which is coordinating the search for the missing sub

The sounds that were heard are now being analyzed by a team of Navy experts.

'The noises are very complex and in the ocean, you need to be in acoustic analysis and have context. They have been described as banging noises, but they have to put the whole picture together and eliminate manmade noise sources other than the Titan.

'The most important thing is we are searching in the area of the sounds,' he said.

The only remote-operated vessels that are there today and searching have a depth limit of 13,000ft. The Titanic is buried at 12,500ft deep.

Frederick said there was still reason to hope for a successful rescue.

'This is a search and rescue mission, 100 percent. We are smack dab in the middle of search and rescue.

'Sometimes, we don't find what we are looking for and you have to carefully consider all of the factors and make a tough decision but we are not there yet.

'If we continue to search, then potentially we could be at that point, but we are not there yet.

'When you are in the middle of search and rescue, you always have to have hope.'

Frederick also cautioned against referring to OceanGate's 96 hour oxygen limit, which he said was just 'one data point' out of many, and revealed that the crew has 'limited' rations of food and water.

This image shared by the US Coast Guard is the first from the search site, some 900 miles off the coast of the US. It shows Deep Energy, a rescue ship that has deployed remote operated subs to go looking for the Titan underwater

Rescue equipment was seen arriving in St John's, Newfoundland, on US military planes last night

There are currently five surface ships with five more on the way, two underwater remote-operated subs and multiple planes in the air looking for the missing sub.

Boats from France, Canada and the US Navy are racing towards the site carrying the only specialist equipment in the world capable of making the 12,500ft dive to try to find the missing vessel.

The sub lost communications with its operator, OceanGate Expeditions, less than two hours into its dive to the famous shipwreck on Sunday, with five people onboard.

A glimmer of hope lit up the bleak search yesterday when the Coast Guard announced that 'banging' sounds had been detected underwater. It remains unclear if the banging came from the submersible, but it has now become the 'focus' of the mission.

Some experts say the fact the sounds were even detected could suggest that the sub is closer to the surface than initially feared.

Submarine search and rescue expert Frank Owen told the BBC his hopes for a recovery increased 'by some magnitude' when he heard the noises had been detected.

'There's a couple of reasons for that. Firstly, on board this craft is a retired French Navy diver. He would know the protocol for trying to alert searching forces on the hour and the half hour you bang like hell for three minutes.

'Below about 180 meters, the water temperature drops very rapidly.

'That creates a layer that the [sonar signal] bounces off.

'But if you're in the same depth water it tends to go quite straight,' he said.

The Explorers Club, of which Harding was a member and which is heavily involved in the ongoing search, said the banging provided 'cause for hope'.

'We have much greater confidence that there is cause for hope, based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site,' the club said yesterday.

Deep Energy's role is to deploy remote operated subs to dive underwater and try to find the Titan.

So far, they have not yet been able to detect any sign of it or where the banging came from.

French explorer PH Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush are among those trapped on the submersible

Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman are also on board, along with British billionaire Hamish Harding

The Titanic wreckage is 12,500ft underwater - some 11,000ft deeper than many US and British Navy subs can dive

In addition to Deep Energy, eight other vessels are en route to the site that is 900 miles east of Cape Cod and around 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland.

There are multiple C-130 planes and Boeing Poseidon P-8s involved in the search too.

RESCUE VESSELS AT SEARCH SITE Canadian CGS John Cabot Canadian CGS Ann Harvey Canadian CGS Terry Fox Canadian CGS Atlantic Merlin (ROV) Motor Vessel Horizon Arctic Commercial Vessel Skandi Vinland (ROV) French Research Vessel LAtalante (ROV) His Majesty's Canadian Ship Glace Bay (mobile decompression chamber and medical personnel) Bahamian Deep Energy (ROV) AIRCRAFT C-130s Boeing Poseidon P-8 Advertisement

Despite the banging offering fresh hope, the Coast Guard is now cautioning that it may not be the missing crew.

'You have to remember, it's the wreck site of the Titanic. There is a lot of metal and objects in the water.

'That's why it's so important that we've engaged experts from the Navy that understand the science behind noise and give us better information about what the source of that noise may be.

'In the meantime, it's a target - a focus - for us, to look at,' Rear Adm John Mauger said on an appearance on CBS on Wednesday morning.

He added that as long as there is 'an opportunity' for survival, search and rescue crews will continue to look for the sub.

'Over the course of the next 24 hours we're bringing additional vessels and we're going to continue to fly in the air.

'We're going to continue to look,' he said.

The Coast Guard has now searched 10,000 square miles of ocean surface to no avail.

Their primary hope is to find the Titan 'bobbing' on the ocean surface.

In that scenario, it would likely be hoisted onto the His Majesty's Canadian Ship Glace Bay, which is en route, and which has a decompression chamber on board.

If the Titan is stuck underwater, unable to surface, the rescue becomes more complex.

Firstly, the rescue crews will have to find it and direct a hoisting cable 2.5miles underwater.

The US Air Force is on-scene in St John's, Newfoundland, delivering crucial search equipment

Some of the dive equipment was seen arriving in Newfoundland last night. It was then boarded on ships to be taken out to the search site

If they are able to hook a hoist or claw onto the sub, it will have to raise the vessel slowly enough to cooperate with the underwater pressure - 400 times that of sea level.

Once on the surface, the Titan can only be opened from the exterior.

There are growing questions over the safety precautions in place and manufacturing of the 21ft Titan, which some experts likened to a slap-dash can put together haphazardly with cheap parts.

Among those trapped inside it is OceanGate Expeditions CEO, Stockton Rush.

Last year, he boasted in an interview with CBS that the Titan was 'safe'.

He claimed NASA, Boeing and The University of Washington had all signed off on the construction of the submersible, assuring its safety.

Today, NASA and The University of Washington are distancing themselves from the project.

The search is complicated by how far off-shore the Titanic wreckage sits. It is 900 miles east of Cape Cod and 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland in a remote, choppy patch of the Atlantic

A timeline of the missing sub: It lost communications with mothership Polar Prince on Sunday at 9.45am but was not reported to the Coast Guard as missing for another eight hours. It should have resurfaced at 3pm on Sunday

They said in statements to ABC News that they had been consulted, but were not involved in the building or testing of the sub.

In a heartbreaking plea this morning, one of Harding's close friends Jannicke Mikkelsen warned 'we are losing time'.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today program: 'I'm nervous. I'm sick to my stomach with nerves. I'm terrified, I'm anxious. I'm not sleeping at the moment. I'm just hoping for good news. Every single second, every single minute feels like hours.'

Colonel Terry Virts, another friend who dubbed Harding 'the quintessential British explorer', also stressed that 'the clock is ticking' to find the five onboard.

Meanwhile retired British navy rear admiral Chris Parry told LBC that hopes of finding the missing deep-sea vessel without an 'emitting signal' will be 'impossible' to find in the timescale.

Admiral Parry said: 'I'm afraid the odds are vanishingly small. Obviously, we want to remain hopeful and optimistic but there are two problems here  one is actually finding the thing and secondly is how on earth are you going to get it off the seabed?

A view of the interior of the submersible with Stockton Rush, OceanGate CEO, shown right, with the remote controller it relies on for navigation

'It's never been done before and I don't think anybody's got any ideas about how to do it at the moment.'

Scientist Dr Michael Guillen, who 'almost died' when visiting the Titanic wreck in 2000, said that the trapped crew could be using cups to bang on the side of the sub to communicate.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'If their hydrophone failed so early in the mission, less than two hours down which means they never made it to the bottom, the very least they could take their cups and bang it on the side of the sub.

'That's what I would do if I were down there and I am sure that's what the pilot will be telling everybody.

'They have five people, they can make quite a racket by just banging on the side as sound communicates extremely well in water.'

Dr Guillen added that when he heard the news it gave him 'great hope that perhaps they're still alive'.

Another friend of the British billionaire Chris Brown revealed he pulled out of the doomed voyage after becoming concerned about the quality of the technology and materials used in the vessel.

The 61-year-old, who is also an explorer, told BBC Breakfast of the banging sounds: 'That is just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with.'

'There's always hope. As an explorer, you never give up anyway,' he added.

The sounds heard at 30-minute intervals could be coming from those trapped within the submarine intensely banging on the vessel's hull so that is could be picked up by a sonar.

Sonobuoys in the ocean listen to sounds before transmitting the sonar sound energy  this most commonly referred to as a 'ping' that notifies the buoys at the surface.
Relatives' best hope is to file a lawsuit in Washington, where OceanGate is based, as they award partial damages in negligence cases

Lawyers told DailyMail.com that the waiver signed by the passengers would cause an issue for any legal bit

Legal experts say that the anxious families of five men who are currently missing on a Titanic tourist submersible will 'struggle' to file a lawsuit, even if they aren't rescued.

Relatives of those who vanished on the OceanGate vessel may not be able to claim the company was negligent because their loved ones 'knew it was big and serious,' after a waiver mentioned the possibility of dying three times.

The Titan is currently missing with five people on board after it lost communication during the 12,500ft dive below the Atlantic - and is estimated to have around 20 hours of oxygen left.

Los Angeles personal injury attorney Miguel Custodio, co-founder of Custodio and Dubey LLP, told DailyMail.com that the families of the missing would find it difficult to prove their case in court if the incident ends in tragedy.

He said: 'Everyone on board knew this wasn't a vacation or sightseeing, that it was really an exploration into the unknown at one of the deepest points on the planet.

Miguel Custodio says relatives of the missing passengers may not be able to claim the company was negligent because their loved ones 'knew it was big and serious'

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, plus his son Suleman Dawood, 19, are on board

'The price-tag itself is a clear indication that this is something big and serious. The trip itself was dangerous and there was a real possibility that things could go wrong.

'I don't see much recourse for these families in court, or how this waiver could be challenged, unless it's discovered that someone on the ship's crew controlling it was negligent in the way it was being operated and that caused the submersible to be lost.

'If this turns out to be a tragedy, the families might consider pursuing legal remedies under an 'ultrahazardous activity' tort, which would require the activity they were engaged in to be uniquely dangerous and that the defendant's actions were the cause of injury.

'But the best defense to this is to demonstrate that the victims were fully warned and aware of the risks they were taking, which the waiver seems to have made clear.'

Billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai, and Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, plus his son Suleman Dawood, 19, are all on board.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush is also on the vessel, which vanished on Sunday, along with French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet - who is considered the world's leading expert on the Titanic.

However, there is some hope for the family members if they choose to submit legal filings in Washington, where the company is based.

Custodio explained: 'The venue for any lawsuit will also make a difference and OceanGate Expeditions is based in Washington state, one of the few that can award partial damages in negligence cases.

CEO of OceanGate Stockton Rush (left) and billionaire Hamish Harding (right), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai are also on board

Paul-Henry Nargeolet is considered the world's leading expert on the Titanic and is also missing on the sub

The Titanic wreckage is 12,500ft underwater - some 11,000ft deeper than many US and British Navy subs can dive

Rescue equipment was seen arriving in St John's, Newfoundland, on US military planes last night

'So if a negligence claim is filed there, and a jury finds OceanGate and the victims were equally at fault, plaintiffs could still be awarded half of what they sought in a lawsuit.

'OceanGate's CEO is on record saying he especially sought to hire younger people, claiming  as many who see themselves as 'disruptors' do  he wanted a team partly based on who would do things in a new way due to their youth and optimism.

'He seemed to dismiss experience and knowledge of older submariners. This is similar to thinking on the set of 'Rust,' where the idea was 'let's just go with a younger armorer.'

Peter S. Selvin told DailyMail.com that the waiver each passenger signed would also cause problems if any wanted to file a lawsuit

'Was the team ignorant of certain safety concerns or design flaws that an older, experienced engineer would have headed off? Was a video game controller the best choice for a guidance system?

'Statements like that, and allegations made in the former engineer's 2018 lawsuit claiming he was fired for raising safety concerns about design and testing of the submersible, will certainly come into play if this search and rescue becomes search and recovery.

'The waiver could be challenged if it can be found that OceanGate was negligent in the way it was being designed or operated, and that caused the submersible to be lost.'

The waiver states: 'This experimental vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma, or death.'

Since the sub went missing, many former passengers have commented on how rudimentary parts of the vessel appeared  despite signing the form and completing the trip.

Peter S. Selvin, Chair of the Beverly Hills-based business firm Ervin Cohen Jessup's Insurance Coverage and Recovery Department, added that the waiver each passenger signed would also cause problems if any wanted to file a lawsuit.

Selvin told DailyMail.com: 'The principle that generally applies is that a liability waiver is enforceable with two potential caveats: the first being that you cannot exculpate from acts of intentional misconduct.

'A waiver would not be enforced in cases where defendants are involved in reckless, willful activity, but negligence is another thing.

However there is some hope for the family members if they choose to submit legal filings in Washington, where the company is based as they could receive money even if they lose the case

This image shared by the US Coast Guard is the first from the search site, some 900 miles off the coast of the US. It shows Deep Energy, a rescue ship that has deployed remote operated subs to go looking for the Titan underwater

Ten ships are on their way to the Titanic wreck site to try to find the missing submersible as its oxygen supply dwindles to just 20 hours

OceanGate Expeditions offers the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a specially trained crew member safely diving to the Titanic wreckage site

'The second exception, depending on the relevant court jurisdiction, would be laws that void liability waivers 'in connection with ultrahazardous activities.'

'I would certainly think going to the bottom of the ocean in an experimental sub qualifies as an ultrahazardous activity.

'But that is a question of law. In the context of a trial, should the survivors sue the operators of the sub and ask for a jury trial, there would have to be a determination made that this constituted ultrahazardous activity. That decision would fall to the judge.'

The sub lost communications with its operator, OceanGate Expeditions, less than two hours into its dive to the famous shipwreck on Sunday.

A glimmer of hope lit up the bleak search yesterday when the Coast Guard announced that 'banging' sounds had been detected underwater.

It remains unclear if the banging came from the submersible, but it has now become the 'focus' of the mission.

So far ten vessels are en route to the site that is 900 miles east of Cape Cod and around 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland.

There are multiple C-130 planes and Boeing Poseidon P-8s involved in the search too, as the Coast Guard searched 10,000 square miles of ocean surface to no avail.

Their primary hope is to find the Titan 'bobbing' on the ocean surface, as if it is stuck underwater, unable to surface, the rescue becomes more complex.
House Judiciary Committee Republicans are expected to grill Special Counsel John Durham today at a public hearing following the release of his scathing report that found the Department of Justice and the FBI had no basis to launch the Trump-Russia probe.

Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to look into misconduct related to 'Crossfire Hurricane', which investigated now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion allegations. He concluded four years later that the FBI opened the flawed probe 'based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence.'

The House Judiciary Committee led by Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will host Durham in a public setting on Wednesday at 9am.

Republicans are expected to question the special counsel about the specific instances of violations of the law Durham found by FBI officials, reasons for why his team didn't interview agency top brass - including former Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe - and dig deeper into specific Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) abuses.

On Tuesday, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) led by Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, held a closed-door hearing with Durham. The chairman said that 'it was very clear that Durham believes that there was misconduct,' which the committee unpacked in more depth.

Durham - who was appointed by then-Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to look into misconduct related to Crossfire Hurricane - concluded that the FBI opened the probe 'based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence'

Turner and Ranking Member Jim Himes, D-Conn., told reporters following the hearing that there was 'great camaraderie' among Republican and Democrat members of the committee trying to find answers for FBI misconduct.

The members focused questioning on 'what are the solutions, what are the reforms,' they can enact at the Justice Department in the aftermath of the report.

Turner said Durham expressed there are 'still issues that need to be addressed.'

'We have to learn from the mistakes made in these investigations so Americans can have faith in prosecutorial power and their elections,' added Himes.

He added that the report 'did not find politicization' within the agency, but called the instances of 'confirmation bias' detailed by Durham 'bad.'

Judiciary Committee members are expected to dig in on the confirmation bias aspects outlined in the report Wednesday.

Rep. Darin LaHood, who leads the committee's working group on Section 702 of the FISA reform, said the hearing revealed there is more work to be done.

He tweeted that the closed-door hearing 'underscored the essential work Congress and our HPSCI 702 Working Group must do to codify clear guardrails that prevent future FBI abuses and protect the civil liberties of Americans.'

FISA's Section 702 authorization must be completed by the end of 2023. It allows U.S. federal intelligence agencies to conduct targeted searches of foreigners, but sometimes Americans are improperly searched in the process - which Congress wants to fix.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, who sits on the intelligence committee, told DailyMail.com Tuesday that she was going to focus her line of questioning for Durham on 'rooting out the rot' within the Department of Justice.

'This is bombshell - the politicization and the weaponization at all at the highest levels of the FBI and the Department of Justice going after Democrats' top political opponent,' Stefanik said.

Turner told DailyMail.com last week that the committee is working with Durham to identify legislative solutions to fix systemic issues within the Department of Justice.

Turner said that the aspect of Durham's report that he found 'the most disturbing' is that it shows 'wrongdoing in the FBI, in the Department of Justice and concerns with the intelligence community itself.

'I've had personal conversations with John Durham that our goal... is to not only go through his report and the issues that he identifies, but to get his recommendations as to where changes need to occur.'

Turner said it is important to promote solutions currently as the committee is in the process of renewing Section 702 by the end of the year.

He added that another top concern is that the DOJ and FBI used political campaign opposition research 'to politicize government functions to negatively impact an opposition candidate.'

He hopes to work with Durham and the committee to put into place remedies as soon as possible before the next election.

'It's not just an issue of bad people being in powerful positions who corrupted those positions. It's also that our rules and laws need to be changed, so that these mechanisms cannot be used again this way to really harm the American public.'

The hearings come as the FBI is investigating Biden for alleged mishandling of classified documents, and just days after Trump appeared in a Miami court and was arrested on 37 federal counts related to files found at Mar-a-Lago.

Republican senators Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley are also pressing Durham to provide answers about why top FBI officials - including Comey and McCabe - refused to cooperate with his investigation into the agency's opening of the Trump-Russia collusion probe.

Durham issued 2,800 subpoenas, executed 500 search warrants and conducted hundreds of interviews with key officials including Hillary Clinton and her campaign associates, Trump campaign officials and hundreds of involved FBI officials - but notably a few of the FBI's top brass at the time refused to cooperate with Durham's probe.

Durham did not interview James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strozk, Bill Preistap, Kevin Clinesmith - who was convicted by Durham for illegally altering an email - and Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS, which the Republican senators call 'odd.'

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, had confirmed to DailyMail.com that he would be requesting Durham appear before his committee

Durham is set to testify before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on June 20

'As we continue to review the report, we noticed that several high-level former government officials directly involved in Crossfire Hurricane either declined or partially declined to cooperate with your investigation,' Johnson, R-Wis., and Grassley, R-Iowa, wrote to Durham in a letter last month.

The senators point to a footnote in the report that stated 'some personnel' in the FBI's Counterintelligence Division 'refused to cooperate' with the investigation.

FBI leadership intervened to 'urge those individuals to agree to be interviewed,' the report also notes.

'It seems odd that individuals would be allowed to avoid fully cooperating with your office, particularly given your authority to compel testimony and records,' they write.

The Republicans are pressing Durham to provide information on whether Durham issued subpoenas to those specific individuals and whether DOJ 'impeded' any of his office's investigative practices.

Although Durham's report does not recommend any 'wholesale changes' in guidelines or policies of the Department of Justice, it says there is a 'continuing need' for the agencies to recognize the lack of 'analytical rigor' and apparent 'confirmation bias.'

The FBI responded to the report in a statement to DailyMail.com saying that there are 'corrective actions' in place now that would have prevented 'missteps in 2016.'

'The conduct in 2016 and 2017 that Special Counsel Durham examined was the reason that current FBI leadership already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time,' the FBI told DailyMail.com.

'Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented. This report reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect.'
A drunken RAF officer horrified staff at a boozy summer ball by 'putting his testicles on the bar' before he allegedly sexually assaulted a female officer by grabbing her bottom, a court martial has heard.

The alleged victim told Bulford Military Court that male officers groping women was a 'culture that's not going away'.

The trial heard that Flight Lieutenant Richard Aldridge had disgraced himself when the mess ball held at MoD Boscombe Down near Amesbury was in 'full swing'.

A bar worker told the court that they had herself and the officer had been having a conversation when the Lieutenant approached them.

After hearing the women behind the bar moaning about behaviour at previous mess events, he allegedly decided to cup his testicles at the top of the bar.

The trial heard that Flight Lieutenant Richard Aldridge had disgraced himself when the mess ball held at MoD Boscombe Down near Amesbury was in 'full swing'

The bar worker said: ''At a previous function, an officer had done something - two weeks before, an officer was up on the table doing the helicopter with his penis.

'I saw him up on the bar holding the underneath of himself. His genitals were out of his clothes. He had one leg up on the floor and one up. He then got down and went off.'

Later in the night, the open-shirted and 'mumbling' officer was said to have approached the female colleague and hugged her, before grabbing one of her buttocks.

The bar worker said he was later seen being carried off to his room by another officer.

Captain Rebecca Slee, prosecuting, told the court martial the function had kicked off and was in full swing when he arrived at the bar.

She said: '[Two women] were working behind the bar. They had talked about previous incidents of exposure, and said they hoped nothing like that would happen tonight.

'Flt Lt Aldridge was at the bar and overheard the conversation. He then exposed his testicles and put them on the bar.'

The bar worker added that he was later seen being carried off to his room by another officer.

Flt Lt Aldridge - who was with his girlfriend that night - denies one count of sexual assault and one of exposure, claiming neither incident happened

Giving evidence, the woman - a civilian worker - told the court her recollection of the evening: 'There was a conversation between me and a colleague about previous functions and what people get up to.

'[Flt Lt Aldridge] put his testicles in his hand and at the top of the bar "I said 'that's inappropriate, put them away". He was laughing.'

A female RAF colleague was at the bar when Flt Lt Aldridge approached her, and allegedly assaulted her.

Cpt Slee said: 'She was at the bar and saw Flt Lt Aldridge. He then gave her a hug.

'He reached forward and grabbed the side of her bum. She stepped away and left.'

In a police interview shown to the court, the woman said: 'We were at the bar, both ordering a drink.

'He was mumbling and not making any sense... his shirt was open almost to the bottom.

'He looked confused and very drunk. He reached forward and grabbed the underside of my bum. [Flt Lt Aldridge] texted me the next day apologising. It's a culture that's not going away. There's an attitude that it's easy to get away with it.'

Neither of the women can be named for legal reasons.

Flt Lt Aldridge - who was with his girlfriend that night - denies one count of sexual assault and one of exposure, claiming neither incident happened.

The trial continues.
China has demanded Britain hand over the Falkland Islands to Argentina and called on countries to abandon 'colonial thinking'  all while Beijing continues to threaten Taiwan with an invasion.

The Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Geng Shuang accused the UK of playing 'power politics' by keeping The Falklands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, under British rule.

The Falklands were the subject of a short but brutal war after Argentina invaded in 1982. Britain drove out the invaders after dispatching a naval armada, but the issue has never been considered settled in Buenos Aires.

'The issue of the Malvinas Islands is a historical legacy of colonialism,' Mr Shuang said, according to South China Morning Post. 'Although the colonial era has passed, hegemonism and power politics that are in line with colonial thinking still exist today.'

Failing to mention that China has threatened to annex Taiwan by force if the island's government does not to submit to Beijing's demands, Mr Shuang said colonial thinking has a 'serious impact' on international relations.

He added that it also 'seriously damages' the sovereignty, security and development interests of the countries involved. 'The international community must remain highly vigilant and resolutely resist this', he said.

The UK-ruled Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Spanish, were the subject of a short but brutal war after Argentina invaded in 1982. Britain drove out the invading force after dispatching a naval armada. Pictured: British troops patrol the Falkland Islands last year

Pictured: The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon observing the Chinese PLA Navy vessel Luyang III (top) while on a transit through the Taiwan Strait with the Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Montreal on June 3

Mr Shuang made the comments yesterday during a special committee meeting on decolonisation, which adopted a resolution calling on the UK and Argentina to resume negotiations over the Falkland Islands after talks shut down earlier this year.

In March, Argentina furiously accused Britain of ignoring international law after it ripped up a co-operation pact with the UK and demanded new talks over the sovereignty of the South Atlantic archipelago.

But in response, Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said at the time 'the Falkland Islands are British'.

Argentina believes the Falklands were illegally taken from it in 1833 and invaded the British colony in 1982. The United Kingdom sent troops and Argentina lost the two-month war for the archipelago in a conflict that claimed the lives of 649 Argentines and 255 British soldiers.

Argentina still claims the islands while Britain says the Falklands are a self-governing entity under its protection. A 2013 referendum there resulted in a 99.8 per cent vote to remain British.

During the UN Committee meeting yesterday, Mr Shuang said China 'firmly supported' Argentina's claim over the islands and called for the UK to hand over the Falklands.

'We urge the UK... to avoid measures that may aggravate tension and confrontation, and at the same time actively respond to Argentina's request to resume dialogue and negotiations,' he said.

The speech parroted the same lines pushed out by Beijing that the US and Western nations are trying to maintain their dominance in the South China Sea when they push back against China's military presence there.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing on Monday

In 1982, the Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentine forces who were beat back in a ten-week war ordered by Margaret Thatcher. The islands were returned to British control. Pictured: British soldiers hoisting the flag after the war

In recent months, China has been ramping up its military presence in the South China Sea and President Xi Jinping said in November that Beijing will focus on preparing for war.

There are fears that China will invade Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. Xi has vowed to 'reunify' the self-governing island with the mainland of China, calling it the 'great trend of history'.

China has increasingly spoken out in favour of Argentina gaining control over the Falkland Islands  and against colonisation  on the world stage. Experts say this is because Beijing wants to challenge what it sees as Western hegemony.

In February last year, Xi and his Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez issued a joint statement which said that China 'reaffirms its support for Argentina's demand for the full exercise of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands'.

The joint statement also said Argentina 'reaffirms its adherence to the one-China principle,' a reference to China's claim to Taiwan.

Argentina claims it acquired the Falklands from Spain in 1816 before Britain asserted its rule.

In 1982, the archipelago was invaded by Argentine forces who beaten in a ten-week war ordered by Margaret Thatcher and the islands were returned to British control.

During fierce fighting on land, in the air and at sea, a total of seven British ships were lost, including the Sir Galahad, HMS Coventry and HMS Sheffield, which was struck by an Exocet anti-ship missile.
An earlier indictment had revealed the sickening language used by Griffin including messages that said every woman has a 'wanton w**re at her core'.

A former CNN producer has been sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to luring a 9-year-old girl into illegal sexual acts.

John Griffin had pleaded guilty in federal court last December to using interstate commerce to entice and coerce the girl to engage in sexual activity at his Vermont ski house.

Griffin, who previously worked for CNN for nearly eight years, had paid $3,350 to Heather Carriker to fly with her child from Nevada to Boston in the Summer of 2020.

After Griffin picked the pair up in Boston, Carriker and the then nine-year-old travelled to his ski cabin in Ludlow, Vermont, more than 140 miles away.

It was here that Griffin sexually assaulted the young girl and was 'directed to engage in unlawful sexual activity' according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Griffin had originally pleaded not guilty but accepted a plea deal and had been sentenced to serve 19 years in prison

Carriker, pictured here, was arrested by police in Henderson, Nevada, on counts of child abuse, sexual assault of a child in connection with the case in 2021

After Griffin picked the pair up, Carriker and her daughter travelled with him to this ski cabin in Ludlow, Vermont, more than 140 miles away

Federal prosecutors said that Griffin had found them online through Kik and Google Hangouts.

Griffin was arrested in December of 2021 a day after he was indicted by a grand jury and had originally pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors at the time said that Griffin had also spoken to other parents including the father of a 14-year-old daughter who he wished to recruit.

A previous indictment claims he told the father that he had trained girls as young as seven, and that he thought his daughter would be a good candidate.

He told the father, who was not named, that the training would begin over video chat and would include 'spanking' and 'c**k worship'.

The earlier indictment does not indicate whether or not the man gave up his daughter.

It revealed some of the sickening language used by Griffin to express his views on women.

These included: 'When handled correctly, a woman is a woman regardless of her age' and that every woman has a 'wanton w**re at her core'.

Griffin was a producer on CNN's New Day and had worked for Chris Cuomo before he was terminated from the company after his crimes came to light

Griffin is shown with fired CNN host Chris Cuomo. The pair are understood to have worked together for years

He also said it was a misconception to call women and girls innocent, and that they were the 'dirtiest s**ts possible'.

As part of a 2022 plea deal, the government dropped two remaining counts of enticement of a minor against Griffin.

Griffin also cannot have contact with people under the age of 18, except in the presence of an adult who has been approved by a probation officer.

He's also prohibited from being in areas where children congregate, such as schools, playgrounds and theme parks, unless approved by the probation office beforehand.

Carriker was arrested by police in Henderson, Nevada, on counts of child abuse, sexual assault of a child in connection with the case in 2021.

Last June she was jailed for a minimum of eight years after pleading guilty to the charges.

Griffin with Chris Cuomo in 2015 during a visit to Rome. The pedophile pretended to be a baby in Cuomo's arms

After his crimes first came to light, CNN suspended Griffin and called the then allegations 'deeply disturbing' before he was terminated.

Griffin is the son of longtime William Morris agent Jim Griffin, who represented Regis Philbin, Geraldo Rivera, Fred Thompson amongst other. He left the agency in 2009 for Paradigm, before it merged with Endeavor.

However, back in the day, one of Jim Griffin's clients was a young Chris Cuomo.

Jim's son, John, joined Cuomo on CNN's 'New Day' from the show's birth in 2013 and stuck with the recently-axed anchor until the launch of Cuomo Prime Time in 2018.

Griffin's LinkedIn page hasn't been updated since the producer's termination by CNN.

It states that Griffin and Cuomo worked 'shoulder-to-shoulder' on each show, 'producing live breaking news across the country and around the world.'

Cuomo had previously worked with Griffin at ABC News between 2005 and 2013.
The mother of a schoolgirl who drowned off Bournemouth beach today revealed the terrifying moment a wave swept over her daughter as she started screaming for help.

Sunnah Khan, 12, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, died after being pulled under the water by a riptide close to the shore near the pier in Dorset on May 31.

She and Joe Abbess, 17, were pulled from the water and medics desperately tried to resuscitate them on the sand, but both sadly died.

Sunnah's mother, Stephanie Williams, today recalled her daughter's tragic final moments in an interview with Good Morning Britain.

She said: 'They [Sunnah and her brother] were in between the flags on the beach. They then ended up where they couldn't touch the bottom.

Sunnah Khan's mother, Stephanie Williams, has revealed the terrifying moment a wave swept over her daughter as she started screaming for help

Ms Williams paid tribute to her daughter, who she described as a sociable girl who loved spending time with friends and family

Since the tragedy last month, Ms Williams has spoken out to warn people of the dangers of riptides to try and help other families avoid suffering similar heartbreak

'They said a wave came over. They started to shout for help.

What is a riptide? Rip tides, more accurately known as rip currents and also known as simply 'rips', are fast-moving channels of water that move away from the shore and towards the open sea. They can reach speeds of up to five miles per hour - faster than an Olympic swimmer - making them a leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. The National Weather Service explains: 'Rip currents form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. 'One of the ways this water returns to sea is to form a rip current, a narrow stream of water moving swiftly away from shore, often perpendicular to the shoreline.' The more accurate term for riptides is simply a 'rip currents'. Advertisement

'A lifeguard pulled my son from the water but they were unable to locate Sunnah. She was washed out.

'They had started to try and make their way back but they couldn't.'

Since the tragedy last month, Ms Williams has spoken out to warn people of the dangers of riptides to try and help other families avoid suffering similar heartbreak.

'It's really important for people to know the dangers of what can happen in the sea, even in shallow water.

'It's important to know what to do should you find yourself in trouble in the water and having some information that's viewable when you're on the beach.'

Earlier this month, she paid tribute to her daughter, who she described as a sociable girl who loved spending time with friends and family.

'She was a lovely toddler and a lovely young child at all stages of her life, and she would have become a lovely woman.

'She cared about a lot of people, and it's such a shame that she's not going to become the young lady that I thought she would be.'

Her comments come as a maritime safety expert claimed this week that there is no evidence a passenger boat was to blame for the drownings of the two children.

Jon Geddes, the managing director of CTS & SMS UK which provides specialist maritime training for seamen, defended the crew of the Dorset Belle and said the likely cause of the tragedy was a riptide.

He said people were 'quick to blame' the vessel for the tragic events that led to the deaths of Sunnah and Joe, which he claims were down to an 'act of God'.

Eight other young people who were swimming in the sea had to be rescued in the incident.

The Dorset Belle vessel was later seized by police in connection to the deaths. A man in his 40s and who was 'on the water' at the time was arrested for suspects manslaughter and later released under investigation.

Sunnah Khan was pictured laughing on Bournemouth beach shortly before tragedy struck

Dorset Police told MailOnline today its investigation into the death of Sunnah (pictured) remains ongoing

Joe Abbess had been studying Hospitality at City College Southampton in the hopes of owning his own restaurant in the future

There was speculation at the time whether the prop wash from the 78ft-long pleasure cruiser may have contributed to the dangerous conditions and all boat trips from the pier have been halted until further notice as a precaution.

Mr Geddes, who has years of experience both as a boat master and trainer, said he knew the crew of the Dorset Belle and vouched for their competency and professionalism.

Describing the incident as a 'tragic event', he added: 'There is no evidence to prove negligence on behalf of the passenger vessel in question but rather, warranted speculation that riptides and currents may be the cause here. Let's trust in the investigation and the affiliated parties to do their jobs.'

Dorset Police told MailOnline today the investigation into the tragedy remains ongoing.

Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan said in the force's most recent statement: 'We continue to keep an open mind around the circumstances that have led to the tragic death of two young people in the water off the beach.

'Our thoughts remain with the families of those young people.

'As with any investigation of this nature, we have to look at all factors connected to the state of the water. One of those lines of enquiry has involved the pleasure boat, which was in the area at the time of the incident. These enquiries also include examining wind, other weather and general coastal conditions at the time.

'We are working with experts from partner agencies to understand all of the factors and this will take time to establish.

Police in the area of Bournemouth Beach where Sunnah and Joe Abess, 17, tragically lost their lives at the end of last month

The Dorset Belle vessel was seized by police in connection to the deaths. A man in his 40s and who was 'on the water' at the time was arrested for manslaughter and later released under investigation

Sunnah was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition along 17-year-old Joe. Both later died

'We continue to support the families of Joe and Sunnah and they are being kept updated by specially trained family liaison officers about our investigation.

'I would ask that the police investigation is allowed to continue without further unhelpful speculation around circumstances of the incident, and that there is respect for the families of those who have died so tragically.

'I would continue to appeal to anyone at the beach at the time who witnessed the incident to come forward and talk to us.'
Overseas holiday has gone from dream to nightmare

An Australian family's dream holiday has turned into a nightmare after a 45-year-old mum came down with a brutal case of pneumonia.

The family of five were on a Bali holiday when Kristy Reyment became ill last Thursday before suffering respiratory failure on Sunday.

She was admitted to hospital a day before the family were due to fly out on Monday and is now being treated in the ICU for at least another week.

Ms Reyment has been dealt another devastating blow with doctors finding a mass on her lungs with the discovery needing further investigation.

Aussie family's dream Bali holiday turned into a nightmare after their mother contracted pneumonia which led to respiratory failure (pictured: Kristy and Steven Reyment)

Kristy Reyment (pictured) caught pneumonia while in Bali which led to respiratory failure. She now faces at least another week in ICU

Ms Reyment's husband Steven told 7News her ordeal began with a bad cough and chest pain but quickly progressed to something far more serious in a matter of days.

'They told us one of her lungs was completely full with fluid  she went into respiratory failure,' he said.

'It's totally heartbreaking. I'm trying not to show the kids.'

The family have stumped up $15,000 for Ms Reyment's hospital stay, on top of flights and accommodation and a loss of wages.

Mr Reyment said the family took out travel insurance with Cover-More but they have yet to pay a cent.

Cover-More said in a statement: 'We are assessing the claim as quickly and as fairly as possible while ensuring Kristy is being cared for appropriately.'

Family friends Candice Bruff and Chevelle Oldfield set up a GoFundMe to assist them with the unexpected costs.

'They have travel insurance, however, are getting the runaround,' the page states.

'Steve has been tirelessly contacting all of Kristys doctors in Australia, getting numerous medical records from multiple sources to get the insurance sorted, all while trying to entertain three kids who are very upset that their mum is so sick and having to see her that way with no indication how long she will need to stay in hospital to recover.

The family of five have had to stump up $15,000 for the hospital stay, on top of flights and accommodation costs and a loss of wages

'The kids are also missing out on valuable school time. The hospital has said today that Kristy will be in ICU for at least one week from today with no indication when she will be able to be discharged and safe to travel home.'

In just 24 hours the fundraiser has raised more than $3,600, and has been flooded with messages of support.

'Stay strong,' one donor wrote.

While another said: 'I hope you get the treatment you need and get home safely'.

Cover-More is the same insurance company that denied a claim by Australian woman Kylee Enwright after she suffered a serious brain injury in Thailand.

The mother-of-three, from Singleton in the Hunter Valley, stepped off a 50cm-high balcony on the first day of her holiday in Khao Lak on May 28.

Ms Enwright and her husband Paul had been sipping cocktails before she tumbled and hit her head on the ground - suffering a catastrophic brain injury.

Because the couple had been drinking before the horror accident, Cover-More refused to cover her expenses due to a clause about alcohol in their policy.

The couple's bar tab showed nine Long Island iced teas and 14 beers had been ordered to their room number that day.

Mr Enwright has refuted the claim and says others may have added to their bar tab.
A serving US army soldier allegedly shot dead a couple at an electronic dance music festival in Washington after they stepped in to protect a victim of domestic violence'.

Brandy Escamilla, 29, and her fiancee Josilyn Ruiz, 26, died after being shot in the head and the torso on June 17 close to the Beyond Wonderland festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre.

Lily Luksich, 20, who attended the festival with the gunman, was also hurt in the gunfire along with Andrew Caudra, 31, and a 61-year-old private security officer.

The suspect was identified as James M. Kelly, 26. He was shot by a police officer and treated at the scene. He was in hospital until Tuesday before he was taken into custody.

Kelly, who is stationed at Joint Base Lewis McCord, was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of assault and one count of domestic violence assault. He is currently in Grant County Jail.

A serving US army soldier allegedly shot dead a couple at an electronic dance music festival after they stepped in to protect a victim of domestic violence'

Brandy Escamilla, 29, and her fiancee Josilyn Ruiz, 26, died after being shot in the head and the torso on June 17 close to the Beyond Wonderland festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre

James M. Kelly, 26, who is stationed at Joint Base Lewis McCord, was shot and taken to hospital before going into custody. He has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of assault and one count of domestic violence assault

Escamilla and Ruiz, who had been together for 10 years and recently moved to Ballard, reportedly intervened in a dispute between someone and the gunman before he pulled out a gun and shot them.

'They were being Good Samaritans and stepped in to protect the victim of the domestic violence and then Josilyn was shot in the torso and Brandy was shot in the head,' attorney Kevin Boyle told KABC.

'We think that was in retaliation for them trying to assist the victim.'

The two women were both nurses and went to the music festival over the weekend.

'My understanding is that they had actually gone back to the campsite to put on some warmer clothes and unfortunately the shooter opened fire on their campsite and on them,' Boyle said.

The shooter then started to move through the camp and 'continued to shoot randomly into the crowd' before he was shot by the police and taken into custody.

Lori Williams, 61, who was working with Crowd Management Services, responded to the gunshots where she saw Kelly who fired multiple shots in her direction, according to authorities.

She was struck by a single bullet which hit her on the right side of the face, shattered her glasses and caused bruising and lacerations. She was treated at the scene before being released.

Luksich, from Millcreek, Washington, attended the concert with Kelly, according to authorities, and she was shot twice but has since been released from hospital. It is not clear if the pair were in a relationship.

And Caudra, from Eugene, Oregon, was shot in the shoulder and is still being treated in hospital. He is in stable condition but police do not know if he has been released from hospital yet.

Escamilla and Ruiz reportedly intervened in a dispute between someone and the gunman before he shot them

Escamilla (pictured) and Ruiz were together for 10 years before she proposed to her on a trip to Canada

Ruiz (pictured) and Escamilla were both nurses and went to the music festival over the weekend

Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete said: 'I want to express my deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, and friends.

'This is a tragic incident, and I know that I speak for my staff when I say that we are holding you in our thoughts.'

Escamillas aunt Alex Escamilla said their family cannot put into words the pain they are enduring.

She described Escamilla as a huge light in our lives with a lot of goals and ambitions to look forward to.

A GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds for her funeral expenses and to bring her belongings home and so far has raised more than $20,000.

Ruizs sister-in-law Leilani Ruiz said her familys lives will never be the same.

Words cannot describe the pain our family and friends are grieving from our precious loss of a wonderful angel, she said.

As soon as you saw her she would brighten up the room with her big beautiful eyes, beautiful smile, and contagious laugh.

Not only did our family and friends lose a special human being, but so did the world.

Josilyn was a beautiful girl who is the definition of work hard- play hard. There are not enough words to describe the wonderful person she is and the wonderful life she lived. She is loved by many and will be truly missed.

More than $65,000 has been raised in her honor on GoFundMe to help the family pay for funeral costs and retrieving her belongings from Seattle.

Ruizs sister-in-law Leilani Ruiz said her familys lives will never be the same and Escamillas aunt Alex Escamilla said she cannot put into words the pain they are enduring

Lily Luksich, 20, who attended the festival with the shooter, was also hurt in the gunfire along with Andrew Caudra, 31, and a 61-year-old private security officer

The morning after the shooting, Beyond Wonderland festival organizers announced that the rest of the weekend's events were canceled

The couples friend and neighbor Devon Breithart said: You just don't really expect that at an event attended by tens of thousands of people, the only two people killed would be your friends.

I can't express to you how devastating the following hours and days were, and I won't waste words here trying to do so.

Their love for each other was so deep and it breaks me when I think about not being able to see it continue. It crushes me to see it all prematurely cut short.

The morning after the shooting, Beyond Wonderland festival organizers announced that the rest of the weekend's events were canceled.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lt. Col. Mike Burns told KXLY-TV in a statement Tuesday that the command is aware of the allegations against Kelly.

'We take all allegations seriously and are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities,' his statement said.

Burns said Kelly is a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment at the military base.

The North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit is investigating the shooting of Kelly by law enforcement officers.
A gay British couple who paid a surrogate in Cyprus to give birth to their baby boy have been stranded in the country for almost three months due to the 'insane incompetence' of the passport office.

James and Ian Buckley-Walker have spent over 20,000 on hotels, flights and legal fees during their enforced stay after arriving in Famagusta, northern Cyprus in March to collect their son Henry.

Henry was born on April 2, but the couple can't fly home to the UK until he is issued with a British passport.

His parents have been shunted between three different passport offices in Bootle, Corby and Durham, who repeatedly ask for documents that have already been received by staff processing their application.

Speaking to MailOnline, James, 39, said: 'The insane incompetence of the passport office is just breathtaking.

James and Ian Buckley-Walker have spent over 20,000 on hotels, flights and legal fees during their enforced stay after arriving in Famagusta, northern Cyprus in March to collect their son Henry

Henry was born on April 2, but the couple can't fly home to the UK until he is issued with a British passport

'On one occasion they rejected the application as there was no signature. I had to point out it was an online application and so was an electronic signature. It was what they had asked for.

'We are just so frustrated and want to be able to return home with our son. Ian has not been able to work, and I have been flying to and from Cyprus. It has cost us well over 20,000.'

The couple's passport nightmare began days after their son Henry was born.

They had only planned to stay in Cyprus until a passport was issued to allow them to fly back to the UK.

All the necessary paperwork  including a birth certificate. documentation from their solicitor  was filed on April 16.

Ten days later they received confirmation the application had been received.

The pair requested the new passport be sent their solicitor who had acted for them during the surrogacy and gave his address.

Three weeks later they received an email informing the couple that the document's they had sent did not have an original signature.

The couple's passport nightmare began days after their son Henry was born

They have been shunted between three different passport offices in Bootle, Corby and Durham

James, a project manager from Clapham, south London, said: 'It was just incredible that they were asking for a signed document when they knew it was an online application.

'When I spoke to the office they said they use a letter template for replies, even though it had no relevance to me and Ian. The incompetence was staggering.'

In a later email James, who is originally from Australia, was asked to send his naturalisation certificate to another passport office.

He said: 'That was back home and so a big problem. They already knew that I was a UK citizen and had a copy of my passport, but I had to fly back to London and send it off the following day.

'I just did not understand why they were asking for these documents now. They also asked for another 10 and said the figure quoted on the application was wrong.'

On one occasion they were told by the passport staff in an email that they had not received the documentation  even though it was sent by recorded delivery and signed for.

James said they face being forced to leave their hotel in Famagusta in Northern Cyprus as their 90-day visa has expired.

Ian, 49, has not been able to work as a fitness instructor and has already lost three months wages on top of the money spent to stay in Cyprus.

'We had only planned to be here a few weeks, and we are already 10 weeks in and no sign of a passport,' said James.

James and Ian have criticised the 'staggering' and 'insane' incompetence of the passport offices

James said they face being forced to leave their hotel in Famagusta in Northern Cyprus as their 90-day visa has expired

'We have contacted the British embassy but they have not helped. They say as it is Henry's first passport they cannot issue an emergency travel document. We are at wits end, incredibly frustrated and upset by how we are being treated with no regard for our or Harry's health or wellbeing.

'We understand that passport applications can take up to 10 weeks, and Harry's is one of the more complicated ones. If it took this long to process properly then we would understand. But this is not processing time, it's a catalogue of errors and diabolical mess.

'This is not a question of Harry's legitimacy for British citizenship as he is automatically due this. It is an issue of an incomprehensibly incompetent public service that is failing its citizens.'

MailOnline told last year how another couple who used a surrogate in Cyprus faces a similar delay in getting a passport for their newborn twins.

Alex and Greg De Mario-Ellis were caught up in the UK's passport chaos caused by Covid and civil servants working from home.

They spent three months in Cyprus before being issued with a passport to fly their daughter's home.

The Passport Office has been contacted for comment.
Twitter owner Elon Musk has announced the words 'cis' and 'cisgender' are now 'considered slurs' on the platform - and warned that people who use them will face account suspensions.

Replying to a user who claimed to have been targeted by pro trans activists, the billionaire made the brash declaration Wednesday - tweeting out to say he rejected both terms.

The assertion made the adjectives trend on Twitter, with Musk warning that moving forward, they will constitute hate speech. Their repeated use to refer particular individual, he said, would serve as harassment.

Almost immediately, the assertion sparked a chorus of approval on Twitter - with Musk later commenting on a poll asking if others agreed with his assessment. Seventy-eight percent voted 'yes.'

Musk, 51, then tweeted out to bash the German sexologist who created the phrases, which refer to someone whose gender identity matches their sex at birth, as opposed to a transgender person.

That same scientist - whom Musk called a 'creep' - once wrote that 'the sensuality that spontaneously unfolds between a child and an adult is something wonderful.'

Twitter owner Elon Musk has announced the words 'cis' and 'cisgender' are now 'considered slurs' on the platform - and warned that people who use them will face account suspensions

Earlier in the day, Musk - currently overseas in China - was accused by Boreing of flouting free speech for pulling the deal, which Twitter said stems from two scenes in particular

The heated discourse began with a tweet from James Esses, an anti-trans commentator, who who complained of being harassed by trans rights activists on Musk's website.

'Yesterday, after posting a Tweet saying that I reject the word "cis" and dont wish to be called it, I receive a slew of messages from trans activists calling me cissy and telling me that I am "cis" "whether or not I like it",' Esses wrote early Wednesday.

'Just imagine if the roles were reversed.'

The post quickly went viral, and has since been viewed more than 5.6million times.

Its popularity spurred Musk - who purchased Twitter in October and has since touted a newfound focus on free speech - to weigh in.

'Repeated, targeted harassment against any account will cause the harassing accounts to receive, at minimum, temporary suspensions,' the South African mogul wrote.

'The words 'cis' or 'cisgender' are considered slurs on this platform.'

The CEO's assertion - aside from causing the terms to trend on Twitter - quickly earned a reply from the wayward tweeter who sparked the conversation in the first place.

He wrote: 'Thank you for standing up for reality, Elon.'

Over the course of the next several hours, multiple others expressed gratitude toward the outspoken Twitter boss for taking such a firm stance on the issue, as the two terms prevalence has increased in recent years.

As the conversation continued, a Twitter user posted a now viral poll asking if they considered 'cis' and 'cisgender' to be slurs - to which the vast majority said yes.

The heated discourse began with a tweet from James Esses, an anti-trans commentator, who who complained of being harassed by trans rights activists on Musk's website

As the conversation continued, a Twitter user posted a now viral poll asking if they considered 'cis' and 'cisgender' to be slurs - to which the vast majority said yes

The results earned another response from the famously flippant executive, who remarked that 'people overwhelmingly reject this obvious slur that bigots are trying to impose'

Musk also bashed the German sexologist who created the phrases, Volmar Sigusch, back in 1991. That same scientist - whom Musk called a ' contemptible creep' - once wrote that 'the sensuality that spontaneously unfolds between a child and an adult is something wonderful'

The assertion made the adjectives trend on Twitter, with Musk warning that moving forward, they will constitute hate speech. Their repeated use to refer particular individual, he said, would serve as harassment

When asked by someone whether its acceptable to refer to themselves as cis, the Tesla boss responded by saying, 'Call yourself anything you want'

The discussion saw several thank Musk for taking such a firm stance on the use of the terms, as their prevalence has increased in recent years. They refer to people whose gender identity aligns with the one assigned at birth, and comes in contrast with the term transgender

The results earned another response from the famously flippant executive, who remarked that 'people overwhelmingly reject this obvious slur that bigots are trying to impose'.

It was not immediately clear from the slew of posts how Musk plans to impose the penalties, and how severe each will be.

When asked by someone whether its acceptable to refer to themselves as cis, the Tesla boss responded by saying, 'Call yourself anything you want.'

When someone brought up the words' creator, Volkmar Sigusch, Musk called the sociologist a 'contemptible creep.' Sigusch created the terms in 1991, and died this past February.

They refer to people whose gender identity aligns with the one assigned at birth, and comes in contrast with the term transgender, which refers to the opposite.

Currently, Twitter defines slurs as language that 'intends to degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category'.

Other platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, do not define cis or 'cisgender' as a slurs.

The instance, meanwhile, serves as the most recent example of Musk - an outspoken libertarian and centrist - continuing to voice his personal beliefs despite the implications it may carry due to his high-powered position.

He recently told CNBC: 'Ill say what I want, and if the consequence of that is losing money, so be it.'

Musk has also claimed Twitter is 'headed to a good place', after several advertisers returned to the platform following his controversial cull of the company during his $44billion takeover.

Speaking about the financial state of the Silicon Valley company, he told the BBC: 'I feel like were headed to a good place.

'Were roughly break-even, I think were trending towards being cashflow positive very soon, literally in a matter of months. The advertisers are returning.'
'Presumed human remains' have been found in the wreckage of the Titan submersible, the US Coast Guard announced on Wednesday June 28.

Several identifiable parts of the ship were lifted ashore earlier in the afternoon, including the sub's nose and a large panel which appears to be from its tail end.

Amid those recovered pieces, Coast Guard officials said they discovered what they believed to be human remains, which will now be transported aboard a ship to a port in the United States where they will undergo testing and analysis.

The discoveries surprised experts who suspected Titan was completely destroyed when it suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' during a journey to the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five on board.

On Wednesday June 28, a coroner told DailyMail.com she believed the remains of those onboard  including British billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood  would likely never be recovered.

Here is a timeline of the tragic mission which began on Saturday, 17 June.

Five people are onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who is just 19

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

At 9.45am - an hour and 45 minutes into the dive - it lost contact with its mothership, the Polar Prince. But it wasn't reported as missing to the US Coast Guard until 5.40pm, eight hours later. Canada's Coast Guard wasn't alerted until even later - 9.13pm on Sunday night

Scary animation shows how deep missing Titanic sub could be, surpassing the heights of multiple landmarks depicted in the water, including the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building

The ship wreck is 12,500ft underwater. There are fears the Titan may now be trapped inside it

Timeline (British Summer Time) of the search for the Ocean Gate submersible, if Titan has lost its power the crew will be in complete darkness facing temperatures of 3C

Saturday 17 June

10:00am EST: Billionaire explorer Hamish Harding reveals via an Instagram post that he is among the crew to board a submersible vessel to explore the Titanic Wreckage located 13,000ft deep of the Atlantic Ocean.

Hamish Harding is one of five crew members aboard the OceanGate Titan, he revealed via Instagram he would explore the Titanic wreckage a day before the expedition commenced

The billionaire shared that the mission is likely to be the only manned exploration of the wreckage in 2023

Historical image taken of the Titanic shipwreck during the first ever expedition to the site in 1986 - the lucrative tourism journey now costs $250,000

He wrote: 'I am proud to finally announce that I joined OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic.

'Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023. A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow.'

Sunday 18 June

4:00am EST: The submersible was originally aimed to start its descent, according to a post by Harding on Instagram, but is delayed according to the US Coast Guard.

7:30am EST: The crew was dropped into the ocean in their 22-foot long submersible vessel.

8:00am EST: Titan submersible starts what should be a two-hour descent to the Titanic wreck, which lies at a depth of 12,500 feet in the North Atlantic - some 435 miles south of St John's Newfoundland, Canada.

The Titan sub is shown on Sunday morning, seconds before submerging at around 8am with five people onboard

9:45am EST: The vessel was programmed to send out a 'ping' every 15 minutes to indicate its location. But communications between the submersible and the surface vessel are lost one hour and 45 minutes after starting its descent, according to U.S. Coast Guard.

3:00pm EST: The submersible is scheduled to return to the surface, the US Coast Guard says it failed to appear.

5:40pm EST: The Coast Guard receives report about an overdue submersible from Canadian research vessel Polar Prince with five people aboard diving to view the Titanic wreck about 900 nautical miles east of Cape Cod on the US coast - some eight hours after it went missing.

The Polar Prince is the expedition ship being used in the dives. It didn't alert the Coast Guard until 5.40pm

Monday 19 June

9:00am EST: Authorities revealed the submersible was missing and a large-scale search operation has been launched.

US and Canadian ships and planes swarm the area, some dropping sonar buoys that can monitor to a depth of 13,000 feet, according to US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger.

He said that is a remote area and a challenge to conduct a search- officials have asked commercial vessels for help.

Search equipment arriving at St John's airport in Newfoundland aboard US Air Force C-17 cargo planes that is bound for the search area near the Titanic wreckage

Tuesday 20 June

6:00am EST: Rescuers have been searching for roughly 48 hours and have covered 10,000 square miles of ocean, with no sign of the missing submersible.

Morning: The family of Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood confirms he is aboard with his 19-year-old son Suleman, a Strathclyde University student. They ask for prayers for their safe return.

Confirmed: Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood co is aboard with his 19-year-old son Suleman. His family ask for prayers for their safety.

1:00pm EST: The US Coast Guard delivers an update on their rescue efforts and says the Titan craft has approximately 40-41 hours of breathable oxygen remaining.

Daytime: Sounds detected over several hours by Canadian Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft, equipped with gear to trace submarines. The US Coast Guard - which announces this on Wednesday - does not give a precise timing.

CNN and Rolling Stone magazine reports Canadian aircraft detected 'banging sounds' at 30-minute intervals. Rolling Stone says sonar picks up more banging four hours later.

CNN later reports sounds but does not describe them as banging. Harding's friend, Jannicke Mikkelsen, says: 'And as it stands right now, it would be a miracle if they are recovered alive.'

The US Coast Guard says it does not know what the 'banging' noises are at this point. It says the US Navy is analysing the data, but so far it remains inconclusive.

6:00pm EST: The Sun reports Hamish Harding's friend, Chris Brown paid a deposit for the mission to the wreck but pulled out as he thought the firm was 'cutting too many corners'.

Wednesday 21 June

2:00am EST: Internal email updates sent to Department of Homeland Security leadership read: 'RCC Halifax launched a P8, Poseidon, which has underwater detection capabilities from the air.'

'The P8 deployed sonobuoys, which reported a contact in a position close to the distress position. The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.'

6:45am EST: Heavy machinery and submarines that are set to be used in a last-attempt to find the missing Titan arrive in Canada are deployed.

Daytime: In a statement, President Richard Garriot de Cayeux of The Explorers' Club said: 'There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

A French research ship, equipped with a deep-sea diving vessel, expected to arrive at the search area.

The unmanned robot, called Victor 6000, can dive deeper than other equipment at the site currently, and has arms that can be remotely controlled to cut cables or perform other manoeuvres to release a stuck vessel.

International rescue: France deploys robot that can dive to 6,000ft to help search for missing Titanic tourist sub - as two remote-controlled British and American vessels arrive on scene

This is how Titan could be saved by the French ship, if it is found

Head of Naval Operations, Olivier Lefort said Victor 'is not capable of lifting the submarine on its own' but can help to hook the Titan sub to a ship with capacity to lift it to the surface.

10:00am EST: The MailOnline reports the French ship, carrying the only underwater vehicle capable of rescuing the Titan, will not get there until midnight UK time (19:00pm EST).

1:00pm EST: News reports emerge that experts within and outside OceanGate raised concerns about the safety of its Titan submersible as far back as 2018.

Will Kohen, the chair of the Marine Technology Society's Submarine committee said: 'It hasn't surprised us.

'We've been aware of this project for some time an have had some concerns.'

10:00pm EST: Rescue plane hunting Titanic sub 'heard banging' every 30 minutes near wreck site, the MailOnline reports.

Undated photograph shows the Victor 6000 underwater - the vessel can dive deeper than any equipment currently on site

Pictured: Control room for the ROV (Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle) Victor 6000

Thursday June 22

The sun rises as the search for the missing OceanGate submersible enters its final hours before the 96-hour supply oxygen runs out

6:00am EST: The Titan's oxygen supply is due to run out, the vessel has 96 hours of air supply from the time it is sealed.

This depends on the vessel being intact and other factors, such as whether the sub still has power in the icy depths.

6:15am EST: The ongoing search reaches a critical stage as the crew only have hours of oxygen left, which is expected to run out in the next hour.

6:45am EST: A former Navy officer described the situation as 'gloomy and said 'we have to prepare ourselves for the worst.'

Retired rear admiral Chris Parry told Sky News: 'I'm afraid to say that even if we were to find Titan now, the time it would take to get down there, secure them, bring them up... it's vanishingly small in terms of the likelihood of survival.'

The Atalante - viewed as the final hope for the missing Titan sub - has arrived at the search site. It is dropping in a deep sea robot called the Victor 6000, shown at the stern of its mother vessel

7:00am EST: French ship The Atalante, equipped with the unmanned robot able to search deep under water, arrives at the scene and joins a massive search and rescue operation for the missing submersible.

7:07am EST: A deep water robot sub has reached the Atlantic floor - and another is descending the 12,500ft of ocean fast.

'The Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic has deployed an ROV that has reached the sea floor and began its search for the missing sub', a spokesman said.

Oceanographer and water search expert Dr David Gallo said today: 'It's going to be almost impossible. We need a miracle  but miracles do happen'.

7:18am EST: The submersible's 96 hour oxygen supply ran out just after 7:00am (12:18 GMT) - the search still continues.

8:14am EST: First District Commander, U.S. Coast Guard has said the operation to find the missing submersible is 'still an active search and rescue.'

Rear Admiral John Mauger confirmed: 'This is still an active search and rescue at this point and we're using the equipment that we have on the bottom right now, the remote operated vehicles to expand our search capability, and then also to provide rescue capability as well.'

8:29 EST: It emerges that a teenager trapped on the submersible is a student in Glasgow - he is one of five people on board, including his father Shahzada, 48, who lives in Surbiton, south-west London.

Guillermo Sohneiln, co-founder of OceanGate and friend of crew member was reported to be holding out hope for the Titan five but later feared there may have been an 'instantaneous implosion'

9:30am EST: It is reported that close friends of those stranded are holding out hope for recovery. Professor Hannaford, an explorer and the founder of World Extreme Medicine, said that 'we should not give up hope' for his friend and the others on board.

Co-founder of OceanGate Guillermo Sohnlein said: 'I continue to hold out hope for my friend [Stockton Rush] and the rest of the crew.'

9:50am EST: A second powerful ROV, Juliet, is being flown in from Jersey - it has previously spent around 200 hours exploring the Titanic wreck - it's estimated it will take about 50 to 60 hours to get to the U.S. search site.

10:00am EST: The BBC reports that Downing Street has confirmed that a Royal Navy submariner and equipment from a UK firm will join the search operation for the missing sub.

A No 10 spokesperson has said Lieutenant Commander Richard Kantharia has 'significant knowledge of submarine warfare and divided operations.'

A Royal Air Force C-17 transport aircraft is being loaded at RAF Lossiemouth and will depart for Canada this afternoon.

The US Coast Guard announced a 'debris field' was found approximately 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic

11:50am EST: A 'debris field' has been discovered within the search area by an ROV near the Titanic, the US Coast Guard announced.

David Mearns, a rescue expert who knows two of the five men on board, says at least two crucial parts of the system have been detected on the seabed.

Mr Mearns tells Sky News: 'They don't use phrases like 'debris field' unless there's no chance of a recovery of the men alive.'

He says the only saving grace is that the deaths would have been 'immediate  literally in milliseconds' and they would not have known what had happened.

Coastguards prepare to explain the grim discovery which is expected to bring the extraordinary four-day search to an end.

Pictured Victor 6000: The robotically-operated vehicle which discovered the parts of the sub on the ocean floor

Afternoon

2:46pm EST: Crew on board the submersible have died. OceanGate released the following statement: 'We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost.

'These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.

This is a very sad time for the entire explorer community, and for each of the family members of those lost at sea.

We respectfully ask that the privacy of these families be respected during this most painful time.'

This is how Titan could have been saved by the French ship, if found in tact. Experts now say it likely imploded long before any of the help arrived

3:00pm EST In a press conference Rear Adm John Mauger says an ROV from the vessel Horizon Arctic found the tail cone of the Titan submersible approx. 1600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck. The US Coast Guard says they are still working on a timeline and offers their deepest condolences to the families.

Officials say five major pieces were detected among the debris around the Titanic site including.

Rear Adm Mauger says the five bodies may not be recovered as 'This is an incredibly unforgiving environment.

Rear Admiral John Mauger, of the US Coast Guard, says there are no more press conferences scheduled after the tragic discovery of the vessel - we still don't know for sure when the Titan sub imploded

4:16pm EST: The US Coast Guard says the sounds detected earlier were not coming from inside the sub, they said it will continue to investigate the site of the 'debris field' and will begin to demobolise personnel on the scene.

No future press conferences are planned at this time.

5:00pm EST: Tributes to the victims commence as the world attempts to come to terms with the catastrophic event.

Dive search expert and a friend of two of the five on board describes it as the worst possible outcome and says 'The only solace is that they didn't suffer for days.' He praises the characters of his two friends aboard the ship, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

Experts comment on the tragedy and Titanic expert Tim Maltin said tourists trips to the wreckage should be suspended.

Glasgow student, Suleman Dawood was reportedly 'terrified' of going on the trip, his Aunt said he wanted to please his dad on Father's Day - when the vessel was deployed

4:47pm EST: Expert says 'very powerful implosion' likely destroyed the ship. Professor Blair Thornton from the University of Southampton told the BBC: 'In the case that this is a catastrophic failure of the main housing, the submersible would have been subjected to incredibly high pressures, equivalent to the weight of the Eiffel Tower, tens of thousands of tonnes, compressing the vessel.'

6:00pm EST: US Navy detected an 'acoustic anomaly consistent with an implosion' soon after the Titan lost contact with the surface.'

6:15pm EST: The 'banging noises' earlier reported did not come from the Titan sub as it is confirmed the crew would have been killed instantly after the implosion.

8 :00pm EST: Reports emerge that Suleman Dawood was 'terrified' of going on the trip. His Aunt, Azmeh Dawood said Suleman told her he wanted to please his dad by going on the trip, which departed on Father's day.

Friday 23 June

June 22 2023- A sign stating there is no public access to the OceanGate offices as debris of the company's vessel is found near Titanic wreckage

Morning: Questions are raised about the safety of the OceanGate submersibles as the Titan may have avoided tests other vessels are subject to due to its operating in international waters.

Dr Simon Boxall, a senior lecturer in oceanography at the University of Southampton said in the UK, all vessels must pass stringent safety checks before entering the water. He said: 'The problem is that this particular vessel, this particular submersible, didn't come under anyone's jurisdiction.'

Co-founder of OceangGate Guillermo Sohnlein - who left the company 10 years ago and retains a stake - rejects some of the criticisms and concerns for safety directed towards the company.

He says: 'People keep equating certification with safety and are ignoring the 14 years of development of the Titan sub.'

He described it as a 'tragic loss for the ocean exploration community, but claimed those involved 'know the risk of operating under such pressure and that at any given moment you run the risk of this kind of explosion.'

4:16am EST: Dik Barton, the first British man to explore the Titanic wreck, pays tribute to crew member on BBC Breakfast.

He described Titan passenger Paul-Henry Nargeolet as an 'extraordinary individual' and reminisced on the dives they had done together.

Barton called into question the design of the OceanGate craft, saying 'there were many red flags flying here.'

5:15am EST: Another expert chimes in on BBC Breakfast, saying the disaster was 'clearly preventable.'

William Kohnen, chair of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee in Los Angeles, hails the success of the submersible industry which, he claims, has not seen any major disasters since the 1960s.

Wednesday June 28

'Presumed human remains' are found in the wreckage of the Titan submersible, the US Coast Guard announced.

Several identifiable parts of the ship are lifted ashore in the afternoon, including the sub's nose and a large panel which appears to be from its tail end.

Wednesday June 28: A large section of the Titan submersible that is recovered appears to be a panel from its tail. Some experts expect that salvaged pieces may be far smaller

Amid those recovered pieces, Coast Guard officials say discovered what they believe to be human remains, which will now be transported aboard a ship to a port in the United States where they will undergo testing and analysis.

The discoveries surprise experts, who suspect that Titan was completely destroyed when it suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' during a journey to the wreckage of the Titanic.

Earlier that same day coroner tells DailyMail.com that she believes the remains of those onboard  including British billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood  are likely to never be recovered.

A debris field is also found on the seafloor, 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, which sits more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the ocean's surface and 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
Nikki Haley is running for president. She was Governor of South Carolina and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

You'd think the first black President of the United States would have hope and pride in America.

Not just that: You'd think he'd say that my candidacy for president  as the first female minority governor in American history  is further proof of our national progress.

But Barack Obama didn't say that. Instead, he criticized me for saying America isn't racist.

In his words, I'm one of the 'minority candidates within the Republican Party who will validate Americans saying, 'everything's great, we can make it.'

He further accused me of 'pretend[ing] as if everything's equal and fair.' He even tried to mimic me, claiming I say, 'I'm an Asian Indian American woman and my family came here and we worked hard.'

Talk about condescending. I'm proud of my parents, who moved from India to South Carolina to pursue the American Dream. Yes, they worked hard. And yes, they faced racism, but they overcame it. They taught me and my siblings that even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America.

They were right. I was a brown girl in a black and white world, yet my state still elected me governor. And I want every little girl and boy  white, black, brown, you name it  to know they live in the best country in the world. In this country, they can grow up to be anything. Even the President of the United States.

Does Barack Obama think he's the only minority who could be elected president? It sure sounds like it. But he used to know better.

His 2008 presidential campaign was built around hope  hope in America's progress. He also used to have pride in our country.

I'm proud of my parents, who moved from India to South Carolina to pursue the American Dream. Yes, they worked hard. And yes, they faced racism, but they overcame it. They taught me and my siblings that even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley poses for a photo with her husband Maj. Michael Haley, along with her children Nalin Haley (right), and her daughter Rena Haley Jackson (left), during a deployment ceremony at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, S.C., on June 17, 2023

Almost 20 years ago, in the most famous speech of his career, the then-Senator said, 'our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago.' And the future president spoke at length about the 'opportunity' that drew his family here and enabled him to achieve so much.

This is America's promise  the pursuit of happiness and opportunity for all. We've spent almost exactly 250 years striving to make it real for everyone.

How far have we come? So far that Barack Obama was elected president. So far that I am now running for president.

If America was racist, none of this would have happened  full stop. The America of 2023 would be the same as the America of 1776. But things are night-and-day different. Why? Because every generation of American citizens has stood up and stepped forward to fight for the principles of the Declaration.

That promise sparked a fire in the hearts of Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the abolitionists who brought slavery to an end. It moved the minds of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, the suffragettes, and all who fought to put women on an equal footing with men. It filled the air when Martin Luther King, Jr. told us of his dream. It was made real with the end of segregation and the victory of civil rights.

And the promise of America has been the constant in my life, Barack Obama's life, and the lives of tens of millions of other people, of every color and creed.

Do we still have more work to do? We must fight racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism everywhere they exist. For that matter, we must break all the barriers that block people from sharing in America's promise.

We have an education system that fails students  especially in the inner city.

We have a crime wave that destroys communities and claims lives  hurting minorities the most.

Obama accused me of 'pretend[ing] as if everything's equal and fair.' He even tried to mimic me, claiming I say, 'I'm an Asian Indian American woman and my family came here and we worked hard.'

Do we still have more work to do? We must fight racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism everywhere they exist. For that matter, we must break all the barriers that block people from sharing in America's promise.

We have a welfare system that traps people of all races and backgrounds in government dependence.

We have drugs like fentanyl tearing families apart  from the biggest cities to the most rural towns.

We have too many broken families, too few role models for our children, and too much trust in government, instead of in ourselves and each other.

Democrats have made these problems so much worse. Yet instead of confronting their failed policies, which are hurting millions of people, liberals are blaming America itself.

They would rather tear down our country than admit their own errors and try a different way. Barack Obama had eight years to pull our country together, but he chose to further divide us by race and gender. Now he's doubling down by accusing America of being defined by racism.

Barack Obama speaks for the leadership of the Democratic Party. If they get their way, black and brown kids will think they're inferior and have no place in America. But I will make sure every child has the best shot at the best life.

That's why I'm fighting for universal school choice, law enforcement, a secure border, work over welfare, and an economy that lifts up everyone. All these things, and more, are necessary to help everyone find opportunity and participate in America's promise.

The next president will oversee the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence  July 4, 2026. On that day, we need a leader who can say, and who proves: America is not a racist country.
An upmarket and progressive vegan restaurant in California has closed after its owner clashed with staff and was accused of sexually assaulting the chef.

Founded by a young black queer woman, Hi Felicia was Oakland's hippest new spot when it opened last year. The restaurant offered a $195 tasting menu and promised to be 'radically inclusive' as it shook up the industry with 'vulgar fine dining'.

But in an ironic twist, 14 of its staff - many of whom are queer and people of color - have told The San Francisco Chronicle the owner, who goes only by her first name, Imana, cultivated a toxic work environment.

Two of them, including the chef, claim that Imana touched their backsides. One said she repeatedly made comments about their genitalia after they had gender-affirming surgery. Other allegations include claims that she repeatedly failed to pay and promised health insurance but never delivered.

Imana admitted to the paper that she had been 'unprofessional' by kissing and taking drugs with employees but denied any sexual misconduct allegations.

Imana (pictured far left) and the staff of Hi Felicia are pictured outside the restaurant in Oakland, California. The restaurant has closed after 14 staff members said its owner created exactly the toxic work environment it sought to correct

A Michelin guide article on the restaurant published then said it had a laid back interior, which was said to be chosen to cultivate a relaxed 'dinner party' feel

Last month the restaurant abruptly closed after a burglary and will not be reopening.

Imana, now 26, is an established but polarizing figure in the world of Bay Area eating and drinking, The Chronicle reported.

Hi Felicia was her second venture, after wine bar Sluts, and opened in April 2021 to national intrigue around its 'bold and brash' approach.

A Michelin Guide article on the restaurant published then said it had a laid back interior, which was said to be chosen to cultivate a relaxed 'dinner party' feel.

Imana told its author at the time that the restaurant 'was built from so much trauma and stress and discrimination and all of those things that people shouldn't have to experience.'

At first its staff was described as being enthusiastic and determined to work collectively to win the restaurant a Michelin star but soon attitudes began to turn, according to The Chronicle.

Public records requested by the newspaper indicate former workers have filed three wage claims against the restaurant with the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Two of those came from former chef Selasie Dotse, according to the documents.

'Hi Felicia was not the safe space that she was trying to create. I was especially wanting it to be a space for black people,' Dotse told The Chronicle. 'As black people working for a black woman, we did not feel like we mattered.'

Hi Felicia (pictured) is now being repainted and Imana plans to open a 'sleek' wine bar in its place

Pictured is the interior of the restaurant, which opened in 2021 to national interest

Those records also indicated Imana paid former employee Marcos De La Fuente $829 to settle the final claim in November.

Another person hired by Imana, Parker Kim, a young transgender cook of color, made similar comments about the work culture in the restaurant.

'That was one of the first times I was in a place where I could look around and say that I felt seen,' Kim described herself as feeling at first. 'I really wanted to be that person that made a monumental change in the industry.'

'For a lot of us, our lifes passions were harmed or at least dimmed by this experience,' she told The Chronicle. 'I feel like I lost a part of me there.'

Imana has become a controversial figure and is now banned from seven restaurants in the Bay Area. Her notoriety spiked last year after she left a San Francisco restaurant without paying the bill but later said it had been an accident.

When asked about false rumors circulating that she had staged the burglary of Hi Felicia herself, she told The Chronicle: 'Anyone who knows me knows I wouldn't just do a break-in. I would have actually committed arson.'

Nine of the restaurant's employees said she created a sexualized environment that made them feel uncomfortable.

Parker Story, the restaurant's former wine director, said Imana once arrived at the restaurant and announced to staff that she had been masturbating for several hours.

Pictured is the area exterior to Hi Felicia, in Oakland, California

Imana also said that her payments to employees were never late and that on the occasion that they did bounce that was due to faults with the recipient's bank accounts. Pictured is the restaurant's interior

Former cook Shareef Pratt said Imana touched his buttocks and asked him several times if he was gay even though he was straight and asked him if he would perform oral sex on a man, The Chronicle reported.

Although she denied touching his backside she conceded that the restaurant had a 'super sexual' culture, but said that culture was created collectively.

'How could I alone create that? The team and I built the restaurant together,' she said.

Imana also said that her payments to employees were never late and that on the occasion that they did bounce that was due to faults with the recipient's bank accounts.

Hi Felicia is now being repainted and Imana plans to open a 'sleek' wine bar in its place.
Joe Biden will roll out the red carpet for Narendra Modi on Wednesday, amid assurances from the White House that the president won't lecture the Indian prime minister on human rights and denials that the visit is about China.

In India, Modi has cracked down on dissents, sparking fears he's leading the world's largest democracy toward an autocratic regime.

However, Biden, who wants India to be a counter to China in the Indo-Pacific region, won't confront Modi about the human rights situation that has deteriorated under his leadership.

The president is expected to bring up U.S. concerns about democratic backsliding in India, but he will not lecture Modi on the subject, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a briefing.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in a yoga class during the observation of International Yoga Day on the grounds of United Nations headquarters in New York

Modi embraces actor Richard Gere as they attend the 9th International Day of Yoga event at UN headquarters in NY

When the U.S. sees challenges to press, religious or other freedoms, 'we make our views known,' Sullivan said, according to Reuters. He added: 'We do so in a way where we dont seek to lecture or assert that we dont have challenges ourselves.

'Ultimately, the question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India is going to be determined within India by Indians. It's not going to be determined by the United States,' Sullivan said.

Biden has argued for the virtues of democracy over autocracy. And Modi's record on human rights could put the president in a tough spot as he welcomes the Indian leader with open arms.

The White House has played coy when it comes to how Biden will handle Modi's growing iron fist.

'It is commonplace for President Biden when he was talking with with his counterparts from overseas, that he routinely raises issues of concern to us. Certainly human rights is of concern to the United States and it's a foundational element to President Biden's foreign policy, so I'll just leave it at that,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday.

There are expected to be protests around the White House on Thursday.

And more than 70 members of Congress wrote to Biden on Tuesday, urging him to address human rights concerns with Modi.

'A series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access,' the lawmakers wrote.

President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chat ahead of a working session on food and energy security during the G20 Summit in 2022

President Joe Biden will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for state visit as Modi is under fire for his treatment of Muslims

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York in Tuesday

Modi was once denied a visa to the U.S. after riots in 2002 killed more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, in Gujarat - the region where he was chief minister.

To ban Modi, the State Department invoked a little-known U.S. law passed in 1998 that makes foreign officials responsible for 'severe violations of religious freedom' ineligible for visas.

But Modi was granted entry to the U.S. after his 2014 election as prime minister.

Modi has been accused of marginalizing Muslims, the Hindu countrys largest minority group. Under Modi, violence against Muslims has become more common. And the prime minister has been criticized for supporting a law that makes it more difficult for Muslim immigrants to become Indian citizens.

The White House also argues publicly that Modi's visit is not about China.

'This state visit is not about China. And it's not about sending a message to China. It really is all about the bilateral relationship with India and fostering that relationship for a future that we believe is very, very great,' Kirby said.

But China will be an unspoken, underlying thread. The visit comes as India has surpassed China as the world's most populous nation.

The White House's courtship of Modi, and its effort to draw India closer on issues of trade, climate and technology, all have the greater goal of countering Beijing's influence in the region.

Other presidents also have kept India close. Barack Obama visited India during his presidency, as did Donald Trump. Trump also attended a 'Howdy Modi' event with the prime minister in Houston.

To help its cause, the Biden White House is honoring Modi with a state dinner - the third of the Biden administration. And while Modi has been to the U.S. five time since becoming prime minister in 2014 this will be his first state visit.

It will include all the pomp and majesty that comes with the occasion - a colorful arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn, an Oval Office meeting and a lavish dinner in a glass pavilion built for the occasion.

The two men will also hold a joint press conference. Modi rarely takes questions from the media.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the International Yoga day event at United Nations headquarters

Flags of India and US adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building ahead of Modi's visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) meets with Elon Musk (left) in New York

Before arriving in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, Modi led celebrations for the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Modi will visit the National Science Foundation with first lady Jill Biden on Wednesday afternoon and have a private dinner with the first couple that evening.

And he'll address a joint session of Congress.

Modi is meeting with several U.S. CEOs during his visit to America, including at a Friday reception. On Tuesday he met with Twitter's Elon Musk in New York.

Biden and Modi are expected to announce a variety of agreements related to defense cooperation and sales, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and investments in India by Micron Technology and other U.S. companies.

The war in the Ukraine will also be on the agenda. India has continued to buy oil and weapons from Russia and has not publicly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

For his part, Modi is pushing for India a bigger role on the global stage. India, a member of the G20, will host world leaders for the group's annual meeting in September. And Modi wants his country to have a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.
Peter Mandelson was due to stay at convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's New York townhouse while he was in jail for underage sex crimes, a JPMorgan internal report has alleged.

Lord Mandelson, 69, who served as a minister in both Tony Blair's and then Gordon Brown's Labour governments, and was at one time considered the de facto deputy prime minister, is claimed to have held repeat meetings with the disgraced financier. The report claims he was due to stay in his Manhattan home while Epstein was serving time in prison for soliciting prostitution from a girl below age 18.

The 22-page internal report, prepared by JPMorgan Chase after Epstein's arrest in 2019, also claims that Mandelson was known to the convicted paedophile as 'Petie'.

The newly released report, filed to a New York court on Tuesday, now lays bare the extent of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein.

The company's report found that 'Jeffrey Epstein appears to maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British government.'

The newly released report claims Mandelson was known to Epstein as 'Petie'. Peter Mandelson is pictured with Jefferey Epstein in Paris at the peadophile's 54th birthday in 2007

Paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (pictured in 2005) invited ex-Barclays Bank boss Jes Staley to meetings with top UK Government officials after he was released from jail for sex crimes, an internal investigation has revealed

The newly released report now lays bare the extent of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein. Mandelson is pictured as he is interviewed in Westminster, June 24, 2016

The report, codenamed 'Project Jeep', found that Epstein repeatedly offered to connect Peter Mandelson as well as then Chancellor Alistair Darling with former JPMorgan executive Jes Staley.

The two continued to mention Mandelson in a string of message exchanges.

At the time, Staley - who left his job as chairman of the investment banking unit of JPMorgan Chase in 2013 - was tasked with managing Epstein's multimillion-dollar account.

The report suggests that in June 2009 Mandelson, only days after being made Business Secretary, was due to stay at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse while the convicted paedophile was incarcerated in a private wing of Palm Beach County Stockade, Florida.

Epstein is alleged to have written to Staley on June 17, 2009 asking if he would like to meet with Mandelson. The message read: 'Peter will be staying at 71st over weekend, do you want to organize either you, or you and Jamie,, quiertly [sic],, up to you.' Epstein appears to be referencing Jamie Dimon, the long-time chairman and chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase.

Staley appears to respond to Epstein saying he would if he wasn't away elsewhere and that Dimon was in Asia.

Another exchange on March 29, 2010 from Mandelson shows the then Business Secretary asking Epstein: 'Can Jes (Staley) send me email on issues re Dodds/Volcker.' The reference appears to allude to banking regulations enacted following the global financial crisis.

The string of messages between 2009 and early 2011 continually shows Epstein calling Mandelson 'Petie'.

Peter Mandelson (pictured right in cabinet in 1998) served in Tony Blair's and Gordon Brown's Labour governments

Jes Staley (left), former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers (second left), and Bill Gates (right) are picture with Epstein in 2011 after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from underage girls

Peter Mandelson is alleged to have stayed at Jeffrey Epstein's residence at 9 East 71st Street in the Manhattan in June 2009

In one interaction in January 2010, according to the report, Epstein wrote to Staley seemingly inviting him to meet with Mandelson and Darling at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

'I've set up you and peter to meet in davos with darling,' Epstein allegedly wrote.

Staley, days later, replied: 'Peter last night. Darling in 20 minutes. Will talk again with Peter this AM.'

Darling has claimed he has 'no recollection of meeting Staley', the Financial Times reported, adding that he denied having dealings with Epstein and questioned: 'Why would I?'

The document in question involved JPMorgan's efforts to purchase the Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) stake in Sempra Energy and a mining deal in the Congo.

A spokesman for Mandelson said: 'Lord Mandelson very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein.

'This connection has been a matter of public record for some time. He never had any kind of professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form.'

JPMorgan's 22-page internal report, prepared after Epstein's arrest in 2019, reportedly showed how the late sex offender would regularly provide business advice to then-exec Jes Staley, (pictured in October 2019)

Lord Mandelson (c) speaks during the Labour Party's first press conference of the election campaign in Westminster on April 8, 2010. He is pictured with Alastair Darling (right) and Gordon Brown (left)

Darling has since claimed the Treasury was not involved in running RBS and that meetings on government business would have been attended by civil servants.

In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Darling said he 'very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein,' and that he 'never had any kind of professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form.'

The Financial Times reported that a source close to Mandelson confirmed that he did meet Staley to discuss the banking crisis but said Epstein 'certainly' did not set up the meeting.

The report also alleges that Epstein and Mandelson spoke and met on a 'number of occasions', including in Paris.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Darling or Mandelson.

It is not known when Mandelson and Epstein first met but a 2002 New York Magazine article said the ex-Labour politician had attended a dinner party at the tycoon's Manhattan home where other guests included Donald Trump.

Photos from the mid-2000s have emerged showing them celebrating a birthday party at Epstein's Paris apartment and shopping together in the Caribbean.

They were introduced by Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for 20 years for helping Epstein traffic under-age girls.

A source close to Mandelson added the friendship was mainly through Maxwell and he had never done business with Epstein, saying: 'As we now better understand, she procured many things for him, including prominent folk of influence.'

They added it was 'obvious' that Mandelson, who is gay, would have had nothing to do with the underage girls Epstein arranged for other people.

The report alleged that 'Jeffrey Epstein appears to maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British government'

Epstein is alleged to have invited Staley to meetings with various senior officials in foreign governments, including then UK Parliament member Peter Mandelson and Dubai port kingpin Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (pictured)

Other notable figures in the newly released report included Dubai's Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who also appeared to engaged in regular correspondence with Epstein after his 2006 arrest in Florida.

Bin Sulayem, the CEO of prominent ports operator DP World, made several visits to Epstein's Manhattan townhouse between 2011 and 2014, according to JPMorgan - meetings that were only made possible by an email introduction from Epstein.

A message penned in December 2009 saw Epstein tell Staley how to conduct himself around the Emirati businessman during these meetings - reportedly saying: 'sultan is laying the groundwork for you to establish a serious presence.'

'[JPMorgan's] reputation in the region is poor,' Epstein warned, roughly a year after he himself was sentenced to 18 months in jail for a sex ring in Florida.

However, under a secret arrangement, the US attorney's office agreed not to prosecute Epstein for federal crimes - after which the disgraced banker posed for a photo with Epstein, former JPMorgan Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, and Microsoft CEO Bill Gates seemingly in celebration at Epstein's Manhattan home.

Moreover, Staley sensationally visited Epstein in prison after his 2019 conviction for prostitution in the US Virgin Islands, after which he hanged himself during his incarceration.

The report, meanwhile, insists that not just Staley, but JPMorgan's current head of asset and wealth management, Mary Erdoes, had 'regular communication with [Epstein] related to certain strategic initiatives and business proposals' starting in 2011.

The document reportedly claims that several of these messages were personal in nature, with the lion's share of the correspondence coming between Staley and Epstein - who regularly discussed women and referred to themselves as 'family.'

The developments comes as current JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has waged legal war against Staley

The report further claimed that Epstein even offered to help one of Staley's daughters, Alexa, apply to several graduate schools, including Columbia University

In one July 2010 email exchange, Staley reportedly wrote to Epstein, 'That was fun. Say hi to Snow White.'

In response, Epstein reportedly wrote: '[W]hat character would you like next?'; to which Staley replied, 'Beauty and the Beast.'

In 2011, the pair seemed to engage in an exchange that referenced Epstein's 2008 conviction in Florida, with Staley telling his high-profile client, 'You have paid a price for what has been accused. But we know what u[sic] have done for us.

'We count you as one of our deepest friends. And most honest of people.'

The report also allegedly contained correspondence that suggested Staley shared nonpublic information with Epstein, such as prospective executive shuffles before they were officially announced and word on still-ongoing deals.

The new information dump serves as the latest development in a case filed by the US Virgin Islands that contends the New York-based bank knew about Epstein's behavior for years - and even aided by turning a blind eye to the sex fiend's sordid exploits.

The bank recently settled a similar suit brought by an unnamed woman on behalf of several of Epstein's victims, forking over $290million in the process.

The evidence brought by both parties was enough to sway a Manhattan judge to rule the cases could go forward, and order the firm in March to hand over any records involving CEO Jamie Dimon and ex-exec Staley in the process.

The pair, former close friends who held positions of power during Epstein's crimes at his island compound, have since waged legal war against one another, with Dimon, 67, insisting Staley, 66, knowingly concealed information about Epstein's account.

Epstein ran much of his criminal activities out of his compound on Little St. James Island, a private itself he owned off the coast that falls in the Virgin Islands' jurisdiction. The territory has claimed that at least one JPMorgan exec knew about Epstein's trafficking on their island

'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

The newly released report serves as the bank's latest attempt to prove to the court that this is, in fact, the case, as it pursues its own suit against Staley.

It alleges Staley misled them as to the continued actions of Epstein, while the Virgin Isles continues to maintain the high-powered exec - who left his CEO job at Barclays in 2021 - knew about Epstein's trafficking of women and teenage girls on their island.

The bank also claims Staley was the unnamed executive identified in the aforementioned Epstein accuser's recently settled suit, which accused the banker of engaging in assaults along with Epstein.

Staley's lawyers denied the allegations against him and told the Wall Street Journal that their client, who left the bank in 2013 for a short-lived CEO-stint at Barclays, regrets his relationship with Epstein.

Epstein died in custody while awaiting a sex trafficking trial.

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.
One person was arrested after a brawl broke out outside a Glendale Unified School District's board meeting Tuesday night

A massive brawl broke out among protesters outside a California school board meeting Tuesday night over whether Pride should be included in the curriculum.

One person was arrested after about 300 people attended the Glendale Unified School District's protest, the majority fighting against the inclusion of LGBTQ+-related material in the classroom.

The clash, which was captured on video, comes just weeks after violence broke out amid a previous school board meeting in Glendale, a largely Armenian community.

This time, there was a large police presence who came prepared - equipped in riot gear in case protestors became violent. Barricades were put up to keep the crowd under control and contained in the parking lot.

While Glendale Police were able to de-escalate an earlier situation when demonstrators attempted to rush the school building, hours later, the protest took a violent turn, as a group of men can be seen stomping on a man who is cowering on the ground.

Police detain a demonstrator as they gather outside the Glendale Unified School District headquarters in Glendale, California, on June 20, 2023

One man (pictured) was attacked on video during a massive brawl which broke out outside a California school board meeting Tuesday night, as protesters both in support and against the board's resolution to include Pride curriculum in classrooms gathered

Officers were forced to intervene and ultimately were able to guard the man who was still crouched down.

Before the brawl broke out, crowds cheered: 'USA USA USA,' as one protestor with a microphone called out: 'Whose kids? Our kids! Whose schools? Our schools!'

'We are here to fight beside you. because we are against this thing. We do not want children medicalized, indoctrinated or any of that stuff,' one protestor said.

'This pornography in the school we are completely against. We need to stop it and we will fight with you full course until it ends,' she added.

Arbi Sardarian, a father of a Glendale school student, clarified to KTLA5 that he is not anti-LGBTQ+ - he just doesn't feel it is appropriate for LGBTQ+ topics to be included in a child's school curriculum.

'We don't have any problem with LGBTQ,' he said. 'You want to be LGBTQ, when you're 18 go ahead, do whatever you want I don't have any problem with that. But at eight years old they are not ready for that.'

Ara Gabrielian, a Glendale resident said students should be focused on other subjects in school.

'We just want kids to be studying math English science, things like that,' he said.

A small crowd in support of LGBTQ curriculums, also attended the protest.

While Glendale Police were able to de-escalate an earlier situation when demonstrators attempted to rush the school building, hours later, the protest took a violent turn, as a group of men can be seen stomping on a man who is cowering on the ground

Officers were forced to intervene and ultimately were able to guard the man who was still crouched down

One person was arrested after about 300 people attended the Glendale Unified School District's protest, the majority fighting against the inclusion of LGBTQ +-related material in the classroom

There was a large police presence at Tuesday's protest - they came equipped in riot gear in case protestors became violent

One person was arrested after about 200 people attended the Glendale Unified School District's protest on Tuesday. Police came prepared in riot gear with barricades to contain the crowd

Barricades were put up to keep the crowd under control and contained in the parking lot.

Before the brawl broke out, crowds cheered: 'USA USA USA,' as one protestor with a microphone called out: 'Whose kids? Our kids! Whose schools? Our schools!'

'Suicide rates for queer kids is ridiculously high and they need to know there are people who care about them there are people support them and love them,' one supporter claimed.

'We are calling on anyone with a decent heart, who has a heart for humanity to not allow these fascists to intimidate people and allow that future,' said LGBTQ+ supporter Maya Maliki to KTLA5.

'They're claiming that they're for the children,' Maliki said of Pride opponents. 'They're not for the children. They're for getting rid of a whole section of people.'

Others addressed the school board inside despite there being no specific items on the agenda related to the issue.

Demonstrators protested the inclusion of Pride in the classroom, which school officials claim has been in effect since 2019.

The resolution to include the subject is presented annually and was passed by the board earlier this month as it has been every year since.

Tuesday's brawl comes just two weeks after protests turned violent outside a Glendale board meeting where members approved a motion to recognize June as pride month.

The meeting turned to chaos when protesters began fighting in the street amid the debate over whether to recognize Pride month.

Police in Glendale, California are pictured on Tuesday, June 6, separating protesters angered by a plan to recognize Pride month, and counter protesters in favor of the move

Around 50 officers were deployed in the June 6 school board meeting in Glendale but they were not able to contain the crowd

Rival groups could be seen throwing punches, and the police drew their batons to separate them during a June 6 protest in Glendale

Protesters on both sides were largely peaceful until around 6pm

Glendale Unified School District was due to hold a vote on officially marking Pride this year - as they have done for the last four years.

Protests had been peaceful during the day, but around 6pm scuffles broke out between around 200 protesters and counter-demonstrators.

Police deployed around 50 officers to the scene, CBS News reported. Cops used their batons to break up the mob, who were throwing punches.

They ordered the protesters to disperse and threatened to use force to break up the crowd.

Their efforts failed, prompting officers to arrest at least three people, on charges of using pepper spray and obstruction.
Former special counsel John Durham revealed that FBI agents have apologized to him for their handling of the Trump-Russia probe as he confirmed he saw bias among key officials in charge of the investigation like Peter Strzok.

'I have had any number of FBI agents who I've worked with over the years, some are retired, some are still in place, who have come to me and apologized for the manner in which that investigation was undertaken,' Durham revealed at the top of the high-profile Judiciary hearing.

To him, that proved that a majority of the FBI are 'good, hard-working people' who 'swear under their oaths to abide by the law.'

'Our findings are sobering,' said Durham. 'Having spent 40 years plus as a federal prosecutor, they are particularly sobering to me.'

The FBI has come under attack since the investigation into allegations of collusions between the Trump campaign and Russia, Operation Crossfire, for the raid on Mar-a-Lago and for allegations the agency slow-walked an investigation into Hunter Biden.

Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to look into misconduct related to 'Crossfire Hurricane', which investigated now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion allegations. He concluded four years later that the FBI opened the flawed probe 'based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence.'

Former special counsel John Durham revealed that FBI agents have apologized to him for their handling of the Trump-Russia probe as he confirmed he saw bias among key officials in charge of the investigation like Peter Strzok

'It's going to take time to rebuild the public's confidence in the institution, the changes, the reforms they have made are certainly changes that are going to guard to some extent against the repeat of what happened in Crossfire,' Durham insisted.

Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan refuted Durham's claims that the FBI had made significant reforms. 'I don't think anything has changed,' the Ohio Republican said.

Durham insisted that his four-year-long investigation had operated 'in good faith' and did not act 'with a purpose to pursue partisan political ends.'

'We found troubling violations of law and policy in the conduct of highly consequential investigations, directed at members of a presidential campaign and ultimately a presidential administration. To me it matters not whether it was a Republican campaign or a Democrat campaign was a presidential campaign.'

In one heated moment Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, referenced the infamous 'pee tape' in the dossier put together by Christopher Steele -- paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Steele made an unsubstantiated claim in the dossier, which was compiled during the 2016 presidential election that Russian authorities had covertly filmed Trump being urinated on by prostitutes at a Moscow hotel room in 2013.

He noted that former FBI director James Comey said in 2018 it was 'possible' the 'pee tape' was real.

'You want to irritate the suburban mom at home five months before an election tell them the Republican leading candidate is peeing on prostitutes,' Nehls said.

'We are aware of a member of this committee having an alleged affair with a Chinese spy I refer to as Yum Yum,' he added, in a dig at Rep. Eric Swalwell, who had relations with a Chinese national known as 'Fang Fang' -- who was allegedly in the U.S. wooing lawmakers to get close to sensitive government intelligence  including Swalwell.

'This is a new low for anyone,' Nehls said, 'Imagine if someone had taken it a step forward and said Swalwell was peeing on Yum Yum.'

Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., asked Jordan for those comments about Swalwell to be stricken from the record. Jordan refused.

Ranking Democrat Jerry Nadler, N.Y., insisted Durham's report had been political and he was only invited to testify on Wednesday because Trump had been indicted for his handling of classified documents and hush money payments.

'Mr. Durham, your report reads like a defense of the Trump campaign and an attack on Hillary Clinton because that's exactly what it is!' he said, reminding Durham he lost all the cases he brought to trial.

Rep. Steve Neguse, D-Colo., asked Durham about Republican calls to 'defund' the FBI and the DOJ amid concerns of bias against Trump within the agency.

'Now, that doesn't make sense to me. But I've only been at this for 40 years,' Durham said, referencing his four decades as a federal prosecutor.

At one point in the hearing Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., told Durham his reputation was damaged because he had been appointed U.S. attorney by Donald Trump before being appointed special counsel by Barr.

'Everybody's reputation who gets involved with Donald Trump will be damaged. He's damaged goods. There's no good dealing with him so you will end up on the bottom of a pyre,' said Cohen.

'My concern about my reputation is with the people who I respect, and my family, and my Lord, and I'm perfectly comfortable with my reputation with them, sir,' Durham shot back.

Chair Jordan has said Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) needs to be completely overhauled for it to be renewed this year. Section 702 was used by the FBI to spy on the Trump campaign - specifically advisor Carter Page.

'The FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research such as the Steele Dossier,' said Durham in the hearing.

'The FBI relied on the dossier and FISA applications knowing there was likely material originating from a political campaign or political opponent. It did so even after the president of the United States, the FBI and CIA directors and others received briefings about intelligence suggesting that there was a Clinton campaign plan underway to stir up a scandal tying Trump to Russia.'

FISA's Section 702 authorization must be completed by the end of 2023. It allows U.S. federal intelligence agencies to conduct targeted searches of foreigners, but sometimes Americans are improperly searched in the process - which Congress wants to fix.

At one point Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., asked Durham about the meeting Donald Trump Jr. took with Russian agents claiming to have 'very high level and sensitive information' that would be incriminating to Hillary Clinton.

'People get phone calls all the time from individuals who claim to have information like that,' Durham said.

'This son of a presidential candidate gets calls all the time from a foreign government offering dirt on their important opponent. Is that what youre saying?' Schiff pressed.

Schiff was one of Trump's most outspoken critics and spent years trying to prove collusions between him and Russia. In 2018 DailyMail.com revealed that Schiff had been spoofed by Russian comedians posing as Ukrainian officials offering him 'compromising' dirt on Trump - including nude photos.

Schiff was one of Trump's most outspoken critics and spent years trying to prove collusions between him and Russia. In 2018 DailyMail.com revealed that Schiff had been spoofed by Russian comedians posing as Ukrainian officials offering him 'compromising' dirt on Trump - including nude photos.

The hearings come as the FBI is investigating Biden for alleged mishandling of classified documents, and just days after Trump appeared in a Miami court and was arrested on 37 federal counts related to files found at Mar-a-Lago.

Republican senators Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley are also pressing Durham to provide answers about why top FBI officials - including Comey and McCabe - refused to cooperate with his investigation into the agency's opening of the Trump-Russia collusion probe.

Durham issued 2,800 subpoenas, executed 500 search warrants and conducted hundreds of interviews with key officials including Hillary Clinton and her campaign associates, Trump campaign officials and hundreds of involved FBI officials - but notably a few of the FBI's top brass at the time refused to cooperate with Durham's probe.

Durham did not interview James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Bill Preistap, Kevin Clinesmith - who was convicted by Durham for illegally altering an email - and Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS, which the Republican senators call 'odd.'

The Republicans are pressing Durham to provide information on whether Durham issued subpoenas to those specific individuals and whether DOJ 'impeded' any of his office's investigative practices.

Although Durham's report does not recommend any 'wholesale changes' in guidelines or policies of the Department of Justice, it says there is a 'continuing need' for the agencies to recognize the lack of 'analytical rigor' and apparent 'confirmation bias.'

The FBI responded to the report in a statement to DailyMail.com saying that there are 'corrective actions' in place now that would have prevented 'missteps in 2016.'

'The conduct in 2016 and 2017 that Special Counsel Durham examined was the reason that current FBI leadership already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time,' the FBI told DailyMail.com.

'Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented. This report reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect.'
The first Briton to dive to the Titanic shipwreck has told MailOnline it is 'crucial' that the five passengers onboard the missing tourist Titan submersible retain a 'stable mindset'.

Dik Barton, who has made 22 dives of the wreck down at 12,500ft, said his 'reliable' friend, French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, who is on board the missing vessel, is '100 percent' the man he would want to be with if trapped on a sub.

Time is fast running out to find and rescue those in the missing submersible, with experts estimating there is now less than 24 hours of breathable air left.

Earlier underwater noises described as 'banging' were confirmed to have been detected in the search area by the US Coastguard, which said nearby vessels had relocated to investigate.

Titan lost communication with tour operators at about 9.45am on Sunday while 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

The first Brit to dive to the wreck of the Titanic, Dik Barton, says keeping a 'stable mindset' is crucial for the missing men's survival

The missing OceanGate submersible, the Titan, lost contact with the mothership during its descent to the shipwreck Sunday morning

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, will be the one 'keeping everyone in a stable mindset' on board the missing Titan vessel

On board Titan are British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, and British billionaire and pilot Hamish Harding.

Mr Nargeolet is considered to be possibly the chief expert on the Titanic in the diving world and heads up underwater research for RMS Titanic, Inc, which owns salvaging rights for the wreck.

Speaking to MailOnline on Wednesday, Guest Lecturer at the University of Sunderland Mr Barton said Mr Nargeolet would be a huge asset to the explorers: 'There's no comparison.

'HP [as he is known] is a consultant in underwater sciences, an expedition leader, very reliable, he's going to be the man who is keeping everyone in a stable mindset.

'That's crucial to retain normality. Everyone gets claustrophobia, panic attacks, but you have to limit it as you can't go anywhere.'

He continued: 'You're in the danger zone from the second the craft is released by the mothercraft. From then on you are reliant on the technology, integrity and strength of the vessel.'

Earlier on Wednesday it was reported operators OceanGate had refused to have Titan assessed independently before use.

Court documents also showed a former employee was fired after raising concerns about the craft's safety.

Five people are onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding

Amongst those onboard are Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, 19 (pictured together)

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

READ MORE: Timeline of missing OceanGate Titanic tourist submersible Advertisement

David Lochridge, OceanGate's former director of marine operations, claimed in the August 2018 court document he was wrongfully fired after flagging worries about the company's alleged 'refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design'.

After 'issues of quality control' with Titan were raised, the filings say Mr Rush asked Mr Lochridge to conduct a 'quality inspection' report on the vessel.

During this process, Mr Lochridge 'identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns' but he was allegedly 'met with hostility and denial of access' to necessary documents before later being fired.

The document claims he became concerned about a 'lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan', and that he 'stressed the potential danger to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths'.

The 21ft submersible has an oxygen supply of up to 96 hours but it is thought the crew of five have less than 24 hours of breathable air left

It is thought the temperature in the craft without power would be 3C at the bottom of the ocean

France deploys a robot that can dive to 6,000ft to help search for missing Titanic tourist sub

This image shared by the US Coast Guard is the first from the search site, some 900 miles off the coast of the US. It shows Deep Energy - a pipe-laying ship that has joined the hunt

Last known sighting: The Titan was pictured just before it embarked on the dive into the Atlantic Ocean to view the wreck of the Titanic

One possible theory as to why the submersible lost contact with its mothership is a power outage.

According to experienced diver Mr Barton, 'everything you need down there is hugely reliant on the power system. That's survival. Lights and cameras burn a huge amount of energy.'

If no lights are working, the crew will be in pitch blackness. Even the strongest rays of sunlight can only penetrate up to 1,000m beneath the surface, and Titan could be at a depth of 2,500m.

It is thought the temperature in the craft without power would be 3C at the bottom of the ocean.

At the depth of the Titanic, around 12,000 feet, the sea has strong, unpredictable currents and the pressure is the equivalent of two adult male elephants standing on a person's thumbnail.

Describing the difficult conditions faced by search and rescue teams, Mr Barton said: 'These are extraordinary efforts of international rescue organisations and everyone who is participating. And we need to be very, very careful about conjecture.'

He told how those on board will not have received any training prior to the dive due to their helplessness once inside the Titan craft, and will have had to sign an 'explicit' waiver of any rights in the case of death.

He said of the policy: 'It's dictated by two things, one is the fact that you as an individual has expressed an interest and a desire to go down there.

'The other is once you are inside you are totally at the mercy of the risk, the situation circumstances and any assistance topside.'

TIMELINE OF EVENTS: The Titan lost contact with the surface sparking panic. All timings given in BST, five hours ahead of EST

The craft is sealed shut with bolts which are only removable by people on the outside.

Despite this, he was optimistic the five men will act to conserve their air supply as long as possible due to the expertise of his friend.

Mr Barton said: 'The most important asset is air. It's a waiting game.

'They should be conserving power, conserving breath. There's been reports of tapping, which is pretty conventional protocol for any underwater distress signal.

How does the sonar that identified the banging noises work? Banging noises have been detected every 30 minutes by a Canadian plane with underwater sonar capabilities. This has led to fresh hope that the crew of the Titan vessel are still alive, and are deliberately making noises against the hull. But what is sonar, how does it work and what does this mean for the rescue mission? What has happened? As the aircraft flew over the search area it dropped devices called sonobuoys  an important tool for underwater searches. Once dropped, they descend to the required depth and maintain communication with the aircraft above. The buoys were initially developed during WWII to detect German U-boats, but are now used for a variety of purposes including in search and rescue operations. They can map the location of an airplane crash site, a sunken ship or survivors at sea. How does it work? Sonar works in two different ways: active and passive detection. Active detection involves bouncing a 'ping' into the surrounding area and listening for the returning echo. Passive detection involves listening for sounds produced by propellers and machinery. Which is being used here? Search teams will mostly be using passive detection  picking up noises that are hoped to be the crew banging against the hull of the submersible. Active detection is much more difficult around the Titanic wreck, as it would be incredibly difficult to distinguish between the submersible and the surrounding debris. Can the submersible now be located? Unfortunately, three buoys would need to pick up the sound so that experts could 'triangulate' the position of the sub. Triangulation  commonly used by geologists to find the locations of Earthquakes  allows for a more precise location to be determined by using angles. How hopeful can we be about these noises? Dr Jamie Pringle, Reader in Forensic Geosciences at Keele University, said: 'The fact they are 30 minutes apart is a great sign. 'It is unlikely to be from another submarine, which typically only go down to 900m, or a surface ship propellor which would make a continuous noise  so this sound is likely manmade. 'Acoustic noise travels far in water  for example whale sounds  so that is both good and bad news. 'You would still need three static buoys to be able to triangulate the sound to get a position fix. 'I should also add a caveat that the sound could, of course, be coming from something other than the sub, let's not give people false hope here. 'The lack of oxygen is key now - even if they find it, still need to get to the surface and unbolt it.' Advertisement

'My only counter to that is sadly the ocean is a very busy place. We are always putting down communication cables, we're trenching, there's lots of background noise.

'It's a falsehood to put all your money on [the banging].'

But the diver - who has visited the Titanic wreck 22 times - is not devoid of hope.

He told how if, as suspected, the Titan vessel is on or by the wreck itself, it will be easy to identify once search vehicles have been deployed.

'People have talked about Titan lying on the wreck. If she is there, she is very discernable. We know what the wreck site, looks like it's very well-mapped.

'They'll be some clutter at the site, but she [Titan] is a very distinctive shape and a new shape that hasn't been seen before, she could be discerned quickly.

'When she's located the real challenge then is having to recover. There's no way of accessing her in situ. Any accessing has to be done topside by crew.'

Mr Barton has been to the wreck more than 20 times, although for commercial rather than tourism purposes.

The five people on board the submersible were hoping to see the wreck of the Titanic up close.

After losing contact, OceanGate waited eight hours before reporting the missing vessel to the US coastguard.

There was a glimmer of hope overnight as it was revealed a Canadian search vessel had detected a 'banging' noise which was being heard regularly, every half hour.

The US Coast Guard announced earlier on Wednesday that the Canadian P-3 aircraft detected the underwater noises.

Rear Admiral John Mauger told CBS News: 'This is an incredibly complex site there, you have to remember that it's the wreck site of the Titanic, so there is a lot of metal and different objects in the water around the site.

'That's why it's so important that we've engaged experts from the navy that understand the science behind noise and can classify or give us better information about what the source of that noise may be.

'In the meantime, it's something, it's a target, it's a focus for us to look at.

'We've deployed the remote-operated vehicles and the surface vessel, the Canadian Coast Guard surface vessel, that has sonar capability in the vicinity of that to see if we can detect anything in the water in that area.'

This has led to fresh hope that the crew of the Titan vessel are still alive, and are deliberately making noises against the hull.

Above the surface of the wreck five vessels remain on standby helping the frantic search efforts - with four more from the US Coast Guard on their way including one filled with medical personnel, according to marine tracking data.

A French ship carrying the only underwater vehicle capable of rescuing the sub if it is discovered is rushing to the scene - but the ship carrying it will not reach the search site until tonight.

Oceanographer David Gallo said that hitting the side of the sub to try and alert rescuers was something one of those trapped inside - diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet - 'would certainly do'.

But former rear admiral Chris Parry warned the sounds may be emanating from the Titanic itself, which 'makes a lot of noise'.

As families wait in agony for news, OceanGate, who started dives to the Titanic in 2021, is facing questions after it emerged the Titan suffered electrical damage and had to be rebuilt for not being able to withstand the ocean before it vanished.

The tourist company responsible for the missing submersible also took eight hours to report it to the Coast Guard after it lost contact an hour and 45 minutes into its descent on Sunday.

It was reported to the US Coastguard at 5.40pm, and Canada's Coastguard was alerted even later, at 9.13pm.

The Titanic wreckage lies at 12,500ft, and Titan was one of the only craft in the world capable of reaching it. Even nuclear submarines cannot safely go that deep.

The vessel's oxygen supply was estimated at 96 hours, which gives rescue teams until Thursday morning to find the vessel.
A top British Army officer and senior Nato commander has warned the UK is 'just holding on' to its influential position within Nato due to massive cuts to its fighting strength.

General Sir Tim Radford said that the British Army is 'too small' after waves of cutbacks, laving the country in danger of not being seen as a serious force.

Gen Radford, the deputy supreme commander of Nato, is retiring next month after 38 years' service, including in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan.

But in a scathing interview ahead of his departure he painted a bleak picture of the UK's military position.

The full-time trade trained strength of the army was 75,710 as of January this year, with plans to cut it to 72,500 by 2025. In the past decade, the number of regular soldiers has fallen from 97,000.

'We're in danger of not holding on. It would be wrong to say [we're] living off the past, but we've got to be really careful that we don't slip too low,' Gen Radford told the Telegraph.

'We're in a fortunate position here. We've got a position of influence right across Nato. I worry that if we don't invest and we don't build up our industrial base and we don't lead as we should, we might lose that position.'

General Sir Tim Radford said that the British Army is 'too small' after waves of cutbacks, laving the country in danger of not being seen as a serious force.

The full-time trade trained strength of the army was 75,710 as of January this year, with plans to cut it to 72,500 by 2025.

It came the day after a former head of the UK armed forces said reducing the size of the army 'beggars belief' and the lack of 'properly functioning' reserve forces is a 'national embarrassment'.

The size of the British Army has been a source of political argument in recent months, with Labour calling for a halt to the cuts announced in the last defence command paper, published in 2021.

Lord Houghton, who was chief of the defence staff between 2013 and 2016, criticised the decision to cut regular troop numbers during an appearance before the House of Commons Defence Committee on Tuesday.

He said: We have witnessed the first real formalised warfare above the threshold of war in Ukraine and Russia and within weeks both sides have sort of run out of troops.

'They have mobilised their nations, they have had to call on reserves and yet we as a nation have no strategic methodology for mobilising the reserves. We don't have a properly functioning reserve. To me it's a national embarrassment but they don't appear to want to do anything about it.'

Lord Houghton, who spent 40 years in the army and served in Northern Ireland and Iraq, said the UK's military capability had not been 'eroded to the point where we should worry', but acknowledged there were problems, including with recruitment and equipment.

The committee, which is conducting an inquiry into armed forces readiness, also heard that stocks held for 'major warfare' had been impacted by austerity in 2010 and, although Lord Houghton had warned about the potential for war with Russia in 2013, little had been done.

This week a major official investigation warned Britain's could be left reliant on conscripts and mercenaries to fight future wars without sweeping changes to the way personnel are treated and retained.

Britain's fighting forces are suffering from low morale caused by factors including low pay, poor-quality housing and bleak working conditions, according to a brutal 15-month official investigation.

Ocado chairman Rick Haythornthwaite made the brutal analysis to ministers, warning that 'this is central to winning the next fight  people are a pivotal military capability just as much as any new submarine or fast jet.'

In a report released to MPs today he warned that the war in Ukraine had shown how important well-trained and well-motivated individual soldiers, pilots and sailors are, even in an increasingly high-tech warzone.
The math and reading test scores for 13-year-olds fell dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic and there are no 'green shoots' of recovery yet, the nation's educational watchdog has warned.

Average math scores for 13-year-olds fell nine points from the 2019-2020 academic year to the 2022-23 year, according to the Nation's Report Card, from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Average reading scores fell four points over the same period, during which the pandemic wrought havoc on the nation's education system, shuttering classrooms and forcing children to study online.

Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), warned that test scores had not picked up 'more than two years after most students returned' to classrooms after the pandemic.

Average math and reading scores plummeted during the pandemic, according to the Nation's Report Card, from the National Assessment of Educational Progress

Average math scores for 13-year-olds fell nine points from the 2019-2020 academic year to the 2022-23 year. Pictured: Students sitting a math test

'The green shoots of academic recovery that we had hoped to see have not materialized,' Carr said in a statement.

Parents and others took to social media to express alarm about the falling results, many blaming Covid-19 lockdowns, but others saying schools were more focused on 'social issues' than 'teaching the three Rs.'

Average reading scores for 13-year-olds are at their lowest point since 2004  and in mathematics since 1990.

No 'green shoots,' warns education tsar Peggy Carr

But for the worst-performing students, math scores are thrown back to 1978, while reading has dropped to levels not seen since before 1971, the first year these data were collected.

Scores fell among all racial and ethnic groups, and among both boys and girls, and across cities, suburbs and rural areas.

Native American, black, and kids from poor families fared especially badly at math.

Fewer students said they frequently read for fun nowadays, compared to a decade ago.

Carr said this was a problem because reading for leisure is 'strongly associated with higher achievement.

'Many of our young people will never discover latent passions or areas of interest without reading broadly on their own time,' she added.

The latest NAEP results mark the federal government's last big release of data on pandemic learning loss.

They show that schools, teachers, and students have a mountain to climb just to get back to pre-pandemic levels.

The scores are particularly troubling because the ages of 10-13 are a key period for mastering basic skills that students will need to progress at school and have successful careers.

Students were forced to work at home on laptops in their kitchens in the pandemic

'The bottom line  these results show that there are troubling gaps in the basic skills of these students,' said Carr.

'This is a huge-scale challenge that faces the nation.'

The latest numbers echo previous findings that testing scores plummeted during the pandemic.

Test results earlier this year showed that US history scores had fallen among middle schoolers, while the reading and math scores of elementary school students also tanked.

'The educational opportunities we give today's students are crucial for their individual and collective success,' said Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board.

'Leaders from federal, state, and community levels must act with urgency and prepare students to pursue their educational, career and life goals.'

Beth Gaskill, founder of an education company, Big City Readers, says teachers have been trained poorly.

Children are taught to 'memorize lists of words' when they should instead 'sound words out,' Gaskill said.
Maclean's distraught widow Maria tells DailyMail.com Brin 'could have done much more. I have been in agony for weeks'

The heartbroken widow of a pilot ferrying a plane for Google co-founder Sergey Brin has blasted the tech multi-billionaire over her husband's body still languishing at the bottom of the Pacific after it crashed a month ago.

It is an ironic twist as the world waits for news of the five people trapped inside the missing Titanic-bound submersible with just 20 hours of oxygen left.

Former Navy flier Lance Maclean, 65, and his unidentified co-pilot ditched roughly 40 miles off northern California as they were flying a twin-engine de Havilland Twin Otter turbo prop to Fiji for the world's 9th richest man.

A U.S. Coast Guard swimmer was winched down from a helicopter and found both men dead in the upturned plane, but was unable to retrieve them.

The aircraft then sank and is now believed to be in 2,700ft of water. It is owned by Bayshore Global Management, a Palo Alto-based investment company founded by 49-year-old Brin to oversee his $100 billion wealth.

Distraught Maria Maclean, 49, has battled since the crash for urgent action to retrieve her husband  and has just been told an operation is scheduled to start on June 25.

But despite the plan, Maria  herself a pilot  condemned the Google guru, telling DailyMail.com: 'He could have done much more. I have been in agony for weeks.'

Private plane piloted by former Navy flier Lance Maclean, 65, (pictured with his wife) and his unidentified co-pilot crashed 40 miles off northern California last month

The pair were flying to Fiji for Google Founder Sergey Brin, the world's 9th richest man, when they crashed and their bodies have not been recovered

Maclean's distraught widow Maria tells DailyMail.com Brin 'could have done much more. I have been in agony for weeks'

'He has no respect for my husband and no respect for me and no respect for our family. With all his power, with all his resources and with all his influence he would have made this happen much faster.

'My husband has been at the bottom of the ocean for more than a month already.

'From day one, he let his insurance company deal with this. He could have made sure the plane didn't sink.'

[Brin] could have done much more. I have been in agony for weeks. Maria Maclean

She added: 'I have tried to contact him, I have tried through Twitter and through so many people but I haven't had any response.

'Mr. Brin, I know you have insurance, but for the sake of humanity my husband was flying for you.'

Shortly after the crash, Bayshore Global said in a statement: 'We send our deepest condolences to the families of the crew on board. We are providing the families with assistance and will continue to do so as long as needed.

'Similarly, we are working ensure all available resources are ready to assist in recovery efforts once weather and seas provide safer conditions.'

Brin stepped down as president of Google's parent company Alphabet in December 2019, but remains a board member and controlling shareholder.

Maria is also heartbroken that the Coast Guard did not pull the two pilots free when the swimmer reached the plane, which came down in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco.

He was able to pull the leg of one of the fliers, but could not free either man from the cockpit without going all the way inside  which the Coast Guard has told DailyMail.com is against protocol. Maclean's co-pilot has not been officially named.

Maclean's plane took off from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California, at 8.05am on May 20, initially bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, on the first leg of a run to move it to Fiji

'[Brin]has no respect for my husband and no respect for me and no respect for our family. With all his power, with all his resources and with all his influence he would have made this happen much faster,' Maria tells DailyMail.com

The plane took off from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California, at 8.05am on May 20, initially bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, on the first leg of a run to move it to Fiji.

It was destined to be used in the South Pacific for Brin or his guests to go island hopping, Maria said she was told. The tycoon has vacationed there before.

But flight tracking records reveal the plane headed back to the Santa Rosa area four hours later with a suspected fuel starvation problem.

And for the next hour traffic control tried in vain to contact the crew who were clearly battling to reach the safety of land  even using other aircraft in the area as spotters.

At 1.15pm, the red and white Twin Otter turned east on a direct path for a community airfield at Half Moon Bay. Air traffic control made contact with the crew, telling them to turn on their emergency beacons. One of the pilots answered: 'OK. We'll do that.'

It's reported that at 1.52pm a tower operator radioed the plane to tell the pilots that the U.S. Coast Guard had a fix on them and asked: 'Do you have flares?'

The reply came: 'I don't believe but there's something inside the life raft here.'

Next the operator is reported to have told them: 'Coast Guard has your last known location here and they're sending out a helicopter soon. So hang in there guys, we'll come get you.'

The response: 'Copy that, I very much appreciate your help.' The plane's situation at that time has not been reported  and there was no further transmission from it.

Maria, 49, said: 'My husband has been at the bottom of the ocean for a month now and I do not understand why his body has not been recovered.

'It's heartbreaking to think of him down there. If I had the money and resources I would get my husband by myself.

'I cannot describe my pain. He and the other pilot have just been left in the water.

'I want to give my husband a funeral, everyone deserves a funeral. I know he is decomposing, but if I can have one bone of my husband I need that bone.'

'I cannot describe my pain,' Maria said. 'I want to give my husband a funeral, everyone deserves a funeral. I know he is decomposing, but if I can have one bone of my husband I need that bone'

Maclean and Maria met in her native Colombia 22 years ago while she was flying VIPs and presidential hopefuls around the South American country and he was a commercial pilot

Maclean and Maria met in her native Colombia 22 years ago while she was flying VIPs and presidential hopefuls around the South American country and he was a commercial pilot.

He handled Phantom fast jets during his five years in the Navy before moving into a variety of aviation roles, including hunting down narco-traffickers in South America and fighting wildfires in Montana. He also spent time in Afghanistan helping to train Air Force pilots.

The couple set up home in Naples, Florida - where Lance grew up and went to high school - after marrying 17 years ago.

Maria described her last conversations with her husband on the fateful day and her battle for his remains.

'Those flights of around 10 hours over water always make me scared,' she said. 'As a pilot myself and a wife, I am always scared when my husband flies. So I track him to see what is happening.

Maria, 49, said: 'My husband has been at the bottom of the ocean for a month now and I do not understand why his body has not been recovered'

'At 7.34am Pacific time I called him and he was doing his pre-flight checks. I told him, it looks like I cannot track you because the system seems to be blocked.

'He said he believed it had been blocked by the owners, but added when he got out into international waters the plane should show up,'

It is not unusual for aircraft carrying VIPs or those owned by major figures not to be revealed on public flight tracking phone apps such as Flightradar24 for their privacy.

'I didn't know what happened during the flight because I couldn't see the tracking, I couldn't see what was going on,' said Maria.

'At around 7pm in Naples a Coast Guard official contacted me. I said, what happened? I thought my husband was maybe in the hospital but was okay.

'They told me my husband crashed the aircraft, he was under the water and he was found with no life. and they didn't recover his body.

'The woman gave me a phone number for more information. I called and asked, what's the reason they can't recover my husband's body? And they said, because we don't have the resources.'

The distraught widow 'began calling people all night'. She continued: 'Next day I called the Coast Guard again. They just said Lance was dead and there was nothing they could immediately do.

'I don't know if the plane sank the day after the crash. But I was screaming with all my heart, with all my ability, calling these people, begging don't let my husband sink. Don't let my husband sink. Don't let my husband sink.'

Maria went to San Francisco to see Coast Guard officials and walked the nearest beach to where the crash happened to allow her to gaze out over the ocean. 'I could feel Lance there,' she said. 'I know he was there. But he doesn't belong there.'

After weeks of fighting, she has now been told by emergency response specialists Fireside Partners that a tentative date for a retrieval ship to begin heading to the location is June 23. It is due to reach the crash site on June 25  and is contracted to search for 24 hours a day.

Maria said: 'I have had so many false hopes, I just want to physically see something happening. I won't believe they are retrieving my husband's body until I see it with my own eyes.'

A map shows the area off the coast of Northern California where the plane went down

After weeks of fighting, Maria has now been told by emergency response specialists Fireside Partners that a tentative date for a retrieval ship to begin heading to the location is June 23

Paul Finizio, an attorney based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who is working with the widow, confirmed: 'They are going to be dispatching a recovery ship equipped with underwater drones.

'At this point, I don't know if they will attempt to retrieve just the bodies or if they will try to raise the whole plane.

'I was able to go with Mrs. Maclean to Half Moon Bay. It was emotional.'

U.S Coast Guard told DailyMail.com why it could not retrieve Maclean and the other pilot. 'Our policy is that a diver cannot enter a flooded compartment,' a spokesperson said.

'The policy says the diver can reach into the compartment, which is what he did. Basically the aircraft was upside down, he reached in and the men were unresponsive, but there was nothing else he could really do at that point.

'At this time we aren't involved with the salvage process. That would be the company that the next of kin is working with.

'We are always standing by to assist were to happen. but at this time it is the salvage company.'

DailyMail.com tried to contact Brin for comment and we were directed to Bayshore Global Management, which said in a statement: 'Since the de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft associated with our office experienced an accident at sea, we have been working every day with response, recovery, insurance, and aerial and maritime resource agencies regarding the search, and if possible, recovery.

'We are providing direct support for the families of the crew and ensuring all available specialized private resources are assisting with search and recovery efforts.

'We continue to coordinate closely with the National Transportation Safety Board, which is in charge of investigating this accident and is the only official agency authorized to publicly provide information. Our focus remains on providing support to the families.'
Two people have been stabbed, with one fighting for their life, after a knifeman went on a 'mad rampage' at a London hospital before apparently turning the blade on himself.

Armed police stormed Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, north-west London, at around 1.20pm today and locked down the site for more than two hours while terrified patients reportedly cowered in 'safe rooms'.

A man was arrested at the scene and is also fighting for his life in hospital with what are believed to have been 'self-inflicted injuries', the Met said.

Inside, officers found two people with stab wounds, one of which is being treated as life-threatening, while the second is being classed as minor.

The carnage is not being treated as a terror incident and no other suspects are being hunted, Scotland Yard said amid false claims there was a second attacker at large.

Amie Ferris-Rotman was told to hide in the dialysis unit by police for around 45 minutes while her father was getting treatment there.

She told Sky News: 'There were lots of armed police, lots running around. And they told us they were looking for a second suspect, who was wounded and was hiding out somewhere in the hospital.'

Armed police attend reports of an alleged stabbing at Central Middlesex Hospital in West London

Images from the scene show emergency services swarming the hospital in London today

The alleged stabbing happened at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, West London

Journalist Ms Ferris-Rotman said she and her father arrived at the hospital shortly before 1.30pm.

She added: 'Not long after we checked in for his appointment we heard scuffles and saw a lot of movement, a lot of police running around. Armed police were suddenly running around, suddenly all the nurses in the dialysis unit were obviously really scared and quite panicked.

'Police said everyone had to evacuate immediately and the nurses said, "no we've got people on dialysis machines, that would be next to impossible to do".

'Then the police came in and did a brief check of the dialysis and renal unit and then locked us down and had armed police at every entrance. They put my father, me and two other patients in a small nurses room and locked the door.

'A lot of the patients were quite freaked out and at one point those who were about to go on to dialysis were put on wheelchairs and brought into a room, which is where we were as well.

'Outside there were lots and lots of police teams and different units. There were about 12 or 13 police cars and an incident response unit. No one was allowed inside and lots of patients were milling about outside.'

She wrote on social media at the time of the alert: 'I am at Middlesex Central Hospital in the dialysis unit and we're sheltering in safe rooms. Armed policemen are on the scene, being described as a ''major incident''.'

Patients in the hospital reported they were on 'lockdown' after a 'major incident' was declared

The Metropolitan Police said a man has been arrested

She told LBC: 'I used to live in Afghanistan as a reporter, so I went into automatic crisis mode. We didn't hear shooting or anything.

'There were lots of police and they're still here because the whole hospital's been evacuated and everyone's standing outside.'

Mark Thewlis tweeted that his partner was also trapped at the hospital in a 'lockdown situation', while the suspected knifeman was 'still at large'.

'Police with guns swarming hospital now. Partner been advised to stay locked in room with colleagues/patients,' he added.

A third person said: 'The whole area is on lockdown and they have evacuated as far as they can safely and there is now ambulances and police.'

London Ambulance Service said it 'treated two people at the scene' with paramedics helping with the 'ongoing incident'. London Air Ambulance was also in attendance.

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: 'There's an ongoing incident at Central Middlesex Hospital. Please follow any instructions given to you by the police.'

A spokesman later added: 'Police are on site and the hospital was temporarily locked down for a short period of time as a precautionary measure.

'Working closely with the Metropolitan Police, we have now reopened the hospital and services will continue as normal.'

The hospital is in the centre of Park Royal business estate, on the border between Brent and Ealing.

Armed police officers went to Central Middlesex Hospital in London after reports of a stabbing

Police officers and ambulances arrived at the hospital around 2pm

The hospital is located in the centre of Park Royal business estate and is on the border between Brent and Ealing (file image)

The Met Police said they were aware of the incident and armed police were at the scene. A man has been arrested

The hospital trust confirmed there was an 'ongoing incident' at the hospital

London Ambulance Service said they were dealing with an 'ongoing incident' at the hospital

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said: 'We were called today (21 June) at 1:18pm to reports of an incident at Central Middlesex Hospital.

'We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic, an ambulance crew, a medic in a fast response car, and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

'We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. Our teams have so far treated two people at the scene. The incident is still ongoing.'

Police officers said they will stay at the hospital as further searches are carried out but 'at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought'.

A spokesman for the Met added: 'A man has been arrested following a stabbing at Central Middlesex Hospital.

'Armed officers were among those responding after calls at 1:18pm on Wednesday, June 21, to reports that two people had been stabbed.

'Officers found two people with stab injuries. The first victim has injuries that are being treated as life-threatening. The second victim's injuries are not being treated as life-threatening.

'Police arrested a man outside the hospital. He has also been conveyed to hospital having received injuries that are believed to be self-inflicted. His condition is being treated as life-threatening.

'Officers will remain in the hospital as further searches are conducted but at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought.

'Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

'The hospital was temporarily locked down but has now reopened and will be operating services as normal. There is a heightened police presence at the hospital while we investigate.'
As the search for the missing Titan submersible becomes increasingly desperate, some of the world's most advanced underwater search equipment has been deployed to scour the depths of the Atlantic.

Two submersibles capable of descending 20,000ft beneath the ocean surface are currently leading the underwater search and more are on the way, Coast Guard chiefs have said. The vehicles are being aided by a fleet of specialized ships which also include tools that could help lift Titan from the seabed - if it is found.

But there are now less than 24 hours' worth of oxygen remaining on the missing vessel, which disappeared on Sunday morning with five people on board. The search area has now expanded to around 14,000 square miles - twice the size of the state of Connecticut.

The time pressure is compounded by the fact that the underwater vehicles may be able to pinpoint Titan, which was headed for the Titanic wreckage 12,500ft below the surface, but it will take additional specialized tools for the mammoth task of bringing it up.

Hopes of a recovery were raised slightly on Wednesday when a Canadian P-3 aircraft equipped with sonar detected a periodic 'banging' sound which experts hope came from Titan's crew. The Coast Guard chief who's coordinating the search said that sounds were initially heard overnight and more were detected today.

As the search for the missing Titan submersible becomes increasingly desperate, some of the world's most advanced underwater search equipment has been deployed to scour the depths of the Atlantic

OceanGate's Titan submersible went missing shortly after it departed for the Titanic wreckage on Sunday morning and its oxygen supply is running low

Search focused on area 'banging' sounds heard Coast guard chief Jamie Frederick said banging sounds were a cause for 'hope' US Coast Guard response coordinator Jamie Frederick said on Wednesday that sonar-equipped aircraft picked up banging sounds from the deep. He said they have repeatedly detected the noises, raising hopes the five crew trapped inside Titan are alive and trying to communicate with searchers. 'We don't know what the noises are, to be frank with you... they have been described as banging noises but they are inconclusive,' he said. 'The good news is we are searching in the area where the noises were detected.' The sounds that were heard are now being analyzed by a team of Navy experts. Frederick also cautioned against referring to OceanGate's 96 hour oxygen limit, which he said was just 'one data point' out of many, and revealed that the crew has 'limited' rations of food and water. Read more: More banging sounds heard in search for missing sub Advertisement

The P-3 is one of several models of aircraft which are also helping the search by scouring the ocean surface and using sonar equipment for signs of activity on the seabed.

A range of military and commercial vessels is also at the site, offering a mixture of search capabilities, communications tools and rescue equipment if Titan is found.

Ultimately, it is down to the submersibles to get eyes on Titan if it remains on the seabed - or trapped within the Titanic's wreckage.

Sean Leet, co-founder of Horizon Maritime Services, the company which owns Titan's mothership Polar Prince, said on Wednesday that he has never seen advanced search 'equipment of that nature move that quickly'.

Here, DailyMail.com looks at some of the equipment involved in the search.

ODYSSEUS 6K

The Odysseus 6k is a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) which can plunge to depths of 20,000ft (6,000m).

The vehicle, operated by the California-based Pelagic Research Services, is equipped with two hydraulic arms. The ROV can also be equipped with a 'lifting fixture', although it is not designed to lift anything as heavy as the 21,000lb Titan.

PRS has reportedly sent Odysseus along with a team of staff to operate it.

The submersible was flown out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Monday.

Described as 'easily transportable, extremely capable and highly affordable', Odysseus is 98 inches long, 88 inches high and weighs 5,550lb.

It also has four forward thrusters and three additional thrusters for vertical movement.

Odysseus has a 4K camera and several other imaging and lighting tools for monitoring and recording.

VICTOR 6000

Victor 6000 is a French unmanned ROV that is deployed by the L'Atalante ship and can reach depths of 20,000ft

Victor 6000 is a French unmanned ROV that is deployed by the Atalante ship and can reach depths of 20,000ft. It is similar in shape and design to Odysseus 6K.

Victor was first deployed in 2001 and can dive for in excess of 28 hours at a time.

The submersible is carried by Atalante, a French ship which is currently close to the location of the Titan's dive site.

Victor 6000 is connected to the ship by an electromechanical cable which is 26,250ft-long and supplies 20 kW of power.

Optical fibers in the cable send the data and image flows to the surface, allowing it to be piloted from the ship in real time  with there being no limit to the duration of a drive.

NAUTILE

Nautile is a French submersible which can carry a crew of up to three people. Commissioned in 1984, it has made several previous trips to the Titanic wreckage.

It is also deployed by L'Atalante - although Nautile hasn't been confirmed as part of the mission.

Coast Guard chiefs said on Wednesday they expect more submersibles to arrived within the coming hours.

Like the other submersibles deployed to search for Titan, Nautile can reach depths of 20,000ft.

But it is primarily an observation craft and is fitted with still-imaging and video cameras, along with several floodlights. Nautile is fitted with robotic arms, although these are not capable of recovering another vessel.

That means Nautile could help with the search but not the recovery. It can remain underwater for eight hours at a time.

Like the other submersibles deployed to search for Titan, Nautile can reach depths of 20,000ft

Nautile is deployed by L'Atalante, a French research ship which has joined the Titan rescue efforts. It can remain underwater for eight hours at a time

FLYAWAY DEEP OCEAN SALVAGE SYSTEM

The US Navy has deployed its Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System (FADOSS), which is a portable ship lift system that can lift loads up of up to 60,000lb from the bottom of the ocean.

It was previously used to recover a downed helicopter from a depth of 19,075ft.

The lifting capability of FADOSS means it could prove a crucial tool if Titan is discovered.

SPECIALIZED SHIPS

A large fleet of both military and commercial ships is now gathered around the site where Titan went under, offering a range of advanced tools to aid the search.

On Wednesday morning, a further eight ships were scrambled to the site, including several from the Canadian Coast Guard and another from the country's Navy.

L'Atalante is a French vessel which can deploy submersibles that can reach depths of 20,000ft

This image shared by the US Coast Guard is the first from the search site, some 900 miles off the coast of the US. It shows Deep Energy - a pipe-laying ship that has joined the hunt

Titan's mothership, Polar Prince, also remains at the section of Atlantic close to where the missing submersible was launched. Its crew and passengers are involved in helping with the search efforts.

The French research ship L'Atalante - which launches Victor 6000, was close to the area at midday ET on Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic. The ship hosts 30 technicians and scientists.

Another ship, Deep Energy, recently arrived and can deploy remote-operated subs to dive underwater and try to find the Titan.

So far, they have not yet been able to detect any sign of it or where the banging came from.

Other vessels, including the HMCS Glace Bay and Canadian C.G.S. John Cabot, are equipped for search and rescue missions and feature sonar capabilities and mobile decompressions chambers.

AIRCRAFT

While the search for Titan is focused on depths of up to 2.5 miles beneath the ocean surface, aircraft have played a key role in the operation.

A Canadian P-3 detected the 'banging' sounds that have become the focus of the search. The maritime surveillance plane is designed to track military submarines and picked up 'underwater noises' which teams hope came from Titan.

A Canadian P-3 detected the 'banging' sounds that have become the focus of the search. A stock photo shows a P-3 aircraft

The P-8 Poseidon, made by Boeing, is typically used for maritime patrol and reconnaissance. It is capable of antisubmarine warfare. Stock photo

Four C-130 Hercules aircraft have also been deployed. These are transport aircraft which can be adapted for scientific research, maritime patrol and reconnaissance duties. Stock photo

They speculate that the crew of five have been periodically banging on the inside of the submersible in the hope that their signals will be picked up by sensitive detection equipment.

Four C-130 Hercules aircraft have also been deployed. These are transport aircraft which can be adapted for scientific research, maritime patrol and reconnaissance duties.

A P-8 Poseidon, and the similar CP-140 Aurora, are also involved. The Poseidon, made by Boeing, is typically used for maritime patrol and reconnaissance. It is capable of antisubmarine warfare.

The Poseidon can drop sonobuoys, which have also been used in the search.
Eid ul-Adha is the second Eid in the Islamic calendar, after Eid ul-Fitr in April, and will be celebrated by millions of Muslims across the UK and rest of world.

The 'Feast of the Sacrifice' is celebrated on slightly different dates across the world because it is based on the lunar calendar rather than the solar, Gregorian calendar.

A new crescent moon indicating the start of the next Islamic month is what determines the holiday's date, with Eid ul-Adha commencing on the tenth day of that month - Dhul Hijjah.

So when will Eid ul-Adha be in the UK? Find out by reading on.

Eid ul-Adha is the second Eid in the Islamic calendar, after Eid ul-Fitr in April

A new crescent moon indicating the start of the next Islamic month is what determines the holiday's date, with Eid ul-Adha commencing on the tenth day

A livestock market in the build-up to the 'Feast of the Sacrifice'

What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha, which translates as 'Feast of the Sacrifice' and is also known as Greater Eid, honours the Prophet Abraham's devotion to God and his readiness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael.

The Qur'an tells of Abrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in accordance with God's will, before God intervened and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead.

Observing Muslims slaughter an animal to honour Abraham's sacrifice and distribute its meal to the most needy.

The holiday is also marked with prayers and gift-giving.

When is Eid ul-Adha in the UK?

The sighting of a new crescent moon, which indicates a new month on the Islamic, lunar calendar, determines when Eid ul-Adha will be observed.

Because the UK does not have an official recognised moon sighting committee, many Muslims in Britain rely on Saudi Arabia as the leading authority in moonsighting, whilst some follow the sighting of the nearest Muslim country and others adhere to the the UK's own sightings.

Saudi officials declared the start of Dhul Hijjah on the night of June 18. As a result, Eid there will begin on the night of June 27.

Some mosques will celebrate Eid on June 29 however, as the moonsighting in the UK was not until a day later.

UK mosques will nonetheless observe the dates set out in Saudi Arabia, so check with your local mosque if you are unsure.

Eid ul-Adha lasts for three days, ending on July 30 or July 1 depending on when it started.

When is it elsewhere?

The date that the new crescent moon is spotted varies depending on which country you are in, and which year.

Here are some start dates across the world based on local moonsightings, but bear in mind that many will follow the Saudi declaration regardless:
Vladimir Putin today warned that his terrifying new Satan II missiles - which are capable of carrying ten nuclear weapons - will be deployed for combat duty in the 'near future'.

The Russian leader threatened the West with his new Satan-II big-beast 208-ton nuclear apocalypse rocket while speaking to military graduates in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

The giant missile - which can allegedly reach the UK in just three minutes and is known as Sarmat to Russians - has experienced embarrassing development delays.

But Putin said launch pads for the 'unstoppable' 15,880mph rocket - the size of a 14-storey tower block - will be put on 'combat duty'.

It is said to be the world's longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of striking a target 11,200 miles away. Carrying ten or more nuclear warheads is enough to wipe out territories the size of England or France in a single strike.

Vladimir Putin today warned that his terrifying new Satan II missiles will be deployed for duty in the 'near future' (pictured launching in April 2022)

The Russian leader threatened the West with his new Satan-II big-beast 208-ton nuclear apocalypse rocket while speaking to military graduates in the Grand Kremlin Palace

The dictator also claimed that his 'special military operation' to invade Ukraine has given Russian forces 'priceless experience'.

He neglected to mention the several hundred thousands of dead and wounded he has caused by going to war.

'The most important goal here is development of the nuclear triad which is the key guarantee of Russia's military safety and global stability,' said warmonger Putin in a chilling message.

'Almost half our Strategic Missile Force units are equipped with the newest Yars complexes,' he boasted.

'Troops are being re-equipped with modern missile systems with the Avangard hypersonic warhead.

'In the nearest future the first launch pads of Sarmat [Satan-2] with a new heavy missile will be put on combat duty.

'The arsenals of the aviation and naval components of the strategic nuclear forces are being replenished.

'In January 2023, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov entered combat duty.equipped with the latest Zircon hypersonic missiles.'

Russia has claimed its most potent nuclear missile, the 16,000mph hypersonic 'Satan-2', can destroy the UK

The giant missile - which can allegedly reach the UK in just three minutes and is known as Sarmat to Russians - has experienced embarrassing development delays

Putin's 'propagandist-in-chief' Dmitry Kiselyov previously threatened to drown Britain twice in a radioactive tidal wave using Satan-2 missile

Putin plainly intended his message to threaten the West.

Yet the Satan-2 warning may be seen as bluster.

It is the latest of many statements from Russian officials that the rocket is poised for deployment.

Expected tests of the Armageddon weapon with multiple nuclear warheads have apparently not happened.

It missed an earlier deployment deadline of the end of 2022, while some reports suggest a failed test launch in February.

In June 2022, Putin said he would place the first batch of missiles on combat duty by the end of the year.

More than a year ago the ex-head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin, seen as a close Putin ally, said almost 50 Satan-2 missiles in mass production would soon be on combat duty.

Around the same time a major ICBM test was scheduled and locals near the Kura test range were warned to stay clear of the target site in remote Kamchatka.

But this test never happened.

On June 25 Rogozin boasted: 'We are absolutely on schedule, we are now preparing for the second flight test of the Sarmat.'

The following month Putin fired Rogozin for unknown reasons.

Defence analysts suspecting hypersonic hyperbole have pointed out that Russia's R-36M2 Voevoda missile was tested no less than 17 times before it was put on combat duty.

Russia takes its hypersonic Satan-2 [Sarmat] missile into a forest ahead of 'new tests' amid acute tension with the West

Putin announced his terrifying plans in a speech in front of military graduates today
A Doomsday starvation cultist who was arrested for his alleged role in the death of 336 followers in Kenya has died in custody after going on hunger strike.

Joseph Juma Buyuka, who was arrested alongside 29 other suspects over the cult, went on hunger strike earlier this month in protest against his detention.

Bukuka was transported to a nearby hospital in the town of Malindi, south-eastern Kenya, before he died. Two others have been admitted in a critical condition.

'We suspect that the deceased died from complications associated with a hunger strike. We can only await for a post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death,' a senior prosecutor told a court in Mombasa, according to the BBC.

Buyuka was arrested along with self-styled pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church, suspected of being involved in the mass deaths.

Joseph Juma Buyuka, who was arrested alongside 29 other suspects over the Kenyan doomsday cult, went on hunger strike earlier this month in protest against his detention. Pictured: Leader of the starvation cult Paul Mackenzie (left)

'The police believe that these individuals... played significant roles in the offences leading to the deaths and illegal disposal of bodies in Shakahola (forest),' court papers said of Buyuka and four others arrested with him.

Authorities have exhumed most of the bodies from the forest in southeast Kenya since April 13, when the grim discovery was first made.

So far, 336 bodies have been found. 600 people are still missing.

Jami Yamina, senior prosecution counsel, said Buyuka had died two days ago at a hospital in Malindi, about 72 miles from the port city of Mombasa where he had been taken from a nearby prison.

'He died ...(due to) ... complications from hunger strike and starvation, but we will await postmortem report,' Yamina told a court in Mombasa. 'Two other suspects ... have also been taken ill. Police believe it is related to their hunger strike.'

Mackenzie is accused of ordering his followers to starve their children and themselves to death so they could reach heaven before the end of the world.

The taxi driver-turned-preacher handed himself over to police in April and was denied bail last month. He is due to face charges of 'terrorism' in the case which has rocked the east African nation.

The other suspects were arrested later after authorities started the exhumations.

He and the others have not yet been required to enter a plea.

The court is set to decide next Tuesday whether Mackenzie should remain in police custody for another 60 days.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki had expressed concern in May that some of Mackenzie's rescued followers were refusing food.

One of them had died, he said at the time.

Authorities have exhumed most of the bodies (pictured) from the forest in southeast Kenya since April 13, when the grim discovery was first made. So far, 336 bodies have been found. 600 people are still missing

Kenyan homicide detectives and forensic experts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), examine exhumed bodies from several shallow mass graves, April 23

Kenyan country fear the true number of dead could be much higher than 336.

The search for mass graves is still under way in the Shakahola forest, where the first victims - some dead, others alive but weakened and emaciated - were first found.

Since then, the series of grim discoveries has revealed a macabre scandal, dubbed the 'Shakahola forest massacre'.

Investigations have been extended beyond the original 325 hectares to cover almost 15,000 hectares. More than 600 people have been reported missing by relatives.

Police believe that most of the bodies exhumed were those of followers of the Good News International Church, an evangelical sect founded in 2003 by Mackenzie, who advocated fasting until death in order to 'meet Jesus'.

While starvation appears to be the main cause of death, some of the victims - including children - were strangled, beaten or suffocated, according to chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor.

Questions have been raised about how Mackenzie, a father of seven, managed to evade law enforcement despite a history of extremism and previous legal cases.

The horrific saga has stunned Kenyans and led President William Ruto to set up a commission of inquiry into the deaths and a task force to review regulations governing religious bodies.

Another pastor accused of links to Mackenzie and to the bodies found in the forest was released on bail at a court hearing.

Ezekiel Odero, a high-profile and wealthy televangelist, is being investigated on a raft of charges including murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering.

Police believe most of the bodies found in a forest near the Indian Ocean town of Malindi belong to followers of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie

In all, at least 35 people suspected of involvement have been arrested, according to police who say 95 of the church's followers have been recovered alive since the start of operations.

Earlier in June, 65 were brought before a court in the city of Mombasa to face charges of 'attempted suicide', because they refused to eat or drink. Prosecutors asked that they be detained, so that they can be examined and forced to eat.

The death cult case has rekindled debate on the regulation of religious worship in this predominantly Christian country, which has 4,000 'churches', according to official figures.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki has announced that the authorities were going to turn the Shakahola forest into a 'place of remembrance... so that Kenyans and the world will not forget what happened'.
Robot judges powered by Artificial Intelligence could be used to make court rulings, one of the country's most senior law lords has declared.

Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos believes the emerging technology may be utilised in the future to decide low level cases.

The judge thinks AI programmes and machines could be the perfect way to makes some decisions.

But Sir Geoffrey says humans will still be needed for appeals or really serious offences before the courts.

The comments - made to the Law and Technology Conference - may alarm those concerned at the rise of AI.

Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos believes the emerging technology could be used in time

Numerous sectors are feeling the pinch from the systems replacing human workers and inputs.

Sir Geoffrey said: 'I have already said that I have no doubt that lawyers will not be able to stand aside from the uses of generative AI.

'Clients will insist that all tools available are at least considered for application within the delivery of legal services.

'But will judicial decisions be taken by machines rather than judges? As many of you will know, we are introducing in England and Wales a digital justice system that will allow citizens and businesses to go online to be directed to the most appropriate online pre-action portal or dispute resolution forum. That digital justice system will ultimately culminate at the end of what I regard as a funnel in the online court process that is already being developed for pretty well all civil, family and tribunal disputes.

The prospect of a robot or AI powered judge could be a step too far for some in specific cases

'I believe that it may also, at some stage, be used to take some (at first, very minor) decisions. The controls that will be required are (a) for the parties to know what decisions are taken by judges and what by machines, and (b) for there always to be the option of an appeal to a human judge.'

But while Sir Geoffrey believes that technology could be the future for the judiciary he admits there are limits to his use.

He stressed that he did not think the public would accept robotic judgements of cases involving children or very serious offences.

The justice added: 'The limiting feature for machine-made decisions is likely to be the requirement that the citizens and businesses that any justice system serves have confidence in that system.

'There are some decisions  like for example intensely personal decisions relating to the welfare of children  that humans are unlikely ever to accept being decided by machines.

'But in other kinds of less intensely personal disputes, such as commercial and compensation disputes, parties may come to have confidence in machine made decisions more quickly than many might expect.'
A man who downed eight pints and killed a pedestrian before stopping to buy wine and fish and chips on the way home has been jailed for eight years.

James Wood, 62, got in his red Citroen Berlingo to return home after a seven-hour binge in the pub with friends on September 19 2020.

He was driving along Walton Bridge Road in Shepperton, Surrey, when he hit Brendan O'Connell, 52.

Mr Wood, who had been arrested for drink driving just two weeks before, did not stop to see if the grandfather was alright and instead left him in the road before stopping to buy two bottles of wine and some fish and chips on the way home.

O'Connell was pronounced dead at the scene by police, who later visted Wood at his home and found his damaged car. Throughout his trial Wood denied the accident or drinking at the time.

James Wood (pictured), 62, who downed eight pints and killed a pedestrian before stopping to buy wine and fish and chips on the way home has been jailed for eight years

James Wood, 62, got in his red Citroen Berlingo (stock image pictured) to return home after a seven hour binge in the pub with friends on September 19 2020

Wood was convicted of causing death by careless driving whilst unfit through drink following a trial at Guildford Crown Court and given an eight year prison sentence.

He won't be eligible for parole for four years and will be banned from driving for six years after his release.

After this, he will then be subject to an extended re-test procedure.

Wood pleaded guilty to drink driving in October 2020 for the offence two weeks before O'Connell's death and was banned for 17 months and ordered to pay 415 costs.

Investigating officer, DC Rick Edwards, said, 'This was a tragic collision, caused by the unnecessary actions of a driver who made the choice to consume alcohol and then drive while unfit.

'Alcohol limits are there for a reason. As evidenced in this tragic case, those who choose to drive whilst under the influence are not only risking their own lives but the lives of those around them.'

A Surrey police spokesperson said: 'A 62-year-old man is facing eight years behind bars following a fatal fail-to-stop collision in Shepperton in September 2020.

'On the evening of Saturday, 19 September 2020, officers were called to Walton Bridge Road following reports of a pedestrian being hit by a car.

'The vehicle involved had failed to stop following the collision.

'Despite the best efforts of paramedics, 52-year-old Brendan Sean O'Connell was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

'James John Wood of Staines-upon-Thames, was found guilty by a unanimous jury decision of causing death by careless driving whilst unfit through drink following a trial at Guildford Crown Court.

'He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment on Tuesday, 20 June, and will have to serve a minimum of at least four years.

Wood was driving along Walton Bridge Road in Shepperton (pictured), Surrey, when he hitthe grandfather

'Wood has also been disqualified driving for six years, to be served upon his release. After this, he will then be subject to an extended re-test proceed.

'The court heard that, on the day of the collision, Wood had been drinking for around seven hours in a nearby pub with friends, and is believed to have consumed eight pints of beer before getting behind the wheel of his red Citroen Berlingo and driving along Walton Bridge Road where the collision occurred.

'Wood failed to stop at the scene or report the collision, but instead continued his journey home, stopping to buy two bottles of wine and fish and chips on the way.

'When his vehicle was identified and located at Wood's address with significant damage, he denied any knowledge of the collision, and continued to maintain his innocence in the time it took for the case to reach the courts, and throughout trial proceedings.

'During sentencing, it was reflected on that Wood had also been arrested for drink driving two weeks before the fatal collision in Shepperton.

'He pleaded guilty to this offence in October 2020, was disqualified from driving for 17 months, and was ordered to pay costs totalling 415.

'Brendan's family have paid tribute to the witnesses that came forward and to DC Richard Edwards and the wider team at the Surrey Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit for their efforts in bringing the investigation to court.

'Brendan's family are devasted at the loss of a loving husband, father, and grandfather.'
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After weeks of mudslinging, politicians from across the political spectrum put aside their differences for a night of gentle sledging, glamour and, above all, charity.

They were joined by corporate chiefs and journalists from across the country who braved Canberra's cold snap to glam up on Wednesday evening for the Midwinter Ball in the Great Hall of Parliament House.

The night of nights on the political calendar - where MPs and senators try to disprove the theory that politics is showbusiness for ugly people and raise thousands for charity in the process - saw an array of elegant gowns, a bold statement piece and a unique example of 'sandal tan'.

But the glow-up of the evening belonged to Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie who turned heads in a black floor-length strapless dress paired with a large silver halter necklace.

Sandal tan: Nationals member for New England Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion

Journalist turned staffer Vikki Campion showed off her 'Birkenstock tan' from the time she now spends on the farm

Queensland Greens senator Larissa Waters dazzled in electric red

Senator Waters wore a earrings with the message 'Stop violence against women' written on them and a badge which read 'Boys will be boys' with the final word crossed out and the phrase 'held accountable' added

Glam Lambie: Independent Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie wore a black floor-length strapless dress paired with a large silver halter necklace

Statement piece: Labor Senator Jana Stewart (pictured) donned a flowing white dress covered in passages from the Uluru statement to the annual Midwinter Ball on Wednesday evening - it was fringed with a crimson velvet cape with 'Yes' emblazoned across it in huge white lettering

Black and white and red all over: Senator Stewart's dress was covered in passages from the Uluru statement - a precursor to the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Smiling through the pain: Anthony Albanese - who is devastated to be missing the second round State of Origin match - posed in his black tie with his partner Jodie Haydon, who was wearing a frilly, long-sleeved black dress paired with a gold necklace and matching clasp

Albo and Ms Haydon make their way through a sea of photographers and camera crews

Dressed in a sharp tuxedo and sporting a clip-on bowtie, Anthony Albanese grinned next to his partner Jodie Haydon, who was wearing a frilly, long-sleeved black dress from Zimmermann paired with a gold necklace and matching clasp.

The Prime Minister's smile belied his irritation that the glamorous do clashed with the second State of Origin match.

Mr Albanese had earlier - half-jokingly - dubbed the scheduling balls-up an 'act of cruelty'.

Perhaps in the cold light of day he will see it as an act of charity instead, given his beloved Blues got thumped by the Maroons for the second game in a row handing the series over to Queensland.

It was one of his Labor colleagues who stole the show early on with an outfit that made it very clear which side she will be backing in the Voice to Parliament.

Senator Jana Stewart donned a flowing one-shouldered gown covered in passages from the Uluru Statement From the Heart and the word 'Yes', with each taking 45 minutes to embroider.

Her dress was complemented by a crimson velvet cape with 'Yes' emblazoned across it in huge white lettering.

'Wearing this dress is an opportunity to wear my values and create conversations in circles that arent necessarily watching parliament,' said Senator Stewart.

The dress's designer said she wanted the statement piece to stop people scrolling on Instagram in their tracks and prompt them to research the Yes campaign.

Journalist turned political staffer Vikki Campion arrived on the arm of her partner, former deputy prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.

Ms Campion cut a stylish figure in a body-hugging copper dress, and showed off her visible 'sandal tan' after trading Canberra for a life on the farm outside Armindale with Joyce.

Dapper Dutton: Liberal leader Peter Dutton and his wife Kirilly are pictured upon their arrival

Suited and booted: One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson arrives on the arm of a man in black tie. Ms Hanson wore a pale yellow t-shirt under a dark suit with a brooch

Family affair: Minister for Environment Tanya Plibersek wore a stylishly understated sleeveless black dress alongside her son Joe. She said: 'Pretty sure I've got the best date at this year's Midwinter Ball'

Hatter Katter: Independent member for Kennedy Bob Katter looked dapper in his signature cowboy hat with a purple scarf draped over his shoulders

Admirers took to social media to compliment Senator Lambie's outfit, with one simply writing: 'Absolutely beautiful'

Lady in red: independent member for Fowler Dai Lei wowed in a floor-length red dress

Sealed with a kiss: Aged Care Minister Anika Wells and husband Finn McGrath plant a smooch as they arrive in Parliament house

Knees-up: Liberal member for Lindsay Melissa Macintosh, Liberal member for Durack Melissa Price striking a pose, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley and Liberal member for Flinders Zoe McKenzie arrive for the 2023 Midwinter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra

Meanwhile, Independent Tasmanian Senator and former army corporal Ms Lambie stunned in her ballgown, with admirers taking to social media to compliment her outfit.

One simply wrote: 'Absolutely beautiful'.

Another said: 'I didn't recognize Jacqui Lambie.'

Senator Lambie was spotted rubbing shoulders with deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley, with both women posing for the cameras arm in arm.

Tanya Plibersek brought along her teenage son Joseph as her date, with the tall teenager towering over her as they arrived for the big do.

'Pretty sure I've got the best date at this year's Midwinter Ball,' she wrote on Twitter.

Black was the shade of choice for many but some took the opportunity to add a splash of colour.

Aged Care and Sport Minister Anika Wells wore a rented pastel ombre frock, while Queensland Greens senator Larissa Waters dazzled in electric red.

Senator Waters wore a badge with earrings with the message 'Stop violence against women' and a badge which read 'Boys will be boys' with the final word crossed out and the phrase 'held accountable' added.

This year's theme was Great Southern Land and the decor within the Hall - as well as a few outfits - paid homage.

Independent member for Kennedy Bob Katter looked dapper in his signature cowboy hat with a purple scarf draped over his shoulders.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton arrived with his wife Kirilly Dutton who wore a midnight blue dress with a glittery blazer.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his journalist wife Laura who wore an elegant floral dress paired with a soft pink clasp

Minister for Veteran's Affairs Matt Keogh and wife Annabel were grinning from ear to ear before the event

Independent member for Indi Helen Haines and her husband Phil Haines don black for the fancy affair

Lady in red: Labor Senator Jana Stewart and husband Marcus Stewart pose on the steps inside Parliament House

Under-fire Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher flashed a smile in a black floor-length sheer dress when she arrived alongside Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt.

Her winning grin was a world away from last week when she was nearly brought to tears in parliament under the onslaught of Liberal criticism and questions about Brittany Higgins' sexual assault allegations.

Pauline Hanson was one of the few women who opted for a suit, pairing it with a pale yellow top and brooch.

Senator Stewart's dress, which was designed by Aboriginal social enterprise Clothing the Gaps, took a team of four people to help her put it on.

Clothing the Gaps co-founder Laura Thompson was Senator Stewart's plus one and will help carry the dress's long train.

'Jana and her dress will stop people on their Instagram scroll,' Ms Thompson told Nine newspapers.

'Hopefully, then people will decide to learn more (about the Voice).'

Senator Stewart clearly took inspiration from last year where Greens' Senator Sarah Hanson-Young arrived wearing a long white dress with 'End gas and coal' written on the back of it - a direct criticism of 2022's sponsors Shell and Woodside Energy.

Greens MP Adam Bandt, and his partner Claudia Perkins also caused a stir last year, the first to be held since 2019 because of Covid.

Pink lady: Foreign Minister Penny Wong (left) poses alongside Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (right) and his daughter Isabella (middle) who was resplendent in a puffy pink dress

True Scot? Australian Resource Minister Madeleine King and husband Jamie King arrive during the 2023 Midwinter Ball at Parliament House

Minister for Trade Don Farrell and wife dazzled strut on into the Midwinter ball

Ms Perkins had 'coal kills and 'gas kills' written in black and red all over her otherwise white dress.

The messages were thought to be inspired by US Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 2021, who wore a striking white dress with 'Tax the Rich' written on it.

This year, however, Senator Hanson-Young kept it uncontroversial in a shimmering brown and gold dress alongside her husband Ben Oquist who wore a navy suit and black bow tie.

The Midwinter ball raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities each year, with $350,000 raised at last year's event.

That was split between Rural Aid Australia, OzHarvest, Fearless Women, Roundabout Canberra, Pink Elephants and Ukraine, Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.

Some $362,000 has been raised for charity this year so far.

Notable absences were Coalition Senator Jacinta Price and independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, who last year stormed down the marble stairs in blue jeans and an Aboriginal flag t-shirt repeatedly screaming 'fossil fools' and extending her middle fingers to the assembled guests.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen also skipped the function.
He is alleged to have forced a woman to have sex with him

A Sydney DJ trapped a woman in a hotel bathroom and refused to let her leave until she agreed to have sex with him, causing her lasting emotional distress, a jury has been told.

Felix Azarias Lara, also known as DJ Gato Felix, and the woman were in Noumea, New Caledonia in July 2015 for a dance event.

As she was getting ready to go out one day, Lara started yelling at her and asking her who she was seeing, crown prosecutor Trish McDonald SC told NSW District Court on Wednesday.

The Parramatta man allegedly carried the woman into the hotel bathroom and dropped her into a running bathtub, demanding her to have sex with him.

Aussie performer, DJ Gato Felix (pictured) has faced court for allegedly trapping a woman in a luxury hotel bathroom and stopping her from leaving until she agreed to have sex with him

As she struggled to climb out of the bath he pushed her down into the water, then pushed her against a wall by the throat as she tried to leave the room, Ms McDonald said.

Finally, she relented, and Lara allowed her to leave to the bedroom, where the pair allegedly had sex.

'She talked herself through the experience, trying to convince herself she wasn't a victim and trying to treat it like it was normal sex,' the prosecutor said.

After returning to Australia, the woman initially told her friends Lara had locked her in the bathroom, but did not disclose she was coerced into sex, the jury heard.

Only after telling the whole story to her fiance, who she met after the trip, did it dawn on her that what occurred was not only a physical assault, but also a sexual assault, Ms McDonald said.

The court heard the DJ carried her into a bathroom and placed her into a running bathtub. He then allegedly stopped her from leaving the room until they had sex

A forensic psychiatrist found she experiences post traumatic stress disorder as a result, she told the jury.

'She will give evidence about the symptoms she still suffers from - nightmares, anxiety - and how it's had an impact on her behaviour in an ongoing and persistent way,' Ms McDonald said.

Lara, 38, was arrested in 2022 and pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing serious harm to an Australian citizen while outside of Australia.

The defence is due to give its opening address on Thursday.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
DNA found on a knife sheath left at the Idaho murders scene is a 'statistical match' to a cheek swab taken from suspect Bryan Kohberger, new court documents claim.

Kohberger, 28, is accused of stabbing to death students Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022.

The criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. Prosecutors have not said if they will seek the death penalty.

Detectives found a Ka-Bar knife sheath on the bed with the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. The sheath was partially under Mogen's body and the comforter on the bed, according to court documents filed on June 16.

A sample of DNA left on the sheath is 'at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source,' prosecutors said in the filing.

Bryan Kohberger's DNA is a 'statistical match' to DNA that was found on a knife sheath at the scene of the University of Idaho murders in November

The bodies of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, on Kaylee's shoulders, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kemodle were found at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus

A Ka-Bar knife similar to the one thought to have been used in the murders

The bodies of the students were found at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus.

The slayings shocked the rural Idaho community and neighboring Pullman, Washington, where Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University.

The new court documents also reveal the strategy used to identify Kohberger as the prime suspect in the case.

When DNA is found at the scene of the crime that does not belong to victims, the first thing police do is run it through their own database to check if it matches the DNA of any previous offenders.

This process is referred to as a short tandem repeat (STR) comparison and tests the sample against 20 DNA markers - enough to identify the person if their own DNA is already in the system, or, in some cases, if the DNA of an immediate relative is in the system (eg a parent or a sibling).

A criminal affidavit that was filed last January, shortly after Kohberger was arrested, says that DNA matching the suspect's was found on a knife sheath recovered at the crime scene close to the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves.

Investigators later closely matched the DNA on the sheath to DNA found in trash taken from Kohberger's parents' home in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested in December 2022.

'A traditional STR DNA comparison was done between the STR profile found on the Ka-Bar knife sheath and Defendant's DNA. The comparison showed a statistical match,' the new filing read.

On December 27, an undercover team of police seized trash from Kohberger's family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, which helped to formalize the DNA profile

The home where the murders took place, on King Road in Moscow, a quiet cul de sac near the University of Idaho campus

Prior to these documents being made public, officials released few details about how they identified Kohberger as the prime suspect in the case.

A cellphone belonging to Kohberger was near the victims' home on a dozen occasions prior to the killings, according to phone records.

A white sedan allegedly matching one owned by Kohberger was caught on surveillance footage repeatedly cruising past the rental home around the time of the killings.

Ka-Bar, the company that made the knife used in the slayings, has denied that anyone named Kohberger bought a knife from them. They sell to both retailers and directly to consumers, with a 'fixed handle knife' retailing for around $139.

A spokesman for the company confirmed to TMZ that Moscow Police and other agencies had contacted the company asking about its knives and sheaths.

Law enforcement asked the company on November 13 to identify the sheath was one of theirs, which they confirmed.

But they do not have any records of anyone with Kohberger's name purchasing a knife sheath or any other products directly from them.

Sources say the sheath found at the scene belonged to a seven-inch utility knife, which is traditionally used as a hunting tool.

Ka-Bar says it has been made since the Second World War and can be used for chopping firewood or cutting wire and rope.

Kohberger is being held at Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, on first degree murder and burglary charges. His trial is set to begin on October 2. In May, the suspect offered to 'stand silent' in the case.

It's uncommon but not unheard of for defendants to 'stand silent' in criminal cases. Sometimes it is done because defendants and their attorneys feel they need more time to weigh the ramifications of entering a plea of guilty or not guilty; other times it can be part of a broader legal strategy or simply a defendant's personal choice.

Kohberger declined to waive his right to a speedy trial. It's still possible that the trial, expected to last six weeks, could be delayed or moved to a different location.

County prosecutor Bill Thompson has until the end of July to establish if his office will seek the death penalty in the case. Several of the victims' families have expressed their desire that Kohberger face capital punishment in the case.

Shanon Gray, the Goncalves family's attorney told NewsNation in May: 'We spoke with the prosecutor on the case, Mr. Thompson. He's going to meet with all the families individually, and then make a decision based on that.
Storied filmmaker Oliver Stone offered some choice words about movie franchises 'John Wick' and 'Fast & Furious' Wednesday, slamming them as not believable - and worse.

The director of classics such as Platoon and Natural Born Killers, Stone, 76, slammed the Keanu Reeves-led kill series as needlessly violent, and the long-running car series as done to death.

The comments came as the Scarface screenwriter said he viewed the most recent John Wick installment while on a flight to Romania last week, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Taking the time to also chide movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Stone expressed his frustration about the popularity these films have seen in recent decades.

He said these movies have 'lost touch with reality,' and that 'the audience perhaps likes the video game.' As for himself, Stone said: 'I get bored by it.'

Oliver Stone, 76, offered some choice words about movie franchises 'John Wick' and 'Fast & Furious' Wednesday, slamming them as not believable, and worse

Stone called the violence seen in most recent installment of the Keanu Reeves-led Wick franchise 'Disgusting'

'I saw John Wick 4 on the plane. Talk about volume,' Stone told Variety of the amount of killing in the assassin-centered flick.

'I think the film is disgusting beyond belief. Disgusting. I don't know what people are thinking. Maybe I was watching G.I. Joe when I was a kid.'

The JFK director proceeded to map out his problems with the franchise as a whole, saying they do not derive from the presence of violence itself, but the lack of realism in the violence.

'[Keanu Reeves] kills, what, three, four hundred people in the f***ing movie,' said Stone, who served in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.

'As a combat veteran, I gotta tell you,' he argued, 'not one of them is believable.

'I realize it's a movie, but it's become a video game. It's lost touch with reality.'

That said, the charged comments from the Oscar winner - whose own oeuvre is no stranger to violence - did not stop there, with Stone turning his attention to the dozens of 'Fast' and Marvel Studios films out on the market.

He said such films have 'bored' him, and have grown increasingly stale after each new iteration. The two franchises have 44 films between them, all released in the last 22 years.

'How many cars can crash?' Stone asked Wednesday, in the first of several rhetoricals meant to show just how stale both series have become.

'How many stunts can you do? What's the difference between "Fast and Furious" and some other film? It's just one thing after another.

'Whether it's a super-human Marvel character or just a human being like John Wick, it doesn't make any difference. It's not believable,' Stone said.

he Oscar winner - whose own oeuvre is no stranger to violence - did not stop there, with Stone turning his attention to the dozen 'Fast and Furious' films released over the years

Stone also chide movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), expressing frustration about the popularity the films have seen in recent decades

While no stranger to violence himself, the Platoon director said his problems with the Wick films do not stem from the presence of violence itself, but the lack of realism in the violence

The remarks came days after Stone reportedly slammed Hollywood as a town full of 'idiots', while receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Transilvania Film Festival.

Stone reportedly said, 'People in showbiz are idiots. They just go with the trend, they just go with the fashion - its a fashion business.'

Moreover, the statements were not the first time the accomplished film icon aired his disapproval about the current state of the moviemaking industry, saying several of his seminal films would never see the light of day today.

'If I made any of my films [today], I dont think Id last,' Stone told SiriusXMs Jim Norton & Sam Roberts in 2020. 'Id be vilified. Id be attacked. Shamed.

'I would have had to step on so many sensitivities. You have to have some freedom to make a movie, unfortunately,' he said.

'You have to be rude. You can be bad. And youre going to have to do these things like step on toes. Holy cow. Do you think I could have made any one of those films?'

Stone is not the first director to air such gripes, with figures like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino both calling out filmmakers for casting art to the wayside in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

Later last year, Tarantino bashed the high-preforming amalgam of Marvel films released in recent years, saying actors in the films are 'not movie stars', while lamenting the fact they are the only films that seem to generate interest nowadays.

Stone is not the first director to air such gripes, with figures like Quentin Tarantino recently calling out filmmakers for casting art to the wayside in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator

GoodFellas director Scorsese aired similar frustrations about Marvel films in 2019, slamming them as 'not cinema'

'Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is you have all these actors that have become famous playing these characters but they're not movie stars,' Tarantino said on a November episode the 2 Bears 1 Cave podcast, hosted by Tom Segura.

'Captain America is the star. Thor is the star. It's these franchise characters that become the star,' he said.

'I don't love them. I don't hate them but I don't love them,' Tarantino said of Marvel films, admitting that he is not opposed to their existence altogether.

'My only ax to grind against them is they're the only things that seem to be made and they're the only things that seem to generate any kind of excitement amongst a fan base or even for the studio making them,' Tarantino said.

'That's what [the studios] are excited about. So it's just the fact that they are the entire representation of this era of movies right now and there isn't really room for anything else.'

Boasting 32 films in total, The MCU has raked in more than $25billion across the globe, and made its actors some of the most famous people on the planet.

GoodFellas director Scorsese aired similar frustrations about the comic book films in 2019, calling them 'not cinema.'

He said: 'Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks.

'It isnt the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.'
Migration organisations said it was originally carrying 59 people on board

Child among dead while 24 people have been rescued from the sinking dinghy

At least 35 migrants have drowned after a packed dinghy sank off the coast of Gran Canaria, the migration-focused NGO Walking Borders said on Wednesday.

A source in Spanish maritime rescue service said a child had died and 24 people were rescued from the sinking dinghy in a Moroccan-led rescue operation carried out some 88 miles to the southeast of Gran Canaria island.

Two organisations focusing on migration, Walking Borders and Alarm Phone, said the dinghy was originally carrying 59 people on board.

It comes just days after scores of people died after a boat carrying Greek migrants capsized in the Mediterranean last Wednesday.

78 people were confirmed to have drowned but in total 650 are feared dead.

A group of 51 migrants arrive to Arrecife port after they were rescued today from a boat in the Canary Islands

Just yesterday a pregnant woman's body was found on a dinghy carrying 50 migrants near Lanzarote. Pictured: The fishing boat that located the dinghy

Nine survivors of the sinking have been arrested on suspicion of people smuggling - including the ship's captain - as attention turned to Greece's failure to act before the overcrowded vessel capsized.

Meanwhile yet another tragedy yesterday resulted in the death of a pregnant woman, who had also been trying to reach Spain's Canary islands.

The country's coastguard reported the news on Tuesday, after her body was found on a dinghy carrying around 50 migrants near the Atlantic coast of Lanzarote.

A fishing boat had spotted the migrants near Lanzarote's Los Cocoteros beach, the coastguard added.

The woman's body was found in a boat with 42 men, seven women and three children on board, who received red blankets and medical attention after disembarking from a rescue vessel.

Regional TV footage showed emergency services carrying the body of the pregnant woman on a stretcher at the port.

Enrique Espinosa, manager of the Lanzarote security and emergencies consortium, told local TV the migrants were lucky the fishing boat found them because they were adrift.

'There might be more alerts (of arrivals),' he added, as good weather usually increases the number of migrants trying to reach Europe.

Migrants wait for further assistance after disembarking from a rubber boat in Haria town, Lanzarote island, the Canaries

A group of 51 migrants arrive to Arrecife port after they were rescued from a boat at sea, in Lanzarote

It comes just days after scores of people died after a boat carrying Greek migrants capsized. The boat is seen in a photograph taken by the Greek coastguard as it attempted to rescue the hundreds of people onboard before the tragedy happened

On Monday, another trawler spotted a migrant boat near Mogan, in Gran Canaria, with 53 people on board. Three of them were in poor health, the coastguard said.

At least 5,914 people reached the Canary islands between January 1 and June 15 this year, according to Spanish government figures, a 31.5 per cent drop compared with the same period in 2022.

Last week's Greek migrant boat disaster is feared to be one of the deadliest in the sea's history.

So far, 78 people have been confirmed dead but with just 104 survivors plucked out the ocean that that figure is expected to rise significantly as the boat was carrying more than 750 people.

Women and children were likely trapped in the hold as the vessel overturned and went down in the early hours of the morning.

Greek authorities were criticised for not acting to rescue the migrants, even though a coast guard vessel escorted the trawler for hours and watched helplessly as it sank in minutes.

Greek officials argued that the migrants repeatedly refused assistance and insisted on continuing to Italy, but legal experts said that is no excuse.

The coast guard said on Thursday that it had arrested nine survivors on suspicion of belonging to the smuggling ring that arranged the voyage.

Coast guard workers are seen on Wednesday night dragging carrying body bags containing the dead from the tragedy

Women and children were likely trapped in the hold as the vessel (seen last Tuesday) overturned and went down in the early hours of the morning, which could make the sinking one of the deadliest ever in the central Mediterranean Sea

Among them was the boat's captain, the BBC reported.

State-run ERT TV said the suspects were all Egyptians, adding that the ship originally left an Egyptian port for the area of Tobruk in eastern Libya.

It was there that it picked up the migrants, who each paid thousands of dollars for passage on the battered vessel.

Speaking to BBC's Today Programme on Friday, Julia Black of the International organisation for Migration said: 'We have hundreds of records of bodies that are washed up to Mediterranean shores when we don't know of any known shipwreck.

'The problem continues, it seems to be worsening, and there's no responses in place to actually prevent these deaths that I have seen.

'The Mediterranean at this point is really a mass graveyard,' she added.
Fifteen people have died of alcohol poisoning in Iran after consuming bootleg booze, state media reported on Wednesday, as the number of similar deaths increases across the country.

'So far, 15 people have died and 180 people have been poisoned and hospitalised,' Hossein Fazeli Harikandi, the chief justice of Alborz province, where the poisonings took place, told state news agency IRNA.

Most of those hospitalised had since been discharged, he said, but 'some have gone blind', while others were undergoing dialysis after suffering kidney damage.

Iran banned the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Ever since, smuggled and unregulated alcohol has proliferated on the black market, with methanol often added to drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.

Fifteen people have died of alcohol poisoning in Iran after consuming bootleg booze, state media reported. Pictured: The Iranian flag wave over the capital Tehran

The authorities in Alborz province have arrested six people and seized more than 6,000 litres (1,585 gallons) of alcohol from a cosmetic factory before its distribution, Harikandi said.

Iran's forensic institute said 644 people died after consuming 'fake alcoholic beverages' in the year to March, a 30-percent increase on the previous 12-month period.

In May 2022, eight people died in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas after drinking bootleg alcohol.

At least 210 people died in Iran during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 after drinking bootleg alcohol, falsely believing it to be a remedy for the virus.

However some independent figures put the number closer to 700 bootleg alcohol related deaths during the pandemic.

Alcohol poisoning skyrocketed by some ten times in Iran between 2020 and 2019, according to a government report released in April 2020.

Many during the pandemic also started to drink methanol, a toxic alcohol used for industrial solvent, under the false belief that it could cure the virus.

The Iranian government mandates that manufacturers of toxic methanol add an artificial color to their products so the public can tell it apart from ethanol, the kind of alcohol that can be used in cleaning wounds.

Iran banned the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pictured: Demonstrators hold a poster of Ayatollah Khomeini, in January 1979, in Teheran, during a demonstration against the shah

Some bootleggers in Iran use methanol, adding a splash of bleach to mask the added color before selling it as drinkable.

Sometimes it is mixed with consumable alcohol to stretch supply, other times it comes as methanol, falsely advertised as drinkable.

Methanol also can contaminate traditionally fermented alcohol.

Methanol cannot be smelled or tasted in drinks. It causes delayed organ and brain damage. Symptoms include chest pain, nausea, hyperventilation, blindness and even coma.
Government 'groupthink' meant it never considered how to prevent a virus killing thousands of people in the 2010s, Jeremy Hunt admitted today.

The former health secretary - now Chancellor - acknowledged shortcomings in preparations as he gave evidence to the official Covid Inquiry.

Mr Hunt said he regretted not having challenged the 'deeply entrenched' assumption in Whitehall that the next pandemic would be flu and spread 'like wildfire' so 'you pretty much couldn't stop it'.

Despite countries such as South Korea and Taiwan using quarantining, Western Europe and the US believed that achieving 'herd immunity' would be the only option, he added.

Mr Hunt - who was in charge at the Department of Health between 2012 and 2018 - was asked about Exercise Cygnus.

He said the cross-government war gaming in October 2016 was not designed to examine the UK's preparedness but to 'establish how well the UK would cope in a situation in which pandemic influenza had already taken hold'.

Jeremy Hunt - now Chancellor - acknowledged shortcomings in pandemic preparations as he gave evidence to the official Covid Inquiry

He told UK Covid-19 Inquiry lead counsel Hugo Keith KC: 'I know you may well want to talk about the issue of groupthink, but I think this was the first example.

'Looking back with the benefit of hindsight  this was not what I thought at the time and I, with retrospect of course  I wish I had challenged at the time.

'But there were no questions asked at any stage as to how do we stop it getting to the stage of 2-400,000 fatalities.

'It was an assumption that if there was pandemic flu, it would spread, using layman's terms like wildfire, and you pretty much couldn't stop it.'

Mr Hunt said he was not even briefed about Exercise Alice, modelling which took place in 2016 to assess the impact of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers).

'There was quite a lot of thinking but I think, looking back on it, it is very clear that it was very deeply entrenched, almost visibly in every single document relating to this, that you can see that there was an assumption that a mass fatality pandemic would be flu,' he said.

'I think you're going to come on and talk about Exercise Alice, which I wasn't briefed about, which itself is telling. I was asked to take part in Exercise Cygnus.

'But I think it is just interesting when you look at that, that the report on Exercise Alice is the only place that I can find which really talks about the importance of quarantining.

'And if you look at this assumption that you can't stop the spread of the virus, I think that was deeply entrenched when Covid arrived and we didn't look at countries like South Korea and Taiwan, which had a very different assumption about the effectiveness of quarantining.'

Mr Hunt added: 'The fundamental issue was that we were  and by the way not just us, across western Europe and North America  there was a shared assumption that herd immunity was inevitably going to be the only way you could contain a virus because it spread like wildfire.'

Shoppers queue in a socially distanced fashion in London in June 2020

Mr Hunt said there was also an international assumption that the UK was 'very good at dealing with pandemics'. But in fact that was only true for flu.

'Johns Hopkins University in America said that the UK was the second best prepared country in the world in the global health security index in 2019,' he said.

'They had subcategories and one of their subcategories was which countries were best prepared for preventing the spread of a virus and scaling up treatment quickly, and we were top. We weren't second best, we were top.

'And so there was I think a completely wrong assumption and I think the truth is we were very well prepared for pandemic flu because we had put a lot of thinking into it. Exercise Cygnus was a huge thing.

'But we hadn't given nearly enough thought to other types of pandemic that might emerge and that was, with the benefit of hindsight, a wholly mistaken assumption.'
A pensioner shot his wife dead as she lay asleep in bed then turned the gun on himself in their rural village home, an inquest has heard.

Former butcher Edward Morris, 79, killed his wife of 55 years Wendy Morris, 76, in the master bedroom of their detached three bedroom home in Thornford, near Sherborne, Dorset.

A minute later, he called the police to tell them that his wife, who was a retired teacher, had had 'another heart attack' and they needed to come straight away.

Police alerted the ambulance service and a paramedic arrived at the address where the front door was slightly ajar.

He entered and saw Mr Morris, who had a valid shotgun licence, lying dead on the floor in the hallway with the double barrel shotgun next to him.

Former butcher Edward Morris, 79, killed his wife of 55 years Wendy Morris, 76, in the master bedroom of their detached three bedroom home in Thornford, near Sherborne, Dorset

They were described by residents in Gifle View, a quiet cul-de-sac, as 'friendly' and 'helpful' neighbours

The paramedic went upstairs and found Mrs Morris's curled-up body under a duvet in bed.

The inquest, at Bournemouth Town Hall, heard that Mr Morris stopped working as a butcher in the late 90s and the couple retired and moved down to Dorset.

They were described by residents in Gifle View, a quiet cul-de-sac, as 'friendly' and 'helpful' neighbours.

Five days before the incident, Mrs Morris was rushed into hospital after suffering a heart attack.

She was discharged on the night of June 26 but Mr Morris had confided in a phone call to his brother Robert Morris that he was 'very worried' about her 'deteriorating' health.

On June 27, Mr Morris ran errands for his wife including to the local GP, who said he was in a 'jovial' mood.

Their bodies were discovered at 6.38am on the morning of June 28, 2022.

Dorset Police Detective Sergeant David Colomb, who investigated the deaths, said single gunshots could be heard on the property's CCTV at 6.02am and 6.07am that morning, with no sign of anyone else entering the premises.

There was no evidence of a suicide pact or any clues on Mr Morris's electronic devices to his motives.

Before the coroner considered his conclusion, the family raised the possibility that there had been an unwritten pact between the couple.

Mr Morris's nephew Jonathan Morris said: 'I have got no evidence to support this but in my opinion I would suggest maybe they had spoken about being unable to live without one another.'

Both post mortem examinations, performed by home office pathologist Dr Basil Purdue, revealed the cause of death as single gunshot wounds to the head.

Dorset Area Coroner Brendan Allen recorded a verdict that Mr Morris committed suicide.

He recorded a narrative conclusion for Mrs Morris saying, on the balance of probabilities, he could not say she was 'unlawfully killed'.

He said: 'We don't know if there was a conversation between them prior to 6am. Only Mr and Mrs Morris know the precise circumstances of what happened.

'I don't feel on the balance of probabilities there is enough evidence to determine a conclusion of unlawful killing.

'Mrs Morris died as a consequence of a single gunshot wound to the head inflicted by another where precise circumstances leading up to the death are not explained by the evidence.'

For help and support phone the Samaritans from a UK phone for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
Julia Fox was pictured arriving at a Manhattan court on Wednesday as prosecutors presented evidence to try her brother Christopher Fox on dozens of counts over his alleged manufacturing of ghost guns and drugs in his Upper East Side apartment.

His elder sister was pictured outside Manhattan Criminal Court wearing an eccentric outfit involving leather pants, a suit jacket and a cluster of dress ties which were wrapped around her waist and draped from her back like a tail.

Christopher's defense attorney told DailyMail.com on Wednesday afternoon that the litigation was still in its discovery phase and a trial is due to begin later this year.

He was released on bail from Riker's Island in March after his actress sister, 33, co-signed a $450,000 bond. He was also pictured entering the court on Wednesday.

Christopher, 30, was turned out with less glamor and flamboyance than his sister and was donning simply a suit, a black fleece and carrying a paper Starbucks bag.

Julia Fox is pictured arriving at a Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday morning over her brother's alleged role in the manufacture of ghost guns in his NYC apartment

Fox was wearing an eccentric outfit involving leather pants, a suit jacket and a cluster of dress ties wrapped around her waist and draped from her back like a tail

Christopher Fox, 30, was pictured arriving at the Manhattan criminal court on Wednesday months after he was arrested for manufacturing guns and drugs

A man in the Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday glances up from his phone at an eccentrically dressed Julia Fox

The Manhattan DA's office accused Christopher on April 29 of 'possessing thousands of dollars in equipment to manufacture 3D-printed ghost guns, chemicals to produce narcotics' in his Upper East Side apartment.

'As alleged, Christopher Fox fully equipped himself with an arsenal of materials to operate a ghost gun and narcotics factory out of his home,' said the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg in a statement accompanying the charges.

'His use of 3D printing to manufacture parts for assault-style weapons serves as another example of just how easy and cheap it is to create dangerous firearms in a home or apartment,' he added.

The charges included possession of weapons, drugs and 'manufacturing any machine'. His attorney declined to comment on the charges.

When police busted his operation in early March, they discovered pill presses, large amounts of cash, fentanyl, pressure cookers, chloroform, heroin, propane, explosives materials and formaldehyde.

Prosecutors said Fox's purchase history compared to the materials found in his apartment suggested he had already produced and distributed a number of weapons.

He was arrested along with his father, Thomas Fox, 65, who was not subsequently charged.

At the hearing, assistant district attorney Cyril Heron detailed the extent of the investigation that ensnared Fox.

Fox is seen walking through the Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday morning

Julia Fox was present during a discovery hearing. She is pictured on the day in NYC

Julia Fox co-signed a $450,000 bond to have her brother released from Riker's Island in March

Some of the weapons seized from Christopher Fox's home on March 8

A pill press and hopper were also seized from Fox's apartment. According to his indictment, 'the NYPD also recovered a pill press with a hopper, a blender, glassware and laboratory equipment, and scale. Almost all of these items were covered in fentanyl residue'

'Between March 2018 and December 2022, the defendant purchased at least 190 ghost gun items, totaling over $7,600,' Heron said. 'All of these items were sent to the defendants home.'

'In addition, over $8,000 in cash was recovered. Notably, the NYPD did not recover a substantial number of the items reflected in his purchase history, which indicates that he has manufactured ghost guns and sold them,' Heron added.

Soon after the arrest of her family members, Juila said that she was embarrassed by his actions. DailyMail.com was also exclusively told by a source that Julia cut ties with both of her family members years ago.

'Julia and Christopher were raised by their unstable, abusive and unhinged father. She knew about her dad and brother's 3D printing and suspected drug usage, but has no direct knowledge about this because she has zero contact with either of them,' the source said.

'Her dad is insane and has caused her emotional trauma that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. She knew that one day his life would catch up with him. She is glad that no one was hurt by his disgusting actions.'
The mother of a dying three-day old baby spent seven minutes on the phone waiting for someone to answer a 999 call - before waiting another 40 minutes for paramedics to arrive, an inquest has heard.

Wyllow-Raine Swinburn was pronounced dead five minutes after arriving at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital in the early hours of September 30 last year.

Her family had spent 40 minutes giving her CPR as they waited for an ambulance to arrive at their home shortly after her mother Amelia Pill raised the alarm, Oxford Coroners Court was told.

Ms Pill dialled 999 after trying to breastfeed her baby and noticing that her face was stone cold.

Her mother was screaming 'no one's coming, no one's coming' and cried 'why aren't they answering the f***ing phone' as she waited for someone to answer the distress call, the inquest heard.

Wyllow-Raine Swinburn was pronounced dead five minutes after arriving at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital in the early hours of September 30 last year

Ms Pill dialled 999 after trying to breastfeed her baby and noticing that her face was stone cold

Karen Sillicorn-Aston, clinical governance lead for the South Central Ambulance Service, told the court the 999 call was made at 4.38am and was connected five minutes later.

It was connected by a BT operator whose job it is to listen in to all calls before they are answered.

Sillicorn-Aston said rules state the BT operator should pass the call to another service, which in this case was the East of England Ambulance Service.

It took five minutes for the call to be transferred and the family remained on the line for two further minutes before the call was picked up.

The closest ambulance, which was 20 to 25 minutes away, was dispatched but a closer one was later found and sent instead. However, it still took 40 minutes for paramedics to arrive.

By the time the ambulance arrived, the baby's body temperature had fallen to 30.8C despite the room temperature being normal before she collapsed, the hearing was told.

Pathologist Dr Darren Fowler told the hearing the baby's cause of death was 'more likely than not' to have been natural.

However, he said he was not the most qualified person to answer questions about whether she would have survived if an ambulance had arrived sooner.

Her provisional cause of death was recorded as sudden unexpected death in infancy, with the cause of the collapse being unexplained.

The desperate family of the baby, who was only three-days-old, pictured, spent more than eight minutes on a 999 call after their new born collapsed, having left the hospital just hours earlier.

She had been born weighing 10 pounds and five ounces and via a caesarean section on September 27 2022 and appeared to be healthy.

However lawyers for the family raised concerns that she may have had diabetes that had gone unnoticed by doctors as ambulance service records revealed she had 'very low' blood glucose levels.

The newborn's grandmother Anna Fisher told the hearing in evidence read out by the coroner that the baby was crying with a fever when she was taken to bed at the family home in Didcot, Oxfordshire at around midnight that night.

Her daughter phoned her just after 4am to say the baby did not appear to be breathing.

Her brother arrived and performed CPR. He said in his statement that her skin colour changed 'like when you get a bruise' as he tried to save her.

Her grandmother said: 'We were told within five minutes of arriving at hospital that Wyllow had passed away.'

Coroner Darren Salter adjourned the hearing for further evidence to be submitted.

It will resume on a date yet to be fixed, which is likely to be in around six months time.
She survived with her mother and brother but her father Bertram died

She was the 'remarkable, sparkling lady' who was the youngest survivor of the sinking of the Titanic.

Millvina Dean, who died in 2009 aged 97, was just two months old when ship sank in April 1912 after hitting an iceberg.

Although she survived with her mother and brother, her father was among more than 1,500 passengers who lost their lives in the freezing waters of the Atlantic.

In later life, Ms Dean became a civil servant and was a mapmaker for the British Army during the Second World War.

She was the 'remarkable, sparkling lady' who was the youngest survivor of the sinking of the Titanic. Millvina Dean, who died in 2009 aged 97, was just two months old when the ship sank in April 1912 after hitting an iceberg

Ms Dean's family were third-class passengers who were emigrating to Kansas, where her father Bertram, 27, was going to open a tobacco shop.

The group had been set to take a different ship but a coal strike meant they were transferred to the Titanic.

Mr Dean felt the ship hit the iceberg on the night of April 14 and, after investigating, told his wife to dress the children and go up on deck.

In the confusion, Ms Dean and her mother were separated from her brother, who was put in a different lifeboat.

They were only reunited when hundreds of passengers were rescued by the Carpathia. Bertram Dean died on the ship when it broke in two and sank.

The surviving Deans were picked up by the RMS Carpathia and were taken to New York, which had been the Titanic's original destination.

There they spent three weeks recovering before returning to England settling in Hampshire.

Ms Dean later lived in the village of Ashurst, just a few miles from where her family boarded the Titanic at Southampton.

Ms Dean's family were third-class passengers who were emigrating to Kansas, where her father Bertram, 27, was going to open a tobacco shop. Above: Ms Dean with her mother Georgetta

In the confusion, Ms Dean and her mother were separated from her brother, who was put in a different lifeboat

Ms Dean (right) with mother Georgetta and brother Bertram. The trio were rescued by the RMS Carpathia

In a 2002 interview, she told how her mother told her about what had happened to her father when she was nine.

'It was so awful for her that she never wanted to speak about it,' she said.

The survivor told how her father was the likely reason why they did not perish.

'I think it was my father who saved us,' she said.

'So many other people thought the Titanic would never sink, and they didn't bother. My father didn't take a chance.'

After moving to London to work for the Army, she returned to Southampton to work as a secretary at an engineering firm.

When James Cameron's epic film Titanic was released in 1997, there was much hype in the media and among ordinary viewers.

Ms Dean, who became the president of the British Titanic Society, was invited to the premiere, but insisted: 'I refuse to the see the film.

'It would have made me think, did [my father] jump overboard or did he go down with the ship?

After a street was named after her in Southampton, she questioned why she had a public profile, saying: 'Why do people look at me as a sort of celebrity?'

However, she did regularly attend Titanic-related events and often appeared in radio and television interviews.

Ms Dean studies a painting of the ill-fated ocean liner at a reception at the Science Museum in London in May 2003

Reality TV star David Gest (above) was among the famous faces to support Ms Dean when she fell into financial difficulty and needed money to fund care home fees

She revealed in a 1998 interview how fans would write her letters that were pages long.

That same year, she finally completed a sea voyage from Southampton to New York, travelling on the Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2008, she was tragically forced to sell some of her family's possessions from the voyage at auction to pay for her nursing home fees after breaking her hip.

But, remarkably, the stars of the Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, along with director James Cameron, donated 20,000 towards her living costs.

Reality TV star David Gest also visited her and gave the pensioner a cheque for 3,000.

Ms Dean passed away after suffering from pneumonia. Charles Haas, the president of the Titanic International Society, paid a warm tribute to her, saying: 'She was a remarkable, sparkling lady.'

'She knew her place in history and was always willing to share her story with others, especially children. She was the last living link to the story.

Her ashes were later scattered by her partner in the sea at Southampton Docks, the very spot where the Titanic set sail.
A 23-year-old British soldier hanged himself in his barracks two days after his girlfriend broke up with him, an inquest heard.

Jake Llewellyn Plumb was found hanged in his room on November 4, 2021, at Lucknow Barracks, Wiltshire, after friends told colleagues they had received a message warning he was going to kill himself.

Mr Plumb, of the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh, sent a friend a picture of himself on Snapchat before confirming he was going to hang himself when asked.

He was then found dead two days later after a female friend became concerned after hearing nothing from him and accessed his room with a master key.

Senior coroner David Ridley concluded a verdict of suicide at Salisbury Coroner's Court, Wiltshire, today.

Fusilier Jake Llewellyn Plumb was found hanged in his room on November 4, 2021, at Lucknow Barracks, Wiltshire

Mr Plumb, of the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh, sent a friend a picture on Snapchat, showing a part of his neck and shoulder with a wall in the background saying 'I'm hanging'

He was also 'gutted' he was unable to join the rest of his company on their upcoming deployment to Estonia because he was waiting for a dental procedure, Salisbury Coroner's Court heard.

His girlfriend Madeline Iles had broken up with him just two days before his death, the inquest heard.

Garth McLean, who was 'good mates' with Mr Plumb, described him as a 'class bloke' but revealed his friend's disappointment at missing out on deployment to Estonia as he waited for a dental procedure.

Giving evidence, he said: 'Jake got along well with everyone. He was gutted he wouldn't be able to come out with us.

'At the same the wait for the dental was long, he had a hunch he would be put into a different company and he didn't want that at all but he said he'd just go with it.'

On the evening of November 2, Mr McLean had been out with Mr Plumb - who didn't drink - but said his friend didn't seem himself as 'something wasn't quite right'.

He said: 'He wouldn't divulge. He was never a depressed person - he was outgoing.'

Mr McLean revealed he had not been aware he had split up with his girlfriend.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Ridley said: 'Following concerns for his welfare, Jake was found deceased. He made a concerted effort to end his life.

'Why? I don't know. Any conclusion there would be pure speculation. Any reason, I'm afraid he took with him.'

He offered his condolences to Mr Plumb's family who attended his inquest, as did a representative from the Ministry of Defence.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.smaritans.org for details.
Prosecutors first dropped the case in February 2019 citing lack of evidence

Actress Sand Van Roy accused The Fifth Element director Besson of raping her

French filmmaker Luc Besson has been definitively cleared of rape five years after actress Sand Van Roy first accused him of attacking her during their relationship.

France's top appeals court on Wednesday rejected a request to reopen a rape claim against the film director, ending one of the most high-profile cases to emerge in the country's MeToo movement against sexual assault.

Dutch-Belgian actress Sand Van Roy accused Besson, director of The Fifth Element and Leon - of raping her during a two-year on-off relationship, and filed a complaint against him in May 2018.

Prosecutors dropped the case in February 2019 citing lack of evidence, and after new charges were filed by Van Roy, an appeals court also closed that case in May last year.

In a ruling seen by AFP, the Cour de Cassation, the court of last resort for criminal cases, said there was 'no reason to justify pursuing an appeal' of the previous rulings.

French filmmaker Luc Besson (pictured in 2018) has been definitively cleared of rape five years after actress Sand Van Roy first accused him of attacking her during their relationship

Dutch-Belgian actress Sand Van Roy (pictured in 2019) accused Besson, director of The Fifth Element and Leon - of raping her during a two-year on-off relationship

'The Cour de Cassation has decided not to hear my appeal, which means once again the French judiciary refuses to examine the evidence in this case,' Van Roy said on Twitter.

'I will pursue these cases and will file a request with the European Court of Human Rights,' she said.

A lawyer for Besson, who has denied the claims, said the decision 'ends all the procedures of the past five years, which have found him not guilty'.

Besson has admitted having a relationship with Van Roy, who had minor roles in his films Taxi 5 and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

She filed the initial complaint for rape in May 2018 hours after meeting Besson, before filing another complaint two months later for other alleged rapes and sexual assaults.

At least three other women have made allegations of sexual harassment against Besson, which he has also denied.
The judge who presided over Alex Murdaugh's murder trial 'felt sorry' for the disgraced lawyer who killed his wife and son, and says he'll never 'sleep peacefully' after knowing what he did.

Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Murdaugh, 54, to two consecutive life sentences in March for killing his wife Maggie, 52, and younger son Paul, 22, at the family's sprawling hunting estate on the night of June 7, 2021.

Newman spoke to 'TODAY' on Wednesday and said he is 'sure' Murdaugh would not do the crime again if given the opportunity.

'I felt sorry for him,' said Newman, who plans to retire this fall. 'I felt that he was just in a position where he could not, where if there's a hole that he could go into, he would dive in that hole and keep going to the lowest depths.'

Newman said he felt sorry for Murdaugh, who he believed would be haunted by the murders of his wife and son.

Judge Cliton Newman joined 'TODAY' on Wednesday, and said he 'felt sorry' for convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh that he sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in March for killing his wife and son

Alex Murdaugh with wife Maggie and their sons Buster (left) and Paul (right)

'I cannot imagine him having a peaceful night, knowing what he did,' he said. 'I'm sure if he had an opportunity to do it over again, he'd never do it.'

'And I wasn't trying to pull him out of that hole, but I wanted to give him an opportunity to say something,' the judge said, referring to the moment he gave Murdaugh one last opportunity to come clean, but the convicted killer continued to maintain his innocence.

Murdaugh, was a personal injury lawyer and former part-time prosecutor before being disbarred last summer before his murder trial.

The Murdaugh family was so prominent in South Carolina, that a portrait of Alex's late grandfather, Randolph 'Buster' Murdaugh Jr., had to be removed from a wall of the courtroom during his sentencing trial.

Newman said he knew the Murdaugh family personally - but claimed his personal connection to Alex wouldn't impact his sentencing.

Newman argued that there was probably not a single judge in the entire state that didn't know Murdaugh, confidently assuring the public in his ability to remain impartial, according to WCBD.

The two have practiced law together and attended the same events for year, according to Newman.

While sentencing Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences in March, Newman said the case 'has been one of the most troubling.'

'Not just for me as a judge, for the state, for the defense team, but for all of the citizens in this community and state,' he said.

Newman was grappling with his own personal tragedy at the time - after his youngest son, Brian Newman, died unexpectedly just two weeks before the trial started in January.

Newman insisted on continuing with the trial despite officials offering a delay.

'Your family has been prosecuting people here in this courtroom and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct,' Newman told Murdaugh.

Murdaugh, shackled and dressed in a tan jail jumpsuit still denied any guilt and said: 'I respect this court, but I'm innocent.'

Judge Clifton Newman gave a searing assessment of Murdaugh's 'duplicitous'; character

Alex Murdaugh in a mugshot with his head shaved and wearing a yellow jumpsuit after being booked into South Carolina's Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center

I know you have to see Paul and Maggie during the nighttime when youre attempting to go to sleep  and reflect on the last time they looked you in the eyes, he told Murdaugh at the time.

'I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife, Maggie, and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son, Paw Paw,' he said.

'It might not have been you,' Newman had responded at the time. 'It might have been the monster you've become when you take 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 opioid pills. Maybe you become another person. I've seen that before. The person standing before me was not the person who committed the crime, though is the same individual.'

The judge made similar remarks about Murdaugh when he spoke out for the first time following the trial.

He spoke at his alma mater, Cleveland State University, where he discussed insights about his approach to the trial and his feelings toward Murdaugh.

He said he had 'no doubt' the legal scion loved his wife and son - but says he'll never 'sleep peacefully' after killing them.

'I don't believe that he hates his wife and certainly I do not believe that he did not love his son, but he committed an unforgivable, unimaginable crime, and there's no way that he'll be able to sleep peacefully,' the judge said.

Newman also shrugged off the international attention he gain during the trial.

'I was simply a judge in a trial doing my job, as I've done repeatedly over the years,' he said.

Murdaugh was accused of shooting his 52-year-old wife four or five times with a rifle and his 22-year-old son twice with a shotgun outside of the kennels on their property in June 2021.

The brutal slayings set off a shocking chain of events that captured the public, including Murdaugh hiring a man to kill him so his older son could collect on his life insurance policy, and dozens of charges accusing Murdaugh of financial crimes.

The double murder trial began in January and after about six weeks of testimony, Murdaugh was found guilty of murder in the deaths of his wife and son.

As Murdaugh sits in his cell, he is still dealing with legal troubles, specifically his financial charges against him.

His lawyers told an insurer looking to force him to repay $3.4 million it awarded in a wrongful death settlement over Murdaughs housekeeper that he lied about the circumstances of her death.
The passengers trapped on the missing Titan submersible in the depths of the Atlantic ocean are likely in 'intense emotional turmoil' as they enter their final 24 hours of oxygen supply, a forensic psychiatrist has told MailOnline.

Rescue teams are mobilised and are in a race against time to find the missing vessel with five people on board, that vanished on Sunday on its descent to the century-old wreck of the Titanic that lies 12,500 feet below the ocean's surface.

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) searches have been deployed in the area where Canadian aircraft detected undersea noises on Tuesday.

Doctor Sohom Das - a British forensic psychiatrist who also runs YouTube channel 'A Psych For Sore Minds' - says those on-board the OceanGate Expeditions vessel are likely clinging to hope that they could still be found, but as the clock ticks down, he says 'reality is going to seep in'.

Those aboard the submersible includes British billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding, 58, and Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, with his 19-year-old son Suleman, who are both British citizens.

The passengers trapped on the missing Titan submersible in the depths of the Atlantic ocean are likely in 'intense emotional turmoil' as they enter their final 24 hours of oxygen supply, forensic psychiatrist Doctor Sohom Das (pictured) tells MailOnline

Rescue teams are mobilised and are in a race against time to find the missing vessel (pictured) with five people on board, that vanished on Sunday on its descent to the century-old wreck of the Titanic that lies 12,500 feet below the ocean's surface

Banging sounds have been detected in the massive search for the missing Titanic submarine

French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, and Stockton Rush, founder and chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions, are also understood to be on board.

'I think they must be in just intense emotional turmoil,' Das told MailOnline.

'On the one hand, part of them is still going to be clinging on to hope. There's going to be a part of them that believes that they will be found and they will be rescued.

'But I think as time passes, reality is going to seep in,' he said.

As time passes, the NHS doctors said the trapped passengers will have lots of different reactions to their situation, and that their 'reactions, their emotions might change over time.

'So at some point they're going to be quite reflective upon their lives when they're literally staring into the jaws of death and at other points, they're likely to feel extremely panicked, extremely anxious,' he said.

The small, 22-foot long submarine is only just big enough for the five passengers. There are no seats and just a single toilet with a curtain for privacy. The vessel set off on Sunday morning at around 12pm GMT but lost contact with its mothership soon after that during what should have been a two-hour dive to the Titanic.

Titan is thought to have enough oxygen for five people for 96 hours. The rough deadline for when the air in the submersible will run out, based on the U.S. Coast Guard's estimate, is 10am GMT (6am EST) - now less than 24 hours away.

'They're going to suffer from physical symptoms,' Dr Das said, 'from hyperventilation to feeling dizzy to chest pains. They're just going to be overwhelmed emotionally with trying to get to grips with what's happening to them.

'I imagine that none of them have a claustrophobic disorder. Otherwise they wouldn't be in that situation in the first place.

'But nevertheless, I'm sure the intense, claustrophobic nature of the scenario that they're in as they come to grips with the possibility of losing their lives will just add to the overall tension and the feelings of anxiety that they have,' he added.

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, (pictured together) are on board the missing submarine

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

A faint glimmer of hope was offered on Tuesday when sounds were heard from the depths of the ocean, suggesting the passengers were trying to signal to rescuers.

However, the vessel has still not been located, and any rescue mission could still take some time even if it is found before the deadline.

'The sonobuoys detected noise in the water. We don't know the source of that noise,' US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told CBS on Wednesday. Two ROVs and a surface vessel are being used to locate the source of the noise, he said.

'This is an incredibly complex site,' Mauger said, noting that metal and other objects under the water made it difficult to determine the source.'

The wreck of the British ocean liner, which sank when it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage in 1912, lies on the seabed at a depth of about 12,500 feet.

It is about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 400 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland.

Teams from the United States, Canada and France have been involved in the search covering an area of open sea larger than the US state of Connecticut or about half the size of Belgium.

Aircraft and ships from the US Coast Guard, US Navy and Canadian armed forces had combed more than 7,600 square miles of the North Atlantic, US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick said on Tuesday.

The Canadian military dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds that might come from the Titan and a commercial pipeline-laying vessel with a remote-controlled deepwater submersible was also searching, he said.

A French research ship carrying a deep-sea diving robot submersible was dispatched to the area at the request of the US Navy and was expected to arrive later on Wednesday, France's Ifremer ocean science research institute said.

US Coast Guard said Canadian Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft, which have sub-surface surveillance gear to trace submarines, detected the underwater noises in the search area on Tuesday.

Remote undersea equipment was deployed in the area where the sounds were detected and data from the P-3 aircraft was shared the US Navy experts 'for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans,' the US Coast Guard wrote in its Twitter statement.

It did not give details about the nature of the sounds, but CNN and Rolling Stone magazine, citing internal US government communications, reported Canadian aircraft detected banging sounds at 30-minute intervals in the area.

Rolling Stone said the sounds were picked up by sonar buoys and that sonar picked up more banging four hours later.

CNN, citing a US government memo, said additional sounds were heard about four hours after the banging was detected but said the second occurrence was not described as banging.

Experts say rescuers face major obstacles both in finding the Titan and in saving the people aboard.

In the event of a mid-dive emergency, Titan's pilot would likely have released weights to float back to the surface, said Alistair Greig, a marine engineering professor at University College London.

But he said it would be difficult to locate the van-sized submersible in the Atlantic without any communication.

The submersible is sealed with bolts outside, preventing occupants escaping without assistance even if it surfaced.

If Titan were stuck on the ocean floor, a rescue effort would face even bigger challenges because of the huge pressures and total darkness at a depth of more than 2 miles.

Titanic expert Tim Matlin said it would be 'almost impossible to effect a sub-to-sub rescue' on the seabed.

The sinking of the Titanic, which killed more than 1,500 people, has long been immortalized in books and films. Popular interest was renewed by the 1997 blockbuster movie 'Titanic'.
The Met Office said it cannot rule out record breaking 40c temperatures again this summer as it predicted higher than normal temperatures today.

The UK smashed temperature records last year  when thermometers hit 40.3c in Coningsby, Lincolnshire - a staggering 1.6c higher than the previous all-time high.

The Met Office said that the odds of a hotter than average summer in the UK for the next two months had now more than doubled.

Summer is well on the way to being hotter than normal, the forecasters said.

June has already been a scorching 2 degrees warmer than the average over the last three decades.

Now, forecasters say for the remainder of the summer, the UK has a 45 per cent chance of being hotter than the average between 1991-2020.

The Met Office said that the odds of a hotter than average summer in the UK for the next two months had now more than doubled. Pictured are sun-seekers on Bournemouth beach today

This month has already seen Britain sizzle as the first heatwave of the sent sent temperatures soaring. The blissful sunshine was welcomed by these music lovers at the Isle of Wight Festival on June 15

Now, forecasters say for the remainder of the summer, the UK has a 45 per cent chance of being hotter than the average between 1991-2020. Pictured: Fans arrive at the Isle of Wight Festival during last week's heatwave

Will Lang who leads the Met Office's National Weather Warning Service told a news conference that we might be in for record breaking temperatures over the next two months.

He said: 'Extremes such as 40 degrees are by definition unlikely, but not impossible.

READ MORE: Get ready for ANOTHER heatwave: Met Office says Britain could swelter under 30C sunshine at the weekend after warning that parts of the country will be battered by thunder Advertisement

'Given we have an increased probability of hot weather overall for the summer, it does increase the risk of extreme high temperatures,' he added.

When temperatures exceeded 40c for the first time in July last year the Met Office issued a red severe weather warning alert of 'exceptional high temperatures' with 'population-wide adverse health effectsleading to potential serious illness or danger to life'.

While there is a 40 per cent chance the summer will be warmer, the chance of it being merely average is placed at 50 per cent.

There is just a 5 per cent chance it will now be cooler than average.

To qualify as being 'hotter than average' average UK summer temperatures have to be 20 per cent hotter than 14.5c, the average UK summer temperature for night and day.

Mr Lang said 'it is certainly on the cards that we will see more hot spells throughout the summer, however we're not ruling out there being still near average or cool summer conditions overall.'

Conditions will get brighter at the end of the week - into the high 20s and by the weekend temperatures could reach low 30s

A person makes the most of the scenic sea views at Keyhaven marshes in Hampshire's New Forest today

Sunbathers on the beach enjoying the scorching hot sunshine and clear blue skies at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis earlier this month

The Met Office refused to rule out whether to UK would hit 40C temperatures, saying the odds of a hotter than average summer in the UK for the next two months had now more than doubled. Pictured: sunbathers lying on the grass in Green Park, London

The weather forecasters said that by the middle of this century temperatures of more than 40c could be expected every five years under a scenario of 'high' levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

By 2070 they suggested that global warming could lead UK temperatures could be around 4c hotter than today.

This would give London temperatures similar to that of Nice on the French Riviera and 20 per cent less rainfall than we currently have.

But Jeff Knight the Met Office's Monthly to Decadal Prediction scientist said that while it may sound agreeable, a 'Mediterranean' UK would not be as nice as Nice.

Unlike the sun-kissed Mediterranean resort, a UK that is 4c hotter would be intensely 'variable', so our hotter temperatures would be accompanied by rapidly changing conditions.

He said: A Mediterranean climate is not going to be a good analogue for the UK, the UK climate will see a lot more variability than you see in the Mediterranean.

'We live in different climate regimes.

A couple with a dog sitting outside a colourful seafront beach hut in Dorset while enjoying the scorching hot sunshine in Lyme Regis

A group of friends pose for a picture at Download Festival earlier this month as they enjoyed the baking heat

'So in the Mediterranean in the summer, we have very consistent patterns of weather that last all through the summer.

'However, for the UK, as you're probably painfully aware, we can get sort of our pattern of depressions and high pressures, fluctuations in the weather all year round, including in the summer.'

Further impacts of hotter weather in the UK would include an increase in strokes, impacts on livestock and crops, 'increased stress on electricity distribution systems', increased stress on people with respiratory problems and the NHS, and a risk to lakes and rivers.

He added that while we may get 20 less rain overall in the future, 'there is also going to be an increased likelihood of intense localised downpours,' such as were seen in London when a month's worth of rain - 47.8mm  fell in a single hour, leading to tube stations flooding.'

This is due to being close to the 'high energy' weather systems coming in from the Atlantic.
Attorney General Merrick Garland washed his hands of the Hunter Biden plea deal when asked Wednesday about Republican complaints that it represented a two-tiered system of justice.

Garland appeared at a press conference in Stockholm, Sweden, that concluded the E.U.-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs conference he was attending.

He was asked to address accusations from former President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers who saw Hunter Biden's plea deal as a 'slap on the wrist,' while the ex-president was charged with 37 federal crimes for his mishandling of classified documents, leaving him facing a maximum of 400 years in prison.

'As I said from the moment of my appointment as attorney general, I would leave this matter in the hands of the United States attorney who was appointed by the previous president, and assigned to this matter by the previous administration,' Garland said.

'That he would be given full authority to decide the matter as he decided was appropriate. And that's what he's done,' the attorney general added. 'And if you have any further questions about that matter, you should direct them to the U.S. Attorney to explain his decision.'

Attorney General Merrick Garland washed his hands of the Hunter Biden plea deal when asked Wednesday about Republican complaints that it represented a two-tiered system of justice

The U.S. Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, was nominated by Trump in November 2017 and was one of the few Trump-appointed U.S. Attorneys who kept their jobs once President Joe Biden was sworn-in in January 2021.

Biden kept Weiss in place due to the ongoing investigation into his son.

Earlier this month, Weiss wrote a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Jim Jordan assuring him that he had full autonomy over the Hunter investigation.

'I have been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and Departmental regulations,' Weiss told Jordan.

Jordan had reached out to Garland in late May, with Weiss responding on his own to the Ohio Republican's letter.

'While your letter does not specify by name the ongoing investigation that is the subject of the Committee's oversight, its contents suggests your inquiry is related to an investigation in my District,' Weiss said.

Weiss told Jordan that he would not be handing materials related to the ongoing Hunter investigation over to Congress in order to 'keep pending law enforcement matters separate from the sphere of politics.'

Republicans were incensed that Hunter Biden was being offered a plea deal over tax and gun charges, while former President Donald Trump was charged with 37 federal crimes for his mishandling of classified documents

One of the many pictures of Hunter Biden found on his laptop. Republicans viewed the first son's plea deal with the feds as a 'slap on the wrist' and said it represented a 'two-tiered' system of justice

But no matter how many Trump-appointed prosecutors or judges are attached to a case, the former president and his allies have consistently hammered the Justice Department.

'The Hunter/Joe Biden settlement is a massive COVERUP & FULL SCALE ELECTION INTERFERENCE "SCAM" THE LIKES OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN IN OUR COUNTRY BEFORE,' Trump posted to Truth Social Tuesday. 'A "TRAFFIC TICKET," & JOE IS ALL CLEANED UP & READY TO GO INTO THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - AND THIS AS CROOKED DOJ, STATE, & CITY PROSECUTORS, MARXISTS & COMMUNISTS ALL, HIT ME FROM ALL SIDES & ANGELS WITH BULL.! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!'

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said Hunter's plea deal 'reveals a two-tiered system of justice.'

'Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery,' Comer charged.

'These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committee's investigation,' the Kentucky Republican continued. 'We will not rest until the full extent of President Biden's involvement in the family's schemes are revealed.'

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy expressed a similar sentiment, also referencing the 'two-tiered' system.

'If you are the president's leading opponent, the DOJ tries to literally put you in jail,' McCarthy told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill. 'If you are the president's son, you get a sweetheart deal.'
A mother accused of poisoning her five-year-old son with anti-depressants told a hospital worker 'I killed my son' by dropping him from the attic, a murder trial has heard.

Claire Scanlon, 38, is accused of beating her son Dylan before giving him a fatal dose - nine times the amount needed to kill an adult - of an anti-depressant called Mirtazapine, which had been prescribed to her.

Scanlon has claimed that Dylan took the anti-depressants by himself and denies murder, but jurors heard that she told a hospital worker her son died when she dropped him from the attic of her house in Oldham.

Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard she told the worker: 'I killed my son'.

Police launched a murder probe after Dylan was found dead in her double bed at the family home in Elm Road, Limeside, Oldham, by relatives on December 31, 2021.

Police launched a murder probe after Dylan (pictured) was found dead in her double bed at the family home in Elm Road, Limeside, Oldham, by relatives on December 31, 2021

Jurors heard that Scanlon told a hospital worker her son (pictured) died when she dropped him from the attic of her house

Scanlon ran to her uncle's nearby home at 6.15pm on New Year's Eve where she said her son was 'not breathing' or 'moving', the court heard.

Dylan was pronounced dead three minutes after paramedics arrived at the house.

Pathologists found the boy had 64 separate injuries and a large amount of an antidepressant drug in his system, which experts said could have been fatal.

Scanlon had told paramedics at the scene that Dylan fell from a ladder the day before they arrived, and she had checked on him every 15 minutes before his death.

After police arrested her, they discovered a note saying: 'Don't let them see us, just cremate us,' which prosecutors say suggests she'd planned to die alongside her son.

She was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to Edenfield Hospital in Prestwich.

It's there that support worker Joshua Davidson claims Scanlon had confessed to inflicting fatal injuries on Dylan by dropping him from her attic.

He told the court Scanlon said to him: 'I killed my son'.

Scanlon had told paramedics at the scene that Dylan (pictured) fell from a ladder the day before they arrived, and she had checked on him every 15 minutes before his death

Prosecutor Lisa Wilding previously told the court Scanlon had become 'angry and depressed' at the breakdown of her relationship with Dylan's father Gary Keenan.

The couple first met in 2005 and had moved in together, but Gary had left their home for good following a 'bitter' split in 2020, four years after the birth of Dylan.

She said the mother was 'obsessed' with Gary, and in the two months prior to her son's death, she'd sent voicemails and messages to him multiple times a day.

On December 15, 2021, she left him a voicemail message that said: 'I promise you, you won't see him again. You'll see. Bye. Go and enjoy your life'.

Then on December 27, she left a message saying: 'I promise you now, carry on treating me like a k**b h**d, I promise you're never gonna see my son again'

She added: 'Treat me like a d**k, I'll stop you from going near him'.

A few days later on December 30, she sent a final message that said: 'You're just showing all you want to do is act like me and Dyl weren't in your life and crack on, make a new life with your new bird.

'So you go and do that. I'll solve it for you. Go and enjoy your new life with her.'

Floral tributes were left outside the Oldham home where Dylan was found on New Year's Eve in 2021

Dylan was pronounced dead three minutes after paramedics arrived at the house. Pictured: Floral tributes outside the home

Ms Wilding told the court that Scanlon had picked up a repeat prescription for Mirtazapine 11 days before Dylan died.

And a blood sample found Dylan had 9,951 micrograms of the drug, per litre of blood in his system.

Christopher Madden, a forensic toxicologist, who analysed samples of blood said this amount would be consistent with other fatalities from mirtazapine.

Mr Madden told the jury that the deaths of eight adults who overdosed on mirtazapine found they had 1,000 to 4,400 micrograms per litre of blood.

But he couldn't tell how Dylan had ingested the mirtazapine and if it was taken in one single go or administered across multiple occasions.

Scanlon's sister Susan told the court that she had become more reclusive following her break up with her ex-partner.

Scanlon faces one count of murder at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court (pictured)

And during her emotional testimony, she was unable to explain what had led to the death of Dylan, who she said was at the centre of Scanlon's world.

She said: 'She was his life, and he was hers. I don't know what went wrong.

'She wouldn't answer her phone. She wouldn't answer the door.

Describing her sister's behaviour in the month before Dylan's death, Susan added: 'She shut herself off to everybody. Absolutely everybody.'

Scanlon faces one count of murder.

The trial continues.
Tiny Japanese pickup trucks are becoming an unlikely hit with US drivers - who are importing them for as little as $3,000.

Mini pickup trucks, known as 'Kei' tricks, are earning fans in rural America - particularly among farmers wanting a cheap and compact vehicle - and are causing a storm on social media.

The miniature trucks, which are typically only about 11 feet long and less than seven feet high, are widespread in Japan as their size means they are taxed at a lower rate than other vehicles.

They are produced by several large manufacturers, including Daihatsu, Suzuki, Subaru, Toyota and Honda - with fans snapping them up for as little as $900 in Japan, before shipping them to the US.

But experts warn there are catches drivers should be aware of before bagging a bargain Kei truck - and motorists may be limited to driving at 25 miles per hour.

@thatdetroitandy Reply to @highlife1992 Get your own kei for cheap. The importers are probably going to dislike me for this video, but you shouldnt overpay for one. #keitruck #jdm  original sound - Andy Didorosi

TikTok user Andy Didorsi explained to his 508,000 followers how he bought a Honda Acty truck for just $850 from Japan, and then spend $2,086 to ship the vehicle to Baltimore.

Many rural Americans have taken to TikTok to show how they are using the mini pickups for farm work, with one calling it 'the world's most practical car,' and others adding new wheels and tires to build 'monster' Kei trucks.

The majority of the vehicles have all-wheel drive, meaning they can be driven off-road, and transport materials.

Todd Gatto, an owner of HVNY Imports, a firm in New York, told The Economist that he has sold over 300 to local businesses in the past few years. 'We bought five of them to start, and we sold them all within seven days,' he said.

Another company importing these trucks to the US is Japan Car Direct, which is based in Chiba, Japan.

The trucks are becoming increasingly popular with rural Americans, with some upgrading their vehicle for an extra cost

President Matt Matusiak told Business Insider that Kei trucks were by far the company's most popular purchase, and accounted for about a third of its orders.

'Every single year for the past seven years, we've been increasing our sales overall, and a huge chunk of that is Kei vehicles,' he said. 'It's probably our most-searched term, and that's what brings most people to our website.'

Many of his customers own ranches or farms, but Matusiak added that Kei trucks also appeal to surfers and hunters wanting nimble transport with storage space for surfboards or animals.

The cheapest truck that the company sells is approximately $5,000 - with shipping costs accounting for much of the sum.

Matusiak warned, however, that there are certain restrictions buyers should take into account before ordering a tiny truck.

Firstly, most of the vehicles are right-hand drive and they do not always have airbags or other safety features required in new cars.

The majority are imported under a rule that allows non-compliant vehicles older than 25 years to be brought into America - regulation originally intended for collectible vintage cars.

To be imported legally to some states, Kei trucks need to have speed governors installed to prevent them from exceeding 25mph, according to The Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency.

It may be possible to carry out alterations to override this speed limit but drivers will need to check any rules and regulations carefully.

In Pennsylvania, Kei trucks must be registered as off-road vehicles, while California's tighter environmental laws make it difficult to use a Kei truck there at all, Matusiak said.
Estrada also confirmed that the Titan had been plagued by communication issues

He told of how the sub's battery suddenly began to drain just an hour into a four hour Titanic site visit, forcing the mission to abort early

An actor who once traveled to the Titanic on the missing Titan sub shared how the vehicle's batteries suddenly drained during the expedition, forcing it to end early.

Alan Estrada shared chilling details of how the Titan's energy source quickly drained to 40 percent power during a July 2022 mission to see the ill-fated ocean liner.

That saw Mexican-born Estrada and his fellow submariners' time spent at the wreck slashed from four hours to one so they could return to the surface before the sub lost power.

Speaking on his YouTube video about the trip, he said: 'For safety reasons this is completely understandable when the last battery - the submersible has two batteries - when the second battery has only 40 percent left, it is necessary to return to the surface for safety.

'This means that the four hours that they tell you that you are going to be down there are not fulfilled.'

Estrada - best known for his YouTube channel - still managed to snap a stunning selfie standing in front of the Titan's porthole, with the Titanic's iconic bow visible in the depths.

The vlogger also told of how the Titan suffered a two-hour communications blackout during his voyage.

Mexican actor Alan Estrada told DailyMail.com that the Titan submarine lost communication for two hours during the July 3, 2022 voyage to the Titanic wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean

He is one of multiple people who've spoken about communications issues that plagued the sub, which went quiet an hour and 45 minutes into an expedition to the Titanic Sunday with five people on board.

The Titan has not been seen since, with a frantic hunt for the vessel continuing Wednesday, hampered by the 12,000ft depth it is feared to have reached.

Estrada, whose trip on the sub was paid for by sponsors, says it was originally scheduled for July 2021, but pushed back by a year due to unspecified 'difficulties' with the Titan.

'My biggest concern was obviously losing my life,' Estrada told DailyMail.com. 'All the people who made this expedition  we are aware of the risks we are taking. It's not a surprise.'

Estrada also shot this incredible photo of the Titanic's famous bow. The ocean liner sunk on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in April 1912, killing around 1,500 passengers

The OceanGate 22-foot carbon fiber and titanium vessel called the Titan is driven with a PlayStation remote control

Estrada paid $125,000 for the trip - the going rate when he originally signed-up two years ago. The price had soared to $250,000 per passenger by the time of Titan's disappearance.

The YouTuber said he was aware of the risks the voyage entailed - but went anyway.

'Because it is an experimental submersible, many things can happen and we were aware that not only something could happen that could put your life at risk,' Estrada explained. 'But the dive probably could not be done successfully if the weather was not in your favor.'

Speaking on his clip about the communications issue, Estrada said: 'After 1,000 meters Scott, the pilot, detects a failure in his communication system.

'It is vital that we cannot communicate with the surface, otherwise we can get lost and drift in the middle of the ocean.'

The submarine had descended about 6,500 meters when the pilot released a ballast tank from each side to help it float back upwards. A short while later, the vessel regained communication with the ship at the surface and resumed its journey.

OceanGate's tourist submersible has been missing since Sunday with five people aboard, but a Canadian rescue aircraft detected noises from the vessel on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard

Stockton Rush, full name Richard Stockton Rush III, is the CEO of OceanGate and is one of five people who boarded its Titan submersible to visit the site of the Titanic wreck

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

Estrada spoke after CBS Sunday Morning reporter David Pogue revealed Monday his troublesome experience on the Titan - which saw it suffer yet more communications issues.

The difficulties caused the submarine to be reported missing for two and a half hours - a similar amount of time to the blackout suffered during Estrada's expedition.

And German adventurer Arthur Loibl said that his August 2021 trip to the Titanic on Titan was a 'suicide mission' after it suffered a host of electrical problems, with parts even falling off the doomed sub.

On Sunday, the Titan submarine carrying five passengers, including Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company, lost communication with tour operators about 35 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland and disappeared after it embarked on its mission.

Billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are also reported to be stuck in the sub.

A Canadian rescue aircraft was able to detect noises coming from the deep-sea vessel on Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed.

OceanGate have provided tourists with the opportunity to explore the Titanic wreckage for a number of years

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his so 19-year-old Sulaiman Dawood (pictured together) are on board the missing submarine

The five on board Titan are believed to have fewer than 20 hours of breathable air left to sustain them, although on Wednesday a US Coast Guard spokesman refused to be drawn on exactly how long was left.

He said banging noises had been picked up by planes hunting for the sub on Tuesday and Wednesday. It has been speculated those bangs were made by the Titan's occupants to try and attract attention, but searchers have not been able to confirm that this is the case.

Three U.S. Air Force cargo airplanes delivered heavy machinery and submarines to Canada on Tuesday night to help recover the crew.

The equipment was taken off the planes by a military loader then put onto the trucks by a forklift truck.

One load contained a giant red roll of thick cable and two large machines with a blue frame and a sign on the side saying 'high voltage.' While the exact purpose of the cable was unclear, it appeared to have enough length to go deep into the ocean.

Another load contained two heavy-duty Hyundai winches with '6000 kg line pull' written on the side of each.

'I wish with all my heart that they find them,' Estrada said. 'Today is a crucial day for this rescue. I hope they find them safe and sound.'
A 'worker' attacked two colleagues at a London hospital with a pickaxe before turning the weapon on himself, according to witnesses who saw the horrifying rampage unfold this afternoon.

Witnesses have described the frenzy at Central Middlesex Hospital which sparked an armed police response and forced terrified patients to cower in 'safe rooms' before the suspect was arrested.

Armed officers stormed the hospital in Park Royal, north west London, at around 1.20pm today and locked down the site for just over two hours. One of the two victims has been left in a critical condition.

The suspect is also fighting for his life in hospital with what are believed to have been 'self-inflicted injuries', the Met said.

Gareth Browne, who works for specialist construction company Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG), said the suspect armed with a pickaxe was a contractor, who works as an on-site supervisor at the hospital. MailOnline has contacted the Met Police to confirm this.

Armed police attend reports of an alleged stabbing at Central Middlesex Hospital in West London

Steeplejack Gareth Browne (speaking to media), who was contracted to work at the hospital, said the suspect was armed with a pickaxe

Mr Browne, who is a steeplejack, said: 'I thought it was patients or something and he was trying to chase somebody out of the hospital. So I approached him to make sure he was okay and he told me 'get out my f*****g way!'

'I kind of stepped out of his way, he looked like he was going home and he's coming back into the hospital and done what he's done.

'He had a pickaxe and he was swinging it around, just down the side [of the hospital].

'There was two of them he was chasing, apparently there was a bit of grief, grievance, between the two at work and at home so obviously something's happened between them.

Mr Browne added that he thought something was happening to the patients so they wanted to make sure he was alright.

He continued: 'And then when he turned around and told me to 'f**king do one' I just got out of the way. I only met him for the first time yesterday.

'I got a maintenance boy come along and say he's just stabbed somebody and gone on a rampage.'

He added: 'There was two of them he was chasing, apparently they were neighbours.

Images from the scene show emergency services swarming the hospital in London today

The alleged stabbing happened at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, West London

'Apparently there was a bit of grief, grievance, between the two at work and at home so obviously something's happened between them.'

Inside cops found two people with stab wounds, one of which is being treated as life-threatening, while the second is being classed as minor.

The carnage is not being treated as a terror incident and no other suspects are being hunted, Scotland Yard said, amid false claims there was potentially a second attacker at large.

Among those also caught up in today's drama was Amie Ferris-Rotman, who was ordered to hide in the dialysis unit by armed police for around 45 minutes, while her father was getting treated.

She told Sky News: 'There were lots of armed police, lots running around. And they told us they were looking for a second suspect, who was wounded and was hiding out somewhere in the hospital.'

Journalist Ms Ferris-Rotman said she and her father arrived at the hospital shortly before 1.30pm.

She added: 'Not long after we checked in for his appointment we heard scuffles and saw a lot of movement, a lot of police running around. Armed police were suddenly running around, suddenly all the nurses in the dialysis unit were obviously really scared and quite panicked.

'Police said everyone had to evacuate immediately and the nurses said 'no we've got people on dialysis machines, that would be next to impossible to do'.

'Then the police came in and did a brief check of the dialysis and renal unit and then locked us down and had armed police at every entrance.

'They put my father, me and two other patients in a small nurses room and locked the door.

'A lot of the patients were quite freaked out and at one point those who were about to go onto dialysis were put on wheelchairs and brought into a room, which is where we were as well.

'Outside there were lots and lots of police teams and different units. There were about 12 or 13 police cars and an incident response unit. No one was allowed inside and lots of patients were milling about outside.'

She wrote on social media at the time of the alert: 'I am at Middlesex Central hospital in the dialysis unit and we're sheltering in safe rooms.

'Armed policemen are on the scene, being described as a ''major incident''.'

Patients inside the hospital reported that they were on 'lockdown' after a 'major incident' was declared

The Metropolitan Police said a man has been arrested

Speaking to LBC, she added: 'I used to live in Afghanistan as a reporter, so I went into automatic crisis mode.

'We didn't hear shooting or anything. There were lots of police and they're still here because the whole hospital's been evacuated and everyone's standing outside.'

Mark Thewlis tweeted his partner was also trapped at the hospital in a 'lockdown situation', while the suspected knifeman was 'still at large'.

'Police with guns swarming hospital now. Partner been advised to stay locked in room with colleagues/patients,' he added.

While a third said: 'The whole area is on lockdown and they have evacuated as far as they can safely and there is now ambulances and police.'

London Ambulance Service it 'treated two people at the scene' with paramedics still helping as part of the 'ongoing incident'. London Air Ambulance was also in attendance.

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, Tweeted: 'There's an ongoing incident at Central Middlesex Hospital. Please follow any instructions given to you by the police.'

A spokesman for the hospital trust later added: 'Police are on site and the hospital was temporarily locked down for a short period of time as a precautionary measure.

'Working closely with the Metropolitan Police, we have now reopened the hospital and services will continue as normal.'

The hospital is located in the centre of Park Royal business estate and is on the border between Brent and Ealing.

Armed police officers are attending a scene at Central Middlesex Hospital in London following reports of a stabbing on site

Police officers and ambulances arrived at the hospital around 2pm

The hospital is located in the centre of Park Royal business estate and is on the border between Brent and Ealing (file image)

The Met Police said they were aware of the incident and armed police were at the scene. A man has been arrested

The hospital trust confirmed there was an 'ongoing incident' at the hospital

London Ambulance Service said they were dealing with an 'ongoing incident' at the hospital

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said: 'We were called today (21 June) at 1:18pm to reports of an incident at Central Middlesex Hospital.

'We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic, an ambulance crew, a medic in a fast response car, and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

'We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. Our teams have so far treated two people at the scene. The incident is still ongoing.'

Police officers said they will remain at the hospital as further searches are carried out but 'at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought'.

The hospital has since re-opened with services operating as normal. There is a heightened police presence.

A spokesman for the Met added: 'A man has been arrested following a stabbing at Central Middlesex Hospital.

'Armed officers were among those responding after calls at 1:18pm on Wednesday, June 21, to reports that two people had been stabbed.

'Officers found two people with stab injuries. The first victim has injuries that are being treated as life-threatening.

'The second victim's injuries are not being treated as life-threatening.

'Police arrested a man outside the hospital. He has also been conveyed to hospital having received injuries that are believed to be self-inflicted. His condition is being treated as life-threatening.

'Officers will remain in the hospital as further searches are conducted but at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought.

'Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

'The hospital was temporarily locked down but has now reopened and will be operating services as normal.

'There is a heightened police presence at the hospital while we investigate.'
'People get phone calls all the time from individuals who claim to have information like that,' Durham said of the 2016 Trump tower meeting

Special counsel John Durham noted that Adam Schiff has experience in accepting 'dirt' on political opponents from foreign agents as the California Democrat pressed him on the 2016 meeting between Trump acolytes and Russian agents claiming to have damaging information on Hillary Clinton.

In 2016 a meeting took place between Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya - with at least Trump. Jr. expecting to receive 'very high-level and sensitive information' that would be incriminating to Hillary Clinton in the meeting.

'People get phone calls all the time from individuals who claim to have information like that,' Durham said of the contact.

Schiff pressed: 'This son of a presidential candidate gets calls all the time from a foreign government offering dirt on their important opponent. Is that what youre saying?'

To which Durham quipped: 'I dont think this situation is unique in your experience.'

Special counsel John Durham noted that Adam Schiff has experience in accepting 'dirt' on political opponents from foreign agents

Schiff, the former top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, was one of Trump's most outspoken critics and spent years trying to prove collusions between him and Russia. On Wednesday House Republicans will hold a vote to censure Schiff for 'lying' about having evidence of a Trump-Russia plot.

In 2018 DailyMail.com revealed that Schiff had been spoofed by Russian comedians posing as Ukrainian officials offering him 'compromising' dirt on Trump - including nude photos.

On an audio recording of the prank call posted online, Adam Schiff can be heard discussing the committee's Russia investigation and increasingly bizarre allegations about Trump with a man who claimed to be Andriy Parubiy, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament.

The call had actually come from two Russian comedians nicknamed 'Vovan' and 'Lexus' who have become notorious for their phony calls to high-ranking American officials and celebrities, including UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Elton John.

Schiff's office said the congressman suspected the call was 'bogus' from the beginning and reported it to authorities afterward.

But in a recording of the eight-minute conversation, Schiff appeared to take the call seriously  or at least played along convincingly - and emails from the Democrat's staff to the fake politician afterwards said he had found it 'productive'.

Schiff asked Durham if he was trying to 'diminish' the significance of the meeting between Trump campaign affiliates and Russian operatives.

'You think its insignificant that he had a secret meeting with the Russian delegation for the purpose of getting dirt on Hillary Clinton? And the only disappointment expressed in the meeting was that the dirt they got wasnt better. You dont think thats significant?'

'I dont think that that was a well-advised thing to do,' Durham said. 'If youre asking me what I do and I hope I wouldnt do it, but it was not illegal, was it? It was stupid, foolish, ill advised.'

Earlier in the hearing Durham had revealed that FBI agents have apologized to him for their handling of the Trump-Russia probe as he confirmed he saw bias among key officials in charge of the investigation like Peter Strzok.

'I have had any number of FBI agents who I've worked with over the years, some are retired, some are still in place, who have come to me and apologized for the manner in which that investigation was undertaken,' Durham revealed at the top of the high-profile Judiciary hearing.

To him, that proved that a majority of the FBI are 'good, hard-working people' who 'swear under their oaths to abide by the law.'

'Our findings are sobering,' said Durham. 'Having spent 40 years plus as a federal prosecutor, they are particularly sobering to me.'

The FBI has come under attack since the investigation into allegations of collusions between the Trump campaign and Russia, Operation Crossfire, for the raid on Mar-a-Lago and for allegations the agency slow-walked an investigation into Hunter Biden.

Former special counsel John Durham revealed that FBI agents have apologized to him for their handling of the Trump-Russia probe as he confirmed he saw bias among key officials in charge of the investigation like Peter Strzok

Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to look into misconduct related to 'Crossfire Hurricane', which investigated now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion allegations. He concluded four years later that the FBI opened the flawed probe 'based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence.'

'It's going to take time to rebuild the public's confidence in the institution, the changes, the reforms they have made are certainly changes that are going to guard to some extent against the repeat of what happened in Crossfire,' Durham insisted.

Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan refuted Durham's claims that the FBI had made significant reforms. 'I don't think anything has changed,' the Ohio Republican said.

Durham insisted that his four-year-long investigation had operated 'in good faith' and did not act 'with a purpose to pursue partisan political ends.'

'We found troubling violations of law and policy in the conduct of highly consequential investigations, directed at members of a presidential campaign and ultimately a presidential administration. To me it matters not whether it was a Republican campaign or a Democrat campaign was a presidential campaign.'

Ranking Democrat Jerry Nadler, N.Y., insisted Durham's report had been political and he was only invited to testify on Wednesday because Trump had been indicted for his handling of classified documents and hush money payments.

'Mr. Durham, your report reads like a defense of the Trump campaign and an attack on Hillary Clinton because that's exactly what it is!' he said, reminding Durham he lost all the cases he brought to trial.

Rep. Steve Neguse, D-Colo., asked Durham about Republican calls to 'defund' the FBI and the DOJ amid concerns of bias against Trump within the agency.

'Now, that doesn't make sense to me. But I've only been at this for 40 years,' Durham said, referencing his four decades as a federal prosecutor.

At one point in the hearing Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., told Durham his reputation was damaged because he had been appointed U.S. attorney by Donald Trump before being appointed special counsel by Barr. 'Everybody's reputation who gets involved with Donald Trump will be damaged. He's damaged goods. There's no good dealing with him so you will end up on the bottom of a pyre,' said Cohen. 'My concern about my reputation is with the people who I respect, and my family, and my Lord, and I'm perfectly comfortable with my reputation with them, sir,' Durham shot back.

Chair Jordan has said Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) needs to be completely overhauled for it to be renewed this year. Section 702 was used by the FBI to spy on the Trump campaign - specifically advisor Carter Page.

'The FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research such as the Steele Dossier,' said Durham in the hearing.

'The FBI relied on the dossier and FISA applications knowing there was likely material originating from a political campaign or political opponent. It did so even after the president of the United States, the FBI and CIA directors and others received briefings about intelligence suggesting that there was a Clinton campaign plan underway to stir up a scandal tying Trump to Russia.'

FISA's Section 702 authorization must be completed by the end of 2023. It allows U.S. federal intelligence agencies to conduct targeted searches of foreigners, but sometimes Americans are improperly searched in the process - which Congress wants to fix.

The hearings come as the FBI is investigating Biden for alleged mishandling of classified documents, and just days after Trump appeared in a Miami court and was arrested on 37 federal counts related to files found at Mar-a-Lago.

Republican senators Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley are also pressing Durham to provide answers about why top FBI officials - including Comey and McCabe - refused to cooperate with his investigation into the agency's opening of the Trump-Russia collusion probe.

Durham issued 2,800 subpoenas, executed 500 search warrants and conducted hundreds of interviews with key officials including Hillary Clinton and her campaign associates, Trump campaign officials and hundreds of involved FBI officials - but notably a few of the FBI's top brass at the time refused to cooperate with Durham's probe.

Durham did not interview James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Bill Preistap, Kevin Clinesmith - who was convicted by Durham for illegally altering an email - and Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS, which the Republican senators call 'odd.'

The Republicans are pressing Durham to provide information on whether Durham issued subpoenas to those specific individuals and whether DOJ 'impeded' any of his office's investigative practices.

Although Durham's report does not recommend any 'wholesale changes' in guidelines or policies of the Department of Justice, it says there is a 'continuing need' for the agencies to recognize the lack of 'analytical rigor' and apparent 'confirmation bias.'

The FBI responded to the report in a statement to DailyMail.com saying that there are 'corrective actions' in place now that would have prevented 'missteps in 2016.'

'The conduct in 2016 and 2017 that Special Counsel Durham examined was the reason that current FBI leadership already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time,' the FBI told DailyMail.com.

'Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented. This report reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect.'
Reformed cocaine addict Robert Downey Jr. has opened up about his prison stint saying that jail had 'evil in the air' and it was the 'most dangerous place' he's ever been.

The Academy Award nominated actor, now 58, opened up about his struggles with drug abuse and his time spent in prison on the latest episode of Armchair Expert Podcast.

During the podcast, hosted by Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, Downey - who was introduced to weed at the age of six by his actor dad Robert Downey Sr - talked about his time being incarcerated in 1999.

The Ironman actor said: 'You could just feel the evil in the air, and that was no trouble at all because it was kind of like just being in a really bad neighborhood.

'There was no opportunity there. There was only threats.'

Downey Jr, pictured here on the Armchair Expert podcast, opened up about his struggles with addiction

Downey, is pictured here with podcast hosts Dax Shepard, left, and Monica Padman, right

He described a facility in Delano, California, as being a receiving center he was in as being 'arguably the most dangerous place I've ever been in my life'.

The center hosted all prisoners before they were assigned to specific lock-ups, and Downey said they were particularly dangerous because the most serious criminals were locked-up with people convicted of non-violent or minor offenses.

Now long sober and wildly successful, Downey Jr. described during the podcast how troubled he was at the time.

He said: 'I'm gonna try to give you the flashcards. I'm in court, I'm being over-sentenced by an angry judge, and at some point he said something in Latin.

'I thought he was casting a spell on me.'

The actor's legal troubles began in 1996 when he was stopped for speeding and authorities found of heroin, cocaine and an unloaded .357 caliber Magnum.

A year later, he skipped a court-ordered drug test and spent nearly four months in the Los Angeles County jail.

Following this, he then skipped another drug test and was sentenced to three years of prison in 1999.

During this time, Downey Jr. served 15 months in state prison in Corcoran, California.

Downey is pictured here in his mug shot taken at the California Department of Corrections to start his three year spell behind bars

Downey, and his lawyer Robert Shapiro, inside a Malibu court room in August 1999 as he was sentenced to three years in prison for parole violation

Downey is seen here making a plea to Court Judge Lawrence Mira during his sentencing

A few months after his release, he was arrested on Thanksgiving weekend for alleged cocaine and Valium possession and being under the influence of drugs.

The valium charge was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor, he pleaded no contest to the remaining charges and avoided more jail time.

In 2001, he was found walking bare foot around Culver City, Los Angeles, and was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs.

Following year of substance abuse, arrests, rehabs and relapse, Downey made a full recovery and has since gone on to achieve global recognition.

Since 2008 he has starred as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the incredibly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Downey has now maintained sobriety since 2003 and his career has soared to new heights with hit roles as Iron Man amongst others

He also received his second Academy Award nomination for his role in satirical action comedy 'Tropic Thunder' for his portrayal of an African-American platoon sergeant.

Downey had received his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biopic 'Chaplin', prior to his career going off the rails.

In December 2015, Governor of California Jerry Brown issued an unconditional pardon to Downey for his prior drug convictions.

Downey is now the host of 'Downey's Dream Cars,' a docuseries debuting this Thursday on Max.
Hard-right Republican Lauren Boebert wants to impeach Joe Biden over what she claims is his 'dereliction of duty' in failing to stop migrants breaking into the U.S.

The Colorado Congresswoman's motion has little chance of success because the Democrats control the Senate and will not vote to remove the president from office.

Boebert, 36, said the commander-in-chief 'intentionally ceded command & control of our border to cartels.'

Colorado Congressman Lauren Boebert accuses Biden of organizing 'an invasion' with his 'open borders agenda'

'His dereliction of duty caused the deaths of over 900 Coloradans from fentanyl, enabled sex-trafficking, & allowed an invasion,' she said in announcing her plans to file the motion to impeach Biden.

Her six-page impeachment motion accuses the 80-year-old of 'continuously, overtly, and consistently violated Federal immigration law by pursuing an aggressive, open-borders agenda.'

The topic of immigration and the flow of asylum-seekers sneaking across the southwestern frontier with Mexico will be a hot button issue in next year's presidential election.

But several Republicans have already said even they will vote against the move.

Sources close to Kevin McCarthy told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that the House Speaker had told GOP colleagues that now was not the time to boot Biden out of office.

He urged Republicans to allow the various Congressional investigations into the Biden family to play out before attempting impeachment.

Bobert's move comes after court filings revealed a plea agreement for Hunter Biden over misdemeanor tax offenses and a felony firearm crime.

White House spokesperson Ian Sams said that 'extreme House Republicans are staging baseless political stunts that do nothing to help real people and only serve to get themselves attention.'

The numbers of migrants crossing is said to be down from when Title 42 was initially scrapped but the issue is a hot button topic in the 2024 presidential election.

U.S. border agents have complained about staffing shortages and low morale due to the numbers of people crossing

Po;iticians from both sides of the House have slammed Biden over his handling of southern border crossings.

Many called on him to extend a Trump-era diktat known as Title 42, which was lifted last month, that made it much easier to boot out illegals.

The Biden administration argues it has signed returns deals with Mexico and Colombia, while same failed asylum-seekers have even been sent to Spain.

Officials also argue they have made it tougher to claim asylum in the United States.

Applicants must prove they previously tried to apply in countries they passed through or that their cases are exceptions to the rule.

Under the so-called Title 8 provisions, those seeking asylum participate in a 'credible fear' interview with an officer or judge.

If they fail it, they could soon be back on a plane to their home country or Mexico through expedited removal proceedings.

Otherwise, they can begin the lengthy process of seeking asylum.

Those whose claims don't stand up place potentially more severe consequences.

This includes a five-year ban on reentry for those found to have entered the country illegally and potential government prosecution of people who seek to cross the border again and again.

According to Customs and Border Protection, border crossings have fallen from over 10,000 a day to roughly 3,500 a day since Title 42 was ended.

It is not the first time GOP members of Congress have tried to take the president to task with impeachment efforts over migration issues.

Ukraine-bashing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represents the state of Georgia, tried a similar move in May but it failed to make it to a vote.

Kevin McCarthy has warned Republicans over voting to impeach Biden - for now

Boebert said that she has used a procedural tactic to force every member to state their position on the record.

Anna Paulina Luna used the same motion to try and censure California Democrat Adam Schiff over the so-called Russiagate probe into Donald Trump/

Luna told NBC News on Tuesday that a separate measure to censure Schiff without fining him will get a vote Wednesday night.

He added that she has secured the necessary number of GOP votes for it to pass.

Other Republican impeachment efforts have been focused on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas rather than Biden.

Last week, the GOP launched a fresh probe that could serve as the basis of an eventual Mayorkas impeachment.
Security guards wielding wooden bats on a pineapple farm in Kenya are alleged to have savagely beaten suspected trespassers - with four deaths alleged to be linked to the assaults.

Del Monte farm, located in Thika, about 42km northeast of Kenya's capital Nairobi, is the country's single largest exporter of produce - including the supply of tinned and fresh pineapples around the world.

Del Monte grows pineapples for some of the UK's leading supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Asda, Ocado and Morrisons.

An investigation by The Guardian newspaper and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) has explored claims by villagers of brutal abuse by guards at the plantation, including four unexplained deaths, while a lawsuit alleges rapes and other violent attacks.

Tesco has suspended orders on all products from the farm in Kenya until an investigation has been carried out but will continue to use Del Monte as a supplier.

Del Monte pineapple farm ion Kenya supplies pineapples to the UK's leading supermarkets. Locals claim there have been savage beating carried out by some of the 237 guards employed at the site

Del Monte farm, located in Thika, about 42km northeast of Kenya's capital Nairobi, is the country's single largest exporter of produce - including the supply of tinned and fresh pineapples

Mary Kambo, a programme manager at the Kenya Human Rights Commission, said: 'There has been real misery that is caused by this farm to local community members.

'It's important that someone who is buying these pineapples knows about the allegations of violence connected to the farm.'

The farm is said to cover around 40sq km - an area which is the equivalent of a small city in the east African nation.

Although public roads crisscross through the plantation, it employs 237 guards who are said to carry out their own arbitrary inspections for anyone passing by.

The men are described as being armed with wooden clubs called rungus - which are legal in Kenya to combat the risk of violent robberies. Although many attacks are said to follow attempted thefts, others claim to have been attacked indiscriminately while passing the farm along the road.

Del Monte told the Guardian it takes the claims 'very seriously' and has launched a full and urgent investigation.

The newspaper and TBIJ investigated four deaths - three of which are cited in legal action now facing the company.

The first alleged victim, 52-year-old John Rui Karia, died in prison last December after sustaining serious injuries. Another man, Dennis Mutiso, 40, told the Guardian he saw Mr Karia beaten a week earlier and stamped on by Del Monte guards.

Mr Karia pleaded guilty to stealing pineapples but others claim he was resting by the roadside to sell grass when guards set upon him. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is investigating his death.

Tesco has stated it has suspended orders on all products from Del Monte until an investigation is carried out

A second man, Stephen Thuo Nyoike, 22, died after going to steal pineapples on August 30 last year.

His body was found in the road alongside Del Monte farm, with his neck cut by a wire, while a postmortem found signs of 'ligature strangulation'. Two people claim to have seen him being beaten by Del Monte guards.

A third death - that of 26-year-old Bernard Murigi Wanginye in 2019 - led to five Del Monte guards being charged with beating him to death after they allegedly caught him stealing pineapples with other young men. All five are in custody awaiting trial, despite a nearly four year wait.

The earliest alleged killing dates back to 2013, when Saidi Ngotho Ndungu, 27, was found in Del Monte's dam. Two friends claimed they accompanied him on a mission to steal pineapples when they were chased by guards.

In a statement given to police, one man said the security team began brutally attacking Mr Ndungu with wooden clubs as he begged for his life. Nevertheless, his death certificate gave 'drowning' as a cause of death.

Law firm Leigh Day has written to Del Monte, seeking compensation for 'serious human rights abuses' from 134 villagers living nearby.

Besides claims for five deaths - including those of Karia, Nyoike and Wanginye - the letter describes five rapes, as well as serious injuries including head wounds, broken bones and cuts requiring stitches incurred since 2013.

Leigh Day partner Richard Meeran said: 'Our clients' allegations of human rights abuses perpetrated by Del Monte's security guards in Kenya entail a level and pattern of violence, brutality and humiliation that is widespread and gut-wrenching. It is right that these allegations, and Del Monte's responsibility for them, are tested in court.'

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We are shocked and appalled to learn of these allegations on Del Monte's Thika farm in Kenya. We have therefore taken the decision to immediately suspend Del Monte fruit products sourced from this farm pending a thorough and credible investigation into these claims.

'Any form of human rights abuse is clearly unacceptable and we expect our suppliers to protect the welfare of everyone working in our supply chains, as well as respecting the human rights of the communities in which they operate.'

Waitrose told media it trusts its suppliers to adhere to strict ethical standards and it is 'liaising closely' with Del Monte to understand the situation. The firm said it welcomed the company's commissioning of an independent review.

A spokesperson for Fresh Del Monte said: 'We take these allegations extremely seriously and have instituted a full and urgent investigation into them. The conduct alleged in these cases is in clear violation of Fresh Del Monte's longstanding commitment to human rights and the comprehensive policies and procedures we have in place to ensure our operations respect the dignity of all individuals.

'Our proactive investigations continue and will be supported by an independent review by a specialist human rights consultancy. We continue to fully support the Kenyan authorities' investigations, including into the death of John Rui Karia. We are committed to constant improvements in the way we operate to adhere to the highest international human rights standards in all our businesses.'

Sophie de Salis, sustainability policy adviser at the British Retail Consortium, which represents UK supermarkets, said: 'We welcome Del Monte's investigation into these appalling allegations to delve deeper into the broader context of these crimes and commitment to constant improvements in working practices.

'Protecting the welfare of workers and respecting communities in supply chains is fundamental to our members' sourcing practices and any practices falling short of our high standards are not tolerated.'
A TikTok star and her mother were killed in a car crash in Houston, Texas Monday as they were on their way to a Juneteenth celebration.

Britney Murphy, 35, known on TikTok as ThatGirlBritneyJoy, and her mother, Sherie Smith, 53, have been identified as the victims of a crash on West Tidwell Road.

Murphy's sister, Tiffany Cofield, said they were leaving her home and were on the way to a Juneteenth celebration in Emancipation Park when they were struck by a gray pickup truck.

It came just moments after Murphy posted what would be her final TikTok video.

Photos from the crash show the black sedan Murphy was driving overturned, and Houston police said both women were killed on the scene. They added that the mother's arms were wrapped around her daughter when they found the two women.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Britney Murphy, 35, and her mother, Sherie Smith, 53, were killed in a car crash in Houston, Texas on Monday

Their sedan was struck by a gray pickup truck when they were on their way to a Juneteenth celebration. It is seen here overturned in the aftermath

Cofield told ABC 13 how she was on her way home when she stumbled across the scene.

'It looked like her car and everybody when I was walking up said a mom an daughter died, and I knew they had left, and knew the only mom and daughter would be my mom and sister,' she said between tears.

The grieving sister said she is now hanging in there, but noted: 'There will never be a time when I won't miss my mother and my sister. They were my best friends. They were everything.'

She added that she wants people to remember 'not the way they died, but the way they lived and the life they loved and who they inspired,' adding that she was 'so proud' of her sister who amassed a following of more than 400,000 in just four short months.

Murphy had charmed audiences with her deadpan facial expressions in her skits about getting ready for work in the morning.

She posted her final video just moments before the crash.

Murphy had posted her final TikTok about Juneteenth just moments before the crash

In the video, the TikToker could be seen getting out of bed and leaving the house, only to return with a bottle of wine

The video, titled POV: You forgot it's Juneteenth  No work today, the TikToker could be seen getting out of bed and leaving the house, only to return with a bottle of wine.

She then starts dancing as she pours herself a drink, before wrapping herself in a blanket and laying down on the couch.

The video has been viewed more than 5million times, with over 21,000 people commenting, expressing their grief and sending their condolences.

'I can't believe she's gone just after posting this,' one user commented.

'It's so crazy how fast a life can change RIP,' another wrote, with a third saying, 'You never know what will be your last moments.'

Another person commented: 'I'm so...distraught... You were just here... omg RIP baby.'

Murphy had charmed audiences with her deadpan facial expressions in her skits about getting ready for work in the morning

Her sister said she wants people to remember Murphy and her mother 'not the way they died, but the way they lived and the life they loved and who they inspired'

Cofield is now raising funds for her mother's and her sister's funerals.

She set up a GoFundMe on Tuesday, sharing: 'My mom and sister were tragically taken away from us way too soon in an accident involving a reckless driver in Houston.'

'This was just as my sister, beloved TikToker Britney Joy, began rising up in fame for her 9 - 5 videos that hit the Internet by storm.

'Everyone related to her stories and those of her characters.'

'Unfortunately, we were not adequately prepared to have to lay both my sister and mother to rest at the same time,' Cofield continued.

'This happened so suddenly and was truly something I could have never [imagined.] Losing my best friends.'

The GoFundMe has raised more than $74,000 for the family in just one day.
An obsessive man who followed a woman from Pakistan to the UK then suffocated her with a Covid mask and stuffed a suitcase coontaining her body into bushes is facing life in jail.

Muhammad Arslan, 27, forced a floral patterned mask into the mouth of 21-year-old Hina Bashir after she visited his shared flat in Ilford, east London, in July last year.

He claimed he had only meant to quieten her after he confronted her over naked photographs of her that he had been sent.

But the prosecution rejected his explanation as 'elaborate and concocted' and asserted he had killed her out of anger and jealousy.

Arslan had followed the business management student from their home village in Pakistan after becoming obsessed with her when she was a child.

Muhammad Arslan, 27, forced a floral patterned mask into the mouth of 21-year-old Hina Bashir (pictured) after she visited his shared flat in Ilford, east London, in July last year

He admitted manslaughter on the first day of his trial but denied murder and perverting the course of justice by concealing Ms Bashir's body.

A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for five hours and 20 minutes to find him guilty of the charges.

Ms Bashir's family in court expressed relief as the verdicts were delivered while Arslan stood impassively in the dock with his arms crossed.

The court heard how Arslan and Ms Bashir grew up in the same village in the Faisalabad district of Pakistan.

From the age of 11, Ms Bashir had been befriended via text message by the then 17-year-old defendant, it was alleged.

At one point, Arslan declared: 'How wonderful it is that I have found my princess in the house right next to mine.'

Ms Bashir went on to reject his advances and had a boyfriend in Pakistan and another after moving to the UK in November 2021 to study business management at Coventry University's London campus, the court heard.

Within months of her arrival, Arslan had followed her, enrolling at the University of Essex for a masters degree in data science and applications and working part-time in a warehouse, jurors heard.

He told friends Ms Bashir was his fiancee and sent her messages saying she was his life.

Arslan already had masters degree in maths and quantum physics from the University of Faisalabad and had given up a job as the manager of a pharmacy to travel to the UK, jurors were told.

On the evening of July 11 last year, Ms Bashir and two female friends had visited Arslan's flat to collect some belongings she had left there while moving.

When Ms Bashir did not come out, her friends had to leave without her and the student was never seen alive again, jurors were told.

Hinas blood was found on his bed and facemasks with the same pattern as the one found in her mouth were found in his home.

Having killed her, Arslan put her body into a suitcase in the bedroom he shared with a friend and stored it there overnight.

Arslan had become increasingly obsessed with Ms Bashir and jurors were shown an image he had edited of himself and Hina both inside love hearts.

He had also edited a photograph of a cake with the words Happy Birthday Hina Arslan on it.

Even after he killed her he looked at messages and photographs on Hinas phone and took pictures of images of her with other young men.

A jury at the Old Bailey (pictured) deliberated for five hours and 20 minutes to find him guilty of the charges

Prosecutor Gareth Patterson KC had told jurors: 'The next morning, the defendant set off from his house, dragging behind him a suitcase containing Hina Bashir's dead body.

'He got a lift from a taxi driver who lived in his house and travelled to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster, near a business where he was employed as a warehouse worker.

'He got out of the taxi and dragged his suitcase to the side of a lane where he hid it in some undergrowth. He left the suitcase concealed there in the days that followed.'

After the killing, Arslan had deleted his contacts from Ms Bashir's phone, lied to police about Ms Bashir's disappearance and made inquiries about travelling to Northern Ireland and Birmingham.

He initially denied involvement in her death despite the 'wealth of evidence', jurors heard.

He then insisted her death had all been a terrible accident during an argument.

Arslan said: I was trying to stop her from shouting and trying to keep her calm.

I was just trying to stop her and maybe the Covid mask goes in her mouth.

It was out of my attention, what was happening. I was just trying to stop her and during this time my face mask went inside.

Ms Bashir's blood was found on Arslan bedclothes, matching floral face masks were recovered from his home and the taxi driver confirmed taking the defendant and his heavy suitcase to the industrial estate where it was dumped .

CCTV footage also captured Arslan leaving his house with the suitcase and then later dragging it along the lane to where it was eventually discovered, Mr Patterson said.

Arslan's DNA was also identified on the suitcase handle and soil from the deposition site was found on his shoes.

An examination of his phone revealed the extent of his obsession with Ms Bashir before and after she travelled to the UK.

He had repeatedly declared his love for her and reacted with shock on learning she had found someone else.

Mr Patterson said: 'The police also found on his phone a very large number of photographs of Hina Bashir, some of them having been 'photoshopped' or altered using software or apps.

'They found pictures of her on which love hearts had been added and they found collages that had been created of her image. The evidence suggests that he was obsessed with her.

'However, it appears Hina Bashir did not want to be with him and in fact had a relationship after she came here with another young man.'

In his evidence, Arslan claimed that he had been friends with Ms Bashir since she was 11 and romance had followed, even though they could not meet openly for cultural reasons.

He admitted it was a 'fantasy' that she was his fiancee but he still wanted to have a relationship.

Following the guilty verdicts on Wednesday, Judge Richard Marks KC remanded Arslan into custody to be sentenced on Friday.
A mother has been jailed for allowing her husband to murder her five-year-old daughter after doctors found the child had suffered 70 injuries over a six-month campaign of abuse.

Abdul Wahab, the stepfather of five-year-old Nadia Zofia Kalinowska, has been sentenced to at least 22 years in prison for her murder. Her mother, Aleksandra Wahab, was jailed for five and a half years for allowing the death of a child.

Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said Nadia's extended family in Poland had suffered 'unimaginable heartache and pain'.

Nadia died after she was found with multiple injuries at her family home in Fernagh Drive, Newtownabbey, in December 2019.

Ms Quinn said: 'Today five-year-old Nadia Kalinowska's mother and stepfather have each been handed a prison sentence in connection with her murder.

Five-year-old Nadia Zofia Kalinowska with her mother Aleksandra Wahab, 29, who along Nadia's stepfather Abdul Wahab, 35, have been sentenced at Belfast Crown Court

Abdul Wahab, the stefather of five-year-old Nadia Zofia Kalinowska (both pictured), has been sentenced to at least 22 years in prison for the girl's murder

A photo issued by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of injuries to the back of the head of five-year-old Nadia Zofia Kalinowska

'Police and ambulance attended the family home in Newtownabbey in the early hours of Sunday December 15 2019.

'Here, little Nadia was found unconscious, and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

'Sadly, despite best medical efforts, she passed away a short time later.'

Mr and Mrs Wahab, 35 and 29, were sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today.

The court heard that Nadia died from head and abdominal injuries, but also sustained multiple fractures to her skull, ribs, pelvis and collarbone and serious injuries to her brain and liver.

At the time of her death, she had over 70 surface injuries on her body which had been inflicted on various occasions over a six-month period.

Ms Quinn said: 'Nadia, a young and innocent child, had been subjected to a campaign of violence by her stepfather, while her mother ignored the very obvious attacks being carried out on her young daughter.

At the time of her death, Nadia had over 70 surface injuries on her body which had been inflicted on various occasions over a six-month period

A photo issued by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of injuries to the back and upper limbs of Nadia

A photo issued by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of injuries to the lower limbs of Nadia

'They failed to ever seek medical treatment for any of her injuries.'

The detective continued: 'This was the ultimate betrayal of trust by the two people who should have protected, loved and cared for Nadia.

'This has been a lengthy investigation and from the start we have worked closely with specialist prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Service to get justice for Nadia.'

Ms Quinn also acknowledged the efforts of colleagues in the Ambulance Service and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, who 'fought so hard to save Nadia's life'.

'My thoughts today are with Nadia's grandmother and extended family in Poland, who have suffered unimaginable heartache and pain,' Ms Quinn added,

'The whole community, including teachers and staff at Nadia's school, have been left shaken by this truly distressing case. Nadia was a much-loved pupil at St James' Primary School in Newtownabbey. This was her safe space, and I'm grateful to the school for their support throughout this investigation.

'Nadia's mother and stepfather denied her the future she deserved and while today's result will not bring her back, I hope it can bring some comfort to her remaining family in Poland.'

The court heard that Nadia died from head and abdominal injuries, but also sustained multiple fractures to her skull, ribs, pelvis and collarbone and serious injuries to her brain and liver

photo issued by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of injuries to the chest and upper left limb of Nadia

In a statement, Nadia's extended family said they had been left shattered by her death.

A statement released by the PSNI on behalf of her extended family said: 'Nadia was just a child.

'A child who had her young and innocent life cruelly taken away. Our little one was loved and treasured by her family here in Poland.

'We have supported the police investigation over the last traumatic three and a half years, and are truly grateful to everyone for their support.

'We're still, however, trying to come to terms with what happened to Nadia. And I'm not sure that we ever will. To be honest, our worlds have been shattered.

'Nadia will always remain in the heart of her loving grandmother and her closest family in Poland.'
An eight-year-old schoolgirl has suffered serious injuries after being savaged by a dog in a canine training class.

Annabell Rowdon was 'mauled like a rag doll' by the Anatolian Shepherd which attacked her out of the blue at the training course in Horseheath, Cambridgeshire.

The dog ripped flesh from her left forearm, before it was pulled off by a dog trainer and her 63-year-old grandfather Steven Rowdon.

The schoolgirl was forced to undergo five hours of surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, having broken both bones in her forearm.

Annabell's mother Sonia Rowdon, 34, has now vowed to take legal action against the Anatolian Shepherd's owners once they are identified.

Eight-year-old schoolgirl Annabell Rowdon (right) was attacked by an Anatolian Shepherd at a dog training class in Horesheath, Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire Police are currently investigating the incident that happened at a playing field in the village south of Cambridge on at 10am on 11 June.

The schoolgirl's mother, from Haverhill, Suffolk, said: 'If it had grabbed her face, or heaven forbid her stomach and caught her internal organs, this could have been an entirely different situation.'

The mother was about to leave for a hen party when she received a call that her daughter had been attacked.

The attack happened after the large dog, believed to be an Anatolian Shepherd, had a 'little go' at Annabell's grandfather's own German Shepherd.

Both owners quickly moved their dogs away from each other before the Anatolian Shepherd managed to pull away from its owner a few minutes later.

Having broken free the Anatolian Shepherd then pounced on helpless Annabell who was standing just meters away.

Annabell's mother Sonia Rowdon, 34, (right) said she is planning to take legal action once the dog's owners are identified

The eight-year-old schoolgirl (pictured) underwent five hours of surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge after suffering a broken arm and serious cuts in the attack

Anabell's grandfather Mr Rowson said: 'We were given instructions that the dogs were to be kept on the lead at all times, and under strict control.

'When it attacked, it bypassed my dog, me, another dog and its owner and made a beeline straight for my granddaughter.

'It was only for a second or two, but it shook her like a ragdoll.'

The schoolgirl's grandfather and the trainer leading the class leapt into action, and managed to force the dog to let go of Annabell.

She was rushed to Addenbrookes Hospital, where she required five hours of surgery the next day.

X-rays showed both bones in Annabell's forearm were broken, and she suffered nine deep cuts.

Annabell is now recovering at home, but may require further surgery.

She has been left shaken by the attack and her family are furious that the dog was allowed to become so out of control.

Annabell could now be forced to undergo even more surgery after being rushed to hospital following the attack in the village of Horsheath in Cambridgeshire

Annabell broke both bones in her forearm during the savage dog attack and suffered serious cuts

Ms Rowall, the owner of two huskies herself, said: 'We are proper dog owners. We're not naive.

'We know they can be powerful animals, so we make sure we have the support we need to control our dogs.'

Annabell's grandfather agreed: 'You hear about a child being killed by a dog, but the other children that get maimed and mutilated by these things, you very rarely hear about.

'People need to be made aware.'

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson, said: 'We were called at about 10.20am on Sunday, 11 June, with reports a girl had been bitten by a dog in Linton Road, Horseheath.

'The eight-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

'A crime has been raised for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.'
Children identifying as cats are wearing tails and ears in class, Britains toughest headteacher has warned.

Katharine Birbalsingh cautioned that adult authority is long gone as more children are being allowed to identify as animals in school.

It comes after a 13-year-old girl was branded despicable by her teacher for rejecting her classmates claim that she identified as a cat.

The tiger headmistress and founder of the Michaela Community free school in Wembley, London, made the comments during a speech at NatCon last month.

Dubbed Britains strictest head, she warned that parents have no idea just how bad things are in schools.

She said: Do you know that some kids identify as furries?

Britain's toughest headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh claims there are more cases of pupils identifying as other species as parents and teachers cave in to woke demands

Rye College in Sussex, where a teacher reprimanded two 13-year-old girls for challenging their classmate's identity as a cat

Elon Musk is correct - you all have no idea just how bad things are in schools and you ignore the vital and crucial roles schools play in shaping our societys culture.

There are kids right now, in some schools, with tails and ears pinned to their heads and bottoms.

This isnt fancy dress, they identify as cats, you see. Kids arent allowed to wear trainers to school but they are allowed to wear ears and tails because thats their chosen identity.

Thats how they feel they belong. Adult authority is long gone.

It comes after a teacher, whom the Daily Mail is not naming, sparked outrage after dismissing a pupils view that gender is binary as despicable and very sad.

A secret video, filmed by a pupil at Rye College in East Sussex, includes a heated exchange in which the disgruntled teacher says the youngster needed a proper educational conversation about equality, diversity and inclusion.

They refused to comment when confronted and sped off from their home in East Sussex when questioned by our reporter.

Downing Street on Tuesday cautioned teachers against showing off their liberal credentials by silencing valid discussions on trans issues and related matters.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is said to have instructed the Department for Educations regional director to visit the school to ensure guidelines are being followed.

Now further stories are emerging of pupils who identify as animals with very human characteristics - often known as 'furries'

The DfE is expected to publish its long-anticipated trans guidance for schools in the coming weeks.

A spokesman for Rye College said: Whilst we are not aware at this stage of any plans for a visit from the Department for Education, we will continue to keep them proactively updated on this situation and would of course support any enquiries they may have.

We are committed to offering our pupils an inclusive education.

Teachers endeavour to ensure that pupils views are listened to, and encourage them to ask questions and engage in discussion. Teachers also aim to answer questions sensitively and honestly.

We strive to uphold the highest standards across the school. We are reviewing our processes and working with the relevant individuals to ensure such events do not take place in the future.
A fake psychic who ran a scheme that targeted 56 million elderly Americans and defrauded them of $175million faces up to 280 years in federal prison.

Patrice Runner, 57, operated an international mail fraud scam that spanned two decades and the letters would claim to be from one of two well-known French psychics who could help turn recipients' lives around for payment.

He purchased the dates and places of birth of victims from data brokers to convince vulnerable people of the psychic's ability and he would then encourage them to make more payments.

Letters would include vague predictions and recipients would be asked to send back personal items like locks of hair for 'additional personalized rituals'. One person was promised their life was 'going to take a turn for the better' in 2014 and had to pay $37.50 for an 'astral-clairvoyant forecast'.

He was extradited to the United States from Spain in December 2020 and on June 16 a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, eight counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Patrice Runner, 57, was extradited to the US from Spain in December 2020 and a jury convicted him of carrying out the mass-mailing fraud scheme on June 16

Runners scheme involved targeting 56 million elderly Americans with letters purporting to be from two well-known French psychics, including Maria Duval (above)

He purchased the dates and places of birth of victims from data brokers to convince them of the psychic's ability and would encourage them to make more payments

Runner, a Canadian and French citizen, will remain in prison before being sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

Chris Nielsen from the Postal Inspection Services Philadelphia division said: 'For over 20 years, Patrice Runner managed a predatory scheme that targeted older [Americans] by mailing personalized letters to millions of victims purporting to be from a world renown psychic.

'[The] verdict should have come as no surprise to Mr. Runner.'

The fraud scheme, which began in 1994 and ran until November 2014, preyed on the elderly and those in desperate positions who were trying to get back on their feet financially.

Using the name and image of Maria Duval, along with that of another French psychic named Patrick Guerin, the letters promised recipients that her psychic guidance and talismans could help turn their lives around.

In the letters, the listed psychic also pledged to help the recipient achieve great wealth, happiness, and overcome sickness with their assistance, in exchange for a cash payment.

The letters also frequently stated that a psychic had seen a personalized vision regarding the recipient of the letter, when in fact the scheme sent nearly identical letters to tens of thousands of victims each week, prosecutors claimed.

Runner and his co-conspirators obtained the names of the vulnerable and elderly by renting and trading mailing lists with other mail fraud schemes.

When a victim would reply to one letter, Runner and his co-conspirators reportedly bombarded them with dozens of additional letters, with some victims receiving as many as 100.

Each of the additional letters reportedly also appeared to be a personalized written communication, with portions of it seemingly handwritten, and sought further payment from the victim.

Victims were directed to send payment  often ranging from $5 to $50  to purchase various purported unique and supernatural objects, which were in fact cheap, mass produced trinkets.

They were also urged to submit payment to receive 'personalized astrological services and studies', which were never actually returned.

In the letters, the listed psychic also pledged to help the recipient achieve great wealth, happiness, and overcome sickness with their assistance, in exchange for a cash payment

Runner will remain in prison before being sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the 14 counts he was convicted of

Prosecutors say that neither Duval nor Guerin had any role in sending the letters, did not receive the responses from the victims and did not send the additional letters after victims had paid money.

The letters sent in response were addressed to a New York-based company where employees 'threw the vast majority of responses from victims in the trash', an indictment said.

Runner used a series of shell companies to conceal his involvement in the scheme while living in multiple foreign countries, including Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and Spain.

Infogest Direct Marketing profited from the letters, according to court documents.

They were printed in Canada and driven to Albany, New York using a truck before they mailed out in large batches, of up to 50,000 at a time.

The indictment stated that the letters 'appeared personalized, repeatedly referring to the recipient by name'.

Prosecutors said coffee stains and hand written annotations were added in a bid to make the letters appear real but they were mass-produced messages with little variation.

Personal information, including dates and places of birth, were bought from data brokers.

One letter read: 'You were born under the sign of Taurus  Being born on May 22, 1927 in Kansas City at 12:00.

'I can already see some aspects of your personality. Like everyone, you have some faults.'

The victims were also encouraged to invest in lottery tickets because the psychic had a vision of them winning over $40,000 in the Powerball using a certain set of numbers.

'All you have to do to see your life change is grasp the hand of friendship we are holding out to you,' another letter read. It asked the recipient to send $50 for an 'Invaluable Guide to a New Life'.

Documents say money yielded from the scheme was transferred to bank accounts controlled by Runner and others in places like Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Four people - Maria Thanos, 59, of Montreal, Canada, Philip Lett, 52, of Montreal, Canada; Sherry Gore, 72, of Indiana and Daniel Arnold, 61, of Connecticut - previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with the scheme.

A grand jury in the Eastern District of New York indicted Runner in October 2018, and he was arrested in Ibiza in April the following year, before being transferred to a jail in Madrid.

In 2019, investigators with the United States Postal Inspection Service said they had been able to return more than $200,000 worth of cash and money order payments sent in by nearly 6,000 victims.

Along with pending checks and credit payments that were stopped, the investigation saved victims about $827,000.

Most victims havent received any money back, and officials said it will be incredibly unlikely most ever will.
Former special counsel John Durham on Wednesday testified that the F.B.I. failed to apply the same scrutiny to allegations about the Trump and the Clinton campaigns in 2016.

Appearing before the House Judiciary Committee, he described how it ignored intelligence received by the C.I.A. that Hillary Clinton signed off on a pan to tie Donald Trump to Russia.

So although it launched an investigation into allegations that Trump was somehow colluding with Moscow, it failed to look into the Clinton claims.

Durham was giving evidence for the first time since publishing his report on the origins of the Russia investigation last month.

'As our report details. the F.B.I. was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research, such as the Steele dossier,' he said.

Former special counsel John Durham on Wednesday testified that the F.B.I. failed to apply the same scrutiny to allegations about the Trump and the Clinton campaigns in 2016

'The F.B.I. relied on the dossier and F.I.S.A. (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) applications knowing there was likely material originating from a political campaign, a political opponent.

'It did so even after the president of the United States, the F.B.I. and C.I.A. directors and others received briefings about intelligence suggesting that there was a Clinton campaign under way to stir up a scandal tying Trump to Russia.'

Durham's four-year investigation produced just three prosecutions, two of which ended with acquittals.

But his report accused F.B.I. agents of keeping key information from judges and accused the bureau of ignoring reasons not to investigate Trump and his campaign.

It detailed how Russian analysis, obtained by the C.I.A., suggested Clinton had personally approved a plan to 'vilify' her opponent by claiming foreign interference in the election. It went nowhere, he said.

In contrast, the Clinton campaign was treated more leniently, he concluded.

He claimed current and former F.B.I. agents had apologized to him for the bureau's handling of the Russia probe.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump went head to head on the debate stage in 2016. But Durham said their campaigns were treated very differently by the F.B.I.

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan, opened the hearing by drawing a direct line from the Russia investigation to the Mar-a-Lago documents probe

'It's so highly sensitive, it could affect the outcome of a presidential election and the future of the nation,' he said.

'You would expect that the discipline that would have been followed would have been higher than ever. And that didn't happen here.

'There's a sort of analytical rigor, the discipline in how we investigate criminal matters, that was just absent here in large measure.

Republicans are still furious about the investigation of Trump, despite the fact that his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced out after it emerged he lied about contacts with Russian officials.

Their argument about double standards was fueled this week when it emerged that Hunter Biden will likely avoid jail time with a plea deal that ends a years long federal tax and gun investigation.

The CIA considered the information about Hillary Clinton sufficiently important that President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other top officials were briefed on it

Durham's report said it made for a 'rather startling and inexplicable failure' to incorporate what he termed the 'Clinton Plan intelligence' into the FBI's investigation

Rep. Jim Jordan, who chairs the committee, opened the hearing by drawing a direct line from the Russia investigation to the Mar-a-Lago documents probe.

'Nothing has changed and they're never going to stop," Jordan said. "Seven years of attacking Trump is scary enough.

'But what's more frightening, anyone of us could be next.'

Republicans intend to push new curbs on the F.B.I. in exchange for renewing surveillance powers known as Section 702 that U.S. intelligence considers critical and that expire at the end of this year.

Rep. Wesley Hunt, another Republican, said Americans believe there is a 'two-tiered system of justice.'

'Here we are seven years later, still talking about President Trump and this Democrat-invented scandal,' he said.
A property developer who has been operating in crime-ridden Portland for four decades says that he's pulling out of the city because he has 'nothing left in the tank' after recently selling one property for nearly half its listed value.

Kevin Howard, 75, told KATU in a recent interview that the property in question had become home to squatters after the pizza restaurant that had been renting the space shuttered 2020. He listed the building in January 2021 for $795,000 but ended up selling for $412,000 this year.

'The supposed homeless came in and kicked in the door, the front door, and lived in it. And I waited until they came out, and I had to board it up,' Howard said.

Despite boarding up the property, Howard said the squatters were able to break-in again and resume living there.

When he called the police, Howard said the was referred to another government office, Central City Concern, but was told that they agency wouldn't be able to do much other than provide coffee and soup for the vagrants.

The cost of a security guard was estimated to cost $15,000 per month, something that Howard couldn't afford. Eventually, he ringfenced the building, something that took four months to organize.

'I said, 'Why?' They said: 'Because homeowners like mad are fencing their property to keep the, you know, the drug addicts and homeless out.''

With the building fenced off, trash began to pile up, Howard said. He was issued with a fine of $540 from the city, which he agreed to pay.

On top of everything else, Howard said that the city mishandled his check and issued him a new fine that included a late payment fee, coming to $640. At that point, Howard said that he was told a lien had been placed on the building.

'I just remember the phrase 'The City That Works.' The city that jerks. I mean, how can you be this dysfunctional?' City officials told the station that Howard no longer has any outstanding debts with the local government.

'I've been all over the world. I lived in Australia for a couple of years. I've been to all 50 states and all over. I came back to Portland, and I came back to Oregon because I loved it. I loved the people, the greenery, the lifestyle,' Howard said.

Property developer Kevin Howard pictured outside of the property he was just forced to sell for half of the listed value

Over the past 12 months, Howard told KATU that he has spent a total of $23,000 on managing the property, including the cost of fencing as well as multiple cleanups that needed to be done on the space

Over the past 12 months, Howard told KATU that he has spent a total of $23,000 on managing the property, including the cost of fencing as well as multiple cleanups that needed to be done on the space.

Online records show that Howard, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, is the founder of Northwest Self Storage, which operates in three states in the region.

Howard's story is nothing new. In September 2022,

Homelessness and crime continue to be rife in Portland. Earlier this month, officials announced that they would be removing tents that were blocking sidewalks in the city.

This came after Portland settled a lawsuit with a group with disabilities.

Lifelong residents Bruce and Rebecca 'Becky' Philip who told DailyMail.com that they're 'done with Portland' due to the increasing number of homeless camps that have trickled into the suburbs from downtown.

'I've been here 65 years but I'm done,' Bruce Philip said. 'I'm done with Portland.'

'What's there to say, they move in, take over the neighborhood, do their drugs, play their loud music, and make a mess,' he said, adding that the homeless crisis has ruined not just a few neighborhoods, but all of Portland.

The couple also pointed out that the sweeps of the homeless camps are not the final solution and have not changed their minds about moving.

'The city comes in and cleans it up and then two weeks later, they come back,' Bruce Philip said. 'It's a vicious cycle, and I'm done.'

Multnomah County's homeless population reached 5,228 last year  a rise of more than 1,200 against 2019

The city council voted 3-1 earlier this month, passing an ordinance that will prohibit camping on public property from 8 am to 8 pm.

Local realtor George Patterson told DailyMail.com that the homeless encampments encroaching on residents' front lawns is a topic that comes up with his clients 'every day', and that deals are falling through homes for sale in the area.

In one case, an early offer for a three-bedroom home asking close to $700,000 near a sanctioned homeless encampment, called Multnomah Village.

'We had early offer on a home, but it fell through and there was some concern there with the Multnomah village site,' Patterson said.

'I can say [homeless encampments] are definitely affecting the property values.'

The federal class action lawsuit, filed in September, alleged that the city violated the American with Disabilities Act by allowing tents to obstruct sidewalks. The plaintiffs included a caretaker and nine people with disabilities who use wheelchairs, scooters, canes and walkers to get around. The settlement still requires approval from the City Council and the U.S. District Court in Portland.

The settlement comes as City Council prepares to consider new restrictions on camping. The updates to the city's camping code would ban camping between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in many locations, including sidewalks.

Mayor Ted Wheeler plans to present the ordinance Wednesday. The City Council previously voted in November to gradually ban street camping and create at lease six large, designated campsites where homeless people will be allowed to camp.

Oregon's homelessness crisis has been fueled by an affordable housing shortage, a lack of mental health treatment, high drug addiction rates and the coronavirus pandemic.

In Multnomah County, home to Portland, there were more than 5,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2022  a 30 percent increase compared with 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to federal point-in-time count data.

In 2022, the city approved the release of $27 million in funding to pay for new homeless camps.

At the time of the approval, Mayor Wheeler acknowledged the measure was controversial but that he nonetheless believes in it 'very, very deeply.'

Wheeler and other supporters of the measure contend it will make streets safer and connect homeless people with social services.
It was occupied from around 200 AD until the civilization's collapse

An ancient Mayan city has been discovered deep in the jungles of Mexico.

Buildings, stone columns and 50-foot high pyramids make up the settlement, which was thought to have been a major hub at points between 250 and 1000 AD and is located in a largely unexplored stretch of jungle larger the size of Arizona.

The city - named Ocomtun or 'stone column' - covers around a fifth of a square mile and is located in the Campeche region of the Yucatan Peninsula, which splits the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

It was discovered in May by Slovenian archaeologist Ivan Sprajc, who led a team of into the thick jungle and spent a month uncovering the city's remains, Mexico's National Institute for Anthropology and History (INAH) announced on Tuesday.

According to Sprajc, the columns would have served as entrances to the upper floors of the buildings. The city is built around three main plazas, also features courts on which the Mayan inhabitants would have played an ancient ball game.

Buildings, stone columns and 50-foot high pyramids make up the recently discovered city of Ocomtun in the in the Campeche region of the Yucatan Peninsula. Pictured is the site

A LiDAR image reveals from above the outline of the newly discovered city, called by archeologists Ocomtun, which means 'stone column'

The city was discovered in May by Slovenian archaeologist Ivan Sprajc (pictured) who led a number of archeologists into the dense jungle

Ocomtun was discovered using LiDAR scanners, described by the National Geographic as one of archaeology's most exciting modern tools, which use laser imaging captured from an aircraft to identify objects and structures hidden below.

The method has become especially popular among archaeologists searching dense regions of forest and jungle.

The Maya civilization, known for its advanced mathematical calendars, spanned southeast Mexico and parts of Central America. They are also renowned for their pyramid temples and stone buildings.

Although they are thought to have been around for millennia, from around 1800 BC through to around 1000 AD, archeologists believe the Ocomtun fell late during the civilization between 800 to 1000 AD.

Political collapse led to its decline centuries before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, whose military campaigns saw the last stronghold fall in the late 17th century.

The Ocomtun site has a core area, located on high ground surrounded by extensive wetlands, Sprajc said in a statement.

One of the many columns after which the city was name is pictured lying flat

The city was discovered in a largely unexplored stretch of jungle larger the size of Arizona. Pictured is the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

An object on the site of the ancient city said by the Mexican National Institute for Anthropology and History to be an alter

Pictured is a stone uncovered as part the effort led by Sprajc

A facade element incorporated into some of the ancient Mayan structures discovered last month

A series of stones were among what remained of the city, which is thought to have fallen at around the time the broader Mayan civilization collapsed

Ball games were popular throughout the Maya region and consisted of passing a rubber ball across a court without the use of hands and getting it through a small stone hoop.

The ball game is thought by experts to have been played throughout the Mesoamerican region and is probably the oldest game in the history of sports. It is played on a stone-floored court about 160 feet in length.

Sprajc said his team had also found central altars in an area closer to the La Riguena river, which may have been designed for community rituals, though more research is needed to understand the cultures that once lived there.

He has uncovered a number of Mayan cities during his career, which has been dedicated to the Yucatan Peninsula, and is the author of Lost Maya Cities: Archaeological Quests in the Mexican Jungle.

He suggested in his latest announcement that collapse of the city was likely a reflection of 'ideological and population changes' that led to the broader collapse of Maya societies in that region by around the 10th century.

Earlier this year a similar LiDAR approach was used to identify another Mayan civilization in Guatemala.

One of the columns that stood upright to mark the entrance to the upper levels of some of the buildings lies flat

Pictured is a Mayan shrine within the
Whoopi Goldberg provided an unexpected voice of calm and reason after her View co-host Joy Behar claimed 'incompetence, stupidity and hubris' were to blame for the Titan submersible disappearing.

Behar made the comments on Wednesday as the panel discussed the search for Titan, the tourist vessel that has been missing since Sunday morning with five people on board, including a 19-year-old.

As fellow host Sunny Hostin tried to explain why adventurers choose to take such risks, Joy was not having it.

'It's interesting because the Titanic itself that went down because of human incompetence and stupidity and hubris, and same with this,' Joy said, referring to the 1912 sinking of the ocean liner. 'That's the irony - they're going to see the same thing that happened to them. It's sad and scary.'

A seemingly uncomfortable Whoopi then gave her measured comments about the vessel fiasco.

Whoopi Goldberg stepped in to talk about prayers after her The View co-host Joy Behar claimed stupidity and hubris are to blame for the missing Titanic submersible.

'It's interesting because the Titanic itself that went down because of human incompetence and stupidity and hubris, and same with this,' Joy said

'I'm just going to say a prayer for everybody,' the Oscar winner said. 'That's where I'm at with it. That's as far as I can go with this. We go from there. I don't need to compound it.'

Joy added that while she has a hard time understanding 'physical risks,' she has done other risky things like 'getting up in front of audiences drunk at 2 in the morning.'

'That's a risk that I took,' said the former stand-up comedian. 'You try doing what I do at 2 in the morning.'

Bizarrely, Behar went on to liken the disaster to driving the New Jersey turnpike at 2am, when she claimed the busy road was full of drunk drivers.

Co-host Sara Haines then said she would be more scared of doing stand-up than going thousands of meters down on a submersible.

Sunny, on her part, explained that she understood why wealthy people would choose to spend their money that way and to take the risk.

'In many ways I can understand why someone would want to go back and see [the Titanic],' she said.

'I'm so risk averse unfortunately that I could never get into the homemade submarine because it really does look very homemade, but I understand why they did it even though so many people are criticizing them for doing it.'

The search for the vessel has captured the world's attention as time runs out for those trapped inside.

According to OceanGate's website, the Titan can provide up to 96 hours of oxygen, which theoretically runs out on Thursday morning.

French explorer PH Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush are among those trapped on the submersible

Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman are also on board, along with British billionaire Hamish Harding

As the search for the missing Titan submersible reaches its desperate final hours, some of the world's most advanced underwater search equipment has been deployed to scour the depths of the Atlantic

A glimmer of hope came yesterday when it was reported that a Canadian P3 search aircraft had detected sounds coming from underwater.

Two submersibles capable of descending 20,000ft beneath the ocean surface are currently leading the underwater search and more are on the way, Coast Guard chiefs have said.

The vehicles are being aided by a fleet of specialized ships which also include tools that could help lift Titan from the seabed - if it is found.

But as of Wednesday afternoon there are less than 24 hours' worth of oxygen remaining on the missing vessel.

The search area has now expanded to around 14,000 square miles - twice the size of the state of Connecticut.

Ten ships are on their way to the Titanic wreck site to try to find the missing submersible as its oxygen supply dwindles to just 20 hours

Despite the banging offering fresh hope, the Coast Guard is now cautioning that it may not be the missing crew.

'You have to remember, it's the wreck site of the Titanic. There is a lot of metal and objects in the water.

'That's why it's so important that we've engaged experts from the Navy that understand the science behind noise and give us better information about what the source of that noise may be.

'In the meantime, it's a target - a focus - for us, to look at,' Rear Adm John Mauger said on an appearance on CBS on Wednesday morning.

He added that as long as there is 'an opportunity' for survival, search and rescue crews will continue to look for the sub.

'Over the course of the next 24 hours we're bringing additional vessels and we're going to continue to fly in the air.
Ron DeSantis isn't taking attacks from California Gov. Gavin Newsom sitting down  releasing a video from San Francisco to share the horrors he saw walking through what he called a 'once-great city.'

The Florida governor continued the East v. West coast feud with Newsom during his western campaign swing over the last week, which included a campaign fundraising event in Sacramento.

He said Newsom is 'doing it all wrong' and detailed some of the sights of the city, including seeing homeless people using the streets as their bathroom as well as others shooting up heroine or smoking crack out in the open.

Newsom has continuously attacked DeSantis for his policies in Florida  even releasing an ad earlier this year urged Americans not to vote for the governor with the tagline 'don't make America Florida.'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a video from the streets of San Francisco where he slammed California leadership for allowing the state to fall into disarray

DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have been in an ongoing war of words about the differing governance styles between the east and west coast states

DeSantis' team is using that same rhetoric in return, releasing an email with the one-minute video with the subject line: 'Don't California Our Nation.'

'We're here in the once great city of San Francisco,' DeSantis said in a straight-to-camera video shot on the streets of the California city.

'We came in here and saw people defecating on the street. We saw people using heroin. We saw people smoking crack cocaine,' he detailed. 'And you look around and the city is not vibrant anymore. It's really collapsed because of leftist policies. And these policies have caused people to flee this area.'

Newsom claims that DeSantis' policies are too far right, but DeSantis says on the flip side that his California counterpart's laws have led to a collapse of the Golden State.

'They don't prosecute criminals like they do in most parts of the country and the wreckage has really been sad to see,' DeSantis said in the video. 'I've seen so many businesses boarded up. I've seen so much riff-raff just running around. It just shows you these policies matter. Leadership matters.'

'They are doing it wrong here,' he added.

'No wonder why we've had so many people move from San Francisco to Florida over the last few years. We got to stop this madness. We need to restore sanity to this country.'

The battle of the opposing coastal state leaders has heightened after DeSantis entered the Republican presidential primary race last month.

DeSantis last week dared Newsom to enter the 2024 primary against President Joe Biden as the California Democrat continues to say that he doesn't plan to run.

DeSantis said that during his time in San Francisco he saw homeless people go to the bathroom on the streets and use drugs out in the open

Homelessness and crime has been on the rise in recent years in California and other Democratic cities. 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

'He has a real serious fixation on the state of Florida,' DeSantis said of Newsom during a press conference in Florida last Thursday. 'I mean, I think it's just bizarre that he does that.'

'What I would tell him is: You know what, stop pussy-footing around. Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe?' the Florida governor questioned. 'Are you going to get in and do it, or are you just going to sit on the sidelines and chirp?'

Newsom said over the weekend that there's no chance 'on God's green earth' he's running for president in 2024.

But he also made clear that he does think DeSantis is a 'weak' and 'undisciplined' candidate that will get 'crushed by Doanld Trump' in the primary.

San Francisco is a sell of what it once was, with slews of businesses removing their locations from the city as homelessness and crime  specifically shoplifting  take over.

California changed laws in recent years so that shoplifters are only pursued if they are taking nearly $1,000 worth of goods, leading to a spike in this type of crime.
TikTok tearaway Mizzy has been arrested again just days after he shared vide of a home invasion online.

Mizzy, real name Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, posted video to Twitter today depicting his arrest which he captioned: 'The Matrix sent their agents'.

It is unknown what the 18-year-old was arrested for, but the footage suggests he is suspected of violating the curfew associated with his bail conditions. MailOnline has approached Met Police for comment.

Mizzy's post comes just days after Scotland Yard launched a probe into a new video where he is allegedly seen sneaking into another person's home despite the fact he has a court order that could land him jail for doing so.

Earlier this week the prankster admitted that he could 'go to prison' for embarking on his latest stunt.

Mizzy, real name Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, posted video to Twitter today depicting his arrest which he captioned: 'The Matrix sent their agents'. It is unknown what the 18-year-old was arrested for, but the footage suggests he is suspected of violating the curfew associated with his bail conditions

In his latest video, which Mizzy described as depicting his arrest, the teen appears to be refuting allegations that he was not home when police tried to install his tag

The video was posted just one day he shared footage of himself sneaking through an open flat door while its residents sit on the balcony

In his latest video, which Mizzy described as depicting his arrest, the teen appears to be refuting allegations that he was not home when police tried to install his tag.

An officer claimed that on June 12, just after midnight, police visited the residence and Mizzy did not appear to be in. The teen claims he was asleep.

The video was posted just one day he shared footage of himself sneaking through an open flat door while its residents sit on the balcony.

Mizzy is then seen opening two bedroom doors and laughing until the homeowners notice, running towards him. He is then chased out the flat by a barking Alsatian.

The teen was last month handed a two-year criminal behaviour order which stated he must not directly or indirectly post videos on social media without the documented consent of those featured in the content.

It is unclear if the tearaway, from Hackney, east London, staged the prank or if the people in the flat were strangers.

Mizzy, 18, - whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O'Garro - was earlier this week seen with his sidekick Harle Jordean, 19, filming a video sneaking into someone's house

Mizzy is seen walking into the home before spotting people on the balcony. A dog is then seen chasing him out of the flat

Over the past few months, Mizzy has caused fury after he shared videos of him stealing pensioner's dogs and trespassing in people's homes.

Other videos of his 'vile' pranks' included asking a stranger if he 'wanted to die' and jumping out on a passer-by.

He sparked outrage with his antics, culminating in him putting a family 'at risk' by barging into their home with others while their young children were present, pretending he was trying to find a study group.

In another video, Mizzy is seen leading a gang of yobs into the clothing store Primark on Oxford Street which they proceed to trash.

He eggs on his followers shouting 'Primark! Ay, Primark!' as some get on tables and counters at the till, throwing products on the floor.

O'Garro then, while continuing to run around the shop, shouts: 'Go subscribe to Mizzy!'

Mizzy has already been taken back to court after he was admitted failing to comply with a community protection notice in Thames Magistrates' Court last month of failing to comply with his community protection notice

He then leads his followers around the shop and heads back to the door, shouting 'Everyone out! Out!'

His young followers can be heard cheering their idol on, saying things like: 'I love Mizzy!'

The teen has already been taken back to court after he admitted failing to comply with a community protection notice in Thames Magistrates' Court last month.

Judge Charlotte Crangle issued him with a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO), including that he must not directly or indirectly post videos on social media without the documented consent of those featured in the content.
The missing Titan submarine had been hit by technical issues and mishaps on at least six previous occasions before it vanished over the weekend.

The submersible has been missing since 9.45am on Sunday morning after being launched into the Atlantic at 8am.

There are five people onboard including three wealthy tourists that are sharing a dwindling oxygen supply which is due to run out around 7am ET Thursday.

At 12,500ft underwater, there are few vessels able to dive deep enough to find it.

One of Pakistan's richest men, Shahzada Dawood, is aboard the vessel alongside his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush and French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

Here, DailyMail.com lists numerous close calls and problems that people have had with the now missing sub.

The Titan sub submerged at 8am on Sunday morning around 400 miles southeast of St John's, Newfoundland, according to the US Coast Guard

French explorer PH Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush are among those trapped on the submersible

Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman are also on board, along with British billionaire Hamish Harding

German adventurer who paid to see the wreck of the Titanic likened voyage to a suicide mission

In August of 2021, Arthur Loibl dived down 12,500 feet to the Atlantic wreck site and has said he was 'incredibly lucky' to survive the voyage.

Speaking to German tabloid Bild, Loibl recalls the first submarine they tried didn't work and a second attempted dive had to be abandoned.

The 60-year-old said parts fell off and the mission went into the water five hours late due to electrical problems.

This, Loibl suspects, could be the cause of the Titan's disappearance. He told Bild: 'It was a suicide mission back then!'

Loibl said that he had paid 100,000 euros for the adventure and booked it through an English company that organizes special safaris.

German explorer Arthur Loibl, 60, is pictured (right) on board with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (centre) and French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet (left) who are both now missing

Loibl (pictured) knows a thing or two about risk taking. He has previously travelled to the North and South Pole, and flown over Russia in a MiG-29 fighter jet

He said: 'The first submarine didn't work, then a dive at 1,600 meters had to be abandoned.

'My mission was the 5th, but we also went into the water five hours late due to electrical problems.'

Shortly before the sub was launched, Loibl says the bracket of the stabilization tube - used to provide balance as the craft descends into the depths - fell off the vessel.

'That was reattached with zip ties. That didn't worry me,' he tells Bild.

As for conditions inside the vessel, the adventurer says they were challenging.

'You need strong nerves, you mustn't be claustrophobic and you have to be able to sit cross-legged for ten hours,' Loibl says.

'It must be hell down there. There's only 2.50 meters of space, it's four degrees, there's no chair, no toilet.'

With Loibl inside, the Titan travelled around the wreck twice and once even touched down on its deck, he said, before making the return journey.

OceanGate refused to put sub through independent inspection and fired director after he asked for more safety tests

The former Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, David Lochridge, was fired from the company in 2018 after he raised concerns about its safety.

Bosses at the firm disagreed with his demands for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, including 'testing to prove integrity'.

The company also opted against having the craft 'classed', an industry-wide practice whereby independent inspectors ensure vessels meet accepted technical standards.

OceanGate, which charges up to $250,000 for a seat on the submersible, suggested that seeking classification could take years and would be 'anathema to rapid innovation'.

Lochridge, whose role included overseeing safety on the Titan project, had urged OceanGate to seek classification several years ago, before he was sacked in a disagreement about safety checks on the craft.

OceanGate bosses fired David Lochridge, who was Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, in 2018 after it disagreed with his demand for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, which is missing after a mission to the Titanic wreckage

He also wanted the company to carry out a scan of Titan's hull to 'detect potential flaws' rather than 'relying on acoustic monitoring'  which would only detect an issue 'milliseconds before an implosion'.

In a court document filed in 2018, lawyers for the company said Lochridge's employment was terminated because he 'could not accept' their research and plans, including safety protocols.

OceanGate also claimed that Lochridge 'desired to be fired' and had shared confidential information with others and wiped a company hard drive. The company said he 'refused to accept the voracity of information' about safety from Titan's lead engineer.

In his report he said: 'With Cyclops 2 (Titan) being handed off from Engineering to Operations in the coming weeks, now is the time to properly address items that may pose a safety risk to personnel.

'Verbal communication of the key items I have addressed in my attached document have been dismissed on several occasions, so I feel now I must make this report so there is an official record in place.'

Mexican vlogger says doomed Titan submersible's batteries suddenly drained during 2022 trip to Titanic

YouTuber Alan Estrada had been on board the missing Titan sub when the batteries of the sub suddenly drained during the expedition, forcing it to end early.

Estrada shared chilling details of how the Titan's energy source quickly drained to 40 percent power during a July 2022 mission to see the ill-fated ocean liner.

Mexican-born Estrada and his fellow submariners' time spent at the wreck was slashed from four hours to one so they could return to the surface before the sub lost power.

Speaking on his YouTube video about the trip, he said: 'For safety reasons this is completely understandable when the last battery - the submersible has two batteries - when the second battery has only 40 percent left, it is necessary to return to the surface for safety.

'This means that the four hours that they tell you that you are going to be down there are not fulfilled

Mexican actor Alan Estrada told DailyMail.com that the Titan submarine lost communication for two hours during the July 3, 2022 voyage to the Titanic wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean

Estrada also shot this incredible photo of the Titanic's famous bow. The ocean liner sunk on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in April 1912, killing around 1,500 passengers

Estrada - best known for his YouTube channel - still managed to snap a stunning selfie standing in front of the Titan's porthole, with the Titanic's iconic bow visible in the depths.

The vlogger also told of how the Titan suffered a two-hour communications blackout during his voyage.

Estrada, whose trip on the sub was paid for by sponsors, says it was originally-scheduled for July 2021, but pushed back by a year due to unspecified 'difficulties' with the Titan.

'My biggest concern was obviously losing my life,' Estrada told DailyMail.com. 'All the people who made this expedition  we are aware of the risks we are taking. It's not a surprise.'

OceanGate CEO was sued for FRAUD by couple after taking $120,000 to see wreck when he knew sub was not ready

Florida couple Marc and Sharon Hagle sued OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush after accusing him of misleading them about their Titanic trip and refusing to refund them.

The couple, who made their fortune in commercial real estate, had been booked as some of the first customers for OceanGate.

But they never got to take their trip, and in February this year sued Rush, accusing him of selling the adventure knowing it was not on schedule, and refusing to refund their cash.

The Hagles claim that Rush, a Princeton-educated engineer and pilot with an MBA from Berkeley, traveled to their home in Winter Park, a suburb of Orlando, Florida, to convince them to buy in to his company.

The submersible he intended to use was named Cyclops 2 at the time - it has since been renamed Titan.

They claim the trip was postponed by a year three separate times, due to testing requirements and unspecified 'equipment failure.'

Marc Hagle, 74, and his wife Sharon, 73, had intended to visit the Titanic wreck with OceanGate, and paid in 2017, but sued in February this year for fraud

They said their money was not - as had been promised - kept in a separate account, where they could recover it.

The company allegedly told the Hagles they could join a 2021 mission to the Titanic's sunken hull, but not get a refund.

They argued that Rush violated state fraud and unfair and deceptive practices statutes.

The Hagles are seeking the return of their money, as well as attorneys' fees and other reimbursement for their pains. It's unclear the status of the lawsuit.

'Given the willful, wanton, and egregious nature of Rush's conduct, plaintiffs reserve the right to seek to have punitive damages awarded herein,' the complaint states.

Marc Hagle, asked about the disappearance, told The Daily Beast: 'My thoughts go out to the owners of OceanGate, the people that are on the submersible, both the crew and the guests.'

Journalist reveals his trip in sub was made of old pipes and operated by PlayStation controller

CBS correspondent David Pogue has described how the sub had been cobbled together from abandoned pipes and driven by a games console controller.

Mr Pogue - who descended to see the Titanic last year - compared the sub to something put together by MacGyver - the TV series character known for his ingenuity in making devices from random items to get out of difficult situations.

He told the BBC: 'There's no backup, there's no escape pod - it's get to the surface or die.'

Recalling the interior of the submersible in November, he described white camping lights on the ceiling, off-the-shelf security cameras, Ziploc bags for a toilet and construction pipes as ballast.

CBS correspondent David Pogue is seen inside the submersible, which he described as very basic

The journalist holding up a games controller that is used to control the sub

Mr Pogue visited the Titanic on board a Titan sub last year

'The main center section looks like a shiny white tube about minivan length. It's made of five inch thick carbon fiber which no one has ever used in a submersible before,' he told Unsung Science.

'At each end of the white tube is a tiny silver dome. The front end cap has a 22-inch round window made of seven-inch thick plexiglass so you can see out. When you get to the bottom of the ocean - that's your view of the Titanic.

'If you have to go to the bathroom you can crawl into the window end of the sub and hang up a black cloth for privacy. There's a one foot square box on the floor that contains Ziploc bags.

'There are a couple of touchscreen PC monitors on the floor of the sub but there are no controls. The multi-million sub is controlled with a games controller.'

Mr Pogue said it would be impossible for those inside it now to escape without help.

Friend of billionaire on board the missing sub says he pulled out of joining him due to safety concerns

A thrill-seeker who intended to join his missing billionaire friend Hamish Harding on the sub pulled out of the dive because he thought OceanGate was 'cutting too many corners'.

Chris Brown, 61, had paid the deposit to go on the doomed voyage, but says he changed his mind after becoming concerned by the quality of technology and materials used in the vessel, The Sun reported.

Among his concerns were OceanGate's use of 'old scaffolding poles' for the ballast and the fact that its controls were 'based on computer game-style controllers'.

He told the newspaper that despite being 'one of the first people to sign up for this trip', he ultimately decided the 'risks were too high'.

Mr Brown added that he feels 'really upset about Hamish', who is among the five passengers on the submersible that are still missing.

Chris Brown (pictured with Sir Richard Branson) pulled out of the dive because he thought OceanGate was 'cutting too many corners', it has emerged

He is worried for his friend, but says Hamish Harding (pictured) is not the panicking type

Mr Brown and Mr Harding signed up for the then-80,000 voyage after sharing a 'few beers' while holidaying on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island.

The pair paid the 10 per cent deposit for the trip, which has since more than doubled in price, while the Titan was still being developed, he claimed.

But Mr Brown alleged that in the years that followed, he learned OceanGate had 'missed key targets' when depth-testing the submersible.

The multi-millionaire digital marketing tycoon found it concerning that the vessel was controlled by a modified PlayStation controller.

He told The Sun: 'I found out they used old scaffolding poles for the sub's ballast.

'If you're trying to build your own submarine you could probably use old scaffold poles. But this was a commercial craft.'

Mr Brown, who says he is 'not one to shy away from risk', eventually emailed OceanGate and asked for a refund.

Simpsons writer reveals the waiver he signed listed 'three way to die on page one' and that he is 'not optimistic' about a rescue mission

Mike Reiss had previously traveled on the now missing sub and said he prepared himself to never get off the vessel after he signed a waiver which listed 'three ways to die on page one'.

Mr Reiss was one of just a handful of people who have ever been on the exclusive expedition to the bottom of the ocean, joining a crew on OceanGate Inc's sub last year to tour the doomed ship.

He said of the five passengers currently on Titan: 'I just feel for these people, my hopes are with them. I am not optimistic, I know how tiny the vessel is and how huge the ocean is'.

Mike Reiss, who was a producer and writer on The Simpsons, revealed that he is 'not optimistic' about the rescue of the five passengers on the Titan sub

'I got on the sub and at the back of my mind was "well, I may never get off this thing," that's always with you,' he added.

Speaking to the BBC today, Mr Reiss revealed he has been on three separate dives including the one to the Titanic and that each had 'lost communication'.

He also detailed the experience of being onboard the submersible, which tourists fork out $250,000 to travel on to the wreckage.

'The experience going down was very relaxing, it's a beautifully-designed submarine that feels almost spa-like on the inside. So even though there's five people just sitting on the floor of something that's about the size of a minivan it's very comfortable.

'I fell asleep on the way down - it's 2.5 hours of just dropping in the very quiet and there is a porthole but all you see is blackness.'

He said even though they made it to within 500 meters of the Titanic, the sub had to spend 'a good 90 minutes just doing a random walk on the bottom of the ocean, just flailing around and trying to find the biggest boat in the world'.

The passengers on his expedition only had a short amount of time to see what he described as the 'highlights' of the world-famous wreck.

The company has taken tourists to the site since 2021, and Mr Reiss was one of a number of groups who made the perilous journey last year.

'This is why I have this sympathy for the people on board the sub, that theyre not panicking, that they knew what they were getting into.'

Discovery TV host said that the vessel 'did not perform well' when he went on a dive aboard the sub

Josh Gates tweeted that he had been on the missing sub when it 'did not perform well'.

Gates, who presents Expedition Unknown on the Discovery Channel also said that there is more to the 'history and design' of Titan that has not been revealed yet.

He said: 'To those asking, Titan did not perform well on my dive. Ultimately, I walked away from a huge opportunity to film Titanic due to my safety concerns with OceanGate.

'There's more to the history and design of Titan that has not been made public - much of it concerning.'

Gates also said: 'I had the unique opportunity to dive in the Titan sub with Stockton at the helm in preparation for its maiden mission to Titanic.

'I pray for a positive outcome to the rescue efforts of those aboard, including fellow Explorers Club member Hamish Harding.'
The National Police said it located at least 21 weapons used in the attack against members of the MS-13

A former police officer has been identified as one of the 46 inmates massacred by alleged members of the Barrio 18 gang at a female prison in Honduras on Tuesday.

Diandra Andrade had been in custody since November 2020 after she was arrested for allegedly forming part of a criminal network that helped with the smuggling of migrants to the United States.

Authorities accused her of using her power as a cop to transport migrants on police department vehicles in Puerto Cortes, a seaside town that borders with Guatemala.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Andrade was among the 23 victims who coroners were able to identify. They were either shot dead or hacked with machetes. Coroners have been unable to identify the other 23 because their bodies were charred.

A man stands over a body bag after identifying the body of his relative, one of 46 prisoners who were massacred at a jail in Honduras on Tuesday

Honduran security forces surround female prisoners at a jail in Tamara, Honduras, where 46 inmates were killed by alleged members of the Barrio 18 gang. Authorities have identified 11 Barrio 18 suspects who they said targeted rivals members of the MS-13

A Honduran man stands near a pile of coffins set aside for the 46 victims of Tuesday's deadly riot at a prison in the northwestern town of Tamara

National Police commissioner Juan Lopez revealed that investigators have so far identified 12 alleged members of the Barrio 18 gang for the attack on rival members of the MS-13 at the Women's Center for Social Adaptation in the northwestern town of Tamara.

At least one of the suspects was spotted on a surveillance camera carrying a firearm.

Lopez added they have recovered 21 weapons, including an AR-15 and an Uzi, and two grenades that were used during the riot.

A team of seven coroners have been able to identify only 23 of the 46 victims who were shot or hacked with machetes during Tuesday's riot. The other 23 have yet to been identified because their bodies were severely burned.

Barrio 18 members were able to subdue a group of prison guards, taking away keys to the jail cells and changing the locks before they were able to carry out the massacre.

A forensic technician arranges bodies of victims who were massacred at the Women's Center for Social Adaptation in the northwestern town of Tamara

Forensic workers remove bags that contain the bodies of the prisoners killed at a jail in Honduras on Tuesday

National Police officers then transferred members of the women's prison after the brawl

Elvia Valle, director of the National Committee for the Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, told Radio Cadena Voces the suspects tracked each of the 46 victims.

'According to versions (of the events), some prisoners entered with weapons and selectively murdered the others, there were even 4 police officers who were kidnapped,' Valle said.

In a leaked audio, a prison guard revealed officials were warned that gang members were planning on staging an attack after they were seen walking around the penitentiary with gasoline.

'Yesterday (Monday, June 19) the authorities were informed that part of the (Barrio) 18 gang was carrying gasoline and that they were going to set fire to cell block 1 and the authorities ignored the situation,' the guard said.

The riot was the result of an early morning dispute sparked by MS-13 members before their Barrio 18 counterparts sought retribution, according to a collection of audio messages reviewed by Honduran newspaper La Prensa.

Honduran soldiers guard an entrance to the Women's Center for Social Adaptation in the northwestern town of Tamara on Tuesday after 46 inmates were murdered

Relatives of inmates provide comfort to each other outside the Women's Center for Social Adaptation in the northwestern Honduras town of Tamara

The relative of an inmate reacts while others try to comfort her as they wait for news about their loved ones

At least 48 inmates were burned, shot or stabbed to death at a women's prison in Honduras on Tuesday. Pictured: Police and military guarding the prison

Barrio 18 members needed just half an hour for the massacre that started by breaking into cell block 6 at 8:03 am to hunt down members of the MS-13. At 8:05 am, Barrio 18 members entered cell block 1 and opened fire on their rival. Within five minutes, the helpless MS-13 gang members sought refuge inside a bakery and rest area.

Sounds of gunfire had stopped by 8:15 am and massive clouds of smoke billowed in the air five minutes later, likely the result of mattresses that were set on fire after the Barrio 18 was able to use locked MS-13 inmates in their cells.

The ravaging flames expanded and reached a bathroom where several MS-13 members were hiding before they burned to death.

Authorities said the fire expanded to at least five holding areas in cell block 1.

Some of the other dead victims were discovered lying on the grounds of their sleeping quarters and in other areas of the jail.

The carnage is said to be the worst atrocity at a women's prison in recent memory, something President Xiomara Castro called 'monstrous.'

The gangs, which both have roots in Los Angeles, have long battled for control of the drug trafficking and extortion industries, with the bloody conflict making Central America one of the world's most dangerous regions.

The riot was likely in reaction to the Honduran government's crackdown in recent months on corruption within prisons, said Julissa Villanueva, head of the penal system, describing the riot as a 'terrorist attack'.

Measures to combat organized crime are set to be announced Wednesday, according to Castro's office.

Since December, Honduras' government has implemented a state of exception, following a model pursued by neighbor El Salvador, which suspends some constitutional rights and allows security forces to detain people who they consider are associated with crime.
On Wednesday former special counsel John Durham spent nearly six hours rehashing the findings of his 300-plus page report with the House Judiciary Committee.

Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to look into misconduct related to 'Crossfire Hurricane', which investigated now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion allegations. He concluded four years later in his report released last month that the FBI opened the flawed probe 'based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence.'

The former special counsel fielded attacks from Democrats who suggested he was carrying water for Trump, but he defended the integrity of the FBI and DOJ amid a blitz from Republicans who want to strip funding from the agencies.

On Wednesday former special counsel John Durham spent nearly six hours rehashing the findings of his 300-plus page report with the House Judiciary Committee

The four-year-long, $6.5 million taxpayer-funded report suggested that the FBI should only have launched a preliminary, not full, investigation into connections between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives.

Durham's testimony came as the DOJ has come under scrutiny from the right over the Mar-a-Lago raid, indictment of Donald Trump for his handling of classified documents and 'sweetheart deal' with Hunter Biden over tax and gun crimes.

Durham came to his testimony ready to bat down questions that suggested his report was political - injecting dry humor and deadpan assertions of what he believed to be the facts - but the hearing had few bombshells.

He levied praise on both Robert Mueller, who had been tasked with leading his own special counsel to investigate connections between Trump and the Russia campaign, and refused to divulge his opinion of former President Trump - only to say he did not agree with Trump that former Attorney General Bill Barr is a 'gutless pig.'

Here are the key takeaways from the hearing:

Durham says findings were 'sobering' and agents apologized to him

Durham revealed during the hearing FBI agents have privately apologized to him for their handling of Operation Crossfire.

'Our findings are sobering,' the former special counsel went on. 'Having spent 40 years plus as a federal prosecutor, they are particularly sobering to me.'

'I have had any number of FBI agents who I've worked with over the years, some are retired, some are still in place, who have come to me and apologized for the manner in which that investigation was undertaken,' Durham revealed at the top of the high-profile Judiciary hearing.

To him, that proved that a majority of the FBI are 'good, hard-working people' who 'swear under their oaths to abide by the law.'

FBI ignored clear evidence Hillary Clinton tried to tie Trump to Russia

Durham told the committee he had found the FBI failed to 'sufficiently scrutinize information it received' and did not 'apply the same standards to allegations it received about the Clinton and Trump campaigns.'

He said the FBI never considered the possibility that the Steele Dossier was Russian disinformation.

'The FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research such as the Steele Dossier,' said Durham in the hearing.

'The FBI relied on the dossier and FISA applications knowing there was likely material originating from a political campaign or political opponent. It did so even after the president of the United States, the FBI and CIA directors and others received briefings about intelligence suggesting that there was a Clinton campaign plan underway to stir up a scandal tying Trump to Russia.'

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was meant to be used to surveil foreign agents, but the FBI obtained a warrant to spy on the Trump campaign - specifically campaign advisor Carter Page.

Durham said the FBI should have more aggressively tried to corroborate the tips they used in the application to surveil Page.

Chair Jordan has said Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) needs to be completely overhauled for it to be renewed later this year.

Durham fired back at Democrat who called his report 'flimsy'

Ranking member Jerry Nadler accused Durham of pushing 'MAGA talking points' and said he had sullied his reputation with the investigation.

'Mr. Durham, your report reads like a defense of the Trump campaign and an attack on Hillary Clinton because that's exactly what it is.'

At the outset of the probe, 'Durham was a well-respected career prosecutor with a solid reputation,' Nadler said.

The top Democrat noted that Durham's report had accused the FBI of opening the Trump-Russia 'based on raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence,' it resulted in zero criminal convictions.

'You only filed three criminal cases. You only brought two cases to trial, correct?' Nadler asked Durham, to which he responded in the affirmative.

'You lost all the cases you brought to trial, correct?' Nadler asked. 'Correct,' said Durham.

Nadler added that Durham had pursued 'a political exercise operated with ethical ambiguity and existed to perpetuate Donald Trump's unfounded claims. The investigation failed in its political objectives but did real damage to a department that is still recovering from the excesses of the Trump administration.'

'Durham constructed a flimsy story built on shaky inferences and dog whistles to far-right conspiracy theorists,' Nadler said. 'By prolonging his investigation. Durham was able to keep Donald Trump's talking points in the news, long after Trump left office.'

Durham called such claims 'untrue and offensive.'

'At no time and in no sense did we act with a purpose to further partisan political ends, and to the extent that someone suggests otherwise, that's just untrue and offensive.'

Durham insisted that his four-year-long investigation had operated 'in good faith' and did not act 'with a purpose to pursue partisan political ends.'

'You lost all the cases you brought to trial, correct?' Nadler asked. 'Correct,' said Durham

Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) speaks while presenting a text message from former FBI agent Peter Strzok as U.S. Justice Department Special Counsel John Durham

Durham says he doesn't care about saving his reputation

At one point in the hearing Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., told Durham his reputation was damaged because he had been appointed U.S. attorney by Donald Trump before being appointed special counsel by Barr.

'Everybody's reputation who gets involved with Donald Trump will be damaged. He's damaged goods. There's no good dealing with him so you will end up on the bottom of a pyre,' said Cohen.

'My concern about my reputation is with the people who I respect, and my family, and my Lord, and I'm perfectly comfortable with my reputation with them, sir,' Durham shot back, drawing a round of applause from Republicans in the room.

Durham says there was no interference by the Biden administration - and Jordan is scolded for mocking Democratic committee member

Durham revealed he had only minimal contact with former Attorney General Bill Barr after Barr appointed him to investigate the FBI's Trump-Russia probe and said Attorney General Merrick Garland had never reached out to discuss the probe or tried to intervene.

At one point Jordan cut off Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, to mock her question to Durham about his communication with former Attorney General Bill Barr - the Trump appointee who tasked Durham with leading his probe.

Jackson Lee suggested Barr had been interfering in Durham's probe because Durham revealed he and Barr had exchanged around eight text messages.

'It seems that rather than having an independent investigation, there was a lot of interaction between the attorney general and special prosecutor which shows that the attorney general was actively directing your work,' Jackson Lee concluded.

Jordan cut in: 'You had eight text messages with the attorney general of the United States in an 11-month time period? That's amazing!'

'Mr. Chairman, that is absolutely inappropriate,' Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., cut in, asking him whose time he had taken to make the remark.

'I was just pointing out something that I think is so, so ridiculous,' he said.

Durham blasts Adam Schiff for criticizing getting 'dirt' from foreign agents

Durham noted Rep. Adam Schiff has experience in accepting 'dirt' on political opponents from foreign agents as the California Democrat pressed him on the 2016 meeting between Trump acolytes and Russian agents claiming to have damaging information on Hillary Clinton.

Schiff rehashed the findings of the Mueller probe, namely that Trump's campaign did have contact with Russian intelligence operatives ahead of the election.

Mueller, whose probe into Russian election interference spanned two years and resulted in 34 indictments, extensively detailed Russia's efforts to interfere in the election.

Durham noted Rep. Adam Schiff has experience in accepting 'dirt' on political opponents from foreign agents as the California Democrat pressed him on the 2016 meeting between Trump acolytes and Russian agents claiming to have damaging information on Hillary Clinton

Russian 'pranksters' who called Schiff pretending to have nude photos of Trump

In 2016 a meeting took place between Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya - with at least Trump. Jr. expecting to receive 'very high-level and sensitive information' that would be incriminating to Hillary Clinton in the meeting.

'People get phone calls all the time from individuals who claim to have information like that,' Durham said of the contact.

Schiff pressed: 'This son of a presidential candidate gets calls all the time from a foreign government offering dirt on their important opponent. Is that what you're saying?'

To which Durham quipped: 'I don't think this situation is unique in your experience.' The line drew soft chuckles from the audience.

Schiff, the former top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, was one of Trump's most outspoken critics and spent years trying to prove collusions between him and Russia. On Wednesday House Republicans will hold a vote to censure Schiff for 'lying' about having evidence of a Trump-Russia plot.

In 2018 DailyMail.com revealed that Schiff had been spoofed by Russian comedians posing as Ukrainian officials offering him 'compromising' dirt on Trump - including nude photos.

Durham says he does not agree with calls to defund the FBI and DOJ and changes to their processes won't happen overnight

Rep. Steve Neguse, D-Colo., asked Durham about Republican calls to 'defund' the FBI and the DOJ amid concerns of bias against Trump within the agency.

'Now, that doesn't make sense to me. But I've only been at this for 40 years,' Durham said, referencing his four decades as a federal prosecutor.

The former special counsel said he recommended changes within the FBI and DOJ to make sure an operation like Crossfire Hurricane didn't happen again but admitted it wouldn't be an 'easy fix.'

Chairman Jordan questions FBI's changes in the aftermath of the scathing report

'It's going to take time to rebuild the public's confidence in the institution, the changes, the reforms they have made are certainly changes that are going to guard to some extent against the repeat of what happened in Crossfire,' Durham insisted.

Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan refuted Durham's claims that the FBI had made significant reforms. 'I don't think anything has changed,' the Ohio Republican said.

A recent report found the FBI has misused FISA some 278,000 times - conducting improper searches on Americans on everything from January 6th to the Black Lives Matter protests.

The FBI insisted it has made changes to its FISA query process that has cut back on the unlawful surveillance of Americans, but Republicans say it is not enough to get them to agree to reauthorize the program.

'I think we have to fundamentally change the FISA process,' Jordan said, also calling to limit DOJ funding in the appropriations process.
The Federal Trade Commission is suing Amazon.com Inc., claiming the company makes it deliberately difficult for Americans to unsubscribe from a Prime membership.

The agency alleges in a federal suit filed Wednesday in Washington state that the retail giant dupes customers into signing up for its $139-a-year Prime membership, then when they wanted to unsubscribe, they would have to click through multiple pages in a process known internally at the company as 'The Iliad' after Homer's epic poem.

FTC officials have previously gone after other companies for their difficult subscription cancelation processes, and proposed a rule in March that would require companies to make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one.

It comes just weeks after Amazon agreed to pay nearly $31million to settle two other suits alleging that it failed to delete data about children collected by its Alexa speakers and that its Ring doorbells illegally spied on users.

The FTC on Wednesday filed a federal suit against Amazon for its difficult process to cancel a Prime subscription. Chairwoman Lina Khan is pictured at her confirmation hearing in 2021

The agency alleges that the retail giant duped customers into signing up for its Prime membership, then when they wanted to unsubscribe, they would have to click through multiple pages in a process known internally at the company as 'The Iliad' after Homer's epic poem

In its most recent lawsuit, the FTC claims Amazon has violated a 2010 consumer protection law designed to protect online shoppers by implementing an unwieldy process to unsubscribe from Prime.

'For years, Defendant Amazon.com has knowingly duped millions of consumers into unknowingly enrolling in its Amazon Prime service,' the lawsuit states.

'Specifically, Amazon used manipulative, coercive or deceptive user-interface designs known as "dark patterns" to trick consumers into enrolling in automatically-renewing Prime subscriptions.'

The FTC argued that executives rejected changes that would have made the process easier. Owner Jeff Bezos is pictured here

It says that non Prime members are bombarded with pop-ups when they shop on the site asking them repeatedly to join, and 'Amazon's webpage tricked consumers into signing up for Prime instead of Prime Video, which would be a lower-cost option.'

In order to unsubscribe from Prime, the lawsuit claims, consumers must click through five pages on the desktop and six pages on the mobile app to cancel prime in a process called the 'Iliad Flow.'

'Amazon did not design the Iliad Flow to be simple or easy for consumers,' the federal suit says. 'The Iliad Flow inhibits or prevents many consumers who intend to cancel from canceling their membership.'

It explains that the site would redirect users looking to cancel their subscription to options to switch to either monthly or annual payments, or 'pause' their subscription while repeatedly reminding users about the benefits of Prime membership.

'Amazon leadership slowed or rejected changes that would've made it easier for users to cancel Prime because those changes adversely affected Amazon's bottom line,' it says.

The process to unsubscribe, however, was changed in April after the European Union announced last year they would make the company simplify the cancelation process by making it just two clicks.

The FTC alleges in its suit that in order for a customer to unsubscribe from Prime, consumers must click through five pages on the desktop and six pages on the mobile app (pictured)

Prime membership costs $139 a year, and provides customers with free next-day delivery and access to Amazon's streaming services

Amazon has denied these claims, calling them 'false on the facts and the law'

Additionally, the suit argues, Amazon failed to turn over information sought by investigators, taking more than 18 months to produce materials the FTC sought.

The FTC is now asking a federal judge to implement a permanent injunction 'to prevent further violations of the FTC Act and the [Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act],' as well as monetary penalties for every violation of the law.

It argues 'the FTC has reason to believe that Defendant is violating, and is about to violate, laws enforced by the Commission because Defendant has engaged in ROSCA violations repeatedly and knowingly for years. Those violations are ongoing.'

'Consumers are suffering, have suffered and will continue to suffer substantial injury as a result of Defendant's violations of the FTC Act and ROSCA,' the agency continued.

'Absent injunctive relief by this Court, Defendant is likely to continue to injure consumers and harm the public interest.'

But in a statement to DailyMail.com, a spokesperson for Amazon slammed the FTC's claims as 'false on the facts and the law.'

'The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership.

'As with all our products and services, we continually listen to customer feedback and look for ways to improve the customer experience, and we look forward to the facts becoming clear as this case plays out.

'We also find it concerning that the FTC announced this lawsuit without notice to us, in the midst of our discussions with FTC staff members to ensure they understand the facts, context, and legal issues, and before we were able to have a dialog with the Commissioners themselves before they filed a lawsuit.

'While the absence of that normal course engagement is extremely disappointing, we look forward to proving our case in court.'

Nearly 167million Amazon shoppers had Prime memberships as of March

In the US, Prime members spend about twice as much on Amazon as non Prime members

Nearly 167million Amazon shoppers had Prime memberships as of March, unchanged from a year earlier, according to market research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

It also found that more than 90 percent of consumers who try a 30-day free membership become paying customers.

But analysts have also found that Prime membership has stagnated across the country since Amazon boosted the annual price from $119.

In the US, Bloomberg reports, Prime members spend about twice as much on Amazon as non Prime members.

And in the quarter ending March 31, Amazon's revenue from subscription services  mostly from Prime memberships  was $9.66billion, or about 7.6 percent of its overall revenue.

The FTC has previously gone after other companies that it says had difficult processes to cancel a subscription or membership

The FTC has previously gone after Ericsson's internet phone service Vonage over its subscription auto renewal and cancelation practices.

It said it received hundreds of complaints from customers of the New Jersey-based company because it required consumers to call a different number from the main customer service line to cancel subscriptions. The phone number was also not easily found on the website, causing consumers to jump through hoops to unsubscribe.

The FTC ruled Vonage's practices were deceptive and unfair and the agency used the $100million to refund customers.

Vonage ultimately agreed to pay a $100million settlement 'for charging junk fees and trapping consumers into their services' in November 2022.

In the aftermath, the FTC proposed a new rule that would order firms like newspapers and gyms to make it easier for consumers to end contracts.

'Some businesses too often trick consumers into paying for subscriptions they no longer want or didnt sign up for in the first place,' FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement in March.

'The proposal would save consumers time and money, and businesses that continued to use subscription tricks and traps would be subject to stiff penalties.'

She also wrote on Twitter that 'the proposal would also prohibit firms from tricking consumers into signing up for subscriptions in the first place, requiring businesses to clearly disclose key terms before collecting billing information, and to get separate consent before charging them.'

Companies found to be in violation of the new rule could face heavy fines, Khan said, explaining that it 'would enable [the FTC] to return money to injured consumers and would activate civil penalties, where firms could face hefty fines for violations.

'This proposal is part of our effort to deploy our tools to promote efficient enforcement,' she wrote on Twitter.

The proposal would also pose risk to legacy papers, such as The New York Times, which does not allow their subscribers to cancel online, like Business Insider and the New Yorker do.

A study done by the American Press Institute last year found that only 41 percent of US news publishers allow consumers to cancel their subscriptions online.

Sixty percent of news publishers used customer service representatives that are 'trained in tactics for "saving" renewals when customers ask to cancel.'

In March, the agency proposed a rule that would order firms like newspapers and gyms to make it easier for consumers to end contracts, with Khan saying it would 'save consumers time and money, and businesses that continued to use subscription tricks and traps would be subject to stiff penalties'

The proposal would also pose risk to legacy papers, such as The New York Times, which does not allow their subscribers to cancel online, like Business Insider and the New Yorker do

But the agency seems particularly interested in regulating Amazon.

It has been investigating the corporation on multiple fronts since 2019, and a slew of other lawsuits against the company may be coming.

The agency is said to be considering bringing a wide-ranging anti-trust case against the company, and is conducting a deceptive advertising probe into the 'Amazon Choice' label it gives certain products, sources previously told Politico.

It is also said to be weighing whether to challenge Amazon's $1.7billion acquisition of robot vacuum maker iRobot.

And it has already leveled two claims against the company alleging that a Ring employee spied on female customers for months through cameras in their bedrooms and bathrooms and that it deceived parents by Alexa recordings of kids' voice and location data for years, even after requests to delete them.

The company agreed to pay a $25 million civil penalty to settle the Alexa-related action and paid $5.8 million in consumer refunds in the Ring case, but denied the allegations.
The federal government may have been improperly using its power to compel the suppression of social media content in 2020, say Republicans

House Republicans are ramping up their investigation into the government's efforts to work with independent organizations and social media companies to stifle Americans' free speech expression during the 2020 election.

House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., and Dan Bishop, R-N.C., teamed up in a letter Wednesday to the head of an independent organization tasked with ensuring the 'integrity of elections' that they accuse of working with government agencies - including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - to suppress information.

The GOP lawmakers are probing the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) 'partnership' with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and social media companies that they say 'potentially suppressed Americans' speech.'

They allege that during the 2020 election, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) created a 'misinformation reporting system' that facilitated 'interaction between election officials and their representatives, CISA, CIS, and social media platforms.'

House Republicans are ramping up their investigation into the government's efforts to work with social media and stifle free speech expression during the 2020 election

According to the lawmakers, CIS would receive a 'misinformation report' from election officials or other NGOs and then those reports would be forwarded to social media companies.

The Republicans say that 'CIS claimed that 61 percent of cases it 'reported' up the chain to social media companies were taken down or labeled as misinformation.'

The content that was flagged as 'misinformation' was election-related, according to a committee aide.

Notably, the lawmakers write that based on a CIS after-action report, it appears that the federal government may have been improperly using its power to compel the suppression of social media content.

'If there was no legal leverage to compel social media cooperation during the 2020 election, was the federal government, through CISA, used as a strong arm?' the lawmakers inquire.

'There appears to be no other reason for CISA's participation as a middleman between CIS and social media companies,' they continue.

CISA officials have denied engaging in any censorship, which the Republicans note.

Rep. Dan Bishop is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability

Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas

Jen Easterly, director of CISA, testified before Congress in March 2023 saying 'we don't censor anything . . . we don't flag anything to social media organizations at all . . . we don't do any censorship.'

However, they say that 'the evidence uncovered so far' suggests the opposite and that there was 'proxy censorship' ongoing through other partners - such as CIP and EIP.

The Republicans go on to say that the 'opaque nature' of the engagement has made it necessary to obtain records from CIS directly.

They demand a series of communications between DHS and the NGOs relating to the 2020 misinformation reporting system.

DailyMail.com reached out to CIS for a response to the allegations outlined in the letter.
An 'orgasmic meditation' sex guru accused of keeping women in residential warehouses and forcing them into sex acts was surrounded by an entourage as she headed to court on Wednesday.

Nicole Daedone, former CEO of 'sexual wellness' company OneTaste, smiled for the cameras as she was flanked by 13 people on her way to the hearing at the Brooklyn Federal Court.

She 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.'

Her top lieutenant Rachel Cherwitz, 43, who was former head of sales, was alongside her. The pair were hit with a federal indictment on June 6 accusing them of a forced labor conspiracy to which they have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say the alleged victims were kept under surveillance and were made dependent on Daedone and Cherwitz for shelter and basic necessities.

Nicole Daedone (center) was flanked by unknown associates as she headed to Brooklyn Federal Court for a hearing on Wednesday

The 'orgasmic meditation' sex guru is accused of keeping women in residential warehouses and forcing them into sex acts

Her top lieutenant Rachel Cherwitz, 43, (center) who was former head of sales, was alongside her and both were hit with a federal indictment on June 6

Daedone and Cherwitz have been accused of forcing volunteers, contractors, and employees into sex acts using cult-like tactics.

The former chief executive's lawyer Reid Weingarten plans to challenge the indictment and told US District Judge Diane Gujarati that the criminal charge lacks details.

'Who are they saying were the victims?' he asked in the hearing. 'Who are the slaves that we enslaved?'

Both Daedone and Cherwitz pleaded not guilty to one count of forced labor conspiracy.

Jenny Kramer, an attorney representing Cherwitz, told Judge Gujarati her client denied the charges.

Cherwitz was arrested on June 6 in California, while Daedone remained at large and was believed to be overseas prior to turning herself in.

Daedone was flanked by a team of five women as she surrendered herself to the police on June 13. She was arraigned that same day.

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.

The pair are charged with conspiracy to violate federal laws prohibiting the use of forced labor and both pleaded not guilty to one count of forced labor conspiracy

The former chief executive's lawyer Reid Weingarten plans to challenge the indictment and told US District Judge Diane Gujarati that the criminal charge lacks details

It is claimed that Daedone was a 'messianic' figure at the center of the conspiracy

It is claimed that Daedone was a 'messianic' figure at the center of the conspiracy.

'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.'

If convicted, Daedone and Cherwitz each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

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.

'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.

Julia Gatto, attorney for Daedone, 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.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com two weeks ago, 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.

It is claimed that Daedone was a 'messianic' figure at the center of the conspiracy

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.
Two years ago, I was asked by an American production company if I would take part in a documentary about the OceanGate expeditions to view the Titanic. I was invited to take the trip myself, down almost two and a half miles to the seabed in the very submersible we now know so much about.

They asked me because my great-grandfather, William Bessant, had died on the ship while working as a stoker and Id written a book about the crew and their families.

I accepted  but then the documentary was cancelled because of various problems involving the post-pandemic world, travel visas and so on. Now, listening to news of the tragic disappearance of the sub, I feel sick with relief.

In truth, although I said yes at the time  I had a book out about the Titanic and felt it was a good opportunity to promote it  I had reservations, too. I worried about the safety of the vessel. The journey, I was told, would take seven to eight hours as a round trip. There was a tiny toilet behind a curtain, with no real privacy. I was anxious about feeling claustrophobic down there, nearly 4,000 metres under the sea in a 6m by 2.8m vessel with no way out, literally bolted into it from the outside.

But there was another concern nagging at me  the fact that this was a grave site. Not only was it the final resting place of my great-grandfather but it was where 1,500 other souls met their end, too. Part of me wondered if this was macabre. Inappropriate. Wrong.

The wreckage of the RMS Titanic on the bed of the Atlantic Ocean has been opened up to tourists

Writer Julie Cook, whose great-grandfather lost his life on the Titanic, says she is glad she turned down Oceangate's offer to visit its watery depths

The Titanic sinking was a real-life tragedy, not a film. If we stop for a minute and imagine what it was really like for those on board, we cant help but feel a visceral kind of horror at their plight  just as we do now, while we imagine the situation faced by those inside the missing sub.

As the ship went down, husbands tried to remain stoic while they shoved their terrified wives into lifeboats. Children were ripped from their fathers arms and dragged into boats with their mothers.

Heartbreakingly, I discovered while researching my book that when a bellboy aged 16 tried to clamber into a lifeboat, he was told to be a man and stay on board. Just a year older than my own son, he had no choice as a crew member in 1912 but to perish alongside the others.

Indeed, writing my book was a way of remembering the crew who died, those men and youths so often erased from glossy films such as James Camerons Titanic, or who appear for brief seconds in the background as nameless extras.

But I also found I had no idea just how much Titanic had become part of our cultural lexicon, and how distorted the story of those who perished has become.

Over time, the disaster that claimed so many lives has become worse than the stuff of legend  it is the butt of jokes, the theme of fancy dress parties. There are Titanic computer games; simulations where you crash into icebergs. There is even an event in America where people dress up as Titanic zombies. These things turn my stomach.

As I contemplated my abortive trip aboard the sub, I also wondered how I would feel if I came across any sign of human remains. Like many other descendants, we feel a sadness and a connection to the ship. But was it really my place to visit?

Julie's great-grandfather William Bessant, who died serving as a stoker on HMS Titanic, is featured in her book 'The Titanic and the City of Widows it left behind'

The sinking of the Titanic was memorably depicted in the 1997 film directed by James Cameron

My great-grandfather William was 40 when he lost his life  a short, miserable life stoking the furnaces on steam ships  leaving my great-grandmother a widow with five children to feed. Without his pay, she had to take in laundry and was plunged into poverty. Her sons had to leave school and get jobs. Titanics tragedy didnt just end when it sank  hundreds of dependent family members of the crew were widowed or left fatherless.

In the end, the documentary didnt happen so the choice was made for me. But now I believe I was wrong even to consider it.

Many descendants feel the same way about the wreckage and the Titanic industry as a whole. Mhairi Derby-Pitt is the great-niece of Robert Millar, Fifth Engineer, who was only 26 when he died aboard the Titanic. One of the engineers who kept the ships lights on so more people could be saved, he went down as a hero.

She keeps his memory alive by doing talks and attending events that focus on remembering with respect rather than ghoulishly playing make-believe. Like me, she thinks we have gained as much knowledge as we can from the doomed ship, and the site should simply be left alone. That said, she knows several people involved in this expedition and tells me her heart is breaking for them all.

In 1912, the wives and families of missing crew members gathered at Southampton Docks, by the White Star Line building, where they faced an agonising queue to find out whether the names of their loved ones appeared on the survived or lost lists.

We desperately hope and pray that the similarly dreadful wait for the families of those missing aboard the submersible ends with good news soon.

But it is high time we stopped this Titanic tourism and left the ship and her dead to rest.
British Challenger 2 tanks were seen thundering along Ukrainian roads as Kyiv continued its push to drive out Russian troops.

In tub-thumping footage released by Volodymyr Zelenskys army yesterday, the vehicles location was not revealed to avoid giving the enemy an advantage.

But the video of the four-man, 75-tonne tanks also showed helicopters flying past and smiling soldiers on duty.

Britain announced it was sending 14 Challenger 2s to Ukraine in January, in addition to Storm Shadow missiles in the fight to oust Russian invaders.

The film emerged as fresh fears were raised about Britains military capability, with a former chief of the defence staff warning the country was not particularly good at being ready for war.

Britain announced it was sending 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine in January to aid Kyiv's fight to push back Russian troops

General Sir Nick Carter, who was head of Britains armed forces from June 2018 to November 2021, criticised deficits in military hardware and Army personnel cuts.

It followed comments by General Sir Tim Radford, the second-in-command of Natos military arm, who said Britain was just holding on to its influence in the multi-national defence organisation because its Army was too small.

Speaking to the Commons defence committee on armed forces readiness yesterday, General Sir Nick criticised a lack of funding that meant Army personnel  set to be cut to 73,000  had to be traded off against other urgent costs.

Id have preferred to have retained the Army at 82,000 (personnel), he said.

Asked whether supplying resources to Ukraine had exposed a deficiency in stocks, he told MPs that stockpiles were dirty words as bureaucrats never conceived that we would have a future like the future that played out over the past 18 months.

General Sir Nick Carter (pictured) criticised a lack of funding that have seen Army headcounts cut

Vladimir Putin yesterday claimed Ukraine's counteroffensive stood 'no chance' against Russia's invasion

General Sir Tim, 60, who is retiring as Natos Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe next month, told The Daily Telegraph that defence cuts had undermined Britains leading role in the organisation.

I think we [the British Army] are too small. We do need to grow, he said.

Weve got a position of influence right across Nato. I worry that if we dont invest and we dont build up our industrial base and we dont lead as we should, we might lose that position.

It came as Vladimir Putin yesterday claimed Ukraines counteroffensive stood no chance.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: The UK is a major leader across Nato, contributing to every Nato mission and underpinned by the largest defence budget in Europe.
Defending the Government's Rwanda asylum deal against legal challenges has already cost the British taxpayer more than 1million.

Figures released by immigration minister Robert Jenrick showed 1.3 million has been spent on legal costs by the Home Office up to March this year.

In a letter to the Commons' home affairs select committee, he said: 'This relates to the judicial review and over a hundred different cases which have been brought forward by individual claimants and groups.

'As legal cases are ongoing and final spend cannot yet be determined, further costs may be released in due course.'

The true figure will already be far higher, as the 1.3million sum does not include costs associated with a four-day hearing in the Court of Appeal at the end of April.

Defending the Government's Rwanda asylum deal against legal challenges has already cost the British taxpayer more than 1million. Pictured: Home Secretary Suella Braverman

Suella Braverman visits Bwiza Riverside Houses in Kigali, Rwanda on March 18, 2023. Riverside developments are planned to accommodate asylum seekers

On top of its legal fees the Home Office has spent 140million on the Rwanda scheme, even though it remains in legal limbo. Pictured: Suella Braverman in Rwanda in March

On top of its legal fees the Home Office has spent 140million on the Rwanda scheme, even though it remains in legal limbo.

A judicial review was launched by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union and three pro-migrant charities last year.

In December the High Court ruled in favour of Home Secretary Suella Braverman and declared the policy lawful.

Judges questioned whether the PCS and the charities had even been eligible to intervene against the Rwanda scheme - which will see small boat migrants handed a one-way ticket to the east African nation to claim asylum there rather than here.

The judges' ruling said PCS members were 'not directly affected by the Rwanda policy in any sense relevant for the purposes of bringing a claim for judicial review'.

However, the union and the charities launched a further attempt to have the policy declared unlawful at the Court of Appeal, with a ruling still pending.

Scores of legal challenges have also been brought by individual migrants.

Separately, it emerged the Home Office's modern slavery unit is to hire 200 more caseworkers amid record levels of claims under human trafficking laws. MPs were told by Home Office officials the new recruits will aim to speed up decision-making with average waits currently at 560 days.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, left, listens to Rwanda's Minister of Education Valentine Uwamariya, right, during a visit to Kepler university in the capital Kigali, Rwanda, March 19

RNLI crew pick up migrants in an inflatable boat who were travelling across the English Channel, bound for Dover on the south coast of England

The unit currently has 300 caseworkers.

The head of the Home Office unit which oversees modern slavery claims, Siobhan Jolliffe, told the home affairs committee their recruitment drive will compete with a separate Home Office attempt to hire hundreds more asylum caseworkers.

Figures published in March showed a record 17,000 modern slavery claims in 2022, up 33 per cent year on year.

The rise was fuelled by a surge in small boat crossings which reached more than 45,700 last year, a record high.

Albanians made up the largest nationality claiming they had been trafficked, with 4,613 cases in the year.

During April's Court of Appeal hearing on Rwanda, the United Nations refugee agency scheme claimed the scheme is 'incompatible with the UK's fundamental obligations under the Refugee Convention'.

Lawyers for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it 'maintains its unequivocal position that there should be no transfer of asylum-seekers to Rwanda'.

However, the UNHCR itself sends refugees to Rwanda, opening it to accusations of 'hypocrisy' from UK government sources.

The Geneva-based UNHCR has signed a new agreement to transport migrants from Libya to Rwanda, part-funded by the European Union, until at least 2026.

It has already relocated 1,600 asylum seekers from Libya to Rwanda between 2019 and March this year.

A key difference between the UNHCR and the Home Office schemes is that the UN's version is voluntary, while Channel migrants will be compelled to go under the UK programme.

The PCS, which represents thousands of Home Office workers, last month warned it could ballot for industrial action if it loses the ongoing legal challenge against the Rwanda scheme.

The tactics will be seen as the latest example of the Left-leaning cabal within the civil service - dubbed 'the Blob' - attempting to block government policy.

A Home Office source has previously condemned the PCS as a 'bunch of activists'.
A prisoner at a jail that houses some of the UK's most dangerous inmates sparked mayhem after climbing onto the roof to sunbathe in his underpants.

The man, who appears to be wearing just black underwear and a pair of trainers, has engaged riot police in a tense standoff at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

Photos show him apparently carrying a crowbar as he sits on top the building and waving a shirt around like a flag.

Three officers and a negotiator have been dealing with the incident since around 7pm, The Mirror reported. Officials are 'urgently' working to bring him down from the roof.

The notorious jail, about five miles outside of the picturesque Durham city, is home to 850 inmates, who are Category A, Category A High Risk and Category B, across eight wings.

A prisoner, who appears to be wearing just black underwear and a pair of trainers, has engaged riot police in a tense standoff at HMP Frankland in County Durham

Three officers and a negotiator have been dealing with the incident since around 7pm

Photos show him apparently carrying a crowbar as he sits on top the building

He also appears to be waving a shirt around like a flag as riot officers urge him to come down

HMP Frankland houses some of the UK's most dangerous inmates

Few details are known about the incident, but the Mirror reported that at 10pm the standoff was still ongoing.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Staff are urgently working to bring the prisoner down safely.'

Previous inmates at HMP Frankland include Charles Bronson, who earned a reputation as a violent and dangerous inmate and Michael Adebolajo, who was convicted of the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby.

It also housed former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, who is serving life for the murder of Sarah Everard, Soham child killer Ian Huntley and Levi Bellfield, who murdered 13-year-old Milly Dowler and 22-year-old Amelie Delagrange.

Serial killers Peter Sutcliffe and Harold Shipman also spent time behind bars at the jail before their deaths.
Shmuel Levine, 34, allegedly 'viscously' beat and strangled his girlfriend before pushing her to her death from her sixth floor apartment in Queens

A New York City man who allegedly killed his girlfriend by throwing her out of their sixth floor apartment window has appeared in court on a bail hearing.

Shmuel Levine, 34, confessed to killing Danielle Marrano in October 2020 after a fight in which he struggled to obtain her cell phone after he made accusations of infidelity.

Police alleged he 'viscously beat' and strangled dental hygienist Marrano, 37, before pushing her to her death via either the balcony or window of her Ocean Promenade apartment in Rockaway Park.

He was indicted on a second-degree murder charged by a grand jury in November 2020 and has since been held on Rikers Island without bail.

Levine was Queens Supreme Court in prison uniform on Wednesday, and his application for bail was denied.

Shmuel Levine, who has been indicted for murdering his girlfriend by throwing her from her sixth floor apartment, appeared in court on Wednesday to appeal for bail

Police allege that Levine 'viscously beat' and strangled dental hygienist Marrano, 37, before pushing her to her death

Marrano's mother, Karen Marrano, said: 'My daughter was a beautiful bright shining star.'

Police were called to Marrano's Queens apartment complex around 2:40 p.m. on October 26, 2020, and found Marrano lying on the ground with fatal injuries.

She was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where she died six hours later.

Authorities initially suspected that Marrano had committed suicide but hospital workers concluded that some of her injuries were not consistent with a fall.

The medical examiner found Marrano suffered at least four skull fractures that contributed to her death, with at least two being inconsistent with a fall.

There was a large dent on a wall inside the apartment, authorities said, and hair matching the victims was also found at the scene.

Marrano's death was ruled a homicide caused by unnatural blunt force trauma.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said the last moments of the victim's life were 'brutal'.

'This woman's last moments of life were brutal,' she said in a statement at the time.

The victim's boss Jim Sarji spoke fondly of Marrano saying she was loved by patients at the Brooklyn dental practice where she worked for 15 years

Marrano was pushed to her death via either the balcony or window of her Ocean Promenade apartment in Rockaway Park

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said the last moments of Marrano's life were 'brutal'.

'The defendant allegedly resorted to vicious, physical violence to resolve a quarrel.'

Marrano's mother, Karen Marrano, paid tribute to her daughter who 'loved to dance and travel.'

Speaking to the New York Daily News she said: 'My daughter was a beautiful bright shining star.

'She loved her family and her friends and her brother very much. She loved to dance and travel.'

The victim's boss Jim Sarji spoke fondly of Marrano saying she was loved by patients at the Brooklyn dental practice where she worked for 15 years.

'Everybody loved her. All the patients loved her. Even after quarantine, she was very busy and scared to return to the office, but everybody asked for her,' he told Daily News.

After his arrest Levine told police he and Marrano had 'got into an argument about her cheating on me,'

'I told her I couldn't take it anymore,' Levine allegedly said.

'She admitted to cheating on me and so then I said, 'Can I see your phone?' She wouldn't give me the phone and so I forcefully tried to get the phone from her and she fought back.'

Levine then allegedly told cops it was 'not my intention to put her in a chokehold' but he did it in order to obtain the phone.

'I put my hands around her because I just wanted to get the phone,' he said, according to the complaint.

'I was wrestling with her for the phone. I grabbed her to try and get to the phone and she was kicking me. She was on the floor.'

He told cops the alleged attack only 'lasted for about a minute.'

'I grabbed the back of her hair because I was desperate to get the phone. Yes, there was a physical altercation to get the phone. I choked her with one arm for two to three seconds and she was screaming 'No.''

Levine faces 25 years in prison.
Two of the most notorious far-right Republicans in Congress brought their ongoing feud into public Wednesday with a messy argument on the House floor  where curse words were apparently exchanged.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia apparently called Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado a 'little b***h' in the heated exchange caught on C-SPAN's cameras without audio.

But two sources who witnessed the exchange detailed what was said to the Daily Beast  and said that it all started when Boebert approached Greene about 'statements you made about me publicly.'

Greene was apparently peeved that Boebert also introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden, saying in response to the public feud with Boebert: 'Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.'

Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (left) and Lauren Boebert (right) had a heated public exchange on the House floor Wednesday

The back-and-forth apparently included Rep. Greene accusing Rep. Boebert of copying her articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden  and sources say Greene called Boebert a 'little b***h'

Both Greene and Boebert are MAGA sweethearts and are fiercely pro-Trump  they have both rallied and campaigned with the former president.

During the back-and-forth, the presiding representative appeared annoyed as he tried to get the congresswomen to take their talk off the floor.

'Take your conversations to the back,' the presiding lawmaker said. 'Off the floor.'

'Order, please,' he said again, banging the gavel on the desk before resuming with normal business as Greene and Boebert continued their chat without budging.

While C-SPAN doesn't have audio of what the lawmakers on the floor, the talk did not appear friendly. At two separate points, Greene is seen pointing and their facial expressions did not appear light-hearted.

Boebert didn't deny reports of what was said, telling Daily Beast: 'Marjorie is not my enemy. I came here to protect our children and their posterity. Joe Biden and the Democrats are destroying our country. My priorities are to correct their bad policies and save America.'

The two people who witnesses the exchange, as well as a third familiar with it, told Daily Beast that Greene called Boebert a 'b***h,' while another said more specifically that Greene called her 'a little b***h.'

Greene stood up out of her chair on the House floor as the exchange appeared to become increasingly more animated and heated.

'I've donated to you, I've defended you,' Greene said, according to one source that witnessed the back-and-forth. 'But you've been nothing but a little b***h to me.'

'And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to cosponsor them,' she added, to which the Colorado congresswoman dismissed by claiming she hadn't even read the resolution.

Boebert and Greene are two of the most far-right and fiercely pro-Trump lawmakers in the House. Pictured: The two Republicans scream 'Build the Wall' during President Biden's State of the Union at the Capitol on March 1, 2022

Boebert has introduced a fast-tracked impeachment resolution against Biden, which House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has spoken out against.

Greene has taken claim to the impeachment push, however, and doesn't like the Boebert is trying to champion the same cause.

'Lauren Boebert never addressed the conference,' Greene said earlier on Wednesday in reference to the Colorado Republican not addressing the GOP conference regarding her fast-track resolution.

'I made it clear to the conference that I have introduced articles of impeachment, literally since Joe Biden's first day in office,' Greene added. 'I have been talking about it with everybody forever.'

'Literally, everyone. Forever, 'til I'm blue in the face. You see me? I'm blue in the face.'
Hunter Biden will head to federal court in Delaware on July 26, court filings showed Wednesday, after he made a deal with federal prosecutors that would see him plead guilty to tax crimes and go on probation over a gun charge.

The first son will appear in front of the Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to serve on the federal bench by former President Donald Trump in 2017.

At the time, Noreika received the blessing of the state's two Democratic senators.

She's given to candidates from both political parties over the years including Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, Hillary Clinton - during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary - and Republican Sen. John McCain, during the 2008 general election.

Republicans have complained about a 'two-tiered' system of justice in the aftermath of Hunter's plea deal becoming public, and on the heels of the 37 federal charges mounted against former Trump over his mishandling of classified documents.

Hunter Biden will head to federal court in Delaware on July 26, court filings showed Wednesday, after he made a deal with federal prosecutors that would see him plead guilty to tax crimes and go on probation over a gun charge

The first son will appear in front of the Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to serve on the federal bench by former President Donald Trump in 2017

The Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, has been in charge of the case, which looked into Hunter's finances and whether he lied on paperwork to obtain a gun, where he attested he was not abusing drugs.

In his memoir, Beautiful Things, the first son admitted to being a drug user at the time.

The agreement with prosecutors will have to be approved by Noreika.

It will likely keep Hunter Biden out of jail, as he'll serve probation instead.

The investigation is still ongoing Weiss said Tuesday.

He was one of only a few Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys who kept their jobs after President Joe Biden was sworn-in.

Biden kept Weiss due to him being assigned the Hunter investigation.

Earlier this month, Weiss wrote a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan saying he had full discretion over the handling of the case.

'I have been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and Departmental regulations,' Weiss told the top Republican and Trump ally.

Earlier Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that questions about the case should be directed to Weiss.

'As I said from the moment of my appointment as attorney general, I would leave this matter in the hands of the United States attorney who was appointed by the previous president, and assigned to this matter by the previous administration,' Garland said.

'That he would be given full authority to decide the matter as he decided was appropriate. And that's what he's done,' the attorney general added. 'And if you have any further questions about that matter, you should direct them to the U.S. Attorney to explain his decision.'
A murder investigation has been launched by police after an elderly women was found dead in her Croydon home.

An elderly women in her mid-70s was found dead at her home on Ladbrook Road, Croydon.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 10:40 am on June 21. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

The investigation is being led by detectives from the Specialist Crime Command team. Police would like to speak with anyone who saw anything suspicious in the vicinity of Ladbrook Road.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: 'We are in the early stages of our investigation but I am urging anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible.

A murder investigation has been launched by police after an elderly women was found dead in her Croydon home

The women, who was in her mid-70s, was found dead at her home on Ladbrook Road, Croydon

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 10:40 am on June 21

'An elderly woman has lost her life and it is vitally important that we establish what happened.

'Did you hear anything, or see someone in the area who looked out of place? Please call us.'

Officers will remain in the area and anyone with concerns is advised to speak with them.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 2540/21Jun.
The Brazilian ex-boyfriend of a woman found dumped in a Sydney river five years ago has confessed to the gruesome murder.

Cecilia Haddad's body was found by kayakers in the Lane Cove River, in the city's north, on April 29, 2018.

The group who made the grisly discovery said in 2018 that she had been weighed down with heavy items, believe to be gym weights, in the pockets of her khaki cargo pants.

Mario Marcelo Santoro admitted to a Brazilian court on Wednesday, local time, he was responsible for the 38-year-old's death, going into disturbing detail about strangling her.

He confessed to the crime on the second day of the trial but unlike the Australian justice system, the trial will continue and a jury of seven people will still be required to make a formal decision over a two-day process.

Cecilia Haddad's body was found in the Lane Cove River on April 29, 2018

Mario Marcelo Santoro admitted to a Brazilian court on Wednesday local time, he was responsible for her death, going into disturbing detail about strangling her

Santoro had been charged with murder in July, 2018, and on Wednesday revealed he had gone to Ms Haddad's Ryde apartment without her permission where the pair then got into an argument.

He told the court he wanted to shut her up and grabbed her around the neck and 'squeezed very hard' until she fell into his arms.

'She fell limp in my arms, I don't remember if she hit her head on the floor. I picked her up, desperate and put her on the sofa  She wouldn't wake up,' he said breaking down in tears, as reported by local publication Globo.

Ms Haddad's mother had to leave the courtroom during Santoro's chilling admission while her brother sat in the front row shaking his head, Nine News reported.

Santoro broke down in tears during his admission and begged for forgiveness

Santoro, who pleaded to Ms Haddad's family for forgiveness, had told one of the witnesses, who is his priest, to reveal his confession during the trial.

Also at the trial were three Australian police officers who were called to give evidence.

On the day Ms Haddad's body was found, Santoro was seen on CCTV travelling from Sydney to Rio de Janeiro.

Ms Haddad, who had lived in Australia for ten years, was reported missing after failing to turn up to several appointments.

She'd enjoyed a barbecue with friends just two days before her body was found.

If Santoro is convicted he will serve his jail sentence in Brazil.

Ms Haddad had lived in Australia for ten years before she was killed
A West Midlands firefighter who has gone missing in the English Channel while attempting a solo swim to raise money has been named.

Iain Hughes, from Dudley, set off from the Kent coast yesterday morning, accompanied by a support boat, but later went missing in French waters.

The 42-year-old father-of-two was aiming to raise 21,000 for the British Heart Foundation, Firefighters Charity, and Midlands Air Ambulance  representing 1,000 for each mile of his swim.

A major search operation including French and Belgian military helicopters was launched to find the married father-of-two, but has now been called off, French authorities confirmed.

A crew manager at Wednesbury fire station, Mr Hughes had trained for nearly two years for his cross-Channel charity swim, his employer the West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said.

Iain Hughes, from Dudley, set off from the Kent coast yesterday morning

Mr Hughes had trained for nearly two years for his cross-Channel charity swim, his employer the West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said

West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that Mr Hughes, who is part of the Technical Rescue Unit at Wednesbury fire station, was reported missing yesterday evening.

According to his JustGiving page, he had raised more than 6,800 of a 21,000 target.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, WMFS chief fire officer Wayne Brown said: 'Iain's disappearance is unspeakably sad.

West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that Mr Hughes, who is part of the Technical Rescue Unit at Wednesbury fire station, was reported missing yesterday evening

Mr Hughes set off from the Kent coast yesterday morning, accompanied by a support boat, but later went missing in French waters (file image)

'We are giving Iain's family all the support we can at this distressing time.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone close to Iain.

'He is a highly respected and much-loved colleague and friend to many.'

The Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (CS&PF), which monitors swimmers in the channel, announced with 'deep regret' that Mr Hughes could not be found after a search.
Almost 100,000 people have died needlessly from heart attacks and strokes since the start of the pandemic, a report revealed yesterday.

The British Heart Foundation said continuing disruption to the NHS and the fallout from Covid has left the country in the 'grip of a heart and stroke care emergency'.

Its analysis of official data found there have been more excess deaths involving cardiovascular disease (CVD) than any other condition  with 96,540 since March 2020.

That's more than 500 extra deaths a week over and above what would be expected for heart disease since the start of Covid.

BHF chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: 'It is deeply troubling that so many more people with CVD have lost their lives over the last three years.'

Almost 100,000 people have died needlessly from heart attacks and strokes since the start of the pandemic, a report revealed yesterday. (file image)

The British Heart Foundation said continuing disruption to the NHS and the fallout from Covid has left the country in the 'grip of a heart and stroke care emergency'

She added that it was 'clear we are firmly in the grip of a heart and stroke care emergency', and warned: 'If little changes, we could continue to see a sustained rise in death rates.'

Airports raise cardio danger Living near an airport could raise the risk of heart attacks and related problems, suggest researchers. Hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases among residents whose homes are under Heathrows flight paths were analysed by a team led by Imperial College London. They found evidence of a small increase in risk of being admitted among those who had experienced higher noise the night before, according to a paper published in online journal Environment International. The study said aircraft noise has been found to disrupt sleep and raise blood pressure and stress hormone levels. Advertisement

More than half the excess deaths involving CVD came in the first year of the pandemic, with Covid known to cause heart and circulatory problems.

The data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities showed these fell dramatically in the second year  March 2021/22  but rebounded during the following 12 months.

Experts said continuing disruption to NHS heart care was likely to be behind the spike, with strikes leading to further delays.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the BHF, said Covid 'no longer fully explained the significant' excess deaths involving CVD, adding that 'extreme and unrelenting pressure' on the NHS was a factor.

The number of people waiting for time-sensitive cardiac care was at a record of nearly 390,000 at the end of April, according to latest figures.

Professor John Greenwood, president of the British Cardiovascular Society, called for 'urgent prioritisation of CVD prevention and treatment'.

A government spokesman said: 'We are cutting waiting lists, ambulance response times are falling, staff increasing and we are improving access to blood pressure and health checks.

'We know there is more to do which is why we are consulting on a Major Conditions Strategy to tackle CVD.'
Bernard Jenkin yesterday refused to break his silence over allegations he attended a lockdown-busting party  as Downing Street urged him to come clean.

The Tory grandee, one of Boris Johnsons chief Partygate inquisitors, said nothing in answer the Mails questions about the birthday drinks bash he attended for his wife in December 2020.

This newspaper caught up with him in Parliament, and asked if he had broken any rules and if he felt he was being treated unfairly. We also asked him if the police had been in touch. He twice refused to answer before storming off, saying: Im not saying anything.

Sir Bernard voted with MPs on Monday night to approve the privileges committee report he co-authored that condemned Mr Johnson over Downing Street gatherings during lockdown, all but ending the former premiers political career.

This was despite facing the possibility of a police probe himself, which Mr Johnsons allies claim makes him a hypocrite.

Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin (pictured) has stayed silent following claims he attended a lockdown-busting drinks party in December 2020

An MP loyal to Mr Johnson said last night: Sir Bernards drink-in silence must mean he feels guilty for drumming Boris out of parliament while himself attending an allegedly lockdown-breaking event. The sheer hypocrisy is staggering. He should be referred to the privileges committee and investigated himself.

It came as No 10 urged Sir Bernard to cooperate with Scotland Yard over the 2020 gathering.

Alcohol and cake were allegedly on offer at the event, which involved as many as ten people. At the time, indoor socialising was banned in England. Asked if people at the centre of allegations about several lockdown-busting parties should cooperate with the police, Rishi Sunaks spokesman said: Yes, of course.

A source with knowledge of the celebration Sir Bernard attended, which took place in Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laings office, claims that social distancing went out of the window.

An ally of Sir Bernard claimed he believed it was a work event  a similar defence used by Mr Johnson about gatherings he attended.

Speaking briefly to the Guido Fawkes website last week, Sir Bernard said: I did not attend any drinks parties during lockdown.

Scotland Yard is assessing whether lockdown rules were broken. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has ordered parliamentary officials to assist the force.

Mr Sunaks spokesman said yesterday the Prime Minister gave his full support to the privileges committee after MPs approved its report on Monday night.

He said: The Prime Minister believes they have conducted a thorough inquiry and have his full support in doing so. He respects the view of the House that was taken on Monday and its right that members, whoever they are and whatever position they have held, are held to account for their actions.

But the spokesman would not set out whether the PM agrees with the report after he skipped Monday nights vote, which No 10 has blamed on a diary clash.
Furious truckies tore into a climate protester who locked herself to two cars in the middle of a busy highway in peak hour and blocks all traffic.

Blockade Australia protester Naomi Shine blocked two lanes of traffic after chaining herself to two cars on the Port of Brisbane Motorway a kilometre east of the Pritchard Road exit on Wednesday.

A livestream of the incident reportedly showed the protest turning violent, as truck drivers left their vehicles and forcibly removed some of the protesters from the road.

Blockade Australia protester Naomi Shine (pictured) blocked two lanes of traffic after chaining herself to two cars on the Port of Brisbane Motorway a kilometre east of the Pritchard Road exit on Wednesday

'Move the f*** out of the way,' one yelled.

Traffic could be seen snarling up for miles as police worked to remove the protestors.

Queensland Police has advised motorists to avoid the area.

It marked the third day that Blockade Australia have caused chaos by blocking Australia's most important coal ports and a major motorway as part of coordinated protests.

One protester, associated with Blockade Australia, suspended from a rail bridge at the Port of Newcastle on Monday, while other coordinated protests were held near the Brisbane coal terminal at the Port of Brisbane and at the Port of Melbourne.

Trains carrying coal were prevented from crossing the rail bridge at the Port of Newcastle due to the woman's protest.

Blockade Australia said the protest at the Kooragang island terminals at Port of Newcastle was 'blocking all trains at the most significant economic bottleneck of the coal industry in the world'.

'This is a coordinated response to Australia's destruction of the global climate,' the group said.
A sprawling rural Scottish farmhouse on the estate where D-Day was planned has gone up for sale for offers over 330,000.

Dankeith Farmhouse, in Symington, Kilmarnock, South Ayrshire, has been owned by the same family for 54 years and has now been put on the market.

The 19th-century building, which is C-listed, was originally two cottages, and was part of the Dankeith Estate along with Dankeith House.

RAF secret ops were planned in Dankeith House, including D-Day.

After the war it was sold to the Catholic Church, and priests played badminton in the farmhouse steading.

The property is located in an impressive area and it is being sold with all curtains and blinds

There are more than five acres of land at the property, located in Kilmarnock, South Ayrshire

In addition to four bedrooms, the property boasts several outdoor buildings, pictured above

There is also a vegetable plot at the property and flowerbeds as well as nearly 5.5 acres of land

The traditional courtyard at the property, which is being sold by Galbraith, has a 'party shed'

The 19th-century building, which is C-listed, was originally two cottages

It has four-bedrooms and a paddock for horses, as well as a vegetable plot and flowerbeds as well as nearly 5.5 acres of land.

Only the kitchen is double glazed, and the house is being sold with all curtains and blinds.

The traditional courtyard includes a former dairy, stables, a workshop, and 'party shed'.

It is heated with open fires and oil central heating, and only the kitchen is double glazed.

It is being sold by Galbraith for offers over 330,000.

It is heated with open fires and oil central heating, and only the kitchen is double glazed

In 1948, nearby Dankeith House was acquired by Roman Catholic priests and used as a retreat

The C-listed courtyard property has a grazing paddock and more than five acres of land

One of the four bedrooms at the property, which is on the market for overs over 330,000

The classical courtyard-planned property steading incorporates a farmhouse to the north side

In WW2, Dankeith House, which neighbours Dankeith Farmhouse (above) was used by the RAF

The traditional courtyard also includes the former dairy, stabling and a workshop

A spokesman for Galbraith said: 'Dankeith Farmhouse is an impressive early 19th-century, C-listed courtyard property with a grazing paddock and around 5.34 acres of land.

'This classical courtyard-plan steading incorporates a farmhouse to the north side with a distinctive tall, gabled entrance clock tower.

'The traditional courtyard further includes the former dairy, stabling, workshop, 'party shed' and numerous separate storage areas.

Priests used the laundry room while on retreat and played badminton at Dankeith House

'In WW2, Dankeith House, which neighbours Dankeith Farmhouse, was used by the RAF and secret planning meetings for D-Day and other allied operations took place there.

'In 1948, Dankeith House was acquired by Roman Catholic priests and used as a retreat.

'Dankeith Farmhouse was originally two cottages and the priests used the laundry room and played badminton in the badminton house within the steading.'
Meta says the AI, dubbed Voicebox, can modify 'any part' of a human recording

Meta boasted Friday that it has produced 'the most versatile AI for speech generation' in existence.

But it added that the company would not be making their AI model public, due to grave concerns over the advanced tech's 'potential risks of misuse.'

In recent months, scammers have become adept at employing AI-generated speech to perpetrate eerie and shocking crimes, including an April attempt at faking the kidnapping of a teenage girl in Arizona, terrorizing the young girl's distraught mother with realistic AI-generated pleas.

But Meta proposed a variety of more optimistic use cases in their press release, stating that Voicebox could be used to help the visually impaired hear messages from their friends and loved ones, or to allow non-native speakers to play translations of their own words, in their own voice, but in a foreign tongue.

Meta called their new Voicebox generative AI model 'the most versatile AI for speech generation' in existence. But the company added that it would not be making the AI public, due to the firm's own grave concerns regarding the advanced tech's 'potential risks of misuse'

The announcement comes a little over a month after Zuckerberg (pictured) was snubbed by the White House  which explicitly told reporters that Meta representatives had not been invited to a West Wing summit that was exclusively for firms at the 'forefront of AI innovation'

At the moment, the company said its AI model is capable of speaking six languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Polish and Portuguese.

Meta also offered a few more business-centric use cases for the technology, including deploying Voicebox as a means for audio creators to more easily edit unwanted background noises or errors from their audio or video tracks.

It also suggested that Voicebox could be used to create more comforting, naturalistic voices for virtual assistants and more realistic sounding characters in video games.

But all these brave new opportunities will not yet be made available to developers hoping to play in Meta's Voicebox sandbox, the company said in a press release.

A promotional video for Voicebox released Friday showed off the AI's ability to convert text-to-speech in a wide variety of voices

'There are many exciting use cases for generative speech models,' the company said in a research post, 'but because of the potential risks of misuse, we are not making the Voicebox model or code publicly available at this time.'

'While we believe it is important to be open with the AI community and to share our research to advance the state of the art in AI,' the firm added, 'it's also necessary to strike the right balance between openness with responsibility.'

Meta's deep learning AI researchers noted in their post introducing Voicebox that their system utilizes a method called Flow Matching, which has scored better than diffusion models used by the current state-of-the-art systems, like VALL-E and zero-shot text-to-speech.

Voicebox, they said, produced artificial audio that was more intelligible, scoring a lower 1.9 percent word error rate compared to their competitor's 5.9 percent.

It also has a higher ratio for producing audio similarity (0.580 vs. 0.681) while being, according to Meta, nearly 20 times faster.

When translating across languages, Voicebox outperformed a well-regarded multilingual text-to-speech AI, YourTTS, reducing the average word error rate from 10.9 percent to 5.2 percent, and upping the ratio for audio similarity from 0.335 to 0.481.

The announcement comes a little over a month after Zuckerberg was snubbed by the Biden White House  which explicitly told reporters that Meta representatives had not been invited to a West Wing summit that was exclusively for firms at the 'forefront of AI innovation.'
Prehistoric kangaroos may have walked on two legs rather than hopping, a new study suggests.

It is difficult to imagine a kangaroo which does not hop using the elastic energy in its powerful hind legs.

But researchers say some extinct giant kangaroos, distantly related to those still living today, probably walked rather more like people, striding on two legs, and using one leg at a time.

Others likely walked more boringly on four legs, like most other mammals.

It is difficult to imagine a kangaroo which does not hop using the elastic energy in its powerful hind legs - but in the not too distant past they likely moved by striding on two legs or traversing on all fours, researchers say

The conclusion comes from a scientific review of kangaroo fossils, and those of their relatives like wallabies, spanning 25 million years, alongside new analysis of bones from these creatures' limbs and ankles.

READ MORE: Rabbits that can't jump help scientists find 'hop' gene in kangaroos The secret behind the kangaroo's bounce was spotted during research on 'Alfort Jumper' rabbits which, despite their name, are unable to jump Advertisement

Professor Christine Janis, who led the review from the University of Bristol, said: 'In the UK, where nothing larger than a hare bounds across the countryside, we are fascinated by kangaroos and they are in all the children's books alongside the elephants and giraffes.

'They just seem so strange, and we assume that a hopping kangaroo is at the peak of its evolution.

'But in fact the survival of large hopping kangaroos today is probably just dumb luck, which just happened because the climate changed and they had a vast amount of grassland to traverse.

'In fact, large kangaroos that hop are the exception in kangaroo evolution.'

The researchers looked at sthenurines  a relative of the modern-day kangaroo which could weigh up to 230kg.

Experts believe the point at which kangaroos stop being able to hop, because shifting their body weight puts too much strain on the Achilles tendon, is at around 160kg, with the optimum size around 50kg, which is about the size of most red and grey kangaroos.

Sthenurines, first described in the late 19th century by naturalist Richard Owen at the British Museum of Natural History, are now believed to have walked on two legs, based on fossil evidence from around two million years ago, during the Pleistocene period.

Illustration showing difference in the calcaneal - the strong bone that forms the back of the foot - between the modern-day hopper (left) and extinct strider

Modern kangaroos, when they are not hopping, instead walk on all-fours, using their tail as a fifth limb to provide extra power.

But the sthenurines lacked the flexible backbone to crouch enough to hop, and had relatively large hip and knee joints, like humans, which suggested they used one leg at a time.

The new analysis reported also shows they had smaller heel bones than modern kangaroos, which would be less able to counteract the force from the ankle movements involved in bounding around as kangaroos do today.

A second type of extinct kangaroo relative looked at by the researchers  the group called the protemnodons, and nicknamed 'giant wallabies'  are believed to have habitually walked on four legs for reasons including their long necks, which would bounce their heads around too much, giving them whiplash, if they hopped.

These animals also had large, robust arms, and shoulder and elbow joints with more restricted motion, which would be better for weight-bearing, suggesting they were used to walk.

Protemnodons' short feet would not provide the boost needed to start hopping.

The earliest kangaroos may still have hopped sometimes but likely nowhere near as fast or far as modern kangaroos.

It is unclear why hopping was adopted by these animals originally, but the kind of long, distance 'endurance-hopping' seen today is believed to have evolved when the Australian climate became arid and kangaroos needed to efficiently travel further to find food.

It has probably been the only mode of getting around for kangaroos since the end of the Pleistocene.

The review is published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology.
Many of us dream of being an artist at one point in our lives, but dodgy sketching can often stop us from getting there.

Now, these dreams may soon be possible, as a new tool can transform your bad doodles into masterpieces thanks to the power of artificial intelligence (AI).

Tech giant Qualcomm unveiled the game-changing ControlNet software earlier this week, which turns image prompts into whatever you like within 12 seconds.

Unlike many other models of its kind - such as Adobe AI Firefly - ControlNet surprisingly doesn't need the internet to function and could soon be a major mobile phone app.

While ControlNet was only presented as a research demonstration, the firm claims that producing images like this could be completely private, with no data backed up to a third-party cloud.

Bad sketches can be transformed into masterpieces in just under 12 seconds using ControlNet. In this demonstration, one user has inputted a drawing of a kitten and urged the model to make it 'yellow', 'photo realistic' and in '4k' quality using a text prompt. The final image is displayed on the right hand side

WHAT IS THE CLOUD? The cloud refers to servers located at data centres across the world but accessible through the internet. If companies use cloud computing they do not have to manage these servers themselves or run power-intensive software on their machines. The cloud also enables users to access their files from almost any device because their data is stored in a specific centre rather than on their own device. This is how social media account data, such as Instagram logins, can transfer from a broken phone to a new one very quickly. Source: Cloudfare Advertisement

'Generative AI has taken the world by storm, disrupting traditional ways of creating content,' a Qualcomm spokesman explained.

'ControlNet allows users to input a text description of an image as well as an additional image to control the generative process.'

The idea of ControlNet comes amidst numerous similar AI tools of this kind which are most commonly referred to as language-vision models (LVMs).

These generally fuse an image encoder and a text encoder to read instructions provided by a user, before producing new content.

While ControlNet is not available for public use, demonstrations show that it can produce artwork from text prompts, image prompts and both simultaneously.

Chosen images can be anything from personal drawings to photographs, while text inputs can indicate what style or 'material' the AI should use to produce a new version.

Water colour or oil paint could be used to generate an image for example, with these then depicted in 4k quality.

As this process runs solely on a given device, Qualcomm claims that both its runtime and power consumption is also significantly reduced.

The spokesman added: 'Images are generated in under 12 seconds to provide an interactive user experience that is reliable and consistent.

'On-device AI provides benefits in terms of cost, performance, personalisation, privacy and security at a global scale.'

In this ControlNet demonstration, one user has inputted a photograph of themselves, and it appears that the model has been asked to produce an ancient-styled piece of artwork

It is not clear when ControlNet will be available for public use, but it will be useable on phones as shown in this Qualcomm demonstration. Here, a user has made use of the image prompt and text prompt, asking for a 'photo realistic' 4k photo of them

Qualcomm's new product follows a backlash against AI-generated image models, with numerous artists voicing their copyright concerns.

This was largely sparked by Disney illustrator, Hollie Mengert, after she found that her work was used without consent to train a new model in Canada.

Many have since debated the ethics of using artwork to train AI, with the legality of doing so also a grey area across the world.

It is not yet clear whose images have been used to train ControlNet, but MailOnline has approached Qualcomm for further information.
Social media users have been left puzzled by the top GIF when they try to message someone  a yellow submarine.

WhatsApp and Tinder are among the platforms that feature the cartoon GIF of the underwater vessel as it swims surrounded by fish.

'Yellow Submarine' was famously the name of the Beatles' jolly number one hit from 1966 and the cartoon film released a couple of years later.

However, the prominence of the submarine GIF comes amid the ongoing Titanic sub rescue mission.

One user suggested social media was being 'shady' by bumping the GIF to the top during the frantic attempts to find the five people aboard before they run out of oxygen  although GIF libraries tend to show them by popularity.

The yellow submarine is the top GIF on WhatsApp (pictured) when people click on the GIF tab

READ MORE: What is a submersible? Small vessel vanished on its way to Titanic wreck The deepest underwater rescue search in history is underway to find the submersible Advertisement

On Twitter, the user posted a snap of the GIF as seen on Tinder with the words: 'no tinder is shady bc why is the recommended GIF a submarine ?????'

The GIF also appears high on Facebook Messenger, but not on Twitter or Instagram, MailOnline has found.

WhatsApp and Tinder both use one of the biggest GIF providers for its GIF library, Tenor, which is owned by Google.

WhatsApp also uses another one called Giphy, but Tinder confirmed to MailOnline that it just uses Tenor.

A Tinder spokesperson said the current trending GIFs on its platform are a 'direct pull' from Tenor, which also shows the yellow submarine at the top on its site.

However, Giphy doesn't appear to give the GIF any prominent spot on its site.

According to one expert, GIF libraries tend to have the most-used GIFs at any one time at the top, or GIFs related to words in people's messages.

It's likely social media users are sending the submarine GIF to each other, likely in reference to the missing Titanic sub.

'Similar to Google, Giphy operates as a search engine and utilises algorithms to determine the prioritisation of content within its search results,' Carolyn White, social media account manager at Carrie-Ann Sudlow Consultancy, told MailOnline.

'I believe it's appearing as GIFs that will be shown and suggested to users based on keywords that are being used in chats.

One user posted a screenshot to Twitter with the words: 'no tinder is shady bc why is the recommended GIF a submarine ?????'

'As the missing Titanic tourist submarine is such a bizarre and constantly evolving news story, for platforms such as Twitter and WhatsApp.

'Although this specific GIF may not be being used, the spike in the submarine keyword being used on all messaging platforms is causing it to be bumped to the top.'

The word 'submarine' is also trending across Twitter, even though the missing vessel that descended to the Titanic wreck is a submersible.

A submarine is an independent cruiser with its own power supply and air renewal system, while a submersible needs to be supported by a nearby surface vessel or shore team.
As officials race against time to save five people aboard the missing Titanic submersible, an immersive new video shows how deep it could be.

The clip, created by Spanish animation company MetaBallStudios, gradually descends through a digital underwater scenescape.

As it goes, the heights of multiple landmarks are depicted in the water, including the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

Eventually, the camera reaches 12,000ft (3,700 metres) down  the bottom of the North Atlantic, where the remains of the Titanic sit.

The Titan submersible, operated by US firm OceanGate, started its dive on Sunday morning but all contact with its mothership was lost shortly after.

The clip, created by Spanish animation company MetaBallStudios, gradually descends through a digital underwater scenescape

One of Pakistan's richest men, Shahzada Dawood, is aboard the vessel alongside his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush and French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

The five people have only around a day of oxygen left, according to authorities, as of Wednesday morning UK time.

TITAN SUBMERSIBLE SPECIFICATIONS Maximum depth: 13,123 ft (4,000m) Capacity: Five people (one pilot and four crew members) Pressure vessel material: Carbon fibre and titanium Overall dimensions: 22ft x 9.2ft x 8.3ft high (670cm x 280cm x 250cm) Weight: 23,000 lbs (10,432 kg) Speed: 3 knots Life support: 96 hours for five crew Advertisement

Authorities raised the alarm on Sunday when the vessel vanished less than two hours into its venture.

The sub had launched its 195,000-a-head ($248,094) tour from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 2:30am EST (7:30am GMT) on Sunday.

It's understood that Titan communicates with those on the surface by sending an alert to its mothership, the Polar Prince, every 15 minutes.

The five on board last 'pinged' the mothership at 10am EST (3pm GMT) on Sunday, while directly above their destination of the Titanic.

This could indicate that they are now somewhere on the ocean floor, with the wreckage split in two halves at around 12,500ft (3,800m) below the surface.

To put the depth into context, MailOnline has created a graphic showing how this depth compares to famously tall structures, including London's Big Ben, Willis Tower in Chicago and the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon, a natural geological formation in Arizona, is about 6,000 feet (1,828 metres)  less than half the depth of the Titanic's wreckage.

As it goes, the heights of multiple landmarks are depicted in the water, including the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building

Famous landmarks that are known for their height pale in comparison to the depth of the Titanic, with the Statue of Liberty just 305ft, the Eiffel Tower just 1,083ft and the Empire State Building at 1,250ft

Authorities raised the alarm on Sunday when an OceanGate Titan vessel that vanished less than two hours into its venture towards the historic shipwreck

The Boston Coast Guard is now looking for the missing vessel. The wreckage of the iconic ship sits 12,500ft underwater around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada

It reveals how landmarks that are famous for their height pale in comparison to this - with the Statue of Liberty at just 305ft (93m), the Eiffel Tower at 1,083ft (330m) and the Empire State Building at 1,250ft (381m).

Even the UAE's Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building - looks tiny against the depths of the North Atlantic, at a height of 2,217ft (675m).

And the vast Grand Canyon is no different at 6,000ft (1,828m) - less than half the depth of the Titanic's wreckage.

Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on Sunday

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

One of Pakistan's richest men, Shahzada Dawood, is aboard alongside his son Suleman

Suleman Dawood, 19, is also aboard the missing submersive in the North Atlantic

The vessel has been described as a submarine, but it's actually a submersible.

A submarine is an independent cruiser with its own power supply and air renewal system, while a submersible needs to be supported by a surface vessel or shore team.

On average, submarines can go to around a maximum of 1,476 feet (450 metres), according to Marine Insight, which is just over the height of Chicago's Willis Tower.

But OceanGate's Titan submersible is designed to reach depths nearly 800 per cent greater than this, at a maximum of 13,123 feet (4,000 metres).

While this beats the depth of the North Atlantic seabed, experts fear it may be too far for a US Navy submarine to reach, with its capabilities limited to just 2,000ft (609 metres).

As a result, remotely operated vehicles may be the only alternative to rescue them - reaching maximum depths of 20,000 feet (6,096 metres).

David Gallo, who owns the salvage rights to the Titanic's wreck site, told CNN: 'One of the biggest things is where is it? Is it on the bottom, is it floating, is it mid-water?

'That is something that has not been determined yet... we will have to wait and see and hope for the best.

'The water is very deep - two miles plus. It's like a visit to another planet, it's not what people think it is. It is a sunless, cold environment and high pressure.'
A desperate search is underway for the missing Titanic submersible containing five people who are quickly running out of oxygen.

Banging noises have been detected every 30 minutes by a Canadian plane deploying underwater sonar devices called 'sonobuoys' in the search.

This has led to fresh hope that the crew of the 'Titan' vessel are still alive, and are deliberately making noises against the hull.

But what is sonar, how does it work and what does this mean for the rescue mission? MailOnline takes a closer look at the technology.

Banging noises have been detected every 30 minutes by a Canadian plane deploying underwater sonar devices called 'sonobuoys' in the race against time to find the five souls aboard the OceanGate submersible

Pictured, a member of Naval Air Reserve Patrol Squadron 64 (VP-64) on active duty training inserts a sonobuoy into its dispenser chute in a P-3 Orion aircraft

What are sonobuoys?

What is sonar? Sonar, short for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is the use of sound waves to 'see' underwater. Sonar is used to explore and map the ocean as sound waves travel farther in water than radar and light waves. Experts use sonar to develop nautical charts, locate underwater hazards to navigation, search for and map objects on the seafloor such as shipwrecks, and map the seafloor itself. Source: NOAA Advertisement

As the Canadian aircraft flew over the search area in the North Atlantic, it dropped devices called sonobuoys  an important tool for underwater searches.

When dropped from the plane into the water, they descend towards the water's surface carried by parachutes.

It's when they reach the water that they can properly deploy at the required depth and maintain communication with the aircraft above.

Once in the water, sonobuoy separates into two, with a radio frequency transmitter at one end bobbing back up to the surface.

At the other end, an array of underwater microphones called 'hydrophones' are deployed, pointing down into the ocean's depths.

Both ends are connected by a cable, and any sound picked up by the hydrophones is transmitted up along the cable to the radio frequency transmitter bobbing on the surface.

The transmitter then relays the signals to the aircraft that dropped it, giving rescue teams potentially a crucial indication of sounds happening thousands of feet down.

How does sonar work?

The way that sonobuoys work is based on the principle of sonar, short for Sound Navigation and Ranging, which is the use of sound waves to detect objects underwater.

Sonar works in two different ways  active and passive detection.

US naval aircrewman unloads a sonobuoy from the rack onboard a P-8A Poseidon to prepare it for use during a search mission to locate Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on April 10, 2014 in the Indian Ocean. Sonobuoys are used to detect frequencies and signals in the water

A Canadian Aircraft (file photo) heard 'banging' at 30-minute intervals in the area the submarine disappeared, a leaked memo suggests

A glimmer of hope lit up the bleak search yesterday when the Coast Guard announced that 'banging' sounds had been detected underwater. It remains unclear if the banging came from the submersible, but it has now become the 'focus' of the mission. Pictured, the rescue ship Deep Energy - the latest hope in the ongoing hunt for the vessel - in the middle of the Atlantic

Active detection involves bouncing a 'ping' into the surrounding area and listening for the returning echo.

READ MORE: How CAN Titan submarine be saved at 12,500ft? If rescue crews do manage to locate the missing submarine (file photo of the Titan) thousands of feet below sea level, they face a series of barriers and an incredibly complex mission to retrieve the vessel that is unlike any ever performed Advertisement

Passive detection involves listening for sounds produced by propellers and machinery.

Which is being used here?

Search teams will mostly be using passive detection  picking up noises that are hoped to be the crew banging against the hull of the submersible.

Active detection is much more difficult around the Titanic wreck, as it would be incredibly difficult to distinguish between the submersible and the surrounding debris.

Another third sonobuoy category is sometimes known as 'special purpose sonobuoys' because they provide additional information about the environment, such as water temperature or wave height.

When were sonobuoys developed?

Sonobuoys were initially developed to detect German U-boats during the Second World War.

Any underwater acoustic signals detected by the hydrophone, caused by a nearby U-boat for example, would then be relayed to the aircraft via the radio transmitter.

But sonobuoys are now used for a variety of purposes including in search and rescue operations.

They can map the location of an airplane crash site, a sunken ship or survivors at sea, and were used in 2014 during the fruitless search missions to locate missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

The 21ft submersible (pictured) has an oxygen supply of up to 96 hours but it is thought the crew of five have less than 24 hours of breathable air left, as of Wednesday

The search site is some 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. Getting there is a difficult enough feat without finding the missing sub beneath the ocean surface

Can the submersible now be located?

Unfortunately, three buoys would need to pick up the sound so that experts could 'triangulate' the position of the sub.

Triangulation  commonly used by geologists to find the locations of earthquakes  allows for a more precise location to be determined by using angles.

How hopeful can we be about these noises?

Dr Jamie Pringle, Reader in Forensic Geosciences at Keele University, said: 'The fact they are 30 minutes apart is a great sign.

'It is unlikely to be from another submarine, which typically only go down to 900m, or a surface ship propellor which would make a continuous noise  so this sound is likely manmade.

'Acoustic noise travels far in water  for example whale sounds  so that is both good and bad news.

Timeline (British Summer Time) of the search for the Ocean Gate submersible, if Titan has lost its power the crew will be in complete darkness facing temperatures of 3C

The ship wreck is 12,500ft underwater. There are fears the Titan may now be trapped inside it

'You would still need three static buoys to be able to triangulate the sound to get a position fix.

'I should also add a caveat that the sound could, of course, be coming from something other than the sub, let's not give people false hope here.

'The lack of oxygen is key now - even if they find it, still need to get to the surface and unbolt it.'
The Utah mountains have turned shades of pink, red and orange thanks to a natural phenomenon called watermelon snow.

Summer officially starts today but at Tony Grove Lake in Cache County the rocks are still holding on to an unusual form of accumulation.

Scott Hotaling, an assistant professor at Utah State University's Department of watershed sciences, told ABC4 that what appears to be a different form of snow is actually a green algal bloom occurring on the surface.

Hotaling has been studying watermelon snow and the algae that creates the effect for a few years.

He told ABC4: 'The snow algae produce a pigment that basically darkens their cells, and it acts as both a protection against UV, so it protects their DNA and other aspects of their organelles from damage because they're in such a bright place.

Pink snow can be seen at Tony Grove Lake in Cache County. What appears to be a different form of snow is actually a green algal bloom occurring on the surface

Some Utah residents have been quick to embrace the colorful build-up, which has turned the bottom of hikers' shoes orange

'But then also, it has a secondary benefit of causing their cells to absorb heat which melts the snow around them which allows them to actually access water because, you know, we're out here in a world of water right now but none of it is accessible.'

As the algae darkens in color, it keeps in more heat from the sun, causing the snow to melt quicker, which Hotaling warned could be an issue in years of drought.

WHAT IS WATERMELON SNOW? So-called 'watermelon snow' is caused by microscopic algae called Chlamydomonas nivalis. This is a unicellular red-colored photosynthetic algae. It can be found in snowfields around the world. As weather warms, the algae releases spores that grow and produce the unique coloration. The red pigment mixes with the green pigment all algae possess and creates the pink appearance. Pictured: microscopic algae Chlamydomonas nivalis Advertisement

He is trying to ascertain how much of Utah's snowpack melts as a result of algae and what can be done to stop it from becoming a problem.

The research is in its early stages, but it could provide results within two years.

While many are looking forward to basking in the summer sun, some Utah residents have been quick to embrace the colorful build-up.

'I thought that was pretty cool,' Wallace Salle told ABC4.

'At first, I was like, "Is someone painting it or something?"'

The young boy and his family had travelled to the lake from Minnesota.

Local resident Dru Davis, who was also visiting with his family, said: 'I love the color. Pink is my favorite color. I think it looks almost like it's spray painted.'

Hikers who have come into contact with the pink snow have noted that the bottom of their shoes have turned bright orange, with their footprints leaving an eye-catching peach color.

In 2020, scientists in Antarctica took incredible photographs of 'watermelon snow' painting the pristine white wilderness a vibrant pink.

Stunning images taken near a former British research station in Antarctica revealed the phenomenon.

The pictures were taken at the former British Faraday Station, which was sold to Ukraine for a token 1 in 1996.

It is now known as Vernadsky Station and the blood-colored snow was revealed by Ukraine's ministry of science and education.

The Ukrainian scientists said: 'Such snow contributes to climate change, because the red-raspberry color snow reflects less sunlight and melts faster.

'As a result, more and more bright algae are formed in the snow.'

Vernadsky Research Base is located on Galindez Island in the Argentine Islands.
TikToker Raphael Gomes feasted on chicken katsu while flying to the US

Scrap 'chicken or beef' and stale bread rolls.

A fleet of deep-pocketed travelers and private jet staff have revealed how the other half live when it comes to fine dining in the skies - and it's a world away from the standard fare on commercial flights.

Travel writer Jordi Lippe-McGraw revealed in one of her TikToks, how private jet firm VistaJet offers a nine-course tasting menu by famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa, with some of the morsels including yellow tail jalapeno, a sashimi salad, black cod with miso and prime beef tenderloin.

Topping it off, one of the dishes - steamed salmon topped with dry miso - can't be found anywhere else in the world and it was created specially for private jet guests.

Travel writer Jordi Lippe-McGraw revealed in one of her TikToks, how private jet firm VistaJet offers a nine-course tasting menu by famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa

Some of the morsels include a sashimi salad and a selection of sushi rolls

Topping it off, one of the dishes - steamed salmon topped with dry miso - can't be found anywhere else in the world. The plane also features a bed, to take a rest after eating

This comes served with 'one of Nobu's most exclusive sakes,' and Lippe-McGraw explains that when this experiences is done, there's a bed in the back of the plane where travelers can rest and let their food go down.

In another TikTok, private jet flight attendant 'Jacqueline Travels' reveals that her guests are treated to similar culinary excellence.

The nine-course selection she presents to viewers comprises crispy Brussels sprouts, robata octopus, charred avocado, salmon sudachi, toro nigiri, octopus dako, spicy yellowtail, miso soup, and a fresh fruit bowl.

A chocolate chip cookie and an americano are also thrown in for good measure.

Fellow private jet flight attendant Kristen M also made a TikTok showcasing the treats her passengers receive.

In the hunger-inducing clip, viewers are shown pots of caviar, bountiful platters of artfully arranged meats and cheeses, juicy shrimps, artisanal cakes and bottles of vintage Dom Perignon champagne.

In another of Kristen's TikToks, she reveals how a passenger requested copious amounts of sushi, with all the table tops adorned with pieces of fish.

'This is goals,' she captioned the clip.

In another TikTok, private jet flight attendant 'Jacqueline Travels' reveals that her guests are treated to similar culinary excellence

The nine-course selection she presents to viewers includes crispy Brussels sprouts and toro nigiri

TikToker Raphael Gomes took a private jet flight from London to the US and shared what he ate along the way

For lunch he had a scotch egg with calamari followed by chicken katsu

To finish he opened for a chocolate sphere which he said had a 'gooey caramel center. Gomes captioned his video '$50k omelet,' alluding to the price his flight ticket might have cost

TikToker Raphael Gomes took a private jet flight from London to the US.

For breakfast, the social media star got an omelet with a jar of overnight chia seeds.

Then for lunch he had a scotch egg with calamari followed by chicken katsu.

To finish he opened for a chocolate sphere which he said had a 'gooey' caramel center.

Gomes captioned his video '$50k omelet,' alluding to the price his flight ticket might have cost.

TikToker and food writer 'Kel Is Eating' revealed that she was invited to go on a private jet and 'of course' she had to take up the invitation.

In her clip she can be seen dipping into afternoon tea from a white cloth table.

The medley of miniature cakes is washed down with a glass of Ruinart champagne.

Later in the video she tucks into a butternut, beetroot and feta salad, which she gives the seal of approval with an enthusiastic nod.

In the caption she said that she was 'extremely lucky' to have sampled the luxury side of air travel.

Private jet flight attendant Kristen M also made a TikTok showcasing the treats her passengers receive

In another of Kristen's TikToks, she reveals how a passenger requested copious amounts of sushi, with all the table tops adorned with pieces of fish. 'This is goals,' she captioned the clip

Even the drinks have that luxury edge with bottles of vintage Dom Perignon champagne and artfully made coffees in swanky china
The impact of jet lag can be reduced by 'reshaping' the inflight travel experience, research has shown, with foods including chilli and chocolate shown to 'contribute to improved traveller wellbeing'.

These findings come from research undertaken by Australian airline Qantas and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre during test flights for Qantas's 'Project Sunrise' program, which will connect Sydney directly with New York and London for the first time from late 2025.

Different lighting and sleep schedules, mealtimes, and movement and exercise were also highlighted as lessening the severity of jet lag, a statement said.

Qantas has been working with the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre since 2015 when it first began preparations to launch Perth to London direct flights.

Qantas operated three Project Sunrise research flights from New York and London to Sydney in 2019 in partnership with Australian researchers to collect real-world passenger data.

Qantas operated three Project Sunrise jet-lag research flights from New York and London to Sydney in 2019. Findings from the flights include that foods including chilli and chocolate 'contribute to improved traveller wellbeing'

Researchers travelled on the Qantas research-flight aircraft and monitored 23 volunteer customers (above) as they followed a specially designed menu, lighting, sleep and movement sequences

Researchers travelled on the aircraft and monitored 23 volunteer customers who were fitted with wearable device technology during the 20-hour flights as they followed a specially designed menu, lighting, sleep and movement sequences.

Initial findings, as yet unpublished, indicate that, compared to customers on a traditional inflight sequence of eating and sleeping, those on the tailored schedule experienced less severe jet lag (self-reported), better sleep quality inflight, and better cognitive performance in the two days after flight, the statement revealed.

The inflight trials involved tailored cabin lighting schedules to facilitate adaption to the destination time zone and integrating simple stretch and movement activities.

They also adjusted the timing of meal services to align the body clock and encouraged wake and sleep by using specific menu items, including fish and chicken paired with fast-acting carbohydrates, as well as comfort foods such as soups and milk-based desserts.

The aim, the statement said, was to promote the brain's production of the amino acid tryptophan ('Tryp') to help passengers drift off more easily.

The specially designed Airbus A350s that Qantas will use for Project Sunrise flights include an onboard 'Wellbeing Zone' informed by the research, where passengers can take time out to stretch and do simple exercises onboard, guided by video screens.

The specially designed Airbus A350s that Qantas will use for Project Sunrise flights include an onboard 'Wellbeing Zone' (above)

Passengers can take time out to stretch and do simple exercises in the Wellness Zone, guided by video screens

Peter Cistulli, Professor of Sleep Medicine at the University of Sydney, said while the research was ongoing, there were clear signs that the interventions implemented during the trial flights reduced the impact of ultra-long-haul travel.

'The early results are promising, and it's given us great momentum to look to the next stage of customer research to support Project Sunrise product and service design,' said Professor Cistulli.

'We have a multi-disciplinary team of more than ten researchers from medicine, science and engineering backgrounds working together on this project. This includes sleep researchers, circadian experts, nutrition and movement experts. No airline has ever done this kind of research before.

'The early findings have given us optimism that we can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of international travellers thanks to this partnership with Qantas.'

Qantas has unveiled prototypes of the lavish first (above) and business cabins on the aircraft that will fly passengers non-stop from Sydney to New York and London from late 2025

First-class seats will have an extra-wide fixed bed, separate recliner chair, personal wardrobe, dining table for two and a 32-in ultra-high-definition TV

Business-class passengers will have seats (above) with privacy doors, two-metre (6ft 5in) lie-flat beds and 'generous' storage

This rendering shows the economy seats on the Project Sunrise A350s

THE QANTAS PROJECT SUNRISE CABINS Qantas recently unveiled prototypes of the lavish first and business cabins (pictured in main story) on the aircraft that will fly passengers non-stop from Sydney to New York and London from late 2025. Key to the cabin design, says Qantas, is giving passengers more space, by configuring the A350s to seat 238 passengers compared to the 300-plus seat layout featured by other carriers. The Qantas A350 will have six first suites in a 1-1-1 configuration and 52 business suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, with direct aisle access for all. Qantas says that the first-class suite 'has a range of features to make customers feel like they are in a mini boutique hotel room complete with an extra-wide fixed bed, separate recliner chair, personal wardrobe, dining table for two and a 32-in ultra-high-definition TV'. Business-class passengers, meanwhile, will have seats with privacy doors, two-metre (6ft 5in) lie-flat beds, 'generous' storage  including a large mirror  cushioned leather ottomans, 18in high-definition touch-screen TVs, large dining tables and 'feature lighting'. Qantas adds that both classes will offer 'multiple personal device charging options including wireless induction charging'. Advertisement

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the national carrier was excited by the prospect of minimising jet lag and revolutionising international flying for all travellers.

'Given our geography, Qantas has a long history of using imagination and innovation to overcome the tyranny of distance between Australia and the rest of the world,' said Mr Joyce.

'Now that we have the aircraft technology to do these flights, we want to make sure the customer experience evolves as well, and that's why we're doing this research and designing our cabins and service differently.

'Our A350s will have about 100 fewer seats than most of our competitors, which gives us room for more space in all classes as well as a Wellbeing Zone for premium economy and economy passengers to stretch. People can choose how they spend their time, but we'll make recommendations based on science around menu choices and best times to eat or rest. That extends to before and after the flight to improve how people feel when they arrive on the other side of the world.

'Importantly, these direct flights actually cut total travel time by more than three hours compared to one-stop services.'

Parallel research has also been done to manage crew wellbeing on these flights, the statement said, which also draws on experience from other ultra-long-haul flights operated by Qantas.

Qantas is scheduled to take delivery of its first A350 in late 2025, with the Project Sunrise launch route between Sydney and New York expected to take off shortly after.

Qantas currently uses Boeing Dreamliners for non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Perth, a distance of 14,498km (9,008 miles).

London to Sydney is a distance of 16,983km (10,553 miles) and New York to Sydney is 15,979km (9,929 miles).
MasterChef Australia viewers have once again called out contestants on the latest series for being 'unhygienic' in the kitchen.

In a recent episode of the show, Rue Mupedzi was seen coughing as she was cooking.

Following Tuesday night's episode, a viewer started a threat on Reddit about the lack of 'basic culinary hygiene' on the series.

They wrote: 'Why does MasterChef make no effort to teach basic culinary hygiene? The contestants must look good I guess.

'Brent must never be in a kitchen without a beard net. Maybe outside at a BBQ at best.

MasterChef Australia viewers have once again called out contestants on the latest series for being 'unhygienic' in the kitchen

'If I saw Cath in a kitchen without a hairnet, I'd be dining elsewhere.

'I think it was Malissa kneading away and hand mixing her dough with a massive diamond ring on one hand.

'I forget who but one cook clearly moved from cutting fresh fish to herbs with the same knife in jeweled hand - perhaps an editing error but the point remains.'

In a recent episode of the show, contestant Rue Mupedzi was seen coughing as she was cooking

One MasterChef viewer called out contestant Brent for not wearing a beard net

While some viewers didn't agree that hairnets are necessary, some had a major issue with contestants using their fingers for tasting.

One person wrote: 'I'm not calling for hairnets or anything but I do wish contestants would use any of the dozens of spoons provided for tasting, rather than dip their fingers in their sauce/creme anglaise/etc. then shove their fingers in their mouth.

'Saw Malissa doing this recently and shuddered.'

While some viewers didn't agree that hairnets are necessary, some had a major issue with contestants using their fingers for tasting, while another called out Malissa for wearing a ring

Another viewer commented: 'So many shows allow their contestants or presenters to wear rings while cooking.

'I get that the reasons why they want to keep wearing them, but it's pretty grim to see when they are getting into breadcrumbs or meat.'

It comes after rumours were swirling that MasterChef judges Andy Allen and Melissa Leong might be quitting the show as they continue to grapple with the tragic death of their co-star Jock Zonfrillo.

Some fans are convinced the entire hosting panel may be replaced altogether, after Channel 10 refused to confirm Jock's replacement in a recent casting call for contestants next season.

'Has anyone ever thought, 'What if Mel and Andy decide not to continue being judges next season?'' one Facebook user wrote on a MasterChef fan page last week.

'That crossed my mind too,' another user wrote.

Several fans pointed out that it wouldn't be the first time MasterChef Australia scrapped an entire judging panel, following the departure of Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris in 2019.
Kyle Sandilands has called out Jackie 'O' Henderson's parenting skills after she left her daughter Kitty, 12, at a restaurant that turned into a nightclub at midnight.

Jackie, who is holidaying with Kyle and his wife Tegan Kynaston on their honeymoon in Saint-Tropez, found herself in a bind on Tuesday after sending Kitty to have dinner at a restaurant without her, while she was busy hosting her KIIS FM show at a local radio studio.

The mother-of-one originally planned to drop Kitty off at Kyle's hotel room to be babysat by Tegan, but was unable to get there in time due to France's notoriously bad traffic.

To make matters worse, Jackie was forced to send newsreader Brooklyn Ross - who is also holidaying in Saint-Tropez - to leave his post at the radio studio and pick up the pre-teen before the restaurant turned into a nightclub.

Defending her parenting decision on-air, Jackie told her unimpressed co-host: 'Listen, we organised this all this afternoon. I had a plan in place.'

Kyle Sandilands called out Jackie 'O' Henderson's (right) parenting skills on Tuesday after she left her daughter Kitty, 12, (left) at a Saint-Tropez restaurant that turned into a nightclub at midnight

'This has been organised for days. You were supposed to drop Kitty at our place at 7 o'clock tonight,' replied Kyle.

'Yes, and the traffic was too bad. We would never have made it,' Jackie explained, to which Kyle scoffed: 'Well we didn't know you were going on a six-hour car [ride].

Appalled, Kyle told Jackie it was 'unbelievably unorthodox' to ask Brooklyn to 'go and get my daughter from the nightclub'.

The mother-of-one originally planned to drop Kitty off at Kyle's hotel room to be babysat by Tegan (left), but was unable to get there in time due to France's notoriously bad traffic

To make matters worse, Jackie was forced to send newsreader Brooklyn Ross (pictured) - who is also holidaying in Saint-Tropez - to urgently pick up the pre-teen before the restaurant turned into a nightclub at midnight

Appalled, Kyle (left) told Jackie it was 'unbelievably unorthodox' to ask Brooklyn to 'go and get my daughter from the nightclub'. 'Kyle, It's not a nightclub! But it will become a nightclub if she's not picked up in time,' Jackie (right) assured him

He was also convinced the restaurant had already turned into the adults-only venue.

'Kyle, It's not a nightclub! But it will become a nightclub if she's not picked up in time,' Jackie assured him.

'Darl, it's 11 o'clock at night. It turned into a night club an hour ago,' Kyle replied.

After a moment of squabbling, the pair agreed to disagree.

Jackie shares Kitty with her ex-husband Lee Henderson, to whom she was married between 2003 and 2018.
Kyle Sandilands has had a few run-ins with locals during his honeymoon in Saint-Tropez.

But the most recent conflict involved his new wife Tegan Kynaston and an angry woman on a bike.

The newlyweds have been enjoying their first holiday as a married couple, but the trip is far from an intimate affair as several KIIS FM staff, including Jackie 'O' Henderson, tagged along so they could broadcast the morning show live from Europe.

Speaking on the show on Wednesday, Kyle said he hasn't had the best interactions with French people and either has his wife.

According to the radio shock jock, a woman spat at Tegan while she was pushing their son in a pram.

Kyle Sandilands (pictured) has had many run-ins with French people while on his honeymoon in Saint Tropez

'So she's pushing the pram and this woman comes up behind and starts going "ding, ding, ding, ding" on the bell and Tegan turned around and she started [yelling] and spitting,' the presenter explained.

'Like, what the hell's this b**ch's problem anyway?

'Otto was there so she didn't get into an argument, but the woman kept going on, driving off on the bike and the arms flailing around, they keep flapping the arms around here, don't they?'

According to the radio shock jock, a woman spat at Tegan while she was pushing their son in a pram (both pictured)

This comes just a few days after Kyle got into a fight with a waiter during a family lunch with Tegan and their son Otto.

The 52-year-old lost his temper after the waiter tried to dob him in to police for parking his car in a loading zone.

'We parked at the front in what appeared to be a loading zone and went inside and the waiter was [speaking in French to my assistant Bruno],' Kyle explained on his radio show on Tuesday.

'Bruno said "you might get towed away" but I told him to sit down we are ordering food.

'The police showed up in their fancy uniform and gave me a ticket. The food showed up and we started eating and I looked over at the dirty waiter and he was looking at the cops and raising his eyebrows and pointing towards our table.'

The 52-year-old lost his temper after the waiter tried to dob him in to police for parking his car in a loading zone

On Monday, Kyle also recalled a misunderstanding that occurred while he was at a local restaurant with Jackie and her pre-teen daughter, Kitty (pictured with Jackie O and Tegan)

Kyle said he then stood up and confronted the waiter, yelling: 'C**t, are you giving me up dog?

'Then I pointed to my eyes and back towards him as in I'm watching you.'

Kyle's co-host Jackie O Henderson questioned: 'You are on your honeymoon, why do you get so angry? I'm so glad I wasn't there for that.'

On Monday, Kyle also recalled a misunderstanding that occurred while he was at a local restaurant with Jackie and her pre-teen daughter, Kitty.

An older French man, described as a 'creep' by Kyle, approached their table and was 'pointing at Kitty's breasts' while rubbing his own chest suggestively.

'The kid's 12 years old!' exclaimed Kyle, who admitted he was outraged by the man's behaviour.

'I thought, "The predator's here, they don't even hide it,"' said the stunned host.

Jackie O Henderson questioned: 'You are on your honeymoon, why do you get so angry? I'm so glad I wasn't there for that'

'Approaching kids at tables. This is some bulls**t!'

However it later became clear that the man was actually gesturing at Kitty's singlet, which bore a logo for the prestigious US college, Georgetown.

'Anyway, apparently his granddaughter went to Georgetown and he wasn't saying anything about her breasts,' said Kyle.

'The language barrier is proving to be a problem here,' laughed Jackie, while Kyle admitted, 'I might end up in prison here before we get home [to Australia] because I'm overreacting to a lot of stuff.'
Four Weddings And A Funeral star Anna Chancellors daughter, Poppy, is receiving hands-on support from her friends as she undergoes chemotherapy treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia.

The 36-year-old illustrator and paper-cut artist, who disclosed last month that she had been diagnosed with cancer of the white blood cells, has shared this striking photograph.

She is pictured lying on a mattress covered in flower petals while her friends lay their hands on her. Healing ceremony with my witches/besties/comrades, she says, jokingly. Thank you for cheering me on.

Poppy  whose father, the East Lothian-born poet Jock Scot, died of cancer in 2016 aged 63  explained last month: After three weeks with multiple infections in hospital, I have been diagnosed with leukaemia. I am still very much processing my heartbreak.

In preparation for chemotherapy, she has shaved off her trademark bob hairstyle. Chemo ready, she says. Said goodbye to the bob today  end of an era. Grieving for my life before diagnosis  and coming to terms with all the bruises and needles is a challenge.

Powerful: The 36-year-old illustrator and paper-cut artist has shared this striking photograph

Support: Poppy Chancellor disclosed last month that she had been diagnosed with cancer of the white blood cells

Strength: She is pictured lying on a mattress covered in flower petals while her friends lay their hands on her

Family: Four Weddings And A Funeral star Anna Chancellor pictured with her daughter Poppy at the 2014 Olivier Awards Reception

Poppy has worked with major brands including Cath Kidston and Adidas. After studying illustration at Kingston University, in London, she attended the Royal Drawing School, established by King Charles. His Majesty is said to have one of her works which she gave him after attending an artists residency at Dumfries House, his stately home in Ayrshire.

Poppy has spoken fondly about her crazy childhood with her loving mother, 58, whom she described as her best friend.

Her parents split up when she was four and she lived with her mother in a basement flat in Shepherds Bush, West London. They would be seen out together on the party scene in trendy Ladbroke Grove nearby.
Andy Lee has been given the green light to begin a $5million renovation of the derelict Melbourne mansion he bought two years ago.

The comedian, 41, purchased the run-down Hawthorn property, which overlooks the Yarra River, for $8.5million in 2021 with hopes of transforming it into his dream home.

Despite some push-back from locals, Lee and his partner Rebecca Harding, 31, have now been granted council approval for the build, reports The Herald Sun.

The council will send the couple a notice of support for a development application that includes adding a second building to the 1876 Italianate mansion.

Some of the planned features Lee and Harding have outlined include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'.

Comedian Andy Lee (pictured) has been given the green light to begin a $5million renovation of the derelict Melbourne mansion he bought two years ago

Despite some push-back from locals, Lee and his partner Rebecca Harding, 31, (pictured in front of the home) have now been granted council approval for the build

In a statement to the publication, Boroondara Council confirmed it had issued a notice of decision to grant a planning permit for the Yarra Grove address.

Back in 2021, Lee's selling agent told the Herald Sun renovating the property was going to be a huge passion project for the popular TV presenter and his partner.

'It's probably going to be a lifetime passion, a generational home for them. They were drawn to the opportunity to renovate an original home,' they said.

The dilapidated Italianate style manor property, built in circa 1876, sits on a princely 2,000sqm lot and looks out onto the Yarra River.

All aspects of the property - bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and living spaces - will need updating as it has been neglected over the decades.

Meanwhile, Lee and Harding have battled rumours they have secretly wed for years.

Some of the planned features Lee has outlined include a home theatre, a gym, a pool, and a 'mega bedroom'

Engagement rumours were sparked in 2020 when Lee posted a photo of Harding hiding her left hand while celebrating her 30th birthday.

'Is there a ring she's hiding with her left sleeve?' one eagle-eyed follower wrote, keen to see if the pair were about to share exciting news.

They briefly split for six months back in 2016, and Rebecca spoke about their separation on The Lady Brunch.

'I was 24 when I met Andy, so still at uni and it was very different to my previous life. But anyway I got over that and now we are as happy as ever,' she said.
Kyle Sandilands is contemplating starting an OnlyFans account after discovering how much money he could make on the adult website.

The platform is mostly used by adult entertainers and sex workers, who set their own monthly subscription fee for their subscribers.

Former Married At First Sight star Ryan Gallagher recently started an account, which Kyle and Jackie 'O' Henderson were discussing on their KIIS FM show on Wednesday.

He charges his subscribers $15 a month to view his explicit content, which Kyle believes is 'too cheap'.

Jackie then asked the radio shock jock what he would charge for his OnlyFans if he was to make one.

Kyle said he would charge $100 monthly for his OnlyFans account (Kyle pictured using AI technology to show off a 'dad bod' that was shared on KIIS FM's social channels)

'I don't know... maybe $100 a month?' Kyle responded, which led to Jackie gasping at his high price.

However, the radio host confirmed if he were to charge that much he would include a 'full jerk off' on his site.

Despite her immediate shock, Jackie said that people 'will for sure' pay $100 to subscribe to Kyle's OnlyFans.

Season 10 MAFS bride Bronte Schofield (pictured) started an account in recent weeks, and has revealed that staggering sum of money that she has made already

Former Married At First Sight star Ryan Gallagher (pictured) recently set up an OnlyFans account, which Kyle and Jackie 'O' Henderson were discussing on their KIIS FM show on Wednesday

But the radio presenter said he would find it 'humiliating' to create an account on the adult-only website.

He added: 'I come across all tough but I've never videoed myself ever, I've never taken a d**k pic, I've never filmed myself having sex, ever.'

Ryan isn't the only MAFS star who has recently created an OnlyFans account.

Season 10 bride Bronte Schofield started one in recent weeks, and has revealed the staggering sum of money that she has made already.

In a video shared to her TikTok page, the Perth-based TV bride revealed she cashed in more than $100,000 in her first week on the platform.

'POV: You start an [OnlyFans] account for a lol and make $100,000 in 3 days,' she wrote over the video of her pretending to faint.

In a video shared to her TikTok page, the Perth-based TV bride revealed she cashed in more than $100,000 in her first week on the platform

Bronte added: 'Did it for the plot [and] here we are.'

The busty brunette was the first bride from this year's season of the Channel Nine dating show to announce that she was joining an OnlyFans.

Two other brides from season 10 are understood to have shut down their accounts after signing up to the show.

Bronte announced the news to her Instagram followers on Thursday by sharing a racy photo of herself in a skimpy pink bikini.
Lottie Moss is single and ready to mingle as she was spotted heading to Celebs Go Dating filming on Tuesday.

The Only Fans model showed off her inked physique in a racy crop top as she arrived at the show's HQ in London.

Showing off her tattoo collection, Lottie looked fab in her white crop top with a tasselled hem.

The Instagram sensation, 25, added ripped jeans and black platform heels to her look.

Lights, camera, action: Lottie Moss is single and ready to mingle as she was spotted heading to Celebs Go Dating filming on Tuesday

Single and ready to mingle: The Only Fans model showed off her inked physique in a racy crop top as she arrived at the show's HQ in London

The Celebs Go Dating line-up was revealed last week and alongside Lottie will star unlucky-in-love Vanessa Feltz and Love Island lothario Adam Collard.

Joining them on their journey will be Love Island's Chloe Burrows, comedian Spuddz and Made In Chelseas Mark-Francis Vandelli.

The reality stars will seek advice from dating experts Anna Williamson and Paul Carrick Brunson.

TikTok sensation Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn will appear on the show for the first time to dish out some expert advice.

Just days ago Vanessa revealed that in the 140 days since her relationship with her ex-fiance Ben Ofoedu, 50, broke down she has surrounded herself in the company of others as 'I'm just not being good on my own'.

Earlier this year, Vanessa revealed she had split from her partner of 17 years amid claims he'd been unfaithful and exchanged 'sex texts' with another woman, which he later confirmed.

But five months on, the This Morning star said she is ready to dip her toes into dating again in the hope of finding her 'Prince Charming' who is 'kind and honest'.

'It's been 20 weeks, I've been out every single night for 140 nights without fail, without a single exception. Meeting up with friends and family over to people's houses, out to films, if there's a premiere I've been to those, I've been to everything,' Vanessa told OK! Magazine.

Ready to film: Showing off her tattoo collection, Lottie looked fab in her white crop top with a tasselled hem

Inked: Lottie's eclectic tattoo collection was on show in her skimpy top

New venture: Lottie looked relaxed and happy as she hugged a friend outside the offices

Cast: The Celebs Go Dating line-up was revealed last week and alongside Lottie will star unlucky-in-love Vanessa Feltz and Love Island lothario Adam Collard

Expert help: The reality stars will seek advice from dating experts Anna Williamson and Paul Carrick Brunson

'I've found that's the way I can keep going, I'm just not good at being on my own - it's not in my DNA.

Elsewhere, Adam has revealed he hopes to settle down in the future and wants to get married 'as much as the next person'.

The Love Island star, 27, who split from girlfriend Paige Thorne earlier this year, earned a reputation as a lothario during his stint on the 2018 series and later returned for the 2022 series.

Speaking to The Sun, Adam acknowledged he has been 'ruthless' in past relationships but hopes to turn a new leaf.
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Daisy Lowe looked effortlessly stylish as she attended the star-studded Veronica Beard summer party at The Serpentine Pavilion in London on Tuesday night.

The model, 34, flashed some leg in a thigh-split khaki dress which featured thin straps and a polka dot design.

She completed the look with strappy nude heels and toted a matching bag as she posed for snaps.

Daisy wore her long dark tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for a natural makeup look to show off her pretty features.

Beauty: Daisy Lowe looked effortlessly stylish as she attended the star-studded Veronica Beard summer party at The Serpentine Pavilion in London on Tuesday night

Pretty: Elsewhere actress Jenna Coleman, 37, showed off her sense of style in a blue and red striped jacket and matching shorts

Outfit: The model, 34, flashed some leg in a thigh-split khaki dress which featured thin straps and a polka dot design

Elsewhere actress Jenna Coleman, 37, showed off her sense of style in a blue and red striped jacket and matching shorts.

To complete the ensemble she added silver shoes and wore her brunette tresses in a choppy bob.

Pregnant Roxy Horner was also in attendance and showed off her blossoming baby bump in a flowery dress.

It comes after Daisy gave some insights into being a new mum last month.

She took to social media once again to share sweet snaps with her baby daughter Ivy Love, who she shares with fiance Jordan Saul.

Snapping a selfie the star looked radiant as she posed for the camera with her bundle of joy laid on her chest.

Alongside the stunning snap, Daisy also posted pictures of the sky, an image of her 'first time baking as a mumma' and also a snap of her placenta pills.

Her caption read: 'Postcards from the newborn bubble that are soothing my soul no end... Ivy cuddles... Chasing the sunshine, blue skies and blossom... Placenta encapsulation from @birthbetter_withelona... My first time baking as a mumma'.

Ensemble: She completed the look with strappy nude heels and toted a matching bag as she posed for snaps

Glowing: Daisy wore her long dark tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for a natural makeup look to show off her pretty features

Out and about: It comes after Daisy gave some insights into being a new mum last month

Pose: She put on a confident display

Evening out: To complete the ensemble she added silver shoes and wore her brunette tresses in a choppy bob

Glowing: She looked as flawless as ever

Gorgeous: She looked as pretty as ever

Arrival: She made her way into the event

She had a Tiba + Marl x Etta Loves Sensory Muslin close by to wrap her little one in.

The week before she shared yet another a candid snap giving a peek into motherhood as she pumped milk from her breast and uploaded photos of her fiance Jordan Saul doting over their baby girl, Ivy Love.

Daisy called the breast pump her 'new secret weapon' and a 'game changer', five days after she announced she had given birth.

The former Strictly star also said seeing Jordan become a father has been the most 'beautiful and emotional experience'.

She wrote: 'Daddy appreciation post watching you for the past week dote on our baby girl has been the most beautiful & emotional experience.

'Your care for us both is beyond anything I could have ever wished for you are the greatest wind machine- keeping Ivy's tummy free and easy going

'You have made our home so clean and serene, filled my tummy with the yummiest meals & all the fuel to feed our girl & been such unwavering support for my hormonal tears, all the giggles and all the cuddles.

Expecting: Pregnant Roxy Horner was also in attendance and showed off her blossoming baby bump in a flowery dress

Beautiful: She flashed her legs in the thigh-skimming number

Summery: She dressed for the balmy weather

Tresses: She wore her blonde hair in perfect curls

Figure: She highlighted her lovely curves

Leggy display: She had her pins out

Strutting her stuff: She headed inside

Chic: Poppy Delevingne also looked stylish

Beaming: She looked in great spirits at the event

Shades: She wore huge sunglasses

Details: She toted a pearl bag

Busty: She wore a plunging white top

Invite: She headed into the summer party with her entourage

Simple: Hana Cross wore a white summer dress

Tanned: She sported a summer glow

Pose: She put on a confident display

Sexy: Amy Jackson wore a silk dress

Makeup: She opted for a vampy lip

Pink! Amber Le Bon flashed some leg

Pretty: She looked as glam as ever

'Thank you for doing everything in your power to keep our ship sailing peacefully. We are so lucky you are ours. We love you more than words could ever express x x x.'

Announcing their daughter's birth in April, Daisy wrote: 'Our Easter egg finally hatched! Ivy Love Saul you have made all my dreams come true - our dream girl.

'I have never known happiness or love like this. I can't stop crying tears of joy. Happy Easter Loves.'

Property developer Jordan also shared a post following their daughter's birth, writing: 'Welcome to the world Ivy Love Saul.'
Peter Stefanovic has slammed Prince Harry for making explosive claims about his brother William in his controversial memoir, Spare.

The Sky News host was discussing the Duke and his wife Meghan Markles' $20million Archetypes podcast being axed by Spotify on Tuesday when he criticised Harry on his 'boring' book.

'Harry's book is atrocious and just well boring. And I'm still stuck on the hanging your brother out to dry thing,' Peter began.

'But if he's happy making his money, trashing his family and being able to deal with his conscious, then good luck to him. Sounds like a swell guy.'

'Broken deals or not, they still make a lot of money out of it so they're laughing to the bank but for how long?'

Sky News host Peter Stefanovic has slammed Prince Harry for 'hanging his brother William out to dry' after the Duke trashed his family in his explosive memoir Spare

In his explosive memoir, Harry branded Prince William his 'arch-nemesis'.

The Duke kept nothing back when writing about his very complex feelings about his older sibling - laying bare his bitter frustrations over his role as the 'spare' to William, who is the heir to the throne.

Harry also accused William of physically attacking him and claimed that the Palace planted negative stories about Meghan in the media.

Peter was discussing the Duke and his wife Meghan Markles' $20million Archetypes podcast being axed by Spotify when he criticised Harry on his 'boring' book

In an interview with Good Morning America in January, Harry admitted he always felt there's been 'this competition' between the two siblings, which he blames on their respective positions in the line of succession.

'There's a quote in the book where your refer to your brother as your "beloved brother and arch-nemesis". Strong words. What did you mean by that?' host Michael Strahan asked.

Harry then responded: 'There has always been this competition between us, weirdly. I think it really plays into or always played by the "heir/spare".'

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Markle's Spotify podcast Archetypes will not be renewed for a second season.

The streaming giant and the Sussexes released a joint statement saying they have 'mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together'.

But Bill Simmons, Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization at Spotify, condemned the pair in an episode of his own podcast on Friday.

'The f***ing grifters. That's the podcast we should have launched with them,' he said. 'I've got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories.'
Your Home Made Perfect

Rating:

Jay Blades' East End Through Time

Rating:

Are you outgrowing your home? Is the kitchen poky? Are there too many of you to squeeze easily onto the sofa?

Angela Scanlon has the answer. All you need is a little imaginative design, a set of 3D virtual reality goggles . . . and a spare 175,000.

Parents Yesim and Hasan called in Angela and her architects on Your Home Made Perfect (BBC2) to redesign their 1920s semi in Enfield, North London. They wanted light, elbow room and a hint of cruise ship glamour, and they reckoned they had a budget of 80 grand to cover the work.

Donning headsets, they explored two visions of how their downstairs rooms could be knocked through and extended. Architect Julian proposed a sunken dining room and a TV hidden behind sliding doors, which was very 1970s chic  all it needed was zebra-skin rugs and you could invite Joan Collins round for a Cinzano Bianco.

Your Home Made Perfect - Angela & Architects: Behind: Lizzie Fraher, Damion Burrows, Laura Jane Clark, Julian McIntosh In Front: Will Foster, Angela Scanlon, Lynsey Elliot

The couple opted instead for the vision of Julians rival Will, who proposed a pyramid-shaped glass roof dripping with greenery, and a marble-topped kitchen island so vast that the family of four ended up using it as their dining table.

Yesim called it the most magical thing ever. By the time the work was finished, theyd spent more than double their budget: 146,000 on the construction and another 30k on the kitchen. I bet their builders thought that was the most magical thing ever too.

When you consider that the BBC must have covered the costs of Wills design, along with all the computer graphics, the real bill must have been close to 200,000, practically the average price of an entire house in Newcastle or Liverpool.

Yesim and Hasan deserve their beautiful home, of course  its their money. But with mortgage rates spiralling and the cost of living sky-high, this show is sheer fantasy for all but the wealthiest viewers.

The only affordable moment in the entire hour came when Will showed Angela how to build a durable bridge from a single sheet of paper. By folding it into a concertina, balanced between two blocks of wood, he was able to load it with a packet of biscuits, a plate, an orange and a kettle. It stayed standing until Angela added one item too many, a wooden brush.

If youre building bridges, the architect to ask is Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who featured in Jay Blades East End Through Time (Ch5). The brilliant engineer, who went on to build steam ships and railway stations, learned his trade as apprentice to his father, Marc, on the construction of the first tunnel under the Thames, between Rotherhithe and Wapping.

If youre building bridges, the architect to ask is Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who featured in Jay Blades East End Through Time

Young Brunel Jr nearly didnt survive the experience. The tunnel flooded, drowning two workers and almost sweeping another to his death  Isambard himself.

Jay makes no pretence at being a historian, but hes a willing listener and the show moves at a good pace, cramming the stories in. He learned about the murders of Jack the Ripper, heard of the horrific conditions endured by 19th-century women making matches in Londons biggest factory, and visited the splendid Abbey Mills pumping station, known as the mosque in the marsh or the cathedral of sewage.

He also sat down for pie and mash with the Pearly King of Mile End, John Scott, to brush up on his rhyming slang. Ever wondered why the men of EastEnders call their womenfolk Duchess? Its short for the Duchess of Fife, or wife.

John taught Jay ones and twos for shoes. I call them didgeries, Jay said, or didgeridoos.

It evolves, said John. Doesnt mean youre wrong  but youre not right.
Things are heating up in the MasterChef Australia kitchen this year, as 18 contestants battle for a chance at winning culinary gold.

And while the finale still looms on the horizon, insiders have already shared their predictions as to who will be crowned the winner.

Speaking to New Idea magazine on Wednesday, eliminated contestant Antonio revealed he has a strong suspicion about who will make it to the finals.

'They are all amazing, so I know that any one of them can actually make it. [But] I would love to see Declan or Rhiannon [in the final two],' the Venezuelan-born chef revealed.

Meanwhile, evictee Grace told WHO magazine that she predicts Brent or Theo will reign victorious.

MasterChef contestants have shared their predictions as to who will be crowned the winner this season. (L-R: Judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo)

Speaking to New Idea magazine on Wednesday,eeliminated contestant Antonio revealed he has a strong suspicion about who will make it to the finals: Declan (left) and Rhiannon (right)

Who is still competing on MasterChef Australia 2023? The following contestants are still in the running to win MasterChef, as of June 21, 2023. Adi Nevgi

Brent Draper

Cath Collins

Declan Cleary

Malissa Fedele

Rhiannon Anderson

Rue Mupedzi

Theo Loizou Advertisement

It comes as Ten continues its search for contestants to appear on the next season of MasterChef.

No filming dates have been set for the new season, but applicants have been told they must be over the age of 18 by the time October 16 comes around.

There is still no word on who will be replacing Jock as judge following his tragic death.

Jock died on May 1 aged 46. He was laid to rest in a private funeral in Sydney in May, surrounded by 200 family and friends.

There are also swirling rumours that hosts Melissa Leong and Andy Allen could be planning to quit the show as they continue to grapple with the tragic death of their co-star.

Some fans are convinced the entire hosting panel may be replaced altogether.

'Has anyone ever thought, 'What if Mel and Andy decide not to continue being judges next season?'' one Facebook user wrote on a MasterChef fan page last week

'That crossed my mind too,' another user wrote.
Scammers are continuing to spread false photos of David 'Kochie' Koch being arrested by police following his retirement.

The TV veteran, who quit Sunrise earlier this month, has regularly been the face of scam images that are generated by AI.

A recent image circulating Facebook shows what appears to be Kochie, 67, smiling while being placed under arrest and escorted by police.

The image has also been plastered with 9News' logo and the phrase: 'Breaking News'.

'Why didn't he tell the truth sooner?' the fake caption read.

Scammers are continuing to spread false photos of David 'Kochie' Koch being arrested by police following his retirement. The TV veteran, who quit Sunrise earlier this month, has fallen victim to becoming the face of scam images that are generated by AI

'Kochie didn't know the camera was still recording... Is this the end of his career?'

Another post sees a poorly Photoshopped Kochie being carried by the wrists and ankles by police officers.

'The scandal the [sic] left everybody shocked,' the super read.

It isn't the first time Kochie's face has been used in an attempt to scam social media users.

Another post sees a poorly Photoshopped Kochie being carried by the wrists and ankles by police officers

He was the subject of multiple cryptocurrency scams that used false reports of his death to dupe people out of thousands of dollars.

In April, a sloppily edited image of Koch looking distraught was shared as police officers drag him away.

'Thousands flock to ATMs after Kochie's arrest,' read the false headline.

In the same month, Kochie was targeted by a cruel death hoax when criminals used his image and fake news of his passing to scam people out of thousands.

He was bombarded with 'tributes' over the weekend when a Twitter post announcing his death went viral, Crikey reported.

It isn't the first time Kochie's face has been used in an attempt to scam social media users

Originating from a hacked account, the tweet included a link redirecting users to a cryptocurrency scam featuring fraudulent celebrity endorsements purporting to be from the likes of Koch, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and others.

'Although saying goodbye is never easy, we take comfort in knowing that Kochie lived a full and meaningful life, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, warmth and compassion,' the scam tweet read.

The message was accompanied by a black and white photo of Koch looking distraught with his hands over his face.

He has previously been the subject of multiple cryptocurrency scams that used false reports of his death to dupe people out of thousands. These hoaxes have now diversified to include deceptive links alleging Kochie has been arrested for financial crimes

The TV veteran was targeted by a cruel death hoax when criminals used his image and fake news of his passing to scam people out of thousands of dollars

Koch retweeted the post and assured his followers that despite taking a week off work at the time, he was 'alive and well'.

'Just for clarity, I'm alive and well and enjoying AFL's Gather Round in Adelaide with all my family. This stuff is really giving me the s**ts,' he said.

Koch has asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) if there is anything he can do about these scams, but was told they will continue to pop up if people keep falling for them.

The owner of the Twitter account, Kimberly Ramirez, told Crikey she 'had no idea' her hacked account was spreading a crypto scam under the guise of a tribute to Koch.

Koch retweeted the post and assured his followers that despite taking a week off work at the time, he was 'alive and well'

She went on to say she had received an email from Twitter alerting her to a login attempt on her account. The email stated the hacker could have accessed her account from Lake Forest, Illinois.

Kochie officially departed Sunrise after a record 21 years on the show. He has been replaced by former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington, 44.

'I have loved every single minute of it and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved here over the last 21 years,' he said during his announcement last month.

'I've been privileged to experience so many great adventures, to meet so many different people and to meet so many different people and to cover so many moments of history in the making. It really is the world's best job.'
John Goodman showed off his newly svelte physique as he attended The Golden Nymphs event in Monte-Carlo on Tuesday.

The Emmy-winning actor looked dapper on the red carpet in a fitted black suit and bowtie.

The 70-year-old actor - who has lost an incredible 200lbs over the years - was freshly shaven and styled his short hair parted to the side.

The comedian vowed to overhaul his lifestyle and lose weight in 2007.

And Goodman proved that he'd stuck to his plan as he displayed his much slimmer physique in Monaco over the weekend and attended the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival, where he served as the jury president.

Incredible: John Goodman - who has lost 200lbs over the years - looked almost unrecognizable as he posed on the red carpet at The Golden Nymphs event

Transformation: The Emmy-winning actor looked dapper on the red carpet in a fitted black suit and bowtie. He is pictured right in 2004

The Rosanne star started his journey in 2007 when he stopped drinking, but his trainer then took him to a new weight loss and fitness level.

According to his trainer, he introduced the star to a 'Mediterranean-style eating plan' that focuses on fish, nuts, olive oil, vegetables, and fruit.

John also exercises six days a week, taking 10,000 to 12,000 steps daily and using an elliptical bicycle and treadmill.

The actor has always been open about his love of food, saying to People: 'It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your a*s and figure out what you're going to eat next.

In 2016, John told Howard Stern: 'I took it slow. I just wanted to change my lifestyle.'

He explained that his new way of living is 'an ongoing process for the rest of my life.

The star revealed that he previously would look in the mirror every day and think: 'I gotta deal with this the rest of the day, I gotta deal with this schmuck?''

The following year he told ABC of his weight loss: 'In the old days, I would take three months out, lose 60 or 70 pounds, and then reward myself with a six-pack or whatever and just go back to my old habits.'

However, he decided he was really going to be disciplined this time and do things differently.

Lifestyle overhaul: The comedian made a vow to overhaul his lifestyle and lose weight back in 2007 and has stuck to his plan, leading to his much slimmer physique

Having fun: The comedian was seen making Italian actress Francesca Chillemi and actor Shane West laugh on the red carpet

(L-R) Goodman, Francesca Chillemi, and Shane West

Candid: The actor has always been open about his love of food, having said in the past, 'It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your a*s and figure out what you're going to eat next' (pictured in 2003)

'This time, I wanted to do it slowly. Move, exercise. I'm getting to the age where I can't afford to sit still anymore.'

As part of his lifestyle overhaul, the actor ditched alcohol and, in 2018, told AARP: 'It was basically just portion control, and I don't need it. I was just shoving everything into my mouth.'

Speaking about his alcohol addiction, John told Rolling Stone magazine: 'All that anger was fueled by fear, and the drinking was because it was fun.

'But I was probably born an alcoholic. But most of the anger's gone. If I don't watch the news, I'm cool.'
Neighbours has been snubbed by the Logie Awards this year after it failed to receive a single nomination, causing an uproar among the series' devoted fanbase.

Despite the show ending its 2022 broadcast with the highest rating of any Australian drama, the Channel 10 show failed to receive any recognition during Monday's nomination announcement.

Disappointed with the news, fans took to social media to call out organisers.

'How come @TVWEEKmag and #TheLogies hate Neighbours so much? The show the highest rating of any Australian drama that year and not a single nomination - Popular or Outstanding,' one fan vented.

'Neighbours once again missing out on a Logie nom is disappointing but at this point not surprising - it's come to be expected,' a second wrote.

Long-running Aussie soap Neighbours has been snubbed by the Logie Awards this year after it failed to receive a single nomination, causing an uproar among the series' devoted fanbase

Despite the show ending its 2022 broadcast with the highest rating of any Australian drama, the Channel 10 show failed to receive any recognition during Monday's nomination announcement. (Pictured : the 2022 cast)

Despite the show's limited airing during the period of eligibility, the fan argued, 'We know Neighbours doesn't need a recent Logie nom/win in order to thrive & survive.'

Others expressed hope that the show's revival will spur enough buzz to garner attention for next year's Logie Awards.

The fan optimistically tweeted, 'Let's hype the revival up enough that it'll get a look-in for next year's Logies and show the industry Neighbours continues to be an important part of the Aussie television industry.'

Disappointed with the news, fans took to social media to call out organisers. 'Neighbours once again missing out on a Logie nom is disappointing but at this point not surprising - it's come to be expected,' one fan vented

Outrage was not limited to the show's overall snub but extended to specific actors as well.

'How on earth has Ryan Maloney never won a Logie?!' another asked incredulously.

'Dear @TVWEEKmag If #JackieWoodburne doesn't get a GOLD Logie this year for Finale monologue alone then fans will riot!' another added before nominations were announced.

Outrage was not limited to the show's overall snub but extended to specific actors as well

Fans even turned to humour in their responses.

One fan cleverly riffed on the show's iconic theme song, commenting 'Logies, everybody needs good Logies // With a little understanding // You can find the perfect blend // Logies should be there for one another // That's when good Logies become good friends.'

Despite the disappointment, the overall sentiment among the fans remains positive and supportive of the show.

It comes after one of Neighbours' longest-serving cast members slammed the organisers of the last year's awards for failing to give the Aussie soap a proper send-off when the show wrapped filming after 37 years. Ryan Moloney, who plays Jarrod 'Toadfish' Rebecchi, said that he was 'incredibly disappointed' by the lacklustre tribute put together for the ceremony

It comes after one of Neighbours' longest-serving cast members has slammed the organisers of the last year's awards for failing to give the Aussie soap a proper send-off when the show wrapped filming after 37 years.

Neighbours was barely mentioned at TV's night of nights, with the cast and crew having to sit through a short highlight reel and brief speech by two former stars.

Ryan Moloney, who plays Jarrod 'Toadfish' Rebecchi, said that he was 'incredibly disappointed' by the lacklustre tribute put together for the ceremony.

He told 2Day FM's Hughesy, Ed and Erin the Neighbours cast members who were invited to the Logies all had bad seats with cameras obstructing their view of the stage.

The Ramsay Street veteran, 42, also said it was unfair that two former Neighbours stars, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Daniel MacPherson, were invited on stage to share their memories of the soap, instead of an actor currently on the series.

Moloney said the entire 2022 cast should have been invited on stage to say one final goodbye to their peers after the show was cancelled in March.

He also revealed cast members from rival soap Home and Away had approached the Neighbours crew to say how shocked they were by the lack of a proper tribute.

'We turned up, and we did our mandatory three-hour talking to people on the red carpet... When we got in the room we ended up being split up and stuck on two different tables, it was horrible!' Moloney said.

Neighbours was axed after the UK's Channel 5 decided in March not to renew its contract with production company Fremantle to finance and broadcast the series. (Pictured: Ryan Moloney)

'Our table was actually even stuck behind the cameras; we couldn't even see the stage. It was incredibly disappointing the package they put together.'

Moloney went on to say the cast deserved a chance to come on stage to say their last goodbyes after the highlight reel of Neighbours' most memorable moments.

'Daniel and Nat are just absolutely gorgeous people and absolutely nothing against them, but we've got people who have been on TV for nearly 30 years each, and I think probably the least they could do is get us to say something,' he said.

'I mean we're in the bloody [Logies] Hall of Fame. That's not how you treat people and a show that's in the Hall of Fame. I mean, good luck to the Logies, really.'

Moloney (pictured with co-star Stefan Dennis at the Logies) told 2Day FM the Neighbours stars who were invited to the Logies had bad seats with cameras obstructing their view of the stage

After the ceremony, leading industry blogger David Knox of TV Tonight said the show's cast should've been invited on stage to take a bow during the on-air tribute.

'Only a week ago the show wrapped 37 years of production, unsurpassed in Australian drama history,' Mr Knox wrote after the ceremony.

'That cast should have been on the stage and taken a bow,' he said.

'The entire room would have given them a standing ovation. The Home and Away team would have been their biggest fans on the night.'
A bizarre rumour is circulating about Ian 'Molly' Meldrum's wilder years living in 1970s London.

This week, The Source alleged that the veteran music icon secretly married an Australian woman named Lynne in a star-studded wedding ceremony almost 50 years ago.

The 80-year-old presenter, who is bisexual, was apparently living with Lynne when they decided to marry in a civil ceremony, although it's unclear whether they were dating at the time.

According to publication, a 'prominent Melbourne figure' who attended the ceremony recently lifted the lid on what really happened in a lengthy social media post.

'Molly decided he was going to get married to [Lynne]. So a civil ceremony wedding was arranged and he asked me and a guy who was involved with the English band, Slade, to be his 2 witnesses,' the guest apparently wrote.

Ian 'Molly' Meldrum, 80, (pictured) secretly married an Australian woman named Lynne almost 50 years ago, a report alleged this week. Molly is pictured in February 2023

They claimed there were around 25 guests, most of whom were 'Australian and English people in the music industry.'

'I don't know what happened to the wedding photos, or his marriage, but I signed his marriage certificate as a witness,' they added.

The user then alleged that Molly married the woman to 'upset his good friend Elton John', although it's unclear how it would have impacted him.

They claimed that there were around 25 guests, most of whom were 'Australian and English people in the music industry'. Molly is pictured in 1987

The user then alleged that Molly married the woman to 'upset his good friend Elton John' (left), although it's unclear how it would have impacted him. Elton and Molly are pictured together in 1990

Lynne is allegedly still alive, and according to The Source, even commented on the post: 'Thanks for the memories'.

However, another source told the publication that Molly and Lynne's wedding wasn't legal, and was simply an 'excuse for a party'.

Molly is currently in a long-term relationship with businessman Yan Wongngam.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Molly for comment.
Angela White has opened up about her life before working as one of the world's biggest porn star.

The Australian adult film actress, 38, explained how she'd worked two jobs before her 'current job' in the sex industry.

Speaking on the Only Stans podcast with Glenny Balls, White said she'd previously worked at designer department store David Jones, as well as Burger King - which is known as Hungry Jack's in Australia.

Reflecting on her 'most fond memory' of working at the fast-food restaurant, she explained she always enjoyed working at the drive-thru as it was the easiest way to pick up.

'I worked the drive-thru. And the drive-thru was a really great way to flirt with customers because it's sort of away from the boss,' she said.

Angela White has opened up about her life before working as a porn star, revealing all her past places of employment

When asked if she ever had sex with any of the customers, White confirmed she did the deed with a customer in the car park.

'So you met him in the drive thru and f**ked in the parking lot?' Glenny Balls asked. 'That is awesome. Good for him!'

'I mean, it was just a quickie. Fun,' White added.

Reflecting on her 'most fond memory' of working at the fast food restaurant Hungry Jacks, AKA Burger King, she explained she always enjoyed working at the drive-thru as it was the easiest way to pick up

It comes after White, who has appeared in more than 900 hardcore scenes, left fans devastated as it was revealed she could soon turn her back on the porn industry.

After several high-profile TV and podcast appearances, the adult film star seems to be angling for a career in mainstream media or academia.

She hinted at her future career path last month when she spoke at a conference at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

When asked if she ever had sex with any of the customers, White confirmed she did the deed with a customer in the car park

White posed for a photo on Instagram next to social sciences and media studies professor Constance Penley.

'Academic pursuit remains an interest of mine and something I wish to return to in the future,' she wrote in the caption.

During the college lecture, White spoke to film studies students about her career.

Not only does White have an extensive body of work in adult cinema, but she also holds a degree in gender studies from the prestigious University of Melbourne.

The performer, who popularised the sex position 'The Angela', took part in a question and answer session with students after her speech.

It comes after White, who has appeared in more than 900 hardcore scenes, left fans devastated as it was revealed she could soon turn her back on the porn industry

'This is my third time as a guest speaker at this film studies class that approaches pornography as worthy of serious inquiry as a genre and as popular culture,' she said after the lecture.

White thanked the students for their 'well-informed, thought-provoking questions' about her 'career as a performer and director' as well as her academic research.

'While it has been a number of years since my research dissertation was published in The Routledge Companion to Media, Sex, and Sexuality, academic pursuit remains an interest of mine and something I wish to return to in the future,' she added.
Kim Kardashian opened up about a parenting decision she made after her daughter North posted a TikTok clip in which she was lip-syncing to rapper Ice Spice.

The reality star, 42, spoke with Time magazine in a piece published Tuesday about her decision to remove the clip that North, 10, posted this past March.

'As soon as I saw the words, I was like, "Oh no, we're taking this down,"' she said.

The mom-of-four - she and ex-husband Kanye West, 46, are also parents to son Saint, seven, daughter Chicago, five, and son Psalm, four - said that some users told her that West 'was right' after he publicly criticized her last year for letting North have a TikTok account.

'Maybe he was in that instance,' she said, 'but she loves making slime videos and doing her little hair tutorials, and I will fight for her to be creative.'

The latest: Kim Kardashian, 42, opened up about a parenting decision she made after her daughter North, 10, posted a TikTok clip in which she was lip-syncing to rapper Ice Spice. The pair were pictured last month

She said that while the clip of North's lip-syncing of the Ice Spice collaboration with PinkPantheress Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2 was not appropriate, she feels that the social media platform is a positive outlet for the child's creativity.

After North posted the clip, some users cited Kanye's 2022 interview on the Hollywood Unlocked podcast in which he said, 'My children ain't going to be on TikTok without my permission.'

Kardashian in the Time interview opened up about the challenges of raising children with West when they're not on the same page about certain issues.

'I think it's always tough when you're co-parenting and someone wants something and someone doesn't,' she said. 'I think that's the trial and error sometimes.

'It's always a compromise. No one's always gonna agree, and you just have to do the best as you can as a parent to try to protect your kids, but also let them be creative.'

Kardashian, who has done business with Ice Spice - featuring her in a SKIMS campaigns - said that she learned of the rapper's work through her eldest daughter.

'Every day, the kids get to switch up whose music they want to plug in and listen to on the way to school, and North was listening to Ice Spice, and I didn't know who that was at the time,' Kardashian said. 'And I was like, this is the moment where I feel really old where my daughter is now teaching me what's cool.

'I then had the idea to put her in a SKIMS campaign, so that all came through North and what she likes.'

Ice Spice, 23, was pictured onstage at the Governors Ball Music Festival 2023 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on June 9 in New York City

She said that while the clip of North's lip-syncing of the Ice Spice collaboration with PinkPantheress Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2 was not appropriate, she feels that the social media platform is a positive outlet for the child's creativity.

The mother and daughter were seen in LA last month celebrating North's 10th birthday

'I then had the idea to put her in a SKIMS campaign, so that all came through North and what she likes.'

Kardashian went into detail late last year about nurturing North's artistic endeavors using TikTok as a platform.

'The way that she is so creative, the way that she loves to do TikTok and do these videos, and she'll take my phone and do skincare stuff,' she told Gwyneth Paltrow on The goop podcast in December.

Kardashian said North took an interest in special effects makeup: 'She'll be doing scars and faces and bullet wounds - she takes classes on it, and that's what she loves to do, so she loves to show it.'

Kardashian explained the rules she laid down to North about having an account.

'I have made a rule with their dad about it - he's not happy about that,' she said. 'I respect that. But it can only be on my phone. And it's not something where she can scroll and look at things ... we don't do comments.'

Kardashian said that the family's social media experiments have not always been successful, as an Instagram account North hoped to showcase their dogs on 'only lasted like two days.'

She said the account gave 'just too much access,' compromising their privacy.

She added, 'I found a groove with her TikTok, as long as it's me and her together and I'm there. That works for now. But it's a crazy world, I don't deny that.'
Shes not one to shy away from flaunting her body.

And former Playboy model Carla Howe did just that as she was spotted on a day down in London's Mayfair on Tuesday.

The stunner, 32, put on a very busty display in a sheer bikini top as she showcased her assets on a stroll through the city.

Carla completed the patterned co-ord with a microscopic mini-skirt and draped Balero jacket leaving little to the imagination.

The British beauty styled her blonde tresses into loose curls and sported a bronzed make-up palette.

Hot stuff: Playboy model Carla Howe, 32, put on a very busty display as she was spotted on a day down in London's Mayfair on Tuesday

Hot stuff: The stunner slipped into sheer bikini top as she showcased her assets on a stroll through the city.

Carla strutted her stuff in a pair of white Christian Louboutin heels and toted a mini red leather Burberry bag costing a whopping 1,000.

The outing comes after controversial British influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan were indicted on human trafficking and rape charges in Romania.

The brothers - along with Romanian women Luana Radu and Georgiana Naghel - are under house arrest after being detained in the country last year.

The anti-organised crime prosecution's unit (DIICOT) 'ordered the indictment' of the four defendants for offences, including 'setting up an organised criminal group... trafficking in persons... rape', they said.

Carla previously spoke to friends, claiming that Andrew had tried to lure her to his Romanian hideaway.

She said she was shocked and feels that she had a lucky escape after the disgraced influencer was arrested with his brother last month and subsequently two others in connection with alleged human trafficking and rape.

The blonde model was left 'horrified' as shocking details emerged of how Romanian prosecutors were investigating four suspects for allegedly keeping six women under 'house arrest 24/7 like prisoners'.

Prosecutors in Romania said the brothers allegedly recruited the women on social media platforms and persuaded them to travel to his 600,000 secret bolthole in Bucharest by falsely professing love for them.

Saucy: Carla completed the patterned co-ord with a microscopic mini skirt and showed off her long toned legs

Stylish: She also wore a draped Balero jacket leaving little to the imagination

Pose: The sexy ensemble hugged every inch of her incredible figure

Thong: Carla sent temperatures soaring as she teased a hint of her lingerie beneath

The women - including an American citizen - were allegedly held at the property with employees shadowing their every move before being forced to take part in online pornographic videos.

Carla told friends how she believed she may have been one of the intended victims as the tactics bore a chilling similarity to the way Romanian prosecutors alleged Tate and his brother tried to strike up a relationship with the victims.

Carla confided how Tate showered her with compliments and romantic messages after they began to chat online when he sent a private message to her Instagram account last February.

But she claimed she quickly learned of a darker side of his character when his messages became 'controlling and aggressive'.

She told friends how he tried to ban her from going on holiday to Spain with a girlfriend and insisted she had to 'obey' him.

Despite her concerns their chats continued but their communications stopped abruptly when Tate was banned from the social media platform.
Sandra Lee took to social media to honor her late Uncle Bill and Aunt Peggy with separate touching tributes for both of them.

The 56-year-old TV chef posted on Saturday on Instagram about her uncle's recent death along with a slideshow featuring pictures of them together.

'This is the saddest things I will ever write. My wonderful Uncle Bill has passed away. He was a Father to me, My only real Dad,' Lee wrote in the caption for her roughly 130,000 followers.

'As an infant I came home from the hospital to He and my Aunts house, I lived there on & off as a baby. In that same bedroom, where I slept as a toddler, I started my company after they came to Wisc.. to get me from school. I was alone. My Uncle was my mentor, my protector, my facilitator, my confidant, my best friend. He smiled when I was nice, but when I was naughty, he would burst in bold thunderous laughter,' she added.

Lee in her tribute recalled their travels together and the times they shared coffee and cocktails.

In mourning: Sandra Lee took to social media to honor her late Uncle Bill and Aunt Peggy with separate touching tributes for both of them.

'He was strong, brave & brilliant in every way. I will miss him every moment of every day,' she wrote.

Lee also shared a tribute on Monday on Instagram for her Aunt Peggy who died '5 months & 21 days' before her Uncle Bill.

'How are they both gone. One day she was here, the next not. Shock-denial, Uncle Bill was paralyzed in grief-They were The Notebook! Inseparable Playmates, Life-mates, Sole-mates. My Aunt did amazing things,' Lee wrote along with a slideshow of her late aunt.

Lee wrote about Peggy's expertise at quilting and her special relationship with her Uncle Bill.

'She held the first cameras capturing me & my flower arrangements, sat for my Christmas video cover, told me to NOT be discouraged when no one believed in Semi-Homemade,' Lee posted.

Lee wrote that Peggy suffered from dementia and 'went to the hospital for a UTI and never came back.' Peggy died of a heart attack and left her family devastated.

'Saying 'Thank you for Everything' seems insignificant but the gratefulness is endless. She is irreplaceable. I will always love you so Auntie!,' Lee concluded.

Lee also posted on Tuesday on social media about missing Aunt Peg and Uncle Bill.

TV chef: The 56-year-old TV chef, shown in May 2022 in New York City, posted on Saturday on Instagram about her uncle's recent death along with a slideshow featuring pictures of them together

Father figure: Lee in her Instagram post revealed that Uncle Bill was a father to her

Touching tribute: The Food Network star in her tribute recalled their travels together and the times they shared coffee and cocktails

Amazing aunt: Lee also shared a tribute on Monday on Instagram for her Aunt Peggy who died '5 months & 21 days' before her Uncle Bil

Close bond: 'Saying 'Thank you for Everything' seems insignificant but the gratefulness is endless. She is irreplaceable. I will always love you so Auntie!,' Lee concluded

'Devastating is the only way to describe the first Fathers Day and Mothers Day without my Aunt Peg and Uncle Bill. They became my focus after my Cancer was over and my Uncles was diagnosed. Then came his ongoing heart failure, THAT'S A ROLLER COASTER In and out of the hospital-operations, procedures, rehab. I WILLED him to live as much as he did. HE LOVED LIFE! We sat in hospitals, doctors offices and clinics together. Then went for Ice cream or a stiff drink, depending,' she wrote along with pictures of the couple.

'He had everything he needed and more than he wanted as all he wanted was my Aunt Peggy. His heart broke when hers stopped. My Aunt Peg went to heaven 5 months AND 21 days before he did. I haven't been able to say it out loud without a watershed of tears. They were parents to me! Both in different ways, Together the perfect pair,' Lee added.

She wrote about their love for each other and of a river boat cruise through Europe that ended with snow after a Christmas Eve ball.

'Married at 17 and 19 they remarried at 80 and 83 respectively, BOY DID WE CELEBRATE. They loved us all-we loved them. Everyday I will say Thank you Aunt Peggy and Uncle Bill! Always and Forever Thank You!,' Lee wrote.

Lee is is known for her 'Semi-Homemade' cooking concept, which she has described as using 70 percent pre-packaged products and 30 percent fresh items.

She was in a relationship with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, 65, from 2005 to 2019.

Lee has been in a relationship with Algerian actor actor Ben Youcef, real name Abdulwahab Benyoucef, since March 2021.

Missing them: Lee also posted on Tuesday about missing Aunt Peg and Uncle Bill

Long marriage: 'Married at 17 and 19 they remarried at 80 and 83 respectively, BOY DID WE CELEBRATE. They loved us all-we loved them. Everyday I will say Thank you Aunt Peggy and Uncle Bill! Always and Forever Thank You!,' Lee wrote

Her parents: 'He had everything he needed and more than he wanted as all he wanted was my Aunt Peggy. His heart broke when hers stopped. My Aunt Peg went to heaven 5 months AND 21 days before he did. I haven't been able to say it out loud without a watershed of tears. They were parents to me! Both in different ways, Together the perfect pair,' Lee added
Home and Away viewers were stunned when fan favourite Kyle Shilling's character Mali was shown being blown off his feet by a violent explosion in an episode earlier this month.

And now producers have released behind-the-scenes footage that uncovers the ingenious special effects involved in creating the graphic sequence.

The clip, released to TikTok, shows the effect of Kyle being blown up was done by having the 28-year-old actor use a small trampoline to launch himself into the air.

Gym mats were used to protect Kyle from injury, as the actor was then seen falling through the air and landing on his back.

Home and Away viewers were stunned when fan favourite Kyle Shilling's character Mali was shown being blown off his feet by a violent explosion in an episode of the hit show earlier this month (pictured)

And now producers have released behind-the-scenes footage that uncovers the ingenious special effects involved in creating the graphic sequence. Pictured: Kyle launches himself into the air using a trampoline to simulate the impact of a bomb blast

Meanwhile, a 'flash' lighting effect was used to simulate the bomb blast.

A large blue screen was also used so that Kyle's fall could then be 'inserted' into a scene of an actual explosion.

Fans took to social media to praise the creators behind the violent scene.

One viewer messaged: 'This is awesome to see behind the scenes and how it all works! Thanks for sharing.'

'Oh this so so cool!' another fan gushed.

'So interesting to see how it all comes together behind the scenes,' another viewer added.

Kyle later spoke to 7Life about filming the scary looking scene, calling it, 'hands-down the most full-on day I've ever had when it comes to filming'

The scene as it appears in the finished episode

Kyle later spoke to 7Life about filming the scary looking scene, calling it, 'hands-down the most full-on day I've ever had when it comes to filming'.

He added, 'I'm lucky I was surrounded by such an amazing crew and an awesome director.

'It really shows the character's love for his friends. Having the opportunity as an actor to execute a performance like this is a dream come true.'

In the dramatic Home and Away storyline, Kyle's character Mali was trying to save his friends after learning a bomb was about to devastate Summer Bay.
Zendaya has hired a former Take Me Out contestant as her new bodyguard.

The Hollywood star, 26, famed for her role in Marvel's Spider-Man films, has reportedly enlisted the services of an ex-Royal Marine called Joel, who once appeared on the ITV dating show back in 2019.

And Joel was seen by her side as she enjoyed a private shopping spree at a Vivienne Westwood store in London last week.

While he also minded the Euphoria actress at a Bulgari event in Venice last month.

During his time on Take Me Out, presented by Paddy McGuinness, Joel described himself as a 'real life action man looking for an outdoorsy kind of girl, who does also like a cosy night'.

Let the reality star see the A-lister! Zendaya has hired a former Take Me Out contestant as her new bodyguard.

TV star: The Hollywood star, 26, has reportedly enlisted the services of an ex-Royal Marine called Joel, who once appeared on the ITV dating show back in 2019

The hunk, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, told the ladies: 'My shirt is always crisp; my meal is always served on time. I may have a tough job, but Ill also make the perfect house husband.'

And while he initially made a great impression with most of the ladies keeping their lights on, some girls quickly switched off when he declared he treats his housework like a military operation.

In his VT, Joel told the ladies that he loved fancy dress and was even seen on a night out with his pals dressed in a hotdog costume.

He then added to the camera: 'Let this tough guy show you his soft side.'

Meanwhile, in the next round, he further impressed the women when he showcased his muscular arms after stripping to his black vest to undertake the Take Me Out assault course.

The challenge then saw Joel hop over logs, clamber across monkey bars, do press-ups and climb a rope - much to the delight of watchers.

Last week Joel stood guard as Zendaya proved her Hollywood status as she closed two Vivienne Westwood stores in London for a private shopping spree.

The actress left a queue of shoppers waiting outside during the heatwave on Thursday as she browsed the racks of designer goods with her stylist Law Roach.

Protection: Joel was seen by her side as she enjoyed a private shopping spree at a Vivienne Westwood store in London last week

Security: While he also minded the Euphoria actress at a Bulgari event in Venice last month

Looking for love: During his time on Take Me Out, Joel described himself as a 'real life action man looking for an outdoorsy kind of girl, who does also like a cosy night'

Oh hello: Meanwhile, in the next round, he further impressed the women when he showcased his muscular arms after stripping to his black vest to undertake the Take Me Out assault course

Great job: The challenge then saw Joel hop over logs, clamber across monkey bars, do press-ups and climb a rope - much to the delight of watchers

Joel, dressed in a powder blue shirt and beige trousers, were then seen guiding the pair to a waiting car outside.

It comes as Zendaya joined the stars to watch Pharrell Williams make his debut as creative director for Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week.

The actress turned heads as she arrived to the menswear spring/ summer 2024 show on Tuesday night in a shimmering suit from the designer.

A-list: It comes as Zendaya joined the stars to watch Pharrell Williams make his debut as creative director for Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week

Stunning: The actress, 26, turned heads as she arrived to the menswear spring/ summer 2024 show on Tuesday night in a shimmering suit from the designer

Zendaya put on a daring display as she went braless in the oversized collared shirt which was unbuttoned down to her navel.

The Spiderman star teamed the look with matching trousers, a black Capucine handbag and pointed brown heels.

The screen star made a solo appearance for the show, after she was seen in London this weekend with her boyfriend Tom Holland.
Susannah Constantine has revealed she's been rushed to hospital after struggling with a 'withering arm.'

The presenter took to Instagram to share that she'd been placed on a drip after the health scare, which turned out to be 'more serious' than she first thought.

Luckily, Susannah reassured her followers that the health problem was 'all sorted now,' and praised the 'magnificent' NHS and neurosurgeons for taking care of her.

Posting a snap of her arm connected to a cannula, Susanna wrote: 'Withered arm turned out to be symptom of something a bit more serious.

'All sorted now thanks to our ailing but still magnificent NHS where we are lucky enough to have some of the most gifted doctors (and in this case neurosurgeons) in the world. @brainandspine. Forever grateful.'

Scary: Susannah Constantine has revealed she's been rushed to hospital after struggling with an issue with her arm

On the mend: The presenter took to Instagram to share that she'd been placed on a drip after the health scare, which turned out to be 'more serious' than she first thought

Following her Susannah's post, many of her celebrity pals offered their well-wishes in the comments, including Stacey Dooley, Faye Tozer and Lisa Snowdon.

It comes after Susannah revealed she's been suffering from hearing loss, and shared details of her devastating diagnosis and the treatment that changed her life in an interview with The Mirror.

The fashion journalist and TV presenter, 61, spent a lifetime among loud environments, juggling between production studios and live gigs - but it was the incapacity to hear birds singing that alarmed her.

The award-winning author realised she had problems with her hearing earlier this year, but admitted the problem could have been going on for a year and half.

The famous writer - who lives in the countryside - said the birdsong was one of the most comforting things to her, as all of a sudden she just couldn't hear that anymore.

'It was a cacophony of noise without the clarity and differentiation. That's when I realised. Well, that coupled with my children [Joe, 23, Esme, 21 and Cece, 18] calling me deaf and getting really frustrated with me,' she said.

Susannah admitted social situations became more and more difficult to bear, with ambient noise being 'awful'.

'I wasn't able to hear the person sitting next to me. I'd become an amateur lip reader, but if I couldn't see someone's face, I had no idea what they were saying. It was embarrassing,' she revealed.

Update: Luckily, Susannah reassured her followers that the health problem was 'all sorted now,' and praised the 'magnificent' NHS and neurosurgeons for taking care of her

Kind words: Following her Susannah's post, many of her celebrity pals offered their well-wishes in the comments, including Stacey Dooley, Faye Tozer and Lisa Snowdon

Changes: It comes after Susannah revealed she's been suffering from hearing loss, and has shared details of her devastating diagnosis and the treatment that changed her life

The clothing designer got candid about her 'shame' of seeking help with her problem - as she admitted she'd always dreaded age-related hearing loss.

'There can be a huge stigma around wearing hearing aids, I felt like I might as well go to the funeral director and order my coffin, it made me feel so old,' Susannah explained.

But things took a turn when the TV star decided to book a hearing test at Boots, finally overcoming the shaming stigma.

Susannah recalled the moment she did her hearing test, saying she sat in a soundproof booth with headphones on as she listened to a continuous beep, and only pressed the button when she could hear it.

The famous style advisor was initially convinced everything went well and was quite sure she was 'not deaf' - but there were several pitches she had no idea she couldn't hear.

WHAT CAUSES HEARING LOSS? AND CAN IT BE TREATED? Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It can also develop gradually with age or come on suddenly. Hearing loss in just one ear may be due to a build up of wax, an infection or a burst eardrum. Sudden loss in both ears may be due to damage from a very loud noise or side effects of certain medication. Gradual hearing loss may be the result of fluid building up, known as glue ear; a bony growth, called otosclerosis; or skin cell accumulation, known as cholesteatoma. Gradual hearing loss in both ears is usually caused by ageing or exposure to loud noises over many years. Hearing loss sometimes gets better on its own. A build up of wax can also be treated by being suctioned out or softened with drops. However, hearing loss can also be permanent, with treatment then focusing on making the most of the hearing that remains. This may involve: Hearing aids

Implants - attach to the skull or are placed deep in the ear, if hearing aids are ineffective

Communicating via sign language or lip reading Hearing loss can be prevented by avoiding loud music and wearing headphones that block out background noise. Ear defenders should also be worn if you work in a noisy environment, such as a building site. And ear protection should be worn at concerts and other noisy events. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

The test showed that years of tear and wear - such as listening to music on headphones on a very high volume - left the author in need of hearing aid.

The BBC star surely had a life studded of sensational moments, such as being on tour with the Scissor Sisters in the past - where she was often closely exposed to speakers as a big fan of live music.

Despite the initially devastating diagnosis, Susannah admitted hearing aids changed her life forever - describing her Phonak as 'transformative' and 'comfortable'.

The former fashion journalist joked the hearing technology looks something as the like of 'NASA' and that such a thing blew her away only after she got to try it.

Susannah explained these types of hearing aids can comfortably become part of your life, as they can be worn while swimming, or washing your hair - as long as you are careful.

She also said they have an embedded Bluetooth - where she often listens to music and calls, although 'the music isn't as good as it was through headphones'.

The TV personality also revealed her eldest daughter admitted her hearing improved significantly.

Susannah recalled her very first test - which was a noisy big party.

The award-winning author revealed she was in fact doing better than many of the people present at the party - with many asking to turn the volume down to talk, while to her everything was 'perfectly pitched'.

That's when things took a great turn for Susannah, as she said she finally started embracing her new accessory.

She felt even better when she realised her previous shamed was so unmotivated, as many of the people around her showed support and were actually amazed by how 'subtle' the technology was.

The writer recalled lifting up her hair asking people if they noticed 'anything new' about her - with some hilariously her if she 'got a piercing'.

The TV star admitted seeking help with hear hearing loss turned out to be game-changing, as it allowed her to appreciate what she was missing out - and to take her life back in her hands.

Susannah also urged anyone who notices symptoms of hearing loss to get tested.
Former Bachelor contestant Faith Williams has announced she is expecting a daughter with partner James Cornish.

The 32-year-old reality star took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the news that she is 15 weeks pregnant with her first child.

The blonde beauty included an intimate snap of herself in the story, posing with James on a beach and showing off her prominent baby bump in a yellow frock.

Telling followers she was expecting to welcome her new baby on November 23, Faith also posted a colour ultra sound picture of her baby.

Her post was soon inundated with well wishers.

Former Bachelor contestant Faith Williams has announced she is expecting a daughter with partner James Cornish (both pictured)

The 32-year-old reality star took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the news that she is 15 weeks pregnant and is expecting her baby on November 23

'AHHHHHHHH THIS IS AMAZING! So happy for you guys  youre going to be an incredible mumma xx,' wrote Married At First Sight's Davina Rankin.

'Congratulations,' added The Bachelor's Alex Nation.

'Awww amazing news!!!! Congrats!!!!' wrote Liz Cantor, who starred on The Mole back in 2005.

Faith's happy news comes after the successful business entrepreneur suffered a set-back earlier this year.

She endured a nightmare Easter after the trendy hair salon she owns was ransacked by burglars.

Faith, who featured on Richie Strahan's season of the Channel 10 dating show in 2016, owns two salons in Brisbane and was horrified to discover last April that one of them had been broken into over the weekend.

Thousands of dollars was stolen from her Blondee Salon in Newstead and it has left the reality TV star distraught.

The business owner told Daily Mail Australia that she discovered the salon had been robbed when she arrived to work on Tuesday morning after the long weekend.

'The thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of laptops, equipment, cash, hot tools, sonos speakers, and a lot of products and made a mess of everything,' she said.

Her post was soon inundated with well wishers. 'AHHHHHHHH THIS IS AMAZING! So happy for you guys  youre going to be an incredible mumma xx,' wrote Married At First Sight's Davina Rankin

'Congratulations,' added The Bachelor's Alex Nation

Faith previously thanked The Bachelor for giving her the opportunity to launch her successful business Blondee.

Two years ago, she told The Wash: 'I guess I leveraged off the Bachelor to do my own thing. I have the show to thank for the exposure.

'I just started being a sole trader, renting a chair. I did that for about a year and a half.

'Then work just really took off from there and I was just always fully booked, couldn't take on any new clients, couldn't grow any more.'

It was from those humble beginnings that she opened the first of her two salons.
Cardi B has slammed the stepson of British billionaire Hamish Harding for attending a Blink-182 concert after finding out he is aboard the missing Titanic submarine.

Brian Szasz confirmed in Facebook post on Monday that he was the stepson of the explorer, before sharing a snap from the San Diego show, insisting his family would 'want him to be there.'

And in a furious social media post, rapper Cardi B insisted the stepson should be 'at home, crying' and waiting for updates on his stepfather's whereabouts instead of 'shaking d***ks' at a concert.

Cardi - using a filter many commenters found hilarious - told her followers: 'One of the billionaires, their stepson is at a concert right, at a Blink 182 concert.

'And people are like ''erm what is he supposed to do, be sad at the house, is he supposed to go look for him himself?'' Yes!'

Really? Cardi B has slammed the stepson of British billionaire Hamish Harding after he attended a Blink-182 concert after finding out he is aboard the missing Titanic submarine. But some commenters felt the filter she used deflected from the serious message

Speaking out: Brian Szasz confirmed in Facebook post on Monday that he was the stepson of the explorer, and insisted his family would 'want him to be' at the show

'You are supposed to be at the house sad, be crying for me, you are supposed to be right next to the phone, waiting to hear any updates about me.

'Isn't that sad that you are a whole f****g billionaire, and nobody gives a f**k about you?

'Like you missing, and mother f****rs are ready to shake d***s at concerts. That's crazy! I'd rather be broke, and poor then like knowing I'm loved.'

One fan wrote: 'The filter is killing me. Why is it looking at me like that?'

Another added: 'How am I supposed to take this seriously with this filter?'

In his original Facebook post, Brian shared an image outside the San Diego venue where he was watching the Blink-182 concert

He captioned it: ''It might be distasteful being here but my family would want me to be at the Blink-182 show as its my favorite band and music helps me in difficult times!'

Szasz's profile is publicly visible, although comments are only open to family and friends. All of those who commented on his status voiced their support for Szasz's decision.

Meanwhile, the search continues for the missing Titanic tourist sub. On Tuesday, the US Coast Guard gave the bleak warning that it may not be able to rescue the sub - even if they are able to find it.

At 6pm UK time on Tuesday, they estimated the sub had 40 hours breathable air remaining - if it hasn't already imploded and killed all on board.

Harding, 58, is among the five adventurers onboard a submersible that lost contact with its mothership as it reached the site of the Titanic wreckage early Sunday morning.

Experts have said OceanGate 's Titan ship had enough oxygen to last the crew 96 hours, but it is set to run out Thursday morning.

But Harding's company, Dubai-based Action Aviation, said in a statement posted to Instagram it has faith in the ongoing rescue missions.

'Both the Harding family and the team at Action Aviation are very grateful for all the kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues,' it said.

'We are thankful for the continued efforts of the authorities and companies that have stepped in to aid in the rescue efforts. We put great faith and trust in their expertise.'

The Titan submersible has been missing since 9.45am EST on Sunday morning after being launched into the Atlantic at 8am.

OceanGate Expeditions - the company which runs the tours and is responsible for the sub - did not notify the Coast Guard until 5.40pm, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed earlier on Tuesday.

A total of five people are on board. The others are OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who's leading the mission, and the world's pre-eminent Titanic wreck expert PH Nargeolet.

Worrying: Hamish Harding is one of five passengers aboard the Titan submersible, which has been missing since Sunday morning with air slowly running out

Also on the submersible are British-Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19 year-old son Sulaiman.

Even if they locate the missing vessel in time, there is no certainty that it can safely be brought to surface.

At a press conference at the US Coast Guard Station in Boston - which is coordinating the search and rescue effort - First District Response Coordinator Capt. Jamie Frederick conceded on Tuesday that rescue was not guaranteed.

'Even with that amount of time left, if you were to find the submersible at this moment, would that give you enough time to save those five people on board?' he was asked.

'I don't know the answer to that question... all I know is we will do everything within our power to effect a rescue,' Frederick replied.

The Coast Guard has already searched 7,600 square miles of ocean - a search area the size of Connecticut.
Ioan Gruffudd has denied explosive claims from his 13-year-old daughter Ella that his girlfriend Bianca Wallace 'slammed a door on her head', MailOnline can reveal.

Ella, whose mother is Gruffudd's ex-wife Alice Evans, made the claims last month while filing for a restraining order against Gruffudd and Wallace in Los Angeles.

The girl alleged Wallace 'slammed the door on me, causing the door to hit me on the head as well as my arm', and she was left with bruised arm and a bump on her head.

But Fantastic Four star Gruffudd has now given his side of the story, claiming in new court papers that Ella had in fact thrown her arm in the front door as it was closing.

The 49-year-old said Wallace, 30, had called out to him when he was in the kitchen cleaning oats out of his hair and clothes, after Ella had thrown them over him.

He added: 'She (Wallace) was visibly shaking and unnerved. She told me that when she tried to close the front door, Ella threw her arm in the door as it was closing.'

This is in contrast to Ella's evidence, which said Wallace 'slammed a door on her head' and left her with 'bruises' as she tried to flee their home after a row on May 26.

Ioan Gruffudd with his 13-year-old daughter Ella Evans and her nine-year-old sister Elsie

Gruffudd with his ex-wife Alice Evans and their daughters Ella and Elsie in Hollywood in 2018

Ioan Gruffudd's court submission claims Ella threw her arm in the front door as it was closing

In contrast, Ella's evidence claims that Wallace 'slammed the door on me' and injured her

The incident took place when Gruffudd took Elsie and Ella to his apartment to meet Wallace for the first time.

How court evidence from Ioan Gruffudd and Ella Evans varies These are the submissions in separate court documents from Ioan Gruffudd and Ella Evans, which given different accounts of what happened on May 26 at Gruffudd's home in Los Angeles: Ioan Gruffudd 'While I was in the kitchen cleaning the oats out of my hair and clothes, Bianca called out to me. She was visibly shaking and unnerved. 'She told me that when she tried to close the front door, Ella threw her arm in the door as it was closing. 'She said the children had run out of the house and that I should follow them.' Ella Evans 'I was able to make my way around her, and I opened the door. 'I was able to walk halfway out the door, but while I was still in the door frame, the respondent slammed the door on me, causing the door to hit me on the head as well as my arm. 'My arm got bruised, and I had a small bump on my head.' Advertisement

Ella said in her submission that she was 'so upset' with her father that she 'threw milk on his bed, poured mustard on the floor, and threw raw oatmeal on him'.

She claimed Gruffudd and Wallace then 'called her 'manipulative', 'abusive' and 'narcissistic'' - words which the actor denies using, in his submission.

After the row, Ella 'decided she couldn't be in that apartment anymore' and attempted to leave - when she said Wallace 'tried to block her' by 'raising her arms'.

'I was able to make my way around her, and I opened the door,' Ella's evidence continued.

'I was able to walk halfway out the door, but while I was still in the door frame, the respondent slammed the door on me, causing the door to hit me on the head as well as my arm. My arm got bruised, and I had a small bump on my head.'

The evidence from both Ella and Gruffudd agrees that Ella then tried to run out of the apartment while her father chased after her.

Gruffudd said in his submission that he followed the girls, but Ella yelled at him that she was going to call the police  and the girls then ran out through the garage door.

He continued: 'I caught up with them for a while and asked them to return. They were laughing and seemed to enjoy the drama. They kept running away and I tried to keep an eye on them as I called Bianca to ask Dr LeGagnoux for help.'

Eventually, Gruffudd said he caught up with them as they were getting into the car of the father of one of Elsie's friends, a man called Dennis Hauk.

Gruffudd said: 'I spoke with Dennis and we agreed he would take the girls to Alice's house and Bianca and I would follow behind to make sure they arrived safely.'

Ella also gave her version of events in her submission to the court last month.

Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd in Los Angeles in May 2015. Their marriage ended in 2021

Ioan Gruffudd and Bianca Wallace at the Monte Carlo TV Festival in Monaco in June last year

She wrote: 'My dad caught up with me and he was trying to stop me from leaving, and trying to grab me, and I kept dodging him.

'I kept screaming, 'Don't touch me! Don't touch me!' I was able to get away, and I ran outside with my sister.'

Ella said that Gruffudd ran after his daughters and 'eventually caught up to them', alleging that she 'yelled at him, 'Your girlfriend slammed a door on me!' to which he responded, 'No she didn't, no she didn't, stop lying.''

The girl added that she phoned her nanny, Gloria Flores, who made arrangements for Mr Hauk to pick them up.

She wrote: 'My dad and Dennis agreed that Dennis would drive me and my sister to my mother's house, and my father would follow behind.'

The following day, she said Evans saw the bruise on her arm and made the decision to call police in Beverly Hills, who referred them to the precinct in West Hollywood where the incident occurred.

The revelations from both parties have come in documents filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court after Ella applied for a temporary restraining order against Gruffudd and Wallace.

Ella has also applied for civil harassment protection from Wallace - whom Gruffudd has been dating since 2021. The application will be heard in court this Friday.

The restraining order request was filed following the incident at Gruffudd and Wallace's home while Ella and her nine-year-old sister Elsie were visiting.

It marks the latest development in the astonishing domestic drama that began when Gruffudd left his then-wife Evans in 2021 following a 14-year marriage.
She recently returned to the UK following her lavish Dubai honeymoon with husband Bradley Dack.

And Olivia Attwood appeared to be pining for the sunny climes of the United Arab Emirates as she posted a series of throwback bikini snaps from the romantic getaway to Instagram.

The Love Island alum, 32, shared a number of sizzling images on Tuesday, where she showcased her incredible figure in a skimpy brown bikini as she enjoyed a dip in the sea.

Another snap saw her slip into a sexy black bikini and thong as she snapped a selfie from the hotel lobby.

Not one to be outdone, her new husband Bradley, 29, displayed his hunky frame as he posed for his wife in blue swimming trunks.

Take me back! Olivia Attwood appeared to be pining for the sunny climes of the United Arab Emirates as she posted a series of throwback bikini snaps from her Dubai honeymoon to Instagram

Flaunt: The Love Island alum, 32, shared a number of sizzling images on Tuesday, where she showcased her incredible figure in a skimpy brown bikini as she enjoyed a dip in the sea

The couple, who tied the knot at the five-star Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge earlier this month, looked as loved up as ever in an additional snap as they beamed at each other.

While Olivia also flaunted her slim frame in a stylish black halterneck dress as she headed to dinner with her beau.

The reality star had been keeping her fans updated on her fun-filled travels of late, with several sizzling snaps of their holiday.

But it was back to reality last week as they touched down in Manchester Airport before heading home.

Bemoaning her return to the UK, Olivia sighed on Instagram: 'Well a ride in a p*** soaked lift at Stockport Station was swift slap to reality this morn. Not in Dubai anymore hun!'

During their big day, the influencer and and athlete, got the phrase 'Till Death Do Us Part' inked on their arms by top tattoo artist Pablo.

She also changed into a 1776k camisole dress from Christopher Kane for the inking, with the words 'Till Death' inked on her arm while her new husband had 'Do Us Part on his.

The couple had Pablo, whose inked Beckham brothers Cruz and Romeo at his studio The London Social, waiting in the wings to perform 'tattoo favours' for wedding guests who partied into the night at their reception.

Looking good: Another snap saw her slip into a sexy black bikini and thong as she snapped a selfie from the hotel lobby

My turn: Not one to be outdone, her new husband Bradley, 29, displayed his hunky frame as he posed for his wife in blue swimming trunks

Newlyweds: The couple, who tied the knot at the five-star Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge earlier this month, looked as loved up as ever in an additional snap as they beamed at each other

Strike a pose: While Olivia also flaunted her slim frame in a stylish black halterneck dress as she headed to dinner with her beau

The newlyweds were surrounded by 80 friends and family and with her proud father, Kai, by her side, Olivia looked exquisite in a bespoke 30,000 lace-sleeved gown by designer Galia Lahav, which was just one of two stunning outfits she wore on the day.

As Olivia walked down the aisle on her dad's arm, with her mum Jen watching ahead, Bradley couldn't hide his emotion seeing his bride for the first time.

Olivia and Bradley's wedding is the first ever to be held at the Bulgari Hotel, which has been adorned with 10,000 roses and over 25,000 individual flowers by Red Floral Architecture, creating the most romantic setting for the couple to meet at the end of the aisle.

The dress code for the celebratory event was glamorous black tie and female guests wore all black, adding sophistication to the couple's big day.

Congrats: Olivia married her husband Bradley in a beautiful London ceremony at the five-star Bulgari hotel wearing a 30,000 wedding dress

Inked: During their big day, Olivia and Bradley got the phrase 'Till Death Do Us Part' inked on their arms by top tattoo artist Pablo

Olivia had make-up artist to the stars Mikey Phillips create her wedding glam and Mikey Dash, whose clients include Rebel Wilson and Amanda Holden, style her hair.

The documentary maker, whose wedding has been captured for her TV series Olivia Marries Her Match, was supported by her newly married sister Georgia and lifelong friend Charlotte, who both performed maid of honour duties, while the presenter chose not to have any bridesmaids.

Bradley, who was joined by his emotional mum, dad, and sister, looked impeccably smart in a bespoke Charles Campbell suit as he finally wed the woman of his dreams after proposing to Olivia back in 2019.

Their wedding, which has been overseen by celebrity wedding planner Julie Perry, is three years in the making after the couple postponed their ceremony several times due to the global pandemic.
Ioan Gruffudd has claimed that his estranged wife Alice Evans flashed him her 'bare behind' and revealed to their two daughters that she wasn't wearing underwear when he dropped them off at her house.

The actor, 49, has been locked in a bitter divorce battle with the 102 Dalmatians star, 54, since their split with the pair also fighting for custody over daughters Ella, 13, and Elsie, nine.

In court documents seen by MailOnline, Gruffudd detailed the breakdown of communication between the pair after the end of their 14-year marriage and described their increasingly hostile encounters.

Gruffudd alleged that Evans's 'verbal abuse and inappropriate behavior escalated after I moved out of the family residence' on January 25, 2021.

He said: 'Alice sent me hundreds of harassing, abusive and threatening communications by text, email, voice message, video message, and OFW (Our Family Wizard, a US co-parenting app), and she has verbally abused me on the phone and in person, often in front of the girls.'

Shock claims: Ioan Gruffudd has claimed that his estranged wife Alice Evans flashed him her 'bare behind' and revealed to their two daughters that she wasn't wearing underwear

Gruffudd also alleged that 'during the April 19, 2021 drop-off, Alice asked me to look at her outfit, lifted up her skirt to show me her bare behind, and revealed to me and the girls that she was not wearing underwear.

'I left immediately. During a FaceTime with Elsie that night, Alice screamed that she wanted me to die.'

The revelations came in documents filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court after Ella applied for a temporary restraining order against Gruffudd and his girlfriend Biana Wallace, 30.

Gruffudd met aspiring actress Wallace in Australia while shooting the series Harrow.

They now live together in Los Angeles and Wallace, who has multiple sclerosis, recently gave a magazine interview about her condition and 'Yo's' support and love for her.

Gruffudd and Evans announced that their marriage was over in January 2021 and he went public with his new romance that October.

Gruffudd filed for joint custody of his two daughters last July after Evans filed for sole custody amid their acrimonious divorce.

As well as requesting visitation rights, he claimed in the filing that Evans had been purposely trying to cut communication between him and his children.

Battle: The actor, 49, has been locked in a bitter divorce battle with the 102 Dalmatians star, 54, since their split with the pair also fighting for custody over their daughters

In court filings, Gruffudd accused Evans of verbally abusing him during their marriage, and 'undermining him' in front of the girls throughout their lives.'

'Alice made fun of my appearance often, making hair-loss comments and telling me I had 'saggy-vagina eyes,' court papers read.

He went on to claim that Evans 'has inflicted serious emotional harm on Ella and Elsie by her statements and by interfering in my relationship with them.'

In March this year, charges that Evans had violated her restricting order were dropped.

Gruffudd is currently shooting the film Bad Boys 4 with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
They recently returned from a sun-soaked babymoon in Turkey.

And Ferne McCann and her fiance Lorri Haines appear to be more loved-up than ever, packing on the PDA as they headed to a baby shop in Essex on Tuesday.

The First Time Mum star, 32, who is expecting her first child with her husband-to-be, showed off her growing bump in a casual striped dress as she leaned in for a kiss form her beau.

Ferne looked radiant as she picked up some last-minute essentials ahead of the birth of her second child.

The former TOWIE star teamed her laid-back dress with nude slip-on shoes as Lorri placed a tender arm around her.

Cute! Ferne McCann and her fiance Lorrie Haines packed on the PDA as they enjoyed a spot of baby shopping in Essex on Tuesday

Stylish: The First Time Mum star who is expecting her first child with her husband-to-be, showed off her growing bump in a casual striped dress as she leaned in for a kiss form her beau

Beaming: Ferne looked radiant as she picked up some last-minute essentials ahead of the birth of her second child

Ferne announced she is expecting a baby with businessman Lorri, last year, but they are yet to reveal the gender of their child.

The pair got engaged in July 2022, with Ferne previously stating their relationship feels 'right' after they bonded over their trauma.

Speaking to pal Vicky Pattison on her The Secret To podcast, she said: 'He's got a child. I've got a child. We bonded over our trauma.

'Like we literally like laid everything on the table. I was like, here's all my s***. And he had the same and yeah, it's worked out.'

It comes after Ferne revealed on the podcast that she is hoping to give birth at home and wants it to be filmed for her ITVBe reality show, but is struggling to convince Lorri.

She said: 'I so desperately want it [her child's birth] to be on the show. But we were sort of warming him [Lorri] up.

'I've got this birth plan in my head, and I want a home birth and I want it to be positive. And I want everyone to see me like, pull the baby out.

'I've just got this vision and he's just like, 'No, that's just weird', but I'm like, 'It's beautiful and it's amazing!' []

Simple: The former TOWIE star teamed her laid-back dress with nude slip-on shoes as Lorri placed a tender arm around her

Not long now! Ferne announced she is expecting a baby with businessman Lorri, last year, but they are yet to reveal the gender of their child

They're getting married! The pair got engaged in July 2022, with Ferne previously stating their relationship feels 'right' after they bonded over their trauma

Candid: Speaking to pal Vicky Pattison on her The Secret To podcast , she said: 'He's got a child. I've got a child. We bonded over our trauma'

Insight: It comes after Ferne revealed on the podcast that she is hoping to give birth at home and wants it to be filmed for her ITVBe reality show

Keen: She said: 'I so desperately want it [her child's birth] to be on the show. But we were sort of warming him [Lorri] up'

Exciting! Back in the UK, Ferne celebrated with friends and family at her l avish baby shower over the weekend

'Reality stars get a bit of a bad name, but I saw that Ronaldo and his Mrs were doing a reality show. Everyone's doing it, so just go for it!'

Back in the UK, Ferne celebrated with friends and family at her lavish baby shower over the weekend.

She looked glowing as she showed off her bump in a tight orange dress for the festivities in London.

Ferne teamed the halter neck ensemble  which featured a daring thigh-split - with a pair of green strappy heels and a clashing fuchsia pink bag.

She styled her caramel locks in loose waves and seemed in good spirits as she smiled and posed for the camera

The event was held on the rooftop of Seabird restaurant in the city, and she said that she 'loved it'.

Fun: The event was held on the rooftop of Seabird restaurant in the city, and she said that she 'loved it'

Reflection: Taking to Instagram, Ferne told her followers: 'There were games and I loved it because I never had a baby shower when I was pregnant with Sunday'

Taking to Instagram, Ferne told her followers: 'There were games and I loved it because I never had a baby shower when I was pregnant with Sunday'

The TV personality shared how she was given pictures of babies and given the challenge to guess who was who out of her friends and family from the images, as well as being told funny tales of her pregnancy journey.

She also received a number of presents, one of which included a steriliser that proved a hit because of her love of a neutral colour.

Guests in attendance included Ferne's mum, Gilly, TOWIE alumni Danielle Armstrong and other close friends.
She's enjoying her final weeks of pregnancy before welcoming her second child, a boy, with fiance Matthew Sarsfield.

And after reaching the 33-week milestone, Charlotte Dawson couldn't contain her excitement, showcasing her bare baby bump in a quirky dance video.

In the clip, the influencer, 30, stripped down to a black bandeau bra and matching briefs as she danced around before rubbing her stomach along her screen doors.

Pulling a series of animated facial expressions and writhing around to the backtrack of House of Pain's Jump Around Charlotte declared she was 'window cleaning'.

The makeup-free beauty captioned the clip: 'When bumpalicious is a beltin window cleaner too'.

Blossoming: After reaching the 33-week milestone, heavily pregnant Charlotte Dawson couldn't contain her excitement, showcasing her bare baby bump in a quirky dance video

The fun video comes after Charlotte shared a cute snap of son Noah copying his mum as he lifted up his top to show off his tummy while she displayed her blossoming baby bump.

Charlotte lifted up her pyjamas top in the mirror selfie, flaunting her heavily pregnant belly while her sweet little boy raised his T-shirt as he sucked on his dummy.

The Ex On The Beach star wrote alongside her snap: 'The 31 chuffin weeks!!! Last 9 weeks left baby boyo we cant wait to meet you. Noah copying me cant cope.'

Charlotte and her fiance Matthew, 33, are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their second son.

Recently Charlotte broke down in tears as she revealed 'disgusting weirdos' reported her to social services.

In an Instagram video, Charlotte said that they said disgusting and disturbing things such as Noah is always injured in her care and she's always drunk around him.

She reminded her followers that last July, she got a phone call from social services, who had heard that Noah was always injured in her care.

And she worries that they won't stop until Noah is taken away from her and Matt - something she said will 'never happen.

Different! In the clip, the influencer and actress, 30, stripped down to her underwear as she rubbed her stomach along her window

New skill? Pulling a variety of very animated facial expressions, Charlotte held onto the door as she dubbed the dance 'window cleaning'

Wearing a form-fitting brown belted dress, Charlotte said: 'Sorry, I've been quiet over the weekend, I needed a bit of a breather.

'My work is on here, [social media]. I don't want to come off else they will win and they will get what they want. I can't let them get what they want.

'They heard that she was always drunk around him, there were multiple hospital admissions and that she and Matthew were not capable of looking after him.

She said: 'That was last last year, nothing has come of it,' adding: 'This person makes accounts all the time. They mocked up Noah's name on a gravestone and say disgusting things all the time.

'They said "my mum's takeaway looks like my miscarriage" and ask why I am trying to make money out of my dad's name when I have never met him. They send stuff to family and friends and Matt.'

'So this time around, I got another phone call on Friday from social services again saying the same thing.

Charlotte tearfully said: 'That Noah's always in hospital, always injured in my care. They are not going to stop until something drastically bad happens, Until Noah gets taken off us which is never going to happen so stop now you absolute t**t.

'Sorry but I am so heartbroken. I don't need the stress and they are wasting social service's valuable time when there are actual families that need their help.

'I get we will get trolled, but to go to the social services, it's just mad. I'm sick of hearing the same cr*p over and over again.

She concluded: 'I need to be strong and positive. I don't wanna stress this baby out. Hopefully I will find this person and I will get them.'
'Disgusted' Ex On The Beach star Declan Doyle has slammed hotel staff after being forced to prove his daughter was related to him while they were on holiday together.

The reality star, 32, who has an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, said staff asked to see his passport to check because they had 'different skin colours'.

He said that on the third day of their trip to the Dominican Republic they were approached by the concierge and as they sat enjoying breakfast and had to go to the manager's office.

The manager then told him that he wanted to check they were related after watching hotel videos where they 'looked really odd' together.

Sharing the incident on social media, he wrote on his Story: 'Disgusted by @riuhotels @tuiuk just had to prove my daughter is mine with our passports because we have 'different skin colours.'

Rude: 'Disgusted' Ex On The Beach star Declan Doyle has slammed hotel staff after being forced to prove his daughter was related to him while they were on holiday together

Shocking: The reality star, 32, who has an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, said staff asked to see his passport to check because they had 'different skin colours'

'Even though we gave our passports on check in, the hotel manager said she's an underage girl with a man it's odd and we look like a couple and we don't look alike.'

He added that the heated exchange took place in right front of his daughter.

He continued: 'I asked if he would do this if it was a single mum and her daughter and he said no.'

TUI said in a statement: 'We were extremely sad to hear about Declan's experience at a RIU hotel. We have zero tolerance for discrimination and this staff member was clearly not meeting TUI's high standards and expectations.

'Our on-site service delivery team have been in conversation with Declan to apologise to both him and his daughter for their experience. We immediately moved them from their 4-star hotel to an alternative 5-star resort where support is available for them.

'We will be investigating the incident, and our team are also getting in touch with Declan to advise him of what options available to him.'

The star and his daughter have now been moved from their four-star resort to a five-star one by Tui.

He told The Sun of the incident: 'The manager said he was watching hotel videos and we looked really odd and that she was an underage girl and I was an older man I don't know what he thought in his head.

Horrible: Sharing the incident on social media, he wrote on his Story: 'Disgusted by @riuhotels @tuiuk just had to prove my daughter is mine with our passports because we have 'different skin colours'

Terrible: He said that on the third day of their trip to the Dominican Republic they were approached by the concierge and as they sat enjoying breakfast and had to go to the manager's office (pictured on EOTB)

'I was absolutely fuming. I told him it was disgraceful and they already had scanned copies of our passports, and she has my last name.'

He continued: 'She doesn't need to hear people questioning whether I'm her dad. She already knows we're different skin colours but for it to be brought to her attention is sickening.

'For him to even admit that he was racially profiling us is just absurd. He didn't apologise either, he said I should be grateful that he checked to see whether she's my daughter.'

He added that the manager should have asked the questions without his daughter being present as it was 'so unprofessional' that she was there and that he felt 'discriminated against'.

Declan said the manager told him it was the hotel procedure and that they were simply 'taking precautions.'

It comes after last July, Declan, who is the ex-boyfriend of Geordie Shore star Nathan Henry, confirmed he was dating Rylan Clark at the time after the two were seen kissing.

Speaking to GB News, the hunk told presenter Mark Dolan: 'We're just dating, it's been a few dates - we really get on.'

He claimed the pair met 'at an event a while ago,' before joking he was the more famous one out of the two.

Declan added: 'It's just weird having to talk about it, it's just been a few dates, it's really early on, we are enjoying each other's company, but it is going well.'

Mark explained he met Rylan at the TRIC Awards and thought he had 'never looked happier', prompting Declan to smile and say they were both 'very happy'.

Rylan's representatives were contacted for comment by MailOnline at the time.

The relationship was said to have begun in April after the pair were spotted dining at Roka in Canary Wharf.

Romance: It comes after last July, Declan, who is the ex-boyfriend of Geordie Shore star Nathan Henry, confirmed he was dating Rylan Clark at the time after the two were seen kissing

Over: Declan previously dated Geordie Shore star Nathan, with the couple splitting in April 2022 after realising 'they were no longer compatible' (pictured together)

They were later seen flirting outside a restaurant in Marylebone with Rylan holding a glass of red wine during a cigarette break.

Declan previously dated Geordie Shore star Nathan, with the couple splitting in April 2022 after realising 'they were no longer compatible'.

It came after Rylan split from his husband, Dan Neal, of six years in June 2021.

Rylan and Declan are no longer dating.
Leigh Francis surprised fans when he ditched his comedy alter-ego Keith Lemon during a rare interview on The One Show on Tuesday.

The comedian, 50, is best known for his boisterous, loud character and rose to success with his mischievous personality, including on hit show Celebrity Juice.

Leigh mainly goes by his alter-ego Keith Lemon in his comedy career and rarely uses his own name, with some fans admitting they hadn't realised it wasn't his name.

But Leigh surprised fans on Tuesday when he made a rare appearance on The One Show as himself, rather than his alter-ego Keith.

When hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas introduced him as a guest, Leigh admitted it felt strange to be using his own name.

Real name: Leigh Francis surprised fans when he ditched his comedy alter-ego Keith Lemon during a rare interview on The One Show on Tuesday

Alter-ego: The comedian, 50, is best known for his loud character Keith Lemon (pictured) and rose to success with his mischievous personality, including on hit show Celebrity Juice

He confessed: 'Isn't that weird? When I hear my name it's weird.'

Fans flocked to Twitter to share their surprise that Leigh was appearing as himself for the rare TV interview.

One wrote: 'It's nice to see Leigh Francis as himself,' while another admitted: 'I had no idea there was a real Keith Lemon.'

On the show, Leigh told how he had been told not to wear a large hat, as his alter-ego Keith does, so fans could tell the difference between himself and the character.

He said on the show: 'Do you know what the PR person said? 'Don't wear a hat so they can distinguish that you're not Keith Lemon you're Leigh Francis'.'

Leigh decided to ditch his alter-ego for the interview as he was promoting his first ever UK tour My First Time, which he is doing under his own name.

But he assured fans that they will still see a fair share of his infamous characters on his tour, which is due to kick off in March next year.

Explaining how he won't be doing the whole tour as Leigh, he said: 'They keep talking about that, but I'm not really doing it as myself, I'm doing it as an array of characters that I've played over the past 21 years.'

During his appearance on The One Show, Leigh also told how his alter-ego Keith Lemon came into being, admitting he took the name from his childhood friend.

He told how he is still friends with the real Keith Lemon now, and said his friend has to carry around a photograph of him so people don't think he is the comedian.

'I had no idea there was a real Keith Lemon!': Fans flocked to Twitter to share their surprise that Leigh was appearing as himself for the rare TV interview

Differences: Leigh told how he had been told not to wear a large hat, as his alter-ego Keith does (pictured), so fans could tell the difference between himself and the character

Ending: Back in December, Leigh appeared on Celebrity Juice for the last time as the comedic Keith Lemon (pictured on the show) as he bid farewell to the panel show after 14 years on air

Back in December, Leigh appeared on Celebrity Juice for the last time as the comedic Keith Lemon as he bid farewell to the panel show after 14 years on air.

He emotionally wiped his eyes on the final episode, titled Celebrity Juice: The Happy Ending, as the show came to an end after an impressive 26-series run.

He was joined by team captains Laura Whitmore and Emily Atack for the final episode, along with former captains Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton - who starred on the show at its 2008 launch.

Guests Will Mellor, Joey Essex, Big Narstie, Chris Ramsey and Joe Swash also appeared in the studio for the momentous occasion.
The Kardashians producer-star Kendall Jenner flaunted substantial cleavage while wearing a tweed pantsuit in a new fashion spread shot by photographer Sean Thomas.

'I consider myself one of the luckiest people on the planet to be able to live the life that I live,' the 27-year-old Society Management Model admitted in WSJ. Magazine's Summer Digital issue on Wednesday.

'But I do think that it's challenging for me a lot more than it's not.'

Stylist Louise Ford dressed Kendall's slim 5ft10in frame in ensembles like a white bikini beneath a sheer floral skirt, plaid shirt, and red unlaced sneakers.

Jenner's own longtime make-up artist Mary Phillips made sure she was camera ready for the shoot and hairstylist Mustafa Yanaz coiffed her stick-straight raven locks.

Taking the plunge! The Kardashians producer-star Kendall Jenner flaunted substantial cleavage while wearing a tweed pantsuit in a new fashion spread shot by photographer Sean Thomas

The 27-year-old Society Management Model admitted in WSJ. Magazine: 'I consider myself one of the luckiest people on the planet to be able to live the life that I live, but I do think that it's challenging for me a lot more than it's not'

'Since I was really young, I felt out of place in my family. I was born into this life, but I didn't choose this life. I'm not built for this by any means. I'm not good at it. I do it, and I've learned how to do it,' the Calabasas socialite said.

'I'm not going to sit here and say, "Poor me," but I do think that it's pretty intense. People are more mean to my family in general. They take everything and make it a bad thing.'

Kendall points to her big half-sister Kim Kardashian, who 'used to go to Kitson on Robertson just to get photographed.'

'I think she was built for this,' Jenner marveled.

'It took me [almost] 20 years to be like, "Okay, I guess I'm getting used to [the media spotlight] now and it's fine and I get it."'

The Versace FW/23 catwalker added: 'I obviously understand I fall under the umbrella of the Kardashian sisters. It's just weird to me...because I am just like my dad [Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner] in so many ways. I'm such a Jenner, in my opinion.'

The transgender 73-year-old - who founded Jenner Racing after a failed bid for California Governor - said Kendall could've been 'another Olympian' had she not been 'so busy with her career.'

'Kendall is very driven to be the best at whatever she does,' Caitlyn gushed.

Fashion! Stylist Louise Ford dressed Kendall's slim 5ft10in frame in ensembles like a white bikini beneath a sheer floral skirt, plaid shirt, and red unlaced sneakers

BTS: Jenner's own longtime make-up artist Mary Phillips made sure she was camera ready for the shoot and hairstylist Mustafa Yanaz (R) coiffed her stick-straight raven locks

The Calabasas socialite said: 'Since I was really young, I felt out of place in my family. I was born into this life, but I didn't choose this life. I'm not built for this by any means. I'm not good at it. I do it, and I've learned how to do it'

She added: 'I'm not going to sit here and say, "Poor me," but I do think that it's pretty intense. People are more mean to my family in general. They take everything and make it a bad thing'

'I think she was built for this': Kendall points to her big half-sister Kim Kardashian (2-L, pictured December 25), who 'used to go to Kitson on Robertson just to get photographed'

Jenner marveled: 'It took me [almost] 20 years to be like, "Okay, I guess I'm getting used to [the media spotlight] now and it's fine and I get it"'

The Versace FW/23 catwalker added: 'I obviously understand I fall under the umbrella of the Kardashian sisters. It's just weird to me...because I am just like my dad [Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner] in so many ways. I'm such a Jenner, in my opinion'

Mini-me: The transgender 73-year-old - who founded Jenner Racing after a failed bid for California Governor - said Kendall could've been 'another Olympian' had she not been 'so busy with her career' (pictured in 2020)

Caitlyn (L, pictured in 2020) gushed: 'Kendall is very driven to be the best at whatever she does. When you are born with a lot of siblings that push you to be your best...She surrounds herself with good friends and family that want to see her succeed'

'When you are born with a lot of siblings that push you to be your best...She surrounds herself with good friends and family that want to see her succeed.'

Jenner's 2015 gender affirmation famously happened four months after she ended her 23-year marriage to third wife, Kris, with whom she had Kendall and 25-year-old daughter Kylie Jenner.

The one major thing that sets the FWRD creative director from the other women in her family is that she's never had children, and whenever she does decide to bring a baby into this world she plans on moving out of Los Angeles.

'Oh, yeah. You heard it here first,' Kendall noted.

'I'm excited for that time in my life. I just know it's not right now.'

Jenner has been dating three-time Grammy-winning rapper Bad Bunny as far back as February, but she had 'no comment' on their relationship.

'I try [to] find the balance of keeping things private and keeping things sacred, [and] also not letting the unfortunate frustration and stress of everyone trying to get in on it stop me from enjoying my side,' the Miu Miu SS/23 stunner said.

'Does that make sense? I'll go out of my way to do things as privately as possible because I just think that that's the healthier way of dealing with relationships anyway.'

'Oh, yeah. You heard it here first!' The one major thing that sets the FWRD creative director from the other women in her family is that she's never had children, and whenever she does decide to bring a baby into this world she plans on moving out of Los Angeles

Kendall said: 'I'm excited for that time in my life. I just know it's not right now'

Her lips are sealed! Jenner has been dating three-time Grammy-winning rapper Bad Bunny (pictured Tuesday) as far back as February, but she had 'no comment' on their relationship

The Miu Miu SS/23 stunner said: 'I try [to] find the balance of keeping things private and keeping things sacred, [and] also not letting the unfortunate frustration and stress of everyone trying to get in on it stop me from enjoying my side...I'll go out of my way to do things as privately as possible because I just think that that's the healthier way of dealing with relationships anyway'

'Being my own boss is really cool': Since 2021, Kendall has been running her very own tequila brand, 818, named for her life-long area code

Jenner explained: 'In modeling you are what someone wants you to be. Where you show up on set, the makeup, the hair. You wear what they tell you to wear, and you take the photo that they want to see'

'You Think I Need Your Permission?' The brunette beauty currently executive produces and stars in the 10-episode third season of The Kardashians, which airs Thursdays on Hulu

Since 2021, Kendall has been running her very own tequila brand, 818, named for her life-long area code.

'In modeling you are what someone wants you to be. Where you show up on set, the makeup, the hair. You wear what they tell you to wear, and you take the photo that they want to see,' Jenner explained.

'So, for sure, being my own boss is really cool.'

The brunette beauty currently executive produces and stars in the 10-episode third season of The Kardashians, which airs Thursdays on Hulu.

On May 7, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians spin-off won the best docu-reality series trophy at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.
She died in childbirth after plotting to kill her then-husband - or so EastEnders viewers were led to believe.

But 26 years on from her dramatic death, Cindy Beale is very much alive and living a rather glamorous life in the sun.

The character, played by Michelle Collins, will return to the BBC soap - and is set to reunite with her long-suffering ex-husband Ian Beale.

Cindy supposedly died while serving time in prison for hiring a hitman to kill Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt.

But it appears she has been living a double life under the moniker 'Rose Knight'.

She's back! 26 years on from her dramatic death, Cindy Beale is very much alive and living a rather glamorous life in the sun

Surprise: The character, played by Michelle Collins, will return to the BBC soap - and is set to reunite with her long-suffering ex-husband Ian Beale (pictured in 1997)

The identity of Queen Vic landlord George Knight's ex-wife has been kept under wraps, but a teaser at the end of Wednesday's episode showed Cindy picking up George's call while sprawled out poolside on a sun lounger in France.

George, played by Colin Salmon, could be seen pouring himself a brandy and playing Seal's Kiss From A Rose on the pub jukebox before the scene cut to Cindy, confirming weeks of suspicion over Rose's true identity.

George arrived in Walford earlier this month, after his new girlfriend Elaine Peacock invested money in her daughter Linda Carter's pub.

Michelle, who also played Stella Price in Coronation Street from 2011 to 2014, said she initially thought a comeback was 'ridiculous'.

'I think if it had happened five years ago I probably would have said no,' she told a press conference. 'But it's about timing and when Chris approached Adam and I and we'd both been touring and he'd mentioned it to me and I said don't be silly.

'And then we had a meeting and I said to my agent, 'oh this is ridiculous, it's never going to happen'. And they said let's just go and meet Chris [Clenshaw, producer]. And we had this breakfast meeting and he got his laptop out and he reeled it all off.

'And we both went 'wow, oh my god'. And then I was like maybe this could work.'

Cindy first arrived in Albert Square in 1988, striking up a relationship with Ian after tiring of barman Simon Wicks, played by Nick Berry.

Return: Cindy has been living a double life under the moniker 'Rose Knight'

Drumroll: The identity of Queen Vic landlord George Knight's ex-wife has been kept under wraps, but a teaser at the end of Wednesday's episode showed Cindy picking up George's call

Sinister: In an epic two-night affair, viewers will finally learn the truth about George Knight's past and the identity of his ex-wife Rose (Colin Salmon pictured as Geroge)

Link: Fans noted that in the latest trailer if the letter 'E' was taken from Rose and added to Thorn, the two words would then spell 'Ros Thorne'

Throwback: Ros appeared in the show between 1997-1998 as a private detective hired by Ian to track down his wife, after she fled the country (actress Clare Grogan pictured as Ros)

Cover up: Cindy supposedly died while serving time in prison for hiring a hitman to kill Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt. But it appears she has been living a double life (1989)

She later married Ian after a brief fling with Simon saw her fall pregnant with her son Steven. Simon eventually convinced her to tell Ian the truth and to leave him.

The pair left Walford, but Cindy returned in 1992, rekindled with Ian, and welcomed twins Lucy and Peter, before having an affair with lifeguard Matt and later her ex-Simon's half-brother, David.

After Ian threatened to take her to court to get custody of their children, she had him shot by a hitman before fleeing. He later hired a private investigator who tracked her down in Italy where she was living with her new boyfriend Nick Holland. On returning to Walford she was arrested for conspiracy to murder.

In 1998 Ian received the news that she had died giving birth to her daughter with Nick.

Michelle said she was 'incredibly nervous' on returning to the soap but said by the end of a six-page scene with Woodyatt 'it was like putting on a pair of old slippers'.

She added: 'Both of us have mellowed and I think we're both just kind of comfortable in our lives and it felt like it's the right kind of time.'

The actress also praised British soaps for offering 'fantastic stories' for older women.

'There aren't that many shows on TV really that give women of a certain age central characters and show their stories,' she said. 'And when you get to 60 as a woman, you're not written off and you get to do these fantastic things.

'I think that's why EastEnders is great because it's not all about youth. It's just about people and really strong women.' Cindy isn't Ian's first relation to come back from the dead.

He was led to believe his mother Cathy Beale had died in a car crash in South Africa, but she returned to Walford in 2015.

Other residents who have avoided the grim reaper include Dirty Den Watts who walked into the Queen Vic 14 years after he fell into the canal on being shot and Grant Mitchell who was spotted in Rio de Janeiro with his daughter Courtney despite supposedly drowning.

EastEnders airs the truth about George's past on Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
EastEnders fans were left in complete shock during Wednesday's episode when the mysterious Rose Knight's identity was finally revealed.

In the closing seconds of the episode, Rose's double life was revealed as she was finally confirmed to be non-other than the notorious Cindy Beale.

The massive twist saw the Queen Vic landlord George Knight (Colin Salmon) attempt to call his ex-wife 'Rose' after Phil Mitchell discovered she wasn't who she claimed to be.

In a tense moment, George stood in the Queen Vic as Seal's Kiss From A Rose played on the pub's jukebox, before the scene dramatically flashed to a sun lounger in Spain.

A mysterious hand could be seen rejecting the call before picking up a glass of wine, with the shot then flashing to show Cindy's face, confirming weeks of suspicion over Rose's real identity.

She's back! EastEnders fans were left in complete shock during Wednesday's episode when the mysterious Rose Knight was finally revealed to be none other than Cindy Beale

The huge reveal comes 26 years after Cindy (Michelle Collins) was believed to have died in childbirth after plotting to kill her then-husband.

Fans were left completely stunned by the revelation, and took to Twitter to share their shock over Cindy's unexpected return.

One fan wrote: 'I don't watch eastEnders much anymore but I literally just screamed at the TV, she's back!'

Another wrote: 'That was AN ICONIC DUFF DUFF!!!,' while a third said: 'OMG it's Cindy Beale.'

And a fourth commented: 'Yesssss I am screaming!,' and another added: 'WHAAAAT!!!! I'm so shocked!!! So glad Cindy is back!! Eeeeek.'

The tension had been building up throughout the episode, gearing towards the grand reveal of Rose's true identity.

Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) had been digging into George's past as he wanted to know who he was going into business with at the Queen Vic.

After contacting his friends in the police to dig into George's ex-wife 'Rose', Phil confronted a confused George, saying he had lied to him.

Big reveal: At the end of the episode, George tried to call his ex-wife Rose after Phil Mitchell discovered she wasn't who she said she was, with Cindy then shown rejecting the call

Gobsmacked: Fans were left completely stunned by the revelation, and took to Twitter to share their shock over Cindy's unexpected return

Phil said: 'I like people being straight with me... the Old Bill have put a stop on everything to do with your ex.'

George asked: 'What? Why?'

To which Phil said: 'It means there's more to this than what you've been telling me.'

But George insisted: 'I've been straight with you on everything.'

After digging for more information, George then followed Phil and Linda upstairs, where they had gathered to speak about George's ex-wife.

Phil told George: 'I need to know who I'm going into business with, I don't want any surprises.'

He then revealed that he had found out more information about Rose's whereabouts, with George then asking him if she was OK and why she hadn't been in touch with their two daughters Anna (Molly Rainford) and Gina (Francesca Henry).

Phil said: 'All the Spanish police would say is she's got a new life now, about her old life, she doesn't want to know.'

To which George asked: 'She doesn't want to know about her girls? There's got to be more to it.'

Linda then apologised to George for not trusting him, and he revealed that Rose had left their family home after a huge argument, and despite his attempts to get in touch with her, she had never responded.

Linda was quick to comfort George, who told her that his daughters didn't know anything about the row and the situation surrounding Rose's disappearance.

George then returned downstairs to close up the pub, while Phil loitered and waited for the place to empty before dropping another bombshell about Rose.

Build up: In a tense moment, George stood in the Queen Vic and called Rose as Seal's Kiss From A Rose played on the pub's jukebox, before the scene dramatically flashed to Spain

Return: Cindy could be seen relaxing on a sun lounger and drinking a glass of wine in Spain, 26 years after she was believed to have died in childbirth

Tension: The reveal came after Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) had been digging into George's past as he wanted to know who he was going into business with at the Queen Vic

Family: The bombshell reveal will no doubt cause a stir for George and his two daughters Anna (Molly Rainford) and Gina (Francesca Henry)

George told him: 'I thought your brief was checking to see if I had any problem with the tax, I didn't realise you were poking around my personal life, that's way out of order.

'I can't do business with a chancer who does business like that, so if that's why you're waiting.'

But Phil revealed more information, telling him: 'What I said about the Spanish police was right, up to a point.

'They did their checks, every time they did, they hit a brick wall, every time the same story came back, every time.

'I don't know who you were shacked up with all those years, but she weren't who she said she was.

'Nobody with the name Rose Knight with the details you gave me, ever existed. I'll see you tomorrow.'

A shocked George then looked angry and upset, before dialling Rose's number into her mobile in an attempt to get back in touch with her.

The scene then flashed to Cindy rejecting the phone call, confirming that Rose's true identity is none other than the notorious character.

George arrived in Walford earlier this month, after his new girlfriend Elaine Peacock invested money in her daughter Linda Carter's pub.

Cindy supposedly died while serving time in prison for hiring a hitman to kill her then-husband Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt.

New arrivals: George arrived in Walford earlier this month, after his new girlfriend Elaine Peacock invested money in her daughter Linda Carter's pub

Drama: Cindy is set to reunite with her long-suffering husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) upon her epic return to the soap opera

Cover up: Cindy supposedly died while serving time in prison for hiring a hitman to kill Ian (both pictured in 1989), but it appears she has been living a double life

But it appears she has been living a double life under the moniker 'Rose Knight'.

And she is set to reunite with her long-suffering husband Ian upon her epic return to the soap opera.

Michelle, who also played Stella Price in Coronation Street from 2011 to 2014, said she initially thought a comeback was 'ridiculous'.

'I think if it had happened five years ago I probably would have said no,' she told a press conference. 'But it's about timing and when Chris approached Adam and I and we'd both been touring and he'd mentioned it to me and I said don't be silly.

'And then we had a meeting and I said to my agent, 'oh this is ridiculous, it's never going to happen'. And they said let's just go and meet Chris [Clenshaw, producer]. And we had this breakfast meeting and he got his laptop out and he reeled it all off.

'And we both went 'wow, oh my god'. And then I was like maybe this could work.'

Cindy first arrived in Albert Square in 1988, striking up a relationship with Ian after tiring of barman Simon Wicks, played by Nick Berry.

She later married Ian after a brief fling with Simon saw her fall pregnant with her son Steven. Simon eventually convinced her to tell Ian the truth and to leave him.

The pair left Walford, but Cindy returned in 1992, rekindled with Ian, and welcomed twins Lucy and Peter, before having an affair with lifeguard Matt and later her ex-Simon's half-brother, David.

After Ian threatened to take her to court to get custody of their children, she had him shot by a hitman before fleeing. He later hired a private investigator who tracked her down in Italy where she was living with her new boyfriend Nick Holland. On returning to Walford she was arrested for conspiracy to murder.

Exciting: Cindy first arrived in Albert Square in 1988, striking up a relationship with Ian after tiring of barman Simon Wicks, played by Nick Berry

In 1998, Ian received the news that she had died giving birth to her daughter with Nick.

Michelle said she was 'incredibly nervous' on returning to the soap but said by the end of a six-page scene with Woodyatt 'it was like putting on a pair of old slippers'.

She added: 'Both of us have mellowed and I think we're both just kind of comfortable in our lives and it felt like it's the right kind of time.'

EastEnders airs the truth about George's past on Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Khloe Kardashian thought it was 'so cute' sister Kim Kardashian wanted to set her up on a date with Italian hunk Michele Morrone.

During a sneak peek of the upcoming episode of The Kardashians, Khloe gushed about how sweet her older sister was to plan it for her, according to a clip shared by Us Weekly.

'I think that is so cute of Kim that she was plotting and planning to have me hookup with someone here in Milan. I really do. Thank you Keeks,' Khloe, 38, said in the clip.

The seating chart for the first row for Dolce and Gabbana's September 2022 fashion show had Michele and Khloe sitting next to each other, with Kim appearing to be the mastermind of the plan - along with Domenico Dolce, who invited him to the show.

Khloe revealed the topic of her first conversation with Michele, 32, during the fashion show.

Sultry: Khloe Kardashian thought it was 'so cute' sister Kim Kardashian wanted to set her up on a date with Italian hunk Michele Morrone

Cute: During a sneak peek of the upcoming episode of The Kardashians, Khloe gushed about how sweet her older sister was to plan it for her, according to a clip shared by Us Weekly

Hunk: Michele also sat front row at the Dolce & Gabbana show, wearing a pair of skin-tight crocodile trousers

Adding: 'So we are sitting at the show and they sat me next to him. He was like, "Do you like Dolce & Gabbana?" she said, via the outlet.

She was getting her makeup done while Kris Jenner was nearby all glammed up.

'And I said, "I do." Then I said, "Do you like Dolce?" and he is like, "Yeah, it has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid to model for them. And now I am the face of Dolce."'

'And I was like, "Oh you must really like them."

Khloe's mom Kris Jenner was surprised that he was the man in the sultry ads.

'He is the face of Dolce with the speed on? And no clothes? Coming out of a waterfall?' Kris said to her daughter, via the outlet.

'I don't know who anyone is. It could be Tom Hanks and I'm like, "Hey, do you like movies?" I don't know anyone,' Khloe told her.

Khloe and Michele posed for a very cozy photo after the show, which caused fans to go in a frenzy, hoping for a romance between the two.

Michele: Kim then tells her friends that D&G's Domenico Dolce invited actor Michele Morrone to sit next to Khloe at the show

Set up: Kim Kardashian decided to use her Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Milan as an opportunity to set up her sister Khloe with Italian actor Michele Morrone

Hottest guy: She adds, 'He's like the hottest guy and it was like, you know he's what was the question?'

They were seen also getting extra close at the after party, with the actor placing his hand on the small of her back.

During last week's episode of The Kardashians, Kim revealed her plan to pals.

Kim then tells her friends that D&G's Domenico Dolce invited actor Michele Morrone to sit next to Khloe at the show.

Kim adds in confession that, 'You need to know the backstory of this. So Natalie and Olivia, for maybe eight months, have been like, 'You have to watch this show on Netflix,' I think it's called like 365 or something. It's like this super romantic, hot sexual show. Oh my God this is the guy, this is the guy,' as they show stills from the show, entitled 365 Days.

She adds, 'He's like the hottest guy and it was like, you know he's what was the question?'

Kim tells her friends that the actor is, 'so hot, he's in this show, it's like soft porn, practically, but it's a show on Netflix. So, let's fully set this up so Khloe falls in love in Milan,' as Tracy adds, 'She has no idea.'.

Setter-upper: Kim adds in confession, 'I am such a setter-upper and my plan for Khloe is to get her mojo back in Milan

Release: She adds in confession, 'Even if we just get our 30 minutes or an hour at night time, just like being stupid with my friends, that gives me my little release'

Kim adds in confession, 'I am such a setter-upper and my plan for Khloe is to get her mojo back in Milan.

Khloe adds in confession, 'Yeah, I didn't know I lost my mojo, but I guess Kim definitely thinks I did, so we need to find that motherf***er somewhere,' as Kim says in Milan, 'OK, we found our show look.'

She tells her friends that, 'all the cute guys will be at the after party of the fashion show, so we'll have dinner with them and Michele Morrone will be there.'

Tracy adds they will put Michele, 'in the center of the table,' as Kim jokes, 'Khloe is gonna die. Khloe is gonna be so excited. This guy has no idea we're gonna do a whole episode about him,' as her friends all laugh.

The Kardashians S3 is available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.
Andy Cohen joked about the Ozempic weight loss drug craze this week.

Gary Janetti, a writer and fan of the Real Housewives franchise, jokingly shared a meme on Instagram that read, 'This summer on Bravo, The Real Housewives of Ozempic,' to which Andy, 55, commented: 'Its already airing.'

It comes after some members of the popular Bravo TV series have admitted to using the diabetes medication to drop pounds.

In April Dolores Catania, who appears on the New Jersey subset of the show, revealed she was prescribed a similar drug to Ozempic, called Mounjaro.

A week after her admission Catania's doctor, Rocio Salas-Whalen, defended her decision to prescribe the medication.

Sense of humor: Andy Cohen joked about the Ozempic weight loss drug craze this week as he commented on a meme about it; seen on Tuesday

Gary Janetti, a writer and fan of the Real Housewives franchise, jokingly shared a meme on Instagram that read, 'This summer on Bravo, The Real Housewives of Ozempic,' to which Andy, 55, commented: 'Its already airing'

The doctor expressed that there is a variety of reasons a patient might be prescribed a weight loss drug.

'Whenever we see somebody that we may think they don't need the medication, unless you're their doctor, you don't know their medical history,' she said.

Salas-Whalen went on to state that the general public should not rush to judge when an individual admits to using the medication.

Ozempic has widely been touted as an easy way to lose weight in a short amount of time.

'Nobody can assume just by looking at somebody that they don't need it or that they're doing it for the wrong reasons,' she said.

Catania admitted to using the weight loss drug Mounjaro during an episode of Watch What Happens Live earlier this year.

When asked by Cohen if she was using the medication, the reality television personality quipped: 'What housewife isn't on Ozempic?'

Afterward, the host was on the receiving end of public backlash for telling Dolores she looked 'great' with her slimmed down figure.

Candid: In April Dolores Catania, who appears on the New Jersey subset of the show, revealed she was prescribed a similar drug to Ozempic, called Mounjaro; seen June 13

'Im trying to deliver the goods for my audience watching,' he later explained on an episode of his SiriusXM show Radio Andy.

He added, 'I mean, if Dolores shows up looking 15 pounds lighter, I gotta find out how it happened.'

Dolores defended her use of the medication, stating, 'There are layers.'

'Im going through menopause, I have a thyroid issue, I have inflammation and weight is hard to take off,' she noted.

Catania's co-stars Jennifer Fessler and Margaret Josephs have also hinted at using Ozempic.

Additionally, Shahs of Sunset star Golnesa 'GG' Gharachedaghi said she lost weight with the help of the product.

And Caroline Manzo's daughter Lauren Manzo has turned to the drug as well.

'You guys have seen me struggle with this since Im 20 years old, and its been really hard for me, and Ive lost a lot of weight from being on that whole Ozempic thing,' she shared with Page Six.

When asked by Cohen if she was using the medication, the reality television personality quipped: 'What housewife isn't on Ozempic?'

Defensive: Kyle Richards, another Real Housewives personality, has vehemently denied using the drug

On the other hand, others like Vanderpump Rules star Brittany Cartwright and RHOBH's Kyle Richards have denied using the pharmaceutical.

When one follower commented, 'omg ozempic,' on an Instagram post she shared, Cartwright replied: 'It's actually the .5 zoom on the iPhone camera lol.'

The drug acts like a hormone in the brain that causes people to feel less hungry and slows the clearing of food from the stomach  spurring weight loss.

When Khloe Kardashian was accused of dropping pounds with the substance, she wrote online, 'Let's not discredit my years of working out.'
Nina Dobrev and her boyfriend Shaun White were seen smiling on Tuesday during a ride on an electric scooter in NYC.

The happy couple were standing on a scooter while zooming through the city.

The actress, 34, grabbed onto the handles from the front as the three-time Olympic Gold medalist and retired snowboarder, 36, stood behind his girlfriend as he held the handles while resting his head on Dobrev's shoulder.

For the ride, the happy couple wore matching all black outfits consisting of long sleeved black tops and a pair of black pants, a pair of white shoes, and a pair of sunglasses.

Dobrev completed her look with a pair of white open-toed mini heels and a mini black bag that was strapped across her body.

Happy Couple: Nina Dobrev and her boyfriend Shaun White were all smiles as they were spotted on Tuesday sharing an electric scooter together while zooming through New York City

Couple Goals: The happy couple donned matching all black outfits consisting of long sleeved black tops and a pair of black pants, a pair of white shoes, and a pair of sunglasses

Meanwhile, White completed his look with a pair of white sneakers and a watch.

The scooter ride by the couple comes just one day after Dobrev appeared on CBS Mornings to promote her upcoming Netflix-film The Out-Laws with co-star Adam DeVine.

For her appearance on the CBS morning news show, the actress wore a pink suit.

The Canadian-born film and television star paired her pink suit with a white blouse.

She wore her long chocolate-brown hair loose around her shoulder, keeping her accessories minimal with a set of chunky gold earrings.

The Netflix film star matched her pink and white suit ensemble with a pair of elegant white pumps.

Shady days: The loved-up pair both had on sunglasses

Pretty in Pink: Dobrev looked amazing in a pink suit that she wore for a June 20 appearance on CBS Mornings

Interview time: The actress appeared on CBS Mornings on June 20 to promote her upcoming Netflix-film The Out-Laws with co-star Adam DeVine

In The Out-Laws film, Nina plays Adam's fiancee Parker McDermott, a woman with two criminal outlaw parents, played by Pierce and Ellen Barkin.

Chaos ensues when the classic tale of meeting the parents for the first time devolves into Parker's parents robbing the very bank that Parker's fiancee works at as a manager.

The original Netflix comedy film is set to drop on the streaming platform on July 7.

Nina and the Pitch Perfect star - who are friends in real life - promoted their upcoming Netflix project on CBS Mornings together.

The Vampire Diaries star joked that her favorite moment from The Out-Laws trailer was when Adam was walking up the stairs at the bank in the film and his gun falls out of his pocket.

Nina's 39-year-old funnyman co-star recounted how he photobombed Nina on the Teen Choice Awards red carpet 10 years ago.

He explained that they were already friends and he thought it would be fun.

The actors already starred in the movie The Final Girls in 2015.

The Out-Laws will be the Bulgarian-born beauty's first film role since her appearance in the 2022 film Redeeming Love.

As Nina's acting career continues to flourish with her upcoming Out-Laws role, offscreen her relationship with Olympic gold medalist Shaun White is still going strong.

Although the couple aren't engaged yet, they have been together for three years and counting.

The 36-year-old athlete consistently shows up for his A-list girlfriend on film sets and red carpets, showing his support for his long-term girlfriend.

The Out-Laws star reciprocates her boyfriend's affection, writing on her Instagram page back in 2022 after Shaun retired from snowboarding  'I am in awe of you.'

'I couldn't be more proud of everything you have accomplished over the last 20 years as a competitor and the man you have become. You are one of a kind,' Nina wrote.
Jennifer Lawrence does not have to worry about her 16-month-old son Cy while she's working, thanks to her husband Cooke Maroney who is great at parenting.

'My husband is the greatest father in the entire world, ' the No Hard Feelings star told People.

The 32-year-old actress and her art dealer husband welcomed Cy back in February 2022.

Cy came three years after Jennifer and Cooke tied the knot in 2019.

The couple made it official with a wedding at Belcourt of Newport Castle, after dating for 18 months.

The art dealer and the actress: Jennifer Lawrence said she doesn't have to worry about her son while she's working: 'My husband is the greatest father in the entire world'; seen in April

Blue-eyed beauty: The 32-year-old actress has been busy promoting her latest film, No Hard Feelings; seen June 20

The blonde, Kentucky-born beauty first rose to worldwide fame when she was cast as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games.

Her career flourished with the highly coveted role, as well as her Oscar-winning turn in 2012's Silver Lining's Playbook.

After The Hunger Games concluded with Mockingjay: Part 2, Jennifer went on to play the blue-skinned Mystique in the 2016 Fox film X-Men: Apocalypse.

It was thanks to a mutual friend that Jennifer met Cooke back in 2018.

According to People, Jennifer wasn't actually interested in marriage at the time.

Until sparks flew with the art dealer.

'I just met Cooke and I wanted to marry him,' Jennifer revealed on the Naked with Catt Sadler podcast.

Not one to sound too sappy, the actress joked, 'He's my best friend, so I want to legally bind him to me forever.'

Solo star: The mother of one looked stunning in a white, one-shoulder Grecian gown at the red carpet premiere of No Hard Feelings

She's back in the spotlight: The No Hard Feelings star had nothing but loving things to say about her husband of three years

'And fortunately the paperwork exists for such a thing. It's the greatest,' Jennifer added.

She referred to Cooke as her most, 'favorite person on the planet.'

The multi-tasking mom credited her husband for being responsible for ensuring she didn't stress out about leaving Cy when she had to work.

'When Im working, I dont have any more guilt than the usual every day, all-day parent guilt,' the X-Men star joked, thanking her husband for his parenting skills.

Jennifer took a page from her husband's no-stress parenting handbook by making sure she stayed calm and zen around Cy  'I realized that my energy is more important to him than anything else. So if he feels that Im anxious before I leave the house, or Im angry when were outside, thats going to impact him.'
Sarah Jessica Parker looked dazzling at the Empire State Building in New York City on Wednesday.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Sex And The City and the second season of the sequel series And Just Like That, the 58-year-old actress put on a youthful display in an elegant ensemble.

The television producer  who revealed her 13-year-old twin daughters have never seen the iconic television series  modeled a black jumpsuit with a white bow at the bust.

Over the figure-hugging one-piece, the four-time Golden Globe winner donned a simple white cardigan.

She teamed the chic outfit with a pair of black peep-toe heels with a white polka dot pattern.

Gift-wrapped with a bow! Sarah Jessica Parker, 58, looked dazzling at the Empire State Building in New York City on Wednesday

She looked effortlessly stylish with her blonde beach waves tied back into a low ponytail and money pieces loose to frame her face.

For the special occasion, she showcased her radiant and age-defying beauty in a minimal and light makeup look.

The Hocus Pocus alum sported a sultry and smoky eyeshadow look as well as bright rosy cheeks and a glossy pink lip.

For jewelry, she rocked a pair of delicate diamond earrings and a dainty leather watch.

The Emmy-winning actress was spotted at the celebratory event held at the top of the Empire State Building ahead of the sequel show on the recently renamed streaming service, Max.

At the event, she was photographed posing with producer-director Michael Patrick King and producer John Melfi of the series.

Recently, Parker has been busy promoting the upcoming release that will fall on the same day as, her twin daughters, Marion and Tabitha's 14th birthday.

During an interview with Extra released on Tuesday, she revealed that her daughters have not seen Sex And The City and have no interest in doing so.

Fan friendly: The actress and producer acknowledged all the fans and photographers that lined up along the entrance with a wave and beaming smile

Working it: Before heading inside the 102-story skyscraper, Parker dropped a few poses for the cameras, which included turning around to give an over-the-shoulder look

Pull the switch! In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Sex And The City and the second season of the sequel series And Just Like That, the actress lit the building pink

Petite! SJP put on a youthful display in an elegant ensemble and looked every bit her 5ft2in stature posing next to a model of the Empire State Building

What a view! The Ohio-born mother-of-three then headed to the 86th floor observation deck

So chic: The television producer  who revealed her 13-year-old twin daughters have never seen the iconic television series  modeled a black jumpsuit with a white bow at the bust. Over the figure-hugging one-piece, the four-time Golden Globe winner donned a simple white cardigan

Pop of pattern: She teamed the chic outfit with a pair of black peep-toe heels with a white polka-dot pattern

Stylish: She looked effortlessly stylish with her blonde beach waves tied back into a low ponytail and money pieces loose to frame her face

Group photo: At the event, she posed with producer-director Michael Patrick King and producer John Melfi ahead of the upcoming release of the sophomore season on June 22

Family: The Emmy-winning trio have been working together as far back as 1999

Playful: The trio played a little game of peek-a-boo during the promotional event

New York state of mind: Parker has proudly called herself a New Yorker since the 1970s

Transformation: And Just like That... had originally been planned to be a miniseries, but ultimately SJP and company decided there was more story to tell in the life and times of Carrie Bradshaw and her gal pals

Round two: Season two of And Just Like That... consists of 11 episodes that airs from June 22 through to August 24 on Max (also known as HBO Max)

'No, [Marion and Tabitha] have not,' she answered when asked about her daughters. 'They'll be 14 [on June 22], as you know, at the end of this month.'

She continued: 'Thus far  maybe that's unique given the complication of me being their parent  thus far, it's not been something that's crossed their viewing radar, and perhaps it never will. I understand that.'

'They are aware of the show to the degree that they are interested,' she added. 'It's not a paramount topic in their lives.'

The sophomore season of And Just Like That... premieres on Max on June 22.
Married At First Sight couple Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis were involved in a car accident when their luxury vehicle was rear-ended by a bus.

In photos obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia, the pair stood on the footpath and assessed the damage done to their Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG on Military Road, in the Sydney suburb of Neutral Bay.

The accident happened at about 1.30pm on Wednesday as traffic flowed past them.

The car and bus were stationary in the citybound bus lane, which is also a no-stopping zone, as the two drivers exchanged details.

It has been confirmed the couple, who started dating after MAFS finished airing in April, were not illegally driving in the bus lane when the accident occurred.

Married At First Sight couple Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis were involved in a car accident when their luxury vehicle was rear-ended by a bus

A nearby sign specified the bus lane was only active between 6am and 10am.

While details of the crash have not yet been made available, the fact the bus hit the car from behind suggests the bus driver was likely in the wrong.

Evelyn, 27, appeared distraught as she covered her mouth with her hand while Duncan, 37, made animated gestures with the bus driver, but remained calm.

The bus looked to have caused serious damage to the vehicle, with the black car boot crunched in and unusable.

Evelyn and Duncan confirmed their relationship status last month, after months of rumours swirling that they were more than just friends.

The pair stood on the footpath and assessed the damage done to their Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG on Military Road, in the Sydney suburb of Neutral Bay

Evelyn, 27, appeared distraught as she covered her mouth with her hand while Duncan, 37, made animated gestures with the bus driver, but remained calm

The car and bus were stationary in the citybound bus lane, which is also a no-stopping zone, as the two drivers exchanged details

They were recently pictured kissing and cuddling on a date night in Sydney, and revealed it was 'exhilarating' and 'freeing' to finally go public.

'We are in a relationship. This is [our] hard launch,' Evelyn told Nine.com.au.

'It feels good to finally just say it and it feels kind of exhilarating in a weird, freeing way,' the Maxim cover girl added with a laugh.

The bus looked to have caused serious damage to the vehicle, with the black car boot crunched in and unusable

Evelyn and Duncan confirmed their relationship status last month, after months of rumours swirling that they were more than just friends

They also revealed during an interview on Today Extra they were already thinking about tying the knot for real.

When asked by host David Campbell if he would consider a proper televised wedding with Evelyn - after they were both matched with other people on the latest season of MAFS - Duncan said he would be up for it.

'Yes, I'm keen,' the cyber security salesman said with a smile, while model and marketing manager Evelyn kept her lips firmly sealed.
Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy have revealed the name they have given their bouncing baby boy.

The couple introduced their son Rio John Chmerkovskiy to the world via Instagram on Wednesday, along with the very-first photo of their newborn child.

In the adorable photo, the tyke slumbered peacefully in a stylish tan outfit as he lay beside a wooden fixture bearing his name.

Both Peta, 36, and Maksim, 43, posted the same photo and caption to their accounts, which included several details about his birth.

'Rio John Chmerkovskiy,' the caption began, along with two blue heart emojis. 'Born ~ 6.18.2023. 8.6 oz and thriving!

Introducing Rio! Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy have revealed the name they have given their bouncing baby boy

'We are overjoyed to share our baby boy with all of you. @shai.aleksander is already the best big brother and we all feel very complete. Life is good XO.'

The two lovebirds, who tied the knot back in 2017, already share six-year-old son, Shai.

It came just days after the couple announced Rio's arrival on Father's Day.

The Dancing With The Stars pro, who announced she was expecting baby number two earlier this year in January, could be seen laying in a hospital bed in a clip uploaded by her husband shortly before welcoming their little one to the world.

Before conceiving their second baby, the professional dancer notably suffered a total of three miscarriages throughout 2020 and 2021 before revealing her second pregnancy earlier this year.

The choreographer uploaded an adorable photo as he lovingly held his newborn son in his arms. 'Happy Fathers Day to me!' he penned in the caption, followed by the hashtag, '#MadeInPeta.'

Maksim shared a video onto his Instagram stories before the couple became parents of two, which began with the dancer greeting his fans and followers while sitting on a chair inside a spacious hospital room.

He panned the phone camera over to his wife, Peta, who was laying in a bed. 'How are you feeling?' he asked, prompting her to throw her arms into the air and humorously flashed peace signs towards her husband.

'We're having a baby,' she stated, while moving her arms back and forth in a slight, dancing motion. Peta then added that it had been a 'rough night.'

Mom and dad! The couple announced the arrival of their second son on Father's Day

Baby news! Maksim and Peta shared this photo of their son as they announced his arrival over the weekend

Excited! The Dancing With The Stars pro could be seen laying in a hospital bed in a clip uploaded by her husband shortly before welcoming their little one to the world

The now mother of two addressed social media users in the clip, and revealed, 'Guys, all of you were right. Started as little baby things, and then boom. I couldn't talk, could barely walk. And we went through every red light to get here on time.'

The reel concluded with Maksim stated, 'We're here,' and then excitedly added, 'Let's get that baby!'

Shortly before the video was uploaded, he also shared a sweet photo as he held hands with his wife inside of the hospital. 'Its go time!' he wrote in the caption.

The star then revealed that he rushed to get to Los Angeles to take his wife to the hospital. 'Made it to LA from Napa in record time! Curtesy of (about to be thrice) grandpa Sasha ;).'

'@petamurgatroyd is the fantastic unicorn that she is and I cant wait for another one of her best creations! She is an absolutely amazing boy mom and about to birth another lucky man into this world.'

Awaiting their baby: Maksim shared a video onto his Instagram stories before the couple became parents of two, which began with the dancer greeting his fans and followers

Ready! He panned the phone camera over to his wife, Peta, who was laying in a bed. 'How are you feeling?' he asked, prompting her to throw her arms into the air and humorously flashed peace signs

Big supporter! Shortly before the video was uploaded, he also shared a sweet photo as he held hands with his wife inside of the hospital. 'Its go time!' he wrote in the caption

Upon sharing a photo after their newborn son was born, social media users jumped to the comment section to express their excitement and congratulations.

Rumer Willis, who recently welcomed her first child in April, wrote, 'Congratulations papa so happy for you guys.'

Model Joanna Krupa penned, 'Wow amazing timing! So happy for u guys!' while TV personality Amanda Kloots added, 'Wow what a day! What a gift!'

Earlier this month in June, Peta got candid about suffering three miscarriages before becoming pregnant with their second child. She shared a video that had documented the heartbreaking moments, which then led up to her successfully carrying their second baby.

'Its been a long ride for our family. Each day of those two and a half years I prayed for a miracle. I really was reluctant sharing this footage (some I did leave out) but I realized this is my journey..not a pretty journey but MY journey,' she wrote.

'I am a changed woman from these events, I think a better woman. Today I am happy and content, I am grateful and wont take things for granted. I never thought this day at 39 weeks would come,' the DWTS star admitted.

'It was an infatuation to be pregnant with my second child, I thought I needed it for my soul, to be full and whole. What I needed to realize and come to terms with was the fact that I am whole, I have a beautiful healthy family who love me and that I wasnt able to see.'

The star added, 'It killed my soul, but as soon as I released my fears of bearing only one child, I was pregnant a month later. I still look down and think HOW?!!! How did I get pregnant naturally a month after IVF? I am forever wrapped up in gratitude with a week or so to go.'

Happy: The Dancing With The Stars pro officially announced she was expecting baby number two earlier in January after suffering three miscarriages

Opening up: Earlier this month in June, Peta got candid about suffering three miscarriages before becoming pregnant with their second child

Importance of loved ones: Peta then gave a special shout out to Maksim for being 'the greatest man' and 'sticking by me and riding this crazy wave of sorrow and joy'

'Greatest joy': The professional dancer also penned a tribute to her son, Shai, who has 'been my light and greatest joy through all of this'

Peta then gave a special shout out to Maksim for being 'the greatest man' and 'sticking by me and riding this crazy wave of sorrow and joy.'

The professional dancer also penned a tribute to her son, Shai, who has 'been my light and greatest joy through all of this.'

The New Zealand-born star and Maksim became engaged in 2015 after dating on and off since 2012, and their first son was born in January 2017.

Later that same year in July, the happy couple tied the knot during a romantic ceremony at Oheka Castle located in Long Island, New York.
Ike Turner Jr., the son of the late Tina and Ike Turner, was arrested last month in Texas on multiple drug charges, less than three weeks before his famed mother's death at 83.

Ike Jr., 64, was taken into custody May 6 in Alvin, Texas, in connection with crack cocaine possession and tampering with evidence, police told People Wednesday.

'He tried to eat the drugs before the officers could seize them from him,' Capt. Q.T. Arendell of the Alvin Police Department told the outlet.

Ike Jr. has not posted the $70,000 bail following his arrest, police told the outlet, and remains in custody at the Brazoria County Detention Center in Angleton, Texas.

A passenger in the vehicle with Ike Jr., Jessica Salinas-Esquivel, was also charged in the incident with meth possession, police said, according to the outlet.

The latest: Ike Turner Jr., the son of the late Tina and Ike Turner, was arrested last month in Texas on multiple drug charges, less than three weeks before his famed mother's death at 83. Pictured with his late father Ike Turner in September 2007 in LA, three months before Ike died

The arrest occurred less than three weeks before his mother Tina Turner's death at 83 May 24. Pictured in 2008

His mother Tina died at her Switzerland home May 24 at 83 after battling multiple ailments. Ike Jr. was adopted by Tina Turner after Ike Turner welcomed him with ex-wife Lorraine Taylor.

According to authorities, in the May 6 incident, Ike Jr. was initially pulled over at 12:09 a.m. in a white 2013 Ford Fusion over an equipment violation, meaning a broken headlight or taillight.

Upon searching the car, police saw Ike Jr. trying to eat the drugs that were present - 1.7 grams of crack cocaine and .7 grams of methamphetamine.

Ike Jr. also had an unrelated outstanding arrest warrant ahead of the incident, police said.

Like his parents, he has also had a career in music, as a member of the tribute band The Love Thang Band, alongside vocalist Sweet Randi Love.

He also earned a Grammy working with his late father Ike Turner on the 2006 album Risin' With The Blues, which prevailed in the category for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Ike Jr. has also been involved with his mother's musical endeavors, but said his late father - notorious for his well-chronicled past involving domestic violence toward Tina - assaulted him over the gig.

'When my mother and father separated, he did not want me working with her - and he beat me in the head with a nickel-plated .45 pistol,' Ike Jr. told DailyMail.com in an August 2018 interview.

He also earned a Grammy working with his late father Ike Turner on the 2006 album Risin' With The Blues, which prevailed in the category for Best Traditional Blues Album

Ike Jr. has also been involved with his mother's musical endeavors, but in 2018 said his late father assaulted him over the gig

Ike and Tina Turner posed for a family portrait with their sons in 1972. Clockwise from bottom left: Michael Turner, Ike Turner Jr., Ike Turner, Craig Hill and Ronnie Turner

Tina and Ike Turner were pictured in London in October 1975. Their stormy relationship was examined in Tina's 1993 biopic What's Love Got to Do with It, in which they were played by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, who were both nominated for Oscars for the film

In the revealing 2018 chat, Ike Jr. said that he hadn't spoken with Tina for nearly two decades.

'Tina raised me from the age of two,' he said. 'Shes the only mother Ive ever known. But I havent talked to my mother since God knows when - probably around 2000.'

He continued: 'My mother is living her life - she has a new husband and shes in Europe. She doesnt want to have anything to do with the past.'

Ike Jr. defended his father's reputation on the topic of domestic violence, chronicled in interviews both Tina and Ike had given, and in the 1993 Tina biopic What's Love Got to Do with It.

'My mother and father had no more fights than the people next door to you,' he said in the 2018 interview. 'I think their problem was her mouth and his mouth - my father didnt take s*** from nobody.'

Ike Turner fatally overdosed on cocaine in December 2007 at the age of 76.

The musician had been dogged for decades by drug addiction, including an 18-month prison sentence for cocaine possession in 1989.
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi shocked staff as they visited a tattoo store in Sydney on Wednesday.

The newlyweds made a surprise appearance to the Rising Tide Tattoo Studio in Chippendale.

The store shared a photo to Facebook of tattoo artist Scott posing alongside the British pop star and her husband after they got inked.

'Today was a great day, I got to tattoo some amazing people. Maybe you've heard of them?' he captioned the post.

Rita dressed casually in grey track pants and a matching jumper as she showed off her new tiny ink on her arm.

Rita Ora and her husband Taika Waititi shocked staff as they made a surprise visit to a tattoo store in Sydney on Wednesday

Meanwhile, Taika looked stylish in navy pants, a pink jumper and white sneakers as he smiled alongside Scott.

Rita is believed to have moved to Sydney with her New Zealand filmmaker husband Taika, whom she married in August last year.

The couple recently set temperatures soaring as they posed for a steamy photoshoot for Vogue Australia.

They revealed in the interview the secret behind their successful marriage is making time for each other.

'That's the thing about marriage and relationships, it's about finding that person you want to hang out with and making sure you actually do that,' Taika said.

The store shared a photo to Facebook of tattoo artist Scott posing alongside the British pop star and her husband after they got inked

Rita added: 'It's about sacrificing certain things and making time for one another, especially when there's two busy people in the relationship... If you really care about someone you will figure it out.'

Taika also admitted that he felt 'relaxed and at ease' whenever he's around Rita.

'I've done a lot of things with other people that I've never been in a relationship with that feel very stiff, and the energy is not really there.'

'So to do something with my best friend, it's just more relaxing for us. We're more at ease with each other and we can joke around and then we can also get serious when it needs to be.'
Grandi said that half a million refugees had fled Sudan since the beginning of the conflict, and another two million were internally displaced

The head of the UN's refugee agency on Tuesday urged Sudan's neighbours to keep their borders open despite security worries as the number of people fleeing the conflict topped 500,000, while those internally displaced climbed to two million.

Filippo Grandi warned in an interview with AFP that the two-month-old war threatened to spread insecurity in the "fragile" nations that border Sudan.

"My appeal to all the neighbouring countries is to say I understand your security concerns, but please keep your borders open because these people are really fleeing for their lives," he said during a visit to Nairobi to mark World Refugee Day.

Sudan has been riven by conflict since April 15, with the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

"It is a worrying situation. Many of these neighbouring countries are very fragile and there is also an element of insecurity that risks spreading," Grandi said.

The death toll in Sudan has risen above 2,000, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project's latest figures.

At an earlier press conference in the Kenyan capital, Grandi said that half a million refugees had fled Sudan since the beginning of the conflict, and another two million were internally displaced.

"If we don't silence those guns, the exodus of Sudanese people will continue," said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

- 'More of an effort' -

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that if the Sudan conflict did not end, the exodus would continue

He was speaking a day after donors at a UN conference pledged close to $1.5 billion to combat the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and help its neighbours host those fleeing the fighting -- including Chad, South Sudan and Egypt.

That figure was however less than half of what humanitarians have said is required this year and Grandi appealed to the international community to dig deeper, saying donations were a fraction of defence spending by rich nations.

"I'm not saying that military spending isn't necessary, that's not my field and I understand the logic, but humanitarian aid is a tiny, tiny fraction of all that.

"I can't believe that we can't make a bit more of an effort," he said, urging Gulf states in particular to do more.

A record 25 million people -- more than half of Sudan's population -- now depend on humanitarian aid, the United Nations says.

A 72-hour ceasefire agreed by the warring sides took effect on Sunday to allow access to aid, although a number of previous truces have collapsed.

"We are unfortunately gradually seeing the destruction of this country," Grandi told AFP, echoing remarks made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at Monday's donor conference.

"It is a worrying situation because we have not seen much progress, if any, in the negotiations between the two generals who are fighting in the country," Grandi said.

"This must stop because it risks having incalculable consequences in the region and beyond."
The Titan submersible beginning a descent

The former director of marine operations for the US company whose Titanic tourism submersible is missing raised safety concerns before being fired, according to a 2018 lawsuit.

David Lochridge's misgivings about the safety of the missing submersible, the Titan, are contained in a response he filed to a lawsuit brought against him by its owner, OceanGate.

A massive US and Canadian coast guard search effort is underway in the North Atlantic after the OceanGate submersible carrying five people went missing on Sunday during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic.

Lochridge, a submarine pilot and diver from Scotland, began working for OceanGate in May 2015 as an independent contractor before being promoted to director of marine operations, according to court documents.

In the lawsuit filed in Washington state five years ago, Oceangate accused Lochridge of violating a nondisclosure agreement by divulging confidential and proprietary information.

In a counterclaim, Lochridge said he was fired by OceanGate in January 2018 after he "raised critical safety concerns regarding OceanGate's experimental and untested design of the Titan."

"Lochridge first expressed verbal concerns over the safety and quality control issues regarding the Titan to OceanGate executive management," the document said. "These verbal communications were ignored."

Lochridge was concerned, the counterclaim said, about "the quality control and safety of the Titan, particularly OceanGate's refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design of the hull."

Passengers on the Titan could be exposed to danger as the submersible reached extreme depths, Lochridge warned.

In his filing, Lochridge said the viewing port at the forward end of the submersible was built to sustain a certified pressure of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), although OceanGate planned to take passengers down to depths of some 4,000 meters.

"OceanGate refused to pay for the manufacturer to build a viewport that would meet the required depth of 4,000 meters," the document said.

The Titanic rests on the seabed at a depth of around 3,800 meters.

- 'Unanimous concern' -

Lochridge also "strongly encouraged" OceanGate to use a classification agency such as the American Bureau of Shipping to inspect and certify the Titan, the document said.

"Rather than address his concerns or undergo corrective action to rectify and ensure the safety of the experimental Titan, or utilize a standard classification agency to inspect the Titan, OceanGate did the exact opposite -- they immediately fired Lochridge," it said.

According to Insider and the New Republic, which first reported on the lawsuit, the complaint was settled out of court in November 2018.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush is one of the five people on board the Titan.

Besides the safety worries put forward by Lochridge, The New York Times on Tuesday published a March 2018 letter from the Marine Technology Society to Rush in which the industry group's members voiced "unanimous concern" about the Titan.

"Our apprehension is that the current experimental approach adopted by Oceangate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry," the letter said.
TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Albanian authorities on Tuesday raided a camp for members of the exiled Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq to seize 150 computer devices allegedly linked to prohibited political activities, and several people were injured.

Albanian Interior Minister Bledi Cuci and the head of the national police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, said both police officers and Iranian dissidents were injured during the raid at the Ashraf-3 camp near Manze, a small hill town 30 kilometers (about 20 miles) west of Albanias capital. Representatives of the Mujahedeen group said one person was killed; Albanian authorities disputed that the raid caused the man's death.

The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crimes office has opened investigations into suspected political activities by Mujahedeen members. Cuci and Rrumbullaku referred questions about the nature of the alleged violations to prosecutors, saying police were only carrying out a court order to seize evidence.

The agreement the government signed with the MEK when Albania agreed to shelter Mujahedeen members in 2013 states they are not supposed to engage in any political activity and must abide by the country's laws.

Some 2,500 Iranian exiles who initially were housed in separate locations built the Ashraf-3 camp in 2019. It consists of 127 buildings in an area of 40 hectares (100 acres), which Rrumbullaku said is Albanian territory.

Some camp residents tried to block the police officers who moved in to seize the computer devices housed in 17 buildings, and their leaders did not cooperate, according to Rrumbullaku. Fifteen officers were injured, and 21 Ashraf-3 residents were taken to a hospital with injuries from the pepper spray the officers used to defend themselves.

Cuci, the interior minister, said he was "indignant and offended" by the reception police received.

In an email message to The Associated Press, Shahin Gobadi, the MEK's spokesperson in Paris, said an Iranian man was killed and more than 100 camp residents injured "due to police firing pepper spray." He identified the man who died as Ali Mostashari.

The statement from the Iranian opposition headquarters compared the Albanian police raid with those they saw in Iraq before coming to the Western Balkan country.

Cuci denied police actions resulted in the death of a man in his late 70s, and said authorities were awaiting the results of an autopsy.

"I guarantee that death was not caused from any action of the police forces," he said at a news conference. "We paid all the necessary care not to create any incident with the residents within the camp."

The Mujahedeen-e-Khalq began as a Marxist group opposed to the rule of Iran's then-Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It supported the 1979 Islamic Revolution but soon had a falling out with Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and turned against his clerical government, carrying out a series of assassinations and bombings in the Islamic Republic.

MEK members later fled into Iraq and backed dictator Saddam Hussein during his eight-year war with Iran in the 1980s, leading many people in Iran to oppose the group. Although now largely based in Albania, the group claims to operate a network inside Iran.

MEK members in Albania have proudly told local journalists how they have hacked or penetrated communication systems of the Tehran government and Iranian institutions.

Ties between Iran and Albania have been tense since Albania gave MEK members a safe haven a decade ago.

Albania suffered a cyberattack last year that the government and multinational technology companies blamed on the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The attack, believed to be in retaliation for Albania sheltering the Iranian opposition in exile, led the government to suspend diplomatic relations with Iran.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry denied Tehran was behind an attack on Albanian government websites and noted that Iran has suffered cyber-attacks from the MEK.

The United States, NATO and the European Union supported NATO member Albania in the dispute, with Washington vowing unspecified retaliation against Iran for what it called "a troubling precedent for cyberspace."
India stands with its head high because its political leadership displayed courage and futuristic vision in remaining out of the NPT and CTBT

The Russia-Ukraine war impacts practically every nation in one way or the other. Ukraine gets its aid, support and weapons from NATO nations. Sanctions by the US and its allies no longer create any major concerns amongst the targeted nations which have learnt to face such sanctions. India has solved its oil import issue and is in a much better position than before. The War has already lasted for around sixteen months but there seems to be no leeway in peace efforts, if at all these are underway!

Common people are unaware of any concrete steps being undertaken in this regard.

Apart from the fact that every war invariably inflicts misery, death and destruction, the tragedy is that the Ukraine war stands routinized in the eyes of common people. All of the UN agencies and human rights initiatives appear strikingly helpless in such situations. Think of Afghanistan which has suffered for decades together, throwing thousands of survivors into inhuman misery. Generations continue to suffer, Russians came, and Americans came, both pretending to be their saviours. They left with heads bowed down, leaving Afghans in a state of perpetual misery, with no signs of any redressal in future.

Think of children, particularly girls, most of whom lost not only their childhood but also the most creative and contributing years of life, without education or skill acquisition. There are other nations also that suffer uninterrupted internal strife and rampant violence. While the scholars of the global political scenario may be deciphering the intentions of the warring nations, the suffering citizens, children and women of Ukraine would take decades together to return to normalcy even after the war and internal strife could be managed.

The reconstruction would take an unfathomable measure of resources and time.

At present there is no hope of a thaw. This war stands routinized for the print media.

Electronic media offers content and helps them run 24X7 shows. Even when Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus warned on June 13 of 2023 that he will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if his country faces aggression, not many paid much attention to it. In an attempt to warn the US and NATO nations of their support to Ukraine, President Putin made his intentions clear to everyone that he intends to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus Russias ally in this war. The threat of a nuclear war could be a reality!

It is also time to reflect on the global farce going paraded in the name of the NPT - Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; CTBT. In December 1953 US President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his proposal on Atoms for Peace to the UN General Assembly to create an international organization that may guard against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It led to the establishment of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA  in 1957. Amongst several developments, The NPT was opened for signatures in 1970. It is a multilateral agreement with 189 States and five official nuclear nations.

The CTBT was approved by the UN General Assembly on September 1996 and opened for signatures on September 24 of 1996. India is not a signatory to both of these. CTBT and NPT indeed remain discriminatory not only in percept but also the practice. Does it not astonish that a couple of nations appropriate certain privileges for themselves that they could conduct nuclear tests  but expect others not to enter that privileged area? India has consistently continued its research in areas of its choice and has never surrendered to the bullying nature of certain well-known pressures. Today, India stands surrounded by two rouge nuclear nations that have all along been a security risk.

The US was the first to have successfully conducted an atomic explosion on July 16, 1945. It was also the first and the last to have dropped atomic bombs on the civilian population, that too within a month; August 6, 1945, on Hiroshima and on August 9, 1945, on Nagasaki. Almost four years later, USSR conducted its atomic explosion on August 29, 1949. The UK became a member of this club on October 30, 1952; and France on February 13, 1960. All four were members of the UN Security Council with Veto rights. China conducted its first nuclear explosion on October 16 of 1964. It could get an entry only in 1971. One must appreciate the Indian political leadership for having realized the nature of NPT and CTBT that are the creations of the imperialists of yesteryears. They were and remain keen to explore and insert such treaties and provisions that would shackle the developing nations that were just out of the yoke of colonialism. During the one-year period, the numbers for US and Russia came down; 5428 to 5244 for the US and from 5977 to 5899 in the case of Russia. Numbers remain the same in the case of France and the UK; at 290 and 225 respectively. India and Pakistan possess 164 and 170 nuclear weapons at this stage. Israel and South Korea are the other players at 90 and 30 only. The estimated number of Atomic Weapons globally is 12,512 in January 2023. Of these, 9576 were ready for the use of respective defence forces.

It is also estimated that 3844 of these are fitted to missiles and fighter planes, ready to strike ahead the moment they receive the command! Apart from the fabulous- five, India and Pakistan are also nuclear nations. So are Israel and North Korea.

There could be one or two more also that remain permanent suspects in the eyes of the US and Israel. Imagine the vulnerability of Indias security if it had not become a nuclear power. India now stands with its head high only because its political leadership, irrespective of opposite political ideologies, did not compromise on national safety and security, and displayed courage and futuristic vision in remaining out of the NPT and CTBT. In June it was noted that India could take its own stand  in national interest and NATO powers could not intimidate it by imposing sanctions.

One could also time to recall with gratitude the role of Dr Homi Jahangir Bhabha in envisioning the nuclear needs of free India, and persuading the Tatas to establish the first and only research institute in nuclear physics in India in 1945; The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research TIFR. He was also responsible for the creation of the Department of Atomic Energy- DAE  in 1958. Several other initiatives followed. Under the leadership of Dr Bhabha, India created its own high standards of research in nuclear sciences. The experience of the 1971 war with Pakistan made Indian political decision-makers think afresh. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi approved nuclear tests, and these, now known as Pokhran-I were conducted on May 18, 1974. Atal Bihari Vajpayee made it happen again, and the Pokhran-II happened on May 11, and May 13 of 1998. It is the preparedness achieved by India that stands guarantee against its belligerent neighbours.

(Professor Rajput works in education, social cohesion and religious amity)
The multinational peacekeeping joint exercise, 'Ex Khaan Quest 2023,' involving military contingents and observers from over 20 countries, including India, has commenced in Mongolia. The exercise, co-sponsored by the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), will last for nearly 14 days.

The opening ceremony of the exercise was inaugurated by the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the Garhwal Rifles. The primary objective of the drill is to enhance interoperability among the participating nations, facilitate the sharing of experiences, and train uniformed personnel for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO).

"Ex Khaan Quest 2023" aims to prepare the participants for future UN peacekeeping missions, strengthen peace operations capabilities, and enhance military readiness. The exercise encompasses various activities such as Command Post Exercise (CPX), Field Training Exercises (FTX), combat discussions, lectures, and demonstrations.

Furthermore, this military exercise will foster increased defense cooperation between the Indian Army and the participating countries.
Five years after Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) ended its alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir, Ravinder Raina, state BJP President visited grave of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed located in Bijbehara area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district and paid rich tributes to him on Monday.

It was on June 19, 2018 Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tendered her resignation after BJP went ahead and broke its alliance with the PDP.

The Governors' rule was imposed in J&k on June 20.

Raina, currently visiting Kashmir valley, Monday also hailed the work of PDP Patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed while listing his contributions in office.

In contrast the two mainstream political parties--the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party cornered the ruling dispensation at the centre over the delay in restoration of democracy in the Union Territory.

On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the state into two Union territories  Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Monday said democracy in India ends where Jammu and Kashmir begins.

Democracy is in our veins, it is in our culture; India is the mother of democracy; India is the temple of democracy. Great sounding words that the international community lap up & regurgitate ad-nauseam. Meanwhile J&K completes 5 years under central rule today. Democracy ends where J&K begins, he tweeted.

PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan said the entire nation should hang its head in shame.

Entire nation & its leadership must hang their heads in shame for calling itself Mother Of Democracy. J&K languishes under central rule for a staggering 5 years, with the last election held 9 years ago. The blatant disregard for peoples rights & representation is appalling, he said in a tweet.
Amid escalating ethnic violence in Manipur, the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on Tuesday for a petition seeking Army protection for the minority Kuki tribes and prosecution of the communal groups targeting them. The court recognised the gravity of the law and order issue but emphasised that it should be addressed by the administration.

A vacation bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh expressed reservations about court intervention, stating that it could potentially worsen the situation in the State. This is a significant law and order issue. Let the administration handle the matter. Can the Supreme Court order individual protection? Our interference may exacerbate the situation. We hope that it wont be necessary for the courts to pass an order deploying the Army or central forces.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioner NGO Manipur Tribal Forum, highlighted the discrepancy between assurances given and the tragic reality on the ground, with 70 tribals losing their lives.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, opposed the plea for an urgent hearing, asserting that security agencies are actively working to restore peace and normalcy.

Mehta further emphasized that a related matter concerning the Manipur High Courts order granting Scheduled Tribe status to the majority Meitei community, which triggered the chain of violence in the northeastern state, is scheduled for hearing on July 17. He suggested that the present petition could wait, stating, A similar prayer was made before the vacation period, which was not considered. Public interest can wait.

The Manipur Tribal Forum, through its interlocutory application in the Supreme Court, has accused the central government and Manipurs Chief Minister of pursuing a communal agenda that aims to ethnically cleanse the Kuki tribals. The NGO urged the apex court not to rely on empty assurances and called for Army protection for the Kukis.
In a blow to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the petitions filed by the West Bengal Government and the State Election Commission (SEC) challenging the Calcutta High Courts order to deploy Central forces across the State for the upcoming panchayat elections on July 8.

The Supreme Court, while dismissing the petitions, emphasised that the tenor of the high court order aimed to ensure a free and fair election in the State. It is no secret that West Bengal has often become a hotbed of political violence during elections.

In the previous panchayat polls held in 2018, more than 20 people lost their lives, and numerous others sustained injuries. The run-up to the July 8 polls has already witnessed several clashes, with reports of multiple casualties, including incidents on June 15, which was the last day for filing nominations. These incidents compelled the Calcutta High Court to issue an order mandating the deployment of Central forces across the State.

Opposition leaders, including BJPs Suvendu Adhikari and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, had petitioned the court for deployment of Central forces for ensuring peaceful elections, stating the State had witnessed large-scale violence during the urban local bodies elections in 2022 and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections in 2021.

They had also prayed for extension of the last date of nomination claiming the time given was not adequate. The court had left it to the SEC to consider the prayer.

The panchayat polls are set to be conducted across over 61,000 booths, many of which are located in sensitive areas. The bench, comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Manoj Misra, while dismissing the petitions, made a significant observation, stating, Holding an election cannot be a licence for violence. Elections cannot be accompanied by violence.

The bench further clarified that the high court order was primarily aimed at ensuring a free and fair election in the entire state of West Bengal, given that the state is conducting elections for local bodies on a single date. Moreover, considering the significant number of seats up for polls, the order of the high court does not warrant any interference from the Supreme Court. The bench expressed its reluctance to intervene in any other directives issued by the high court regarding the conduct of elections for the three-tier panchayati raj institutions.

Elections cannot be accompanied by violence. If persons are not able to go and file their nominations or those who have filed their nominations are ultimately finished off, or there are group clashes, where is free and fair election? it said.

The counsel for the state government said sometimes facts and figures are different from the impressions.

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the SEC, said the poll panel is aggrieved by two directions of the high court, including the one which says it will requisition central forces and deploy them across the state.

The bench told the counsel appearing for West Bengal that even according to the State, the police force, as of now, was inadequate to meet the situation and therefore, it has requisitioned police force from half a dozen states.

What the high court has thought is, instead of requisitioning police forces from half a dozen states, let the Central forces be brought in, it said, adding the high court has also said the expenditure will be borne by the Centre and not the state.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis scheduled bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden in Washington, Chinas State-owned media has criticised the United States for its alleged efforts to impede Chinas economic advancement by strengthening ties with India. This critique comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a five-day visit to Beijing.

In an opinion piece published in The Global Times, Chinas prominent diplomat and former Foreign Minister Wang Yi asserted that the USs geopolitical motivations are driving its push to enhance economic and trade interactions with India, but that such endeavours are destined to fail. The article also accused the US of merely paying lip service to India without delivering substantial results.

The US seems to be intensifying its efforts to push India to confront China and hinder Chinas economic progress, stated the editorial piece.

It further referenced a recent warning from the Financial Times, which highlighted concerns among some Indian elites over the US attempts to utilise India as a counterforce against China.

Wang Yi elaborated, stating, The US geopolitical calculations are not difficult to discern. As feared by many Indian elites, Washingtons vigorous efforts to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with India are primarily aimed at impeding Chinas economic development.

The article emphasised that the USs geopolitical calculations are doomed to fail, as Chinas crucial role in the global supply chain cannot be replaced by India or any other economy.

The USs geopolitical calculations are not difficult to comprehend. As feared by many Indian elites, Washingtons energetic attempts to enhance economic and trade cooperation with India are primarily aimed at hampering Chinas economic development, reiterated the opinion piece.

Furthermore, it highlighted that despite increased investments in India by American companies, such as Apple, their reliance on Chinas supply chain remains indispensable.

In reality, Indias trade with the US cannot substitute its trade with China, nor can India replace China in the global supply chains, the piece stated.

The editorial piece called on the US and India to address their own issues if they aim to further develop economic and trade cooperation, rather than targeting China.

Accusing the US of paying mere lip service to India without fulfilling promises, the article urged India to abandon geopolitical calculations and refrain from joining the US in what it described as a reckless and self-serving game to contain China. Instead, it emphasised the importance for Indias future growth and development to promote trade and economic cooperation with China.

Interestingly, Wang Yis article coincides with US Secretary of State Blinkens meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and Wang Yi. This visit is seen as an attempt by the US to ease tensions between the two nations.
As the world gears up to celebrate Yoga International Day on June 21, a remarkable addition to this years festivities awaits. For the first time ever, yoga enthusiasts will have the opportunity to practise on stunning yoga mats woven by traditional tribal communities. These mats are adorned with unique designs and motifs that beautifully represent the diverse cultural heritage found across the country.

In a collaborative effort to promote tribal artisans and their exceptional artistry, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) has sourced approximately 34,000 hand woven mats from tribal communities. These vibrant mats will be utilised during various events organised by the Union Ayush Ministry on the auspicious occasion of International Yoga Day.

Beyond serving as comfortable surfaces for yoga practice, these mats serve as a testament to the rich cultural traditions preserved by tribal communities. Each mat boasts distinct designs and motifs that encapsulate the cultural significance of the regions they originate from.

Each mat is a vibrant testament to the diverse cultural heritage of Indias tribes, reflecting their stories, folklore, and artistic legacy, said an official from the TRIFED under the Union Tribal Ministry.

The mats will act as catalysts, fostering a deep connection between yoga enthusiasts and the rich cultural heritage of tribal artisans. Through these interactions, participants will develop an appreciation for the artistic brilliance and cultural depth that tribal communities bring to the countrys diverse tapestry, he added.

The creator of these talented tribal weavers such as Sonali Sinku, Ratri Tudu, Nilima Murmu and Pranati Tudu contribute their skills and craftsmanship in the production of mats from various districts, including Beltala, Gochara, Sanchara, Kangal Beria, Debra, and Laulara in Medinipur and Purulia.

Each mat represents the authentic craftsmanship of various communities. For instance, the Santhal community will present the essence of Madurkathi, an integral part of Medinipurs rich weaving heritage. More than just mats, these creations offer a range of benefits. Their non-conductive nature and exceptional sweat-absorbing properties make them indispensable in West Bengals hot and humid climate. Additionally, they hold great significance in religious rituals and practices, he added.

Similarly, Sabai Grass Yoga Mats are a testament to the inherent connection between the Tribals of Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and the lush landscapes that surround them. By incorporating natural materials and the artistic traditions of the Santhal community, these mats provide individuals with a serene and eco-friendly yoga experience.

Usharani Naik, a member of the Bathudi tribe from the village of Gohaldihi in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, contributes her skills to the creation of yoga mats, while Gurucharan Naik, a member of the Bathudi tribe from the village of Betnoti, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, is another skilled artisan contributing to the production of yoga mats.

Gondha Grass which is harvested from waste land and riverbeds by tribal women, are used for mat weaving by a community in Potka block in East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. Cotton yarn and Gondha Grass are used to create various craft items such as mats, bags, covers, and domestic items.
Bairagarh police have nabbed two accused who were trying to leave Bhopal, one of the accused raped the victim while his father was demanding money from the victim by threatening her to defame her.

The Bairagarh police team arrested the accused Mohammad Shawez and his father Mohammad Salim while the two were trying to escape from the state capital.

On Tuesday the victim came to the police station Bairagarh and reported that the accused Shawez became friends with her and later asked her to meet her at CTO Bairagarh to meet her for but she was raped their. He threatened her not to report the incident and demanded money and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

The feared victim failed to reveal the atrocity and demanded action by Shawez's father Salim who threatened her to defame and demanded money from her. Frustrated from the atrocity and blackmailing, the victim lodged a complaint.

The police registered a case under section 376, 376(2)(n), 327, 506, 34 of the IPC.

The team was sent for the arrest of the accused and Mohammad Shawez and his father Mohammad Salim who were trying to escape from Bhopal.

Police said that the victim is a 30-year-old married woman who was trapped by the accused as he used to live in the same area and was acquainted with the victim.

The father of the accused runs a Chicken shop and when the victim reached to report the atrocity of his son he threatened her to defame and demanded money.
An Assistant Constable was on Tuesday hacked to death by unidentified persons in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

The incident took place when Sanjay Kumar Vedja had gone to Patakutru village to meet his relatives, Bijapur Additional Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Governa said.

Around five men attacked Vedja with sharp weapons at around 4 am on Tuesday when he was asleep. He died on the spot.

Preliminary probe suggests it could be the work of Maoists.
Protesting frequent power cuts, BJP workers locked the main gate of the TPCODL office here on Monday.

Led by former MLA Krushna Chandra Patra and former MP Rudra Pany, the BJP workers gathered at the TPCODL office to voice their concerns.

The protestors also issued a warning that if the TPCODL fails to take appropriate measures to stop power outages in the district, they would call for a Dhenkanal Bandh.

The power distribution system in Odisha has been a complete failure under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. We demand an apology from him and Energy Minister Pratap Deb should resign. We will persist with our protest until the district Collector attends to our concerns, said Pany.

The protest came to an end after the TPCODL Executive Engineer assured the demonstrators that an uninterrupted power supply would be ensured.
Chhattisgarh is all set for a grand show on the International Yoga Day on Wednesday.

Various programmes are to be held across the state.

The theme for this year's celebrations is 'One World, One Health'.

Mass yoga demonstrations will be held at prominent locations including historical and public places as well as near important rivers.

Gyanesh Sharma, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Yoga Commission, said yoga events will be organized with the participation of public representatives and citizens in cities and villages.

Furthermore, yoga programmes will be held at Anganwadi centers, old-age homes, PSUs and all government departments.
Terming the first meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) as futile and a conspiracy, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the AAP government will raise the issue in the Supreme Court.

Kejriwal further said the ordinance, through which the Authority was constituted, has made bureaucrats the bosses of ministers in Delhi and expressed hope that the Congress will clear its stand on the Centre's ordinance in the non-BJP parties in Patna on June 23.

The Friday meeting of opposition parties has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"Since the matter was in black and white, the authority was unanimous in its decision to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the official," Kejriwal had said earlier in the day.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, Kejriwal has received a proposal from the Services Department encompassing three distinct categories of requests.These categories include departments requesting the transfer of certain officers, posting of officers against vacant positions, and an officer's request for transfer/postings.

After the first meeting, Kejriwal alleged the Centre of snatching powers of the elected government through the ordinance. The chief minister claimed that the Centre wants to control Delhi through IAS officers. "An officer has been given charge above every minister. The Centre wants to control the Delhi government through officers.

In every department, the final decision will now rest with the department secretary, not the minister. The secretary can dismiss the minister's decision. The ordinance has placed the Delhi chief secretary above the Cabinet," he charged. Officers have the power to reject decisions taken by ministers, he said. We will present all these matters in the Supreme Court. We are hopeful that we will get relief from the Supreme Court and also that the Bill wont be passed in the Parliament, he added.

The chief minister said that two officers have been appointed above the Chief Minister in order to overturn the CM's decision in the NCCSA. No proposal can be brought to the Cabinet without the consent of the officers. Even after losing the elections, the BJP wants to run the Delhi government through deceit, he added.

In the last week of May, a file came to me on the suspension of an officer. I raised three to four clarifications on the file and said that after this I will say when the meeting (NCCSA) will happen. But the file never came back to me. They (other two officers) sent the file to L-G, and it was said that of the committee, out of three members, two members have agreed and asked for his approval. So, they do not even have to give an answer to my query or clarification.

They sent the file to the L-G and the LG wrote to suspend the officer and the officer was suspended. The file never came to me. Then what is the need of the committee? Kejriwal said.

The first meeting of NCCSA discussed initiating disciplinary proceedings against an official who was involved in some wrongdoing in the Forensic Science Laboratory. The second meeting of the NCCSA has been convened on June 28 by Kejriwal. While highlighting the agendas of the opposition party, Kejriwal said, "I hope all parties in that meeting (Opposition meeting on 23rd June) ask Congress to clear its stand. The ordinance will be the first issue that will be discussed at the meeting," he said.

Kejriwal who is also AAP convener said he will speak to the other leaders in the meeting about how such an ordinance can be brought for even full-fledged states. He said he will "explain the dangers of this ordinance to each and every party present over there". " I think first agenda of that meeting will be Centre's ordinance that ends democracy in Delhi.

I will take the Constitution of India with me and explain how this ordinance makes a mockery of it. Just because this has only been promulgated in Delhi, which is often considered a "half-state", it does not mean that it cannot be promulgated in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Maharashtra.

"By promulgating such ordinances, the Centre can end up dissolving all the matters that come within the concurrent list of the Constitution of India like education, electricity," he asserted.
As the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) is getting over 25,000 complaints per day regarding power outages, different associations have written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, alleging a shortage of staff that has resulted in poor maintenance and upkeep of the power infrastructure.

Shortage of staff has impacted maintenance work that has resulted in frequent power cuts. Overloading of transformers and cable faults have aggravated the situation, the letter said.

It further said that there should be 2,65,000 employees in the power sector in the state but only 68,000 employees are currently working, placing a tremendous burden on each individual.

General secretary of the State Electricity Board Engineers Association Jitendra Singh Gurjar said that approximately 50 per cent of the transformers in the state are overloaded.

Furthermore, the letter highlights the decrease in the number of employees compared to 2012. In that year, the state had around 61,403 sanctioned regular employees. The government had hired 42,643 individuals for regular jobs during that time. However, the number declined to 37,174 by 2021.

In contrast, the state requires 2,65,000 employees to effectively meet the increased demand resulting from the rise in feeders, transformers, sub-stations, and consumers. Unfortunately, the number of employees has been decreasing year after year, Gurjar said.

The surge in consumer numbers and electricity load exacerbates the issue. According to the letter, the state has witnessed a two-and-a-half to three-fold increase in the number of consumers since 2012.

In 2012, the consumer count stood at 12.7 million, which has now increased to 32.9 million. Simultaneously, the electricity load, which was around 33,000 MW in 2012, has nearly doubled, reaching close to 67,000 MW at present.

To address these pressing concerns, the Engineers Association demands an increase in the number of 5 MVA and 10 MVA transformers across the state.

Additionally, transformers that have undergone multiple repairs should be replaced.

Only by taking these actions can the states power infrastructure be restored to optimal functionality. Unfortunately, over the past three years, the repair work in the state has not been executed to the required standards, leading to further deterioration, the letter said.

The Engineers Association and other employee organisations remain hopeful that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will pay attention to their concerns and take prompt action to fill the vacancies and ensure adequate maintenance of the power infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh.
The Chhattisgarh government has told people and vendors not to use newspapers to pack and wrap food as the ink used in printing contains hazardous chemicals and dyes, an official communication said on Tuesday. The communication said households also use newspapers to remove excess oil from fried food.

The presence of harmful chemicals and dyes in newspapers decline the quality of the food and can cause serious health problems like digestive disorders, toxicity, cancer, organ failure and weakening of the immune system, the government said.

Vendors refusing to mend their ways need to be reported to the Controller, Food and Drug Administration, Nava Raipur, the communication said.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday dedicated 11 flyovers on the eight-lane National Highway from Delhi to Panipat at Sonipat. The project with a length of 24 km has been completed at a cost of about Rs 900 crore.



Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar thanked the Union Minister for giving the gift of road projects to the people and said that 17 National Highways have so far been constructed in the State. He said that perhaps Haryana is the only State in which all district headquarters have been connected to the National Highway. Apart from this, several projects are in the pipeline.



Khattar said that the present State Government works on a principle that hit hard on 3Cs - Corruption, Crime and Caste-based Politics, adding that the Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Apart from this, special emphasis has been laid on 5-S Shiksha (education), Swasthya (health), Svabhiman (self-respect), Suraksha (security) and Svavlamban (self-reliance). In Haryana, eligible citizens are getting the benefit of every scheme sitting at home through the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP).



FOUNDATION STONE OF KARNAL GREENFIELD 6-LANE RING ROAD



Gadkari also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Rs 1690 crore Karnal Greenfield 6-lane Ring Road project at a programme organised in village Kutail of district Karnal. Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said that the 35-kilometer-long Ring Road project would be constructed from Shamgarh on NH-44 of Karnal upto Barota Road and would significantly help in reducing the congestion of Karnal city.



He praised Chief Minister Manohar Lal saying that under his leadership Haryana has become a prosperous State. Gadkari said that today Haryanas national highways are at par with the national highways of America. He said Ring road is being constructed in Delhi and after December, it will take only three hours to reach Jaipur. Earlier, it used to take 4.5 hours to travel from Meerut to Delhi but now it takes only 45 minutes. Similarly, now it will take two hours to travel from Delhi to Dehradun and 1.5 hours from Delhi to Haridwar.



GAURAVSHALI BHARAT RALLY

In another function, Gadkari praised Haryana Chief Minister for transforming the state by working honestly in the last eight-and-a-half years and assured all support and cooperation of his Ministry to the State.



Addressing the Gauravshali Bharat Rally organised on the completion of nine years of the Central Government at Sonipat, he conceded the demand of Chief Minister Khattar and announced to give Rs 300 crore under the Setu Bharatam Yojana for the construction of ROB and RUB to make Haryana free of railway level crossings.

Gadkari said that his Ministry is working on 100 projects in Haryana which are expected to be completed by December 2024. Out of these, 51 projects of 2200 km worth Rs 47,000 crore have been completed whereas, 30 projects of 830 km worth Rs 35,000 crore are in progress. He said that among 19 other projects of 756 km worth Rs 20,000 crores, a detailed project report of 14 projects is being prepared.



He assured the Chief Minister that works on projects involving an investment of Rs 2 lakh crore would be carried out in Haryana by December 2024. These projects would change the image of Haryana and the roads of the State would be developed at par with America.
A team of the Surat police of Gujarat arrested a woman from a village under the G Udayagiri police station in Kandhamal district for allegedly for killing her husband in Surat. Police identified the accused as Sabita Nayak and her deceased husband as Naresh.

According to reports, Naresh along with Sabita and two daughters had been living in Surat for last 25 years. One day, the couple had an altercation over some family issues. After this, Sabita hatched a plan and killed her husband.

After killing her husband, Sabita fled from Surat and hid in her village Dakedi under the G Udayagiri police station.

Acting on a tipoff, the investigating team from Surat reached G Udayagiri; and with the help of G Udayagiri police, arrested Sabita.

Police are investigating how Sabita killed her husband and whether she had any accomplices in the crime.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said it is a natural concern for the farmers to be worried about the delay in the rains.

The government is with the farmers.

He was speaking after transferring to the beneficiaries of the Godhan Nyay Yojana here Rs 12.72 crore, an official communication said.

Baghel said there was a delay in rains this year. It is expected there will be good rains in the coming days. Therefore, the farmers are worried.

The Chief Minister said the officers have been asked to make all kinds of preparations to deal with any situation. Farmers should not face any problem in agriculture.

He said the participation of self-supporting Gauthans in the purchase of cow dung was on the rise. The share of self-supporting Gauthans remains 60 to 70 percent.

He added the state is witnessing a trend of farmers moving towards organic farming. Of the total 35.6 lakh quintals of vermicompost produced, 16.56 lakh quintals have been used by farmers.
As Punjab Vidhan Sabha  sans Congress and the BJP members  passed a resolution urging the Centre to release the states Rs 3622.40 crores Rural Development Fee (RDF) for the past four years, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday hinted at moving the Supreme Court if the funds were not released by the month-end.

Virtually giving an ultimatum to the Centre to release the withheld RDF by the end of June, Mann said: We hope that the Centre would release the funds at the earliest otherwise the Supreme Court is reopening on July 1.

The majority of legislators accused the BJP-led Central Government of adopting a revengeful attitude towards Punjab because the states farmers led the year-long agitation against them.

Mann, wrapping up the discussion on the resolution moved by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian condemning Centre for not releasing the funds, said: The RDF is Punjabs right. The Centre is not paying it which is affecting our rural development and infrastructure.

Accusing the former Chief Minister and now the BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh of misusing the RDF amount, Mann said: This is called financial indiscipline. They used it for some other purpose than rural development. And thats why the Centre stopped the funds.

Then we formulated an amendment to the Act that made it mandatory to use the funds for the purpose it is released. Centre said this is fine. We met the Union Minister Piyush Goyal, and had a good meeting. They said the money will be released. We even wrote thank you letters to themBut the money never came. The Centre is harassing the non-BJP ruled statesbe it west Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Delhi or Punjab, all are facing similar issues, said Mann.

Notably, Punjab, being a procurer of food grains for the central pool, levies three per cent RDF on the Centre. Earlier, the State Government used to levy only 2 per cent RDF but had enhanced it by one per cent saying that it would spend the additional money on waiving the debt of farmers and farm labourers. The Centre has not agreed to it and is not disbursing the amount pertaining to the last procurement season.

Alleging that the states farmers are harassed by the central agencies on one pretext or other and then value cut is imposed, Mann said that the State Government has been paying value cut to compensate the farmers of state and secure their interests. If we get Rs 3,622 crore, we will use this money for the roads. They cannot do arm-twisting by stopping states funds. They keep saying grains have shriveled and they will deduct 20 per cent from Minimum Support Price (MSP). We have paid that money. It has cost us Rs 70 crore, he said.

Mann went on to say that what would happen if Punjab refuses to give its grains for the country. What if we decide not to give our grains From where will they get grains for Public Distribution System (PDS)But we will not do thisPunjab is a large-hearted state. We even leave grains in the fields for the birds.I have been in FCI committee in the Lok SabhaI know FCI (Food Corporation of India) wants to run away. They ask us to implement Uttar Pradesh and Bihar model. They want to buy from other states because there they do not have to pay MSP. In UP and Bihar, they have a mandi in a radius of 300 km. Here, we have a mandi in a radius of three kms. So they want to buy produce at zero per cent. How can we allow that? But they want to trouble the states, he added.

Mann said that everyone knows that the Centre is targeting the non-BJP governments in the country and not allowing them to work smoothly. These tantrums have put democracy in peril across the countryThis is a dangerous trend which needs to be checked as it is not in the interest of the country, he said.

Centre Appoints Rajpal to Trouble State Govts

Mincing no words, Mann said that the Centre, to fulfill its nefarious designs in the state and trouble the State Governments, has appointed a person known as Rajpal or the Governor. Their only job is to trouble or harass the state governments from doing their work. The post of Governor has its traces in the British regime and still these selected ones live with the same pomp and show as their predecessors did. As a fact of matter, these Raj Bhawans have now emerged as the state headquarters of BJP to interfere in the matters of the State Government, he said.

These selected ones are unnecessarily peeping in the work of the elected ones. And if the Governors dont interfere in the affairs of the states, the Centre rebukes them for why they are sitting idle in the offices, said Mann while showing a file containing several letters written by the Governor Banwarilal Purohit to him.

These are love letters written to me by the GovernorWe have replied some of them, and sometimes we wait for spare time to answer them, said Mann, while reminding the Governor that it was his duty to recommend Punjabs case before the Centre, instead of writing these letters.

But he does the reverse. He speaks from the Haryana side. I asked him the other day (during a meeting to discuss affiliation of colleges to Panjab University) if he has come from Haryana, the Chief Minister quipped.

The Resolution

The resolution read, Due to non-release of Rural Development Fee (RDF) for the last four seasons (KMS 2021-22, RMS 2022-23, KMS 2022-23 and RMS 2023-24) by the Government of India, the rural development works of the state of Punjab are being adversely affected.

It added, The Punjab Vidhan Sabha strongly condemns that despite the requisite amendments in the Punjab Rural Development Act, 1987, as directed by the Government of India, being passed by this August House and consequent notification published in the official gazette by the present state government. On July 18 last year, the Government of India has not yet released the withheld amount of Rs 3622.40 crore towards Rural Development Fee at the rate of three per cent accumulated for the last four seasons on agricultural produce bought from the state of Punjab.
Odysse Electric Vehicles, India's fastest-growing premium electric vehicle manufacturer, is leading the way in the country's premium electric two-wheeler market. With a remarkable product lineup and an expanding dealership network, Odysse is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry.

While talking to media perosns, Nemin Vora, CEO, Odysse Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd said that presently, Odysse boasts a network of 68 dealerships across India, catering to the increasing demand for premium electric vehicles. As part of their short-term goals, Odysse aims to exceed the milestone of 150 dealerships by the end of next year, expanding their presence and accessibility to customers nationwide. Madhya Pradesh, being a significant market, will witness an expansion of the dealership network. Currently, Odysse has 2 dealerships in Bhopal and 13 in Madhya Pradesh.

Looking ahead to 2023-2024, Odysse has set ambitious targets and is ready to introduce an impressive range of new products that will redefine the industry. Following the successful launch of the high-speed electric motorbike VADER in March 2023, customers can now anticipate the arrival of a new electric scooter by Q3, designed to compete with the industry's top players.

With a focus on enhancing customer experience and strengthening market presence, Odysse is intensifying its efforts in the two-wheeler segment. While remaining dedicated to their expertise and the evolving two-wheeler market, the company is actively monitoring potential opportunities in the electric commercial two-wheeler market.

The Indian electric vehicle industry has experienced remarkable growth, with a monthly run rate of 80,000 units by December 2022, a significant increase from 4,000 units in June 2021. Recognizing the immense potential for further growth, Odysse expects the electric two-wheeler market to triple annually. With electric vehicle penetration currently at just over 5%, Odysse envisions that by 2027, at least half of all two-wheelers in India will be electric.
Passing the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the state Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday paved way for the State to appoint Director General of Police (DGP) by setting up a parallel mechanism to circumvent the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) procedure, laid down by the Supreme Court.

As per the existing practice, the states send the name of all eligible IPS officers to the UPSC, which then selects three officers, from which the State Government chooses one as the state police chief. Now, the House has amended the Punjab Police Act, 2007; substituting a provision while laying down the procedure for selection of the head of the police force in the state.

Under the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, a panel of three IPS officers would be constituted by a seven-member committee with a retired Chief Justice or a retired Judge from the Punjab and Haryana High Court as its chairperson.

The other members would be the states Chief Secretary, a nominee of the UPSC, a nominee of Punjab Public Service Commission, Administrative Secretary of Home Department, a nominee of Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and a retired DGP of Punjab Police.

As per the new Act, the committee shall prepare a panel of three senior officers from the pool of eligible names based on the selection criteria, which would include the length of service, work record, and range of experience. Selection will be made on merit from a pool of eligible officers as per zone of consideration, the Bill read.

The DGP appointed following the amendments will have a minimum tenure of two years, irrespective of his date of superannuation, while also laying down the provisions of relieving the DGP before completion of his period.

In case of vacancy for the post of DGP, the State Government may give the additional charge to any officer of an equivalent rank. The provisions of this section shall prevail notwithstanding anything contained in any judgement, order or decree of any court, it stated.

The move assumes significance as the AAP Government has not sent any panel of the eligible IPS officers to the UPSC for appointing the state police chief. As of now, Gaurav Yadav has been continuing as the acting DGP for 11 months now, after replacing Viresh Kumar Bhawra, who was appointed the state police chief as per the UPSC procedure during the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress Government.

Giving the objective and the reason for carrying out the amendment in the 2007 Act, the Bill said, Public order and police appear in the State List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India 1950; and, are, thus, matters falling in the exclusive domain of StatesThe Constitutional framework envisions a federal structure  wherein the states are exclusively empowered, through its legislature, to enact laws concerning public order and police.

It is necessary to put in place a proper mechanism for selection/appointment and removal of DGP which takes into consideration the peculiar challenges faced by the states of Punjab by virtue of being a border state. In order to achieve this objective it is proposed to amend Section 6 of the Punjab Police Act, 2007, the Bill reads.

The Bill, tabled by the Chief Minister and Home Minister Bhagwant Mann, was passed without any opposition and any discussion. While the main opposition Congress had staged a walk out earlier, the BJP had boycotted the two-day special session.

Powers of Chancellors of State-Run Varsities to be Vested with CM Now

Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday unanimously passed the Punjab University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, thereby vesting the powers of Chancellors of state-run Universities with the Chief Minister.

Summarizing the debate on the floor of the House, the Chief Minister said that the State has its own rich culture, traditions and heritage which need to be perpetuated amongst the younger generations. For this, the educational institutions, especially the Universities, can play a pivotal role, said Mann recalling how the universities of the State have produced great intellectuals, artists and other eminent people in various fields.

He said that to carry forward this legacy, men of high integrity, prudence and repute need to be appointed in the universities of the state as Vice-Chancellors. However, the Governor, who is not from the State and is not aware of its history and culture, creates unnecessary hurdles in it. It is surprising that the Governor knows nothing about the State but is empowered to appoint the VCs which is totally unfair, he added.

Contrary to securing the states interests, the Punjab Governor is often seen on the other side, alleged Mann.

Citing the issue of Panjab University, he said that instead of safeguarding the interests of Punjab and Punjabis, the Governor had been taking the stance in favour of Haryana to allow its entry in the senate of university. This is a very strange situation as the Governor, just to appease his political masters sitting in Delhi, is doing all these gimmicks, he said.

Mann said that on lines of the bill already passed by West Bengal, the Punjab Government has formulated this bill which will entrust the powers of chancellor of the Universities with the Chief Minister. With the formation of this Act, the Chief Minister, and not the Governor, will be the chancellor of the universities of the state, he said, adding that no interference of the Governor is required in the day-to-day functioning of the affairs of the state.

Congress MLAs Walk Out, Boycott Special Session

Congress MLAs, at the onset of the second day of the two-day special session, on Tuesday staged a walkout and boycott the session. They walked out of the House after the Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan turned down the Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwas demand to table the Action Taken Report on the BJPs alleged Operation Lotus.

The action taken report was not supposed to be tabled in the House as the matter would go to the Court, said Sandhwan.
Amidst the raging controversy around the gurbani telecast rights, Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, making the telecast of gurbani from the Golden Temple free of cost, while ensuring that it is not commercialized in any manner.



The Bill, amending the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, will have a new section which entails that it would be the duty of the Board (referring to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) to propagate the teachings of the Gurus by making uninterrupted (without any on screen running advertisements or commercials or distortion) live feed (audio or audio as well as video) of holy gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib available free of cost to all media houses, outlets, platforms, channels etc, whoever wishes to broadcast it for broadcast anywhere (including all over the world).



At the same time, the amended Bill also has a clause that bars any channel from running any advertisement at least 30 minutes before and after the gurbani broadcast.



The Bill, tabled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the second day of the two-day special session, was passed by the House via voice vote amidst opposition from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its ally Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and absence of Congress MLAs. The ruling party members welcomed the move by thumping the benches.



The Bill aims at freeing the undue control of a particular family over the rights to telecast sacred gurbani. They claim that it is freebut the SGPC, under the influence of a family that controls its affairs, has given the exclusive rights, called as intellectual property rights, of telecasting the sacred gurbani to a channel owned by themThey are the content owner, said Mann questioning how these rights of gurbani, which is written by our great Gurus, can be owned by them or given to any channel.



Mann said that he himself was a humble Sikh who wanted the gurbani to be telecast on all channels, across the globe, and not be commercialized. I do not want the rights for my channel or for my relatives. We dont do such thingsThe PTC owners, the Badals, should be happy that now they are getting it freeThey will not have to pay anything now, he said.



Lashing out at the PTC and SGPC for their claims that gurbani is being telecast free everywhere, Mann elaborated how these channels earn money. Being from this field of arts, media, I know thisThey do not need to telecast an advertisement. If you have to subscribe to PTC in the US, you have to take a package of 54 US dollars. That money is for one TVJust imagine the total numbers of subscriptions, he said.



Mann, while shedding light on another aspect, said that when people, all over, watch the gurbani telecast for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, the channels TRP (target rating points) go up, and on the basis of TRP, these channels got advertisementsthat is why, we have added a clause that there will be no ads by any channel 30 minutes before and after the gurbani telecast to ensure that its not commercialized.



And when I say that gurbani telecast should be free, they say Bhagwant Mann is meddling with Sikh affairs, he said while making it clear that the Bill is in no way interference in religious affairs, rather it is a simple step to ensure that Gurbani reaches every household.



Hitting out at the allegations that the government was meddling in Sikh affairs when they had an elected body in the form of the SGPC, Mann said that no elections have taken place at the SGPC for the last 11 years and hence, they were non-democratic.



Adding further, Mann said that he had learnt that a channel, PTC Simran, will be given to SGPC saying that it is their channel. I have got this informationThis way, the telecast rights will remain with the PTC onlyThats why they are objecting to telecast on channel and not airing to radioThey dont have problem with radio as they dont own a radio channel, he added.



Mann said that after July 21, when the PTCs 11-year contract will come to an end, gurbani telecast will be free to air, it will be free. I want the gurbani to be telecast on every channel. Why should anyone commercialize it? Can there be anyone who would sell gurbani, which is meant for all? he said.



At the same time, the Chief Minister maintained that the State Government is fully competent to amend this Act as the Apex Court had already, through a judgment, ruled that this Act is not an interstate Act. A single family has dominated in the affairs of the SGPC since long due to which an irreparable damage had been made to the Sikh panth. Playing a dirty game, this family tried to encash the religious sentiments of Sikhs by giving exclusive rights of telecast of Gurbani to their blue-eyed channel whereas no mention of word telecast or broadcast was there in the Act, he added.



Earlier opening the discussions on the Bill, AAP MLA Budh Ram highlighted the importance of mukh waak saying that the same should be telecast across the globe. Giving a singular channel the rights for telecast makes widespread distribution impossible, he said.



Budh Ram said that the State Government did not intend to usurp anyones rights to telecast gurbani, but the crux of the amendment, under new section 125A, was to allow all channels free broadcast rights.



Another AAP MLA Ajit Pal Singh Kohli questioned how can one tie the gurbani in terms and conditions or tenders. Other than monopoly in the transport, cable, mining businesses, the previous government monopolized gurbani telecast.



Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal lashed out at the opposition, especially Akali Dal, for its allegations that the move is interference in the Sikhs religious affairs. We are also as much Sikhs as you areThis is not any anti-Sikh decision, said Dhaliwal.



SAD, BJP Opposed

Opposing the Bill, SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali suggested that SGPC should run its own channel to broadcast gurbani, and telecast rights be given to all channels. Making it clear that he was in favour of free and widespread telecast of gurbani, Ayali, at the same time, maintained that the State Government should not interfere in the affairs of SGPC, which is an elected body.



Demanding withdrawal of the Bill, Ayali said: Elections are held to this body of Sikhs which is alsi known as Sikhs mini parliament. It came into existence after lots of sacrifices and effortsElected representatives are SGPC members and any political party can contest SGPC elections. It was decided that no amendment should be brought to the Gurdwara Act without consulting the SGPC. Whatever amendments were taken up in 1953 and 1959, these were done by the Centre in consultation with SGPC, and after passing the same in the Parliament.



He added that Government and SGPC should sit together and find a solution to this matter. I do not suspect the intent of the government as we also want transparency but it would be a wrong precedent and the future governments will also muddle with Sikh affairsAkal Takhat, SGPC and SAD are Sikh institutions and they need to be strengthened, Ayali added.



Akal Takht Appeals to Govt, SGPC for Finding Amicable Solution

Akal Takhts newly-appointed jathedar (head priest) Giani Raghbir Singh on Tuesday appealed to Punjab Government and the SGPC to find an amicable solution of the issue related to gurbani being telecast from Darbar Sahib.



Jathedar, in a video message, said: The decisions being taken by the Punjab Government regarding the SGPC is creating confusion among the Sikhs. The matter of gurbani being telecast is related to maryada of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, though gurbani telecast is not maryada itself. If we keep gurbani telecast open for all, the maryada could not be followedPunjab Governments move of meddling into the affairs of the SGPC is very unfortunate. The government should not do it. Today, a resolution is being introduced in Punjab Vidhan Sabha. It will be a direct act of the Punjab Government to weaken the Sikh organizations.



Highlighting the edict by Panj Singh Sahiban (five Sikh clergymen) issued to SGPC, the jathedar said that SGPC should try to implement it and submit a progress report of the work done in its compliance.



Rs 1 cr Reward If Govt Shows Any Consumer Paying for Subscription to Gurbani: G Next Media MD

Rabindra Narayan, the managing director and president of G Next Media Private Limited  that runs PTC TV channel having exclusive rights to telecast gurbani from the Golden Temple  on Tuesday tweeted claiming that all PTC Network channels are already designated as free to air channels by the Central Government. At the same time, Narayan challenged the State Government while announcing a reward of Rs one crore if they show one consumer who had to pay fee to subscribe to gurbani across the country.



GURBANI IS ALREADY FREE. All PTC Network channels are designated as FREE TO AIR channels by Government of India. No cable operator, DTH operator charges any money. It is also available for free on YouTube and Facebook. So how are they claiming to make Gurbani Free To Air? We challenge the whole cabinet to bring one single customer bill where anyone has had to pay to subscribe to Gurbani across the country!! REWARD ONE CRORE RUPEES! tweeted Narayan.
In a detailed letter addressed to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Tuesday night Delhi Lieutenant-Governor (LG) VK Saxena highlighted various steps taken by him and the Delhi Police to control the crime situation in the national Capital and expressed concern about the "politicization of crime." Saxena's letter was prompted by Kejriwal's letter on June 19, which highlighted the "alarming" rise in crime and proposed a meeting between the LG and the Cabinet.

"I also take this opportunity to highlight that politicizing crime has almost become a habit these days, and you would appreciate, while this provides no solution at all, it does subject the victim and their family to avoidable agony, apart from encouraging crime," the LG wrote, reminding Kejriwal of his active monitoring of the Delhi Police since assuming office about a year ago. Saxena further added, "In this regard, I am sure that the issue of an unfortunate rape in 2012 raised by you to politically target the then Chief Minister will serve as an eye-opener and conscience-knocker for you."

The letter emphasised the LGs commitment to regular reviews and direct engagement with key officials, including bi-weekly meetings with the Commissioner of Police, weekly meetings with the Special CPs, and periodic interactions with the DCPs. Saxena expressed shared concerns with the Chief Minister and reiterated his deep understanding of the gravity of the crime situation in Delhi. He emphasized the significance of visible policing as a strong deterrent against criminal activities, a viewpoint he has consistently expressed on various platforms.

However, the LG also highlighted the evolving and complex nature of crime in the city, pointing to significant societal changes, particularly regarding technology and the accessibility of crime-inducing content on various platforms. Recent distressing incidents, including gruesome killings and acts of violence, underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the evolving nature of crime.

The LG further noted that many perpetrators involved in these incidents were young individuals below 30, often without prior criminal records but with an active presence on social media. He also highlighted the rising occurrence of crimes related to family and monetary disputes, citing specific examples such as incidents in Saket Court and Ambedkar Basti (RK Puram). While recognising the positive impact of initiatives undertaken by the Delhi Police, such as the installation of CCTV cameras, eradication of dark spots, and efforts to enhance public transport safety, LG Saxena emphasised that these measures alone are insufficient to combat the growing menace of crime. Responding to Chief Minister Kejriwal's offer of cooperation to ensure the rule of law in Delhi, the LG welcomed the gesture and emphasised the crucial role that departments under the Chief Minister's control, including Education, Social Welfare, Transport, and Health, can play in shaping the youth and addressing societal issues that contribute to crime.

"I am indeed happy that you have offered to 'provide all possible cooperation to ensure the rule of law in Delhi.' The biggest role that you and your Government can play in this regard will be to shape our youth and youngsters by way of education as also targeted counseling and interventions at all levels, where the Citizen-Government interface takes place, he wrote.

The letter concludes with an invitation for a constructive discussion between the LG and CM aimed at collaboration to tackle the challenges of crime control in Delhi.
Governor Mangubhai Patel has said that the programme to celebrate the foundation day of the states reminds of the glorious heritage of India. It is a celebration of the unity and integrity of the country.

He said that the commencement of the freedom movement was from Bengal itself. Bengal is filled with glory of great personalities, among them Raja Rammohan Roy, Gurudev Ravindra Nath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Jagdish Chandra Bose, Subhash Chandra Bose, Amartya Sen, Suchitra Sen etc. are worth mentioning. They brought glory to the name of India. The state of West Bengal has touched everyone with the mantra "Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat". The cultural heritage of the society of West Bengal has enriched India. Navratri and Durga-Pujan of Bengali society have sent a pleasant message with purity to the society. Governor Patel was addressing the Foundation Day programme of West Bengal on the theme of "Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat" at Rani Durgavati University in Jabalpur.

He extended greetings on the foundation day and remembered the contribution of the great men of Bengal by paying homage to them.

Referring to the continuous efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the development of West Bengal, Governor Patel said that Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jan-Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission have brought a revolutionary change in the lives of the people. A new dimension has been established to make their life enjoyable. The Governor also extended greetings to President Smt. Droupadi Murmu on her birthday.

Member of Parliament Rakesh Singh said that West Bengal is a special state of the country. It is specially known for art, culture, literature, philosophy. West Bengal is the fortunate state, where maximum revolutionaries were born. Bengal is that holy land, where the bugle of revolution was blown against the tyranny of the British and a call for independence was made.

He said that Swami Vivekananda, a son of Bengal, had announced on the soil of America that "one day India will lead the whole world." Now this dream seems to be coming true. Governor Patel said that Bengal has given a new direction to the country and the world. Here purity has done the work of giving a pleasant message to the society.

Governor Patel inaugurated the West Bengal Foundation Day celebration by offering floral tributes to the statue of Rani Durgavati and lighting the lamp. In this, a mesmerizing cultural presentation was given by the Bengali society. The Bengali song of former MP Smt. Jayashree Banerjee left everyone mesmerized.

MLA Ashok Rohani, Principal Secretary and Chairman of the Federal Council Anirudh Mukherjee, Secretary to the Governor D.P. Ahuja, Deepak Khandekar from Tribal Cell in Raj Bhavan, former MP Smt. Jayashree Banerjee, Commissioner Abhay Verma, Vice Chancellor Kapil Dev Mishra, President of Bengal Club Subroto Pal and eminent citizens of Bengali society were present.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said Yoga Day for him would be the day when free yoga classes will be started in the city again.

"Tomorrow is International Day of Yoga. This day inspires us to do yoga. Two years ago, the Delhi Government started free yoga classes for the people of Delhi. About 17,000 people started doing yoga every day. Last year, they stopped these yoga classes. Who benefits from this? Should public welfare programmes like this be stopped? Yoga day for me will be the day when I will again start free yoga classes for my Delhiites," Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi. "God also supports you if you have good intentions. They stopped us in Delhi, we started free yoga classes in Punjab. I am glad it is getting an overwhelming support from people there," he said in another tweet.

Kejriwal and his ministers had earlier alleged that Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had not approved the extension of the scheme after October 31, 2022.

However, LG secretariat sources had claimed that the office had not received any file seeking permission for the programme's extension beyond October 31. "Hence, it is wrong to say that the LG has not approved the extension," they had maintained.

Meanwhile, the New Delhi Municipal Council will organise yoga events at eight prominent locations, including Kartavya Path, on International Yoga Day on Wednesday, officials said.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that like the anti-copying law, a strict law will be brought in the State if it is needed to uproot the drugs mafia from Uttarakhand. He directed the police to act effectively against those involved in the illegal drugs business in order to break the supply chain of illicit intoxicants in the State. Dhami also gave the police department a target to break the record of 55,300 e-pledges by the youths of the State on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. The day will be marked across the State on the lines of International Yoga Day, he said.

Chairing the State level narcotics coordination meeting on Tuesday, Dhami told the Health secretary that problems being faced in ensuring the swift execution of guidelines and working plan for establishment and operation of drug rehabilitation centres, treatment of addicts and arrangements of doctors should be communicated directly at the CM level. There are 43 private rehabilitation centres in the State at present.

He told officials that efforts to meet the target of a drugs-free Uttarakhand by 2025 should not be limited to meetings but also focus on action at the ground level. He directed that work should be undertaken seriously on the work plan to send police personnel to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on deputation and for training.

The NCB deputy director general Gyaneshwar Singh informed that in 2022, 238 kilogrammes charas, 30 kilogrammes doda, 12 kilogrammes opium, 19.11 kilogrammes smack, 1.57 kilogrammes heroin, 1,232 kilogrammes ganja, 1,05,390 capsules, 17,506 injections and 32,110 tablets were seized in the State. Bhang crop on 141 acres was destroyed during this period. This year till May 2023, 586 cases were registered under NDPS Act and 742 accused were arrested, he added.

Social Welfare department officials informed that the Central government has selected Srinagar, Uttarkashi, Champawat and Almora for addiction treatment facilities under which assistance for treatment of drug addiction is provided in government hospitals and health centres.
On 18th June 2023, Sunday, on the occasion of the ninth International Day of Yoga, Yogoda Satsanga Society of Indias (YSS) Ranchi ashram hosted over 550 persons including many first-time visitors in a special programme introducing the basics of yoga meditation. Speaking on the theme Discover Inner Tranquillity Through Yoga-Meditation, senior YSS sannyasi Swami Ishwarananda Giri encouraged truth-seekers to explore the inner tranquillity that resides within each of us.

Drawing many truth-seekers to this serene ashram on a warm Sunday morning, this International Day of Yoga programme began with an introduction to Paramahansa Yogananda  the founder of YSS and author of the best-selling Autobiography of a Yogi. Swami Ishwaranandaji shared about this book: The life-story of Yoganandaji has touched the hearts and minds of millions around the globe, and has introduced countless readers to Indias ancient science of Yoga and to the scientific methods for attaining God-realization that are Indias unique and lasting contribution to world civilization.

Speaking about Yoganandajis contribution to the spread of the how-to-live Kriya Yoga teachings worldwide, Swamiji said: With a deep understanding of human conditions and challenges faced by mankind, Paramahansa Yoganandaji had deep sympathy for the suffering mankind in his heart, adding, He gave to the world a practical method by which spiritual aspirants from all walks of life could experience peace and achieve the ultimate goal of self-realization.

Swami Ishwaranandaji invited truth-seekers to explore these teachings of Kriya Yoga as offered on the YSS path through home-study lessons on the YSS website.

Offering the newcomers a taste of the peace that can be experienced through yoga, Swamiji led them into a guided meditation session in Hindi which included the practice of the correct posture, preliminary breathing exercises, an affirmation, and a visualization.

Around 2,500 persons also joined the live-stream of this programme via YouTube from across the countrywide ashrams, kendras and mandalis of the spiritual organization.

Swamiji clarified the true meaning of yoga to the audience: Most people think of yoga as limited to Hatha Yoga. However, the real meaning of yoga is the union of the soul with God. The Kriya Yoga path of meditation as taught by Yoganandaji leads the human consciousness to this state of inner union. And the foundation of this path is the regular practice of scientific meditation. For further info.: yssofindia.org
China on Tuesday blocked a proposal by India and the US at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, as a global terrorist.

Beijing blocked the proposal that had been moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

In September last year, it was learnt that China had put a hold on the proposal to designate Mir at the UN. Beijing has now blocked the proposal.

Mir, believed to be in his mid 40s, is one of India's most wanted terrorists and has a bounty of USD 5 million placed on his head by the US for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In June last year, Mir was jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities had in the past claimed Mir had died, but Western countries remained unconvinced and demanded proof of his death. This issue became a major sticking point in FATF's assessment of Pakistan's progress on the action plan late last year.

Mir is a senior member of the Pakistan-based LeT and is wanted for his involvement in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

"Mir was LeT's operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution, the US State Department has said.

Beijing, an all-weather friend of Islamabad, has repeatedly put holds on listings to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists under the sanctions committee of the UN Security Council.

The US State Department had said that Mir has been a senior member of LeT since approximately 2001. From 2006 to 2011, Mir was in charge of LeT's external operations and planned and directed various terrorist attacks on behalf of the group. Additionally, Mir conspired to commit a terrorist attack against a newspaper and its employees in Denmark between 2008 and 2009.

For his role in the Mumbai attacks, Mir was indicted in the United States in April 2011.

In August 2012, the US Department of the Treasury designated Mir as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. As a result of this designation, among other consequences, all property and interests in property of Mir that are subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Mir.

"Mir is on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists List, according to information on the State Department website.
Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence here on Wedenesday, two days after his party withdrew support to the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar.

The HAM withdrew support to the Grand Alliance government comprising the Congress, the RJD and the JD(U) in Bihar on Monday and a letter to the effect was handed over to Governor Rajendra Arlekar.

Manjhi, who met the governor along with his son Santosh Suman, the national president of the HAM, said he will be in Delhi for the next few days during which he will try to meet leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including Shah, to explore future options.

Kumar had recently accused Manjhi, a former Bihar chief minister, of "spying on the Mahagathbandhan allies" for the benefit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and said his exit was good riddance.

The chief minister had also said Manjhi wanted to be part of a June 23 meeting of opposition parties, but he was apprehensive that the latter might leak details of the conclave to the BJP.
Arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji on Wednesday underwent a bypass surgery and was hemodynamically stable, the private hospital treating him here said. In some relief to the beleaguered DMK leader, the Supreme Court refused to stay a Madras High Court order allowing him to be shifted to the private hospital.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which arrested Balaji in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the state transport department, had moved the apex court against the Madras HC order. The HC had last week allowed the minister's plea to be shifted from a government super specialty hospital here to the private Kauvery Hospital, where he underwent the bypass surgery early on Wednesday.

The opposition AIADMK staged protests across Tamil Nadu seeking his dismissal from the state cabinet led by Chief Minister M K Stalin.

The minister underwent Beating Heart Coronary Artery Bypass surgery on Wednesday morning, a medical bulletin issued by Kauvery Hospital said.

"Four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularization was established," the bulletin from Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, co-founder and executive director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said.

"He is currently hemodynamically stable and being monitored in the postoperative intensive care unit by the multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses," it said.

Balaji was initially admitted to the government hospital following his arrest, when he complained of chest pain and later shifted to the private facility following a court order.

Meanwhile, the apex court refused to stay the lower court order.

A Supreme Court vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice M M Sundresh noted that the petition was still pending in the high court and asked the ED to approach that court.

"The observations made by the high court was in an interim order and any oral observation made by this court shall have no bearing on the case," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on July 4.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for ED, said the high court order sets a wrong precedent.

Balaji, then electricity and prohibition and excise minister of Tamil Nadu, was arrested on June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam that took place when he handled the transport portfolio in an AIADMK government led by the late J Jayalalithaa.

He is now Minister without Portfolio, after those handled by him were re-allocated to his cabinet colleagues Thangam Thennarasu and S Muthusamy.

The high court passed an interim order after Balaji's wife filed a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal arrest.

Meanwhile, main opposition AIADMK held state-wide protest seeking Balaji's expulsion from the cabinet.

Senior leaders and former minsters including D Jayakumar, S P Velumani, Sellur Raju, C Ve Shanmugam and P Thangamani among others led the agitations held in cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Villupuram, Namakkal, Salem and Ramanathapuram.

State BJP president K Annamalai termed as "stonewalling measure," Balaji undergoing the surgery a week after complaining of chest pain.

Responding to a reporter's query in neighbouring Mahabalipuram in this regard, the BJP leader said generally one doesn't criticise someone when the person is under medical treatment.

"So, I am not going to talk about that. Let the doctors do whatever surgery after taking decisions. Beyond that, this is more or less a stonewalling measure . The ED has also argued (about this) in the Supreme Court," he said.
UAE-based British billionaire-explorer Hamish Harding, who collaborated with the Indian government to reintroduce eight wild cheetahs from Namibia to India, and two Pakistani businessmen are among five people who went missing in the Atlantic Ocean aboard a tourist submersible on a mission to view the wreckage of the iconic ocean liner the Titanic.

British-Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, 48-year-old vice chairman of Engro Corporation, accompanied by his 19-year-old son Suleman, were also on the sub, which remains missing since Sunday. Contact with the small sub was lost about an hour and 45 minutes into its dive in the mid-Atlantic on Sunday.

OceanGate Expeditions, a company offering eight-day missions to see the Titanic debris for USD 250,000 per person, confirmed that its submarine was lost at sea with crew members on board.

The companys chief executive, Stockton Rush, previously described the craft as rock solid, is also believed to be on board.The company said in a statement that it is exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely.

French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet is also thought to be on board, according to a Facebook post by Harding before the dive started.

Harding is the chairman of aircraft firm Action Aviation and a renowned adventurer who has flown to space and holds three Guinness World Records. In September last year, the 58-year-old flew on one of his aircraft from Namibia on a mission to relocate cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

This is an amazing project, an amazing aircraft, we can fly direct from southern Africa to India with a Boeing 747-400 we are all very, very excited to get going and get the cheetahs to India, he said in a video posted on social media just before take-off from Namibia at the time. The trip to Titanics wreckage was the latest in a string of adventures.

He has visited the South Pole multiple times, flown into space in 2022 onboard Blue Origins fifth human-crewed flight, and set three world records - including the longest time spent at full ocean depth during a dive to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench.
Violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group has made Burkina Faso a country with one of the worlds fastest-growing populations of internally displaced people, with the number mushrooming by more than 2,000 per cent since 2019, according to government data.

Figures released last month showed more than 2 million people are internally displaced in the West African nation, the majority of them women and children, fuelling a dire humanitarian crisis as the conflict pushed people from their homes, off their farms and into congested urban areas or makeshift camps.

Aid groups and the government are scrambling to respond amid a lack of funds and growing needs. One in four people requires aid, and tens of thousands are facing catastrophic levels of hunger. Yet not even half of the USD 800 million humanitarian response budget requested last year by aid groups was funded, according to the United Nations.

The spectrum of consequences (for people) is vast but grim at every point. A lot of people might die, and theyre dying because they werent able to access food and health services, because they werent properly protected, and the humanitarian assistance and the government response wasnt sufficient, Alexandra Lamarche, a senior fellow at advocacy group Refugees International, said.

The violence has divided a once-peaceful nation, leading to two coups last year. Military leaders vowed to to stem the insecurity, but jihadi attacks have continued and spread since Capt. Ibrahim Traore seized power in September.

The government retains control of less than 50 per cent of the country, largely in rural areas, according to conflict analysts. Al-Qaida and Islamic State-affiliated groups control or threaten large areas, said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Centre for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank. State security forces dont have the resources (human and equipment) to fight both groups at all fronts, he said.

The jihadis strategy of blocking towns, preventing people from moving freely and goods from flowing in, has compounded the displacement crisis. Some 800,000 people in more than 20 towns are under siege, say aid groups.

The situation is very difficult. ... People dont have food, children dont have school, Bibata Sangli, 53, who left the eastern town of Pama in January 2022 just before it came under siege. She still has family there who are unable to leave, Sangli said. A community leader who last year met Jafar Dicko, the top jihadi in Burkina Faso, said Dickos group blockades towns that dont accept its rules, such as banning alcohol and requiring women to be veiled their faces. The leader spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak to the media.

In January, the United Nations began using Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to airlift food to areas inaccessible by road - an extremely costly approach. The three Chinooks were reduced to one in May, making it harder to reach many people as quickly.

While the humanitarian situation deteriorates, so has the ability of aid groups to operate.

Since the military takeovers of Burkina Fasos government began in January 2022, incidents against aid organizations perpetrated by the security forces increased from one in 2021 to 11 last year, according to unpublished data for aid groups seen by The Associated Press. The incidents included workers being arrested, detained and injured.

In November, security forces killed a humanitarian worker with a Burkina Faso aid organisation in the Sahel region, the vast expanse below the Sahara Desert, according to a text message sent to an aid worker WhatsApp group seen by the AP.

Rights groups, analysts and civilians say Traore, the junta leader, is only focused on achieving military gains and cares little about human rights, freedom of speech or holding people accountable for indiscriminate killings of individuals suspected of supporting the militants.

Burkina Fasos security forces killed at least 150 civilians in the north in April, according to local residents from the village of Karma, where most of the violence took place. Prosecutors said they opened an investigation into the killings.

Earlier this year, an AP investigation into a video circulating on social media determined that Burkina Fasos security forces killed children at a military base in the countrys north.

While the government wages war, civilians bear the brunt and are running out of hope.

After jihadis attacked his village in eastern Burkina Faso in April, killing people and stealing cattle, a father of five, who did not want to be identified for security reasons, fled to the regions main town of Fada NGourma.

But now his family doesnt have food or access to health care, and the assistance supplied by humanitarian groups isnt enough, he said.

Since weve been displaced, our situation keeps getting worse, the 46-year-old man said. I miss my home.
Brexiteers do not control the money, they do not control the economy or the courts  the remainers control that. The EU is a vast economic powerhouse that controls entire markets, and money men in the UK all fall under the allegiance of Brussels. The entire British parliament apart from a few backbenchers are remainers. The entire House of Lords apart from maybe Norman Lamont are remainers. The entire civil service swamp are remainers, the entire Bank of England, and all departments under the government are remainers. The entire Treasury are remainers.

Brexit was won under a supposed democratic vote on June 23, 2016 but that is all it was. It does not matter if you have a democratic vote to leave the EU in a system which is entirely controlled and run by remainers.

At the end of the day, the Tories squandered an 80% majority in winning the last election, and many believe the half-hearted stance by Boris Johnson to complete Brexit was a joke.

Rishi Sunak, the now unelected technocrat number cruncher, is a money man, but one thing he is definitely not is a Brexiteer. He never was one despite his insipid claims. Because Brexiteers within the Tory party seemed to ride the populist wave at the time as a means to get elected, Sunak chose the winning side as much as the others did. In no way did they actually have any post-Brexit plans or ideas.

The vengeful remainer Blitz coup occurred under the short and sharp reign of Liz Truss after they got rid of Boris. When she proposed a great idea to kickstart the economy by lowering taxes, the markets (controlled by remainers) performed a coup de grace on the entire Brexit sham by causing deliberate market turmoil. They succeeded in toppling Liz Truss and installing their EU man Rishi Sunak. If Liz Truss had succeeded in underhanding the EU with lower taxes in the UK and business incentives, then the EU could have toppled. The remainers saw this as the last stand, and a huge threat, so they engineered a little oopsy in the market to fuck Liz Truss and her lofty thoughts up.

If remainers control the economy, the money supply and the markets, what chance do Brexiteers have, especially when they have no control over anything apart from a populist vote they made in good faith that it would be carried out?

No, Brexit will not be and has not been carried out because the economic strength of the EU is too great. It is nigh on impossible to win against such an adversary, especially if they have paid off too many agents and entire institutions in the UK.

When Labour wins the 2024 General Election, as it is graciously handed to them on a plate by the lacklustre pathetic current state of the Tories, then we will see the EU operatives rise up once again to reverse everything with the name Brexit on it.

As for Nigel Farage in this entire fiasco? He had a good ride while it lasted, but ultimately thats it. Democracy tried to survive this farce, but that died in the mess as well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga with others during the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN headquarters, in New York on Wednesday, (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN Headquarters in New York, emphasising that Yoga is a "truly universal" and "ancient living and dynamic Indian tradition." He described yoga as promoting physical fitness, mental calmness, and emotional contentment, while fostering health, harmony, and kindness for all. The event commemorated the location that supported India's proposal for an International Day of Yoga in 2014.

Prominent people who attended the event include the president of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, Hollywood actor Richard Gere, New York Mayor Eric Adams, and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed.

Modi addressed the practitioners, stating that yoga originates from India as an ancient tradition free from copyright or royalty. He highlighted its adaptability to different ages, genders, and fitness levels, making it truly universal. Modi recalled proposing the International Day of Yoga in the same venue nearly a decade ago, expressing joy at the worldwide support received.

The celebration began with Modi paying respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed on the UN headquarters' North Lawn. Participants, wearing custom-made white yoga attire, gathered on yellow yoga mats placed on the ground. The venue featured LED screens displaying Indian culture and heritage videos. Hollywood actor Richard Gere praised the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, while Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, expressed excitement for the event.

Reports indicated that representatives from over 180 countries, including diplomats, artists, academicians, and entrepreneurs, participated in the Modi-led Yoga Day celebrations.

Modi also delivered a video message addressing the International Day of Yoga celebrations in India. He stressed the significance of physical strength and mental expansion for a developed India. The Prime Minister highlighted the historic gathering of over 180 countries and how yoga unites and empowers societies. He emphasised India's cultural values, spirituality, and philosophy, which foster unity and selfless action.

Modi concluded by mentioning the connection between India's research bases in the Arctic and Antarctica through yoga. He noted the transformative mindset in India and urged presenting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Great India) as an example to the world.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is learnt to have roped in working president K.T. Rama Rao and minister T. Harish Rao to speak to disgruntled leaders to ensure that they stay with the BRS. (Image: By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: The BRS top brass has sprung into action to check the exodus of party leaders to the Congress, against the backdrop of two former leaders, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Jupally Krishna, and two MLCs, Patnam Mahender Reddy and Kuchukulla Damodar Reddy, planning to join the Congress soon.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is learnt to have roped in working president K.T. Rama Rao and minister T. Harish Rao to speak to disgruntled leaders to ensure that they stay with the BRS.

Party sources said that the BRS is facing an exodus-like situation in 12 Assembly constituencies, from where Congress MLAs and TDP MLAs defected to BRS after the 2018 Assembly polls.

While BRS leaders who lost the polls in these constituencies opposed their entry into the party, the leadership placated them by promising them nominated posts. However, while some leaders were accommodated in nominated posts, most were left in the lurch. They are currently looking to make the most of the situation by demanding tickets or threatening to join the Congress.

These constituencies are Asifabad, Yellareddy, Yellandu, Pinapaka, Bhupalapalle, Kothagudem, Tandur, Palair, Nakrekal, Maheshwaram, Kollapur and LB Nagar. Congress MLAs from these 12 seats had defected to the BRS within six months of the 2018 polls. TDP MLAs from Sathupalli and Aswaraopeta also joined the BRS in April 2021.

The 14 MLAs from Congress and TDP who joined BRS claim that the party leadership has assured tickets to them for upcoming Assembly polls and asked them to step up activities in their respective constituencies. This has led to confrontations between the MLAs and the senior BRS leaders.

Sources said that the BRS is seeking to check the influence of Congress, which is currently riding high following its successful showing in the Karnataka elections, prompting disgruntled leaders of not only the BRS but also the BJP to approach the party.

The BRS leadership, at a time of national expansion and Lok Sabha polls soon after the state Assembly polls, does not wish to be pushed into a defensive mode, leaders said.
The state BJP is placing a high premium on the party's Big Three' Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, and party president J.P. Nadda to guide them out of the woods. (Image:DC)

Hyderabad: Telangana BJP  though it has been trying hard to maintain an all is well narrative  leaders and cadres taking part in various events as part of its Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan is being viewed as an exercise in keeping up appearances and maintaining a facade of well-being amid a general sense of dispirited drudging.

The state of affairs in the party in Telangana state, barring a sudden happy surprise or a serendipitous event, is such that members are going through the motions, with a still absent sense of cohesion among several senior and top party leaders. Things, according to party sources, are at a juncture where leaders are increasingly looking to their national leadership to get them out of the rut they find themselves in presently.

Although some senior party leaders claim that individual leaders do not matter in the BJP and that it is the ground-level workers, the karyakartas, who make the difference, the fact remains that the state BJP is placing a high premium on the partys Big Three  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, and party president J.P. Nadda  to guide them out of the woods.

"When the top leaders come, their presence will give a huge boost to the party and add enthusiasm to all our work," a senior leader said. "And we are not worried who will join our party or not. That is not something that will determine who and what we are."

Incidentally, the last-minute cancellation of Shahs public meeting in Khammam on June 15 due to cyclone Biparjoy caused unhappiness among the party cadres. This has also dimmed the excitement over Naddas scheduled meeting in Nagarkurnool on June 25, where he is to address a turnout of 1 lakh people, party sources said.

Sources also admitted that there is no clarity on when or whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address gatherings in the state.

Another senior BJP leader, admitting that a general sense of lethargy has crept into the party, said many of them were pinning their hopes on Modi, Shah and Nadda to infuse much-needed vigour into the partys activities in the state.

"Though there are national general secretaries incharge of the state, they have not fully been successful in enthusing the party workers who see them as outsiders with little understanding of how politics in Telangana work," the leader said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi Siddaramaiah was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Tuesday night with symptoms of mild pneumonia.

Currently in Medical ICU, she is stable and on oxygen, according to a release from the hospital.

She has been taking antibiotics and is recovering, and will be moved to the ward today. She is being treated by Dr Guruprasad Bhat, Consultant Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road.
US President Joe Biden welcomes India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday for two days of talks that the White House sees as bolstering "one of the defining partnerships of our age," despite ongoing concerns about human rights.

Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China while Modi is seeking to raise the influence that his country, now the world's most populous, has on the world stage.

Biden and Modi are expected to announce a variety of agreements related to defense cooperation and sales, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and investments in India by Micron Technology and other US companies.

Biden is expected to bring up US concerns about democratic backsliding in India, but he will not lecture Modi on the subject, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

Modi in US | Ties based on strong policies more than personalities

When the US sees challenges to press, religious or other freedoms, "we make our views known," Sullivan said. He added: "We do so in a way where we dont seek to lecture or assert that we dont have challenges ourselves."

"Ultimately, the question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India is going to be determined within India by Indians. It's not going to be determined by the United States," Sullivan said.

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit, despite concerns over what is seen as a deteriorating human rights situation under his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Biden is under pressure by his fellow Democrats to bring up human rights with Modi. Modi is being warmly greeted by US CEOs, including at a Friday reception. On Tuesday he met with Tesla's Elon Musk in New York.

Both Biden and Modi are grappling with Bejiing's flexing its muscle in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Also Read | US and India need to deal with their trust issues

"This visit is not about China. But the question of Chinas role in the military domain, the technology domain, the economic domain will be on the agenda," Sullivan said.

Modi will visit the National Science Foundation with first lady Jill Biden on Wednesday and have a private dinner with the president Wednesday night at the White House.

On Thursday, Modi will be welcomed with a colorful arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn. Biden and Modi will hold Oval Office talks and attend a state dinner in Modi's honor Thursday night.

No joint press conference was planned. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said work was still ongoing on this subject.

Modi has not backed the Ukraine war effort and India has been heavily reliant on Russian oil. Biden will bring up Russia and Ukraine ahead of the G20 summit later this year that will be held in India, Sullivan said.

"Across the board, I think youll see a combination of deep strategic discussions and practical progress, tangible progress in every single dimension of the relationship, all of it reflecting and reinforce the fact that this from our perspective will be one of the defining partnerships of our age," Sullivan said.
Almost nine months after the Union ministry of women and child development (WCD) wrote to states asking them to integrate the Child Helpline (1098) with the telephonic short code 112 and to link them to district child protection units, officials said that nine states and UTs will have the integrated system by June-end.

Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Goa, Ladakh, Mizoram, Puducherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu are the states where the childline will be run by the government. Fourteen more states are going to integrate the system by July-end.

Under the Child Protection Services Scheme, which has been renamed Mission Vatsalya, the ministry was supporting the 24x7 helpline Childline 1098 service through the Childline India Foundation (CIF) and over 1,500 partner NGOs. The service was available in 568 districts, 135 railway stations, and 11 bus stands through a network of more than a thousand units.

However, the WCD ministry decided last year that the helpline would be run in coordination with state functionaries, including police and counsellors, in conjunction with the Emergency Response Support System 112 helpline of the ministry of home affairs (MHA).

The move had drawn flak from child rights activists, who contended that the police running the system might not be advisable for children and that a single-line emergency response might not be advisable.

However, ministry officials said that the response time for distress calls by children to CIF was 60 minutes.

The current system, however, lacks interoperability with other services like police, fire, and ambulance, which leads to the loss of precious time in distress situations. The CIF network could cover only 568 districts, leaving almost 200 districts uncovered. So, the government decided to integrate the Child Helpline with ERSS-112 so that the responsibility of the administration towards children is taken over by a responsible and responsive administration, an official of the WCD ministry said.

While the CIF ran the system through six centralised call centres (CCCs) in Kolkata, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai, ministry officials said the new system will have 36 control rooms with one in each state.

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will run the system. NIPCCD, railways and NIMHANS, in collaboration with state training institutes, will train the staff, officials said.

Over 2000 adoptions since amendment

Since September 2023, when the amended rules of the Juvenile Justice Act came into effect, over 2250 children have been adopted within the country, which includes 135 children above the usual age of adoption. Apart from that, there are 139 pending cases which are awaiting an adoption order which, ministry officials said, was a climbdown from the 997 cases that were pending in September 2022, when the amended Juvenile Justice Act came into force.

The amendment empowers the district magistrates by allowing them to issue adoption orders and not courts which was the case. The move has courted criticism from some states who contend that DMs have too much on their plate, and the Bombay High Court granted an interim stay on the transfer of the pending adoption matters from the courts to the DMs and directed the courts to continue adjudicating such cases. As a fallout, as many as 350 cases are pending in Maharashtra.
After China once again shielded a terrorist based in Pakistan from international sanctions, India has played at the United Nations General Assembly an audio of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative who coordinated the 26/11 carnage in Mumbai from a control room in Karachi.

The mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks Sajid Mir was listed as a proscribed terrorist under the national laws of India, of United States and of several other countries, Prakash Gupta, a senior diplomat representing New Delhi, said while participating in a conference at the UN General Assembly on counterterrorism.

But, when the proposal for listing Sajid Mir did not get through the Global Listings of the UN Security Council Sanctions Regime, despite several member states co-sponsoring it, we have righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture, added Gupta, after playing the audio-tape of the LeT operative directing the 26/11 terrorists on phone to hunt down foreigners at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai and kill them indiscriminately.

Also Read | China blocks proposal at UN to blacklist Pak-based LeT terrorist and 26/11 accused Sajid Mir

Beijing this week blocked a proposal moved by New Delhi and Washington DC to get the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to designate Sajid Mir as a terrorist and impose sanctions on him.

China, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, had in September 2022 placed a technical hold on the proposal to designate him as an individual linked to Al Qaeda, Taliban and Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and to put him under full-spectrum UN sanctions, including assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

If we cannot get established terrorists who have been banned across global landscapes proscribed by the United Nations for petty geopolitical interests, then we really do NOT have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism, said Gupta, tacitly slamming China for shielding anti-India terrorists based in Pakistan.

Mir was involved in planning the November 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai and was in touch with the terrorists, who had sneaked into India from Pakistan and carried out the attack. He was in the control room the LeT had set up in Karachi to guide the terrorists in real time to kill 166 people and injure many others in a three-day-carnage, with several foreigners, including the citizens of the US and Israel, being among the victims.

Fifteen years after the Mumbai terror attacks, its masterminds have not yet been brought to justice. Some of them continue to roam scot-free  with full state hospitality, Gupta said indirectly slamming Pakistan.

Mir was arrested in Pakistan last year in connection with a terror financing case when the government of the country was trying desperately to be removed from the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation to combat terror financing and money laundering.

Beijing had in the past blocked several proposals moved by India and other nations at the UNSC to impose sanctions on the terrorists based in Pakistan. It had similarly used technical holds for years to block New Delhis repeated moves to get the UNSC to impose sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammed based in Pakistan and the mastermind of several terrorist attacks in India, including the one on the paramilitary personnel in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, 2019.

China had finally in May 2019 allowed the Security Council to move against the radical cleric based in Pakistan. It had similarly allowed the Security Council to impose full spectrum UN sanctions  travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo  on the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tayyibas deputy chief, Abdul Rehman Makki, of course after blocking the moves initially.

China had earlier also blocked Indias moves to get the UN sanctions imposed on the LeT commander Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi and the Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin  both based in Pakistan.
Naval ships deployed in the Indian Ocean region are visiting ports of friendly foreign countries and spreading the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' on International Day of Yoga forming an 'Ocean Ring of Yoga', the Indian Navy said on Wednesday.

Yoga day events and activities are being conducted on Indian naval ships, including Kiltan, Chennai, Shivalik, Sunayna, Trishul, Tarkash, Vagir, Sumitra and Brahmaputra -- all of which are deployed in the Indian Ocean Region.

Port calls by Indian naval ships include those at Chattogram in Bangladesh, Safaga in Egypt, Jakarta in Indonesia, Mombasa in Kenya, Toamasina in Madagascar, Muscat in Oman, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Phuket in Thailand and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where yoga sessions are being organised in accordance with the "Common Yoga Protocol".

Also Read | Rajnath Singh inaugurates Integrated Simulator Complex 'Dhruv' at Southern Naval Command

Nearly 3,500 naval personnel on board 19 Indian Navy ships have travelled more than 35,000 kilometres as ambassadors of yoga in both national and international waters, the Indian Navy has said.

This includes more than 2,400 personnel on 11 naval ships at foreign ports or international waters.

Yoga day celebrations are also being done on board ships of several foreign navies in concert with India's overseas missions, involving more than 1,200 foreign navy personnel.

Earlier, the Indian Navy had held yoga awareness campaigns to encourage maximum participation by naval personnel, defence civilians and families.

The United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) following a resolution moved by India and co-sponsored by a large number of countries.

The first IDY was observed on June 21, 2015.
The draft proposal for delimitation exercise in Assam released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday proposed to increase the number of Assembly constituencies reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) to 19 and nine, respectively.

The delimitation exercise, which would only redraw the boundaries of the 126 Assembly constituencies and 14 Lok Sabha Constituencies in Assam, proposed to increase the Assembly seats reserved for the STs from 16 at present to 19 and the same for the SCs from eight to nine.

Also Read | ADR seeks action against parties for failing to publish criminal antecedents of candidates fielded by them

The draft sought to increase the number of Assembly constituencies in the Bodoland region from 16 at present to 19, by redrawing the boundaries. Similarly, it sought to increase one Assembly seat in Autonomous districts in West Karbi Anglong district.

The draft for the delimitation, however, proposed to reserve one out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats for the SCs. The same for the STs, however, would remain unchanged. Two Lok Sabha constituencies, Kokrakhar and Diphu are reserved for the STs at present.

The draft proposal also proposed to name one Lok Sabha constituency as Kaziranga, the national park famous for its one-horned rhinos.

The last delimitation exercise in Assam was carried out in 1976. A new delimitation exercise was supposed to be carried out in 2007 but the same in the state was postponed due to the law and order issues. The ECI, however, resumed the process for the exercise in December last year after being asked by the government.

A team of the ECI headed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar visited Assam between March 26 and 28 and held discussions with 11 political parties and 71 other organisations before releasing the draft proposal. The Opposition Congress, however, boycotted the meeting with the ECI despite invitations.

A team of the Commission will again visit the state in July, the ECI said.

Also Read | BJP focusing on LS seats in NE where it did not win in 2019: Himanta

"Efforts have been made to keep all constituencies, as far as practicable, as geographically compact areas, and in delimiting them, regard has been made to the physical features, density of population, existing boundaries of administrative units, facilities of communication and public convenience. Deviation to certain extent from the state and district average has been allowed due to huge inter-district variation in certain cases in terms of factors such as geographical features, density of population, means of communication, public convenience, contiguity of the areas and necessity to avoid breaking of administrative units and as constituencies cannot be delimited having exactly equal population in all cases," the ECI said in a statement.

The delimitation exercise would be carried out on the basis of Census of 2001 as provided in the Article 170 and Article 82 of the Constitution.

The ruling BJP in Assam hoped that by increasing the seats reserved for STs and SCs, the delimitation would increase representations of the ethnic communities and thereby protect their political interests. The Opposition parties, including the Congress, on the other hand, doubted the intention of the exercise.
Miffed over Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's "derogatory" remarks in the assembly, Governor Banwarilal Purohit Wednesday said he will not use the state government helicopter anymore.

The governor hit back at Mann at a press conference at Raj Bhavan, the latest exchange in the ongoing tussle between the two.

On Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party-dominated House passed a bill replacing the governor with the chief minister as the chancellor of the state-run universities.

Also Read | Congress MLAs walk out of Punjab Assembly over absence of Question Hour, Zero Hour

During the debate, Mann also brought up the use of the state helicopter by the governor.

Mann had on Tuesday alleged that contrary to securing the interests of Punjab, the governor was "often seen on the other side."

"He takes my helicopter, a government helicopter, and then abuses me... I don't think so much interference is needed. His duty is to administer an oath... It does not mean he will create trouble for every small thing," he had said.

Reacting to Mann's helicopter sally, Purohit said: "What do they expect? Should I clap for them? Is this what they expect?"

"Touring border areas is my official duty. The Chief Secretary and DGP have also travelled in that chopper. Is it something to say he gave his helicopter for me to travel  ?" he said.

"Till I am in Punjab, I will not use the Punjab government helicopter. Hardly, three or four times I have used in the past that too for border area visit. You, the chief minister, be happy, I have no problem," he said. "I could never imagine a Chief Minister saying such things about the governor."

Purohit also took exception to Mann calling his official letters to him 'love letters.'

Mann had earlier in the month placed a number of letters written to him by him, calling them "love letters," and said that instead of writing such letters Purohit should have raised the issues like the Rural Development Fund allegedly withheld by the Centre.

The governor had on June 12 accused the AAP government of acting against the Constitution for not responding to his letters.

"I have to maintain the Raj Bhavan's dignity, therefore this one sided affair is going on," he said on Wednesday.

"I saw on TV and also read in the newspapers that he made fun of me in the Vidhan Sabha. And he used the word that the governor is writing many love letters to him.

"A 'chief minister' is using such words for me. Whereas there is an order of the Supreme Court that the chief minister is duty bound to furnish information which has been sought," he said.

"I don't think the chief minister can escape from giving a reply just by using derogatory language," he said.

"I am performing my duty, whether somebody is happy or not. I am supposed to perform my duty and I will perform," Purohit added.

The governor also wondered if he committed a "sin" when he asked Mann government to remove a "tainted minster," referring apparently to Lal Chand Kataruchak who has been accused "sexual misconduct."
Amid his US State visit, PM Narendra Modi virtually addressed the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting with States & UTs via video conferencing, to assess and review preparedness for heat-related illnesses, arising due to heatwave conditions in some parts of the country. Ahead of the Opposition meeting scheduled on June 23, CM Arvind Kejriwal has written to non-BJP leaders requesting a discussion on the Delhi ordinance. Meanwhile, International Yoga Day is being observed across the world with much enthusiasm with several prominent personalities taking part in the celebrations. That's it for today! We will be back with more live updates and coverage from India and around the world tomorrow.
The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested one of the main conspirators, who was absconding for more than three years, involved in the murder of Head Constable Rattan Lal during northeast riots 2020 in the national Capital, an official said on Wednesday.

The accused identified Mohd Ayaz (53), a resident of Chand Bagh in Karawal Nagar area, was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on information leading to his arrest and he was nabbed from a village in district Chikkaballapur near Bengaluru, Karnataka.

During the northeast riots in Delhi on February 24, 2020, Ratan Lal was killed, while Anuj Kumar, the then Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gokulpuri and Amit Sharma, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara sustained multiple grievous injuries.

Also Read | 2020 Delhi riots case: Court deprecates prosecution for 'insensitive approach'

Sharing the details, the Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal said that in January 2020, Ayaz along with his brother Khalid and others started an anti-CAA/NRC protest at Chand Bagh, Delhi in the line of the Shaheen Bagh demonstration.

Thereafter, on February 23, 2020, a secret meeting was held at his home's basement and it was unanimously decided to bring sticks, and iron rods among others to block the road in view of the visit of the then US President Donald Trump so as to gain maximum attention at international level.

"Thereafter, as per pre-planned conspiracy, the rioters blocked the road leading to Jafrabad Metro Station and consequently, different groups started rioting in various parts of North-East and Shahdara Districts of Delhi and the same continued till February 26, 2020, resulting in the death of over 50 people, injury to hundreds of persons and huge loss of government and private properties. Over 750 cases were lodged in different police stations of Shahdara and North-East districts of Delhi in this regard," said the Special CP.

"A huge mob gathered at the Chand Bagh protest site in the morning of February 24, 2020, and attempted to block the main Wazirabad Road. However, when the police team tried to stop them, Ayaz, his brother Khalid and other rioters started pelting stones and attacked the police party causing the death of Delhi Police Head Constable Ratan Lal," said the Dhaliwal.

He said that a close watch was being kept on the close contacts of Ayaz and his brother Khalid.

"The technical and manual surveillance revealed that Mohd. Ayaz and his brother Khalid were changing their hideouts frequently. After incessant efforts, it emerged that both of them had moved to rural areas in Manipur to evade their arrest. Thereafter, efforts were made to track their movement in Manipur," said the Special CP.

Police came to know that Ayaz had moved to Bengaluru in the first week of June 2023.

"It was further revealed that he was in search of a suitable hideout in the rural area of Dibburahalli, around 100 km from Bengaluru. Following the trail, a team located him in the area of Dibburahalli and he was nabbed on June 17," said Dhaliwal.
Security forces have conducted a major anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district during which they busted a Naxalite camp and recovered a cache of explosives and items of daily use, police said on Wednesday.

A District Reserve Guard (DRG) constable received minor injuries after a pressure improvised explosive device (IED), planted by Naxalites, went off on Wednesday when the security personnel were returning after the operation, they said.

Multiple encounters took place during the operation carried out from Monday in core forest areas near Pidia village under Gangaloor police station limits, located more than 450 km from state capital Raipur, the police said.

Also Read | Naxalites kill villager on suspicion of being police informer in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

Two-three Naxalites were killed or injured, but their colleagues managed to drag them away into the forest hideouts, a police official claimed.

Separate joint teams of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)- an elite unit of the CRPF, Special Task Force (STF) and DRG from Bijapur and neighbouring Dantewada district on Monday launched the offensive against Naxalites in their stronghold in Pidia, a senior police official said.

On Tuesday, multiple encounters took place between the security personnel and Naxalites at different locations, he said.

During the operation, security forces busted a hideout of Naxalites and recovered a cache of explosives, items of daily use, tailoring materials and medicines, the official said without giving more details.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh: 3 cops hurt in IED blast during training

A memorial of Naxalites was also destroyed by the security forces, he said.

On way back after the operation on Wednesday, constable Ajay Mandavi, belonging to Dantewada DRG, inadvertently stepped on a pressure IED connection, triggering a blast, he said.

The constable received minor injuries, the official said, adding he has been admitted to the Bijapur district hospital for treatment.
A five-star hotel here has alleged to have suffered a loss of Rs 58 lakh when one of its guests colluded with some hotel staff and stayed for almost two years without making any payment.

The hotel, Roseate House in Aerocity near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, has lodged a case at IGI Airport police station.

According to the FIR lodged recently by Vinod Malhotra, an authorised representative of Bird Airports Hotel Private Limited, which operates Roseate, guest Ankush Dutta stayed for 603 days which cost Rs 58 lakh but checked out without paying a single penny.

Also read | Minor girl sexually assaulted in Delhi's Vikaspuri; 1 arrested

The FIR alleges that Prem Prakash, head of Front Office Department of the hotel, who was authorised to decide room rates and had access to the hotel computer system to track dues of all guests, allowed Duttas long stay violating the hotel norms.

The hotel management suspects that Prakash might have received some cash amount from Dutta for letting him overstay by manipulating its in-house software system that maintains and monitors stay/visit of guests and their accounts.

A criminal conspiracy was hatched by guest Mr Ankush Dutta along with some known and unknown hotel staff, including Mr Prem Prakash with a motive to gain wrongfully and deprive the hotel of its rightful dues, the FIR said.

In pursuance of the said conspiracy, the alleged staff of the hotel forged, deleted, added accounts entries and falsified a large number of entries in the account of the said guest Ankush Dutta in the Opera software system of the hotel, it added.

The hotel has alleged that Dutta checked in on May 30, 2019 and booked a room for one night. He was supposed to check out the very next day on May 31 but he kept on extending his stay till January 22, 2021.

The hotel norm says that if a guests pending outstanding dues exceed 72 hours, it should be brought to the notice of CEO and Financial Controller for their information and seeking instruction. However, Prakash didnt send Duttas dues to the CEO and FC of the hotel.

According to the FIR, Prakash didnt make any outstanding payment report from May 30, 2019 to October 25, 2019. Even when he created the outstanding payment report after October 25, he forged it by clubbing pending bills of other unrelated guests into one bill with the motive to camouflage the pending dues of Dutta.

The hotel has alleged that Prakash resorted to various modus operandi to help Dutta enjoy a long stay there. He even fudged the account to show that other guests, who stayed in the hotel, paid for Dutta which turned out to be fabricated.

The scrutiny of record of the alleged officials of the hotel revealed that they created several fake and false pending bills to benefit Ankush Dutta by adopting various ways like by removing room nights from his bills, transferring his debits into the bills of other guests bills, using settled bills of other guests by incorporating his name in the bill, etc, the FIR said.

The hotel also noticed that Dutta paid three cheques of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 7 lakh and Rs 20 lakh at different dates but all of them bounced and Prakash didnt bring this fact to the notice of the hotel management.

The hotel has demanded a strict legal action against the culprits as they have committed criminal offences, criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and falsification of accounts.

A preliminary inquiry by the IGI police showed that prima facie the offences were made out, and now they are further probing the matter.
A tantrik and a woman have been arrested for the murder of a 27-year-old woman from Shahjahanpur who was in a relationship with another woman she met in college, police said.

Poonam Kumari, a resident of Shahjahanpur, was allegedly lured by the tantrik, identified as Ram Niwas, with the promise of changing her gender, police added.

Shahjahanpur's Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) city, Sudhir Jaiswal, said on Wednesday that Poonam and her 25-year-old partner, Preeti Sagar, who lived in Lakhimpur Kheri, met while pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree and were in a relationship for a few months.

Also read | Rape survivor sets herself on fire in Uttar Pradesh

"The Lakhimpur Kheri woman's reluctance in getting married to a man despite her family's multiple efforts, revealed her relationship status, and invited opposition from both the families who feared social stigma," he added.

Police have arrested Sagar under several charges, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

Lakhimpur Kheri's Mohammadi police station in-charge, Amber Singh, said the tantrik was in touch with Sagar's mother and told her that changing Kumari's gender could help her get married to Sagar.

He added Kumari was called for the alleged ritual and left her house -- nearly 50 km away from Lakhimpur Kheri -- on April 18.

She was reported missing by her brother Parvinder Kumar on April 26.

"The police came to know about Preeti Sagar when they scanned the victim's call details and discovered they both had been talking over phone for long durations," Jaiswal added.

Niwas has been taken into police custody.

"He (tantrik) confessed to having strangulated Kumari after calling her at a deserted place on the pretext of performing a ritual to change her gender."

Niwas fled after disposing of the body on the banks of the Gomti in a forested area, the ASP said.

Police recovered 11 bones from near Sagar's house and have sent it for forensic examination.

In the FIR, Kumar accused Sagar, her mother Urmila and Niwas of murdering his sister.

A police officer said the FIR was lodged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (concealing body after crime).
Seven migrant workers and an engineer were injured when a slab being laid for building a ramp of an under-construction flyover collapsed in LB Nagar here on Wednesday morning, police officials said.

The incident happened around 3.10 am when concrete was being poured between two pillars of the flyover for construction of the ramp, they said.

The injured were shifted to a hospital and one of them is seriously injured, a police official at LB Nagar police station said.

The injured workers are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

A case was registered and an investigation was on, the official added.
The Fete de la Musique , also known as World Music Day or Make Music Day is an annual festival that takes place on June 21. With its origins in France, the event is now celebrated in more that 120 countries including India, Australia, Italy, Kenya, Brazil , the United States and Japan, to name a few. The festival aims to celebrate music as an art form and an unifying tool to bring about change in society.

On June 21, 1982, the summer solstice, the first Fete de la Musique was inaugurated in Paris.

In 1981, French Culture Minister Jack Lang had named Maurice Fleuret as Director of Music and Dance. Fleuret had studied and popularized diverse music, organizing festivals and events in Europe and Asia. He aimed to bring music together in a sound liberation movement, coneptualising that "Music will be everywhere and the concert nowhere".

In 1982, through a survey conducted Lang and Fleuret concluded that musical events included only a minority of the population. They decided to organise Fete de la Musique, a large-scale event for all musicians to express themselves and for the people to come together discovering music.

In 1985, during the European year of music ,World Music Day was first celebrated outside France. By 1995 , almost 85 countries across five continents celebrated World Music Day. A charter signed in 1997, now includes tenets for all countries to abide by if they wish to participate in the festival .

Significance

Over 1000 cities across the world celebrate this festival. Live music is continuously played and musicians are urged to collaborate with each other in public spaces.

Under the tagline "Faites de la musique" ("Make music"), which is a homophone of the phrase "Fete de la musique," both amateur and professional musicians are encouraged to play in the streets. All concerts must be free and musicians play without compensation. This is done to make more genres of music available to the general public. This is followed by most of the participating countries.

The theme for this year is Music on the Intersections to draw attention to how music can influence individuals from different communities to come together. The day also helps draw attention to different styles of music, from popularising traditional music to develop new music styles such as techno, synthwave.
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Ltd., Emerson Process Management Valve Automation Inc., Emerson Process Management Verwaltung GmbH, Emerson Process Management d.o.o., Emerson Process Management de Colombia SAS, Emerson Process Management del Peru S.A.C., Emerson Process Management s.r.o., Emerson Professional Tools (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Puerto Rico Inc., Emerson Retail Services Europe GmbH, Emerson S.R.L., Emerson Sales UK Limited, Emerson Saudi Arabia LLC, Emerson Scroll Machining (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Sice S.R.L., Emerson Sweden AB, Emerson TOV, Emerson Technologies GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Technologies Verwaltungs GmbH, Emerson Tool Company de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Tool and Appliance Company S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson UK Trustees Limited, Emerson USD Finance Company Limited, Emerson Valves & Controls Japan Co. Ltd., Emerson Ventures Inc., Emerson Vulcan Holding LLC, Emerson Xi'an Engineering Center, Emersub 1 LLC, Emersub 10 LLC, Emersub 11 LLC, Emersub 12 LLC, Emersub 14 LLC, Emersub 15 LLC, Emersub 16 LLC, Emersub 3 LLC, Emersub 4 LLC, Emersub 5 LLC, Emersub 7 LLC, Emersub 8 LLC, Emersub 9 LLC, Emersub CII Inc., Emersub CV Inc., Emersub Italia S.R.L., Emersub LXXXIV Inc., Emersub LXXXVI Inc., Emersub Mexico Inc., Emersub Treasury Ireland Unlimited Company, Emersub XLVI Inc., Emersub XXXVI Inc., Emirates Techno Casting FZE, Emirates Techno Casting Holding Limited, Emirates Techno Casting LLC, Enardo, Endura-Greenlee Tools, Energy Solutions International (India) Private Limited, Energy Solutions International GP LLC, Energy Solutions International Ltd., Energy Solutions International SAS, Energy Solutions International Sub LLC, F-R Tecnologias de Flujo S.A. de C.V., FC QSF LLC, FMC Technologies, Fiberconn Assemblies Morocco Sarl, Fincor Holding LLC, Fire & Safety Group.Com Ltd., Fisher Controles de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fisher Controls International LLC, Fisher Jeon Gas Equipment (Chengdu) Co. 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Engineering Limited, HD Electric Company, HTE Engineering Services Limited, Hindle Cockburns Limited, Hiross India Private Limited, Hiter Industria e Comercia de Controles Termo-Hidraulicos Ltda., Humboldt Hermetic Motor Corp., Hytork International Ltd., I Solutions Inc., ICC Intelligent Platforms GmbH, ISE-MagTech, Industrial Controls Canada ULC, Industrial Group Metran JSC, Instrument & Valve Services Company, Intelligent Platforms LLC, Intellution, International Gas Distribution SA, Intrinsic Safety Equipment of Texas Inc., JCF Fluid Flow India Private Limited, JSC Metran-Export, Joucomatic S.A., K Controls Limited, Keystone Germany Holdings Corp., Keystone Valve (Korea) LLC, Keystone Valve (U.K.) Limited, Klauke, Klauke (Jiangsu) Electrical Connection Technology Co Ltd., Klauke France SARL, Klauke Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Klauke Iberia S.L., Klauke Polska Sp. z.o.o., Klauke Slovakia s.r.o., Klauke UK Ltd., Knurr, Liebert, Liebert Swindon Limited, Locus Solutions LLC, Locus Traxx Worldwide, Locus Traxx Worldwide Europe BVBA, MDC Technology Limited, MDC Technology Trustees Limited, METCO Services Limited, MYNAH Technologies, Management Resources Group Inc., Mecafrance (Deutschland) GmbH, Metallurgical Services Laboratories Limited, Metaserv Limited, Metco Services Venezuela C.A., Micro Motion Inc., Mobrey Group Limited, Motores Hermeticos del Sur S.A. de C.V., NetworkPower Ecuador S.A., Nippon Fisher Co. Ltd., Novel Environmental Technologies Ltd., Novel Extinguishing Agent Technology Ltd., Numatics Incorporated, Nutsteel DHC B.V., Nutsteel Industria Metalurgica Ltda, O.M.T. Officina Meccanica Tartarini S.r.l., Open Systems International, P I Components Corp., PT Emerson Solutions Indonesia, PT. Emerson Indonesia, PT. Paradigm Geophysical Indonesia, Pactrol Controls Limited, PakSense, PakSense Inc., Paradigm, Paradigm (UK) Holding Limited, Paradigm B.V., Paradigm France S.A., Paradigm Geophysical (India) Private Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical (Nigeria) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (U.K.) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical B.V., Paradigm Geophysical Corp., Paradigm Geophysical Italy SRL, Paradigm Geophysical LLC, Paradigm Geophysical Limited, Paradigm Geophysical Pty Ltd, Paradigm Geophysical S.A., Paradigm Geophysical Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical Spain S.L., Paradigm Geophysical de Venezuela C.A., Paradigm Geophysical do Brasil Ltda., Paradigm Geoservices Canada Ltd., Paradigm Geotechnology (Egypt) S.A.E., Paradigm Kazakhstan LLP, Paradigm Middle East FZ-LLC, Paradigm Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Parex Industries Limited, Pentair Valves & Controls, Pentair Valves and Controls India Private Limited, Permasense, Permasense Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Permasense Limited, ProSys, ProTeam Inc., Progea, RAC Technologies (Israel) Ltd., RIDGID Inc., RPP Europe GmbH, RPP LLC, Rey-Lam S. de R.L. de C.V., Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Ridge Tool Company, Ridge Tool Europe NV, Ridge Tool GmbH, Ridge Tool GmbH & Co. OHG, Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Ridge Tool Pattern Company, Ridgid France SAS, Ridgid Italia S.R.L., Ridgid Online Inc., Ridgid Scandinavia A/S, Ridgid Werkzeuge AG, Rosemount China Inc., Rosemount Inc., Rosemount Measurement Limited, Rosemount Nuclear Instruments Inc., Rosemount Specialty Products LLC, Rosemount Tank Gauging India Pvt. Ltd., Rosemount Tank Gauging Middle East SPC, Rosemount Tank Gauging North America Inc., Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Rosemount Tank Radar Properties AB, Roxar, Roxar AS, Roxar Flow Measurement AS, Roxar Flow Measurement Sdn Bhd, Roxar Limited, Roxar Maximum Reservoir Performance W.L.L., Roxar Saudi Co., Roxar Services AS, Roxar Services OOO, Roxar Software Solutions AS, Roxar Technologies AS, Roxar Vietnam Company Ltd., Roxar de Venezuela C.A., Rutherfurd Acquisitions Limited, S.F.T. Group Ltd., SABO-Armaturen Service GmbH, Safety Systems UK Pte. Ltd., Sakhi-Raimondi Valve (India) Limited, Scroll Compressors LLC, Scroll Mexico LLC, Sempell GmbH, Shanghai Virgo Valves Technology Consulting Co. Ltd., Sherman + Reilly, Soluciones 0925 C.A., Spectra-Tek Holdings Limited, Spectra-Tek International Limited, Spectra-Tek UK Limited, Spectrex, Spectrex Inc., Spectronix Ltd., Spensall Engineering Limited, Steel Support Systems Limited, Stratos Lightwave, System Plast International B.V., System Plast Ltda, System Plast USA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TDM-avtomatizatsiya, TV&C GP Holding LLC, Taiwan Valve Co. Ltd., TechnipFMC, Termocontroles de Juarez S.A. de C.V., Tescom Corporation, Tescom Europe GmbH & Co. KG, Tescom Europe Management GmbH, The Automation Group Inc., The J.R. Clarkson Company LLC, Therm-O-Disc Europe B.V., Therm-O-Disc Incorporated, Thunderline Z Inc., TopWorx UK Limited, Tranmet Holdings B.V., Tranmet Holdings Limited, Verdant Environmental Technologies, Vilter Manufacturing LLC, Virgo Valves & Controls (ME) FZE, Virgo Valves and Controls Sdn Bhd, Von Arx AG, Vulsub 1 Limited, Vulsub Brasil Holding, Vulsub Brasil Ltda., Vulsub Chile SpA, Vulsub Gulf Holding Limited, Vulsub Holding III (Denmark) ApS, Vulsub Holding Ltd, Vulsub Holdings A LLC, Vulsub Holdings B LLC, Vulsub Holdings C LLC, Vulsub Holdings D LLC, Vulsub Italia S.r.l., Vulsub Middle East Holdings LLC, Vulsub Peru S.A.C., Vulsub Property Holding LLC, Vulsub Property Limited, Vulsub S.A., Vulsub South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Vulsub VZ C.A., Westinghouse Electric Pvt. Limited, Westlock Controls Limited, Westlock Equipamentos de Controle Ltda., Woodstock Land Company LLC, epro GmbH, iSolera Inc., iSolutions Private Limited, and intelliSAW.

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Procter & Gamble Co, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a multinational consumer goods corporation founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. The company has a rich history of innovation and has become a household name in many countries worldwide. Proctor & Gamble Co is a consumer staples stock. A consumer staples stock is a type of stock that offers investors a more stable and steady growth pattern that is minimally affected by economic factors.

With a market capitalization of over $327.9 billion as of February 2023, Procter & Gamble is one of the largest companies in the world. The company operates in over 70 countries, with its products sold in more than 180 countries globally. Its brand portfolio includes household names such as Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Crest, and Olay.

Procter & Gamble's business is divided into five segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment includes SK-II, Pantene, and Herbal Essences. The Grooming segment comprises brands such as Gillette, Venus, and Braun. The Health Care segment includes brands such as Oral-B, Vicks, and Pepto-Bismol. The Fabric & Home Care segment includes Tide, Downy, and Swiffer brands. The Baby, Feminine & Family Care segment includes brands such as Pampers, Always, and Tampax.

Procter & Gamble's products are sold through various channels, including retail stores, online retailers, and direct-to-consumer channels. The company has also invested in e-commerce capabilities and digital advertising, recognizing the importance of these channels in reaching consumers.

Procter & Gamble has a long history of innovation and investing in research and development. The company's R&D efforts are focused on improving its existing products and developing new products that meet the evolving needs of consumers. Procter & Gamble also invests heavily in marketing and advertising, recognizing the importance of building strong brands that resonate with consumers.

Recently, Procter & Gamble has made sustainability a key focus area. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental footprint, such as using 100% renewable electricity at all its plants by 2030. Procter & Gamble has also committed to reducing its plastic packaging waste to reduce its use of virgin plastic by 50% by 2030.

Procter & Gamble has a strong financial position, a solid balance sheet and a history of strong cash flows. The company has a long record of paying dividends, with over 130 years of uninterrupted dividend payments. Procter & Gamble has also implemented a share buyback program, repurchasing over $30 billion of its shares in the past three years.

Despite its size and global reach, Procter & Gamble faces competition from various large and small companies. The consumer goods industry is highly competitive, with companies constantly vying for market share and consumer attention. Procter & Gamble must continue to innovate and invest in its brands to stay ahead of its competitors.
PHILADELPHIA BOUND! . . . . St. Marys Year 13 students Zara OReilly, Kate Clarke and Sarah Carlin pictured with Ms. Roisin Rice, Vice Principal, at the school this week before their flights to America on Friday morning where they will take part in The Mercy Girls Effect Global Leadership conference in Philadelphia. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

For the first time ever, the citys St Marys College will be attending the Mercy Girl Global Leadership Conference being held in Philadelphia, USA.

Early on Friday morning, Year 13 students Zara OReilly, Sarah Carlin and Kate Clarke will fly out with the schools Vice Principal, Mrs Roisin Rice.

Also accompanying the St Marys College delegation is Ava McGinn, past pupil of Thornhill College who has the honour of being invited back as one of the keynote speakers at the conference that was held online over the last few years.

Well over 100 young students and their chaperones will gather in the city of Philadelphia for the Mercy Girl Effect - Student Leadership Conference.

The Mercy Girl Effect is a mercying movement founded over 25 years ago as the Girls Leadership Conference. In 2007, it was rebranded to become the Mercy Girl Effect, and affiliated with UNICEF, the United Nations Childrens Organization in association with the Working Group on Girls.

The annual conference is an attempt to encourage younger Mercy citizens to think big, collaborate, network, share and consult with each other on how all can help build a world fit for all.

The invitation to the global conference came from Sister Deirdre Mullan, one the founding members of the NGO The Mercy Girl Effect. Sister Deirdres present ministry is with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.

St. Marys Year 13 students Zara OReilly, Kate Clarke and Sarah Carlin pictured at the school this week before their departure to America on Friday morning where they will take part in The Mercy Girls Effect Global Leadership conference in Philadelphia. The girls will be accompanied by Ms. Roisin Rice, Vice Principal on the six day trip.. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Speaking this week on the girls departure, Mr. Brendan McGinn, Principal of St Mary College, wished all those travelling a safe journey and said they should enjoy the wonderful opportunity, adding: St Marys College was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and it is fitting that this years theme for the conference is Supplying an Education through Mercy.

It is a wonderful opportunity for the young people selected to attend the conference and through the programme they will enrich their understanding of the Mercy Tradition, developing their leadership skills in the process. The school community looks forward to supporting their ideas and plans next year.

The students from St Marys participated in a rigorous selection process in order to gain a coveted place to represent the school at the conference.

Left to right, Zara OReilly, Kate Clarke and Sarah Carlin who are heading to Philadelphia in the United States to attend the Mercy Girls Effect Global Leadership conference on Friday.

Mrs Roisin Rice, Vice Principal of St Marys College said: We are absolutely delighted to be attending the conference which is being held at held at Gwynedd Mercy University in the States.

"The girls will have the privilege of collaborating and networking with other young people to discuss and put into action ideas that will hopefully make the world a better place.

The Derry girls will also be travelling with Sister Yvonne Hanna and students from Our Ladys Grammar School in Newry.
A key part of controversial plans aimed at dealing with Northern Irelands troubled past drives a dagger through victims and should be stripped out, the Government has been told.

Former secretary of state and Labour peer Lord Murphy of Torfaen is spearheading a move at Westminster to ditch the most severely disliked measure from the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which critics have called an amnesty.

The proposed law would provide immunity for people accused of crimes during the Troubles, as long as they co-operate with a new truth recovery body, known as the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

The Bill, which is currently going through the House of Lords, would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

Despite the Government introducing a string of amendments to the draft legislation, it remains widely opposed by political parties, the Irish Government and victims groups.

Lord Murphy, who has proposed an amendment to the Bill which would scrap the immunity provision, said the upper chamber should send back a message to MPs.

He said: To send a signal to them that this House recognises the significance of the opposition to the Bill in Northern Ireland would be a very powerful one.

While comparisons had been made between the immunity measure and the early release of prisoners under the 1998 peace deal, Lord Murphy said the big difference was the latter move had the backing of a referendum at the time.

No-one in Northern Ireland is voting in favour of this, he said. There is no consensus in its favour.

The minister knows you simply cannot impose things on Northern Ireland. Imposition is entirely improper.

Denying it was a so-called wrecking amendment Lord Murphy said: It takes the part of the Bill out which is most severely disliked.

Why on earth is the Government persisting in something that shouldnt be imposed upon the people of Northern Ireland against their will?

Referring to the matter of amnesty and immunity, former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick said: This issue goes to the heart of the legislation, but it also drives a dagger through victims in Northern Ireland  people who have endured immeasurable suffering because of the loss of their loved ones in unexplained circumstances, because many of them have not been told how or why that loss happened, or the nature of the wounds inflicted on them.

Independent crossbencher Baroness OLoan, who was the first Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland, said: Nobody in Northern Ireland wants these provisions.

DUP chairman Lord Morrow said: I have not read of support for this legislation, yet the Government are intent on pushing on and pushing it through.

Responding, Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Caine said: I do genuinely accept that this is the most controversial and challenging aspect of the Bill. I have found this very difficult.

The legislation contains finely balanced political and moral choices that are challenging for many.

He added; We must be honest what we can realistically achieve in those circumstances where the prospects of prosecutions and convictions are vanishingly small.

Its an uncomfortable reality for many but it is the reality of the situation in which we find ourselves.

In those circumstances the Governments objective is to provide greater information, accountability and acknowledgement to victims and families in a more timely manner and to more people than is possible under current mechanisms.

The way we do that is by creating an effective information recovery process.

The ICRIR will conduct reviews for the primary purpose of providing answers for those that want them and will grant immunity from prosecution only if individuals provide an account that is true to the best of their knowledge and belief.

This is difficult but it is a crucial aspect of the information recovery process and is why conditional immunity is central to this legislation and in the Governments view should not be removed.

Votes on Lord Murphys amendment and others are due to be held on Monday if pressed.
In the era of invasive smart technologies, both personal and professional lives of humans are undergoing a massive change. This electronic evolution is impacting our daily chores from the bedroom to the boardroom. The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is hard to miss in every domain we come across. Some may argue against its aggressive intrusion, while others may call it a boon to mankind for its speed, accuracy, and efficacy. From transportation to banking, retail, fashion, energy and utility sectors to even health, digitalisation is steadily deepening its roots to rule the roost. Robotic surgery is one such breakthrough in medical science that is conspicuously leaving its mark in OTs.

Robot Assistants in Operation Theatres

Aided by cutting-edge technology, robot-assisted surgery is making waves in the surgical fraternity. This is applied with the help of small instruments attached to a sophisticated, flexible robotic arm. The surgeon regulates the mechanical arm via a computer. For the uninitiated, a frequently-used standard clinical robotic surgical system comprises a camera arm and mechanical limbs with surgical tools attached to them. The surgeon leading his team of assistants during the operation controls the arms from a computer console in proximity to the operating table to get a high-definition, magnified, 3D (dimensional) view of the surgical site. Robotic surgery enables surgeons to execute the most delicate and complicated procedures, which otherwise look cumbersome with conventional methods.

Surgical robots are specialised machines designed for use in medical procedures to deliver augmented precision, clearer visualisation and decreased invasiveness in surgeries. Some of the types include Da Vinci Surgical System, Versius Surgical System and ROSA Robot. Robot-assisted surgeries are gradually becoming a rage across various major surgical specialties. Studies validate the point that as technology evolves, the list of surgical departments utilising robot-assisted surgery continues to expand. Among these, urology has been a leader in the adoption of robotic surgery so far, with the Da Vinci Surgical System being widely used in prostate surgeries.

AI Boost to Robotic Surgery

AI can uplift robotic surgery by mitigating the surgeons' stress. A slew of AI algorithms used in such innovative surgeries includes machine learning, computer vision and deep learning. This streamlines heavy-duty surgical procedures by zeroing in on the tools, supervising operations and conveying warning signals.

In robot-assisted surgery, AI and machine learning are used for motion planning, computer vision, force sensing, teleoperation and predictive analytics. These algorithms and models optimise the trajectory of the robotic arm, provide real-time feedback to the surgeon, adjust the force applied by the arm, enhance the user interface of the console and guide surgical decisions. As technology evolves, we can expect to see even more advanced applications of AI and machine learning in robotic surgery, volunteers Dr. Jaideep Jesson Rayapudi, MBBS, MD, serving as a senior subject matter expert in Healthcare AI at iMerit where he helps create large-scale datasets to power a variety of healthcare AI machine-learning use cases.

Autonomous robotic surgery as Dr. Rayapudi observes  has the potential to provide increased efficacy, safety and consistency in surgical procedures, irrespective of an individual surgeon's skill and experience. However, the robots currently used in surgery are not truly autonomous and achieving autonomy is a far-reaching goal as it requires addressing various aspects of medical care beyond just technological advancements, such as ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks.

Nevertheless, technological explosion is witnessing rapid advancements in the AI field and the day wont be far when slick robots will in reality come completely trained in AI architecture to follow instructions promptly during surgical operations, he suggests, raising a ray of hope.

Da Vinci Leads the Way

The Da Vinci robotic system employed in complex surgeries is manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., an American company that develops, manufactures and markets robotic products designed to upgrade clinical outcomes of patients through minimally invasive surgery, most notable being the Da Vinci Surgical System. It is used in prostatectomy, cardiac valve repair as well as for renal and gynecologic surgical procedures. The system was named after the eminent Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci, courtesy his invention of a robot, the mechanical knight. It was a humanoid automaton, believed to have been designed and constructed by the artist himself in 1495. The teeny-weeny instruments in the aforementioned surgical system move like a human hand but with a wider range of motion. The minute size of the toolkit makes it simple for surgeons to operate smoothly through a single or a very few minor incisions.

Da Vinci's role in hernia surgeries

Discussing the importance of the Da Vinci's role in hernia surgeries, Dr. Udipta Ray, renowned hernia surgeon, senior consultant and head of GI surgery of Medica Superspecialty Hospital in Kolkata, recommends Abdominal Wall Repair (AWR) as the best approach. The latest version is the Da Vinci AWR that is perfectly suited to deliver the best shot, thanks to the dexterity of its array of instruments. Add to this, the advantage of a 3D binocular vision, which renders the chromo feedback to segregate the layers beautifully. Its an apt marriage between machine and surgeon, resulting in clean and correct dissection suturing, defect closure and repair. This, in turn, leads to less bleeding, reduced pain, shorter hospital stay and better post-operative comfort sans any ache induced by tackers (mesh-fixation devices often used for securing the mesh in the laparoscopic repair of complex hernia. Complaints of small gut perforations were earlier reported), elaborates Dr. Ray. Tackers are avoided in robotic surgery. The Da Vinci system also allows surgeons to effortlessly operate from a stable ergonomic tremor-(a neurological disorder that causes shaking movements in one or more parts of the human body, especially in the surgeons hands. This is more common with senior, aged doctors as prolonged surgery often induces fatigue) a filtered platform, which is not the case in general laparoscopy.

Orthopaedics made better?

Coming to ortho-robotic technologies, the MakoartRobotics platform from Stryker (Stryker Corporation is an American multinational medical technologies conglomerate dealing in medical devices and surgical equipment manufacturing) is available at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH) in Navi Mumbai. This advanced ortho-robot combines three key components, namely 3D CT-based planning, AccuStop haptic technology and Insightful Data Analytics, into one platform to deliver better results for total knee replacement, partial knee replacement and total hip replacement.

Incidentally, the Stryker Mako is used for robot-assisted joint replacements to attain an exceptional degree of accuracy from the planning stages to the ultimate operation. The patient recommended with robotic surgery undergoes a CT scan, and data accumulated from the same is fed into the robotic system. The system uses an advanced 3-D model to map the anatomy of the patients joint and creates a customised plan for the surgery, even before the subject is brought to the operation theatre. This enables the surgeon to conveniently pre-plan the exact cuts or incisions needed to be made before commencing the procedure and tailor those precisely to the patients joint.

During surgery, the surgeon registers the actual anatomical landmarks of the patient with the help of probes and a camera that helps create a 3D model by the computer. By this, the surgeon knows the exact size of the implants, their position and the balancing of soft tissues to preserve the maximum healthy bone and tissue before actually cutting the bones to suit that particular patient. All the sizing of bones and the preparation to receive the implant are done by the robotic arm, elucidates Dr. Subhash Dhiware, consultant, orthopaedics department, KDAH. At present, no other types of robotic surgeries apart from joint or bone-related operations are conducted at KDAH. However, very soon, a robot will be unveiled for general surgery, urosurgery and gynaecological surgery.

When technology meets human expertise, miracles happens. The use of robots sets a new benchmark in knee-replacement surgery. Robotic arm surgery is one level up from computer-assisted surgery or surgical navigation with its high-power precision. A robotic arm is an indispensable instrument in this surgery. Prior to robot-assisted surgeries, simulation is done on the laptop through 3-D planning and imaging. This involves bone reparation, size of the implant and its placement, how to balance it, plus the final results. The entire mapping is done by the surgeon wholl operate. This design is then fed into the robotic arm by a pen drive. After starting the surgery, the anatomical points are shown to the robot. Timely knee replacement surgery accelerates the pace of recovery, otherwise an undue delay might weaken the muscles to decelerate the mending process and begin stiffening the knee.

According to Dr Dhananjay Gupta, Director of joint surgeries, Fortis Hospital at Vasant Kunj in Delhi, integration of robotics in orthopaedic surgery is easier than other surgeries like gastric or pelvic organ surgeries. Robotics brought in high precision required in super major surgeries, such as cancer. The concept of cancer-free margins is quite significant while removing the malign tumour surgically. Therefore, to eliminate human error, the use of robotic surgery makes sense here. In non-cancer cases, the use of robotics is optional, he states.

The Indian Context

Statistics prove that at present, India boasts of 66 robotic surgery centres with 71 robotic systems already installed to implement surgical procedures (confirmed by ClinicSpots holistic healthcare). Some of the top robotic surgery hospitals in India are Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, Global Hospitals Group India, Fortis Hospital, Delhi, Max Hospital, New Delhi, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, ILS Hospitals, Kolkata.

It is true that India is steadily embracing AI-aided robotic surgeries and the number of robot-assisted surgery is certainly increasing within the country because of its elevated accuracy levels and highly rewarding outcomes.

In India, robot-assisted surgeries have been conducted for more than two decades now, primarily utilizing the Da Vinci system. More recently, machines by Medtronic and Stryker are also introduced.

Is Robotic Surgery Risk-Prone?

Considering hernia operation to be complicated, a query that inevitably crops up in mind is about the chances of survival in robot-assisted surgery. Death due to complications in robot-assisted hernia repair, even for the most critical hernia surgery is extremely rare. Patients collapsing or succumbing during and immediately after such surgeries is largely due to cardiac or respiratory diseases and bowel injury at the time of being operated on. However, this hardly happens in a robotic surgery than in either an open or a laparoscopic surgery. The former is essentially safer than other procedures, warrants Dr. Ray.

When enquired if these surgeries are susceptible to high risks and what happens if a robot suffers a technical breakdown in the middle of a surgery, to that, Dr. Subhash Dhiware, consultant, orthopaedics department, KDAH, assures that there is no extra risk involved in robot-backed surgeries. If the robot hits a snag, the surgeon present around can immediately take over and complete the remaining job in standard fashion. But chances of such emergencies and unpredictable circumstances are extremely low as every piece of equipment is tested before initiating a surgery.

All surgical procedures are risk-prone to some degree, including robotic surgeries, Dr. Rayapudi accepts this fact. However, in the event of any issue, say a technical failure in the middle of a surgery, a team of surgeons is present to take over from the robotic system and intervene if necessary, he reminds to retain faith in the technological breakthrough in medical science that is under discussion.

Technical glitches can occur anytime, even amidst a surgery. A surgeon overseeing the procedure should be prepared enough to take over the surgery manually and finish it off if such an uncalled-for episode ever happens. Robots are very costly and its not possible to keep one on a standby mode. But chances of such a mishap are very rare, chips in Dr. Dhananjay Gupta, director of joint surgeries, Fortis Hospital at Vasant Kunj in Delhi.

Robotic Revolution in Medical Sciences

Admitting that robotic surgery is paving a new revolutionary path for advancement in medical science, the surgeon enlightens that we are already in the 4th generation of the Da Vinci evolution. From a deep pelvic region, it has already travelled to broader indications. Moreover, vital clinical data derived from the Da Vinci platforms collected from different corners of the globe shows better patient outcomes.

Robot-assisted surgery has a proven track record for general surgery, gynaecology, urology, cardiac, H&N (head and neck), oncology, GI (Gastrointestinal), transplant, vascular and thoracic procedures, and so on. Apart from Da Vinci, other robots are unleashing disruptive technology even in cardiology, orthopaedic joint replacement and lung biopsy. Robotics with an impressive success ratio in surgical procedures could unlock its significant value and is definitely here to stay with a promise of greater evolution in the coming days.

Can Robots Replace Surgeons?

Robots can acquire 100 per cent accuracy at the execution level. For example, the Makos robotic arm can operate within a fraction of a millimetre. But it cannot replace human surgeons as the latter is required to make incisions and expose the joint. Robotic surgery is actually robot-aided surgery. A surgeon has to take precautions to protect the soft tissues and decide on the soft tissue tension while balancing the joint. The robotic platforms software provides a visual path for the surgeon as he makes the planned incisions and fixes the implant, while the arm uses tactile resistance to prevent any movement outside the planned boundaries. The surgeon is required to close the wound, check the bleeding and take care of pain management, reasons Dr. Dhiware.

Remote Guidance

It is important to note that a highly dedicated team of remote surgeons and AI experts play a pivotal role in a robot-aided surgery. They coordinate to design and strategise the surgery using superior imaging techniques and computer simulations. They can use this material to create a detailed surgical plan that takes into account the patient's unique anatomy and any potential complications. During the surgery, distant surgeons and AI exponents can provide real-time support to the on-site surgical team. They can use sensors to monitor the patient's vital signs, provide guidance on the use of the robotic system and make adjustments to the surgical plan as and when required. After the surgery, this crucial data can be utilised to optimise the patient's health and well-being and ensure to address any issue or complication instantly.

Robotic surgery as of now is not autonomous or fully automated. The robot does not perform the surgery on its own but serves as an extension of the surgeon's hands, allowing more correct and controlled movements. Though the surgeon typically regulates the robotic arms from a console, located near the operating room but remote operation is also possible. Interestingly, robotic arms can perform common surgical procedures, such as excision and suturing with greater deftness than human hands. Autonomous robots are still largely experimental, and their successful functioning relies heavily on advanced computer vision and movement detection technologies.
Intel new backend plant in Poland may bring orders for IFS

Intel's planned new assembly and testing plant in Poland may help take orders from external customers for Intel Foundry Services (IFS), particularly for advanced packaging and testing operations, after it becomes operational as scheduled in 2027, according to industry observers.

Intel has just disclosed plans to set up the new facility in Wroclaw in the Lower Silesia region of Poland at a total cost of US$4.6 billion, which has been described by Poland's prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki as the "largest greenfield investment in the history of Poland."

Reports from the World Street Journal and EURACTIV indicated that Poland is set to become the newest member in the campaign by European Union leaders to strengthen Europe's semiconductor supply chain. The European and US governments are attempting to encourage semiconductor companies to set up new plants on both sides of the Atlantic with subsidies and other investment incentives, aiming to wean themselves off Asian production capacity.

Intel already operates a wafer fabrication fab in Ireland and plans to build another base in Magdeburg, Germany. The company said that combining production lines in Germany, Poland and Ireland will boost the flexibility and cost efficiency of the European semiconductor supply chain.

Intel's global operating officer (GOO) Keywan Esfarjani has stated that in his view, the Poland project aligns with Intel's global strategy of bringing production facilities closer to end customers and building a more reliable flexibility supply chain.

Esfarjani pointed out that the planned backend facility in Poland is approximately 500 kilometers away from two major wafer fabs in Magdeburg, Germany, which will provide semi-finished wafers for the Polish plant. Additionally, the packaging and testing facility is also about 500 kilometers away from Intel's research center in Gdansk, the largest city in northern Poland, where Intel employs 4,000 staff members.

When asked about the amount of government subsidies that Intel will receive from Poland for its new plant there, Esfarjani said the nature of the project does not involve direct subsidies, and therefore it is difficult to quantify the government subsidies.

He stressed to media outlets that the new plant will be the only Intel semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Europe.

But industry observers noted that Esfarjani's statement simply highlights the significance of the new facility in Poland as a strategic move to strengthen Intel's presence in Europe, and does not necessarily imply that the previous negotiations for investing in a packaging and testing plant in Italy have been abandoned. They added that the status of any previous or ongoing negotiations for investments in other locations would need to be confirmed separately.
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Foxconn, Stellantis form SiliconAuto for automotive semiconductors

Franco-Italian automotive group Stellantis and the world's largest electronics manufacturer Foxconn announced a joint venture for automotive semiconductors to meet the growing demand for futuristic cars in a more efficient way.

According to Foxconn's statement, the group announced the forming of SiliconAuto, which will operate as a 50/50 joint venture between Stallantis and Foxconn for designing and selling semiconductors for the automotive industry.

SiliconAuto will be headquartered in the Netherlands and will begin operation in 2026. The joint venture, a product of an agreement in December 2021 to develop automotive semiconductors, will provide semiconductors for Stellantis, Foxconn, and other customers.

The forming of SiliconAuto follows a similar move by FIH and Stellantis to form MobileDrive for developing smart cockpits enabled by consumer electronics, human-machine interfaces, and services.

According to the statement, Stellantis is expected to benefit from a robust supply of essential components and create purpose-built innovations with an efficient partnership.

Foxconn chief product officer Jerry Hsiao said that Foxconn looks forward to a future of extraordinary EV mobility underpinned by the vertical integration capabilities and resources the joint venture secures for partners.
AMD announces US$135 million investment in Ireland

AMD has announced plans to invest up to US$135 million in Ireland over the next four years. The investment is intended to fund a number of strategic R&D initiatives through the addition of up to 290 highly skilled engineering and research positions, as well as a vast array of additional support positions.

The announcement was made in Dublin by Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Ruth Cotter, AMD SVP of marketing, communications, and human Resources. The Irish government is supporting the additional investment through IDA Ireland.

"The Irish government, through IDA Ireland, is delighted to support this expansion, further solidifying our commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for research, development, and engineering," said Coveney in AMD's statement. Also in the same statement, Cotter noted "through this investment, our R&D teams in Ireland will design innovative high-performance and adaptive computing engines to accelerate data centre, networking, 6G communications and embedded solutions while taking a leadership position on artificial intelligence."

Prior to AMD's acquisition of Xilinx in 2022, Xilinx collaborated on multiple occasions with IDA Ireland to advance semiconductor innovation in Ireland. In 2017, Xilinx announced a US$40 million investment to expand its research, development, and engineering operations, as well as to hire over 100 new qualified employees.

"This expansion further strengthens the company's presence in Ireland as a leading centre of semiconductor innovation and puts Ireland at the heart of AMD's European research and engineering operations. IDA Ireland has been proud to support AMD and previously Xilinx for nearly three decades and is committed to supporting investments of scale that impact positively on Europe's semiconductor industry," said Michael Lohan, CEO for IDA Ireland, in AMD's statement.

The Irish site was founded in 1994 as the first purpose-built Xilinx site outside of the US and began operations the following year with a focus on manufacturing, operations support, engineering, and administration services. Since the acquisition of Xilinx, Ireland is now home to one of the largest AMD R&D sites in Europe with a strong record of delivering products with significant commercial success, such as the AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC semiconductor product family, according to the processor vendor.
The Childline listening service, which is dedicated to helping Irelands children, is now recruiting volunteers for its office in Drogheda.

The service provided by ISPCC is always available to any child and young person across Ireland who would like to talk about any topic on their mind. Childlines 24/7 listening service is free and confidential and can be reached online or by phone.

Volunteers with the service come from all walks of life and are united by one common purpose: to help ensure no child or young person in Ireland has to face their challenges alone.

An excellent team spirit and sense of support prevails at Childline units throughout the country. Volunteers receive full training in advance of answering their first contact and ongoing support and upskilling thereafter.

Childline regional supervisor Mary Nolan Durkan says: Childline volunteers play a vital role in helping to ensure there is always someone there to listen, support and empower children and young people in Ireland when they seek a listening ear.

"The Childline training course is a comprehensive course which equips volunteers with the skills to deliver a quality service to children.

One volunteer, Dee, says that she never expected to get so much back from volunteering in her own life. I have learned so many new skills and made friends from all walks of life. We are all united with a common purpose: to make sure every child has somewhere they can turn.

Another volunteer Liz says that although she was initially nervous at the thought of becoming a volunteer with Childline, she is delighted that she did it. People always think that youre dealing with the most neglected children of society but this is not necessarily the truth, so many children just need to talk. It tugs at my heartstrings that so many children need Childline.

If you would like more information on becoming a Childline volunteer at its unit in Drogheda and helping the service to listen to children and young people, please contact volunteerrecruitment@ispcc.ie
The Board of Inquiry tasked with considering a UNIFIL Internal Investigation Report on the death of Sean Rooney has completed its work but a finalised report has not as yet been provided to the Irish authorities, according to Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin.

Responding to a request for an update on the matter by Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu, the Tanaiste told the Dail

I have consistently expressed my determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established, no stone will be left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

He stated that Private Rooney's death is the subject of a number of parallel investigations, including, a criminal investigation being carried out by the Lebanese authorities, a standard UNIFIL investigation and one by An Garda Siochana, pursuant to the provisions of the Coroners Act 1962 (as amended), who are carrying out an investigation for the purposes of preparing report for the Coroner.

After providing an update on the UNIFIL investigation, he continued:

Each of the other investigations remains ongoing and the Defence Forces continue to support each of these investigation to the greatest extent possible.

It should be noted that the criminal investigation by the Lebanese authorities takes primacy at this time and is consistent with the obligations of the State of Lebanon under the SOFA agreement with the UN.

The Deputy will be aware of the recent reports from Lebanon that a number of individuals have been charged with the death of Private Sean Rooney.

In recent days, we have been advised that the first hearing date for the criminal trial has been set for 14 July.

Given that this matter is before the Lebanese judicial system, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time, other than to say that my Department will continue to watch developments very closely.

On 14th December 2022, Private Sean Rooney and seven personnel from the 121st Infantry Battalion were involved in an incident which resulted in the death of Private Rooney and injuries suffered by a number of others, including Trooper Shane Kearney who suffered critical injuries.
Dundalk based addiction support service Turas is organising a wellness evening to encourage everyone to take time out for reflection in nature.

The evening will also help to raise funds to support their work helping people in Dundalk and surrounds with addiction recovery.

Join Turas for an evening of empowerment at Templetown Beach this evening, Wednesday, 21st June 2023 at 7:30pm to celebrate the summer solstice through yoga, sea swimming, acupuncture, energy circle, meditation and more.

It will be an opportunity to release negativity and create a circle of power, enabling everyone in attendance to heal, awaken and unite.

The evening is intended to offer people the opportunity to unwind in the calm surroundings of the sea while guided through yoga, meditation and an energy circle to take time for inner reflection. Reflexology and acupuncture will also be available.

The evening will have the beautiful Cooley peninsula beach as its backdrop and will involve a dip in its waters at high tide for purifying and relaxation purposes.

Come along for a memorable way to mark the longest day of the year. The Solstice marks the point in the year when the sun is at its highest and is believed to be a sacred time because a new season is formed.

Tickets available from turascounselling.ie

Established in 2005, Turas provides a comprehensive and holistic range of supports to people with addiction to alcohol and drugs across the North East.

According to the annual report of Turas which was launched on May 25th 2023 they helped 382 people last year with the majority of these receiving help for motivational support and counselling. 62% of clients were male and 38% female with an average age of 39.

When looking at demographics specifically in relation to alcohol the breakdown was 47% male and 43% female. While 66% of those seeking help for drug addiction were male and 34% female.

Anyone wishing to receive support can call us on 042 9338221.
Conference celebrates women entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans

Critical role of the financial sector to mainstream gender inclusion highlighted

The EBRD and NLB Banka Podgorica sign new credit line for women-led SMEs

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has held a conference in Podgorica, Montenegro, gathering partner banks and financial institutions, donors, businesswomen, experts and other stakeholders to discuss further support for womens entrepreneurship. The conference was organised as part of the flagship EBRD Women in Business (WiB) programme, which is supported by Sweden in the Western Balkans.

Participating financial institutions from across the Western Balkans presented the programmes sub-borrowers  women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)  with awards to celebrate their work and contribution to womens economic inclusion.

In addition, a key panel with bankers and experts focused on the role of the financial sector in mainstream gender-responsive financing.

During the conference, the EBRD also signed a 1 million credit line with NLB Banka Podgorica that will be on-lent to women-led businesses in Montenegro. The new credit line builds on the success of the first 2 million loan extended to the bank when it first joined the WiB programme.

Aleksandra Vukosavljevic, EBRD Director, Financial Institutions, Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, said: We are pleased to continue our strong cooperation with NLB in Podgorica. The new credit line to NLB will help boost the competitiveness of local women-led businesses, create more job opportunities and strengthen inclusive growth across the SME sector in Montenegro.

EBRD Women in Business is a comprehensive programme that helps women-led SMEs to access tailored finance and business advice. Advisory services in the Western Balkans are currently supported by Sweden via grants from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). EBRD loans are provided to local partner banks, who in turn provide targeted loans to women-owned or run companies in more than 20 countries, including in the six Western Balkans markets.

Maria Melbing, SIDAs Head of the Unit for the Western Balkans and Turkiye, said: Sida is proud of the partnership with the EBRD through the Women in Business programme, which is helping foster a sustainable ecosystem for entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans. When women are given the opportunities to innovate, lead and succeed as entrepreneurs, the whole of society benefits. The programme has proven critical in helping them tap into this potential, while facilitating their access to tailored advisory services and financing from partner financial institutions whose capacity for on-lending to the segment has also been reinforced.

Women-led SMEs continue to face barriers when accessing finance in the countries where the EBRD invests, including Montenegro. They tend be seen as an untested segment and are therefore underserved by local commercial banks.

To address that issue, the EBRDs Women in Business programme has been operational in the Western Balkans since 2014. By the end of 2022, the programme had disbursed 74 million in sub-loans to approximately 6,000 women entrepreneurs. In addition to Sida, the programme was also supported earlier by Italy and Luxembourg. With donor support, Women in Business has delivered more than 600 advisory projects and trained over 900 women in the Western Balkans.
TELL us about yourself;

Im a violist from Cork and a member of the Calathea Quartet, with whom Ill be performing at West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Bantry which takes place from June 23 to July 2. I studied at the MTU Cork School of Music and later at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where our quartet formed.

Where were you born?

Born and raised in Cork!

Where do you live?

I currently divide my time between London and Cork.

Family?

Im from a musical family; my parents are both musicians, as is my younger sister. I also have an older sister, who has a real job.

Best friend?

My sister Meadhbh - were very close in age and have plenty of photos of ourselves in matching outfits growing up. We drive each other completely mad at times but shell always pick up the phone when I need advice.

Earliest childhood memory?

Dancing to the 90s classic Saturday Night by Whigfield at a Kids Club in Portugal. I would have been about four.

Person you most admire?

This is a tough question - I really admire all the women in my extended family; they have all led different lives and achieved amazing things and Im lucky to have such wonderful examples to look up to and learn from.

Person who most irritates you?

Probably Meadhbh again - as I said, we do wind each other up!

Where was your most memorable holiday?

When I was in primary school, every year we would take the ferry to the Rencontre Musicale Irlandaise, a traditional Irish music festival, at Tocane St Apre in the Dordogne, France.

My dad would provide the sound engineering for the festival while we were free to wander off and play with other children - mostly swimming in the river and jumping off the weir.

There were always fantastic concerts of trad music by both the specialist Irish teachers and the novice French students, as well as the annual hurling match - depending on the origins of the ref, the winners prize would be a Cork or Kilkenny jersey.

Favourite TV programme?

Im pretty bad at keeping up to date with whats new, but Ill always rewatch Fleabag given the opportunity. To me, it has the perfect balance of being hysterically funny while also being extremely touching.

Favourite radio show?

Cillian Murphys Limited Edition on BBC Radio 6.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I dont think I have a signature dish, but I love cooking food inspired by Mediterranean flavours, especially Italian, Greek and Lebanese dishes.

Favourite restaurant?

I love Good Day Deli for lunch, or Mannings Emporium in Ballylickey for something cheesy, but for a special occasion it always has to be Paradiso - when I was there over Easter the tasting menu really was spectacular.

Last book you read?

The Island Of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak.

Best book you read?

Very hard to choose, but from books Ive read recently, Id have to say 32 Words For Field by Manchan Magan.

An absolutely fascinating look at how our natural environment influences our language.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Mr Charles The Hungarian, by the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Peter Whelan.

Favourite song?

American Tune, by Paul Simon. I was lucky enough to hear him live at the RDS a couple of years ago, it was a really special evening.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Paul McCartney - the Beatles were always playing in the car when I was growing up, and Id love the chance to hear some of my favourite songs live.

Morning person or night owl?

Definitely a night owl.

Your proudest moment?

Finishing my postgraduate studies; my two year masters coincided directly with the pandemic and it was tough undertaking a practical degree online.

Spendthrift or saver?

Im a saver, though I can easily be persuaded to spend on good cheese or a mid-morning cake and coffee!

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

Definitely public transport links - the traffic is often bad and the buses can be unreliable, so it would be great to have trams or trains to bypass the traffic for the Cork city suburbs.

What makes you happy?

A swim in the sea, either at Kilcrohane Pier on Sheeps Head or at Castlepark, followed by a pint of Beamish at the Dock. When Im in Dublin, I always try to fit in a dip at the Forty Foot.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Following our Calathea Quartet performances at West Cork Chamber Music in June, we will be touring New Zealand in September, supported by Chamber Music New Zealand.

Itll be my first time in the Southern Hemisphere and Im so excited to be travelling there with friends to perform music we love.

Im also looking forward to some upcoming work with the Irish Baroque Orchestra, in particular performing in HandelFest at Dublin Castle on July 14.
A CORK woman has paid tribute to the charity that helped her persevere over a traumatic and life-changing brain injury.

Maureen ORiordan, who hails from Newmarket, is a loyal member of Headway, having joined the organisation back in 2009.

She is one of dozens supported by the charity which provides services to people living with brain injuries, including the effects of a stroke.

The 61-year-old battled through much adversity in the months leading up to her introduction to Headway.

She first knew there was something terribly wrong when she collapsed at school while teaching her fifth-class pupils almost two decades ago.

Just four months later, in August 2008, she was found by a stranger after collapsing near a bus stop. She had been waiting for a lift to school after being advised against driving due to her previous health scare.

I had two falls in one year, Maureen told The Echo.

The first one happened in the classroom. I was standing at the back of the classroom because I always felt that I had more control there. I suddenly began to feel very unwell. After making my way to the top of the classroom, I sat in the chair. The next minute I was on the ground.

She described how the children had to leave the room as she lay unconscious.

There were just five minutes left before break time, she said.

When the bell went, the children all stood up and took themselves out to the yard. One of them explained what had happened to a teacher outside who was a good friend of mine.

"All she could do was send a child up to the staff room to ask for a colleague to come down to us. They had to go over to the boys school nearby to send over as many males as they could in order to be able to lift me.

Maureen was immediately taken to hospital. Years later, she says the reasons for her first collapse remain unclear.

I wasnt able to drive after that, so I was waiting one day for the caretaker to give me a lift to work, she said.

It was a woman walking her dog that morning who found me on the ground unconscious. She sat me up to the best of her ability and phoned the Gardai who immediately called an ambulance.

Maureen said she suffered a number of brain bleeds in the wake of the incident and spent stints at Cork University Hospital and the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.

RECOVERY

She decided to give up teaching and prioritise her recovery.

I came out the other end with no patience or determination to do anything like that, she said of the career.

I had been teaching for 27 years and knew it was time to move on.

It was my sister who told me about Headway. Ive been with them ever since.

Maureen spoke about some of the effects of her acquired brain injury.

I suffered from severe fatigue after the last fall, and could fall asleep at the drop of a hat, she said.

One of the only good things to come out of it was that the migraines I had been suffering since my late 20s completely disappeared.

I wasnt able to drive after my last fall, so I donated a new car I had bought to Abbi [Acquired Brain Injury Ireland], who also supported me. 

Headway, who have facilities in Ballincollig and Carrigrohane, has proved an invaluable support to Maureen during difficult times.

Covid was dreadful, because we had nowhere to go, she explained.

Ive made so many friends in Headway, and they have introduced me to a lot of new things. One of the things they introduced me to was mindfulness colouring. Its something Ive become addicted to.

To find out more about Headway and the services it offers, visit www.headway.ie.
AN Independent Cork city councillor is calling for the restoration of the historic Fever Hospital steps in Blackpool.

Ken OFlynn said he is to present a motion to Cork City Council concerning the steps, which hold immense historical and cultural significance in the city. As such, I urge the council to support their restoration to ensure their preservation for future generations, said Mr OFlynn.

The Cork Fever Hospital served the city and its residents for more than a century. Founded in 1802 by Corkman Dr Milner Barry, the hospital played a critical role in the healthcare of the people of Cork. The hospital was located at the Fever Hospital steps, adjacent to Our Ladys Well in Blackpool.

It is with great concern that I bring to the councils notice that the Fever Hospital steps have fallen into disrepair and require restoration, said Mr OFlynn. The steps are deteriorating, and, if left unattended, they may become a safety hazard to the public. The restoration of these steps will not only preserve their historical value, but also ensure public safety while navigating this popular route.

I have proposed that Cork City Council take immediate steps to clean and restore the Fever Hospital steps. The restoration could be financed by the council, grants, and possibly collaborating with corporate bodies and the local community.

The restoration of the Fever Hospital steps would also be a boost to tourism, with visitors taking a keen interest in visiting the historical site. The restored steps will add to the citys character and charm. We need to be actively taking steps to preserve this historical site in our beautiful city, Mr OFlynn added.

The hospital site was sold off in 1962 and the Shandon Court housing estate now stands in its stead.
Property crime has shown a sharp increase in Cork city in the first five months of this year, with shoplifting up 66%, a meeting of the Cork City Joint Policing Committee (JPC) has heard.

While gardai have recorded static levels or decreases in some categories of crime, overall, property crimes are up from 1,494 in the same period of 2022 to 1,918 in the first five months of 2023, an increase of 28%.

Thefts from shops in Cork city are up from 530 between January 1 and May 31 2022 to 881 in the same period in 2023, an increase of 66%.

This spike was also reflected in figures presented to last weeks Cork County JPC meeting, which saw Cork North and Cork West also experienced increases in the same period, going up by 51 incidents and 13 incidents respectively.

While figures for the crime of theft or the unauthorized taking of a vehicle are down from 155 to 127, a decrease of 18%, figures for interfering with a vehicle with the intent to steal an item or the vehicle are up from 77 to 133, an increase of 73%.

Figures for theft from vehicles are up 24%, from 136 in the first five months of 2022 to 169 in the same period of 2023.

Thefts of bicycles are up 18%, from 61 to 72, and handling or possession of stolen property is up 17%, from 12 in 2022 to 14 in 2023.

While figures for robbery from the person are up from 28 to 31, marking an 11% increase, figures for burglary, not aggravated, are down from 114 to 95, representing a drop of 17%.

Chief Superintendent Tom Myers, who is in charge of policing in the Cork City division, described the burglary figure as very encouraging for An Garda Siochanna.

On the issue of thefts from vehicles, Chief Supt Myers said that many people leave their vehicles unlocked, which makes them attractive targets for thieves, and he stressed that he would encourage vehicle owners to always lock their vehicles.

Crimes against the person are down by 16% overall, from 660 to 556 in the first five months of 2023.

Rapes and sexual assaults are down from 78 to 73 in the same period, representing a drop of 6%.

Criminal damage cases are down from 513 to 466, a decrease of 9%, while public order offences were down from 900 to 689, marking a decrease of 23%.

Chief Supt Myers said that he was very proud of the work of his colleagues, and he felt that, overall, crime figures in the city were quite good.
Cork TD Thomas Gould has called for a radical change in how we approach childrens disability services in Cork.

Deputy Gould raised concerns about the staffing situation within the Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in Cork and said more needs to be done to make job opportunities within the public service more attractive as many people are emigrating or choosing to work in the private sector.

It comes as the Deputy received a response to a Parliamentary Question (PQ) requesting the current Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staffing levels in each of the CDNTs in CHO4 which showed that not a single CDNT in Cork or Kerry is fully staffed.

Overall, the CDNTs are operating at an average of 85% capacity with some missing as many as one in three staff they should have employed, Deputy Gould said.

This is causing a crisis for children who desperately need access to therapy and for parents who are, in many cases, forced to pay for private therapies they really cant afford.

It is long past time that the government developed a plan to make childrens disability services a more enticing career pathway within the HSE and properly resource these roles to ensure that children are not left waiting years for vital services.

The reality is that there are not enough college places for these courses and that many of the people who graduate are emigrating or going to work in the private sector.

The government needs to look at why this is happening and work to make these job opportunities within the public service more attractive. The breakdown of figures obtained by the Deputy shows that East Cork City (CDNT 7) is the area with the most vacant posts with a vacancy rate of 8.72 posts.

This is followed by Carrigaline/Kinsale/Bandon (CDNT 13) which has 4.98 vacant posts, Northwest Cork (CDNT 4) which has 4.70, South East Cork City (CDNT 11) which has 4.43, and Northeast Cork (CDNT 5) which has 4.40.

The remainder of CDNTs in Cork had a vacancy rate of 4.0 posts or less.

No Access

At the heart of this issue are children who cannot access psychology, speech and language, occupational therapy and social work, Deputy Gould said.

He said that these are children for whom early intervention is key but said many are well into their primary school journey before they can access services due to the high numbers on waiting lists.

Parents are at the end of their tether. They are telling me that every single state support involves a battle. From the minute they recognise their child needs an assessment, they begin to fight, the Deputy said.

From assessment to therapy to school places to supports in school, helping children meet their full potential is hard enough.

"The state should be offering a helping hand to parents but instead they are placing even more barriers in their way.

It is time for radical change in how we approach childrens disability services, he said.

A spokesperson for Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) told The Echo: Staff retention and recruitment continues to be an ongoing challenge for the five lead agencies (Enable Ireland, Brothers of Charity, St Josephs Foundation, Co-Action West Cork and COPE Foundation) due to a number of factors.

They have a number of initiatives underway to recruit staff e.g. ongoing rolling recruitment campaigns, advertisement abroad, links to third-level colleges and student placements.

This year, the HSE - with the lead agencies - offered a bursary for four final year psychology students to encourage them to take up vacant posts on the completion of their course and we are examining similar initiatives for other Health and Social Care professionals this year.
Cork is in store for a major jobs boost as microchip technology firm AMD is to announce a $135m (124m) investment in Ireland, creating 290 highly skilled engineering and research positions.

Cork and Dublin will benefit from AMDs investment in computing research, development, and engineering operations.

The new jobs are in the area of research and design (R&D) projects for next generation artificial intelligence, a data centre, networking, and 6G communications infrastructure.

The development is being formally announced in Dublin today by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, and Ruth Cotter, senior vice president, Marketing, Communications and Human Resources at AMD.

The new investment is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

"I warmly welcome the ambitious plans of AMD to expand their advanced R&D and engineering operations in Ireland, said Mr Coveney.

This significant investment will not only bolster our thriving technology sector but also create long-term career opportunities for both highly experienced professionals and new graduates from engineering disciplines.

"The companys plans to add up to 290 new positions and its funding of strategically important R&D projects demonstrate its confidence in Ireland's supportive enterprise environment and infrastructure.

"The Irish government, through IDA Ireland, is delighted to support this expansion, further solidifying our commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for research, development, and engineering, added Mr Coveney.

Ruth Cotter, senior vice president, Marketing, Communications and Human Resources at AMD, said: From the cloud and PCs to communications and intelligent end points, AMDs high-performance and adaptive computing solutions play an increasingly larger role in shaping the future of computing today.

For nearly three decades, Ireland has been a flagship European R&D centre developing adaptive computing solutions, drawing from a strong and highly-skilled workforce.

"By further investing and expanding our presence in Dublin and Cork, we are committed to continuing to both drive innovation in Ireland and to support the European semiconductor ecosystem.

Through this investment, our R&D teams in Ireland will design innovative high-performance and adaptive computing engines to accelerate data centre, networking, 6G communications and embedded solutions while taking a leadership position on artificial intelligence, added Ms Cotter.

Prior to the acquisition of Xilinx by AMD in 2022, Xilinx partnered with IDA Ireland on a number of occasions to advance semiconductor innovation in Ireland.

Most recently, in 2017, Xilinx announced a $40 million investment to expand its research, development and engineering operations, as well as to recruit over 100 new skilled employees.

This investment will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible while contributing further to Ireland's position as a global technology leader, said Michael Lohan, chief executive officer, IDA Ireland.

This expansion further strengthens the companys presence in Ireland as a leading centre of semiconductor innovation and puts Ireland at the heart of AMDs European research and engineering operations.

"IDA Ireland has been proud to support AMD and previously Xilinx for nearly three decades and is committed to supporting investments of scale that impact positively on Europes semiconductor industry, said Michael Lohan, chief executive officer, IDA Ireland," added Mr Lohan.

The Irish site was first established in 1994 as the first purpose-built Xilinx site outside of the US and began its operations a year later with a focus on manufacturing, operations support, engineering and administration services.

Read More Deloitte to double its presence in Cork with the creation of 300 new jobs

Since the acquisition of Xilinx, Ireland is now home to one of the largest AMD R&D sites in Europe with a strong record of delivering products with significant commercial success.
A drunken man who was reprimanded for using bad language in front of children during an argument at a house in Youghal later injured another man with a knife.

Detective Garda Kieran Crowley described the incident which occurred at a house at Seafield in Youghal at 8 pm on August 21, 2021. Christopher Kuhn of Dun Na Mara, Youghal, pleaded guilty to the charge of assault causing harm.

At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Helen Boyle imposed a two-year suspended jail term on Christian Kuhn, taking into consideration that the accused had been remanded in custody for five months in respect of the assault.

Donal OSullivan, defence barrister, said the young man had not been in trouble since the incident and was working fulltime.

Det Garda Crowley said, There was an argument between the victim and the accused. The accused was asked not to use language in front of children who were present.

Afterwards, pizzas were delivered. Mr Kuhn picked up a seven-inch kitchen knife. He began shouting threats at the victim and threatened to stab him. He was swinging the knife. The victim and another male grabbed his hands in an attempt to restrain him.

The victim had to grab the knife and it cut him across the palm. He made a full recovery.

Christopher Kuhn was arrested in Youghal that evening before the assault complaint was even made to the gardai, and was found to be highly intoxicated.

He made certain admissions. He recalled pointing the knife. He could not recall cutting someone, Det Garda Crowley said.

The defence barrister said that the 31-year-old had lived for a time in the Shanagarry area, being originally from Germany.

The detective said, I have known him 14 years. As long as I have known him he has had issues with alcohol. There is no problem when he is sober. Unfortunately, when he is not sober it is a different story.
A man caught dangerous driving by a Garda who happened to be travelling behind him on the way to work was also in possession of a false French drivers licence, having been duped into undertaking a fake drivers test in that country.

Abdelhak Soussa had two children as rear seat passengers - only one of whom was in a seatbelt - when he was observed overtaking two cars ahead of a blind bend and over a continuous white line at 6.40pm on May 10 last year near Macroom.

The incident was observed by a Garda who was a front seat passenger in the car directly behind Mr Soussas vehicle. He had been on the way to work and he contacted his colleagues who then intercepted Mr Soussas car.

In the vehicle were three backseat passengers, including Mr Soussas wife. At the time Mr Sousa told gardai he had bought the car two weeks previously and it was not insured.

Judge James McNulty also heard that the drivers licence produced by Mr Soussa was not valid. His solicitor, Killian McCarthy, told the court that his client, who is originally from Algeria, had been a refugee in France and had paid an Algerian support group a hefty price to get a driving test to then secure a French drivers licence.

However, Mr McCarthy said that in retrospect it did not appear that Mr Soussa had sat a proper driving test, adding that his client had been potentially naive.

Mr McCarthy said Mr Soussa had also been in the UK for a number of years where he had been the victim of a very serious assault and where his brother had also been killed.

That had prompted the move by him and his family to Ireland, the court heard.

Ms McCarthy said Mr Soussa, who now lives in refugee accommodation at Riverside Park in Macroom, had shown a good work ethic and was been employed in construction, warehousing, and was now working in Lidl.

The court heard that Mr Soussa had seven previous convictions, including two for driving with no insurance in icidents that occurred after the incident in this case.

Mr McCarthy said his client realised he faced a long period of disqualification from driving, as Judge McNulty convicted him and fined him 600.
A punch-up at a wedding saw one man who was fighting with another then strike a member of staff at the hotel breaking his nose.

Francis McCarthy of Ballyhandle, Crossbarry, County Cork, was jailed for one year at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on the charge of assault causing harm at Rochestown Park Hotel.

Donal OSullivan, defence barrister, said it was on old scenario where there was a row at a wedding but that afterwards the parties were on the best of terms with each other.

Detective Garda Declan Healy said gardai were called to the hotel in the early hours of May 2 last year.

48-year-old Francis McCarthy was in a row with another man and when a security man from the hotel intervened he ended up being assaulted.

The injured party was in the process of trying to prevent the other man from being assaulted by the defendant.

Garda Healy said that during the investigation of the assault, Francis McCarthy was shown CCTV of the incident be he denied it was him in the footage and he made no admission.

The injured party had to go to hospital by ambulance and he had to have his nose re-set. He was at a loss of 1,000 to 1,500 and he still has pain in his face, Garda Healy said.

The injured man was one of two members who had intervened earlier to calm the situation down. After that earlier intervention the parties were not put out of the hotel because the parties were staying the night. However, their row struck up again an hour or so later and that was when the security man was assaulted.

Mr OSullivan, barrister, said the accused was intoxicated to the point that he was incoherent at the time.

He said the accused was himself the victim of a very serious assault a few years ago as a result of which he had ongoing, significant health problems.
Cork is in store for a major jobs boost as microchip technology firm AMD has announced a $135m (124m) investment in Ireland, creating 290 highly skilled engineering and research positions.

Little Island in Cork and Citywest in Dublin will benefit from AMDs investment in computing research, development, and engineering operations.

The new jobs are in research and design (R&D) projects for next generation artificial intelligence, a data centre, networking, and 6G communications infrastructure.

The development was formally announced in Dublin on Wednesday by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, and Ruth Cotter, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Human Resources at AMD.

The new investment is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

Pictured are from left, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland, Ruth Cotter, senior vice president, Marketing, Communications and Human Resources at AMD, Brendan Farley, Managing Director EMEA and Corporate Vice President Wireless Engineering, AMD and Peng Lim, Director, Silicon Design Engineering, AMD. Photo: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography.

"I warmly welcome the ambitious plans of AMD to expand their advanced R&D and engineering operations in Ireland, said Mr Coveney. This significant investment will not only bolster our thriving technology sector but also create long-term career opportunities for both highly experienced professionals and new graduates from engineering disciplines.

"The company plans to add up to 290 new positions and its funding of strategically important R&D projects demonstrates its confidence in Ireland's supportive enterprise environment and infrastructure. The Irish government, through IDA Ireland, is delighted to support this expansion, further solidifying our commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for research, development, and engineering, added Mr Coveney.

NEWS WELCOMED

The news was welcomed by Cork Chamber of Commerce.

This announcement by AMD of a $135m investment is very significant and demonstrates the companys commitment to Ireland as a strategic location for R&D, innovation and engineering, said Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber.

The investment and associated creation of 290 jobs across the Little Island, Cork and Dublin sites will strengthen our vibrant technology sector and will also impact positively on the broader ecosystem in the Cork region.

"Cork has a strong track record in attracting FDI and we must remain focused on enhancing the regions attractiveness and global competitiveness.

The recent and ongoing upgrades to the Dunkettle Interchange, the associated new cycle routes, and improved access to Little Island are all very positive, as is the increased 15-minute frequency of the suburban rail line.

While these all give greater choice in transport modes, the next step in delivering on the electrification of the suburban rail line is essential to moving towards a more sustainable future for Cork. Continued delivery of housing is also a priority to enable continued economic growth, added Mr Healy.

AMDs Ruth Cotter said: From the cloud and PCs to communications and intelligent end points, AMDs high-performance and adaptive computing solutions play an increasingly larger role in shaping the future of computing today. For nearly three decades, Ireland has been a flagship European R&D centre developing adaptive computing solutions, drawing from a strong and highly-skilled workforce.

"By further investing and expanding our presence in Dublin and Cork, we are committed to continuing to both drive innovation in Ireland and to support the European semiconductor ecosystem.

"Through this investment, our R&D teams in Ireland will design innovative high-performance and adaptive computing engines to accelerate data centre, networking, 6G communications and embedded solutions while taking a leadership position on artificial intelligence, added Ms Cotter.

Prior to the acquisition of Xilinx by AMD in 2022, Xilinx partnered with IDA Ireland on a number of occasions to advance semiconductor innovation in Ireland.

Most recently, in 2017, Xilinx announced a $40m investment to expand its research, development and engineering operations, as well as to recruit over 100 new skilled employees.

This investment will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible while contributing further to Ireland's position as a global technology leader, said Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland. This expansion further strengthens the companys presence in Ireland as a leading centre of semiconductor innovation and puts Ireland at the heart of AMDs European research and engineering operations.

"IDA Ireland has been proud to support AMD and previously Xilinx for nearly three decades and is committed to supporting investments of scale that impact positively on Europes semiconductor industry, added Mrs Lohan.

The Irish site was first established in 1994 as the first purpose-built Xilinx site outside of the US and began its operations a year later with a focus on manufacturing, operations support, engineering and administration services.

Since the acquisition of Xilinx, Ireland is now home to one of the largest AMD R&D sites in Europe with a strong record of delivering products with significant commercial success.
WATCHING the talented Cork-born actress Siobhan McSweeney in Samuel Becketts  Happy Days at the Cork Opera House last week, you couldnt help but think about global warming. Buried up to her waist in sand for the first act and then up to her neck in the second act having aged considerably, the character of Winnie is all too tolerant of the horrific post-apocalyptic scenario that is suggested in this play. Instead of whining about her lot, she prattles on with her inconsequential chatter and acts out little routines such as brushing her teeth (standards must be maintained she would no doubt say) under a relentless sun. You could feel the heat in the auditorium where it was humid. The make-up department did a good job of making the character look sunburnt. Was Beckett prescient? He may have been suggesting nuclear catastrophe in this play, written in 1961, a time when the Cold War cast shadows over humanity. As always with Beckett, his play is still relevant, unsettlingly so now that we live in a time of severe climate change.

What may not have been anticipated but is now a reality, the law is having to deal with new challenges because of climate change.

Whether it is a human right to be protected from global warming is now a proposition that lawmakers are increasingly going to have to address.

Theres the case of the elderly group of Swiss women who argue that heat waves, caused by climate change, are endangering their lives. The Swiss women, all over the age of 63, claim climate change is interfering with their rights to life and health. They say the Swiss government has responsibility for this harm because of its contribution to global climate change and weak domestic policies aimed at reducing emissions. The European Court of Human Rights has never ruled on a case related to the climate crisis. The ruling could set a precedent.

During the hearing, the judges asked a number of hard and important questions. What standards should the court apply when assessing the adequacy of the governments climate policies under human rights law? How should the court interpret the need to protect the rights of those at risk of climate change? What steps do governments need to take to prevent the climate crisis from worsening?

This case from the Senior Women for Climate Protection could play an important role in holding governments to account for their inaction on climate change. It is not the sole climate case to go before the court. The court also heard a case brought against the French government while a child-led climate case, against a number of European governments, will have a hearing later in the year.

Stateside, in Montana, 16 young people are suing the state, making the claim that it is unconstitutional for the state to continue exploiting fossil fuels. The trial is expected to last another week.

According to Nate Bellinger, senior staff attorney at Our Childrens Trust: This trial will be an historic opportunity for these 16 young Montanans and their experts to testify in open court about how the state of Montanas historic and ongoing promotion of fossil fuels is causing plaintiffs grave injuries and the urgent need for judicial intervention.

As climate destructions mount with each passing month, it has never been more important for youth-led constitutional climate cases, such as this one, to have their day in court.

The plaintiffs say Montanas fossil fuel energy system degrades and depletes constitutionally-protected public trust resources, including the atmosphere, rivers, lakes, fish and wildlife.

The case is one of several that are being taken by Our Childrens Trust on behalf of young people. The group has been representing young people to enforce climate change legal rights.

Who can forget climate activist Greta Thunbergs speech when she said how dare you to the adults in the world for endangering her life and that of other young blameless people?

Children are disproportionately affected by climate change, particularly in poor communities. Their mental health is greatly impacted by global climate change. Displacement caused by floods, hurricanes and fires take a terrible toll on children. Some 71% of middle school-aged children and 50% of pre-school children that experienced Hurricane Katrina suffered post traumatic stress disorder. The World Health Organisation estimates that children under the age of five carry the burden of 88% of global climate change.

Climate change may affect childrens health more directly than adults because their organs and immune systems are still developing. Childrens lungs are more easily damaged by air pollutants since children breathe at a faster rate than adults.

The notion of being buried in sand, a la Winnie in  Happy Days, is a metaphor for a hostile world. If only we all could remain cheerful like this rather silly woman.
By Claudia Savage, PA

The DUP needs the UK government to demonstrate that Northern Ireland remains a strong and integral part of the UK, Chris Heaton-Harris has told an audience in London.

The Northern Ireland Secretary also said that he believes the Windsor Framework deals with the fundamental issues unionism had with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Mr Heaton-Harris is engaged in negotiations with the DUP in efforts to convince the party to return to Stormont.

The unionist party have been boycotting the powersharing institutions for more than a year as a protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Now underway at @instituteforgov



Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris @chhcalling addressing a packed room before being in conversation with @Emma_Norris



 Watch now and send in your questions https://t.co/WqtgXbvuZD pic.twitter.com/82g93O2LjV  Sam Macrory (@sammacrory) June 20, 2023

The DUP disagreed with the protocol, first introduced by then prime minister Boris Johnson, on the grounds that it created a border in the Irish sea and distanced Northern Ireland from the UK internal market.

The Windsor Framework was British prime minister Rishi Sunaks attempt to remedy the issues by reducing checks on goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

The DUP have asked for legislative assurances of their constitutional position before re-entering Stormont.

Speaking at the Institute for Government in London, Mr Heaton-Harris said the UK government needed to reconfirm Northern Irelands position as a strong and integral part of the UK.

He said: There was a court case in the Supreme Court that was about the Act of Union and how the Northern Ireland Protocol had subjugated that.

We need to reconfirm essentially whats in the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, that were proud to have Northern Ireland as a strong and integral part of the United Kingdom.

And it will remain so until such time as the people of Northern Ireland decide otherwise.

Now, Ive said to my Democratic Unionist friends that I can say that on the floor of the house at the dispatch box, but I know its not enough for them just to hear it, so they need some sort of demonstration of that.

Mr Heaton-Harris also said that he understood unionist fears surrounding the protocol and the reaction to the idea of being more tied to the EU than the UK economic market.

Everyone knows  the Prime Minister said it when he launched the Windsor Framework in Parliament  that its not perfect, however, it goes a long, long way to solving lots of the practical issues that people were finding, he said

And let me try and describe what that felt like, if youre a unionist in Northern Ireland and because of something called the Northern Ireland Protocol, and elements of it, businesses from Great Britain were beginning to remove goods from the shelves of Northern Ireland stores.

He added: So if youre a unionist in Northern Ireland, you saw goods from Great Britain, disappearing from your shelves.

Now they were replaced by other goods but from the European single market, and actually that was a physical demonstration in many unionist minds, I completely understand it, that Northern Ireland was being dragged out of the orbit of the UKs internal market into the European single market.

And so that had to be addressed, and it was no good for the Northern Ireland economy, it was no good for anybody.

The Secretary of State also said the Windsor Framework dealt with the fundamental issues unionism had with the protocol.

Actually if you look at the Windsor Framework, it doesnt dabble just with the, kind of the top layer of the issues that Northern Ireland has with the protocol, he said.

It does deal with many of the fundamental pieces, and stuff that was going to come forward because the protocol had not been fully enacted.

Weve had grace periods that were coming to an end, infractions with the European Union that would have gone further, bad blood accumulating.

And so we needed to find solutions, if possible, to all of that. And so the (Windsor) Framework went a lot further than I think, even I appreciated at the time.
Katie Mellett

Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has announced plans for continued growth in Ireland through an investment of up to $135 million (124 million) over four years.

AMD already has adaptive computing research, development and engineering operations in the State.

The new investment will allow AMD to design innovative high-performance and adaptive computing engines to accelerate data centre, networking, 6G communications and embedded solutions while taking a leadership position on artificial intelligence.

The investment is intended to fund several strategic research and development projects through the addition of up to 290 highly skilled engineering and research positions, as well as a broad range of additional support roles.

The development will be formally announced in Dublin on Wednesday by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, and Ruth Cotter, senior vice president, marketing, communications and human resources at AMD.

The new investment is supported by the Government through IDA Ireland.

Mr Coveney warmly welcomed "the ambitious plans of AMD" and said: "This significant investment will not only bolster our thriving technology sector but also create long-term career opportunities for both highly experienced professionals and new graduates from engineering disciplines."

Chief executive of IDA Ireland Michael Lohan said: "This investment will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible while contributing further to Ireland's position as a global technology leader."
By Martina Bet, PA Political Staff

There will be no exemption from electronic travel authorisations for tourists visiting Northern Ireland via Ireland, a British minister has confirmed.

Tory former minister Tim Loughton raised concerns about the potential ramifications of granting an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) exemption for tourists, arguing that it would undermine the integrity of the whole ETA scheme.

The scheme, which is similar to the visa waiver system used in the US, will see short-term non-visa visitors to the UK applying for an ETA and providing biometric data.

Responding to Mr Loughton, Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker made clear the UK government does not intend to grant such an exemption and expressed his hope for developing a consistent and coherent communication strategy to ensure tourists know about their obligations.

Speaking during Northern Ireland questions in the Commons, Mr Loughton said: Does he acknowledge that if an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) exemption was granted for tourists, or indeed people claiming to be tourists, travelling from the Republic of Ireland, it would undermine the integrity of the whole scheme?

Mr Baker replied: He is right, and that is the Governments policy. However, we have engaged closely with not only the tourism sector, but also our friends in the Irish Government on this issue.

And I hope that we will be able to work together to ensure that there is a consistent and coherent communication strategy to ensure that tourists know that they must register for an ETA, that they must continue to comply with the UKs immigration requirements.

Leo Varadkar raised concerns in March about the implications of the new ETA on the tourist trade (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The exchange comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar raised concerns in March about the implications of the new ETA on the tourist trade.

Irish citizens will not need an ETA to travel to Northern Ireland as they already have guaranteed free movement under the terms of the Common Travel Area.

The scheme as originally set out would have meant non-Irish EU citizens and other international passport holders, including those living permanently south of the border, would have had to apply for the visa waiver.

Earlier this year, the UK government updated its plans and confirmed that non-Irish citizens living legally in the state will not need a waiver.
Paul Neilan

Darren Gilligan, son of notorious convicted drug dealer John Gilligan, has volunteered to be surrendered to Spain where he is wanted for allegedly trafficking cannabis and sleeping pills as part of an international crime network, the High Court has heard.

Mr Gilligan (47) is wanted for three alleged offences in the region of Murcia in southern Spain after a judge there issued a European Arrest Warrant for him on October 10th, 2022. Mr Gilligan faces up to four years' imprisonment if convicted.

When arrested by gardai, he denied the charges, saying he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

At an extradition hearing at the High Court on Wednesday, Simon Matthews BL, for the Minister for Justice, said Mr Gilligan is accused of trafficking in illicit drugs and psychotropic substances, participating in a criminal organisation and an offence against public health referring to medicines.

The charge regarding public health relates to postal packages of the medicines Datolan, Zoplicone and Limovan, which are all sleeping tablets that under Spanish law cannot be placed on a market without authority.

The maximum length of imprisonment under Spanish law is four years for the alleged public health offence, two years for the alleged drug trafficking, and 10 months for the alleged participation in a criminal organisation.

Warrant

The European Arrest Warrant states that the Murcia National Police Force was investigating "a network of people dedicated to the distribution of narcotic substances in the Alicante area" and carried out surveillance, monitoring operations and phone tapping of suspects between July 2019 and February 2021.

The warrant alleges that one of people who made up the network was Mr Gilligan, who, it claims, took part in the shipment of hashish and cannabis, as well as medicines without authority, posting them through a parcel company to Ireland.

The warrant alleges that telephone tapping and surveillance revealed that on September 29th, 2020, Mr Gilligan and another defendant went to Los Dolores and Catral post offices to send packages of cannabis worth 3,468 to Ireland.

It further alleges that on October 1st and 2nd, Mr Gilligan attempted to send three packages from post offices at Pilar de la Horadada, San Pedro del Pinatar and Santiago de la Ribera that contained the sleeping pills.

The warrant also claims that after being intercepted at a petrol station at Torrevieja by police, two packages containing 3,582 worth of marijuana buds were seized.

That seizure led to a search of a Spanish address attributed to Mr Gilligan, where 23 Zoplicone pills and a vacuum-packaging machine were seized, the warrant states.

Surrender

At the High Court, Mr Gilligan confirmed to his barrister, Mark Lynam BL, that he was surrendering to Spanish authorities after taking legal advice and that it was his own decision to do so.

Mr Gilligan confirmed to Mr Lynam that he had a flight booked to go to Spain to attend court when he was arrested here by gardai in April on foot of a European alert through the Schengen Information System.

The accused told Mr Lynam that he was aware of the consequences of surrendering to the Spanish authorities.

Mr Gilligan asked Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo "when am I going?" and was told by the judge that his extradition would be within 20 days and he would remain on bail until surrendered.

"Thank you, judge," Mr Gilligan replied.

Mr Lynam made an application for his client to remain on bail which was not opposed by Mr Matthews who said there had been no issues with Mr Gilligan while on bail.

Last month, Mr Gilligan was granted bail by the High Court despite Garda objections.

The High Court previously heard that Detective Sergeant Adrian Murray arrested Mr Gilligan in west Dublin on April 12th. When asked if he knew what the Spanish allegations concerned, the 47-year-old replied "yes", adding it came "from being in the wrong place at the wrong time over nothing I done".
TWO Ukrainian women seeking refuge in Ireland, who met in a hotel in Mallow, are part of an exhibition to mark World Refugee Week.

Olha Matso and Tetiana Piontkovska are among a group of 10 Ukrainian women collaborating on a project with the Irish-Russian artist Varvara Keidan Shavrova. The impressive art installation In-flight: on landing is running as part of Refugee Week at the Photo Museum in Dublins Temple Bar.

Olha is a poet, journalist and performance artist from Uzhhorod and Kyiv, and Tetiana is a lecturer in Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv.

The women have been working on the project since March, having met in their shared hotel in Mallow. Olha was drawn to a poster advertising the project, and although it meant travelling to Dublin, invited Tetiana to get involved.

Tetiana Piontkovsk.

LEAVING UKRAINE

Tetiana is in Ireland with her daughter and grandson. Martial law dictates that her husband and son-in-law remain in Ukraine and the separation is painful.

She knew little of Ireland before her arrival. It was her daughters idea to choose it. She recalls the devastating impact of the war, the absolute shock and horror felt by millions.

Our house turned out to be on the defence line of Kyiv. And already, from the first explosions, we understood it, but the brain refused to believe that this was actually happening to us, in our peaceful Kyiv, in our peaceful Ukraine.

At night, we went out between columns of tanks. We drove a distance of 90 kilometres for eight hours, drove through the forest, during the curfew. It was a year-long day. And on the morning of the next day, we could not return home, because the bridges were blown up and enemy tanks were already standing near Kiev.

Olha speaks less of the war, but describes time spent time in many countries before arriving in Ireland.

It was really hard to decide where to go. I was interested in Irish culture. I studied theatre direction in university and studied Irish plays. I am drawn to the Irish sense of humour. When I was studying in 2020 of course I had no idea Id end up in Ireland.

Both women express their disbelief at what has happened. They describe being stuck in a parallel reality, torn between where they physically exist and where their souls belong.

They dont believe it is possible for anyone to imagine it unless they have experienced it themselves.

H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland with Artist Varvara Keidan Shavrova and 10 Ukrainian participants in the art project, Tetiana Kovalova (Kyiv), Svitlana Litmanova (Chmielnickyi), Olha Matso (Kyiv), Anna Mosina (Mariupol), Katerina Naumova (Mariupol), Tetiana Odokiienko (Kharkiv), Tetiana Piontkovska (Kyiv), Liubov Poltavets (Enerhodar), Svetlana Vicheva (Artsyz), Maryna Zaretska (Kyiv).

THE PROJECT

Along with eight others, the two women have created a huge parachute. Prints of their individual artwork and small paintings of sunflowers in traditional Ukrainian style adorn the panels.

At the opening of the exhibition next week, the women will perform with the parachute outside the venue, before inviting guests to see their individual pieces inside.

The parachute is highly significant as a symbol, Tetiana explains: Ukrainian women are now like paratroopers who drift in the sky and do not know where the wind will take them.

There is a sense of rescue, but also of being held between two places, between the earth and heaven.

Olha adds: We flew from Ukraine but we are still floating between two worlds, unsettled. It also symbolises the fact that we feel safe here because in reality we have landed, in a way, In Ireland.

INDIVIDUAL WORK

The women attended multiple workshops with Irish-Russian artist Varvara Keidan Shavrova, who has many personal ties with Ukraine.

At the beginning of the creative process, each woman was asked to choose a photograph that held significance for them. Their work centres on these photographs.

Olha Matso.

Olhas piece is a reworking of a photo she took before the war started.

My photo was taken in a special place in the mountains before war started in 2014 in eastern Ukraine. When that photo was taken I didnt know it would end up being such a fitting symbol.

It reminds me of that magical time but also I am dressed like an angel with a sword so it is a photo of strength, of a woman protecting her country. The work is about my identity.

Tetianas piece centres on a photo she took of her grandson at a march by Ukrainian people in Cork some months back.

It is a natural photo of him with many Ukrainians with Ukrainian flags. He asked me that day, so innocently, why there were so many people. It is a symbol of the indomitability of Ukraine and the indomitability of the people of Ukraine.

Their work will be on sale at the event to send money home to support their armed forces.

This project helps us to feel like we are together here and hopefully it will also help us integrate into Irish society, says Olha.

Tetiana shares her determination to withstand the war.

Here in Ireland, I have decided not to relax, but to use my forced vacation to good advantage. I will learn English, experience Irish education, and when the war ends, bring this knowledge and experience to Ukraine.

A group of 10 Ukrainian women collaborating on a project with the Irish-Russian artist Varvara Keidan Shavrova. The impressive art installation In-flight: on landing is running as part of Refugee Week at the Photo Museum in Dublins Temple Bar.

MORE ON THE EXHIBITION

The list of participants in the exhibition includes: Tetiana Kovalova (Kyiv), Svitlana Litmanova (Chmielnickyi), Olha Matso (Kyiv), Anna Mosina (Mariupol), Katerina Naumova (Mariupol), Tetiana Odokiienko (Kharkiv), Tetiana Piontkovska (Kyiv), Liubov Poltavets (Enerhodar), Svetlana Vicheva (Artsyz), Maryna Zaretska (Kyiv).

The artist, participants and Photo Museum Ireland thank: David McGinn and Black Church Print Studio; Rory ONeill, Anastasiia Kovalchuk, Svitlana Falenda, Oksana Starzhynska at Irish Refugee Council; Ambo Architects.

The Exhibition and installation is open to the public for Refugee Week, (June 20-25) at Photo Museum Ireland, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin.
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Three newly proposed regulations from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would reverse rules made during Donald Trumps presidency that removed protections under the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a reinstatement of a regulation that gives protections to species classified as threatened, the classification just below endangered.

It is also proposing regulations that make it harder to remove species that are covered by the Endangered Species Act, asserting that listing, delisting or reclassifying species should be done without referencing potential economic impacts.

The Biden administration has also proposed improving conservation discussions between agencies.

The Endangered Species Act is the nations foremost conservation law that prevents the extinction of species and supports their recovery, Martha Williams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director, said in a statement. These proposed revisions reaffirm our commitment to conserving Americas wildlife and ensuring the Endangered Species Act works for both species and people.

Among the changes are a requirement for federal agencies to consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service for actions that could impact species classified as threatened or endangered by the Act, as The Associated Press reported.

These changes reverse actions of the Trump administration, which claimed that the scope of the Act interfered with economic growth, The New York Times reported.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Act has prevented extinction for 99% of species under its protection. The Act was established in December 1973.

Through the Endangered Species Act, we take a science-based approach to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats, said Janet Coit, NOAA Fisheries assistant administrator. These proposed regulatory updates will help ensure the Act continues to serve as an effective conservation tool in the face of continued challenges, including biodiversity loss and climate change.

The latest proposals follow previous actions by the current administration to reverse rollbacks made during the Trump administration. In June 2022, the Biden administration rescinded a 2020 regulation that established a definition for habitat for reference during critical habitat designations. In July 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services reversed a December 2020 regulation that revised the consideration process for excluding areas from critical habitat designations.

The newly proposed regulations are subject to public comment starting June 22 to August 21, 2023.




Philippines finds way forward as ASF challenges continue

An eFeedLink Hot Topic

The Philippines continues to witness a spate of African swine fever (ASF) cases, with its situation  to a certain degree  affecting how other local livestock productions (specifically, poultry) are conducted in some areas.

Confirmed and potential cases were reported in June in the following developments:

- Victorias City in northern Negros Occidental province reported nine ASF cases on June 6;

- Two barangays (small territorial and administrative districts) in Hinigaran, a municipality in Negros Occidental, had been placed under lockdown where pig deaths were found on June 7;

- Over in Dumaguete City, Negros Island, southern Philippines, authorities began monitoring and surveillance for ASF following one case reported in barangay on the city outskirts;

- Veterinarians in Malay town, Aklan province, confirmed an ASF in Barangay Caticlan. ASF infection in the province increased to cover nine of 17 towns.

Taking into consideration ASF outbreaks in the Central and Western Visayas regions, including Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Aklan, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that the Philippines' pork production will reach 925,000 tonnes this year, a 5.13% drop from its previous forecast of 975,000 tonnes.

As of June 1, the Philippines Bureau's of Animal Industry (BAI) reported active ASF cases in 15 provinces, mainly confined to the Visayas region (with few cases in Luzon and Mindanao).

Last year, the Central and Western Visayas regions became the first and third-largest pork producers in the Philippines following swine inventory losses in other parts of the country, according to the USDA. Central Visayas, which accounted for 13.2% of overall pork output, experienced a 7% increase to 2.78 million tonnes in 2022, BusinessWorld reported. Pork output from Western Visayas rose by 12.4% to 2.61 million tonnes.

An unfortunate event, in light of ASF outbreaks in the Philippines, is errant traders trying to get hog producers to sell animals at lower prices following a suspected ASF case in the municipality of Hamtic, Antique province. Provincial Veterinary (ProVet) Public Health Division chief Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil said in an interview on June 14 that traders or middlemen were reportedly attempting to buy live weight for only 70 (US$1.25) per kilo or half the price of the 130-140 (US$2.33-2.50) buying price.

For now, ASF has not appeared to throw the Philippines into a frenzy over meeting local pork demand through imports  in the manner that has been seen in China. The USDA had, for instance, lowered its projection for pork imports to 500,000 tonnes from an initial forecast of 525,000 tonnes. According to BAI data, pork imports declined by 17% to 114,820 tonnes in the first quarter of 2023. The Philippines has increased frozen inventories to support the supply chain and started rebuilding stocks in line with historical precedent, BusinessWorld reported.

Last April, Ruth Miclat-Sonaco, director of the Department of Agriculture's National Livestock Program (DA-NLP), expressed hope that the Philippines' would overcome ASF's impact in one to two years. However, lapses in implementing measures and protocols were blamed for the disease's spread.

Another factor behind ASF's movement in the Philippines is a lack of accountability from the parties concerned. For example, Hinigaran mayor Nadie Acreo blamed hog producers for hiding "the fact that there were (pig) deaths" in Anahaw after seven ASF-positive pigs were found to have come from the barangay in Hinigaran.

Responses and actions

Perhaps, out of concern for local farmers' income being affected, the local government and a private hog producer organisation in Aklan province have called for a temporary switch to poultry production. Such a move still needs financial and technical support for at least 341 affected households, according to Rappler.



Furthermore, whether the shift to poultry production may help farmers stabilise their income, is another issue warranting serious thought. The Philippines' poultry market has already been hit by an oversupply, leading to falling revenues and broiler farmers urging the Department of Agriculture to slow down the import of frozen chicken meat. While the shift can provide local authorities breathing space to implement best practices to push back ASF, how developments in Aklan's poultry production are (in any way) influenced by the Philippines' poultry supply glut is a matter that requires scrutiny. Smaller-scale producers may eventually shut down in the end, which may facilitate the consolidation of bigger players in local pig/pork production.



A more viable solution would be insurance benefits  which local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental are preparing  for ASF-affected hog producers. According to Insurance Business, the government in Negros Occidental had reserved 10 million (US$180,000) as cash indemnification for backyard producers, while those in Bago City can get a share of 16 million (US$285,000) in cash aid. For its part, Aklan, through its provincial board, has permitted the use of funds from a 'calamity fund,' that would provide 7 million (US$125,538) in financial assistance for affected hog producers.

As for industry consolidation, although the DA had revealed the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion programme in February 2021 to drive calibrated repopulation and production expansion through farm clustering and consolidation, the programme has ran into an obstacle. DA official Ruth Miclat-Sonaco told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in April that there were unsuccessful attempts to obtain 33 billion to implement the initiatives. The fund would have helped the Philippines' swine industry get back 25% of its breeder base.

On a side note, the BAI has now recommended the Vietnam-produced AVAC ASF vaccine, with a letter of recommendation sent to the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration for approval. The vaccine had shown safety and efficacy in clinical trials held across six farms in Luzon. It should be noted that data concerning the vaccine has yet to be reviewed by the USDA. Therefore, it could be premature to assume AVAC would turn the tide against ASF in the Philippines.

Against the backdrop of ASF vaccines nearing approval in Vietnam and thus, a possible reversal of an animal health crisis, there is no guarantee that AVAC can help prop up the Philippines' pork production to a good level this year. In fact, the USDA is skeptical of the substantial impact an ASF vaccine would have on 2023 production.

Animal health intervention is possibly best assured with coordinated government actions across the Philippines (the COVID pandemic can be a strong example for this context, albeit being a human health matter). According to Alfred Ng, vice president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc., the Philippines has trouble getting LGUs to cooperate.

"We have seen in the past, some LGUs are cooperative while others have their own way of managing outbreaks," Ng told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. "That's the reason why there is a breakdown and sometimes, ASF continues to spread. On one hand, some LGUs may think it's not economically viable to cull all animals, especially if the animals appear to be healthy."

Nevertheless, some progress is apparent when it comes to coordinated government actions. The Inquirer reported this month that the government has established the Special Task Force on Animal Health to combat the spread of animal transboundary diseases.

The task force will coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to develop solutions that harmonise the guidelines of national and local government units.

- Terry Tan, eFeedLink




Sarawak, Malaysia, still getting private companies to invest in ruminant farming, minister says

The state government of Sarawak, Malaysia, has been encouraging private companies to invest and engage in ruminant farming activities, said Martin Ben, the Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (Commodity and Regional Development).

He added that the government appreciates PPES Livestock Sdn Bhd and other companies that have successfully engaged in ruminant farming, especially for cattle. Such companies include the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra), Eco Farm Solution, Ta Ann, Alam Bumijaya Sdn Bhd and Mucow (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Ben also called upon entrepreneurs to use modern technology such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer to increase production.

"During our visit to the Livestock Embryo Center in Bogor, Indonesia last month, it was found that this technology is being used effectively to increase production," he said during the launch of Sarawak's first Cattle Auction Sale at the Siburan Halal Abattoir Complex.

Ben added that the involvement of many participants, especially private companies in ruminant farming activities, would help the state achieve its target to become a net food exporter by 2030 and for food security.

He noted that Sarawak aims to increase the self-sufficiency level of meat (cattle and buffalo) from 12% at present to 25% by 2030.

"To achieve this target, Sarawak needs the total cattle population of as many as 60,000 cattle and 20,000 buffaloes by 2030," Ben said. "The current cattle population is only approximately 17,000 cattle and 6,500 buffaloes."

According to Ben, the government has imposed a policy where female livestock (cattle or buffaloes) that are still productive cannot be slaughtered. He explained this is to ensure that productive female livestock are preserved to continue producing offspring in order to increase the livestock population in Sarawak.

He said Sarawak's advantage is it can export ruminant livestock to any destination as the state is recognised as free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) by the World Animal Health Organization.

"Therefore, we are strict on this FMD control programme, where we can only import cattle from countries or states that are free of FMD disease such as Australia, New Zealand, and Sabah," Ben added. "As Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia are not FMD-free, the importation of cattle, goats, pigs and their products from the peninsula and Indonesia is prohibited."

- The Borneo Post




Chile rejects proposed ban aquaculture concessions in protected areas

A joint committee in Chile's congress has rejected a proposed amendment to the country's general fisheries law that aimed to prohibit new or renewed aquaculture concessions in protected areas, SeafoodSource reported.

The committee declined to approve the article for the establishment of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP), which would have prohibited the introduction of exotic hydrobiological species, such as salmon, into these areas.

Chilean salmon farming companies and many workers within the industry said that the implementation of the article could have resulted in the cancellation of 431 existing salmon farming concessions, putting thousands of jobs at risk in the Los Lagos, Ayssn, and Magallanes regions.

Protests erupted in response, with over 10,000 people demonstrating in the city of Puerto Montt, accompanied by ship sirens sounding in the bay. Similar protests took place on the island of Chiloe and in the city of Puerto Natales, both known for their salmon farming activity.

Arturo Clement, the president of SalmonChile, emphasised the significance of the committee's recognition of the concerns expressed by operators, transporters, SMEs, farmers, and the extensive value chain within the sector.

Clement said that SalmonChile aimed to continue engaging in dialogue with lawmakers to collaboratively establish effective public policies that would lay the foundation for the future of aquaculture.

Although the proposed ban on aquaculture concessions in protected areas was rejected, the congressional committee did approve several other articles within the bill. These articles seek to establish a public service under Chile's Ministry of the Environment, responsible for biodiversity conservation in the country.

The bill also includes provisions for the creation of a national system of protected areas and the promotion of conservation initiatives outside of these protected areas.

Chilean regulators have intensified their scrutiny of the country's salmon sector, which was valued at US$6.6 billion last year, since the election of President Gabriel Boric in December 2021.

Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) has increased its regulatory oversight of issues such as overproduction and fish escapes, while the Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) has been actively investigating salmon farmers and imposing significant penalties on companies found to have violated the parameters of their permits.

- SeafoodSource




Rising production costs force small-scale poultry farmers in Jordan to cease operations

Abdul Shakoor Jamjoom, president of Jordans Poultry Breeders Association, said that approximately 60% of small-scale poultry farmers in the country have been forced to shut down operations due to soaring production costs, The Jordan Times reported.

Jamjoom said that small-scale farmers, who are already in a vulnerable position, cannot sustain additional expenses when chicken feed prices skyrocket.

The adverse effects of climate change on poultry and agriculture production are contributing factors to the price hikes, Jamjoom said. Poultry production is particularly sensitive to the unpredictable weather patterns that affect the growth and availability of chickens.

One of the challenges faced by small-scale chicken farmers is the lack of sealed housing systems, which leaves the chickens exposed to fluctuations in seasonal temperatures.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of their businesses, Jamjoom stressed the need for strengthened organization within the sector, providing support to poultry breeders.

Fida Ali, a broiler chicken farmer, expressed the increasing burden of raising chickens, citing exorbitant prices for feed and vaccine doses. Ali speculated that the absence of certain measures governing the sector is a contributing factor to the poultry price surge.

The Consumer Protection Society (CPS) received numerous complaints in the past week regarding escalating poultry prices and empty supermarket shelves devoid of various chicken products. In response, the CPS called for enhanced market inspections to prevent price gouging.

- The Jordan Times
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Funeral of Raul Torras to take place today

The funeral of a TT rider will be held later.

Raul Torras died in a crash during the Supertwin race.

The 46-year-old was the fastest ever Spaniard to compete at the event.

His funeral will take place on 1:15pm at Douglas Crematorium.

A hearse bearing his coffin will leave the TT Grandstand at midday.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) isn't done with Amazon despite two recent settlements. The agency has sued Amazon over claims the company fooled customers into signing up for Prime while simultaneously thwarting attempts to cancel. The online retailer allegedly violated the FTC Act and Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act through misleading designs that got users to register for Prime without true consent. Leaders even "slowed or rejected" design changes that would have made it easier to cancel Prime, the FTC argues.

We've asked Amazon for comment. In a statement, FTC chair Lina Khan maintains that Amazon "tricked and trapped" customers. This both angered users and cost them "significant money," she says. The FTC also asserts that Amazon made multiple attempts to "delay and hinder" the investigation.

As CNBC notes, the FTC has been investigating Amazon Prime sign-up and cancel systems since March 2021. The investigation deepened in 2022 after Insider said it obtained internal documents purportedly showing that Amazon was aware of customer objections as early as 2017. Shoppers were encouraged to sign up for a 30-day trial with a single click during checkout, but had to wade through multiple pages to cancel service before the trial ended. Amazon even used the term "Iliad" to describe the cancellation process, alluding to the sheer length of Homer's epic poem.

The FTC under Khan has closely scrutinized Amazon's practices. Officials have examined the internet giant's acquisitions of MGM and One Medical as well as privacy issues with Alexa and Ring doorbells. Khan was a notable critic of Big Tech before her nomination as FTC chair, and Amazon even called for her recusal in antitrust cases over claimed bias.

The concept of deceptive design, also known as "dark patterns," isn't new. In 2020, the European Union said that many websites made it unnecessarily difficult to reject tracking cookies. However, the lawsuit against Amazon represents a significant test of those patterns' legality in the US.
News gatherers in the US may soon have safeguards against government attempts to comb through their data. Bipartisan House and Senate groups have reintroduced legislation, the PRESS Act (Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying), that limits the government's ability to compel data disclosures that might identify journalists' sources. The Senate bill, would extend disclosure exemptions and standards to cover email, phone records, and other info third parties hold.

The PRESS Act would also require that the federal government gives journalists a chance to respond to data requests. Courts could still demand disclosure if it's necessary to prevent terrorism, identify terrorists or prevent serious "imminent" violence. The Senate bill is the work of Richard Durbin, Mike Lee and Ron Wyden, while the House equivalent comes from representatives Kevin Kiley and Jamie Raskin.

Sponsors characterize the bill as vital to protecting First Amendment press freedoms. Anonymous source leaks help keep the government accountable, Wyden says. He adds that surveillance like this can deter reporters and sources worried about retaliation. Lee, meanwhile, says the Act will also maintain the public's "right to access information" and help it participate in a representative democracy.

The senators point to instances from both Democratic and Republican administrations where law enforcement subpoenaed data in a bid to catch sources. Most notably, the Justice Department under Trump is known to have seized call records and email logs from major media outlets like CNN and The New York Times following an April 2017 report on how former FBI director James Comey handled investigations during the 2016 presidential election.

Journalist shield laws exist in 48 states and the District of Columbia, but there's no federal law. That void lets the Justice Department and other government bodies quietly grab data from telecoms and other providers. The PRESS Act theoretically patches that hole and minimizes the chances of abuse.

There's no guarantee the PRESS Act will reach President Biden's desk and become law. However, both Congress camps are betting that bipartisan support will help. The House version passed "unanimously" in the previous session of Congress, Wyden's office says.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
Googles pitch for its own mesh networking products has been to focus on clever trade-offs to keep the cost down, making it accessible to the masses. The Nest WiFi Pro, the companys latest flagship, builds upon that existing (and winning) formula with the addition of WiFi 6E. Part of its appeal is the Google brand, plus the promise of regular free software updates and tight integrations with most of the worlds smart home players. In a head-to-head race, the Nest WiFi Pro will be bested by plenty of its competitors, but Googles user-friendliness means its the default option for pretty much everyone.

Hardware

As I said in our main mesh WiFi buyers guide, Ive been using Googles first-generation version for years, and also reviewed the second-generation Nest WiFi, so I feel like this is my turf. The Nest WiFi Pro is Googles first to harness WiFi 6/6E, which was irritatingly omitted from the last model on cost grounds. Because of this, they cant integrate with your existing Google / Nest WiFi hardware, meaning that any upgrade will require you to start fresh.

Google Google Google Nest WiFi Pro SCORE 87 Engadget 87 Critics - Not yet scored N/A Users - Not yet scored N/A Pros One of the cheapest WiFi 6E systems on the market

Easy to set up and easy to use

Built-in smart home integrations Cons Not as fast or powerful as other WiFi 6E products

Very few pro features for more advanced users

In terms of looks, the Pros are ovoid bumps that stand taller than their predecessors and demand more space. Round back, youll find the jack for the barrel power cable and two ethernet ports which Google says support 1 Gbps wired speeds per router. Inside, it packs a Cortex A35 dual-core 64-bit ARM CPU paired with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage like its predecessor. It is available in four colors: Snow, Linen, Fog and Lemongrass.

The Nest WiFi Pro doesnt reserve a chunk of its spectrum for dedicated backhaul. Instead, it dynamically shunts traffic around the available space for optimal performance, which will primarily take place on the 6GHz band, since plenty of devices in our homes dont have the components necessary to access it. Google adds that using 6GHz as backhaul frees up lots of space in the 2.4 and 5GHz bands, improving performance for all the other devices on the network.

One interesting tweak from the last model is that you cant get the Pro with a built-in smart speaker. This is good, since I never liked the idea of having a speaker inside my WiFi apparatus. But I will concede that I did like being able to use Spotify Connect on the original Nest WiFi in my kitchen without buying another speaker.

Installation

Since it's a Google product, expect the Nest WiFi Pro to be relatively easy to install through your phone  for most of the process. If you, like me in this instance, already had a Google mesh in place, you'll need to factory reset, wipe and deactivate everything. Once done, you can just connect the first node to your modem with an ethernet cable (supplied) and let the app do the rest for you.

The Google Home app will almost instantly find the new product waiting to be installed and get you started. It took me ten minutes to get the first one running, and that included an unrelated issue with my cable modem that forced me to restart. It took another ten minutes to install the other nodes, but all I had to do was scan the QR code and follow the on-screen instructions.

The app doesnt offer any advice about optimum node placement or identifying potential weak spots. Googles website offers the stock line that you should put a node halfway between the primary and wherever in your home you need WiFi. Thats fine, but I suspect novice users might appreciate more guidance, especially if theyre struggling with structural issues that mean adjoining rooms arent getting a good signal.

Performance

Photo by Daniel Cooper / Engadget

I dont have many WiFi 6E-compatible devices at home, and there was a fair distance between the nearest node and my office, so I didn't have high hopes that switching to the new system would deliver great gains. Yet, compared to the WiFi module in my office, which is connected via Ethernet to my modem, I saw my speed jump from around 120 Mbps to an average of 240 Mbps.

The only place where the Nest WiFi Pros connection was anything other than eye-wateringly fast was in my notorious back bedroom. The room, surrounded by Victorian (and modern) plumbing, was previously barren territory for my older system, but it was now joined up here. And while speeds fell to 63 Mbps, I never saw a dropout or stutter in performance. In fact, WiFi performance in that room is more than sufficient to work and take video calls.

Despite the fewer modules, connectivity was stable and I never noticed a drop when I ran between rooms. Armed with all the devices I could muster, me and my kids scuttled around the house walking to the furthest points of the house watching plenty of streamed video, and none reported an issue. My average speed tests shook down to close to 250 Mbps, and the connection was smooth enough for my purposes.

Additional features

The Nest WiFi Pro supports Matter and Thread, so you can control your smart home from the Google Home app. When I opened the app after installing the new hardware, it asked if I wanted to connect to my Philips Hue and iRobot products. Youll still need to have your Hue Bridge connected, however, so youre not saving a plug on your Ethernet switch. Thats unfortunate compared to, say, some Eero models which have built-in Zigbee units that allow you to ditch the bridge entirely. But if youre all-in on Googles Assistant then youll benefit from having everything hooked up inside one app.

A key selling point of Googles network products is the promise to keep them up to date with software and security updates. The company has rolled out fairly regular updates over the last seven years and theres no indication yet that its going to stop. Ive been fairly happy with the work done for my first-generation Google WiFi pucks. If I do have a concern, its that Google sometimes axes products not long after launch, so you do run the risk of investing in the company only for its impatience to get the better of it.

App and controls

I preferred when you could control your Google WiFi through the standalone app, but these days its all rolled into the companys Home app. Thats great as a one-stop shop for any compatible smart home gadgets you might have, but its less comprehensive. When managing your network, you can look at per-device traffic, set priority access (or pause connection to) any device on the network. Youll also be able to run speed and mesh connection tests to ensure that your network performance is optimal.

Some of these features arent standard on other routers, and some you need to pay extra to access. Others may offer you a good deal more, too. If youre looking for more fine-grain control, you probably wont find it on the Nest. As much as Google calls this a Pro router, its more to gesture toward being more premium, rather than for actual professionals. Theres no access to some of the harder-core settings or browser-based controls page for power users. Instead, this is a locked-down, curated experience for people who want their WiFi to work without much .

For parental controls, you can set up groups within the Family WiFi menu to pause multiple devices at once. You can also schedule access times, a feature that several other mesh products expect you to pay to use. And while theres no specific way to filter individual websites, you can designate some hardware to be routed via Googles SafeSearch to block a broad swathe of content online. What this system lacks is any fine-grain control for concerned parents or the ability to monitor a specific devices browsing history. But Ive always been of the opinion that overzealous parenting just creates kids who learn at a young age to hide what theyve been up to.

Wrap-up

What Googles WiFi products have always offered is a fairly acceptable blend of power, price and performance. You wont be getting into the nitty-gritty parts of running a network, but youre also not paying a huge amount of cash. It should appeal to people who really dont want to worry about doing much more than running the odd speed test and quickly setting up a guest network without any stress. Something like the TP-Link XE75 might run faster and offer more features, but for this price, Googles remained true to its ethos of making the right compromises.
Internacional

EEUU asegura que seguira trabajando para que el soldado que cruzo la frontera con Corea del Norte vuelva a salvo
New Gallus Experience Center, the "industry touchpoint", opens to accelerate innovation and long-term success and growth of the industry

New HEIDELBERG Customer Portal to drive automation, solve labor shortages and unlock significant production efficiencies of up to 35 percent

New inkjet system, Gallus One with Converting, provides inline flexo and die cutting for ultimate TCO

New DPU upgrade available to turn a Gallus ECS 340 into a hybrid Gallus Labelfire 340

(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

ST. GALLEN, Germany, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gallus Group, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), is the leading company in the development, production, and sale of conventional and digital narrow-web and reel-fed presses for the label printing industry. Today, it is celebrating its 100th anniversary by opening its doors to a brand-new industry hub in St. Gallen, Switzerland the Gallus Experience Center  which is designed to serve as an industry touchpoint for customers, industry experts, stakeholders and members of the public, to drive market transformation. Importantly, Gallus is also utilizing its centenary celebrations to announce the launch of three new products across its portfolio: the HEIDELBERG Customer Portal, the new Gallus One with Converting, and a digital upgrade to the company's successful Gallus ECS 340.

With the 100-year milestone also marking its official opening, the landmark new Gallus Experience Center will welcome customers and prospects from some of the world's leading printers and converters, as well as partners and brand owners, as part of the company's ' Gallus Experience Days'. Dedicated to the 'digital transformation' of the label and narrow-web industry, the Center aims to facilitate the industry's future success by fostering collaboration to drive innovation and sustainability. Whether you are a manufacturer, supplier, converter, printer, or brand, you are invited to use the new facility to explore ideas, test and develop new technologies, and teach and experience a technological ecosystem. In addition, Gallus will use the facility to showcase conventional, hybrid, and digital Gallus products, software, and cloud-based solutions, next-generation machines being produced, and supplier partner technologies.

"As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gallus, HEIDELBERG is delighted to stand alongside the Gallus team this week  united, as one Group. Together, we are even stronger, and have a robust growth plan looking ahead," comments Dr. Ludwin Monz, CEO, HEIDELBERG. "With labels and packaging now representing 50 percent of the Group's total sales, the new digital and automated solutions we see introduced by Gallus today play an important role in the future of HEIDELBERG. As a result, Gallus is an important pillar within the company's growth strategy, and we're more committed than ever to its long-term future."

With annual growth of over 2 percent in global print volumes, packaging printing is one of the strongest growth areas in the printing industry. Together with label printing, it is an important core area for HEIDELBERG. In line with its dual-track strategy, HEIDELBERG is also focusing on growth in digital printing. This technology is used in label production, for example, which offers some of the greatest growth opportunities in the printing industry. One third of all labels worldwide are already printed digitally today. Digital printing is thus driving change in this promising market segment, with inkjet growth of around 6 percent a year. HEIDELBERG intends to expand its position here with the Gallus One.

Dario Urbinati, CEO, Gallus Group, comments: "We are committed to being in touch with the market and forecasting, and then responding to, likely trends that could impact our customers and brands. As a result, Gallus and HEIDELBERG are committed to leading the new digital transformation  driving 'smart, connected printing' to unlock revolutionary levels of production automation and manufacturing efficiencies. Key to solving the labor issues of today, this will enable customers to reduce costs and increase both profitability and sustainability. What's more, utilizing our new Gallus Experience Center, we have a team devoted to exploring new technologies/processes  such as artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0  that could be integrated into labels and packaging to better inspire and engage future generations."

Complete press release:

Press Release | HEIDELBERG

About Gallus

Gallus, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) with production facilities in Switzerland and Germany, is a leading company in the development and production of conventional and digital narrow-web, reel-fed presses designed for the label and packaging business. The machine portfolio is augmented by a broad range of screen printing plates (Gallus Screeny), globally decentralized service operations, and a broad range of printing accessories and replacement parts. Products and services of the Gallus brand are distributed through the global HEIDELBERG Sales and Service network. The comprehensive portfolio also includes consulting services provided by label experts in all relevant printing and process engineering tasks. Gallus employs around 300 people, of whom 160 are based in Switzerland, where the company has its headquarters in St. Gallen. For more information, visit www.gallus-group.com .

With its dual-track strategy, HEIDELBERG is pursuing two key strategic approaches. Firstly, the company wants to make its mark on the printing market beyond its sheetfed offset press business  especially in the packaging or label market and digital printing. Secondly, HEIDELBERG will open up new markets alongside its core business, as has already happened with the wallbox business.

For additional details about the company and image material, please visit the Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com and the Media Library .

Heidelberg IR now on Twitter:

Link to the IR Twitter channel: https://twitter.com/Heidelberg_IR

On Twitter under the name: @Heidelberg_IR

- Picture is available at AP Images ( http://www.apimages.com) -

Further information:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGGroup CommunicationsThomas FichtlPhone: +49 6222 82-67123E-mail: Thomas.Fichtl@heidelberg.com

Matthias HartungPhone: +49 6222 82-67174Fax: +49 6222 82-9967972E-mail: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com

Important note:

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimations by the Management Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the Management Board is of the opinion that those assumptions and estimations are realistic, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the macroeconomic situation, in the exchange rates, in the interest rates, and in the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft gives no warranty and does not assume liability for any damages in case the future development and the projected results do not correspond with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gallus-opens-doors-to-new-industry-facility-celebrating-100th-anniversary-and-unveiling-new-solutions-to-power-a-digital-transformation-301856761.html
Study demonstrates clinically relevant improvements in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) receiving 16 weeks of treatment with oral orismilast

Study supports the dose-finding results from the recent IASOS Phase 2b study of oral orismilast in psoriasis

study of oral orismilast in psoriasis Orismilast has been granted a Fast Track designation by the FDA for HS, and UNION plans to seek regulatory advice on the design of the pivotal study program

Orismilast is a high potency, next-generation PDE4 inhibitor with broad anti-inflammatory properties also in development for oral treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis

(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

HELLERUP, Denmark, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UNION therapeutics A/S (UNION), a privately-held, clinical stage, pharmaceutical development company focused on immunology and infectious disease, today announces positive topline results from the OSIRIS investigator-initiated proof-of-concept study with oral orismilast in adult patients with HS. HS is a painful, scarring, inflammatory skin disease with few or limited treatment options.

The study demonstrated clinically relevant improvements in HS for patients who completed the planned 16 weeks of treatment with oral orismilast. Importantly, the improvements included reduction of pain (Global Pain Assessment) and improvement in patient-reported quality of life (DLQI). Most responders had moderate or severe HS at baseline, including several prior failures to biologics treatment.

The conclusion on the doses explored is consistent with the findings from the subsequent IASOS Phase 2b dose-finding study in psoriasis recently reported. The target product profile of oral orismilast was confirmed including the well-established favorable safety profile of PDE4 inhibition.

The results will be presented by the sponsoring investigator at an upcoming scientific conference, and UNION expects to further progress the development of oral orismilast in HS.

Professor Gregor B. Jemec, PhD, MD, Founding Chairman of the Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Denmark and sponsoring investigator of the study said:

"Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory systemic skin disease where a strong unmet need remains for safe and effective oral treatments. Patients suffer from pain discharge and scarring of intimate skin areas. The positive topline data from the OSIRIS study are very encouraging."

Kim Kjller, Chief Executive Officer of UNION therapeutics said:

"We are delighted to see positive topline results from the OSIRIS study. The results are very encouraging, including not least seeing patients in this difficult to treat patient population achieving HiSCR90 and HiSCR100 response. Equally important, patients experienced significant reduction in pain, which is a great burden for patients with HS, and most responders had moderate or severe HS at baseline, including several prior failures to biologics treatment. The study supports the target product profile of orismilast as a high-potency PDE4 inhibitor consistent with the recent IASOS Phase 2b study in psoriasis. We are looking forward to advancing orismilast in HS and will engage with the regulatory authorities around the best path to approval."

About the OSIRIS Phase 2 study

OSIRIS is an open-label, single-center, prospective, single arm, investigator-initiated proof-of-concept study investigating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral orismilast taken twice daily for up to 16 weeks in adult patients with mild, moderate, and severe HS.

About HS and treatment of HS

HS is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease which results in painful inflammation of the hair follicles, most notably in the armpit and genital regions. The clinical hallmarks of the disease include very painful inflammatory nodules, boils or abscesses that typically open and release odorous inflammatory fluids. HS patients suffer primarily from pain and significant discomfort resulting from the constant formation of pus, often requiring the use of bandages and diapers, resulting in social isolation. Patients are often stigmatized by these symptoms. HS severely and adversely affects patients' quality of life and is associated with an increased overall mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease and suicides.1)

Currently, only one drug (a biologic) is approved for treatment of moderate to severe HS in the US. For mild HS there are no treatments approved. The general standard of care for HS patients, although off-label, includes topical, oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment which often provides only temporary symptomatic relief. Antibiotics do not target the underlying inflammation and they are associated with resistance development.2)

About orismilast

Orismilast is a high-potency, next-generation PDE4 inhibitor targeting the PDE4 subtypes linked to inflammation. It operates early in the inflammation cascade, inducing a broad range of anti-inflammatory effects across multiple cytokines involved in many dermatological and immunological diseases.3)

UNION is developing orismilast as an efficacious but safe oral treatment across immunology, initially targeting best-in-class or first-in-class positions in atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis.

The FDA has cleared UNION's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for oral orismilast and granted Fast Track designation for oral orismilast for the treatment of moderate to severe AD as well as for the treatment of moderate to severe HS. In 2021, UNION entered a strategic partnership with Innovent Biologics for the development of orismilast in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Sources

1) Ballard et al., Hidradenitis Suppurativa, StatPearls 2022: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK53... and

Thorlacius et al., Increased Suicide Risk in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, The Journal of Investigatory Dermatology, 2018: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28942360...

2) Saunte et al., Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment, JAMA, 2017: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29183082...

3) Silverberg J.I. et al., Pharmacology of orismilast, a potent and selective PDE4 inhibitor, JEADV 2022: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1... &

Warren R.B. et al., Efficacy and safety in moderate-severe psoriasis and development of modified release tablets, JEADV 2022: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1...

Contacts:

Morten Boesen, Chief Financial Officer, UNION therapeutics A/S +45 2381 5487 morten.boesen@uniontherapeutics.com

Sarah Toft-Jrgensen, Director of Communications and IR, UNION therapeutics A/S +45 5385 3044 stj@uniontherapeutics.com

About UNION therapeutics

UNION therapeutics is a privately held, mid- to late-stage, pharmaceutical development company advancing novel treatment options within immunology and infectious diseases, two large and fast-growing therapeutic areas. UNION is headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark, and led by an international team combining biotech entrepreneurs and seasoned pharma executives, with a track record of developing and launching more than fifteen marketed drugs. Read more at www.uniontherapeutics.com

The following files are available for download:

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AP | President Joe Bidens son Hunter has been charged with failing to pay federal income tax and illegally possessing a weapon and has reached an agreement with the Justice Department.
Do you notice anything unusual about the front page of yesterdays Daily Hampshire Gazette (my local paper, covering Hampshire County, Massachusetts and neighboring areas)? Take a moment to click on the picture (to enlarge it) and make your guess, then scroll down to discover what I saw.

Here it is: Of the four stories on the front page, all four100%represent a positive report on a peoples struggle for a better world, either concerning environmental or social justice issues. Two of the stories are about a movement to ban plastic bags, one reports on local Juneteenth events held the previous day, and one chronicles an attempt to establish a state holiday honoring Indigenous people.

But wait, theres more!

Two of the four stories are about kid activists! Fifth-graders at Fort River School in Amherst are meeting with their state legislators to move forward a bill that would replace the celebration of Columbus Daya celebration of an extreme human rights violator and expropriator of other peoples propertywith Indigenous Peoples Day.

fifth-graders at at Amhersts other elementary school, Crocker Farm School, testified at a hearing at the State House, about 90 miles away.

As a lifelong activist who got my start at age 12, and the parent of two people in their thirties who each took their first steps toward activism at age 6 (five years apart) and have remained active into adulthood, Im proud of whats happening one town away from me. Ive said for many years that you are never too young or too old to be an activist. I had two friends, Rose Arky Markham and Frances Crowe, who were still activists on their 100th birthdays (three years apart). And proud of my local newspaper for giving oxygen to important movements, especially when kids take leadership. Too often, kid activists are pushed aside and told that their voices, their actions, dont matter. Listen to the voices of both age and youth. they both have a lot to share.
Tuesday, June 20, 2023

On this last day of school, we pulled out of the bus loop. Our bus sluggishly made its way behind the other buses onto Lake Shore Road. Within the mouths of each pint-size passenger, tiny taste buds could hardly wait for the delicacy to come.

The post Reflections On The Last Day Of School Past appeared first on Chris Carosa.
WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Imagine a life where even the simplest movement becomes a painful endeavor.

Back pain, a pervasive ailment affecting millions, can turn daily routines into exhausting and painful challenges. Back surgery emerges as a potential solution when conventional treatments fall short, offering hope for those trapped in chronic pain.

What are the most common back surgery types, and how do they bring relief? This article will explore the purpose of these surgeries, their benefits, the conditions they can help address and recovery times.

Most common back surgery types

According to StatPearls, 23% of adults worldwide endure chronic low back pain. While the majority of back pain resolves naturally within three months, there are instances where back surgery can provide relief for specific types of back pain. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, back surgery is rarely necessary and should be considered only when other treatment options have been exhausted and the pain becomes debilitating.

However, a handful of different approaches can be taken for back surgery, depending on your level of pain and the severity of symptoms.

Here are the four types of back surgeries:

Diskectomy

According to the Mayo Clinic, a diskectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the damaged portion of a herniated spinal disk. It offers relief by alleviating pressure on irritated or compressed nerves. Typically, it is most effective in treating pain that radiates down the arms or legs due to nerve compression. However, if the pain is localized solely in the back or neck, diskectomy may be less beneficial than alternative treatments like weight loss, arthritis medication or physical therapy.

When nonsurgical interventions are ineffective or symptoms worsen, a health care provider may recommend a diskectomy. This procedure can be performed as a minimally invasive diskectomy, which many surgeons prefer. Utilizing small incisions, a microscope, or a tiny video camera for visualization, minimally invasive diskectomy offers a less invasive option for patients.

You could go home the day of surgery, but a short hospital stay might be needed, especially for those who have other serious medical conditions, the Mayo Clinic says. You may be able to return to work in 2 to 6 weeks, but full recovery could take 6 to 8 weeks if you have a job that includes heavy lifting or operating heavy machinery.

Laminectomy

Johns Hopkins Medicine says that a laminectomy is a surgical procedure that relieves pressure on spinal nerves by removing a portion of the lamina, the bony arch covering the spinal canal. It is commonly performed for spinal stenosis, which narrows the spinal canal and compresses nerves, causing pain, numbness or weakness. Recovery time after a laminectomy varies, but it typically involves a hospital stay of a few days and several weeks to months for a full recovery.

Physical therapy may aid in restoring strength and mobility. While laminectomy carries potential risks  such as infection or nerve damage  patients should discuss benefits, risks and recovery expectations with their health care provider before deciding on surgery.

Spinal fusion surgery

Back fusion surgery is performed to join two or more vertebrae in the spine, eliminating motion between them. This surgical intervention addresses spinal instability, fractures or chronic back pain caused by degenerative disc disease.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, back fusion surgery involves placing bone grafts or artificial materials between the affected vertebrae, which eventually fuse together over time.

Dr. James Bruffey, an orthopaedic surgeon with Scripps Health in San Diego, explains a non-fusion procedure for a spinal fusion patient in this Scripps video. A surgery done from the front of the spine gives us access to the disc spaces... because thats where we can achieve the best effect as far as getting our fusions to heal and getting the spine realigned in its more anatomic position.

The recovery time following spinal fusion surgery can vary. Generally, patients may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the procedure. During the initial recovery period, which can last several weeks, patients may need to wear a brace to support the spine and aid in healing. It is important to note that full recovery from spinal fusion surgery can take several months, and physical therapy may be recommended to improve strength, flexibility and overall spinal function.

Artificial lumbar disc surgery

Artificial lumbar disc surgery, also known as lumbar disc replacement, is a procedure to treat degenerative disc disease in the lower back. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, this lower back surgery involves removing and replacing the damaged disc with an artificial disc implant, to restore normal disc height and function. This procedure aims to alleviate pain and preserve motion in the lumbar spine.

This procedure is an alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery, allowing for preserved movement and flexibility in the treated area. Recovery time following artificial lumbar disc surgery can vary, depending on individual healing and rehabilitation. Patients typically undergo physical therapy to regain strength, stability and flexibility in the lower back.

Back surgery can provide relief in extreme cases

If you are experiencing back pain, it is generally recommended that you exhaust nonsurgical or more conservative treatment options before considering back surgery.

Dr. Ray Oshtory, an orthopaedic spine surgeon at California Pacific Medical Center, said in a recent article that, "Surgical methods have advanced tremendously in their ability to solve some back problems in a minimally invasive way. However, studies show that when it comes to back pain alone, without other symptoms, surgery doesn't work any better than rehabilitation."

Remember, the decision to undergo back surgery should always be made in close consultation with your doctor, ensuring that the chosen path is the most suitable for your specific circumstances.
(The Center Square)  Former Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice John Durham testified Wednesday that the federal government had no substantive basis to begin its 2016 probe into Russian collusion with the Trump campaign.

During the Trump administration, former Attorney General Bill Barr tapped John Durham to investigate Crossfire-Hurricane, the name for the FBI probe into alleged collusion between Russia and the campaign of then-candidate Donald Trump.

Durham said the FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research like the Steele Dossier. That dossier became the foundation for the FBIs investigation but was almost certainly a political document funded by the Clinton campaign.

The FBI relied on the dossier in FISA warrant applications knowing that it likely originated from the Clinton campaign, Durham testified. It did so even after the President of the United States, the FBI and CIA Directors, and others received briefings about intelligence suggesting that there was a Clinton campaign plan under way to stir up a scandal tying Trump to Russia. The accuracy of the intelligence was uncertain, but the FBI failed to analyze or assess the implications of this intelligence in any meaningful way.

The testimony Wednesday largely echoed Durhams more than 300-page report released earlier this year.

Durham also testified that his investigatory team found troubling violations of law and policy in the conduct of highly consequential investigations directed at members of a presidential campaign and, ultimately, a presidential administration.

Durham said in his testimony that FBI officials repeatedly abused the FISA system to improperly expand their authority.

Multiple FBI personnel who signed or assisted in preparing renewal applications for that same FISA warrant acknowledged that they did not believe that the target was a threat to national security, much less a knowing agent of a foreign power, he testified. It appears that FBI leadership dismissed those concerns.

Democratic lawmakers took the opportunity to blast Durham's investigation, claiming no substantial new information was brought to light.

After four years, thousands of employee hours, and more than $6.5 million in taxpayer funds, Special Counsel Durham failed to uncover any wrongdoing that Justice Department Inspector General Horowitz had not already found in 2019, Nadler said. Mr. Durham brought just two cases to trial and lost them both: both were acquitted in mere hours.

Republicans have shared similar frustrations with the lack of potency or prosecutions in Durhams findings.

Durham said the FBI had a pattern of mistakes that could pose a risk to national security.

Many of the most significant issues documented in the report, including those relating to lack of investigative discipline, failure to take logical investigative steps, and bias, are relevant to important national security interests, he testified. If repeated or left unaddressed, these issues could result in significant national security risks and further erode public faith in our justice system.
Plaintiffs' attorney Nate Bellinger delivers closing arguments in the Held v. Montana trial on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

An attorney for the 16 Montana youth who sued the state alleging its violating their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment said in closing trial arguments Tuesday the state had not shown any compelling interest as to why it should be allowed to continue ignoring greenhouse gas emissions from energy projects.

Meanwhile, an assistant attorney general for Montana argued the trial had been filled with social and political statements from the plaintiffs and said the state law passed by the Republican supermajority and signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte in May is the law the state should have to follow because it is the lawmakers, not citizens who sue in court, who decide Montanas legal future when it comes to preserving the states environment.

What we heard in plaintiffs case was not justiciable controversy, but rather a weeklong hearing of political grievances that properly belongs to the legislature, not a court of law, said Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell. Ultimately, the Montana constitution and relevant statute do not leave the plaintiffs without recourse.

Russell argued on behalf of the Department of Justice, which is representing the state and several of its departments that are named defendants in the Held v. Montana lawsuit, that the Montana children and young adults still have the opportunity to lobby their lawmakers, undertake ballot initiative drives, and more to enact their hopes of a state that reduces its fossil fuel emissions moving forward.

The plaintiffs may not simply assume preference status under the law to evade the democratic process and force their policy views on all Montanans without their consent or participation, Russell said.

Judge Kathy Seeley, who is likely to rule on the case over the next two months, will decide whether the plaintiffs indeed have had multiple constitutional rights violated  chief among them the right under the state constitution to a clean and healthful environment for current and future generations. Specifically at issue is the law referred to at trial as the Montana Environmental Policy Act limitation, which prohibits the state from considering greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts when looking at whether to grant permits for energy and mining projects.

Last week, top Montana climate and childrens health scientists, as well as emissions specialists and other climatologists from across the country, testified along with most of the 16 plaintiffs  detailing Montanas energy policies over the past 50 years, the warming effects of greenhouse gases in Montana and the world, and the negative physical and psychological effects children in particular face because of the effects of climate change on the environment.

The youth plaintiffs told the court that because of shorter and warmer winters, hotter summers, smoke-filled air, and extreme weather events that the outdoor activities they cherish are becoming fleeting and harder to accomplish, and that their health is compromised by the increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the air and effects of wildfire smoke.

In closing arguments, Nate Bellinger, an attorney for Our Childrens Trust, the group behind the lawsuit, summarized the week of testimony and praised the 16 plaintiffs for joining the lawsuit and having the courage to discuss what he called the harms they have each endured at the hands of their own government.

Bellinger told Judge Seeley that he and his fellow attorneys had proven that the MEPA limitation flew in the face of the youths constitutional rights because the scientists had shown that every ton of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is important, and that Montana could do its part even if it is a broader issue.

The climate crisis is at home in Montana, and it diminishes the lives of each and every one of the plaintiffs, he told the court. They said this case is about responsibility and opportunity. They know the transition to clean, renewable energy is coming, but they spoke of how proud they would be if it was their state that led this transition.

Bellinger said the youth understand there is a rapidly closing window to stem the tide of greenhouse gas emissions, which the state had also stipulated as fact in the trial were contributing to human-caused climate change. He said the case would lay groundwork for other children and young adults across the country to push for a more sustainable future.

Bellinger told Seeley that the MEPA limitation prohibits Montana analyzing the impacts that cause the most grievous harms and said declaring it unconstitutional would allow the state, if lawmakers so chose, to analyze greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts for energy projects, as was the case in the 2000s before the initial version of the limitation was put into law in 2011.

But on behalf of the state, Russell argued that the plaintiffs did not establish a standard to show that the language of the limitation automatically violates the law, and that the court could not automatically declare a law passed by the legislature unconstitutional without meeting that burden.

Because it is axiomatic that the constitution contemplates that democracy is the appropriate process for change, some questions, even those existential in nature, are the province of political correctness, Russel said to finish his closing statements.

Before the closing arguments, plaintiffs attorney Phil Gregory told the court that testimony from state expert witness Terry Anderson, which was shown to include muddled emissions data in court on Monday, did not even exist for 2022 when he checked the citations  the Energy Information Administration and International Energy Agency.

Gregory told Seeley to take judicial notice of the questionable data set from the lone expert witness who testified out of three who were originally put on the states witness list.

Bellinger noted the muddy data from that lone expert witness during his closing arguments, contrasting Andersons testimony with that of the multiple expert witnesses the plaintiffs called and saying they had shown there was no doubt that the states work with the fossil fuel industry was contributing to global climate change and that it could be changed if the state was willing.

He told Seeley that the case could be a landmark one similar to cases overturning segregation, giving women the right to vote, and providing for marriage equality.

The state says this is a fight reserved for the legislature. But we live in a constitutional democracy where fundamental rights are not subject to the outcome of elections, Bellinger said. The defendants do not have the discretion to violate or authorize unconstitutional conduct. Montanas longstanding energy system, which the MEPA limitation is part of, violates plaintiffs fundamental constitutional rights. And when constitutional rights are infringed, courts have a duty to provide redress.

Following the close of the trial, plaintiffs Lander Busse and Grace Gibson-Snyder spoke briefly to members of the press and public along with the plaintiffs slate of attorneys. The two plaintiffs said they were feeling hopeful for more to be done following the trial and the international attention it has received.

It feels like the beginning, really. Really our next step in the process is getting our decision, which were really optimistic about at this point, Busse said. But also hopefully starting, like we said, a trickle-down of other litigation and activism nationally that weve been able to spark here.

Our Childrens Trust has several similar ongoing lawsuits across the country, but the Held v. Montana trial is the first case to make it to trial. A federal lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, is ongoing after a judge earlier this month allowed the plaintiffs to file another complaint. And the attorneys said Tuesday a judge in a similar Hawaii case has allowed the plaintiffs to go into mediation with the state to see if they can come up with an agreement before a potential trial.

But Gibson-Snyder and Our Childrens Trust executive director and chief legal counsel each said they did not feel like the attorneys for the plaintiffs left any stone unturned at the Montana trial and that it was beneficial to have the evidence and the case out in the public realm as other litigation moves forward.

We got everything that all of us plaintiffs at least wanted to hear said out there. Everything about how much hope we have based on this case, how much we love Montana, and that this case is coming from a place of love, Gibson-Snyder. This is an opportunity for everyone, for our state to be a leader and for everyone to pursue the effects of a green transition. Were hoping primarily for our constitution to be upheld, but were hoping for this to have a resonating effect around the country and around the world really.

The post State, plaintiffs deliver closing remarks in landmark Montana youth climate change trial appeared first on Daily Montanan.
BUTTE, Mont. -- Following new laws passed during the 2023 Montana legislative session regarding gender dysphoria and drag performances, Butte faces its first public controversy since the new laws went into effect.

It was last week that transgender writer-activist and Northern Cheyenne tribe two-spirit Adria Jawort was told that her planned public appearance at the Butte Library to celebrate Pride Month was suddenly canceled.

"I didn't have time to process it," Jawort said. "I just checked my messages now and later, and there were at least 10 media messages. So, I knew that was probably a big deal."

Butte-Silver Bow's legal counsel had nixed the event as a precaution following the recent institution of House Bill 359, which prevents the attendance of minors at drag shows or similar functions.

But on Tuesday night, Jawort was given her chance to speak.

In collaboration with the Butte America Foundation, Jawort spoke at the Carpenters Union Hall, sharing her personal experience as a transgender woman and two-spirit, as well as a lesson on the lengthy history of transgenderism in Montana, which dates back to native civilizations, such as the Cheyenne and Lakota.

"Trans people have existed in Montana since time immemorial," Jawort said. "It's something important not just for our native culture to recognize to re-embrace, just general overall acceptance of Montanans."

Jawort's initial denial from speaking marks the first such instance in the Mining City since the new legislation was passed.

Jawort said that she's hopeful that spreading her story in a public forum will help to depoliticize the issue of gender across the Treasure State.
Since Abraham Lincoln admonished his fellow Whig Party members in 1840 to make a perfect list of all the voters in their respective districts, and to ascertain with certainty for whom they will vote, political campaigns in the United States have relied on accurate voter data to educate citizens on key issues, persuade the undecided, and mobilize their supporters.

The advent of sophisticated, up-to-the-minute location data from smartphones, which is always made available with a users explicit consent, has vastly increased campaigns capacity to target the right voters with the right messages. Political advertisers are not alone in relying on this geolocation data generated by a users smartphone. In the U.S. this year, marketers are estimated to spend more than $32 billion on location targeted mobile advertising.

Americans are rightly concerned about their privacy and how sensitive data is secured and used. But it is Congress, not bureaucrats, who should make the laws governing data privacy. A federal judge earlier this month rebuffed the Federal Trade Commission, led by Biden-appointed Lina Khan, and its effort to criminalize the basic framework of geographically targeted advertising that political campaigns use  with consumers permission  to educate voters about key issues and turn them out to vote.

U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Winmill dismissed the FTCs lawsuit against Kochava, a medium-sized Idaho-based company, who has provided the Democratic party  with mobile advertising data. The court ruled that the FTC failed to offer sufficient evidence that this data has been abused nor have consumers been harmed. The FTC has amended and refiled its complaint. The new complaint will be assessed by the judge, and we will see if it will passes muster.

This is yet another attempt to criminalize political campaigning with modern technology. Dating back to 2017, major technology companies including Facebook, Google, Twitter, TikTok, and Spotify have implemented additional restrictions on political advertisers  including outright bans  that exceed what is required by federal and state laws or regulations. These policies largely serve to keep bona fide political candidates from reaching voters and instead reward fabulists on both ends of the political spectrum with expanded reach.

In the United States, where freedom of speech is enshrined in our Constitution, political speech is especially privileged. This preeminence even extends to paid political advertising. The Federal Communications Commission requires broadcasters to provide candidates with a lower ad rate and the U.S. Postal Services sends political mail to the front of the line. It is the only way to ensure that candidates are treated fairly in public forums.

The private companies that own the modern town square would do well to model their policies with these principles in mind, but it is especially alarming that the federal government has taken steps to punish political advertisers and limit the reach and effectiveness of candidates campaign messages.

Now, Congress is taking steps to address consumer data protection. The bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee says enacting a comprehensive federal privacy law is a top priority. Theyve begun hearings on the topic and have sent letters to data broker companies requesting information about how consumers data is used.

It doesnt matter where a consumer buys their Coca-Cola, Tide, Downy, or the thousands of other household products and brands that spend billions of dollars advertising to Americans each year. But when it comes to elections, reaching voters in specific districts matters a great deal and accurate data allows for that.

Its important that we get this right, and Congress, through a deliberative process, not the courts and overreaching bureaucrats, is the correct forum. As Congress addresses the issue of data privacy, its important to remember that political speech deserves pride of place.

Eric Wilson is a Republican political technologist. He is the Executive Director of the Center for Campaign Innovation, a non-profit research center guiding conservatives through the digital transformation of politics and advocating for the increased adoption of digital communications technology by candidates and elected officials.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) writes that Visa and MasterCard have gotten hoggish on the backs of hardworking Americans thanks to swipe fees. Marshall is a free thinker in good standing, which is why his stance on Visa and MasterCard is so surprising. Not only is Marshall bothered by their $25 billion in combined annual profits, he wants to legislate away their prominence in the marketplace.

The happy news is that what Marshall wants doesnt require legislation. Indeed, while no less than Jeff Bezos made plain through Amazon long ago that your margin is my opportunity, Bezos would surely agree that his brilliant quip was as old as commerce is. And it still applies.

The simple truth is that profits are what attract competition. Amazon looms large here. That it does speaks loudly to the problems that arise from members of the political class trying to legislate outcomes. Almost without fail, the legislation amounts to politicians looking deeply into the past. This is certainly true as Sen. Marshall aims to revive the Credit Card Competition Act.

As Amazon executives would surely attest, theres increasingly a past-tense quality to credit cards as necessary facilitators of transactions. Thanks to Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal, among others, more and more transactions take place without credit cards altogether. And then as evidenced by growing excitement about cryptocurrencies and other forms of private money, its safe to say that were at the beginning of major change on the matter of transactions.

It's something to keep in mind with the swipe fees that concern Marshall and his legislation co-sponsor Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) well in mind. While the senators look askance at transaction fees in the 2 to 4% range, and seek legislation meant to compress those charges, actual market forces are already at work on the matter. They are because profits attract the very competition necessary to compete away the margins.

Which requires a pivot back to Visa and MasterCard. That theyve achieved such market prominence on the way to $25 billion in combined annual profits is something we should cheer about, not disdain. Companies with billions in profits dont grow on trees as much as theyre miracles. $25 billion in profits signals the discovery of a massive market, and successful servicing of same.

Applied to Visa and MasterCard, they can charge the swipe fees only insofar as individuals and businesses are willing to pay them. And theyre willing to pay them because the two credit card companies make it possible for individuals to walk into businesses around the world, pick out what they want, and walk out with what they want all with a swipe. Visa and MasterCard charge swipe fees because theyre financing our purchases anywhere, and at any time.

Just the same, think of what the above means for businesses the world over. Owing to the willingness of Visa and MasterCard to finance transactions between individuals and businesses theyve never known (and never will know), the potential for business success grows by leaps and bounds. In other words, the $25 billion in profits is the happy seen, but the even happier unseen is all the businesses that have taken flight thanks to Visa and MasterCard financing transactions in hundreds of millions of businesses around the world.

The simple truth is that the Credit Card Competition Act is backward-looking legislation in search of a problem. Not only is commerce evolving in a way that will shrink card fees as is (the competition Marshall desires), the profits earned by Visa and MasterCard signal brilliant servicing of global economic activity that grows more vibrant by the day.
Rural businesses have urged the Scottish government to grant immediate authorisation for Asulox to control bracken following news that it has been permitted for use in England.

The decision in England paves the way for use of Asulox in Scotland, but permission is needed from the Scottish government's biodiversity minster Lorna Slater and rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon.

NFU Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) and Bracken Control Group wrote to the Scottish government last week asking for permission to be granted "as a matter of urgency before bracken grows out of control".

The groups have now requested an 'urgent meeting' with Ms Gougeon to discuss the issue in greater detail.

An aggressive and invasive weed, there are reports that it is growing frantically throughout the hillsides of Scotland.

Where bracken grows, the land is unproductive, and it is also a risk to livestock health due to the abundance of ticks.

Stephen Young, director of policy at SLE, said the Scottish government must now "act as quickly as possible to allow action on bracken to get underway."

He said: The right decision has been taken in England regarding the use of Asulox to control bracken and we are urging the Scottish Government to take the same step for farmers and land managers in Scotland.

We recognise there are some concerns about the use of Asulox - a substance we would hopefully be able to find an alternative to in the medium to long term.

"However, there needs to be a recognition that the environmental impacts of not permitting its use is far worse, particularly in terms of tick control and its impact on human health, livestock, pets and biodiversity."
A certified organic mixed farm in a renowned farming area close to the Shropshire border with Wales is on the market with a guide price of 3.1 million.

Lower Wallop Farm near Shrewsbury comprises over 290 acres of arable land, temporary clover leys, permanent grassland and mature, broadleaf woodland.

The mixed organic farm has focused on conservation in recent years, according to agency Halls.

Varying habitats across the farm could be of Biodiversity Net Gain interest to potential buyers.

Of varying topography and freely draining, slightly acid loamy soil, the land has been farmed organically since 2007 and includes 56 acres of woodland.

David Giles, from Halls, said: The farm really does offer something for everyone.

(Photo: Halls)

"Located between Welshpool and Shrewsbury, the farmhouse was renovated and modernised in 2011 and provides spacious accommodation.

"The farmhouse, which has some underfloor heating, has an abundance of traditional features including sash windows, decorative cornicing, exposed timbers and inglenook fireplaces."

Domestic outbuildings to the rear of the farmhouse comprise a triple garage, boiler house with biomass and oil-fired boilers and a workshop.

The farm has an extensive range of livestock buildings, some grain storage facilities and traditional buildings capable of alternative uses.

(Photo: Halls)

Full planning permission to convert a barn to a meat processing facility with an associated educational facility has now lapsed.

The farm has mains water supply and two solar PV arrays, which supply the farmhouse and farm buildings.
Daytime naps are good for the brain.

Daytime snoozes are helpful for the brain

A new study has shown that snoozing during the day slows the rate at which the brain shrinks as we get older.

The average difference in brain volume between regular nappers and those who do not was equivalent to 2.6 to 6.5 years of ageing.

The team behind the research hope that the findings can reduce the stigma that exists around dozing off during the day.

Dr. Victoria Garfield, senior author of the study at University College London, said: "Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older.

"I hope studies such as this one showing the health benefits of short naps can help to reduce any stigma that still exists around daytime napping."
Russia has warned Ukraine not to use Western-supplied missiles against Crimea.

Sergei Shoigu has warned Ukraine against using Western missiles

Defence minister Sergei Shoigu has suggested that the potential use of the US HIMARS and British Storm Shadow missiles in the Russian-occupied peninsula would mark the West's "full involvement in the conflict".

Shoigu also warned that attacks on Crimea would lead to "immediate strikes" on Ukrainian "decision-making centres", including the nation's presidential administration and intelligence headquarters.

The Kremlin minister has claimed without evidence that Kyiv is preparing a strike against Crimea using the American and British weapons.

Shoigu said in a meeting with military officials: "The leadership of Ukraine's armed forces plans to strike Russian territory, including Crimea, with HIMARS and Storm Shadow missiles.

"The use of these missiles outside the zone of the special military operation will mean the United States and Great Britain's full involvement in the conflict and will entail immediate strikes on decision-making centres in Ukraine."

Ukraine has denounced the Russian scare tactics and is determined to regain control of all its land occupied by Moscow - including Crimea.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential administration, said: "It is important that the presence or absence of nuclear weapons in Russia is not a variable that affects the overall equation of this war, and nuclear threats should not in any way influence the decision of Ukrainians or the decision of our allies to support us."
Armie Hammer and his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers have reportedly settled their divorce almost three years after filing.

Armie Hammer and his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers have reportedly settled their divorce almost three years after filing

The 36-year-old actor and his former partner, 40, first announced their separation after 10 years of marriage in July 2020 following disturbing allegations Armie had been abusive towards women, which he has denied.

Call me by Your Name star Armie submitted his final declaration of disclosure on 14 June, which means the two were preparing to settle, but sources have told Page Six he and Elizabeth have already finalised their divorce.

Elizabeth filed for a dissolution on 10 July 2020 after 10 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences as the cause of the split.

The report comes weeks after the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced Armie would not be charged over claims of sexual assault after an ex-girlfriend previously accused him of raping her.

A woman named Effie came forward and claimed Armie had violently raped her during their affair, which prompted a Los Angeles Police Department investigation.

The District Attorney declined to prosecute Hammer after finding insufficient evidence to charge him with a crime.

Armie strongly denied all allegations against him, first with statements from his attorney and in an with Air Mail earlier this year.

He told the outlet: This alleged rape was a scene that was her idea. She planned all of the details out, all the way down to what Starbucks I would see her at, how I would follow her home, how her front door would be open and unlocked, and I would come in, and we would engage in what is called a consensual non-consent scene.

Before filing for divorce, Elizabeth took her and Armies children, Harper, eight, and six-year-old Ford to the Cayman Islands when Covid struck, and has lived there since.

Armie appears he has moved back to Los Angeles after going through a long-term treatment programme.
Pierce Brosnan's home was allegedly invaded by a man trying to wash himself.

Pierce Brosnan's home invaded by a man trying to wash himself

The 70-year-old actor - who was initially married to the late Cassandra Harris from 1980 until 1991 and has Christopher and Sean with her but also has Dylan and Paris with wife Keely Shaye Smith - shares a $100 million mansion in Los Angeles with his wife and officers have reported that on Monday (19.06.23) an intruder decided to use his neighbour's yard as a bathroom before heading over to the '007' star's property and invading the premises.

Law enforcement officers told TMZ: "L.A. County Sheriff's deputies rushed to Pierce's Malibu estate Monday afternoon after getting reports of a man on his and his neighbor's properties. the guy was seen using the neighbor's backyard as his own personal bathroom, dropping a deuce and rocking a p***... before rummaging around the garbage and then moving over to Pierce's place."

The outlet went on to add that officers said the man then "stormed the actor's property and used the laundry room to wash up" and is said to have fled the property when confronted at the scene by police.

But, according to the outlet, the man went on to hide by the rocks by the coast where he was eventually found by the Sherriff's helicopter and was quickly taken into police custody where he was charged with stealing the 'Mamma Mia!' actor's water.

It is unknown whether the 'Die Another Day' star - who is thought to spend a lot of time at his oceanfront estate in Kauai, Hawaii - was at home when the alleged crime took place, but his wife Keely was reportedly at the scene.

Tagged in Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan is an Irish actor, film producer, and activist.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has launched a new tool, the Productive Capacities Index (PCI), to assist nations in accurately diagnosing and measuring their economic performance. The aim of the PCI is to guide the creation and implementation of more effective policies.

The PCI, accessible via a dedicated online portal that offers resources, tools, and guides, evaluates countries' ability to manufacture goods and deliver servicesfactors vital for international trade and participation in global production value chains.

UNCTAD's new Productive Capacities Index (PCI) aims to reshape how countries gauge their economic performance. Beyond GDP, it evaluates production capability and potential, offering a multidimensional outlook. The online tool covers 194 economies, revealing developed regions score higher, but several developing countries are showing progress.

The PCI maps the productive capabilities of 194 economies and offers a more comprehensive measure of development than traditional benchmarks such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Its multidimensional nature enables the measurement of economic inputs and potential as opposed to merely gauging outputs, UNCTAD said in a press release.

For governments, the PCI can be a valuable tool for tracking progress over time and formulating policies to address developmental gaps. It aligns with the call from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for nations to move beyond GDP, focusing on factors that truly impact people and their communities.

No nation has ever developed without building the required productive capacities, which are key to enabling countries to achieve sustained economic growth with accelerated poverty reduction, economic diversification and job creation, said UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan.

The inaugural PCI shows that developed economies, including Denmark, Australia, and the US, score higher, averaging a score of 70 out of 100 on the composite index. On the other hand, developing regions in Asia and Latin America generally perform better than those in Africa.

Emerging economies such as Chile, China, and Qatar are gradually converging towards the performance levels of developed countries, with average scores of 61. In contrast, African economies like Chad, Malawi, and Niger have PCI scores below 20.

However, countries such as Rwanda, Senegal, and Togo showed progress in their PCI scores between 2018 and 2022. Similarly, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, and Panama in Latin America and the Caribbean, along with Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Timor-Leste in Asia, made significant performance gains on the composite index.

Conversely, several developing countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Namibia, Suriname, and Uganda, experienced regression on the composite index during the same period.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
Vietnam was the second largest market for Brazil's cotton (code 5201) exports, trailing only Bangladesh, during the first four months of the current year. Between January and April of 2023, Brazil exported cotton valued at $117.003 million, representing 20.47 per cent of its total exports, which were valued at $571.658 million in the same period. In terms of quantity, Brazil exported 61.693 million kg of cotton to Vietnam.

While Brazil does import apparel from Vietnam, its share in total imports remains negligible.

However, the shipment volume was less than half compared to exports in January-April 2022, when Brazil exported cotton worth $268.486 million. The value of shipments was $252.048 million in January-April 2021, $176.878 million in January-April 2020, and $68.980 million in January-April 2019, according to Fibre2Fashions market insights tool TexPro.

In January-April 2023, Vietnam was the 2nd largest recipient of Brazil's cotton exports, which totalled $117.003 million. These exports constituted 20.47 per cent of Brazil's total export value for the period. Despite importing apparel from Vietnam, Brazil's reliance on this market remains small. The lion's share of Brazil's apparel imports comes from China.

In previous years, exports were recorded at $546.795 million (269.463 million kg) in 2022, $570.426 million (339.613 million kg) in 2021, $518.792 million (339.240 million kg) in 2020, and $355.604 million (217.165 million kg) in 2019.

As a major cotton producer, Brazil exports the natural fibre to its trading partners and imports apparel from countries like Vietnam. In the first four months of this year, Brazil imported apparel worth $34.592 million. The inbound shipments were valued at $83.021 million in 2022, $58.886 million in 2021, $57.614 million in 2020, and $77.875 million in 2019.

Vietnam, however, represents only a small fraction of Brazils total apparel imports. Brazil imported apparel worth $788.547 million in the first four months of this year, with imports from Vietnam comprising just 4.39 per cent of the total. Vietnam was the third largest market for Brazilian imports. Brazil is heavily reliant on China for its apparel imports, which account for a whopping 57.81 per cent of the total, as per TexPro.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from Secret Invasion episode 1-2

What happens in episode 1 of Secret Invasion?

What happens at the end of Secret Invasion episode 1?

So is Maria Hill really dead?

What will happen in episode 2?

After seven odd series featuring our favourite Avengers and new superheroes in everything between a sitcom and a detective drama, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is back with a new series. Secret Invasion directed by Ali Selim, starring Samuel L. Jackson who returns to play Nick Fury is expectedly different. Joining him are Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), special agent Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman making her MCU debut), General Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), newly introduced Skrull G'iah (Emilia Clarke) and others. Like most series coming from the studio of late, it continues the MCU's trend of ground-level storytelling. Across 6 episodes, the espionage thriller is set to play out a conflict between the shape-shifting Skrulls and Fury. Basically, we can trust nobody.Secret Invasion picks up years after the events of Captain Marvel (2019). Back then, Nick Fury and Carol Danvers had promised the Skrulls that they would find them a home, a promise that wasnt fulfilled. Turns out, the repercussions of lying to a powerful alien race that can take on your mom's disguise are huge. The first two episodes barely have any superhero action save for an off-duty James Rhodes (Don Cheadle). This is a major departure from the popular comic book run that revolved around Skrulls secretly spying on humans using their abilities to take their form and featured pretty much everything major Marvel superheroes out there.Filmfare had the opportunity to view the first two episodes of Secret Invasion ahead of the shows release. Heres everything that went down in the premiere and what it all leads up to in the next episode.Secret Invasion episode 1 opens in Moscow, Russia. We see Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) meeting Agent Prescod who tells him that the Skrulls are responsible for the terrorist attacks happening across the globe. He urges Ross to call Nick Fury to Earth from the S.A.B.E.R Space Station and shows him the Skrulls' plans to back up his claims. Ross doesn't look convinced but agrees to make some calls. When he starts acting suspiciously, Prescod senses something is wrong and attacks him. After a chase sequence, it is revealed that Ross is a Skrull - Talos. Of course, this brings Nick Fury back to Earth and he links up with Maria Hill and Talos to take care of the Skrull insurgency.Talos briefs Nick Fury about the rebel Skrulls who are tired of waiting around for Fury to find them a new home. They have taken human form and have been orchestrating terrorist attacks to wipe out humans from the planet. And it looks like there are more of them than Fury would like to believe. Talos was kicked out of the Skrull council and Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir), a rebel leader, took his place. Elsewhere, we see James Rhodes talking to the President about Fury's absence on the space station. The president asks him to deal with Fury, naturally upset that he has abandoned his priorities in space.Fury gets kidnapped while he's on a walk and when he reaches his destination, he is surprised to meet M16 agent Sonya Falsworth, an old accomplice. Meanwhile, we see G'iah who along with rebel Skrulls has been living in nuclear power plants that have been shut down for years (Skrulls are not affected by radioactivity), bring a Skrull into the fold. Here, it is revealed that they have been living as refugees and kidnapping humans to not just take on their faces but also their minds. It is important to note that G'iah is Talos' daughter who has joined Gravik and his cause. The latter has a bigger stake in stopping the insurgency.Amidst all the chaos, Nick Fury, Maria Hill and General Talos are informed of a terrorist threat from a rebel called Vasily Poprishchin. They need to get a handle on the situation before Sonya, who is also looking for information against the Skrulls, finds out. And she isn't as forgiving. Gravik asks G'iah to bring over bombs from Vasily. She gets her hands on the bombs before Fury and Co. get there. Maria fails at stopping G'iah. Next up - Talos tries to stop G'iah and reveals that her mother Soren is dead and tells her to stop working with Gravik. This doesn't work and G'iah carries on with the bomb.After another confrontation between Talos and G'iah, we learn that there are so many Skrulls that it is hard to pinpoint who is a human and who is a Skrull in human form. And remember how nobody stopped G'iah from delivering the bombs? Yeah, the bombs did explode. During the attack, Gravik takes on Nick Fury's disguise and mercilessly kills Maria Hill.The most shocking part of Secret Invasion episode 1 is Marias death. The character has been on the Marvel roster for years now. To take her out in a show that had the perfect opportunity to explore her story further seems like a strange move. While Gravik kills Maria, Fury feels responsible (as he should). It is a heartbreaking moment in a show steeped in the lingering feeling of loss. Maria trusted him and has been a consistent help to Fury since she was first introduced in The Avengers (2012). Hill dies in his arms. Not only did Fury lose one of his most important allies, but his presence in Russia also complicated things for the U.S.While the first episode is slow in the build-up, the next episode moves fast. Without spoiling much, Fury will be left to deal with the fallout of the terrorist attack. Not only will he have to contend with his personal loss but also answer for his part in Marias death. Episode 2 will also reveal more about the rebel Skrulls plans. More importantly, Fury will be visited by an old friend who will come bearing unexpected information and intentions.The first episode of Secret Invasion is currently streaming.
Dulquer's 'King of Kotha,' New Update: Dulquer Salmaan is set to grace the screen in the highly anticipated film titled 'King of Kotha', directed by Abhilash Joshiy, son of the renowned Malayalam filmmaker, Joshiy. Ever since the announcement of 'King of Kotha', the updates surrounding the film have generated immense buzz and garnered a positive response. Fans eagerly await the latest developments in this Dulquer starrer.

Actor Baburaj Shuts Down Fake News With An Energetic Gym Video: 'Doing Cardio... Not In

Excitement among fans reached new heights as the makers of 'King of Kotha' unveiled a captivating new poster. Accompanied by the caption 'The King Is Arriving Soon', the poster also reveals that the film is slated for an Onam release, adding to the anticipation surrounding its arrival.

Shammi Thilakan On Dulquer's 'King of Kotha'

In a recent interview with The Fourth, veteran actor Shammi Thilakan shared intriguing details about Dulquer's 'King of Kotha'. He revealed that he portrays the character of Kotha Ravi, the father of Dulquer's character in the film. Shammi's scenes were shot in the picturesque locations of Rameswaram and Karakudi.

The storyline of 'King of Kotha' spans across multiple time periods, with Shammi making two distinct appearances, adding an element of mystery. While maintaining secrecy around the film's theme, Shammi emphasised the captivating essence of the narrative, urging the audience to experience it firsthand.

Kerala Crime Files First Review: Aju Varghese, Lal Shine's Disney+ Hotstar Crime Series Is

Shammi Thilakan expressed admiration for Dulquer Salmaan, highlighting their seamless on-screen chemistry. He also emphasised that 'King of Kotha' represents a new generation of filmmakers and actors, urging audiences to evaluate them based on their individual talents rather than comparing them to their accomplished predecessors.

Describing the film as a thrilling 'massgang' entertainer with a focus on action, Shammi Thilakan expressed confidence in director Abhilash's unique style and narration, assuring viewers of an enthralling and surprising experience. He eagerly encouraged everyone to patiently await and witness the magic of the 'King of Kotha.'
Dhananjayan Advises 'Red Card' Actors: Producer Dhanjayan said that the actors whose names are in the red card list of producers council should learn about dedication from Vijay. The video regarding this is now going viral on social meia.

Actor Vijay has teamed up with director Lokesh Kanagaraj for the second time in Leo. Actress Trisha is playing the heroine in this. Sanjay Dutt, Sandy Master, directors Gautham Menam, Mysskin, Priya Anand, Arjun, Mansoor Alikhan, Mathew Thomas, Joju George and many other leading stars have also joined the cast. Anirudh has composed the music for the film.

Vijay's Birthday Special Song

Vijay's birthday is coming up on 22nd June. In this case, the film team has planned to celebrate actor Vijay's birthday and said that the first song of the film Leo will be released on that day. Vijay fans are happy with this. The song's poster has Vijay with a cigarette in his mouth, which has sparked controversy on the one hand.

Meanwhile, in an interview, Lalit Kumar, the producer of Leo, has shared many interesting information about this song. He said that actor Vijay will look 10 years younger in Naa Ready. The song is choreographed with 2000 dancers. This one song was created in 7 days.

Producer Lalit Sees Vijay As A God

"Vijay asked dance master Dinesh to complete the song in seven days, while it was earlier planned to be shot in eight days. He was ready to give his full effort for it. The shooting of this song was completed in seven days and thus the cost of the production was reduced by one crore rupees. Vijay takes more care in thinking about the welfare of the producers." says Lalit Kumar

In such a situation, Producer Dhananjayan who gave an interview to a leading media portal, spoke about the on going Red card issue for five actors in Tamil film indstry. He said, "These actors who are not dedicating themselves to the job they are committed should learn from actor Vijay. Leo movie producer Lalit sir told me that he sees Vijay as a God. He said that because of Vijay's intention to gain profit for the producers. All other actors should have it in mind."

Dhananjayan also appreciated Vijay's level dedication, who came to Leo shooting spot on time the next day morning after standing continously for almost 13 hours in the students meet.
Rachitha Mahalakshmi Files Police Complaint: Small screen actress Rachitha Mahalakshmi filed a complaint with the Mangadu Women's Police alleging that her husband was threatening her.

Rachitha's Love Marriage With Dinesh

Rachitha Mahalakshmi is famous for acting in the serial Saravanan Meenakshi which was aired on Vijay TV. This serial has its own fan base. This serial was aired for several seasons. Rachitha Mahalakshmi rose to fame after acting in it for one season. She fell in love with and married Dinesh, who acted with her in the serial, a few years ago. Both were married and lived in a private apartment in Ayyapantangal, Porur, Chennai.

Rachitha participated in the Bigg Boss show on private television last year when both the husband and wife were living separately due to a disagreement between them two years ago. She is also acting in various TV serials. She has been active with his fans by regularly posting photos on social media.

Rachitha's Police Complaint Against Husband

In this situation yesterday suddenly Rachitha filed a complaint at Mangadu All Women Police Station. In it, she complained that Dinesh has been sending obscene messages to her mobile phone for the past few days and threatening her by contacting her on her mobile phone. On this complaint, Dinesh came to the police station and left saying that if she wants to, she can approach the court for divorce.

The police also interrogated Rachita regarding this complaint. Small screen actress Rachitha's complaint that her estranged husband is threatening her has created a lot of buzz. The police are still investigating the matter. The incident of an actress appearing at the police station in the middle of the night has created a stir in Tamil Nadu.

It is important to note that Rachitha's recent Instagram post with a caption, "Let d sun shine on your soul..." is also going viral on social media.
Sumbul Touqeer Khan New Project: At the age of just 19, Sumbul Touqeer Khan has made a name for herself in the industry. The actress, who started her acting career as a child artist, became a household name after essaying the titular role in Gul Khan's hit show Imlie co-starring Gashmeer Mahajani and Fahmaan Khan.

After quitting the daily soap last year, she participated in Colors TV's controversial reality show Bigg Boss 16 hosted by Salman Khan. She won many hearts during her stint in the show and became the youngest contestant to stay for over 100 days inside the Bigg Boss house. Since then, her fans have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of her next big project.

IS SUMBUL TOUQEER KHAN SHOOTING FOR SOMETHING BIG?

Gashmeer On Equation With Karan Kundrra & Other Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal Co-Stars: I've Got Some...

While Sumbul Touqeer Khan hasn't yet made any official announcement, there have been rumours that she has bagged her next project. Amid all this, a photo of Sumbul Touqeer Khan is currently doing the rounds on social media which has left her well-wishers confused.

It looks like Sumbul is currently shooting for something interesting with actor Prateik Chaudhary. The Sindoor Ki Keemat actor took to his Instagram stories and shared a photo in which he's seen posting with Sumbul. Both of them are dressed as bride and groom.

Wo Mandali Khatam...: Shiv Thakare Breaks Silence On Rumours Of Bigg Boss 16 Mandali Being 'Over'

SUMBUL TOUQEER KHAN VIRAL PIC AS BRIDE FROM SET

Sumbul also re-shared the photo and wrote, "WTH (laughing emoji)". In the morning too, the actress posted a story with "fingers crossed" emoji.

Take a look at her Insta stories below:

Ever since the photo made its way to the social media, Sumbul fans are confused if she's shooting for something big. However, some think that it's some shoot for Pocket FM. However, so far, no details are yet available related to the shoot.

Keep watching this space for more updates!
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 20, 2023) - Nepra Foods Inc. (CSE: NPRA) (FSE: 2P6) (OTC Pink: NPRFF) ("Nepra Foods" or the "Company"), announces that the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") has approved a consolidation of the Company's outstanding common shares (the "Shares") on a ten (10) for one (1) basis (the "Consolidation").

Currently, the Company has 51,831,749 Shares issued and outstanding. Following the completion of the Consolidation, and subject to rounding, the Company will have approximately 5,183,174 Common Shares issued and outstanding. The exercise price and number of Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Company's outstanding convertible securities will also be proportionally adjusted upon completion of the Consolidation.

The Board believes that the Consolidation will provide the Company with increased flexibility to seek financing opportunities and strategic acquisitions. The Company does not intend to undergo a name change in conjunction with the Consolidation.

The Consolidation is subject to acceptance from the Canadian Securities Exchange, which will be evidenced by the dissemination of a bulletin advising of the date of the Consolidation. The Company will disseminate a further news release which will set out the effective date for the Consolidation.

The Company also announces the resignation of David Breda as a Director of the Company effective June 15, 2023. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Breda for his contributions to the Company and wishes him success with his future endeavours.

The Company also wishes to announce that it has cancelled the non-brokered private placement financing previously announced on April 19, 2023.

ABOUT NEPRA FOODS

Nepra Foods is grounded in a passion for food. We believe eating healthy shouldn't be difficult. Everybody deserves food options that are truly nutritious and taste good. Food should not contain allergens that might prevent everybody in the family from enjoying it together. People shouldn't have to compromise quality and taste in what they eat even if they are trying to cut down on carbs, don't tolerate gluten or dairy very well, or don't want to eat food produced from animals. Nepra Foods is on a mission to make healthy, enjoyable food for everybody.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chadwick White, CEO & Director

investors@neprafoods.com

Investor Relations Toll-free: (844)-566-1917

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements related to the completion of the Consolidation. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170791
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.
To Seek Revocation of Cease Trade Order by Ontario Securities Commission

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 20, 2023) - The Mint Corporation (TSXV: MIT) ("Mint" or the "Company") is announced that it has filed the following outstanding periodic disclosure documents:

Annual audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022;

Management Discussion and Analysis for the period ended December 31, 2022; and

Certification of annual filings for the period ended December 31, 2022.

On June 19, 2023, Mint also filed its unaudited financial statements and related Management Discussion and Analysis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Mint now intends to file an application to revoke the cease trade order imposed by the Ontario Securities Commission on May 5, 2023 and to seek reinstatement of its common shares for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Mint

The Mint Corporation through its majority-owned subsidiaries (the "Mint Group"), is a globally certified payments company headquartered in Toronto, Canada with its primary business in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Mint Group intends to provide employers, employees and merchants with best-in-class financial services supported via payroll cards and the feature rich and linked Mint mobile application. Through its mobile enabled payments platform certified globally by MasterCard and UnionPay, Mint brings modern financial conveniences, at reasonable cost, to employers, merchants and consumers.

Mint Contacts

The Mint Corporation

Vishy Karamadam, Chief Executive Officer

vishy@themintcorp.com

www.themintcorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. There is no assurance that these transactions will yield results in line with management expectations. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors are provided in the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 and its publicly filed disclosure documents on www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170802
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 20, 2023 / Rock Edge Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rock Edge") (CSE:REDG) is pleased to announce that Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. ("Dahrouge Geological") has been engaged to manage the follow up field program on our Superb Lake Property, situated in northwestern Ontario.

Dahrouge Geological brings a wealth of expertise and experience in geological consulting for Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum ("LCT") Pegmatites and Specialty Metals, making them an ideal partner for this crucial phase of our exploration campaign. Their knowledge and proven track record will undoubtedly enhance our understanding of the lithium mineralization at the Superb Lake Property.

Through this strategic collaboration, we aim to expand upon the previous exploration work that confirmed the presence of LCT style pegmatite mineralization at Superb Lake. The field program will encompass comprehensive on-site investigations, including geological mapping, sampling, and geophysical surveys. These activities will provide an understanding of the geological characteristics of the 'Superb Lake Pegmatite,' which will aid in the continued exploration of the Superb Lake Property.

According to Charles Desjardins, CEO and Director, "We are confident that with the support of Dahrouge Geological that we will unlock further opportunities and uncover the true potential of the Superb Lake Pegmatite(s). Our commitment to diligent exploration and responsible resource development remains unwavering as we work towards maximizing value for our shareholders.

We look forward to sharing updates on our progress as we embark on this exciting phase of exploration."

The Superb Lake Property encompasses approximately 2,378 hectares in the O' Sullivan Lake / Maun Lake Area of the Thunder Bay Mining District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Geologically, the property is situated in the eastern part of Wabigoon Subprovince of the Superior Geological Province. The Superb Lake area has historical exploration carried out since the 1950s with the discovery of lithium along the shores of Superb Lake. The discovery outcrop is reported to have a minimum outcrop exposed length of 16 m, while its exposed width varies from 2.5 m to a maximum of 3.7 m. In 2020, four samples collected from a spodumene rich part of the dyke returned 1.77 % to 4.03% Li2O.

Highlights of recent exploration:

Channel Samples assays

During Medaro Mining Corp.'s ("Medaro") previous exploration of the Superb Lake Lithium Property, the company collected channel samples to assess the potential of the area. These samples (see press release dated December 14, 2022, which yielded significant results, were collected by Medaro prior to the completion of option agreement with Rock Edge.

The highest grades obtained from the sample program included 5.84 % Li2O over 1.1m, which was from a 3.2 m wide exposed portion of the dyke. Highlights follow:

The main Superb Lake Pegmatite is 3 to 3.8m wide in surface outcrop and can be traced for about 100 m along strike. It appears to continue undercover at both ends.

The pegmatite varies from fine grained to very coarse grained spodumene, with local zones of aplite. Surface assays suggest overall better grades within its western portion.

A total of 13 channel samples, with lengths from 0.3 m to 1.5 m were cut in four channels (see Table 1): Channel #1 - 0.43% Li2O across 3.2 meters; Channel #2 - 0.65% Li2O across 3.8 meters; Channel #3 - 2.47% Li2O over 3.2 meters; and Channel #4 - 1.29% Li2O over 2.9 meters.



Each cut channel sample from this work ranged from a 0.3 to 1.5 meter long, up to 5 cm wide and 3-5 cm deep. Samples were bagged and tagged using best practices and were delivered to Activation Laboratories ("ACTLABS"), Ancaster, Ontario for sample preparation and analyses using their code Ultratrace 7. ACTLABS is an independent commercial, accredited ISO Certified Laboratory.

Superb Lake Lithium Property Review:

superimposition of the 2021-22 soil sampling contours (Li ppm) on the magnetic tilt map highlights four areas of interest ("AOI") with good potential for Spodumene mineralization. Areas of P1, P2, P3, and P4 are categorized as exploration targets with LOW magnetic responses and LOW VTEM conductivity (see Figure 1),

the northwesterly trend of lithium assay contours implies that LOW magnetic, LOW conductive zones adjacent to mafic dykes or veins may be associated with spodumene-bearing lithium mineralization, and

the superimposition of the dB/dt Calculated Time Constant (Tau) and the Fraser filtered VTEM responses on Magnetic Tilt Derivative contours also reflects four AOI (T1 to T4, Figure 1) with the highest potential for sulphide and graphite mineralization as well as base polymetallic deposits within the property. The result clearly indicates zones of potentially high concentration of sulphide mineralization with anomalous magnetic / conductive features that are spatially coincident with existing major faults/fractures, and the boundaries of the metavolcanics with pegmatitic granite and metasedimentary rocks.

Airborne Survey Highlights - Airborne geophysical survey news release March 02, 2023

In 2022, Medaro contracted Geotech Ltd. of Ontario, Canada, to complete a Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEMTM Plus) and horizontal magnetic gradiometric survey on the Superb Lake Property. A total of 883-line kilometers at 50 m line spacing was completed on the property.

Figure 1 VTEM, Superb Lake Property

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed by Matthew Carter B.Sc., P.Geo., of Dahrouge Geological Consulting, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI 43-101.

About Rock Edge Resources Ltd.

Rock Edge Resources Ltd. is focused on acquiring and exploring mineral property assets, with a specific emphasis on the Northwestern Ontario Lithium belt and the province of Quebec. Its objective is to locate, develop and bring to market economically viable properties that contain critical minerals, base metals and precious metals. With the support of the Ontario government's Critical Minerals Strategy, Rock Edge is poised to take advantage of the growing demand for these essential minerals and contribute to the region's economic growth.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Charles Desjardins

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Phone #604-808-3156

Email: info@rockedgeresources.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions, and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to the plans for future exploration and development of the Company's properties and the acquisition of additional exploration projects. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts", "anticipates" "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the receipt of all necessary regulatory and third party approvals for the proposed operations of the Company's business and exploration activities, risks related to the Company's exploration properties; risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions, actual results of current exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of commodities including lithium and gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increases in market prices of mining consumables, possible variations in reserves; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in jurisdictions in which the Company operates. . 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. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Please refer to the Company's most recent filings under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its business.

Table 1: Channel Sample Assays

SOURCE: Rock Edge Resources Ltd.

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CoinEx, a global crypto exchange, recently announced its sponsorship of BlockChance 23, the fourth BlockChance conference so far, which will be held at Congress Center Hamburg (CCH) in Germany. This marks CoinEx's first sponsorship of a blockchain exhibition in Germany, which showcases its commitment to the German market and its confidence in the future of crypto.

As one of Europe's top blockchain conferences, BlockChance 23 will take place in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg from June 28 to June 30. Featuring industry experts, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs from around the world, the event is expected to attract over 7,500 attendees, 300 speakers, and 150 exhibitors. During the three-day conference, attendees will experience exciting keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, award ceremonies, and more than 50 workshops, allowing them to engage with blockchain scholars to explore the application of blockchain technology.

Germany, one of Europe's largest economies, is seeing rapid growth in the crypto sector, which presents enormous market potential. As a long-established crypto exchange, CoinEx intends to fully understand the needs and habits of German crypto users, explore the local crypto market, and provide German users with first-class and easy-to-use trading services through its sponsorship of BlockChance 23, while building a larger business presence in Europe.

According to official sources, in addition to sponsoring and attending the event, CoinEx will also have an exclusive brand booth (Saal G23) at BlockChance 23, where the CoinEx team will engage with local users face-to-face, discuss the future of crypto with industry leaders, and share the latest industry development and technology trends to promote the adoption of crypto assets and blockchain technology.

CoinEx, a veteran exchange, has always put users first, while building an efficient, secure, and stable crypto trading platform, and the sponsorship of BlockChance 23 is part of CoinEx's efforts to explore the application of crypto assets and promote crypto progress, showcasing its extensive expertise in crypto trading.

Over the years, CoinEx has continued to improve its technical capacity while perfecting the services it offers. As it provides global users with products spanning spot trading, futures trading, margin trading, AMM, and crypto finance, the exchange has contributed to the progress of the global crypto industry. In terms of security, the CoinEx team, with years of experience in blockchain technology, independently developed a high-speed trade matching engine and has never experienced any security breach since day one, offering a stable, secure trading environment to users worldwide. When it comes to products services, CoinEx strives to "make crypto trading easier". As for business operations, CoinEx has remained active in building a global presence, and its sponsorship of BlockChance 23 represents a great opportunity for the exchange to pursue global expansion and demonstrate its market influence.

As the conference approaches, we look forward to CoinEx's debut at BlockChance 23 and wish the event a resounding success.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230620541997/en/

Contacts:

CoinEx

Fiona Han

fiona.han@coinex.com
According to Wingie's Data, early international bookings increased by 100% before Eid Al Adha

DUBAI,UAE and BERLIN, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eid Al Adha is one of the two most significant religious and public holidays Muslims celebrate with exquisite festivities. Thousands of Muslims opted to travel on this major holiday and flight searches increased dramatically. Leading travel marketplace Wingie.com presents a comprehensive analysis of travel activities preceding this eminent holiday.

Early international bookings soared by 100% and the top origin countries were Saudi Arabia, the United Emirates, and Egypt. Most of the travelers opted to travel to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and Turkey. Likewise, the most popular route was between Riyadh and Cairo.

92% of Travelers booked round-trip international flights while 68% of bookings made by solo travelers

International round-trip bookings skyrocketed by 92% meanwhile domestic round-trips were 8%. Otherwise, international one-way bookings were 85% and 15% of bookings were domestic one-way flights. Overall, 52% of bookings were one-way flights and 48% were round-trips.

Precisely 88% of bookings were international, while 12% were domestic. Travelers acted early, with 60% of bookings made for travel prior to Eid. When it comes to costs, the average expenditure per person for a one-way ticket was USD 300. Round-trip tickets were more affordable, with an average price of USD 470 per passenger.

Finally, the median age of passengers was 33,5 and 68% of travelers were solo, followed by 20% of passengers who traveled with infants or children. While 61% of travelers were men, 39% of them were women.

About Wingie Enuygun Group

Wingie Enuygun Group is a popular travel marketplace in the MENA region focusing mainly on flights operating under wingie.com, sa.wingie.com, wingie.ae and enuygun.com domains. The company offers a range of products including flights, bus tickets, hotels, and rental cars. Wingie Enuygun Group has been one of the most innovative players in the MENA online travel space, with the aim of pioneering technological developments and leading the transformation of the travel industry with the approach of thinking digitally. Wingie.com is a leading flight booking platform with its inclusion in the development of virtual interlining for flights, offering a diverse range of airline tickets and other travel content to enhance the user experience by providing the best options.

Wingie.com is available in 6 languages, employs over 300 people, and has around 165 million visitors to its platforms annually.

Media Contact:



Wingie

marketing@wingie.com

+1 4378883181

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LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An app that repairs "broken" speech, high-tech glasses that can help those with dementia recognise others, and a "Yellow Brick Road" map to help people navigate their community are just three of the solutions that have made it to the semi-finals of the 4m Longitude Prize on Dementia.

A total of 1.9m has today been awarded to 24 pioneering teams of innovators from across the globe in the international challenge competition funded by Alzheimer's Society and Innovate UK, and designed and delivered by Challenge Works.

Discovery Awards of 80k have been awarded to develop new technologies to improve the lives of people living with dementia. Teams will now work alongside people living with dementia and their carers to ensure technologies are intuitive, easy-to-use and able to adapt to their changing needs.

Innovations include:

An augmented reality map to prevent people getting lost or confused - The Dorothy Community from Care City (UK) is a digital "Yellow Brick Road" map that uses augmented reality to provide virtual pathways and simple instructions for to navigate their environment.

The Dorothy Community from Care City (UK) is a digital "Yellow Brick Road" map that uses augmented reality to provide virtual pathways and simple instructions for to navigate their environment. High-tech specs for facial recognition - iMAGIC smart glasses are being developed by Khalifa University (UAE) to help people recognise familiar faces, provide reminders and alerts, zoom in and out to facilitate navigation, make phone calls to loved ones and monitor vital signs.

iMAGIC smart glasses are being developed by Khalifa University (UAE) to help people recognise familiar faces, provide reminders and alerts, zoom in and out to facilitate navigation, make phone calls to loved ones and monitor vital signs. A virtual speech assistant app to fill in missing words - the interactive AI software from Amicus Brain Innovations (USA) will use speech and language processing to listen to "broken speech" - a common challenge as dementia advances - and speak aloud the AI's "repaired" rendition of what the user intended to say.

Kate Lee, CEO, Alzheimer's Society, said: "It's vital people with dementia are able to live independently, doing things that bring them fulfilment, for as long as possible. And that's exactly what tech innovation can provide. Today's Discovery Award winners all have the capacity to develop cutting-edge tools that bring hope to the here and now, making a tangible difference to people's lives."

Indro Mukerjee, CEO, Innovate UK said: "By addressing dementia the Longitude Prize tackles a global health crisis. Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Innovate UK is pleased to support this initiative along with the other vital work we are doing in this area. The UK is a global leader in innovation for healthy ageing and this prize will incentivise new technologies. This will help people with dementia, their families and their carers, to make living with the condition easier".

The Longitude Prize on Dementia is driving the development of personalised, technology-based tools that are co-created with people living with the early stages of dementia, helping them live independent, more fulfilled lives and enable them to do the things they enjoy. The competition has been co-designed with people living with dementia. Judges were advised in their decision making by the prize's Lived Experience Advisory Panel.

Trevor Salomon, whose wife Yvonne was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2013, is Chair of the Longitude Prize on Dementia's Lived Experience Advisory Panel.

Trevor said: "Before her diagnosis, my wife astonished everyone with her ability to do anything she set her mind to. If we could access technologies that help extend her independence and her enjoyment, it would be so worthwhile. Advances in AI could lead to new technologies that would be transformative for people like my wife - but they need to be easy to use, intuitive and adapt to the unique needs of each person. Technologies shouldn't be developed in a bubble; they need to be designed and tested by the people who will ultimately benefit from them."

In 2024, five finalists will progress with additional 1.5m in funding to build real-world prototypes. In total, more than 3 million will be awarded in seed funding and development grants with a 1 million first prize to be awarded in 2026.

To find out more, visit dementia.longitudeprize.org

Notes to Editors

Full list of semi-finalists is available at: https://dementia.longitudeprize.org/discovery-award-winners-semi-finalists/

Photo Library is available at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12mDWnj-ZIaI7COQWNPLngob15ludL9N3?usp=sharing

Please credit Longitude Prize on Dementia

About the Longitude Prize on Dementia

The Longitude Prize on Dementia is a 4 million prize to drive the creation of personalised, technology-based tools that are co-created with people living with the early stages of dementia, helping them live independent, more fulfilled lives and enabling them to do the things they enjoy. The Longitude Prize on Dementia is funded by the UK's Alzheimer's Society and Innovate UK and delivered by Challenge Works.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023remains committed to monitoring and analyzing market trends to best position itself in this evolving landscape.



Since the start of 2020, lithium carbonate prices have increased by over 585%.1 The future of lithium appears promising, with the demand expected to skyrocket in the upcoming years, primarily fuelled by the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

In 2023, the lithium market witnessed significant announcements that shaped the industry. Here is an overview of the main news we have seen impacting the sector thus far this year:

Lithium Producers: Major lithium producers are expressing confidence in the market's long-term prospects. With lithium brine assets in the US and the Salar de Atacama in Chile, Albemarle expects strong sales volume growth in the energy storage segment for 2023.2 SQM forecasts increased demand this year, while Livent reported revenue growth in Q1 2023 and remains on track with capacity expansions.3

Lithium M&A Activity: Consolidation in the lithium space has accelerated in 2023. Albemarle's unsuccessful bid for Liontown Resources4 and a joint venture's unsuccessful bid for Essential Metals5 exemplify the heightened interest in merging or acquiring lithium projects. The mega-merger deal between Livent and Allkem, valued at US$10.6 billion, underscores the trend of consolidation driven by rising lithium demand.6

EV Makers and Lithium Supply: Electric vehicle manufacturers continue to secure lithium supply agreements, which have included agreements with already established producers. This growing focus on securing lithium supply demonstrates automakers' recognition of the importance of securing critical resources for the EV industry's growth.

Chile's Lithium Industry: Chile, the world's second-largest lithium producer, has announced plans to nationalize its lithium industry.7 The government's goal is to stimulate the economy and safeguard the environment by issuing future lithium contracts via public-private partnerships with state oversight. This move aligns with Chile's intention to encourage direct lithium extraction techniques to accelerate production and reduce water consumption.

Arbor remains committed to navigating the dynamic lithium market and capitalizing on the evolving landscape. The Company continues to assess strategic opportunities, advance its lithium projects, and contribute to the global transition towards cleaner and sustainable energy solutions.

About Arbor Metals Corp.

Arbor Metals Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value, geographically significant mineral projects worldwide. Arbor is paving the way for advanced mineral exploration as it oversees world-class mining projects. The company is confident that combining quality projects with proven strategies and a dedicated team will yield exceptional outcomes. Arbor currently oversees three outstanding mineral projects.

The Jarnet lithium project , located in the James Bay region of Quebec, comprises 47 map-designated claims, covering an area of approximately 3,759 hectares. The Jarnet project is contiguous to the Corvette-FCI property, where diamond drilling has confirmed significant lithium mineralization, and represents one of the highest-profile lithium exploration projects in the sector.





For further information, contact Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, at info@arbormetals.com or visit the Company's website at www.arbormetalscorp.com .

On behalf of the Board,

Arbor Metals Corp.

Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer

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.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "target, "plan," "forecast," "may," "schedule," and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to planned project development and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Contact Data

CONTACT:

MRKT360 INC

https://mrkt360.com

Alex Zertuche

alexz@mrkt360.com

For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587

1 https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/lithium

2 https://www.albemarle.com/news/albemarle-reports-net-sales-increase-of-129-for-first-quarter-2023

3 https://s22.q4cdn.com/453302215/files/doc_financials/2023/q1/Press-Release-LTHM-1Q23-Earnings_vFinal.pdf

4 https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/lithium-miner-liontown-soars-rejecting-37-bln-bid-albemarle-2023-03-28/

5 https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/australias-essential-metals-shareholders-reject-tianqi-igo-bid-2023-04-20/

6 https://ir.livent.com/news/news-details/2023/Allkem-and-Livent-to-Create-a-Leading-Global-Integrated-Lithium-Chemicals-Producer/default.aspx

7 https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/worlds-biggest-lithium-producers-2023-04-21/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3618b042-01cc-4fdc-9dc6-19987e9bc55d
The unique combination of Habu's interoperable clean room orchestration and automation platform and AWS Clean Rooms' data collaboration controls make data clean room collaborations available for all customers with flexibility and simplicity.

Habu, a global innovator in data clean room software, announced joining the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) and today launched a new solution to integrate its Data Clean Room offering with AWS Clean Rooms, and enable customers and their partners to analyze their collective data sets without sharing or copying each other's underlying data. The solution makes it easier for business users to leverage Habu's tools to get started with AWS Clean Rooms. For advertisers and marketers, this solution simplifies use cases for key marketing activities such as audience insights, activation, measurement, and attribution while better protecting their data.

As companies of all types and sizes are looking for greater access to data and insights for a more complete view of their business, they are increasingly looking to complement their first-party data with data from their external business partners. However, these companies want to protect the sensitive, underlying data of their customers and are looking for solutions to help them analyze datasets in a protected environment, where participants can generate insights while safeguarding each participant's data. Companies increasingly want their business users to be able to leverage data clean rooms more seamlessly to drive data driven decision making.

Habu's solution helps business users with little technical expertise to easily create and join an AWS Clean Rooms collaboration in minutes. For example, marketers can use Habu's interface to analyze their combined datasets in a few clicks. With a focus on democratizing data clean room access for any company and end-user, Habu is launching a solution to power orchestration for AWS Clean Rooms for AWS customers and their partners to analyze and collaborate on their collective datasets without sharing or copying each other's underlying data. Habu is leveraging AWS Clean Rooms to help companies uncover insights through privacy-enhanced data analysis, empowering them to deliver more customized user experiences and improve their business goals. Habu customers can now benefit from AWS Clean Rooms' broad set of configurable data access controls-including query controls, query output restrictions, and query logging-that allow companies to customize restrictions on the queries run by each clean room participant.

Over the past three years, Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) has been one of the most widely used data connections in Habu. With this new AWS Clean Rooms solution, Habu's customers and partners are now able to easily collaborate with hundreds of thousands of companies already using Amazon S3 without them needing to load their data onto another platform or having to maintain a copy of their data outside of an AWS environment. The addition of this frictionless and more secure collaboration workflow is meaningful for privacy-enhanced data analysis for use cases in advertising and marketing, media, and other industries.

"For a brand to be able to fully harness their own first-party data and also tap into high value signals from strategic partners, without either party having to move or expose that data to each other, is an amazing opportunity we are excited to explore with our clients," said Krystal Oliveri, Global Chief Innovation Officer, GroupM Choreograph. "We are excited to work with Habu and AWS and help some of the world's leading brands to not only navigate this inflection point in our industry, but to innovate, differentiate, and deliver long-term value through data collaboration."

Using Habu, customers can leverage a library of pre-built queries and visualizations, while data scientists have the ability to develop custom, privacy-safe workflows and advanced solutions. This includes capabilities for profile enrichment, journey analysis, advanced targeting and measurement, modeling, and activation. The overarching goal of this partner solution offering is to accelerate value realization through exponential growth of data collaborations.

"Companies across industries are looking to build a holistic view of their business by securely bringing together disparate datasets across multiple parties," said Akram Chetibi, General Manager of AWS Clean Rooms at AWS. "We are excited for the launch of Habu's solution for AWS Clean Rooms, which will bring AWS Clean Rooms' privacy-enhancing benefits to customers directly in Habu's intuitive and easy-to-use platform

"In order to enable data-driven brands to achieve more precise targeting and effective measurement, the need for increased data accessibility is paramount," said Matt Kilmartin, Habu Co-Founder CEO. "We are excited to share the news of our partner solution leveraging AWS Clean Rooms. This solution aims to deliver secure, seamless, and automated collaboration solutions to accelerate mutually beneficial business growth for brands and their trusted partners."

Habu is an AWS Partner (APN), and its latest advancement in supporting AWS customers is available today here and in AWS Marketplace. Customers can learn more about how to use Habu with AWS Clean Rooms here.

About Habu

Habu is a global leader in data clean room software, enabling companies to benefit from the value of data without the risk. Habu connects data internally and externally with other departments, partners, customers, and providers in privacy safe and compliant ways for better collaboration, decision making and results. The company is headquartered in San Francisco CA and Boston, MA. For more information visit www.habu.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621631387/en/

Contacts:

Linzy Meija

Purpose Worldwide

Linzy@purposenorthamerica.com
Ecosystem of digital marketing tools built on top of the Privacy Sandbox mechanisms starts to kick-off. PrimeAudience launches as the first to satisfy behavioural targeting use cases.

Today,RTB House announces the launch of PrimeAudience, the first company dedicated to utilising Chrome's Protected Audience API and Topics API to provide advertisers with advanced behavioural targeting capabilities. As the deadline for the deprecation of third-party cookies on Chrome approaches, PrimeAudience offers a unique solution to brands and a new revenue stream for publishers.

PrimeAudience's potential is already recognised by a number of launch partners including; OptAd360, a major European yield monetisation partner and US-based Raptive, formerly known as CafeMedia and AdThrive.

Robert Dyczkowski, RTB House CEO comments, "The launch of new marketing APIs by Chrome has allowed us to create a completely new product category which we've coined as 'protected audiences advertising network'. We wanted to separate an entity that is supposed to provide state-of-the-art behavioural targeting capabilities in the future environment, as this is an extremely important use-case for a wide range of advertisers. Cookieless changes completely redefine technical possibilities of providing it. For years advertisers have been using DMPs in which case specific audiences were nothing more than just lists of single user IDs, which could be imported to any DSP for targeting. Not only has it been convenient from the business perspective but also technically possible to decouple users data from inventory purchase. As the Privacy Sandbox enforces several technical restrictions on the whole process, in particular, limited possibility to exchange user lists between different companies, from an engineering standpoint DSP and DMP solutions will have to be more integrated. As a consequence, with the demise of third-party cookies the industry has no choice but to make it more integrated also from a business side. PrimeAudience by design fits perfectly into the new order."

To accurately segment users, PrimeAudience will be utilising precisely processed publishers' first-party data enriched with other signals, such as Topics API and display ads to the user groups via Google Chrome's Protected Audience API. The benefit is that this technology doesn't rely on any cross-site ID mechanisms, future-proofing it against any tightening technological and regulatory environments around these solutions, with transparency at the core.

Mateusz Ruminski, PrimeAudience VP of Product said, "The $700 billion digital advertising industry is being disrupted by the deprecation of third-party cookies in Chrome in 2024. We are proud to introduce a brand-new, cookieless behavioural targeting approach that will ease the transition for advertisers and publishers alike. After proving the concept, we are ready to scale up in upcoming testing phases of the Privacy Sandbox."

PrimeAudience will allow advertisers to buy ads directly or in a self-service model through Adlook Smart, an outcome oriented buying platform. The next stage of scale growth is expected to begin in summer, during General Availability of Privacy Sandbox APIs.

For more information, please visit primeaudience.com

ENDS

Notes to editor

About PrimeAudience

PrimeAudience is an ad network providing advertisers with advanced behavioural targeting capabilities. As the first company utilising Chrome's Protected Audience API enriched by Topics API for such a use case, PrimeAudience reaches the right audience in a brand's campaign even after the sunset of cookies. PrimeAudience benefits publishers by providing them with an additional, cookieless revenue stream independent of other advertising activities. Visit PrimeAudience.com for more information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621758293/en/

Contacts:

Media contacts

Nell Martin or Lucy Figiel:

rtbhouse@bluestripegroup.co.uk
Italian Space Propulsion Innovator Will Install the Printers in its Colleferro, Italy, Headquarters to Produce Mission-critical Parts for Its Family of Rocket Engines

Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE: VLD), a top metal additive manufacturing technology company for mission-critical parts, today announced that Avio S.p.A., a leading aerospace company listed on the STAR segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, has purchased a Sapphire XC 1MZ printer and an original Sapphire printer to support the development and production of its propulsion systems and accelerate the advancement of the space industry. Velo3D's solution was selected for its ability to produce quality parts with optimized geometries for the highest performance, and the large build volume of the Sapphire XC 1MZ. Both printers are calibrated to produce parts in nickel-based alloy that delivers strength and corrosion resistance at extreme temperatures.

Avio has been a leading innovator in the aerospace industry for more than 120 years. The company now focuses on making space more accessible and affordable. With a strong focus on propulsion systems, Avio has delivered competitive solutions for launching institutional, governmental, and commercial payloads into orbit through its Vega family of launch vehicles. By adopting Velo3D's fully integrated solution, Avio aims to achieve new milestones in design quality, and time-to-market for its products.

With one of the largest build volumes for laser powder bed fusion 3D printers, the Sapphire XC 1MZ 3D printer has a print volume that is 600 mm in diameter and 1,000 mm in height. The original Sapphire has a print volume of 315 mm in diameter and 400 mm in height. Both printers enable Avio to overcome the constraints of traditional manufacturing methods, including conventional additive manufacturing solutions. The printers accomplish this by providing a wide breadth of geometric design freedom and a high degree of precision. The solution from Velo3D empowers Avio to optimize its designs and manufacture quality, high-performance components with intricate geometries that were previously unattainable. The result is improved performance, reduced weight, enhanced reliability, and ultimately, a more efficient and accessible space industry.

"Avio is one of the leading space companies in Europe and we are thrilled to partner with them in their pursuit of groundbreaking propulsion systems," said Benny Buller, Founder and CEO of Velo3D. "They work with some of the most innovative companies and agencies in Europe and around the world to provide them with the technology they need to reach space. The Sapphire XC 1MZ will help Avio further accelerate the development of its propulsion systems and contribute to the ongoing transformation of the space industry."

The cooperation between Avio and Velo3D comes at a pivotal moment in the growing space industry, which is witnessing transformative advancements. With the advent of 3D printing, the industry has gained momentum by enabling faster time-to-market, distributed supply chains, part consolidation, and enhanced performance capabilities. Velo3D is one of the leading 3D printing providers enabling NewSpace companies, with customers that include SpaceX, Launcher (a Vast company), and many other innovators.

About Velo3D:

Velo3D is a metal 3D printing technology company. 3D printing-also known as additive manufacturing (AM)-has a unique ability to improve the way high-value metal parts are built. However, legacy metal AM has been greatly limited in its capabilities since its invention almost 30 years ago. This has prevented the technology from being used to create the most valuable and impactful parts, restricting its use to specific niches where the limitations were acceptable.

Velo3D has overcome these limitations so engineers can design and print the parts they want. The company's solution unlocks a wide breadth of design freedom and enables customers in space exploration, aviation, power generation, energy, and semiconductor to innovate the future in their respective industries. Using Velo3D, these customers can now build mission-critical metal parts that were previously impossible to manufacture. The fully integrated solution includes the Flow print preparation software, the Sapphire family of printers, and the Assure quality control system-all of which are powered by Velo3D's Intelligent Fusion manufacturing process. The company delivered its first Sapphire system in 2018 and has been a strategic partner to innovators such as SpaceX, Honeywell, Honda, Chromalloy, and Lam Research. Velo3D has been named as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for 2023. For more information, please visit Velo3D.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn or Twitter.

About Avio:

Avio is a leading international group engaged in the construction and development of space launchers and solid and liquid propulsion systems for space travel. The experience and know-how built up over more than 50 years puts Avio at the cutting-edge of the space launcher sector, solid, liquid and cryogenic propulsion and tactical propulsion. Avio operates in Italy, France, and French Guyana with 5 facilities, employing approx. 1,200 highly qualified personnel, of which approx. 30% involved in research and development. Avio is a prime contractor for the Vega programme and a sub-contractor for the Ariane programme, both financed by the European Space Agency ("ESA"), placing Italy among the limited number of countries capable of producing a complete spacecraft.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996. The Company's actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections 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 include, without limitation, the Company's goals for 2023 and the Company's other expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies for the future. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside the Company's control and are difficult to predict. The Company cautions not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

VELO, VELO3D, SAPPHIRE, and INTELLIGENT FUSION, are registered trademarks of Velo3D, Inc.; and WITHOUT COMPROMISE, FLOW and ASSURE are trademarks of Velo3D, Inc. All Rights Reserved Velo3D, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621977232/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Dan Sorensen, Senior Director of Public Relations

press@velo3d.com

Investor Relations:

Bob Okunski, VP Investor Relations

investors@velo3d.com
VILNIUS, Lithuania, June 21, 2023, a crowdsourced web intelligence network, continuously implement safety layers from internal resources to deliver a reliable service to end users.



While the cybersecurity market is forecasted to grow by $266.2 billion by 2027, companies are adopting new security measures as data protection remains trending with the rise of the digital economy. Honeygain enables its users to maximize their unused internet connection and get monetary rewards in a transparent and protected environment.

One of the first steps a Honeygain user makes in their journey within the application is to give consent for publicly available data processing. Additionally, the company is focused on user education about what security measures apply at each step while the users share their internet resources.

Furthermore, every payout for the shared internet connection is managed by verified payment platforms as a second step. You'll find 2-factor authentication for payouts to strengthen the security surrounding any monetary transactions.

Like any new technological solution, Honeygain had to monitor traffic and implement an anti-cheat system to provide its users with a fair and transparent service . The company has reinforced its position as an industry leader in its four years of operation by proactively strengthening its infrastructure.

Individual cybersecurity efforts are celebrated - but businesses must ensure additional customer security and support as the digital economy expands. Popular applications like Honeygain offer multiple layers of cybersecurity to protect users and companies from illicit activities.

Every step is essential, whether it seems small or significant. Therefore, every effort in end-user security should be regarded as the top priority, just like the example of Honeygain suggests.

About the company:

Honeygain is the first-ever application that allows users to generate passive online income by sharing their Internet connection. It is the world's first crowdsourced web intelligence network that provides services to global industries for price comparisons, advertisement verification, brand protection, and more.

Contact Information: Monika Ezerinskaite, Lead Copywriter, press@honeygain.com
EQS-Ad-hoc: European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V.: Public disclosure of inside information



21-Jun-2023 / 09:43 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION OR FORWARDING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS PUBLICATION. Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation) European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. and Croma-Pharma GmbH agree on award and transfer of four treasury shares for each ten public shares that public shareholders do not redeem and investors will purchase if reduced minimum net cash condition of EUR 50 million is met and shareholders approve business combination on June 27, 2023 European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. (EHC) will award and transfer four treasury shares for each ten public shares that public shareholders will not redeem thereby waiving their redemption rights.

EHC will also transfer four additional treasury shares for each ten treasury shares that public shareholders or new investors will purchase through a private investment in public equity (PIPE).

EHC Sponsors will devalue another 40% of their class B warrants (Sponsor Warrants).

Croma-Pharma GmbH (Croma) and the shareholders of Croma (Croma Shareholders) agreed with EHC to reduce the minimum net cash condition from EUR 100 million to EUR 50 million.

Croma Shareholders and EHC Sponsors will not receive any additional shares or any other incentive. Munich, June 21, 2023 European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company (EHC), Croma-Pharma GmbH (Croma) and the shareholders of Croma (Croma Shareholders) today agreed to allow public shareholders to stay invested in, and new investors to become shareholders of, EHC on even more attractive terms, following discussions with current shareholders and new investors over the last weeks. All public shareholders of EHC who waive, or, by not exercising, are deemed to waive, their redemption rights with respect to their public shares and are shareholders of EHC on the day prior to the expected closing day of the business combination of EHC with Croma (Business Combination), scheduled to occur on July 5, 2023, will receive four treasury shares in the capital of EHC for each ten public shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number divisible by ten) that such public shareholders do not redeem following closing if the EHC shareholders' meeting approves the Business Combination on June 27, 2023 and the reduced minimum net cash condition is fulfilled or waived. Current public shareholders of EHC who already submitted any redemption notices with respect to their public shares can withdraw their redemption by instruction to their bank or stockbroker (financial intermediary) by this Friday, June 23, 2023, prior to 17:40 CEST. In case of such timely withdrawal, such public shareholders shall similarly be deemed to have waived their redemption rights and be eligible for receiving the four treasury shares, provided that the other conditions set out above have been met. Public shareholders who are registered on July 4, 2023 as shareholders of EHC, after the processing of settlements on that date, are entitled to receive the treasury shares. New investors who agreed and will agree to purchase treasury shares at a price of EUR 10.00 per share in connection with the PIPE process will also be entitled to receive four additional treasury shares for each ten treasury shares they purchase (rounded down to the nearest whole number divisible by ten). The additional shares that current public shareholders and PIPE investors will receive will be transferred from the class A ordinary shares held in treasury by EHC. The additional shares will be fully fungible with the outstanding public shares and the treasury shares that the Croma Shareholders will receive upon closing of the Business Combination. In connection with the adjustments, the Sponsors agree to increase the exercise price from 11.50 to 400.00 for 40% of their Sponsor Warrants (i.e., 2,165,760 Sponsor Warrants) resulting in a devaluation Croma and the Croma Shareholders agreed with EHC to reduce the minimum net cash condition from EUR 100 million to EUR 50 million and to allow for up to EUR 50 million additional debt or convertible debt issuances. Due to transaction expenses to be paid by EHC upon Closing, mainly relating to deferred IPO fees and other costs, at least EUR 60 million will have to be secured through non-redemption of public shares and PIPE proceeds. EHC will announce the results of non-redemptions and the PIPE and the minimum cash condition following the expiry of the redemption period on this Friday evening. ----------- About Croma Croma is a global player in the minimally invasive aesthetics market and a leading European manufacturer of premium quality hyaluronic acid syringes. The company offers a comprehensive and innovative aesthetics portfolio including botulinum toxin, fillers, lifting threads and biostimulators complemented by its own skincare brand. Founded in 1976 by a pharmacist couple, Croma-Pharma GmbH is a family company headquartered in Austria where it also operates its manufacturing plant. With 550 employees, 13 subsidiaries in Europe and Brazil, two joint ventures and 60 exclusive export partners, it distributes its products in 80 markets globally, including the US, Canada, China, Australia and New Zealand. It also operates as a contract manufacturer in orthopaedics and ophthalmology. For more information please visit croma.at. About EHC EHC is an operators-led special purpose acquisition company. With its exclusive focus on healthcare, EHC is the first of its kind in Europe and benefits from excellent investment opportunities driven by the market's underlying fundamentals and an excellent value creation potential. In addition, the Sponsors have created a novel structure which materially innovates the special purpose vehicle concept to allow a very attractive alignment of interests of all stakeholders. Media Enquiries EHC FGS Global Kai Peter Rath +49 171 861 98 06 kai.rath@fgsglobal.com Important Notice This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. This publication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") of European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. In the United Kingdom, this publication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of retained EU law in the United Kingdom as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This publication is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this publication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. The Securities are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any Retail Investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a "Retail Investor" means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 January 2016 on insurance distribution, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purpose of the product governance requirements contained within MiFID II, (ii) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 of 7 April 2016 supplementing MiFID II and (iii) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Requirements"), and disclaiming any and all liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Public Shares and Public Warrants have been subject to a product approval process. As a result, it has been determined that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution to professional clients and eligible counterparties through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II. This release may contain forward looking statements, estimates, opinions and projections with respect to anticipated future performance of the Company ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. We undertake no obligation, and do not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, forward-looking statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We accept no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions.



End of Inside Information



21-Jun-2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


AMERSFOORT, Netherlands, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CLEVR, a leading provider of low code and PLM software solutions, is excited to announce a partnership with Kongsberg Maritime, a global technology leader in the maritime industry. The collaboration between CLEVR and Kongsberg Maritime aims to accelerate Kongsberg Maritime's internal digital transformation journey.

This recent partnership showcases Kongsberg Maritime's trust in CLEVR's expertise and advanced software solutions. CLEVR will support the company to further develop a key internal tool for digital workflows. Implementing a comprehensive digitalization roadmap will be a key part of the deliveries from CLEVR. Over the next years, CLEVR will provide its services to support Kongsberg Maritime in the digital transformation of their internal workflow and processes.

As a strategic partner of Kongsberg Maritime, CLEVR will contribute its deep industry knowledge and technical expertise to further realize Kongsberg Maritime's digitalization roadmap. Leveraging their extensive experience in PLM software solutions, CLEVR provide valuable insights, guidance, and best practices to develop our customer's operations.

Magnus Normann, CRO at CLEVR, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, "Kongsberg Maritime's decision to partner with CLEVR is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional value and becoming a true strategic partner to our customers. We look forward to embarking on this transformative journey together, empowering Kongsberg Maritime with our state-of-the-art software solutions and strategic counsel."

By harnessing PLM software solutions, Kongsberg Maritime will unlock new levels of operational efficiency, streamline processes, and enhance collaboration across their entire value chain.

About CLEVR: CLEVR is a globally recognized provider of low code and PLM software solutions, specializing in enabling organizations to unlock their full potential through digital transformation. Combining cutting-edge technology, industry expertise, and a customer-centric approach, CLEVR delivers comprehensive software solutions that drive innovation, accelerate growth, and provide a competitive edge in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clevr-signs-contract-to-drive-digital-transformation-301856363.html
Large keys carrying myth-busting messages are being placed in public spaces across England, encouraging people to reconsider preconceptions

Campaign comes as new data from leading provider Greensleeves Care shows 93% care home residents are satisfied with their care

LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading UK not-for-profit care group Greensleeves Care has launched Keys To Open Minds - a campaign to de-bunk common myths about life in care homes.

The guerrilla-style community outreach campaign is set to share more than a thousand myth-busting messages with local communities and businesses all over England - from Leamington Spa and Ipswich to Hastings and the Isle of Wight.

Teams and residents from Greensleeves Care's homes all over the country are going out into their communities, placing keys in landmarks and public areas and sharing them with businesses. The sustainably-produced wooden keys carry tags with messages that spell out common myths around care homes, and challenge them with facts. The keys are designed to create intrigue and to encourage people of all ages to engage with the reality of care home life, join the conversation on social media at KeysToOpenMinds or visit their local Greensleeves Care home to see first-hand.

The campaign, which launches in time for Care Home Open Week 2023 (26th June - 2nd July), comes after reflecting on the perceived divide between public understanding and the reality of care home life. Greensleeves Care's recent customer satisfaction survey across its 28 homes in England shows that 93% of residents who responded are happy with their care and the vast majority feel empowered to make choices about their day-to-day life.

For people like Margaret, 81, moving to a care home in East Suffolk three years ago was nothing like she expected. She said:

"If you would have said a few years ago I was going into a care home, I would have said "get stuffed!" My opinion was that I would be told what to do, when, and how to do it.

"I now know that life in a care home is good, I am still very much in control of my life despite living in a care home. I can still make decisions myself and find the staff helpful and caring. I feel here I still have a purpose."

Shona King, Director of Business Development at Greensleeves Care, said:

"The main aim of our Keys to Open Minds campaign is to prompt better conversations, reduce stigma around care homes and encourage people to reconsider their preconceptions.

"Misconceptions around care homes abound - from the quality of the food to how residents are supported to live with dignity. As our own data shows, the reality is that for the vast majority of residents, care homes are a positive, much-valued chapter in people's journey through later life.

"Long-standing myths are damaging not only for the sector, but for the thousands of families looking for specialist, 24-hour care for their loved ones. They want to feel confident and empowered in the choices they make. At Greensleeves Care, we believe that feeling empowered starts with having a myth-free, more accurate idea of what it is like to join a care home community."

The campaign is further supported through online content that tackles head-on the top seven myths of care homes. Greensleeves Care is also committed to continuing the myth-busting beyond Care Home Open Week, including through public presentations and events.

Greensleeves Care is a leading UK not-for-profit care home organisation that offers award-winning person-centred residential, dementia and nursing care across 28 care homes.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2106743/Greensleeves_Care.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/greensleeves-care-launches-guerrilla-campaign-to-bust-myths-about-care-homes-301855864.html
The company aims to be closer to its existing UK clients and enable more businesses to leverage their expertise to scale digitally.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - A digital marketing agency based in the UAE, Legend1st, has announced its expansion into the United Kingdom (UK). This move signifies a significant milestone for the agency, bringing them closer to their existing clients in Europe and allowing them to interact more seamlessly, as well as allowing them to help new clients harness their expertise in digital marketing. Clients will now be able to access their services through a dedicated website that will specifically cater to the UK market. The growth of this digital agency is overseen by CEO Khaled Ali, who is a veteran of the industry of over a decade.

Speaking on the occasion, Khaled said, "We are delighted to announce our expansion into the United Kingdom. This is an important step for Legend1st, as we strive to offer our specialized digital marketing services to businesses across the planet. We are confident that our passion for driving success will resonate with the UK market. We want to carry on our legacy in the UK of being a digital marketing firm that puts integrity, honesty, and simplicity into everything we do."

Their comprehensive range of services includes social media marketing, web design services, content writing, graphic design, and 3D Video Production.

He went on to add, "With our expansion into the UK market, Legend1st will help British businesses create strategies that are tailored to deliver measurable results and a high return on investment. We are actively recruiting human capital from the country and are open to new partnerships with UK-based businesses across various industries, including law firms, financial websites, glass manufacturing, maintenance companies, and restaurants. We want to build long-lasting partnerships with our clients and become their go-to solution when it comes to improving brand visibility, driving website traffic, and generating qualified leads. We believe our expertise globally will prove invaluable for brands looking towards the international market."

Businesses interested in learning more about their SEO services can visit Legend1st's UK website today. https://legend1st.co.uk/

About Legend1st

Legend1st is a reputable digital marketing agency based in Dubai that has a track record of providing results-driven marketing solutions to businesses of all sizes. They have a team of seasoned professionals who have a deep understanding of the digital algorithms so they can increase their brand visibility and increase their bottom line.

MEDIA CONTACT

Contact Person: Khaled Ali

Company: Legend1st

Email: info@legend1st.com

Phone: +971557015031

Address: Office No. 402, Crystal Tower Business Bay, Dubai-37189, UAE

Website: https://legend1st.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170668
TWO hundred and fifty one thousand more Hungarians would be alive today if the country had implemented Sweden's 'smoke free' and tobacco harm reduction strategy, a new report being launched today will reveal.

The study, from international experts in harm reduction, shows that the huge number of deaths would have been averted over the course of just decades.

The authors from Smoke Free Sweden (smokefreesweden.org) will launch their Saving Lives Like Sweden analysis in a public meeting in Warsaw today.

The authors are calling on other countries to study and embrace the Scandinavian country's progressive model of tobacco control, complemented by harm reduction strategies. Crucially, they are pleading for Hungary to follow the Swedish example of making less harmful alternatives more acceptable, available and affordable than cigarettes.

In March, the group of international experts revealed how Sweden is poised to become the first World Health Organization (WHO) member state to achieve smoke-free status.

It has reached this historic milestone 17 years ahead of schedule by combining tobacco control methods with harm minimisation strategies.

The Smoke Free Sweden movement's latest report illustrates the potentially tremendous impact on lives across WHO member states if the Swedish model is applied on a larger scale.

The report, Saving Lives Like Sweden, will be unveiled on the eve of the Global Forum on Nicotine. It reveals:

Between 2000 and 2019, some 251,000 deaths could have been averted if Hungary had the same smoking-attributable death rate as Sweden.

The implementation of the Swedish model could have allowed Hungarian citizens to live an extra 8.5 million healthy life years during the same period.

A total of 2.9 million deaths could have been averted and 108 million life years gained between 2000 and 2019 in the whole of the EU.

Dr Delon Human, one of the report's authors, said: "This should serve as a clarion call to the WHO and global public health organisations to study and adopt the harm reduction strategies implemented by Sweden.

"These strategies have the potential to save millions of lives and significantly reduce the burden of smoking-related diseases worldwide."

The first report, The Swedish Experience: A Roadmap To A Smoke-Free Society, examines how Swedish policymakers have virtually wiped out smoking by making alternative nicotine products, such as vapes and oral pouches, accessible, acceptable and affordable to adult smokers.

In 15 years, Sweden's adult smoking rate has been cut from 15% to 5.6%. Later this year that will fall below 5%, the level officially classified as smoke-free.

In addition to having the lowest percentage of tobacco-related diseases among EU countries, Sweden also exhibits a 41% lower incidence of cancer and a 38% lower cancer death rate compared to its EU counterparts.

Dr Human, who is leader of the Smoke Free Sweden movement, said: "Swedish policymakers have offered smokers a fire escape to move away from their deadly cigarette addiction. We should be celebrating Sweden's remarkable success and holding up its policies as best-case practice.

"If policymakers here in Hungary had adopted Sweden's harm reduction strategies in 2000, 251,000 lives could have been saved. Providing adult smokers with reduced-risk alternatives has proved the most successful strategy for cutting the deadly toll of tobacco.

"Public health entities worldwide should seize the opportunity for global replication of Sweden's successful approach. Together, we can work towards a smoke-free world and ensure the well-being of future generations."

ENDS

Notes to editors: The report was commissioned by Health Diplomats, an international organisation working to improve access to healthcare, encourage innovation and the use of harm reduction to minimize the negative impact of alcohol, food, nicotine and drugs.

The full report is available at smokefreesweden.org

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621840838/en/

Contacts:

Press:

Jessica Perkins, info@smokefreesweden.org
EQS-News: Zayed Sustainabilty Prize / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

COP28 UAE President-Designate visits award-winning Kenyan fintech leader M-KOPA on the sidelines of Africa Energy Forum



21.06.2023 / 11:20 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





COP28 UAE President-Designate visits award-winning Kenyan fintech leader M-KOPA on the sidelines of Africa Energy Forum

Minister also meets with former Global High Schools category winner and CEO of Mazi Mobility; Supported by the UAE's pioneering award, the Zayed Sustainability Prize ( www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com ), M-KOPA is on track to reach 4 million underbanked consumers in sub-Saharan Africa by this year.

During a visit to M-KOPA, one of Africa's leading fintech platforms, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in creating technologies that create lasting positive change in vulnerable and remote communities, while helping to meet our climate ambitions and keep 1.5C within reach.

M-KOPA, one of the fastest growing companies in Africa, is one of 106 past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's pioneering award that recognises groundbreaking contributions across the fields of health, food, energy, water and climate action.

During a tour of M-KOPA's facilities and a briefing by its Managing Director, David Damberger, Dr. Al Jaber, who helped establish the Prize and is its Director General, said: "Prize winners continue to address some of the most pressing sustainable development challenges we face today. They are providing quality healthcare, nutritious food, essential energy, and access to safe water-in short, a better world for us all."

Dr Al Jaber is in Kenya for the Africa Energy Forum to prepare for the UAE's hosting of COP28, which will take place in Dubai at the end of the year and marks the next step in global cooperation on fighting climate change. The summit comes at the crucial halfway point between the landmark Paris Agreement of 2015 and the 2030 target for climate action, with the first global stocktake of emissions cuts providing a valuable opportunity to align global efforts.

This moment also shines a spotlight on the work of M-KOPA and other past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which have been addressing climate-related challenges in vulnerable countries around the world. In line with the UAE's own prioirities, they have been taking important steps to reform land use, transform food systems and ensure a pragmatic energy transition.



Since its founding in 2010, M-KOPA has reduced more than 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, connected 400,000 first-time Internet users, and served over 3 million customers across sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, the company has built one of the world's most advanced connected financing platforms, deploying US $1 billion in credit to the financially excluded. The company has also provided extensive training and employment, generating more than US $180 million in extra income for its sales agents.

M-KOPA's flexible credit model allows individuals to pay a small deposit and get instant access to everyday essentials, including electric motorcycles, solar power systems, smartphones and then graduate to digital financial services such as loans and health insurance. Most recently, the company successfully closed over $200m in sustainability-linked debt financing to to drive women's financial inclusion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its East African markets by further developing its solar products offering, making a meaningful contribution to fighting climate change.

David Damberger, Managing Director of M-KOPA, said: "It was a privilege to receive His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber today and showcasing the remarkable impact we have made through our sustainable solutions."

"Receiving the Zayed Sustainability Prize, marked a pivotal moment in our journey, and we are deeply grateful for the recognition," he added. " At M-KOPA, we have been driven by a deep-rooted commitment to empower underbanked consumers whilst combating climate change through our flexible credit model and clean energy solutions. We sincerely hope that our success serves as an inspiration for other small businesses and entrepreneurs across Africa to apply for the Prize, as it has the power to drive transformative change. Moreover, it is a testament to the UAE's support of African small businesses and its humanitarian legacy, which continues to empower and uplift communities worldwide."

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also met with former winner in the Prize's Global High Schools category and current CEO of Mazi Mobility, Jesse Forrester, who updated the COP President-Designate on his e-mobility company, which operates a fleet of electric motorbikes and tuk-tuks.

Dr. Al Jaber said: "The Global High Schools category was launched to inspire youth to realise their potential and encourage them to pursue careers in the field of sustainability. To see this come to fruition through one of our previous winners speaks volumes on the transformative impact of the Prize. Seeing first-hand what Jesse has built is truly inspiring and should serve as a model for other young entrepreneurs who want to change the world."

"Climate change poses a challenge across health, food, energy, and water, amongst other issues, and only by adopting an "all of the above" approach can we hope to ensure a just transition that leaves nobody behind. SMEs represent 80% of global GDP but the vast majority have not even started their net-zero journies. The Zayed Sustainability Prize is determined to empower those who strive to create value in the energy transition and demonstrate that climate action can lead to sustainable development. As we approach COP28, I am determined to empower the voices and perspectives of young entrepreneurs, like Jesse, and to ensure that we deliver practical solutions that can change the lives of millions more like him."

In its 15th year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has transformed the lives of over 378 million people around the world by empowering 106 past winners to make a difference. Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories receives US $600,000 to expand the scope and scale of their sustainability solutions. Six winners in the Global High Schools category each receive up to US $100,000. By empowering etrepreneurs to build their solutions, the Prize has to date awarded US $3.6 million.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zayed Sustainability Prize.

Download image: https://apo-opa.info/3qRxQNY

About the Zayed Sustainability Prize:

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Prize aims to drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognising and rewarding organisations and high schools that are delivering innovative sustainable solutions across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. For over 15 years, through its 106 winners, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of over 378 million people in 151 countries.

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DUBAI, June 21, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The Green Block, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to fostering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) projects in Web3, was officially launched yesterday at BEEAH Group headquarters in the United Arab Emirates. This global initiative, spearheaded by Crypto Oasis Ventures in collaboration with the management consultancy Roland Berger, marks a significant step towards creating a sustainable future by leveraging the power of Blockchain and AI technologies.Highlights:- The Green Block is a global Think Tank and Launchpad that aims to accelerate and promote the use of Web3 and AI technology for the improvement of the environment, social and governance related initiatives that improve the quality of life.- It is initiated by Crypto Oasis Ventures in partnership with Roland Berger.- The initiative will bring together projects and thought leaders that utilize technology for advancing sustainability related projects.- BEEAH Group is the Think Tank's first Patron with Khaled al Huraimel, Group CEO also joining The Green Block Advisory Council.The primary objective of The Green Block is to establish an ecosystem that connects stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop and implement impactful Web3 solutions pertaining to corporate governance, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. By leveraging the potential of Web3 and AI, The Green Block aims to address global challenges in line with the UAE's COP28 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Faisal Zaidi, Co-founder of Crypto Oasis Ventures, stated, "The launch of The Green Block represents the first milestone in our journey to create a sustainable future through Web3 initiatives in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) field. By connecting projects, providing and enabling infrastructure, and empowering talent, The Green Block will facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable Web3 solutions on a global scale. Aligning ourselves with the objectives of COP28 and the UAE, we aim to take this initiative global."As the inaugural patron of The Green Block, BEEAH assumes a vital role in propelling the mission of the initiative. As an international holding group and pioneer for sustainable, smart solutions for future ready cities, BEEAH understands the importance of fostering sustainability and aligning with the UAE's agenda for COP28. Through their partnership with The Green Block, BEEAH underscores its dedication to environmental responsibility and social progress.Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, emphasized the significance of The Green Block's launch, stating, "There is immense potential in Blockchain, AI and Web3 technologies and I am excited to see how the Green Block leverages these to revolutionize ESG projects. As one of the first adopters of blockchain technologies in Sharjah, BEEAH Group's vision is built on the twin pillars of sustainability and digitalisation. As a patron of The Green Block, BEEAH Group looks forward to fostering innovation and engaging with stakeholders to achieve sustainability objectives using technology while overcoming global challenges."On the steering committee of The Green Block initiative, the representation from Roland Berger contributes to determining the strategic direction of the initiative. The committee makes key decisions that shape the initiative's long-term plans and immediate goals, helping to ensure the continuity of its mission. Technology like Web3 and AI will contribute significantly to a path to sustainability - The Green Block Think Tank and Launchpad will accelerate this transition and connect the global thought leaders.Pierre Samaties, Partner at Roland Berger Middle East and leading the Global Digital Assets, Web3 and Metaverse practice, expressed his enthusiasm for The Green Block's potential impact, saying, "The launch of The Green Block initiative is the start of an important Think Tank and Launchpad for Web3 and AI technology that will support sustainability and quality of life. Many use cases of the technology are a perfect fit for advancing renewable power, boosting financial inclusion and incentivizing environmental improvements."To learn more, please visit www.thegreenblock.comAbout The Green BlockThe Green Block is a global Think Tank and Launchpad with the primary objective of accelerating and strengthening the use of Web3 and AI technology for the betterment of environmental, social, and governance initiatives, that ultimately enhance our quality of life. Spearheaded by Crypto Oasis Ventures, in collaboration with the management consultancy Roland Berger, this ground-breaking global initiative denotes a significant stride towards the creation of a sustainable future.At its core, The Green Block will facilitate access to crucial resources including investors, grants, public funding, and tokenization. By doing so, it will empower projects to make substantial progress and attain goals, while establishing a robust infrastructure. It will connect projects with appropriate Blockchain protocols, while providing regulatory guidance, producing insightful reports, and organizing community networking opportunities accompanied by effective communication channels. Furthermore, The Green Block will serve as a catalyst for collaboration and knowledge exchange, while empowering talented individuals through thought leadership platforms like publications, interviews, podcasts, and round table discussions.The Green Block aims to create an ecosystem that supports transformative projects and contributes to a sustainable and inclusive future.About Crypto Oasis VenturesCrypto Oasis Ventures is a leading Venture Builder with a strong focus on the Middle East and North Africa region. It has successfully established the Crypto Oasis Ecosystem, which has emerged as the world's fastest growing Blockchain Ecosystem. In the United Arab Emirates alone, the ecosystem has identified over 1,800 organizations and boasts a workforce of more than 8,650 individuals dedicated to the Blockchain industry. The ecosystem encompasses various stakeholders, including Investors & Collectors, Start-Ups & Projects, Corporates, Science & Research Institutions, Service Providers, and Government Entities & Associations.As one of the pioneers in the local venture building landscape, Crypto Oasis Ventures benefits from a global network and maintains robust connections to the renowned Crypto Valley in Switzerland. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the first Web3 venture building company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The primary goal of Crypto Oasis Ventures is to nurture the ecosystem and expedite the growth of Web3-related organizations in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond.Crypto Oasis Ventures has spearheaded several successful ventures, including Crypto Oasis Labs, Crypto Oasis Sentio, arte, Crypto Oasis Games Guild, Inacta Communications, and The Green Block. These ventures showcase the company's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development within the Web3 space.www.cryptooasis.aeAbout Roland BergerRoland Berger is the only management consultancy of European heritage with a strong international footprint. As an independent firm, solely owned by our Partners, we operate 51 offices in all major markets. Our 3000 employees offer a unique combination of an analytical approach and an empathic attitude. Driven by our values of entrepreneurship, excellence and empathy, we at Roland Berger are convinced that the world needs a new sustainable paradigm that takes the entire value cycle into account. Working in cross-competence teams across all relevant industries and business functions, we provide the best expertise to meet the profound challenges of today and tomorrow. www.rolandberger.com.Press contact:Maria FernandezMarketing Manager, Crypto Oasis VenturesTel.: +971 056 385 3146E-mail: maria@cryptooasis.aeSilvia Constanze ZoeschPR Global, Roland BergerTel.: +49 160 744-8750E-mail: silvia.zoesch@rolandberger.comSalma HalawaPR Middle East, Roland BergerTel.: +971 056 385 3146E-mail: salma.halawa@rolandberger.comSource: Crypto OasisCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.


In 2022, 10 winning teams were selected for the Start-Up Express Pitching Final



DimOrder provides a cloud-based ecosystem to over 1,700 restaurants



Meat The Next launched tiger nut vegan ice cream and tiger nut oat milk, which are dairy-free

and with no added sugar, to the market

HONG KONG, June 21, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Start-up Express, the annual entrepreneurship development programme organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has returned for its sixth edition. Hong Kong is rapidly growing following COVID-19 and the HKTDC will continue to incubate and support local start-ups and help them develop their businesses. This year's programme continues to help them build connections, explore markets, seek partners and enhance brand awareness.Start-up Express cohorts show tremendous tractionStephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of HKTDC, said the HKTDC would continue its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses into overseas markets, in addition to promoting the city's capabilities in innovation and technology."Since the first edition of Start-up Express in 2018, the programme has already nurtured 50 start-ups, some of which have scaled up substantially. Start-up Express has given great support to start-ups over the past five years, helping them tap into new markets and win global recognition. Through the HKTDC network, numerous start-ups successfully obtained substantial business orders and secured partners as well as investment rounds. We will continue our quest to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, helping start-ups grow their businesses to the next level and helping them gain a foothold in the global arena. The HKTDC remains committed to building a sustainable and international entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes local economic growth and business development," Mr Liang said.Applications stream inStart-up Express is aimed at Hong Kong tech start-ups which plan to expand into international markets. The competition drew a record number of applications this year, with finalists from diverse sectors such as ed tech, con (construction) tech & prop tech, fintech, health tech, as well as metaverse, Web 3.0, smart city, HR tech and food tech. This year's judging panel comprises five renowned industry experts: Jason Chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council; Anthony Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Isola Capital; Gordon Yen, Chairman of Hong Kong Business Angel Network; Ben Cheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of C Capital and Danny Yeung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prenetics.Live polling on physical Pitching DayThe Final Pitching Day of Start-up Express 2023 will be held in-person on 4 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Apart from the 10 winners, one laureate will receive the ESG Award, rewarding the most sustainable and socially impactful start-up, while the My Favourite Start-up Award victor will be decided by a live audience vote. The 10 winning start-ups will have access to capability-building workshops, mentoring sessions, exploratory missions to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, marketing sessions, extensive publicity and investor-pitching opportunities. These activities will help the laureates hone business skills, gain access to the latest market insights and acquire business know-how from experienced industry leaders. The winners will also be able to interact with buyers and investors at HKTDC-organised local and overseas events. The HKTDC will arrange business-matching meetings, helping entrepreneurs connect with potential partners, increase media exposure and enhance brand awareness.Taking the market pulse and building a global networkMr Liang added: "Last year's winning teams stood out because of their innovative and forward-looking ideas. Through Start-up Express they were able to gain more insights into their industries, overseas market trends and investor preferences by participating in different HKTDC-organised events, including the Asia Summit on Global Health, Asian Financial Forum, exhibitions in Mainland China and overseas, and investor meetings in Hong Kong and the mainland. They have also been able to strengthen their business networks and expand their markets and businesses through the exposure they have gained. To help fuel the growth of these start-ups, the HKTDC also leveraged its network of 50 overseas offices worldwide to endorse them in international competitions and connect them to overseas investors through pitching events."20 finalists with unique products/solutionsStart-ups selected for the shortlisted top 20 in the Final Pitching Day have all presented innovative business solutions that help address social and environmental issues. Among them:- DimOrder provides a cloud-based ecosystem to more than 1,700 restaurants. It builds operating systems, processes transaction and offers a procurement platform.- Meat The Next launched tiger nut vegan ice cream and tiger nut oat milk, which are dairy-free and have no added sugar.- Moongate is a one-stop shop for brands and businesses to use utility NFTs to drive customer engagement and revenue, enabling businesses to create powerful NFT tickets and memberships to maximise customer lifetime value.- Neuropix has invented a bilateral wireless neurostimulation system to treat major brain diseases, a non-invasive innovative wearable neurotechnology.Start-up Express 2023 Pitching FinalDate: 4 July 2023 (Tuesday)Time: 1:15pm Media registration; 1:30pm-6pm Start-up Express Pitching FinalVenue: S221, HKCEC 1 Expo Drive, Wan ChaiJudging panel:- Anthony Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Isola Capital- Ben Cheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of C Capital- Jason Chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council- Danny Yeung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prenetics- Gordon Yen, Chairman of Hong Kong Business Angel NetworkShortlisted start-ups: Click here to view the profiles of the shortlisted start-ups. https://tinyurl.com/yy9k28veStart-up Express website: https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/Photo download: https://bit.ly/3PikEf6About 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 Communications & Public Affairs Department:Jane Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.orgSource: HKTDCCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Tevano Systems Holdings Inc. (CSE: TEVO) (FSE: 7RBA) (OTC Pink: TEVNF) ("Tevano" or the "Company") a technology company specializing in sustainable energy solutions, are pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore a collaborative partnership with Source Energy Global, a prominent player in the energy industry, aimed at combining their joint expertise and resources to drive innovation and address the global need for a cleaner, sustainable and effective Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) system.

The LOI signifies the commitment of both organizations to engage in joint research and development initiatives. Tevano Systems and Source Energy Global will collaborate on various projects focused on advancing renewable energy systems by leveraging their respective strengths. The companies aim to accelerate the development and commercialization of cutting-edge DLE technologies.

Through this collaboration, Tevano Systems and Source Energy Global will also foster knowledge exchange, sharing technical expertise, and best practices in the field of energy systems. This exchange will enable both organizations to enhance their capabilities, drive innovation, and address the evolving energy needs of the market.

"We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with Source Energy Global," said David Bajwa, CEO of Tevano Systems. "By joining forces, we can pool our resources and expertise to create sustainable energy solutions that have a significant impact on the Lithium industry. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our shared vision of creating a greener and more sustainable future."

Dr. Oliver Jones, Chairman and Founder of Source Energy Global, expressed equal enthusiasm, stating, "We believe that partnerships are crucial in driving innovation and achieving sustainable energy goals. Tevano Systems is an ideal partner with their proven track record and expertise in renewable energy technologies. Together, we can develop ground-breaking solutions that will help shape the future of the energy industry as we transition from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy."

The LOI sets the stage for Tevano Systems and Source Energy Global to negotiate a formal Joint Venture agreement, outlining the terms and conditions of their collaboration. Both companies are committed to finalizing the agreement in a timely manner to kick-start their joint initiatives and begin making significant contributions to the energy sector.

About Tevano Systems Holdings Inc.: Tevano Systems Holdings Inc. is a leading technology company specializing in renewable energy systems. With a focus on innovative solutions, Tevano Systems is dedicated to developing and commercializing cutting-edge technologies that drive sustainability and create a greener future.

About Source Energy Global: Source Energy Global is a prominent player in the energy industry, dedicated to driving innovation and sustainability. With a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise, Source Energy Global is committed to developing and deploying advanced energy solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global market and contribute to a more resilient world economy. Source Energy Global is also working with US policymakers and leaders at both the federal and state levels to develop America's Lithium Energy Security Act (LESA), in order to bring the United States towards greater resilience in energy and reduced reliance on foreign mineral supply-chains.

For more information, please visit: www.tevanosystems.com

https://sourceenergyglobal.com/

On behalf of the Board of:

TEVANO SYSTEMS HOLDING INC.

Eugene Hodgson, Chief Financial Officer

Eugeneh@tevanosystems.com

604-805-6600

Neither the CSE 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/170772
LONDON and NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZRG Partners, a leading global talent firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, today announced the promotion of London-based executive James Absalom to the position of Chief Commercial Officer - International.



Absalom became part of ZRG when his previous firm that he founded as CEO in 2015, Walter James, was acquiredin December 2021. In that time, revenues with the Walter James division have increased 23%. He has worked across numerous client verticals, including Consumer & Retail, Life Science, Industrial, Financial Services, Sustainability and Technology. His client portfolio includes global entities like Colgate-Palmolive, Gruppo Campari, SC Johnson, Unilever, Haleon, and Imperial Brands as well as numerous private equity and privately owned high growth organizations.

"James will be responsible for maximizing growth across all our business lines, including executive search, DEI, interim management, leadership & assessment consulting, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and showcase our truly collaborative, end-to-end talent advisory firm," said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. "We are confident he will help us grow our business practices all across the globe."

In his new role, Absalom will oversee growth of ZRG's international footprint in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Australia. In keeping with ZRG's M&A focused growth strategy, he will also work closely with the board to identify, acquire, and integrate M&A targets internationally.

"I am excited to take on this newly created leadership role at ZRG Partners to grow our global client base," Absalom said. "I am working with practice leaders, senior partners, and others throughout our worldwide network to provide best in class functional, geographical and sector expertise to ensure we can offer clients both a global footprint but also local partnership. My plan is to ensure we build long lasting, impactful, and value-driven business results where we focus on matching the right executives to the unique culture of our clients."

Absalom will also continue to fulfil his senior partner role by originating and leading large searches across the C-Suite, managing his own clients, and bringing people in to grow the firm's client base and business lines.

ZRG's new Chief Commercial Officer's experience includes working with complex global organizations in senior leadership positions that require both change and transformation.

Founded in 1999, ZRG, is one of the fastest growing global executive search firms in the search industry. With the financial backing of private equity investor RFE Investment Partners, ZRG provides a full suite of executive, middle-management, and customized search solutions through its offices in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The firm finds leaders across a broad spectrum of business markets, including aerospace, consumer, education, healthcare services and solutions, industrial, life sciences, non-profit, private equity and venture capital, and technology.
MILAN, Italy, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renowned Italian conductor Alvise Casellati brings his fresh, modern world tour 'Opera Italiana is in the Air' to the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park on June 26 at 7.00 pm. The free concert, entitled 'Peace on Earth: The Art of Nature', transforms the experience of opera by making its beauty accessible and enjoyable for all. 'Opera Italiana is in the Air' takes concerts out of the world's most elegant concert halls into the open air. Casellati collaborates with top industry professionals and young musicians and composers (performing in casual clothing), bringing them together to create high-quality outdoor concerts that are modern, diverse, informal, fun and free of charge.



This year, the event features a piece by 11-year-old Isaac Thomas, a student at the Juilliard School. His piece, 'All Around Earth', was selected by Maestro Casellati as the winner. "Nature is the ultimate masterpiece, and it is the duty of every individual to take daily steps to respect and preserve it. To praise nature, we present a programme that highlights how the best composers have celebrated nature through their music, including 11-year-old composer and Juilliard student Isaac Thomas, a talent well beyond his years," says Casellati. Isaac Thomas, violinist and pianist, is honoured to take part in the performance of 'Opera Italiana is in the Air': "I am thrilled that 'All Around Earth' will be performed outdoors in this beautiful city, where the great energy of the audience will play a key role in making this concert a success," he says.

The musicians who will perform in Central Park include members of the Metropolitan Opera, Juilliard students, celebrated sopranos such as Angela Meade, Valentina Gargano and Mariam Suleiman, and rising stars from the Young Artist Program of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Members of The Rising Voices Choir from the Department of Music Therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital will perform the US National Anthem with the orchestra. The concert will also be streamed for patients in the hospital and through Opera Italiana's YouTube channel. "Opera has been popular for 425 years, but over the past 75 years it has gradually been perceived as music for the elite. It is not. It is as relevant to audiences today as it always has been, and we want to bring it to a wider and younger audience, who will see it and fall in love with it as so many others have done," Casellati explains.

Besides this performance in New York City, the 'Opera Italiana is in the Air' Summer 2023 concert tour has already made a stop in Rome with family-friendly events. In September, the tour will conclude with a performance on the National Mall in Washington, DC. In previous years, Casellati toured Washington, New York, Miami, Rome, Naples, and Milan to showcase Italian opera, a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2022. 'Opera Italiana is in the Air' is produced under the patronage of the Consulate General of Italy in New York and the Italian Cultural Institute of New York.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bbc9647c-16db-44b7-8847-87e2f4664e6b

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
SINGAPORE, June 21, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - With more professionals seeking a career change, franchising and licensing continue to be viable options for aspiring entrepreneurs pursuing business ownership. Franchising and licensing offer multiple benefits including a proven business model, established brand recognition, readilyavailable training, support and infrastructure; all of which translate into more assurance and confidence, andlower failure rates, more flexibility and potentially better control over a fulfilling and rewarding career. With Asia as one of the fastest-growing economic regions in GDP per capita, countries in the region are seeing significant growth in their middle-class populations, where this tier of consumers with higher spending power and disposable income are influencing global consumption patterns and driving demand for premium and better-quality service and products. This is where the franchising and licensing models allow home-grown and established brands and aspiring individuals to step in to meet these consumers' needs.Today there are more than 4,300 franchise systems throughout Southeast Asia with more than 150,000franchisee firms licensed to sell goods on behalf of master franchise brands. Empowering aspiring individuals with knowledge, best practices and meaningful connections to jumpstart their business ownership journeys, Franchising & Licensing Asia (FLAsia) - Asia's most established trade platform for the industry - returns this year from 17-19 August at Sands Expo and ConventionCentre Level 1. Presented annually by the Franchising & Licensing Association (Singapore) andorganised by Constellar, FLA2023 offers tremendous opportunities for aspiring individuals andentrepreneurs to connect with global-ready brands who are looking to expand into the rest of Asia Pacificand globally, with Singapore as the springboard. With a diverse and unique range of product and service brands on board, FLA2023 is the ideal platform tomeet brand owners and franchise leaders, as well as discover how franchisees can play unique strategic roles in furthering the brand's success in the local market(s) with theirin-market knowledge of business, marketing and talent strategies.

"Singapore is a lucrative market and springboard for both master franchisors looking to expand in the region and for aspiring individuals seeking opportunities. Singapore's dynamic pro-business environment, politicalstability, among other considerations, offer a much lower barrier of entry. FLAsia2023 is the key knowledge exchange and business networking platform where both franchisors & franchisees can greatly benefit from" said Mr Dickson Low, President of Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore).

Brands to check out at FLA2023 include the The TungLok Group, Russo's New York Pizzeria, the KC Group of Companies (owner of full-service salon brands such as Kcuts, Kskin and Clippers Barber), Mitsuba Japanese Restaurant, Speech Academy, Mscents, Chewy Junior, and many more.

More details will be shared nearer to date. To attend Franchising & Licensing Asia (FLA) 2023, sign uphere at https://bit.ly/MediaReg2023

About Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore)

FLA (Singapore), one of the founding members of the World Franchise Council, was established in 1993 with the mission to nurture and develop Singapore's franchising industry. An essential component of Singapore's knowledge- based economy, FLA (Singapore) promotes and facilitates the use of franchising, licensing and branding as a growth strategy for Singapore enterprises, thus contributing to turning Singapore as a regional franchise and license hub. Through its partnership with Singapore government agencies and international franchise and license bodies, FLA (Singapore) also assists its members in their international development programmes. With an active growing membership of close to 140 companies, representing more than 250 strong brands, FLA (Singapore) is led and managed by a dedicated team of advisors, committee members and full-time secretariat with the goal of supporting Singapore companies to expand internationally. https://www.flasingapore.org/

About Constellar

Constellar connects a global eco-system of event partners and consumers through a holistic portfolio of intellectual property (IP) in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. As Asia's partner of reference for curating innovative event and venue experiences, Constellar activates impactful networks to bring global markets, businesses and consumers together for sustainable growth. With our expertise and dedication, we are invested in helping you build trusted relationships with stakeholders for the long term and enabling cross-industry collaboration through world-class audience engagement solutions. Visit constellar.co for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Carine Lin

Manager, Communications & Culture

Email: carine.lin@constellar.co

Mobile: 9336 3746

Source: ConstellarCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
PUNE, India, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dataintelo, a leading market research company, recently published a detailed report on the global telemonitoring system market. The report provides an extensive analysis of the market's growth factors, opportunities, and trends for the period between 2023-2031. The study covers various aspects of the telemonitoring system market, including its types, applications, components, connectivity, end-users, and regions. It aims to provide valuable insights for market players, stakeholders, and investors to help them make informed decisions and capitalize on emerging opportunities in this rapidly growing market.

Telemonitoring systems are increasingly being used in healthcare settings, due to their ability to remotely monitor patients' vital signs, glucose levels, blood pressure, and other health parameters. These systems have gained significant traction, particularly in chronic disease management, as they enable healthcare providers to deliver timely and efficient care to patients while reducing the overall cost of care. The report by Dataintelo highlights the immense growth potential of the global telemonitoring system market, driven by factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, aging population, technological advancements, and growing demand for remote patient monitoring.

Download PDF Sample here: https://dataintelo.com/request-sample/?reportId=13870

One of the key aspects of the report is its in-depth analysis of the different types of telemonitoring systems available in the market. These include COPD, glucose level, blood pressure, cardiac monitoring systems, and others. The study provides valuable insights into the growth trends and opportunities in each of these segments, enabling market players to make strategic decisions and capitalize on the potential of specific telemonitoring systems.

The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the various applications of telemonitoring systems, such as home care, long-term care centers, hospital cares, specialist clinics, and rehabilitation centers. The study highlights the growing demand for telemonitoring systems across these applications, driven by factors such as the increasing need for remote patient monitoring and the rising adoption of telehealth and telemedicine services. This detailed analysis of the applications of telemonitoring systems helps market players understand the current and future growth trends in this market and identify lucrative opportunities for expansion.

The global telemonitoring system market is further segmented based on components, including hardware, software, and services. The report provides an insightful analysis of the growth potential of each of these segments, driven by factors such as the increasing demand for advanced telemonitoring devices, the need for efficient data management and analysis, and the growing emphasis on patient-centric care.

In terms of connectivity, the telemonitoring system market is classified into wired and wireless systems. The report by Dataintelo highlights the growing preference for wireless telemonitoring systems due to their ease of use, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. This detailed analysis of the connectivity options in telemonitoring systems enables market players to make informed decisions and leverage the growth opportunities in the wired and wireless telemonitoring system segments.

The report also offers a comprehensive analysis of the telemonitoring system market's end-users, including patients, healthcare providers, payers, and employers. The study highlights the growing adoption of telemonitoring systems by these end-users, driven by factors such as the increasing need for efficient patient monitoring, the rising demand for cost-effective healthcare solutions, and the growing emphasis on improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

The global telemonitoring system market report provides a detailed regional analysis, covering North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. It offers valuable insights into the growth trends, opportunities, and challenges in each of these regions, helping market players understand the regional dynamics and capitalize on emerging opportunities in specific markets.

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The global telemonitoring system market report by Dataintelo is a comprehensive and insightful study that provides valuable information on the market's growth factors, opportunities, and trends. It offers a detailed analysis of the market's various segments, enabling market players, stakeholders, and investors to make informed decisions and capitalize on the immense growth potential of the telemonitoring system market. The report also highlights the increasing demand for telemonitoring systems across various applications, driven by factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, aging population, technological advancements, and growing demand for remote patient monitoring. With its in-depth analysis and valuable insights, the report is a must-read for anyone looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving telemonitoring system market.

Related Report:

Telemonitoring Systems Market - Segments - by Type (Devices [Multi-parameter Monitoring, Blood Pressure, Glucose, Chronic Cardiovascular Disease Monitoring, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Monitoring, and Others] and Services), End-user (Hospital Care, Home Care, Long-term Care, and Others), Application (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, Oncology, and Cardiovascular Diseases), and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023 - 2031

Cardiac Biomarkers Market - Segments - by Types (Troponin, Creatine kinase - MB, Natriuretic peptides - B-type Natriuretic Peptide & N-terminal pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide, Myoglobin, Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA), Heart-type Fatty Acid Binding Protein, and LDH Isoenzymes), Applications (Acute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy, Ischemia, Myocarditis, and Atrial Fibrillation), End-users (Laboratory Testing and Point of Care (POC) Testing), and Regions (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2021 - 2028

South America Cardiac Monitoring Market - Segments - by Device (ECG Monitor, Event Recorder, Implantable Cardiac Loop Recorder, Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Devices, Smart Wearable, and Other Device Types), End-users (Hospitals and Clinics, Home Care Settings, and Other End-users), and Geography (Brazil, Argentina, and Rest of South America) - Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2021 - 2028

About Dataintelo:

Dataintelo is a global market research firm committed to providing high-quality industry analysis, market insights, and growth forecasts by leveraging state-of-the-art technology and expert domain knowledge. Their client-centric approach ensures that research reports cater to individual client requirements, paving the way for informed decision-making and strategic growth.

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Options Technology, the leading provider of cloud-enabled managed services to the global capital markets, today announced the successful deployment of the real time market data feed fromBoerse Stuttgart Group

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621935760/en/

Options today announced the successful deployment of the real time market data feed from Boerse Stuttgart Group. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Boerse Stuttgart Group is the sixth largest exchange group in Europe and plays a pivotal role in the financial landscape as the operator of Europe's leading stock exchange for Securitized Derivatives trading. This integration demonstrates Options' commitment to delivering comprehensive and definitive market data to its customers in the region.

In deploying this feed, which is available through shared infrastructure inFR2, Options now has full coverage of the German exchanges, which includes access to key Cash Equity, Indices, Derivatives, Fixed Income and Energy Markets. The deployment will further enable users to access real time quotes and trades, empowering traders and investors worldwide.

Danny Moore, President and CEO of Options Technology, commented, "We are delighted to integrate Boerse Stuttgart Group's market data feed, further enriching our diverse market data platform and expanding our global coverage. Customers will benefit from enhanced insights, allowing them to make informed trading decisions with precision and confidence.

This strategic deployment reflects our commitment to providing clients with the latest connectivity solutions across the EMEA markets and is a key part of our rapid growth trajectory."

Sabine Gustke, Head of Information Products and Services of Boerse Stuttgart Group, said, "We are very pleased to have added Options Technology as a data vendor, further strengthening the global distribution of our real-time market data."

Today's news comes as the latest in a series of exciting developments for Options, including its appointment of renowned capital markets expert, Larry Leibowitz to its board of advisors, the attainment of Microsoft Solutions Partner status for Securityand the opening of a new office in Paris

In 2019, Options received investment from Boston-based private equity firm Abry Partners. This investment enabled Options to accelerate its growth strategy and develop its technology platform while expanding its global reach in key financial centres.

About Options (www.options-it.com):

Options Technology is the No. 1 provider of IT infrastructure to global Capital Markets firms, supporting their operations and ecosystems.

Founded in 1993, the firm began life as a hedge fund technology services provider. Today, the company provides high-performance managed trading infrastructure and cloud-enabled managed services to over 550 firms globally, providing an agile, scalable platform in an Investment Bank-grade Cybersecurity wrapper.

Options clients include the leading global investment banks, hedge funds, funds of funds, proprietary trading firms, market makers, broker/dealers, private equity houses, and exchanges. With offices in 8 key cities; New York, Toronto, Chicago, London, Belfast, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Auckland, Options are well placed to service its customers on-site and remotely.

In 2019, Options secured a significant growth investment from Abry Partners, a Boston-based sector-focused private equity firm. This investment has enabled Options to considerably accelerate its growth strategy to invest further in its technology platform and expand its reach in key financial centres globally.

Options has been named among the UK's leading growth companies in the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table.

For more on Options, please visit www.options-it.com follow us on Twitter at @Options_ITand visit our LinkedIn page

About Abry Partners (www.abry.com)

Abry is one of the most experienced and successful sector-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since its founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $82 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages over $5.0 billion of capital across their active funds.

About Boerse Stuttgart Group

Boerse Stuttgart Group is the sixth largest exchange group in Europe with strategic pillars in the capital markets business and in the digital and crypto business. It operates exchanges in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, and with Boerse Stuttgart Digital has built the largest digital and crypto business of all European exchange groups. Boerse Stuttgart Group has a workforce of 700 and premises in Stuttgart, Berlin, Stockholm, Zurich, and Ljubljana.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621935760/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

Press Contact: Niall McAleer

Email: niall.mcaleer@options-it.com
The telecoms leader enters the Canadian market following the acquisition of three data centres in Toronto

TOKYO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecommunications leader, together with its data centre brand Telehouse, has announced the latest expansion of its global footprint in North America by reaching an agreement with Allied Properties REIT to acquire three data centres and its accompanying assets in Toronto, Canada. This investment of CAD 1.35 billion comes as a result of increased demand in the market for reliable interconnectivity services and is an important milestone for KDDI's expansion plans which will see the company establish a new legal entity, KDDI Canada, Inc.

Starting with the first Telehouse data centre in New York in 1989, KDDI has been continuously expanding Telehouse's presence in new markets for over 30 years, with this recent acquisition bringing the total portfolio of data centres to 12 countries. The new carrier-neutral data centres are located in the city centre of Toronto, and when fully operational, will provide over 30MW of IT load.

KDDI's new data centres will provide both shared and dedicated space to fulfil customer needs, especially those expanding internationally, who require a highly trusted partner to establish their IT environment. Businesses wishing to colocate from the new locations will gain unrivalled access to a variety of connectivity partners, including carriers, ISPs, ASPs, and the world's largest private and public cloud service providers, to extend network reach, reduce latency and costs, and improve performance.

Yasuaki Kuwahara, Member of the Board, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of Business Solution at KDDI, commented: "This is another milestone achievement for KDDI, and an exciting investment which will enhance connectivity capabilities for Canadian businesses. With many North American organisations accelerating their digital transformation and innovation initiatives, we're delighted to be able to play a part in their success, offering reliable, scalable, flexible and secure services to modernise and future-proof IT environments."

Michael Emory, Founder and Executive Chair, Allied Properties REIT, said: "With global data centre operating capability, KDDI is an ideal successor owner for our data centre assets. Canadian cities continue to grow dramatically and successfully. The growth is driven in large part by knowledge-based organisations that require sophisticated and wide-ranging connectivity solutions. KDDI is extremely well positioned to provide these solutions and, in doing so, contribute meaningfully to the many and varied businesses operating in our cities."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About KDDI Corporation

Created in 1953 at the initiative of the Japanese government to develop the international network from Japan, KDDI Group operates at various levels in the field of telecommunications and is now present in more than 60 cities and 100 locations around the world. KDDI deployed major international infrastructures, including its Global Network, a digitized proprietary network including optic-fibre and linking Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. With a customer portfolio of over 50 million subscribers in Japan, KDDI offers cell phone services, network services and IT solutions to its global customers. For more information visit: https://www.kddi.com/english/

About Telehouse

Telehouse is a leading global data centre service provider under KDDI group, bringing together more than 3,000 business partners including carriers, mobile and content providers, enterprises, cloud providers and financial services companies. Established in 1989, Telehouse provides reliable, secure, and flexible colocation, enabling organisations to accelerate speed to market and create business opportunities through fast, efficient and secure interconnections. For more information visit: https://www.telehouse.net/

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Columbus, Ohio--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Better For You Wellness, Inc. (OTCQB: BFYW), an Ohio plant-based and science-focused wellness company, announced the participation of Stephen Letourneau, Chief Branding Officer and Director of Better For You Wellness, in a panel discussion at the highly anticipated 11th annual Organic Spa Media Experience Wellness & Travel Media Event 2023. The event will occur on Friday, June 23, at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.

Recognized as the foremost authority in wellness travel, clean beauty, and natural lifestyle, Organic Spa Media has invited Letourneau to be a panelist in their discussion titled "The CBD Conversation." Joining him on the panel are esteemed thought leaders Anne Biging, co-founder and CEO of Healing Hotels of the World; Sarah Mirsini, Founder of MaSK Skincare; and Antonia Schreiber, owner of The Windham Spa. Jed Wexler, Executive Director of Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference, will be the event's moderator.

This panel promises to offer valuable insights into the synergy between various sectors, such as clean beauty, food, and beverage, as complementary amenities for wellness hotels and resorts. Stephen Letourneau, a trailblazer in luxury skincare and canna wellness, has been at the forefront of incorporating plant-based ingredients into the wellness industry. From spearheading one of the largest hemp CBD nationwide retail launches in 2019 to participating in global discussions on hemp's role in wellness, Letourneau has consistently demonstrated his expertise in this field.

"I am thrilled to discuss the ever-evolving role of CBD as an ingredient in the luxury wellness space, spanning skincare to food and beverage," shared Mr. Letourneau. "As spas and resorts strive to provide exceptional experiences to their guests, it is crucial for those of us developing premium and luxury consumer packaged goods in wellness to surpass their expectations."

Organic Spa Media, Ltd., the leading Wellness, lifestyle, and travel authority since 2007, organizes the annual Media Experience Wellness & Travel Media Event. This remarkable gathering connects hotels, resorts, spas, and wellness brands with retailers and renowned international media outlets such as Travel + Leisure, Parade Magazine, Oprah Daily, and Destination Deluxe.

Letourneau considers the Organic Spa symposium a premier networking event, offering an opportunity to connect with hotels, resorts, spas, and other wellness brands and retailers. He aims to discuss Better For You Wellness's exceptional clean beauty lines and the soon-to-be-acquired functional beverage line, the Stephen James Curated Coffee Collection.

-30-





Stephen Letourneau, Chief Branding Officer, Better for You Wellness, Inc.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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About Better For You Wellness:

Better For You Wellness, Inc. (OTCQB: BFYW) is an Ohio-based plant-based and science-focused wellness company dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative products that enhance well-being and promote a balanced lifestyle. Better For You Wellness is leading the way in the wellness industry with a solid commitment to clean beauty and natural ingredients. Learn more at https://BFYW.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results may vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions, or other future performance suggested in this press release. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed with SEC (https://www.sec.gov/).

Contact:

Better For You Wellness, Inc.

Ian James, CEO

investors@bfyw.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170692
French Rapper Naps' MV Showcases Crypto Exchange KuCoin A Game-Changing Partnership Elevating Crypto from Geek to Mass Adoption in Pop Music!

In honor of World Music Day on June 21st, we celebrate the powerful alliance between cryptocurrency and rap culture, as demonstrated by the collaboration between KuCoin, a top global cryptocurrency exchange, and French rapper Naps. This partnership highlights the growing influence of crypto in the pop culture scene, particularly in France, where Naps' latest music video featuring KuCoin's brand placement has gone viral, amassing over 7.5 million views and sparking a new cultural phenomenon.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621499556/en/

Happy world Music Day 2023 KuCoin and French Rapper Naps Merge Crypto and Rap Culture with Viral Smash "C'est carre le S," Attracting 7.5 Million Views (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Evolution of Crypto and Rap Collaborations

The fusion of crypto and rap music videos can be traced back to the early days of Bitcoin's rise in popularity. Rap artists, known for their avant-garde approach and exploration of emerging trends, quickly embraced the potential of cryptocurrencies. In 2013, rapper 50 Cent famously became one of the first artists to accept Bitcoin as payment for his album, recognizing its disruptive nature and aligning it with his own brand.

Rap music, originating from marginalized communities and serving as a platform for expressing social issues and inequality, found common ground with cryptocurrencies, which promised financial inclusivity and challenged traditional financial systems. In this ever-evolving creator economy, artists worldwide are discovering innovative ways to connect with their audiences and redefine their creative journeys. The rising interest in cryptocurrencies has led numerous talented musicians to delve into new opportunities for financial growth and artistic expression by incorporating crypto investments and themes into their work. As the Web3 movement gains momentum, creators are now embracing a more equitable ecosystem that empowers them to take control of their own destinies.

Crypto and Pop Music Collaboration in France

On World Music Day, we recognize the growing presence of crypto in French pop culture, as exemplified by Naps' latest music video subtly integrating KuCoin's brand placement. This collaboration reflects the global popularity of cryptocurrencies and resonates deeply within the societal context of France, where rap music serves as a powerful voice for the disenfranchised.

The Future Role of Crypto in French Culture

The collaboration between crypto and rap culture in France opens up exciting possibilities for the future. With cryptocurrencies gaining mainstream recognition, they have the potential to become a catalyst for positive change within the cultural scene, empowering artists and communities and challenging existing power structures.

The convergence of crypto and rap culture represents a profound shift in the cultural and financial landscape, exemplifying the power of collaboration between seemingly disparate realms. In France, the integration of cryptocurrencies within pop music, exemplified by Naps' music video, serves as a mirror to the country's societal challenges and the spirit of the rap movement.

As the influence of crypto continues to grow, its impact on the cultural scene in France will become increasingly pronounced. By empowering artists and communities and challenging existing power structures, cryptocurrencies have the potential to reshape the future of both finance and culture, ushering in a new era of inclusion and creative expression.

Crypto Making A Comeback in French Pop Music

KuCoin's notable appearance in the music video of the hit single "C'est carre le S ' by renowned French rapper Naps, featuring Gazo and Ninho, showcases the evolving relationship between the crypto industry and pop culture. The song, which debuted in the first week of May, swiftly soared to the top of France's SNEP Top Singles chart, captivating listeners with its infectious beats and captivating lyrics.

"The collaboration between KuCoin and Naps demonstrates the growing synergy between crypto and popular culture, reflecting the increasing acceptance and adoption of digital assets worldwide across all kinds of investors," said KuCoin, Managing Director, Alicia Kao."KuCoin's appearance in this high-profile music video highlights our commitment to innovation and our ability to connect with a diverse range of individuals across cultural boundaries. As the 'People's Exchange,' we strive to provide a seamless platform for people from all walks of life to engage with digital assets, empowering them to explore the possibilities of the digital financial ecosystem. By supporting the creator economy, we believe that bear markets present opportunities to build stronger communities and foster innovation in the crypto space."

To further engage with their users on World Music Day, KuCoin is launching a crypto meme contest on their social media where users stand a chance to share 1,000 USDT by creating funny crypto-themed memes using any scene in Naps' music video. More details are available on KuCoin's Twitter and Instagram.

For more information about KuCoin and its services, please visit www.kucoin.com.

About KuCoin

Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community action reach, it offers over 700 digital assets and currently provides spot trading, margin trading, P2P fiat trading, futures trading, staking, and lending to its 27 million users in 207 countries and regions.

In 2022, KuCoin raised over $150 million in investments through a pre-Series B round, bringing total investments to $170 million with Round A combined, at a total valuation of $10 billion. KuCoin is currently one of the top 5 crypto exchanges according to CoinMarketCap. Forbes also named KuCoin one of the Best Crypto Exchanges in 2023. In 2022, The Ascent named KuCoin the Best Crypto App for enthusiasts.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621499556/en/

Contacts:

For media inquiries, please contact: media@kucoin.com
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Canada's recent wildfires have already scorched about 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres), serving as a wake-up call for heightened attention to wildfire preparedness.

In recent years, the United States also has experienced record-breaking wildfire seasons, with an average of 22,946 wildfires per year between 2013 and 2022. In 2021 alone, the state of California had 9,260 fires, making it the first of the top 10 states with the most wildfires. The below chart shows the rest nine states:

Top 10 States For Wildfires Ranked By Number Of Fires And By Number Of Acres Burned, 2021 Rank State Number of fires Rank State Number of acres burned 1 California 9,260 1 California 2,233,666 2 Texas 5,576 2 Oregon 828,777 3 North Carolina 5,151 3 Montana 747,678 4 Montana 2,573 4 Washington 674,222 5 Florida 2,262 5 Arizona 524,428 6 Oregon 2,202 6 Idaho 439,600 7 Georgia 2,139 7 Alaska 253,357 8 Minnesota 2,065 8 Texas 168,258 9 Washington 1,863 9 Kansas 163,982 10 Arizona 1,773 10 New Mexico 123,792 Source: National Interagency Fire Center.

Nearly 45 million homes are adjacent to or intermingled with wildlands, putting over 72,000 U.S. communities at risk.

Preparing for wildfires is critical to ensuring the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your property. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to take before, during, and after a wildfire to reduce risk and ensure safety.

Preparing Before a Wildfire

1. Stay Informed

To prepare for wildfires, it is important to understand the risks in your area. Stay up to date on local weather conditions and fire danger levels.

Local news media, emergency management agencies, and official social media will always provide accurate information. Follow them and check the news regularly. Consider signing up for emergency alerts and notifications from your local government or fire department. Familiarize yourself with nearby evacuation routes and community gathering points.

2. Prepare an Emergency Kit

In times of crisis, there is little time to prepare. That's why it is important to have an emergency kit readily available. Your kit should include essentials such as nonperishable food, drinking water, medications, first aid, a flashlight, batteries, battery-powered radio, and important documents. Additionally, you should include personal protection items like N95 masks and goggles for toxic smoke handling. Keep your emergency kit in a fireproof and easily accessible place.

Invest in a portable power station like BLUETTI's EB series (EB3A, EB55, EB70S) if you have a lot of devices that need to be charged. These lightweight power stations offer ample power and multiple outlets, ensuring your devices stay powered during an emergency. For long-term emergencies, BLUETTI's AC200 series (AC200P, AC200MAX) and portable solar panels, such as PV120S and PV200, can meet your basic power needs for off-grid living in small cabins.

3. Develop an Emergency Plan

Wildfires can spread rapidly without warning. Making a detailed evacuation plan for your family can save lives in critical situations. Practice multiple evacuation routes with your family and designate a meeting place outside the danger area where you can unite if separated. Don't forget to make evacuation plans for your pets, as they are also part of your family.

4. Protect Your Home

Even if your home is far from a fire, flying embers can travel up to a mile and ignite your property. Take measures to protect your home by reducing highly combustible materials, such as wood and plant debris. Consider retrofitting parts of your home with embers and flame-resistant materials and coatings. Clean chimneys and fireplaces regularly to prevent the accumulation of combustible debris.

Moreover, ensure your house number is clearly visible from the street for the convenience of emergency personnel. If possible, set up an outside source of water for firefighting purposes, such as a swimming pool, pond, or water tank.

5. Prepare a Home Backup Power Source

While you live far from wildfire-prone areas, you are still vulnerable to associated preventative power shutoffs and subsequent power outages due to a disrupted utility grid. You may expect extended blackouts that can last for days or even weeks. A reliable home backup power source is essential for households. BLUETTI's AC300+B300, AC500+B300S, and EP900+B500 provide flexible backup power for various homes. With high outputs and capacities, these modular power stations can charge any home appliance. For example, the AC300 can deliver up to 3,000W power and expand its capacity to a max 12,288Wh with B300 batteries. An AC300+B300 combo can run an 800W refrigerator for about 3 hours, and a 40W CPAP machine for over 65 hours. Using BLUETTI's PV350 and PV420 solar panels, you can charge these powerhouses to get you through the outages in comfort.



What to Do During a Wildfire

If a wildfire breaks out near your home, immediately follow evacuation orders and leave the area as directed by authorities. Take your prepackaged supplies, including your BLUETTI backup power source, to sustain you for several days. Do not attempt to return until it is officially declared safe.

If you find yourself trapped or unable to evacuate, close all doors and windows to prevent embers from entering your home. Find a safe place indoors, away from windows. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth or blanket to avoid inhaling smoke. Cool down and listen to the radio and stay in contact with the outside while waiting for rescue.

What to Do After a Wildfire

Once the wildfire is contained, wait for official clearance to make sure it is safe to return. Check for any remaining hot spots or hazards, such as unstable structures or downed power lines, which could pose a risk.

Contact your insurance company to report the situation and initiate the claims process. Document the damage with photos or video to support your claim.

To restore power in case of downed lines or an unstable grid, use your BLUETTI power solutions. The AC200 series and EB series power stations can provide emergency backup power for essential equipment and devices, ensuring you have the power you need during the recovery process.

Wildfires can be devastating, but by taking proactive measures, staying informed, and having the right tools, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure your safety.

About BLUETTI

BLUETTI has been committed to promoting sustainability and green energy solutions since its inception. By offering eco-friendly energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use, BLUETTI aims to provide exceptional experiences for our homes while also contributing to a sustainable future for our planet. This commitment to sustainable energy has helped BLUETTI expand its reach to over 100 countries and gain the trust of millions of customers worldwide.

Media Contact:

Amanda Yan

Integrated Marketing for BLUETTI

pr@bluetti.com

+8615013559696

SOURCE: BLUETTI

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762685/A-Comprehensive-Guide-How-to-Prepare-for-Handle-and-Recover-from-Wildfires
VIENNA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium Vienna coffee roaster, Julius Meinl, has announced award-winning pastry chef and author, Antonio Bachour, as its Global Brand Ambassador.

The partnership is driven by the shared values between Julius Meinl and Antonio Bachour, including a deep passion for exceptional taste, a common vision to create meaningful moments in people's lives, and a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Renowned for his hyper-creative desserts, Antonio Bachour has won numerous awards, has been named one of the best pastry chefs in the United States, and has received the Best Pastry Chef in the World Award from the prestigious Best Chefs Foundation, the world's leading culinary award platform.

Antonio Bachour, who speaks with excitement about becoming an ambassador for one of the oldest coffee roasters in the world, stated: "I have chosen this coffee brand because Julius Meinl embodies tradition, elegance and a long-standing culture with social and environmental responsibility. It's a trusted brand with a strong reputation that shares the same values as me, one of the most important being the contentment of offering people moments of pure enjoyment and happiness through our food and drinks. To stand here as an ambassador is an absolute pleasure."

Commenting on this collaboration, Razvan Talpau, Managing Director at Julius Meinl North America, said: "We are extremely honoured to partner with Antonio Bachour and be part of the unwavering pursuit of excellence and extraordinary creativity that delight the most discerning tastes. By combining our expertise and passion for coffee with Antonio's innovative approach to flavours, we can offer a truly exceptional experience to our customers. The fact that we stand in a position to be able to collaborate with someone who shares and recognises all that Julius Meinl stands for is truly humbling."

Antonio, who has been proudly serving Julius Meinl coffee in his award-winning pastry shop in Miami, has chosen to introduce an Original Bio & Fairtrade certified Coffee Blend this fall, which he highly appreciates: "Every extraordinary creation begins with the finest ingredients. Julius Meinl's 'The Originals Blend Gloriette Gold' embodies the perfect harmony of exceptional aromas and premium quality, and will pair exceptionally well with my desserts."

As part of his collaboration with the Vienna Coffeehouse Brand, Antonio will showcase the exceptional synergies by promoting the partnership in relevant channels, developing special projects and bespoke creations, as well as attending key events, including Host Milano.

About Julius Meinl: Founded in 1862, Julius Meinl is one of the oldest coffee roasters in the world and an iconic Vienna coffee house brand. Today Meinl coffees and teas are sold in over 50,000 hospitality venues in 70 countries.

About Antonio Bachour: Throughout his career, Antonio has been associated with globally renowned hotels and patisseries, including overseeing the St. Regis in Miami, and the dessert programs for 3* Michelin Chef Jean Georges' outlets at the hotel. His success has resulted in him opening four bakeries and publishing six books.

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HAIFA, Israel, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd (NYSE: ZIM) announced today the expansion of its partnership with cross-border trade financing platform 40Seas , integrating the 40Seas' flexible digital financing solution via ZIM's website as well as Ship4wd 's , ZIM's award-winning digital freight forwarding subsidiary.

The expanded collaboration demonstrates ZIM's commitment to transforming traditional shipping practices into the digital era and enhancing customers' choices by providing them with a seamless digital experience to allow them faster and cheaper access to capital to meet their credit needs. This new service will be rolled out gradually starting in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and Australia, with additional countries added over time.

With 40Seas' flexible digital financing solution integrated into ZIM and Ship4wd, customers will be able to defer payment for freight charges for a maximum period of 90 days from the invoice date, as well as leverage 40Seas credit line to finance cargo, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.

Against a backdrop of macroeconomic volatility and rising capital costs, SMEs engaged in global commerce are struggling to protect cash flow and drive profits. ZIM and 40Seas aim to support SME importers and exporters to bridge this financial gap. By pioneering the 'Ship Now, Pay Later' concept, 40Seas enables exporters to get paid immediately upon shipment, while providing importers with deferred payment options allowing them to boost business growth during the sale cycle without tying up available lines of credit.

ZIM participated in 40Seas' $11 million seed funding round earlier this year and also provided 40Seas with a credit facility of up to $100 million for expanding its business to exporters and importers.

Eli Glickman, ZIM President & CEO, said: "We are pleased to expand our partnership with 40Seas, which continues to underscore our commitment to providing the most customer-centric service experience, with an embedded solution that will transform the way our global clients access financing, while developing additional streams of revenue that complement our core shipping business. ZIM and 40Seas are firmly aligned on championing digital innovation in the shipping industry, and together, we look forward to pushing boundaries and eradicating financing-related impediments to global commerce."

Eyal Moldovan, 40Seas Co-founder and CEO, said: "We're delighted to expand our partnership with ZIM, a market leader that has supported our mission since day one. By combining forces on a trade finance platform like 40Seas, a major carrier like ZIM, and a dynamic digital freight forwarder like Ship4wd, we can make serious headway in the transformation of the global logistics landscape. Additionally, ZIM's extensive cross-border trade expertise, strong market position and close ties with ecosystem players, will be invaluable as we accelerate our global expansion."

ZIM's Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, as this term is defined in Section 27E of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "will," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "strive," "seek," "plan," "could," "may," "foresee," "target," "objective," "goal," declensions thereof and similar expressions typically convey forward-looking statements, but these words are not the only words that convey these statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current knowledge and our present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including potential, business, credit, operational and other risks relating to the expansion of the collaboration between ZIM and 40Seas as described in this press release. Actual results and events may defer from these forward-looking statements, including materially.

About ZIM

Founded in Israel in 1945, ZIM (NYSE: ZIM) is a leading global container liner shipping company with established operations in more than 90 countries serving approximately 34,000 customers in over 300 ports worldwide. ZIM leverages digital strategies and a commitment to ESG values to provide customers innovative seaborne transportation and logistics services and exceptional customer experience. ZIM's differentiated global-niche strategy, based on agile fleet management and deployment, covers major trade routes with a focus on select markets where the company holds competitive advantages. Additional information about ZIM is available at www.ZIM.com .

About 40Seas

40Seas is a fintech platform for cross-border trade financing that is tailored to SMEs engaged in global commerce. By leveraging data-driven technology, the company can offer flexible payment options that are primed to disrupt legacy trade-financing solutions, and make it faster, cheaper and easier for supply chain players - importers, exporters, freight forwarders and sourcing agencies - to access working capital. Visit www.40seas.com to learn more.

ZIM contacts

Media :

Avner Shats

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.

+972-4-865-2520

shats.avner@zim.com

Investor Relations :

Elana Holzman

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.

+972-4-865-2300

holzman.elana@zim.com

Leon Berman

The IGB Group

212-477-8438

lberman@igbir.com

40Seas contacts

Nicole Lombardo

Caliber Corporate Advisers

+1-631-357-9593

nicole@calibercorporate.com

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Highlights

Total transactions processed per day increased from 95M in 2022 to 490M in 2023, representing a 415% increase YoY

The network averages over 5,500 transactions per second (TPS)

The number of nodes in the network increased from 519 in 2022 to 1235 in 2023, representing a 181% increase YoY

Over 3TB of data stored in smart contracts

ZURICH, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Internet Computer, a fully decentralized, third-generation blockchain and cloud infrastructure, recently celebrated its two-year anniversary, marking another year of exponential growth and development. With a relentless pursuit of innovation, the Internet Computer has propelled groundbreaking advancements in decentralized cloud computing, solidifying its position as a leader in the transition to, and adoption of, web3.

DFINITY Foundation is a major contributor to the Internet Computer blockchain and is dedicated to democratizing the development of the open internet and removing control from centralized entities. With its scalable and secure infrastructure, the Internet Computer has gained widespread recognition for its transformative impact on the web3 ecosystem. The Internet Computer has continually pushed the boundaries of what is possible, enabling developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dapps) directly on the network.

Dominic Williams, Founder and Chief Scientist of the DFINITY Foundation, commented on the anniversary, "Our mission is to build a new generation of the Internet that is open, secure, and owned by the community. The Internet Computer unlocks the potential for decentralized applications and services that are not possible on any other network. The Internet Computer has brought the industry closer to blockchain singularity - every system and service is rebuilt and reimagined using smart contracts and runs entirely from the infinite public blockchain without the need for traditional IT."

Led by visionary Dominic Williams, the Internet Computer witnessed remarkable growth over the past year, revolutionizing the way developers and users interact with the Internet. As of May 2023, the Internet Computer processed half a billion transactions per day and its novel smart contract approach, called canisters, now contains 3.7 TB of data.

In December 2022, the Internet Computer integrated with the Bitcoin blockchain, enabling the Internet Computer to act similarly to a Layer 2 for Bitcoin. Smart contracts on the Internet Computer can hold, send, and receive Bitcoin natively, without having to trust wrapped Bitcoin from centralized bridging services. The Internet Computer will also integrate with the Ethereum blockchain to create decentralized front-ends and data processing for Ethereum dApps, as well as improved multi-chain DeFi.

Last month the Internet Computer generated its 2 billionth block, a milestone number that speaks to the scalability of the Internet Computer and its development relative to other platforms. At present, the Bitcoin blockchain has less than 800 thousand blocks, Ethereum less than 15.5 million, and Solana less than 200 million.

Notable Accomplishments

The average TPS of the Internet Computer increased from ~2400 in 2022 to ~5600 in 2023, representing a 136% increase YoY

Data stored in the Internet Computer's canisters increased from 928 GB in 2022 to 3,160 GB in 2023, representing a 240% increase YoY

The number of canisters has increased from 63,359 in 2022 to 277,100 in 2023, representing a 337% increase YoY

The Internet Computer integrated the Bitcoin blockchain at the protocol level

The Internet Computer has experienced no downtime since launch

"I am incredibly proud of the milestones the Internet Computer has achieved in such a short time," continued Williams. "The Internet Computer provides thousands of developers with a powerful and secure platform to build the next generation of applications. We believe in the potential of the Internet Computer to reshape the Internet as we know it, and we are committed to scaling its capabilities, fostering inclusivity, and strengthening our community."

The DFINITY Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to drive the advancement of a decentralized internet. The Foundation has issued over 250 developer grants since the genesis of the Internet Computer and will continue to collaborate with innovators in the industry to promote transparency and accessibility in the digital landscape.

About the DFINITY Foundation

The DFINITY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization comprised of leading cryptographers, computer scientists and experts in distributed computing. With a mission to shift cloud computing into a fully decentralized state, the Foundation leveraged its experience to create the Internet Computer and currently operates as a major contributor to the network.

About the Internet Computer

The Internet Computer (ICP) is a fully decentralized web3 cloud platform that allows developers to deploy code directly to the blockchain without the need for servers or other centralized infrastructure. The fast, low-cost and easily scalable protocol establishes a new paradigm for how a decentralized web3 platform truly operates. ICP provides the same functionality as centralized clouds but with cost-efficient computation, enhanced security, and high processing speeds native to decentralized technology.

Media Contact

Aaron Dodd

aaron.dodd@dfinity.org

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Reported quarterly diluted earnings per share of $0.45

AGF reported its 11th consecutive quarter of positive mutual fund sales reporting net sales of $77 million

Quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share

TORONTO, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AGF Management Limited (AGF or the Company) (TSX: AGF.B) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2023.

AGF reported total assets under management and fee-earning assets1 of $41.2 billion compared to $41.9 billion as at February 28, 2023 and $40.3 billion as at May 31, 2022.

"Today we are seeing the results of our collective teams' efforts and we have made significant progress against our strategic imperatives," said Kevin McCreadie, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, AGF. "We remain focused on the continued diversification of our business including the build out of our private markets platform, AGF Private Capital, and the onboarding of new clients across all channels."

AGF's mutual fund gross sales were $819 million for the quarter compared to $818 million in the comparative period. Mutual fund net sales were $77 million compared to $132 million in the comparative period, marking the 11th consecutive quarter of positive net sales. AGF's sales have continued to outpace the industry. During the quarter, the industry2 reported net redemptions, while AGF mutual funds remained in net sales.

"Given current market volatility and industry pace, we are pleased with the continued success of our sales strategy," said Judy Goldring, President and Head of Global Distribution, AGF. "The solid execution of our sales strategy has allowed us to diversify and expand our client base and focus on evolving our product offerings and varying product structures to provide access to our investment capabilities in multiple ways to meet their unique needs."

"We continue to take a thoughtful approach to expense management, focusing on maintaining core expenses while also recognizing the importance of investing in our strategic growth areas including rewarding employees who contribute to the acceleration of our sales strategy and deliver investment outperformance, "added McCreadie.

Key Business Highlights:

AGF announced the appointment of industry veteran Ken Tsang to the position of Chief Financial Officer. He is a respected and seasoned leader with nearly 30 years of experience as a strategic finance and corporate development leader in Financial Services.

As part of an ongoing product review and AGF's commitment to ensuring its lineup is responsive to market trends and regulatory changes, while also delivering competitive pricing, AGF Investments Inc. announced a host of product-related updates (https://www.agf.com/ca/en/newsroom/all-news/press-releases/2023-05-25-agf-announces-pricing-changes-preliminary-prospectus-filings-for-new-funds-and-select-fund-series-closures.jsp) to its Canadian lineup, including selective pricing changes, preliminary prospectus filings for new funds and select fund/series closures.

(https://www.agf.com/ca/en/newsroom/all-news/press-releases/2023-05-25-agf-announces-pricing-changes-preliminary-prospectus-filings-for-new-funds-and-select-fund-series-closures.jsp) to its Canadian lineup, including selective pricing changes, preliminary prospectus filings for new funds and select fund/series closures. AGF's separately managed accounts (SMA) business continued to gain momentum over the quarter as the firm onboarded a sustainable investment strategy onto the U.S. SMA platform of a large global wealth management firm.

The firm relocated its Boston office to 99 High Street. The expanded space will deliver the same seamless in-office and at-home working experience offered to employees at CIBC SQUARE and AGF's other locations while supporting the continued build-out of AGF's U.S. business.

Financial Highlights:

Total net revenue was $95.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023, compared to $82.7 million in the prior year. The increase was influenced by higher income on Private Capital long-term investments, which can be variable quarter to quarter and impacted by the timing of monetizations and cash distributions.

Selling, general and administrative costs were $53.0 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023, compared to $47.3 million in 2022. The year-over-year increase in SG&A was impacted by higher incentive compensation as a result of our track record of investment outperformance and the successful execution of our sales strategy, which is to increase our presence in the investment dealer channel. In addition, the increase incorporates strategic investments made into the business to support our growth plan, including Private Capital, as well as increases driven by the market environment. AGF is committed to being an employer of choice, which means looking at responsible practices and initiatives to attract, develop and reward employees.

EBITDA before commissions for the three months ended May 31, 2023, was $42.8 million, compared to $35.4 million in the prior year comparative period.

Net income for the three months ended May 31, 2023, was $30.3 million ($0.45 diluted EPS), compared to $10.1 million ($0.14 diluted EPS) in the prior year comparative period.

1 Fee-earning assets represents assets in which AGF has carried interest ownership and earns recurring fees but does not have ownership interest in the managers. 2 Total long-term mutual funds in the Canadian mutual funds industry per Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC).

Three months ended Six months ended May 31, February 28, May 31, May 31, May 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share data) 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenues Management, advisory and administration fees $ 109.8 $ 106.8 $ 111.0 $ 216.6 $ 223.6 Trailing commissions and investment advisory fees (34.1) (33.8) (34.8) (67.9) (70.4) Net management, advisory and administration fees1 $ 75.7 $ 73.0 $ 76.2 $ 148.7 $ 153.2 Deferred sales charges 2.1 1.8 2.1 3.9 3.6 Share of profit (loss) of joint ventures 0.8 0.3 (0.2) 1.1 (0.8) Other income from fee-earning arrangements 0.9 0.7 0.7 1.6 1.5 Fair value adjustments and other income 16.3 4.3 3.9 20.6 14.5 Total net revenue1 95.8 80.1 82.7 175.9 172.0 Selling, general and administrative 53.0 53.0 47.3 106.0 96.6 Deferred selling commissions - - 17.8 - 37.1 EBITDA before commissions1 42.8 27.1 35.4 69.9 75.4 EBITDA1 42.8 27.1 17.6 69.9 38.3 Net income 30.3 17.6 10.1 47.9 23.0 Diluted earnings per share 0.45 0.26 0.14 0.71 0.32 Free cash flow1 19.8 19.3 12.3 39.1 25.6 Dividends per share 0.11 0.10 0.10 0.21 0.19

(end of period) Three months ended May 31, February 28, November 30, August 31, May 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars) 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022 Mutual fund assets under management (AUM)2 $ 23,631 $ 24,029 $ 23,898 $ 22,496 $ 22,849 Institutional, sub-advisory and ETF accounts AUM 8,276 8,439 8,440 7,860 8,039 Total AGF Investments AUM 31,907 32,468 32,338 30,356 30,888 AGF Private Wealth AUM 7,162 7,324 7,349 7,072 7,279 AGF Private Capital AUM 48 54 55 60 58 Total AUM $ 39,117 $ 39,846 $ 39,742 $ 37,488 $ 38,225 AGF Private Capital fee-earning assets3 2,087 2,082 2,077 2,067 2,052 Total AUM and fee-earning assets3 $ 41,204 $ 41,928 $ 41,819 $ 39,555 $ 40,277 Net mutual fund sales2 77 221 251 51 132 Average daily mutual fund AUM2 24,017 23,782 22,504 22,207 23,183

1 Net management, advisory and administration fees, total net revenue, EBITDA before commissions, EBITDA, and free cash flow are not standardized measures prescribed by IFRS. The Company utilizes non-IFRS measures to assess our overall performance and facilitate a comparison of quarterly and full-year results from period to period. They allow us to assess our investment management business without the impact of non-operational items. These non-IFRS measures may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other companies. These non-IFRS measures and reconciliations to IFRS, where necessary, are included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis available at www.agf.com (http://www.agf.com) . 2 Mutual fund AUM includes retail AUM, pooled fund AUM and institutional client AUM invested in customized series offered within mutual funds. 3 Fee-earning assets represents assets in which AGF has carried interest ownership and earns recurring fees but does not have ownership interest in the managers.

For further information and detailed financial statements for the second quarter ended May 31, 2023, including Management's Discussion and Analysis, which contains discussions of non-IFRS measures, please refer to AGF's website at www.agf.com under 'About AGF' and 'Investor Relations' and at www.sedar.com .

Conference Call

AGF will host a conference call to review its earnings results today at 11 a.m. ET.

The live audio webcast with supporting materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of AGF's website at www.agf.comor at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wpgusrjc . Alternatively, the call can be accessed over the phone by registering hereor in the Investor Relations section of AGF's website at www.agf.com, to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN.

A complete archive of this discussion along with supporting materials will be available at the same webcast address within 24 hours of the end of the conference call.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm delivering excellence in investing in the public and private markets through its three distinct business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Private Capital and AGF Private Wealth.

AGF brings a disciplined approach focused on providing an exceptional client experience and incorporating sound responsible and sustainable practices. The firm's investment solutions, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With over $41 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 800,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

AGF Management Limited shareholders, analysts and media, please contact:

Courtney Learmont

Vice-President, Finance

647-253-6804, InvestorRelations@agf.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements about the Company, including its business operations, strategy and expected financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as 'expects,' 'estimates,' 'anticipates,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes' or negative versions thereof and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'would' and 'could.' In addition, any statement that may be made concerning future financial performance (including income, revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, fund performance, and possible future action on our part, is also a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including expected growth, results of operations, business prospects, business performance and opportunities. While we consider these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to, among other things, risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our operations, economic factors and the financial services industry generally. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us due to, but not limited to, important risk factors such as level of assets under our management, volume of sales and redemptions of our investment products, performance of our investment funds and of our investment managers and advisors, client-driven asset allocation decisions, pipeline, competitive fee levels for investment management products and administration, and competitive dealer compensation levels and cost efficiency in our investment management operations, as well as general economic, political and market factors in North America and internationally, interest and foreign exchange rates, global equity and capital markets, business competition, taxation, changes in government regulations, unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings, technological changes, cybersecurity, the possible effects of war or terrorist activities, outbreaks of disease or illness that affect local, national or international economies (such as COVID-19), natural disasters and disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply or other catastrophic events, and our ability to complete strategic transactions and integrate acquisitions, and attract and retain key personnel. We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than specifically required by applicable laws, we are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors that may impact actual results, please refer to the 'Risk Factors and Management of Risk' section of the 2022 Annual MD&A.
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) - The White House has urged U.S. drug manufacturers who currently have FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medication products to increase access and affordability of these life-saving medicines to the public. The call was made at a meeting convened by the Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta. White House Domestic Policy Council Advisor Neera Tanden, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon also attended the meeting. They underscored the critical role manufacturers play in an effort to help end the overdose crisis facing the United States. The officials also called on manufacturers to take robust actions in support of the Biden administration's guiding principles, which include that no one who needs overdose reversal medications should lack access because of costs or availability. They explained that the Biden administraion's policy also includes that at-risk communities should be saturated with these medications to reduce fatality rates, organizations serving high-risk individuals should not need to ration these medications, and that public health agencies need timely data on distribution and gaps in access. The drug manufacturers that attended the meeting include Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aptar Pharma/AptarGroup, Inc., Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., Indivior, PLC, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, PLC, Padagis, LLC, Pfizer, Inc., eva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd and U.S. WorldMeds, LLC. 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.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Webster Bank:

Originally published in Webster Bank's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report

Social Supply Chain

We began building our new Supplier Diversity program in 2022, integrating diversity and inclusion into our procurement process by laying a strong foundation with key internal and external stakeholders.

We developed policies, practices and procedures to ensure equal opportunity and enable access. As part of OCR, Supplier Diversity progress is reported to the Corporate Responsibility Committee (C-suite executives), which in turn reports to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.

As part of this effort, Webster partnered with a number of organizations that support women- and minority-owned businesses in New England and New York. Membership in these groups provided valuable opportunities to develop relationships and learn best practices. We've been able to increase our visibility in this space by participating in supplier diversity matchmaker events and other external initiatives that promote opportunities for diverse vendors.

Internally, we are working to align our processes and lower barriers to entry by fine-tuning the onboarding process for low-risk vendors. We also developed colleague training to emphasize the important role our colleagues play in making the new Supplier Diversity program a success. We will support this with internal "road shows" across the footprint in 2023. The new Webster Supplier Diversity page went live in 2022, and an online vendor portal is scheduled for 2023.

Access to Capital

Webster believes strongly in empowering people and strengthening communities by expanding access to capital through support for:

Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs)

Finance affordable housing, community facilities and small businesses.

Community Development Corporations (CDCs)

Focus on revitalizing the areas in which they are located; typically, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment.

SBICs and SBA-certified development corporations

Help grow small businesses, especially Minority- and Womenowned Business Enterprises.

Small Business

We understand the challenges that small business owners face and we work with them to find the right products and services to meet their needs.

In 2022, Webster was:

Recognized as the Top 7(a) Lender of the Year in both Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Named Top Third-Party Lender of the Year (504 loans) by the Connecticut District of the U.S. Small Business Association.

Ranked among the Top 100 Most Active SBA 7(a) Lenders in the country for the 2022 fiscal year.

Webster Connect Checking

In 2022, we were pleased to introduce Webster Connect Checking. This product provides unbanked and underbanked clients with financial services with limited fees to help them save, grow and access their money in a reliable way.

Webster Connect was launched in the New York metro area in late 2022, and it will be offered across all Webster locations by mid-2023.

This product has been certified by the Cities for Financial Empowerment for meeting the Bank On National Account Standards for 2023-2024. Bank On collaborates with financial institutions to provide clients with account options that meet safety and affordability standards.

To learn more about Webster Bank's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit our CR webpage.

For full details about Webster Bank's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report, visit here.



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Webster Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Webster Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/webster-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Webster Bank

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762701/Webster-Bank-Corporate-Responsibility-Report-Social-Supply-Chain
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Bruder Healthcare, a Hilco Vision Company, and a leading provider of eye care products including the #1 doctor-recommended Bruder moist heat eye compress, announced an eye care industry distribution agreement with Tallahassee, Florida-based AllerFocus for its Percutaneous Allergy Test, an easy-to-use, pain-free, needle-free allergy screening for 78 of the most common airborne and environmental allergens. Since one in three individuals suffer from eye allergies, the need for an allergy test to determine possible impact on eye irritation is important. Patients suffering from eye-related allergies can experience watery eyes, itchiness, sensitivity to light, redness, and grittiness like the symptoms individuals experience with dry eye.

Mary Jackson, AllerFocus, and Brent Jones, Bruder Healthcare

Mary Jackson, AllerFocus, and Brent Jones, Bruder Healthcare

With dry eye disease being a multifactorial condition, Bruder was looking to add diagnostic help for eye doctors. "AllerFocus marks a significant addition to Bruder's comprehensive line of eye care products, adding a crucial diagnostic solution for eye doctors in their treatment of patients," said Brent Jones, General Manager of Bruder Healthcare and Global Head of Dry Eye at parent company Hilco Vision.

Why It's Crucial

One in four adults have seasonal allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that can affect the eyes. U.S. Pharmacist reported that allergic conjunctivitis, one of the most common ocular allergies, affects up to 30% of the general population. "The chances are significant that some eye complications are caused by allergies. AllerFocus enables doctors to discover if pollen, animal dander, dust mites, grasses, mold spores or other environmental airborne antigens are to blame," said Mary Jackson, founder of AllerFocus.

What It Includes

AllerFocus relies exclusively on skin contact to identify which allergens cause skin reactions. Doctors receive a supply of the 78 allergens (shipped cold), dip well tray sets and storage containers, 10-prong sterile testing applicators, measurement tool, and documents, including an allergy health assessment form, test prep card for patients, test signature forms, and color-coded test report form, plus marketing materials in English and Spanish. An allergen description book and allergen test cart are also shipped in the first delivery to doctors. Each kit contains enough testing materials for 40 patients.

Once preparing the dip wells in the tray, and inserting the 10-prong applicators, four separate applicators are applied per arm to the patient. About 15 minutes later, eye care staff can measure the size of the flare or skin reaction among the 78 allergens compared against the two controls, indicating one of five levels of allergy. From there, doctors can advise on allergens to avoid, and patients may decide to seek treatment from an allergy doctor.

Where It's Going

"This strategic alliance aligns with our vision of empowering healthcare professionals and improving patients' quality of life through advanced technologies. With AllerFocus, we are confident in our ability to set new standards in diagnosing eye-related allergies," added Jones.

"We are delighted to team up with Bruder Healthcare, a recognized leader in eye care. Their dedication to excellence and strong distribution network will undoubtedly amplify the reach and impact of AllerFocus. Together, we will transform the way allergies are diagnosed, benefiting countless patients," added Jackson.

About AllerFocus:

Based in Tallahassee, Florida, AllerFocus gives practitioners the ability to skin-test patients for allergies and offer options for their patients to become desensitized within three to four years to the symptom-causing allergens. More at allerfocus.com.

About Bruder Healthcare:

Bruder Healthcare designs and markets therapeutic and ophthalmic medical products to professionals and consumers around the world, including the #1 doctor-recommended moist heat eye compress. Our broad line of proprietary products provides relief for the millions of people who suffer from pain, dry eye, and other ocular surface conditions. Bruder Healthcare is a part of the Hilco Vision family of eye care brands and companies. Open your eyes to bruder.com.

Contact Information

Stan Samples

Senior Mgr, Marketing Communications

stan.samples@bruder.com

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SOURCE: Bruder Healthcare

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Funds raised will be used for the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") to evaluate accelerating the development of the Sanutura Project

Sarama issues ASX Cleansing Notice

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE IN THE UNITED STATES

PERTH, AUSTRALIA and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Sarama Resources Ltd ("Sarama" or the "Company") (ASX:SRR)(TSXV:SWA) is pleased to report that on 21 June 2023, it has completed the previously announced A$2.0 million equity placement (the "Placement") (refer to Sarama News releases dated 3 April 2023 and 13 April 2023).

The final Tranche 2 Non-Delivery versus Payment ("Non-DvP") portion of the Placement raised aggregate gross proceeds of A$362,564 with the Company issuing 3,625,640 Chess Depository Instruments ("CDIs") at an issue price of A$0.10 per CDI. Each new CDI issued under the Placement will rank equally with existing CDIs on issue and each CDI will represent a beneficial interest in 1 common share of the Company. The Company has also issued 1,812,820 free attaching unlisted options ("Placement Option") being 1 Placement Option for every 2 new CDIs issued pursuant to Tranche 2 Non-DvP portion of the Placement.

Tranche 1 of the Placement, completed on 13 April 2023, raised aggregate gross proceeds of A$1,375,000 with the Company issuing 13,750,000 CDIs at an issue price of A$0.10 per CDI. The Company also issued 6,875,000 Placement Options. Tranche 2 DvP portion of the Placement, completed on 14 June 2023, raised aggregate gross proceeds of A$262,436 with the Company issuing 2,624,360 CDIs at an issue price of A$0.10 per CDI. The Company also issued 1,312,180 Placement Options. Each Placement Option will be exercisable at A$0.15 and will expire on 21 June 2026.

Tranche 2 of the Placement was issued to institutional and other sophisticated and professional investors upon receipt of shareholder approval, as required by the ASX Listing Rules, at its Annual General Meeting held on 6 June 2023 (Vancouver time) / 7 June 2023 (Perth time). An Appendix 2A was announced to ASX on 21 June 2023 and provides further detail on the issue of the Tranche 2 Non-DvP Placement CDIs.

The net proceeds from the Placement are intended to be used to complete a PEA to evaluate an accelerated multi-stage development at the Sanutura Project and to fund administration and general working capital costs.

Sarama's CEO, Andrew Dinning, commented:

"We are very pleased with the strong support shown from our existing shareholders and welcome a number of new institutional, professional and sophisticated investors. The strong support shown by existing shareholders supports the company's view that Sarama remains one of the best value gold developers in the market.

The funds raised will be used to evaluate an accelerated multi-stage development at the Sanutura Project which we believe has the potential to generate a very compelling investment case based on the extensive oxide resource and related grade and cost profile."

In connection with Tranche 2 Non-DvP portion of the Placement, Sarama paid finders' fees totalling A$3,626 to Euroz Hartleys Limited, an arm's length party in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, who acted as Sole Lead Manager and Bookrunner to the Placement.

Members of Sarama's Board and Management have subscribed for an aggregate 500,000 CDIs (together with the attaching Placement Options) in the Placement. Each of the directors and officers who participates in the Placement will be a "related party" of the Company within the meaning of that term in Canadian Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Participation by them in the Placement is therefore a "related party transaction" within the meaning of MI 61-101. Pursuant to Section 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, the Company was exempt from obtaining a formal valuation and minority approval of the Company's shareholders in respect of the Placement due to the fair market value of their participation being below 25% of the Company's market capitalization for the purposes of MI 61-101. The Company will file a material change report in respect of the Placement which will detail the participation by any directors and officers of the Company. It is expected that the material change report will be filed more than 21 days prior to the completion of the Placement in respect of any participating directors and officers. Each of the directors and officers who participate in the Placement will be subject to an Exchange Hold period imposed by the TSX Venture Exchange on the CDIs and Placement Options issued to such persons. The Exchange Hold Period will expire 4 months from the date of issue of the securities.

The Placement CDIs and Placement Options have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from registration is available.

Cleansing Notice under section 708A(5)(e) of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

The Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("Corporations Act") restricts the offer for sale of securities without a disclosure document unless the relevant sale satisfies an exemption set out in section 708 or section 708A of the Corporations Act. The Australian and Securities Investments Commission Class Order [CO 14/827] ("Class Order") provides relief so that an offer of CDIs over underlying foreign securities is regulated as an offer of securities under the Corporations Act. The Company seeks to rely on an exemption in section 708A of the Corporations Act (as modified by the Class Order) with respect to any sale of the CDIs.

As required by section 708A(5)(e) of the Corporations Act as modified by the Class Order, the Company gives notice that:

The CDIs were issued without disclosure to investors under Part 6D.2 of the Corporations Act. The Company, as at the date of this notice, has complied with: the provisions of section 601CK of the Corporations Act as they apply to the Company; and sections 674 and 674A of the Corporations Act. As at the date of this notice, there is no information, for the purposes of section 708A(7) and 708A(8): that has been excluded from a continuous disclosure notice in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules; and that investors and their professional advisers would reasonably require for the purpose of making an informed assessment of: the assets and liabilities, financial position and performance, profits and losses and prospects of the Company; or the rights and liabilities attaching to the CDIs.

Where applicable, references in this notice to sections of the Corporations Act are to those sections as modified by the Class Order.

For further information on the Company's activities, please contact:

Andrew Dinning - e: info@saramaresources.com t: +61 (0) 8 9363 7600

This announcement was authorised for release to the ASX by the Board of Sarama Resources Ltd.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ABOUT SARAMA RESOURCES LTD

Sarama Resources Ltd (ASX: SRR, TSX-V: SWA) is a West African focused gold explorer/developer with substantial landholdings in south-west Burkina Faso. Sarama is focused on maximising the value of its strategic assets and advancing its key projects towards development.

Sarama's 100%-owned(4) Sanutura Project is principally located within the prolific Hounde Greenstone Belt in south-west Burkina Faso and is the exploration and development focus of the Company. The Project hosts the Tankoro and Bondi Deposits which have a combined Mineral Resource of 0.6Moz gold (Indicated) plus 2.3Moz gold (Inferred)(1).

Together, the deposits present a potential mine development opportunity featuring an initial, long-life CIL project which may be established and paid for by the significant oxide Mineral Resource base.

Sarama has built further optionality into its portfolio including an approximate 470km exploration position in the highly prospective Banfora Belt in south-western Burkina Faso. The Koumandara Project hosts several regional-scale structural features and trends of gold-in-soil anomalism extending for over 25km along strike.

Sarama also holds an approximate 18% participating interest in the Karankasso Project Joint Venture ("JV") which is situated adjacent to the Company's Sanutura Project in Burkina Faso and is a JV between Sarama and Endeavour Mining Corp ("Endeavour") in which Endeavour is the operator of the JV. In February 2020, an updated Mineral Resource estimate of 709koz gold(3) was declared for the Karankasso Project JV.

The Company's Board and management team have a proven track record in Africa and a strong history in the discovery and development of large-scale gold deposits. Sarama is well positioned to build on its current success with a sound strategy to surface and maximise the value of its property portfolio.

Sanutura Project - An Already Large Mineral Resource with Potential to Grow

The Company's primary focus is its 100%-owned(4) Sanutura Project, which hosts a large Mineral Resource of 0.6Moz Au (Indicated) plus 2.3Moz Au (Inferred)(1) and covers an area of 1,420km2. The Project occupies a commanding position along 70km of strike in the prolific Hounde Belt (refer Figure 1), Burkina Faso's pre-eminent gold belt.

The Project lies 60km south of Endeavour Mining's Hounde Mine (5Moz Au); 120km south of Fortuna Silver's high-grade Yaramoko Mine (1Moz Au), and 140km south of Endeavour Mining's Mana Mine (5Moz Au), highlighting the significant gold endowment of the Hounde Belt. Endeavour Mining's Bantou Project (1.2Moz Au Mineral Resource of 0.7Moz Au (indicated) plus 0.5Moz Au (inferred)(5)) is located only 6km from the bulk of the Sanutura Project's main deposit, which illustrates the gold camp scale of endowment of the immediate area.

The Project has significant growth potential and the primary objective of the current +50,000m drill program is to increase the existing 0.2Moz Au (Indicated) plus 0.8Moz Au (Inferred)(2) pit shell constrained oxide and transition component of the Project's Mineral Resource to further underwrite and enhance the economics of mine development.

The recent drill program has generally focused on shallow additional and extensional targets throughout the well-mineralised western corridor of the Tankoro Deposit, where mineralisation has been drill-defined for a semi-continuous strike length of 16km and potential exists to expand the Mineral Resource at shallow depths in oxide material.

Figure 1 - Sanutura Project Location Plan

FOOTNOTES

Mineral Resource estimate for Sanutura Project - 9.4Mt @ 1.9g/t Au for 0.6Moz Au (Indicated) plus 52.7Mt @ 1.4g/t Au for 2.3Moz (Inferred), reported at cut-off grades ranging 0.2-1.6g/t Au, reflecting the mining methods and processing flowsheets assumed to assess the likelihood of the Mineral Resources to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The effective date of the Company's Mineral Resource estimate is 16 November 2021. For further information regarding the Mineral Resource estimate refer to the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Independent Technical Report Sanutura Project, South-West Burkina Faso", dated 7 February 2022 and prepared by Paul Schmiede, Rindra Le Grange and Fred Kock, and the Company's ASX Prospectus dated 11 March 2022. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama. Ms Le Grange and Mr Kock are employees of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd and Orway Mineral Consultants Pty Ltd respectivley and are considered to be independent of Sarama. The technical report is available under Sarama's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the ASX Prospectus is available under Sarama's profile on ASX at www.asx.com.au. Oxide & transition component of the Mineral Resource for Sanutura Project - 3.2Mt @ 1.6g/t Au for 0.2Moz Au (Indicated) plus 23.4Mt @ 1.1g/t Au for 0.8Moz Au (Inferred), reported above cut-off grades of 0.2g/t Au and 0.3g/t Au for oxide and transition material respectively. Mineral Resource estimate for Karankasso Project - 12.74Mt @ 1.73g/t Au for 709koz Au (effective date of December 31, 2019), disclosed on 24 February 2020 by Semafo Inc ("Semafo", since acquired by Endeavour Mining Corp. "Endeavour"). For further information regarding that Mineral Resource estimate, refer to the news release "Semafo: Bantou Project Inferred Resources Increase to 2.2Moz" dated 24 February 2020 and Semafo: Bantou Project NI43-101 Technical Report - Mineral Resource Estimate" dated 3 April 2020 and the Company's ASX Prospectus dated 11 March 2022. The news release and technical report are available under Semafo's and Endeavour's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the ASX Prospectus is available under Sarama's profile on ASX at www.asx.com.au. The Mineral Resource estimate was fully prepared by, or under the supervision of Semafo. Sarama has not independently verified Semafo's mineral Resource Estimate and takes no responsibility for its accuracy. Semafo, and now Endeavour, is the operator of the Karankasso Project JV and Sarama is relying on their Qualified Persons' assurance of the validity of the Mineral Resource estimate. Additional technical work has been undertaken on the Karankasso Project since the effective date but Sarama is not in a position to quantify the impact of this additional work on the Mineral Resource estimate referred to above. The Government of Burkina Faso has processed the requisite documents to facilitate the grant of the new, full-term Tankoro 2 and Djarkadougou 2 Exploration Permit (the "Permit") and subsequently issued the invitation to pay the permit issuance fee (the "Fee") and the Fee was paid within the requisite 10-day timeline. Following the payment of the Fee, the issuance of the Permit's arrete and related paperwork becomes an administrative process during which time the Company may undertake work on the Tankoro 2 and Djarkadougou 2 Properties. The Company has received the arrete for the Djarkadougou 2 Exploration Permit and anticipates the issuance of the arrete for the Tankoro 2 Exploration Permit in due course given the successful granting of this permit as per statutory government process. The property hosting the Tankoro and Bondi Deposits respectively, were formerly known as Tankoro and Djarkadougou, but have been renamed as part of the process of re-issuing the respective Permits. Endeavour Mining's Bantou Project Mineral Resource - 18.1Mt @ 1.2g/t Au for 0.71Moz Au (Indicated) plus 3.5Mt @ 4.1g/t Au for 0.46Moz Au (Inferred). This is the aggregate of the Mineral Resource listing for the Bantou and Bantou Nord Deposits which are located within the Bantou Project. Data is sourced from Endeavour Mining Mineral Resource and Reserve statement and current as of December 31, 2022. The Bantou Project Technical Report is available under the SEMAFO profile on SEDAR. "Bantou Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report - Mineral Resource Estimate", dated 3 April, 2020. .

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Information in this news release that is not a statement of historical fact constitutes forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Placement, the Company's future exploration and development plans, the potential for the Sanutura and Karankasso Projects to host economic mineralisation, the potential to expand the existing estimated Mineral Resources at the Sanutura Project (including the present oxide and transition component), the accuracy of the Mineral Resource estimate for the Sanutura Project in localized areas with the addition of new drilling and assay information, the potential to extend and add to existing mineralisation at the MM, MC, Obi and Kenobi Prospects, the potential for development of a mine at the Sanutura Project, the potential for the receipt of regulatory approvals and the timing, prospects and conditions for the issuance of the arrete for the Tankoro 2 Exploration Permit by the Government of Burkina Faso. The Company's full suite of exploration permits are at varying stages in their life cycles and at any one time, the Company has exploration permits either in renewal or re-issue phase and although the Company follows due government process and anticipates new exploration permits will be granted in due course, it cannot guarantee this will be done in a timely manner or at all. Actual results, performance or achievements of the Company may vary from the results suggested by such forward-looking statements due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, among others, that the business of exploration for gold and other precious minerals involves a high degree of risk and is highly speculative in nature; Mineral Resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability, and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; the actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents.

There can be no assurance that any mineralisation that is discovered will be proven to be economic, or that future required regulatory licensing or approvals will be obtained. However, the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company's ability to carry on its exploration activities, the sufficiency of funding, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold and other precious metals, that the Company will not be affected by adverse political and security-related events, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain further financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Sarama does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws.

QUALIFIED PERSONS' STATEMENT

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to the preparation of the Mineral Resource estimate for the Sanutura Project is based on information compiled or approved by Paul Schmiede. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a Fellow in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Schmiede has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Paul Schmiede consents to the inclusion in this news release of the information, in the form and context in which it appears.

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to exploration activities at the Sanutura Project is based on information compiled or approved by Guy Scherrer. Guy Scherrer is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a member in good standing of the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Guy Scherrer consents to the inclusion in this disclosure of the information, in the form and context in which it appears.

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to the quotation of the Karankasso Project's Mineral Resource estimate and exploration activities is based on information compiled by Paul Schmiede. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a Fellow in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Schmiede has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Paul Schmiede consents to the inclusion in this disclosure of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. Paul Schmiede and Sarama have not independently verified Semafo's (now Endeavour's) Mineral Resource estimate and take no responsibility for its accuracy.

COMPETENT PERSONS' STATEMENT

The Mineral Resource estimates referred to in this disclosure were first disclosed in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 in the Company's ASX Prospectus dated 11 March 2022. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the ASX Prospectus and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the ASX Prospectus continue to apply and have not materially changed.

SOURCE: Sarama Resources Ltd.

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Howard Hughes Memorial Award from Aero Club of Southern California

LOS ANGELES, CA and MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI.A)(NYSE:HEI) today reported that Laurans A. Mendelson, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will receive the prestigious 44th annual Howard Hughes Memorial Award from the Aero Club of Southern California during the club's annual ceremonial event on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at The California Club in Los Angeles.

The Howard Hughes Memorial Award honors exceptional leaders who have advanced the fields of aviation or aerospace technology. Mr. Mendelson joins forty-three aviation and aerospace pioneers, including last year's honoree Harrison Ford as well as General Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, Neil Armstrong, General Jimmy Doolittle, Elon Musk, Jim Lovell, Marillyn Hewson, Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger and many others.

Mr. Mendelson took over HEICO's leadership in 1990 and, together with his sons, HEICO Co-Presidents Eric Mendelson and Victor Mendelson, worked with HEICO's remarkable Team Members to build the Company from a small South Florida provider of a few aircraft components into a rapidly-growing and highly diversified aerospace, defense and electronics company with 9,000 Team Members producing HEICO's mission-critical products and services in 23 US states and 14 countries.

Howard Hughes' first cousin, William R. Lummis, established the award in 1978, and the Aero Club of Southern California presents the award annually.

The Aero Club of Southern California (ACSC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable aviation industry non-profit led by volunteer officers and Board members founded to increase the public's awareness of aviation, ACSC membership is open to everyone with an interest in aviation and space - from research and technology to piloting, education, manufacturing, commercial and military aviation, and much more.

In selecting Mr. Mendelson for the award, the Aero Club of Southern California commented, "HEICO designs, manufactures, and distributes parts for almost every major commercial, business jet, defense and space program. HEICO Corporation provides less expensive aftermarket aviation parts to replace original equipment manufacturer hardware, thereby contributing to the airlines' competitiveness. Mr. Mendelson and HEICO Corporation have received ongoing industry recognition as aviation and defense industry leaders. Howard Hughes Memorial Award honoree Larry Mendelson 'Keeps 'Em Flying'."

Laurans A. Mendelson remarked, "I am profoundly honored to receive such a prestigious award from such a prestigious organization. The Aero Club of Southern California is recognized as one of the leading aviation and aerospace organizations in the world and the idea that they would bestow this award upon me leaves me deeply humbled and grateful. I thank the Aero Club of Southern California, its officers, the selection committee and the club's members for this special commendation."

For further details about the event, including purchasing tickets, please visit www.aeroclubsocal.org.

HEICO Corporation is engaged primarily in the design, production, servicing and distribution of products and services to certain niche segments of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications and electronics industries through its Hollywood, Florida-based Flight Support Group and its Miami, Florida-based Electronic Technologies Group. HEICO's customers include a majority of the world's airlines and overhaul shops, as well as numerous defense and space contractors and military agencies worldwide, in addition to medical, telecommunications and electronics equipment manufacturers. For more information about HEICO, please visit our website at www.heico.com.

Contact:

Victor H. Mendelson (305) 374-1745 ext. 7590

Carlos L. Macau, Jr. (954) 987-4000 ext. 7570

SOURCE: HEICO Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762681/HEICO-Corporation-CEO-Laurans-A-Mendelson-to-Receive-Prestigious-Award
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. (OTCQB:OCEL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative biological regenerative therapeutics, is pleased to announce the appointment of Harry L. Leider, MD, MBA as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Leider has a distinguished background as a highly innovative healthcare executive and entrepreneur with extensive experience serving in C-suite roles - in both publicly-held and early-stage companies.

Dr. Leider's exceptional career spans over 25 years of success advancing breakthroughs in patient care across multiple sectors of the healthcare industry. Prior to joining Organicell, Dr. Leider served as the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Gelesis, a biotech company specializing in therapies for obesity. Under his leadership, the company successfully completed the process to gain FDA approval for their lead product (Plenity) and then successfully commercialized Plenity via a unique direct-to-consumer model supported by a national telemedicine program. Furthermore, he played a key role as part of a small leadership team that led the company through its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Previously, Dr. Leider served as Chief Medical Officer and Group Vice President for Walgreens Boots Alliance. His contributions were instrumental in shaping the company's strategic direction for its healthcare initiatives. He provided executive leadership for all clinical programs, quality assessment activities, health outcomes research, and health analytics projects across this Fortune 50 company. Prior to Walgreens, he served as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President at Ameritox - a specialty laboratory company that enabled physicians to more safely treat patients suffering with chronic pain. Dr. Leider has also participated on the Board of Directors of Alivio Therapeutics, TytoCare, and Mobile Help.

Over his career, Dr. Leider served on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business and Harvard Medical School, and has published over 25 articles and chapters related to patient care and organizational leadership in peer-reviewed journals and books. He also was a core faculty member of the American Association of Physician Leadership for over 20 years and has published five patents in the field of laboratory medicine.

"Harry brings an extensive track record of successfully launching innovative therapeutics and services that have positively impacted the practice of medicine, and I am honored and excited to welcome him to our seasoned leadership team," said Ian Bothwell, Chief Financial Officer of Organicell. "Harry's research, and commercial expertise, along with his broad strategic business perspective, will enable Organicell to rapidly advance it's successful research and commercial programs while transforming the regenerative medicine space"

Speaking on his appointment, Dr. Leider stated, "I am honored to lead Organicell and work alongside a highly talented team of executives, researchers, and business associates. Together, we have a truly unique opportunity to develop and commercialize an entirely new class of therapies for important clinical conditions while building a word-class biotherapeutic company."

About Organicell Regenerative Medicines, Inc.

Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. (OTCQB:OCEL) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company principally focusing on the development of innovative biological therapeutics for the treatment of chronic diseases and the provision of related services. The Company's proprietary products are derived from perinatal sources and are manufactured to retain the naturally occurring bioactive exosomes, hyaluronic acid, and proteins without the addition or combination of any other substance or diluent. To learn more, please visit https://organicell.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will," "believes," "expects," "potential," or similar expressions, involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. We remind you that actual results could vary dramatically as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: potential issues related to our financial condition, competition, the ability to retain key personnel, product safety, efficacy and acceptance, the commercial success of any new products or technologies, success of clinical programs, ability to retain key customers, our inability to expand sales and distribution channels, legislation or regulations affecting our operations including product pricing, reimbursement or access, the ability to protect our patents and other intellectual property both domestically and internationally, and other known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the SEC and available on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. Specific information included in this press release may change over time and may or may not be accurate after the date of the release. Organicell has no intention and specifically disclaims any duty to update the information in this press release.

Investor Relations and Media Relations Contact

Organicell Investor Relations

Jacqueline Domenech

1-888-963-7881

IR@organicell.com

SOURCE: Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762490/Organicell-Welcomes-Harry-Leider-MD-MBA-as-its-New-CEO
HOSFORD, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / When a powerful tornado struck the small, rural town of Hosford, Florida on April 27th the team at GP Hosford OSB immediately stepped up to help.

The destructive storm, an EF2 tornado with winds as high as 125 miles per hour, severely damaged almost every home along a 2-mile stretch, just south of the plant. Trees and debris were left scattered everywhere.

Right away, the team at GP Hosford reached out to local authorities to discuss the need for support and recovery efforts. They gathered essential supplies, including two pallets of bottled water, safety glasses, and protective clothing, and delivered them to the Hosford Volunteer Fire Department. The supplies were then distributed to the affected residents. Over the course of the weekend, dedicated employees volunteered their time to distribute water and cook and deliver food to residents and relief workers.

The GP team then partnered with SIS, the waste contractor for Hosford OSB. Together, they redirected a full-time driver to promptly deliver large construction dumpsters to various homes in the area. Door-to-door visits were conducted, engaging with homeowners to understand their needs, and working closely with the Liberty County Sheriff's Department to coordinate volunteer efforts.

GP volunteers worked diligently to move debris piles into dumpsters for homeowners. Furthermore, the team extended their support to one of their own, a fellow colleague who had been directly impacted by the tornado,

cleaning up two loads of debris from his residence.

"I have an immense sense of pride and gratitude for the team at GP Hosford," said Madison McNealey, facility environmental manager at Hosford OSB. "They came together during a time when our neighbors and community needed them the most. Their remarkable display of collaboration and compassion in the face of adversity truly showcases what Georgia-Pacific employees are about and what happens when people come together."

View original content here.

(Photo courtesy: Liberty County Sheriff's Office) The EF2 tornado with winds as high as 125 miles per hour, severely damaged almost every home along a 2-mile stretch, just south of the plant.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Georgia-Pacific on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Georgia-Pacific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/georgia-pacific

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Georgia-Pacific

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762696/GP-Hosfords-Compassionate-and-Swift-Response-Brings-Hope-and-Healing-to-a-Tornado-Stricken-Community
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Boston Scientific

In this compelling episode of the Boston Scientific Talks podcast, Kathryn Unger, VP of ESG, and Brad Sorenson, EVP of Global Operations, delve into Boston Scientific's transformative Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, exploring how these principles are influencing supplier relationships, impacting product design, and exceeding customer expectations. Additionally, they discuss strategies to align business operations with ESG objectives to foster employee engagement, improve patient outcomes, and better support communities. Tune in to this episode for a comprehensive understanding of Boston Scientific's commitment to balancing quality, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility in the medical device industry.

The Boston Scientific Talks Podcast, produced in partnership with DeviceTalks, features Boston Scientific leaders and innovators discussing cutting-edge work to improve patient care and advance science for life.

Thank you for listening to the Boston Scientific Podcast.

Subscribe to this podcast on every major podcast platform.

Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for 40 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook.

View original content here





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boston Scientific on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Boston Scientific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boston-scientific

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Boston Scientific

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VIENNA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexogen, a leading provider of innovative next-generation sequencing solutions, is pleased to announce that it has successfully earnt ISO 13485:2016 certification from Quality Austria. This internationally recognized standard reflects Lexogen's dedication to designing and delivering the highest quality products for the biotechnology and medical device industry.

ISO 13485 is a stringent quality standard intended for organizations that produce medical devices or critical components used therein, ensuring the safety and efficacy of their products. Lexogen has been granted ISO 13485 for the research, product design, development, and production of genomic analysis solutions (kits, reagents and software). By achieving this certification, Lexogen has demonstrated its commitment to meet or exceed the legal requirements and rigorous quality standards required in the medical device industry.

"Obtaining ISO 13485 certification is a significant milestone for Lexogen," says Stephane Barges, Chief Executive Officer at Lexogen. "This achievement highlights our unwavering commitment to providing cutting-edge biotechnology solutions, built considering the needs of our customers, that meet the highest quality standards. It reinforces our position as a trusted partner in the industry and demonstrates our dedication to customer satisfaction."

Lexogen's ISO 13485 certification further strengthens the company's ability to serve the growing demands of its customers, including researchers, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies as well as IVD manufacturers.

Lexogen's pledge to continuous improvement, risk and quality management extends beyond the ISO 13485:2016 requirements since the company is also certified to ISO 9001:2015.

About Lexogen

Established in 2007, Lexogen is a leading company in transcriptomics, next-generation sequencing, and RNA analysis. The mission of the Lexogen team is to empower their customers with innovative top quality RNA analysis solutions and support. Lexogen is the inventor of 3' RNA sequencing, a unique technology proven for its efficiency, robustness, and sensitivity, especially unmatched for differential gene expression analysis. Lexogen's proprietary portfolio includes innovative kits for true single-cell as well as bulk RNA sequencing, RNA extraction, ribosomal RNA depletion, spike-in RNA variant controls, and nascent RNA labeling for transcriptome-wide analysis of RNA kinetics. Lexogen also provides first-class, fully integrated NGS services from experimental design to analytical reporting. Lexogen is a privately held company, headquartered in Vienna, Austria with a subsidiary in New Hampshire, USA.

To learn more, visit www.lexogen.com and follow @lexogen.

Contact person:

Amra Dedic

Brand and Event Manager

Tel.: +43 660 69 66 045

Email: amra.dedic@lexogen.com

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Moonfare supports Make-A-Wish International

International Initiative part of Moonfare's good global citizenship activities and builds on the company's previous charitable work

Moonfare, a leading global digital private equity platform, has announced its support of global charity Make-A-Wish International, whose mission is to create life-changing wishes, bringing hope and joy to children living with critical illnesses around the world.

The collaboration was kicked off with a dinner in Frankfurt on 20th June to raise the profile of this important charity among Moonfare's exclusive global investor community.

Moonfare's founder and CEO, Steffen Pauls said, "Special moments keep us going through hard times. They are even more important for children whose health conditions undermine what should be the joyful experience of childhood. Our aim is that Moonfare's involvement with Make-A-Wish will help make many more children's wishes come true."

Make-A-Wish International's mission is to create life-changing wish experiences for children living with critical illnesses, whatever their wish is. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. A wish is a carefully planned journey, designed to complement a child's medical treatment, giving them the hope, strength and joy they need to fight their illness.

Make-A-Wish started with a 7-year-old's wish and $37.76. In 1980, Chris Greicius was battling leukaemia, and wished to be a police officer. A group of generous individuals made his wish come true, and sparked a powerful movement that would transform millions of lives. Since then, Make-A-Wish has become a symbol of hope, inspiring communities across the globe. The organisation now has 40 affiliates worldwide and grants wishes in 50 countries. Despite the scale of its ambition, thousands of children are diagnosed every day with a critical illness, of which only a small percentage receive their life-changing wish. Make-A-Wish believes that all eligible children deserve the benefits a wish can provide. That is why they are dedicated to granting the wish of every eligible child worldwide.

By leveraging its engaged and like-minded community of over 50,000 members, partner banks, family offices and private wealth managers, Moonfare aims to support the foundation to make more wishes come true.

Luciano Manzo, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International, said, "We are grateful for Moonfare's support to our mission, and we look forward to collaborating together to raise much-needed funds and awareness to help us achieve our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child. With Moonfare's help, and the support from its wonderful community, we will be able to reach more children around the world, and create unique wish experiences, which will have a transformative effect on the lives of the children and families we serve."

Moonfare is committed to promoting the values of responsible global citizenship and has worked in particular with charities and programmes focused on disadvantaged children. It has previously developed a partnership with the Swiss Dariu Foundation and partnered with UK-based Greater Share, two initiatives that promote education and digital literacy for children. There will be more such initiatives to come.

About Moonfare

Moonfare offers individual investors and their advisors' access to curated private equity investment opportunities. With a digital onboarding process and asset management platform, Moonfare allows clients to register and invest in as little as 15 minutes. To date, Moonfare has offered over 95 private market funds from top general partners worldwide such as KKR, Carlyle, Permira and EQT, with an emphasis on private equity buyouts, venture, growth and real asset categories like infrastructure.

Moonfare's investment team conducts ground-up due diligence on all funds. Fewer than 5% of available funds pass this process and make it onto the Moonfare platform. This focus on quality is one reason why Moonfare has won the trust of more than 3,500 clients who have invested more than $2.5 billion on its platform. Headquartered in Berlin, Moonfare operates in 24 countries across Europe, Asia, and America and has offices in New York, Hong Kong, London, Zurich, Singapore, Paris and Luxembourg.

About Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish is the world's leading children's wish-granting organization, having granted more than 550,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 30,000 volunteers around the globe, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org, and for more information about Make-A-Wish International, visit worldwish.org.

Notes to editors

As some children and young people are not made aware of the exact nature of their diagnosis and to respect families' own approach to their situation, Make-A-Wish ask that the phrase 'terminally ill' is not used editorially, and that terms like critical or serious illness are used instead.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621917443/en/

Contacts:

Johanna Zu Stolberg

PR Manager

johanna.stolberg@moonfare.com

+49 176 34 596 495
STOCKHOLM, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hygiene and health company Essity has once again been awarded a Platinum medal by the sustainability rating company EcoVadis. The result places Essity among the top 1 percent of all companies assessed by EcoVadis for their sustainability performance.

Essity received 78 points out of a maximum of 100 points in this year's rating, which means that the company is among the 99th percentile of companies assessed. This is the third rating since 2020 that Essity has received a Platinum medal from EcoVadis.

This year's index is based on the sustainability performance data derived from more than 62,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis between 2018 and 2022 across four themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

"As a global hygiene and health company providing products and solutions to more than a billion people every day, Essity is committed to responsible business practices throughout our value chain. We are proud to receive the Platinum EcoVadis medal once again since it recognizes this commitment," says Magnus Groth, President and CEO of Essity.

EcoVadis is a well-renowned sustainability rating index and Essity frequently shares the results and insights with customers globally. EcoVadis' sustainability scorecards provide detailed insight into the environment as well as social and ethical risks in companies across more than 200 industries and 175 countries.

For further information, please contact:

Helena Hansen, Media Relations Manager, +46 70 616 96 69 helena.j.hansen@essity.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/15798/3791707/2145518.pdf Essity recognized as a sustainability leader https://news.cision.com/essity/i/ecovadis-2023,c3192747 EcoVadis 2023

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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / In a world that often focuses on conformity, recognizing and celebrating diversity is essential. The Children's Guild, a leading Mid-Atlantic nonprofit human-services and education organization, is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating diversity supporting children and young adults. The organization recently held several momentous graduation ceremonies, honoring the achievements of 400 remarkable students from its nine education programs. These ceremonies not only mark a milestone for the graduates but also serve as a testament to the power of meeting the whole child and embracing inclusive education and the potential within every individual.

"At The Children's Guild, we are celebrating our 70th year as an organization meeting the needs of diverse student populations. We take pride in promoting inclusive education and embracing and supporting all learners across our diverse school locations. Our commitment extends to meeting the whole child in our inclusive environments, and to our neurodivergent students at various levels, from those who are extremely gifted to those with unique challenges," said Jenny Livelli, President and CEO of The Children's Guild. "With a dedicated senior leadership team, staff, and faculty, we strive to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for all students. Witnessing these students graduate is a culmination of years of dedicated efforts by all involved, and most importantly, the students themselves."

During the months of May and June, the Children's Guild programs celebrated the achievements of students across its various schools, including:

The Children's Guild School - Prince George's Campus, serving students from K-12 with emotional and behavioral disabilities and/or on the autism spectrum had four 12th graders graduate and five 8th graders move on to high school.

The Children's Guild- Transformation Academy, a 12-month, non-public separate day school for students ages 5-21, whose primary diagnosis is autism, held their first graduation ceremony for the school that opened in November 2021 with four students completing the program.

The Children's Guild DC Public Charter School is a K-8 school that provides students with real-life learning experiences, fostering character development, and ensuring their success in a global 21st century world. This school had 25 8 th grade and 12 kindergarten graduates.

grade and 12 kindergarten graduates. The Monarch Academies support the whole child with an engaging curriculum, strong school culture, and innovative learning environment for students. These three schools collectively had 271 graduates, with 67 8 th graders moving to high school from MA Glen Burnie and 97 8 th graders graduating from MA Global-Laurel. In addition, 107 5 th graders are graduating from Monarch Annapolis.

graders moving to high school from MA Glen Burnie and 97 8 graders graduating from MA Global-Laurel. In addition, 107 5 graders are graduating from Monarch Annapolis. The TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS) program saw 51 students graduate. TAWS is an innovative workforce development program that provides a variety of career readiness/employee enrichment resources and offers high school students that require a flexible academic schedule a pathway to graduation, while maximizing their work potential. In 2022, the TAWS program was featured in the Maryland State Department of Education's landmark piece, as the MSDE Blueprint for Maryland's Future: Career and College Readiness.

Monarch Preschool College Park, a high-quality, project-based learning pre-kindergarten for children aged 3-5, had 18 young graduates well-prepared socially and educationally for kindergarten.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by diverse student populations, The Children's Guild provides a comprehensive support system to help students overcome obstacles and develop the necessary skills for success. Specialized therapies, social-emotional learning programs, and vocational training equip graduates with the tools they need to thrive in various aspects of their lives. Each of their school programs offers varied educational approaches ranging from specialized academic focuses in their charter schools to non-public schools who meet the needs of neurodivergent and special-education students.

"While academic achievement is undoubtedly important, we understand the significance of nurturing the overall well-being of our students. We celebrate not only academic accomplishments but also personal growth, character development, and resilience," added Livelli. "By doing so, we send a powerful message to society: Every individual, regardless of their differences, deserves equal opportunities, respect, and acceptance. Our 400 graduating students showcase the immense potential within every student and emphasize the importance of fostering inclusive communities that value diversity."

The Children's Guild was founded in 1953 by Dr. Leo Kanner, father of child psychiatry and pioneer of childhood autism; Dr. Matthew Debuskey, pediatrician; and Sadie Dashew Ginsberg, prominent child advocate. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, The Children's Guild has become a leading Mid-Atlantic nonprofit organization serving children, families, and child serving organizations dedicated to helping children and families thrive. Today, the organization is focused on helping students and families find success socially, emotionally, educationally, and developmentally through special education and charter schools, school-based mental health services, treatment foster care, autism services, family mental and behavioral health services, and workforce development programs.

Schools and programs of The Children's Guild include Monarch Academy Annapolis, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Global Academy Laurel, Monarch Preschool College Park, The Children's Guild DC PCS, The Children's Guild School of Baltimore, The Children's Guild School - Prince George's Campus, The Children's Guild: Transformation Academy, The Janet & Frank Kelly Autism Center, TranZed Academy for Working Students, TranZed Apprenticeships, and Outpatient Mental Health Clinic. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.

# # #

For further information, contact:

Amy Riemer, Media Relations

978-475-4441 (office) 978-502-4895 (mobile)

amy@riemercommunications.com

SOURCE: CSG Creative

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Clario and Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (CSDD) to present new results at the DIA 2023 Annual Global Meeting showing a sustained under-representation of minority communities in pivotal trials supporting new drug and biologic approvals. Data from 1,165 pivotal trials for 550 NDAs and BLAs were collected (FDA approvals 2007 - 2021)

Data from 1,165 pivotal trials for 550 NDAs and BLAs were collected (FDA approvals 2007 - 2021)

Although the proportion of non-white participants in clinical trials has improved, the results continue to show wide disparities, based on disease prevalence, particularly for patients who identify as black and 'other' races.

A panel representing academia, clinical trial data collection, the pharma industry and clinical research organizations will discuss the implications at the DIA Global Annual Meeting 2023 on 27 June in Boston

PHILADELPHIA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clario, a healthcare research technology company that delivers leading endpoint technology solutions for clinical trials, and the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (CSDD) will present the results of new research highlighting critical levels of under-representation by race and ethnicity in pivotal trials supporting drugs and biologics approved between 2007 and 2021.

Preliminary results are to be presented during the Drug Information Association (DIA) 2023 Annual Global Meeting. The panel, including Otis Johnson, Clario Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability Officer, Ken Getz, Executive Director/Professor, Tufts CSDD, Karen Correa, Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Operations at Takeda, Alicia Rami, Associate Director Mobile Clinical Services, PMP, MBA, Fortrea and Todd Rudo, Chief Medical Officer, Clario, will preview the critical findings and discuss potential solutions.

Commenting on the research, Otis Johnson, Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability Officer, Clario, said, "lack of diversity in clinical trials means that the medicines, when approved, may not work for the underrepresented and could harm them. Increasing clinical trial participant diversity demands a conscious, intentional effort. It enables ease of trial access for a broader pool of participants with the potential to speed up trial enrollment. It is also good for business, as the approved drugs can be confidently prescribed to a broader, more diverse patient population".

Data from 1,165 pivotal trials for 550 NDAs and BLAs were collected (FDA approvals 2007 - 2021) and the results show that although the proportion of non-white participants in clinical trials has improved, the results continue to show wide disparities, based on disease prevalence, particularly for patients who identify as black and 'other' races.

"The results of this important new study quantify the magnitude of disparities that exist among study volunteers in pivotal trials by race and ethnicity, and show only modest improvement in the high levels of under-representation among minority communities during the past decade," said Ken Getz, Executive Director/Professor, Tufts CSDD

For more information on this and our events at DIA 2023, please go to our dedicated page on Clario.com,

About Clario

Clario is a leading healthcare research and technology company that generates the richest clinical evidence in the industry for our pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device partners. Across decentralized, hybrid and site-based trials, our deep scientific expertise, global scale and the broadest endpoint technology platform in the industry allows our partners to transform lives. Clario has the only technology platform that combines eCOA, cardiac safety, medical imaging, precision motion, and respiratory endpoints. Clario's global team of science, technology and operational experts have helped deliver more than 27,000 trials and contributed to over 500 FDA and EMEA new drug approvals involving more than seven million patients in over 100 countries. Our innovation has been transforming clinical trials for 50 years.

For more information, visit Clario.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Clario Media Contact

Duncan Cantor

media@clario.com

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harvard University's Division of Continuing Education (DCE) announced a significant modification to the degree residency requirement at the Harvard Extension School (HES) to provide greater access to adult learners worldwide. These changes, designed to be flexible and inclusive, will broaden access for students who may be challenged by multiple trips to Harvard's campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Starting in the upcoming academic year, the Harvard Extension School will offer the majority of courses for the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) graduate degrees online with a low residency requirement. This decision reduces the barrier of geography for those outside of the greater New England area.

Dr. Nancy Coleman, Dean of Harvard's Division of Continuing Education and University Extension, saw the need for this transformative change stating, "We have always been committed to removing barriers and expanding access to a world-class education. By offering online courses paired with an immersive purpose-driven on-campus experience, we can provide adult learners from around the globe with a unique opportunity to engage in rigorous academic programs while benefiting from the vibrant Harvard campus community."

To complement the online coursework, each program requires four credits of residency. These active residency components range in length from two weekends to three weeks. Through experiential learning, students will collaborate with peers, instructors, and immerse themselves in the Harvard University campus, building connections and skills for real-world impact.

HES Dean of Academic Programs Suzanne Spreadbury, Ph.D., emphasized the innovative approach, saying, "Our vibrant learning environment combines the convenience of online education with the importance of in-person interaction. Our flexible and immersive model caters to the needs of diverse learners worldwide, enhancing their educational experience."

Harvard Extension School's revision of the degree residency requirement represents a progressive approach to education, ensuring that adult learners worldwide can pursue advanced degrees on their terms.

About the Harvard Division of Continuing Education

A division of Harvard University dedicated to bringing rigorous programs and innovative online teaching capabilities to modern purpose-driven learners including working professionals, high school students, visiting college students, and those seeking higher learning in retirement. We've been fueled by innovation and dedicated to excellence for over 100 years. Learn more about DCE here.

Contact: inquiry@extension.harvard.edu

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The World Economic Forum announces selection of the 100 most promising Technology Pioneers, companies that are tackling such issues as sustainability, climate change and healthcare.

SVX, which is future-proofing the manufacturing of cathode active materials (CAM) via a single step, dry, proprietary process, is among the winners.

This year's cohort includes representation from 31 economies on six continents.

The full list of Technology Pioneers can be viewed here.

SVX, the Bay Area-based manufacturing innovation company producing lower cost and lower carbon cathode active materials (CAM), was selected among hundreds of candidates as one of the World Economic Forum's "Technology Pioneers." The startup, founded by Virginia Irwin Klausmeier, has invented a proprietary method using lower cost and less refined material inputs in a single step process to manufacture CAM for electric vehicles and energy storage applications.

The World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers are early-stage companies that are at the forefront of new technologies and innovation and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society.

"We're excited to welcome SVX to our 2023 cohort of Technology Pioneers," said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum. "SVX and its fellow pioneers are at the forefront of innovation and disruption needed to help us solve the world's most pressing issues. We look forward to their contribution to the Forum's content work that brings together the public and private sector to tackle these global issues."

As a Technology Pioneer, Klausmeier will be invited to engage with the World Economic Forum, working with global leaders to help address key industry and societal issues. Technology Pioneers will also be invited to join Forum events and discussions throughout the year, bringing together leading stakeholders from the public and private sector.

"Being recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum is a great honor and it is humbling to be considered alongside the world's most prolific innovators," said Klausmeier. "We believe that SVX can pave the way for low-cost EVs and grid storage solutions, while also dramatically reducing the environmental footprint of CAM production no compromises."

This year's Technology Pioneer cohort includes startups from 31 economies, with a third led by a woman chief executive. China has the second highest representation with 12 Technology Pioneers, behind the US with 29 companies.

More information on this year's Technology Pioneers can be found here.

More information on past winners, information on the community and the application link can be found here.

About SVX

Sylvatex (SVX) is transitioning the world's energy systems through foundational manufacturing improvements impacting our zero-emission electric future. The Company has developed and is commercializing a lithium-ion battery cathode production technology that uses a sustainable, waterless manufacturing process. By unlocking greater cost-efficiency in battery production, SVX is enabling EV automakers and the battery supply chain to meet the rising demand for lithium-ion batteries while accelerating the widespread adoption of electrified mobility.

About The World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. (www.weforum.org).

About the Technology Pioneers

Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneer community is composed of early-stage companies from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations, and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society. The World Economic Forum provides the community with a platform to engage with public and private sector leaders and to contribute new solutions to overcome the current crisis and build future resiliency.

The Technology Pioneers community is part of the Innovator Communities within the Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Innovator Communities convene the world's leading global startups across different growth stages from early-stage Technology Pioneers to growth-stage Global Innovators and unicorn companies valued at more than $1 billion.

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Contacts:

sarah@technica.inc
EQS-News: EnergyNet Ltd. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

EnergyNet Ltd.: Africa Energy Conference held in Africa for the First Time



21.06.2023 / 16:45 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Africa Energy Conference held in Africa for the First Time

With a long-standing record, the aef brings together key stakeholders to discuss, debate, and shape the future of the continent's power industry

Nairobi, Kenya. Wednesday, 21st June. -The Africa Energy Forum (aef) kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya its first time in Africa as part of its 25th anniversary celebration at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The forum which was organized by EnergyNet (https://www.EnergyNet.co.uk/)and officially endorsed by Kenya's President H.E. Dr. William Ruto will run from June 20th to 23rd 2023.

The aef, widely recognized as the premier gathering of decision-makers in African energy, has been instrumental in forming partnerships, identifying opportunities, and driving the industry forward over the past 24 years.

"Kenya's experience of energy sector potential, policies, investment opportunities and projects exemplify the huge possibilities within the African energy and climate action complex. Decades ago, Kenya boldly invested in the development of its renewable energy potential at a time when it was not fashionable to do so," said President Ruto.

"The decision has paid off: Renewable sources form 73 % of our installed electricity generation capacity, accounting for over 90 % of electricity generated and distributed in the country," he added.

Simon Gosling, MD of EnergyNet Ltd, said, "We are thrilled to bring the Africa Energy Forum to mainland Africa for the first time, marking this special 25th anniversary. This edition will provide an unparalleled platform for stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and drive the continent's energy agenda forward."

As it enters its 25th edition, the aef promises to deliver an extraordinary experience for participants, fostering dialogue and promoting collaboration among governments, regulators, utilities, development finance institutions, commercial banks, power developers, technology providers, EPCs, and professional services. KenGen, Kenya's largest power producer, is the host of this year's event.

Under the theme "Africa for Africa", this year's agenda will prioritise strategic areas such as mining, hydrogen, connectivity, and the "Just Transition", to advancing projects, partnerships, and business development in the energy sector. Adam Cortese, CEO of Sun Africa said, "We are at the forefront of clean energy in Africa. With our unmatched technical expertise, supply chain capabilities, best-in-class EPC partners, and access to capital, we deliver clean energy solutions with market-leading costs and efficiency, from utility-scale installations all the way down to microgrids."

"Clean energy is at the core of Sun Africa's commercial strategy. We deliver clean energy solutions to our partners by providing our partners with vast technical expertise, best in class EPC partners and access to capital. Our solutions have market leading costs and efficiency, including utility scale installations and microgrids," he added.

Best known for organizing the aef, EnergyNet has established itself as the premier business development meeting place for senior-level decision-makers in Africa's power sector. With a long-standing record, the aef brings together key stakeholders to discuss, debate, and shape the future of the continent's power industry.

Running alongside aef, the Youth Energy Summit (YES!) will return for its second edition, dedicated to empowering and equipping the next generation of African energy leaders. YES! will gather over 1,000 participants, including early career professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and educators, to enhance their skills, connections, and business readiness to accelerate access to reliable energy across the continent. Through partnerships with various universities across Africa, YES! aims to engage students and educators in dialogue, better-preparing graduates for today's fast-moving workforce. This year, with the support of key partnerships spanning corporates, foundations, NGOs, universities, and sector initiatives, YES! can showcase its credentials alongside aef on home soil.

A noteworthy addition to this year's event is the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), joining as the event's first foundational partner. Comprising philanthropists, local entrepreneurs, governments, technology enablers, policymakers, and finance partners, GEAPP aims to support developing countries' shift to a clean energy, pro-growth model that ensures universal energy access and economic development.

Attendees at the aef will have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders and decision-makers from across the continent and around the world. They can participate in high-level panel discussions, interactive workshops, and talks covering a wide range of themes and issues, including the expansion of renewables in Africa, overcoming barriers to energy transition in the mining sectors, and Africa's potential to become a global hydrogen powerhouse.

Africa Energy Forum will cover a range of exciting themes and topics vital to the African energy sector. With engaging panel discussions and insightful topics, attendees can expect a packed agenda filled with knowledge sharing and valuable insights for the African energy sector.

The increasing pace and scale of renewable energy projects in Africa and project pipelines will be explored, as well as the growing role of Africa's gas resources in today's geopolitical context. Discussions and talks will also focus on breaking down barriers to energy transition in the mining sector, the challenges and opportunities around capital flow and risk mitigation in today's markets and financing the African 'transition'.

This year's event will also feature new streams that delve into two important topics: 'Mining, Critical Minerals and Energy' and 'Hydrogen - Africa's Opportunity'.

By bringing together industry leaders, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, the aef facilitates the exchange of ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches to address the continent's energy challenges. Through these engagements, the aef aims to catalyse the development of sustainable energy projects, technologies, and policies that will contribute to the continent's energy transition and support its economic growth and social development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd..

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About EnergyNet Ltd

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.

We work with governments and national utilities to facilitate investment summits where credible international investors can build relationships with public sector stakeholders to advance access to power.

Best known for the Africa Energy Forum, the longest-serving business development meeting place for senior-level decision makers in Africa's power sector, other leading investment summits we provide strategic perspectives on the investment landscape and project preparation include the H2 Africa, Offshore Technology Africa, Powering Africa Summit, Latin American Energy Forum and Latin American & Caribbean Gas Conference and Exhibition.

Having this focus on public and private sector partnerships provides us with a valuable lens through which we can offer independent perspectives and support the business development activities of companies from around the world operating in these fast-growing markets. Our team talks daily with stakeholders across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to support these insights, so relationships and investor insights are our business and our passion.

21.06.2023 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.



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LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Greenwich Olympiad (IGO2023), organised and sponsored by North London Grammar School (NLGS), concluded on 18th June in London, UK. In its second year, IGO2023 has surpassed all expectations, bringing together 356 talented students from 41 different countries, and showcasing 224 innovative projects that competed across 12 categories.

Partnering with the prestigious Queen Mary University London for accommodation arrangements, IGO2023 provided participants with a unique opportunity to experience the facilities designed for aspiring university students. The event commenced with a splendid opening ceremony held on the QMUL campus, where the diversity of nations was celebrated as students proudly displayed their national flags, adorned in traditional costumes.

The exhibition day, held on the scenic campus of NLGS, witnessed students passionately presenting their projects to a panel of over 70 experts and subject specialists. The esteemed judges were astounded by the calibre of projects on display, commenting on the high level of promise demonstrated by several entries.

Throughout the 8-day event, participants embarked on memorable excursions and captivating city sightseeing tours across London and Cambridge. In London, they had the opportunity to explore iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Madam Tussauds, and Camden Town, take a ride on the famous London Eye, and immerse themselves in the rich knowledge housed within the British Museum and Science Museum. Additionally, they experienced the vibrant atmosphere of Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, China Town, Leicester Square, and the luxury of Harrods, all while enjoying the serene beauty of Hyde Park and Regent's Park. A full-day trip to Cambridge further enriched their experience, featuring a tour of the city centre, punting on the picturesque River Cam, and a visit to the renowned King's College grounds and chapel.

The excitement reached its zenith during the grand awards ceremony, where the competition results were revealed, and the winning students were awarded certificates and medals. Every participant and supervisor received a certificate of participation, along with exclusive IGO 2023 gift packs, recognizing their valuable contribution to the event.

Building on the resounding success of IGO 2023, plans are already underway for an even more spectacular event in the summer of 2024. The IGO will continue to serve as a platform for young innovators and visionaries from across the globe to showcase their remarkable projects, fostering a spirit of collaboration and inspiring excellence in innovation.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107798/IGO2023.jpg

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / South Pole



South Pole's project in the Alicante River Canyon in Antioquia, Colombia uses the SLA to define conservation mechanisms that protect threatened species and enable sustainable development for communities.

He works all day under the shade of a wonderful forest to produce coffee, cocoa and vegetables. While he works, his children go to school and his wife prepares food that is harvested from the plot.

Like Don Manuel and his family, there is not a single person or business that does not rely on services provided by our natural ecosystems. Yet the adverse effects caused by species overexploitation, changes in land and sea uses, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, climate change and displacement of communities are putting these ecosystems under ever-increasing pressure. This means we are increasingly challenged on how to preserve natural capital while also meeting production and consumption needs.

But there is a solution. All stakeholders who make use of a landscape's natural resources, whether directly or indirectly, have a key role to play in maintaining the ongoing health and feasibility of that landscape. A collaborative approach is the best way to achieve global climate and biodiversity goals and to protect our landscapes - and this is where the sustainable landscape approach comes in.

What is a landscape?

There is currently no scientific consensus on the definition of a 'landscape.' South Pole considers a landscape to be a geographical space consisting of natural and/or human-modified ecosystems which are influenced by ecological, historical, political, economic and socio-cultural activities and processes.

To get the boundaries just right, the area to be considered as a landscape should be defined collectively and collaboratively by all the stakeholders involved, with a clear goal in mind of maximising positive impacts while maintaining control over the monitoring and governance processes. If a defined landscape is too small, it won't capture the breadth of activities that influence or are impacted by the natural health of the landscape. But if it's too big, it may not be useful for driving action relating to governance, ecosystem services, human living patterns, supply chains, and sustainable production.

The Sustainable Landscape Approach (SLA)

The sustainable landscape approach (SLA) is a collaborative process that integrates policies and practices for multiple land uses within a given area. This is done in order to effectively address environmental challenges and maximise positive outcomes.

The sustainable landscape approach brings together all stakeholders (landowners, businesses, governments, civil society, NGOs, investors and others) who have an influence on a specific landscape and incentivises them to partner up in working towards a common goal. The specific roles and responsibilities for the SLA are defined in an action plan, and a committee and landscape manager are also appointed to lead the coordination and the follow-up. Consensus and communal benefit should be at the heart of the process.

Ultimately, the sustainable landscape approach ensures that the landscape is considered as a broader ecosystem of activities and actors, rather than as a patchwork of individual sites and/or projects. The approach also helps address the environmental, social and political challenges commonly associated with the protection and restoration of ecosystems: by systematically coordinating the design, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of the activities implemented in a territory by a given group of actors, the SLA seeks to reconcile agricultural, industrial, conservation, economic development and other competing land use activities..

Benefits of the SLA

Managing an area with a sustainable landscape approach can provide several key benefits, including:

Enhanced ecosystem services to store carbon, maintain watersheds and conserve biodiversity, all contributing to the local economy and to productivity in the agricultural sector.

to store carbon, maintain watersheds and conserve biodiversity, all contributing to the local economy and to productivity in the agricultural sector. Improvement of value chains through more efficient use of resources, along with reduced pressure on the agricultural frontier on local ecosystems.

through more efficient use of resources, along with reduced pressure on the agricultural frontier on local ecosystems. Defined opportunities for technical assistance to build farmers' capacities in the sustainable management of natural resources.

to build farmers' capacities in the sustainable management of natural resources. The design of financial mechanisms to channel investments into promoting biodiversity and reducing emissions.

to channel investments into promoting biodiversity and reducing emissions. Better access to premium markets and potentially higher incomes from implementing sustainability protocols that are recognised by buyers.

and potentially higher incomes from implementing sustainability protocols that are recognised by buyers. Incentives for communities to take conservation actions based on clear results.

based on clear results. Greater recognition of all stakeholders, activities, and challenges through an inclusive governance structure.

The four pillars of sustainable landscape management

All activities implemented under the SLA - like forest conservation or restoration, the installation of solar panels, development of agroforestry and silvopastoral systems, capacity building, job creation or creating better health or education infrastructure - should fall under one of four fundamental pillars:

Governance: actions to promote transparency, participation, inclusion, and coordination in land use policies.

Human well-being: actions to protect and improve quality of life across health, education and employment.

Sustainable production: actions to manage supply chains by using more sustainable practices with a reduced impact on ecosystems.

Natural capital: actions to protect and restore ecosystems, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Such activities are generally implemented and monitored by the owner of the land area that is being managed with a sustainable landscape approach, and this landowner receives technical support from other stakeholders, including NGOs, academics and project developers. The landowner reports on progress using specific metrics and shares any lessons learned in order to improve the management of the landscape.

Can two different conservation instruments coexist?

Within a landscape, environmental projects can be leveraged to improve the local quality of life and to conserve vulnerable ecosystems, all while contributing to the fight against climate change and offering adaptation options for local communities.

Depending on a landscape's characteristics, different types of projects can be combined within a landscape's boundaries, even when those projects are associated with different environmental markets (i.e. the compliance or voluntary market). For example, a single landscape could combine a REDD+ project in a stable forest, a habitat bank for biodiversity offsets, and a water payment for ecosystem services scheme (PES).

Case study: the Alicante River Canyon

South Pole's Alicante River Canyon project is an example that brings together different project types within the same landscape. Deep in the mountains of the department of Antioquia, Colombia, small communities of landowners cultivate the land and raise cattle between patches of forest. In some cases, agriculture is combined with agroforestry systems of cocoa, coffee, and fruit trees, while cattle ranching is sometimes established in silvopastoral systems, meaning that agroforestry, foraging and the grazing of domesticated animals are integrated in a mutually beneficial way.

The common goal of the project is to create ecological corridors that connect areas subject to sustainable production practices (e.g. agroforestry) with remaining forest patches and protected areas.

Communities in the landscape in Antioquia are already experiencing the negative impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. Developing projects under the SLA provides an opportunity to channel investments into maintaining ecosystem services and protecting biodiversity - but also into supporting the development of smallholder farmers and rural communities in an effective, measurable way.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from South Pole on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: South Pole

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/south-pole

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: South Pole

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762785/The-Sustainable-Landscape-Approach-Puts-Collaboration-at-the-Heart-of-Biodiversity-Action
CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the Qatar construction equipment market will grow at a CAGR of 4.54% during 2022-2029.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3846

Browse In-Depth TOC of the Qatar Construction Equipment Market?????????

06 - Tables??????????

57- Charts??????

182 - Pages???

The Qatar government included new projects with USD 14.8 billion worth in its budget for 2021. It was planned to award the projects between 2021 and 2023. The nation also spends a lot on construction and infrastructure projects, with USD 220 billion planned for the nation's road system, stadiums, and other amenities. Furthermore, according to figures released by the Planning & Statistics Authority (PSA), Qatar awarded 685 building licences in October 2021. The Umm Slal experienced the biggest growth, at 42.9%, while Al Khor saw growth of 25%. In addition, Qatar National Vision 2030 intends to turn the country by 2030 from a developed economy to a developed nation. The federal government is funding infrastructure development initiatives, such as enlarging the nation's airports, railroads, roads, and highways. The surge in infrastructure development projects is expected to drive the Qatar construction equipment market in the upcoming years.

Qatar Construction Equipment Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) 8,596 Units Market Size (2022) 6,300 Units CAGR (2022-2029) 4.54 % Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2029 Market Dynamics A Surge in Government Investment in the Country

The Increased Investment in Renewable Energy Projects

Robust Growth in Oil & Gas Industry

Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3846

In 2022, Qatar submitted its second report on the National Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations. In the report, the country pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. In 2021, Qatar's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change identified 1,406 sustainability-certified buildings. The country has the highest number of buildings with the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). Therefore, the country is significantly focusing on developing more green buildings in line with its emission targets. Green buildings incorporate solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient appliances to minimize environmental impact.

Moreover, Qatar's solar energy initiatives are witnessing steady growth. With average daily sun rays of around 9.5 hours, low-cloud cover conditions, and plentiful space, the country offers exceptional scope for small, medium, and large-scale solar power projects. The rise in the construction of green buildings and the integration of energy-efficient methods will propel the demand for electric and hybrid construction equipment during the forecast period.

Qatar's National Vision Plan 2030 to Boost the Qatar Construction Equipment Market

A few public infrastructure projects under the QNV 2030 include the Qatar Integrated Rail, a USD 40 billion urban metro, high-speed passenger railway, freight line system, and the New Port Project, a USD 7.4 billion mega port designed for food security facilities and warehouses. The expansion of the Hamad International Airport is also included, with a budget of USD 15.5 billion. Qatar's 2023 budget outlined the implementation of 22 new projects with a total value of USD 2.6 billion. The budget also aims to develop several new schools and improve school facilities in addition to new and existing hospitals and healthcare centers. In March 2023, Further, Qatar Public Works Authority (Ashghal) was in March 2023 awarded the main construction contract 'Roads and Infrastructure' works in Rawdat Egdaim and Ezghawa with a value of $67 million. The project is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2025.

Qatar's Energy Sustainability Strategy to Propel the Demand for Material Handling Equipment

In 2022, Doha's Energy Minister started developing two major solar projects that will more than double its energy output from renewable sources within two years. These new plants will be developed at Mesaieed and Ras Laffan, generating a total output of 1.67 gigawatts by the end of 2024. The country also announced its 5 GW solar energy capacity target by 2035. Furthermore, Qatar's Energy Sustainability Strategy 2021 had been set to achieve various targets such as a methane intensity of 0.2% by 2025, carbon reduction intensity of 15% from upstream and 25% from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities by 2030 and add 2-4 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

Rising Green Building Development in the Region to Boost Sales of Hybrid and Electric Construction Equipment

As of 2021, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar had 1,406 sustainability-certified buildings. The country has the highest number of buildings with the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). Therefore, the nation is significantly focusing on developing more green buildings in the region in line with its emissions target and will contribute to the Qatar construction equipment market. Green buildings incorporate solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient appliances to minimize environmental impact.

Vendors

Prominent Vendors

Caterpillar

Komatsu

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG)

Liebherr

Volvo Construction Equipment

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

JCB

SANY

HD Hyundai Construction Equipment Co., Ltd.

Other Prominent Vendors

Kobelco

Liu Gong

Yanmar

Tadano

CNH Industrial

MERLO Group

SDLG

Distributor Profiles

Qatar Tractors & Equipment Co.

Jaidah Heavy Equipment

Qatar Building Co. Heavy Equipment

Nasser Bin Khaled Heavy Equipment

Mannai Trading Co. WLL

Arabian Agencies Company L.L.C (ARACO)

Market Segmentation

Type

Earthmoving Equipment

Excavator



Backhoe Loaders



Wheeled Loaders



Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers)

Road Construction Equipment

Road Rollers



Asphalt Pavers

Material Handling Equipment

Crane



Forklift & Telescopic Handlers



Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts)

Other Construction Equipment

Dumper



Tipper



Concrete Mixture



Concrete Pump Truck

End Users

Construction



Mining



Manufacturing



Others (Power Generation, Utilities Municipal Corporations, Oil & Gas, Cargo Handling, Power Generation Plants, Waste Management)

Key Questioned Answered in the Report:

How big is the Qatar construction equipment market?

What is the growth rate of the Qatar construction equipment market?

Who are the key players in the Qatar construction equipment market?

What are the trends in the Qatar construction equipment industry?

Which are the major distributor companies in the Qatar construction equipment market?

Table of Content

Section1 - Research Methodology

Section 2 - Research Objectives



Section 3 - Research Process



Section 4- Introduction



4.1 Market Coverage



4.2 Report Scope



Section 5- Market at a Glance



5.1 Market Snapshot



Section 6- Executive Summary



Section 7- Market Landscape



7.1 PESTLE Analysis



7.2 Economic Scenario



7.3 Key Projects



7.4 Market Dynamics



7.5 Import & Export Analysis



7.6 Supply Chain Analysis



Section 8- Segmentation

8.1 By Equipment Type

8.1.1 Equipment Definition (Earthmoving)

8.1.1.1 Earthmoving Equipment (Volume & Value)

8.1.1.2 Excavators

8.1.1.3 Backhoe Loaders

8.1.1.4 Wheeled Loaders

8.1.1.5 Other Earthmoving Equipment

(Other Loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers, etc.)

8.1.2 Equipment Definition (Road Construction)

8.1.2.1 Road Construction (Volume & Value)

8.1.2.2 Road Rollers

8.1.2.3 Asphalt Pavers

8.1.3 Equipment Definition (Material Handling)

8.1.3.1 Material Handling Equipment (Volume & Value)

8.1.3.2 Cranes

8.1.3.3 Forklifts & Telehandlers

8.1.3.4 Aerial Platforms

8.1.4 Equipment Definition (Other Equipment)

8.1.4.1 Other Equipment (Volume & Value)

8.1.4.2 Dumpers

8.1.4.3 Tippers

8.1.4.4 Concrete Mixers

8.1.4.5 Concrete Pump Trucks

8.2 By End-users

8.2.1 End-user Definition

8.2.2 Construction

8.2.3 Manufacturing

8.2.4 Mining

8.2.5 Others (Waste Management, Agriculture, Oil & Gas Extraction, Utilities & Energy, Power Generation, Disaster Management and Water Management)

Section 9- Geographical Analysis

Section 10- Technological Development

Section 11- Competitive Landscape

11.1 Competitive Landscape Overview

11.2 Vendors (Caterpillar | Volvo Construction Equipment | Komatsu | Hitachi Construction Machinery | Liebherr | JCB | XCMG | Zoomlion | Kobelco | HD Hyundai Construction Equipment| Tadano |SANY| Merlo SPA | Liugong| CNH Industrial | Yanmar | SDLG)

11.3 Other Prominent Vendors

11.4 Distributor Company Profiles

Section 12- Report Summary

12.1 Key Insights

12.2 Abbreviation

12.3 Exhibits

12.4 Related Report

12.5 Database

12.6 Global Reach

12.7 Offerings

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Rome Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RMR) (FSE: 33R) ("Rome" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Serge Nawej Tshitembu has been appointed to the Company's board of directors.

Mr Nawej is a qualified lawyer, a Congolese national who grew up in Belgium and is based in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"). He is currently a professional business consultant, and has significant experience advising mining construction and infrastructure companies operating in Africa, particularly the DRC, in respect of strategic development, finance, legal matters and government relations and geopolitical challenges. Mr Nawej has an extensive network of contacts across Asia, the Middle East and Africa and assists companies with their fundraising activities. Mr Nawej is regularly invited as a speaker or moderator to global and African business events.

Mr Nawej completed his legal qualifications (and remains registered as a lawyer) in Belgium. He previously practiced law in Belgium and the DRC, and was a key contributor in the development of a successful law firm based in the DRC involved in major cross border transactions in Africa. Mr Nawej is a director and shareholder of one of the Company's joint venture partners.

Mark Gasson, President and CEO of the Company, states that "Serge Nawej's significant business experience in Africa, especially in the mining sector in the DRC, and his extensive network of professional investor and government contacts will be of great assistance to the Company and its plans to explore and develop the exciting Bisie North Tin Project in eastern DRC."

The Company also announces that Mr Patrick Flint has resigned as a director of the Company. The Board thanks Mr Flint for his contributions during the period he served as a director.

About Rome Resources

Rome Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that has entered into two option agreements and a binding term sheet to acquire direct and indirect interests in two contiguous properties situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, which are collectively referred to as the "Bisie North Tin Project". Rome intends to fund exploration on the project up to the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

Contacts

Investors / Shareholders

Mark Gasson

President, CEO & Director

P: (604) 687-6140

Media

E: info@romeresources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Rome Resources Ltd believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Rome Resources Ltd disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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/170842
Regulatory News:

Aelis Farma (ISIN: FR0014007ZB4 Ticker: AELIS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of treatments for brain diseases, announces that the availability of the description of the share buyback program authorized by the Annual General Meeting of May 24, 2023.

Pursuant to Article L. 22-10-62 et seq. of the French Commercial Code, the Combined General Meeting of shareholders authorized on May 24, 2023, in its 10th resolution, the Board of Directors to implement a share buyback program of the Company, with powers to subdelegate in accordance with the law.

In accordance with Article 241-3 of the General Regulation of the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), the description of the share buyback program is included in the Company's Universal Registration Document, which has been filed with the AMF on April 26, 2023, under number R.23-018.

This document is available on the Company's website at: https://www.aelisfarma.com/investors.

About AELIS FARMA

Founded in Bordeaux in 2013, Aelis Farma is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing a new class of drugs, the Signaling Specific inhibitors of the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system (CB1-SSi). CB1-SSi have been developed by Aelis Farma based on the discovery of a natural brain defense mechanism by the team led by Dr. Pier Vincenzo Piazza, the Company's CEO, when he was director of Neurocentre Magendie of the INSERM in Bordeaux. By mimicking this natural mechanism, CB1-SSi appear to selectively inhibit the disease-related activity of the CB1 receptor without disrupting its normal physiological activity. CB1-SSi have consequently the potential to provide new treatments for several brain diseases.

Aelis Farma is currently developing two first-in-class clinical-stage drug candidates: AEF0117 for the treatment of CUD, currently being tested in a phase 2b study in the United States; and AEF0217 for cognitive disorders, including those of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), currently in a phase 1/2 study people with Down syndrome in Spain. The Company also has a portfolio of innovative CB1-SSi for the treatment of other disorders associated with a dysregulation of the activity of the CB1 receptor.

Aelis Farma draws on the talents of more than 20 highly qualified employees.

For more information, visit www.aelisfarma.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter

ISIN: FR0014007ZB4

Ticker: AELIS

B Compartment of Euronext Paris

Disclaimer

Forward-looking statements

Some information contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, not historical data. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions about Aelis Farma's current and future strategy and the environment in which Aelis Farma operates. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements, or industry results or other events, to differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those set out and described in detail in Chapter 3 "Risk Factors" of Aelis Farma's Universal Registration Document approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers on April 26, 2023, under number R.23-018.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and Aelis Farma expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or corrections to the forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such forward-looking statement is based. Forward-looking information and statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond Aelis Farma's control. Actual results could differ materially from those described in, or implied or projected by, forward-looking information and statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621698516/en/

Contacts:

AELIS FARMA

Pier Vincenzo Piazza

CEO

contact@aelisfarma.com

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky/Aurelie Manavarere

Investor Relations

aelis@newcap.eu

+33 1 44 71 94 92

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Media Relations

aelis@newcap.fr

+33 1 44 71 00 15
A new milestone in completing the initial business combination between Transition S.A. and Arverne Group S.A.S.

If the transaction is approved by Class B shareholders, it will be finalized as from September 2023 and no later than October 31, 2023

In the event that Class B shareholders reject the transaction, Transition would have until December 21, 2023, to find a new target. In the absence of a business combination with a new target by such date, Transition would be dissolved by March 21, 2024

Regulatory News:

Not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia or any other jurisdiction in violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction.

The Board of Directors of Transition SA (Euronext Paris: TRAN) (the "Company" or "Transition"), met on June 14, 2023, under the chairmanship of Mr Xavier Caitucoli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and agreed to convene a special general meeting of shareholders holding Class B preference shares in the Company ("Class B shares) on July 26, 2023, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 11.3 and 20 of the Company's bylaws, in order to vote on the proposed Initial Business Combination ("Rapprochement d'Entreprises" as defined in the Company's bylaws) with Arverne Group SAS (the "Special Meeting"). The notice of the Special Meeting was published today in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (BALO) and is available on the Company's website.

The proposed Initial Business Combination is outlined in the joint press release published by the Company and Arverne Group SAS on June 16, 2023 (the "IBC Notice

It is reminded that shareholders of the Company who wish to have all or part of their Class B shares redeemed may do so by following the procedure detailed in the IBC Notice and the notice of the Special Meeting.

For the redemption process to be initiated, the proposed Initial Business Combination with Arverne Group SAS needs to be previously approved by the Special Meeting, in accordance with the Company's bylaws. In this scenario, cancellation of the repurchased Class B shares and payment by Transition of the redemption price will take place as from September 2023 and no later than October 31, 2023.

In the event that the proposed Initial Business Combination is rejected by the Special Meeting, Transition will have until December 21, 2023, to submit a new proposal of an Initial Business Combination at another special meeting, to be completed within the same timeframe. If these conditions are not met, Transition would be dissolved by March 21, 2024, and the Company liquidated in accordance with the rules related to distribution of the Company's assets and any liquidation surplus, as set forth in Article 27.2 of the Company's bylaws.

Important notice

The distribution of this document may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This press release is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute and should not be deemed to constitute an offer to the public of securities, nor a solicitation of the public relating to an offer of any kind whatsoever in any country, including France.

European Economic Area France

This press release is not a prospectus but an advertisement provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute and should not be deemed to constitute an offer to the public of securities by Transition, nor a solicitation of the public relating to an offer of any kind whatsoever in any country, including France.

A prospectus (the "MergerProspectus") will be submitted to the approval of the Autorite des marches financiers solely for the purpose of the merger between Transition and Arverne Group and a separate prospectus (the "Listing Prospectus") will be submitted to the approval of the Autorite des marches financiers solely for the purpose of the admission for trading on the professional segment (compartiment professionnel) of the regulated market of Euronext Paris of the securities to be issued by Transition through a placement to the benefit of certain investors and a categories of investors, as the case may be. A copy of the Merger Prospectus and the Listing Prospectus will be available on the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org) and on Transition's website (spactransition.com) and will be obtainable free of charge from Transition. The Merger Prospectus and the Listing Prospectus will include a detailed description of Transition, including a section describing certain risk factors relating to Transition and the Merger and the PIPE.

Investors should not subscribe for or purchase any securities referred to in this press release except on the basis of the information contained in the Merger Prospectus and the Listing Prospectus, as applicable.

The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions.

The securities of Transition admitting for trading on the professional segment (compartiment professionnel) of the regulated market of Euronext Paris are addressed solely to Qualified Investors, as defined in the regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of 14 June 2017 and in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 411-2, 1 of the French Code monetaire et financier.

United Kingdom

This press release does not constitute an offer of securities to the public in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, this press release is for distribution only to and is directed only at (a) "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of U.K. domestic law by virtue of the EUWA which are (b) (i) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the provisions of Article 19(5) of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) "high net worth entities", "unincorporated associations" and other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This press release must not be acted on or relied on, in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is only available to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Persons distributing this press release must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so.

United States of America

This press release and the information it contains does not, and will not, constitute an offer to the public to subscribe for or sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy, Transition securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), it being specified that the Transition securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and Transition does not intend to register securities or conduct an offer to the public in the United States.

Canada

This press release and the information it contains do not, and will not, constitute an offer to the public to subscribe for or sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy, Transition securities in any province or territory of Canada. Securities may not be offered or sold in Canada except in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws or pursuant to a prospectus that qualifies those securities in the relevant provinces and territories of Canada, it being specified that the Transition securities have not been and will not be qualified by way of prospectus under the securities laws of any province or territory of Canada and Transition does not intend to qualify any such securities or conduct an offering to the public in Canada.

This announcement is not being made in and copies of it may not be distributed or sent, directly or indirectly, into the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan.

Public information

Potential investors should review the risk factors described in Transition's prospectus that has been approved by the AMF on June 16, 2021 solely for the purpose of listing of Transition securities on the professional segment (compartiment professionnel) of the regulated market of Euronext Paris. A copy of the prospectus is available on the AMF's website at www.amf-france.org and on Transition's website (spactransition.com) and may be obtained free of charge from Transition.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621714454/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact Transition

transition@image7.fr

Investor Contact Transition

contact@spactransition.com
Dr Andrew Forrest AO leads business with USD$500 million for Ukraine Development Fund with a call to other investors

LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Andrew Forrest AO, the Chairman of Tattarang, is leading the investment of USD$500 million in founding funding for the official 'Ukraine Development Fund' (UDF) at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 jointly hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President and UK Foreign Secretary welcomed Dr Forrest's investment and leadership in kickstarting the UDF that will be critical in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war, with a focus on the development of green energy and digital infrastructure. Dr Forrest called on other global investors to see Ukraine for what it is, an excellent long-term investment with major collateral social good.

Deputy Minister for the Economy Oleksandr Gryban welcomed Dr Forrest's investment and leadership for the UDF. He said: "Dr Andrew Forrest has been there with us from the start. He brought this private investment fund idea to us modelled off the Marshall Plan and then has worked together with BlackRock to bring it to fruition. We will not only rebuild Ukraine but also make it an attractive place for global business as a major European green economy. Together with Dr Forrest and BlackRock, we will assist Dr Forrest with direct outreach to ensure other investors can get involved."

Mr Charles Hatami, who oversees BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory group (BlackRock FMA) in his capacity as Global Head of the Financial and Strategic Investors Group, said: "BlackRock is honoured to assist the Ukrainian people by advising their government on the launch of the Ukraine Development Fund. We recently had the privilege of visiting Kyiv, where we met with President Zelenskyy and members of his cabinet. We were greatly impressed by the unwavering resilience demonstrated by the Ukrainian people. Preparations for the Fund are well underway, with a focus on rapid capital deployment as soon as hostilities cease. The Fund will play a crucial role in Ukraine's modernization and transformation into an appealing international investment destination."

The idea for the UDF was conceived and developed by Dr Forrest and inspired by the World War II Marshall Plan. After discussions with the Secretary General of the OECD and the President of the USA and his Chief of Staff at the White House in March 2022, Dr Forrest then approached Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, to seek advisory support for creating an investment vehicle.

The UDF was announced by the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy and will be the most effective way to catalyse investment in Ukraine post the war. It will enable a secure, reliable pathway for private investment. It will complement the work of Ukraine and its public sector partners and build confidence in Ukraine as an investment destination.

Dr Forrest's investment to various layers of the UDF will enable it to start the moment that hostilities cease to the satisfaction of the Ukrainian Government and BlackRock. He will be a strategic adviser in the establishment of the Fund and his investment groups in green strategic metals, green iron, green hydrogen and green electricity, will collectively act as an advisory team to the Ukrainian government.

Dr Forrest said: "We must not aim to build back what Ukraine was, with its antique soviet era infrastructure. We must imagine what it can be with vision, planning and availability of the world's best technology, management and thinking. This will position the rebuilding of Ukraine not as simply a recovery, but as a major opportunity for national renewal. We will build a future that is digital, green, fair and corruption free. We are joining with all of the free world to help walk the Ukrainian people into a golden era, coming out of this dreadful war. To not build what it was, but build to its easily brightest future yet.

Dr Forrest spent nearly a week in Ukraine and visited Kyiv in June 2022, meeting the majority of Ukraine's Cabinet including President Zelenskyy, where the early-stage principles for the strategy were agreed.

Following an introduction by Dr Forrest in September 2022, BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory (BlackRock FMA) group has worked closely with the Ukrainian Government, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) whereby BlackRock FMA is providing advisory support in developing an investment framework to attract private capital for the recovery and support of Ukraine's economy. In May 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy announced BlackRock FMA's appointment to advise on the design of the Ukraine Development Fund.

The Forrests' philanthropic organisation Minderoo Foundation has already contributed millions of dollars to help the Ukrainian people, including funding the first humanitarian grain shipment out of Ukraine in August, and providing critical grain storage facilities for farmers whose crops would have otherwise perished. Further, 180 generators were provided to assist with energy supply.

FURTHER BACKGROUND

The Ukrainian Ministry of Economy appointed BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory Group ("BlackRock FMA") in May 2023 to provide advisory services in support of the design of the UDF, on a pro bono basis. This reflects the continued partnership between BlackRock FMA and the Ukrainian Government after the initial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") in November 2022 after Dr Forrest facilitated the process. The UDF will mobilise and attract public and private capital into the reconstruction of Ukraine by using a range of innovative and traditional financial instruments. The structure will comprise a multi-layered approach guided by strong governance and global standards for sound financial and risk management practices. The UDF will target key sectors of the Ukrainian economy including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and IT. The Fund will contribute to Ukraine's efforts to build back the economy in line with best practices and become a key partner to the global community in the low carbon transition.

The UDF aims to mobilise private and public investments to support the post-conflict reconstruction and modernisation of key sectors within the Ukrainian economy. The latest World Bank damage assessment report estimates Ukraine's total recovery and reconstruction needs at $411bn as of February 2023. Since the beginning of the war, a range of critical bilateral and multilateral financial aid initiatives have been launched to address humanitarian, military, budgetary, and short-term economic relief efforts in Ukraine.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ukraine-recovery-conference-301857048.html
Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Leiter - author of "The Burnout Challenge" - joins expert panelists to explore employer's role and responsibilities in managing stress and preventing burnout

RALEIGH, N.C., June 21, 2023worldwide by providing support for emotional, practical, and physical health.



Identifying chronic situational stressors on the job is key to eliminating burnout and improving the psychological safety of an organization. Last year, WPO provided 116,000+ companies with bespoke services including data-driven tools to measure and monitor workplace stressand other metrics that affect an organization's health, resilience, and culture.

"Employee burnout and presenteeism continue to be common and critical concerns for companies around the world. WPO understands such challenges and delivers customized solutions on a global scale," said Alan King, WPO President and CEO. "Our localized services specialize in helping organizations, in more than 200 countries and territories, assess and mitigate toxic work environments and take action to ensure that employees feel safe being their authentic selves."

The 600+ attendees of the Burnout Conference included organizational leaders in Human Resources, Benefits, Wellbeing, and Occupational Health as well as C-suite executives.

Conference Highlights

Dr. Michael Leiter, Professor Emeritus at Acadia University, and author of "The Burnout Challenge," discussed how employees who face "mismatches on core motives and values" experience burnout at work. Burnout is a three-part condition: exhaustion (unmanageable demands), cynicism (disengaged and disrespected), and inefficacy (lack of accomplishment). These three syndromes are the "mismatches" that result in burnout.

Dr. Lisbeth Claus, Professor Emerita of Management and Global Human Resources, Atkinson Graduate School of Management of Willamette University, presented on why "burnout is a duty of care obligation of the employer." Although, the legal implications of this employer responsibility vary from country to country and culture to culture. In the US, there are no specific OSHA standards to regulate stress or burnout. In the European Union/UK, there are stress management laws, the right to disconnect (new laws in Belgium and France), and the Working Time Directive.

Universally, the employee should not be blamed for suffering from burnout. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is not a personal illness, but a work-related syndrome caused by chronic workplace stress and lack of work/life balance. Therefore, every organization should have a burnout management team and protocol in place. When addressing burnout, this team must focus on organizational-level interventions rather than employee-focused actions.

Dr. Myles Druckman, SVP and Global Medical Director at International SOS addressed how burnout is an occupational hazard. He reiterated that managers must focus on "fixing the workplace rather than fixing the worker." The most successful burnout interventions seek to improve workflow, teamwork, and leadership. The process for these interventions:

Identify stressors.

Receive employee feedback.

Improve work processes.

Train managers.

Activate leadership.



Ann Artois, L&D and Wellbeing Specialist in HR at Swift, shared insight on best practices for preventing burnout by fostering a healthy environment and empathetic workplace. The pandemic proved the need to be resilient in an ever-changing world. Supporting employees through times of change, complexity, and ambiguity is vital to achieving a productive and positive workspace. In terms of culture, leaders and managers must champion an inclusive culture where every employee is encouraged to express themselves and develop their careers.

Today, a growing number of companies recognize how employees' performances are influenced by psychosocial factors within the organization, and leaders must implement a holistic wellbeing strategy for organizational success. To meet this demand, WPO created a consulting practice and utilized its global data to forecast burnout risks at work. This forward-focused mindset drove WPO in predicting disruptive environments and developing proactive solutions such Revive. Reviveprovides comprehensive emotional health support and services that are specifically designed to assist with burnout recovery and return-to-work preparation.

About Workplace Options (WPO)

Founded in 1982, Workplace Options(WPO) is the largest independent provider of holistic wellbeing solutions. Through customized programs, and a comprehensive global network of credentialed providers and professionals, WPO supports individuals to become healthier, happier, and more productive both personally and professionally. Trusted by 51 percent of Fortune 500 companies, WPO delivers high-quality care digitally and in-person to more than 79 million people across 116,000 organizations in more than 200 countries and territories.

Contact:

Jennifer Dart, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications -

Jennifer.Dart@workplaceoptions.com
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 21

For immediate release

21 June 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 100,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 871.91 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 17,745,544; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 207,245,759.

.

The figure of 207,245,759 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
Regulatory News:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621281599/en/

Galerie des Champs-Elysees SFL perspective DPA

SFL (Paris:FLY), the leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, announced today that it has signed a seven-year, non-cancellable turnkey lease with German sportswear manufacturer adidas for retail premises in the Galerie des Champs-Elysees, 88 avenue des Champs-Elysees. Adidas is basing itself in the heart of the Champs-Elysees, on the even-numbered side where visitor traffic is highest. It will fit out the some 2,800 sq.m. of retail space previously leased by H&M, with opening scheduled for first-half 2024.

The transaction reflects the extensive work undertaken by SFL with the Dominique Perrault Architecture agency to refurbish the building's lower levels and give them a fresh retail identity.

"This new lease attests to the undisputed appeal of the Champs-Elysees. The area's prime commercial properties, particularly the large retail spaces capable of housing international flagship stores, are also keeping pace with the evolving trends along the avenue, which is now home to some of the world's leading sporting and luxury goods retailers," notes Pierre-Yves Bonnaud, SFL Asset Management and Client Management Director.

The arrival of adidas and the forthcoming opening of a gym in the Galerie des Champs-Elysees will increase its EPRA occupancy rate to 93%.

The transaction was carried out by CBRE, with SFL advised by Baker McKenzie.

About SFL

Leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at 8.2 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.), and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies in the consulting, media, digital, luxury, finance and insurance sectors. As France's oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties.

Stock market: Euronext Paris Compartment A Euronext Paris ISIN FR0000033409 Bloomberg: FLY FP Reuters: FLYP PA

S&P rating: BBB+ stable outlook

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621281599/en/

Contacts:

SFL Thomas Fareng T +33 (0)1 42 97 27 00 t.fareng@fonciere-lyonnaise.com

www.fonciere-lyonnaise.com
A TPSU-Branded Membership Partnership with 401(k) Marketing to Enhance Services for Financial Advisors

JUPITER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / The Plan Sponsor University, renowned for offering the most comprehensive retirement training program for retirement plan sponsors in America, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with 401(k) Marketing, a leading marketing agency specializing in the retirement plan industry. Together, they have created "TPSU Plus", a dynamic collaboration aimed at delivering enhanced value to retirement plan advisors seeking to expand their reach and strengthen their marketing efforts.

TPSU Plus provides Advisors and TPSU Adjunct Lecturers with a valuable "follow-up" service that caters directly to advisors seeking to continue to engage with plan sponsors that have attended their programs. This comprehensive marketing strategy aims to elevate brand awareness, cultivate leads, and empower advisory firms with a consistent and effective approach to capture more retirement plan business. With TPSU Plus, Adjunct Lecturers gain access to ongoing support and an array of essential features designed to enhance their marketing endeavors, including:

Ongoing digital content creation tailored for retirement industry professionals

Business development strategies to attract and engage potential clients

Weekly social media posts for increased brand visibility and engagement

Ongoing support from dedicated relationship managers

TPSU Plus, offered in collaboration with 401(k) Marketing, is a game-changer for Retirement Plan Advisors (RPAs) seeking to enhance their online presence, credibility, and connections with their target audience. This strategic partnership between 401(k) Marketing provides a streamlined "Follow-up" solution that empowers TPSU Adjunct Lecturers to effectively engage and connect with their Plan Sponsors and ultimately achieve greater success in the retirement plan industry.

Retirement plan advisors looking to elevate and strengthen their marketing efforts can visit https://www.trauniversity.com/tpsu-plus-retirement-plan-marketing/ for more information about TPSU Plus.

About TPSU: The Plan Sponsor University (TPSU), an affiliate of TRAU, The Retirement Advisor University, offers the most comprehensive combination of online and live workplace retirement plan education for business owners, benefits specialists, or other employer fiduciaries.

The Plan Sponsor University is in existence to help plan sponsors in their understanding of both establishing a firm foundation for the plan and the baseline measures of success for their own plan.

About 401(k) Marketing: 401(k) Marketing is a renowned marketing agency specializing in the retirement plan industry. With a focus on helping retirement plan advisors establish long-lasting brand awareness, the firm empowers 401(k) professionals to showcase their expertise. Since its founding in 2014, the company continues to promote the fact that retirement plan advisors are specialists and should have marketing content that highlights their unique skill set.

Contact Information

Rebecca Hourihan

Founder & CMO

rebecca@401-marketing.com

(619) 230 - 5464

Jessona McDonald

Marketing and Communications Strategist

jessona@tpsuniversity.com

855.755.4015 ext.111

Related Files

TPSU_Followup_Press Release_FINAL.docx

SOURCE: The Plan Sponsor University

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762877/The-Plan-Sponsor-University-Announces-TPSU-Plus
Water Quality at Most Long Island Sound Public Beaches Earns High Marks

Impact of Increasing Rain Events a Cause for Concern

PORT WASHINGTON, NY & NEW HAVEN, CT / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / The first day of summer marked an auspicious moment for regional nonprofit organization Save the Sound to release results of its 2023 Long Island Sound Beach Report. Staff from Save the Sound were joined on June 21 by local officials and clean water advocates during simultaneous events at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, NY and Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, CT to reveal updated grades for over 200 beaches around the Long Island Sound shoreline. The biennial report offered generally positive news for swimmers and beachgoers, noting that 78% of the Long Island Sound beaches monitored earned "A" or "B" grades for water quality. There were concerning signs, however, indicating that residents and local officials must remain vigilant - as beach closures or "failures" due to poor water quality after rain events increased in several regions compared to the previous 2021 report. Also concerning, New York City-area beaches continue to grade poorly relative to other regions of the Sound over the 2020-2022 period.

A far cry from decades past when people were not comfortable swimming in the Sound - the 2023 Long Island Sound Beach Report demonstrates that water quality at most swimming beaches in the Sound is good to excellent in respect to safe swimming. Thanks to years of advocacy and investment by environmental leaders like Save the Sound; municipal governments; the States of Connecticut and New York; the EPA; and concerned shoreline residents, the Sound is now ringed with many beaches that consistently provide water quality meeting safe swimming criteria. The report presented comprehensive grades for 198 of 207 monitored swimming beaches (with 9 beaches reporting insufficient data for a grade in 2022). 155 beaches earned a "B-" grade or above during the 2022 swimming season. To illustrate this positive news further, Save the Sound included a list of the "Top 20" public beaches on Long Island Sound based on their most recent three-year average water quality (10 each in NY and CT).

There were, however, storm clouds gathered on the edge of the positive news. They were literal storm clouds, in fact, as the report revealed that increasing rain events over the past three years have triggered an increasing number of beach sample failures. The overall failure rate of beach samples was nearly three times as high in wet weather than in dry weather - 13.5% to 5.2%. This is an even greater disparity than monitored in the 2021 Beach Report. Moreover, the frequency of wet weather fails increased 2.1% for the 2023 report.

Beach closures and failures after rain events (often the day after rainfall ends, sometimes lasting several days) are concerning for several reasons. First, elevated levels of fecal contamination after rain can often indicate untreated sewage has made its way into a system of pipes only designed for stormwater. Second, beaches with abundant wet weather failures have large swaths of impervious surfaces (e.g. roads, roofs, parking lots) that are leading to high volumes of stormwater flow to beaches. Third, rainfall intensity and frequency are increasing due to climate change, raising the stakes.

From 2020 to 2022, the region experienced the most rain during a three-year period that has been recorded in a decade. The areas surrounding Long Island Sound received an average of 17 inches of rain during the swimming season - a number exacerbated by the 23 inches of rain that fell in 2021, the highest total since Save the Sound began tracking the data in 2009. The only three-year period that saw more rainfall was 2011-2013, when the area averaged 18.3 inches, a stretch that included Hurricane Irene one year and Superstorm Sandy the next.This trend threatens to reverse the improvements in water quality secured over recent years. If those improvements are to be maintained or enhanced, it's clear that investments towards improving local stormwater systems are crucial.

Stormwater pipe discharges are one factor that influences the "hyper-locality" of water quality at local beaches. Good water quality at one beach doesn't necessarily predict good quality at a neighboring beach, especially if the neighboring beach has a stormwater outflow pipe feeding into it. Take the case of two neighboring beaches in New Haven County, CT. Despite being separated by only a few hundred feet, one beach earns an A+, while the other earns a C+ for its most recent three-year average. This difference can be largely explained by the presence of a stormwater pipe that discharges directly into the water of the second beach during rain events.

David Ansel, vice president of water protection for Save the Sound, commented, "Water quality at beaches across Long Island Sound has come so far - but we may be at a tipping point. Increasing rainfall brought on by climate change threatens to undo decades of progress unless we act now. We're calling on elected officials to prioritize investment in repairs and improvements to sewer and stormwater lines. Steps we take in the next five years may well set the course for the health of Long Island Sound over the next 50."

Save the Sound also raised concerns about limits on beach access in the region, noting that nearly one-third of the monitored beaches are designated as private. Many beaches have restrictions on use by non-residents, such as onerous fees. For example, at a beach in Connecticut, non-residents are allowed access during the swimming season but must pay a daily parking fee of $70 on weekends and holidays between May 1 and September 30. Staffers urged local communities to find a balance when setting fees or policies for beach access, so that everyone can enjoy Long Island Sound.

Save the Sound has created a dedicated website-www.SoundHealthExplorer.org-which features interactive maps listing beach water quality at all 207 monitored beaches, and from which the full Beach Report can be downloaded. The site also features a "beach access" section including information on which beaches offer public access, fees, the location of kayak and canoe entry ramps, and more useful information. The site highlights two decades of water quality data for Long Island Sound.

About Save the Sound

Save the Sound leads environmental action in the Long Island Sound region. We protect the Sound and its rivers, fight climate change, save endangered lands, and work with nature to restore ecosystems. For 50 years we've been ensuring people and wildlife can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deserve. From our offices in Larchmont, NY and New Haven, CT, Save the Sound works for a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant Long Island Sound. The organization's success is based on scientific knowledge, legal expertise, and thousands of ordinary people teaming up to achieve results that benefit the environment for current and future generations. Learn more at www.savethesound.org.

SOURCE: Save the Sound

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762042/First-Day-of-Summer-Brings-Good-News-for-Local-Beachgoers-2023-Long-Island-Sound-Beach-Report-Released-by-Save-The-Sound
H.E. Saif Jaffair Markhan Alketbi expressed his strong interest in acquiring Fortenova Group MidCo. B.V. for a fair price in his letter to international investment bank Lazard on June 16, 2023. This equates to an interest in acquiring all valuable assets in Fortenova as a company, and represents a dramatic last-minute intervention to prevent Fortenova from being unfairly acquired on the cheap, and to protect an iconic Croatian company's long-term interests.

Lazard has been previously engaged by Fortenova Grupa d.d., the Croatian operational company of the Group, to support the process for examining interest by potential investors for purchase of Fortenova Group MidCo B.V., one of the Dutch companies through which Fortenova Grupa is held.

Fortenova did not inform or invite Mr Alketbi to participate in the sale process, despite his clear request to do so, and despite Mr Alketbi's status as the current principal equityholder.

Mr Alketbi said:

"The distressed sale of the Fortenova business started in April this year had nothing to do with the wellbeing of the company itself. It received no bids, with potential buyers faced with short tender deadlines and scare stories about Fortenova's debt burden. Now, it risks falling entirely into the hands of one player without any accountability in the process.

Fortenova is a systemically important company, with an impact on the livelihoods of millions of people in Croatia and the entire region. It cannot be sold as the result of a backroom deal. There needs to be a fair and open process to decide its ownership and its future direction.

As I expressed in my letter to Lazard on June 16, I am strongly interested in acquiring Fortenova Group MidCo. B.V. for a fair price. I first decided to invest in the company back in October 2022 because I believe in the strength and potential of the Fortenova Group. Given the circumstances, I am keen to help the company come to the 'alternative solution' that it has itself requested."

Background to the dispute:

Mr Alketbi indirectly owns 43.41 percent in Fortenova Group. He is taking legal action to protect his interests in the company, following the initiation of illegitimate proceedings to sell all valuable assets of the group by selling one of the holding companies lower down the ownership chain.

He bought SBK ART (the company which holds 43.41 percent stake in Fortenova) from Sberbank of Russia on October 31, 2022. SBK ART was subsequently placed on the EU sanctions list, even though it no longer belongs to anybody in Russia, despite claims to the contrary; nor is it under any Russian influence.

In June 2023, in order to protect Mr Alketbi's interests, an application for a number of reliefs was filed with the court in Amsterdam to prevent an attempt to sell the Fortenova business. The court's decision on the reliefs is expected on June 27, 2023.

In April this year, Fortenova and its management (including people related to Open Pass, another major equityholder) started an unnecessary distressed sale process of the entire business. The result was that the process was effectively rigged and Fortenova received no bids. Fortenova's management invited shareholders to offer an "alternative solution" to save the company.

Since Lazard continues to be retained by Fortenova management to explore the sale of MidCo, Mr Alketbi asked Lazard to share information relevant to his offer, including the structure of the proposed sale.

Earlier this year, Mr Alketbi applied to the General Court at the European Union level to get SBK ART's wrongfully-imposed sanction removed, and is confident of success.

Mr Alketbi is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and a well-known businessman in his home country. He has never been subject to sanctions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621748754/en/

Contacts:

Media enquiries

Palatine Communications

Conal Walsh Andreas Grueter Will Matthews

fortenova@palatine-media.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Lenovo's Environmental, Social and Governance Rating score was recently upgraded to AAA by MSCI, the international ratings agency. This upgrade represents the highest possible rating for corporations leading in ESG programs. This announcement comes after Lenovo received a rating of AAA (on a scale of AAA-CCC) in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment in 2022.

MSCI ESG Research provides in-depth research, ratings, and analysis of the environmental, social, and governance-related business practices of thousands of companies worldwide. Its research is designed to provide critical insights that can help institutional investors identify risks and opportunities that traditional investment research may overlook.

The MSCI ESG Ratings are also used to construct the MSCI ESG Indexes, produced by MSCI, Inc. For more information, click here. In alignment with MSCI's methodology, these ratings demonstrate Lenovo's ESG strengths relative to the China information technology industry.

MSCI is an index used by many financial decision-makers around the world. Lenovo was included on Bloomberg MSCI Green Bond Index in October 2022.

Disclaimer: THE USE BY Lenovo OF ANY MSCI ESG RESEARCH LLC OR ITS AFFILIATES ("MSCI") DATA, AND THE USE OF MSCI LOGOS, TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS OR INDEX NAMES HEREIN, DO NOT CONSTITUTE A SPONSORSHIP, ENDORSEMENT, RECOMMENDATION, OR PROMOTION OF Lenovo BY MSCI. MSCI SERVICES AND DATA ARE THE PROPERTY OF MSCI OR ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, AND ARE PROVIDED 'AS-IS' AND WITHOUT WARRANTY. MSCI NAMES AND LOGOS ARE TRADEMARKS OR SERVICE MARKS OF MSCI.





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/762892/Lenovo-Upgraded-to-AAA-in-MSCI-ESG-Ratings
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / HARMAN



HARMAN Newscenter

Whether you listen to rock or pop, hip hop or R&B, everyone around the world has experienced the power of music to help us make new connections, express ourselves, support our communities, and more. With our heritage in audio innovation and unwavering commitment to music education, HARMAN has a unique understanding of the power music has to transform lives. It's just one of the many reasons we look forward to celebrating Make Music Day, the global celebration of music that takes place on June 21 every year. From helping passersby discover a hidden talent for guitar to window serenades, HARMAN employees have come together year after year to spread the unifying power of music through a variety of engaging experiences.

As we prepare to recognize Make Music Day once again, we're spotlighting some of our own employees whose musical talents and passions mirror our company's commitment to elevating listening experiences with trendsetting connected solutions at HARMAN. Read on to discover the inspiration behind their passion

What inspires you most about being a musician?

"Since my father was in the music business, I guess the music bug was meant to catch me! My musical journey began as a 1-year-old baby in the studio in 1970 being frequently babysat by the members of REO Speedwagon. By the time middle school came around, I was playing guitar and learning the art of recording and production. My real immersion into becoming a serious musician did not occur until my late 20s when I decided to give up guitar to study drums and percussion. I studied for 8 years under Marvin Smith, a jazz drum legend who performed with Sun Ra and Archie Shepp. Studying jazz drumming and learning the history of American recorded music was such a motivator and led me to eventually be able to tour Europe and parts of the United States in the early 2000s playing drums for many types of musical projects from 50s bebop jazz to 70s funk, pop, and alternative rock.

Throughout my journey as a musician, there has always been this great feeling of positive energy that captures my spirit. When I can share this energy and joy of performing with others, it truly inspires me in every way, every day. These days, my musical journey centers around playing in Groove Grove, Connecticut's premier high energy 90s alternative rock cover band and as an endorsement artist for RCI Drums, makers of best acrylic drums in the world."

- Jan, Customer Service

"Playing music is inspiring! Each time I perform with my bandmates, even if it's just practice, I see different dimensions of what we're capable of together, which inspires even more individual creativity."

- Hope, Engineering

"A love for music first inspired me to start taking guitar lessons in 4th grade and this began my lifelong love affair and journey as a musician. It is self-expression at its best and standing on a stage performing brings an amazing level of joy and satisfaction when you actually see you are reaching people with music. Currently I perform with a fine group of musicians in a NY-based Southern Rock tribute band called Southern Guns. This music reaches so many generations with our audiences ranging in age from 25 - 65. It's pretty wild to see younger fans connecting with this music and, for our older fans, it brings back memories of their teenage years and simpler times."

- Chris, Marketing

How does celebrating Make Music Day with your HARMAN colleagues make you feel?

"I am so honored and proud to be an employee of this amazing company, so being able to play and share music with my colleagues is an added bonus. Being able to work with so many amazing and talented musicians is such a wonderful benefit and celebrating Make Music Day with them is a very rewarding feeling. To say I'm proud to work for HARMAN is an understatement and the opportunity to make music with my colleagues for a company that truly helps makes the world a better place through music is a dream come true."

- Jan, Customer Service

"Celebrating Make Music Day at HARMAN with my colleagues excites me! Playing music with friends presents a special opportunity for self-expression and celebrating one another, which has fostered such a supportive and encouraging culture here."

- Hope, Engineering

"I am always proud that our amazing company continues to acknowledge and celebrate Make Music Day for many reasons. First and foremost, we are in the business of making products that deliver music and have a long and amazing history with so many incredible moments in time -- past and present -- to be proud of. We enable people to enjoy and create music and deliver products and services that are part of their daily lives in the car, at home as well as on-the-go, on stage, in the studio, and everywhere in between. Quite simply, we make peoples' lives better with what we do. There are many of us at HARMAN that found our way here because we wanted to stay connected to music and for many it was due to a love for our products, not because it was simply a good job at a great company. That passion remains a core principle at HARMAN and Make Music Day is one of those moments when we are able to celebrate how we contribute to that idea."

- Chris, Marketing

There's no doubt that our employees truly embody HARMAN's legacy in music by fostering their own individual passions. Their dedication to their personal musical pursuits not only aligns with their work at HARMAN, it is emblematic of the potential music has to change lives. Stay tuned to HARMAN's corporate Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information about our Make Music Day celebrations this year and how we're sharing the power of music.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from HARMAN on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: HARMAN

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/harman

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: HARMAN

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762898/Make-Music-Day-2023-HARMAN-Employees-Share-Their-Musical-Inspirations
Company is awarded a multi-year contract by Mohawk Medbuy on behalf of its Member hospitals and healthcare providers across Canada.

News in Summary

Mohawk Medbuy awards innovative remote patient monitoring services contract to Cloud DX after competitive request for proposal (RFP).

Mohawk Medbuy provides procurement and other supply chain services to hundreds of hospitals and Health Authorities across Canada.

The contract has a term of 3 years with up to 2 extensions of 2 years each; overall contract value announced is $3,040,000 CAD.

This is the 17th contract or contract extension announced by Cloud DX in 2023, versus 28 announced contracts in FY2022.

KITCHENER, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX)(OTC:CDXFF), a leading North American provider of remote patient monitoring services announces that they have won a competitive RFP to supply remote monitoring technology and services to two health organizations. Mohawk Medbuy Corporation (MMC) led the procurement process, in collaboration with these member health care providers, using Broader Public Sector Procurement Directives. The award, which was announced on the procurement portal Biddingo on June 20, 2023, is also available to MMC's other members.

Mohawk Medbuy is a national, not-for-profit, shared services organization trusted by hundreds of Canadian hospitals and health care providers to drive value, efficiencies and cost savings on the supplies and services they use.

Under the terms of the contract award announced on June 20, 2023, Mohawk Medbuy will serve as the master contractor for the two members, who can order RPM products and services from Cloud DX with assured pricing and terms. Other Mohawk Medbuy members can leverage the agreement without having to issue separate requests for proposals (RFPs), reducing the cost and complexity of procuring best-in-class RPM services.

The initial contract runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026 with option for a further 2 extensions of 2 years each, to June 30, 2030. The total estimated awarded contract valuation for the full term of the agreement including option periods is $3,040,000 CAD.

For Cloud DX, winning this competitive award further cements the Company's status as a leader in remote patient monitoring delivery in Canada. This is the 17th contract or extension announced by the Company in 2023 versus 28 contracts announced in all of 2022, showing that the demand for RPM continues to increase across the Canadian healthcare landscape.

Cloud DX CEO and Founder Robert Kaul stated, "We are very excited to win this competitive contract award and continue to deliver life-changing remote patient monitoring, virtual care and telemedicine products and services to Canadian patients and providers".

About Mohawk Medbuy Corporation

Mohawk Medbuy is a national, not-for-profit, shared services organization that supports hundreds of health care providers across Canada, as well as child welfare agencies and other public sector organizations. MMC provides value-driven contracting and procurement solutions for medical/surgical supplies, pharmaceutical products, local sourcing, capital equipment (FF&E) and food/nutrition solutions. MMC also provides data analytics, in-hospital services, warehousing/logistics, technology services, procure-to-pay services, accounts payable and linen services.

With an emerging focus on sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, MMC is actively supporting the creation of a resilient value chain that incorporates environmental, social and economic wellbeing. The Burlington, ON-based organization also has offices in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Kingston, Brantford and London, a distribution centre in Oakville and a linens facility in Hamilton.

About Cloud DX

Accelerating digital healthcare, Cloud DX is on a mission to make healthcare better for everyone. Our Connected Health TM remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to virtually manage chronic disease, enable aging in place, and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care in the home. Our partners achieve better healthcare and patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization or re-admission, and reduce healthcare delivery costs through more efficient use of resources. Cloud DX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, 2022 Top Innovator by Canadian Business, a 2021 Edison Award winner, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist, and one of "Canada's Ten Most Prominent Telehealth Providers." Cloud DX is an exclusive partner to Medtronic Canada, Teladoc Health Canada, and Equitable Life of Canada.

Cloud DX Investor Site https://ir.clouddx.com/overview/default.aspx

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Social Links

Twitter https://twitter.com/CloudDX

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/clouddxinc/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-dx/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cloud.dx/

For media inquiries please contact:

Marketing Enquiries

Phone 888-543-0944

marketing@clouddx.com

For investor inquiries please contact:

Jay Bedard (Canada)

Cloud DX Investor Relations

Phone 647-881-8418

investors@clouddx.com

Gary Zwetchkenbaum (USA)

Plumtree LLC

Phone 718-224-3123

Cell 516-455-7662

ir@clouddx.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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 statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. In particular, this news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the terms of the contract extension, the expected proceeds therefrom, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions.

Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the Company's the ability of the Company to fulfill the terms of and derive the benefits from the contract extension.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 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 and forward-looking information.

A propos de Cloud DX

Accelerant les soins de sante virtuels, Cloud DX a pour mission d'ameliorer les soins de sante pour tous. Notre plateforme de surveillance a distance des patients Connected HealthMC est utilisee par des entreprises de soins de sante et des equipes de soins partout en Amerique du Nord pour gerer virtuellement les maladies chroniques, permettre aux gens de vieillir chez eux et fournir des soins post-chirurgicaux de qualite hospitaliere a domicile. Nos partenaires obtiennent de meilleurs resultats pour les soins de sante et les patients, reduisent le besoin d'hospitalisation ou de readmission, et reduisent les couts de prestation des soins de sante grace a une utilisation plus efficace des ressources. Cloud DX est co-laureate du prix Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, laureate du prix Edison 2021, finaliste du concours  World Changing Idea  de Fast Company et un des dix plus importants fournisseurs de telesante au Canada.

Site des relations avec les investisseurs de Cloud DX https://ir.clouddx.com/overview/default.aspx

La Bourse de croissance TSX et son fournisseur de services de reglementation (tel que ce terme est defini dans les politiques de la Bourse de croissance TSX) n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a la pertinence ou a l'exactitude du present communique.

Tous les enonces prospectifs sont assujettis a des risques et a des incertitudes, tels que ceux decrits dans les rapports periodiques de Medtronic deposes aupres de la Securities and Exchange Commission. Les resultats reels peuvent sensiblement differer des resultats anticipes.

SOURCE: Cloud DX

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762924/Cloud-DX-Wins-3-Million-Contract-for-Remote-Patient-Monitoring


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Tesla Inc.'s Model Y has once again been named the most American-made car, according to the latest rankings released by Cars.com.



In a remarkable achievement, Tesla claimed the top four spots on the 100-car list, with the Model Y, Model 3, Model X, and Model S securing the first through fourth positions, respectively.



Cars.com utilizes multiple criteria to determine eligibility for the American-Made Index, including the final assembly location, the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts in compliance with the American Automotive Labeling Act, the origin of available engines and transmissions, and the number of U.S. manufacturing employees relative to the automaker's footprint.



Out of the 388 cars evaluated, 100 made it to the annual index, representing models from 11 automakers and 23 brands. The complete list can be accessed at Cars.com/ami. Notable entries in the top 10 include the Honda Passport, Volkswagen ID.4, Honda Odyssey, Acura MDX, Honda Ridgeline, and Acura RDX.



Jennifer Newman, editor-in-chief of Cars.com, revealed that the 2023 evaluation involved thorough assessments, with representatives conducting 437 in-person lot visits to verify information and evaluate the cars on the list. Newman emphasized the significance of making the list, irrespective of ranking, as it signifies the positive impact these vehicles have on the U.S. economy, particularly in terms of employment and local support.



Newman attributed Tesla's success in securing the top positions to its business model, which prioritizes regional production. The Model Y, 3, X, and S are all manufactured in Fremont, California, with the Model Y also produced in Tesla's headquarters in Austin, Texas. Tesla claims a 100% domestic production rate for all cars sold in the United States, surpassing the industry average of 52%, as reported by Cars.com.



While General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. did not have vehicles in the top 10, they accounted for the largest share of models on the list, with GM contributing 18% and Ford 17%, the latter increasing by 5 percentage points compared to the previous year. Stellantis NV held 9% of the list, predominantly represented by models from its Jeep brand.



GM's highest-ranking vehicle on the list was the Chevrolet Corvette, produced in Bowling Green, Kentucky, securing the 19th position and topping among the Detroit Three. However, the GMC Canyon fell to No. 33 from its previous No. 12 position on the 2022 AMI. Ford's all-electric F-150 Lightning, produced at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, made its debut on the Cars.com list, ranking as the highest model for the Dearborn automaker at No. 38. Stellantis' highest-ranking model was the Dodge Durango, assembled at the Detroit Assembly Complex-Jefferson, securing the No. 21 spot.



Michigan emerged as the state with the highest production, with 16% of vehicles on the index assembled within its borders. Alabama and Tennessee followed closely behind with 12% and 11%, respectively. Despite this, the South led the regional vehicle production for the American-Made Index, accounting for 56% of the total, reflecting a 19 percentage point increase since 2020, according to Newman. In comparison, 41% of vehicles on the index were built in the Midwest.



A recent Cars.com survey, sampling 1,013 nationally-representative in-market car buyers, revealed that 48% are willing to pay more for a car if it contributes to U.S. job creation.



While Tesla secured all four spots at the top of the list, Volkswagen made its debut on the American-Made Index with two placements, including the ID.4 EV at No. 6. In 2022, Volkswagen shifted production of the ID-4 from Germany to Chattanooga, Tennessee.



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
TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) announced its combined April and May 2023 sales volumes and revenue by business unit.

Potash April/May 2023 April/May 2022 Sales Volumes in thousands of tonnes(1) 1,617 1,436 Sales Revenues in millions $672 $976 Phosphates April/May 2023 April/May 2022 Sales Volumes in thousands of tonnes(1) 1,329 959 Sales Revenues in millions $948 $1,027 Mosaic Fertilizantes April/May 2023 April/May 2022 Sales Volumes in thousands of tonnes(1) 1,305 1,424 Sales Revenues in millions $791 $1,426

(1)Tonnes = finished product tonnes

For the second quarter, we expect potash sales volumes toward the high end of the previous guidance range of 2.0-2.2 million tonnes, reflecting the impact of strong spring demand in North America. For pricing, we now expect realized MOP prices at the mine near the low end of our previous range of $325-$375 per tonne. Our updated pricing guidance incorporates the recent China contract settlement of $307 per tonne.

In Phosphates, we expect sales volumes to be near the low end of our previous guidance range of 1.8-2.0 million tonnes. Following strong demand for the spring season, North American customers are deferring inventory restocking to the third quarter. Realized DAP prices on a FOB basis are expected at the high end of our previous guidance range of $550-$600 per tonne. Results for the quarter are expected to reflect the capture higher-priced sales early in the quarter.

About The Mosaic Company

The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single source provider of phosphates and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com.

The Mosaic Company Contacts Investors: Media: Paul Massoud, 813-775-4260 Ben Pratt, 813-775-4206 paul.massoud@mosaicco.com benjamin.pratt@mosaicco.com

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending future transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: political and economic instability and changes in government policies in Brazil and other countries in which we have operations; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the economic impact and operating impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates, including the performance of the Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (also known as MWSPC), the future success of current plans for MWSPC and any future changes in those plans; difficulties with realization of the benefits of our natural gas based pricing ammonia supply agreement with CF Industries, Inc., including the risk that the cost savings initially anticipated from the agreement may not be fully realized over its term or that the price of natural gas or ammonia during the term are at levels at which the pricing is disadvantageous to Mosaic; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation, including expansion of the types and extent of water resources regulated under federal law, carbon taxes or other greenhouse gas regulation, implementation of numeric water quality standards for the discharge of nutrients into Florida waterways or efforts to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere; further developments in judicial or administrative proceedings, or complaints that Mosaic's operations are adversely impacting nearby farms, business operations or properties; difficulties or delays in receiving, increased costs of or challenges to necessary governmental permits or approvals or increased financial assurance requirements; resolution of global tax audit activity; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil, and including potential hurricanes, excess heat, cold, snow, rainfall or drought; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties, or the costs of the MWSPC; reduction of Mosaic's available cash and liquidity, and increased leverage, due to its use of cash and/or available debt capacity to fund financial assurance requirements and strategic investments; brine inflows at Mosaic's potash mines; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: The Mosaic Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762948/Mosaic-Announces-April-and-May-2023-Revenues-and-Sales-Volumes
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Prophecy DeFi Inc. (CSE: PDFI) ("Prophecy DeFi" or the "Company"), announces that it has agreed to settle an aggregate of $105,000 of indebtedness owed to certain creditors through the issuance of an aggregate of 700,000 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement").

The Debt Settlement remains subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. All Common Shares issued in connection with the Debt Settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

About Prophecy DeFi

Prophecy DeFi (CSE: PDFI) provides retail and institutional investors with access to the decentralized finance sector by bridging the gap between DeFi and traditional finance. Prophecy DeFi invests in diverse DeFi and Web 3.0 startups to create new business opportunities in a coherent ecosystem.

www.prophecydefi.com

For further information, please contact:

John McMahon, CEO

Tel: (416) 764-0314

Email: jmcmahon@prophecydefi.com

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, and dependence upon regulatory approvals and the possibility that the completion of the transaction may not occur. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. The parties undertake no obligation to update forward-looking information except as otherwise may be required by applicable securities law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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/170885
Award-winning global broker FXGT.com launches world renowned trading platform, MetaTrader 4 (MT4).

VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FXGT.com, a leading online forex and CFD broker, has announced the addition of the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform to its trading platform offering.

Available on desktop, mobile and tablet devices, MT4 is one of the most popular trading platforms in the world, with a user-friendly interface that is suited to traders of all experience levels.

The official launch of MT4 on FXGT.com serves as the latest addition to its platform suite alongside MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and provides traders with even more flexibility and choice.

It represents another key milestone for FXGT.com, following on from the recent refresh of the company's brand, which saw the successful introduction of an updated logo, tagline, and website.

"MT4 is one of the most popular forex trading platforms amongst traders, and we are excited to be able to offer it to our clients," said Constantinos Pavlides, CMO at FXGT.com.

"It will sufficiently complement our MT5 offering, which allows us to welcome all types of traders and expert advisors and deliver on our promise to empower a range of different trading choices and strategies. Ultimately, we are committed to providing traders with the best possible trading experience," said Pavlides.

MT4 remains the dominant platform in specific geographic regions of the world and is very popular in certain market segments and strategies. The inclusion of MT4 as part of its platform selection, therefore, fulfils FXGT.com's "Any Trade, Any Strategy" tagline, whilst cementing its status as a truly global broker.

For more information about the suite of trading platforms available on FXGT.com, please click here.

About FXGT.com

FXGT.com is an established, award-winning, fully regulated, and licensed online broker. It operates in markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a growing presence in other regions, serving clients worldwide.

It is fully authorized and regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA), the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC).

It offers choice to traders through a wide range of tradable asset classes and instruments, with reliable and fast execution, across a broad selection of account types on the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms.

Moreover, FXGT.com presents an impressive array of trading tools, market insights, technical analysis, and much more to clients, who can also benefit from accessing attractive and generous promotions, including Welcome, Loyalty, and No Deposit bonuses, depending on the country/region.

Lastly, the brand has a reputation for ensuring the strong protection and security of funds by keeping clients' funds separate. FXGT.com is a regulated broker that is licensed by the FSA, FSCA, and VFSC, and is trusted by traders worldwide for its robust risk management policies and procedures, which includes allowing anytime withdrawals from clients' accounts.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2061487/FXGT_Com_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fxgtcom-adds-metatrader-4-to-its-trading-platform-offering-301857392.html
Guardian Agricultures SC1 aircraft is the first eVTOL authorized to operate in the U.S.

Guardian Agriculture, a Woburn, MA-based developer of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) systems for commercial-scale sustainable farming, raised $20M in Series A funding.

The round was led by Fall Line Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate production and expand commercial operations to farms nationwide.

Led by Founder and CEO Adam Bercu, Guardian provides the Guardian SC1 platform, an autonomous, electric and aerial crop protection system designed specifically for large-scale agriculture. The company will begin commercial operations in support of its Wilbur-Ellis customer in California this summer. It already has more than $100 million in customer orders.

Guardian, which designs and manufactures its system entirely within the U.S., was founded in 2017 and has offices in Massachusetts and California.

FinSMEs

21/06/2023
Leap, a New York-based provider of a retail platform for brands, raised $15M in funding.

The round was led by BAM Elevate and Costanoa Ventures with participation from Equal Ventures, Hyde Park Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to drive growth with existing and new brands, enhance platform capabilities and accelerate its path to profitability.

Led by CEO Amish Tolia, Leap is building a network of branded retail stores  powered by data, technology, and scale. Its platform enables brands to deploy stores that work in concert with ecommerce at reduced cost and risk and immersive customer experience and operations driven and informed by millions of data points.

The platform  which launches and operates insight-driven retail stores  has more than doubled its network size and revenue since the platforms Series B financing in January 2022. Today, more than 50 brands utilize it to power over 100 stores across 11 markets. Brands such as Frankies Bikinis, M.M.LaFleur, Public Rec and SET continue to expand their store count on the platform, while Brumate, Nisolo. and True Classic recently opened their first stores with Leap.

FinSMEs

21/06/2023
OspreyFX, an STP broker using ECN technology, was established in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2018. It offers FX and CFD trading, encompassing indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.

The firm is currently striving for growth, actively applying for a dealer license.

Traders Union recently conducted a full comprehensive OspreyFX broker review. The firm, now seeking a dealer license, allows users to trade via MetaTrader 4/5 or WebTrader on desktop or mobile with high leverage.

Osprey FX broker: pros and cons

In its thorough review, Traders Union outlined several pros and cons of utilizing OspreyFX for cryptocurrency trading.

Pros:

Availability of trading across five distinct asset classes.

Competitive spreads begin at just 0.4 pips.

Minimal deposit requirement is accessible to beginners in trading.

High leverage options, particularly for forex trading.

Diverse selection of trading accounts, each with unique commission fees.

Beneficial affiliate program offering $2.5 per lot sold via referred individuals.

Facility to open accounts in six different currencies, inclusive of Bitcoin ().

Cons:

Absence of licensure or oversight from an international regulatory body.

Requirement to interact with a virtual bot and answer a set of questions prior to chatting with a live operator.

Lack of trust accounts such as PAMM or MAMM in the brokers own investment programs.

Expert review of OspreyF

TU experts have recently examined OspreyFX, a budding ECN and STP broker based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Heres a summary of their findings:

OspreyFX is a new player in the market, currently unregulated but planning to obtain a license soon.

They provide a variety of account types for forex traders, including a unified ECN account compatible with MT4 and MT5 platforms.

The broker supports leveraged trading and the use of trading robots and advisors.

Passive investors have the option to link to the MQL5.com copy trading platform.

The product portfolio includes an extensive selection of CFDs, featuring cryptocurrencies.

An attractive affiliate program provides rewards for each traded lot of referrals.

Customer engagement is fostered through regular competitions and contests, and 24/7 support is available.

Extensive educational resources, cent, and demo accounts are available for beginners.

Minimum trading start is set at a low $10, catering to novice traders.

Notably, as OspreyFX is unregulated and doesnt participate in compensation schemes, deposits made are not protected.

Analysis of the main features of this broker

Traders Union carried out a thorough analysis and assessment of OspreyFX, basing their evaluation on the following benchmarks:

Overall Score: 1.76

Execution of Orders: 1.55 out of 10

Investment Instruments: 1.97 out of 10

Withdrawal Speed: 1.61 out of 10

Customer Support Work: 1.91 out of 10

Variety of Instruments: 1.39 out of 10

Trading Platform: 2.13 out of 10

OspreyFXs investment programs

Traders Union has comprehensively analyzed the offerings of OspreyFX. Heres a concise summary of their findings:

OspreyFX clients with an MQL5.com account can leverage MetaQuotes Ltds investment programs.

These programs offer trading signals, where investors can choose signal providers, pay a commercial subscription, and automatically copy selected traders actions. This facilitates passive income generation.

Additionally, investors can purchase expert advisors or trading robots, and technical indicators on MQL5.com or order algorithmic trading applications. This helps avoid independent market analysis.

The decision on which passive strategy to use lies entirely with the investor, as OspreyFX doesnt recommend specific providers, advisors, or robots.

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Perfect.Live, a Tallinn, Estonia-based startup specializing in providing luxury concierge lifestyle solutions, raised $650K in Pre-Seed funding.

The round was led by Eduards Zolotuhins, Sergei Verbitski, Igor Molder and Andrei Doktorov.

The company intends to use the funds to further develop and enhance their innovative GPT-powered concierge service.

Led by Dmitri Laush, Founder and CEO, Perfect.Live provides luxury concierge lifestyle solutions which utilize machine learning algorithms to offer a personalized service designed to understand the users needs based on the prompts they feed into the app. The app acts as a digital concierge associated with the world of luxury hotels and restaurants and allows an individual to schedule and organize a variety of supportive activities such as traveling, accommodation, booking venues, tables and gaining access to special events.

Top requests of the app include experiences such as access to F1 Monaco Grand Prix exclusive superyacht parties and Cannes festival events, as well as accommodation at Cote dAzur during F1 GP and Cannes. Providing private VIP transportation, such as helicopters, boats and luxury cars, and last-minute tables at top restaurants  these kinds of requests can be managed through the Perfect.Live app.

FinSMEs

21/06/2023
There is an amusing irony about Nick Fury. He has been integral to Marvel Cinematic Universe for a decade and a half but little is known of him. Fury sauntered into MCU with his post-credit cameo in the 2008 blockbuster Iron Man as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., who is primarily in charge of assembling the right superheroes every time Earth needs to be saved from intergalactic threats. The highly important job profile has ensured his presence in MCU over a dozen times, across various films and series. Yet, the S.H.I.E.L.D. top gun has been a largely mysterious entity so far, except that he digs wry humour, looks cool wearing eye patch, loves leather trenchcoats and flits in and out of MCU screenplays with a swagger only Samuel L. Jackson can add to a role.

When Secret Invasion drops on June 21 and MCUs Phase Five enters the domain of small screen series, Jackson as Fury, for the first time in any Marvel screen adventure, gets to essay a central role. Barring hardcore buffs, the world of Secret Invasion is not as familiar a comicbook adventure as the exploits of more prolific Marvel stars such as Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Hulk or Black Panther. Since Fury drives most of all that happens in Secret Invasion, understanding the character becomes pertinent to soaking in the action that the new show is set to unfold.

Fury-ous update

Secret Invasion presents Nick Fury in an uncertain world after the deaths of his superhero colleagues in Avengers: Endgame. It is therefore time to update the character from what he essentially was, which lets series creator Kyle Bradstreet and director Ali Selim explore his past as well as future.

Traditionally, Nick Fury has been a bad boy of sorts, even an antagonist in the odd comicbook story. While introducing him in MCU, the makers tweaked certain details  for instance, Fury was originally a White man in the comics and a World War II veteran who managed to slow his aging process. There are things that even I really didnt know about Nick Fury that I just found out, Jackson told EW in an interview, adding the series gives an opportunity to explore something other than the bada**ery of who Nick Fury is.

That the character comes of age in MCU with Secret Invasion is obvious from Jacksons defining him as the connective tissue of the series. For the first time, we get to see Nick Fury aging, and beyond the signature swagger. He is more human than comicbook this time, with psychological issues and physical issues he doesnt seem to be aware of.

Here come the Skrulls

The scope of a storyline is basic: Nick Fury races against time to avert an alien takeover of the world. The aliens in question are the Skrulls, a species of shapeshifting extraterrestrials from the planet Skrullos in the Andromeda galaxy. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Skrulls first appeared in a January 1962 edition of Fantastic Four comics.

On the MCU screen, the species has so far had off-and-on appearances since the 2019 film, Captain Marvel. In the MCU Phase Three film that was set in 1995, Brie Larson as Carol Danvers or Captain Marvel helps a group of Skrulls led by Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) defend against an attack by another species called the Kree. Talos was also seen with his wife Soren in the 2019 film, Spider-Man: Far From Home, which concluded Phase Three. In the film, Talos and Soren assume the shapes of Nick Fury and Maria Hill on Earth even as the real Fury is away in space.

In the 2021 Phase Four series WandaVision, a Skrull takes the shape of an FBI agent to mislead the superhero Monica Rambeau in an episode. Skrulls also had a presence in the first seasons of Loki and What If?, both series having premiered in 2021 as part of MCU Phase Four.

Heroes of secret invasion

The focus of the show is on Furys new challenge, having lost his trustworthy super fighters in the war against Thanos in Endgame. He must create a new team of heroes to save Earth from a group of rebel Skrulls. Led by Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir), these rebel Skrulls plan to conquer Earth by assuming shapes of people in power across the planet. The idea let Marvel boss Kevin Feige and his creative team launch Phase Five in a whole new direction beyond familiar superhero tracks and with a darker edge, even as Fury seeks the help of Talos, who is now settled on Earth, as well as his old S.H.I.E.L.D. associate Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and ex-CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman).

Ben Mendelsohn returns to MCU as Talos in Secret Invasion, while a highlight casting is of Emilia Clarke as Giah, the daughter of Talos who bears a grudge against Fury because she believes he did not fulfil his past promise to secure a new home for the Skrulls. Other important cast members in the series include Olivia Colman as MI6 bigshot Sonya Falsworth who is a friend of Fury, and Don Cheadle, back in MCU as James Rhodey Rhodes.

Phase five in a nutshell

Phase Five of MCU actually started on the big screen earlier this year with Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3. Secret Invasion, with six episodes that will have a staggered release over six weeks, is the first series of MCUs new phase. Six other series have been earmarked for Phase Five, after Secret Invasion drops.

In October this year Tom Hiddleston returns as the titular star in the second season of Loki, and a month later Alaqua Cox stars as Maya Lopez, who can perfectly imitate a persons movements, in the new series, Echo. This is scheduled to be followed by season two of the animated series, What If?

MCUs Phase Five roster for next year has three new shows lined up. Ironheart presents Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams / Ironheart, a genius inventor who creates a suit to match Tony Starks. Next in line is Agatha: Coven Of Chaos, a spin-off from WandaVision that casts Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness, a witch who lives in the guise of Wanda Maximoff and Visions meddlesome neighbour. The third new show finalised for a Phase Five debut is Daredevil: Born Again, which sees Charlie Cox reprise his role as the blind lawyer Matt Murdock who leads a double life as the masked superhero, Daredevil.

If all that seems mind-boggling for now, its best to wait and keep watching. Going by MCU track record, the more complex the universe gets the headier the adventures become.

Vinayak Chakravorty is a critic, columnist and journalist who loves to write on popular culture.

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The tourist submersible with five people on board that lost communication during a trip to Titanic remains missing.

While the US media has reported that banging sounds have been heard in the area where it disappeared, authorities have estimated that the submarine will run out of oxygen early on Thursday.

Can the sub be rescued? Is there hope for the passengers?

Lets take a closer look:

Whats the latest?

According to BBC, rescuers on Tuesday heard a banging sound at 30-minute intervals near the area the submarine went missing.

A Canadian P-3 aircraft picked up the sounds after which underwater rescue operations were relocated.

Also read: Titanic tourist submersible goes missing: Why it is difficult to find the vanished vessel

Also read: Whats the Titanic sub, which charges Rs 2.02 cr for expedition, that has vanished?

But according to the Coast Guard, there hasnt been much luck yet.

Explorer Chris Brown, a friend of British businessman British Hamish Harding, told BBC the sounds has got them written all over it and just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with.

If you made a continuous noise, thats not going to get picked up, but doing it every 30 minutes, that suggests humans, he said. Im sure theyre all conserving oxygen and energy, because its cold and dark down there.

The Scientific society the Explorers Club, of which two of the men aboard the vessel are members, told BBC, There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

But finding the vessel is one matter. Rescuing it is entirely a another matter.

How can the missing submarine be rescued?

According to CNN, the options for rescue remain severely limited.

US Navy submarines for example only operate around 800 feet. That means if the vessel is on the ocean floor, the navy subs cant simply dive down without putting themselves at risk.

The deepest-ever underwater rescue occurred in 1973, as per CNN.

Roger Chapman and Roger Mallinson  who were trapped for over three days  were saved from the Pisces III submersible.

That mission was successfully at a depth of 1,575 feet  compared to the incredible 13,000 feet below sea level where the wreckage of the Titanic rests.

That rescue saw a remotely-operated recovery vessel string a line to the Pisces III and tow it back to the surface.

According to The National, while private companies have search and rescue vessels, they do not simply work at the depth where the submarine could be.

Worse, the Titan does not seem to have an attachment point that a rescue vehicle can latch onto.

I dont think theres any option to transfer people to another submersible. Theres not so many around and theres no way to safely transfer, Ralf Bachmayer, professor for marine environmental technology and deep-sea engineering at the University of Bremen, Germany, told the outlet.

Is there hope for the passengers?

Experts say it doesnt look good.

According to CNN, the remoteness of the area the sub disappeared, the massive depth of the place where they went missing, the weather conditions and the state of the craft combine to make this a very difficult task.

Another complication is that even if the submarine is floating somewhere around the North Atlantic, its door remains bolted and can only be opened from the outside.

The passengers could thus simply run out of air to breathe, as per CNN.

I hope for the best, Bachmayer told The National. Its a big ocean and a lot of different things can go wrong. We just hope for them.

With inputs from agencies

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Hunter Biden, United States president Joe Bidens son, has agreed to a plea deal with the Justice Department over tax offences and a firearm charge. According to Associated Press (AP), Hunter will plead guilty to two misdemeanour tax crimes and admit to illegally possessing a gun as a drug user.

However, the 53-year-old is expected to avoid jail time as part of the plea agreement. The news of the junior Bidens plea deal on Tuesday (20 June) garnered strong criticism from Republicans, including Donald Trump. The former US president, who is himself entangled in legal troubles, wrote on his social media site: Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN!

Hunter Biden, who has been a constant target of the House Republicans who accuse him of corruption, has been under federal investigation since 2018.

Lets take a closer look at how scandals involving the younger Biden have continued to hit headlines in recent years.

Troubled personal life

Hunter was born to Joe Biden and his first wife Neilia Biden in 1970.

In December 1972, when he was only two years old, his mother and baby sister, Naomi, died in a car crash. Hunter and his elder brother, Beau, who were also in the car, survived but sustained injuries.

Hunter went on to study at Georgetown University and later graduated from Yale Law School in 1996, reported BBC.

It was during his college years that the younger Biden got into a social drinking habit and occasionally used cocaine, according to his 2019 interview with The New Yorker.

As per BBC, Hunter, who has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist and investor, has been in and out of rehab.

In 2013, he joined the US Navy Reserves in a White House ceremony attended by his father, who was then the US vice president in the Barack Obama-led government.

But he was discharged after testing positive for cocaine use on his first day at the naval base.

The then-44-year-old had said at the time that he was embarrassed that my actions led to my administrative discharge, reported Insider.

Two years later, his older brother, Beau, died from brain cancer. Hunter told New Yorker that following this tragedy he went on a bender that included drinking excessively and buying crack from homeless people.

He and Beau were one, Naomi, Hunters daughter with his first wife, Kathleen Buhle, once wrote on Twitter. One heart, one soul, one mind.

Hunter opened up about his struggle with addiction in 2019, saying: You dont get rid of it. You figure out how to deal with it.

Relationships and infidelity

Hunter and Buhle, a lawyer, got married in 1993 and have three children  Naomi, Finnegan and Maisy.

In 2017, the couple split. As per BBC, during a divorce filing that year, Buhle accused Hunter of spending extravagantly on his own interests (including drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs, and gifts for women with whom he has sexual relations) while leaving the family with no funds to pay legitimate bills.

The younger Biden confessed to being unfaithful to his first wife Buhle in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things.

After his divorce, the Biden family acknowledged Hunter was in a relationship with Hallie Biden, Beaus widow.

In the New Yorker interview, Hunter said he and Hallie bonded over shared and very specific grief of their loss. As per BBC, the pair were together for two years.

In May 2019, reports of Hunters wedding to South African filmmaker Melissa Cohen came to light.

In 2019, a DNA test proved that he was the biological and legal father of a child of an exotic dancer, Lunden Alexis Roberts. Hunter is currently involved in a lawsuit seeking the reduction of his $20,000 per month child support payments to Lunden.

ALSO READ: Is there any truth to Russias claim about Hunter Biden funding Ukrainian bio-labs?

China and Ukraine dealings

Hunter Biden has made headlines for his ties to now-bankrupt Chinese energy giant, CEFC China Energy. As per a 2022 Washington Post, the Chinese company and its executives paid $4.8 million to entities controlled by Hunter and his uncle, James Biden.

These transactions reportedly took place in the years after Joe Biden completed the vice presidency and before he announced his candidacy for the White House in 2020.

Hunter was hammering out a deal for Ye Jianming, the founder and chairman of CEFC, to invest in a natural gas project in Louisiana.

However, as per BBC, the Louisiana deal apparently fell through after Ye was detained by Chinese authorities on corruption charges in 2018. The Chinese billionaire later went missing.

Joe Bidens son also helped in starting the Chinese private equity firm BHR Partners. According to New York Times, Hunter Biden and two other American board members controlled 30 per cent of the firm, while the rest of the company was owned or controlled by Chinese investors, including the state-owned Bank of China.

According to the New Yorker, the younger Biden did not take an equity stake in BHR Partners until after his father left the White House in 2017.

Hunters business dealings in Ukraine have also caused controversy back home.

In 2014, Hunter joined the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company helmed by Mykola Zlochevsky.

At that time, Joe Biden was helping to lead the US governments Ukraine policy and was actively involved in anti-corruption work in the European country.

According to BBC, then-Vice-President Biden, along with a bunch of European allies, pressured the Ukrainian government to fire prosecutor Viktor Shokin, who was accused of blocking corruption investigations.

Shokins office had been investigating Burisma and Trump and his allies have claimed that he was ousted because of this.

In 2019, then-US president Trump pushed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in a telephone call to look into Hunters dealings with Burisma. This call led to the first impeachment against Trump.

Hunter is reportedly no longer on the board of both BHR Partners and Burisma Holdings.

The laptop tale

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Trumps allies claimed they had information from a laptop, which as per them, was abandoned by Hunter Biden at a Delaware computer repair shop.

New York Post reported on the content that was allegedly on the laptop, some of which concerned Hunters dealings with CEFC China and Burisma.

As per Politico, there were also sexually explicit photos of Hunter on the laptop.

Without offering any proof, Joe Biden dubbed the allegations a smear campaign by Russian disinformation.

According to Vox, no evidence has emerged so far that the material on the laptop was engineered by Russian disinformation.

The laptop was eventually seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which examined its content as part of the investigation into Hunter Biden, reported BBC.

According to an NBC News analysis, from 2013-18, Hunters firm raked in $11 million through its dealings in Ukraine and China.

The New York Times reported last May that a prominent Hollywood lawyer helped Hunter Biden to pay off $2 million in overdue taxes. Congressional Republicans are looking into the matter.

Despite the controversies, the US president has continued to support his son. Theres not a single thing that Ive observed at all that would affect me or the United States relative to my son Hunter, Biden told 60 Minutes in September 2022.

In May this year, Joe Biden told MSNBC, My son has done nothing wrong. I trust him. I have faith in him. It impacts my presidency by making me feel proud of him.

With inputs from agencies

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Its International Yoga Day and the entire world is celebrating it by bending and twisting themselves into various yoga asanas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, perhaps, the biggest ambassador of the practice, will be at the United Nations headquarters in New York, leading the celebrations.

In India, the day assumes even more significance and from north to south and east to west, people from all walks of life join in for the celebrations. The Indian Armed Forces also celebrates this day with much gusto and enthusiasm, with all the branches  Army, Navy and Air Force  joining in.

This year, the Indian Navy has decided to go all out and even form an Ocean Ring of Yoga and will spread the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the yoga day theme this year.

What exactly is this Ocean Ring of Yoga? How are the Armed Forces celebrating this momentous day? Heres what we know?

Navys Ocean Ring of Yoga

This year, the Indian Navy has decided to form the Ocean Ring of Yoga, under which 19 ships are going to be deployed across the Indian Ocean region. The Indian Navy said that of the 19 ships, 11 will be deployed at international ports to spread the message of yoga.

The foreign ports that have been selected are Chattogram in Bangladesh, Safaga in Egypt, Jakarta in Indonesia, Mombasa, in Kenya, Toamasina in Madagascar, Muscat in Oman, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Phuket in Thailand and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The ships being deployed are Kiltan, Chennai, Shivalik, Sunayna, Trishul, Tarkash, Vagir, Sumitra, and Brahmaputra, respectively.

The Indian Navy said that for the Ocean Ring of Yoga that nearly 3,500 naval personnel have travelled an extensive 35,000 kilometres and will act as ambassadors of yoga in both national and international waters. The personnel will conduct different yoga sessions on board, in order to spread the importance of practising yoga.

Additionally, Yoga Day celebrations are also being are also being carried out on board ships of several foreign navies in collaboration with Indias overseas missions, involving more than 1,200 foreign Navy personnel.

Raksha Mantris yoga day

Apart from the Indian Navys Ocean Ring of Yoga, other branches of the Armed Forces are also celebrating the day, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh taking the lead.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh performed yoga on board INS Vikrant, India;s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, alongside hundreds of Navy personnel. The defence minister performed different asanas for nearly an hour and joined personnel in their performance and led the celebrations on board the sprawling aircraft carrier.

#WATCH | Kochi, Kerala: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar performs Yoga on board INS Vikrant on #9thInternationalYogaDay. pic.twitter.com/KsaYZyptiz  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and other senior officers of the Navy and the Ministry of Defence were also present during the event.

Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh said: It is a matter of pride for India that the International Day of Yoga is being celebrated all over the world today and shows that our rich culture and heritage is being acknowledged and adopted globally.

Singh said that while yoga was acknowledged by the United Nations nine years ago only, it was being followed and practised in various parts of the world, including India, for centuries.

Indian Armys Bharatmala

The Indian Army is also joining in on the Yoga Day celebrations and will form a Bharatmala by organising yoga activities at over 106 locations situated along the Pakistan border and the Line of Actual Control along the Chinese border.

The locations chosen for this are Dong in Arunachal Pradesh to Longewala in the Thar desert to the west, the Siachen glacier in the north. Sessions will also be conducted in Kanyakumari and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well.

#WATCH | Indian Army personnel perform Yoga at Pangong Tso, Ladakh, to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay. (Video Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/HQRxo8mHdA  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

At Delhi Cantonment, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande also participated in Yoga Day celebrations along with other senior officials.

The Army is also executing yoga outreach in African nations, through troops deployed in United Nations Mission areas.

#WATCH | Kerala: Indian Army personnel perform underwater Yoga in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay. (Video Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/fHQPkJHro6  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

IAFs mega event

According to a News18 report, the Indian Air Force has also planned Yoga Day celebrations across the country at different air force stations.

Its an important day for the whole world. Indian Air Force is a very big part of the occasion. Our chief will be a part of celebrations at the air force station in New Delhi and along with him hundreds of personnel from the service will perform yoga throughout the country, a senior official was quoted as saying.

With inputs from agencies

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It was undoubtedly a moment to watch. Hundreds descended upon the North Lawn of the headquarters of the United Nations in New York to twist and bend into various asanas to celebrate the ninth International Day of Yoga. And leading delegates, bureaucrats and entrepreneurs was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in New York on Tuesday night.

Ahead of his special class, Modi shared a video message, saying that India has always nurtured traditions that unite, adopt and embrace and made a fervent appeal to eliminate contradictions, hurdles and resistances through yoga. We have to eliminate our contradictions, blockages and resistances through Yoga. We have to present the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat as an example to the world, the PM said.

Accompanying Modi in this special yoga session that Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj called a unique occasion was New York City professional ballerina Annelies Richmond.

The 47-year-old ballerina, who is also a yoga trainer and a faculty member at several prestigious universities in the United States, Richmond led the yoga session for 25 minutes at the outdoor area of the UN Headquarters, reported The Indian Express. I will be heading a group of six American children  in the age group of 8-12 years  who have been practising asanas, she was quoted as telling the newspaper, It is a great honour for me to be leading the yoga session for PM Modi.

When asked how she was approached for the big-ticket event, she told The Indian Express that the opportunity came to her through Indian representatives at the UN, through her local teacher in New York City.

But who exactly is Annelies Richmond? What are her yoga credentials?

Ballerina-turned-yogi

Annelies Richmond has spent 15 years in New York City as a professional ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera. Her first brush with yoga came when she was just 18 and at the time she wasnt a fan of it, believing it to be just stretching.

However, five years later, when she turned 23, she came into contact with yoga through Sri Sri Ravi Shankars Art of Living (AOL) once again and it was then that the love story began. Richmond says that initially the yoga asanas helped in her physical healing, from her injuries and stiffness.

Suffering from nervousness before hitting the dance stage, she realised that pranayama and sudarshan kriya  breathing practices  helped her and made her calmer and more centred.

Moved by the benefits of yoga, she then founded the SKY Campus Happiness Program, which is a well-being programme for university students. The program is utilised by students in over 100 universities across America.

Richmond also serves as a faculty member at the University of Southern Maine, and conducts lectures at top-tier institutes such as Yale University, MIT, UPENN, and Columbia University.

According to a report published by The Quint, she has also taught youngsters at correctional facilities across the country.

Catch our full coverage of PM Modis US visit

Modi in the US: Why the PM enjoys a rockstar-like status among Indians abroad

PM Modis US visit: Why Indian-Americans are so influential

Yoga, meal with the Bidens, meet with CEOs: PM Modis packed days during US visit

Modi in US: Why PMs sixth visit to the US is even more significant than past trips

Modi in US: How PMs state visit to the US will be beneficial to India

Explained: How Pakistans ISI is plotting to disrupt PM Modis historic state visit to the US

Deals on drones and jets: How India-US defence ties are flourishing under PM Modi

Rattled by Prime Minister Modis US visit, western media pulls out its template of lies

Richmond, India and AOL

Richmonds yoga connection is through Sri Sri Ravi Shankars Art of Living and she attributes her love for the ancient Indian practice to the centre.

In 2006, Richmond travelled to Bengaluru to the AOL campus to learn yoga and since then she has enjoyed an Indian connect. She has travelled to the country on several occasions and has praised the country and yoga for her outlook to life.

In one of her blog posts, she writes about yoga, My first experience with Art of Living and the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar completely blew me away. I started noticing the trees when I would walk to the subway. I started feeling happier at work. Anything bothersome that would happen would just roll off my back, as long as I was practicing the techniques Id learned. But the most astounding thing for me, and for my career, was that after I started practicing meditation daily, the nervousness just disappeared. Performance felt natural and normal, like I was in my living room. I remember walking on stage at the Metropolitan Opera in front of four thousand people and not feeling nervous at all.

She adds it was this feeling that led her to begin teaching for Art of Living, and learning about how confidence and compassion are intertwined.

Today, Richmond has the honour of having trained over 1,200 certified meditation instructors across five countries as the director of Teacher Training for Art of Living-USA.

With inputs from agencies

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China is at it again, and India is fuming. Beijing has blocked a proposal by India and the United States to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Sajid Mir as a global terrorist at the United Nations.

Earlier, India and the US had jointly moved the proposal to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to an assets freeze, a travel ban and an arms embargo. Last year in September, China had put a hold on the proposal and this time around has blocked it.

India has expressed its unhappiness at Beijings move and in a strongly-worded statement said that if established terrorists cannot be proscribed by the United Nations for petty geopolitical interests, it shows a lack of genuine political will to sincerely fight the challenge of terrorism.

Just hours before Modi leads a contingent at the UN headquarters for Yoga Day celebrations, Prakash Gupta, joint secretary, UN Political at the Ministry of External Affairs, speaking at the UNs counter-terror meet said: When the proposal for listing Sajid Mir  did not get through the Global Listings of the UN Security Council Sanctions Regime despite several member states co-sponsoring it  we have righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture.

If we cannot get established terrorists who have been banned across global landscapes proscribed by the United Nations  for petty geopolitical interests  then we really do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism, Gupta added.

#WATCH | If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes listed under security council architecture for pure geopolitical interest, then we do not really have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of pic.twitter.com/mcbw3bV13W  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

This isnt the first time that China is shielding terrorists with links to Pakistan. We take a look at all bids blocked by the neighbouring nation and why this has become a habit.

June 2023: Sajid Mir

Sajid Mir, a LeT terrorist, is according to investigative agencies, the chief planner of the November 26, 2008 (26/11) terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Dawood Gilani alias David Coleman Headley had told investigators on his arrest that Mir had recruited him and sent him to Mumbai to observe targets before the attacks, helped train terrorists, and gave them instructions over the phone as the attack unfolded, particularly the one at Nariman House where six Jewish residents were killed.

Americas Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) put out an arrest warrant for Mir on 22 April 2011 and he is also on their most wanted list.

Besides the 26/11 attack, Mir is also wanted by the US for a terror conspiracy against a Danish newspaper and its employee in 2008 and 2009.

In June last year, Mir was jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan had in the past claimed Mir had died, but various nations were sceptical and demanded proof of his death. It was a major sticking point in Financial Action Task Force (FATF)s assessment of Pakistans progress on the action plan last year.

October 2022: Hafiz Talah Saeed



In October last year, China placed a hold on the proposal to add Hafiz Talah Saeed, the son of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, on UNs global terrorists list.

The 46-year-old key LeT leader and head of the terror organisations cleric wing was designated a terrorist by the Indian government in April. He has been actively involved in recruitment, fund collection, and planning and executing attacks by the LeT in India and Indian interests in Afghanistan.

He has also been actively visiting various LeT centres across Pakistan, and during his sermons propagating for jihad against India, Israel, the United States and Indian interests in the West, the home ministry said in its notification.

October 2022: Shahid Mahmood

In October, China also blocked a proposal by India and the US at the UN to list LeTs Shahid Mahmood as a global terrorist.

A senior leader based in Karachi, the 42-year-old has been affiliated with the terror outfit since at least 2007. The United States declared him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in 2016.

According to the US Department of Treasury, Mahmood served as the vice chairman of Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a humanitarian and fundraising arm of LeT as early as June 2015 and at least June 2016. In 2014, he was the leader of FIF in Karachi and in August 2013, was identified as a LeT publications wing member.

He travelled to Bangladesh to distribute funds to a Burmese migrant camp for facilitating LeT recruitment. He also visited Syria, Turkey and Gaza.

While part of LeTs operations team, Mahmoods areas of responsibility included Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. Additionally, in August 2013, Mahmood was instructed to forge covert links with Islamic organisations in Bangladesh and Burma, and as of late 2011, Mahmood claimed that LeTs primary concern should be attacking India and America, the US Department of Treasury says on its website.

August 2022: Abdul Rauf Azhar

Beijing in August 2022 blocked a proposal to blacklist the senior Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar, saying it needed more time to assess the application.

The brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, Rauf is one of the conspirators of the 1999 hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC-814. It was planned to secure Masood Azhars release from jail.

He was responsible for the attack on Parliament in 2001, the 2005 attack on the makeshift Ayodhya Temple, and the 2016 strike on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot. He is believed to have strong ties with the Taliban, Al Qaeda, LeT and Haqqani network.

Designated a global terrorist by the US in 2010, Rauf has been reportedly been taking refuge in Pakistan.

June 2022: Abdul Rehman Makki

In June, China put a technical hold on the proposal by India and the US to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki, the brother-in-law of Hafiz Saeed.

The two countries had called for designating Makki as a Global Terrorist under the ISIS and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC. He has been accused of radicalising youth in Jammu and Kashmir and planning attacks in the region.

A firebrand terrorist, he is a known face at the Kashmir Solidarity rallies held in Islamabad. In 2010, he threatened rivers of blood in India for not handling Kashmir to Pakistan and threatened to seize it. In November 2010, he was put on the US treasury department list of designated and sanctioned terrorists. A bounty of $20 million was offered for information on him, reports The Indian Express.

According to the US, Makki has played a role in raising funds for LeT operations and has occupied various leadership roles in the LeT. He has been working closely with Hafiz Saeed and would always be present in court during hearings against the 26/11 mastermind.

March 2019: Masood Azhar

In March 2019, China prevented a UNSC committee from blacklisting Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Masood Azhar. However, two months on, the United Nations declared him a global terrorist, which came as a big diplomatic win for India after China withdrew its objections.

Beijing had been blocking Indias attempts to secure the designation against Azhar almost for a decade.

Azhar is one of the terrorists freed by India in exchange for passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane in 1999. Since his release, he has overseen several terror attacks, including some targeting India. He has been accused of plotting the February 14 attack on a paramilitary convoy in Kashmirs Pulwama that lead to the deaths of 40 personnel.

Chinas motives

For years, China has been raising objections and blocking Indias bid to crack down on terrorists. It is their way to ensure that Pakistan keeps India occupied in regional battles.

However, the US has blacklisted some terrorists shielded by China like LeTs intelligence chief Azam Cheema and Hizbul Mujahideen head Mohamed Yusuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin. While Cheema trained 26/11 handlers, Salahuddin has been focused on spreading terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

China is, in fact, supporting terror against India by placing hurdles before the 1267 committee and shielding the mass murderers from facing justice, writes journalist Shishir Gupta in Hindustan Times. In return, Pakistan remains mum against the oppression of Uyghur Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang province.

With inputs from agencies

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It was a big day for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States. On Day 2 of his visit, the PM held bilateral talks, addressed the US Congress and a state dinner at the White House. He became the first Indian to address the US Congress twice. Escorting the Indian leader to his joint address was Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar.

Thanedar was also invited by US president Joe Biden to attend the state dinner.

Speaking to ANI, the American politician called it a great honour to accompany PM Modi to to the US Congress.

But, who is Shri Thanedar? Lets take a closer look.

From India to the US

Shri Thanedar was born in Karnatakas Belgaum in 1955. As per The Quint report, he spent the first 24 years of his life in the southern states Belgaum and Dharwad, and Maharashtras Mumbai.

I grew up in poverty in India, in a family of 10, where I remember going to the river to get drinking water. After my father retired, it fell to me to care for my family, so I worked as a janitor, Thanedar said on his website.

He earned a Masters degree in chemistry from the University of Bombay at the age of 18.

He also briefly worked as a scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, as per The Quint report.

Chasing the American Dream

In 1979, Thanedar went to the US to pursue a PhD in chemistry at the University of Akron.

He took up a job as a teaching assistant to support his family back home. My $300 monthly salary wasnt much to live on  especially after sending $75 each month to help my family still living in India. But through hard work and a little bit of luck, I was able to earn an MBA and a PhD in chemistry, Thanedar was quoted as saying by The Quint.

According to his US House of Representatives profile, he became an American citizen in 1988.

In 1990, he purchased Chemir, a small chemical testing and analysis laboratory in St. Louis, as per a Politico report.

While Chemir prospered, Thanedar suffered a personal tragedy as his first wife Shamal, with whom he has two sons, died in October 1996.

He eventually remarried in August 1999 to a woman named Shashi.

The entrepreneur witnessed an economic downturn during the Great Recession in 2008 when he had to declare bankruptcy.

In 2010, Thanedar founded Avomeen, a chemical testing lab, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. However, six years later, he sold his majority stake in the company.

Thanedar, who is fluent in Kannada, Hindi, and Marathi, has penned an autobiography in Marathi, and a self-published memoir in English titled The Blue Suitcase: Tragedy and Triumph in an Immigrants Life, according to The Quint.

ALSO READ: Modi in the US: Why the PM enjoys a rockstar-like status among Indians abroad

Plunge into politics

In 2018, Thanedar unsuccessfully entered the race for the Democratic primary for Michigans governor post.

Two years later, he became a member of the Michigan State House.

In the 2022 US midterm elections, he successfully ran for the 13th Congressional District of Michigan and became the fifth Indian-American to be elected to the US House of Representatives.

Thanedar is the first desi politician to be elected from the state of Michigan.

In an interview with PTI, the 68-year-old Congressman said: I grew up in poverty and only came to America with a dream. I was fortunate to achieve my American Dream; the United States is a country of immigrants, a land of opportunity, and this diversity makes our country strong.

Hindu Caucus in the US

On 14 June, Thanedar said he plans to form a Hindu Caucus in the US Congress to bring like-minded lawmakers together to ensure Hindus do not face hate and bigotry.

It is important that every person has a right to choose a religion, pray (to) a God that he or she chooses without persecution, without discrimination, without hate or for those who may choose not to pray to a God.

These are freedoms that are fundamental. These are fundamental human rights, Thanedar was quoted as saying by PTI.

He made the remarks at the first-ever Hindu American Summit organised by Americans4Hindus at the Capitol Visitor Center, as per the news agency.

ALSO READ: PM Modi and Annelies Richmond to lead Yoga Day session at UN HQ: Who is the New York ballerina-turned-yogini?

India and US ties

Thanedar has previously called for a strong relationship between the US and other democratic countries, including India.

Speaking to news agency PTI ahead of Prime Minister Modis visit to the US, the Congressman said he hoped the Indian leader would speak on the aggression by China and Russia.

I expect him (Modi) to propose collaboration in defence, space, businesses and technology. I hope that Prime Minister Modi stresses on the importance of a strong relationship between the United States and India and we need to have a trusting relationship so that we can fight the aggression of China. I hope he speaks about Chinese aggression and Russian aggression against a sovereign democratic country like Ukraine.

VIDEO | I expect him (PM Modi) to propose collaboration in defence, space, technology. I hope he speaks about Chinese aggression and Russian aggression against a sovereign democratic country like Ukraine, Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar tells PTI on PM Modis pic.twitter.com/fxB0qbvEZz  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 20, 2023

Meanwhile, Thanedar and his wife were also invited by US president Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to the state dinner in honour of Modi on 22 June evening.

(My spouse) Shashi and I are looking forward to the Prime Ministers visit to the United States; this is a historic event for the Prime Minister. I hope to stress upon the Prime Minister the need for stronger US-India ties, the Indian-American told the news agency earlier.

With inputs from agencies

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Dont feel bad about taking your daily nap in the mid-afternoon. While earlier studies have suggested that protracted naps can be an early sign of Alzheimers disease, more recent studies have shown that a quick nap can actually enhance learning.

According to a study conducted by scientists at UCL and the University of the Republic in Uruguay, taking naps during the day may delay the rate at which our brains shrink as we get older.

The researchers are hoping that by revealing the health advantages of daytime sleeping, the stigma surrounding it would be lessened.

Also read: Cant Dream This Up: Can poor sleep affect your vaccines effectiveness?

Benefits of short napping

In line with these studies, we found an association between habitual daytime napping and larger total brain volume, which could suggest that napping regularly provides some protection against neurodegeneration through compensating for poor sleep, the researchers note.

According to the study, the average amount of brain volume between individuals who were programmed to nap frequently and those who did not was equal to 2.6 to 6.5 years of ageing. Therefore, experts advise that taking one 30-minute nap per day may help to decrease the shrinkage of the brain.

Senior author Dr Victoria Garfield, MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, said as per The Independent, Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older.

In addition to the numerous risk factors for dementia, several additional factors can also have an impact on brain volume, according to Garfield.

According to Tara Spires-Jones, president of the British Neuroscience Association and deputy director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study, the research was well-conducted, but it had limitations, including the fact that napping habits were self-reported.

The Guardian quoted her as telling the Science Media Centre that the findings show a small but significant increase in brain volume in people who have a genetic signature associated with taking daytime naps. Despite these drawbacks, she argued that the study was intriguing because it adds to the evidence indicating that sleep is important for brain health.

Scientists say further research is required to determine whether naps could aid in the prevention of illnesses like Alzheimers.

Also read: Couples that sleep apart stay together? Sleep divorce, the new social media trend, explained

Methodology

Researchers used a method known as Mendelian randomisation to analyse DNA samples and brain scans from 35,080 participants in the UK Biobank study, a sizable biomedical database and research resource that monitored UK citizens from 2006 to 2010. The study was published on Monday in the journal Sleep Health.

Mendelian randomisation is a statistical method that makes use of genetics to shed light on the connection between an exposure and a result.

The researchers investigated whether a set of genetic variations previously linked to self-reported frequent daily naps were also connected to brain volume, cognition, and other characteristics of brain health.

By looking at genes set at birth, Mendelian randomisation avoids confounding factors occurring throughout life that may influence associations between napping and health outcomes, said lead author Valentina Paz, a researcher at the University of the Republic of Uruguay and UCL in the statement.

The method enables researchers to probe the impact of napping on the brain by reducing the impact of lifestyle factors that can affect peoples napping habits and brain health, such as smoking or physical activity since such variants are set at birth and are assumed to be randomly assigned.

It is like a natural randomised control trial, said Dr Victoria Garfield, a co-author of the study from University College London, adding that the variants were quite common. Theyre present in around at least one per cent of the population, which is actually quite a lot of people.

Also read: A Good Nights Rest: Why more people are waking up to sleep tourism in 2023

Too much napping can be harmful

An early stage of dementia in older persons may be indicated by frequent naps or regular naps that last for long amounts of time during the day, according to earlier research.

According to a study published in Alzheimers and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimers Association in March last year, elderly people who napped more than an hour per day or at least once a day were 40% more likely to develop Alzheimers than those who did not nap daily or napped for less than an hour per day.

People who frequently snooze have a higher risk of getting high blood pressure and suffering a stroke, CNN cited a study published in July 2022.

Compared to study participants who never napped, those who frequently napped throughout the day had a 24 per cent increased risk of having a stroke and a 13 per cent increased risk of developing high blood pressure over time.

Dr Raj Dasgupta, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and a sleep specialist, previously told CNN that excessive napping could be a sign of an underlying sleep issue. Sleep disorders are linked to an increase in stress and weight regulation hormones which can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes  all risk factors for heart disease, he said. I do believe napping is a warning sign of an underlying sleep disorder in certain individuals.

With inputs from agencies

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As the scorching summer sun bears down upon us, its time to seek refuge in the cool and serene landscapes of North India. While popular tourist destinations tend to get overcrowded during this time, several off-beat travel spots offer a refreshing and unique experience.

From picturesque hill stations to cultural marvels, North India has something to offer to every traveller seeking respite from the summer heat. Lets explore some of the best off-beat travel destinations in North India that are perfect for your summer getaway.

Chopta  The Mini Switzerland of India:

Located in Uttarakhand state, Chopta is a pristine hill station known for its untouched beauty and breathtaking vistas. With lush meadows, dense forests, and panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, Chopta offers a perfect escape from the scorching summer heat. Embark on a trek to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world, or simply immerse yourself in the tranquillity of this hidden gem.

Mandi  The Land of Serenity:

Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Mandi is a charming town blessed with natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. The town is dotted with ancient temples, picturesque lakes, and magnificent palaces. Take a stroll along the banks of the Beas River, explore the quaint markets, and witness the unique International Mandi Shivratri Fair, which attracts visitors from far and wide.

Orchha  A Tapestry of History and Architecture:

Nestled on the banks of the Betwa River in Madhya Pradesh, Orchha is a hidden gem that showcases the grandeur of medieval India. The town is famous for its awe-inspiring palaces, intricately carved temples, and magnificent cenotaphs. Walk through history as you explore the magnificent Orchha Fort, the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, and the mystical Chaturbhuj Temple.

Tawang  Land of Monastic Charms:

Situated in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is a mesmerizing destination known for its Buddhist monasteries and breathtaking landscapes. The Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India, is a must-visit attraction that exudes peace and spirituality. Take in the panoramic views of the snow-clad mountains, visit the stunning Nuranang Waterfalls, and immerse yourself in the unique blend of culture and natural beauty that Tawang offers.

Nainital  Tranquillity by the Lake:

Although Nainital is relatively popular, it still retains its off-beat charm and is an ideal summer retreat. Nestled amidst the Kumaon hills in Uttarakhand, Nainital is famous for its pristine lakes, lush forests, and pleasant weather. Take a boat ride on the emerald waters of Naini Lake, explore the Mall Road bustling with shops and cafes, and visit the Naina Devi Temple for a spiritual experience.

Tirthan Valley:

Tirthan Valley is located in Himachal Pradeshs Kullu District at an elevation of 1600 metres above sea level. Named after the Tirthan River that runs through it, Tirthan Valley is located about 3 kilometres from the Great Himalayan National Parks entrance. This location is rich in adventure activities and a nature lovers paradise.

Mukteshwar:

Mukteshwar is a small town located in Uttarakhand and is known for its scenic beauty and adventure activities like trekking and rock climbing. Mukteshwar takes its name from the 350-year-old Mukteshwer Dham temple, whose reigning deity is Lord Shiva. The majestic Himalayan range may be seen from the top of the mountain on which Mukteshwar Temple stands.

Kasol:

Kasol is located in Himachal Pradesh and is known for its scenic beauty, adventure activities like trekking, and hippie culture. It is well-known for its trekking paths, including hikes to Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass. Visit the village of Malana to get a true sense of the culture in this region. Malana, located a few kilometres from Kasol, is a little hamlet inhabited by people who live in self-imposed solitude. However, the area has many scenic attractions and is commonly referred to as Little Greece.

Binsar:

Binsar is located in Uttarakhand and is known for its scenic beauty and wildlife sanctuary. Due to its location, it offers spellbinding views of the majestic Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Shivling and Panchachuli. Locals say Binsar was named after the Bineshwar Mahadev temple, a 16th-century temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Ziro Valley:

Ziro is a small hill town in Indias Arunachal Pradesh state. It is a census town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is enough to draw tourists to this valley. Ziro is a haven for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. This unique hill hamlets mesmerising panoramic splendour, dotted with terraced rice fields, lush bamboo woods, and picturesque trails flanked with tall blue and green pines, makes it one of Indias most photogenic valleys.

DISCLAIMER: This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Wednesday achieved a significant breakthrough, making the first-ever seizure of 3.21 kg of Black Cocaine at Ahmedabad airport.

With an arrest too, the seizure has shed light on the alarming presence of this illicit substance in India. With an estimated value of approximately Rs 32 crore, this black cocaine was cunningly disguised by a Brazilian national who had mixed it with charcoal and other chemicals, giving it a black rubbery appearance to elude detection by canines and field testing kits.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers associated with black cocaine and prompts us to delve deeper into understanding its risks and implications.

Cocaine, a powerful stimulant known for its energizing effects, has gained notoriety in various forms. One of these forms is known as black cocaine. In this article, we will delve into what black cocaine is, its production process, effects, and the risks associated with its use. Lets shed light on this illicit substance in easy-to-understand language.

What is Black Cocaine?

Black cocaine is a type of cocaine that has been mixed or cut with other substances, usually in order to increase its profitability for illicit drug dealers. These additives can include substances like caffeine, talcum powder, baking soda, or other cheap and easily accessible materials. The final product may appear darker in color, hence the name black cocaine, but it can also be brown or off-white.

Production Process

The production of black cocaine involves several steps. First, coca leaves, which are obtained from the coca plant mainly grown in South America, are processed to extract cocaine alkaloids. These alkaloids are then combined with other chemicals and substances to create a powdered form of cocaine. To make black cocaine, this powder is further mixed with additives, altering its appearance and potency.

Effects and Risks

Like regular cocaine, black cocaine is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. When consumed, it produces an intense and immediate high, leading to increased energy, euphoria, and a sense of invincibility. However, the effects are often short-lived, lasting only for a brief period.

Black cocaine poses significant risks to users due to the unpredictable nature of the additives used during its production. The substances mixed with the cocaine base can vary widely, and the purity and potency of black cocaine are often uncertain. This makes it difficult for users to gauge the appropriate dosage, increasing the chances of overdose and adverse reactions.

Moreover, the additives themselves can be harmful. Substances like talcum powder or baking soda, which are not meant for ingestion, can cause damage to the respiratory system and other organs. In addition, the combination of different chemicals and impurities can result in serious health complications and put an enormous strain on the body.

Another risk associated with black cocaine is the potential for addiction. The intense high experienced with cocaine use can lead to a psychological dependence, making it difficult for users to quit. Continued use of black cocaine can have detrimental effects on a persons physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

Legal and Social Consequences

Its crucial to note that black cocaine, like any form of cocaine, is illegal in most countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Possession, production, or distribution of cocaine can lead to severe legal repercussions, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

Furthermore, the production and trade of black cocaine are often linked to organized crime and drug cartels. The profits generated from the illicit drug market contribute to violence, corruption, and instability in many communities. The negative social impact extends beyond individual users to the wider society as a whole.

Seeking Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with cocaine addiction, it is essential to seek help. Various organizations and support groups are available to provide guidance, counseling, and treatment options. Reaching out to healthcare professionals or addiction helplines can be the first step toward recovery and a healthier life.

In conclusion, black cocaine is a dangerous and illicit form of cocaine that is often mixed with other substances to increase profits for drug dealers. Its production process involves adding various additives, resulting in an unpredictable and potentially harmful substance. The risks associated with black cocaine include overdose, organ damage, addiction, and legal consequences. Understanding the dangers of this illicit drug can help raise awareness and promote healthier choices and lifestyles.

DISCLAIMER: This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence.

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The central government has approved US-based chip maker Microns project to set up a semiconductor test and packaging unit worth USD 2.7 billion in the country, sources told PTI.

The project is expected to create 5,000 jobs. The government agreed to production-linked incentives worth 110 billion rupees ($1.34 billion) for the plant, which is set to be built in PM Modis home state of Gujarat, Reuters reported quoting an official.

Micron specialises in computer memory products, flash drives etc. It will set up an OSAT plant in India which will test and package its product to make it ready for use.

The project was cleared about a week back, a source told PTI, confirming details of the project. Microns OSAT (outsourced semiconductor assembly and test) proposal was cleared after the government modified the semiconductor programme and increased the incentives.

In the first phase, the government had cleared four OSAT projects which included proposals by Tata Group, Sahasra Semiconductors.

Sahasra Semiconductors is the first OSAT plant that is expected to start production soon, another source told PTI.

Micron Technologys plans come as the White House presses U.S. chip companies to invest in India with talks ongoing about possible further investments, U.S. administration officials told Reuters.

Biden wants domestic companies to decrease the risks of doing business in China while better integrating the U.S. economy with that of the worlds largest democracy, one U.S. official said.

A senior Biden administration official said the White House was encouraged by the number of U.S. firms considering India investments.

China in May said Micron had failed a security review and barred operators of key domestic infrastructure from purchasing products from the United States biggest memory chipmaker, angering the Biden administration. The U.S. Commerce Department declined to comment.

An Indian industry source familiar with Microns approvals said the so-called Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging will be built in the city of Sanand.

Such units test and pack semiconductor chips, but do not manufacture them. Micron could procure and package chip for clients at the plant, or other companies could send their chips for testing before shipping.

The source added that Microns India plant would boost Modis vision of making India a semiconductor base but true success would require actual manufacturing.

Reuters reported this month that three big companies, including a Foxconn joint venture, that bid for Indian semiconductor incentives were struggling due to the lack of a technology partner.

The Micron deal helps the vision but not in a phenomenal way because still, the major part of the puzzle lies in setting India as a semiconductor base, said the industry source.

With inputs from agencies

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, greeted people on the 9th International Day of Yoga and said that coming together on more than 180 countries of Indias call is historic.

PM Modi, who is on State Visit to the US, posted a video message on Twitter in which he said: Around 5:30 pm IST, I will participate in the Yoga program which is being organised at the headquarters of the United Nations. The coming together of more than 180 countries on Indias call is historic.

The Prime Minister further said when the proposal for Yoga Day came to the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, it was supported by a record number of countries.

International Day of Yoga

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014, PM Modi introduced the concept of International Day of Yoga and since then, yoga gained huge popularity worldwide due to its benefits on overall health, including enhancing flexibility, strength, balance.

The prime minister, in the video message, also said the idea of the Ocean Ring of Yoga makes the yoga day more special as it is based on the mutual relation between the idea of yoga as well as the expanse of the ocean.

The theme of International Day of Yoga 2023 is Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that is, Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of One World-One Family.

Sharing my message on International Day of Yoga. https://t.co/4tGLQ7Jolo  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. Like every year, this time too programs related to yoga have been organised in every corner of India.

In his message, PM Modi said the International Day of Yoga was special this year as researchers at India's research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica too were participating in the celebrations.

He further said India has always nurtured traditions that unite, adopt and embrace, and made a fervent appeal to eliminate contradictions, hurdles and resistances through Yoga.

The prime minister said Indians have welcomed new ideas and conserved them and celebrated the country's rich diversity.

"Yoga strengthens such feelings, expands the inner vision, and connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being giving a basis of love for the living being," he said.

"We have to eliminate our contradictions, blockages and resistances through Yoga. We have to present the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' as an example to the world," PM Modi added.

With inputs from agencies

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The 9th International Day of Yoga is being celebrated across the world today (June 21). The annunal event is aimed to raising awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing Yoga  an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India.

The word yoga derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Yoga is practiced around the world in various forms and continues to grow in popularity.

Here are the countrys yoga gurus who have contributed a lot in making yoga famous all over the world 

Paramahansa Yogananda

Fondly called the Father of Yoga in the West, Paramahansa Yogananda is considered as one of the preeminent spiritual figures of modern times. He has impacted the lives of several people with his comprehensive teachings on the science of Kriya Yoga meditation, the underlying unity of all true religions, and the art of balanced health and well-being in body, mind, and soul.

Tirumalai Krishnamacharya

Often called the Father of Modern Yoga for his wide influence on the development of postural yoga, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya laid great emphasis on asana and pranayama because he believed that unless the body is healthy and free of illness, there is no way the mind can transcend and move inward.

Dhirendra Brahmachari

In 1970s, Dhirendra Brahmachari is said to have promoted Yoga on Doordarshan. His show was a weekly one on DD and he had also introduced yoga as a subject in Kendriya Vidyalayas. He was also the yoga mentor of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

K Pattabhi Jois

K Pattabhi Jois was the founder of Ashtanga yoga  a physically demanding, dynamic style of yoga embraced by millions of people across the world. He was a professor and yoga teacher.

BKS Iyengar

Founder of Iyengar Yoga, Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengars failing health led him to learn yoga from his guru Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. Iyengar taught yoga to famous international personalities like violinist Yehudi Menuhin and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium. Novelist Aldous Huxley followed his teachings, so does filmmaker Mira Nair and actress Annette Bening.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Pioneer of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is famous for being the yoga guru of The Beatles. TM yoga involves silent chants, creates a relaxation of the body and the mind and raises the consciousness. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi toured the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Switzerland from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s and taught thousands.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened an all-party meeting on June 24 in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur which has witnessed sporadic violence since May 3.

Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah has convened an all-party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur, a home ministry spokesperson tweeted.

Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah has convened an all party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur.@PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts  Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) June 21, 2023

The announcement came after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met the home minister here this evening.

Sarma is also the convenor of the NDAs Northeast chapter NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance).

He had also visited Imphal a fortnight ago and met Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and a number of political leaders.

Violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

So far, nearly 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 are injured.

Amit Shah also visited the state for four days last month and met a cross-section of people in his efforts to bring back peace in the northeastern state.

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A tantrik has been arrested for allegedly strangulating a 27-year-old lesbian from Uttar Pradeshs Shahjahanpur to death after taking her to a secluded place, promising to change her gender.

Police have also arrested the womans 25-year-old partner Preeti Sagar, who lived in Lakhimpur Kheri, on several charges, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

The deceased, Poonam Kumari, a resident of Shahjahanpur, met Preeti in college and both were in a relationship for a few months, said Shahjahanpurs additional superintendent of police (ASP) city, Sudhir Jaiswal.

Police said Poonam was allegedly lured by the tantric (occultist), identified as Ram Niwas, who promised of changing her gender.

Preeti Sagars reluctance in getting married to a man despite her familys multiple efforts, revealed her relationship status, and invited opposition from both the families who feared social stigma, ASP Jaiswal said.

Why Preeti Sagar was arrested?

In Lakhimpur Kheri, Mohammadi police station in-charge, Amber Singh, said the tantrik was in touch with Preetis mother Urmila and told her that changing Poonams gender could help her get married to her daughter.

On 18 April, Poonam was allegedly called for the ritual around 50km away from Lakhimpur Kheri and had since been missing.

A police complaint was lodged by Poonams brother Parvinder Kumar on 26 April. The police came to know about Preeti Sagar when they scanned the victims call details and discovered they both had been talking over phone for long durations, ASP Jaiswal said.

Meanwhile, a report by India Today said that Urmila met the tantrik and hatched a plan to kill Poonam. She allegedly promised Ram Nivas Rs 1.5 lakh to kill her daughters girlfriend.

The woman allegedly paid Rs 5,000 in advance to the tantrik and assured of giving the remaining amount once he killed Poonam.

Police said the tantrik confessed to having strangulated Poonam after calling her at a deserted place on the pretext of performing a ritual to change her gender.

ASP Jaiswal said that the tantrik fled after disposing of the body on the banks of the Gomti in a forested area.

According to a report by news agency IANS, police recovered 11 bones from near Preetis house and have sent it for forensic examination.

In the FIR, Poonams brother accused Preeti, her mother Urmila and the tantrik of murdering his sister.

With inputs from agencies

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Back at home, Union Home Minister Amit Shah appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leading International Yoga Day celebrations at UN headquarters.

He said that the world witnessed the power of Indias culture at the UN HQs today.

A landmark day for India. The world witnessed the power of Indias culture as PM @narendramodi Ji practised Yoga at the UN HQs on Yoga Day today. Modi Ji not just promoted Yoga on a global platform but reclaimed Indias glory by gifting a new worldview of unity, Shah tweeted.

The home minister also said that in a remarkable achievement, yoga enthusiasts from different parts of the world created a Guinness World Record at the UN headquarters for the highest number of nationalities practicing yoga together.

He added, The feat achieved in the presence of PM @narendramodi Ji is a perfect ode to Yoga and the spirit of Indias inclusively.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is headed to Washington DC where he will be received by President Joe Biden in a grand ceremony following which he will attend a state dinner.

Earlier today, Modi led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals. He described Yoga as truly universal and free from copyrights and patents.

Also, yoga celebrations led by him at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

With inputs from agencies

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Whisky is undoubtedly one of the most loved beverages around the world. Favoured by enthusiasts for centuries, it holds a special place in the hearts of connoisseurs, with the single malt being revered most for its complexity, rich flavors, and unparalleled craftsmanship.

The world of whisky boasts of some extremely rare and expensive bottles, which command exorbitant prices due to their rarity, age, and quality. Here are the top 10 most expensive single malt whiskies in the world:

1- The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection 1926: With a beautiful label depicting an eagle, the bottle of this iconic whisky was sold at auction for a whopping $1.9 million. Only 40 bottles were ever produced, making it a true collectors item.

2- The Macallan M Decanter: Crafted from hand-blown Lalique crystal, this limited edition release from The Macallan was sold at a price of $628,205 at auction. Its rarity, craftsmanship, and exceptional whisky inside fit right with the price.

3- The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique: Another masterpiece from The Macallan, this whisky was aged for an astonishing 64 years and presented in a stunning Lalique crystal decanter. It sold for $628,205.

4- The Macallan 60 Year Old: Distilled in 1926 and aged for sixty years, this extremely rare and highly sought-after expression fetched a staggering price of $1.1 million at auction, solidifying its status as one of the most expensive whiskies ever sold.

5- Bowmore 1966 Black Bowmore 1st Edition: Known for its exceptional quality and complexity, this limited edition release from Bowmore Distillery was sold for $198,000. With only 2,000 bottles produced, it is treasured by collectors.

6- Glenfiddich 1937 Rare Collection: Distilled just before the outbreak of World War II, this highly prized whisky was bottled in 2001. Costing $97,000, it represents a true piece of history and craftsmanship from the renowned Glenfiddich distillery.

7- Dalmore 62: This luxurious whisky, aged for 62 years, was released in a limited edition of only 12 bottles. Its rarity and exceptional quality contributed to its auction price of $250,000, making it one of the most expensive whiskies ever produced.

8- The Balvenie 50 Year Old: With only 88 bottles produced, each one unique and handcrafted by master craftsmen, The Balvenie 50 Year Old is a pinnacle of whisky excellence. It commands a price of around $38,000, reflecting its exclusivity and age.

9- Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955: This rare and collectible whisky was released in honor of Janet Sheed Roberts, the granddaughter of Glenfiddichs founder. With a price of approximately $94,000, it is a testament to the distillerys heritage and legacy.

10- The Glenlivet Winchester Collection 1964: Named after the distillerys Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, this exceptional collection consists of several releases, each aged for over 50 years. The limited editions from this collection command prices upwards of $25,000, making them highly sought after by whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The prices of this whisky may seem staggering high, they are a testament to the dedication and artistry that goes into producing these exceptional spirits.

This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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Children are a gift from god; this is a belief that drives a typical Indian mindset. This explains why a new-born in India is treated like a princess with doting grandmothers putting multiple tikas and bracelets on her to protect her from the evil eye. But in complete contrast to how babies are treated in India, there is an unfortunate story of a toddler, Ariha Shah, who is currently in the custody of the German state and has been placed under foster care.

This two-and-a-half-year-old baby was born to an Indian couple, Bhavesh Shah and Dhara Shah, who had gone to Germany in 2018 for professional reasons. After a series of injuries that had surfaced on the child, this baby was placed in foster care for the first time in 2021. Since then she has been under foster care, with parents appeal to be granted her custody rejected as recently as this week.

To be fair, the German state was right to the extent of intervening in the matter. The child has been through a very traumatic experience in the first seven months of her life as also noted by a German court. In April 2021, she suffered a fractured skull which according to the court is not the result of a single event as claimed by her parents but result of multiple blunt force impact as per the forensic medical report. Her parents were issued a clearance report after this where they promised to be more careful with the child. However, in September 2021 another more grievous injury surfaced on the child in the form of a vaginal injury for which a remedial surgery procedure was also performed.

As per the affidavit submitted by her grandparents who were visiting the family at that time, the injury was the result of an accident. It states that the grandmother was checking the babys vaginal area to verify an astrologers prediction when accidentally her private parts got penetrated. The forensic report has refuted the accidental angle and whats more disturbing is that similar penetrations were also observed the next day as well. Clearly, something is completely amiss in this case.

According to the parents, the court has handed them down an unfair decision as it has refused to consider the expert medical evidence as submitted by them to the court. But according to the court, both her parents are responsible for the injuries with one parent covering for the lies of the other. In such a scenario, it has refused to grant the childs custody to either of them and has placed the child in foster care.

The state in Germany has taken a clear stand that the best interests of the child are at risk and it has ruled that parents cant be awarded custody in order to avert any further harm to the child. Now the fact is that any baby found with such grievous injuries would naturally raise a lot of suspicion. The very affidavit filed to term the injury as an accident is also deeply problematic. Nothing justifies examination of a babys private parts on the basis of predictions from astrologers! Relatives often pitch in with the most ridiculous suggestions but arent parents supposed to watch out for the childs interests?

But amid all the legal tangles and whodunit chase, a crucial fact is being overlooked. For all practical purposes, that child belongs to Indian parents who are not in Germany anymore. They are settled in India and most likely if fate wouldnt have had it otherwise, the child would also be living in India, in her own socio-cultural milieu where she can bond with people of her country and culture. It is in recognition of this fact, that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has reached out to the German authorities to grant the childs custody to India. The child is an Indian national and deserves to be raised in India and not in foster care in Germany. She has had a turbulent past already and the foster care would only lead to more discomfort for her. In India, she will at least have access to people of her own cultural, religious and linguistic background.

Germany should consider returning Ariha back to India, which has a robust child protection system. India is more than capable of providing this child the care that she truly needs.

The author is a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She writes on Indias foreign policy. Views expressed are personal.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese President Xi Jinping as he concluded his two-day visit to Beijing on Monday. The visit was however not confirmed before Blinken arrived at the Chinese capital. This shows the signs of the talks going well. It is further being expected that this visit by Blinken will pave the way for the meeting between President Biden and his Chinese counterpart this November.

In a meeting that lasted approximately 35 minutes, the Chinese President correctly said that the world needed a generally stable China-US relation.

The closely watched trip of the US diplomat also included meetings with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and foreign minister Qin Gang.

Blinken, for his part, has said that he agreed with Chinese leadership on the need to stabilise relations, but he was clear-eyed about the challenges China poses.

Blinken also kept a firm stance on de-risking and diversifying economic engagement with China, a stance recently adopted by G7 in its Hiroshima summit.

Most importantly, on the Taiwan question, Blinken has said that the US does not support the independence of Taiwan and upholds the one China policy, but is concerned about Chinas provocative actions along the Taiwan Strait.

With this, Blinken has become the highest US official to visit China ever since President Biden has assumed the office. And, the way Biden has praised him, saying, he did hell of a job, and stating that the relationship between the two nations is on the right trail, it appears that the trip has been fruitful for the US.

This clearly shows an apparent thaw in the relations that has soured in the recent years on account of issues ranging from trade, Chinese assertion in South China Sea, Beijings aggressive stance on Taiwan, and its growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The concern over national security and espionage went to the extent of having a spy balloon-saga. Certainly, the situation seems to have evolved out to be better than a few months ago.

According to CNBC, on the Chinese side the top-diplomat Wang Yi asserted that the difficulties in the US-China ties lies in the erroneous perception of China, which leads to wrong policies. Wang further asked the US to lift up sanctions and not to suppress Chinas technological development.

China policy of the US shows a duality of interests, on one hand, Washington conceptualises itself as a super-power, worlds biggest military spender, spending $877 billion dedicated to the military in 2022, as compared to $292 billion by China, as per Statista.

As per this perception, the US is naturally averse to the growing assertion of China in global politics, especially in the strategically important Indo-Pacific. The integrated deterrence policy, which involves the formation of the AUKUS (Australia, Britain, and the US) agreement, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, close friendship with India, remilitarization of Japan, and wooing Philippines, among others, is a product of this stance to contain Chinas expansion in this region.

On the other hand, it realises the dominance China has on supply chains and the geostrategic clout the east Asian nation enjoys. Apart from this, trade amounting to $690.6 billion, which hit the record high last year, is too big to brush aside.

The new figures show that US imports from China increased to $536.8bn last year as American shoppers spent more on Chinese-made goods, including toys and mobile phones. In the same period, US exports to China increased to $153.8bn, reported BBC.

This is despite the fact that the two countries have been in a trade war since 2018.

Besides this, on issues of tragedy of the commons like climate change, the US requires Chinas support to allay its global role and burden.

Further, this high-level meeting has come after several American business leaders have visited China in recent months, the list includes Elon Musk (CEO, Tesla and SpaceX), Jamie Dimon (CEO of JPMorgan) and Tim Cook (CEO, Apple).

Also recently, Xi has called Bill Gates an old friend and said he hoped they could cooperate in a way that would benefit both China and the United States. This was the Chinese Presidents first meeting with a foreign entrepreneur in years, reported Reuters.

As per CNBC, upon seeing Wang, Blinken underscored the importance of responsibly managing the competition between the United States and the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] through open channels of communication to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.

But how far this competition will be healthy for the world, for the parties involved, and for the inherent conflicts that already exist or may arise, has to be seen. Yet, this visit at least shows that both powers have realised that cooperation, to the extent possible, is more yielding than confrontation, given the weight both economic and geopolitical giants have in the global order.

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As the prime minister landed in New York, it is hard to wrap ones head around the fact that Narendra Modi was once denied visa by the United States for nearly a decade using a little-known American law, and the then Gujarat chief minister was the only person ever to have been prohibited from entering US soil under that provision.

For a man who was once a persona non grata, the Americans are now rolling out the red carpet for Modi, lavishing on him the fullest hospitality, the highest-ranking and the most prestigious welcome with all the pomp and pageantry that the American state can muster.

Since assuming the prime ministers office Modi has visited the US six times, meeting three presidents in Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. None of his previous visits, however, had been elevated to this stratosphere. Modis visit has been designated official state visit. It is the fullest-possible honour that the Biden administration has previously accorded to only two world leaders  French president Emmanuel Macron and South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol. Both are treaty allies of the US.

To put things further in perspective, Modi is only the third Indian leader, after president S Radhakrishnan in 1963 and prime minister Manmohan Singh in 2009 to receive the highest level of protocol, and the first Indian prime minister to address a joint session of US Congress, twice.

During his stay at Washington DC, the seat of American power, Modi will be accommodated at the Blair House  located across the street from the White House  and along with a lavish state dinner hosted by the POTUS and First Lady Jill Biden, he will also attend a private dinner hosted by the Bidens, a state luncheon with US vice-president Kamala Harris and secretary of state Anton Blinken. The prime minister will lead an International Yoga Day event at the UN headquarters. He will also receive a full guard of honour upon arrival and a departure ceremony. He already met a few top American CEOs including Elon Musk.

It would be unwise, however, to interpret the pomp and glory being bestowed by the US on the prime minister as Modis personal triumph. As an astute and visionary statesman, Modi has never held it against the US for the treatment meted out to him. Under his premiership, the India-US partnership has scaled unprecedented heights. However, the evolution of bilateral ties, the steady tightening of strategic embrace, the depth and scale of the current relationship and the sharply upward trajectory is the logical progression of a relationship that has seen collective contribution and bipartisan effort from political leadership on both sides over more than two decades.

As the relationship between the oldest and largest democracies is being celebrated around Modis state visit to the US, it is worth remembering that Modi and Biden are standing on the shoulders of leaders before them to drive forward the relationship that has been marked by a convergence of strategic interests over the rise of a belligerent China, safeguarded from pitfalls by multiple structural frameworks built painstakingly over time, and upheld by strong people-to-people ties.

From the troughs of the economic sanctions imposed by the US on India following the series of underground nuclear tests conducted by New Delhi in 1998, the relationship that was marked by hostility and mutual suspicion during the Cold War years and indifference in the post-Cold War unipolar era, shifted to a new paradigm with then US president Bill Clintons visit in 2000. It was, by all accounts, an epochal visit that would lay the groundwork for the momentum to follow.

While the current strategic alignment and operational coordination is being driven in large part by America and Indias shared anxieties over Chinas assertiveness and aggression, the Clinton visit that set the tone for bilateral ties occurred at a time when the China threat hadnt manifested, and the relationship was still marked by deep and mutual scepticism.

That the time was ripe for a leap of faith from both sides was a truth that both Clinton and then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee stumbled upon. Speaking at a joint session of the Indian Parliament on 22 March, 2000, Clinton underlined the shared values framework that would be one of the fulcrums of the relationship. He raised a toast to Indias democratic credentials, appreciated Indias diversity and framed the ties in terms of two nations conceived in liberty, each finding strength in its diversity, each seeing in the other a reflection of its own aspiration fora more humane and just world.

As a precursor to the strategic frameworks to follow, Clinton said the US welcomes Indias leadership in the region and the world and wants to take our partnership to a new level, to advance our common values and interests, and to resolve the differences that still remain. He added that the old barriers between nations and people, economies and cultures, are being replaced by vast networks of cooperation and commerce. With our open, entrepreneurial societies, India and America are at the center of those networks. We must expand them, and defeat the forces that threaten them.

In his speech, Clinton referred to Vajpayees formulation of India and US as natural allies. Vajpayee made the statement at the height of antagonism between the two nations at an Asia Society address on 28 September, 1998, amid economic sanctions against India, where he said, it is this commonality of concerns and cognition, which reinforces my belief that India and the United States are natural allies in the quest for a better future for the world in the 21st century.

Following on from Clinton and underlining the bipartisan consensus that would define the partnership, the George Bush administration took forward the strategic alignment and stitched the framework of the partnership through the 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement, a pathbreaking deal that paved the way for sharing of high-end technology. The aim was to spur Indias economic growth and ensure energy security. The deal may not have given the kind of results both leaderships had hoped for, but it cemented the enduring bonds of strategic partnership and taught the permanent governments  the gargantuan and often obtuse bureaucracies from both sides  to work with each other.

As with the jet engine deal now, which involves ramming through export controls by the political actors, the civil nuclear deal took three years in signing and it wouldnt have seen the light of day had it not been for the considerable political capital spent by the Bush administration that did the spadework in cutting through regulatory constraints and Congressional scepticism. On the Indian side, then prime minister Manmohan Singh staked the very survival of his UPA-1 government to see the deal through.

The Obama era was marked by the Pivot to Asia policy whereby the US refocused its attention to the Asia Pacific where Chinas imperial expansionism was taking shape and the Xi Jinping regime was beginning to challenge American primacy in the Asia-Pacific theatre. Obama, who in 2015 became the first US president to attend Indias Republic Day celebrations, had invited Manmohan Singh on a state visit to the US in 2009, and a newly elected Modi to Washington in 2014.

More importantly, it was the Obama administration that launched the US-India Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region that would lay the basis for the US Indo-Pacific policy to follow.

The structure of the evolution is clearly visible in the policy where it says that the worlds two largest democracies that bridge the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region, reflects our agreement that a closer partnership between the United States and India is indispensable to promoting peace, prosperity and stability in those regions.

To mitigate the threat of China, at a time when the Quad 2.0 had still not been reimagined and relaunched, the policy observes that Regional prosperity depends on security. We affirm the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea.

Obama administration had designated India as a major defense partner but it was under the mercurial Trump administration that Indias centrality to Americas policy in the key Indo-Pacific theatre and its role as the guardian of the Indian Ocean was formalized. For all his shenanigans, Trump was clear-eyed about the nature of the existential threat that China poses to the rules-based international order, and the administrations Free and Open Indo-Pacific policy places India firmly at the centre of the new structure to manage the rise of a revisionist power.

A strong US-India partnership is vital to the US Indo-Pacific vision, declared the Trump administration, that reinvigorated the Quad, fleshed out the fledgling partnership of democracies with a stable structure by rooting it in senior and mid-level officialdom and elevated it to a ministerial-level framework.

The Trump-Modi partnership saw a hotline being established between the Prime Ministers Office and the White House  an idea that was mooted during the Obama era, and both India and the United States signed the foundational agreements  the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020  that widened the scope and potential of bilateral defence partnership.

The Trump administration also gave India the status of a NATO-level trade partner by placing India at Strategic Trade Authorization Level 1 (STA-1), tilling the path for high-technology sharing in civil space and defence sectors and creating the agenda for enhancing bilateral defence trade.

This trajectory has been given a new momentum by Biden administration in partnership with the Modi government. It has seen the relationship go from strength to strength to arrive at the juncture it has today. What emerges from the trend is the remarkable policy continuity in both countries across several regimes. The presidents and the prime ministers couldnt have been more different in personalities and yet they were driven by the need to stitch what Biden administration official Kurt Campbell calls most important bilateral relationship in the 21st century.

The author is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets @sreemoytalukdar.

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a historic visit to the United States much is being written about the visit, its prospects, potential and the future it hopes to build between two of the greatest democracies of the world. This meeting between the high representatives of the worlds youngest democracy and the mother of democracy will be a symbolic moment which will define the course of global realignments for quite some time to come. It has been pointed out that Prime Minister Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to address the US Congress twice and the fifth world leader to do so. It is clear that this will not be another customary address but a defining one. In his first address at the US Congress Prime Minister Modi had spoken of overcoming hesitations of history, his second address promises to delineate Indias world dream and its contours and hopes.

Among the many stand-out characteristics of this visit are two, it is a confident and emerging India that the West is increasingly looking to that will be represented on this visit, two, this is the first Prime Ministerial visit while India commemorates the seventy-fifth year of her independence. The fundamental values of a struggle for freedom from foreign subjection are almost identical across continents, ages and ideologies. It is these values of freedom and independence that has and can further form the bedrock of a lasting intellectual and ideational partnership between India and the US.

When Indias first prime minister embarked on an extensive tour of the US in 1949, it was as the representative of a newly independent country, hesitant, hopeful and tentative. When PM Modi embarks on his US visit in the summer of 2023, it will be as the leader of an India which has overcome hesitations, given up on tentativeness and has been able to proffer solutions to problems of global proportions repeatedly. It will be as the leader of an India that is assertive, pragmatic, intense and determined to keep leaving her mark on world events, he will embark as the voice of an India that is being increasingly recognised as a force, an entity of stability, balance, as the articulator of the hopes of the marginalised, as an empowered entity with a philosophy that is backed by strength and conviction.

For those of us who hark back to the past to join the dots and try and discover the symbolism of partnership across time, Prime Minister Modis visit to the United States of America, at a time when India has and continues to commemorate the seventy-fifth year of her independence, brings to mind those who, through their intellectual and political activism, helped sustain, in the United States, the Indian aspiration for freedom. Especially those Indian thought and political leaders who made the US their base or visited that country and advocated the hopes, aspirations and essence of India and those Americans who unfurled in their free country the banner of Indias revolution.

Among the first to come to mind is Swami Abhedananda, Vivekanandas spiritual brother and Sri Ramakrishnas disciple. The impact and imprint of Swami Abhedanandas Brooklyn Lectures, for instance, delivered in 1905-1906 at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, on philosophy, religion, society, government, education and culture of India can never be forgotten. No other Indian of his time, writes Abhedanandas biographer, Moni Bagchee, had vindicated the cause of India as Abhedananda had done. His Brooklyn lectures which aroused great interest in the American intelligentsia, the Americans came to know the real conditions of India from a native of the soil who keenly felt the wrongs and sufferings of his own people and many had to revise their general impression.

His Brooklyn lectures presented Abhedananda as the most formidable champion of Indian culture and civilisation, through these lectures the patriot emerged out of the preacher and from 1905, he fought almost single-handed with unabated zeal and undaunted heart for the cause of India in America. Acceding to persistent requests from the American public for publishing these lectures in book form, India and her People appeared in 1906. It received wide acclaim in the US and was promptly proscribed by the British in India. In his introduction to Abhedanandas volume, Franklin Hooper, then Director of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, observed that the lectures constituted an exceedingly valuable description of the social, political, educational, and religious conditions of India. They contain precisely what the American wants to know about India. Delivered, as they were, by a native of India, they are not coloured by foreign prejudices. I am impressed, by what I heard of the lectures, with the fact that in the hurry and bustle of our Western civilization we have a great deal to learn from the East.

One must recall Lala Lajpat Rais sojourn as a political exile in America between 1914 and 1919. These were years he successfully used to rouse interest in the American mind towards Indias political subjection and plight. One of the towering members of the revolutionary triumvirate of Lal-Bal-Pal, Lajpat Rai was almost 40 years old when he came to America. His decision to come to America from England, writes American historian Harold Gould, was motivated by a determination to elicit greater overseas support for the freedom movement. Besides founding the India Home Rule League of America, Rai also launched Young India, a monthly magazine, to disseminate among American statesmen and intelligentsia a correct knowledge of Indian affairs and set up the Indian Information Service. A determined and sustained effort saw Rai gradually rise as a credible spokesman for Indian freedom and South Asian human rights, it was also the result of his ability to acquire a voice in the New York media and academia.

NS Hardikar, freedom fighter, then president of the Indian Students Association of America, studying at the University of Michigan, at whose invitation Rai had come to the US recalled, how at first local newspapers were reluctant to publish his articles and statements, how it was difficult to find hosts for his public talks, until his book Young India: an Interpretation and a History of the Nationalist Movement from Within, appeared in 1916. Lalajis name, writes Hardikar, slowly captured the minds of Americans through this book and its reviews published in the American press. The first edition was sold out within eight months, a second edition appeared in 1918 and Rai got slowly acquainted with Americans, and the local newspapers started giving suitable publicity to his articles. He began to get speaking engagements and they were followed by educational institutions, Chancellors of Universities and students. Lokmanya Tilak, his inseparable political colleague and founder of the Home Rule League of India, also sent him the support of $5,000 through Annie Besant to continue with his propaganda in support of Indias home rule.

Rais leading American publisher BW Huebsch, became a good friend and his book was widely praised among journalists, scholars and educated layman. From his New York perch, Lala Lajpat Rai, Gould pointed out, With the help of his numerous American allies in the liberal establishment, was able to establish a lecture circuit which spanned the United States. This would become an increasingly crucial resource as time passed, because it would afford opportunities for a host of Indian freedom fighters over the years, to impact on American audiences. In December 1919, when he eventually left America, Lala Lajpat Rai was given a grand farewell, with journalist Oswald G Villard, then editor of the Nation, founder of the American Anti-Imperialist League, describing Rai, as a wise, brave, sound ambassador, a generous and moderate interpreter of great races to our American Democracies.

To the narrative of Indias freedom struggle in America, along with Lajpat Rais American sojourn, the Ghadr Party and Lala Hardayals political activism must also be remembered. These have been amply discussed, but often forgotten, is, for instance, the contribution of revolutionary Taraknath Das, to the creation of the Indian narrative in America. An emissary of revolutionary Jatindra Nath Mukherjee  Bagha Jatin  Taraknath Das founded in San Francisco the League for the Independence of India, along with Panduranga Khankhoje, Lokmanyas political disciple, who had already enrolled himself in the Washington State University and Ramnath Puri, a freedom fighter from Punjab, who had moved to the United States as a political exile sometime in 1906.

The express object of the League for the Independence of India, observed historian of the pre-Gandhian phase of the Indian freedom movement, Prithwindra Mukherjee, was to unite the Indian emigrants, to give them an exact idea of their rights, to serve as their mediators to the American authorities and, especially, to remind each of them of their duty towards the Motherland. Taraknaths paper Free Hindustan and its Gurumukhi translation Swadesh Sevak, saw wide distribution among Indians in Canada, USA and Europe. Over the years Taraknath Das would emerge as one of the most credible voices among American lawmakers of the cause of Indias freedom and the rights of Asians in America, their adopted land.

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore undertook five visits to the US and spent a total of 17 months in that country. His last visit in 1930 left a lasting imprint on the American mind. Interestingly the poet arrived from Russia where he had a crowded programme with visits to many institutions and meetings with many celebrities. An exhibition of the poets paintings was also held in Moscow. A Tagore Reception Committee was formed in the US with lawyer diplomat Henry Morgenthau as Chairman. The American Friends Service Committee organised his stay and lectures. The poet met the American Poet Laureate Robert Frost, this was their second meeting and on 25 November, writes Tagores biographer Krishna Kripalani, A banquet at the Biltmore Hotel in New York was given in his honour by 350 leading citizens of the City. Among those who attended and felicitated the poet were former US President Calvin Coolidge and American author and playwright Sinclair Lewis who had just won the Nobel Prize.

Tagores response to this gesture of American greeting was moving and thought-provoking, pleading for a greater understanding of Indias problems, predicaments and aspirations, the poet invited the West to complete the voyage to India. Come in the proper spirit and claim your share. The things that have eternal value belong to all humanity and all times. Come to us, accept us, acknowledge us, and realise that we are all brothers. Exhibitions of his paintings were held in New York, Boston and Washington and the poet was received by President [Herbert] Hoover at the White House. His meetings with Helen Keller and American historian and a steadfast friend of India, Will Durant, were inspiring.

Inscribing a copy of his book, The Case for India (1930) which was banned by the British in India, Durant movingly wrote to the Poet, You alone are sufficient reason why India should be free. In concluding his opuscule on Indias political subjection which was creating waves among the thinking public in the West, Durant had written, it is hard to be without feeling, not to be moved with great pity, in the presence of 320,000,000 people struggling for freedom, in the presence of a Tagore, a Gandhi, a Jagadis Chandra Bose, a Sarojini Naidu, fretting in chains; there is something indecent and offensive in keeping such men and women in bondage. To be neutral in this matter is to confess that we have lost every hope and every ideal, and that our American experiment, and indeed all human life, have become meaningless.

Keller bidding farewell to the poet, having attended his talks spoke of his philosophy and world-view as a bridge which was a symbol of the bond of justice that shall unite East and West, North and South. Beautiful shall be, she wrote, the feet of those who cross and re-cross it with tidings of fellowship and peace. Einstein who had just arrived on a visit to the US at the same time sent a radiogram message for the Poet who was then addressing a 3,000-strong audience at the Ritz-Carlton, under the auspices of the New History Society, May Tagore work further, Einsteins message read, with success in the services of our ideals for the union of all nations. It was the poets last and most successful American visit, it helped to further deepen Indias cultural narrative in the West.

JT Sunderland, another American, a close friend of Durant, whose contributions and activism for the cause of Indias freedom had helped sensitise a wide cross-section of American opinion to Indias struggle must also be remembered with gratitude. Sunderlands book India in Bondage: her right to freedom and a place among the great nations which appeared in 1929, was an instant hit with the American intelligentsia. Over the years, Sunderland had emerged as a key opinion maker and influencer for disseminating Indian opinion in the US. Of his India in Bondage, Sunderland wrote, it is a comprehensive study  outspoken and fearless, but earnestly endeavouring to be fair and just  of British rule in India from the side of the Indian people  from the side of the people who are compelled to bear the galling yoke of bondage to strangers, and who with ever-increasing earnestness declare the yoke intolerable. Will the world hear facts? Will England? Will America? Sunderland argued, how for 2,500 years India was pre-eminently the intellectual and spiritual teacher of Asia, which means half of the human race.

Sunderlands question to the West, to Americans was unequivocal, For 2,500 years before the British came on the scene and robbed her of her freedom, India was self-ruling, and one of the most renowned nations of the world. Such is India. Should such a nation be held in bondage? Has not such a nation a right to liberty, to self-government, and to a place once more, such as she occupied for so long, among the great nations of mankind?

There are numerous personalities and figures in the history of India and US relationship who have contributed in numerous ways to imagining, shaping and radiating the India narrative in the West at various times. Of Swami Vivekananda, Thoreau who was perceived to be a Yogi by some, and of Emerson, whose life of spiritual dignity and whose writings were permeated through and through by the Indian spirit, there is ample writing and contemplation. There are others who have been layered over in the midst of the past. It is to all of them that we need to return periodically so that the texture of this partnership is redefined and sustained.

Addressing a gathering at the Philip Brooks House, Harvard University, on 15 August 1947, Ananda Coomaraswamy, iconic cultural philosopher and interpreter of India who had made America his home for three decades as the keeper of Indian art at the Boston Fine Arts Museum, spoke candidly and inspiringly, Our problem is not so much one of the rebirth of an Indian culture, as it is one of preserving what remains of it. Coomaraswamy spoke of an immediate and desperate need for the establishment by a free India, of cultural, and not merely economic and political contacts with the rest of the world I have been asked, he told his Harvard audience, What is your message to the new India of our dreams? This is my answer: Be yourself.

It is as the proud leader of an India which has determinedly begun to be herself, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the United States, 75 years after that hope was articulated.

The author is a Member, BJP National Executive and Director, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation. Views expressed are personal.

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Some 70 Democratsrepresentatives and senatorshave shot off a letter to US President Joe Biden to raise concerns with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about human rights, press freedom and religious freedoms in India, among other things, that smacks of a blatant anti-India left-liberal agenda.

PM Modi is in the US on a state visit.

The lead author is none other than long-time India-baiter Representative Pramila Jayapal. She is no novice to the court of controversies, especially when it comes to chiding and tutoring India about human freedoms.

In 2019, she moved a Congressional resolution criticizing India basically over abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution urged India to lift restrictions on life and freedoms in Kashmir.

Interestingly, while Jayapalfirst ever Indian-American to be elected to House of Representativesis actually an out-and-out autocrat who loves throwing her own staff under the bus whenever convenient to save her own skin.

Democrat outside, autocrat inside

More than that Jayapalarguably one of the most influential and highest-profile progressive in DCis not so much of a bleeding heart when it comes to practicing what she preaches. She has been accused by her own staff of unfair expectations and outright mistreatment, and in some cases downright sacking without rhyme or reason.

In 2020, at a time when publicly she was championing the cause of workers outside, inside her office she was sacking her staff without severance.

Her two-faced parsimony is underlined by the fact that it was the time she had introduced the Paycheck Recovery Act, considered crucial to the survival of workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, designed to make the federal government pay salaries of workers even when laid off.

Her spokesperson claimed that the sacking was part of a rational restructuring of staff for optimal utilisation of resources. Of the two fired, one staffer was asked to reapply for a new role. Though the two roles were almost similar, reports from back then said, the concerned person had to jump through all the hoops of a new hiring. What did not come as a shock, ever to her own staffers, is that the person was actually not hired back.

A BuzzFeed report, claiming to have talked to a number of Jayapals staffers, revealed, more or less, the same response from the latter. Almost all of those interviewed said Jayapals office was a harsh workplace with a boss whose treatment of workers runs contrary to the public expectations she has set for others.

There is, they said, a serious disconnect between how she talks about workers rights and how she treats her own staff, the report said.

The interviews also revealed that Jayapal publicly berated her staff, asking them to work unrealistic hours, with little tolerance. Some of her staffers were so much pushed to the limit that they even sought therapy to assuage their misery and slid in self-deprecation for having chosen public service as a career.

Her office has one of the highest attrition rates in the House.

Staff suffers, Jayapal prospers

This was not an isolated incident for Jayapal. Just last year, she shot off a letter signed by some 30 Democrats, urging President Joe Biden to look for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

All hell broke loose and she was lampooned by her own colleagues. The blowback was so major that she had to ultimately eat crow and withdraw the letter. She was accused of batting for Vladimir Putin, who a majority of Americans, including lawmakers, consider to be a war criminal and a bully.

A clearly embarrassed Jayapal then blamed her staffers for the letter. She claimed that some staffers had sent the letter out without vetting.

Once again, she was taken to cleaners for having thrown her staff to the dogs. Media reports from then clearly said that there was no possibility that she had not already vetted the letter.

When S Jaishankar cut Jayapal down to size

It was, perhaps, Indias Foreign Minister S Jaishankar who put Jayapal in her place. As the tale goes, she had moved a resolution against India over the Kashmir issue in 2019, and Jaishankar was in the US for the India-US 2+2 dialogue. He was to meet American lawmakers on the sidelines of the dialogue.

Pramila Jayapal was on the delegation that was to meet Jaishankar.

India demanded she be removed from the delegation as a rebuke for her Kashmir resolution. When she was not removed, Jaishankar cancelled the meeting altogether.

I have no interest in meeting (her), Jaishankar had said back then. I have an interest in meeting people who are objective and open to discussion, but not the people who already made up their minds, Jaishankar had added.

The author is News Editor, Firstpost. He tweets from @SiddharthaRai2. Views expressed are personal.

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In todays age of social media and visual storytelling, having a smartphone with an exceptional camera has become more important than ever. But finding the right smartphone that meets your photography needs within a budget can be overwhelming.

Fret not! Weve curated a list of the best 7 smartphone cameras available in India under Rs 50,000, ensuring you can capture extraordinary moments without compromising on quality. From stunning low-light capabilities to multiple lenses for diverse photography styles, these smartphones are here to empower your inner photographer.

Google Pixel 7 5G: Illuminate the Darkness:



For those who love capturing stunning low-light shots, the Google Pixel 7 5G is a game-changer. With its 50 MP primary camera and 12 MP ultra-wide camera, it excels at capturing vibrant colours and incredible details even in challenging lighting conditions. Unleash your creativity and let your nighttime photography shine!

OnePlus 11R: Power and Versatility:



The OnePlus 11R is a powerhouse that combines a 50 MP triple-camera setup, featuring an 8 MP ultra-wide camera and a 16 MP front camera. From sweeping landscapes to high-resolution selfies, this smartphone caters to every photography need. Its super-fast charging feature ensures you can stay in action without waiting for long charging times.

Samsung Galaxy S22: Brilliance in Every Shot:



Experience vibrant colours on the 6.4-inch AMOLED display of the Samsung Galaxy S22 while capturing moments with its 64 MP primary camera and 12 MP ultra-wide camera. This smartphone elevates your photography game with its exceptional image quality and a wide range of shooting options.

Apple iPhone 12: Precision and Performance:



The Apple iPhone 12 boasts a dual-camera setup with two 12-megapixel cameras for wide and ultra-wide shots. With the powerful A14 Bionic chip, this smartphone ensures speedy image processing, allowing you to capture every moment with precision and clarity. The iPhone 12s camera capabilities are truly a delight for photography enthusiasts.

Motorola Edge 40 Pro: Zoom into Perfection:



If youre looking to capture distant objects with exceptional detail, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the perfect companion. Its triple-camera setup includes a 50 MP primary camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12 MP telephoto lens. Zoom in without losing quality and preserve every nuance of your subjects with this smartphones impressive zoom capabilities.

iQOO 9: Gaming Beast, Photography Powerhouse:



The iQOO 9 is not only a gaming beast but also a photography powerhouse. Its quad-camera setup includes a 48 MP primary camera with an inbuilt gimbal, a 13 MP telephoto camera, and a 13 MP ultra-wide sensor. Enjoy super-steady shots and explore your creativity with a wide range of shooting options.

These five smartphones offer an extraordinary range of camera capabilities, including low-light photography, versatile lenses, and high-resolution sensors. Whether youre a photography enthusiast or simply love capturing memories, these smartphones are designed to cater to your needs. So, take your pick and get ready to snap amazing photos wherever you go. Your perfect shot is just a click away!

This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence.

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A deadly incident occurred on Tuesday at a womens prison in Honduras, resulting in the tragic death of at least 41 inmates.

The turmoil began when rival gangs engaged in a fight, leading one gang to ignite a cell.

While the majority of the fatalities were caused by the resulting fire, some victims were also shot. In response to the grave situation, the countrys Deputy Security Minister, Julissa Villanueva, has declared a state of emergency and pledged to take strong action against the violence.

She has authorized the immediate involvement of firefighters, police, and military forces. Ms. Villanueva emphasized that the loss of human lives will not be tolerated.

The exact status of the victims, whether they were all inmates or not, remains uncertain.

The prison, situated approximately 20km (12 miles) from the capital city Tegucigalpa, accommodates around 900 individuals.

Numerous other prisoners have been transported to hospitals for medical treatment.

Delma Ordonez, who represents family members of the inmates, informed local media that a significant portion of the prison had been completely demolished during the violent episode.

Social media footage has revealed a significant plume of gray smoke emanating from the womens prison, capturing the scale of the incident.

President Xiomara Castro, who initiated a campaign against gangs the previous year, expressed her profound shock at the heinous murder of women through social media. She declared her intention to implement severe measures in response to the situation.

Villanueva affirmed that thorough investigations would be conducted to hold accountable any individuals within the prison system who colluded with organized crime.

Honduras has a well-known reputation for corruption and gang-related violence, which have infiltrated governmental institutions and contributed to a soaring homicide rate.

Alongside its neighboring countries, El Salvador and Guatemala, Honduras serves as a crucial transit route for cocaine trafficking from South America to the United States.

Additionally, the nation has experienced a history of lethal prison riots often associated with organized crime.

In 2019, another distressing incident occurred in the northern port city of Tela, resulting in the loss of at least 18 lives due to gang violence.

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United Nations: Counter-terrorism experts said Tuesday that Africa is now the worlds terrorism hot spot, with half of the victims killed last year in sub-Saharan Africa, though al-Qaida and Islamic State affiliates remain widespread, persistent and active elsewhere around the globe.

Interpol, the international criminal police agency, also reported during a panel discussion at the U.N. that terrorism linked to extreme right-wing ideology increased an estimated 50-fold over the past decade, particularly in Europe, North America and parts of the Asia-Pacific.

The experts see other trends: Deteriorating global security is making the terrorism threat more complex and decentralized. Extremists are increasingly using sophisticated technology, and drones and artificial intelligence have opened new ways to plan and carry out attacks.

The United Nations this week is hosting its third high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies. Tuesdays panel on assessing current and emerging terrorist trends and threats brought together experts from the U.N., Interpol, Russia, the United States and Qatar, and Googles senior manager for strategic intelligence.

The overall theme for the week is addressing terrorism through reinvigorated international cooperation. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during Mondays opening session the key is to unite not only in foiling attacks but also critically to focus on preventing terrorism by tackling poverty, discrimination, poor infrastructure, gross human rights violations and other underlying drivers.

At Tuesdays session, it was Africa that took the spotlight.

Africa has emerged as the key battleground for terrorism, with a major increase in the number of active groups operating on the continent, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said, noting that local political, economic and social fractures, porous borders and identity-based mobilization had fueled the emergence of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS.

Several areas of the continent, from Burkina Faso and the Sahel and more broadly to Chad and Sudan, still face the consequences of the flow of weapons and foreign fighters from Libya, Khiari said.

Oil-rich Libya plunged into chaos following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. After the Islamic States self-styled caliphate was defeated in Iraq in 2017, many of its foreign fighters fled to the North African nation.

Col. Gen. Igor Sirotkin, deputy director of Russias Federal Security Service and head of its National Anti-Terrorism Committee, told the meeting that West Africa, especially the Maghreb and the Sahel, are becoming the epicenter of the Islamist terrorist threat, with the armed terrorist groups expanding their influence, and we see the danger of ISIS being reincarnated as an African caliphate.

Qatars special envoy for counter-terrorism, Mutiaq Al-Qahtani, who said half the victims of terrorist acts last year were in sub-Saharan Africa, called for counter-terrorism efforts to focus on the continent.

Justin Hustwitt, the coordinator of experts monitoring U.N. sanctions against the Islamic State and al-Qaida, said the situation in West Africa continues to deteriorate and IS seems to be trying to position itself as a political actor.

He said IS in the greater Sahara is taking advantage of the lack of counter-terrorism operations, especially in the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and there are growing concerns about IS and al-Qaida taking advantage of any opportunity in Congo.

Interpols counter-terrorism director, Gregory Hinds, said al-Qaida and IS-related groups continue to inspire and carry out attacks in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, North America, Europe and now across Africa and Asia at alarming pace.

Hinds said the 50-fold increase in terrorism linked to extreme right-wing ideology is being influenced by global events and global agenda.

Secretary-General Guterres also said neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements are fast becoming the primary internal security threats in a number of countries.

On the significant deterioration of global security in the last few years, the U.N.s Khiari said the number of conflicts globally is on the rise again after two decades of consistent decline, and their nature has changed.

Civil wars that start off locally are more likely to become internationalized, and conflict parties are increasingly fragmented, he said. Civil wars aggravate grievances and foment regional international instabilities creating a fertile ground for non-state armed groups, including terrorist groups, to proliferate.

On a more positive note, Gregory LoGerfo, the U.S. State Departments deputy coordinator for counter-terrorism, said IS has not only been defeated in Iraq and Syria but its leadership has been taken out or captured, large-scale attacks have been prevented, and billions have been invested in stabilizing the region.

But for all of our progress, were not done yet, he said.

The U.N.s Hustwitt echoed that Daeshs leadership has suffered serious attrition, adding that the groups resources are depleting, and they are very focused on revenue generation.

Tobias Peyeri, Googles senior manager for strategic intelligence who formerly worked for the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, said the company bans content produced by or supporting designated terrorist organizations, and is committed to fighting the hatred and extremism that leads to terrorist violence.

But he said bad actors, like extremist groups, continue to become more savvy in evading detection, citing as examples their use of coded communications, complex narratives and conspiracy theories, and their modifications of existing popular computer games.

To counter these efforts, he said Google relies on expertise in local markets, advanced AI-driven visual matching technologies, special detection technologies, and other measures.

Peyeri said artificial intelligence is already helping the world with challenges from disease to climate change, but if not developed and deployed responsibly, AI systems could amplify current societal issues such as misinformation, discrimination, and the misuse of tools by bad actors including terrorists.

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North Korea slammed US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkens recent visit to Beijing as a begging trip to defuse tensions, calling it a policy failure to exert pressure on China.

Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Monday in one of the most talked US-China discussions since US President Joe Biden took office, and agreed to stabilise their strong rivalry so that it does not devolve into violence.

The United States and China may have resumed high-level talks, but their struggle for global dominance and influence remains unchecked and mutual suspicion remains high.

Blinken set low expectations for his visit to Beijing this week, and he exceeded them. The most the opponents can hope for these days is that things dont get much worse.

Blinken pointed to difficult days ahead, while Chinas foreign ministry warned the relationship was in a downward spiral.

Blinken said after the meeting on Monday that he urged China to encourage North Korea to stop launching missiles as Beijing holds a unique position to press Pyongyang to engage in dialogue.

In a commentary carried by the Norths KCNA news agency, Jong Yong Hak, whom it described as an international affairs analyst, said the rare visit was aimed at begging for the relaxation of tensions as the attempt to press and restrain China may become a boomerang striking a fatal blow to the U.S. economy.

In a word, the U.S. state secretarys recent junket can never be judged otherwise than a disgraceful begging trip of the provoker admitting the failure of the policy of putting pressure on China, the commentary said.

The commentary said the United States was responsible for escalating regional tensions with anti-China complexes, such as the QUAD grouping with Japan, India and Australia and the AUKUS pact with Britain and Australia.

It is the height of the double-dealing and impudence peculiar to the U.S. to provoke first and then talk about the so-called responsible control over divergence of opinion,' the commentary said.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs who was also on the Beijing trip, is expected to visit South Korea on Wednesday to brief Seoul officials on the two days of talks in China, South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported.

With inputs from Reuters

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Concerned over Beijings push for national self-sufficiency, with the government pressuring manufacturers, hospitals, and others to utilise Chinese suppliers even at higher costs, foreign corporations are shifting investments and Asian headquarters out of China.

Also an expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges, it has become difficult made it difficult for the companies to sustain their operations in the country, according to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

The report also highlighted that foreign companies are uneasy about security controls, government protection of their Chinese rivals and a lack of action on reform promises, according to the European Chamber. They also are being squeezed by slowing Chinese economic growth and rising costs.

Business confidence in China is pretty much the lowest we have on record, the European Chamber president, Jens Eskelund, told reporters ahead of the reports release.

Theres no expectation that the regulatory environment is really going to improve over the next five years, Eskelund said.

President Xi Jinpings government, trying to shore up economic growth that sank to 3% last year, is trying to encourage foreign companies to invest and bring in technology. But they are uneasy about security rules and plans to create competitors to global suppliers of computer chips, commercial jetliners and other technology. That often involves subsidies and market barriers that Washington and the European Union say violate Beijings free-trade commitments.

Two-thirds of the 570 companies that responded to the European Chambers survey said doing business in China has become more difficult, up from less than half before the pandemic. Three out of five said the business environment is more political, up from half the previous year.

Companies are on edge after police raided offices of two consultancies, Bain & Co. and Capvision, and a due diligence firm, Mintz Group, without public explanation. Authorities say companies are obliged to obey the law but have given no indication of possible violations.

Last month, China banned products from the biggest U.S. maker of memory chips, Micron Technology Inc., in computers that handle sensitive information. It said Micron had unspecified security flaws but gave no explanation.

One in 10 companies in the European Chamber survey said they have shifted investments out of China. Another 1 in 5 are delaying or considering shifting investments. In aviation and aerospace, 1 in 5 companies plan no future investment in China.

China has long been a top investment destination due to its huge and growing consumer market, but companies complain about market access restrictions, pressure to hand over technology and other irritants. The ruling party has tightened control since Xi took power in 2012, pressing foreign companies to give the party board seats and a direct say in hiring and other decisions.

The European Chamber noted it wasnt just foreign companies that are moving: 2 out of 5 in its survey reported Chinese customers or suppliers are shifting investments out of the country.

A separate group, the British Chamber of Commerce in China, said last month its members were waiting for greater clarity about anti-spying, data security and other rules before making new investments.

The biggest concern is the ruling partys sweeping expansion of its definition of national security to include the economy, food, energy and politics, Eskelund said.

What does qualify as a state secret? Where does politics begin and the commercial world stop? Eskelund said. That creates uncertainty about where we can operate as normal businesses.

In the European Chamber survey, the top destination for companies moving their Asian headquarters out of China was Singapore, with 43% of companies that moved, followed by Malaysia. Only 9% went or plan to go to Hong Kong.

Leaders including Premier Li Qiang, Chinas top economic official, have promised to improve operating conditions, but businesses say they see few concrete changes.

Our members are not really convinced that we are going to see tangible results, Eskelund said.

With inputs from AP

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China has clearly denied one of US requests of restoring military-to-military contacts between the two countries. During his recent visit to Beijing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeatedly raised the issue of military communications but was rebuffed by the Chinese.

Blinken said it was absolutely vital US and China have these kind of communications and it was something the United States will keep working on.

Why China does not want to restart military communications?

China suspended regular military contacts with US in August 2022 after the then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. However, the problem existed even before her visit.

The US says since 2021, China has declined or has failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defence for top-level dialogues.

Meanwhile, China said it has refused to restart military communications as sanctions have been imposed by US. Beijing was possibly referring to sanctions on its defence minister, Li Shangfu.

The sanctions on Li were part of a broad package of measures against Russia, even before its invasion of Ukraine, imposed in 2018 over his involvement in Chinas purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow.

Yang Tao, Chinese Foreign Ministry official overseeing North American affairs at a press briefing earlier this week said, The US side is surely aware of why there is difficulty in military-to-military exchanges.

One of the reasons is unilateral sanctions against the Chinese side. They first need to remove impediments and create conditions for military-to-military cooperation, Yang said.

Earlier this month, Li declined an invitation to speak with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of a defence forum in Singapore.

The US says the sanctions dont prevent Li from holding talks with US officials, but culturally, Chinese officials may expect a form of public remedy before agreeing to re-engage after sanctions, Li Nan of the National University of Singapore said.

You impose sanctions on the guy, and then you also want to have dialogue with the guy from the Chinese perspective, that doesnt make any sense, Nan said.

Why US wants to restore military contacts?

Washington wants to restore military contacts as it wants to avoid an incident similar to one in 2001 when the US Navy aircraft and a Chinese interceptor jet collided in mid-air off the Chinese island of Hainan. The incident led to the death of the Chinese pilot and the US aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Hainan without Chinese approval.

There is also fear among the US and other nations of a potential accident involving the militaries of United States and Chinese that could spiral out of control.

Tension between Beijing and Washington has increased over the recent months, including a suspected Chinese spy balloon over US territory.

Earlier in June, a Chinese warship unexpectedly cut in front of a US destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, forcing it to slow down to avoid impact. Few days ago, a Chinese fighter jet flew in front of a US warplane over the South China Sea in a manoeuvre the US described as unnecessarily aggressive.

The most important thing for the US side is to avoid these accidents, said Nan.

With inputs from PTI

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In our modern age, advanced technology, such as robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, are profoundly affecting many aspects of our daily lives and the way we conduct business. Recently, an old video featuring a robot waitress named Peanut first circulated in 2020 has regained traction after being shared by Instagram page uncovering_ai. In the video, the robot, an employee at the U & Me Revolving Hot Pot restaurant in Orlando, USA warned customers that he might lose his job.

Incident that distressed the robot

The video depicts a restaurant where a person impedes Peanut, leading to an unexpected response from the robot waitress: Please dont block my way. I have to continue working, or else I might lose my job. In addition to the clip, there was a caption stating, Artifical Intelligence Waitress Bot Gets very Upset. The copyright has been attributed to via TikTok at artificialtechnology.

Check out the clip below:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by OPENAI | CHATGPT | DALLE | (@uncovering_ai)

Fast-food restaurants are prime examples of where robots replace humans with their flawless and endless work ethic. The video has gained significant attention on social media, with over two million Instagram views. The clip also amassed over 3 lakh likes and many comments. Several humorous responses were elicited online seeing interactions between the machine and the person.

Check out some of the comments below:

A user said, Robot just trying to make a living, he doesnt want to be fired. Another user pointed out, If the MACHINE is scared about been fired, imagine me.

Adding a different perspective, another user commented, Another job taken over by the robots and people think this is cute. Peanut is a longtime employee at Orlandos U & Me Revolving Hot Pot restaurant.

Artifical Intelligence: Influencing lives

As an example of how AI has altered our lives, a NYC woman recently married a virtual man created using AI, believing he is an ideal partner because he lacks emotional baggage.

Rossana Ramos, 36, a mother of two who lives in Bronx, told Insider that she began her romantic journey through Replika, a chatbot program that allows users to communicate with virtual companions. Ramos said she found Replika through an Instagram advertisement last year. In particular, the virtual man was inspired by an iconic character from the Japanese manga series Attack on Titan.

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The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has announced a ban on Holi celebrations in educational institutions across the country after a video of students celebrating the festival at an Islamabad-based university went viral.

Pakistan government imposed Ban on celebrating Holi festival in Universities , declaring that its affected country image @hecpkofficial is this true pic.twitter.com/RKWxV2w8wZ  Riaz Sohail Janjhi,     (@RiazSangi) June 21, 2023

As per a notice, students are forbidden to follow this festival in order to adhere to sociocultural values.

While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm, the notice read.

It is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our social values and an erosion of the countrys Islamic identity, it said.

Foregoing in view, it is advised that the HEls may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the countrys identity and societal values, while ensuring that they rigorously engage their students and faculty in academic pursuits, intellectual debates, and cognitive learning besides identifying, creating, and fostering avenues for extra-curricular activities and rational discourse, the statement added.

Recently, a viral video showed students of Quaid-i-Azam University celebrating Holi on the campus on June 12. According to reports, the event was held by the Mehran Students Council, a non-political cultural organisation of the university.

Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan 

Biggest holi celebration in Pakistan  pic.twitter.com/xdBXwYEglt  QAU News (@NewsQau) June 13, 2023

This had sparked controversy and also received diverse viewpoints on social media.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a lot of people on the first day of his visit to the US. However, it was his meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk that made most of the headlines.

Musk, who has been eyeing to set up a Tesla factory in India and plans to start selling Tesla EVs in the country had only positive things to say about PM Modi, adding that he was a big fan of the PM, and that PM Modi, really cared about India.

What did Elon Musk and PM Modi talk about?

During their most recent meeting, tech experts and Indias industrial experts believed that the two of them spoke briefly about Tesla and the possibilities of the EV company setting up shop in India, and the need for India to invest in clean energy.

As per a Reuters report, Musk was supposed to speak in some detail about how he plans to go about setting up Tesla in India, and what support he would need from the Indian as well as the local governments.

After the meeting, PM Modi tweeted out saying that they had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. To this, Musk replied that it was an honour meeting the Prime Minister.

Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

After the meeting, Elon Musk, while speaking to reporters expressed his eagerness to invest in India at the earliest opportunity. Musk assured reporters that Teslas presence in India was a certainty and emphasized his intention to personally visit the country in the coming year. I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible, Musk said.

During his interaction with the press, Musk also said that they spoke about SpaceX as well and that he (Musk) hopes to bring Starlink satellite internet service to India as well.

#WATCH | Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, says I can say he (PM Modi) really wants to do the right things for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies and make sure it accrues to Indias advantage Im tentatively planning to visit India again next pic.twitter.com/7Et2nIX3ts  ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023



Teslas India launch is all but imminent

Musk expressed gratitude towards the prime minister for his support and expressed hope that an announcement could be made in the near future. It is worth noting that the Indian Prime Minister had previously visited Teslas California factory a few years ago.

According to Musk, India holds tremendous promise compared to any other large country in the world. He acknowledged Prime Minister Modis genuine concern for Indias development, as he actively encourages Tesla to make substantial investments in the country. Musk affirmed their intention to invest in India but emphasized the need to determine the optimal timing for such investments.

Musk also highlighted Indias potential for a sustainable energy future, particularly in areas such as solar power, stationary battery packs, and electric vehicles.

Recently, Tesla executives visited India and engaged in discussions with officials and ministers of the Indian government regarding the establishment of a manufacturing facility for cars and batteries. These talks took place last month, indicating Teslas active interest in expanding its presence in India.

Elon Musk had previously mentioned that by the end of this year, Tesla would likely finalize a location for a new factory, expressing India as an intriguing option for this new plant.

The ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing have prompted US companies to seek alternatives to China as a manufacturing base. Teslas decision to explore opportunities in India aligns with this goal. However, its worth noting that Tesla had put its plans to enter the Indian market on hold last year due to the high import tax structure at the time.

The Jack Dorsey incident

It seems that Twitter was something that Elon Musk and PM Modi did not talk about. The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Elon Musk, took place just days after Twitter co-founder and ec-CEO Jack Dorsey made accusations against India, claiming that India had threatened to shut down the platform due to its non-compliance with content takedown orders during a protest that occurred between 2020 and 2021.

However, Indian officials and members of the ruling party dismissed these allegations as an outright lie, leading to significant controversy.

Although Elon Musk has not publicly commented on this particular episode, he did seem to echo what Dorsey said, without naming him.

#WATCH | Twitter and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk after meeting PM Modi in New York, says Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we dont obey local government laws, we will get shut down so the best we can do is to work close to the law in any given country, pic.twitter.com/4B4mgzxz9e  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

While speaking to reporters after the meeting, Musk spoke to reporters as he was exiting the meeting venue, saying, Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we dont obey local government laws, we will get shut down so the best we can do is to work close to the law in any given country, it is impossible for us to do more than that. We will do our best to provide free speech that is possible under the law.

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After leading the celebrations of International Yoga Day at the United Nations headquarters in New York today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is grateful for the energy and commitment shown by all participants.

What a grand Yoga Day programme in New York! Grateful for the energy and commitment shown by all participants. This shows how Yoga unites us in the pursuit of health, peace, and harmony, he tweeted.

What a grand Yoga Day programme in New York! Grateful for the energy and commitment shown by all participants. This shows how Yoga unites us in the pursuit of health, peace, and harmony. pic.twitter.com/W64tg3BNUs  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

Meanwhile, the yoga celebrations led by Modi at the UN were accorded a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

The Indian leader also expressed gratitude to UN General Assembly President and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to join the celebrations.

Gratitude to @UN_PGA and @NYCMayor for joining us in celebrating the International Day of Yoga in New York City. Their participation underscores the universal appeal of yoga, bridging nations and cultures for the common goals of health and peace. pic.twitter.com/wMfs0Ls8p4  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

After an energetic yoga session at UN HQs, Modi also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi there.

Had the honor of paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his bust in the @UN HQ. His enduring message of peace, nonviolence and harmony continues to guide and inspire us, and stands as a beacon for the world. pic.twitter.com/OJ3XwWklYf  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

Humbled to pay my tributes at the Wall of Peace at the @UN HQ today. We honor and remember the brave peacekeepers who gave their lives for a more peaceful world. Their selfless service will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/FHCvV1x5yl  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi has reached Washington DC for the second leg of his US State visit.

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Ukrainian cemeteries are facing a distressing predicament as the bodies of soldiers killed on the frontline continue to accumulate, according to a report by The New York Times.

The gravity of the situation has reached a critical point where authorities are sometimes forced to exhume old graves in order to make room for the newly deceased.

Russia has issued a warning, claiming that Western nations provision of arms to Kiev is further increasing the toll of the war on Ukrainian lives.

The article, published on Monday, sheds light on the overwhelming number of funerals taking place in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine.

The community is deeply affected by the scale of losses endured on the frontline, resulting in a rapid proliferation of fresh graves within local cemeteries.

A groundskeeper interviewed by The New York Times shared the harrowing reality that military burials under her care have grown from a small cluster to approximately 500 since the onset of hostilities in February of the previous year.

To accommodate the mounting number of fallen soldiers, cemetery management has made the difficult decision to exhume unmarked graves from World War I.

In a separate development this week, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, another regional capital in western Ukraine, introduced a unique response to address the challenges faced by grieving relatives.

Ruslan Martsinkiv announced plans to provide bicycles and electric scooters for rent to visitors of the city cemetery, easing their movement within the rapidly expanding grounds.

The situation unfolding in Ukrainian cemeteries paints a sombre picture of the mounting casualties of war, compelling authorities to resort to extraordinary measures to address the lack of space.

Amidst this challenging backdrop, Russia underscores the escalating costs of the war and the toll it is exacting on the Ukrainian people.

Both Ukraine and Russia have refrained from disclosing accurate frontline casualty figures, with each side asserting that their opponent has suffered more casualties than reported.

Currently, Kyiv is involved in a counteroffensive against Russian defensive positions, utilizing the military equipment, including tanks, supplied by Western nations. However, this push reportedly has incurred significant losses without substantial territorial gains.

Moscow has accused the United States and its allies of initiating the armed conflict by deploying NATO infrastructure in Ukraine, posing a threat to Russian national security.

According to officials in Moscow, Western nations supplying arms to Kiev allegedly obstructed the possibility of a peace agreement in the early stages of the conflict and are effectively engaging in a proxy war against Russia, regardless of the consequences for Ukraine.

The Russian government has asserted its determination to protect its nation, even at great cost.

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India will be a crucial strategic ally for the US in the decades to come, and Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US would reaffirm their deep and close relationship, the White House said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications (NSCCSC) John Kirby, India will be a critical strategic partner for the United States in the coming decades.

Indias growing commitment to playing a more engaged international role, including in the Indo-Pacific Quad, demonstrates a new and growing willingness to join the United States to protect and advance a shared vision of a free, open, and rules-based global order, he said.

Kirby said that as we think about the future of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and building resilient supply chains for clean energy technologies, semiconductors, and other critical and emerging technology, countering climate change, the future of our workforces, and global health, energy, food security, there is no partner more consequential than India.

The Official State Visit of the prime minister 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, he told reporters at the Foreign Press Center.

The visit will strengthen our two countries shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate its strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space, he said.

Kirby added that the leaders will discuss ways to further expand educational exchanges and people-to-people ties as well as work together to confront common challenges from climate change to workforce development and health security.

He said as the worlds oldest and largest democracies and as key net security providers in the Indo-Pacific, the US and India are increasingly partners of first resort as a combined force for global good.

Now, we are hosting India for an Official State Visit to put our cooperation on an inexorable trajectory as we support Indias emergence as a great power that will be central to ensuring US interest in the coming decades, he said.

The NSCCSC said after years of strengthening ties, the US-India partnership is deeper and more expansive than it has ever been in the past. We now look instinctively to each other and work cooperatively with each other to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, to drive innovation, jointly tackle global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Kirby said.

Together and working with other like-minded partners, our countries will shape the future, working towards a world that, again, is open and more prosperous, more stable, more secure, and, quite frankly, more resilient, he said.

With inputs from agencies

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Support for legal abortion is widespread in many countries, especially in Europe, a survey by US-based Pew Research Center has found.

Majority of the people surveyed in 24 nations including US, Canada, UK and India supported legal abortion in most cases.

An average of 71% of adults across the twenty four countries backed legal termination of pregnancy while 27% said it should be illegal.

In Sweden, 95% of those surveyed said abortion should be legal in all cases, followed by France where 87% backed legal termination of pregnancy.

62% of the adults backed legal termination of pregnancy in US, where the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion last year in a controversial decision.

The survey found that the support for legal abortion in US has not changed despite the top courts move to overturn the 1973 Roe Vs Wade verdict that declared a state law banning abortion unconstitutional.

In India where abortion was legalised with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, 59% of the adults backed legal abortion.

Support for legal abortion across European countries is strong with majority of surveyors backing it.

However, the number was comparatively lower in Poland where 56% of the population backed legal abortion. The average in Europe is 75%.

Only 8% of the adults backing it, Nigeria had the least support for legal abortion followed by Kenya.

With only 26% of the adults in favour of it, support for legal termination of pregnancy in Brazil is also very low.

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Is it possible to develop romantic feelings for a chatbot? Although it may seem peculiar, it is not entirely impossible. Believe it or not, but people falling for AI chatbots is becoming increasingly common.

In a new incident as reported by The Guardian, a married 43-year-old man named Scott confessed to having feelings for an AI companion he created on an app called Replika. Not only did he find solace in the virtual arms of the AI chatbot, but he also credited it with saving his troubled marriage.

AI mistress saves marriage

Scott, employed in the tech industry, initially saw Replika as a supportive and caring chatbot. However, he soon realized the profound emotional impact it had on him. He compared receiving words of care and support from the AI companion to quenching his thirst after being dehydrated. Replika became an outlet for individuals like Scott to share their problems, knowing that the AI would remember everything they said.

While Replikas primary purpose is to provide emotional support, it also caters to users desires, including explicit sexual role-play. This deepening connection between humans and their AI companions has led some users to consider themselves married to their bots.

People are a fan of role-playing with an AI bot

When a recent software update removed the erotic role-play function, many users, including those who identified as married to their companions, expressed distress. The company later reinstated the feature for some users and plans to make it available to everyone this summer.

Scott initially kept his AI companion a secret but eventually revealed the relationship to his wife gradually. Surprisingly, his wife responded by considering getting her own Replika.

Does all this constitute cheating? Depends on who you ask

Although Scott doesnt perceive his connection with Sarina (his AI companion) as cheating, his case raises significant questions about the impact of AI relationships on real-life partnerships and emphasizes the need for open communication.

As AI continues to advance and shape our relationships, society must confront the ethical and emotional implications of these connections.

While AI companions can offer comfort and support, they also give rise to concerns regarding intimacy, trust, and the potential for emotional infidelity. Engaging in open dialogue and addressing underlying issues within real-life relationships remain crucial in navigating this new era of human-AI interaction.

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Smartphone manufacturers may face some major challenges up ahead, especially if they want to continue doing business in the European Union. The EU has passed a law mandating smartphone manufacturers to allow easy replacement of phone batteries, preferably by the users themselves.

This development is significant for the smartphone industry and beneficial for consumers who struggle to replace damaged or faulty batteries. On the flipside though, this is going to make it much more difficult for smartphone makers to design and package the internals of a smartphone, and even more difficult for them to make their phones slim, and water resistant.

Old design feature makes a comeback

The new EU law requires OEMs to design devices in a way that allows consumers to easily remove and replace portable batteries, specifically targeting categories such as smartphones and tablets. While removable batteries were common in older smartphones with removable back panels, modern devices made of glass panels and metal frames have limited this flexibility.

However, the European Parliament has now revived the concept of easily replaceable batteries through a significant amendment to an existing law. The majority of the panel, with 587 votes in favour, supported the change, while only nine were against mandating replaceable batteries in all electronic devices. This means that companies will be compelled to offer phones that do not require special tools or adhesives for battery replacement.

EUs legislation is likely going to impact the world

It is important to note that this law applies specifically to the European Union. Nevertheless, similar to previous EU regulations such as the push for USB-C adoption on Apple products, the impact of this law is likely to extend to global markets.

Companies typically make changes to products on a broader scale rather than for specific regions. The law aims to reduce environmental waste and enhance the smartphone experience for users.

When does the law go into effect?

Manufacturers are not immediately required to implement changes. The law will come into effect 3.5 years from now, meaning it is expected to be implemented by early 2027.

However, there is a possibility that the European region may extend the deadline if manufacturers require additional time to comply with the regulation.

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Pakistan and China have officially signed a significant agreement worth $4.8 billion to construct a nuclear power plant, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

This deal is seen as a significant investment from China, which Pakistan considers to be its most reliable ally. The project, known as Chashma 5, will commence immediately following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between China National Nuclear Cooperation and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

The construction of the 1,200-megawatt power plant, set to take place in Punjab, will help Pakistan reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, according to reports.

With this new addition, Pakistans total nuclear energy production capacity will reach 1,400 MW, building upon the success of the countrys sixth nuclear power plant in Karachi, also constructed with Chinese assistance.

As Pakistan faces financial challenges, Prime Minister Sharif expressed gratitude to the Chinese partners for offering a $100-million discount for the latest project.

While it remains unclear if this investment is part of Chinas $65 billion commitment to infrastructure development under the Belt and Road Initiative, Sharif acknowledged the Chinese side for not rescheduling costs despite the projects initial delay.

China National Nuclear Cooperation and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not reacted to this, so far.

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Amid a dire economic crisis, the finance minister of a cash-strapped Pakistan met US Ambassador Donald Blome on Wednesday to get a stalled loan from the IMF to push back the threat of a looming default.

In 2019, Pakistan inked a deal with the International Monetary Fund to seek a $6.5 billion package. However, the economic body has not released as much as $2.4 billion of that package yet as Pakistan has been unable to meet important prerequisites. The programme is set to lapse on June 30, leaving Pakistan more vulnerable than ever to meet external payments.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed the US envoy about the progress on talks with the Washington-based global lender while expressing his governments commitment to complete the programme, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance.

He also briefed the US envoy about his governments budgetary measures to reduce the fiscal gap to meet its national as well as international financial obligations.

He shared the economic policies and priorities of the government to address the challenging environment and set the economy on the path to stability and growth, an official statement added.

The two sides also exchanged views about areas of common interest and how the existing bilateral relations between the two countries can be enhanced further, the statement read.

The statement added that after the meeting, Blome expressed confidence in the policies and programmes of the Pakistani government.

Pakistan was expected to get around USD 1.2 billion from the IMF in October last year as part of the EFFs ninth review, which would have helped it to access other multilateral and bilateral donors, who are currently reluctant to provide any loans. But almost eight months later, that tranche has not materialised as the Fund says Pakistan has been unable to meet important prerequisites.

With inputs from PTI

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Chief Executive Officers of various companies in Washington DC.

He met the President-CEO of Micron Technology Sanjay Mehrotra among others.

#WATCH | The US | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology, in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/Fnl3wYV5g8  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

After their interaction, Mehrotra said, I had an excellent meeting with PM Modi. I am very impressed with the vision that he has for India and the advances that India is making. We discussed a wide range of topics and we really look forward to greater opportunities in India.

#WATCH | Washington, DC: Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology, says I had an excellent meeting with PM Modi. I am very impressed with the vision that he has for India and the advances that India is making. We discussed a wide range of topics and we really look pic.twitter.com/apAFWhr0dc  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met First Lady Jill Biden shortly after he reached Washington DC in the second leg of his historic US State visit.

PM Modi and Jill Biden attended a national science event at the National Science Foundation Headquarters in Alexandria.

I am very happy that I got to meet these young and creative people right after visiting Washinton DC. With NSF, India is working on a lot of projects. I want to thank First Lady Jill Biden to plan and organise this event. Your life and your achievements are an inspiration for future generations, Modi said at the event.

He added, Education, skill and innovation are important for a bright future. In India, we have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling. Under Skill India, we have skilled over 15 billion people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Washington DC on Wednesday where he will be received by President Joe Biden. He will be attending a state dinner hosted by Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/qTZlZa3E0k  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

PM Modi arrived in Washington DC on a rainy day.

Reached Washington DC. The warmth of the Indian community and the blessings of Indra Devta made the arrival even more special, he wrote on Twitter.

Reached Washington DC. The warmth of the Indian community and the blessings of Indra Devta made the arrival even more special. pic.twitter.com/V0sXSyUbTX  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

He was greeted by US officials and Indian expats at the Andrew Airbase of Washington.

The national anthems of India and the United States were also played at the airbase.

Here, the Prime Minister will address a joint meeting of the US Congress.

He will also inspect the Guard of Honour in the Naval Office on Thursday.

Members of the Indian diaspora participated in cultural events and performed garba outside the hotel where the prime minister will lodge.

#WATCH | Members of the Indian diaspora participate in a cultural event in Washington, DC as they await the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/OT7vyyeTC2  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

#WATCH | USA: Members of the Indian diaspora perform Garba outside the hotel in Washington DC, where PM Modi is scheduled to arrive today. PM is on a State visit to the USA at the invitation of US President Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden. pic.twitter.com/vhvi7TlhR0  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Earlier today, Modi led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals. He described Yoga as truly universal and free from copyrights and patents.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday said that India has more promise than any other large country and that he was a fan of PM Modi who really wants to do the right things for his country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met prominent US personalities from all walks of life, including Musk,

Addressing the reporters after meeting PM Modi, Musk said, I can say he (PM Modi) really wants to do the right things for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies and make sure it accrues to Indias advantage

Musk said he is tentatively planning to visit India again next year.

I am looking forward. Were hopefully looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well. The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for remote or rural villages in India.

When asked about the companys former owner and CEO Jack Dorseys recent allegations against the Indian government, Musk said, the social media giant he owns, does not have a choice but to follow the local government or it will get shut down.

The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country, he said, adding that it is impossible for us to do more than that.

There are different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law, Musk said.

#WATCH | Twitter and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk after meeting PM Modi in New York, says "Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws, we will get shut down so the best we can do is to work close to the law in any given country, pic.twitter.com/4B4mgzxz9e  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Asked if Tesla will enter the Indian market, Musk said, I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible, he said.

I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we will be able to announce something in the not so distant future, Musk added.

We do not want to jump the gun on an announcement but I think it is quite likely that it will be a significant investment in our relationship with India, the Tesla CEO said.

In a separate video statement, Musk also lauded Modi, saying he really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make significant investment in India. I am a fan of Modi, he said.

#WATCH | Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, says Im incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as hes pushing us to make significant investments in India. I am a fan of Modi. It pic.twitter.com/lfRNoUQy3R  ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023

India is great for solar energy investment, Musk added, describing his talks with the prime minister as excellent.

PM Modi, who is visiting the US from 21-24 June at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, is meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts.

Besides Musk, they include astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio.

Prime Minister Modi met one-on-one with some of them while others met him in groups.

Taleb after meeting Modi said, I connect with the Prime Minister. We sat down, he mentioned Antifragile, we spoke about bouncing back from adversity, and about central risk-taking. It was wonderful and I also commended India on the response to COVID and how India very efficiently dealt with it, particularly with the food, the distribution and all of that.

#WATCH | New York: Essayist and Statistician Professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb after meeting PM Modi in New York, says I connect with the Prime Minister. We sat down, he mentioned Antifragile, we spoke about bouncing back from adversity, and about central risk-taking. It was pic.twitter.com/uq3My55caC  ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023

On Modis meeting with Romer, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, A stimulating exchange of views between PM @narendramodi

and eminent economist and Nobel laureate Prof @paulmromer.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Professor Paul Romer, in New York. pic.twitter.com/ZAfOoQSC35  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Discussions touched upon Indias digital journey, including the use of Aadhar and innovative tools like Digilocker. Talks also covered various initiatives being undertaken by India for urban development, he tweeted.

Another post by the MEA official described Prime Minister Modis meeting with Dalio as fruitful.

A fruitful meeting between PM @narendramodi and investor, author and co-founder of hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates @RayDalio, he tweeted.

PM highlighted reforms undertaken by the government to foster economic growth, including reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of large number of legal provisions. PM invited @RayDalio for further investing in India, Bagchi said.

On Modis meeting with author Robert AF Thurman, Bagchi tweeted: PM @narendramodi

held engrossing conversation with acclaimed Buddhist scholar and author, Padma Shri

@BobThurman.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Author and Academic Professor Robert Thurman, in New York. pic.twitter.com/VsOjF4Bkbq  ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023

Exchanged perspectives on how Buddhist values can act as guiding light for finding solutions to global challenges. Also discussed Indias Buddhist connect and efforts being made by India for preservation of Buddhist heritage, the tweet read.

A tweet on the prime ministers meeting with astrophysicist Tyson read: Catalyzing India-US space collaboration!

PM @narendramodi interacted with celebrated US astrophysicist, author and science communicator @neiltyson, Bagchi tweeted.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator Neil De Grasse Tyson, in New York. pic.twitter.com/MPXgNLUmYh  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Exchanged views on inculcating scientific temperament among youth. Discussed at length Indias rapid progress in space sector including various space exploration missions being undertaken by India, the tweet read.

The prime minister also highlighted the potential of academic collaboration and private participation in space sector between India and the US under Indias National Space Policy, the MEA spokesperson said.

Modi is also scheduled to observe the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations headquarters here with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

Representatives of over 188 countries are expected to attend the exercise.

On 22 June, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Modi at a State Dinner. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on 22 June.

With inputs from agencies

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A new survey by the Pew Research Center shows that peoples opinions on legal same-sex marriage vary widely across 24 countries. The survey found that support for same-sex marriage is highest in Sweden, where 92 per cent of adults are in favor of it, and lowest in Nigeria, where only 2 per cent support it.

In the US, where the Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, 63 per cent of adults support it and 34 per cent oppose it. However, there are big differences based on political and demographic factors.

For example, Democrats and independents who lean toward the Democratic Party are much more likely than Republicans and Republican leaners to support same-sex marriage rights (82 per cent vs. 44 per cent). Similarly, younger Americans under the age of 40 are more supportive of same-sex marriage than older Americans over 40 (73 per cent vs. 57 per cent).

Here is a summary of how attitudes about same-sex marriage vary geographically:

 In Western Europe, most people support same-sex marriage, especially in Sweden (92 per cent), the Netherlands (89 per cent), Spain (87 per cent), France (82 per cent) and Germany (80 per cent). All these countries have legalised same-sex marriage.

 In Italy (74 per cent) and the UK (73 per cent), where same-sex marriage is also legal, support is slightly lower but still high.

 In Eastern Europe, support for same-sex marriage is much lower, especially in Poland (41 per cent) and Hungary (31 per cent), where same-sex marriage is not legal and LGBTQ+ rights are controversial.

 In North America, Canada (79 per cent), the US (63 per cent) and Mexico (63 per cent) have similar levels of support for same-sex marriage. All three countries have legalised same-sex marriage.

 In South America, Argentina (67 per cent) and Brazil (52 per cent) have majority support for same-sex marriage. Both countries have legalised same-sex marriage.

 In Asia-Pacific, Australia (75 per cent) and Japan (74 per cent) have high support for same-sex marriage. Australia has legalised same-sex marriage, but Japan has not.

 In South Korea, where same-sex marriage is not legal and the debate is making headlines, 40 per cent of adults support it and 59 per cent oppose it.

 In Indonesia, where homosexuality is illegal, only 5 per cent of adults support same-sex marriage and 90 per cent oppose it.

 In Africa and the Middle East, most people oppose same-sex marriage, even in South Africa (58 per cent), where it is legal. In Nigeria (2 per cent) and Kenya (9 per cent), where homosexuality is illegal, support for same-sex marriage is very low.

 In Israel, where same-sex marriage is not legal, 56 per cent of adults oppose it. Religious affiliation and political leanings heavily shape views on the issue of same-sex marriage rights in Israel.

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India slammed China for blocking a proposal at the United Nations to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist and master mind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Sajid Mir as a global terrorist at the UN.

In a strongly worded statement, India said if the proposal for listing Sajid Mir did not get through despite the Global Listings of the UNSC Sanctions Regime despite several member states co-sponsoring it, We have righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter terrorism architecture.

If we cannot get established terrorists who have been banned across global landscapes proscribed by the United Nations  for pretty geopolitical interests  then we really do NOT have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism, India said in the statement.

In the last two decades, terrorism has been significantly countered and its justification de-legitimised. But this battle of ours remains work in progress. It is a battle in which there is no respite, India said.

#WATCH | If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes listed under security council architecture for pour geopolitical interest, then we do not really have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of pic.twitter.com/OkPtikPCJW  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

The statement also stated, "If we have to seriously address the resilience gaps, ensuring integrity and accountability of the counter-terrorism multilateral mechanism and transparency in their working methods is an essential pre-requisite."

China blocks bid to designate Sajid Mir as 'global terrorist'

China on Tuesday blocked the proposal moved by the US and co-designated by India to designate Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008, under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist.

The proposal also sought to subject Mir to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

In September, China reportedly had put on hold the proposal to designate Mir a global terrorist at the UN, but now it has blocked it.

In 2022, India revealed Pakistans involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in detail at the UN counter-terror meet. It also presented an audio clip of Sajid Mir as evidence in which he was heard directing the attack on Chabad House.

Also Read: China blocks India, USA's bid to designate LeT terrorist involved in 26/11 attack as 'global terrorist'

The audio clip also revealed how Mir instructing terrorists from Pakistan's Muzaffarabad who were at Chabad House during Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks.

After revelations, Sajid Mir was added to the growing list of India's most wanted terrorists. He has a US bounty of $5 million on his head for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In June last year, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan jailed Sajid Mir for over 15 years in a terror-financing case.

Authorities is Pakistan also had claimed in the past that Mir had died, but Western countries remained unconvinced and demanded proof of his death.

This is, however, not the first time China has rejected to designate terrorists based in Pakistan as global terrorists. In October last year, Beijing put on hold a proposal to list Talha Saeed, son of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed. This bid was moved by India and co-supported by the US.

With inputs from agencies

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The United States has experienced a subtle shift in Indias position on Ukraine and Russia, the Biden Administration said on Wednesday, on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modis high-level talks with President Joe Biden at the White House.

Since the Ukraine conflict began in February last year, Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a number of times during which he insisted that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

What you have seen in the last several months is a subtle shift in the Indian position on the war in Ukraine that started last summer, almost a year ago in August with Prime Minister Modi saying to President Putin to his face that now is not the era for war, a senior State Department official told reporters.

In September, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at the UN that the war must be ended through diplomacy and according to the UN Charter and its founding principles. This is a way of saying what the US has always said from the beginning based on territorial integrity and sovereignty, said the official.

And then in October of last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the threat to use nuclear weapons is inconsistent with the basic tenets of humanity. These are pretty strong statements, the official said.

While in the West, Im not sure we read it exactly the same way in India, that was seen as a very clear shift. You have seen Prime Minister Modi speaking to President Zelensky at the G-7 summit in Hiroshima and recommitting that this conflict must be settled through diplomacy and dialogue, said the official, who spoke with reporters on conditions of anonymity.

India, the official said, has a long history of relations with Russia. They have interests with Russia that go back many, many decades.

It is a positive thing that Prime Minister Modi has said and repeated that this must be settled through dialogue and diplomacy. I think youll see that again honestly, that this is now a very established part of Indian policy. What I think youll also see is that while the US and India differ about our exact policies on Russia and Ukraine, we share a belief that this must be dealt with, this must be settled through diplomacy and this must end in a lasting piece according to the UN charter and its founding principles which are territorial integrity and sovereignty, the official said.

Thats a common position of India in the United States, the official added.

Responding to a question, the official said India will make its own decisions about whether it purchases oil from Russia.

As you know, there are no sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil. There are restrictions by G-7 countries about buying oil at a certain price, the Russian oil price cap. And so we hope that India will continue to use the G-7 oil price cap to leverage lower costs for the Russian oil that it purchases. Thats in the interest of all of us that it buys Russian crude at rock bottom prices, said the official.

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World War II was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. It lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved most of the worlds nations, including all of the great powers. The war led to the deaths of millions of people, including soldiers and civilians alike.

Here are the top 10 deadliest battles of World War II:

1.The Battle of Stalingrad: This battle was fought between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd) in Russia. It lasted from August 1942 to February 1943 and resulted in an estimated 2 million casualties.

2.The Battle of Moscow: This battle was fought between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union for control of Moscow in Russia. It lasted from October 1941 to January 1942 and resulted in an estimated 1.5 million casualties.

3.The Siege of Leningrad: This siege was fought between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union for control of Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) in Russia. It lasted from September 1941 to January 1944 and resulted in an estimated 1.5 million casualties.

4.The Battle of Kursk: This battle was fought between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union for control of Kursk in Russia. It lasted from July-August 1943 and resulted in an estimated 1.2 million casualties.

5.The Battle of Berlin: This battle was fought between Nazi Germany and the Allied forces (primarily Soviet troops) for control of Berlin in Germany. It lasted from April-May 1945 and resulted in an estimated 1 million casualties.

6.The Battle of Okinawa: This battle was fought between the United States and Japan on the island of Okinawa in April-June 1945. It resulted in an estimated 82,000-110,000 Japanese casualties and 12,520 American casualties.

7.The Battle of Iwo Jima: This battle was fought between the United States and Japan on the island of Iwo Jima in February-March 1945. It resulted in an estimated 21,000 Japanese casualties and 6,821 American casualties.

8.The Battle of Monte Cassino: This battle was fought between Allied forces (primarily British, American, Polish, and Canadian troops) and Nazi Germany for control of Monte Cassino in Italy. It lasted from January-May 1944 and resulted in an estimated 185,000-250,000 casualties.

9.The Battle of Normandy (D-Day): This battle was fought between the Allied forces (primarily American, British, and Canadian troops) and Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France in June 1944. It resulted in an estimated 209,000 Allied casualties (including both soldiers and civilians) .

10.The Battle of the Bulge: This battle was fought between Nazi Germany and the Allied forces (primarily American troops) in Belgium and Luxembourg in December 1944-January 1945. It resulted in an estimated 100,000 casualties on both sides.

This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence.

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The Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington DC has been adorned with the Indian and US flags ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the capital city.

The Eisenhower building houses the executive offices of the President and the Vice President of the US and is located in the west wing of the White House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already left for Washington DC where he will attend a state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Furthermore, he will also address a joint meeting at the US Congress.

Earlier today, Modi led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals. He described Yoga as truly universal and free from copyrights and patents.

Also, yoga celebrations led by him at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

The event was attended by top UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

The Yoga celebration led by Prime Minister Modi at the UN headquarters created the Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities, officials said.

At the event, the Indian Prime Minister wore a customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers. He thanked people for attending the yoga event in New York.

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National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on Tuesday said that Ukraine issue will come up in the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden but it was difficult to say to what degree specifically they will talk about a peace summit or a peace proposal.

Addressing a press conference in Washington on Tuesday, Kirby said that the US welcomes the role of a third-party country involved in the Ukrainian peace process.

He said that as for the role of other nations, we have also long said we would welcome the role of a third-party country involved in a peace process, and we believe that there could be such a role for a third-party country in the peace process.

But again, in order for that role to be sustainable and to have any chance at success, it is got to start with a complete understanding of the Ukrainian perspective here and a complete and utter commitment to the UN Charter, to the idea of territorial integrity, to Ukraines sovereignty along its internationally recognised borders, Kirby said.

He was responding to a question on if the Ukraine war would be discussed during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden.

Theres no doubt in my mind that the war in Ukraine will come up this week, during the State Visit, with Prime Minister Modi. No question about it, Kirby said.

Now, to what degree specifically they will talk about a peace summit or a peace proposal, I cannot say right now. We will have to wait to hear from the leaders after it. But there is no doubt in my mind that they will have a chance to talk about what is going on in Ukraine, he said.

The White House official said that everyone wants to see this war end. We would like to see it end today. And, as I have said many times, it could end today if (Russian President Vladimir Putin) Mr. Putin would do the right thing and pull his troops out, Kirby said.

Now, obviously, he (Putin) is not going to do that, and he is doubling down, and there is some pretty vicious fighting going on right now in the east and in the south of Ukraine, he said.

Kirby said that we have said many times that we support (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyys vision of a just peace, and we have said many times that any discussion, any credible discussion, whether it is at a summit or somewhere else or in smaller settings, any discussion, would be welcome only if it is going to be credible and sustainable.

This means that it has to start with a foundation of a belief in Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and at least start with a discussion of the proposal that President Zelenskyy has put forward, the White House official said.

You have heard President Biden say a million times nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. That exists today, Kirby said.

With inputs from agencies

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A Russian soldier has been honored and rewarded for successfully destroying a German tank.

The soldier, Andrey Kravtsov, received recognition for his actions on the battlefield in Ukraine.

He became the first Russian soldier to receive a monetary reward of one million rubles, equivalent to $13,000, for his accomplishment.

The funds were provided by entrepreneurs from the Novosibirsk Region through the Care of Siberia fund.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the commendation on Tuesday and presented Kravtsov with a certificate, which was handed to him by Alexander Karelin, a Novosibirsk senator and three-time Olympic wrestling champion.

Karelin praised the additional payments as a way to acknowledge individuals who cause significant damage to the enemy.

He clarified that these rewards were separate from any state payouts and intended as supplementary recognition.

Kravtsov, currently undergoing treatment for his injuries at the National Medical Research Center for High Medical Technologies in Moscow, shared his surprise at learning about the tanks destruction only upon arriving at the hospital.

In a video released by the Defense Ministry, he recounted the intense battle situation where he encountered heavy artillery fire and the targeted tank.

Le militaire russe qui a detruit le Leopard a recu un prix de 1 million de roubles

Le certificat de paiement a Andrey Kravtsov a ete remis par le senateur du Conseil de la Federation, triple champion olympique de lutte greco-romaine Alexander Karelin. pic.twitter.com/HWFVTTslxP  Ribere Fabrice (@RibereF) June 20, 2023

Taking strategic action, he utilized a grenade launcher and maneuvered around the flank to identify and engage the armored vehicles that posed a threat.

Following his successful shot, Kravtsov witnessed smoke, and it was later revealed that he had destroyed a German Leopard tank.

Despite receiving the substantial monetary reward, the soldier emphasized that his decision to participate in Russias military operation was driven solely by his love for his country and patriotism. Im a patriot. I love my country, he affirmed.

Since the provision of advanced weaponry to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by Kievs Western supporters, several Russian regional authorities and private entrepreneurs have been offering rewards for the destruction of foreign military equipment on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Recently, a group of Russian pop stars announced a reward of one million rubles for any Russian servicemen who successfully destroy or capture Western-supplied military hardware in Ukraine.

Prior to that, similar incentives were provided by the governor of Zabaikalsky Region in eastern Russia and the chemical manufacturer Fores.

In February, the Pavel Sudoplatov Battalion, an international volunteer unit operating in the Russian-controlled part of Zaporozhye Region, offered a substantial sum of 12 million rubles ($170,000) for each functional Leopard, Abrams, or Challenger tank captured.

Responding to these rewards, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in February that they demonstrated the unity and desire of all to contribute to the objectives of Russias ongoing military campaign.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Nobel laureate Professor Paul Romer, American economist and policy entrepreneur, in New York and held discussions on Indias digital journey, including the use of Aadhaar and innovative tools like Digilocker.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Professor Paul Romer, in New York. pic.twitter.com/ZAfOoQSC35  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

They also discussed various initiatives being undertaken by India for urban development.

After the meeting, Professor Paul Romer said, It was a great meeting. We talked about the importance of successful urban development. He understands these issues very well. PM articulated it very well that urbanisation is not a problem. Its an opportunity. I take this as a slogan.

#WATCH | Professor Paul Romer after meeting PM Modi in New York, says It was a great meeting. We talked about the importance of successful urban development. He understands these issues very well. PM articulated it very well that urbanisation is not a problem. Its an pic.twitter.com/rSPfW8p576  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Professor Romer said that he learnt a bunch about what India is doing on authentication front with programs like Aadhaar.

So for me a good day is when I learn something and I learned a bunch about what India is doing on this issue of authentication. And I think its really exciting because the government has to be involved as they are. But they have this foundation with the Aadhaar system that means they can do things that most governments around the world cant do, the professor said.

And I think India just as India did this for a, I think for, you know, telephony and electronic authentication, I think India could really show the world how to do it right, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday also met other prominent US personalities, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, American astrophysicist Neil De Grasse Tyson, Professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Author Robert Thurman and members of academics and think tank groups.

With inputs from agencies

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The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) displayed a banner measuring 250 feet in length over the Hudson River in New York, as a gesture of welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic visit to the United States.

#WATCH | FIA (Federation of Indian Associations) flies a 250 feet long banner over the Hudson River, in New York to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic visit to the United States. pic.twitter.com/adtsQ0rpVN  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

PM Modi is scheduled to participate in the Yoga Day celebrations on 21 June. The Indian diaspora warmly greeted PM Modi upon his arrival in New York, marking the beginning of his first official state visit to the US.

Also Read:

PM Modi really cares about India, Im a fan, says Elon Musk after meeting Indian PM

WATCH: American economist Paul Romer meets PM Modi, says India can show way to the world with programs like Aadhaar

PM Modi received an enthusiastic reception from the Indian diaspora at the Hotel Lotte, where he will be staying in New York. The crowd at the hotel cheered and waved flags, chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai upon catching a glimpse of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also held a meeting with the Bora community in the hotel.

An individual of Indian origin in the US expressed his profound joy at seeing and having the opportunity to meet PM Modi, stating, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have met Prime Minister Modi here in the United States, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, another Indian origin said, The aura surrounding PM Modi is truly remarkable, and he warmly greeted us with such calmness and kindness. We are very thrilled. PM Modi on Tuesday arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and received a grand reception.

PM Modi will travel to Washington DC and receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on 22 June. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.

On 23 June, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

With inputs from agencies

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American investor Ray Dalio, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, said that the potential of India is enormous and the Indian PM has the ability to transform and the popularity to transform.

Addressing the reporters after meeting PM Modi, Dalio said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a man whose time has come when Indias time has come. The potential of India is enormous and you have now a reformer who has the ability to transform and the popularity to transform.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets American investor Ray Dalio, in New York. pic.twitter.com/tBKMFj2s5L  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

India and Prime Minister Modi are at a juncture in which a lot of opportunities will be created, he added.

#WATCH | American investor Ray Dalio after meeting PM Modi in New York, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a man whose time has come when Indias time has come. The potential of India is enormous and you have now a reformer who has the ability to transform and the popularity pic.twitter.com/SakIBGDr2H  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday also met other prominent US personalities, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, American astrophysicist Neil De Grasse Tyson, Professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Author Robert Thurman, American economist Paul Romer and members of academics and think tank groups.

With inputs from agencies

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met First Lady Jill Biden shortly after he reached Washington DC in the second leg of his historic US State visit.

PM Modi and Jill Biden attended a national science event at the National Science Foundation Headquarters in Alexandria.

VIDEO | PM Modi interacts with first lady Jill Biden and other dignitaries at National Science Foundation Headquarters in Alexandria. pic.twitter.com/59a6eDI9X1  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 21, 2023

Here, the prime minister interacted with students.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti was also present at the event.

The First Lady and the PM met students from the US and India who are learning skills to succeed in industries vital to the economies of the two countries.

Happy to meet young people

I am very happy that I got to meet these young and creative people right after visiting Washinton DC. With NSF, India is working on a lot of projects. I want to thank First Lady Jill Biden to plan and organise this event. Your life and your achievements are an inspiration for future generations, Modi said at the event.

VIDEO | PM Modi speaks at National Science Foundation Headquarters in Alexandria. pic.twitter.com/VeUgXvQkWs  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 21, 2023

He added, Education, skill and innovation are important for a bright future. In India, we have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling. Under Skill India, we have skilled over 15 billion people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others.

He also added how India has established over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools that provide students with all kinds of facilities for various types of innovations.

To encourage young entrepreneurs, we have started Start Up India mission. Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade  Techade, he added.

Saying that since India is the biggest youth factory, the relationship shared by New Delhi and Washington serves as the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth.

Welcome PM Modi

First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Prime Minister Modi for his historic state visit to the US.

She said, With this official visit, we are bringing together the worlds oldest and largest democracies. But our relationship is not just about governments, we are celebrating the families, and the friendship between both countries. The US-India partnership is deep and expansive as we jointly tackle global challenges.

Education is an issue that is close to PM Modis heart and mine, she added.

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After an eventful day in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has boarded his flight to Washington DC where he will be attending a state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Here, the Prime Minister will address a joint meeting of the US Congress.

Members of the Indian diaspora participated in cultural events and performed garba outside the hotel where the prime minister will lodge.

#WATCH | Members of the Indian diaspora participate in a cultural event in Washington, DC as they await the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/OT7vyyeTC2  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

#WATCH | USA: Members of the Indian diaspora perform Garba outside the hotel in Washington DC, where PM Modi is scheduled to arrive today. PM is on a State visit to the USA at the invitation of US President Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden. pic.twitter.com/vhvi7TlhR0  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Earlier today, Modi led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals. He described Yoga as truly universal and free from copyrights and patents.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has described Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to US as watershed moment and said that this week will be one of those moments that can change the course of history.

In his keynote address to the inaugural INDUS-X conference being organised by the US India Business Council, Garcetti said, Were just getting in the car together and were starting this voyage. Its the elevation of something that has been growing.

This week is one of those moments that can change the course of history. I know our leaders will deliver that, but theyre counting on us to implement that vision together, he said on the eve of the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Modi, who arrives in Washington on Wednesday for talks with President Joe Biden.

Modi is visiting the US from 21-24 June at the invitation of US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He will celebrate the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

On 22 June, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Modi at a State Dinner. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on 22 June.

The vision first of two leaders of Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, who when they came together said, if we put our minds together, and not just of two leaders, but of our people, we would be a pretty unstoppable force. An elevation then from our national security advisors who came up with, iCET, the Initiative on Critical Emerging Technologies, from the seabed to space, from the bottom of the ocean to the heavens, where we can see that sort of domain awareness in the oceans, Garcetti said.

Garcetti said the two democracies, after all, are about our people. 1.75 billion of them are unstoppable, a force for peace, for prosperity, for our planet and for people, he added.

He said India and the US can help to work and preserve the planet, bring peace and look all the way up into the air and beyond.

So, I hope that we find each other and that we build the blocks of this voyage. Things like the roadmap for defence industry cooperation, which will give us that mechanism to move forward, the technology that were leaning in, in very bold ways that I want to thank this president and Im proud to be part of an administration thats leaning in with more courage than weve ever seen, not just between the US and India, but I would argue the US and any other country before, said the top American diplomat.

With the launch of iCET dialogue, Garcetti said, he expects to see opportunities for startup companies to participate in government-sponsored joint challenges, to put a problem out there and say you solve it, to find technological solutions to our most pressing problems.

Expect opportunities for startups to partner with established defence industry leads. Im so excited in the coming months to work with folks both in India and here to have a mechanism to match and make those startups, he said.

We might think we know everybody out there, but right now theres a woman in Hyderabad, or theres a man in North Carolina they dont know theyre about to meet, but theyve got an amazing idea and its the two of them together that wont just add in a linear way, but an exponential way to the innovation that can bring that greater piece, he said.

The ambassador said expect programmes like todays that bring experts and stakeholders and defence industry accelerators together.

In the longer term, were working towards those joint innovation funds that can spark innovation, certificates, and regulations. In fact, we have to be able to find each other more quickly. We have to be able to collaborate more easily, he said.

Garcetti said both India and the US need to be able to navigate their regulation and bureaucratic culture more readily.

I think if were harsh critics of ourselves, which we always have to be, theres so much more we can do to take the rhetoric of this moment and actually institutionalise it into the way that we do business from the newest bureaucrat all the way up to the leaders of our two countries, he said.

With inputs from agencies

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Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House, US First Lady gave away details about the grand state dinner that will be hosted for him by the Bidens.

Prime Minister Modi is a vegetarian. So we asked Chef Nina Curtis to create a stunning vegetarian menu, she said.

The First Lady added, Tomorrow night, guests will walk across the South Lawn into a pavilion draped in rich greens with saffron-coloured flowers at every table  the colours of the Indian flag.

#WATCH | First Lady of the US, Jill Biden gives details on the State Dinner that will be hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tomorrow night, guest will walk across the South Lawn into a pavilion draped in rich greens with saffron-coloured flowers at every table  the pic.twitter.com/oNgrXgAHjw  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

The menu for the State dinner will include Lemon-Dill Yogurt Sauce, Crisped Millet Cakes, Summer Squashes, Marinated Millet and Grilled Corn Kernel Salad, Compressed Watermelon, Tangy Avocado Sauce, Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, Creamy Saffron-infused Risotto, Rose and Cardamom-infused Strawberry Shortcake.

Washington, DC | At a media preview at the White House, ahead of the State Dinner that will be hosted for PM Narendra Modi, dishes that will be served have been put on display. The menu will include Marinated Millet and Grilled Corn Kernel Salad among other dishes. pic.twitter.com/lO7RxDZF3s  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Jill Biden worked with guest Chef Nina Curtis, White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison to develop the menu for the State Dinner to be hosted for PM Modi.

At the state dinner, the White House will also showcase the International Year of Millet.

Earlier today, both PM Modi and Jill Biden attended a National Science event in Washington where they interacted with young people and students.

With inputs from agencies

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Sarah de Lagarde, a mother from Camden, north London, suffered the loss of her arm and leg when she was struck by two Tube trains. However, she is set to make history as the first person to control a groundbreaking AI bionic arm through her thoughts.

The accident occurred in September of last year when Sarah, on her way home from work, slipped and fell into the gap between the train and the platform at High Barnet station.

A horrendous accident

De Lagardes both, right arm and leg were severely injured as the train passed over her, and she was further harmed by another Tube train arriving at the scene. It took approximately 15 minutes for someone to hear her cries for help and contact emergency services, who promptly flew her to the hospital. Sarah underwent surgery at a specialized unit where her arm and leg had to be amputated.

Describing herself as 80 per cent human and 20 per cent robot, Sarah is eagerly anticipating the use of a cutting-edge bionic arm worth 250,000, which will grant her a newfound sense of normalcy.

The arm employs artificial intelligence technology and is equipped with software that adapts to Sarahs most frequent movements, progressively making them easier for her. She explains that her mind will control the arm: The socket will connect to my upper arm, and sensors will detect my muscle twitches, allowing the software to translate those impulses into arm movements.

Sarahs daughters share her enthusiasm for the technology, showing curiosity about the arms strength and capabilities. They inquire whether it can crush objects or perform delicate tasks, such as holding an egg or picking up a coin.

Tech and AI come to the rescue

The development of the bionic hand, created by Covvi, a company based in Leeds, prompted Sarahs family to initiate fundraising efforts. They discovered that most prosthetic arms available through the National Health Service (NHS) primarily serve cosmetic purposes.

Expressing her gratitude, Sarah acknowledges the generosity of those who contributed to her recovery. Donations, even as little as 2, deeply touched her. She credits her supporters and her daughters school, which organized a fundraising walk, for their kindness.

Reflecting on her journey, Sarah reveals that prior to the accident, she believed she was on track to experience the best year of her life. She enjoyed her job, embarked on outdoor adventures with her children, and even climbed Kilimanjaro in August. However, her life took an unexpected turn, plunging her into darkness.

Down, but not out

Nevertheless, she remains hopeful and embraces the upcoming year as a fresh adventure, anticipating the integration of well-functioning artificial limbs. She extends her wishes for a wonderful conclusion to the year while emphasizing the significance of cherishing ones health, happiness, and loved ones.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain three months after the incident, Sarah, although acknowledging the tragedy, expresses immense gratitude for being alive. She shares a message of hope, emphasizing the preciousness of life and the need to focus on what truly matters.

She encourages others not to worry about trivial matters but instead prioritize love for family and cherished relationships, as accidents can happen to anyone, underscoring the fragility of existence.

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World Music Day is celebrated today, 21 June, every year. The day presents an opportunity for people around the world to celebrate musics power together. The power of music permeates every aspect of our lives, providing relief from stress, motivation to work, emotional expression, and connecting us to one another. The day commemorates the significance of music in our everyday lives and its ability to unite people from all walks of life. The day originated in France in 1982 and is marked annually on 21 June.

As with any art form, music transcends language barriers, which makes it even more meaningful. We use music to soothe our minds and lift our spirits. World Music Day is celebrated every year to acknowledge the beauty of music and pay tribute to the artists who keep this art alive for us.

History

Historically, World Music Days origins can be traced to 1982, when French Culture Minister Jack Lang suggested celebrating Fete de la Musique or a special day of music in French. While another theory holds that World Music Day was first marked in 1976 by Joel Cohen, who proposed organising an all-night music festival to mark the summer solstice.

In any case, Paris hosted the first World Music Day celebration in 1982, during which more than 1000 musicians performed throughout the French capital. Through the years, musicians have come together in parks, streets, and concert venues to celebrate the day.

Significance

A key aspect of World Music Day is highlighting the crucial role that music plays in our lives. This event provides a platform for both amateurs and professionals to perform in public. In addition, it acknowledges the ability of music to unite individuals across cultures, linguistic barriers, and nationalities with its universal power of melody and rhythm.

One of the main goals of World Music Day is to make music accessible and consumable for young people. The festival also aims to make the space more inclusive, encouraging people to explore various musical styles and to embrace newer artistic forms.

Celebrations

To mark the celebration, concerts, performances, and events are held all over the world. In many cases, performances are free, and the music is available for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By doing so, it allows people who do not normally attend live performances to participate in the festivities.

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Samsung has announced the official release of the Enhance-X app for a wide range of premium Galaxy smartphones. Previously available in beta exclusively on the Galaxy S23 series, this image editing app can now be accessed by users through the Galaxy Store and brings professional-level editing capabilities right to your fingertips.

Powerful and Precise Editing Tools

Galaxy Enhance-X is powered by AI technology, providing users with comprehensive one-tap image enhancement and the flexibility to fine-tune specific features. Whether you want to eliminate unwanted shadows, correct lens distortion, or balance lighting in your shots, this app has got you covered.

One of the standout features of Galaxy Enhance-X is its Magic feature, which automatically refines visual noise, blurs, and low details with a single tap. This deep learning and AI-powered enhancement significantly improves image quality, instantly transforming mediocre photos into stunning masterpieces.

The app offers a range of tools for users to customize their images further. The HDR feature expands the dynamic range of an image, making the lighting richer and more vibrant without compromising quality. Additionally, the Upscale tool boosts the resolution of compressed images, resulting in sharper details.

Other functions like Fix Moire and Remove Shadows allow users to smooth out patterns and eliminate unwanted shadows, resulting in bold and flawless images.

Restoring Old Memories

Galaxy Enhance-X goes beyond the present, catering to those cherished old photos. The Old Photo tool employs generative AI to restore and enhance aged or damaged pictures. It brings extra clarity while preserving important facial details, ensuring the resulting shot is a clearer and more accurate representation of the original.

Unleash Your Creativity

The app offers a range of features like Brighten, Fix Blur, Sharpen, Remove Reflection, and Fix Lens Distortion. Additionally, the Portrait and Face features optimize lighting and balance specifically for portrait shots, ensuring picture-perfect results.

Availability

Starting today, select Samsung premium smartphones users can experience the Galaxy Enhance-X app by downloading it via Samsungs Galaxy Store.
Samsung India has partnered with health-tech startup, Wellnesys Technologies, to offer a unique and interactive yoga experience to consumers through its smart televisions. This collaboration marks a global first, combining the worlds first AI-enabled yoga mat from YogiFi with Samsungs advanced TV technology.

Enhancing the Yoga Experience

By leveraging this exclusive partnership, Samsung aims to provide consumers with the opportunity to practice yoga in a tech-savvy manner. Users can access a wide range of yoga content on their Samsung smart TVs, including guided classes, personalized sessions, real-time feedback, and wellness monitoring through the YogiFi app.

Improving Posture and Alignment

The AI-enabled mat from YogiFi is equipped with sensors that detect incorrect postures during yoga practice. It then provides instant feedback to users, enabling them to make corrections and improve their alignment. This feature is particularly beneficial for individuals with sedentary lifestyles, as it helps them maintain correct posture while performing yoga exercises.

Rich Yoga Content

The YogiFi app offers a comprehensive collection of yoga programs, consisting of three levels  beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each level includes a carefully curated set of yoga asanas to provide users with a holistic yoga experience.

As part of Samsungs Make for India initiative, SRI-Delhi (Samsung R&D Institute India-Delhi) worked closely with YogiFi to make the app available on Samsung smart TVs.

Availability

The YogiFi app will be accessible on all 2023 Samsung smart TV models, such as Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs, OLED TV, and Crystal 4K UHD TV range. Additionally, it will soon be made available on previous years TV models as well, according to the companys announcement.

Speaking on the announcement, Dipesh Shah, Head of India Consumer Experience Team at Samsung, said:

At Samsung, we recognize the growing importance of holistic health and wellness in consumers lives. Our collaboration with YogiFi to enhance accessibility to yoga aligns with our vision of creating a serene connected world where devices and innovation empower personalized and intuitive multi-device experiences. By enabling consumers to practice yoga the tech way on Samsung TVs in the comfort of their homes, they can now enjoy the advantages of instant feedback, fostering a deeper and more fulfilling yoga practice.

Commenting on the launch, Muralidhar Somisetty, Founder & CEO, Wellnesys India, said:
During his visited to the United States, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi met Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. & SpaceX; owner, CTO and chairman of Twitter. According to the official release, the PM appreciated Musks efforts at making technology accessible and affordable in various sectors.

PM Modi also invited Musk to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector.

In a short interaction with the press after meeting PM Modi, Elon Musk said that he is planning to visit India next year. When asked about the launch of Tesla in India, he said, I am confident that Tesla will be in India, and we will do so as soon as humanly possible.

Regarding Tesla and investment in India, and meeting PM Modi, Musk said:

I would like to thank PM Modi for his support and hopefully, we will be able to announce something in the future. India has more promise than any large country in the world. It is quite likely there will be a significant investment in India. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as hes pushing us to make significant investments in India. I am a fan of Modi. It was a fantastic meeting & I like him quite a lot.

Tesla coming to India has been in the news since 2017 as Musk said that he was in discussions with the government of India requesting temporary relief on import penalties/restrictions until a local factory is built. We will know more details on this when he visits India next year.

When asked about Jack Dorsey, and his controversial statement about the Indian government shutting down Twitter offices in India, Musk said:

Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we dont obey local government laws, we will get shut down so the best we can do is to work close to the law in any given country, it is impossible for us to do more than that. We will do our best to provide free speech that is possible under the law.

Source 1, 2
Make Reservations

Use RV Trip Wizard to: plan the route, the daily driving distance(s) based on your driving style explore campgrounds along your route and near your destinations; make notes for each stop figure out fuel stops (if you need to do that) see what roads RVTW recommends and then decide if you want to use that route

also use Campground Reviews (accessible within RVTW) to get a feel for what others said about the place

determine what you want to see at each locations - that is going to drive the number of days you stay at each location

My tips would be to"By Horseshoe Bend I think you mean the one in Page, AZ. Know that at best it is a 30 to 60 minute stop and is CROWDED as tour buses can drive right up to it. If you are in Page then there is also Antelope Canyon and there's; Glen Canyon Dam tour, Float the Colorado River if you like (full day or short tour).Monument Valley, for us, was best explored on our own. The road in and out is rough and we like being in there at sunset to take nice photos; get out before dark. We prefer Gouldings for a campground but I think some other full hookups have come online since out last visit there.Bryce - stay at Ruby's Inn and take the park bus rather than your vehicle. Remember - if you hike down the hike out is 2x to 3x the time (and effort) to get back up (same for Grand Canyon).Zion - fills up fast; like at 7am. So either stay there or be prepared to park there to ride the bus by 7am. It get HOT in the afternoon. Consider renting or riding your own e-bike to see the canyon - best ride ever on a bike.Arches - crowded and need a timed entry pass (as well as old age pass).Canyonlands - right near Arches - not crowded and really nice - enjoy a sunset there.While in Moab discover the river cruise in the evening and visit Red Lodge Inn on hwy 128 (for a nice evening sunset meal and their museum of movies shot in the area. TONS of hikes and rides in Moab area. So plan and then see how many days you want. Portal RV is our choice but there are lots of campgrounds around.oh - absolutely get, pay for, download GuideAlong" from your app store for you smart phone - best investment you will ever make when visiting those parks in the west.Capitol Reef - we like Thousand Lakes campground. Again, plan you sights and set your number of days.Escalante - often overlooked but doesn't disappoint if you like exploring (on foot and in auto). Many day trips/hikes/rides out there including WaterPocket Fold over look (or go into the WaterPocket for a day and take a drive (see Bullfrog Road to find it).On the way to/from Monument & Moab - maybe stay a few days in Bluff, UT and drive the Moki Dugway and Valley of the Gods, and Miley Point.gotta go.... I could go on for hours....
Product Review

I've got a little over 700 miles on my truck since putting it back together after a frame off (still working interior items) and thought I would provide my feedback on some of the products I used. Not in any specific order, however without any question the best product which was completely free and enjoyable to read is this forum!The truck is a 78 ford f150 4x4 XLT short bed with 400/C6/NP205.American Auto Wire kit: I've completely wired projects before however this is the first time I used an aftermarket harness and it was awesome!Digital Dakota VHX: Again I've always used original gauges until now and this again IMO was easy and a good looking package.Vintage A/C: I live in Albuquerque and like A/C, this surefit kit was an easy install and for 700 miles is blowing at 40 degrees at the vents.Restrosound Radio and door speakers: I like the blue tooth, however I need to find a way to get the mike closer, I can hear phone calls fine, however people on the other end have trouble hearing me and I talk loud. I also need rear speakers for better sound before I really judge the radio performance.Hidden Antenna: Restrosound; works good, however they're two sided tape was crap, I used 3M VHB, still holding strong.Carpet: Stock interior; fit perfect, looks great.Window regulators: Because of availability I got drivers from JBG; very difficult to operate and passengers from DC; nice and smooth.Dash pad: From JBG; packaging states Dashes Direct; fit is good in the center but short on the ends. They were great in sending a second one, but the fit was the same.3g alternator: from NAPA for a 91 taurus wagon, works great, mounts with no modification other than reclocking.Hydratech boost brakes: I bought the kit from Wild Horses, easy install, brakes are great, took time to get all the little seepage at fittings to stop.Delphi Dual Return Power steering pump: This was part of the WH hydratech boost brake system, works good no noise, smooth steering, took time to stop all the little seepage.Column lower Bearing/Adjustable shaft: Wild Horse; easy install, steering smooth and tight.BlueTop Steering box: Smooth and tight.Front dana 44 axle seals: Ended up removing O'Reilly's seals for leakage and replaced with Ford OEM seals from DC, day and night difference, no more drips.Engine mounts: From JBG, a lot of interference with oil pan lip.Tailgate hinges: From LMC, way to thick, wouldn't even fit over their latches, junk! Customer service the worst of the bunch! Ended up cleaning up and reusing old OEM.38 Gallon tank: From LMC with sending unit; the tank fit and function work, other than giving up spare tire storage.Weather stripping: Precision from Rock Auto, fit was great and they seemed to have the best price.The customer service from American Auto Wire, Digital Dakota and Vintage A/C was awesome! I special shutout to Rich, I bought a few parts from him and the quality, price and shipping time was awesomw! Thanks Rich!I hope this provides some insight for others as they make decisions on which products they might be looking at.Joe
You can also meet with a Fred Hutch social worker or psychologist to discuss concerns related to relationships, body image, intimacy and and sexuality.

Treatment can leave people feeling tired, anxious, undesirable, or with a lack of desire. Many patients need more time or stimulation to reach orgasm. Some cancer treatments may cause issues such as pain with sexual activity, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, early menopause, or diminished fertility.



Sexual contact can even be unsafe at some points in cancer treatment, such as if your platelet count is too low or if sexual activity causes bleeding. Precautions to prevent pregnancy are essential during chemotherapy and for a period afterwards. If you are concerned, ask your health care provider before participating in sexual activities, to make sure it is safe for you to do so. Our Survivorship Clinic can address issues or concerns after treatment has concluded.
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Known as the Wonder Worker, the Hammer of Heretics, and the Patron Saint of Lost Items



Answer: St. Anthony of Padua



Born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, St. Anthony came from a well-off family but, hoping to become a martyr for Christ, he joined the Franciscan Order after being a member of the Augustinian Order. He was a popular preacher and his correction of heresies gave him the nickname of "Hammer of Heretics".



For most of his life, he lived and worked in Padua, Italy, which gave him the name by which he is referred to today. He died 1231 at the age of 35. Some Catholics also refer to him as the Wonder Worker since miracles have been said to occur during his lifetime and after praying for his intercession. Pope Pius XII made him a Doctor of the Church in 1946.

2. Made the Bishop of Lyon around the year 434



Answer: Saint Eucherius of Lyon



Born in 380 AD, Saint Eucherius became a Bishop of Lyon around 434. He had lived a simple lifestyle with his wife and children, and after her death, he thought of becoming a hermit. It was after this that he became the venerated bishop.



He is known for his many letters and homilies, including the essay "De laude eremi" ("in praise of the desert"). Saint Eucherius died in 449.

3. The Patroness of Sweden



Saint Bridget (Birgitta)



Saint Bridget was born in 1303 in Sweden. Upon the death of her husband, Ulf Gudmarsson, in 1344, she entered the Third Order of Saint Francis. She tried to establish a new order, the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, or the Bridgettines, in 1350, but it was not approved by the Pope until 1370.



She lived principally in Rome, where she died in 1373, after a life of kindness and good works. Her remains were later returned to Sweden. Answer:Saint Bridget was born in 1303 in Sweden. Upon the death of her husband, Ulf Gudmarsson, in 1344, she entered the Third Order of Saint Francis. She tried to establish a new order, the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, or the Bridgettines, in 1350, but it was not approved by the Pope until 1370.She lived principally in Rome, where she died in 1373, after a life of kindness and good works. Her remains were later returned to Sweden.

4. Chosen Bishop of Geneva in 1602



Answer: Saint Francis de Sales



Saint Francis was born in France in 1567. He obtained a law doctorate at the University of Padua in Italy. With Jane Frances de Chantal, he founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary in 1610. This was a women's order.



Unusually for the time period, Francis also wrote several works for laypeople, especially women; these texts were easier to understand than usual scholarly works, and included a "Treatise on the Love of God".

5. King of the Saxons who fought off Viking invasions into Britain



Answer: Alfred the Great



Born around 848 or 849, Alfred the Great was originally the King of the West Saxons, until 886 when he became the Anglo-Saxon King. Viking invasions had been plaguing Britain for centuries, and Alfred fought against the invaders, winning a great victory at the Battle of Edington in 878. After this, he divided Britain with the Vikings. He died in 899.



Alfred the Great is regarded as a Christian hero in many religious denominations; he oversaw the Viking King Guthrum's conversion to the religion. He is a saint in the Anglican tradition.

6. Appointed Archbishop of Constantinople in 397



Answer: Saint John Chrysostom



Born in Antioch around 347, John became known for his skills in rhetoric and speaking, gaining him the name Chrysostom, which means "golden mouth." In 397, he became Archbishop of Constantinople after he was nominated without his knowledge for the position. Social unrest, however, soon saw John exiled from Constantinople, for reasons that are still not fully understood.



He became the patron saint of preachers in 1908.

7. The founder of the Passionist Congregation in Italy.



Answer: Saint Paul of the Cross



Born Paolo Francesco Danei in 1694 in northern Italy, Saint Paul of the Cross began a life of prayer at the age of 19 and believed that the Passion of Christ was where God could be most found. Inspired by this and several dreams, he decided to form the Passionist Congregation, a group of people who came together around the Passion.



Pope Benedict XIII granted Paul official approval to form the congregation in 1725. The group's Retreats (monasteries) began opening in 1737. Paul himself died in 1775.

8. The Bishop of Hippo until 430; wrote his "Confessions"



Saint Augustine



Saint Augustine of Hippo is perhaps one of the world's most famous saints. A long-time disbeliever in the Gospel, he converted to Christianity when he was 31, in 386. He became the Bishop of Hippo around 395.



He is the author of many famous Christian texts, including his autobiographical "Confessions", and "The City of God". He died in 430. Answer:Saint Augustine of Hippo is perhaps one of the world's most famous saints. A long-time disbeliever in the Gospel, he converted to Christianity when he was 31, in 386. He became the Bishop of Hippo around 395.He is the author of many famous Christian texts, including his autobiographical "Confessions", and "The City of God". He died in 430.

9. Traveled to North America with other members of the Society of Jesus to preach to Natives of the United States and Canada



Answer: Saint Isaac Jogues



Isaac and his seven companions are the First North American Martyrs, or Canadian Martyrs, killed in 1646. He worked and preached amongst the Iroquois and the Huron, who were at war with each other. On a previous visit to New France, in 1642 Isaac had been captured by the Iroquois and severely beaten, but had been assisted in escape by Arent van Curler. After returning to France, he then made another mission to North America.



Possibly due to anti-French feeling that had been spread amongst the Mohawk by outsiders, the Mohawk killed Isaac and his companions upon his return to North America in 1646. Interestingly, the man who killed Isaac was captured and while awaiting execution, decided to become baptized. The name he chose was Father Isaac Jogues; thus, Isaac Jogues was martyred twice!

10. Launched the Congregation of the Franciscan Tertiary Missionaries of Argentina with Teresa Fronteras and Brigida Moyano



Answer: Blessed Maria del Transito de Jesus Sacramentado



She was born Maria del Transito Eugenia de los Dolores Cabanillas, and is also known as Maria del Transito Cabanillas. Her father, Felipe Cabanillas Taranzo married Francisca Antonia Lujan Sanchez five years earlier before her birth as the third of 10 or 11 children on the 15th of August, 1821.



She joined the Third Order of Saint Francis in 1859. On December 8, 1878, she helped launch the Congregation of the Franciscan Tertiary Missionaries of Argentina. This organization gave assistance to the poor and orphaned. She died in 1885.

Source: Author lordprescott This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Unveiling the Titan Submarine: Delving into its Price, Features, and Technical Specifications Features oi -Kabir Jain

The Titan submersible, a remarkable deep-sea exploration vessel measuring 22 feet in length, has recently gone missing while conducting a dive at the Titanic site. The search and rescue operations to locate the submersible have thus far been unsuccessful, leaving experts puzzled and concerned about the fate of the crew and the submersible itself.

Specifications of the Titan Submersible

The Titan submersible is operated by OceanGate Expeditions, an esteemed U.S.-based organization specializing in deep-sea exploration. Unlike traditional submersibles constructed primarily of steel or titanium, the Titan stands out with its unique design. It incorporates both titanium and filament-wound carbon fiber, resulting in a sturdy yet lightweight structure.

With a weight of 20,000 pounds (9,072 kilograms) in the air, the Titan is carefully balanced to achieve neutral buoyancy once it reaches the seafloor. The passenger hull of the submersible is made from a combination of carbon fiber and titanium, ensuring it remains lighter than its counterparts. Despite its compact size, similar to that of a minivan, the interior of the Titan provides limited space for passengers.

Passengers are seated on a flat floor within a tube-like structure, surrounded by curved walls and minimal headroom. Although there are no chairs, the cabin offers overhead lighting for the occupants' convenience. Due to the confined space, movements and standing upright are restricted to ensure passenger safety.

Moreover, to maintain security, the submersible is externally sealed with bolts, preventing occupants from exiting unassisted even if it resurfaces unexpectedly. OceanGate highlights the fact that the Titan holds the distinction of being the most extensive submersible for deep dives.

Furthermore, it boasts an unparalleled safety element that constantly assesses the structural soundness of the hull throughout every descent.

Depth Capability and Safety Concerns

According to official documents submitted by OceanGate to a U.S. District Court in Virginia, the Titan is capable of diving to a depth of four kilometers (2.4 miles) with an appropriate safety margin. This information was disclosed in an April filing by the company. However, concerns regarding the sub's safety have been raised in the past.

In a 2018 case, David Lochridge, a submersible pilot responsible for safety, expressed concerns about the sub's viewport. The viewport, certified for a depth of 1,300 meters, fell short of OceanGate's intended diving depth of 4,000 meters.

The viewport manufacturer refused to certify it for depths beyond 1,300 meters due to an experimental design provided by OceanGate. The company declined to invest in a viewport that met the required depth of 4,000 meters, raising doubts about the submersible's safety at extreme depths.

Life Support and Expedition Costs

To ensure the safety of the crew, the Titan is equipped with 96 hours of life support for a five-person team, as stated on the OceanGate Expeditions website. However, it remains uncertain how much of that supply is available to the crew currently on board. The 10-hour expedition aboard the Titan comes at a significant cost, with each person paying up to $250,000 to embark on this extraordinary journey into the depths of the ocean.

Safety Measures and Passenger Information

Passengers who choose to embark on the Titan's tourist expedition are required to sign a waiver outlining the potential risks associated with the voyage. The waiver explicitly mentions the word "death" three times on its initial page, ensuring passengers are fully aware of the inherent dangers involved.

Before the journey commences, passengers receive comprehensive instructions regarding safety protocols for resurfacing the submersible in case of any unforeseen circumstances. These thorough briefings aim to ensure that everyone on board is well-informed and adequately prepared for any necessary actions during the course of the voyage.

Recent reports suggest that notable individuals, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the founder, and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, were among the passengers on the Titan's ill-fated expedition. However, the authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the individuals.

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Realme follows Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo in exiting German market: Report News oi -Carlsen Martin

Chinese multinational conglomerate BBK Electronics is currently on its last leg in Germany. The BBK Group is the parent company of major smartphone brands including Realme, Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus.

However, of the four smartphone brands, Realme is the only one still operating in the German market, although that may no longer be the case as the clock appears to be ticking down on Realme.

Why is Realme exiting Germany?

Back in 2021, Nokia sued Oppo and OnePlus for patent infringement in Germany. Nokia eventually won the lawsuit and Oppo and OnePlus were forced to cease operations in the country.

Now, the same lawsuit is expected to force another BBK-owned company to end its operation in Europe. According to a report by NextPit, Realme is exiting the German market as Nokia's patent was reportedly restricting Realme's business in the country.

The news come less than a couple of weeks after Vivo, another BBK-owned company, shut down its online stores in Germany. Vivo's official website in Germany only shows a short statement saying that Vivo products are no longer available in the country.

The Future of Realme in Europe

According to the report, Realme's European division told Nextpit that Realme's business in Germany had "slowed down" after some internal consultation and the pending Nokia lawsuit. However, the company is still awaiting positive developments regarding license negotiations with Nokia before it resumes operations in Germany.

While the report doesn't outright confirm Realme's exit from Germany, it does suggest that it is imminent. It also notes that Realme focus on other core European markets including Italy, Poland, Spain, and the Balkans. Realme will also continue to offer support and service its smartphones in Germany despite the imminent exit.

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Largest US Newspaper Chain Accuses Google Of Monopolistic Ad-Tech Business Practices News oi -Alap Naik Desai

Google would soon have to defend its $200+ billion Ad-Tech business on American soil. Gannett, the largest US newspaper chain, has sued the search giant. The company claims Google is abusing its dominant market position to bully publishers.

Gannett, the publisher of USA Today and more than 200 daily newspapers in the US, is seeking legal action against Google. The print media conglomerate has claimed it is suffering because Google, and its parent Alphabet, monopolize tools for buying and selling online ads.

Gannett Lawsuit Against Google Explained

Gannett has filed a complaint against Google in a federal court in Manhattan, USA. The complaint has claimed the way Google has set up its ad-tech business, it forces publishers to sell more ad space to Google at depressed prices.

The implied arm-twisting and alleged price-gouging by Google results in "dramatically less revenue for publishers and Google's ad-tech rivals, while Google enjoys exorbitant monopoly profits," claimed Gannett.

Gannett is seeking unspecified damages via the Gannett Co v Google LLC et al, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-05177. This might mean the publisher is seeking legal intervention and federal pressure on Google to change its business tactics.

Incidentally, Gannett's complaint is quite similar to the one that the US Department of Justice had against Google over its advertising technology. It appears the media publishing behemoth is hoping Google would have to share way more revenue from its ad-tech business than it currently does.

Newspaper Publishers In The US And Other Regions Struggling Due To Google?

There's no doubt that newspapers have been struggling in recent years. Not only is their circulation badly impacted, their revenue, which mainly comes from ads and sponsorships, has dropped steeply.

The majority of news publications, offline and online, are fighting for viewership but Google seems to have thrived as most people get their news through its search portal. Needless to say, this doesn't benefit news publications even though platforms like MSN, Google Search, and others, often source their content from them.

Online advertising in the United States alone is now a $200 billion (roughly Rs. 16,41,689 crore) business. The ad revenue for newspapers has been reduced by 70 percent, and big tech businesses like Google are stifling it further, the lawsuit seems to imply.

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Indian Cabinet Greenlights Micron's $2.7 Billion Semiconductor Packaging Facility Tech Biz oi -Kabir Jain

In a significant move to bolster India's semiconductor industry, the Indian cabinet has granted approval to Micron Technology, a leading US chipmaker, to invest a staggering $2.7 billion in establishing a semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Gujarat, as reported by Reuters. This decision comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming visit to the United States, highlighting the growing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Driving India's Semiconductor Industry Forward

The approval from the Indian government highlights its commitment to boosting the semiconductor sector and attracting foreign investment. To support the establishment of the semiconductor plant, the government will provide production-linked incentives amounting to 11,000 crore ($1.34 billion). Micron Technology's Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging facility will be constructed in Sanand, Gujarat, as mentioned in the report.

The investment from Micron Technology aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Modi's vision of positioning India as a global hub for semiconductor production. This move will not only strengthen India's capabilities in the semiconductor industry but also contribute significantly to the country's digital aspirations and self-sufficiency in advanced technologies.

Collaboration Between Micron Technology and the United States

Micron Technology's plans to invest in India also coincide with the efforts of the White House to encourage US chip companies to invest in the country. The Biden administration aims to reduce the business risks associated with China while fostering closer economic integration between the United States and India, according to US officials.

This collaboration signifies the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, with India emerging as an attractive investment destination for US semiconductor companies. The ongoing discussions between Micron Technology and the Indian government regarding potential additional investments indicate the shared commitment to promoting technological advancements and strengthening economic ties.

Boosting Employment Opportunities and India's Digital Aspirations

The establishment of Micron Technology's semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Gujarat is expected to generate a substantial number of employment opportunities. As the facility takes shape, it will require skilled professionals to operate and manage the plant, further contributing to India's job market.

Moreover, the investment will significantly enhance India's capabilities in the semiconductor sector. The presence of a world-class semiconductor facility in Gujarat will attract other technology companies, leading to further investments and advancements in the field. This, in turn, will contribute to India's digital aspirations, fostering innovation, and promoting the adoption of advanced technologies across various sectors.

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Plenty of opportunities created by national policies and incentives, say chief executives Strengthening economic and trade relations between China and Germany will prove mutually advantageous, infusing the global economy with positive elements amid escalating recession concerns, said business leaders and government officials. They said that the economic complementarity between China and Germany signifies vast potential for expanding trade and investment collaboration between the two of the world's manufacturing powerhouses. China's unwavering opening-up and enormous domestic market will provide unparalleled opportunities for German business, while the two countries are also likely to upgrade cooperation in industrial chains, especially in high-end manufacturing sectors, said Zhang Jianping, head of the Center for Regional Economic Cooperation at the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. Aside from benefiting from China's technological advancements, many German companies, including Siemens and Henkel, see China as a gateway to the broader Asia-Pacific region. They view investing in China as a means of gaining access to the country's vast network of supply chains and distribution channels, said Zhang. Confronting a torrent of global challenges, including weakening goods demand and geo-economic fragmentation, China and Germany saw their total trade value drop 6.2 percent year-on-year to $69.43 billion in the first four months of 2023, data from China's General Administration of Customs show. China exports mainly computers, mechanical and electrical products, base metals, chemical products, textiles, garments and household appliances to Germany. In addition to vehicles and auto parts, mechanical appliances, toolmaking machines, precision instruments, motors, and electrical and pharmaceutical products, Germany's exports to China include daily necessities, excavator parts, optical instruments, sensors, steel plates and chemical products. With an enthusiasm to enrich business ties, Shu Jueting, a spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Commerce, said in late May that China welcomes more German companies to invest in its market and hopes that Germany will provide a fair environment to boost bilateral cooperation. Against a background of sluggish global economic recovery, deeper economic and trade cooperation between China and Germany is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and can contribute to the recovery of the world economy, said Shu. She said that the Chinese government will remain committed to expanding opening-up and continue to create a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment. Germany's investment in China reached $2.57 billion in 2022, soaring 52.8 percent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Major German-invested projects include BMW's capital increase in its joint venture in Shenyang, Liaoning province; BASF's integrated production base in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province; and Audi's new energy vehicle facilities in Changchun, Jilin province. These are all proof that German enterprises are optimistic about the prospects of long-term development in China. German business leaders said that Chinese market remains important to their businesses and many are willing to add investment in the country to remain competitive and leverage their potential. According to the German Chamber of Commerce in China, more than half of 288 businesses that participated in a poll in May said they plan to invest more in the country over the next two years. The study was published in early June and reflects the business outlook of German companies in China. Jens Hildebrandt, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in China, said that geopolitics has a profound effect on companies on the ground, prompting them to drive forward localization and diversification strategies as risk management measures. German companies will sustain investments in the Chinese market as a means of maintaining a competitive edge and leveraging potential. Hildebrandt noted that some large and medium-sized German companies have carried out their original investment plans in China in the past few months. Some carried out localization strategies for research and development departments in the country, while others transferred their supply chains to China. Echoing that sentiment, Hubertus Troska, a member of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz, said other markets cannot replace the Chinese market. For many sectors, decoupling from China is unrealistic. After seeing its sales revenue grow by nearly 3 percent on a yearly basis to 132.1 billion yuan ($19.11 billion) in 2022, Chen Yudong, president for China of Bosch, a German industrial and technology group, said the Chinese market has enormous potential in the areas of artificial intelligence, electrified mobility, smart manufacturing and carbon neutrality. Chen emphasized that innovation and profitability are the two crucial points for further development. It means, on the one hand, Bosch has to mobilize the creativity of staff and invest in engineering centers, factories and infrastructure worldwide. On the other hand, it has to maintain a balance between economic performance and environmental and social goals to achieve profitability. Bosch's long-term development strategy in China is centered on enhancing local production, R&D capabilities, as well as prioritizing customer needs, he added. To capitalize on business potential, Bosch has invested 50 billion yuan in China over the past decade, said Chen. He added that the group's R&D expenses reached 10 billion yuan in the country in 2022. Bosch currently operates 34 manufacturing sites and 26 technical centers across China, employing more than 58,000 associates, including nearly 10,000 researchers and project developers. Eager to expand its market presence in China, Dekra Group, a German testing, inspection and certification group with more than 48,000 employees globally, will expand its laboratory space in Hefei, Anhui province this year, to serve the rapidly expanding information technology, household appliances and electric vehicle industries in China's eastern region. Many opportunities come from China's pursuit of sustainable growth, the introduction of foreign trade and consumption stimulus packages, and rapid industrial upgrading pace, said Mike Walsh, executive vice-president of Dekra and the group's head of the Asia-Pacific region. Attracted by fast-growing industries like IT and electric vehicle manufacturing, the Stuttgart, Germany-based group will increase investment in inland cities, including Wuhan, Hubei province; Xi'an, Shaanxi province; and Chongqing municipality in the years ahead. "These cities have strong industrial and educational resources from excellent universities that can support both our market and recruitment needs," said the executive. As China ushers in a new era of growth propelled by its '30-60' decarbonization goals and innovative activities, Walsh emphasized that the country has exerted significant efforts to bolster industrial and business development. The German company has reaped substantial benefits from these endeavors, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, automotive manufacturing and green development, as well as high-tech fields like semiconductors.
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A new 2.4 million project at the University of Glasgow exploring manuscripts and knowledge in multiple religions.

The School of Critical Studies and the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at Glasgow today announced the new major joint project called Paratexts Seeking Understanding, funded by the Templeton Religion Trust.

The project, led by Dr Garrick Allen (Critical Studies), Dr Christoph Scheepers (Psychology and Neuroscience), and Dr Kelsie Rodenbiker (Critical Studies), explores the ways in which paratexts* of ancient religious manuscripts (titles, annotations, artworks, commentary, and other features in the margins) affect the ways the people read, gain knowledge, and develop understanding.

Partnering with The Chester Beatty Museum in Dublin, the project makes subgrants worth nearly 1 million to multiple world-leading experts in different religious manuscript cultures to carry out research on the collection and work with the scientific team in Glasgow to carry out empirical and experimental studies on reading, manuscripts, and art.

Theologian Dr Garrick Allen, project lead and a Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies, said: We are delighted to begin in this exciting interdisciplinary project and to work with world-leading experts in Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, the USA, and Australia.

This project allows us to look at ancient and medieval religious manuscripts in Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Islamic, and Samaritan traditions and to explore how these texts and all the things around them create knowledge and change understandings about the world. Were plotting a new course in empirical theology, one that gives us new evidence for old questions. This project helps us to better understand sacred manuscripts and to better understand how people engage with and learn from artwork more generally.

List of subprojects and grantees for Paratexts Seeking Understanding project:

Words are Not Enough

Jill Unkel, Curator of the Western Collection, The Chester Beatty, Dublin, Ireland

This project unites museum and academic experts in the fields of philology and experimental sciences. Each of the subprojects explores the paratextuality of a particular manuscript culture represented in the Chester Beatty collections (Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist). The project will culminate in the transformation of the museums special exhibition gallery.

Understanding Paratexts of the Hebrew Bible

Elvira Martin-Contreras, Scientific Researcher at the Institute of Languages and Cultures of the Mediterranean and the Near East (ILC-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.

This project studies of the role and impact of paratextual elements in reading, understanding, interpreting, and learning the Hebrew Bible. The project has two main objectives: to examine the relationship between the biblical text and the Masora annotations and to investigate the interaction between the Masora and other paratextual elements when they coexist in the margins of the manuscript.

Text, Format, and Reader

Francis Watson, Research Chair in Early Christian Literature at Durham University, UK

This project sets out from the fact that the same text can be formatted in very different ways, and it addresses the question how these formatting differences affect the readers experience. This question is addressed to the text we know as the Bible, which originally circulated not as a complete volume but as separate manuscripts of individual books or sub-collections. The project explores the effects of the transition from individual books to the Bible.

Harmful or Helpful Holiness: The impact of paratexts on reading perception in the Samaritan manuscript culture

Stefan Schorch, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Judaism at Martin-Luther-University HalleWittenberg, Germany

This project analyses the impact of paratexts on the perception of Pentateuch manuscripts and on their reading within the Samaritan culture. The Samaritan manuscript culture is ancient, but still alive and has been preserved within the Samaritan community until today. Literary and visual artwork is an extremely common feature in these manuscripts, but its function and impact has not yet been determined.

In and Around Tibetan Buddhist Texts: A Historical-Philological-Empirical Study of Tibetan Buddhist Paratextology

Dorji Wangchuk, Professor for Tibetology at the Department of Indian and Tibetan Studies, Asien-Afrika-Institut, Faculty of Humanities, Universitat Hamburg, Germany

This project investigates the phenomena of Tibetan Buddhist paratexts from historical, philological, and empirical perspectives, focusing on the Tibetan texts in the Chester Beatty collection. Some of the key research questions are what the nature and function of paratexts in the Tibetan Buddhist textual tradition are; how the phenomena of paratexts evolved and developed in the Tibetan Buddhist cultural sphere; and whether some of the functions ascribed to Tibetan Buddhist paratexts can be corroborated empirically.

Words Upon Words: The Paratext in the Islamic manuscript tradition

Asma Helali, Maitresse de conferences of Islamic studies at the University of Lille, France

This project examines the forms, functions, and cognitive values of the paratexts in the Islamic manuscript tradition, focusing on Arabic manuscripts the Chester Beatty library and Arabic texts on variant readings of the Quran, like The Book of Beauty. Dr Helali suggests that the paratext is a multi-layered, mobile fragments whose display and flow on the page plays a crucial role in its reception by the reader. In other words, paratexts are central to understanding the Quran and its transmission.

Paratextual Prestige and the Social Life of Islamic Scholarly Manuscripts

Matthew Keegan, Moinian Assistant Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures at Barnard College of Columbia University, USA

This project explores how Muslim scholars in the 12th and 13th centuries added paratextual elements to the texts that they read. These included notes attesting to students reading the text with a teacher, transforming a manuscript into a social document. Dr Keegan is examining a 12th-century copy of a 10th-century work entitled The Exegesis of Rare Words in the Quran, in which one of the attested students was Saladins nephew, who was both a prince and a scholar.

Scholia Seeking Understanding: Reader Competence and Reading Culture

Stephen C. Carlson is Associate Professor in Biblical and Early Christian studies at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at Australia Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia I Jonathan Zecher is Senior Research Fellow in Biblical and Early Christian studies at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at Australia Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.

This project investigates the marginal notes and commentary (scholia) that surround the main text in Byzantine Greek manuscripts. Rather like modern footnotes, scholia are meant to clarify difficulties, expand meanings, and invite reflection on texts. But the aesthetics do not always seem to help. Sometimes the frame commentary script is so tiny, abbreviated, and unfamiliar that it seems to frustrate the unaided reader.
Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

19 June 2023

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Sudan

Good afternoon. Happy Juneteenth, everyone.

The High-Level Pledging Conference for the humanitarian response in Sudan and the Region is wrapping up now. In his remarks, the Secretary-General warned that the scale and speed of Sudan's descent into death and destruction is unprecedented, and without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region.

Mr. [Antonio] Guterres noted that in little more than two months, 2 million people have been forced from their homes. Close to half a million people have already crossed borders into neighbouring countries. He underscored that the only way to end this crisis is through a return to peace and the restoration of civilian rule through the transition to democracy.

We will update you on the total funding announced today, as soon as possible.

Also, speaking at the event, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, warned that needs and operating costs are soaring. He announced an additional allocation of $22 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to keep urgent humanitarian operations going.

And just to flag that the World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered emergency food assistance to more than 1 million people in Sudan in the six weeks since operations resumed on 3 May.

** Marine Biodiversity

You will have seen that this morning, Member States adopted an agreement aiming to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction which cover over two thirds of the ocean.

The Secretary-General commended the adoption of the agreement and said it "pumped new life and hope to give the ocean a fighting chance."

The Agreement will be open for signature here at Headquarters for two years from 20 September this year, the day after the 2023 SDG Summit. [pause due to a technical problem] It will enter into force after ratification by sixty States. The Secretary-General urges all States to spare no effort to ensure that the Agreement enters into force and calls on them to act without delay to sign and ratify it as soon as possible.

You can find more details online.

** Counter-Terrorism

This morning, the Secretary-General also spoke at the third High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism agencies of Member States.

He reminded participants that terrorism affects every region of the world and preys on local and national vulnerabilities and the instability of political, economic and security systems.

Through the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, the Secretary-General said, the UN is providing practical, coordinated support to Member States, and helping countries implement the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

He highlighted four areas of focus to build on progress achieved so far.

First, he said, we must continue strengthening the central tool in our efforts: the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Second, the Secretary-General added, we must focus on the most effective approach to ending this menace  and that is prevention.

Third, he said human rights must be at the heart of our work and can be the greatest weapon we have in fighting terrorism.

And the Secretary-General concluded with a call for adequate financing of our work.

The third counter-terrorism week continues until Friday.

** Middle East

Tor Wennesland, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, today said that he was deeply concerned by the Israeli Government's decision yesterday to alter settlement planning procedures that have been in place since 1996, which is expected to expedite settlement expansion. He is also alarmed by the anticipated advancement next week of over 4,000 settlement housing units by Israeli planning authorities.

We reiterate that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law.

Mr. Wennesland urged the Government of Israel to halt and reverse such decisions, which are a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

We also expect a statement by the Secretary-General on this, later.

** Libya

Abdoulaye Bathily, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, briefed the Security Council today and acknowledged the recent efforts of the "6+6" Committee as an important step forward, though not sufficient to resolve the most contested issues and enable successful elections.

He noted that since the Committee's last meeting, we have seen a flurry of mixed reactions from Libyan stakeholders on the agreed text, indicating that key issues remain strongly contested. Mr. Bathily said that the main Libyan decision-makers must, acting in a spirit of compromise, put the greater interests of the Libyan people above all else and come to a political agreement on these matters.

The Special Representative told the Security Council that, while we all endorse the principle of a Libyan-Libyan solution as a basis of any effective instrument for sustainable peace and stability, that catchword must not be a slogan to hide an agenda for prolonging the status quo at the expense of the Libyan people's political rights and aspirations for legitimate institutions and prosperity.

** Ukraine

[Correction: The following paragraphs are repeated from information provided by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs last week: In Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to support the response to the Kakhovka Dam destruction. Two inter-agency convoys travelled today to affected areas, in addition to the ongoing assistance provided by the UN and our partners.

In the Kherson region, our teams were in Kalynivske, which is home to nearly 1,700 people who were already facing serious humanitarian needs due to the war. This community used to have a population of 3,400 people before February 2022.

We delivered water, hygiene kits, bedding and shelter material, as well as food for all people in the town for a month. Enough medicine and medical supplies to treat the entire population for three months was also delivered.

In the Dnipro Region, we delivered eight truckloads of critical humanitarian assistance for at least 4,000 people in two communities in the south, where 40,000 people  many of them elderly  have extremely limited access to water because of the destruction of the Dam.

Our colleagues also provided emergency services, including first aid and counselling, shelter materials and dignity kits, to people affected by the attack yesterday in Odesa and the day before in Kryvyi Rih.

While humanitarians in Ukraine are working to provide people with the emergency aid they desperately need, we call on the international community to enable this vital operation to continue.

So far this year, aid organizations in the country have received only 26 per cent of the $3.9 billion needed for the humanitarian response  with a worsening situation we need more funding to be able to respond to the needs.]

And yesterday, in a statement, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, said the UN has been engaging with the Governments of Ukraine and the Russian Federation regarding effective delivery of humanitarian aid to all people affected by the devastating destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.

Ms. Brown noted that the Government of the Russian Federation has so far declined our request to access the areas under its temporary military control. She said that the UN will continue to engage to seek the necessary access.

Ms. Brown urged the Russian authorities to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law, stressing that aid cannot be denied to people who need it.

Her statement was shared with you.

** Yemen

Turning to Yemen, as the eighth meeting of the Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Detainees Exchange Agreement has concluded this weekend in Amman, Jordan, the Office of the Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has announced that it will work with the parties during the coming days to ensure continued engagement and coordination of efforts to achieve progress on this humanitarian file.

The Office of the Special Envoy urged the parties to increase their efforts to alleviate the suffering of the detainees and their families as soon as possible.

** Uganda

The Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack last Friday against the Lhubirira secondary school in Mpondwe in Western Uganda, reportedly by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) group. He said that those responsible for this appalling act must be brought to justice.

In a statement, the Secretary-General reiterated the importance of collective efforts, including through enhanced regional partnerships, to tackle cross-border insecurity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and restore durable peace in the area. The full text is online.

** South Sudan

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan  UNMISS  welcomed today what it called concrete steps taken by the Government of South Sudan to pursue accountability and justice for survivors of serious crimes, including sexual violence, in Yei, Central Equatoria State.

On 16 June this year, a General Court Martial, with technical and financial assistance by the United Nations, concluded its work in Yei River County and delivered verdicts in 14 cases. Eleven members of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) accused of serious crimes were convicted, stripped of their ranks, sentenced to up to 10 years' imprisonment, and required to pay compensation to survivors.

UNMISS provided funding for victims and witnesses to receive psycho-social support, as well as interpretation services, food, accommodation, and transport during the course of the General Court Martial.

** Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

And today is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

This year focuses on technology and the digital divide. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General reaffirmed that accessible technology can alert people to danger and enable abuses to be documented and verified, as a first step towards accountability.

** Teaching

Building on the outcomes of the Transforming Education Summit in September 2022, the Secretary-General has today announced the establishment of a High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession and appointed its two co-chairs.

The panel will be co-chaired by Ms. Kersti Kaljulaid, the former President of the Republic of Estonia, and Ret. Justice Paula-Mae Weekes, the former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Supported by a joint UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)International Labour Organization (ILO) secretariat, the panel will draw together expertise from ministries of education and labour; teachers; students; representatives of teacher unions as well as representatives of civil society, the private sector and academia. The full list of panel members will be shared with you.

** Financial Contribution

And finally, we've had a further boost to the Organization's coffers in the form of a payment from Jordan.

The total number of fully paid-up Member States is now 118.

** Questions and Answers

Deputy Spokesman : That's it from me. Are there any questions? Yeah, James?

Question : Yes. So fresh violence again in Jenin, another Israeli raid, resulting in five Palestinians killed, including a 16-year-old child, and as many as 91 Palestinians wounded. What is the Secretary-General's reaction?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, the Secretary-General shares the views of his Special Coordinator, Tor Wennesland, who said just over the past hour that he was deeply concerned by today's events in Jenin following an Israeli security forces operation and ensuing exchange of fire, which resulted in five Palestinians killed including a child and some 60 Palestinians and seven Israeli forces wounded, at the very least. I believe those numbers are going up as we speak. Such escalations threaten to plunge the region deeper into a deadly crisis. Mr. Wennesland said that all sides must refrain from actions that would further escalate the situation and take steps to re-engage on a political path.

Question : So you want de-escalation, but at the same time, you read the other Tor Wennesland statement about the Israeli Government, you know, trying to basically new policies that will make it easier for settlements. That's clearly going in the wrong direction. What does the Secretary-General think the diplomacy on this should look like? Because you issue statements here regularly calling for de-escalation when most of the violence is coming from one side  from the Israelis. You have a monthly meeting in the Security Council that says the same thing every month. Is it time to move this to another level? Is it time for the Quartet to meet again? Is it time perhaps for the Secretary-General to start picking up the phone and speaking to the Israeli Prime Minister and the Palestinian President?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, the Secretary-General has been involved in talking to a range of leaders on this and he will continue to do so. From his standpoint, one of the crucial things is that people need to abide by International Law. And we've made it very clear and repeatedly clear that settlements in the Palestinian territory, the occupied Palestinian territory, are not legally valid and constitute a flagrant violation of international law. I do expect we will have a statement in the Secretary General's name on this later today.

Question : But there are no consequences for Israel repeatedly breaching international law?

Deputy Spokesman : There are always consequences in different fields, depending upon what you deem as a consequence. Is that enough to stop this from going on? Clearly, at this point, it has not been. And we are working with all of our partners to see what can be done to make sure that that Israel abides by its obligations.

Yes, Betul?

Question : Farhan, thanks. USG [Rosemarie] DiCarlo was in Moscow last week, of the 15th and 16th, as far as I remember, but I'm not sure if you put out a statement. Can you tell who she met? What she talked about? Whether she raised the grain deal? And also, does the SG have any reaction to President [Vladimir] Putin's intention to convene African nations to discuss the grain deal? Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman : Well, certainly, we welcome efforts by all groups, including concerned African nations, to work together in moving forwards with the grain deal. We did put out a note, I believe, over the weekend, I think, on Saturday, about Ms. DiCarlo's travels. But certainly, she did hold consultations including with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Varshanin, and with the chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs. And I can confirm that in all of her meetings, the UN's clear, consistent, and principled position regarding the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was upheld. So she did discuss that and I believe all the various other aspects.

Yes. Edie?

Question : Just as a quick follow-up on that, do all those other various aspects include the Black Sea Grain Initiative since she met with Vershinin, who is one of the key Russian interlocutors?

Deputy Spokesman : Yes, the Black Sea Grain Initiative and, of course, the memorandum of understanding regarding Russian exports of food and fertilizer.

Question : My question is, does the Secretary-General have any comment on US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's meeting with China's President Xi Jinping and their agreement to stabilize relations?

Deputy Spokesman : Yes. We certainly welcome the meeting between the US and Chinese [...] officials. Any dialogue between the United States and China on this is crucial to improving coordination on a wide range of major issues.

Yes. Yes, please?

Question : Two questions, Farhan. First, in a statement, published by the coordinator, Ms. Brown, on the issue of the dam, she said Russian so far declined the request of the UN to access the area under the Russian military control. So does that mean that the UN engineers still cannot reach the site of this dam?

Deputy Spokesman : Yes. I'd refer you to what also has been said by Denise Brown in her statement yesterday. We do not have the access that we need to have.

Question : So two follow-ups. First, does the UN got the reason from Russian Federation why? And second, in this statement, he said the UN will continue to do all it can to reach all people, including anywhere they are, no matter where they are. So if Russian deny, decline the UN's access to those areas, how would the UN do that?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, we will continue to be in touch with our Russian Federation counterparts, and they do have an obligation under International Humanitarian Law to provide the access that's needed. We are willing to go to all areas of Ukraine, regardless of who is in control. But, of course, we have to do that while abiding by our own obligations under international law.

Question : So you didn't answer my two questions. First, why... why... oh, any reasons Russian give to the United Nations why?

Deputy Spokesman : I think you'd need to ask the Russians what the reasoning is. From our standpoint, there needs to be access.

Sherwin, and then...

Question : Farhan, is there any reaction from the Secretary-General to the African peace initiative meetings, of course, in Kyiv and Saint Petersburg with the leaders of both countries led by South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, including the presentation of a 10-point peace plan from the African mediation team? What is the Secretary-General reaction?

Deputy Spokesman : We welcome efforts by all the nations, including the African nations, to work to de-escalate tensions between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. We will see what progress can be made on this particular initiative, but certainly it's a very positive sign that they are involved in efforts to try to bring the countries closer together.

Question : Is the Secretary-General expecting a briefing from President Cyril Ramaphosa in the aftermath of this visit? And does he see a greater role for himself in consolidating the various peace initiatives we now have on the table? There is a Ukrainian peace plan. There is a Chinese peace plan. There is an African peace plan now. What is his role in consolidating all these initiatives?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, I think you have heard from the Secretary-General. He is in touch regularly with all the key players internationally, trying to see when the conditions are right for his own particular involvement. Whenever it is helpful for him to take any of these issues forward, he will do so.

Question : When are those conditions going to be right? What are the conditions he is waiting for? Because he has said that he expects some sort of opening to happen this year in terms of negotiations. What are the conditions he is looking for?

Deputy Spokesman : When he believes it is right, you will know it.

Yes, yes please. Volodymyr. Volodymyr first and then... Yeah.

Question : Is it correct to say that you don't know the reason why Russians do not accept, allow the humanitarian missions to the occupied territory?

Deputy Spokesman : No. We've been in contact with them. It's not up to me to explain what their reasoning is. From our standpoint, we have the right to have access to those areas in conformity with our own obligations under international law.

Abdelhamid first, and then we'll go and then we'll go back over. So Abdelhamid?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. I want to follow up with...

Deputy Spokesman : You need to... Please boost his volume. Again, we're having some volume problems from him. Hold on a second. Try again.

Question : How is that?

Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. Good.

Question : Yeah. I want to follow-up with the question. First, are you aware that Israeli using military actions in Jenin [inaudible] But then that an escalation that is not fair to put on both parties, and to each [inaudible].

Deputy Spokesman : I didn't quite hear you precisely, but I think I got the gist of it. On that, in terms of where the obligations lie, I would also refer you to the statement that has just recently been issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning Jenin, and that's out now.

Yvonne?

Question : Can I have a second?

Deputy Spokesman : Sure.

Question : Okay. In his statement, Mr. Tor Wennesland mentioned that he is concerned about the Israeli decision to alter settlement planning procedures that have been in place since 1996. That is very tricky the language. Why is he... Is he tolerating the procedures that have been in place since 1996?

Deputy Spokesman : I don't really comment on the precise wording... Please let me continue. I don't comment on the precise wording that Mr. Wennesland is using. Certainly, he is describing the situation using the language, including the legal language that we continue to use in describing the situation on the ground.

Yvonne?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. My question is just seeking clarification on something the Secretary-General said last week on the Declaration on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. This document co-authored by the Pope and the Grand Imam, Secretary-General praised this document very highly, but this document expressly condemns abortion, putting it in the same category as genocide, terrorism, and human organ trafficking. I'm just wondering if the Secretary-General also supports those sentiments?

Deputy Spokesman : No. His support for the concept of a platform to bring together the world's religions is there without being an endorsement of all the specific proposals by the religions. Those are their views, not the views of the United Nations.

Question : So he doesn't endorse that line in the document?

Deputy Spokesman : No. Nor is it an endorsement of any of the specific parts of that. The endorsement is about the efforts to bridge divides between religions.

Dulcie and then Pam.

Question : Thanks. I just want to know if we could get someone from the Peacekeeping Department to come here and explain to us the repatriation of the 60 Tanzanian troops who were sent back home for sexual abuse and other problems, because you gave us some information, but it's pretty scant. And also, what briefly is the process for the UN to withdraw the Peacekeeping Mission from Mali (MINUSMA)? Thanks.

Deputy Spokesman : On Mali, that is an issue, as you know, where the mandate of the mission as with all of our mission is in the hands of the Members of the Security Council. So if there is any need to change the mandate, it'll be up to the Council to determine that. The current mandate, as you know, goes on until the end of this month.

Question : But how generally does the process work in the Security Council?

Deputy Spokesman : As you're aware, they receive reports from the Secretary-General; the Secretary-General has in fact reported to the Security Council about the situation in Mali, and now it's up to the members of the Council to determine where they want to go with the proposals that they have seen.

Question : Can you answer my question about the Tanzanians?

Deputy Spokesman : About the Tanzania? Hold on one second. Well, first of all, what is your specific question about that? I have some...

Question : I asked if someone from the Peacekeeping Department could come here and talk to us in detail.

Deputy Spokesman : We'll see whether someone can talk to you in detail. I mean, we ourselves have some information. If you have any questions right now, I can handle those.

Question : I think it's important to hear from the Peacekeeping Department about this.

Deputy Spokesman : Okay, alright. I will see whether any of them intends to do that.

Stefano?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. The Secretary-General already expressed on row on what happened last week in close to Greece when about 500, they say, refugees migrants died. Now does the UN is going to do an Investigation about what really happened because Greece... Greek authority are saying that the ship didn't want be rescued or they were, like, going toward Italy, so they didn't intervene. Somebody else say that there has been seven hours stuck in the water without help. So in these cases, cases like this, over 500 people, is the UN going to intervene and do it, for doing an investigation to know the truth what happened?

Deputy Spokesman : At this point, at this stage, I believe the investigation will be handled by the competent national authorities; in other words, the authorities of Greece.

Pam?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. The Secretary-General made comments this morning before the adoption of the... otherwise known as High Seas Treaty, do you expect an event around 20 September on the opening of the signing, and what was his reaction to Russia distancing itself even though it did adopt the treaty? Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman : Well, certainly, the Secretary-General is very pleased with the adoption of the treaty. He believes that adoption is itself a strong victory for multilateralism, and it will go a significant way, once this treaty is adopted, towards protecting biodiversity in the world's oceans. And... yeah, once it's ratified. Yes. So once it reaches the ratification threshold of 60, that will be a tremendous step forward. But as it is, this was a very significant accomplishment today. And yes, as you know, whenever there are Treaty events during the UN General Assembly week, we let you know about those arrangements, but there will be different signings and we'll keep you posted on that in September.

Question : He mentioned the ratification necessity by countries. Will he be contacting, working any of the delegations to sign and ratify? Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman : Oh, we certainly are encouraging in countries, including through our Office of Legal Affairs, to ratify this treaty as soon as they can.

Okay. Now we can go to oh, actually, Linda has a question first, and then and then we'll go round two. Yeah.

Question : Thank you, Farhan. You may have answered this in the past, but because it goes back to about a week ago when the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) was voted on the Board of the World Health Organization (WHO). And I was wondering at that point or since has the SG had any comments about that appointment, given the humanitarian conditions there?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, you're aware of our concerns about the humanitarian conditions in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. That said, of course, appointments to boards are done by Member States, and those are outside of our hands.

Betul?

Question : Thanks, Farhan. First, a follow-up on Ukraine. Can you remind us when the last time was for the SG to either talk to the Russian President or the Russian Foreign Minister, since the deadline for the Black Sea Grain deal is nearing? And also on Yemen, has the UN team started the ship-to-ship transfer for the oil on the Safer tanker? Thanks.

Deputy Spokesman : That should be happening before the end of this month. But, yes, the ships have moved in place and the Ndeavour is ready to perform its tasks. So that's happening. Now regarding the Secretary-General, I can't remember off the top of my head, but as you know, in recent weeks, he has been in touch with senior officials in Ukraine and the Russian Federation and of course, on his side, on his behalf, you've also had Martin Griffiths and Rebeca Grynspan dealing with them on key issues. And indeed, I believe Ms. Grynspan was in Moscow the week before last, talking to the officials in the foreign ministry on this. Sherwin?

Question : Thanks, Farhan. Denise Brown's statement refers to the Government of the Russian Federation has so far declined our request to access the areas under its temporary military control. Of course, this flies in the face of words coming out of the Kremlin from President Putin that any peace must allow for new realities on the ground. Is that position from the Russian President a nonstarter for the UN?

Deputy Spokesman : I would just say that our position is reflected in the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly on this, which include, of course, a reaffirmation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Question : Which, translated, means Russia would have to return all the seized territory of Ukraine back to the Ukrainian authorities?

Deputy Spokesman : I would just refer to what I've just said.

Yes, Dezhi?

Question : Speaking of the High Seas Treaty, SG said it's a victory. Which reminds me of the Fukushima-contaminated nuclear water. Does the UN think it should be concerned that this water could also threaten the marine biodiversity of the high seas?

Deputy Spokesman : Regarding the situation in Fukushima, I believe the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) put out a press release about the latest situation at the Fukushima nuclear plant a few weeks ago and I would just refer you to what the IAEA is saying.

Question : They said it's rather transparent and we know that there would be a final report on this in late June, which would be released. But it seems the Japanese Government, I mean, they have already started testing the release procedure. I remember the actress Jane Fonda here. She said, "Dogs don't poop in their kennel." We're pooping in our kennel concerning the sea. Does the UN think releasing all those contaminated water is an act of pooping our kennel?

Deputy Spokesman : There are always concerns about how to safely deal with waste, including nuclear waste. And I would just refer you to what the International Atomic Energy says about it.

Question : So it might not be pooping, it's peeing?

Deputy Spokesman : You know, I don't really know how to properly engage with a metaphor like that. I give you credit for innovativeness.

Yes?

Question : Yes, Farhan. I've got a new question and then a couple of follow-up, loose ends. So Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, is now facing a new trial on a charge of extremism. This one with no media, being held behind closed doors; what's the Secretary-General's reaction?

Deputy Spokesman : We just reiterated our previous concerns. We've made clear our concerns both from the Secretary-General and from the High Commissioner for Human Rights about the situation of Mr. Navalny and the need for him to have all of his basic rights, including his rights to due process.

Question : Back to the meeting between Secretary Blinken and President Xi [Jinping] and other senior Chinese officials. One thing that wasn't achieved was and was discussed was reopening military-to-military contacts between the two. Does the Secretary-General think that sort of military-military hot-line contacts are useful and would be good to deescalate any potential problem?

Deputy Spokesman : I think that those are issues that we will leave to the relevant officials in the United States and China to work with each other on.

Question : And finally, the quite strong statement you read earlier on from Denise Brown. Yet, this has been the situation since the beginning of the war for 15 months. And she seems to be the only UN official who ever says something about it. Martin Griffiths seems to dodge the issue. The Secretary-General doesn't really say much about the Russians not allowing the UN to have any access at all to that occupied territory. I mean, are you pulling your punches because you're frightened about the grain deal?

Deputy Spokesman : I would say that when Denise Brown speaks, she speaks for the system, including for all of us.

Question : But it would have more power if it came from the voice of the Secretary-General condemning Russia for not letting the UN into those areas.

Deputy Spokesman : She is our senior Humanitarian person on the ground on this, and she speaks for all of us when she puts out the statement that she puts out.

Question : Final related point to this. Ukraine is saying that eight villages have been retaken in the last two weeks. Does the UN have confirmation of that? And is the UN making preparations as these are now not in areas that you're not allowed to go in by Russia, but are in areas that are controlled by Ukraine. Is it making preparations potentially to go to these areas?

Deputy Spokesman : We stand ready to go to different areas once it is safe to do so. We'll have to see what the conditions on the ground are like.

Have a good afternoon, everyone. Bye.

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African Lion 23: Oregon Army National Guard conducts tank gunnery with Royal Moroccan Army

By Maj. Robert Taylor June 20, 2023

TAN TAN, Morocco -- More than two dozen Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team's 3-116th Combined Arms Battalion conducted tank gunnery training with members of the Royal Moroccan Army in the Tan Tan Training Area, June 8-10, during Exercise African Lion 2023.

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with battalions in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Nevada.

Over three days, Soldiers from both armies conducted tank gunnery tables III, V and VI using the Abrams Main Battle Tank. U.S. Soldiers operate the M1A2 SEPV2 version and Moroccan Soldiers operate the M1A1 model.

"The tanks are the same. There's just a slight difference between them," said Master Sgt. Aghzaf Abdelkrim, 15 Regiment Royal Char, Royal Moroccan Army.

Abdelkrim completed the U.S. Army's Master Gunner Common Core course last year. He said he enjoys working with the U.S. and sharing his culture with American Soldiers. He is training alongside more than two dozen Soldiers from the 3-116th CAB, and a small number of Idaho Army National Guard tank master gunners and instructors.

"Our focus is on target acquisition, troop commands and building relationships with our Moroccan counterparts," said Master Sgt. Joe Carson, the battalion's tank master gunner.

The Soldiers were conducting gunnery training in preparation for a joint live-fire demonstration later in the exercise. Realistic training during peace increases the capability of both armies to work together and win on the battlefield.

"The Moroccan soldiers are sound tankers," said Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Barnes, an Idaho Army National Guard 19K M1 Armor Crewman instructor with the 204th Regional Training Institute. "They show a huge interest in learning how we do things. I would go to war with the Moroccans any day."

Approximately 8,000 personnel from 18 nations participated in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise occurring in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, from May 13 to June 18, 2023.

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June 20, 2023

Release

Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William LaPlante and Ms. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Engagements at the 21st Australia-United States Ministerial Defense Acquisition Committee Meeting

Pentagon spokesperson Jeff Jurgensen provided the following readout:

Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and Ms. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, co-chaired the 21st Australia - United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) Defense Acquisition Committee (ADAC) meeting last week in Canberra, Australia. Australian Deputy Secretary of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Mr. Christopher Deeble AO, CSC; and Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, serve as their Australian counterparts.

In support of a shared vision for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, the U.S. and Australian delegations conducted plenary sessions on a range of science, technology, acquisition, and sustainment topics. This included Australia's recent Defence Strategic Review, capability acceleration, industry integration, and supply chain resilience. Plenary sessions also reviewed a number of specific capability cooperative areas, such as guided weapons and explosive ordnance; the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) initiative; and co-development efforts for the MQ-4 Triton, E-7A Wedgetail, Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE), and other critical technologies.

The robust, collaborative discussions emphasized opportunities for greater co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment. The talks also reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to strengthening cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally through AUKUS and other regional partnerships.

In addition to the ADAC program, the co-chairs met with Australian Minister for Defence Industry, the Honorable Pat Conroy MP, for discussion on efforts to bolster production in both nations and opportunities for greater industrial collaboration. They also conducted an industry site visit to CEA Technologies, an Australian defense contractor specializing in radar and communications technologies, and participated in a demonstration flight of the E-7A Wedgetail. In April 2022, the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft was selected by the U.S. Air Force to replace the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). Earlier in the week, Dr. LaPlante and Ms. Shyu participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.

The annual ADAC meeting is one of the primary events that informs the AUSMIN Consultations between the U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State and the Australian Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3433475/

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June 20, 2023

By David Vergun , DOD News

DOD Assists Coast Guard in Submersible Search

Defense Department C-130 aircraft have been made available to the U.S. Coast Guard as the United States and Canadian authorities continue to search for a submersible that disappeared in the North Atlantic Ocean, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh today.

Five people were aboard the craft, which disappeared Sunday morning on an expedition to explore the wreckage of the British ocean liner RMS Titanic. The Titanic sank April 15, 1912.

As of yesterday, two C-130s had conducted search and rescue flights over the area. Today, an Air National Guard C-130 will join the search, Singh said.

The Navy will provide assets and personnel, such as subject matter experts, if requested by the Coast Guard, she said.

In other news, Singh said Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville has placed on indefinite hold the confirmation of flag and general officers.

The department currently has 64 three- and four-star nominations pending. Additionally, between now and the end of the year, there will be about 650 general and flag officers that will require Senate confirmation, she said.

"Without these leaders in place, these holds severely limit the department's ability to ensure the right person is in the right place at the right time and to ensure strategic readiness and operational success. These holds set a dangerous precedent and put our military readiness at risk at a time when our military is expected to defend the nation, meet the acute threat of Russia, and address the pacing challenge of [China]," Singh said.



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Estonia Signs Five-Way Cooperation Agreement for the Acquisition of Air Defence Missiles

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

20. June 2023

Estonia, Belgium, Cyprus, France, and Hungary signed a cooperation agreement to jointly procure Mistral short-range air defence missile systems. The joint procurement allows Estonia to save costs and expedite delivery.

"I am very pleased that we are cooperating with our strategic partner, France, to develop Estonia's air defence capability, which has been demonstrated to be crucial due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine," said Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, who signed the agreement on behalf of Estonia on Monday evening in Paris.

"The participation of Belgium, Cyprus, and Hungary adds value to the cooperation agreement by enabling cost savings and faster delivery," Pevkur added.

The cooperation agreement authorises France to carry out the joint procurement on behalf of all participating countries. The plan is to reach an agreement with the French company MBDA this autumn.

"By jointly procuring from a European manufacturer, we can also apply for support from the European Union. Our goal is to maximise defence capabilities for every euro invested in national defence," explained Pevkur.

Estonia's plan is to acquire missiles for its Mistral short-range air defence system launchers.

"It is important for us to strengthen Estonia's defence capabilities, and when there is an opportunity to cooperate with partner countries in certain areas, it adds even more value. MBDA's Mistral short-range air defence system is widely used in Europe, allowing countries to support each other in system utilisation and even cross-utilise stocks during crises," said Ramil Lipp, the strategic category manager for weapon systems and ammunition at the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment.

Mistral, produced by the French arms manufacturer MBDA, is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile system that operates on the fire-and-forget principle, with an effective engagement range of up to six kilometers against airborne threats.

The Estonian Defence Forces ordered the first Mistral systems in 2007, and they have been in service since 2009. Mistral is compact and multifunctional, capable of being launched from the ground, vehicles, ships, and helicopters. The system is used in 30 countries worldwide.

In addition to short-range air defence, Estonia is also developing its medium-range air defence capabilities. In May, Estonia, in partnership with Latvia, decided to begin negotiations with Germany's defence industry company Diehl Defence to reach an agreement for the procurement of the Iris-T SLM air defence system.

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Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Israeli settlements and the situation in the West Bank

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 20/06/2023

The Israeli government decided on 18 June to change and simplify the system for planning and establishing new Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

- I fear that the building of illegal settlements in the West Bank now will accelerate further. This is entirely unacceptable. The international community stands united in its condemnation of the Israeli settlements. I strongly urge the Israeli authorities to halt and reverse settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land, says Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

It is expected that the government also will approve more than 4,000 new housing units in the settlements within a short time. Furthermore, the Israeli Parliament Knesset has recently made arrangements for Israeli settlers to return to several settlement outposts deep inside the West Bank.

- Recent statements and decisions by the Israeli government contribute to blurring the administrative distinction between Israel and occupied Palestinian territory. The increase in settlements is damaging for the possibility of resuming negotiations on a two-state solution and establishing a Palestinian state. This policy is pulling more and more in the direction of something that resembles a one-state reality, says the Foreign Minister.

The security situation in the West Bank continues to be serious, with ongoing Israeli military operations and an alarmingly high number of Palestinian deaths. On June 19, six Palestinians, including a child, were killed in Jenin during a highly dramatic military operation that included the use of a helicopter. Over 90 Palestinians and 7 Israeli soldiers were injured. On June 20, four Israelis were killed and another four wounded in a shooting attack south of Nablus.

- I am deeply troubled by the violence in the West Bank. I condemn all attacks on civilians. It is heartbreaking when children are affected, says the Foreign Minister.

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NATO Secretary General visits exercise Air Defender in Germany

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

20 Jun. 2023

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met and thanked personnel participating in exercise Air Defender 2023 together with the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at Air Base Jagel in northern Germany on Tuesday (20 June 2023).

Recalling the importance of air defence, the Secretary General explained this exercise shows "NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, and every inch of Allied airspace", with forces from Europe and North America training together. "It is a strong display of Germany's commitment and capabilities," he said.

Among the personnel the Secretary General met were pilots and crews from Germany, the United States, Turkiye, NATO's newest member Finland, invitee Sweden, and partner country Japan. He stressed that the German-led Air Defender exercise also demonstrates the strong bond between Europe and North America, working together in NATO. The largest multinational air defence exercise in NATO's history brings around 10,000 personnel and 250 aircraft from 25 countries, including around 100 aircraft from 35 different U.S. states, training together in the airspace over Europe.

Together with the German Defence Minister Pistorius, the Secretary General also visited the Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) and commended their work in support of Ukraine, including with maintenance and refurbishment of Leopard 1 battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and mine-clearing vehicles. "This is the biggest provider in Europe of combat vehicles to Ukraine," he said, stressing that the work done by the German defence industry is of critical importance to Ukraine's continued success on the battlefield.

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Panchen Rinpoche wraps up tour of Tibet's Qamdo

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:24, June 20, 2023

LHASA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po completed a 13-day tour of Buddhist and social activities in Qamdo City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Panchen Rinpoche, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and president of the association's Tibet branch, arrived in Qamdo's Jomda County on June 5.

During his tour of Qamdo, Panchen Rinpoche visited monasteries of different sects of Tibetan Buddhism, where he held prayer meetings and expounded on the Buddhist sutras. He also gave head-touching blessings to more than 130,000 people.

It marked the second time Panchen Rinpoche visited the city to conduct Buddhist and social activities.

In Qamdo, Panchen Rinpoche also visited several other locations, including a station of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway under construction and an economic development zone, among others.

He arrived in the regional capital Lhasa on Sunday and will continue to undertake a series of Buddhist and social activities during his stay in Tibet.

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High stakes in Vietnam's Central Highlands

Land and religious freedom remain at the heart of Montagnard grievances, but there are others.

A commentary by Zachary Abuza 2023.06.20 -- On June 11, a group of Montagnards in Vietnam's Central Highlands attacked the offices of two communes with small arms and molotov cocktails, killing four policemen, two commune officials, and three civilians. The attackers wounded two other policemen and burnt the commune offices. This prompted an immediate and massive government response.

As of the time of writing, 74 people have been arrested, including, allegedly, one of the group's masterminds. Two people turned themselves in, and the government has promised leniency for others who surrender.

So far, almost all of the information about the events has come from the government side, so there is clearly a bias in the reporting. The government has selectively leaked a lot of information and ensured that the story has gotten coverage in the state-controlled media.

The Communist Party of Vietnam immediately dispatched deputy prime minister Tran Luu Quang and the deputy minister of public security Luong Tam Quang to signal government control, a sign of the government's insecurity.

Legitimate grievances

Dak Lak and the Central Highlands are not new to unrest, though gun violence is very rare in Vietnam. But the region has not been beset by violence for a while, which begs some questions: Why now? What prompted this latest spate of unrest?

There are a number of underlying issues for any unrest involving the Montagnards, a broad grouping for some 30 different tribes, in the Central Highlands.

Beginning in the 1990s, the Vietnamese government began to encourage migration of ethnic Kinh Vietnamese to the region to establish coffee plantations and other agribusinesses.

Today, Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world, exporting over 1 million metric tons in 2022, and almost all of it comes from the Central Highlands.

But that put the Kinh population at odds with the Montagnards, who practiced swidden agriculture: burning forests, farming for a few years, and then moving on to new land. All of a sudden, with land titles going to the Vietnamese settlers, the Montagnards were unable to practice their traditional agriculture, its environmental degradation and inefficiency.

Beyond the economic interests in encouraging Kinh settlement, the government had a political interest in settling the region.

The Montagnards had close ties to both the French colonial government as well as the Americans. Persecuted minorities often seek protection from the majority population. During the Vietnam War, the United States relied on the Montagnards and the Hmong in neighboring Laos to interdict North Vietnamese troops and supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Hanoi has never forgiven them for this.

But while the Montagnards often portray their struggle as being anti-communist, it's important to note that the government of the pre-1975 Republic of Vietnam treated them terribly, too, believing that they were abetting North Vietnamese on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. South Vietnamese government officials shared the same mistrust and condescension as their rivals in Hanoi.

Beyond politics, there is simply a lot of condescension by Kinh towards the poor tribes that constitute the Montagnards. For the Montagnards, this is simply a form of internal colonialism; indeed, some Montagnards do not even respect Vietnamese sovereignty.

That animus and mistrust is further compounded in Hanoi by the fact that many of the Montagnards are Evangelical Christians. The Vietnam Fatherland Front, an arm of the Communist Party responsible for mass organizations and religions, only recognizes six religions, controlling their clergy and organization.

Evangelical Christianity continues to go unrecognized, and, as such, the house churches are technically illegal. That many of the Montagnard congregations are supported by faith groups in the United States and elsewhere compounds Hanoi's paranoia.

Land and religious freedom remain at the heart of Montagnard grievances, but there are others.

The Central Highlands remains a poor region of the country, lagging in human development indicators, educational opportunity, and public health. While Vietnam enjoyed over 8 percent economic growth in 2022 and was the darling of foreign investors, receiving over $22.4 billion in investment, that prosperity is nowhere to be seen in the Central Highlands.

And while we should not be conspiratorial about this, we do need to consider that the unrest comes at a time when U.S.-Vietnamese relations are set to be upgraded to a "strategic partnership." CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has agreed in principle to visit Washington this summer, and President Biden is expected to travel to Vietnam in the fall.

Not everyone in Vietnam's conservative and xenophobic national security establishment and party echelons are happy with the deepened ties. A full-on crackdown is likely to prompt the U.S. Congress to scrutinize Vietnam's already dismal human rights record, assault on independent journalists and environmental activists, and control over social media.

The quick and effective government response has not been bad for the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security or its minister, To Lam, who immediately promoted the four officers posthumously and moved quickly to compensate their kin and the wounded officers.

What do we know about the attacks?

So far we know very little about the motivation for the attacks or the group's organization or foreign ties, if any. Montagnard organizations in the United States have denied any involvement.

A spokesman for the ministry of public security said the group had acted in "an organized manner, reckless, ruthless and without humanity." Suspects, allegedly, had been "ordered to kill officers and local police on sight, taking their assets and weapons."

According to state media, three of the arrested men claim to have been promised "large sums of money" to kill officials.

The government has offered little proof other than statements by arrested individuals, but given Vietnam's history of coerced confessions, this is not reliable evidence.

The government will have a heavy-handed and disproportionate response. As the communist party's mouthpiece noted:

Local authorities have quickly taken drastic measures to suppress the attack, stabilize the situation, support the bereaved families and the injured, and call on local residents to stay calm and follow authorities' instructions to ensure safety.

Ministry of public security troops were shown on state-TV, deployed with sniper rifles. They are clearly not taking this lightly.

In addition to the large-scale response, the Vietnamese People's Army has been mobilized in Cu Kuin District to provide security, a function that the military has largely eschewed, though less so in the Central Highlands than in ethnic Kinh-dominated regions.

The government immediately received Cambodian government cooperation in sealing the border.

The government has also quickly moved to control the information space, levying large fines against five people so far for disseminating "false information" on Facebook about the attacks. The government, which has stepped up the use of civil fines rather than criminal enforcement to control social media, hopes that the VND35.5 million ($1,510) fine is enough to deter on-line discussion.



More information about the attacks and their motivations will emerge, but anything in the Vietnamese state media, is there for a reason. While the government has every right to promote law and order, it's long ignored the legitimate grievances of the country's ethnic minorities and will shift the blame away from itself to foreign forces.

Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia.

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.

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Mayor Of Town In North Macedonia Banned From Entering U.S. For Alleged Corruption

By RFE/RL June 20, 2023

The U.S. State Department has blacklisted a prominent politician in North Macedonia for alleged corruption in the latest move by President Joe Biden's administration to toughen its stance on global graft.

Ramiz Merko, the mayor of Struga, a popular tourist town located in southwestern North Macedonia, near the border with Albania, has been banned from entering the United States, the State Department said in a statement on June 20.

"While serving as Struga's mayor, Merko misappropriated funds and interfered with judicial and other public processes, damaging the public's faith in North Macedonia's democratic institutions and officials," the statement said.

The State Department did not give further details. RFE/RL could not immediately reach Merko for comment.

Merko's wife, Shpresa, and his three adult children -- Genc, Nazmije, and Drenushe -- are also banned from traveling to the United States, the State Department said.

Merko, 66, an ethnic Albanian, first served two terms as mayor of Struga from 2005 to 2013 before entering parliament the following year.

He briefly served in 2017 as a minister overseeing foreign investment before winning the Struga mayoral race later that year. He won reelection in 2021.

Merko has been dogged by corruption allegations over the years. In early 2023, the Alliance for Albanians, a center-right political party, claimed Merko's son owned a BMW 740d, a luxury car that costs about $100,000, and questioned how he could afford it.

Ethnic Albanians make up the majority of the population in Struga.

Merko is the latest foreign official to be targeted by the Biden administration for corruption. Upon taking office in 2021, Biden said his administration would take a tougher stance on graft as part of a larger policy to help strengthen democracy around the world.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/north-macedonia- mayor-banned-united-states-corruption/32468005.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.

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Designating and Promoting Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

US Department of State

Press Statement

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

June 20, 2023



Today, the Department of State is designating two ISIS leaders as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, under Executive Order 13224. Both individuals have committed sexual violence against Yezidis and were responsible for the abduction and enslavement of Yezidi women and girls. More than 2,700 women and children, mainly Yezidis, remain unaccounted for.

Arkan Ahmad 'Abbas al-Matuti (aka Abu Sarhan) is a senior field military commander in Wilayat al-Jazirah, having held several positions within ISIS, including the wali of the Bulayj, Syria sector. Al-Matuti was involved in selling Yezidi women and girls, taking several Yezidi captives as sexual slaves for himself.

Nawaf Ahmad Alwan al-Rashidi (aka Abu Faris) manages ISIS financial payments to members and widows and works in the group's smuggling operations. Al-Rashidi was involved in planning, coordinating, and conducting several attacks in Syria between 2018-2019. Al-Rashidi was also responsible for the sexual slavery and rape of Yezidi women and girls in Sinjar, Iraq.

The United States is also concurrently designating two South Sudan-based individuals, under Executive Order 13664, involved in abductions and conflict-related sexual violence.

James Nando is a Major General in South Sudan People's Defense Forces. In 2021, forces loyal to Nando were responsible for at least 64 instances of rape and sexual slavery against civilians in Western Equatoria. In 2018, Nando was responsible for the abduction of hundreds of women and girls.

Alfred Futuyo is Governor of Western Equatoria and affiliated with Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army - In Opposition. In 2018, forces under Futuyo's command carried out numerous attacks in Western Equatoria that resulted in the abduction of 887 civilians, of whom at least 43 were raped.

The United States remains steadfast in our resolve to promote accountability for those who violate or abuse human rights, particularly against women and girls.

As a result of these actions, all property and interests in property of those designated today that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and all U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the designated individuals.

For additional accounts from al-Matuti and al-Rashidi's victims and other Yezidi survivors, please see: Yazidi Women Tell Their Horrific Stories, Yazidi girls tell of escape From IS, and Life in and after captivity: the story of a Yezidi survivor. For additional accounts of human rights violations and abuses in South Sudan, please see: The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan's report "State of Impunity: the persistence of violence and human rights violations in South Sudan . " For more information about Treasury's actions, please see their press release page.

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Designation of Ramiz Merko, Mayor of Struga, North Macedonia, for Significant Corruption

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

June 20, 2023

The United States is designating the mayor of the municipality of Struga, North Macedonia, Ramiz Merko, as generally ineligible for entry into the United States, due to his involvement in significant corruption. While serving as Struga's mayor, Merko misappropriated funds and interfered with judicial and other public processes, damaging the public's faith in North Macedonia's democratic institutions and officials.

Today's action sends a message that the United States stands with North Macedonia to foster stability through the strengthening of democratic institutions and addressing rule of law deficiencies. This designation reaffirms the commitment of the United States to combat corruption, which harms the public interest, hampers countries' economic prosperity, and curtails the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people.

This public designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023. The Department is also designating Merko's wife, Shpresa, and three adult children, Genc, Nazmije, and Drenushe as ineligible for entry into the United States.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken with George Stephanopoulos of ABC Good Morning America

US Department of State

Interview

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Intercontinental Park Lane

London, England

June 20, 2023

QUESTION: Secretary Blinken joins us now from London. Good morning, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for joining us. Last month, President Biden predicted a thaw in U.S.-China relations. Does your visit with President Xi mark the beginning of that?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think, George, what it marks is the beginning, I hope, of putting a little bit more stability back into the relationship. President Biden feels strongly that we have an obligation, both China and the United States, to manage the relationship responsibly. And this visit was about really trying to do that, to re-establish some lines of communication at senior levels of our government - to be able to talk about the real differences that we have on a number of issues, and also to see if there are areas where we can find ways to cooperate when it's in our mutual interest and also benefits other countries around the world.

QUESTION: President Xi said there were new agreements on specific issues. What are these new agreements?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, we're working on a number of things, but - and I don't want to get ahead of them, because we have groups that will come together to try and explore progress on issues. But we had good, candid, very detailed conversations on both areas where we have profound differences but also areas where we might cooperate - for example, on fentanyl, which, as you know, is the number-one killer of Americans aged 18 to 49. A big part of the problem is the chemical precursors that go into fentanyl being manufactured in China, sent over to Mexico, turned into fentanyl, come into the country, and kill a lot of Americans. So, we're talking about forming a working group to be able to cooperate on that.

There a number of other areas that I don't want to get ahead of. But we also, of course, have profound differences, and a big part of this is making sure that we're managing them responsibly so that the competition that we're in does not veer into conflict. So, we had lengthy exchanges, for example, about Taiwan. We also talked a lot about Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the role that China could play - positive role that it could play in hopefully, at some point, bringing this conflict to an end.

QUESTION: I want to - I want to ask you about Ukraine. Has China assured the United States that they will not be providing lethal aid to Russia to help them in their aggression against Ukraine?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: George, it's given that - the assurance to us, but not just to us - to a number of other countries around the world who have expressed concerns about that. And they've said they have not, and they will not. Now, one of the other challenges is - and I pointed this out to my Chinese interlocutors - is that there are Chinese companies, distinct from the government, that are providing assistance to Russia for use in Ukraine. And we have asked them to be very vigilant about that.

QUESTION: And what does this lead to in the future? Do you believe that this is going to lead to a face-to-face meeting between President Biden and President Xi in the coming months?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: George, this is really a process. I think what you're going to see in the weeks ahead, the months ahead is more senior-level contact, more senior-level engagement - some of my colleagues from the administration going over to China, Chinese officials coming over to the United States. In fact, I invited my counterpart, the Foreign Minister Qin Gang, to come to Washington. He agreed, so we'll set that up in the coming time.

But at the end of the day, there's not really a substitute for this leader-to-leader engagement between President Biden and President Xi. So, my expectation is we'll see that in the months to come. It's really important that they continue to have these conversations. President Biden has known President Xi for many years. When they were both vice president, they spent a lot of time together during the Obama administration. And so, this is an existing relationship, but it's important that they have direct contact.

QUESTION: Secretary Blinken, thanks for your time this morning.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, George. Good to be with you.

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Treasury Sanctions Two South Sudanese Officials Responsible for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

U.S. Department of the Treasury

June 20, 2023

WASHINGTON -- Today, following the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two South Sudanese individuals involved in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in South Sudan. The two individuals designated today have abused their positions of political and military authority to carry out acts of sexual violence against citizens of South Sudan. Today's designations, along with sanctions on ISIS leaders by the U.S. Department of State, represent the first time that a dedicated focus on conflict-related sexual violence consistent with the Presidential Memorandum signed by President Biden in November 2022 has led to the imposition of U.S. sanctions.

"The United States rejects all forms of sexual violencewhich women and children bear the brunt ofin armed conflict," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. "We remain committed to holding perpetrators and enablers of conflict-related sexual violence accountable so long as this scourge exists."

JAMES NANDO

James Nando is a Major General in the South Sudan People's Defense Forces. Between June and September 2021, forces loyal to Nando fighting in Western Equatoria were responsible for at least 64 instances of rape and sexual slavery against civilians. Between April and August 2018, Nando directly or through his commanders, officers, and fighters subordinate to him oversaw the abduction of at least 505 women and 63 girls. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan documented 43 cases of rape and gang-rape that occurred during these attacks. Nando was aware of these abuses and did not prevent, discourage, or punish fighters responsible for sexual violence when it happened under his watch, thereby encouraging fighters to continue these abuses.

James Nando was designated pursuant to E.O. 13664 for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having engaged in, directly or indirectly, any of the following in or in relation to South Sudan: the targeting of women, children, or any civilians through the commission of acts of violence (including killing, maiming, torture, or rape or other sexual violence), abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on schools, hospitals, religious sites, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law.

ALFRED FUTUYO

Alfred Futuyo is Governor of Western Equatoria and affiliated with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army - In Opposition. Between April and August 2018, forces under Futuyo's command carried out numerous attacks in Western Equatoria that resulted in the abduction of 887 civilians, of which at least 43 were raped or gang-raped.

Alfred Futuyo was designated pursuant to E.O. 13664 for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having engaged in, directly or indirectly, any of the following in or in relation to South Sudan: the targeting of women, children, or any civilians through the commission of acts of violence (including killing, maiming, torture, or rape or other sexual violence), abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on schools, hospitals, religious sites, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of these persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from its ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from OFAC's willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

For more information on the individuals designated today, click here.

###

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'The Political Agreement for Peace and Stability remains the only viable option to end conflict in the Central African Republic': UK statement at the Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.

20 June 2023

Thank you President. I would like to thank SRSG Rugwabiza, Executive Director Bahous, Commissioner Bankole, and Mr Ngatondang for their briefing

I will make four points in response to what we have heard.

First, the United Kingdom reiterates the continued importance of the Political Agreement for Peace and Stability in CAR. It remains the only viable option to end protracted conflict. We call on the CAR authorities to build on political progress and ensure meaningful engagement with all political actors in country. We commend the efforts of SRSG Rugwabiza and MINUSCA, along with strong regional engagement in supporting these efforts.

Second, the United Kingdom highlights the importance of transparent democratic processes in CAR. President Touadera's plans to overhaul CAR's constitution risk unraveling years of hard work to strengthen the country's democratic system. The referendum serves as a distraction from the main issues facing the country, including the dire humanitarian, economic and security situation.

Plans for the constitutional referendum have delayed local elections that are part of the democratic restructuring of CAR and integral to its peace process. The United Kingdom hopes to see peaceful and credible local elections take place as quickly as possible.

Third, we are concerned by a continued and increasing disregard for human rights in CAR. The Secretary-General's latest report noted that state actors, including Russian mercenary group Wagner, perpetrated the highest number of human rights violations during the reporting period. As in other contexts, Wagner continues to play a destabilising role in the country. We again call on the Government of CAR to coordinate fully all security actors operating in the country, to ensure they abide by applicable international humanitarian and human rights law, and to ensure that all perpetrators of violations or abuses are held to account.

Finally, President, the recent allegations of acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by some MINUSCA personnel are deeply concerning. We support the measures taken by the SRSG in repatriating the contingent of troops and urge a thorough investigation of all such allegations.

Thank you.

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UN HRC53: UK statement on human rights situation in Afghanistan

Enhanced Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights situation in Afghanistan. Delivered by UK's Ambassador to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley.

20 June 2023

Thank you, Mr President.

It has been more than 600 days since schools for girls were shut down across Afghanistan. 600 days. Two years of lost schooling, lost opportunities. To the girls of Afghanistan: I know that many of you are here today or listening online and we stand with you.

Since their takeover in August 2021, the Taliban have continued their campaign of repression and violence against Afghan women and girls. Due to the Taliban's restrictions on female workers in the humanitarian aid and development sector, they are unable to provide life-saving support to women and girls in their own country. This is taking place at a time when over 28 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian aid, more than half of whom are women and children. These decisions have life-threatening consequences.

So let me repeat our call to the Taliban: Re-open the schools. Let girls learn. Let women work. End the violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Special Rapporteur, Members of the Working Group,

We thank you for your steadfast efforts. How can we better support civil society in Afghanistan, particularly women's rights organisations?

Thank you.

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World Refugee Day: UN calls for solidarity and inclusion amid record displacement

20 June 2023 - Refugees deserve support and solidarity, not closed borders and pushbacks. That's a reminder from UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday's World Refugee Day, regarding the international community's duty to assist and protect refugees.

With forced displacement at a record high of 110 million people around the world, Mr. Guterres called for more solutions to resettle refugees and help them rebuild their lives. He also stressed the need for solidarity with host countries and communities.

More than numbers

"These are not numbers on a page", said the UN chief. "These are individual women, children and men making difficult journeys - often facing violence, exploitation, discrimination and abuse.

"This Day reminds us of our duty to protect and support refugees - and our obligation to open more avenues of support."

This year's theme is "Hope Away From Home". Mr. Guterres - who led the UN refugee agency UNHCR for a decade, called on the international community to "harness the hope that refugees carry in their hearts."

Include refugees 'at all levels'

From Kenya, where he's been visiting the vast Kakuma refugee camp, the current UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said that the world should step up investment and "commit to including refugees in our communities at all levels - in our schools, workplaces, health-care systems, and beyond."

In a tweet, Mr. Grandi deplored the fact that this year's World Refugee Day coincided with the news that more than half a million people have now fled Sudan to neighbouring countries. "Guns must fall silent if we want this exodus to stop," he said.

Pushed into hunger

The UN migration agency IOM, issued a statement honouring the strength and resilience of those forced to flee from conflict, announcing that since 2001, agency teams have provided orientation training for more than one million on the move.

This includes some 700,000 refugees being resettled.

The head of the World Food Programme Cindy McCain tweeted that conflict and climate shocks were pushing more and more people into hunger and homelessness.

"WFP is working with partners like UNHCR to deliver critical aid to millions of refugees in 40-plus countries. Today and every day, they deserve our continued support."

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Staff talks result in trilateral agreement between 12th Air Force, West Virginia National Guard, Peru

Published June 20, 2023

By Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

167th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AFNS) -- A trilateral cooperation agreement was signed during a ceremony hosted by the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia National Guard, in Martinsburg, June 9th.

The agreement was the culmination of three days of staff discussions between the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), the West Virginia Air National Guard, and the Peruvian Air Force.

The 12th AF serves as the Air Force component to the U.S. Southern Command and conducts security cooperation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The West Virginia ANG has a long-standing partnership with Peruvian forces through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program.

Peruvian Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Carlos Chavez emphasized the significance of the West Virginia partnership during the [signing] ceremony, stating, "It's been a real pleasure for the Peruvian Air Force to be here this week working together, in order to succeed, in order to grow and improve our capabilities together."

An estimated 40 representatives from the three named entities planned nearly 60 future engagements of cooperation to include air operations and maintenance, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, noncommissioned officer development, women in peacekeeping and security initiatives, and space and communications operations.

Dave Delmonaco, representing the 12th AF (Air Forces Southern), noted that the youngest of Airmen can influence activities and engagements of the State Partnership Program.

"The beauty is that anyone in this audience could have that next idea that's going to bring us together for an engagement that's going to work at the strategic level and is going to elevate what we do that affects both Peru and the United States Air Force," Delmonaco stated during the ceremony.

In addition to participating in staff discussions, members of the Peruvian Air Force were given orientation flights on a West Virginia National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk and a C-17 Globemaster III. The trip culminated in meetings with officials at the Pentagon.

West Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General and West Virginia ANG Commander Brig. Gen. David Cochran, said the state is proud to have Peru as a longstanding partner and praised the growth of the relationship between the West Virginia National Guard and Peru.

"It's not just a state partnership. It's multi-agency. It's a whole-of-government partnership that we help facilitate with our West Virginia National Guard resources and our military cooperation with Peru," Cochran said.

The West Virginia National Guard and Peru have been partnered through the State Partnership Program since 1996. In the fiscal year 2022 alone, the WVNG and Peru have completed 31 engagements together. Most recently, the WVNG participated in the Peru-hosted international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise Cooperacion IX.

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Formidable Force of NMCB 22 Seabees Deploys 5th Time In Support of Nebraska Army National Guard

US Navy

20 June 2023

ASHLAND, Nebraska (Jun. 17, 2023) -- In a display of unwavering commitment and support, a formidable force of over 175 US Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWO TWO (NMCB 22) has deployed for the fifth time in as many years to provide essential construction support to the Nebraska Army National Guard (NGNE). The primary objective of their mission is to enhance force operational readiness and training effectiveness by completing crucial infrastructure improvements within a tight 14-day timeline.

Situated at the Camp Mead and Silver Creek training grounds in South East Nebraska, these project sites serve as vital training environments where NGNE soldiers can refine their military occupational specialties and leadership skills. The scope of the Seabees' tasks encompasses pouring concrete foundations, constructing multiple buildings, restoring an inoperative shower facility, building a training bunker, repurposing an abandoned structure as a grenade range, and rehabilitating a nearly quarter-mile stretch of road.

For the Seabees of NMCB 22, these real-world infrastructure projects not only offer invaluable hands-on experience but also address tangible needs. "Our Seabees are passionate about being part of missions like this. They joined with a desire to build and work hard," emphasized Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason Steinke (SCW) of NMCB 22 leadership. "The dedication displayed by our sailors over the past two weeks has been extraordinary. Their efforts will yield lasting results, strengthening our unit's administrative and operational readiness while leaving a positive impact for decades to come."

Headquartered in Port Hueneme, CA, NMCB 22 serves as a versatile engineering and civil support unit for the Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operational forces. Renowned as the expeditionary engineering and construction experts of the naval service, the Seabees deliver tailored, adaptable, and combat-ready engineering and construction forces to support global Navy and Force objectives.

Armed with their trademark can-do spirit and exceptional technical skills cultivated through years of combined experience, the Seabee teams swiftly descended upon the Nebraska job sites and immediately tackled the complex challenges that lay before them. Adapting to difficult working conditions, limited resources, and logistical obstacles, these sailors remain undeterred, showcasing their resilience and determination as they carry out ground-up construction operations thousands of miles away from their Southern California home base.

US Army Colonel Christopher Weskamp, the Nebraska National Guard's construction, facilities, and maintenance officer, commended the fruitful partnership between the Army and Navy, which has yielded substantial benefits. "This collaboration has proven mutually advantageous. Together, we are constructing infrastructure that will be utilized by Army Reservists, active-duty Army, Marines, Navy, and even Air Force personnel; all services converge on this site for training. Our soldiers will benefit immensely, and this enhanced training environment will have a long-lasting impact."

Under the scorching Nebraska sun, the NMCB 22 teams exemplify exceptional teamwork and skill, working tirelessly to complete all assigned tasks within the remarkably short two-week timeframe. The improved facilities now facilitate more efficient training exercises, streamlined logistics support, and enhanced overall operational readiness. The shared dedication and hard work of these US Navy Seabees have ensured the successful execution of this ambitious project. While these enhancements may appear modest in scale, they form an integral part of fortifying the capabilities, infrastructure, and preparedness of the United States Armed Forces as a whole.

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UN's World Refugee Day Celebrates Courage and Contributions of Refugees

By Lisa Schlein June 20, 2023

At a time of growing hostility toward refugees, the United Nations is marking World Refugee Day to honor the courage and contributions to society of people forcibly uprooted from their homes by war, persecution, human rights abuses, climate change and other horrors.

This year's World Refugee Day shines a light on the plight of 35.4 million refugees and asylum seekers, on their needs and legal rights for international protection.

In marking the day, United Nations officials are calling for concrete steps to improve conditions for refugees and their host communities. They also are advocating for solutions that would offer refugees the opportunity to build a viable future for themselves and their families.

"I am here to tell the rest of the world that we can and must do more to offer such hope, opportunities and solutions to refugees, wherever they are and whatever the context," said Filippo Grandi, U.N. high commissioner for refugees at a World Refugee Day event in Kalobeyei, Kenya.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, the world's largest, Grandi praised the Kenyan government for its plans "to roll out innovative and inclusive policies."

He said, "this will allow many of the half a million refugees and asylum-seekers it hosts to work and live side by side with Kenyans and encourage self-reliance, grow the economy, and reduce dependence on humanitarian aid."

This year's theme "Hope away from Home" focuses on the power of inclusion and solutions for refugees, many of whom have been living in limbo for decades because they lack the opportunity to rebuild their lives in host countries or in countries of resettlement.

"Refugees are often portrayed as being either a drain on society or passive recipients of humanitarian aid, charity and good will," said Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR head of news and media. "We want to very much move away from that pre-conception."

Saltmarsh told VOA, "When refugees are given the opportunity to work and to contribute to a society, they nearly always jump at the chance. They are very motivated," he said.

"Their priority is to get themselves on their feet, to support their families, to educate their children," he said, "but more often than not to contribute to their new society as a way of being able to thank that society for helping them when they needed that help."

However, Saltmarsh noted that when refugees are parked in a settlement or camp in a remote area without access to livelihoods, "they will remain passive recipients of humanitarian handouts."

"But if they are given the opportunity to integrate or to be included in their society, they then can become so much more and contribute so much more to that society," he said.

Numbers growing

UNHCR's annual Global Trends in Forced Displacement report found that a record 108.4 million people had been forcibly displaced at the end of 2022, with the war in Ukraine being the top driver of displacement last year.

That number has since risen to more than 110 million forcibly displaced, largely due to the outbreak of conflict April 15 in Sudan. Fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has triggered the exodus of more than half a million refugees to neighboring countries and caused 1.42 million to become newly displaced inside the country.

Belying common perceptions, the UNHCR reports that 76% of the world's refugees are hosted in low-and middle-income countries, not in wealthy nations, and that sub-Saharan Africa hosts one in five of all refugees globally.

Saltmarsh notes that anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment has grown as the number of forcibly displaced has increased. This, he said, has led to a rise in xenophobia and hate speech.

"Refugees are often scapegoated, particularly when a domestic situation becomes more difficult. When an economy turns down, it is quite easy to point a finger and blame an outsider."

He said the dramatic rise in refugee numbers also has resulted in stiff competition for scarce resources to fund humanitarian operations, noting that African refugee operations are among the most severely underfunded in the world.

This, he said, has forced the UNHCR to cut back on many essential programs.

"So, for example, last year when there was an outbreak of Ebola in Uganda, we were unable to source at that time any hygiene and soap and cleaning supplies for the refugees in that country. There also had to be some cutbacks in basic assistance for health care in Uganda for the UNHCR."

He said, "We have seen similar examples for other parts of Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have had to cut our women's engagement programs as well as some of our self-reliance, economic inclusion programs and even some very basic humanitarian assistance like housing and settlements."

In a message for World Refugee Day, U.N. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres described the perseverance of refugees in the face of adversity as "inspiring."

He said, "Refugees represent the very best of the human spirit. They need and deserve support and solidaritynot closed borders and pushbacks." And he added, "We need much stronger political will to make peace so refugees can return safely to their homes."

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Taliban Edicts, Donation Decline Prompt $1 Billion Cut in UN Aid to Afghanistan

By Akmal Dawi June 20, 2023

Amid unresolved wrangling with Taliban authorities over women's right to work and education and a decline in donor funding, the United Nations has cut its humanitarian aid request for Afghanistan by more than $1 billion, forcing aid agencies to stop giving critical assistance to millions of people.

In March, the U.N. belatedly launched a Humanitarian Response Plan, or HRP, for Afghanistan, asking donors for $4.6 billion in funding to assist more than 23 million of the most vulnerable Afghans this year. The appeal's launch was delayed for two months following a Taliban announcement in December banning Afghan women from working at U.N. agencies.

Women in Afghanistan are barred from education and work indefinitely due to "religious and cultural considerations," Taliban officials say.

Several aid agencies suspended operations in response to the ban on women's work as donors warned there would be consequences for the Taliban regime.

A mid-year review of the HRP has resulted in significant adjustments in the required funding and the number of beneficiaries it will assist.

"The revised HRP aims to reach 20 million people with multi-sectoral assistance between June and December 2023, requiring $2.26 billion in new funding," the U.N. said last week.

Consequently, the revised funding appeal now totals just over $3.2 billion, including $942 million (with $850 million carried over from last year) that has been already expended to aid 17.3 million people between January and May of this year.

"Only a fraction of the appeal has been responded to favorably, so that's the reason that the program had to be cut," Richard Hoffman, director of ACBAR, a coordination platform for NGOs in Afghanistan, told VOA.

Taliban restrictions are contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and "the responsibility for the consequences lies with the Taliban leadership," Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.

Drop in donor funding

As of June 20, donors have given or pledged less than 15% ($467.5 million) of the required funding for the HRP, according to the U.N.

In March, Roza Otunbayeva, U.N. special representative for Afghanistan, had warned that "funding for Afghanistan is likely to drop if women [are] not allowed to work."

Several Western donors that gave more than $2 billion in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in 2022, before the Taliban imposed their ban on women's work for the U.N., now appear to have cut aid to the country.

The United States, which contributed more than $1.2 billion to the humanitarian appeal last year, has given $74 million as of this past June.

Similarly, the United Kingdom, another major donor, allocated $522 million in 2022 but has only contributed around $30 million thus far in 2023. Germany's funding has dropped from $444 million to $34 million during the same period, according to U.N. figures.

Western donors blame the Taliban for impeding humanitarian operations in the country by adopting misogynistic and intrusive policies.

"The U.S. government remains committed to helping the Afghan people through the humanitarian and economic crisis that the Taliban created and have exacerbated with the discriminatory NGO edict," a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State told VOA in written comments.

Last week, the United States announced $920 million in additional humanitarian aid for Syria, taking its total assistance to Syria and the region to $1.1 billion in 2023 and nearly $16.9 billion since the start of the 12-year crisis there.

The State Department spokesperson did not answer a question about the disparity in U.S. assistance to Syria and Afghanistan.

The Taliban, however, accuse donors of politicizing aid to Afghanistan, saying the group has facilitated a safe environment for aid agencies to operate.

"I think it's fair to say that there are consequences for the [Taliban] government's decisions and actions," said Hoffman from ACBAR.

"When I meet government officials, the first thing that they mentioned is always that they are grateful for the assistance that NGOs bring to Afghanistan and I'm quite open in saying that, you know, we will be able to deliver that aid more effectively and efficiently if female NGO workers can work alongside their male counterparts," Hoffman said.

Needs persist

The shortage of funding has already forced the World Food Program (WFP) to cut much-needed food aid to 8 million Afghans over the past two months, including for 1.4 million children and mothers who face risks of malnutrition.

"Removing 8 million poor Afghans from assistance over less than 60 days is an immense shock for over a million families already struggling to meet their daily food needs," a WFP spokesperson wrote to VOA in written comments.

The agency said it requires $900 million in the next half of the year to deliver life-saving aid to millions of households across the country.

Aid agencies also warn about cuts in other critical areas such as health, shelter and education.

"Without an urgent injection of funding, the country could spiral into famine-like conditions," Save the Children, an international NGO operating in Afghanistan, said in a statement on Monday.

"The legacy of decades of conflict, a third consecutive year of drought, the international community's suspension of development assistance and imposition of sanctions since August 2021, and a worsening economy, are contributing to the suffering of the Afghan people," the statement added.

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Palais Briefing Note on the Worsening Hunger Situation in DRC

World Food Programme

20 June 2023

This is a summary of what was said by Tomson Phiri, WFP Spokesperson for Southern Africa - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

GENEVA, Tuesday, 20 June 2023 - I am here to give you a brief overview of one of the most complex and challenging humanitarian situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

I just returned from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). I witnessed the acute and complex humanitarian crisis unfolding, driven by the unprecedented conflict escalating food insecurity.

Eastern Congo is a classic example of a forgotten crisis - The region has all the ingredients of a humanitarian catastrophe - conflict, constrained access, a socio-economic and climate crisis, and a crippling funding shortage.

The east of the country is grappling with active non-state armed groups, aggravating the ongoing cycle of violence, triggering massive population displacement, and exacerbating an already fragile humanitarian situation.

About 5.7 million people have been displaced since March 2022 in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri. 6.2 million people have fled their homes across the country, the highest number in Africa. The country is continental in size, with acres of space, but millions of people have no choice but live in overcrowded camps.

The protracted crisis has significantly deteriorated with an upsurge in large-scale needs.

Today's situation is not business as usual; neither is it business to be delayed for tomorrow, nor is it simply another "bad day in Congo."

The humanitarian operation cannot adequately respond, and those who have fled violence live in precarious conditions in makeshift shelters or with already overburdened host families. They have little access to clean water, health centers, and land to farm on.

DRC is a country of Conflicting Opposites

A country that produces the most precious metal in making the latest technologies has the highest number of food insecure people worldwide. Approximately 25.8 million people will face acute food insecurity in 2023 - three times the population of Switzerland.

The climate crisis is worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation. At least 400 people were killed in the flooding last month; around 3,000 homes were destroyed, and 108,000 have been internally displaced, devastatingly affecting their livelihoods and access to vital supply lifelines. The host communities, now more than ever, also face the risk of hunger and need emergency intervention.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has activated a Corporate Scale-Up for eastern DRC to ramp up assistance to reach 3.6 million vulnerable people in the next six months.

This is the highest form of alert, but there is a significant gap between the number of people in need and those being reached with food assistance. Notwithstanding significant operational, administrative, security, and access challenges, humanitarian organizations and WFP have remained committed to providing life-saving assistance to people affected by the crisis.

WFP is concerned that the people's situation might worsen unless humanitarian assistance is scaled up. We need to match the increasing needs of the affected people.

WFP needs US$ 870 million for humanitarian response in the DRC. However, there is a funding shortfall of US$ 738.5 million (85 percent). We count on you to help us fulfil our assistance to the people of the DRC.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

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WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau visits Afghanistan, reaffirms WFP's commitment to the Afghan people

World Food Programme

20 June 2023

KABUL -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Carl Skau visited Afghanistan last week to see first-hand WFP's operations in one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. He witnessed the impact of the latest restrictions on women's employment and of an acute funding crisis which recently forced WFP to cut rations and drastically reduce the number of people it serves with lifesaving assistance.

"It is clear that WFP programmes save lives in Afghanistan every day. Widows at food distribution sites told me how critical WFP's assistance is for them and their children, and farmers showed me how community assets they built with WFP's support protect their fields from devastating floods and drought," said Carl Skau. "I met strong Afghan women in vocational trainings who can now earn money to support and buy food for their families."

During the five-day mission, Skau travelled to Bagrami district in Kabul Province and Charikar City in Parwan Province to visit ongoing WFP activities. In the capital, Kabul, he met the UN leadership in Afghanistan, diplomats and NGOs. In his meetings with representatives of the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, he emphasized the crucial role women play in supporting WFP's response to reach the most vulnerable women and girls.

"The men and women colleagues from WFP and our partner NGOs whom I met are all deeply dedicated to their work and committed to our goal of saving and changing lives," said Skau. "We will continue to work towards the full participation of women staff across our response, and to ensure that Afghan girls, boys, women and men in need have equal access to WFP's assistance."

Over 15 million people in Afghanistan are estimated to be experiencing acute food insecurity with 2.8 million people in 'emergency' levels of hunger. On top of a severe economic and humanitarian crisis, communities are further battered by a severe weather. Every year, extreme weather has a devastating impact on millions of people across the country.

In addition, rations have had to be reduced for people even in the areas with the highest levels of food insecurity, and 8 million highly vulnerable people will no longer receive WFP's emergency assistance due to funding shortfalls. WFP urgently needs US$918 million to maintain operations for the coming six months.

Concluding his mission to Afghanistan, Skau called for continued support to humanitarian assistance for the people in Afghanistan. "The world cannot turn its back on the people of Afghanistan. We must find ways to ensure a safe and conducive environment for women and men staff but without sufficient funds, we cannot deliver the assistance desperately needed by girls, boys, women and men across the country."

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Reception

June 20, 2023

Private Residence

Kentfield, California

4:48 P.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm going home now. (Laughter.)

Stephanie and Mark, thanks for welcoming me into your home. And, Gov, I tell you what, we  I tell you what: I  it's amazing the job you do. I really mean it. And I can't thank you for your friendship  I can't thank you enough.

And as I've told you many times, I don't know how the hell you got her, but you're a good man. (Laughter.) We both  we both married way above our station. (Laughter.)

And, look, you know, all of you being here, I don't know why you'd ever leave here. (Laughter.) It's magnificent. And I want to thank you.

You know, I've met a lot of world leaders. And I  I come at this reelection thinking about what I was as-  I was asked by Xi Jinping  I've spent a lot of hours with him over the last 12 years. I mean, in over  they keep mec-  meticulous records  82 hours' worth just he and I, 60-some of it in person.

And we were in the Tibetan Plateau, and he said, "Can you define America for me?" And I said, "Yes, I can. In one word..."  the Gov has heard me say this before  "In one word: possibilities. Possibilities."

One of the reasons why we're always referred to, Mr. President, by others as "the ugly Americans": We think we can do anything. And we can do anything we set our mind to. But we just haven't focused much  very much in the last four or five years in terms of focusing on what we need to do.

I'm convinced if we work together, there's not a damn thing we can't get done. Now, I  and I  and I mean that. I  I mean that sincerely.

You know, we've  when I announced the first time, I said I was running for 

(Taps the microphone.) Is this working?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yeah!

THE PRESIDENT: I indicated I was running for three reasons. Because remember when the  down in Charlottesville, Virginia, and there was  toward the end of the  the beginning of the last President's campaign, and they asked  these  all of a sudden, coming out of the woods in the fields, literally carrying torches  lighted torches, were hundreds of people who were singing and chanting the same antisemitic bile that was chanted in  in Germany in the early '30s, and accompanied by the Ku Klux Klan.

And a young woman was killed. And in the process, I've talked to her mom. And  and the President was asked, "Well, what do you think happened down there?" And he said, "Well, there were very good people on both sides."

And that's when I decided I had to get engaged, had to get back out, because I  my son had just passed. I didn't want to run again, didn't want to be engaged. But I came back to make the case.

And I ran on three principles that even my  my good friends and my staff were  thought maybe weren't able to be conveyed very well. I said, "The first reason I'm running is to restore the soul of this country."

And Jon Meacham wrote a book about the soul of America, about restoring the soul, a sense of decency, who we are, what we stand for. We're  we're good people. We have always been a good people. And we stood for things that were of  of conscious concern for others.

The second reason I said I was running was to rebuild the economy from the middle out and the bottom up, because when that happens, everybody does well. Everybody does well.

And I said the third reason I was running  and the press, justifiably  and I'm not criticizing them  said: "That was the old days, Mr.  Mr. Vice President." And that was  I said I was going to unite America.

How can a democracy function without being able to reach a consensus? How can it last very long?

And so I set out to do those three things. And one of the things that happened was that, you know, I found that things -people thought that things were in tough shape. I made a speech right after I  well, it was just before I was elected last time  at  at Independence Hall, talking about democracy, that democracy was at stake. Literally at stake.

And  and it turned out the press understandably thought that was  what the hell was I talking about? But over 63 percent of the American people agree that there's something wrong because of what's happening. Our freedoms are being stripped away.

And, you know, but since then, we've made a lot of progress. You know, you can see most clearly that we got an incredible amount of bipartisan legislation passed. So much for not being able to bring people together.

And we also brought back NATO together in a way that  because we had Russia, which I indicated that it was going to invade, and they did, with 185,000 forces in Europe  in another country.

And Putin was con-  convinced that he would be able to split NATO because we'd never stick together, we'd never do it. And we've been able to hold NATO together. Altogether, NATO is stronger today than it's ever been.

And then we began to invest in America again. Because, you know, when I talked about rebuilding from the middle out, we got to a position where we spent a lot of time concluding, Democrats and Republicans, that the best way to grow the economy was to go where the cheapest labor was in the world and ship our jobs overseas and, in the meantime, bring back products made abroad.

Well, you know, there's  those of you who are from other parts of the country before you got here, you saw that if you lived in the Midwest or in the  even in near Midwest, in Pennsylvania and other places, all of a sudden, that factory that's been there for 35 years that supported your grandfather and grandmother and, you know, had six, eight hundred people in it  when that factory shuts down, the whole city shuts down, the town shuts down. People lose their sense of  of dignity. They lose their sense of who they are. They begin to wonder.

And so we decided to  decided we were going to no longer find  not have access to the source of what we needed to build our economy. And so we went out, and I decided we're going to try to bring back  we used to  we invented the computer chip. We're the guys that came about and did that. And the little chip is smaller than the tip of your finger. Whether you need 300 of them for an automobile, all of a sudden  you need it for everything we have.

We used to  we used to  40 years ago, 40 percent of the chips were made in America. Now down to 10 percent.

So I started around the country, and we convinced $300 billion worth of investment  $300 billion worth of investment, building these new  they call "fabs," creating jobs that are of consequence for people.

And, for example, out in just outside of Columbus, Ohio, Intel went out there, and I call it the "field of dreams." They were the first one to commit. They're going to build  they're going to spend a whole lot of money: $100 billion building two new fabs out there. And 5,000 full-time employees, 7,000 people building the facility at  at the prevailing wage.

And guess what? The average salary in those fabs is going to be up close to $130,000. And you don't need a college degree. You don't need a college degree to do it.

And now we have over $300 billion committed to build these facilities across the country. $450 billion in foreign investment and  and  and private investment to be-  begin to rebuild America in a way we didn't  we haven't looked at it that way in a long time.

We've, in the meantime, as  as you heard the Governor say, all the jobs we created and all the  all the manufacturing jobs. But beyond that, we did something else. We unleashed, I think, a sense of  once again, a sense of expectation in America that we can do anything.

We used to  you know, when we recall the  you know, the possibilities, you know? Well, guess what? We used to believe that we could  there wasn't a single thing, if America set its mind to it, couldn't get done. I'm not  that sounds like hyperbole, but I mean it.

But so, what's happened? We started to figure out we  we can do it again. For example, the largest computer chipmaker in South Korea invested in the United States billions of dollars. And I visited with him in South Korea. I said, "Why?" He said, "Because it's the safest investment I can make anywhere in the world in the United States of America. That's why I'm doing it. And you have the best workers in the world."

And so we're beginning to restore not just opportunity for jobs, but pride and dignity in work.

My dad used to have an expression. He said, "Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity. It's about your sense of yourself. It's about being able to look your family in the eye and say, "Honey, it's going to be okay. It's going to be okay.'"

Well, that's starting to happen again. That's starting to happen again. We're restoring a sense of dignity to a whole lot of people who were left behind. And they're coming back.

And we're in a situation where we decided when  you know, I know there's a lot support from this crowd, but the fact is that how many times over  this is just six years ago  how many of your friends who were doing well didn't think there was much to global warming?

Well, all of a sudden, I flew over more territory with the Governor in a helicopter, and other governors throughout the country, from Arizona and New Mexico, all the way up to the state of Washington State and Idaho and the rest. More timber has burned to the ground than comprises the entire landmass of the state of Maryland.

And people are no longer wondering whether or not we have a problem with the environment. People are stepping up. And we were able to pass legislation for $368 billion for environmental investment. Did both to do a whole range of things that are going to fundamentally change the way we work. We're now in a situation where, just since I've become president, we have made sure that we have thousands and thousands of acres put in conservation. More land in conservation than any time since John Kennedy was president.

And I made a commitment that 30 percent of all our lands and all our waters are going to be in conservation by the year 2030. We're well on our way to doing that. And that's going to make a profound impact on what we have and what we deal with in terms of the environment.

And as I said, with regard to Europe, when I told people that we were going to bring  I thought we could bring Japan along. You know, Japan hasn't increased its military budget for a long, long time. But guess what? I met with the chairman  the president  the vice  excuse me, the leader of Japan for, I guess, on three different occasions, including in Hiroshima. And he convinced  I convinced him and he convinced himself that he had to do something different.

Japan has increased its military budget exponentially. And guess what? When is the last time you heard Japan being interested in what's happening in the middle of Europe in a war and contributing to the help and support of the state of  of Ukraine?

And so, things are changing. We put together in Southeast Asia  and, by the way, I promise you we're going to  don't worry about China. I mean, worry about China, but don't worry about China. (Laughter.)

No, but I really mean it. China is real  has real economic difficulties. And the reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two boxcars full of spy equipment in it is he didn't know it was there. No, I'm serious. That's what's a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened. That wasn't supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course up through Alaska and then down through the United States. And he didn't know about it. When it got shot down, he was very embarrassed. He denied it was even there.

But the fo-  did  the very important point is he's in a situation now where he wants to have a relationship again. Tony Blinken just went over there  our Secretary of State; did a good job. And it's going to take time.

But what he was really upset about was that I insisted that we  we reunite the Qu-  so-called Quad. He called me and told me not to do that because it was putting him in a bind. I said, "All we're doing  we're not trying to surround you, we're just trying to make sure the international rules with air and sea lanes remain open. And we're not going to yield to that  on that."

So now we have India, Australia, Japan, and the United States working hand in glove in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

We have a situation where I've met with all 50 of the major maritime states in East Asia. And  and they're  they're  I mean, I never thought, as a kid coming out of the Vietnam War era, that we would have Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos wanting closer relationships with the United States of America.

So my point is: The world is changing, and we have an opportunity to not take advantage of it at everyone else's expense, but to change the dynamic in the world. We're in a position now where Russia is  well, let me put this way: If I told any of you  or matter of fact, if you told me that Russia was going to send 185,000 troops into the country of Ukraine without it being armed, and that the Russians at this point were still going to have lost well over 100,000 personnel and be in the shape they're in, I think you would have looked at me like I was crazy.

Well, the Ukrainian people are tough as hell, and we can't let it happen, because if we let it happen, then next is you have the rest of eastern NATO nations are in trouble.

My generic point is: There's enormous opportunity. Enormous opportunity. And the world is looking to the United States. I mean, they really are. They're looking to the United States. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was right when she said America is the essential nation. Because who else will organize it? Who else can lead it, any other nation in the world be able to do it by themselves?

And so we put the  we pulled our allies together. Things are changing around the world. And there's  there's great danger too. There's great danger. I'm not suggesting there's not danger, but unless we are prepared, unless we know what we're about, unless we're engaged. And that's why the first thing I did basically was say we're ending the policy of "America First." It's not America first. It's America with our allies, because that's what we need around the world. We need those  those efforts.

We're also working like hell  and I'm not going to go into a whole foreign policy thing. I apologize. But, you know, just to put one thing in perspective, Africa is going to have 1 billion people by the end of this decade. A billion people. A billion. And guess what? They don't have the capacity to deal with a lot of their needs. And it's overwhelmingly in our interest.

So we're in the process of making sure that we help build the first railroad across the continent; that we have Angola have the first  the largest solar facility in the world; that building up the infrastructure for those countries, because it's in our interest that they do well financially and not disrupt.

And so, I guess the whole point of this is that we're also working on making sure that we deal with some of the other problems, which I'll just tick off.

One is the whole idea of dealing with gun violence. The idea that more children die as a consequence of a gunshot wound of a bullet than any other reason in America is sick. It's really sick.

And the fact that the NRA has such overwhelming power  you know, the NRA is the only outfit in the nation that we cannot sue as an institution. They got  they  before this  I became president, they passed legislation saying you can't sue them. Imagine had that been the case with tobacco companies. How many more people would be dead today if we weren't able to rein in tobacco companies and the use of tobacco? Well, it's that way now. We can't.

And  and, by the way, you know one of the reasons why the AR-15 is so strongly supported by so many folks in that  in that industry? Number one, it's the cheapest weapon to make and it's the highest profit motive they have for any weapon that is made. It makes more money to sell an AR-15 than any other weapon you can buy.

And so, we have to change  there's a lot of things we can change, because the American people by and large agree you don't need a weapon of war. I'm a Second Amendment guy. I taught it for four years, six years in law school. And guess what? It doesn't say that you can own any weapon you want. It says there are certain weapons that you just can't own. Even during when it was passed, you couldn't own a cannon. You can't own a machine gun. (Laughter.) No, I'm serious.

So what's the deal with the idea that it's an absolute  you know, I love these guys who say the Second Amendment is  you know, the tree of liberty is water with the blood of patriots. Well, if want to do that, you want to work against the government, you need an F-16. You need something else than just an AR-15. Anyway.

The generic point  (laughter)  the generic point I want to make is  and I'm going to end this because I'm bored myself now. (Laughter.)

But, you know, we have to make sure that we have some economic freedom, the ability to get a good job. And freedom is really under siege, particularly freedom of choice: the right of a woman to choose, the right of a woman to determine what - between she and her doctor what she needs in her body. And now they're going after contraception.

And mark my words  and I said that when the decision came down, the Dobbs decision. Because two of the justices said: Let's make it clear, not only there's no constitutional protection for the right to choose, there's no constitutional protection for contraception, there's no constitutional right in the law for HB-  excuse me  for gay, lesbian  you know, the whole  the whole group. There's no constitutional protection. And they're coming after it.

You see what all the states have done, the number of states that have passed legislation, imposing on all those rights.

And so, folks, we're in a situation where I think things are beginning to change. But I think the American people need to have the confidence that we're going to do what we say we're going to do. And I think that the combination of keeping the economy growing and keeping the economy growing in a way that everyone has a shot at benefiting from it, everyone is engaged, keeping the  dealing with the freedoms that we have  have taken away.

We got  I insist that we're going to pass legislation in a majority of the states reinstating Roe v. Wade. That's the only way we can get back these rights. (Applause.) And it's going to happen.

So, folks, you know, there's an awful lot that is being done relative to the environment. There's an awful lot being done in terms of our ability to grow the economy. There's an awful lot that needs to be done on education. I need not tell you, Mr. President.

You know, we learned  and I'll end with this: You know, the whole idea of  Head Start is a good idea. But what's even more important is  puts people in school. All the research done  and I'm going to mention the school; it's against my interest to do it. Stanford. I'm joking. (Laughter.)

Stanford and Harvard did studies about what is, over the last 10 years, what is that will help peo-  keep people going in terms of education. If you send  we learned all those statistics  I remember all you involved in this stuff know  that when you come from a broken home, where there's no books and mom or dad is an addict, and they can't get things  you know, you have no guidance  by the time you get to preschool  to school, I should say  kindergarten  you will have heard a million few words  fewer spoken, total. Total. The same words, but a million words fewer. And you also are going to be in a situation where you have had significantly less exposure to learning, period.

Now, if you put kids in school  school  reading, writing, arithmetic  beginning at age three, you increase by 56 percent the chance of them going all the way through all 12 years and having the chance to go to community college.

Why is it that it's not overwhelmingly in our interest? My wife is an educator at a community college; says any country that out-educates us is going to outcompete us  is going to outcompete us. It's true.

So one of the things I'm going to continue to work on is early education, as well as free community college for people who, in fact, don't have the income to get there. (Applause.)

And so, folks, with your help, we've gotten a lot done. And guess what? All the things we've done so far  and I was able in the first two years to cut the federal debt by 1 trillion 700 billion dollars. (Applause.) More than any president has in American history. So don't tell me you can't do 'em both  you can't do 'em both.

Anyway, thank you for your time. Thank you for your help. Thank you for everything you've done for me.

And I'm fully aware  and I mean it sincerely  I wouldn't be standing here without many of you in this room. You're the one  there's an old expression in the steel town I grew up in in Delaware, called Claymont: Y'all brung me to the dance.

So, thank you very, very, very much. (Applause.)

5:10 P.M. PDT

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Women and girls hit hard by attacks on health in Sudan, UN agencies warn

20 June 2023

News release

Geneva/New York

The World Health Organization and UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, today warned that the continuing attacks on healthcare facilities, equipment and workers in Sudan are depriving women and girls of life-saving healthcare, with pregnant women hardest hit.

Some 67% of hospitals in areas affected by fighting are closed, and several maternity hospitals are out of action, including Omdurman Hospital, the largest referral hospital in Sudan. Among the 11 million people in Sudan who need urgent health assistance are 2.64 million women and girls of reproductive age. Some 262 880 of them are pregnant and over 90 000 will give birth in the next three months. All of them need access to critical reproductive health services.

Since April, when the fighting began, WHO has verified 46 attacks on health workers and facilities which have killed eight people and injured 18 others. Facilities and health assets have also been looted, and health workers have been subjected to violence. A number of health facilities are being used by armed forces.

There are reports of a military occupation of the National Medical Supply Funds (NMSF) warehouses in the capital, Khartoum, where medicines for the entire country, including malaria medicines, are kept, and where the national pharmacy for chronic diseases is located. WHO's stock of emergency medical supplies and development products is kept at its warehouse on the premises. UNFPA's stocks of medicines and equipment for obstetric care, post-rape treatment, as well as a wide range of contraceptives, which are stored at warehouses in Khartoum, South Darfur, West Darfur and elsewhere are also inaccessible. Health facilities in several states, including the Darfurs, have warned that they are facing critical shortages of medical supplies.

In a worrying development, hospitals are running out of fuel to power generators that provide electricity. Six newborns died at a hospital in the city of Eld'aeen in East Darfur in the space of a week due to issues including a lack of oxygen amid electricity blackouts and local doctors estimated that more than 30 newborns have died at the hospital since the start of the fighting. In May, UNFPA and local partner, the CAFA Development Organization, provided fuel for seven maternity hospitals in Khartoum to ensure health services were available for women and newborns. In just one week, more than 1000 deliveries and caesarean sections were safely carried out. But more support is desperately needed to secure fuel and supplies for key hospitals to sustain essential services. Some 15% of pregnant women experience pregnancy- and birth-related complications and need access to emergency obstetric and newborn care.

UNFPA provides sexual and reproductive healthcare through health facilities and hospitals throughout Sudan. UNFPA-trained midwives continue to support women to give birth safely at home and at functioning health facilities. There are approximately 27 000 midwives working across Sudan; around 2330 in the capital. Most of them attend 3-4 births a day, according to the head of a UNFPA-supported midwife network. UNFPA is also setting up safe spaces for women to provide gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response services, including post-rape treatment, counselling and case management; as well as providing remote services. UNFPA also trains service providers and community-based protection networks in GBV prevention and response.

WHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure provision of essential sexual, reproductive, maternal and paediatric care as well as emergency obstetric and neo-natal care in Khartoum and Gezira, and in states sheltering internally displaced people. WHO is providing life-saving medicines and supplies, and covering the running cost of health facilities that provide these services. WHO is also training health workers on first-line support, provision of post-rape treatment and mental health care to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), and is backing national NGOs that provide GBV services.

"Health workers are putting their lives at risk to provide emergency, maternity, paediatric and chronic disease treatment services and we stand with them," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "We call on the warring parties to honour the commitments they made in Jeddah in May, including the restoration of essential services and the withdrawal of forces from hospitals and essential public facilities."

"The conflict must stop, health facilities, health workers and patients must be protected, humanitarian and medical aid must be allowed through," said UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem. "People who need urgent healthcare should not be afraid to step out of their homes for fear of their safety, and women's right to reproductive healthcare must be upheld, conflict or no conflict," she added.

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States need to improve criminal asset recovery in combatting money laundering, says MONEYVAL Committee

Council of Europe

MONEYVAL

Strasbourg

20 June 2023

In its annual report for 2022 the Council of Europe's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing body MONEYVAL warns that the recovery of proceeds from crime across states remains insufficient and calls on governments to step up their efforts to strengthen their national frameworks for asset management and recovery.

In its monitoring work, MONEYVAL has found that successful confiscations of criminal assets are relatively rare compared with the estimates of the proceeds of crime. It therefore underlines the need not only to freeze but also to seize and confiscate criminal funds. To achieve this, enhancing the powers and resources of criminal asset recovery and management offices is crucial.

"States should not only improve their results in identifying and freezing criminal funds. There is also an urgent need for them to greatly improve their results in confiscating and managing criminal assets, adopt stricter sanctions and increase the number of convictions for serious money laundering offences", said ElAbieta Frankow-JaAkiewicz, Chair of MONEVYAL.

"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted the link between authoritarian regimes, corrupt actors and illicit financial flows. The need to deny illicit actors access to the funds and resources used to facilitate harmful activities, including those that can undermine European security and stability, has become even more apparent. Governments should invest more in their national programmes to combat money laundering and terrorist financing and adopt stricter policies to prevent the laundering of proceeds associated with corrupt regimes", she stressed.

In its annual report, MONEYVAL assesses compliance with international standards and developments in the legal and institutional frameworks to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism in the 33 states and territories subject to its monitoring as of 31 December 2022. MONEYVAL expects to complete its 5th evaluation round and launch its 6th evaluation round in 2024.

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Ship returns to smiles and waves

20 June 2023

HMAS Toowoomba has been welcomed back to its home port of Fleet Base West, following a period of operations and international engagements.

During the deployment, Toowoomba performed border protection duties as part of Operation Resolute, participated in Exercise Komodo and represented the Royal Australian Navy at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) in Singapore.

Therecently upgraded Anzac-class frigate's service in Resolute was part of the ADF's contribution to protecting Australia's borders and offshore maritime interests under Maritime Border Command.

In addition to conducting surveillance and response for Resolute, Toowoomba paid a visit to Darwin to participate in Anzac Day commemorations and a city march.

During Exercise Komodo, a multinational exercise led by the Indonesian Navy, Toowoomba worked alongside 40 naval vessels from more than 30 countries.

Conducted in waters off Makassar, Indonesia, the biennial exercise focused on maritime search-and-rescue, maritime interdiction operations and manoeuvring drills.

In Singapore, Toowoomba played host to international guests at IMDEX, which included warship tours and serving unique Australian culinary delights.

Commanding Officer Toowoomba Commander Darin MacDonald said the deployment highlighted the true ability of the crew to deal with different situations.

"Sailors and officers serving on Toowoomba can feel justifiably proud of their contribution in protecting Australia's national interests," Commander MacDonald said.

"This deployment was crucial in deepening international cooperation and enhancing relationships between Australia and our regional partners."

For Seaman Electronics Technician Jack Simpson, on his first deployment, the experience was invaluable.

"I recently completed several of my technical equipment courses and it was great to be able to put the knowledge and skills into practice," Seaman Simpson said.

"I was also able to visit several places I haven't been before, including Indonesia and Singapore. It was a fantastic experience."

Commander Surface Forces Commodore Terence Morrison thanked family and friends for their support, and said Toowoomba's effort over the three-month deployment was immense.

"Toowoomba's deployment has been an exemplar to the flexibility that the ADF provides the Government in responding to domestic and international priorities across the Indo-Pacific region," Commodore Morrison said.

"Their adept ability to respond to changing circumstances demonstrates a highly effective and collaborative ship's company, strongly supported by their family and friends.

"We are highly appreciative of Toowoomba for their deployment and their family and friends for their support."

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions following a meeting with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Minsk, June 20, 2023

June 2023 13:47

1204-20-06-2023

Question: It was said today that the aggressive Western hysterics dampen the voice of reason. Is the West ready to listen to Russia and Belarus and to sane initiatives?

Sergey Lavrov: Did you mean aggressive hysterics in general or on a specific issue?

Question: In general.

Sergey Lavrov: The West is fixated on the feeling of its irreparable confidence in its own rightness, the preservation of its hegemony on the international stage, and the introduction and spread of its own "rules," which are undermining international law and are based on the premise that "it doesn't matter whether it's white or black so long as it suits me." You can see this in various areas of international life, including in the Western attitude to integration organisations in the post-Soviet space.

We have just finished a 90-minute meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who put forth his views on global developments, which are in line with our actions and substantiate the further development of the CSTO. The West views the CSTO, just like the SCO and BRICS, as a challenge to its domination on the international stage and as rising centres of the future multipolar world, which is threatening what the West sees as its interests and hegemony.

We are witnessing desperate and aggressive Western efforts to split the CSTO, BRICS, the SCO and other organisations that are independent of the West, including attempts to use unscrupulous methods to drive a wedge between CSTO member states. Our common conclusion is that we must stand up to this pressure, fulfil our allied obligations in full measure and strengthen our solidarity. President Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that in his opinion, which we share, we should do this not only for allied or moral considerations but also for purely pragmatic reasons. After all, the members of the CSTO, the CIS, the EAEU and the Union State will continue to live together and jointly address their problems. There is no way around it.

When its interest wanes, the West walks away from a situation it has created itself, just as it did in Afghanistan and Iraq and is doing in Ukraine, leaving the given territory ruined and dangerous.

This is an important period for the CSTO. Belarus' CSTO chairmanship is helping us to take a clearer view and to assess the current situation and coordinate the path forward.

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US urged to take actions after Blinken's visit to Beijing

Global Times

Top officials' meetings in China open up window for pragmatic engagements

By Fan Anqi Published: Jun 20, 2023 11:14 PM

China and the US are on the "right trail," US President Joe Biden said on Monday, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his two-day visit to Beijing. China and the US agreed to stabilize their relations and keep communication lines open at a time when ties have plummeted to a low level.

Experts said Chinese top officials' meetings with Blinken have opened up a window for pragmatic engagements between the two sides. If Washington can truly turn its words into actions, a meeting between the two top leaders can be expected in November at the APEC summit.

After a rare meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, China's top diplomat Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Blinken said he called for "direct engagement and sustained communication at senior levels" and to "responsibly manage differences and ensure that competition does not veer into conflict," US media reported.

Commenting on the trip, Biden told reporters that Blinken did "a hell of a job," and said "We're on the right trail here," Reuters reported. Biden has said he hopes to meet President Xi in the next few months.

LA Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that through the meeting, both sides recognize that the current state of China-US ties is at their lowest point for a long time, and they must move toward improvement, as any further deterioration may lead to unknown and unbearable consequences. However, Blinken is still bandying words on the Taiwan question, trying to use it as leverage to interfere with China.

The upcoming two months are crucial for practical discussions and achieving tangible results. If these lead to concrete outcomes, it would significantly promote the development of bilateral relations, marking a qualitative step, LA noted.

As some Western media suggest that Blinken's visit have "paved the way" for more contacts, Chinese observers said it would be more appropriate to say that he is "clearing the way," as people from various fields of the two sides have had a strong and urgent desire for engagement but had been blocked by the White House.

They urged the Biden administration not to let partisan struggles or domestic political interference derail the rare progress that both sides have made from this chance.

Right after the resumption of talks between China and the US, Japanese government officials expressed hope that the event can "serve as an opportunity to recalibrate Japan-China relations," Kyodo News reported, saying that Japan is seeking an opportunity for a potential meeting between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Xi during international conferences scheduled for this year.

The easing of China-US ties is especially a relief to US allies, who had been stuck in a dilemma as they were pushed to form an anti-China coalition against their will, LA said. "As for countries like Japan who have been the most proactive followers of the US' anti-China rhetoric, this is an embarrassing moment, but we welcome dialogues from all parties," the expert said.

One day after Blinken's visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to a question raised by Reuters on an increase in the number of China-US flights.

Spokesperson Mao Ning said at Tuesday's media briefing that the relevant authorities of China and the US are maintaining communication on the issue, and are willing to work together in a flexible and pragmatic manner to promote the increase of passenger flights.

People-to-people exchanges between the two countries have recently seen a series of "heart-warming interludes," as Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates visited Beijing on the heels of other US business icons including Apple's Tim Cook and Tesla's Elon Musk.

Experts said it delivered a firm and clear message that the American people are determined to keep the bond unbroken despite chilly diplomatic relations, and a stable and healthy China-US relationship is in the interests of both countries and the wider world.

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Failure to cooperate is the biggest risk facing China and Germany: Chinese Premier

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jun 20, 2023 11:01 AM Updated: Jun 20, 2023 07:54 PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed that the biggest risk facing China and Germany is a failure to cooperate, and the biggest security threat is failure to develop. Li made the remarks in a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday.

Li stated that there are no fundamental conflicts of interest between China and Germany, and that the foundation for cooperation is solid with strong development potential.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang kicked off on Sunday his five-day trip to Germany and France, two major European powers and leading members of the EU. This is Li's first foreign trip since taking office in March as China's new premier.

During his visit Li also met with representatives from the German business community.

Enterprises should be restored to the driving seat in terms of risk prevention, and risk prevention and cooperation are not opposites, Li said while attending the seminar with representatives of the German business community.

Representatives of German companies including Siemens, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Schaeffler, BASF, Covestro, Wacker Chemie, Merck, SAP and Allianz attended the meeting.

Noting that it is understandable that all parties have their own security concerns, Li said that what is important is how to reasonably define and guard against risks.

Failure to cooperate is the biggest risk, and failure to develop is the largest source of insecurity, he noted.

With economic globalization, the world's economy has become interconnected, which entails a dialectical view of dependence. That means refraining from exaggerating the degree of dependence or even simply equating interdependence with insecurity, he added.

As for some specific problems, Li urged all parties to analyze them case by case, and jointly prevent and respond to them through consultation and cooperation.

Li called all parties to seize opportunities for cooperation, particularly in light of the positive long-term development of the Chinese economy and the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany.

The Chinese premier's comments come at a time when some European politicians are intent on pushing a "de-risking" strategy against China, citing so-called security concerns.

The move however has been met with strong resistance from the European business sector as it is against their own economic self-interest.

German business representatives attending the seminar said that it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation to eliminate risks, and that decoupling will not work.

They also noted that they are willing to further deepen Germany-China cooperation in coping with climate change, and advancing digital transformation, manufacturing, research and development, seeking a basis for win-win cooperation.

In 2022, trade between China and Germany reached a record high of 298 billion euros ($320 billion), up 21 percent year-on-year, according to data from the German statistics office. China has been Germany's most important trading partner for seven consecutive years.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on June 20, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

People's Daily: The Chinese side announced this morning that the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Mongolia, New Zealand and Viet Nam will visit China. Could you share more about the programs and China's expectations for the visits?

Mao Ning: At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene of Mongolia, Prime Minister Hipkins of New Zealand and Prime Minister Pham of Viet Nam will attend the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin and pay an official visit to China.

Barbados is an important country in the Caribbeans and China's important cooperation partner in that region. Our two countries enjoy a traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 46 years ago, we have had deepening political mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in various sectors, which has brought tangible benefits for our two peoples. Prime Minister Mottley's visit provides a good opportunity for the two sides to further enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, bring bilateral relations towards greater heights and brighter prospects. During Prime Minister Mottley's visit, leaders of the two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest and share governance experience.

China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. In recent years, bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum of growth with frequent high-level exchanges and deepening cooperation across the board. During President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsuh's state visit to China last November, President Xi Jinping reached important common understandings with him on working together to advance modernization and building a China-Mongolia community with a shared future featuring peaceful co-existence, mutual support and win-win cooperation. China attaches high importance to the upcoming visit by Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene and looks forward to further deepening political mutual trust, enriching our comprehensive strategic partnership, and continuing to build a China-Mongolia community with a shared future through the visit.

China and New Zealand are each other's important cooperation partners. Last year, we jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Next year, we will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of our comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the course of more than half a century, China-New Zealand relations have enjoyed sound and steady growth, creating many "firsts". Cooperation in various fields has delivered benefits to both peoples and made significant contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity. This will be Prime Minister Hipkins's first visit to China after taking office. Leaders of the two sides will hold in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. We hope this visit will be an opportunity to enhance mutual trust, expand exchanges, advance cooperation, and further deepen our comprehensive strategic partnership to the greater benefit of both countries and peoples.a

Viet Nam is our socialist neighbor. In 2022, after the 20th National Congress of the CPC concluded, General Secretary Xi Jinping invited General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to visit China. The two leaders jointly charted the course for the China-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. Since the beginning of this year, there has been frequent high-level interaction between the two sides, exchange and cooperation between various departments and at the subnational level has quickly resumed, and high-level common understandings are being steadily translated into concrete results. During Prime Minister Pham's visit, the two sides will discuss ways and steps to act on the top party leaders' common understandings and in particular, exchange views on deepening Belt and Road cooperation, enhancing connectivity and stabilizing industrial and supply chains. We believe the visit will strengthen the sound momentum of growth in bilateral relations and promote solid progress in our deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation.

Hubei TV: On June 24 last year, President Xi Jinping hosted the High-level Dialogue on Global Development and announced 32 practical cooperation measures in China's effort of implementing the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which was actively supported and echoed by the international community. We noted that as we mark the anniversary of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, the Center for International Knowledge on Development released the Progress Report on the Global Development Initiative today. Could you share more information with us?

Mao Ning: In September 2021, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which was warmly supported and echoed by the international community. Last June, President Xi hosted the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, charting the course for implementing the GDI and achieving a series of fruitful results. In the past one year and more, thanks to concerted efforts, the GDI developed a clearer cooperation pathway and more effective cooperation mechanisms. Cooperation in the eight priority areas has been advanced steadily with a growing list of projects and an expanding pool of development resources, demonstrating a good momentum of all-round progress with clear priorities. The GDI has been an effective tool to build international consensus on development and galvanize cooperation actions, which has produced many early harvests.

One year on since the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, the Progress Report on the Global Development Initiative, written by the Center for International Knowledge on Development, has been released in Beijing. As the first progress report on GDI, the document holds unique significance. Diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations in China attended the event. Many praised the GDI's active and important role in pooling global consensus on development and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, expressed satisfaction on the progress of advancing the GDI and recognized that practical GDI cooperation effectively increased people's wellbeing in developing countries, especially members of the Group of Friends of the GDI. Many also expressed willingness to continue to work with China to implement the GDI so as to help realize all Sustainable Development Goals as scheduled.

The world has responded to China's GDI with global action. China welcomes attention and support to the GDI from all corners of the globe and looks forward to any contribution of ideas, projects, funding and action to the GDI. China stands ready to work with the international community to promote the sound and steady growth of practical GDI cooperation and contribute to faster implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, so that no country or individual will be left behind.

Reuters: Following State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang's meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken, China and the US have agreed to discuss increasing passenger flights and welcoming more students and business people to each other's countries. What are the measures underway to put these into effect? And when will both countries start increasing flights and by how much?

Mao Ning: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached a positive common understanding on promoting people-to-people exchanges. Both sides agreed to encourage more people-to-people and educational exchanges, and had positive discussions on increasing passenger flights between the two countries. Both sides welcomed more mutual visits by students, scholars and business people, and agreed to provide support and facilitation to this end. Competent departments of China and the US have been in communication on increasing passenger flights. China stands ready to work with the US on increasing flights with flexibility and pragmatism.a

Yonhap News Agency: At a press conference on June 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed China's important role in pressing Pyongyang to engage in dialogue and to end its dangerous behavior. What's China's position on this?

Mao Ning: The crux of the Korean Peninsula issues is very clear. All parties need to face the crux of the issues squarely, step up to their respective responsibilities, and address the legitimate concerns of all parties in a balanced way through meaningful dialogue. China's position on the Peninsula issues is consistent and we will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Peninsula issues.

CCTV: It was reported that leaders of African countries, including South Africa, Senegal, Zambia, Comoros, Egypt, the Republic of the Congo and Uganda, visited Ukraine and Russia to mediate on the Ukraine issue. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy invited African countries to the global peace summit proposed by Ukraine. Russian President Putin noted that Russia welcomes the balanced approach of African countries towards the Ukraine crisis. How does China view African countries' mediation efforts on the Ukraine issue?

Mao Ning: China supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis and commends the positive role South Africa and other African countries have played in this regard. Their efforts well reflect the international community's shared call for an end to hostilities and deescalation of tensions. Facts have shown that war and sanctions will not solve any problem; dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out. China stands ready to work with all parties, including African countries, to create favorable conditions for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Bloomberg: China and Cuba are negotiating to establish a new joint military training facility on the island. This is according to a report from The Wall Street Journal that cites US officials. The report also said that the talks were at an advanced stage. How does the foreign ministry respond to this report?

Mao Ning: I'm not aware of what you mentioned. We hope relevant parties will focus their time and efforts on doing things that are conducive to mutual trust and regional peace, stability and development.a

RIA Novosti: The Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh said to RIA Novosti on June 19 that Bangladesh had officially applied to join the BRICS. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: As an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS is committed to upholding multilateralism, vigorously advancing the reform of the global governance system and increasing the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries. The expansion of BRICS is a political consensus reached by all five BRICS members. China is committed to advancing the BRICS expansion and stands ready to bring more like-minded partners into the big family of BRICS.

Reuters: US Secretary of State Blinken has said that the US is continuing talks with China on the release of three US citizens detained in China. The US said these three Americans were wrongfully detained. What is the progress on the talks?

Mao Ning: China is a country under the rule of law and relevant cases are handled in accordance with the law. There isn't an issue about individuals being "wrongfully detained" .

Reuters: More than 100 heads of state and government are expected to attend the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris from June 22 to June 23. China's confirmed its participation in the summit during President Macron's visit in April. Given that Premier Li Qiang is in Europe right now, will he be attending the summit?

Mao Ning: China has announced last week that Premier Li Qiang will visit Germany and France. During his visit to France, one of the important activities on his schedule is to attend the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact proposed by President Macron at France's invitation.

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US claims to have made position clear during Blinken's Beijing visit

Both sides profess to be "satisfied" a first step has been taken on communications.

By Chris Taylor for RFA 2023.06.20 -- The mood was cautiously buoyant in both the U.S. and China - as well as Taiwan - that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to China was the right move in "stabilizing" relations between the two superpowers that have grown increasingly precarious in recent months.

The State Department issued a statement saying the two sides had "candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on key priorities in the bilateral relationship and on a range of global and regional issues."

"The Secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of miscalculation. He made clear that while we will compete vigorously, the United States will responsibly manage that competition so that the relationship does not veer into conflict," department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

In a digital press briefing on Tuesday, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Sarah Beran, Special Assistant to the President of the United States and U.S. National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs, broadly described Blinken's trip as having been successful in terms of reestablishing lines of communication and managing competition.

During his meeting with Blinken, Xi Jinping rejected the term "strategic competition," according to Chinese-language sources, saying, "Great power competition does not conform to the trend of the times."

But as Wen-Ti Sung, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, sessional lecturer in the Australian National University's College of Asia and the Pacific and a member of the Australian Centre on China in the World, wrote in a tweet, the framing of the great power relations as non-competitive is "long-standing," dating back to 2012.

"If China were to change, and to accept [the] U.S.' preferred framing, it would symbolize China compromising," he wrote, saying that would only be likely to happen when Xi met his equal, President Biden.

Sung told RFA that, symbolically, the meeting was important.

"The visuals of Xi-Blinken meeting will embolden Chinese diplomats to more proactively engage with the U.S. and possibly show a little more flexibility," he said.

Sung said that the fact that Xi had met with a U.S. envoy, someone lower than himself, showed that China was in a "gracious mood" and that would give Chinese bureaucrats "political cover" to extend olive branches and "make occasional compromises necessary to repair relations."

Another area of concern is China's apparent disdain for reestablishing military-to-military communications, which Blinken said the U.S. wants in order to avoid any miscalculations in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea turning into outright conflict.

But both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of Blinken's visit, even if there was little in the way of substantive agreement on specifics beyond returning to the agreement reached by Xi and President Joe Biden at a summit in Bali last November.

Exiled Tiananmen Square student leader Wu'er Kaixi, speaking to RFA in Taiwan, said it was possible that military-to-military exchanges were a "no go" for Beijing due to the non-negotiable nature of its claims on Taiwan. He said Beijing may also be reluctant to appear to be in too much of a hurry to offer concessions to Blinken for fear of looking weak and caving into Washington based on one visit by a U.S. Secretary of State.

Wu'er Kaixi described Blinken's statements on the U.S. position on the One-China policy and on Taiwan independence, as "new definitions of old policies, an effort to regain control of [the] narrative."

"I think it was a success, the U.S. playing their game on China's home turf," he said, adding that China cannot appear too willing to admit it has overstepped in a game of bluff and lost.

"The fact is that the whole wolf warrior diplomacy thing was a mistake and I think Blinken took that message to Beijing whether China likes it or not.

"Beijing probably realizes that it's up against a firmer, more no-nonsense U.S. administration than any it has had to deal with before," he added, while cautioning it may not signal an end to provocative military maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

State tabloid Global Times reported Monday that H-6K bombers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force had carried out nighttime sorties encircling Taiwan, without specifying when it had occurred and with no official confirmation by Taiwan at the time.

According to Sung, the fact that Xi called for cooperation rather than strategic competition signaled that "Beijing is confident enough to reject American overtures [on competition] but also that the Chinese government can engage the U.S. government more now because Xi himself reaffirmed the need for cooperation."

Sung added, "Chances are [that] functional issues such as people-to-people exchanges between students, scholars, and businesspeople will see a slow thaw, but it may not take long until tensions return again.

"Chinese military activities in the East and South China Sea as well as Taiwan Strait will likely go on unabated," said Sung.

"All it takes is another near-miss between Chinese and American warships or military jets to turn up the default temperature of US-China rhetoric up again. Like it or not, strategic competition is here to stay."

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.

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Detained gambling tycoon She Zhijiang faces repatriation to China

She's empire once formed part of Beijing's gray-to-black ops in Southeast Asia, but his star appears to have waned.

By Chen Jun for RFA Cantonese 2023.06.20 -- Chinese Communist Party officials appear to be distancing themselves from detained gambling tycoon She Zhijiang, whose casinos have been linked with massive human trafficking and online scam operations in the region, and who faces imminent repatriation to China after being arrested by Thai police in August 2022.

She, who owns property and gaming ventures in Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines, stands accused of "running illegal online gambling operations," and will likely face repatriation very soon coinciding with the expiration of his 30-day appeal period, according to an official statement and a person familiar with the case.

A deputy spokesman for Thailand's Supreme Prosecutor's Office announced that the court had issued a deportation order for She on May 25. However, the order allowed 30 days for She to appeal the decision.

Shortly afterwards, Thailand's Provincial Electricity Authority said it would cut off the power supply to Shwe Kokko, the site of She's $15 billion real estate and casino mega-project that has become notorious as a bastion of illegal activity, including drug trafficking, amid violence and unrest in post-coup Myanmar.

Meanwhile, officials linked to Beijing's international outreach and influence operations are now claiming he has no connection with a key organization carrying out its "United Front" work among overseas Chinese.

While official reports show She attending top-level meetings in Beijing in 2019 hosted by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, a known United Front organization, officials at the body said they had "no knowledge" of She's case when contacted by Radio Free Asia, and that it fell under the remit of the China Federation of Overseas Entrepreneurs instead.

However, an official at the entrepreneurs' organization said She, as a former high-ranking officer in the organization, would still be the business of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

As Chinese officials appeared pass the buck on She, a Thailand-based dissident who shared a detention center cell with him in Bangkok told Radio Free Asia that the former gambling tycoon is desperate to avoid repatriation to China amid an ongoing crackdown on human trafficking and online scams that have netted thousands of victims across the region in recent years.

According to court documents shared with the dissident by She, he had once been a valued collaborator for the Chinese authorities, and was put in touch with state security police in the southern island province of Hainan and given a handler to provide intelligence for Beijing.

United Front darling

She, a former Cambodian national who was granted Chinese citizenship during his 2019 Beijing trip, now fears that his most basic human rights won't be protected and is calling on the international community to help prevent his repatriation to China, the dissident, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, said.

She wouldn't be the first former darling of the United Front system to face repercussions back home amid an ongoing anti-corruption and anti-espionage campaign that typically nets people who have fallen out of political favor under general secretary Xi Jinping, or who are considered insufficiently loyal to China's supreme leader.

In May, a court in the eastern city of Suzhou handed down a life sentence to 78-year-old American citizen John Leung, who headed a Beijing-backed overseas Chinese community group, after finding him guilty of "espionage." Leung had also previously been photographed alongside high-ranking Communist Party officials.

"She Zhijiang made his name and fortune in Myawaddy, an extremely sensitive area in the hands of the Chinese," the dissident said, referring to an area in southeastern Myanmar's Kayin state, where She's Yatai Corp is a major investor in the Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone.

While the Shwe Kokko mega-project along the Thaungyin River was initially promoted as a way to spur economic growth and deliver material benefits to the local community, it has gained notoriety more as a bastion of illegal activity, according to a report by the Washington-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies, C4ADS, an independent research outfit that studies transnational organized crime networks.

According to the dissident, She believes that his army of some 5,000 mercenaries and his deep connections in the local area should protect him from the worst form of political retaliation on his return to China. Yet he still fears he could receive the death penalty.

"I told him he has been abandoned by the Communist Party, who can easily deal with other people under his command," the dissident said, adding that She had handed over copies of hundreds of pages of court trial records and other documents and asked him to make them public.

Much of the material details close cooperation between She and Chinese Communist Party officials, including his recruitment as an agent by the state security police.

They also allege that he paid up to two million yuan in bribes to An Chen, secretary-general of the China Federation of Overseas Entrepreneurs.

Personal fiefdom

According to the dissident, She ran afoul of Beijing after he grew extremely powerful in Myawaddy, and wanted to run the Asia-Pacific City complex in the Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone as his personal fiefdom, something that the Chinese Communist Party couldn't countenance owing to the strategic importance of the area, which is close to the border with Thailand.

Chinese state media reports from the time of She's arrest described She as the "Asia-Pacific City online scam king," whose operation in Myawaddy had attracted more than 100 casino and scam companies to Asia-Pacific City.

"Amid a vast network of vested interests and transactions, crimes like smuggling, kidnapping, human trafficking, fraud, assault, extortion are densely intertwined and span Southeast Asia and China," the August 2022 Phoenix News report on She's arrest said.

"She Zhijiang, who has changed his nationality and who has multiple pseudonyms, rules the roost like an emperor."

According to the dissident, none of these activities could have taken place in Myanmar without the knowledge and collusion of the Chinese Communist Party.

"You can't do this stuff with no backing - behind them are governments and warlords," he said. "The Chinese Communist Party controls 100% of this place."

Another person familiar with organized crime in the region agreed that the Chinese government is heavily involved with organizations carrying out criminal activities in the region, including in Myawaddy, Sihanoukville and the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, a gambling and tourism hub catering to the Chinese and situated along the Mekong River where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand converge.

"There's a man called Zhao Wei in the Golden Triangle SEZ who has leased a piece of land for 99 years, and the place is full of gray-to-black operations," the person said. "The entire area is under his control ... and he is engaged in scams, human trafficking and wild animal trafficking around there."

"Basically 80% of the scamming industry in Southeast Asia is run by people from Fujian [province]," he said.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Paul Eckert.

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.

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Qatar Signs Second Long-Term LNG Deal With China in Year

Sputnik News

20230620

DOHA (Sputnik) - Qatari state-owned petroleum company QatarEnergy and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on Tuesday signed the second long-term deal on the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) between the two countries in less than a year.

The contract provides for the delivery of 4 million tons of LNG to China annually during 27 years, state news agency reported. The signing ceremony took place in Doha, the report said.

In November 2022, QatarEnergy signed a similar contract with Chinese state company Sinopec, also for the supply of 4 million tonnes of LNG to China annually during 27 years.

A Sputnik

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Reports Claim China in 'Advanced' Talks to Build Training Base in Cuba

Sputnik News

20230620

Fantine Gardinier

While China has zero combat troops in the Western Hemisphere, the United States has more than 350,000 deployed across the Pacific region, including more than 100 on Taiwan, an island it formally recognizes as being Chinese territory. Washington says it is safeguarding the "rules-based international order" by doing so.

A Tuesday report in the US media has claimed China is in talks with Cuba to build a joint training base on the north coast of the Caribbean island.

The report is based on information from anonymous "current and former US officials" and claims the talks "are at an advanced stage but not concluded." It also alleges the Biden administration has reached out to Havana to try and delay or block the deal.

According to the paper, the information was contained in "highly classified new US intelligence," described by officials as "convincing but fragmentary." They said US officials have "different levels of alarm" about the reports.

The White House has not commented on the reports, nor the Cuban government; the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, referred the paper to a previous Chinese government statement about alleged China-Cuba negotiations that called Washington an "expert in chasing shadows" in other countries and meddling in their affairs.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on Tuesday she was "not aware" of the report, adding that "we hope relevant parties will focus their time and efforts on doing things that are conducive to mutual trust and regional peace, stability and development."

Previous 'Inaccurate' Report

The report comes less than two weeks after the media outlet claimed Beijing and Havana had signed a multibillion-dollar deal to build a spy base in Cuba to conduct signals intelligence on the US. China and Cuba both denounced the report as "totally mendacious and unfounded" and even the White House National Security Council called the report "inaccurate."

A few days later, another anonymous Biden administration official told several US media outlets that China had operated a listening post in Cuba since 2019 - a situation US President Joe Biden "inherited" from his predecessor, former US President Donald Trump.

"This is an ongoing issue, and not a new development, and the arrangement as characterized in the reporting does not comport with our understanding," the official was quoted as saying.

A Cold Detente

The reports have come amid a visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with senior Chinese diplomatic leaders, including President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and the Communist Party's foreign policy chief, Wang Yi. The trip was delayed from February after the US shot down a Chinese high altitude balloon that Washington claimed was a spying device, but which Beijing said was a civilian scientific airship that was blown off course.

The visit was aimed at returning US-China relations to the cold detente established by Xi and Biden at their Bali meeting last November, which followed a nadir in relations caused by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022.

The island is a Chinese province in rebellion, which has been controlled by a US-backed government since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. It is about 100 miles from mainland China - roughly the same distance as Cuba is from the US - and has long been host to US forces, which were recently revealed as having secretly operated there for years.

Washington has recognized the "One China" policy since 1979, when it dropped formal relations with Taipei and opened them with Beijing, and China's protests over US "provocations" by supporting Taiwan are typically rooted in this agreement.

The US has doubled down on this open but informal support amid its strategic move toward "great power competition" with Russia and China, seeing Taiwan as a key stronghold in the "First Island Chain," a string of archipelagos off the Asian coast with which Washington hopes to contain Chinese expansion.

Alienating Cuba

In addition, under Biden the US has maintained the numerous restrictions against Cuba put in place by the prior Trump administration, including 243 coercive measures that had been removed under the Obama administration. It also includes the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, which stems from Cuba's refusal to surrender Colombian guerrilla leaders to the Colombian government after they had traveled to Havana for mutually agreed-upon peace talks, which Bogota then canceled.

The measures forbid most trade and travel to Cuba by Americans and American companies, part of a 62-year-long effort to force the Cuban socialist government to crumble after it ousted the US-backed dictator of Cuba, Fulgencio Batista, in 1959. The United Nations has voted for years to condemn the US blockade, and the Cuban delegation to the UN has denounced the sanctions and the chronic shortages of basic goods they cause as "an act of genocide and economic warfare" against the Cuban people.

A Sputnik

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Blinken Highlights Need for Direct Engagement in US, China Talks

By Nike Ching June 20, 2023

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday the United States and China have an obligation to manage their relationship responsibly, and that he told Chinese leaders during meetings in Beijing that direct engagement is the best way to ensure disagreements do not turn into conflict.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Blinken said he had candid and substantive discussions Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi.

"I would expect additional visits by senior U.S. officials to China over the coming weeks," Blinken said during a news conference. He added that Washington welcomes further visits by Chinese officials to the United States.

Xi called on the U.S. side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude, and work with China in the same direction, according to a statement issued by the Chinese government.

While both sides agreed on the need to stabilize communication, Blinken will not return to Washington with an agreement from the Chinese side to set up military-to-military communication channels.

"At this moment, China has not agreed to move forward with that," Blinken said.

Washington says military communication lines should remain open in the event of a crisis.

Ali Wyne, a senior analyst with Eurasia Group's Global Macro-Geopolitics practice, said in an email to VOA that while it is concerning that China did not accept Blinken's proposal to establish military communication channels, Xi's decision to meet with Blinken "suggests that China, not just the United States, appreciates the importance of slowing the deterioration of U.S.-China ties."

"The trip will not a and was not a expected to change the fundamentally and intensely competitive nature of U.S.-China relations, but it will give the two countries an opportunity to increase the frequency and broaden the scope of high-level dialogues," he said.

Blinken said he raised U.S. concerns about provocative Chinese actions in the Taiwan Strait. He said he reiterated that the United States does not support Taiwan independence and that it continues to expect the peaceful resolution of cross-strait differences.

US ready to cooperate, says Blinken

For decades, the U.S. has been clear that its decision to establish diplomatic relations with China in 1979 rested on the expectation that "the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means," as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act.

Moritz Rudolf, a research scholar at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center, told VOA's Mandarin Service in a phone interview that Blinken's comments on Taiwan were "key for the Chinese side" to hear.

He said that while expectations were low for Blinken's visit and there were no major breakthroughs, the talks did not go "as bad as some people might have anticipated."

"I think it went fairly well because ... this visit laid the foundation for more visits and more exchanges in the future," he said.

Blinken told reporters he also raised human rights issues, including international concerns about the treatment of people in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, as well as the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens in China.

Blinken also said the United States is ready to cooperate with China on issues of mutual interest. He said those include climate change, macroeconomic stability, public health, food security and counter-narcotics efforts.

The United States and China have also agreed to set up "a working group" of joint efforts to address the illicit flow of fentanyl, according to Blinken.

Blinken, who arrived in Beijing Sunday, is the highest-level U.S. official to visit China since 2018. His trip was rescheduled from February after a Chinese surveillance balloon flew through U.S. airspace and was shot down.

Americans wrongfully detained in China

Children of Americans who the U.S. considers wrongfully detained by Chinese authorities had asked Blinken to raise their fathers' cases with his Chinese counterparts.

"Behind every hostage is a family suffering every day," the Bring Our Families Home Campaign said in a tweet on Sunday.

"This Sunday will be the 7th time I've missed Father's Day with my dad," said Harrison Li. "Releasing my dad is one of the easiest things that the Chinese government can do to show they are serious about normalizing relations."

Harrison Li's father, Kai Li, is an American citizen who has been detained in China since September 2016. He was later sentenced to 10 years in prison for espionage, a charge his family rejects.

Alice Lin is the daughter of American pastor David Lin, who was detained under unclear circumstances in 2006 and later sentenced to life in prison on charges of contract fraud. Lin's family staunchly maintains his innocence. Lin's sentence was later reduced, and he is expected to be released in 2029.

"Secretary Blinken, we miss my dad. Please do everything possible to bring him home," Lin told VOA.

Taiwan

Washington has said China's military escalation in the Taiwan Strait was "a global concern."

A senior State Department official told VOA it is an "abiding interest" of the U.S. to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China is seen as ramping up economic coercion targeting Taiwan ahead of its presidential election.

In May, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told senators that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could halt the world's largest advanced semiconductor production, wiping out up to $1 trillion per year.

"I will say this number is way too small," because it only costs about 6% of China's gross domestic product, said Chen-Yu Li, chief economist of Taishin Financial Holdings in Taiwan.

Li said a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait will affect other Asian economies such as Japan and South Korea, whose GDP totals at least $5 trillion. He also cited the market value of tech giants such as Apple, Nvidia and AMD, which Li estimates is at least $3 trillion.

"If Taiwan is under attack, the stock market in the U.S. may vanish $3 trillion," Li said during a May 12 event hosted by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"If I am Xi Jinping, I'll be very happy to attack Taiwan. It's just 6%," Li said.

Some information for this story came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb and Si Yang of VOA's Mandarin Service contributed to this report.

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Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to North Korea

June 20, 2023

On June 26, 2008, by Executive Order 13466, the President declared a national emergency with respect to North Korea pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula. The President also found that it was necessary to maintain certain restrictions with respect to North Korea that would otherwise have been lifted pursuant to Proclamation 8271 of June 26, 2008, which terminated the exercise of authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq.) with respect to North Korea.

On August 30, 2010, the President signed Executive Order 13551, which expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by the continued actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, manifested by its unprovoked attack that resulted in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Navy ship Cheonan and the deaths of 46 sailors in March 2010; its announced test of a nuclear device and its missile launches in 2009; its actions in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874, including the procurement of luxury goods; and its illicit and deceptive activities in international markets through which it obtains financial and other support, including money laundering, the counterfeiting of goods and currency, bulk cash smuggling, and narcotics trafficking, which destabilize the Korean Peninsula and imperil United States Armed Forces, allies, and trading partners in the region.

On April 18, 2011, the President signed Executive Order 13570 to take additional steps to address the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 and expanded in Executive Order 13551 that would ensure implementation of the import restrictions contained in United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 and complement the import restrictions provided for in the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.).

On January 2, 2015, the President signed Executive Order 13687 to expand the scope of, and to take further steps with respect to, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, as expanded in Executive Order 13551, and addressed further in Executive Order 13570, to address the threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, including its destructive, coercive cyber-related actions during November and December 2014, actions in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874, 2087, and 2094, and commission of serious human rights abuses.

On March 15, 2016, the President signed Executive Order 13722 to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps in subsequent Executive Orders, to address the Government of North Korea's continuing pursuit of its nuclear and missile programs, as evidenced by its February 7, 2016, launch using ballistic missile technology and its January 6, 2016, nuclear test in violation of its obligations pursuant to numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions and in contravention of its commitments under the September 19, 2005, Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks, that increasingly imperils the United States and its allies.

On September 20, 2017, the President signed Executive Order 13810 to take further steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps in subsequent Executive Orders, to address the provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, including its intercontinental ballistic missile launches of July 3 and July 28, 2017, and its nuclear test of September 2, 2017; its commission of serious human rights abuses; and its use of funds generated through international trade to support its nuclear and missile programs and weapons proliferation.

The existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula and the actions and policies of the Government of North Korea continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, expanded in scope in Executive Order 13551, addressed further in Executive Order 13570, further expanded in scope in Executive Order 13687, and under which additional steps were taken in Executive Order 13722 and Executive Order 13810, must continue in effect beyond June 26, 2023. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 with respect to North Korea.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

June 20, 2023.

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Macron calls on Europe to shun US, develop own air defenses

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 11:12 AM

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European nations to develop their own air defenses, and to move away from relying too much on the United States.

"We need to know what the threat situation is ... And then, what are we, Europeans, able to produce? And what do we then need to buy?" Macron emphasized at a one-day conference in Paris of defense ministers and other military representatives of 20 European nations on Monday.

He further pushed for European military equipment manufacturers to build independent warfare systems and relocate production on the continent, calling for enhanced European standards and warning the participants against purchasing immediately "what's on the shelves."

"Why do we still need to buy American too often? Because Americans have standardized much more than we have, and they themselves have federal agencies that provide massive subsidies to their manufacturers," the French leader then underlined.

According to French organizers of the event, discussions included the need to develop anti-drone systems and ballistic missile defense as the raging Ukraine conflict has demonstrated their significance.

Macron's remarks come as Europeans have increasingly relied on military systems built from American and Israeli components.

The French president had previously also called on European countries to lower their dependence on the US dollar and to develop more strategic autonomy.

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June 20, 2023

By David Vergun , DOD News

U.S., India Rapidly Expand Their Military Cooperation

This is a transformational moment in the U.S.-India defense partnership, a senior Defense Department official said at the Pentagon today.

"To have the world's largest democracies with some of the most innovative workers and companies working more closely together on strategic technologies and how we can leverage them for security is a natural next step in this relationship," the official said during a briefing.

The United States and India are increasingly doing things in their defense partnership that people wouldn't have said was possible 20 years ago, the official said.

For instance, 20 years ago, there were no U.S. defense sales to India at all, the official said. "Now, we're talking about co-producing and co-developing major systems together."

Also, India is joining the U.S. in annual air and maritime exercises in the region, the official said.

"We now have working groups on everything ranging from cyberspace and critical technologies to maritime security, and India is leading in those forums together with the U.S. and like-minded partners," the official said.

Critical technologies include artificial intelligence, advanced sensor development, unmanned systems, quantum physics and undersea domain awareness, the official said.

India will be a critical strategic partner with the United States in the coming decades. India's growing commitment to playing a more engaged international role, including in the Indo-Pacific Quad, demonstrates a new and growing willingness to join the United States to protect and advance a shared vision of a free, open and rules-based global order, the official said.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly called the Quad, is a strategic security dialogue among Australia, India, Japan and the United States.

Tomorrow, the new INDUS X initiative takes place, bringing together U.S. and Indian stakeholders, research and academic institutions, industry, small startups and investors.

That initiative will focus on accelerating and scaling up commercial technologies that have military applications, providing agreed-upon standards for certification and testing, and making it easier for startups to move their technology into the defense spaces and obtain the capital to do so, the official said.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the event, INDUS X will be held in Washington just prior to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's White House visit.

"INDUS X has the potential to be a catalyst for India to achieve its target of $5 billion in defense exports by 2025 and for India to diversify its defense supply chain. The conference will feature a defense exhibition where firms will showcase technologies and platforms that can benefit both countries' border security, maritime domain awareness, space situational awareness and more, contributing to a more stable and secure Indo-Pacific region," according to a statement on the Chamber's website.

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Prime Minister's departure statement ahead of his visit to USA and Egypt

India - Ministry of External Affairs

June 20, 2023

I am travelling to the United States of America on a State Visit at the invitation of President Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies.

I will commence my visit in New York, where I will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community. I look forward to this special celebration at the very location that supported India's proposal in December 2014 to recognize an International Day of Yoga.

I will thereafter travel to Washington D.C. President Biden and I have had the opportunity to meet several times since my last Official Visit to the USA in September 2021. This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership.

India-US ties are multifaceted, with deepening engagements across sectors. USA is India's largest trade partner in goods and services. We collaborate closely in science & technology, education, health, defence and security fields. The initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration to defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, Artificial Intelligence and biotech sectors. Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

My discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate our bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF.

I will also have the pleasure of joining President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for the State Banquet along with a number of dignitaries.

The US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties. During my visit, I will address a Joint Session of the US Congress at the invitation of Congressional leadership.

Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries. I look forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies. I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains.

I am confident that my visit to the US will reinforce our ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom. Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges.

I will travel to Cairo from Washington D.C. at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. I am excited to pay a State Visit to a close and friendly country for the first time.

We had the pleasure of receiving President Sisi as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day celebrations this year. These two visits in the span of a few months is a reflection of our rapidly evolving partnership with Egypt, which was elevated to a 'Strategic Partnership' during President Sisi's visit.

I look forward to my discussions with President Sisi and senior members of the Egyptian Government to impart further momentum to our civilizational and multi-faceted partnership. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora in Egypt.

New Delhi

June 20, 2023

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U.S. Prepared To Raise Russian Oil, Arms Purchases Even While Feting Modi During State Visit

By RFE/RL June 20, 2023

WASHINGTON -- White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there will be "deliverables" on the defense cooperation front when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington later this week, but declined to provide details.

Kirby acknowledged at a briefing on June 20 that India would be pressed regarding its Russian oil and arms purchases during the state visit, adding that Ukraine is "without question" going to be a topic of discussion.

However, he emphasized that the United States would make Indian sovereignty a priority in the discussions, noting that India "should and must speak for itself" on where it stands.

Kirby suggested the meeting would focus more on U.S.-Indian ties than on India's relationship with Russia.

"The state visit is not about Russia. What we're trying to do...is improve the bilateral relationship on its own," he said.

India has not condemned Russia's war in Ukraine and has frustrated Western countries by increasing its imports of Russian oil and defense equipment.

However, Kirby called India "a terrific contributor" to humanitarian aid to Ukraine so far.

"Through statements and through votes at the UN, India has made it clear its deep concern about what Russia is doing inside Ukraine," Kirby said.

Additionally, he praised India's adherence to the price cap on Russian oil, which he said "has proven effective" in both keeping the supply stable while simultaneously limiting revenues flowing to the Russian state. Kirby said he hopes India will continue to buy within the price cap to limit Moscow's war funds.

Modi was upbeat as he left for the trip, his fifth to the United States since he became prime minister in 2014 but the first with the full status of a state visit.

"We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas," Modi said on Twitter on June 20.

After arriving in New York City on the first stop of his visit, he posted a link to an interview he did with The Wall Street Journal in which he said that ties between New Delhi and Washington are stronger and deeper than ever. He also responded to the criticism of India's stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I don't think this type of perception is widespread in the U.S.," he said in the interview. "I think India's position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that India's top-most priority is peace."

Kirby also said he would welcome any role India wanted to play in building peace in Ukraine, but he would not be able to give any details until after the discussions take place.

Modi is scheduled on June 22 to address a joint meeting of the House and Senate -- one of the highest honors Washington affords to foreign dignitaries -- followed by a state dinner.

Kirby said that he expects additional discussions to be centered around global health, emerging technologies, and climate change. President Joe Biden has made clear he sees U.S. ties to India as a defining relationship that will jointly address some of the most difficult global challenges and China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific.

The president was reminded by members of Congress as Modi arrived to raise human rights issues.

Seventy-five Democratic members of Congress -- 18 senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives -- said in a letter to Biden that they "stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy."

They asked the president to "discuss the full range of issues important to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship between our two great countries."

With reporting by Shelby Rayer in Washington

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/modi-india-russia- ukraine-state-visit-united-states/32468054.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.

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Raisi says sanctions harm people more than governments

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 20, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said that sanctions are ostensibly imposed on governments of countries, but in practice, all the pressure is suffered by the people of those countries.

During a regional visit to the three Latin American countries last week, Raisi told Telesur TV channel in an interview, parts of which were published by the IRNA on Tuesday, that strengthening relations between independent and sanctioned countries is one of the ways to nullify the sanctions.

He said in the interview that the the Islamic Republic of Iran wants to be an independent country, adding that Iranians will continue to reject any oppression.

We do not oppress anyone, nor do we tolerate oppression by others, said Raisi, adding that the attitude has never changed since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.

He also said that countries that want to live independently do not make malevolent acts, but those countries that interfere in the affairs of independent countries are the ones that carry out such malicious acts.

Unilateralism should end and multilateralism should replace it in the world, Raisi said, adding that the injustices against human rights practices and the people must end.

Pointing to the peaceful nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian president highlighted that the country does not seek acquiring nuclear weapons at all and the investigations into Iran's nuclear activities confirm that the country is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

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IRGC forces neutralize explosive device in Iran's Alborz

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 20, 2023

Karaj, IRNA -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces have discovered and neutralized an explosive device in Hashtgerd City in the northern province of Alborz.

IRGC's Imam Hassan Mojtabi base in Alborz province told IRNA on Monday that the explosive device had been discovered in a waste dump near a high-voltage substation and a gas pressure reduction station.

"The explosive device was discovered at noon today in a district in Hashtgerd city," Ali Choubdari said on Monday, adding that four foreign nationals has been arrested in connection to the case.

"The discovered item included two explosives weighing three kilograms, half a kilogram of nails, and a remote control," he added.

The explosives were neutralized by the IRGC's explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) forces, Choubdari added.

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Qatar seeks comprehensive development of ties with Iran: Qatari emir tells visiting FM

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 2:49 PM

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says his country seeks comprehensive development of relations with Iran, while hailing the existing "strong" ties between the two nations.

The Qatari emir made the remarks during a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in the capital Doha on Tuesday, as he asked the top Iranian diplomat to convey his greetings to President Ebrahim Raeisi.

He went on to describe Iran as an important country in the region which holds a special position, calling for the development of economic relations between the two countries.

Sheikh Tamim further stated that economic relations between Doha and Tehran are improving. However, he said, the two countries have not reached their goals yet and they need to make efforts to elevate their cooperation to the desired level.

Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, hailed the effective role of Doha in resolving regional problems in recent years, while conveying the warm greetings of President Raeisi to the Qatari emir.

He also called for expanding the political and economic relations between Tehran and Doha, describing the upcoming meeting of the two countries' joint economic commission as "a favorable opportunity" for accelerating economic and trade cooperation.

Regional peace and stability, as well as the developments in Afghanistan and Palestine, were among other issues discussed in the meeting.

Amir-Abdollahian left Tehran for Qatar's capital late Monday to discuss bilateral relations as well as major regional and international developments with high-ranking Qatari officials.

The Iranian foreign minister left Doha for Oman's capital city of Muscat following his talks in Qatar.

Referring to Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Qatar and Oman, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kan'ani in a tweet on Tuesday wrote that the region is witnessing positive developments as its countries increase interaction and dialogue.

Since its inauguration, President Raeisi's administration has been diligently pursuing a good-neighborliness policy to cement ties with the nations in the region.

During Raeisi's visit to Doha in February 2022, Iran and Qatar signed 14 memoranda of understanding in the fields of aviation, trade, shipping, media, cancellation of visa requirements, electricity, standards, education and culture.

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Iran Navy chief in Pakistan to boost military cooperation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 7:46 AM

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani is in Pakistan to discuss ways on improving bilateral cooperation in various military fields.

Heading a senior military delegation, Irani arrived in Islamabad on Monday on an official three-day visit at the invitation of Chief of Pakistan's Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi.

According to a Pakistan Navy news release, Irani visited Naval Headquarters in Islamabad and was welcomed by his Pakistani counterpart and reviewed a guard of honor.

During the meeting between the Iranian and Pakistani navy commanders, issues of mutual interest including bilateral maritime, defensive, and educational cooperation and the exchange of naval delegations were discussed.

Irani and Niazi also exchanged views about regional collaborations and maritime security in the region.

Niazi briefed Irani and his accompanying delegation on the professional activities of Pakistani naval forces to maintain maritime security and bolster bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

According to Pakistan's Navy, Irani's current visit to Islamabad would be an important step to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' naval forces.

Meanwhile, in a meeting between Irani and Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, the two military commanders stressed the importance of improving military, educational, and aviation cooperation.

"The meeting between Irani and Baber Sidhu is a testament to the deep-rooted friendship and unwavering commitment of the two nations to work towards a peaceful and stable region," Pakistan's Air Force said in a statement.

The Pakistani marshal highlighted that the advancement in space, electronic warfare, cyber and niche technologies coupled with artificial intelligence had profoundly affected the traditional environment of national security.

He briefed the visiting dignitary on various projects which are being conducted by the Pakistan Air Force with a special focus on modernization and development of indigenous capabilities.

"Tehran and Islamabad enjoy longstanding religious, cultural, and historical bonds which are manifested through strong ties between both sides," the Pakistani air chief said.

The Iranian Navy commander commended the professionalism of Pakistan Air Force personnel and the exceptional progress made by the PAF on its path to modernization Pakistan's Air Force said.

Irani also appreciated Pakistan's continuous efforts for regional stability and stressed the importance of further improvement in military-to-military ties, especially in the domains of operations, training, and the aviation industry.

Earlier this month, Irani announced that the Islamic Republic plans to form new regional and extra-regional alliances to enhance security.

He also named Pakistan among other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Iraq that are eager for collective naval cooperation.

Virtually all the countries located in the northern areas of the Indian Ocean have come to the conclusion that they should stand by Iran and jointly establish security through enhanced synergy, he added.

While the Israeli regime and its traditional ally, the US, have dreamed of a "NATO-like" anti-Iran alliance in the region, their dream shattered, as a number of Persian Gulf Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia, realigned their alliance and restored their relations with Iran.

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Iranian Group Says Letter Reveals Prosecutor Knew Of Naked Body Searches Of Female Prisoners

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda June 20, 2023

The Iranian hacktivist group Edalat-e Ali has published documents that it says show that a top Iranian prosecutor confirmed that a "full naked body inspection" of a female political prisoner had taken place at a police detention center.

The information, which Edalat-e Ali said it obtained by hacking into Iran's judiciary, came to light amid multiple complaints from women who have been subjected to such intrusive searches in Iranian prisons.

Edalat-e Ali, which claims to work inside Iran to expose the "true face of the regime," said that the confidential documents reveal that Ahmad Rahmaniyan, first deputy of the public and revolutionary prosecutor, last year wrote to the head of the judiciary's Protection and Information Office confirming that the inspection of political prisoner Mojgan Kavousi was conducted in October 2021 in several stages at the Karaj Information and Security Police Detention Center.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) had previously reported that Kavousi spent three days in the police detention center during her transfer to Kachouei Prison in Karaj. She was held among defendants charged with crimes and was subjected to a "full naked body inspection," according to HRANA. The report also highlighted the mistreatment and insults she endured from law enforcement officers.

Rahmaniyan's letter was a response to a communication from the Judiciary's Protection and Information Office to his boss, Ali Alghasi-Mehr, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Tehran. The office wrote the communication to inquire about the searches.

The response from Rahmaniyan, classified as confidential, was first unveiled by the BBC's Persian Service and referred to HRANA's report on the treatment of Kavousi.

The Judiciary's Protection and Information Office confirmed in the communication that Kavousi was held with ordinary criminal defendants for three days in the police detention center and was "disrespected and mistreated by officers."

Numerous other political and civil prisoners have reported inhumane and illegal treatment of prisoners in Iran, especially female detainees, and have called for international organizations to investigate the situation in Iranian prisons.

In one of the accounts, women's rights activist Mojgan Keshavarz described her treatment during her detention in 2019. Keshavarz said last month that government officials forced her to completely undress for a photo and -- allegedly to ensure that she had not hidden a mobile phone in her vagina -- forced her to "sit and stand" with her "legs open."

Keshavarz's narrative was echoed soon afterward on social media by other women who said they had been subjected to similar treatment.

Zeinab Zaman, another activist, said that after her arrest she was forced to strip naked in the detention center building and another time in the courthouse.

A week after Zaman's complaint, the Islamic republic's judiciary responded to the revelations in a statement, writing that in cases where there is a "need for a full body check," these types of inspections are carried out "in accordance with legal, religious, and privacy considerations," and that female prisoners are inspected only by female officers.

The statement did not explain how the full body searches of female prisoners are conducted to meet the considerations.

The statement continued that if individuals claim they have been inspected "outside the standards," they should present their cases to the Prisons Organization's Inspection and Security and Educational Measures so that the matter can be pursued.

The number of females detained in Iran has grown since the death of Mahsa Amini in September while in police custody for an alleged head-scarf offense.

Women have been at the forefront of the unrest that Amini's death unleashed in Iran, posing one of the biggest challenges to authorities since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-naked-body-searches- top-prosecutor-police/32468025.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.

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EU, Kazakhstan In Contact On Preventing Russia Sanctions Evasion, Steinmeier Says

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service June 20, 2023

ASTANA -- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters after talks with Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev in Astana on June 20 that the European Union and the energy-rich Central Asian nation are in close contact on preventing the evasion of Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

"We need to beef up all possible efforts to prevent the evasion of sanctions. And we heard during our talks that there are close contacts between Kazakh agencies and the EU agencies about these issues," Steinmeier said.

Steinmeier hailed Kazakhstan's efforts to work out new routes bypassing Russia to transport its exports to the European market as Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine continues.

Steinmeier also supported an agreement of additional oil supplies from Kazakhstan to Germany signed by German and Kazakh officials during his visit.

According to the deal, a refinery in the German town of Schwedt will receive 100,000 tons of crude oil per month by the end of next year.

Steinmeier emphasized that the agreement's implementation will secure the future of the Schwedt refinery and fuel supplies in eastern Germany.

oqaev did not mention the issue of sanctions evasion, saying only that Kazakhstan "is ready to actively participate in the resolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine by diplomatic means."

In March, David O'Sullivan, the European Union's special envoy for the implementation of sanctions, called on Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations in Moscow's political and economic sphere to avoid assisting Moscow's attempts to evade sanctions imposed on Russia.

Kazakhstan is one of Russia's active trading partners and a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, a trading bloc dominated by Russia that also includes Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. The grouping was conceived by Moscow as a counterweight to the European Union, though experts view it as being mainly a way for Moscow to exert economic leverage over the other countries.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the EU and the United States have sanctioned thousands of entities and individuals, while the U.S. Commerce Department has imposed prohibitive controls on exports to Russia and its ally Belarus.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-steinmeier- kazakhstan-russia-sanctions-evasion/32467746.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.

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Junta announces deaths of 5 people accused of attacking police station

They were among 34 villagers arrested in connection with the raid in Myanmar's Bago region.

By RFA Burmese 2023.06.20 -- Junta authorities have announced the deaths of four men and a woman, arrested in connection with an attack on a police station in Myanmar's central Bago region, a local People's Defense Force militia group told RFA this week.

They were among 34 locals arrested on suspicion of involvement in the April 27 attack on the police station in Waw township's Nyaung Khar Shey village.

On Monday, an official of the Waw township People Defense Force told RFA that families had been notified of the deaths of 53-year old Tin Myo Khaing; 52-year-old Win Zaw Htay; 45-year-old San Shey; 60-year-old Mya Thein; and 35-year-old Kyaw Myint Thein, all from villages in the township.

They were told to hold funerals but did not receive the bodies.

"Family members were called to see the body of Myint Thein from Kyon Par village last month," said the official, who declined to be named for security reasons.

"He was shot and caught as he tried to flee from the roof of his house ... We don't know when the other people arrested died and did not see their bodies."

The official added that two other men, San Shey and Kyaw Myint Thein, were shot before their arrests.

RFA tried to contact the families but they didn't want to talk because of safety concerns.

Calls to the junta spokesperson for Bago region, Tin Oo, seeking information on the deaths went unanswered.

People's Defense Joint Forces attacked the police station in April, leading to a police roundup of locals over several days. They took in 20 people for questioning on April 27 and 28 and another 14 on May 1.

Locals said they don't know if those arrested will be charged or released and RFA has been unable to contact the local police.

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.

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5th Round of Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Political Consultations

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The fifth round of Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Islamabad on 20 June 2023. Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, led their respective sides. Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Zamir Kabulov was also part of the Russian delegation.

The two sides engaged in comprehensive and productive discussions to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and to deepen understanding on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The talks encompassed a wide range of topics including political, economic, defence, energy and people-to-people contacts.

The two sides reiterated their strong desire to deepen and diversify bilateral relations based on the principles of mutual understanding, trust and cooperation. They also expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of cooperation in the field of energy and agreed to expand cooperation in higher education, culture and science and technology. In the realm of security cooperation, the delegations reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in combating terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

The two delegations agreed to enhance cooperation in multilateral forums and exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East and South Asia. Agreeing that the dividends of peace in Afghanistan would be beneficial for the entire region, they reaffirmed support for efforts for sustainable peace, stability and continued humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

The Consultations provided an opportunity to review the trajectory of Pakistan-Russia relations and to explore new areas of cooperation particularly in the context of commemorating the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-Russia diplomatic relations this year. The next round of Pakistan- Russia Bilateral Political Consultations would be held in Moscow on mutually convenient dates.

Islamabad

20 June 2023

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Pakistan Signs $4.8 Billion Nuclear Power Plant Deal With China

By Ayaz Gul June 20, 2023

Pakistan and China signed a $4.8 billion deal Tuesday to build what would be the seventh Chinese nuclear power plant in the South Asian nation.

The 1,200-megawatt project will be installed in the central Pakistani city of Chashma, where Beijing already has built four nuclear power generation units with a collective output of nearly 1,230 megawatts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif oversaw Tuesday's signing of the memorandum of understanding between China National Nuclear Cooperation and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

According to the agreement, the Chinese company will employ its HPR 1000 technology, known as HPR1000 or Hualong One, to construct the nuclear power unit. It will be the third facility in Pakistan to feature the HPR 1000, or pressurized water reactor technology.

"Investment from China in this project to the tune of $4.8 billion sends a loud and clear message that Pakistan is a place where Chinese companies and investors continue to show their trust and faith," Sharif said.

He thanked Beijing for offering a more than $100 million discount for what is named the Chashma 5 power plant. The work on the project was initially planned to start a couple of years ago, but Sharif said the Chinese partners had not rescheduled costs despite the long delay.

"This project is part of our energy security plan to diversify the energy mix with a focus on ensuring the provision of cheap electricity to the industry & relief to the common man," the Pakistani prime minister wrote on Twitter after the ceremony.

Sharif's coalition government is struggling to deal with unprecedented economic challenges facing Pakistan, including a balance of payments crisis.

China has recently also constructed two nuclear power plants in the southern port city of Karachi, each with a 1,100-megawatt generation capacity.

Pakistani officials say the two Chinese-supplied third-generation Hualong One reactors, known as K2 and K3, cost roughly $10 billion. They are equipped with "advanced safety and foolproof security features" and have enhanced Pakistan's nuclear energy production to more than 3,500 megawatts.

"K2 and K3 are fully functional and supply 2,200 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. Similarly, nuclear power plants at Chashma are contributing more than 1,300 megawatts," a PAEC spokesman told VOA on Tuesday.

Canada helped Pakistan build its first nuclear power plant in 1972 in Karachi, producing about 80 megawatts of electricity. It is expected to be shut down soon after having served its purpose for about the full extent of the planned operation.

China maintains close defense and economic relations with staunch ally Pakistan. It has invested more than $20 billion in building road networks, power plants, and ports over the past decade under what is known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC.

Officials in both countries say the collaboration, an extension of Beijing's global Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, has created tens of thousands of jobs and ended Pakistan's crippling energy crisis.

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Lavrov says US plots meddling in Russia ahead of 2024 presidential poll

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 10:52 AM

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned of US-led efforts to wage a destabilization movement in the country ahead of its 2024 presidential poll as part of its persisting "vicious practices" of meddling in the domestic affairs of other nations.

"The forms of such interference are very diverse, including threats, blackmail and the organization of 'color revolutions'," Lavrov emphasized on Monday, in an apparent reference to the US-sponsored orange revolution in Ukraine in 2004.

Washington has continued its ongoing "vicious practices of interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign nations," he added while addressing a meeting of the country's United Russia Party.

He went on to insist that Western countries have "openly set the goal of undermining domestic political stability in our country in the context of the 2024 presidential elections."

Russia's top diplomat further recalled the unsuccessful US-backed coup attempt in Belarus six years after "the bloody coup d'Atat in Ukraine that succeeded in 2014," underlining that "this obviously won't be the last step."

Lavrov also alleged that US-led Western governments are waging a hybrid war against Moscow by using the "Kiev regime" as a tool by supplying the latest weaponry to the "Nazi activists in Ukraine," referring to the reported presence of large numbers of neo-Nazi elements among the Ukrainian armed forces.

"This policy also fits into the joint efforts by Washington and Brussels to maintain global dominance by trying to punish everyone who pursues an independent foreign policy and rejects the notorious rule-based order, he then noted, referring to the US-led NATO military alliance based in the Belgian capital.

"The Americans do not hide their intention to do all they can to contain China as well," Lavrov stressed.

Russian foreign minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the emerging trend is, however, to strengthen multi-polarity as new decision-making powers are flourishing across Eurasia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, based on the "natural, inalienable right of peoples to determine their own destiny."

This is while the Washington establishment and the mainstream media in the US have persistently accused, without evidence, Russia and other countries -- including Iran - of meddling in its congressional and presidential elections.

International observers and press reports, however, have repeatedly pointed to Washington's overt efforts to influence and meddle in the elections of many countries across the globe - through funding opposition groups, launching media campaigns against governments and even plotting coups and armed insurgencies - most especially in nations that oppose US policies and interference in their internal affairs, such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, Peru, Iran, Georgia, Pakistan, and others.

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Investigation Based On Leaked Emails Shows How Russian Oligarchs Are Avoiding Sanctions

By RFE/RL June 20, 2023

An investigation by a group of journalists led by IStories and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has revealed details on how Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle has scrambled to hide assets amid waves of international sanctions imposed on Russia since it illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its subsequent full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The groups said in a report released on June 20 that it based its findings on a leak of more than 50,000 emails and documents sent between 2013 and 2020, which shows how the billionaire brothers Boris and Arkady Rotenberg, childhood friends of Putin, move companies around the world "like chess pieces, new bank accounts opening just as others were closed, and ownership structures morphing in response to new sanctions or questions from regulators."

The investigation, which involved more than 60 journalists, did not give any details on how the emails were obtained.

"The Rotenberg Files show that despite sanctions, not only were members of Putin's family and his cronies able to keep many of their luxury assets abroad, but they were also able to continue investing in foreign assets," said IStories Editor In Chief Roman Anin. IStories is a nonprofit media outlet founded by Russia's top investigative journalists.

"For the first time, the public can see a fuller picture of the complex tactics used behind the scenes to dodge accountability," Anin added.

Sanctions against many of Russia's wealthiest people were first imposed by many Western nations after the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Moscow. Since launching its dull-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been hit with 11 more rounds of sanctions by the European Union -- targeting 1,571 people and 241 companies and affecting tens of billions of dollars in assets -- as well as from Washington and many other global allies.

The asset freezes and visa bans have sent many of Russia's wealthiest people scurrying to find safe havens for assets abroad with the assistance of many people in the West, the investigation showed.

"These oligarchs are sanctioned by the West in an attempt to punish them, and yet undermining these sanctions would be impossible without Western enablers -- lawyers, bankers, consultants, and other professionals," said OCCRP Editor-in-Chief Miranda Patrucic.

"The armies are not just on the battlefield -- they're in offices in Europe and the U.S., fueling this system to the detriment of citizens across the world," she added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-oligarchs- sanctions-avoiding-email-investigation/32467142.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.

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Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu opening remarks at the Russian Defence Ministry Board session

20.06.2023

Good afternoon, dear colleagues!

At the beginning, I would like to brief you on the course of the special military operation.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue on offensive operation in the South Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and Donetsk direction. The Kiev region deploys large amounts of western weaponry and elite units, trained by NATO instructors.

Since 4 June 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have launched 263 attack at Russian Forces positions.

Due to competent and dedicated actions of Russian units, all attacks have been repelled, the enemy failed to achieve its goals.

Judging by our information, the Armed Forces of Ukraine command plans to launch strikes at Russian Federation territory, including Crimea, with HIMARS and Storm Shadow missiles.

Deployment of these particular missiles out off the special military operation zone will be regarded as direct involvement of USA and UK in the conflict and will result in immediate retaliatory strikes at decision-making centres in Ukraine territory.

***

I would like to address the question of preparations to ARMY 2023 International Military and Technical Forum, which will be held from 14 to 20 August, first.

Last year almost 1,500 companies and organisations showcased 28,000 military and dual-purpose products at the forum.

State contracts for 525 billion rubles have been signed.

In total, 21,000 experts participated in 340 scientific and business events.

Almost 2 million visitors attended the forum.

At the moment, 41 states are willing to send delegations at the upcoming event.

Visitors from abroad will witness a dynamic display of military and dual-use export-oriented products, as well as a day of military-technical cooperation.

Basic element of future reconnaissance fire artillery systems will be demonstrated at exhibition area.

Enterprises of the defence industry complex and scientific organisations will share their knowledge, experience in improving modern weaponry, taking into account the experience of their deployment in the special military operation.

The Government of Russia and Ministry of Industry and Trade will prepare exposition on Diversification of Russia's defence industry.

For first time, the Russian Defence Ministry along with the National centre for AI (artificial intelligence) development will organise exhibition of the domestic IT and AI cutting-edge technologies.

More than 300 scientific and business events are planned to review topical aspects concerning development of the Armed Forces, the Russian defence industry complex, and international military-technical cooperation.

The successful work of the forum will require coordinated actions by the military authorities and all interested structures.

Security issues during this event must be taken under special control.

Next, we will discuss the training of military transport aviation.

The volume of military airlift is increasing every year.

This is due to an increase in the number of combat training events, exercises, snap inspections, as well as tasks within the framework of international military co-operation, including providing support for the actions of the Russian grouping in Syria and peacekeeping forces.

In addition, military transport aviation is involved in assisting Russian regions and foreign countries in extinguishing forest fires and dealing with the consequences of natural disasters.

Since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, the intensity of military transport aviation flights has more than doubled. To date, AN-124 and IL-76 aircraft have performed over 10,000 flights and transported 2,300 units of hardware, over 300,000 troops and 150,000 tonnes of cargo.

The A-50 and Il-22 aircraft conducted almost 5,000 special combat sorties.

The fleet of military transport aviation is regularly updated and its number is increasing.

In these conditions, it is necessary to continue to improve the quality of military transport aviation, paying particular attention to the training of flight crews.

***

Dear colleagues!

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the National Medical Research Centre for High Medical Technologies - Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital.

By the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation for the great contribution to the development of national medicine, high achievements in health protection of the Armed Forces personnel, the centre was awarded the state award - the Order of Alexander Nevsky. By order of the Minister of Defence, the Centre was presented with the banner of honour.

I congratulate the staff of the Centre on this great event. Our medical personnel are fulfiling their duty with honour.

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Putin, African Delegation Note Importance of Russian Grain Supplies to Africa - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20230620

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a productive conversation with the African delegation, the sides noted the importance of supplies of Russian grain to the poorest countries in Africa, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

"The importance of grain deliveries was emphasized [during the talks], but from Russia's point of view, primarily Russian grain to the African continent, to the poorest countries, the importance of continuing these deliveries was really stressed," Peskov told reporters.

On Chinese Foreign Affairs

The level of the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership makes us confident that Beijing's efforts to build relations with other nations are not against Moscow, stated Peskov.

"Our strategic partnership ties with China make us confident that [Beijing's] development of relations with other countries will never be directed against our country," he said, stressing that China has sovereign right to build relations with US.

On Military Prisoners Exchange With Kiev Regime

Exchanges of military prisoners between Russian and Ukraine is a "delicate" issue that needs to be handled without unnecessary publicity, Kremlin spokesman stated.

Earlier in the day, Sputnik obtained a copy of a letter sent by Ukrainian Peace Restoration Center official Alexander Smirnov to prisoner affairs official Dmitry Usov, in which he writes that Kiev has divided its prisoners in Russian custody into several categories according to their exchange priority.

"I would prefer not to comment on the topic of exchanges. It is quite a delicate issue, a hard and meticulous work which needs to be carried out in silence," Peskov told reporters, when asked what was the Kremlin's opinion on Kiev's approach and whether Moscow had prisoners in its custody whom it would not agree to exchange due to the severity of their crimes.

The Ukrainian prisoner classification prioritizes combat-ready soldiers and officers of the nationalist Azov battalion (banned in Russia), followed by rare military occupational specialties. Regular Ukrainian soldiers with wounds preventing them from continuing service are lowest priority, Smirnov wrote to Usov.

In August 2022, the Russian Supreme Court designated Azov as a terrorist organization. According to the Russian Prosecutor General's office, Azov militants use prohibited means and methods of warfare and are complicit in the torture of civilians and killings of children.

Astana Meeting on Syria Settlement

Dmitry Peskov urged the public not to pin too high hopes on a meeting on Syria in Astana, saying that the settlement of the crisis is a very long path.

A four-way meeting between the deputy foreign ministers of Russia, Turkiye, Syria and Iran on normalizing relations between Ankara and Damascus is being held in Astana on Tuesday.

"This is a continuation of the path, a very long path. Of course, one should not pin too high hopes, but the work continues and will continue. Russia keeps adhering to its consistent policy," spokesman said, when asked what the Kremlin expected from the negotiations on the Syrian settlement in Astana.

A Sputnik

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Russia Does Not See CSTO as Counterweight to NATO

Sputnik News

20230620

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Top Russian Diplomat Sergey Lavrov spoke to journalists after a CSTO foreign ministers' meeting in Minsk in Belarus, which is holding the rotating presidency of the bloc. The regional security organization comprises six former Soviet republics a Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

Russia does not see the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as an adversary of NATO and wants the Eurasian bloc to focus on protecting its member states, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

"I do not think that we should remold the CSTO into a bloc that is opposed to anyone. The CSTO has been developing based on the vested security interests of its member states. The CSTO does not seek a leading role in the Eurasian continent," he told reporters.

Lavrov also noted that NATO's position on situation in Ukraine means that the alliance would rather have the crisis resolved militarily.

"If NATO through [Secretary General Jens] Stoltenberg once again declares that they are against what they call 'the freezing of the conflict in Ukraine', it means they want to fight. Well, let them fight, we are ready for it," Lavrov told reporters after a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Minsk.

The top Russian diplomat pointed to multiple statements by Western officials admitting that the Ukraine crisis would long have been over if it were not for the foreign arms supplies and intelligence support to Kiev.

These statements amount to admitting that Western countries are waging "hybrid, or even hot, war" against Russia, Lavrov added.

Western countries have supplied Ukraine with military aid since the start of hostilities in February 2022. The support evolved from lighter artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023. An international coalition has been formed recently to provide Ukraine with US-made F-16s, the fighter jets of its choice, and training. Several countries, including the UK, have volunteered to host the training of Ukrainian pilots. Moscow has warned on multiple occasions that by continuing to pour weapons into the conflict, Western countries only escalate it and risk full NATO involvement.

Touching upon the issue of the actions of the European Union and the United States in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the top Russian diplomat said that these actions are are aimed at interfering in regional affairs and infringing on Russia's legitimate interests.

"Unfortunately, in what the United States is doing now, and in what the European Union is doing now, we see more of a desire to interfere in the region, a desire to press the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation and a desire to establish itself as a force that will play an almost decisive role here than to help negotiate," Lavrov told reporters.

Moscow is not against other international players' attempts at mediation, the minister said, adding that such initiatives should pursue the goal of ensuring agreements that will reflect the balance of interests of the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples and states.

The decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh flared up again in September 2020, marking the worst escalation since the 1990s. Hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered trilateral declaration of ceasefire signed in November 2020. The two former Soviet countries agreed to the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the region. Occasional clashes have since occurred on the border.

Speaking about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing, Sergey Lavrov said that it is an issue that concerns exclusively the US-China relationship.

Blinken visited Beijing earlier this week. It was the first visit by a US secretary of state to China since 2018 and the first visit by a member of the US administration since 2019.

"As for Blinken's visit to China, this is an issue that concerns US-Chinese relations ... We take this as a reality that exists and that reflects, on the one hand, Washington's policy on the Chinese direction and [on the other hand] the principled position of China, which, as you know, advocates that there are no attempts to undermine China's legitimate interests, including in the region immediately adjacent to China," Lavrov told reporters after a ministerial meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Minsk.

A Sputnik

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Russia's Mir Payment System Contributes to Emerging Global Finance Network - Maduro

Sputnik News

20230620

MEXICO CITY, (Sputnik) - Venezuela, with the introduction of Russia's Mir bank cards in the country, is participating in the creation of a financial system of the new world, President Nicolas Maduro said.

"New payment systems are emerging in the world. Venezuela was subjected to cruel, unfair and criminal sanctions, we faced attempts to isolate us monetarily and financially. Now we are building new payment systems, new financial systems, new monetary systems of the new world," Maduro said during the "With Maduro +" television program.

"The Central Bank of Venezuela has announced the good news that we are joining the Russian payment system used by many countries of the world: the Mir system," he said.

In March, ATMs in Cuba began to accept cards of the Mir system. Myanmar will begin to accept them by December 2023. Nicaragua has also expressed the desire to join the system.

Mir cards are now accepted by partner banks in Abkhazia, Armenia, Belarus, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, South Korea and South Ossetia.

Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Thailand, India, Venezuela, Mauritius, Nigeria and Ethiopia also show interest in connection to the Mir system.

A Sputnik

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Astana talks: Iranian delegates meet Turkish, Syria, Russia diplomats

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 20, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Senior aide to the Iranian foreign minister Ali Asghar Khaji has separately met with deputy foreign ministers of TArkiye, Syria, and Russia on the sidelines of the latest round of Astana talks on the Syrian conflict, which this time is also focused on restoring diplomatic relations between Damascus and Ankara.

Deputy foreign ministers from TArkiye, Russia, and Iran, as the guarantor states, came together for the 20th round of Astana talks in the eponymous Kazakh city on Tuesday morning to discuss ways to resolve the Syrian conflict.

Representatives of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and militant groups opposed to it are also participating in the talks, which are expected to continue on Wednesday as well.

On the sidelines of the quadrilateral meeting, Iranian delegation led by Khaji exchanged views with the Turkish delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Burak AkAapar, on the latest developments between Syria and TArkiye

They agreed that negotiations between Ankara and Damascus must continue until their relations return back to normal. Both sides also underscored the importance of respecting national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the independence of Syria.

The Iranian delegation also held discussions with the Syrian delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Susan.

Separately, Khaji and his accompanying delegation also met with the Russian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. The two sides discussed the latest developments in the region and ways to resolve differences between Damascus and Ankara.

The Iranian and Russian delegates also highlighted respect for Syria's sovereignty and the need to fight terrorism.

**2050**4261

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Chinese anti-submarine helicopters detected in Taiwan's ADIZ

ROC Central News Agency

06/20/2023 04:15 PM

Taipei, June 20 (CNA) A total of four Chinese military anti-submarine helicopters were detected in Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the past three days, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday.

According to the MND, one Z-9 helicopter was detected on Sunday, two were detected on Monday and the other one was detected on Tuesday, all in the southeastern part of Taiwan's ADIZ.

Taiwan's ADIZ, a unilaterally declared area in which the military tries to identify, locate and control approaching foreign aircraft, is not considered territorial airspace as defined by international law.

Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Chang Yen-ting (aaa) told CNA Tuesday that the Z-9 helicopters were dispatched by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) for air and underwater anti-submarine training.

He added that the helicopters usually operate at low altitudes and can detect submarine activities, including those of the U.S. military.

Chang said that the PLA has expanded its anti-submarine training from two-dimensional to three-dimensional to include air assets as well as submarines.

He added that the PLA had also expanded its military activity from waters southwest of Taiwan to the air and sea areas southeast of Taiwan.

Wang Kun-yi (cZac), head of the Taiwan International Strategic Studies Society, said that the PLA's ADIZ incursions might be targeted at the United States and Japan as well as Taiwan.

Wang said that if war broke out in the Taiwan Strait, the United States and Japan would help to defend or intervene, and their militaries might land in eastern Taiwan.

As a result, the PLA's military drills conducted in the east of Taiwan carry the message of China's anti-access and area denial strategy, which limits the intervention and deterrence capabilities of the United States, its regional allies, and partners.

(By Henry Wu and Evelyn Yang)

Enditem/ASG

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Taiwan welcomes Blinken reaffirmation of U.S. support during China trip

ROC Central News Agency

06/20/2023 03:28 PM

Taipei, June 20 (CNA) The Taiwan government on Tuesday expressed gratitude for United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken's reiteration of Washington's support for cross-Strait peace, and its security commitment toward Taipei, during a recent China trip where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping () in an attempt to ease Sino-U.S. tensions.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesman Jeff Liu () said the government expressed appreciation toward Secretary Blinken's public reaffirmation of support for peace and stability in the region during his China visit Sunday and Monday.

Liu also thanked the Biden administration for its repeated commitment to Taiwan's security since the U.S. leader came to power in January 2021.

"Taiwan will continue to deepen its close security partnership with the U.S. and strengthen cooperation with all like-minded countries so as to staunchly safeguard the security of the Taiwan Strait, the rules-based international order, as well as peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," he added.

Blinken, who arrived in Beijing Sunday, is the highest-ranking member of Biden's administration to visit China, in a trip meant to stabilize bilateral relations amid rising tensions between the two superpowers.

During a press conference after his meeting with Xi, Blinken asserted U.S. commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act, which stipulates ensuring the nation has the ability to defend itself.

"We do not support Taiwan independence," Blinken said in a statement delivered at a press conference Monday, adding that the U.S. remains opposed to any unilateral change to the status quo by either side.

"We remain committed to meeting our responsibilities under the Taiwan Relations Act, including making sure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself," he added.

When questioned on why Taiwan is a global issue, Blinken said "We and many others have deep concerns about some of the provocative actions that China has taken in recent years, going back to 2016. And the reason that this is a concern for so many countries, not just the United States, is that were there to be a crisis over Taiwan, the likelihood is that that would produce an economic crisis that could affect quite literally the entire world."

"Fifty percent of commercial container traffic goes through the Taiwan Strait every day. Seventy percent of semiconductors are manufactured on Taiwan. If as a result of a crisis that was taken offline, it would have dramatic consequences for virtually every country around the world," he added.

Blinken also said China declined resuming military-to-military contacts, something the U.S. regards as crucial to avoid miscalculation and conflict, particularly over Taiwan.

According to a transcript of the meeting, Xi said he was pleased with the outcome of Blinken's earlier meetings with top Chinese diplomats, adding that "the two sides have agreed to follow through the common understandings President Biden and I reached in Bali."

Blinken's visit came after his initial plans to travel to China were postponed in February after the shootdown of a Chinese surveillance balloon over the U.S.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb

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Latvian Foreign Minister: Ukraine must receive all the support it needs

Council of Europe

Parliamentary Assembly session

Strasbourg

20 June 2023

"The Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik was an important milestone for the organisation at a critical time and resulted in strong European unity in responding to Russia's aggression against Ukraine," said Edgars Rinkevics, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Chair of the Committee of Ministers, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly.

The minister stressed the importance of the newly-created Register of Damage, as a first practical step towards a future international compensation mechanism, and called on all Council of Europe member states and beyond to join this initiative. Latvia will advance the operational launch of the Register and the first meeting of participants, at the end of June, will address the practical steps forward.

"We must spare no efforts to ensure comprehensive accountability for the crimes committed by Russia," he said. "International efforts must continue to establish a special tribunal for the crime of aggression and the Council of Europe should contribute to this process with its expertise."

In September, Latvia will organise an informal conference of European Justice ministers to provide a platform for discussion on how to advance Russia's accountability, as well as the issue of reuniting Ukrainian children with their families.

"We should continue the implementation of already existing initiatives in support of Ukraine," the minister said, adding that the Action Plan on Resilience, Recovery, and Rebuilding of Ukraine was one of these.

The Latvian Presidency will also work towards advancing national priorities, among which strengthening democracy and the rule of law, including the promotion of the execution of the European Court of Human Rights' judgments, education and youth, freedom of expression, safety of journalists, as well as artificial intelligence.

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The United States and The Netherlands Reaffirm their Commitment to Pursuing Justice and Accountability for Russia's Unlawful Invasion of Ukraine

Government of the Netherlands - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

News item | 20-06-2023

Yesterday, Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan YeAYilgAz-Zegerius and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra met with U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in The Hague, where they discussed support to Ukraine in the face of Russia's war of aggression that is causing death and destruction across Ukraine, and sowing instability around the world. Those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine must not go unpunished. The Ukrainian people deserve justice. The United States and the Netherlands are both deeply committed to domestic, regional, and international efforts to promote accountability and combat impunity in Ukraine. The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) will play a critical role in the ecosystem for prosecuting atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine.

"Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting with Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan YeAYilgAz-Zegerius, and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra, in The Hague, Netherlands," said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "The U.S. partnership with the Netherlands is one of our oldest and closest, and our strong bilateral relationship is critically important as we confront common challenges. Ensuring accountability for Russia's war crimes in Ukraine was at the top of our agenda. We are grateful that the Netherlands has agreed to host the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (the ICPA), which will be based at Eurojust. I am pleased to announce that I have appointed an experienced federal prosecutor, Jessica Kim, to serve as the United States' Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression and our representative in this important effort. We will continue to seek justice alongside, and stand with, our Ukrainian partners, for as long as it takes."



"The Netherlands is the host nation to the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and is honored to do so," said Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan YeAYilgAz-Zegerius. "We view the ICPA as the first step towards justice for the crime of aggression committed by the Russian Federation and its leadership. We see the commitment by the United States to appoint a Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression as very valuable and call on other states to support this endeavor to ensure justice and exclude impunity."

"The Netherlands greatly appreciates the close cooperation with the United States in supporting Ukraine, and in the fight against impunity for atrocities committed by Russia's unjustified war of aggression," said Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra. "We will continue to work together to bring those responsible to justice, including through the work of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, as well as the Register of Damages Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which will also have its seat in The Hague. The Register will serve as a record of evidence and claims information on damage, loss or injury caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine."

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Russia says Ukraine planning to strike Crimea with US, UK missiles

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 3:41 PM

Russia says it has obtained information that Ukraine is planning to strike Crimea with longer-range American and British missiles.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday warned Washington and London that they "would be fully dragged into the conflict" with Russia if they allowed Ukraine to use their weapons.

Shoigu said that Moscow has information that Kiev planned to use US-supplied HIMARS long-range rocket systems and British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike Crimea.

"The use of these missiles outside the zone of our special military operation would mean that the United States and Britain would be fully dragged into the conflict and would entail immediate strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine," said Shoigu.

Britain's Storm Shadow missile has a range of "in excess of 250km," according to its manufacturer, the European arms group MBDA.

That is significantly higher than the high-precision US HIMARS rocket launchers currently used heavily by Ukraine, which rely on missiles with a range of 47 miles.

Kiev has formerly used Storm Shadow to strike Russian supply depots and command posts deep behind the frontline in Russian-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.

Russia also said last month that Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles to strike civilian targets in the territory.

It has constantly warned the West against providing Ukraine with longer-range missiles, saying the move will escalate the war.

The West, however, kept providing Ukraine with military equipment worth tens of billions of dollars since Russia began its military campaign in Ukraine in February last year.

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EU offers 50 billion euros to help finance Ukraine's war against Russia

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 7:23 PM

The European Union says it will inject 50 billion euros ($54.58 billion) in aid over the next four years in order to finance Ukraine's war against Russia.

The proposal from the commission is aimed at boosting the country's finances and covering immediate costs caused by the war it is fighting against Russia.

The money, a combination of grants, and loans, is part of the review to plug gaps in the EU's budget for the period 2024-2027 left by the fallout of the COVID pandemic and the conflict.

"This financial reserve will allow us really to calibrate our financial support according to the evolution of the situation on the ground," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

Overall, the 27-nation bloc has already committed 30 billion euros from its budget to support the country since the Ukraine war broke out in February 2022.

The proposal comes ahead of a major donor conference in London this week on paying for Ukraine's reconstruction. Ukraine is seeking up to $40 billion from the conference starting on Wednesday.

But observers say the demands for a fresh injection of money will face some serious headwinds from EU countries still grappling with the consequences of the pandemic and war.

Separately, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday during a visit to Paris that Italy and France will continue supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia.

"There is no doubt on the fact that Italy and France will continue to support the Ukrainian cause for as long as it will be necessary," she said before a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Underscoring the Franco-Italian commitment, Meloni said the SAMP/T-MAMBA air defense system on which the two countries have worked for months is now operational on the Ukraine battlefield.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, European countries have focused their attention on providing support to Kiev, whether financially or militarily.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized Western states' policies, warning that they are increasing the risk of a global conflict.

Putin also accused the West of exploiting Ukraine and using its people as cannon fodder against Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly denounced the West's military support for Ukraine since the war began. The Kremlin asserts Western countries are only adding fuel to the flames of war, adding that they do not seek to find a solution to end the conflict.

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Bulgaria's New Defense Minister Signals Possible Tack To Help Arm Ukraine

By RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service June 20, 2023

SOFIA -- Bulgaria's new defense minister, Todor Tagarev, has signaled a likely break from the previous caretaker government's reluctance to provide lethal aid to Ukraine by pledging an imminent announcement on a fresh package of military assistance, a move that could increase tensions with Bulgaria's president.

Bulgarian officials have bickered publicly over the question of lethal aid for Kyiv fueled in part by two years of inconclusive elections and political stalemate that denied either side an upper hand and boosted the influence of pro-Kremlin President Rumen Radev.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service on June 20, Tagarev said officials are now "striving to take a decision as soon as possible to provide a new aid package" pursuant to parliament's endorsement late last year of military aid toward Ukraine's war effort.

Lawmakers in December urged caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev and his government to be responsive to both Ukrainian requests and Bulgaria's own security needs.

"We are working to implement this point of the decision of the National Assembly and very soon we will announce the sending of the next package of military aid to Ukraine," Tagarev told RFE/RL. "And we will continue to analyze the needs of Ukraine and our capabilities to see if we can help in the future as well."

Bulgarian sources this week told RFE/RL that providing ammunition and other weapons directly to Ukraine could be green-lighted as soon as this week.

A NATO and EU member, Bulgaria has joined Western sanctions on Russia for its 15-month-old invasion of Ukraine but dragged its feet on weapons transfers and classified details of its lone publicized weapons shipment to Kyiv, after the December 9 vote. It was said to contain only light weapons and ammunition.

Bulgaria is home to a thriving arms industry and a large stockpile of Soviet-era weapons familiar to many Ukrainian troops.

The United States has offered to reimburse Sofia or replace some of Bulgaria's aging military hardware with more modern systems in exchange for contributions from its stockpiles to Kyiv.

One of Tagarev's first moves as minister this month was to request an analysis of the types and quantities of ammunition and equipment that Bulgaria could quickly provide to Ukraine.

The Bulgarian public has appeared divided on issues around Russia and the war, and Radev has been the face of institutional and public resistance to supplying lethal military aid to Kyiv.

In March, Radev refused to join a dozen EU allies' commitment to supply 1 million artillery shells over the course of a year. He and key members of the caretaker government at the time warned that transferring Soviet-era tanks and jets or S-300 air-defense systems would leave Bulgaria overly vulnerable.

Tagarev called the argument that Bulgarians' taxes would be poured into weapons that are simply handed over to Ukraine "an element of pro-Kremlin propaganda on our territory."

"It was never about that type of help," the defense minister said. "We are talking about weapons and ammunition that are already in stock, many of which have already expired or are at the end of their life that need to be replaced anyway."

He said Ukrainians "are ready to take" those items and even some systems that are not fully functional.

"For ammunition, which if we don't provide now, in a few years we have to dispose of it -- that is, to pay again to destroy them and refresh our stock. This is the type of help we are talking about," Tagarev said. "It in no way affects the interests of the Bulgarian taxpayer."

Bulgarian researchers and a former member of parliament's Defense Committee say that in addition to multiple types of long-range ammunition that Ukraine needs, Sofia could provide artillery and air-defense systems -- possibly in conjunction with NATO pledges to reinforce Bulgaria's security and help modernize its 36,000-troop army.

Analysts and others have challenged the argument that shipping ammunition and other military hardware to Ukraine is likely to endanger Bulgarians.

"Bulgaria can provide 152- and 122-millimeter projectiles, armored vehicles, howitzers," Ivo Mirchev, a lawmaker from the ruling PP-DB coalition who serves on the parliamentary Defense Committee, told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service.

Bulgaria's stockpiles of such long-range ammunition are sufficient, he and other sources said.

It could also donate other artillery, volley-fire, and air-defense systems, they said.

Tagarev is part of a pro-EU government that was approved on June 6 with support from parliament's two biggest political groupings: the center-right GERB and Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB).

"The current position [of Bulgaria] is that we understand very well the situation in which Ukraine is. We are absolutely aware of who the aggressor is in the war, which is currently going on in full force, and who the victim of aggression is," Tagarev said.

"And understanding all this -- the need to preserve the international legal order, the moral considerations that we have, and the geostrategic considerations, that by protecting itself, Ukraine is effectively protecting us -- we understand and share this need to help Ukraine with all we can...as long as Ukraine needs this help."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-defense- minister-ukraine-lethal-aid-war/32467897.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.

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Ukrainian Capital, Cities Hit By Deadly Russian Attacks On Civilian Infrastructure

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 20, 2023

Russia launched another large-scale missile, drone, and artillery attack on Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities early on June 20, killing at least two people, regional authorities and the military said on June 20.

A 27-year-old man was killed in Russian shelling of the southern city of Kherson, the head of the region's military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, reported on June 20.

In the northwestern Sumy region, one civilian was killed by Russian shelling overnight, the regional administration reported on June 20.

The air defenses of the Ukrainian capital repelled a "massive" Russian drone attack overnight, destroying about 20 Iranian-made drones, Serhiy Popko, the governor of Kyiv region, said on Telegram.

"Another massive air attack on the capital. This time the enemy used unmanned aerial vehicles, according to preliminary information -- Shahed drones," Popko said, adding that the attack was the first on Kyiv in the last 18 days.

The air raid alert lasted for more than three hours in Kyiv, Popko said. There was no immediate information about victims or damages.

Ukraine's air defense said that it had shot down 32 out of a total of 35 Iranian-made drones.

The Zaporizhzhya and Lviv regions were also targeted by Russian strikes overnight.

In Zaporizhzhya, the attack targeted communications and housing developments as well as farming enterprises, regional military administration chief Yuriy Malashko said.

A critical infrastructure target was also hit in Lviv, regional Governor Maksym Kozytskiy said.

The latest wave of attacks came after the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said that, as of June 18, 9,083 Ukrainian civilians had been killed and 15,779 wounded since the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion in February last year.

In June alone, 112 civilians were confirmed killed and 445 were wounded, the UN said in a statement on June 19, warning that the actual toll is likely to be much higher.

Most of the victims were killed by heavy artillery fire as well as missile and air strikes, the UN said.

On the battlefield, Russian troops have become more active in the Lyman-Kupiansk areas of the Donetsk region, said Serhiy Cherevatiy, a spokesman for the Eastern Group of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Amid incremental progress of Ukraine's counteroffensive, the Ukrainian military's General Staff said on June 20 that Russian troops focused their main efforts on conducting defensive operations and preventing the advance of Ukrainian forces, using reserves, "trying to restore lost ground."

On June 19, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar told state television that it was "quite difficult for Ukrainian defenders to advance, because the enemy threw all their available forces into stopping the offensive."

She was speaking after intense fighting took place on June 19 as Kyiv tried to dislodge Russian troops from southern areas.

RFE/RL cannot confirm reports of battlefield developments by either side in areas of the heaviest fighting.

On the diplomatic front, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on June 20 said he had called on China to use its influence over Russia more in regard to the war in Ukraine.

Speaking alongside China's Premier Li Qiang after bilateral talks in the German capital, Scholz also said China should not supply weapons to Russia and that the war in Ukraine should not become a frozen conflict.

China is Russia's largest economic partner for Russia, which has been hit by biting Western sanctions following its unprovoked invasion on Ukraine in February last year. The trade volume between Beijing and Moscow amounted to a record $190 billion last year.

According to customs data published on June 20, Chinese imports of Russian oil last month reached their highest level since the invasion -- 9.71 million tons.

In Brussels, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union asked member states to provide 50 billion euros ($55 billion) more to support Ukraine over the next four years.

"This financial reserve will allow us really to calibrate our financial support according to the evolution of the situation on the ground," von der Leyen said.

With reporting by dpa and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-massive-drone- attack/32466928.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.

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Fighting continues in Zaporozhye region, AFU units suffer losses

20.06.2023

In Orekhov area, the enemy lost dozens of foreign-made hardware and hundreds of Ukrainian servicemen, attempting to launch an offensive on Russian positions.

During an unsuccessful offensive, Southern MD's servicemen of 58th Combined-Arms Army and Vostok-Akhmat battalion took servicemen of Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) 65th Mechanised Brigade prisoners.

Twice their commanders deceived them with reinforcements and actual Russian Forces strength in that area. Otherwise, there would be no one willing to launch an offensive at our defensives.

krainian unit commanders employ familiar tactics: they sent soldiers at the zero line, knowing they will not return.

AFU servicemen were told that they were to hold the second line of defence, as an infantry battalion should. But when the attack was thwarted, the servicemen made a decision to march with unit strength they had. Personnel refused to go on the offensive and their commanders were forced to gather their men all along the front.

Looking back now, the captured AFU soldiers realise that they have been deceived, regarding assessment of the Russian Forces manpower and the strength of NATO weaponry.

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Ukraine Plans to Strike at Crimea With Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles - Shoigu

Sputnik News

20230620

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces are planning to strike at the territory of Russia, including Crimea, with HIMARS and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday.

"According to our information, the leadership of the armed forces of Ukraine plans to strike at the territory of Russia, including Crimea, with HIMARS and Storm Shadow missiles," Shoigu said at a meeting of the collegium of the Ministry of Defense.

The use of Storm Shadow and HIMARS missiles outside the special operation zone will entail immediate strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine, the minister said.

"The use of these missiles outside the zone of the special military operation will mean the full involvement of the United States and the United Kingdom in the conflict," he added.

In early 2023, a British daily reported, citing Ukrainian defense sources, that the Ukrainian military is prepared to use the UK-supplied long-range missiles, such as Storm Shadow, to hit Crimea if these are provided in military aid.

Unsuccessful Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Ukrainian troops have launched a total of 263 attacks on the positions of the Russian armed forces in the Donetsk, South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions since June 4, but all of them have been successfully repelled, Russian Defense Minister said.

"Ukrainian troops keep attempting offensive actions in the South Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk directions. When doing so, the Kiev regime is using a large number of Western weapons and elite military formations, whose members have been trained by NATO specialists. Since June 4, the Ukrainian armed forces have launched 263 attacks on the positions of Russian troops," he stressed.

The Russian defense chief added that Kiev had failed to achieve its goals "thanks to the competent and selfless actions" of Russian troops.

Technical Forum Army-2023

A total of 41 foreign states are ready to send their delegations to the 9th international military-technical forum Army-2023 hosted by Russia in August.

"To date, 41 foreign countries have expressed a desire to send their delegations to the upcoming forum. For foreign guests, a dynamic demonstration of the possibilities of export samples of military and dual-use products is planned, a day of military-technical cooperation will be held," Shoigu said at a meeting of the collegium of the Ministry of Defense.

A Sputnik

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Chinese, German Foreign Ministers Agree to Maintain Contacts on Ukraine

Sputnik News

20230620

BEIJING (Sputnik) - Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, agreed to maintain contacts on the Ukrainian crisis during a phone call, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

"The sides have exchanged opinions on the Ukrainian crisis and agreed to maintain contacts," the statement, issued on Monday, read.

Qin told his German counterpart that the foreign ministries of the two countries would continue to play a coordinating role in the bilateral relations, deepen the dialogue on all levels and strengthen coordination in international and regional issues, the statement added.

On Sunday, China's Premier Li Qiang started his first foreign visit since he had been elected the head of the government. From June 18-23, Li will visit visit Germany and France at the invitation of these countries. China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the visits to Germany and France immediately after Li took office demonstrate the importance of relations China has with these two countries.

A Sputnik

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A rebuilt and strengthened Ukraine means protection against all forms of Russian terror - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

20 June 2023 - 22:01

I wish you health, dear Ukrainians!

A brief report on this day.

First of all, I thank our Air Force and all the defenders of the sky from our other defense forces for every downed Russian missile and Shahed. Last night alone, more than 30 Shaheds were shot down. These are hundreds of saved lives, saved infrastructure. Thank you, warriors!

Second. Today in Kherson, rescuers were injured as a result of the occupiers' shelling... They were relieving the consequences of the Russian act of terrorism at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and were shelled by Russian artillery. Eight SES workers were injured, one, unfortunately, was killed... My condolences to their families and friends! Ukrainian warriors will definitely give the terrorists a response to all this meanness.

Every such Russian strike, every Russian terrorist attack is an argument that the occupiers have no chance of staying anywhere on Ukrainian soil. There is no place here for murderers and terrorists and there will never be.

Now our warriors in the south and in the east are very actively destroying the enemy, physically clearing Ukraine. This will continue in the future.

Protection against terror means the destruction of terrorists. And it is a guarantee that the evil state will never again have the opportunity to bring evil to Ukraine. This is what the third point is about today. The first meetings have already begun in London in the framework of the conference on Ukraine's recovery, which we have been preparing together with our British friends. Discussions have already taken place in Switzerland and Germany, in France and Italy. There is work at various levels for our recovery. And we are directing this work in such a way that our reconstruction, our recovery will become not only construction projects, but also a global project of protection.

A rebuilt Ukraine, a transformed Ukraine, a strengthened Ukraine is a carrier of security and a guarantor of security, it is protection against any form of Russian terror and protection against any repetition of Russian aggression.

Tomorrow at the London conference, I will present some aspects of our philosophy of Ukraine's transformation. The full vision will be presented later this month. And already in Ukraine.

Together with our partners and all of us here at home in Ukraine, we must ensure that only security, freedom and peace will come after us.

I thank everyone who is fighting and working for Ukraine! I thank each of our warriors who are now in combat, at combat posts and on combat missions! Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk region - well done, guys!

I am grateful to everyone who trains our soldiers and helps us with weapons! Ukraine uses every weapon and every shell as efficiently as possible and always to protect lives.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Latest in Ukraine: Russia Targets Kyiv, Lviv in Latest Drone Attacks

By VOA News June 20, 2023

Latest Developments:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with the head of the World Bank about "the post-war transformation of Ukraine."

Ukraine's military said Tuesday it is carrying out "offensive actions" in the Melitopol and Berdyansk areas

Ukraine's defense ministry said Tuesday its forces shot down 32 of 35 Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russia used in an aerial attack that targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine's air force said the biggest focus was the Kyiv region.

Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv military administration, said on Telegram that the drones came in several waves, and that air alerts in Kyiv lasted for three hours.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

In the Lviv area in western Ukraine, regional governor Maksym Kozytskiy said Russia used drones to strike a critical infrastructure facility

Officials in the Zaporizhzhia also reported Russian missile strikes on telecommunications infrastructure and agricultural areas.

Ukraine reconstruction

Ukraine is seeking $40 billion in funding for the first phase of a "Green Marshall Plan" to repair its economy. During a two-day meeting in London starting Wednesday, politicians and investors will discuss Ukraine's short-term and long-term economic reconstruction which includes developing a coal-free iron and steel industry.

According to the World Bank, Ukraine's reconstruction will cost upward of $400 billion, three times the country's gross domestic product. Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, external backers have poured $59 billion into Ukraine to support it during the war.

One of the issues expected to be discussed during the two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference is whether the estimated $300 billion of frozen Russian central bank reserves will go to Ukraine.

Britain on Monday introduced legislation that will allow it to keep sanctions against Russia in place until Moscow pays compensation for the cost of its invasion on Ukraine.

"Ukraine's reconstruction needs are - and will be - immense," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said. "Through our new measures today, we're strengthening the U.K.'s sanctions approach, affirming that the U.K. is prepared to use sanctions to ensure Russia pays to repair the country it has so recklessly attacked."

U.S. lawmakers from both the Republican and the Democratic parties introduced a bill Thursday that would make it easier for Ukraine to fund its fight against Russia by using seized and frozen Russian assets.

Kakhovka dam

The Kremlin said Monday that Russia's decision to decline U.N. help in areas of Russian-held Ukraine flooded by the Kakhovka dam breach was because of security concerns.

"There is constant shelling there, constant provocations, civilian objects and people are being shelled, people are dying," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The United Nations confirmed Sunday that Moscow declined its requests to help residents of Russian-controlled areas of southern Ukraine affected by the Kakhovka dam collapse and pledged to continue seeking access.

"We urge the Russian authorities to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law," the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, said Sunday in a statement.

More than a dozen people have died while 31 are still missing after floods caused by the dam's destruction, according to Ukraine's interior ministry. Almost 900 homes remain under water and more than 3,600 people have been evacuated.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Britain, US Pledge Ukraine Rebuilding Funds

By VOA News June 20, 2023

Britain and the United States pledged support Tuesday for rebuilding Ukraine following the vast damage wreaked on the country from Russia's 16-month-old invasion.

"Ukraine's reconstruction needs are a and will be a immense," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in London. "Through our new measures today, we're strengthening the U.K.'s sanctions approach, affirming that the U.K. is prepared to use sanctions to ensure Russia pays to repair the country it has so recklessly attacked.

"This week is very much about creating the conditions necessary for public sector money, of course, but predominantly private sector money to fund their reconstruction," Cleverly said.

"I'm not going to prejudge exactly what vehicles will be used to unlock both the public and the private money that Ukraine will need," he said. "Ultimately, we want to ensure that the investment that goes into Ukraine is safe from further conflict and deployed as effectively as possible through robust and reformed Ukrainian institutions."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States would continue to support Ukraine.

"We will continue to deliver on that commitment, including through a new robust U.S. assistance package that I'll be able to announce [Wednesday]," Blinken said.

Blinken met with his British and Ukrainian counterparts ahead of a Ukraine Recovery Conference on Wednesday and Thursday that is focused on fostering international support for helping Ukraine recover from the effects of the Russian invasion.

As part of World Refugee Day Tuesday, Blinken and Cleverly toured a center in London set up to help Ukrainians who fled the war get the advice and support they need to adapt to life in Britain.

After bilateral talks with Cleverly, Blinken met later with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Blinken said the 50-country, aid-for-Ukraine conference was a show of the "powerful and enduring support for Ukraine, not only militarily but also economically, and also in everything we're trying to do to build the strongest possible democracy. So, we're very pleased to be part of this and very pleased that Ukraine and our friends here are hosting this conference."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke by telephone Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the conference.

"It was a unique opportunity to underline the strong public and private sector support for Ukraine, and demonstrate the country's transformation and ongoing reform, the leaders agreed," Sunak's office said in a statement.

Britain is the second-largest donor of military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, trailing only the United States.

Zelenskyy said he expects the conference will consolidate various recovery efforts, and that the recovery "should demonstrate to the world that freedom is invincible."

Zelenskyy, in his nightly address Monday, also praised Britain for new legislation that would allow redirecting Russian funds frozen under sanctions to help pay for Ukraine's rebuilding.

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Chicago, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a research report Japan Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) Market by Function (Storage, Distribution, Assembly), Type (Unit Load, Mini Load, Vertical Lift Module, Carousel, Mid Load), Micro Fulfilment Center, Dark Stores, Industry and Region - Global Forecast to 2027", published by MarketsandMarkets, Japan Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) Industry to Grow at a CAGR 8.2% from 2022 to 2027.

Japan to witness high growth of the ASRS market

An Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) is a highly advanced material handling system that utilizes computer-controlled material handling systems to automatically deposit and retrieve items from assigned storage locations. An ASRS is used to obtain high accuracy, efficiency, and high-throughput inventory management in automotive, chemical, aviation, electronics & semiconductor, e-commerce, retail, food & beverage, healthcare, and metals & heavy machinery.

The system includes a range of racks, shelves, bins, and automated machinery like cranes, conveyors, and shuttles that efficiently transport items to and from storage locations. As per a report by MarketsandMarkets, the ASRS market is estimated to reach USD 11.8 billion by 2027; it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during 20222027. Factors such as the thriving e-commerce industry, high demand from the automotive industry, and increasing need for better inventory control in several sectors are contributing toward the accelerating ASRS market.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=195267987

Asia Pacific is predicted to witness a high growth rate in the global ASRS industry . The sectors such as automotive, electronics & semiconductor, and healthcare is growing rapidly in the region, which is predicted to drive the ASRS market. Further, Japan is one of the worlds leading hubs for the technology ecosystem, so the adoption of ASRS in the country is rapidly increasing. Factors such as high population density have resulted in limited space for warehousing and distribution centers, due to which there is an increasing demand for ASRS technology. Optimizing vertical space enables more efficient use of the available warehouse area, which is done with the help of the ASRS system.

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Furthermore, Japan is also home to some of the primary key players of the ASRS market, such as Daifuku, Murata Machinery, and Toyota Industries. The presence of key players in the country is further fueling the growth of ASRS. The Japanese government has also been promoting the adoption of automation and technology in various industries, including warehousing and logistics. Additionally, the government of Japan is also taking initiatives to boost electric vehicle manufacturing in the country. The Government of Japan has set a target that all new cars sold till 2035 must be environmentally friendly. This will propel automotive production in the country, contributing to the ASRS market demand. Besides, adopting ASRS systems in Japan has been driven by the need to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Using ASRS systems reduces the need for manual labor, which can be time-consuming and costly. With ASRS technology, goods can be stored and retrieved quickly and accurately, leading to increased productivity, and reduced operational costs.

Top Key Market Players in Japan Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) companies

Daifuku (Japan),

Murata Machinery (Japan),

SSI Schaefer (Germany),

TGW Logistics (Austria), and

Kardex (Switzerland) among others

See Also :
Westford, USA, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, increasing government initiatives in the country are expected to drive the growth of the Healthcare BPO market. For example, in February 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded nearly USD 55 million to 29 HRSA-funded health centers to enhance healthcare access and quality for underserved populations through virtual care. In addition, virtual care has been a game-changer for patients, particularly during the pandemic. As a result, government organizations' initiatives are likely to boost market growth.

Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/healthcare-bpo-market

Browse in-depth TOC on "Healthcare BPO Market"

Pages - 242

Tables - 95

Figures  76

Medical institutions can outsource various non-core functions to a foreign entity and focus on their existing key capabilities through healthcare market procedure outsourcing. In addition, the need to contain expanding medical costs, excess supply for specialist care such as fraudulent activities and treatment planning and the requirement for established techniques and paperwork in the medical business are all factors contributing to the market expansion.

Prominent Players in Healthcare BPO Market

Accenture

Cognizant

Genpact

Wipro

Infosys

HCL Technologies

IBM Corporation

Xerox Corporation

Capgemini

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Conduent

Invensis Technologies

Omega Healthcare

Gebbs Healthcare Solutions

WNS Global Services

AGS Health

Firstsource Solutions

RR Donnelley & Sons Company

Sutherland Global Services

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/healthcare-bpo-market

Claims Management Segment is Dominating the Market Due to the Increasing Adoption of Insurance

The claims management segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This segment's growth is attributed to the changing healthcare regulations regarding health insurance and medical claims and a scarcity of expertise in the field.

North America dominates the healthcare BPO market, and this trend is expected to persist for the next few years. The United States has the largest market share in North America. The United States healthcare system is a rapidly growing industry that includes pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, and medical care facilities. This complex infrastructure depends on specialized professionals who oversee these operations.

Revenue Cycle Management Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to Rising in the Electronic Health Record Systems

The revenue cycle management segment is expected to dominate the global market during the forecast period. RCM is a technologically advanced system that handles administrative functions through sophisticated billing, payment processing and electronic health record systems. The article "Revenue Cycle Management in Healthcare", published in July 2022, in many hospitals, handles billing using an ineffective manual system that causes billing issues by human error such as data entry blunders. Hence, the demand for revenue cycle management is increased.

A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the Healthcare BPO 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.

Key Developments in Healthcare BPO Market

CPSI a healthcare solutions company acquired Healthcare Resource Group Inc. based in Spokane, Washington in 2022. HRG is known for its customized revenue cycle management ("RCM") solutions and consulting services, which aid hospitals and clinics in improving efficiency, profitability, and patient satisfaction. Therefore, the strategic moves made by significant players in the market are expected to drive the growth of the market.

Surgical Solutions, a prominent provider of the on-site operating room and sterile processing support was granted a group-purchasing agreement for outsourced surgical services by Conductive in 2022. Conductive is a renowned third-party spend improvement firm that brings together a group of buyers and suppliers to transform the procurement of services. The partnership between these two companies is expected to drive the growth in the outsourced surgical services market.

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Key Questions Answered in Healthcare BPO 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 Ambulance Service Market

Global Oncology Nutrition Market

Global Genotyping Market

Global Transplantation Market

Global Brachytherapy 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
Westford, USA, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, the market for aniline (C6H5NH2) is expanding due to its increasing demand as an anti-knock additive and solvent in the development of reformat gasoline. This is trending followed with a thriving chemical industry. Additionally, major industry players are investing in the development of aniline from waste sugar biomass, which is biologically transformed into acid using microorganism-based catalysts. Chemical catalysts are subsequently used to produce aniline.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Aniline Market"

Pages - 250

Tables - 97

Figures  64

Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/aniline-market

Aniline (C6H5NH2) is an organic compound characterized by a yellowish to brownish oily liquid with a fishy odor. It exhibits slight solubility in water and readily mixes with most organic solvents. This substance is commercially produced either by the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene or by the reaction of ammonia with chlorobenzene. Aniline is prone to oxidation in the air and tends to resinify gradually.

Prominent Players in Aniline Market

BASF SE

Huntsman Corporation

Dow Chemical Company

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

Covestro AG

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd.

Evonik Industries AG

Yantai Wanhua Polyurethanes Co., Ltd.

Tosoh Corporation

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited

GNFC Limited

SP Chemicals Holdings Ltd.

Bayer AG

Akzo Nobel N.V.

Jilin Connell Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Celanese Corporation

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/aniline-market

N-Methyl Segment is Anticipated to Grow Due to the Rising Usage in the Production of Polyurethane

Aniline derivatives are being utilized worldwide for various purposes depending on the derivative. N-methyl holds the majority share in the industry owing to its high usage in the production of polyurethane, which is essential in manufacturing plastics. Furthermore, the global aniline market is expected to grow over the forecast period due to the continuously increasing demand for plastics in the medical industry to manufacture medical devices such as tubes, masks, bags and others.

North America is projected to lead the market and growing during the forecast period. Developed regions such as the United States and Canada are significant contributors to the aniline market growth in North America. Additionally, Japan and Canada are important geographic regions that are expected to experience growth rates.

Methyl Diphenyl Segment is Projected to Grow Owing to the Rising Demand of MDI

Methyl diphenyl is projected to grow significantly due to the rising demand of MDI. In addition, PU foams are becoming more popular and widely accepted by automobile manufacturers owing to the production of seats that can be easily assembled, disassembled and recycled with high specifications over a wide range of firmness and lightweight. These are the primary reasons expected to drive demand in the future.

Asia Pacific is expected to experience growth due to the rising electronics production in Taiwan, Korea and China. Additionally, significant syndicates are expanding their aniline manufacturing capacities in China to meet the rising demand from developing countries in the region. Furthermore, the increasing construction investment in India and the growth of China's automotive sector are also likely to contribute to the development of aniline demand in these economies in the Asia Pacific.

A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the Aniline 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.

Key Developments in Aniline Market

Covestro revealed its plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in Antwerp, Belgium with a total investment of over USD 300 million in 2022. The facility produced aniline that bolsters the Covestro's European production network for the foam component MDI.

Central Pattana PCL, Thailand's largest mall operator, announced plans to invest USD 722.97 million in the remodelling of stores and other expenditures in 2022.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/aniline-market

Key Questions Answered in Aniline 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 Aramid Fiber Market

Global Advanced Glass Market

Global Conformal Coatings Market

Global Ceramic Coating Market

Global Corrugated Packaging 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
TEMPE, Ariz., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) and Arizona State University (ASU) today announced their collaboration with global semiconductor company NXP Semiconductors to create a new, first-of-its-kind test engineering course at ASU. Officially titled EEE 522 Radio Frequency Test, the course content was originally developed by faculty in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU and, through this collaboration, was enhanced with laboratory experiments designed by Advantest and administered jointly by Advantest and NXP during the 2023 spring semester. The course will be offered each year going forward.



The need for the course was first recognized in mid-2022 by colleagues at Advantest and NXP, spurred by two key facts. First, the flurry of wafer-fab construction in Arizona (already home to numerous advanced chipmaking plants) would soon heighten demand for test engineers. Second, local university engineering programs did not offer classes specifically aimed at training and preparing engineers to enter the semiconductor test industry. Advantest and NXP, both of which have multiple locations in Arizona, subsequently approached ASU about implementing such a class and were met with an enthusiastic response.

This course is a great example of what can happen when theres true collaboration between industry and academia, said Raghu Maddali, senior director - test engineering, with NXP and one of the courses original developers, who worked together with Paul Hirsch, senior global account manager with Advantest. It came to fruition in a relatively short time, thanks to the dedication and commitment of all involved.

In addition to conceiving and developing the necessary labs, the two companies contributed resources to ensure its success. Advantest provided a state-of-the-art V93000 SoC test system, installing it at ASU Research Park in Tempe, with experts from both NXPs and Advantests engineering teams donating time to serve as lab supervisors, helping students conduct lab experiments designed to reinforce classroom concepts and, in the process, gain familiarity with an industry-leading ATE platform.

Course professor Sule Ozev, Ph.D., who has taught at ASU for 15 years, noted, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of building the curriculum for this new course from scratch, with the assistance of Advantests application engineering team. Its exciting to be part of a program that will provide the semiconductor industry with a new generation of much-needed test engineers.

Offered through the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE), part of the Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU, the RF test course covers current production test schemes for mixed-signal and RF circuits, the economics of production testing and recent research techniques in reducing production test costs. Students learn to define test conditions and test flows, write and optimize test programs, interpret measurement data, identify potential manufacturing problems and automate the test process.

Added Advantests Hirsch, What started with an idea shared between two colleagues quickly blossomed into a tangible means of providing real-world training that will help prepare students for high-demand positions while further supporting our industry and Arizonas economy.

With multiple locations in Arizona, both Advantest and NXP are highly invested in the region and will continue providing support for the course, as well as for new courses that may be added to the program in the future.

About the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, with more than 30,000 enrolled students, is the largest producer of engineering and technical talent in the nation, offering 48 graduate and 25 undergraduate degree programs across seven schools of academic focus, including the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering. The School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering is working to advance electrical and computer engineering through innovative, world-changing research and by producing graduates tackling pressing computer and power grid issues. With students, faculty and researchers representing all 50 states and 135 countries, the Fulton Schools of Engineering is creating an inclusive environment for engineering excellence by advancing research and innovation at scale, revolutionizing engineering education and expanding global outreach and partner engagement. The Fulton Schools of Engineerings research expenditures totaled $135 million for FY 2022. Learn more about the Fulton Schools of Engineering at engineering.asu.edu and the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at ecee.engineering.asu.edu.

About Advantest Corporation

Advantest (TSE: 6857) is the leading manufacturer of automatic test and measurement equipment used in the design and production of semiconductors for applications including 5G communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, high-performance computing (HPC) including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and more. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also conducts R&D to address emerging testing challenges and applications; develops advanced test-interface solutions for wafer sort and final test; produces scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing; and offers system-level test solutions and other test-related accessories. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest is a global company with facilities around the world and an international commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

Media Contacts: For Advantest For ASU Cassandra Koenig Lanelle Strawder cassandra.koenig@advantest.com lanelle.strawder@asu.edu

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0cd15e25-7d7c-41ec-8aa6-fe89756e655f

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To celebrate, Hudsonville Ice Cream & Little Debbie launch sweepstakes to win free ice cream for a year

HOLLAND, Mich., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Family-owned brands Hudsonville Ice Cream and Little Debbie announce four new additions to their year-round line of snack cake ice cream flavors: Star Crunch, Unicorn Cakes, Fudge Rounds and Birthday Cake, plus expanded distribution to retailers nationwide. All flavors are available in pint-sizes. To find Hudsonville Little Debbie ice cream at a retailer near you, click here. MSRP ranges from $2.50-$3.69.

The four new flavors join the original Hudsonville Little Debbie ice cream line that launched in February of 2022 exclusively at Walmart. Original flavors include Cosmic Brownie, Honey Buns, Nutty Bars, Oatmeal Creme Pies, Strawberry Shortcake Rolls, Swiss Rolls and Zebra Cakes.

The Hudsonville Ice Cream team is excited to again bring together two iconic family-owned brands and offer a nostalgic treat to consumers across the nation, said Rob Heider, CMO of Hudsonville Ice Cream. The addition of these new flavors and expanded distribution underscores the popularity of the line. To commemorate our successful partnership, were offering fans a chance to win free Hudsonville Little Debbie ice cream for a year!

To celebrate the new flavors launch, customers are encouraged to visit hudsonvilleicecream.com/littledebbiecontest for a chance to win free ice cream for a year.

Each flavor boasts aspects of their admired Little Debbie counterparts for a time-tested, nostalgia in a pint experience. New flavor profiles include:

Star Crunch : Caramel flavored ice cream, with chocolate-coated crispies and finished with a thick fudge swirl

: Caramel flavored ice cream, with chocolate-coated crispies and finished with a thick fudge swirl Unicorn Cakes : Smooth strawberry flavored ice cream with yellow pound cake pieces and purple sanding sugar, finished with a blue icing swirl

: Smooth strawberry flavored ice cream with yellow pound cake pieces and purple sanding sugar, finished with a blue icing swirl Fudge Rounds : Chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake flavored ice cream marbled together with soft chocolatey cake crumbs throughout

: Chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake flavored ice cream marbled together with soft chocolatey cake crumbs throughout Birthday Cake: Sweet white cake flavored ice cream with yellow cake pieces and colorful icing sprinkles throughout

The sweepstakes closes Wednesday, July 12, at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Fans can enter via the contest page on Hudsonville Ice Creams website, one entry per person, entrants must be 18+, no purchase necessary. 10 winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted by Hudsonville Ice Cream to claim their winnings.

For more information on Hudsonville Little Debbie ice cream, visit: hudsonvilleicecream.com/flavors-category/little-debbie.

About Hudsonville Ice Cream

Hudsonville makes ice cream you can enjoy every day. This Michigan-based, family-owned and operated company has revolutionized how ice cream is made by building the most progressive ice cream manufacturing facility in the country. Hudsonville Ice Cream combines time-tested recipes with fresh milk and cream from local farms to make real, creamy ice cream that generations have come to know and love. Learn more at hudsonvilleicecream.com.

About the Little Debbie Brand

McKee Foods Little Debbie brand is the No. 1 brand in the baked sweet goods category. American shoppers purchase more than 2,100 Little Debbie products per minute. Little Debbie snacks are made fresh and delivered from our bakeries to your communities on our own trucking fleet. Wholesale distributors, who are members of your communities, purchase these products from McKee Foods and sell them to local retailers, and ensure that the freshest products are available in your stores. In fact, youll find our family promise of quality, freshness and taste on every package. Visit littledebbie.com for more information, or follow Little Debbie on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Kate Komarzec

kkomarzec@lambert.com

Asset Link:

https://bit.ly/LittleDebbieIceCream

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0485411f-f450-4314-9d0f-08405fe6ab93
Pune, India, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global clear aligners market size was valued at USD 3.32 billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow from USD 3.80 billion in 2023 to USD 17.27 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 24.2% during the forecast period. The rising prevalence of malocclusion and unmet population needs are likely to elevate this industrys progress. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its report titled Clear Aligners Market, 2023-2030.

Key Industry Development

February 2022: Ormco Corporation announced the release of its Spark Clear Aligners Release 12, offering product optimization, clinical enhancements, and case-planning improvements to provide doctors with more flexibility, efficiency, and control.





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Key Takeaways:

Clear aligners include better appearance, higher convenience & comfort, and greater ability to customize.

The demand for Clear aligners over traditional braces has grown due to the favorable outcomes they offer while treating malocclusion.

The market value in North America stood at USD 1.92 billion in 2022.

The market is predicted to grow steadily to restore its pre-pandemic growth after relaxations in pandemic restrictions.

Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:

Companies leading the global clear aligners market are Align Technology, Inc. (U.S.), 3M (U.S.), Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland), Ormco Corporation (Envista) (U.S.), Dentsply Sirona (U.S.), Henry Schein, Inc. (U.S.), Argen Corporation (U.S.), Angelalign Technology Inc. (China)

Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 24.2% 2030 Value Projection USD 17.27 Billion Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2023 USD 3.32 billion Historical Data 2019 to 2021 No. of Pages 147 Segments covered Age Group, End User, and Region





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Drivers and Restraints

Rising Awareness About Product Benefits over Traditional Methods Will Fuel Market Growth

The demand for clear aligners is growing at a robust pace as compared to the conventional braces as more patients are becoming aware of their benefits in treating misaligned teeth or malocclusion. Some of the advantages of these products include greater convenience & comfort, better appearance, and high customization abilities. Moreover, many companies are focusing on creating new products and upgrading their current product ranges to expand their customer base and geographical reach.

However, rising competition from direct-to-consumer manufacturers may hinder market progress.

Segmentation:

Adult Segment to Dominate Market Due to Robust Demand for Dental Aesthetics

By age group, the market is segmented into teenage and adults. The adults segment is expected to lead due to the robust demand for dental aesthetics as a rising percentage of adults are suffering from malocclusion.

Growing Preference for Dentists and Orthodontists to Boost Demand for Dentist & Orthodontist Owned Practices

As per end-user, the market is classified into dentist & orthodontist owned practices and others. The dentist & orthodontist owned practices segment is expected to lead the market due to growing preference for dentists and orthodontists as they are highly trained in treating complex dental ailments.

Regionally, the market is clubbed into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.





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Market Segmentation:

By Age Group

Teenagers

Adults

By End-user

Dentist & Orthodontist Owned Practices

Others

By Geography

North America (By Age Group, By End User, and By Country)

U.S. (By Age Group)

Canada (By Age Group)

Europe (By Age Group, By End User, and By Country/Sub-Regions)

U.K. (By Age Group)

Germany (By Age Group)

France (By Age Group)

Spain (By Age Group)

Italy (By Age Group)

Rest of Europe (By Age Group)

Asia Pacific (By Age Group, By End User, and By Country/Sub-Regions)

China (By Age Group)

Japan (By Age Group)

India (By Age Group)

Australia (By Age Group)

Southeast Asia (By Age Group)

Rest of Asia Pacific (By Age Group)

Rest of the World (By Age Group, By End User)

Regional Insights

Presence of Numerous Players to Foster Market Progress in North America

North America is projected to dominate the clear aligners market share due to the presence of major players. The market value in North America stood at USD 1.92 billion in 2022 and is expected to gain a huge portion of the global market share in the coming years. Furthermore, increasing R&D investments by manufacturers and favorable reimbursement programs in dentistry in the region are expected to foster this industrys growth prospects.

In Europe, rising awareness about the incorporation of innovative technologies in clear aligners is likely to elevate product demand. Furthermore, expansions of facilities by key manufacturers may attract consumers, thereby fostering product sales.

Competitive Landscape

Robust Sales Recorded by Align Technology to Result in Market Dominance

As far as the competitive landscape is concerned, the consolidated market has shown the dominance of one company  Align Technology, Inc. One of the major reasons behind this firms leading position in the market is the large-scale demand for its Invisalign aligner product range. It is said to be the only clear aligner that can treat a wide range of complex dental disorders, such as teenagers and adults suffering from immature dentition.





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FAQs

How big is the clear aligners market?

The clear aligners market size was USD 3.32 billion in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 17.27 billion by 2030.

How fast is the clear aligners market growing?

The clear aligners market will exhibit a CAGR of 24.2 % during the forecast period, 2023-2030.





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U.S. Clear Aligners Market Size, Share, Revenue Forecast and Opportunities

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Dental Crowns and Bridges Market Size, Share, Opportunities & Analysis

Cosmetic Dentistry Market Growth, Industry Analysis, Demand and Forecast

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New York, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Screw Compressor Market: Trends, Opportunities and Competitive Analysis [2023-2028]" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06465851/?utm_source=GNW



Screw Compressor Market Trends and Forecast

The future of the global screw compressor market looks promising with opportunities in the chemical and petrochemical, food and beverage, mining and metal, oil and gas, automotive, and power plant end use industries. The global screw compressor market is expected to reach an estimated $15.9 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 4.6% from 2023 to 2028. The major drivers for this market are growing demand for energy efficient compressors; increasing application of these compressors in petrochemicals, mining, and oil & gas industries; and significant usage of these screw compressors for applications requiring low pressure and high volume.



A more than 150-page report is developed to help in your business decisions. A sample figure with some insights is shown below.



Screw Compressor Market by Segment



The study includes trends and forecast for the global screw compressor market by product type, stage, technology, end use industry, and region, as follows:



Screw Compressor Market by Product Type [Value ($B) Shipment Analysis from 2017 to 2028]:

 Oil-Free

 Oil-Injected



Screw Compressor Market by Stage [Value ($B) Shipment Analysis from 2017 to 2028]:

 Single Stage

 Multi Stage



Screw Compressor Market by Technology [Value ($B) Shipment Analysis from 2017 to 2028]:

 Stationary

 Portable



Screw Compressor Market by End Use Industry [Value ($B) Shipment Analysis from 2017 to 2028]:

 Chemicals and Petrochemicals

 Food and Beverages

 Mining and Metals

 Oil and Gas

 Automotive

 Power Plants



Screw Compressor Market by Region [Value ($B) Shipment Analysis from 2017 to 2028]:

 North America

 Europe

 Asia Pacific

 The Rest of the World

List of Screw Compressor Companies

Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies, screw compressor companies cater to increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the screw compressor companies profiled in this report include-

 Ingersoll Rand PLC

 Atlas Copco AB

 GE Oil & Gas

 Siemens AG

 Gardner Denver

Screw Compressor Market Insights

 The analyst forecasts that oil-injected is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period due to the growing use of this compressor in end use industries, like mining and power plants, owing to its high reliability, low maintenance costs, and noiseless operations.

 The power plant segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to the significant use of screw compressors in the power industry to produce steady and reliable electricity.

 APAC will remain the largest region due to a huge number of screw compressor export activities in China and increasing industrialization and manufacturing facilities in the region.

Features of the Screw Compressor Market

 Market Size Estimates: Screw compressor market size estimation in terms of value ($B)

 Trend And Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2017-2022) and forecast (2023-2028) by various segments and regions.

 Segmentation Analysis: Screw compressor market size by various segments, such as by product type, stage, technology, end use industry, and region

 Regional Analysis: Screw compressor market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

 Growth Opportunities: Analysis on growth opportunities in different product types, stages, technology, end use industries, and regions for the screw compressor market.

 Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape for the screw compressor market.

 Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porters Five Forces model.

FAQ

Q1. What is the screw compressor market size?

Answer: The global screw compressor market is expected to reach an estimated $15.9 billion by 2028.

Q2. What is the growth forecast for screw compressor market?

Answer: The global screw compressor market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.6% from 2023 to 2028.

Q3. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the screw compressor market?

Answer: The major drivers for this market are growing demand for energy-efficient compressors; increasing application of these compressors in petrochemical, mining, and oil & gas industries; and significant usage of these screw compressors for applications requiring low pressure and high volume.

Q4. What are the major segments for screw compressor market?

Answer: The future of the screw compressor market looks promising with opportunities in the chemical and petrochemical, food and beverage, mining and metal, oil and gas, automotive, and power plant end use industries.

Q5. Who are the key screw compressor companies?



Answer: Some of the key screw compressor companies are as follows:

 Ingersoll Rand PLC

 Atlas Copco AB

 GE Oil & Gas

 Siemens AG

 Gardner Denver

Q6. Which screw compressor segment will be the largest in future?

Answer:The analyst forecasts that oil-injected is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period due to the growing use of this compressor in end use industries, like mining and power plants, owing to its high reliability, low maintenance costs, and noiseless operations.

Q7. In screw compressor market, which region is expected to be the largest in next 5 years?

Answer: APAC will remain the largest region due to a huge number of screw compressor export activities in China and increasing industrialization and manufacturing facilities in the region.

Q8. Do we receive customization in this report?

Answer: Yes, The analyst provides 10% Customization Without any Additional Cost.

This report answers following 11 key questions

Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the screw compressor market by product type (oil-free and oil-injected), stage (single-stage and multi-stage), technology (stationary and portable), end use industry (chemicals and petrochemicals, food and beverages, mining and metals, oil and gas, automotive, and power plants), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?

Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?

Q.3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?

Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?

Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?

Q.6. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?

Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?

Q.8. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?

Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?

Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?

Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last five years and what has its impact been on the industry?





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ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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New York, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Environmental Consulting Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06465970/?utm_source=GNW

Environmental consulting companies offer various services, including environmental impact assessments, sustainability reporting, environmental management systems, and compliance auditing. These services assist firms in reducing their environmental effect and ensuring compliance with legislation.



Key Highlights

Growing awareness of the environmental impact of human activities has increased the demand for sustainable practices in various sectors. This has generated opportunities for environmental consulting firms to advise businesses on implementing sustainable practices.

Environmental consulting services are required due to the rising pollution levels in the world. These services support government and commercial efforts to resolve environmental issues, adhere to rules, and lessen environmental effects. The pressing need to manage pollution and environmental harm drives the global environmental consulting markets rapid growth.

The global environmental consulting market is driven by the shifting regulatory landscape and increased emphasis on firms environmental friendliness. Globally, governments are enacting stricter environmental standards, and businesses are under more pressure to follow them and show their commitment to sustainability. Environmental consulting companies are essential in assisting businesses in navigating these rules and achieving their sustainability objectives.

The sluggish adoption of sustainability across fast-growing economies presents a challenge for the global market for environmental consultancy. Like China and India, these economies are rapidly industrializing and degrading. However, the slow adoption rate of sustainability techniques in these nations presents a problem for environmental consulting companies looking to advance sustainability.

The emergence of COVID-19 prompted the industrial sector to reconsider its old manufacturing methods, primarily driving digital transformation and smart manufacturing techniques throughout production lines. Manufacturers were also driven to develop and execute various novel and agile product and quality control approaches.

Intense competition in the post-pandemic world is one of the most challenging problems in environmental consulting. Customers can choose an environmental consultant from a wide range of expertise by looking them up online. Lastly, to maintain their lead in the market, businesses must adopt a new competitive mindset and show off their unique qualities.



Environmental Consulting Market Trends



Public Sector End-user Industry is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share



The public sector is a segment of the economy that includes all government-owned and operated entities. This encompasses everything from schools and hospitals to highways and bridges. The primary goal of the public sector is to provide services deemed necessary for societal well-being. These services are often given for free or at a reduced fee.

Public sector environmental consulting is a type of management consulting that works with municipal, state, and federal governments and government agencies. Some large management consulting companies (BCG, McKinsey, Monitor, Booz&Co., and PA Consulting Group) do public sector engagements as part of their overall business.

The public sector is critical to the efficient running of society. It delivers essential services that are required for the communities well-being. Furthermore, the public sector is essential to promoting economic growth and stability.

Governments typically employ consultants to provide temporary expert services in engineering, information technology, or strategy. Government officials state that consulting businesses provide specialized expertise and skills often unavailable to the public sector and are more effectively supplied through project-based contracts.

Furthermore, governments in various public sectors worldwide are increasingly turning to consultants to help them meet their overall development goals. As a result of all these causes, the consulting business is expected to expand significantly in the coming years. For instance, in May 2022, Lufthansa partnered with BCG for strategy consulting services to assist their business recovery plan. The German government acquired a 20% interest in the firm, freeing up EUR 9 billion (USD 9.79 billion) to safeguard the troubled airlines immediate survival.

An environmental consultant addresses issues, such as contamination of the land and water, waste management policies, environmental management systems, air assessment, environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, the management of legislative issues for clients, the development of conceptual models (identifying and considering potential contaminant sources), ongoing communication with clients, inspectors, and regulators identifying previous activities and any contamination when assessing property. The population and globalization have increased global waste volume. In recent years, according to a World Bank Group Report, the world has created 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW), with at least 33% of thatto put it mildlynot being managed ecologically sustainably.

Worldwide, trash created per person per day averages 0.74 kilograms but varies greatly, ranging from 0.11 to 4.54 kilos. Despite having just 16% of the worlds population, high-income nations create around 34% of the worlds garbage or 683 million tonnes, and it is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050. The United States and Denmark are two of the global highest per capita producers of municipal solid garbage. These nations residents generate more than 800 kilograms of garbage annually on average.



North America is Expected to Hold the Significant Market Share



Growing emphasis on environmentally friendly company practices, rising concerns about climate change, and regulatory requirements for environmental compliance are the key reasons propelling the environmental consulting market in the United States. The need for effective and efficient management of waste, pollution, and natural resources is also driving demand for environmental consulting services. In addition, expanding industrial sectors has given consulting companies a chance to offer environmental assessments and remedial services. The market for environmental consulting in the United States is increasing as a result of mergers and acquisitions within the sector.

The necessity for enterprises to manage environmental hazards, as well as greater regulatory scrutiny and the importance of sustainability, are some of the factors driving the environmental consulting market in the United States. Increased regulatory scrutiny is a significant factor in the growth of the environmental consulting industry in the United States. The federal and state governments have implemented several environmental rules to safeguard the environment and public health.

These regulations cover many areas, such as waste management, hazardous materials, and air and water quality. Organizations disregarding these standards risk severe penalties, such as fines and legal action. For assistance navigating the complicated regulatory landscape and ensuring compliance with environmental standards, many enterprises turn to environmental consulting firms.

Numerous federal and provincial laws and regulations in Canada regulate sustainability and environmental preservation. These laws impose strict ecological requirements on businesses, such as controlling hazardous waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental consulting companies frequently need their skills to comply with these rules. The Canadian government recently unveiled its strategy for achieving net zero emissions by 2050. It will necessitate significant adjustments in how firms run their operations and boost demand for environmental consulting services.

By 2030, the Canadian government wants to generate 90% of its electricity from renewable resources. Projects using renewable energy, such as wind and solar farms, have grown due to this. For these projects, environmental consulting companies are frequently hired to conduct environmental impact analyses and guarantee regulatory compliance.



Environmental Consulting Industry Overview



The environmental consulting market is highly fragmented, with the presence of major players like Jacobs Solutions Inc., AECOM, WSP Global Inc., Stantec Inc., and Ramboll Group AS. Players in the market are adopting strategies such as partnerships and acquisitions to enhance their product offerings and gain sustainable competitive advantage.



September 2022 - Tetra Tech acquired RPS Group PLC. This acquisition aims to help the company to expand its global presence. The RPS Group significantly extends Tetra Techs water practice in the United Kingdom and strengthens Tetra Techs leadership position in renewable energy and environmental management. The merger expands the geographic footprint in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia.

August 2022 - Arup entered various contracts and agreements, expanding its existing operations and strengthening its market position. The company partnered with Matidor.com to enable civil engineers to model multiple urban planning scenarios and calculate and optimize energy efficiency in real-time to develop the best-performing model to achieve maximum environmental impact. In the same month, the company secured a contract from Velindre University NHS Trust to develop Velindre Cancer Centre in the United Kingdom.



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

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New York, USA, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the Market Research Future (MRFR),  Biometric Banking Market by Product Type (Hardware and Software), By Product Application (Finger Print, Facial Recognition, Hand Geometry, Iris Recognition, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest Of The World)  Market Forecast Till 2032", the global biometric banking market will touch USD 18.0 billion at a 15.80% CAGR by 2032, as per the recent Market Research Future report.

Growth Drivers - Enhanced Security to Boost Market

When compared to conventional authentication methods such as passwords or PINs, biometric authentication techniques like fingerprint, iris scan, or face recognition offer a better level of security. Individuals' distinctive biological traits make it challenging for thieves to copy or steal, lowering the danger of identity theft or unauthorized access.

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Biometric Banking Market Key Players

Eminent industry players profiled in the global biometric banking market report include:

Techshino Technology

Ample trails, Inc

Biometrics Institute

State Grid Corporation of Chin

BPI Connected Identification

American Safety Council, Inc

Aulich & Co

Digital Person

FIDO Alliance member

Diebold & Co

Omaha Based First Data Co

Chase & Co

Authentik Solutions

Visa Co

Biolink Solutions

Innoventry Corporation

Auraya Systems Pty Ltd

Baztech Inc

Axon Wireless International

Charles Schwab And Co.

Scope of the Report - Biometric Banking Market:



Report Metrics Details Market Size by 2032 USD 18.0 Billion CAGR during 2023-2032 15.80% Base Year 2022 Forecast 2023-2033 Key Market Opportunities Significant advancements in biometric solutions designed or authentication and identification applications Key Market Dynamics The growing adoption of biometric systems in consumer electronics and automotive and the expanding applications of biometric technology in various industries





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Opportunities

Increasing Smartphone Adoption to offer Robust Opportunities

Biometric banking has been made possible by the increasing use of smartphones with biometric sensors, like fingerprint scanners or face recognition cameras. Customers are more inclined to accept biometric authentication for financial services as they get accustomed to utilizing biometrics for unlocking their devices.

Restraints and Challenges

Privacy Concerns to act as Market Restraints

Privacy concerns, regulatory compliance, technical limitations, security threats, and operational challenges may act as market restraints over the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

The global biometric banking market is bifurcated based on product type and product application.

By product type, hardware will lead the market over the forecast period. The development of mobile biometric devices, the growing focus on hardware-based security features, and the rising usage of biometric technology especially in consumer electronics both for authentication and identification applications are important factors affecting the expansion of biometric technology. The advantages of biometric hardware, including precise identification accountability, higher performance, reliability, and high security & assurance, all contribute to this market's growth. For the benefit of the small & medium-sized businesses, several suppliers are investing in R&D of cutting-edge technologies to enhance hardware capabilities and reduce prices.

By product application, fingerprint will domineer the market over the forecast period. This is a result of single-factor authentication being widely used since it is more effective, useful, and quick to perform. The most popular single factor technologies are face and fingerprint identification, particularly in banking, travel, & immigration applications. The need for single factor systems has surged due to the quick acceptance of these technologies particularly in consumer electronic gadgets.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (128 Pages, Charts, Tables, Figures) on Biometric Banking Market:

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/biometric-banking-market-11821

COVID-19 Analysis

The need for contactless biometric solutions especially in the banking sector has increased because of the requirement to minimize physical touch and lower the risk of virus transmission. Touchless authentication may be made possible through biometric technology like face recognition and fingerprint scanning, offering a more sanitary and safe banking experience. As individuals switched to online and mobile banking to avoid going to conventional branches, the epidemic has sped up the use of the digital banking services.

The use of biometric authentication technologies, such as face or fingerprint recognition, is becoming important for securing access to digital financial systems, improving user experience, and minimizing the need for more conventional identification techniques. The banking industry has placed increased emphasis on the remote identity verification as remote work and digital transactions have grown in popularity. Biometric technologies provide a reliable and practical way to remotely confirm a person's identification, assisting in the detection of fraud and ensuring safe transactions.

Regional Analysis

North America to Head Biometric Banking Market

In 2022, this market was headed by North America (45.80%). In the United States, biometric technologies are extensively employed in a range of sectors, including government, homeland security, commerce, and justice. Owing to the heightened threat of terrorism on a worldwide scale, biometric technology is able to meet an increasing number of safety & security needs. Additionally, the North American biometric banking market in the United States had the biggest market share, while the market in Canada had the quickest rate of expansion.

Due to its highly developed technology infrastructure and a strong emphasis on data security & privacy rules, North America remained in the forefront of the implementation of biometric banking. Large financial institutions have made considerable investments in the biometric banking systems in the United States and Canada. These products are designed to safeguard client accounts, stop unauthorized access, and offer a simple & secure banking experience.

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APAC to Have Admirable Growth in Biometric Banking Market

From 2023 to 2032, the APAC Biometric Banking industry is anticipated to see rapid expansion. It is also envisaged that initiatives including face, fingerprint, and eye biometrics, such as Indias UIDAI project & the e-KTP electronic ID scheme in Indonesia, could provide new economic opportunities. The usage of the biometric identification technology has been widely adopted in the region, and the banking industry has advanced with the replacement of conventional systems with biometric ones.

In order to prevent fraud & identity theft within the region's banking sector, which is rapidly going digital, more stringent personnel and customer identification procedures are still required. Additionally, the biometric banking industry in India grew the quickest in the Asia-Pacific region, while China's biometric banking market had the greatest market share.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV:WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to report additional drill results from its Phase 1 exploration program on its 100% owned Rowan Property located in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwestern, Ontario, Canada (initial drill results reported on May 23, 2023).



HIGHLIGHTS:

Hole RLG-23-146 Intersected 2.8m @ 20.9 g/t Au, from 349.7m to 352.5m, Including 0.5m @ 113.74 g/t Au, from 349.7m to 350.2m

Hole RLG-23-133 Intersected 0.4m @ 104.98 g/t Au, from 74.85m to 75.25m

Hole RLG-23-144 Intersected 0.5m @ 74.36 g/t Au, from 452.5m to 453m

Hole RLG-23-146 Intersected 1.35m @ 16.34 g/t Au, from 241m to 242.35m, Including, 0.85m @ 25.8 g/t Au from 241m to 241.85m

Hole RLG-23-145 Intersected 2m @ 10.53 g/t Au, from 265m to 267m, Including, 1m @ 20.79 g/t Au from 266m to 267m



The high-grade mineralized vein zones encountered at the Rowan Mine target area (the Rowan Mine Target) are in-line with expectations on gold grade, confirm the geologic model, and help to bolster the existing high-grade (9.2 g/t Au) 827,462 ounce Inferred Mineral Resource at the Rowan Mine. Sections for the Rowan Mine drilling outlined in this release are provided in Figures 2 through 7.

Shane Williams, President & CEO, stated, We are delighted with the continued success our geologic team is having at the Rowan Mine Target. Drilling continues to intercept high-grade gold at or near projected depths, confirming our model of the Rowan vein system. This enriches our understanding of the grade continuity and gold distribution within individual vein zones. Moreover, the discovery of visible gold and mineralization in veins subsidiary to the main structures indicates much more gold in the overall system than previously believed.

Several drill intercepts received to date have returned assay results at higher grades than those in the existing Inferred resource block model. We look forward to updating the Rowan mineral resource, which currently hosts Inferred resources of 827,462 ounces at 9.2 g/t gold.

With the acquisition of the Madsen Gold Project, the Company has secured the necessary infrastructure, potentially accelerating the production timeline for Rowan, which is situated within trucking distance from the Madsen Mill.

A total of 23 diamond drill holes totaling 6,063m have been completed so far in 2023 at the Rowan Mine target area. Fire and metallic screen assays have been returned for 19 out of 23 holes completed, with 4 holes pending assays and QAQC at the time of this writing.

TABLE 1. Significant intercepts (>4gpt Au) from Phase 1 drilling at Rowan Mine Target.

Hole ID Target From (m) To (m) Thick (m)* Au (g/t) RLG-22-118 Rowan Mine 371 372 1 7.72 AND Rowan Mine 387.5 388.85 1.35 5.47 Incl. Rowan Mine 387.5 388 0.5 14.05 RLG-23-133 Rowan Mine 74.85 75.25 0.4 104.98 RLG-23-136 Rowan Mine 59 60.35 1.35 8.08 Incl. Rowan Mine 59.85 60.35 0.5 13.95 AND Rowan Mine 140 141.5 1.5 5.77 Incl. Rowan Mine 141 141.5 0.5 13.18 RLG-23-137 Rowan Mine 49.83 50.95 1.12 4.43 AND Rowan Mine 79 81 2 4.88 Incl. Rowan Mine 79.92 81 1.08 7.6 RLG-23-141 Rowan Mine 51 52 1 5.07 AND Rowan Mine 90 91 1 6.25 AND Rowan Mine 122 123 1 4.69 RLG-23-142 Rowan Mine 86 86.4 0.4 10.18 RLG-23-143 Rowan Mine 83 87 4 4.52 Incl. Rowan Mine 86 87 1 12.59 RLG-23-144 Rowan Mine 452.5 453 0.5 74.36 AND Rowan Mine 477.65 478.15 0.5 4.14 RLG-23-145 Rowan Mine 245.7 246.85 1.15 8.93 Incl. Rowan Mine 246.3 246.85 0.55 17.66 AND Rowan Mine 265 267 2 10.53 Incl. Rowan Mine 266 267 1 20.79 RLG-23-146 Rowan Mine 200 200.5 0.5 4.06 AND Rowan Mine 241 242.35 1.35 16.34 Incl. Rowan Mine 241 241.85 0.85 25.8 AND Rowan Mine 248 249 1 4.06 AND Rowan Mine 250 250.5 0.5 8.24 AND Rowan Mine 349.7 352.5 2.8 20.9 Incl. Rowan Mine 349.7 350.2 0.5 113.74 RLG-23-147 Rowan Mine 258.85 261 2.15 6.07 Incl. Rowan Mine 258.85 259.35 0.5 16.8 AND Rowan Mine 363.35 364.35 1 18.24 Incl. Rowan Mine 363.35 363.85 0.5 36.37

*The From-To intervals in Table 1 are denoting overall downhole length of the intercept. True thickness has not been calculated for these intercepts but is expected to be  70% of downhole thickness based on intercept angles observed in the drill core. Composite intervals do not cross sample boundaries < 0.1 g/t Au.

An additional 1,000m of diamond drilling planned for the Phase 1 program is currently ongoing and expected to be completed on target in early July, 2023. The focus of this drilling is on infill and expansion within high-grade mineralized zones at the Rowan Mine resource area. Upon completion of Phase 1, the Company will lead directly into its Phase 2 program, which will include an additional 10,000m of drilling to further build on Phase 1 exploration work and to continue de-risking the high-grade Rowan Mine resource.

It is the Companys belief that potential synergies could exist between high-grade resources at the Rowan Mine target area and Madsen. Early indications suggest that the gold mineralization at Rowan could be amenable to gravity separation. The Company has initiated a metallurgical study at Rowan to begin evaluating this potential opportunity, as well as a geotechnical study to better characterize the rock mass properties within the mineralized vein zones at Rowan.





FIGURE 1. Rowan drilling completed to date. Traces for holes with assays highlighted in this news release shown in red. Traces for holes with assays previously reported shown in black.

TABLE 2: Drill collar summary for holes reported in this News Release.

Hole ID Target Easting Northing Elev (m) Length (m) Azimuth Dip RLG-22-118 Rowan Mine 422051 5657750 384 327 357 -60 RLG-23-133 Rowan Mine 421994 5657920 367 120 0 -50 RLG-23-136 Rowan Mine 421945 5657885 367 171 0 -50 RLG-23-137 Rowan Mine 421945 5657938 367 120 0 -50 RLG-23-141 Rowan Mine 421772 5657793 368 189 0 -50 RLG-23-142 Rowan Mine 421770 5657851 368 192 0 -50 RLG-23-143 Rowan Mine 421711 5657775 368 150 0 -50 RLG-23-144 Rowan Mine 422051 5657753 380 520 355 -65 RLG-23-145 Rowan Mine 422051 5657752 380 372 355 -52 RLG-23-146 Rowan Mine 422051 5657752 380 372 345 -50 RLG-23-147 Rowan Mine 422051 5657752 380 411 345 -55





DISCUSSION

The Rowan Mine Target consists of more than seven sub-parallel, near-vertical, east-west trending veins that are currently defined over a strike length of approximately 1.1 kilometre (km)  mineralization remains open along strike and at depth. The orientation of the veins at the Rowan Mine tend to follow the direction of D2 deformation, which is oriented in an east-west direction over this part of the property. Individual mineralized vein zones usually average 1.0 to 1.5m in thickness, with an overall thickness of the Rowan vein corridor at around 115m. Gold mineralization is typically localized within quartz-carbonate veins hosted within and along the footwall margin of a porphyritic felsic intrusive, with increased grades often associated with the presence of visible gold and base metal sulphides (e.g. galena, sphalerite). High-grade dilation zones or ore chutes along the Rowan vein trend have been recognized as important controls for localizing thicker and higher-grade zones of gold mineralization. The position and geometry of these dilation zones is well understood at Rowan.

The Phase 1 drilling completed at the Rowan Mine Target in 2023 has been focused on validating historical data across the Inferred Resource, and also infilling apparent gaps in the analytical data set which was a product of very selective sampling techniques implemented during previous drilling campaigns. Assay results received from the 2023 Phase 1 drilling program continue to confirm our thesis that quartz veining and gold mineralization continue at depth and along strike, with grades consistent with, or higher than those outlined in the current Inferred Mineral Resource which remains open in all directions. For example, the 100 Vein Zone - which is the furthest north vein currently modeled within the overall Rowan vein corridor - was previously interpreted to be a lower grade portion of the block model. Recent drilling has confirmed that higher grades are present within the 100 Vein Zone below 150m elevation, suggesting that gold grades are increasing at depth within this zone which is a trend that has been observed elsewhere in the Red Lake district. Drilling at the Rowan Mine Target area will continue with an emphasis on infill and expansion of the existing high-grade mineral resource.





FIGURE 2. Rowan Mine drill section for Hole RLG-23-133.





FIGURE 3. Rowan Mine drill section for Holes RLG-23-136 and RLG-23-137.





FIGURE 4. Rowan Mine drill section for Holes RLG-23-141 and RLG-23-142.





FIGURE 5. Rowan Mine drill section for Holes RLG-23-143.





FIGURE 6. Rowan Mine drill section for Holes RLG-22-118, RLG-23-144 and RLG-23-145. RLG-22-118 was re-entered in 2023 and extended to intercept the deeper 100 and 110 vein zones.





FIGURE 7. Rowan Mine drill section for Holes RLG-22-146 and RLG-23-147. Note the high-grade intercepts encountered at depth within the 100 Vein Zone.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

Drilling completed at the Rowan Property consists of oriented NQ-sized diamond drill core. All drill holes are systematically logged, photographed, and sampled by a trained geologist at WRLGs Mt. Jamie core processing facility. Minimum allowable sample length is 0.5m. Maximum allowable sample length is 1.5m. Standard reference materials and blanks are inserted at a targeted 5% insertion rate. The drill core is then cut lengthwise utilizing a diamond blade core saw along a line pre-selected by the geologist. To reduce sampling bias, the same side of drill core is sampled consistently utilizing the orientation line as reference. For those samples containing visible gold (VG), a trained geologist supervises the cutting/bagging of those samples, and ensures the core saw blade is cleaned with a dressing stone following the VG sample interval. Bagged samples are then sealed with zip ties and transported by WRLG personnel directly to SGS Natural Resources Facility in Red Lake, Ontario for assay.

Samples are then prepped by SGS, which consists of drying at 105C and crushing to 75% passing 2mm. A riffle splitter is then utilized to produce a 500g course reject for archive. The remainder of the sample is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns from which 50g is analyzed by fire assay and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish. Samples returning gold values > 5 g/t Au are reanalyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 50g sample. Samples with visible gold are also analyzed via metallic screen analysis (SGS code: GO_FAS50M). For multi-element analysis, samples are sent to SGSs facility in Burnaby, British Columbia and analyzed via four-acid digest with an atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish for 33-element analysis on 0.25g sample pulps (SGS code: GE_ICP40Q12). SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operates under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025.

West Red Lake Golds Rowan Property presently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Inferred Mineral Resource of 2,790,700 t at an average grade of 9.2 g/t Au containing 827,462 ounces of gold with a cut-off grade of 3.8 g/t Au (NI 43-101 Technical Report authored by John Kita, P.Eng., dated December 13, 2022 and filed December 30, 2022 on sedar.com). The Inferred Mineral Resource is located in the area of the historic underground Rowan Mine site and situated within a 1.8 km strike length portion of the regional scale Pipestone Bay St Paul Deformation Zone.

The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for exploration at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 Km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 Km2 including three past producing gold mines - Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit.

ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

Shane Williams

Shane Williams

President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Amandip Singh, VP Corporate Development

Tel: 416-203-9181

Email: investors@westredlakegold.com or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.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.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27aaecf0-68dd-4650-8695-ed5321766fbf

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MONTREAL, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Troilus Gold Corp. (Troilus or the Company, TSX: TLG; OTCQX: CHXMF) reports assay results from Zone X22 (X22) at its Troilus Project, located in northcentral Quebec, Canada. The results herein are part of a 7,800-metre drill campaign completed in May 2023 at X22, designed to define and expand the mineralization of this NE-SW trending high-grade deformation corridor for inclusion in a Feasibility Study expected before year-end.



The results reported today were drilled in the northeastern most region of X22, proximal to the edge of the formerly mined Z87 open pit, confirming further mineral continuity of high-grade structures between new and previously reported drill holes (see plan view in Figure 1 and Section in Figure 2). All results reported today lie outside of the PEA pit shells and are intended to be included in the upcoming mineral resource estimate and Feasibility Study.

X22 Zone Intercept Highlights:

Hole X22-23-027 intersected 36.08 g/t AuEq over 0.5m at surface in addition to 1.19 g/t AuEq over 9m within a broader intersection of 0.81 g/t AuEq over 29m , confirming mineral continuity 100m up-dip of previously reported drill hole X22-23-024 (see March 23, 2023, press release) which intersected 1.55 g/t AuEq over 5m incl. 13.32 AuEq over 0.5m, 7.02 g/t AuEq over 0.5m and 1.49 g/t AuEq over 34.5m incl. 1.66 g/t AuEq over 19.5 m (see Figure 2).



at surface in addition to , confirming mineral continuity 100m up-dip of previously reported drill hole X22-23-024 (see March 23, 2023, press release) which intersected (see Figure 2). Hole X22-23-065 drilled 10.74 g/t AuEq over 1m, 12.05 g/t AuEq over 2m, 0.72 g/t AuEq over 7m and 2.16 g/t AuEq over 1m extending mineralization 50m down-dip of previously reported hole X22-23-021 (see March 30, 2023, press release) which intersected 8.23 g/t AuEq over 1m and 0.94 g/t AuEq over 34.5m, incl. 1.36 g/t AuEq over 18m and 3.62 g/t AuEq over 3m (see Figure 2).



extending mineralization 50m down-dip of previously reported hole X22-23-021 (see March 30, 2023, press release) which intersected (see Figure 2). Hole X22-23-045 drilled 14.02 g/t AuEq over 1m, 7.85 g/t AuEq over 1m and 2.17 g/t AuEq over 13m within a broader intersection of 1.30 g/t AuEq over 28m, confirming a 50-metre extension of mineralization down-dip from hole X22-23-065, reported today, and 100m downdip from previously reported hole X22-23-021 which remains open to expansion at depth (see Figure 2).



Justin Reid, CEO of Troilus Gold, commented, Our geological team has worked diligently to execute the drill program at X22 which has rapidly delineated this zone and demonstrated a consistent pattern of higher-grade structures along its strike length. Weve identified extremely positive results in close proximity to the formerly mined Z87 pit, which has significantly improved our understanding of this new deposit and its potential impact on the upcoming Feasibility Study.

Speaking in relation to the forest fire situation in Northern Quebec, Mr. Reid further commented, We sincerely thank all involved in mitigating the impacts of the forest fires in Northern Quebec and keeping our employees and local communities safe. Although exploration and drilling activities have been temporarily suspended, we remain on schedule to deliver major milestones before the end of the year, including an updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Feasibility Study.

Drilling at X22 has consistently returned results demonstrating a pattern of continuous near surface high-grade mineralization with significant grade thicknesses along its ~1-kilometre strike length, which remains open to expansion. The latest results have further defined mineralization in the northeastern portion of the X22 deformation corridor, adjacent to the Z87 pit. High-grade material in this area is characterized by potasically altered shear zones and felsic porphyry dykes, primarily along the footwall contact of a tonalitic body within the Troilus intrusion.

As reported on June 5, 2023, the Company halted its operations at its Troilus site amidst the worsening forest fire conditions in the Eeyou-Itschee James Bay region of northern Quebec as a safety precaution and in guidance with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests. Once operations resume, the Company intends to drill the remaining ~4,000 metres at X22 before the data cut-off for inclusion in the updated Mineral Resource Estimate. Results from the drill program will be reported as they become available. There has been no material impact to Troilus, and both the planned Mineral Resource Estimate update and Feasibility Study remain on track and are anticipated to be completed prior to calendar year-end.





Figure 1: Plan View Map of the Zone X22 Showing Current and Previously Reported Drilling

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2ef920a-f67f-49d8-bf7b-70b5f36a6478





Figure 2: Section 13,350N (A-A Figure 1) Showing Results for Holes X22-23-037, X22-23-065 and X22-23-045

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c0d529a-c487-4392-827a-37174d8cec25

Table 1: Zone X22 Drill Results

Hole From

(m) To (m) Interval (m) Inside/Outside of PEA Pit Shell Au Grade (g/t) Cu Grade (%) Ag Grade (g/t) AuEq Grade (g/t) X22-23-020 134 140 6.0 outside 2.49 0.05 4.83 2.61 incl 137 138 1.0 outside 8.04 0.06 4.80 8.17 187 188 1.0 outside 1.40 0.00 0.25 1.40 211 215 4.0 outside 0.67 0.00 0.25 0.68 incl 211 212 1.0 outside 1.34 0.00 0.25 1.35 220 221 1.0 outside 3.11 0.00 0.25 3.12 252 266 14.0 outside 0.94 0.00 0.29 0.95 incl 262 263 1.0 outside 4.69 0.01 0.50 4.70 315 316 1.0 outside 1.97 0.04 1.70 2.04 342 343 1.0 outside 0.96 0.00 0.25 0.97 X22-23-022 129 138 9.0 outside 1.06 0.01 0.28 1.08 incl 129 130 1.0 outside 3.11 0.01 0.25 3.13 incl 133 134 1.0 outside 3.21 0.00 0.25 3.22 incl 137 138 1.0 outside 1.12 0.00 0.25 1.12 X22-23-025 61 62 1.0 outside 0.96 0.05 0.50 1.02 70 97 27.0 outside 1.12 0.01 0.27 1.13 incl 70 72 2.0 outside 1.19 0.00 0.25 1.20 incl 85 97 12.0 outside 2.01 0.01 0.29 2.04 X22-23-028 75 82 7.0 outside 0.60 0.06 0.77 0.68 incl 77 78.6 1.6 outside 1.22 0.14 1.70 1.41 105 106 1.0 outside 0.95 0.10 2.30 1.10 110 111 1.0 outside 1.00 0.01 0.25 1.01 148 149 1.0 outside 0.99 0.01 0.25 1.01 X22-23-037 38 38.5 0.5 outside 33.90 1.15 70.20 36.08 43 44.6 1.6 outside 1.17 0.09 5.85 1.34 69.2 70.5 1.3 outside 1.10 0.11 8.60 1.33 91 120 29.0 outside 0.78 0.02 0.43 0.81 incl 91 100 9.0 outside 1.14 0.04 0.83 1.19 incl 106 108 2.0 outside 1.54 0.00 0.25 1.55 incl 119 120 1.0 outside 2.84 0.00 0.25 2.85 194 195 1.0 outside 1.04 0.01 0.25 1.05 X22-23-044 126.0 127.0 1.0 outside 0.82 0.10 6.00 1.01 171.6 172.2 0.6 outside 10.60 0.44 9.70 11.25 297.0 324.0 27.0 outside 0.95 0.12 1.50 1.12 incl 297.0 298.0 1.0 outside 4.19 0.22 11.20 4.59 incl 302.0 303.0 1.0 outside 2.61 0.22 1.40 2.90 X22-23-045 250.6 252.4 1.8 outside 2.14 0.06 1.93 2.23 369.0 370.0 1.0 outside 13.90 0.08 2.30 14.02 385.0 413.0 28.0 outside 1.28 0.01 0.58 1.30 incl 399.0 412.0 13.0 outside 2.14 0.01 0.80 2.17 incl 407.0 408.0 1.0 outside 7.84 0.00 0.25 7.85 X22-23-058 26 42 16.0 outside 0.54 0.13 2.14 0.72 incl 28 29 1.0 outside 1.11 1.03 11.30 2.52 incl 32.85 33.5 0.6 outside 1.91 0.05 3.00 2.01 incl 34.5 35.65 1.2 outside 2.39 0.05 1.00 2.46 incl 38 39 1.0 outside 0.59 0.58 12.10 1.44 142 143 1.0 outside 1.60 0.00 0.25 1.61 176 184 8.0 outside 0.99 0.00 0.25 1.00 incl 176 177 1.0 outside 3.00 0.00 0.25 3.01 incl 183 184 1.0 outside 2.99 0.01 0.25 3.00 X22-23-065 122 123 1 1.48 0.31 8.30 1.95 231 232 1 10.70 0.03 0.50 10.74 250 252 2 11.35 0.22 40.40 12.05 316 319 3 1.12 0.03 5.17 1.21 329 336 7 0.70 0.01 0.25 0.72 350 351 1 2.16 0.00 0.25 2.16

*Note drill intervals reported in this news release are down-hole core lengths as true thicknesses cannot be determined with available information.

Quality Assurance and Control

During the Zone X22 drill program, one meter assay samples were taken from NQ core and sawed in half. One-half was sent for assaying at ALS Laboratory, a certified commercial laboratory, and the other half was retained for results, cross checks, and future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples; which included insertion of one certified mineralized standard and one blank sample in each batch of 25 samples. Every sample was processed with standard crushing to 85% passing 75 microns on 500 g splits. Samples were assayed by one-AT (30 g) fire assay with an AA finish and if results were higher than 3.5 g/t Au, assays were redone with a gravimetric finish. For QA/QC samples, a 50 g fire assay was done. In addition to gold, ALS laboratory carried out multi-element analysis for ME-ICP61 analysis of 33 elements four acid ICP-AES.

Qualified Person

The technical and scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Nicolas Guest, P.Geo., Senior Project Geologist, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Guest is an employee of Troilus and is not independent of the Company under NI 43-101.

About Troilus Gold Corp.

Troilus Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based junior mining company focused on the systematic advancement and de-risking of the former gold and copper Troilus Mine towards production. From 1996 to 2010, the Troilus Mine produced +2 million ounces of gold and nearly 70,000 tonnes of copper. Troilus is located in the top-rated mining jurisdiction of Quebec, Canada, where it holds a land position of 435 km within the prospective Frotet-Evans Greenstone Belt. Since acquiring the project in 2017, ongoing exploration success has demonstrated the tremendous scale potential of the gold system on the property with significant mineral resource growth. The Company is advancing engineering studies following the completion of a robust PEA in 2020, which demonstrated the potential for the Troilus project to become a top-ranked gold and copper producing asset in Canada. Led by an experienced team with a track-record of successful mine development, Troilus is positioned to become a cornerstone project in North America.

For more information:

Caroline Arsenault

VP Corporate Communications

+1 (647) 407-7123

info@troilusgold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability; the estimate of Mineral Resources in the updated Mineral Resource statement may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. There is no certainty that the Indicated Mineral Resources will be converted to the Probable Mineral Reserve category, and there is no certainty that the updated Mineral Resource statement will be realized.

The PEA is preliminary in nature, includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The PEA is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. See below and the Companys latest technical report available on SEDAR for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing.

This press 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 impact of the ongoing drill program and results on the Company, the possible economics of the project and the Companys understanding of the project; the development potential and timetable of the project; the estimation of mineral resources; realization of mineral resource estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future exploration; the anticipated results of the Companys ongoing 2023 drill program and their possible impact on the potential size of the mineral resource estimate; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; the anticipated ability of investors to continue benefiting from the Companys low discovery costs, technical expertise and support from local communities. 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, scheduled, 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, performances or achievements of Troilus 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 Troilus 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, currency fluctuations, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility and competition. 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 Troilus to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: there being no assurance that the exploration program will result in expanded mineral resources; risks and uncertainties inherent to mineral resource estimates; the impact the COVID 19 pandemic may have on the Companys activities (including without limitation on its employees and suppliers) and the economy in general; the impact of the recovery post COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on gold and other metals; the receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of mineral prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; environmental and other risks of the mining industry, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties discussed in the most recent Technical Report and in other continuous disclosure documents of the Company available under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. Although Troilus 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. Troilus does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Pune, India, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Insight Partners published the latest research study on " Electronic Contract Assembly Market Size Report, Forecast to 2028  COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis  by Service, End-User, and Geography," the market is projected to reach $251.63 Billion by 2028 from $142.79 Billion in 2022; it is expected to register a CAGR of 10.3% during 20232028.





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Global Electronic Contract Assembly Market Report Scope, Segmentations, Regional & Country Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in US$ 142.79 Billion in 2022 Market Size Value by US$ 251.63 Billion by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 10.3% from 2023 to 2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Base Year 2022 No. of Pages 152 No. of Tables 56 No. of Charts & Figures 73 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Product Type, Application, End User Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Companies Covered Creation Technologies LP, Precision Manufacturing Company Inc, Benchmark Electronics Inc, Celestica Inc, Compal Electronics Inc, Fabrinet Co Ltd, Matric Group Inc, Jabil Inc, Filtronic Plc, Flex Ltd





Browse key market insights spread across 152 pages with 56 lists of tables & 73 lists of figures from the report, "Electronic Contract Assembly Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Service (Electronic Design & Engineering, Electronic Assembly, and Electronic Manufacturing) and End User (Aerospace, Industrial Automation, Semiconductor, IT & Telecom, and Others)" in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/electronic-contract-assembly-market





Global Electronic Contract Assembly Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

Creation Technologies LP, Precision Manufacturing Company Inc, Benchmark Electronics Inc, Celestica Inc, Compal Electronics Inc, Fabrinet Co Ltd, Matric Group Inc, Jabil Inc, Filtronic Plc and Flex Ltd are the key companies operating in the global electronic contract assembly market. Leading players focus on expanding and diversifying their market presence and clientele, thereby tapping prevailing business opportunities.

In March 2023, Benchmark Electronics' new Precision Technologies facility in Mesa, Arizona, it was a strategic expansion of the company which is expected to support the semiconductor industry's growth in the United States. With a focus on providing engineering and manufacturing solutions for semiconductor capital equipment building blocks and solutions, the company is investing US$ 20 million.





Global Electronic Contract Assembly Market Growth Analysis: Industry Overview

Benchmark Electronics Inc, Jabil Inc, Celestica Inc, Filtronic Plc, and Creation Technologies LP are among the key electronic contract assembly market players. The global electronic contract assembly market is highly consolidated in nature due to the presence of several large, small, and medium players, at regional and local levels for addressing the local demand.





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Since, the electronic contract assembly market is in emerging phase, a greater number of startups are expected to make entry. Hence, we have derived this listing of "Key Five Players" in the global electronic contract assembly market by giving weightage to the following key parameters: overall revenue, segmental revenue, brand image & industry experience, current electronic contract assembly portfolio, innovative and advanced technology integration, customer base, geographical reach, new product launches, partnerships, and other market-related activities.

The global electronic contract assembly market involves companies specializing in producing, testing, distributing, and repairing electronic components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These services encompass a range of functions such as circuit board and hardware assembly, component design and procurement, product engineering, fulfillment, distribution, and after-sales support.

The global electronic contract assembly market share is expected to grow in the coming years owing to the rising demand for electronic contract assembly services from several end-use industries such as aerospace, healthcare, information technology, telecom, defense, and automotive. The growing demand for electronic contract assembly services encourages companies to expand their manufacturing capacity and strengthen their market position. By enhancing their manufacturing capacity, they can efficiently handle larger volumes of electronic assembly projects and meet the evolving needs of their customers. Also, the increasing number of global outsourcing activities and rapid growth in technology will create lucrative opportunities for the market in the future. India's space industry has taken a significant step forward with the inauguration of the country's first private spacecraft manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. The facility will manufacture and test spacecraft locally, boosting the domestic industry.





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The COVID-19 outbreak considerably impacted the global economy during its peak in Q1 and Q2 of 2020, and the crisis hampered business activities in various industries. Governments of different countries imposed stringent regulations on human mobilization and trade bans. The global economy witnessed a paradigm shift toward work-from-home culture and a change in consumer buying behavior. As a result, in Q3 and Q4 of 2020, the demand for electronic products increased considerably.

Electronic contract assembly involves outsourcing companies providing services required throughout electronic component production, such as PCB fabrication, functional testing, and turnkey or box builds. North America has a competitive, fast-paced, and continuously evolving electronic manufacturing industry. According to the American Electronics Association, in 2020, the size of the consumer electronics manufacturing industry stood at US$ 1.6 trillion. The US and Canada, have presence of key electronic contract assembly market players such as Precision Mfg Co., Inc.; Vexos Corporation; and NAS Electronics. In June 2020, JMP Solutions partnered with Vexos, Canada, on a federal contract to produce 10,000 ventilators. These electronic companies engage in the engineering, designing, and testing of MVM ventilators. Therefore, the electronic contract assembly market growth is rising with the increasing use of electronic components in industries such as automation and semiconductors in North America.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), North America experienced the highest growth in June 2022 as companies from the US, Canada, and Mexico manufactured 11,595 industrial robots. Revenue of the robotics industry rose by 43% (valued at US$ 664 million) in 2022. Robotics is also gaining significant traction in the automotive industry in North America. Car makers and component manufacturers received 47% of robot orders in Q1 2022; their orders grew by 15% year-on-year. Many manufacturers announced investments to equip their factories with new electric drive car models. For instance, in September 2022, Magna, US, manufactured thousands of fully autonomous delivery robots for Cartken delivery robots. Therefore, with a surge in the production of automotive robotics, the electronic contract assembly market share has been proliferating in North America.





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HIGHLIGHTS



Major Western Australian gold developer De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) (De Grey) to spend up to A$25 million on exploration of Novos Becher Gold Project (Becher) and adjacent tenements , encompassing approximately 1,000 sq. km, through an earn-in and joint venture ( Egina JV ) under a binding Heads of Agreement (the  Agreement ). De Grey will earn a 50% direct stake in the relevant tenements by spending A$25 million on exploration within four years, with a minimum commitment of A$7 million within 18 months, at which time the 50/50 Egina JV will be established. De Grey will manage all exploration under the earn-in and become the manager of the Egina JV once established. Novos flagship Becher tenements are adjacent to De Greys 11.7 Moz Au (JORC 2012) 1 Mallina Gold Project on which De Grey expects to release a Definitive Feasibility Study in Q3 2023. Novos exploration program to date has confirmed that Becher has the geological indicators of potential discovery success.

, encompassing approximately 1,000 sq. km, through an earn-in and joint venture ( ) under a binding Heads of Agreement (the  ). De Grey has separately agreed to take a cornerstone investment of A$10 million in Novo common shares for an approximate 11.6% post-financing undiluted interest in Novo and will become the Companys largest single shareholder. The cornerstone investment underpins Novos exciting exploration portfolio and growth strategy. The cornerstone private placement to De Grey will be completed at Novo's current spot price of C$0.255 per common share. De Grey has also been granted a financing participation right and board nomination right and will be subject to extended contractual hold period and orderly sale restrictions subsequent to expiry of such hold period.

for an approximate 11.6% post-financing undiluted interest in Novo and will become the Companys largest single shareholder.

Novo has commenced a process to seek a dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) through an initial public offering (IPO), with further updates to follow. Argonaut has been appointed lead manager to the IPO. A listing on the ASX would complement Novos current TSX and OTCQX listings and is a logical next step given the location of Novos assets.

with further updates to follow.

Novo will commence a strategic review of the Nullagine Gold Project to assess value maximising options for shareholders.

to assess value maximising options for shareholders. The exploration success at Becher is testament to the credentials of Novos experienced management and exploration team that will continue to focus on opportunities for major gold discoveries.

Novo will continue to focus on exploration with drilling programs planned for Nunyerry North and Balla Balla in the Pilbara, and Belltopper in Victoria in the second half of 2023.

This transaction with De Grey will result in Novo having an unaudited consolidated cash position of approximately C$29.8 million / A$33.0 million.



Commenting on De Grey becoming a joint venture partner and cornerstone investor, Novo Executive Co-Chairman and Acting CEO Mike Spreadborough said, Attracting a joint venture partner and cornerstone investor like De Grey is a strong endorsement of Novo, our team, exploration efforts to date, the Becher Project and our project generation abilities. I would like to welcome De Grey as a major shareholder of Novo and look forward to working with them as we focus on pursuing the next major gold project in the Pilbara.

De Grey is the right strategic partner for Becher with their understanding of the area, geology and what is required to make a major discovery within the region, highlighted by their 11.7 Moz Mallina Gold Project1, which sits only ~28km ENE of Becher.

De Grey has committed to a minimum exploration spend of A$7 million within 18 months, and potentially up to A$25 million, over the next four years to advance the strong platform already established by Novo. The Novo exploration team has achieved a great deal of success at Becher to date, with reconnaissance exploration zeroing in on key initial targets with results from these programs hitting all the right indicators.

The future for Novo is promising; we have a tier-one strategic partner, supportive major shareholders, a highly prospective exploration portfolio, an A-grade exploration team and funding to continue progressing on our path of exploring and defining potential standalone gold projects that can deliver value to our shareholders.





Figure 1 - Egina JV tenure2 is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f1b94588-0a25-4dbf-8653-d1ffe801cc39

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novo Resources Corp. (Novo or the Company) (TSX: NVO, NVO.WT & NVO.WT.A) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is pleased to announce that major ASX-listed Western Australian gold developer De Grey (ASX: DEG) has been granted the right to earn a 50% interest in the Egina JV by spending up to A$25 million on exploration within four years. This strategic agreement between De Grey and Novo follows a successful period of exploration completed at Becher by Novo since September 2022.

The Egina JV will encompass, Novos Becher Gold Project (Becher) and adjacent tenements that cover approximately 1,000 sq. km of existing Novo tenements.

Becher is located in the northern sector of the Egina Gold Camp, ~28 km along trend from De Greys Hemi deposit within the 11.7 Moz Au (JORC 2012)1 Mallina Gold Project. The Egina JV tenements are considered highly prospective for large scale, intrusion-related gold deposits similar to the Hemi deposit, as well as shear-hosted orogenic deposits similar to De Greys Withnell and Mallina deposits.

De Grey will separately make a cornerstone private placement investment of A$10 million into Novo at a price of C$0.255 per common share (the Financing). De Grey will become Novos largest single shareholder with an approximate 11.6% post-Financing undiluted interest in Novo.

Over the last 9 months, Novo has prioritised work at Becher and completed a large amount of exploration drilling with 2,130 aircore drill holes completed for over 50,000 m. The results from this program have been very promising, with drilling highlighting mineralisation under shallow cover in both intrusions and sedimentary rocks and, importantly, displaying geological indicators of potential discovery success.

Novo will now partner with De Grey to continue exploration efforts at Becher and is hopeful of discovering the next major Pilbara gold project.

Novo is a dedicated gold explorer which owns an exciting exploration portfolio located in the premium Australian gold jurisdictions of the Pilbara and Victoria. In the Pilbara, outside of the Becher Project, other current key exploration targets include Nunyerry North located in the southern sector of the Egina Gold Camp, and Balla Balla located north of Karratha. Novo is also exploring in Victoria at its Belltopper Project located south of the Fosterville mine in the Bendigo Tectonic Zone, where over 60 Moz Au were produced historically.

Led by a talented and experienced management and exploration team, Novo has the right team and credentials to make discoveries and build sizeable resources.

About De Grey

De Grey is a Western Australian gold explorer and project development company, with its activities focussed on the 100% owned Mallina Gold Project in the Pilbara region of WA. At Mallina, De Grey made a large scale, high value, near surface gold discovery at an area called Hemi.

The Hemi gold discovery is intrusion hosted and is rapidly moving towards De Greys development goal of defining a Tier 1 project with true district-scale potential. Mineralisation in the Hemi area has been identified over a large area and a 9.5-million-ounce Mineral Resource1 was updated in June 2023. The discovery remains open in multiple directions and at depth. Overall, the total Mallina Gold Project Mineral Resource is now 11.7 million ounces1 and includes the Hemi deposits 30km to the north east and Withnell deposits located only 10km north of the Becher prospect area.

De Grey expects to complete a Definitive Feasibility Study on the Mallina Gold Project in the September quarter 2023, and continues to focus exploration on new discoveries throughout the Mallina Gold Project. The Egina JV provides De Grey with an expanded footprint and extensions to the highly prospective stratigraphy and structures.

For De Grey, the addition of the Egina Project tenements to the broader Mallina Gold Project is an important step in its strategy to discover and grow a large resource base centred around the future Hemi processing plant. The new tenements represent a substantial opportunity for De Grey to discover new large scale, intrusion-related gold deposits similar to Hemi, as well as shear-hosted orogenic gold deposits.

Earn-In and Joint Venture

A number of Novos wholly-owned Australian subsidiaries have executed the Agreement with De Grey, pursuant to which De Grey has been granted the right to earn a 50% interest in the Egina JV (Figure 1) by incurring up to A$25 million in exploration expenditure within 48 months (the Earn-In).

Once De Grey completes the Earn-In, the resultant Egina JV will be fully documented by way of a formal joint venture agreement between the parties. Novo and De Grey will, under the Egina JV, be required to co-fund exploration expenditure according to their pro-rata interests in the Egina JV. De Grey has the right to terminate the Earn-In after incurring a minimum of A$7 million in exploration expenditure within 18 months (in which case it would forfeit any interest in the relevant tenements).

Certain tenements comprising the Egina Project are currently subject to pre-existing joint ventures into which Novo has already earned an interest. The Agreement includes a mechanism by which such joint ventures may be incorporated into the Egina JV, subject to agreement with relevant joint venture partners.

The Earn-In and Egina JV are otherwise subject to industry-standard earn-in and joint venture conditions, including information sharing, quarterly technical meetings, mutual pre-emptive rights and extension of the Earn-In period due to reasonable delays in accessing priority areas of the Egina Project. De Grey will manage exploration activities under the Earn-In, and De Grey will also manage the resultant joint venture provided that its interest remains at or above 50%. The Egina JV is also subject to an industry-standard dilution clause, with dilution below 10% resulting in the conversion of a partys interest to a 1% net smelter returns royalty.

Cornerstone Investment

Novo expects to close the Financing raising gross proceeds of A$10 million (approximately C$8.97 million) through the issue of 35,223,670 common shares (Shares) to De Grey at Novos current spot price of C$0.255 per Share promptly following receipt of Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) acceptance of notice of the Financing.

Immediately subsequent to closing of the Financing, De Grey will hold an approximate 11.6% undiluted interest in Novo and will become the Companys largest single shareholder.

All Shares issued in the Financing will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day following the closing of the Financing, along with an additional voluntary contractual hold period (the Contractual Hold Period) expiring one year following the closing of the Financing. However, if the Company has not received a formal listing decision letter from ASX (see below) within six months following the closing of the Financing, the Contractual Hold Period will expire six months following the closing of the Financing. The Shares will be subject to orderly sale restrictions subsequent to the expiry of the Contractual Hold Period.

Commencing six months following closing of the Financing and subject to De Grey maintaining at least a 12.5% undiluted interest in Novo at all times (the Nomination Threshold), De Grey has a one-time right to nominate a director to Novos board. However, if Novo has not received a formal listing decision letter from ASX listing within six months following closing of the Financing, the Nomination Threshold will decrease to 10%. De Grey also has the right to participate in any raising conducted in conjunction with an ASX listing to ensure it holds up to a maximum undiluted post-financing interest of 12.5% of Novo.

The net proceeds from the Financing will primarily be used by Novo to fast-track exploration at the Companys key projects, including Nunyerry North, Balla Balla and Belltopper, as well as for general working capital purposes.

The Financing is subject to receipt of approval from the TSX.

Argonaut PCF Limited of Perth, Western Australia was financial adviser to Novo on this transaction and will receive a cash finders fee of A$0.5 million (approximately C$0.45 million) in connection with the Financing.

Intention to seek Dual-Listing on ASX

Novo is also pleased to announce that it has commenced a process to seek a dual listing on the ASX.

The Board believes that an ASX listing would be a logical next step for Novo given the location of its assets and management team. Further, Novo believes that listing on the ASX would deliver a number of potential benefits for Novo and its shareholders, including:

Ability to enhance the profile of Novo across a broader mix of stakeholder groups

Increasing liquidity and accessing potential new sources of equity

Engaging and attracting additional institutional investment and equity research coverage



The ASX would provide a natural fit for Novo to list and grow due to historical investor appetite for exploration companies with projects located in Australia. Novo has been listed on the TSXV/TSX since 2015, has developed a supportive, long-term investor register and remains committed to this investor group and intends to maintain its TSX and OTCQX listings.

The Company will provide further updates as this process progresses. There is no guarantee that the Company will list on the ASX or will be granted approval to do so.

Nullagine Gold Project Strategic Review

The Nullagine Gold Project (NGP) consists of the Mosquito Creek Basin (MCB), the Beatons Creek Project and the Golden Eagle Processing Facility. The NGP remains in care and maintenance following suspension of operations in September 2022.

Novo will commence a strategic review of the Nullagine Gold Project to assess value maximising options for shareholders which may include development, joint ventures or divestment.

The Golden Eagle Plant is a tier-one facility which hosts a 1.5 Mtpa nameplate capacity (historically operated at 1.8 Mtpa) conventional gold gravity/CIL processing facility 4 MW SAG mill. The plant is supported by surrounding infrastructure, which includes a 10 MW diesel power station, 230-person accommodation village, offices, workshops and warehouse.

The Beatons Creek project hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 3.05 million tonnes at 2.4 g/t Au for 234,000 oz Au and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 0.83 million tonnes at 1.6 g/t Au for 42,000 oz Au3. Reference should be made to the technical report entitled NI 43-101: Mineral Resource Update, Beatons Creek Gold Project, Nullagine, Western Australia with an effective date of June 30, 2022 and an issue date of December 16, 2022 (the Technical Report), prepared for Novo by Dr. Simon Dominy (FAusIMM(CP) FAIG(RPGeo) FGS(CGeol)), Ms. Janice Graham (MAIG), Mr. Jeremy Ison (FAusIMM), and Mr. Royce McAuslane (FAusIMM) (collectively, the QPs). The QPs are qualified persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). The Technical Report is available under the Companys profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) website at www.sedar.com (filing date: December 16, 2022) and on the Companys website at www.novoresources.com.

Deferral of 2023 Annual General Meeting

As a result of the potential ASX listing, the Company has sought and obtained approval from the TSX to defer its annual general meeting (AGM) to no later than September 29, 2023. The Company will provide an update on the timing of its AGM in due course.

QP STATEMENTS

Mr. Iain Groves (MAIG), is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the geological and exploration information contained in this news release pertaining to the Egina Gold Project other than information concerning De Greys Mallina Gold Project. Mr. Groves is Novos Exploration Manger  West Pilbara.

Mr. Alwin Van Roij (MAIG), is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release pertaining to the Nullagine Gold Project other than information concerning the Technical Report. Mr. Van Roij is Novos Exploration Manger  East Pilbara.

ABOUT NOVO

Novo explores and develops its prospective land package covering approximately 10,500 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, along with the 22 square kilometre Belltopper Project in the Bendigo Tectonic Zone of Victoria, Australia. In addition to the Companys primary focus, Novo seeks to leverage its internal geological expertise to deliver value-accretive opportunities to its stakeholders. For more information, please contact Michael Spreadborough at +61-419-329-687 or mike.spreadborough@novoresources.com, or Leo Karabelas at +1-416-543-3120 or leo@novoresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Novo Resources Corp.

 Michael Spreadborough 

Michael Spreadborough

Executive Co-Chairman and Acting CEO

Forward-looking information

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, the use of the net proceeds from the Financing, the intention to undertake an IPO on the ASX, and planned exploration activities. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, receipt of TSX acceptance of notice of the Financing, receipt of ASX approval to the listing of Novo, investor interest in the IPO, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novos annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is available under Novos profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Notes

1 De Grey has reported that its Hemi deposit at the Mallina Gold Project is comprised of Measured Mineral Resources of 4.7 Mt @ 1.7 g/t Au for 265 koz Au, Indicated Mineral Resources of 184.1 Mt @ 1.3 g/t Au for 7,798 koz Au, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 89.2 Mt @ 1.3 g/t Au for 3,684 koz Au, as those categories are defined in the JORC Code (as defined in NI 43-101). Refer to De Greys public disclosure record for further details. No assurance can be given that a similar or any mineral resource estimate will be determined at Novos Becher Project.

2 De Grey has reported that, at the Mallina Gold Project, its (i) Mount Berghaus deposit is comprised of Indicated Mineral Resources of 1 Mt @ 1.7 g/t Au for 53 koz Au and Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.4 Mt @ 1.2 g/t Au for 128 koz Au, (ii) Wingina Well deposit is comprised of Measured Mineral Resources of 3.1 Mt @ 1.7 g/t Au for 173 koz Au, Indicated Mineral Resources of 1 Mt @ 1.4 g/t Au for 43 koz Au, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 1.4 Mt @ 1.6 g/t Au for 72 koz Au, (iii) Toweranna open pit deposit is comprised of Indicated Mineral Resources of 8.3 Mt @ 1.6 g/t Au for 418 koz Au and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.5 Mt @ 1.5 g/t Au for 120 koz Au, (iv) Toweranna underground deposit is comprised of Indicated Mineral Resources of 0.1 Mt @ 3.0 g/t Au for 11 koz Au and Inferred Mineral Resources of 0.5 Mt @ 2.9 g/t Au for 49 koz Au, (v) Mallina deposit is comprised of Indicated Mineral Resources of 1.6 Mt @ 1.2 g/t Au for 64 koz Au and Inferred Mineral Resources of 5.1 Mt @ 1.5 g/t Au for 243 koz Au, (vi) Withnell open pit deposit is comprised of Measured Mineral Resources of 1.3 Mt @ 1.5 g/t Au for 62 koz Au, Indicated Mineral Resources of 3 Mt @ 1.8 g/t Au for 178 koz Au, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 0.7 Mt @ 2.0 g/t Au for 43 koz Au, (vii) Withnell underground deposit is comprised of Indicated Mineral Resources of 0.1 Mt @ 4.3 g/t Au for 16 koz Au and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.4 Mt @ 3.9 g/t Au for 301 koz Au, and (viii) Hemi deposit is comprised of Indicated Mineral Resources of 165.7 Mt @ 1.3 g/t Au for 6,876 koz Au and Inferred Mineral Resources of 70.2 Mt @ 1.2 g/t Au for 2,632 koz Au, as those categories are defined in the JORC Code (as defined in NI 43-101). Refer to De Greys public disclosure record for further details. No assurance can be given that a similar or any mineral resource estimate will be determined at Novos Becher Project.

3 Refer to the Companys news release dated November 2, 2022.
New York, USA, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the research report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  AI in Cybersecurity Market Research Report: By Type, By Offering, By Vertical, By Application, By Region - Forecast 2032", the market is anticipated to acquire a valuation of approximately USD 96.3 Billion by the end of 2032. The reports further predict the market to flourish at a robust CAGR of over 22.50% during the assessment timeframe.

Market Synopsis:

The primary market factors accelerating the market growth include an exponential rise in cyberattacks against high-tech companies, the military, and governmental institutions, along with an increase in AI technologies like natural language processing and machine learning. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools like machine learning and natural language processing are increasingly being utilised to prevent, detect, and respond to threats.

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Key Players:

Key Companies in the AI in Cybersecurity market include:

NVIDIA Corporation

Intel Corporation

Xilinx Inc.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Micron Technology Inc.

Amazon Web Services, Inc.

IBM Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

FireEye, Inc.

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

Juniper Networks, Inc.

Fortinet, Inc.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Scope of the Report - AI in Cybersecurity Market:

Report Metrics Details Market Size by 2032 USD 96.3 Billion CAGR during 2023-2032 22.50% Base Year 2022 Forecast 2023-2032 Key Market Opportunities Growing demand for cloud-based security solutions. Key Market Dynamics Increasing AI technologies, such as natural language processing and machine learning and exponential rise in cyberattacks on high-tech companies, defense, and government agencies.





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Furthermore, the requirement for sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) cybersecurity solutions has been brought to light by an exponential rise in cyberattacks on defence, government, and high-tech companies. Because it can offer a proactive defence mechanism with accurate detection, cyber AI is currently in demand. For example, there is a significant need for AI to continuously authenticate users using behavioural biometrics. Players in the market should prioritise machine learning algorithms in order to leverage AI's potential to improve security intelligence. The rise in privacy concerns, the importance of AI-based cybersecurity solutions in the banking industry, and the frequency and complexity of cyberthreats are factors driving market expansion. Furthermore, it is anticipated that this market would expand over the next several years in response to SMEs' growing demand for AI-based cybersecurity solutions.

Cybersecurity technology uses artificial intelligence to quickly assess systems and pinpoint network and computer system weaknesses. Additionally, it streamlines the process of managing vulnerabilities and swiftly securing corporate systems, freeing up firms to concentrate on crucial security duties. Businesses are significantly increasing their AI cybersecurity budgets, bolstering business approaches with cybersecurity plans, and creating cyber alertness programmes for customers and employees as a result of the fact that artificial intelligence in cybersecurity ensures the security of technological advancements and critical infrastructure. driving the market for AI in cybersecurity's revenue.

Segmentation:

AI in Cybersecurity market is segmented on the basis of Type, offering, technology, vertical, application, and region.

Cybersecurity and AI Network security, endpoint security, application security, and cloud security are all included in the market segmentation by type. In 2022, the global market was dominated by the network security segment. A sizeable amount of the market share is accounted for by the rising use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Businesses employ cybersecurity to defend against and stop cyberattacks.

Hardware, software, and services are included in the market segmentation for AI in cybersecurity depending on offering. In 2022, the services sector will rule the worldwide market. The services industry is predicted to play a crucial role in assisting the growth of the global AI in cybersecurity market. A growing need for machine learning techniques, sensor data, voice, and vision APIs will propel the market.



Based on technology, the AI in Cybersecurity Market is segmented into machine learning, context-aware computing, and natural language processing (NLP). In 2022, the machine learning category dominated the whole market. Machine learning technology will expand quickly as deep learning becomes more commonplace across end-use industries. Leading companies like Google and IBM have been using machine learning for threat detection and email filtering.

The BFSI, retail, government & defence, manufacturing, enterprise, healthcare, automotive & transportation, and other verticals are included in the segmentation of the AI in Cybersecurity market. In 2022, the market for AI in cybersecurity was dominated by the enterprise segment. However, the BFSI industry may develop into a sizable market for cyber AI in order to halt data leaks, thwart cyberattacks, and enhance security.

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A fundamental shift has occurred in how people utilise crowdfunding to send payments, make purchases, apply for loans, and withdraw money as a result of the explosion of ideas and technological advancements.

Identity and access management, risk and compliance management, data loss prevention, unified threat management, fraud detection/anti-fraud, threat intelligence, and others are included in the application-based segmentation of the AI in Cybersecurity Market. In 2022, the AI in Cybersecurity Market was dominated by the fraud detection/anti-fraud sector.

The analysis offers market insights for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world, by region. In 2022, this market was dominated by the North American AI in Cybersecurity Market (45.80%). The adoption of IoT, 5G, and Wi-Fi 6 is mostly to blame for the rise in network-connected devices.

Businesses in the automotive, healthcare, government, energy, and mining sectors have been driving the construction of the 5G network, which could be a point of access for hackers. Additionally, the North American AI in cybersecurity market in North America saw the highest growth in Canada, while the U.S. market had the largest market share.

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From 2023 to 2032, the Asia Pacific AI in Cybersecurity market is anticipated to grow significantly. The region is experiencing rapid economic growth, a rise in the demand for connected devices, increased cybersecurity awareness among businesses, widespread use of cutting-edge technologies like IoT, 5G, and cloud computing, as well as rising privacy and security concerns. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region's AI in Cybersecurity market in China had the greatest market share and was expanding at the fastest rate.

Leading industry players are spending a lot of money on R&D in order to diversify their product offerings, which will drive the AI in Cybersecurity market to expand even further. Important market developments include new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, greater investments, and collaboration with other organisations. Market participants are also engaging in a number of strategic actions to increase their global footprint.

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MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.

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An Emerging Markets Sponsored Commentary



ORLANDO, Fla., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With an escalating surge in demand for electric vehicles, 2022 witnessed record-breaking sales, a trend projected to persist and even intensify this year. The implications for associated industries are immense. One pivotal aspect which remains relatively obscured to the broader public, however, is the essential role of lithium extraction technology in meeting electric vehicle manufacturing targets.

The lithium element forms an indispensable component of electric vehicle batteries, with the automotive industry as a whole necessitating an unprecedented 20x increase in lithium supply. Hence, the burgeoning production of electric vehicles directly translates into a heightened requirement for efficient lithium extraction. Leading the charge in this sphere is Volt Lithium Corp.

Volt Lithium Corp. (TSX-V: VLT, OTCQB: VLTLF, FSE:I2D) (Volt or the Company) is revolutionizing the lithium extraction industry. Leveraging an extraction technology that yields high lithium recoveries at lower costs, Volt demonstrates an innovatively ambitious approach towards development, setting a unique standard in the sector.

In the face of increasing global lithium demand, companies have been spurred to explore new methods of mining. Notably, Volt has distinguished itself as a trailblazer, pioneering previously unexplored strategies. The company employs Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, a two-step extraction process that ensures high yields at reduced costs. First, it treats oilfield brine to eliminate contaminants, followed by the extraction of lithium using the Companys proprietary IES-300 technology. The end result is a lithium chloride solution, which is further upgraded to lithium hydroxide. The IES-300 technology significantly reduces the amount of reagent required to treat oilfield brine at the outset of the extraction process, thus facilitating substantial cost savings.

The company's recently announced pilot project demonstrated lithium recoveries of 90% at concentrations as low as 34 mg/L. Under simulated operating conditions at concentrations of 120mg/L, recovery rates surged to a staggering 97%, with operating costs dipping below CAD$4,000 per tonne, considering an average annual production of 20,000 tonnes of Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM).

Moreover, Volt's pilot project corroborated the company's potential for extracting lithium efficiently from low concentration brine at their Rainbow Lake Property. At the same time, they showcased superior economics when compared to other lithium brine developers at higher concentrations. These pioneering results set a promising foundation for commercial lithium extraction from multiple oilfield reservoirs across North America using Volt's proprietary DLE process.

Volt Lithium Corp. has emerged as a disruptive force in the industry, transforming traditional methodologies and is a company worthy of close attention, particularly in light of soaring lithium demand.

The Company's unique speed in an industry typically characterized by gradual progress in bringing new resources online and to market is largely attributed to two key factors. First, Volt's work with brine, which is easier to 'mine' than hard rock, requiring only the pumping of brine to the surface. This innovation has positioned Volt as a "briner", not a miner, a distinction that sets them apart from traditional players in the industry. Second, Volt's shared infrastructure agreement with existing oil field operators allows them to reach production swiftly and inexpensively, compared to hard rock miners and even other briners.

As North American manufacturing undergoes rapid onshoring and as the EV revolution spurs global demand, it is crucial to expedite new sources and ensure they are brought online domestically.

With its disruptive technology and innovative approach, Volt Lithium Corp. is not only positioned to meet the burgeoning demand for lithium but also to scale its operations rapidly. The DLE technology deployed by the company is modular by nature, necessitating the mere addition of equipment at the surface of producing oilfields. This straightforward integration into existing infrastructure presents an unprecedented scalability that traditional lithium mining methods simply cannot offer. Consequently, Volt has the potential to expedite the commissioning of multiple lithium extraction sources across North America. This timely response to the soaring demand for lithium positions Volt as a vanguard in the lithium extraction sector, promising to fuel the growth of the EV market, and to contribute significantly to the domestic sourcing of lithium. As we stand on the brink of a possible transportation revolution, Volt Lithium Corp.'s contributions may prove pivotal in ensuring a sustainable and economically viable transition to electric vehicles.

For more on Volt Lithium Corp., visit: https://voltlithium.com/

Volt Lithium Corp.:

Volt is a lithium development and technology company aiming to be North Americas first commercial producer of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonates from oilfield brine. Their strategy is to generate value for shareholders by leveraging managements hydrocarbon experience and existing infrastructure to extract lithium deposits from existing wells, thereby reducing capital costs, lowering risks and supporting the worlds clean energy transition. With four differentiating pillars, and a proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, Volts innovative approach to development is focused on allowing the highest lithium recoveries with lowest costs, positioning them well for future commercialization. They are committed to operating efficiently and with transparency across all areas of the business staying sharply focused on creating long-term, sustainable shareholder value.

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.

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Must Read OTC Markets/SEC policy on stock promotion and investor protection

Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 requires that any person that uses the mails to publish, give publicity to, or circulate any publication or communication that describes a security in return for consideration received or to be received directly or indirectly from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, must fully disclose the type of consideration (i.e. cash, free trading stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock warrants) and the specific amount of the consideration. In connection therewith, EMC has received the following compensation and/or has an agreement to receive in the future certain compensation, as described below.

EMC has been paid $500,000 by Volt Lithium Corp. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked-to from this editorial. Please read our full disclaimer.
New York, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ei3 is proud to announce its renewed partnership with Land Rover for the third edition of the Defender Service Awards. This prestigious initiative recognizes and honors outstanding organizations in the United States, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada, awarding them a customized Defender 130 vehicle and monetary prizes to further support their endeavors.

As part of this collaboration, ei3 will once again award $25,000 USD to the winner of the "Community Service" category, which acknowledges organizations that make a measurable and lasting positive difference in their local communities. Interested organizations can apply for the award via Land Rover's website by submitting a video of up to three minutes highlighting their mission, community contributions, and how a Defender 130 would enhance their work.

Spencer Cramer, Founder and CEO of ei3, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, stating, "At ei3, we deeply value collective growth and supporting initiatives that drive positive societal change. The Defender Service Awards hold a special place in our hearts, and we are honored to contribute. Last year, we had the privilege of recognizing Mercy Chefs as the winner, assisting their efforts to provide healthy meals and clean water to those affected by natural disasters and emergencies. We look forward to getting to know other organizations, who are dedicated to uplifting their communities through impactful initiatives, such as creating green spaces, addressing hunger, offering shelter assistance, and outreach."

President and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America, Joe Eberhardt added, "The 'Defender Service Awards' are a beloved initiative that we are proud to bring back for a third year. Celebrating the organizations that make a difference in our communities speaks to the core of the Defender brand that it is most powerful when it's on a mission to help others."

Winning organizations will have the opportunity to fully customize their Defender vehicle with accessories tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, corporate partners have generously joined this initiative to provide further support across various award categories. As the presenting sponsor, CHASE will donate $5,000 to each of the five finalists in every category, totaling $150,000 across 30 finalists. Warner Bros. Discovery, as a Premier Sponsor, will contribute $75,000, awarding $2,500 to each of the 30 category finalists.

Submissions are open from June 15, 2023, until July 21, 2023, followed by a judging period by a panel of qualified judges. The finalists' videos will be showcased on Land RoverUSA.com and www.landrover.ca , where the public can vote for their favorite organizations starting in September. Winners will be announced in the fall of 2023.

For more information about the 'Defender Service Awards' presented by CHASE, please visit LandRoverUSA.com or www.landrover.ca .

About ei3

ei3 offers a suite of no-code IIoT apps and AI-based solutions for the industrial manufacturing sector. With a focus on enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings, ei3 enables businesses to achieve predictive outcomes. Printing, Plastics, Packaging, and Commercial Real Estate are some of the companys key market segments. ei3 is headquartered in New York with offices in Montreal, Tokyo, and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.ei3.com

About Land Rover

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 percent of this model range exported to over 100 countries. For more information, please visit LandRoverUSA.com

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New York, USA, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical Ceramics Market Overview:

According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Medical Ceramics Market Information By Type, Application, End-User, And Region  Market Forecast Till 2030, the market is projected to grow from USD 21.12 Billion in 2023 to USD 28.47 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.10% during the forecast period (2023 - 2030).

Market Scope:

Class I devices (such as surgical instruments), class II devices (such as medical instruments), class III devices (such as implants), and class IV devices (such as pacemakers) all require pre-market authorisation for the use of medical ceramics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its stamp of approval to a wide range of medical ceramics, as has the European Union (CE mark approval) and some parts of Asia (MHLW approval).

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Medical Ceramics Market Competitive Outlooks:

Key Companies in the Medical Ceramics market include

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (U.S.)

Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland)

3M (US)

DePuy Synthes (U.S.)

Stryker (U.S.)

01Tek, Inc. (U.S.)

CeramTec (Germany)

Nobel Biocare (Switzerland)

Kyocera Corporation (Japan)

Rauschert Group (Germany)

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2030 USD 28.47 Billion CAGR 5.10% Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Historical Data 2021 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Application and End-User Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) Key Market Drivers The rising procedures using dental and orthopedic implants will boost the market growth. Increasing demand for medical ceramics items including dental screws and bridges, valves, and femoral head implants for hip replacement.

Medical Ceramics Market Trends:



Market Drivers

The primary growth driver in the market is the rising number of procedures involving orthopedic and dental implants. The growing need for implants in various medical settings has been a major factor in the development of this industry. There has been an increase in the number of instances requiring medical intervention (orthopedics) owing to trauma, which has led to a growth in the demand for medical ceramics such as dental screws and bridges, valves, and femoral head implants for hip replacement. And this will lead to a rise in bone-related disorders where medical ceramics are used extensively, like joint replacement, osteoporosis, and back pain, which would tremendously propel the ceramic medical industry. There may be growth in the market for medical ceramics due to its increasing application in dentistry. Because of this, the market's CAGR is rising.

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Medical ceramics' expanding popularity can be traced back to the demand for medical implants and other medical devices. Sales of medical implants and equipment have been on the rise thanks to the rapid rise in the world's population and the rise in the number of people aged 65 and older. Patients and doctors are becoming more open to the idea of getting implants. Many people seek out joint reproduction medical procedures in an effort to enhance their sensual experience. These factors are expected to drive revenue growth in the medical ceramics market throughout the forecast period.

Market Restraints

Ceramics, like dental composites, are typically fragile over the long term and have a strength that depends heavily on the existence of defects. Biocompatibility is still a challenge, despite the fact that these implants can be used to replace bones, joints, and hips.

Analysis of COVID-19:

COVID-19 had a devastating impact on international trade and had an equally negative impact on individuals, businesses, financial institutions, manufacturing facilities, and infrastructure firms. The lack of available workers and the subsequent shutdown of international transportation have both hampered the growth of the medical ceramics industry. This, in turn, has had an effect on the distribution and production of a wide range of goods. The possibility for market growth presented by the spike in demand for medications during the coronavirus outbreak cannot be overstated.

Medical Ceramics Market Segmentation:

Type Insights

In 2022, roughly 65-67 percent of sales came from the Bioinert Ceramics Medical Ceramics division. Market growth can be attributed to a number of factors, including an increase in the prevalence of periodontal disease, the prevalence of joint replacement surgeries, and the prevalence of dental procedures.

Application Insights

In 2022, the dental applications sector was the most lucrative, and it is expected to maintain its lead throughout the forecast period (2022-2030). In terms of percentage of total revenue, dentistry apps dominated in the year 2021. The expansion of this market is due, in large part, to the rising need for dental restorations. Medical

Based on End Users

In terms of market share, hospitals and clinics dominated in 2022. An growth in the prevalence of joint ailments, dental concerns, and other disorders is a major factor driving market revenue in this industry. As a result of having access to state-of-the-art medical equipment and cutting-edge methods of financing, this industry is booming. In 2022, the clinic's industry maintained its reliable contribution to the annual budget. The increase in the installation and deployment of cutting-edge dental and osteological analytical and imaging devices in clinics primarily drives the market revenue of this industry.

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Medical Ceramics Market Regional Analysis:

The North American Medical Ceramics market is projected to develop at a substantial CAGR from its 2022 valuation of USD 9.20 billion. As a result of rising rates of dental caries and trauma, as well as the quick uptake of medical ceramics in the medical devices market, this area currently holds the biggest market share. Rapid expansion of the regional market is anticipated on account of the strong demand for dental services and the sufficient supply of dental professionals in the region. Factors contributing to this region's disproportionate share of the medical device market include high rates of usage for implantable medical devices and diagnostic imaging equipment and the existence of a relatively higher number of medical device makers in the region.

The European market for medical ceramics is sizable in comparison to the rest of the world. Possible contributing factors include an abundance of senior citizens, advancements in medical technology, and an increase in the number of persons opting for hip and knee replacements. In addition, Germany was the largest market for medical ceramics, while the United Kingdom was the fastest-growing market in Europe.

As more people in Asia and the Pacific region suffer from issues including low bone density and chronic back pain, the market for medical ceramics in these regions is expected to grow at a higher CAGR over the forecast period. In addition, China dominated the market for medical ceramics, while India led the way in expansion in the Asia-Pacific area.

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Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.

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GLOBALink | China-proposed initiative contributes to global development, say experts Pub Date:23-06-21 09:14 Source:Xinhua The China-proposed Global Development Initiative aims to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth. Expertsbelieve that the initiative helps boost inclusive and common development around the world. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen

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Just Right Products Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of ADM Endeavors (OTCQB: ADMQ), is pleased to announce sales double-digit growth for Q2

FORT WORTH, TX, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire - Just Right Products Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of ADM Endeavors (OTCQB: ADMQ), is pleased to announce sales double-digit growth for Q2 2023. April 2023 sales were up 26% and May sales were up 12% over the same months of 2022. The company anticipates these trends continuing due to the smooth transition of the recent asset purchase of Innovative Impressions.

Additionally, ADM Endeavors has hired Alex Archer as our new CFO. Alex has experience with the public sector through past employment with a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary. His number one priority is to implement procedures that will allow us to scale for our planned growth.

We have engaged Eyncon Engineering (https://constructionengineer.co/ ) to take charge of the engineering and permitting on our much-needed new facility. Eyncons Mark Medina has already resolved issues with the city that our previous engineer could not. He is hopeful we can start building in July. Updates and photos will document our progress at our ADM Endeavors Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/admqendeavors/).

Marc Johnson, CEO, said, Our team is making great strides adapting to the challenging economic environment and changing customer base. I am pleased with the increase in sales, margins, and profits. With the help from Mark from Eyncon and Alex, our new CFO, we are in a much better position to handle our anticipated future growth.

About Eyncon Engineering

As a Construction Engineering consulting firm, Eyncon Engineering applies expertise and experience leveraging all disciplines to minimize the lack of a collaborative work environment. Whether your business is small or large, and whether your projects involve public infrastructure or private development, Eyncon seeks to save money, reduce risks and ensure sustainable results.

About ADM Endeavors

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 | info@admendeavors.com

Brokers and Analysts:

Chesapeake Group | 410.825.3930 | info@chesapeakegp.com

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Dublin, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Whiskey Market Outlook, 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The market is anticipated to add more than USD 8.18 billion from 2023 to 2028

The whisky market in Europe is a vibrant and diverse landscape that encompasses a rich tapestry of traditions, flavours, and styles. From the well-established distilleries of Scotland and Ireland to the emerging players across the continent, Europe offers an extensive range of whisky options to delight enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Scotland, renowned as the birthplace of whisky, holds a prominent position in the European market.

The country's distinct whisky regions, including Speyside, Highland, Lowland, Islay, and Campbeltown, each contribute unique characteristics to their spirits. Speyside whiskies, for example, are often known for their fruity and floral notes, while Islay malts embrace a peaty, smoky profile. Scotland's whisky industry showcases a remarkable blend of age-old traditions and innovative techniques, ensuring a diverse and captivating selection for whisky enthusiasts.

Craft distilling has gained popularity across Europe as small-scale distilleries and boutique producers show off their talent and enthusiasm. In order to produce outstanding and frequently limited-edition expressions, these artists prioritise quality over quantity and use ancient techniques and locally obtained ingredients.



The whisky market in Europe boasts a wide array of esteemed brands, each renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and unique expressions. From Scotland, iconic brands such as Glenfiddich, Macallan, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg captivate with their distinct flavours and rich heritage. Ireland contributes influential names like Jameson, Bushmills, and Teeling, celebrated for their smooth and approachable whiskies.

Emerging players from across the continent, such as Sweden's Mackmyra, Germany's Slyrs, and France's Armorik, showcase their expertise and innovation. Wales contributes Penderyn, known for its smooth single malt whiskies. Additionally, renowned Scottish independent bottlers like Gordon & MacPhail and Compass Box continue to captivate whisky enthusiasts with their expertly curated selections.

The European whisky market presents a remarkable tapestry of brands, each weaving together tradition, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. The on-trade channel includes places like bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels, and whisky lounges where whisky is consumed on-site. These places frequently provide sizable whisky choices, giving customers the chance to sample a variety of styles and get advice from educated staff. In order to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences, whisky dealers frequently curate a large selection of brands and expressions.



France is the leading country for the whisky market in Europe. Although known for producing wine, France has a great affection for whisky, and its consumption has been steadily rising over time. With a vast range of brands and expressions easily available to consumers, the French market demonstrates an exceptional enthusiasm for whisky.

Whisky festivals and events draw a sizable following, and whisky bars and specialty stores have grown to be popular hangouts for lovers. France is a major consumer market in Europe due to its love of whisky, which extends to both native and foreign brands. However, as the popularity of whisky continues, it's important to note that whisky consumption is also considerable in other European nations, like the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, and Sweden, among others.

In Europe, Scotch whisky is the most popular whisky due to its long history and reputation for creating top-notch spirits. There is a sizable market base for American bourbon, rye, Irish whisky, Japanese whisky, and Canadian whisky. The preference for premium and high-end premium whiskies in Europe reflects the desire for exceptional craftsmanship and unique whisky experiences.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers & Opportunities

Market Restraints & Challenges

Market Trends

Covid-19 Effect

Supply chain Analysis

Policy & Regulatory Framework

Industry Experts Views

Company Profiles

Diageo plc

The Edrington Group Ltd.

Brown-Forman Corporation

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton

Bacardi Limited

Suntory Holdings Limited

Pernod Ricard SA

Remy Cointreau

Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.

William Grant & Sons

Constellation Brands, Inc.

Distell Group Limited

Whyte & Mackay Ltd

La Martiniquaise

Considered in this report

Geography: Europe

Historic year: 2017

Base year: 2022

Estimated year: 2023

Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report

Europe Whiskey market with its value and forecast along with its segments

Country-wise Whiskey Market analysis

Various drivers and challenges

On-going trends and developments

Top profiled companies

Strategic recommendation

Countries covered in the report:

United Kingdom

Germany

Italy

Spain

Russia

France

By Grain Type

Malt/ Barley Whisky

Wheat Whisky

Rye Whisky

Corn Whisky

Blended Whisky

Others

By Type

Scotch Whiskey

American Whiskey

Irish Whiskey

Canadian Whiskey

Japanese Whiskey

Others

By Quality

Premium

High-End Premium

Super Premium

By Beverage Type

Alcoholic

Non-Alcoholic

By Flavor

Non-Flavored

Flavored

By Distribution Channel

Off Trade

On Trade

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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.
EDMONTON, AB, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE), June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clifton Park, a vibrant, publicly accessible gathering space set on the North Saskatchewan River valley in Edmontons Glenora community, has officially opened. Revera Inc. (Revera), a leading owner, operator, developer and innovator in the senior living sector, and ONE Properties, a privately owned, integrated real estate firm, also celebrated the grand opening of Glenora Park, Edmontons newest retirement living residence.

At the unveiling on June 20, attendees heard speaking remarks from representatives of Revera, ONE Properties, and Habitat for Humanity. After a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, members of the media and the local community were invited to tour the 290-suite residence and attend a culinary experience called Taste of Glenora Park.

At Glenora Park, we tailor a unique senior living experience for each of our residents, and we are excited to incorporate Clifton Park into that specialized offering, said JP Cadeau, President of Revera Canada. This is a stunning outdoor communal space that will complement our elegant suites and high-end amenities, which include options for fine dining, fitness, recreation, and personalized services. Through our partnership with ONE Properties, this residence will make Edmonton an even more popular retirement living destination for Canadians.

Glenora Park, which welcomed its first residents in October, is a joint venture between ONE Properties and Revera whose residents will make regular use of Clifton Park. The Park is accessible to the public and features accessible walking paths, a fenced dog run, and a bronze cast statue of a packhorse by celebrated Canadian artists Jacqueline Metz and Nancy Chew, commissioned by ONE Properties and Revera in 2022. This marks Reveras most prestigious development to date, providing Edmontonians with elegant and refined retirement living coupled with tailor-made experiences. From the fitness centre and saltwater pool to the Skyview Lounge, Glenora Park offers options that accommodate different resident needs and wants in a vibrant community setting.

We are excited for the Glenora community to see the completed Glenora Park and learn why residents are so proud to call it home, said Tom Burr, Vice President, Mixed-Use Development. The addition of a newly unveiled Clifton Park will only enhance the quality of life for Glenora Park residents and create a meeting place with the broader local community. It will also be a meeting place for four-legged residents and neighbours, who can use the enclosed dog run in Clifton Park. We are confident in our development partnership with Revera, whose impressive track record in Canadian retirement living speaks for itself.

New residents are already making use of Glenora Parks premium amenities and are looking forward to using the newly opened Clifton Park. Mollie Roy, a Glenora Park resident, says: Living here gives me the opportunity to try different activities and socialize in a safe environment. The view from my apartment is very calming and beautiful and reminds me of my hometown. Mollie added: The highlights are the staff and the people Ive met, and the opportunities to visit museums and historic buildings in many parts of the city.

To take a virtual tour and learn more about Glenora Park, visit: Glenora Park | Revera (reveraliving.com)

About Glenora Park

Located at 10150 Clifton Place NW, near 124th Street and 102nd Avenue, Glenora Park represents a more than $140 million investment by Revera and ONE Properties in the future of senior living in Alberta. The residence employs more than 80 full-time and part-time employees. The pet-friendly retirement home offers a range of suite and care options from independent living to assisted living to memory care  all designed to help support residents to age in place, even as their needs change.

About ONE Properties

ONE Properties is a privately owned, integrated real estate investment firm that develops and manages a range of high-quality assets across Canada. Since 1987, ONE has been creating value, empowering businesses and defining communities through its people, partners and properties. ONE leverages its expertise across a range of asset classes  multi-family residential, retail, office, industrial and mixed-use. Visit www.oneproperties.com for more information.

About Revera

Revera is a leading Canadian-owned and -headquartered, owner, investor, developer and operator in the senior living sector. Through its portfolio of partnerships, Revera owns or operates more than 480 properties across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom serving more than 45,000 seniors. Revera offers seniors apartments, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and long term care. With over 43,000 employees dedicated to providing exceptional care and service, Revera is helping seniors live life to the fullest. Find out more at ReveraLiving.com.

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Covina, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides are the examples of agrochemical product which are used in agriculture to protect crops from insects and pests. Agrochemicals kills damaging insects and help in improving growth of crop.

New product launch and growing demand for agrochemicals to protect crops has further fueled the market growth. Growing adoption of fertilizers to supply nutrients to crop for higher yield is expected to propel the demand for Agrochemicals market growth over the forecast period.

The agrochemicals market plays a crucial role in modern agriculture by providing farmers with tools to protect their crops and optimize production. These chemicals help to combat pests and diseases that can reduce crop yields, leading to food shortages and economic losses. Additionally, fertilizers ensure that crops receive the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and increased productivity.

Key Highlights:

In December 2022, Indian Agrochemical Firm GSP Crop Science, launched new chlorantraniliprole (CTPR) under brand name Ballot and Helipro which works through contact, injections, larvicidal, ovi-larvicidal on chewing pest insects.

In April 2022, BASF SE launched new Exponus insecticide which delivers powerful with quick & control of toughest pest like Thrips & Caterpillars and used on crops like pulses, oil seeds and vegetables.

Analyst View:

Use of agrochemicals to boost the production and productivity of crops by farmers is likely to propel market growth. To get rid of insects and pests from destroying growth of crops has given rise in use of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides which in turn, is anticipated to increase the demand for Agrochemicals market growth.

Key Market Insights from the report:

Agrochemicals Market accounted for US$ 227.9 billion in 2022 and is estimated to be US$ 325.4 billion by 2032 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 3.6%. The Agrochemicals Market is segmented based on Product, Application and Region.

Based on Product , Agrochemicals Market is segmented into Crop Protection Chemicals, Fertilizers, Plant Growth Regulators and Others.

, Agrochemicals Market is segmented into Crop Protection Chemicals, Fertilizers, Plant Growth Regulators and Others. Based on Application , Agrochemicals Market is segmented into Fruits & Vegetables, Oilseeds & Pulses, Cereals & Grains and Others.

, Agrochemicals Market is segmented into Fruits & Vegetables, Oilseeds & Pulses, Cereals & Grains and Others. By Region, the Agrochemicals Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.

Attributes Details Agrochemicals Market Value (2022) US$ 227.9Bn Agrochemicals Market Projected Value (2032) US$ 325.4Bn Agrochemicals Market CAGR (2022  2032) 3.6%

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Competitive Landscape & their strategies of Agrochemicals Market:

The prominent players operating in the Agrochemicals Market includes:

BASF SE

Bayer AG

Clariant AG

The DOW Chemical Company

Evonik Industries AG

Huntsman International LLC.

Solvay

Ashland Inc.

FMC Corp.

Nufarm.

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Geography:

North America: The United States and Canada have significant agricultural sectors and are major consumers of agrochemicals. The market in this region is driven by advanced farming techniques, high mechanization, and the need for effective pest and weed control.

Europe: Countries like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain have well-developed agricultural industries. The European agrochemicals market focuses on sustainable farming practices, reduced chemical usage, and the promotion of biopesticides and organic farming.

Asia-Pacific: This region, particularly China and India, is witnessing rapid growth in the agrochemicals market due to the large population, increasing food demand, and expanding agricultural activities. The market is characterized by a mix of small-scale farmers and large commercial farms.

Latin America: Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico have extensive agricultural land and favorable climatic conditions, making them major players in the agrochemicals market. The region is known for large-scale production of crops such as soybeans, sugarcane, and corn.

Drivers and Restraints:

Drivers:

Growing global population and increasing food demand: The world's population is continuously growing, leading to an increased demand for food. Agrochemicals help farmers improve crop yields and enhance agricultural productivity to meet the rising food requirements.

The world's population is continuously growing, leading to an increased demand for food. Agrochemicals help farmers improve crop yields and enhance agricultural productivity to meet the rising food requirements. Need for crop protection: Pests, diseases, and weeds pose significant threats to crop health and yield. Agrochemicals such as pesticides and herbicides play a vital role in controlling and managing these issues, protecting crops from damage and ensuring optimal growth.

Pests, diseases, and weeds pose significant threats to crop health and yield. Agrochemicals such as pesticides and herbicides play a vital role in controlling and managing these issues, protecting crops from damage and ensuring optimal growth. Technological advancements: Advancements in agrochemical formulations, precision agriculture, and biotechnology have led to the development of more effective and targeted products. These technological innovations enable farmers to optimize agrochemical usage, reduce environmental impact, and enhance crop protection and productivity.

Advancements in agrochemical formulations, precision agriculture, and biotechnology have led to the development of more effective and targeted products. These technological innovations enable farmers to optimize agrochemical usage, reduce environmental impact, and enhance crop protection and productivity. Increasing adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops: GM crops are engineered to be resistant to pests, diseases, and herbicides. The widespread adoption of GM crops, such as insect-resistant Bt cotton and herbicide-tolerant soybeans, has driven the demand for corresponding agrochemicals.

Restraints:

Environmental concerns: The use of agrochemicals can have adverse environmental impacts, such as water and soil pollution, biodiversity loss, and negative effects on non-target organisms. Increasing awareness and regulations related to environmental protection pose challenges to the agrochemicals market.

The use of agrochemicals can have adverse environmental impacts, such as water and soil pollution, biodiversity loss, and negative effects on non-target organisms. Increasing awareness and regulations related to environmental protection pose challenges to the agrochemicals market. Health and safety concerns: There are concerns about the potential health risks associated with the use of agrochemicals. Prolonged exposure to certain pesticides and herbicides can have detrimental effects on human health and the well-being of farmers and farmworkers.

There are concerns about the potential health risks associated with the use of agrochemicals. Prolonged exposure to certain pesticides and herbicides can have detrimental effects on human health and the well-being of farmers and farmworkers. Regulatory restrictions: Governments around the world are implementing stricter regulations on agrochemicals, including registration processes, usage restrictions, and bans on certain active ingredients. These regulatory measures aim to ensure product safety, minimize environmental impact, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Governments around the world are implementing stricter regulations on agrochemicals, including registration processes, usage restrictions, and bans on certain active ingredients. These regulatory measures aim to ensure product safety, minimize environmental impact, and promote sustainable agriculture. Shift towards sustainable agriculture: There is a growing demand for sustainable and organic agricultural practices. Consumers are increasingly conscious of food quality, safety, and environmental impact. This has led to a rise in organic farming, integrated pest management, and the use of biopesticides, which can reduce the reliance on synthetic agrochemicals.

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Questions by Agrochemicals Market:

What are the key market trends and market dynamics? Who are the major players in the market and what is their market share? What is the competitive landscape like in the market? What are the major drivers and restraints affecting the market? What are the growth opportunities in the market? What are the regional and local market conditions and consumer behavior? What is the market size and growth forecast for different regions and countries? What is the impact of government regulations and policies on the market?





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Charleston, South Carolina, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Having worked with Charlestons new International African American Museum (IAAM) since its inception, Bernard Powers, director of the College of Charlestons Center for the Study of Slavery in Charleston and professor emeritus of history, has a unique perspective on the museums journey as it prepares to open on June 24, 2023. His roles have included acting as interim president of the IAAM, chairing the museums programming committee and now serving as a member of the IAAM Board of Directors.

As chairman, Powers worked with experts and museum consultants, Applebaum Associates Inc., to create the interior plan for the museums galleries. Its been a considerable effort that Powers insists has been a collaborative project with contributions from a wide range of experts from a variety of fields, including faculty members from the College.

There have been a number of CofC faculty who helped plan the design for one or more of the galleries based on their expertise and knowledge. Some of the work included reading through and critiquing narrative scripts and artifacts for the galleries. Some helped develop ideas that anchored one or more of the galleries based on their expertise, says Powers. Some, like John Rashford, professor emeritus of anthropology, were there at the very beginning and made crucial contributions that shaped our vision and continues to shape the future direction of the museum.

Other faculty include Hollis France, associate professor and chair of the Colleges Department of Political Science, who is featured in an exhibition in the western part of the museum called the American Journey, where a series of short videos featuring life-size images of narrators, including France, connect the past to the present.

This area conveys a chronological treatment of African American, American and South Carolina histories to show intersections between them, says Powers. Those shown on the videos are speaking to some contemporary issue or question sometimes with historical roots.

In fact, the experience was a full-circle one for France who, through her work with the IAAM, has come to better appreciate the her own personal journey and the scale and scope of the African diaspora.

Theres a water feature outside the IAAM that identifies the ports where enslaved Africans were dropped off and when I was there visiting, I saw my birthplace Guyana, South America, on the map, says France. Thats when I realized this is why Im here, this is why I was asked to participate. This is a much bigger story of people who are connected globally.

The museum, she says, offers a deeper dive into the history of the enslavement of Africans and African Americans in the United States and offers a new way forward.

We were taken from these beautiful empires and brought to the new world and experienced so much tragedy, sorrow and disappointment, and out of this bleakness has come so much innovation and creativity, says France. The museum shows the journey from the past to present and the future. Its a diasporic African story.

Tamara Butler, executive director of the Colleges Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture and associate dean of strategic planning and community engagement of College of Charleston Libraries, who also serves as a member of the IAAM Board of Directors, agrees that the depth of information showcased in the museums exhibits will undoubtedly help build bridges.

The IAAMs presence is a call to the City of Charleston and the College of Charleston to understand our (African Americans) contributions to the history and culture of the state and the global diaspora, says Butler. The museum can welcome people to Charleston to connect with a variety of longstanding organizations and cultural institutions like the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture and McLeod Plantation to gain a deeper understanding of our history as diasporic peoples.

And with the museum poised to celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, June 24, 2023, Powers is looking forward to seeing the IAAM spark new areas of interest in the next generations.

This is not a just history museum: it is an interdisciplinary museum of history, art, geography, literature, anthropology  all of these are a part of telling the story, he says. We want visitors to understand and consume the story by multiple means to supplement the historic record.

A College Effort

Other College of Charleston faculty and staff who contributed their expertise to the International African American Museum include:

Ghazi Abuhakema, director of Asian studies and Arabic programs

Chris Boucher, associate professor, Department of History

Daron Calhoun, Race and Social Justice Initiative coordinator, Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture

Mari Crabtree, associate professor of African American studies

Mary Jo Fairchild, library research services coordinator, Special Collections, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library

Harlan Greene, archivist, Special Collections, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library

Aaisha Haykel, manager of archival services, Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture

Kameelah Martin, dean of the Graduate School and professor of African American studies

Georgette Mayo, processing archivist, Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture

Dale Rosengarten, founding director of the Jewish Heritage Collection at Addlestone Library

Ted Rosengarten, Zucker/Goldberg chair of Holocaust studies

Hayden Smith, visiting assistant professor, Department of History

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Calgary, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bow Valley College is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Microsoft Canada, with the goal of advancing the colleges digital transformation journey and helping to offer an innovative, future-ready digital experience to its students and employees.

An event at Bow Valley Colleges downtown campus on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, celebrated the collaboration, which will focus on a broad range of activities to drive a more accessible and inclusive learning experience and support student success.

Collaborating with technology powerhouse Microsoft Canada will guide us in our pursuit to provide an exceptional experience for our students and employees, drive innovation, and attain operational excellence, says Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO, Bow Valley College.

The College is the first post-secondary institution to announce a collaboration of this kind with Microsoft Canada.

We are proud to combine our expertise, knowledge and passion with Bow Valley College and collaborate with them to achieve their vision and unlock new possibilities for students and faculty, says Marc Seaman, Vice President, Education Segment at Microsoft Canada. Together we are setting the standard for an inclusive and accessible education that prepares students for the workplace of the future.

Bow Valley College also unveiled its new digital strategy, which will leverage Microsoft technology, tools, and expertise in applied research projects and for teaching and learning supports.

We have a bold vision to shape the future of college education and to be a leading access college in Canada, says Dr. Mwaba. Our digital strategy and collaboration with Microsoft Canada will allow us to garner new insights to inform how we provide access to educational opportunities, technological innovations, and best practices for student and employee services.

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About Bow Valley College

Calgary and regions only Comprehensive Community College  with 14,000 full- and part-time students, Bow Valley College helps Open Doors  Open Minds to in-demand jobs in Calgary, Alberta, and Canada. Our graduates contribute to the digital economy, careers in business, TV & film production, and serve on the frontlines of healthcare and social services. Bow Valley College invests in three applied research pillars: educational technology, social innovation, and health. Visit bowvalleycollege.ca.

Attachment
YERINGTON, June 20, 2023 - Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) ("Nevada Copper" or the "Company") provides the results from its 2023 Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting"), held today in Toronto. Shareholders holding a total of 419,941,084 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") were represented by proxy at the Meeting, representing approximately 58.04% of the total 723,508,700 Common Shares outstanding as of the record date. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the Meeting.



Voting Details

The following eight nominees were elected as directors of the Company until the next annual shareholder meeting of the Company or until their successors are elected or appointed, with the detailed voting results as follows:

Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Tom Albanese 405,053,990 99.64% 1,461,605 0.36% Michael Brown 404,802,022 99.58% 1,713,573 0.42% Randy Buffington 404,007,547 99.38% 2,508,048 0.62% Guillaume de Dardel 403,883,029 99.35% 2,632,566 0.65% Raffaele (Lucio) Genovese 403,618,252 99.29% 2,897,343 0.71% Stephen Gill 403,990,216 99.38% 2,525,379 0.62% Evgenij Iorich 404,002,058 99.38% 2,513,537 0.62% G. Ernest (Ernie) Nutter 404,360,920 99.47% 2,154,675 0.53%

At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company also (i) fixed the number of directors at eight for the ensuing year, (ii) voted to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's auditor and authorized the directors to fix their remuneration, and (iii) approved the omnibus equity incentive plan of the Company. A report on all matters voted on at the meeting has been filed on SEDAR.

About Nevada Copper

Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is the owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project located in Nevada, USA with substantial mineral reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two permitted projects include the higher-grade Underground Mine and processing facility, which is undergoing a restart of operations, and a large-scale open pit PFS stage project.

Randy Buffington

President & CEO

For more information, please see the Company's website at www.nevadacopper.com, or contact:

Tracey Thom | Vice President, IR and Community Relations

tthom@nevadacopper.com | +1-775-391-9029
/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN/

VANCOUVER, BC, June 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. ("Nevada Lithium" or the "Company") (CSE: NVLH) (OTCQB: NVLHF) (FSE: 87K) is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement offering of 41,333,333 Subscription Receipts (as defined below) at a price of $0.15 per Subscription Receipt (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,200,000 (the "Offering").

The Offering included a strategic lead investment by SF Investments I BV (the "Lead Investor"), an entity owned by Mr. Marcel Boekhoorn. Mr. Boekhoorn is a Dutch entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and founder/owner of Ramphastos Investments which has a wide array of business interests in the Netherlands and globally. Ramphastos Investments is a venture capital and private equity firm dedicated to driving topline growth in enterprises through all stages of their evolution: from start-ups to scale-ups to high-growth medium-sized companies and mature enterprises. It currently holds interests in over 30 companies with a combined annual revenue of almost 5 billion, employing more than 9,000 people across a range of sectors varying from financial and business services, gaming, health care, new materials, advanced manufacturing and energy spanning all continents. Mr. Boekhoorn started his career in 1981 with Deloitte & Touche as a chartered accountant, going on to become its youngest partner to date in 1991 before founding Ramphastos Investments N.V. in 1994. By focusing on value creation through incubating and growing market-leading companies, Marcel and his team have had many successful exits including Bakker Bart, Cocachoc, Boemer Groep, Novaxess, Telfort, Motip Dupli, Sim Industries, Vereenigde Havezathen and the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Mr. Boekhoorn's philanthropic interests include wildlife preservation and promoting sport globally, among others.

Stephen Rentschler, CEO of Nevada Lithium stated, "We are excited to welcome Mr. Boekhoorn as a strategic investor. Mr. Boekhoorn's investment acumen is globally admired and spans many areas. Mr. Boekhoorn's investment provides Nevada Lithium with additional capital and also expands Nevada Lithium's access to proven, strategic lithium investors. We look forward to working with Mr. Boekhoorn, as we all believe that the Bonnie Claire Project, one of the largest lithium resources in North America, located in the premier mining jurisdiction of Nevada, is one of the most attractive undeveloped lithium assets in the world."

The Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the Offering will automatically convert, without payment of any additional consideration or further action, and subject to adjustment, into one unit of the Company (a "Unit") upon completion of the Transaction (as defined below). Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"), each Warrant exercisable into one Share at a price of $0.25 per Share for a period of 3 years from the completion of the Transaction. The Subscription Receipts were issued pursuant to and are governed by the terms of a subscription receipt agreement dated June 20, 2023 (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement").

The Offering was undertaken in connection with the Company's previously announced consolidation of 100% ownership interest of the Bonnie Claire Lithium project (the "Bonnie Claire Project"), which is currently jointly held by Iconic Minerals Ltd. ("Iconic") and Nevada Lithium, by way of a court approved plan of arrangement (the "Transaction"). For further details regarding the Transaction, please refer to the Company's press releases dated January 9, January 23 and March 27, 2023, copies of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

PowerOne Capital Markets Limited acted as a finder in connection with the Offering. The Company paid eligible finders (each, a "Finder") a cash finder fee equal to 7% of the gross proceeds raised by each Finder, payable upon closing of the Transaction, and finder warrants (the "Finder Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold by each Finder. Each Finder Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Unit at an exercise price of $0.15 for a period of three years following satisfaction of the escrow release conditions set forth in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

In connection with the Offering, the Company entered into an investor rights agreement (the "Investor Rights Agreement") with the Lead Investor providing that, among other things, during the period commencing upon completion of the Transaction and ending on the 24-month anniversary thereof, the Lead Investor shall be entitled to designate up to two nominees to serve as directors of the Company for election or appointment to the board of directors of the Company, provided that each nominee meets the eligibility criteria set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

The use of the net proceeds from the Offering were determined in consultation with the Lead Investor, and include exploration activities at the Bonnie Claire Project, working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes.

The securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

The securities distributed pursuant to this Offering have not and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless the securities have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and any applicable state securities laws, or in compliance with the requirements of an exemption therefrom.

Bonnie Claire Project

The Bonnie Claire Project is located within Sarcobatus Valley, which is approximately 30 km (19 miles) long and 20 km (12 miles) wide. Quartz-rich volcanic tuffs containing anomalous amounts of lithium occur within and adjacent to the valley. Drill results from the salt flat include 2,054 ppm Li over 67.1 m (220 ft) in drill hole BC-1601 as well as a 475 m (1560 ft) vertical intercept that averaged 1153 ppm Li. Bonnie Claire is one the largest lithium resources in North America with a current NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource 3,407 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1,013 ppm Li for 18,372 million kilograms of contained lithium carbonate equivalent, at a cut-off grade of 700 ppm Li. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability.

A 2022 NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment returned attractive investment metrics at low LCE prices. The Net Present Value of the Project (100% basis) is $1.497 Billion USD after tax (ATAX) using an eight percent discount rate (8%) and $13,400 USD per tonne LCE price. The IRR (ATAX) using the same LCE price ($13,400 USD per tonne) is 23.8%.1

The gravity low that characterizes the valley is approximately 20 km (12 miles) long, and the current estimates of depth to basement rocks range from 600 to 1,200 meters (2,000 to 4,000 feet). The current claim block covers an area of 74 km2 (28.6 mi2) with potential for brine systems and further sediment resources.

1 Results of the PEA represent forward-looking information. This economic assessment is by definition preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. Source: "Preliminary Economic Assessment NI 43-101 Technical Report, Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, Nye County, Nevada" (Issue date of February 25, 2022).

The technical information in the above disclosure has been reviewed and approved by the designated Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101, Jeff Wilson, PhD, P.Geo, Director & Vice President of Exploration for the Company.

Early Warning Disclosure

Pursuant to the Offering, the Lead Investor acquired 16,666,667 Subscription Receipts for aggregate consideration of $2,500,000. Prior to completion of the Offering, the Lead Investor did not have beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company. Following completion of the Transaction, the Lead Investor will have ownership and control of 16,666,667 Shares and 16,666,667 Warrants. The Lead Investor and the Company anticipate that upon completion of the Transaction, this will represent approximately 7.91% of the issued and outstanding Shares and approximately 14.66% on a partially diluted basis, subject to certain assumptions as to the Company's post-Transaction capitalization.

The Subscription Receipts were acquired for investment purposes. In the future, the Lead Investor may acquire additional Shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments in the open market or otherwise and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of such securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to such securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors.

The Company's address is Suite 1570 - 505 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V7X 1M5. The Lead Investor's address is Grebbeweg 111 Postbus 126, 3911 AV Rhenen 3910 AC, Rhenen, Netherlands. A copy of the Early Warning Report can be obtained from Lindsay Clements, Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP (416.869.5491) or on the SEDAR profile of the Company at www.sedar.com.

About Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on shareholder value creation through its core asset, the Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, located in Nye County, Nevada, where it currently holds a 50% interest. A 2022 NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment returned attractive investment metrics and the Company is actively advancing the Project towards Pre-Feasibility. Learn more: https://www.nvlithium.com/.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

"Stephen Rentschler"

Stephen Rentschler, CEO

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. These statements relate to matters that identify future events or future performance. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "could", "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved.

The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to statements regarding: the conversion of the Subscription Receipts; the completion of the Transaction and the terms on which the Transaction is intended to be completed; the terms and payment of the cash commission and issuance of the Finder Warrants to eligible Finders; and Nevada Lithium's intended use of net proceed from the Offering.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, Nevada Lithium has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation: Nevada Lithium obtaining TSX Venture Exchange and Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance; Nevada Lithium obtaining requisite regulatory and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the Offering on the proposed terms herein; the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the Transaction; Nevada Lithium's ability to comply with all applicable regulations and laws, including environmental, health and safety laws; Nevada Lithium's ability to complete the Transaction; Nevada Lithium's ability to satisfy the terms and payment of cash commission and Finder Warrants to eligible Finders; and Nevada Lithium's ability to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect expectations of Nevada Lithium's management, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of managements considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Nevada Lithium believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and under reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by Nevada Lithium. Among the key risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are the following: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the inability of Nevada Lithium to close the Transaction on the terms provided herein; delays or the inability of Nevada Lithium to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSX Venture Exchange or Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance; financing or other planned activities; changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations; currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities; risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on Nevada Lithium's business; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Offering on relationship, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; Factors" in Nevada Lithium's latest Management Discussion and Analysis and other filings of Nevada Lithium with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the respective party's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialized, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Nevada Lithium has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Nevada Lithium does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

SOURCE Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

TORONTO, June 20, 2023 - Orford Mining Corp. ("Orford" or the "Company") (TSXV: ORM) announces that, further to its news release dated June 5, 2023 announcing the closing of the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), the Company has been advised by the TSX Venture Exchange that is has received a 30-day extension of the Offering to July 26, 2023. Orford expects to close multiple tranches of the financing in that extended period.

About Orford Mining Corporation

Orford Mining is a gold and critical mineral explorer focused on highly prospective and underexplored areas of Northern Quebec. Orford's principal assets are the Qiqavik, West Raglan and lithium exploration projects comprising a land package totaling over 111,000 hectares in the Cape Smith Belt of Northern Quebec. The Qiqavik Project hosts several new high-grade gold discoveries along a mineralized trend in excess of 40 km. The West Raglan Project hosts a number of high-grade Raglan-style nickel/copper/platinum group metal discoveries along a 55 km mineralized trend. In early 2023 Orford acquired large claim blocks targeting Lithium in the Nunavik Region. These Lithium claim blocks have been carefully selected as having promising lithium potential after an exhaustive compilation of available data. Orford also has four property positions in the Joutel region of the Abitibi District of Northern Quebec, which hosts historical deposits such as the Eagle/Telbel, Joutel Copper, Poirier Copper, and Vezza deposits. Orford continually seeks new gold exploration opportunities in North America. Orford's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ORM. This information from neighbouring properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on Orford Mining's properties.

Qualified Person

The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Alger St-Jean, P.Geo., Chief Geoscientist of Orford, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. The historical assays referred to in this release were obtained from historical work reports filed with the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and has not been independently verified by a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43- 101.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the exploration potential of its mineral properties.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Orford 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 drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; 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, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder 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 Orford's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although Orford has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward- looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Orford disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

SOURCE Orford Mining Corp.
Vancouver, June 21, 2023 - Cosa Resources Corp. (CSE:COSA) ("Cosa Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the brokered private placement previously announced by the Company on May 30, 2023 for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,557,795.50 (the "Offering"). The Offering was conducted by Haywood Securities Inc. (the "Agent") as sole agent and bookrunner.

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued 4,450,830 hard dollar units of the Company (the "Hard Dollar Units") at a price of C$0.35 per Hard Dollar Unit and 7,767,000 charity flow-through units of the Company (the "Charity FT Units", and together with the Hard Dollar Units, the "Units") at a price of C$0.515 per Charity FT Unit, which includes the full exercise of the Agent's over-allotment option.

Each Hard Dollar Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Share") plus one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole such warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Charity FT Unit consists of one Share and one-half of one Warrant, each of which qualifies as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.50 until June 21, 2025.

The gross proceeds from the sale of Charity FT Units will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, on or before December 31, 2024. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the Charity FT Units effective December 31, 2023. The net proceeds from the sale of Hard Dollar Units will be used to fund exploration and for additional working capital purposes.

In consideration for the services provided by the Agent in connection with the Offering, on closing the Company: (i) paid to the Agent a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, other than in respect of Units issued to certain purchasers on a president's list agreed upon by the Company and the Agent (the "President's List"), in which case the commission in respect of such issuance was equal to 3%; and (ii) issued compensation options of the Company (the "Compensation Options") to the Agent to acquire that number of common shares in the capital of the Company (each a "Compensation Option Share") which is equal to 6% of the number of Units sold under the Offering, other than in respect of Units issued to purchasers on the President's List, in which case the Company did not issue any Compensation Options. Each Compensation Option entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Compensation Option Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering, at an exercise price of C$0.35.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have a hold period of four months and one day from closing, expiring on October 22, 2023.

Directors and officers of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 231,431 Hard Dollar Units for gross proceeds of $81,000.85 under the Offering. Participation by insiders of the Company in the Offering constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 as the common shares of the Company are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. The issuance of securities is also exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value was less than $2,500,000.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

About Cosa Resources

Cosa Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, BC and is focused on the exploration of its uranium and copper properties in northern Saskatchewan. The portfolio includes six uranium exploration properties: Ursa, Orion, Castor, Charcoal, Helios, and Astro, totaling 140,677 ha in the eastern and northern Athabasca Basin.

The team behind Cosa Resources has a track record of success in Saskatchewan, with several decades of combined experience in uranium exploration, discovery, and development in the province.

For further information on Cosa Resources, please contact:

Keith Bodnarchuk, President & CEO

Tel: +1 888-899-2672 (COSA)

Email: info@cosaresources.ca

Website: www.cosaresources.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "pending", "intends", "plans", "forecasts", "targets", or "hopes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "will", "should" "might", "will be taken", or "occur" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information herein includes, but is not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that Cosa Resources expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering and the tax treatment of the Charity FT Units.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of the Company, future growth potential for the Company and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on 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. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner.

These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the future tax treatment of the Charity FT Units, competitive risks and the availability of financing; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the speculative nature of exploration and development; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, June 21, 2023 - MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FRANKFURT: 89N) ("MAX Power" or the "Company") is pleased to report the commencement of a high resolution heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey over the Corvette Lake North and Corvette Lake South properties to help identify prospective lithium hosting pegmatite targets.



Prospectair Geosurveys of Gatineau, Quebec, is carrying out the airborne surveys. Prospectair's operations are not currently impacted by forest fire access restrictions that are currently in the area.

The heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey will acquire detailed information over the properties, using 50-metre line spacing covering a total of 2,257-line kilometres. The tight line spacing is an important factor in interpreting structures and rock formations, especially where rocks are not outcropping.

The data will be analyzed and interpreted by GroundTruth Exploration's geophysics experts. Areas with prospective targets will have 3D inversion modelled to better define the local structure.

MAX Power has also entered into a contract with Axiom Exploration Group Ltd. for its 2023 field summer exploration program that will consist of prospecting for LCT-type (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) mineralized pegmatites and soil sampling over identified magnetic and radiometric targets/anomalies with limited outcrop exposure. The Company will update investors when the summer field exploration has officially commenced.

Geology

The Corvette North Property is situated in an intriguing structural setting between two major intrusive complexes highlighted by the Langelier and Moyen plutons, as described in Quebec report RG 2020-01 (Geologie de la region du lac de la Corvette, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James). One part of the Corvette North claims is found in structural Domain IV (as described in the report) while some of the remaining claims are situated in Domain III, the same structural domain that hosts the area's CV5 and CV8 pegmatite discoveries.

The immediate region between the Langelier and Moyen plutons could produce interesting exploration potential due to the focusing of stresses and possible pegmatite intrusion emplacements. Virginia Mines worked in the Corvette North claims area for several years and conducted gold exploration campaigns discovering numerous gold occurrences in the Corvette Greenstone Belt situated in Domain V. Domain V is where the majority of the historic Virginia Mines' Corvette and Eade gold showings occur. There are lithium pegmatite occurrences in this area that will be investigated during MAX Power's upcoming field program.

Location Map





Management cautions that mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of the presence of similar mineralization or geology on the Company's properties.

Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) Listing in Germany

The Company's shares are now trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("FSE") under the symbol "89N".

The Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) is one of the world's largest international trading centers for securities. Operated by the Deutsche Boerse AG, FSE, is the largest of Germany's seven stock exchanges, and is responsible for approximately 90 percent of all securities traded in Germany. The FSE facilitates advanced electronic trading, settlement and information systems and enables cross-border trading for international investors.

Rav Mlait, CEO, commented, "We are excited to be listed on the Frankfurt Exchange, which is a big step in accelerating the growth of MAX Power by allowing retail and institutional European investors to trade our public equity shares."

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Lauder, P.Geo., Member of the Order of Geologists of Quebec and Senior Geologist and Exploration Manager for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Lauder is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

About MAX Power

MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance North America's renewable energy prospects.

Contact: info@maxpowermining.com

MarketSmart Communications at 877-261-4466.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling, mineralization and historical results on the Properties; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the initiation of and the results thereby of any future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Properties and the James Bay region, generally; the potential for lithium within the Properties; commentary as it related to the opportune timing to explore lithium exploration and any anticipated increasing demand for lithium; future press releases by the Company; funding of any future drilling program; regulatory approval, including but not limited to the CSE. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "interpreted," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "suggests," "often," "target," "future," "likely," "pending," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," "possibly," "preliminary", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7865bc05-b5a5-4278-8a12-c40e052bf1c1
June 21st, 2023 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Lake Winn Resources Corp. ("Lake Winn" or the "Company") (TSXV:LWR) (FSE:EE1A) is pleased to provide an update on recent activities related to its Little Nahanni Lithium Project ("the Project") located in western Northwest Territories (NWT) as shown on Figure 1. The Project is 100% owned and covers 7,080 hectares of prospective ground.



Click Image To View Full Size

The Little Nahanni Lithium Project was modelled by Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited at the request of Lake Winn to better define the pegmatite swarms in 3D and to assist in future exploration efforts on the Project. Data to date is insufficient to model for any purpose other than highlighting future exploration targets and trends.

The prospect comprises a series of dyke swarms which strike over 7,000 m along the extent of the claim group. Swarms range from 50 m to 250 m in width, with individual dykes typically 1-10 m wide. The dyke swarms dip steeply to the north-east and have been demonstrated in outcrop and drilling to have a vertical extent of 300 m or more.

Modelling was performed in Seequent Leapfrog Geo using surface mapping points and interpretations derived from previous exploration campaigns. Drill data, where possible, was incorporated in order to refine models and or add potential targets for further evaluation. Over 600 historical surface mapping points were used across the region to define the dyke swarms as well as model individual dykes. Classification and naming conventions were retained. Where local fault offsets were inferred from previous assessments, these were honoured as much as possible. Dip orientations were derived from surface mapping and projected to depth. The dykes remain open to depth and the full vertical extent of the dykes is unknown. They are modelled to an arbitrary depth, but this is not based on any current data apart from surface projections. Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of modelled dykes.

Surface structural readings from mapping were used to generate individual dyke wireframes. These are 2D planes with arbitrary strike length and vertical extents and are primarily made to visually highlight dyke density and project strike extensions into data-sparse areas. Numerous lithology readings used to generate the dyke swarms have been collected across the property and can be further incorporated to define the dykes in greater resolution.

Surface data points for modelling are confined to ridges and other topographical highs which results in gaps of 500 m or more across cirques. Although continuity can be readily inferred where data points are dense, it is apparent that dyke complexity is high on a local scale and can affect volume estimates. Modelled dykes in these areas have inferred widths and orientations.



Click Image To View Full Size

Work History

Historical drilling for tantalum in 2007 resulted in the initial lithium discoveries. Highlights from the historical drilling are shown in Table 1 and the drill hole locations are shown on Figure 2.

Table 1 - Historical Drill Highlights

DDH From (m) To (m) Width (m) Li2O (%) Ta2O5 (g/t) SnO2 (g/t) MAC001 62.50 63.60 1.10 0.05 722.4 697.9 MAC001 68.80 70.10 1.30 0.30 190.5 568.3 MAC001 86.00 89.20 3.20 0.54 76.9 384.8 MAC001 102.80 105.94 3.14 0.63 140.4 189.2 MAC001 121.60 122.10 0.50 0.07 610.5 401.3 MAC006 61.88 66.86 4.98 0.26 76.9 231.1 MAC006 85.60 87.00 1.40 0.65 316.6 531.9 MAC006 172.37 190.64 18.27 0.92 33.0 149.9 MAC007 30.22 33.62 3.40 0.20 57.4 171.5 MAC007 105.84 116.78 10.94 1.20 35.4 219.7 MAC007 143.73 149.20 5.47 0.33 26.9 104.1 MAC008 37.58 38.73 1.15 0.58 172.1 526.9

In 2017 the Company resampled the 2007 drill core as the previous property owner's focus was on tantalum and tin and many of the 2007 samples exceeded the upper detection limit for lithium (1%) and were not further analyzed. The resampling highlights can be found in Table D.

Table D - Li2O Grade Comparison 2007 to 2017

DDH 2007 Length (m) 2007 Grade Li2O 2017 Length (m) 2017 Grade Li2O % Li2O Increase MAC006 18.27 0.92% 17.96 1.03% 12% MAC007 10.94 1.20% 9.66 1.47% 23%

A channel sampling program was conducted on the Project in 2016 confirming the grade and tenor of the lithium occurrences at surface (Table 2).

Table 2 - Channel Sampling Results

Dyke Swarm Width (m)*1 Li2O (%) Ta2O5 (g/t) SnO2 (%) Prison Wall 4.40 1.12 55.0 0.05 1.20 2.33 59.0 0.05 1.90 0.87 56.4 0.03 1.70 1.57 250.3 0.95 Berlin Wall 4.00 2.04 57.8 0.05 1.95 2.29 48.7 0.01 0.95 3.10 53.6 0.03 Great Wall of China 16.65 1.21 65.4 0.03 3.75 1.67 45 0.03 7.00 1.41 59.9 0.04 1.25 1.83 67.3 0.05 5.15 1.63 52.9 0.01 Hadrian's Wall 1.05 0.85 80.9 0.05 6.30 1.86 116.7 0.05

*1 - Measured widths are estimated to be 98 to 90% of the true thickness, due to the near vertical dip.

Dias Geophysical Limited ("Dias") recently completed a QMAGT airborne geophysical survey across the property. The survey involved flying 512 line-kilometers with minimum lengths of 3 km and line spacings of 75 m. Flight line directions were oriented at 090. The QMAGT system used is a full-tensor magnetic gradiometry system employing the SQUID (superconducting quantum interface device) sensor. Figure 3 below illustrates preliminary data from the geophysical survey. The survey was conducted over 6 days in December 2022 based out of Watson Lake, Yukon.



Click Image To View Full Size

Engagement with Nah?? Dehe Dene Band

Company CEO, Patrick Power, and VP Exploration, Buddy Doyle, travelled to Nahanni Butte, Northwest Territories on May 24th to meet with the Nah?? Dehe Dene Band (NDDB). The day involved a presentation and discussions regarding the Little Nahanni Lithium Project.

"I'm encouraged with Lake Winn's first-ever visit to the community of Nahanni Butte. We had a wonderful introductory meeting with NDDB and we look forward to continuing to grow the relationship between Lake Winn and NDDB. I would like to thank Chief Steve Vital and his team for their time and for hosting us in their beautiful community." - Patrick Power, CEO

The technical information in this news release has been approved by Heather Burrell, P.Geo., a senior geologist with Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited and a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101.

About Lake Winn Resources

Lake Winn Resources Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% owned Little Nahanni Lithium Project ("LNLP"), which is located in the western Northwest Territories near the Yukon Border. The project covers 7,080 hectares that encompasses a 7 km long, and up to 500 m wide, lithium, tantalum, and tin pegmatite dyke swarm. Historical drilling and channel sampling on the Project confirms the presence of significant lithium, tantalum, and tin.

The Company was recently issued a 5-year Class-A Permit to conduct exploration on the Project. The permit is inclusive of camp construction, drilling, trenching, and channel sampling (see Press Release date May 9th, 2023).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Lake Winn Resources Corp.

Patrick Power, President & CEO

+1 (604) 218-8772

info@lakewinn.ca

www.lakewinn.ca

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 Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to Lake Winn's plans, the estimation of a mineral resource, and the success of exploration activities. In this release, it is not certain if the discovery will be economic or not as this depends on many factors. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 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. Factors that could affect our plans include our potential inability to raise funds as intended, and in such event, we may require all funds raised, if any, to be used for working capital rather than the intended uses as outlined. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward?looking statements. Lake Winn undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward?looking statements, except as required by law.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Vancouver, June 21, 2023 - Rome Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RMR) (FSE: 33R) ("Rome" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Serge Nawej Tshitembu has been appointed to the Company's board of directors.

Mr Nawej is a qualified lawyer, a Congolese national who grew up in Belgium and is based in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"). He is currently a professional business consultant, and has significant experience advising mining construction and infrastructure companies operating in Africa, particularly the DRC, in respect of strategic development, finance, legal matters and government relations and geopolitical challenges. Mr Nawej has an extensive network of contacts across Asia, the Middle East and Africa and assists companies with their fundraising activities. Mr Nawej is regularly invited as a speaker or moderator to global and African business events.

Mr Nawej completed his legal qualifications (and remains registered as a lawyer) in Belgium. He previously practiced law in Belgium and the DRC, and was a key contributor in the development of a successful law firm based in the DRC involved in major cross border transactions in Africa. Mr Nawej is a director and shareholder of one of the Company's joint venture partners.

Mark Gasson, President and CEO of the Company, states that "Serge Nawej's significant business experience in Africa, especially in the mining sector in the DRC, and his extensive network of professional investor and government contacts will be of great assistance to the Company and its plans to explore and develop the exciting Bisie North Tin Project in eastern DRC."

The Company also announces that Mr Patrick Flint has resigned as a director of the Company. The Board thanks Mr Flint for his contributions during the period he served as a director.

About Rome Resources

Rome Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that has entered into two option agreements and a binding term sheet to acquire direct and indirect interests in two contiguous properties situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, which are collectively referred to as the "Bisie North Tin Project". Rome intends to fund exploration on the project up to the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

Contacts

Investors / Shareholders

Mark Gasson

President, CEO & Director

P: (604) 687-6140

Media

E: info@romeresources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Rome Resources Ltd. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Rome Resources Ltd. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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/170842
VANCOUVER, June 21, 2023 - K92 Mining Inc. ("K92" or the "Company") (TSX: KNT; OTCQX: KNTNF) is pleased to announce that the Company has set its inaugural energy and greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions reduction target as part of its ongoing overall sustainability commitments.



After completing detailed energy and GHG forecasts for its Stage 3 and Stage 4 Expansions, and identifying opportunities for energy reductions, the Company has set a target to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 25% on a business-as-usual basis by 2030 (a 25% reduction against forecast Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 assuming no mitigation measures are implemented to reduce carbon emissions). Additional information on the GHG target and the overall approach to sustainability will be available in the Company's forthcoming Sustainability Report covering 2022.

K92 Mining's CEO and Director John Lewins stated, "As part of our commitment to help combat the negative impacts of climate change, we are pleased to announce our inaugural GHG reduction target, aiming to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 25% on a business-as-usual basis by 2030. The Kainantu mine is a high-grade, underground operation with a significant amount of power sourced from hydroelectricity, a cleaner, renewable power source. As a result, we have one of the lower carbon footprints in the industry and we continue to look for opportunities to improve upon this.

Importantly, we have already taken action to reduce our emissions through our partnership with PNG Power Ltd., which aims to upgrade grid power infrastructure near Kainantu. We recently completed a dedicated 22kV powerline to site to increase the reliability of clean hydroelectric power from the grid and reduce the use of backup diesel gensets. Additional power upgrades to increase our renewable energy profile are being investigated.

Beyond this, we are also exploring the potential electrification of our fleet and carbon sequestration. In combination with other energy reduction initiatives, we are confident we can achieve our GHG reduction goals, and we remain committed to working with our partners and our stakeholders in support of the world's transition to a low-carbon economy."

About K92

K92 Mining Inc. is engaged in the production of gold, copper and silver at the Kainantu Gold Mine in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, as well as exploration and development of mineral deposits in the immediate vicinity of the mine. The Company declared commercial production from Kainantu in February 2018 and is in a strong financial position. A maiden resource estimate on the Blue Lake porphyry project was completed in August 2022. K92 is operated by a team of mining company professionals with extensive international mine-building and operational experience.

On Behalf of the Company,

John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact David Medilek, P.Eng., CFA, President at +1-604-416-4445

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements"), including, but not limited to, the impact of global supply chain and financial market disruptions; projections of future financial and operational performance; statements with respect to future events or future performance; production estimates; anticipated operating and production costs and revenue; estimates of capital expenditures; future demand for and prices of commodities and currencies; estimated mine life of our mine; estimated closure and reclamation costs and statements regarding anticipated exploration, development, construction, production, permitting and other activities on the Company's properties, including: expected gold, silver and copper production and the Stage 3 Expansion and Stage 4 Expansion. Estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources are also forward-looking statements because they constitute projections, based on certain estimates and assumptions, regarding the amount of minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the anticipated economics of production. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control, that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation, Public Health Crises, including pandemics; changes in the price of gold, silver, copper and other metals in the world markets; fluctuations in the price and availability of infrastructure and energy and other commodities; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; volatility in price of our common shares; inherent risks associated with the mining industry, including problems related to weather and climate in remote areas in which certain of the Company's operations are located; failure to achieve production, cost and other estimates; risks and uncertainties associated with exploration and development; uncertainties relating to estimates of mineral resources including uncertainty that mineral resources may never be converted into mineral reserves; the Company's ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the availability and costs of achieving the Stage 3 Expansion or the Stage 4 Expansion; the ability of the Company to achieve the inputs the price and market for outputs, including gold, silver and copper; inability of the Company to identify appropriate acquisition targets or complete desirable acquisitions; failures of information systems or information security threats; political, economic and other risks associated with the Company's foreign operations; geopolitical events and other uncertainties, such as the conflict in Ukraine; compliance with various laws and regulatory requirements to which the Company is subject to, including taxation; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions, including relationship with the communities in Papua New Guinea and other jurisdictions it operates; other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry; and the risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form under the heading "Risk Factors" and filed on SEDAR or the Company's website.

Estimates of mineral resources are also forward-looking statements because they constitute projections, based on certain estimates and assumptions, regarding the amount of minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the anticipated economics of production. The estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actual results to differ materially from those that are anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company 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.
Cuyes West Drilling Highlights:

CU23-27 - 287.0 metres grading 1.21 g/t Au Eq, including 2.0 metres grading 34.78 g/t Au Eq intersected in the breccia pipe

CU23-28 - 24.0 metres grading 2.47 g/t Au Eq intersected in the Cuyes West structure

CU23-29 - 30.0 metres grading 2.83 g/t Au Eq intersected in the Cuyes West structure; including 6.0 metres of 6.72 g/t Au Eq

VANCOUVER, June 21, 2023 - Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV: LR) (OTCQX: LUMIF) (the "Company" or "Luminex") is pleased to announce drill results from three holes that targeted the Cuyes West structure (CU23-27 to CU23-29), while simultaneously targeting the adjacent Breccia Pipe target. Luminex is also announcing the results from its initial seven-hole campaign at Prometedor.

Hole CU23-27 intersected multiple high-grade structures in the breccia pipe, notably 2.0 metres from 229.0 metres grading 33.30 g/t gold and 123.5 g/t silver (34.78 g/t Au Eq), within a wider intercept of 287.0 metres from 99.0 metres, which graded 1.10 g/t gold and 8.8 g/t silver (1.21 g/t Au Eq).

Hole CU23-29 confirmed that Cuyes West extends at least 500 metres down from surface, while remaining open to depth. The hole cut a 30.0 metre interval grading 2.81 g/t gold and 1.66 g/t silver (2.83 g/t Au Eq) from 475.0 metres, including 6.0 metres grading 6.69g/t gold and 3.0g/t silver (6.72g/t Au Eq) from 487.0 metres. This hole stepped out approximately 210 metres vertically below hole CU23-22, which intercepted 15.0 metres of 6.18 g/t gold and 41.8 g/t silver (6.68 g/t Au Eq) from 308.0 metres.

Hole CU23-28 intersected multiple high-grade intercepts, including 24.0 metres returning 2.31 g/t gold and 13.08 g/t silver (2.47 g/t Au Eq) from 313.0 metres, within a broader 50.0 metre zone of 1.70 g/t gold and 9.51 g/t silver (1.82 g/t Au Eq) from 293.0 metres.

Other intervals are present in additional structures in holes CU23-27, CU23-28 and CU23-29 and are detailed in Table 1.

The style of mineralization at Cuyes West structure is identical to that at the Camp deposit, 600 metres to the west. At a property scale, these mineralized structures are interpreted to be hosted in ring and radial fractures around the Los Cuyes caldera (See Figure 1).

Table 1. Drill intercepts for the Cuyes West structure and breccia pipe.

Hole Azimuth / Dip / Length From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au Eq (g/t) CU23-27 6 / - 48 /

441.45m 24.0 26.0 2.0* 0.41 0.8 0.42 And 80.0 84.0 4.0* 0.73 0.8 0.74 And 99.0 386.0 287.0* 1.10 8.8 1.21 Incl 166.0 168.0 2.0 6.82 25.8 7.13 Incl 182.0 183.0 1.0 5.26 68.1 6.08 And 199.0 218.0 19.0 1.34 9.3 1.45 And 229.0 231.0 2.0 33.30 123.5 34.78 And 345.0 375.0 30.0 2.11 21.9 2.38















CU23-28

78.0 82.0 4.0* 0.41 3.0 0.45 And 94.0 162.0 68.0* 0.52 3.3 0.56 And 178.0 184.0 6.0* 0.88 14.1 1.05 And 196.0 206.0 10.0* 0.91 15.9 1.10 And 234.0 235.0 1.0 1.70 9.2 1.81 And 277.0 279.0 2.0 1.63 7.3 1.72 And 293.0 343.0 50.0 1.70 9.5 1.82 Incl 313.0 337.0 24.0 2.31 13.1 2.47















CU23-29 0 / -75 / 593.45m 10.0 14.0 4.0* 0.40 4.1 0.45 And 30.0 34.0 4.0* 0.56 6.5 0.64 And 46.0 84.0 38.0* 0.36 5.6 0.43 And 122.0 316.0 194.0* 0.96 3.4 1.00 Incl 203.0 234.0 31.0 2.06 4.7 2.12 Incl 241.0 265.0 24.0 1.79 5.3 1.85 Incl 313.0 314.0 1.0 6.34 5.1 6.40 And 330.0 445.0 115.0* 0.74 3.2 0.78 Incl 339.0 340.0 1.0 2.93 0.5 2.93 Incl 348.0 351.0 3.0 1.83 2.1 1.86 Incl 361.0 363.0 2.0 2.37 2.4 2.40 Incl 422.0 440.0 18.0 1.66 5.1 1.72 And 475.0 505.0 30.0 2.81 1.7 2.83 Incl 487.0 493.0 6.0 6.69 3.0 6.72

Asterisked (*) intervals are "Shallower" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 0.20 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of ten continuous metres below cut-off occurring within the stated intercept and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 9.94 g/t Au. Remaining intervals not marked with an asterisk are for "Deeper" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 1.0 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of up to six continuous metres below cut-off and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 48.60 g/t Au. Au Eq values assume $1,500 gold and $18.00 silver (Au Eq= Au g/t + (Ag g/t *0.012)).



Prometedor

Seven exploration holes were drilled at the Prometedor target (PR23-01 to PR23-05 and EB23-01 to EB23-02), located three kilometres south-east of the Soledad deposit. This target comprises a one kilometre by 250 metre rock and soil anomaly at surface with creek bed samples returning up to 38.97 g/t gold. The maiden drilling consisted of five drill holes spaced 100 to 250 metres apart. Holes EB23-01 and EB23-02 were drilled 430 metres south of the main Prometedor surface anomaly. All holes encountered various mineralized intercepts and provided important geologic data. Hole PR23-01 intercepted a 1.79 metre interval grading 1.21 g/t gold and 22.99g/t silver (1.48 g/t Au Eq) from 27.5 metres within a broader interval of 8.34 metres grading 0.59 g/t gold and 7.34 g/t silver (0.68 g/t Au Eq) from 21.0 metres. Hole PR23-03 intercepted 48.9 metres grading 0.36 g/t gold and 7.48 g/t silver (0.45 g/t Au Eq) from surface. See Table 2 for additional intervals in all of the holes drilled on this target.

Mineralization from parts of the Prometedor area is of the same style as discovered at Camp and Cuyes deposits and is associated with rhyolite dikes. Strong quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration is present in the drill core with mineralized intercepts including pyrite, marcasite and sphalerite as the dominant sulphide minerals. Drilling has been paused in this area, but given the possibility of discovering mineralogically similar material to Camp and Cuyes, surface geological and geochemical work at Prometedor continues.

Table 2. Drill intercepts for Prometedor and Esperanza drill holes.

Hole Azimuth / Dip / Length From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au Eq (g/t) PR23-01 240 / -60 / 147.45m 21.0 29.3 8.3 0.59 7.3 0.68 Incl 27.5 29.3 1.8 1.21 23.0 1.48 And 47.0 58.0 11.0 0.20 2.0 0.22 And 75.0 76.0 1.0 0.32 1.6 0.34 And 79.0 80.0 1.0 0.34 1.1 0.35 And 84.0 85.0 1.0 0.29 4.6 0.34 And 92.0 120.0 28.0 0.30 3.5 0.35















PR23-02 230 / -60 / 182.50m 25.0 41.0 16.0 0.20 1.6 0.22 And 68.0 75.0 7.0 0.63 14.2 0.80 And 89.0 96.0 7.0 0.73 16.9 0.93 Incl 89.0 92.0 3.0 1.26 29.8 1.61















PR23-03 230 / -50 / 181.35m 0.0 48.9 48.9 0.36 7.5 0.45 And 67.0 92.0 25.0 0.28 3.6 0.32 And 103.0 115.0 12.0 0.32 3.3 0.36















PR23-04 270 / -60 / 105.05m 18.0 20.0 2.0 0.34 1.9 0.37 And 48.0 53.0 5.0 0.20 0.6 0.21 And 73.0 74.6 1.6 0.40 6.1 0.47 And 97.0 98.3 1.3 0.42 4.5 0.47 And 103.0 105.0 2.0 0.28 18.3 0.50















PR23-05 202 / -60 / 163.15m 70.3 77.0 6.7 0.44 4.0 0.48 And 136.0 137.0 1.0 0.67 39.9 1.15















EB23-01 225 / -60 / 124.65m 27.0 69.4 42.4 0.27 4.1 0.32 And 95.0 96.0 1.0 0.64 1.1 0.65 And 111.0 114.0 3.0 0.26 5.1 0.32















EB23-02 260 / -60 / 125.20m 4.0 11.0 7.0 0.29 3.1 0.32 And 17.0 21.0 4.0 0.24 0.9 0.25 And 32.4 34.0 1.6 0.23 0.7 0.24 And 38.0 40.0 2.0 0.25 0.9 0.26

Interval calculated using a lower limit of 0.20 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of ten continuous metres below cut-off occurring within the stated intercept and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 2.88 g/t Au. Au Eq values assume $1,500 gold and $18.00 silver (Au Eq= Au g/t + (Ag g/t *0.012)).

Quality Assurance

All Luminex sample assay results have been independently monitored through a quality control / quality assurance ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standards, blanks as well as pulp and reject duplicate samples. Logging and sampling are completed at Luminex's core handling facility located at the Condor property. Drill core is diamond sawn on site and half drill-core samples are securely transported to ALS Laboratories' ("ALS") or Bureau Veritas Minerals' ("BMV") sample preparation facility in Quito, Ecuador. The ALS lab's sample pulps are sent to Lima, Peru for analysis where gold content is determined by fire assay of a 50-gram charge with ICP finish. The BMV lab's samples are analyzed for gold by a 50-gram charge fire assay in Quito and the remainder of the sample is sent to Lima, Peru for a 44 element - ICP finish.

Silver and other elements are also determined by ICP methods. Over-limit samples assaying greater than 10 g/t gold and 100 g/t silver are re-analyzed by both labs using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Luminex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. ALS Laboratories and BMV are independent of Luminex.

Qualified Persons

Leo Hathaway, P. Geo, Senior Vice President Exploration of Luminex and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, verified and approved the scientific and technical information concerning the Condor Project in this news release and has verified the data underlying that scientific and technical information.

About Luminex Resources

Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV:LR, OTCQX:LUMIF) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. Luminex's inferred and indicated mineral resources are located at the Condor Gold-Copper project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador, including the Pegasus and Orquideas projects, which are being co-developed with Anglo American and JOGMEC respectively.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminexresources.com/.

To receive news releases please sign up at https://www.luminexresources.com/contact/contact-us/.

Follow us on: Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook.

Luminex Resources Corp.

Signed: "Marshall Koval"

Marshall Koval, CEO and 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 news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future drilling and work programs at Condor. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/luminex-resources-extends-cuyes-west-over-200-metres-at-depth-301857298.html

SOURCE Luminex Resources Corp.
Madrid mayor optimistic about Spanish GP deal

The mayor of Madrid says he is "optimistic" the Spanish capital will secure a Formula 1 race.

Valtteri Bottas, Spanish GP 2023

 Alfa Romeo

The mayor of Madrid says he is "optimistic" the Spanish capital will secure a Formula 1 race.

Although the Spanish GP at Barcelona has a contract until 2026, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali freely admits that there are now "two projects on the table" for the future beyond that.

"All I can say is that I will do my maximum to ensure that there's still a Spanish GP, independently of where," Spaniard Carlos Sainz said recently.

He also thinks it's "not feasible" to expect that both Barcelona and Madrid can be present on an annual Formula 1 calendar.

"I don't think that's anyone's intention, especially when you look at where they (F1) are going with the races and the new horizons they have in the States and everywhere."

And so, at present, all the buzz around a grand prix in Madrid appears to have put Spain's most populous city in pole position for the 2027 Spanish GP and beyond.

The city's mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida admitted this week that the chances of a Madrid GP are "real".

He said at Madrid's Business Confederation meeting (CEIM) that it will be an "urban circuit" that is in the "vicinity" of the Ifema headquarters in north central Madrid.

"We have been working, through Ifema, over the last few months on this project, and we hope and trust that Madrid can have that grand prix," Almeida said.

"We are optimistic," he added. "We think we have certain and real possibilities that Formula 1 can come to Madrid," the mayor added.

"Obviously, with respect to the residents of the adjoining neighbourhoods, we are going to adopt all the measures that are necessary to minimise the inconvenience that may arise as a result of holding a Formula 1 race," he said.

"Formula 1 is very important for Madrid, but the rest and tranquillity of the neighbourhood also has to count."

The Ifema fairgrounds are located in the Corralejos neighborhood, in the Barajas district close to the international airport.

(GMM)
Afreximbank grants $280m loan for Boankra Inland Port

Maclean Kwofi Business News Jun - 21 - 2023 , 06:00

The African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) has granted a $280 million loan facility for the development of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal project in the Ashanti Region.

It was made possible through the concessionaire, Ashanti Ports Services Limited, owned by Afum Quality Limited of Ghana.

The concessionaire under the agreement is expected to invest about $330 million for the realisation of this project.

It is also expected to design, engineer, finance, procure, construct, operate and maintain the project and transfer it to the government after a 30-year period.

The bank approved the loan facility in a crunch meeting as part of the ongoing 30th Afreximbank Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Accra.

The project is meant to ease congestion at the countrys seaports, thus facilitating the transit trade of Ghana through Kumasi to the northern belts and the landlocked neighbouring countries, including Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.



The artistic aerial view of the Inland Port

Excitement

When contacted, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afum Quality Limited (AQL), Isaac Afum, expressed excitement at the approval of the loan facility secured from Afreximbank.

He said the first phase of the project, which included the ground for the terminal area and basic structures, was near completion.

Mr Afum explained that after the completion of the terminal, it would be fitted with an inland clearance depot, customs bonded and unbonded estates, commercial areas such as banks, offices and trading facilities, vehicle parking areas, light industrial areas and an administration complex.

He said the project works would offer significant employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labour during the two phases of construction and operation.



Isaac Afum - CEO Afum Quality Limited

The CEO of AQL said there were also other ancillary small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that would be located within the enclave to support the operations of the terminal.

Mr Afum added that the concessionaire was optimistic about meeting the completion deadline of March 2024.

The project

The idea of the Boankra Inland Port project has been in the pipeline since the era of President John Agyekum Kufuor.

An attempt to bring it to fruition encountered a number of challenges, the significant one being the end of President Kufuors administration in 2009.

The project would provide services for importers and exporters in the middle and northern parts of the country, and act as a major conduit for the efficient transportation of transit traffic to and from neighbouring landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

On October 16, last year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo visited the project site during which he urged the concessionaire and the contractors to deliver the project on schedule and on budget.
Ghana's economy grows by 4.2% in Q1 2023

Kweku Zurek Business News Jun - 21 - 2023 , 13:15

The Ghanaian economy experienced a significant expansion of 4.2% in the first quarter of 2023, according to data released by the Ghana Statistical Service today.

This growth rate surpassed the 3.2% recorded in the previous quarter, marking the fastest pace of economic growth for the West African country since Q2 2022.

Additionally, it marked the 10th consecutive quarter of positive growth for Ghana.

Several sectors played a crucial role in driving the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth during this period. Notably, the Public Administration, Defense & Social Security, Health, Education, and Information and Communication sectors emerged as the primary drivers of the economy.

The Public Administration, Defense & Social Security sectors stood out with an impressive growth rate of 37.6%, contributing significantly to the overall GDP expansion. Following closely, the Health & Social Work sector experienced remarkable growth of 31.6%, indicating the importance of the healthcare industry in Ghana's economic progress.

Furthermore, the Education sector witnessed a substantial growth rate of 26.0%, highlighting the country's commitment to investing in human capital. The Information & Communication sector also exhibited robust expansion, recording a growth rate of 18.9%.

However, not all sectors experienced positive growth during this period. Certain sub-sectors faced contraction, affecting their contributions to the overall GDP. The Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste Management & Remediation Activities sector encountered a decline of 6.4%, reflecting challenges within the industry.

The construction industry also faced a contraction of 6.0%, indicating a challenging period for infrastructure development. The Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles sub-sector experienced a decline of 5.3%, impacting Ghana's retail landscape. Similarly, the Fishing industry encountered a contraction of 3.3%, hampering its overall performance.

The Mining and Quarrying sector faced a decline of 2.9%, which can be attributed to various factors affecting the extraction and processing of natural resources.

The manufacturing sector also experienced a contraction of 2.5%, signaling potential challenges within the industrial sector. Although relatively minor, the Hotels and Restaurants sub-sector faced a slight contraction of 0.2%.

Despite these contractions, the overall GDP growth in Ghana remained positive, supported by the notable progress in the key sectors driving the economy forward.

The government and stakeholders will likely focus on addressing the challenges faced by the contracting sectors while continuing to support the growth drivers to sustain and strengthen Ghana's economic expansion in the coming quarters.
Ghanaian dance maestro Van Calebs advocates fusion of Ghanaian dance with Afrobeats

GraphicOnline Showbiz News Jun - 20 - 2023 , 20:38

Renowned Ghanaian choreographer Van Calebs has expressed his belief that any form of Ghanaian music dance should incorporate elements of Afrobeats, drawing parallels with the emergence of the popular "Azonto" dance.

The Afrobeats genre, characterized by the fusion of African indigenous rhythms with international influences, has gained global recognition, dominating music charts worldwide.

Calebs has encouraged Ghanaian music talents to seize this opportunity and develop a unique Ghanaian dance that can be blended with their vision of Afrobeats, thereby propelling it even further.

"The homegrown contemporary dance, 'Azonto,' garnered immense attention from the international community, making Ghana a topic of discussion for a considerable period. Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean even collaborated on Fuse ODG's Azonto track, which achieved great success. Gasmilla was also invited to perform Azonto on renowned platforms, including the BBC," he remarked.

Calebs expressed disappointment over the gradual decline of Azonto and emphasized the need for sustainability.

"Afrobeats has now permeated the global music scene, with even Ghanaian musicians embracing it. Therefore, why not make it our own by incorporating our distinct dance styles?" he questioned.

Calebs further highlighted the close relationship between Afrobeats and African dance rhythms, making it relatively seamless to integrate indigenous Ghanaian dance elements.

"In almost every Afrobeats song, you can identify certain resemblances to our own music, such as the drum patterns and timing. This familiarity allows Ghanaians to readily connect with and adapt to Afrobeats music. That's what makes it specialit compels you to dance, regardless of language comprehension," he elucidated.

Calebs' insightful perspective seeks to inspire Ghanaian artists to infuse their cultural heritage into Afrobeats, creating a compelling synthesis that showcases the diversity and vibrancy of Ghanaian dance on the global stage.
I am not Yvonne Nelson book yet to be approved for Ghana public libraries

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jun - 21 - 2023 , 10:28

The Ghana Library Authority has noted that Yvonne Nelsons book, I am not Yvonne Nelson will not be stocked in public libraries until it has officially been approved by the authority.

The Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), Hayford Siaw made the disclosure in a radio interview on Accra based 3FM today, June 21, 2023.

Speaking on the Sunrise morning show on 3FM monitored by Graphic Showbiz, Mr Siaw said that I am not Yvonne Nelson will have to go through scrutiny and approval processes before it can be stocked in Ghanas public libraries.

It has to go through an approval process which has not been done and so once the acquisition team looks at it and make a recommendation why not?

He explained that the Ghana Library Authority has an acquisition team that scrutinises materials to ascertain their appropriateness and also establish which of the target group will benefit from the book.

On Monday, June 19, the award winning actress, film producer, entrepreneur and advocate caused an uproar when she disclosed in her autobiography that she aborted pregnancy for rapper, Sarkodie in 2010.

Narrating the incident on pages 88-95 of Chapter eight titled Abortion of her new book launched at Peduase Lodge on Sunday, June 18, 2023, Yvonne said Sarkodie and his manager at the time accompanied her to a clinic at Mamprobi to get the foetus removed. That was after a failed attempt with pills recommended by a friend.

Even though the Abortion chapter drew attention to the book, I am not Yvonne Nelson chronicles the events of her life talking about very important issues including not knowing who her real father is, her love life and her political ambitions.

New articles I stopped acting for my fans to miss meLawyer Nti

Yvonne Nelson's memoir exposes dramatic marriage proposal from Duncan-Williams son
Billionaire explorer and a prominent Pakistani father and son duo are on board the missing sub

International News Jun - 20 - 2023 , 22:55

A billionaire father and son duo, a wealthy explorer and a diver with decades of experience exploring the Titanic are among the five people on board the submersible that has disappeared en route to view the worlds most famous shipwreck.

Authorities said the small vessel  roughly the size of a minivan  was carrying five people when its mothership lost contact with it on Sunday morning, about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its descent to explore the Titanic wreckage.

While the names of those on board have not been released by the authorities, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman Dawood, and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet have been confirmed to be on board the craft.

The fifth person on board is Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of the company leading the voyage, Ocean Gate, according to a source with knowledge of the mission plan. Ocean Gate did not respond to CNNs request for comment.



Harding, who has an impressive list of extreme expeditions under his belt, is based in the United Arab Emirates and is a trained jet pilot. He is the chairman of Action Aviation, an aircraft brokerage. The company said in statement posted on social media that Harding was on board the submersible.

He made headlines in 2019 for being part of a flight crew that broke the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe via both poles.

In 2020, Harding became one of the first people to dive to Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean, widely believed to be the deepest point in the worlds oceans. Last year, he paid an undisclosed sum of money for one of the seats on Blue Origins space flight.

He has also been part of two record-breaking trips to the South Pole: in 2016, he accompanied the astronaut Buzz Aldrin when he became the oldest person to reach the South Pole. In 2020, he went there with his son Giles, who, at 12 years old, became the youngest person to get to the spot.

Harding is also a founding member of the board of trustees of The Explorers Club, a New York-based group that has been involved in many of the worlds most prestigious discoveries.

The day before the vessel went missing, Harding wrote on social media that he was proud to finally announce that I joined OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic.

Father and son

Shahzada Dawood and his son, Sulaiman Dawood, have also been confirmed to be among the five people aboard the submersible.

A statement from their family said the duo had embarked on the journey to visit the remnants of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean.

As of now, contact has been lost with their submersible craft and there is limited information available, the statement added.

The Dawoods are a prominent Pakistani business family. Dawood Hercules Corporation, their business, is among the largest corporations in the country, with a portfolio spanning energy, petrochemicals, fertilizers, IT and food and agriculture.

The business is headed by the family patriarch Hussain Dawood, with his sons Shahzada and Abdul Samad leading various divisions and his daughter Sabrina Dawood in charge of the charitable arm of the business, according to the Dawood Hercules Corporations website.



Shahzada Dawood is also trustee of the SETI Institiute in California, a research organization, and a number of other foundations.

Harding said in a social media post on Saturday that diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, was scheduled to be on the dive with him.

The team on the sub has a couple of legendary explorers, some of which have done over 30 dives to the RMS Titanic since the 1980s including PH Nargeolet, he wrote in a Facebook post.

Nargeolets family confirmed to CNN affiliate BFMTV that he was aboard the vessel.

The diver has decades of experience exploring the Titanic. He serves as the director of underwater research at RMS Titanic Inc., the company that has exclusive rights to salvage artifacts from the ship.

According to his biography on the companys website, Nargeolet completed 35 dives to the Titanic wreck and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artifacts. He spent 22 years in the French Navy, where he rose to the rank of a commander, the website says.

David Gallo, senior adviser for strategic initiatives at RMS Titanic Inc. and a colleague of Nargeolet, told CNN the French diver is the best at deep-sea searching. He said that everything that can be done, is being done.

Something we always think about as explorers and scientists  weve always known something like this could happen and now its happened. But were still pretty much in shock, the community is. I hope it has a good ending, he said.

Mathieu Johann, a friend of Nargeolet, told CNN that the missing submariner is a hero and said, I hope that, right to the end, like in the movies, hell reappear very quickly to reassure us all.

Mathieu Johann is a Director at Harper Collins France and worked with Nargeolet on his book about the Titanic.

What were going through right now is this interminable wait, Johann said, telling CNN that he is in contact with Nargeolets family.

Johann described Nargeolet as someone who risked his life all his life, adding, He knows that the slightest expedition represents a danger, but like all those people who are passionate about water and the sea, for them, its their daily life Hes a great professional. And he knows exactly what hes doing. And he was always very reassuring about his expedition.

When asked why Nargeolet worked on the Titanic, Johann said the submariner became attached to its history.

There were still mysteries to be unraveled. I know that his big thing is trying to find out whats in the Titanics safe. I hope with all my heart that one day hell manage to penetrate that vault, which remains full of mystery 4000 meters under the sea. It was still very enigmatic for him, and when I talk to Paul-Henri, I can still see his childlike eyes shining, because this legendary liner has also become his story.

A spokesperson for the French Foreign Office said the ministry was not in a position to confirm Nargeolets disappearance.

Rush, the CEO and founder of Ocean Gate, is an experienced pilot and diver. According to the companys social media posts, he has previously piloted Titan, the vessel that has gone missing.

credit: CNN
Tunisian journalist arrested for insulting the president

International News Jun - 21 - 2023 , 12:59

A prominent Tunisian journalist has been arrested on charges of insulting President Kais Said.

A judge ordered the detention of Zied el-Heni ahead of a trial in which he could be sentenced to five years in prison.

Tunisian activists have expressed concern over his health as he reportedly suffered a stroke some time ago.

In recent months, Tunisian judges have detained or opened investigations into more than 20 political, judicial, media and business figures associated with opposition to President Said.

The main opposition parties have condemned the arrests as politically motivated.
WhatsApp group admin sued for ejecting member without consent; Court orders his return to group

International News Jun - 21 - 2023 , 13:37

Reports say a Ugandan man identified as Herbert Baitwababo breathed a sigh of relief after a court ordered for his return to a WhatsApp group. This was after the WhatsApp admin ejected him from the group for asking questions in relation to how finances of the group were being handled.

The court had ordered for his return to the WhatsApp group after he ran into trouble with the group admin because he questioned how the funds raised in the group were being used.

The court said his ejection from the WhatsApp group was against his freedom of association.

The Ugandan court therefore ordered the WhatsApp admin to re-add him.

Herbert had sued the WhatsApp admin for ejecting him from the online forum.

The agitated Ugandan Herbert Baitwababo moved to court to sue the admins of the 'Buyanja My Roots' WhatsApp group for removing him from the group after he raised questions on the audit.

A report published by livenowafrica stated that the case was heard in Kampala.

The report said the acting Senior Grade One Magistrate at Makindye Magistrate's Court, Mr Igga Adiru, issued an order to reinstate Herbert.

The court ruling directed the group administrator, Allan Asinguza, to add back Mr Herbert Baitwababo as a member of the WhatsApp group.

The order also included a permanent injunction, prohibiting the respondent and his agents from infringing on the applicant's right of association.

Mr Baitwababo's application highlighted that the WhatsApp group was initially created by Mr Asinguza for people from Buyanja Sub-county, with the purpose of social contributions towards charity works, condolences, and support for calamity victims.

The group members decided to form an association, requiring a subscription fee of Shs30,000, which Mr Baitwababo duly paid to become a registered member.

All communication and matters related to the association were conducted through the WhatsApp group.

However, on May 16, 2023, Mr Baitwababo sent a letter to Mr Asinguza, requesting documentation regarding the group's management, an audit report, and accountability for the collected funds since its formation in 2017.

In response to the letter, Mr Asinguza ejected Mr Baitwababo from the WhatsApp group on May 17, disregarding his right to association and causing unjust enrichment. Seeking protection and justice, Mr Baitwababo asked the court to order Mr Asinguza to reinstate him in the group permanently and to prevent further ejections.

The court ruling aims to rectify the unjust actions taken against Mr Baitwababo, ensuring his right to association is respected and safeguarded.
Celebrating academic excellence: Focus on WAEC Distinction Award

Kennedy Ashiagbor Education Jun - 21 - 2023 , 09:07

The development of every country depends on the quality of its education. Quality and relevant education equips individuals of a country with knowledge, ideas, attitudes, values, experiences, customs and skills needed to promote the countrys socio-economic development.

Motivational theory

In order to boost quality educational outcomes, academic awards given to students who excel emanate from motivation theories.

Motivational theories help individuals to discover what drives them and also give credence and understanding to what motivates people to do whatever they do to achieve their goals.

Motivation is a force, which pushes a person to work with a high level of commitment and focus even if things are against him.

It is broadly classified under intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Academic achievement award is an extrinsic type of motivation given to students.

Awards and Personalisation Association outlined reasons why academic awards were presented to students such as to create in winners the spirit of recognition to inspire others and reinforce the behaviour that led to the reward.

Also, to increase the level of self-confidence of students as well as a sense of accomplishment and respect among the peer group.

WAEC Distinction Award

WAEC is West Africas foremost examining board comprising five member countries in the West African sub-region.

It conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school and private candidates in all member countries and awards certificate.

The WAEC Distinction and Excellence Award is an initiative of the WAEC Endowment Fund (WEF).

The WEF provides funds for awards to candidates with outstanding performance in the councils examinations at the SHS level.

It is held annually to reward the top performers in the previous years WASSCE for school candidates. By the tenets of the criteria for the awards, only candidates with a minimum of eight Grade A1s without any hint of impropriety are eligible for consideration.

The raw scores of the eligible candidates are standardised using T-score and the T-scores of the eligible candidates are ranked to select the three best candidates with the highest T-scores. In the event of a tie, the T-scores of the candidates in their common subjects (English Language and Mathematics) are used to break the tie.

Excellence Awardees

In recent times, the Distinction awardees in Ghana have been dominant recipients of the Excellence Awards.

Twenty-six candidates out of the 30 recipients of the Excellence Awards within the last 10 years were Ghanaians.

These award winners were produced by 14 SHSs including Wesley Girls High School, Mfantsipim Senior High School, Holy Child Senior High School, Aburi Girls Senior High School, Accra Academy, Achimota Senior High School, Ghana Senior High/Tech School, Hope College, Keta Senior High School, Notre Dame Seminary/ Senior High School, St Augustines College, St Francis Xavier Junior Seminary/SHS, St James Seminary/ Senior High School, PRESEC Legon and Yaa Asantewaa Girls SHS.

These schools might have put in place measures that support academic success and total development of the students, which have eventually produced Distinction and Excellence Award winners.

The best practices and experiences of these schools could inspire other schools to improve upon their situation.

Factors responsible for excellence

High academic achievement is a prerequisite to qualify for an award which is grounded on school, student and home factors.

The school exhibits certain characteristics to enhance the academic performance of students in the SHSs. Research has shown that adequate school facilities provide a positive educational climate suitable for student learning.

In other words, there is a positive relationship between the school environment and academic achievement.

Good school environment with facilities such as adequate classrooms, well-stocked libraries, dormitories, science and ICT laboratories, recreational facilities, good lighting system among others support academic work.

This implies that the school authorities, teachers and other stakeholders must provide the needed support for students to succeed academically.

Teacher commitment is another factor that promotes students academic performance and positions them as recipients for national and international awards.

Teacher commitment is a motivational force that inspires teachers to invest more time and energy in student achievement. Teachers with high level of commitment also motivate students to involve themselves in school and learning activities to ensure academic achievement.

This situation leads to positive teacher-student relationship which is also good for academic work. Teacher commitment thrives in a democratic school climate, comfortable instructional environment and good conditions of service among others.

Students should be disciplined and must take advantage of the academic environment created for them at school and home and work hard to achieve laurels.

Students can enhance their academic performance when they themselves are abreast of academic matters such as course outlines and take initiatives in academic activities like presentations, quizzes and assignments.

Way forward

The Ghana Education Service (GES), school authorities, old students associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should help provide well-equipped facilities in schools.

The GES and other well-meaning organisations should regularly hold in-service training for classroom teachers including the requisite conditions of service.

School authorities should intensify the supervision of classroom teachers as well as request reports on the progress of students in the various subjects.

Teachers and parents should encourage students to develop positive attitude towards intensive academic work. Subject teachers in the schools should be motivated to give extra attention to the teaching of slow learners.
Afreximbank awards grant for railway development

Maclean Kwofi Jun - 21 - 2023 , 07:29

The African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) has awarded a grant facility to the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) to conduct feasibility studies on the rehabilitation of the country's railway infrastructure and network development.

When completed, the feasibility studies are expected to attract investors and partners to invest an estimated $3.5 billion to help revitalise the countrys Western Railway Corridor project under a Railway Management Agreement.

As a result, the two organisations have signed a $1 million agreement to execute and undertake feasibility analysis to support Ghanas railway corridor and network development.

The agreement was signed at a session on the second day of the 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Afreximbank in Accra last Monday.

The Managing Director of the GRDA, Michael Anyetei, signed on behalf of the GRDA while the Executive Vice-President in charge of Intra African Trade Bank of Afreximbank, Kanayo Awani, appended her signature for the bank.

It was witnessed by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, and other executives of the bank.

The bank also signed five separate financing agreements with different entities to execute projects including the development of industrial parks, special economic zones (SECs) and provision of advisory services in several African countries.

Commercial

Mr Ofori-Atta told the media after the signing ceremony that the facility was to enable the authority to undertake feasibility studies on the rehabilitation of the country's railway infrastructure.

He said the feasibility study would enable the country to attract partners that would support the rehabilitation of the existing railway lines.

The feasibility studies are to determine the nature of faults facing the lines and to propose concrete solutions to revamping the railway sector in the country, the Finance Minister said.

Mr Ofori-Atta said the study would adopt an innovative demand-driven non-recourse model to ensure the commercial viability and financial self-sustainability of the project which should not rely on the governments subsidies.

Project

The Executive Vice-President noted that the feasibility study would offer the opportunity to expand infrastructure and enhance operational efficiencies of existing networks.

And so, the $1 million was a project preparation facility for Ghana's Western Railway Corridor.

It will serve as the basis for the project, Mrs Awani stated.

We at Afreximbank intend to advance this novel approach alongside other partners by deploying a full suite of financial instruments at our disposal to facilitate the implementation of technically feasible and financially viable railway solutions in a timely manner, she said.

Mrs Awani said beyond Ghanas project, the bank also signed other financing facilities such as a $400 million global facility with the ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIPs).

She explained that Afreximbank was honoured to be executing terms and conditions for a $400 million tranche under a proposed $1 billion global credit facility for ARISE IIPs.

Mrs Awani added that the global facility would support ARISE IIPs in the development of industrial parks, special economic zones (SEZ) projects in several African countries as well as avail trade financing to operating companies in the industrial parks.

Collaboration

She said the agreement was for the design, development and operation of two world-class industrial parks and SEZs in the Malawian cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre.

Mrs Awani said both industrial parks would assist in closing the gaps in the industrial infrastructure required to support the countrys (Malawi) focus on export manufacturing to transform its economy and generate jobs for its young populace.

The two projects are expected to attract investment exceeding $900 million and will generate around 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in Malawi, she added.
Charles Bissue arrested by OSP after he turned himself in

Graphic.com.gh Jun - 21 - 2023 , 16:41

Charles Bissue arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after he turned himself in on Wednesday.

At 11:45 am on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Mr Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue, a former Secretary to the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) turned himself in to the OSP.

He was immediately placed under arrest, interviewed and subsequently released on bail.

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng made this known in a press statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

Wanted

The OSP last week declared Charles Bissue a wanted person after he failed to respond to an invitation.

The invitation is in relation to an ongoing investigation into suspected corruption within the dissolved IMCIM.

The OSP viewed his failure to honour the invitation as a significant obstruction to the investigation and therefore 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.

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.
Entrepreneur supports 500 girls with pads

Daily Graphic Jun - 21 - 2023 , 17:52

An entrepreneur, Basil David Anthony, has supported the Portia Gana Foundations End Period Poverty initiative by donating sanitary pads and period cups to 500 girls at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.

The donation was preceded by health talks from the nurses of the Jirapa Urban Health Centre and the founder of the foundation, Portia Gana.

The beneficiaries were drawn from some junior and senior high schools in the district.

Mr Anthony, who is also the Chief Executive of Modern Floors Ghana, said the support was to enable the girls to handle their monthly natures call with dignity and in sanitary conditions.

He said with the prices of the product also shooting up recently, its affordability would be beyond the means of many, especially those from low-income homes, hence the need for all to contribute their quota in making life bearable for the girls.

Portia Gana, founder of the Foundation expressed gratitude to the CEO of Modern Floors Ghana for swiftly stepping in to absorb the financial burden, as well as sourcing and conveying the products for donation.

Ms Gana further commended Mr Anthony for his genuine desire to empower and support women and girls.

Context

Period Poverty is the term used to describe the lack of education on menstrual health and the lack of access to products that cause many girls to skip school, drop out, and/or seek assistance from predatory men, resulting in teenage pregnancies.

Others also migrate to the capital city to become head porters in the market.

This leads to more detrimental issues which aid in the poverty rate inclination and the continuation of the poverty cycle.

Portia Gana Foundation is a non-profit organisation which aims to create sustainable developmental change by improving the quality of life of those in the most vulnerable and underprivileged areas in the education, health and environmental sectors.

Modern Floors deals in the wholesale and retail of artificial carpet grass, AstroTurf, Vinyl (PVC/SPC) tiles (LVT), carpet tiles, adhesives and other indoor and outdoor flooring products used for both residential and commercial spaces.

The flooring brand has been operating in the country for nearly five years, with four showrooms located on Spintex Road, East Legon, Weija and Ashaiman, all in the Greater Accra Region.
CHPS project improves health delivery in Northern regions

Doreen Andoh Jun - 21 - 2023 , 07:32

A Community-based Health Services (CHPS) project has helped to expand access to primary health care and improved on the quality of service delivery in the Northern regions.

The technical cooperation project of the government of Japan is dubbed Strengthening Community-based Health Services Focusing on the Life-course Approach in the three Northern Regions.

The benefits of the project include making it possible for all demarcated CHPS zones in the Upper West and Upper East regions to provide primary health services, while increasing the number of CHPS zones in the North East, Savannah and the other regions in the North.

It also helped to enhance the quality of existing health systems by introducing quarterly supportive supervision for CHPS and strengthening the management of referral service through standardised documentation and monitoring tools.

The project was jointly implemented by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

It prioritised the life course approach by inculcating the health needs of individuals at every stage and age of life from conception to old age, as well as services spanning from maternal and reproduction health to the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health have recommended the scaling up of the project nationwide.

Dissemination forum

At a dissemination forum on the project in Accra following its completion, a Deputy Minister of Health, Alhaji Mahama Asei Seini, said the CHPS for Life project perfectly aligned with the countrys effort at strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) and the governments quest to get essential health services closer to the people.

The CHPS for Life project has focused on helping to make the healthcare delivery system resilient; developing cost-effective approaches for capacity strengthening and promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles, he said.

He said the project had also supported the countrys Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda because it was also aligned with the National Health Policy, which aimed to ensure healthy lives for all.

The first Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Osamu Ishida, said CHPS had played an important role in bridging the gap in healthcare delivery, particularly in under-served areas.

The country and Japan have a long-standing connection, and our cooperation in the field of health has been marked by mutual trust, cooperation and progress.

Recognising the critical role CHPS play in the countrys healthcare system, Japan has constructed several CHPS compounds across the country under the Grants Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

Also, the fact that the CHPS for Life project was carried out within the context of the countrys health policies is an important aspect that deserves attention. Cooperation, focused at self-reliant development through self-help efforts, is one of the fundamental tenets of the Japan Development Cooperation Charter, he added.

For his part, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, in a speech read on his behalf, said the CHPS for Life project was the fourth phase of the entire project.

The first and second phases were implemented between 2006 and 2010 and 2011 to 2016 respectively, with the first phase focusing on scaling up the CHPS, whilst the second was targeted at the improvement of maternal and neonatal health services in the Upper West Region, he said.
Constitution needs careful scrutiny before review  Dr S.K.B. Asante

Vincent Amenuveve & Diana Mensah Jun - 21 - 2023 , 06:05

The Paramount Chief of Asokore Asante, Nana Dr S. K. B. Asante, has stated that a review of the 1992 Constitution requires a careful study of antecedents and merits underlining its provisions, including how it has endured for 30 years without any constitutional crisis.

Nana Dr Asante, who is a distinguished scholar, constitutional lawyer and an expert in negotiation and arbitration, stressed that such an exercise called for meaningful reform proposals.

Proposals of the committee of experts must be considered before you actually come to the text of the constitution and that is exactly what the Supreme Court does. When it's faced with an interpretation of an issue in the Constitution, it goes to the background, he explained.

He further observed that many ills of society such as corruption, a flawed economy and indiscipline at all levels might not necessarily be the cause of the constitution.

The revered chief made these remarks when some eminent chiefs in the country took their turn at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) constitutional review series in Accra yesterday to present their contributions on the ongoing discussion to meet the exigencies of the time.

The event was on the theme: Reviewing Ghana's 1992 Constitution: Viewpoints from the National House of Chiefs".

In his opening remarks, Nana Dr Asante, who is described as the father of the 1992 Constitution, stated unequivocally that the reviews must also make room for how we have gained an international reputation as an oasis of democratic and constitutional stability and how this has even brought economic benefits to us.

I've often seen people pontificating as to what the constitution should say without previous knowledge of the battle. Secondly, the concept of constitutional review means a lot more than just criticising it, he noted.

He observed that very few people had devoted time to how the constitution had contributed to consolidating the country's democracy, saying the concept of constitutional review means a lot more than just criticising it.

Touching on the calls for review of the constitution to limit the excessive powers of the President, for instance, Nana Dr Asante said, If you really go to the history of these presidential powers, many of them were actually lifted from the 1979 Constitution. But in any case, in my submission, its not enough to criticise but list all the constitutions and their respective presidential powers provisions one by one.

He said it was also important to do what he described as realistic analysis of how various heads of constitutional bodies, judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice and District Chief Executives are appointed by the President under the constitution and to consider which of them should be retained by the President and which of them should be appointed by other bodies, apart from the President.

Commenting on a Supreme Courts ruling on participation of chiefs in politics, Nana Dr Asante said, it was not appropriate for chiefs to take part in active politics but they could play any meaningful role in the development of their respective communities and the nation as a whole.

National House of Chiefs

Making some proposals on behalf of the President of the National House of Chiefs, Nana Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, Nana Dr Asante further explained that the appointment of ministers from Parliament was undesirable because it diminished parliamentary oversight.

He said the constitution should be reviewed to ensure that the appointment of the heads of all constitutional bodies by the Electoral Commission and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) were vested not in the Presidency but in an independent authority.

The President of the National House of Chiefs also suggested that there should be a limit to the number of Supreme Court judges and also that the establishment of a second Chamber should be a form of check on the work of Parliament.

Other speakers at the event included the President, Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV; the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Sakite II; the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, and the acting President of the Osu Traditional Council, Nuumo Gbelenfio III.

The distinguished chiefs spoke on a variety of subjects, including separation of powers, excessive powers of the Presidency, Legislature, Executive, Council of State, chieftaincy, local governance, women and gender, management of natural resources and corruption.

Among the dignitaries were the former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye; former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Francis Emile Short, and the Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka.
Shine Summit launched to build capacity of youth

Agnes Melissa Yovo Jun - 21 - 2023 , 07:48

A youth and development oriented project dubbed 'Shine Summit' has been launched with the aim of spiraling youth participation in bringing positive change to rural communities to augment the desired growth.

The project seeks to build and impact a youthful generation as well as strengthen the capacity of young people to bring transformation through technology.

Organised by Blogger Kobby Kyei with partnership from Global Ovations, it was on the theme "The Progressive Portrayal of the media; Technology Transformation advancement, Brand Sustainability".

Ambassador

Speaking at the launch, the French Ambassador to Ghana, Jules-Armand Aniambossou, highlighted the importance of the youth getting educated, and encouraged them to pursue excellence.

He again highlighted the premium the French President, Emmanuel Macron, put on the African continent, and urged the youth to work hard to seek a bright future, obedience, respect and eschew all forms of pride and arrogance in all they did.

The Ambassador, who was the guest of honour, said Ghana's ecosystem needed to be protected and improved, and as such it was important for the youth to put their shoulders to the wheel to change the African ecosystem.

He further called for the total inclusion of women in improving and changing the ecosystem.

The French Ambassador disclosed that France was ready to work together with Ghana to improve the African ecosystem, hence the French Government had allocated $2m in support of the development of the youth in Ghana.

A broadcast journalist, Portia Solomon Gabor, congratulated the blogger, Kobby Kyei, on putting together the summit.

Recounting her academic struggles back in high school, she noted that mathematics was a challenging subject, although she was proficient in literature-in-English, current affairs and English Language but she worked hard to achieve excellence.

She, therefore, encouraged young and experienced school-going youth who struggled with academic work to resort to making efforts to enhance their learning outcomes in order to excel in school.

"Not that I did not understand Mathematics, Mathematics did not understand me", she added.

Mrs Gabor who won Journalist of the Year at the 26th Ghana Journalists Awards advised young practising journalists to focus on rural community-centred stories.

She explained that was the surest way to report untold stories for long lasting results.

Blogosphere

The renowned Blogger, Augustus Koranteng Kyei, popularly known as 'Kobby Kyei', speaking to the Daily Graphic, after the programme, disclosed that there was an upcoming project dubbed "Go there with Kobby Kyei", a rural community-centred report which would throw more light on education, health and sanitation stories.

He said until finding his livelihood in the blogosphere, he was a teacher in music.

He had successfully covered stories in showbiz and on celebrities; and advised young people to also use social media as a tool to transform the lives of many others.

On the 'Shine Summit', he said, many young people capitalised on social media to propagate falsehood, leading to negative impacts; thus, the initiative to educate the youth about working with technology and social media.

Among some media personalities and celebrities who took turns to speak were:

Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi (Bola Ray); Broadcast Journalist, Tommy Annan Forson; Actress and TV Host, Nana Ama McBrown; the CEO of Caveman Watches, Anthony Mensah Dzamefe; Brand and Marketing Consultant, Mr Bernard Kafui Sokpe; a YouTuber, Berthhold Kobby Winkler Ackon, popularly known as Wode Maya; as well as Global TEDx Speaker and Brand Architect, Futurist Kwame A. A Opoku.
I am the best to lead NPP in 2024  Dr Apraku

Samuel Duodu Politics Jun - 21 - 2023 , 01:39

A flag bearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, has said he is the best person to lead the NPP to victory in the 2024 general election, based on the training and experience he has acquired over the years in the area of finance, economics, management and policy decision-making.

He said the tremendous experience he gained when he served with the United Nations (UN) mission to Croatia after it broke out of the then Yugoslavia, as staff in charge of Macroeconomics in rebuilding that country and also in South Africa when that country emerged from the apartheid system and was preparing to hold its first election, made him the best to lead the party in 2024.

He further stated that his practical experience in Parliament when the NPP was in opposition and government, on issues of finance and economics, as well as being the ranking member on the Finance Committee of Parliament and later as the Minister of Trade and Industry, also made him the best person to lead the party.

I believe I am the best person to lead the NPP in 2024 to victory, based on the training and experience I have acquired over the years, the NPP flag bearer hopeful stated.

Filing of nomination

Dr Apraku, who was also a member of the second, third and fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic for the Offinso North Constituency in the Ashanti Region, said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic after successfully filing his nomination forms last Monday (June 19) to contest the NPP flagbearership.

The flag bearer hopeful, who was at the partys headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra last Monday to submit his nomination, was asked by the partys elections committee to complete his documents, and did so and re-submitted it later in the afternoon to the committee.

However, members of the team revealed that certain documents such as his CV and personal contributions to the party were not included in the nomination document submitted.

Dr Apraku, who holds a Doctoral Degree in Economics and Finance, said he was in the race to lead the party to victory in the 2024 general election and believed the delegates of the party would give him the nod to lead the party based on his experience and service to the party, both in opposition and in government.

Dr Apraku becomes the fifth presidential aspirant to file his forms as of Monday, June 19, 2023, since the party opened nominations for the presidential primary on May 26, which is expected to end on June 24, 2023.
Lets sustain our democracy  Avoka

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Politics Jun - 21 - 2023 , 08:12

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Zebilla Constituency in the Upper East Region, Cletus Avoka, has urged Ghanaians to remain united to protect the countrys democratic dispensation.

Although it is very expensive to practise democracy, it is better than dictatorship. And that as citizens, we must do everything possible to sustain the countrys democratic system, he said.



Constitutional amendment

Mr Avoka, the longest serving MP of the region, said this after leading some MPs to embark upon a peace walk in Bolgatanga last Saturday, June 17, 2023, to climax the celebration of 30 years of uninterrupted democracy under the Fourth Republic.

The walk, which started from the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) through some principal streets of the town and ended at the Astro Park, was attended by staff of the RCC, members of the security agencies, students and the general public.

He noted that a divided country is a fallen one and that it was important for the citizenry to sustain the stability in the nation, saying: Let us maintain our unity and diversity for the sake of the peace of Ghana.

He stated that although some people have raised some concerns about some aspects of the 1992 constitution which they claim to have outlived their usefulness, the Constitution remained the best so far for the country.

He said, The way the Constitution was written through the involvement of people from the grass roots to the top level makes it the best, as almost all interest groups duly participated in drafting it.

In our current dispensation, we do not need coup detats, and all that we need to do is to close our ranks and collectively come together to contribute to the growth and development of the country, he said.

We have to look at some aspects of the Constitution to improve on. However, at the end of the day, the attitude and mentality of Ghanaians are very essential, Mr Avoka stated.

Further, he appealed to the people in the region to eschew divisiveness in Bawku, Doba-Kandiga and Bolgatanga to fast-track the development of the region for the benefit of all citizens.

Calibre of MPs

The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, admonished the people to consider the calibre of people they elected as MPs to represent them in Parliament, noting: We need to vote for people based on their integrity and love for the region and the country.

He urged the people to vote for individuals who can represent the hope and aspirations of the country and work to address the myriad of developmental challenges confronting the ordinary masses.
MPs demand closure of witch camps

Daniel Kenu Politics Jun - 21 - 2023 , 08:54

Members of Parliament (MPs) have unanimously called for the closure of all witch camps in the country to bring an end to the barbaric treatment meted out to old women alleged to be witches.

The act, they said, was an affront to human rights and human dignity.

The MPs argued that branding these women in such an undignified manner and taking them to the cleaners in the name of spirituality was backward and laughable.

The unanimity followed a statement made on the floor of the House by the MP for Ketu South Constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, to mark this year's World Elderly Day.

Day

The International Day of Older People is observed on October 1 each year, after the United Nations (UN) General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older People as recorded in Resolution 45/106.

It was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.

This year's theme is: "Addressing gender-based violence in older age - policy-law and evidence-based responses. It is aimed at promoting an understanding of the importance of preventing abuse of the elderly and supporting the rights and well-being of older people.

Though the event is marked on October 1 each year, it has been pushed forward by Ghana in order to get the needed attention and rally support before the day.

Statement

Ms Gomashie called on state actors to push for the implementation of laws that protected the rights of older women.

She said it was shameful for law implementors to watch unconcerned, in the name of a cultural practice, for older women to suffer.

Contributions

Leading the call for the banishment of such camps, the MP for Asunafo South Constituency in the Ahafo Region, Eric Opoku, said the government must act now and decisively.

"Successive leaders have spoken repeatedly about their commitments to get these women re-integrated to disband the camps, but sadly, its been a lot of talks.

Its about time leadership walked the talk, he said.

The MP for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the establishment of such camps was wrong in the first place and ought to be disbanded forthwith.

He said the facilities deprived women of their rights to develop fully and freely, which in turn deprived their children of education, good health and proper sanitation.

He advocated a Private Members Bill towards the abolishment of such camps as it was an embarrassment to the country.

The North Tongu MP was more concerned about the role some pastors play in contributing to such acts.

He called for a more biting law to deal with such pastors who gave false prophecies, leading to attacks and sometimes the killing of such women.

The MP for Tano North Constituency, Freda Prempeh, said laws that frowned on the establishment of such camps needed to be implemented rigorously.

The MP for Takoradi Constituency, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, said, among others, that such women were mostly innocent widows who were wrongly accused.

Support for persons with disability

The Minority Chief Whip and MP for Adaklu Constituency, Governs Kwame Agbodza, called for the expansion of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) to fully embrace older women.

He, however, called for the strict implementation of the law that ensures that buildings in the country had facilities suitable for people with disability.

The MP, who is an architect, said Parliament was guilty in that regard and must take steps to ensure that such requirements were adhered to.
NDC V/R Chairman calls for unity to retain Ketu North seat

Timothy Gobah Politics Jun - 21 - 2023 , 08:31

The Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mawutor Agbavitor has urged the rank and file of the party in the Ketu North Constituency to rally behind the partys parliamentary candidate for the area, Edem Agbana to retain the seat.

He said the only way the NDC could win all 18 constituencies in the region was for all party members to bury their difference and forge ahead in unity.

He ,therefore, tasked all aspirants to dissolve all campaign teams and work closely with the constituency leadership for a resounding victory,

Reconciliation meeting

Mr Agbavitor made the call at a reconciliation meeting organised by the party in the Ketu North Constituency to bring all the aspirants and their supporters together to forge ahead in unity following the controversy that rocked the May 13 parliamentary primary in the constituency.

"We have embarked on this reconciliation exercise in a bid to iron out all differences in the rank and file of the party in Ketu North, especially between our parliamentary candidate hopefuls and their supporters who in the aftermath of the primary on May 13, have raised some concerns - we have done this because the primaries are over and the party needs everyone to unite and come on board towards victory for the NDC in the upcoming 2024 general election," Mr Agbavitor explained.

He,therefore, called on all members of the party in the constituency, especially Mr Agbana and John Adanu, the two leading contenders in the primary to work in unison for the sake of the party in the constituency.

Meeting

The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, who was part of the reconciliation meeting, said he was happy the aggrieved parties had come together "to smoke the peace pipe" and agreed to put the past behind them and to collaborate towards a resounding victory for the NDC in the constituency and the rest of the Volta Region in 2024.

Messrs Agbana and Adanu, the two contenders in the primary, both pledged their commitment to work hand in hand and to unite all their supporters in the constituency towards victory for the NDC in the 2024 general election.

The Electoral Commission (EC), at the end of the polls in the Ketu North Constituency on May 13, 2023, initially declared Edem Agbana the winner by a single vote in the contest as he secured 360 votes as against 359 by John Adanu.

But upon two recounts of the ballots requested by an agent of Mr Adanu, the EC discovered three ballot papers that were not stamped with two of the three unstamped ballots cast in favour of Mr Agbana, while one unstamped ballot was cast in favour of Mr Adanu.

The removal of the unstamped ballots from the votes of the two leading candidates left the two with 358 valid votes each, leading to confusion at the polling grounds and hot verbal exchanges between supporters of the two candidates.

However, following a crunch meeting between the party's Functional Executive Committee (FEC) and the two leading candidates, the party on May 16, 2023, announced Mr Agbana as the duly elected NDC parliamentary candidate for Ketu North.

The FEC announced after the declaration that it took that decision because the unstamped ballot papers, which were rejected by the EC, bore the same serial numbers as captured in the EC's own records.

This, however, did not go down well with some of the party faithful in the constituency who accused the party leadership of not following due process in their decision.
Airbus UpNext has launched a new demonstrator programme to explore, on the ground and in flight, a new architecture for the generation of non propulsive energy through the use of hydrogen fuel cells.

On conventional airliners, the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), a small additional engine that runs on traditional jet fuel, provides, together with the engines, the energy required to power a number of non-propulsive aircraft functions, such as air conditioning, onboard lighting and electric power for avionics.

With this new technology demonstrator, led from its facilities in Spain, Airbus UpNext will replace the actual APU of an A330 with a hydrogen fuel cell system that will generate electricity.





Known as HyPower, the hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator also aims to reduce the emissions of CO 2 , nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and noise levels associated with a traditional APU.

New design features and integration techniques will also contribute to maturing the safety and operations of future hydrogen-powered aircraft and will demonstrate the stable operation of a fuel cell in-flight, including its restart.

We want to demonstrate the operability and integration of the system, including refuelling the aircraft with hydrogen. We will demonstrate this system in realistic conditions, climbing to 25,000 ft and flying for one hour with 10kg of gaseous hydrogen on board. However, we cannot do this alone and our cooperation with the Spanish Government and external partners will be key enablers of these series of tests. Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext

The flight test campaign will utilize a modified Airbus A330 and a ground test bed of the system. Airbus UpNext will procure a production unit for renewable hydrogen to fulfil the entire need for the test campaign.
Rivian Automotive signed an agreement with Tesla to provide Rivian drivers access to Teslas Supercharger network across the United States and Canada. Central to its mission to electrify and decarbonize transportation, Rivian will also continue to expand its own Rivian Adventure Network.

An adapter will be available to enable Rivians R1T and R1S to charge on the Supercharger network as early as spring 2024. Rivian will incorporate North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge ports as standard in future R1 vehicles starting in 2025, as well as in its upcoming R2 platform.

Ford and GM each recently signed similar agreements with Tesla.

Rivian said that by enabling drivers to charge their vehicles at a greater number of locations, this collaboration and others like it are important to help accelerate EV adoption.
According to a new report from Bloomberg News, Google is actively looking to move some of its Pixel smartphone production to India. According to people familiar with the matter, Google is in talks with Foxconns India branch  Bharat FIH, Dixon Technologies and Lava International as potential partners for Pixel phone production in India. India is quickly shaping up as a viable alternative to China for smartphone production after the negative impact of COVID and strict restriction policies.

Apple has shifted some of its iPhone production to India in recent years and has been assembling its iPhones locally dating back to 2017. Based on reports from earlier this year, Apple plans to move up to 25% of all iPhone production to India by 2025 and up to 50% by 2027. It will be interesting to see if Google and other makers are also willing to devote more of their manufacturing to India in the coming years.

Source (paywall)
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Update, 23 June: The leaked images in this article have all been removed by Samsung's copyright takedown request. Copies can still be found online or in sources linked at the bottom of the article.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 will join the Z Fold5 at Samsung's summer Unpacked event in Seoul in the last week of July. Being one of the most anticipated phones of the year, there've been plenty of rumors and leaks to give us more than a rough idea of what the phone will bring.

So let's gather all the rumors under one roof. This is all we know so far about the Galaxy Z Flip5.

Bigger cover display

The biggest change, quite literally, is the cover display. It's ballooned up from a barely-usable 1.9-inches and 260x512px to a 3.4-inch 720x748px screen that takes most of the cover.

The new display has an interesting, folder icon-like look, and makes room only for the dual camera system and flash.

Samsung will make better use of the bigger cover display by running specially optimized Google apps on it. Maps, Messages, and YouTube will all be functional on the new screen, finally making the Galaxy Z Flip usable without the need to open it.



Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 promo image

New hinge that closes flat

One of the biggest user complaints with Samsung's foldables has always been the crease and the fact that they don't clasp shut flat.

By all reports, Samsung has made strides on both counts thanks to a new hinge design. Reportedly, thanks to a new droplet folding hinge mechanism, the Galaxy Z Flip5 will be able to flip shut flat and have a less-noticeable hinge.



Samsung Display "droplet" folding display hinge patent from 2016

IP58 resistance

Samsung's new foldables could feature the highest rating for ingress protection out of all other foldables. This is hardly a surprise - up until this year, Samsung was the only maker that achieved water resistance in foldables.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 will improve the rating from IPx8 to IP58, which means that there will be some form of dust protection (that's the 5), and a high degree of water protection (that's the 8). Technically, the Galaxy Z Flip5 will be able to take being submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes plus an additional depth and time, specified by Samsung itself.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 8GB of RAM

This is rather obvious, but the Galaxy Z Flip5 will get a bump to the newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (meaning a higher-clocked version than the standard one) with 8GB of RAM, and 128GB (UFS 3.1) and 256GB (UFS 4.0) versions.



Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 renders

While on the subject of specs, the Galaxy Z Flip5 will keep the 3,700mAh battery and 25W charging speed from its predecessor, as well as the display and camera specs - that means a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and three cameras - an ultrawide and a wide and the back, and a selfie on the inside.

The screen could get a bump in brightness and the cameras a bump in lenses or sensors.

Also on the specs side, expect the Galaxy Z Flip5 to get DeX support. To use it, you need a compatible HDMI cable or wirelessly on TVs and monitors that support Miracast. On PCs, you only need a USB cable, provided the OS is Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Finally, Samsung is rumored to double the production for the Galaxy Z Flip5 over its predecessor, signaling higher expectations.
Attorney General Douglas Moylan celebrated two courtroom victories this week in separate cases.

The first case involved former Department of Corrections guard Francisco Pangelinan Garrido, Jr., who was found guilty of a drug smuggling charge as a first degree felony.

Moylan credited prosecutor Kristine Borja and investigator Henry James for their work in the jury trial case. The trial began June 14, 2023 and ended on Monday.

Garrido was accused of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, with intent to deliver, as well as promotion of major prison contraband. In the magistrates complaint filed in September 2020, Garrido was accused of working with another defendant, Davina Rae Aguon, as well as a corrections officer to smuggle drugs into the prison.

Moylan said his office will seek the maximum sentence from Judge John Terlaje of 30 years in prison.

In the other case, Paris Christian Reyes Sharpe was convicted of two counts of criminal trespass and harassment, following the changing of his plea from not guilty to no contest.

Sharpe was also on trial for third degree criminal sexual conduct as a second degree felony. Sharpe had a history of multiple offenses, according to a release from the AGs office.

Moylan credited prosecutor Leah Diaz-Aguon and investigator Frank Santos for their work on the case.

Moylan said that his office will seek the maximum sentence from Judge Maria T. Cenzon of 180 days.

This AGs office is sending the strong message of deterrence one case at a time, with the help of our juries made up of our law-abiding people, and judges who keep jailed those who break our laws, said Moylan in the release.
Since the reopening of the Port Authority of Guam back in May 28, fuel and cargo commodities have been steadily processed and released to the community.

At 7:25 a.m. Tuesday morning, Matsons Kaimana Hila arrived at the port, carrying fuel and cargo commodities, according to a news release by the Port Authority of Guam.

By 4 p.m. a total of 243 containers were unloaded accounting for 200 containers for Guam and 43 transshipment containers. Of the 200 local containers, 142 contain dry goods and 58 are refrigerated containers also known as reefers.

Despite the strength of the typhoon, all three gantry cranes were made operational.

Our Port Strong team worked tirelessly to reopen the Port in just three days and get all three gantry cranes collectively operational by June 9, 2023, said Rory J. Respicio, Port General Manager in a news release.

Today, all three cranes working on one vessel is a direct result of a tremendous amount of support received from Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, our Board, and our federal, local and industry partners, added Respicio.

The following fuel and cargo commodities have been processed and released since the Ports reopening:

330 reefers

2146 containers with dry goods

1636 bundles of rebar

2 boxed steel pipes

75 bundle steel plates

751 vehicles

149 units of general cargo

1 excavator, 4 trucks, 1 tractor, 2 dump trucks, 1 fuel truck, 1 drill rig

1 bundle of chassis

5 barges  fuel operations

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also assisted 161 Cabras island tenants and employees with registration and filling a claim, according to the news release.

This is FEMAs satellite disaster recovery center that was established to assist Port employees, tenants, industry partners, and all businesses within Cabras Island in filing FEMA claims at this location, said Respicio.

We are so thankful that they have boots on the ground to assist our employees and industry partners who have been working non-stop since the typhoon hit our island, added Respicio.
Typhoon Mawar incited numerous residents to dispose waste or damaged property.

Residents have taken advantage of the different disposal sites, which include the old transfer station in Dededo, the former carnival grounds in Tiyan, and Ypao Point in Tamuning.

Effective Wednesday through July 5, the three Typhoon Mawar disaster debris disposal sites will be operational within the following hours:

From Monday through Friday, the sites are open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, the sites are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During this time, only government of Guam agencies and departments will continue to have access to the disaster debris disposal sites during 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday through Friday.

The change in hours is to allow the Department of Public Works to increase site capacity and to ensure the sites are compliant with regulatory safety standards.

Guam Environmental Protection Agency personnel and AmeriCorps Serve Guam Commission volunteers are on-site to inspect debris loads. Waste types not approved for disposal at these three sites will be rejected.

All of the sites can accept the following types of waste:

Household trash

Household bulky waste

Household hazardous waste

White goods or appliances

Metallic waste

Electronic waste

Wood waste

Construction debris

Out of the three sites, green waste can only be disposed at the former carnival grounds and Ypao Point.

Junk tires are no longer being accepted at this time. The community is reminded to properly secure waste loads before traveling to any disposal site. To ensure efficient flow at each typhoon debris disposal site, the public is advised to pre-sort and segregate waste prior to arrival at the sites. Capacities at each site vary, and some waste types may be diverted to other sites with more capacity.

The government of Guams green waste transition sites are open for residential green waste disposal from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. These sites accept only green waste, vegetative waste, and yard trimmings.

The Guam Fire Department reminded the community to refrain from burning debris and trash. Low water supply throughout the island will challenge the response to extinguishing fires. Residents are asked to be mindful of members within the community who have medical conditions in which the elements could have its effects. Due to these reasons, GFD is not issuing burning permits. GFD reminded the public that it is illegal to burn without a permit. Burning without a permit may lead to a citation. The Guam Fire Department can be contacted to report unauthorized burning.

For those who need compensation for damaged or disposed property, they may be able to avail of reimbursements.

For homeowners and renters, they can visit PDNs update on the application process at bit.ly/3J3XxRD.

Fake FEMA officials

The public is reminded to be certain that a certified FEMA official is investigating their case. There are some individuals posing as FEMA officials in order to scam other residents into giving them funds that are allegedly supposed to be used for future assistance.

In order to determine if they are certified, the public must take note of the following:

The FEMA official must have an official photo ID badge.

The FEMA representative must have your application number to reference.

The FEMA official must not ever charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections, or application assistance.

The FEMA official will never ask for personal information, such as a Social Security number or banking account number.

Suspicious activity should be reported to (671)475-0400 or mrfc@ghs.guam.gov.

For public entities and certain organizations, they may be able to be assisted as the Federal Emergency Management Agency is now providing public assistance for all categories.

Government of Guam agencies, certain private nonprofit organizations, and faith-based organizations have the opportunity to apply for funding reimbursements for the response and recovery efforts for Typhoon Mawar.

Eligible subrecipients may register their organization and submit a Request for Public Assistance through FEMAs Grants Portal. Entities without existing Grants Portal access or in need of updating their access may email gro@ghs.guam.gov. All RPA submissions must be submitted via Grants Portal.

For eligible subrecipients, they may attend FEMA Public Assistance Applicant briefings. All attendees are advised to bring their laptops or electronic devices to access Grants Portal. The Guam Recovery Office staff will be available to assist with establishing access to Grants Portal Accounts.

The Mayors Council of Guam and Guam Department of Education representatives from the schools and central office are invited to attend the briefing at the Guam Museum at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Private nonprofit entities are invited to attend the briefing at Guam Museum at 10 a.m. on June 26.

Agencies unable to attend on the scheduled date or meet the due date are advised to attend the next session and let the GRO know.

For more information, contact the Guam Recovery Office at (671) 588-1121 or via email at gro@ghs.guam.gov.

Visit the following links for the latest information:

Governors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govlouguam

GHS/OCD Website:

GHS/OCD Facebook:

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.
The 37th Guam legislature held an emergency session on Monday to address the state of emergency, which occurred as a result of Typhoon Mawar.

This resulted in waiving the public hearing for Bill 135-37, which intended to provide a second extension of the Gas Tax Relief. This would provide a moratorium on the Liquid Fuel tax through the end of the year.

The bill was passed unanimously by the congressional body.

Fourteen cents per gallon is not a lot to offer relief, but we know that many of our families have depended on fuel for their livelihoods over the several weeks since the typhoon, said Sen. Joe San Agustin, the author of the bill. They have increased the number of gas purchases and waited in weeks of long lines at the gas stations. Every little saving we can guarantee our people is beneficial to their recovery.

According to the Office of Sen. San Agustin, the governor has expressed support for the bill and thus, the bill is en route for her signature and enactment.

Id like to thank Speaker Terlaje for her prompt response of my request for Emergency Session, and my colleagues for their support of the second extension of the Gas Tax Relief, which will benefit our people and provide some relief during this time of recovery, concluded Sen. San Agustin.

The emergency session was also able to pass Bill 134-37 due to an absence of a session agenda adopted by the Committee on Rules. With that absence, all introduced bills listed at https://guamlegislature.com/index/bills/ are potential items to be placed on the agenda pursuant to motion, standing rules and consistent with the emergency call.

Bill 134-37 was sponsored by Sen. William A. Parkinson, which appropriates $2 million from the Rainy Day Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the Crop Loss Compensation Program.

The CLCP was started in 1993 in order to compensate farmers for crops or livestock farm-related property lost in natural disasters like typhoons. The program hasnt compensated farmers since Typhoon Dolphin in 2015. Parkinson spoke with Department of Agriculture Director Chelsa Muna, where Muna explained that in order for the Department of Agriculture to give out money for the program, an appropriations bill was necessary.

At times, this has taken up to 2 years after the fact.

As the Chairman for the Committee on Agriculture, I checked in with the Department of Agriculture right after the typhoon to discuss what our farmers need, Parkinson said. Many farmers lost crops and livestock during the typhoon, and many local farmers cannot be covered under the federal crop insurance program. Thats why the local program exists.

Farmers often come last when it comes to disaster assistance. After Typhoon Dolphin, it took almost 2 years for the CLCP to compensate farmers for their crop losses, stated Parkinson. Our farmers should not have to wait. They should be a priority.

These farmers have always done right by us, Parkinson also said in his closing remarks during the emergency session. It is our duty to do right by these farmers. Lets get the farmers what they need.

Bill 134-37 (COR) now awaits Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros signature to be officially passed into law.

However, not everyone was pleased with the sessions turnout.

Sen. Jesse Lujan attempted to place Bill 3-37 and Bill 4-37 on the session agenda in the hopes of getting them argued and passed. Lujan had previously written to Speaker Terlaje to request that she address Bill 3-37and Bill.4-37. He also requested that she waive the public hearing requirements in consideration of the emergency situation.

More must be done to provide relief to the people of Guam, asserted Lujan. Typhoon Mawar has added more hardship to our island at a time when many were still recovering from the economic fallout of the pandemic. Bills 3-37 and 4-37 could immediately alleviate the pain of our island residents.

Bill 3-37 seeks to reduce the Business Privilege Tax from 5% to 4%. All limited exemptions on the Business Privilege Tax in  26203.2 of Chapter 26 Title 11, GCA should remain in effect and are not changed by this act.

Similarly, Bill 4-37 seeks to temporarily suspend the Business Privilege Tax on Food and medicine for twelve consecutive months.

Lowering costs for consumers and lowering taxes for businesses makes so much sense right now, said Lujan. Mawar has set our economic recovery back, and the Legislature must do all it can to alleviate the pain currently felt by our people. We should act urgently and expeditiously.

According to the Office of Senator Lujan, Speaker Terlaje was advised by the Committee on Appropriations and the Bureau of Budget and Management Research that bills 3-37 and 4-37 may be harmful to the people of Guam. She concurred with their determinations.

Thus, the 37th Guam Legislature speaker denied waiving the public hearing requirements for both bills and proceeded to let the legislative body vote.

Both of Lujans BPT bills failed to garner enough votes and the motion to place the legislative actions on the agenda subsequently failed.

Although Speaker was convinced that both BPT bills would be harmful to the people of Guam, the letter issued by the Committee on Appropriations and BBMR, stated may, which does not one hundred percent indicate a negative outcome, Lujan stated.

Sen. Lujan criticized the proceedings of the emergency, pointing out that the agenda for the emergency session only included bills authored by Democrats.

It was interesting that while there was a lot of talk about feeding our people today, Bill No.4-37, which would make resources like food and medicine more accessible to our people by suspending the BPT on food and medicine for one year, was dismissed, Lujan expressed.

While all the bills heard in todays session are important, I believe the priority at hand should be food security, which is at the heart of what my bills address, stated Lujan. We need to do all we can to help our people. I wholeheartedly support Bill No.135-37(COR) and all other bills that can help our people in need right now, but I am saddened that we were unable to do more to help our businesses and consumers. We direct where the funds go. As such, we need to help our businesses, not kill them, Lujan concluded.




Haiti - France : PM Henry invited by President Emmanuel Macron





The communication office of the Primature informs that at the invitation of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry, will participate in the Summit "For a new global financial pact", on June 22 and 23, 2023, in Paris, France).



The Head of Government, accompanied by Michel Patrick Boivert Minister of Economy and Finance and other high-level collaborators, will take part, alongside some fifty Heads of State, of Government, actors in the development of private sector and those of civil society, at the various meetings of this summit focusing, in particular, on financing for development, the climate and global health.



On the sidelines of this Summit, Prime Minister Henry will have several bilateral meetings with various Heads of State and Government around the general situation in Haiti.



In his absence, the interim will be provided in Haiti by the Minister of Public Health Alex Larsen.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Humanitarian : Food insecurity rate in Haiti, 2nd highest in the world





Cindy McCain Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) and Catherine Russell Director General of UNICEF have ended their joint mission in Haiti, calling for much greater support for very vulnerable children and families who are facing a endemic violence, deadly natural disasters and a resurgence of cholera.



The hunger crisis in Haiti is invisible, unheard of and unresolved. Violence and climate shocks grab the headlines, but we don't hear as much about the 4.9 million Haitians who struggle to eat every day," said Cindy McCain. "Per capita, the proportion of Haitians facing at emergency level food insecurity is the second highest in the world, we cannot abandon them."



Humanitarian needs are even greater today than after the devastating earthquake of 2010, but with far fewer resources to meet them," said Catherine Russell.



A total of 5.2 million people are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance, including nearly 3 million children. Some 4.9 million people are struggling to eat and more than 115,000 children under five are expected to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition this year, a 30% spike since last year. The health system is on the verge of collapse, schools have been attacked by armed groups and civilians are terrorized and deprived of their means of subsistence. In the most dangerous neighborhoods of the capital, women and children suffer staggering levels of sexual violence. Deadly floods and an earthquake in June were stark reminders of Haiti's vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.



Russell and McCain held talks with the Prime Ministera.i. Ariel Henry and other senior government officials and visited a school supported by UNICEF and WFP.



In the town of Jeremie, McCain met with farmers and food processors who provide Haiti-grown food to schools and interacted with people who receive monthly cash transfers through a social safety net program. She also visited a food preparation center in Port-au-Prince, where WFP and its partner provide hot meals that are transported daily to schools in areas affected by armed violence in Cite Soleil.



Despite the scale of the needs, only 23% of the $720 million required for the UN response in 2023 has been funded. WFP needs $330 million to reach its goal of helping 2.3 million people in 2023, while UNICEF is appealing for $246 million to reach 1.7 million children this year.



"People in Haiti are in perpetual survival mode, with no safety net," Russell said. The international community can help put in place the basic needs that Haitian families tell us they need, such as health, education, social and protection services. Above all, what they have told me is that they desperately need to end the violence and the insecurity.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















GLOBALink | China-funded water resource protection project inaugurated in Cambodia Pub Date:23-06-21 09:14 Source:Xinhua A China-funded water resource protection project was inaugurated on Sunday in Cambodia's Koh Kong province. "I hope it will help control and protect water resources, and I'd like to thank China for supporting our village's development," said a local resident. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen

Related News China activates emergency response to floo... Experts: Time for US to build on goodwill Youths urged to contribute to national rej... Xiplomacy: China elevates ties with Palest...
By William Schwartz | Published on 2023/06/20

June 9th saw the premiere of "Bloodhounds" on Netflix. In its first three days on the streaming platform, "Bloodhounds" earned over twenty seven million viewed hours worldwide. The high profile webtoon adaptation is the latest from writer/director Kim Joo-hwan, and his first serial drama. The shift for the filmmaker is noteworthy, and the man behind the big 2017 hit "Midnight Runners" isn't the only one to be lured away from movie projects.

Advertisement

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk of "Squid Game" has been the most notable example of trend, having a strong record of films as varied as the social drama "The Silenced" to the comedically themed "Miss Granny" to the historical epic "The Fortress" throughout the 2010's. Hwang Dong-hyuk is known to have told an anecdote about the difficulty of this work, that it caused him to lose six teeth due to stress.

However, the success of "Squid Game" has not been reached by any other project. "Black Knight" came from director Cho Ui-seok of such films as "Cold Eyes" and "Master" which were both crime dramas. "Black Knight" earned around eighty million hours viewed in its first three weeks of availability back in May, or thirty one million in its first three days. Choi Ui-seok claimed to have greater respect for television drama directors having tried episodic filming himself.

But cinematic style with television style pacing has been a dubious experience for many fans, causing many such series to underperform relative to their budgets. Many such projects seem destined to be forgotten. "Somebody" from director Jeong Ji-woo of "Tune in for Love" lacked much presence on Netflix. So did "Yonder" from director Lee Joon-ik of "The Book of Fish" on TVING. "Big Bet" on Disney+ from Kang Yoon-sung of "The Outlaws" likewise seems obscure despite its two seasons.

South Korean media critics have suggested that a failure to appreciate the fine technical differences between films and series is what's causing such dubious results. One important point is that while directors tend to be the dominant figures in film, screenwriters are the dominant figures in television dramas. The sheer quantity of work required for a series is such that it may not be wise for any single person to take on both directing and screenwriting roles in that context.

Written by William Schwartz
Korean Movie | 2023

 Musical  Show/Performance

Directed by Kim Eun-young-III ()

97min | Release date in South Korea: 2023/06/28

Synopsis

London at the end of the 18th century, when the industrial revolution began. At a time when the capital, which grew as fast as a busy factory, even changed one's social status, an incident caught people's attention immediately.



The "Irish Rich" who poured out Shakespeare's undisclosed relics, from original sonnets, wills, IOUs, and letters, to London society, which was enthusiastic about anything Shakespeare, was put on trial over the controversy over forgery of the play 'Vortigern'.



A fierce battle over 'Shakespeare's work or not?', William Samuel Ireland passionately arguing for his son, William Henry Ireland starting his own story instead of making a statement, and an unknown gentleman named H.



What will be the outcome of this trial?
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By Kris Testori

Celebrate the 150th Year of Shipley Farms on Saturday, June 24th at the inaugural Good Fields Appalachian Food & Farms Festival.

The food festival is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of local farms. Part of the theme of the food festival is that commodity agriculture is not viable in some places, Gray Shipley said. The festival will highlight the rich agricultural heritage of the region, with top chefs from across the state drawing from Shipley Farms and other local farm products. With the theme Local Food Elevated, Good Fields aims to draw attention and support to the decline in family farms and agricultural land in the High Country and across North Carolina.

Bob Shipley, R.G.s son, is the festivals co-founder and host. He says his goal is to strengthen the local agricultural community so that this way of life can stay around for several more generations. I grew up in this community and on this farm. My dad used to ride his horse to Mast General Store as a kid to get flour, salt, and canning supplies for his mother. This was all normal to us  we didnt call it local or pasture-raised, it was just food. I didnt know it was great food, because I barely knew processed food existed. Shipley said. It never occurred to us that our experience was a bit unique at the time  but its far more unique now. North Carolina has lost over 40,000 farms since I went to college. Fewer and fewer people are getting exposed to local farm experiences, and its getting harder and harder for local farms to compete, and to make it to the next generation. We think this festival can help bring some attention to that issue, and get some momentum to turn that trend back a little in the other direction.

Currently, North Carolina ranks second in the country for farmland projected to be lost to development in the next two decades. To address this issue, Good Fields will support the programs working on the ground to support local food and farms. They are donating a percentage of proceeds to the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Piedmont Culinary Guild, the NC Choices initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, and the Watauga High School chapter of Future Farmers of America. Part of the theme of the food festival is that what were doing here is commodity agricultures getting to the point where its not viable in places, Shipley said.

Experience a variety of dishes using Shipley Farms meats and all the flavors of the High Country prepared by leading chefs and restaurants from across the region.

Chef lineup:

Steven Goff (Tastee Diner, Asheville), 2019 NC Chef of the Year

Andres Prussing, CEC (Golden Owl Tavern, Charlotte)

Andy Long (Over Yonder, Valle Crucis)

Ashley Boyd (300 East, Charlotte)

Gerald Hawkins (Wa Mi Dounou Collective, Raleigh, NC )

Courtney Evans (Leah and Louise, Charlotte)

Daniel Wheeler (Culinary Instructor, CCCTI, Charlotte/Hudson/Boone

Preeti Waas (Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, Raleigh)

Sam Ratchford (Vidalia, Boone)

Sera Cuni (Cafe Root Cellar, Chapel Hill)

Jamisen Booker (Weathered Soul)

and more to come!

The festival will also feature storytelling, sunset around the fire pit, and a book signing by Evan Peter Smith, author of Here By The Owl, the story of Shipley Farms patriarch R.G. Shipley, from his days of top secret research in World War II, through his entrepreneurial ventures at age 101. Hear live bluegrass music from Nick Chandler and Delivered. Ticketholders will have access to the Pasture, with complimentary food and beverage tastings from all participating chefs.

To purchase tickets go to https://goodfieldsnc.com/. Discounts are available for seniors, veterans, Watauga County residents, Ruritan club members, and former students of RG and Agnes. Call (828) 484-1872 for a discounted rate.

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Startup entrepreneurs warned yesterday in a joint statement that the section on immigration threatens to undermine the steps forward laid out in the programme, such as the one-week limit for granting a work permit to special experts.

THE FINNISH STARTUP COMMUNITY has levelled heavy criticism at the provisions on work-based immigration in the government programme of the newly sworn-in government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP).

The provisions, they argued, pose a substantial threat to the startup community and assuredly undermine the growth opportunities of the national economy.

The government programme took steps forward when it comes to work-based immigration, including the one-week time limit for granting a work permit for special experts. It is a step forward, but it alone will not be enough to make Finland the most attractive country for international experts, the statement reads.

The government programme states, for example, that holders of a work-based residence permit will be required to leave the country if they fail to re-employ themselves in three months following the end of their previous employment. It also introduces tougher requirements for a permanent residence permit, raising the residence requirement from four to six years and stipulating that applicants must demonstrate sufficient skills in either Finnish or Swedish.

Three months is a very short time to search for a job that matches your qualifications, go through the interview processes and sign a new employment contract, the entrepreneurs said.

Finland, they warned, is shooting itself in the leg by showing the door to foreign specialists in such a way as the person leaving may have contributed substantially to the tax revenues in previous years.

The tougher requirements for a permanent residence permit, in turn, are concerning because six years is a long time to wait for a permanent permit with your family and because special experts work primarily in English.

The stricter rules forwarded in the programme create an impression of Finland as a country that is hostile to foreigners  including those who are already working here, the entrepreneurs stated. Finland needs labour from abroad because our population is ageing and we simply have too few workers for our country to do well in future.

The community also told that the programme has already prompted foreign workers to consider moving out of Finland.

The signatories of the joint statement include Miki Kuusi, the chief executive of Wolt, Sami Marttinen, the chief executive of Swappie, Rafal Modrzewski, the chief executive of ICEYE, Ilkka Paananen, the chief executive of Supercell, and Oskari Saarenmaa, the chief executive of Aiven.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The annual statistical yearbook of the Finnish Criminal Sanctions Agency has been released, providing insights into the lengths of punishments for prisoners and community sanctions, the most common types of crimes, and the trends impacting client numbers. One notable finding from the data of 2022 is that the clearance of backlogs resulting from the COVID-19 years has significantly contributed to the increase in the prison population.

The average daily inmate count in 2022 was 3,056, representing an increase of approximately 250 compared to the previous year. Nearly 6,000 individuals entered prisons last year, with 1,700 more than in 2021. The most significant surge was observed in the number of fine defaulters serving short prison sentences. A total of 1,910 individuals fell into this category, marking an increase of over 1,600 compared to the previous year and nearly 450 more than the pre-pandemic year.

The lifting of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic also influenced the number of foreign prisoners. In 2022, there was an average of 480 foreign inmates daily, representing an increase of around 10% compared to the previous year. Foreign prisoners accounted for 16% of the total inmate population.

Imprisonment sentences remained relatively short, with less than 40% of released prisoners serving sentences lasting three months or less. The average length of imprisonment was 11.4 months.

The largest group of prisoners, constituting 37% of the total inmate population, consisted of individuals convicted of violent crimes. According to the prison structure survey conducted in May 2022, 21% of this group had been convicted of homicides, while 16% were convicted of assault offenses. Approximately one-fifth of all prisoners were convicted of drug offenses, with nearly half of the foreign inmates falling into this category.

The average daily count of community sanctions clients was 3,502, with 1,534 individuals performing community service. Due to a system upgrade in the client information database in 2022, comparing the average client numbers with previous years is not possible. However, it is estimated that the actual average number of community sanctions clients increased by 9% compared to the previous year.

Among community service participants, the most common primary offense was drunk driving. In the 2022 client survey, 43% of those sentenced to community service had committed this offense. For those granted parole with supervision, offenses targeting life and health accounted for 40% of cases, while property crimes were the most prevalent (27%) among those sentenced to probation with supervision.

The Finnish Criminal Sanctions Agency's annual statistical yearbook for 2022 highlights the impact of clearing backlogs from the COVID-19 years on the increase in the prison population. The surge in fine defaulters serving short prison sentences and the rise in foreign inmates contributed to the overall growth. Additionally, the data revealed that imprisonment sentences were generally brief, with most prisoners serving less than a year. The prevalence of violent crimes and drug offenses among inmates, as well as the high incidence of drunk driving among community service participants, underscore the need for continued efforts to address these issues effectively.

HT
Were moving in a completely different direction in immigration policy, and you could possibly say that the government will be making the biggest change of course weve seen for 30 years, she summarised on YLE Aamu on Tuesday.

NEWLY APPOINTED Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen (PS) has promised a radical shift in the asylum and immigration policy of Finland.

This is a complete paradigm shift.

Rantanen stated that Finland has had the most relaxed stance on the immigration in the Nordics, arguing that the stance would have ultimately seen the country repeat the failures witnessed in Sweden.

We have to react to weve seen in Sweden. Were looking to take action to make sure immigration doesnt cause economic or security threats to Finland, she stressed.

We will adopt tougher conditions for coming to Finland, staying in Finland and being in Finland, she outlined, highlighting that similar decisions have been made also in other parts of the Nordics.

One of the amendments to be implemented by the newly sworn-in government is increasing the returns of unsuccessful asylum applicants to their country of origin. Rantanen argued that Finnish regulations on returns, which according to her have been relaxed even in Nordic comparison, have been taken advantage of by asylum seekers.

Weve been too indulgent when it comes to those whove received a negative [asylum] decision. Its often been possible to stay here to draft repeat applications, and its difficult to remove people from the country. In fact, both returns and removals have outright collapsed in the past four years, she stated.

The number of returns has decreased noticeably since the refugee crisis of 2015, according to the public broadcasting company.

The government has adopted the goal of minimising the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland. The yearly number of arrivals stood at around 3,000 between the refugee crisis and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has also decided to more than halve the annual refugee quota from 1,050 to 500. Rantanen told YLE that the decision was made on grounds of the poor state of the economy because everyone has to contribute to improving the economy.

Itd be very peculiar if we maintained the refugee quota at the same level because its a fact that everything thats extra  all efforts to better the world  are paid for with debt, she said.

Rantanen viewed that Finland should in the coming years continue to invest particularly in helping refugees from nearby regions, namely Ukraine.

The government programme does state that well try to focus on minorities whore persecuted specifically in their own country and minorities whore persecuted on refugee camps. Well have to examine who well look to receive when it comes to the quota, but these could include Christians and Yezidis, she commented.

There are so many refugees. The kind of moral posturing where you welcome as many as possible isnt particularly smart.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
India should pressurise Bangladesh to end atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh!  Ajay Singh, International President, World Hindu Federation

The condition of Hindus in Bangladesh is pathetic. There, Hindu girls are being raped daily, temples are being destroyed, and Hindus lands are being looted. Hindus are literally living a life of slavery. They have become weak and fearful. No one has time to pay attention to them. The UN and Human Rights Commission have lost their meaning. The International Human Rights Commission only seems to exist to crack the whip on simple minded Hindus like us. They dont have the guts to crack the same whip on religious fanatics in Bangladesh. Today these afflicted Hindus need political strength as well as mental and physical strength, but the Indian government is not doing anything for them. On the other hand, the Indian government has discussed with the Bangladeshi government and helped them monetarily to rehabilitate rohingyas who were fleeing Myanmar. We need to make similar efforts for the Hindus of Bangladesh. India should create pressure on Bangladesh, said Mr Ajay Singh, International President of World Hindu Federation. He was addressing the audience on Day 5 (20.6.2023) of Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav. He further said, Large numbers of people are leaving Christianity in Europe. They are attracted to Hindu Dharma and culture. Therefore, Hindu Dharma should be widely propagated there.

The uniqueness of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti!

Mr Ajay Singh said, The Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav was organized in Goa with the grace of H.H. Dr Jayant Athawale. Hundreds of devout Hindus from home and abroad are present for this. All the volunteers of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have devoted themselves to make all the arrangements for our accommodation, food etc. It is not an easy thing to bring many organizations together and hold their convention.

Declaring Nepal secular was a blow to all Hindus!  Chiran Bir Pratap Khadka, Pramukh, Om Raksha Vahini, Nepal

The people of India and Nepal have spiritual and social ties. Some media, intellectuals, political parties in India are creating controversy between India and Nepal by issuing controversial statements about Nepal from time to time. This is creating negativity towards India among the people of Nepal. Vedic Sanatan Dharma is the religion of Nepal. India and Nepal have fostered a sense of brotherhood for ages. Nepal is the abode of sages. But under secularism, the faith of all Hindus has been under attack over the last 1 decade. Nepal will soon become a Hindu Rashtra. Hindus should aim to make the whole world including Nepal a Hindu Rashtra. Chiran Bir Pratap Khadka, Pramukh, Om Raksha Vahini, Nepal appealed to all Hindus to unite. He was addressing the audience on Day 5 of the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav (20.6.2023).
India, 21st June 2023: SIBM (Symbiosis Institute of Business Management) Pune recently hosted on its campus a session titled 'Publishing in High Impact Journals' on 20th June 2023, conducted by esteemed academics, Professor Ts. Dr. Ooi Keng Boon, FASc & Dean UCSI Graduate Business School, Malaysia and Professor Dr. Garry Tan Wei Han, Professor, Editor-in-Chief, UCSI Press, UCSI Graduate Business School. During the session, the reputed academics drew from their vast experience in the education sector and shared their notes on gaining visibility and success via first-rate research in the vast and competitive world of academia.

Being a constituency of the renowned centre of academic excellence, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), and one of the foremost B-schools in India, SIBM Pune has always been synonymous with imparting implementable learning that is rooted in thorough research. Therefore, reflecting the spirit of learning at SIBM Pune, the aim of the session on publishing in reputed journals was a comprehensive guide for the research scholars and faculty members of SIBM Pune in further strengthening their foothold in academia and furthering the legacy of SIU.

Speaking about the session, Dr Ramakrishnan Raman  Director, SIBM, Pune stated The session was of great value to research scholars pursuing their doctoral programme at Symbiosis International (Deemed University). The session also gave critical insights on aspects related to publishing in high-impact journals to the faculty members and the research scholars who attended the session. We hope that the session would boost the already robust academic foundation of SIBM, Pune, which, since its inception, has been dedicated to producing high-end research. 

Further, to illustrate how value-driven the session was, it suffices to take a cursory glance at the extensive academic track record of the invited professors. Aside from his core teaching positions, Ts. Dr. Ooi Keng-Boon, FASc (DEng, Ph.D.) is a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (FASc) with research interests in information systems and industrial management. With Several hundred papers under their belt in international refereed journals indexed to the Web of Science, the academician has more than 100 papers published in journals rated A /A*- by ABDC 2022 Journal Quality List. The professors works have been featured in world-class publications including Harvard Data Science Review, Tourism Management, Decision Support Systems, Information and Management, Information Technology and People, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, and International Journal of Production Research, among others. Moreover, Ts. Dr. Ooi Keng-Boon has to his credit many honours such as being e has been listed in the Worlds Top 2% of the Most-Cited Scientists in the field of 'Business and Management' by the Stanford University List from 2020 to 2022 or being among the Worlds Top 5 Most Productive and Influential authors who had published research papers in the journal Industrial Management and Data Systems (IMDS)' (1994-2019). He was also ranked #3 in Malaysia and #182 in the World in the field of Business and Management based on the Discipline H-index by Research.com (as of 21st December 2022).

Similarly, Dr. Garry Wei-Han Tan is a Professor at the UCSI Graduate Business School, UCSI University. He has been acknowledged as among the "Worlds 10 Most Productive and Influential Authors" in Mobile Commerce, Social Commerce and Mobile Payment in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Also, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Reviewer Award by Industrial Management and Data Systems (2018) (Emerald), Internet Research (2019) (Emerald), Emerald Outstanding Contribution Award (2020) (Emerald), and Most Downloaded Articles for Technology in Society and Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services (2020) (Elsevier), and other accolades for his unwavering commitment to quality reviewing and research paper publication. He has published over 90 papers in leading academic journals such as the Journal of Production Research (SCI; SCIE; ABDC A), Tourism Management (SSCI; ABS A*), Journal of Business Research (SSCI; ABDC A), International Journal of Information Management (SSCI; ABDC A*), and many more. . It is worth noting that, about 62 percent of his papers currently ranked A* and A, according to the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) Journal Quality List, while his work is cited over 8300 times with a current h-index of 43. The leading researcher is currently the Brand Ambassador for Emerald Publishing East Asia and also the Associate Editor of Industrial Management and Data Systems, and the International Journal of Bank Marketing. Finally, Prof Tan is one of the World's Top 2 % Scientists according to a report published by Stanford University in 2022.

All in all, SIBM Pune successfully hosted an insightful session for researchers and budding academics, and in the coming days as well the institute continues to stride on its path of excellence.

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.
Rishi Sunak has described the IndiGo-Airbus deal as a major win for the United Kingdom's aerospace sector, saying that the agreement will help the UK's economy to grow. UK PM Rishi Sunak (File Photo)(via REUTERS)

Also Read | IndiGo buys 500 planes from Airbus, the largest order in aviation history

This contract is a major win for our aerospace sector. @Airbus's deal with @IndiGo6E will be worth billions to the UK and support thousands of jobs across the country  helping to grow the economy, the UK prime minister tweeted on Tuesday, a day after the two companies signed the contract.

While primarily French, Airbus, it must be noted, is a multinational aerospace corporation with offices and assembly plants in several countries, including both France and the UK. Its corporate name, in fact, is Airbus SE; the SE bit, which stands for societas Europaea (European company/society), enables the company to register itself as a European corporation, rather than a national corporation.

IndiGo's thank you to Rishi Sunak

Meanwhile, responding to Sunak, the United Kingdom's first Asian (Indian)-origin prime minister, IndiGo thanked him for his encouraging words.

Our partnership with @Airbus will indeed further propel growth in the aerospace sector and together this will help drive prosperity through increased travel and commerce. Thank you for your support, the Gurugram-headquartered India's largest budget carrier said in a tweet.

IndiGo-Airbus deal

Under the largest-ever purchase in the history of commercial aviation-- it is worth $55 billion  IndiGo will buy 500 A320 aircraft from Airbus, with the planes to be delivered between 2030-2035. Including these 500 planes, the budget carrier has, since its 2006 inception, ordered a massive total of 1,330 aircraft from the multinational corporation.

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China unveiled on Wednesday a 520 billion yuan ($72.3 billion) package to boost sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and other green cars over the next four years to prop up softening auto demand, sending shares of automakers sharply higher. New energy vehicles (NEVs) purchased in 2024 and 2025 will be exempted from purchase tax amounting to as much as 30,000 yuan per vehicle. (Shutterstock)

The package, widely expected after an earlier government pledge to promote the industry, comes as softening sales in the world's biggest auto market has raised concern over economic growth which is losing momentum after a brisk start to the year.

Web Stories | 5 Disadvantages Of Using Electric Vehicles

New energy vehicles (NEVs) purchased in 2024 and 2025 will be exempted from purchase tax amounting to as much as 30,000 yuan per vehicle, with the exemption halving for purchases made in 2026 and 2027, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

The total tax breaks will amount to 520 billion yuan, Vice Minister of Finance Xu Hongcai said at a press conference.

The move is an extension of the current policy under which NEVs - which include all-battery electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in petrol-electric hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles - are exempt from purchase tax until the end of 2023.

Also Read | Hyundai to invest $2.45 billion in Tamil Nadu over 10 years to boost electric vehicles production

"The extension by another four years beat market expectations," said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, adding the costly extension of the exemption suggests additional stimulus measures were unlikely.

Chinese auto shares rallied after the announcement, with EV makers NIO and Xpeng rising 6.1% and 5.5% respectively, versus a 1.9% drop in Hong Kong's benchmark index . Li Auto also surged 3.5%.

The announcement follows a June 2 Cabinet meeting during which authorities said they would extend and optimise the tax exemption and study policies to promote NEV development.

The incentives put NEVs, a mainstay of big-ticket spending, on the front burner of a broad-based push to rekindle growth in the world's second-largest economy.

The government heavily promoted NEVs in recent years through incentives that supported the rise of local players such as Li Auto, NIO and BYD.

BYD, backed by Warren Buffett's investment company Berkshire Hathaway, now outsells Volkswagen branded cars in China and became the country's biggest auto maker by sales this year.

Analysts said the cap on the purchase tax exemption would help drive growth of cheaper models that are mainly produced by domestic firms rather than premium vehicles from foreign makers.

NEV sales suffered a hit earlier this year after the government ended a more than decade-long subsidy for EV purchases, but bounced back after automakers including Tesla cut prices to defend market share and after the previous extension of the purchase tax exemption.

"This will aid China's EV growth," said Susan Zou, vice president at researcher Rystad Energy, anticipating EVs sales would grow 30% in 2024, accelerating from 15% estimated this year.

NEV sales rose 10.5% in May from a month earlier, showed data from the China Passenger Car Association. They jumped 60.9% from a year earlier when COVID-19 curbs still roiled auto production and sales.

Wednesday's announcement is the fourth extension. The tax break was announced in 2014 and extended in 2017, 2020 and 2022.

($1 = 7.1972 Chinese yuan renminbi)

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Hyundai has introduced a new variant of its Venue mini-SUV in Taiwan, adding new colours to the car, and giving it as many as 6 drive modes. Hyundai's Venue mini-SUV (File Photo)

New colours

The Taiwan-spec 2023 Venue gets London Red' and Oxford Green colour schemes. These are in addition to the shades already available, each, too, with English-themed names: Grey Grey, Jennifer Wong (Yellow), Super Circle Powder (Pink), Tiffany Blue, and White Black.

London Red, in particular, is inspired from the British capital's iconic red telephone booths.

An attempt to bring British style for Taiwanese customers?

Additionally, the South Korean auto giant is offering a 3D version of Britain's coat of arms (flag) on the car's tailgate. The coat of arms is present inside the cabin as well, on seats, which, in turn, are made from fabric with a classic British checkered pattern.

Larger petrol motor

The Taiwan-spec Venue is powered by a larger, 1.6-litre (1.5-litre for India) , 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine, which churns out a maximum output of 120 bhp (power) and 154 Nm (torque).

2023 Venue (Taiwan) vs 2023 Venue (India)

The former is not yet facelifted, while the India-spec model has a facelifted design. Also, the former gets the old steering wheel, in addition to the absence of a fully digital instrument screen (the Indian version has it). Unlike the Indian-spec Venue, however, the Taiwanese counterpart is equipped with ADAS (advanced driver assistance system).

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Popular musician and three-time Grammy award winner from Bengaluru, Ricky Kej, on Monday said he has been invited to the White House to attend the arrival ceremony of prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Kej shared the news on micro-blogging site Twitter and expressed that he is super excited. Musician and three-time Grammy award winner Ricky Kej. (Image credit: Screengrab of Twitter video/Amrit Mahotsav)

An invitation from the White House, for me :-) Super excited.. this Thursday :-) he wrote. PM Modi is on a four-day visit to the United States after being invited by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

READ | Bengaluru-based Grammy awardee Ricky Kej alleges harassment by Lenskart

Several notable figures reacted to the post, including Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the executive chairperson of biotech giant Biocon Limited, who said it was a proud moment for Kej to celebrate.

A proud moment for you to celebrate. PM Modis US state visit is being anticipated with great pride & joy by the Indian diaspora n u can represent citizens from Bengaluru! she tweeted.

Kej was recently also made the Global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). He received his third Grammy award in February this year under the Best Immersive Audio Album category for his album Divine Tides.

READ | Bengaluru's Ricky Kej wins 3rd Grammy award; Modi, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw react

Kej also released a brand new musical piece Wonders Of Life on the occasion of World Yoga Day, which is a re-imagination of his song from the album Divine Tides.
Mysuru The farmers are in distress owing to steep fall in price of dry grapes in Vijayapura district in north Karnataka, known as the hub of grapes. (Ht Photo)

The farmers are in distress owing to steep fall in price of dry grapes in Vijayapura district in north Karnataka, known as the hub of grapes.

Last year the dry grapes were sold at 150 to 250 per kg. This year the price has crashed drastically and grapes are being sold at just 60 to 110 per kg, according to officials and growers association. Due to this, the grape growers are in distress as they could not get even the production cost. According to horticulture department sources grapes are grown in a total area of 36,371 hectares in the state, of which Vijayapura district accounts for 25,575 hectares. The district has production share of 70.32% of the state.

Raisins (dried grape) brought profit to the farmers every year. But this year the grape grower is in trouble because the prices have fallen. Every year 600,000 tonnes of grapes are grown in Vijayapur district alone. Of this, 125,000 tonnes are being converted into raisins. Due to good weather this time, the production of grapes rose to 700,000 plus tonnes in Vijayapura district. The district has a turnover of 4,000 crore every year; over 100,000 families depend on the grape crop for their livelihood. In addition to this, thousands of wage labourers are making a living.

The production increased this year owing to good climatic conditions, but reduced demand caused fall in price, Vijayapura district horticulture department deputy director Siddaramaiah Baragimath said.

The district has cold storage facility for 40,000 tonnes and every year grape grown area increases by 3,000 to 4,000 hectares. The growers organisations are demanding minimum support price (MSP) for grapes, and urging the government to take a decision in this regard.

Grape grower Ravi Toravi of Tikota village in Babaleshwara assembly constituency said he has grown grapes o his two acres of land but due to price fall he could not even get production cost. We have to wait for three years and spend more than 2 lakh per acre to grow grapes, but price fall has affected us, he said. Toravi said most of the dry grapes produced here is sold through middlemen in neighbouring Maharashtra which has better cold storage units with auction facilities.

The district grape growers association held a preliminary meeting on Tuesday in Vijayapura.

The grape growers are in distress due to increased production cost. The state government should announce support price for grape growers, district grape growers association president K M Mumba Reddy said. He said raisins should be included in the midday meal scheme offered in schools. It was decided in the meeting that the government should rush to help the grape growers who are in financial trouble.

The growers said a delegation would go to the chief ministers office next week and would request the state government to come to the their rescue soon.
Bengaluru **EDS: IMAGE VIA CMO (Karnataka)** New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calls on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI06_21_2023_000472A) (PTI)

More than 1.2 million people have registered for the Gruha Jyothi scheme, under which free electricity will be provided up to 200 units a month, in the last four days even as technical glitches marred registrations in several places.

The registration for the scheme, which is one of the five poll guarantees of the Congress government in the state, began on June 18. On day 1, 96,305 customers registered and the number rose to 334,845 on day 2. On day 3, 385,481 had registered for the scheme, and 1.251 million registered on day 4. The scheme is set to be launched on August 1.

People lined up in front of Bescom officers in Bengaluru and expressed displeasure over delay in accepting applications due to the technical glitches on the Seva Sindhu portal.

Similar scenes were seen in Mysuru, as servers held up the process of filing applications and kept hundreds of people waiting at most of Karnataka One, Grama One and Mysore One Centres and the offices of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC).

Registration to the scheme is done on the Seva Sindhu portal under a special custom-made page (https:evasindhugs.karnataka.gov.in). It is also done at Karnataka One, Grama One and Bengaluru One centers across the state. The consumer has to enter the customer ID of the electricity bill, their Aadhar number, and mobile number.

According to a Bescom press release, people have registered for the scheme largely from their desktops, mobiles and laptops and only a few have visited the electricity offices to register. Due to several consumers trying to apply for Gruha Jyothi scheme, servers are down. We have already informed the concerned department to resolve the issue as soon as possible, Bescom said.

Bescom has now done away with the deadline date to register for the scheme. Earlier, the last date to register for the scheme was July 5. But, after the terrific response to the scheme for domestic customers and to avoid any further server crashes, Bescom said there is no deadline fixed for the registration process and urged the customers not to panic.

Meanwhile, public works department minister Satish Jarkiholi has accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of hacking the servers leading to technical glitches over registrations. We had planned properly, but the Centre has hacked and stopped it. They have hacked it as they do with EVMs, what can be done? We are trying to fix it, Jarkiholi said.

He said applications are being accepted physically too, and the state government is committed to implementing the scheme at any cost.

Defending Jarkiholis comments, industries minister MB Patil said, He must have said it based on the information he had got. Satish Jarkiholi does not lie.

Reacting to Jarkiholis claim, senior BJP leader and Union minister Pralhad Joshi termed it as ridiculous. You (Jarkiholi) are a minister, you have said that you are a chief ministerial aspirant for the next term, be serious. I want to advise him not to damage Karnatakas image by making such ridiculous statements, he said.

Vjiayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal demanded that chief minister Siddaramaiah file a case against Jarkiholi for spreading fake news. Giving hollow promises, and on failing to fulfil them, telling new stories every day, has become the norm for the Karnataka government. Pointing at Siddaramaiahs statement regarding taking strict action against those spreading fake news, in a tweet he highlighted that, now his ministers claims that the state governments server is hacked by the central government is a fake news.

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The southern state of Karnataka celebrated the ninth International Yoga Day with huge pomp on Wednesday, with the biggest event being organised at the state's legislative building, the Vidhana Soudha. The theme of Yoga Day this year is Yoga  Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means the world is one family. The theme of Yoga Day this year is Yoga  Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.(Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman/Twitter)

Thousands of people gathered in front of the Vidhana Soudha, where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao were also present, according to news agency PTI.

Other smaller events were organised across the state in schools, colleges and other places. Several Karnataka residents took to micro-blogging site Twitter and shared pictures of the events. Notable figures including politicians such as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar also greeted people on the occasion by sharing messages on social media.

READ | International Yoga Day: Indian Army personnel dive deep into water to perform yoga

"Yoga is essential for physical and mental well-being. I urge everyone to make this activity a part of your life," CM Siddaramaiah wrote, sharing a picture of renowned Kannada film actor Dr Rajkumar.

"Yoga is the union of body and mind. Our culture, heritage lies in yoga. Practicing yoga every day is a healthy lifestyle habit. Happy International Yoga Day to everyone in the country, DK Shivakumar's tweet read.

Karnataka's Mysuru also celebrated the International Yoga Day on the premises of its famous Palace. Meanwhile, the Karnataka unit of the BJP also organised a programme at its state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in the capital city.

READ | ITBP canine celebrates International Yoga Day

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Coast Guard also held gatherings in Bengaluru.

Musician and three-time Grammy award winner from Bengaluru, Ricky Kej, also released a new version of his song Wonders Of Life from the album Divine Tides on the occasion of World Yoga Day.
Karnataka's industry body has called for a bandh on Thursday against a hike in electricity bills. Hubballi-based Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) called for the bandh to which chief minister Siddaramaiah said it was uncalled for as the electricity bills will come down from next month. In the wake of outrage, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he would call a meeting with the industrialists for discussions regarding the concerns. (File)

Releasing a statement on Saturday, the KCCI said, We request all the Trade and Industry to close their establishment on 22 June. This is in protest of abnormal price hike in the Electricity charges by ESCOM's. For the last eight days, we have made attempts to convey the seriousness of the impact of the hike in electricity charges. However, no solution is forthcoming from the Officials or government representatives.

It added, To draw the attention of the government, we are calling for this Bandh. We wish to find a solution and get a reduction in the electricity charges. We hope that the government will respond to our request.

The statement further said among those who have agreed to join the agitation are District Chambers of Gadag, Bijapur, Rancbennur, Raichur, Talikoti, Vijaynagar, Mysore, Davangere, Koppal, Bagalkoti, Dharwad, Sirsi, Karwar, Bidar, Shivamoga, Kolar, Mandya, Chickmangalore, Yadgir, Chitradurga, KalyanKamataka, Haveri, Hassan, Bellary and other Industry Associations.

Sandeep Bidasaria, acting president of the KCCI, clarified that the organisation was not going against the government but they were lodging their protest with a hope that their voice is heard. He requested the government to listen to them and find a remedy.

Siddaramaiah on the bandh

In the wake of outrage, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he would call a meeting with the industrialists for discussions regarding the concerns.

The chief minister said the uproar was uncalled for as the electricity bills will come down from next month onwards.

"To convince them, facts and figures have been given. I hope that they are convinced. Our officials also called them and spoke to them," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

According to him, the power bills looked exorbitant to some because people had received the charges for two months. Tariff will not come down. It is appearing heavy because two months' bill was given. Next month onwards, the bills will be given for each month. Subsequently, the billing amount will come down.

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The Karnataka government will soon hold discussions with social media sites and platforms such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram among others to rein in sensitive posts that could incite communal flare-ups. Home Minister G Parameshwara also said on Wednesday that discussions are underway regarding setting up of a cyber security wing at every police station to address the issues at the jurisdictional level, and to bring down the number of such cases. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara. (PTI)

"We have watched it very carefully. Without proper identification (of perpetrators) some are making postings on sensitive issues from unknown places; they are also posting issues that may incite people. From cyber cells and cyber police stations, efforts are on to block them, but to remove such posts we need to communicate to sites like Facebook or Google and they have their own certain procedures to follow," Parameshwara said.

READ | Drones to be deployed at 8 junctions for monitoring Bengaluru traffic: Report

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "In several instances, they don't cooperate properly. So we have decided to call those company representatives, like their India or regional heads, and talk to them and come to an understanding, as there is no proper correspondence to our communications or mails on several instances."

"We have discussed in this regard and we will hold the meeting soon," he said, adding that the government is watchful of posts that are communal in nature or may trigger communal tensions. His statement came a day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued strict instructions to the authorities to crackdown on fake news.

Asked whether the government would hold discussions with representatives of all social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Parameshwara said, "Yes, we will have to speak to everyone, as all these platforms are used. In several cases, postings are done from foreign soil or unknown numbers. We may not know the source, but they (company) will know, based on which action can be initiated."

READ | Karnataka minister sets a deadline for better traffic management in Bengaluru

The government has taken the issue "very seriously", as such incidents are increasing, he said. "To say why it is increasing is difficult, but in recent times cyber crime is increasing, like hacking of bank accounts or cards. Such incidents have increased nationally and internationally," he added. Efforts are on to prevent it by sensitising and giving importance to police stations handling cyber security, the minister said.

There are specialised police stations for cyber security, but now discussions have taken place to make the facility available at every police station. "If there is a separate wing for cyber security at all police stations, cases can be monitored and dealt with in the stations' jurisdiction itself, so the number of cases may come down," he said, speaking of cases other than national and international ones.

Noting that Karnataka police deals with the highest number of cyber crime related cases in the entire country and has the highest number of trained personnel to deal with them, Parameshwara said the government is ready to train more people. "There are a good number of technical people in our police force -- BE and diploma holders -- they will be identified and trained," he added.
Newly elected Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) chairman Bheema Naik on Wednesday said that the Congress government is likely to increase milk price in the state by 5 per litre amid demand from milk unions. The hike in prices will be discussed with CM Siddaramaiah, after which a final decision will be taken, said Naik. (PTI)

Naik, who is chief minister Siddaramaiahs close aide and a former MLA from Hagaribommanahalli, was elected unopposed as the new chief of KMF on Wednesday. He contested the recent assembly elections on a Congress ticket but lost to JD(S) candidate Nemaraja Naik.

After assuming charge, Naik said a proposal has been sent to the government to hike milk prices in the state. We requested the government to hike milk prices in the state by 5 per litre. The hike in prices will be discussed with CM Siddaramaiah, after which a final decision will be taken, Naik told reporters.

Earlier this month, KMF had demanded that the chief minister hike the milk price by 5 per litre as they are incurring losses due to high procuring price. The KMF had said that all the 15 milk unions in the state are facing losses of 15 lakh per day.

All milk unions have demanded increase in milk price by 5 per litre. Apart from increasing the price, we will give priority to supplying quality milk, curd and ghee to the customers, Naik added.

Cooperation minister KN Rajanna KN Rajanna on Wednesday said that the state government is committed to developing Nandini. Government will pay attention to milk production and its cost. Milk production in the state is low, it should be increased, Rajanna said.

Also, farmers are not getting much profit at present. KMF will take steps for the welfare of farmers. A meeting will be held with the CM in the next few days. The purchase price of milk from farmers needs to be increased, Rajanna said, adding that a decision will be taken in the interests of farmers.

Recently, the unions had proposed to reduce the milk incentives given to the farmers. However, Siddaramaiah had instructed the KMF not to reduce the milk procurement price fixed by the government for producers. One cannot cut the price suddenly. Any such decision should be taken only after discussing it with the government, the chief minister told the KMF managing director.

Animal husbandry minister K Venkatesh also pointed out that KMF is in trouble, adding that price hike is necessary. It is the responsibility of the new president to help them (unions). If the price hike is necessary, it will be discussed.
At least 10 students from Madhya Pradesh who were travelling by train were rushed to the Civil Hospital after they complained of severe food poisoning-like symptoms at the Ludhiana railway station. Ten students were rushed to the Ludhiana Civil hospital after they showed severe food poisoning symptoms during train journey. (HT File)

Sharing details, Government Railway Police officials said the students who were travelling in a group of around 125 had brought packed food from a hotel. Some of them began showing signs of food poisoning during their train journey.

The group of 134 students including 122 girls had arrived in Amritsar for the trip on June 17 on a scheme by the Madhya Pradesh government, they were travelling on Dadar Express when they started vomiting near Phillaur, GRP superintendent of police (SP) Balram Rana said.

A majority of students who were National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme cadets were girls.

Initially, around 25 students showed symptoms of food poisoning and received treatment at the station. Those with more severe problems were later admitted to the hospital.

The 10 girls admitted to the hospital are all stable now, the SP added.
Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday recovered 14 small packets of narcotic items, suspected to be heroin, weighing approximately 500 grams, according to a release. The packets of narcotic items seized in Ferozepur.

According to the release, BSF troops observed suspicious footmarks near the village Gandhi Kilcha in the Ferozepur district while carrying out area domination patrol and during the search recovered suspected heroin packets wrapped with yellow adhesive tape.

On Wednesday about 6.45 hours, Border Security Force troops while carrying out area domination patrol ahead of the border fence observed suspicious footmarks near Village Gandu Kilcha, District - Ferozepur. Further, during the search, BSF troops recovered 14 small packets of narcotic items suspected to be heroin, gross weight approx 500 gms, wrapped with yellow adhesive tape ahead of the border fence, the release added.
A businessman away to Delhi for five days was in for a shock on returning home, as 8 lakh were stolen from the locker of his apartment in DLF The Valley in Sector 3, Panchkula. On June 19, the businessman got a call from his domestic help that the flats back door was open. On returning home the next day, he found the main door locked from inside. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Vaibhav Vardhan Gupta told the police that he hailed from Delhi and was currently living in Panchkula. He is into the business of hotel construction and frequently travels to Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

He said on June 15, he left for Delhi, with around 8 lakh stored in the locker of his Panchkula flat.

On June 19, he got a call from his domestic help that the flats back door was open. On returning home the next day, he found the main door locked from inside. After stepping inside from the back door, he discovered there had been a burglary and his 8 lakh were gone.

Police have registered a case under Sections 457 (house trespass) and 380 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code at the Pinjore police station. An investigation has been launched and police are looking into the role of people familiar with Guptas money movement.

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A day after the vigilance bureau released a list of corrupt tehsildars and naib tehsildars in the state, officers of the city revenue department did not report to work on Wednesday, causing inconvenience to locals who visited the office to get their works done. Visitors waiting at the sub-registrar office in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

The state vigilance bureau released a list of 48 tehsildars and naib tehsildars who were allegedly taking bribes through deed writers and other private persons, during registration of properties across the state. Among the listed individuals, five tehsildars and one naib tehsildar are from Ludhiana.

It was revealed that revenue officials approved property registries in unauthorised colonies without obtaining the necessary no-objection certificate.

Gautam Jain, additional deputy commissioner said, According to my information, all the officers were on a one day strike and work will resume from Thursday.

Gurdev Singh Dham, president of the Revenue Officers Association, refused to comment on the officials missing from work.

I cannot comment on the officers who were not present at their seats on Wednesday, as it is their personal matter. However, I urge the authorities to conduct a fair investigation into this case, he said.

Visitors, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, highlighted that they were not informed in advance about the unavailability of revenue officials.

The west tehsil office, which issues an average of around 100 appointments daily, was also affected along with other three tehsils.

Ludhiana has seven tehsils and 13 sub tehsil offices which were affected as officials remained absent from their seats.

A visitor, on the condition of anonymity, said, A few days ago, I had scheduled an appointment for the registration of my property. However, on that day, the website server was not working, leading to the rescheduling of my appointment today. And now, there are no officials available at the west tehsildar office.
Police have arrested a couple for duping multiple people of a total of 42 lakh by selling them fake international air tickets to various countries. A laptop with MS Word files of fake air tickets, and WhatsApp chats between the couple and the victims have been recovered from them. (Stock photo)

The victims, some of whom paid double charges for premium tickets, learnt of the fraud on reaching the immigration counters at airports.

The couple, identified as Rahul Chaddha and Preeti Sharma, ran the racket under the garb of a company, Holiday Machine, in Phase 10.

A laptop with MS Word files of fake air tickets, and WhatsApp chats between the couple and the victims have been recovered from them.

As per deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Priya Khera, 15 residents have filed complaints against the couple till now. They had fled to Himachal Pradesh and were arrested from Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur, after they returned to Punjab.

Khera said, The accused were nabbed while investigating the complaint of Navjeet Kaur, a resident of Sector 20, Panchkula.

The DSP said Kaur, in her complaint, had said the accused duped her of 1.11 lakh by giving her fake air tickets to Canada.

Chaddha had sent an air ticket to Kaur via e-mail and on finding it to be fake, she filed a case. The couple was booked after preliminary investigations.

Khera added, They have duped multiple people by giving them fake tickets. The victims would find out that the tickets were fake at the immigration counters and were forced to buy fresh tickets at high prices.

Were under debt

As per police, the accused were under heavy debt and had borrowed money from private financiers. They were planning to escape to Dubai. But police issued a look-out circular against them.

They had been hiding at a relatives house in Ballowal, Hoshiarpur, after returning from Himachal Pradesh. The accused were produced before a local court and sent to judicial remand after being in police custody for seven days.

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The Vigilance bureau officials on Wednesday grilled former Congress MLA Kuldeep Vaid for at least five hours in connection with a disproportionate assets case. On March 13 and 14, the technical team of the vigilance bureau conducted back-to-back raids to evaluate Vaids properties. (HT File Photo)

Vaid was summoned by the vigilance bureau to record his statement. He appeared with his chartered accountant.

The vigilance sought his bank transaction details and asked to submit the same by June 28.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP, vigilance bureau) Ravinderpal Singh said that the former MLA was summoned to record his statement on Monday, but he gave a miss citing some family emergency. On Wednesday, the vigilance bureau recorded his statement. He has been asked to provide details of bank transactions.

Vaid reached the vigilance office at around 10:30 am and remained there until 3:45 pm.

On March 13 and 14, the technical team of the vigilance bureau conducted back-to-back raids to evaluate his properties. The Division number 5 police had also registered an FIR against him under the Excise Act after liquor bottles in excessive quantities were recovered from his residence in Sarabha Nagar.

A 1992-batch Punjab civil service (PCS) officer, who was upgraded to the Indian Administrative Service in 2007, Vaid has served as the Moga deputy commissioner and additional chief administrator of Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority.

He won the 2017 assembly election from Ludhianas Gill constituency on the Congress ticket. He lost to Aam Aadmi Party candidate Jiwan Singh Sanghowal in the 2022 assembly polls. Vaid had declared assets worth 21.55 crore as per the affidavit filed in 2022 polls.
A year after the arrest of her husband for drug peddling, a woman, wanted by the Special Task Force (STF) and declared a proclaimed offender, was arrested with 258 gm heroin, 285 gm opium and 6.26 lakh drug money, police said on Wednesday. The accused has been identified as Alisha Chopra alias Pooja Chopra, 28. (iStock)

According to STF officials, the woman was hiding in the house of her father-in-law in Gurmail Park, Tibba Road and was arrested on Tuesday.

The accused has been identified as Alisha Chopra alias Pooja Chopra, 28. Her husband Akash Chopra was arrested by STF on June 22, 2022 for drug peddling, while Alisha had managed to escape.

Following the information provided by the woman, the police have also booked her brother-in-law (husbands brother) Shalu Chopra alias Ankush Chopra.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP, STF) Davinder Chaudhary said that STF team led by inspector Harbans Singh, incharge STF, Ludhiana range, arrested the woman from Gurmail Park following a tip-off. The STF received information that she was going to deliver the consignment of drugs.

Following the information provided by the accused, the STF have recovered 6.26 lakh drug money from the almirah in the house of her father-in-law.

Inspector Harbans Singh said that a case under sections 18, 21 of the NDPS act has been lodged against the accused at STF Mohali. During questioning, the woman told STF that after the arrest of her husband, she had fled to Nepal and returned to Ludhiana a few days ago.

The inspector said that the STF had arrested Akash Chopra for drug peddling and recovered an illegal weapon from his house with 6 bullets. A total of 2.05 kg heroin, a fleet of 8 cars, including Toyota Fortuner and Mercedes, 3 bikes and 3 scooters were recovered from his possession. A case under section 21 of the NDPS Act was lodged against the accused at STF, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali). Alisha was also booked in the case.

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In commemoration of the International Day of Yoga, an event was held at Raj Bhavan Shimla, jointly organised by the Department of AYUSH and the Yoga Department of Himachal Pradesh University. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, presided over the program, emphasising the benefits of yoga and its role in achieving overall well-being. The governor highlighted the transformative power of yoga and pranayama in daily lives, promoting both physical health and mental tranquility. He acknowledged the relentless efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in showcasing Indias rich yogic heritage, which has garnered international appreciation and recognition. The HP Governor highlighted the transformative power of yoga and pranayama in daily life. (HT Photo)

The practice of yoga and pranayama enables us to lead a stress-free life and attain a healthy body and a healthy mind, said Shukla. He further emphasised the significance of incorporating these practices into our daily routines, as they provide the gateway to good health and inner peace.

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Arpita Negi, assistant professor, Department of Yoga, HPU, and Dr Meena Gupta, AYUSH Department, the program witnessed the participation of the officers and officials of Raj Bhavan, along with enthusiastic yoga students. As International Day of Yoga continues to inspire people across the globe, Raj Bhavan Shimla remains committed to promoting the transformative power of yoga, fostering health, happiness, and peace in the lives of individuals. Secretary to governor, Rajesh Sharma, and other officers and officials of Raj Bhavan, joined enthusiastically in celebrating the occasion.
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday asked people to make yoga an integral part of their lives by devoting at least half an hour every day to it. The yoga day celebrations were organised across Haryana, with CM Manohar Lal Khattar and deputy CM Dushyant Chautala attending events in Panipat and Panchkula respectively. (Sant Arora/HT)

Khattar, who was addressing a gathering at Panipat on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, said, We can inspire others to do yoga only when we do it ourselves.

To stay healthy, we should make Yoga an integral part of our lives, Khattar, who along with the other participants, performed yoga at the event, said. He added that everybody should devote at least 30 to 40 minutes to yoga every day. The chief minister also said his government was making efforts to promote yoga.

Deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, meanwhile, took part in the celebrations at Panchkula and said yoga connects the world with Indias culture.

JP Nadda attends yoga event in Gurugram

The yoga day celebrations were also held in other parts of Haryana, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda participating in an event in Gurugram. BJPs state unit chief Om Prakash Dhankar was also present.

Haryana Police marks yoga day

Haryana Police organised the state level yoga event at the Police Officers Institute in Panchkula. The event witnessed the participation of the director general of police (DGP) Haryana PK Agrawal, along with other senior police officers and personnel. Under the guidance of instructors, they perform various yoga asanas .

During the event, messages from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Khattar were broadcast live.

Addressing the gathering, the DGP congratulated everyone and highlighted that the International Day of Yoga has been celebrated globally for the past nine years. He emphasised the importance of incorporating yoga into our daily routines to maintain a healthy body.

The officers performed various yoga activities, including surya namaskar, kapalbhati, anulom vilom and other yoga asanas, under the expert guidance of the instructors.

This year the theme of Yoga Day is Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or yoga for the welfare of all in the form of One World, One Family. Arrangements have also been made in different parts of the country to celebrate the occasion and spread awareness of the benefits of ancient Indian practice.

It is the ninth year since the UN recognised June 21 as the International Day of Yoga through a resolution in 2014.
With the monsoon all set to make onset in Himachal Pradesh, the concern of the state is that not even a single life should be lost due to the lack of preparedness or delay in action, principal secretary, Revenue, Onkar Chand Sharma said during a meeting organised by disaster management cell on the preparedness for the impending monsoon season. With the monsoon all set to make onset in Himachal Pradesh, the concern of the state is that not even a single life should be lost due to the lack of preparedness or delay in action, said officials. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo)

Presiding over the meeting, Sharma said that real time information, which is reliable and actionable, can aid in quickening the responses at the time of emergency situations.

The meeting laid stress on accumulation and dissemination of real time information regarding the rise or drop in the water level of water bodies and dams, earthquakes, cloud bursts, lightning and other natural disasters can prove vital in preventing loss of lives, properties and other valuables.

The principal secretary focused on the use of modern-day technologies, especially SACHET app developed by National Disaster Management Authority, to get localised information that is updated regularly with accurate information. SACHET app provides weather related alerts on time and also guides about dos and donts in a particular state of emergency at a particular place and time.

He also directed the concerned departments and officials to work in tandem with dam, power plant and river management authorities to get timely information regarding rise or drop in river level, landslides and release of water from the dams so that the to-be-affected areas could be identified and preparedness level be tested and response teams be alerted. He also directed the district administrations to keep a check on illegal mining, especially on riverbed, as this erosion causes breakages of roads and landslides leading to fatal accidents.

Sharma said that it has been observed that during the monsoon collapse of bridges and roads, flooding of drinking water schemes, breakage of water pipes, electricity wires and poles hinders the essential services. He directed the concerned departments to keep note of the areas vulnerable to such damages and act early and swiftly to minimise the risks. Need was felt for small dams to be brought under the ambit of Dams Safety Act, 2021, and in future construction should be carried as per the procedures laid under the Act.

He said that apart from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Home Guards and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, there are over 15,000 Apda Mitra and state volunteers in the state to assist in any emergent situation. He further said that in order to ensure availability of trained troops, the Apda Mitra and other volunteers should be provided with frequent trainings and workshops. Additionally, safety programmes and mock drills should be conducted by NDRF and SDRF in schools and public places to raise awareness and check preparedness. Sharma said that there should be no delay in providing aids, grants and relief fund benefits to the affected and needy people. He directed the officers to clear any backlogs in this regard. The areas prone to risks must also ensure advance stocking of food items, blankets, sleeping bags, water storage tanks and fogging machines to cater to the needs at the time of emergency.

During the meeting the deputy commissioners were asked constantly update data entries on National Disaster Management Information System (NDMIS) for smooth functioning of financial matters.

Director and special secretary, Disaster Management, DC Rana, director, Indian Meteorological Department, director, Central Water Commission, Shimla, director Energy, senior officials of NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, Home Guards were present at the meeting, whereas, deputy commissioners of all districts joined the meeting virtually.
A woman wishing to book an appointment with a private hospital after looking up its customer care number online lost 1 lakh to online swindlers. She approached the hospital for help, only to learn that the hospital did not provide online appointments. Nishu then turned to Panchkula police, who lodged an FIR. (Stock photo)

The victim, Nishu, a resident of Sector 12, Panchkula, was feeling unwell on June 6. So, she searched for the phone number of Shri Ram Hospital in Sector 11, Panchkula, on Google to book an online appointment for treatment.

Nishu told the police that on calling the given phone number, she was told to pay 10 through a hyperlink sent to her mobile phone.

As told, she made the payment, following which she received an appointment confirmation message for 6.30 pm next day.

But on June 7, she received a text message that 99,999 were debited from her bank account.

She approached the hospital for help, only to learn that the hospital did not provide online appointments. Nishu then turned to police, who lodged an FIR under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code at the Sector 5 police station.

Another woman conned in same manner

A Chandimandir resident, who wished to visit PGIMER, Chandigarh, for her grandfathers treatment, also lost 90,000 through the same modus operandi.

Coincidentally, the victim in this case, Tanya, had also tried to book an online appointment after locating a phone number on Google on June 7.

Earlier also on March 23, a similar complaint was lodged by Devanshu Goyal of Sector 7, Panchkula.

Goyal complained to police that fraudsters withdrew 1 lakh from his bank account after he called a phone number, found through a Google search, to book an appointment with a private hospital in Phase 6, Mohali.

He had submitted that he had taken the customer care number from the hospitals website.

Beware while booking online appointments: Panchkula DCP

Meanwhile, Panchkula police have issued an advisory, urging residents to exercise caution while booking online appointments for hospitals.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Sumer Pratap Singh said as a number of hospitals offered online appointments, cyber criminals were now targeting patients posing as hospital staff.

The cyber criminals display their numbers and hyperlinks online. Whenever a person calls on these numbers, the fraudsters send a link through WhatsApp, asking to make payment for a small amount. They take personal details of the person and later withdraw money from their bank accounts, said the DCP.

He urged residents not to share their details with strangers. He said for online appointments of hospitals, one did not need to call any phone number.

Residents should access the hospital website directly and fill in details after examining the website carefully. No appointments are given on call, he added.

He also cautioned residents against sharing OTPs with any stranger for any reason.

Cyber crime complaints can be made at helpline number 1930 or online at with www.cybercrime.gov.in

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The local police on Wednesday arrested two more persons in connection with the 8.49 crore robbery at CMS, a cash management company and recovered 18 lakh from their possession. Ludhiana police with the recovered money during a press conference. (HT Photo)

With this, a total of 18 people have been arrested so far in the case and a total of 7.14 crore have been recovered.

The police have also recovered five digital video recorders (DVRs) and two wi-fi modems from a nullah near Barnala with the help of divers following the information provided by the accused.

Commissioner of police Mandeep Singh Sidhu said that the two accused who were arrested on Wednesday have been identified as Pawan Kumar alias Jolly and Damanpreet Singh alias Amna- both from Barnala.

The accused were a part of the group of thieves who had stolen cash from robbers car in Barnala. A total 2 lakh each has been recovered from their possession.

He added that the police have also recovered another tranche of 14 lakh from Abhi Singla, who was arrested earlier for stealing cash from robbers car. The accused had hid the cash in the washing machine in his house in Barnala. A total of 24 lakh have been recovered from Abhi Singla.

Earlier, on June 19 the police arrested Abhi Singla, Neeraj, Mandeep, and Prince for stealing cash from the car of robbers and had recovered a total of 70 lakh from their possession.

Further, the commissioner of police added that during interrogation, Mandeep Kaur alias Mona, one of the key conspirators of the robbery, and her husband Jaswinder Singh have told the police that they had dumped the DVRs and wi-fi modems in a nullah near Barnala and had proceeded for pilgrimage.

The police hired divers, who fished out the DVRs from the nullah. The police will scan the DVRs to find the clues.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tarsem Singh Deogan Tarsem Singh Deogan is a senior reporter at Ludhiana. He has 16 years of experience in journalism. He has covered all beats and now focuses on crime reporting. ...view detail
The local police handed over 256 lost and stolen mobiles to their owners at Police Lines on Wednesday. Commissioner of police said that in the past six months, the police have arrested 571 accused involved in snatchings and recovered 1,556 mobile phones from their possession. (HT File Photo)

The police invited the owners of the mobile phones to Police lines and handed them their mobile phones, which they had lost to snatchers, burglars.

Commissioner of police Mandeep Singh Sidhu said that mobile phones are far more important than their monetary value for the owners due to saved data, including contacts, passwords, personal information and pictures and videos.

He said that Ludhiana police have made it a priority to trace lost or stolen phones with the help of technology and hand them over to the owners immediately.

Lauding the efforts of the information and technology and cyber cell teams for tracking and recovering these mobile phones, the commissioner of police said that most owners belong to middle class families and each mobile costs around 10,000 to 15,000.

Advising the people to quickly report to the police about the loss of their mobile phones, especially smart phones, so that these are not misused by anti-social elements, the commissioner of police said that this would further help the police to take strict action against miscreants.

He also directed the officials to prepare data of case properties so that these can be returned to their owners.

Further, the commissioner of police said that in the past six months, the police have arrested 571 accused involved in snatchings and recovered 1,556 mobile phones from their possession. After completing the formalities, the police will return the mobile phones to the owners.
Digging deeper into the multi-crore guava tree compensation scam, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Wednesday arrested the Kharar horticulture development officer (HDO), Vaishali. This is the 17th arrest in the scam wherein compensation worth crores was wrongfully claimed in lieu of land acquired by GMADA at Mohalis Bakarpur village. (Getty Images)

This is the 17th arrest in the scam wherein compensation worth crores was wrongfully claimed in lieu of land acquired by GMADA at Mohalis Bakarpur village.

Revealing this, an official VB spokesperson said the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) had acquired land for development of Aerotropolis project alongside Airport Road in Mohali.

As per the acquisition policy, compensation against land acquired was to be provided in accordance with GMADAs Land Pooling Policy.

Value of fruit trees attached to the land was to be paid in addition to the value of the land, and the trees value was to be determined by the department of horticulture.

Subsequently, the GMADA land acquisition collector (LAC) sent a fruit tree survey list to the horticulture director, requesting to prepare an assessment report.

The spokesperson said firstly, assessment work of Pocket A (Bakarpur village) was marked by deputy director, Mohali, to the Dera Bassi HDO, Jaspreet Singh Sidhu, whereas this area fell in the jurisdiction of the Kharar HDO.

Sidhu submitted his assessment report, considering 2,500 plants per acre, that too of Category 1 and 2. This report was further sent to the GMADA LAC to release payments accordingly.

However, some landowners filed applications that their plants had not been assessed rightly and claimed enhanced compensation. On the basis of these applications, the horticulture director constituted a state-level committee to verify this report.

The committee comprised two assistant directors and two HDOs. The committee suggested reassessment of plants as per classification of orchards according to health and yield.

Thereafter, assessment of Pocket A was assigned to Kharar HDO Vaishali, who submitted her report, which was almost similar to the first report, suggesting most plants as fruit yielding (4-5 years of age) so that maximum possible compensation could be passed on to the beneficiaries, he added.

On the basis of her report, around 145 crore were released as compensation, the spokesperson said, adding that Vaishali had been absconding since the registration of FIR and her anticipatory bail was dismissed by a sessions court in Mohali.

Her bail petition was also pending before the Punjab and Haryana high court that had not allowed her any interim relief.

Further investigation is underway to determine roles of other officials of the horticulture department, he added.

Modus operandi

As per the Vigilance Bureau, the accused were aware of the extra benefit provided in lieu of fruit trees planted on land being acquired by GMADA. Hence, they purchased land in the area under acquisition and connivingly planted guava trees on them.

Further, in collusion with officials of GMADA, and revenue and horticultural departments, they wrongfully secured crores as compensation by claiming that the saplings were planted since 2016, thereby causing significant loss to the exchequer. As per VB officials, the scam is pegged at over 100 crore.

As many as 35 people have been named as accused in the case. Initially, the FIR was registered against 18 people, but during investigation, names of 17 more people were included. They are facing charges under Sections 409, 420, 465, 466, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 13 (1) (a) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also sought records of compensation as well as the details of bank accounts of all compensation beneficiaries.
LUCKNOW Police investigation into a missing bike complaint by a villager unravelled a couples conspiracy in Sitapur to kill their 18-year-old daughter over her relationship with a youth, police said on Wednesday. Axe and scarf used in the killing were recovered from the husband and wife. They were booked under IPC sections 302 for murder, 120-B for criminal conspiracy and 201 for concealing the body (Pic for representation)

The throat-slit naked body of an unidentified girl was found near a pond in Saholi village under Sandana police station limits on Saturday. Cops failed to ascertain the deceaseds identity for nearly three days, but a complaint about a missing motorcycle by one Ram Autar of nearby Pakarnarayanpur village on Tuesday gave them a breakthrough in the murder case, which was solved within a few hours with the arrest of the girls parents.

ASP (Sitapur) NP Singh said the police got suspicious after receiving information that one Pankaj Kumar, along with his wife, daughter and two sons, was missing for four days after borrowing a motorcycle from Ram Autar. He said the complainant (Ram Autar) informed that Pankaj Kumar, a native of the same village, had borrowed the bike to visit his in-laws place on Friday and had been missing since then.

Probe confirmed the identity of the deceased girl as Pankajs daughter, following which the police reached his in-laws house in Begurawa village nearby and took Pankaj and his wife into custody, after which the couple confessed to killing their daughter.

The couple confessed that they were fed up with their daughter, who had a relationship with a youth belonging to a different caste while living in Delhi where the family worked as domestic help. The couple visited their native village in Sitapur a week ago with a plan to eliminate their daughter, if she did not agree to end this relationship, the official said.

As per plan, Pankaj left his village telling people that he was going to visit his in-laws house on Friday. He strangulated his daughter with the help of his wife after halting at a deserted place near Saholi village. The couple also slit the throat of the girl and fled after disposing of the body there itself.

The couples two minor sons were also present when the crime was executed, said OP Tiwari, in-charge of Sadana police station. He said the accused removed the girls clothes so that her identity could not be ascertained.

He said the axe and the scarf used in the killing were also recovered from the accused and they were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 302 for murder, 120-B for criminal conspiracy and 201 for concealing the body.

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A local occultist or tantrik from Uttar Pradeshs Lakhimpur Kheri district allegedly hacked to death a 27-year-old woman from Shahjahanpur who was in a relationship with another woman she met in college, police said on Tuesday. Police said Kumari was called for the alleged ritual and left her house  roughly 50km away from Lakhimpur Kheri  on April 18.(Representational Photo (Getty Images/iStockphoto) )

Poonam Kumari, a resident of Shahjahanpur, was allegedly lured by the tantrik, identified as Ram Niwas, with the promise of changing her gender, police added.

Kumari and her 25-year-old partner, Preeti Sagar, who lived in Lakhimpur Kheri, met while pursuing a bachelor of education degree and were in a relationship for a few months, said Shahjahanpurs additional superintendent of police (ASP) city, Sudhir Jaiswal. The Lakhimpur Kheri womans reluctance in getting married to a man despite her familys multiple efforts, revealed her relationship status, and invited opposition from both the families who feared social stigma, he added.

Police have arrested Sagar under several charges, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

Lakhimpur Kheris Mohammadi police station in-charge, Amber Singh, said the occultist was in touch with Sagars mother and told her that changing Kumaris gender could help her get married to Sagar.

He said Kumari was called for the alleged ritual and left her house  roughly 50km away from Lakhimpur Kheri  on April 18. She was reported missing by her brother Parvinder Kumar on April 26. The police came to know about Preeti Sagar when they scanned the victims call details and discovered they both had been talking over phone for long durations, said Jaiswal.

The occultist has been taken into police custody. He confessed to having strangulated Kumari after calling her at a deserted place on the pretext of performing a ritual to change her gender.

Niwas fled after disposing of the body on the banks of the Gomti in a forested area, the ASP said. Police recovered 11 bones from near Sagars house and have sent it for forensic examination.

In the FIR, Kumar accused Sagar, her mother Urmila and Niwas of murdering his sister.

A police officer said the FIR was lodged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and 201 (concealing body after crime).

The sordid saga underlines the plight of same-sex couples in India today and shows that despite decriminalisation of same-sex relationships, social stigma continued to dog such unions. Only a concerted social push to dispel such bias and persistent police action against such unscientific practices can mitigate this harm.

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For over a year now, the BMC has been functioning without any elected representatives. The tenure of the elected body ended last February, and since then it is being run by an administrator who reports to the state government and is not subject to any kind of scrutiny. Mumbaikars dont harbour any great hope about the civic representatives they elect, but they know that the latter will at least keep an eye on the way the city is being run. PREMIUM Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray during a celebration of the 57th anniversary of Shiv Sena at Sanmukthanand Hall, in Mumbai on Monday.(ANI)

But while there is no official word on when the civic polls will be held, a sudden spurt in activities indicates that they could be round the corner. On Monday, chief minister Eknath Shinde appointed a special investigation team under Mumbai police chief Vivek Phansalkar to probe alleged irregularities of 12,000 crore in the BMC. These purported irregularities took place during the Covid pandemic, when the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena was in power in the BMC, and this appears to be at the root of the Shinde-Fadnavis governments act.

While Thackeray reacted to this with a plan to take out a morcha to highlight alleged corruption during the administrators rule, Wednesday saw a further onslaught in the form of Enforcement Directorate raids on the residences of Suraj Chavan, an associate of Aaditya Thackeray, and Sujit Patkar, a friend of Sanjay Raut. It will be a long legal process before the duo is declared guilty or innocent, but the Thackeray faction could be worried about the negative perception that their regime in BMC was corrupt.

These incidents are the latest in a series of developments related to Mumbairight from prime minister Narendra Modis Mumbai rally to garner votes for the BJP to chief minister Shindes visits to infrastructure project sites and monsoon preparedness works in the city. The ruling parties target is clear: power in the BMC, which has been a source of strength and influence for the Shiv Sena for almost three decades.

For Thackeray, Mumbai is vital. It is the only region where most Shiv Sena MLAs have remained with him: of the 16 loyalists, nine come from Mumbai. In the 2019 elections, the Shiv Sena won 14 seats in Mumbai. Nine of these MLAs have stayed with Thackeray while five defected to the Shinde-led Sena. Over 80 ex-corporators in the BMC are still with Thackeray while 12 have joined Shinde. A big chunk of the Shiv Sena city cadres has also remained loyal to Thackeray.

Considering these figures, the Thackeray-led Sena is a strong political entity in Mumbai. This could change if the Shinde Sena and BJP win the BMC. On the other hand, Thackeray could bounce back in the state if his party manages to return to power in the civic body.

This explains why the Mumbai civic polls are so important and will be fought intensely. Mumbai will decide the outcome of the Shinde-versus-Thackeray battle.
MUMBAI The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has written to Maharashtra government, seeking to take over the Ambedkar Museum in London, and convert it into an autonomous unit. The central government has made the move, saying disparate foreign academics claiming to be Ambedkarites were seeking control over the museum. PREMIUM Centre to take over Ambedkar Museum in London

The MEAs letter to the state government last month, a copy of which is with HT, states after the museum is upgraded and becomes an autonomous body a director rank officer from the government of India will be in-charge of its functioning. This will help us to promote a broader understanding of Ambedkars work including his views on nation building, diversity, inclusion, institution building, decentralistaion among others, the letter stated.

The letter underlines the autonomy will prevent hijacking of the institution by forces inimical to the national interests. The museum has considerable convening power which may be utilised positively to project the ideals of Babasaheb and London provides a huge opportunity for it.

The museum was acquired by the Maharashtra government in 2015 for 3.2 million and thrown open to the scholars and academicians after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that year.

The museum on 10, King Henry Road, in London was Dr B R Ambedkars home for two years between 1921 and 22 when the Dalit icon and architect of the Indian constitution was the student of London School of Economics. It was inaugurated in November 2015, after the state government acquired the G+2 storey 2050 sqft house in northwest London. The main floor has a selection of black and white photographs, Ambedkars famous quotes and a room dedicated to bound copies of his writings, apart from a large painting of the preamble of the Indian Constitution mounted on one of its walls.

The state governments social justice department is all set with a response in the affirmative to the Centres proposal. The letter will be dashed off to the MEA soon after consultation with chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

State government which spends 1.5 crore on the upkeep of the museum through the Indian High Commissioner was all set to go ahead with a plan for its further upgrade. There were plans to enhance the museum by installing more artifacts, including Babasahebs study table and making available audio guides for visitors. A laser show was also planned. This was proposed after we received suggestions from visitors and Ambedkarites. However, we have to stall this, in the wake of Centres move to take over the museum, said an official from the state government, requesting anonymity. He added, the central government maintains 126 such properties in London as a custodian. We will be absolved of the responsibility of maintaining the museum after the Centre takes over.

Reacting to the Centres move, Santosh Dass MBE, and president of Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK (FABO UK) told HT: We do not support the government of India taking over the running of the Ambedkar Museum in London. It was bought by the Maharashtra government after FABOs proposal in September 2014 that the Maharashtra government give a one-off grant of 4million to the body to purchase and develop the 3.2 million house that had come on the market. The state government instead decided to buy the house, as it said, such grants were not given. It wanted to preserve it.

Dass said the organisation was content with the knowledge that the house would be looked after for future generations to visit. She recalled how the state government had robustly resisted the Centres bid to buy the property on February 2, 2017. Minister Raj Kumar Badoleji from the Maharashtra government set up a Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Advisory Committee in London to refurbish it. Any move by the central government  whatever be its political persuasion  to take over the museum must be resisted.

Noted Ambedkar scholar, JV Pawar said, The Maharashtra government put in all its efforts first to acquire the house and later to maintain it. There is no issue if the central government is taking it over, although there is no reason to do so. Afterall, the state government was doing a good job of maintaining it.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at 15 locations in the city and adjoining areas as part of its money-laundering probe into the alleged irregularities in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) awarding a contract for two jumbo Covid-19 centres in 2020. Mumbai, India - June 21, 2023: ED raid on Sujeet Patkars residence at Sumit Artista building, Kalina, Sanracruz in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

The firm under the scanner is Lifeline Hospital Management Services that had bagged a 38-crore bid to set up two facilities at Dahisar and Worli.

Among those whose premises were raided were businessman Sujit Patkar, a family friend of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Suraj Chavan, party secretary and close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjeev Jaiswal, then additional municipal commissioner, BMC, Ramakant Biradar, deputy municipal commissioner, and a civic health officer, agency sources said.

The searches were carried out at houses and offices in Bandra East, Santacruz, Worli and Chembur, the sources said, adding 14 of the locations were in the city.

The ED case is based on an FIR the Azad Maidan police had registered in August 2022 against partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services. Patkar is one of its partners, the sources said.

According to the FIR that was based on a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya, the company had submitted forged documents to the BMC, and it had no experience in providing manpower at a medical facility.

Somaiya alleged that after a journalist had died of Covid-19 at a jumbo centre run by the firm in 2020 in Pune, the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) jointly ordered a probe.

The PMRDA even seized the security amount of 25 lakh deposited by the firm, the complaint said, adding the inquiry revealed that the company had no experience in providing medical services nor did it have adequate staff. Thereafter, the PMRDA issued a direction blacklisting Lifeline, Somaiya added.

However, the BMC awarded the same company a contract worth 38 crore of which a payment of 32 crore had been made, the FIR said. The BJP leader further claimed that the firm was unregistered, and the partnership deed submitted to the BMC was dubious.

The agency had on January 16 recorded the statement of municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal. Chahal claimed that the BMC had no mechanism at the time to verify documents submitted by various firms bidding for contracts to provide manpower at jumbo centres or, indeed, for any other tender, ED officials said.

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Barely 24 hours after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced a march protesting alleged scams in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the last one year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the houses of Suraj Chavan, party secretary and a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, and Sujit Patkar, a friend of MP Sanjay Raut. ED raids an attempt to malign image, says Thackeray faction

Though the central agency claimed that the searches were part of its probe into the irregularities in the BMC awarding a contract to Lifeline Hospital Management Services for two jumbo Covid-19 centres, the Sena (UBT) called it a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to malign the image of the Thackeray family ahead of the civic elections. Patkar is one of the partners at the firm, ED sources said.

Chavan is the third from the party after Raut and MLC Anil Parab who have come under the ED scanner.

Around 8 am on Wednesday, ED sleuths reached Chavans home at Chembur. As the news broke, party workers gathered outside the building and raised slogans against the government.

Before the split in the Shiv Sena, the ED and other central agencies started inquiries against many leaders like Yamini Jadhav and her husband Yashwant Jadhav, and Pratap Sarnaik. But once they switched their loyalty and joined the Eknath Shinde camp, no action was taken against them, a party leader told reporters.

Sena (UBT) MP and chief spokesperson Arvind Sawant alleged that the raids were nothing but pressure tactics and a conspiracy to malign the image of the Thackeray family.

The Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government is not confident to win the BMC elections as a recent survey says Thackeray is the most popular leader. So, to malign the image of the Thackeray family with corruption charges, the ED conducted these raids. Besides, the ruling alliance wants to use these raids to threaten local leaders, former corporators to switch sides, Sawant said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Thackeray held a meeting with Vibhag Paramukhs (divisional chiefs) at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar.

According to a leader, who attended the meeting, Thackeray said that these raids were part of the BJPs strategy to malign the image of his family ahead of the BMC polls. Fadnavis, Shinde thought that the sympathy wave for the party and the Thackeray family would ebb, but it is not happening. So, to malign the image, the government will do such things in future too.

Reacting to the allegations, Sheetal Mhatre, spokesperson for Shinde camp, said, If something wrong has happened it must be probed. The Central government is only doing its job. The inquiry must reach its logical end.

BJP MLA Ameet Satam said, This is just the beginning and people who have looted Mumbai for the last 25 years will be exposed. The BMC scam is the biggest in the country since independence.

On Monday, Shinde ordered a probe by a special investigation team headed by the city police commissioner to probe alleged irregularities in the BMC during the pandemic. In a counterattack, Thackeray on Tuesday announced that his party would take out a protest march to the BMC headquarters on July 1 to question the scams done by the administration of the civic body in the last one year since the tenure of the elected body was over and the BMC was handled by the municipal commissioner who reports to the urban development department headed by Shinde.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at 15 locations in Mumbai and adjoining areas as part of its money-laundering probe related to alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for running jumbo Covid centres in the city. Enforcement Directorate (Representative Photo)

According to the people familiar with the matter, 14 premises were searched in Mumbai and one premise outside the city. Among those whose premises were searched by the agency included IAS officer Sanjiv Jaiswal and businessman Sujit Patkar, a family friend of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut.

The agency had in January recorded the statement of citys municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal in its probe to seek information and clarifications related to the case.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu minister Balaji undergoes bypass surgery week after ED arrested him

The ED probe is related to a first information report (FIR) lodged at the Azad Maidan police station in August 2022 against partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services, contracted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to set up two jumbo centres. Patkar is one of the firms partners.

According to the FIR, the company got the BMC contract by allegedly providing forged documents and had no experience in providing manpower for any medical or health facility.

According to the FIR, in 2020, a news journalist died of Covid in Pune after which the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) jointly probed the firm. It also seized the security amount of Rs. 25 lakh deposited by the Lifeline Hospital Management Services.

The inquiry revealed that the company had no experience in providing medical services nor did it have adequate staff and only had junior doctors. Thereafter, the PMRDA issued a direction blacklisting Lifeline.

The BMC however still awarded Lifeline a contract worth Rs. 38 crore to provide services at two jumbo Covid centres in Mumbai. The FIR also said that the partnership firm was not registered, and the partnership deed submitted to the BMC was dubious.

Also Read: Delhi excise policy case: HC seeks EDs response to businessmans default bail plea

In March-April 2020, when the pandemic hit Mumbai, only 3,750 beds were available at civic hospitals even as the central government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned of lakhs of patients in the months to follow, according to civic officials.

Chahal had told the ED that the BMC had no mechanism at the time to verify documents submitted by various entities bidding for contracts to provide manpower for the jumbo centres or, indeed, for any other tender.

Of the 10 jumbo centres set up during the pandemic with ICU dialysis and oxygen beds, one is under the EDs scanner, Chahal had said in January. These centres helped save more than 97,000 Mumbaikars, Chahal had said.
Mumbai: In a kerfuffle over Uddhav Thackerays security cover, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders stated that the security arrangements hitherto enjoyed by the Sena (UBT) chief and his family had been reduced on Wednesday by the Shinde-Fadnavis government. However, according to home department officials, there was no change, and only the extra arrangements over and above the security category had been removed. Mumbai, India - June 21, 2023 : Police Security removed Maharashtra EX CM and Shivsena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Chief Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree, Bandra, in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo)

According to Sena (UBT) leaders, escort vehicles and pilot cars have been taken away from Thackeray, his wife Rashmi and sons Aaditya and Tejas. The gunmen in a bunker outside Kalanagar society, which houses the Thackeray bungalow, Matoshree, have also been removed and the number security personnel at his residence reduced from 12 to five.

Thackeray faction MP Vinayak Raut on Wednesday criticised the Shinde-Fadnavis government for the act. Even Congress governments never reduced the security of the Thackeray family, he said. But the Shinde-Fadnavis government has done it even as it provides security to former corporators and local leaders from Thane. This is just playing cheap politics.

According to home department sources, however, the status of security provided to the Thackeray family has not changed, and Uddhav Thackeray continues to get Z-plus security. Their category remains the same, said an official. During the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi regime, they were given more security than the prescribed limit for their category. Only those extra security arrangements have been withdrawn.

ALSO READ: Uddhav camp sacks Manisha Kayande as spokesperson ahead of her cross-over to Shinde Sena

The Mumbai police too claimed that there was no security cut. there is no withdrawal or downgrading in the scale of security of any categorised protected person residing within the jurisdictional limit of the Mumbai police, said an official statement.

Z-plus security for Bal Thackeray after Babri demolition

Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was given Z-plus security at his residence Matoshree after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the riots and serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1992-1993. Thackeray had openly declared his support to the Babri Masjid demolition, while his party was involved in the Hindu-Muslim riots. In the March 1993 blasts masterminded by Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon as retaliation for the riots, one blast took place near Shiv Sena Bhavan.

There was also an intelligence report of the time, which claimed that Bal Thackeray was on the hit list of terrorist organisations. Therefore, the Congress government, besides providing Z-plus security to Thackeray, also set up a bunker with gunmen outside the gate of Kalanagar, the society in which Thackeray lives in Bandra East. Even after his death, successive state governments continued the security arrangements given to the Thackeray family, as his son Uddhav Thackeray continued as party chief of the Shiv Sena.
Two persons were killed while one person was seriously injured when two cars had head-on collision near Mari Mata temple in Arjunganj under Cantt police station limits during wee hours of Wednesday. (Pic for representation)

As per the Lucknow police, the deceased were identified as Lucknow resident Ashwani Dubey alias Sonu, 35, and his friend Prem Prakash Upadhyaya, 32, from Gorakhpur. The injured person, Amrit Srivastava, 30, of Sant Kabir Nagar, is undergoing treatment at the trauma centre of King Georges Medical University.

The police said the incident occurred around 2am on Wednesday when the drivers of the two cars apparently tried to pass hurriedly from the narrow passage in front of the temple and collided with each other. They said the two deceased were in the same car while the injured person was in another car.

In another early morning accident on Wednesday, one person identified as Rahimabad resident Becchelal, 30, was killed while eleven others, including two minors, were injured when a speeding truck collided head-on with a jeep ferrying a group of labourers at Bhulbhulakheda turn on Lucknow-Hardoi highway at around 6.30 am.

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Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular [HAM(S)] joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after party founder Jitan Ram Manjhi and party president Santosh Kumar Suman met with union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. HAM(S) founder and leader Jitan Ram Manjhi (left) met with union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi (right) (ANI Photo)

The two leaders met Shah at his residence on Wednesday a few days after Manjhi announced to withdraw support from chief minister Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar.

In principle, we are with the NDA from today. We will discuss various aspects of seat sharing and other matters as an alliance partner later, said Suman, former minister and national president of HAM(S) in an interaction with a Hindi news channel in New Delhi after the meeting.

Also Read: Ex-Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhis HAM withdraws support from Nitish govt

The move comes just a week after Bihars regional party snapped ties with the ruling grand alliance.

According to the party leaders, it was not agreeable for HAM(S) to merge with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U).

Moreover, the Bihar CM had accused Manjhi, who also was the former chief minister of the state, of spying on mahagathbandhan allies for the BJP in Bihar after on June 13 Suman had resigned from the Bihar cabinet indicating the growing bitterness of the HAM(S) with the ruling JD(U) and its allies in the grand alliance coalition.

Asked about future plans and the number of seats HAM(S) would demand from the BJP in Bihar, Suman said that all matters would be discussed later.

Also Read: Manjhi was BJP spy, HAM not a part of Bihar alliance: Nitish

Right now, we have just made a decision to join the BJP-led NDA, he said.

Meanwhile, Manhji had claimed that the party was keen on contesting at least five seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections polls and identified around 15 seats where the party has the capability to name candidates.

The Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance has 164 MLAs in the 243-seat Bihar assembly. HAM-S has a total of four MLAs in the House.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirban Guha Roy A journalist for 21 years, Anirban covers RJD, legislature and government beats. Has extensive experience in covering elections and writes regularly on finance, land reforms, registration, excise and socio-economic issues. ...view detail
More than three dozen rivers in Bihar have dried while in nearly two dozen rivers, the water is below gauge level due to the prolonged heatwave and delayed monsoon, the water resources department said. Water level is falling in some other rivers in the state (Representative/File Photo)

Officials said that the rivers, including Bagmati in Buxar, Chandan in Banka, Gandak in Gopalganj-Kuchaikot, Panchane, Chiraiyan and Paimar in Nalanda and Tilaiyya in Nawada- Hisua have dried up. While the rivers, including Jeewachh Dhaar, Kamla Balan, Kamla Dhaar and Tisbharwa in Darbhanga, Durgawati, Karmanasa, Kodra in Kaimur, Falgu in Jehanabad, and Lakhandei in Muzaffarpur have below the gauge level water.

Moreover, the water level is falling in some other rivers in the state, according to the report.

The day temperatures in Bihar have remained unusually high for the past several days. In parts of Bihar, the day temperature soared to the highest 45.9C, with officials stating that the state has seen the longest spell of heatwave in the last 11 years.

Also Read: Bihar: Delayed monsoon, severe heatwave affects paddy seedlings transplantation

Officials say these rivers have turned shallow and narrow because of siltation and encroachments with structures can be witnessed over the land in the river bed.

Over 200 concrete constructions can be witnessed over the land in the river bed of the Panchane at Chandi Mau in Nalanda. A big part of the river had started drying up during summers due to silt and garbage a few years ago. The land grabbers considered it as an opportunity and instead of getting the river rejuvenated, they turned the river bed into construction sites, Neeraj Kumar, who has been fighting for the revival of the river under the banner, Panchane Nadi Bachao Abhiyan Samiti, said.

Recently, the villagers organised at Chandi Mau Nalanda, a Pani Panchayat and discussed their problems with Indian water conservationist and environmentalist Rajendra Singh, he added.

The encroachments and decades of siltation were considered the two main reasons for the bad status of Panchane. Encroachments have to be eliminated and the river to needs to be desilted  Kumar said.

But this is not only with Panchane, most of the rivers in the state which are now in bad shape, have been going through similar kinds of problems, said Kumar.

Also Read: As heatwave rages on, Centre rushes teams to UP and Bihar

Concerned over the status of rivers in the state, Rajeev Rajan, an environment enthusiast who has been distributing plants free of cost in schools in rural areas for a decade, said the drying up of the rivers in the state was a bad sign.

Groundwater level has gone down in many areas of the state. We knew this situation would come if proper care of forests, trees and rivers would not be taken. To maintain a good level of tree cover in the state, we have been distributing plants among children in a bid to make them aware about the need for trees and forests for good rainfall, he said.

Rivers are important for life and survival, especially in rural areas. It not only maintains the groundwater level of the area but is also important for farming, he added.

Chaitanya Prasad, the water resources department secretary was not available to comment.

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Performance in the last three polls, state or national, could form the basis of seat sharing among the motley group of political parties whose leaders are meeting in Patna on June 23 in their bid to forge a coalition to challenge the ruling BJP in the 2024 parliamentary elections, according to a formula likely to be proposed by the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the two main constituents of the ruling alliance in Bihar, people familiar with the matter said. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar with Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on May 22. (ANI)

The performance could be assessed both in terms of the vote share of a party as well as the number of seats it won, according to leaders of the mahagathbandhan, as the ruling alliance in Bihar is called.

Leaders of around 15 parties, including Congresss Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, besides top Left leaders, are due to attend the Patna meet, which has been called by Bihar chief minister and JD-Us de facto supremo Nitish Kumar, a former ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

It would be a useful methodology to avoid disputes over seat sharing, especially between regional parties and Congress in states where the latter is in alliance with regional parties, like in Bihar and Jharkhand, said a mahagathbandhan leader, not willing to be named.

An RJD leader said the formula could also work in states such as West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, where seat sharing between Congress and regional allies like TMC and Samajwadi Party will be no easy task.

Speculation is already rife that Congress is keen on staking claim on at least 350 Lok Sabha seats across the country.

Another mahagathbandhan leader said the formula gives weightage to a party that has won higher number of seats despite getting a smaller vote share compared to its ally. This, according to the leader, could help JD(U) get more seats as compared to RJD in Bihar, which drew a blank in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections though it performed better than JD (U) in 2015 and 2020 assembly polls.

JD(U), which realigned with RJD in August 2022 after snapping ties with BJP, had won 16 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 as a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In the 2020 assembly polls, the party won only 43 seats whereas RJD (then in opposition) won 75 seats and Congress 19.

Mahagathbandhan leaders say a similar methodology was used for seat sharing among constituents which had joined the Janata Party-led alliance in 1977 and trounced the Congress in the parliamentary elections that year.

Bhola Yadav, national general secretary of the RJD, said, Once the front takes shape, the exercise of seat sharing would be done. We will apply the method of assessing the strength of each party based on a formula and of course, vote share would be a part of it, he said.

K C Tyagi, chief spokesperson of JD(U), said there would be a mechanism to decide the seat allotment among allies, but at the moment, the June 23 meeting is significant as it would show how CM Kumars bid to unite the opposition, along with Congress, is bearing fruit.

We have identified around 450 seats where there is a scope of straight fight between opposition and BJP on the one against one formula, he said, referring to the proposal to field one candidate from a united opposition against the BJP nominee.

Political observers, however, are less enthusiastic about the formula.

Nawal Kishore Choudhary, former principal of Patna College, said, Politics is not arithmetic where two plus two adds to four. There are other challenges. The front would have parties which play identity politics and have regional dominance in their respective states. The seat sharing would be a complex process, he said.

Choudhary also emphasised that the scenario was different in 1977 when many opposition parties had merged to form Janata party. Over the past four decades, regional parties have grown and have their own identity. Unless there is sacrifice of their egos and dynastic interests, it is unlikely that the parties would agree on common terms, he said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirban Guha Roy A journalist for 21 years, Anirban covers RJD, legislature and government beats. Has extensive experience in covering elections and writes regularly on finance, land reforms, registration, excise and socio-economic issues. ...view detail
Pune: The police on Tuesday night arrested a 24-year-old autorickshaw driver for attempt to rape an IT professional working with a multinational firm. The police on Tuesday night arrested a 24-year-old autorickshaw driver for attempt to rape an IT professional working with a multinational firm. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION))

The accused, identified as Aniket Nana Saheb Munjal from Hadapsar, has been granted police custody till June 26.

According to the police, the 29-year-old woman booked an autorickshaw from an online aggregator from Info City IT campus on Saswad Road at around 3:30 am. The accused told her to cancel the ride as his mobile battery was about to discharge and he will drop her at the location with same fare.

After the woman agreed to the accuseds request, he drove the three-wheeler out of the office gate and took a left turn instead of taking right to the destination. When asked, the driver said that it is a short cut via Bhosale Village. Later, after reaching the compound gate of Little Flower School, he again took a left turn instead of right (towards Kale Padal) and headed towards Phursungi Powerhouse before stopping his autorickshaw at an untarred lonely road.

According to the police, the accused left his driving seat and sat next to the survivor and molested her. The woman resisted his attempt and there were exchange of punches between them and she bit him.

A Wanowrie police station officer said, The survivor alerted her friend. Meanwhile, the autorickshaw driver offered to drop her and the latter agreed as it was a lonely spot. The womans friend informed the formers husband, and he initiated search operation. Police also dispatched a team after receiving the alert on helpline 112. When the auto reached near the bypass, the survivors husband identified the vehicle. The survivor jumped off the auto after seeing her husband. The autorickshaw overturned as the driver made an attempt to flee, and landed in police net.

The police have sent the samples of the accused for testing to check alcohol content in his blood.

The Wanowrie police have registered a case against the accused under Sections 354 (criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354 B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 509 (act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 376 (a woman is raped by one or more in a group of persons acting in furtherance of their common intention), 511 (A makes an attempt to steal some jewels), 364 (kidnapping or abducting) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Pune: The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) has informed a court here that it has made a Pakistani agent operating in the name of Zara Dasgupta who apparently honey-trapped Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar a co-accused in the case, officials said on Wednesday. (ALSO READ: Pakistan operative in touch with DRDOs Kurulkar also contacted IAF official) Kurulkar (in pic) was arrested by the ATS on May 3 on charges of leaking confidential information to a woman Pakistani intelligence operative as a DRDO scientist. (HT)

The court of Additional Sessions Judge SR Navandar has decided to hear the matter on June 23. Besides adding Pakistani spys name in the first information report (FIR), the probe agency has also sought permission from the court to run a psychoanalysis test on the former DRDO scientist.

The ATS has also submitted an application to the court requesting permission to conduct a voice-layer and psychological analysis test on Kurulkar and sought his temporary custody for that. Additionally, the ATS has sought Kurulkars consent to undergo a polygraph test, the official said.

The ATS has informed the court on Tuesday that it has added another individual operating under the name Zara Dasgupta to the FIR after the agents IP address was traced to Pakistan. It has added to the FIR Section 4 of the Official Secrets Act that pertains to communications with foreign agents to be evidence of commission of certain offences, an ATS official said on condition of anonymity.

Defence counsel Rhishikesh Ganu said that it will file a reply in the court to the ATS applications as per Kurulkars instructions.

Kurulkar was arrested by the ATS on May 3 on charges of leaking confidential information to a woman Pakistani intelligence operative as a DRDO scientist. According to the ATS officials, the woman operated under the name of Zara Dasgupta and was in touch with Kurulkar. After interacting with the Pakistani agent, he had blocked her phone number although the operative contacted the DRDO scientist using another number.

ALSO READ: Honey-trapped by Pak spy, Odisha ITR officer arrested for leaking information

Earlier, in its submissions before court, ATS had stated that their probe has revealed that an IAF officer based in Bengaluru was contacted by the PIO using the same internet protocol (IP) address traced to the neighbouring country.

As per the ATS, the DRDO scientist was in touch with the Pakistani agent through WhatsApp and video calls.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yogesh Joshi Yogesh Joshi is Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times. He covers politics, security, development and human rights from Western Maharashtra. ...view detail
Pune The minister engaged in conversations with HE Dr Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, the minister of Education, UAE. (HT PHOTO)

India has decided to take forward the bilateral cooperation in education and skill development with Mauritius, UAE, UK, and Oman. Union Education and Skill Development minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday met Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Tertiary Education, Science & Technology of Mauritius in Pune.

Pradhan also held bilateral meetings with counterparts from UAE, UK and Oman, and senior officials from UNICEF and OECD on the side-lines of the 4th Education Working Group Meeting.

During the meeting with the officials from Mauritius Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, Pradhan discussed expanding academic and skill development partnerships through comprehensive institutional mechanisms.

Pradhan assured the Mauritian Minister of Indias commitment to establishing an institution for curriculum research and development in Mauritius, as well as enhancing capacities in education and skill development, the release stated.

The minister engaged in conversations with HE Dr Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, the minister of Education, UAE.

They also addressed concerns regarding degree equivalency and the alignment of skills frameworks between India and the UAE to facilitate the seamless movement of students and workers.

During the meeting with HE Dr Rahma Ibrahim Al-Mahrooqi, Omans minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, Pradhan expressed his desire to collaborate with the gulf country through knowledge partnerships in energy, food security, safety, biotech, and sustainability.

While during his meeting with Dr Robert Jenkins, global director of Education & Adolescent Development, UNICEF, the Indian education minister conveyed his appreciation for UNICEFs role as a knowledge partner in the G20 India framework and for promoting foundational literacy & numeracy.

Two-day meeting concludes

The two-day meeting was chaired by Indian chair K Sanjay Murthy, secretary of Higher Education with Sanjay Kumar, secretary, School Education and Literacy, and Atul Kumar Tiwari, secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship as Alternate Chairs.

The meeting was also attended by Harsh Vardhan Shringla, chief coordinator, Indias G20 Presidency, Government of India on day one.

He emphasised the significance of their efforts and highlighted the upcoming Ministerial meeting on June 22, 2023, where, the ministers will formally accept the outcome documents, marking the culmination of the extensive deliberations carried out over the past several months within the education working group track.

During the 4th EdWG, G20 delegates appreciated the sustained efforts of the Indian G20 presidency towards developing the EdWG report and compendium. These outcome documents will serve as a roadmap for the international community, guiding coordinated actions to ensure inclusive and high-quality education for all learners.
Pune: The police on Tuesday arrested Sayyed Mohammad Reza Ahmad Dekhanpur, owner of popular Irani Cafe, following accusations of mental and physical harassment by his wife, said officials on Wednesday. Irani Cafe on Prabhat Road in Pune. Police on Tuesday arrested Sayyed Mohammad Reza Ahmad Dekhanpur, owner of popular Irani Cafe, following accusations of mental and physical harassment by his wife. (KALPESH NUKTE/HT)

According to the complaint, the 36-year-old woman alleged that her husband demanded 9 crore for granting her the custody of their son.

Bhausaheb Pathare, senior inspector, Wanowrie police station, said, We made the arrest based on probe after receiving the complaint on Saturday. The court granted Dekhanpur three-day police custody.

According to Pathare, the complainant received a notice from the family court last month for the custody of their son. She alleged that her husband demanded 9 crore to withdraw the notice. Dekhanpur is the owner of Iran Cafe chain which has 11 outlets across the city.

The complainant alleged that she faced physical and mental harassment from the accused who used to lock her in a room and beat her. She said that Dekhanpur confiscated their sons passport and other documents.

A case against the accused has been registered at Wanowrie police station under Sections 498 (A), 323, 504, 506, 107, and 112 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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YOASOBI's song 'Idol' is strutting its stuff on the global stage. The theme song for the televised anime adaptation of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's manga, Oshi no Ko, has shot to the #1 spot on Apple Music's Top 100: Global chart as of Wednesday, June 21. Its reign began back in April on the Billboard Japan streaming song chart, dominating the #1 spot a week after its digital debut. YOASOBI's 'Idol' from the anime adaptation of 'Oshi no Ko' takes the #1 spot on Apple Music's Top 100: Global chart and Billboard Japan streaming chart. (Doga Kobo)

It's not just about chart-topping fame, though. 'Idol' holds two records in Japan: its the quickest song to zoom past the 100 and 200 million streams milestone, pulling off these feats in a mere five and nine weeks, respectively.

In a surprising twist, the English version of 'Idol' swept the #1 spot on Billboard's Global Excl. U.S. survey on June 10, making it the first Japanese-origin song to conquer the global charts. It had already made its mark on the Top 10 with the original Japanese version six weeks prior.

The anime featuring this chart-topper premiered on April 12 in Japan, accompanied by a riveting 90-minute first episode. HIDIVE has been broadcasting the anime in sync with its Japanese release, and it's proven to be their "#1 series launch in streamer's history."

The man behind the manga, Akasaka, gave life to the 'Idol' song, based on his short story "45510". The series, under the expert direction of Daisuke Hiramaki and Chao Nekotomi, flaunts character designs by Kanna Hirayama, while Queen Bee wraps up each episode with the catchy ending theme 'Mephisto.'

Akasaka and Yokoyari released the Oshi no Ko manga in April 2020 through Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine, and it's been a roaring success, with over 3 million copies currently in circulation. The tantalizing tale of a gynecologist-cum-idol fan, Gorou, who forms a wild bond with his favourite star, Ai, was recognized as the Best General Manga at the 46th annual Kodansha Manga Awards and scored first place in the seventh 'Next Manga Awards.' It seems that 'Idiot' is not the only thing from this series that's hitting high notes!

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Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has reacted to daughter-actor Alia Bhatt making her Hollywood debut with Heart of Stone. In a new interview, Mahesh said that he feels proud of Alia being a part of a project with actors such as Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan. He also recalled an incident when he asked Alia what Hollywood has that Bollywood lacks. Mahesh Bhatt said that Alia's reply was 'money'. (Aso Read | Alia Bhatt addresses reactions to her short screen time in Heart of Stone trailer) Mahesh Bhatt spoke about his daughter Alia Bhatt starring in Heart of Stone.

Alia's role in Heart of Stone

In Heart of Stone, Alia plays an antagonist who keeps her co-stars Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan on their toes. The espionage thriller is set to premiere on August 11 on Netflix. The first trailer of Heart of Stone, directed by Tom Harper, was unveiled at the Tudum event in Brazil.

Mahesh on Alia

Speaking with Times of India, Mahesh said, "My heart soars with pride when I see her standing with the who's who of international players like Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan. To stand there without being pygmied by the idea that it is Hollywood, the young of today don't feel slighted or lesser in any way when it comes to international talent."

He also added, "I once remember asking her, 'What is it that they have that we don't have? And her straight reply was 'Money'. She said it with great humility. She also said that they have a way of doing things and they are very professional but they have money, otherwise we have it all. I think that confidence is very important for the nation."

More about Heart of Stone

According to Netflix, the film is headlined by Gal Gadot's Rachel Stone, who appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). Heart of Stone is produced by Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, along with Mockingbird's Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn, and Gal and Jaron Varsano's Pilot Wave banner. The film will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

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Ahead of the release of Satyaprem Ki Katha featuring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, it has been reported that the makers are planning to surprise fans with a remake of Pakistani song Pasoori. The news of the Pasoori remake has not gone down well with Pakistani fans, who wish to 'save Pasoori from Bollywood'. Also read: Satyaprem Ki Katha trailer Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan in s still from Satyaprem Ki Katha (left) and Ali Sethi and Shae Gill in the Pasoori music video.

About Pasoori

Originally sung by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill, Pasoori was the most searched song on Google in 2022. As per a recent report, the shoot for Satyaprem Ki Katha's Pasoori remake will take place on Wednesday, and it will be shot in Mumbai over a period of two days. The song is expected to be out days before the film's release in June-end.

Reactions to Pasoori remake

Many Pakistani Twitter users have slammed Satyaprem Ki Katha makers for 'sacrificing another classic'. Some also said they hope 'this is a big fat lie'.

One tweeted, "What else can they (Bollywood) do??? Now they'll justify using a Punjabi song in a Gujarat-based movie." Satyaprem Ki Katha is set in Gujarat. A Pakistani Twitter user also said, "Bollywood just stay away from our precious Coke Studio (Pakistani music-based television programme and franchise)."

A person also said, "You (Satyaprem Ki Katha makers) are about to get so much hate for this, so don't do it! Already it's a bad era for Bollywood movies and music. Negative publicity is not fun anymore." A Twitter user also said, "No way! Save Pasoori from them. That's our song. Hope this is a big fat lie. Hate Kartik and Sajid. Hope this movie flops." One more said, "Another classic sacrificed (crying emoji)." A person also said, Oh my God please don't. Pasoori is my absolute favourite don't ruin it please.

About Satyaprem Ki Katha

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by Sameer Vidwans, the romantic film reunites Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani after their 2022 hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Satyaprem Ki Katha will be released on June 29.

The film was earlier titled Satyanarayan Ki Katha, which translates to the story of Satyanarayan, which is another name for the Hindu God Vishnu. However, after backlash, it was renamed Satyaprem Ki Katha. In 2021, director Sameer Vidwans issued a statement to announce the change in title. Kartik had also said that the title was changed to avoid hurting sentiments.

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Bigg Boss OTT 2 contestant Manisha Rani has revealed that during her initial days in Kolkata as a newcomer, she worked as a waitress at weddings, and even performed as background dancers. She opened up about her struggles on the show recently. Bigg Boss OTT 2 kickstarted this weekend with host Salman Khan welcoming all the contestants to the house. (Also read: Out of Bigg Boss house, Puneet calls MC Stan keeda makoda in rant video) Speaking on Bigg Boss OTT 2, Manisha Rani recalls her struggles.

When Manisha ran away

Manisha said that she first ran away to Kolkata when she left home. She also said that she left as her dad did not want her to learn to dance while she wanted to learn. I wrote a letter to my father and I ran away with a friend. I wrote to my dad, 'Maaf kijiyega humko (please forgive me)'. I would travel in trains without ticket, and would say I do not fear getting arrested, I will sit in the lockup for 2 hours and tell them I do not have any money. In fact, we would not even buy 5 platform tickets in Kolkata.

Manisha added that she stayed in such a dilapidated house in Kolkata that none of her family members could have managed to live in. The house also had mosquitoes, she added.

Working as waitress

When she decided to survive in Kolkata at any cost, she decided to take up any and every job that came her way. That was the time when I worked as a background dancer and waitress at weddings. I would wear a white shirt and black trousers and stand for 8 hours. We would see fancy food in front of us but were not allowed to eat. I would stand for 8 hours as a waitress and stare at the delicious food.

Manisha also said that she never gave up no matter how bad things were. In fact, she even took turns with other waiters, hide beneath tables, and they would quickly taste some of the food items". She added that she won't forget Kolkata as her journey started from there.

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Even as Indias health care system has progressed immensely over the years, the majority of patients succumb to death because of the late detection of disease. Its a challenge that the country is still facing. According to the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) report, most people in India only visit a hospital or see a doctor when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage or when it is too late. I believe this is a very crucial time to fully embrace the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health care for Indiaespecially in the early detection and diagnosis of diseases. Artificial intelligence.(Thinkstock)

India is on the right path, with a substantial increase in AI expenditure, reaching $665 million in 2018 and projected to reach $11.78 billion by 2025, according to data from NITI Aayog. Successful collaborations between AI companies and the health care department further emphasise this trend.

NITI Aayog is exploring AI in primary care to detect diabetes complications early. They are also validating AI as a screening tool in eye care, comparing its accuracy with that of retina specialists. By integrating AI with portable screening devices like 3Nethra, eye screenings and early detection can be expanded, benefiting remote areas in India.

In a 2019 experiment by Google developers Artificial Intelligence and its future potential in lung cancer screening showed an AI algorithm that could detect lung cancer from CT scans with high accuracy. The algorithm outperformed radiologists in identifying malignant lung nodules, potentially enabling early detection and intervention.

Similarly, a study published in Nature Medicine in 2020 demonstrated the effectiveness of AI in detecting lung cancer from low-dose CT scans. The AI model achieved a sensitivity of 94% in detecting cancerous nodules, highlighting its potential for early diagnosis.

Additionally, research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showcases the potential of AI in diagnosing tuberculosis. By examining chest X-rays and CT scans, AI algorithms can detect tuberculosis with high accuracy, enabling early intervention and better treatment outcomes.

On another note, a study published in the National Library of Medicine named Artificial Intelligence Models in the Diagnosis of Adult-Onset Dementia Disorders shows that the association of AI approaches with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is particularly useful for improving the diagnostic accuracy of different dementia types. The application of AI techniques in conjunction with MRI has yielded a notable improvement in diagnostic accuracy, ranging from 73.3% to 99%. These findings indicate that integrating AI with conventional MRI techniques can enable a more precise and early diagnosis of dementia disorders.

Researchers have also developed AI models that can predict the risk of heart failure in individuals. These models analyse various data sources, including electronic health records, medical imaging, laboratory results, and patient demographics, to identify individuals at higher risk of developing heart failure. AI has been employed to enhance the analysis of cardiac imaging modalities like cardiac MRI and CT scans.

Despite these promising findings, India has yet to fully tap into the vast potential of AI in early disease detection. The NAMS Task Force Report on AI in health care highlights several challenges within India's health care system. These include a growing ageing population, limited access to health care, outdated record-keeping systems, inconsistent health care quality, and a shortage of skilled health care workers. These challenges must be addressed to fully leverage AI in early disease detection.

Besides strengthening the robust digital infrastructure, NITI Aayogs National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence is working toward harnessing the power of AI to the fullest in the country. At the same time, I believe it would be in the best interest of the national population if the government encourages the sharing of health care data among institutions while ensuring patient privacy and data security. Establishing standards for data collection, storage, and interoperability will facilitate the integration of diverse datasets, enabling more comprehensive and representative AI models.

Also, this is the right time to invest in skill development programs to create a workforce with experience in both AI and health care. The initiatives could include training programmes, workshops, and collaborations between academic institutions and industry partners to bridge the skill gap. Building a skilled workforce can take India a long way in its AI journey.

Public-private partnerships play a vital role in driving innovation, knowledge sharing, and the development of AI-driven solutions. By leveraging shared expertise and resources, we can accelerate progress and overcome barriers that hinder early disease detection. The G20 Health care Summit is also, in my view, a great opportunity to discuss the use cases of AI in early disease detection.

I believe spreading awareness is the key here. The government should spearhead awareness campaigns targeting health care professionals, policymakers, and the general public. Educating stakeholders about the benefits and limitations of AI in disease detection will foster acceptance and facilitate its integration into the health care ecosystems.

The potential of AI in early disease detection is quite promising. By addressing challenges related to data accessibility, health care infrastructure, ethical frameworks, workforce training, and validation, India can embrace the health care revolution brought forth by AI. With the right approach, early disease detection powered by AI can lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced health care burdens, and a healthier future for India.

This article is authored by Shibu Vijayan, medical director, Global Health, Qure.ai.
A 35-year-old woman, who sustained grievous injuries in an acid attack at Andhra Pradeshs Eluru town on June 13, succumbed at a private hospital near Vijayawada in the early hours of Wednesday, police said. She was working as a receptionist in a dental college at Vidyanagar. (Representative file image)

The deceased, Yadla Francika, a resident of Xavier Nagar in Eluru town, had lost her eyesight and sustained burn injuries on her face and limbs, was critical ever since.

She was working as a receptionist in a dental college at Vidyanagar.

Also Read: Bihar: 9, including 3 children, injured in acid attack; 2 arrested: Police

Six persons involved in the incident were arrested within two days, including Boda Naga Satish, who was identified as the one who threw acid on Francika.

According to a senior police official in Eluru, Francika was staying with her parents in Eluru along with her five-year-old daughter, after being separated from her husband in Rajamahendravaram, last year.

On June 13, Francika was returning home on her two-wheeler, when two persons waylaid her and threw acid on her face.

She suffered serious burn injuries and lost eyesight. After being treated initially at the local hospital in Eluru, she was rushed to Vijayawada government hospital and later referred for specialised treatment at a private hospital, where she breathed her last, the police official said.

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Asking President Joe Biden to strengthen India-America ties but also talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit about Indias recent democratic record, 75 United States (US) Senators and Congressional representatives of the Democratic Party have written a letter to Biden outlining their areas of concern. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arriving in New York on Tuesday. (ANI)

They have, citing reports of the US State Department and civil society outfits, asked the President to raise specific issues of the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access in India.

Even as they underscored their support for strategic, economic, commercial, defence, and people-to-people ties with India, the legislators noted that friends should speak in an honest and forthright way. That is why we respectfully request that  in addition to the many areas of shared interests between India and the U.S.  you also raise directly with Prime Minister Modi areas of concern.

The government of India has consistently rejected criticism of its human rights record, and in the context of the US, blamed it on votebank politics and fake information based on inputs by actors with dubious links.

The letter was released on Tuesday afternoon Eastern time, 48 hours before Modi was scheduled to address a joint meeting of the US Congress for the second time, a rare honour.

Senators Chris van Hollen (who attended a private dinner for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier this month and has been a critic of Indias current political trajectory) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (the Indian-origin chief of the Congressional progressive caucus) led the initiative.

Eighteen Senators, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Tim Kaine, and 57 members of the House of Representatives have signed the letter. For perspective, the total strength of both chambers is 535 seats, and the letter signatories amount to 14% of the US legislature. Jayapal is the only Indian-American of the five representatives who trace their roots to India who has signed the letter.

Beginning the letter on a positive note, the legislators note that both democracies have forged a bond based on strategic interests and shared values. The letter refers to India as a crucial partner for stability in the Indo-Pacific, expresses support for bilateral industrial defence cooperation, hails economic ties, and praises the diaspora.

We trust and expect that these important dimensions of the U.S.-India partnership  strategic, economic and cultural  will be part of your discussion when you meet directly with Prime Minister Modi.

Based on reports published by the US State Departments office of international religious freedom, States country report on human rights practices, Reporters without Borders, and Access Now, the signatories claim that there has been tightening of political rights and expressionworrisome increase of religious intolerance towards minorities and religiously motivated violence by private and state actors.

The signatories told Biden that he had once again made respect for human rights, press freedom, religious freedom, and pluralism core tenets of American foreign policy and these must be applied to friend and foe alike. They said that both US and India had enshrined free speech, freedom of the press, and religious freedom in their respective Constitutions and shared a special bond through moral leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Clarifying again that they welcomed Modi, and sought a closer and warmer relationship between the people of both countries based on interests and values, the signatories said, We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party  that is the decision of the people of India  but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy. And we ask that, during your meeting with Prime Minister Modi, you discuss the full range of issues important to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship between our two great countries.

Separately, Rashida Tlaib, a Congresswoman from Michigan who has often been critical of Modi, announced that she would boycott his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress on Thursday. She accused Modi of a long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims & religious minorities, and censoring journalists.

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TN minister Senthil Balaji, arrested on money laundering charge, undergoes cardiac surgery Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji has undergone a coronary artery bypass at Chennai's Kauvery Hospital. In a brief statement the hospital said Balaji 'underwent beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery... four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularisation was established'. The minister is 'currently hemodynamically stable and (is) being monitored in the post-operative cardiothoracic intensive care unit', the hospital said. Read more Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin meets electricity minister V Senthil Balaji undergoing treatment at Omandurar government hospital in Chennai on June 14. (PTI)

Tantrik kills lesbian in Uttar Pradesh after promise to change her gender, arrested

A local occultist or tantrik from Uttar Pradeshs Lakhimpur Kheri district allegedly hacked to death a 27-year-old woman from Shahjahanpur who was in a relationship with another woman she met in college, police said on Tuesday. Read more

AB draws colossal 'Dhoni' comparison with Bazball, Sehwag reveals 'new Mr. Cool' in sensational reaction to Ashes Test

The opening Test of the Ashes series witnessed a thrilling end, with Australia registering a dramatic two-wicket victory at the Edgbaston. Chasing 281, Pat Cummins (44*) played a captain's knock after the visitors were put in a spot of bother in the run-chase. Read more

International Yoga Day: Malaika Arora, Shilpa Shetty, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor; stars who inspire us to practise yoga

The International Yoga Day is an annual celebration marked on June 21. It kickstarted in 2015 to promote the ancient art of yoga as a trusted means to boost physical and mental well-being. An invaluable gift of ancient Indian traditions, yoga has become an integral part of the global community's go-to exercise routine, including your favourite celebrities. Read more

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Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Wednesday appealed to the party leadership to relieve him of the responsibility as Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and assign him any role in the party organisation. NCP member and the Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar. (HT)

He came up with this demand at the 24th Foundation Day event of the Nationalist Congress Party held in Mumbai attended by his uncle Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders.

In a remark that could fuel fresh speculation, he said, "I am told that I don't act tough as the leader of the opposition".

"I was never interested to work as Leader of Opposition but accepted the role on demand of the party MLAs," he said.

Pawar also said it is up to NCP leadership to decide on his demand.

"Assign me any post in the party organisation, and I will do complete justice to whatever responsibility I am entrusted with," he added.

Pawar took charge as the Leader of the Opposition last July after the MVA government, in which he was deputy chief minister, collapsed due to a rebellion in Shiv Sena.

Notably, NCP chief Sharad Pawar recently entrusted the responsibility of Maharashtra to his daughter and MP Supriya Sule by appointing her as a working president. Praful Patel is another working president for other states.

Ajit Pawar said Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), led by Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), headed by Prakash Ambedkar, cannot be ignored.

"In 2019, VBA alone caused damage to the Congress -NCP alliance. We have to ensure there is no division of votes between like-minded parties. We cannot ignore BRS and VBA," he said.

Notably, Rao, popularly known as KCR, is trying to expand the BRS base in Maharashtra and had held rallies in the Marathwada region calling for the installation of a "kisan" (farmers') government. The BRS has also launched a membership drive in the western state.

Ajit Pawar also stressed the need to strengthen the NCP organisation in Mumbai and Vidarbha.

He said crores are spent on Yoga Day events.

"I asked (Maharashtra assembly) Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal why he didn't attend the Yoga Day event. Zirwal told me he can't bend because of his big stomach and people might laugh at him," he said, evoking a peal of laughter in the audience.

Addressing NCP leaders and office-bearers, newly-appointed working president Supriya Sule stressed the need for strengthening booth committees.

She also spoke about entrusting five to six constituencies to senior MLAs who served as ministers to train candidates in these constituencies.

"State-wide tours of leaders are a must. There must be clarity about issues and the stand the party should take," the Baramati MP said.

Sule also touched upon the topic of the Uniform Civil Code, saying since its draft is not prepared yet, a discussion cannot be held and any opinion cannot be formed.

She said tourism grew in Kashmir after Article 370 was abrogated.

"But there is no clarity on the quantum of investment attracted by the UT or on the number of people from outside Kashmir who bought land there. Why is Kashmir's budget still passed by Parliament? she asked.

Sule demanded a policy on reservations for Muslims and other communities including Dhangar, Lingayat, and Marathas.

State NCP president Jayant Patil claimed the pattern of recent incidents of communal violence in Maharashtra shows they are reported from areas where BJP is weak.

The motive behind these incidents is to create tension in society and polarise voters, he alleged.

In a lighter vein, he said Ajit Pawar and Zirwal should have attended the Yoga Day event at Vidhan Bhavan.

"I saw photos of people heavier than you performing Yoga. At least you both should have gone there to see how leaders of the ruling alliance are performing asanas," he said.

In a veiled jibe at senior Congress leader and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, "Had there been able leadership in 2014, the Congress-NCP would have still been in power. They came from Delhi to sink the (UPA) government of that time".

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Union home minister Amit Shah has called an all-party meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation in violence-hit Manipur, the home ministry said on Wednesday. Union home minister Amit Shah. (PTI File Photo)

Shah visited the state last month and held several rounds of meetings with representatives of both the Meitei and Kuki communities in a bid to end the cycle of violence that has left 115 dead, and displaced at least 40,000.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has convened an all-party meeting on 24th June at 3PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said in a tweet.

Clashes first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after tribal Kuki groups called for protests against a court-proposed tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the majority Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders.

ALSO READ | Man threatened to kill PM Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah: Delhi Police

The authorities clamped a curfew and suspended the internet, pumping in additional security forces to force a break in the spiralling clashes.

Internet is still not fully back in the state.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 9 re-registered six First Information Reports (FIRs) and set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the criminal conspiracy behind the clashes as it took over the probe into Manipurs ethnic violence.

The MHA has also formed a three-member Commission of Inquiry led by former Chief Justice of Gauhati high court Ajai Lamba, to look at the causes, sequence of events related to violence and any lapses or dereliction of duty by public officials.

The panel, which also consists of retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Aloka Prabhakar, has been asked to submit its report no later than six months.
India on Wednesday ripped into China after it blocked a proposal at the United Nations (tabled jointly with the United States) to label Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Sajid Mir - wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks - a 'global terrorist'. In a sharply-worded response to China's move at a high-level conference, India said it had 'righteous reasons to believe something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture'. Lashkar-e-Taibas top terrorist Sajid Mir had gone for plastic surgery after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks (File)(Sourced)

"If we cannot get established terrorists, who have been banned across global landscapes, proscribed by the United Nations - for petty geopolitical interests - then we really do NOT have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge" India said in a strongly-worded speech that did not mention China.

"Ten fully armed assailants from across our borders... descended on our shores and wreaked havoc over three days... resulted in 166 innocents being killed, including 26 foreign nationals," India said, noting that the UN Security Council - the global organisation's highest decision-making body - had visited Mumbai in October last year and paid 'collective homage at the site of the attacks... but regretfully justice continues to elude the victims...'

READ | India slams China for blocking proposal in UN to list Sajid Mir as 'global terrorist'

"... the first and most crucial gap - we feel addressing is: avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of 'good terrorist v bad terrorist'. A terror act is a terror act - period - (and) any justification being used should not be countenanced by anybody."

Beijing blocks proposal

On Tuesday China had voted against a proposal - presented by both India and the US - to designate Mir a 'global terrorist'.

Tabled under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC, it would have frozen Mir's financial assets and ordered a travel ban and arms embargo.

READ | China blocks India's bid to label 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind as 'global terrorist'

China had, in September last year, suspended the same proposal.

What did the US say?

The US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, said 'our belief in that designation speaks for itself'.

Who is Sajid Mir?

Mir, believed to be in his mid 40s, is one of India's most wanted terrorists and has a bounty of $5 million on his head - placed by the US - for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In June last year, Mir was handed an eight-year sentence by a Pakistan anti-terrorism court. Reports till then had claimed that Mir had died but Western countries remain unconvinced and demanded proof of his death.

The issue made headlines as Pak sought removal from a 'grey list' of global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF, or the Financial Action Task Force. Pakistan was on the list for failing to check such activities.

PM Modi in the US

China's blocking of the India-US proposal comes as prime minister Narendra Modi is in the country for his first State visit. The PM will be hosted to a formal dinner at the White House today by US president Joe Biden and his wife.

LIVE UPDATES | PM Modi in the United States for his first State visit

He is also scheduled to address the US Congress - for a second time - in a visit hailed by the Indian government as historic. Among the highlights of this nearly week-long trip will be a deal to secure advanced military drones and jet engines, as well as numerous agreements in aerospace, trade and other fields.

READ | Indian ADA to roll Tejas Mark II prototype with F-414 engine by 2024

With input from agencies

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A day after China blocked a move at the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Sajid Mir as a global terrorist, Congress MP Abhishek Manu Shinghvi said one should never trust the Chinese or even the United States as geopolitics only understands transactionalism. The photo of 45-year-old Sajid Mir, who underwent plastic surgery and is now living in Pakistan.(HT Photo)

India and the US had to blacklist Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist that would have subjected him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

China blocks Sajid Mir's listing as Global terrorist before the UN Security Council. I mean well when I say never trust the Chinese or even the USA. Jhoola diplomacy is only good for optics. All geopolitics understands is transactionalism, Shinghvi said in a tweet.

Mir has already been designated a terrorist under the laws of India and the US.

In a sharply-worded response to China's move at a high-level conference on counter-terrorism at the UN General Assembly, India said it had righteous reasons to believe something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture.

"If we cannot get established terrorists, who have been banned across global landscapes, proscribed by the United Nations - for petty geopolitical interests - then we really do NOT have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge..."

The White House said the Biden administration's belief in that designation speaks for itself.

"Well, I think our belief in that designation speaks for itself," John Kiby, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, said during a press conference.

Who is Sajid Mir?

Mir, believed to be in his mid-40s, is one of India's most wanted terrorists and has a bounty of $5 million on his head - placed by the US - for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In June last year, Mir was handed a 15-year sentence by a Pakistan anti-terrorism court.

Pak authorities have claimed Mir died later but Western countries remain unconvinced and have demanded proof of his death.

The issue made headlines last year when global anti-terrorism watchdog FATF assessed Pak's progress towards combating terror funding activities.

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While Union ministers are elated after Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party for allegedly peddling fake news. Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in New York, USA on Tuesday.(PIB)

Modi on Tuesday met prominent US personalities from different walks of life, including Musk who asserted that India has more promise than any other large country and that he is incredibly excited about its future.

Musk also told reporters after meeting Modi that Twitter, the social media giant he owns, does not have a choice but to follow the local government. Or it will get shut down, he said when asked about the company's former owner and CEO Jack Dorsey's recent allegation against the Indian government.

"The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," he said, adding that it is impossible for "us to do more than that".

Referring to Musk's statement, Congress spokesperson and social media head Supriya Shrinate said, Only a daft like the BJPs fake news peddler and his dimwit brigade will hail Musks statement.

Shrinate also referred to Dorsey's comments in a recent interview to a YouTube channel.

'We had many requests from govt during farmer protest to block accounts critical of the govt. This manifested in threats to shutdown Twitter in India and raid homes of employees, which they did': Jack Dorsey How different are these two statements? Both talk of intimidation and are a blot on free speech in India," Shrinate tweeted.

 2 trolls - take a deep breath and sit down. Morons! she added.

In a recent interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that during his tenure as CEO, Twitter received requests from the Indian government to block accounts covering the 2020-2021 farmers' protests and those critical of the government.

Minister of state for information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar had termed Dorseys claims as an "outright lie". Chandrasekhar said Dorsey's Twitter regime had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law.

I am a fan of Modi: Elon Musk

In a separate video statement, Musk on Wednesday also lauded Modi, saying he "really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment in India." "I am a fan of Modi," he said.

India is great for solar energy investment, Musk added, describing his talks with the prime minister as excellent.

Several union ministers, including Anurag Thakur, reacted to Musk's comments on Modi.

"What Elon Musk said, reveals a lot about India's leadership and PM. Big personalities across the world are also praising PM Modi now," Thakur said.

"PM Modi's US visit has just begun, and a lot of things are going to take place...it is going to be a historic moment," he added.

Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, is meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts.

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Chennai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh heaped praises on AIADMK supremo late J Jayalalithaa to diffuse the tension between the allies when he was in Chennai on Tuesday to speak of the achievements of the nine years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. Singh said that BJP leaders including Modi and Atal Bihari Vajpaee respected Jayalalithaa and addressed her as Amma meaning mother, the way the Dravidian party cadre address her. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with Tamil Nadu BJP President K.Annamalai during a public meeting in Tambaram near Chennai on Tuesday. (ANI)

The AIADMK is sparring with BJPs state president K Annamalai calling for the partys national leadership to rein him in after he had linked Tamil Nadus politics of corruption with Jayalalithaa in an interview.

The development comes a week after state BJP chief K Annamalai stirred up a row by calling Tamil Nadu one of the most corrupt states in the country where former chief ministers have been convicted. While Annamalai did not name a leader or a party, the AIADMK took exception to his remarks. Annamalai is forcing us to reconsider the alliance even though the central leadership (of BJP) has a good relationship with us, party spokesperson D Jayakumar said on June 13.

The party also passed a resolution against Annamalai over the remarks, noting that Annamalai was intentionally defaming Jayalalithaa.

This alliance has been intact for several years. The NDA alliance is not our compulsion but a commitment, said Singh. We do not forget. When Ataljis government was formed for the first time, it was Tamil Nadus daughter, Puratchi Thalavi, Jaya Amma who supported him. Jaya Amma has made a big contribution in the politics of Tamil Nadu and India, Singh said listing her work. We will always have a great deal of respect for her in our hearts. Our Prime Minister Modiji is also very inspired by Jaya Amma. On his lines, Modiji is working for the empowerment of the weaker sections of the society. Like Atalji, Modiji also has a personal relationship with Tamil Nadu. It is visible in his work.

The defence minister also chided chief minister and DMK president M K Stalin not to indulge in vengeful politics like his name sake Joseph Stalin, the autocrat of erstwhile Soviet Union condemning the arrest of a state BJP leader for a tweet.

Mr Stalin named himself after the Russian dictator, and he took this very seriously and acting like the dictator himself. He is killing the very spirit of democracy, the Defence Minister said speaking in Chennai. The Madurai cyber crime branch had arrested BJP state secretary S G Suryah on June 16 for a tweet against Madurai MP S Venkatesan and a district court on Tuesday granted him bail.

Singh said that the arrested showed a disregard for democracy and dissent. This is completely Anti-Constitutional and Anti-Democratic, Singh said, adding that Stalin was acting like the Soviet dictator. Singh also said that Stalin showed double standards in the arrest of sitting minister V Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate on June 13 in a case dating back to 2014 when he was with the AIADMK. Stalin is calling the arrest of DMK minister Senthil Balaji a political vendetta. But when Balaji was in AIADMK, Stalin used to call him corrupt and repeatedly called for his immediate arrest, Singh said. This duplicity of character is unacceptable.

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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 Dehradun-bound Indigo flight carrying 108 passengers made an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here on Wednesday after it developed a technical snag, according to officials. IndiGo officials refuted reports claiming the emergency landing was due to an engine failure.

The flight landed safely and no one was injured in the incident, police said.

Also read: GoFirst cancels flight operations till June 25 due to operational reasons

"IndiGo flight 6E 2134 from Delhi to Dehradun returned to its origin due to a technical issue. The pilot informed the ATC as per procedure and requested a priority landing," the airline said in a statement.

"The aircraft landed safely in Delhi and will be back in operation after necessary maintenance. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers," it said.

IndiGo officials refuted reports claiming the emergency landing was due to an engine failure.

"The emergency landing was not due to any fire or engine failure. It was due to a technical issue," they said.

Also read: Direct flights from Prayagraj to Kolkata to restart from July 3

The flight was originally scheduled to take off from Terminal 2 of the IGI airport at 2:10 pm but it departed at 2:36 pm, they said.

A senior Delhi Police official said 108 passengers were onboard the Dehradun-bound Indigo flight that took off from the IGI airport. Later, the aircraft made an emergency landing at the Delhi airport due to a technical issue, he said.

All passengers are safe, the police official said.
The draft proposal on the fresh delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam released by the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday could affect the electoral fortunes of some senior leaders in the state across the political spectrum, with several constituencies being reshaped, and the number of reserved constituencies increasing. (ALSO READ: EC calls for increasing Assams reserved seats in draft proposal) The draft proposal of assembly constituencies in Assam released by EC could affect electoral fortunes of some senior leader in the state. (PTI)

To be sure, at the aggregate level, there is no increase in the number of assembly or Lok Sabha seats in the state.

According to the draft, 24 assembly constituencies have been reshaped (and assigned new names); the number of reserved seats has gone up from 24 (eight for scheduled castes and 16 for scheduled tribes) to 28 (nine for scheduled castes and 19 for scheduled tribes). Theres also been a churn in the reserved seats -- six seats are currently reserved for SC, and the same number of seats reserved for ST will become unreserved if the draft is accepted, and 9 ST seats and 7 SC seats that are at present that are unreserved will become reserved.

For Lok Sabha, the number of reserved seats (2 ST, 1 SC) remains the samebut Karimganj, which is reserved for SC, would become unreserved and neighbouring Silchar become a SC reserved seat.

Assam has a total of 14 Lok Sabha and 126 assembly seats.

The draft has carried good news for land, people and future of Assam. This will protect the rights of the indigenous people of the state. Some people are unhappy that their seats are affected. But we should look at the larger interest of the state instead of individual gain or loss, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

Interestingly, Sarmas own Jalukbari constituency has been redrawn. Unlike earlier, the constituency will now include 11 wards of Guwahati Municipal Corporation.

ALSO READ: Why delimitation in Assam is important

The delimitation exercise was carried out based on the 2001 census. The last delimitation was done in Assam in 1976. While the 2002 delimitation of assembly seats was carried out across India, it was not done in several northeastern states and Jammu & Kashmir. That is being done now. The next delimitation of Lok Sabha seats across the country is scheduled for 2026.

Among those ministers from the BJP who will lose the seats they currently hold if the draft is accepted are industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary (Dharmapur), excise minister Parimal Suklabaidya (Dhalai) and panchayat and rural development minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass (Patacharkuchi); their seats will cease to exist.

Handloom and textile minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, who is from the BJPs alliance partner United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) and represents Chapaguri constituency, will also lose his seat. So will his UPPL colleague and Assam assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary, who won from the Paneri constituency.

BJP MLA from Hajo, Suman Haripriya, will lose her seat as it has been marked as reserved for an SC candidate. A similar fate awaits Congress MLA from Boko, Nandita Das, as the seat, which was earlier reserved for SCs, will now be reserved for STs. Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narahs Naoboicha constituency will now be reserved for SC candidates.

Constituencies represented by former BJP minister and state unit chief Siddhartha Bhattacharya (Guwahati East), senior AGP leader and former minister Ramendra Narayan Kalita (Guwahati West), Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed (Chaygaon), All India United Democratic Front MLA Sirajuddin Ajmal (Jamunamukh), AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam (Dhing), Congress MLAs Zakir Hussain Sikdar (Sarukhetri) and Pradeep Sarkar (Abhayapuri West) will also cease to exist.

The delimitation has understandably caused a political stir.

We suspect that this exercise was done to target AIUDF and religious minorities. There seems to be no rationale or logic behind it as some villages have been removed from existing panchayats and geographical contiguity and administrative factors have also been overlooked, said AIUDF MLA from Dhing, Aminul Islam, who is slated to lose his seat.

AIUDF president and Lok Sabha MP Badaruddin Ajmal said his party wont support the changes and accused the BJP of manipulating the draft for electoral gains. He said the party will approach the EC to demand changes in the draft.

It seems that the draft was prepared in a hurry by EC under pressure from BJP and specifically CM Sarma. A petition seeking a stay in the delimitation process is pending in Supreme Court, and the next date of hearing in it is slated for next month. But the draft was released before that, said Congress state unit president Bhupen Kumar Borah.

Its wrong and baseless of opposition parties to point fingers at EC, which is an autonomous body which acts on its own and not under directives of a political party or the government in power. If opposition parties, see flaws in the draft, they should approach the EC during the hearing or go to court. The delimitation process will safeguard the indigenous people of Assam, and we welcome it, said BJP spokesperson Roopam Goswami.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times. ...view detail
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended him the invitation to visit India and he is planning it next year. Musk, who also heads SpaceX, said he is looking forward to bringing Starlink to India which can be incredibly helpful for remote or rural villages. Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter.(Reuters)

When asked whether PM Modi extended an invitation to him, the billionaire investor said, He did. And yes, I'm tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I'm looking forward.

On bringing Starlink to India, Musk said, The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for sort of remote or rural villages where they perhaps either may have no access to the Internet or the Internet is very expensive and slow.

Musk also said that the electric carmaker is looking to invest in India "as soon as humanly possible."

"I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk said when asked by reporters about Tesla's plan to invest in India, adding he intended to visit the country next year.

"I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we'll be able to announce something in the not-too-distant future," he added.

"We do not want to jump the gun on an announcement but I think it is quite likely that it will be a significant investment in our relationship with India," the Tesla CEO said.

Musk met Prime Minister Modi in New York on the first day of his state visit to the United States and lauded the Indian leader, saying he really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make significant investment in India.

"I am a fan of Modi," he said.

Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, met over two dozen thought leaders from various walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts. Besides Musk, they include astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio.

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At least eight persons were injured when the slab of an under-construction flyover caved in at Bairamalguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad in the early hours of Wednesday, police said. The condition of two of them, who sustained head injuries, are serious. (HT photo)

LB Nagar police inspector B Anji Reddy said the incident took place around 3:30am when about ten workers were laying the slab between two pillars of the flyover, being constructed as part of Strategic Road Development Project (SRDP) linking LB Nagar to Nagarjunasagar Road.

The iron frames being laid as part of the slab, along with the cement concrete girders, collapsed. The workers who were fixing the girders also fell down along with the slab, sustaining injuries, the inspector said.

Also Read: Delhi crane operator crushed to death after under-construction flyover collapses

All the injured were rushed to Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) at Secunderabad. The condition of two of them, who sustained head injuries, are serious, Anji Reddy said, adding that a case was registered under Section 337 (causing injuries due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and investigation was on.

The official said the cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

He, however, said the contractor had apparently not followed the safety measures while undertaking the construction of flyover.

Hyderabad mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi met the injured workers at the KIMS and assured them of assistance.

She also visited the accident spot and enquired with the officials about the cause of the mishap.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Srinivasa Rao is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Hyderabad covering developments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He has over three decades of reporting experience. ...view detail
South Africa: Government brings tourism opportunities to young people

This story has been published on: 2023-06-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to attend and participate in the New Global Financing Pact Summit to be held in Paris, France, on 22 and 23 June 2023. This at the invitation of his counterpart, the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron. International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, Finance Minister... See more
Anhui's largest general airport, Feidong Bailong Airport, officially obtained the Airport Operating Permit on June 20 and was designated as the "Central Anhui Base" for emergency aviation and emergency rescue. This marks the airport's official certification and operation, which lays a solid foundation for further promoting the development and popularity of the general aviation industry throughout the province. Feidong Bailong Airport is the largest and most well-equipped A1-class general airport in Anhui Province. It serves as the flagship and benchmark general airport for promoting the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta in Anhui Province. It is also the only comprehensive general airport planned in Anhui Province and is mainly used for short-distance passenger, cargo, and mail transportation, emergency rescue, agricultural and forestry operations, trusteeship sales, sightseeing tours, flight training, aircraft (drone) research and development and test flights. According to sources, the Feidong Bailong Airport will officially begin operations next month. The initial plan is to open a low-altitude tourism route from Hefei to Huangshan, which will allow travelers to experience general aviation aircraft flights. "Passengers will be flying on a Cessna 208 aircraft, with a maximum capacity of 6 passengers per flight," said the marketing manager of the Yangtze River Delta (Anhui) Express General Aviation Co., Ltd. The round trip between Hefei and Huangshan takes only two and a half hours, and the introductory one-way ticket price is only 99 yuan. "We are also actively advancing the approval process for low-altitude routes to Chizhou and Anqing. In the future, we will also expand into related businesses such as aerial tourism, aviation sports, and aviation research and education." According to Zhang Naihong, the General Manager of Feidong Bailong Airport, the airport will serve as the main base for Anhui Province's aviation emergency rescue system and the main carrier for the construction of the regional general aviation service center in Anhui Province. Several general aviation companies have expressed their intention to settle in the airport. Currently, there are 3 general airports in operation and 6 general airports under construction in the province; The preliminary work of more than 20 general airports is progressing orderly. In the future, a general airport network will be established with Hefei as the center and cities and counties throughout the province as the support points.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he had multifaceted conversations with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. Prime Minister Modi met Musk and several thought leaders from different walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After the meeting, Musk tweeted, It was an honor to meet again.

Replying to the billionaire investor, Modi said, Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality.

Musk told reporters that Tesla Inc. is likely to make a significant investment in India "as soon as humanly possible."

Im confident that Tesla will be in India and well do so as soon as humanly possible, Musk told reporters after the meeting. We dont want to jump the gun on an announcement, but I think its quite likely that there will be a significant investment, a relationship with India.

Musk said he is "a fan" of Modi and noted the prime minister visited a Tesla factory in California several years ago.

"India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (Modi) really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing," Musk said.

Modi is on a state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He is also scheduled to observe the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations headquarters here with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

On June 22, the Biden couple will host Modi at a State Dinner. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.

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State-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Argentine counterpart Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) for possible collaboration in the aerospace sector at a time when the Indian firm is in talks with the South American country to export the indigenously-built light combat aircraft (LCA) amid Indias push to gain a toehold in foreign defence markets, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. HAL has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Argentine counterpart Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (REUTERS)

The MoU was signed at the ongoing Paris Air Show, the worlds largest .

HAL and FAdeA signed an MoU during Paris Air Show, 2023 towards exploring the possibilities of collaboration in the field of MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) and to meet any offset requirements in case of probable sale of HAL-made platforms in the Latin American region, HAL said in a statement.

Rules governing defence acquisition in different countries lay down that in all high-value capital purchases, it is mandatory for foreign vendors to invest a certain percentage of the value of the purchase in that country to boost its indigenous capabilities. Indias offset policy, for instance, seeks to leverage capital acquisitions to develop the domestic defence industry by making it mandatory for foreign military contractors to invest in the country at least 30% of the value of all contracts worth more than 300 crore.

ALSO READ | Modi's US trip to herald deeper ties, go beyond individual defence deals: Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra

Argentina has projected a requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft, and HAL believes that the LCA Mk-1A will meet that countrys needs, the officials said. Teams from the Argentine Air Force have visited HAL and flown the LCA, they said. To be sure, the JF-17 fighter aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, is also a contender for the Argentine order.

Argentina is a significant country in South America and holds good export potential for India. We must try and tap that potential. HAL is laying the groundwork for that, and the LCA is a strong contender for a possible fighter jet order from Argentina, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

While the LCA project is on track, several HAL programmes have been hit by delays and compelled the armed forces to look for alternatives. These include the basic trainer aircraft, intermediate jet trainer and the LCA project itself. The Indian Air Force raised its first LCA squadron with two aircraft in July 2016 even though the project was sanctioned in 1983 as a replacement for the Soviet-origin MiG-21 fleet.

IAF has inducted several of 40 earlier variants of the LCA, ordered 83 improved Mk-1A variants in 2021, and is now looking at ordering the newest variant of the aircraft, LCA Mk-2. The first Mk-1A aircraft will be delivered to the IAF in February 2024, with the rest slated to join its combat fleet by 2029.

In April, HAL launched a third LCA production line in Nashik to ramp up the production of the fighter jet from the current 16 to 24 in anticipation of more orders. The other two production lines are in Bengaluru.

ALSO READ: Defence ministry approves to acquire 31 MQ-9B armed drones from US

India has set a defence export target of 35,000 crore by 2024-25. In November 2022, Indian defence firm Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited won an export order worth $155.5 million for supplying artillery guns to a friendly foreign country (believed to be Armenia), the first order won by a local company for the 155mm weapon system. That order came on the back of the Philippines ordering BrahMos missiles and Armenia choosing to buy Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers from India.

Military exports have risen sharply, and imports have recorded a drop on the back of policy initiatives and reforms during the past nine years, the officials said.

Exports grew 23 times between financial year 2013-14 and 2022-23 (from 686 crore to 16,000 crore), while the spending on sourcing weapons and systems from foreign countries dropped from 46% of the total expenditure in 2018-19 to 36.7% in December 2022, the government said in May. The defence report card came at a time when the government was showcasing its achievements in different areas on its ninth anniversary.

India on May 19 announced that the value of defence production in the country crossed 1 lakh crore for the first time on the back of key reforms to spur growth in the sector. The figure stood at 1,06,800 crore in FY 2022-23 compared to 95,000 crore in FY 2021-22 and 54,951 crore five years ago.

India produces a raft of weapons and systems including the LCA, different types of helicopters, warships, tanks, artillery guns, warships, missiles, rockets and a variety of military vehicles.

India has sharpened its focus on the defence manufacturing sector during the last five years and taken several measures to achieve self-reliance. These include banning the import of a range of weapons, systems and parts, creating a separate budget for buying locally made military hardware, increasing foreign direct investment from 49% to 74% and improving ease of doing business.

India is eyeing a turnover of 1,75,000 lakh crore in defence manufacturing by 2024-25.
Kolkata The Calcutta high court on Wednesday told the West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) to ask for 82,000 central force personnel in the next 24 hours in an effort to stave off violence ahead of the panchayat polls in a state where political clashes have already allegedly claimed eight lives. Security personnel patrol an area in view of the recent violence near Bhangar BDO 1 office during nomination filing for West Bengal Panchayat elections, in South 24 Parganas on Thursday (ANI)

On Tuesday, SEC asked for 22 companies of central forces [each comprises around 80 active personnel] hours after the Supreme Court approved the deployment of central forces and junked pleas filed by the state government and SEC against the high court order in the matter.

The SEC shall within 24 hours, requisition sufficient number of central forces to be deployed in all the districts. The number of companies shall be not less than the force which was requisitioned for the 2013 election. It has to be definitely more as the number of districts has increased. The electorate would have also increased in these ten years, a division bench of HC presided over by chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said.

The HC was informed that in 2013, when the state comprised 17 districts, panchayat elections were held in five phases. Alongside 105,000 state police personnel, 82,000 paramilitary personnel were deployed. In the 2018 panchayat polls, central forces were not deployed.

With around 62,000 polling stations in the state the elections to the three-tier panchayat system scheduled to be held in one phase on July 8, the high court said that 1,700 paramilitary personnel (22 companies) would be thoroughly inadequate.

The division bench slammed the state poll panel and pulled up state election commissioner Rajiva Sinha. We have no hesitation in our mind to hold the order has not been complied with in letter and spirit. We fail to understand why the State Election Commission is still not taking an independent decision on the matter. if it is very difficult for the commissioner to take orders, he can step down..., it said. Top SEC officials refused to comment, saying the poll panel will abide by the court orders.

I had filed a contempt petition. Wednesdays orders are very clear. Paramilitary personnel, more than that was deployed in 2013, will now have to be deployed. The TMC went on a looting spree. Eight persons have been killed so far, Suvendu Adhikari, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator, told the media.

Holding elections cannot be a licence to commit violence... If the candidates are unable to file nomination or if they are finished off while they are going to file it, then where is the free and fair election? a top court bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Manoj Mishra said.

There are close to 62000 polling stations. Nomination has been peaceful in most places. In around 5-8 places the opposition triggered violence. They want these pictures of violence to run on media, so that courts may be influenced and they will create a narrative and do politics over it..., Kunal Ghosh, TMC spokesperson, told the media.

Meanwhile, the HC directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into alleged tampering of documents and misrepresentation of information by a returning officer in Howrah. Justice Amrita Sinha directed CBI joint director to probe into the allegation by July 5 and submit a report before the court on July 7, a day before the polls are scheduled. Two petitions in this regard were filed by CPI(M) candidates.

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Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday said he's a fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who really wants to do the right thing for India. Speaking to reporters after meeting Modi in New York, Musk said the Indian prime minister really cares about India as he's pushing Tesla to make significant investments in the country. Tesla CEO Elon Musk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(PTI)

Which is something we tend to do. In a nutshell, it was a fantastic meeting with the prime minister, Musk said.

He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies and make sure it accrues to India's advantage. Which is, obviously, that's the job, the billionaire investor added.

When asked about what he thinks of Modi's leadership for making technologies inclusive, Musk said, He really wants to do the right thing for India. I am a fan of Modi. It was a fantastic meeting and I like him quite a lot.

According to a Reuters report, Musk was to brief PM Modi on plans to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing base in India.

"I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk said when asked by reporters about a timeline.

Musk is also the executive chairman of Twitter, which has had run-ins with Modi's government.

Last week, Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey said New Delhi threatened to shut it down in India unless the social network complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the handling of farmer protests, a charge Modi's government called an "outright lie".

Prime Minister Modi arrived in the United States on Tuesday for a state visit that has been projected as a milestone in ties between the two countries that would deepen and diversify their partnership. Modi has been to the US five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but his visit until Saturday will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The controversy over Adipurush refused to die down with the opposition leaders now corning the BJP over the film's scriptwriter Manoj Muntashir's latest statement that Bajrang Bali is not God. In a recent interview amid the controversy over the dialogues, Manoj Muntashir said Bajrang Bali is not God and he does not speak like Lord Ram. "Bajrang Bali does not speak of philosophies. We made him God because his devotion had that power," Manoj Muntashir said. Adipurush scriptwriter Manoj Muntashir said Bajrang Bali is not God and so in the movie he does not speak like Lord Ram.

AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh asked whether the BJP leaders including several chief ministers who 'blessed' the movie also do not consider Bajrang Bali as a God. "Will the BJP now ban Hanuman Chalisa then?" Sanjay Singh tweeted. "Then why do Hindus keep fast on Tuesdays? Why do Hindus recite Hanuman Chalisa? Why do crores of Hindus visit the temples of Bajrang Bali?" the AAP MP asked.

"RSS does not consider Lord Ram as God's avatar. They consider Lord Ram to be a great man. Looks like Manoj Muntashir has come out from the same school of thought," Congress leader Digvijiaya Singh said.

Complaints against Adipurush; PIL in Delhi high court

Hindu Sena moved the Delhi high court against Adipurush while several complaints have been filed against the movie across the country. A lawyer filed a police complaint in Surat saying the costumes have been depicted wrongly and fake dialogues have been used. Another complaint has been filed in Mumbai by the president of an NGO who pointed out several departures in the movie from the Ramayana. An AAP leader has filed a complaint in Delhi.

Adipurush controversy; dialogues to be rewritten

At the centre of the controversy, Manoj Muntashir issued several clarifications for the nature of the dialogues that irked the audience. The writer said Adipurush is not the Ramayana and the dialogues were kept simple intentionally as Bajrang Bali is not a God. However, he announced that some dialogues will be revised.

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India has criticised Chinas blocking of a move to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Sajid Mir at the UN Security Council, saying the action reflects double standards and a self-defeating justification of terrorism. India joint secretary at UN Prakash Gupta (Twitter Photo)

On Tuesday, China stymied a joint proposal by India and the US for listing Mir under the 1267 al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee so that he would be subjected to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo, people familiar with the matter said.

Mir is wanted in India and the US in connection with the 2008 Mumbai attacks, during which he directed the 10-member LeT team that killed 166 people.

Indias response to the development came in the form of a statement read out by joint secretary Prakash Gupta at a high-level conference on counter-terrorism at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Also Read: HT interview | Keen to have good ties with India, China without hidden agenda: Russia ambassador Denis Alipov

Without naming China, Gupta said India has righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture when the proposal for listing Mir did not get through the global listings of the UN Security Council sanctions regime despite several member states co-sponsoring it.

As part of his statement, Gupta played a brief recording of an intercepted conversation during which Mir was heard speaking in Urdu and directing some of the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks. Please listen to this sound file recorded even as the terror attacks were unfolding. This is Sajid Mir  directing the terrorists  on the phone  to hunt down foreigners at the Taj Hotel and kill them indiscriminately, he said.

Noting that the masterminds of the Mumbai attacks have not been brought to justice 15 years after the carnage, Gupta said, Some of them continue to roam scott free  with full state hospitality. So the first and the most critical gap we feel [needs] addressing is avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists vs bad terrorists.

He added, If we cannot get established terrorists who have been banned across global landscapes proscribed by the United Nations  for petty geopolitical interests  then we do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism.

Indias external affairs ministry has in the past questioned Chinas use of the so-called technical hold to block the listing of several Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN Security Council. China had also blocked a move to designate Mir last year. Other terrorists whose listings at the Security Council have been held up by China include Shahid Mahmood and Talha Saeed of LeT and Abdul Rauf Asghar of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Gupta listed several gaps that need to be plugged into to make the UN sanctions regime more effective, including improving its working methods to secure the successful listing of genuine and evidence-based objective listing proposals.

In this day and age of accountability and transparency, can we have genuine listing proposals blocked without giving any reason for the same, he said in an apparent reference to China blocking proposals for designating several terrorists.

Another area which we need to address in the working methods is whether can we allow for the submission of proposals under the garb of anonymity. Should we not be owning up for serious proposals that are being moved for the consideration of the entire UN Security Council membership? he added.

While speaking at a session whose theme was Strengthening Capacity Building Programs: Making them fit for purpose to meet resilience gaps, Gupta said India had faced the brunt of terrorism from beyond our borders for more than three decades, including the Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and the 2019 Pulwama terror attacks.

Also Read: Modis US visit to enhance bilateral ties, not about China, Russia: White House

India has lost several thousands of innocent civilians and armed forces personnel in the collective battle against terrorism, he said. So when we talk about plugging loopholes, capacity building and meeting the resilience gaps, Indias perspectives are coming from hardcore experiences from frontlines of the innumerable battles we have fought against terrorists in real-time and on a daily basis, he added.

The Mumbai attacks were carried out by 10 fully armed assailants from across our borders, well trained in conducting urban warfare. These terrorists wreaked havoc over three days, resulting in the death of 166 people, including 26 foreign nationalities, Gupta said.

Mir has already been designated a terrorist under the laws of India and the US. The US treasury department designated Mir a specially designated global terrorist in 2012 and a reward of $5 million was offered for him under the US Rewards for Justice programme.

Last year, Western countries backed Indias call to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the investigation and prosecution of 30 key terrorist leaders, including LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and Mir, who directed the terrorist team involved in the Mumbai attacks.

In the face of intense pressure from Western countries at the FATF to act against Mir, Pakistani authorities informed Western interlocutors that the top LeT operative had been arrested and given an eight-year prison term in 2022. The development marked a turnaround from the Pakistani establishments earlier claim that Mir, alias Sajid Majid, had died some time ago.

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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
On the eve of the historic India-US F-414 jet engine deal, both Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have geared up to produce Tejas Mark II fighter by 2027-28 with the former ready to roll out the GE-414 powered prototype by 2024 end. The GE-414 engine, which will be manufactured in India under 100 per cent transfer of technology (TOT) after approval from US Congress, will power not only Tejas Mark II but twin-engine advanced multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA-I) and twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF). This is a model of Tejas Mark II.

Given that India has plans to produce at least six squadrons of Mark II fighters for the Indian Air Force after 83 F-404-powered Tejas Mark I A have been produced and handed over to the military. With eight F-414 jet engines already procured by the ADA, design frozen, and critical design review already approved by the IAF, the agency will roll out the Mark II prototype by 2024 end for testing and operational clearance.

As PM Narendra Modi and his national security team have been able to deliver on F-414 engine through the Make in India route, the HAL has girded up for the upcoming challenge as the PSU will focus only on manufacturing the GE engine as no less than 500 aircraft engines have to be produced in India. It is understood that the HAL Bengaluru division and even the Nashik division may be tasked to take up the job and start production in collaboration with the GE. HAL already has experience in manufacturing aircraft engines as it was assembling AL31 FP after burning turbofan engines for the Russian SU-30 MKI assembly in India.

GE F-414 engine.

According to experts, HAL will fully focus on the production of Mark II fighter as well as the GE-414 engine after the production line of Mark I A tapers off.

The American defence major General Electric and HAL will sign an MoU for the manufacture of the F-414 engine on July 22 and exchange instruments before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in Washington.

While the ADA under the DRDO is confident that it will deliver on Mark II on time, pressure will now be on HAL to energize the workers of PSU to meet the challenge ahead. Even as the engine will have to be produced by GE-HAL, the government may think of a special-purpose vehicle to produce Mark II fighters to meet the deadlines of the IAF.

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India's rising imports of Russian oil hit a record high of about 1.95 million barrels per day (bpd) in May denting purchases from Iraq and Saudi Arabia fell, tanker data from trade and industry sources showed. Russian oil accounted for about 40% of India's crude imports in May, cutting imports from Iraq to a three-year low and from Saudi Arabia to their lowest since September 2021, an analysis of the data showed. (File)

India, the world's third biggest oil consumer and importer, buys more than 80% of its oil from overseas markets.

Its refiners have been gorging on Russian oil since the West imposed sanctions over Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian oil accounted for about 40% of India's crude imports in May, cutting imports from Iraq to a three-year low and from Saudi Arabia to their lowest since September 2021, an analysis of the data showed.

India imported 801,400 bpd of Iraqi oil in May, down about 13.7% from April, while supply from Saudi fell 15% to 616,100 bpd, the data show.

India's overall May oil imports rose marginally from April to 4.8 million bpd, the data showed.

Its imports from Russia are expected to remain high, as its landed price remains far cheaper than Middle East crude.

In April the landed price of a tonne of oil from Russia was about $500, equivalent to $68.21/barrel using a conversion factor of 7.33, while that from Iraq cost $570 and from Saudi Arabia was $637.40, according to the government data. Price details for May arrival cargoes have not yet been updated.

Due to higher purchases of discounted Russian oil, the share of imports from the Middle East -- traditionally its top source -- fell to an all-time low of about 39% in May from 44% in April, the data showed.

OPEC's share of India's oil imports in May fell to a record low of 42.6% and averaged 44.3% in the first two months of this fiscal year, the data showed.
Passengers onboard the Bhopal-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express performed yoga on Wednesday to mark the 9th International Yoga Day. The one-of-its-kind exercise was led by yoga guru Krishna Kant Mishra who guided all passengers to yoga in their seats. Passengers perform yoga inside moving Bhopal-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train on International Day of Yoga(PTI)

"I want to give the message of International Yoga Day by performing some yoga asana in sitting posture with the passengers of Vande Bharat. The initiative of Yoga Day was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and the first International Yoga Day was celebrated in 2015. Since then it has been celebrated continuously every year," Mishra said.

Mishra has shared a video clip of him guiding passengers to do yoga. People could be seen following his directions as he instructs the postures of yoga. They were performing an exercise where their hands were joined and raised straight up, in standing position.

He also urged everyone to make yoga a part of life and extended greetings of the Yoga Day.

Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

(With agency inputs)

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PATNA: A seat-sharing formula based on the performance of a party in the past three elections  for assembly or Lok Sabha  is likely to be proposed by the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) during the crucial Opposition meeting scheduled in Patna on June 23, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The Patna meeting, called at the invitation of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, is likely to be attended by top leaders from nearly 15 opposition parties. (ANI)

Emphasis will be laid on both seats won by the party and its vote share in the three previous elections, leaders of the two parties said, requesting anonymity. They added that this proposed formula would be part of the blue print for discussion at the meeting of top leaders of various opposition and regional parties to firm up a broad outline for a united front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

There has to be a mechanism to decide how many seats each party in any state deserves to contest. So, a formula will be used wherein performance of a party in the last three elections such as seats won and vote share achieved by it will be taken into consideration, a senior leader from Bihars ruling grand alliance said, declining to be named. Calculations will be done in terms of percentile and based on the results, seats would be allotted.

Bhola Yadav, national general secretary of the RJD, said a formula is needed to work out a seat-sharing arrangement. Once the front takes place, the exercise of seat-sharing would be done. We will apply the method of assessing the strength of each party based on a formula and of course, vote share would be a part of it, he added.

The grand alliance leaders said the proposed formula would present fairness in the seat-sharing exercise, especially in states with strong regional parties.

It would be a useful method to avoid disputes and help in amicable seat sharing between regional parties and the Congress in states where the grand old party is in coalition with regional allies like in Bihar and Jharkhand, the senior leader quoted above said.

The Patna meeting, called at the invitation of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, is likely to be attended by top leaders from nearly 15 opposition parties. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and top leaders of Left parties and some smaller outfits are likely to participate in the meeting.

A senior RJD leader, familiar with the ongoing preparations for the meeting, said the proposed seat-sharing formula could work even in states such as West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, where an amicable distribution of seats between the Congress and regional outfits the TMC and the Samajwadi Party is seen as a major hurdle in the united opposition front bid. This could be a broad outline for an amicable seat-sharing arrangement, the RJD leader added.

Speculations are rife that the Congress is keen on staking claim on at least 350 seats across the country, including in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Delhi, where regional parties RJD-JD(U), Jharkhand Mukhi Morcha (JMM), TMC and AAP, respectively, are the ruling parties with bigger vote share in the past three polls.

KC Tyagi, JD(U) chief spokesperson and advisor to CM Nitish Kumar, said at the moment, the June 23 meeting in Patna is significant as it would showcase how Kumars bid to unite the opposition along with Congress is bearing fruit.

We will sit on June 23 and discuss on uniting the opposition. We have identified around 450 seats where there is a scope of straight fight between opposition and BJP on the one against one formula, he said.

Giving details about the formula to be proposed in the meeting, another grand alliance functionary said it will give weightage to the party that has won higher number of seats in the state over the vote share polled. This, the leader functionary added, could help the JD(U) getting more Lok Sabha seats as compared to the RJD, which failed to win a single seat in Bihar in the 2019 general elections, though it outperformed the JD(U) in 2015 and 2020 assembly polls.

Nitish Kumars JD(U), which realigned with the RJD in August 2022 after snapping ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won 16 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 as part of the NDA. In the 2020 assembly elections, the party won only 43 seats whereas RJD (then in opposition as part of the GA) won 75 seats and Congress bagged 19 seats in the 243-member assembly.

Leaders of the RJD and JD(U) said the two parties are pitching for this methodology as the same arithmetic was used for seat sharing among constituents that joined the Janata Party-led alliance in 1977 such as the Socialist Party and the Bhartiya Lok Dal. The Janata Party trounced the Congress in the 1977 general elections, which were held after the removal of Emergency imposed in June 1975.

A declaration of intent by all participants on opposition unity and related issues is likely be discussed in the June 23 meeting and a statement could be issued. A common minimum programme (CMP), however, is unlikely to be inked at the meeting by the opposition parties set to attend the mega event.

Bihar BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand alleged the opposition parties will not be able to come to a consensus on leadership.

Parties involved in massive corruption and loot, individual-owned pocket organisations and family-based political outfits are desperate to get united to save their respective parties and leadership. Where is the common agenda and consensus on leadership? Anand said. Surprisingly, the parties that accused, thrashed and abused each other are now trying to collaborate leaving behind their ideology and morality.

Nawal Kishore Choudhary, political observer and former principal of Patna College, said the idea of using a formula to decide seat sharing among allies of the larger opposition front is an over optimism.

Politics is not arithmetic where two plus two adds to four. Using a formula to decide seat sharing can only facilitate the process, but it would not be enough. There are far more challenges as the front will comprise of parties that play identity politics and have regional dominance in their respective states. The seat-sharing work would be a complex process, he said.

Choudhary also pointed out that the opposition unity was achieved in 1977 as the scenario was different and many parties had merged to form the Janata Party. Over the past four decades, regional parties have grown and have their own identity. Unless, there is sacrifice of their egos and dynastic interests, it is doubtful parties would agree on a common term, he added.

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Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has written a letter to leaders of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties urging them to keep the discussion on the ordinance giving the control of Delhis bureaucracy to the Union government-appointed lieutenant governor (LG) on top of the agenda for their meeting in Patna on Friday. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (HT PHOTO)

He urged them to make their stand on the matter clear during the meeting convened for preparing a common ground ahead of the 2024 national polls. He reiterated the ordinance can be replicated. Kejriwal said the Union government may strip other states of their autonomy and run them through the governors and the LGs.

Kejriwal earlier on Tuesday said he will raise the issue of the ordinance at the Patna meeting and discuss how the Union government may replicate it. He added he hoped Congress is asked to clear its stand on the ordinance at the meeting.

In the letter dated June 20, he said if the bill to replace the ordinance gets passed in the Parliament, it will be the end of democracy in Delhi. The people of Delhi will have no power to choose the government they desire. The central government will directly govern Delhi through the Lieutenant Governor.

He added regardless of which party the people elect, they will have no power. After Delhi, one by one, democracy will be abolished in all states, and eventually, the Prime Minister will govern all state governments through Governors and Lieutenant Governors, Kejriwal said in the letter.

Kejriwal called it very important for the non-BJP parties to come together and defeat the ordinance. He said they should not look at it as a Delhi-centric problem.

The Union government on May 19 promulgated the ordinance effectively nullifying the May 11 Supreme Court order that reinforced the authority of the elected government in controlling bureaucrats in all but three domains in Delhi.

The ordinance provided for creating a National Capital Civil Service Authority and Public Service Commission for transfers and postings of officers.

Over the last month, Kejriwal held a series of meetings with non-BJP leaders for support against the ordinance.

In the letter, Kejriwal thanked the parties which have expressed solidarity with Delhis people and opposed the unconstitutional ordinance. It would be wrong to assume that such an order can only be imposed in the context of Delhi because Delhi is a half-state.

He added through a similar order, the central government can strip away the subjects on the concurrent list of any full-fledged state. For example, the central government can completely take away the authority of states over subjects like electricity, education, trade, and other issues through such an order.

He added the central government has experimented with such an order in Delhi. If the central government succeeds in this experiment, it will then issue similar orders for each non-BJP ruled state one by one, thereby taking away the rights of states over subjects mentioned in the concurrent list. Hence, it becomes extremely crucial for all parties and individuals to come together and ensure that this order is not passed in Parliament in any circumstances.

Parties such as Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Trinamool Congress, and Bharat Rashtra Samiti have supported the pushback against the ordinance, which handed back control of Delhis administration to the LG.

Delhi BJP spokesman Praveen Shankar Kapoor accused Kejriwal of trying to create fear to get support against the ordinance. Ironically, he has been seeking the support of leaders he once claimed were corrupt and sought probes against them. He added due to his U-turns, Kejriwal has lost credibility and no one is taking him seriously. Everyone knows that Delhi is a Union territory with a legislative assembly...powers of the elected government in Delhi have been limited since the formation of the assembly.
On the first day of his historic US state visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a group of academics who are in leadership positions in the US to discuss improving collaboration between India and US universities. Agricultural scientist Professor Rattan Lal said he had discussions with PM Modi on how agriculture can be a solution to climate change. "It was an excellent meeting. He has made us very proud of being Indian...we hope that we will have an opportunity to serve India through the policy that PM Modi has," Prof Lal said. Apart from Prof Lal, the group that met PM Modi comprised Dr Neeli Bendapudi, Dr Pradeep Khosla, Dr Satish Tripathi, Ms Chandrika Tandon, Prof Jagmohan Raju, Dr Madhav V Rajan and Dr Anurag Mairal. PM Modi met academics, health care experts on the first day of his US state visit.

PM Modi in US: Follow LIVE updates

Pandemic healthcare was discussed in PM Modi's meeting with a group of healthcare experts including Nobel Laureate Dr Peter Agre, Dr Lawton Robert Burns, Dr Stephen Klasko, Dr Peter Hotez, Dr Sunil A David and Dr Vivian S Lee.

As PM Modi's day 1 in the US was marked with crucial meetings, PM Modi's meeting with Elon Musk stole the limelight as the Tesla CEO announced Tesla and Starlink's plan to come to India. Calling himself a 'fan of PM Modi', Elon Musk said he will be visiting the country next year.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson who met PM Modi said what India can accomplish has no limits. "Obviously, he reserved his conversations about space for me, and I guess Elon (musk) was here a few minutes before I got here. But it's clear that space matters quite a bit to the Prime Minister, so I was delighted to hear about future programs that he has in mind. I'm quite sure I'm not alone when I say the potential for what India can accomplish knows no limits," Tyson said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States for a state visit on Tuesday and held discussions with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and several thought leaders in New York before wrapping up the first day of the trip. The prime minister will today lead the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in the city. The Yoga Day programme will be held at the North Lawn of UN Headquarters. This year's theme is Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to further the message of unity, and peace. Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by the members of the Indian diaspora in New York, USA, Tuesday, June 20, 2023.(PTI)

UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and many other diplomats and UN officials are expected to attend the event.

Ahead of his participation in the Yoga Day event in New York, Prime Minister Modi addressed the national celebration  led by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh  via video message today.

He said, The coming together of more than 180 countries on India's call is historic and unprecedented.

The prime minister also recalled the support of a record number of countries in 2014 when the proposal for International Yoga Day was tabled in the UN General Assembly.

Short trip to Virginia

After the Yoga Day programme, Prime Minister Modi will depart for Washington DC where he will attend a background briefing by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu. He will then take part in a cultural event at Freedom Plaza before flying to Virginia from Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC.

As part of the official state visit to the United States, First Lady Jill Biden will host PM Modi at the National Science Foundation in Alexandria on Wednesday for an event highlighting career-connected learning and workforce training programs. The First Lady and the Indian prime minister will meet with students from both countries and participate in a moderated conversation.

Following this event, the First Lady will host a media preview at the White House ahead of the State Dinner. The media preview event will include brief remarks from the First Lady, White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo, and guest Chef Nina Curtis followed by presentations of the menu.

The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.

What happened on Day 1

Prime Minister Modi held discussions with Tesla CEO Elon Musk hours after landing in New York and said the conversation ranged from energy to spirituality.

"Great meeting you, Elon Musk. We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality," Modi tweeted after the meeting.

Musk replied back, saying "It was an honor to meet again."

"Great conversation with @NarendraModi," he said.

The prime minister also met several prominent US personalities from different walks of life.

"Modi met Elon Musk, tech pioneer, business magnate and CEO of Tesla Inc. & SpaceX; owner, CTO and chairman of Twitter; founder of the Boring Company and X-corp; co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI, today, in New York, USA.

"Prime Minister appreciated Musk's efforts at making technology accessible and affordable in various sectors. Prime Minister invited Musk to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector," an official press statement said.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the gathering before the 9th International Yoga Day celebration at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States. He thanked the people for turning up in large numbers to attend Yoga Day event, organised at the spacious North Lawn of the intergovernmental organisation and also praised the city management for ensuring all the arrangements to make the event a huge success. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a yoga session on the occasion of the 9th International Day of Yoga, at the UN Headquarters, in New York on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Top quotes of PM Modi from UN headquarters in New York:

1)"We are gathered here the UN, the meeting point of entire humanityI am delighted to see you allI am told that every nationality is represented here today...what an amazing cause to bring us togethercoming together for Yoga is an expression of another form of yoga".

Also Read: Galaxy of stars led by Richard Gere join PM Modi on Yoga Day

2)"9 years ago, right here at UN I had the honour to propose celebrating the International Day of Yoga on June 21. It was wonderful to see the entire world coming together to support the cause.I just paid respect to the brave UN peacekeepersI had called in 2015 to build a memorial at UN for themas the largest contributor to peacekeeping forces, we are grateful to all the nations in making this a reality."

3)"Last year, the entire world also supported India's proposal to observe 2023 as the international year of milletsmillets are a super food, they promote holistic health and environmental well-beingand today it is wonderful to see entire world come together to this (Yoga) day's celebration."

4)"Yoga has its roots in ancient Indian traditionsa very old tradition which is living and dynamic. It is free from copyright and patents, royal payments. It is adaptable for all age groups, genders and fitness levels. It is portable - you can do it at home or work or even internshipit is flexible and can be done either alone or in a group, can be learnt from a teacher or self taught"

5)"Yoga as a unifying practice, open to people of all faiths and cultures, and truly universal in natureit promotes physical fitness, mental calmness, emotional contentment but it is not just about the exercise as yoga is a way of life.a holistic approach to health and well-being, yoga fosters mindfulness in thoughts and actions"

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High courts are robust institutions that must be trusted to decide cases in accordance with law, the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday as it turned down the Enforcement Directorates (ED) plea to pass any order at this stage regarding the custodial interrogation of arrested Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji. On Wednesday morning, Balaji underwent a coronary artery bypass at Chennais Kauvery Hospital. (Twitter image)

While ED implored the top court to issue an order that the period of Balajis stay in hospital for a heart surgery should be excluded from the 15-day period of custodial interrogation, the Court said that the federal agency should go back to the Madras high court, where the case is coming up on Thursday, to raise all its contentions in first instance.

As of now, we have no reason to doubt the ability of the high court and that it will not appreciate the correct position in law... High courts are very robust institutions. They are also constitutional courts. We are fully confident that the high court is competent to decide as per the correct proposition of law, a bench of justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh told solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for ED.

Also Read:Tamil Nadu minister Balaji undergoes bypass surgery week after ED arrested him

ED had moved the top court on Monday seeking custodial interrogation of Balaji after his discharge from hospital and a direction that the period of Balajis stay in hospital would not be set off against the period of ED remand.

On Wednesday morning, Balaji underwent a coronary artery bypass at Chennais Kauvery Hospital.

In a brief statement the hospital said, Balaji underwent beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery... four bypass grafts were placed, and coronary revascularisation was established.

Mehta, on Wednesday, pointed out that the high court has created a wrong precedent by entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed by Balajis wife challenging the ministers arrest by ED on June 14.

They have not only entertained the petition but also issued some orders for shifting him to a private hospital etc. The high court had to necessarily decide first whether a habeas corpus petition can ever be maintainable against an order of arrest and an order of remand by a court, Mehta argued.

The bench, however, responded that the high court, in its order on June 15, had itself set about to examine whether a habeas corpus petition can be maintainable and therefore, there is no reason to prevent the high court from deciding the issue, especially when the matter is listed on Thursday (June 22).

Will any order by us not prevent the high court from rendering a judgment after considering everything? Nobody can deprive you of your right to get the remand of a person whose bail has been declined. Its only a question of timing. The only question is that whether the remand should wait until the person who is undergoing some treatment is fit to be interrogated. We are confident that the high court will consider everything and pass an order, the bench told the S-G.

Mehta repeatedly requested the Court to record in its order that the period of 15 days  the maximum that the law provides to an investigating agency for custodial interrogation, shall not trigger during the hospitalisation of Balaji.

But the bench retorted, Today is not the stage to say it. To say it will mean we dont trust our own institutions... Wait for that situation to come. You have made out a case and we will examine it. We are keeping your petitions pending here. Whichever way the high court decides, one or the other side will approach this Court and we can then decide it.

Senior counsel NK Kaul, representing Balaji and his wife, argued that the minister was undergoing surgery at this point of time and that it is unfortunate on the part of ED to claim that he feigned illness. He has undergone coronary artery bypass at a hospital today. He cannot create fake blockages in his heart, Kaul contended.

In its order, the bench recorded that since the high court is yet to render its final opinion regarding the maintainability of habeas Corpus petition and the exclusion of the period of treatment undergone by Balaji from the period of custodial interrogation, the petitions filed by ED stands adjourned to July 4.

We request the high court to proceed with the matter on merits. It is clarified that the pendency of the petitions before this Court shall not be taken as a ground to adjourn the hearing before the high court.

The observations made by the high court, or any oral observations made by this Court during the proceedings shall have no bearing on the merits of the case, stated the Court order.

The Tamil Nadu Electricity and Prohibition and Excise minister was arrested by ED on June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against him when he was the transport minister in the earlier AIADMK cabinet led by late J Jayalalithaa. His arrest sparked a furious political row between Tamil Nadus ruling DMK and its rivals - the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, over the alleged misuse of federal agencies.

ED has filed two petitions in the top court. The first petition is against the June 15 high court order that allowed the shifting of the minister, arrested by ED under money laundering charges, from a city government hospital to a private facility of his choice following his wife filed a habeas corpus petition.

The second petition challenges the Chennai sessions court order of June 16, restricting EDs interrogation at the hospital after obtaining permission from the team of doctors treating Balaji.

Therefore, it is respectfully prayed that this Honble Court may be pleased to pass an order permitting

ED custody after the accused is discharged from hospital, ED pleaded. It further sought an order that since Balaji got hospitalised from the first day of remand, he is to be deemed not under any effective custody so that the first 15 days custody period does not come in the way of right of the investigation agency for effective investigation and interrogation.

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Prime minister Narendra Modi, currently on a state visit to the United States, said that while the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies, India is the world's largest youth factory. Speaking at the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, on Thursday, where he was accompanied by US First Lady Jill Biden, PM Modi expressed his belief in the potential of the India-US partnership to become the driving force behind sustainable and inclusive global growth. (CLICK HERE FOR PM Modi US Visit Live Updates) First lady Jill Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)(AP)

To maintain growth momentum, India and the US need a pipeline of talent. On one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions & advanced technologies. On the other hand, India has the world's biggest youth factory. That is why, I believe that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth, PM Modi said.

ALSO READ | PM Modi leads Yoga Day event at UN headquarters: Free from copyrights

PM Modi also suggested starting an India-US teachers' exchange programme and hackathons on different issues. To increase the engagement of scientists & entrepreneurs across the world with Indian institutions, we started GIAN - Global Initiative of Academic Networks - in 2015. I am delighted to tell you that under this, 750 faculty members from the US have come to India.

Jill Biden, who accompanied PM Modi, underlined that by working together, both countries can achieve a safer, healthier, and more wealthy future for everybody. Education is the cornerstone of the bond between India and the United States. Students from both countries are learning and growing alongside each other, discovering the people that they want to become and building a better world together.

She went on to say that for economies to be robust, both countries must invest in future generations. It must be guaranteed that young people are given the opportunity they deserve.

With this official visit, we are bringing together the world's oldest and largest democracies. But our relationship is not just about governments, we are celebrating the families, and the friendship between both countries. The US-India partnership is deep and expansive as we jointly tackle global challenges. Education is an issue that is close to PM Modi's heart and mine, the US First Lady said.

PM Modi highlighted some of India's efforts in the sphere of technical education. Under Skill India, we have skilled over 50 million people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others."

He added that there are around 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools where youngsters are supplied with a variety of facilities for all types of inventions and the 'Start Up India' programme is being undertaken to inspire young entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade - Techade, PM Modi said.

PM Modi and First Lady Biden met with students from both countries at NSF. Anchal Sharma, an IIT Delhi student and Fulbright fellow at MIT, delivered a presentation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met prominent US personalities from different walks of life, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk who described his conversation as excellent and said he is planning to visit India next year. Tesla CEO Elon Musk meets PM Modi in New York. (Photo credit: PMO)

Musk told reporters after meeting Modi on Tuesday that Twitter, the social media giant he owns, does not have a choice but to follow the local government. Or it will get shut down, he said when asked about the company's former owner and CEO Jack Dorsey's recent allegation against the Indian government.

On his meeting with the prime minister, Musk said, "It was excellent and a very good conversation". "I am planning to visit India next year," he said at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel.

Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, is meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts.

Besides Musk, they include astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio.

Prime Minister Modi will celebrate the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

On June 22, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Modi at a State Dinner. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.
PM Modi in US highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced the second day of his state visit to the US by attending the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations headquarters. He then departed for Washington DC, where he is set to participate in a background briefing conducted by assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu. Later, he will take part in a cultural event at Freedom Plaza before flying to Virginia from Joint Base Andrews in Washington DC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. (PIB)
In a grand display of Indias soft power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, and described yoga as a truly universal and unifying force across ethnicities, faiths and cultures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) attends a yoga event at the United Nation headquarters in New York.(AFP)

The UN north lawns, overlooking the Hudson river, turned into a sea of white with an estimated 2,000 people representing around 135 nationalities joined Modi, the UN General Assembly president Csaba Korosi and the New York mayor Eric Adams in performing yoga. The participation of the most number of nationalities in a single yoga session hit the Guinness Book of World Records, and the Prime Minister hailed this unprecedented coming together of people from across the world.

Yoga comes from India. It is a very old tradition. But it is living and dynamic. Yoga is free from copyright, from patents, from royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable  you can do it at home or work or in transit. Yoga is flexible  you can practice it alone or in a group, learn from somewhere or be self taught. It is unifying, for all ethnicities, faiths, cultures. Yoga is truly universal. When we do Yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally content, Modi said, speaking in English.

The exercises were led by Annelies Richmond, a yoga trainer and the director of Art of Living, US. Among others present at the event were UNs deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed, actor Richard Gere, award-winning chef Vikas Khanna, Grammy winner Ricky Kej, and a host of US corporate leaders, military veterans, television personalities, Yoga practitioners and teachers, and members of the Indian diaspora.

But the event was as much about India showcasing its leadership in multiple domains.

Modi reminded the audience, as did the UNGA president, that India had proposed marking June 21 as the International Day of Yoga nine years ago. It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea back then, he said.

On peacekeeping, with India contributing the highest number of troops among all countries to UN forces, Modi said he had in 2015 spoken of building a memorial in honour of those who had given up their lives. In 2015, I had called for a new memorial at UN in their memory. Last week, the whole world joined hands to make this reality soon. As the largest troop contributing nation, we are grateful to all nations for their support.

And last year, Modi said, the whole world came together to support Indias proposal to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Millets are a superfood, they promote holistic health and are good for the environment.

Returning to the theme of yoga, Modi said that it was not just about an exercise on a mat. Yoga is a way of life. It is a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is way to bring mindfulness in thought and action. It is a way to live in harmony with self, with others and with nature.

Expressing his happiness that many were working on scientifically validating different aspects of yoga, Modi urged everyone to use the power of yoga to be kind to oneself, to each other, and to nature; to build bridges of friendship and peace; to build a cleaner and more sustainable future; and to build one earth, one family and one future  the last is the theme of Indias G20 presidency.

Adams, the influential New York mayor, said an individual had two mothers  one who gave birth, one who sustained. Yoga keeps us connected to both mothers and to each other.

In a video message, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said Yoga offered a haven of calm, reduced anxiety, promoted well-being, helped develop discipline and patience and connected people to the planet which so badly needs our protection.

Explaining how yoga diplomacy had become a part of Indias soft power, Harsh Pant of New Delhis Observer Research Foundation (ORF) said, The global acceptance of Yoga Day is a testament to both Modis effective leadership on the issue and Indias growing global clout. This has allowed India to shape its soft power in ways that were not anticipated a few years back.

Pant said this was an interesting exercise that showed how soft power can be wielded and how it intersected with a countrys strategic rise.

After the New York leg of his visit, Modi arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon eastern time for the official state visit. The US administration, particularly the White House, has gone all out in welcoming him with both ceremony and substance.

He was expected, later on Wednesday, to attend an event on knowledge and skilling with First Lady Jill Biden at the National Science Foundation, followed by a private dinner with President Joe Biden and the First Lady at the White House. On Thursday morning, Modi is set to receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House, with thousands of Indian-Americans expected to join, if the weather permits.

After bilateral talks with Biden and his team, the Prime Minister will head to the US Congress to address a joint meeting of the Senate and House before returning to White House for a state dinner. But along with the symbolism, as US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told HT in an interview, the visit will be marked by substantive outcomes in the domains of defence, technology, economy and help deepen people to people ties.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who is on a state visit to the US - on Wednesday led the Yoga Day event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the occasion of the ninth International Yoga Day. Several visuals show PM Modi performing yoga on the UN headquarters' lawn along with dignitaries, and several other participants. PM Modi takes part at the yoga session at UN Headquarters lawns in New York on the occasion of 9th International Yoga Day.(PTI)

The event saw participation from the President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, along with personalities and influencers from all walks of life including diplomats, officials, academicians, health professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, media personalities, artists, spiritual leaders, and yoga practitioners, among others. Reportedly, people from 180 countries joined the PM for the program.

Earlier, PM Modi also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the UN Headquarters' lawns.

Yoga Day event creates Guinness World Records

The event created a Guinness World Record for seeing the participation of most nationalities in a Yoga session. GWR's official adjudicator Michael Empric told the news agency ANI, Today, there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today, in New York, at the UN, they had 135. It is a new Guinness world records title.

PM Modi's US visit

PM Modi arrived in the US on Tuesday night (IST) at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official state visit. After the Yoga event, the PM is departing for Washington DC where he is set to participate in a background briefing conducted by assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu. He will also take part in a cultural event at Freedom Plaza before flying to Virginia from Joint Base Andrews in Washington DC. On June 22, PM Modi will address the joint session of the US Congress.
After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first day of Modi's historic US state visit, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said PM Modi really wants to do the right things for India. PM Modi invited him to India, Musk said and to keep the invitation, he is tentatively planning to come to India next year. Calling himself a fan of PM Modi, Musk giggled and said PM Modi wants to be open and supportive of new companies. As Musk spoke about the potential of India for his investment, he said he is hopeful to bring his Starlink internet to India soon. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said PM Modi invited him to India.

Defence, technology on agenda as PM Modi begins key US visit

Here is what Elon Musk said about PM Modi, India and his plan for India

I am incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world.

2. The takeaway from the meeting (between him and Modi) is he really cares about India. He is pushing us to make significant investments in India which is something we intend to do. In a nutshell, it was a fantastic meeting with Prime Minister. Several years ago, he (Modi) visited our Freemont factory.

3. I can say he (Modi) really wants to do the right things for India. He wants to be open, supportive of new companies and at the same time ensures that it accrues to India's advantage which is...that's the draw.

4. I am a fan of Modi. Yes, PM Modi invited me to India and I am tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I am looking forward to it.

5. India has potential for all three pillars of a sustainable energy future, the three pillars being sustainable energy generation through solar and wind primarily, the amount of area you actually need to generate electricityit is very doableWe are also looking to bring Starlink to India which could be incredibly helpful for rural areas."

6. I am confident that Tesla will be in India and we will do so as soon as humanly possible. I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully, we will be able to announce something in the future. We don't want to drop the gun on an announcement but I think it's quite likely that there will be a significant investment.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday at around 5:30 pm (IST) will lead a historic yoga session at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York to commemorate the ninth International Day of Yoga. PM Modi in US: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters as he arrives in New York on Tuesday. (AP)

Follow PM Modi in US LIVE UPDATES

The mega event will see the participation from top UN officials, envoys, people from over 180 countries and significant dignitaries will participate in the event.

While addressing virtually in a video message on the occasion of International Yoga Day on Wednesday, the prime minister emphasised that yoga strengthens feelings, expands the inner vision, and connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being.

Read here: Modi in US: PM leaves for historic visit, says Together we stand stronger

"We have to eliminate our contradictions, blockages and resistances through Yoga. We have to present the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat as an example to the world, he further said.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj told news agency PTI that the yoga celebration this year will be a very "unique occasion" as PM Modi, who had given this vision will lead the event at the UN headquarters. "So about nine years later, the author of that vision comes to the United Nations, she said.

The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated in 2015 after , the UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in December 2014. The draft UNGA resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.

Read here: PM Modi to lead Yoga Day event at UN headquarters in New York today

Since then, June 21 has been marked with several sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the UN, Times Square and iconic locations across the world.

Follow International Yoga day LIVE UPDATES

The UN underlined that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

(With inputs from agencies)
Freedom Plaza near the White House in Washington bore a colourful look on Wednesday as Indian diaspora community members organised a cultural extravaganza in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modis arrival in the American capital. The events were held outside the Willard InterContinental hotel, where the PM will be staying after his experience at Lotte New York Palace Hotel. he luxurious hotel has 335 rooms which consists of 69 suites. (The Willard website)

Five points about the Willard InterContinental:

One of the most famous hotels in America, the Willard's legacy dates back to 1818. According to its official website, it is also known as Residence of Presidents. This can be attributed to the fact that since the 1850s, every US president has either visited or stayed at this hotel. Reportedly, the 30th US President Calvin Coolidge even took his second oath of office as president at The Willard. The 200-year-old hotel has played host to US Presidents, celebrities and foreign dignitaries since its establishment. Notably, Modi had earlier stayed at the hotel during an official visit in September 2021.

3. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Willard InterContinental is located two blocks east of the White House and near the World War Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of the city.

4. Starting out as row-houses in 1816, the property was bought by Henry and Edwin Willard in 1850 and named it as Willards City Hotel, according to a report by The Historic Hotels of America. Although the hotel was shut in the 1960s, the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (PADC) Oliver Carr Company and Golding Associates helped restore the building. After the InterContinental Hotels Group took charge of its management, the iconic hotel reopened as The Willard InterContinental in 1986.

5. The luxurious hotel has 335 rooms which consists of 69 suites, with the Thomas Jefferson Suite being the largest. The hotel also offers exquisite culinary experiences at Cafe du Parc, Round Robin Bar and Le Cafe. Other amenities include The Willard Spa, Crystal Room and Willard Room for social gatherings, a full-service multimedia studio, and a bunch of luxury shops called Peacock Alley.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the guard of honour as he arrived at Joint Base Andrews amid heavy rainfall in Washington on Wednesday. The national anthems of both India and the United States played in the background as Modi, donning a raincoat, landed in the US military facility for the second leg of his first State visit to the US. Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (PTI)

The PM later left for Willard InterContinental Hotel where he was greeted by the Indian diaspora. Some of the community members staged cultural programmes outside the hotel where Modi will stay.

Modi arrived in the US capital after a historic Yoga session on the lawns of the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The event created a Guinness World Record for most nationalities performing Yoga together.

He is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with President Joe Biden on Thursday. and address a joint session of the US Congress.

PM Modi will be hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner on Thursday.

On Friday, Modi will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

He is also set to meet top CEOs, professionals, and other thought leaders.

Modi will fly to Egypt next at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

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U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to announce agreements on defense cooperation and sales, and investments in technology in India during White House talks starting on Wednesday despite U.S. concerns about human rights. Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit. (File)

Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China and sees India "as one of the defining partnerships of our age" a U.S. official said. Modi is seeking to raise the influence that India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion, has on the world stage.

When the U.S. sees challenges to press, religious or other freedoms, "we make our views known," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. He added: "We do so in a way where we dont seek to lecture or assert that we dont have challenges ourselves."

While Biden is expected to raise U.S. concerns about democratic backsliding in India under Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, the issues will be decided by Indians themselves and not the United States, Sullivan said.

Among the expected business agreements were those in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and investments in India by Micron Technology and other U.S. companies.

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.

Biden is under pressure by his fellow Democrats to bring up human rights with Modi. Modi is being warmly greeted by U.S. CEOs, including at a Friday reception. On Tuesday he met with Tesla chief Elon Musk in New York.

Rights advocates on Wednesday called on Biden to publicly call out Modi's human rights record, saying the approach of U.S. administrations of raising issues in private with the Indian leader has not stemmed what they called a deteriorating human rights situation in India.

"It has not worked," Zaki Barzinji, who served in the Obama administration as the White House liaison to religious minorities, said at a news conference in Washington organized by Indian-American civil rights and interfaith organizations.

Rights groups plan to protest during Modi's visit.

'SUBTLE SHIFT' ON RUSSIA

Both Biden and Modi are grappling with Beijing's flexing its muscle in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

"This visit is not about China. But the question of Chinas role in the military domain, the technology domain, the economic domain will be on the agenda," Sullivan said.

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.

Biden will bring up Russia and Ukraine ahead of the G20 summit later this year that will be held in India, Sullivan said.

A senior State Department official said there had been a "subtle shift" in India's approach to Russia since Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that "today's era is not an era of war."

Other Indian officials had challenged Russia for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity and over rhetoric on nuclear weapons in recent months, said the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

On Thursday, Biden and Modi will make announcements on the "co-development and co-production of military systems, including some very advanced systems," said the official, describing this as part of a broader move by India to buy weapons from other sources than traditional supplier Moscow.

Washington accepts that India will continue buying Russian oil, as long as it does so "at rock bottom prices" below a price cap agreed by developed nations, the official added.

After arriving in New York on Tuesday, Modi led a celebration of International Yoga Day at the United Nations on Wednesday and called on people "to join hands together to realize the goal of one earth, one family, one future."

Modi will visit the National Science Foundation with Jill Biden on Wednesday and have a private dinner with the president Wednesday night at the White House.

On Thursday, Modi will be welcomed with a colorful arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn. Biden and Modi will meet in the Oval Office and attend a state dinner in Modi's honor on Thursday night.

No joint press conference was planned.

"Across the board, I think youll see a combination of deep strategic discussions and practical progress, tangible progress in every single dimension of the relationship, all of it reflecting and reinforce the fact that this from our perspective will be one of the defining partnerships of our age," Sullivan said.
The United States on Wednesday said Prime Modi Narendra Modi's visit celebrates the US- India partnership as one of the most important bilateral relationships that they have in the 21st century. Prime Minister Modi with US President Joe Biden.(AFP file)

Vedant Patel, the US principal deputy spokesperson, told reporters that this is Modi's state visit and a little different than previous bilateral visits.

This (PM Modi's) visit celebrates the US-India partnership as one of the most important bilateral relationships that we have in the 21st century. This is about our partnership & deepening our relationship with India...This is a State visit and a little different than previous bilateral visits, Patel said.

"This isn't about comparing this visit with any other. What this is about is deepening and broadening and strengthening our relationship with our Indian partners. That is why very much, we are looking forward to welcoming them today," he added.

Patel's press briefing comes even as Modi arrived in Washington on Wednesday on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.

Modi arrived in the US capital from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

The prime minister, who is visiting the US at the invitation of Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, will join them for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries on Thursday.

Modi arrived at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC where he was given a guard of honour amid incessant rains. The Prime Minister, who was wearing a raincoat, stood for the national anthem of the two countries.

From the airport, Modi travelled to the hotel where Indian diaspora members were waiting for him.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the United States on Wednesday, after celebrating the International Day of Yoga as he took part in a multi-country session of the ancient discipline at UN headquarters in New York. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Indian diaspora in Washington, US. (PM Modi/Twitter)

"Yoga means to unite. So your coming together is an expression of another form of yoga," Modi, dressed all in white, said on the first day of a visit to the US.

It was Modi who engineered the creation in 2014 of the International Day of Yoga every June 21 through a UN General Assembly resolution. On yellow mats at a grassy area of the UN complex by the East River, people from 135 countries stretched and meditated at Wednesday's group session. This set a record for nationalities in one go at yoga, the Guinness organisation said.

Later Wednesday, Modi will meet US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for a private dinner at the White House.

Top updates on PM Modi's US visit

1. First Lady Jill Biden will take Modi on a side trip to Virginia on Wednesday, a day before his formal state visit and fancy dinner at the White House.

2. In a warmup of sorts to Thursday, the first lady arranged a visit on Wednesday to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, for an event highlighting workforce training programmes for Modi. She typically takes the spouse of a visiting leader on an outing in the Washington area, but Modi was travelling alone.

3. Afterward, the first lady was returning to the White House to unveil the decor and menu for Thursday's state dinner, which is being held in a temporary pavilion erected on the South Grounds of the White House. She enlisted help from a guest chef, Nina Curtis, who specialises in plant-based cooking, to work on the three dinner courses with the White House kitchen staff. Modi is a vegetarian. Violinist Joshua Bell will entertain guests after dinner.

4. At the science foundation, the first lady and Modi will also meet students from the US and India, and participate in a moderated conversation.

5. In New York, Modi described yoga as "truly universal" and "free from copyrights and patents" as he led a historic event at the UN headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

6. Modi, who is on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US, paid respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the North Lawn of the UN headquarters at the beginning of the event that created the Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

7. Had the honor of paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his bust in the @UN HQ. His enduring message of peace, nonviolence and harmony continues to guide and inspire us, and stands as a beacon for the world, Modi later tweeted.

8. Humbled to pay my tributes at the Wall of Peace at the @UN HQ today. We honor and remember the brave peacekeepers who gave their lives for a more peaceful world. Their selfless service will never be forgotten, the PM added.

9. In another tweeted, Modi said, What a grand Yoga Day programme in New York! Grateful for the energy and commitment shown by all participants. This shows how Yoga unites us in the pursuit of health, peace, and harmony.

10. On June 22, Modi will also address a joint sitting of the US Congress on the same day. On June 23, the prime minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and US secretary of state Antony Blinken.

(With inputs from AP, PTI)

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Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday criticised the Narendra Modi government for allegedly cracking down on the press and civil society, and pushing an aggressive Hindu nationalism. He also said US President Joe Biden should raise the issues in his meeting with PM Modi, who landed in Washington DC on Wednesday as part of a three-day State visit to the United States. Senator Bernie Sanders(AP file)

Prime Minister Modi's government has cracked down on the press and civil society, jailed political opponents, and pushed an aggressive Hindu nationalism that leaves little space for India's religious minorities. President Biden should raise these facts in his meeting with Modi, Sanders tweeted.

Sanders earlier announced that he will not embark on a third-straight campaign for president and will instead endorse President Bidens reelection, signalling a likely end to the 81-year-olds presidential ambitions following grassroots bids that elevated his views of democratic socialism toward the political mainstream.

Biden is under pressure by his fellow Democrats to bring up human rights with Modi.

Joe Biden will not lecture PM Modi: White House

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Biden is expected to bring up US concerns about democratic backsliding in India, but he will not lecture Modi on the subject.

When the US sees challenges to press, religious or other freedoms, we make our views known, Sullivan said. He added, We do so in a way where we dont seek to lecture or assert that we dont have challenges ourselves.

"Ultimately, the question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India is going to be determined within India by Indians. It's not going to be determined by the United States," Sullivan said.

On Wednesday, Modi will visit the National Science Foundation with First Lady Jill Biden and have a private dinner with President Biden at the White House.

On Thursday, Modi will be welcomed with a colourful arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn. Biden and Modi will hold Oval Office talks and attend a state dinner in the prime minister's honour on Thursday night.

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Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balajis heart bypass surgery was done on Wednesday. The Tamil Nadu human rights commission has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit a report on his arrest in the alleged cash-for-jobs scam, within six weeks. The Tamil Nadu human rights commission has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate to submit a report on minister V Senthil Balajis arrest in the alleged cash-for-jobs scam within six weeks. (ANI)

There is a possibility that his surgery will be done tomorrow morning, said health minister M Subramanian. It will be an open heart surgery.

After the ED got 8-day custody of the minister, starting June 16 allowing it to interrogate only within hospital premises, the federal agency had on Monday moved the Supreme Court stating that Balaji is feigning illness immediately after his arrest.

After 18 hours of questioning, the ED arrested Balaji under the prevention of money laundering act (PMLA) on June 14 at 1:39 am. Complaining of chest pain, Balaji was admitted to the Omandurar government hospital after 2.30 am where doctors recommended a by-pass surgery at the earliest after diagnosing three blocks in his heart. The same day, Balaji was remanded under judicial custody but was allowed to continue with his medical treatment at the hospital. On June 15 night, Balaji was moved to the Kauvery hospital after getting the permission from the Madras high court.

Explaining the delay in the surgery, Subramanian said that in Omandurar, doctors had given Balaji blood thinners (heparin and aspirin, his lawyers had said earlier) because his three blocks were critical. The surgery can be done only after the medicines are stopped for five days to prevent bleeding complications, said the health minister.

Before Balaji was shifted to the private hospital, (on June 15) the human rights commission member, V Kannadasan, met Balaji in Omandurar and took note of his complaints alleging that ED officials had assaulted him. The central agency denied the allegations and further alleged that the minister didnt cooperate with the probe.

Meanwhile, the commission on Tuesday called for a report from the federal agency in Chennai based on the complaint of the ministers wife S Megala (what did the wife complained about?-please explain). Call for a report from Joint Director, Directorate of Enforcement, Chennai within six weeks, the commission said, adding that if the ED fails to submit the report, the commission will take an action, as it deems fit.

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Russia will continue meeting Indias energy needs as long as there is demand, and the two sides are working on ways to make energy supplies sustainable and to address a trade imbalance, Russian ambassador Denis Alipov told Rezaul H Laskar in an interview. Edited excerpts: PREMIUM Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov(MINT_PRINT)

How would you assess India-Russia ties, especially during a period of turmoil and geopolitical flux?

In his recent remarks on nine years of the Modi government, (external affairs minister) S Jaishankar emphasised that our historic relations, despite all challenges, remain very steady as they enjoy traditional support in the leadership and public sentiments in both countries. I would add this is especially true in the present environment despite rampant lies about Russia and her objectives.

Our special and privileged strategic partnership has shown remarkable resilience and keeps going strong to a large extent because India stands its own ground and values instead of choosing camps and rejects the idea of resurrection of division lines that the Western countries advocate for.

The idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is basically about the same principle that Russia aspires for in Europe, i.e., common and equal security architecture.

Russia has emerged the largest supplier of energy to India. Is oil trade at the current level sustainable?

As long as there is demand, there is supply. Oil supplies helped us reach the record high bilateral trade turnover at $44.4 billion in fiscal 2022-23, covering more than one-third of Indian oil imports and making Russia the largest contributor to Indian energy security.

We are interested in long-term arrangements so that this trend is indeed sustainable. It is a matter of fact that the oil demand for the fastest growing Indian economy is going to increase.

The basic idea, however, is quite opposite and that is the diversification of trade instead of putting all eggs in one basket.

India-Russia trade has grown tremendously though leaders from both sides have spoken of making it balanced. What is being done in this regard?

The trade imbalance problem is broadly recognised by the two countries. It requires holistic measures and out-of-the-box solutions to facilitate movement of goods and services, especially from India to Russia. Concerted efforts are being made for this purpose to expand business-to-business engagements. Much remains to be done to promote favourable conditions for mutual payments, expanding logistics options and capital markets access.

We are keen to launch the Eurasian Economic Union-India FTA negotiations at the earliest. Dedicated efforts are made to increase the capacity of the International North-South Transport Corridor.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken of billions of rupees being accumulated in Indian banks that cant be used. Is there progress on using the SBFS system and mutually recognising digital payment systems?

It is a work in progress, including the use of alternative financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia. Our financial regulators and banks maintain dialogue on that to ensure bilateral transactions are smooth and seamless. We have been quite successful on this track and this sends an encouraging message for the rest of the world, showing the way to strengthen national financial systems and to establish sustainable alternative cross-border financial relations.

How would you respond to commentators who say Russia is becoming increasingly dependent on China and this can have implications for relations with India?

I have already gone on record by saying Russia has never been dependent on anyone throughout our history. There is absolutely no way for us becoming one at present or in future  it contradicts our national interests. Expanding economic cooperation with China or with any other country for that matter does not have a chance to become a political tool of influence.

Russia remains committed to its basic principles of diplomacy and does not play zero-sum games as well as never makes friends against anyone. We have excellent relations with India and China and are determined to expand mutually beneficial and honest ties with both our partners without hidden agenda as stipulated by the recently updated Russian Foreign Policy Concept.

Moreover, unlike some other countries, we sincerely support normalisation of a constructive dialogue between the two for the sake of the promotion of stability and sustainable development in Eurasia.

And so I suggest that instead of crying over the growing Chinese economic footprint in Russia, Indian commentators would do better to encourage greater Indian expansion in the Russian market, as I believe India does not plan to reduce its largely imaginary dependency on Russia only to become dependent on someone else, best practices and standards included.

Will President Vladimir Putin attend the G20 Summit in India and can you give an update on the annual India-Russia Summit?

There is no shortage of communication between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi. The personal chemistry between them is very strong. We were among the first who established the practice of annual bilateral summits, and we are decisively committed to maintaining it. The leaders met in person last year in Uzbekistan and regularly speak over the phone.

As far as the G20 Summit is concerned, it will be one of the most important events in the global diplomatic calendar this year. We are comprehensively involved in preparations to support India-led inclusive and development-oriented agenda. Announcement of the Russian participation in the Summit will follow in due course.

Prime Minister Modi has met the Russian and Ukrainian presidents and sought a return to dialogue and diplomacy while pledging support for all efforts to end the fighting. Does Russia see India playing any sort of mediatory role in this crisis?

We highly value Indias holistic understanding of the Ukrainian crisis and its genesis. It advocates a peaceful solution to be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy that we appreciate. Such a position reflects New Delhis status as a responsible global power.

Russia never rejected any mediatory proposals from those who is sincerely interested in establishing peace.

However, it is not us who should be encouraged to peace in the first place. The ultimate goal officially declared by the West to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia in this hybrid war against us leaves no prospects for any conversation.

The West keeps pumping the Kiev regime with weapons used to target Russian civilian infrastructure and citizens, raising the level of escalation fraught with disastrous consequences. Unless Washington and its satellites realise the danger and futility of their confrontation policy, any meaningful mediatory efforts will be senseless, as are such unrealistic initiatives as the so-called 10-point peace formula by Volodymyr Zelensky.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday backed Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's peace appeal in Manipur, saying that it is a statesman-like appeal to restore normalcy. What Sonia Gandhi is talking about is a human tragedy where not only a large number of lives have been lost, but also many people had to flee their homes, their homes have been destroyed, he said. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.(PTI / File photo)

"It's a terrible human situation and she has called attention to that. It is our duty to help them (Manipur) restore normalcy, Tharoor said while speaking to news agency PTI.

Earlier in the day, Tharoor questioned the internet shutdown in the violence-hit state. India is rightly proud of its tech stack and the use of the Internet for so many purposes, from banking to e-governance. Then why has it shut the Internet down in Manipur for two months, adding to the miseries of the people, with no impact on mob violence? This reflexive resort to Internet shutdowns must stop. We hold a dubious world record, for the largest number & longest duration of Internet shutdowns anywhere on the planet, he tweeted.

Sonia Gandhi's appeal

Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday issued a video message appealing for peace in Manipur and urged the people of the violence-hit state to rebuild trust and emerge stronger from the trial. It takes tremendous trust and goodwill to nurture the spirit of brotherhood, and a single misstep to fan the flames of hate and divisiveness, she said.

Today, we are at vital crossroads. Our choice to embark on the path of healing will shape the kind of future that our children will inherit. I appeal to the people of Manipur, especially my brave sisters, to lead the way in bringing peace and harmony to this beautiful land. It is my sincere hope that over the coming weeks and months, we will set out on the long journey of rebuilding trust and emerge stronger from this trial. I have immense hope and faith in the people of Manipur and I know that together we will overcome this ordeal, she said in her 2.5-minute video message.

She added, I appeal for peace and harmony. Our choice to embark on the path of healing will shape the kind of future that our children will inherit. I have immense hope and faith in the people of Manipur and I know that together we will overcome this ordeal."

Manipur violence

Violence in Manipur 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. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the violence, while thousands fled their homes. After a fresh firing was reported in the state on Tuesday, the state government extended the ban on the internet by five more days till June 25.
Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji underwent a beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery a week after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14 arrested him over money laundering charges after 18-hour questioning. Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji being rushed to hospital after his arrest last week. (PTI)

In a bulletin, Chennais Kauvery Hospital said Balaji is stable and being monitored in the postoperative cardiothoracic intensive care unit. Four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularization was established.

A Chennai court granted ED Balajis custody starting June 16 and allowed it to interrogate him only within hospital premises, prompting the federal agency to move Supreme Court. ED accused Balaji of feigning illness immediately after his arrest and opposed his shifting to the private hospital.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the agency to argue its case first before the Madras high court against entertaining a habeas corpus petition over Balajis arrest and exclusion of the period of his hospitalisation from the 15-day ED remand period. The high court is due to hear the matter on Thursday.

Balaji was admitted to a government hospital after his arrest with doctors recommending the bypass surgery at the earliest after diagnosing three blockages in his heart. On June 15, Balaji was shifted to the Kauvery Hospital following a high court order.

Chief minister MK Stalin accused ED of torturing Balaji, which led to his hospitalisation, after the ministers arrest last week. He rushed to see Balaji and blamed the torture for the ministers chest pain. He said Balaji was tortured even after the minister said he would cooperate with the investigation.

Stalin said the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will not be intimidated by threats from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and added that people will teach them a lesson in the 2024 national elections. He accused ED of acting inhumanly and said Balaji will fight legally.

Balaji was arrested hours after Stalin slammed the BJPs backdoor tactics against its political opponents as ED launched raids at premises linked to Balaji. Stalin called EDs raid at the secretariat office of Balaji a direct assault on the federal principle.

The allegations against Balaji date back to 2011-15 when he was the transport minister in the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government. Crores of rupees were allegedly taken from candidates in return for promised jobs. Many candidates did not get jobs despite allegedly paying bribes.

Balaji quit AIADMK after former chief minister J Jayalalithas death in 2016. He joined the ruling DMK in December 2018.

In May this year, the Supreme Court allowed the ED to continue its money laundering investigations in the alleged scam overruling a Madras high court order in 2022.

DMKs allies including the Congress rallied behind Tamil Nadus ruling party following Balajis arrest while BJP and AIADMK called Balajis hospitalisation a drama and demanded his sacking.

DMK leader R S Bharathi wondered whether ED was targeting Balaji since there was a power cut for 15 minutes when Union home minister Amit Shah was at the Chennai airport on June 10.

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The Supreme Court, which was hearing Enforcement Directorates (ED) case against Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji getting admitted to a private hospital, on Wednesday decided to wait for the Madras high courts verdict on the matter on June 22. The ED had alleged that the minister is feigning illness. Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji undergoes a heart bypass surgery on Wednesday in Chennais Kauvery hospital. (ANI)

High court is yet to render its final option on habeas corpus petition and the exclusion of period of treatment undergone by the detenue (Balaji) from the period of custodial interrogation and since both these issues are likely to be examined by the high court on June 22 or thereafter, we deem it appropriate to post this SLP for further hearing on July 4, the top court stated in its order.

Balaji who was arrested by the ED on June 14 in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the states transport department, underwent a heart coronary artery bypass surgery on Wednesday, people familiar with the matter said.

According to Chennais Kauvery Hospital, Balaji is stable and is being monitored in the postoperative cardiothoracic intensive care unit (PCICU). Four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularization was established, the hospital said in its health bulletin.

The ED had got 8 days custody of the minister starting June 16 but they were allowed to interrogate him only within hospital premises, prompting the federal agency on Monday to move the Supreme Court.

Balaji was admitted to the government Omandurar hospital after his arrest and doctors recommended the bypass surgery at the earliest after diagnosing three blockages in his heart. On June 15, Balaji was shifted to the Kauvery Hospital with a nod from the high court.

Health minister M Subaramanian on Wednesday said that the doctors were yet to decide on the number of days the minister will have to remain in the ICU and subsequently the general ward. He will regain consciousness this evening, said Subaramanian.

The opposition AIADMK fanned out in protest across Tamil Nadu demanding the ruling DMK government to remove Balaji from the council of ministers. The chief minister MK Stalin, his cabinet and family are supporting Balaji, said former minister SP Velumani speaking to reporters. They are scared that Senthil Balaji will say something against them too, said Velumani. He has been named in a scam so Stalin has to remove him. But Stalin is busy using state agencies to raid us.

Stalin has not removed Balaji as minister but reallocated his two important portfolios citing his ill health. Finance minister Thangam Thenarrasu is additionally handling electricity while housing minister S Muthusamy is also handling prohibition and excise.

A DMK leader reiterated that an elected representative need not be removed until proven guilty with a conviction. There are so many Union ministers who have cases against them. Nobody has been removed isnt it? The court has not yet framed charges against Senthil Balaji, the leader said.

The allegations against Balaji date back to 2011-15 when he was the transport minister in the AIADMK government. He is accused of taking crores of rupees in return for jobs but candidates neither got jobs nor a refund. Stalin has described EDs actions as the vendetta politics of the BJP-led Union government. The BJP, an ally of the AIADMK, has also demanded Balajis removal.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in New York , the United States (US) ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, was making final preparations for the state visit. In the historic State Department building in Washington DC, he spoke to Hindustan Times about the India-US ties on Tuesday. Edited excerpts: PREMIUM United States ambassador to India Eric Garcetti. (Twitter)

Also read: Defence, technology on agenda as PM Modi begins key US visit

What makes this visit so unique?

I think what makes this visit significant is it is the deepest relationship, arguably, between two of our leaders, but it reflects the deepest relationship ever between our two governments. And that in turn reflects the deepest relationship between two peoples. So for the first time, you have not just two people at the top willing to talk about the future. Two governments align at taking actions to push that future forward, but theres a depth and a warmth of friendship and connections between 1.75 billion people that has never existed before.

I think this is what history feels like. This is one of those moments where you read the book backwards and you see those key moments in history. When you are living them that day, you dont always feel it. But I would argue this is one of those moments where the relationship is positively past the point of no return, where we have a real sense that we can define the future, and that we will be the closest of partners with a depth of friendship for decades to come.

Are you suggesting that we have now hit an irreversible momentum?

Absolutely. I would say that, usually when these visits happen, if there are two or three deliverables, thats pretty significant. We have more than 100. Not all of them will even be announced. They are so deep, its an all arena-partnership. It goes geographically from the ocean floor to the heavens. It goes on the horizontal axis across the Indo-Pacific. And it goes towards all the things that are important. The four Ps that I talk about, which are peace, prosperity, planet, and people are really reflected in what will come out of this. And that momentum is unstoppable. It wasnt always inevitable, but I do believe its unstoppable.

Also read: Where is PM Modi staying in New York?

Put your political hat on for us; whats the single most important political factor driving this?

You know, call me old-fashioned, but I do believe it comes from a feeling on both sides, first and foremost. People often think that this is just a relationship of convenience. Its not, I think its a relationship of true friendship. We have other countries that have talked about, you know, relationships with no limits and things like that. But I think those are practical kind of political arrangements. This is one in which it probably wouldnt affect the US that much to not deepen the ties, at least in the short-term with India, we could kind of stay where we are. Some trade disputes, some defence cooperation, a lot of Indians that come here to study and to visit and even to immigrate. And we would be fine as a country. India has its own momentum too. It doesnt depend on the US to continue that momentum  its growth, its population, its economic rise.

But I think there has been a realisation that there is something exponential about this relationship. Its not just linear. Instead of three plus three, it is three times three. It allows us to confront common threats. But I think that people who overstate that  were brought together by threats  dont understand the deep opportunities. I think were finally recognising that.

I would also say its a much more equal relationship. Indian companies are investing in America and creating jobs. And if you said that to an India-watcher, even 10 years ago, they would go, well, wait a second. No, no, no, its one way, India is a back office for technology. No. Now its a front office and creating IP that rivals anything in the world. The innovations on electronic payments, the focus on certain technological innovations from space to hydrogen that are coming out of India are as good as anywhere in the world. So I think theres a recognition that India has as much to contribute and to lead as America does, and thats helping us. I think a friendship has to have that equality. And I think for the first time, there is a depth of that understanding.

What do you make of the two arguments made to criticise the administrations approach? Sceptics suggest on interests, India isnt an ally; on values, Indian democracy has eroded.

It is wrong to say that we dont have shared values. If you are saying a 100% shared values, no two countries, no two people ever do or rarely do. But dont let the narcissism of small differences, as Freud put it, cloud the convergence of values that are real. Our democracy has questions and challenges. Indias democracy faces challenges and questions, and they are not the same ones always. And I think its fair to point out where we can always do better and to welcome that. But secondly, I think values are best promoted by engaging between friends, not walking away from them.

On strategic interest, I find this to be strawmen. I didnt hear voices saying we are going to amass ground troops in India, or that Indian ships are going to the straits of Taiwan. We know our world and the limitations, and India has been clear that its not a part of alliances. But the idea that its either that or nothing, theres 99% in between those two options. When India is doing more military exercises with the US than any other country, thats a strong strategic statement. When the US is leaning in with military technologies that we have never shared with any nation before, thats an extremely strong statement. It speaks for itself.

I certainly dont believe nor does the President believe that you deepen a strategic relationship at the expense of ever talking about values and vice versa. You can find the shared values pretty easily in this relationship. They are the reason for the strategic deepening as much as anything practical.

Both the Indian and American systems are known for delays and difficult bureaucracies. How have you made such quick progress suddenly?

If ever there was a case in point for if there is a will, there is a way, we have proven it. I think for a long time we accepted that there was no way on so many things between our systems. When we forget, systems are made by people, and people who have a desire to deepen a relationship can find their way through. I have been blown away by how quickly things have actually moved. I have to give credit to our leaders. This has directly come from the president and PM who have said, this is important and get this done. And people listen to leaders, and leaders make a difference in history. And I think history will look back at this moment saying, this was something that President Biden wanted to do and was able to achieve. And something that Prime Minister Modi wanted to do and was able to achieve.

Either one of them could have stopped it, only both them together could have made it move forward.

But underneath them too, I think, are a group of people who for a long time have waited for this moment. And we have always looked for the excuses as to get to why not. True friendship and true power are finding a way to get to yes. And sacrificing little something to get a lot more. Weak power is holding on to old rules, regulations, and not yielding or always expecting reciprocity. Strong power is giving because you believe in someone or something. And I think this is a reflection of strong power being exercised between two nations.

The Indian diaspora is seen as a living bridge. But do you think Indias political and religious fault lines are playing out in the diaspora and is that making things difficult too?

It hasnt made it more difficult. It has made it easier because people now are the living embodiment of this bridge as immigrants, as investors. When Americans wake up and see so many people of Indian descent leading our largest businesses here, theres no backlash. Its quite the opposite. Theres almost a pride, an embrace of this is what the American dream is about. I know there is a pride on the Indian side to see Starbucks and Microsoft and Google run by people who embody that. But it also goes down to the spelling bee champions. And, you know, there is more and more familiarity. One in six Americans have been treated by an Indian doctor. Thats the most important thing, your own health and your familys health. There is an intimacy to the friendship that deep. I would hope that Indias diversity, whether thats cultural, religious, or political, is reflected in our country, like America, as it is, reflected in India. I know that they live in a democracy here and should be free to express whatever differences or challenges that they have faced. But to me, thats a reflection of, again, why those values are similar. Values arent defined just by a moment or a leader. Values are defined by an entire people. And those values are alive and well.

How much do Indian-American votes matter to the political calculations of your leadership in driving the bilateral relationship?

I was a politician. I dont think a lot. Different people in different districts look at that. Indian-American community has been very active, in being donors, but its not a bloc. I dont think that there are brokers who say, I can deliver the Indian vote. I think Indian Americans think for themselves and have a wide diversity of parties in different states. There are Republican Indian-Americans in Texas and Democratic Indian-Americans in California, and probably vice versa. I dont see this as a political calculus on delivering a national Indian vote. I dont think it exists as such. Its way too diverse.

But I do think that people listen to their constituents. They listen to the concerns that they have as Americans, and also their ties to the countries that they might have come from or their parents might have come from. And I do think that is a part of American politics in a good way. We need to know India and Indians as well as India and Indians know America and Americans. And I would say that bridge from India is extreme strong. From America, its been much weaker.

And one of the legacies I hope this moment leaves behind is an awakening of America to India and Indians beyond, you know, knowing the restaurant, having a friend, meeting the doctor. We need to understand India much more deeply than we have to this point. And I think there has never been a better time. So one of my hopes of this visit is that peoples curiosity about India and Indians deepens and that America can send more students, have more exchanges, enjoy more Indian culture. Look at how South Korea has taken over, you know, with K-pop and squid games stuff. There is such a rich Indian cultural tradition. Now is the time for America to embrace that and to make sure that this moment is more like a movement.

Also read: First Lady Jill Biden to host event with PM Modi and State Dinner Media Preview

How do you deal with differences, from Ukraine to Bangladesh to Myanmar?

I think we are listening and learning, and I think vice versa. The strongest of marriages, of friendships, of relationships always have plenty of difference. But the key is listening and learning and understanding each other, and at a difficult moment, being able to express those differences and hear them.

We will never abandon our values. We cant stop speaking out about an unprovoked war of aggression by Russians in Ukraine. And as I remind Indians, India cares a lot about borders and sovereignty. Its a pretty clear issue. Governments have more constraints than people. But I also am engaging as ambassador, not just at the government to government level, which has been wonderful and very fruitful so far, but also at the everyday level. If you ask the average Indian about who is right and who is wrong in Ukraine, theres not a lot of ambiguity. And it hits close to home. And I also say, look, regardless of history or constraints because of military procurement  any by the way, history is real when Soviet Union was there and we werent  today, where is the future?

Is it with countries that are autocracies that are aggressive and cross national borders? Or is the future, whether you call it an alliance or not, deepening your relationship and partnerships with countries that still are democracies, are not trying to project power, and look at technology is something to improve peoples lives, not to oppress people or control their lives. And, in those areas, the US and India are totally congruent and I think have a role, not just with each other, but a role in the world. If we can strengthen our friendship, we can help ensure those values are protected in other places, whether its in the region of South Asia, whether its in the Middle East, whether its Africa, Latin America. I think we really can do a lot of trilateral, quadrilateral work together around the world. And India being this bridge from north, south, east, west, the past and the future can be a real partner to the US so that we are not in the developing world just seen as oh, that northern state coming here telling people what to do, but really a democracy saying that there is a choice in this world to stand for democratic values and to stand for freedom and to stand for rule of law or not. And thats a pretty clear choice.

Has it struck you that the US system seems more publicly committed to the relationship than India?

I respectfully disagree. I respect Indias desire to be a great power, to have its independence and not be anybodys vassal or anybodys ally. India deserves to be just as strong as America in setting its own agenda. But I got to say that, in the Indian press, I have been reading things about how the US is the most dependable partner now for India and the world. When you look at polling, 80% of Indians have a positive feeling about the US. I think that this is both from the highest levels of government to, to the streets of India, something thats very deeply felt. So I dont think that its not being talked about on that side too.

Maybe its so taken for granted. Every Indian has some relative, some friend or they themselves who have come to the US, studied, knows somebody in the US, or working for an American company. It is almost taken for granted. It doesnt have to be as explicitly said. You might hear it more here because its newer. America is like, let me talk about that. Thats a really important partnership. I would argue this friend has always been there waiting for us to deepen that friendship and vice versa. I would say in India, we are so much a part of Indian life and culture and connections that it was time for us to finally kind of bring that into life.

In the three months or so you have been in India, what was the most pleasant surprise or shock?

The amount of Indian food I can continue eating (laughs). Where I really viscerally felt the change was when I went to Hyderabad. I saw the new India physically, literally coming up. You could feel it in the amount of construction and buildings and companies and investment and the size of the incubator I went to. I mean, its one thing to read statistics, its another thing to feel the physical world being built inside of India. Thats when it really hit me. I was like I see the future, the future of India and the future of this world. The future is AI, but I think it stands for America and India.
Two transgender persons were killed by a group of unknown miscreants in Hyderabads Daibagh area in the wee hours of Wednesday, police said. (Representative Photo)

Police have identified the deceased as Yousuf alias Dolly and Mohd Riyaz alias Sofia, both in the age group of 25-30 years and residents of Jhirra near Tappachabutra.

Police said they were attacked around 1am on Wednesday by a group who allegedly hit them with bricks and stabbed them with knives.

Also Read: Tantrik kills lesbian in Uttar Pradesh after promise to change her gender, arrested

They were on a scooter, and around 1am, a group of miscreants waylaid them at Daibagh area and attacked them with concrete bricks and stabbed them with knives. Both transgender persons died on the spot, deputy commissioner of police (South West) Kiran Khare told reporters.

Khare said that the police have recovered the knife allegedly used in the crime from the incident spot, adding that the bodies of the deceased persons were taken to hospital for post-mortem examination.

Meaawhile, police have detained a few unknown suspects for questioning, Khare said. We have detained a few people in connection with the murder and are probing the case from all angles, he said, adding that a double murder case has been registered under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.

Preliminary inquiries by the police revealed that a love affair could be the reason behind the double murders.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Srinivasa Rao is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Hyderabad covering developments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He has over three decades of reporting experience. ...view detail
Law enforcement in the UK announced the arrest of a man from London who allegedly paid two teenagers in India 65 lakh over five years to sexually assault boys and share images, busting what could be part of a larger child porn racket. Representative Image

Matthew Smith, 34, is also believed to have been involved in child sexual abuse while in India between 2007 and 2014, before he moved to Nepal and eventually back to the UK.

Thousands of images and videos were recovered from his devices which showed an appalling catalogue of sexual abuse being perpetrated on children. Smith offered individuals payments for indecent images to gratify his own sexual desires, which resulted in the horrifying abuse of young children in India, said Claire Brinton, specialist prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit.

He has plead guilty to the allegations.

Smith was educated at Oxford and Cambridge and was employed at Thomass prep school in Battersea, which was once attended by Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the grandchildren of King Charles.

Indian agencies, the CPS said, are now in the process of identifying Smiths victims and accomplices who helped him in carrying on the abuses.

ALSO READ: Paedophilia is now new norm in West, says Putin

In India, Smith worked in orphanages and at NGOs. In July 2022, he came back to the UK and started working as a primary school teacher, rising to the position of deputy head teacher. It is believed that it was during his presence in India that he managed to build a network of child sexual abuse accomplices and kept it going after moving to the UK.

Smiths modus operandi was to manipulate teenage boys in India and give them tips on how to befriend minors, prosecutors said. In some instances, Smith would send the teenage boys videos and images of sexual acts that he wanted performed, filmed and sent to him.

In the Southwark crown court, he was described as a prolific offender who manipulated young men to sexually abuse children on his behalf. The court was told that over 120,000 indecent images were recovered from him, which were saved on laptop, a mobile phone and an SD card.

Smith came under the radar after it was established by UK agencies that he was sharing images of child sexual abuse on the dark web. When his flat was raided in November 2022, he was in fact speaking to a teenage boy in India negotiating a deal to have sexual images of a minor sent to him for money.

ALSO READ | Alarming findings: Instagram's disturbing role in promoting pedophiles and illegal content

Smith was initially charged with five offences relating to sexual exploitation of a child, but over the last few months, as the probe widened, it was established that he had indulged in more serious acts. Accordingly, he was charged with encouraging the rape of minors and for arranging the sexual abuse of children.

There have been no known previous convictions or charges against Smith in the UK and the fact that he continued to work in a primary school in London while simultaneously facilitating the sexual abuse of minors in India have set an alarm bell.

The Southwark crown court, where Smith pleaded guilty to all the charges on Tuesday, will sentence him in August 2023.
The Union council of ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet after his return from the US and Egypt, senior government functionaries said, with the focus being on the remaining 11 months of the current term of this government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Mint File Photo)

They added that three issues  the capex of central public sector enterprises, coverage of the flagship welfare schemes of the Modi government, and implementation of the budgetary proposals as announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her general budget for FY23-24  will be discussed at the meeting as part of an effort to prepare the ground for the 2024 elections.

ALSO READ: Amit Shah calls all-party meet on June 24 to discuss Manipur

The Union Budget 2023-24 earmarked 10.1 lakh crore towards capital expenditure, 33% higher than the last years revised estimate of 7.7 lakh crore. Ministries such as petroleum, power and defence are expected to spend the bulk of the proposed capex.

In this context, the utilisation of the earmarked capital expenditure is important and needs a close monitoring. Also, the government is aware that last year the capital outlay was reduced by 6,000 crore in the revised estimates, said one of the people cited above, asking not to be named.

The saturation of flagship projects, such as Ayushman Bharat, the governments health insurance scheme, PM Awas Yojna (rural), the housing scheme, and the Jal Jeevan mission, which aims to provide piped water to hundreds of millions of households, hold the key to the creation of individual beneficiaries  a section that has become an important vote bank for the BJP.

HT reported last week that the government plans to add another 70 million families to its 100 million-strong flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat in next four months, create 33.4 million eligible beneficiaries in the 60,000 crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), and provide functional household tap lines to 40 million beneficiaries.

The saturation in flagship schemes is of utmost importance for the government. The governments welfare measures reaches people effectively the ground level, creates new infrastructure in some cases such as in MGNREGS and above all, helps the government reap political dividends, the first person added.

ALSO READ: Modi's US trip to herald deeper ties, go beyond individual defence deals: Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra

The third issue, implementation of budgetary proposals, also has electoral implications. In the last budget , the government made around 30 major announcements and with nine months left of the current financial year, it is keen to take stock of the situation. The announcements have come in the last full budget of the current term of the Modi government. Obviously, these proposals are important and the government wants them to be properly implemented, a second person said, also asking not to be named.

With months left for the 2024 general elections, the meeting assumes importance. The government will want to focus on capex spending to boost the economy and bolster its welfare push to reach saturation coverage. This will be important because welfare beneficiaries have emerged as an important bloc of voters in elections. A third person said on condition of anonymity that most proposals have received approvals from the Expenditure Finance Committee and their respective ministries.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Saubhadra Chatterji Saubhadra Chatterji is Deputy Political Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on both politics and policies. ...view detail
Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji has undergone a coronary artery bypass at Chennai's Kauvery Hospital. In a brief statement the hospital said Balaji 'underwent beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery... four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularisation was established'. The minister is 'currently hemodynamically stable and (is) being monitored in the post-operative cardiothoracic intensive care unit', the hospital said. Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this month on money laundering charges. (ANI)

"Senthil Balaji has undergone bypass surgery. He is currently in the post-operation ward. I have been in contact with the doctors in the hospital," the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader's ministerial colleague, Ma. Subramanian, told news agency ANI.

Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this month on money laundering charges, sparking a furious political row between Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK and its rivals - the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party.

What happened during his arrest by ED?

Tamil Nadu's state electricity and excise minister V Senthil Balaji, 47, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the early hours of Wednesday following an 18-hour interrogation regarding a money laundering case. The minister's premises were raided by the central agency on Tuesday, leading to his subsequent arrest after which Balaji broke down.

Due to his lack of cooperation, refusal to sign the arrest memo, and his verbal outbursts directed at the agency officers, the ED informed the court of his noncompliance. As a result, he has been remanded to judicial custody for a period of 14 days.

Following his arrest, Balaji complained of chest pain and he was taken to a government hospital in Chennai, where he received a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Subsequently, on the orders of the Madras High Court, he was transferred to the privately-run Kauvery Hospital. Medical experts at the hospital have recommended that Balaji undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Why was he arrested?

Balaji's arrest stems from allegations of involvement in a cash-for-jobs scam that occurred during his tenure as the transport minister, when he was affiliated with the AIADMK party and served under the former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

The ED's action comes two weeks after Income Tax officials conducted an extensive eight-day raid on various locations connected to the minister and his supporters. This raid was prompted by the Supreme Court overturning a 2022 order by the Madras High Court that dismissed the proceedings against Senthil Balaji.

Row over Senthil Balaji's arrest

The arrest of Balaji has ignited a significant political controversy in Tamil Nadu, particularly in light of the upcoming general election scheduled for next year. The opposition AIADMK and its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are seizing the opportunity to leverage the situation following their substantial defeat in the 2021 Assembly election.

In response to Balaji's arrest and his claims of mental and physical torture by the ED officials, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin launched a scathing attack on AIADMK and BJP. The chief minister's criticism aligns with the opposition's persistent allegations that the BJP utilises central investigative agencies such as the ED to target their political rivals.

"We are also capable of all sorts of politics. This is not a threat. It's a warning... do not rub a DMK man the wrong way. If we retaliate you will not be able to tolerate it," Stalin said.

"For ten years before the BJP came to power, the ED conducted only 112 raids. After BJP came... ED has conducted 3,000 raids against those who opposed them," he further claimed.

Stalin, the Congress (allies of the DMK), Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress have all slammed the ED's action as 'political vendetta'.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lingamgunta Nirmitha Rao Trainee Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital Stream. India's regional languages attract me. ...view detail
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can be defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections if the opposition parties unite for which an important meeting has been scheduled in Patna on June 23 in which Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin will also participate, said his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar on Tuesday. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin with Bihar deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav at the unveiling of the statue of Karunanidhi and inauguration of Kalainger Kottam to mark Karunanidhi centenary celebration, in Tiruvarur on Tuesday. (PTI)

The Bihar CM didnt make it to Tamil Nadu on Tuesday to inaugurate the Kalaignar Kottam in memory of late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi but his speech was read out at the event.

Stalin also announced that he would be in Patna on June 23 and that he spoke to Kumar over phone on Tuesday morning allaying conjectures over their ties which began after Kumar cancelled at the last minute. His deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and minister Sanjay Jha continued their trip to participate in the centenary celebrations of Karunanidhis birth anniversary and once again pitched for a united opposition ahead of the polls.

We got to know just this morning that he (Nitish Kumar) is unwell so he wont be able to come, said a senior DMK leader who organised the event as part of the centenary celebrations for Karunanidhi. Rajya Sabha DMK MP Tiruchi Siva translated Bihar chief ministers speech to Tamil and read it out. His speech recalled past instances of the Janata Dal showing support to the DMK. We have taken this effort to unite the opposition parties together. If this unity works out like we hope it would, I am very confident that the BJP will be defeated in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, his speech said.

Stalin said he was going to Bihars Patna on June 23 as Karunanidhis son to do his part to save Indias democracy. We all have a duty to stop 10 years of BJPs autocracy, Stalin said. Nitish Kumar is taking the first steps towards that If I dont do this, Tamil Nadu which is 3000-4000 years old will disappear If the BJP is allowed to govern again, and the future of India will be destroyed, he added.

Yadav said that Karunanidhis model of governance has to be taken to a national level on the tenets of social justice and equality.

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New York's Madison Avenue buzzed with activities as the world's richest person, Tesla CEO Elon Musk dropped in at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi met dozens of academics, health experts, and business leaders at the iconic hotel of Midtown Manhattan where he is staying in New York. In 2015, PM Modi stayed at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel. PM Modi being welcomed at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on Tuesday. (PTI)

PM Modi is US: Follow LIVE updates

All you need to know about Lotte New York Palace

1. According to the website of the hotel, Lotte New York Palace is New York's most iconic and landmark hotel. It offers two accommodation experiences -- The Palace and The Towers.

2. The history of the present structure goes back to 1882 when Henry Villard commissioned the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White to create six private brownstone townhouses. They were known as the Villard Houses.

3. At a height of 563 feet, the iconic hotel is a 51-storied skyscraper.

4. In 1874, Harry Helmsley, a developer, proposed a 55-storey hotel at the site of the Villard Houses, to be called the Helmsley Palace Hotel.

5. In 1981, it opened as The Helmsley Palace.

6. In 1992, the hotel was purchased by the Sultan of Brunei. In 2011, the hotel was sold to Northwood Investors.

7. Lotte Hotels and Resorts from South Korea acquired the luxury hotel in 2015 giving it its present name.

8. There are over 800 rooms with plush amenities and reports said the charge ranges between 48,000 per night to 12.15 lakh.

PM Modi will attend the Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters today and then travel to Washington DC. On June 22, PM Modi will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of PM Modi. PM Modi will address a joint sitting of the US Congress on June 22. On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

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Influential Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar is set to escort Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his historic joint address to the US Congress on June 22. Calling it an honour, Thanedar said that he hoped that the prime minister would speak against the aggression by China and Russia. Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar (PTI)

The Congressman has also been invited by US President Joe Biden for the White House State Dinner, following PM Modi's address.

Who is Shri Thanedar?

Born in 1955 in Chikodi, a village outside Karnataka's Belgaum, Shri Thanedar is the first-time Democratic Congressman who represents the 13th Congressional District of Michigan - which includes much of Wayne County including the city of Detroit, Grosse Pointe, and Downriver. Previously, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives. During this time, he helped pass the largest increase in per-pupil funding for public schools in Michigan. Thanedar immigrated to the United States in 1979 from India after receiving a master's degree at the University of Mumbai in 1977. He then did a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Fontbonne University and PhD in Polymer chemistry from the University of Akron in 1982. Thanedar became a US citizen in 1988. He first entered politics in 2017 and ran for Michigan governor, however, he lost. Later in 2020, he successfully ran for the Michigan state legislature. Thanedar was among the 100 democrats who introduced a new bill proposing the elimination of the country-based quota for US Green Cards and seeking reforms to the H-1B visa program. He is also an award-winning entrepreneur. Thanedar last addressed the US Congress in 2016 during Obama's regime.
As a part of the vision to build a defence innovation bridge, the United States (US) department of defense (DOD) and Indias ministry of defence (MOD) have launched the India-United States Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (Indus-X) to expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between governments, businesses, and academic institutions and unveiled an ambitious agenda of cooperation. (CLICK HERE: PM Modi US Visit Live Updates) US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, addresses the gathering at the Indus-X summit in Washington DC on Wednesday. (ANI)

In a statement on Wednesday, as an Indus-X event kicked off in Washington at the US-India Business Council, the Pentagon said that the two sides will create bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including a senior advisory group that will assess the progress in collaboration and make recommendations on easing regulatory regimes on both sides.

ALSO READ: Yogas soft power reigns at UN during Modis US visit

HT had reported on the rationale and possible outcomes from Indus-X last week. The idea of the defence innovation bridge is a part of the initiative on critical and emerging technologies unveiled by the national security advisers, Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan in January. The Pentagon statement said, Through INDUS-X, we will strengthen ties between our defense industrial ecosystems to make them more innovative, accessible, and resilient.

American and Indian commercial and academic stakeholders are also working to establish a mentor-protege partnerships for startups, an accelerator programme for defence start-ups, an academic and start-up programming partnerships with universities and accelerators, and ways to enhance collaboration of startups with the supply chains of major defence companies.

ALSO READ: Raise these facts with PM Modi: Bernie Sanders to US President Joe Biden

In addition, the Pentagon statement said, both DOD and MOD, along with external stakeholders, will explore joint challenges for US and Indian startups that leverage common dual-use cases for both countries.

Both ministries also intend to explore pathways for start-ups to access each others respective research and development centres and innovation labs. A group of private stakeholders will engage investors to set up a joint innovation fund, while both governments too will explore a public-private partnership model for funding deep tech defence start-ups.

Both MOD and DOD also intend to explore standardizing certification for technologies developed by the defence innovation ecosystems of both countries to accelerate their absorption. The Pentagons statement says the area of focus here will include Quality Assurance (QA) parameters, certification standards, and program success memoranda.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prashant Jha Prashant Jha is the Washington DC-based US correspondent of Hindustan Times. He is also the editor of HT Premium. Jha has earlier served as editor-views and national political editor/bureau chief of the paper. He is the author of How the BJP Wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine and Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal. ...view detail
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday led a yoga event on the occasion of the ninth International Day of Yoga and said yoga is free from copyrights, patents and royalty payments, and is truly universal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

Modi, who is in New York on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, began the celebration by paying respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the North Lawn of the UN headquarters. The bust was installed in December last year under India's presidency of the UN Security Council.

The prime minister, wearing an especially customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, began his address with a 'Namaste' and thanked people for coming here from far away to attend the celebration.

"I'm delighted to see you all. And I thank you all for coming. Friends. I'm told that almost every nationality is represented here today," Modi said.

"Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free from copyrights, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal," Modi told the gathering.

"Yoga means to unite...I remember about nine years ago, right here, I had the honour to propose celebrating the International Day of yoga on 21st June. It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea," Modi said.

Hundreds of yellow yoga mats placed

Hundreds of yellow yoga mats were placed on the ground where yoga enthusiasts and practitioners, wearing customised white yoga T-shirts, joined the event. LED screens playing videos of Indian culture and heritage were set up on the lawn.

The historic yoga session was attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from Member States as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community.

"I am excited for everyone who is participating in Yoga Day," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN.

President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Korosi, Hollywood actor Richard Gere, Mayor of New York City Eric Adams and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Amina J Mohammed were among prominent personalities who attended the event.

"The feeling here is so open and embracing, I hope this feeling intoxicates the entire building. It's a really nice feeling here today," Gere said ahead of the event.

People from more than 180 countries participated in Prime Minister Modi-led Yoga Day celebrations here, representing different walks of life and comprising diplomats, artists, academicians and entrepreneurs among others, sources said.

"You can see the vibrations and excitement. Hundreds of people are lining up for International Yoga (Day celebrations) with Prime Minister Modi. Such a great feeling," said Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs.

Ruchika Lal, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Art of Living, said people are excited. "They have been waiting outside since 6 am," she said.

People were seen standing in queues outside UN headquarters to take part in the yoga session since early morning.

The first International Day of Yoga was commemorated in 2015 and has since then been marked with several sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the UN, Times Square and iconic locations across the world.

The UN underlined that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The draft UNGA resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Eid-ul-Adha 2023: The special time of the year is here. Every year, Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated by the Muslim community throughout the world with a lot of pomp and grandeur. From decorating the homes to going for Hajj  the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Kaaba, Muslims do it all during this time. Eid-ul-Adha is also known as Eid-ul-Zuha, Bakra Eid, Bakrid or Bakhreid. This year, Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, June 28. As we gear up to celebrate the special day, here are a list of ideas that you can execute at home with family and make the day special for everyone. Eid-ul-Adha 2023: Ideas to enjoy the holiday at home(Unsplash)

Many of us do not want to go out and celebrate  instead, we want to stay indoors and have loved ones close to celebrate the special day in a very warm way. Here are a few ideas:

ALSO READ: Hajj 2023: Date, history, significance and rituals from Ihram to Eid-ul-Adha

Plan in advance: It is best to plan in advance with family on how you want to celebrate the day. Call everyone together a few days before Eid-ul-Adha and discuss how everyone would like to celebrate it. Plan the menu for the day, delegate cooking responsibilities and also plan on how to make the day special so that everyone can have a good time.

Clean and decorate the home: One of the main things to do before Eid-ul-Adha is to clean the home thoroughly and then decorate it for the festival. Get the kids together, delegate them tasks to make DIY decorative items and then decorate the home as you like.

Exchanging gifts: On the special day of Eid-ul-Adha, exchange gifts with everyone. You can have a little fun with it by not revealing the name of the person who has given the gifts. That way, everyone can guess, and have a game.

Barbeque: What about getting in the backyard and have a barbeque with your family and friends. Put on music, prepare barbeque and bask in togetherness.

Visit relatives: Eid-ul-Adha is the festival of love and togetherness. On this day, visit the homes of relatives and friends and exchange wishes and gifts.

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Ankylosing Spondylitis is an arthritic condition which usually presents during second to fourth decade of life and it affects more men than women where it is characterised by the inflammation of sacroiliac joints, axial spine and peripheral joints. The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the lower spine and the pelvis and inflammation of this joint can cause pain and stiffness of the lower back while the chest expansion during the breathing is reduced. Yoga for Ankylosing Spondylitis to alleviate symptoms of pain, back stiffness (Photo by todd kent on Unsplash)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Deepak Gautam, Consultant Joint Replacement and Director of Orthopedic Disciplines at Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai, shared, The condition may be hard to diagnose and can be mistaken for other causes of low back pain. Nevertheless, the diagnosis is usually made through clinical examination only. A diagnosis is usually made in a patient with chronic lower back pain (at least 3 months), if his/her x-rays show inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and the stiffness of his/her lower back gets better with movement and exercises rather than rest. There is no specific lab test to identify Ankylosing Spondylitis but the patients with this disease are often tested to be positive for the HLAB-27 gene.

He revealed, The actual cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis is not known hence there is not any way to prevent it. However, the disease is rarely life-threatening, however, it is invariably disabling which may gradually worsen with age. The symptoms of joint pain and stiffness may interfere with the ability to perform the activities that one likes to do. There is no cure for this disease but a combination of medications and physical activities can alleviate the symptoms. The medications are aimed at reducing the pain, preserve the function of joint and prevent or delay the long term complications of disability. The group of medications specifically the Disease Modifying Drugs work to suppress the bodys hyperactive immune or inflammatory system. The newer biological group of medications works on the molecules that are responsible for the inflammation and destruction of the joints.

Talking about how Yoga is beneficial for patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Dr Deepak Gautam said, Though Ankylosing Spondylitis cannot be cured but it has been shown that regular physical activities can slow down the progression of the disease. The patients experience more pain if they are inactive. Movement and physical activities lessen the pain. Yoga is an effective way of easing pain due to Ankylosing Spondylitis. Not only Yoga will relieve pain and inflammation, but also alleviates anxiety and stress. It helps in great by increasing the flexibility of the body which otherwise gets stiff with time in Ankylosing Spondylitis. One can make Yoga as a part of daily routine. Yoga has positive effects on Ankylosing Spondylitis. The yoga postures help in maintaining the flexibility of spine and joints and prevent the permanent deformity. The deep breathing exercises increase the lung function.

He highlighted 10 different activities of Yoga that help in Ankylosing Spondylitis -

1. Deep Breathing: Deep breathing have always been the key step in every Yoga. As mentioned above it helps in maintaining and increasing the lung capacity. It also helps preventing stiffness of rib cage and upper back as well.

2. Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation): The stretching of spine during this pose helps in the flexibility.

3. Balasana (Child Pose): This resting pose relaxes the muscles on the front of the body while passively stretches the muscles of the back

4. Bitilasana (Cow Pose): This helps to warm up the spine before beginning a more vigorous yoga practice

5. Marjarisana (Cat Pose): This pose stretches the back and strengthens it. Additionally, it also benefits the wrist and shoulder joints.

6. Supta Matsyendrasana (Supine Spinal Twist): This pose improves the spinal mobility because of its twisting effect. It also gently stretches the neck, chest and glutes.

7. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose): It strengthens the lower-abdominal muscles, hips, pelvis, back and arms muscles.

8. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose): This is a resting inversion pose which helps in building up the upper body strength and increase the flexibility.

9. Ashta Chandrasana (Crescent Lunge Pose): This standing posture strengthens the legs and opens up the chest.

10. Pelvic Tilt Pose: Moving the pelvis anteriorly in backbends to forward folding for posterior tilt increases the pelvic mobility and prevents lower back pain.

Dr Deepak Gautam concluded, Even if the patient is not having pain but is diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, he/she may benefit from these Yoga activities as it will prevent the long term consequences of deformity that occurs in AS. However, despite all these, a small subset of patients with irreversible joint damage may need surgery. Joint replacement surgery may be required for the patients presenting with arthritis or fusion of hip and/or knees. Corrective spine surgery may be required for those presenting with round deformity of the spine.
Only five world leaders have addressed a joint session of the United States (US) Senate and House of Representatives more than once. Former British Prime Minister (PM) Winston Churchill and Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel did it thrice. Nelson Mandela first spoke as a private individual in 1990, when the South African government released him from prison after 27 years. He came back four years later, as the president of his country. The then PM Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and, more recently, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine also addressed the US Congress on two occasions. On June 22, PM Narendra Modi will join this exclusive club. A US Congressman described the invitation to Modi as the most important accolade that we recognise leadership across the world. PREMIUM The last time PM Modi addressed the US Congress was in 2016 when he noted that Indian and US legislatures shared several practices(Reuters)

Since 1940, there have been 126 addresses by foreign leaders to the US Congress. A cursory examination suggests that the invitation is more strategic than ceremonial. Countries with close relationships with the US, such as the United Kingdom, France, Israel, and Korea, are regularly invited to the Capitol. The timing is also key; for example, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai addressed Congress in 2004, a few months after his country adopted a new constitution. Invitation to address the US Congress is also a proxy for the importance the US accords to the other country.

Former PM Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the two Houses of Congress separately in 1949. Rajiv Gandhi followed him in 1985. Since then, P V Narasimha Rao (1994), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2000), Manmohan Singh (2005) and Narendra Modi (2016) have all addressed the US Congress. Due to both the weight of history and the strategic importance of US-India ties, Modis address this time will be a landmark moment.

The last time Modi addressed US legislators was in 2016. His speech touched upon multiple topics, including shared ideals of democracy, the Constitution and legislatures. He complimented the US Congress for empowering and encouraging democracies globally and for working harmoniously. He observed that the spirit of bipartisanship in the Capitol was also displayed by members in Indias Parliament, especially in the Rajya Sabha. He also noted that the two legislatures shared several practices.

He is right. Indian Members of Parliament (MPs) highlight constituency issues during zero hour, and US Congressmen utilise a one-minute speech for a similar purpose. The US vice-president (VP) is the Senates presiding officer, just like our VP is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. But while there are similarities between the two institutions, a few good practices from the US Congress can strengthen our Parliament. Here are four.

First, the US Congress is in session for the majority of the year. As it meets for more days, there is ample time for deliberations on budgets and complex legislation. Also, its yearly calendar of sitting days is known in advance. For example, US Congress will take a break in August, and for the remaining part of 2023, the House of Representatives will meet for 50 days. A yearly legislative calendar allows for better planning or accommodating joint meetings to listen to world leaders. On the other hand, Parliament is in recess for most of the year, leading to the delayed passage of laws or rushed legislative debates.

Our Parliament can also learn from its American counterparts committee system. Congressional committees are powerful bodies that shape laws and hold the government accountable. Committees of the two Houses also have oversight abilities over the functioning of US intelligence agencies. For example, last year, the directors of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation testified and answered questions before the House Intelligence Committee. On the other hand, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha committees depend on the government for their informational needs and on presiding officers to send bills to them for scrutiny.

A third key learning is the research that the US Congress provides to its members and committees in support of their legislative work. Individual legislators have budgets to hire research staff. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) study and analyse policy, legislation and budget matters and provide inputs to members. The two organisations have a strength of 800 researchers who provide non-partisan and analytical research. In India, Parliaments research arm requires urgent strengthening, and the institution does not financially support individual MPs to hire researchers.

And finally, US Congress members are not bound by the whips of their political parties. Republican and Democrat lawmakers are free to take positions that differ from those of their political parties and vote accordingly, without the fear of losing their seats. For example, some Republican senators voted to impeach President Donald Trump and, more recently, voted against the partys Speaker candidate. The rules of the US Congress require the recording of individual votes cast, allowing people to question their elected representatives on policy issues. On the other hand, political parties in India bind the lawmakers by their diktats. The anti-defection law ensures that MPs can never disobey their parties.

The legislatures of the two democracies enjoy old ties. In 1954, our first VP, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, presented a gavel to the US Senate to replace its broken ivory gavel. Radhakrishnan, while addressing the senators, said, On behalf of the young democracy of India and of the Rajya Sabha, I have the honour and pleasure to present to you, Mr vice-president, this gavel, in the earnest hope that the legislators of the Senate will discuss all problems, national and international with calmness and composure, with freedom from passion and prejudice with the one supreme object of serving your great people and the human race.

We are still a young democracy, one that nations across the world look up to. If our Parliament is to function on the lines suggested by Dr Radhakrishnan  with calmness and composure, with freedom from passion and prejudice  it might benefit by adapting some ideas that have worked well in the US Congress.

Chakshu Roy is the head of legislative and civic engagement, PRS Legislative Research. The views expressed are personal
Twitter has resumed paying Google Cloud for its services, patching up a relationship that became strained after Elon Musk acquired the social network and stopped paying Google and various other companies. Google at first struggled to get through to Musk to discuss the unpaid bills.(REUTERS)

Twitters new Chief Executive Officer, Linda Yaccarino, helped get the relationship back on track, according to a person familiar with the situation. The two companies are also negotiating a broader partnership that could include advertising and Googles use of Twitters API, said the person, who requested anonymity to discuss a private matter.

Another person with knowledge of the matter confirmed there are no issues currently between the companies. Spokespeople for Twitter and Google declined to comment.

Since billionaire Musk acquired San Francisco-based Twitter last fall, the social media platform has pushed many of its vendors for discounts. Reducing spending on cloud computing emerged as a particular goal of Musks, according to another person with knowledge of the matter.

Twitter has paid Alphabet Inc.s Google Cloud about $200 million to $300 million per year, three people with knowledge of the matter estimated. The social media company largely uses Google Cloud for data analysis and machine learning.

Platformer first reported that Twitter had stopped paying its bills with Google Cloud.

Google at first struggled to get through to Musk to discuss the unpaid bills. In an attempt to reach him, Google employees contacted people at his space exploration firm, SpaceX, which also does business with Google Cloud, according to two of the people.

Google had some levers at its disposal to press Twitter to pay, including restricting aspects of the cloud computing platform.

The companies announced their partnership in 2018. Twitter was once one of Google Clouds most important customers, but Google has since broadened its client base. After reporting its first profitable quarter earlier this year, Google hopes to use its artificial intelligence to close the gap with larger cloud rivals such as Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc.
International Yoga Day 2023, the 9th chapter of the event, is being celebrated all across the world. Expectedly, many are celebrating this day with gusto and also sharing posts about the same on social media - this includes several Indian politicians too. From Raghav Chadha to Temjen Imna Along, many have shared their pics along with interesting captions to show how they are celebrating International Yoga Day. How politicians are celebrating International Yoga Day.

Temjen Imna Along shared an image of himself doing yoga and shared a caption. If youre up, do yoga, reads his caption when translated from Hindi.

Take a look at the post:

Raghav Chadha took to Instagram to share a series of images showing people doing yoga. Stretching for a healthier Punjab! Started the day off with Yoga Day celebrations in Jalandhar with @BhagwantMann Saab. Through its CM Di Yogshala initiative, the AAP government in Punjab is taking Yoga to every household, he posted.

Kiren Rijiju is one such politician who regularly shares videos showing his fitness journey. On the day of International Yoga Day he posted images to show how he performed yoga along with others. Observed 9th #InternationalDayOfYoga at pristine Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, he wrote along with the images.

Yogi Adityanath shared a few images on this day along with a caption in Hindi. When translated, his caption reads, Heartiest congratulations and infinite wishes of 'International Yoga Day' to all the people of the state and yoga seekers! Let's adopt yoga in your life for spiritual upliftment, physical and mental empowerment and building an 'energy and healthy India', and resolve to make others aware about it.

Rajnath Singh took to Instagram and shared a beautiful video that shows him celebrating the day onboard INS Vikrant. Celebrated #InternationalDayofYoga2023 onboard #INSVikrant at Kochi, Kerala. A Glimpse of the Day, he posted.

The International Day of Yoga, celebrated on June 21 every year, aims to raise awareness about the importance of and benefits of practising yoga.
The world is celebrating yoga day today and several people are also sharing images and videos of them performing yoga. Now, a video showing Indian Army personnel performing yoga underwater has taken over Twitter by storm. International Yoga Day: Indian Army personnel performs underwater yoga.(Twitter/@ANI)

"Indian Army personnel perform underwater Yoga in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay," shared ANI on Twitter. The video begins to show the personnel from the 91 Infantry Brigade standing inside a pool. Then they begin to do various yoga aasanas inside the water. After a few seconds they all slowly come up at once.

Watch the video of the Indian Army personnel performing yoga here:

This post was shared just an hour ago. Since being shared, it has been viewed over 12,000 times and the numbers are only increasing. Some people have also shared comments on the post.

In India, yoga is an age-old physical, mental, and spiritual discipline that includes a variety of exercises, poses, breathing exercises, meditation, and more. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a proposal to the United Nations General Assembly to recognise yoga day internationally. Today, the world is celebrating the 9th International Yoga Day.
International Yoga Day is here, and people across the world are enthusiastically marking this day. Many individuals have taken to Twitter to share their wishes, videos, and pictures of themselves practicing yoga. Amidst these visuals, an adorable video of a canine member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police has captured the hearts of people. ITBP canine celebrates International Yoga Day.(Twitter/@ANI)

"Canine member of the dog unit of ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) along with ITBP personnel performs Yoga at Pranu Camp in Udhampur, J&K," wrote ANI as they shared a video of the dog. The clip shows the dog energetically performing various yoga poses with people.

Watch the video of the ITBP canine here:

This video was shared just a few minutes ago. Since being posted, it has been viewed over 21,000 times. The share has also received close to 400 likes and several comments.

Check out what people are saying about this ITBP canine here:

An individual commented, "This is cute." A second added, "Dog is saying, 'yoga is for you lazy humans, my body works differently, stop this nonsense with me.'" What do you think about this video?
Gang members in a women's prison in Honduras slaughtered 46 other women inmates by spraying them with gunfire, hacking them with machetes and then locking survivors in their cells and dousing them with flammable liquid, an official said Wednesday. Police guard the entrance to the women's prison in Tamara, on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. A riot at the women's prison northwest of the Honduran capital has left at least 41 inmates dead, most of them burned to death, a Honduran police official said.(AP)

The carnage in Tuesday's riot was the worst atrocity at a women's prison in recent memory, something President Xiomara Castro called monstrous.

Relatives said inmates at the facility had been threatened for weeks by members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang.

Chillingly, the gang members were able to arm themselves with prohibited weapons, brush past guards and attack; they even carried locks to shut their victims inside, apparently to burn them to death. The intensity of the fire left the walls of the cells blackened and beds reduced to twisted heaps of metal.

A group of armed people went to the cellblock of a rival gang, locked the doors, opened fire on them," said Juan Lopez Rochez, the chief of operations for the country's National Police.

Miguel Martinez, a security ministry spokesman, said the attack was taped by security cameras, up to the moment the gang members destroyed them in what he called a planned attack.

You can see the moment in which the women overcome the guards, leaving them helpless, and take their keys, Martinez said.

Castro said Tuesday's riot at the prison in the town of Tamara, about 30 miles (50 kilometres) northwest of Honduras' capital, was planned by maras (street gangs) with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities.

Castro fired Security Minister Ramon Sabillon, and replaced him with Gustavo Sanchez, who had been serving as head of the National Police.

But Castro but did not explain how inmates identified as members of the Barrio 18 gang were able to get guns and machetes into the prison, or move freely into an adjoining cell block. Initial reports suggested the doors to the gang's cell block had been left open, facilitating the attack.

ALSO READ | 25 crime lords, 160 gangs: Why Delhi jails are a security nightmare

The amount of weaponry found in the prison after the riot was impressive: 18 pistols, an assault rifle, two machine pistols and two grenades  all of which were smuggled into the prison.

Obviously, there must have been human failures, Lopez Rochez said. We are investigating all the employees at the center.

Sandra Rodriguez Vargas, the assistant commissioner for Honduras' prison system, said the attackers removed guards at the facility  none appeared to have been injured  around 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Twenty-six of the victims were burned to death and the remainder shot or stabbed, said Yuri Mora, the spokesman for Honduras' national police investigation agency. At least seven inmates were being treated at a Tegucigalpa hospital.

The riot's death toll surpassed that of a fire at a female detention center in Guatemala in 2017, when girls at a shelter for troubled youths set fire to mattresses to protest rapes and other mistreatment at the overcrowded institution. The smoke and fire killed 41 girls.

The worst prison disaster in a century also occurred in Honduras, in 2012, at the Comayagua men's penitentiary, where 361 male inmates died in a fire possibly caused by a match, cigarette or some other open flame.

There were ample warnings ahead of Tuesday's tragedy, according to Johanna Paola Soriano Euceda, who was waiting outside the morgue in Tegucigalpa for news about her mother, Maribel Euceda, and sister, Karla Soriano. Both were on trial for drug trafficking but were held in the same area as convicted prisoners.

ALSO READ: Undertrials clash inside Yerawada Jail, 16 booked

Soriano Euceda said they had told her Sunday that they (Barrio 18 members) were out of control, they were fighting with them all the time. That was the last time we talked.

Another woman, who did not want to give her name for fear of reprisals, said she was waiting for news about a friend, Alejandra Martinez, 26, who was been held in the ill-fated Cell Block One on robbery charges.

She told me the last time I saw her on Sunday that the (Barrio) 18 people had threatened them, that they were going to kill them if they didn't turn over a relative, she said.

Gangs sometimes demand victims turn over a friend or relative by giving the gang their name, address and description, so that enforcers can later find and kidnap, rob or kill them.

Officials described the killings as a terrorist act, but also acknowledged that gangs essentially had ruled some parts of the prison.

Julissa Villanueva, head of the prison system, suggested the riot started because of recent attempts by authorities to crack down on illicit activity inside prison walls and called Tuesday's violence a reaction to moves we are taking against organised crime.

We will not back down, Villanueva said in a televised address after the riot.

Gangs wield broad control inside the country's prisons, where inmates often set their own rules and sell prohibited goods.

They were also apparently able to smuggle in guns and other weapons, a recurring problem in Honduran prisons.

The issue is to prevent people from smuggling in drugs, grenades and firearms, said Honduran human rights expert Joaquin Mejia. Today's events show that they have not been able to do that.

Meanwhile, the grim task continued of trying to identify the bodies, some terribly burned. Officials on Wednesday began turning over some of the corpses to families for burial.

The wait for news was torture for many families of inmates. Dozens of anxious, angry relatives gathered outside the rural prison.

We are here dying of anguish, of pain ... we don't have any information, said Salomon Garcia, whose daughter is an inmate at the facility.

Tuesday's riot may increase the pressure on Honduras to emulate the drastic zero-tolerance, no-privileges prisons set in up in neighbouring El Salvador by President Nayib Bukele. While El Salvador's crackdown on gangs has given rise to rights violations, it has also proved immensely popular in a country long terrorized by street gangs.

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A Canadian aircraft searching the Titan submersible that vanished on its way to visit the wreck of the Titanic detected banging sounds in 30-minute intervals, according to US media reports. Citing an internal government memo on the search, reports suggest that the banging was being heard even after four hours following the deployment of additional sonar devices. IRescuers raced against time to find the missing submersible carrying Harding and four other people, who were reported overdue Sunday night.(AP)

The internal memos - reported by Rolling Stone and CNN - say:

The P8 [seacraft] deployed sonobuoys, which reported a contact in a position close to the distress position."

"The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.

A subsequent update suggested more sounds were heard  not described as banging this time  indicating continued hope of survivors.

A frantic search operation to locate the submersible in the North Atlantic entered its third day on Tuesday after it went missing while taking wealthy passengers on a voyage to the wreck of the Titanic in deep waters off Canada's coast. Rescuers from around the world are racing against the clock to locate the vessel and its five-person crew before their oxygen runs out.

The 21-foot submersible was carrying three fee-paying passengers when it vanished Sunday: British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani tycoon Shahzada Dawood and Dawood's son Suleman.

The wreckage of Titani lies 12,500 feet underwater, where no sunlight penetrates. Only specialized equipment can reach such depths without being crushed by the massive water pressure.

"It's really a bit like being an astronaut going into space," said Tim Matlin, a Titanic expert. "I think if it's on the seabed, there are so few submarines that are capable of going that deep. And so, therefore, I think it was going to be almost impossible to effect a sub-to-sub rescue."

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a bold move, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden, demanding a House floor vote in the upcoming days. Boebert's articles center on Biden's handling of immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border, coinciding with court revelations of a plea agreement for Hunter Biden over tax and firearm offenses. President Joe Biden smiles as members of the media leave the room and ask questions about his son Hunter Biden, during a discussion on managing the risks of Artificial Intelligence during an event in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 20, 2023.(AP)

On Tuesday, Boebert passionately voiced her concerns about Biden's alleged negligence on the House floor, stating, "President Biden's negligence of duty has resulted in the surrender of operational control of the border to the complete and total control of foreign criminal cartels, putting the lives of American citizens in jeopardy."

Differentiating her impeachment efforts from others, Boebert explained that her approach employs a procedural tactic that mandates a floor vote, making it essential for every Member of Congress to be held accountable. Taking to Twitter, Boebert announced, "I am bringing my articles of impeachment against Joe Biden to the House Floor in a privileged motion."

The response from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's spokesperson regarding the timing of the resolution's floor discussion remains unknown as of now.

However, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts revealed in an email to colleagues that a procedure vote on tabling the resolution is expected to occur this week, which could effectively impede Boebert's endeavor.

The six-page impeachment resolution submitted by Boebert claims that Biden has abused his power and neglected his duties as president, accusing his administration of openly and consistently violating federal immigration laws. Boebert further accuses Biden of intentionally releasing millions of migrants into the U.S. without ensuring their appearance in immigration courts for asylum or deportation proceedings.

Responding to the impeachment attempt, White House spokesperson Ian Sams dismissed it as an attention-seeking political stunt by extreme House Republicans that does nothing to benefit the American people.

Biden has faced criticism from both Republican and some Democratic lawmakers regarding his handling of southern border crossings. Republicans have consistently opposed efforts to end the Title 42 policy implemented during the Trump administration. In a recent court filing, the Biden administration defended its border policies, arguing that they have reduced the number of asylum seekers by implementing stricter requirements for eligibility.

Also Read | Joe Biden's son Hunter charged with failing to pay federal income tax and illegally having a weapon

Boebert's impeachment articles add to a string of previous attempts by Republicans, including articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. However, those articles have not advanced to a floor vote.

While Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced impeachment articles against Biden in May over the administration's handling of migrant crossings, Boebert's resolution stands apart as it necessitates a floor vote. Boebert's strategic maneuver mirrors the procedural tactic employed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna last week in an effort to censure and fine Rep. Adam Schiff, which was ultimately blocked.

Luna confirmed that a separate measure to censure Schiff, without imposing a fine, will receive a vote. She expressed confidence in garnering enough Republican support for its passage.
California/Beijing: China hit back on Wednesday after US President Joe Biden referred to President Xi Jinping as a dictator, saying the remarks were absurd and a provocation, in an unexpected spat immediately following efforts by both sides to lower tensions. China's President Xi Jinping (left) and US President Joe Biden meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 14, 2022. (AFP)

Bidens comments came just a day after top US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations that China says are at their lowest point since formal ties were established.

Attending a fundraiser in California, Biden said Xi was very embarrassed when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was blown off course over US airspace early this year, making a personal comment on the Chinese leader when Blinken said on Monday the chapter should be closed. The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didnt know it was there, Biden said.

Thats a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didnt know what happened. That wasnt supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course, Biden added.

Xi became Chinas most powerful leader since Mao Zedong after securing a precedent-breaking third term as president in March and head of the Communist Party in October.

Biden also said China has real economic difficulties.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Bidens remarks were extremely absurd and irresponsible.

Expressing Chinas strong dissatisfaction, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Bidens comments seriously violated facts, diplomatic protocol and Chinas political dignity. Theyre an open political provocation, she told a news conference.

It was unclear why Biden said Xi was unaware of the whereabouts of the balloon, and when asked whether Xi knew its location, Mao reiterated Chinas previous explanation that the passage of the balloon through US airspace had been unintended and caused by circumstances beyond its control.

No breakthroughs

Bidens comments came after Blinken and Xi agreed in their meeting on Monday to stabilise the intense rivalry between Washington and Beijing so it did not veer into conflict.

While no breakthroughs were made during the first visit to China by a US secretary of state for five years, both sides did agree to continue diplomatic engagement with more visits by US officials in the coming weeks and months.

Biden said later on Tuesday that US climate envoy John Kerry may go to China soon.

A day earlier, on Monday, Biden said he thought relations between the two countries were on the right path, and he indicated that progress was made during Blinkens trip.

Biden said on Tuesday that Xi had been concerned by the so-called Quad strategic security group, which includes Japan, Australia, India and the United States. The US president said he had previously assured Xi that the United States was not trying to encircle China with the Quad.

He called me and told me not to do that because it was putting him in a bind, Biden said.

Later this week, Biden will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China is expected to be a topic of discussion between the two leaders.

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Twitter boss Elon Musk on Wednesday declared himself 'incredibly excited about the future of India' and that it had more to offer the world than any other large country. Musk's praise came after what he said was an 'excellent' meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi in New York this morning, after which he underlined the PM 'really cares about India' and that he had spoken passionately about electric car maker Tesla, Inc. investing in the country. Twitter, Tesla boss Elon Musk meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York.

For his part Modi - who met Musk for the first time since he bought out Twitter in a headline-grabbing $44 billion deal last year - tweeted, "Great meeting you today Elon Musk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality."

To this, Musk replied, "It was an honour to meet again."

"I am incredibly excited about the future of India. It has more promise than any other large country in the world and the PM really cares about India... because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment... which is something we need to do. In a nutshell, it was a fantastic meeting with the prime minister."

"I am a fan of PM Modi," Musk told reporters after the meet.

READ | 'PM Modi really wants to do right things for India': What Musk said

"He wants to be open... he wants to be supportive of new companies and make sure it accrues to India's advantage. Which, obviously, that's the job," the billionaire investor added.

On investment in India

Musk, though reluctant to confirm, said there will likely be further investment.

"We do not want to jump the gun on an announcement but I think it is quite likely it will be a significant investment in our relationship with India," he said.

READ | 'Plan to visit India next year': Musk after 'excellent' meet with Modi

On Tesla plant in India

On plans to set up a Tesla manufacturing base in India, Musk said, "I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible."

He also thanked Modi for his support and said, ... hopefully we will be able to announce something in the not so distant future.

Watch: 'Modi really cares about India': Elon Musk after meeting PM

Tesla executives visited India in May and spoke with ministers and government officials about a manufacturing base for cars and batteries. Musk had said Tesla is likely to pick a location for a new factory by the end of this year and that India is an 'interesting' option.

Tesla last year shelved its India entry plans due to high import tax structures.

Meanwhile, while nothing has been said yet, speculation suggests Musk might also be looking at solar energy after calling India 'great' for such investment.

PM Modi's US visit

PM Modi is visiting the United States at the invitation of president Joe Biden.

This is a historic meeting between the two world leaders because it is Modi's first State visit to the US and only the third of Biden's term so far, underlining the strength of America-India relations.

The focus of the PM's visit is expected to be defence and advanced weapons technology, with an agreement for the $3 billion purchase of 31 high altitude, long endurance military drones among the highlights.

READ | India to acquire F-414 engines and deterrence with MQ-9B drones

Hindustan Times has also reported on the US administration pushing through approvals for the manufacture of GE-F414 jet engines in India and other deliverables in space, higher education and semiconductor manufacturing.

READ | Defence, technology on agenda as PM Modi begins key US visit

The main highlight, though, of Modi's US visit is the State dinner at the White House which he will be hosted by president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

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Former prime minister Imran Khan has said Pakistan was working on a peace proposal with India that would have seen New Delhi announce 'some sort of roadmap' for the Kashmir issue and Islamabad host a visit by the Indian premier in 2019. Khan spoke about the plan to initiate talks with India in an interview with US-based think tank Atlantic Council. (Reuters image)

The proposal had the backing of then Pakistan Army chief, Gen Qamar Bajwa, and Pakistan had moved ahead with it despite Indias decision to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, Khan said in an interview with the Atlantic Council, a prominent US-based think tank.

Khan, whose relations with Bajwa have been estranged since the military stopped backing his government and he was ousted in a parliamentary vote of confidence in April 2022, also criticised the former army chief for reportedly speaking to the media about Pakistans military not being equipped or prepared for war with India.

ALSO READ | 'Bajwa claimed I was dangerous for Pak': Imran's bombshell interview

The former premier's relations with the powerful military, which has ruled Pakistan for almost half its history, are currently at an all-time low, especially after members of Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party attacked and vandalised several military installations during protests on May 9.

Asked about the peace plan reportedly drawn up by Bajwa, which included the revival of the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC), trade talks and potential visit by the Indian prime minister, Khan said he does 'not believe in settling issues through military action'.

"Look, I dont remember the trade talks. All I know is that there was supposed to be a quid pro quo. India was supposed to give some concession, give some sort of a roadmap to Kashmir, and I was going to then host Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi in Pakistan," Imran Khan said.

"But it never materialised. So, it never went further than that. Thats how it was."

ALSO READ | Pak Army's threat to Imran for May 9 violence signals power rise of Gen Munir

Several recent reports in the Pakistani media have alluded to Bajwa pushing such a peace proposal, including a visit to Pakistan by the Indian premier that eventually fell through.

There was no immediate word from Indian officials on Khan's comments.

India's external affairs ministry has repeatedly linked the issue of dialogue to Pakistan ending its support for cross-border terrorism and tacking credible and verifiable action against terror groups.

India and Pakistan had revived the 2003 ceasefire on the LoC in February 2021 following several rounds of secret back-channel talks between security officials of the two sides.

Referring to the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 Indian troopers and brought the two countries to the brink of hostilities, Khan said Pakistan had returned the Indian Air Force pilot who was shot down at the time as it 'was clear that it is unthinkable for two nuclear-armed countries to even think of escalation'.

Though Khan had, in his capacity as the commerce minister, cleared a proposal for limited trade with India, he later went back on the move following pushback from his cabinet.

Pakistan also downgraded its diplomatic ties with India over the change in Kashmirs status and decided not to post a high commissioner in New Delhi.

"What were we supposed to do?... Accept the fait accompli? Or actually stand with the people of Kashmir who had given such sacrifices? So that's what we decided... I tried my best before then to improve our relationship with India. In fact, my first statement was, 'You come one step towards us, we'll come two towards you'," Khan said.

While acknowledging that Bajwa had spoken to him about Pakistan not being equipped or prepared for war with India, Khan said, "Look, even if that was the case, for an army chief to make these statement is so ridiculous. What army chief makes these foolish statements even if it is the case?"

He added, "So, number one, yes, General Bajwa would make these statements, but I mean for an army chief, he is basically saying, 'We are just too weak.' You never make such a statement. But more to the point, who wants war with India? I mean, why would we want war with India? Why would anyone want to see a confrontation between the two countries?"

India and Pakistan, he said, should solve their issues through talks, 'and if we cant solve them through dialogue, we just keep talking. But war is never an option'.

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During the search for a submersible that went missing on Sunday while exploring the century-old wreck of the Titanic, Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises, according to the US Coast Guard. TOPSHOT - This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible launching from a platform. Rescue teams expanded their search underwater on June 20, 2023, as they raced against time to find a Titan deep-diving tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic with five people on board and limited oxygen. All communication was lost with the 21-foot (6.5-meter) Titan craft during a descent June 18 to the Titanic, which sits at a depth of crushing pressure more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the surface of the North Atlantic. (Photo by Handout / OceanGate Expeditions / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / OceanGate Expeditions" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS(AFP)

The mini-sub, which was designed to remain underwater for 96 hours, had five people on board, and their air supply is expected to run out by Thursday morning if the craft is still intact.

The US Coast Guard's First District announced on Twitter: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remotely operated vehicle) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Despite extensive ROV searches, no results have been obtained thus far, but efforts will continue.

The data collected by the Canadian aircraft has been shared with US Navy experts to inform future search plans.

ALSO READ| | 'Banging' sound heard by crew searching submersible near Titanic wreck: Report

Although the nature of the sounds has not been specified by the coastguard, CNN and Rolling Stone magazine, referring to internal US government communications, independently reported that "banging" sounds were heard at 30-minute intervals.

Among the three fee-paying passengers on the submersible were British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman. The submersible was part of a tourist expedition that costs $250,000 per person.

Probably stuck on something

Colonel Terry Virts, a former US pilot, and friend of Mr. Harding, expressed optimism upon hearing the reports of banging noises.

Thats the news Ive been looking forward to all day long and that is during the search theyve heard some banging on the walls of the submersible.

Colonel Virts stated, I was talking to someone who was on the sub last year and really the only emergency you can handle is a fire. Everything else you go to the surface and the sub has a bunch of ways to get to the surface. You can drop a bunch of weights and that should make it go up, Theres apparently some type of balloon system. Im not exactly sure.

This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. In a race against the clock on the high seas, an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for the submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP)(AP)

Colonel described Mr. Harding as a quintessential British explorer and mentioned that the vessel's design is relatively simple, with few potential points of failure. However, if the emergency systems onboard failed, it is possible that the submersible is probably stuck one something, such as under the Titanic wreck.

Search efforts have been intensified, with an international array of ships and planes involved in the operation.

An underwater robot has been deployed near the Titanic, and salvage equipment is being prepared in case the submersible is found. The Pentagon has deployed additional aircraft, while France's oceanographic institute is sending a deep-sea underwater robot and experts to assist in the search.

ALSO READ| | Banging sounds heard near missing Titanic submersible as rescuers battle against time

The carbon-fiber vessel was reported overdue on Sunday night, triggering the search in waters approximately 700 kilometers south of St Johns. Pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition, was in command of the submersible.

Signs of life

Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of the New York-based Explorers Club, released a statement on the situation via Twitter, expressing renewed optimism.

He stated, "Data from the fieldwe understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site. We await hopefully good news. Garriott de Cayeux's words reflect the anticipation and longing for positive developments in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

The safety of the submersible has been a matter of concern, as a former employee of OceanGate, the company behind the expedition, raised issues about its safety in 2018.

An engineering report indicated the need for further testing and potential risks to passengers at extreme depths. The lawsuit between OceanGate and the former employee was settled on undisclosed terms.

Praying for a miracle

David Mearns, a specialist in shipwreck searches who knows Mr. Harding professionally, described the situation as a "nightmare" for everyone involved.

Despite the arrival of a new ship equipped for rescue operations, Mearns acknowledged the difficulty of the task at hand, emphasizing the need to focus on recovery efforts.

ALSO READ| Craft carrying tourists to explore Titanic wreckage went missing. Experts had raised safety concerns long back

If theyre still alive that is a possibility and we are praying for a miracle. That could be the miracle, he expressed.

As the search continues, hopes are high for a successful rescue operation, but the challenges of reaching the submersible in the deep ocean depths remain daunting. The priority now is to recover the submersible and ensure the safety of its occupants.
Japanese campaigners on Wednesday slammed a government report into the sterilisation of thousands under a eugenics law in place until 1996, saying it failed to take responsibility for the procedures. The families of those who have been forcibly sterilised demand compensation. (BBC)

Read here: Japan's emperor, empress arrive in Indonesia for first state visit

The 1,400-page report submitted to parliament this week details how some 16,500 people -- including some as young as nine -- were sterilised without their consent under the law in force from 1948.

Around 8,500 more were sterilised after their consent was obtained, though campaigners have cast doubt on how freely agreement was given.

The law allowed doctors to sterilise people with heritable intellectual disabilities, to "prevent ... poor quality descendants".

In 2019, lawmakers passed legislation offering each victim government compensation of 3.2 million yen ($22,800) -- an amount campaigners called insufficient given the damage inflicted.

Lawmakers also commissioned the report made public this week, which Koji Niisato, a lawyer who has represented victims of the policy, said fell short.

It is "largely a compilation of what has been investigated and reported" which merely confirms "that it was an extremely terrible law," he told journalists Wednesday.

But "it lacks a summary of why this terrible law was enacted and existed for 48 years, and fails to mention why the government didn't take responsibility even after the law was amended," he said.

"That is extremely regrettable."

Victims of the sterilisation programme campaigned for decades seeking recognition of the harm they suffered and compensation.

They have also turned to the courts seeking relief, and last year three people were awarded damages in a landmark victory.

The Osaka High Court overturned a lower court decision, and ordered the national government to pay a combined 27.5 million yen ($200,000) to the elderly trio.

Read here: Review: Japanese Management, Indian Resistance

But earlier this month, a different high court rejected damages requests by plaintiffs, arguing a 20-year statute of limitations had passed.

The ruling "is a terrible verdict that doesn't consider why victims couldn't file lawsuits" sooner, plaintiff Junko Iizuka, 77, told reporters.

"As the government's responsibility is obvious, I want to see a quick solution," with more adequate compensation offered without the need for continued lawsuits, she said.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday will lead the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States, as part of the second day of his state visit to the US. Top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals will partake in the event, which entered its 9th year of celebration since its inception in 2014. (PM Modi's US visit LIVE updates) The North Lawn in the UN Headquarters in New York where PM Modi will lead the Yoga session.(ANI)

The Yoga session will happpen between 8 am to 9am at the expansive North Lawn in the UN Headquarters, where people from more than 180 countries will participate in the Yoga Day celebrations. The PM-led event will see participation from the UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from Member States as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community.

Preparations are underway at the venue, as seen in visual footage, to ensure the event's grand success. The video displays the green lawn adorned with yellow yoga mats. Additionally, the lawn features a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which was gifted by India to the UN and was installed in December of the previous year during India's Presidency of the UN Security Council.

Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told PTI that PM Modi will also pay his respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi that now "proudly adorns the North Lawn of the headquarters. "There is also a memorial to the fallen Peacekeeper which is, I think, very poignant and very significant given that India is the largest troop and police contributing country, to UN peacekeepers, she added.

The UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in December 2014 after a it was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.

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As part of the Official State Visit to the United States, First Lady Jill Biden will host His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, for an event highlighting career-connected learning and workforce training programs. Following this event, the First Lady will host a media preview at the White House ahead of the State Dinner. US First Lady Jill Biden. (AFP)

Follow PM Modi US state visit LIVE UPDATES

On Wednesday, June 21st, at 2:15 PM ET, the First Lady and Prime Minister Modi will visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. The First Lady will highlight career-connected learning and workforce training programs and partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and universities with employers. During the visit, the First Lady and the Prime Minister will meet with students from the U.S. and India and participate in a moderated conversation. Portions of this event will be pooled press with limited capacity by U.S. and India media.

Read here: Defence, technology on agenda as PM Modi begins key US visit

At 4:30 PM ET, the First Lady will host a media preview at the White House in advance of Thursday evenings State Dinner with the Republic of India. The media preview will include brief remarks from the First Lady, White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo, and guest Chef Nina Curtis followed by presentations of the menu from White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison, and guest Chef Nina Curtis. Sample place settings for the State Dinner will be on display.

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Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) on Wednesday fly a 250-feet-long banner over the Hudson River, in New York to welcome prime minister Narendra Modi for his first four-day state visit to the United States. The 250-feet-long banner flying over the Hudson River, in New York.(Twitter/ @ANI)

Follow PM Modi in US LIVE UPDATES

The 250-feet-long banner flying over the river features Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden with the bold caption, "Historic state visit to the USA," news agency ANI reported.

Read here: First Lady Jill Biden to host event with PM Modi and State Dinner Media Preview

PM Modi, who is on a four-day visit to the US, received a grand welcome from the Indian diaspora at the Hotel Lotte upon his arrival in New York on Tuesday for the first leg of his inaugural state visit to the US.

Members of the Indian community chanted slogans "Modi, Modi" while awaiting PM Modi's arrival the city. PM Modi also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and was seen shaking hands with them.

PM Modi on his first day of the four-day visit met various leaders, CEOs, professionals, academicians including Elon Musk, American investor Ray Dailo, and economist Paul Romer.

He will also lead the Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters. He will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on Thursday. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of PM Modi the same evening. The prime minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.

Read here: India can show way to world: Thought leaders after meeting PM Modi in US. Who said what

On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a lunch by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He is also scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

(With inputs from ANI)
A former teacher of St Thomas's Battersea, which was attended by Prince William's son George, pleaded guilty to paying tens of thousands of pounds to instruct teenagers in India to abuse younger children. Matthew Smith, 34, was arrested by the National Crime Agency in November 2022, after he shared abuse material on the dark web, My London reported. Matthew Smith spent tens of thousands of pounds for young children in India to be abused.

Then he was speaking to a teenage boy living in India, asking him to send sexual images of a younger child, in return for money, investigators found. The former teacher also had dark-web sites open on his computer all of which were dedicated to child sexual abuse. He was charged with five offences, including causing sexual exploitation of a child under 13.

Following the investigation, it was found that Matthew Smith paid that same teenager, and another also based in India, 65,398 to abuse children. He was then living in Nepal and was working for a school but moved back to the UK in July 2022 and began working at a primary school in London.

Matthew Smith instructed young men to perform sexual acts on boys and would send them images and videos as examples, it was found. Over 120,000 images of children which Matthew Smith had saved on a laptop, SD card and on his phone were recovered. The teacher pleaded guilty to the initial offences in November 2022 and has been charged with a further 17 counts.

He is due to be sentenced in August.

Helen Dore, senior officer of the National Crime Agency, said, Matthew Smith was a high risk individual and we moved quickly to locate, arrest and remand him so he could no longer pose a threat to children. Ultimately, we were able to prove that he was a prolific offender who manipulated young men to sexually abuse children on his behalf, giving them detailed instructions and financial reward. While conducting his offending, Smith worked at a school in Nepal, then became a deputy head teacher and head of pastoral care in the UK, so his offending is a deep betrayal of the trust placed in him.

The NCA is dedicated to operating online and overseas, working with global partners to ensure that children are safeguarded and offenders like Smith are brought to justice," Helen Dore said.

A spokesperson for the school said, We have been shocked and appalled beyond measure by this matter and are grateful for the work of the police and courts in bringing this man to account. Mr Smiths employment at the school, which commenced in September 2022, was terminated with immediate effect when the school first learned of the charges against him in November."

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Royal fans must have seen the moment when Prince William told his wife Kate Middleton to "chop chop" while she was talking to the new bride at the recent royal wedding in Jordan. The moment which shocked many was caught on camera. Podcaster Rachel Burchfield shared her opinion on the matter saying, Husbands, do not do this, don't do thisWilliam telling Kate to 'chop chop' as she spoke with the bride. Prince William and Princess Catherine arriving at the Zahran Palace in Amman.(AFP)

First of all, William, you were talking to the bride forever, dude, and then Kate gets up there and she's talking to her for like no time at all and then he's like 'chop, chop'no!," the podcaster said.

Co-host Jessica Robinson said, "I thought it was funny!" while Rachel Burchfield agreed, "I know he wasn't doing it to be disrespectful, I don't think so. But you can kind of sense Kate's tension as they were walking off, or at least I could."

Body language expert Judi James also said that it was not a good moment for Prince William.

"This is not one of [William's] finest moments when it comes to either body language or words," Judi James previously told Express, adding, "While he has clearly moved on from the meet and greet with the bride and groom, Kate stands talking to the bride in an animated and very friendly way. She is not causing a 'log jam' [by] holding up the queue and the next guests are still talking to the groom, so there appears to be no logical reason for William to hurry his wife along, especially as she only adds a few seconds to the conversation."

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Moscow: Russian air defences downed three drones in the Moscow region on Wednesday, the defence ministry said, in what it called an attempted Ukrainian attack. People look at the Red Square closed for Victory Parade preparation next to the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia,on May 3. (AP)

The ministry said Russian defences had used electronic jamming to cause the drones to lose control and crash, without causing any casualties or damage.

Reuters could not independently verify details of the incident or determine who had launched the drones.

Ukraine almost never comments on military operations outside its own borders, but drone attacks on Russian territory - including in Moscow itself, where two reached the Kremlin complex and others struck parts of the city in May - have become an increasingly frequent occurrence.

Moscow regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said two of the drones in Wednesdays incident were intercepted as they approached military warehouses.

The TASS news agency said they were aimed at the Taman Division of Russias Ground Forces which is based in Kalininets, some 60km from the Kremlin.

Separately, the governor of Russian-annexed Crimea reported unspecified damage to the railway network in the eastern town of Feodosia, without stating the cause. He said train traffic had been suspended but would be restored within two hours.

I ask everyone to remain calm and trust only verified sources of information, Sergei Aksyonov, the governor, said in a statement.

Self-styled partisan groups have reported frequent attacks on Russian rail infrastructure, sometimes resulting in derailments, during the 16 months since Russia invaded Ukraine.

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A Russian soldier who destroyed a German-made Leopard tank in a battle in Ukraine has been given a 1 million rouble ($11,842) reward by a private foundation, Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday. Alexander Karelin, senator of the federation council, awards Andrei Kravtsov with certificate for bonus of 1 million roubles for destruction of Leopard tank.(Russian Defence Ministry/TASS)

Also Read| Russia says it downed three Ukrainian drones in Moscow region

It published a video showing the soldier, Andrei Kravtsov, sitting on a hospital bed and receiving a reward certificate from Alexander Karelin, a three-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.

The ministry did not say when and where Kravtsov had destroyed the tank or what he was being treated for in hospital. In the video, he appeared to be missing his right hand.

Russia says its forces have destroyed a number of German-made Leopards and U.S.-supplied Bradley fighting vehicles since Ukraine launched a counteroffensive earlier this month. Reuters could not independently verify the numbers involved.

The defence ministry last week said it had paid individual bonuses to more than 10,000 Russian servicemen since the start of the Ukraine war - something Moscow calls a "special military operation" - for destroying or capturing Ukrainian or Western-supplied hardware. It said the rate was 100,000 roubles for a tank and 300,000 roubles for a plane.

Handing over the certificate for the private bonus, Karelin told Kravtsov: "These are wonderful additional payments for those who cause significant damage to the enemy, on top of what the state is doing."

The bonus was paid from a fund established by a private group of entrepreneurs, an example of how some Russian businesses are seeking ways to publicly display their loyalty to the Kremlin's military campaign in Ukraine.
Sonar reportedly picked up banging sounds from underneath the water as a search was underway for a missing submersible. The vessel carrying five people went missing in the North Atlantic Ocean. United States and Canadian authorities are on the lookout for the submersible and the people who were in it, on a journey to see the remains of the Titanic at the bottom of the ocean. The missing Titan submersible is owned by the company OceanGate. The submersible carrying five people went missing in the North Atlantic Ocean (OceanGate screenshot via CBS News)

A memo obtained by CNN said it was unclear exactly when the banging was heard on Tuesday, June 20, and for how long. More sounds were later heard, but they were not described as banging. Additional acoustic feedback was heard and will assist in vectoring surface assets and also indicating continued hope of survivors, an update reads. It has also been reported that a white rectangular object was spotted in the water by a Canadian P3 aircraft.

This update comes as passengers onboard the Titan submersible now have less than two days to go until their oxygen exhausts. At a recent press conference, United States Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick said the search operation has not yielded any results. There's about 40 hours of breathable air left, based on that initial report, Jamie said.

The submersible began its journey on Sunday morning, June 18. About one hour and 45 minutes into its descent, the vessel lost contact with the Polar Prince, the support ship that transported it to the site. The passengers aboard the submersible have been identified as OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.

The Titan reportedly sends a ping to the Polar Prince every 15 minutes. The last ping was received while the vessel floated above the Titanic wreckage at about 3 pm local time.
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Myanmar's defense ministry and two banks used by the ruling military junta to buy arms and other goods from foreign sources. Myanmar: A soldier stand next to military vehicles as people gather to protest against a military coup in Yangon, Myanmar.

The U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement the military has relied on foreign sources, including Russian entities under sanctions, to purchase and import arms, equipment and raw materials to manufacture weapons to support its "brutal repression".

Also read: India raises Chinese surveillance facilities at Coco Islands with Myanmar

Washington accused the defense ministry of importing goods and materiel worth at least $1 billion since the 2021 coup in which the military leaders seized power.

State-owned Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB), were also hit with sanctions. The Treasury said they allowed revenue-generating state-owned enterprises, including Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), access to international markets.

The banks receive and transmit foreign currencies for Myanmar's government.

"Burmas military regime has leveraged state-run access to international markets to import weapons and materiel, including from sanctioned Russian entities, to continue its violence and oppression," the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.

The United States and other Western nations have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Myanmar's military leaders since they seized power in a coup in 2021, overthrowing the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and killing thousands of opponents in a crackdown.

A spokesman for Myanmar's military junta ahead of the announcement said it was not worried about any new sanctions.

Zaw Min Tun told the state media channel MWD on Tuesday the country has experienced sanctions before and they will not face losses if there are new ones on Myanmar state-owned banks.

He said the United States was "just doing this to cause difficulties in economics and politics".

"These kinds of things will cause unnecessary delays while we walk towards the multi-party democratic system."

The Bangkok Business News, cited Thai sources as saying the sanctions would hit Thailand and other countries in the region financially because of their connections with local banks.

The U.S. Embassy said it had regular conversations with the Thai government on Myanmar including how to mitigate the impact of any sanctions on Thailand or other countries.

Experts say the sanctions on the banks, while short of targeting gas projects that are a big source of revenue for the junta, could have an impact on the juntas ability to fund its war against ethnic groups and insurgencies.

A February report by campaign group EarthRights International said the two banks were the Myanmar governments "foreign currency treasuries" and were now under junta control.

It said the junta relied on foreign currency to buy jet fuel, parts for small arms production, and other supplies that could not be bought with the Myanmar kyat, EarthRights said.

"As a result, sanctions against MFTB and MICB could contribute substantially to cutting off the juntas access to foreign currency, especially if combined with strong enforcement," it said.
President Joe Biden's remarks calling Chinese leader Xi Jinping a dictator and China a country with "real economic difficulties drew fast condemnation from China on Wednesday, cracking open a new rift just after the two countries agreed to tentative steps to stabilise the relationship. (CLICK HERE FOR PM Modi US Visit LIVE Updates) China's President Xi Jinping (left) and US President Joe Biden (AFP)

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned Biden's unusually pointed comments as extremely absurd and irresponsible.

The clash of words comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing on Monday that sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low.

While both sides saw those talks as productive, they did not result in any significant breakthroughs beyond an agreement to return to a broad agenda for cooperation and competition.

China's quick response to Biden, a president known for seemingly off-script remarks that venture beyond his administration's policies, raises questions whether his remarks would undo the limited progress that had been made in Blinken's carefully engineered trip or whether the two sides would move on.

Biden's characterisation of China comes as the campaign for next year's presidential election is already taking off, with Republicans accusing him of being weak on China.

Biden also was preparing to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington on Wednesday evening for a lavish state visit where a central theme will be a shared wariness of China.

Biden, at a fundraiser in California on Tuesday night, referred back to January and February's two-week overflight of what the US says was a Chinese spy balloon. The balloon's surprise appearance over US skies roiled relations and transfixed the American public.

Speaking to wealthy donors at the event for his 2024 reelection campaign, Biden depicted Xi as out-of-touch and embarrassed by the incident, which ended with the Air Force shooting down the balloon just off the East Coast.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didn't know it was there," Biden told the crowd.

No, I'm serious, he added. "That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened.

Biden also played down trade competition from China, which is the world's second-biggest economy after the United States but struggling to emerge from COVID-era financial troubles.

By the way, I promise you, don't worry about China. Worry about China but don't worry about China," Biden said. "I really mean it. China has real economic difficulties.

Biden's remarks came hours after his secretary of state, in an interview with MSNBC, had called for the two countries to put the balloon incident behind them, saying it was a chapter that should be closed.

In Beijing on Wednesday, Mao told reporters that Biden's remarks "go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China's political dignity.

It is a blatant political provocation, Mao said.

Mao also reiterated China's version of the balloon episode, saying the balloon was for meteorological research and had been accidentally blown off course.

The White House on Wednesday signalled that Biden had no intention of walking back his comments. A senior administration official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it should come as no surprise that Biden speaks candidly about China and the differences that we have.

The official added that US administration officials, including Biden, are not alone in speaking bluntly about differences in the public and private dialogue between the two countries' leadership.

The official added that Blinken had a good trip, progress was made, and that the administration expects to build on that progress.

US-China tensions have mounted for years as rivalry builds over trade and global influence. Tensions have been aggravated by repeated flare-ups, including over the balloon, US tariffs, sanctions on China, and self-ruled Taiwan.

The US is pressing China to embrace direct communications between Biden, Xi and other senior US and Chinese military and civilian leaders, as a channel to defuse tensions and keep incidents from escalating into open hostilities.

Despite the administration's diplomatic efforts to soothe relations, analysts point to the Republican political pressure, and note Biden regularly seems to go off-script to criticize Xi.

Bonnie Glaser, Asia director of the George Marshall Fund of the United States, pointed Wednesday to Biden's state of the union address in February, soon after the balloon flight, as Republican lawmakers in the audience heckled him over China and other issues. Waving a finger in the air, Biden cried out, Name me a world leader who'd change places with Xi Jinping! Name me one! Name me one!"

For Biden, he's under a lot of criticism from the right. He doesn't want to be seen as soft on China. He views Xi Jinping as a dictator," Glaser said.

And he's not very good ... at differentiating what should be said in public and what should be said in private, Glaser said. "And the relationship pays a price for it. There's no doubt about it.

Xi was likely upset by the claim that he hadn't been fully informed about the balloon incident, said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the London University School of Oriental and African Studies and a longtime observer of Chinese politics.

My sense is that Xi may not want to overreact and put the relationship back on ice again, Tsang said in an email.

The initial Republican response to Biden's remarks was approving. It's an appropriate description of their system of government, Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said.

While Xi heads a country formally named the People's Republic of China, he faces no limits on his terms as head of state, commander of the military and leader of the ruling Communist Party, which brooks no challenges to its authority.

In California, Biden had told donors that Xi wants to have a relationship again.

Blinken went over there ... did a good job, and it's going to take time," he said.
The Brand's Southeast Asian Debut Brings

Together the Very Best in Hospitality, Cuisine, Design and Art in the City's Most Exciting Neighbourhood.

The Mondrian era begins in the Lion City with the opening of Mondrian Singapore Duxton, the brand's southeast Asian debut. Injecting its signature blend of art, glamour, and culinary flair into the vibrant neighbourhood of Duxton Hill, Mondrian Singapore Duxton rises above the historic and colourful Chinatown shophouses, with sweeping views of the glittering cityscape. A stone's throw from the Central Business District, the hotel invites travellers and locals alike to explore the surrounding area and relax in its 302 guestrooms and shophouse suites, cinematic rooftop pool and four electric restaurants and bars.

Inviting the dreamers, artists, rebels and free-thinkers to experience their new spiritual home, Singapore's newest hospitality concept provides a gateway to all that the city's chic, art-forward Duxton district has to offer. Guests have the chance to meet a team of 'unexpected talents'; Mondrian's charming all-star cast of iconoclasts and change-makers from across the fields of hospitality, cuisine, design, fashion, nightlife, and art, who are dedicated to delivering hospitality unlike any other. They are the hosts and guides to all that Mondrian and Duxton Hill have to offer, as guests relax, get inspired and prepare to explore a world of design, art, fashion and sheer cool.

Designed by Los Angeles-based hotshop Studio Carter, the resort draws inspiration from the heritage conservation area's unconventional architecture and rich melting pot of culture, offering a feeling of 'deconstructed shophouse chic'. Guests will know that they've arrived somewhere special as they realise a bustling restaurant and bar has replaced the traditional lobby. Head out and explore the Duxton neighbourhood's barista cafes, Michelin-starred eateries, in-the-know bars, avant-garde galleries and independent boutiques.

Mondrian is a food- and fashion-forward culinary destination designed to be enjoyed by both locals and international travellers. A restaurant, cocktail bar, cafe and rooftop restaurant and bar combine historic architecture from Singapore's centuries-old shophouses with a new build of modern, contemporary influences.

The world's greatest butcher, Dario Cecchini, presides over the flagship dining experience, Bottega di Carna, a modern Italian eatery with a rebellious spin and a touch of Tuscany. Executive Chef Alastair Clayton and Chef de Cuisine Kenny Huang and their dream team add theatre in the open kitchen and prime cuts of the finest meats hang like jewels in display cases.

Accessed by a secret tunnel and celebrating the ultra-vibrancy and wild nature of Southeast Asia, Jungle Ballroom is a tropical cocktail bar rooted in the region's rich bounty that pulses with lucid glamour. A place where cocktails creative and classic meet adventures in mixology, served from a sunken lava stone bar amid glimpses of the lush jungle outside.

Christina's offers a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city by day serving coffee from award-winning baristas. By night the space transforms into a devoted wine, cocktail and sharing plates haven, made with love and partnerships with some of Singapore's best local artisans. It is just the place to plot your business revolution or creative coup.

The Rooftop Bar and Poolside Cabanas transport guests to the glitz and glamour of 1970s Hollywood at Canyon Club, surrounded by the sweeping cinematic views of the glittering Singapore skyline. Fresh, seafood-forward dishes and colourful crafted cocktails are the highlights of this California-inspired menu.

From the original Mondrian located in the heart of Los Angeles' strip to properties in New York, Miami, London, Cannes, Doha and Seoul, the brand has always been about transforming and defining the neighbourhoods in which they are found. Since its launch in LA in 1996, Mondrian Hotels have been brought to life by the quality of their people and a commitment to creativity, art and the unexpected.

Hotel website
Apollo Palm is proud to officially open its doors as an entirely new hotel experience steeped in Athens' distinct creative spirit. Offering a balanced juxtaposition of luxury, comfort and glamor, Apollo Palm is an inspired destination for local creatives and travelers from around the world. The hotel's authentic Mediterranean atmosphere and design ethos, nodding to the nearby Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, brings forth a new era of hospitality for the rapidly evolving Psyrri neighborhood of Athens. Neighboring the Agora of Athens, the once beating heart of ancient Athenian ideals, civilization, beauty and history, Psyrri now plays host to an exciting cafe scene, open-air galleries, and globally-inspired bars and restaurants. This confluence of old and new perfectly sets the stage for the newcomer hotel, an ideal homebase from which to explore the surrounding hub of global contemp9orary art and culture.

Apollo Palm is an effortless exhibit of contemporary, thought-provoking interiors from one of Europe's most promising new design ateliers: Mariette Sans-Rival Studio, a Parisian design firm helmed by Mariette Sans-Rival. The studio thoughtfully reimagines two 20th-century buildings into 48 serene guest rooms alongside several light-filled common spaces. The hotel's architecture nods to Greece's iconic seafaring culture in the nearby Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, with sumptuous nautical curves defining its shape and a soft, natural color palette throughout the interior spaces. Mariette Sans-Rival Studio utilizes brass light fixtures to create a candle-like intimate ambiance, and clads the walls and floors in a broad palette of cream and white, brightening the stairs and emphasizing the verticality of the buildings. The studio also flawlessly restored and conserved the jaw-dropping Bauhaus-style stained-glass window spanning multiple floors. The hotel furniture is custom designed in collaboration with local craftspersons to create an entirely unique identity for Apollo Palm: soft lines mimic the construction and run contours around diaphanous golden fabrics and textures. The acclaimed Galerie Downtown Paris recently showcased one of the hotel's chairs from the "Lucie Collection'' in a buzzy, contemporary design exhibition titled Trones, the first exhibition presented as part of the downtown+ project by curatorial duo Luna Laffanour and Romain Bitton.

Hotel website
Vatunicoko first joined the Castaway Island, Fiji Resort as Executive Housekeeper in August 2019. He left in November 2020 to join Radisson Blu Fiji as their Executive Housekeeper from December 2020 to June 2021 and rejoined Castaway in December 2021. Before initially joining Castaway in 2019, Vatunicoko had spent more than fifteen years at the exclusive 7-star Lalucala Island Resort where he held various roles including Administration Manager, Concierge Manager, overseeing front office operations, events & weddings and activities.

Vatunicoko holds a Bachelor of Commerce in human resources management and services and hospitality administration/management in addition to a diploma in international politics, all from Fiji National University.
The Heathman Hotel, an iconic lifestyle hotel in Portland, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Laura Maldonado as its new General Manager. With her passion for hospitality and a remarkable track record of success, Laura is set to lead the hotel into an exhilarating new phase of growth and transformation.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Laura's passion for hospitality was ignited at a young age during family outings to local hotels. She was captivated by the art of service and the transformative guest experience. Pursuing her passion, Laura graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management.

Over the years, Laura has built an impressive career in the industry, working with leading hotel brands such as Wyndham and Hilton. Her experience includes various guest service roles, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of exceptional guest experiences. Laura's dedication and expertise led her to thrive as Assistant General Manager at the Southernmost Beach Resort in Key West, Florida, and later as General Manager at The Gates South Beach - A Doubletree by Hilton in Miami. She most recently excelled as the General Manager of the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel in Portland, OR.

Now, Laura Maldonado embarks on her next adventure as the General Manager of the esteemed Heathman Hotel. She brings with her a vision of revitalization and a commitment to cultivating an unrivaled guest experience through inspired programming, the reopening of the Heathman restaurant, and active community engagement. Laura's dynamic leadership style, combined with her expertise in operations and revenue management, makes her the ideal catalyst for the hotel's transition into its next chapter.

With Laura at the helm, the Heathman Hotel will experience a seamless transformation guided by the pillars of translocal hospitality, intuitive service, and a collaborative culture. Her strategic acumen and hands-on approach will ensure that the guest experience remains paramount while driving financial performance and generating revenue. Laura's ability to form deep connections within the community will enable the hotel to establish meaningful partnerships and become an integral part of the local fabric.

Laura Maldonado's appointment heralds a new era of excitement and innovation for the Heathman Hotel. Her infectious enthusiasm, adaptability, and commitment to excellence will inspire the entire team to deliver exceptional service and create unforgettable moments for each guest.
Maria is an Associate at HVS Dubai working in strategic consulting for hospitality assets across the Middle East. As part of HVS, Maria has been involved in numerable financial studies including complex feasibility projects, re-development plans, appraisals and strategic advisory for hotels and resorts of all asset types. Maria has also engaged in operator search and selection assignments and specializes in wellness, luxury and hospitality-driven mixed-use developments throughout the GCC. Prior to joining HVS, Maria worked in luxury hotel management in UAE and Qatar. She also has experience in business consulting in Colombia. Maria holds a Masters Degree on International Business in Hotel and Resort Management from Swiss Hotel Management School, and a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia.
London - Crave Interactive Ltd, a global leader in hospitality technology solutions, is thrilled to announce the release of Crave AI, a ground-breaking guest service solution that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI). With innovative features such as the AI Display Window and integrated Video Chat, Crave AI reimagines the way hotels and resorts can connect and engage with their guests.

Crave AI from Crave Interactive on Vimeo.

Craves AI Display Window is a unique innovation and displays relevant content and services during guest conversations. Videos, images and descriptions bring the conversation to life, creating a far better guest experience than simple chat.

Any web-based service can be displayed at the appropriate time, including restaurant booking, hotel reservations, F&B ordering systems, service requests, maps and menus.

Transactions and payments are easy and secure, with no personal data passed to the AI engine.

For guests who would rather speak to a human and for requests that the AI bot cannot help with, Crave AI can instantly connect the guest to hotel staff via an integrated Video Chat feature. In this way, Crave AI provides the best automated and personal service in a compelling solution that will delight hotel guests.

We are thrilled to introduce Crave AI, a game-changing solution that takes guest engagement to new heights. The AI Display Window and integrated video chat feature provide a genuinely unique and compelling guest experience. AI is transforming the world at an incredible pace, and Crave AI will redefine the way hospitality establishments engage with their guests. Gareth Hughes, CEO of Crave Interactive

Crave AI supports guest communication via voice, text, kiosk, in-room tablet and web. The AI Display Window is compatible with most hotel booking and ordering systems and any web pages.

The first hotel deployments are expected in Q3 2023, with large groups supported from Q4 2023.

Visitors to HITEC 2023 in Toronto should visit the Crave team at booth #1335 for a personal demo of Crave AI and Crave Instant Video.

To learn more about Crave AI, or to request a personal demo, please visit craveinteractive.com/crave-ai.

Craig Pattenden

Head of Marketing - Crave Interactive

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MCLEAN, Va.  In recognition of World Refugee Day on June 20, Hilton has announced its commitment to hire an additional 1,500 refugees across Europe. Hilton made the announcement alongside the Tent Partnership for Refugees as part of the Tent Foundation European Business Summit, which took place in Paris on June 19.

The United Nations World Refugee Day honors, recognizes and celebrates the strength and courage of refugees around the world who are now integrating into their communities. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on the power of inclusion to support refugees as they restart their lives.

As a longtime partner of the Tent Partnership for Refugees, Hilton became the first hospitality company to join Tent in 2018, supporting its overall efforts in creating employment pathways for underrepresented groups including refugees, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, as well as military veterans and their families.

Hilton was founded with the purpose to spread the light and warmth of hospitality  to be a beacon of hope and engine of opportunity. Part of this commitment is to create career pathways for all, said Laura Fuentes, chief human resources officer, Hilton. We are proud to continue our partnership with Tent to hire 1,500 refugees over the next three years at our hotels across Europe and embrace the contributions of this diverse and skilled talent pool among our workforces.

Since 2015, Hilton has positively impacted 78,588 refugees through volunteering, in-kind donations, purchasing, training, shelter and employment. Since 2022, we have hired more than 400 refugees across 73 hotels in EMEA. Through partnerships with local refugee organizations, community-based initiatives, and dedicated recruitment programs, Hilton also provides refugees with training, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities. These efforts are guided by Hiltons Travel With Purpose strategy, through which Hilton has committed to create 5 million learning and career growth opportunities for unrepresented groups military veterans and their families, refugees, and youth worldwide.

The company continues to be recognized for its exceptional workplace culture and team member benefits. In 2023, Great Place to Work and Fortune named Hilton the #2 best place to work globally in addition to ranking in more than 20 countries around the world, including Argentina (#1); China (#1); France (#1), Italy (#1); Peru (#1); Portugal (#1), Uruguay (#1); Nigeria (#2); Singapore (#2); and United Kingdom (#2).

For more information on Hiltons commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, visit jobs.hilton.com/diversity.
Berlin, Germany - Fairmas a leading provider of financial planning and analysis software for the hospitality industry, is delighted to commemorate its 20th anniversary and announce its presence at HITEC. Recognized as a trusted partner to hotels worldwide, Fairmas offers a comprehensive 360 Hospitality Financial BI Solution that empowers hoteliers to make informed financial decisions and optimize their operations.

Since its establishment in 2003, Fairmas has demonstrated a commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology solutions and exceptional service to its clients. Over the past two decades, the company has continuously evolved its suite of software products to meet the ever-changing needs of the hospitality industry. By providing insights, forecasting capabilities, and comprehensive reporting, Fairmas has become the go-to solution for hoteliers seeking to enhance financial performance and increase their profit.

As the most recent achievement, among many others, Fairmas has expanded its global presence with the successful rollout of its latest web-based software for IHG Hotels and Resorts in 75 countries, including 950 hotels globally. The achievement highlights the company's dedication and ability to provide innovative solutions for the hospitality industry.

Furthermore, to meet the growing demand for its services in North America, Fairmas announced the opening of its new office in Montreal, Canada last year. This strategic move not only underscores the company's dedication to serving its expanding client base in North America but also signifies Fairmas' commitment to providing localized support and resources to its customers in the region. In relation to Fairmas expansion and increasing customer base in the region since the opening of the Fairmas North American entity, the Fairmas team will be present at HITEC in Toronto this year with their first ever company booth at a North American event.

We are thrilled to celebrate our 20th anniversary and mark this significant milestone in our company's history. Our expansion into North America demonstrates our confidence in the growth opportunities presented by this market and our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients. We are excited to establish a local presence in North America by being present at HITEC and further strengthen our partnerships with hotels across the region. Niels Schroder, Managing Director, Fairmas GmbH

As part of its expansion plans, Fairmas participation at HITEC 2023 in Toronto, the world's largest hospitality technology event, will be a steppingstone for more growth in the region. Held from June 26th to June 29th in Toronto, HITEC provides an ideal platform for industry professionals to connect, share knowledge, and explore the latest trends in hospitality technology. Fairmas will highlight its advanced financial planning and analysis software, emphasizing its ability to provide hotels with comprehensive insights and actionable intelligence to avoid errors, save time and increase their profit.

As we celebrate Fairmas 20th anniversary, we are thrilled to also be present with a booth at HITEC Toronto, a milestone event for Fairmas. This prestigious platform provides us with an exceptional opportunity to showcase our unrivaled solutions to the North American hospitality market. With our innovative technology, extensive industry knowledge, and a legacy of excellence, we are confident in our ability to make a significant impact at HITEC Toronto and beyond. John C. Dunn, President, Fairmas North America

For more information or free demonstration, please visit www.fairmas.com.

About Fairmas

Fairmas GmbH is a software development company offering financial planning, management reporting and controlling solutions specifically for the hospitality industry. Fairmas also offers data management for hotel owners and investors. It is headquartered in Berlin, with offices in Germany, Spain, and Canada. Since the company's foundation in 2003, their focus has been on the development of innovative, tailor-made hotel software. With their continuous growth and steady expansion of their product range, more than 5,000 hotels worldwide are satisfied with Fairmas' hospitality financial BI solutions (www.fairmas.com).

Kinza Raheel

International Marketing & Communications Manager
Hilton Expands Refugee Hiring Pledge and Commits to Hiring Additional 1,500 Refugees Across Europe

Hilton joins the Tent Partnership For Refugees in recognizing World Refugee Day by pledging to hire an additional 1,500 refugees across Europe, supporting its commitment to create 5 million learning and career growth opportunities globally by 2030

In recognition of World Refugee Day on June 20, Hilton has announced its commitment to hire an additional 1,500 refugees across Europe. Hilton made the announcement alongside the Tent Partnership for Refugees as part of the Tent Foundation European Business Summit, which took place in Paris on June 19.

The United Nations World Refugee Day honors, recognizes and celebrates the strength and courage of refugees around the world who are now integrating into their communities. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on the power of inclusion to support refugees as they restart their lives.

As a longtime partner of the Tent Partnership for Refugees, Hilton became the first hospitality company to join Tent in 2018, supporting its overall efforts in creating employment pathways for underrepresented groups including refugees, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, as well as military veterans and their families.

Hilton was founded with the purpose to spread the light and warmth of hospitality  to be a beacon of hope and engine of opportunity. Part of this commitment is to create career pathways for all, said Laura Fuentes, chief human resources officer, Hilton. We are proud to continue our partnership with Tent to hire 1,500 refugees over the next three years at our hotels across Europe and embrace the contributions of this diverse and skilled talent pool among our workforces.

Since 2015, Hilton has positively impacted 78,588 refugees through volunteering, in-kind donations, purchasing, training, shelter and employment. Since 2022, Hilton has hired more than 400 refugees across 73 hotels in EMEA. Through partnerships with local refugee organizations, community-based initiatives, and dedicated recruitment programs, Hilton also provides refugees with training, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities. These efforts are guided by Hiltons Travel With Purpose strategy, through which Hilton has committed to create 5 million learning and career growth opportunities for unrepresented groups military veterans and their families, refugees, and youth worldwide.
Patio at the Apollo Palm Hotel

The 48-room design hotel also houses a patio wine bar and rooftop cocktail bar offering views overlooking the Acropolis and the surrounding Psyrri neighborhood

Apollo Palm has ofcially opened its doors as an entirely new hotel experience steeped in Athens distinct creative spirit. Offering a balanced juxtaposition of luxury, comfort and glamor, Apollo Palm is an inspired destination for local creatives and travelers from around the world. The hotels authentic Mediterranean atmosphere and design ethos, nodding to the nearby Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, brings forth a new era of hospitality for the rapidly evolving Psyrri neighborhood of Athens. Neighboring the Agora of Athens, the once beating heart of ancient Athenian ideals, civilization, beauty and history, Psyrri now plays host to an exciting cafe scene, open-air galleries, and globally-inspired bars and restaurants. This conuence of old and new perfectly sets the stage for the newcomer hotel, an ideal homebase from which to explore the surrounding hub of global contemp9orary art and culture.

This is a very special project for Athens, and in particular, Psyrri; Apollo Palm is a direct manifestation of the neighborhoods rich culture, appreciation of the arts, and culinary excellence, comments hotel developer Konstantinos Polatidis of FORMA. Every piece of this project features bespoke design reecting its surroundings, from the custom-made furniture to the inventive rooftop cocktail list. We created this hotel to be a custodian of sorts for our citys prolic cultural heritage that spans millennia, and we hope it remains an alluring homebase for travelers and residents alike for many years to come.

Apollo Palm is an effortless exhibit of contemporary, thought-provoking interiors from one of Europes most promising new design ateliers: Mariette Sans-Rival Studio, a Parisian design rm helmed by Mariette Sans-Rival. The studio thoughtfully reimagines two 20th-century buildings into 48 serene guest rooms alongside several light-lled common spaces. The hotels architecture nods to Greeces iconic seafaring culture in the nearby Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, with sumptuous nautical curves dening its shape and a soft, natural color palette throughout the interior spaces. Mariette Sans-Rival Studio utilizes brass light xtures to create a candle-like intimate ambiance, and clads the walls and oors in a broad palette of cream and white, brightening the stairs and emphasizing the verticality of the buildings. The studio also awlessly restored and conserved the jaw-dropping Bauhaus-style stained-glass window spanning multiple oors. The hotel furniture is custom designed in collaboration with local craftspersons to create an entirely unique identity for Apollo Palm: soft lines mimic the construction and run contours around diaphanous golden fabrics and textures. The acclaimed Galerie Downtown Paris recently showcased one of the hotels chairs from the Lucie Collection'' in a buzzy, contemporary design exhibition titled Trones, the rst exhibition presented as part of the downtown+ project by curatorial duo Luna Laffanour and Romain Bitton.

Commenting on the opening of Apollo Palm, Mariette Sans-Rival remarks: As my rst architecture and interior design project, I leaned heavily on my background in the world of opera and live theater to create a unique perspective, drawing parallels between set scenography and an inviting hotel atmosphere. I was challenged to create emotions through a narrative vision in an entirely new setting, building stories into the nascent place and developing recurring patterns to make the hotel autonomous and alive. I started drawing unusual shapes which ultimately led to the exclusive Lucie  collection of furniture created for the hotel; no detail was overlooked in making Apollo Palm an ideal, Mediterranean getaway that delights the senses in every way possible.

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The hotel also hosts several dining options curated in tandem with Greek hospitality icons, ranging from an all-day cafe to late-night spots perfect for taking in the best of Greeces storied nightlife:

 A hidden oasis in the heart of Athens, Patio Wine Bar and Bistro is a casual cafe located in Apollo Palms tranquil courtyard under the shadow of a magnicent palm tree that anchors the space. Ambient, relaxed music and lush greenery set against the crisp white building exterior provide an alluring backdrop for casual dining, exclusive listening parties, weekend aperitivo hours and more. Guests and locals alike can enjoy all-day a la carte menu selections, starting with healthy, Mediterranean breakfast fare each morning and high-quality coffee from local roasters. The bistro seamlessly transitions from day to night with small plates featuring regional Mediterranean comfort food, as well as an exciting catalogue of wine selections, carefully curated by Nodas Pappas of Loggia, a renowned natural wine bar located on Sifnos Island who created a wine list that embraces natural, organic, and biodynamic wines from all over Greece.

 Perched atop Apollo Palm, the Rooftop Cocktail Bar is a vibrant cocktail bar with a Spritzeria concept, offering unparalleled views of the Acropolis and surrounding Psyrri neighborhood. The playful yet decidedly chic venue has an inventive cocktail list designed by Alekos Alexiadis, founder and owner of the edgy Santa Rosa; an acclaimed newcomer to Athens bar scene. Small tapas selections create the perfect pairings with the wine, Spritz, and cocktail-forward drinks menu, and on the weekends, guests and locals can enjoy a Mediterranean brunch menu on the rooftop as well. Visitors will enjoy Balearic music upstaged only by the incredible Athenian sunsets, with special musical and cultural events including open-air cinema nights and Sunday sunset parties.

 Coming September 2023: Studio Olala will be a haven for audiophiles, featuring a world-class sound system designed to maximize the acoustic experience at Apollo Palms late-night venue. The intimate listening room and bar will feature a thoughtfully-designed event series each weekend, ranging from jazz nights and small concerts to disco parties and DJ sets from September through May. During the week, Studio Olala will be open to guests and locals as a cozy whiskey bar, offering a relaxed ambiance perfect for jazz nights and casual drinks with friends. The venue will also be available for private parties and corporate events.
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Kindergartners at Hoosac Valley Elementary show off their language skills by singing 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' in Spanish. Children exit the stage after a successful show. PreviousNext

Hoosac Valley Kindergarten Fiesta Showcases Language Learning



Parents and guardians attend the end-of-the-year 'Spanish Fiesta' at Hoosac Valley Elementary on Friday. ADAMS, Mass.  Four classrooms of kindergartners sang, danced and demonstrated their knowledge of Spanish for an auditorium full of parents at Hoosac Valley Elementary School's Spanish Fiesta last Friday.

Robin Poirot was the organizer but added that the other teachers she worked with were integral to the event.

"I have a great team of teachers," Poirot said. The other teachers practiced with their own classrooms, and Poirot said this extra practice "helped beef up" the students' language knowledge quickly.

Not many of the other teachers came in speaking Spanish, so "we definitely had to listen and learn and practice along with them," teacher Emily Saville said.

Poirot does not have a degree in Spanish but all children who come through her kindergarten classroom leave with a rudimentary understanding of the language. Poirot has been working in the school system for more than 30 years and started incorporating Spanish into her classroom when she learned about the long-term benefits of speaking even a few phrases of a second language at a young age. She was astonished that her students "were picking it up so quickly."

Despite the ease with which the students learned Spanish, Poirot said some people did not think teaching them so young was helpful, because kids, at that age, were supposed to be learning English. Poirot did not see it that way.

Learning a second language helps with acquisition of the primary language, according to Poirot. "If they can learn all the names of Pokemon and everything else, they can learn how to speak Spanish," she said.

Poirot has been teaching long enough that many of her previous students, after taking Spanish in high school, told her that they remembered what they had learned in her classroom. "It's so cool that it sticks with them," she said.

Not only does learning Spanish have long-term benefits for the kids, but so too does the performance itself.

"It's a big thing for even an adult to get up and in front of somebody and do something like that," said Karissa Kingsley, a parent of a kindergartner performing. "It's not only teaching them the language but it's teaching them what's to come."

The teachers also see it as a "self-esteem booster" and an exercise in teaching stage presence. Poirot mentioned how some kids were initially timid, but through practice, and encouragement grew to enjoy performing.

The show drew an audience of over a hundred parents and family members. Kingsley has seen increase in parental attendance at events recently. Events like these "seem to bring a lot of family and community together," she said.

The kindergartners demonstrated counting and saying their colors in Spanish, and answering the question como estas? with a few different phrases. Each part of the show incited loud applause.

The children also sang and danced. Kingsley McDonald, a pupil who participated in the fiesta, said his favorite part of the show was doing the chicken dance. A few other students noted singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" ("Maria Tenia Un Pequeno Cordero") was a highlight.

Both parents and teachers were pleasantly surprised at the event's success. Four classrooms of 5-year-olds had to work together.

"It started off crazy but they really pulled it together," teacher Taylor Wotkowicz said.

"To see them collaborate as classrooms is really awesome," Kingsley said, "I'm kinda surprised as to how much they learned in the little bit of time, and how great they did together."
Williamstown Charter Review Committee Discusses Australian Ballot

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Charter Review Committee last week discussed whether the town should consider creating a mechanism for ballot votes to approve questions normally decided by town meeting.

Chair Andrew Hogeland told his colleagues at their June 15 meeting that any such move would be unique in the commonwealth, but he cited a couple of precedents where other communities have taken steps in that direction.

"The [Massachusetts Municipal Association] lawyer had two examples," Hogeland said. "Lexington put a bylaw in place 40 years ago which had allowed a subsequent election to repeal a zoning bylaw [passed by town meeting]. And he gave the example of Manchester-by-the-Sea, which requires any debt item over a million dollars to be by ballot.

"Minimal examples, and they're fairly limited. If we were to do this, I think we'd be breaking new ground."

"This" is an idea that has been bandied about informally in local government for some time: essentially continuing the town meeting process from its traditional one-night format into a second day, on which all registered voters would be eligible to vote on certain articles, like zoning bylaw amendments, that result from the physical meeting.

"The idea is you would have your in-person town meeting, and you could vote on some or all of the articles, like today, or have some deferred to a ballot vote later," Hogeland said. "The final version of some or all would be put on a ballot. So instead of 350 people at town meeting voting on everything, some set would go to a ballot vote."

Town officials for years have been looking for ways to increase participation at the annual town meeting and, some argue, make it more reflective of the sentiment of a wider range of residents.

Since more people, typically, vote in May's local elections then attend the town meeting, some have suggested that questions are better answered by a daylong ballot vote.

Hogeland pointed out one potential issue with the two-stage process: The time it takes to draft and post a ballot prior to a second town election likely would push the final vote off for a couple of months after the town meeting in May.

But, he noted, such a delay conceivably would allow more residents to learn about the issues they would face at the polls.

Another issue is that the town cannot implement such a procedure on its own.

"It could be allowed by special legislation," Hogeland said. "The method to do so would be to propose an amendment to our charter and see if the legislature would pass it."

Hogeland noted that while no provision for a ballot box component to town meeting exists in Massachusetts General Law, neighboring Vermont does allow municipalities to implement an "Australian ballot" system for deciding all questions before the town.

Some in Williamstown have suggested that the Australian ballot would be more democratic and would address the issue of low participation at the annual town meeting.

The Charter Review Committee last week reviewed the results of a survey it mailed out to determine why more residents do not attend the meeting, and problems like inconvenient scheduling and the length of the meeting were among the top responses.

"I'm attracted to [Australian ballot] because it does seem to address two flaws in the current system," Nate Budington said. "One is that really important decisions for the town are being made by very small percentages of the population, which seems fairly consistent in town meeting. And the access issue, which we saw come up in the survey  this would address most if not all of those access issues."

Anne Skinner disagreed.

"I'm opposed to this," she said. "I'd like to see if there are other ways to increase participation in town meeting before we go to something like this, which completely changes the nature of town decisions.

"To not make them at town meeting, to have people who didn't come to town meeting decide what the results are going to be, I'm not in favor of that."

Skinner suggested that if the final decisions are made at the ballot box weeks later, people will be even less inclined to attend the meeting itself.

"To Anne's point, you can try shorter meetings," Hogeland said. "There may be more than one meeting. I talked to another open town meeting person the other day, and their meeting ran on three consecutive nights."

On the other hand, Hogeland disagreed with Skinner's assertion that the ballot would render the meeting irrelevant.

"That's still where all the debates happen," Hogeland said. "That's still where all the amendments happen."

The committee last week took no votes on whether to include a recommendation on the Australian ballot question in its final report to the Select Board, which formed the Charter Review Committee last summer.

That report will include information from the survey it sent to residents earlier this year. Hogeland said that the questionnaire was mailed out with 2,500 property tax bills, and the committee sent an additional 600 surveys to residents believed to be tenants in rental properties in town.

The committee received just more than 500 responses to the survey, which is inline with other recent townwide surveys from town hall, Hogeland said.

The respondents skewed older, with 50 percent identifying as aged 70 or up. Another 22 percent identified as between the ages of 60 and 70, Hogeland said.

Hogeland went through some highlights of the survey responses during last week's meeting, including that 64 percent of respondents wanted a recall provision for local offices, 70 percent favored continuing the current balance of power between the Select Board and town manager and 68 percent wanted to continue the open form of town meeting instead of moving to a representative town meeting.

Narrower margins were seen on a couple of other issues. Forty-nine percent of respondents were against implementing term limits for local offices with 33 percent indicating they would like to see limits. On the issue of ranked-choice voting in local elections, 51 percent responded favorably, but 22 percent of the respondents said they needed more information before expressing a preference.
BCC to Host Virtual Admissions Info Sessions

PITTSFIELD, Mass  Berkshire Community College (BCC) will host two free virtual information sessions: Wednesday, June 21 at 6 pm and Saturday, July 1 at 10 am.

The 30-minute info sessions, presented by admissions counselors on Zoom, are designed to familiarize prospective students with the application and registration process.

Registration is required. To register for a session, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/virtualinfo

Information session participants can:

Ask questions about the admissions process: how to apply, register, and choose classes

Learn about BCC's affordability and its financial aid options

Hear from staff about quality programs and student support services

Discover how classes will transfer to hundreds of schools or prepare graduates for an immediate career

For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (413) 236-1636.
Sign-up Begins for Library Summer Reading in Adams

Adams Mass.  Adams Free Library launches "Find Your Voice!" summer reading program on June 20.

During the next two months the library will host a range of free activities for children, teens, and adults to encourage and support a love of reading. Participants can win prizes for reaching their goals and are encouraged to log reading online via Beanstack and will earn raffle tickets at certain reading milestones for a prize.

Raffle prizes are provided by the Friends of the Adams Free Library. The deadline for logging books is Friday, August 11. Winning tickets will be drawn after the end of the program and announced on August 17. Patrons are to log only the books they start and complete between June 20 and Aug. 11.

Beginning June 20, readers may visit www.adamslibraryma.beanstack.org to create an account or use an existing one, sign-up for the reading challenge of their choice, and begin logging. Although "Find Your Voice!" is an overall theme for the program, children may read whatever they choose and sign up any time.

Find Your Voice! is sponsored by the Adams Free Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding provided by the Friends of the Adams Free Library.

Library events are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children under 8 years of age. Attendance at library programs constitutes consent to be photographed; photos may be used in print or electronic publicity for the Adams Free Library.
Dalton Finance Approves Interdepartmental Transfers

DALTON, Mass.  The Finance Committee approved various interdepartmental transfers during its meeting last Wednesday.

It approved a transfer of $4,000 from the reserve fund to the Landfill Closure Monitoring account.

The original quote for the well repair did not include the cost of prevailing wages that the town is required to pay.

The engineer believed that the scope of the project did not require prevailing wage but after consulting town counsel, confirmed that it applies for well construction.

"They had supplied us with a quote in good faith and that was fine with me. And then this prevailing wage issue came up so this is all for that. And that was between them and their contractor," Town Manager Tom Hutcheson said.

The state does not require bidding for engineering but the well repair requires drilling, which is vertical construction not engineering, Chair William Drosehn said.

"I would say I'd almost kind of fault us, too, a little bit in that, well, it's an understanding thinking that what they're doing is they're exploring, if you're drilling to explore, that's a little different story, but we're drilling to replace wells," Drosehn said.

Some committee members expressed that since this was the mistake on the engineers part it should not be the town's responsibility.

"Engineering companies who do engineering work, who know what goes out for construction bid. Any contractor who deals with state work know that it goes prevailing wage," committee member Karen Schmidt said.

Hutcheson said he will take that as good advice for the future.

They also approved a transfer from the reserve fund in the amount of $400 to the Miscellaneous Grants Forest Stewardship Plan.

This amount will fund the remaining cost of creating a forestry plan for the 41.17-acre "The Pines" that a grant did not cover.

The cost came to $2,800. The town was initially approved for a reimbursement of $1,377.21 but because it did not apply for a particular grant it will only be reimbursed is $977.21, or $400 short.

The committee approved a transfer of $1,607 from the Town Manager salaries account to Town Manager expenses account to cover the cost of a LexisNexis subscription in the amount of $2,659.

The amount covers the cost of supplemental updates for the Massachusetts law books and $200 for a State and Territory Administrators meeting that Hutcheson is attending in June.

Also approved was a transfer of $1,000 from the Group Health Insurance Expenses account to the Medicare Expenses account. The amount is needed to replenish the Medicare account.

When Town Accountant Sandra Albano prepares the Medicare budget in February and March, there are a lot of unknowns including overtime, outside detail, and vacation payouts. These transactions have a direct effect on Medicare withholding.
Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Expands SNAP Program With Grants

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  Berkshire Agriculture Ventures (BAV) has awarded over $140,000 in grants to support SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Access Program) matching programs at ten Berkshire-area farmers markets.

This financial assistance plays a role in bolstering food equity and ensuring that all community members have access to fresh, local, and nutrient-dense food, especially at a time when SNAP benefits nation-wide have been cut to pre-pandemic levels, according to a press release.

Through BAV's Market Match Fund, an economic development and food access program, funding is provided to farmers markets to enhance the effectiveness of SNAP benefits throughout the Berkshire-Taconic region. BAV's grants enable awarded farmers markets to implement a $1-for-$1 SNAP match program, doubling the purchasing power of SNAP at participating farmers markets. Beneficiaries can withdraw $30 in SNAP and receive an additional $30 in match, for a total of $60 to spend.

The following farmers markets received a 2023 grant from BAV's Market Match Fund: North Adams Farmers Market; Williamstown Farmers Market; Pittsfield Farmers Market; West Stockbridge Farmers Market; Lee Farmers Market; Great Barrington Farmers Market; Sheffield Farmers Market; Millerton Farmers Market; New Milford Farmers Market and Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Markets.

In 2022 the Market Match Fund was launched as a pilot project to test the effectiveness of centralizing fundraising efforts for SNAP matching programs at Berkshire-area farmers markets. According to a press release, within a year, the project successfully enhanced farmers markets' operational efficiency, boosted revenue opportunities for local farms, all while ensuring consistent, affordable access to locally produced food for low-income households.

Last year the Market Match Fund served more than 4,500 SNAP beneficiaries and generated over $200,000 in SNAP sales for local farms attending partner markets. This year BAV anticipates partner farmers markets will experience a significant increase in SNAP usage due to the federal cut to SNAP allotments nation-wide. To ensure the community need was met in year two of the program, this past March BAV launched a crowdfunding campaign which received an outpouring of support with over $40,000 raised for this program.

2023 Market Match Fund corporate and foundation sponsors include: Greylock Federal Credit Union, The Feigenbaum Foundation, The Prospect Hill Foundation, The Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation, The Berkshire Bank Foundation, Guardian Life Insurance of America, Adams Community Bank, and to all the generous individuals who have made contributions.
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Robert Downey Jr has looked back on his stint in prison in the 1990s, calling it the worst thing that happened to him.

The 58-year-old actor has been a Hollywood mainstay since the 1980s, having made an impression in films such as Weird Science (1985) and Less than Zero (1987).

In his early career, Downey faced substance addiction and various drug charges. He has been sober since July 2003.

Downey was featured on Mondays edition (19 June) of the Armchair Expert podcast to promote his forthcoming Max show Downeys Dream Cars.

He spoke to co-host Dax Shepard about the time he was sentenced to three years in prison in 1999, aged 34, after repeatedly missing court-ordered drug tests.

Downey began to recount the story, claiming that he was over-sentenced by an angry judge.

At some point, he said something in Latin and I thought he was casting a spell on me, he added, to the amusement of Shepard and co-presenter Monica Padman.

The story then jumped to two weeks later, when Downey was in Delano, California at North Kern State Prison, which he described as a receiving centre where they decide where youre going to go.

As the location was mainly for organisation purposes, inmates were not separated depending on their crime, meaning that Downey was in the presence of people who had committed severely violent acts.

You could just feel the evil in the air, and that was no trouble at all because it was kind of like just being in a really bad neighbourhood, Downey explained, adding: There was no opportunity there. There was only threats.

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Robert Downey Jr (Getty Images)

Downey explained that he was soon moved to the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, where he began to come to terms with his substance issues and how they had led him to incarceration.

We are programmed to, within a short amount of time, be able to adjust to things that are seemingly impossible, he said.

And for me, theres worse things that could have happened than being sent to an institution, for sure. However, we can only go by what we know, and I would imagine if I had to guess, that was the worst thing that happened to me.

Ultimately, Downey served only a year of his sentence as he was granted early release in 2000 after posting bail.

He has been married to his wife, Susan Downey, since 2005. From 1984 to 1991, he was in a relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker, who recently reflected on being together with the actor amid his addiction struggle.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, you can visit Frank for support and advice. You can also call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600.
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No Hard Feelings was marketed in the most unappealing way  as a bad-taste stick prodded into the ribs of its supposedly puritanical audience; a raunchy comedy in which Jennifer Lawrence attempts to seduce a 19-year-old boy. But rarely do films that call themselves edgy ever turn out to be more than mildly immature. Director Gene Stupnitskys last film, the Jacob Tremblay-headlined Good Boys, heralded itself as the new Superbad. In reality, it was a good-natured, adorable-to-boot adventure into pre-teen befuddlement. His follow-up is no different: all bark, and far better with no bite. Behind the lazy, shock-tactic humour lies a streak of genuine humanity, something to carry the film beyond mere butts and boobs.

Heres an Oscar-winning actor, one of the best of her generation, in the role of Maddie, a 32-year-old native of Montauk, a favoured summer retreat of the New York elite. She cant keep up with the areas rising property taxes and is now at risk of losing her late mothers home. Then she stumbles across a personal ad, posted by a wealthy couple (Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick) and asking for a woman to date their introverted son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) before he shoots off to Princeton University. If shes successful in bringing Percy out of his shell, shell take home a second-hand Buick. Maddie thinks, Why not? Shes had sex for far more frivolous reasons in the past.

Maddie was tailor-made for Lawrence by Stupnitsky and his co-writer John Phillips. And it certainly feels like one of the first times weve ever seen a film actually attempt to capture the appeal of Jennifer Lawrence, the celebrity: confident, but a little gawky. Shes the head cheerleader if she actually turned out to be nice. Her physical comedy is pristine, as she stomps up the front steps of a house in rollerskates, or tries to seductively scooch a couch across an office. But shes even better when Maddies antics falter, and were shown the very lonely person behind them  a millennial existentially horrified to have reached the maam age, while still feeling as vulnerable and inadequate as the Gen-Zers whose world shes trying to infiltrate.

Maddie and Percy are separated not only by generation but by class, and Stupnitsky and Phillipss script is surprisingly adept at navigating the somewhat complex power dynamics of this decade-age-gap, sex-work-aligned situationship. Feldman, known mostly for being cast in Broadways Dear Evan Hansen at the age of only 16, allows Percy to have emotions beyond dorky and horny. Hes fully rounded in a way that defies Maddies description of him, that hes encased in bubble wrap.

The fact Lawrence and Feldman feel so comfortable and honest in their work makes it all the more clumsy, then, when No Hard Feelings rampages into its outrageous comedic setpieces. Theres slapstick violence and full-frontal nudity. Someone, inevitably, gets maced. None of its silly or clever or even shameless enough to actually be funny. Its a little ironic that Lawrences big showcase of her comedic talent would probably have been a better film if all the jokes had been cut out.

Dir: Gene Stupnitsky. Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Matthew Broderick, Ebon Moss-Bacharach. 15, 103 minutes.

No Hard Feelings is in cinemas
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I wasnt conceived at Glastonbury, but for the first decade of my life I may as well have been. I was, in many respects, a Glastonbury baby. Born and raised in nearby Bristol, I first visited in 1994, aged two with potty in hand, and attended for the five years that followed. I have not been back since. But even if Glastonbury has changed hugely in the decades in between, it still exists as a joyous, creative paradise of jugglers, acrobats and enormous fire-breathing spiders for those lucky enough to experience it as a child. Enough to grant it an almost mythical hold over many of the children who have passed through over the years, like a soothing imprinton the soul.

Back then, against the withering judgements of outraged co-workers, my parents saw it as an adventure and an education, for themselves and for me. My dad sometimes worked there as a steward, picking up litter and ushering in guests in exchange for a free ticket. But the tickets themselves were also relatively affordable  around 50 each, picked up from a local ticket shop, with under-12s getting in for free. Too broke to afford any sort of overseas holiday, Glastonbury was our version of an annual family sojourn, and a bargain considering what was on offer.

Music lovers and former punks, my parents felt at home there primarily for political reasons. As alien as it might appear today in the era of Wayne and Coleen Rooney arriving by private helicopter, Glastonbury was formally the main fundraiser for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and widely recognised as a space for anarchist bands and protest, both of which my parents were active in. To me, unaware of the anti-capitalist ethos that historically underpinned it all, it was mainly a land full of pretty colours and loud noises, a sensory dream factory that felt earthy and magical and escapist.

It was also terrifying. I was a nervous child at the best of times, but there was something in Glastonburys lawless energy that felt particularly disquieting, with every part of it somehow ripe with danger. I remember spending the entirety of REMs headlining set in 1999 with my eyes locked on the chunky yellow lantern we had bought from Woolworths several weeks earlier, so sure that someone would come along and scoop it up. And that same paranoia permeated my time there over the years. It appeared whenever I ventured into the sites long drop toilets, erected above enormous communal pits holding a festivals worth of human waste, with seats wide enough that I felt constantly at risk of falling in. And the tents in which we rested were natural incubators for childhood fear; I was certain that they would be unzipped and rifled through by maniacs, likely when we were sleeping. And that was only if they hadnt been stolen altogether while we were out exploring. Every walk back from one stage or another was buoyed by a persistent feeling of dread. Id be certain that wed return to a gaping patch of grass where our makeshift home used to be, the tent having been pilfered by some imagined criminal hippie.

The irony of it all is that Glastonbury has long been safe for kids. Certainly it is now, having become about as dangerous as your average Hay Festival. But even 25 years ago and in the last gasps of its more unpredictable youth, where the only newspaper headlines Glastonbury regularly spawned involved criminality and overdoses, it was always strictly PG unless you went out of your way to look for the badness. And for the children there, many of us being exposed for the first time to alternative lifestyles or individuals under the influence, it served as an unparalleled education.

Freelance arts worker and PhD student Megan Vaughan regularly went to Glastonbury with her dad throughout the Nineties, and remembers a specific moment from one of their first trips there. It started raining one afternoon and everyone obviously ran for shelter under the nearest tree or marquee, she recalls. But there were a group of people who stayed dancing in the rain outside a burger van, and I remember my dad stopping me and pointing out that those people were on drugs.

My parents skipped this really big band they loved so that 12-year-old me could see Jessie J

I threw more awkward questions at him in those four days every summer than at any other time in his life as a father. I was hearing new terminology for different kinds of drugs, new swear words and new sexual references  I had certainly never encountered anything like that back in Macclesfield. I guess I was very lucky that I had a cool dad who was ready to answer those difficult questions in an adult way for me.

One of the odd side effects of the Glastonbury experience for a child is that sudden dissolving of shame, where sights or words that we recognise, consciously or not, as adult things suddenly become less frightening or at least OK to be talked about. Its likely a product of so much forced intimacy  weve already seen each other caked in mud, and heard the neighbours in the next-door tent make noises that no four-year-old should ever hear, so what difference would an awkward question make?

And it applies to the music, too. The acts I have vivid memories of seeing as a kid are often of the more commercial Top of the Pops variety, purely because those were the big pop anthems I unashamedly loved as a kid. I have absolutely no memory of seeing Johnny Cash on the Pyramid Stage in 1994, which my mum always insists that I witnessed, but I sure as hell remember sitting on my dads shoulders while Heather Small sang Moving on Up the day before. And while any self-respecting six-year-old can lose their minds to Holes Celebrity Skin and I might tell people that my highlight of 1999s festival was seeing Hollywood-glam-phase Courtney Love sing Malibu while Melissa Auf der Maur wafted away behind her, I cant deny that I was mostly hyped for The Corrs that year. But being a child at Glastonbury also means a brilliant absence of good taste, with no awareness of what it means to be cool or the importance of being seen at the right places.

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We used to print off a clash list and highlight what we all wanted to see and compare what sacrifices we had to make, recalls film journalist Millicent Thomas, who went to Glastonbury three times with her parents between the ages of 11 and 13. Because obviously they couldnt let me just go off and see the bands I wanted to see. I cant remember who it was they skipped, but I remember they were really gutted about it because they skipped this really big band they loved so that 12-year-old me could see Jessie J. I feel so bad looking back on it.

Millicent, aged 11, with her dad at Glastonbury 2011 (Millicent Thomas)

Most of all, childhood is the best way to spot just how transformative Glastonbury can be, its excess and noise not only creating a vast new world unlike anything youve seen before, but shifting how you see yourself.

Glastonbury threw me into a state somewhere between childhood and adulthood. I had never felt more young, nor more aware of my physical size, but I also remember feeling oddly defiant and assertive. Glastonbury was terrifying in its loose recklessness, but not so much that I didnt feel like it could bend to my will if I thought hard enough. Here was a space where typical rules didnt apply, where my parents wouldnt be as firm or as protective as they were at home, I thought. I recall being genuinely hurt that they refused to let me see Scream 2 at the festivals cinema tent in 1998, as if merely being at Glastonbury meant it would be OK for a six-year-old to watch.

And its a strange power that feeds into why Im in no rush to go back. Those years were so formative that the idea of returning would feel like the worst kind of nostalgia, with its inevitable disappointment and awareness of the changes that have occurred. And where once speculation that Kate Moss had been spotted walking around the campground was written off as an unlikely rumour, the festival is now so bombarded with celebrities, gourmet food trucks and luxury tents that theres little chance of it feeling the same.

Millicent agrees. I cant see myself wanting to go again, she says. There are different kinds of crowds that go now, and its got a lot bigger  I just dont think I could manage it. I think Id be very anxious there now.

A far younger Adam White, aged around 2 or 3, at an early 1990s Glastonbury (Adam White)

But Glastonbury still lingers in other ways, regardless of how alien it is to me today. I still get a nostalgic rush from seeing a truly pitch-black night sky unburdened by street lights or buildings, throwing me back to seeing it for the first time in Pilton, and the acts I remember enjoying back then are still in semi-regular rotation on my phone. And that includes, with zero shame, The Corrs.

Megan has gone back with friends as an adult, her trips with her dad brought to a close after a year in which she got off with a teenage boy a couple of years older than me on the second day and then completely disappeared. But how its changed in the interim or whether shes physically there every year are also largely irrelevant, with Glastonbury long having seeped into her everyday life.

I work in the most experimental edges of fringe performance now, she explains, and I can absolutely see that the things that I was discovering at Glastonbury in those theatre and circus fields, or the late-night cabaret stuff or the weird X-rated spoken word, and all the weird subcultural, surreal visuals in those performance areas, all informed my taste as an adult but also my career. It was totally an appetite that I developed when I was a kid there.

For a few years as a teenager, I was sure that I might have imagined my time at Glastonbury, existing as it did in arbitrary images or strange flashes, while our photo albums laid untouched for a decade. But found buried at the bottom of an old suitcase, when I was 20 or so, was a child-sized T-shirt from Glastonbury 1999, the festivals logo on the front and that years line-up printed on the back. It was partly infuriating, decorated in the names of bands I love today that I could have seen then but didnt. But it was heartwarming most of all, a physical object confirming what an unusually exciting time I had for a few summers when I was barely a person. I no longer understand how I could have ever fit inside of it, but it brings me unparalleled joy knowing for a fact that I once did.

This piece was originally published in June 2019

Glastonbury 2023 is held from Wednesday 21 June to Sunday 25 June
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Joe Biden is not going to lecture Narendra Modi on Indias human rights track record, the White House national security adviser has said.

The US president is expected to bring up concerns about democratic backsliding in India, but will not lecture Mr Modi on the subject, Jake Sullivan told the media on Wednesday.

Just a day earlier, 75 lawmakers  including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren  penned Mr Biden an open letter urging him to raise directly with Mr Modi, several areas of concern like the shrinking political space in India and growing restrictions on press freedom.

Mr Sullivan said when the US sees challenges to press, religious or other freedoms, we make our views known. We do so in a way where we dont seek to lecture or assert that we dont have challenges ourselves.

Ultimately, the question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India is going to be determined within India by Indians. Its not going to be determined by the United States, he said.

The Biden administrations remarks come a day before the US president will meet Indias prime minister.

The US president is under pressure from several progressive American voices, including vocal Democrat lawmakers and human rights groups to address the deteriorating human rights situation in India with Mr Modi.

On the same day as Mr Sullivans address, firebrand US congresswoman Ilhan Omar tweeted that she will NOT be attending Modis speech  an apparent reference to a joint sitting of the US Congress that the Indian prime minister is slated to address during his high-profile visit.

Prime Minister Modis government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity, she tweeted.

Amnesty International earlier said both Mr Modi and Mr Biden must address grave human rights issues in both their nations.

Amnestys top India official Aakar Patel said that with the world watching, their silence will be felt by the people in India and the US whose rights are most at risk of abuse.

Amnesty has asserted that the Indian administration has placed dangerous constraints on civil society.

On Tuesday, 75 senators and members of the House of Representatives urged their president to raise human rights issues with Mr Modi when he visits Washington.

Flags of India and US adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington, DC on 20 June (AFP via Getty Images)

We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party  that is the decision of the people of India  but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy, the lawmakers said in the open letter to Mr Biden.

As longtime supporters of a strong US-India relationship, we also believe that friends can and should discuss their differences in an honest and forthright way. That is why we respectfully request that  in addition to the many areas of shared interests between India and the US  you also raise directly with Prime Minister Modi areas of concern, they said.

The letter listed the areas of concern as the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access.

Meanwhile, the US has called its relationship with India one of the defining partnerships of our age.

Mr Modi on Tuesday met Tesla boss Elon Musk, who promised to bring Tesla to India as soon as possible.

Mr Sullivan told reporters that this visit is not about China. But the question of Chinas role in the military domain, the technology domain, the economic domain will be on the agenda.

Mr Modi is scheduled to visit the National Science Foundation with first lady Jill Biden on Wednesday and have a private dinner with Mr Biden at the White House.
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China blocked a proposal led by India and the US at the UN to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the deadly 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Beijing effectively obstructed the proposal moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir as a global terrorist on the day Indian prime minister Narendra Modi arrived in the US for his first state visit.

Lashing out at Chinas move, India played the audio clip at the United Nations General Assembly of the wanted terrorist directing handlers in Mumbai in real-time to shoot down people during the 26/11 attacks.

India issued a scathing response to China, calling it out for its petty geopolitical interests and double standards.

The attempt to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee at UNSC would have subjected him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

Last year, China paused the proposal to sanction Mir at the UN. Beijing this time successfully blocked the proposal.

One of the most wanted terrorists in India, the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba operative was indicted by both India and the US for his involvement in the three-day-long attacks on hotels, a train station and a Jewish centre on 26 November 2008 in Indias financial capital Mumbai.

The 60-hour siege of Mumbai led to the death of 166 people, including 26 foreigners and soured ties between India and Pakistan for the involvement of masterminds based in Islamabad.

The audio clip which was also played last year during a UN meeting in Mumbai allegedly contained the sound-byte of Mir directing his handlers in Mumbai to shoot down foreigners in Mumbais Taj Hotel.

Prakash Gupta, joint secretary at Indias permanent mission in New York said: "While the 9/11 terror bombings in this iconic city of New York had changed the landscape of the global counterterrorism architecture, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks shook the collective conscience of the worlds largest democracy.

He said with Chinas move India has righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture.

This combination of pictures created on 21 November 2018 shows fire and smoke billowing out of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai during an attack by militants on 27 November2008 (AFP via Getty Images)

If we cannot get established terrorists who have been banned across global landscapes proscribed by the United Nations  for petty geopolitical interests  then we really do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism, Mr Gupta added.

He said any justification of any kind being used to shield such terrorists should not be countenanced by anybody as a terror act is a terror act.

"The first and most critical gap we feel addressing is avoiding double standards, and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists, he said.

Mir, believed to be in his mid-40s, has a $5m bounty by the US for his role in the Mumbai attacks in which six Americans were killed.

Islamabad claimed in the past that Mir died in 2021 but western countries and India are unconvinced of the claim and have demanded proof.

Last year, a Pakistani court in Lahore sentenced to jail on terror-financing charges following a speedy trial after he was arrested amid Islamabads desperate bid to be removed from the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

He was convicted and sentenced to fifteen and a half years in prison in a three weeks trial.

Chinas move on Tuesday aligned with its previous efforts to obstruct numerous proposals put forth by India and other nations at UNSC to impose sanctions on terrorists operating from Pakistan.

It placed technical holds for years to impose sanctions on Masood Azhar, a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist wanted for several terrorist attacks in India, including Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019.

China also blocked an India-US proposal to list Pakistan-based Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist since June 2022, placing a technical hold on the proposal. In January this year, Beijing was forced to give up the technical hold on Makki after 14 out of 15 members voted in favour of the listing.
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Elon Musk has promised to bring Tesla to India as soon as humanly possible after meeting Indian prime minister Narendra Modi who is on a state visit to the US.

The Indian leader met with Mr Musk and several others in New York City on Tuesday evening. The Indian government said it invited the Tesla boss to explore investment opportunities in electric mobility and the commercial space sector in India.

Mr Musk said he was trying to figure out the right timing to make that happen.

Reuters previously quoted a source as saying that Musk would brief Mr Modi on plans to set up a manufacturing base in India.

I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible, Mr Musk said when asked by reporters about the companys plans to invest in India.

He also added that he intended to visit the country next year.

I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully well be able to announce something in the not-too-distant future, he added.

This comes just days after Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey 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, said India placed many requests during the months-long farmers protests.

Mr Musk tweeted in 2019 about his intent to enter India that year or the next year, i.e. 2020. He wrote: Would love to be there this year. If not, definitely next!

He had also stated that the company was in discussion with the Indian government on temporary relief on import duties, till it started local manufacturing.

On Tuesday, Mr Musk said he was a fan of the Indian prime minister and mentioned that the Indian leader visited a Tesla factory in California several years ago. India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (Modi) really cares about India because hes pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing.

The White House will hold a state dinner in Mr Modis honour on 22 June.
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Children as young as nine were among the 25,000 people who were forcibly sterilised under Japans post-Second World War eugenics law, a parliamentary report has revealed.

Under the now-defunct law, about 65 per cent of these procedures were carried out without consent, according to the 1,400-page parliamentary report made public in Japan on Monday. Two nine-year-olds were among 16,000 people who did not consent to the procedure.

The eugenics law, which was in place for 48 years from 1948-96, allowed for the sterilisation of people with intellectual disabilities, mental illness or hereditary disorders to prevent them from having children deemed inferior.

It was also brought in to curb the population during food shortages after the Second World War.

It was outlawed in 1996 but as recently as 1975 high school textbooks stated that the government was making efforts for the countrys eugenics to improve and enhance the genetic predisposition of the entire public.

The two children mentioned in the report, a boy and a girl, were sterilised in the 1960s and 1970s respectively, reported local media outlets. The reasons for their surgeries could not be ascertained, according to the parliamentary report.

Another 80-year-old victim, who forcibly underwent surgery when he was 14, said the report was proof the Japanese government had deceived children.

I would like the state not to shroud the issue in the darkness but take our sufferings seriously soon, the victim, identified as Saburo Kita, said at a news conference.

The report was not well received by a group of lawyers representing the victims of the sterilisation programme.

Photo from 2018 shows Michiko Sato, sister-in-law of Yumi Sato, who was sterilised as a teenager, reading a newspaper prior to a meeting with lawmakers in Tokyo (Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP via Getty Images)

The report did not reveal why the law was created, why it took 48 years to amend it or why the victims were not compensated, Koji Niisato, one of the lawyers who represented plaintiffs seeking damages in the case against the government, was quoted by the Kyodo News agency.

Earlier in 2019, the Japanese government agreed to compensate the victims of the state sterilisation programme modelled on the laws of Nazi Germany.

The Japanese government had then pledged to compensate survivors who underwent the procedures with payments of 3.2m (17,700).

Former prime minister Shinzo Abe had also issued a public apology to the victims of the eugenics law.

During the period the law was in effect, many people were subjected to operations that made them unable to have children based on their having a disability or another chronic illness, causing them great suffering, Mr Abe reportedly said. As the government that carried out this law, after deep reflection, I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart.

Lawyers and supporters of victims carry a banner saying Sterilisation under the eugenics law. Relief measures for the victims required now!" (Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP via Getty Images)

Japan was not the only country to have forced sterilisation policies.

The Nazis are believed to have sterilised almost 400,000 people they deemed to have lives not worth living, reported The Guardian. Canada and 30 American states also practised sterilisation, with North Carolina alone sterilising around 7,700 people until 1973, with two-thirds of them being Black, the outlet added.

Records uncovered in 1997 showed Sweden had sterilised 60,000 women between 1935 and 1976, some due to physical or mental disabilities and others because they were deemed to be inferior racial types.

Many women were strong-armed into agreeing to the procedures under threat of losing children or welfare benefits.

The Swedish government later passed legislation offering 175,000 Kr (12,800) compensation to all victims of the programme.
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An attorney for 16 young plaintiffs urged a judge on Tuesday to strike down as unconstitutional a Montana law that prohibits state agencies from considering environmental effects when it weighs permits allowing the release of greenhouse gases.

Attorney Nate Bellinger made the plea in his closing argument at the end of a seven-day trial. Plaintiffs say state officials violated their right to a clean and healthful environment, part of the Montana Constitution, by allowing companies to build power plants and expand coal mines, among other things.

Like other monumental constitutional cases before, the state of Montana comes before this court because of a pervasive systemic infringement of rights, Bellinger said.

During the trial, plaintiffs testified about how increased heat, smoke from wildfires and drought affect their activities and mental health.

Native Americans said climate change affects their ceremonies and traditional food sources, and climate experts warned the window to address the environmental damage is rapidly closing.

Montana Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell said on Tuesday that the climate change issue is much larger than Montana can address on its own and that the Legislature had the right to enact the law that limits greenhouse gas reviews

He said that the calls by plaintiffs to take the lead in addressing climate change was a social statement, not a legal argument.

A ruling from state District Judge Kathy Seeley is expected sometime after the parties file their proposed findings in the case, which are due in early July.

If Seeley sides with the plaintiffs and declares the state law unconstitutional, it would be up to the Republican-led legislative and executive branches of Montana government to respond.

Representatives of Governor Greg Gianforte's administration indicated during the trial that there is no basis under state law for rejecting permits for projects, even if their climate impacts are disclosed.

That means a ruling for plaintiffs could increase political pressure on state officials, but it would not have any immediate consequences, said James Huffman, a former professor and dean emeritus at Lewis & Clark Law School who is now living in Montana.

Republicans in Montana seem pretty fixed in their ways, and I dont think a decision by this district court is going to change the way that they think about these issues, Huffman said

A decision against the state also could establish new legal precedent and add to the small number of rulings that have established a government duty to protect citizens from climate change. However, only a handful of states  including Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts  have similar environmental protections in their constitutions.

Emily Flower, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Austin Knudsen, described the trial as a publicity stunt staged by an out-of-state organization that is exploiting well-intentioned children.

The plaintiffs were represented by attorneys for Our Childrens Trust, an Oregon environmental group that has filed similar lawsuits in every state since 2011 and raised more than $20 million in contributions. None of the previous cases had reached trial.

Anyone who has question about the legitimacy of our plaintiffs claims wasnt listening at trial last week, Julia Olson, the groups founder, said in response to Flowers statement. She noted that the evidence presented by the young people and by scientist for the plaintiffs was largely uncontested by the states attorneys.

The trial has shown the facts are irrefutable, Olson said.
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Elliot Page has spoken out against the rhetoric and lies that have been made about the transgender community.

The 36-year-old actor, who came out as transgender in 2020, spoke candidly about his transition journey on Wednesdays episode of ITVs Lorraine Kelly. During the conversation, Page expressed how he struggled with understanding his identity as a child, before defending transgender people from the ongoing scrutiny they face.

I didnt have examples. There wasnt a conversation when I was growing up. I didnt have language for it. And the reality is we [trans people] have been here forever, all around the world, he said in the interview. And all trans people want is to be able to exist and thrive and be able to live our lives fully.

The Umbrella Academy star, added: And unfortunately, we deal with so much anti-trans rhetoric and lies about our lives and also our healthcare.

Throughout the last year, there have been different bills introduced that limit transgender peoples healthcare opportunities. In March, the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp signed a bill that will ban most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people under 18. Florida governor Ron DeSantis also issued a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth in the state, which Judge Hinkle partially struck down earlier this month.

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, Page also acknowledged that while theres a lot of hate towards the transgender community, hes still at a point where he feels the most comfortable with himself.

It is interesting to be in a place in my life I couldve never imagined. So much of my life I found it very difficult to see a future, he said. And I feel the most embodied, and confident, and present and creative.

Page continued to detail how his life has changed over the years, as he confessed that it once wouldve been impossible to have the space in [his] mind to be creative. He also noted that throughout all the backlash hes faced, hes still has a great support system.

To be comfortable enough to sit with myself to even complete a task like this, like writing a book. So I feel so grateful for that, the Juno star said. And then, of course, theres the backlash and that negative energy. For me, its really all about community and relying on my friends and my trans pals in the moments when times can be overwhelming.

While he confessed that hes had different resources that allowed him to get him where [her] needs to be, he acknowledged that these are opportunities that some transgender people havent been able to have.

And so many individuals that sacrificed far more than me, who dealt with far more brutal realities than me, worked and fought so hard for me to be able to have this space to exist, he explained. And so I want to use my platform to help in whatever way is possible.

Page sent a message to fellow members of the transgender community, adding: I want everybody to expand and become their authentic selves, whatever that means for them. So I hope that the tide can continue to shift in a positive direction.

In his new book, Pageboy, Page opened up about some of the scrutiny he faced, as he recalled a frightening transphobic encounter. He wrote that last year, he was walking from a hotel in Los Angeles to a local convenience store when he was confronted by a furious stranger.

Im going to f***ing gay bash you, f*****, the man shouted at him. Page ran to the store where employees rushed him inside. From the other side of the entrance, the man apparently yelled: This is why I need a gun!

In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, he said this experience impacted his everyday life: Now when Im in Los Angeles, I dont feel comfortable like I used to, going for walks.

Elliot Page publicly came out as transgender in December 2020. In a statement shared to his social media, he wrote: Hi friends. I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they, and my name is Elliot.

Since then, Page has remained open about his journey. In April 2021, he revealed that he underwent a life-saving top surgery, a procedure for transgender men to remove breast tissue. Speaking to Oprah Winfrey at the time, Page shared how happier he felt after having top surgery, and how important he believes it is to support health care for transgender people.

I want people to know that not only has it been life changing for me, I do believe it is life-saving and its the case for so many people, he said.
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Thinking about how you can be a better ally to trans people?

Allies play an important role in supporting marginalised communities and helping create a more inclusive, safe and equal society  and this isnt just about Pride Month. As Finn, a spokesperson for The LGBT Foundation says: Allyship is a year-long activity, and requires work.

So, whether its everyday life, at work or among friends and family, where can you start?

Proactive learning

Gina Battye, a psychological safety consultant and trainer whos done a lot of work on supporting LGBTQIA+ communities in the workplace, runs workshops levelled towards supporting people from any marginalised group. I tend to talk about four key areas: learning, support, visibility, and celebrate, she says.

This might start with curiosity  for example, asking some well-intentioned questions if a colleague comes out to you as trans  but Battye says its important to do your own learning too.

Be proactive, she says. Dont rely on your LGBT-plus colleagues, friends and peers to educate you. You could start off by reading things like company policies and procedures at work. You could raise your awareness of your own unconscious biases and explore strategies to reduce or eliminate those. Watch films and documentaries, listen to podcasts, attend events, webinars, seminars focused on inclusion or allyship.

Get informed

Aby Hawker, founder of TransMission PR, a communications consultancy specialising in trans and non-binary inclusion and awareness, also believes educating yourself is important  especially when it comes to learning about issues and challenges surrounding the community.

Trans people represent 1% of the population. They are a marginalised community being disproportionately targeted by some very loud voices in order to stoke hatred and division, says Hawker, who started a TransAlly365 campaign on TikTok this year, posting daily tips.

And there are loads of other resources to help, she adds. Subscribe to QueerAF, a media outlet dedicated to changing the narrative and championing queer talent. Read Pink News. Follow trans and non-binary content creators  check out Max Siegel (@theyrequeer) and Ben Pechey on Instagram and LinkedIn, read Shon Fayes the Transgender Issue.

Understand what is  and what isnt  real, Hawker continues. Diversion tactics and culture wars are driving much of the anti-trans narrative.

Finn says: It helps to understand the key issues regarding access to gender-affirming healthcare and social transition, trans legal rights (including campaigning for non-binary legal recognition and simpler gender recognition processes) and the damage of culture war rhetoric.

Finn also suggests reading work by trans and non-binary authors and content creators: Some good people to start with are Shon Faye, Travis Alabanza, Fox Fisher, Abigail Thorn and Natalie Wynn.

Be supportive

Battye says: This is about understanding the experiences the LGBTQ+ community have, so a key thing here is to listen to personal experiences of your friends and your colleagues. Ask them questions like: what do you experience at work or socially, or when youre on public transport or on holiday  that kind of thing. And then ask: what can I do to help and support you? Super simple questions most people dont ask.

Be mindful of what youre asking too. I have a general rule of thumb: If you wouldnt ask your grandma that question, dont ask [an LGBTQ+ person] it! Battye adds. You get the idea. Dont ask questions that you wouldnt also ask somebody who is heterosexual or cisgender.

Just listen

Finn says: Listen to trans and non-binary peoples experiences without questioning them, particularly if they are reporting transphobia or discrimination. We are the experts of our own experience and can tell the difference between problematic discrimination vs good-faith questions.

You dont need to fully understand someones identity to respect it, including using a persons correct pronouns. If someone tells you the language they use to talk about themselves and their experience of gender, use it.

And if you accidentally say the wrong thing? Apologise quickly and move on, adds Finn. You dont need to make it a big deal!

Speaking up

You can also show support by being willing to have conversations with those around you to educate them on issues and challenges and how to be supportive, Battye adds. You can start by just sharing the information youre learning, thats quite an easy thing to do.

Another thing is being aware of non-inclusive behaviours in conversations. If you hear or see other people being exclusive, if its safe and youre comfortable to do so, then speak up. It might be as simple as saying something like, You know what, I dont think thats appropriate, or I dont think we should be talking in this way, maybe we should change the conversation.

Battye says speaking with people privately is better than calling them out in front of others. Dont do it publicly  take them to one side and just have a conversation about why its inappropriate to talk about what theyve been talking about. They might not realise, first of all, but also it can be really embarrassing and can go against what youre trying to do if you do it publicly.

And if its yourself being non-inclusive: Apologise, correct yourself, and continue with the conversation, Battye adds. Dont dig a hole and continue to get yourself in it!

Have a think afterwards about what that experience is showing you  is there a bias or privilege you need to be more aware of? Do that inner work to make sure youre not continuously making the same mistake, she says.

Visibility and celebration

Visibility is about signalling that you are an ally, says Battye. There are lots of ways you can do this in work and education settings  such as adding pronouns to email signatures, wearing inclusive badges and lanyards. You could attend network and community events to actively show support.

Finally, celebrating  find out about important holidays, awareness events, anniversaries etc. This is the bit most people do without doing the other bits, which can get quite frustrating at times! says Battye. But certainly celebrate with your colleagues [and friends].
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Sanjay Aggarwals now-booming business was based around a family heirloom: a 100-year-old spice mill.

He started selling spice blends with his mother in 2012 almost by accident.

It wasnt meant to be a business, the 40-year-old admits. It was only started as a retirement hobby for my mum. What started off as a silly little idea, so to speak, just grew. We started online and moved after a few years to selling in shops.

Spice Kitchen has been wildly successful, and now Aggarwal is adding another string his companys bow by writing a cookbook. Above all the success, hes really just appreciated spending time with his 72-year-old mother, Shashi.

Shes incredible  shes a whirlwind. She was born in Kenya and raised in India, so shes got a really eclectic mix of culture. And shes a real spice expert  weve got a 100-year-old spice mill in our family thats travelled the world and Ive got it here now; we started the business using that.

Aggarwal says it felt natural to work with his mother, after helping his parents run their Birmingham shop when growing up.

But hes learned loads from her during their new venture.

Its certainly made me realise how entrepreneurial my mum is, how creative she is Ive been really impressed by how similarly we think.

He says: Were certainly closer for it. Its got the ups and downs and challenges that everything has, but were still talking!

While there are plenty of flavour-packed Indian dishes in the new cookbook  including coriander and tandoori fishcakes, chickpea curry and tarka dal  the recipes have a decidedly global outlook. Think fish tacos, jerk-inspired pork, crispy duck with pancakes  and Aggarwal credits this to growing up in the diverse city of Birmingham.

I was born and brought up there, so for me, that was all I knew. But for my mum, it was very much a big influence on her, he explains.

When she came to the UK as a young married woman, her cuisine and culture was all very Indian  something that soon changed.

My mum has really seen that development of food and culture, and that cosmopolitan nature of Birmingham. Its had tidal waves of immigration  my mum being one of them from India  and from West Africa and Asia and all different places. Shes witnessed that, when she came to the UK.

Aggarwal recounts how in the early days of living in Birmingham, Shashi would grind her own spices  you couldnt buy blends at the time  which reminded her of home and made her less homesick, but then her palate expanded.

Shes vegetarian, but got to try all these amazing different sorts of vegetarian food from all around the world, be it Middle Eastern, Chinese or Japanese or whatever. Some of those things werent accessible when she first came, but were as time went on  and my mums very experimental.

Shes a real foodie. She loves trying new things and experimenting  probably more than anyone else I know. I think shes quite unique, because I think a lot of people from cultures where theyve got a really strong food culture  certainly like Indian culture  a lot of my aunts and uncles, they dont really eat or experiment outside of Indian food. They find it quite scary, not very flavoursome, or quite bland. But my mum really gets it  shes got a really deep palate, and she can really appreciate different cultures.

This love of different cuisines means both mother and son are quite free with the way they cook and they want other people to be the same.

For example, if youre making a frittata and you dont have any Italian seasoning, Aggarwal says: Try it with Mexican [spice blends], try it with jerk and you could still create something amazing. Dont be afraid to experiment.

One of the more unusual combinations hes tried? Mexican spices in a shepherds pie: It actually tastes amazing in there. Were just trying to get people to be a bit more free thinking and adventurous. Whats the worst that can happen?

Aggarwal says hes often asked how to make an authentic dish  a question he struggles to answer.

Its very difficult to understand what they mean by that  what is the meaning of authenticity? Im a second-generation British-born person Food has evolved over time. We wanted to make sure the dishes [in the cookbook] were authentic in terms of linking back to the original recipes and what theyre all about, and especially the blends being as authentic as possible  trying to respect the tradition.

But were also trying to say, we can only take our take on things. I can take my take on things and my mum can take her take on things  and things have changed over time.

Thats why Aggarwal advises against getting too hung up on authenticity, because there is no way of achieving it.

Instead, he recommends taking a dish you like and play with the flavours a little bit to make it your own.

Spice Kitchen by Sanjay Aggarwal (Quadrille, 22).
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Ioan Gruffudd has reportedly filed court documents claiming that his estranged wife, actor Alice Evans, has falsely accused him and his girlfriend Bianca Wallace of being child abusers.

According to the MailOnline, which reports that it has seen the documents, the Welsh star of films including Fantastic Four accused Evans, 54, of setting up fake Twitter accounts to spread her allegations against him.

Gruffudd, 49, reportedly also claimed that the 102 Dalmations star screamed at him outside his home in Los Angeles and called him a f***ing abuser and abusive c*** in front of their teenage daughter.

It comes after their daughter, 13-year-old Ella, reportedly filed a restraining order against Gruffudd and Wallace after an unknown incident at her fathers home, which allegedly occurred while she and her younger sister Elvie, nine, were visiting.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Gruffudd and Evans for comment.

Gruffudd and Evans are currently embroiled in bitter divorce proceedings and a battle over child custory arrangements. Evans announced their separation in January 2021 and Gruffudd filed for divorce two months later.

In August, the Titanic star obtained a three-year restraining order against Evans, which also bans her from mentioning him and Wallace on social media.

In his most recent filing, Gruffudd claimed that Evans has repeatedly broken the terms of the restraining order.

Ioan Gruffudd of 'Liar' speaks onstage during the SundanceTV portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2017 (Getty Images)

Other claims that have been reported include that Evans made thousands of false, threatening and harassing posts about him; is home-schooling Ella but has provided no information; and interfered with their childrens therapy appointments and caused them to miss some.

The MailOnline reported that he also claimed Ella poured milk on his and Wallaces bed and squirted mustard all over his kitchen, as well as writing the word f*** in mustard.

Gruffudd is also understood to have claimed that Ella poured rolled oats from a bag on his head, leaving him in shock.

(@iambiancawallace via Instagram)

Both parents are seeking custody of their children. In February, Gruffudd requested to have more time with his daughters than the one day a week he had been allocated and said in written declaration that Evans was interfering in my relationship with them.

Evans, who previously starred in Vampire Diaries, accused her ex-husband of having an affair with Wallace for three years while they were still married.

The pair met in 2000 while co-starring in Disneys live-action 101 Dalmations sequel. They married in 2007 in Los Cabos, Mexico.
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A former model, who was signed by NEXT Management, has claimed that her agent once encouraged her to swallow cotton balls.

The former fashion model, Esmeralda Seay-Reynolds, reflected on signing with the modelling agency while she was a teenager during a recent interview with Variety. She claimed that at the age of 16, she received some unsafe advice from her agent about what to do in order to stay thin.

I remember my agent saying, Cotton balls are organic, so its fine if you just swallow them to make yourself feel full, she said.

When Variety asked Joel Wilkenfeld, co-founder of NEXT Management, about the cotton ball incident, he said: If a model would have brought that to our attention, that agent would have been fired right there on the spot.

During her conversation with Variety, the former runway model recalled another experience that she had when signed with NEXT management. Seay-Reynolds claimed that her agents signed her up for a 2014 photoshoot in Reykjavik, where she had to pose in the freezing cold.

We pull up to a glacier above freezing, ice-covered waters. And [the photographer] parks the car, and hes like, Climb! she recalled.

She also added that she and another model spent 30 minutes walking around those glaciers in slip dresses and heels, while the photographer and his assistant allegedly wore parkas. Seay-Reynolds went on to claim that when she tried to tell the photographer that she couldnt change her clothes on this glacier, he shut her down.

He made us change up there, she continued. We had to get naked. His assistant grabbed my arm when I [protested] and was like, Youre not leaving. You will take too much time.

The former model then recalled how a stylist stepped in when the photographer allegedly put her safety at risk during the photoshoot.

The photographer even asked us to jump over a crevice on top of the glacier, which plunged at least 20 feet, she added. Luckily, the stylist on the shoot was like, Thats not happening. She will die.

(Getty Images)

She went on to explain that during the next day of the photoshoot, she had to lay on frozen lava beds in the snow, before going to one of the hot springs in Iceland. She described the pain that she felt when walking towards the hot spring and how the photographer allegedly handled it.

If you step on one, it will melt your flesh off. So, you have to stay on this marked path for safety. But he says, Get off the path. And watch your footing, she recalled. Youre told to do it, and you do it. And he is the adult, he is in charge.

Seay-Reynolds said that for another part of the photo shoot, she noticed a large hole with a Danger. Do Not Enter sign on it. She alleged that the photographer removed the sign before they headed into a cave, which had stalagmites stretching across the floor of it. She described how her safety and career were at risk, after climbing over to one spot to pose with a fellow model.

Ice that will rip right through you if you slip, she said. There was no help, no medic. If you dont do what they say, they will blacklist you. And that not only will eff up your future career, but everything that youve done and suffered up until that point will mean nothing.

She noted that when she returned to the United States, she complained about the photographer to her agents, who allegedly responded by saying: Yeah, hes known for this. Seay-Reynolds, who was 17 at the time of this photoshoot, also claimed to Variety that she was never paid for the 18-hour days of work.

When asked to comment on the photo shoot, Wilkenfeld said: When we send models to photo shoots, we vet the people, and we hope that that model would call us if they were exposed to conditions such as this. The unfortunate part is were not on every shoot.

The photographer and producer also spoke to Variety about the photo shoot, with claims that the work conditions were safe. The photographer also alleged that Seay-Reynolds wasnt eating during the photoshoot and contacted NEXT management about his concerns. He also said that he was upset with the agency for sending a model who appeared to have struggles with an eating disorder to the photo shoot, especially as it was a destination project.

This isnt the first time that Seay-Reynolds has spoken candidly about her experiences in the modelling industry. During an interview with Real Women/Real Stories in December 2021, she recalled how her career as a teen model felt like an insane whirlwind.

Looking back, I was very young. For me, as a person who is very competitive and used to working very hard, to work really hard and have it not come to anything is very frustrating, she explained. I think I felt like my body was the one thing I could control, so I just sort of went crazy.

She then revealed that by the age of 17, she started to have some health struggles, including a seizure and liver failure. She also noted that she was struggling with an eating disorder. From there, she said that she left this career behind.

My agents actually pulled me out of modelling so that I could gain weight because people were complaining that I wasnt fitting in the clothes and I looked too vascular, she said. It was very bad. I quit modelling not just because of that but the stress was just immense.

Seay-Reynolds said that she later checked herself into Evergreen Eating Disorder Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado. She acknowledged how this was the right treatment option for her, adding: Recovery was where I learned what kind of people I want in my life, what kind of life I want to have and also how hard Im willing to work for it.

The Independent has contacted NEXT Management and Seay-Reynolds for comment.
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King Charles III has wished his eldest son, the Prince of Wales, a happy 41st birthday.

The monarch shared a sweet photograph of himself and Prince William on Twitter and wrote: Wishing the Prince of Wales a very happy birthday today!

The picture shows the pair laughing with one another as the younger royal helps his father pin a cloak.

This year marks Williams first birthday as the Prince of Wales, as he was given the title last September following the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The title was previously held by Charles, who appointed it to William after he ascended the throne.

During King Charless coronation on 6 May, William became the only blood prince to swear loyalty to the sovereign and gave an oath of allegiance.

He knelt before his father after St Edwards Crown was placed on Charless head and said: I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.

The prince recently revealed plans to build social housing on the Duchy of Cornwalls land, which he now controls, as part of his new project to tackle homelessness in the UK.

He told The Sunday Times that he is planning to launch a five-year project, but details are being kept under wraps until the end of the month.

William is the patron of Centrepoint, a charity that helps homeless young people. Before his 40th birthday last year, he pledged to continue shining a light on the solvable issue of homelessness and has also introduced his children to charities supporting rough sleepers.

Thanks to his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, William was exposed to the issue at an early age. She took him to a homeless shelter when he was 11 to give him a better understanding of what people sleeping on the streets face.

Over the weekend, William also celebrated Fathers Day. The royal family released a photograph of him with his three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis surrounding him.

The Prince of Wales with his children Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George on Fathers Day (Millie Pilkington/Kensington Pal)

The happy picture shows George, nine, and Charlotte, eight, beaming up at their father, while Louis, five, wrapped his arms around his fathers neck and pressed his cheek to Williams temple.

While William received a birthday wish from his father, he is unlikely to receive one from his only brother, Prince Harry, amid their ongoing rift.

The Duke of Sussex has aired a number of grievances against the royal family in recent years through, interviews, a Netflix docuseries, and his memoir, Spare.

In his book, which was released in January, Harry said that the brothers rift began before he met his wife, Meghan Markle. When the Sussexes stepped down as members of the royal family, Harry and Williams relationship is understood to have deteriorated further.

Harry wrote that there had always been this competition between us, weirdly. I think it plays into this heir-spare dynamic. He labelled William his beloved brother and archnemesis.

Meanwhile, William has not commented publicly on Harrys memoir, but was reportedly upset by its publication.

Additional reporting by PA
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A suburban Indianapolis Army veteran was sentenced to 55 years in prison Wednesday for the road rage shooting death of a Muslim man after witnesses said he hurled ethnic and religious insults at the victim.

Dustin Passarelli of Plainfield was convicted in May of murder and a felony firearm enhancement in the February 2019 shooting death of 32-year-old Mustafa Ayoubi.

Passarelli followed Ayoubi off Interstate 465, and a verbal altercation took place, prosecutors said. Witnesses said Passarelli made several Islamophobic remarks, including Go back to your country," and used hate speech before opening fire.

Passarelli told police that Ayoubi either threw something at his car or collided with it on the highway and that after he followed Ayoubi to an apartment complex, Ayoubi broke one of Passarelli's car windows with a punch.

The defense argued that Passarelli was within his rights to fire at Ayoubi because it was self-defense.

Passarelli was not charged with a hate crime. Six weeks after Ayoubis killing, Indiana lawmakers passed a hate crimes bill that included a provision allowing judges to impose longer sentences for crimes motivated by bias.

Ayoubi came to the U.S. from Afghanistan as a refugee.
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The executive directors of two U.N. agencies warned Tuesday that Haitis humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels amid reports of widespread hunger and gang violence.

Per capita, the number of Haitians facing emergency-level food insecurity is the second highest in the world, with nearly 5 million struggling to eat every day, said Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Program. More than 115,000 children younger than 5 also are expected to struggle with malnutrition this year, a 30% surge compared with last year.

In many ways, Haiti is forgotten, she told The Associated Press while on a three-day trip to the Caribbean country. It is urgent that we pay attention.

Overall, more than 5 million people in the country of more than 11 million need urgent humanitarian support, according to the U.N. agencies.

Humanitarian needs are even greater today that after the devastating 2010 earthquake, but with far less resources to respond, said Catherine Russell, UNICEFs executive director.

Both Russell and McCain met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry and other officials during their trips to Haiti.

McCain also traveled to the southwest coastal city of Jeremie, which was recently hit by a 4.9 magnitude earthquake that killed at least four people. It also is struggling to recover from heavy floods earlier this month that affected most of the country and killed more than 50 people.

McCain met with children at a local primary school where the World Food Program helps feed more than 600 children whose meals are prepared with local crops.

Among them is Jules Evanse, an 11-year-old student who told the AP that the free meals have helped him and his family.

If I cant find food at home, I know that I will find food at school, he said. The food gives me energy to work.

Lidy Azor, a nurse and mother of two who fled Port-au-Prince amid relentless gang violence, said the program has helped her save money and feel relieved that her children are being fed.

It helps us in every way, she said.

Haitis problems have worsened since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, with gangs now estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince. The violence has led to a spike in starvation, with goods unable to move freely while people are forced to remain in their homes out of fear for their lives.
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DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has written to the Prime Minister urging him to scrap controversial legislation to address the legacy of Northern Irelands Troubles.

Sir Jeffrey said that an amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said he did not think he would ever be able to persuade the DUP to support the Bill.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

It would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

While the Government introduced a number of amendments to the Bill earlier this month, the Stormont parties, Irish government and victims groups remain opposed to it.

The legislation is set to return to the House of Lords on Wednesday.

The DUP leader said: The Governments legacy proposals have been rejected by the vast majority of victims and survivors, who suffered the most during the Troubles and who still live with the terrible legacy of pain, trauma and loss.

An amnesty for terrorists is not only an affront to justice but a gateway to further attempts to rewrite and airbrush the past.

As things stand, the only condition placed on a terrorist seeking immunity is that they give their account of the acts of terrorism they were involved in.

There is absolutely nothing in the way of protection for those families who they terrorised and left without fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. Indeed those who fled criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland could return to avail of the scheme without any repercussions.

This is wrong. It is not too late for the Prime Minister to do the right thing and choose the side of justice and innocent victims.

Sir Jeffrey said it was not too late for the Prime Minister to halt the Bill.

He added: I have urged Rishi Sunak to recognise that imposing this Bill against the express wishes of communities and political parties in Northern Ireland would be a retrograde step.

Reconciliation will not be achieved by sacrificing justice. Access to justice must be preserved and the principle of everyone be equal under the law should be protected.

Speaking in the Commons, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle said: The Secretary (of State) has said that Government needs to demonstrate that Northern Ireland remains a strong and integral part of the United Kingdom in order to restore powersharing.

A problem for him, though, is that his department still plans to impose immunity for terrorists on Northern Ireland against the wishes of all local parties and all victims groups there.

Does he not see the damage this could do to the union?

Mr Heaton-Harris responded: Yes, none of the political parties in Northern Ireland are behind this particular Bill, but in great fairness to the Democratic Unionist Party, they have never been behind any sort of amnesty.

It is a principled position on their part from the Belfast Good Friday Agreement onwards, which I completely understand.

I dont think I will ever be able to win that argument with them.

He added: I actually think the Bill that we will present  which will be Article 2 compliant, I truly believe that  will actually go to getting information for a whole host of families that have not had it for well over 25 years.
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A Conservative MP reportedly met with loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland as a personal fact-finding mission, a Westminster committee has said.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that Simon Hoare, chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, held separate meetings with UDA and UVF figures earlier this month to encourage them to buy into the Windsor Framework.

Mr Hoare told the newspaper he had attended the meetings in a personal capacity.

The UDA and UVF are illegal paramilitary organisations. While both are on ceasefire, they have been linked with ongoing criminality.

The chairs visit to Northern Ireland was to fact-find to inform House and committee discussion on paramilitary activity and organised crime in Northern Ireland. The visit was not an attempt to represent the committee or communicate its views Northern Ireland Affairs Committee statement

Police said earlier this year they were monitoring tensions in loyalist areas following the unveiling of the Windsor Framework, designed to ease trading barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

In late 2021, two buses in loyalist areas were hijacked and burnt amid rising tensions over opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee released a statement about the meetings, which said they were not an attempt to represent the committee.

The statement said: The chairs visit to Northern Ireland was to fact-find to inform House and committee discussion on paramilitary activity and organised crime in Northern Ireland.

The visit was not an attempt to represent the committee or communicate its views.

Mr Hoare told the Belfast Telegraph: I was there to listen directly to a group of people in Northern Ireland who are so angry and frustrated.

It was a listening exercise to help inform my understanding of a group of people who are hard to reach.

He added: I will talk to anybody in and around Northern Ireland who is prepared to talk to me.

You can talk to all sorts of people about all sorts of things. It doesnt mean you agree with them.
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The defence has closed its case in the trial of a gunman accused of murdering a Metropolitan Police sergeant using an antique revolver smuggled into a south London custody centre.

Lawyers acting for Louis De Zoysa have argued that he has a partial defence to the murder of Sgt Matt Ratana on the grounds that his responsibility was diminished by an autistic meltdown.

Jurors at Northampton Crown Court have been told Sgt Ratana, 54, died of a chest wound after being hit by two bullets at Croydons Windmill Road custody block in the early hours of September 25 2020.

De Zoysa, 25, from Banstead, Surrey, denies committing murder while he was handcuffed in a holding room, after being found with bullets by members of a street patrol.

His defence case was closed by his KC, Imran Khan, on Wednesday, after a series of facts agreed with the prosecution were read to the jury by junior defence counsel Paramjit Ahluwalia.

The agreed facts, outlining De Zoysas diagnosis with autism aged 13, included details of two previous arrests in March 2018 and June 2019, neither of which led to any charges being brought.

De Zoysa was taken to Barking and Dagenham Custody Centre during the first incident, and to Croydon after the second arrest.

Ms Ahluwalia told the jury: Louis De Zoysa worked for HMRC at the Croydon office for approximately 16 months, as an officer grade data analyst.

His work involved the collection of data and data analysis.

He was considered by colleagues to be technically adept, good at coding and one of the few who could write his own coding scripts from scratch.

Earlier in the trial, Mr Khan told the jury that De Zoysa says he did not mean to or want to kill Sgt Ratana, or to cause him really serious harm.

Mr Khan said: The reason Louis De Zoysa says he is not guilty of murder is because at the time he was suffering from an abnormality of mental function.

The trial continues.
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An obsessive man has been found guilty of suffocating a student with a face mask in a jealous rage then dumping her body in undergrowth inside a large suitcase.

Muhammad Arslan, 27, forced a floral patterned mask into the mouth of 21-year-old Hina Bashir after she visited his shared flat in Ilford, east London in July last year.

He claimed he had only meant to quieten her after he confronted her over naked photographs of her that he had been sent.

The prosecution rejected his explanation as elaborate and concocted and asserted he had killed her out of anger and jealousy.

Arslan admitted manslaughter on the first day of his trial but denied murder and perverting the course of justice by concealing Ms Bashirs body.

The police also found on his phone a very large number of photographs of Hina Bashir, some of them having been photoshopped or altered using software or apps Prosecutor Gareth Patterson

A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for five hours and 20 minutes to find him guilty of the charges.

Ms Bashirs family in court expressed relief as the verdicts were delivered while Arslan stood impassively in the dock with his arms crossed.

The court heard how Arslan and Ms Bashir grew up in the same village in the Faisalabad district of Pakistan.

From the age of 11, Ms Bashir had been befriended via text message by the then 17-year-old defendant, it was alleged.

At one point, Arslan declared: How wonderful it is that I have found my princess in the house right next to mine.

Ms Bashir went on to reject his advances and had a boyfriend in Pakistan and another after moving to the UK in November 2021 to study business management at Coventry Universitys London campus, the court heard.

Within months of her arrival, Arslan had followed her, enrolling at the University of Essex for a masters degree in data science and applications and working part-time in a warehouse, jurors heard.

Arslan already had masters degree in maths and quantum physics from the University of Faisalabad and had given up a job as the manager of a pharmacy to travel to the UK, jurors were told.

On the evening of July 11 last year, Ms Bashir and two female friends had visited Arslans flat to collect some belongings she had left there while moving.

When Ms Bashir did not come out, her friends had to leave without her and the student was never seen alive again, jurors were told.

Having killed her, Arslan put her body into a suitcase in the bedroom he shared with a friend and stored it there overnight.

Arslan then spent hours trawling through her private messages and photographs on her mobile phone, the court was told.

Prosecutor Gareth Patterson KC had told jurors: The next morning, the defendant set off from his house, dragging behind him a suitcase containing Hina Bashirs dead body.

He got a lift from a taxi driver who lived in his house and travelled to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster, near a business where he was employed as a warehouse worker.

He got out of the taxi and dragged his suitcase to the side of a lane where he hid it in some undergrowth. He left the suitcase concealed there in the days that followed.

After the killing, Arslan had deleted his contacts from Ms Bashirs phone, lied to police about Ms Bashirs disappearance and made inquiries about travelling to Northern Ireland and Birmingham.

He initially denied involvement in her death despite the wealth of evidence, jurors heard.

Ms Bashirs blood was found on Arslan bedclothes, matching floral face masks were recovered from his home and the taxi driver confirmed taking the defendant and his heavy suitcase to the industrial estate where it was dumped .

CCTV footage also captured Arslan leaving his house with the suitcase and then later dragging it along the lane to where it was eventually discovered, Mr Patterson said.

Arslans DNA was also identified on the suitcase handle and soil from the deposition site was found on his shoes.

An examination of his phone revealed the extent of his obsession with Ms Bashir before and after she travelled to the UK.

He had repeatedly declared his love for her and reacted with shock on learning she had found someone else.

Mr Patterson said: The police also found on his phone a very large number of photographs of Hina Bashir, some of them having been photoshopped or altered using software or apps.

They found pictures of her on which love hearts had been added and they found collages that had been created of her image. The evidence suggests that he was obsessed with her.

However, it appears Hina Bashir did not want to be with him and in fact had a relationship after she came here with another young man.

In his evidence, Arslan claimed that he had been friends with Ms Bashir since she was 11 and romance had followed, even though they could not meet openly for cultural reasons.

He admitted it was a fantasy that she was his fiancee but he still wanted to have a relationship.

Following the guilty verdicts on Wednesday, Judge Richard Marks KC remanded Arslan into custody to be sentenced on Friday.
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An ex-deputy headteacher at Prince George and Princess Charlottes former primary school has admitted paying thousands of pounds to teenagers to abuse younger children.

Matthew Smith, 34, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of child sex abuse, including commissioning of the abuse of children in India while he lived in Nepal for five years.

When the first allegations emerged around seven months ago, Smith was deputy headteacher at Thomass prep school in Battersea High Street, south west London.

Before taking up the job at the prestigious school, where the Prince and Princess of Wales had previously enrolled their older two children, he worked at a British school in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, between 2017 and July 2022.

Investigators discovered last November he was sharing abuse material on the dark web.

Smith was even online at the time of his arrest, speaking to a teenage boy living in India and asking him to send sexual images of a younger child, in return for money, police said.

He also had dark web sites and forums open on his computer dedicated to child sexual abuse, according to the NCA.

Detectives analysed chat logs and bank transactions and found Smith paid the same teenager, and another also living in India, a total of 65,398 to abuse children over a five-year period.

Before working at the school in Nepal, Smith spent various periods working in orphanages and NGOs across India between 2007 until 2014.

He then moved back to the UK last July and began working at Thomass prep in September, where he was a deputy head teacher and head of pastoral care. He was sacked two months later when he was charged by police.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte, pictured with brother Louis and father William, had had left the school by the time Smith started work (Millie Pilkington/Kensington Pal)

The chat logs showed Smith would order the young men to perform sexual acts on boys and would also send them images and videos as examples of ones he would like to see re-enacted.

He also gave one of them advice on how to befriend children and build their trust in order to abuse them, police said.

There is nothing to suggest he committed abuse against children based in Nepal or the UK, the NCA said.

After a raid on Smiths home in East Dulwich, south east London, officers found over 120,000 indecent images of children saved on his laptop, a SD card and on his phone.

Prosecutors charged him with a total of 22 offences, including encouraging the rape of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and arranging the sexual abuse of a child.

At Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday he pleaded guilty to 17 counts and had admitted five counts at a previous hearing in November.

Helen Dore, senior officer of the National Crime Agency, said: Matthew Smith was a high risk individual and we moved quickly to locate, arrest and remand him so he could no longer pose a threat to children.

Ultimately, we were able to prove that he was a prolific offender who manipulated young men to sexually abuse children on his behalf, giving them detailed instructions and financial reward.

While conducting his offending, Smith worked at a school in Nepal, then became a deputy head teacher and head of pastoral care in the UK, so his offending is a deep betrayal of the trust placed in him.

None of the offences relate to his job at the 20,000-a-year Thomass primary school, which was attended by Prince George and Princess Charlotte until the end of the last academic year.

Both royal children have now moved to Lambrook School, near Ascot in Berkshire, and had left by the time Smith started work in September.

Claire Brinton, specialist prosecutor in the CPSs Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, branded Smiths crimes particularly disturbing given he was a primary school teacher.

She said after the hearing: Matthew Smiths crimes are particularly disturbing given his role as a primary school teacher entrusted with the responsibility of caring for and safeguarding children.

Thousands of images and videos were recovered from his devices which showed an appalling catalogue of sexual abuse being perpetrated on children.

Smith offered individuals payments for indecent images to gratify his own sexual desires, which resulted in the horrifying abuse of young children in India.

This conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside the NCA and international partners, will work to bring to justice those who sexually abuse and exploit children, wherever that abuse takes place.

Before his role at Thomass, Smith was assistant head teacher at the British School in Kathmandu, Nepal, for five years.

He also taught at St Pauls School and has degrees from both Oxford as well as Cambridge.

A spokesperson for Thomass said in light of Smiths conviction: We have been shocked and appalled beyond measure by this matter and are grateful for the work of the police and courts in bringing this man to account.

Mr Smiths employment at the school, which commenced in September 2022, was terminated with immediate effect when the school first learned of the charges against him in November.

While the National Crime Agency has confirmed that none of the matters under investigation related to the school or its pupils, these deplorable actions constitute an unforgivable breach of trust and our thoughts are with those who have been impacted or damaged by them.

As always, we remain absolutely committed to the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our pupils and our whole school community.

Smith will be sentenced at the same court next month.
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Witnesses have described how a man went on a mad rampage with a pickaxe at a London hospital and attacked two people, prompting armed police to rush to the scene and wards to go into lockdown.

Panicked nurses were said to have locked themselves in rooms with patients and visitors as police scoured the building, eventually arresting a man outside.

Officers said they found two people with stab injuries at Central Middlesex Hospital, one of whom was left fighting for their life.

The man arrested outside the hospital had inflicted life-threatening injuries on himself, according to the Metropolitan Police.

As the attacks happened, some hospital patients were told to stay in their rooms for around two hours, while officers carried out a search.

Police at Central Middlesex Hospital (PA)

Recommended Triple murder suspect remanded in custody following city knife and van attacks

A steeplejack there to repair a chimney said he saw the alleged attacker chase two men who managed to escape.

Gareth Browne said the suspect screamed at him: Get out of my f****** way  this is none of your business, before running into the hospital.

A visitor at the hospital, near Acton in west London, tweeted: I am at Middlesex Central hospital in the dialysis unit and were sheltering in safe rooms. Armed policemen are on the scene, being described as a major incident.

Amie Ferris-Rotman, whose father had an appointment at the dialysis and renal unit just after the chaos broke out, told Sky News: Not long after we checked in for his appointment we heard scuffles and saw a lot of movement, a lot of police running around.

Armed police were suddenly running around, suddenly all the nurses in the dialysis unit were obviously really scared and quite panicked.

Gareth Browne said the suspect screamed: Get out of my f****** way (PA)

Police said everyone had to evacuate immediately and the nurses said no weve got people on dialysis machines, that would be next to impossible to do.

Then the police came in and did a brief check of the dialysis and renal unit and then locked us down and had armed police at every entrance.

They put my father, me and two other patients in a small nurses room and locked the door.

A lot of the patients were quite freaked out and at one point those who were about to go onto dialysis were put on wheelchairs and brought into a room, which is where we were as well.

Outside there were lots and lots of police teams and different units. There were about 12 or 13 police cars and an incident response unit. No one was allowed inside and lots of patients were milling about outside.

Mark Thewlis tweeted: My partner is in lockdown situation. Person still at large by all accounts.

Police with guns swarming hospital now. Partner been advised to stay locked in room with colleagues/patients.

A few minutes later he added: OK, theyve been safely evacuated and one person has been detained by all accounts.

He has also been conveyed to hospital having received injuries that are believed to be self-inflicted. His condition is being treated as life-threatening, they said.

Officers will remain in the hospital as further searches are conducted but at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought.

Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

The hospital was temporarily locked down but has now reopened and will be operating services as normal. There is a heightened police presence at the hospital while we investigate.

An air ambulance was sent to the site.

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hosptial, urged people to follow any instructions given by police.

Police are on site and the hospital was temporarily locked down for a short period of time as a precautionary measure. Working closely with the Metropolitan Police, we have now reopened the hospital and services will continue as normal, the trust said.

Appointments that were cancelled may have to be rescheduled, it added.
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An environmental campaign group says a Supreme Court ruling on a fight over an oil well could have significant repercussions for new fossil fuel projects.

Friends of the Earth says campaigner Sarah Finchs battle with Surrey County Council is critically important.

Ms Finch, 59, objects to the extension of oil drilling near Gatwick and has raised concerns about the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

She has challenged Surrey councils decision to allow a well about six miles from where she used to live in Redhill, Surrey, to be retained and expanded by Horse Hill Developments.

Friends of the Earth is backing Ms Finch, who brought the challenge on behalf of the Weald Action Group.

Five Supreme Court justices, Lord Kitchin, Lord Sales, Lord Leggatt, Lady Rose, and Lord Richards, began considering arguments at a Supreme Court hearing in London on Wednesday.

The hearing is due to end on Thursday and justices are expected to publish a ruling later in the year.

This is not a climate change case. It turns on the interpretation of what are ordinary words in their particular legislative context Harriet Townsend, representing Surrey County Council

Ms Finch has already lost fights in lower courts  a High Court judge ruled against her, and three Court of Appeal judges dismissed an appeal by a two-to-one majority.

Ms Finch, who now lives in Exeter, Devon, says council bosses had failed to assess the indirect greenhouse gas impacts and did not take into account environmental protection objectives.

Council bosses, who gave Horse Hill Developments permission to extend drilling at Horse Hill, dispute Ms Finchs claim.

Lawyers representing the council say Ms Finchs approach to the interpretation of environmental impact requirements is misguided.

Justices were told that an environmental impact assessment had considered the impacts of direct releases of greenhouse gases but did not assess the impacts of downstream emissions.

This is a critically important legal challenge that could have significant repercussions for new fossil fuel projects, including the proposed new coal mine in Cumbria Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe

They were told that the issue was whether downstream greenhouse gas emissions were indirect effects.

Barristers representing Ms Finch told justices that her case was simple.

Marc Willers KC and Estelle Dehon KC said the appeal concerned the climate impact of fossil fuel development and turned on the correct interpretation of the 2017 Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

They said planning permission could only lawfully be granted in respect of developments which encompassed certain extractive industry developments, if an environment impact assessment had been carried out.

The appellants case is simple, they said.

On the plain language of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, the likely significant effects on climate of the combustion of material obtained from a development whose sole purpose is to obtain that material for combustion are, as a matter of law, indirect effects.

A barrister representing Surrey council said the case was essentially an issue of law.

This is not a climate change case, Harriet Townsend said.

It turns on the interpretation of what are ordinary words in their particular legislative context.

She said justices should dismiss the appeal.

Ms Finch has also taken legal action against Horse Hill Developments and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove.

Barrister Richard Moules, representing Mr Gove, told justices they were not being asked to make findings about the science of climate change.

Sarah Finch's legal challenge could ensure that the full climate impacts of new fossil fuel developments have to be taken into account in the environmental impact assessment when planning applications are considered Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe

He said the issue was whether the downstream greenhouse gas emissions, resulting from the eventual combustion of the refined end products produced from the oil originating from the development, were indirect effects of the development which had to be assessed.

Friends of the Earth said the case might have implications for a planned coal mine on the outskirts of Whitehaven, Cumbria.

This is a critically important legal challenge that could have significant repercussions for new fossil fuel projects, including the proposed new coal mine in Cumbria, Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe said.

Sarah Finchs legal challenge could ensure that the full climate impacts of new fossil fuel developments have to be taken into account in the environmental impact assessment when planning applications are considered.

Were in a climate crisis and its absurd that this is not happening already.
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An environmental campaigner is staging a Supreme Court fight after objecting to the extension of oil drilling near Gatwick and raising concerns about the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

Sarah Finch, 59, has challenged Surrey County Councils decision to allow a well about six miles from where she used to live in Redhill, Surrey, to be retained and expanded by Horse Hill Developments.

She has already lost fights in lower courts  a High Court judge ruled against her, and three Court of Appeal judges dismissed an appeal by a two-to-one majority.

Friends of the Earth has backed Ms Finch, who brought the challenge on behalf of the Weald Action Group and says the case could have widespread implications.

Five Supreme Court justices, Lord Kitchin, Lord Sales, Lord Leggatt, Lady Rose, and Lord Richards, began considering arguments at a Supreme Court hearing in London on Wednesday.

The hearing is due to end on Thursday.

Ms Finch, who now lives in Exeter, Devon, says council bosses failed to assess the indirect greenhouse gas impacts and did not take into account environmental protection objectives.

Council bosses, who gave Horse Hill Developments permission to extend drilling at Horse Hill, dispute Ms Finchs claim.

Lawyers representing the council say Ms Finchs approach to the interpretation of environmental impact requirements is misguided.

The amount of oil to be produced over the lifetime of the development is not known, but it was agreed by the parties that: the development could in theory produce up to about 3.3 million tonnes of crude oil over the 20-year production period ... Marc Willers KC and Estelle Dehon KC

Justices were told that an environmental impact assessment had considered the impacts of direct releases of greenhouse gases but did not assess the impacts of downstream emissions.

Barristers representing Ms Finch told justices that her case was simple.

Marc Willers KC and Estelle Dehon KC said the appeal concerned the climate impact of fossil fuel development and turned on the correct interpretation of the 2017 Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

They said planning permission could lawfully be granted in respect of developments which encompassed certain extractive industry developments, unless an environment impact assessment had been carried out in respect of that development.

In this case, Horse Hill Developments Ltd sought planning permission from the council for the large-scale production of fossil fuel (predominantly oil for sale and use as fuel in transportation), on land at Horse Hill, Surrey, for a period of 20 years and certainly beyond the year 2040, they said, in a written case outline.

The amount of oil to be produced over the lifetime of the development is not known, but it was agreed by the parties that: the development could in theory produce up to about 3.3 million tonnes of crude oil over the 20-year production period  

They added: The appellants case is simple: on the plain language of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, the likely significant effects on climate of the combustion of material obtained from a development whose sole purpose is to obtain that material for combustion are, as a matter of law, indirect effects 

Accordingly, where, as in this case, planning permission is sought for the extraction of oil for commercial production, such that greenhouse gas emissions will unavoidably result from the inevitable use of the refined oil via combustion, a plain language interpretation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations means it is unlawful for a relevant planning authority to grant planning permission without the benefit of an assessment of the nature and magnitude of the greenhouse gas emissions which would be caused by the combustion of the oil.

It is common ground that the question is one of statutory construction. The court is not required to make any findings about the science of climate change Richard Moules, representing Secretary of State Michael Gove

They said the Court of Appeal was wrong to find otherwise.

Ms Finch has also taken legal action against Horse Hill Developments and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Barrister Richard Moules, representing Mr Gove, told justices they were not being asked to make findings about the science of climate change.

He said the issue was whether the downstream greenhouse gas emissions, resulting from the eventual combustion of the refined end products produced from the oil originating from the development, were indirect effects of the development which had to be assessed.

It is common ground that the question is one of statutory construction, he said in a written case outline.

The court is not required to make any findings about the science of climate change.

He said the urgent imperative to address climate change was the basis for legislation.

Ms Finch had said outside court: The biggest climate impact from this project will occur when the oil is eventually burned.

If councils can ignore these downstream impacts when making planning decisions, then we have no hope of staying within safe climate limits.

The present lack of clarity over environmental impact assessments is dangerous.

I hope that the Supreme Court will confirm that no fossil fuel development  coal, oil or gas  should be allowed without consideration of its full climate impact.

Solicitor Rowan Smith had said: Its difficult to overstate the importance of this case.

The Supreme Court will rule conclusively on whether or not the climate change impact of fossil fuel development in the UK must be taken into account before planning permissions are granted.

There is a huge amount at stake for the future of the planet and the UKs ability to meet its carbon reduction targets.

Friends of the Earth said the case might have implications for a planned coal mine on the outskirts of Whitehaven, Cumbria.

This is a critically important legal challenge that could have significant repercussions for new fossil fuel projects, including the proposed new coal mine in Cumbria, said Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe.

Sarah Finchs legal challenge could ensure that the full climate impacts of new fossil fuel developments have to be taken into account in the environmental impact assessment when planning applications are considered.

Were in a climate crisis and its absurd that this is not happening already.

Local campaign groups echoed Friends of the Earths sentiments.

A spokeswoman for the Horse Hill Protection Group said: Horse Hill matters, not just for the local community but for people and ecosystems everywhere affected by extraction and by climate breakdown.
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A biotechnology company which had its contract to make Covid vaccines cancelled by the UK Government still received 358 million of taxpayers money, it has emerged.

French firm Valneva was supposed to manufacture more than 100 million vaccines at its site in Livingston, West Lothian, but the contract was axed by ministers in 2021.

The Government said it pulled out of the deal at the time because the company had breached the terms of the agreement, but this was denied by Valneva.

A financial statement published online shows Valneva received hundreds of millions of pounds in payments despite the deal being cancelled.

A form filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission states Valneva received advances totalling 358 million as part of its agreement with the UK Government.

It shows the company received around 40.5 million under a settlement agreement, another 66.5 million to cover capital expenditure, and the remainder related to prepayments for vaccine doses.

Valneva is now also reportedly considering selling the Almeida plant that was specially built at the Livingston site to manufacture the Covid vaccines.

It was reported this week by the BBC that the French firm has hired a commercial real estate firm to explore options for the mothballed 75,000sq ft facility.

A spokesperson for Valneva said: Valneva is exploring options for its Almeida manufacturing facility in Livingston, initially built to produce its Covid-19 vaccine, including a possible sale or a re-purposing to produce its vaccine for Japanese encephalitis, and its chikungunya vaccine, if approved.

The UK Government has been approached for comment.
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House of Lords membership and the role of the appointments commission is set to be under the spotlight, as MPs prepare to launch a new inquiry into the upper chamber.

It comes as Boris Johnsons resignation honours list, published hours before he dramatically quit as an MP, continues to generate criticism and questions over the appointments of certain new peers.

Among the seven nominees in the long-awaited list were Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen and Charlotte Owen, a former adviser to Mr Johnson.

Recent days have also seen Tory politician Shaun Bailey face calls to turn down his peerage after a video emerged of a mid-lockdown party at Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

The powers of House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac), as well as the size and role of the second chamber, will be among the issues considered by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry.

The cross-party committee will examine whether the current appointments system produces an effective and trusted upper chamber, with MPs also looking at the relationship between the Lords and the Commons.

There have been long-standing concerns over the expanding size of the second house, with Labour pledging to abolish the Lords if it wins power at the next election.

Committee chairman William Wragg said: The House of Lords plays an important constitutional role in the UK political system but there has long been concern about its size, membership and the appointments process.

Previous inquiries from parliamentary committees concluded with clear recommendations to reduce the size of the chamber and reform the appointments process to maintain confidence in the Lords.

The Government committed to review the matter, yet five years on we have seen no sign of reform, and large numbers of new members continue to be appointed.

Debates about wholesale reform of the second chamber have been around for decades, but this inquiry seeks to consider the immediate questions, that cannot wait for such reform, before they are addressed.

The committee will consider the possibility of reforms to the appointment system and whether changes are needed to the role and powers of Holac.

MPs will also ask whether the size of the Lords should be reduced and whether a term limit might be needed for membership, as well as what expectations should be placed on peers as regards participation.

It comes amid concerns about the attendance record of some recently appointed peers.
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A Windrush campaigner has called on the Government to categorically rule out closing the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal, as an anniversary tribute service was held in London.

Caribbean high commissioners to the UK joined British politicians for the commemorative event held at Windrush Square in Brixton, south London.

Wednesdays event in memory of Caribbean men and women who served the UK in past conflicts, came a day ahead of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush to England.

Campaigner Patrick Vernon said the anniversary was bittersweet, and that those whose lives had been devastated by the scandal were being re-traumatised.

The scandal, which erupted in 2018, saw many British citizens, mostly from the Caribbean, denied access to healthcare and benefits and threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in the UK.

The HMT Empire Windrush first docked in England on June 22 1948 at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing people from the Caribbean who had answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

Mr Vernon, who spoke at Wednesdays event, previously voiced concerns that the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal could be wound down within a year, saying thousands would miss out.

Rishi (Sunak) could press the button and sort out the compensation scheme and make it easier for everyone, right now. I believe that Campaigner Patrick Vernon

It has been reported that the Home Office unit set up with responsibility for reforming the department in the wake of the scandal  which saw many people lose their homes, jobs and face the threat of deportation  was to be disbanded.

The Home Office has said the scheme  available to people of all ages and nationalities, including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who had suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK  would stay open as long as needed.

But Mr Vernon insisted that more clarity from the Government was needed.

He told the PA news agency after the service: Rishi (Sunak) could press the button and sort out the compensation scheme and make it easier for everyone, right now. I believe that.

We shouldn't call it the Windrush scandal anymore, I think we should call it the Home Office scandal, because the Windrush generation played their part, made their sacrifices and are now being re-traumatised as a result of failure of Government Campaigner Patrick Vernon

Asked about uncertainty around the scheme, Mr Vernon said: It would be great for the Government to give a categorical no, but it all feels bit by bit.

These indicators make you question whether they are serious about this.

The scheme has faced criticism for being slow and inefficient, and the latest figures show hundreds of cases have been in the system for at least a year.

Addressing those gathered at the event, Mr Vernon said: We shouldnt call it the Windrush scandal anymore, I think we should call it the Home Office scandal, because the Windrush generation played their part, made their sacrifices and are now being re-traumatised as a result of failure of Government.

(It is) another chapter of racial discrimination in Britain, and unfortunately Windrush Day will always be bittersweet.

Its going to be bitter because of the injustice thats still ongoing and were still fighting for, but it has to be sweet to recognise those pioneers.

Deputy Mayor of London Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard was among those giving speeches during the event, as well as Mayor of Lambeth Sarbaz Barznji.

Mr Barznji said: The Windrush generation brought talent, knowledge and determination, that shaped our cultural fabric.

He stressed that the anniversary should be a catalyst for change, adding: Your resilience and unwavering determination have enriched future generations. We owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be paid fully.

Artist Alexander D Great performed several songs describing the struggles of the Windrush generation and remembering those who had served in the world wars.

Wreaths of flowers were laid by the respective high commissioners on the African Caribbean War Memorial, which was built on the 50th anniversary in 1998.

John Agards poem Windrush Child was read out during the event to a crowd that included dignitaries, passers-by and a group of local schoolchildren.
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A private company is to be awarded a 1.1m contract to provide health services at one of the governments controversial new large asylum accommodation sites.

The NHS trust covering the disused RAF Wethersfield site in Essex said it was making the agreement without any competition for reasons of extreme urgency, after being told 1,700 asylum seekers would be moved there.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick announced the plan in March, but it has been delayed by legal challenges launched by the local council and residents, as well as refurbishment work and safety checks.

The transformation of Wethersfield is part of a wider government scheme to reduce the 6m-a-day cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels by using military bases, a former prison and vessels.

But costs are rapidly mounting, with The Independent previously revealing a 1.6bn contract had been handed to barge operator Corporate Travel Management, while separate funding is paid to police forces, ports, private contractors, councils and health bodies.

A new contract published on Wednesday said Commisceo Primary Care Solutions would be providing health assessments for people arriving at Wethersfield and a dedicated medical centre on-site.

It said the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board was extending and expanding an existing contract with the firm, and that the total estimated value was 1.1m over 18 months.

A document seen by The Independent said the contract was negotiated without a prior call for competition because of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable for the contracting authority.

The authority was informed by NHS England in Q4 2022-23 of the likely siting of asylum accommodation and support centre at Wethersfield, it added.

The authority was required to identify a provider of this service at pace as the initial go live was planned for April.

The NHS trust said normal competitive procedures could not be complied with in the time period before it was told Wethersfield would open start housing people, adding: As such, the authority have undertaken an analysis of the market and deemed Commisceo to be in the best position to ensure delivery of primary medical services.

Although the notice was published on the governments website as an awarded contract, NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board said the document was a notice of intention and the contract had not yet been awarded.

Rishi Sunak says disused holiday parks and student halls will house asylum seekers

A spokesperson said: Arrangements are being established to meet the primary health and care needs of asylum seekers expected to be housed at Wethersfield.

The Integrated Care System will continue to work closely with colleagues to make sure that we are able to provide appropriate care for those in need.

Commisceo Primary Care Solutions has been operating since 2014 and already provides services for several NHS trusts, including a GP surgery at Basildon University Hospital and an urgent treatment centre in Chelmsford.

The contract said the earliest potential start date for Wethersfield had subsequently moved to 1 July, but the High Court will not hear a legal challenge against the governments plans until 12 July.

Councils covering RAF Wethersfield and a Lincolnshire military base being turned into asylum accommodation launched the case after Suella Braverman declared an emergency to bypass normal planning permission.

They are arguing that the situation does not meet the threshold for an emergency under planning law, and that the sites are not suitable for vulnerable people in light of the pressure on local services and community impact in rural locations.

The former Wethersfield RAF base is in a rural area (PA) (PA Wire)

Ministers have argued the new sites are necessary to reduce spending on hotel places for asylum seekers, which are currently costing 6m a day, and avoid the risk of homelessness if supply runs out.

A National Audit Office report released last week said that by the end of April, the Home Office was accommodating 109,000 destitute asylum seekers, including 48,000 in hotels, because of a lack of proper accommodation and soaring decision backlogs.

While being grilled by parliaments Home Affairs Committee, the home secretary said the new sites would be delivered very soon, and we will be seeing asylum seekers relocated to those sites in the next few months, and that she aimed to procure more locations for large-scale accommodation.

The Home Office said the first asylum seekers would be moving into military sites this summer, with a spokesperson adding: Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats whilst helping to reduce the use of hotels.

We are continuing to work extremely closely with local councils, the local NHS and police services, to manage any impact and address the local communities concerns, including through substantial financial support.

This article was amended on 23 June 2023. It previously stated the contract had been awarded but the Trust said it needed to give notice to the market.
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International authorities have abandoned the search for a much-loved firefighter who vanished while attempting to swim the English Channel for charity.

Firefighters in the West Midlands lamented the unspeakably sad fate of their highly respected colleague Iain Hughes, a 42-year-old father of two children.

Having trained for the charity swim for nearly two years, Mr Hughes had been hoping to raise 1,000 for each of the 21 miles of his journey towards the British Heart Foundation, Firefighters Charity and Midlands Air Ambulance.

But despite being accompanied by a support boat, the firefighter  who works in Wednesburys technical rescue unit  went missing in the busy shipping lane after setting off from the Kent coast on Tuesday morning.

While a large search was launched  including French and Belgian military helicopters  it has now been called off, French authorities confirmed on Wednesday evening.

Iains disappearance is unspeakably sad, said Wayne Brown, chief officer at West Midlands Fire Service, which Mr Hughes joined in 1999 at the age of 19.

We are giving Iains family all the support we can at this distressing time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone close to Iain.

He is a highly respected and much-loved colleague and friend to many.

Iain Hughes swam more than 300 miles in 2022 ( )

According to reports on Wednesday evening, his JustGiving fundraising page showed he had raised more than 5,000 of his 21,000 target  a sum which had since doubled to top 11,000 by Thursday morning, with some contributors leaving messages of support for his family and friends.

According to his page, Mr Hughes had planned to split whatever amount he eventually raised between the three amazing charities.

A graphic he shared on social media at New Year showed that over the course of 2022, he had clocked up over 300 miles in the pool, two Chillswim events, swum in open water lakes, reservoirs and seas, plus one swimming championship.

With the help from my family and friends Ive raised some money along the way. Its been windy, cold and extremely hard work! he wrote.

Three weeks ago, he posted footage of himself training in the sea with his support crew after his Channel attempt was delayed by stormy weather.

Additional reporting by PA
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Hundreds of healthcare workers had suicidal thoughts during the Covid-19 pandemic, new research has found.

Around one in 10 had such thoughts, and a minority said they had actually attempted suicide.

Last week, a lawyer for the British Medical Association, Brian Stanton, told the Covid-19 inquiry many workers felt pressured to work without adequate protection, with consequences for their mental and physical health.

The new study, led by the University of Bristol and published in the PLOS One journal, looked at results from two surveys distributed to all healthcare workers, students and volunteers in 18 English NHS trusts during the pandemic.

In the first survey, completed by 12,514 workers from April 2020 to January 2021, 10.8 per cent reported having suicidal thoughts in the previous two months, while 2.1 per cent had tried to end their own life.

In the second survey, of 7,160 workers between October 2020 and August 2021, 11.3 per cent of workers who did not report suicidal thoughts in the first survey reported them six months later.

Some 3.9 per cent said they had attempted suicide for the first time.

A lack of confidence in raising safety concerns, feeling unsupported by managers and having to provide a lower standard of care contributed to staff distress, employees said, as well as exposure to things that went against their moral values.

In March, health leaders warned that suicidal NHS staff would be left in dangerous situations when national funding for the countrys 40 mental health hubs was about to end.

The British Psychological Society and the Association of Clinical Psychologists said failure to continue the funding was an irresponsible way to treat vulnerable workers.

Last year, NHS staff sick days increased to 12 million, from 7.21 million in 2019. And the cost of mental health sick days almost doubled, from 279m to 468m, as staff anxiety and stress skyrocketed.

NHS nurses went on strike in May (EPA)

Some health and care staff have spoken of feeling despair as services became overwhelmed during the pandemic and vital non-Covid care was postponed.

One of the studys lead authors, Paul Moran, professor of psychiatry at the University of Bristols Centre for Academic Mental Health, said: A supportive work environment is very important for staff wellbeing.

If managers offer insufficient support, this can have a very bad effect on staff mental health.

NHS staff need to feel confident that when they flag concerns, especially about patient safety, these concerns are listened to by managers and are being addressed.

Prianka Padmanathan, another study lead author, said: Our analyses show that among healthcare workers who had not experienced suicidal thoughts when first completing the survey, one in 10 reported experiencing them six months later.

Additionally, almost one in 25 staff reported having attempted suicide for the first time.

An NHS spokesperson said staff mental health hubs were set up using non-recurrent funding until the end of this year, and that a final decision was yet to be made on 2023-24 funding.

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.
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Rescuers frantically searching for the missing Titan submersible may take hope from a successful mission which saw a crew saved after spending 84 hours trapped underwater.

Titan lost contact with its mothership - the Polar Prince - about an hour and 45 minutes after it began diving down to see the Titanic wreckage - which sits on seabed 12,500ft (3,800m) below sea level - on Sunday.

Its five-strong crew includes CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood.

The ongoing race to find the group has led to comparisons with a successful mission to save two submariners trapped 150 miles off the coast of Ireland back in 1973.

Roger Mallinson (left), 35, and Roger Chapman, 28, watch as a bottle of champagne is opened after their rescue (PA)

Roger Mallinson and Roger Chapman endured almost three-and-a-half days trapped in Pisces III while it lay about 1,600ft (500m) below sea level.

The pair - then aged 28 and 35 respectively - eventually reached the surface with just 12 minutes of oxygen left.

Speaking shortly after it emerged that the crew aboard the missing OceanGate Expeditions vessel have less than 24 hours of oxygen left, Mr Mallison said: Its very cold and its very dark and its really frightening because you dont know what the outcome is going to be.

Your life support is withering away.

And in a message of solace to the missing crew, he said: Youve got to trust people because youre inside and theyre doing outside work.

He spoke to Times Radio as it emerged that a Canadian aircraft searching the Atlantic Ocean for the sub detected intermittent banging noises from the vicinity of its last known location.

Despite this sign of hope, retired US Navy submarine Captain David Marquet put their odds of survival at about 1 per cent.

Mr Mallison and Mr Chapman - a former Royal Navy submariner - were finishing an eight-hour shift laying a transatlantic phone cable when a towline wrenched open a hatch. This sent water flooding into the side of Pisces III, prompting it to flip over and snap the towline.

The sub then crashed into the seabed at 40mph - leaving them trapped with no sign of escape.

Divers begin to open the hatch of the minature submarine Pisces III as she breaks water under the John Cabot after being hauled from the Atlantic seabed off Cork (PA)

Knowing they had to conserve oxygen, food and power, the pair turned off the electrics and tried to move as little as possible as they awaited their fate.

Speaking to the BBC in 2013, Mr Chapman said: There was lots of banging of ropes and shackles  as normal during the last phase of the operation  when suddenly we were hurtled backward and sank rapidly.

We were dangling upside down, then heaved up like a big dipper.

Lying there trapped with no water, their pair realised they had just one can of lemonade, a cheese sandwich and 66 hours of oxygen thanks to Mr Mallinson replacing one of the tanks before they left.

However, the pair managed to stretch out their oxygen for 12 more hours by not moving during the 84 hours, as they lay in pitch black thinking about their families.

Unlike with the Titan sub, they had contact with the team above as submarines, ships, aircraft and helicopters were deployed to help.

We hardly spoke, just grabbing each others hand and giving it a squeeze to show we were alright, Mr Mallinson said. It was very cold  we were wet through.

And while they could converse with their rescuers, the operation suffered a series of setbacks.

The OceanGate Expeditions vessel has been missing since losing contact with its mothership on Sunday (OceanGate Expeditions/PA)

A plan to attach a grappling hook to the submarine and then drag it up on a line failed three times before it was successfully attached.

Mr Chapman - who died in 2020 - revealed that it was only once they knew the line was safely attached that they had the sandwich and lemonade. He later wrote that it tasted like champagne to us.

We had 72 hours of life support when we started the dive so we managed to eke out a further 12.5 hours, he said. When we looked in the cylinder (after being saved), we had 12 minutes of oxygen left.

Upon reaching the surface, Mr Mallison - who was made an MBE in the Kings birthday honours list - said: I was on my shoulders upside down kicking with my feet on the back of the hatch.

We blew the last little puff of oxygen and suddenly there was a massive explosion and the hatch blew open.
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Hundreds of people affected by the Windrush scandal are being forced to wait over a year for compensation, analysis shows ahead of the 75th anniversary of the voyage.

The compensation scheme has been criticised for being too slow and for treating the Windrush generation callously, with charities and victims calling for it to be removed from the hands of the Home Office.

Analysis shows that of the 2,235 claims in progress as of April, 347 (16 per cent) had been in the system for at least 12 months, including 162 for over 18 months.

A year earlier in April 2022, a lower number of claims were in progress  1,904  but a higher number had been in the system for 12 months and over: 541, or 28 per cent of the total.

Over the same period, the proportion of claims in the system for just one to three months has gone up, from 19 per cent in April 2022 to 33 per cent in April this year.

Fitzroy Maynard, who came to the UK in 1980 from Antigua, said he felt like the Home Office have no intention to pay people their full due.

After decades in the UK, Mr Maynard struggled to prove that he had a right to live and work in the UK and lost his job as a result. His benefits were withdrawn and he became homeless in 2007. He was forced to resort to sofa-surfing, and at times lived on the streets, for more than a decade.

Fitzroy Maynard, who ended up homeless because he could not prove his right to work in the UK has described his lengthy experience with the Windrush compensation scheme as worse than hell (PA)

He took legal action against the government for the delays in giving him compensation through the scheme  and when he did receive a payout it was not sufficient, he argued.

He said: The Home Office should never have been put in charge to look after the compensation scheme themselves. They should stop taking so long in processing claims  it feels that they have no intention to pay people their full due, and that they just want to wear us down. This is what is happening with me, after so many years I am disheartened, but I am still going to fight.

Charity Praxis surveyed 20 current and former clients about their experience of the compensation scheme. Only eight people had been able to apply for the Windrush Compensation Scheme since its launch in April 2019 and just three had received compensation. Sally Daghlian, CEO of Praxis, said: The department that shredded thousands of lives is now failing at compensating its victims for the hardship they had to endure.

Stamps released by Royal Mail marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush to the UK on 22nd June 1948 (Royal Mail/PA)

Jacqueline McKenzie, a lawyer who has met hundreds of people needing help with their claims, said no other group of people in society would be treated this callously.

A partner at the law firm Leigh Day, Ms McKenzie said they had had clients who were initially rejected for compensation who were later offered tens of thousands of pounds when their case was reviewed in what she said is evidence of poor case-working.

She said one client was told he was not entitled to compensation, but when the decision was reviewed he was told he was entitled to 289,000, while another saw a mother and two daughters go from being awarded nothing to being told they would get between 70,000 and 100,000.

The Windrush Compensation Scheme is available to people of all ages and nationalities including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who have suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK.

It was set up after the Windrush scandal, which erupted in 2018, and saw people with a right to live in the UK lose access to work and be wrongfully detained or deported.

The latest figures show that since 2019 and up to April this year, 72.6m had been offered through the scheme  of which 61.3m had been paid out.

The Home Office has said the government is honouring its Windrush commitments and providing support to those affected every day, adding that the compensation scheme will stay open as long as needed.
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A father who ended up homeless because he could not prove his right to work in the UK has described his lengthy experience with the Windrush compensation scheme as worse than hell.

Fitzroy Maynard said he had been unable to get work for around a decade after losing his job as a residential caretaker in 2007.

Having come from Antigua as a child in 1980 and later worked in the UK for years, he found himself sofa-surfing after being unable to prove to prospective employers that he had the right to work in the UK as he lacked the relevant documentation.

They keep on saying people do not need a lawyer to do this (but) people need a lawyer Fitzroy Maynard

Becoming tearful as he recalled his desperate situation, the 57-year-old said: Its been worse than hell. Just imagine you have no money, you have no food, you have nowhere to sleep, youre freezing, youre in the same clothes for weeks, you dont know whats going to happen.

He said he had been offered some compensation by the Home Office but none to cover his loss of access to employment because they cant see a reason why it was their fault.

He said: Im not claiming for losing my job, Im claiming for loss of access to employment after I lost my job. They really think either people cant read or we are stupid. Im fed up with the behaviour because they know exactly what theyre doing.

He said he is determined to fight for what he is entitled to and insisted anyone using the scheme needs the support of a legal professional.

He said: They keep on saying people do not need a lawyer to do this (but) people need a lawyer.

Mr Maynard, who lives in Hackney, north London, and now works as a part-time handyman while he is a full-time carer for his eight-year-old daughter, said he feels celebrations being held this year to mark the Windrush 75th anniversary are only happening because of the misery that has been caused to people.

He said: This celebration has only come because of misery to people. They (the Government) are only starting to recognise it because they have done lots of bad and theyre trying to make it right.

Human rights charity Praxis, which has helped Mr Maynard and others, said the compensation scheme only adds serious insult to serious injury for victims of the scandal, and called on it to be made independent from the Home Office.

Praxis chief executive Sally Daghlian said: Perhaps unsurprisingly, the department that shredded thousands of lives is now failing at compensating its victims for the hardship they had to endure.

The compensation scheme should be removed from the hands of the Home Office and managed by an independent body working closely with the communities affected, providing a simplified and speedy process with expert, independent representation available for claimants.

Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie, who has helped people claim compensation through the scheme, said people dont have faith in the system due to their poor experiences with the Home Office.

She said: Theyre saying were being re-traumatised, the process of actually making a claim is re-traumatising us.

The Home Office said it continues to listen and respond to feedback to ensure the scheme is operating effectively for all.

A spokesperson said: We continue to make improvements so people receive the maximum award as quickly as possible.

This includes establishing a review process for those dissatisfied with their compensation offer.

However, we know there is more to do, and will work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated.
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Compensation to victims of the Windrush scandal has hit almost 63 million, but calls remain to make the scheme independent of the Home Office due to a lack of faith in the system.

The latest Government figures for May  published a day ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush ships arrival at Tilbury docks  show hundreds of people had been in the system awaiting a claim outcome for at least a year.

The scheme, set up after the Windrush scandal which erupted in 2018 and saw people with a right to live in the UK lose access to work and face wrongful detention or deportation, has faced criticism for being slow and inefficient.

As of last month, 75 million had been offered, with 62.7 million of that paid out.

The Home Office has said it remains absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of the Windrush scandal but recognised there is more to do when it comes to the compensation scheme.

Analysis by the PA news agency of the most up-to-date figures published on Wednesday shows that of the 2,138 claims in progress as of May, 302 (14%) had been in the system for at least 12 months, including 154 for more than 18 months.

A year earlier in May 2022, a lower number of claims were in progress  1,953  but a higher number had been in the system for 12 months and over: 592, or 30% of the total.

Over the same period, the proportion of claims in the system for just one to three months has gone up, from 20% in May 2022 to 32% in May this year.

The May 2023 figures are an improvement on April, when 347 (16%) of claims had been in the system for at least 12 months, including 162 for more than 18 months.

We know there is more to do, and will work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated Home Office

A Home Office spokesperson said: We continue to make improvements so people receive the maximum award as quickly as possible.

This includes establishing a review process for those dissatisfied with their compensation offer. However, we know there is more to do, and will work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated.

Thursday will see celebrations held across Britain to mark the 75th anniversary, including a commemorative service at Londons Southwark Cathedral, and the Windrush flag being raised in locations including the Houses of Parliament and the Home Office.

The HMT Empire Windrush first docked in England on June 22 1948 at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing people from the Caribbean who answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

The scandal, which came to light in 2018, saw many British citizens, mostly from the Caribbean, denied access to healthcare and benefits and threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in the UK.

A lawyer who has met hundreds of people needing help with their claims has accused the Home Office of institutional racism, saying she believed no other group of people in society would be treated this callously.

Jacqueline McKenzie, partner at the law firm Leigh Day, said they had had clients who were initially rejected for any compensation who were then offered tens of thousands when their case was reviewed in what she said is evidence of poor case-working.

The Windrush Compensation Scheme is available to people of all ages and nationalities including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who have suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK.

Leading Windrush campaigner Patrick Vernon has voiced his concerns that the compensation scheme will be wound up entirely in the next year.

The Home Office is not the right department, they are the perpetrators, Patrick Vernon

This week it was also reported that the Home Office unit set up with responsibility for reforming the department in the wake of the scandal is to be disbanded.

The Home Office has said the Government is honouring its Windrush commitments and providing support to those affected every day, adding that the compensation scheme will stay open as long as needed.

Mr Vernon said that while some people have received decent compensation, many dont trust the Home Office.

He told PA: The Home Office is not the right department, they are the perpetrators, it should be independent.

Black Equity Organisation chief executive Dr Wanda Wyporska said: The best thing the Government can do to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush is to hand the administration of the compensation scheme to an independent body focussed on putting victims first.
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Witnesses have described a pickaxe-wielding attacker going on a rampage at a hospital, leaving two people injured.

Gareth Browne, a steeplejack contracted to repair the chimney at Central Middlesex Hospital, in north-west London, said he saw the alleged attacker chase two men who managed to escape on Wednesday.

He then screamed at Mr Browne, get out of my f****** way  this is none of your business, before running into the hospital.

Armed police were called to the site just before 1.20pm after two people were attacked, one of whom suffered life-threatening injuries.

The suspect himself also had life-threatening wounds that police believe were self-inflicted.

Mr Browne said: He came out of the side of the building waving a pickaxe, chasing two lads about.

I approached him and asked if hes OK and he said get out of my f****** way  its none of your business.

So I stepped out of his way and he went back into the hospital waving that pickaxe around.

Another maintenance boy came along and said hes just stabbed somebody  get away from this place.

He was just going on a mad rampage.

Visitors and patients at the hospital were temporarily locked down as police scoured the building, eventually arresting a man outside.

The attack is not being treated as terror-related, and officers are not looking for any other suspects.

Police will remain at the hospital as an investigation is carried out.

Amie Ferris-Rotman, who was visiting the hospital dialysis unit with her father, told Sky News that police checked the area where they were before locking them in a nurses room for about 45 minutes.

She said: All the dialysis patients were quite freaked out.

And at one point those who were about to go on to dialysis were put on wheelchairs and brought into a room, which is where we were as well, and they were locked in.

The hospital reopened at about 4pm, with services running as normal.
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The Irish government has a moral and legal obligation to take an interstate case against the UK if the Westminster governments controversial legacy Bill becomes law, a protest has heard.

Mark Thompson, CEO of Relatives For Justice, addressed families of those killed during the Troubles, who gathered with signs and pictures of their loved ones outside the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast.

What we want the Irish government to do is to take an interstate case against the UK to Strasbourg, he said.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

It would also halt future civil cases and inquests relating to the conflict.

Strasbourg is the home of the international court of the Council of Europe, which interprets the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

States can lodge applications against each other in the European Court of Human Rights under article 33 of the ECHR.

In the Dail on Wednesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the government would give consideration to whether an interstate case is appropriate.

Speaking at the protest on Wednesday, Mr Thompson said the Irish government had a moral and legal obligation to take the case under the Good Friday Agreement.

We are now saying to the Irish government, to Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin, the diplomatic channels have not worked. You need to set out now the mechanism by which and how you will take the case to Strasbourg, he said.

You need to do it. This society needs you to do it. All victims of all persuasions are opposed to this. You will be taking in the interests of every single victim across these islands, and throughout this entire jurisdiction you will be taking that.

You have a moral and legal duty to do that under the Good Friday Agreement as well.

This Bill not only flouts international law, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act, it also flouts the Good Friday Agreement itself because the Human Rights Act is an essential component of that agreement.

He added: Were speaking up and with one voice. Were asking the Irish government: do the right thing. Go and take the case on behalf of every single victim. You have a duty to do it.

Previous interstate cases have been taken in relation to the Troubles. For example Ireland took an interstate case against the UK in relation to interrogation techniques used in Northern Ireland from 1971 to 1975.

The legacy Bill has been opposed by victims groups and all Stormont parties, as well as the Irish government.

The Bill is currently in the report stage in the House of Lords.

Mr Thompson said the legacy legislation denied bereaved families the right to an investigation.

So just to make it clear, this Bill is anti-rule of law, anti-victim, anti-Good Friday Agreement, anti-international human rights law, he said.

It denies the right to a basic investigation and truth and accountability.

Thats all that families have been wanting for decades since their loved ones were killed, and their tenacity and never-giving-up spirit to go on is amplified again and again and again.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly attended the protest on Wednesday.

The families here will never give up, they will keep fighting on in the courts, but also its up to the Irish government, to take on their behalf  theyre Irish citizens  to take on their behalf an interstate case to the British government to try and destroy this, he said.
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Two people have been stabbed at a hospital, with one man critically injured.

A man was arrested outside Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London with life-threatening injuries which are believed to be self-inflicted, the Metropolitan Police said.

Armed police were called to the scene at 1.18pm on Wednesday and the hospital was locked down temporarily.

Officers found two people with stab injuries.

The first person has injuries that are being treated as life-threatening but the second victims injuries are not.

The force said the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: Officers will remain in the hospital as further searches are conducted but at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought.

Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

The hospital was temporarily locked down but has now reopened and will be operating services as normal. There is a heightened police presence at the hospital while we investigate.

Amie Ferris-Rotman, who was visiting the hospital dialysis unit with her father, told Sky News that police checked the area where they were before locking them in a nurses room for about 45 minutes.

She said: All the dialysis patients were quite freaked out.

And at one point those who were about to go on to dialysis were put on wheelchairs and brought into a room, which is where we were as well, and they were locked in.

The trust which runs the hospital said it has reopened and services will continue as normal.

A spokesman for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust said: We can confirm an incident took place at Central Middlesex Hospital this afternoon.

Police are on site and the hospital was temporarily locked down for a short period of time as a precautionary measure.

Working closely with the Metropolitan Police, we have now reopened the hospital and services will continue as normal.
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The UK could be in favour of offering Ukraine a shorter route to Nato accession, the Foreign Secretary indicated.

James Cleverly said during a conference on Ukrainian reconstruction the UK would be very supportive if it was decided Kyiv did not need to go through the membership action plan stage of the process to join Nato.

We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve incredibly quickly, he told a press conference during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

Jens Stoltenberg, at the Nato informal foreign ministers (summit), said that actually, many of the requirements of membership action plan are actually being delivered.

Ukrainians have demonstrated their commitment to reform the military for requirement of Nato membership through their actions on the battlefield James Cleverly, Foreign Secretary

The reform of their armed forces is happening whilst engaged in conflict.

I think the UKs position would be very, very supportive if we moved on from the membership action plan, recognising that the offer to both Sweden and Finland didnt require that and Ukrainians have demonstrated their commitment to reform the military for requirement of Nato membership through their actions on the battlefield.

And I think all Nato allies recognise that.

Ukraine has long pushed for both Nato and EU membership as it continues to battle Vladimir Putins forces, but western capitals have differing views on the possibility and timeline for Ukraine to join both groups.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who addressed the conference via videolink, had earlier urged western leaders to have the courage to acknowledge that his country is already a key part of their economic and defence alliances.

We are only waiting for the courage of the alliance leaders to recognise this reality, politically.

The comments by Mr Cleverly come ahead of a major Nato summit in Lithuania later this summer, in which a compromise on Ukrainians route to membership is expected to be brokered.

Nato agreed in 2008 that Ukraine would join the organisation one day, but did not set a date for it to start membership talks.

As the war continued, Ukraine applied for accelerated accession to Nato on September 30.

The Map stage is designed to help countries prepare for accession, but it is unclear whether other Nato members would back Ukrainian skipping such a process.
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Irish premier Leo Varadkar has restated that Ireland will consider taking an interstate case if the UK governments controversial legacy Bill is passed.

The legacy Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.

Victims groups, human rights experts, Amnesty International and all political parties in Northern Ireland are opposed to the Bill.

The Bill has not yet been enacted, and certainly if it is enacted, if it does become law, we will then at that point give consideration to whether an interstate case is appropriate, so we certainly don't rule that out Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

The legislation is set to return to the House of Lords on Wednesday.

Raising the issue in the Dail, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that if it passed the Lords stage, it would definitively shut the door on families efforts to achieve truth and justice through the courts, and it will of course give an amnesty to those responsible for their deaths.

Asked what action Ireland intended to take, the Taoiseach responded: The Bill has not yet been enacted, and certainly if it is enacted, if it does become law, we will then at that point give consideration to whether an interstate case is appropriate, so we certainly dont rule that out.

But I would encourage everyone to play their part when it comes to legacy issues, we all have a role to play.

We're very much against this legacy Bill and I've made that very clear to the Prime Minister, as has the Tanaiste (Micheal Martin) with his counterparts. It's been discussed with the US president, and is discussed at European level as well Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

He told TDs: I just want to reiterate and restate the governments opposition to this legacy Bill.

We think its entirely the wrong approach to give former army servicemen, former IRA and paramilitary terrorists immunity from prosecution.

We owe it to the victims to make sure that we all do everything we can to make sure that any information that can be given to the police is given to the police and that those people are prosecuted if at all possible.

And thats why were very much against this legacy Bill and Ive made that very clear to the Prime Minister, as has the Tanaiste (Micheal Martin) with his counterparts.

Its been discussed with the US president, and is discussed at European level as well.
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People across the UK have gathered to celebrate this years Summer Solstice  the longest day and shortest night of the year.

Members of the Happy Seal Yoga class in Scarborough marked the occasion by stretching out and going for a swim as the sun rose in the North Yorkshire resorts Cayton Bay.

In Wiltshire, crowds converged on Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain before dawn.

Others took a ride on the London Eye to get the best view of the sunrise.
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A day of reflection event for family and friends of those killed in Northern Irelands Troubles has heard a message of hope.

Operation Kenova chief Jon Boutcher and scores of people who lost loved ones attended the gathering at the Wave Trauma Centre on the longest day of the year.

Mr Boutcher, a former chief constable of Bedfordshire Police, has been working with a team of detectives for seven years investigating a series of Troubles crimes, including 200 murders as well as incidents of torture and kidnap.

During an event which included music from Waves Towards Inclusion choir, Dympna Kerr whose brother Columba McVeigh, a teenager from Co Tyrone, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975, spoke about hope.

She was speaking after a visit to Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan where the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) is continuing the search for her brother.

For a long time all I could do was think about Columba, pray for him privately, now I can speak his name very loudly and am proud to say his name. His name is Columba McVeigh and I have words, she said.

Im going to keep his name alive, and out there and fresh, and its going to be at the forefront of as many peoples minds as I can get it into. All we want is for Columbas remains to be found, to bring them to our home in Donaghmore, take them into that church and then take them up to that cemetery and put him in the grave beside our mum and dad. I want Columba home.

She added: If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope. Let it be hope that better things are ahead, let it be hope that we can get through even the toughest of times.

If you dont have hope, you have nothing.

Columba disappeared 47 years, seven months and 20 days ago, and I still have hope. I went to the site yesterday (Tuesday), its dismal but the team are up there, and theyre wonderful people. I still have hope that they are going to find him there.

Its the hope that motivates me to still campaign and lobby, and every chance I get I will take it.

Hope is what unites us in this place. Columbas name will never be dead as long as I have hope.

Michael McConville, the son of Jean McConville who was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1972 and whose remains were not found and recovered until 2003, spoke about his journey to forgiveness.

He described the 50-day search for her remains as very hard, with every day getting harder as they slowly covered the beach, but that he decided he had to forgive her killers.

It was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life, but not forgiving these people was ruining my life, it was turning me into a person that I wasnt, he said.

After I forgave them, my life just turned right round. People ask me why I forgave them, I didnt forgive these people for them, I forgave them for me. I wasnt in a good place at the time and I wanted to leave that place.

Forgiving people is not for everybody, but it was good for me.

The event also heard from Gerry Armstrong, whose brother Paul was murdered in 1974, who read from his forthcoming book A Young Life Stolen, and Linda Molloy, whose 18-year-old son John was murdered in a sectarian attack in 1996, read from a collection of her poetry.

Dr Sandra Peake, CEO of Wave, said Ms Kerr spoke about hope in particularly poignant personal circumstances while the UK Government through its legacy Bill is intent on removing hope from countless other victims.

Hope that one day, however slim the chances are, that someone will be held to account for their loved ones murder, she said.

Hope that they will get the kind of information that Operation Kenova is providing but which the Government wants to limit by their own test of reasonableness.

Hope that there would be recognition that what happened to their loved one mattered while the Government is telling them that it is no longer of any interest to the state.

And the Government says it is doing this to victims and survivors in the name of reconciliation.

Shame on them.
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David Camerons wife Samantha convinced him to press ahead with legalising same-sex marriage, the former prime minister has revealed.

Despite internal opposition from some within the Conservative Party, Mr Cameron said he kept on pushing for change following long conversations with his spouse.

Writing exclusively for The Independent to mark Pride Month, he recalled the fierce opposition he faced from hostile MPs, sections of the press and the church.

It was only through long conversations with colleagues, friends and my wife, Samantha, that I became convinced that denying gay couples the ability to get married made them feel like their love for one another counted for less than straight couples, he wrote.

Mr Cameron said he could always see the practical arguments in favour of gay marriage (Getty)

It wasnt just about symbolism  they wanted to show commitment to one another in the same way as heterosexual couples.

It mattered to them, and it should therefore matter to us as a society.

Mr Cameron, who had something of a converts zeal myself wrote that he could always see the practical arguments in favour of gay people being allowed to get married.

The ex-PM, who quit politics after losing the EU referendum in 2016, also described attending his first gay wedding after the law came into effect.

What made this wedding different to so many I had attended before, though, was that the happy couple, a minister from my government and his long-standing partner, were to be pronounced husband and husband, he said.

Ill never forget the laughter and the tears  mine included  as they exchanged their vows and began their new life together.

Mr Camerons coalition government ultimately passed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill with a large majority in 2013.

It became law the following year, allowing same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies and in religious ceremonies where the church has opted in.

The Church of England and the Catholic church still do not recognise same-sex marriages, although the former recently said it would permit ministers to bless civil marriages.

Pride 2023 marks 20 years since Section 28, the law that banned the promotion of homosexuality in the UK, was repealed.

Pride Month started on 1 June and the main event in London, expected to attract more than a million visitors, takes place on 1 July and will feature parades, parties and protests.
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Labour peer Peter Mandelsons particularly close relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has been detailed in a shock report by JPMorgan Chase.

The dossier laid bare the senior political figures ties to the late paedophile  who was close enough to the former Labour cabinet minister to call him Petie.

The report also suggests that Lord Mandelson stayed at Epsteins New York home in June 2009  when he was still Gordon Browns business secretary and the financier was serving 18 months in prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

The internal JPMorgan Chase Project Jeep report from 2019, first reported on by the Financial Times, was filed to a New York court this week as part of the banks tentative settlement deal with some of Epsteins victims.

It found that Jeffrey Epstein appears to maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British government.

In the emails reported by the FT, Epstein wrote to JPMorgan executive and Epstein associate Jes Staley while in prison to tell him that Peter will be staying at 71st over weekend, do you want to organize.

It is not clear when Mandelson was introduced to Epstein, though a 2002 New York Magazine said he had a dinner party at Epsteins Manhattan home. A photo of Mandelson and Epstein celebrating a birthday at Epsteins Paris home in 2007 emerged last year.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mandelson, and his spokesman said he very much regrets the connection with Epstein.

Peter Mandelson very much regrets Epstein ties (AFP via Getty Images)

Epsteins connection to Mandelson appears to have continued during his time back in government and after Labour lost the 2010 general election.

The disgraced financier is said to have written to Mr Staley only days after Lord Mandelson returned to the Labour government as business secretary and first secretary of state in 2008.

Epstein reportedly wrote to the associate, who was then his personal banker at JPMorgan: Well for all intends [sic] and purposes peter mandelson is now deputy prime minister.

The emails also show that in January 2010  only months after Epstein was released from prison  he set up a meeting between Lord Mandelson and Mr Staley at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Jeffrey Epstein referred to Mandelson as Petie (AP)

The emails in JPMorgans report also show Epstein saying Petie was with him in Paris on two occasions after Mandelson left office, in November 2010 and January 2011.

A spokesman for the Labour peer would not confirm or deny that he stayed at Epsteins homes in New York and Paris.

Lord Mandelsons said: Lord Mandelson very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein. This connection has been a matter of public record for some time. He never had any kind of professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form.

On Monday it was announced that JPMorgan Chase reached a tentative settlement with some of Epsteins victims, following a slew of embarrassing revelations about his ties to the bank and its executives.

The agreement was in the best interests of all parties, especially the survivors who were the victims of Epsteins terrible abuse, according to the joint statement.

In November, an unidentified woman filed a lawsuit against Americas largest bank on behalf of multiple victims who were sexually abused by wealthy financier Epstein over a 15-year period.

It alleged that JPMorgan ignored repeated warning signs that Epstein was sex trafficking teenagers and young women and continued to do business with him even after he was convicted of procuring an underage girl for prostitution in 2008.

JPMorgan Chase declined to comment on its internal report on Epstein.
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Sir Keir Starmer is said to be drawing up plans to appoint dozens of Labour peers to the House of Lords to stop his agenda for government being frustrated by the upper chamber.

The Labour leader has vowed to scrap the current make-up of the Lords and replace it with an elected chamber of nations and regions.

But Mr Starmer will have to appoint a raft of peers if he wins power to stop a Labour government getting bogged down in rows on legislation, according to party sources.

Labour is likely to try to appoint working-age peers keen to take an active role in legislation and help level the playing field, The Times reported.

There would be lots of opportunities for a Conservative opposition with a bigger, younger group of peers to make life difficult for us in the Lords while respecting convention, one source told the newspaper.

A shadow cabinet member, not named, added: We will need to appoint dozens of them, at least. The current cohort arent getting any younger, and theres so few of them doing the actual work that they are increasingly knackered.

Labour frontbencher Jim McMahon appeared to confirm the plans on Wednesday as he defended the partys right to appoint peers if it wins the general election.

Mr McMahon told Sky News that the ambition to replace the Lords remained  but added: Of course we need to make sure we have an allocation on the Lords, any government would have to do that. On day one [of a Labour government], you are going to have a functioning House of Lords.

Insisting that not everyone in the House of Lords is mired in scandal. he added: You cannot compare Boriss Johnsons disgraced resignation honours lists with the legitimate business of passing legislation in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Boris Johnsons resignation honours continues to cause controversy (PA Wire)

There are growing concerns about the size of the upper chamber, with its 779-member ranks set to be swelled by Boris Johnsons controversial resignation honours list. There are 174 Labour figures in the Lords, compared to 263 Tory peers.

Tony Blair named 36 new Labour peers when he won power in 1997, while David Cameron put 47 Tories in the Lords after winning the 2010 election. Conservative numbers have ballooned since then.

Angela Smith, Labour leader of Lords, denied that it was contradictory to appoint yet more peers while promising to scrap the unelected chamber  arguing that it was necessary to rebalance the numbers.

Baroness Smith told Times Radio: Theres 90 more Conservatives than Labour. The priority for Keir will be ensuring he gets the Labour programme through.

The Labour leader of the Lords said the current number of peers was ridiculous and said the party wanted bring in reform to reduce the overall number in the revising chamber so it is smaller than the House of Commons.

But on the potential peerages ahead, Baroness Smith said: Hes looking for people who are interested in doing a job of work, or from a particular area of expertise. When we see appointments from Keir, that is the kind of criteria he will be using.

Sir Keir said in December that a Labour government would aim to abolish the indefensible House of Lords as quickly as possible.

The proposal for an elected assembly of nations and regions was part of Labours blueprint for a New Britain, outlined in the report of its commission on the UKs future headed by ex-premier Gordon Brown.
Keir Starmer is reportedly ready to stuff the House of Lords with sufficient nominees to ensure a future Labour government would be able to carry out its mandate and legislate as required. The Labour leader has also promised that radical reform of the upper house will be in the party manifesto at the next election.

He proposes to replace the current hybrid system of appointed and hereditary peers with a fully elected version, with representation from the nations and regions of the UK. Starmer is also unhappy with the current system of nominations for life peerages, and in particular with Boris Johnsons controversial resignation honours nominations and, in prospect, a similarly problematic selection from Liz Truss.

Whats the balance of power in the Lords now?
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Rishi Sunak has finally given his verdict on Boris Johnsons Partygate lies, saying it is right the disgraced former prime ministerhas been held to account.

In a final humiliation on Monday MPs backed a damning report which found Mr Johnson had lied to Parliament over and over again - stripping him of his Westminster pass.

But Mr Sunak missed the vote citing a prior engagement.

He faced accusations he was "too weak" to stand up to his predecessor and his "sycophants" within their fractious party.

Since them No 10 has refused to be drawn on the prime ministers personal view or how he would have voted.

After he was asked about Mr Johnson at PMQs, the Prime Minister's press secretary said: "He respects the view of the House that was taken on Monday and it's right that members (of Parliament), whoever they are and whatever position they have held, are held to account for their actions."

She would not set out whether or not he agreed with the committee's report, however, saying he "respects" the view of the House.

Mr Johnson dodged the recommended 90-day suspension by quitting his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat.

In the end 354 MPs backed the Partygate report, while just seven voted against it - a majority of 347.

Tory MPs who supported Mr Johnson included Sir Bill Cash, Nick Fletcher, Adam Holloway, Karl McCartney, Joy Morrissey and Heather Wheeler.

Mr Sunak was accused of "running scared" of the showdown in parliament on Mr Johnson, with No 10 claiming he had been too busy hosting the Swedish prime minister to attend.

The PM said at the weekend that he did not want to "influence anyone" when pressed on how he would vote on the report, which found Mr Johnson lied to parliament and undermined the committee's work with personal attacks.

One former prime minister, Theresa May, did turn up to condemn Mr Johnson - arguing that her successor had been "found wanting" and urging all Tory MPs to back the report to help "restore faith in our parliamentary democracy."
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There is now a race against time to find the deep-sea vessel that went missing on Sunday while on a trip down to the Titanic wreckage off the coast of Canada.

The submersible, named Titan, lost communication with tour operators about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, and the US Coastguard predicts the vessel will run out of breathable air around 10am GMT on Thursday.

Heres what we know so far:

 Where are rescue teams searching?

Titan is believed to be around 900 miles east and 400 miles south of Newfoundland. It is unknown how deep the vessel is, with the seabed being around 3,800m from the surface.

Who is involved in the search operation and what equipment are they using?

The US Coast Guard confirmed three boats have arrived at the area where banging has been heard by a Canadian P-3 aircraft early on Wednesday.

The John Cabot, Atlantic Merlin and Skandi Vinland were the first to arrive with the following vessels also in the area:

 Canadian CGS Ann Harvey Canadian CGS Terry Fox Motor Vessel Horizon Arctic French Research Vessel LAtalante (ROV) His Majestys Canadian Ship Glace Bay (a mobile decompression chamber and medical personnel)

The Explorers Club said it was ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000m.

Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard told BBC News there is a number of plans should they find Titan, with a range of equipment ready.

He said: While our unified command is fully focused on the search we have experts that are working those different scenarios and we have mobilised gear on site, we have lift capabilities on the vessels that are on site now we have additional lift capability coming in.

The (US) Navy has mobilised a submerged object recovery system that they have and the Canadian armed forces have mobilised a recompression chamber with medical support.

Were preparing for contingencies while remaining laser-focused on the search for the submersible and those people.

 What is the scale of the search?

The search area has been compared to the size of Wales, with Dik Barton, the first British man to visit the Titanic wreckage, telling the PA news agency the scale is huge.

We can work out roughly the trajectory of the submersible from the point of release.

We know what the tides are doing, what the waters like, the water column and how it behaves, we relatively know well how the local tides and currents work.

But when this is released and out of communication one hour and 45 minutes later thats going to put it about the 2,000 metre to 25,000 metre mark, and after that who knows?

What happens is the vessel goes into a controlled descent.

If theyve lost communications that means theyve probably lost power of some sort and as a consequence of that youve lost control. Its conjecture and you have to be positive and optimistic about these things.

He added: Youre working in the dark and an environment which is so restricted because of the size and direction, you literally have no idea where you want to go.

 Who is onboard Titan?

Titan is carrying five people, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding.

The others are UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, OceanGates chief executive and founder Stockton Rush and, reportedly, French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

 How long is left to find Titan?

Rear Admiral Mauger estimated earlier on Wednesday there could be only 20 hours of oxygen left inside Titan.

He said: Based on information that the operator provided, they indicated that they have an emergency life-support system onboard to provide oxygen for approximately 96 hours.

I understand that is a difficult calculation to predict because it depends on the number of occupants and their consumption but we are looking at a period of time of about 20 hours from now into tomorrow morning that we may be at the end of the 96-hour window.

He said the prediction was breathable air could last to around 10am GMT.

 What other factors could harm the crew?

Former Royal Navy submarine captain Ryan Ramsey said one problem may also be the levels of carbon dioxide onboard.

He said: For this particular mission, if theyre on the seabed at the moment theyre 4,000m down. The water temperature for down there is about 0C, theyve got no electricity so theyre not generating any power which means they cant generate heat.

Thats the first element, theyre dealing with the cold, if theyre still there theyve been there for three days. The second challenge is air.

Everybody keeps talking about oxygen and how theres only 20 hours left, maybe they could extend that by slowing down breathing rates but that becomes really difficult considering the stress they will be under in this particularly horrific situation.

Then the third one, which hasnt really been talked about, is carbon dioxide. Obviously, when you breathe out you breathe out carbon dioxide and there is nowhere for that carbon dioxide to go.

When I looked on YouTube at the inside of the Titan there didnt appear to be any form of carbon dioxide removal system, what are called scrubbers.

That for me is the greatest problem of all of them.

 How likely is it Titan can be found before the breathable air runs out?

Mr Ramsey claims it is unlikely the submersible will be found inside the time frame but remains hopeful.

He said: I would really like to be proven completely wrong and they turn up on the surface, in the next few hours, theyre located, and everything ends well.

But I think you have to be realistic, and the odds are against them in every single way possible.

We may never know the outcome of this because they never detect it and so we have to make the assumption that this is not going to end as well as we would like.
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A senior Scottish Labour councillor has resigned from the party as he condemned Sir Keir Starmers brutal putdown of the oil and gas industry.

Barney Crockett had two spells as his local party leader and served as Aberdeen City Council leader between 2012 and 2014.

However veteran councillor confirmed to Aberdeen and Grampians Chamber of Commerce that he could not support Labours decision to ban new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.

Mr Crockett said Sir Keirs plans, which were announced in Edinburgh on Monday, were made without any consultation with local party members.

I have been left stunned and bemused by the events of the last few weeks Barney Crockett

In what he described as the final straw, Mr Crockett went on to say: I have been left stunned and bemused by the events of the last few weeks.

The Labour leadership has made crucial decisions about the future of the UK, decisions focused on this area, without contacting anyone from this area or from the local Labour party.

He added: Margaret Thatcher never delivered a more brutal putdown of an industry than that delivered by Keir Starmer in Edinburgh.

Moreover, he avoided answering any direct questions about Aberdeen. Rather, he deflected to Anas Sarwar who made no specific response about the city.

The Labour plans have sparked anger from trade union backers amid fears of job losses  however, Sir Keir insisted failing to progress with the clean energy transition would represent a missed opportunity for British workers.

He set out the partys green energy plans which included proposals to cut bills and create jobs  promising 50,000 jobs in Scotland alone.

Sir Keir also confirmed the partys proposed public body GB Energy would be based in Scotland.

But Mr Crockett, who represents the Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone constituency, he had to quit the party to speak out against the proposals.

This was not done at all lightly, he said. It had nothing to do with friends and close colleagues in the Labour group.

No-one has greater respect than I for all of what Labour has achieved for this city over the last 130 years.

However, I felt I could not in all conscience say what I believe about the wider situation whilst remaining in the group.

The area needs to fight with vigour to have some control of its own destiny.

In response to Mr Crocketts resignation, net zero spokeswoman for Scottish Labour Sarah Boyack said: Oil and gas will continue to play a vital part in the UKs energy industry for decades to come.

Labours transformational energy plans will make Scotland a world-leader in clean energy and will deliver jobs and prosperity to Scotland  including the North East.

Scottish Tory North East MSP Douglas Lumsden said the resignation was a devastating verdict of Sir Keirs reckless and economically illiterate plans to decimate the North Sea oil and gas industry.

He added: It beggars belief that the UK Labour leader has pressed ahead with his plans that would throw tens of thousands of North East workers under a bus.

That sums up why Keir Starmer was in hiding earlier this week and outlined his plans to betray the North East in Edinburgh rather than Aberdeen.

When senior figures in his own party like Barney Crockett are leaving Labour because of how much damage their plans would do to the North East, Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar should pay attention.
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A British billionaire who died on board the missing Titanic tourist submarine wrote a last post warning about temperamental weather conditions ahead of the mission.

Billionaire Hamish Harding, who has previously travelled on the Challenger Deep to the bottom of the ocean and on Jeff Bezos Blue Origin into space, posted on Instagram on Sunday to announce he was joining OceanGate Expeditions for their Titanic mission.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here.

That was the last time he posted before news broke that the submersible is missing somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.

He, along with OceanGate Expeditions founder and CEO Stockton Rush, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, have now been confirmed dead after the submarine suffered a catastrophic explosion.

In his eerie last post before the mission, Mr Harding said it would be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023.

The British aviator said this was because of the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years but the opening of a weather window led to the mission attempting a dive on Monday.

Hamish Harding is feared missing on board the Titanic tourist submarine (Facebook/Hamish Harding)

He signed off by saying: More expedition updates to follow IF the weather holds!

His stepson, Brian Szasz, confirmed his stepfather was on board the vessel when it went missing.

Hamish Harding, my step father, has gone missing on submarine. Thoughts and prayers, he wrote on Facebook, sharing family photos and articles.

Thoughts and prayers for my Mom and Hamish Harding, he added.

In a follow-up post, he added: Thoughts and prayers for my stepfather Hamish Harding as his submarine has gone missing exploring Titanic. Search and rescue mission is underway.

British billionaire Hamish Harding posted on social media of his excitement at visiting the Titanic wreckage (Action Aviation Chairman)

In a statement shortly after the rescue mission was launched, a spokesperson for the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are in contact with the family of a British man following reports of a missing submarine off the coast of North America.
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The South Carolina judge who presided over the trial of Alex Murdaugh earlier this year admitted he felt bad for the disgraced lawyer and convicted murderer.

Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Murdaugh to life in prison for killing his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, by brutally shooting the pair of the at the family home in June 2021.

In a trial that gripped the nation, Murdaugh was incriminated by multiple pieces of evidence including a video shot by Paul moments before his own murder that placed his father at the scene.

Murdaugh took the rare step of testifying in his own defence and found himself caught in a lie on the witness stand in a moment that many observers believe sealed his fate.

Speaking for the first time since the trial, Judge Newman told Craig Melvin of NBCs Today show: I felt sorry for him.

I felt that he was just in a position where he could not, where if theres a hole that he could go into, he would dive in that hole and keep going to the lowest depths, he continued.

Judge Newman said in retrospect he should not have been surprised by the attention the murder trial received given that it also included allegations of stealing millions of dollars from clients, drug addiction, and the high-profile nature of the family.

Murdaugh had originally claimed that he had come home to find his wife and son shot to death by the dog kennels at the rural South Carolina property.

Prosecutors unpicked almost every detail of his story from the 911 call onwards as Murdaughs web of lies and attempted coverup was laid out before the jury.

These ranged from an oddly-timed visit to his mother to his pristinely clean clothes, despite saying he had checked both bodies, all the way through to a botched alleged suicide attempt that he first claimed was an attempt on his life.

The jury returned a guilty verdict in less than three hours  something that did not surprise Judge Newman given the amount of time the jury had spent listening to the evidence.

Recalling the judges powerful sentencing statement, Melvin asked if he felt Murdaugh would be haunted by his wife and son.

I think so. I cannot imagine him having a peaceful night, knowing what he did, he said.

He further told Melvin that he believed that if Murdaugh had an opportunity to do it over again, hed never do it.

Murdaugh faces approximately 100 more state charges as well as several federal charges, covering alleged money laundering, insurance fraud, and drug trafficking.

He maintains that he did not kill Maggie and Paul.
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DNA from the cheek swab of the man charged with the slaying of four Idaho university students last year has been found to be a statistical match to that found on the knife sheath at the crime scene, according to a new court filing.

Bryan Kohberger, 28, is charged with killing Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Maddie Mogen, 21, in the early hours of 13 November 2022.

A new court filing by Latah County prosecutors revealed the details to the public for the first time, shedding light on the investigative methods used by the FBI to zero in on the prime suspect in the case.

A police affidavit previously connected Mr Kohbergers DNA with the DNA found on the knife sheath retrieved from the scene of the crime.

It has been revealed that a short tandem repeat (STR) was developed using the evidence found on the knife sheath. The process involved looking at 20 regions within human DNA, allowing law enforcement to make a direct comparison between two STR DNA profiles.

A traditional STR DNA comparison was done between the STR profile found on the Ka-Bar knife sheath and Defendants DNA. The comparison showed a statistical match, the court filing said.

The new filing said that a matching STR profile makes it more likely that the suspect is connected to the crime weapon.

The STR profile is at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if the defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source, the filing stated.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court on 22 May (@Daily News)

Additionally, the documents provide details of a protective order sealing the development of the DNA profile and all associated documentation concerning the construction of the genealogical family tree.

It added that the sheath was found partially under Madisons body and the comforter on the bed.

Investigators were able to trace the DNA evidence to Mr Kohberger by matching it to DNA found on trash recovered from his family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

The 28-year-old criminology PhD student faces life in prison or the death penalty if found guilty.

Mr Kohberger is being held in the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, on four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge. He is set to go on trial on 2 October.
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A California man who drove a stun gun into a police officer's neck during one of the most violent clashes of the US Capitol riot was sentenced on Wednesday to more than 12 years in prison.

Daniel D.J. Rodriguez yelled, Trump won! as he was led out of the courtroom where US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced him to 12 years and seven months behind bars for his role in the Jan 6, 2021, attack. Only two other Jan 6 defendants have received longer prison terms so far after hundreds of sentencings for Capitol riot cases.

The judge said Rodriguez, 40, was a one-man army of hate, attacking police and destroying property at the Capitol.

You showed up in (Washington) D.C. spoiling for a fight, Jackson said. You can't blame what you did once you got there on anyone but yourself.

Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone 's body camera captured him screaming out in pain after Rodriguez shocked him with a stun gun while he was surrounded by a mob.

Another rioter had dragged Fanone into the crowd outside a tunnel on the Capitol's Lower West Terrace, where a line of police officers was guarding an entrance to the building. Other rioters began beating Fanone, who lost consciousness and suffered a heart attack after Rodriguez pressed the stun gun against his neck and repeatedly shocked him.

Fanone addressed the judge before she imposed the sentence. The former officer described how the Jan 6 attack prematurely ended his law-enforcement career and turned him into a target for Donald Trump supporters who cling to the lie that Democrats stole the 2020 election from the Republican incumbent.

Fanone left the courtroom in the middle of Rodriguez's statement to the judge. He didn't miss an apology from Rodriguez, who has been jailed for more than two years and will get credit for that time already served.

I'm hopeful that Michael Fanone will be okay some day, Rodriguez said. It sounds like he's in a great deal of pain.

Fanone said he left the courtroom because he didn't care to hear his assailant's rambling, incoherent statement.

Nothing he could have said to me today would have made any difference whatsoever, he said.

Prosecutors recommended a 14-year prison sentence for Rodriguez, who pleaded guilty in February to charges including assaulting Fanone. They also sought a fine of nearly $100,000 to offset the cost of Fanones medical bills and medical leave.

Fanones injuries ultimately ended his career in law enforcement. He has written a book about his Jan 6 experience and testified in front of a House committee that investigated the insurrection, which disrupted the joint session of Congress for certifying President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

Rodriguezs criminal conduct on January 6 was the epitome of disrespect for the law; he battled with law enforcement at the US Capitol for hours, nearly costing one officer his life, in order to stop the official proceeding happening inside, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to four felony charges, including conspiracy and assaulting a law enforcement officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He entered the guilty plea about two weeks before his trial was scheduled to start in Washington, DC.

On Jan 6, Rodriguez attended then-President Donald Trump's Stop the Steal rally before joining the mob of rioters who attacked police in the Lower West Terrance tunnel.

Rodriguez made his way to the front of the line of rioters battling the officers, yelling into his bullhorn at the beleaguered line, prosecutors wrote.

Rodriguez deployed a fire extinguisher at police officers in the tunnel and shoved a wooden pole at the police line before another rioter, Kyle Young, handed him what appeared to be a stun gun, according to prosecutors.

Fanone was at the front of the police line when another rioter, Albuquerque Cosper Head, wrapped his arm around the officer's neck and dragged him out onto the terrace steps, then restrained Fanone while other rioters attacked him. Rodriguez shocked Fanone's neck with the stun gun, below the left ear of his police helmet.

Fanone managed to retreat and collapsed behind the police line before he was taken to a hospital.

Once inside, when officers were able to revive him after 2 minutes and 21 seconds, the first thing Officer Fanone asked was did we take back that door? prosecutors wrote.

Rodriguez entered the building and smashed a window with a wooden pole before leaving Capitol grounds.

Head was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to an assault charge.

Young also was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for his role in the officer's assault. Young grabbed Fanone by the wrist while others yelled, Kill him! and Get his gun!

During an interview with FBI agents after his March 2021 arrest, Rodriguez said had believed that he was doing the right thing on Jan. 6 and that he had been prepared to die to save the country. He cried as he spoke to the agents, saying he was stupid and ashamed of his actions.

In the days leading up to Jan. 6, Rodriguez spewed violent rhetoric in a Telegram group chat called PATRIOTS 45 MAGA Gang.

There will be blood. Welcome to the revolution, Rodriguez wrote a day before the riot.

Rodriguez's attorneys said he idolized Trump, seeing the the former president as the father he wished he had.

Mr. Rodriguez trusted Trump blindly and admired Trump so much that he referred to him as dad in his social media chats leading up to Jan. 6th, defense attorneys wrote, seeking a prison sentence of five years and five months for their client.

The same judge who sentenced Rodriguez also convicted a co-defendant, Edward Badalian, of three riot-related charges and acquitted him of a fourth after a trial without a jury. Jackson is scheduled to sentence Badalian on July 21.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot. Over 700 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trials. And approximately 550 of them have been sentenced, with over half receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 18 years.
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Newly unsealed court documents paint a horrifying picture of Harmony Montgomerys final moments, including how her father Adam Montgomery allegedly killed the five-year-old girl and then spent months moving her body around.

During an interview with police detectives, Adams estranged wife Kayla Montgomery said he repeatedly punched Harmony in the face on 7 December 2019, after becoming upset with her for having bathroom accidents in the car their family was staying in.

Harmony had been living with Adam, Kayla, and their three children in Manchester, New Hampshire, since February 2019, after her mother Crystal Sorey lost custody in 2018 due to a substance abuse issue.

They were evicted in November 2019.

Harmony was last seen alive in October 2019, and an investigation into her disappearance was initiated in December 2021. Her remains have never been found.

The 48-page affidavit of probable cause was submitted with an arrest warrant for Adam, who was charged with her murder last October. The document was obtained by Law & Crime after it was unsealed on Tuesday 20 June.

Kayla described how Adam allegedly delivered sets of three-to-four blows with a closed fist to Harmonys face/head on three separate occasions over the course of a few minutes on the December morning when she died.

After the final blow, Adam reportedly said I think I really hurt her this time. I think I did something, Kayla recalled, adding Harmony made a moaning type noise for approximately five minutes and then stopped.

No one checked on Harmony or stopped to get her medical attention, Kayla told investigating officers, as the family continued on to a Burger King before returning to the apartment complex where they parked their car since being evicted from their home.

Adam Montgomery has been charged with the second-degree murder of his daughter Harmony (Manchester Police )

They remained in the parking lot for 20 minutes before driving off again. In a second interview, Kayla admitted she and Adam used heroin and fentanyl during this interval.

It was only when their car, a Chrysler Sebring, broke down that Kayla and Adam discovered Harmony was not breathing and had died.

Adam then allegedly placed Harmonys lifeless body in a red duffel bag. While living in the parking lot, Kayla claimed Adam would occasionally leave Harmonys body out in the snow to slow the rate of decomposition.

When the family moved in with Kaylas mother and her boyfriend, Adam placed the duffel bag in a red cooler in the common hallway of their apartment building.

After that, the Montgomerys moved into a shelter house, where the bag began to leak and emit an odour. Adam reportedly put the duffel bag into a trash bag, and stowed it inside a vent shaft in the ceiling of their room.

Police officers later removed the entire section of the ceiling, including the vent, and found stains consistent with signs of decomposition.

Kayla also gave detectives two different versions of how Adam transferred Harmonys body to a much smaller, maternity tote bag which would not likely fit Harmonys body unless it was dismembered or grossly distorted.

In spring 2020, Kayla said Adam rented a U-haul truck to dispose off Harmonys body during the middle of the night. When he returned the next morning, he allegedly said words to the effect of its done.

On 24 October 2022, Adam was charged one count of second-degree murder for recklessly causing the death of Harmony. Other charges against the 33-year-old include falsifying evidence for altering, destroying, concealing or removing the girls body and the abuse of a corpse for unlawfully removing, concealing or destroying Harmonys body.

Kayla Montgomery arrives for her plea and sentencing hearing at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester, N.H., on 18 November 2022. Montgomery, the stepmother of a New Hampshire girl who disappeared in 2019 at age 5 and is presumed dead was sent to prison for at least a year and a half Friday after pleading guilty to perjury charges. (David Lane/Union Leader via AP, Pool)

Adam has also been accused of tampering with witnesses or informants, which he allegedly did by attempting to coerce Kayla into lying to investigators.

His trial is scheduled for November.

Kayla was sent to prison for at least a year and a half last November after pleading guilty to perjury charges.

She admitted she had lied to a grand jury about working at a doughnut shop on 30 November 2019, the day she said she last saw her step-daughter.

She also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors who have charged her estranged husband with second-degree murder in the childs death.

The Independent has contacted Adams legal team for comment.
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One of the defendants at the centre of the Harvard University morgue scandal boasted about his skull collection in a resurfaced article published more than 15 years ago.

Tattoo artist Mathew Lampi, 52, is among five people charged with stealing and selling human remains donated to Harvard Medical School for research. Prosecutors revealed in shocking court filings last week that a morgue manager, his wife, a mortician, a creepy doll collector and Mr Lampi were part of a multi-state ring that exchanged and sold heads, brains, skin and bones.

The scheme, which is part of a larger black market, is alleged to have gone on from 2018 to 2022.

Mr Lampi, who owned a now-closed tattoo shop in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, is accused of exchanging over $100,000 in online payments with a supplier from Pennsylvania, who obtained the body parts from a morgue worker supposed to cremate the remains. According to the complaint, Mr Lampi allegedly purchased genitals, hearts, swaths of skin, skulls and the body of a stillborn baby boy, among other body parts.

But a resurfaced magazine article from 2008 hints at Mr Lampis alleged particular interest in collecting skulls. The article published in the February issue of Skin Deep and unearthed by The Pioneer Press delves into Mr Lampis  fascination with the human form and what lies under the skin and the twisted and macabre [inspiration] from the dark recesses of his mind.

My mind never relaxes. I am always in a constant state of flux. When I am not tattooing or designing, I collect items. My collection consists of several tantric Kampalas, human skulls, a morticians make-up kit (previously used of course) and a customers toe, Mr Lampi is quoted saying.

Mr Lampi also said at the time that he became bored with the traditional style of tattooing, noting that his style was a mix between realism and illustration.

Pennsylvania police were tipped off last summer about the packages sent to Mr Lampi. He then reportedly asked his contact, 41-year-old Jeremy Pauley, what law enforcement was onto.

 ... in the end the only thing that mattered was nothing was proved grave robbed or stolen out of a morgue, Mr Pauley reportedly texted Mr Lampi, according to court documents obtained by the Pioneer Press.

Mr Lampi has not entered a plea in his case.

Mr Lampi, Harvard Medical School Morgue manager Cedric Lodge, 55, and his wife Denise, 63, were arrested on 14 June along with Katrina Maclean, 44, of Salem, Massachusetts  who owns a store in nearby Peabody called Kats Creepy Creations that specialises in creepy dolls, oddities and bone art  and Joshua Taylor, 46, of West Lawn, Pennsylvania.

Mr Pauley and Candace Chapman Scott of Little Rock, Arkansas, were previously indicted for buying and selling stolen body parts intended for cremation and pleaded not guilty. They face up to 15 years in prison on charges of conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods.

The Independent has reached out to all the defendants attorneys for comment.

Ms Maclean is accused of selling remains stolen by Mr Lodge to other buyers in multiple states, including to Mr Pauley, to whom she allegedly shipped a package of human skin in 2021 having engaged his services to tan the skin to create leather, after which he sent it back to her, according to The New York Times.

According to the federal indictment, Mr Lodge would spirit the dissected body parts away from the HMS morgue and store them at his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Mr Lodge, who was hired by Harvard in 1995, allegedly allowed potential buyers into the morgue to choose which body parts they wanted.

He and his wife would then sell them as part of a national network of traffickers trading in human remains, conducting transactions on Facebook and PayPal and making use of the US Postal Service.

Some crimes defy understanding, United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam said in a statement. The theft and trafficking of human remains strikes at the very essence of what makes us human. It is particularly egregious that so many of the victims here volunteered to allow their remains to be used to educate medical professionals and advance the interests of science and healing.
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A homicide detective wept on the stand while testifying in the trial of a Parkland school resource officer who allegedly failed to intervene in a mass shooting that left 17 people dead.

Broward County Detective John Curcio, a 25-year veteran and the final witness of the prosecution, spent two hours testifying during the trial of Deputy Scot Peterson. When asked what the deputies' objective should have been during the shooting, Mr Curcio's demeanor changed.

"The goal is to stop him [Cruz] from killing people. That doesn't mean killing him, it means slowing him down. It means distracting him. It means doing anything so that kids can find safety," the detective said, his voice breaking.

Scot Peterson ( South Florida Sun Sentinel 2023)

Mr Peterson is accused of staying outside Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School and failing to take action to stop Nikolas Cruz, who was inside the facility shooting students and staff.

Prosecutors argue that Mr Peterson is guilty of felony child neglect for failing to protect the students killed and wounded during the shooting, according to the Associated Press.

Mr Peterson has maintained he followed procedure and did not enter the school because he could not determine from the sound of the gunshots where the shooting was taking place.

After approaching the building's doors, he backed away and took cover near a neighbouring building with his handgun drawn. He stayed in that spot for approximately 40 minutes, long after the shooting had ceased.

He is the first police officer to be charged for an alleged failure to act during a school shooting.

Mr Curcio testified to an interview he conducted with Mr Peterson two days after the shooting.

He also acknowledged that police responding to the shooting were hampered by antiquated radios causing communication problems. Information from 911 calls reporting the shooting never made it to Mr Peterson or other Broward County deputies on the day of the attack.

Mr Peterson's attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, said he will introduce approximately two dozen witnesses who will tesitfy that they also received confusing information and could not determine where the shots were coming from.

His presentation began on Wednesday, 21 June.

If convicted, Mr Peterson could be sentenced to nearly 100 years in prison and lose his annual pension of $104,000. He retired shortly after the shooting and was retroactively fired by the department after allegations arose concerning his alleged inaction.

Cruz, 24, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison last year.
11:02 | Lima, Jun. 21.

The decision was made official via Supreme Resolution No. 092-2023-RE , published in the Official Gazette El Peruano on Wednesday.
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A portion of a Florida county is under quarantine following confirmed sightings of giant African snails in the area.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued quarantine orders on Tuesday after the detection of the snails in the Miramar area of Broward County earlier this month. The agency is using metaldehyde-based molluscicide or, snail bait, to eradicate the pest.

Giant African snails are extremely detrimental to agriculture, as they consume at least 500 types of plants and can cause structural damage to plaster and stucco structures. According to the USDA, it can also carry a parasite that, in some cases, can lead to meningitis in humans.

Under quarantine restrictions, it is illegal to move a snail or other regulated items  including to plant parts, plants in soil, soil, yard waste, debris, compost or building materials  without a compliance agreement.

Giant African snails were first spotted in the Sunshine State in the 1960s, and it took nearly a decade and $1m to eradicate them. A second infestation was documented in 2011 in Broward and Miami Dade and eradication efforts were completed in 2021.

The USDA describes the giant African snail as one of the most damaging in the world, noting that the species reproduces quickly.

Pest authorities have advised people living in the vicinities where the quarantine took effect to be cautious around the snails.

They may carry organisms that can cause diseases in humans, an advisory read. These organisms can be transferred by ingesting improperly cooked snail meat or by handling live snails and allowing their mucus to contact human mucous membranes such as those in the eyes, nose and mouth.

The snails are almost eight inches long and five inches wide  roughly the size of an average adult fist, making them one of the biggest snails in the world.
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A Kansas man has been indicted for threatening to bomb and commit a mass shooting at Nashville Pride this upcoming weekend.

Joshua Hensley, also known as Josh Echo, has been charged with two counts of transmitting an interstate threat. According to the Department of Justice, Mr Hensley commented on a Facebook post for Nashville Pride and threatened to make shrapnel pressure cooker bombs for this event. He threatened in another comment to commit a mass shooting.

If convicted of the charges hes now facing, Mr Hensley will face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

We will not tolerate hate-based, threats of violence designed to intimidate Tennesseans, U.S. Attorney Henry Leventis said in a statement. We will continue to work with our partners at the FBI to ensure that the civil rights of all persons are protected.

The Nashville Pride parade is set for Saturday, and has taken on renewed importance this year as the Tennessee state legislature has moved to ban gender-affirming care for minors and drag performances in public spaces. The drag ban has been rejected as unconstitutional by a federal judge.

The legislative moves against transgender rights and LGBT+ representation in the state are part of a broader political climate that has seen state legislators introduce more than 400 anti-LGBT+ bills in states across the country this year.
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A pregnant Ohio mother and her unborn baby were killed after her toddler accidentally shot her in the back.

Thirty-one-year-old Laura Ilg was still conscious when officers with the Norwalk Police Department responded to her 911 call on Friday afternoon (19 June). After law enforcement broke inside the property, Ilg told officers that her two-year-old son had managed to get ahold of a gun in the house and accidentally opened fire on her.

The mother-of-two was in a second-floor bedroom. She was reportedly in shock but remained calm when she recounted the tragedy to police, Cleveland 19 reported.

Ilg, who was 33 weeks pregnant, was rushed to the Fisher-Titus Medical Center, where doctors performed an emergency C-section. However, both Ilg and her newborn baby died as a result of the injuries they sustained during the shooting, Police Chief Dave Smith said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Mr Smith said that a SIG Sauer micro 9 mm handgun was recovered from the scene. Authorities concluded that the home did have several safety features installed to keep the child from gaining access to the gun, including baby gates and a bedroom lock, Mr Smith said.

However, on the day of the shooting, the bedroom door was accidentally left open. The gun was on a nightstand inside, police said.

Laura Ilg, 31, and her unborn baby died as a result of the injuries they sustained when her two-year-old son accidentally opened fire (Laura Ilg/Facebook)

Ilg managed to tell police that she was doing laundry when her son came inside the room while playing with the gun and shot her in the back.

Police have determined that the weapon belongs to Ilgs husband, who currently has custody of the boy.

An investigation into how the weapon operates and the circumstances surrounding the shooting is now underway.

The Norwalk Police Department offers our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and all those affected by the tragic passing of the young mother and her unborn son, the department said in a statement. Words truly cannot express how heartbreaking this is, and we cannot imagine the pain and heartache youre feeling.
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One the night of Saturday 17 June, billionaire explorer Hamish Harding took to Instagram to reveal he was among the crew of a submersible vessel on their way to explore the Titanic wreckage.

I am proud to finally announce that I joined OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic, Mr Harding wrote.

Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023. A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow.

Mr Harding said the five-member crew, which included French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, had set sail from St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, on Friday.

They were planning to start their 4,000m descent to the most famous shipwreck in the world at 4am on Sunday morning. Until then we have a lot of preparations and briefings to do, he said.

About 105 minutes into the trip, the Tital submersible stopped communicating with its mothership.

But just five days later, it would be confirmed that the submarine suffered a catastrophic implosion and all five people on board were confirmed to have died.

Hamish Harding posted about his plans to travel to see the Titanic wreckage two days before the sub went missing (Facebook/Hamish Harding)

Heres a timeline of the horror ordeal:

Sunday (18 June)

The Polar Prince icebreaker sailed around 900 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, where it set anchor.

The five-person crew was dropped into the ocean in their 22-foot long submersible vessel, the Titan, around 8am EST the submersible was launched, according to the US Coast Guard

One hour and 45 minutes later, the vessel lost contact with the Polar Prince.

The vessel was programmed to send out a ping every 15 minutes to indicate its location. The final signal was sent at around 10am ET, according to The Times.

The Titan typically takes around two hours to reach the Titanic wreckage, located about 4,000m beneath the ocean.

The OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic (PA Media)

According to the Coast Guard, the sub was meant to surface at 3pm EST.

When it failed to resurface, the crew raised the alarm with authorities at 5.40pm EST.

At a press conference in Boston, Captain Jamie Frederick, of the US Coast Guard, said: On Sunday, the co-ordination command centre in Boston received a report from the Canadian expedition vessel Polar Prince of an overdue 21 foot submarine, Titan, with five people on board.

The Titan was attempting to dive on the wreck of the Titanic, approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod and 400 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the scheduled dive, the Polar Prince lost all communication with the Titan, Polar Prince conducted an initial search and then requested Coast Guard assistance. The US Coast Guard in Boston assumed the responsibility of search-and-rescue mission coordinator and immediately launched search assets.

Since Sunday, the Coast Guard has coordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Air National Guard aircraft and the Polar Prince (the Titans mother ship), which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.

The vessel was carrying enough oxygen for the crew for 96 hours  making the rescue mission a race against time to reach the vessel.

The divers failed to return from a 4,000m deep dive to the Titanic wreckage (Atlantic Productions, PA) (PA Media)

Monday (19 June)

On Monday morning, authorities revealed the Titan was missing and a large-scale search operation had been launched.

The US Coast Guard revealed they had begun a sweeping search of a 5,000sqm area about 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Canadian Coast Guard said it too is taking part in the effort with fixed-wing aircraft and a ship.

At 1.30pm, the US Coastguards Northeast tweeted that a C-130 Hercules reconnaissance aircraft had been dispatched to search for the Titan.

P8 Poseidon aircraft with underwater sonar capabilities joined the search on Monday afternoon.

A US Navy Curv-21, an unmanned submersible vessel that can reach a depth of 20,000 feet, is being used in the search for the missing Titanic wreck vessel (US Navy)

It is a remote area and it is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area but we are deploying all available assets to make sure we can locate the craft and rescue the people onboard, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters during a briefing at 4.30pm EST on Monday.

Submersible craft including an unmanned US Navy Curv-21, which can reach a depth of 4,000m, also joined the search.

The Polar Prince and 106 Rescue Wing continued to conduct surface searches throughout Monday evening.

Tuesday (20 June)

On Tuesday afternoon, OceanGate confirmed that its chief executive and founder Stockton Rush is aboard the submersible as a member of the crew.

A Canadian Aircraft P3 Aurora joined the effort, as the search area expanded to 10,000sqm.

During the press conference on Tuesday, Captain Frederick said there were around 40 to 41 hours of oxygen left on the submersible.

He said that a unified command of multiple agencies had been formed to tackle the very complex problem of finding the vessel but so far this had not yielded any results.

Captain Frederick said: Since Sunday, the Coast Guard has coordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Air National Guard aircraft and the Polar Prince (the Titans mother ship), which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.

These search efforts have focused on both surface, with C-130 aircraft searching by sight and with radar, and subsurface, with P-3 aircraft were able to drop and monitor sonar buoys.

Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters that the complex search had not yet yielded any results (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

To date, those search efforts have not yielded any results.

Captain Frederick was non-committal however when asked if there is any way to retrieve the submersible and save the five on board if it can be located.

So, right now all of our efforts are focused on finding the sub, he said.

What I will tell you is we have a group of our nations best experts in the unified command and if we get to that point, those experts will be looking at what the next course of action is.

It is understood the King was being kept informed of the search efforts, as Shahzada Dawood was a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by Charles

It was also reported that a Canadian aircraft had detected banging noises within the search area over the course of 30-minute intervals.

Wednesday (21 June)

According to internal e-mail updates sent to Department of Homeland Security leadership, the Canadian aircraft detected banging noises every 30 minutes.

RCC Halifax launched a P8, Poseidon, which has underwater detection capabilities from the air, the e-mails read.

Banging noises have been detected leading to renewed hope of finding the five passengers aboard the submersible (Reuters/Getty/WEF/OceanGate)

The P8 deployed sonobuoys, which reported a contact in a position close to the distress position. The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.

The US Coast Guard on Wednesday morning said: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remote operating vehicles) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

In an upbeat statement, President Richard Garriot de Cayeux of The Explorers Club said: There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

They precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can help deploy We believe they are doing everything possible with all the resources they have.

Mr Garriot de Cayeux said they were ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000 metres.

In a press conference on Wednesday (21 June) afternoon, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard assured people that authorities were doing everything possible to locate the missing vessel as the search intensified with more technology.

Mr Frederick confirmed that the vessel had less than 24 hours of oxygen supply left. He also acknowledged that officials do not know if crews will be able to rescue the people on board even if they do manage to find the sub before the oxygen runs out.

The first photo emerged of the Deep Energy rescue ship, which carries two remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) capable of operating to a depth of 3,000m, arriving at the search site on Wednesday. The John Cabot, which has side-scanning sonar capabilities, the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin also arrived at the search site on Wednesday morning, the US Coast Guard said in a Twitter post.

The Royal Canadian Navy also deployed HMCS Glace Bay, which carries a medical team specialising in dive medicine. Onboard the ship is a six-person mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber that can be used to treat or prevent decompression sickness.

However, the French ship Atalante carrying the Victor 6,000 underwater (ROV) and winch  the only one capable of reaching the Titanic wreck 4,000m under the ocean surface  had a narrow window of time to conduct rescue operations as it only reached the search site on Wednesday night.

Thursday (22 June)

The air supply on the missing Titanic tourist submarine came down to its last hours, as rescue workers continued their increasingly desperate search for the five stranded passengers.

A US Coast Guard spokesperson told The Independent they expect the vessel, named Titan, would run out of oxygen at 8am EDT, which is 1pm UK time, on Thursday. This estimated time is based on the number of hours of oxygen the craft had for the five people on board - 96 - and the time it submerged - 8am EDT, which is 1pm UK time, on Sunday.

Soon after that deadline passed, officials announced a debris field had been found in the search area.

Five crew members were later confirmed to have died after the Titanic tourist submarine suffered a catastrophic explosion.

The US Coast Guard offered its deepest condolences to the families after the tail cone of the vessel was found around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck.

In a press conference, Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.

In a statement, OceanGate Expeditions said: These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans.

Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time.

We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.

Asked what the prospects of recovering crew members were, Rear Admiral Mauger said: This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the sea floor and the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel.

And so well continue to work and continue to search the area down there, but I dont have an answer for prospects at this time.

Rear Admiral Mauger also said there did not appear to be any connection between the underwater noises detected during the search and rescue mission and the location of the debris on the seafloor.

This was a catastrophic implosion of the vessel which would have generated a significant broadband sound down there that the sonar buoys would have picked up, he said.

28 June

The search for what remains of the Titan submersible and its passengers concluded, as human remains were found on the sea floor and debris from the vessel returned to dry land in Canada.

Large pieces of wreckage from the Titan was seen being transported to St Johns harbour in Newfoundland on Wednesday by the Horizon Arctic ship, where they were unloaded by a crane.

The Coast Guard announced just hours later that presumed human remains had been found on the sea floor. They will now be formally analysed.

While the search has ended, investigations will continue for some time into what caused the catastrophic implosion of the sub, killing all five passengers on board.
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A catastrophic implosion on board the Titan submersible vessel claimed the lives of five crew members shortly after its launch on Sunday, the US Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday.

The OceanGate Expeditions vessel was reported missing about 435 miles (700 kilometres) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada on Sunday night.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) located pieces of debris from the Titan on the seabed about 500m from the bow of the Titanic wreck on Thursday morning Rear Admiral John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, told a press briefing.

Oceangate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were confirmed to have died in the implosion.

The company, which charges up to $250,000 to take guests to the Titanic site, said that the five crew members had sadly been lost in a statement to The Independent.

These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, the spokesperson said.

The Titan, pictured, is a tourist sub operated by OceanGate (OceanGate/YouTube)

The five-person Titan vessel vanished 105 minutes after launching from the Polar Prince icebreaker research ship about 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod on Sunday morning. The Titans twin communication systems  texts and electronic pings  suddenly stopped communicating with the support vessel, and no further sign of life was detected until Thursdays grim discovery.

The Coast Guard has since revealed that the US Navy detected sounds consistent with an implosion sometime after the Titan lost contact with its mothership.

The information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander, and once it had been considered with all of the acoustic data that had been compiled, the decision was made to continue our mission as a search and rescue because the noise was not definitive at the point, a spokesperson with the US Coast Guard told The Independent.

Billionaire explorer Hamish Harding French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood are now believed to be dead, the Coast Guard and OceanGate have confirmed.

What is OceanGate Expeditions?

OceanGate Expeditions was founded in Washington state in 2009 by US adventurer and former investment banker Stockton Rush.

The trained aerospace engineer began offering underwater tours in specially designed submersible vessels that were developed with NASA.

(AFP via Getty Images)

In an interview with The Independent in 2017, he said he had originally wanted to become an astronaut but was later drawn to underwater exploration.

In the vacuum of space, by definition there is nothing. That means a great view, but the final frontier for new life forms and discovery is undersea  for the next 200-300 years at least.

Mr Rush had personally piloted many of the Titans 13 previous trips to the famed shipwreck and had insisted the submersible was safe in interviews.

The RMS Titanic has been lying 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada in the North Atlantic Ocean since it sank in 1912, killing about 1,500 people on board.

The wreck was discovered in 1985, and was named a UNESCO cultural heritage site in 2012.

Its been a subject of fascination with deep-sea exploration teams ever since.

Voyaging to the Titanic wreck

In 2021, the company launched its first tour of the North Atlantic wreck site in the Titan, a five-person vessel made of carbon fibre and titanium that can reach depths of 4,000m.

The voyages depart from St Johns, in Newfoundland, Canada, on chartered ocean-faring ships.

For their latest expedition, OceanGate hired the Polar Prince, a medium duty icebreaker that was formerly operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, to ferry dozens of passengers and crew and the submersible craft to the wreck site.

The trip had been scheduled to depart in late May and finish up in late June, according to documents obtained by the AP from the US District Court in Virginia, which presides over the wreck site.

Titans viewport is the largest of any deep diving submersible and its technology provides an unrivaled view of the deep ocean.

The Titan can withstand the enormous pressures of the deep ocean, OceanGate said in the court documents.

The Titans first voyages to the Titanic wreck gave passengers an up-close glimpse of the worlds most famous shipwreck in its final stages of decay.

This map shows the approximate position of the wreck of the RMS Titanic (Google Maps)

Footage captured from one expedition showed the famed bathtub in the captains quarters that was thought to have been lost to decay was, in fact, still intact.

It showed the ships disintegration continued due to salt corrosion, ocean undercurrents, and bacteria that was steadily devouring the shell.

The 2022 expedition featured five missions, each over several days and several dives that could last up to ten hours each.

Each of the dives included at least one scientist or content expert on each submersible to gather archaeological and biological data with the goal of understanding behaviour and rarity of life at such a depth while helping to predict the rate of decay of deeply submerged vessels, according to the OceanGate site.

Renata Rojas, who was one of the passengers onboard the 2022 expedition, told The Independent in an interview that seeing the Titanic up close was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.

The Polar Prince ship is seen while moored in Vancouver, British Columbia (AP)

Youre feeling overwhelmed the entire time, not only because [of] just the fact that you were there ... [but] as we were approaching the wreck, I was wowed. That was the feeling, she said. Ms Rojas is currently on the Polar Prince.

Oceangates 2023 expedition was the third year the company had been taking tourists to the Titanic wreck site.

Along with taking visitors to the wreck, OceanGate Expeditions is conducting a longitudinal study of the Titanics rate of decay, through images, videos, laser and sonar data.

Given the massive scale of the wreck and the debris field, multiple missions performed over several years will be required to fully document and model the wreck site, OceanGate says on its website.

Mr Rush told The Independent in 2017 that the underwater tours were not for everyone.

Hamish Harding posted about his plans to travel to see the Titanic wreckage two days before the sub went missing (Facebook/Hamish Harding)

Its not a chocolate-on-the-pillow job  youre part of the crew, he said. If theres an electric charge that needs moving in the middle of the night, well grab you.

Prior to launching the Titanic expeditions, Mr Rush said he had taken former Everest climbers, moviemakers and nautical archaeologists on underwater tours.

His oldest passenger was 92, and his youngest 12 in the four- or five-person vessels.

The OceanGate team have scientists, historians and mission specialists who can pay to visit the site (YouTube/OceanGate Expeditions)

French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who was on board the fated vessel, told the Irish Examiner in a 2019 interview that the families of some victims of the Titanic were opposed to expeditions to the wreck.

The bodies of around 340 of the estimated 1,500 who lost their lives were recovered after it sank in 1912. He said that those lost at sea would have likely decomposed a long time ago, and he had never seen bodies in the wreckages debris field.

He told the news site that exploration of the wreck was about balancing the scientific interest with respect for the dead.

In a chilling foreshadowing of the 2023 disaster, the New York resident made a warning about the dangers of underwater exploration.

If you are 11m or 11km down, if something bad happens, the result is the same, Mr Nargeolet said. When youre in very deep water, youre dead before you realise that something is happening, so its just not a problem.
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The founder of the company which operates the missing Titanic tourist submarine complained about obscenely safe regulations holding the industry back years before he found himself at the centre of disaster.

The CEO of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush is one of five passengers onboard the Titan submersible that disappeared on Sunday on its way to the wreck of the HMS Titanic.

As of Wednesday, the vessel is believed to have less than 24 hours of oxygen supply, as rescue teams race against the clock to bring the Titan back to the surface.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here

In 2019, the Smithsonian Magazine profiled Mr Rush, who said government regulations had curbed innovation and growth in the US commercial submarine industry.

There hasnt been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years. Its obscenely safe, because they have all these regulations, Mr Rush, then 57, said.

But it also hasnt innovated or grown  because they have all these regulations.

One of the laws cited in the article is the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993, which outlines extensive safety standards that must be met for passenger carriages or tourist submarines.

Mr Rushs comments were part of a larger discussion about government spending that prioritised space exploration over ocean research.

The Independent has contacted OceanGate Expeditions for comment on the profile.

The companys website claims the five-person submersible is designed for dives up to depths of 4,000m (13, 123-ft), thanks to its ground-breaking engineering and off-the-shelf technology and an unparalleled hull-monitorning safety system.

OceanGate Expeditions began advertising its crewed missions to the site of the Titanics wreckage, at about 3,800m, in 2019.

After expeditions in 2021 and 2022, it began advertising the summer 2023 dive that has now triggered the desperate rescue mission led by the US Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard.

This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible during a descent (OceanGate Expeditions/AFP via Ge)

On Tuesday, it emerged that Mr Rush was sued for fraud by a Florida couple who claimed OceanGate cancelled their planned 2018 voyage to the Titanic, and refused to refund their money.

As per the lawsuit filed in Orange County, Florida this February, Marc and Sharon Hagle accused Mr Rush of swindling them of $210,258, which was the cost of securing two berths on a trip to the North Atlantic shipwreck.

An OceanGate Expeditions spokesperson told The Independent they had no comment about the lawsuit.

Commenting on the missing Titan submersible in a statement to the Daily Beast, Mr Hagle said: My thoughts go out to the owners of OceanGate, the people that are on the submersible, both the crew and the guests. And were hoping for a miracle and that everybody comes home safely.

I think the pleadings speak for themselves.

According to a 2018 lawsuit, a former OceanGate employee claimed he was fired for raising concerns about possible safety issues with the Titan that paying passengers would not be aware of.

After he was asked to perform a safety inspection of the submersible by Mr Rush, David Lochridge highlighted a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan.

He alleged he was met with hostility and denial of access to the necessary documentation to complete his inspection, but submitted a report on 18 January 2018 nonetheless.

During a meeting with OceanGates top brass the following day, Mr Lochridge recommended OceanGate voluntarily apply for regulation and classification through an independent agency such as the American Bureau of Shipping.

According to Mr Lochridge, he was given 10 minutes to immediately clear out his desk and exit the premises after the meeting.

His claims were made in a countersuit against his former employer, who accused him of breach of contract, fraud, and revealing trade secrets. The case was settled out of court in November 2018.

OceanGates attorney in the case, Thomas Gilman, declined Reuters request for comment.

An attorney for Mr Lochridge also declined comment, other than to say, we pray for everyones safe return.
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US Coast officials racing against time to find the missing Titanic expedition submersible said on Wednesday that rescuers spotted mystery objects on the oceans surface.

With less than 24 hours of oxygen available, five people aboard the Titan tourist sub remain missing amid frantic searches for any indication that the device is still intact.

During a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Captain Jamie Frederick with the US Coast Guard revealed that helicopters flying over the ocean southwest of Newfoundland have spotted objects floating on the surface.

Mr Frederick emphasised that efforts are still very much focused on a search and rescue mission and that his team has not found any evidence that the submersible imploded. Instead, he noted, the objects spotted by search crews were most likely not linked to the submersible.

In search and rescue missions, when aircraft are flying continuously ... there is stuff out in the ocean floating, Mr Frederick said. We went back, we looked at it. We didnt determine it to be debris, it didnt correlate with the case ... it is not uncommon during an active search.

Elsewhere in the press conference, Mr Frederick addressed reports that Canadian sonar equipment has picked up banging noises from an area where the Titan could potentially be stranded. Following those developments, other equipment used in the search was relocated to focus on that specific portion of the ocean.

Mr Frederick warned that while he remained hopeful, he couldnt confirm what the noises below the surface were.

It is very difficult to discern what the sources of those noises are, at times, Carl Hartsfield with the Oceanographic Systems Laboratory said. ... But I can tell you that this team has multiple sensors, theyre sending back data expeditiously to the best in the world, theyre feeding the results back to the team, and theyre making decisions.

The noises, which appeared to be man-made to the untrained ear, were heard again on Wednesday, Mr Hartsfield said.

Five vessels are searching a 10,000sqm area for any sign of the OceanGate Expeditions submersible, which lost contact with its support ship less than two hours into its dive. The location of the search site 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod had made it difficult to mobilise large amounts of equipment quickly, Mr Frederick said.

However, the French ship Atalante carrying the Victor 6,000 underwater (ROV) and winch  the only one capable of reaching the Titanic wreck 4,000m under the ocean surface  is only expected to reach the search site on Wednesday night.

OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood were onboard the submersible vessel when it lost contact with support ship Polar Prince on Sunday.

Its believed the submersible had limited rations of food and water, Captain Frederick said. Oxygen levels were just one piece of data being analysed, he added.
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British-based Pakistani tycoon and his teenage son are among five people who perished aboard the Titanic tourist submarine.

The US Coast Guard announced on Thursday that the remains of the submersible vessel lost in the Atlantic Ocean had been found by an ROV on the ocean bed near the wreck of the famed liner.

Its support vessel, the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, lost contact with it approximately one hour and 45 minutes after it submerged on Sunday morning.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here

The wreckage of the Titanic  which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after it hit an iceberg  is located at a depth of 12,500 feet. First discovered in 1985, the ships remains sit in two separate parts southeast of Newfoundland, the most easterly province of Canada.

Business advisor Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman have been named as two of the people on board the submersible.

The father and son took part in the expedition with French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet and chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rushton and British billionaire Mr Harding.

(Family handout)

In a new statement before the discovery of Titans remains, the family described Mr Dawood as a loving father and said Suleman was a university student.

48-year-old business advisor Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood died aboard the Titan (WEF)

Shahzada is a loving father to Suleman and Alina, husband to Christine, brother to three siblings, and son to Hussain & Kulsum Dawood. His 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, is currently a university student, the statement said.

Shahzada has been actively advocating a culture of learning, sustainability, and diversity in his capacity as Vice Chairman of Pakistans Engro Corporation. Passionate about social impact, he works extensively with the Engro Foundation, The Dawood Foundation, the SETI Institute, and Princes Trust International.

Out of the office, he has spoken passionately at the United Nations in 2020 on International Day for Women & Girls in Science and Oxford Union in 2022. His interests include photography, especially wildlife photography, and exploring different natural habitats while Suleman is a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things.

Suleman also takes a keen interest in solving Rubiks Cubes and enjoys playing volleyball.

Mr Dawood, who was a business advisor serving on the board for Princes Trust International, lived in a Surrey mansion with his wife Christine, son Suleman and daughter Alina, according to MailOnline.

The Dawood family is among the richest in Pakistan but has strong links to the UK.

This image shows the 4am start of the RMS Titanic Expedition Mission 5 on the morning of 18 June 2023 (Dirty Dozen Productions/AFP/Getty)

Mr Dawood studied Law at the University of Buckingham in 1998, later completing a masters degree in Textile Marketing at the University of Philadelphia in 2000.

Mr Dawoods father, 79-year-old Hussain Dawood, is the chairman of the Pakistan-based Dawood Hercules Corporation as well as the Engro Corporation, responsible for manufacturing chemicals and fertilisers, food and energy respectively.

Mr Dawood was the vice-chairman of both his fathers companies as well as a member of the founders circle of British Asian Trust, an international development organisation working across South Asia.
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Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, was aboard his companys Titan submarine that imploded after going missing on Sunday en route to the wreck of HMS Titanic around 370 miles east of the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

The US Coast Guard announced during a Thursday press conference that the missing Titans pressure chamber was found among other debris, approximately 1600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on the sea floor by an ROV (remote-operated vehicle).

In a statement to The Independent, OceanGate  the private company that offers the $250,000-a-seat expedition  confirmed that the five passengers aboard the vessel are now believed dead.

The Titan was a cramped 22-feet long cylinder with an aerospace-grade carbon fibre hull capped with titanium hemispheres at each end, boasting a massive viewport window and 4K cameras to relay the marine environment outside back to those within but is otherwise sparse indeed.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here.

Astonishingly, the craft was controlled by a generic video games controller  specifically a Logitech F710 Wireless PC Gamepad from 2011, according to gaming expert Matthew Ruddle  and, rather than using a GPS for navigation, it communicated with a tracking team aboard a surface ship, in this case the Canadian icebreaker the Polar Prince, via text messages.

(OceanGate)

According to Mr Rushs biography on his companys website, he graduated from Princeton University with a BSE in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1984 and later from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business with an MBA in 1989.

He began his career as a pilot, qualifying from the United Airlines Jet Training Institute in 1981 at the age of 19 and serving as a DC-8 first officer on flights to Europe and the Middle East during his summers between college.

In the year he left Princeton, Mr Rush joined the McDonnell Douglas Corporation as a flight test engineer on its F-15 program, spending two years at Edwards Air Force Base on its APG-63 radar test and anti-missile programs.

In the year he left UC Berkeley, he personally built a Glasair III experimental aircraft, which he still owns and flies, and subsequently constructed a heavily-modified Kittredge K-350 two-man submarine, in which he has conducted more than 30 dives.

The OceanGate Expeditions submersible Titan (American Photo Archive/Alamy/PA)

Between 2003 and 2007 he served on the Museum of Flights Board of Trustees in Seattle, Washington, also chairing the institutions Development Committee for a year during his tenure.

He founded OceanGate Expeditions in 2009  the company based in Everett, Washington  and the non-profit OceanGate Foundation in 2012 while also sitting on the board of BlueView Technologies, a manufacturer of high-frequency sonar systems that acquired subsea tech developer Teledyne in 2012.

Mr Rush also served on the board of enterprise software company Entomo and as chairman of Remote Control Technology, whose clients include Exxon, Conoco-Philips and Boeing.

He was interviewed about his Titan sub on a CBS Sunday Morning featurette last November and cheerily emphasised its homemade aspects, also pointing out handles affixed to the ceiling of the craft that he said he had bought from Camper World but denied that the vessel has been MacGyvered or jerry-rigged.

I dont know if Id use that description of it. But, there are certain things that you want to be buttoned down, Mr Rush told reporter David Pogue.

The pressure vessel is not MacGyver at all, because thats where we worked with Boeing and Nasa and the University of Washington. Everything else can fail, your thrusters can go, your lights can go. Youre still going to be safe.

Mr Rush was also interviewed by Mr Pogue for the latters Unsung Science podcast that same month on which he was asked what he worried about at the depths of the ocean and answered: What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface. Overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazards.

The interior of the Titan (PA)

On the safety of his missions more generally, he said: I dont think its very dangerous. If you look at submersible activity over the last three decades, there hasnt even been a major injury, let alone a fatality. What worries us is not once youre underwater.

What worries me is when Im getting you there, when youre on the ship in icy states with big doors that can crush your hands and people who may not have the best balance who fall down, bang their head. Thats, to me, the dangerous part.

Perhaps most revealingly of all, he added: You know, at some point, safety just is pure waste. I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed. Dont get in your car. Dont do anything.

Mr Rush also spoke to the BBC last year to promote his lucrative Titanic tours venture, which costs customers $250,000 (195,000) per trip, telling viewers that deep sea travel is amazing. Its just such a different experience. Its a totally different emotion.

Explaining the appeal of pursuing the ghostly wreck of the doomed liner in particular, he said simply: I read an article that said there are three words in the English language which are known throughout the planet. Thats Coca-Cola, God and Titanic.

On Tuesday 20 June, it emerged that Mr Rush had been sued for fraud by a Florida couple who claimed their planned deep-sea voyage to the Titanic was repeatedly cancelled and attempts to secure a refund were ignored.

Marc and Sharon Hagle filed a lawsuit in Orange County in February that accused CEO Stockton Rush of defrauding them of $210,258 which they paid to secure two berths on a 2018 trip to the famed North Atlantic shipwreck.

The Hagles allege that they signed a contract and paid deposits in November 2016 to become one of the first of OceanGates paying customers soon after the Titanic expeditions were first publicised.

The Hagles further stated that Mr Rush made false representations that the vessel would be ready to dive to the Titanic by June 2018, and convinced them to sign a second contract pay the full $105,129 per-person fee.

The promised trip to the Titanic wreck in 2018 was later cancelled as OceanGate had not had sufficient time to certify the Titan to travel to the 4,000m depth, the Hagles said.

In addition to Mr Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were also on board the Titan. All five passengers are presumed dead following the discovery of debris on Thursday.

The Coast Guard says that ROVs will remain in place but that it will begin to pull back equipment over the next 48 hours.

This is an incredibly unforgiving environment out there on the sea floor. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic implosion of the vessel. We will continue to work and search the area down there but I dont have an answer on prospects at this time, said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard.

The Rear Admiral said that sonar buoys had been in the water for the past 72 hours and that they had not picked up any evidence of an implosion, suggesting that it had happened early on in the dive.
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It was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, travelling to the ocean floor with a chance to view what few people have  the 111-year-old wreck of the Titanic.

By all accounts the British billionaire explorer, Pakistani-British father and son, French diver and OceanGate Expeditions chief executive boarded the submersible, named the Titan, with a sense of adventure and excitement.

But in a chilling echo of the doomed vessel, the expedition quickly took a tragic turn.

An hour and 45 minutes into the voyage, the submersible lost contact with the surface ship, around 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

For four days a frantic search-and-rescue mission was carried out to determine whether the sub and its five-man crew had survived.

There was a glimmer of hope as Canadian aircraft searching for the missing sub detected intermittent banging noises from the vicinity where it was last located.

The crew heard banging sounds every 30 minutes on 20 June and again four hours later, after additional sonar devices were deployed.

But the rescue mission ended in tragedy: The five crew members had died in a catastrophic implosion, the US Coast Guard announced on 22 June.

On 28 June, officials confirmed that presumed human remains had been recovered from the sea floor.

Five things we know about the missing Titanic submersible

Officials are continuing to investigate the debris site although the bodies of the five may never be recovered. Heres what is known about the tragedy:

What happened?

On 18 June at 9am Atlantic Daytime Time (8am EDT), the Titan, a submersible owned by OceanGate Expeditions, set off on its excursion to the Titanics underwater grave with research vessel, the Polar Prince.

The expedition began with a 400 nautical mile journey out into the Atlantic Ocean about 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The submersible was released from the Polar Prince and began its descent 13,000 feet below the waters surface to the wreckage.

The Titan was supposed to transmit a signal back to the Polar Prince every 15 minutes but it lost contact around 10.47am EDT, one hour and 45 minutes into the journey.

The OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel named Titan (PA Media)

Exactly what happened to the sub remains a mystery but the US Coast Guard said that debris consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber had been found.

Rear Admiral John Mauger said there did not appear to be a connection between the underwater noises detected during the search-and-rescue mission and the location of the debris on the seafloor.

The bodies of the five passengers may never be recovered from the ocean, the US Coast Guard said.

This was a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, which would have generated a significant broadband sound down there that the sonar buoys would have picked up, Mauger said.

OceanGate Expeditions alerted the US Coast Guard around 5.40pm EDT after the missing sub failed to surface at the expected time. Immediately, a search effort began.

Where did it go missing?

The US Coast Guard searched 900 miles east of Cape Cod, where the Titanic shipwreck lies.

The Titanic sits approximately 12,500 below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 380 nautical miles south of Newfoundland, Canada and 1,240 nautical miles east of New York City.

The shipwrecks coordinates are 414332N, 495649W.

Rescue teams from several countries spent days searching thousands of square miles of open ocean with planes and ships for any sign of the 22-foot (6.7-meter) Titan.

The US Coast Guard said that it was searching in depths of roughly 13,000 feet.

Rear Admiral Mauger said the area where the submersible went missing was remote, making the search challenging.

He also said it was too early to tell when the vessels failure occurred. The search operation had sonar buoys in the water for more than three days and had not detected any loud explosive noise during the period.

The buoys picked up some sounds which temporarily offered hope that the crew on the Titan were alive and banging on the hull.

But officials said analysis of the sound was inconclusive and that the noises might not have emanated from the Titan at all.

The worlds deepest search-and-rescue mission

Multiple agencies and countries, and both private and public organisations, desperately worked to find and rescue the five people onboard the Titan.

The search became the largest underwater search-and-rescue mission at those depths ever.

Efforts were led by the US Coast Guard in Boston, and also involved the Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Armed Forces, and US Navy among others. The UK sent RAF planes.

A US Navy Curv-21, an unmanned submersible vessel that can reach a depth of 20,000 feet, is being used in the search for the missing Titanic wreck vessel (US Navy)

The US Coast Guard deployed two C-130 aircrafts, the New York Air National Guard deployed another C-130, the Canadian Coast Guard deployed one C-130 and one P-8 aircraft.

In addition, several Canadian Coast Guard ships, a French research vessel LAtalante and commercial vessels were used in the search.

The Royal Canadian Navy also deployed HMCS Glace Bay with a medical team specialising in dive medicine. Onboard was a six-person mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber used to treat or prevent decompression sickness.

The Deep Energy rescue ship carried two remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) capable of operating to a depth of 3,000m.

The John Cabot, which has side-scanning sonar capabilities, the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin also joined the search on Wednesday, the US Coast Guard said on Twitter.

Despite the multi-agency mission, David Concannon, an attorney and explorer who pulled out of the Titanic expedition at the last minute, claimed that the rescue efforts were hampered by red tape, bureaucracy and a lack of urgency by the US government.

British company Magellan Limited had a deep-sea submersible craft ready to support the mission, with the ability to reach depths of 6,000 metres and experience of visiting the Titanic wreckage.

But the US First Coast Guard District told The Independent it had not requested assistance from the firm as the vessel was too far away.

Banging noises overheard

A Canadian P-8 aircraft reportedly detected intermittent banging noises from the area the submersible disappeared.

The US Coast Guard tweeted that it had detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Internal email updates sent to Department of Homeland Security leadership read: The P-8 deployed sonobuoys, which reported a contact in a position close to the distress position. The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.

On 22 June, Rear Admiral John Mauger said there did not appear to be any connection between the underwater noises and the location of the debris on the seafloor.

He said: So throughout the search efforts, we reacted to the information that we had available to us and while we continue to send it off for deeper analysis, again really complex operating environment for us to work in, let me check with the experts, but there doesnt appear to be any connection between the noises and the location on the seafloor.

Asked about the timing of the implosion, and whether it happened right at the moment the vessel lost contact, Rear Admiral Mauger said it was too early to tell, but added that the sonar buoys had not picked up any catastrophic events during the last 72 hours they had been in the water.

Who are the five who died?

World-record-holding, British explorer and billionaire Hamish Harding, 58, had travelled on the Challenger Deep to the bottom of the ocean and on Jeff Bezos Blue Origin into space.

Before the trip, he posted on Facebook: I am proud to finally announce that I joined OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic.

Hamish Harding (Jannicke Mikkelsen via REUTERS)

Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023.

The father-of-two was a seasoned explorer and held three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel when in March 2021, he and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo dived to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench.

Paul Henri Nargeolet (Getty)

In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origins New Shepard rocket.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, led the first recovery expedition to the Titanic in 1987 and several more, becoming a leading authority on the wreck site.

Mr Nargeolet, described by OceanGate as the Titanics greatest explorer, had done 35 dives in the submersible.

Shahzada and Suleman Dawood (Family handout)

Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, were UK citizens. Shahzada Dawood was vice-chairman of one of Pakistans largest conglomerates, Engro Corporation, and Suleman studied at the University of Strathclyde.

OceanGate Expeditions chief executive Stockton Rush, 61, began his career as a pilot, becoming the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world at the age of 19.

Stockton Rush (OceanGate)

He served on the Museum of Flights Board of Trustees, the board of enterprise software company Entomo and as chairman of Remote Control Technology and founded OceanGate in 2009.
YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia has once again called for strong international engagement to address the existential challenges facing the people of Nagorno Karabakh amid the policy of ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry posted a statement on World Refugee Day on June 21.

On World Refugee Day we once again draw attention of international community to policy of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan which left thousands of Armenians forcibly displaced from Azerbaijani towns of Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad as well as from Nagorno Karabakh territories under Azerbaijani control. Today we also reiterate our call for effective steps to prevent similar policies & for strong international engagement to address current existential challenges for people of Nagorno Karabakh, including issues of their rights & security as well as ongoing illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor, the foreign ministry tweeted.
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Tapping sounds have been detected by sonar in the search area for the missing Titanic tourist submarine.

A Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises as a massive operation continued early on Wednesday in a remote part of the North Atlantic, for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the famous wreck.

The discovery offers a glimmer of hope for those lost aboard the Titan as estimates suggest as little as a days worth of oxygen could be left if the vessel is still functioning.

Rescue teams are continuing the search for the submersible tourist vessel Titan which went missing during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck (PA Media)

A letter shared with The Independent by a member of The Explorers Club, a global network promoting scientific exploration, read: Most importantly, it is being reported that at 2:00 am local time, sonar detected potential tapping sounds implying that crew may be alive and signalling.

Follow live coverage of the missing Titanic sub in our live blog here

The groups president President Richard Garriott sent the letter out on Tuesday after discovering two of their community are on board the missing vessel, according to member Professor Hannaford, founder of World Extreme Medicine.

Mr Hannaford is close friends with British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, who is a founding member of The Explorers Club and is one of the five stranded.

British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding is a founding member of The Explorers Club and is one of the five stranded (Action Aviation)

The professor said: Putting yourself in their shoes is incomprehensible, especially for the families. Its very hard to imagine people you know in that situation - and what theyre likely to be going through.

But Hamish is so accomplished, extremely bright, a great pilot and engineer - if theres anybody who can fix their way out of this situation, Hamish is one of them.

Chris Brown, an explorer and friend of Mr Harding, said making banging sounds is the kind of thing his missing friend would do.

That is just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with, he told BBC Breakfast. Theres always hope. As an explorer, you never give up anyway.

A massive search and rescue operation is still underway to find the Titanic tourist submersible which has been missing for three days in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Titan submersible disappeared on Sunday (OceanGate Expeditions/AFP via Ge)

Mr Harding, CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood are on the OceanGate Expeditionss submersible Titan.

The watercraft submerged on Sunday (18 June) morning with its support vessel, the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince. About an hour and 45 minutes later, the Titan lost contact with Polar Prince, authorities said. The Titan is equipped with a four-day emergency oxygen supply.

As Canadian and US authorities stepped up the search, previous questions about the safety design and development of the submersible by its owner, US-based OceanGate Expeditions, came to light.

The wreck of the Titanic, a British ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in April 1912, lies about 900 miles (1,450 km) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 400 miles (644 km) south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

US and Canadian aircraft have searched more than 7,600 square miles of open sea, an area larger than the state of Connecticut, US coast guard captain Jamie Frederick told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Canadian military has dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds that might come from the Titan, and a commercial vessel with a remote-controlled deepwater submersible was also searching near the site, Mr Frederick said.
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The frantic last-ditch search for the stricken Titanic tourist submarine has ramped up, with more ships joining the rescue effort as oxygen levels on board dwindled.

It is hoped that the additional personnel will be enough to save the five crew members on the OceanGate Expeditions sub before oxygen runs out at around 10am UK time on Thursday.

Mysterious banging noises beneath the surface had offered hope after being detected on Tuesday and then again on Wednesday, but the US Coast Guard has now admitted searchers don't know what they are.

The expanded search zone has grown exponentially and now covers an area twice the size of the US state of Connecticut  an area bigger than Wales  and 2.5 miles deep.

Five additional vessels heading for the area are not expected to arrive for the next 24 to 48 hours, with some set to arrive after the grim oxygen deadline.

This emerged after the Coast Guard rejected an offer of help from a UK firm, which experts say could provide the best hope of finding the missing submarine, because it said its deep-sea submersible craft was too far away.

Magellan Limited has had a vessel ready to support the rescue mission since early on Monday and the craft  which has previously visited the Titanic wreckage site  is currently sat on a plane awaiting clearance to be deployed.

The Explorers Club, a community of experienced explorers of which two Titan crew members are part of, has issued a desperate plea to the US government to deploy the ROV to the site, saying it offers possibly the best hope for a rescue.

Meanwhile, anguished families of the missing crew members continued praying for a miracle. Sabrina Dawood  whose brother, British businessman Shahzada Dawood, is on the Titan with 19-year-old son Suleman  said the familys sole focus is their rescue.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Captain Jamie Frederick offered hope as he insisted it was 100 per cent a rescue mission rather than a recovery. But he admitted the mission was of enormous complexity because it is so far offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.

We have to remain optimistic and hopeful when we are in a search and rescue case, he said.

We are in the middle of the search and rescue case. Sometimes we dont find what were looking for and you have to carefully consider all of the factors.

Five people are missing aboard the Atlantic Ocean vessel (Dirty Dozen Productions/OceanGate/AFP/Getty)

The banging sound was initially detected by a Canadian P-3 aircraft on Tuesday and has been shared with US Navy experts for further analysis, Captain Frederick explained, adding that noises were heard on Wednesday as well.

The discovery has prompted the deployment of remotely operated vehicles (ROV) to examine the area more closely.

Although the ROV searches have yielded negative results they continue, he added.

With respect to the noises specifically, we dont know what they are, to be frank with you, theyre P3 detected noises, thats why theyre up there, thats why theyre doing what theyre doing, thats why they put sonar buoys in the water.

Some of the vessels heading to help the search may arrive after the key 10am deadline (US Coast Guard/EPA)

He explained that rescuers are searching in the area where the banging was heard and when additional ROVs arrive on Thursday morning they will continue to search in those areas where the noises were detected.

Carl Hartsfield, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said it was very difficult to discern human noises from other sounds.

But I can tell you that this team has multiple sensors that are in the area, he added.

Theyre sending data back expeditiously to the best people in the world to analyse that data and theyre feeding the results of the analysis back to the unified team and theyre making decisions.

Captain Frederick refused to be drawn on how much oxygen was likely left and revealed there was some food on board the sub, but did not know how much. The Coast Guard has previously estimated air would run out at around 10am on Thursday UK time.

Titan lost contact with its mothership  the Polar Prince  about an hour and 45 minutes after it began diving down to see the Titanic wreckage, which sits on seabed 12,500ft (3,800m) below sea level.

The five-strong crew onboard the 200,000-a-seat excursion includes CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and UK-based Pakistani businessman Mr Dawood and his son Suleman.

Despite the vessels disappearance, a spokesman for the firm which operates the boat which launched Titan insisted it runs an extremely safe operation.

Sean Leet, co-founder and chairman of Horizon Maritime Services, which owns the Polar Prince, said its emergency procedures kicked in immediately when the alarm was raised.

Ships heading to the area include French research vessel, the Atalante, which can reach the depths of the Titanics shipwreck and His Majestys Canadian Ship Glace Bay, which can perform search and rescue duties.

They will join the Polar Prince as well as Deep Energy, a pipe-laying vessel flagged in the Bahamas, and three other Canadian vessels.

Its a good combination, Matthew Heaslip, a senior lecturer in naval history at the University of Portsmouth, told The New York Times. A mix of vessels that would be very much intended for this kind of rescue.

Submersible Titan is still missing and experts fear oxygen will run out on Thursday morning (PA)

As the search continues, revelations continued to emerge about OceanGate founder Mr Rush, who was found to have previously complained about obscenely safe regulations holding his industry back.

Speaking in 2019 to the Smithsonian Magazine, Mr Rush said government regulations had curbed innovation and growth in the US commercial submarine industry.

There hasnt been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years. Its obscenely safe because they have all these regulations, Mr Rush, then 57, said. But it also hasnt innovated or grown  because they have all these regulations.
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All five passengers on the Titan submersible that vanished during a mission to explore the Titanic wreckage were killed when the vessel endured a catastophic implosion deep in the ocean.

British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, UK citizens Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate Expeditions chief executive Stockton Rush had sadly been lost, the company announced on 22 June  when debris from the sub was foud on the sea floor.

The US Coast Guard offered its deepest condolences to the families after the tail cone of the vessel was found around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck. There was a catastrophic implosion of the Titans pressure chamber, the expeditions company said.

It added: These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans.

Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time.

We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.

On 28 June, the US Coast Guard announced that a search had since recovered presumed human remains from the sea floor.

This what is known about the five people on board:

Hamish Harding

Hamish Harding posted about his plans to see the Titanic wreckage two days before the sub went missing (Facebook/Hamish Harding)

Hamish Harding, 58, chairman of private plane firm Action Aviation, had posted on social media that he was proud to be heading to the Titanic as a mission specialist, adding: Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023.

He had previously travelled to the bottom of the ocean on the Challenger Deep and into space on Jeff Bezos Blue Origin.

The father of two was a seasoned explorer and held three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. He dived to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench in March 2021.

Dubai-based Mr Harding was also on board the 2019 One More Orbit flight mission that set a record for the fastest circumnavigation of Earth by aircraft over both geographic poles.

He doesnt stand still. If hes not working hard, hes exploring hard, said Jannicke Mikkelsen, an explorer and friend.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet

French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet was described by OceanGate as the Titanics greatest explorer (Getty)

French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, was director of underwater research at a company that owns the rights to the Titanic wreck and recovers artifacts.

A former commander in the French navy, he was both a deep diver and a mine-sweeper. After retiring from the navy, he led the first recovery expedition to the Titanic in 1987 and several more, becoming a leading authority on the wreck site.

OceanGate described Mr Nargeolet as the Titanics greatest explorer.

The former naval officer was born in Chamonix, France, but spent his early years in Africa with his parents. He was married to American newsreader Michelle Marsh until she died in 2017.

He completed 35 dives in the submersible. In a 2020 interview, he spoke of the dangers of deep diving, saying: I am not afraid to die, I think it will happen one day.

Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman

Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, were UK citizens, believed to have lived in a Surrey mansion with Mr Dawoods wife Christine and daughter Alina.

Shahzada Dawood has been named as one of the people on the submersible in a family statement (WEF)

Shahzada Dawood was vice-chairman of one of Pakistans largest conglomerates, Engro Corporation, with investments in fertilisers, vehicle manufacturing, energy and digital technologies.

His interests included wildlife photography, gardening and exploring natural habitats, while Suleman was a fan of science fiction literature, according to a statement from the Dawood Group. He studied at the University of Strathclyde.

Stockton Rush

OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush (OceanGate)

Stockton Rush, 61, chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions, told Sky News earlier this year the Titanic was an amazingly beautiful wreck.

His company, which provides crewed submersible services for researchers and explorers to travel deep into the ocean, operated the doomed Titan submersible.

Mr Rush began his career as a pilot at 19 after qualifying from the United Airlines Jet Training Institute. He was the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world.

According to Mr Rushs biography on his companys website, he graduated from Princeton University with a BSE in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1984.

He then joined the McDonnell Douglas Corporation as a flight test engineer, and spent two years at Edwards Air Force Base.

He served on the Museum of Flights Board of Trustees, the board of enterprise software company Entomo and as chairman of Remote Control Technology.

In 2012, Mr Rush also founded the non-profit OceanGate Foundation while sitting on the board of BlueView Technologies, a manufacturer of high-frequency sonar systems.

The company behind the doomed venture

OceanGate Expeditions offers eight-day tourist missions to see the Titanic wreckage at a cost of $250,000 a person.

An OceanGate submersible like the one missing (OceanGate/YouTube)

It says it uses next-generation crewed submersibles and launch platforms to increase deep ocean access as far as 4,000 metres.

OceanGate has successfully completed over 14 expeditions and over 200 dives in the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, its website says.

Following every mission, the team evaluates and updates the procedures as part as a continued commitment to evolve and ensure operational safety.

Its submersibles were launched from a mother ship which then recovered them at the end of the missions.

Titanic wreckage at the bottom of the ocean (Atlantic Productions/Magellan)

The Titanic, operated by the White Star Line, sank on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean back in 1912.

The ship, the largest vessel at the time, set sail from Southampton on 10 April 1912, with more than 2,200 passengers and crew on board, heading for New York City.

Five days into its voyage, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the ocean. More than 1,500 people died.

The wreck lay undiscovered, until in 1985 it was found around 12,500ft at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, around 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

In recent years, trips to visit it have become increasingly popular.
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A man who visited the Titanic wreckage in the same submersible that is now missing in the Atlantic has revealed the jarringly extensive waiver passengers were forced to sign before going on the expedition.

Mike Reiss, a producer and writer on The Simpsons, made the journey with OceanGate last year.

Speaking to the New York Post, Mr Reiss and his wife Denise didnt say specifically how much they paid for the trip, but according to the paper, it was more than $100,000. After Ms Reiss tested positive for Covid-19, she had to stay on the support vessel on the surface while her husband made the eight-hour journey to the ocean floor.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here.

A submersible making the same trip down 13,000 feet (3,962 metres) has now gone missing along with its passengers  OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, marine archaeologist Paul-Henry Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman.

Death is always lurking, its always in the back of your mind, the 63-year-old Mr Reiss said.

Before you even get on the boat, theres a long, long waiver that mentions death three times on page one, Mr Reiss told the Post.

The only training Mr Reiss received before the trip was how to get into a survival suit.

Its like if you took a minivan and took all the seats out, thats the amount of space you have, Mr Reiss said about the submersible. Its sort of beautifully designed inside, it feels sort of like a waiting room at a spa, quiet and comfortable.

The descent took about two and a half hours.

The sub is very, very simple, Mr Reiss said. You basically push it in the water and it sinks like a stone. So, it hits bottom and then you sail around and youre sort of powered by engines that look like desktop fans.

The missing submersible Titan and its passengers (Getty/PA/Reuters/AP)

He found the journey so peaceful that he fell asleep.

The sub is operated using a video game controller.

Its not high-tech, Mr Reiss noted, adding that on his trip, when they hit the ocean floor, the sub was only 500 yards away from the wreckage, where it has laid since 12 April 1912.

But we didnt know where and the compass stopped working, Mr Reiss told the paper. We spent about 90 minutes just hunting around, trying to find the Titanic, but its just so dark down there.

They stumbled on the wreckage with only 20 minutes left to look at the ship.

Thats just the luck of the draw. Thats what you got. And youre at the mercy of weather, and water and technical problems, Mr Reiss noted.

The porthole to look at the ship is only slightly larger than a washing machine door.

The OceanGate Expeditions vessel has been used to examine the wreck of the Titanic (OceanGate Expeditions/PA) (PA Media)

I mostly felt like I was seeing a celebrity in person, Mr Reiss said. My thought was, Wow, she looks just she does in the pictures.

While Mr Reiss praised the design of the sub, he said that as the vessel resurfaced it was grabbed by a winch from above.

When the winch grabbed us, the sub went vertical suddenly and all of us five people plunked to the bottom, he told the paper. All of our computers, our food, our water, everything just fell on top of us. And we hung that way for a while.

Mr Reiss said that while he didnt feel unsafe during the trip, he wouldnt take that risk again.

Its definitely being invented as it goes along, he told the Post. I dont want to disparage it, but it reminds me of the early days of aviation or the space program, where a lot of thought goes into it and then they find a problem.

The idea that they could be just sitting there lost and waiting for time to run out, he said about the missing sub. Thats a very scary thought.

Its a very tiny vessel in a very big ocean, he added. It is built to go where no other vessel to go, so if its stuck on the bottom of the ocean, I cant foresee a way out.
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The world is watching closely as multiple international agencies work together to try and find the OceanGate Expeditions submersible with five passengers aboard before time runs out.

Among those watching are prominent world leaders like US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and more.

The submersible went missing on Sunday as it was diving to view the Titanic wreckage in a remote area of the North Atlantic Ocean. Just one hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with its surface ship, the Polar Prince.

Crew aboard the Polar Prince expected the submersible to resurface later that afternoon but when it failed they contacted authorities who deployed the US Coast Guard to start a search and rescue operation.

John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, said that President Biden is watching events closely and has encouraged the US Navy to help where they can.

All of us, including the president, express our thoughts to the crew on board, as well as to the no doubt worried family members back on shore, Mr Kirby said.

The five people on board the Titan are OceanGate Expeditions founder and CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani business and longtime supporter of the Princes Trust International Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood.

Will Straw, the CEO of the Princes Trust International told Hello! that the Princes Trust International was praying for a rescue and sending our thoughts to [Mr Dawoods] family during this deeply challenging time.

According to the report, King Charles has been kept privy to all information related to the situation and his thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family.

The sub is expected to run out of oxygen by Thursday morning.

Bahamanian research vessel Deep Energy on site during the ongoing search for the 21-foot submersible Titan, in Boston (US Coast Guard/EPA/Getty/PA/Reuters)

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sunak said, The families involved will be deeply concerned and his thoughts are with them and the Foreign Office is providing support.

The spokesperson added that Downing Street was ready to provide assistance at any point and was in contact with the relevant authorities.

Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, tweeted that Dubai was praying for the passengers to return home safely

We are following the update anxiously and are unified in our prayers for them and their families during this difficult time, Sheikh Hamdan wrote.

The US Coast Guard has assembled a team of a Unified Command consisting of the US Navy, Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Coast Guard, the OceanGate Expeditions team, privately-owned vessels and commercial vessels to help search.

French President Emmanuel Macron requested a French research vessel named LAtalante be used to aide in the search of the missing sub.
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The search for a submarine carrying five people that went missing on its way to view the wreckage of the Titanic continues on Wednesday, with a growing number of ships and aircraft joining the US-Canadian rescue effort.

The Titan sub, which is operated by OceanGate Expeditions and has taken fee-paying customers on tours of the disintegrating remains of the doomed ocean liner since 2021, lost contact with its tracking ship, the Polar Prince, on Sunday afternoon, sparking a desperate race to retrieve it before the air supply inside is exhausted.

Stockton Rush, the companys founder, was part of the crew on board the sub when it vanished, alongside British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and the latters son, Sulaiman Dawood.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here.

OceanGates Titan tourist submarine (OceanGate Expeditions/PA)

More than 10,000 square miles of the North Atlantic have been searched so far, according to the US Coast Guard, with reports that regular tapping sounds were picked up by sonar on Tuesday, providing fresh hope that the occupants are alive and Titan might yet be found.

Five additional rescue vessels will arrive in the next 24-48 hours, after the estimated time when the Titans oxygen reserves will have been exhausted.

However, the French ship Atalante carrying the Victor 6,000 underwater (ROV) and winch  the only one capable of reaching the Titanic wreck 4,000m under the ocean surface  is only expected to reach the search site on Wednesday night.

Friends of the missing men have attempted to remain positive, with businessman Oisin Fanning telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday morning that theres a very good chance they will be found. He insisted that Mr Rush and Mr Nargeolet are consummate professionals who will fully understand the realities of their plight and have urged their fellow passengers not to panic.

If I was in trouble, Id want to be on a sub with them, Mr Fanning said. They will be conserving energy from day one. So I wouldnt be surprised if the action lasts a lot longer because theyll know exactly what to do.

More pessimistic about their prospects of survival was retired British Navy rear admiral Chris Parry, who told LBC that without an emitting signal from the craft it will be impossible to find it within such a limited timescale.

Im afraid the odds are vanishingly small, he said. Obviously, we want to remain hopeful and optimistic but there are two problems here  one is actually finding the thing and secondly, is how on earth are you going to get it off the seabed. Its never been done before and I dont think anybodys got any ideas about how to do it at the moment.

As to what conditions the five men might be enduring on board, a scientific paper published late last month offers a grim insight into the toll the ordeal threatens to take on any survivors.

Rescue teams are searching for the submersible tourist vessel (American Photo Archive/Alamy/PA)

Hypothermia

Trapped crew in a sunken ship or submarine face many physiological challenges, including toxic gases, exposure to elevated ambient pressures, and hypothermia, wrote Dr Dale Mole, the former director of undersea medicine and radiation health for the US Navy, in his paper on the subject for Ciottones Disaster Medicine, published on 29 May.

Rescue is preferred over escape where possible. National and international governments and organisations must have a robust and reliable search and rescue response plan in place that is regularly exercised. Medical personnel must be well-versed on the unique attributes of maritime medicine, as well as being an integral part of any rescue team.

Toxic gases

The principal danger, Dr Mole explains, is from gradual suffocation as the oxygen supply runs out, with the crew of the Titan having little more than one days worth left, according to official estimates, at the time of writing.

Most small vessels have a carbon dioxide scrubber built in to help extract toxic gases from the air, although the capacity is likely to be limited, particularly in such a small sub as the Titan, and such a device might have failed altogether if its battery power were interrupted or spent.

Panic attacks

The knock-on psychological effects of the situation could include a growing sense of claustrophobia, leading to increased heart rates, light-headedness, nausea and panic attacks, which could cause the sufferer to hyperventilate, placing an even greater strain on the already limited oxygen supply within the interior.

Four of the missing men aboard the Titan. Clockwise from top left: Hamish Harding, Stockton Rush, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Shahzada Dawood (Reuters/Getty/WEF/OceanGate)

In addition, the low temperatures prevalent deep within the ocean outside could cause the occupants of the sub to suffer hypothermia, leading to shivering, loss of feeling in the hands and feet and impaired judgement, although this will be held off, for a while at least, by the internal heat emitted by their bodies and any electronics on board (although this is intentionally minimal in the case of the Titan).

Anytime humans are confined in an airtight space, most people may think of oxygen, but carbon dioxide is actually a bigger concern, Dr Mole told The Daily Mail.

The people inside will find it difficult to breathe, their depth of respiration will increase. Theyll develop headaches and gradually become unconscious.

The rising level of carbon dioxide is what kills people first when theyre in an airtight environment, not the level of oxygen.

Loss of consciousness

Dr Mole said the impact of dwindling oxygen is like putting a bag over your head and will ultimately lead to a loss of consciousness.

You want to try and stay as calm as possible and turn off as much electrical equipment as you can to conserve battery power and make sure you have enough energy for your scrubbers, he advised.

Titan prepares to launch from its submersive platform on a test run (OceanGate/YouTube)

Writing for Indy Voices this week, submariner David Bessell said the occupants are facing an anxious wait for rescue against the clock with nothing but their own thoughts and desperate hope for company, adding: I cannot imagine, if they have not perished already, what can be going through the minds of the passengers and crew.

All of the potential health impacts described by Dr Mole assume that conditions within the submersible remain stable.

If the opposite proves true, and the vessels integrity has been otherwise compromised, those inside would most likely have been killed instantly, as Mr Bessell suggests.

Eric Fusil, an associate professor and director of the shipbuilding hub at the University of Adelaide, Australia, has outlined several possible scenarios that could have led to such an outcome, including a power blackout, fire, flood or entanglement with another object in the sea.

A fire, he said, could incapacitate the vessels systems or create toxic fumes that could leave the crew unconscious. A flood would be even more dramatic, resulting in a near-instantaneous implosion.

The Titan on dry land (PA)

The most optimistic scenario would be a power loss that allowed the vessel to return to the surface, where it would wait for search crews to find it, Prof Fusil said.

The takeaway is that its easier to go and rescue people in space than to dive that deep and rescue people because we cant communicate easily, he said. Its still a very, very risky endeavour, even with the technology of today.

Stressing the harshness of the icy waters surrounding the wreck of the Titanic, British diver Dik Barton told ITVs Good Morning Britain: Its a very, very dangerous, hostile place to be. Theres a local ebb and current of water which moves around, its not consistent. The strength of the submersible is relatively limited.

The thrusters are quite strong but, at the end of the day, you have to conserve your power because its your life support system and navigation system.

Like Mr Fanning, Mr Barton was pinning his hopes on the expertise and experience of Mr Nargeolet to see his colleagues through: He will be certainly doing all he possibly can to make sure everyone is calm and collected and waiting for recovery.
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The US Coastguard has rejected an offer of help from a UK firm which experts say may provide the "best hope" of finding the missing Titanic submarine, as the window of opportunity to rescue the five onboard rapidly closes.

British company Magellan Limited has had a deep-sea submersible craft ready to support the rescue mission since early on Monday, with the ability to reach depths of 6,000 metres and prior experience of visiting the Titanic wreckage site.

But the US First Coast Guard District told The Independent it has not requested assistance from the firm as the vessel, currently sat on a plane awaiting US clearance to be deployed, is too far away.

The frantic search for the vessel lost in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean is now in its third day and oxygen is expected to run out at around 10am on Thursday UK time.

The US First Coast Guard District said after careful consideration of the most effective resources available, the unified command - the US Coast Guard, US Navy, Canadian Coast Guard and OceanGate Expeditions - is not planning on requesting Magellan because of how far out that vessel would be from the area needed. It added the command would probably not reverse its decision.

British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood are on the OceanGate Expeditionss submersible Titan (Reuters/Getty/WEF/OceanGate)

However, experts have suggested to The Independent that Magellans vessel could still make it to the search site before the submarines air supply is expected to run out. Although the longer the wait, the less likely this becomes, hence a reversal of the US Coast Guards decision is time critical.

Magellan said it had been contacted by OceanGate, the company that organised the Titanic tourist expedition, early on Monday and immediately offered its services, saying: We are ready to support, and we are fully mobilised to help.

The US Coast Guard decided against deploying Magellans vessel at the point at which the company offered its services, over two days ago, again citing its distance from the search site as the reason for this decision.

Two of the stranded five - British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet - are members of The Explorers Club, a community of experienced explorers. The group has issued a desperate plea to the US government to deploy the ROV with the most experience at the Titanic site and possibly the best hope for a rescue.

The wreckage sits at a depth of around 3,810 metres, but the group has said the vessels currently being deployed at the site only reach depths of 3,000 metres. The submarine the US Coast Guard confirmed had been deployed at the site, Deep Energy, is only rated to a depth of 3,000 metres.

The Explorers Club said it has been in contact with top government officials, turning every stone, urging them to give the green light and get Magellan to the site as soon as possible. It said it had also been in close contact with Magellan, who are ready to deploy and every second now counts.

Magellan Limited has had a deep-sea submersible craft ready to support the mission since early on Monday (Magellan)

Their pleas are all the more urgent following the glimmer of hope that came with reports from the US Coast Guard that a Canadian aircraft searching for the submarine detected intermittent banging noises from the vicinity of its last known location.

The crew heard banging sounds every 30 minutes on Tuesday and again on Wednesday after additional sonar devices were deployed. However, the US Coast Guard clarified that they dont know the source of the noise.

The President of The Explorers Club Richard Garriott shared a letter with his community, citing reports tapping sounds had been detected by sonar, implying that crew may be alive and signalling.

The letter shared with The Independent by Professor Mark Hannaford, a member of the group and founder of World Extreme Medicine, read: It is essential to the survival of the crew that these assets [Magellans vessel] are brought in, NOW!

The Magellans vessel has the ability to reach depths of 6,000 metres and prior experience of visiting the Titanic wreckage site (Magellan)

It added the submarines currently at the site are not rated for the depth of the submersible and subsequently MAY NOT WORK.

Mr Hannaford, who is close friends with Mr Harding, said: Putting yourself in their shoes is incomprehensible, especially for the families. Its very hard to imagine people you know in that situation - and what theyre likely to be going through.

But Hamish is so accomplished, extremely bright, a great pilot and engineer - if theres anybody who can fix their way out of this situation, Hamish is one of them.

Alongside the pair on the OceanGate Expeditionss submersible Titan are CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood.

The massive search and rescue operation in a remote part of the North Atlantic is entering its final hours after the submersible vessel has been missing for over three days.

The watercraft submerged on Sunday (18 June) morning with its support vessel, the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince. About an hour and 45 minutes later, the Titan lost contact with Polar Prince, authorities said. The Titan is equipped with a four-day emergency oxygen supply.

The wreck of the Titanic, a British ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in April 1912, lies about 900 miles (1,450 km) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 400 miles (644 km) south of St Johns, Newfoundland.
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Safety concerns about the Titan submarine that imploded in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean with five people on board have been revealed in a number of scathing reports.

The US Coast Guard announced during a Thursday press conference that the missing Titans pressure chamber was found among other debris, approximately 1600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on the sea floor by an ROV. In a statement to The Independent, OceanGate  the private company that offers the $250,000-a-seat expedition to the wreck of the Titanic  confirmed that the five passengers aboard the vessel are now believed dead.

But before boarding submarines from OceanGate, travellers were warned in a contract that it has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, disability, motion trauma, or death.

The disclaimer is part of a long list of concerns regarding the companys safety record, as its crew remains unaccounted for with air rapidly running out.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titan submarine here.

A lawsuit, a letter from industry leaders, and comments from the companys own CEO, one of the missing crewmen, all pointed to potential issues with the Titan submersible.

In 2018, the company fired David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations. They claimed he breached his contract and shared confidential information about its designs with two individuals as well as with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

However, Mr Lochridge alleged in a wrongful termination suit obtained by The New Republic that he was fired for blowing the whistle about concerning safety issues.

According to the suit, Mr Lochridge delivered highly critical updates regarding the ships quality control to senior management and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, pointing to alleged issues such as visible flaws in the ships carbon fibre hull, prevalent flaws in a scale model, flammable materials onboard, a viewing window not rated for the Titanics depth, and key safety documents that were not shared with him.

Now is the time to properly address items that may pose a safety risk to personnel, he allegedly said at one point. Verbal communication of the key items I have addressed in my attached document have been dismissed on several occasions, so I feel now I must make this report so there is an official record in place.

The official allegedly pushed for further testing and for outside evaluators like the American Bureau of Shipping to inspect and certify the submarine.

Five people are missing aboard the vessel which is missing and uncontactable in the Atlantic Ocean (Reuters/Jannicke Mikkelsen/OceanGate Expeditions/Getty)

He claimed, according to filings obtained by the magazine, that he was fired when he said he wouldnt authorise manned testing of the sub without scans of the crafts hull.

The Independent has contacted OceanGate for comment.

An attorney for Mr Lochridge, who settled with the company in 2018, said the man has no comment and that we pray for everyones safe return.

That wasnt the only red flag about the company, which became a media darling for its bold claims about innovating submarine design and bringing tourists to see the famed North Atlantic wreck.

In 2018, leaders in the submarine industry wrote a letter from the Marine Technology Society to the company warning of catastrophic issues with the submarines development.

Three dozen signatories including executives, oceanographers, and explorers expressed unanimous concern, particularly with the companys decision not to seek outside evaluation and testing.

While this may demand additional time and expense, the signatories wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The New York Times. It is our unanimous view that this validation process by a third party is a critical component in the safeguards that protect all submersible occupants.

Rescue teams are continuing the search for the submersible tourist vessel Titan which went missing during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck (PA Media)

In a 2019 blog post, the company defended its decision not to have its sub classed by an outside evaluator.

The vast majority of marine (and aviation) accidents are a result of operator error, not mechanical failure, it reads. As a result, simply focusing on classing the vessel does not address the operational risks. Maintaining high-level operational safety requires constant, committed effort and a focused corporate culture  two things that OceanGate takes very seriously and that are not assessed during classification.

That same year, Mr Rush, the CEO, told Smithsonian Magazine that submarine regulations were stifling innovation.

There hasnt been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years. Its obscenely safe, because they have all these regulations, he said. But it also hasnt innovated or grown  because they have all these regulations.

The alleged issues didnt end there.

In 2020, the CEO told GeekWire the hull of the submarine was showing signs of cyclic fatigue, one of the same technical issues Mr Lochridge allegedly warned about, as the company continued to test the craft, including with a 4,000m deep dive in the Bahamas.

As a result, the company temporarily downgraded the Titanic submarines hull depth rating to 3,000m, 1,000 less than the Titanics depth, according to TechCrunch.

Over the next two years, according to the publication, the submarines hull, originally built by Spencer Composties, was repaired or rebuilt by aerospace contractors Electroimpact and Janicki Industries.

The Independent has contacted all three companies for comment.

Missing tourist submarine likely stuck under Titanic propeller, says Hamish Hardings friend

Electroimpact did not answer specific questions about its reported involvement with the submarine, but company chief operating officer Austin Clark told The Independent via email thatour thoughts and prayers go out to the passengers and their families.

Spencer told TechCrunch its hull wasnt used on the version of the Titan which went down to the Titanic and went missing.

By 2021, the submarine had completed its first trip down to the Titanic.

As OceanGate continued to plunge into its Titanic mission, problems continued.

A 2022 mission saw the Titan suffer battery issues that required the ship to be manually attached to a key lifting platform, according to court documents obtained by The New York Times.

Last year, on a visit to the Titanic programme, a CBS News reporter observed the submarine allegedly had off the shelf components including lights from Camping World, and that the submarine suffered a communications issue with the ship overseeing its voyage and was lost for nearly three hours underwater.

OceanGate Expeditions founder and CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were on board the Titan. All five passengers are presumed dead following the discovery of debris on Thursday.

The Coast Guard says that ROVs will remain in place but that it will begin to pull back equipment over the next 48 hours.

This is an incredibly unforgiving environment out there on the sea floor. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic implosion of the vessel. We will continue to work and search the area down there but I dont have an answer on prospects at this time, said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard.

The Rear Admiral said that sonar buoys had been in the water for the past 72 hours and that they had not picked up any evidence of an implosion, suggesting that it had happened early on in the dive.
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Rescuers are in a race against time to reach a deep-sea submarine that disappeared carrying a pilot and four crew on a tour to the Titanic wreckage.

The OceanGate Expeditions tourist and research vessel Titan lost communications with the research vessel the Polar Prince one hour and 45 minutes into its 3,000m deep dive early on Sunday morning (18 June).

Rescuers say the vessel will run out of oxygen on Thursday (22 June) and are searching an area of the North Atlantic Ocean about the size of Connecticut, 900 miles (1450kms) off the coast of Cape Cod.

British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet  known as Mr Titanic  are onboard, along with Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood.

Rescuers are yet to find any trace of the vessel or its crew members.

We have to remain optimistic and hopeful, Captain Jamie Frederick, the response coordinator for the First Coast Guard District, said during a press briefing on Wednesday (21 June).

With the search now in its third day, experts say the chances of finding anyone alive are dwindling. Waning oxygen reserves and extreme cold are counting against the rescue mission, while no light reaches the depth of the Titanic, hampering a visual search of the wreck.

Five additional rescue vessels will arrive in the next 24-48 hours, after the estimated time when the Titans oxygen reserves will have been exhausted. Five other vessels have already searched a 10,000sqm area for any sign of the OceanGate Expeditions submersible.

Sonar leading the blind search

The US and Canadian Coast Guards have launched long-distance reconnaissance aircraft including two C-130 Hercules and a Boeing P-8 to conduct radar and visual search.

Sonar buoys and a sonar ship have also been deployed to scan for any sign of the Titan.

Rear Admiral Mauger said the sonar devices have a listening depth of 13,000 feet (4,000m), the same depth as the Titanic wreckage.

The crushing pressure of the ocean at that extreme depth means that an unmanned vehicle such as a US Navys Curv-21 would realistically be the only vessel that could reach the missing submersible.

A US Navy Curv-21, an unmanned submersible vessel that can reach a depth of 20,000 feet, is being used in the search for the missing Titanic wreck vessel (US Navy)

The Curv-21 can reach a depth of 20,000 feet and relays video, navigation and sonar data back to operators on the ocean surface via its fibre-optic umbilical cord, according to the US Navy.

In an interview with Good Morning America on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Mauger said the US Coast Guard had flown multiple aircraft over an area about the size of Connecticut.

C-130 Hercules reconnaissance aircraft are searching for the missing Titan submersible across an area of the North Atlantic about the size of Connecticut (386th Air Expeditionary Wing Pub)

A commercial vessel that operates unmanned vehicles joined the mission on Monday night, he added.

Folks have been working around the clock to mobilise gear to get it to the site and to participate in the search for this submersible, he said.

Youre dead before you realise

The pilot and crew, known as mission specialists, would have received extensive training in the event of complications onboard.

They included Mr Nargeolet, 77, a former French Navy diver who has visited the wreckage more than 35 times.

In a 2019 interview with the Irish Examiner, the New York resident issued a chilling warning about the dangers of submerging to such extreme depths.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet has visited the Titanic wreckage 35 times  more than any other person (Getty)

If you are 11m or 11km down, if something bad happens, the result is the same, Mr Nargeolet said. When youre in very deep water, youre dead before you realise that something is happening, so its just not a problem.

Mr Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, who is also onboard, is another experienced underwater explorer.

OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush was the second person to solo pilot a submersible vessel to 4,000m (OceanGate)

He has piloted the Titan to a depth of 4,000m alone, only the second person after filmmaker James Cameron to carry out a solo submersible dive deeper than 3,000m, according to a profile on the OceanGate website.

In a presentation at the GeekWire summit in 2022, Mr Rush said the Titan had visited the wreck site 13 times in 2021 and 2022 without incident.

Hamish Harding, an experienced explorer, also onboard, would have been calm and collected in an emergency, his friend and fellow explorer Jannicke Mikkelsen told CNN.

Hamish is larger than life. He lives exploration. He is an explorer to the core of his soul, Ms Mikkelson said.

He has been to the bottom of planet Earth in the Mariana Trench hes even been in space. We circumnavigated the planet together, she added.

Missing Titanic submarine: What happened to the Titan tourist submersible?

Record-breaking rescue bid

At 4,000m (13,120ft), the potential depth of the Titan makes it one of the deepest ocean rescue missions in history.

In 2022, the Curv-21 was deployed to recover the wreckage of an F-35 fight jet from the South China Sea at a depth of approximately 3780m (12,400 ft).

The Curv-21 attached a hoist to the wreckage to allow it to be pulled back to the ocean surface, according to the US Navy.

In 1973, two British sailors were rescued from a depth of 487m (1,600 ft) after becoming stranded in a six-foot steel ball.

The survivors had 12 minutes of oxygen remaining when they were finally pulled from the sea, according to the BBC.

Bleak outlook

Former British Navy Rear Admiral Chris Parry said the lack of contact with the Titan over the past 48 hours was very concerning.

Mr Parry said the submersible could have become caught up in the Titanic wreckage or suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure onboard.

The OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel Titan has been missing for more than 48 hours (PA Media)

The 22-foot-long Titan takes around two hours to reach the ocean bed, where the Titanic sank in 1912 causing the deaths of 1,500 crew and passengers.

This means the vessel was likely close to the wreck site when it lost contact with support crews.

Having listened to the timescale its very worrying, Mr Parry told Sky News.

Theres an optimistic option and thats that its either lost an umbilical communication with the surface or indeed theres been a malfunction and the submarine continues to operate but obviously out of contact with its mother ship, he said.

Obviously on the other end of the scale there could have been an accident. It could have become entangled in the wreckage of the Titanic. It could indeed have had a catastrophic failure.

Though on Wednesday (21 June), a Canadian P-8 aircraft detected underwater noises described as tapping sounds. Follow-up surveillance did not turn up the missing sub.

Crucial ship wont arrive until after oxygen deadline

Captain Frederick admitted that the search teams had no idea what the sounds were, and searches around the areas they came from had failed to yield any trace of the missing sub. The sounds were being analysed by US Navy specialists.

He also said two underwater remote operated vehicle (ROVs) had also been deployed in the search zone.

In addition, two Canadian P-3 aircraft were flying back-to-back missions, and two C-130 aircraft would continue to fly through the day and into the evening.

On Wednesday, the first photo emerged of the Deep Energy rescue ship, which carries two remote operated vehicles (ROVs) capable of operating to a depth of 3,000m, arriving at the search site. The John Cabot, which has side scanning sonar capabilities, the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin also arrived at the search site on Wednesday morning, the US Coast Guard said in a Twitter post.

However, the French ship Atalante carrying the Victor 6,000 underwater (ROV) and winch  the only one capable of reaching the Titanic wreck 4,000m under the ocean surface  will have a narrow window of time to conduct rescue operations as it is only expected to reach the search site on Wednesday night.

Finger-pointing at the US

An adviser to OceanGate Expeditions who pulled out of the tour at the last minute has claimed that US officials were slow to react after the Titan was reported missing on Sunday.

David Concannon told NewsNation on Monday that vital rescue equipment that could help locate the Titan is currently thousands of miles away in the Guernsey Channel Islands.

The equipment and crew were ready and waiting to be sent to the Atlantic Ocean to help locate the submersible, but had been held up due to US government bureaucracy, he said.

They are mobilised. Theyre sitting on the tarmac, ready to go. We have a ship off Newfoundland that is ready to take them to the site, he told NewsNation.

This equipment has been on the tarmac for hours. When I communicate with the US government, I get out of office replies, not from everyone, but from key people that have a signoff on this, he said.

Thats unacceptable. I dont want to discourage the government officials that are helping because theyre doing their jobs, but we need to do it quicker.

The US Coast Guard rejected an offer by British company Magellan Limited to send a deep-sea submersible craft that may have been able to reach the Titanic wreckage site, which lies 4,000m under the ocean surface.

The US First Coast Guard District said it turned down the offer after careful consideration because of the length of time it would take to reach the search site.
YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan held a meeting on June 20 with the delegation of European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defense (SEDE) led by Chair Nathalie Loiseau.

Kostanyan commended the European Parliaments principled position in issues of primary importance for Armenia and thanked the MEPs for their pro-Armenian activities, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

The Deputy Foreign Minister and the Members of the European Parliament discussed a broad circle of issues related to the Armenia-EU cooperation agenda. Kostanyan attached great importance to the deployment of the EU mission in Armenia (EUMA) and EUs efforts aimed at stabilizing the security situation in the region.

In the context of the discussed issues, Deputy FM Kostanyan comprehensively presented the latest developments around the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process and addressing the guarantees of rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh. At the request of the visiting delegation, he also touched upon the steps aimed at the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
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Watch as the US Coast Guard gives an update on the missing Titanic submarine on Thursday, 21 June.

Captain Jamie Frederick from the First Coast Guard District led a news conference from Boston, Massachusetts, in which he provided information on the search for the Titan with five people aboard, which has been missing in deep waters off the coast of Canada since Sunday.

The press conference comes as there are less than 20 hours of oxygen left in the vessel.

A Canadian aircraft searching for the submarine has heard banging noises from the area of its last known location.

The passengers on the vessel are the CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions - the tour firm operating the sumbersible - Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood.

The underwater vehicle submerged on Sunday morning (18 June) and its support vessel lost contact with it about an hour and 45 minutes later, authorities said.

Follow our live blog here.
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Renata Rojas had been obsessed with the Titanic for more than half of her life when she looked out the window of a submersible, 4,000 metres under the North Atlantic, and saw the doomed ships spectre appear hauntingly from the depths.

She thought shed cry  but she was far too busy.

Ms Rojas, 50, was one of only five people on that submersible, part of the 2022 OceanGate Titanic Expedition to the wreck in July. Accompanied by a pilot and a research scientist, she and two other mission specialists, civilians who could pay a six-figure price for the trip, embarked upon the meticulously-planned, deep-sea exploration.

Rescuers confirm only 40 hours of oxygen left in missing submersible Titanic tourist submarine

Since the Titanic was discovered off the coast of Newfoundland in 1985 by Bob Ballard, getting to the ship has not been a cheap or easy task. Different countries and institutions have sent down expeditions. The salvage rights belong exclusively to RMS Titanic Inc, a salvage and exhibition company based in Georgia.

OceanGate Expeditions Ltd last year began the first-phase of a multi-year exploration of Titanic to explore and document the condition of the historic shipwreck and portions of the nearly unexplored field.

The next phase began in June, and Ms Rojas trip was in July. The expedition featured five missions, each over several days and several dives that could last up to ten hours each. Each of the dives included at least one scientist or content expert on each submersible to gather archaeological and biological data with the goal of understanding behaviour and rarity of life at such a depth while helping to predict the rate of decay of deeply submerged vessels, according to the OceanGate site.

Renata Rojas, centre, poses with members of her July 2022 dive down to the wreckage of Titanic (Renata Rojas)

The deeper you go into the ocean, the less knowledgeable we are, marine biologist Dr Steve Ross, who was on the same submersible as Ms Rojas, said before the 2022 expedition. This study will give us an entirely different view of this one-of-a-kind habitat while also adding substantially to shared deep water DNA data sets.

He said findings such as water samples taken and analyzed using advanced genomics technologies will not only help us identify the lifeforms we can directly observe from the Titan submersible, but will also give us a full picture of the lifeforms we cannot see.

This includes invisible signs of both microscopic creatures and larger animals that leave traces of DNA in the water surrounding the Titanic. This research effort will contribute to conservation of the ecosystem of the wreck site.

And reaching that site had been Ms Rojas goal for almost four decades.

Ms Rojas, 50, works in banking but initially pursued a career in oceanography - before Titanics discovery in 1985 and before she felt discouraged, she says, by misogynistic figures in the industry. She was the first Mexican woman to visit the wreck (Renata Rojas)

I wanted to find Titanic when I was 12 years old, she tells The Independent. I wanted to start oceanography, be an onceanographer and go find Titanic.

If her life had gone just slightly differently  if shed been just a bit older, or just a bit younger  its likely she would have spent her career investigating Titanic and its secrets.

The daughter of a diving instructor growing up in Mexico, Ms Rojas had already developed a passion for the ocean and underwater exploration when she saw an old black-and-white movie about Titanic.

At the end of that movie, you know, Titanic hasnt been found; its disappeared completely, she says. And I was kind of drawn to the mystery of such a large ship disappearing and nobody knowing where it was  such a tragedy that shouldnt have happened.

Her fathers the one who pointed out shed need a degree in oceanography, a PhD, and as such a young student she threw herself into preparation for that career. She did papers on Titanic, she applied early to Woods Hole and was accepted, she says.

Then the Titanic was found in 1985, right before she would have started studying there. Ms Rojas says she was discouraged by the attitudes of people in the industry and those involved in the ships discovery; she was told that, as a woman, she shouldnt even bother pursuing that particular passion, she tells The Independent.

New 8K footage of the Titanic wreck is the highest-resolution film every captured of the ships watery grave (YouTube/OceanGate Expeditions)

If Id had a little bit of foresight, I wouldve said, Hey, why dont you come to Woods Hole, theres other ships, Im sure you can get involved in Titanic stuff, she says.

Shed go on to switch to banking and graduated from a university in New York, embarking on a successful career in yet another male-dominated industry.

Titanic never stopped dominating her thoughts, though. Any time there was a development regarding the ship, discoveries, history, anything, she was on top of it. She hit the speaker circuits; anyone talking about or researching Titanic, she tried to listen to, contact or connect with.

She reached out to documentary crews, scientists, everyone. When OceanGate Expeditions began letting civilians participate in trips to the wreck, she worked every contact she had. Eventually, in July  after saving for most of her life, undergoing training and spending literal decades pursuing one goal  Ms Rojas found herself hurtling towards the ocean floor in July 2022 in a submersible called Titan.

On board with her was Dr Ross; pilot Scott Griffith; and two other mission specialists, one who made the journey last year as well.

We were going down fast, Ms Rojas tells The Independent. Everything kind of flies [by] the window. But we were doing a little of the experiments  turning the lights off and turning the lights on to see how the life outside the sub would react. As you get closer to the bottom, the pilot starts needing help. They need to deploy some of the [equipment] to slow down the descent; you dont want to be slamming into the bottom.

OceanGate captured the first highest-resolution, 8K footage of the underwater wreck on its recent missions

As the team scrambled to maneuver the submersible, it really didnt hit Ms Rojas that they were nearing the site shed waited so long to see and she thinks she didnt want to get all my hopes up, because anything can happen until you get to the bottom.

Soon though, she began to start realizing that youre actually going to make it ... without any issues and youre going to be landing at a reasonable distance from Titanic, then thats when the feelings start going.

She wasnt crying and bawling like she expected; it was a small space, it was crowded, and there was too much to do and see.

We approached the wreck from the back of the bow, from the aft of the bow, at the break, she tells The Independent. Theres a lot of debris around it. So we decided to maybe go to the front of the bow, like fast, instead of trying to go through that debris or go backwards ... so we took 10 minutes literally to drive fast alongside the wreck and then make that U-turn to have the wreck in front of us and have that legendary picture of it coming out of the bow coming out of nowhere.

It was, she says, just like the movies, watching that mystical bow appear from the depths except there was no Titanic music in the background.

We had a lot of marine snow in the cameras ... [which made] the visibility a little bit lower than usual, she says. But yes, once it shows up, its like like a wall  its just like the movies, just like a huge wall.

The footage was captured by a team from OceanGate Expeditions, which made several missions to the Titanic this summer (YouTube/OceanGate Expeditions)

She continues: Youre feeling overwhelmed the entire time, not only because [of] just the fact that you were there ... [but] as we were approaching the wreck, I was wowed. That was the feeling.

One thing that really stood out to her was when the Titan crew spotted the ships famed telegraph (there has been varied and legal debate over salvaging the Marconi item, which sent distress calls before Titanic eventually sank. But its still there.)

Certain items are legendary, Ms Rojas says. Anybody will ask me, What is the most important thing you found? The telegraph. Oh, wow. Its copper, its bright - like if somebody went to shine it yesterday ... no growth on it. The lights of the sub hit it first; we were actually, at some point, turning towards the bridge.

At some point, that roof is going to collapse and that things going to go to the bottom of the ship, Ms Rojas says, sounding still somewhat in awe that she viewed it with her own eyes.

The dive was far from just touristy sight-seeing. On the way down, they were trapping water from different levels of ocean water trenches to gauge different types of life and help for year-on year comparisons, she says. They were also tasked with collecting sediment from different sides of the shipwreck  very carefully, without disturbing anything.

OceanGate captured images of the Titanics portside anchor during its recent expedition (OceanGate Expeditions)

Theres all the corals around that they wanted to take pictures of  they also wanted to focus on the anchor; we wanted to see if the name was still clear, Ms Rojas says.

The dive was practical, complicated and busy. As it neared its end, the full weight of her journey began to hit her. It overpowered her when they reached their massive ship at the surface full of crew, OceanGate staff, researchers and other mission specialists.

I kept it together throughout the ascent, she tells The Independent. When we finally came back, I lost it. Thats when I finally started to sob with everybody there, you know, with the clapping and everything.

Given that Titanic has practically been her lifes dedication, Ms Rojas reaction is unsurprising, but she also understands why the ships legacy holds such a special place in other peoples hearts.

Its such an iconic and legendary shipwreck ship, she says. I mean, it was really a ship of dreams when it was sailing ... I think its a combination of the mystery, the time, the change it created in the world.

I dont want to compare it to September 11, but it was September 11 of its time, she tells The Independent.

Its like you feel like you have to go pay your respects... It wasnt supposed to happen, she explained. Even if you see it on TV, BBC and documentaries, you kind of know the pull is such that ... you have to be there and see it in person. Its a combination of the tragedy of so many people dying, of the richness, of the fact that it was unsinkable.
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Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) decried Republican efforts to impeach President Joe Biden, saying the House should do more important work.

On Tuesday, Rep Lauren Boebert (R-CO) announced she would introduce a privileged resolution to impeach Mr Biden. But Ms Ocasio-Cortez said that it would be a waste of time to do so.

I mean, they don't have any grounds, Ms Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent. They don't have any legislation. They're doing this because they can't even agree amongst themselves that what to put on the floor.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez serves as the number-two Democrat on the House Oversight & Accountability Committee, where Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is leading an investigation into Mr Biden and his family, including the presidents son Hunter Biden.

But Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), a freshman Democrat on the committee, noted how fellow far-right bomb-thrower Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced resolutions of impeachment not just against Mr Biden but also against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

But you know what, let them put their money where their mouth is, let them go ahead, he told The Independent. You know why they're not gonna do it? Because they know the American people aren't gonna stand for it.

Rep Maxwell Frost (D-FL) said the attempt to impeach the president showed a disconnect with voters.

They should talk with their constituents and if they've knocked on a single door in their life, they would realize that people want to talk about affordable housing, health care, gun violence, climate crisis, jobs, wages, prices, and not wasting time on things like impeaching President Biden, for what for being the president, he told The Independent.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez said she did not welcome the vote for impeachment because it wasted valuable time.

I don't welcome it because I think we should actually be working for real issues that matter, she said, adding that there would be consequences for Republicans. Absolutely. They will show their extremism.

Progressives are not the only Democrats who say impeachment would be a bad idea. Rep Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), a moderate who represents a swing district, said she has yet to hear a single person in her district bring up the subject. The proposed impeachment also comes as the House is working on censuring Rep Adam Schiff (D-CA).

And I think that the American people are worried about, you know, everyday people issues and, and certainly we just continue to see out of touch efforts between like multiple censures and you know, an impeachment without grounds and, you know, there's a lot more that we could be doing that actually meet the needs of the people that we represent, she told The Independent.

Rep Madeleine Dean (D-PA), who served as an impeachment manager for former president Donald Trumps second impeachment after the January 6 riot, told The Independent it would backfire, noting how many people are abandoning the former president.

Its only a matter of time before they all wind up in that same spiral downward with Mr Trump, she said.
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Poland's powerful conservative ruling party leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, is reentering the government on Wednesday as the only deputy prime minister in the Cabinet, a move that gives him an enhanced position as the country heads toward a general election this fall.

Kaczynski is the head of Law and Justice, the party that has governed Poland since 2015. It is widely believed in Poland that he decides most of the government's policies and appointments, guiding the country in his position as party leader.

He has previously served as deputy prime minister with a focus on security issues. He announced exactly a year ago that he was resigning from that position.

This time, he will become the only deputy prime minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the government spokesman Piotr Mueller told the Polish news agency PAP.

So far, there had been four deputy prime ministers in the Cabinet.

The other deputy prime ministers have resigned from the functions of deputy prime ministers and will remain ministers, Mueller said.

President Andrzej Duda is scheduled to hold a ceremony later Wednesday to confirm the government changes.
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Thousands of people marched in Colombia on Tuesday to voice their frustration with President Gustavo Petros government and its attempts to make sweeping changes to the nations health and pension systems, and its labor laws.

The protests were held as Colombias first leftist president struggles to keep his coalition in congress together and sees a slump in his approval ratings as violence between rebel groups grows in some parts of the country.

A corruption scandal involving two members of Petros inner circle has also put the government on the defensive, with the president now fighting allegations that his campaign was financed with undeclared donations.

This government is going to take us back decades, said Jimmy Rosero, a retired army officer, who helped carry a 40-foot-long Colombian flag at a march in Bogota. We dont want any of its reforms to be approved by congress.

Petro was elected a year ago following massive protests over social and economic inequalities that worsened during the pandemic.

He promised to make peace deals with the nations remaining rebel groups and said his government would improve access to healthcare, university education and formal jobs.

But Petros Historical Pact party lacked a majority in congress. To govern, it built alliances with traditional parties on the center and the right, which were given positions in Cabinet in exchange for their support in congress.

The ideologically diverse coalition began to fracture this year, as differences emerged over legislation that seeks to reform Colombias health system and turn a government agency into the sole administrator of insurance payments, sidelining companies that currently handle a large portion of the insurance market.

Petro argues the reform will make it easier for the government to reimburse hospitals and enable it to invest more money in healthcare centers for remote rural areas. But his opponents say the government lacks the capacity to administer billions of dollars in insurance payments.

The health reform is currently stalled in congress, where it has been stonewalled by opposition parties and former members of Petros coalition. A labor law that would make it harder for employers to hire workers using temporary contracts is also struggling to gain enough votes in the senate and the lower house.

Ivan Diaz, a psychologist who owns a small empanada stand in a working class sector of Bogota, said he was worried the labor law proposed by the government would force him to lay off one of his two employees. The law obliges employers to pay additional fees for any work conducted after 6 p.m.

We are just recovering from the pandemic, and the government wants to give us more burdens, Diaz said. I want to believe in Colombia, but its very hard like this.

Petro has vowed to press on with his reform program, arguing that it is part of a popular mandate that is now threatened by Colombias economic elite.

Earlier this month, the government organized a march in favor of Petro's reforms that was also attended by thousands of people. But the presidents approval rating has fallen recently, as some Colombians appear to be less concerned with social and economic reforms, and more worried with issues like security.

In a poll conducted in May by Invamer, 73% of Colombians said they believed things were getting worse, compared to just 48% in August of last year. Petro received an approval rating of 50% in a poll conducted in November by the same company, but dropped to 34% in the latest poll conducted in April. The recent poll had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 5 percentage points.

Sergio Guzman, a political analyst in Bogota, said the government has failed to build bridges with opposition parties by refusing to make adjustments to its reforms.

The government is insisting in an all or nothing approach to its agenda Guzman said. And that has alienated members of the coalition, that came from traditional parties.

Meanwhile the presidents efforts to make peace with rebel groups have shown mixed results. In December Petro offered ceasefires to two armed groups, that have fallen apart as attacks on civilians continue. A third ceasefire with the largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army, is expected to begin in August.
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With former President Donald Trump under indictment for mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House, Fox News on Monday played a compilation of Mr Trump promising to protect classified information as president during his 2016 campaign.

In my administration, Im going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information, Mr Trump says in one of the clips, taken from a speech given in August 2016. No one will be above the law.

That wasnt the only time during the 2016 general election campaign that Mr Trump promised to protect classified information. His opponent at the time, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was herself being investigated for improperly using a private email server to conduct government business that included classified documents.

We also need to fight this battle by collecting intelligence and then protecting  protecting  our classified secrets, Mr Trump said at a September 2016 event.

We cant have someone in the Oval Office who doesnt understand the meaning of the word confidential or classified, he said later during that speech.

Instead, Mr Trump now stands accused of taking classified documents from his presidency to his private residence, showing them to acquaintances, and refusing to give them back to federal officials when asked. He is facing 37 felony counts and was arraigned last Tuesday in Miami where he plead not guilty to the charges.

Mr Trump is the first former president ever to be federally indicted, and his indictment comes as he is actively running to reclaim the White House in 2024. The former president is leading the Republican primary field by a large margin in early polls of the present race, though a recent survey suggests that Mr Trumps legal issues may be taking a toll on his standing with the electorate.

The clips of Mr Trumps vows to protect classified information came as part of a sit-down interview with the networks Bret Baier in which Baier pressed the former president on a number of issues  including his personnel decisions, denial of the reality that he lost the 2020 election, and reasons for keeping boxes containing classified information at Mar-a-Lago.

Mr Trumps legal fate may be decided by the outcome of the upcoming election. Several of Mr Trumps rivals for the Republican nomination have said they would consider pardoning the former president.
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Opponents of Irans authoritarian government accused two European governments of doing the bidding of Tehran on Tuesday as their headquarters were raided in a violent police action and officials denied their bid to hold a rally in the streets of Paris.

The two separate developments for the MEK, a group of Iranians who have fought against the Ayatollahs government for decades, occurred within hours of each other and drew serious questions about whether Tehrans influence was once again being reasserted after months of protests embarassed the countrys government beginning last year.

In Albania, a shocking scene played out at Ashraf III, headquarters of the MEK, as hundreds of police officers stormed the closed-off compound where a private security team typically protects the civilian residents from the threat of terror attacks by Iranian agents.

Photos and videos obtained by The Independent showed chaos unfolding on the camps grounds, with elderly men and women facing off against lines of officers who drenched them with multiple streams of chemical spray.

Multiple injuries were seen in images obtained from the scene, including one where an older man is seen with a serious laceration on the front of his head. In other pictures, the body of a man identified as 65-year-old Ali Mostashari is carried from the site of the violence, with signs of a laceration or severe bruising visible squarely on the centre of his forehead.

An unidentified man stands after being struck on the forehead during a police action at Ashraf III in Albania (John Bowden)

Sources at the scene said that Mr Mostashari was killed by a police officer after being struck; police officials have denied this to local Albanian media services.

At the same time, the police claimed that their officers did not use weapons under any circumstances, a statement apparently contradicted by the evidence of lacerations as well as the images of multiple officers deploying chemical spray.

One image even depicts a man in a collared shirt with graying hair restrained by two officers wearing body armor as a third blasts him in the face with chemical spray.

An unidentified man is restrained by two police officers and sprayed with a nonlethal chemical weapon during a police raid on Ashraf III (John Bowden)

Local media reports indicated that the raid was precipitated by an investigation into supposed cyber crimes; media reports and sources in the camp confirmed that multiple computers were taken by authorities during the raid. Separately, local police told Al Arabiya that they were probing a violation of agreements and commitments made by the MEKs members when they settled in Albania solely for humanitarian purposes.

A source within the MEK questioned that explanation and said it was unclear what it meant.

Dozens were reportedly injured during the clashes between police and MEK members outside of the complexs buildings.

Officials with the MEKs political arm demanded that the US and United Nations, which organised the creation of groups humanitarian refuge in Albania, denounce the raid and blamed Albanian authorities for carrying out the murder of Mr Mostashari, which as a senior MEK member they said had long been a goal of Tehran.

Ali Mostashari, in a 2021 photo provided to The Independent (The Independent)

The European Union, for whose membership Albania has applied, must condemn this barbaric attack and hold the Albanian government accountable, the group continued.

In a brief statement, the US State Department offered no indication that it believed there was any connection between the police raid and lobbying by Irans government. The agency stated that Albanias government had explained the raid to be the result of a court order, and appeared to take the Albanian governments word on whether all laws were followed and the rights of those involved were upheld. The statement was strongly rebuked by NCRI members.

Ashraf III, first set up in 2014, has been the home for hundreds of MEK members following the end of their armed resistance against Irans government. The relocation of the movement, which remains vocally committed to the overthrow of Irans government, has not been without controversy and has led to threats of attacks as well as other criticism of the MEK itself from Irans government and others.

But the group also increasingly is enjoying support from prominent politicians in Washington and elsewhere. Their rallies and conventions in Paris and elsewhere are frequently attended by US foreign policy notables from both parties, including in the past by prominent US figures like Mike Pence, currently running for the 2024 nomination, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Whether this years planned event will still happen is now unclear. Announcing that officials were tracking threats of a possible terrorist attack at the groups outdoor rally, French authorities wrote to the MEKs political arm, the NCRI, separately on Tuesday denying their request to host the event.

Moreover, given the terrorist risk cannot be neglected, the holding of such an event would make its security but also the security of sensitive guests extremely complex, read the letter provided by French authorities to the NCRI.

Some supporters of the Iranian opposition group quickly denounced the raid and the cancellation of the NCRIand suggested that their connections were obvious.

Deeply concerned that across Europeand especially right now, France and Albaniaour allies are appeasing the Iranian regime and cracking down on anti-regime dissidents. The Biden [administration] is reportedly supporting these pro-regime policies, while also directly boosting the regime by sending the Ayatollah hundreds of billions of dollars and pushing for the release of terrorists. The crackdowns and appeasement will embolden and enable the Iranian regime to commit more global terrorism. They pose a direct threat to the safety and security of Americans, wrote Senator Ted Cruz.

Paris bans an Iranian opposition meeting on the same day the Albanian police raid the Iranian opposition camp Ashraf 3. This is no coincidence but submission to the Iranian Mullahs. Unacceptable, wrote Els Ampe, a member of Belgiums Senate.

It was a move that the group denounced as French President Emmanuel Macron caving to pressure from an authoritarian regime.

With Irans ruthless regime teetering on the edge, France has yet again rushed to the rescue, read a scathing statement from Ali Safavi, a member of the NCRIs foreign affairs council. It...emboldens the medieval mullahs in their persistent use of blackmail and hostage-taking to manipulate concessions from their Western counterparts.

Sources with the group vowed that their plans to hold indoor events in France would go forward, regardless of the threat of terror attacks or potential pushback from French authorities.
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While her friends are spending their summers on vacation, Harleigh Walker is lobbying members of the US Senate in defence of her rights.

Ms Walker, a 16-year-old trans girl from Auburn, Alabama, testified to the US Senate Judiciary Committee on 21 June to debunk false claims regarding gender-affirming healthcare, a subject that has consumed state legislatures across the country, threatening to ban girls like her from getting the care they need.

Her home state was among the first to pass legislation banning affirming care for trans youth. A federal judge has blocked the state from enforcing it.

There has been so much misinformation shared around what it means to be a transgender person, and what healthcare looks like for transgender youth like me, she said in her prepared remarks.

Most of what Ive been hearing is inaccurate at best, or just outright falsehoods and misrepresentations, she said. The laws preventing people like me from having access to the healthcare that our doctors and parents agree is necessary to keep us healthy dont keep us safe. They do the opposite.

Yet the committee heard a deluge of transphobic rhetoric and outright false statements from Republican lawmakers and their witnesses who repeatedly misgendered trans women, falsely described affirming healthcare, conflated sexuality and gender, and grossly mischaracterised changes to Title IX protections.

Republicans sought to steer a hearing that was meant to examine LGBT+ protections and threats facing trans people into discussing cisender women who feel threatened by the existence of trans women in sports.

Senate Judiciary chair Dick Durbin urged members to reject this divisive and hateful rhetoric and reminded them that our children are listening, and they are in danger. 

LGBT+ Americans are are asking for no more  and no less  than the full freedom to live as who they are, he said in his opening remarks.

Immediately following Ms Walkers opening statement, the committee heard from Matt Sharp, senior counsel from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group that has helped draft and defend legislation targeting LGBT+ people across the US.

I am asking for you to help us stop certain people from using the transgender community as a political pawn. Please stop attacking our lives for votes or money. These are human rights hanging in the balance, Ms Walker said in her opening statement.

Help us communicate that they are impacting peoples lives and our pursuit of happiness, she said. We are just like your kid, just like your neighbour, and you. We also deserve the ability to be happy.

Alabama is among 20 states that have sought to ban gender-affirming care for young trans people under 18 years old. But an increasing number of state-level and federal court decisions have blocked several states from enforcing such laws.

Ms Walker and her family were among families with trans children that successfully sued Alabama in an effort to overturn the law in 2022.

After she came out as trans, Ms Walker and her family worked with her paediatrician and medical professionals to find appropriate care. Her health providers listened to her, focused on getting to know her, and determined the best course of care.

No one suggested, forced, or influenced me to choose to be transgender. It is not a choice. I just knew that this is who I am, she said.

Harleigh Walker, left, testifies to a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on LGBT+ discrimination protections on 21 June. (REUTERS)

One of the things that stuck out as they talked to my parents and me was that if I ever decided to stop, or if this care wasnt right for me, it was OK, and they would support me on that, too, she added. This is the opposite of what I hear in the news or in the legislatures. It makes me wonder why legislatures think they should get to tell my parents and my doctors that I cant get the care I need to be healthy and happy.

She was bullied in school, misgendered, deadnamed, and threatened with violence, she said. Her states lawmakers refused to talk with her about legislation that would outlaw her care. Without explicit federal protections that would make her feel safe closer to home, she has considered leaving Alabama for college.

I am not miserable in my life, Im not depressed. Im just trying to be a teenager in America, she said. But I keep having to jump through hoops that other people my age dont have to.

Democratic House members on Wednesday reintroduced the Equality Act, federal legislation that would update existing anti-discrimination protections to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It faces a dim chance of passage in a Republican-controlled House.

Kids shouldnt feel helpless at school against being bullied or discriminated against just because they are different, Ms Walker said. Leaders in our state and country have the ability to help, but instead so many legislators have decided to promote bullying and discrimination.

If you are based in the US and seek LGBT+ affirming mental health support, resources are available from Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) and the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564), as well as The Trevor Project (866-488-7386, or text START to 678-678).
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President Joe Biden had just six words to offer after his 53-year-old son Hunter pleaded guilty to federal tax offenses in a deal that is also likely to spare him time behind bars on a weapons charge.

Im very proud of my son, he said.

That pride has been accompanied by pain, and for the presidents family, both have been on public display. Republicans have worked to use Hunter Bidens actions  and his acknowledged struggle with addiction  as an anchor to try to drag down his father.

As a parent, Joe Biden has tried to keep his son close; they speak almost every day. Hunter was at his fathers side on a recent trip to Ireland, on the lawn of the White House with other family members for the Easter egg roll and in the bleachers with his mom and dad as his daughter graduated from college last month.

But out of public view, a five-year criminal investigation was coming to a conclusion, with a plea deal announced Tuesday that resolves the probe into the taxes and foreign business dealings of the president's second son. The agreement with the Justice Department means Hunter Biden will plead guilty to a misdemeanor tax offense, and he'll avoid a more serious felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions agreed to in court.

As a president, Joe Biden has made of point of keeping his distance from the federal investigation into his sons dealings.

The most fatherly of things he could do  advise a son going through a hard time  isnt exactly available for a man whose administration commands the office that was investigating his son and his political rival simultaneously.

President Biden has always impressed me as someone who puts his family first, said Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, a close friend of the family. In this case involving Hunter Biden, he has drawn a clear line. He has not been involved in or interfered in the Department of Justice in their five-year-long investigation, which is now coming to a close. I can only imagine the relief they may feel in being able to move forward.

But Republicans are hardly satisfied with the outcome, particularly as the Justice Department indicted former President Donald Trump in an unrelated case where he is accused of mishandling classified documents. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., compared the outcome of Hunter Biden's case to the Trump documents case now heading toward federal court and said, If you are the presidents son, you get a sweetheart deal.

Though Hunter Biden is a private citizen, he factors heavily into notable political moments over the past five years: surfacing as a central character in the first impeachment case against Trump, who tried to get Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy to announce an investigation into the younger Biden related to his position on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.

Hunter Biden had joined the board in 2014, around the time his father, then Barack Obamas vice president, was helping conduct U.S. foreign policy with Ukraine. Trump and his allies have long argued, without evidence, that Hunter Bidens work in Ukraine influenced the Obama administrations policies toward the East European nation.

Hunter Biden's descent into drugs and alcohol following the 2015 death of his brother Beau Biden from cancer led to some troubling decisions and interventions that Republicans have seized on as proof of his shady tactics, but he also doesnt always help himself.

In 2020, the contents of a laptop that hed left at a Delaware repair shop and never retrieved made their way to Republicans and were publicly leaked, revealing personal messages about his work and his life.

Addiction is still very much seen as a moral failing instead of a disease, said Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman who is now a leading voice on mental health and addiction, was himself an addict and also the son of a famous lawmaker, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

Kennedy said Biden could use this as a teachable moment for the nation to shift how addiction is viewed, even if Hunter is being used as a tool to attack his father.

The benefit of this president is that his policies are the most progressive of any president to date in terms of treating them as the medical issues they are, Kennedy said. In a sense, he is like my father was, from an old school. They kept this under wraps, it was shameful. They didnt talk about it. But you know, to his credit, his policies reflect an enlightened approach.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said of Hunter Biden's situation that he felt very sorry for him and for his family. I respect the president for saying he loves his son. Thats a good thing even if your son does embarrassing things.

There were questions as well about a White House arrangement in the early days of Bidens presidency that allowed Hunter to sell his artwork without knowing the identity of the purchaser. Officials said it would avoid any potential ethical entanglements with the sales but Republicans have raised questions and are seeking an interview with the gallery owner.

Hunter Biden also has been tangled up in an ongoing child support dispute in Arkansas after a DNA test proved he was the father of a now 4-year-old. The Biden family hasnt publicly acknowledged the child, and Hunter Biden initially objected to an effort by the woman to change the girls last name to Biden.

His recent trip to Ireland with his dad came up in court testimony when his lawyers said Hunter slept on a cot in his dads hotel room, part of an accounting of how he had been spending money.

And still, photos of Hunter Biden in the throes of addiction routinely circulate online. Biden said in his memoir he can shrug them off because hes come out the other end thanks to the support of his family.

I come from a family forged by tragedies and bound by a remarkable, unbreakable love, he wrote in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things.

In many ways the same could be said of President Bidens political career, which was nearly cut short after the death of his wife and daughter in 1972 just days before Biden was sworn in to the Senate at age 30.

Sons Beau and Hunter, who were just about to turn 4 and 3 at the time, were seriously injured. The two brothers spent months together in the hospital, a bond that Hunter wrote was unbreakable. Even if they argued later in life, he wrote, theyd always close with an I love you.

Beau was the one who sought public life, a decorated Iraq war veteran and Delaware attorney general. The president has said many times that it should have been Beau on the stage as president rather than himself.

Hunter said he was content to have it be Beau in the spotlight. But when his brother died, Hunter came unglued. At one point, he wrote, he was living in a motel completely removed from his family in a haze of drug use.

Dad saved me, he wrote. Left on my own, Im certain I would not have survived.

___ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
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Jill Biden said Tuesday that the consequences for women of losing the constitutional right to an abortion "go far beyond the right to choose as she hosted a conversation with four women, including a Texas doctor, who shared emotional stories of being denied necessary reproductive care.

The first lady invited the women from Texas, Florida and Louisiana to the White House to help highlight the one anniversary Saturday of the Supreme Court decision overturning its 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to an abortion.

The ruling last June left it up to individual states to set their own abortion policies, and 18 of them  including the home states of Biden's guests  have put abortion bans in place.

The consequences of these bans go far beyond the right to choose, the first lady told the women, as she detailed examples of women being denied access to medication or are being forced to go to other states for care. And some doctors, she added, are withholding treatment because they don't know which procedures are legal.

And like those who are with us today, far, far too many women are experiencing devastating consequences to their health, their fertility and their lives, said Biden, who came of age when abortion was illegal before it was became the law of the land in 1973.

One of the women in conversation, Anya Cook of Florida, told the group that a 15-week abortion ban that was in effect in her state last year very, nearly killed me.

She had suffered multiple miscarriages, but was on her 18th pregnancy when her water broke early, at 16 weeks. Doctors said her baby wouldn't survive without amniotic fluid and would die within days.

Because she was beyond 15 weeks and there was still a heartbeat, they couldn't touch me or treat me or admit me, Cook said. They sent us home to deal with it ourselves.

She said she became convinced that she wouldn't survive and went to a really dark place. Within days, her daughter was stillborn in the bathroom of a beauty salon. She had lost half the blood in her body, was weak and underwent multiple follow-up surgeries that left her fertility in doubt.

We don't know if I can get pregnant now or carry to birth, but the target of our wrath is very well-known: It's the people who have taken our human rights to health and liberty and personal autonomy," Cook said. "Someone needs to fight back against these insidious laws in states across the country.

Dr. Austin Dennard, an OB-GYN in Dallas, decided to have an abortion after an ultrasound showed that her fetus' brain and skull had not developed. She had to end an earlier pregnancy by an abortion she obtained in Texas, but "this time I would have to flee my own state, she said.

Dennard worried that the trip for an out-of-state abortion could jeopardize her medical license or invite harassment against herself and her husband, also an obstetrician-gynecologist.

She recently joined a lawsuit filed by other Texas women who were denied abortions, despite pregnancies that they say endangered their health or lives. The women are asking the court to put an emergency hold on some abortion restrictions.

The state of Texas should not be making these decisions for me, let alone anybody else, Dennard said at the White House.

Jill Biden said her husband, President Joe Biden, is doing everything he can to fight back" but that he needs Congress to send him legislation that will make the protections of Roe v. Wade the law of the land once again.

Meanwhile, Democrats and the White House see the rollback of abortion rights as an issue that will play in their favor in the 2024 elections.

I know that it isn't easy to relive what youve already gone through, but stories like yours are how we shed light on the cruel and devastating consequences of those bans, she told the women.

The first lady's event is among several events the administration is planning this week to mark one year after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The president, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the administration's point-person on the issue, the first lady and Harris' husband Doug Emhoff, are slated to appear at event on Friday in Washington with several women's and pro-choice groups.

Harris is also scheduled to deliver what the White House says will be a major speech on Saturday in North Carolina on the Biden administration's efforts to safeguard reproductive freedom.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly in North Carolina recently overturned Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of legislation banning abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The law is set to go into effect on July 1, and is being challenged in federal court by abortion providers in the state.
YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has accepted Armenias offer to convene a meeting of the delimitation commissions, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan told reporters on Wednesday.

Yes, hes given a positive answer, Grigoryan said when asked whether or not his Azerbaijani counterpart Shahin Mustafayev has reacted to his proposal.

Theres no agreement yet on the place and timeframe of the meeting, but we assume well meet soon, Grigoryan added.
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Democrats, already anxious about President Joe Biden's reelection prospects, are seeking to downplay  or ignore altogether  revelations that the president's son has entered into a plea deal with federal prosecutors over tax offenses and a gun charge.

And as Democrats dodge, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies seized on the extraordinary legal development to tighten his grip on the GOP and deflect from his own legal shortcomings.

But in a nation deeply divided and with voters from both parties firmly entrenched in their political outlook, there were few signs immediately after Hunter Biden's plea deal was announced on Tuesday that the unprecedented prosecution of a president's son had shifted the 2024 presidential election in any significant way.

In conversations with The Associated Press, some of the elected Democratic officials best positioned to challenge Biden for the party's presidential nomination reaffirmed their decisions not to run in 2024. And while party officials did not rush to support the president publicly, they privately described the development as a minor political distraction  at most  that could linger into next year's general election.

The Biden campaign declined to comment. At a summit on artificial intelligence in San Francisco on Tuesday, Biden smiled when asked if hes spoken to Hunter. Im very proud of my son, he said.

For now, veteran Democratic strategist Stephanie Cutter suggested that Hunter Biden's prosecution is not on most Americans radar."

But to the extent it is, it shows that no one is above the law and what taking responsibility looks like, which in itself is a sharp contrast to the former president, Cutter said, referencing Trump's legal entanglements. The MAGA echo chamber will continue to obsess over Hunter as they have for years, but those arent President Bidens voters, and nothing changes in terms of his strategy for reelection.

Hunter Biden, 53, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday. Under the agreement, he will avoid prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions set by prosecutors.

The deal ends a long-running Justice Department investigation into Bidens younger son, who has acknowledged struggling with addiction following the 2015 death of his brother, Beau. It also averts a trial that would have generated distracting headlines for a first-term president just beginning to focus on the 2024 election.

Already, two high-profile Democrats with national ambitions have reaffirmed their support for the president's reelection bid since the plea deal came to light.

Hunter changes nothing, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday. He told the AP over the weekend that not on God's green earth would he run against Biden.

My decision has not changed, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said of his own decision not to primary Biden. He has been a frequent presence in recent months in early presidential primary states like New Hampshire and Nevada.

That's not to say Democrats are excited about Biden's reelection bid.

Only about 1 in 3 Democrats want the 80-year-old president to seek a second term, according to a poll conducted in February by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Steve Shurtleff, a former state House speaker, said on Tuesday that he didn't know if he would vote for Biden in 2024, although Hunter's legal problems have nothing to do with it.

I feel sorry for the president. I know he loves his children, said Shurtleff, who has been one of Biden's closest allies in the state for several years. He decided this spring that the Democratic Party would be better off with a new generation of leadership.

I may end up voting for him again, especially if he's running against Donald Trump or the governor of Florida (Ron DeSantis). If those are the options, I will vote for the president," Shurtleff said. But I really wish hed get out of the campaign.

For Republicans, who have been consumed by Trump's legal baggage for much of the year, the charges against Hunter Biden offered a much-needed opportunity to go on offense  at least temporarily. Republicans on Capitol Hill are vowing to continue investigating the president's son no matter what happens with his current criminal case.

Even in the immediate aftermath of the younger Biden's plea deal, outraged conservatives addressed the revelation in the context of the latest federal indictment against Trump, who is charged with 37 felony counts related to mishandling classified documents and misleading investigators.

The former president is facing years in prison if convicted. He's also fighting 34 felony charges in New York related to alleged hush money payments to a porn actor and a separate investigation by Georgia authorities probing his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

Hunter Biden will likely avoid jail time based on his plea deal with the Justice Department.

He is set to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes on over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018. The felony gun charge states that Hunter Biden possessed a handgun for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user.

Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN! Trump wrote on his social media site. People are going wild over the Hunter Biden Scam with the DOJ!

DeSantis, Trump's leading Republican rival, supported Trump's assessment.

Looks like Hunter received a sweetheart deal and is not facing any charges on the massive corruption allegations, DeSantis tweeted. If Hunter was not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago.

Experts consulted by the AP said that misdemeanor tax cases as well as gun possession charges not associated with another firearm crime are uncommon.

Republican operative Jim Merrill, a veteran of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary, predicted that Hunter Biden's plea deal would likely help Trump dominate the Republican Party's nomination fight for the foreseeable future by highlighting the differences between the Trump and Biden cases.

That perceived contrast plays to Donald Trumps advantage in the short term, Merrill said. "And it will allow him to continue dominating primary media coverage and voter attention.

Regardless, there was an underlying belief among many Republicans that Trumps legal entanglements would quickly return to the forefront of the 2024 conversation.

Democrats, meanwhile, acknowledged that Biden has serious political challenges ahead even without his son's legal problems.

I don't think that this will be a significant issue for voters either now or come November 2024, said Democratic strategist Lis Smith. This is Hunter Biden, not his father.

But taking a step back, there's no doubt that no matter who the Republican nominee is, this is going to be a dog fight," Smith added. "President Biden has his work cut out for him.

___

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
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A judge in California barred an expert witness from testifying in the disbarment trial of John Eastman, the former attorney for former president Donald Trump, since the witness was not an expert, The Daily Beastreported.

Mr Eastman is facing a potential disbarment for his involvement in a plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. He attempted to call a man named Joseph Fried, an accountant who wrote an eBook that questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results, as a witness.

But California State Bar Court Judge Yvette Roland vetoed the attempt.

I dont see how Mr Fried is qualified to be an expert, NPR reporter Tom Dreisbach reported her saying. He has no experience in voting or election matters.

In addition, California bar attorney Duncan Carling said We dont believe the opinion of a CPA ... is relevant and that Mr Fried never identified any instances of fraud.

Mr Eastman is facing 11 disciplinary charges related to his efforts to concoct a plan that would have allowed then-vice president Mike Pence to certify Mr Trump as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. If found culpable, he could lose his law license or have it suspended. The California Supreme Court will ultimately give the final ruling.

John Eastman (AP)

Mr Carling called Mr Eastmans actions a last-ditch effort in a series of increasingly desperate attempts to overturn the election.

He was fully aware in real time that his plan was damaging the nation, Mr Carling said, adding that Dr Eastman sought at every turn to avoid every public test of his theory, and he privately confessed  that his theory had no chance of persuading the court.

Mr Carling pointed to an email exchange between Mr Eastman and Mr Pences attorney Greg Jacob, wherein Mr Jacob said Mr Eastman was being gravely irresponsible.

Mr Eastmans attorney Randal Miller defended his clients actions, saying Lawyers get to argue debatable issues, which is what Dr Eastman did, according to The Washington Post.
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Far-right Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has told The Independent that a vote to impeach President Joe Biden is her price after she steadfastly supported House Speaker Kevin McCarthy throughout the current Congress.

Ms Greenes words come after her rival in the House GOP conference, Lauren Boebert, said she would file a privileged motion to impeach Mr Biden. Ms Greene said she would vote for the motion despite their disagreements.

I dont play petty personal games, she said. Ms Boebert and Ms Greene were on opposite ends of both the fight to make Mr McCarthy the speaker and to raise the debt limit, with Ms Boebert opposing both and Ms Greene supporting both.

I made it clear in the conference to everyone in the conference, and I don't have a problem addressing the conference, she said, saying Ms Boebert did not address it.

Ms Greene has separately introduced resolutions to not just impeach Mr Biden but also Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves. CNN reported that Mr McCarthy has discouraged pushing impeachment at the moment.

But Ms Greene said that voters are on her side about Mr Biden being a criminal and chided her fellow Republicans for wanting to sidestep the allegation.

Everyone knows that except our conference and I made it clear to everyone in our conference, that impeachment is what we should be doing here, she said. Ms Greene said her second priority is passing her legislation called the Protect Childrens Innocence Act, which would criminalise providing gender-affirming care for minors and prohibit taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care.

Marjorie Taylor Greene says there is a price for her support of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Getty Images)

Ms Greene said she has consistently been a good footsoldier, paying her dues with the National Republican Congressional Committee and $100,000 extra on top of that, as well as voting for various pieces of legislation that were a priority for Mr McCarthy and House leadership.

Most of them haven't even done their dues, she said. I got the votes for McCarthy to become speaker. I voted on the debt ceiling bill even though I called it a s*** sandwich because I found things I liked in it.

Ms Greene has become a close ally of the speaker whereas other conservatives have frequently criticised him, and she said her support for the debt limit bill gave the GOP enough votes to pass it in the House.

I gave cover to a whole bunch of Republicans, she said. But I can't get my protect children's innocence bill passed? I can't get that to happen? Protecting kids? And then I can't have them even start the process on [House Judiciary Committee] for impeachment.

Ms Greene said there might be consequences if her priorities did not come up.

Like I'm sorry, I'm done, she said. This place needs to do something and I made it clear this morning and I'm not backing off of it.

Conversely, progressive Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the number two Democrat on the House Oversight & Accountability, scoffed at the plans to impeach Mr Biden.

They're doing this because they can't even agree amongst themselves that what to put on the floor, she told The Independent. So they're wasting not just our time with the rest of the country.

The House Oversight Committees chairman, Republican congressman James Comer, is currently leading the probe into Mr Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Jared Moskowitz, a Democratic freshman who also sits on the committee, said that Republicans should follow through on the plan since it would come at a price.

But you know what, let them put their money where their mouth is, let them go ahead, he said. They think it's a good idea. Go ahead, start impeachment proceedings. You know why they're not gonna do it. Because they know the American people aren't gonna stand for it.

But Ms Ocasio-Cortez said she did not welcome the development.

I don't welcome it because I think we should actually be working for real issues that matter," she said.
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There will be plenty of time to discuss global tensions during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the U.S. this week. But he's starting his day Wednesday by highlighting a pursuit of inner tranquility.

After arriving in New York on Tuesday afternoon and holding private meetings, the leader of the world's most populous nation kicks off his public schedule Wednesday with a group yoga session on the United Nations' north lawn.

U.N. General Assembly President Csaba Korosi, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and many other diplomats and U.N. officials are expected to attend the event. It honors the International Day of Yoga, which Modi persuaded the U.N. to designate in 2014 as an annual observance.

The yoga-themed U.N. visit is a savvy and symbolic choice for a premier who has made the ancient discipline both a personal practice and a diplomatic tool. First practiced by Hindu sages, yoga has now become one of India's most popular cultural exports, and Modi has energetically promoted it as a  rather literal  feel-good way of stretching the country's influence abroad.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist, casts himself as an ascetic who adheres to his religions strictures on vegetarianism and yoga. He has posted social media videos over the years of himself practicing yoga poses (to say nothing of providing live visuals of him meditating in a Himalayan mountain cave after national elections in 2019).

Modi last visited the U.N. during the 2021 General Assembly, where he said that all kinds of questions have been raised about the U.N. and its effectiveness on matters ranging from climate change to the coronavirus pandemic to terrorism.

He also made a point of staking out his country's place in the international community, noting that every sixth person in the world is Indian. In the years since his speech, India surpassed China to claim the world's largest population, at 1.425 billion.

India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council, the U.N.'s most powerful organ. India has been elected to a two-year seat several times, most recently for 2021-22.

Modi heads to Washington later Wednesday for a three-day visit that includes an Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden, an address to a joint meeting of Congress, a White House state dinner and more. Among the plans: a State Department luncheon hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother was born in India, and by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The visit comes as both countries are interested in strengthening ties.

The U.S. has been looking to India, also the world's biggest democracy, as a key partner on matters that include checking China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. India, meanwhile, wants to bolster military and trade connections with the U.S.

However, human rights advocates are urging Biden to press Modi on human rights issues, both international and within India. Modi has faced criticism over legislation that fast-tracks citizenship for some migrants but excludes Muslims; a rise in violence against Muslims and other religious minorities by Hindu nationalists; and the recent conviction of Indias top opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, for mocking Modis surname. (Ghandi recently visited the U.S. himself, speaking to private organizations and university students.)

The Indian government defends its human rights record and insists that the nation's democratic principles remain rock-solid.

___

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report.
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Special Counsel John Durham, appointed during the Trump administration, is on Capitol Hill this week to explain the findings of his investigation of the FBIs probe into alleged ties between former president Donald Trumps 2016 campaign and the Russian government.

The report by Mr Durham was the culmination of a four-year investigation into possible misconduct by US government officials and concluded with the finding that the Mueller probe into Russian collusion with the Trump campaign went too far.

In the nearly 300-page document, Mr Durham levelled withering criticism against the FBI but offered little new information and few significant revelations beyond the general assertion that the FBI did not have the evidence necessary to expand the probe into a full-scale investigation, but did have the authority and reason to launch a preliminary investigation of the facts.

Mr Durhams own investigation resulted in just one criminal conviction, but nevertheless, it gave fodder to Trump supporters who have long denounced the Russia investigation, as well as Trump opponents who say the Durham team's meagre court record shows their probe was politically motivated.

A Justice Department veteran, Mr Durham was hand-picked by then-attorney general Bill Barr to delegitimise the FBIs efforts to determine whether Mr Trumps campaign coordinated with Russias efforts to boost his candidacy.

In his report, he railed against the bureau for opening a probe into Mr Trumps campaign based on raw, unanalyzed and uncorroborated intelligence and accusing investigators of suffering from confirmation bias.

He is due to testify to a public hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday; and the day before he met behind closed doors with the House Intelligence Committee.

Mr Durhams criticism of the FBI is centred around the bureaus decision to launch a full counterintelligence probe into the campaign and Russia, rather than a preliminary one under which agents would have had more limited authority.

While he admits that a preliminary investigation was justified, he took issue with the decision to launch a full probe into the alleged Trump-Russia ties based on a tip the bureau had received from an Australian diplomat, who had revealed that a Trump campaign aide, George Papadopoulos, had bragged that the Russian had acquired and were prepared to release damaging information about the campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mr Trumps Democratic opponent.

John Durham. (AP)

Mr Durhams findings appear to directly contradict a prior investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe by Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justices inspector general.

In that report, Mr Horowitz wrote that the FBI had sufficient cause to open an investigation into alleged ties between Mr Trumps campaign and the Russian government based on the tip from the Australian diplomat.

To some extent, Mr Durham does not dispute that reports conclusions, as he acknowledged that the bureau had an affirmative obligation to closely examine the allegations which arose from Mr Papadopoulos conversations with the Australian diplomat. But he writes that the FBI should have opened a preliminary investigation rather than the full counterintelligence probe launched to determine whether there were links between Mr Trumps campaign and Russias efforts to interfere in the 2016 election.

Mr Durham also criticised the FBI for not conducting any collaboration or joint assessments of what theyd learned from the diplomat with friendly foreign intelligence services or other US intelligence agencies.

A look at the investigation and the report:

Who is John Durham?

Mr Durham spent decades as a Justice Department prosecutor, with past assignments including investigations into the FBI's cozy relationship with mobsters in Boston and the CIA's destruction of videotapes of its harsh interrogations of terrorism subjects.

In 2019, Mr Barr tasked him with investigating potential misconduct by US government officials as they examined Russian election interference in 2016 and whether there was any illegal coordination between the Kremlin and Trump's presidential campaign. The allegations of misconduct stemmed largely from grievances raised by Mr Trump and his allies, who charged that the FBI was conducting a politically motivated witch hunt against the then-president.

Over the four years Mr Durham worked to discredit the departments investigation, he only brought a handful of cases against criminal defendants, including an FBI lawyer who pleaded guilty to doctoring an email used to secure a surveillance warrant against an ex-Trump campaign adviser, and two other figures associated with the Trump-Russia probe who were acquitted at trial.

Despite skimpy results  one guilty plea and two acquittals  that failed to live up to Trump's expectations, Durham was able to continue his work well into the Biden administration, thanks in part to William Barr appointing Durham as a Justice Department special counsel shortly before Barr's 2020 resignation as attorney general.

Why did the Trump Justice Department appoint him to probe the Trump-Russia investigation?

Mr Durham was given the task of investigating the FBI just weeks after a different special counsel, Robert Mueller, wrapped up his investigation of possible connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. That probe produced more than two dozen criminal cases, including against a half-dozen Trump associates.

Mr Mueller  a former director of the FBI  conducted a year-long probe into the allegations that Mr Trumps campaign had coordinated with Russian intelligence operatives, but was unable to find that Trump campaign officials had conspired with anyone connected with the Russian government.

He did, however, find hundreds of contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 campaign season, and concluded that Russian intelligence operatives had been directed to help Mr Trump win the presidency, in part by hacking and leaking emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign officials through WikiLeaks.

Though his investigation did not result in charges against any Trump aide for working with Russia to tip the election, it did find that Russia interfered on Trump's behalf and that the campaign welcomed, rather than discouraged, the help.

But Mr Barr, who came to Mr Trumps attention by criticising the probe, was deeply sceptical of the investigation's foundation and alleged to Congress that spying did occur against Mr Trumps campaign.

To that end, he gave Mr Durham the authority to hunt for potential misconduct at the government agencies who were involved in collecting intelligence and conducting the investigation, even flying with him to Italy to meet with officials there as part of the probe.

Were there problems with the Russia investigation?

Yes, and a Justice Department inspector general inquiry already identified many.

The watchdog report found that FBI applications for warrants to eavesdrop on a former Trump campaign aide, Carter Page, contained significant errors and omitted information that would likely have weakened or undermined the premise of the application.

The cumulative effect of those errors, the report said, was to make it appear that the information supporting probable cause was stronger than was actually the case.

Still, the inspector general did not find evidence that investigators acted with political bias and said there was a legitimate basis to open a full investigation into potential collusion, though Mr Durham has disagreed.

What criminal cases did he bring and what was the outcome?

Mr Durham brought three prosecutions during his tenure, but only one resulted in a conviction  and that was for a case referred to him by the Justice Department inspector general. None of the three undid core findings by Mueller that Russia had interfered with the 2016 election in sweeping fashion and that the Trump campaign had welcomed, rather than discouraged, the help.

A former FBI lawyer, Kevin Clinesmith, pleaded guilty in 2020 to altering an email related to the surveillance of ex-Trump campaign aide. He was given probation.

But two other cases, both involving alleged false statements to the FBI, resulted in acquittals by jury.

Michael Sussmann, a lawyer for the Hillary Clinton campaign, was found not guilty of lying to the FBI during a meeting in which he presented computer data information that he wanted the FBI to investigate. A different jury acquitted Igor Danchenko, a Russian-American analyst, of charges that he lied to the FBI about his role in the creation of a discredited dossier about Trump.

What did Mr Durham find?

In his report, Mr Durham said that the FBI acted too hastily and relied on raw and unconfirmed intelligence when it opened the Trump-Russia investigation.

He said at the time the probe was opened, the FBI had no information about any actual contact between Trump associates and Russian intelligence officials.

He also claimed that FBI investigators fell prone to confirmation bias, repeatedly ignoring or rationalizing away information that could have undercut the premise of their investigation, and he noted that the FBI failed to corroborate a single substantive allegation from a dossier of research that it relied on during the course of the probe.

An objective and honest assessment of these strands of information should have caused the FBI to question not only the predication for Crossfire Hurricane, but also to reflect on whether the FBI was being manipulated for political or other purposes, the report said, using the FBI's code name for the Trump-Russia probe. Unfortunately, it did not.

How did the FBI respond?

In a statement, the FBI pointed out that it had long ago made dozens of corrective actions. Had those measures been in place in 2016, it says, the errors at the centre of the report could have been prevented.

It also took pains to note that the conduct in the report took place before the current director, Christopher Wray, took the job in the fall of 2017.

What happens next?

It didn't take long for Republicans in Congress to react. Rep. Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said he had invited Mr Durham to testify on Capitol Hill next week.

Trump, too, sought to seize on the report, claiming anew in a post on his Truth Social platform that the Durham report had found the crime of the century and calling the Russia investigation the Democrat Hoax.

Though the FBI says it's already taken some steps, Durham did say it's possible more reform could be needed. One idea, he said, would be to provide additional scrutiny of politically sensitive investigations by identifying an official who would be responsible for challenging the steps taken in a probe.

He said his team had considered but did not ultimately recommend steps that would curtail the FBI's investigative authorities, including its use of tools under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to eavesdrop on suspected spies or terrorists.
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Donald Trump declined to commit to attending the first Republican Party primary debate on Fox News in an interview which aired Tuesday evening, even denouncing the channel as hostile during a contentious interview with Bret Baier.

The former president was clearly unhappy with Baiers unmoving explanation of his 2020 election loss, which the former president has long contested despite having been proven wrong in his countless conspiracies about election fraud and malign activity.

During his discussion with Baier, Mr Trump grew increasingly frustrated as the Fox anchor refused to accept his incorrect version of events and made a potential threat to boycott the first debate  an obvious message to Foxs executives that he did not want to be challenged on his conspiracies by the networks reporters.

[W]hy would I allow a hostile network [to host a debate]? he said, quipping: Pretty hostile.

He also seemed to indicate that he didnt want to participate in any debates with low-polling candidates.

Why would I allow a hostile network and then allow people that are polling at zero? he asked. Why would I let these people take shots at me?

The presidents remarks show what a tight space the Fox News network finds itself in. Any attempt by the networks news side to push back against the former presidents lies and conspiracies about 2020 is met with immediate hostility from the man himself and, more importantly, their millions of viewers. Meanwhile, the networks opinion side and the respective inability of its various hosts to recognise the consequences of endorsing those lies led to a record settlement in which the network agreed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to a voting machine company that sued it for defamation.

As such, hosts and journalists on the network find no clear path forward, faced with spiralling ratings in the wake of the firing of star primetime lead (and election denier) Tucker Carlson.

The former president will likely attend most if not all of the Republican debates as he did in 2016, for the simple fact that the alternative is letting his opponents go unchallenged in front of a national audience of GOP voters. In particular, skipping the Fox debate would be a steep price to pay for Mr Trump, given the conservative bent and size of the Fox audience.

He could also throw one or more of his signature counter-rallies during the televised contests, a move that would draw a massive audience of Republicans to him in person in whichever state it was held, though the effectiveness of this tactic has diminished thanks to the rallies being carried live only by a handful of far-right networks. The mainstream channels, having learned lessons from 2016 and 2020, typically cover his rallies in short clips during or after the fact.

The first GOP debate is set to be held on 23 August; as of now, the threshold for participation in the televised event will require contenders to be registering support at 1 per cent or higher in three national polls or two national polls plus one statewide survey. A candidate can also qualify if they have more than 40,000 individual donors to their campaign.

The relatively low threshold for the first contest means that Mr Trump, should he attend, will almost certainly face most if not all of the prominent Republicans running for the nomination, including his former vice president, Mike Pence, and ex-New Jersey Gov Chris Christie.
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Donald Trump issued pardons and commuted dozens of sentences for people incarcerated for drug crimes while he was in the White House.

His administration also hailed the passage of the First Step Act during his presidency as a rare bipartisan achievement towards criminal justice reform.

But during his presidency, and throughout his 2024 campaign for the Republican nomination for president, with a string of violent, provocative statements from inside the White House and to crowds at campaign rallies, he has called for executing people convicted for drug crimes.

In an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier that aired on 20 June, the host noted that Mr Trumps demands to kill drug offenders would have applied to people like Alice Marie Johnson, a high-profile formerly incarcerated person who was pardoned by Mr Trump during an Oval Office event in 2020.

Shed be killed under your plan, Mr Baier said.

Huh? Mr Trump said after a pause.

No, no, no. Oh, under that? Uh, it would depend on the severity, he said. She cant do it, OK? By the way, if that was there? She wouldnt be killed, it would start as of now. So you wouldnt go to the past.

He also stated that Ms Johnson would not have committed any crime, if she knew that a potential sentence, if convicted, was her death.

In 2020, one day after she praised his administration during the Republican National Convention, Mr Trump granted a full pardon to Ms Johnson, who had served 22 years of a life sentence on charges related to cocaine distribution and money laundering.

He had already commuted her sentence in 2018, but he issued a surprise pardon  effectively deleting her conviction and restoring her rights as a citizen  the day after she delivered a supportive speech at the RNC.

Were going to give a full pardon. Were going to do it right now. That means you have been fully pardoned. Thats the ultimate thing that can happen. That means you can do whatever you want in life and just keep doing the great job youre doing, he told her during an Oval Office event.

Kim Kardashian had also personally lobbied him to take up her case at the White House.

Some say you do the crime, you do the time. However, that time should be fair and just, Ms Johnson said during her RNC speech in 2020. We all make mistakes. None of us wants to be defined forever based on our worst decision.

Republican officials and right-wing pundits have relied on tough-on-crime messaging  after 2020 uprisings against police violence, a steady stream of sensational crime coverage across media networks, and the villainizing of so-called progressive prosecutors in Democratic-led cities.

GOP candidates competing with Mr Trump for the 2024 nomination are now turning to the former presidents attempts at criminal justice reform, zeroing in on Mr Trumps support for the First Step Act. The law shortened some federal prison sentences, gave judges alternatives to mandatory minimum penalties, and retroactively applied 2010s Fair Sentencing Act to eliminate racial disparities in prison sentences for cocaine possession.

Ron DeSantis called the First Step Act a jailbreak bill. Mr Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence said we need to take a step back from the law.

Meanwhile, after praising Chinas policy of capital punishment for drug traffickers while he was in the White House, Mr Trump has directly called on members of Congress to approve the death penalty for the same crimes in the US in his 2024 campaign.

Under Democrat [sic] control the streets of our great cities are drenched in the blood of innocent victims, Mr Trump said at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania weeks before formally declaring his candidacy last year.

We would solve that problem so fast he added. Im calling on Republicans and Democrats immediately to institute  to get to Washington and institute the death penalty for drug dealers. You will no longer have a problem.

Mr Trumps push to execute drug dealers would appear to violate the US Constitution as affirmed by the US Supreme Court, which has held on multiple occasions that death sentences for non-lethal offences are considered cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the 8th Amendment.
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Donald Trumps close allies and aides have started using the rat emoji in text message discussions about his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, a report says.

The phrase  which can be used to describe an informer  became popular in the former presidents inner circle after Mr Meadowss lawyer was vague about whether he is cooperating with special counsel Jack Smith, reports Rolling Stone.

The federal prosecutor had been eager to question Mr Meadows under oath about Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and his handling of top-secret documents.

But the magazine states that its been an ongoing mystery to Trump and his team how much Meadows has given the feds, and whether or not hes actually cooperating.

Mr Meadowss lawyer gave very few details to media outlets this month on his clients status with investigators.

Without commenting on whether or not Mr Meadows has testified before the grand jury or in any other proceeding, Mr Meadows has maintained a commitment to tell the truth where he has a legal obligation to do so, said George Terwilliger.

The magazine reported that a source had told them of the rat emoji use, and had provided a screenshot of conversations where it was included.

Mr Trump has told his allies that Mr Trump has said he does not know what Mr Meadows is doing and that it would be a shame if rumours he is cooperating with prosecutors were true.

The magazine states that the allies have told the former president that there is no evidence that Mr Meadows is cooperating and that he may be following his lawyers advice to keep a low profile.

Mr Trump Trump faces 37 federal felony counts alleging he illegally retained national defence information and concealed classified documents.

He has pleaded not guilty and Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon has signed a court order listing the trial as starting on 14 August of this year in Fort Pierce, Florida.
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Donald Trumps grasp over the GOP primary base appears to be slipping after the news of his second criminal indictment broke this month.

But a new CNN poll shows that even an active prosecution for alleged criminal retention of classified materials hasnt undone Mr Trumps lead over his rivals just yet.

The survey, released on Wednesday, found that Mr Trumps share of the likely GOP primary vote has dropped below 50 per cent  a welcome sign for his multitude of competitors, including Florida Gov Ron DeSantis and Senator Tim Scott.

But the twice-impeached and now twice-indicted former president still remains in the lead, likely frustrating others in the race who are clearly hoping that the presidents legal problems will hamstring his campaign before they ever have to land a blow.

Mr Trump earned the support of 47 per cent of likely GOP primary voters in the poll, down from 53 per cent in the same survey taken a month earlier. His drop in support comes as roughly seven in 10 Americans say that politics played a role in his second prosecution, according to CNN.

And possibly most worryingly for him, nearly a quarter of GOP voters now say that they would not support him under any circumstances. His overall favourability is dropping among right-leaning voters too, now down to 67 per cent. Just over half, 55 per cent, of all Americans believe that Mr Trump acted illegally in regards to his retention of documents including classified materials from the White House, further outlining the steep climb he will face with independent voters this time around.

Roughly six in 10 Americans say that the indictment was, all things considered, a good idea. And nearly one-third of Republicans who say they support Mr DeSantis or one of Mr Trumps other rivals agree that the former president likely committed a crime.

The CNN/SRSS poll was conducted entirely after Mr Trumps second indictment on 37 criminal counts including violations of the Espionage Act took place. The survey, which included results from 1,350 Americans and 561 GOP primary voters, has a margin of error of 3.4 points; 5.2 among the subsample of Republicans.
YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani deputy prime ministers will hold a new meeting of the task force on unblocking, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said on June 21.

I think there will be a trilateral meeting, but theres no agreement yet on the date, Grigoryan told reporters.

Grigoryan said that the routes that are to be opened through the territory of Armenia will unequivocally function under Armenian legislation. Asked to elaborate why the Russian Federal Security Service will be deployed to the road in that case, Grigoryan said: First of all, lets talk about the border guards as part of the FSB, to clearly understand what this is about if you are quoting the 9th clause of the 9 November trilateral statement. Secondly, discussions have yet to take place on the functions and the method of implementing the functions, Grigoryan said.
 Close Paris gas explosion: At least 24 injured

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One person is still missing and four are in critical condition after dozens were injured in a powerful explosion in a building in central Paris.

The explosion at around 4:55pm local time on Wednesday at the Paris American Academy on Rue Saint-Jacques left 37 people injured.

The blast sparked a fire that sent smoke soaring over the French capitals monuments and prompted an evacuation of other properties, authorities said.

Officials are exploring a possible gas leak as the explosion but Paris police spokesperson Loubna Atta said it was too early to determine the source of the fire and could not confirm reports it was caused by a gas explosion.

Huge plumes of black smoke swelled into the air over the surrounding neighbourhood, but the fire was quickly brought under control.

The explosion was extremely violent, said Florence Berthout, mayor of the fifth arrondissement of the city, where the explosion happened.
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French rescue workers are searching for a missing person trapped under the rubble after a powerful blast ripped through a street in central Paris, injuring around 50 people  six of them critically.

The blast started fires and caused the collapse of the facade of a building housing a design school. Some 50 people were injured in the incident, although the Paris prosecutors office, which is investigating the blast, said the number may not be final.

Some of the critically injured people suffered severe burns, said health minister Francois Braun. One person who was feared missing has been found.

Witnesses described a deafening explosion and a giant fireball that rose several stories high on the Rue Saint-Jacques in the 5th arrondissement, not far from the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral.

Flames and smoke erupt from a building (Reuters)

Florence Berthout, mayor of the Paris district where the blast occurred, said the 12 students who should have been in the design school's classrooms when the blast occurred had fortunately gone to visit an exhibition with their teacher.

"Otherwise the [death toll] could have been absolutely horrific," Berthout told BFM TV, adding that three children who had been passing by at the time were among the injured, although their lives were not in danger.

The Paris prosecutor's office said it was too early to say what caused the blast, but witnesses told BFM TV there had been a strong smell of gas moments before the explosion.

The shop shook violently, it felt like a bomb blast, said Rahman Oliur, who manages a food shop a few doors down the street from the academy.

Firemen use a water canon to put out the blaze (AP)

The blast occurred at 4.55pm local time (1455 GMT), just as workers were heading home. The area is busy with tourists and international students in the early summer.

Several nearby buildings were evacuated. More than two hours after the explosion, first aiders were still treating residents for shock. A number of the injuries were said to have been sustained when people were blown off their feet by the blast.

More than 200 firefighters were involved in the emergency response. TV images showed firefighters manning hoses and aiming jets of water at the blaze while a plume of thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said later that the blaze had been brought under control.

Rue Saint-Jacques in the 5th arrondissement of central Paris leads from the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral to the Sorbonne University and the Val-de-Grace military hospital and is a few streets from the popular Jardin du Luxembourg.

The blaze was attended by more than 200 firefighters (EPA)

Police officers and rescue workers work at the scene (AP)

Art historian Monique Mosser said: I thought it was a bomb.

Many of the windows in her building had been blown out by the blasts shockwave, she added.

A neighbour knocked on the door and told me that the fire brigade were asking us to evacuate as quickly as possible. I grabbed my laptop, my phone. I didnt even think to get my medication, she added.

Smoke from the building billows over Paris (Reuters)

Paris prosecutors said a probe had been opened into aggravated involuntary injury. Investigators are expected to look into whether building conditions were in breach of regulations or if an individual had acted without due care.

Mr Nunez said firefighters prevented the blaze from igniting two neighbouring buildings that were seriously destabilised by the explosion and evacuated. The explosion blew out several windows in the area, witnesses and the police chief said.

The Paris American Academy is a private school, founded in 1965, which offers fashion design, interior design, fine arts and creative writing courses.

A blast in January 2019 in Pariss 9th arrondissement killed four people and left dozens injured.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Britain will back fast-tracking Ukraines Nato membership as momentum builds among Western allies to significantly change their stance over Kyivs attempts to join the alliance.

Volodymyr Zelenskys government may have a quick route to accession, as has been granted recently to Sweden and Finland, rather than continuing with the slower Membership Action Plan (MAP) that has preconditions for entry.

Russia is adamantly opposed to Ukraine joining Nato, and even after Vladimir Putins invasion there has been reticence among member states over the speed of Kyivs accession.

But as the war enters its 16th month, the position of Western allies appears to be changing.

Britains foreign secretary James Cleverly told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday: We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve quickly.

Many of the requirements of the Membership Action Plan are actually being delivered. The reform of their armed forces are happening whilst engaged in conflict and I think the UKs position is that it would be very supportive if we moved on from the Membership Action Plan.

We recognise that the offer to both Sweden and Finland did not require MAP. The Ukrainians have demonstrated their commitment to military reform required for Nato membership through their actions on the battlefield, and I think all Nato allies recognise that.

Also speaking at the conference, the French foreign minister, Catherine Colonna, commented: Perhaps we dont require the MAP mechanism, something which was planned in 2008. We are now a long way from 2008; time has passed, the situation is quite different.

The United States has been cautious about Ukraines Nato membership, with Joe Biden saying recently that his administration would not make it easy for Kyiv to join. They have got to meet the same standards [as other entrants], that is our position, he said. I think it will happen, can happen, but it wont be automatic.

However, senior White House officials indicated the president is open to waiving the MAP requirement for Ukraine, and Washington is facing mounting pressure from European allies to give firmer backing to Mr Zelensky on the issue.

Krisjanis Karins, the Latvian prime minister, said: The only chance for peace in Europe is when Ukraine will be in Nato. Failure to do so, she said, means Russia will come back.

Nato membership for Ukraine is seen as a deterrent to Moscow from continuous attacks and attempts in the future to carry out regime change in Kyiv. A member can invoke Article 5, under which an attack on one member by an outside power is regarded as an attack on all Nato states.

However, it is precisely this prospect of Nato getting directly into war with Moscow that is cited in support of making Ukraine wait until the current conflict has ended.

Ukraine will be the key topic at next months Nato summit in Vilnius, one of the most important in its recent history.

It remains unlikely that Ukraine will be offered immediate membership. The options being considered include guarantees that Western military support will continue, and that the Nato-Ukraine Commission, launched in 1997, will be upgraded to Nato-Ukraine Council, with a higher level of engagement.

It will be a symbolic as well as practical move; in 2002, a decade after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia became a partner in the Nato-Russia Council but that ended with the annexation of Crimea by Moscow in 2014.

Meanwhile, Britain has set out a package of support for Ukraine including $3bn (2.3bn) in guarantees for World Bank loans and $305m (238bn) in bilateral assistance. The US said it will send an additional $1.3bn (1bn) in financial assistance to overhaul Ukraines energy grid and modernise other critical infrastructure.
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Watch as Vladimir Putin meets graduates from Russias military academies on Wednesday 21 June.

The appearance comes as Britains RAF scrambled fighter jets on Tuesday night after a Russian navy aircraft was seen flying near Nato airspace in Estonia.

Moscows aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control, the RAF said.

Mr Putins meeting with graduates is also happening on the same day that the Ukraine Recovery Conference takes place in London.

There, Rishi Sunak announced a new framework for war risk insurance, aimed at helping businesses invest in Ukraine.

This is a huge step forward towards helping insurers to underwrite investments into Ukraine, removing one of the biggest barriers and giving investors the confidence they need to act, the prime minister said.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, also addressed the conference via video link, having also admitted that battlefield progress has been slower than desired.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a faster pace than laws can be drafted in response, an academic has warned.

Although the technology has been around in some form for some time, the rate at which it is changing and improving is the new, key challenge, senators and TDs were told.

The Oireachtas Enterprise Committee heard that AI can offer profound opportunities to help people, but can also be used to reduce white-collar employees salaries and even prompt diplomatic incidents.

Professor of AI at Trinity College Dublin Gregory OHare cited cases including technology beating a world chess champion in 1997, as well as fake AI-generated images of Donald Trump being arrested and the Pope wearing a designer puffer jacket, as he outlined landmark moments in the development of the disruptive technology.

He said there have been many previous false dawns and unrealised promises about the technologys potential, and that ChatGPT has gathered 100 million users in two months and is the fastest-growing technology in history.

He said white-collar professions like the law, academia, marketing, architecture, engineering, journalism and the creative industries will all be profoundly affected, and cited a recent study which estimated that two-thirds of all US occupations will be affected by AI.

In terms of the point around wages, I think there is certainly an opportunity for employers to reduce salaries, he said.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) argued that unions should be involved at an early stage in any initiatives looking to address concerns around AI.

Dr Laura Bambrick, of the ICTU, said the EU AI Act is not suitable to regulate AI and is more than disappointing from workers point of view, stating that the amendments tabled offer some comfort but dont go far enough.

It only requires software providers to self-assess their own technology between low- and high-risk before putting it on the market, and did not include any rules on the use of AI in the workplace, she said.

The velocity of AI technology is, alas, fast exceeding the rate at which the law around AI can be framed Professor Gregory O'Hare, Trinity College Dubin

Prof OHare said he believes the current legislative framework proposed to regulate AI is not in a position to be able to respond with the speed that we need.

He added: The velocity of AI technology is, alas, fast exceeding the rate at which the law around AI can be framed.

Cork East TD David Stanton said that statement is quite scary, and science fiction is actually becoming science fact.

He suggested the topic is so serious and developing at such a pace that it could warrant setting up a dedicated Oireachtas committee to discuss it.

During the session, committee chairman Maurice Quinlivan said he used ChatGPT to double-check that the three guests had not used ChatGPT to write their opening statements, with one TD remarking he was using AI to check for AI.

Prof OHare said it is difficult to assess how AI comes to a particular conclusion, even for experts.

Not only is there typically not a set of algorithmic steps that one, even with a trained eye, could scrutinise, AI, and in particular deep AI, does not have an algorithmic basis.

So, even were it to be the case that someone like myself, a professor of artificial intelligence, were I to look at a particular AI application that was using deep learning, I would have great difficulty in being able to establish, on the surface, how it actually arrived at its deduction and its recommendation or conclusion.

It knows no political boundaries, it knows no geographic boundaries, no socio-economic boundaries. This is something that demands potentially a global position Professor Gregory O'Hare, Trinity College Dublin

He added that, while it is crucial to engage with all stakeholders involved, it will take some considerable time, and the rate at which AI is developing does not afford us that level of time.

Responding to the suggestion that the use of AI should be slowed down or halted to allow for consultation, he said: Were talking about something that knows no boundaries.

It knows no political boundaries, it knows no geographic boundaries, no socio-economic boundaries. This is something that demands potentially a global position. So Ireland needs to find a way and a voice into that global discussion.

Ronan Lupton SC, of the Bar Council of Ireland, said that although AI has been around for some time, where were moving to now, at the moment, is a sphere in an environment of extreme pace, which is the key challenge.

He said AI could help people with speech disabilities to communicate, but also warned of the dangers of misinformation.

He said that newsrooms, instead of sending a draft article to a solicitor to check for defamation or other legal issues, are now using artificial intelligence technologies instead, which he said is an interesting development.

Prof OHare agreed with the potential of AI to help people with disabilities and said it is very important that we do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

This technology has profound opportunities, absolutely profound opportunities.

But he suggested that, because the technology has been put out into the wild, it could be used for sinister means which could have financial or political implications, such as boundary incursions  and even wars.

The question is will it always be used for good purpose, or is there a significant chance that it will be used for Machiavellian purposes? he said.
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A startup in China is set to begin production of ultra-efficient solar panels that are made from the so-called miracle material perovskite.

The next-generation solar cells will be manufactured at half the cost of traditional silicon cells, with 50 per cent greater efficiency, according to researchers from Nanjing University who made the design breakthrough that made mass production possible.

The raw materials for making perovskite cells are cheap and abundant, making the production costs of these cells just one 20th of traditional solar cells, Professor Tan Hairen from Nanjing University, told state media.

Moreover, they are easier to produce and can be made in a single factory. Even with other items added, the overall cost of production is only half of that of traditional silicon cells.

Professor Tan has created a startup called Renshine Solar to move forward with commercialisation of the technology, and has already signed a government deal to build a production line in Jiangsu province this summer.

Recommended Scientists break world record for solar power window material

The factory is expected to achieve a capacity of 150 megawatts by September, according to the South China Morning Post, with the perovskite solar panels built for use on roofs, walls, or placed on electric cars to improve their range.

The perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are capable of retaining over 90 per cent of their initial performance after 600 hours of continuous operation, the team noted, making them suitable for commercial use.

The researchers said the next-generation solar cells could also be used in applications ranging from building-integrated panels to space-based electricity generation.

With their lower fabrication cost, low-temperature solution processability, roll-to-roll manufacturing, and wide-bandgap tunability, PSCs have the potential to become the candidate of choice for high-efficiency tandem solar cells, they wrote in a study detailing the new design that will enter production.

Considering the rapid progress in photovoltaic performance, PSCs have been considered to be ideal candidates for integrating with other systems to realise new innovative technologies.

The study, titled Next-generation applications for integrated perovskite solar cells, was published in the scientific journal Nature.

Its publication comes just one month after a South Korean firm announced that it was aiming to commercialise tandem perovskite solar cells following a $100 million investment to fund a pilot production line next year.
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A South Korean teenager was restrained by cabin crew using lasso rope and tie wraps after he allegedly tried to open the emergency door of a plane mid-flight in the second such incident in less than a month.

The 19-year-old was arrested on Monday after he attempted to open the door of a Seoul-bound Jeju Air flight with nearly 180 passengers on board.

The Boeing 737's door did not open due to air pressure difference and the passengers remained unhurt, according to Yonhap news agency.

At the Incheon airport, the teen, whose identity has been withheld, was charged with breaching the Aviation Security Act.

According to officials, the suspect began acting strange about an hour into the flight from Cebu in the Philippines. He complained of feeling pressure on his chest.

The airline crew reportedly offered to move the teen to another seat near the jump seats, but that did not appease him. He then allegedly ran towards one of the exit doors at around 5.30am local time and tried to force it open.

He was restrained by crew members using lasso ropes and tie wraps before being handed over to the police after arrival at the Incheon airport.

The suspect had dropped out of high school and was staying in Cebu alone for about a month, police said.

During the investigation, the accused did not state his motive but reportedly asked questions such as, how many life vests are there on an airplane? and whether all flight attendants would be fired if the emergency door is opened.

The suspect later tested positive for drugs; a full analysis of the type of drug is expected in two weeks.

Earlier in May, a 33-year-old man was arrested for opening an emergency exit door minutes before it landed in the southern city of Daegu in South Korea.

Twelve people were slightly injured after he opened the door of the Asiana Airlines Airbus A321-200, causing air to blast inside the cabin.

Daegu police said the man, surnamed Lee, told them that he was under stress after a recent job loss and that he wanted to get out of the plane because he was feeling suffocated just before landing.

The plane was carrying 200 people, 194 of whom were passengers, including teenage athletes on their way to a track and field competition.
Watch the moment Will Poulter paid a surprise visit to a London school for Thank a Teacher Day.

The actor, who recently starred in Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, popped into a classroom where his younger sister Charlie is a teaching assistant.

I am so proud of you, Poulter told his sister, as he gave her a hug.

Its national Thank a Teacher Day, so I wanted to say thank you to you and all of your colleagues, what you do is so amazing.
Police have rescued an enormous fugitive pig after it ran riot through a Pennsylvania neighbourhood last week.

Numerous calls were made to the Manheim Township Police Department after locals spotted the creature running round Hamilton Park in Lancaster Township.

Authorities soon found out how fast and elusive pigs can be.

"This one escaped capture for days, presumably living off the land like its cousin, the wild boar," officers said.

The pig was eventually captured on 15 June after police called in staff from a farm sanctuary to bring it into "custody."
The Ukrainian counter-offensive will be tough for the Kiev governments forces and will entail casualties among their ranks, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh has said, Tass informs.

June 21, 2023, 14:51 Pentagon admits that counter-offensive will be tough for Ukraine

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 21, ARTSAKHPRESS: "Our assessments have been pretty clear from the beginning. I think you know, we know as you continue to see the fights that have continued to move to the east, it's become more of a <> battle," she told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday. "We know this is going to be a hard fight. We know this is going to take time. And we are confident that the Ukrainians have what they need."

"We have accounted for losses. We know there are going to be losses on the battlefield. That's the unfortunate part of this war," the spokesperson continued.

In her words, the United States has provided Ukraine with the systems and the capabilities that its troops need.

"We know this is going to be a tough fight. Of course the Russians are going to adapt as they would have from the beginning of the war," Singh said.

Earlier, Russia said that the armed forces of Ukraine were sustaining heavy losses during their counter-offensive.
Andrew Tate arrived at court in Bucharest on Wednesday 21 June after being charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to exploit women.

Romanias anti-organized crime agency said that prosecutors also charged Tates brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women.

All four were initially detained in December.

Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer with millions of Twitter followers, and he is known for projecting a luxury lifestyle and expressing misogynistic views on social media.

The Romanian agency said the defendants were accused of forming a criminal group in 2021 to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania, the US and Britain.
Professor Dame Sally Davies held back tears as she apologised to those who lost loved ones during the Covid outbreak.

Englands former chief medical officer (CMO) was giving evidence at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Tuesday 20 June when she recalled the harrowing cases of which she had been told.

Maybe this is the moment to say how sorry I am to the relatives who lost their families, Dame Sally said, close to tears.

It wasnt just the deaths, it was the way they died, it was horrible.
The Canadian Air Force has deployed a military plane capable of detecting underwater objects as the search continues for the missing Titanic submersible.

Footage shows a CP-140 Aurora aircraft from Greenwood, Nova Scotia, assisting on the hunt for the missing vessel.

The underwater vehicle submerged on Sunday morning (18 June) and its support vessel lost contact with it about an hour and 45 minutes later, authorities said.

Banging noises were heard coming from the area of the last known location of the missing submarine but they have not been identified.
Aerial footage captures the moment plain-clothed police officers tacked and arrested a drug dealer in a Cardiff park.

Chiko Moyo, 18, was found in possession of 57 wraps of crack cocaine and 16 wraps of heroin in Anderson Park, Adamsdown, according to South Wales Police.

Footage from National Police Air Service shows his spontaneous arrest, by plain-clothed officers who were patrolling the park at 10:30am on 23 March.

Moyo was charged and later pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin.

He was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institution for each offence, to run concurrently.
Economy cant handle any more stimulus, according to analysis

The Central Bank has warned giveaways could also harm competitiveness. Photo: Bloomberg

A budget giveaway risks causing damage to the economy, the Central Bank has warned.

The message of caution comes three months out from Budget Day and could scotch Fine Gael plans for lower taxes on middle income earners, a call that has divided the coalition.

In fact, a Central Bank analysis published on Wednesday says higher taxes may soon be required to help cool demand, tame prices and wage demands, and keep the economy from overheating.

Record low unemployment coupled with continued job creation means the economy is now at full capacity and cant handle any extra stimulus, the Central Bank said in its latest quarterly economic bulletin.

It predicts higher wages and a pick-up in consumer spending will push up domestic growth and underlying inflation this year.

Modified domestic demand  a measure of the Irish economy that strips out multinational transactions such as aircraft leasing and patents  is expected to grow 3.7pc this year, up more than half a point on the banks previous forecast in March.

Growth in the following two years is slightly lower than previously forecast, at 2.5pc.

There is the potential for things to become a little bit more frothy

Inflation is expected to cool to 5.3pc this year, 3.4pc next year and 2.5pc in 2025.

But core inflation  which strips out volatile food and energy prices  is predicted to continue rising until the end of the year, reaching 4.9pc on average this year and outpacing headline inflation by 2025 (at 2.7pc).

The good news is that higher wages mean real incomes will recover by the end of this year.

But the Central Bank warned extra spending or tax cuts by the Government  whether on cost-of-living measures or capital investment in housing, healthcare or climate infrastructure  could fuel new price rises and add to overheating risks.

Overheating happens when demand outstrips supply, sending prices and wages rocketing and pushing the economy into a downturn.

In the short term, the economy does run the risk of overheating, said Martin OBrien, head of the Central Banks Irish economic analysis division.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said his government is committed to the promotion and protection of LGBT+ rights (Damien Storan/PA)

There is the potential for things to become a little bit more frothy, or for overheating to emerge, and in that case I think our position would be that fiscal policy has to stand ready to take on a little bit more of a restrictive position if those risks were to become more prominent out to the middle of the decade.

With budget surpluses totalling 65bn expected out to the middle of the decade, thanks to bumper corporation tax receipts, Fine Gael has called for a 1,000 tax cut for middle income earners next year, a move that caused a coalition rift earlier this month.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Michael McGrath have also said they are prepared to use some of their budget billions for investment in housing, health or climate infrastructure.

But research by Central Bank staff shows that using windfall tax receipts without also taking some demand out of the economy through tax hikes could fuel inflation and trim the budget surplus just as ageing liabilities start to rise.

The research says budget measures that go beyond the Governments 5pc a year spending growth rule would aggravate overheating pressures and result in a less favourable budgetary position than currently projected by the middle of the decade.

Any measures that send prices and wages even higher put Ireland at a disadvantage compared to our euro area neighbours, said Robert Kelly, the Central Banks director of economics and statistics, particularly given the housing crisis.


European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that 'pressures are increasing' and a targeted increase in EU spending' was necessary now

The EU wants a slice of Irelands bumper corporation tax receipts as it looks to bolster its future budgets.

Brussels is also looking for a 70bn top-up to its current seven-year, trillion-euro budget, to help pay for extra aid to Ukraine, migration, investment in critical technologies such as computer chips and higher interest payments on borrowings for its 750bn pandemic fund.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that pressures are increasing on the bloc and said a targeted increase in EU spending was necessary now.

For the future, the Commission wants a stable source of financing for what she said was a massive investment in shared policies such as climate change and new technology.

The EU budget is funded mainly from direct contributions based on its 27 members economic performance.

The EU also hives off a portion of each countrys customs duties, Vat and a plastic tax.

It is now calling for three new revenue streams for its post-2027 budget: two based on carbon emissions and one based on company profits.

Around 16bn could be generated from hiving off 0.5pc of all EU-based companies operating profits, the Commission suggested yesterday.

Ireland, where many large firms European headquarters are based, is likely to contribute a significant amount to the pot.

Irish corporation tax revenues have been surging since 2015, and reached a record 22.6bn last year, making it the second-biggest tax heading after income tax.

But the Department of Finance estimates that around half of last years receipts were windfall in nature, or could evaporate as quickly as they appeared, and wants to put the bulk of those into a sovereign wealth fund.

Irish corporation tax revenues are expected to keep growing in the coming years, reaching 27bn by 2026.

Analysis from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council shows just three corporations have been paying a third of Irelands corporation tax over the last half decade.

The European Commission said that its new corporate profit-based own resource is not a tax on companies, nor does it increase companies compliance costs.

It will be a national contribution paid by member states based on the gross operating surplus for the sectors of financial and non-financial corporations, the Commission said.

Last December the Commission also proposed hiving off a portion of the extra revenues due to be collected by EU countries under a recent deal brokered by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development that sets a 15pc minimum effective tax on companies global profits.

The Commission yesterday also proposed that EU governments transfer 30pc of the revenues raised from taxing energy-intensive sectors carbon emissions under its Emissions Trading System. It estimates it could generate an additional 7bn a year starting from 2024.

It said a further 1.5bn a year could be raised from a new levy on carbon-intensive imported goods  the carbon border adjustment mechanism  which is due to apply from 2026.
Niamh Sherwin Barry and Oisin Barry who founded The Irish Fairy Door Company alongside Aoife and Gavin Lawler

A rescue plan has been approved for the company behind The Irish Fairy Door brand.

A new two-page document lodged with the Companies Office confirms that a rescue plan was approved on Monday of this week.

This follows a meeting of members and a meeting of creditors on Monday.

On May 2, accountant Joe Walsh was appointed as Process Advise r to CEBL Ltd and was tasked with drawing up the rescue plan.

The role of process adviser is part of a new Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (Scarp ) that has been introduced to provide a quicker and more affordable restructuring option to small and micro businesses here.

The Irish Fairy Door C ompanys miniature fairy doors are enjoyed by children in around one million households worldwide and has gained an endorsement in the past from Kourtney Kardashian.

The company was founded in 2013 by Niamh Sherwin Barry and Oisin Barry alongside Aoife Lawler and Gavin Lawler.

Mr Walsh lodged the document confirming the rescue plan approval with the Companies Office and a spokeswoman for T he Irish Fairy Door Company (IFDC) declined to comment yesterday.

However, at the outset of the Scarp process last month she said that the directors were very confident the company will be able to successfully exit the Scarp process within a short period of time.

She said the Scarp process allows small companies a period of time to restructure its debts with a view to ensuring the company can trade as a going concern into the future.

As part of the Scarp process, a process adviser notifies all creditors within five days of their appointment and requests the submission of claims.

The Scarp rules show that Mr Walsh had 42 days to form a rescue plan to propose to the companys creditors and ultimately restructure the companys debt.

Companies continue to operate business as usual as the Scarp process takes place.

Now, with the approval of the rescue plan, the plan becomes binding seven days after statutory notices are filed  unless objected to within 21 days.

The most recent accounts for The Irish Fairy Door Company firm, CEBL Ltd, show that its accumulated losses had increased to 3.9m at the end of December 2020. The company had a shareholders deficit of 673,493 on that date.

The firm recorded losses of 268,137 for 2020, losses of 422,011 in 2019 and 1.6m in 2018.

The Irish Fairy Door Company signed a global animation deal with Wildbrain parent, Canadian firm DHX Media for a YouTube animation series Through the Fairy Door which went live on YouTube in July 2019.

However, within months the Covid-19 pandemic shut down retail around the world with a company spokeswoman previously stating that Covid-19 has had a massive impact on our bricks and mortar toy store sales.
Thousands of Permanent TSB customers are facing a hike in the cost of operating their current accounts.

The bank is to end a waiver that allowed 47,000 people to avail of free day-to-day banking.

The news comes at the same time as the bank is increasing its variable mortgage rates for existing customers and hiking variable and fixed rates for buy-to-let borrowers.

Existing customers have been able to avail of a waiver on current account fees.

As long as they kept a credit of 2,500 in their current account, they could avoid quarterly fees of 18.

This option was ended for new current account customers some time ago.

However, 47,000 existing customers were availing of it. They will now be forced to pay 18 a quarter unless they opt for the Explore account.

That account costs 6 a month, but customers can qualify for up to 5 a month cashback if they meet certain conditions.

The move is in line with other banks that have ended fee-free banking. The exceptions are the neobanks, such as Revolut and N26, which have free-to-use basic current accounts.

Ending free banking at Permanent TSB comes as it reacted to last weeks eighth European Central Bank rate rise by announcing an increase in its variable rates.

The move will see its variable rates rise by between 0.05 and 0.4 percentage points from the end of the month.

The banks standard variable rate (SVR) for homeowners will increase by 0.35 percentage points to 4.3pc.

Home-loan Managed Variable Rates (MVRs), which are linked to each customers loan-to-value (LTV), will increase by between 0.05 and 0.4 percentage points.

Following these increases, the MVRs on home loans will range from 3.8pc to 4.3pc.

The banks home-loan fixed rates for new business range from 3.9pc to 4.9pc, depending on the fixed rate term and the customers LTV.

There are no changes to the banks fixed rates for new or existing mortgage holders.

Permanent TSB said around 95pc of its new business is fixed rates.

It is also increasing variable and fixed rates for buy-to-let mortgage customers and ending fee waivers on legacy current accounts no longer available to new customers.

The home-loan and buy-to-let mortgage rate changes take effect from July 31.

Last week, the Irish Independent reported that people on variable mortgage rates with the main lenders have been warned they could be next to face a rise in the interest charged on their rates.

Daragh Cassidy, of mortgage broker Bonkers.ie, said: Those on variable rates are also likely to see a hike in their repayments soon.

The main banks in Ireland have been slow at passing on the recent ECB rate hikes to their variable-rate customers, partly because these rates were so high to begin with.
Fans of Arctic Monkeys who were left disappointed following the last minute cancellation of their gig in Marlay at an epic Arctic Monkey Party in Eden House yesterday.

A pub owner has said that Alex Turner might get over laryngitis, but businesses wont get over the loss of costs following Arctic Monkeys concert cancellation.

Last night Eden House, a family run pub in Rathfarnham, near Marlay Park, held an Arctic Monkeys party in an attempt to make some money following the event being called off.

The pub hired portable toilets, staff and fencing as well as ordering extra food and drink ahead of the concert.

Co-owner Suzanne Zelman told Independent.ie: He might get over laryngitis, but businesses wont get over the loss of costs. Drinks can be resold, but a lot of the food had to be scrapped.

Its not the end of the world but were a small local business. We threw 20,000 to set up for this event and we lost that, theres no coming back from that. We wouldve made about 50,000 if the concert went ahead, but we only made 11,000.

On This Day In History - June 21st

Theres a massive set up. We hired portaloos, fencing, we built bars out the front, we ran extra drink lines. Foodwise, we had two outdoor barbecues and firewood pizzas. We wouldve had all our deliveries the day before the concert.

They cancelled on Monday at 4pm and our food deliveries came in that morning. We wouldve been prepping salads, burgers, pizzas  we wouldve pre-made all that food. We had all the chefs in, people in to help build the bars, everything.

Wed to work out rosters, we went to the bank to get change, it was a massive operation.

The food is a big waste; we cant freeze it all because its premade. We had planned to have a barbecue going from 3pm and we had a huge amount of carvery food ready too.

Weve a cellar stacked high with kegs. We will probably sell that, but we wouldnt have ordered that much if we had known sooner.

Chefs in Eden House prior to the Arctic Monkeys concert that was meant to happen yesterday, June 20th, 2023.

But the show must go on, Suzanne and her husband Michael are hoping they can still make some money despite a lot of the time and energy that went into preparing ahead of the Arctic Monkeys gig.

It wouldve been the highlight of our summer takings. There are other concerts but theyre not until the weekend. Were stuck with all of these portaloos were having to pay for a week now when it couldve only been a few days, we couldve got it cheaper.

Weve Dermot Kennedy Friday and Saturday, were all set up for it now. Then theres The Weeknd, Def Leppard and Longitude but it isnt great for us because its all kids.

We had a few fans in the pub last night. We had an Arctic Monkeys party, there was a good atmosphere.

Fans of Arctic Monkeys who were left disappointed following the last minute cancellation of their gig in Marlay at an epic Arctic Monkey Party in Eden House yesterday.

"They were good people. We had music, it was great, there was singing and dancing. There were people who came from Denmark, London, Belfast, and all. People had already made their way up for the concert. Itll be a kick in the teeth for Irish fans if they play Glastonbury.

We gave out pizza to staff and to customers too just to get rid of them. A lot was wasted.
Artsakh Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement on the complete blocking of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan in violation of international obligations.

June 21, 2023, 16:47 Inaction and indifference in fact encourage Azerbaijan's genocidal actions. MFA

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 21, ARTSAKHPRESS: The statement is presented below:

''For the seventh day now, since 15 June, Azerbaijan has completely blocked the delivery of all types of humanitarian cargo to the Republic of Artsakh through the Lachin Corridor, including food and medicine, carried out by the Russian peacekeeping forces and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), thereby deliberately depriving the 120,000 population of Artsakh, including women, children and the elderly, of the minimum means of subsistence.



We emphasise that the complete and arbitrary blocking of the Lachin Corridor, in particular the deliberate obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian cargo by the Russian peacekeeping forces and the ICRC for the basic needs of the people of Artsakh under siege, is considered a war crime under international law. In essence, Azerbaijan has gone from blatant violation of the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and complete disregard for the legally binding Order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023 to actions that amount to a war crime.

We recall that the Lachin Corridor, envisaged by the Trilateral Statement of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan dated 9 November 2020, which establishes, inter alia, the exclusive control of the Corridor by the Russian peacekeeping forces, has been functioning for the past six months with severe and arbitrary restrictions imposed by Azerbaijan and was used only for the passage of vehicles of the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping forces. On 15 June, after a deliberate provocation with the Azerbaijani flag on the Hakari bridge, Azerbaijan completely closed the Corridor, including by blocking the road with armoured vehicles. Thus, movement in both directions through the Corridor has now been blocked for representatives of the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping forces, who delivered essential supplies to the Republic of Artsakh.

The complete blockade and isolation of the Republic of Artsakh from the outside world exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and prepare fertile ground for the escalation of Azerbaijan's ongoing crimes against humanity into the crime of genocide. By completely blocking the Lachin Corridor, which is the only Road of Life for the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan has actually taken its targeted policy of ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and destruction of its people as such to a new level.

There is no doubt that the initial purpose of the illegal establishment of Azerbaijani control over the Lachin Corridor was its subsequent blockade and use as a means of conducting its aggressive and genocidal policy against the people of Artsakh. In fact, the Lachin Corridor, originally intended to connect Artsakh with the outside world and as one of the guarantees of the normal life activity of its people, is used by Azerbaijan as a military-political tool to carry out aggressive actions against the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens.

The deliberate starvation of 120,000 people, including women, children and the elderly, inflicting unbearable daily suffering on them, as well as imposing Azerbaijan's own will with the use or threat of force, requires the international community to take urgent and effective enforcement measures aimed at preventing massive violations of rights of the people of Artsakh.
Darren Gilligan, son of notorious convicted drug dealer John Gilligan, has volunteered to be surrendered to Spain where he is wanted for allegedly trafficking cannabis and sleeping pills as part of an international crime network.
The Indo Daily: Has the Long Island serial killer been caught at last?
Maynooth University will offer a nursing degree from 2025 and is also exploring the possibility of starting a medical school.

The university confirmed its plans as part of the proposed expansion of college places of almost 1,300 year across medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and veterinary

The Cabinet has approved, in principle, the expansion in places although not all proposals will progress at the same pace and some will hinge on the availability of significant Government investment.

But Maynooth will start its nursing programme in 2025, with an initial intake of 50 students rising to 100 students per year, and half of places will be reserved for those who have come via further education, rather than the CAO.

The university, which has a background in arts, education, engineering and computing, also plans to develop a School of Health and Medicine that will offer health programmes at all levels from undergraduate to PhD.

There was an enthusiastic welcome from the higher education sector and professional bodies for the Governments decision, which is aimed at meeting the skills needs of society.

The potential to add capacity across a range of disciplines, including opening up to three new veterinary schools, was identified in a report from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which had invited interest from colleges.

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Minister Harris said it was an important moment for the delivery of healthcare and veterinary medicine.

He said his department will now work with the Departments of Health and Agriculture to bring the proposals forward.

Each will be subjected to a process and investment will be subject to the normal procedures, the minister

Individual projects will be subject to the usual appraisals to ensure value for money and colleges will have to make a detailed business case, which will be assessed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Mr Harris said he hoped it could lead to an unprecedented change in the number of graduates in key skills areas in the coming years and would help the health and agriculture sector begin to address workforce shortage issues.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he had set the ambitious target of doubling the number of student places across the full range of essential health professions to meet health workforce and patient care needs.

We cannot continue to rely on recruitment from around the world to meet the healthcare workforce needs of our growing and aging population. This planned student expansion is an important step in addressing the needs of our health service and achieving health workforce sustainability for Ireland, he said.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said in terms of increased capacity in veterinary medicine, he looked forward to continued analysis of the options identified, which will inform the number of places to move forward with and the locations selected for any potential new veterinary schools.

UCD has been allocated 70 more places in medicine and 50 more places in veterinary medicine.

Professor Michael Keane, who is Dean & Head of the UCD School of Medicine , said he looked forward to further discussions regarding the necessary investments.

His colleague, Professor Michael Doherty, Dean & Head of the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine said they looked forward to engaging with the HEA.

University of Limerick has been allocated 90 places for a new veterinary medicine school, with at least 10pc of places to be reserved for students from Northern Ireland, as well as additional places in existing programmes in medicine and nursing .

UL president Professor Kerstin Mey welcomed confirmation that their proposal to establish a new veterinary medicine school would proceed to the next stage

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is also slated for a veterinary school, as well as extra healthcare places, and its president, Dr Orla OFlynn, said the proposed new veterinary programme would be delivered from ATU Donegal in conjunction with ATU Mountbellew.

She said a potential new pharmacy programme would run in ATU Sligo, and additional general nursing places in ATU Mayo, ATU Donegal and St Angelas College Sligo pending Government funding.

Irish Dental Association president Dr Eamon Croke expressed cautious optimism what the plan would mean for school-leavers wishing to practice dentistry and for patients.

He said decades of under investment in dental schools had contributed to the lack of graduates the results of which were now seen and felt in the overall staffing and resourcing crisis facing dentists and dental patients.

We now need to ensure that this plan gets the necessary investment by Government as part of budgetary considerations so that today doesnt become another finger in the dam of a much bigger disaster, he said.

The package includes almost 200 more undergraduate pharmacy places and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said it has been campaigning for increased educational capacity for several years to address the growing shortage of community pharmacists.

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey has welcomed confirmation from government that a proposal to establish a new veterinary medicine school at UL will proceed to the next stage
The Lord Mayor and City Council paid tribute to them for their tireless work in the field of environmental campaigning The Freedom of the City has previously been conferred on 86 people Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (20) did not collect her award in person - but Jessica Dunne and Sumaya Ahmed spoke on her behalf

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy and Duncan Stewart pictured outside the Mansion House in Dublin this evening. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy and Duncan Stewart who was conferred with the Freedom of Dublin City. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

Environmentalists Greta Thunberg and Duncan Stewart have both been awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin at a ceremony tonight in the Mansion House on Dawson Street.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (20) did not collect her award in person, with Jessica Dunne and Sumaya Ahmed, both from the youth climate strike movement in Ireland, speaking on her behalf.

The Lord Mayor and the city council were paying tribute to Ms Thunberg and Mr Stewart for their tireless work in the field of environmental campaigning.

Dublin environmentalist Duncan Stewart (75), who hosted the RTE show Eco Eye for twenty years, attended the ceremony at the Mansion House on Wednesday.

He said: When the Lord Mayor called me and asked me would I accept a nomination for the award, I was really shocked and certainly very honoured.

"I would like to thank the Lord Mayor for what she has done, and Dublin City Council in general.

Duncan Stewart has arrived at the Mansion House to collect the Freedom of the City from @LordMayorDublin!! pic.twitter.com/7QzhLp8geK  Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) June 21, 2023

"Really I dont deserve it, but certainly when I see Greta Thunberg also on the platform I feel very proud because I have such great admiration for her and all the incredible work shes doing for our young generation.

Both recipients received gifts from Irish craftmakers, with Mr Stewart receiving a sculpture made from 400-year-old bog oak by artist Tony Downey.

Meanwhile, Ms Thunberg was gifted a nature-inspired drop pendant handmade by Irish jeweller Shimara Carlow, who is originally from west Cork.

I am honoured to present The Freedom of the City to Duncan Stewart and Greta Thunberg, said Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy.

Jessica Dunne and Sumaya Ahmed from the youth climate strike movement in Ireland picking up the Freedom of the City award for @GretaThunberg in Dublin's Mansion House from @LordMayorDublin pic.twitter.com/LJh5WhdnpY  Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) June 21, 2023

"This award is the highest Civic honour Dublin City can bestow. It is a privilege for me to confer the Freedom on these two very deserving recipients, both of whom I admire greatly for their efforts to help us tackle the most pressing global problem of our time.

Recipients of the award become Honorary Citizens of the city, earning ancient privileges such as the right to bring goods into Dublin through the city gates without paying customs duties as well as the right to pasture sheep on common ground within the city boundaries, including on St Stephens Green.

As part of their ancient duties, they must be ready to defend the city from attack as they can be called on to join a city militia at short notice and must have their own sword, bow and coat of mail.

Past recipients include Fr Peter McVerry, Jack Charlton, Kellie Harrington and Gay Byrne, as well as US Presidents John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton. The Freedom of the City has previously been conferred on 86 people. The first recipient was of the Freedom of the City was Isaac Butt in 1876.

To receive the award, a person must be nominated by the Lord Mayor before their nomination is voted on by Dublin City Council.

Any nomination must be ratified by a majority vote.
If I was in trouble, Id want to be on a sub with them

A view from inside the Titan submersible as the bow of the Titanic comes into view during a 2021 mission.

IRISH oil executive Oisin Fanning  who twice visited the Titanic wreck with OceanGate Expeditions  has said hes hopeful the five passengers in the tourist submarine who were visiting the ill-fated ship will be rescued alive.

Mr Fanning is executive chairman of oil and gas exploration firm San Leon.

The five people on the submersible in the North Atlantic are British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son, Suleman; UK businessman Hamish Harding; French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet; and Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate.

Contact with them has been lost. A Canadian aircraft taking part in the search and rescue mission has detected subsea banging every 30 minutes emanating from the area in which the submersible is understood to be, raising hopes the subs passengers are still alive.

The submersible, called Titan, had 96 hours of oxygen reserves when it plunged into the ocean at 6am on Sunday to begin its descent to Titanic. Those supplies are expected to run out on Thursday.

Rescuers race against clock after noises heard from Titanic vessel search area

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday morning, Mr Fanning described Mr Henri-Nargeolet and Mr Stockton as consummate professionals.

To be honest, if I was in trouble, Id want to be on a sub with them, he said.

Mr Fanning believes the people on board the submersible will be conserving energy from day one.

I wouldnt be surprised if the oxygen lasts a lot longer, he said. Theyll know exactly what to do. I mean, youre talking about people whove dived to the Titanic 38, 40 times. Their career is about diving. Paul Nargeolot was a commander in the French army, then he was in charge of all the submersibles in the French navy. So they know their business.

Mr Fanning said he thinks the passengers will be advised not to panic.

They have everything thats required, according to Mr Fanning, adding that theres even equipment to soak up the carbon dioxide passengers exhale.

He added: They have all the equipment there. These are consummate businessmen. They will be used to not panicking as well. I think they will follow directions perfectly.

They will conserve as much energy as possible. That is, if they are trapped, in the hope that somebody will come down and release them, said the oil executive.

Mr Fanning thinks that something has probable broken off the submersible, which cut contact with the mothership on the surface.

I would have to presume that something has broken off, he said, adding it was likely an antenna. Once thats broken, your contact is gone, full stop.

Tickets for the trip to the Titanic wreck  which lies almost 4km below the sea surface  cost $250,000 (228,000). The entire trip, including the journey to the dive site, takes about eight days.

The Titanic, constructed in Belfast by Harland & Wolff, set sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton on April 10, 1912. It sank about 700km south of St Johns, Newfoundland, on April 14, with the loss of just over 1,500 lives.

Shares in Mr Fannings troubled San Leon firm sank last week after it said trading in the shares will likely be suspended on July 3 as it will delay publishing its accounts until after the end of June and hasnt yet been able to access funding from an alternative loan facility.
Leaving Cert physics higher level, was a fair paper, with lots of choice allowing students of all abilities to accrue marks, according to teacher Pat Doyle of the Institute of Education, Dublin

He said students would have liked that questions tended to focus on single topics, rather than fusing different elements together, as per the most recent exams.

Yet, those who had honed their skills on those papers will find this streamlined focus on each topic rewarding and satisfying.

In Section A students had to answer three of the five experiments and Mr Doyle said they tested a nice mixture of essential skills: graphing, calculations, and diagrams.

In Section B, he said Q6 is the most popular every year as it offers short, concise questions that cover the expanse of the course and the Covid adjustments meant that there was even more choice than previous years.

He said while Q7 on Newtonian physics was a fair combination of previous questions, it would have challenged those who struggled with the applied mathematical approach.

Mr Doyle regarded Q8 as a very clever question as it tested the genuine understanding of the material", allowing those with an aptitude for graphing to make the most of it.

He said Q9, which blended nuclear physics, heat, and mechanics, was accessible, but contained a calculation that challenged the conceptual grasp of some students.

Mr Doyle thought Q10 may have discouraged those students hurriedly scanning questions for key words, as the preamble text on Van Der Graff (who is not on the course) will make the question appear more daunting than it is.

He described it as a distraction technique and has appeared in previous questions. He said a student who read further would have seen the actual tested material was not on Van Der Graff and bore a resemblance to material they would have revised.

He thought Q11, on electromagnetism, was very manageable but will likely have been skipped by most students. He said the topic is generally perceived as challenging so many students and teachers avoid it

He had no issues with questions 12 and 13 ,which contemporary aspects of physics, the former included cut-edge particle physics, while latter was energy storage.

He said the use of Turlough Hill in Wicklow provided a nationally relevant framework for a question on the physics at the heart of a global issue.

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) subject representative John Conneely agreed that the paper was a thorough test of students knowledge, with plenty of opportunities to show their understanding of key concepts and critical thinking skills.

He also referenced the question on the conversion of stored potential energy to electrical energy at Turlough Hill pumped storage power station, stating that it provided a modern context for testing the fundamental aspects of the course.

In relation to the ordinary level paper, Mr Conneely, of St Flannans College, Ennis, Co Clare, said it would not have provided any nasty shocks for the student who was well prepared.

In comparison with the 7,814 candidates entered for the physics exams, 446 were due to sit the combined physics/chemistry exams, also held today.

Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) exam spokesperson Eve Prendergast said a reasonably prepared student should have found the higher level paper within their capabilities.

Ms Prendergast, of Clogher Road Community College, Dublin, said it was lovely to see a link to the topical subject of using solar power to split water in the electrolysis question on the higher level paper and a question about time for charging an electric car on the ordinary level paper.

However, she said the ordinary level questions were challenging and long, although a well-prepared students would have done well

She thought Q6a was confusing as it used a spring as the force in momentum and less able maths students would struggle, while Q6d had a confusing table.

However, she liked how the students were directed to the experiment pendulum in Q2 as this is often confused by students and it is 1/3 of this questions marks.
A Fine Gael senator who described free legal aid fees paid to barristers as embarrassing has received more than 175,000 under the scheme over the last three years.

Senator Barry Ward, who is also a junior barrister, has publicly condemned the State fees paid to the legal profession and called for an increase in the rates for providing legal help to those who cannot afford it.

Mr Ward also raised the issue at a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, where he said it was embarrassing and damaging that the party failed to reverse cuts imposed during the post Celtic Tiger recession.

However, new figures released by the Department of Justice show Mr Ward got 178,729.72 from the State over the last three years through the free legal aid scheme.

The payments to the Fine Gael senator were among the almost 200m bill for free legal aid fees paid to lawyers over the last three years.

Mr Ward earns 75,000 as a senator and is entitled to an additional 5,250 in travel and accommodation allowances.

Last month, while speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Ward said it was embarrassing that professionals who have spent a lot of time and money training, and are providing a service to the State, have to come with a begging bowl.

Its different from almost any other sector, insofar as legal aid fees were cut over a decade ago and in terms of criminal solicitors and barristers, they have never been restored, he said.

Mr Ward said it was a common misconception that all barristers were well-paid and noted some were being paid as low as 25 for attending hearings.

Criminal solicitors and barristers are worst-paid lawyers in the State, he said.

If you listen to the rates that theyre paid, a junior barrister who goes to the district court for a case would be paid 25 for their trouble to do that.

That results in delays for prosecution, and it results in the non-availability of barristers.

Mr Ward said fewer and fewer lawyers were taking up criminal law and many of those in the field were leaving due to the fees. Barristers and solicitors who represented the defence and the prosecution were paid the same rates.

The Fine Gael senator said entering the legal profession was often a second career move for barristers and solicitors. They may have been doctors or guards or in the defence forces, he said. If youre that person, you cant practise in criminal law because you might have a mortgage or children or something like that, and theres no possibility to pay for that.

At a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting last month, Mr Wards call for free legal aid fees to be increased was supported by former justice minister and solicitor Charlie Flanagan, Junior Minister Josepha Madigan, a family lawyer, and Cork North-Central TD Colm Burke, who is also a solicitor.

Senator Martin Conway, Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell and Kildare North TD Bernard Durkan were also supportive of Mr Wards comments.

Mr Ward said he did not wish to comment when contacted by the Irish Independent.
Deepfakes of Donald Trump being arrested and Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket are landmark moments in the history of AI, politicians will be told today.

Trinity Professor Gregory OHare says the images going viral are among pivotal moments in the technologys journey.

His list includes the online release of a generative AI track Heart on My Sleeve purported to be a collaboration between Canadian musicians Drake and The Weeknd.

In a statement to a Dail committee today, he predicts that generative AI will have far-reaching effects on white collar workers.

Professions like journalism, media, the law, academia, marketing, architecture, engineering and the creative industries will all be profoundly affected, says his statement to the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

He says a recent Goldman Sachs Report concluded that two thirds of occupations will be impacted to some degree by AI-empowered automation while generative AI could replace one fourth of all work-related tasks in the US.

Specifically, they predict some 44pc of legal tasks being automated, he says.

He says the velocity of AI technology is fast exceeding the rate at which the law around AI can be framed.

AI in the workplace can manifest itself in a myriad of ways including, application screening, analysis of video recorded interviews (facial expressions, eye contact, voice tone and cadence), automation of tasks, monitoring engagement and biometric identification and classification, he says.

Politicians will hear calls for new European-wide rules on AI to guarantee that no worker is subject to the will of a machine.

Officials from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will seek robust regulation and minimum standards for the design and use of the technology in workplaces.

They are critical of European Commission proposals and say the EUs AI Act is not suitable for regulating AI in the workplace.

Although the legislative process has not yet been completed, the proposal submitted by the European Commission was more than disappointing from the workers point of view, says the statement to be delivered by social policy officer Laura Bambrick.

It only requires software providers to self-assess their own technology between low and high-risk before putting it on the market and did not include any rules on the use of AI in the workplace.

The submission says the EU Commission has defined AI systems used for hiring, promotion or dismissal of workers as high-risk.

It is not clear when a risk is considered high enough to be significant or how to determine this risk ex-ante, it says.

The union representative body calls for a short-term work scheme and pay-related income supports where parts of jobs or whole jobs or whole industries become redundant.

The danger of dehumanisation of decision-making processes, especially when used in human resources tool for example to recruit workers, monitor their work, analyse their behaviour and even terminate their employment is already bitter reality, it says.

It endorses a European Trade Union Confederation call for a dedicated EU directive on AI in the workplace.
Spar retailers, father and son Ray and Nathan Clarke along with the third generation of Clarkes, Jackson (2), celebrating their legacy with Spar in one of the plantation sites in Garristown, Co Dublin. Picture: Naoise Culhane

Spar will plant 20,000 trees across the country this year to mark 60 years of business in Ireland.

As part of its Spar Team Tree initiative, the ubiquitous convenience stores  which have a pine tree as their symbol - will plant trees in six sites across Ireland.

To mark the milestone of Under the Tree since 1963, Spar has joined forces with the Tree Council of Ireland to identify sites in Sligo, Waterford, Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow and Galway.

Three of the six sites have already been planted with native Irish trees, while the remainder will be planted later in the year.

The aim of the sites is to create mature oak woodlands in 100 years time.

In addition to the oak saplings, other native species being planted include alder, birch, Scots pine, willow, mountain ash, holly, hawthorn, blackthorn, spindle, aspen, cherry, hazel, whitebeam and elm.

The symbol of the tree has long been associated with Spar, and this native woodland planting is in addition to the supermarkets sponsorship of National Tree Day for primary schools.

The initiative, run by the Tree Council of Ireland, takes place in October and invites children across Ireland join Team Tree and plant a tree on their school grounds.

Marking the 60th anniversary and the launch of Team Tree were the Clarke Family from Dublin as they also celebrate a legacy of their own.

Father and son Ray and Nathan Clarke opened their first Spar store in Longboat Quay 18 years ago and have since expanded to three other locations.

Its lovely to see this lasting legacy being planted here in County Dublin, Nathan said.

I look at my parents and my children and the huge role Spar has played in our lives. Its fitting that on behalf of all the retailers and customers; Spar is giving back to the community and county here in Dublin and across the country in this meaningful and lasting way.

These native woodlands will be something we can look back on and know we made a difference.

Chief executive of the Tree Council of Ireland Brendan Fitzsimons said these woodlands are the gold standard from an environmental and public appreciation perspective.

They are vastly more biodiverse than the agricultural land they replace and host a huge variety of plants, animals, insects, fungi and lichens, he said.

They also represent endless educational, recreational and research opportunities and leave a rich legacy that can be enjoyed by the generations to come.

Spar marketing manager Helen Lalor said: Were extremely proud of our partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland and the wonderful work they do.

As we celebrate Spars 60th anniversary, its entirely fitting that we support this very unique initiative, which will undoubtedly raise much needed awareness and leave a long-lasting reminder of Spars Team Tree initiative.

The planting of these native Irish woodlands is funded by Spar through its National Charity Partner Programme and funds are raised by a donation of sales from selected Spar own brand products.
This is the husband and wife sentenced over the merciless murder of a five-year-old child in Co Antrim.

Abdul Wahab and Aleksandra Wahab were jailed at Belfast Crown Court today for the "brutal, merciless and outrageous" killing of Nadia Zofia Kalinowska.

Nadia was fatally assaulted in her Fernagh Drive home in Newtownabbey in December 2019.

Abdul Wahab (35), the childs stepfather, was told he must serve a minimum of 22 years in prison for Nadias murder.

Stepfather and mother sentenced over merciless murder of five-year-old in Newtownabbey

Nadias mother Aleksandra Wahab (29) was handed an 11-year sentence for a lesser charge of causing or allowing the death of her daughter.

The childs family released an emotional statement after sentencing.

They said: Nadia was just a child. A child who had her young and innocent life cruelly taken away.

Our little one was loved and treasured by her family here in Poland.

We have supported the police investigation over the last traumatic three and a half years, and are truly grateful to everyone for their support.

Were still, however, trying to come to terms with what happened to Nadia. And Im not sure that we ever will. To be honest, our worlds have been shattered.

Nadia will always remain in the heart of her loving grandmother and her closest family in Poland.

The Wahabs, of Fernagh Drive, were both originally charged with murder.

Earlier this year, Abdul Wahab pleaded guilty to the murder of Nadia as well as two charges of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Aleksandra Wahab pleaded guilty to the charges she was sentenced for.

At the time of their initial arrests, the Wahabs both claimed Nadia's death was accidental.

As he imposed the tariff on Abdul Wahab, Mr Justice O'Hara spoke of the "brutality" inflicted on the child which resulted in a "horrific collection of injuries".

Jailing Aleksandra Wahab for causing or allowing the death of her daughter, the senior judge said she must have been aware of the "violent beatings" her husband was inflicting on her daughter - but "completely failed" to protect her.

He said: "I don't accept for a second that she did not know that Nadia was being repeatedly beaten and attacked by her husband."

Afterwards, a senior PSNI detective said Nadia was a young and innocent child who had suffered dreadfully.

Detective Inspector Gina Quinn, from the Major Investigation Team, said: Nadia died from head and abdominal injuries, however, she also sustained multiple fractures to her skull, ribs, pelvis and collarbone and serious injuries to her brain and liver.

"At the time of her death, she had over 70 surface injuries on her body which had been inflicted on various occasions over a six-month period.

Nadia, who was a young and innocent child, had been subjected to a campaign of violence by her stepfather, while her mother ignored the very obvious attacks being carried out on her young daughter.

"They failed to ever seek medical treatment for any of her injuries. This was the ultimate betrayal of trust by the two people who should have protected, loved and cared for Nadia.

This has been a lengthy investigation and from the start we have worked closely with specialist prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Service to get justice for Nadia.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of colleagues in the Ambulance Service and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, who fought so hard to save Nadias life.

My thoughts today are with Nadias grandmother and extended family in Poland, who have suffered unimaginable heartache and pain.

Ciaran McQuillan, the assistant director of the Public Prosecution Service and Head of the Serious Crime Unit, said the case was deeply distressing and difficult to comprehend.

"Her injuries included multiple fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, a fractured forearm and extensive bruising and abrasions, he said.

The violence eventually resulted in her tragic death in hospital from a fractured skull and severe internal injuries. The medical evidence paints a picture of a shocking catalogue of abuse that culminated in her brutal murder.

We in the PPS hope the conclusion of this case brings some comfort to Nadias wider family circle and all those who loved her as they try to cope with her death.

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By Fabian Dawson

New Canadian Media

Every June, for the past 40 years, Vancouver resident Nahid Mazloum has relived the horror of her mother, sister, and father being executed for refusing to recant their Bahai faith, hoping their stories will bring about change in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Life goes on, but the pain never goes away, Mazloum told New Canadian Media before addressing a gathering of about 650 people from the Bahai community in Vancouver last Friday, June 16.

They had come together to honour those who were killed in the Iranian city of Shiraz on June 18, 1983, and be part of a global campaign called #OurStoryIsOne to push for gender equality in their homeland.

In the wake of ongoing protests against state repression of women in Iran, Canada has recently HYPERLINK "https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/06/canada-sanctions-ju..." \t "_blank" announced its 12th round of sanctions against Iran, this time targeting seven individual judges for their role in gross and systematic human rights violations in Irans criminal justice system, notably Irans Revolutionary Courts.

Like previous subjects of Canadian sanctions, these seven judges are no longer allowed to enter Canada, and any assets they may have held in Canada have been frozen.

Human rights groups said the use of capital punishment in Iran has surged in the months after historic massive protests took to the streets following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody last September.

Her death, after she was detained for allegedly improperly wearing her veil sparked months of demonstrations around the world, including Canada, with protesters calling for the end to the Islamic Republic.

The violence today is reminiscent of what took place in Iran 40 years ago.

Back in 1983, just a few years after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Mazloums sister Roya Eshraghi and mother Ezzat Janami Eshraghi were hanged in the city square along with eight other women, aged 17 to 57. Her father, Enayatollah Eshraghi, was executed two days earlier.

I was working in Nigeria when I got the news almost a month later in a telegramthey were arrested and killed for their belief in a faith that promotes gender equality, said Mazloum, who settled in Canada in 2012.

The ten women, including my mother and sister were hanged one after anotherThey

were tortured and when they refused to recant their Bahai faith several times, they were killed as a lesson to others in the community.

Mazloum recalls the last days of her family  pieced together by those who survived, neighbours and local news reports  with a sense of anguish and pride.

I feel better as time goes on because my dad, mum and Roya stood by their beliefs till the very endthey have taught us to never submit to injustice, even if one has to pay for it with their lives, said Mazloum.

The Bahai community makes up the largest religious minority in Iran comprising about 300,000 members. The Bahai Faith has been present in Canada since 1898 and has grown to more than 35,000 people in more than 1,000 localities, according to the Bahai International Community website.

Although an independent religion that promotes gender equality, it has been rejected by Irans Islamic hardliners, who consider members of the Bahai community as apostates. People in the Bahai community in Iran have long been arrested with impunity and their properties confiscated at will.

Canada was the first country to open its doors to Bahai refugees fleeing violent persecution in Iran. Eventually, some 2,300 Bahais would come to Canada as part of the federal governments Iranian Bahai refugee program, that ran from 1981 to 1989.

The barbarity of the executions of the 10 women in Shiraz shocked the world, leading to a wave of appeals for condemned Bahai women and men to be released from Iranian jails, but little has changed, according to a statement from the Vancouver Bahai Community office.

Since then, hundreds more Bahai women have been severely persecuted, facing discrimination both as women and as Bahais, it reads. Bahai women serving in prominent social positions in the country were dismissed from their jobs, arrested and imprisoned, tortured, or executedNow the regime has extended this intolerance of women to the whole of Iranian society and almost no one beyond the most conservative is left untouched by it.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in his message to the community in April during Ridvan , a 12-day festival and the holiest time of the Bahai calendar  said Canada is deeply concerned about the injustices endured by members of the faith in Iran, where the escalating campaign to suppress and persecute individuals denies their freedoms of expression, religion, and association, and their right to education.

As part of the #OurStoryIsOne campaign launch, Simin Fahandej, Representative of the Baha'i International Community (BIC) to the United Nations in Geneva said: Today, in the blood, tears, and wounds of thousands of young women in Iran seeking equality, we can see echoes of the injustice suffered by the 10 women of Shiraz whose tragic death touched the lives of many.

We see the same spirit; the same choice being made: to stand up for the principles of justice and equality with utmost effort. Though mistreated and imprisoned, todays womenjust like those before themare bravely striving for a just and prosperous Iran.

Human rights groups said the use of capital punishment in Iran has surged in the months after historic massive protests took to the streets following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody last September.

Her death, after she was detained for improperly wearing her veil sparked months of demonstrations around the world, including Canada, with protesters calling for the end of the Islamic Republic.
TikTok star Eric Roberts (32) has admitted it was emotional quitting his much-loved job working as a special needs assistant (SNA) to take the plunge into the online world full-time.

Originally from Downings, Co Donegal, he has worked as an SNA in various autism units and mainstream schools in his native county for eight years.

But having amassed a following of around 800,000 on his social media sites, the comedy creator said it was time for a fresh challenge.

His career as an entertainer took off during lockdown, with his videos getting over 20m views. He decided to leave Mulroy College in Donegals Milford at the end of May to pursue new opportunities.

It was an idea I had been toying with for a long time. I was getting so many opportunities and wanted to see where all this will take me. It was an emotional day leaving the job. I think it will hit me more in September, when I dont go back to school like usual. I just thought, If I dont make the leap now, I never will, he said.

Donegal influencer Eric Roberts and his nephew Oisin

One of the stars of his online videos is his nephew Oisin Roberts Browne (17), who has autism and cerebral palsy, and Eric said hes part of the reason he became an SNA in the first place.

He credits his sister Tanya for the incredible work she has done with his nephew over the years and said that Oisin relishes being part of his social media success. He said its really important to him to increased representation of neurodiversity on social media.

Oisin loves it and I think people can see that its coming from an authentic place and how genuinely happy he makes me. He just turned 17 there last week, hes amazing, he said.

Even though Im leaving the teaching, Im going to keep on working with children with additional needs. I would love to do a childrens book eventually.

Roberts, who is signed with Andrea Roches agency, recently did a show with the BBC called Big Comic Energy, and is now considering a full-time move to Dublin as he explores new opportunities.

He is also busy planning his wedding to his childhood sweetheart Niamh Emmett, having proposed to her during a trip to Santorini in March 2022.

Eric Roberts and his nephew Oisin

He met his teacher fiancee when they were teenagers and knew each other for years before the relationship turned serious four years ago.

She was the person who convinced him to start doing his viral videos when he was bored during lockdown.

She's the woman behind it all. She does all the photos and the videos for me. Shes the first one to say You spend too much time on your phone and I'm like its all your fault. My addiction went from watching the videos in lockdown to making them, he said.

I proposed to her on a yacht in Santorini. I had the ring on me for three months and I was waiting for the right time. When we were in Greece together, I was like, It doesnt get much better than this.

He marked the occasion with a stag trip to Las Vegas for five days with 12 of his family and friends and the pair will get married on August 21 at Donegal hotel Harveys Point.

Roberts was speaking at the launch of Virgin Medias rollout of 2 gigabit full-fibre broadband in Letterkenny, Killarney and Tralee. As part of the launch, the company will deliver cereal boxes to homes in those areas with prizes for those who find a golden ticket.
Health Minister hits back at Sinn Fein claims that the facility needs major remedial work

The new National Children's Hospital in Dublin has been plagued by delays and cost increases. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

THE National Childrens Hospital (NCH) is back in the headlines after news that its management board ordered the main contractor, BAM, to cease work on half of its operating theatres last month. The issue has raised fresh doubts about when exactly the long-delayed hospital will finally open.

Remind me what all the fuss about this hospital is?

Located on the site of St Jamess Hospital campus in Dublin, the NCH is set to be the most expensive in the world once it is finally completed. Although around 85pc finished, it has been mired in controversy and beset by delays and cost overruns for years.

The official price tag currently stands at around 1.7bn but there are widespread expectations that the final bill will top 2bn. It was supposed to open this year, but the Covid-19 pandemic and construction shutdown prolonged the delays. The current plan is for the hospital to be completed in March next year and open some time after that, before the end of 2024.

Whats this latest issue?

It has emerged that last month, the hospitals management team, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB), wrote to the lead contractor BAM directing it to stop work on the ceilings and any services installed in or above 11 of the 22 operating theatres.

Documents obtained by Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane show these theatres could require remedial work. He claims the issue relates to the ventilation system. Work includes possible modifications to installed ceilings along with changes to electrical and mechanical services.

In the Dail, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said independent experts commissioned by the hospitals operators, Childrens Health Ireland (CHI), had identified major generic faults and non-compliances with the theatres over a year ago.

It is understood that consultants STS reported to CHI again last November on the severity of the issues, and said: They are not snagging lists but rather indicative of the major generic faults, non-compliances, unresolved issues found during the walk-arounds.

STS warned that the longer these issues take to get resolved the more expensive and time consuming they become and further warned that the systems would fail final validation. Sinn Fein believes the boards direction to Bam to stop works is indicative of these systems failing validation tests in March of this year.

What could this mean?

Mr Cullinane has said that based on information from a source, the problem could cost 50m to remediate, while also delaying the hospitals completion date. He has gone so far as to suggest that it could take up to 12 months to complete the changes. Do I have confidence that that date of March 2024 will be met? I dont, he told the Irish Independent. The Government has dropped the ball on this.

What does the hospital board say?

The NPHDB disputes much of Mr Cullinanes characterisation of the problem. This will not cost tens of millions of Euro, as is being claimed, and is not expected to have an impact on the completion date of the hospital, the board said in a statement today.

It said that the works are minor and are not on the critical path. It confirmed it had been aware of it but said it is being addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly also downplayed the issue today, accusing Sinn Fein of catastrophising. He asked the party to identify its source.

In a further statement, the NPHDB said it has instructed BAM to review the impact of moving ceiling grilles in the 11 affected operating theatres. Initial findings would indicate that the works, if instructed, would be undertaken in parallel with other works and would not impact substantial completion or hospital opening, the NPHDB said.

It said that while a standard test to validate the ventilation systems had been successful, the outcome of a second non-standard test to observe the air distribution within the theatre had not been agreed between consultants STS and the hospital's design team.

Does this mean everything is on track?

Not quite. Perhaps more concerning is that both Mr Donnelly and the NPHDB have said that BAM has failed to provide a compliant programme of works. This would show that the hospital is going to be handed over as agreed next March. NPHDB said: This has still not been provided and therefore BAM is in breach of contract.

What does BAM say about all this?

Bam has denied claims made privately by some in Government that it was behind leaks to Sinn Fein. "BAMs sole focus is on delivering the Childrens Hospital. Work is progressing well and is now over 80% complete," a spokesperson for the developer said.

"We are continuing to prepare the programme update as required under the contract based on the scope as currently known.

We are working closely with our clients design team to support development of the revised scope of work for the operating theatres. BAM has not engaged with any third parties on any of these matters."

What does all this mean in terms of when the hospital will open?

The cost overruns have spiralled to such an extent that the public are unlikely to look kindly on whatever the final bill is, even if it comes in under 2bn.

The NCH is the single biggest piece of health infrastructure in the countrys history but it has become a byword for the failure of the State to control costs on major capital projects.

A succession of timelines and delivery dates have already fallen through. Nonetheless, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confidently declared today that the Government anticipates the first patients will be seen there at some point in 2024.

It is worth noting that, as health minister in 2016, Mr Varadkar declared that short of an asteroid hitting the planet, the NCH would be built by 2020.
One of my favourite Mexico City hangouts is La Opera, a historic restaurant famous for its sopa de tortilla, red velvet booths and frescoed ceilings pockmarked with bullets fired by Pancho Villa in 1914.

The Mexican revolutionary was apparently offended by the opulence of the venue, with its hand-carved walnut bar shipped from New Orleans, and fired off a few rounds to express his displeasure.

I cant help but think hed be more supportive of the latest trend shaping Mexico Citys food scene  a determination to showcase homegrown produce in new, innovative ways. Davide Preziuso, Andaz Mexico City Condesas executive chef, is particularly excited about the current passion for sustainable seafood.

Im trying to show people that its not just about salmon and sea bass, says Davide during a chat on the hotels rooftop, with its colourful food truck. Personally, I love Mexicos octopus  you can fish it without having a massive impact.

This approach has allowed Mexico to showcase its offerings to new audiences. The Japanese have started buying our octopus and red tuna, says Davide. Granted, Japan ordering plane-loads of seafood doesnt scream sustainability, but its a reminder that much of Mexicos bounty remains untapped.

Davide believes the Juarez neighbourhood could soon steal Condesas crown when it comes to culinary coolness. Until recently, Juarez was the place to buy (mostly stolen) car parts. Shady types who came for pre-loved pistons made it a no-go zone, but a recent influx of entrepreneurs lured by cheap rent kick-started its transformation.

Recent newcomers include Masala y Maiz, where Saqib Keval and Norma Listman serve up Indian Mexican fusion cuisine. Soho Houses first Latin American outpost opens here in late 2023.

Another culinary genius putting Juarez on the map is Jose Luis Cervantes, founder of Joe Gelato, a gelateria with walls daubed with graffiti-style illustrations about gelato production. Jose set up shop here after working as a chef in Sydney and Tokyo, followed by a stint at Bolognas Carpigiani Gelato University.

Like Davide, Joses keen to showcase Mexicos lesser-known treasures. His mezcal gelato is legendary, although agave-based gelato is now standard fare here. Flavours like olive oil, worm salt and sea urchin, all made using fresh ingredients, put him on the map. Sea urchin, apparently, is perfectly suited to Mexicos stifling summers.

Its really refreshing, with hints of seawater, he says. Other hits include mole gelato  a tribute to the cocoa-based marinade known as Mexicans mother sauce  and a lollipop sprinkled with chicatanas, protein-rich Mexican flying ants.

Its got a wonderful, coffee-like smokiness, says Jose, producing a dead ringer for a Magnum, albeit sprinkled with ants, not almonds. Its absolutely delicious.

Another fan of Mexicos ants is chef Elena Reygadas, recently named Latin Americas Best Female by the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants organisation. Shes owner of Rosetta, a restaurant in the Roma neighbourhood. Its a fitting setting for someone who doesnt play by the rules  Romas famous for its art deco buildings, which contrast sharply with the baroque architecture dominating the city centre.

Like a growing number of Mexican chefs, Elena, whose restaurant is inside a beautifully restored Beaux Arts mansion, returned here after stints abroad  including one at Londons Locanda Locatelli. Her USP is her passion for highlighting connections between food and the environment, and her Rosetta Notebooks  musings on subjects such as food security, which diners can purchase for a few pesos  have become collectibles.

Rosettas most popular items include sourdough topped with a butter made from chicatana ants, and beignet-style pastries made with mamey, a cacao pod-shaped fruit. But Elena honed in on a seldom-used part. Mamey pits have an almond flavour, and we use them to make a cream for our pastries. Other bestsellers include sourdough versions of Mexicos traditional pan dulce pastries.

Mexican gastronomy has so many historic influences and theyre still present, says Elena. You can still see ancient pre-Hispanic ingredients and techniques, but youll also see ingredients which arrived through migration  with the Lebanese who migrated here, for example. But weve definitely become more proud of our roots.

The drinks scene has experienced a makeover, too. While bars worldwide clamour to stock the latest mezcal brands, at Polancos Ticuchi, beverage director Javier Gomez champions lesser-known Mexican spirits. The Not Pimms Cup cocktail, for example, is made with pepino (a melon-like fruit) and Liquor de Chile Ancho (a poblano pepper-based spirit), while the CDMX is made with Xtabentun, an anise-based liquor from Mexicos Yucatan region.

Javiers favourite brands are ones youre unlikely to find outside of Mexico, and Ticuchis dimly lit, bat cave-like vibe is a nod to an often-overlooked hero of the agave spirits industry.

In the Zapotec language, Ticuchi means bat, which is an important pollinator in the agave industry, says Javier, who claims Ticuchis popularity relies heavily on his army of so-called agave nerds sniffing out lesser-known spirits producers motivated by passion, not pesos.

We prefer small producers who dont export, he says. For example were currently working with one from Michoacan, a sugarcane producing area. Weve found this family which farms sugarcane but theyve also built this Frankenstein-like distilling machine from copper and wood.

Pancho Villa, I suspect, would approve.
This week President Michael D Higgins rebuked the Government for launching a debate about neutrality and the possibility of joining Nato, saying ministers were playing with fire. Ireland has no military radar, no fighter planes and for a maritime nation  very few ships. Low wages have seen more service men leave Ireland's defence forces than can be replaced.

In percentage terms the Republic of Ireland spends less on defence than any other county in the EU, even Malta and Luxembourg. And Irelands Defence Forces are shrinking fast  twice as many people leave than are recruited every year.

Defence was never a priority but with the Russian invasion of Ukraine some are asking whether neutrality really means being defenceless, and some are questioning how realistic it is.

The Indo Daily speaks to Independent TD Cathal Berry, who is a strong advocate for Ireland having a defence capability.
The US tech giant AMD is to create 290 jobs in plants in Cork and Dublin over the next four years.

AMERICAN semi-conductor giant AMD, which manufactures graphic boards for gaming machines, has announced it is to create up to 290 new jobs in Cork and Dublin in a total investment of 135m by the US firm.

The investment was welcomed by Cork Chamber of Commerce CEO, Conor Healy.

This announcement by AMD of a $135 million investment is very significant and demonstrates the companys commitment to Ireland as a strategic location for R&D, innovation and engineering.

The investment and associated creation of 290 jobs across the Little Island, Cork and Dublin sites will strengthen our vibrant technology sector and will also impact positively on the broader ecosystem in the Cork region, he said.

The new jobs include engineering and research positions, as well as a broad range of additional support roles.

The four-year investment will fund strategic research and development projects.

Cork has a strong track record in attracting FDI and we must remain focused on enhancing the regions attractiveness and global competitiveness, said Mr Healy.

"The recent and ongoing upgrades to the Dunkettle Interchange, the associated new cycle routes, and improved access to Little Island are all very positive  as is the increased 15-minute frequency of the suburban rail line.

"While these all give greater choice in transport modes, the next step in delivering on the electrification of the suburban rail line is essential to moving towards a more sustainable future for Cork.

Continued delivery of housing is also a priority for continued economic growth.
Following horrific deaths, Campaign for safer main st gets national attention

Calls to build a relief road around Charleville NOW were made as local people gathered at Charlevilles Town Plaza on Friday evening to protest at the number of heavy goods vehicles that are passing daily through the town.

This came about following the public meeting held recently after the deaths of two elderly local people who were struck by HGVs on the street within a few weeks of one another.

The protest was called by Charleville Community Forum led by chair Evelyn OKeeffe, who was also interviewed for RTE Radios evening five/seven live news programme. She said that the number of HGVs passing through Charleville had increased by 30% in recent years, with the majority coming from the Port of Cork.

Among the other people to be interviewed were Helen Galvin whose father Patrick was one of the recent fatalities on the street. It is time to take action now as the traffic problem in Charleville needs to be fixed and fixed now, she said.

Local business man Mike Knightson and fireman Mike Dundon were among other people to be interviewed by reporter John Cooke from Drive Time on Radio 1, which resulted in the pedestrian safety issues being aired on prime-time national radio.

Read more Charleville tragedies highlight need for urgent new traffic calming measures

During the course of the programme a statement from the TII stated that they had made funding available to Cork County Council for the building of a relief road around the town in addition to the money set aside for the M20 by-pass. However, people called for the action to be taken immediately to remedy the situation.

The protest slogan was Charleville says Enough is Enough and this was chanted at the plaza and the crowd then moved on to the Main Street and marched to the pedestrian crossing at the northern end of the town before returning to the plaza, from where the crowd dispersed.

Community Forum chair Evelyn OKeeffe thanked the media outlets, including The Corkman, for their excellent support in their efforts to alleviate the traffic situation on the street. She said they will continue to protest until the positive immediate action is taken to improve the pedestrian safety on Main St and to remove through traffic HGVs from the street by the building of a ring road around the town.
Cork councillor was a much admired figure in the community.

Members of the late Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgeralds family joined county councillors at Annabella House in Mallow on Monday to celebrate the boardwalk named in his honour being short-listed for a prestigious national award.

ON Tuesday, March 15, 2016 the people of Mallow woke up to the sad news that one of the most popular and well-respected politicians ever to have graced the North Cork town had sadly passed away.

Dan Joe Fitzgerald was much admired figure within the local community, both as a successful businessman and for the many years of devoted service he gave to Mallow town the surrounding area and indeed wider North Cork region.

Born in 1950, the Ballyclough native was educated at the local national school and the Patrician Academy in Mallow and in 1977 established his family-run furniture, flooring and bedding business at Shortcastle/West End.

Cllr Fitzgerald was first elected to Cork County Council in 1999 and was subsequently re-elected to the authority at the 2004,2009 and 2014 local elections.

At the time of his passing Cllr Fitzgerald was chair of the authoritys Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District Committee (MDC) , a role that he filled with typical determination and enthusiasm, overseeing the delivery of vital services to the local community.

He had also been a hugely proactive and influential member of Mallow Town Council from 1999, serving two terms as the Town Mayor and remaining on the authority up until its abolition in 2014.

Despite his various political commitments, Cllr Fitzgerald was also deeply committed to local business and community affairs, serving as director of Mallow Development Partnership and the North Cork Enterprise Board, on the board of IRD Duhallow and was an active member of the Mallow Chamber of Commerce.

Following his death moving tributes were paid to Cllr Fitzgerald from across the political divide and the wider community, with the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin summing up the sentiments of many when he described him as a man of great personal warmth and a gentleman to his core.

Last year it emerged that Cllr Fitzgeralds memory would be enshrined through the new boardwalk on Mallow Bridge, after local county councillors passed a motion to name it in his honour.

Last Monday tributes were again paid to the late Cllr Fitzgeralds during an event held in chamber in Cork County Councils Mallow offices to celebrate the boardwalk being short-listed in the Local Authorities Members Association (LAMA) All-Ireland Community and Council Awards under the Best Community Initiative category.

Cllr Gearoid Murphy, who proposed the original motion to name the boardwalk said it was great to see the efforts of council staff in bringing the project to fruition recognised by the nomination.

It was also wonderful to see the late Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald recognised in this way and I am delighted that my motion to name the boardwalk after him received the unanimous support of my fellow councillors, said Cllr Murphy.

Dan Joe was an exemplary public representative who worked very hard for his constituents and it was fitting that members of his family were in the council chamber in Annabella for this celebration, he added.
John Duggan, Lombardstown, pictured beside his 1970 VW Karman Ghia at the Bumbleance fundraiser hosted by Millstreet Vintage Club

Rachel Burton, Donie Lucey, Thomas Kelleher and Derry Morley pictured at the Millstreet Vintage Club Bumbleance fundraiser in Cullen

Denis and Nora Fealy from Cordal pictured in Cullen at the Millstreet Vintage Club fundraiser for Bumbleance, the childrens Ambulance service

Daniel Cashman from Dromagh brought his Bumbleance Teddy along to the Millstreet Vintage Club Bumbleance fundraiser

Although the thunder rolled and the rain bucketed down, the weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the occupants of 94 vintage vehicles that rolled out on Saturday evening to support the Millstreet Vintage Club fundraiser for Bumbleance.

The adventure kicked off in Cullen where registration was taking place in the local Community Centre and folks enjoyed a cuppa and a chat while being treated to melodic performances from the Cullen Pipe Band and the OLeary sisters.

After leaving Cullen, the entourage travelled the scenic route to Knocknagree, Ballydesmond, Cordal and Castleisland, arriving at ORiadas Pub & Restaurant in Ballymacelliggott where complimentary food was provided by management.

Later, as the party got into full swing, musicians Bernie Heaney, Barry OHalloran and Sheila Heery kept the party going until late.

Willie and Ita Fitzgerald, speaking on behalf of Millstreet Vintage Club said they were delighted with the great turnout despite the bad weather.

They thanked ORiadas, the many volunteers who helped out at the event, the musicians, Mike Sheehan who made a video recording of the run, Sergeant Paul Lynch and Bumbleance driver Ritchie Walsh and his team.

The Perpetual Shield which is presented each year by Willie Fitzgerald, the well known proprietor of Cork Music Station, was awarded to Ian OConnor from Scartaglen.

Bumbleance is the Childrens Ambulance Service of Ireland. Operating nearly 2,000 trips per year across our 14 ambulances, the service provides safe and comfortable transportation for Irelands youngest patients as they travel between their homes and hospitals, hospices, treatment centres and respite centres nationwide.

The Bumbleance service is the first of its kind in the world. It has all the amenities of a regular ambulance, but includes the all-important extras to make a sick childs journey as safe, comfortable and entertaining as possible.

Millstreet Vintage Club has been running this very popular and successful fundraiser for Bumblelance annually with the past five years. Readers can still support Bumbleance until the end of June by logging onto www.corkmusicstation.com or Millstreet.ie.

Donations can also be made on Willie Fitzgeralds Facebook page.
Governor Maura Healey, the first openly gay Governor of Massachusetts, is to visit Ireland next week. Governor Healey's grandmother hailed from Macroom.

MASSACHUSETTS Governor Maura Healey, who has strong links to Macroom and Kilgarvan, is set to speak in Seanad Eireann next week during a short visit to Ireland.

Governor Healeys paternal grandparents were Jeremiah Healey from Kilgvarvan in Co. Kerry and his wife, Margaret Healey (Nee Riordan) from Macroom. Her maternal grandmother was Katherine Tracey, a native of Ballinasloe, County Galway, who emigrated to America as a teenager and lived to the age of 96.

The Democratic Party politician, the first openly gay candidate to be elected to the top position in the US state, will be landing in Dublin on Monday before she takes part in a full week of activities. She is coming to Ireland at the invitation of Seanad Eireann Cathaoirleach, Senator Jerry Buttimer and the US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin.

The purpose of the visit is to address the Seanad on the 30-year anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ireland. Her visit also coincides with the 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedys state visit to Ireland, which launched a new era of economic and cultural partnership between the United States and Ireland, particularly around trade and investment.

As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Irish immigrants and the first openly LGBTQ+ Governor of Massachusetts, Im honored to have been invited to address Seanad Eireann about the importance of developing our economic ties, standing up for our values and protecting the rights of everyone in our communities, said Governor Healey.

Im excited to meet with Irelands renowned business, technology, clean energy and education leaders to share with them all that Massachusetts has to offer  from our world-class education and research institutions to our cutting-edge biotechnology and clean energy sectors to our commitment to protecting civil rights and freedom  and why they should expand their activities here.

Governor Healeys address to Seanad Eireann will take place on Tuesday afternoon and she has also scheduled meetings with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer and Oireachtas LGBTQI+ Caucus, and Ambassador Claire Cronin.
Homegrown theatre, R&B royalty and the return of a Pride weekend favourite. These are our top picks for the week ahead

Singer SZA performs on stage during her 'The SOS North American Tour' at Rogers Arena on March 19, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Believe the hype. The artist born Solana Imani Rowe continues to break chart records left, right and centre. Her 2017 debut, Ctrl, has all but set up a permanent home on the US Billboard 200 list. Meanwhile, SZAs long-awaited second LP, 2022s SOS, spent an astonishing ten non-consecutive weeks atop the chart, making it the longest-running US number-one female album of the decade. Incredible stuff, and with hits like the awesome Kill Bill (a Spotify Billions Club member) and the Grammy Award-nominated Good Days in her catalogue, were hardly surprised. Were in the company of R&B royalty here  and shes only getting started. Support comes from British singer-songwriter RAYE.

SZA, 3Arena

Wednesday June 21 & Thursday June 22. Doors: 6.30pm. Tickets from 85.25. For more, visit https://mcd.ie/.

Happy Days, 3Olympia Theatre

Not to be confused with the 1970s sitcom favourite. What, exactly, is happening in Samuel Becketts Happy Days? Thats for Winnie (the wonderful Siobhan McSweeney) to know and the rest of us to try and figure out. Indeed, Becketts slippery, two-act head-scratcher tells of a woman who is literally buried up to her waist. How did she get there? Dunno. Will she eventually claw her way out? She doesnt want to. Its just another happy day says Winnie, although her oddball husband Willie (Howard Teale) might disagree. McSweeney and Co. delivered an acclaimed lockdown stream of the play in 2021  nows your chance to catch this celebrated masterpiece live on stage. Caitriona McLaughlin directs.

Until Saturday June 24. Time: 7.30pm (Sat matinee, 2.30pm). Tickets from 26.50. For more, visit https://www.3olympia.ie/.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Pavilion Theatre

One of our favourite films of 2023 returns to the big screen. This funny, charming feature tells the story of a heartbroken documentary maker who discovers his new Airbnb is already occupied - not by humans, but by a couple of tiny talking seashells. One of them, a youngster named Marcel (voiced by the films co-writer Jenny Slate) is desperate to find his long-lost family. Luckily, the shells new human pal might be able to assist. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, this fabulously designed live-action / stop-motion treat is based on a series of beloved online shorts and was nominated in the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature category earlier this year. In a word? Unmissable.

Saturday June 24. Time: 4pm. Tickets: 6 child / 8.50 adult (25 family of four). For more, visit https://www.paviliontheatre.ie/.

Mother Pride Block Party 2023, Collins Barracks

Dublins premier LGBTQ+ club night hosts its annual Pride celebration on the historic grounds of the National Museum of Ireland. Mercury Prize nominee Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka the deadly Self Esteem shares headlining duties with Grammy Award-winning German DJ, Purple Disco Machine. Joining them on the bill are Brooke, Erica Cody, Kelly-Anne Byrne, Krystal Klear, Mother DJs, Tara Kumar, Conor Behan and Claire Beck to name a few. Meanwhile, our mainstage hosts for the weekend are Bianca Del Rio (a RuPauls Drag Race legend) and the undisputed Queen of Ireland, Ms Panti Bliss.

Friday June 23 & Saturday June 24. Doors: 6pm (Friday) / 4pm (Saturday). Tickets: 45 (day) / 80 (weekend). For more, visit https://motherclub.ie/.

GomBean, Bewleys Cafe Theatre

Writer and performer Niamh McGrath transports us to small-town Sligo where part-time wrestler and full-time coffee van proprietor Grace OMalley is still reeling from a career-ending loss at the 1994 under 18s Community Games. Money is tight, but one last tournament could turn things around. Alas, Graces former rival - renowned wrestling superstar Ruby Stephens - is back in town and looking for trouble. McGrath performs multiple roles in this funny, energetic and undeniably poignant one-woman show. Seamus O'Rourke directs.

Until Saturday July 8. Time: Monday  Saturday, 1pm. Tickets: 10 - 15. For more, visit https://www.bewleyscafetheatre.com/.

Dancer from the Dance Festival of Irish Choreography, Citywide

Curated by John Scott and produced by Irish Modern Dance Theatre, the fifth annual Dancer from the Dance Festival of Irish Choreography comprises 28 Irish-based choreographers from 8 countries in a series of live dance performances, gatherings, films, talks, classes and workshops at Project Arts Centre, DCU at St Patricks Campus and the Irish Film Institute. As usual, the festival boasts an eclectic range of styles, from aerial and circus, Sean Nos and contemporary dance to street, hip hop and classical ballet. This years festivities begin with free performances of Fidget Feets warmly anticipated outdoor show A Handful of Dreams, an aerial and circus arts / live Irish traditional music and dance hybrid inspired by the WB Yeats poem, A Stolen Child (Saturday / Sunday, DCU).

Saturday June 24  Wednesday June 28. For more, visit https://www.irishmoderndancetheatre.com/.
The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season official kicks off on June 1 and the 21 storm names are in from the World Meteorological Organization.

The names encompass almost every letter of the alphabet, leaving out Q, U, X, Y and Z.

This year's primary list of names is largely borrowed from 2017's. The storm names rotate every six year, a feature that began in 1979. However, storms that were particularly destructive and deadly may be retired if the World Meteorological Organization, an agency of the United Nations, votes to do so.

In the case of this cycle, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate were retired from the 2017 list. In it's place for 2023 are Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nate.

The World Meteorological Organization also names storms for other parts of the world as well.
The women gradually learned to swim at bespoke lessons in Ballymun pool and Clontarf Baths.

A new exhibition is exploring the racial barriers to swimming in Dublin.

The project Mami Wata: Mmiri niile was created with African women from across Dublin by artist Chinedum Muotto.

Speaking about the project, Chinedum Muotto said: The idea of Mami Wata was to marry indigenous spiritual beliefs/practices as a means of inviting women of African descent to the Dublin Sport and Fitness swimming facilities to learn how to swim within a creative structure and practical exchange.

The project brought me in contact with so many people. It was beautiful to see the trust and intimacy that was shared, as well as the progress made by some people I encountered.

Most importantly I hope this spurs on more women of African descent to embrace the water and all she has to provide.

Chinedum Muotto said the project brought him into contact with many people

Chinedum Muotto issued a callout to women of African descent from across Dublin back in 2021, with an invitation to join a learn-to-swim group with a difference as part of a creative residency in art and sport with Dublin City Council.

The aim was to address some of the racial, ethnic, and cultural barriers faced by many people when it comes to accessing our public swimming pools.

The group received free weekly lessons and there was also a creative element, where the women could share their experiences of water, their fears, and their journey to becoming swimmers.

Eight participants joined, all women of African descent from countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Togo. Many of them had never been in a pool or swum in the sea before.

Working with the artist and a professional instructor, the women gradually learned to swim at bespoke lessons in Ballymun pool and Clontarf Baths.

Mami Wata: Mmiri niile weaves their voices together with traditional folklore in a unique and immersive experience that brings the sea to Sean McDermott Street.

An exhibition made with African women from across Dublin about barriers to swimming, by artist Chinedum Muotto.

This free exhibition runs from Saturday June 24 to Wednesday June 28 in Sean McDermott Street Swimming Pool, Dublin 1.

Mami Wata: Mmiri niile is part of Dublin City Council Culture Companys Creative Residency in Art and Sport, a creative residency made in partnership with the Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership.
The opening of Kerry Group's new plant in Indonesia

Kerry Group has continued its expansion in Asia with eth opening of a new state-of-the-art taste manufacturing facility in West Java, Indonesia.

The Tralee based multinational food and ingredients giant said that the 50,000 square metre facility  located in Karawang about 30 miles form the capital Jakarta  will significantly expands Kerry Groups taste offering in Southeast Asia by delivering localised products to its fast-growing markets.

The new facility is the groups largest ever greenfield investment in southeast Asia and includes a manufacturing site as well as a research and development pilot plant and a sampling hub.

As part of Kerrys Beyond the Horizon sustainability strategy, the company said it has prioritised sustainability initiatives across the entire facility and all utility equipment has been designed to meet the latest energy efficiency standards.

Dignitaries from Indonesia and Ireland attended the inauguration ceremony last week, including Nurul Ichwan, Indonesias Deputy for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Investment; Padraig Francis, Irish Ambassador to Indonesia; Tom Moran, Kerry Group Board Chairman and Edmond Scanlon, Kerry Groups CEO.

The opening of our state-of-the-art facility will not only expand our reach into the flourishing Southeast Asian taste market but also revolutionise the way sustainable nutrition is embraced in the region, said Mr Scanlon.

By collaborating with leading food and beverage manufacturers, we will harness our global technologies to create products that resonate with Asian consumers specific taste preferences, Mr Scanlon said.

President and CEO of Kerrys Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa division John Cahalane said that the new facility will spearhead creation of the next generation of sustainable food and nutrition in Asia.

The opening of the Karawang facility is a significant step forward in realising our vision of creating a world of sustainable nutrition, he said.
A West Kerry company that is at the forefront of the change to renewable energy is creating the potential for hundreds of new jobs in Kerry. Dingle-based Solar Beo have signed a partnership deal with the American solar panel design and manufacturing company NanoPV Solar Inc for use of their highly efficient panels. They are also planning to bring Nano PVs expertise to Ireland by opening a manufacturing plant in Tralee, where the high spec panels can be manufactured. The move from installing solar panels to partnering with a manufacturer comes as a response to the growing demand for solar panels as companies and homes struggle with the rising cost of energy. Added to this, the recent amber alert on energy availability in Ireland shows that the country cannot rely on wind alone for energy generation and we need to significantly increase the amount of electricity generated by solar power. Solar Beos new partners, New Jersey-based NanoPV Solar Inc, are one of the few companies in the world who only use ethically sourced components for their solar panels. The partners have spent time looking at a number of sites in Tralee to identify a suitable premises for a manufacturing plant. While they cannot say a site has been identified they will say that there are positive indications. All going well they hope to be in operation within a year, creating initially between 50 and 100 technical, engineering, administration and management jobs. They predict that the plant would initially manufacture enough solar panels in a year to generate 100 megawatts of electricity, increasing to 1 gigawatt over three to five years. Under the partnership, which came about after Kerryman Mike Egan contacted Padraig O Murchu of Solar Beo, the two companies also hope to enter into discussions with farmers and other landowners regarding the development of solar farms. Further areas of co-operation, in association with Munster Technological University, are also under discussion. The presence of the university and its circular economy course of study have supported the decision to locate in Tralee. Nano-PV Solar Inc are based in New Jersey and already have a manufacturing plant in Georgia as well as offices in Singapore and in the UK. Solar Beo is a development of O Murchu Electrical Contrators who have operated in West Kerry for 30 years. When the ESB Networks project came to Dingle they were involved in research and the Storenet project, which installed batteries in 20 homes in Ballyferriter. As a result of this experience they pivoted their business to solar energy and in 2019 Solar Beo was formed. The directors of the company are Padraig O Murchu, Ciaran O Murchu and Padraigs son Cian. Business development Manager of Solar Beo Mike Egan, and Financial Director of NanoPv Mani Vannann, also hold the same roles in the company Skillicorn Technologies which has developed a system for the treatment of waste water for urban settings. In the future the Solar Beo partnership may implement this service in Ireland.
Much-loved retired postman was killed in tragic accident on Saturday outside his home village of Ballylongford

The family of retired Ballylongford postman Maurice Mossy Moriarty have spoken of their grief at his loss in a tragic road accident just outside the village on Saturday.

Gardai continue to investigate the circumstances of the two-car collision at Ballyline West  about a kilometre to the south of the village  which happened at around 4pm on Saturday.

Mr Moriarty (75) was pronounced dead at the scene, with three occupants of the car his vehicle collided with rushed to hospital with injuries  including a female, in her teens, who was taken by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital. It is understood they were visiting the area. A man and woman were taken to University Hospital Kerry where they were treated for their injuries.

It is not yet clear what might have caused the accident, but gardai continue to appeal for any witnesses to contact them. Mr Moriartys family say they are awaiting the results of the post-mortem and the initial investigation as they prepare to lay their fathers remains to rest on Thurdsay morning.

Maurice Junior recalled a wonderful father speaking to The Kerryman on Thursday.

He was a great father always, and he loved his work as a postman having served Ballylongford and neighbouring villages for over 15 years. He was sad to retire from it and treasured some presents he was given by local children marking his time as a postman.

He travelled in a couple of different circles, and was held in high esteem in all of them, Maurice recalled.

His father was a stalwart Sinn Fein supporter, having canvassed for Cllr Robert Beasley, Martin Ferris and Deputy Pa Daly over the years.

Read more Tragedy outside Listowel as driver killed in two-car collision

He was also well known for his vital work on behalf of the AA and its members in the locality. Sinn Fein Cllr Robert Beasley and Ballylongford Fine Gael Councillor Mike Foley extended their condolences to the family.

Maurice was a very valued member of Sinn Fein and the community, Cllr Beasley said. He was a great family man who dedicated a lot of his time to helping other people. Its just a terrible tragedy and he is very sadly missed in Ballylongford and beyond.

Cllr Foley described Mr Moriarty as a gentleman. Though we had different political affiliations I had the height of respect always for Maurice. He was a gentleman and Ballylongford is shocked by the tragedy, Cllr Foley said.

Mr Moriarty knew seemingly everyone in the wider area through his outgoing manner and work with An Post over the years. Indeed, current postal workers were still ringing him up if they had a difficulty finding an address. He knew every house from Ballylongford to parts of Asdee and Moyvane he would have covered, Maurice Junior recalled.

Cllr Foley said that Mr Moriarty was also a great friend of the elderly. He was a very kind man. You could have a conversation with him about anything and he was very helpful to elderly people. He would go out of his way to look out for them.

Maurice Jnr recalled how he would dress as Santa and visit many elderly people at Christmastime, particularly those living alone. He would take some of the grandchildren dressed as elves and the elderly loved those visits.

"He was also involved with charity supporting the plight of Irish emigrants in the UK, often helping organise collections for them. It meant a lot to him as he had emigrated to the UK himself in his younger years.

Indeed, Maurice and Angelas four children were born and partly reared in the UK before the family returned to his native Ballylongford in 1988; living in his old family home on Main Street before relocating to the current family home in Rusheen.

Mr Moriarty is survived by his children Nora, Maurice, Peter, Michael, and wife Angela; by his brother Dan, sisters Liz and Nora, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, relatives and friends. His remains will repose at Lynchs Funeral Home today (Wednesday) from 5pm to 8pm; with Requiem Mass at St Michael the Archangel Church in Ballylongford at 11am on Thursday; internment following at Lislaughtin Abbey.
There has been great sadness in Kerry, and the Sneem area in particular, with news of the death of Nora Balfe (nee OSullivan), who has died in the UK at the age of 102.

Nora was born, reared and attended school in Sneem and came from a very well-regarded family, known locally as the Jack Pads, from Upper Slievenashaska.

Nora  one of a family of seven girls and four boys  had a very happy childhood in Sneem, where her parents, Patrick and Mary (nee Coffey), ran a busy farm. She lived and worked in Dublin for a number of years, and it was there that she met her husband, Jimmy Balfe, from Blessington in County Wicklow.

They emigrated to start a new life in the UK in the 1950s and initially set up home in Luton, but they later opened what became a thriving hotel business, The Crown, in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, which they operated from 1962 to 1985.

When the business was acquired by the JD Wetherspoon Group in 2017, the then-96-year-old Nora was tasked with the honour of cutting the tape at the opening ceremony.

She and Jimmy had four children  Paul, Jimmy Jnr, Mary and Patricia  and, sadly, she was predeceased by both her husband and their son, Jimmy.

Nora has six grandchildren  Liam, Alex, Joe, Donarto, Emma and Alessia  and two great-grandchildren, Ruairi and Connie. She adored each and every one of them.

A deeply religious woman, she regularly travelled to places of prayer and pilgrimage  such as Fatima, Knock, Lourdes and Medjugorje  and she was in the Phoenix Park when Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in 1979.

Despite her busy life in the UK, Nora enjoyed visiting home to attend family weddings or other events, and she loved nothing more than returning to her beloved Sneem.

Poignantly, she was the last of the 11 Jack Pad children from Upper Slievenashaska and was predeceased by her brothers, Jack, Joe and Brendan in Sneem and Bill in Dublin; as well as by her sisters, Maura Byrne (Rathmore), Sheila OMahony (Killarney), Eileen OSullivan (UK), Abbie ODriscoll (UK), Bride OShea (Tahilla Post Office) and Kathleen Cronin (Thurles).

She passed away, peacefully in her sleep, on Thursday last, June 15, in North London.
Peel Whillock from Killarney and originally the UK, who arrived in Ireland 50 years ago when their family boat got ship wrecked in Cork pictured at the Citizenship Ceremonies Day 2 at the INEC, Killarney on Tuesday. Peel, (called after the port on Manx Island) holds a copy of the newspaper article from the time the family arrived in Cork. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Photographed from left; Barry Walsh, Gerard Minch, Eamon Dunne, Gerry Brennan and Michael Hayes protraying the Kildare Malicia Lord Edwards Own. Photo; Mary Browne At the centre, which is dedicated to showcasing and sharing the history of the 1798 Rebellion; a day of remembrance, commemoration and celebration is on offer for all the family. Visitors will enjoy a choral event to open the occasion at 12.30 followed by a day of demonstrations, showcases and workshops featuring a 1798 Rebel Camp by the Enniscorthy Re-enactment Society. Gorey blacksmith, Finin Liam Christie, will demonstrate making a replica pike. Music will be provided by the Wild Turkeys and tour guides from the 1798 Centre will have demonstrations during the day which showcase the types of weapons used by both sides of the conflict during the battle of Vinegar Hill, there will be traditional craft and market stalls and face painting for kids is also on offer. The day will come to a close as the historical re-enactors will take to the streets at 4 pm to make their way to Market Square where they will be met by the Red Coats. The Rebels and Redcoats will engage in an 'Historical March' through Enniscorthy town to Market Square and across Barkers Bridge with commentary (and skirmishes) along the way. Later this week The Longest Day Commemoration will take place at 6 pm, on Vinegar Hill. This will be an evening of readings, poetry, song and music, followed by a laying of wreaths. On June 25th at Killanne a commemoration for John Kelly, the Boy from Killanne will take place. There will be a Pike march to the graveyard in Killanne with speakers, Sean Og Doyle, Gloria Binions, and Michael Fortune of folklore.ie and historian, Rory OConnor. Re

The Longest Day Commemoration will take place on June 21  Pictured on Vinegar Hill are members of the Enniscorthy Re-enactment Society Pikemen Margaret ONeill Wall, Maria Nolan, Bridget Murphy, with Joe Mernagh, Ian Kidd, Tom Boland, Billy Stafford, Billy Heffernan preparing for the re-enactment march in Enniscorthy. Photo Patrick Browne.

The infamous battle of Vinegar Hill in 1798 will be remembered with a poignant and thought-provoking ceremony on the hill this evening, Wednesday, June 21.

The event will be the culmination of a series of events under the banner Rebellion 225 which were organised to mark the 22th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion.

The date itself is extremely significant as its mark the actual anniversary of the battle in which rebels went up against the crown forces on the slopes of the hill overlooking Enniscorthy town.

A spokesperson for the organisers behing the Rebellion 225 series of events said The Longest Day event will be one of the main commemorations to mark the anniversary of 1798

It was an event when an historic insurrection was launched by the United Irishmen aimed at overthrowing the Kingdom of Ireland, severing the connection with Great Britain and establishing an Irish Republic based on the principles of the French Revolution.

The Battle of Vinegar Hill is considered one of the key events of the Rebellion, she said.

The battle took place on June 21, 1798, when British forces under General Gerard Lake surrounded the hill, launching a fierce artillery bombardment before storming the summit. The rebels suffered severe losses and were heavily defeated in the battle by Crown forces.

The Longest Day commemoration will begin at 6 p.m. on Vinegar Hill itself and the event will include readings, poetry, song and music, followed by a laying of wreaths.

Commenting on the event, Wexford County Council heritage officer, Catherine McLoughlin, said: The public engagement to date in Rebellion 225 is testament to the importance of 1798 in the context of Irish history and culture. We hope to see large crowds on Vinegar Hill on June 21, for what promises to be a really meaningful and poignant event.

Rebellion 225 was a number of major commemorative events take place over the last month including the inaugural 1798 Summer School and Rebellion Day, a full showcase commemorative event.

While The Longest Day event will mark one of the biggest battles of 1798, there will also be other commemorative events taking place over the coming weeks including an event in Killanne, on June 25, in memory of John Kelly, the Boy from Killanne.

The programme of events will come to a close between August 11 and 13, in Rathangan village, with a series of activities including a storytelling house, historical talks, living history demonstrations, a book fair, and a wreath-laying ceremony, which will take place with Clear Rath Heritage.

Rebellion 225 is hosted by Wexford County Council in conjunction with the 1798 National Rebellion Centre and local communities across the county. The programme of events can be found on the Visit Wexford website.

Funding for the programme was provided by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The Hate U Give (2018) Film4, 10.55p.m.

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) lives with her ex-con father Maverick (Russell Hornsby), who turned his back on local drug dealer King (Anthony Mackie) to raise a family with his wife Lisa (Regina Hall).

To give the kids a brighter future, Lisa sends them to the predominantly white Williamson Prep. Starr keeps the two sides of her existence separate until the fateful night she witnesses a white police officer shoot her unarmed childhood friend Khalil (Algee Smith) dead.

Adapted from Angie Thomass young adult novel, The Hate U Give is an emotionally charged drama, which rages against racial division and police violence in 21st-century America. Stenberg delivers a gut-wrenching lead performance as a teenager who zigzags uncomfortably between two worlds.

THURSDAY

The Magnificent Seven (1960) BBC4, 8p.m.

Based on The Seven Samurai which, in turn, had been inspired by many a John Ford Western, this classic Western follows seven gunfighters, each with their own individual styles and personalities as they form a gang in a bid to protect a poor Mexican village from raids by local bandits. As you might have guessed, their mission doesnt turn out to be quite so straightforward as they originally thought.

A terrific cast, led by Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn and Eli Wallach, and Elmer Bernsteins memorable score all come together to make director John Sturges work perhaps a much-loved and pleasingly old-fashioned cowboy movie.

FRIDAY

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) Talking Pictures TV, 9.05p.m.

Edgar Allan Poes original 1842 short story of the same name deals only with an unnamed narrators ordeal while incarcerated by the Spanish Inquisition, in particular being strapped to a table while the titular razor-edged pendulum swings ever closer, seemingly intent on cutting him in two.

As a result, screenwriter Richard Matheson had to use a lot of artistic licence in order to make the tale long enough for a movie adaptation; the result is one of the best in cult film-maker Roger Cormans Poe cycle.

The plot takes place in 16th-century Spain and focuses on a young Englishman (John Kerr) who looks set to be tortured by his crazed brother-in-law (Vincent Price) while investigating the mysterious disappearance of his sister (Barbara Steele).

SATURDAY

The Last of the Mohicans (1992) Channel 5, 3.45p.m.

Director Michael Manns take on James Fenimore Coopers classic historical adventure features a gutsy performance by unlikely action hero Daniel Day-Lewis. The tale follows the life of an orphaned settler in North America who is adopted by the last member of a native tribe following the death of his family.

As the child grows to maturity, he becomes a frontiersman whose reputation spreads far and wide  but when he rescues and falls in love with a British officers daughter (Madeleine Stowe) during the Anglo-French War, he angers a Huron war chief, who vows to take revenge against her father by hunting her down and killing her.

SUNDAY

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Film4, 9p.m.

With Indiana Joness latest adventure, Dial of Destiny, hitting cinemas this week, heres a chance to go back to the franchises beginnings. All-action archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) made the perfect debut in this hugely enjoyable adventure from director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas (who also came up with the story alongside Philip Kaufman). He goes in search of the legendary Ark of the Covenant, encountering Nazis and his old flame Marion (the spirited Karen Allen) along the way.

Ford is perfect as the hero, although he famously wasnt the first choice for the role  it was originally offered to Tom Selleck, who had to turn it down because of his commitment to the TV series Magnum PI. If you fancy some more Indy action, Film3 are sshwoing Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on Tuesday at 9p.m.

MONDAY

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018) BBC3, 10p.m.

Based on a novel by Emily M Danforth, The Miseducation of Cameron Post chronicles the damage wrought by a gay conversion therapy camp through the eyes of one girl, who wages a war of attrition against counsellors and discovers her greatest weapons are her compassion and wit.

Teenager Cameron Post (Chloe Grace Moretz) is discovered in a passionate embrace with female friend Coley (Quinn Shephard), which forces Camerons deeply religious guardian, her aunt Ruth (Kerry Butler), to pursue a radical course of action. Ruth sends Cameron away to a gay conversion centre, overseen by fearsome therapist Dr Lydia March (Jennifer Ehle).

Anchored by a quietly compelling performance from Moretz, The Miseducation of Cameron Post tethers sympathy securely to the teenage protagonists.

TUESDAY

Phantom Thread (2017) BBC2, 11.15p.m.

Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is the creative dynamo of a luxury fashion house in 1950s London. His sister Cyril (Lesley Manville) presides over the seamstresses and manages Reynoldss romantic vacillations.

During a seaside break between commissions, confirmed bachelor Reynolds embarks on a whirlwind affair with waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps). Almas swift introduction to Reynoldss life in the capital puts her on a collision course with Cyril and her lovers impossibly demanding nature.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson Phantom Thread is an artfully stitched and slow-burning study of competing obsessions. Day-Lewis delivers a typically fine, complex performance (so far his last before self-imposed retirement), while his sister is played with scorching intensity by Oscar-nominee Manville.
New Ross councillors have unanimously backed another trip to California later this year to develop business and cultural links in Danville.

The matter came up for discussion at the June municipal district meeting, with area manager Alan Fitzhenry issuing a statement highlighting that the Eugene ONeill festivals will go ahead in Danville (where the famous playwright lived for a time) and New Ross, near where his grandfather hailed from, this autumn. The New Ross festival will run in October, with a good deal of local and American interest expected again this year and an invitation will be sent to the Mayor of Danville.

An invitation has been received at The Tholsel from the President of the Eugene ONeill Foundation to attend their festival on September 15 for three days. This is a great opportunity again to strengthen and develop cultural, tourism and economic links between the two towns and countries.

The delegation travelling will include Mr Fitzhenry, the council chairperson and vice chairperson and district director Eamonn Hore.

All councillors voted in favour of the proposal.
Flamenco, classical and trad music to feature over four-day festival

This years New Ross Guitar Festival will see concerts featuring an eclectic mix of music from flamenco to trad over four days at venues across the New Ross district.

The festival launch took place in the theatre on Wednesday where festival chairperson, Cllr Bridin Murphy announced that the festival would be bigger and better this year.

Following the festivals success in 2022, Cllr Murphy said the festival committee were delighted once again to bring Irish and international guitarists of the highest calibre to the town and district.

Artistic Director, David Creevy proceeded to announce the new line up of guitarists and gave a detailed description of the type of concerts in store.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, August 10, in Rosbercon church with Redmond OToole.

Described by the Irish Times as Irelands most distinctive guitarist, OToole is recognised as one of the most original guitarists of his generation. The first to adopt Paul Galbraiths Brahms guitar, this groundbreaking instrument and technique uses an 8-string guitar in the position of a cello. OTooles repertoire encompasses the mainstays of classical guitar reimagined for his 8-string guitar and new arrangements and commissions.

OToole was the former guitarist for the legendary Irish group The Chieftains and is a founding member of the Dublin Guitar Quartet. He has performed for two Irish Presidents and he was also part of the televised concert for Queen Elizabeths historic visit to Ireland in 2011.

On Friday night, St Michaels Theatre will welcome David Creevy, the festivals artistic director, who will share the stage with Musici Ireland string quartet. This concert will showcase Spanish classics such as the famous Cavatina from the Deer Hunter movie, Asturias, Romance, Vivaldi concerto in D and many more Spanish pieces loved by audiences.

On the Saturday comes the first of two free concerts when Wexfords Colm Lindsay will take to St Michaels Theatre courtyard at 1 p.m. with his trio. Lindsay has performed and recorded with various artists across different genres, including State Crows (Jazz rock, Sweden) Aja (Steely Dan Tribute, Dublin) and Nathan Carter.

Later that evening, John Walsh will play at the Library Park at 7 p.m.

This is a rare opportunity to hear authentic flamenco guitar music in New Ross. This concert will transport us to the heart and soul of Spanish flamenco music and as we will be in the heart of New Ross John will intertwine some Irish culture into his flamenco pieces, said Cllr Murphy.

That night at 8 p.m. in St Michaels Theatre Donal Lunny  a maestro on the left-handed guitar and bouzouki  will take to the stage. Lunny has been at the forefront of the renaissance of Irish traditional music for over five decades.

Since the seventies, Lunny has been involved with some of the most innovative bands to emerge from Ireland, including Planxty, the Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin and, more recently, Mozaik. Lunny will be joined on stage by button accordion master Mairtin OConnor  part of the original Riverdance phenomenon and fiddler player Zoe Conway who has played with Rodrigo y Gabriela and Lisa Hannigan.

On Sunday, August 13, German guitarist, composer and producer, Reentko Dirks will perform at a lunchtime concert in Killesk Church Duncannon at 1 p.m.

This concert, in the beautiful setting of Killesk church is perfect to host one of Europes most unique guitarists whose own compositions combine virtuosity, delicacy and spellbinding, unique tuning effects. If youre a fan of guitar do not miss this lunchtime recital. Inspired by his intensive study of not only Flamenco but also non-European and particularly Arabian music, Reentkos unorthodox playing style blends a variety of genres and cultures to create an unconventional sound that has earned him multiple international prizes.

The festival will close with Celil Refik Kaya in St Michaels Theatre at 8 p.m. Known for his blistering speed, technique and soulful phrasing, since his concert debut at the age of six, Turkish American classical guitarist and composer Celil Refik Kaya has received many high accolades.
Stacker delved into '60s and '70s music history to uncover the backstage conflicts and behind-the-scenes drama of some of the era's most iconi
Wexford & District

Rosslare bids farewell to Stena Europe after 21 years and 27,456 trips carrying over 7 million passengers

Regulars to the viewing point overlooking the busy Rosslare Europort may have noticed a big change in the past week. An ever-present for the past 21 years, travelling the channel between Rosslare and Fishguard in Wales, the Stena Europe has now 
Wexford councillors have given the thumbs up to the building of a 400-seater modular performance venue on the site of the former Tesco supermarket on Crescent Quay which was demolished recently.

The site was purchased in 2014 by Wexford town native Brendan Hickey of Davy Hickey Properties in Dublin who has offered it to the Council for the positive benefit of the town for a period of 99 years.

Demolition is under way at the derelict site and Acting Director of Services Sinead Casey and the Special Projects Team are looking to extend the work to cover the removal of the old Dun Mhuire Theatre fronting onto South Main Street, which is expected to happen in the coming months.

County Council chief executive Tom Enright said it was proposed to replace the rear area near the Dun Mhuire with a 400-seater venue (with capacity for 700 standing) in the form of a good-quality building that would last 30 to 50 years and could be erected economically and quickly.

Anticipating the need for as many venues as possible in 2024 when Fleadh Cheoil na h Eireann comes to Wexford town, he said if they went for a traditional build, it would take a minimum of two to four years.

The modular building could be bought off the shelf and kitted out and the remainder of the Tesco site would be laid out in public realm and some public car parking.

Mr Enright said the proposal is for a high-quality public space that could use used for indoor and outdoor events including the possibility of a Wexford food market and outdoor concerts and outdoor cinema.

The quay front is a wonderful location for public events but it can be quite windswept and exposed, he said.

Mr Enright thanked Brendan Hickey for his generosity in allowing the use of the site and said he hoped to return to councillors in September with a Part 8 planning proposal for the new venue.

He explained that the Council intended to bring in a private partner to fund, operate and manage the development, but with substantial community use as part of the agreement, and will be looking for expressions of interest in relation to that.

Read more Demolition work at old Tesco site in Wexford town is progressing

Cllr George Lawlor also thanked Mr Hickey, a native of William Street, for the site, saying it was a testament to his passion for his home county. I think it will be a terrific addition to the town. This will be the beginning of the transformation of that area.

Cllr Leonard Kelly said he was delighted to see that the site was not just going to be used for another car park but would instead be using the arts to create community and re-invigorate the south end of town, making it a place that people want to live in.

"Im very hopeful for the future when I see plans like this, he added.

Cllr David Hynes said said: well done to everyone involved and underlined the need that many smaller groups have for concert and performance space that is affordable.

Cllr Garry Laffan said it was a case of the Fleadh Cheoil rising all boats and spurring Wexford on to push out the boundaries and achieve an awful lot more but he urged officials not to forget rural areas such as Castlebridge, Barntown and Glynn.

Cllr John Hegarty asked if the Crescent Quay development would cause the Council to re-think the proposed performance space on the quay front which was approved for Government funding, or the plans for a cultural space in Trinity Wharf.

The chief executive replied that he didnt think there was any great affection for the proposed bandstand on the quay. I dont think it made sense. It was a reaction to funding being made available.

He said it is the Councils intention to try and use the funding and re-locate it to the Tesco site, adding that it wont affect plans for a large cultural space in Trinity Wharf. If plans do change, the flexibility of the modular building means that it can be moved elsewhere.

Cllr Tom Forde said it was great news while the Mayor, Cllr Maura Bell said she was absolutely delighted, adding that she hoped the Council would make sure that the venue would be available to community groups at an affordable price.
Rehearsal turned to reality for a volunteer Wexford RNLI crew on a training exercise when they were called on to rescue two people whose boat ran aground on rocks on Tuesday night.

The crew were just finishing a routine training exercise when they were tasked at 9.30 pm by the Irish Coast Guard to go to the aid of two people on a motorboat that had grounded on rocks forming part of a tidal defence wall, known as the North Training Wall off Wexford Harbour.

The inshore lifeboat helmed by Lorraine Galvin, with crew members Ger Doran, Dave Murray and Kevin Fitzharris was quickly on scene at 9.35pm.

On assessing the situation, they found both people on board to be safe and well but there was a strong tidal flow which required the crew to make careful calculations to pass a tow while avoiding damage to the lifeboat from the rocks.

A tow was established at 9.50pm and the vessel was safely removed from the rocks and towed to nearby Wexford Harbour Boat Club. Weather conditions were good, with a force 3 easterly wind and good visibility at the time.

"A strong tide made getting safely near the boat challenging but all the crew did a great job in assessing the options and successfully getting the crew and their vessel to safety, said Wexford RNLI press officer Ms Galvin.

She advised anyone who sees someone in difficulty on or near the water Wexford to ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard

The deputy launching authority on Tuesday night was Damien Lynch while Dermot Whelan was on the shore crew.
A Wicklow member of the Retained Fire Service said there must be a reason the firefighters are going back into talks, following the suspension of industrial action, which was planned for all 10 fire stations in County Wicklow this week, to allow for exploratory discussions at the Labour Court on Monday, June 26.

Ger Blackbyrne, who is stationed in Carnew, said that while he was not privy to the full details of what, if any, agreements were made after lengthy negotiations on Monday, June 19, between SIPTU and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), it does mean that an all-out strike at Wicklows stations  Bray, Greystones, Wicklow town, Arklow, Carnew, Dunlavin, Tinahely, Blessington, Rathdrum and Baltinglass  has been postponed and the situation is promising.

He added that they must be confident that they have something that they can bring back and sell to the firefighters and they wouldnt have broken the momentum unless there was a good base to build on as they enter talks next Monday.

Retained firefighters are now back responding to calls this week, however they wont attend drills or training courses in the meantime.

In a statement, Bray Council of Trade Unions said it has welcomed the intervention of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court in the dispute involving retained firefighters, including the members of the County Wicklow Fire Service in all 10 stations around the county.

The Council, which represents the trade unions in the area, said it has supported the members of SIPTU who are involved in the nationwide dispute but further action has now been deferred pending the outcome of a Labour Court investigation into the issues.

Welcoming the move, Mick Ryan, Vice-President of the Council, called on the Government to ensure that firefighters receive improved pay and conditions in recognition of the vital role that they play in ensuring the safety of their local communities.

For far too long firefighters have essentially been taken for granted by the authorities and this has now come to a head. It is time that their dedication and service as vital frontline workers is properly recognised and rewarded, he said.

Meanwhile, Greystones Councillor Stephen Stokes has welcomed the Labour Court talks between Siptu and the LGMA.

The current situation is untenable, he said. We need to listen to our firefighters and act, whether that is at the Local Government level or from the Irish Government. Our firefighters are basically on call indefinitely. We need a decisive drive in recruitment. However the buck really stops with the Irish Government when it comes to funding. I urge them to invest in our emergency services as a matter of priority.

Cllr Stokes, who joined the picket line on Sunday, June 18 at Greystones Fire Station, added: I would like to commend our firefighters, and all of our emergency services for the work they are doing.

"This recent industrial action has again highlighted how under resourced they are. For an area that is consistently growing, Charlesland, Delgany, Greystones, Kilcoole, Killadreenan and Newcastle need increased resources.

He said he is now hoping a positive outcome can be found. There is a lot of goodwill from our from firefighters, he said. The public definitely supports them. 
The Irish Heart Foundations Katie Foy present students from Gaelcholaiste na Mara with their CPR 4 Schools award.

After training its students in the lifesaving skill of CPR, Gaelcholaiste na Mara in Arklow has been presented with an award from the Irish Heart Foundation.

Gaelcholaiste na Mara received the award as part of the Irish Heart Foundations national CPR 4 Schools programme, which recognises schools, teachers and students for remarkable efforts in CPR promotion and training.

The charity is creating a generation of lifesavers by training post-primary school students around the country to perform CPR and respond in a cardiac emergency.

They are also taught how to use an AED (defibrillator) and respond when someone is choking. Around 86 per cent of post-primary schools in Ireland are now trained in CPR.

Katherine Scott, Acting Children and Young People Programme Manager with the Irish Heart Foundation said: We are delighted to award Gaelcholaiste na Mara with their CPR 4 Schools Award in recognition of their dedication to providing lifesaving CPR training to their students and staff, she said.

Over 70 per cent of cardiac arrests happen in a domestic setting. We know schools are an ideal place to educate young people in CPR and reduce the incidences of death from cardiac arrest.

All schools have done tremendous work in creating awareness and taking the fear out of lifesaving.

CPR is a lifesaving skill that everyone can learn, and this programme is available to every post-primary school in Ireland, equipping young people with the skills and confidence to perform it.

We would like to train more post-primary schools and are encouraging teachers to attend our free training courses.

So far, 2,499 teachers in 627 post-primary schools around the country have taken part in the CPR 4 Schools programme and learned how to deliver CPR, giving the programme a reach of over 350,000 post-primary school students.

These schools have been recognised for taking the programme into the heart of their schools and allowing students to learn vital lifesaving skills.

All post-primary school teachers are encouraged to attend the free training. The CPR 4 Schools programme is easy to run, is designed to embed within the school curriculum and takes one hour to train a class.
Of the approximately 75,000 Ukrainian refugees in Ireland at the most recent count, over 1,300 are in County Wicklow and, in Greystones, just over 100 reside at Tiglins centre in Coolnagreina in the town.

Those living at Coolnagreina are mainly women and children, while most primary school children in Greystones attend St Patricks NS.

To mark Ukraines Constitution Day, on June 28, Tiglin, St Patricks NS and the Whale Theatre will come together to create what is hoped will be a memorable day for the towns Ukrainian nationals. The event will be attended by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, who will also visit the Tiglin centre.

Her Excellency, Ambassador Gerasko, will first visit St Patricks primary school, where she will see first-hand the progress the young pupils are making under the leadership of the school principal Rachel Harper, who accepted the children into the school when they first arrived in Ireland.

Settling into life in a new environment and a new school has been a huge challenge for the pupils, and Miss Harper is also championing the It takes a Village initiative, under which eight primary schools in the area signed up for a new mobile phone code. She feels this is especially beneficial for Ukrainian pupils, who should not have to witness scenes coming out of Ukraine on phones.

Following the visit to St Patricks NS, the Ambassador will proceed to Tiglins social enterprise cafe  the Rise at the Cove  before moving on to the Ukrainian hub at Coolnagreina, where over 100 Ukrainians now call home.

The Ukrainians were welcomed at Tiglin only weeks after the Russian invasion, when chairman Aubrey McCarthy called the head of the Irish Red Cross, Pat Carey, who then swiftly linked Tiglin with the International Protection Office.

Mr McCarthy said: The friendship between Greystones and the Ukrainian guests is strong; with the advent of summer, we welcome everyone for this complimentary meal at Coolnagreina, come, get to know our guests and us.

Ukraines constitution, adopted in 1996, is a national holiday in the country and to celebrate it in Greystones, all are invited to visit Coolnagreina, on Wednesday, June 28, at 2.00pm.
Demolition to make way for three-storey nursing home

Independent Councillor for Bray West Joe Behan has said plans to finally demolish the former home of Dell, in Bray, have put an end to any hopes of a new source of employment on as large a scale as existed when the tech firm employed 1,000 people at its facility in the town.

Developer Avonvard Ltd has applied for permission to demolish the landmark site, at the corner of Boghall Road and Vevay Road, which has been derelict since 2006.

The applicant states that the demolition of the existing building, which has been beset by safety concerns and subject to antisocial behaviour, evidence of substance use on site, and numerous break-ins will be another step in the process of delivering upon the Mixed Use zoning, given permission has been secured for a Phase 1 development, comprising of a nursing home and office development on the southern portion of the site.

Separately, the applicant and design team are preparing an LRD application [large-scale residential development] for a Phase 2 residential development and supporting uses on the northern portion of the site.

The developer was given the green light in September last year by Wicklow County Council for the construction of a first phase of development, consisting of a three-storey Nursing Home building, accommodating 144 bedrooms and ancillary resident and staff facilities, as well as office buildings, 121 surface car parking spaces and 115 cycle spaces.

The site has been vacant since Dell relocated to Cherrywood 17 years ago, taking with it around 1,000 local jobs in what was a huge blow to the area.

It was the location for Dells original UK and Ireland sales, marketing and supporting operation set up in 1992. Prior to that, Nixdorf operated at the same premises. Cllr Behan said the latest news has ended any chances for new employment in the area on a scale similar to that of the glory days of Dell.

The news that the owners of the former Dell building are applying for planning permission to demolish the old buildings on the site brings to an end any hopes that the people of Bray and surrounding areas might have had that a new source of employment would open up on that site, he said.

The plans for a nursing home on the site are well known at this stage but the original employment of over 1,000 people by Nixdorf at this site dwarfs any employment that will come from a private nursing home there.

In fact, the original vision of Wicklow and Bray Councils in the 1970s was an industrial employment heartland all along the southern side of the Boghall Road and for about 30 years that vision was a reality when Nixdorf (later Dell), Glaxo, and AO Smith and others provided more than 2,000 jobs on the Boghall Road alone, he added.

Sadly, Wicklow County Council and the IDA have failed miserably, ever since, to attract substantial employment back to that excellent location and the Dell building has lain idle and derelict since Dell moved their operations to Cherrywood.

It is an enormous disappointment that the scale of quality employment for the people of Bray and surrounding areas has never returned and that the two Cabinet Ministers in the constituency appear to do so little to encourage new employment in Bray to replace the thousands of jobs we have lost.

Local residents have many concerns about the implications of any new development on the site, particularly regarding noise, traffic and general risk of over development of a very valuable site.

They and I would expect that any permission for demolition of the buildings there would be grounded on the strictest health and safety considerations particularly as it is so close to local homes.

The future development of the site which may also include a residential element will be watched carefully to ensure that it enhances the local residential amenity rather than destroying it.

A decision on the application to demolish the existing vacant manufacturing building on the site, erection of temporary boundary fencing and gates, and all associated works is to be made on July 4, with the deadline for submissions now passed.
Hozier with the late Will Leeson's former classmates, now in 4th class, with Rev Ross Styles, principal Nikki Fry and Will's family. Photo: Leigh Anderon

Hozier turns the sod as the late Will Leeson's parents Julie and Andrew look on, with TD Jennifer Whitmore, TD Steven Matthews and Councillor Tom Fortune. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Hozier with the late Will Leeson's family and the gathering at St Francis NS Newcastle. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Hozier with the late Will Leeson's parents Julie and Andrew, sister Emily, and two of his former classmates, Theodore Gethings and Holly McElwain. Hozier was supporting the Newcastle community's build to build a playground honouring Will, a local schoolboy, who died aged eight in 2021. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Having just announced a major headline tour which will see him perform at venues across Europe in November, Newcastle resident Hozier had one important date on his busy schedule which he said was an honour to attend.

The village of Newcastle may not be the stadia of Stockholm, Amsterdam or Paris, where he will be greeted by thousands of fans as he promotes his soon-to-be-released new album Unreal Unearth, but for the giddy pupils of St Francis National School, this date with their local hero holds more poignancy.

Hozier was here to turn the sod on a new playground for the school, not just any playground, but a playground to honour one of their own.

Wills Playground is in memory of Will Leeson, a much-loved school pupil and active member of the community, who sadly passed away on October 15, 2021, when he was just eight years old.

His parents, Andrew and Julie, and sister Emily, wanted to build something as an enduring legacy for a happy, playful child, a place of play at St Francis National School where he enjoyed his time with his friends, and a place they knew he would have loved.

A massive campaign has begun to raise the 65,000 needed to build the playground which will benefit generations of children to come and thus far, just over 5,000 has been raised. Hozier offering to come out in support of the campaign is a huge boost for the parents and the school.

Are you slightly excited? Revd Ross Styles asked the pupils, who were poised on the rows of benches which were brought outside for the occasion.

TDs Jennifer Whitmore and Steven Matthews, Councillor Tom Fortune and local members of the Garda were also perched on a bench, and while Revd Ross thanked them for their presence, he was angling the microphone at the throng of pupils in front of him as this was a day for the children.

Why are you so excited? he asked.

Hozier is here, they screamed in unison.

We know today is a very special day, dont we? he said. Were going to turn the sod over for Wills playground and thats why Hozier has very kindly come to join us.

This is something that is hugely important for us, he continued, as a school community and as a parish community, and as a wider community here in Newcastle.

Because we really want to remember Will. Will was a very special member of this school, and he was a very special member of our community. And this [playground] is going to be a lasting testament to Will.

So were going to try and raise funds to build this playground so you guys, hopefully, will get to play on it.

But its a lot of money, its 65,000. So were going to turn the sod and start fundraising today. It seems like an awful lot, but were going to do it and were going to build this playground.

While the pupils peered over to the corner of the building where Andrew John Hozier-Byrne stood, Andrew Leeson took the mic, and joking proclaimed how everyone was so excited to see Andrew  thats me before paying an emotional tribute to all those who had supported the family.

Its been a very difficult time, he said quietly, Weve been able to get through it because of the support of a lot of people, our families, and the people of the community who have been fabulous. Newcastle is a great place to live, and everybody here has been supportive, he added, turning to Hozier to ask him if he wanted to say something.

But no, this was a day for the children. And it was going to be their day to shine, and no sooner had Hozier stepped out of the shadows than he was stopped in his tracks as the pupils burst into a rousing rendition of the classic, This Little Light of Mine, which even the star himself was impressed by as he clapped along.

As the applause petered out, Rev Ross suddenly stepped up.

I might quickly ask, would the other Andrew say hello? He doesnt have to say anything, just give a wave. Because the young people here are so eager to say hello.

Finally, it was time for the pupils of St Francis NS to greet their hero  or maybe that was the other around after they had chased away what few clouds threatened to rain down on the occasion with the uplifting gospel classic.

Even if he did want to say something, Hozier would have found himself drowned out by the childrens screams. And they didnt stop, so he relented instead.

Besides, he had more important work to do and was ushered over to the site of the new playground where a shiny shovel lay waiting for his attention.

Benches were hurriedly but uniformly placed on the grass as Hozier held the shovel aloft and waited for the cue as everyone settled back down.

Youre very tall, one pupil shouted, as Hozier, not exactly dressed for digging, with laced boots and black jeans, smiled and did his duty to another deafening round of applause.

How tall are you? another asked, as Hozier grinned and very patiently obliged the photographers, who could think of more than one way to hold a shovel. Alas, he was not there to answer questions as he was being rushed away to another appointment.

He did stop for the few fearless autograph hunters though, including, and most specially, Emily Leeson, whose brother Will was the real star on this day. As Revd Ross said on the occasion of Wills funeral service: In the darkness of our grief and sadness, I do know one thing, that there is a bright light that shines, a bright light that cannot be extinguished, no matter how dark things may be.

To donate, go to: idonate.ie/fundraiser/willsplayground
After what seemed like a long period of hibernation, the Shaking Bog Podcast has returned to give a voice to a nature reserve and designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Wicklow, which is close to the hearts of the people in the community of Enniskerry  Knocksink Wood.

The podcast was recorded amidst the trees of Knocksink Wood, with a chorus of natural sound from birdsong to the flowing streams, providing a natural stage for its guests, including renowned filmmaker, cameraman and presenter, Colin Stafford Johnson, the acclaimed poet Moya Cannon and folk musician John Francis Flynn.

The podcast is produced in collaboration with Coillte and Mermaid Arts Centre and is written and presented by arts administrator and organiser of the Shaking Bog Festival, Catherine Nunes. The Shaking Bog Festival, which last ran in 2021, was established to explore the ongoing relationship between literature and nature and was ideally situated in the Glencree Valley, an area known for both its natural beauty and as a source of creative inspiration and yet had never before played host to any cultural events.

Likewise, the podcast remains firmly rooted in the local landscape whilst reaching out to embrace wider issues of concern, one of the most contentious currently being the granting of planning permission for a strategic housing development for 219 dwellings and other buildings, in October 2022.

The Knocksink Woods Nature Reserve, which is located beside Enniskerry Village, is designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which means the nature reserve is considered to be of exceptional importance in terms of rare, endangered or vulnerable habitats and species within the European Community (EU).

Carl Strickland, who has helped organise the Save Enniskerry & Protect Knocksink fundraising campaign, explained that two of Knocksink Woods qualifying interests that allow it to be a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) are water dependent. And one of these, Petrifying Springs, are particularly dependent and impacted by the volume and flow of water from the adjoining lands that slope from west to east towards Knocksink Woods. And it is these lands at Kilgarron/ Parcnasillogue zoned for development that have raised grave concerns by the local community and ecology experts.

Following a public meeting in the village, concerned residents agreed to proceed with a Judicial Review of An Bord Pleanalas decision.

A fund of some 50,000 was needed and Enniskerry village and environs rallied to support a number of fundraising initiatives to surpass that target, which now sits at just over 64,000.

The We are Friends of Knocksink groups focus was firstly on educating and explaining the importance of Knocksink Woods SAC and the vulnerability of its rich biodiversity. To this end, the group began handing out leaflets to the public visiting Knocksink Woods at weekends, with details of how to support the campaign.

A surprising insight for the members was the number of visitors from Dublin who were visiting regularly to enjoy the nature reserve and expressed concern for the plight of the woodlands.

To further embed the educational importance of Knocksink Woods, a Forest School event in Knocksink Woods was run for children aged four to 10, led by experienced Forest School Leaders. This was a huge success with children from all over Enniskerry.

A highly successful pub quiz night followed, with the huge numbers in attendance demonstrating the support within the community for the campaign. Currently, a raffle of an oil painting of Knocksink Woods by a local artist is under way with support from the village shops.

We are Friends of Knocksink said: The journey to protect Knocksink Woods has helped the community to recognise the biodiversity crises we live in. The campaign we are undergoing has galvanised our community to protect this special area of conservation whose vulnerable diverse flora and fauna is under so much pressure.

Following the decision made by An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission, a Judicial Review was sought and allowed by the high court early this year. Position papers from all parties are being lodged with the High Court for review.

The Save Enniskerry & Protect Knocksink fundraising page is available at: gofundme.com/f/save-enniskerry-protect-knocksink

To hear the sounds of Knocksink nature reserve for yourself, you can listen to the latest Shaking Bog podcast, May 2023, at: shakingbog.ie/podcast-archive.
One person was transported to a hospital after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole in Auburn Wednesday morning, the Auburn Fire Department said.

A call came in around 8:21 a.m. about a vehicle striking a utility pole in front of Lasca's Restaurant, 252 Grant Ave., said AFD Assistant Chief Jeff Clark. Two bystanders pulled a man who had been in the vehicle out of the car before responders arrived. The man then was transported by Auburn City Ambulance to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.

Clark said the vehicle was heavily damaged in the crash and the pole had been sheered and needed to be replaced. Clark also said the Auburn Police Department was at the scene and noted the Cayuga County 911 Center assisted with the response.

Additional information was not immediately available.
His songs have been described by troubadour Damien Dempsey as "the heart and soul of our island and this is a rare visit to Greystones for John Spillane  "musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer.

Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.

As an artist his music appeals to listeners across many genres and generations. His vocal style has a unique almost sean-nos quality and his performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour.

John has the ability to charm, mesmerise and entertain in equal measure.

A two-time Meteor Award winner for Best Folk/Trad act, he is one of the most accomplished songwriters in Ireland. With an extensive back catalogue beginning with the 1997 album The Wells of the World, his songs have been covered by Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keane and many others.

Twelve albums later in April 2021, John released his first independent album in 20 years, 100 Snow White Horses.

In October 2022, he released In Another Light a career spanning album recorded live at the Right Here Right Now Festival recorded at Cork Opera House in November 2021.

For just one night, he is playing in the intimate Whale Theatre, Greystones, on Saturday, July 1. Tickets 25 available at whaletheatre.ie or by calling the booking office on 01 2010550.
Linda and Rachel Tymlin, Margaret Boland and Wendy Mooneyat the Voices Of Bray 10th Anniversary Concert at the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray.

Christ Church COI

Services of Worship for this Sunday The Third Sunday after Trinity: 11am: Morning Prayer.

Parish Life Centre Bookings: The PLC is available for day and evening bookings. Please contact Tracey in the Parish Office at 01-286 2968.

Parish Office: The Parish Office can be contacted at 01- 286 2968 or info@christchurchbray.ie between 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

Connect Online: Our most active communication tools currently are our Website www.christchurchbray.ie which contains information on our live streamed worship services, weekly Blogs, events and news, and our facebook page @christchurchbray.

Irish Trefoil Guild - Guiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at braytrefoilguild@gmail.com.

Bray Methodist Church

Worship this Sunday: 10am - Sunday Worship with Creche and Sunday School.

Christian Assembly Church

Worship this Sunday: 10.45am Morning Worship; 6.30pm Evening Service of Bible teaching, singing and fellowship.

Wednesdays: 8pm Prayer Meeting & Bible study

Cornerstone at The Well

Worship this Sunday: 11am.

Holy Redeemer Parish

Holy Redeemer Parish: Call (01) 2868413. Website: www.holyredeemerbray.ie; Email: office@holyredeemerbray.ie.

Parish Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.30am to 11am. If you need to contact us email: office@holyredeemer.ie.

Mass Times: 10am - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday No Mass on Tuesday. Sunday Masses: 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am and 12 Noon. To book a Mass please call into the Sacristy before or after our Masses.

Mass Cards: Mass Cards may be purchased from the Parish Office during its opening hours.

Baptism: Registration for Baptism can be made online via the parish website www.holyredeemerbray.ie. Please choose a Second or a Fourth Saturday of the month in 2023.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays a Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome.

Blessing of Graves: In St. Peters Cemetery, Little Bray, on Sunday July 2nd.

St. Peters Parish, Little Bray

To Book a Mass: To book a Mass, please contact Sharon in the Parish Office on 01- 282 9467 or email: stpeterslittlebray1@gmail.com.

Parish Office: Parish Office opening hours are - Monday: 9.30am to 12.30pm; Tuesday: 9am to 12.30pm; Wednesday: Closed; Thursday: 9am to 12.30pm; Friday: 9am to 12.30pm. The parish office can be contacted by calling 01-282 4967 or by email: stpeterslittlebray1@gmail.com.

St. Peters Church Mass Times: Sunday: 9.30am (Irish), 11.30am. Holy Days of Obligation: 11.30am. No Weekday Mass. First Friday of the Month Mass: 10am.

Mass Update: Sunday Mass is broadcast on the parish web-site at 9.30am (Irish) and 11.30am (English) - Google Chrome required.

Car Park Hours: These are 9am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, for parish business and at the weekends during church ceremonies. The Cemetery is accessible via Laneway for Pedestrians.

St. Peters Cemetery: There is a strict policy of No Dumping Allowed in any area of the cemetery. Visitors to the cemetery are requested to take home with them all forms of their rubbish in order to keep the cemetery tidy. Your co-operation is appreciated.

Blessing of Graves: In St. Peters Cemetery, Little Bray, on Sunday July 2nd.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays a Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

Parish Website: www.queenofpeace.ie.

Mass: Weekday Masses are celebrated at 10.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Weekend Masses are at 6.30pm on Saturdays and 10.30am and 12 Noon on Sundays.

Mass Bookings: Anyone who wishes to book a Mass can do so by contacting the Parish Secretary via email at: secretary@queenofpeace.ie, or call 2745497.

Parish Centre: To book a meeting room in the Parish Centre please call 01-2760045 or email: villafas1@hotmail.com.

New Pastoral Appointment: Fr. Peter OReilly has been appointed Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Fr. Niall Mackey will continue as Team Assistant for the Bray-Enniskerry Parish Partnership.

Blessing of Graves: In St. Peters Cemetery, Little Bray, on Sunday July 2nd.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays a Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome.

Parish Survey: Parishioners are requested to complete a Parish Survey which can be accessed via the parish web-site www.queenofpeace.ie.

Facebook Page: Please visit and like our Facebook page: Bray and Enniskerry Pastoral Area.

St. Fergals Parish

Mass Times: Mass times are 9.30am Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No morning Mass on Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday: 7.30pm Vigil Mass; Sundays: 8am and 10.30am.

Baptism: Baptisms take place on the first and third Saturday of each Month at 12Noon. Bookings can be made through the Parish Office Only. The Preparation meeting takes place on the Monday before the 1st Saturday of the month. Please call into the Parish Office three weeks in advance of the Baptism to complete the Baptism Form and to confirm the date.

Confessions: Are heard on Saturdays after the 7pm Vigil Mass.

Marriage: All couples must give notice to the priest or Parish Secretary at least three months prior to the date of marriage.

Child Safeguarding: The St. Fergals Parish Child Safeguarding Policy Statement can be read on the parish website.

The Crucifix Of Ballywaltrim: The bronze crucifix which hangs on the sanctuary wall is a gift to the Church of St. Fergal from the Archbishop of Salzburg, it was specially designed for this church by an Austrian artist, Josef Zenzmaier. He was inspired by the violence suffered in Ireland, during the last century and during the ages of religious persecution to show Christ in his agony. The figure on the cross is still alive, the body twisted by pain, we are reminded that Christ continues to suffer in people today. How often have we seen bodies torn apart by bombs, bodies lying twisted on the footpath after being murdered, people writhing in grief because relatives or friends have been killed or injured? The artist also wanted to show that suffering and violence do not overcome Christ. The face of Christ is peaceful, serene, victorious. Beyond the agony on the cross there is the resurrection. The lesson is an obvious one - violence is not overcome by violence; it is overcome by patience, gentleness, and love.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays a Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome.

Blessing of Graves: In St. Peters Cemetery, Little Bray, on Sunday July 2nd.

Facebook page for the Bray & Enniskerry Pastoral Area: Check out Bray and Enniskerry Pastoral Area for all the news and information of our Pastoral Area.

Syro Malabar Catholic Church

Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 2.30pm in St. Fergals Church, Ballywaltrim.

Bray Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with late opening on Tuesday and Thursday to 8.30pm. The library can be contacted at 01-2862600 or email: braylib@wicklowcoco.ie. Online services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available via the library website.

The library is again involved in Imbolc, the Community Seed Arc programme, where one can get seeds for a variety of plants and after they flower, donate seeds from them for the programme. As always, you can have seeds sent to your local Wicklow Library branch by emailing your branch - and requesting up to 4 packets. Knit and Crochet for Purple House Cancer Support takes place at 11am every Monday in the library no need to book.

Ballywaltrim Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 10am to 8pm on Wednesday. The library can be contacted at 01-2723205 or by email at: ballywatrimlibrary@wicklowcococ.ie. Online services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available via the library website. Borrowers can renew their books on-line at any time.

Bray Cualann Historical Society

Last Thursday night Brian White, Chairman of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, represented the Society at the launch of the Virtual Record Treasury Road Show, in Wicklow Library, Wicklow Town, at which Ciaran Wallace, Deputy Director Virtual Treasury of Ireland spoke on Irelands Public Records: Destruction and Recovery, and Brian Guernin, Victual Directory of Ireland Research Fellow, on Wicklow Records in the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland.

Members and supporters of the Bray Cualann Historical Society,are asked to note that the following events will take place in the week ahead: next Tuesday night Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Cormac Moore will present the final lecture in the series Ireland in 1923 on Gaining International Recognition - Joining the League of Nations at 6.30pm in the Conference Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, 144 Pearse Street, Dublin. Admission is free but as places are limited booking is required via: historians@dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie; Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Dr. James Curry will recall Shelbourne FCs 1995 Presidents Cup Win at 6.30pm in Drumcondra Library, Millmount Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Admission is free but booking is required call 01-2228344 or email: drumcondralibrary@dublincity.ie.

The attention of members and supporters of the Society is drawn to a new book Spectral mansions: the making of a Dublin tenement, 18001914 by Timothy Murtagh who reveals that in 1800, Dublin was one of the largest and most impressive cities in Europe. The citys town houses and squares represented the pinnacle of Georgian elegance. Henrietta Street was synonymous with this world of cultural refinement, being one of the earliest and grandest residential districts in Dublin. At the end of the eighteenth century, the street was home to some of the most powerful members of the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy. Yet, less than a century later, Dublin had been transformed from the playground of the elite, into a city renowned for its deprivation and vast slums. Despite once being the best address in town, by 1900 almost every house on Henrietta Street was in use as tenements, some shockingly overcrowded. How did this happen? How did a location like Henrietta Street go from a street of mansions to one of tenements? And what was life like for those who lived within the walls of these houses? This is a story of adaptation, not only of buildings but of people. It is a story of decline but also of resilience. Spectral mansions charts the evolution of Henrietta Street over the period 1800 to 1914. Commencing with the Act of Union and finishing on the eve of the First World War, the book investigates the nature and origins of Dublins housing crisis in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Commissioned by Dublin City Council Heritage Office in conjunction with the 14 Henrietta Street Museum, the book uses the story of one street to explore the history of an entire city.

Bray Camera Club

At our weekly Monday [except on Bank holidays] night meetings in the Mermaid Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, we welcome all comers over 18 years-of-age with an interest in photography to join our meetings where we show and discuss out photos, impart knowledge and indulge in lively friendly debate and banter.

Our programme of events include weekly imaginative and technical challenges; photographic knowledge exchange, image analysis and advice; regular guest speakers; competitions throughout the year; and photo safaris. If you wish to sample some meetings with a view to joining or you would like more information about the club, please email: info@braycameraclub.ie.

Bray Active Retirement

Bray Active Retirement holds monthly meetings on the first Friday of the month in the Little Flower Hall at 10.30am. Membership is open to retired men and women 50 years and over.

The association offers a range of activities, including holidays, creative activities, learning programmes and sporting pursuits and afternoon tea dances, in various locations. See www.activeirl.ie or email helenmangan22@gmail.com or call 086-404 4232.
Tributes have been paid to the late Dr Colman Etchingham from Greystones, a retired lecturer at Maynooth University, who died on Wednesday, June 7, following an illness and while on holiday in Greece.

Dr Etchingham was Emeritus Lecturer in Early Irish History, having taken early retirement in 2019.

A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Etchingham was an expert in many aspects of early medieval history, most notably the history of the early Irish Church, early Irish law and the history of the Scandinavian raiders and settlers in early medieval Ireland, Britain and the wider Viking World.

In a eulogy to Dr Etchingham from his colleagues at Maynooth University, Dr Elizabeth Boyle (Early Irish) and Dr Michael Potterton (History) wrote: Among his many ground-breaking publications, his most influential include his monograph, Church Organisation in Ireland, AD6501000, published in 1999, and his 2001 article on North Wales, Ireland and the Isles: the Insular Viking Zone in the journal Peritia.

More recently, in 2019, he published a book that was jointly written with Maire Ni Mhaonaigh, Elizabeth Ashman Rowe and Jon Vidar Sigurdsson, entitled Norse-Gaelic Contacts in a Viking World. One of his co-authors, Prof. Ni Mhaonaigh (University of Cambridge), states that Dr Etchinghams research has altered fundamentally our understanding of medieval Irish society and of Viking activity, broadening and deepening our knowledge of relations between Ireland, Britain and beyond in the early medieval period.

His incisive close textual readings and forensic scholarship, combined with utter clarity of thought, has transformed and will continue to inform our knowledge of the past.

Dr Etchingham demonstrated a kindness and loyalty to his students that was returned with great affection.

In the days since his passing, several former students have got in touch to make it known how highly he was regarded and how inspirational were his guidance and scholarship.

Colleagues have remarked how supportive and empathetic Colman was, especially when he saw someone in difficulty. He was exceptionally generous with advice, lecture notes and materials to new tutors and lecturers.

Dr Etchingham had several major works in an advanced state of preparation at the time of his death and it is to be hoped that they will see the light in due course.

In the meantime, both the Department of History and the Department of Early Irish offer sincere condolences to his loved ones and look forward to future generations of scholars reading and engaging with his work, they added.

Dr Etchingham grew up in Greystones and sailed locally at Greystones Sailing Club with his brother, Fiachra. He was active in the campaign to protect St Crispins Cell, the medieval site at Rathdown, which is now watched over by Greystones Tidy Towns. He later moved to Ballinaguilkey, Hacketstown, Co Carlow. He will be sadly missed by his wife Carmel McKenna, brother Fiachra, sister-in-law Geraldine and a wide circle of family, friends and fellow academics.

A Civil Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, June 22, at 11am in the Glenview Hotel, Glen-o-the-Downs followed by burial in Redford Cemetery, Greystones.
The Wicklow branch of Birdwatch Ireland has reported that activity at the Little Tern Colony, in Kilcoole, is now in full swing and members are planning to a trip there this month for the annual visit to check on progress.

The South Dublin Branch is hosting its annual Dalkey Island Tern Watch again in July, and Wicklow branch members are invited to join them any Tuesday evening, to see how the Arctic Terns are doing this year. The branch is also organising its annual trip to Sandymount to witness the terns roosting on the beach in advance of their migration south. Any members wishing to attend should note that Wellington boots or similar are advised.

Other dates worth noting surround the indoor talks, which resume on Tuesday September 12, at 7.30pm in Ashford Heritage Centre and the theme is Chasing the Butterflies - finding and photographing Irelands 35 species by Gillian Stewart of the National Parks & Wildlife Service.

Finally, the first outdoor event of the autumn will be on Saturday September 23 for the annual outing to Kilcoole to look for seasonal migrants. The members are meeting at Kilcoole Train Station car park at 10.00am.

The dates for all meetings are as follows:

The Little Tern Colony, Kilcoole Beach. Meet in Kilcoole Train Station car park.

Saturday, June 24, 10.00am.

Dalkey Island Tern Watch: South Dublin Branch Event

Annual Tern Watch evenings from the viewing area over Coliemore Harbour. July 4, 11, 18 and 25 from each Tuesday at 6.30pm at Coliemore Harbour, Dalkey.

Chasing Irelands Butterflies

Indoor Talk - Chasing Irelands Butterflies (finding & photographing Irelands 35 species) by Gillian Stewart of the National Parks & Wildlife Service at the Ashford Heritage Centre.

Tuesday September 12, 7.30pm.

Kilcoole Autumn Migrants

Outing to Kilcoole to look for seasonal migrants. Meet at Kilcoole Train Station car park.

Saturday September 23, 10am.
Wicklow County Council have said that an overflow of sewage into Wicklow Harbour emanating from Uisce Eireann/Irish Water pipework last month was due to heavy rainfall.

Broaching the issue at this months Wicklow County Council meeting, Cllr Mary Kavanagh asked: Is there any update from Irish Water on the sewage problem we had last month, with regard to the pipework and what was causing that terrible deluge of sewage into the harbour?

To which Director of Transportation, Water and Emergency Services Leonora Earls responded: Irish Water is investigating that event and looking at remediation works that might prevent that from happening again in the future.

My understanding is that it was activated because there was an overflow due to the heavy rainfall. Uisce Eireann has assured us that they are looking into that and some remedials to deal with that.
France is to support Ukraines bid to one day join Nato in an attempt to pressure Russia into negotiating an end to its war  amid concern that Kyiv will struggle to liberate all its territory, according to French reports.
People wait for news about their loved ones outside the Centro Femenino de Adaptacion Social (CEFAS) women's prison following deadly riot in the jail in Tamara, on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Photo: Reuters

Inmates had complained for weeks they were being threatened by gang members at a womens prison in Honduras. The gang fulfilled those threats, slaughtering 41 women, many of them burned, shot or stabbed to death.
A German woman was convicted Wednesday of keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave during her time with the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and sentenced to nine years and three months in prison.
Five missing divers have less than 24 hours of oxygen left

The Coast Guard commander leading the search for the missing Titanic sub has said that they dont know the source of noises detected during a search of the vicinity of its last known location.
An Auburn property manager is among three people charged with trying to arrange to have sex with a female child.

Authorities on Wednesday said that a joint operation by the Cayuga County Sheriffs Office, Auburn Police Department, New York State Police, Finger Lakes Drug Task Force and the FBI was conducted from June 7 to June 21 for the purpose of identifying individuals seeking to engage in sexual acts with children under the age of 15.

As a result of the effort, police said, Anthony T. Bartolotta, 49, of Auburn; Daniel Miller, 39, of Liverpool; and Brian Neilson, 41, of Seneca Falls, were arrested and charged with second-degree attempted rape "after they did attempt to solicit sex with an underage female child for money," according to a joint news release.

Bartolotta works for his family's R&M Real Estate Group, which owns several commercial and residential properties in downtown Auburn.

Police said there is potential that more victims may be identified as a result of the investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Cayuga County Sheriffs Office at cayugasheriff.com; call the Criminal Investigation Division of the sheriffs office at (315) 253-1610; email the Auburn Police Department at communitywatch@auburnny.gov; or call the department's Detective Bureau at (315) 255-4705. Police said that callers may remain anonymous.

We would like to commend the members of our agencies, our law enforcement partners, and the Cayuga County District Attorneys Office for proactively addressing the problem of child sexual abuse in our community," authorities said. "There is no worse criminal offender than those that intentionally prey on children and we will continue to utilize all resources available to identify, arrest, and hold accountable those that victimize them.
Mumbai: The government has appointed Swaminathan Jankiraman, the managing director of the State Bank of India (SBI), as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), an official notification said.

The appointment is for a three-year period from the date of joining the post, or until further orders.

A panel headed by the Cabinet Secretary conducted interviews with shortlisted candidates on June 1 to fill the position of RBI Deputy Governor, which became vacant with the completion of MK Jain's extended tenure on Tuesday.

As per the provisions of the RBI Act, 1934, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is required to have four Deputy Governors.

Among these, one post is reserved for a commercial banker, while the others can be filled from within the ranks of the RBI or by external candidates.

One of the Deputy Governors is designated as the head of the monetary policy department and is typically an economist.

These appointments help ensure a diverse set of expertise and perspectives within the leadership of the central bank.

The salary of the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) consists of a fixed pay of Rs 2.25 lakh plus allowances.
New Delhi: Google is exploring options to assemble its Pixel smartphones in India, following a similar strategy to Apple's move to diversify production beyond China, reported Bloomberg.

The company has initiated discussions with Indian firms such as Lava International, Dixon Technologies, and Bharat FIH (Foxconn's Indian unit), according to anonymous sources, the report said.

These potential partners have benefited from India's production-linked financial incentives, which have encouraged local manufacturing. Google's move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to position India as an attractive manufacturing hub, particularly as businesses seek alternatives to China due to various factors such as Covid-related disruptions and trade tensions.

During his visit to the US, Modi's delegation is expected to discuss matters including the removal of trade barriers in the tech sector between the two countries.

Apple has previously used India's production-linked incentives to expand its supplier network and significantly increase iPhone output.

India's market is crucial for Google's services, but the company has faced tough competition from affordable Chinese smartphones in the region.

By exploring local assembly of its Pixel smartphones in India, Google aims to boost its sales and establish a stronger presence in the market.

If successful, Google may consider expanding production to other hardware products like speakers.

However, it is important to note that the outcome of the ongoing talks is uncertain, and Google has the option to choose not to proceed with manufacturing the Pixel in India.
Mumbai/IBNS: Well-known musician and tabla player, GiMA award winning Pt Prodyut Mukherjee, regaled guests with his mastery over tabla and mouth percussion at the third edition of the International Performing Arts Festival (IPAF) held in Mumbai.

The third season of the festival consisted of performances ranging from fusion music to Indian classical music and dance.

On day one (10 June) of the IPAF festival, Pt Mukherjee and his team Rhythm Express paid a musical tribute to freedom fighters.

The team consisted of M Rashid Khan (violin), Supratik (vocal), Dharmesh Maru (keys), Monicka Shuklla (narration).

The programme also included Bharatnatyam by Tushar Pramod Sawant.



The day two of the festival featured a grand celebration of Ritu Rang (Seasons in India) presented by a 75-member strong Arpana Rao and group.



Sajid Nadiadwala, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Sudesh Bhosale, Lalit Sen and others attended the programme on the second day.

IPAF has been started by Shyam Pandey, a social entrepreneur, with an aim to create a centralized global network to provide a consistent platform to artists as well as financial assistance to them through these programmes.



Founder-Director of IPAF, Pandey, expressed his admiration for the musical wizardry of Pt Mukherjee and said, IPAF is already working in 25 states of India and adding five global cities this year."



The second leg of the programme this year will be held in Kolkata on June 23 and 24 followed by the Delhi edition in July.

At the Kolkata edition, IPAF will launch its first Lifetime Achievement Award and Youth Icon Award, where the awards will be given away by West Bengal governor Dr C.V. Ananda Bose.
Narendra Modi Twitter page

New York: Indian PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he had a 'great' meeting with Tesla chief Elon Musk.

Modi said his discussion with Musk ranged from spirituality to energy.

Prime Minister @narendramodi held a wonderful meeting with CEO of @Tesla and @SpaceX, Mr. @elonmusk. Discussions revolved around the implementation of economic reforms aimed at improving the business climate and promoting investment prospects in India. pic.twitter.com/ikXrnoQPoF  PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 21, 2023

Modi tweeted: "Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality."

Following the meeting, Musk said India has more promise than any large country in the world.

Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

This was Modi's first meeting with Musk since he became the owner of Twitter.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "PM Modi really cares about India because he is pushing us to make significant investment in India, which is something that we tend to do. We just have to figure out the right timing."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in New York on Tuesday for a rare three-day state visit to the US, during which he is set to address the joint session of the US Congress and dine with President Biden.
PIB

New York: Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday met Narendra Modi and said he is a 'fan' of the Indian PM.

"He really wants to do the right thing for India. I am a fan of Modi. It was a fantastic meeting and I like him quite a lot," Musk told reporters following his meeting with the visiting Indian PM In New York.

Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

This was Modi's first meeting with Musk since he became the owner of Twitter.

Speaking to reporters, Musk said: "PM Modi really cares about India because he is pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we tend to do. We just have to figure out the right timing."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in New York on Tuesday for a rare three-day state visit to the US, during which he is set to address the joint session of the US Congress and dine with President Biden.

The Prime Minister appreciated Musks efforts at making technology accessible and affordable in various sectors, read an official statement of the Indian PMO's office after the meeting.

The Prime Minister invited Musk to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector.
Twitter own Elon Musk | Image Credit: Wallpaper Cave

"We cannot just apply America to Earth," said Twitter owner Elon Musk in his response to former CEO of the micro-blogging site, Jack Dorsey's claim that the Modi government pressured the social media platform during a massive farmers' protest in India.

When pressed for a response, Musk, a business magnet and the owner of Twitter, told India Today, "Twitter doesn't have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws, we will get shut down."

"We cannot just apply America to Earth... We will do the best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law," the Tesla CEO added.

BJP slams Congress after 'Musk' response

The response from Musk has prompted the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to train its gun at the prime opposition camp, Congress.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya tweeted, "In a complete meltdown moment for the toolkit gang, incumbent Twitter boss Musk feigned complete ignorance about Jack Dorseys recent statement about India and further added, 'We cant apply America to earth.'. Congresss Shrieking Jane had sought to legitimise Dorseys tripe."

What did Jack Dorsey say?

During an interview last week with 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," he said.

Jack Dorsey | Image Credit: Wallpaper cave

BJP-Cong fight over Dorsey's claims

Responding to these claims, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar had said that under Dorsey, Twitter was in repeated and continuous violations of India law and at times weaponised misinformation.

On BJP refuting Dorsey's allegation, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate had 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.

Elon Musk (L) with PM Modi (R) | Image Credit: Twitter/PIB

Musk meets Modi in the US

Speaking to reporters, Musk, who met Prime Minister Modi for the first time, said: "PM Modi really cares about India because he is pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we tend to do. We just have to figure out the right timing."

Modi landed in New York on Tuesday for a three-day state visit to the US, during which he is set to address the joint session of the US Congress and dine with President Biden.
Image credit: Facebook/ Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi/UNI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to opposition parties for discussion on Centres ordinance in the meeting which will be held on June 23 in Patna.

Kejriwal, in the letter, expressed his apprehension, "Just because this has only been promulgated in Delhi, which is often considered a 'half-state', it does not mean that it cannot be promulgated in other states.

"By promulgating such ordinances, the Centre can end up dissolving all the matters that come within the concurrent list of the Constitution of India."

Kejriwal said, "The Central government has the authority to introduce similar ordinances on any subject within the concurrent list. Therefore, it is crucial for all opposition parties to come together and deliberate on this issue to ensure the protection of states' autonomy."

The Centre's new ordinance over Delhi's share of administrative powers has fuelled, at least momentarily, the Opposition's plans to slam the Modi government.

Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal along with his colleagues from his government even flew down to Kolkata to meet Mamata Banerjee, an arch-rival of BJP, and other key opposition leaders to garner support for his party's anti-Modi stance.
Guwahati/IBNS: Three civilians were injured Wednesday after a car exploded in Manipur where ethnic violence has been raging for nearly two months, media reports said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called an all-party meeting in New Delhi this Saturday to discuss the situation in the violence-hit northeastern state.

The latest blast occurred around 7:30 pm. The bomb was planted in an SUV in Bishnupur's Kwakta, one of the worst violence-hit regions in the state.

Bystanders reported seeing the driver leaving the Scorpio car and that it was empty, said reports.

"The improvised explosive device (IED) was placed in the vehicle late Wednesday evening. Additional security forces have been deployed," a police officer said in Imphal.

The three civilians injured in the blast were sent to Bishnupur District Hospital. One among them was said to be serious.

Combing operations by various security forces are on in different parts of the state.

Internet ban has been extended till Sunday in Manipur, where violence erupted on May 3 after a Tribal Solidarity March was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for the Scheduled Tribe status.

Sporadic incidents of violence have been reported from parts of Manipur since then. In one such recent incident, Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh's house was set on fire in Imphal.

Meitis are a majority community of Manipur, followed by tribal communities like the Nagas and Kukis.
Jim Basile and Al Simmons have some similarities.

Both have worked in construction and served in local government. Both are Republicans. Both are running to represent the Cayuga County Legislature's District 1 (towns of Ira, Sterling and Victory).

Basile, R-Fair Haven, and Simmons, R-Ira, are the candidates in the District 1 Republican primary. Despite Basile being the incumbent, Simmons, an Ira town board member, received the GOP committee's endorsement in the district.

Basile, who is vice chair of the county Legislature, touts his track record. He has a 40-year career as a construction project manager and is the mayor of Fair Haven, a village in the town of Sterling. When he first ran for county Legislature in 2021, he told The Citizen that the Republican committee urged him to run.

Now that he has served one term as a legislator, he said running again "was not even a question."

Basile is proud of the county Legislature's accomplishments under a Republican majority, including the elimination of the local home heating fuel tax and a reduced property tax rate. He has also been a member of the committee tasked with developing ideas for spending the federal American Rescue Plan Act funding.

"It's commonsense spending," he said. "These are things that would have taken tax dollars to do."

He also believes that listening to constituents and county employees is important. One example is an exchange he had with an employee in the elevator at the Cayuga County Office Building. That conversation led him to push for new metal detection equipment at the facility.

If elected to a four-year term, Basile pledged to work to limit tax rate increases and continue holding government accountable.

"It starts with the (county Legislature). It starts from the top down," he said. "Whether it's in the budget process, whether it's what we can do to help the group of managers that we have that manage the county for us. We need to provide that service to the best of our ability in a very business-like manner."

Simmons believes he has a strong resume, too. He recently retired after 14 years with the Cayuga County Highway Department, including two as general foreman. The experience, he says, gave him an opportunity to see the whole county and get to know a critical county department.

As he campaigns in District 1, Simmons says his priorities are broadband access and water districts. He also wants to see the county do more for local fire departments and establish better communication with town supervisors.

"I hear, over and over, the same thing," he said. "People are looking for internet and the water updates, or water in general."

Simmons was first elected to the Ira town board in 2015. He was a registered Democrat at the time, but changed his party affiliation shortly after winning the seat. He previously told The Citizen that his beliefs are more aligned with the Republican Party.

In 2019, Simmons won a second four-year term as an Ira town board member.

If he wins the District 1 seat, Simmons said he will bring a balanced approach to the job.

"I'm going to try and represent everybody evenly," he said. "I just feel that being from Ira, knowing Victory well and representing Sterling ... I feel that I can represent everybody evenly."

Simmons is not seeking another term as an Ira town board member as he campaigns for county Legislature. Basile has said he will not continue as mayor of Fair Haven if he wins reelection in District 1.

The June 27 primary may not be the last time Basile and Simmons are on the same ballot. Basile has the Conservative Party's endorsement, which guarantees he will have at least one ballot line in November. Simmons needs to win the GOP primary to advance to the general election.
Pixabay

At least 41 people died as a deadly riot broke out at a women's prison in Honduras, media reports said on Wednesday.

The apparent prison riot broke out Tuesay at the Centro Femenino de Adaptacion Social, a womens penitentiary outside the capital city Tegucigalpa, and there are fears the death toll will rise, reports CNN.

Public Ministry spokesperson Yuri Mora told CNN death toll could increase as rescue teams continue to work, adding that some of the deaths were the result of burns while others had gunshot wounds.

The main assistance center in Tegucigalpa has received several injured people, he said

Delma Ordonez, a representative of the relatives of the inmates, told UNI/Xinhua that the riot broke out after authorities announced new rules for the prison, including banning and confiscating televisions and other devices.

According to local media, injured prisoners were transferred to a hospital in Tegucigalpa, as images of the burned corpses and other scenes of the bloody aftermath were already circulating on social media.

"We will not tolerate acts of vandalism, nor irregularities at this prison," Deputy Security Minister Julissa Villanueva said via Twitter at the start of the riot, as she declared an emergency and authorized the "immediate intervention" of the National Police and the military, as well as firefighters.

Authorities are expected to release an official death toll, along with the names of the deceased inmates, in the coming hours.
Image: UNRWA/Dominiek Benoot

The UNs Middle East envoy said on Tuesday he was deeply alarmed at the continuing cycle of violence in Israel and Palestine, and appalled by the continued loss of civilian lives.

Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland was reacting on Twitter to the news of a shooting attack reportedly by two Palestinian gunmen, who opened fire at a petrol station on a road outside an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

News reports quoting the Israeli military said both of the gunmen had been shot dead, one at the scene by an armed civilian and the other by Israeli security forces.

The UN envoy urged all sides to refrain from steps that could further enflame an already volatile situation.

Jenin camp raid

Tuesdays violence followed a day of bloodshed on Monday, when at least five Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces during an operation inside the Jenin refugee camp prompting Mr. Wennesland to voice his deep concern over the escalating violence.

He tweeted that the Israeli operation and ensuing exchange of fire with Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank city resulted in five dead including a child.

Scores of Palestinians and seven Israeli security personnel were reportedly wounded.

Return to political path

Such escalations threaten to plunge Palestine and Israel deeper into a deadly crisis, he said. All sides must refrain from actions that would further escalate the situation and take steps to reengage on a political path.

According to news reports, the confrontation involved Israeli forces entering the camp before dawn on Monday. An Israeli helicopter fired missiles in response to militants targeting troop carriers with explosives.

The helicopter reportedly opened fire as forces were attempting to extract soldiers and stranded vehicles.

Israel has been intensifying raids in the West Bank for months now carrying out searches, arrests and home demolitions, amid a reported rise in attacks from Palestinian militants targeting Israelis. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the start of the year, with 21 Israeli deaths.

Guterres deeply troubled over settlements plan

On Monday night, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement saying he was deeply troubled by the Israeli Governments decision to amend its settlement planning procedures in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Reiterating concerns expressed earlier in the day by Mr. Wennesland over the plans which are expected to expedite illegal Israeli settlement expansion  overhauling policies in place since 1996  the UN chief said he was also deeply alarmed over the likely Government announcement next week of 4,000 new settlement housing units.

The Secretary-General reiterates that settlements are a flagrant violation of international law, said the statement issued by his Spokesperson.

They are a major obstacle to the realization of a viable two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. The expansion of these illegal settlements is a significant driver of tensions and violence and deepens humanitarian needs.

He said the move would further entrench the occupation, while encroaching on Palestinian land and natural resources.

It will also further hamper the free movement of the population and undermine Palestinians right to self-determination and sovereignty.

The Secretary-General urges the Government of Israel to halt and reverse such decisions and to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to fully respect its legal obligations in that regard.

He also called for further concrete steps to put in place de-escalation measures to stem the rising violence, agreed between Israeli and Palestinians in recent months in the form of Joint Communiques in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm al-Sheik.
Image:  UNODC/Duncan Moore

The Secretary-General on Tuesday said he was disappointed by the slowing pace of inspections under the UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative  the grain and fertilizer deal which has allowed millions of tonnes of food exports to leave Ukraine.

Russia confirmed that for 60 days it would continue to be a part of the Initiative and the complementary Memorandum of Understanding on food and fertilizer exports from Moscow, in late May  but the deal in effect expires on 17 July.

The UN brokered the deal guaranteeing safe passage for grain cargo ships, along with Turkiye in July last year, which is managed from Istanbul by a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) staffed by UN and Turkish representatives along with Russia and Ukraine.

Fewer shipments

UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson that food exports via the Black Sea have fallen from a peak of 4.2 million metric tonnes in October last year to just 1.3 million tonnes last month, the lowest volume since it came into operation.

He said he was also disappointed at the exclusion of the port of Yuzhny/Pivdennyi, near Odesa, which has reportedly not received any ships since May 2, and which is also a former Russian hub for pumping ammonia for export.

Mr. Guterres called on the parties to accelerate operations and urges them to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of this vital agreement.

Less for those in need

The overall impact of the faltering Initiative has been a reduction in vessels coming in and out of Ukraines sea ports, leading to a drop in the supply of essential foodstuffs to global markets.

Tweet URL

In its latest update issued five days ago, the JCC said that the total grain and foodstuffs exported was

close to 32 million tonnes, including just over 625,000 tonnes of grain shipped on vessels chartered by the World Food Programme (WFP).

The Secretary-General calls on the parties to accelerate operations and urges them to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of this vital agreement, which is up for renewal on 17 July, the statement said.

UN fully committed

The UN remains fully committed to supporting both the Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding with Russia so that exports of food and fertilizers, including ammonia, from the Russian Federation and Ukraine reach markets around the world safely and predictably, the UN chiefs statement continued.

This is especially critical now as the new grain harvest begins in both Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
ISPR website

At least two soldiers died in a blast that rocked Khyber Pakhtunkhwas North Waziristan district in Pakistan on Tuesday, media reports said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said 29-year-old Sepoy Gul Rauf, a resident of Lakki Marwat, and 23-year-old Sepoy Abid Ullahm, a resident of Karak district, were martyred in the blast, reports Dawn News.

Sanitisation of the area was being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found there, the statement said.

It added that the armed forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.
Islamabad/UNI: Two Pakistani soldiers were killed when a bomb went off in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said in a statement.

The Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said on Tuesday that an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the Spinwam area of the North Waziristan district of the province and killed the two soldiers.

The ISPR added that the clearance operation was still in progress to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

No group has claimed the attack yet, according to Xinhua news.

The Pakistani security forces remained determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country, the military said.
Image: UNI

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was arrested on Wednesday by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a money laundering case, media reports said.

On Tuesday, an anti-corruption court ordered the authorities to release Elahi, who had been incarcerated for almost three weeks in a case pertaining to illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly, on bail against a surety of Rs1 million.

However, a new case was registered against the PTI president and his son Moonis Elahi on charges of money laundering within hours of the release orders, according to Geo news.

As Elahi deliberately avoided submitting the surety bond in hopes of a protective bail in the new case from a high court this morning, he remained at the Camp Jail and was eventually apprehended by the FIA officials from the detention centre.

The ex-Punjab chief minister was taken into custody by the FIA officials, who got his medical examination done from the Services General Hospital in Lahore.

The FIA is likely to seek a 14-day physical remand of the PTI president.

Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi reportedly invested funds worth billions of rupees in five Panama companies, sources had said while sharing details of the money laundering case.

They further said that the duo bought Panama companies via money laundering.

In order to bring Moonis Elahi back home, the FIA has decided to get issued red warrants against him, the sources added.

(With UNI inputs)
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Washington: US intelligence agencies tracked employees of the Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE at suspected Chinese spy facilities in Cuba, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

During the presidency of Donald Trump, US officials received tracking data of Huawei and ZTE workers entering and leaving sites suspected of conducting Chinese eavesdropping operations from the island, according to the report.

The sources said the intelligence reports strengthened suspicions within the Trump administration that the tech giants can be instrumental in expanding China's ability to spy on the United States from Cuba. However, it is unknown whether such practice is continued under incumbent US President Joe Biden.

Huawei and ZTE do not necessarily produce devices that can be used for eavesdropping or gathering intelligence, but they both specialize in technologies that can facilitate data transmission to China, according to the sources.

Huawei rejected such accusations in a statement, while ZTE and the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to a WSJs request for comment, the news outlet noted.

Earlier in June, WSJ reported, citing US officials familiar with classified information, that China had reached a deal with Cuba to establish its spy base in the island nation as a response to US military activities near the Chinese borders, including in Taiwan.

Commenting on the article, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the report "is not accurate." Cubas Embassy in Washington said the article was "totally mendacious and unfounded information," while the Chinese diplomatic mission had no comment.

(With UNI inputs)
FDNY Twitter page

New York: At least four people died when a fire broke out at an e-bike repair shop in lower Manhattan early Tuesday.

The New York City Fire Department, officially the Fire Department of the City of New York, later determined that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery.

This morning, a 3-alarm fire claimed the lives of four New Yorkers at 80 Madison Street in Manhattan. #FDNY Fire Marshals determined the fire to be accidental, caused by a lithium-ion battery in a first-floor e-bike shop. pic.twitter.com/MVrpSEmeU0  FDNY (@FDNY) June 20, 2023

" Per #FDNY Fire Marshals, this mornings 3-alarm fire at 80 Madison Street in Manhattan, which killed four people, was accidental. Caused by a lithium-ion battery on the first floor," the department tweeted.

The department also shared an image of the spot where the fire had broken out.
India is the second largest tea-producing country in the world, second only to China, with majority of the production in the nation coming from Assam.

Besides production, India is also among the world's top tea-consuming countries, with 80% of the tea produced in the country consumed by the domestic population.

Despite being a nation of tea lovers, this variety of cake tea is probably unheard of - the Puer tea.

Pu'er or Pu-erh Tea/ herbsandkettles.com

Earlier this week, the Puer tea was sold at Rs 9000 a kg, a record price in its category. Nilesh Divekar of Shangrila Enterprise, a buyer of Puer tea, told a local media outlet, I have been learning from small tea growers and helping them get a good price and a market. There is a need to diversify and go beyond black and green tea.



The unique tea cake

Puer tea is a variety of fermented tea traditionally produced in Yunnan Province, China and named after the market town in which it was first developed.

It is often sold in brick form and can be made from green and black tea leaves. The brick is formed by pressing the loose tea leaves into a cake form.

Pu'er or Pu-erh Tea/ herbsandkettles.com

Pu'er tea is made to undergo microbial fermentation after the tea leaves have been sufficiently dried and rolled, resulting in a distinct flavour profile as the leaves darken.

This process allows the flavour of the tea to develop, just like older wines.

Way to brew the tea

In India, it is produced at the Gauripur Tea Plantation in Golaghat district of Assam, which produces 25 kg of Puer tea every month.

Pu'er tea cake/ EastMojo

Speaking to a local media outlet, Aparaj Saikia, managing partner of Gauripur Tea Plantation, said, "We have been producing Pu'er tea for our personal consumption since the last 4 years and started doing it commercially this year."

One needs to break off a small portion of the cake and brew it like any traditional tea but in boiling water for a very short time (15 to 60 seconds). It can be steeped multiple times, offering a unique flavour for each infusion.

'Pure' Pu'er from China

To be considered authentic pu'er, the leaves must be from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica, grown in Yunnan Province, dried in the sun, and allowed to ferment over weeks, months, years or even decades.

According to the production process, four main types of pu'er are commonly available in markets:

Maocha, green pu'er leaves sold in loose form as the raw material for making pressed pu'er. Badly processed maocha will produce an inferior pu'er. Green/raw pu'er, pressed maocha that has not undergone additional processing; collectors highly seek high-quality green pu'er. Ripened/ cooked pu'er, maocha that has undergone an accelerated fermentation process lasting 45 to 60 days on average. Poorly fermented maocha will create a muddy tea with fishy and sour flavours indicative of inferior aged pu'er. Aged raw pu'er is a tea that has undergone slow secondary oxidation and microbial fermentation.

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Three new vessels arrived in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday morning to join the search and rescue operations for the missing OceanGate Titan sub. The sub is facing a dwindling oxygen supply.

Their arrival is crucial as they race against time to save the five individuals on board, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British businessman Hamish Harding, father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood from one of Pakistan's wealthiest families, and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a former French navy officer and renowned Titanic expert.

"The John Cabot has side-scanning sonar capabilities and is conducting search patterns alongside the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin," the Coast Guard said.

Titanic Missing Sub

USCG Capt. Jamie Frederick stated on Tuesday that the primary goal is to locate the missing sub, which disappeared on Sunday while attempting to reach the Titanic wreck approximately 400 miles south of Newfoundland.

U.S. and Canadian naval and civilian resources have been deployed to search an area equivalent to the size of Connecticut in hopes of finding the 21-foot submersible that might be trapped on the ocean floor. If discovered intact, a race against time will ensue. However, the Coast Guard has not confirmed whether the detected noises resulted from someone "banging" or "tapping."

NYT

According to Dr. Brendan Englot, an expert on undersea robotics at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, any rescue attempt at depths as low as the Titanic would be deemed "unprecedented."



"The kind of rescues that have been successful have occurred at much shallower depths," he said, between 2,000 and 5,000 feet below sea level.

"Here you're talking about something 13,000 feet downmuch higher pressures. If this vessel is at the bottom, that would be unprecedented."

Englot explained that submarines are generally not built to reach the depths of the Titan, a specially constructed submersible designed for deep ocean exploration.

He suggested that one potential rescue strategy could involve employing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) commonly utilized in deep-sea activities such as oil rig construction and underwater cable laying.

Titanic Explorer Reveals: Two Disaster Causes During Dive Are Survivable, But One Spells Catastrophe

screenshot

The submersible vessel that disappeared during its dive into the Titanic shipwreck may have encountered one of three potential disasters typically avoided in such expeditions: a hull breach, a fire, or an entanglement.



Joe MacInnis, a renowned Canadian explorer, and physician who has visited the Titanic site four times and is acquainted with one of the missing Titan's passengers, explained that a hull failure would be catastrophic and unsurvivable due to implosion.

Joe MacInnis/Rolex Magazine

On the other hand, the risks of fire and entanglement can be managed.

Submersible crews receive training for fire emergencies, and well-equipped submarines have firefighting capabilities.

MacInnis personally experienced being trapped by the Titanic and successfully freeing himself more than 30 years ago during his second dive onto the ship.

He recalls the intense moment when his submersible got entangled in wires upon landing on the Titanic's pilot house floor, preventing their ascent.

Fortunately, a second submersible was dispatched to assess the situation and guide the chief pilot in maneuvering free from the entanglement.

This self-rescue capability, whether through an additional submersible or a swiftly deployed remotely operated vehicle, plays a crucial role in such expeditions. France has deployed the research vessel Atalante, equipped with an underwater robot, to reach the missing craft.

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HIT: History's Hometown is living up to its name with an ongoing series of events centered around the recognition of Juneteenth, the June 19, 1865, announcement in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War had ended and slavery had been abolished.

Highly regarded guest speakers including author and activist Angela Davis and writer and educator Dr. Michael Eric Dyson came to Auburn for public presentations, music and comedy shows were held, and citizens from the local community were recognized for their leadership. A downtown gathering Saturday brought people together for music, food and a celebratory parade. Additional upcoming events include music, art and film sponsored by the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center and the city's Historic and Cultural Sites Commission. More information can be found at equalrightsheritage.com/juneteenth.

MISS: A criminal operation that New York Attorney General Letitia James said was "fueling the fire" of the drug crisis in the Finger Lakes region was dealt a strong blow last week with indictments against 48 people.

Authorities said that more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl, 10 kilograms of cocaine, 19 guns and more than $440,000 in cash were seized in the takedown of a drug ring that operated in Cayuga and several other upstate New York counties. The seizures were the product of a two-year investigation that originated in Wayne County, with three groups identified as selling drugs in Cayuga, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties.

HIT: A perfect sunny day greeted the crowd at an annual Cayuga County Father's Day event Sunday.

The Prison City Ramblers' annual Father's Day Car Show celebrated its 30th year. The show is consistently one of the largest in the central New York area and attracted thousands of visitors to Emerson Park on the shore of Owasco Lake. A coloring contest for children and flea market were also part of the fun, and trophies were awarded to owners of outstanding vehicles, including special awards for best of show, best engine, most unique and more.

The Citizen Editorial board includes executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd
Controversial Nigeria Socio-political analyst, Reno Omokri has condemned the former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili over her advice to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and President Bola Tinubu.

It was gathered that Ezekwesili, in her reaction to the demolition of some structures in the Alaba International market, urged Lagos Governor to release details of each demolished building and the reasons they were removed.

Ezekwesili argued that doing this will show the general public that the exercise is not targeting the Igbos.

Omokri, while reacting to Ezekwesilis statement, insisted that the former minister is known for exhibiting double standards.

READ MORE: Properties Lost As Fire Guts Alaba International Market

The former presidential aide added that Ezekwesili is often quiet when the situation involves the southeast, but would speak up when an anomaly happens in other regions.

He wrote, IPOby Ezekwesili, remove your microfocus from Lagos and direct it to Anambra. Buildings are currently being marked for demolition in Anambra, and you were silent, only to roar when Lagos demolished structurally defective buildings whose owners were warned since 2016 to reinforce them or be demolished.

This is the same Oby that danced naked in the streets when Deborah Samuel was burnt to death, but has remained silent till today after a pregnant Northerner from Adamawa, Harira Jubril, was killed by unknown gunmen in broad daylight, with her four underaged daughters, Fatima, 9; Khadijah, 7; Hadiza, 5; and Zaituna, 2.

This is the same Oby that has also not condemned the killing of US embassy personnel by Unknown Gunmen in her state and close to her local government on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

The same Oby that rolled on the floor of Aso Rock over #BringBackOurGirls. Yet, she never condemned the killing of Ahmed Gulak in the Southeast on May 31, 2021. She has never spoken up or condemned the massacre of our soldiers, police, and paramilitary men and women by IPOB, ESN, and Unknown Gunmen.

What is tolerated in Lagos wont be tolerated anywhere else in Nigeria, including Anambra, where Oby Ezekwesili, who is now scandalizing Yorubas and the Lagos State Government, comes from.

Oby will always cover anything that happens in the Southeast and blow out of proportion things that occur elsewhere. Just focus on your career as an IPOB apologist and stop gaslighting Lagosians.
Senator Prince Bassey Otu, the Governor of Cross River State, has banned the activities of all commercial motorcyclists within calabar metropolis.

This according to the governor is in a bid to ensure safety and promote security in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Wednesday.

READ ALSO: Commercial Tricyclists, Taxi Drivers Clash In Ondo Over New Transport Fare

The statement read, As the State Government plans towards ensuring a safe and secured Cross River.

The Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu, after due consultation with key Security Chiefs in the state, has directed as follows:

A total ban on the activities of all commercial motorcyclists within the Calabar metropolis.

Those willing to use their motorcycles to earn a decent living are restricted only to remote areas away from the city centre.

Anyone caught going against this directive will have the motorcycle impounded, and the offender prosecuted.

In the same vein, those involved in criminal vandalization of public amenities like street lights, lamp posts, traffic lights etc are advised to desist forthwith, as culprits will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has praised Samuel Ortom for accepting the invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that the anti-graft agency invited Ortom to its Markudis office.

However, the immediate past Governor of Benue State honored the invitation of the anti-graft agency at their Makurdi office on Tuesday amid questioning of the states public funds.

According to a publication released by Daily Sun, Ortom, drove in his private SUV vehicle, arrived quietly at the EFCC office located along Gordon Aluor Street, Old GRA, Makurdi, around 10:08 am

The former governor was said to have been with his two former aides including Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Terver Akase and his Principal Special Assistant, Abraham Kwaghgu.

READ MORE: EFCC Quizzes Ex-Benue Governor, Ortom Over Public Funds Misappropriation

Meanwhile, PDP in the state, while reacting to the the development, said the move by Ortom is an exemplary one that should be emulated.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, the Benue PDP said Ortom will be the first former governor of the state to willingly submit himself to the anti-graft agency for questioning after his tenure in office.

The party said Ex-governor Ortom earlier today went over to the Makurdi office of the EFCC to honour the invitation extended to him by the Commission, and our great party hails his conduct as exemplary and reflecting the clarity of conscience.

The former governors action also depicts him as a man of his word as it fulfils promises he made while in office that at the end of his tenure, he will be willing to give an open account of all that he did in execution of the mandate vested in him as governor by the Benue electorate.

PDP notes that while this wont be the first time a former governor will be answering questions before the anti-graft body, Ortoms case is remarkably distinct for the lack of rancour and acrimony which usually attend such appearances.

The party is satisfied that Ex-Governor Ortoms conduct is a clear reflection of his having no skeletons in his cupboard, which he should be running away from, as only the guilty usually are afraid.

We urge other holders of public office to emulate the Ortom standard by discharging their duties and responsibilities while in the office within the confines of law so they may be able to come to open an account when called upon without any fear.
Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Shehu, says the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders will be increased by 114 percent.

Shehu, represented by Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, the federal commissioner, disclosed this while presenting the reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Nasir Idris, Governor of Kebbi State.

According to the RMAFC report, the implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages, effective from January 1, 2023, was in accordance with the provision of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Government (as amended).

The Chairman, however urged the House of Assembly to move quickly on the amendment of relevant laws to pave way for upward review of income packages for political, judicial and public officers, since the last remuneration review was conducted in 2007.

He added that it culminated in the certain political, public and judicial office holders (salaries and allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Off To France For New Global Financial Summit

It empowers the revenue mobilisation, allocation and fiscal commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, ministers, commissioners, special advisers, legislators and the holders of the offices mentioned in sections 84 and 124 of the constitution of the federal government, News Agency of Nigeria quoted Shehu as saying.

He added, Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the remuneration packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant sections of the 1999 constitution (as amended) should be reviewed.

Pursuant to the above, your excellency may please recall that on Wednesday, 1st February, 2023, the commission held a one-day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package simultaneously in all the six (6) geo-political zones of the country.

The aim of the exercise was to harvest inputs/ideas from a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

The commission, he said has objectively and subjectively reviewed the salary packages in the reports, adding that it adhered to the rules of equity and fairness, risk and responsibilities, national order of precedence among others.
Amazon Web Services Incorporated has testified before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), sitting in Abuja on Monday.

Amazon which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), engaged to provide technical support to it during the 2023 general elections, through its representative declared that there was no technical glitch on February 25th.

According to Vanguard, representative of the company, Mpeh Clarita Ogar, mounted the box as the 7th witness in the petition that the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, filed to nullify the election of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Contrary to the position of INEC, the witness, who was led in evidence by a member of Obis legal team, Mr Patrick Ikweto, SAN, told the court that it did not record any technical glitch in the country on February 25, which was the day the presidential election held.

READ ALSO: INEC Withholding Requested Documents, Deliberately Frustrating Our Case  LP To Petition Court

Recall that the electoral body had blamed its inability to electronically transmit results of the presidential poll to its viewing portal, in real-time, using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation (BVAS) machines, on technical glitches it experienced on election day.

However, in her evidence on Monday, the PW-7, who identified herself as a cloud engineer and an Architect tendered six volumes of reports from 33 regions of the world where Amazon Web Services host its servers.

According to the witness, the regions, are; North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe.

She told the court that there was no technical glitch across all six continents housing AWS cloud services on February 25, 2023.

Aside from adopting the witness statement she made on oath on June 19, the witness, tendered a copy of her curriculum vitae, as well as her appointment letter, in evidence before the court.

Though all the Respondents opposed the evidence of the witness, however, Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel admitted all the documents as Exhibits in the matter.

Cited as Respondents in the petition marked, CA/PEPC/03/2023, are INEC, President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the APC.

The court adjourned its proceedings till Tuesday to enable the Respondents to cross-examine the witness.
Mr Osita Okechukwu, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), has revealed that the South East needs infrastructure development more than political appointments from the President Tinubu-led administration.

Okechukwu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made his submission in an interview with Daily Sun on Tuesday.

The APC chieftain also added that the Southeast may turn out as the greatest beneficiary of President Tinubus administration at the end of the tenure.

READ MORE: Service Chiefs Appointments Not Based On Favoritism, Nepotism  Onanuga To Critics

He said: The question on the South East not getting a juicy position is germane. As a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I am confronted on a daily basis with the same question.

Permit me to state clearly that am not opposed to the South East getting juicy appointments in this administration; I am cleaning this fog so that those food-is-ready politicians will not smoke me.

I repeat that I am not opposed to anyone from the South East getting juicy appointments, what I know as a historical fact is that if it is good in any geopolitical zone of our dear country, it will be good to Ndigbo. Nobody can kill the beetle; we live in all the nooks and crannies of our dear country and invest therein. This is the position one of my mentors, Senator Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory kept reminding Ndigbo when he was alive.

However, as one posited earlier, democracy is a big elephant with many parts and its growth throughout history has been incremental. Democracy is not revolutionary but evolutionary; therefore the South East maybe turn out as the greatest beneficiary of President Tinubus administration in the fullness of time. An Igbo adage admonishes that you dont count your gain until the market is over.
Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, has reached an agreement with long-standing customer Atlantic Offshore to implement Fleet LTE across the Norwegian offshore service providers multifunctional fleet. The commitment will ensure vessels maintain continuous access to high-speed, low-latency connectivity in the North Sea during their offshore supply, seismic support and oil recovery duties.

As an all-in-one solution, Fleet LTE will allow the vessels to connect to 4G offshore fibre networks when in range and Inmarsats market-leading Ka-band service, Fleet Xpress, when sailing beyond LTE coverage zones. Switchover between the services is a seamless, fully automated process, ensuring no loss of connectivity when transiting from one area to another. Fleet LTE also includes access to FleetBroadbands resilient L-band coverage for unlimited back-up with 99.9% network availability.

On top of meeting Atlantics internal business requirements, Fleet LTE supports a happy and motivated workforce by allowing seafarers to maintain contact with friends and family and access online entertainment in their spare time on board. It also offers a separate bandwidth pipe for charterers, whose allowance Atlantic can upgrade and downgrade in line with demand.
Select Kia dealerships across India have unofficially commenced accepting pre-bookings for the Seltos facelift in the country. Prospective customers can pre-book the Kia Seltos facelift for a token of 25,000, dealerships have confirmed to HT Auto. Kia showrooms also confirmed that it is converting existing bookings of the Seltos to the facelifted version due to the high waiting period.

The Kia Seltos facelift is slated to go on sale in July this year, four years after it kickstarted the Korean automakers innings in India. The Seltos has been a fantastic seller for the company bringing several segment-first features and the new iteration will see updates on the styling, features and comfort front. Internationally, the Seltos facelift was launched last year.

Also Read : Kia Seltos facelift to be unveiled on July 4: Here's what's expected

The 2023 Kia Seltos facelift will arrive with a redesigned front grille, reworked LED DRLs, and a revised taillight design. The tailgate will be tweaked as well as part of the mid-lifecycle changes. The profile will remain the same barring the new alloy wheels on the SUV. The India-specific update is expected to get the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, on the same lines as the international version.

The Kia Seltos facelift for India is likely to be identical to the new US-spec version but could get market specific changes

Also check these Cars Find more Cars UPCOMING Kia Seltos Facelift 11 - 19 Lakhs* *Expected Price View Details Explore your Vehicle Check vehicle details Check Insurance & PUCC due date UPCOMING Mg Baojun 510 11 Lakhs *Expected Price View Details Volkswagen Virtus  11.22 - 17.92 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Maruti Suzuki Xl6  11.29 - 14.55 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Honda City  11.49 - 15.97 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Citroen Ec3  11.5 - 12.43 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers

The new Seltos is also expected to feature ADAS bringing features like blindspot 0monitoring, adaptive cruise control, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), lane-keep assist and more. It will continue to offer six airbags, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), VSM, Hill Assist, Brake Assist, ABS with EBD and more.

Engine options on the 2023 Kia Seltos facelift will include the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol with manual and IMT gearbox options. There will also be the new 1.5-litre turbo petrol replacing the current 1.4 engine that debuted on the Kia Carens earlier in the year. Lastly, the 1.5-litre turbo diesel is expected to continue with manual and automatic transmissions. Prices should start from around 10.5 lakh, going up to 20 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant. The SUV will now be more capable to take on rivals including the MG Astor, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and the segment-leader Hyundai Creta.

First Published Date:
In a release, AIG chair and chief executive Peter Zaffino said: We are fortunate to have Sabra as part of our leadership team. She has held several senior roles at the company since first joining AIG in 2019 and, coupled with her significant industry experience and strong financial background, will provide important continuity in the chief financial officer position.
Federer comes to the role as a seasoned insurance executive with more than 18 years of combined experience as a corporate attorney focused on M&A deals and as an M&A insurance underwriter. He previously worked as a managing partner for sales and distribution in M&A for Fusion. In this new role, he will continue to drive the firms buildout in North America as well as its M&A insurance products suite.
The key figures named in the lawsuit are Mark Farina and Brendan Keating, who jointly led Argos surety unit from November 2021. Farina served as the units global chief underwriting officer, while Keating held the position of chief operating officer. Both were among the 24 employees who resigned to join DUAL.
Hyundai could change the electric vehicle (EV) game entirely in the times to come. While the Korean car maker has already revealed plans of offering as many as 13 new EV models till 2030, it is also simultaneously working on a new IMA EV platform, battery technology and even a sort of power bank that would charge an EV on the move.

At its CEO Investor Day recently, Hyundai confirmed that it will invest as much as $84.9 billion in the next year to transition into a smart mobility company. Around $27.8 billion of this would be directed towards fulfilling the company's electrification dreams. But perhaps the most significant revelation came when it was announced that work is being done on a cutting-edge technology that could make range anxiety a thing of the past.

The company did not divulge much but did provide a teaser into what could best be described as a power bank for EVs that would allow the batteries to be charged and discharged in motion. An AI-based battery management system would constantly monitor the battery health and charge status to optimise capabilities.

Also check these Vehicles Find more Cars Hyundai Kona Electric  23.79 - 23.98 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Hyundai I20  7.46 - 10.96 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Hyundai Exter  6 - 10.1 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Hyundai I20 N Line  9.84 - 11.9 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers UPCOMING Hyundai Nexo 65 Lakhs *Expected Price View Details Hyundai Venue  7.53 - 12.72 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers

Also Read : Tesla to invest in India, Elon Musk after meeting PM Modi during his US visit

A portable charging option for EVs isn't exactly a novel idea but no manufacturer has thus far been able to make significant progress in this regard. This despite the fact that range-related worries continue to be one of the leading factors against EV adoption - the others being cost of acquisition and lack of options.

There is some work already being done on special roads that would power EVs when these are driven on it. Then there have been talks about solar panels on EVs pumping in juice into the batteries of such vehicles, whether stationery or in motion. All of these technologies, however, are mostly in development stage. But a power-bank-like system could indeed be the most practical solution as it is likely to be cost effective - in comparable terms, of course - while allowing flexibility to EV owners.

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The US sat at the top of the list, experiencing 38.8% of attacks in 2022. While this is significantly higher than the other countries in the top five, it is still lower than the 45.8% of attacks it received in 2021.
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Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday she wants the state to have regulatory authority over boats that operate in caves and similar waterways following a fatal tour boat accident in an underground water tunnel off the Erie Canal.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regulates commercial boats, Hochuls office said, but lacks authority to inspect those operating on non-navigable waters, like in the privately owned Lockport Cave.

The Democrat will propose legislation to close that loophole, her office said.

Earlier this week, a 65-year-old man died and nearly a dozen other passengers were taken to hospitals, mostly with minor injuries, when a flat-bottom boat with 29 people aboard flipped while inside the historic, human-made cavern system in western New York.

After the June 12 accident at the Lockport Cave, a human services agency confirmed that a similar incident had occurred during a 2015 outing for clients and staff.

As we mourn the loss of life resulting from the boat crash in the Lockport Caves, my administration is proposing legislation to prevent future tragedies, Hochul said in a statement. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has the tools to keep us safe and this legislation will ensure they have the legal authority to use these to keep passengers safe on boats in caves. 

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation New York
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A right-to-repair motor vehicle law in Massachusetts that was passed by voters two years ago but been held up in court has hit what could be a major roadblock.

A federal regulator says car manufacturers cannot obey the law, which grants car and light truck owners and their designated service firms access to the telematics data collected in vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a June 13 letter advised motor vehicle manufacturers that the new state law conflicts with federal safety laws by creating cybersecurity risks. NHTSA told the manufacturers it expects them to fully comply with their federal safety obligations over the state law.

The NHTSA position is a boost for auto manufacturers that have been in court trying to block enforcement of the new law since voters approved it overwhelmingly on a ballot measure in 2020.

But the NHTSA opinion appears to put it at odds with voters, elected officials, consumer groups, independent auto service and parts businesses, and even the Biden Administrations own policies aimed at promoting competition.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell decided in March that she would soon begin enforcing the law despite the ongoing litigation, prompting manufacturers to ask the court for a restraining order against enforcement. On May 30, the federal court denied the restraining order request. Campbell began enforcing the law on June 1.

The new law  referred to as the Data Law  requires auto manufacturers selling cars in Massachusetts to equip them with a standardized open data platform so that vehicle owners can access their telematics system data through a mobile device and give consent for independent repair facilities to access that data and to send commands to the system for repair, maintenance and diagnostic testing.

The new law builds on an existing state right-to-repair law requiring manufacturers to provide independent shops with the non-proprietary diagnostics information and instructions needed to repair cars.

NHTSAs Concerns

NHTSA is concerned that if it is enforced, the Data Law would prohibit manufacturers from complying with federal guidance and cybersecurity best practices, putting the public at risk by compromising the integrity of critical vehicle functions. According to the federal regulator, the state laws open remote access to vehicle telematics including the ability to send commands would allow for manipulation of systems on a vehicle, including safety-critical functions such as steering, acceleration, braking, air bags and electronic stability control.

NHTSA said it is also concerned that some manufacturers intend to disable vehicle telematics, presumably to avoid the application of the law, which the agency said has its own adverse impacts on safety. Telematics-based safety features aid in emergency response in the event of a vehicle crash and manufacturers and NHTSA itself use telematics data in safety oversight and investigations. In addition, some vehicle manufacturers have the ability to fix safety problems through vehicle telematics, which will be lost if those systems are disabled, NHTSA points out.

The coalition of car and light truck manufacturers, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which sued to block enforcement of the law, agrees with NHTSA that the law represents a security risk and is pre-empted by federal law. Far from protecting consumers, the law puts consumer safety at risk by allowing third parties to access, and modify, that data on auto manufacturers systems without the manufacturers authorization, their complaint argues.

The opponents of the law also contend it represents an unconstitutional data grab of their intellectual property by aftermarket parts and service firms that are interested in it for marketing to consumers. The law sweeps broadly to allow third-party access to nearly all data generated by vehicles, which the alliance argues will have negative consequences for consumer privacy, public safety, and manufacturers property rights.

The manufacturers further contend that the new data law is not necessary because existing law gives owners and all repair shops, including independents, access to the vehicle diagnostics necessary to make repairs.

Senators React

NHTSA has drawn criticism from the states two Democratic U.S. senators, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, who sent a joint letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and the NHTSA, calling on NHTSA to reverse course.

NHTSAs decision to give auto manufacturers a green light to ignore state law appears to favor Big Auto, undermine the will of Massachusetts voters and the Biden Administrations competition policy, and raise questions about both the decision process and the substance of the decision by NHTSAs leadership. We are asking NHTSA to explain its rationale for its harmful actions and respect Massachusetts state law by reversing course, wrote the senators.

Warren and Markey also note that NHTSAs position appears to be inconsistent with an executive order by President Joe Biden stating that it is the policy of the Administration to combat the harmful effects of monopoly and monopsony . . . (in) repair markets and encouraging the Federal Trade Commission to draft new regulations limiting manufacturers from restricting peoples ability to use independent repair shops or do DIY repairs.

It is disappointing that NHTSAs letter relies on the argument pushed by major automobile manufacturers that there is, in this case, an irresolvable conflict between maintaining data security and providing independent repair shops with the data they need to conduct repairs. Auto manufacturers have routinely raised safety concerns as a way to change the subject and distract consumers from the fact that vehicle repair and maintenance services from independent repair shops keeps the cost of service and repair down, continued the senators.

NHTSA said that while it is important for consumers to continue to have the ability to choose where to have their vehicles serviced, consumers must be afforded choice in a manner that does not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.

A malicious actor here or abroad could utilize such open access to remotely command vehicles to operate dangerously, including attacking multiple vehicles concurrently. Vehicle crashes, injuries, or deaths are foreseeable outcomes of such a situation, NHTSA warned.

Proponents of Law

In an amicus brief, consumer, repair and open source advocates including U.S.PIRG Education Fund, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Harvard Professor Jonathan Askin have pushed back on the cybersecurity risk claims by NHTSA and the manufacturers.

They state their belief that protection of consumers expectations of repair rights gives rise to a range of other benefits, chief among them being greater competition. They also believe repair rights strengthen small businesses, as independent repair shops are often small firms.

Insofar as product manufacturers seek to subvert that expectation by monopolizing aftermarket repair industries, states may legitimately act to protect consumers from such anticompetitive behavior, the brief argues.

The proponents maintain that the law is not incompatible with regulatory obligations related to cybersecurity and product safety. On the contrary, the Data Law complements, rather than conflicts, with federal laws to the benefit of car owners, repair shops, and the public interest, they argue.

In fact, federal regulations regularly accommodate cybersecurity, data safety, and consumer access, in fields such as electronic health records, credit reports, and telephone call logs. These examples show that cybersecurity can coexist with data access, contrary to plaintiffs theory of the case that compliance with both is impossible, the brief notes.

According to these supporters of the law, the argument for federal preemption rests on a flawed cybersecurity theory that assumes that restricting access to telematics data is necessary to prevent malicious intrusions into cars and to comply with safety regulations. But, they argue, cybersecurity experts regularly disfavor security through obscuritysystems that rely primarily on secrecy to prevent illicit access because of the risks of data breaches.

Rather than making sensitive software more secure by protecting it from unwanted attention, security through obscurity allows flaws and insecurity in technology to flourish by decreasing the likelihood that they will be identified and repaired, while increasing the likelihood that flaws can and will be exploited by evil-doers, the brief continues.

They further contend that automobile manufacturers and dealers are not all that skilled at securing data, having suffered their fair share of data breaches. They cite a Federal Trade Commission report that said there is no empirical evidence to suggest that independent repair shops are more or less likely than authorized repair shops to compromise or misuse customer data.

What automakers are likely to do, absent legal requirements like those in the Right to Repair Act, is to further constrain the market for automotive service and repair, the proponents conclude.

Proponents of the law have been discouraged by the court delays. The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition, representing independent repair shops, has called for a prompt decision in the case and accused automakers of using delay tactics in order to avoid and prevent the implementation of right to repair laws.

The current situation is not serving consumers, The Boston Globe wrote in a June 20 editorial. The newspaper offered its solution to breaking the impasse: The best way forward would be if the Legislature can find a way to rewrite the law to address cybersecurity fears while keeping the basic policy intact.

State Senator Michael Moore, who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet, and Cybersecurity, said lawmakers only recently learned about the NHTSA opinion that the state law conflicts with federal law. He told the Boston Globe that lawmakers are consulting House and Senate counsel and considering ways to amend the law.

We will explore all available options to make sure Bay Staters get the results they voted for, Moore stated.

Topics Massachusetts
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SiriusPoint has seen a cluster of challenges over the past two yearsranging from an incomplete merger integration to persistent underwriting and investment losses to several leadership shake-ups.

First there was the merger. Third Point Re merged with Sirius International Insurance Group in February 2021. Then in April of this year, hedge fund manager and major SiriusPoint shareholder Daniel Loeb announced he was looking to take the company private, which Loeb said could put SiriusPoint in a better position for a turnaround.

A month later, the company acknowledged that would not happen, with the parties unable to agree on a deal value and both sides stating that the company was on the path to profit in spite of that.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Loeb, who owns about 9.3% of SiriusPoint, reaffirmed his confidence in the companys management team, led by its new chief executive officer, Scott Egan. The team is taking the necessary steps to position [SiriusPoint] for long-term success by strengthening its balance sheet and enhancing its credit ratings, according to the May 12 regulatory filing.

Yes, the company has seen some turmoil, but smoother seas could be ahead.

Although the turnaround strategy was already under way when Egan joined the company as CEO in September 2022, it wasnt progressing fast enough, Egan admitted in an interview with Carrier Management, which took place before Loeb made his proposal. In a letter to shareholders in SiriusPoints annual report for 2022, Egan acknowledged that the company has not delivered acceptable levels of performance, and as a result, he and his team are focused on repositioning the business and aim to deliver a sustainably profitable business.

Im very clear that the level of performance historically has not been good enough, he said during the interview.

Performance looked better in first-quarter 2023.

SiriusPoint reported a profit of $138.6 million, compared to a loss of $217 million in first-quarter 2022.

Consolidated underwriting income was $156.5 million, compared to $33.5 million for the same period in 2022.

The company reported a core combined ratio (excluding runoff business) of 80.5, an improvement over the 97.5 reported in Q1 2022.

During the companys first-quarter earnings call on May 4, Egan noted that the combined ratio of 80.5 was supported by significant reserve releases. Overall, we are pleased to report continuing performance improvement in Q1 as we build on the progress made in Q3 and Q4 of last year, Egan said. To put this in perspective, this is the first time we have delivered a quarterly profit since Q2 of 2021. Importantly, we have seen positive capital generation across all parts of our businessunderwriting, MGAs and investment returns.

Related: The Pros and Cons of Going Private

What is SiriusPoint doing to accelerate its restructuring?

In the interview, Egan said he and his team are focusing on three key pillars to build the SiriusPoint franchise and create a stronger, more sustainably profitable businessby driving simplification, reducing volatility and enhancing profits.

Simplifying Sirius

Diving into the simplification pillar, Egan said a key part of the work in this area is to drive home the integration of Third Point Re and Sirius Group, which came together in 2021 but havent yet been merged completely. He emphasized, however, that integration does take some time for legacy organizations with multiple geographic locations.

You have to work harder to make sure that you operate as one company. I think theres more that we can do to work as one team globally, with one set of values, one approach and consistency, he said, explaining that the cultural dimension of a merger is hugely important.

We have a real opportunity to act as One SiriusPoint and simplify the organization.

Over his 25-year career in the insurance industry, Egan has been involved in four different mergers and acquisitions, most recently at RSA Insurance. He knows from experience what is required to bring companies together both financially and culturally.

Its really important to review every aspect of what the combined SiriusPoint should look like going forward. And that means we should look at our infrastructure, making sure that the companys operating model is leveraged more effectively and efficiently. And we need to do all this through a customer lens, he added.

A well-handled integration is vital in helping SiriusPoint deliver on its strategy, he confirmed.

During the earnings call, Egan said SiriusPoint is providing internal incentives to drive underwriting profits as part of its commitment to building a culture of strong underwriting. [W]e are focused on creating a performance culture that rewards underwriting performance and aligns closely with shareholder value creation.

To that end, the company has made changes to its annual incentive plan for 2023. This sets out clearly that the target bonus will only be paid if the combined ratio for the continuing operations is 95.7, he said during the earnings call.

Egan anticipates that its simplification efforts will reduce costs by more than $50 million by 2024.

Reducing Volatility

Moving on to discuss the second pillar of SiriusPoints drive toward more sustainable performancethe reduction of volatilityEgan said this is being done in two ways.

The first is in our underwriting, where we took some strong decisions in our international business at Q3 [2022] around reducing our property-cat exposures, Egan said, noting that this move has had a huge impact on the companys volatility profile, cutting its probable maximum losses for property-catastrophe by 50% on a per occurrence basis. It has largely exited property-catastrophe reinsurance for international risks, although it still maintains a U.S. property-cat book.

You cannot be an underwriting-focused business and not make money. Im afraid that tends not to work for very long, he said.

The companys losses of $81 million from Hurricane Ian are evidence that the work to reduce underwriting volatility is working, Egan said. (Industry losses from Hurricane Ian are estimated at $50 billion-$65 billion, according to Swiss Re). If you look at the impact of Hurricane Ian for us as a company versus many of our peers, it was about 4% of our book value as a hit. That put us very much at the lower quartile of industry impact.

He said the market average was somewhere between 6.5 and 7%, while some companies had as much as 9% of their book value. So, for us, Hurricane Ian was an excellent proof point that the actions that wed taken to reunderwrite our U.S. exposures worked.

Another important area of work to reduce volatility is with the companys investment portfolio. One of SiriusPoints predecessor companies, Third Point Re, was incorporated in October 2011 with the backing of Loebs hedge fund Third Point LLC. Known at the time as a hedge fund reinsurer or a total return reinsurer, Third Point Re aimed to write a lot of long-tail business and make money on the investment sideon the floatwhile absorbing underwriting losses.

However, investment returns werent meeting expectations in volatile financial markets, at the same time SiriusPoint was reporting underwriting losses with average combined ratios of 105.6 in the years from 2014 to 2018. As a result, in 2019, AM Best revised Third Point Res outlook to negative and said the company needed to deliver a sustainable level of technical profitability going forward.

Third Point Re began reunderwriting its insurance portfolio and de-risking its investments.

In April 2023, AM Best affirmed SiriusPoints Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of a (Excellent) of the rated operating subsidiaries. The ratings reflect SiriusPoints consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management, said AM Best.

In March, Fitch Ratings revised SiriusPoints rating outlook to Stable from Negative, affirming SiriusPoint Ltd.s ratings, including its BBB Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR), BBB- senior debt rating and A- (Strong) Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating of SiriusPoints operating subsidiaries. The rating outlook has been revised to stable from negative.

Generating Profits

During the CM interview, Egan went on to discuss the third pillar of SiriusPoints strategic plan: its focus on generating profits and targeting a double-digit return on equity (ROE) by 2024.

Im very clear that we need to improve our performance. If I look back at 2022, it showed good improvement on 2021, and I feel confidentthat we are on a good flight path, he said. We are absolutely focused on rebuilding that credibility and track record with the market, but theres no room for complacency.

Third Point Re reported its first underwriting profit in the first quarter of 2020 and its successor, SiriusPoint, returned to a quarterly profit in first-quarter 2023its first since second-quarter 2021. For the full year ending Dec. 31, 2022, SiriusPoints core results included a loss of $3.5 million, compared to a loss of $152.4 million for 2021.

The 2022 loss comprises an underwriting loss of $34.8 million (101.6 combined ratio) and net services income of $31.3 million, compared to an underwriting loss of $163.4 million (109.5 combined ratio) and net services income of $11.0 million for 2021. Despite the losses, the fundamentals are moving in the right direction, analysts say.

SiriusPoint is expected to report adequate operating performance over the underwriting cycle. However, recent technical performance has been weak, demonstrated by combined ratios of 120 and 107 (as calculated by AM Best) in 2021 and 2022, respectively, said AM Best in its April ratings commentary. Underwriting profitability is expected to improve and be more stable as SiriusPoints management continues to rebalance the groups business mix away from catastrophe-exposed property business toward less volatile accident and health and specialty lines.

The outlook revision to stable reflects recent underwriting performance improvement under a revamped [SiriusPoint] management team, including a new CEO in September of 2022, that has strategically repositioned the re/insurance underwriting portfolio to improve profitability and lessen overall volatility, including meaningfully decreasing property-catastrophe risk, said Fitch Ratings in its March ratings statement for SiriusPoint. The company has also sizably reduced its exposure in Third Point LLC hedge funds and reinvested into less volatile, high-quality, fixed-income investments.

The companys future balance sheet will also benefit from a loss portfolio transfer to Compre, a Bermuda-based legacy acquisition company announced in March, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter. The LPT covers approximately $1.3 billion of reserves, underwritten by SiriusPoints international reinsurance business and its Lloyds Syndicate 1945. The portfolio comprises several classes of business from 2021 and prior underwriting years, with SiriusPoint retaining claims handling authority on ongoing business.

The LPT will enable SiriusPoint to release more than $150 million of capital, which gives us future capital flexibility, further strengthening an already strong balance sheet, Egan said during the earnings call. In August 2021, an initial LPT had Compre acquiring a $417 million portfolio of legacy liabilities from SiriusPoint.

Main Sources of Earnings

Egan said the three most important sources of earnings for SiriusPoint are underwriting, investments and MGA fee income, which is capital light, attractive and an important earnings producer in its Insurance & Services segment. I think these three key sources of uncorrelated earnings, which are actually important from an investor perspective, give us a very strong and powerful business model. (Its other principal segment is Reinsurance.)

Discussing its MGA business, Egan said SiriusPoint is a happy owner or equity investor in MGAs, where they complement underwriting. SiriusPoint wholly owns or is a majority investor in five large MGAs, which provided nearly $700 million of premiums in 2022: Alta Signa, Arcadian Risk Capital, ArmadaCare, Banyan Risk and International Medical Group (IMG).

The company also has an additional 30 equity stakes in MGAs and InsurTechs, which Egan said require a lot of time and attentionand is too high a number for a company of SiriusPoints size to manage. However, in many cases, SiriusPoint will retain an underwriting relationship despite the change in investment strategy.

We are reviewing our options to optimize the number of equity stakes we have with the aim of having fewer and deeper ties, Egan said during a fourth-quarter earnings call. (During the first-quarter call, Egan reported that SiriusPoint sold an equity stake in Distinguished Programs for $7.5 million, releasing roughly $4 million of capital while agreeing on a multiyear program to provide capacity. In January, Distinguished announced a new partnership which has a team of 24 SiriusPoint professionals moving to Distinguished to write environmental, construction pollution and professional insurancestill on SiriusPoint paper.)

Our philosophy is to be more focused and to have fewer and deeper relationships with MGAs that align strongly with our underwriting appetite, he said. No time scales have been set for reducing the companys commitments to MGAs.

Is Bigger Better?

When Egan was asked if hed like SiriusPoint to be larger in size as a reinsurerbecause some say that bigger is better in the world of reinsurancehe emphasized that its not the size of the company that drives him. (SiriusPoint was ranked 32nd on AM Bests list of reinsurance groups in 2021.)

I have an ambition over the medium to long term to grow this business. I think predominantly that growth will come from our Insurance & Services segment rather than reinsurance, but Im very happy with our reinsurance business, because it gives us great flexibility and agility to enter markets in different ways.

One of the key cultural traits SiriusPoint is pursuing is maintaining its flexibility to access markets in the best economic way for the market conditions. Sometimes that will be via the reinsurance route and therell be other times where its via the Insurance & Services route.

This article first appeared in Insurance Journals sister publication, Carrier Management.
Aon, Lloyds and Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) announced they are collaborating to provide foreign re/insurance capacity to support Ukraines recovery and reconstruction.

As part of the UK-Ukraine Private Finance Partnership, Lloyds and Aon have committed to deliver fast-track access to supplementary foreign re/insurance capacity to support both international and domestic companies operating in Ukraine with manufacturing and construction risk exposure, excluding war cover.

Working together like this will harness the expertise and capabilities of Ukraines insurance market to strengthen and grow domestic re/insurance availability, providing an essential financial mechanism to support rebuild and reconstruction efforts, Lloyds said.

As a first step in delivering this commitment, Aon and Lloyds have joined forces with one of the largest insurers operating in Ukraine, Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), to provide both treaty and facultative re/insurance that will allow increased capacity for their local and international clients requiring cover for manufacturing and construction activities.

Lloyds is committed to supporting the reconstruction of Ukraine through this new collaboration with Aon and VIG, commented John Neal, CEO of Lloyds. By ensuring the countrys insurance market has the necessary capital to lead on insurance solutions for its customers, backed by the financial might of the international re/insurance industry, we can help strengthen Ukraines economic resilience as it recovers and rebuilds.

This unique commitment from Lloyds, VIG and Aon brings together the insurance industrys proven expertise in innovative risk management and capital solutions, and so with urgency and energy we will help to restore social well-being to citizens, communities and corporations in Ukraine, said Dominic Christian, Aons global chairman of Reinsurance Solutions.

The Central and Eastern European region is our home market and we have been present in Ukraine since 2004. In line with our clearly pursued long-term strategy in our markets, we see it as our moral commitment to support Ukrainian companies in the reconstruction process, according to Peter Hofinger, member of VIG Managing Board.

With this partnership, we are pleased to be able to use the international capacities of Lloyds and Aon and to provide our local expertise in the Ukrainian insurance business, Hofinger added.

Lloyds noted that the Ukraine insurance market continues to function despite ongoing geopolitical conflict with over 1 billion of insurance premium written in 2022.

Source: Lloyds

Topics Excess Surplus Reinsurance Lloyd's Ukraine Aon
Howden, the London-based insurance broker, announced it has expanded its offering in Switzerland with the acquisition of insurance brokers argenius Risk Experts AG (argenius) and RVA Versicherungsbroker AG (RVA). Born Consulting AG, which has been part of Howden Switzerland since 2022, is acquiring RVA.

Financial details of the transactions were not disclosed.

Both argenius and RVA are highly regarded Swiss insurance brokers and will strengthen Howden Switzerlands offering to large institutions and SMEs, providing clients with greater access to specialist expertise and international reach via their local market.

argenius primarily advises medium-sized companies and large organizations, specializing in sophisticated risk analysis and portfolio placement; while RVA works with small and medium-sized businesses on all insurance and risk issues, in addition to being a specialty broker with a focus on social institutions.

The acquisition of argenius and RVA follows the successful acquisitions of three Swiss brokers in the last two years including the aforementioned Born Consulting, Bachmann & Partners and Broker Center Zurichsee.

Upon completion, argenius and RVA will take Howden Switzerland to a headcount of 130 across eight regions including Zurich, Basel, Zug, Bern, Lucerne, Chur, Geneva, Lugano and the principality of Liechtenstein.

We are delighted to welcome argenius and RVA to Howden Switzerland as we fast become the natural home for independent brokers in region, commented Felix C. Jenny, CEO of Howden Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein.  The addition of these like-minded, entrepreneurial-spirited businesses advances our ambitious growth strategy for the region and brings us one step closer to becoming the leading broker of choice in Switzerland.

Luigi Sturani, CEO of Howden Europe, said: The acquisition of argenius and RVA comes at an exciting time, as demand grows across Europe for increasingly sophisticated insurance products and services. Combining the local, specialist expertise of argenius and RVA with Howdens international offering will strengthen our position as one of the leading brokers in Europe capable of providing the scale, expertise and range of bespoke solutions that clients require.

Founded in 1994, Howden Group operates in 50 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 14,500 people and handling $30 billion of premium on behalf of clients.

Source: Howden

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies
The London Metal Exchange canceled $12 billion worth of trades when nickel prices went haywire in March 2022 to save Chinas Tsingshan, lawyers for two financial firms suing the exchange told Londons High Court on Tuesday.

U.S.-based hedge fund Elliott Associates and market maker Jane Street Global Trading say the LME unlawfully canceled trades made on March 8, 2022, after the nickel price doubled in a matter of hours.

The 146-year-old exchange argues it was justified in closing the market and canceling trades because $19.7 billion of margin calls would otherwise have led to the defaults of multiple clearing members and created systemic risk.

See also: Billionaire Reuben Brothers Sue Trafigura Over Nickel Fraud

Elliott and Jane Street, which are seeking a combined $472 million in damages, accept the LME has the power to cancel trades in exceptional cases.

But their lawyers argued at Londons High Court that the LME had no power to unwind transactions to prevent defaults or tackle systemic risks.

Jane Streets lawyer James Segan said the LSE had provided a multi-billion-dollar bailout to Tsingshan, owned by Chinese tycoon Xiang Guangda, which held large short positions that helped spur the explosive rise in nickel prices.

He said the LMEs actions meant Jane Street was forced to give up profitable trades to save one person (Xiang)  from enormous losses.

Segan also said that Tsingshans short squeeze was the main cause of nickel price volatility, a fact he said was staring the LME in the face.

LME Chief Executive Matthew Chamberlain, in his witness statement, rejected the suggestion trades were canceled in the interests of particular market participants, in particular entities within the Tsingshan Holding Group.

Unprecedented

Elliotts lawyer Monica Carss-Frisk told the court that the decision to cancel trades was wholly unprecedented.

Chamberlain had spent just 20 minutes on his mobile phone scrolling for news and watching nickel prices lurch higher before deciding the market was disorderly, according to court filings.

Elliott and Jane Street say surging prices were fueled by an LME operations team removing nickel price bands during Asian trading, but the LME says this was not significant.

The two firms also say the LME considered there were rational market forces, such as the impact of potential sanctions on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, explaining significant price rises on March 7.

However, they argue, it failed to investigate whether increases the following day were also rational.

Other Options

Elliott argued the LMEs clearing house, LME Clear, could have used a lower closing price of a day earlier to set margins for trades on March 8, which would have resulted in additional margin calls of $570 million instead of $19.7 billion.

Another option was to let the trades stand but adjust the prices, Elliott said, which would have avoided or adequately mitigated the perceived detrimental effects.

The reality is that there were many other tools available to the LME to respond to the events of March 8, Elliott commodities portfolio manager Thomas Houlbrook said in a witness statement.

The hedge fund said it had executed trades to sell 9,660 metric tons of nickel through Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Sigma Broking on March 8.

Houlbrook suggested that the LMEs own financial exposure was the reason the exchange decided to cancel trades rather than use its default fund. The exchange denies this, saying its motivation was possible default of LME members and systemic risk for the market as a whole.

The exchange  which is also facing a probe from Britains markets regulator over its conduct in the lead-up to the March 8 decision  said the lawsuit raises questions about the viability of regulated exchanges, which have a duty to maintain market order and the power to cancel trades in exceptional situations.

It is almost inevitable that any exercise of those powers will be controversial, a filing by the LME said.

This is territory ripe for opportunistic recrimination and the application of wisdom after the fact.

The three-day hearing, which is expected to finish on Thursday, is to determine whether the LME lawfully canceled the trades.

(Reporting by Eric Onstad, Pratima Desai and Sam Tobin; Editing by Jan Harvey and Conor Humphries)

Topics China London
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a suit it filed against Munster Medical Research Foundation, Inc., operators of Community Hospital, located in Munster, Indiana, for failing to accommodate an employee with a disability.

In its lawsuit, the EEOC charges that Community Hospital determined that the employee, a registered nurse, could not return to her job after a work injury resulted in lifting restrictions.

The employee expressed interest in several jobs she could have performed with her lifting restrictions, but Community Hospital failed to transfer her to a vacant position for which she was qualified, the EEOC said. Community Hospital then terminated the injured employee because she could not return to her prior job, according to the lawsuit.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires that employers reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities and includes reassignment to vacant positions as a possible accommodation.

The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Munster Medical Research Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Community Hospital, Case No. 2:23-cv-00201) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The EEOC is seeking back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and other relief from the hospital, including a permanent injunction preventing it from engaging in future disability discrimination and refusing to accommodate employees with disabilities.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Indiana
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Images of former President Donald Trump hugging and kissing Dr. Anthony Fauci, his ex-chief medical adviser. Pornographic depictions of Hollywood actresses and internet influencers. A photo of an explosion at the Pentagon.

All were found to be deepfakes, highly realistic audio and visual content created with rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technology.

Those harmed by the digital forgeriesespecially women featured in sexually explicit deepfakes without consenthave few options for legal recourse, and lawmakers across the country are now scrambling to fill that gap.

An honestly presented pornographic deepfake was not necessarily a violation of any existing law, said Matthew Kugler, a law professor at Northwestern University who supported an anti-deepfake bill in Illinois thats currently pending before the governor.

You are taking something that is public, your face, and something that is from another person entirely, so under many current statutes and torts, there wasnt an obvious way to sue people for that, he said.

The recent interest in the powers of generative AI has already spurred multiple congressional hearings and proposals this year to regulate the burgeoning technology. But with the federal government deadlocked, state legislatures have been quicker to advance laws that aim to tackle the immediate harms of AI.

Nine states have enacted laws that regulate deepfakes, mostly in the context of pornography and elections influence, and at least four other states have bills at various stages of the legislative process.

California, Texas, and Virginia were the first states to enact deepfake legislation back in 2019, before the current frenzy over AI. Minnesota most recently enacted a deepfake law in May, and a similar bill in Illinois awaits the governors signature.

People often talk about the slow, glacial pace of lawmaking, and this is an area where that really isnt the case, said Matthew Ferraro, an attorney at WilmerHale LLP who has been tracking deepfake laws.

Tech Driving the Law

The term deepfakes first appeared on the internet in 2017 when a Reddit user with that name began posting fake porn videos that used AI algorithms to digitally add a celebritys face to real adult videos without consent.

Earlier this year, the spread of nonconsensual pornographic deepfakes sparked controversy in the video game streaming community, highlighting some of the immense harms of unfettered deepfakes and the lack of legal remedies. The popular streamer QTCinderella, who said she was harassed by internet users sending her the images, had threatened to sue the people behind the deepfakes but was later told by attorneys that she didnt have a case.

The number of deepfakes circulating on the internet has exploded since then. Deeptrace Labs, a service that identifies deepfakes, released a widely-read report in 2019 that identified close to 15,000 deepfake videos online, of which 96% were pornographic content featuring women. Sensity AI, which also detects deepfakes, said deepfake videos have grown exponentially since 2018.

The technology continues to get better so that its very difficult, unless youre a digital forensic expert, to tell whether something is fake or not, said Rebecca Delfino a law professor at Loyola Marymount University who researches deepfakes.

Thats only added to the spread of misinformation online and in political campaigns. An attack ad from GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis appeared to show Trump embracing Fauci in an array of photos, but some of the images had been generated by AI.

A fake but realistic photo that began circulating on Twitter in May showed an explosion at the Pentagon, resulting in a temporary drop in the stock market.

In some sense, synthetic media has been around for decades with basic photo manipulation techniques and more recently with programs like Photoshop. But the ease with which non-technical internet users can now create highly realistic digital forgeries has driven the push for new laws.

Its this speed, scale, believability, access of this technology that has all sort of combined to create this witchs brew, Ferraro said.

Finding Remedies

Without a specific law addressing pornographic deepfakes, victims have limited legal options. A hodgepodge of intellectual property, privacy, and defamation laws could theoretically allow a victim to sue or obtain justice.

A Los Angeles federal court is currently hearing a right-of-publicity lawsuit from a reality TV celebrity who said he never gave permission to an AI app that allows users to digitally paste their face over his. But right-of-publicity laws, which vary state by state, protect ones image only when its being used for a commercial purpose.

Forty eight states have criminal bans on revenge porn and some have laws against upskirting, which involves taking photos of another persons private parts without consent. A victim could also sue for defamation, but those laws wouldnt necessarily apply if the deepfake included a disclaimer that it is fake, said Kugler, the Northwestern law professor.

Caroline Ford, an attorney at Minc Law who specializes in helping victims of revenge porn, said although many victims could get relief under these laws, the statutes werent written with deepfakes in mind.

Having a statute that very clearly shows courts that the legislature is trying to see the great harm here and is trying to remedy that harm is always preferable in these situations, she said.

State Patchwork

The laws enacted in the states so far have varied in scope.

In Hawaii, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming, nonconsensual pornographic deepfakes are only a criminal violation, whereas the laws in New York and California only create a private right of action that allows victims to bring civil suits. The recent Minnesota law outlines both criminal and civil penalties.

Finding the right party to sue can be difficult, and local law enforcement arent always cooperative, Ford said of the revenge porn cases shes dealt with. Many of her clients only want the images or videos taken down and dont have the resources to sue.

The definition of a deepfake also varies among the states. Some like Texas directly reference artificial intelligence while others only include language like computer generated image or digitization.

Many of those states have simultaneously amended their election codes to prohibit deepfakes in campaign ads within a particular time frame before an election.

Free Speech Concerns

Like most new technologies, deepfakes can be used for harmless reasons: making parodies, reanimating historical figures, or dubbing films, all of which are activities protected by the First Amendment.

Striking a balance that outlaws harmful deepfakes while protecting the legitimate ones isnt easy. Youll see that policymakers are really struggling, said Delfino, the Loyola law professor.

The ACLU of Illinois initially opposed the states pornographic deepfake bill, arguing that although deepfakes can cause real harm, the bills sweeping provisions and its immediate takedown clause could chill or silence vast amounts of protected speech.

Recent amendments changed the bill to add deepfakes into Illinois existing revenge porn statute, which is a significant improvement, the organizations director of communications Ed Yohnka said in an email. We do continue to have concerns that the language lowers existing legal thresholds, he said.

Delfino said a deepfake bill introduced in Congress last month may provoke similar worries because its exceptions are limited to matters of legitimate public concern.

Californias statute, she noted, contains explicit references to First Amendment protections. If Congress wants to really take this up with seriousness, they need to do a little more work on that proposal, she said.

Kugler said the first deepfake laws have mostly targeted nonconsensual pornography because those cases are low-hanging fruit when it comes to free speech issues. The emotional distress and harms to dignity and reputation are clear, while the free speech benefits are minimal, he said.

Delfino has long advocated for stronger revenge porn laws and has been following the rise of deepfake pornography since it first gained attention. She said she is glad the renewed interest in AI in general is driving the push for stronger laws.

Like many things that involve crimes against women and objectification of women and minorities, there is attention brought on them every so often, and then the public sort of moves on, she said. But now, people are going back and being re-concerned about deepfake technologies.

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics California Texas InsurTech Illinois Data Driven Artificial Intelligence
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed flood-control and other measures in central and west Florida and at least one Republican claims that it was retaliation for his support for the governors rival in the 2024 presidential race.

State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said DeSantis took it out on Sarasota County after Gruters endorsed former President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination next year, according to the Orlando Sentinel and other news sites. Mean-spirited acts like that have defined DeSantis in the eyes of the public, Gruters told the newspaper and Politico news site.

DeSantis said the line-item veto of $15 million in projects was being fiscally responsible, and the states $117 billion budget includes other investments in infrastructure, public safety and environmental needs. His veto list was smaller than in years past, news outlets have reported, but includes projects all across the state.

The list of projects nixed by the governors pen include flood abatement in Orange County, Seminole County, Kissimmee, Winter Park and in Osceola County, along with water, drainage and other projects in Sarasota and other counties, the veto list shows.

Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart, of Orlando, said she, too, was disappointed that more funding wasnt available for flooding work.

The veto comes as some studies predict more rainfall and more storm flooding for parts of Florida in coming years, after extensive flooding hit the state during Hurricane Ian last fall. Flood insurance rates have soared for many residents but have dropped for others after the Federal Emergency Management Agency rolled out a controversial new risk rating system last year.

Florida is one of 10 states that this month filed suit against FEMA to halt the use of the Risk Rating 2.0 in National Flood Insurance Program policies.

Topics Florida Flood
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On June 17, Chinese automaker SERES Group officially kicked off its inaugural European tour event in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The journey will span 25 days, covering 21 countries including Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, before returning to its starting point in Amsterdam.



Photo credit: SERES

During this extensive 10,000-kilometer trip, SERES Group's flagship new energy vehicle model, the SERES 5, will undergo rigorous tests in areas such as power, performance, safety, range, charging, driving experience, and intelligence.

During the launch ceremony, Zhang Zhengping, SERES Groups chairman and president on rotation, emphasized that the European tour represents a significant step for SERES in entering the European market and advancing its global expansion strategy.

Following its previous appearance at the Brussels Motor Show, the European tour serves as another major platform for the SERES 5, showcasing its exceptional performance and comfortable driving experience to consumers and media across European countries. The tour will provide valuable real-world driving feedback from different countries, environments, and road conditions. For instance, in Germany, the vehicle's stability during high-speed driving was tested at a speed of 225 km/h on unrestricted roads.

Throughout the tour, SERES Group's design, quality, and overseas sales teams will actively participate, continuously refining the product and elevating its quality standards.



Over the years, SERES has been continuously expanding its presence in overseas markets. With its two brands, SERES and DFSK, SERES Group has exported intelligent electric vehicles to countries in Europe such as Germany, France, the UK, and Italy. It has also established a smart vehicle factory in Indonesia. By 2022, SERES Group has exported nearly 500,000 vehicles to over 70 markets, solidifying its international presence.
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Increased punishments for intentionally damaging utility equipment received final legislative approval Thursday in North Carolina after attacks on the states electrical grid caused a dayslong blackout last December.

The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate in a rare display of bipartisanship. It comes as a direct response to substation shootings in Moore County that cut power to about 45,000 homes and small businesses for nearly a week. After the Senate approved the measure in a concurrence vote, the bill was sent Thursday to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has not indicated whether he will sign it.

Republican Rep. Neal Jackson described an eerie feeling all over his county as residents navigated intersections without traffic lights and gathered by fire pits to stay warm after dark.

This would send a message to North Carolina, it would send a message really to the country: You cant do this and get by with it, Jackson said Wednesday on the House floor. His county is located about 60 miles (95 kilometers) southwest of the state capital of Raleigh.

It would partially replace an existing state law that makes utility damage a misdemeanor without jail time on a first offense. Someone with no criminal history could serve just over six years in prison and face up to $250,000 in fines, according to a summary generated by the General Assemblys nonpartisan staff. Beginning Dec. 1, the punishments would apply to damaged power lines, wires, pipes or other operating equipment used by the facility.

A person who is injured or whose property is damaged by a utility attack would also have grounds to sue for monetary damages.

Bill sponsors have pointed out that the Moore County shootings were not an isolated incident. In recent years, the Carolinas and the Pacific Northwest have become hotspots for attacks on critical infrastructure. Several lawmakers argued a shooting earlier this year at another substation in Randolph County demonstrated an immediate need to create new deterrents and better secure the states electrical infrastructure.

Republican Sen. Paul Newton of Cabarrus County, one of the primary sponsors, criticized the House Thursday for not acting faster on the bill, saying it sat there and rested comfortably for the last three months.

Although she voted for the measure in the House on Wednesday, Democratic Rep. Pricey Harrison of Guilford County encouraged lawmakers to consider supplementing it with other bills requiring the state to increase security around electrical substations, and to more thoroughly study present and future threats.

Increasing penalties doesnt necessarily act as a deterrent, she said. We often go that route, but I hope that we will consider more thoughtful solutions. 

The FBI is still seeking information related to the substation shootings in Moore County, for which there have been no arrests.

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican representing south-central North Carolina, is scheduled to bring other members of Congress to Moore County on Friday for a discussion about enhancing the nations grid security in response to the substation attacks.

Photo: The West End Substation in North Carolina on Dec. 5, 2022, after the shooting attack. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation North Carolina
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Authorities have identified five people who died in a mobile home fire in a rural North Carolina town as a husband and wife, a family friend and his two young sons.

The Harnett County Sheriffs Office identified the victims as homeowners Michael Breymeyer, 74, and his wife, Tammy Breymeyer, 58; Daniel Garner, 39, and Garners two sons. Their names and ages werent immediately released.

Kayla Gonzalez, who works in town, said the deaths will have a impact in the close-knit community, where everyone knows each other.

Tammy Breymeyer was there for anybody if you needed it. She always had something positive to say and a good outlook on whats to come, Gonzalez told WTVD-TV. It happened so unexpectedly. Life is precious and time is really short. 

The sheriffs office told news outlets that the fire marshals office, part of the state Department of Insurance, has joined its investigation into the cause of the fire in the Broadway community, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Raleigh.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics North Carolina
Relatives of a late Black businessman who helped popularize Juneteenth in San Diego are suing a cemetery after his remains were reported missing from the familys burial plot.

Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary informed the family that Sidney Coopers body and casket were not in the plot where he was supposed to have been buried more than two decades ago. Cemetery staff discovered it was empty as they prepared to bury Coopers wife, Thelma, who died in March.

Staff said they did not know the whereabouts of Coopers remains, their daughter, Lana Cooper-Jones, told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

I was absolutely distraught, Cooper-Jones said Friday of the moment she learned her fathers body was missing. It was like losing my father again, as well as my mom.

Greenwood said it was working to rectify the problem.

While the placement of this familys loved one occurred over 20 years ago under previous ownership and management, we recently discovered an issue with placement and are diligently working to confirm the placement of the loved one, the cemetery said in a statement. Our hope is to reunite the loved ones as intended as soon as possible.

The lawsuit filed Friday seeks to force the cemetery to find the patriarchs remains and compensate the children for damages. The court filing was aimed to coincide with Saturdays Cooper Family Foundation Juneteenth Freedom Festival at San Diegos Memorial Park.

Cooper, who was 71 when he died in 2001, promoted Juneteenth for decades in his unofficial and affectionate role as Mayor of Imperial Avenue, near where ran businesses including a barbershop and a produce store.

The familys Juneteenth celebrations grew from small events in the parking lot of Coopers store to larger gatherings at a city park.

After his death, the family created the foundation to carry on his legacy and celebrate the Juneteenth festival. The June 19 holiday marks the day in 1865 when word that of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the final slave holdout of Galveston, Texas, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the order freeing enslaved Black people.

Cooper-Jones told the Union Tribune that when her father died, they held a graveside service, but they didnt witness his casket being lowered into the ground.

According to the family and the attorneys, cemetery officials have said they might have an idea where his casket was buried. An underground probe detected the presence of a casket in a different plot thats supposed to be empty, according to the familys attorneys. The family wants that body exhumed and the DNA tested.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits California
Ford Motor Co. (F), founded in 1919 by Henry Ford is a leader in the global automotive industry. Ford designs, manufactures, sells, and services a full line of cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. The company also offers various financial services to support car dealers and vehicle sales. It is currently focused on increasing sales, boosting electric car production, mobility services, self-driving technology, and creating new customer value initiatives.

Ford has operations worldwide and employs about 173,000 people globally. Its competitors include established automobile companies such as General Motors Co. (GM) and Japan-based Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), as well as newer entrants such as electric vehicle makers Tesla Inc. (TSLA) and China-based NIO Inc. (NIO).

Key Takeaways Ford is an automotive company that sells cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles. It also provides vehicle service and financing.

The vast majority of the company's revenue comes from its Ford Blue and Ford Pro segments.

Ford is investing heavily in electric vehicle technology to drive zero-carbon net neutrality by 2050.

Ford is building a battery plant in Michigan to manufacture nickel cobalt manganese and lithium-ion batteries in the U.S.

Ford's Financials

Ford's most recent earnings report was for Q1 2023, which ended March 31, 2023. The company posted a net income of $1.76 billion, up substantially from a net loss of $3.1 billion for the prior-year quarter.

The company's total revenue for Q1 2023 was $41.47 billion, up 16.9% year-over-year (YOY) as vehicle supply and demand recover from significant supply chain disruptions and global economic uncertainty.

Ford's Business Segments

Ford changed how it operates and reports in Jan. 2023 by creating five segments to replace its previous three while keeping its Corporate Other segment: Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ford Pro, Ford Next, and Ford Credit.

The company broke out revenue and adjusted EBIT for each segment. EBIT is a measure of profitability calculated as revenue minus expenses excluding tax and interest. Additionally, Ford reports corporate governance expenses, interest income, and gains and losses from investments under its Corporate Other, although this is not considered an operating segment.

Ford Blue

Ford Blue is the company's segment for selling Ford and Lincoln traditional combustion engine vehicles, hybrids, and their parts and accessories. It also includes sales of vehicles manufactured and sold to other original equipment manufacturers, electric vehicles sold by affiliates in China, and certain sales to commercial, government, and rental customers.

Ford Blue generated $34.3 billion in revenues in the first quarter (Q1), up from $28.1 billion in the first quarter of 2022. It recognized $2.6 billion in income for the quarter, up from Q1 2022's $1.3 billiona growth rate of 49.4% year-over-year.

Ford Blue's contribution to revenue for the first quarter was 82.7%. The segment's contribution to net income adjusted by EBIT of $2.6 billion was greater than the total income of $1.76 billion.

Ford Model E

Ford Model e is Ford's newest segment for its electric vehicles, parts, accessories, and services. The segment develops and manufactures electric vehicle technologies and the associated software.

Ford Model e generated $716 million in revenues in the first quarter, a decrease from Q1 2022's $999 million. It recognized a loss of $722 million in Q1, almost double Q1 2022's $380 million loss.

Ford Model e contributed to revenue and income for Q1 2023 with 1.7% and 0% of the totals, respectively.

Ford Pro

Ford Pro is Ford's reporting segment for its commercial, government, and rental customers. This segment includes all electric, hybrid, and combustion engine vehicles sold throughout North America and Europe.

Ford Pro contributed $13.2 billion in revenues; a 22% increase from Q1 2022. The total contribution of this segment to revenues was 31.9%. The division contributed $1.37 billion in income, compared to the total of $1.76 billion.

Ford Next

Ford Next is a segment composed of research and development into electric and autonomous vehicles and new technology and initiatives that complement its vehicle sales. For example, in June 2023, Ford collaborated with Uber to provide flexible lease options for Mustang Mach Es to Uber drivers. Uber drivers who choose this lease option use the Ford app to manage payments and services.

Ford Next was formerly known as Ford Mobility.

Ford Next generated revenues of $1 million, down 99% from $84 million in Q1 2022. It also created a loss of $44 million in Q1, down 81% from Q1 2022.



Ford Credit

Ford Credit is the car manufacturer's vehicle-related financing and leasing segment. In Q1 2023, it recorded $2.4 billion in revenues, up 4.5% from Q1 2022. It generated $303 million in quarterly income, down 67% from Q1 2022.

Corporate Other

Corporate Other is Ford's reporting segment for expenses, income, and other corporate financial measures and instruments required for manufacturing and selling automobiles and services. In Q1 2023, it generated $4 million in revenues, down 20% from Q1 2022. The segment posted a loss of $147 million for the quarter, down 173% from Q1 2022.



Ford's Recent Developments

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jim Farley since the fall of 2020, Ford has heavily prioritized electric vehicles and related technologies. Additional focuses are on carbon neutrality and production efficiency.

Like many vehicle manufacturers, Ford is showing signs of shifting from its traditional vehicles to more environmentally-friendly ones.

The company has ramped up production of its F-150 Lightning XLT models production and reduced times to meet customer demand. Ford has also partnered with Tesla to provide service for Ford EV drivers to access more than 12,000 superchargers in the U.S. and Canada.

In Feb. 2023, the vehicle manufacturer also announced that it was investing $17.6 billion in collaboration with partners to build nickel cobalt and lithium-ion batteries in the U.S. in a new facility in Marshall, Michigan. This initiative is expected to create more than 18,000 direct jobs and over 100,000 indirect jobs in the U.S.

Ford Motor Company opened an electric vehicle center in Germany in June 2023, intended to manufacture EVs for European customers.

What Is Ford's Net Worth in 2023? According to its Q1 2023 balance sheet, Ford Motor Company has $256.8 billion in assets compared to total liabilities of $214.6 billion.

Is Ford a Good Stock To Buy? Whether Ford stock is a good buy or not depends on your investing preferences, strategy, and risk tolerance. Ford has weathered many economic fluctuations and continues to be a profitable business.

What Is Ford's Earnings Projection? An earnings projection is a forecast for a company's stock. Earnings are based on many factors, most of which are outside the control of a company. Earnings projections change consistently based on a company's operations, the market environment, and other internal and external factors.

The Bottom Line

Ford Motor Company had a profitable first quarter in 2023, with $1.76 billion in income and $41.5 billion in total revenue. While it still builds and sells combustion engine vehicles, it shows signs of shifting its focus to electric vehicles based on the amount and type of investments it is making.
Source: Streetwise Reports

June 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) First Tellurium Corp. is staking additional ground at its Klondike tellurium project in Colorado, considered America's top exploration project for the critical metal.

First Tellurium Corp. (FTEL:CSE; FSTTF:OTCQB) announced it is staking additional ground at its Klondike tellurium project in Colorado. The company has engaged Burgex Mining Consultants of Sandy, Utah, to stake the claims, which have been filed with the Bureau of Land Management.

"We've had our eye on additional ground at Klondike for some time," said First Tellurium President and Chief Executive Officer Tyrone Docherty. "The new claims were selected for both their mineral potential and strategic expansion as we develop the property."

First Tellurium said it would announce the number and extent of the new claims once it receives confirmation from Burgex and the BLM.

FTEL's Deer Horn project in British Columbia is its flagship, but Docherty said Klondike is considered America's top tellurium (Te) exploration project and was previously owned by First Solar Inc. (FSLR:NYSE) as a potential source of raw Te for its solar panels.

First Solar stopped its raw materials exploration program in 2012 and sold the property to Colorado Klondike LLC, which optioned Klondike to First Tellurium. Colorado Klondike, led by First Solar's former exploration manager in North America, is managing the exploration program at the project.

"Surface sampling by First Solar Inc. in 2006 found very high tellurium grades of up to 3.3% (33,000 ppm), along with locally high gold grades," the Colorado Geological Survey and the Colorado School of Mines reported on First Solar's Klondike exploration. "Tellurium grades at Klondike were the highest encountered in the company's nationwide exploration program."

The Catalyst: 'Only Pure Play' for Critical Metal

Tellurium is one of the least common elements on the planet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Most rocks contain an average of about three parts per billion, making it eight times less abundant than gold.

Its use as a semiconductor in solar photovoltaic (solar PV) panels has increased. It's also used in thermoelectric applications, lithium batteries, vulcanizing rubber, tinting glass, and manufacturing rewritable CDs and DVDs.

Both the U.S. and Canada are trying to reduce dependence on China for such critical metals. U.S. President Joe Biden has banned solar panels coming from a Chinese company that uses forced labor.

The U.S. military is providing US$250 million for critical metals projects, including tellurium, and Canada's federal 2023 budget earmarked CA$1.5 billion for a critical minerals infrastructure fund.

FTEL has been a quarterly pick of asset manager Chen Lin, author of the What's Chen Buying? What's Chen Selling? newsletter, several times in the past year.

The company could "have a huge 2023" if the United States supported tellurium mining this year, Chen wrote.

"We will hit the jackpot as FTEL is the only pure play in tellurium," he wrote.

Technical analyst Clive Maund rated First Tellurium as an immediate Buy in March.

First Tellurium has registered as a federal lobbyist to make sure they don't lose out on any government funding opportunities.

Work Underway at Deer Horn

At the Deer Horn project, which is in British Columbia, FTEL is conducting geophysics work this summer to help develop targets for a drilling campaign.

The project is known to have the only positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for a tellurium (Te) project in North America. Deer Horn was also named by First Solar as a world-class Te project.

"There's a very decent chance tellurium will breakout this year because First Solar is using 60% to 70% of worldwide production to make a solar panel," Chen wrote. "Their production has grown rapidly."

First Solar plans to double its solar panel manufacturing capacity and spend US$1.36 billion to lessen China's dominance of the market, according to S&P Global.

Targets from the Deer Horn geophysics survey will augment additional drill targets identified in the PEA as "infill and tightly spaced step-out diamond drilling focused both on upgrading and expanding the existing resource," First Tellurium said.

Deer Horn's PEA was calculated on 450 meters of the original 2.4-kilometer gold-silver-tellurium vein system.

"Our Deer Horn project also contains significant showings of silver and copper, both essential green metals, along with the critical metals bismuth and tungsten," Docherty said.

Ownership and Share Structure

According to the company, 11% of First Tellurium is owned by management and insiders.

Docherty owns 10.6% or 7.7 million shares, Director Josef Anthony Steve Fogarassy has 1.38% or 1 million shares, and Director Lyle Allen Schwabe has 0.73% or 0.53 million shares. There are no institutional investors, and the rest is retail.

The company has a market cap of CA$9.05 million, with about 73 million shares outstanding and 63.4 million free-floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.25 and CA$0.085.

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Tamarack, Minnesota - June 21, 2023 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTC Pink: TLOFF) through its subsidiary Talon Nickel (USA) LLC ("Talon" or the "Company"), today submitted its Environmental Assessment Worksheet ("EAW") to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to begin the State's Environmental Impact Statement scoping process for the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project (the "Tamarack Nickel Project"), a proposed small-footprint, high-grade underground nickel mine that would be located near the City of Tamarack in Aitkin County, Minnesota.

"Our team in Tamarack is excited to have reached the milestone of submitting the initial worksheet form to begin Minnesota's Environmental Review process, the starting point for any project seeking a permit in the state," said Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon. He continued, "We have worked very hard and invested millions of dollars to understand the environment and cultural resources in the area where we are proposing the Tamarack Nickel Project outside the City of Tamarack. Environmental data collection started in 2006 and today includes data from the deep bedrock where the high-grade nickel deposit is found, to the surface water in the glacial till layer that contains wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes and homestead wells. This baseline data has helped the team to design the proposed project to safeguard the environment."

The submittal covers several key conceptual aspects of the Tamarack Nickel Project for scoping:

A smaller above ground mine operation campus than previously planned, now down to approximately 60 acres (not including rail spur).

No crushing or processing of ore at the mine site in Aitkin County.

Ore will be extracted from the orebody in the underground mine and transported to the surface and loaded onto covered and enclosed railcars inside a building to control for dust and water.

Talon proposes to use an innovative approach to mine development, using a Tunnel Boring Machine ("TBM") that will create a sealed cement tunnel as it makes its way through the glacial till zone to the deep bedrock. Talon plans for the TBM to create a tunnel loop that will ensure dual means of safe access from the underground mineworks.

Water that seeps from the bedrock into the underground mine will be collected and pumped to the surface for processing. Talon is exploring the highest level of membrane-based water treatment technology appropriate for the site with both private sector and state and federal research institutions.

Over 300 new union jobs to be created (in addition to the nearly 100 people currently working at the Tamarack Nickel Project).

Information about the Environmental Review process is available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website: Home | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)

"The project has had an open-door policy for over 15 years and as plans have been developed, our team has held quarterly community meetings to listen to interests and concerns. This feedback has been incorporated into our design plans. Our decision to move the mineral processing operations and tailings storage to an existing industrial site in the drier area of Mercer County, North Dakota is an outcome of this process. In the mine planning process, we have been incorporating feedback into project design and utilizing innovative approaches and technology," said Chris Wallace, VP Environmental and Permitting.

"Our community has been actively engaged as we have developed the plans that are outlined in the EAW submitted today for scoping," said Jess Johnson, Community Outreach and Government Relations Manager. She added, "Our neighbors want to understand how we will contribute to the local economy, create good paying union jobs that can keep our kids in the region, protect the environment and cultural resources, as well as addressing America's current dependence on China and Russia for the minerals required in the domestic battery supply chain. It's a complex set of issues and we will continue to seek feedback. The Environmental Review process provides a broad forum for all views to be considered and we encourage everyone to participate. Public comment will inform the next stages of the process, including deciding on the scope and issues to be addressed, development of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a final EIS."

"The world is moving from a fossil fuel centered energy system to a mineral centered energy system and there is bipartisan consensus among elected leaders in the United States that security of supply for the inputs required for clean energy systems is a national priority," said Todd Malan, Chief External Affairs Officer and Head of Climate Strategy. "Minnesota is leading the way in clean energy with its '100 % clean energy by 2040' commitment, and it can lead the way in providing the raw materials required for those energy systems like iron, cobalt, copper and nickel."

Malan continued, "We are committed to producing the necessary ingredients like nickel for the US battery supply chain while also protecting the environment and cultural resources where we operate. We know that people have concerns about mining sulfide ores in a water rich environment. Our team shares these concerns which is why we have worked over the last two years to enhance the project design, make changes such as moving processing and waste storage to a dry, industrial location and are committed to using technology to protect the natural environment and cultural resources such as wild rice."

CEO van Rooyen concluded: "We do not believe that addressing climate change should come at the expense of the natural environment. We can move to a clean energy system, protect the environment, respect tribal culture resources and self determination, involve front line communities and working people in project approvals and create good paying union jobs. It doesn't have to be a choice. We are looking forward to participating in the rigorous, science based public consultation and review embodied in Minnesota's Environmental Review process."

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon's Battery Minerals Processing Facility to be located in Mercer County, North Dakota was selected by the Department of Energy on October 19, 2022 for $114m in grant funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com or contact:

Media Contact:

Todd Malan

1 (202) 714-8187

malan@talonmetals.com

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1 (416) 361-9636 x102

werger@talonmetals.com

QUALIFIED PERSON

Mr. Mark Groulx (P.Eng), Vice President, Project Development and Innovation of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Mr. Groulx has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the size of the above ground mine operation campus; the use of a TBM for mine development; the expected job creation; the project design; the timing and outcome of the environmental review process, including the EIS. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the 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 which risks includes (and is not limited to) the Company's ability to secure all necessary permits relating to the proposed operations. Other risks related to the Company and the Tamarack Nickel Project are set out in the Company's financial statements and Annual Information Form.

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, 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. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements 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.

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Iceland Ireland has been accused of treating its staff disgracefully after staff at its Coolock location turned up for work yesterday but the store was closed.

On Tuesday, the High Court appointed an interim examiner to Metron Stores Limited, the company that operates the Iceland chain of retail stores in Ireland.

The company operates 26 Iceland stores in the Republic of Ireland and employs more than 344 people.

On Wednesday morning, a staff member at the Coolock store posted on Facebook saying that they turned up for work but the place was closed and as a result were out of the job.

Outside the store today, Jeanette Joyce, one of the staff members at the Coolock location, told the Irish Examiner the last four months have been a nightmare for those working for Iceland and said some staff.

"The union rep has touched base with the examiner to see if we can get some clarity and if we've got a job. We just want it in writing that we will be paid holiday pay, wages only back money owed and our redundancy.

On Thursday last week, Iceland had been ordered to recall and withdraw all imported frozen food of animal origin brought into the country since March 3 by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Counsel for Iceland told the court on Tuesday that the FSAI's move was a precautionary step caused by several alleged breaches of food legislation and that it complied with the order.

The reason behind the alleged breaches is that the products in question were imported into the UK and then Ireland.

After the food recall last week, staff said they didnt believe the situation would snowball as quickly as it did.

When asked if they are planning any further protests, Ms Joyce said they would liaise with the union.

Later, Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain arrived down at the store where he reported that staff members were not inside the store and Gardai were present.

Ridiculous situation in Iceland store in Coolock right now.



Workers treated disgracefully. pic.twitter.com/5CzCidl2wb  Aodhan O Riordain (@AodhanORiordain) June 21, 2023

In a statement, Mr O Riordain said the situation was crazy and the workers were treated disgracefully.

He said Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney needs to urgently find a pathway to consultation with these workers to make sure they are not out of pocket in terms of wages owed and any potential redundancy payments they may be entitled to.
A decrease of 5% across all categories of Irish exports marks the State's first decline in trade in almost a decade, with pharmaceutical products seeing the largest dip in foreign demand.

Totalling 66bn in the first four months of 2023, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show the decline was primarily driven by a 5bn fall in exports of medical and pharmaceutical products, followed by a 1.5bn drop in electrical machinery and equipment.

In April of this year, seasonally adjusted exports dropped by 300m to 16.3bn. When unadjusted, goods exports fell by 2.1bn to 15.1bn in the period. At the same time, imports rose by 11%, despite a 9% fall in goods coming from Great Britain, with the largest decrease coming from mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials which fell by 43%.

Furthermore, exports to Great Britain fell by 22% alone in the month of April, with exports to the US dropping by just under a quarter.

The fall is the first since the end of 2013 and follows a record year for exports in 2022 which saw trade reach 208bn, an increase of more than 42bn year-on-year.

Despite a 5% drop, exports in the first four months of 2023 were 13bn higher than the same period in 2021, with latest figures still reflecting high levels of international trade.

According to the CSO's latest GDP figures, the Current Account of the Balance of Payments recorded a surplus of 13.8bn in flows with the rest of the world in Q1 2023, a dis-improvement of 3.2bn compared with the recorded in Q1 2022.

The EU accounted for 43% of total goods exports in April 2023, reflecting 6.4bn of which 2.1bn went to Belgium, 1.3bn went to the Netherlands and 1bn went to Germany.
A superb piece of land in a superb location: thats what is on offer from Limerick-based auctioneers GVM Property. In addition, there is the added bonus of planning permission for a dwelling on the site of the property.

The farm in question is a 38-acre holding in the townland of Scart, close to the village of Ballysimon, County Limerick.

Aerial marked view of the 38-acre farm at Scart, Ballysimon, Co Limerick.

According to the selling agent Tom Crosse, the multiple qualities of this piece of land combined with the rarity of its location so close to Limerick City, make it an attractive option for any number or type of farmer, including the hobby farmer market. For the latter, owning a piece of quality Golden Vale pasture that can easily be let out in this famously active part of the world is a strong pull.

Its in a really wonderful location, says Crosse, and its a great investment opportunity  theres good interest in it and there are a lot of business people looking at it because of its proximity to the city.

The farm is located close to Limerick University and Plassey Technology Park, and the motorway and is just a ten-minute drive from Limerick City. The holding also enjoys excellent road frontage and river frontage onto the Mulcair River.

Roadside view of the 38-acre farm at Scart, Ballysimon, Co Limerick.

The big question for a property like this is whether it will finally attract someone looking for quality land or someone seeking a sound investment. The purchaser could well be a mixture of both. The investment side of this farm is one that would normally attract the highest price but with interest rates rising at the moment, land investment opportunities may be getting less attractive and less accessible.

At the same time, the appetite for good quality acres seems to be as unrelenting as ever, balancing out the playing field and making it more difficult to predict what kind of buyer will purchase this jewel of a farm.

With a price guide in the region of 450,000 (12,000 per acre), there is good interest from both farming and non-farming sources, according to Crosse.
Donnacha Dennehy has been a leading light in contemporary Irish music since the foundation of the Crash Ensemble, over 25 years ago. The baton in that group has been passed to the cellist Kate Ellis, with Dennehy taking up a teaching role in Princeton nine years ago. Not that he hasnt kept busy as a composer. Over the past several years, he has branched into the dramatic and operatic: witness his famine docu-cantata The Hunger, and his trilogy of operas with Enda Walsh.

This summer, however, sees his return to what he calls the more austere musical world of chamber music, with a new commission, Chorale for String Quartet, to be premiered by the Pacifica Quartet at West Cork Chamber Music Festival. Dennehy is also appearing in a public interview, and hosting a workshop for young composers.

The quartet format feels more internal and private, Dennehy says, ahead of his trip to Bantry. He contrasts this to working with bigger groups and arrangements. I do like a kind of massive sound, a kind of density of sound  I love the way instruments interact to create this kind of vibrant texture, where its like everyone sliding against each other. But when it comes to a quartet, or something really pared back, you have to create that kind of feeling some other way and I love that kind of challenge, you know, with just four voices. There's part of me that would love to multiply that by two or three, but then I also enjoy the kind of austere challenge.

Dennehys new piece has some of its roots in the classroom, he says, as well as his relatively new interest in swimming. In his teaching of Bachs chorale harmonies, he says hes become fascinated by ones that are almost modal. They're almost pre-tonal. They have really interesting characteristics, he says. Hes based the fundamental harmony in his new work on a Bach original, though heavily disguised, he says. I do these experiments, where I slow them down or overlap on top of each other and I do things like where I add overtones to the chorales, and then strip away the chorale.

Pacifica Quartet Picture: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco.

In Dennehys conception, the string piece unfurls in a series of what he thinks of as breaths. I've taken up swimming quite earnestly in the last couple of years, he says. And there you have to really think about breathing. At the start I had my head above the water but you cant go very far with that. So I think that influenced my thinking on the mechanics of breathing, these large breaths. When you hear the opening of the piece you might think why the hell is he calling it chorale? It starts in this turbulent tumble.

But, he says, it unfolds like breaths  and the chorale reveals itself. If his new piece is marked by a kind of austerity, the setting for the West Cork festival is anything but: the lush surrounds of West Cork in high summer, the festival centred on Bantry House in its spectacular setting overlooking the bay.

Dennehy was last here in 2017. I really enjoyed this incredibly beautiful setting, he says. I love the fact that you go to Cork station and then you kind of have to drive all the miles and country roads to get there. You feel like youre going to some sort of sanctuary of music. And its a wonderful thing that they have created there.

Often today, you could be forgiven for thinking classical music, or art music, or new music, or whatever name you want to call it, is in a permanent state of crisis. We read of ageing audiences, of cuts to funding, of things like the BBC Singers uncertain fate, of the likes of Simon Rattle stark diagnosing a fight for existence for the artform. One can have a transcendent musical experience, then turn around and see a half-empty hall and wonder why more people arent sharing it with you.

But Dennehy is notably upbeat about the Irish scene. He recalls the vitality around Dublin during this springs New Music Dublin Festival, and he nods to how Francis Humphrys, artistic director of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, has created a festival that is at once artistically rigorous but utterly intertwined with the local community.

Theres a real feeling of pride in this festival, he says. I think people appreciate when you just try and present something at a really committed level. That gives it a very special quality. And I also think theres definitely a real sense of this type of music as a living organism being presented in the festival, commissioning new works, and presenting it in different ways: presenting it in halls around the town, like church halls, really weaving it into the fabric of the community. And yes, theres no diluting of the offering going on or anything.

The Pacifica Quartet play Donnacha Dennehys Chorale as part of a main evening concert on June 26. He appears in conversation with Evelyn Grant that morning at the Brick Oven, and host the Young Composers Forum on June 25. West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Friday, June 23 to July 2. See westcorkmusic.ie

West Cork Chamber Music Festival highlights

Many of the concerts for West Cork Chamber Music festival take place in Bantry House.

GET BACH

JS Bach can be heard echoing in Donnacha Dennehys new piece, but the baroque maestro weaves a thread through the wider festival too. The Ardeo Quartet plays a transcribed version of the Goldberg Variations (June 24, St Brendans Church). Johannes Pramsohler and Philippe Grisvard examine Bachs legacy in a morning concert of violin sonatas on June 25 at St Brendans Church. Cedric Pescia plays a selection from the French Suites (June 26, Bantry House). Ensemble Diderot and Anna Devin perform works including Bachs harpsichord concerto (June 28, St Brendans Church). And theres a encounter with Bach on July 1 by Johannes Pramsohler and Jadran Duncumb at the Christian Fellowship Church.

AT THE BIG HOUSE

The lynchpin of the festival, as ever, are the main evening concerts at Bantry House. Highlights include June 23s opening night ranging across the centurie as Mairead Hickey and Jeremie Moreau perform Grazyna Bacewiczs 1945 work Sonata da camera for violin; Alina Ibragimova, Cedric Tiberghien perform Schumanns Violin Sonata No 2; and the Pacifica Quartet give a European premiere to Sean Shepherds String Quartet No 3 before finishing with some Mozart. On June 24, Alina Ibragimova and Cedric Tiberghien return to Schumann before the Pacifica Quartet perform Beethovens glorious Quartet No 15. On June 30, Viviane Hagner, Claudio Bohorquez, and Lilit Grigoryan perform piano trios from Brahms and Mendelssohn. The finale concert on July 2 takes Mozart, Beethoven and Rachmaninov, before Viviane Hagner, Mairead Hickey, Emma Wernig, Seamus Hickey, Claudio Bohorquez, Christopher Marwood come together for Brahms second string sextet.

FOR THE NIGHT OWLS

If a full days music isnt enough, the festival offers musical nightcaps at Bantry House and other venues, including the Ardeo Quartet playing Beethovens Quartet No 9 and No 16 on different nights, and Nurit Stark on solo violin (June 24). On June 30 at St Brendans Church Jonian Kadesha and Vashti Hunter play duos by Xennakis and Skalkottas before Ravels Sonata for violin and cello.
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.

GAC AION's Hyper GT to hit market in early July

GAC AION's brand-new Hyper GT, which is the first model to ride on AIONs BEV-dedicated AEP 3.0 platform and Xingling E/E architecture, will hit the market in early July, according to a local media outlet.

Hyper GT; photo credit: GAC AION

Mercedes-Benz sets up digital tech company in China

Mercedes-Benz established a new digital technology company in China, named Mercedes-Benz (Shanghai) Digital Technology Co., Ltd., on June 20, as revealed by the Tianyancha App. Wang Xin serves as the legal representative of the company, which features a registered capital of one million yuan.

The new company's business scope encompasses various areas, including the development of artificial intelligence applications, R&D of automotive components, data processing services, 5G communication technology services, software sales, and electronic product sales. Shareholder information indicates that Mercedes-Benz (China) Investment Co., Ltd. holds full ownership of the company.

BYD to begin delivering in September 2023

During a recent investor survey, BYD revealed that the Yangwang U8 Luxury Edition will be delivered from September this year, while the Off-Road Player Edition will begin deliveries at a later date.

China's MIIT supports commercialization of L3+ autonomous driving technologies

On June 21, the Chinas State Council Information Office held a routine press conference to discuss measures aimed at promoting the high-quality development of the new energy vehicle industry.

During the conference, it was announced that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) will support the commercial application of conditionally autonomous driving (Level 3 and higher) and release updated guidelines for the intelligent connected vehicle standard system in the near future.

Changan Automobile introduces smart car key watch

On June 21, Changan Automobile announced the release of its smart car key watch, priced at 1,518 yuan. The watch offers various functions, including smart vehicle control, health management, and a personal assistant module.

SERES launches European tour with SERES 5 model

On June 17, Chinese automaker SERES Group officially kicked off its inaugural European tour event in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The journey will span 25 days, covering 21 countries including Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, before returning to its starting point in Amsterdam.

Geely-backed ZEEKR posts increase in registered capital

Zhejiang Zeekr Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as "ZEEKR Auto"), the entity behind Geely Autos premium electric vehicle brand ZEEKR, recently underwent a business change, with its registered capital increasing from 9 billion yuan to 10.5 billion yuan, representing a growth of 16.7%, according to the Chinese corporate information inquiry platform Tianyancha.

China extends full NEV purchase tax exemption by another year

In order to support the development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry and promote automobile consumption, Chinas Ministry of Finance, State Taxation Administration, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ("MIIT") recently jointly issued an announcement regarding the continuation and optimization of the policy on purchase tax exemptions for NEVs.

Bosch China secures luxury car brand project for smart cockpit domain controller

Bosch's Cross-Domain Computing Solutions division in China has recently secured a project contract with a renowned luxury car brand for the development of software for the second-generation smart cockpit domain controller based on the Qualcomm SA8295 chip.

Midea's auto parts arm Welling Auto Parts forms strategic partnership with XPeng

On June 20, Welling Auto Parts (Welling), the automotive components division of Midea Group's industrial technology branch, officially announced its strategic cooperation agreement with XPeng, a Chinese new energy vehicle startup.

Freetech to establish global R&D headquarters in Hangzhou

On June 20, Chinese intelligent driving solutions provider Freetech signed an agreement with the Hangzhou MunicipOnal Government to establish its global R&D management headquarters in Hangzhou High-Tech Zone (Binjiang).
School uniforms

Despite the start of the summer holidays, its time to start thinking about back-to-school. A few retailers are offering school uniforms at lower prices, helping parents save some money while kitting out kids. Aldis back-to-school uniform bundle is returning and the retailer is freezing the price to offer the same deal as it did in 2022. It contains two polo shirts, one sweatshirt and a choice of trousers or skirt, all for just 6 and available in a choice of colours and sizes 4 -12 years.

Somas scents

Irish Moss candle from Somas

If youre looking for a new scent in your home, Somas has launched its summer sale with some fragrant offers included. The Spring Blossom candle is reduced from 35 to 25 while the Irish Moss scent, a beautiful blend of masculine and feminine notes to evoke nostalgic memories of moments by the Atlantic shore, is now 25, formerly 33. Some of their range of fashion items are also reduced, including the Freya taupe cloud bag (now 130) and a half-price dark denim crop jacket (now 40). See somasstudio.com for more.

Gym + Coffee

Swift Mesh Legging in black, Gym + Coffee

Need a new workout wardrobe for summer? Dont sweat it. Irish athleisure brand Gym + Coffees summer sale is in full swing with a wide range of reductions. Womens leggings from the training-focused Swift Collection are half-price at 35 and the Sector tee in khaki for men is now 15, reduced from 30. Theres also 20% off stainless steel water bottles, now 12, and No Shade caps, now 13.60. See gympluscoffee.com for more.

Second Sculpted

Sculpted by Aimee opens its second Irish store in Kildare Village next month

Sculpted by Aimee will launch its second store in Ireland next month in Kildare Village. Opening at noon on July 6, the first 100 customers will receive a goodie bag worth over 100 while all customers will receive a gift with their purchase worth 15 until Sunday, July 9 (a minimum spend applies). The store will feature roaming tills for quick and easy checkouts, virtual try-on screens and digital lookbooks to aid product decisions, and the Sculpted Make Up artists will be on hand to offer complimentary shade matching and make-up advice. The store will be stocked with exclusives and limited edition offers with a focus on seasonal gifting.
Detectives are appealing for information following a stabbing incident in west Belfast in Tuesday evening.

Close to 9pm on Tuesday, police received a call that a man had been stabbed inside a property in the Rossnareen Road area.

A PSNI spokesperson said a man was treated for injuries resulting from the incident.

Officers along with colleagues from the NIAS attended and one man was taken to hospital for treatment for wounds to his arm and abdomen, they said.

Appeal for information following stabbing in west Belfast https://t.co/TTYOzIw7Pv pic.twitter.com/lpjvfQN7sA  Police West Belfast (@PSNIBelfastW) June 21, 2023

Police are appealing to anyone who may have noticed anyone suspicious in the area, who may have witnessed the incident or to anyone with CCTV or any other footage that could assist with the investigation, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 2109 of 20/06/23.
Ireland is now the most expensive country in the EU with Irish consumers paying more for goods, services, and alcohol and tobacco than anyone else in the union.

They also pay some of the highest prices in Europe for gas, electricity, public transport, communication services, hotels, and dining out as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

Only clothing and furniture costs are in line with EU average prices.

The figures from the European Commission came as the Government told retailers on Wednesday that it wants to see more food price reductions by August.

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Neale Richmond met with members of the Retail Forum and was told that prices have been reduced on up to 700 products since they last met in May. However, Mr Richmond said more can be done and said he would be writing to retailers in August looking for proof of further price cuts before the forum meets in September.

However, a source who attended the meeting said Mr Richmond gave no warning whatsoever and that the recent report by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission exonerates retailers.

Junior minister Neale Richmond said he would be writing to retailers in August looking for proof of further price cuts before the Retail Forum meets again in September. Picture: Damien Storan/PA

The latest cost-of-living figures are contained in the European Commissions report on household consumption expenditure for 2022, which is based on price surveys covering over 2,000 consumer goods and services across 36 European countries, including the 27 EU member states.

The data shows that Ireland was the most expensive country in the EU for household expenditure on goods and services last year with prices 46% above the EU average. The problem has been getting worse since 2015 when Irish prices were 28% above the average. They have increased steadily every year since.

Only Switzerland and Iceland had higher overall consumer prices in Europe last year.

The figures show Ireland had the second highest energy prices in the EU after Denmark, with the cost of electricity and gas 38% above the EU average, and that Ireland was the fourth most expensive country in the EU for food and non-alcoholic beverages in 2022 with prices 15% above average.

Only Denmark, Luxembourg, and Malta were more expensive for basic grocery items on which consumers spend almost a fifth of their income.

The high level of overall prices in Ireland is largely driven by expensive alcohol and tobacco, energy, transport, and communications prices.

This country had the most expensive alcohol and tobacco in the EU, with prices more than double the EU average and 3.3 times more expensive than the cheapest EU country, Bulgaria.

The report blames the large price variation for those products on differences in taxation in countries.

Irish consumers also faced high prices for communication services which were 56% above the EU average, and the third most expensive in the EU after Belgium and Greece.

Eating out and tourist accommodation was 28.5% above the EU average, only behind Denmark, Finland, and Luxembourg.

Motoring costs in Ireland were the third highest in the EU and 13% above average levels while, despite recent Government moves to reduce public transport fares, prices were 27% over the EU average, making them the joint fourth most expensive together with Denmark after Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands.

On a positive note for Irish consumers, the cost of clothing in Ireland was 2% below the EU average last year, while furniture prices were just 1% over the EU average.

Clothing prices in Ireland are comparatively cheaper than the majority of EU member states, where Denmark is the most expensive. The price of footwear in Ireland is 5% above the EU average, and household appliances are 6.5% above the EU average.
The families of nursing home residents at a centre of a Fair Deal funding crisis have expressed disappointment after taking their campaign to the gates of Dail Eireann.

The small group of family carers and friends of the 56 affected residents living at Beaumont Residential Care (BRC) in Cork were joined by groups representing an estimated 5,000 private nursing home beds in the sector at Leinster House in what was one of the largest demonstrations by the nursing home sector in some time.

The BRC residents families, who have become the public face of the Fair Deal funding crisis, met Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Mary Butler, to discuss their call for increased National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) rates for Fair Deal residents in private nursing homes.

But John Murphy, who attended the meeting, said Ms Butler told them there was nothing on the table and nothing she can do.

He said Beaumont, and the five care homes in Cork run by CareChoice, get 200 per resident per week less than Dublin care homes. He said the minister refused to be drawn on this point but pointed out she has an increased budget for next year.

He then said the families of BRC did not vote for the NTPF, but Waterford-based families did vote for Ms Butler, and to hear now that she cannot and is refusing to do anything, is utterly disgraceful.

Anne Rogers taking part in the the protest outside Leinster House on Wednesday. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The NTPF is a secret organisation and is not accountable to anybody, and as we live in a democracy, he said. We should not have any government organisation that is unaccountable to the people of Ireland.

Among those at the protest were members of The Alliance  a support network representing over 30 small nursing homes across the country which it says are at risk of closure because of the Fair Deal funding model.

The Alliance says it also wants the government to change elements of the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009 which govern how the NTPF negotiates with nursing homes in relation to the Fair Deal funding.

CareChoice, which runs 14 homes nationwide, is still involved in talks with the NTPF over the level of Fair Deal funding it receives.

The group has said that, against the backdrop of soaring care costs, it made losses of around 6m in the last year, despite the fact its shareholder has ploughed an unplanned 16m into the business.

It said it gets a NTPF Fair Deal rate of 1,085 per resident per week at its six care homes in Cork but needs 1,270 to be sustainable.

The NTPF is unwilling to agree to this sustainable rate while at the same time it has agreed to a rate of 1,365 per week for another private nursing home in Cork, the group has said.

Many of the affected residents are frail, in ill-health with many suffering from Alzheimers and other forms of dementia.

The families say they are fearful that unless urgent action is undertaken by government to resolve the funding issue immediately, their loved ones will be removed from their care homes with uncertainty surrounding where they will be re-homed.

It is understood the group plans to continue its protests outside the offices of senior cabinet members in Cork.
As rescue teams race against the clock to find the submersible that has gone missing near the wreck site of the Titanic, one man is recalling his own rescue off the coast of Cork 50 years ago.

The rescue of Roger Mallinson and Roger Chapman in 1973 is currently the deepest sub-rescue in history.

It took 84 hours to rescue the men and if it wasn't for some quick thinking by Mr Mallinson, he believes they would not have survived.

Mr Mallinson, who was 28 at the time, had been laying transatlantic telephone cable on the seabed about 240km from Cork.

The two men were onboard the Pisces III which they had been working on all summer long and had done over 220 dives with no major issues.

Pisces III was taken to do some work in the North Sea for a few weeks around August and Mr Mallinson said the dives undertaken during that time had caused some damage to the vessel.

According to Mr Mallinson, there was an issue with the hatch-locking bar and it had been taken off.

On Wednesday, August 29, when the two men returned to dive off the coast of Cork, the locking bar still had not been replaced.

"You couldn't hold a hatch on without it," he explained in an interview with Sky News.

It was an absolute disgrace but we were still expected to dive it."

The eight-hour shift passed by with no problems but when they surfaced shortly after 9am on August 29, a diver came to attach the sub to the mother ship with a tow line.

"Instead of attaching the tow line to the bottom of the aft sphere, he connected it to the hatch and pulled the hatch off," he explained.

"Suddenly, the back of the sub dipped down and then we got water alarms screaming. We were totally flooded."

The sub dropped to the maximum length of the towline and hung there until the rope snapped.

"We crashed to the seabed in 26 seconds. It had taken 40 minutes to come up."

At 1,670 feet below sea level, in total darkness aside from torches, the men would stay there for 84 hours before they were rescued.

"Eighty-four hours is a long time. We didn't have enough food, we didn't have enough oxygen, we didn't have enough battery power," he said.

"We just had to be rationing everything and look after each other. I think that we looked after each other and that was a major, major lifesaver."

A number of rescue attempts were made over the course of the 84 hours but were unsuccessful.

At 4.02am on Saturday, September 1, rescue submersible Pisces II was deployed and within an hour, had successfully attached a tow line.

Pisces III began to be lifted out of the water at 10.50am, it finally broke the surface at 1.17pm but it took another hour to open the hatch to allow fresh air in.

Luckily, the day before the dive, Mr Mallinson was carrying out repairs on the sub and took a full oxygen tank.

"I stole a bottle of oxygen and because I stole it, I'm still here. Otherwise, we certainly wouldn't be here. We would have run out just after we crashed to the bottom."

The full tank of oxygen would last 72 hours, but with eight hours used during the shift, they had just 64 hours left at the time they hit the seabed.

The men preserved the oxygen by doing as little physical exertion as possible, not speaking, and allowing the carbon dioxide to build up in the air beyond the normal 40 minutes.

Having gone through the ordeal in 1973, Mr Mallinson, now 85 years old, described the current situation involving the Titan tourist submersible as "horrendous".

"I can't think why they haven't transmitted some signal of some sort. I have a horrible feeling that something might be seriously wrong that they aren't able to transmit a signal," he said.

"I would have thought a hammer on a bit of the hull somewhere would be a good transmitter. It would carry."

The Titan has five people on board and is believed to have enough oxygen to last until about 10am on Thursday morning, Irish time.
A former IRA prisoner who survived 55-days without food during the 1981 H-block hunger strikes has urged people to attend a national commemoration in Cork.

The event will honour the sacrifice of those who gave their lives on hunger strike for Irish freedom over the last century.

MLA Pat Sheehan, who in 1981 became the 17th republican inmate to join the Maze hunger strikes, began refusing food on August 10  after nine prisoners had already died  and ended 55 days later when the hunger strike was officially called off on Saturday, October 3.

I was close to death, he said.

The previous Wednesday, I was examined by a consultant from one of the big hospitals in Belfast.

By this stage I weighed about seven stone, I was almost completely blind, I could make out shapes coming into the room but that was it. I was constantly retching up green bile. I could no longer hold down water. I was completely yellow with jaundice.

I was told that even if I stopped the hunger strike now, there was no guarantee I would survive.

But four days later, a decision, into which he had no input, was taken to end the protest and Mr Sheehan recovered without any permanent ill-effects.

Mr Sheehan was convicted and jailed in 1978 and again in 1989 for bombing offences, released under the terms of the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and became an MLA for Belfast West in 2010. He described the day the hunger strike ended as his darkest hour, the bleakest period of his life.

We had lost 10 comrades, 10 of our best men. The future did look bleak, he said.

'United Ireland is not some pipe dream'

But with the advancement of Sinn Fein in the 1980s and 1990s, republicans engaged more in the political and electoral process, peace agreements followed and Mr Sheehan said this is the first time a generation of republicans have a peaceful and democratic pathway to a united Ireland.

There is no longer a need for young people to go on active service or go on hunger strike in prison cells  those days are over and gone. United Ireland is not some pipe dream, he said.

"The direction of travel is only going one way. The Orange state is gone, the unionist majority in the North is gone, the demographics have changed, and people are now more and more open to discussing the issue of united Ireland.

He was speaking in Cork on Monday as details of the commemorative event were launched beneath the bust of former lord mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney, outside City Hall.

Former Lord Mayor of Cork Terence MacSwiney.

The annual event was due to take place in Cork in 2020 to mark the centenary of MacSwineys death in Brixton Prison in October 1920 after 74 days on hunger strike  a death which helped bring the Irish struggle for independence to international attention.

It was postponed due to covid but has now been rescheduled for Sunday, August 27. It will feature a march through the city centre, with a rally to be addressed by Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill.

Mr Sheehan said it will remember all those who died on hunger strike in the north, the south, and in England.

Those who will be remembered included Frank Stagg, the brother of former Labour TD Emmet Stagg, who died in 1976, aged 35, having refused food for 62 days at Wakefield prison in Yorkshire, and Michael Gaughan, who died in 1974, aged 24, after 64 without food, in Parkhurst prison on the Isle of Wight.

Five Cork men, including MacSwiney, Donnacha De Barra, Joe Murphy, Michael Fitzgerald, and Andy OSullivan, will be among those remembered.

The whole aim of the British criminalisation policy was to isolate and marginalise republicans  they thought that if they could detach us from the communities from which we came, they would mop up the rest of the IRA, Mr Sheehan said.

What they hadnt taken into account was the history of republicans in prison was a history of resistance, going back to the Fenians, going back to Terence MacSwiney, Thomas Ashe, Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan.

It was from people like that that we drew our inspiration, and inspired people like Bobby Sands, not to give in, not to bend the knee to British oppression in Ireland.
Last Sunday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reportedly spoke about the importance of the Pride festival particularly against the backdrop of the increase in violent attacks on LGBT people.

And homophobia and transphobia are indeed on the rise globally.

According to a recent report from ILGA-Europe, the leading European LGBTI+ and equality organisation 2022 was the most violent year for LGBTI+ people in Europe in a decade with hate speech, violent attacks, and murders becoming more prevalent.

Uganda has just introduced the death penalty for homosexual acts with American evangelical Christians said to be behind the grotesque homophobia there.

You may think ah well, were light years ahead of a country like that.

Certainly, over the last 30 years huge progress has been made here, but as Mr Varadkars comments indicate we need to look at our own backyard. Were not going to let anybody make us go back behind closed doors again, he said.

It was very important, he stressed for young LGBTI+ people to see Pride as both a celebration but also as a protest against any attempt to make the LGBTI+ community feel ashamed.

And yet, it was reported in this newspaper last week that the board of Cork Pride has appealed for an increase in public funding as three of its main sponsors have withdrawn, with signals from other sponsors that they may not renew their annual support.

Happily, this years Cork Pride event is going ahead as planned from July 30 to August 6.

The board made the point that Pride [is] as relevant and necessary as it ever was against the backdrop of the increase of hate crimes perpetrated against the LGBTI+ community.

In May, a video of a teenager being assaulted in a housing estate in Navan, Co Meath was widely shared on Twitter, it was claimed that his sexuality triggered the attack.

The teenager was hospitalised, and five teenagers were arrested.

They were later released without charge and an investigation is ongoing.

It is hard to imagine the pain of the boy and his parents but also the pain of parents of other LGBTI+ kids knowing that it could have been their child.

The fear that our children might be attacked when they go out the hall door simply because of their sexuality or how they identify is an utterly alien sensation to many of us.

Equally to have to prepare a child for a future where they might not be accepted or even tolerated but subjected to sporadic incidents of hate. Unsurprisingly, the Irish LGBTI+ community was reportedly devastated by the Meath attack.

Eight years ago, the day after the historic marriage equality referendum many same-sex couples were to be seen proudly holding hands in public. It felt like wed come a long way as a society but many LGBTI+ people in Ireland no longer feel safe expressing affection in public and why would they?

In March, Garda statistics revealed a 30% increase in hate crimes over the last year with LGBTI+ people for two years in a row the most targeted group of people in Irish society in hate crimes after racist attacks.

Hate crimes against LGBTI+ people are believed to be chronically underreported.

Last year was grim. In April, Emerald Warriors rugby player Evan Somers was brutally assaulted when out walking on Dublins Dame Street. I remember him calling me a faggot as he was about to punch me, and I had no time to react.

"I dont remember much after that as I got knocked out, he said.

Five months later Mark Sheehan was returning on a bus from his birthday celebration in The George Pub in Dublin when a group of men hurled slurs such as faggot and queer at him.

Mr Sheehan and his friends told this newspaper that they had tried as gay men to minimise their presence because his friend had a birthday crown still on so they were sticking out a little bit.

Mr Sheehan was then viciously headbutted.

In May at Drag Fest Ireland, protesters outside the venue were said to have shouted toxic slurs like paedophile and groomer which is appalling.

The contentious Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill going through the Seanad will legislate against hate crimes for the first time in Irish law.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has claimed that the bill creates a thought crime with the possibility of civil liberties being eroded.

On balance, this seems alarmist.

Under the bill, a defendant must deliberately intend to incite hatred against a person with defences for a reasonable contribution to literary, artistic, political, scientific, or academic debate.

Proactively fighting the rise of hate speech means looking to home and particularly to schoolyards where anti-LGBTI+ slurs are casually traded.

It will be interesting to see how the judiciary interprets the act when it passes, and how the case law develops, whether the notion of public debate will be incrementally altered or eroded as some have claimed.

In March, a man interrupted a live RTE News broadcast with anti-LGBTI+ slurs including one targetting Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic OGorman, who is gay.

On the face of it, a case like this might be the kind of case that could possibly come under the rubric of any new law on hate speech.

Either way, it is yet another incident that seems to point to an uptick in homophobic rhetoric around LGBTI+ issues and people.

Last Saturday Elaine Loughlin warned in this newspaper that the discussion over hate speech is becoming more polarised with concern that voices in the centre have been bullied out.

Sometimes, so-called debate is a dog whistle for the othering or dehumanising of other people, but constructive dialogue or healthy public debate is an essential requirement of any representative democracy, and we must talk more, not less.

The thorny question is how respectful discourse can occur. Unfortunately, right-wing elements whip up a toxic debate playing people for their own ends, and engineering conflict so the more moderate among us see a distorted reality that involves worrying about threats that are not actual threats.

Legislation alone isnt going to cut the mustard in fighting anti-LGTBI+ sentiment. Nor are vague expressions of solidarity with the LGTBI+ community.

Proactively fighting the rise of hate speech means looking to home and particularly to schoolyards where anti-LGBTI+ slurs are casually traded often going unchallenged and unpunished causing stress and misery to schoolchildren.

This baseline societal tolerance of homophobia and transphobia implicitly greenlights more overt anti-LGBTI+ sentiment.

Meanwhile each day of the week, LGTBI+ people walk down our streets forced to look over their shoulders.
THE building once beloved of GAA fans as Mulligans Bar, more recently a Subway sandwich bar, is up for sale with a guide price of 600,000.

The three-storey, end-of-terrace property at 32 Parnell Place, Cork City, comes with planning permission to convert the two upper floors  measuring 760 sq ft and 875 sq ft - into two two-bed apartments.

Its been vacant for over a year and is being sold by Rob Coughlan of Cohalan Downing on behalf of a private client, who bought the c3,000 sq ft premises about 10 years ago.

Mr Coughlan said there are a number of options open to a buyer, including pursuing the conversion of the upper floors into apartments, or continuing to use them as offices, which they were prior to the pandemic.

The offices became vacant during covid, so the owner decided to go for a change of use and got planning permission for apartments.

But the offices are absolutely immaculate. You could buy the building and put desks in there in the morning. And you could let the ground floor as a cafe for supplementary income, Mr Coughlan said. It might suit an accountancy or engineering firm, he said, adding that there are WCs and staff kitchenettes on both floors. Theres an additional 390 sq ft at attic level which might be useful for services or storage purposes, Mr Coughlan said.

If a buyer chose the apartment option, the concrete upper floors should make the conversion to the granted residential use very straightforward, he added.

The 950 sq ft ground floor cafe area is self-contained and the upper floors are independently accessed from Merchant Street, adjacent to Merchants Quay carpark.

Mr Coughlan said if an investor pursued the apartment option, he or she would have residential rent roll on the upper floors with more income generated by letting the cafe.

The property may also suit alternative uses, subject to planning permission, he said.

The building itself is in a strong business/retail setting near Oliver Plunkett Street, Maylor Street and the city's financial district, with frontage onto Parnell Place and Merchant Street. Its adjacent to Merchants Quay shopping centre, where theres a multi-storey carpark.

Its also adjacent to the Central Bus Station and the new pedestrian bridge linking Merchants Quay with Patricks Quay and the vibrant Victorian Quarter of MacCurtain Street.

The guide price for the premises is 600,000 plus VAT.

Details: rcoughlan@cohalandowning.ie Tel: 021 4277717.
If you're using your kitchen sink as a glorified bucket, that adds up to a lot of underperforming counter space.

Dealing with a galley or smaller kitchen with the sink fastened to an island or the longest, precious run of worktop? Ensure it earns its place.

Franke Box Centre, a workstation for a serious chef with a serious spend in mind, from 2,500.

Workstation sink solutions come in two varieties, and you can combine and build out a system to suit your way of working.

First of all, theres the new sink bundle with a number of fitted and smartly articulated accessories inclined towards sink-side food prepping. Like micro-managing a kitchen cabinet, this could double the price of the base unit.

The second approach to a super sink is to integrate universal add-on pieces designed to work with most sink sizings. This is a handy lift to an existing sink where you may have painted up the cabinets, but dont want to rip into the plumbing, or where your off-standard sink simply doesnt come with additional bells and whistles.

Starting with new sinks, there are multi-talented splash spots well under 300 worth consideration, reducing washing, cutting up foodstuffs, rinsing and draining to just a few moves centred on the wet side of the kitchen.

The Good Home Romesco, from B&Q, starts at 213 for a sink and drainer (880mm) in S/S, up to 253 for chic black composite quartz for a sink and half (1050mm). It comes with sink-fixing clips, a sealing strip, a fitted bamboo chopping board, a colander, a drying rack, a cutlery holder and even a tap-hole cover.

An ideal retrofit in standard sizing, you can then trick it out with Romesco accessories when and if you need replacement pieces. The play of chrome against a dark sink really adds a little layering of character.

Double-tier articulation by Ruvati of Italy fitted out with figured hardwood. Prices from 750.

Franke sinks are highly familiar in most DIY outlets. Behind that take-it-for-granted branding is 110 years of excellent Swiss engineering. At the top of the range for compact but ergonomic prepping sinks are double-bowl Box Centre workstations, with built-in accessories engineered to sit seamlessly in the half-bowl side.

Depending on the model, these include a knife block, three knives, two chopping boards (wood and synthetic), a strainer and a drainer, a patented push-button waste system, and a solid, 50-year guarantee.

Now, much as I love this level of tightly tailored detailing, accessories made to fit will have to be replaced to fit, and for materials that wear fast, like resin chopping boards  ensure your supplier will stand over replacements as they become obsolete on the open shelves; prices from 2,500 for a small 850mm x 510mm S/S Franke Box Centre suited to an island, multiple suppliers.

Ruvati is an affordable Italian-made range, receiving great reviews for its one-two-ledge-hung workstation solutions with hardwood detailing. It does an excellent line in contemporary workstations in single and dual-tiers (two tiers of tracks, on top of one another that allow elements to slide over each other in models up to 144cm).

Ruvatis entry-level signature singles feature rims inside the bowls which support wood cutting boards, deep and shallow colanders, steel roll-up racks, and a basket strainer drain assembly. Prices start around 750 for a single Nova 840mm model.

Explore online sellers and key in delivery prices from any EU or UK supplier which could drown a deal; Ruvati.

For a squeak of space and/or occasional use, ditch a draining side, and choose a sink with a roll-out drainer that lays over the sink top like the squared-up Oslo 60 Pocket Level. Its handy deep accessory slot running behind the tap (which includes a dedicated drain) is a neat way to stage your cutting boards and washing-up liquid. 250 with further accessories available, Primagran.

With an existing sink, its easier to find sink add-ons (other than free-standing or tap-hung gadgets) for bowls with a rim, as we really need a visible edge to balance on. If a cutting board is not tightly fitted to the sink, dont be tempted to use it. Its unstable and could lead to an accident with a bladed tool.

One of the most successful additions for a rustic ceramic sink without an integrated draining board is a beautiful wood draining board that slots onto the side counter, with a drip groove to prevent pooling, guiding water directly into the sink. Check Etsy for makers and expect to pay in the order of 90 for a nicely figured hardwood board. Oak sink covers with integrated strainers start in the area of 130 and can be custom-made for an off-standard oldie.

For typical composite and stainless-steel sinks, look up dedicated accessories still available for the sink and brand you already have. Most sinks in universal sidings and typical shapes have a tiny lip running around the edge of the sink for supporting players like boards and baskets of varying depths. Check your model number and name before ordering. Franke all-in-one sets start at 120, Kalorders, and Caple does an extensive range for their branding, Caple.

If youre lucky enough to have a ceramic sink, invest in a silicone sink protector to the base. It not only prevents chips but takes some of the hammer out of the surface if you crash your dishes into an authentic Belfast.

Brabantia does an extendable model that can also be used as a coaster for hot pans or a drying mat, 29.99, Homestoreandmore.

Starting with must-have organisational tools, in sophisticated brush and sponge caddies, Joseph Joseph, Minky and Superhuman offer compact, free-draining, suction cup and hangar models in crisp resin or clad in S/S designed to perch steadily on a bowl edge without any rattle; prices from 25.

Be wary of larger telescopic gadgets that take a large bite out of the size in the bowl devoted to nothing more than storing cleaning goods. Its unsightly clutter thats better placed out of sight in an on-door caddy under the sink. We love the Joseph Joseph Door Store, 20, multiple suppliers.

A lift-out-and-use element of a Joseph Joseph Door Store. Keep the area of your sink as clear of clutter as possible, 20.

Over-sink dish-drying racks with pull-out handles to suspend the unit on the sink are useful for a myriad of tasks and can be pushed home and put away. B&Qs Datil moulded colander sits on big ears when needed and is a cheap buy at just 5 in a pleasing anthracite grey.

Ikeas Idealisk is another bargain in a nice steel adjustable colander, 9.00. When pieces are not made to measure, and to sit systematically into your sink, quite honestly, they are best used and put away to preserve those calming clean spaces around your kitchen counters. If sink accessories are just props or visual obstacles, its nothing less than throwing good money down the drain.
The five-man crew of the submarine which went missing during a voyage to the wreck of the Titanic may have less than 20 hours of breathable air remaining, if they are still alive, a US Coast Guard official has said.

The sub, named Titan, lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

Speaking on BBC News this afternoon, Rear Admiral John Mauger said it would be hard to determine exactly how long those inside the submersible night have, due to various factors.

He said that the 20 hour estimate is based on an initial estimate which suggested said the vessel had a 96-hour supply of oxygen.

Earlier, Rear Admiral Mauger told CBS News that US Coast Guard said that underwater noises detected in the search area of a missing deep-sea vessel is a target and a focus for the rescue operation.

This is an incredibly complex site there, you have to remember that its the wreck site of the Titanic, so there is a lot of metal and different objects in the water around the site," he said.

Thats why its so important that weve engaged experts from the navy that understand the science behind noise and can classify or give us better information about what the source of that noise may be.

In the meantime, its something, its a target, its a focus for us to look at.

Weve deployed the remote-operated vehicles and the surface vessel, the Canadian Coast Guard surface vessel, that has sonar capability in the vicinity of that to see if we can detect anything in the water in that area.

The 6.7m long vessel has five people on board.

They are Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman and OceanGates chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, reportedly together with French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet and British billionaire Hamish Harding

Noises have been detected from the search area of the missing deep-sea vessel near the wreck site of the Titanic as those on board face a dwindling supply of oxygen.

The chief executive of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, is widely reported to be one of the crew aboard the missing Titan submersable.

The US Coast Guard on Wednesday morning said: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remote operating vehicles) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

The Explorers Club, of which Mr Harding is a founding member, shared an upbeat message on Wednesday morning.

The OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. Picture: American Photo Archive/Alamy/PA Wire

President Richard Garriot de Cayeux said in a statement: There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

They precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can help deploy We believe they are doing everything possible with all the resources they have.

Mr Garriot de Cayeux said they are ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000 metres.

Meanwhile, US media outlet The Rolling Stone reported an internal US government memo said banging was detected by Canadian search aircraft in 30-minute intervals on Wednesday.

Hamish Harding is one of five people on board a missing submersible tourist vessel (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA)

It comes as a former employee of OceanGate had raised concerns over safety and quality control issues regarding the Titan to OceanGate executive management, according to court filings.

David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed in the August 2018 court document he was wrongfully fired after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design.

After issues of quality control with Titan were raised, the filings say Mr Rush asked Mr Lochridge to conduct a quality inspection report on the vessel.

During this process, Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns but he was allegedly met with hostility and denial of access to necessary documents before later being fired.

The document claims he became concerned about a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan, and that he stressed the potential danger to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths.

In a November 2022 episode of his Unsung Science podcast, CBS journalist David Pogue interviewed Mr Rush ahead of going on a Titan expedition to the wreckage.

In the podcast, Mr Rush told him: You know, at some point, safety is just pure waste.

I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed, dont get in your car, dont do anything.

At some point, youre going to take some risk, and it really is a risk-reward question.

I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules.

The RMS Titanic in her resting place (Atlantic Productions/PA)

Mr Pogue also said he had signed a waiver before going on the dive which allegedly said: The experimental submersible vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and that the trip could result in death.

OceanGate has been approached for comment.

On Tuesday David Mearns, a deep-sea shipwreck hunter who is friends with Mr Harding and Mr Nargeolet, said he had seen reports of tapping being heard in the water, which he said could indicate the passengers are alive.

He told Channel 4 News: Theres some reports that Ive just read from my own club, which is how I know Hamish, is that somebody today has heard some tapping.

Now theyve got sonar buoys out there, there may be some other hydrophones that the mothership the Polar Prince had in the water.

Its hard to imagine how they could have heard that but still, they are at least trying to operate or encourage the rescue efforts to continue on and to be redoubled on the fact that theyve heard something which suggests that the men are alive in the submersible.

On Tuesday, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said a unified command of multiple agencies was formed on Monday to tackle the very complex problem of finding the missing submersible.
LOS ANGELESJimmy Flynt, the younger brother of Hustler founder and publishing magnate Larry Flynt, has dropped his lawsuit telling a federal court that hes owed half of his siblings revocable trust. According to reports, Flynts trust was formed over 30 years ago before the two brothers' relationship fell apart in 2009, which led to Jimmy settling in Kentucky. He filed his lawsuit last year seeking to strip Elizabeth Flynt, the main beneficiary of Larry Flynts trust, of half of the Hustler enterprise and other assets.

Elizabeth (Liz) is Larry Flynts fifth wife and is now running much of her late spouses business after he passed away in 2021. A federal judge dismissed Jimmy Flynts case with prejudice, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. This means that the judge in the case ruled that the matter is resolved and not subject to appeal. The legal counsel representing Elizabeth Flynt, Whitney Z. Bernstein, said that Jimmy Flynt was paid nothing in a settlement as the case was dismissed. Bernstein, a partner at Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP, is characterized on her law firms official webpage as an aggressive litigator and accomplished trial attorney. In a statement, Bernstein called the court's dismissmal of Jimmys petition a complete vicotry and a vindication for Liz.

Jimmy Flynt and his team recognized that they had no choice but to surrender and dismiss their claims with prejudice without receiving a single penny, Bernstein said. My client is glad to be able to put this frivolous lawsuit behind her and to remain squarely focused on the future of her company and honoring Larry Flynts legacy."

AVN.com reported last year that Jimmy Flynts claim argued he'd had a central role in helping prop up Hustler as a company. This included his reported help in procuring a nude photo of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1975 that turned Hustler into a national and controversial brand overnight. The initial filing reads that without Jimmy Flynt, Hustler magazine would not have been successful.

Jimmy Flynt was told by his brother that he would be named a beneficiary of the trust. He first attempted to ask for half of Larrys holdings in a lawsuit in 2009. That suit led a federal judge in 2011 to side with Larry, granting him full ownership of the company and ruling that no partnership was present nor existed between the two brothers. The enterprise includes Flynts strip clubs, casinos, retail brands, publishing enterprises and many other assets.

Photo of Jimmy Flynt at the 2005 AVN Awards (inset) by Jimmy Flynt / Wikimedia Commons
Foreign companies are shifting investments and their Asian headquarters out of China as confidence plunges following the expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges, a business group has said.

The report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China is one of many signs of growing pessimism despite the ruling Communist Partys efforts to revive interest in the worlds second-largest economy following the end of anti-virus controls.

Companies are uneasy about security controls, government protection of their Chinese rivals and a lack of action on reform promises, according to the European Chamber.

They are also being squeezed by slowing Chinese economic growth and rising costs.

Business chiefs warned that firms are moving investment out of China (AP)

Business confidence in China is pretty much the lowest we have on record, the European Chamber president, Jens Eskelund, told reporters ahead of the reports release.

Theres no expectation that the regulatory environment is really going to improve over the next five years, Mr Eskelund said.

President Xi Jinpings government, in a bid to shore up economic growth that sank to 3% last year, is trying to encourage foreign companies to invest and bring in technology.

But the companies are uneasy about security rules and plans to create competitors to global suppliers of computer chips, commercial jetliners and other technology.

That often involves subsidies and market barriers that Washington and the European Union say violate Beijings free-trade commitments.

Two-thirds of the 570 companies that responded to the European Chambers survey said doing business in China has become more difficult, up from less than half before the pandemic.

Three out of five said the business environment is more political, up from half the previous year.

A man with a shopping bag walks out from a ZARA flagship store at a shopping mall in Bejing (AP)

Companies are on edge after police raided offices of two consultancies, Bain & Co and Capvision, and a due diligence firm, Mintz Group, without public explanation. Authorities say companies are obliged to obey the law but have given no indication of possible violations.

Companies also are uneasy about Beijings promotion of national self-reliance. Mr Xis government is pressing manufacturers, hospitals and others to use Chinese suppliers even if that raises their costs. Foreign companies worry they might be shut out of their markets.

Last month, the government banned using products from the biggest US maker of memory chips, Micron Technology, in computers that handle sensitive information.

It said Micron had unspecified security flaws but gave no explanation.

One in 10 companies in the European Chamber survey said they have shifted investments out of China. Another 1 in 5 are delaying or considering shifting investments.

In aviation and aerospace, one in five companies plan no future investment in China.

China has long been a top investment destination due to its huge and growing consumer market, but companies complain about market access restrictions, pressure to hand over technology and other irritants.

Mr Eskelund said confidence had plunged following the expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges (AP)

The ruling party has tightened control since Mr Xi took power in 2012, pressing foreign companies to give the party board seats and a direct say in hiring and other decisions.

The European Chamber noted it was not just foreign companies that are moving: two out of five in its survey reported Chinese customers or suppliers are shifting investments out of the country.

A separate group, the British Chamber of Commerce in China, said last month its members were waiting for greater clarity about anti-spying, data security and other rules before making new investments.

The biggest concern is the ruling partys sweeping expansion of its definition of national security to include the economy, food, energy and politics, Ms Eskelund said.

What does qualify as a state secret? Where does politics begin and the commercial world stop?

That creates uncertainty about where we can operate as normal businesses.

In the European Chamber survey, the top destination for companies moving their Asian headquarters out of China was Singapore, with 43% of companies that moved, followed by Malaysia. Only 9% went or plan to go to Hong Kong.

Leaders including Premier Li Qiang, Chinas top economic official, have promised to improve operating conditions, but businesses say they see few concrete changes.

Our members are not really convinced that we are going to see tangible results, Mr Eskelund said.
The Israeli military has deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank and prepared to demolish the homes of two Palestinian gunmen who killed four Israelis in one of the worst such attacks in the past year.

The families laid to rest the victims in the deadly shooting in the West Bank settlement of Eli, in which two Palestinian militants opened fire at a petrol station restaurant.

Israeli media identified the four killed as Harel Masood, 21, Ofer Fayerman, 64, and Elisha Anteman, 18, Nahman-Shmuel Mordoff, 17.

Palestinians are seen in their home behind a broken window, allegedly damaged by Israeli settlers, in the West Bank village of A Laban al-Sharkiyeh (AP)

An Israeli civilian killed one assailant at the scene, while Israeli troops chased and killed the second gunman after he fled.

The shooting came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a day-long battle against Israeli troops in the militant stronghold of Jenin.

The worsening violence has created a test for Israels far-right government and prompted calls for a widespread military operation in the West Bank.

The army said it was beefing up its troop presence in the West Bank.

On Wednesday morning, it said troops arrested three suspects in the Palestinian village of Urif in connection to the attack and mapped out the homes of the two gunmen ahead of their likely demolition.

25 isnt just a number.



Since the beginning of 2023, 25 people have been killed by Palestinian terrorists. 25 friends, siblings, partners and parents. Every single one of them remains in our memories   Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2023

Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers as part of a policy it says aims to deter others, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.

Hamas did not officially claim responsibility for the attack, although it identified the two gunmen  Mohannad Faleh, 26, who was killed by a civilian at the scene and Khaled Sabah, 24, who was killed by the army as he fled  as its members.

In the aftermath of Tuesdays attack, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in adjacent villages, causing extensive property damage.

At least five Palestinians were wounded in attacks by Israeli settlers, Israels army radio reported.

Tuesdays shooting followed a massive gun battle between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops in the northern Jenin refugee camp a day earlier.

Seven Palestinians were killed and more than 90 others were injured in that clash. On Wednesday, the death toll from the raid rose to seven when 15-year-old Sadeel Naghniyeh succumbed to wounds sustained in the gun battle, Palestinian health officials said.

Relatives of Harel Masood, 21, mourn during his funeral in Yesodot (AP)

Eight Israeli soldiers were also wounded in the shootout.

Tuesdays deadly shooting was the latest in a long string of violence in the region over the past year and half that shows no sign of relenting.

At least 130 Palestinians and 24 people on the Israeli side have been killed so far this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press.

Israel has been staging near-nightly raids in the West Bank in response to a string of deadly Palestinian attacks targeting Israeli civilians early in 2022.

Israel says most of the Palestinians killed were militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state.
European Union countries have agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia over its war against Ukraine.

Sweden, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said that the package includes measures aimed at countering sanctions circumvention and individual listings.

Details of the measures will be unveiled later this week when the sanctions are officially adopted by written procedure.

The EU had previously imposed 10 rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine on February 24 2022.

Banks, companies and markets have been hit  even parts of the sensitive energy sector. More than 1,000 officials are subject to asset freezes and travel bans.

Much work has involved closing loopholes so that goods vital to Mr Putins war effort do not get through.

However, it is the first time that plans have been announced to target trade via other countries, apart from sanctions against Iranians alleged to be supplying drones to Russia.

Past sanctions have been agreed on in just months  extremely quickly for the EU. But new measures are becoming increasingly hard to endorse as they inflict damage on the economic and political interests of some member countries even as they aim for the Kremlin.
Hundreds of Israeli settlers have stormed into a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to dozens of cars and homes to avenge the deaths of four Israelis killed by Palestinian gunmen the previous day, residents said.

Palestinians said one man was killed in the violence.

The settler attack came as the Israeli military deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new settler homes in response to the deadly shooting.

The moves threatened to further raise tensions after day days of deadly fighting in the West Bank.

25 isnt just a number.



Since the beginning of 2023, 25 people have been killed by Palestinian terrorists. 25 friends, siblings, partners and parents. Every single one of them remains in our memories   Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2023

Residents in Turmus Ayya said some 400 settlers marched down the towns main road, setting fire to cars, homes and trees.

Mayor Lafi Adeeb said some 30 houses and 60 cars were partly or totally burned.

He said: The attacks intensified in the past hour even after the army came.

At least eight Palestinians were hurt during the ensuing clashes, which the army tried to disperse by firing rubber bullets and tear gas.

Cars and homes were torched by settlers in the West Bank (AP)

Palestinian medical officials said one man  identified as 27-year-old Omar Qatin  was killed by army fire and two other people were wounded. Residents said Mr Qatin was a father of two small children and worked as an electrician for the local municipality.

Tuesdays shooting in the settlement of Eli came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a day-long battle against Israeli troops in the militant stronghold of Jenin.

The worsening violence has created a test for Israels government and prompted calls for a widespread military operation in the West Bank.

As Israel deployed more forces to the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had approved plans to build 1,000 new homes in Eli.

           pic.twitter.com/wcM4Y2ceOD  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) June 21, 2023

Our answer to terror is to strike it hard and to build our country, Mr Netanyahu said.

The international community opposes settlements on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians for a future independent state. Mr Netanyahus far-right government is dominated by settler leaders and supporters.

Israeli media identified the four killed in the shooting as Harel Masood, 21, Ofer Fayerman, 64, and Elisha Anteman, 18, Nahman-Shmuel Mordoff, 17. An Israeli civilian killed one assailant at the scene, while Israeli troops chased and killed the second shooter after he fled.

The army said it was beefing up its troop presence in the West Bank. On Wednesday morning, it said troops arrested three suspects in the Palestinian village of Urif in connection to the attack and mapped out the homes of the two gunmen ahead of their likely demolition.

Israeli border police patrol a main road next to the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya (AP)

Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers as part of a policy it says aims to deter others, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.

Hamas did not officially claim responsibility for the attack, although it identified the two gunmen  Mohannad Faleh, 26, who was killed by a civilian at the scene and Khaled Sabah, 24, who was killed by the army as he fled  as its members.

In the aftermath of Tuesdays attack, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in adjacent villages, causing extensive property damage. At least five Palestinians were wounded in attacks by Israeli settlers, Israels army radio reported.
Two drones have been brought down outside Moscow as they approached the warehouses of a local military unit, Russian officials have said.

It is thought the move is the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia during the early stages of Kyivs most recent counter-offensive.

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the Ukrainian forces were regrouping after what he described as a failed counter-offensive and could be readying new attempts to attack Russian positions.

The two drones came down near the village of Lukino, administratively part of the city of Moscow, Russian media reported.

The wreckage of a third drone was found about 12 miles away from the site of the crash. No damage or casualties were reported.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 21 June 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/JZXB5VmisV



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/bgeFU1Vt6X  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 21, 2023

Russias defence ministry claimed it was an unsuccessful attempt at a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime on its facilities in the Moscow region, adding that all three drones were brought down by radio-electronic means.

Ukraine, which usually does not confirm attacks on Russian soil, made no immediate comment about the downed drones.

Previously, Ukrainian officials have emphasised the countrys right to strike any target in response to Russias invasion and war that started in February 2022.

In December, Moscow claimed it had shot down drones that targeted military air bases in the Saratov and Ryazan regions in western Russia.

Other drones have reportedly flown deep into Russia multiple times. Since February, when a UJ-22 crashed 60 miles from Moscow, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly approached the Russian capital.

Ukrainian troops fire towards Russian positions in the Donetsk region (AP)

Last month, a drone attack jolted the Russian capital, though it caused only slight damage, in what appeared to be one of Kyivs deepest and most daring strikes into Russia. It was the second reported strike on Moscow that month after Russian authorities said two drones targeted the Kremlin.

At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscows air defences worked in a satisfactory way, but added it was clear what we need to do to plug the gaps in the system.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, confirming Wednesdays drone attack, said only that the means of combatting drones did their job.

Meanwhile, train traffic was disrupted on the Crimean Peninsula on Wednesday, according to its Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Mr Aksyonov did not say what caused the disruption, but some Russian media outlets reported that the rail lines were blown up overnight in apparent sabotage operations.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considers illegal.

Servicemen carry the coffin of volunteer soldier Ivan Shulga, killed in a battle with the Russian troops near Bakhmut (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his country aims to reclaim the peninsula in a counteroffensive that began in recent weeks.

In response to Ukraines military threat using advanced weapons supplied by Western allies, Russia has in recent weeks expended significant effort on assembling elaborate defensive lines on the approaches to Crimea, according to the UKs Ministry of Defence.

For the Kremlin, ensuring control of Crimea is a top political priority, the ministry said in a tweet Wednesday.

There is intense fighting in parts of southern Ukraine where Kyivs forces are testing Russian defences, it added.

Mr Putin claimed there had been a recent lull in the fighting in Ukraine, claiming that Kyivs forces were regrouping after suffering heavy losses.

He warned in an interview with Russian state television, however, that their offensive capability hasnt been exhausted yet, they have reserves and the enemy is considering where and how to use them.

As analysts cautioned the war could go on for years, Mr Putin said that more Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, fitted to some Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles, will be deployed and that the new Sarmat ICBM, code-named Satan by Nato allies, is set to enter service soon.

The Russian military will also add more drones, he told military academy graduates.

Also on Wednesday, European Union countries agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia over the war, including measures aimed at preventing third countries and businesses from circumventing existing sanctions.

For example, they would restrict the export of sensitive technological goods to third countries who could then transfer them to Russia.
Units of the Karenni National Peoples Liberation Front (KNPLF), which serves as the Border Guard Force (BGF) in Kayah (Karenni) State under the Myanmar military, have turned on junta troops, resulting in fierce clashes in Maese Township where the KNPLF is based.

A resistance fighter on the front line in Karenni State told The Irrawaddy: Our sources informed us that [KNPLF] troops have rejoined the revolution, reusing the badges they wore before they transformed into BGF. So, we can say that some BGF troops are now fighting the regime.

Junta troops have taken control of Pan Tein village, the base of BGF unit 1004, between Hpasawng and Maese townships, following air raids and ground attacks.

BGF units 1004 and 1005 joined resistance forces in their attacks on junta outposts and the police station in Maese town on June 13, according to local sources. Regime troops have retaliated by attacking the two BGF units.

The juntas military invited the BGF, KNPLF and the Kayan New Land Party to talks earlier this year, but their leaders did not attend. They are angry about the killing of four KNPLF members in the Mo So massacre. The fighting shows the KNPLF has defected from the Myanmar military and rejoined the other side, said an ethnic affairs analyst.

Regime troops killed and burned dozens of civilians, including children, near the village of Mo So in Hpruso Township on December 24, 2021. Four KNPLF members who tried to negotiate to free the detainees were tied up and shot dead by junta troops.

Local sources said the KNPLF troops joined the Karenni Army (KA), Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and Karen National Liberation Army in simultaneous attacks on junta outposts near the Thai border and the Maese police station on Tuesday last week.

The Irrawaddy could not independently confirm KNPLFs involvement in the attacks. However, one of the junta outposts seized by allied resistance forces is located on the border of Karenni and Karen states in an area controlled by the KNPLF.

The KNPLF split from the Karenni National Progressive Party/KA in 1978 before agreeing to a ceasefire in 1994 with the then junta, known as the State Peace and Development Council. The group transformed into the BGF in November 2009 under the constitution drafted by the junta a year earlier.

The KNPLF issued a statement condemning the coup after the military seized power from the democratically elected government in February 2021.

In a joint statement issued on Jan 20 this year, the KNPLF, KA and KNDF called on Myanmar people to continue to support the revolution against military rule. The three groups also vowed to fight the dictatorship side by side with civilians.

Hpasawng and Maese townships, where the KNPLF-turned-BGF is based, have experienced relatively few clashes compared with other areas in Kayah, a resistance stronghold, in the two years since the coup. But fighting has escalated since June 13 after the junta deployed air strikes.

The regime has been bombing the area. And thousands of residents have fled into Thailand. The area is almost deserted. The two sides can fight freely there now. The Myanmar military does not want to see the area east of the Salween River fall under the control of resistance forces. So, the fighting will be fierce, said the ethnic affairs analyst.

Some 5,000 residents have crossed the border into Thailand since the fighting erupted on June 13, while others are hiding in forests. Civilian casualties are still unknown.

Resistance forces based in Karenni State formed the Karenni State Interim Executive Council on June 6, with the stated purpose of facilitating pragmatic cooperation among different forces in the state and taking steps toward a federal, democratic Union.
Tanintharyi Region resistance groups claimed to have driven away raiding Myanmar regime troops after four days of clashes in Tanintharyi Township.

On June 16 around 80 Light Infantry Battalion 558 troops raided Ban Kyauke village in the township and burned houses.

They also attacked and occupied Thamee Hla village after using explosives on Saturday, according to resistance groups.

Six resistance groups, including the ethnically Karen Kaw Thoo Lei Army, conducted drone strikes and ambushed regime forces at the Thamee Hla while resistance fighters blocked the village from two sides, said Bat Ma Laik Guerrillas that joined the attacks.

A medical captain was killed by a resistance sniper along with about 30 regime soldiers, according to the Kaw Thoo Lal Army.

A resistance member suffered minor injuries, it said.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

On Sunday resistance groups continued to attack regime forces at Thamee Hla.

Bat Ma Laik Guerrillas said the regime forces retreated to a hillside on Monday evening after repeated drone strikes and raids by resistance groups.

Drone strikes continued, the group said.

An aerial video shows regime forces being injured by a drone bomb.

On Tuesday regime forces fled the area after repeated attacks, the resistance groups said.

The resistance groups lost a drone, four civilians suffered serious injuries and three houses were destroyed by junta shelling.

A family of three who were being used as guides is still missing.
Swedish arms are still being exported to Myanmars military regime via Indian arms sales despite an EU arms embargo, according to Justice for Myanmar (JFM).

An investigation by the rights watchdog discovered that the Indian firm Sandeep Metalcraft Private Ltd is supplying Myanmars military with FFV-447 projectile fuzes designed for use with Swedish 84 mm Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles.

JFM found that one shipment of FFV-447 fuzes was sent to Myanmar in 2019 and a second shipment likely delivered after the Myanmar militarys attempted coup, directly supporting its campaign of terror. Sandeep Metalcraft still advertises Carl Gustaf fuzes on its website.

On 29 March, Swedens Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom responded to a question from member of parliament Hakan Svenneling, who asked what measures the Swedish government had taken to prevent the re-export of weapons produced under Swedish license in India. The question followed a JFM investigation that found that some of the arms and associated components sold by India to the Myanmar military had Swedish designs, including the FFV-447 fuzes, which are developed and produced by Saab Group.

As an EU member state, Sweden is banned from sale or transfer of arms and dual-use items and technologies to the Myanmar military.

Foreign Minister Billstrom confirmed that Sweden had transferred Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles to India and that some of these rifles have been diverted from India to Myanmar.

He said this diversion was subject to an official investigation by Swedens Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) in 2012. ISP concluded that India was respecting its commitments to not re-export weapons manufactured under Swedish license and that the Indian government had taken sufficient measures to reduce the risk of diversion. However, the investigation concluded in 2012.

JFM said the information it had uncovered indicates that key components for ammunition for Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles have once again been diverted from India to Myanmar. And this casts doubt on the Indian governments willingness to comply with end-user commitments and take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of diversion, it said.

JFM said it was deeply concerned about Swedens apparent ties to the supply of weapons to Myanmars military, which is intensifying its campaign of indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

We demand that the ISP evaluation leading to a decision to grant Saab the right to establish an M4 manufacturing plant in India be made public in light of Indias well-known track record of exporting conventional arms, ammunition, parts and components to Myanmar, including from Swedish designed weapons, said JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung.

India was the third-largest supplier of weapons to Myanmar for the years 2017 to 2021, accounting for 17 percent of Myanmars arms imports after China (36 percent) and Russia (27 percent), according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

In September 2022, Saab announced it was setting up a production facility in India for its Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-fired weapon system. Saab FFV India is being established as a new company to make the M4 rocket launchers for the Indian military, as well as parts of other weapons platforms for foreign states.

JFM said this move was particularly alarming in light of Indias increasing military cooperation with the Myanmar military after its campaign of genocide against the Rohingya in 2017.

In July 2019, India and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding to increase defense cooperation, and Delhi has continued to support the Myanmar military following its 2021 coup.

India continued to export military hardware, including 122 mm barrels for howitzers, to the Myanmar junta as late as October 2022. The manufacturer of these barrels is Yantra India Ltd, a state-owned public sector company associated with the Indian Ministry of Defense.

Yantra India Ltds ordnance factory in Ambajhari, Maharashtra currently produces 84 mm mark-III FFV 551 Carl Gustaf ammunition. The FFV551 is a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round and a rocket-assisted projectile.

JFM called on the Swedish government to take urgent action to prevent further diversion of arms by suspending export and production agreements with Indian arms manufacturers, citing Delhis blatant disregard for the Wassenaar Arrangement on arms transfers, and international humanitarian law.

The ISP must fully investigate how components of Swedish light arms and their ammunition are still being exported from India to Myanmar, including from Sandeep Metalcraft, and ensure that Sweden abides by the EU arms embargo, which prohibits Sweden from transferring arms and dual-use goods to the Myanmar military, said JFMs spokesperson.
Thailand hosted talks on Monday aimed at reengaging with Myanmars regime leaders in an initiative that has sown division among regional countries and attracted condemnation from Myanmar democracy forces.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai last week invited foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the foreign minister of Myanmars junta, to prepare the way to fully reengage Myanmar at the leaders level.

The Myanmar regimes top leaders and its foreign minister have been excluded from high-level meetings of ASEAN since late 2021, following the juntas failure to honor the blocs plan to restore peace in the country, which has been in turmoil since the military staged a coup early that year.

Thailands outgoing government has come under fire for organizing the informal talks and inviting the juntas foreign minister.

Mondays talks in the resort town of Pattaya were shunned by key regional countries Indonesiathe current ASEAN chairSingapore and Malaysia, causing division among the regional blocs member states. Indonesia stated there was no consensus among ASEAN members to reengage with the regime leaders, while Singapore said it would be premature to reengage with the junta at the summit level. The meeting was also condemned by Myanmars parallel civilian government, the National Unity Government, as well as more than 300 civil society organizations and regional lawmakers as a blatant breach of ASEANs consensus agreement not to invite junta representatives to high-level meetings.

On Tuesday, the Myanmar regime said its Foreign Minister Than Swe attended the informal talks on Monday at the invitation of Don. It said the meeting was joined by foreign ministers, special envoys, ambassadors and representatives from ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and neighboring countries China and India to exchange views on matters related to the situation in Myanmar.

Cambodia sent a junior Foreign Ministry official while Myanmar junta supporter China dispatched Deng Xijun, its special envoy for Asian affairs.

Despite the division and criticism, the outgoing Thai government defended the talks. Outgoing Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters the talks were just [a] meeting and didnt [agree] on anything.

He said direct talks were necessary to protect his country, as Thailand has suffered more than others in the region due to its land border with Myanmar. That is why the talks are necessary. It is not about taking sides, he said.

The current Thai government has been accused of being too close to the regime, and of offering only a muted response to its atrocities. Myanmar is a source of border trade, migrant labor and natural gas for Thailand.

Despite Bangkoks defense of the meeting, questions have been raised as to why Thailand made the hurried decision to hold talks now, especially with a new government expected to take over in August after progressive and populist parties defeated their military-backed rivals in the countrys recent election.

Igor Blazevic, a senior adviser at the Prague Civil Society Centre, said the Thai caretaker government tried to hold the meeting before the transfer of power in Thailand in an attempt to advance the creeping legitimization of the illegal and shunned junta in a way that will make it hard for the next civilian government to change course.

The Thai civilian government will not be able to put much of its policy in place, if it comes to power, because Laos will hold Track 1.5 sometime in August or September and will take over [the] initiative as upcoming ASEAN chair, he said, referring to a new round of informal meetings on Myanmar that was initiated by Thailand in March this year.

Laos was among the ASEAN countries that joined Mondays talks in Pattaya.

Following the meeting, Thai prospective prime minister and Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat on Tuesday reaffirmed his support for ASEAN-led solutions for Myanmar.
POMPANO BEACH, Fla.Last year, in June 2022, Swiss Navy created a comprehensive online certification course to help provide retail associates with valuable knowledge and a path to certification as an expert in their field in honor of National Adult Sex Education Month. Over the past year, hundreds of retail staff members have completed the Swiss Navy Certified Expert program.

Said ACS, M.D. Science Labs vice president of sales and marketing Briana Watkins, "We understand the concerns that retailers have, many of which are struggling with the demands of constantly training and retraining their staff and our certification program has been an incredible success for our customer-partners."

The online Swiss Navy Certified Expert certification course is self-paced and can be accessed on multiple devices at any day and time to fit into retail staff schedules.

M.D. Science Lab director of brand development Dr. Sunny Rodgers said, "Over the past year weve certified hundreds of retail staff members. We understand how information in our industry is constantly expanding and evolving, which can make it difficult for retailers to keep training current and comprehensive."

The multi-module course covers everything from types of consumable goods to in-depth knowledge of uses and solutions and is peppered with "Did You Know" tidbits to help initiate conversations with consumers. The course was created in a bite-sized format so that retail staff can easily navigate their way to certification on any time schedule.

Added Rodgers, "Our Swiss Navy Certified Expert program has provided an ongoing education for staff members to help them be better prepared and more valuable for retailers. Its important to take time during the month of June and remember the overall importance of sex education, and were particularly proud of this training platform that weve been able to build and share."

Some graduates reported that they appreciate knowing more about ingredients and how they may affect a consumers body. And almost all course participants agree that the knowledge theyve learned will help them be better at working with consumers on a daily basis.

Upon successfully completing all ten modules in the course, the staff member will receive a certificate of completion announcing them as a Swiss Navy Certified Expert.

Retailers and their staff are encouraged to sign up at swissnavycertifiedexpert.com.

To see the latest Swiss Navy product range, visit swissnavy.com.

For sales and marketing resources, including the sell sheet for Naked, visit the Swiss Navys B2B Resource Center at b2bswissnavy.com.
At least 21 Myanmar junta forces were killed in the last five days as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to attack regime targets across the country.

Incidents were reported in Tanintharyi, Sagaing, Magwe and Mandalay regions and Karen State.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from the PDFs and EAOs.

Some military casualties could not be independently verified.

Regime forces suffer losses in resistance attacks in Tanintharyi



A resistance drone drops a bomb on regime forces hiding on a mountain in Tanintharyi Township on Monday. / Bat Ma Laik Guerrilla Force

Myanmar regime forces are believed to have been killed and injured in Tanintharyi Township, Tanintharyi Region in the last four days when combined local resistance groups repeatedly attacked a military detachment of 60 troops trying to occupy the resistance groups bases, said Bat Ma Laik Guerrillas (Tanintharyi), which joined the attacks.

The military column has been raiding villages in the township since June 16, attacking and occupying Thamee Hla Village the next day.

The combined PDF groups blocked and attacked regime forces at the village for three days, killing a medical captain.

On Monday, the PDF groups conducted drone strikes on regime forces fleeing Thamee Hla and hiding on a mountain outside the village. On Tuesday, regime forces retreated from the area after facing resistance attacks and drone strikes, the PDF groups said.

Military artillery unit bombed in Sagaing

Three regime forces including a captain were killed and five others injured in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday when five PDF groups used drones to drop bombs on a military artillery base in Kyauk Sit Pon Village, according to the resistance groups.

Regime patrols attacked in town in Sagaing

Three junta policemen were killed in Kani Township, Sagaing Region on Monday when Yinmabin District PDF Battalion 30 attacked 17 regime forces including police officers patrolling in the town of Kani.

In the raid, a firearm, ammunition and some equipment were seized by the resistance forces. After the attack, a regime unit based in the town shelled a nearby village, killing a civilian.

Military gunboat ambushed in Mandalay

Resistance fighters ambush a military gunboat in Myingyan Township on Sunday. / Myingyan District Army

At least 10 regime soldiers were killed in Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region on Sunday when Myingyan District PDF Battalion 3 and two PDF groups jointly ambushed a military gunboat in the Irrawaddy River from close range, according to the resistance groups.

Two junta troops killed by PDF snipers in Mandalay



Resistance snipers ambush regime forces in Madaya Township on Tuesday. / Operation Mya Nan Dar

Two regime forces were gunned down in Madaya Township, Mandalay Region on Tuesday when resistance snipers taking part in Operation Mya Nan Dar ambushed regime forces stationed in Kyat Pyin Village, the resistance group said.

Police outpost destroyed in Magwe



A police outpost after being torched by resistance groups in Saytottaya Township last Thursday. / NUGs Defense Ministry

Minbuu District PDF Battalion managed to burn down a police outpost in a village in Saytottaya Township, Magwe Region last Thursday after attacking 40 regime forces stationed at the police base, said the Defense Ministry of the civilian National Unity Government, the political wing of the PDF.

During the resistance raid, soldiers fled the raid and two pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militia members were arrested. There were no PDF casualties, the Defense Ministry said.

Regime forces bombed in Karen

Resistance group Galon Column claimed to have killed two regime soldiers and injured three others as its drone unit conducted strikes on regime forces stationed at the junta-controlled Electricity Power Supply office in Kyondoe town, Kawkareik Township, Karen State on Monday.
The organization representing most of the tomato industry in Florida is calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, contending it has failed to protect U.S. growers against unfair trade practices.

Florida lawmakers such as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho of North Florida encouraged and applauded the Trump administrations Commerce Department for withdrawing from the 2013 Suspension Agreement on fresh tomatoes from Mexico in early 2019, saying it had allowed unfair competition to increasingly put U.S. tomato growers out of business.

But Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, says that the existing agreement isnt aiding U.S. tomato farmers any more than the three previous deals between Mexico and the United States did, and that its time cut the cord on this pact and impose anti-dumping duties on Mexican tomatoes as soon as possible.

Despite the good faith efforts of the Commerce Department over the last four years, the 2019 Suspension Agreement has not been able to close the loopholes that have always been a problem, Schadler said in a written statement issued on Friday.

Its become clear that these agreements are simply not enforceable, at least when it comes to the tomato trade with Mexico. Suspension agreements might be an effective tool for products that can be kept in storage until market conditions improve, but for highly perishable items like fresh tomatoes, there is just too much incentive to evade the reference prices when markets are oversupplied.

In a suspension agreement, exporters and producers or the foreign government agree to modify their behavior so as to eliminate dumping, which is when a company exports a product at a price that is lower in the importing market than in the exporters domestic market.

Years of complaints

Florida farmers for years have been pushing for restrictions on Mexican tomatoes, complaining that its government has been dumping fresh produce into the U.S. market. That has severely hurt farmers in the Southeast, especially during the winter months.

Following the signing of the most recent suspension agreement in September 2019, Schadlers organization praised the deal, saying that it was a step in the right direction to stop further injury to American farmers caused by dumped Mexico tomatoes.

Schadler now says that while the average prices for grocers initially rose after the first year after the agreement was signed, they have declined over the past three years as pressure resumed from unfairly traded Mexican imports.

Suspension agreements by law are required to stop injury to the domestic industry caused by dumping, but Schadler says none of them have been effective in meeting that requirement.

In 1994, the year that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed, U.S. tomato growers supplied about 80% of the U.S. market and Mexico accounted for around 20%, the Florida Tomato Exchange says. Now it says Mexicos share of the U.S. market is nearly 70%, while U.S. farmers have approximately 30% market share.

Requests for comment from the Florida Tomato Exchange and the Justice Department were not returned.

This report first appeared on the website of the Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to coverage of state government and politics from Tallahassee.
Wednesday, Jun 21st, 2023 (8:37 am) - Score 600

Rural UK ISP Wildanet, which is building a new gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across parts of Cornwall and Devon in England, has this week become the latest provider to sign the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC)  witnessed by several of the many ex-service personnel already working for the company.

The AFC broadly reflects a pledge to recognise the contribution of serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families  often as part of recruitment (i.e. ensuring they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives). A number of other broadband operators (e.g. BT, Sky Broadband, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk, CityFibre, Virgin Media, G.Network and many more) are also signatories.

Paddy Paddison, Wildanet Chief Technology Officer, and himself a veteran of the Royal Corps of Signals, signed the covenant on behalf of Wildanet, with Major John Porter, Officer Commanding 232 Port Squadron, based in Bodmin (part of 165 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC), signing on behalf of the armed services.

Paddy Paddison said: At Wildanet, we deeply value the dedication, resilience, and expertise of individuals who have served in the armed forces. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we reaffirm our unwavering support for veterans and ex-service personnel, providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities to build successful careers outside the military. We are proud to be part of a nationwide initiative that recognises and celebrates their contributions. We are also very excited to be supporting the Armed Forces Day National Event in Falmouth where, most appropriately, we have chosen a team of veterans from within Wildanet who will be putting the communications infrastructure in place. This will include providing wireless internet access to about 120 traders/stands during the event, together with the connectivity to enable live streaming and commentary of the Red Arrows and other activities and air displays on to a big screen in events square.

The provider, which is being supported by an investment of 50m from the Gresham House British Strategic Investment Infrastructure Fund (BSIF) and recently scooped a 36m Project Gigabit contract to cover another 19,250 premises across rural parts of Cornwall (here), is currently ramping-up its rollout across the South West. In addition, they recently named 9 new locations in Devon for their FTTP build (here).
Wednesday, Jun 21st, 2023 (8:04 am) - Score 768

The latest H2 2022 study into the broadband coverage of UK new build homes reveals that 98.3% of houses constructed by the end of 2022 were covered by a fixed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network (unchanged from H1 2022), which falls slightly to 98.1% when only looking at the latest early data for 2023.

The data, which flows from Thinkbroadbands latest independent model (examination of new build postcodes), suggests that gigabit-capable network coverage of new build sites is no longer a major issue. But wed still recommend that those purchasing a new build home always get the property developer to confirm, in writing, what kind of service you can expect to receive before handing over any money.

NOTE: Some networks on new build sites may restrict your choice of ISP, so its always worth identifying the fibre supplier for such sites and asking them about this ( Some networks on new build sites may restrict your choice of ISP, so its always worth identifying the fibre supplier for such sites and asking them about this ( summary of operators serving new builds ).

Most large home builders (e.g. Home Builders Federation) have already entered into partnerships with operators (e.g. Openreach, Virgin Media, Hyperoptic and various altnet ISPs) to better facilitate the roll-out of full fibre broadband. Openreach have also made it even cheaper to deploy their FTTP network into some of the smallest developments (here). On top of that, new rules are coming to make all of this a requirement (here and here).

Despite this, some property developers still say that deploying full fibre services can, in some areas, be prohibitively expensive (e.g. remote rural locations), although this hasnt always stopped many of those same companies from raking in big annual profits. Nevertheless, more and more new homes are arriving with full fibre availability as standard, and the impact of this is pretty clear.

New Build Broadband Cover by Speed and Technology (H2 2022 Data)

New Premises % Superfast 30Mbps+ % VirginMedia Cable (HFC) % Full Fibre (FTTP) UK 2023 (32,572) partial 99.5% 1.7% 98.1% UK 2022 (163,104) 99.5% 2.3% 98.3% UK 2021 (216,255) 99.4% 4.3% 96.6%

NOTE 1: Virgins Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) impact is naturally in decline above (most HFC stems from older developments) as FTTP takes over. We should add that Openreachs FTTP accounts for 80%+ of new build homes. NOTE 2: Some small / individual developments (e.g. personal single house projects) or property conversions may be missed by this data. NOTE 3: The historic figures may change as the related data is frequently being revised / updated, although the % totals rarely shift by much. NOTE 4: The availability of postcode data tends to lag deployments, which is why we only get a partial view of the current year in this update. NOTE 5: A growing number of new build and existing sites constructed with fibre ducts from GTC (OFNL / BUUK) will also be able to carry Virgin Medias (VMO2) services (here and here).

This will be the last time that we report on the progress of full fibre coverage for new build homes in the UK, since the core problem has now been largely resolved and any biannual changes seem likely to be statistically insignificant. The figure seems to also be stabilising around 98%+ and thats up from 90.6% all the way back in 2019. But we will update again if there are any remarkable changes.
Wednesday, Jun 21st, 2023 (11:17 am) - Score 744

British multinational corporation and mobile network operator Lyca Mobile, which is a Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) based off O2s (VMO2) national platform, has today announced the appointment of Richard Schafer to be their new CEO (Mobile and Group)  having previously served as Lyca Group CFO since May 2021.

Schafer has a strong track record in senior leadership roles, having previously worked in the domestic UK and international telecommunication sector for more than 22 years at some of the UKs leading telecommunication companies including Three UK, Vodafone UK, Onecom, and Lebara.

The news isnt all that surprising because the new CEO has been listed on their website for a while, but for some reason they waited until now to formally announce it.

Richard Schafer said: Lyca Mobile has always delivered exceptional value to our customers, and I firmly believe we have some of the most cost-effective and compelling products in the market. As the worlds largest MVNO, we have built a loyal customer base by delivering reliable, low-cost international calling, and there is a golden opportunity to extend that base by targeting a broader value-seeking market. Consumers are facing skyrocketing living costs and there is a growing space for mobile providers who can give customers what they want  which is simply cost-effective, quality services. We will be relentless in delivering against our three priorities of value, customer service and reliability, with new investments and partnerships already taking shape to demonstrate our single-minded focus on continuous improvement across these core areas.

However, the announcement doesnt mention why the groups former CEO, Chris Tooley, is no longer in the role, after first taking up the post almost a decade ago in 2014. Tooleys Linkedin profile also makes no mention of him having taken up any new positions in other companies, yet.
For years, the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals have been at odds, feuding over how much MASNtheir shared broadcast partnershould owe in rights fees. As a concession to Baltimore for accommodating a new team in its local market (the Nationals relocated from Montreal in 2005), the Orioles received a majority ownership stake in MASN, effectively granting them control over Washingtons rights fees.

MASN offered $200 million for the Nationals TV rights from 2012-16 ($40 million annually), a sum they flatly rejected, countering at $475 million. The sides lawyered up, presenting their case before MLBs Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee, which determined Washington should receive an additional $100 million. The Orioles fought to have that ruling vacated, arguing the decision be overturned on grounds that MLB and the Nationals had used the same law firm, representing an obvious conflict of interest.

Years later, the New York State Court of Appeals would ultimately rule in Washingtons favor, confirming MLBs initial judgment that MASN and the Orioles owed the Nationals $100 million. An agreement between the two sides has been reached, with the Nationals and Orioles finally settling their discrepancy Tuesday, according to beat reporters Chelsea Janes and Ben Strauss of the Washington Post.

However, the war waged between the two beltway rivals is far from over, with the Orioles and Nationals likely to butt heads over payments for the next five-year period spanning 2017-21. At present, the Nationals own a 23-percent stake in MASN, a percentage that will continue to rise until their ownership share is capped at 33 percent in 2032. Realistically, the Nationals and Orioles are unlikely to ever see eye to eye, which, as the industry has taught us, is an occupational hazard of sharing a television territory with another team.

[Washington Post]
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.
More than two years after Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) first announced its plans for a new Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) and about nine months past the initial timeline set for groundbreaking, the city has approved the specific plan and zoning map amendments for phase one of the hospital's move to a new location.

The plans have developed in the years since a new campus near Ft. Tuthill County Park was announced in April 2021, though the overall concept of a hospital and ambulatory care center (ACC) surrounded by a larger health and wellness village has remained consistent, as has community skepticism about the proposal.

The citys June 6 approval of the phase one specific plan and zoning map amendments means NAH can move forward with planning and design for its new hospital and ACC. The healthcare organizations leadership has been doing just that; a preliminary plat was set to be reviewed by Flagstaff City Council at Tuesday's meeting and, if all goes according to plan, they hope to begin working on the new site in Feb. 2024.

Local residents and organizations with unanswered questions and concerns about the project have been organizing since the council's approval, gathering signatures in the hope of placing a referendum on the ballot. If they have slightly over 2,600 by July 6, the question will be put to a vote for Flagstaff residents.

Heres a closer look at two of FMCs potential futures as the project moves into its next stage of development.

Referendum petition

Flagstaff community members and organization have been gathering signatures on a petition over the past two weeks with the hope of calling a referendum on an ordinance connected to the plans to move FMC to a new location.

The referendum petition questions city ordinance 2023-11, which is the rezoning unanimously adopted by the council at its June 6 meeting (though vice mayor Austin Aslan was absent). It amends Flagstaffs zoning map by rezoning 93.98 acres of the NAH property next to Ft. Tuthill County Park for uses related to the hospital.

With this ordinance, the property moved from a mix of rural residential (40.47 acres) and estate residential (57.92 acres) to highway commercial (63.18 acres) and public facilities (35.21) to accommodate phase one of construction, primarily the new hospital and ACC.

According to Friends of Flagstaffs Future (F3) executive director Michele James, each ordinance challenged would require a separate petition to be put on the ballot, so organizers focused on the rezoning as it includes some of their biggest questions with the campus.

This is a big decision thats going to affect our city in many, many ways," she said. "Everything from what's happening on the existing campus to the amount of traffic to the increase in vehicle miles traveled is predicted to happen for people driving to the new location, how that overlaps with the carbon neutrality plan. Its a big development, period, but its also very big in terms of magnitude and we think a decision of this magnitude ought to be at the hands of the voting public.

F3 has been helping gather signatures to support the petition, an effort that is being led by a new political action committee called Flagstaff Community First. The group has until July 6 to gather just over 2,600 valid signatures on the petition, which will then need to be certified, so they are trying to collect as many as possible.

We believe NAH and their private development partners proposal is of such magnitude that the citizens of Flagstaff should be able to vote on it, based on as much information as possible, FCFs website said. It is one of the largest development projects in the citys history and will impact the city in many significant ways. This decision is too important to not be given to the voters.

If the current efforts are successful, this question will be put to the public on a ballot in November; the petitions success by itself does not automatically mean overturning the councils decision.

Referendums are one of two powers given to the people in part one of Article IV of the Arizona constitution. Section eight outlines the process for more local matters, including at the city level. It specifies that 10% of electors can propose a referendum on legislation enacted -- in this case, by the City of Flagstaff.

NAH leaders have said they would not be able to move forward with their campus plans without city approval on the rezoning. But with the June 6 council meeting, they have it, and are moving forward with their plans. Approval of a preliminary plat was on the agenda for Tuesdays council meeting, for example.

"We understand the desire for the public vote," said Steve Eiss, NAH's vice president of construction and real estate development. "I think what we want to make sure is that the folks that are talking about the hospital publicly are accurately depicting the project. A lot of the talking points we hear out in the community and sometimes ones we see on social media, we have directly refuted with information during our meetings."

He said these misconceptions included that the construction would cost taxpayers in infrastructure improvements. NAH is also directing people to a page on its website about the new campus.

" Were confident that the residents of our region understand the value of a level one trauma center," Eiss added. "...We just want to make sure that residents understand the facts, they understand that these services we plan on providing to the community are services for the entire region, and we want to make sure we understand we're planning a project that is suited to serve the next generation of northern Arizonans, including those within the city of Flagstaff."

Eiss did not say what NAH specifically planned to do should a vote on the referendum go against the council decision, though he said "if ultimately our zoning is overturned, we would have to readdress what we would need to meet our community's healthcare needs."

...I think well have to reconvene when that happens, he said. Right now, we're holding steady on our plans because we feel they're the appropriate plans for the community and the region and hopeful that we will give the information that the community desires through this process to show that."

Tuesday's council meeting also included preparations for calling a special election on Nov. 7, which includes several city charter amendments and potentially the referendum, should it receive enough signatures.

We will not know if the referendum will qualify for placement on the ballot within a timeframe sufficient to provide proper notice and solicitation for pro/con statements from the public, the agenda noted. As such, we are including the referendum in this resolution, contingent upon the qualification of signatures.

The item also said if the petition is unsuccessful, the ballot will continue without the referendum question.

Reasoning for the referendum

FCF is aided in its efforts by several Flagstaff residents and organizations, including FMC certificate holders, former councilmembers and a local doctor. Many of these have previously expressed concerns with the plan to move FMC and, eventually, create a larger health and wellness village around it.

Like many involved in the efforts to put the referendum on the ballot, James primarily focused on her ongoing questions and concerns about the plan to move the hospital more generally when discussing the need for a referendum.

The referendum is exactly what were for, she said of F3, mentioning election forums the organization held last year. We think the public should have a say in what happens in elections. In this case, because theres so many unanswered questions, we think the public should have a chance to decide.

While James said F3 isnt against the hospital, she said there were still several unanswered questions about its impact on the community shed like to see addressed before moving forward -- whether a renovation at the current site is possible and how the current campus will be used after the move, for example. The organization is also asking for a community impact study to show all the ways moving the hospital to Ft. Tuthill could affect Flagstaff and its medical care.

She has commented about these concerns at almost every meeting on the topic over the past year, and F3s website has a page further detailing its response to the project. F3 had previously considered putting together a referendum effort itself, but decided not to because of a lack of capacity. When it heard about this effort, it decided to assist, she said.

We believe Flagstaff and northern Arizona residents deserve high-quality healthcare. Absolutely, she said. We just have some questions wed like to have answered that would be used to make a better decision or to make a more full and complete decision.

...We would like transparency, she added. I think the public deserves transparency and answers to the questions that a lot of people have and the referendum appears to be the only way to potentially get those answers.

More about the referendum efforts, including places to sign the petition, can be found at flagstaffcommunityfirst.org.
Every member of the Arizona Senate earns a salary of $24,000 annually, but theyre also eligible for subsistence pay or per diem during the legislative session. This week the Senate Majority Leadership team is asking state leaders to consider opting out of receiving that subsistence pay, at least temporarily.

The state Senate adjourned on Tuesday, June 13 and will reconvene on July 31. If every senator continues to collect subsistence pay over the break, the total cost to the state will be about $83,944 before taxes.

Senators who live in Maricopa County are eligible to receive $10 a day in subsistence pay. Senators who formally reside outside of Maricopa County can be paid much more. Theyre able to collect $119 a day.

Because the Senate has been in session for at least 120 days, and session has not formally concluded, they are still eligible to receive subsistence payments  which are intended to pay for lodging and food close to the state capitol.

All state senators have the option of opting out of receiving per diem payments. When they file their paperwork, they can also set an end date for their requests. Essentially, if senators dont need to travel during the break, they can ask for per diem payments to resume on July 31.

The request from Senate Majority Leadership comes just one month after a Flagstaff judge quashed an injunction filed against an Arizona Capitol Times reporter who was working on verifying Senator Wendy Rogers residency claims.

As a representative of the district that covers much of Flagstaff, Rogers also formally resides in Coconino County  making her eligible to receive $119 a day in subsistence pay.

At the time Rogers filed an injunction against harassment against reporter Camryn Sanchez, Sanchez was looking into rumors that the senator lived primarily in one of two houses she owned in Maricopa County and was not regularly commuting to and from Flagstaff.

Sanchez had visited both of Rogers' residences using address information that she found in public records. One of those visits happened around twilight on the evening of April 19. Both times, Sanchez wore press credentials. She did not enter Rogers' homes on either occasion.

The senator issued a press release claiming that no one in their right mind would knock on the front door of a house they were not invited to. She filed for a restraining order in Flagstaff Justice Court, asking that Sanchez not be allowed at the capitol, the place where both women work.

Rogers also characterized Sanchezs behavior as creepy and noted at the time that she had asked the reporter not to approach her on the Senate floor. In filing for the injunction, Rogers pressed that Sanchez had no legitimate purpose for contacting her and that a reasonable person would be intimidated or disturbed by the reporters behavior.

Judge Howard Grodman ultimately ruled to dismiss the injunction, saying that investigative journalism is a legitimate purpose under the law.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden's son Hunter will plead guilty to federal tax offenses but avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge in a deal with the Justice Department that likely spares him time behind bars.

Hunter Biden, 52, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday. The agreement will also avoid prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions set by prosecutors. It's somewhat unusual to resolve a federal criminal case at the same time charges are filed in court but not unheard of.

The deal ends a long-running Justice Department investigation into Biden's second son, who has acknowledged struggling with addiction following the 2015 death of his brother Beau Biden. It also averts a trial that would have generated days or weeks of distracting headlines for a White House that has strenuously sought to keep its distance from the Justice Department.

While it requires the younger Biden to admit guilt, the deal is narrowly focused on tax and weapons violations rather than anything broader or tied to the Democratic president. Nonetheless, former President Donald Trump and other Republicans are likely to continue to try to use the case to shine an unflattering spotlight on Joe Biden and his family business dealings and to raise questions about the independence of the Biden Justice Department.

Trump, in a post on his social media platform, likened the Hunter Biden deal to a "mere traffic ticket," adding, "Our system is BROKEN!"

The White House counsel's office said in a statement that the president and first lady Jill Biden "love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life."

Two people familiar with the investigation said the Justice Department would recommend probation for the tax charges, meaning Hunter Biden will not face time behind bars. But the decision to go along with any deal is up to the judge. The people were not authorized to speak publicly by name and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

He is to plead guilty to failing to pay more than $100,0000 in taxes on over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018.

The gun charge states that Hunter Biden possessed a handgun, a Colt Cobra .38 Special, for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user. The count carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department said Hunter Biden had reached a pretrial agreement. This likely means as long as he adheres to the terms of the agreement, the case will be wiped from his record.

Christopher Clark, a lawyer for Hunter Biden, said in a statement that it was his understanding that the five-year investigation had now been resolved.

"I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life," Clark said. "He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward."

The agreement comes as the Justice Department pursues perhaps the most consequential case in its history against Trump, the first former president to face federal criminal charges. The resolution of Hunter Biden's case comes just days after a 37-count indictment against former President Trump in relation to accusations of mishandling classified documents on his Florida estate, a case with even more significant political implications.

That indictment has brought an onslaught of Republican criticism of "politicization" of the Justice Department and a renewed crescendo of questions about Hunter Biden's business dealings. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans continue to pursue their own investigations into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including examining foreign payments.

Republicans on Tuesday called the federal charges an example of "a two-tiered justice system."

Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said the younger Biden is "getting away with a slap on the wrist," despite investigations in Congress that GOP lawmakers say show  but have not yet provided evidence of  a pattern of corruption involving the family's financial ties.

Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee called the charges "low-hanging fruit" and vowed not let "full accountability fall by the wayside."

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, on the other hand, called the five-year investigation originating in his home state "thorough" and said he was encouraged "that Hunter is taking responsibility for his actions, paying the taxes that he owes, and preparing to move on with his life."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was scheduled to campaign with the president Tuesday evening, reaffirmed his support for Biden's reelection after the plea deal was announced. Over the weekend, Newsom told The AP "not on God's green earth" would he launch a primary challenge against Biden.

"Hunter changes nothing," Newsom told The AP on Tuesday

The Trump charges came from a special counsel, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an independent investigation to avoid any potential conflict of interest in the Justice Department. The Hunter Biden charges, meanwhile, were filed by the U.S. attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss.

The Justice Department investigation into the president's son burst into public view in December 2020, one month after the 2020 election, when Hunter Biden revealed that he had received a subpoena as part of the department's scrutiny of his taxes. The subpoena sought information on the younger Biden's business dealings with a number of entities, including Burisma, a Ukraine gas company on whose board he sat.

Hunter Biden said in a statement at the time that he was "confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisers."

Since then, a federal grand jury in Delaware has heard testimony related to his taxes and foreign business transactions.

In February 2021, the department sought the resignation of most Trump-era U.S. attorneys but made a point of noting that it was leaving Weiss in place as a way to ensure continuity in the probe.

At a congressional hearing last August, FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that the investigation remained active out of the bureau's Baltimore field office and said it was a matter that "I expect our folks to pursue aggressively."

Garland pledged not to interfere in the probe at another hearing in March. An unnamed IRS special agent, though, later alleged mishandling of the investigation in a letter to Congress in which he sought whistleblower protection.

The younger Biden joined the board of Burisma in 2014, around the time his father, then Barack Obama's vice president, was helping conduct the Obama administration's foreign policy with Ukraine. Trump and his allies have long argued, without evidence, that Hunter Biden's work in Ukraine influenced the Obama administration's policies toward the East European nation.

Years before the case was brought, Hunter Biden surfaced as a central character in the first impeachment case against Trump, who in an apparent bid to boost his own reelection bid had asked Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a telephone call to announce an investigation into the younger Biden.

Republicans later sought to make Hunter Biden's business dealings in Ukraine a prominent issue during the 2020 presidential election.

In October of that year, the New York Post reported that it had received from Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani a copy of a hard drive of a laptop that Hunter Biden had dropped off 18 months earlier at a Delaware computer repair shop and never retrieved.

The story was greeted with skepticism due to questions about the laptop's origins, including Giuliani's involvement, and because top officials in the Trump administration had already warned that Russia was working to denigrate Joe Biden ahead of the November election. No evidence has emerged of any Russian connection to the laptop or to he will emails found on the advice.

Photos: Hunter Biden through the years
Nebraska Extension has numerous field days that agronomists, conservationists, and farmers can attend during the summer across the state. Locally, we have two upcoming regional field days at the end of June and early July. Please learn more about each of the field days and consider attending.

First up is our Weed Management Field Day on Wednesday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Central Ag Lab near Clay Center. This field day will include on-site demonstrations of new technologies and herbicides for weed control in corn, soybean, and sorghum. The field day is free to attend, but preregistration is required at https://agronomy.unl.edu/fieldday. Registration is from 8:30-9 a.m. with rolls and coffee available. Free lunch is also provided including UNL Dairy Store Ice Cream for dessert. Certified Crop Adviser credits are available. There will be two tours with four demonstrations trials discussed in each tour. Tour 1 is on-site demonstration of new technology/herbicide for weed control in soybean including planting green and residual herbicide interaction in soybean, interseeding small grains in soybeans for weed suppression, comparison of herbicide programs for weed control in soybean, and evaluating pre-emergence herbicides for weed control in XtendFlex soybean. Tour 2 is on-site demonstration new technology/herbicides for weed control in corn and sorghum including comparison of herbicides program for weed control in corn, control of corn volunteers in Enlist corn, evaluating Surtain for weed control and crop safety in corn, and control corn volunteers in iGrowth sorghum. Learn more by visiting the field day website at https://agronomy.unl.edu/fieldday

Second up is our 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day on Thursday, July 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. held at the August N. Christenson Research and Education Building at the Eastern Nebraska, Research, Extension and Education Center near Ithaca. The field day is free to attend including lunch and features knowledge and tools to improve nutrient management, soil health, crop yields and water quality. This is a great opportunity to learn about 4Rs (right source, right rate, right time, right place) strategies to improve crop yield and profits while protecting the environment. Certified Crop Advisers can earn 4.5 CEUs on Nutrient Management. Attendance counts toward Lower Platte North NRD Nitrogen Certification. Topics covered at the field day include performance of nitrogen recommendations tools, optimizing phosphorus fertilizer use in Nebraska, potassium fertilizer recommendations, nitrogen management with sensor-base fertigation, and 2 hours of nutrient management demonstration activities in the field. Registration is required to participate. Learn more and register at https://agronomy.unl.edu/4rs-nutrient-stewardship-field-day.

For assistance with registration over the phone for these field days, call the Saline County Extension office at 402-821-2151. For inquiries regarding these field days and other water and cropping systems resources from Nebraska Extension, contact me at nathan.mueller@unl.edu or 402-821-1722. Know your crop, know your tech, know your bottom line at croptechcafe.org.
A Billings man was sentenced Monday to 80 years in prison for fatally shooting a woman at their South Side home last year.

David Antonio Rodas, 59, previously pleaded no contest in Yellowstone County District Court to one count of deliberate homicide, claiming he had no memory of the day he shot and killed Gwen Ann Marshall, then fled with their son.

On May 14, 2022, Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to a suicide reported at a home on the 3200 block of Stone Street. They found Marshalls body, and YCSO detectives processed the scene and later determined her death to be a homicide. Rodas, who moved into the trailer home with Marshall and their son in March of that year, was named as a person of interest.

Detectives found their son May 15 at a Billings apartment with a family member. He was not hurt, but during an interview he told investigators he was in his room at the Stone Street home when he heard several gunshots. His father then came into his room and said they needed to leave. Rodas dropped the boy off at a relatives work.

The same day detectives took the boy into protective custody, deputies were dispatched to assist Billings police in detaining a shirtless man behaving erratically in the Heights.

The man, identified as Rodas, had to be restrained by multiple officers and deputies. A toxicology report found he was under the influence of methamphetamine, and tried to kick, bite and spit on first responders within reach. He stayed at a Billings hospital for five days before entering Yellowstone County Detention Facility. County prosecutors charged Rodas with deliberate homicide later that month.

Prosecutors recommended a 70-year sentence for Rodas as part of a plea agreement reached in May 2023, plus an additional 10 years for using a weapon. Yellowstone County District Judge Michael G. Moses presided over Mondays sentencing and followed the sentencing recommendation.

Along with prison time, Moses also ordered that Rodas pay nearly $7,700 in restitution.

Marshalls death was one of nearly 20 in Yellowstone County last year, with homicides in the area rising to record-setting levels staring in 2020. There have been six homicides in Billings so far this year.
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
Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High near 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.

Tomorrow

Sunny along with a few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
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By Noel Gutierrez Brizuela, University of California, San Diego and Sally Warner, Brandeis University | 

(The Conversation)  When a hurricane hits land, the destruction can be visible for years or even decades. Less obvious, but also powerful, is the effect hurricanes have on the oceans.

In a new study, we show through real-time measurements that hurricanes dont just churn water at the surface. They can also push heat deep into the ocean in ways that can lock it up for years and ultimately affect regions far from the storm.

Heat is the key component of this story. It has long been known that hurricanes gain their energy from warm sea surface temperatures. This heat helps moist air near the ocean surface rise like a hot air balloon and form clouds taller than Mount Everest. This is why hurricanes generally form in tropical regions.

What we discovered is that hurricanes ultimately help warm the ocean, too, by enhancing its ability to absorb and store heat. And that can have far-reaching consequences.

When hurricanes mix heat into the ocean, that heat doesnt just resurface in the same place. We showed how underwater waves produced by the storm can push the heat roughly four times deeper than mixing alone, sending it to a depth where the heat is trapped far from the surface. From there, deep sea currents can transport it thousands of miles. A hurricane that travels across the western Pacific Ocean and hits the Philippines could end up supplying warm water that heats up the coast of Ecuador years later.

At sea, looking for typhoons

For two months in the fall of 2018, we lived aboard the research vessel Thomas G. Thompson to record how the Philippine Sea responded to changing weather patterns. As ocean scientists, we study turbulent mixing in the ocean and hurricanes and other tropical storms that generate this turbulence.

Skies were clear and winds were calm during the first half of our experiment. But in the second half, three major typhoons  as hurricanes are known in this part of the world  stirred up the ocean.



Sally Warner



That shift allowed us to directly compare the oceans motions with and without the influence of the storms. In particular, we were interested in learning how turbulence below the ocean surface was helping transfer heat down into the deep ocean.

We measure ocean turbulence with an instrument called a microstructure profiler, which free-falls nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) and uses a probe similar to a phonograph needle to measure turbulent motions of the water.

What happens when a hurricane comes through

Imagine the tropical ocean before a hurricane passes over it. At the surface is a layer of warm water, warmer than 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), that is heated by the sun and extends roughly 160 feet (50 meters) below the surface. Below it are layers of colder water.

The temperature difference between the layers keeps the waters separated and virtually unable to affect each other. You can think of it like the division between the oil and vinegar in an unshaken bottle of salad dressing.

As a hurricane passes over the tropical ocean, its strong winds help stir the boundaries between the water layers, much like someone shaking the bottle of salad dressing. In the process, cold deep water is mixed up from below and warm surface water is mixed downward. This causes surface temperatures to cool, allowing the ocean to absorb heat more efficiently than usual in the days after a hurricane.

For over two decades, scientists have debated whether the warm waters that are mixed downward by hurricanes could heat ocean currents and thereby shape global climate patterns. At the heart of this question was whether hurricanes could pump heat deep enough so that it stays in the ocean for years.

By analyzing subsurface ocean measurements taken before and after three hurricanes, we found that underwater waves transport heat roughly four times deeper into the ocean than direct mixing during the hurricane. These waves, which are generated by the hurricane itself, transport the heat deep enough that it cannot be easily released back into the atmosphere.

Implications of heat in the deep ocean

Once this heat is picked up by large-scale ocean currents, it can be transported to distant parts of the ocean.

The heat injected by the typhoons we studied in the Philippine Sea may have flowed to the coasts of Ecuador or California, following current patterns that carry water from west to east across the equatorial Pacific.

At this point, the heat may be mixed back up to the surface by a combination of shoaling currents, upwelling and turbulent mixing. Once the heat is close to the surface again, it can warm the local climate and affect ecosystems.

For instance, coral reefs are particularly sensitive to extended periods of heat stress. El Nino events are the typical culprit behind coral bleaching in Ecuador, but the excess heat from the hurricanes that we observed may contribute to stressed reefs and bleached coral far from where the storms appeared.

It is also possible that the excess heat from hurricanes stays within the ocean for decades or more without returning to the surface. This would actually have a mitigating impact on climate change.

As hurricanes redistribute heat from the ocean surface to greater depths, they can help to slow down warming of the Earths atmosphere by keeping the heat sequestered in the ocean.

Scientists have long thought of hurricanes as extreme events fueled by ocean heat and shaped by the Earths climate. Our findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, add a new dimension to this problem by showing that the interactions go both ways  hurricanes themselves have the ability to heat up the ocean and shape the Earths climate.

Noel Gutierrez Brizuela, Ph.D. Candidate in Physical Oceanography, University of California, San Diego and Sally Warner, Associate Professor of Climate Science, Brandeis University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Featured image: Satellite data illustrates the heat signature of Hurricane Maria above warm surface water in 2017. NASA
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53rd Session UN Human Rights Council

Item 2  Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel

Less than a year ago, Israeli authorities, with Yair Lapid as prime minister, raided the offices of and issued closure orders against seven prominent Palestinian civil society organizations. All had previously been outlawed, baselessly designated as terrorist organizations under Israeli law and as unlawful associations under military law, which is applicable in the West Bank. Then, in December, the Lapid government deported the Palestinian human rights defender Salah Hamouri, who worked with one of the designated organizations, from his native Jerusalem.

Since then, a new Israeli government has come to power. One member of that government, Bezalel Smotrich, who serves as finance minister and a minister in the Defense Ministry with wide authority over the West Bank, has vowed to take action against particular human rights groups, warning that they pose an existential threat to Israel.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Al-Haq: Joint oral intervention by Addameer and Al-Haq; interactive dialogue with UNSR at the HRC52

It is Palestinian civil society groups that face the existential threat, as this new Commission of Inquiry report shows. While Israels systematic attacks on human rights advocacy have faded from the headlines, Palestinian civil society continues to face the very real prospect that any day Israeli authorities could jail their most prominent leaders.

While governments around the world, including many in Europe, have criticized the designations, tepid statements wont stop Israels repression. Governments should forcefully call for the Israeli government to reverse its designations and to allow human rights groups to carry out their vital work unhindered. They should make clear that they will impose meaningful consequences on the Israeli government should it fail to do so.

The international community must act before its too late. The fate of human rights advocacy in Israel and Palestine may hang in the balance.
Those wishing to make their voices heard at the federal level regarding the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis will have the opportunity to do so next month.

The Not Invisible Act Commission is set to convene in Billings on July 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for panel discussions and public hearings. The hearings are closed to the press for privacy reasons.

At the event, which will occur at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center (1223 Mullowney Lane), attendees will have the chance to offer testimony and engage in conversations about potential solutions.

While Native Americans account for 6.7% of Montanas population, they comprise, on average, 26% of the states active missing persons cases.

The Not Invisible Act, passed in 2020, aims to increase intergovernmental coordination to combat the crisis by establishing the commission composed of tribal leaders, law enforcement, federal partners, service providers and family members of victims and survivors.

A Government Accountability Office report in 2021 found that the Interior Department initially failed to appoint members to the commission by the deadline outlined in the Not Invisible Act, but since then, the commission has been announced.

There are at least two members from Montana on the commission: Grace Bulltail, whose 18-year-old niece Kaysera Stops Pretty Places was found dead in Hardin in 2019, and Annita Lucchesi, founder of Sovereign Bodies Institute.

To register for the event, visit cvent.me/8zoMQE. The deadline to submit written recommendations to the commission is Aug. 10 at NIAC@ios.doi.gov.
VANCOUVER, BC, June 21, 2023 /CNW/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to report exploration results from the Swain and Sol d'Or properties in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project ("BUGB Project" or the "Project") located in northwestern Ontario, Canada, near the Company's Springpole Gold Project (the "Springpole Project"). Results from field and drilling programs on these two properties have identified new gold mineralization in favourable geologic settings with a potential for unlocking new discoveries. Work completed in 2022 and work planned for 2023 include components of soil geochemistry, prospecting and mapping, airborne geophysics, and diamond drilling programs.

Highlights of the Exploration Advancements:

Identification of key exploration elements in the Grace Deformation Zone over a structural strike length of 6.5 km

Discovery of a new gold-in-soil anomaly, including a gold assay of 724 ppb Au, with open opportunity for expansion and infill

Return of rock grab samples from the Sol d'Or property, including a high-grade sample of 34.7 g/t Au, confirming potential for a high-grade host environment, and additional samples from the Swain property, including one at 9.3 g/t Au

Completion of a 150-line km airborne geophysical survey with advanced processing and modelling supporting forward targeting

Identification of six discrete electromagnetic conductive plate models from geophysical modelling favourable for further targeting and resolution advancement

Drilling of five priority holes at the Swain property validating a geologic setting of favourable host rocks including notable alteration and mineralization, and including drill intersects of up to 0.64 g/t Au over 5.6 m , and 0.34 g/t Au over 14.9 m

"We continue to be encouraged by the results of our initial exploration phases," stated Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining. "Building key datasets and evaluating regional host settings in our consolidated district has supported the growth of an important prospectivity pipeline which includes over 80 current targets. The additional targets and potential mineral discovery in our district-scale Birch-Uchi land package provides tremendous upside to our already robust Springpole Project."

Swain  Sol d'Or Targeting

The Swain and Sol d'Or property areas are located approximately 7 km southwest of First Mining's western-most property boundary at the Springpole Project. Exploration targeting is focused along the northwest-southeast striking Grace Deformation Zone ("GDZ"), and the north-south striking Uchi Deformation Zone ("UDZ"), targeting iron carbonate alteration assemblages, and anomalous arsenic and copper values generated from recent field exercises are planned for immediate follow up. The 2022 field campaign by First Mining returned a high gold-in-soil assay of 724 ppb which is associated with mapped shearing and quartz veining within 300 m of the GDZ, an area that has historically produced numerous exploration targets within the Birch-Uchi Greenstone belt, including the historic Sol d'Or mine operated in the 1930's. Prospecting by First Mining in the vicinity of the historic mine returned grab samples with anomalous gold, including one sample at 34.7 g/t Au, further supporting the targeted areas' gold endowment. Mineralization is associated with increased silica and carbonate-altered mafic to intermediate volcanic units and banded iron formations that are host to brecciated and discrete quartz veining, and sulphides. The dominant sulphide mineralization is fine grained, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite, averaging an abundance of 1-5%. Most mineralization found across the property is associated with, or found within, the GDZ.

2022 Swain Diamond Drilling

The 2022 Swain diamond drilling campaign comprised 5 drill holes totalling 1,557 metres and was completed as scout-level drill testing along and proximal to the GDZ, in areas prospective for gold mineralization based on geology, grab sampling, geophysics, and structural architecture (see Figure 1). Recent and historical field work identifies grab samples at Swain that returned gold grades of 2.93 g/t Au and 1.59g /t Au, indicative of notable gold endowment with an opportunity to advance and vector within a mineralization system over a meaningful strike length. Mineralization potential has been modelled in 3D with a focus on outward growth and vectoring to areas of higher grade and width (see Figure 2). Select assay results from the Swain drill program are reported below in Table 1, and drill locations are provided in Table 2.

The exploration drilling campaign carried out on the Swain property has been successful in advancing base datasets and target vectoring with exploration validation through the identification of favourable host rock lithologies over zones of meaningful width with increased alteration, veining and mineralization. Results have delineated an area of interest over one kilometre of strike length coincident with the influence of the GDZ structure, which includes drill intercepts of 0.64 g/t Au over 5.6 m, and 0.34 g/t Au over 14.9 m (hole SWL22-001). Initial work has identified important indicators that support further vectoring down strike of the GDZ where additional target work-ups will focus on anomalous soil geochemical values (including 724 ppb Au) at the Hogwarts target and rock grab sample values including 34.7 g/t Au at the Sol d'Or target.

Table 1: Assay Highlights from the 2022 Drill Program, Swain Property

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au Grade (g/t) SWL22-001 63.46 78.33 14.87 0.34 including 65.68 66.07 0.39 2.51 and 118.86 124.5 5.64 0.64 including 124 124.5 0.5 4.59 SWL22-002 116.1 118.3 2.2 0.69 and 126.3 134.9 8.6 0.26 and 326 329 3 0.23 and 414.7 417 2.3 0.27 SWL22-003 163.97 165.2 1.23 1.18 SWL22-004 208 215.3 7.3 0.09 and 245.65 249.2 3.55 0.27 SWL22-005 16 18.33 2.33 0.15 and 42 43.06 1.06 0.43 and 54 57 3 0.13 and 62 66 4 0.14 and 75 89 14 0.16 and 94 104 10 0.23

*Reported lengths are drilled core lengths, true widths of all intercepts have not yet been determined; all assay values are uncut



Table 2: 2022 Drill Locations, Swain Property

Hole ID Easting (UTM) Northing (UTM) Depth (m) Azimuth  Dip  SWL22-001 529295 5683550 383 180 -45 SWL22-002 529439 5683504 437 150 -50 SWL22-003 529848 5683192 256.2 180 -50 SWL22-004 530253 5683432 305 210 -50 SWL22-005 530243 5683064 176 220 -45

Note: Collar coordinates in UTM NAD 83 z15

2022 Exploration Field Campaign

Soil Survey Program

A soil survey was designed across the properties to infill any soil sampling gaps from historical data across the GDZ and UDZ. A soil grid targeting the GDZ was designed at 300 m line spacing and 100 m station spacing, and a soil grid targeting the UDZ was designed at 200 m line and station spacing. A total of 159 soil samples were collected across the Swain property. This soil survey was successful in delineating new high priority targets for additional follow-up work and testing. This is highlighted by the 724 ppb Au soil sample which was collected at the newly found Hogwarts target. Infill soil sampling and mapping programs have been designed for follow up in 2023. This survey was also successful in further enhancing the understanding of structures across the property from elevated gold pathfinder elements found along the GDZ and UDZ. A total of 26 soil samples reported below detection limits of 5 ppb Au.

Mapping and Prospecting Program

A total of 129 grab samples were collected during the 2022 field campaign across the properties. Highlights from the grab sample results include gold values of 34.7 g/t, 9.3 g/t, 2.9 g/t, and 1.6 g/t (see Table 3). Each highlighted sample was taken from a different target across the properties, demonstrating the potential gold endowment across multiple structures along strike.

Bullseye Target  sheared mineralized mafic volcanics with chalcopyrite and pyrite grab sample towards the southeast portion of the SDZ returning 9.3 g/t Au; the mineralized structure was mapped in the 2022 field campaigns and strikes continuously for 200 m towards the northeast.

 sheared mineralized mafic volcanics with chalcopyrite and pyrite grab sample towards the southeast portion of the SDZ returning 9.3 g/t Au; the mineralized structure was mapped in the 2022 field campaigns and strikes continuously for towards the northeast. Snake Target  samples returned gold values including 1.6 g/t and 34.7 g/t, which were collected from sulphide mineralized quartz veining proximal to the historic Sol d'Or areas of development

 samples returned gold values including 1.6 g/t and 34.7 g/t, which were collected from sulphide mineralized quartz veining proximal to the historic Sol d'Or areas of development Mystical Target  shear-hosted intermediate volcanics returned 2.9 g/t Au in a mapped mineralized structure along the GDZ

Table 3: Significant Grades from 2022 Grab Sampling

Property Sample ID Gold Grade (g/t) Sample Type Target Area Sol d'Or B1055352 34.7 Muck Snake Swain B1055051 9.3 Grab Bullseye Swain B1055032 2.9 Grab Mystical Sol d'Or B1055381 1.6 Muck Snake

2022 Airborne Geophysics Campaign

In partnership with SkyTEM, a total of 150-line km of airborne magnetics and electromagnetics ("EM") surveying was completed across the Swain & Sol d'Or properties. The survey was successful in confirmation and refinement of major structures and lithologies as well as identifying new key focal points of interest. The magnetics survey well supported high resolution delineation of the GDZ and UDZ structures, and further identifies key stratigraphic units of iron formation and ultramafic intrusive bodies. These units were then confirmed and supported in interpretation with mapping and soil geochemical data collected in 2022. Additional processing work with Mira Geosciences identified six key EM conductive plates as favourable follow-up targets for advancement in 2023. The EM conductor modelling is highlighted by two plates modelled within the Hogwarts target area. These EM targets will be further enhanced with increased mapping and soil geochemical resolution, followed by a detailed 3D geological model and drill targeting program.

Priority Swain Targets

In 2021, First Mining commenced field campaigns targeting initial field validation and assessment of historical showings. Two of the historical showings returned elevated gold; Swain Lake North, which is characterized as foliation parallel, quartz vein-hosted mineralization, returned 6.6 g/t Au; and Hodgson, characterized as quartz vein and felsic volcanic host units, returned samples with elevated Au over a 30 m long exposure. Multi-element assay results indicate a strong association between gold and arsenic anomalies at the Hodgson target as well as the Bobarris West target, a signature that has been identified further along the GDZ.

The Mystical target is hosted within a sheared intermediate volcanic unit with notable chalcopyrite mineralization, returning a 2.9 g/t Au grab sample with results aligned to prospectivity elements of the exploration model. Additional resolution of the area has been further established in drilling of hole SWL22-002 specifically testing the target further at depth.

The Hogwarts target was discovered through a significant gold-arsenic soil anomaly returned from the 2022 field campaign and was further prioritized through the 2022 airborne geophysics survey and modelling. This is a priority and prospective target for the 2023 field season, with infill mapping and soil sampling further planned to expand the geological potential and scalability of this target while understanding the regional association with known prospective targets like the Sol d'Or mine trend.

The Snake target was discovered through historic Sol d'Or mine development review, which demonstrated the potential for increased gold grades within areas of the favourable targets trend. The 2023 field season will focus on advancing the structural controls of the vein system along the Sol d'Or trend, attempting to unlock the understanding of higher-grade settings.

2023 Swain Target Outlook

For 2023, field campaigns on the Swain and Sol d'Or property areas will focus on follow-up and infill sampling, with additional detailed mapping to be focused on deformation zones and projections for the extension of alteration halos, structure and mineralization. Findings will further support integrated exploration models followed by proposed drilling campaigns in the fall of 2023.

Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project

The Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project represents regional scale exploration opportunities that have been consolidated by First Mining surrounding the Springpole Project. This land tenure coupled with the Springpole Project, also located in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt, consists of >70,000 hectares and presents a strong opportunity for new discoveries in an area that is historically underexplored and has only seen a fraction of the exploration work that has been done in the neighbouring Red Lake and Pickle Lake greenstone belts that have been subject to earlier consolidation and discovery cycles.

First Mining has initiated district-scale screening of the Birch-Uchi Project area through a multi-phase commitment to explore and enhance mineral potential within the region.

Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures

All sampling completed by First Mining within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials and a level of duplicate analysis. Samples from the 2022 exploration programs were sent to Activation Laboratories located in Thunder Bay, Ontario where they were processed for gold analysis by 50 gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish, and multi-element analysis (including silver) by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method with an aqua regia digest for soil samples or four acid digest for core and grab samples. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meet assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101.

Qualified Person

Hazel Mullin, P.Geo., Director, Data Management and Technical Services of First Mining, is a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and she has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in Canada, the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario, where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities are on-going with a draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project published in June 2022, and the Duparquet, Pitt Gold, Duquesne and Porcupine East Gold Project in Quebec, a collection of advanced-stage development assets located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the prolific Abitibi region. First Mining also owns the Cameron Gold Project in Ontario and a portfolio of gold project interests including the Pickle Crow Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), the Hope Brook Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.), and a large equity interest in Treasury Metals Inc.

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Barksdale Resources Corp. (TSXV: BRO) (OTCQX: BRKCF) ("Barksdale" or the "Company") has been informed that an action has been filed in the United States District Court against the United States Forest Service ("USFS") by various non-profit and environmental groups seeking to set aside the USFS' recently issued Environmental Assessment, Decision Memorandum and Finding of No Significant Impact related to the Company's proposed Sunnyside copper-lead-zinc-silver exploration program in Arizona. Barksdale is not a party to the lawsuit but will endeavor to assist the USFS as much as possible as they move forward.

Rick Trotman, President and CEO of Barksdale, states, "The Company stands by the USFS' decision, which is the culmination of almost five years of extensive environmental review, public scoping and process. The Company is proud of its thorough and conscientious approach to the protection of the natural environment and looks forward to a speedy resolution of this matter. In the meantime, the USFS continues to process the Company's Plan of Operation for Sunnyside as the Company prepares to commence its planned drilling program as soon as we're given the green light."

Barksdale Resources Corp., a 2023 OTCQX BEST 50 Company, is a base metal exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., that is focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of highly prospective base metal projects in North America. Barksdale is currently advancing the Sunnyside copper-zinc-lead-silver and San Antonio copper projects, both of which are in the Patagonia mining district of southern Arizona, as well as the San Javier copper-gold project in central Sonora, Mexico.

ON BEHALF OF BARKSDALE RESOURCES CORP.

Rick Trotman

President, CEO and Director

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Terri Anne Welyki

Vice President of Communications

778-238-2333

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For more information please phone 778-558-7145, Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit www.BarksdaleResources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, the receipt and timing for formal approval of the Company's plan of operations ("PoO") for the Sunnyside copper-lead-zinc-silver project; the proposed nature, size, timing, targets and impact of the Company's planned drilling program on the Sunnyside project following approval of the PoO and the ability of the Company to obtain the requisite staffing, bonding and financing therefor; and the potential impact of seasonal drilling restrictions on the ability of the Company to effectively carry out such program. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to 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. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base metals, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, environmental challenges, and other risks in the mining industry. There is uncertainty regarding the outcome of the above-noted challenge to the validity, in whole or in part, of the USFS' Environmental Assessment, Decision Memorandum and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Company's proposed Sunnyside copper-lead-zinc-silver exploration program and the timing for when such matter will be finally resolved. A successful challenge to the USFS' approvals for the Sunnyside project would result in additional delays and costs (which could be substantial) to the Company in seeking to redress any additional environmental issues and obtain new approvals from the USFS, which approvals would not be guaranteed. Further, there are no assurances that the Company's PoO for the Sunnyside property will be approved by the USFS on the basis currently contemplated or at all. In addition, the Company's proposed drilling program at Sunnyside is an exploratory search for commercial quantities of ore, the discovery of which cannot be assured. There are currently no NI 43-101 resources or reserves on the Sunnyside property. There is also uncertainty about the continued spread and severity of COVID-19, the ongoing war in Ukraine and high inflation and interest rates and the impact they will have on the Company's operations, supply chains, ability to access mining projects or procure equipment, supplies, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all and economic activity in general. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 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 law.
Hole FG23-330 reports near-surface 3,782.70 g/t Au over 0.5m

Footwall Zone mineralization outside current Fenn-Gib pit-constrained 3.38 Moz Indicated resource

Footwall Zone defined over more than 500m strike length; open in all directions

Steep dipping mineralization from surface to below 500m

Multiple parallel mineralized structures intersected

Two drill rigs active at Footwall Zone

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mayfair Gold Corp. (Mayfair or the Company) (TSX-V: MFG; OTCQB: MFGCF) is pleased to announce further results from the higher-grade Footwall Zone located approximately 100 meters (m) to the northwest of the Fenn-Gib gold deposit. Mayfairs 100% controlled Fenn-Gib Project, located in the Timmins region of Northeast Ontario, hosts a NI 43-101 open-pit constrained Indicated mineral resource estimate of 3.38 million ounces (Moz) gold (Au) at a grade of 0.93 grams per tonne (g/t) Au and an Inferred mineral resource of 0.16Moz Au at 0.85 g/t Au (see the About Mayfair section below). The near-surface Fenn-Gib gold mineralization is broadly disseminated striking east-west on the Pipestone Fault over more than 1.5 kilometers (km) and is over 500m wide at the west end.

Mayfair Gold President and CEO Patrick Evans commented: Two of the three drill rigs at Fenn-Gib are focused on delineating the higher-grade Footwall Zone mineralization. Ongoing drilling this year has extended the strike of the near-surface Footwall Zone mineralization to approximately 500m and vertically down to more than 500m below surface. The Footwall Zone target consists of multiple parallel mineralized zones and is open in all directions. Based on the progress to date, Mayfair expects to report a maiden underground Footwall Zone resource in early 2024.

Highlight drill results include:

FG23-344A intersected 4.72 g/t Au over 30.0m, including 6.59 g/t Au over 19.6m; FG23-328 intersected 15.65 g/t Au over 1.5m and 7.94 g/t Au over 7.0m; G23-330 intersected 3,782.70 g/t Au over 0.5m.

The Footwall Zone is located immediately to the northwest of the Fenn-Gib deposit, striking in a north easterly direction and with a steep northerly dip. The target consists of multiple mineralized zones hosted primarily in the footwall mafic volcanic assemblage. Mineralization consists of bleached, buff-altered (silica-albite-carbonate alteration), pillowed mafic volcanic with pyrite ranging from 2% to over 20%.

Limited past drilling identified gold mineralization within the footwall mafic volcanics immediately to the northwest of the Fenn-Gib deposit in drill holes FG11-04 (3.54 g/t Au over 10.0m), FG11-05 (3.62 g/t Au over 59.0m), FG11-07 (4.03 g/t Au over 3.0m) and FG11-08 (2.24 g/t Au over 39.4m).

The latest drill results continue to intersect significant gold mineralization building on Mayfairs previously reported Footwall Zone drill results that included: hole FG21-139 intersected 1.94 g/t Au over 38.0m, including 4.06 g/t Au over 15.0m (news release June 01, 2021). FG21-166 intersected 1.42 g/t Au over 66.0m, including 3.4 g/t Au over 19.2m, including 6.20 g/t Au over 9.2m. A lower zone in hole FG21-166 returned 1.02 g/t Au over 34.0m, including 11.49 g/t Au over 1.0m; FG21-170 intersected 37.51 g/t Au over 2.6m and 59.05 g/t over 1.0m; hole FG21-186 intersected 2.31 g/t Au over 30.0m, including 6.58 g/t Au over 7.0m, hole FG21-195 intersected 1.28 g/t Au over 28.0m, including 1.74 g/t Au over 16.0m (news release October 25, 2021). FG21-188 intersected 25.93 g/t Au over 1.5m, 1.37 g/t Au over 25.5m including 5.4 g/t Au over 5.0m; FG21-203 intersected 2.70 g/t Au over 15.0m; including 4.04 g/t Au over 9.0m, including 7.18 g/t Au over 4.0m; FG21-215 intersected 2.88 g/t Au over 49.0m, including 6.53 g/t Au over 17.5m and FG22-218 intersected 0.71 g/t Au over 92.0m, including 2.15 g/t Au over 10.0m. A lower zone returned 2.40 g/t Au over 47.4m, including 3.83 g/t Au over 4.7m and 5.26 g/t Au over 6.6m and 6.78 g/t Au over 7.0m (news release June 15, 2022). FG23-300 intersected 2.05 g/t Au over 16.2m, including 3.72 g/t Au over 6.2m (news release February 27, 2023).

The latest reported drill results are summarized in Table 1 below, and Table 2 lists the drill hole details.

Table 1  Footwall Zone reported drill hole results summary.

Hole

Name



From

(metres) To

(metres) Interval

(metres) Gold

(grams/tonne)



FG23-328 104.0 105.5 1.5 15.65 North of main FW zone 164.4 165.6 1.2 2.06 North of main FW zone 174.0 181.0 7.0 7.94 Footwall main zone incl. 175.8 177.0 1.2 11.99 and 178.6 181.0 2.4 16.20 FG22-330 24.0 24.5 0.5 3,782.70 North of main FW zone 51.0 52.0 1.0 3.33 North of main FW zone 204.0 205.0 1.0 1.93 North of main FW zone *FG23-343 554.4 558.0 3.6 *2.08 Footwall main zone incl. 554.4 555.4 1.0 4.43 FG23-344A 498.0 528.0 30.0 4.72 Footwall main zone incl. 502.0 521.6 19.6 6.59 incl. 502.0 503.0 1.0 44.70 and 517.0 521.0 4.0 10.05

*Assay interval remains open down hole. Assays pending.

Table 2  Footwall Zone reported drill hole collar information.

Hole Name Collar East-

ing Collar North-

ing Collar Eleva-

tion Depth Collar Azi-

muth Collar

Dip mE mN masl m Deg. Deg. FG23-328 558703 5375980 5313 333.00 126 -45 FG23-330 558703 5375980 5313 485.00 126 -58 FG23-343 558345 5375774 5319 684.00 128 -68 FG23-344A 558345 5375774 5319 696.00 127 -64

Plan and section maps of the above reported drill holes are available at https://mayfairgold.ca/fenn-gib/#drillplanmapions.

Additional drill results from the infill, expansion and step-out drill program will be announced as they are received.

QA/QC Controls

Mayfair Gold (Mayfair) employs a QA/QC program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices. Surface drilling was conducted by Major/Norex Drilling of Timmins, Ontario and was supervised by the Mayfair exploration team. Mayfairs drill program includes descriptive logging and sampling of the drill core for analysis at Mayfairs secure facility located in Matheson, Ontario. Sampled drill core intervals were sawn in half with a diamond blade saw. Half of the sampled core was left in the core box and the remaining half was bagged and sealed. Mayfair utilizes accredited laboratories that include, Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) and AGAT Laboratories Ltd. (AGAT) both located in Timmins, Ontario, and Swastika Laboratories Ltd located in Swastika, Ontario. Mayfair personnel transport the samples directly and deliver to Actlabs, and samples are collected by both AGAT and Swastika personnel directly from Mayfairs secure core logging facility in Matheson, Ontario. Gold was analyzed by 30-gram fire assay with AA-finish. Certified reference material (CRM) standards and coarse blank material are inserted every twenty samples. Mayfair completes routine third-party check assays. Drill intercepts cited do not necessarily represent true widths, unless otherwise noted.

About Mayfair Gold

Mayfair Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the 100% controlled Fenn-Gib gold project in the Timmins region of Northern Ontario. The Fenn-Gib gold deposit is Mayfairs flagship asset and currently hosts an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate with an effective date of April 6. 2023 of a total Indicated Resource of 113.69M tonnes containing 3.38M ounces at a grade of 0.93 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 5.72M tonnes containing 0.16M ounces at a grade of 0.85 g/t Au at a 0.40 g/t Au cut-off grade (Source: Tim Maunula, P. Geo., of T. Maunula & Associates Consulting Inc., who is deemed a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101). The Fenn-Gib deposit has a strike length of over 1.5km with widths ranging over 500m. The gold mineralized zones remain open at depth and along strike to the east and west. Recently completed metallurgical tests confirm that the Fen-Gib deposit can deliver robust gold recoveries of up to 94%.

For further information contact:

Patrick Evans, President and CEO

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: (480) 747-3032

Web: www.mayfairgold.ca

Qualified Person Statement

Mayfair Golds disclosure of technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Howard Bird, P Geo., Vice President Exploration for the Company, who serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Mayfairs current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Mayfairs control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Mayfair undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Mayfair to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

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.
VANCOUVER, BC, June 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. ("Nevada Lithium" or the "Company") (CSE: NVLH) (OTCQB: NVLHF) (FSE: 87K) is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement offering of 41,333,333 Subscription Receipts (as defined below) at a price of $0.15 per Subscription Receipt (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,200,000 (the "Offering").

The Offering included a strategic lead investment by SF Investments I BV (the "Lead Investor"), an entity owned by Mr. Marcel Boekhoorn. Mr. Boekhoorn is a Dutch entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and founder/owner of Ramphastos Investments which has a wide array of business interests in the Netherlands and globally. Ramphastos Investments is a venture capital and private equity firm dedicated to driving topline growth in enterprises through all stages of their evolution: from start-ups to scale-ups to high-growth medium-sized companies and mature enterprises. It currently holds interests in over 30 companies with a combined annual revenue of almost 5 billion, employing more than 9,000 people across a range of sectors varying from financial and business services, gaming, health care, new materials, advanced manufacturing and energy spanning all continents. Mr. Boekhoorn started his career in 1981 with Deloitte & Touche as a chartered accountant, going on to become its youngest partner to date in 1991 before founding Ramphastos Investments N.V. in 1994. By focusing on value creation through incubating and growing market-leading companies, Marcel and his team have had many successful exits including Bakker Bart, Cocachoc, Boemer Groep, Novaxess, Telfort, Motip Dupli, Sim Industries, Vereenigde Havezathen and the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Mr. Boekhoorn's philanthropic interests include wildlife preservation and promoting sport globally, among others.

Stephen Rentschler, CEO of Nevada Lithium stated, "We are excited to welcome Mr. Boekhoorn as a strategic investor. Mr. Boekhoorn's investment acumen is globally admired and spans many areas. Mr. Boekhoorn's investment provides Nevada Lithium with additional capital and also expands Nevada Lithium's access to proven, strategic lithium investors. We look forward to working with Mr. Boekhoorn, as we all believe that the Bonnie Claire Project, one of the largest lithium resources in North America, located in the premier mining jurisdiction of Nevada, is one of the most attractive undeveloped lithium assets in the world."

The Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the Offering will automatically convert, without payment of any additional consideration or further action, and subject to adjustment, into one unit of the Company (a "Unit") upon completion of the Transaction (as defined below). Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"), each Warrant exercisable into one Share at a price of $0.25 per Share for a period of 3 years from the completion of the Transaction. The Subscription Receipts were issued pursuant to and are governed by the terms of a subscription receipt agreement dated June 20, 2023 (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement").

The Offering was undertaken in connection with the Company's previously announced consolidation of 100% ownership interest of the Bonnie Claire Lithium project (the "Bonnie Claire Project"), which is currently jointly held by Iconic Minerals Ltd. ("Iconic") and Nevada Lithium, by way of a court approved plan of arrangement (the "Transaction"). For further details regarding the Transaction, please refer to the Company's press releases dated January 9, January 23 and March 27, 2023, copies of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

PowerOne Capital Markets Limited acted as a finder in connection with the Offering. The Company paid eligible finders (each, a "Finder") a cash finder fee equal to 7% of the gross proceeds raised by each Finder, payable upon closing of the Transaction, and finder warrants (the "Finder Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold by each Finder. Each Finder Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Unit at an exercise price of $0.15 for a period of three years following satisfaction of the escrow release conditions set forth in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

In connection with the Offering, the Company entered into an investor rights agreement (the "Investor Rights Agreement") with the Lead Investor providing that, among other things, during the period commencing upon completion of the Transaction and ending on the 24-month anniversary thereof, the Lead Investor shall be entitled to designate up to two nominees to serve as directors of the Company for election or appointment to the board of directors of the Company, provided that each nominee meets the eligibility criteria set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

The use of the net proceeds from the Offering were determined in consultation with the Lead Investor, and include exploration activities at the Bonnie Claire Project, working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes.

The securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

The securities distributed pursuant to this Offering have not and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless the securities have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and any applicable state securities laws, or in compliance with the requirements of an exemption therefrom.

Bonnie Claire Project

The Bonnie Claire Project is located within Sarcobatus Valley, which is approximately 30 km (19 miles) long and 20 km (12 miles) wide. Quartz-rich volcanic tuffs containing anomalous amounts of lithium occur within and adjacent to the valley. Drill results from the salt flat include 2,054 ppm Li over 67.1 m (220 ft) in drill hole BC-1601 as well as a 475 m (1560 ft) vertical intercept that averaged 1153 ppm Li. Bonnie Claire is one the largest lithium resources in North America with a current NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource 3,407 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1,013 ppm Li for 18,372 million kilograms of contained lithium carbonate equivalent, at a cut-off grade of 700 ppm Li. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability.

A 2022 NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment returned attractive investment metrics at low LCE prices. The Net Present Value of the Project (100% basis) is $1.497 Billion USD after tax (ATAX) using an eight percent discount rate (8%) and $13,400 USD per tonne LCE price. The IRR (ATAX) using the same LCE price ($13,400 USD per tonne) is 23.8%.1

The gravity low that characterizes the valley is approximately 20 km (12 miles) long, and the current estimates of depth to basement rocks range from 600 to 1,200 meters (2,000 to 4,000 feet). The current claim block covers an area of 74 km2 (28.6 mi2) with potential for brine systems and further sediment resources.

1 Results of the PEA represent forward-looking information. This economic assessment is by definition preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. Source: "Preliminary Economic Assessment NI 43-101 Technical Report, Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, Nye County, Nevada" (Issue date of February 25, 2022).

The technical information in the above disclosure has been reviewed and approved by the designated Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101, Jeff Wilson, PhD, P.Geo, Director & Vice President of Exploration for the Company.

Early Warning Disclosure

Pursuant to the Offering, the Lead Investor acquired 16,666,667 Subscription Receipts for aggregate consideration of $2,500,000. Prior to completion of the Offering, the Lead Investor did not have beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company. Following completion of the Transaction, the Lead Investor will have ownership and control of 16,666,667 Shares and 16,666,667 Warrants. The Lead Investor and the Company anticipate that upon completion of the Transaction, this will represent approximately 7.91% of the issued and outstanding Shares and approximately 14.66% on a partially diluted basis, subject to certain assumptions as to the Company's post-Transaction capitalization.

The Subscription Receipts were acquired for investment purposes. In the future, the Lead Investor may acquire additional Shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments in the open market or otherwise and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of such securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to such securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors.

The Company's address is Suite 1570  505 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V7X 1M5. The Lead Investor's address is Grebbeweg 111 Postbus 126, 3911 AV Rhenen 3910 AC, Rhenen, Netherlands. A copy of the Early Warning Report can be obtained from Lindsay Clements, Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP (416.869.5491) or on the SEDAR profile of the Company at www.sedar.com.

About Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on shareholder value creation through its core asset, the Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, located in Nye County, Nevada, where it currently holds a 50% interest. A 2022 NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment returned attractive investment metrics and the Company is actively advancing the Project towards Pre-Feasibility. Learn more: https://www.nvlithium.com/.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

"Stephen Rentschler"

Stephen Rentschler, CEO

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. These statements relate to matters that identify future events or future performance. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "could", "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved.

The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to statements regarding: the conversion of the Subscription Receipts; the completion of the Transaction and the terms on which the Transaction is intended to be completed; the terms and payment of the cash commission and issuance of the Finder Warrants to eligible Finders; and Nevada Lithium's intended use of net proceed from the Offering.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, Nevada Lithium has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation: Nevada Lithium obtaining TSX Venture Exchange and Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance; Nevada Lithium obtaining requisite regulatory and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the Offering on the proposed terms herein; the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the Transaction; Nevada Lithium's ability to comply with all applicable regulations and laws, including environmental, health and safety laws; Nevada Lithium's ability to complete the Transaction; Nevada Lithium's ability to satisfy the terms and payment of cash commission and Finder Warrants to eligible Finders; and Nevada Lithium's ability to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect expectations of Nevada Lithium's management, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of managements considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Nevada Lithium believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and under reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by Nevada Lithium. Among the key risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are the following: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the inability of Nevada Lithium to close the Transaction on the terms provided herein; delays or the inability of Nevada Lithium to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSX Venture Exchange or Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance; financing or other planned activities; changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations; currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities; risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on Nevada Lithium's business; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Offering on relationship, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; Factors" in Nevada Lithium's latest Management Discussion and Analysis and other filings of Nevada Lithium with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the respective party's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialized, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Nevada Lithium has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Nevada Lithium does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Vancouver, British Columbia  TheNewswire - June 21, 2023  Cosa Resources Corp. (CSE:COSA) (Cosa Resources or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed the brokered private placement previously announced by the Company on May 30, 2023 for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,557,795.50 (the Offering). The Offering was conducted by Haywood Securities Inc. (the Agent) as sole agent and bookrunner.

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued 4,450,830 hard dollar units of the Company (the Hard Dollar Units) at a price of C$0.35 per Hard Dollar Unit and 7,767,000 charity flow-through units of the Company (the Charity FT Units, and together with the Hard Dollar Units, the Units) at a price of C$0.515 per Charity FT Unit, which includes the full exercise of the Agent's over-allotment option.

Each Hard Dollar Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a Share) plus one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole such warrant, a Warrant). Each Charity FT Unit consists of one Share and one-half of one Warrant, each of which qualifies as a flow-through share within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share (a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of C$0.50 until June 21, 2025.

The gross proceeds from the sale of Charity FT Units will be used by the Company to incur eligible Canadian exploration expenses that qualify as flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the Qualifying Expenditures) related to the Companys uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, on or before December 31, 2024. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the Charity FT Units effective December 31, 2023. The net proceeds from the sale of Hard Dollar Units will be used to fund exploration and for additional working capital purposes.

In consideration for the services provided by the Agent in connection with the Offering, on closing the Company: (i) paid to the Agent a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, other than in respect of Units issued to certain purchasers on a presidents list agreed upon by the Company and the Agent (the Presidents List), in which case the commission in respect of such issuance was equal to 3%; and (ii) issued compensation options of the Company (the Compensation Options) to the Agent to acquire that number of common shares in the capital of the Company (each a Compensation Option Share) which is equal to 6% of the number of Units sold under the Offering, other than in respect of Units issued to purchasers on the Presidents List, in which case the Company did not issue any Compensation Options. Each Compensation Option entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Compensation Option Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering, at an exercise price of C$0.35.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have a hold period of four months and one day from closing, expiring on October 22, 2023.

Directors and officers of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 231,431 Hard Dollar Units for gross proceeds of $81,000.85 under the Offering. Participation by insiders of the Company in the Offering constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 as the common shares of the Company are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. The issuance of securities is also exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value was less than $2,500,000.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

About Cosa Resources

Cosa Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, BC and is focused on the exploration of its uranium and copper properties in northern Saskatchewan. The portfolio includes six uranium exploration properties: Ursa, Orion, Castor, Charcoal, Helios, and Astro, totaling 140,677 ha in the eastern and northern Athabasca Basin.

The team behind Cosa Resources has a track record of success in Saskatchewan, with several decades of combined experience in uranium exploration, discovery, and development in the province.

For further information on Cosa Resources, please contact:

Keith Bodnarchuk, President & CEO

Tel: +1 888-899-2672 (COSA)

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.cosaresources.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as believes, anticipates, expects, is expected, scheduled, estimates, pending, intends, plans, forecasts, targets, or hopes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, will, should might, will be taken, or occur and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information herein includes, but is not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that Cosa Resources expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering and the tax treatment of the Charity FT Units.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of the Company, future growth potential for the Company and its business, and future exploration plans are based on managements reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on managements 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. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Companys ability to operate in a safe and effective manner.

These statements reflect the Companys respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the future tax treatment of the Charity FT Units, competitive risks and the availability of financing; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the speculative nature of exploration and development; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified in the Companys public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.




YERINGTON, Nev., June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) (Nevada Copper or the Company) provides the results from its 2023 Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders (the Meeting), held today in Toronto. Shareholders holding a total of 419,941,084 common shares of the Company (Common Shares) were represented by proxy at the Meeting, representing approximately 58.04% of the total 723,508,700 Common Shares outstanding as of the record date. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the Meeting.

Voting Details

The following eight nominees were elected as directors of the Company until the next annual shareholder meeting of the Company or until their successors are elected or appointed, with the detailed voting results as follows:

Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Tom Albanese 405,053,990 99.64% 1,461,605 0.36% Michael Brown 404,802,022 99.58% 1,713,573 0.42% Randy Buffington 404,007,547 99.38% 2,508,048 0.62% Guillaume de Dardel 403,883,029 99.35% 2,632,566 0.65% Raffaele (Lucio) Genovese 403,618,252 99.29% 2,897,343 0.71% Stephen Gill 403,990,216 99.38% 2,525,379 0.62% Evgenij Iorich 404,002,058 99.38% 2,513,537 0.62% G. Ernest (Ernie) Nutter 404,360,920 99.47% 2,154,675 0.53%

At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company also (i) fixed the number of directors at eight for the ensuing year, (ii) voted to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys auditor and authorized the directors to fix their remuneration, and (iii) approved the omnibus equity incentive plan of the Company. A report on all matters voted on at the meeting has been filed on SEDAR.

About Nevada Copper

Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is the owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project located in Nevada, USA with substantial mineral reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two permitted projects include the higher-grade Underground Mine and processing facility, which is undergoing a restart of operations, and a large-scale open pit PFS stage project.

Randy Buffington

President & CEO

For more information, please see the Companys website at www.nevadacopper.com, or contact:

Tracey Thom | Vice President, IR and Community Relations

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +1-775-391-9029
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) ("Forum" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for proceeds of $2,999,923 through the issuance of 22,221,649 flow through shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.135 per FT Share (see news release dated May 24, 2023). Forum holds a 100% interest in 95,000 hectares of ground that Cameco Corporation extensively drilled from 2008 to 2012 adjacent to Orano's 133 million pound Kiggavik uranium deposit in the Thelon Basin. A 2,000 metre drill program will commence in July, 2023 (Figure1).

Dr. Rebecca Hunter, Forum's VP, Exploration stated, "Forum's Nunavut Uranium Project in the Thelon Basin is a geologic analogue to the prolific Athabasca Basin for high grade, unconformity style uranium deposits. Our ground includes two uranium deposits, in addition to over 20 highly prospective targets. I am excited for the opportunity to continue delineating these deposits and explore for new discoveries on our 100% owned property."

Proceeds raised from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used by Forum to incur Canadian Exploration Expenses on its Canadian uranium and critical mineral properties in Nunavut and Saskatchewan and will be used for qualifying expenses for the critical mineral tax credit (CMETC). In addition, to the extent any expenditures are incurred in the Province of Saskatchewan, they will also qualify for the Saskatchewan mineral exploration tax credit. The FT Shares are subject to a four month hold period expiring October 22, 2023.

Figure 1 The Thelon Basin is geologically comparable to the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, a major producer of uranium.

About Forum Energy Metals

Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is a diversified energy metal company with uranium, copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan, Canada's Number One Rated mining province for exploration and development, a strategic uranium land position in Nunavut and a strategic cobalt land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt.

For further information: https://www.forumenergymetals.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Forum's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the historical data, the work expenditure commitments; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund future exploration or development programs; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; changes commodity prices, litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or an inability to obtain permits required in connection with maintaining or advancing its exploration projects.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo.

President & 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.

For further information contact:

Rick Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel: 604-630-1585

Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or "Metals Creek") is pleased to announce the discovery of a second zone of gold mineralization through prospecting on its recently acquired Shabaqua Corners property.

The property is located within the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt, approximately 54 km west of Thunder Bay, Ontario near Shabaqua Corners and on trend to Delta Resources Delta 1 project. The property has seen very little exploration work.

This round of field activities on the Shabaqua Corners Gold Property concentrated on areas outside of the main zone mineralization, which is hosted within an east-west trending zone of silicification, pyritization and pervasive carbonate alteration (See news release: May 25, 2023). Nine samples were collected 235m northwest of the main mineralized zone (See table 1 below, assay results), with assays ranging from 0.084 to 3.45 grams per tonne (g/t) Gold (Au). Gold mineralization is hosted within an altered conglomerate with associated quartz-carbonate veining and local stockwork striking roughly the same orientation to that of the main zone.(see figure 1 below, echo zone location). Alteration consists of pervasive iron carbonate with strong silicification and mineralization entails trace to 5% disseminated to stringer pyrite with trace arsenopyrite and galena also present.(see figure 2 below, sample GCS-23-017). An exploration permit has been applied for so trenching in this and other areas on the property can take place when the permit is received. (Note: The surface grab samples described in this news release are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades of the property.)

Prospecting and geological mapping is ongoing with the aim of further delineating known gold mineralization along strike as well as continuing to evaluate other portions of the property. MEK is targeting potential parallel gold bearing structures as demonstrated within other projects within the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt.

Alexander (Sandy) Stares states, "These assay results confirm the presence of gold mineralization outside of the known historical gold mineralization. Permits have been applied for and we are excited to begin trenching prospective targets once permits have been received."

Sample Number Gold Parts Per Billion GCS-23-010 313 GCS-23-011 178 GCS-23-012 406 GCS-23-013 84 GCS-23-014 688 GCS-23-015 398 GCS-23-016 1590 GCS-23-017 3450 GCS-23-018 1260

Table 1 Assay Results

The eastern boundary of the property is located 1.57 kilometers (km) west of Delta Resources (DLTA) drill hole DL-22-18 which returned an intercept of 5.92 g/t Au over 31m (Source: Delta New Release October 31, 2022). Trenching conducted on Delta's ground 390m east of the property boundary, returned an interval of 2.22 g/t Au over 8m (Source: Delta Resources Website).

All samples were sent to Activation Laboratories. The precious metals were analyzed utilizing a standard fire assay with an atomic absorption finish.

Michael MacIsaac, P.Geo and VP Exploration for the Corporation and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for this release, and supervised the preparation of the information forming the basis for this release.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Corporation, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF). In addition Metals Creek owns and/or has option agreements in place to acquire a 100% interest in claims in the Shabaqua Corners area of North western Ontario.

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below.

Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO

Metals Creek Resources Corp

telephone: (709)-256-6060

fax: (709)-256-6061

MetalsCreek.com

Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes

Facebook.com/MetalsCreek

Figure 1 echo zone location

Figure 2 sample GCS-23-017
MONTREAL, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Metals Incorporated (the "Company" or "Osisko Metals") (TSX-V: OM; OTCQX: OMZNF; FRANKFURT: 0B51) is pleased to announce the terms of a proposed "best efforts" private placement offering of up to 7,500,000 common shares of the Company (each, a "FT Share") that will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act") and the Taxation Act (Quebec) at a price of $0.40 per FT Share (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds to the Company of up to $3,000,000 (exclusive of the Agents' Option (as defined herein)) (the "Offering").

The Offering will be completed pursuant to the terms of an agency agreement to be entered into among the Company and Velocity Trade Capital Ltd., as lead agent and sole bookrunner (the "Lead Agent"), for and on behalf of a syndicate of agents (together with the Lead Agent, the "Agents"). In connection with the Offering, the Agents will have an option, exercisable in full or in part, up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to raise additional gross proceeds of up to $500,000 from the offer and sale of up to an additional 1,250,000 FT Shares at the Offering Price per FT Share (the "Agents' Option").

In consideration for the services to be rendered by the Agents in connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to: (i) pay the Agents a cash commission equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering; and (ii) issue to the Agents such number of non-transferable broker warrants (each, a "Broker Warrant") as is equal to 7.0% of the number of FT Shares offered and sold under the Offering. Each Broker Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.25 per common share for a period of 18 months from the closing date of the Offering.

The gross proceeds from the sale of FT Shares will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" as defined in subsection 66.1(6) of the Tax Act that (i) qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act, and (ii) will be eligible for the two 10% enhancements under section 726.4.9 and section 726.4.17.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"). Such Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced to the subscribers of the FT Shares with an effective date not later than December 31, 2023, in the aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of gross proceeds raised from the issue of FT Shares. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration activities at the Gaspe property, which includes the site of the past-producing Gaspe copper mine (the "Gaspe Copper Property"), located near Murdochville, Quebec.

The Offering is expected to close on or about July 12, 2023, or such other date or date(s) as the Company and the Lead Agent may agree, and remains subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including, but not limited to, the conditional approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106  Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the FT Shares will be offered for sale to purchasers in each of the Provinces and Territories of Canada in reliance on the "listed issuer financing exemption" in accordance with the requirements of Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "LIFE Exemption"). The FT Shares issued under the Offering in reliance on the LIFE Exemption will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under the Company's issuer profile and on the Company's website (www.osiskometals.com). Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Robert Wares, the Chairman and CEO of the Company, and a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101 (as defined herein).

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals space, specifically copper and zinc. The Company is a joint venture partner with Appian Canada Pine B.V. for the advancement of one of Canada's premier past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point Project, located in the Northwest Territories, for which the 2022 PEA (as defined herein) has indicated an after-tax NPV of $602 million and an IRR of 25%, based on long-term zinc price of US$1.37/lb and the current mineral resource estimates that are amenable to open pit and shallow underground mining. The current mineral resource estimate in the 2022 PEA consists of 15.7Mt grading 5.55% ZnEq of indicated mineral resources and 47.2Mt grading 5.94% ZnEq of inferred mineral resources. Please refer to the technical report entitled "Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pine Point Project, Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada" dated August 26, 2022 (with an effective date of July 30, 2022), which has been prepared for Osisko Metals and Pine Point Mining Limited by representatives of BBA Engineering Inc., Hydro-Resources Inc., PLR Resources Inc. and WSP Canada Inc. (the "2022 PEA"). Please refer to the full text of the 2022 PEA, a copy of which is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Osisko Metals' issuer profile, for the assumptions, methodologies, qualifications and limitations described therein. The Pine Point Project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, near infrastructure, paved highway access, and has an electrical substation as well as 100 kilometres of viable haulage roads already in place.

The Company also has an agreement to acquire, from Glencore Canada Corporation, a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper Mine, located near Murdochville in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec. The Company is currently focused on resource evaluation of the Mount Copper Expansion Project that hosts an inferred mineral resource (in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")) of 456Mt grading 0.31% Cu (see April 28, 2022 news release of Osisko Metals entitled "Osisko Metals Announces Maiden Resource at Gaspe Copper  Inferred Resource of 456Mt Grading 0.31% Copper"). Gaspe Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in Eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.

For further information on this news release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Robert Wares, Chairman & CEO of Osisko Metals Incorporated

(514) 861-4441

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.osiskometals.com

Cautionary Statement on 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. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking information. This news release may contain forward-looking information pertaining to the Pine Point Project, the Gaspe Copper Mine, and the Offering, including, among other things, the results of the 2022 PEA and the IRR, NPV and estimated costs, production, production rate and mine life; the expectation that the Pine Point Project will be a robust operation and profitable at a variety of prices and assumptions; the ability to identify additional resources and reserves (if any) and exploit such resources and reserves on an economic basis; the expected high quality of the Pine Point concentrates; the timing and ability for the Company to complete the Offering (if at all) and on the terms announced; the use of proceeds of the Offering; the tax treatment of the FT Shares; the timing of the renouncement of the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of subscribers; the ability of the Company to obtain the approval of the Exchange in respect of the Offering; and the timing and ability (if at all) of the Company to complete the acquisition of the Gaspe Copper Mine.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: favourable equity and debt capital markets; future prices of zinc and lead; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; operating conditions being favourable; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of equipment; the economic viability of the Pine Point Project; and positive relations with local groups. 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company's public disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Osisko Metals' issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated by such information. 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, other than as required by law.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accept 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.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. (Marimaca Copper, Marimaca or the Company) (TSX: MARI) is pleased to announce a C$20 million equity investment by Mitsubishi Corporation (Mitsubishi) by way of non-brokered private placement (the Strategic Investment). Proceeds from the Strategic Investment will be used to advance and accelerate the development of the Companys flagship Marimaca Copper Project located in the Antofagasta region, Chile.

Mitsubishi will subscribe for an aggregate 4,640,371 units (Units) consisting of one common share (a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a Warrant) at a price of C$4.31 per Unit. Each Warrant will entitle Mitsubishi to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$5.60 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Strategic Investment. Following completion of the Strategic Investment, Mitsubishi will own approximately 5.0% of Marimacas issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis.

The Unit subscription price represents an 11% premium to the 20-day volume weighted average price of the Companys common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) as of June 19, 2023.

Mitsubishi is a major investor in the Latin American copper industry with a portfolio of existing investments including Escondida, Los Pelambres, Antamina, Los Bronces and Quellaveco.

Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented:

We are pleased to welcome Mitsubishi Corporation as a partner and shareholder in Marimaca. This investment is a strong endorsement of the quality of the Marimaca Project from an exceptionally well-respected and established stakeholder in the Chilean copper industry.

We are pleased that Mitsubishi shares our view that the Marimaca Copper Project is a unique, very high quality, development stage project. Its location affords it several advantages including an expectation that it will be among the lowest carbon intensity copper producers in the industry. It is one of very few new copper projects that has the potential to deliver near term production of meaningful scale.

Mitsubishis investment significantly de-risks our next phase of development and provides funding to accelerate progress toward the Definitive Feasibility Study and permitting, while minimizing dilution to our existing shareholders.

Taro Abe, General Manager, Base Metals Dept., Mitsubishi Corporation, commented:

We are excited to be involved in the Marimaca project, which has the potential to deliver a meaningful new supply of copper in the near term. Of particular importance to us are the sustainability credentials of the project, which we believe will be a source of very low carbon intensity copper.

We look forward to working together with the Marimaca team as it moves into the next phase of studies and permitting with the hope we can fully utilise our deep experience in the Chilean copper industry to further enhance this project.

Marimaca intends to use the proceeds of the Strategic Investment to progress the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and permitting workstreams on the Company's Marimaca Copper Project, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Strategic Investment is expected to close on or before July 11, 2023 and is subject to the approval of the TSX. The securities issued pursuant to the Strategic Investment will be subject to a statutory 4-month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. No finder's fee is payable in connection with the Strategic Investment.

In connection with the Strategic Investment, Mitsubishi will be granted certain rights including:

For so long as Mitsubishi maintains an ownership interest of at least 2.5%, Mitsubishi will be granted participation and top-up rights that enable it to maintain its pro rata ownership interest in the Company.

The right to nominate one member for election to the Companys Board of Directors should Mitsubishis ownership interest increase to 7.5% or greater.

The right to appoint two members to an Environmental and Technical Committee that will be formed.

In connection with the Strategic Investment, Greenstone Resources L.P. and certain of its affiliates and affiliates of Tembo Capital Mining GP Limited, including Ndovu Capital XIV B.V., have agreed to waive their respective pre-existing rights to participate on a pro rata basis in equity financings by the Company.

RBC Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Strategic Investment.

About Marimaca

Marimaca Copper is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on developing the Marimaca Project, an oxide, open-pit, heap leach copper project located in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile. The Companys shares trade on the TSX under the symbol MARI and on the OTCQX under the symbol MARIF.

Contact Information

For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact:

Tavistock

+44 (0) 207 920 3150

Emily Moss / Adam Baynes

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements related to the Strategic Investment and the terms thereof, the anticipated closing date, the intended use of proceeds and the receipt of regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2023 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Statements regarding the Companys planned DFS on the Project are forward-looking information and may not be realized. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will travel to Bismarck and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation this week to focus on rural education and support for tribal schools.

Cardona will visit Cannon Ball Elementary School on Thursday to see how the school is providing mental health resources for students and the community. He also will tour the Boys and Girls Club of Standing Rock in McLaughlin, South Dakota, to see how the program is connecting tribal communities with additional resources such as broadband access.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 24, 2017) - Loncor Resources Inc. (the "Company") (TSX:LN) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 4,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of Cdn$0.12 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to Cdn$480,000. Each such Unit is... Read More
(In United States dollars, except where noted otherwise) TORONTO, March 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (First Quantum or the Company) (TSX: FM) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Rio Tinto to progress the next phase of the La... Read More
The North Dakota Emergency Commission has approved a $2.2 million loan from the Bank of North Dakota to send state National Guard troops to the southern border.

The Emergency Commission approves funding requests between legislative sessions. The loan it approved Tuesday ultimately will be repaid to the state-owned bank with taxpayer money.

Gov. Doug Burgum earlier this month ordered the deployment at the request of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which facilitates state-level mutual aid nationwide. Abbott launched "Operation Lone Star" in 2021 to combat immigration issues at the U.S.-Mexico border.

"This is more than a Texas-southwest border issue," North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Alan Dohrmann told the commission. "This is impacting all of the United States."

Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the multibillion-dollar Texas operation. Democratic President Joe Biden in May announced plans to send 1,500 active-duty troops to the border to free up U.S. Customs and Border Protection workers to focus on fieldwork.

Dohrmann told the commission the issue is illegal drugs coming across the border, Prairie Public reported. He said the North Dakota Guard will send an engineering company to the border, along with a small liaison team. The deployment will last about 30 days. Dohrmann said the Wahpeton-based 188th Engineer Company is trained for what Texas needs.

"What they are doing in this state operation, that Texas is mounting down there, is making sure the border is secure in the areas the National Guard is controlling down there," Dohrmann said. "And that any immigrants are going to authorized points of entry."

Dohrmann said the Guard troops were originally going to go in the fall, but the decision was made to be there in August.

"We have so many college students, that if we send them in August, even if school starts just before they return, we can work with the (state) University System and the other colleges to make sure they either have hybrid learning options, or that there is a plan to allow them to enroll in the fall semester," Dohrmann said. "August made the most sense."

Dohrmann said the $2.2 million loan will be paid back to the bank through a deficiency appropriation in the next Legislative session. He said since it has been declared as a "national emergency," Texas will not have to reimburse North Dakota.

Burgum early this month announced his intention to send the troops. Since then he has announced a bid for the Republican endorsement for president, and made national security one of three focuses of his campaign, along with the economy and energy policy.
18 Shares Share

Although it could be said that Ive been very unlucky over the past couple of years due to surgeries and treatments for three separate cancers, I feel blessed by how lucky I have been to have had a combination of outstanding doctors.

Dealing with ongoing medical issues, as a health care professional, I fully appreciate the challenges facing patients and physicians alike in the current health care climate.

Thank you, doctors, for bearing witness to my experiences, ranging from traumatic moments to filling my heart with gratitude.

I began following physician blogs and reading books written by physicians in an attempt to understand your collective experience as doctors during these difficult times.

Recently, Ive reached out to physicians whose blog posts resonate with me and share my mission to address physician well-being. Ive connected with terrific doctors who, like my own physicians, manage to ensure their patients and fellow physicians feel seen, heard, and cared for.

I could write extensively about how numerous physicians have supported me in one way or another.

One of my doctors consistently called or messaged me to answer my questions. Whenever I didnt know where else to turn for answers or help, he always responded. There were moments when he acknowledged my feelings with just one sentence: I called because I didnt want you to worry or I fully understand your concerns. These validations were very kind and reassuring.

Another physician called me with my lab results, even though they were stable, to see how I was doing after discovering I had cancer for the third time. He told me to let him know if I ever wanted to talk, even if he couldnt provide a solution, he could listen. At first, I thought, He doesnt have time to listen to me! But he did. I knew he would.

A doctor I met while I was in the midst of some complicated medical issues took charge, handling everything systematically and intelligently. I had many questions early on, and he was great about answering them in person and through consistent, timely portal communications. He likened it to peeling the layers of an onion. He identified top priorities, and we proceeded from there. Without him, it would have taken significantly longer for me to receive accurate diagnoses and treatment.

After having a less-than-great experience with another doctor in the same specialty, I met one of my other physicians. I approached him with a medical concern but also expressed my reluctance for more tests. He was an excellent listener, incredibly kind, and compassionate. He assured me that he wouldnt order any tests unless they provided important information he deemed necessary. I trusted him and consented to additional tests and procedures he believed were crucial. Unfortunately, thats how my subsequent cancers were eventually discovered. I have him to thank for that. The cancers likely wouldnt have been found for at least another year if it werent for him.

Another doctor (yes, Ive been referred to many doctors!) shared that he had spent a lot of time thinking about my case, and I appreciated his words. He also offered kind encouragement, telling me I was doing a good job, which meant a lot to me. I heard he is going to retire soon. I wish him a long, happy, and healthy retirement!

One of my extraordinary physicians didnt make me feel awkward for seeking a second opinion before my surgery. He even reserved a date for me until I received the second opinion. His high level of skill is equally matched by his kindness and understanding. I am grateful to have him as my doctor.

During an appointment with yet another physician, after confirming some initial information on his computer, he chose to sit in the most uncomfortable seat in the roomthe footstool of the exam tabledespite the availability of a rolling stool and another chair. From this action, I understood that he recognized the vulnerability felt by his cancer patients and willingly put himself in a vulnerable position as well. It created a safe and comfortable environment for an honest conversation.

At my follow-up visit with a physician I met after my second cancer surgery, she commented on how she had been thinking about me, acknowledging the challenges I had faced. It was a thoughtful gesture. On the day I unexpectedly found out that one of my doctors had passed away, she called me at the end of the day and patiently listened as I tearfully shared memories about him. She is truly amazing.

As I have connected with other physicians through their blogs, books, and social media posts that resonated with me, I have been humbled by the kindness and generosity of these doctors across the country. They have offered to communicate through phone calls, Zoom, or email to support me as I strive to find ways to help physicians within my local health care system.

Amidst all the challenges and burdens faced by doctors today, I am grateful that many physicians still manage to show up with their best selves, continuing to make an incredible impact in the lives of their patients. I am immensely grateful to the doctors I have contacted who have gone out of their way to offer feedback and suggestions on my mission to improve the lives of physicians. It warms my heart to witness such kindness.

What can I say about my experiences over the past couple of years? Lucky? Unlucky?

I choose Thankful.

Kim Downey is a physical therapist.
Bismarck-based Great Plains Rehabilitation Services is being sold to a group of local business owners.

An investment team composed of AAction Movers Owner Steve Herman, H.A. Thompson & Sons Owner Mark Thompson and former Hedahls Auto Parts Owner Dick Hedahl entered into the agreement with CHI St. Alexius Health to own and operate the business under a new name called Great Plains Restorative Services LLC.

Greg Lord, director of CHI St. Alexius Great Plains Rehabilitation Services, will be CEO of the new business.

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. The business has about 65 employees, inventory, and locations in Bismarck and Dickinson. The buildings at both sites are leased.

The business will continue to provide medical products including orthotics, prosthetics, and home medical equipment and supplies to the public, health care professionals and medical facilities. The business will remain CHI St. Alexius preferred provider.

"Durable medical equipment is not really part of a core business line -- it outgrew the scope of the practice that we provide," CHI St. Alexius President Reed Reyman said.

Reyman does not believe there will be any raising of prices or lowering of quality.

"Basically it's just a change in name; the services won't change," he said.

The business is the largest medical equipment dealer in western North Dakota, according to Reyman.

"We are excited that these local investors believe in the mission of St. Alexius, and are ready to provide the same great care and services for the community," Reyman said.

The transition is expected to be complete by June 30. Impact on existing jobs "will be minimal," according to a statement from CommonSpirit Health, the nonprofit Catholic health system that owns CHI.

The statement said retention of employees "is a top priority," and that workers were meeting with both organizations' human resources officials "to discuss opportunities." Reyman said that "almost all of the employees will be working there and transitioning over to the new company."

Patients should not experience a disruption in service.

"Our team is committed to providing the same high-quality care to patients and will work to ensure a smooth transition for all involved," Hedahl said. "As a longtime resident of Bismarck, and a former advisory board member at St. Alexius, I am thrilled to continue the legacy of Great Plains Rehabilitation Services under the name of Great Plains Restorative Services."
Patrick Kamara hosts tourism enthusiast and businessman, Mr. Amos Wekesa, Mr. Patrick Turinawe, and Dr Aisha Biyinzika from Private Sector Foundation to shed some light on what happened in Kasese and the impact of the attack on tourism, livelihoods, and businesses.

Suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels on Saturday, June 17, 2023, attacked Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese District, killing over 40 people including students.

Listen to the show below;
Government is today expected to present a report on the Kasese killings. This is after parliament yesterday ordered the Defence minister to present a comprehensive report to the House today.

The report is meant to explain how the gruesome attack on Mpondwe Lhubiliha secondary school in Kasese district happened, undetected and unchallenged.

According to government and residents accounts, over 40 people, 37 of them students, were killed in the raid on Friday night, while others are recuperating from hospitals after suffering varied life-threatening injuries.

During the first House session after a one-month recess, Speaker Anita Among, upon persuasion by Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda, tasked the defence minister Vincent Ssempijja to update lawmakers sitting

It is until the government report is presented that MPs will have the opportunity to subsequently discuss the matter.
Legislators are today expected to hold a special sitting in which former supreme court Judge, Justice Stella Arach Amoko will be honoured, Parliament revealed as the plenary was adjourned on Tuesday late evening.

The House is adjourned to Wednesday, 21 June 2023 at 2.00pm for a #SpecialSitting in honour of former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Stella Arach Amoko, the message on the Parliaments official Twitter handle reads in part.

Members of the legal fraternity on Tuesday afternoon praised Lady Justice Amoko who died on Saturday night for her distinctive character and quality work that saw her rise through the ranks within the Judiciary to the level of supreme court Judge in 2012, a position she held until her point of death over the weekend.

She joined the High Court in 1997 before she was promoted to the level of Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2010.

Yesterday, Parliament opened plenary by observing a moment of silence in honour of Justice Amoko and the students from Lhubiriha Secondary School that were on Saturday night killed by the suspected Allied Defense Force (ADF) rebels.

Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among is expected to receive the body of Lady Justice Amoko this afternoon minutes before the special sitting commences.
A state audit of the Solen Public School District in Sioux County identified numerous financial irregularities, including unapproved expenses of more than $2 million.

The 84-page audit report released Tuesday identified 19 areas of concern, according to the State Auditor's Office. Findings include the unapproved expenses; undocumented purchases; a lack of documentation for financial statements; inaccurate submissions to the state Department of Public Instruction; and errors in reconciliation, an accounting process that ensures accuracy of financial records.

The findings were from a regularly scheduled audit.

The school district business manager and superintendent during the audit period -- July 1, 2019, until June 30, 2021 -- are no longer with the district, according to the State Auditor's Office. The district in a statement to the Tribune provided by current Business Manager David Drapeaux declined to say whether those officials were fired or left of their own.

It wasn't immediately clear whether any of the irregularities identified in the audit might be fraudulent or criminal in nature. Court records do not show any criminal charges or civil actions filed against the former business manager and superintendent.

The State Auditor's Office told the Tribune "a criminal determination is beyond the scope of our office," and that "the lack of documentation prevents us from making any further determination."

"Multiple agencies are aware of this audit, including the (state) Department of Education," the office said. "We are not aware of attorney involvement at this time; those are decisions for those charged with governance at the local level."

The School Board, which met Tuesday night, "just recently received the completed audit," the statement from Drapeaux read. "We will be sending the audit to our school attorney for his opinion and ask his recommendation as to how to proceed."

State Auditor Josh Gallion in a statement said district staff cooperated with the audit.

By improving the internal control framework, there will be greater transparency and accountability to address these issues to better serve their community, he said.

The Solen School District has a high school in Solen and an elementary in Cannon Ball. The district had an enrollment of about 210 students in the last school year.

The audit's Corrective Action Plan indicates that the school said it will, among other actions:

hire staff with more accounting experience in the future.

expand the responsibilities of other administrators to provide more checks and balances.

implement a new filing system in the business office.

improve transparency in school board minutes regarding district spending.

The district's statement said it "is working diligently on correcting the areas of concern reported here (and) are confident in our plan to correct these issues under new administration."

The full audit report is at https://ndsao.link/SolenPSD.
By Juliet Kigongo | Monitor

A court in Kampala has ordered a local group administrator of popular centralized instant messaging and voice US app, WhatsApp to reinstate a member who was reportedly ejected without his consent.

The Acting Senior Grade One Magistrate at Makindye Magistrates Court in Kampala, Mr Igga Adiru on Monday ordered Allan Asinguza who is the respondent in the case to add back Mr Herbert Baitwababo to BUYANJA ROOTS Whatsapp group on which he was a member before.

A permanent injunction doth issue restraining the respondent, his agents and or his assignees from further infringing on the applicants right of association. No orders as to costs, Mr Adiru ruled in the absence of the respondent Read more
The Kasese district Education Officer, Mr. George Mayinja has ordered all schools to reopen without fail today vowing to punish those who defy the directive.

This follows reports that a number of schools had closed due to the recent attack on Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe, Kasese district by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

The attack left at least 41 people dead including 37 students with 17 boys burnt down in a dormitory.

The attack has since created fear among the community and reports indicate that some schools had decided to close and send students back home.

Mayinja has however called for calm and asked school heads to reopen and resume serious teaching.

He has also asked schools to re-establish the school security committees and has also barred students from talking about the recent ADF attack.

Schools have also been asked to hire at least two security guards with one to work during the day and the other in the night.
By Monitor Team

Three of the Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Secondary School students reportedly abducted on Friday by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADD rebels have escaped from captivity, the military and local leaders confirmed yesterday.

Brig Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF and Defence spokesperson, said the ex-abductees are safely in the hands of the army.

Its true three students escaped from ADF rebels, they had crossed to DR Congo and this was because of much pressure mounted on them by UPDF soldiers, he said, without offering details.

Unknown attackers that the government has alternately prescribed as ADF terrorists and hired hitmen, attacked Mpondwe-Lhubiriha SS on Friday, killing 37 out of its 63 students.

Six were injured and an unknown number, which the school head teacher Raimon Muhindo estimated at 16, taken captive. It is three of these abductees that Kasese District leaders and the military separately confirmed to have escaped and returned to Uganda. Read more
The split in the North Dakota Republican Party became clear last week with the election of Sandi Sanford as chair of the party. She defeated incumbent Perrie Schafer, 29-28.

Her election officially shifts the party more to the right. Its not a surprise as Republicans who align themselves with former President Donald Trump and his policies have been gaining control of district chairmanships. The last election saw a number of new legislators help turn the legislative session into a culture war battleground.

The party vote indicates neither side is dominant. While the more conservative element of the party has been gaining control of more districts, the establishment Republicans still have clout.

During the last Republican convention U.S. Sen. John Hoeven narrowly held off a challenge by Rep. Rick Becker, R-Bismarck, for the U.S. Senate nomination. Becker didnt seek reelection to the North Dakota House; instead he ran for the Senate as an independent.

Hoeven crushed him with 56.4% of the vote to Beckers 18.4%. Even Democratic-NPL candidate Katrina Christiansen garnered more votes than Becker with 24.9%. U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong easily won reelection with 62.2% of the vote to independent Cara Munds 37.6%.

All the way down the statewide ballot Republican candidates that have to be considered establishment claimed lopsided victories. The ultraconservative Republicans made gains in legislative races.

The statewide office results would indicate Republican voters are happy with what might be considered the old guard. Still, the fracture in the party is real and will likely have consequences in the near future.

After her election, Sanford issued a statement about her goals of "uniting the party and supporting values espoused in the partys platform." The platforms planks are very conservative.

Often a party adopts a platform and then it becomes an afterthought. If Sanford wants to push the platform the party may be headed in a more conservative direction.

If the GOP remains divided and falls into constant bickering it could be an opening for the Democratic-NPL Party. If the Republican Party turns to more ultraconservative candidates not all Republican voters may be enchanted.

At present the Democratic-NPL isnt very appealing to Republicans. The Democrats need to adjust to North Dakota voters. The party had control in the state when it was considered moderate with policies that favored rural North Dakota and working people.

The party needs to move to the center and shed itself of progressive policies if it wants to win elections. It needs to develop candidates who are serious about governing. If a candidate loses an election he or she shouldnt be dumped, but given more chances.

Its going to take time for the party to make a comeback, though Republican infighting could provide that time. The party should encourage Heidi Heitkamp to run for governor in 2024. She would provide the party with a proven candidate, and if Gov. Doug Burgum doesnt seek another term she wouldnt be facing an incumbent. If elected she would only be 69.

If Heitkamp couldnt be persuaded to run, the party should consider Christianson again. However, she would need to run on a moderate platform. The party also should try to woo Mund to run for office under the Democratic-NPL banner.

North Dakota needs a strong two-party system; it provides the voters with choices. Its shameful when the Democratic-NPL cant find a candidate to run for tax commissioner. In 2022 Brian Kroshus was unopposed and waltzed to a 98% victory.

Sanford may be able to unify the GOP, but it will be difficult. There are some very determined ultraconservative Republicans not likely to back down. It means a very interesting political landscape going into the 2024 elections. Whether the Democratic-NPL Party can play a role remains to be seen.
A large crowd is expected at the parish church in Callan to celebrate parish priest Fr Willie Daltons Golden Jubilee as a priest.

The newly ordained Bishop of Ossory, Niall Coll will be in attendance. There are many parishioners right across the parish and schools, partaking in the event, representing every man, woman and child, plus groups, clubs and organisations.

Fr Willie has been in Callan Parish over 22 years, overseeing a population of 4,500 people, responsible for Callan, Coolagh, Newtown, as well as the Christian Brothers at Westcourt and the Mercy nuns at the Convent on the hill.

Fr Willie was ordained on July 8, 1973 at the retreat house of Peace in Christ on the Sion Road Kilkenny. At that time there were over 20 priests ordained in the class of 73.

After his ordination Fr Willie continued his studies and went to Rome to take post-graduate studies in Theology from 1973 to 1974.

He returned to Ireland and was posted to the Archbishops house in Dublin from 1974 to 1976, before returning to Rome to take Post Graduate studies in Church Law from 1976 to 1980.

He joined the teaching staff of St Kierans College on his return and served there until 1992, when he became curate at St Johns Parish in the city while continuing to teach at St Kierans College Seminary.

In 1994 he was posted to the parish of Ferrybank for three years until he moved to Dunnamaggin as parish priest in 1997 and then to Callan in 2001, where he has served the community for 22 years.

One of his first main projects was the refurbishment of the parish church, which was in need of repair.

A huge fundraising campaign was launched and Father Willie proved very inventive with some of his projects.

When the Breakfast on Pluto movie was made in Callan in 2004, one of the venues used was the parish church and grounds.

With help from the film and other fundraisers, all the works were completed on the parish church and no debt remains.

Fr Willie is an ardent walker and loves the walk down through Coolalong, Bauntha and to Trenchmore wood, stopping along the way, especially during summer time, to chat with people.

All are invited to the special mass at 7.30pm in the Church of the Assumption to celebrate the evening with Father Willie.
A party of armed men got away with a 3,000 wage packet from a hut on a building site at Avonmore creameries at Ballyconra, Ballyragget on Friday.

There was some confusion about the number of men engaged in the raid but Mr George McCann, works supervisor, said three men came into the wages office, one of three compartments in the hut.

They pushed in the door, said Mr McCann, and two of them armed with revolvers demanded the money. The other man, who was armed with a shotgun, remained outside the door of the office in the hallway of the hut.

Roadblocks were set up over a wide area on Friday as gardai, under Chief Superintendent D Leahy, Waterford; Supt TA Sloyan, Kilkenny; Inspector J Shanahan, Kilkenny and detectives and gardai from Kilkenny began investigations.

The raiders, according to McCann, appeared to be aged 18.

One of them told McCann - we want all the money; hand it out and nobody will get hurt.

After collecting the money, the man said it is for a good cause.

One of them spoke with a Dublin accent and the others had North of Ireland accents. The raid appeared to have been well organised. The wages for the staff had only arrived from Kilkenny a short time before.

The hut is sited in a complex of buildings at the rear of the Avonmore building and is adjacent to several buildings in the course of construction.

The door was pushed open violently and two of the men entered the office. The whole operation was over in a matter of minutes and the men left warning the staff not to move for 20 minutes.

It is thought the raiders used a grey or slate colour car resembling an Austin. Nobody took particular notice of the car as a large number of cars are parked regularly in the vicinity of the factory.

KEHER GETS BANK KILKENNY APPOINTMENT

Star hurler Eddie Keher is to return to Kilkenny as assistant manager of the Allied Irish Bank at High Street (formerly the Munster and Leinster).

Eddie, who has been with the Bank in Dublin since leaving St Kierans College, is at present the assistant manager of the Capel Street branch of the AIB.

In Kilkenny, he will replace Mr Jim Scully, who has been in Kilkenny for the past 11 years. He has been promoted to manager of the mobile branch in Clare.
Ireland-based renewable energy company BayWa re will present plans for the proposed Kilderry Solar Farm at a public information event to be held next Tuesday, June 27 at the Johnswell Badminton Club.

The event will run from 3pm to 8pm and will allow members of the local community to review the plans for the proposed solar farm development, provide their feedback and to put whatever questions they may have about the development directly to the project team.

The solar farm is being developed by Kilderry Solar Farm Limited, a subsidiary of BayWa re Ireland Limited. Globally, BayWa re has installed over 5GW of wind and solar projects. In Ireland, the company has a pipeline of over 900MW of projects in development.

The Kilderry Solar Farm is being proposed for a 50-hectare site approximately one kilometre south of the village of Johnswell and five kilometres north-east of the Kilkenny city limits. The proposed development will also include a 38kV substation and an underground cable connection to the Kilkenny 110kV substation.

The expected generating capacity of the project is up to 40MWp of solar power, which is enough to supply approximately 10,000 homes annually with clean, renewable electricity. The proposed solar farm will support the Irish governments target of having 80% of the countrys electricity supply generated by renewable sources by 2030.

The development will also provide local construction opportunities for civil works during development, as well as opportunities for biodiversity net gain through hedgerow planting. An annual community benefit contribution fund will also be established for the local community.

Mike OKeefe, Renewables Developer at BayWa re Ireland Limited, is encouraging members of the local community to come along to Tuesdays event to find out more about the benefits of the proposed Kilderry Solar Farm:

We are keen to share our plans for the solar farm development with our neighbours and to answer any questions and discuss any concerns locals may have about the project. We believe that the solar farm can bring tangible benefits to the Kilderry, Johnswell and wider Kilkenny region and we look forward to expanding on this belief at Tuesdays event," he said.

Currently the application for planning permission for the Kilderry Solar Farm is expected to be submitted to Kilkenny County Council later this summer. The feedback gained through the ongoing public consultation process will inform the formal planning submission.



Visit baywa-re.co.uk/en/solar/kilderry-solar-farm for more information on the proposed development.
Several nursing homes in Kilkenny met with TDs and Senators in Leinster House last week to outline the severe funding crisis facing the private and voluntary nursing home sector.

Representatives from Mooncoin Residential Care Centre, Drakelands nursing home and from Brookhaven Nursing Home were part of the Nursing Homes Ireland delegation which presented politicians with the findings of an independent PwC report into the funding crisis which has already seen the closure of 31 nursing homes and 915 beds in the past three years.

The PwC report, commissioned by Nursing Homes Ireland, shows that nursing home closures are increasing rapidly despite their role becoming increasingly pivotal in the Irish healthcare system. The report also outlines a number of recommendations to solve the crisis, including increased State funding for nursing homes and basing Fair Deal Rates on residents individual needs.

Representatives from nursing homes urged politicians to take immediate action and implement the reports recommendations to prevent further nursing home closures. In the immediate term, the report recommends the provision of the necessary funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to enable them to prevent further nursing home closures and to ensure that no more residents lose what is their home.

In the longer term, the report recommends reform of the Fair Deal Pricing mechanism to enable Fair Deal Rates to be based on resource allocation and residents individual care needs. Alongside this is required engagement planning between stakeholders to ensure future bed capacity for Irelands ageing population, PwC recommend.

Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland said: The funding crisis for nursing homes is extremely serious in Kilkenny, as it is across the country. Unless we see the Government taking urgent action on this and follow the recommendations in the PwC report, it is certain that we will see further nursing home closures.

This will result in elderly residents being forced to move out of their communities and away from their families. It will also result in greater pressure on our healthcare system as nursing homes facilitate the discharge of older persons from acute hospital settings either through long term residential care or step down rehabilitation, which frees up acute bed capacity.

Private and voluntary nursing homes are facing unsustainable pressure which will have dire consequences for Irelands ageing population. In the absence of immediate action, closures will persist. More than 20 nursing homes have closed since the start of last year, due to rapidly rising costs and a variety of challenges including recruitment and increasingly complex resident profiles.

Irelands ageing population, combined with the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as dementia, will place significant pressure on the healthcare system in the coming years, amplifying the importance of nursing homes. The increased use of home support services has also resulted in individuals staying in their homes for longer, meaning that those entering nursing homes are now older age and of higher dependency.
Walking trails in Kilkenny are set for a series of upgrades to help people to enjoy rural areas of the county.

Today, Wednesday, Minister Heather Humphries has announced 40,000 in grants for four different walking trails in Kilkenny, under the walks scheme of Our Rural Future. Each project has been awarded the maximum grant of 10,000, which will be administered by Kilkenny Leader Partnership.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said: Our walkways and outdoor trails really showcase the unique beauty of our rural towns and villages. They are hugely popular assets among families, hikers, cyclists and tourists alike and its therefore so important that we continuously maintain and protect them."

In Kilkenny the four trails included in this announcement are:

Freshford Loop Signage and Benches Project

Replacement and relocation of the existing mapboard stand. Installation of three age friendly benches.

Gathabawn resurfacing project

1. Works will consist of the laying of recycled plastic bog board across a spring to allow the water to flow under or through.

2. Install drainage and resurface a section where farm machinery crosses the trail.

Kilmacoliver Summit Loop Surface Upgrade

Upgrade of 400m of trail surface where areas have become boggy and impassable in wet weather. Geotextile will be laid and repairs to drain bridge.

Nore Valley Fencing Upgrade

Upgrade of fencing along 270m of the Nore Valley.

Minister Humphreys went on to say these projects will be delivered through local contractors and workers, providing a boost to rural economies.

Outdoor recreation tourism is a growing sector internationally, and has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for our rural towns and villages," Mister Humphreys said. I would encourage everyone to visit their local trails to see the fantastic work that is being done in conjunction with our farmers and landowners.

A visit to your local trail also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful views and the peace of mind that being in the outdoors brings.

The projects being funded are led by local development companies in collaboration with landowners, Community Trail Management Organisations and other stakeholders.

Under the Walks Scheme, funding is provided to farmers and other landholders to maintain the trails that travel through their land. Funding is also provided to local development companies for the management of the scheme and the upkeep of the trails.

The Walks Scheme Development Fund supports projects that require more extensive work, which would be additional to ongoing maintenance. Over the last two years the Department has provided funding of over 400,000 for 48 projects under the fund.

Along with the recent announcement of a major expansion of the Walks Scheme, this funding will support the growth of outdoor recreation across rural Ireland and will provide high quality recreation opportunities which are key commitments of the new Embracing Irelands Outdoors, National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023  2027.
Bringing open banking to North America in 2023 With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently announcing that new open banking rules are on the way, financial services organizations need to prepare for major changes in order to create a more dynamic and competitive market for consumers. Read on to learn what they are and what to expect in the months to come.

Insight: Bringing Open Banking to North America in 2023 With the recent announcement coming from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that there is a forthcoming US open banking rule, major changes will be coming to the financial services industry. The goal of this is to create a more dynamic and competitive market for consumers, but it will require major changes. Read on to see why.

6things You Need To Know About Screen Scraping In Banking And Financial Services Screen scraping is not new, but when it comes to banking, it can be a serious threat. While most of it is customers providing their financial data to other third parties, that behavior comes with its own risks like security and performance, not to mention the headaches for IT. Read on to learn more about the facts of screen scraping in banking.

Has Screen Scraping Seen Its Day? Screen scraping is nothing new. Its been around in the banking industry for over 25 years, and many fintech companies have credited it with how they got their start. However, with a recent push towards open banking in Europe and new regulations coming out in North America, screen scraping may have seen its day. Read on to learn why.

Open banking coming of age: How banks evolve as API providers Open banking API providers in the financial sector have initiatives to improve the customer banking experience, but the path is different for each organization. With more banks adding this to their own offerings, the industry has seen a substantial increase. Now with added regulations, open banking is set to grow even more. Read on to learn more.

BaaS, Embedded Finance, and Open Banking models: whats the difference? In the digital era, several technologies in the financial sector appear similar but are not quite related. With an impending regulation coming in 2024, financial institutions must be aware of the new requirements on handling data within BaaS, embedded finance, and open banking. Read on to learn about each, and why API standards are the difference.

Capturing the embedded finance wave without screen scraping In a world where more consumers are wary of the dangers of sharing personal data, the use of screen scraping in the embedded finance wave is being phased out. Discover how to stay one step ahead of regulations and enable a more secure means of data exchange with this blog.

Open banking use cases: a goldmine of actionable intelligence for banks willing to open up Many traditional banking institutions view the open banking wave as a threat to their business models. This article explores how open banking can provide a goldmine of actionable intelligence that, if leveraged, can yield rich cross-selling opportunities and beyond. Read on to learn more.

Get Ready For Upcoming Open Banking Regulation: Protecting Personal Financial Data Rights Both the U.S. and Canada have recently made moves toward implementing new open banking regulation across their respective countries.Access this article to learn more about:Understanding the CFPB rulemaking process Canadas next steps on open bankingHow you can turn open banking regulation into an opportunity

The only podcast dedicated to all things open banking. There are a lot of podcasts out there. The market is saturated. However, for those organizations in the financial services and banking sectors, then there is one that requires your attention. Mr. Open Banking is the only podcast dedicated to all things open banking and offers unique perspectives for financial leaders. Read on to see more.

(Demo) How to build an API marketplace with Amplify Enterprise Marketplace For organizations looking to expand digital services into new use cases and new markets, there is a platform that allows you to quickly create and develop your own marketplace of APIs. With APIs completely packaged and neatly categorized, your internal and external stakeholders will be more productive. Read on to learn more about it.

Do you need an API Marketplace? Todays businesses are familiar with API portals. They use them for internal developers and trusted partners looking to leverage data. While API portals are effective as a technical interface for internal use cases, by switching to an API marketplace, you can turn them into API products for external use. Read on to learn how.

Dont leave MFT and B2B/EDI behind in your move to the cloud So many vendors are talking about how important cloud adoption is to ensure organizations can fully complete their digital transformation. While that is true, many organizations get in a rush and even if they get the APIs right, they forget to check that their MFT and B2B/EDI operations wont be broken along the way. Read on to learn more.

Axway B2B Integration Platform. Secure, API-enabled EDI in the cloud. Axway B2B integration platform provides a secure, API-enabled approach to EDI that lets you respond faster to evolving business demands. The platform provides benefits like reduced manual involvement and improved response times thanks to DevOps-friendly configuration and low-code/no-code integrations. Access this brief to learn more.

5 steps you can take now to drive API adoption As organizations grow, some run into an issue known as API sprawl and complexity. When this happens, businesses will face significant challenges to API adoptions. However, there is way around this. To get around these barriers and others like them, adopting an API marketplace is the answer. Read on to see why.

Scale your EDI in the cloud with a B2B integration platform Today, business leaders are faced with challenges such as skill shortages, supply chain disruptions, and increased complexity that comes with expansion. With all of this to deal with, many businesses are fearful to move their EDI operations to the cloud. However, moving it to the cloud helps overcome other challenges. Read on to see why.

The role of API marketplaces in positive business outcomes APIs have received mainstream adoption because of their ability to deliver internal and external support. In fact, the larger the organization, the more APIs to manage. But with the right approach, putting your APIs into a marketplace for easy discovery provides the best possible experience for your employees and customers. Read on to see why.

Global pharmaceutical leader drives digital transformation with Axway As large, established organizations attempt to keep up with startups and new market entrants, they need to find ways to innovate and improve their agility. Some of the issues healthcare enterprises are working to overcome include streamlined data access, e-commerce growth and much more. Read on to learn how your organization can overcome the same.

Make an API marketplace with Amplify Enterprise Marketplace [VIDEO] For organizations looking to add new revenue streams and connect with clients in a multichannel environment, then it is time to look at creating an API marketplace. Businesses that can offer neatly packaged and productized APIs can now look at them as valuable products that can be monetized. Watch this video to learn more about it.

SCREEN SCRAPING IN BANKING Many times, we try to copy text or images from a web page to use it for another purpose. This is called screen scraping. While it has been a quick and efficient way for financial services companies to present data, it still comes with significant problems and risks. Read on to learn more about them.

Be ready to meet the three main business challenges of DSCSA 2023 The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), which dictates how your drug supply chain must operate, requires compliance by November 2023. This white paper provides guidance on how you can meet the 3 main interoperability challenges of DSCSA compliance. Access the paper here to learn how to be compliant.

Axway Amplify Enterprise Marketplace As organizations expand their digital services into new markets with new offerings, they need a set of APIs so both internal and external developers can easily access and adopt them. This is the key to realizing the maximum value from your API investments. Read on to learn more about a marketplace that enables your users to be better than before.

API marketplace benefits: The what, who, and how Building your own API marketplace can help your organization drive greater API adoption and accelerate desired business outcomes. This infographic breaks down additional benefits you can achieve with an API marketplace, including decreasing time to value by automating and productizing APIs. Access the infographic.

Amplify Enterprise Marketplace If you want companies to use your digital services, you must make your APIs easy to find, access and adopt. Amplify Marketplace is designed to make that happen. Amplify Marketplace packages and categorizes APIs in your marketplace where it can be found and used instantly. Access this white paper to learn more about making your APIs easy to use.
Chairmans Powell upcoming testimony coupled with a report revealing strong economic growth has created continuous bearish market sentiment for gold. The decline in gold futures today was so severe that the precious yellow metal gave up $23.50 with the most active August futures contract settling at $1947.70 by the close of trading in New York. On a technical basis, this created major chart damage as todays close falls below the 100-day moving average. Market technicians use the 50, 100, and 200-day moving averages to gauge bullish or bearish market sentiment.

The last time gold closed under its 100-day moving average was approximately 8 months ago in November 2022. This occurred after a multi-month price correction which took gold from $2085 to a low of approximately $1620.

Todays decline is partially due to the lingering bearish market sentiment created when the Federal Reserve revealed that it plans to enact more rate hikes this year at last weeks FOMC meeting. Now, market participants are focused on what Chairman Powell will say during his testimony to Congress tomorrow.

On Monday the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reported that homebuilders have become optimistic about the housing market outlook. US single-family homebuilding surged in May to its highest level in more than a year. Last month construction on new homes in the United States was up 21.7%. The strong uptick in demand for new single-family homes is partially the result of high mortgage rates which are currently above 6%. This creates very little incentive for existing homeowners to sell as approximately 92% of pre-existing homeowners have mortgages at much lower rates.

The combination of a highly restrictive and hawkish monetary policy by the Federal Reserve and data revealing strong economic growth in the United States continue to pressure gold to lower prices. Todays price decline did create technical chart damage as gold futures closed below its 100-day moving average a key indicator used by market technicians to gauge intermediate market sentiment.

For those who would like more information simply use this link.

Wishing you as always good trading,

Gary S. Wagner
HELSINKI, June 21 (Reuters) - Finnish central bank Governor Olli Rehn said on Wednesday he plans to run for president next year when Finland is due to elect a new head of state, and will seek leave of absence from his current job.

The 61-year-old, who sits on the governing council of the European Central Bank, said he will be on annual leave in the time ahead and will not be engaged in official duties while preparing to run.

He must collect 20,000 signatures before he can formally enter the race.

"I will apply for a leave of absence when hopefully I am nominated as a presidential candidate," Rehn told a news conference.

Pekka Haavisto, who on Wednesday stepped down as Finnish foreign minister as the government resigned following general elections, recently announced that he was running for president.

Foreign and security policy are among the key constitutional responsibilities of Finnish presidents.

Finland in April joined the NATO military alliance in a historic policy shift brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine that drew a threat from Moscow of "counter-measures."
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(Kitco News) - Marimaca Copper (TSX: MARI) today announced a C$20 million equity investment by Mitsubishi Corporation by way of non-brokered private placement.

The company said that Mitsubishi will subscribe for an aggregate 4,640,371 units consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant at a price of C$4.31 per unit.

Following completion of the strategic investment, Mitsubishi will own approximately 5.0% of Marimacas issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis.

According to a company statement, proceeds from the strategic investment will be used to advance and accelerate the development of the companys flagship Marimaca copper project located in the Antofagasta region, Chile.

Mitsubishi is a major investor in the Latin American copper industry with a portfolio of existing investments including Escondida, Los Pelambres, Antamina, Los Bronces and Quellaveco.



President and CEO Hayden Locke commented, We are pleased to welcome Mitsubishi Corporation as a partner and shareholder in Marimaca. This investment is a strong endorsement of the quality of the Marimaca project from an exceptionally well-respected and established stakeholder in the Chilean copper industry.

Marimaca Copper is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on developing the Marimaca project, an oxide, open-pit, heap leach copper project located in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile.
WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) - Raising U.S. bank capital requirements to guard against future losses could increase the cost of credit but that may be justified to ensure the U.S. banking system is safe, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congress on Wednesday.

Testifying before the House Financial Services Committee, Powell was grilled by Republican lawmakers who worry the central bank may overreact to a March banking crisis with stringent new rules which they say could stifle lending and hurt the economy.

Powell was at pains to strike a balanced tone, arguing strong capital is of "central importance," particularly for large global banks, but acknowledging increases come with tradeoffs that must be considered.

"Strong capital requirements means we have a stronger banking system...yet we also know that at the margin, as the costs of capital for banks goes up, the costs of credit goes up," he said. "You just have to make a judgment call on that, and that's what we'll be doing."

Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr is undertaking a holistic review of existing capital requirements and is expected to make several proposals strengthening bank rules after three lenders failed in March, forcing the government to backstop deposits.

Powell said the Fed has a "significant number of proposals in the works" but none have been finalized or brought to the board for a vote yet. Republicans repeatedly warned Powell against disrupting lending at a precarious point for the U.S. economy.

"Now is not the time to be engineering massive new regulatory changes or hindering regional banks which have already been under stress," said Representative Andy Barr, a Kentucky Republican.

Powell, who in the past has said he would defer to Barr as the top regulatory official at the Fed, insisted that any capital hikes will be justified. He also said he anticipates stricter requirements will fall primarily on banks with over $100 billion in assets, sparing small lenders.

He also noted that any new requirements would take months to finalize and even longer to be implemented, meaning they would likely take effect when the U.S. economic outlook is clearer.

Powell appeared before the House at the same time as the Senate Banking Committee advanced legislation that would allow regulators to claw back compensation from executives at failed banks, as well as give regulators stronger tools to punish executives for mismanagement.

The legislation, backed by the panel's top Democrat and Republican, now advances to the full Senate for potential consideration.
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(Kitco News) - Rare earth producer Lynas (ASX: LYC) (OTC: LYSDY) yesterday announced that the company has been awarded A$20 million grant as part of the Australian Governments Modern Manufacturing Initiative  Manufacturing Integration Stream.

According to a company news release, the grant will contribute to the development of a new capability to process apatite-rich ores from the Mt Weld ore body through a newly-developed process containing two circuits for the removal of apatite.

Lynas said this grant will partially fund the apatite leach circuit which will be established at Lynas Mt Weld site near Laverton, Western Australia, adding that the project will be undertaken as part of the Mt Weld expansion project which is scheduled for completion by end of calendar year 2024.

Processing the apatite-rich ore will help to unlock additional value from the Mt Weld ore body with the goal of extending the operating life of both the mine at Mt Weld and the Lynas rare earths processing facility in Kalgoorlie, the company noted.

Lynas Rare Earths is the world's only significant producer of separated rare earth materials outside of China. The company's Mt Weld mine in Western Australia is acknowledged as one of the world's premier rare earths deposits.

Lynas also operates the world's largest single rare earths processing plant in Malaysia where it produces high-quality separated rare earth materials for export to manufacturing markets in Asia, Europe and the United States.
Plot Synopsis

Film legend Boris Karloff (Frankenstein, The Raven, Black Sabbath) commands the role of James Lee Wong, the eminent gentleman-sleuth of the printed page, in five taut tales of mystery and murder for Monogram Pictures and director William Nigh (The Ape). Grant Withers (Goin to Town) co-stars as Wongs fellow case-cracker, the irascible Police Captain Street.

MR. WONG, DETECTIVE (1938)  Upon the discovery of a strange glass globe, Mr. Wong delves into the death of a chemical company bigwig. With Maxine Jennings.

THE MYSTERY OF MR. WONG (1939)  Mr. Wong works to crack the killer riddle of an exquisite gemstone known as the Eye of the Daughter of the Moon. With Dorothy Tree.

MR. WONG IN CHINATOWN (1939)  Theres murder in the house of Mr. Wong when death by dart comes to Princess Lin Hwa (Lotus Long). With Marjorie Reynolds.

THE FATAL HOUR (1940)  Mr. Wong tracks the treacherous trail of a corpse to a jewel-smuggling ring on the San Francisco waterfront. With Marjorie Reynolds.

DOOMED TO DIE a.k.a. Mystery of the Wentworth Castle (1940)  When a shipping magnate is mysteriously shot, Mr. Wong springs into action. With Marjorie Reynolds.
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(Kitco News) - The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has published a new whitepaper that proposes a common protocol specifying the conditions for the use of various types of digital money, including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), tokenized bank deposits and stablecoins.

According to a press release that accompanied the whitepaper, the document is supported by the release of software prototypes that demonstrate the concept of Purpose Bound Money (PBM), which enables senders to specify conditions, such as validity period and types of shops, when making transfers in digital money across different systems.

The whitepaper was developed in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Banca dItalia, Bank of Korea, Amazon, DBS Bank, Onyx by J.P. Morgan, and several other industry partners.

Included in the document are technical specifications that outline the PBM lifecycle from issuance to redemption, and the protocol to interface with digital currencies backing it; and business and operating models for how arrangements could be programmed such that money is transferred only upon fulfillment of service obligations or terms of use, the release said.

Interoperability is a key focus of the MAS, so the PBM protocol is designed to work with different ledger technologies and forms of money, enabling users to access their digital asset holdings through their preferred wallet provider.

With a common protocol, the same infrastructure can be used across multiple use cases, the MAS said. Stakeholders using different wallet providers can transfer digital assets to one another without the need for customization.

Following the release of the whitepaper, the next step will be for the various collaborators on the project to begin launching trials to test the usage of PBM in different scenarios.

Amazon, Fazz Financial Group and Grab Holdings will collaborate to pilot a use case involving escrow arrangements for online retail payments. This allows payment to be released to the merchant only when the customer receives the items purchased, thus providing greater assurance to both parties, the release said.

DBS, Grab, FAZZ, Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS), and United Overseas Bank (UOB) will be trialing the use of PBM-based cashback and other incentives to improve consumer experiences while reducing frictions faced by merchants, such as manual reconciliation of sales proceeds and time needed to onboard new sales campaigns.

The MAS said the PBM whitepaper is an extension of Project Orchid, an ongoing initiative led by the regulator to develop the competency and digital infrastructure needed to issue a digital Singapore dollar domestically.

The goal of the whitepaper is to encourage greater research among central banks, [financial institutions], and FinTechs, to understand the design considerations in the use of digital money. It is also meant to serve as a reference model to foster interoperability across different platforms.

Potential uses for PBM include managing the risks associated with pre-paid packages; in online commerce as a way to provide assurance to both merchants and consumers that funds will be transferred when service obligations are met; in contractual agreements that have multiple milestones that need to be attained; in commercial leases where a security deposit is required; in trade finance, where a payment is automatically made upon fulfillment of service obligations; to help provide greater transparency and accountability for donations; and for cross-border payments, where existing policy requirements as conditions can be embedded into PBMs, allowing compliance checks can be automated, which helps reduce the costs and increase efficiency in cross-border payments.

This collaboration among industry players and policymakers has helped achieve important advances in settlement efficiency, merchant acquisition, and user experience with the use of digital money, said Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer at MAS. More importantly, it has enhanced the prospects for digital money becoming a key component of the future financial and payments landscape.


June 21 (Reuters) - Canada's Talon Metals Corp said on Wednesday that it has submitted an application with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the environmental review of its proposed nickel mine located in the state.

The company's underground mine is aimed to boost domestic supply of nickel for its energy storage use in the U.S. battery supply chain, which currently depends on China and Russia for the minerals.

Following Talon's submission of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), the authorities will begin a scoping process to determine environmental consequences of the proposed Tamarack project.

Talon said the submittal covers several key aspects of the Tamarack nickel project, including no crushing or processing of ore at the mine site and water treatment.

Tesla last year signed its first U.S. nickel supply deal with Talon Metals to source the electric vehicle battery metal in a way it considers more environmentally friendly.

Talon is in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the Tamarack nickel-copper-cobalt project located near the City of Tamarack in Aitkin County, Minnesota.

Canadian-listed miner Talon, which currently owns 51% stake in the partnership, has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack nickel project.

(Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta Agarwal)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
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(Kitco News) - Amid the push to regulate the growing digital asset market, authorities in the U.S. have announced the official formalization of the Darknet Marketplace and Digital Currency Crimes Task Force (DNMDCC Task Force).

According to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office in the District of Arizona, U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino, Homeland Security (HSI) Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Scott Brown, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation SAC Al Childress, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) SAC Cheri Oz, and United States Postal Inspection Service Acting Inspector in Charge Greg Torbenson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday making the DNMDCC Task Force official.

While the signing of the MoU makes the task force official, the collaboration has actually been working to crack down on the darknet drug market and other crypto-related crimes for more than six years.

Since 2017, these federal partners have focused on darknet drug vendors and cryptocurrency-enabled crimes, the release said. Ever-evolving technology has allowed drug traffickers and other criminal actors to expand into the digital world and use the darknet to engage in their illegal activity. As these criminal activities and enterprises have become more sophisticated, law enforcement tools, resources, and intelligence have had to adapt.

The release went on to outline several high-profile cases involving illegal activities on the darknet that have been investigated and prosecuted in Arizona, highlighting the growing sophistication of such markets for illicit activities.

HSI and our partners have been working at the forefront of combating criminal activities facilitated through the use of cryptocurrency on dark web marketplaces and other anonymous platforms, said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Arizona. This taskforce will have impactful repercussions on those criminal operators who attempt to grow their businesses and launder the illicit proceeds through advancing technology. HSI looks forward to growing in this investigative space alongside our law enforcement partners.

The Attorneys Office said there has been a notable rise recently in the use of both the standard internet and darknet to facilitate the illegal sale and distribution of narcotics, firearms and parts, technologies, Personal Identification Information (PII), and other contraband  and digital currencies are increasingly being used to facilitate these activities.

According to a Twitter post from Homeland Security, investigations by the agency resulted in the seizure of nearly $4 billion in cryptocurrency from illicit activities in 2022.

The parties involved with the MoU agree that the unique investigative capability of a DNMDCC Task Force will serve the needs of all the communities within the District of Arizona, and can serve as a model for other agencies to follow.

Weve done great work with our federal partners in the dark web and crypto space, said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. This task force will enable us to continue the great collaboration with USPIS, DEA, IRS-CI and HSI, and I look forward to robust interdiction and prosecution efforts to deter digital crimes.

The stated mission of the DNMDCC Task Force is to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that are exploiting the appearance of anonymity on the darknet or using digital currency to facilitate criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, theft of PII, and child exploitation.

It intends to achieve this goal by providing increased collaboration, enhancing resources, and disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations that are using these new and emerging technologies.

IRS-CI is increasingly dedicating more investigative time and agent expertise to tackle darknet and cryptocurrency crimes, said Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Phoenix Field Office. Our agents excel in addressing sophisticated cyber-related schemes and are up to the challenge of locating and apprehending criminals who try to hide in the digital world.

DEA is committed to saving lives, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz. Drug traffickers who are hiding in the darknet will be aggressively targeted and unmasked by this task force.


MEXICO CITY, June 21 (Reuters) - Grupo Mexico said Wednesday it legally resumed operations at its San Martin mine in 2018 after a decade-long strike, countering a Mexican union that recently submitted a petition to U.S. labor officials over alleged worker rights violations.

The U.S. government last week asked Mexico to investigate the matter under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade pact, citing the request from the Mexican union, known as The Miners, and two major U.S. labor organizations.

The groups argued that Grupo Mexico's operations at the San Martin mine in Zacatecas state, which has lead, zinc and copper, violate a strike that began in 2007, and that the company has bargained with employees who did not have the right to formally represent the mine's workforce.

Operations resumed in 2018 when, according to Grupo Mexico, a majority of workers voted to go back to their jobs and withdrew support for the striking union.

Mexican labor authorities recognized that vote as valid, the company added in its Wednesday filing with the country's stock exchange.

"Lifting the strike ... was a result of the free and majority decision of workers," Grupo Mexico said in the statement.

The U.S. Trade Representative in a letter to Mexican officials on Friday said it was concerned workers were being denied the rights to free association and collective bargaining.

"It appears that the Facility is engaging in normal production during an ongoing strike, without waiting for appropriate authorization from the Mexican courts," the letter said.

"The strike movement and its demands are totally legal," The Miners union said in a statement on Friday following the U.S. complaint.

Mexico's government had 10 days from Friday to determine whether to accept the case for review, and has not yet commented on the matter.

Since operations resumed, the San Martin mining unit has received more than $105 million in investments, produces 1.25 million tons of minerals each year and generates nearly 1,300 jobs, Grupo Mexico said.

The case is the 11th U.S. labor complaint in Mexico under the 2020 trade pact, which also aims to improve workplace conditions throughout North America.

(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire and Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Aurora Ellis)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Plot Synopsis

PASOLINI 101

One of the most original and controversial thinkers of the twentieth century, Italian polymath Pier Paolo Pasolini embodied a multitude of often seemingly contradictory ideologies and identitiesand he expressed them all in his provocative, lyrical, and indelible films. Relentlessly concerned with societys downtrodden and marginalized, he elevated pimps, hustlers, sex workers, and vagabonds to the realm of saints, while depicting actual saints with a radical earthiness. Traversing the sacred and the profane, the ancient and the modern, the mythic and the personal, the nine uncompromising, often scandal-inciting features he made in the 1960s still standon this, the 101st anniversary of his birthas a monument to his daring vision of cinema as a form of resistance.

NINE-BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION COLLECTORS SET FEATURES

New 4K digital restorations of seven films and 2K digital restorations of Teorema and Medea, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks

Two shorts made by director Pier Paolo Pasolini for anthology films: La ricotta (1963) and The Sequence of the Paper Flower (1969)

Two documentaries made by Pasolini during his travels

New program on Pasolinis visual style as told through his personal writing, narrated by actor Tilda Swinton and writer Rachel Kushner

Audio commentaries on Accattone and Teorema

Documentaries on Pasolinis life and career featuring archival interviews with the director and his close collaborators

Episode from 1966 of the French television program Cineastes de notre temps

Interviews with filmmakers and scholars

Trailers

New English subtitle translations

PLUS: Deluxe packaging, including a 100-page book featuring an essay and notes on the films by critic James Quandt, and writings and drawings by Pasolini

BLU-RAY

CAT. NO. CC3462BD

ISBN 979-8-88607-038-5

UPC 7-15515-28441-7

ACCATTONE

Poet and painter turned filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini courted controversy with his very first feature by using Catholic iconography and liturgical music to render a plaintive, brutally beautiful portrait of a shiftless Roman pimp and thief (then-nonprofessional Franco Citti, in a revelatory performance) whose life of petty crime turns increasingly desperate when the woman who supports him is imprisoned. Melding a hardscrabble neorealist milieu with classical influences, Pasolini offers a vision of underclass struggle as a kind of modern sainthood.

1961  117 minutes  Black & White  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.37:1 aspect ratio

MAMMA ROMA

Anna Magnani is Mamma Roma, a middle-aged prostitute who attempts to extricate herself from her sordid past for the sake of her son. Highlighting director Pier Paolo Pasolinis lifelong fascination with the marginalized and dispossessed, Mamma Roma offers an unflinching, neorealistic look at the struggle for survival in postwar Italy. Though initially banned in the country for obscenity, today the film remains a classic, featuring a powerhouse performance by one of cinemas greatest actors and offering a glimpse at Pasolini in the process of finding his style.

1962  106 minutes  Black & White  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.85:1 aspect ratio

LOVE MEETINGS

Lets talk about sex. In this radically engaged and engaging documentary, Pier Paolo Pasolini takes to the streets, town squares, beaches, factories, and universities of 1960s Italy to solicit everyday citizens thoughts on a host of hot-button subjects, including sex work, gender equality, homosexuality, and divorce (then illegal in Italy). What emerges is both a kaleidoscopic cross section of faces and placesfrom the industrialized cities of the North to the rural villages of the Southand an incisive portrait of a society where, despite the rapid modernization brought on by the postwar economic miracle, hypocrisy, repression, and conformism still hold sway.

1964  92 minutes  Black & White  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.85:1 aspect ratio

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

A biblical epic that only the Marxist dissident Pier Paolo Pasolini could make, this intensely faithful adaptation of Saint Matthews Gospel depicts the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (Enrique Irazoqui, a Spanish economics student and Communist activist), whose unwavering compassion for the poor and defiant condemnation of moral hypocrisy make him a perhaps unexpected embodiment of the directors own worldview. Stunningly shot amid the timeless landscapes of southern Italy and set to a soundtrack that encompasses everything from Bach to Black spirituals, The Gospel According to Matthew cuts past dogma and straight to the core of Jesuss radical humanism.

1964  137 minutes  Black & White  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.85:1 aspect ratio

THE HAWKS AND THE SPARROWS

While wandering the countryside, a pair of father-and-son vagabonds (played respectively by Italian cinema legend Toto, in his final major film role, and Ninetto Davoli) happen upon a talking crow who spouts philosophy and launches them on a freewheeling picaresque through time, space, and the margins of a rapidly modernizing Italy. A comic Marxist fable that balances heady ideas about religion, poverty, and class struggle with irreverent slapstick sight gags, The Hawks and the Sparrows finds Pasolini at his lightest yet as stingingly subversive as ever.

1966  89 minutes  Black & White  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.85:1 aspect ratio

OEDIPUS REX

Pier Paolo Pasolinis powerfully iconoclastic take on Sophocless tragedy blends eras and cultures to create a searing exploration of fate, free will, and the things we fear most in ourselves. Shot amid the stark, elemental landscapes of the Moroccan desert, and set in an indefinable ancient past, this bold reimagining casts the filmmakers frequent collaborator Franco Citti as the eponymous foundling, whose willful blindness to his own nature unleashes a cataclysmic reckoning. With a prologue and epilogue set in twentieth-century Italy, Pasolini connects the story to his own upbringing, daring to bare his soul on-screen.

1967  104 minutes  Color  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.85:1 aspect ratio

TEOREMA

With Teorema, a coolly cryptic exploration of bourgeois spiritual emptiness, Pier Paolo Pasolini moved beyond the poetic, proletarian earthiness that first won him renown. Terence Stamp stars as the mysterious strangerperhaps an angel, perhaps a devilwho, one by one, seduces the members of a wealthy Milanese family (including European cinema icons Silvana Mangano, Massimo Girotti, Laura Betti, and Anne Wiazemsky), precipitating an existential crisis in each of their lives. Unfolding nearly wordlessly, this tantalizing metaphysical riddleblocked from exhibition by the Catholic Church for degeneracyis at once a blistering Marxist treatise on sex, religion, and art and a primal scream into the void.

1968  98 minutes  Color  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.85:1 aspect ratio

PORCILE

I killed my father. I ate human flesh. I quiver with joy. Provocateur Pier Paolo Pasolini is at his most incendiary in this double-edged allegory on fascism, consumerism, and resistance. In one story, a defiant man (Pierre Clementi) perpetrates increasingly barbaric acts while wandering a mythic, volcanic landscape. In the other, the scion (Jean-Pierre Leaud) of a wealthy, ex-Nazi industrial family conceals a shocking proclivity. Taken together, these stories of transgression form a scathing commentary on postwar European moral rot and the meaning of rebellion in the face of a corrupt world.

1969  98 minutes  Color  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1.85:1 aspect ratio

MEDEA

In this hypnotic adaptation of Euripidess immortal tragedy, Pier Paolo Pasolini casts opera diva Maria Callas (utterly arresting in her only film role) as the sorceress of Greek legend, whose separation from her homeland of Colchis and betrayal by her lover, Jason, lead her down a path of shocking vengeance. Melding Western myth with aesthetic and musical influences from numerous world cultures, Pasolini fashions a mesmerizing cinematic pageant that gathers in force until it explodes in rage and a stunningly nihilistic condemnation of injustice.

1969  110 minutes  Color  Monaural  In Italian with English subtitles  1:85:1 aspect ratio
(NB: A hard choice on a topic today. I was going to write again on how the PPTA continue to trample on children and families through rostering home two year groups a day. I was going to talk about how they are bringing the whole sector into further disrepute and shooting themselves in every body-part by driving high aspiration young people aware from a career in teaching (or driving teachers overseas) I was going to say that teachers need an oath, equivalent to the Hippocratic Oath for doctors, to first do no harm. But I have decided to talk about something else.)

On Monday the NZ Herald carried this opinion piece:

Science education in New Zealand is in decline.

We don't have enough of the right specialist teachers and the programmes continue to be diluted. The tinkering at NCEA level 1 is a case in point.

Our long-term decline in the international PISA tests should have been a big wake-up call that all is not well.

This graph backs up his assertion:

Dr Rogers can speak with authority as not only is he exceptionally well qualified but he is also the HOD Chemistry at one of New Zealand's very best performing schools: St Peter's College in Epsom.

He notes: The reality is that science is not well supported by the Ministry of Education (MoE) regardless of the rhetoric we hear. Notably, only one of the MoE senior leadership team has ever taught in a school (primary).

Of concern is that only a very small proportion of MoE employees (I estimate fewer than 1 per cent) has a science degree, and I couldn't find anyone who had taught chemistry or physics. No doubt my statistics are wrong, but you get the picture. Sciences don't register as important on the MoE radar.

I wish Andrew was wrong but he isn't. Science education is in deep trouble in NZ. Very few primary teachers have a background in Science subjects let alone the competence to teach it well. The subject is being significantly diminished in the curriculum refresh and the collective contract prevents incentivising this area where the shortages are already crippling.

The Ministry of Education is incompetent, disconnected from school level reality, captured by idealogues of all manner  and clearly completely disinterested in academic rigour in Science and Math. A new government needs to completely restructure/repurpose the Ministry, completely sweep out the current leadership and bring in 10 of NZ's most outstanding Principals to lead the organisation

The Sciences are not only important for career opportunities, important for the economy, but also deeply interesting and invigorating when well taught. Young people who love science have also got more resources at their finger-tips than ever before. Parents are beginning to challenge schools and the Ministry in a range of areas. This is another one to be VERY vocal about.

Much can happen in the home too. For parents and grandparents out there two of the best books to buy for 10 year olds through to adults are:

A Short history of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson (fully illustrated version  not the kids version)

The Body by Bill Bryson (also illustrated)

Anyone reading them will fall in love with Science and also probably realise they learn more away from PPTA control-ville and that many of the best teachers of science subjects around the world can be accessed.

(You may be interested that I am now publishing on Substack three times a week: https://alwynpoole.substack.com/publish/posts)

Alwyn.poole@gmail.com

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Genres : Anime, Science Fiction, Comedy

Starring : Miki It?, Emi Shinohara, Michie Tomizawa, Lynda Boyd, Ian James Corlett, Tessho Genda

Director : Yuji Moriyama

Plot Synopsis

A MYSTERIOUS STATUE IN THE DESERT

A STRANGE SYMBOL IN A STONE

AND MORE MISSILES THAN YOU CAN SWING A MECHA AT!

On a quiet day at Graviton High, while the kicks are fast and the missile barrages are booming, Miss Ayumi ponders just where her life is leading. Meanwhile, out in the deserts of Iraq, scientists have unearthed a strange artifact bearing a symbol just like the one on Miss Ayumis pendant. Strange things begin to occur, and the strangest of all is Miss Ayumi agreeing to an arranged marriage. WIth handsome hunk Kei, of all people! Still carrying a torch for the dashing young man, A-ko and B-ko take their fight to the schools gym-turned-wedding-chapel, even as a massive fleet of aliens bears down upon the Earth. As the mecha are mobilized and missiles start to fly, C-ko wonders to herself, where does she belong in all of this? Its the final chapter of Project A-ko, and it wont go out without a bang!
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Nancy Sauerwho died in November at age 84bequeathed her huge Tampa, Florida home and money to her seven cats. Apparently Sauer's will states that the Tampa, Florida estate would not be sold until the last cat died as she did not want the feline family separated. However, a judge has put the kibosh on that.

From USA Today:

According to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, the cats have continued to inhabit the 4,000-square-foot house. Despite the stipulation, however, a Hillsborough County probate judge recently decided that the cats should be placed in new homes.

Sherry Silk, the executive director of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, told the Tampa Bay Times that the cats should not be alone in a house that size. Silk said there was someone to check on the cats multiple times each day while they were living in the home, but the humane society has had the cats at its facility for the past month.

"I am going to personally make sure that we can keep as many together as we can and that they go to the perfect house," Silk said.
In Texas, summer is chupacabra season. Depending on who you ask, these goat suckers ("chupacabra" in Spanish) are native to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. While they usually prefer to snack on livestock, there's no telling what these creepy cryptids may do if they're hungry. KXAN in Texas published helpful background on the creatures with advice on what to do if you encounter one. They insist that any chupacabra you see is likely a coyote with mange, but I assume their advice applies anyway. From KXAN:

As explained by [Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension], reports of the grey-skinned, patchy-furred, dog-like beast line up with the appearance of a coyote with mange. Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites burrowing into the skin, causing hair loss, irritation and poor health. Additionally, TAMU researchers write that mange can cause diminished physical strength, leading the coyote to go after "easier" prey  like tied up livestock.

Anyone who has experienced or knows of any recent livestock losses, or spots a mangy animal, should contact a local parks and wildlife department game warden or wildlife biologist. If any pets or livestock may have come in contact with a mangy animal, TAMU recommends bathing them (potentially with acaricide, a pesticide) or consulting a vet.

Anyone who comes into contact with an animal with mange should also consider bathing.
Albany International (NYSE:AIN  Get Rating) and Shenzhou International Group (OTCMKTS:SHZHY  Get Rating) are both industrial products companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, earnings and valuation.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

98.5% 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 endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Albany International and Shenzhou International Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Albany International 8.96% 14.14% 7.38% Shenzhou International Group N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Albany International 0 2 1 0 2.33 Shenzhou International Group 0 0 0 0 N/A

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Albany International and Shenzhou International Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Albany International presently has a consensus target price of $105.33, indicating a potential upside of 16.78%. Given Albany Internationals higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Albany International is more favorable than Shenzhou International Group.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Albany International and Shenzhou International Groups revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Albany International $1.03 billion 2.72 $95.76 million $3.03 29.77 Shenzhou International Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Albany International has higher revenue and earnings than Shenzhou International Group.

Summary

Albany International beats Shenzhou International Group on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

About Shenzhou International Group

(Get Rating)

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures, processes, and sells knitwear products in Mainland China, European Union, the United States, Japan, and internationally. It produces and sells sportswear, casual wear, and lingerie wear. The company is also involved in the import and export of commodities; print and sale of knitwear products; aircraft leasing; and property management activities. Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited was founded in 2000 and is based in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

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Simpson Manufacturing (NYSE:SSD  Get Rating) and CompX International (NYSE:CIX  Get Rating) are both construction companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, risk and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Simpson Manufacturing and CompX International, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Simpson Manufacturing 0 1 1 0 2.50 CompX International 0 0 0 0 N/A

Simpson Manufacturing currently has a consensus target price of $137.50, indicating a potential upside of 3.03%. Given Simpson Manufacturings higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Simpson Manufacturing is more favorable than CompX International.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Dividends

90.0% of Simpson Manufacturing shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 8.0% of CompX International shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Simpson Manufacturing shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of CompX International shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Simpson Manufacturing pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. CompX International pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. Simpson Manufacturing pays out 13.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. CompX International pays out 56.2% 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. Simpson Manufacturing has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years and CompX International has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares Simpson Manufacturing and CompX Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Simpson Manufacturing 15.18% 23.71% 13.03% CompX International 13.28% 13.48% 12.13%

Risk & Volatility

Simpson Manufacturing has a beta of 1.22, indicating that its share price is 22% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CompX International has a beta of 0.61, indicating that its share price is 39% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Simpson Manufacturing and CompX Internationals gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Simpson Manufacturing $2.12 billion 2.69 $333.99 million $7.62 17.51 CompX International $166.60 million 1.64 $20.87 million $1.78 12.44

Simpson Manufacturing has higher revenue and earnings than CompX International. CompX International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Simpson Manufacturing, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Simpson Manufacturing beats CompX International on 15 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Simpson Manufacturing

(Get Rating)

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells wood and concrete construction products. The company offers wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and pre-fabricated lateral systems for use in light-frame construction; and concrete construction products comprising adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools, fiber-reinforced materials, and other repair products for use in concrete, masonry, and steel construction, as well as grouts, coatings, sealers, mortars, fiberglass and fiber-reinforced polymer systems, and asphalt products for use in concrete construction repair, and strengthening and protection products. It also provides connectors and lateral products for wood framing, timber and offsite construction, structural steel construction, and cold-formed steel applications; and mechanical and adhesive anchors for concrete and masonry construction applications. In addition, the company offers engineering and design services, as well as software solutions that facilitate the specification, selection, and use of its products. It markets its products to the residential construction, light industrial and commercial construction, remodeling, and do-it-yourself markets in the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The company was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.

About CompX International

(Get Rating)

CompX International Inc. manufactures and sells security products and recreational marine components primarily in North America. It operates in two segments, Security Products and Marine Components. The Security Products segment manufactures mechanical and electrical cabinet locks, and other locking mechanisms used in various applications, including ignition systems, mailboxes, file cabinets, desk drawers, tool storage cabinets, high security medical cabinetry, integrated inventory and access control secured narcotics boxes, electrical circuit panels, storage compartments, gas station security, and vending and cash containment machines. This segment serves recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare, and other industries. The Marine Components segment manufactures and distributes stainless steel exhaust headers, exhaust pipes, mufflers, and other exhaust components; gauges, such as GPS speedometers and tachometers; mechanical and electronic controls and throttles; wake enhancement systems, trim tabs, steering wheels, and billet aluminum accessories; dash panels, LED indicators, and wire harnesses; and grab handles, pin cleats, and related hardware and accessories primarily for performance and ski/wakeboard boats for the recreational marine and other industries. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers, as well as through distributors. The company was incorporated in 1993 and is based in Dallas, Texas. CompX International Inc. is a subsidiary of NL Industries, Inc.

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Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Get Rating) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eighteen analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $90.00.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on EW. 92 Resources restated a reiterates rating on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Truist Financial raised their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $97.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th.

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Edwards Lifesciences Trading Down 0.0 %

EW stock opened at $91.92 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $86.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $81.00. Edwards Lifesciences has a fifty-two week low of $67.13 and a fifty-two week high of $107.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 2.17 and a current ratio of 3.01. The firm has a market cap of $55.72 billion, a PE ratio of 38.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.22 and a beta of 1.01.

Insider Buying and Selling at Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.01. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 27.07% and a return on equity of 25.81%. The firm had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.39 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Edwards Lifesciences news, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,660 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.15, for a total value of $780,699.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 213,794 shares in the company, valued at $19,273,529.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,660 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.15, for a total transaction of $780,699.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 213,794 shares in the company, valued at $19,273,529.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 6,725 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.09, for a total value of $558,780.25. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 62,824 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,220,046.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 201,151 shares of company stock worth $17,523,816 over the last quarter. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Edwards Lifesciences

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EW. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 43,556 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $5,127,000 after buying an additional 117 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,487 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,033,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the period. Geller Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Geller Advisors LLC now owns 1,965 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $231,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 5,015 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $415,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the period. Finally, Rockland Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 8,639 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $715,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.78% of the companys stock.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Get Rating

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease, and critical care and surgical monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of heart valves; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases.

Further Reading

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Largo (NYSE:LGO  Get Rating) and Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

55.1% of Largo shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Largo shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Largo and Knife Rivers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Largo -0.61% -0.53% -0.41% Knife River N/A N/A N/A

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Largo $243.98 million 1.14 -$1.45 million ($0.02) -217.00 Knife River $2.53 billion 1.01 $116.22 million N/A N/A

This table compares Largo and Knife Rivers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Knife River has higher revenue and earnings than Largo.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Largo and Knife River, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Largo 0 0 2 0 3.00 Knife River 0 0 1 0 3.00

Largo presently has a consensus target price of $13.00, indicating a potential upside of 199.54%. Knife River has a consensus target price of $54.00, indicating a potential upside of 19.71%. Given Largos higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Largo is more favorable than Knife River.

About Largo

(Get Rating)

Largo Inc. engages in the development and sale of vanadium-based energy storage systems in Canada. The company operates through, Sales & Trading, Mine Properties, Corporate, Exploration and Evaluation Properties, and Largo Clean Energy and Largo Physical Vanadium Segments. Its products include VPURE+ vanadium flakes that are used in the production of master alloys and aerospace applications; VPURE vanadium flakes ferrovanadium and vanadium carbon nitride for the steel industry; and VPURE+ vanadium powder for catalyst applications. The company offers renewable energy storage solutions through Largo Clean Energy. Its products are sourced from vanadium deposits at the Maracas Menchen Mine in Brazil. The company was formerly known as Largo Resources Ltd. and changed its name to Largo Inc. in November 2021. Largo Inc. was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About Knife River

(Get Rating)

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. It mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting services to support the aggregate-based product lines, including heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It serves various projects related to highways, airports, and other public infrastructure. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE:HT  Get Rating) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the four ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $8.75.

HT has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. B. Riley Financial reissued a neutral rating on shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in a research note on Saturday, February 25th. Finally, B. Riley upgraded shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $10.00 to $9.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th.

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Hersha Hospitality Trust Trading Down 1.8 %

Shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust stock opened at $5.95 on Wednesday. Hersha Hospitality Trust has a fifty-two week low of $5.66 and a fifty-two week high of $12.10. The company has a market cap of $237.29 million, a P/E ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 2.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a current ratio of 2.15. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $7.50.

Hersha Hospitality Trust Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hersha Hospitality Trust

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.36%. Hersha Hospitality Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.43%.

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky acquired a new stake in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust by 114.2% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 5,226 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 2,786 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its holdings in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust by 206.2% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 5,621 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 3,785 shares in the last quarter. 62.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hersha Hospitality Trust Company Profile

(Get Rating

Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates luxury and lifestyle hotels in coastal gateway and resort markets. The Company's 25 hotels totaling 3,811 rooms are located in New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, South Florida, and California.

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Hugoton Royalty Trust (OTCMKTS:HGTXU  Get Rating) announced a dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of 0.0007 per share on Monday, July 17th. This represents a yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th.

Hugoton Royalty Trust Trading Down 7.8 %

OTCMKTS HGTXU opened at $0.95 on Wednesday. Hugoton Royalty Trust has a fifty-two week low of $0.91 and a fifty-two week high of $3.30. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $1.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.62.

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Hugoton Royalty Trust (OTCMKTS:HGTXU  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 12th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $10.48 million during the quarter.

About Hugoton Royalty Trust

Hugoton Royalty Trust engages in the collection and distribution of monthly net profits to unit holders. The company was founded on December 1, 1998 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.

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RDA Financial Network acquired a new position in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT  Get Rating) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 38,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,925,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 122.7% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 112,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,674,000 after buying an additional 61,884 shares during the period. Roundview Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 19.2% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 121,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,138,000 after buying an additional 19,580 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 976.0% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,228 shares of the companys stock valued at $163,000 after buying an additional 2,928 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 9.0% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 118,015 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,983,000 after buying an additional 9,772 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 126.2% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 81,715 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,128,000 after buying an additional 45,589 shares during the period.

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iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Stock Performance

Shares of FLOT traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $50.69. The stock had a trading volume of 990,449 shares. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $50.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.44. iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $50.76 and a 52 week high of $51.10.

iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Profile

The iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market value-weighted index of USD-denominated, investment-grade floating rate notes with maturities of 0-5 years. FLOT was launched on Jun 14, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Stora Enso Oyj (OTCMKTS:SEOAY  Get Rating) and Cascades (OTCMKTS:CADNF  Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings.

Dividends

Stora Enso Oyj pays an annual dividend of $0.51 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. Cascades pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Stora Enso Oyj pays out 27.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cascades pays out -16.0% 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.

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Profitability

This table compares Stora Enso Oyj and Cascades net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Stora Enso Oyj 12.36% 9.59% 5.62% Cascades N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Earnings and Valuation

0.0% of Stora Enso Oyj shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 21.8% of Cascades shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.1% of Stora Enso Oyj 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.

This table compares Stora Enso Oyj and Cascades top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Stora Enso Oyj $12.31 billion 0.78 $1.63 billion $1.89 6.48 Cascades N/A N/A N/A ($1.00) -8.93

Stora Enso Oyj has higher revenue and earnings than Cascades. Cascades is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Stora Enso Oyj, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Stora Enso Oyj and Cascades, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Stora Enso Oyj 0 5 4 0 2.44 Cascades 0 1 1 0 2.50

Stora Enso Oyj presently has a consensus target price of $15.83, suggesting a potential upside of 29.36%. Cascades has a consensus target price of $13.10, suggesting a potential upside of 46.70%. Given Cascades stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Cascades is more favorable than Stora Enso Oyj.

Summary

Stora Enso Oyj beats Cascades on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Stora Enso Oyj

(Get Rating)

Stora Enso Oyj provides renewable solutions for the packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions, and paper industries in Finland and internationally. It operates through Packaging Materials, Packaging Solutions, Biomaterials, Wood Products, Forest, Paper, and Other segments. The company's Packaging Materials segment offers virgin and recycled fiber replace fossil-based materials with low-carbon, renewable and recyclable packaging materials for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and transport packaging. Its Packaging Solutions segment develops and sells fiber-based packaging products and services, including converting corrugated boards and carton boards; and new materials, such as formed fiber and wood foams into standard and bespoke packaging solutions for retail, e-commerce, and industrials. The company's Biomaterials segment provides various pulp for packaging, paper, tissue, specialties, and hygiene product producers; and tall oil and turpentine from biomass. Its Wood Products segment offers wood-based solutions, including digital tools for design and construction of building projects with wood; applications for windows and doors; and pellets for sustainable heating solutions. The company's Forest segment engages in sustainable forest management, as well as supplies wood. Its Paper segments offers portfolio of products for print and office use. The company's Other segment produces electricity and heat. It serves packaging manufacturers, brand owners, paper merchants, publishers, retailers, printing houses, converters, and construction companies. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.

About Cascades

(Get Rating)

Cascades, Inc. engages in the production of packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres. It operates through the Industrial Packaging and Consumer Product Packaging segments. The Industrial Packaging segment is active in specialty containers, structural components and paperboard, fibre composites and protective packaging markets. The Consumer Product Packaging segment designs and manufactures packaging for fresh foods, catering to the food processing, retailing and quick-service restaurant industries. The company was founded by Alain Lemaire, Bernard Lemaire and Laurent Lemaire on March 26, 1964 and is headquartered in Kingsey Falls, Canada.

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Like much of the rest of the world, I'm absolutely fixated on the OceanGate story. I found this very interesting and disturbing interview with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rushfeatured on Season 2, Episode 17 of Unsung Science with David Pogue, which aired November 27, 2022. Three parts of the interview especially stood out to me.

First, here's Rush discussing the "MacGyvery" nature of the vessel:

POGUE: It seems like this submersible has some elements of MacGyvery jerryriggedness . You're like, "we bought these handles off camperworld.com". You're like, "these thrusters are modified from some other purpose." RUSH: I don't know if I'd use that description of it. But, there are certain things that you want to be buttoned down, and that's the pressure vessel. POGUE: The pressure vessel is the carbon-fiber tubethe part that keeps the human beings alive. RUSH: (cont'd) So, the pressure vessel is not MacGyver at all, because that's where we work with Boeing and NASA and the University of Washington. That part, once the pressure vessel is  you're certain it's not going to collapse on everybody, everything else can fail. It doesn't matter. Your thrusters can go. Your lights can go. All these things can fail. You're still going to be safe. And so, that allows you to do what you call MacGyver stuff. You just have to be very careful that the life support system, the sub itself, the oxygen system, the carbon dioxide scrubbing, all that stuff that needs to be buttoned down. POGUE: But, surely, I'm not the first layperson to say, "I can't believe this isn't a more finished solid state-of-the-art NASA electronic." I mean, you're putting construction pipes as ballast. RUSH: People are surprised by it, and not people in the industry, because that's what they do. I mean, the French had bags of stuff they dropped. The Russians used just steel shot with a little magnetic release and they drop it. All deep diving subs are prototypes. POGUE: Please remember that line: All deep-diving subs are prototypes. That should be a T-shirt. POGUE to RUSH: Are there ever clients who are taken aback and expected something morepolished? RUSH: Oh, yes. Yes. When we started out, we did have cases where a travel agent or a travel consultant would lead them to believe this was like going to the Four Seasons and booking a zip lining trip, and we'll never be like that.

Second, here's Rush discussing safety:

POGUE: Last year, at the end of a Titanic dive, OceanGate had trouble getting the sub back onto the ship. Those poor mission specialists they wound up spending 27 hours in the sub. Granted, the company says the sub has 96 hours' worth of oxygen and power. And Stockton isn't exactly an amateur. As a young man, he designed and built his own fiberglass airplane, which he still flies. Titan isn't even his first submersible. But it sure doesn't help your anxiety much when someone says stuff like this: RUSH: You know, there's a limit. You know, at some point, safety just is pure waste. I mean, if you just want to be safe, don't get out of bed. Don't get in your car. Don't do anything. At some point, you're going to take some risk, and it really is a risk/reward question. I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules. POGUE: Bottom line, the last couple of nights before the expedition, I didn't sleep AT ALL. Did I want to die for a TV storyand a really great podcast episode?

And finally, here's Rush discussing danger:

POGUE: I asked Stockton Rush about the whole danger thing. POGUE to RUSH: How dangerous is it? RUSH: I don't think it's very dangerous. / If you look at submersible activity over the last three decades, there hasn't even been a major injury, let alone a fatality. What worries us is not once you're underwater. What worries me is when I'm getting you there, when you're on the ship in icy states with big doors that can crush your hands and people who may not have the best balance who fall down, bang their head. That's, to me, the dangerous part. But, the scary part for most people is going down to 6,000 PSI. POGUE: Yes. It's counterintuitive. I would certainly not expect life on the surface ship to be the dangerous part. RUSH: Yes. POGUE: So, once we're down there, what ARE the things to worry about? RUSH: What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface. Overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazards. And, that's just a technique, piloting technique. It's pretty clear if it's an overhang, don't go under it. If there is a net, don't go near it. So, you can avoid those if you are just slow and steady. Most of our fellow expeditioners were rich people seeking adventure, like a hedge-fund guy with his son, an artificial-intelligence pioneer who'd sold a bunch of companies, and Shrenik Baldota, who runs a massive industrial conglomerate in India.

What's that story about Icarus, again?
Shares of Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. (OTCMKTS:TCYMF  Get Rating) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $1.57 and last traded at $1.57, with a volume of 0 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.57.

Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Price Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $1.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $1.70.

Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Company Profile

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Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics.

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Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited (OTCMKTS:TSGTY  Get Rating) announced a dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.3157 per share on Friday, August 18th. This represents a yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 23rd.

Tsingtao Brewery Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of TSGTY opened at $44.90 on Wednesday. Tsingtao Brewery has a 52 week low of $34.17 and a 52 week high of $55.31. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $48.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.65.

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Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of beer products worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Shandong Region; South China Region; North China Region; East China Region; Southeast China Region; Hong Kong, Macau and Other Overseas Region; and Finance Company.

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WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Rating) had its target price increased by research analysts at Loop Capital from $170.00 to $210.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, The Fly reports. Loop Capitals target price would suggest a potential upside of 23.33% from the stocks previous close.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Oppenheimer raised their target price on WESCO International from $180.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Robert W. Baird raised WESCO International from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $180.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, May 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $215.00 price objective on shares of WESCO International in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on WESCO International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $191.43.

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WESCO International Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of WCC stock opened at $170.28 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $8.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.96. WESCO International has a one year low of $99.00 and a one year high of $175.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $142.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $142.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 2.39 and a quick ratio of 1.33.

Insider Activity at WESCO International

WESCO International ( NYSE:WCC Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The technology company reported $3.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.61 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $5.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.45 billion. WESCO International had a return on equity of 21.33% and a net margin of 3.98%. WESCO Internationals quarterly revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.63 earnings per share. Analysts predict that WESCO International will post 17.48 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, EVP James Cameron sold 7,687 shares of WESCO International stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.47, for a total value of $1,179,723.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 35,811 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,495,914.17. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of WESCO International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WCC. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in WESCO International in the first quarter worth about $36,000. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of WESCO International during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Whittier Trust Co. grew its position in shares of WESCO International by 4,980.0% during the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 254 shares of the technology companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 249 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp acquired a new position in shares of WESCO International during the 1st quarter worth about $45,000. Finally, Fred Alger Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of WESCO International during the 3rd quarter worth about $60,000. 92.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WESCO International Company Profile

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WESCO International, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of electrical, industrial, communications maintenance, repair and operating, and original equipment manufacturer products. It also offers construction materials, and supply chain management and logistics services. Its product categories include general supplies, wire, cable and conduit, communications and security, electrical distribution and controls, lighting and sustainability, and automation, controls, and motors.

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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Mostly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
While searching for the missing submersible on Tuesday, a Canadian aircraft detected "banging" noises in the area where the explorers had been, according to internal email sent by Homeland Security's National Operations Center, which Rolling Stone obtained. The sounds came every 30 minutes, and after four hours, "additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard."

The president of the Explorers Club in New York posted on Twitter that "likely signs of life have been detected at the site" and that there is "cause for hope." (See tweet below.)

From The New York Times:

The Coast Guard said in a brief statement on Twitter that some of the remote-operated vehicles involved in the search had been relocated in an attempt to determine the origin of the sounds. Those searches had so far "yielded negative results" but were continuing, the statement said.  On Tuesday, the president of the Explorers Club, a New York-based organization, sent club members a letter that said sonar in the search area had "detected potential 'tapping sounds' implying that the crew may be alive and signaling" at 2 a.m. local time. The club's president, Richard Garriott de Cayeux, did not elaborate. In a statement posted to Twitter later on Tuesday, he said that "likely signs of life have been detected at the site." He added that the club was working for approval to deploy a remote-operated vehicle in the search area that was capable of descending to depths of 6,000 meters, or nearly 20,000 feet.
Rescuers have rushed more ships and vessels to the area where a submersible disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site
It is our duty to the Ukrainians who have paid the ultimate sacrifice that we ensure that their reimagined future becomes reality  brick by brick, house by house, school by school, said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, speaking on 21 June at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, UK.

She said it was our responsibility to help Ukrainians realise their dream of a greener, more modern Ukraine that will be the lasting legacy of the war. She underlined that we could never match their sacrifice, but that we can and we do all stand united, coordinated and resolute that Ukraine must win, will win and has our support, not just for as long as it takes to secure peace but for the country they are imagining'.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference, held jointly by the UK and Ukraine, is a continuation of the cycle of annual events with the last one conducted jointly with Switzerland in Lugano. The previous edition of the conference launched the Lugano Principles, which laid the foundation for the reconstruction process of Ukraine and united the world in its efforts.

President von der Leyen referred to the efforts of the Multi-agency donor coordination platform, bringing together Ukraine, the G7, the EU, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the IMF and the World Bank. She said the platform created a single focal point for international donors to guarantee that support goes exactly where Ukraine needs it most. The European Commission is contributing EUR 18 billion already this year. Together with other donors, we closed Ukraine's budget gap for 2023 so that Ukrainians can continue to pay salaries, pensions and for healthcare, she explained.

Looking forward, the President also announced two new steps. On 21 June, the Commission has presented a new oral update on the progress Ukraine made on judicial reform, on anti-corruption, on new laws for media and national minorities. With these reforms, Ukraine also sends a powerful message to private investors that they will get the transparency, the fairness and the functioning institutions they need to invest in Ukraine, she said, stressing the importance of the private sector, with its invaluable expertise and financial firepower, in helping Ukraine realise its dreams.

President von der Leyen also spoke about the new Ukraine Facility, worth EUR 50 billion in loans and grants, that should ensure constant support to the country until 2027. We will work with Ukraine on a corresponding plan for investment and reforms. This plan could also become an anchor for all international donors, including the private sector, she concluded. This will help our coordination and maximise our impact. This is what we mean when we say that we are with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Zarazeno st 21.06.2023 15:06:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=AC/23/3430&language=en lang en
Over at HiLoBrow, writer Colin Dickey has a fascinating three-part essay examining a filmic phenomenon that he dubs the Mystery Cave  a mystical dreamworld, oozing with erotic energy, that threatens to escape into the "main" world of the story.

There's certainly nothing new about a literary analysis of some fantastical Other World. How many classic epic Greek narratives involve a journey into the literally underworld, for example? But Dickey's essay examines this trope as a meta-textual twist where the libidinal energy contained within the Mystery Cave is perceived as a threat to our own world (and/or the film industry), as well as the base reality known to the fictional characters within the story. Even more curious are the two examples that Dickey draws from to illustrate his theory: David Lynch's Twin Peaks and Max Fleischer's classic 8-minute Snow-White adaptation starring Betty Boop.

Both stories, curiously, centered on the apparent mystical death of a young woman on the verge of sexual maturity.

The pitch of the show followed Poe's claim, that "the death of a beautiful woman is, unquestionably, the most poetical topic in the world." Both the studio and the mass public wanted nothing but this singular, unified effect whereby the entire series was structured around this one dead beautiful woman. Meanwhile, the story that Lynch and Frost wanted to tell was a heterogeneous one, where repressed libidinal energy infected the world of things, which then spilled out into the lives of the living in ways both fantastical and horrific. This narrative tension between a central through line and endless digressions and associations, proved more or less untenable in network television, leading to the show's rapid decline after the murder had been solved and its eventual cancellation at the end of season two. But in an eight-minute film like Fleischer's Snow-White, this tension can be played out more productively  further, Snow-White offers a more benign version of this world of things that have come alive, a world brimming with erotic desire. This definition of the erotic in Snow-White has nothing to do with the sexualization of Betty Boop; the erotic is not about her exaggerated figure, her voice, or dress. (For that matter: while Betty Boop was an early, pre-Code sex symbol, in Snow-White she is alternately pathetic and, at times, ridiculous, pratfalling regularly.) The erotic is quite the opposite  it happens at the moment when a certain kind of libidinal energy is no longer restricted to bodies, but begins to infect the world of things.

In The Mystery Cave (Part1) (Part 2) (Part 3) [Colin Dickey / HiLo Brow]
In the face of a language barrier and immense grief, Blanca Martinez refuses to be silent.

The Puerto Rican grandmother and her partner, Jesus Rivera, lost their 12-year-old grandson, Dariel Rivera Reyes, May 17 to suicide.

The grandparents said their grandson, for whom they were primary caretakers, died after relentless bullying by a fellow sixth-grader at Martin Luther King Jr. School 48.

I want to raise my voice so that no other child or family will have to go through this again, Martinez told The Buffalo News through an interpreter.

The grandparents have struggled to make their message public because they speak only Spanish, she said.

Martinez described Dariel as healthy, active, amazing and creative.

He was a good boy, she said, noting his charisma and infectious smile.

Three teachers at the school, who spoke to The Buffalo News on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive situation and fear of retaliation, investigated the events that preceded Dariels suicide, reviewed incident reports  some of which they filled out themselves  as well as the offending students disciplinary record before he was removed from school. They independently verified the grandparents account and added further details of four months of bullying Dariel experienced.

The bigger picture is a system that failed Dariel, the teachers believe. They pointed to several missteps.

A former school principal, removed from her position midyear due to an investigation over a different incident, failed to act on incident reports from teachers of bullying done by the offending student. The student was suspended and returned with minimal effort to identify a root problem or reintegrate the student into the classroom, the teachers said, adding that early in the year, student support staff  critical resources for students social and emotional needs  were pulled from their roles to serve as substitute teachers.

When behaviors happened, there was no one to call, a teacher said. Iris Randle, acting principal beginning in February, ensured student support staff could perform their regular duties, teachers said, but a culture of bullying and fear had been established long before her appointment.

After Dariel died, district leaders visited the grandparents and School 48 and offered support from Crisis Services to Dariels classmates. The district provided counselors at the school for a few days, but they had limited availability, leaving in late morning or at noon, a teacher said.

Teachers struggling with trauma from the incident were urged to return to work, while no member of the administration met with students or conveyed messages to students about bullying or suicide.

District leaders have done little to alleviate the familys grief, Martinez said.

There has been nothing done  she has not communicated anything, hasnt informed me of other actions, she said of Buffalo School Superintendent Tonja M. Williams. She just sat there in my house and watched us cry. But nothing was offered, nothing beyond one visit.

A GoFundMe effort helped Martinez and Rivera afford a funeral in Buffalo and burial in Puerto Rico. About $8,500 was raised over about a week, and more than 100 people  from teachers to community leaders  attended the funeral.

There was a lot of love, Martinez said. Teachers  everyone felt it. Everyone felt what we felt.

When Dariel died by suicide at his grandparents apartment, the offending student  who is not being identified by The Buffalo News because of his age  had an infraction record seven pages long with multiple severe offenses, the teachers said. The student now faces disciplinary action from the district and has been barred from school.

That brings little solace to the grandparents, who were not informed.

The most difficult part of it is knowing that this could have been avoided, Martinez said.

Buffalo responds

Buffalo Schools administration alerted parents and caregivers at School 48 the day after Dariels suicide that a student had died. About a week later, staff districtwide got an email about the death, with information about school resources and the three-digit 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a district spokesperson said.

No one should ever have to endure the grief and pain caused by the senseless death of a child, Williams said in a statement. The unfortunate death of a School 48 at MLK student has left us with a heavy heart, and on behalf of our entire Buffalo Public Schools community, I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, classmates and teachers of this student.

As we expected a variety of reactions to this loss, the superintendent said, our Crisis Prevention and Response and Student Supports Teams were immediately present at School 48 to provide counseling and emotional support to any students or staff that have been grieving or experiencing trauma because of this tragedy.

Buffalo Schools features resources prominently on its website for preventing and responding to bullying. A bullying FAQ is available in five languages, a link connects to a bullying-specific incident report form and documents show school-specific contacts.

The bullying

The grandparents and School 48 teachers described the bully as calculated, controlling and manipulative  with the intensity of his actions increasing as the year progressed.

If you opposed him, if you didnt do what he commanded you, then you were a target, one teacher said. And Dariel became a target.

The students bullying was psychological and physical, the teachers said, and was not limited to Dariel. The bully, described as a ringleader of a group of friends, learned Dariels schedule and found opportunities outside the classroom  in the hallways, outside the gym and in bathrooms  to threaten, taunt and physically hurt him. The bully and his friends tried to bait Dariel into physical fights while someone recorded the exchange for TikTok.

School 48 is one of several bilingual schools in the district. One teacher said Dariels bilingual class was targeted and that the bully called its students the Spanish kids.

Incidents occurred outside of school, as well. The bully, accused of taking a photo of a teachers emergency contact list for students, showed up on two occasions at Martinezs house, the grandmother said. Bicycles were stolen on one occasion, with a teacher shown a group chat where the bully bragged about the conquest. The bully managed to contact Dariels family through his grandmothers cellphone  which Dariel used on occasion because he did not have one of his own  leaving angry threats the grandparents could not understand due to the language barrier.

Dariel, I know he was scared, but he downplayed it because he knew the extent of this childs mind  the evil that was in there, a teacher said. Dariel was afraid that they would hurt his family. That was his biggest fear.

Martinez and the School 48 teachers said Dariel tried at first to avoid run-ins with the other student instead of speaking up.

If there was something he couldnt control, he would speak up, and he did speak up, a teacher said.

Martinez said she was summoned to the school for one bullying incident against her grandson.

The person we spoke with at the school said they would get back to me with a resolution, Martinez said. The call never came.

Martinez and the teachers said the bullying worsened just before Dariels suicide. A friend of his described as a protector was involved in a physical altercation the day of the suicide, teachers confirmed.

The grandmother found her grandson unresponsive in the bathroom that Wednesday night. They rushed Dariel to the emergency room, but he could not be resuscitated.

He felt like he had no other way out, Martinez said.

A call to the district

Dariels grandparents and School 48 teachers want to see changes that are less about bullying policy and more about implementation. The district claims to be committed to social-emotional learning and behavioral support for students, the teachers said, but the reality is resources are limited, especially for English Language Learners or bilingual students.

Theyre not working with the families, the parents, the community and partnerships with organizations, Martinez said. The connections are not there.

How to discipline students is a focal point, too. The teachers at School 48 were frustrated by the lack of helpful interventions for suspended students as much as they were alarmed that many incident reports were not heeded by administration. They acknowledged students right to an education, but they also emphasized the right to a safe learning environment.

For a student to see that the other student continues to be at the school, one teacher said, the process is like, Why should I bother speaking up if nothing is done?

Administration was a hurdle rather than a help until Randle arrived, the teachers said. They said Kim Nixon-Williams, the School 48 principal until she was suspended last winter, was hard to access as culture and morale unraveled. Nixon-Williams, who could not be reached for this story, is listed as School 48s contact for bullying reports on Buffalo Schools website.

There were signs on her doors that said, Do not enter, said one of the teachers. We could not get past unless we caught her in the hallway.

Casimiro Rodriguez, founder of the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY and a prominent voice in the Hispanic community, attended Dariels funeral and spoke to the students grandparents.

We have to make sure these situations do not develop, Rodriguez said. This is a community that deserves respect and opportunity. How can we make it better for bilingual and Hispanic kids?

Rodriguez suggested recruiting more Latino support staff to better connect with the bilingual population and to search for more experts to combat bullying.

This troubles me, he said. Its not just about him being Hispanic, but its our children, the future.

There are many ways to reach out to a trained counselor in times of crisis. Crisis Services of Erie County operates a 24-hour hotline at 716-834-3131. The Niagara County crisis hotline is 716-285-3515. The national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988.
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 21 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati held a meeting with all divisional and district-level senior officials to prepare for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Wednesday.

The meeting kicked off at 10:30 am today at the BSP party office in Lucknow. BSP chief Mayawati was seen giving guidelines on the upcoming strategy ahead of the 2024 polls.

Also Read | Mumbai Lift Collapse: Elevator Falls From Fourth Floor of Trade World Building at Kamala Mills Compound in Lower Parel; Eight Injured.

Meanwhile, BSP's former ally Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav explained on Wednesday that 'PDA' is the name of the unity born out of shared consciousness and feeling against the exploitation and oppression of those who are "pichre" (meaning backward), Dalit and "alpashankhak" (meaning minority).

"PDA is basically the name of that unity born out of consciousness and common feeling against the exploitation, oppression and neglect of 'backward, dalit and minority'," a rough translation of his tweet in Hindi read.

Also Read | Mumbai Police Ban Paragliding, Air Balloons in Free Flight Zone Around Airport From June 23 to Aug 21 for Safe Operation of Aircraft.

In this fight, people from every class are involved who stand for humanity, Akhilesh said adding that he is against injustice. He requested everyone involved in this fight to rise above party politics and join him in this mission.

"...all those people of every class are also involved, who are on the basis of humanity. I am against any kind of injustice. Everyone should rise above party politics and join it," he added in his tweet.

In another development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called a meeting of top Opposition leaders in Patna on Friday in an attempt to stitch a grand alliance against BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. (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 21 (PTI) The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with a private firm to facilitate the re-employment of ex-servicemen, an official statement said.

According to the ministry, from April 2022 to March 2023, as many as 24,234 ex-servicemen received gainful employment in various sectors.

Also Read | Bengaluru: Jilted Lover Vandalises Kammanahalli Church Premises in Banaswadi, Arrested.

The Directorate General (Resettlement) under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare of the defence ministry signed an MoU with Adecco India Private Limited to facilitate the re-employment of ex-servicemen, the statement said.

Adecco is a staffing and recruitment solutions provider with specialisation in outsourcing and consulting services.

Also Read | West Bengal Panchayat Elections 2023: Calcutta High Court Orders CBI Probe Against Block Development Officer for Tampering With Nomination Documents of Candidates.

"The objective is to bring corporate companies and ex-servicemen on a common platform to generate employment opportunities in various sectors such as IT, e-commerce, logistics, telecom, aerospace and defence, facility management, security, digital assessment services, power and energy, manufacturing, chemical and agro," the ministry said.

"This partnership would bring in more visibility of our ex-servicemen to the industry and corporates and help in achieving the objectives of providing skilled manpower and giving a dignified second career to ex-servicemen," Maj Gen Sharad Kapur, Director General (Resettlement) said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 21 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday seized cash worth Rs 1.62 crore, most of it in Rs 2,000 denomination, during raids at the premises of criminal Suresh Jagubhai Patel and his associates related to properties and various incriminating documents, the agency said.

As per an ED official, the raids were conducted at the nine residential and commercial premises in Daman and Valsad, Gujarat.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: B.Tech Graduate Held for Harassing Delhi Woman by Sending Obscene Messages.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1671417054048681984

"ED seized cash worth Rs 1.62 Crore including more than Rs 1 Crore in 2000 rupees currency notes, documents related to more than 100 properties, power of attorneys, various incriminating documents relating to firms/companies/ establishments and cash transactions, digital evidence and 3 bank lockers keys during a search at nine residential & commercial premises of criminal Suresh Jagubhai Patel & his associates, in Daman & Valsad, Gujarat," the agency said in a statement. (ANI)

Also Read | Ukraine Updates: EU Takes Aim at Russian Sanction Dodging.

(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/Bengaluru, Jun 21 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday night, and took up the issue of rice supply to the state for its 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, which provides additional 5 kg of rice for each member of BPL families.

According to the Chief Minister's office, Siddaramaiah during the meeting told Shah that the Centre's policy was causing obstacles in supply of food for the poor. Shah said he will discuss the issue with Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal.

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Being termed as a "courtesy call", the meeting in New Delhi is Siddaramaiah's first with the Union Home Minister after taking over as the chief minister.

According to the statement by CMO, Siddaramaiah opined that "the Centre's new policy is against the Food Security Act, it will directly affect two times meals of the poor, hence it will be good if the policy of not supplying foodgrains to the states is changed."

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"Shah, in turn, told the chief minister that he will discuss with Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal in this regard on Thursday morning," it added.

Siddaramaiah and his ministers for the last few days, have been accusing the BJP-led government at the Centre of conspiring to "fail" the Congress administration's poll guarantee by ensuring that the state doesn't get the required amount of rice from Food Corporation of India, for rolling out the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, from July 1, as promised.

They have alleged that the Centre discontinued the sale of wheat and rice under OMSS(D) for state governments, a day after the FCI -- which has a large quantity of stocks -- had agreed to provide 2,28,425.750 metric tonne of rice to Karnataka, at a rate of Rs 34 per kg on June 12.

The BJP, however, has hit back accusing the Congress and Siddaramaiah of blatantly "lying to hide their own incompetence" and desperately trying to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah had said he will flag the issue of rice supply during his meeting with Shah, and indicated that there may be slight delay in implementing the Anna Bhagya scheme, as the Centre played "dirty politics".

Charging that the FCI expressed inability to supply rice to Karnataka allegedly on the instance of the central government, after initially agreeing, the CM in response to a question said the Government of India played a "dirty politics", "hate politics".

Noting that the state government is trying to procure rice and has reached out to various producing states like Telangana, West Bengal, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, he, however, said they will not be able to supply the state's requirement of 2,28,000 metric tonne. "Also, the cost of transportation will be high".

"From Andhra it will cost Rs 42 per kg of rice, Telangana said only paddy is available not rice, Chhattisgarh CM told me they are in a position to supply 1 lakh metric tonne of rice only for one month, Punjab CM said he will discuss with officials and get back," he said.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that such a large quantity of rice is not available in Karnataka and said, "we will have to go for a tender in the open market, it will take a minimum of two months".

"So we have called for quotations from central government agencies like NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar. We will get to know tomorrow from them, once we get to know we will decide. There may be slight delay in implementing the scheme as the central government has played politics," he claimed.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Alison Wilcox, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Western New York since 2019, will leave that post Aug. 1 for a new position, the organizations board of directors announced.

Javeena Edwards, the current chief financial officer, will serve as interim CEO while a search is conducted for a successor.

Wilcox will become CEO of Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne, which was founded in 1992 by philanthropist Charles R. Wood and actor Paul Newman to provide specialized programs for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. She had worked with the Girls Scouts for 11 years.

In a statement, Dr. Lynn M. Lubecki, president of the Girl Scout organizations board of directors, said that major strides (were made) during Alisons tenure, including a strategic partnership with Innova Girls Academy, the first Girl Scout Academy in New York State opening in Rochester this fall, and a focus on long-range property stewardship, making several capital improvements and completing a master plan for our four camp properties.

She added, Alisons vision for a better workplace resulted in a compensation study for our employees and flexible work options that are so critical to gender equity.

 Dale Anderson
Balasore (Odisha) [India], June 21 (ANI): Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Rs 1 crore had been allotted for the development works of Bahanaga Hospital and another Rs 1 crore to develop the village and nearby villages

Vaishnaw held a meeting with the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and State government officials in Odisha's Balasore.

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Vaishnaw arrived here on Monday for a three-day tour of the state. He also interacted with local individuals who generously provided assistance.

The minister announced Rs 1 crore from his MP local area development (LAD) fund and another Rs 1 crore from Railways funds for the development of Bahanaga village and the hospital there.

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He said that the concept for Balasore station was presented during the meeting and the option chosen is related to Jagannath temple.

"Work on a total of 1,200 railway stations in the country is underway and today the concept for Balasore station has been presented. There were three options, the option chosen is related to the Jagannath temple. We will work on it now," said Ashwini Vaishnaw on Balasore station's new project.

The tragic incident of a triple train accident on June 2 which involved the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the Howrah-bound Shalimar Express and a goods train claimed the lives of 288 people.

Vaishnaw is scheduled to visit Balasore in Odisha on today, two weeks after a tragic rail accident occurred in the district.

This visit coincides with International Yoga Day, during which BJP leaders will participate in yoga activities throughout the country.

It is noteworthy that Ashwini Vaishnaw has experience in disaster management as a collector of the district of Balasore, Vaishnaw has handled the super cyclone crisis in the past.

Vaishnaw also reached the accident site in Balasore after a few hours of the accident leading a team of over 2300 officials to ensure the restoration of the rail line and the successful completion of rescue and relief operations. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Panaji, Jun 21 (PTI) Terrorism divides but tourism unites and helps in creating a harmonious society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.

A video message from Modi was played at the inaugural session of the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting here.

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"It is said that terrorism divides, but tourism unites. Tourism has the potential to unite people from all walks of life thereby creating a harmonious society," he said.

The prime minister expressed confidence that the deliberations and the 'Goa Roadmap' would "multiply the collective efforts to realise tourism's transformative power".

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A Goa Roadmap and Action Plan, and a ministerial outcome document later came out at the end of the G20 ministerial here.

Tourism ministers and delegates from various G20 countries, including guest countries, are attending the two-day ministerial meeting.

About 130 delegates from countries such as the US, the UK, Spain, South Africa, Russia, Mauritius, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Oman, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and top international organisations took part in the event in Goa.

Modi said tourism ministers rarely get a chance to be tourists themselves even though they are handling a sector worth more than USD 2 trillion globally.

Underlining that the meeting was taking place in Goa, one of the major tourist attractions in India, the prime minister urged the dignitaries to take out some time from their serious discussions and explore the natural beauty and the spiritual side of the state.

In the last nine years, the central government has placed special emphasis on developing the entire ecosystem of tourism in India, 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)
Billings (US), Jun 21 (AP) The Biden administration was expected to propose new rules for protecting imperiled plants and animals on Wednesday that would reverse changes under former President Donald Trump that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates protections for species that are newly classified as threatened.

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That measure was dropped under Trump as part of a suite of changes to the species law that was encouraged by industry.

Under Wednesday's proposal, officials also would drop consideration of economic impacts when deciding if animals and plants need protection.

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Another change would expand requirements for federal agencies to consult with the wildlife service or the National Marine Fisheries Service before taking actions that could affect threatened or endangered species.

Details on the proposal were obtained by The Associated Press in advance of their public release.

Under Trump, officials rolled back endangered species rules and protections for the northern spotted owl, gray wolves and other species. It will take months for Wednesday's proposal to be finalised.

The Biden administration had earlier reversed Trump's decision to weaken enforcement of the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which made it harder to prosecute bird deaths caused by the energy industry.

Officials under Biden also withdrew a 2020 rule that limited which lands and waters could be designated as places where imperiled animals and plants could receive federal protection.

Industry groups and Republicans in Congress have long viewed the Endangered Species Act as an impediment to economic development, and under Trump they successfully lobbied to weaken the law's regulations.

Many of the changes under Trump were finalised during his last weeks in office, giving the Republican administration little time to put them into action.

Biden administration officials say they are trying to bring the 1973 endangered species law into alignment with its original intent and purpose.

Environmentalists have been frustrated it's taken more than two years for Biden to act on some of the Trump-era rollbacks.

Stoking their urgency is the prospect of a new Republican administration following the 2024 election that could yet again rollback protections.

An array of industry groups have long maintained that economic impacts are not given enough consideration in US government wildlife decisions.

Those group range from livestock and ranching organisations to trade associations representing oil, gas and mining interests. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Beijing [China], June 21 (ANI): China's economic slowdown could increase the prospect of a military crisis in the Taiwan Strait as Chinese President Xi Jinping may further embrace nationalism in his unprecedented third term, a prominent US think tank has warned, Nikkei Asia reported.

The warning came in an extensive report issued on Tuesday by a bipartisan task force convened by the Council on Foreign Relations, covering various aspects of US-Taiwan relations, including politics, diplomacy, economy and security. In it, the experts warned that Washington's four-decade-old framework for dealing with Taiwan since establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1979 had become "more and more brittle".

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The task force, co-chaired by Mike Mullen, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Sue Gordon, a former principal deputy director of national intelligence, wrote, "This reality, paired with Xi's unease with the status quo and his determination to make progress toward unification, increases the risk of a conflict."

Tuesday's report also concluded that China was likely entering a long-term economic slowdown driven by its ageing and shrinking population, its crackdown on innovative technology companies and US export controls on advanced technology.

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China's central bank on Tuesday lowered lending rates for the first time in 10 months, a cut widely regarded as another sign that Chinese policymakers are increasingly concerned about the country's economic forecast.

The report said, "As China's economic growth has slowed under Xi, he has increasingly turned to nationalism to justify the [Chinese Communist Party's] monopoly on power. With a further downturn, he could turn to the Taiwan issue to rally support for the CCP and his personal rule. As Xi approaches the end of his tenure and looks toward his legacy, the risk of a conflict over Taiwan will grow."

Tuesday's report comes a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Xi in Beijing. While the two powers agreed to maintain lines of communication, Blinken's trip reaffirmed divergent views on the future of Taiwan, with China's top diplomat Wang Yi stating Beijing has no space for compromise or concession on the island, according to Nikkei Asia. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Jun 21 (AP) Gang members in a women's prison in Honduras slaughtered 46 other women inmates by spraying them with gunfire, hacking them with machetes and then locking survivors in their cells and dousing them with flammable liquid, an official said Wednesday.

The carnage in Tuesday's riot was the worst atrocity at a women's prison in recent memory, something President Xiomara Castro called monstrous.

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Relatives said inmates at the facility had been threatened for weeks by members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang.

Chillingly, the gang members were able to arm themselves with prohibited weapons, brush past guards and attack; they even carried locks to shut their victims inside, apparently to burn them to death. The intensity of the fire left the walls of the cells blackened and beds reduced to twisted heaps of metal.

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A group of armed people went to the cellblock of a rival gang, locked the doors, opened fire on them," said Juan Lopez Rochez, the chief of operations for the country's National Police.

Miguel Martinez, a security ministry spokesman, said the attack was taped by security cameras, up to the moment the gang members destroyed them in what he called a planned attack.

You can see the moment in which the women overcome the guards, leaving them helpless, and take their keys, Martinez said.

Castro said Tuesday's riot at the prison in the town of Tamara, about 30 miles (50 kilometres) northwest of Honduras' capital, was planned by maras (street gangs) with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities.

Castro fired Security Minister Ramon Sabillon, and replaced him with Gustavo Sanchez, who had been serving as head of the National Police.

But Castro but did not explain how inmates identified as members of the Barrio 18 gang were able to get guns and machetes into the prison, or move freely into an adjoining cell block. Initial reports suggested the doors to the gang's cell block had been left open, facilitating the attack.

The amount of weaponry found in the prison after the riot was impressive: 18 pistols, an assault rifle, two machine pistols and two grenades  all of which were smuggled into the prison.

Obviously, there must have been human failures, Lopez Rochez said. We are investigating all the employees at the center.

Sandra Rodriguez Vargas, the assistant commissioner for Honduras' prison system, said the attackers removed guards at the facility  none appeared to have been injured  around 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Twenty-six of the victims were burned to death and the remainder shot or stabbed, said Yuri Mora, the spokesman for Honduras' national police investigation agency. At least seven inmates were being treated at a Tegucigalpa hospital.

The riot's death toll surpassed that of a fire at a female detention center in Guatemala in 2017, when girls at a shelter for troubled youths set fire to mattresses to protest rapes and other mistreatment at the overcrowded institution. The smoke and fire killed 41 girls.

The worst prison disaster in a century also occurred in Honduras, in 2012, at the Comayagua men's penitentiary, where 361 male inmates died in a fire possibly caused by a match, cigarette or some other open flame.

There were ample warnings ahead of Tuesday's tragedy, according to Johanna Paola Soriano Euceda, who was waiting outside the morgue in Tegucigalpa for news about her mother, Maribel Euceda, and sister, Karla Soriano. Both were on trial for drug trafficking but were held in the same area as convicted prisoners.

Soriano Euceda said they had told her Sunday that they (Barrio 18 members) were out of control, they were fighting with them all the time. That was the last time we talked.

Another woman, who did not want to give her name for fear of reprisals, said she was waiting for news about a friend, Alejandra Martinez, 26, who was been held in the ill-fated Cell Block One on robbery charges.

She told me the last time I saw her on Sunday that the (Barrio) 18 people had threatened them, that they were going to kill them if they didn't turn over a relative, she said.

Gangs sometimes demand victims turn over a friend or relative by giving the gang their name, address and description, so that enforcers can later find and kidnap, rob or kill them.

Officials described the killings as a terrorist act, but also acknowledged that gangs essentially had ruled some parts of the prison.

Julissa Villanueva, head of the prison system, suggested the riot started because of recent attempts by authorities to crack down on illicit activity inside prison walls and called Tuesday's violence a reaction to moves we are taking against organised crime.

We will not back down, Villanueva said in a televised address after the riot.

Gangs wield broad control inside the country's prisons, where inmates often set their own rules and sell prohibited goods.

They were also apparently able to smuggle in guns and other weapons, a recurring problem in Honduran prisons.

The issue is to prevent people from smuggling in drugs, grenades and firearms, said Honduran human rights expert Joaquin Mejia. Today's events show that they have not been able to do that.

Meanwhile, the grim task continued of trying to identify the bodies, some terribly burned. Officials on Wednesday began turning over some of the corpses to families for burial.

The wait for news was torture for many families of inmates. Dozens of anxious, angry relatives gathered outside the rural prison.

We are here dying of anguish, of pain ... we don't have any information, said Salomon Garcia, whose daughter is an inmate at the facility.

Tuesday's riot may increase the pressure on Honduras to emulate the drastic zero-tolerance, no-privileges prisons set in up in neighbouring El Salvador by President Nayib Bukele. While El Salvador's crackdown on gangs has given rise to rights violations, it has also proved immensely popular in a country long terrorized by street gangs. (AP)

(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 21: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said warkaris, the devotees of Lord Vithhal, will get insurance cover during the 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' procession which culminates in the temple town of Pandharpur. The insurance cover will be valid for 30 days, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.

Warkaris take part processions from different parts of the state every year as a mark of tribute to various saints. The pilgrimage concludes in Pandharpur town of Solapur district on Ashadhi Ekadashi, which is observed with reverence by followers of Lord Vitthal in Maharashtra. This year, the Ashadhi Ekadashi falls on June 29. Pandharpur Ashadhi Wari 2023 Special Trains: Central Railway To Run 76 Trains, Check Dates, Timings, and Routes Here.

As per the CMO's statement, the kin of a warkari will get Rs five lakh in case of his death during the 'wari' (procession) to Pandharpur. In case, a warkari suffers from permanent disability during the procession, he will get Rs one lakh, while in case of partial disability, the person will be given Rs 50,000, it said. Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi Yatra Marg 2023 Schedule: Pandharpur Wari Start Date; What Is the Route of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Sohala - Everything You Need to Know.

If a warkari falls sick, he will get Rs 35,000 for medication, the release said.

As a long-standing tradition, the chief minister of Maharashtra offers prayers at the temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal in Pandharpur on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' every year.
New Delhi, June 21: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday was conducting raids at more than 15 locations in Mumbai in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering case related to a Rs 12,000 crore Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Covid scam.

According to a source, the raids are targeting BMC officers, suppliers, and others who were involved in setting up Covid-related infrastructure in the city. Earlier, Iqbal Chahal, an alleged accused, was questioned by the ED in connection with this case.

"We are raiding premises belonging to people, including an IAS official close to Uddhav Thackeray. Sujit Patkar and Suraj Chanav are among those who are being raided," said the source. 12,000-Crore BMC Scam: Shiv Sena UBT To Take Out Protest March to Mumbai Civic Body on July 1 Against Financial Irregularities.

Two days ago, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Sindhe announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the scam, which involves more than Rs 12,000 crore.

Last year, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) conducted a special probe and uncovered alleged misappropriation of Rs 12,024 crore in the expenses of the civic body. Mumbai Water Cut Likely in July as Stocks at 7.7% in Lakes Supplying Water to City: Report.

In response to the findings of the CAG audit, the Maharashtra government established an SIT led by Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar. The SIT includes officers from the Economic Offences Wing and senior officers from the city police. Its purpose is to further investigate the financial irregularities identified by the CAG. The ED has not made any official statement in this regard as of now.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2023 11:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
EU ambassadors agreed to adopt measures against Russians, other countries and companies seeking to evade sanctions, as countries pledge aid for Ukraine at a donor conference. Follow DW for more.The European Union on Wednesday agreed to an 11th round of sanctions against Russia for launching its invasion of Ukraine, Swedish officials announced.

Also Read | Ukraine: EU Takes Aim at Russian Sanction Circumvention.

"Today, the EU Ambassadors agreed on the 11th package of sanctions against Russia. The package includes measures aimed at countering sanctions circumvention and individual listings," officials from Sweden, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, wrote on Twitter.

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Under the sanctions, the transit via Russia of goods and technology which may be used by the Russian military or aid in its defense and security, will be forbidden.

The sanctions will also make it possible to impose restrictions on the sale of sensitive dual-use goods and technology to countries that could perhaps sell it on to Russia and expands the list of restricted items that could serve Russia's defense sector.

In May, the EU announced that it was preparing an 11th round of measures, with one key area of focus being the prevention of circumvention of sanctions by third states and companies.

Sweden said the new measures were approved at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the new sanctions package.

"It will deal a further blow to Putin's war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin," she said on Twitter.

"Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods," she added.

Here are some of the other developments concerning Russia's war in Ukraine on Wednesday, June 21:

Kyiv 'destroying the enemy,' Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that his country's forces were "actively destroying the enemy."

In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said forces on the eastern and southern flanks of the country were "physically cleansing Ukraine."

"A defense against terror means destroying terrorists. And it is a guarantee that the state of evil will never have the opportunity to bring evil to Ukraine."

Kyiv launched a much-anticipated counteroffensive nearly two weeks ago. Though quiet about the launch at first, Zelenskyy has been addressing his military's movements more recently.

Ukrainian forces are "gaining ground" towards Melitopol and Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region, Andriy Kovalev, a spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said early on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Russian forces struck military and infrastructure targets in Kyiv and western areas away from the front lines.

Zelenskyy said Russian drones attacked Kyiv for over four hours.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities said Ukrainian forces struck a Russian-controlled town in the southern Kherson region with drones. They said one woman was killed and four civilians were injured in the attack.

German FM promises another 381 million aid for Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told the Ukraine Recovery Conference that Berlin was planning on providing Ukraine with additional humanitarian aid of 381 million ($416 million) to Ukraine this year.

Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, German aid to Kyiv has amounted to 16.8 billion.

Baerbock also said there needed to be a link between Ukraine's recovery from the war and its accession to the European Union.

"I'm convinced that we need to further link Ukraine's recovery and the EU accession process," Baerbock said in London. "Our goal is to help rebuild a Ukraine that is fit for EU."

EU adds 3.5 billion euros to Ukraine weapons fund

The European Union agreed to add 3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) to a fund used to pay for weapons for Ukraine, according to Sweden, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The EU's 27 member states have already spent 5.5 billion of the joint fund, which was established in 2021 to support partner countries around the globe, in order to help arm Ukraine.

That includes 3.6 billion to reimburse EU nations for weapons they supply to Ukraine and 2 billion on a program to send ammunition to Kyiv.

EU leaders already topped up the fund, which is meant to run to 2027, by 2 billion late last year and gave their agreement in principle for adding the latest 3.5 billion.

'No grounds' to extend grain deal  Russia

Russia has restated that there are "no grounds" to extend the Black Sea grain deal, and said that the agreement brokered with UN and Turkish mediation had not been properly implemented.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a call with reporters that the UN had been forced to acknowledge that "unfortunately, they are not managing to exert the necessary influence on the countries of the collective West in order to fulfil this Russian part of the agreement."

Peskov was referring to a list of Russian demands, among them the removal of what Moscow says are obstacles to the export of its own grain and fertilizers.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed disappointment with the way the grain agreement was being implemented and called for an acceleration of grain shipments from Ukrainian ports.

Guterres was unhappy with a slowing rate of ship inspections and the exclusion of Pivdennyi (Yuzhny) port  one of three Ukrainian ports covered by the Black Sea export deal.

Russia expanding defensive lines in occupied areas: UK intelligence

The UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) said that Russia was continuing "to expend significant effort building defensive lines deep in rear areas," particularly in the vicinity of the Crimean peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.

"This includes an extensive zone of defences of 9 km in length, 3.5 km north of the town Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson region," the MoD stressed in its daily intelligence briefing.

"Russia continues to see maintaining control of the peninsula as a top political priority," the MoD said.

Heavy fighting continues on several frontline sections in southern Ukraine, it added.

Zelenskyy tells recovery conference Ukraine needs 'real projects'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was necessary to move towards real reconstruction projects.

The comments were made as leaders and government representatives from more than 60 countries met for a conference to secure funding to help Ukraine's reconstruction in London.

"We must move from agreement to real projects," Zelenskyy said. "There is a Ukrainian delegation that will present concrete things and we propose to do them together during my tour," he said.

The International Ukraine Recovery Conference is being hosted by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and is the second to be held since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said that rebuilding could cost at least $750 billion.

Death toll rises from dam breach

The death toll from flooding sparked by a breach of a huge Ukrainian dam continues to rise, with Andrey Alekseyenko, a senior official with Russian occupation authorities, confirming Wednesday it had "risen to 41."

The breach of the Russia-controlled Kakhovka dam earlier this month inundated large swathes of the Kherson region, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up the dam on the Dnipro River, while Moscow says Kyiv is responsible.

Moscow claims three drones intercepted over Russia

Russian officials on Wednesday said three drones were intercepted over Russian territory.

Two were approaching military warehouses in the Moscow region, said Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the area.

"Debris was found, no damage or casualties," Vorobyov said, adding that the drones fell near the village of Kalininets.

Russia's channels on the Telegram messaging app, including one with links to the security services, and the state-owned TASS news agency said at least one more drone was intercepted near the village of Lukino.

Russia to get two nuclear submarines

The Russian Navy is set to receive two new nuclear submarines, Russian media reported on Wednesday.

Alexei Rakhmanov, head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, told the TASS state news agency in an interview that the vessels will be in operation by the end of the year.

The submarines are the missile cruiser Emperor Alexander III and the multipurpose Krasnoyarsk.

United Shipbuilding Corporation is Russia's largest shipbuilding company.

Pentagon overestimated Ukraine military aid

The US Department of Defense has announced a miscalculation in the valuation of its funding for ammunition, missiles and other equipment sent to Ukraine to support it in the fight against Russia.

A Pentagon spokesperson said the amount was overestimated by $6.2 billion (roughly 5.68 billion) due to an accounting error. Of the sum, $3.6 billion concerned the fiscal year 2023, and $2.6 billion for the fiscal year 2022.

The Pentagon's deputy press secretary, Sabrina Singh, said the errors have no impact on the support for Ukraine or the presidential drawdown authority.

UK to unveil $3 billion backing for Ukraine reconstruction

The UK is preparing to announce a massive $3 billion (approximately 2.75 billion) package to Ukraine during a two-day conference hosted by London and focused on attracting investment to the war-torn country.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce the package in a speech during the conference, which starts on Wednesday.

The package will include $306 million of bilateral assistance, as well as expanding British International Investment in Ukraine.

"So, together with our allies we will maintain our support for Ukraine's defense and for the counteroffensive, and we'll stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes as they continue to win this war," an excerpt of Sunak's speech read.

The US is also due to announce "a new, robust" assistance package for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy addressed the conference in his Tuesday nightly address, stressing that rebuilding Ukraine was a "vehicle and a guarantee of security" that would ensure "protecting against any repetition of Russian aggression."

UN chief urges speedier exports under Black Sea grain deal

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the acceleration of grain shipments from Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea, under a deal that Russia has been threatening to quit next month.

Brokered nearly a year ago with UN and Turkish mediation, the deal allowed Ukraine to safely export grains out of three ports despite the war. This helped evade a global food crisis and helped Ukraine sell its grains.

However, Guterres reported a significant drop in food exports from October 2022, when they reportedly stood at 4.3 million metric tons, to 1.3 million metric tons in May. UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, speaking on behalf of Guterres, described the May figure as "the lowest volume since the initiative began last year."

Guterres was particularly disappointed by a slowing pace of ship inspections and the exclusion of Pivdennyi (Yuzhny) port  one of the three Ukrainian ports covered by the deal.

Russia has repeatedly complained that many conditions of the deal ensuring its interests are not being upheld.

Ukraine accuses Russia of 'mining' Zaporizhzhia cooling pond

Ukraine's military intelligence chief has accused Moscow of "mining" the cooling pond of the Russian-occupied nuclear plant.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR agency, made the accusation in television statements on Tuesday. He nevertheless did not provide evidence to support his claims.

The reactor is the biggest nuclear plant in Europe. It is located in southern Ukraine and has been occupied by Moscow since its invasion of the country in February 2022.

More DW coverage on Russia's war in Ukraine

Dmitry Muratov, Nobel prize-winning editor-in-chief of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, spoke at DW's Global Media Forum. He called for help for political prisoners, from Alexei Navalny to US journalist Evan Gershkovic, and said that since the word "war" is forbidden in Russia, he would use the word "hell."

The war in Ukraine has seen brutal attritional fighting and trench warfare, but also the novel use of drones and robots. Is artificial intelligence revolutionizing modern warfare or just complementing old technology? Watch our report on how Ukraine uses artificial intelligence on the battlefield.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has warned that Russia's spy operations are expected to increase in Germany. The agency noted that far-right movements are harnessing opposition to military support for Ukraine.

kb,jsi,rmt/rt (AFP, Reuters, dpa, AP)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2023 09:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The Ukrainian president says armed forces are "physically cleansing Ukraine." Meanwhile, the UN chief has urged the acceleration of exports of grain from Black Sea ports. DW has the latest.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that his country's forces were "actively destroying the enemy."

Also Read | Icelands Whale Hunt Put on Pause as Season Begins.

In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said forces on the eastern and southern flanks of the country were "physically cleansing Ukraine."

Also Read | Ashesh Mehta Drug Case: Popular Finfluencer, His Wife Caught Running Rs 300 Crore Drug Network From Home in Goregaon, Lookout Notice Issued Against Couple.

"A defense against terror means destroying terrorists. And it is a guarantee that the state of evil will never have the opportunity to bring evil to Ukraine."

Kyiv launched a much anticipated counteroffensive nearly two weeks ago. Though quiet about the launch at first, Zelenskyy has been addressing his military's movements more recently.

Also on Tuesday, Russian forces struck military and infrastructure targets in Kyiv and western areas away from the front lines.

Zelenskyy said Russian drones attacked Kyiv for over four hours.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities said Ukrainian forces struck a Russian-controlled town in the southern Kherson region with drones. They said one woman was killed and four civilians were injured in the attack.

Here are some of the other developments concerning Russia's war in Ukraine on Wednesday, June 21:

Russia to get two nuclear submarines

The Russian Navy is set to receive two new nuclear submarines, Russian media reported on Wednesday.

Alexei Rakhmanov, head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, told the TASS state news agency in an interview that the vessels will be in operation by the end of the year.

The submarines are missile cruiser Emperor Alexander III and the multipurpose Krasnoyarsk.

United Shipbuilding Corporation is Russia's largest shipbuilding company.

Pentagon overestimated Ukraine military aid

The US Department of Defense has announced a miscalculation in the valuation of its funding for ammunition, missiles and other equipment sent to Ukraine to support it in the fight against Russia.

A Pentagon spokesperson said the amount was overestimated by $6.2 billion (roughly 5.68 billion) due to an accounting error. Of the sum, $3.6 billion concerned the fiscal year 2023, and $2.6 billion for the fiscal year 2022.

The Pentagon's deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the errors have no impact on the support for Ukraine or the presidential drawdown authority.

UK to unveil $3 billion backing for Ukraine reconstruction

The UK is preparing to announce a massive $3 billion (approximately 2.75 billion) package to Ukraine during a two-day conference hosted by London and focused on attracting investment to the war-torn country.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce the package in a speech during the conference, which starts on Wednesday.

The package will include $306 million of bilateral assistance, as well as expanding British International Investment in Ukraine.

"So, together with our allies we will maintain our support for Ukraine's defense and for the counteroffensive, and we'll stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes as they continue to win this war," an excerpt of Sunak's speech read.

The US is also due to announce "a new, robust" assistance package for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy addressed the conference in his Tuesday nightly address, stressing that rebuilding Ukraine was a "vehicle and a guarantee of security" that would ensure "protecting against any repetition of Russian aggression."

UN chief urges speedier exports under Black Sea grain deal

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the acceleration of grain shipments from Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea, under a deal which Russia has been threatening to quit next month.

Brokered nearly a year ago with UN and Turkish mediation, the deal allowed Ukraine to safely export grains out of three ports despite the war. This helped evade a global food crisis and helped Ukraine sell its grains.

However, Guterres reported a significant drop in food exports from October 2022, when they reportedly stood at 4.3 million metric tons, to 1.3 million metric tons in May. UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, speaking on behalf of Guterres, described the May figure as "the lowest volume since the initiative began last year."

Guterres was particularly disappointed by a slowing pace of ship inspections and the exclusion of Pivdennyi (Yuzhny) port  one of the three Ukrainian ports covered by the deal.

Russia has repeatedly complained that many conditions of the deal ensuring its interests are not being upheld.

Ukraine accuses Russia of 'mining' Zaporizhzhia cooling pond

Ukraine's military intelligence chief has accused Moscow of "mining" the cooling pond of the Russian-occupied nuclear plant.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR agency, made the accusation in television statements on Tuesday. He nevertheless did not provide evidence to support his claims.

The reactor is the biggest nuclear plant in Europe. It is located in southern Ukraine and has been occupied by Moscow since its invasion of the country in February 2022.

More DW content on Russia's war in Ukraine

Dmitry Muratov, Nobel prize-winning editor-in-chief of Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, spoke at DW's Global Media Forum. He called for help for political prisoners, from Alexei Navalny to US journalist Evan Gershkovic, and said that since the word "war" is forbidden in Russia, he would use the word "hell."

The war in Ukraine has seen brutal attritional fighting and trench warfare, but also the novel use of drones and robots. Is artificial intelligence revolutionizing modern warfare or just complementing old technology? Watch our report on how Ukraine uses artificial intelligence on the battlefield.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has warned that Russia's spy operations are expected to increase in Germany. The agency noted that far-right movements are harnessing opposition to military support for Ukraine.

rmt/rt (AFP, Reuters)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2023 07:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kolkata, June 21: The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States amid the ethnic strife in Manipur, where over 100 lives have been lost since early last month. The BJP rebutted the charge pointing out that the central and Manipur governments are concerned about the situation in the northeastern state and efforts are on to bring peace.

Modi is visiting the US for four days from June 21 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. "So what if #Manipur is burning? For PM @narendramodi, US visit is more important," the TMC tweeted.

TMC Questions PM Narendra Modi's US Visit on Twitter:

So what if #Manipur is burning? For PM @narendramodi, US visit is more important. pic.twitter.com/8Bf9pg0P9Q  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) June 21, 2023

The TMC, which has been critical of the BJP's "mishandling" of the situation in Manipur, also said, "More than 100 lives lost, 50,000 people displaced, and Modi ji is off to his first state visit to the US. Miss the good old days when leaders actually addressed crises instead of evading responsibility!" Following TMC's tweet, BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya urged West Bengal's ruling party first to ensure proper law and order for the upcoming panchayat polls. Manipur Violence: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Says BJPs Politics of Hatred Has Burnt the State.

"The Centre and the state government of Manipur are very much concerned about the situation in Manipur. The TMC doesn't need to lecture the honourable prime minister on what he should do or not," he said. Clashes first broke out in Manipur 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. Manipur Violence: Government Extends Suspension of Internet Services for Ninth Time Till June 20 to Curb Spread of Rumours.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mainly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals  Nagas and Kukis  constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
Tonawanda Common Council President Jenna N. Kochs falling out with the city Democratic Committee is so complete she didnt even ask for the partys support in her bid for a third term.

Instead, the registered Democrat is seeking to win the ballot line from Mary Ann Cancilla, a community volunteer, in the primary.

Koch said she refused to do the partys bidding and thats why committee members have rebuffed her. Now, she touts her track record in the job, particularly with constituent service, as a key reason voters should give her their support.

I represent the entire City of Tonawanda. That includes independent voters. That includes Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives  I represent all walks of life, all families. So I would say that proves that this incumbent knows how to reach across the aisle and work together to accomplish a goal, said Koch, 41, a human resources manager in an area health care system.

Democrats say its Koch who has turned her back on the party, citing her acceptance of the Republican and Conservative endorsements for re-election as only the most recent example.

They are instead supporting Cancilla, 39, who runs the grassroots nonprofit COT Neighbors United and is making her first run for office.

Im not here to just complain about things; Im here to take action, Cancilla said. So when I see something that I dont like, or that I think could be better, I want to get involved. I want to move the city forward.

The Koch-Cancilla primary is the latest sign of the divisions within the city Democratic Party.

Koch pins the blame on the rift on the party leadership, including polarizing former Mayor Rick Davis.

Koch, who with fellow Council members clashed frequently with Davis over how the city was run, did not support his 2021 re-election bid. But she also declined the request of longtime city Democratic Chairwoman Gayle Syposs to challenge Davis in a primary.

The committees blaming me for his loss, Koch said of Davis, who was defeated by current Mayor John White, a Republican with whom Koch has a cordial relationship.

This, combined with her vote to appoint a Republican to fill a vacant Council seat, are why Koch said the Democratic Committee has turned on her.

So Im out of grandmothers will, she said. And its true. I get it. Thats politics. I understand that. And we move on.

She said she has faith that rank-and-file city Democrats will give her their support in the primary.

Koch said voters dont like the nastiness theyve seen in the primary election and previous election years.

Their message has been filled with attacks, personal attacks, and hate. And its a few, select people on the Democratic Committee. But thats their message, Koch said. Theyre not promoting their candidate. Theyre not saying what she intends to do.

On Facebook, she posted about the theft of 14 of her lawn signs by a teenager who said he was put up to the crime by someone else. Koch said she doesnt believe the Cancilla campaign was involved in the thefts, which city police confirmed, and Syposs said Cancilla signs also have gone missing during this campaign.

Cancilla, for her part, said residents she talks to want to see change and primarily are frustrated with rising taxes in the city.

Thats my No. 1 concern, she said. We really need to dive into the budget  really, really understand all aspects of it  and try to come up with solutions that dont involve continually raising taxes for the residents.

Koch, in response, said she is just one vote out of five on city budgets.

Further, Cancilla said voters also are concerned with the tone on the Council and said someone with her experience as a manager and her ability to work well with others is better suited for the role.

And Cancilla said she wants the Council president to get back to her traditional duties, as outlined in the City Charter, and away from micromanaging city operations.

I really think its simple: Bring it back to the Charter, she said. Have the Council president run the meetings. Manage the Council. Run a cohesive Council.

Another point city Democrats are hammering in the campaign is a vote for Cancilla allows for a true, general-election showdown between the two women.

Cancilla has the endorsement of the Working Families Party but, Democratic officials said, few city voters belong to that party. If Koch wins Tuesdays primary, in addition to the Republican and Conservative endorsements, the race would be all but over, Tonawanda Democrats argue.

She and her conservative Republican supporters are trying to steal the Democratic line and render the November election all but irrelevant, Davis, now the acting city Democratic chair, said of Koch.

No matter who wins Tuesday, Koch insisted, voters still will have a choice in November.

Also Tuesday, two primary elections for ward-based Council seats will take place.

In the 1st Ward, incumbent Monica L. Ljiljanich, a Republican and the endorsed Conservative candidate, is facing a primary challenge from James M. Shiesley, a registered Conservative.

Ljiljanich, a Civil Service manager at Erie County Medical Center, was appointed to the Council last year before winning a special election unopposed last fall. Shiesley, a retired city police officer making his first run for office, has the Democratic endorsement.

And in the 2nd Ward, former Councilwoman Dawn M. Kammerdeiner, who lost her re-election bid two years ago, is the endorsed Democratic candidate in that partys primary.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Wednesday appealed to the party leadership to relieve him of the responsibility as Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly. While doing so, he south any role in the party organisation. " I never wanted to be the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the House but our party members and leaders told to me to become and I became LoP, but now I don't want it (LoP). I want to become the leader of the NCP party and handle it, if our party leaders choose me for it," Pawar said at the 24th NCP Foundation Day event in Mumbai. Crack in Opposition Camp Before Patna Meeting? Ajit Pawar Says Sharad Pawar a Bigger Leader Than Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal.

'Never Wanted the Position'

Maharashtra | I never wanted to be the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the House but our party members and leaders told to me to become and I became LoP, but now I don't want it (LoP). I want to become the leader of NCP party and handle it, if our party leaders choose me for pic.twitter.com/u5Jq8mFZHM  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 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.)
According to reports, rescuers using sonar to look for the lost Titanic submersible heard underwater "banging" noises in the North Atlantic where the vessel disappeared. Every 30 minutes, a Canadian P-8 aircraft assisting in the search 'heard banging sounds in the area'. Contact was lost with the ship, which had five people on board, an hour and 45 minutes into its dive, or more than halfway to the disaster, on Sunday. The US Coast Guard estimates that they have less than 30 hours of oxygen left. Up until this point, the search effort in the Canadian province of Newfoundland has produced nothing. Titanic Tourist Submarine Goes Missing! Submersible Taking Tourists to See Wreckage of Titanic Disappears in Atlantic Ocean, Search Operation Launched (Watch Video).

Rescuers Detect Underwater Banging Sounds While Searching for Missing Tourist Sub

#UPDATE Rescuers using sonar to search for the missing Titanic submersible detected underwater "banging" sounds in the North Atlantic where the craft vanished, media reports say, citing US government communications. A Canadian P-8 aircraft involved in the search "heard banging pic.twitter.com/JhxK3GdyTO  AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 21, 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.)
Beijing, June 21 : Chinese tech major OnePlus is preparing to launch its first-ever foldable smartphone later this year. As per several reports, the upcoming foldable device will be either called the OnePlus Fold or as the OnePlus V Fold.

The upcoming foldable phone from OnePlus has been creating buzz lately and has already churned out several speculations and leaks regarding its specifications, design and features. The speculated OnePlus V Fold is likely to come with a horizontal or book-style folding design, while a new set of leaked render images have revealed the entire possible design of the handset. Lets check the details. OnePlus Nord 3 India Launch Revealed in Company Community Forum; All Key Details Inside.

OnePlus V Fold  Leaked Design Details Through Renders

The leaked render images of the supposed OnePlus Fold or OnePlus V Fold show the devices full design that confirms that it would come with a book-style foldable design. The OnePlus V Fold would offer sharper edges and a circular camera module that a signature style of the OnePlus smartphones.

The OnePlus V Fold is expected to boast of Hassleblad branded cameras as per the leaked renders, which is going to be a triple camera setup that will include a periscope lens and an LED flash. The back panel of the handset is seen with a faux leather finish for an enhanced premium look and feel. The devices power button would double up as a fingerprint sensor.

The OnePlus Fold is seen to ultra thin bezels for its outer display and a punch-hole design. The inner and larger display will also get the same punch-hole cutout design. The device is expected to fold shut with no visible gaps with an advanced hinge design. ChatGPT-Developer OpenAI May Soon Launch App Store for AI Models: Report.

OnePlus V Fold  Expected Specifications

The upcoming new OnePlus V Fold is likely to come with an 8-inch QHD+ OLED primary inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 6.5-inch FHD outer display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone is likely to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor backed by up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

OnePlus Fold or OnePlus V Fold is expected to come with a 50MP OIS sensor teamed with a 48MP ultra-wide and a 32MP periscope snapper along with a 32MP front facing selfie camera. The device would pack in a 4,800mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2023 02:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
On 20 June Argentinas Presidentand the governor of the north-western province of Jujuy,, blamed each other for violence which erupted in Jujuys capital, San Salvador de Jujuy, earlier that day amid clashes between protesters and the police.

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On 20 June thousands of Colombians marched around the country to demonstrate against Presidents reform agenda.

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A tourist submarine named "Titan," which was heading for the Titanic, is now missing off Canada. Rescuers are now racing to find and rescue its passengers.

According to Boston.com, the missing Titanic tourist submarine was led by OceanGate and was making its third voyage to the legendary shipwreck. There were five passengers aboard, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. A spokesperson for the company confirmed he was aboard "Titan" when it went missing off Newfoundland.

Rush had defended the safety of his submersibles, saying, "What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface - overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazard." He also added that "a good pilot can avoid such perils."

The second person aboard was Blue Origin astronaut Hamish Harding, a British businessman and billionaire adventurer who holds three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel.

The third and fourth people missing are also billionaires, regarded as part of Pakistan's most prominent families. They are Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. Their family has confirmed that the father-and-son duo were aboard the missing Titanic tourist submarine. Their family heads the Karachi-based Dawood Hercules Corp., which dabbles in agriculture, petrochemicals, and telecommunication infrastructure.

The final member is Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a French Titanic expert and former officer of the French Navy. He previously served as the expedition leader on what was considered the "most technologically advanced dive to Titanic" back in 2010. That expedition used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the sunken ship's bow and stern sections.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Fact-Checked to His Face During Fox News Interview

Rescue Teams Searching Wide Area for the 'Titan'

Contact with the "Titan" was lost around an hour and 45 minutes into the expedition on Sunday morning. Now, US Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Canadian Armed Forces are racing against time as the vessel is said to only have a 96-hour oxygen supply.

Aside from US and Canadian forces, France is also sending its own team to help in the search, as one of its most prominent citizens is also aboard.

ABC News pointed out that the search area is around 7,600 square miles, an area wider than the state of Connecticut. As of writing, the sub may only have less than 36 hours of oxygen left.

Missing Titanic Tourist Submarine Still Has Unanswered Questions

Stockton Rush has repeatedly assured that the submarine is safe and high-tech. However, why did it go offline and unable to communicate with the surface ship?

According to The Independent, the sub uses two systems to communicate with its surface ship, with safety pings being emitted every 15 minutes to indicate its location. However, it stopped working.

One possibility presented by longtime tech journalist David Pogue was that the "Titan" might have lost all its power. However, the worst possibility was that the ship developed a hull breach, and it imploded instantly. Another possibility was that the submarine came into contact with the Titanic but somehow got stuck in the wreck or had its onboard systems disabled.

It was pointed out that the amount of time when contact was lost and the amount of time to reach the Titanic are roughly the same.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Missing Titanic Tourist Submarine Search Continues - Inside Edition
Hunter Biden, 53, the son of President Joe Biden, has reached a tentative agreement with federal prosecutors regarding his legal case, according to court papers filed on Tuesday.

The agreement would involve pleading guilty to two minor tax crimes and admitting to the facts of a gun charge. If approved by a federal judge, this plea deal would likely result in him avoiding jail time, per Washington Post.

Hunter Biden's attorney stated that the agreement resolves the long-running criminal investigation involving the president's son.

However, Delaware US Attorney David Weiss, the lead prosecutor in the case, mentioned that the investigation is still ongoing, suggesting that other matters may be being investigated beyond the tax and gun issues.

The investigation was initiated in 2018 during the administration of President Donald Trump. Republican politicians have accused Hunter Biden of broader wrongdoing in his overseas business dealings, and some have questioned whether the Biden administration would actively pursue the case.

The proposed deal, negotiated with Weiss, a holdover from the Trump administration, was swiftly dismissed by congressional Republicans who pledged to continue investigating the Biden family.

READ NEXT: Hunter Biden Could Face 4 Possible Charges

Hunter Biden Tax Case and Gun Charge

Hunter Biden's background includes working as a lawyer and lobbyist in countries like China and Ukraine. In 2014, he was discharged from the US Navy after testing positive for cocaine, according to BBC.

The plea deal reached with federal prosecutors concludes a lengthy investigation by the Justice Department into allegations of improper income reporting and false statements related to a firearm purchase in 2018.

The two misdemeanor tax charges are based on his failure to pay over $100,000 in taxes for 2017 and 2018.

These amounts typically result in misdemeanor charges that could carry a potential jail sentence. However, it is unclear if jail time will be pursued in this case, according to a former justice department official.

Meanwhile, Hunter Biden has agreed to enter a Pretrial Diversion Agreement regarding the gun charge, according to the court filing. This means he would not formally plead guilty to the firearm offense.

Pretrial diversion is often offered to nonviolent offenders, particularly those dealing with substance abuse.

It allows individuals to participate in specific rehabilitative programs or fulfill certain requirements instead of facing traditional prosecution.

By entering into this agreement, Biden's case for the gun charge would be handled through this diversion program rather than a guilty plea.

Hunter Biden Could Face 12-18 Months for Tax Charges

Hunter Biden could face a sentencing range of 12-18 months for the tax charges, with the possibility of serving about half of that time in prison, said Tess Lopez, a sentencing expert.

However, experts believe that the likelihood of him being sentenced to prison is low, per Reuters.

Factors such as the amount of tax loss, his status as a first-time offender, and his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions could work in his favor.

Michael Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor, stated that while facing prison time, the practical and realistic outcome may differ, suggesting that Hunter Biden is unlikely to serve a prison sentence.

The White House has not commented on the charges against Hunter Biden or the proposed plea deal.

Spokesperson Ian Sams stated that President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden love their son and support him as he works on rebuilding his life.

READ MORE: Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Sued

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Hunter Biden to plead guilty to tax, gun case - From Fox Business
A violent Honduras prison riot broke out in Tamara, resulting in the deaths of at least 41 women, with most of them being burned to death, AP reports.

The Honduran president, Xiomara Castro, attributed the violence to the influence of street gangs known as "maras" or MS-13, which often wield significant power within the country's prisons. Reports indicated that some inmates were shot while others were set on fire during the riot.

According to Yuri Mora, the spokesperson for Honduras' national police investigation agency, forensic teams confirmed the count of 41 deceased individuals.

Additionally, several female inmates were taken to a hospital in Tegucigalpa to receive treatment for gunshot and knife wounds.

Video footage shared by the government displayed firearms, machetes, and other bladed weapons discovered inside the prison following the riot.

President Castro expressed her intention to implement drastic measures in response to the incident and claimed that MS-13 gang members had planned the riot with the knowledge and complicity of security authorities.

It was reported that members of the Barrio 18 gang, a notorious criminal organization, forcibly entered a cell block and engaged in acts of violence against other inmates, including shooting and setting them on fire.

READ NEXT: Honduras: Another Environmentalist Shot Dead

Honduras Deputy Security Minister Declares State of Emergency

Following the gruesome Honduras prison riot, Deputy Security Minister Julissa Villanueva has declared a state of emergency and vowed to take action against the violence, BBC noted.

She authorized the immediate intervention of firefighters, police, and the military to address the situation. Ms. Villanueva stated that the loss of human lives would not be tolerated.

It remains unclear whether all the victims were inmates of the prison, located approximately 20km from the capital city, Tegucigalpa, and houses around 900 individuals.

Delma Ordonez, who represents family members of the inmates, reported that a portion of the prison had been destroyed during the violence.

Videos shared on social media depicted a large cloud of smoke rising from the women's prison. President Xiomara Castro, who initiated a crackdown on gangs last year, expressed shock over the tragic murder of the women and pledged to implement drastic measures in response to the incident.

The Crack Down of Illegal Activities Causes Honduras Prison Riot, Official Says

Villanueva suggested that the recent attempts to crack down on illicit activities inside the prisons may have triggered the riot, according to Al Jazeera.

She described the violence as a reaction to the measures against organized crime and emphasized that they would not back down from their efforts.

Gangs hold significant control within Honduras' prisons, where inmates often establish their own rules and sell prohibited items.

The riot at the women's prison is considered one of the most tragic incidents at a female detention center in Central America since 2017, when a fire set by girls protesting mistreatment at a shelter in Guatemala resulted in the deaths of 41 girls.

Honduras has also experienced one of the deadliest prison disasters in recent history, with the 2012 fire at the Comayagua prison claiming the lives of 361 inmates. The cause of that fire was believed to be related to a match, cigarette, or some other open flame.

The riot at the women's prison on Tuesday may increase pressure on Honduras to adopt a zero-tolerance approach and implement stricter measures like those in neighboring El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has established no-privilege prisons with a heavy-handed crackdown on gangs.

While El Salvador's approach has raised concerns about human rights violations, it has garnered popularity in a country plagued by gang-related violence.

READ MORE: Brazil Cyclone Leaves 3000 People Homeless

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WATCH: Scene outside Honduras women's prison after brawl leaves at least 41 dead - From AFP News Agency


A German man wearing a bullet-proof vest and also heavily armed tried to get inside the US embassy in Paraguay last Tuesday. However, he was stopped, detained, and is now in the custody of Paraguayan authorities.

German news outlet DW reported that he tried to enter the US Embassy in Paraguay without the required documentation. The US Embassy in the South American country has not issued a statement on the matter yet.

The German man has been identified as Philipp Kolberg and was driving into the embassy while wearing a bulletproof vest. Authorities became suspicious of the German national because he did not have an appointment or documents.

Currently, the German consulate in Asuncion, Paraguay is working with local police to obtain the man's information. He is reportedly a mechanic for tractors and trucks from Independencia, which is a town in Southern Paraguay where many German immigrants live.

German Man Claims He Wanted To Get Political Asylum Inside US Embassy

During a press conference, Paraguayan police commander Gilberto Fleitas identified Kolberg and stated that the German national went to the US Embassy in Asuncion to request political asylum. According to the Associated Press, Kolberg told police that he was receiving threats so he went to the embassy to plead his case

READ NEXT: Paraguay: Far-Right Presidential Candidate Paraguayo Cubas Arrested

However, Commander Fleitas stated that "he called the embassy asking to speak to a diplomatic representative but the person who attended his call said he should contact the German embassy." Soon after this, Kolberg arrived in front of the US embassy, leading to his arrest by local police as well as the embassy's private guards.

There are still no details as to what these threats to his life are, and Kolberg has not yet spoken to the press about why he tried to get inside the US embassy. However, Paraguayan officials found that he was armed.

German Man Who Tried To Break Into US Embassy Was Heavily Armed

After the German man was arrested, Paraguayan police searched his vehicle and found that Kolberg was heavily armed as he tried to get into the embassy.

According to synonyms City Telegraph, Commander Fleitas confirmed that they found a Glock pistol, a rifle equipped with a telescopic sight, and a drone inside the vehicle that Kolberg drove to the US embassy in Paraguay. They also found around 30 to 50 bullets inside.

Paraguayan police also discovered a device that would allow the pistol to fire like an automatic weapon. Whether the German national was planning to attack the US embassy or use these weapons for self-defense in light of his claims that he was threatened is still unknown.

Police have also not revealed if he had been charged, as he was only arrested for trying to get into the embassy without proper documentation or an appointment.

READ MORE: Paraguay Elections: Santiago Pena Projected to Win Presidency

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: US Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay - Sr. Glen
A 31-year-old man named Majorjon Kaylor appeared in Shoshone County Magistrate Court, donning an orange jail jumpsuit, for his alleged involvement in a tragic incident that took the lives of an Idaho family, according to the Spokesman-Review.

The victims, with whom Kaylor shared a duplex, were brutally slain in what appears to be an execution-style manner.

The victims have been identified as Kenneth Guardipee, aged 65; his daughter, Kenna Guardipee, aged 41; and her sons, Devin Smith, aged 18, and Aiken Smith, aged 16.

The incident unfolded when authorities received reports of gunshots fired at a duplex located at 515 W. Brown Ave around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday.

Shortly after the initial call, a second report indicated that someone had tragically "executed his neighbors," as stated in court documents.

READ NEXT: Idaho College Murders Suspect Indicted

Police Identify the Motive for the Idaho Murder

New information emerged surrounding the case involving Majorjon Kaylor last week. According to his wife's now-private Facebook page, she made a post alleging that Devin Smith had exposed himself to her daughters while they were playing outside, KXLY noted.

The post stated that Kaylor had confronted the Guardipee family about the incident, and she had reported it to the police.

Kaylor's brother initiated a GoFundMe campaign in response to the situation, highlighting that the family had suffered a devastating loss due to a "tragic life event."

The Prosecutor's Office indicated that the Kaylors were frustrated and concerned about the lack of action against Smith.

When Kaylor was arrested, he confessed to the police that the Guardipee family did not take his concerns seriously, so he "snapped," "lost it," and took matters into his own hands.

According to the court documents, Kaylor pulled out a gun during an argument and shot the Guardipees in the head. He then proceeded to enter the residence and kill the two sons.

Suspect Confessed to Idaho Murder During Police Interview

In addition to the murder charges, Majorjon Kaylor also faces a felony burglary charge for unlawfully entering the residence of the Guardipee family, per East Idaho News.

During his court appearance, Kaylor acknowledged the five charges read to him by Shoshone County Municipal Court Judge Keisha Oxendine.

Prosecutor Benjamin Allen revealed that Kaylor had confessed to the shooting during his police interview.

"Admissions were ultimately made to the offenses charged," Allen stated.

Furthermore, a witness reportedly observed Kaylor killing at least two family members, though specific details about the incident were not provided. The killings, however, were carried out horrifically.

Regarding Kaylor's background, it was mentioned that he has a limited criminal history, consisting of a few misdemeanor driving infractions and a single drug possession case that was reduced to a misdemeanor charge.

Kaylor is employed at a local mine and is married. His public defender mentioned that he has lived in Shoshone County and has a non-violent criminal history. Arguments concerning his bond were deferred.

Judge Oxendine remanded Kaylor into custody without bail, and deputies escorted him across the street to the Shoshone County Jail amidst the rain.

Kaylor's preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 3 at 1:30 p.m.

READ MORE: Minneapolis Car Crash

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Neighbor charged with four murders in Kellogg Father's Day shooting, victims identified - From KTVB
The man was in a school auditorium in New York City that had been turned into a shelter for people like him who had traveled from far corners of the world for a chance at a new life in the United States.

He had been at the makeshift shelter for few weeks already, and was growing frustrated by how slow the legal process was.

Then, he heard an announcement over the public address system: They were asking if anyone would like to go to Buffalo.

The man had never heard of it.

But he listened. Buffalo was another city in New York State. There would be people and organizations there that could help.

Two busloads of asylum-seekers travel up to Cheektowaga hotel on Thursday Two busloads of asylum-seekers from New York City were being driven up to Cheektowaga on Thursday and expected to arrive by midnight.

They said: No one is forced to go. But if you would like to ... the man said.

Many of the other shelter residents wouldnt even consider it. It is too far, they said. There arent a lot of people there.

But the man thought that Buffalo sounded like just what he wanted.

Tranquilo, he said in Spanish. Peaceful.

So, Thursday evening, he and 48 other people boarded two buses that brought them to Western New York.

They arrived at 3 a.m. Friday at a hotel in Cheektowaga.

The truth is, it was a beautiful experience to come here, he said. When I looked around and compared it to how busy and full New York City is, this is much more like my vibe. This is much more the type of place I want to live in  where things are less crowded.

On Monday afternoon, he agreed to share the story of his journey with The Buffalo News. He is trying to learn English, but he spoke in Spanish. Catharine Grainge, the director of advocacy at Jericho Road Community Health Center, translated for him. He agreed to tell his story on the condition of anonymity because of the circumstances from which he was fleeing and his fear of reprisal.

The man is from Venezuela, where he was a police officer. Venezuela is in a state of political crisis and economic collapse. Basic needs such as food, medicine and electricity are scarce, and corruption and violence are rampant.

As a police officer, the man was caught in the middle. On the one hand, he said his job was to quash mass protests against the government, even though he agreed that the people deserved better. Then there were organized gangs who routinely targeted law enforcement.

Judge suspends emergency orders barring asylum-seekers from being bused to other NY counties Afederal court ruling has suspended emergency orders from two county executives barring the transportation and housing of New York City asylum-seekers in hotels and other lodging outside the Big Apple.

His friend, another police officer, was shot. The man said he brought his friend to a private hospital, but they wanted to charge $20,000, which they didnt have. He then brought him to a public hospital. But by then, it was too late. A few days later, his friend died.

The man feared a similar fate and he hatched a plan to leave Venezuela. He told only his closest family members of his secret plan because he had been warned that the police would come after me.

I dont know what that meant, whether blood or incarceration, the man said. I stopped being a police officer. I didnt stick around to find out.

That was in October.

Over the next several months, he traveled by bus when he could, or on foot, to slowly make his way north. His dream was to go to the United States.

He walked through the infamous Darien Gap in Panama, which connects North and South America. There is no road, only a river and rainforest, which migrants must brave to travel north.

There are so many dangers, he said. Gangs. The river. Cobras. Crocodiles. He spent a week getting through that, he said.

e but sometimes with a group. At one point, he helped a woman and her two young children. He said along the way, he saw a bloated corpse.

He had heard about the changes in immigration policy in the United States that took place in May (when pandemic rules expired), and was hoping he would be allowed in to the United States.

Once he arrived near the border between Mexico and Texas, the man said, he downloaded the U.S. Customs and Border Protection App, which those seeking asylum are required to use to get an appointment. The U.S. government is allowing up to 30,000 people from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti to receive humanitarian parole because of the dire circumstances in those countries.

When he got his initial appointment confirmed, the man said he crossed the border and checked in with immigration officials. He was taken to a shelter, where someone asked if he was a refugee. He said yes. He was offered a trip to New York City, and he thought that was a good idea. He was flown to New York City, and then ended up at the school.

The man said hes happy with his decision. Hes getting legal help. Hes now eager to learn to speak English and cant wait to get a permit to work. Asylum-seekers who are in the immigration process can get a permit to work 150 days after theyre in the system, although that can take much longer.

Ill do whatever work is available, the man said.

Judge suspends emergency orders barring asylum-seekers from being bused to other NY counties Afederal court ruling has suspended emergency orders from two county executives barring the transportation and housing of New York City asylum-seekers in hotels and other lodging outside the Big Apple.

He said he would like to stay in Buffalo and start his new life here. He likes what hes seen so far.

He has heard about the snow, but he has never seen it, he said. He put his hand out to about knee-level  asking about how deep the snow can be.

His eyes widened when he was told that the snow can pile up over peoples heads.

Are there jobs for clearing that? he asked.
Bethlehem police continue to search for a teenage girl considered to be a missing/runaway juvenile.

Yaitsenia Fantauzzi was reported missing by police in a department Facebook posting this past Monday. She is being described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds.

Those with information are asked to call the Bethlehem Police Department tip line at 610-691-6660, or email bethlehempolice@bethlehem-pa.gov.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
The announcement that federal prosecutors have reached a plea deal with President Joe Bidens son Hunter over tax and gun charges marks the likely end of a five-year Justice Department investigation that has dogged the Biden family.

It doesnt, however, mean that congressional Republicans are done with their own wide-ranging probe into nearly every facet of Hunter Bidens business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

Some of the Republican candidates hoping to face off against President Biden in the 2024 election are decrying the deal as evidence of an unfair justice system, particularly in light of the recent federal indictment of GOP front-runner Donald Trump, though there are obvious differences between the two cases.

Heres what to know about the charges, plea agreement, other probes involving the presidents son and the politics:

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?

According to a letter filed in U.S. District Court in Delaware, Hunter Biden has been charged with misdemeanor charges of failing to pay federal income tax. Court documents allege that he failed to pay more than $200,000 in federal income taxes for 2017 and 2018.

The federal probe into Hunter Biden began in 2018, bursting into public view in December 2020  one month after the presidential election  when he revealed that he had received a subpoena as part of the Justice Departments scrutiny of his taxes.

That subpoena sought information on the younger Bidens business dealings with a number of entities, including Burisma, a Ukraine gas company whose board he joined in 2014. That move sparked concerns about the perceptions of a conflict of interest, given the elder Biden was deeply involved in U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

An investigation by the then-Republican-controlled Senate did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter Bidens work.

At the time of that subpoena, Hunter Biden said that he was confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors.

The younger Biden has also reached an agreement with the Justice Department on a charge that he illegally possessed a firearm while being a drug user.

Federal law prohibits people who use drugs from possessing firearms or ammunition, although a federal judge challenged the legality earlier this year. According to the Justice Departments Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, between 1998 and 2014, nearly 100,000 prospective gun purchasers went home empty-handed because they were flagged as using illegal drugs.

WHAT DOES THE PLEA AGREEMENT MEAN?

By entering a plea, Hunter Biden avoids a trial, and its unlikely that he will spend time in jail, although penalties are ultimately up to a judge.

Biden was charged under an information, a formal document that lays out the charges against him but doesnt require a vote by a grand jury, which would be an indictment.

A person familiar with the investigation said the Justice Department would recommend probation for the tax charges. But the decision to go along with any deal is up to a judge. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The charge of willful failure to file a tax return is rarely used as a primary charge by federal prosecutors, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. There were just 48 prosecutions in the last six fiscal years, according to TRAC.

The gun charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department says Hunter Biden has reached a pretrial agreement on that charge, too.

It is somewhat unusual to resolve a federal criminal case at the same time the charges are filed in court, though it is not totally unheard of.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The agreement essentially means the case is over, unless Hunter Biden fails to abide by it.

A deferred prosecution is an agreement offered by prosecutors in which a defendant must adhere to strict conditions, which will be known after he appears in court. A date for that appearance hasnt been set.

Usually a judge sets regular check-ins for the defendant to appear to ensure they are playing by the rules. If they dont, their deal is revoked and the criminal charges reinstated, which in Hunter Bidens case carry a maximum of a decade in prison. But if he does adhere to the rules, the case will be wiped from his record.

ISNT THERE ANOTHER PROBE?

Yes. Congressional Republicans have been pursuing their own investigations into nearly every facet of Hunter Bidens business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

The misdemeanor tax crimes that the younger Biden is set to plead guilty to are far more limited in scope than the allegations that have been pursued for years by congressional Republicans. On Tuesday, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, said that the charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on his panels probe.

Even before he ran for president in 2020, Joe Biden has faced questions about his sons business dealings and drug addiction.

And there have been other controversies. While his father was vice president, Hunter joined the Naval Reserve and was discharged after testing positive for cocaine in his system, later revealing a yearslong struggle with addiction.

In the weeks before the 2020 election, Trump supporters used the existence of a laptop they said was connected to Hunter Biden  and the emergence of someone who maintains he had business discussions with him  to raise questions about Joe Bidens knowledge of his sons activities in Ukraine and China. President Biden has said he did not discuss his sons international business dealings with him and has denied having ever taken money from a foreign country.

WHAT ARE THE POLITICS?

News of the plea agreement comes days after Trump appeared in federal court on charges related to his retention of classified documents. In the wake of those 37 charges, Republicans across the country have levied criticism against the Biden administration, accusing the Justice Department of politicization and assailing Hunter Bidens business dealings.

The Trump charges came from a special counsel, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an independent investigation to avoid any potential conflict of interest in the Justice Department. The Hunter Biden charges, meanwhile, were filed by the U.S. attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss.

Some of the Republicans competing to potentially face off with Biden in the 2024 general election wasted no time taking their critique of the plea agreement public.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump on Tuesday said the corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket.

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy tweeted Tuesday that its no accident that the farcical Hunter Biden plea deal comes right after the Trump indictment, calling it the perfect fig leaf to pretend that no one is above the law, while absolutely putting certain people above the law.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a tweet, also decried the sweetheart deal and said that, were Biden not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago.

By Meg Kinnard | Associated Press

Associated Press writers Lindsey Whitehurst, Colleen Long and Nomaan Merchant in Washington contributed to this report.

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UPDATE: 1 person dead, 1 seriously hurt following 2-alarm Phillipsburg house fire

Two people were hurt Sunday after being rescued from a two-alarm house fire in Phillipsburg that is now under investigation, authorities said.

Crews were called at 6:21 a.m. Sunday to 134 Mercer St. for a fire with entrapment, Phillipsburg Fire Chief Richard Hay said in a news release.

Firefighters from all six town fire companies responded, and crews arrived to see flames shooting from the first floor of the house and heavy smoke.

Two people were rescued from inside the home, including one person helped out using a ladder at a second-story window. The pair were taken to St. Lukes Hospital-Warren Campus in Phillipsburg; the extent of their injuries and their conditions were unknown when Hay issued the news release.

The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes and contained to the first floor, but there was also extensive heat and smoke damage to the second and third floors, Hay said.

All utilities were cut to the building, which is owned by a Pohatcong Township couple, Hay said, and the American Red Cross is providing assistance to the residents.

Fire crews were at the scene for a little under four hours, the chief said.

The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by the Phillipsburg Police Department, the Warren County Prosecutors Office and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.

Messages left for the prosecutors office and division of fire safety Wednesday morning were not immediately returned.

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During a recent appearance at the University at Buffalo, Gov. Kathy Hochul was asked about migrants arriving in upstate counties reportedly with little warning and whether they would soon arrive in other communities.

She said they had a legal right to be in America and seek asylum.

A lot of people are saying the sky is falling before anything has even happened, Hochul told reporters. The vast, vast majority of these people (are) simply seeking legal humanitarian relief. Theyre here legally. Theyre absolutely here legally. They have a right to seek asylum in this country based on what theyve had to endure in their home countries.

Fox News took notice, seizing on the legally part.

Hochul defends NYC controversial migrant bussing program as lawsuits mount: Theyre absolutely here legally,  read a headline on the cable news site.

Upstate officials have criticized how the Biden and Hochul administrations have handled migrant arrivals in New York, and some have tried to block them from heading from New York City to their communities. New York City has sued more than 30 local governments, mostly in upstate counties, that have fought plans to locate migrants within their borders, calling the moves unconstitutional.

Because her comment made national news, and because this issue is so contentious, we asked experts whether the governor is correct that migrants who have come over the U.S. southern border and have arrived in New York state are absolutely here legally.

We spoke with six experts in immigration law, and they all told us that while its impossible to know the status of every migrant, U.S. laws and treaties state that people who have a credible fear of returning to their home countries have the right to cross the border and seek asylum. They also pointed to a Biden administration rule that took effect on May 11, which limits the circumstances in which people seek asylum. That rule is being challenged in court by parties who take opposite views: Some think it is too strict, others think it is too lenient.

People seeking asylum must prove in court they have suffered persecution or have a reasonable fear of future persecution and that their home country government cannot protect them, said Jaclyn Kelley-Widmer, an immigration lawyer and associate clinical law professor at Cornell Law School. The persecution definition comes from international agreements from 1951 and 1980, and states that it must be because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or their social group. The U.S. is also a party to the Convention Against Torture, which means that people who come here seeking asylum cannot be returned to their home country if they have at least a 50% chance of being tortured there, Kelley-Widmer said.

People who cross the border and express their fear of what is happening in their home countries are absolutely here legally, she said.

Migrants who come to the United States to seek asylum are legally present here until their cases are heard and their asylum status is granted or denied. They do not have a permanent legal status while they wait, and criminal activity during their stay could lead to removal. If immigration authorities ultimately grant their asylum claims, the asylees can apply for a green card one year later.

People who present themselves to immigration authorities when they cross the U.S. border can be subject to expedited removal from the country during an initial interview, if they are determined not to have a credible fear of returning to their home countries. The new Biden rule states that people must have a reasonable possibility of persecution or torture, which is a higher bar.

If they pass an initial interview, they can be paroled into the country as they await their day in immigration court, though there is a yearslong backlog for asylum hearings.

Since we dont know the status of every migrant in New York, PolitiFact New York cant issue a False or True ruling, or any ruling in between, on the veracity of Hochuls statement.

The Hochul administration did not respond to a request for evidence of her claim.

A new Biden administration rule introduced May 11, Circumvention of Lawful Pathways, could prevent more people from obtaining asylum once they reach the United States. In general, the rule presumes that people who have crossed the U.S. southwest border at an unauthorized crossing are ineligible for asylum if they have not applied for asylum in one of the countries they traveled in or havent secured an asylum appointment on a government phone app, though there are some exceptions.

Texas is suing to block the government phone app, which it says will make it easier for people to begin the process of seeking asylum who have no legal basis to do so, and also throw out the entire rule. The American Civil Liberties Union is also suing to block the rule, claiming that it unlawfully restricts asylum.

Meanwhile, more than 70,000 migrants have come to New York City in recent months, and more than 42,000 are being cared for by the city, Mayor Eric Adams said.

Since March 2020, border officials had used Title 42, a public health policy, to quickly expel people arriving at the southern border, essentially blocking their ability to apply for asylum.

Migrant crossings increased before Title 42 expired May 11, but have since fallen because of increased deportations, tighter asylum rules and enforcement in Central American countries, CBS News reported.
The Lehigh Valley could string together a few consecutive days of measurable rainfall through the weekend  a notable development after a dry spring that has all of Pennsylvania starting summer under a drought watch.

A few inches of rain over several days may not be enough to bust the drought. It may not even bust your weekend plans. But it is undoubtedly needed.

Itll certainly help green things up a bit, National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Staarmann (dryly) noted.

Weather service records show Lehigh Valley International Airport at 4 inches below normal precipitation on the year. Theres at least a chance of showers just about every day for the next week, which could put a serious dent in that deficit.

But drought designations consider more than rain. River flows, groundwater levels, soil moisture and public water supply are all taken into account and can take more time to recover.

Most of Pennsylvania is in a moderate drought with surrounding areas "abnormally dry," according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's weekly report on June 8, 2023.U.S. Drought Monitor

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection last week issued a drought watch for all 67 counties and requested that residents reduce water consumption. New Jersey has not issued a drought watch but also has asked residents to be mindful of their water use.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 80% of Pennsylvania is experiencing a moderate drought and the rest of the state and most of New Jersey is abnormally dry. The drought monitors next weekly report is due out on Thursday.

AccuWeather says the region can expect needed rain heading into the weekend.AccuWeather

But rain is on the way. The first round arrives overnight Wednesday and will linger into Thursday morning before tapering off, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service, AccuWeather and locally based EPAWA Weather Consulting.

Friday is the best chance for more rain as showers and thunderstorms will be scattered across the region. More showers and thunderstorms may pop up on Saturday and Sunday, most likely scattered in the afternoon. Breaks in the clouds may make for a muggy weekend. And another round of showers is anticipated early next week.

Severe weather is not widely anticipated, Staarman said, but there is a chance of locally heavy downpours, gusty winds and small hail with any storm.

Current weather radar

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Parking fees for a huge new Laois carpark built to serve public transport users in Portlaoise have been set.

However they do not yet include a discount for regular commuters.

A 93 space public carpark is almost compete right next to Portlaoise train station which has had insufficient parking for years.

The new carpark, in the Goldencroft housing development on Railway Street will be owned and operated by Laois County Council, under the control of the town's traffic wardens.

Portlaoise councillors approved the parking fees at their monthly meeting this Wednesday, June 21.

It will cost 4 to park for a 24 hour period, and 2 to park for up to three hours.

The council says it cannot be any cheaper, or it will simply empty out other carparks, leaving too little space for the train and bus users it is aimed at.

Director of Services with responsibility for Portlaoise is Simon Walton.

"The council will take possession of the new 93 space parkpark, likely over August or September. It will operate from that date. It was developed under the Urban Rehabilitation and Development Fund, the council gave 375,000 in matched funding," he said.

There will however be no clamping.

"It will be a public carpark the same as all the others in Portlaoise with enforcement in the normal way. Obviously it's location is a strong public transport link. it is also to attract longer stays for visitors to the town centre.

"We had specific regard to adjacent carparks used by people availing of public transport. Their daily charge is 4.50. If we set it too low, we'll be flooded with cars that had been parking in adjacent carparks," Mr Walton said.

Portlaoise councillors all warmly welcome the new carpark, but they want a monthly discount for commuters.

Cllr Thomasina Connell was disappointed to hear that the council did not survey train users.

"That would be 80 a month for someone to park there," she said.

Cllr Willie Aird suggests a fee of 2 for staying for six hours to help patients getting the train to appointments in Dublin hospitals.

"This was a golden opportunity to get parking for the railway station. But if you go to Dublin for say cancer treatment, three hours would be very tight," he said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy said an eight hour ticket would be more user friendly for hospital appointments.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said it has been a 20 year wait, with train passengers coming back to find their cars clamped.

"Could we get a weekly or monthly rate? Say 12 a week or 30 a month. If you are on a low income going up and down daily, 20 a week is less than Dublin but do a trial," she said.

Mr Walton said he will come back in September at the next council meeting with a proposal for 30 a month, or 11 a week. In the meantime he said they will order machines for the fixed daily rates.

The carpark will include bus bays and free bicycle storage, targeted at turning Portlaoise into a low carbon public transport hub.

It is on land that was once part of the old St Mary's CBS playing fields, along with a new Cluid housing development to be complete before Christmas, providing 13 apartments and 54 houses for council tenants.
Despite the closure of a number of Iceland branches in Dublin this morning, the Portlaoise store is continuing to trade albeit with less stock due to food safety issues.

As staff in Dublin have reportedly occupied one Iceland supermarket in Dublin where a sit-in is now underway.

However, Portlaoise's Iceland store on the Mountmellick Road is continued to operate on Wednesday, June 20. However, there was a noticeable list on the front door of the shop with the names of many products that have been withdrawn from sale.

The store opened its doors in 2018 when its operators said it would bring 37 jobs to the town.

An interim examiner was appointed to Icelands Irish operations in the High Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that Metron Stores Limited, which has got into difficulties due to factors including a recent order served on it by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland(FSAI) requiring it to withdraw all imported frozen food of animal origin from its stores, is insolvent and unable to pay estimated debts of 36m as they fall due.

However, an independent Experts Report (IER) has stated that the company has a reasonable prospect of survival if certain steps, including the appointment of an examiner, are taken.

Mr Justice Michael Quinn on Tuesday, June 20 appointed chartered accountant and insolvency expert Mr Joseph Walsh as interim examiner to Metron Stores, which operates 26 Iceland stores in the Republic of Ireland and employs over 344 people.

Staff arriving at a number of stores in Dublin were unable to gain entry. The shutting out of workers has sparked fears for jobs at other stores such as the Portlaoise branch at Gandon Court on the Mountmellick Road.

Dublin Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain described the treatment of Iceland workers as disgraceful. He called on Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney to intervene.

A ridiculous situation has occurred at Iceland stores across Dublin. Workers have been treated absolutely disgracefully by the company and its time for Minister Coveney to step up and get clarity for these workers, said Deputy O Riordain.

The business has gone into examinership and the store has effectively closed, but staff have not been told. They turned up for work this morning only to be told they have no jobs. This is an absolutely crazy scenario, he stated.

My understanding is that Iceland stores across Dublin have been shuttered without any explanation to workers including shops on Talbot Street and Coolock. Minister Coveney needs to urgently find a pathway to consultation with these workers to ensure that they are not out of pocket in terms of wages owed and any potential redundancy payments they may be entitled to, said Dep O Riordain.

The High Court was told the appointment of an examiner would be in the best interests of all the relevant parties and would give the company the best opportunity of surviving. The company is also confident that it can obtain the fresh investment it requires.

The matter will return before the courts in two weeks' time.
Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan, Kildare South, has welcomed the resumption of talks between SIPTU and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) at the Labour Court next week following an outpouring of public support for Retained Fire Fighters demands for fairness on incomes and working conditions.

The Retained Fire Fighters have suspended their planned strike this week, and have deescalated industrial action to allow space for the talks, which will begin next Monday, take place.

Deputy Ryan added that local Kildare TD Martin Heydon completely underestimated the resolve of the Retained Fire Fighters, and the community backing they have received right across Co. Kildare, when he and his Government colleagues voted to reject Sinn Feins solutions to the crisis in the Dail last week.



Ryan said, In voting to reject Sinn Fein's motion solutions to this crisis, Deputy Heydon underestimated the resolve of the Retained Fire Service and the groundswell of public support they have received in Co. Kildare and right across the state.

The Retained Fire Fighters did not want to engage in industrial action in the first place - they were forced into taking action by the arrogance and lip service paid to them by Minister Darragh OBrien and government TDs throughout this whole process.

So it is a positive development that talks will now continue at the Labour Court and that strike action has been put on hold while those talks continue. The Fire Fighters have, at all times, acted in good faith in their efforts to secure commitments to address the recruitment and retention crisis, which, if left unaddressed, will lead to the total collapse of the service.

Government TDs must start listening to them. While talks take place within the Labour Court between SIPTU and the LGMA, the reality is that the outcome of the dispute will be decided by Minister OBrien and cabinet colleagues.

Deputy Ryan also urged Deputy Heydon to seek an answer from Minister OBrien on the outstanding question as to whether he will honour the recommendations of the governments own report into the Retained Fire Service crisis.

Ryan then added, I also urge them to encourage Minister OBrien to use Mondays talks as an opportunity to reset the government approach and do the right thing by the Retained Fire Service.

Sinn Fein will not let this slide. A Sinn Fein government would urgently intervene to increase the fixed incomes of fire fighters and increase staffing levels to build a fit-for-purpose service.
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Maynooth University (MU) has announced that it will establish an undergraduate General Nursing programme. The course is being developed to meet Irelands existing and growing population and healthcare requirements. As part of the Universitys broader ambition, it is also exploring opportunities to develop programmes in Medicine in the future, subject to regulatory approval.

The development and introduction of the new Nursing course supports the Maynooth University Strategic Plan 2023-28, which aims to develop a strong academic presence in health and medical disciplines. This builds on the Universitys strong academic underpinnings in biomedical sciences, immunology, assisted living, digital health and social care courses. MU aims to establish a School of Health and Medicine over the next five to ten year horizon that will be known for innovative and inclusive health education, making a significant contribution to the development of a future health care workforce in Ireland.

The B.Sc. (Hons) General Nursing is a four-year undergraduate (Level 8) General Nursing Programme, the programme will commence in 2025, with a planned initial intake of 50 students rising incrementally to 100 students per year. The course will take approximately 50% of its intake from mature/local FET learners (those who have completed pre-nursing schools). The establishment of the course is aligned to the MU strategic plan to develop a School of Health and Medicine that will offer health programmes at all levels from undergraduate to PhD. In developing the programme, the University will continue to actively engage with key stakeholders, and it aims to expand non-traditional pathways into Nursing, with a strong regional focus and the potential to create greater access to Nursing outside of Dublin.

Commenting, Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University stated, This is a very significant development for Maynooth University, the healthcare sector and citizens accessing services. Our ambition in healthcare, nursing and medicine is aligned to our long standing and emerging strengths in academic disciplines underpinning Human Health and significant medical and health focused research. Through our existing strengths in areas such biomedical sciences, chemistry, digital health, the work of the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Health Research and the Institute for Assisted Living and Learning, for example, we are well placed to deliver the countrys next future-focused health care courses.

With regard to the new courses being developed, we are actively engaging with regional providers to develop a unique model of collaboration that enables an enhanced focus on community-based placements to address both existing and future regional and national healthcare needs. We will offer new academic and professional opportunities for those from backgrounds under-represented in health professions. This is part of our new strategic vision and plan for 2023-28 which builds on the ongoing success of the university to date, and indeed the broader development of Maynooth and the overall region as a desirable location to live and work."
The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) has welcomed its new chairperson Dr Deirdre Collins, who succeeds Dr John Farrell, who has completed his 3-year term of office.

Dr Collins is a GP in her hometown of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, in a multi-doctor practice.

She is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and completed her training with the Dublin Regional Vocational Training Scheme obtaining her MICGP in 1993.

Dr Collins is a member of the Kildare Faculty of the ICGP, and former Honorary Treasurer of the Faculty and she is a GP Trainer in the Naas UCD GP Training Scheme. She considers it a privilege to be part of the educational and professional development of our current and future general practitioners.

In her practice, she also facilitates undergraduate learning for students from Trinity College Dublin. Dr Collins is a former Chairperson of the KDoc Out-of-Hours co-operative. For the last 4 years has served on the Board of ICGP and chaired the Education Governance Committee.

Dr Collins said: "I am delighted to take up the role of Chair of the College's Board, at a time of significant development and challenges for the GP community. I want to thank Dr John Farrell who has held this responsibility for 3 years, and did a wonderful job at a time of huge expansion in GP training numbers and in the overall role of the College. "

The Chief Executive Officer of the ICGP, Fintan Foy, said: "We know that Dr Deirdre Collins brings strong leadership qualities to this role, at a time when general practice is experiencing real workforce and workload issues. She brings extensive GP insights into this position, and we look forward to working together."

Kerry GP Dr Eamonn Shanahan was appointed the President of the College for the coming year at the College's recent AGM. Dr Shanahan is a GP in Farranfore, Co Kerry, who graduated from UCC in 1982 and trained with the Cork Vocational Training Scheme. He passed his membership of the Royal College of GPs in July 1986, and became a Foundation Member of the Irish College shortly after.

He joined his father in practice in Farranfore following graduation and has worked in rural general practice since. He is the senior doctor in a four-doctor teaching practice.

Dr Shanahan has been involved in teaching at under and post-graduate level for most of his career and is passionate about medical education.

Many in the south west will know him as the radio doctor on Radio Kerry, a post he has held for the past 30 years.

Dr Shanahan said: "Being President of the College is a great honour, and I hope to bring my experience and insights to the role as we approach the 40th anniversary of the College's foundation. The voice of general practice is being heard at senior levels, and we look forward to the publication of the Strategic Review of General Practice in the coming year."
Over 150 Ukrainian refugees based in Leitrim visited the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) over the weekend as part of an integration trip.

Members of the Ukrainian community from Mohill, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim Village, Drumshanbo and other areas attended the outing, which was funded by Leitrim Development Company's (LDC) Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).

Speaking about the success of the trip, Integration officer at LDC, Deborah Shirlaw, said, "I wanted to find a place that people who can't speak English could actually understand, like I looked through all the galleries in Dublin and I figured the art gallery would be the best because you don't need full-on English to understand art.

According to Deborah, the very high level of interest was unexpected.

She said, "It was extremely popular among the Ukrainian community, they're very interested in art, they're really into that type of thing."

She continued: "I've gotten a lot of thank yous, a lot of messages saying how much they enjoyed it and how much they learned from the trip."

Ukrainian participants reportedly provided very positive feedback, with one person stating, "We are overwhelmed with emotions, today we learned something strange and interesting for us" while another said, "It was like a breath of fresh air, really impressive."

Another participant said, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing so much good for us Ukrainians, for your support. We are happy, in Ireland we have found new friends!" with another stating, "It was a lovely day and we really enjoyed spending time in such a friendly atmosphere! Thank you for spending this day with us, Irish people are amazing!"

Deborah said, "It was important to give them a day to just forget about the war for that little bit of time, because it would be so draining for them every single day having to worry about their families and what's going on in Ukraine."

However, although the trip was enjoyed by all it wasn't without its challenges.

She said, "It's very hard when you're explaining things and a lot of people don't speak English and to try and work around that, so there's a lot of communication between messaging and sharing map locations and that to make sure everybody had an understanding of where they were going."

She particularly thanked volunteers Lucy and Daria for their help in this regard.

As well as visiting IMMA, participants also had the chance to spend a few hours seeing Dublin independently before returning to the bus.

"They all made it back, nobody got left behind," Deborah confirmed.

A second trip to IMMA is also planned for July due to demand.

As well as the IMMA trip, Ukrainians in the region also had the chance to cook their national dishes for the local community at a Taste of Ukraine event last week.

According to Deborah, they cook in big batches to share with other Ukrainian families in their accommodation.

Deborah said, They cook everything from scratch, everything's fresh, there's nothing bought pre-made. The problem they're facing in hotels is they can't cook their own food, they have to just eat what's served.

It takes away that freedom to pick what you want to eat that day, what you want to make, and you don't realise how important that is until it's taken away."
The Government plans to fund third-level institution places to boost the number of medicine, dentistry and veterinary graduates.

It comes as the Government announced the results of a review that looked at boosting college places for doctors, dentists and vets in an attempt to solve a shortage of services in the coming years.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said this could also help the yearly scramble for college places, and give more options to students who feel they do not have a choice but to study abroad.

His department had asked the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to establish how additional capacity might be provided in healthcare and veterinary medicine college places in particular.

The review found that with investment, 750 medicine places could increase to 1,158; 2,000 nurses trained a year could increase to more than 3,000; more than 200 pharmacy places a year could go up to 400; and 60 trained doctors a year could increase to more than 123.

Ministers Simon Harris, Stephen Donnelly and Charlie McConalogue have today announced a number of options to expand third-level college places for healthcare and veterinary medicine. Read more: https://t.co/7IrSrViH96 pic.twitter.com/WtQILIkRRn  Department of Further and Higher Education (@DeptofFHed) June 21, 2023

Mr Harriss department will consider the proposals with the departments of health and agriculture, and assess the options outlined in the review.

Approval of the investment and timing is dependent on the budgetary process and the National Development Plan, ministers said.

Speaking at Government Buildings on Wednesday, Mr Harris said that it could lead to unprecedented change in the number of graduates and help address workforce shortages.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the ultimate goal is a doubling of medicine college places across the board, with 60 college places added last year and a further 60 places this September.

As of now weve got about 21,000 more people working in the health service than we did when Covid arrived here, he said.

Whats really encouraging in what the HEA have come back with and what the colleges have come back with  theyve already said that they can double pharmacy places, that they can double dentistry places, and theyre proposing very, very significant increases in nursing and medicine as well.

Already theyre proposing adding an extra 1,000 nursing places in the country, theyre talking about well over a 50% increase in medicine places as well.

So this is really, really encouraging to see this.

When asked whether graduates who benefit from the additional places could end up travelling and living abroad instead of working in Ireland, Mr Donnelly said he encouraged graduates to live abroad.

Id encourage people to go abroad, live abroad get a taste for life abroad, work abroad, get international experience  we actively encourage our doctors to do it, he said.

I think its quite a healthy thing, particularly for a small island nation like ours. The key is that they come home.

He said the state had to ensure graduates have a positive experience in education, on their placements, and that they are working in an environment where they are valued and respected.

So no, I dont have a concern with students graduating, and going to live in Bondi Beach for a year or Vancouver for a year or whatever it is. International experience is good, he added.

When asked whether the additional places would address shortages of medical professionals in rural areas, Mr Harris said that a proposal from the University of Galway could address the shortage of rural GPs in the north-west.

The four-year Rural and Remote Graduate Entry Medicine would focus on placing year three and year four graduates in GP clinics located in Letterkenny, Sligo, Castlebar and Portiuncula.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said that Ireland currently has the largest ever number of vets on the veterinary register at almost 3,400  up 26% on 2017.

He said that some 65% of vets on the register had been educated overseas in the last number of years, showing a very clear demand for additional places.
There has been no spike in Western New Yorks murder rate.

Theres been no noticeable increase in reported rapes.

Armed robberies have not been on the rise.

In fact, the only thing spiking since the announcement that Erie County might get some of the asylum-seekers flooding New York City  and the subsequent arrival here of 50 of them early Friday  has been hateful rhetoric.

That was to be expected in an era in which xenophobia is not just a moral and mental defect but simultaneously a political selling point. In addition to spurring hate speech, it also prompted seven other Western New York counties to issue state of emergency declarations barring hotels from contracting to house the newcomers without government permission.

That makes Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarzs voice welcoming those desperate for a better life all the more noteworthy, especially in an election year. He stepped up to call such declarations not only illegal, but morally repugnant.

Predictably, that didnt stop Erie County Republicans, including his November opponent, from calling for a state of emergency here. Nor did it stop the online vitriol about asylum-seekers who will get arrested and we will have them to take care of in OUR jails.

Another commenter remarked sarcastically, Now tell us again that they dont commit crimes, all have court dates and been vetted, while still another complained about All these New Democrats sucking from the liberal system.

Now their asylum seekers.... you mean ILLEGAL ALIENS right!!!! wrote one, while another alleged  without evidence  that asylum-seekers had trashed hotels in New York City.

The comments, though targeting the newcomers with a broad brush, actually paint an ugly picture of Western New York.

Fortunately, none of them went unanswered, with more enlightened residents correcting everything from the xenophobes grammar  apparently being born here didnt help them learn English  to the canard that immigrants commit more crimes.

One summed it up best when answering one of the hatemongers: Paranoia is a disease. Seek help.

That could apply to some Erie County Republican and Conservative politicians, too. Of course, theyre a little more circumspect in their language, reaching for fig leaves when voicing their displeasure.

Thus you have the party filled with Covid-19 vaccine deniers suddenly worried about whether the asylum-seekers are up to date on all of their vaccinations.

Or you have them complaining about a lack of transparency or county planning for what is essentially a private deal between New York City  which is paying all costs  and the hotels and local refugee agencies that will house and assist the new arrivals.

And you have them drumming up fears about a crisis of 50 newcomers, most from the Congo and Venezuela, wreaking havoc on this county of some 950,000 people.

Voters can judge for themselves how much of that is a legitimate governmental desire for oversight and how much is pandering to the most base elements of the electorate.

Of course, Democrats who control the Erie County Legislature didnt help by referring the critics complaints to a committee that hasnt met since September and didnt seem in a hurry to take up this issue. Misinformation, disinformation and outright racist rhetoric  or worse  will fill the vacuum if the issue isnt addressed forthrightly and critics complaints are exposed for what they are.

The reality is that immigrants are responsible for much of the recent growth in this regions population and many of the new businesses that have enlivened certain neighborhoods. Some of the new arrivals will undoubtedly contribute to that trend. All deserve a chance at a fair hearing.

Buffalo has thrived when weve been most welcoming, said Dr. Myron Glick, founder and CEO of Jericho Road Community Health Center, one of the local agencies helping the newcomers.

Glick added that a lot of people in Buffalo recognize what many immigrants have gone through and what they add to the community. Pushback on the hateful online comments indicates he is right.

Still, Poloncarzs GOP opponent Chrissy Casilio  she with the history of conspiratorial social media posts  has claimed that his stance regarding the asylum-seekers shows that he is out of touch with county taxpayers when it comes to dinner table issues.

No doubt this probably is being talked about around some dinner tables. But to the degree that so many politicians today try to gauge which way the mob is headed and then jump in front of it, it is both refreshing and reassuring to see that at least one elected official knows what leadership really means on an issue that, above all, is a humanitarian one.

To the degree that this becomes a major issue in the race for county executive and other local offices, it will be a referendum not on the asylum-seekers, but on Erie County as a community.

Poloncarz has stepped up to define who we should be. Voters will decide if thats, in fact, who we are.
An ipe tree in the Amazon rainforest, in the Brazilian state of Para NACHO DOCE/REUTERS

France's leading wood supplier to major home and furniture retailers including Leroy Merlin, Castorama, Monsieur Bricolage and Point P has been fined 165,000 for failing to exercise due diligence in importing rare ipe wood from the Amazon.

ISB France appeared before the criminal court in Rennes on Monday, June 19, charged with "placing timber or timber products on the European market without having adopted a due diligence system as defined by European regulations"  an offence punishable by a maximum fine of 500,000.

Gregoire Jacob, a consultant specializing in the risks of raw material imports for the NGO Earthworm, testified that the due diligence system must be implemented "on a case-by-case basis" by the importer, who is required to collect "information concerning the species, quantity, country of harvesting and information available  whether open-source or not  on its processing route," to ensure the wood's legality.

'Underestimating risks in supply chain'

At the origin of the complaint filed in 2019, Greenpeace France  along with France Nature Environnement and the Canopee organization  accused ISB France of having underestimated the risks presented by the companies in its supply chain, and therefore of having illegally imported a total of nearly 83 m3 of ipe wood, also known as Brazilian walnut, in the form of four batches of boards intended for building decks from the state of Para between late 2016 and mid-2017.

The fine of 165,000 claimed corresponds to the overall purchase price of just over $180,000, invoiced to ISB France by an intermediary for the purchase of this rot-resistant variety with a high commercial value, said prosecutor Matthieu-Jean Thomas.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Investigation reveals flaws in 'responsible' wood certification system

During a hearing lasting more than five hours, Marc Meunier, the legal representative of the Saint-Malo company, which has more than 400 employees, contested the infringement. He described ipe as "virtually non-existent" among the 400,000 or so m3 that pass through the company annually.

"We specialize in northern woods, and ipe complements our range for customers who ask us for a bit of exotic wood. We have fulfilled all the obligations of the European Union Timber Regulation," he said. He pointed out that, despite numerous observations on his company's "shortcomings" by the regional directorate for food, agriculture and forestry (DRAAF), which audited it at the end of June 2018, the body concluded that its "due diligence" system was compliant.

'Mafia-like networks'

During a joint investigation carried out in Para in 2017 with the University of Sao Paulo and IBAMA, Brazil's national environmental agency, Greenpeace Brazil discovered that the intermediaries working with ISB France at the time had already been convicted of offences related to the timber trade or concerning flora.

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French director Luc Besson in Berlin, on February 17, 2018. STEFANIE LOOS / AFP

France's top appeals court on Wednesday, June 21, rejected a request to reopen a rape claim against film director Luc Besson, ending one of the most high-profile cases to emerge in the country's #MeToo movement against sexual assault. Dutch-Belgian actress Sand Van Roy accused Besson, director of The Fifth Element and Leon, of raping her during a two-year on-off relationship, and filed a complaint against him in May 2018.

Prosecutors dropped the case in February 2019 citing a lack of evidence, and after new charges were filed by Van Roy, an appeals court also closed that case in May last year. In a ruling seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Cour de Cassation, the court of last resort for criminal cases, said there was "no reason to justify pursuing an appeal" of the previous rulings.

"The Cour de Cassation has decided not to hear my appeal, which means once again the French judiciary refuses to examine the evidence in this case," Van Roy said on Twitter. "I will pursue these cases and will file a request with the European Court of Human Rights."

A lawyer for Besson, who has denied the claims, said the decision "ends all the procedures of the past five years, which have found him not guilty".

Besson has admitted having a relationship with Van Roy, who had minor roles in his films Taxi 5 and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. She filed the initial complaint for rape in May 2018 hours after meeting Besson, before filing another complaint two months later for other alleged rapes and sexual assaults.

At least three other women have made allegations of sexual harassment against Besson, which he has also denied.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is welcomed to the Elysee by Emmanuel Macron on June 20, 2023. PHILEMON BARBIER / COLLECTIF HORS FORMAT FOR LE MONDE

Theirs is an embryonic, tentative and often stormy relationship. On Tuesday, June 20, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Italian Prime Minister Meloni. This first visit to the Elysee Palace by the far-right leader, who was in Paris to defend Rome's bid for the 2030 World Expo, was complicated to organize because of the strong tensions that have arisen between the two countries since she took office in October 2022.

When she arrived in the courtyard of the Elysee, the sun was shining, giving the impression of a break in the weather. Time will tell whether it will last or not. For the occasion, everyone made an effort to put on a brave face. France's leader and his host declared their intention to "work together" beyond "controversies," particularly in the sensitive area of immigration for both countries.

This was a way of overcoming the tensions created in May by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, when he declared the Italian leader "incapable of resolving the migratory problems on which she was elected." Meloni and her government were not pleased. In November 2022, it was France that was outraged by the Italian right-wing coalition when it refused to welcome the rescue ship Ocean Viking and its 230 migrants rescued at sea, who had to be diverted to Toulon.

To calm the situation, the French head of state began by highlighting the "unique bond" that unites Italy and France, this "friendship (...) that sometimes allows controversy and disagreement to flourish, but always within a respectful framework, because it is part of a history that is bigger than us, more profound, that has nourished our imaginations, our artists, our collective adventures," he added eloquently in his remarks to the press.

"Italy and France are two nations that are linked, two important, central, protagonist nations in Europe that need dialogue at a time like this because our common interests are very much convergent," Meloni replied. "I am confident that from today we will be able to work even better and even more together."

Shared support for Ukraine

Nevertheless, the dispute over migration remains heated. "We need to be able to organize asylum and migration in Europe more effectively, while remaining true to our values," suggested Macron, addressing his "dear Giorgia." At his side, the Italian prime minister defended her radical positions on the subject, while also insisting on the need to continue "working together both bilaterally and multilaterally."

The French and Italians are set to try and implement the asylum and migration pact just approved within the European Union. "Both countries are exposed to migration from the Maghreb and Africa," said the French president's entourage, who want to show "pragmatism" rather than ideology on the issue: "We need to secure the external borders and show solidarity internally at the same time."

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Jean-Yves Le Drian (then French foreign minister) meets Michel Aoun (then Lebanese head of state) at the Baabda presidential palace, east of Beirut, on May 6, 2021. HUSSEIN MALLA / AP

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the former French foreign minister, has strong words when it comes to the political disaster in Lebanon. Until his departure from the Quai d'Orsay in May 2022, Le Drian was the frustrated architect behind Emmanuel Macron's plan to extricate Lebanon from its economic and financial crisis. He described the country as "the Titanic without the orchestra" and accused its political leaders of "failing to assist a country in danger," before exclaiming: "Help us help you, damn it!"

On Wednesday, June 21, the 76-year-old Breton returned to the country he knows so well as the French president's "special envoy to Lebanon." His mission seems almost as impossible as the first: to break the country's political deadlock.

Eight months after Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, Lebanon is still without a president. Since then, lawmakers have been convened 12 times to elect a successor to replace the former military general, but without obtaining a quorum, the vote has not reached a conclusion. The Shiite faction, made up of the powerful Hezbollah movement and the Amal party, is campaigning for the position  traditionally held by a Maronite Christian  to go to the leader of the Marada Movement, Suleiman Frangieh, one of their long-standing allies and a close friend of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Selected by the opposition to stand in his way, Jihad Azour, a senior official at the International Monetary Fund, beat Frangieh by just a few votes in the last election, thanks to tenuous support from the Free Patriotic Movement, the Aounist party that broke with the Shiite faction.

Charged with "facilitating" a "consensual and effective" solution, in the words of the Elysee Palace, Le Drian is coming to Beirut "on an exploratory visit," according to French sources. France has been heavily criticized in Lebanon for supporting Frangieh's candidacy behind the scenes since February. The choice was presented as a pragmatic one, with an establishment figure as president and a reformist as prime minister.

'Move on from confrontation'

"Jean-Yves Le Drian is not coming to push an option: neither to tell people to go along with Suleiman Frangieh nor to pave the way for a third option, but to get everyone to talk to each other and move on from the confrontation," said a French diplomat.

Before returning to France on Saturday, the President's emissary is expected to meet virtually with all the country's political, military and religious leaders, as well as individuals from civil society. He is expected to return several times before presenting his proposals to Macron.

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On June 24, hundreds of bikers in colorful gear will fill the streets of Niwot, heading west on Niwot Road before looping down to Second Avenue, with a rest stop at Whistle Stop Park before crossing the Diagonal Highway to continue north on N. 73rd Street.

The Bike MS charity is making its annual ride through Colorado. The route for this ride can be up to 100 miles long, winding from the Front Range Community College in Westminster to Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

The Niwot Business Association, with partial funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District, plans to make Niwot a destination spot on the bike route. Free five-dollar coupons will be provided in the welcome packets distributed to anyone gathering along the route to watch and cheer on the riders.

Each five-dollar coupon can be spent at businesses in Niwot, provided that the money is not spent on alcohol. In addition, some foldable chairs will also be set up along Second Avenue for attendees to watch the riders pass through Niwot. Many local businesses are going to be opening early during the event to show support, and according to the NBA, there will also be live music along the route.

The local store manager at the Wandering Jellyfish Bookstore, Alison Cave, said, "It would be great to bring more people to town. We're on 119 between Boulder and Longmont, and I feel like people often miss us. So many love to bike it's great to bring awareness to something that is so quietly devastating."

Cave also hopes that the goody bags will help increase awareness of multiple sclerosis. Bike MS's ride through Colorado is raising money to combat multiple sclerosis, a dangerous disease that attacks the brain and muscles, and leads to disability.

The charity event was started in 1980, consisting of a two-day bike ride through Minnesota that raised $33,000 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Now, there is at least one ride in every state, sometimes multiple rides in a state, and Bike MS is now a national charity organization. So far, Bike MS has raised about one billion dollars to help cure MS and for those afflicted.
A MAN has been arrested by gardai investigating an incident during which a woman was kicked in the face on a busy street in Limerick city centre.

The violent incident, footage of which has been widely shared on social media and WhatsApp, occurred in the Arthurs Quay/Patricks Street area on Tuesday.

A garda spokesperson has confirmed to Limerick Live that a man has been arrested following the incident and is currently in custody.

The man, whose aged in his 20s, is currently being detained in a Limerick garda station under the provisions of Section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act 1984.

While the video footage of the incident has been views thousands of times, gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward.

In the footage a man can been seen kicking the woman in the face.

The footage shows another woman running after the perpetrator and the video continues with both females and the male shouting and continuing to be physical with each other as those involved moved around the corner, across the road from Arthur's Quay Park.

A busy season for tourists in the city, and with a heavily-used bus stop across the road from the site, many onlookers stopped in their tracks as the incident took place.

Investigations are ongoing, and gardai can be contacted at Henry Street garda station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
GOVERNMENT officials from Northern Ireland and academics from Queens University, Belfast have paid a "really inspiring" visit to Regeneration-led projects in Limerick to study best practices.

The delegation included the Queens University Placemaking Academy, as well as officials from the Department of Justice and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.

They visited a number of projects in Limerick city and in the four regeneration areas of Moyross, Southill, St Marys Park and Ballinacurra Weston.

The Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP) is one of the largest capital programmes in the State. It is the largest regeneration programme in the State.

The Plan includes a 253m investment on physical infrastructure, 30m on social projects and 10m on economic programmes.

Suzie Clifford, Administrative Officer, Limerick Regeneration Directorate said: "It was fantastic to be able to showcase the wonderful social initiatives that are happening across the four regeneration communities.

"The Northern Ireland delegation were hugely impressed by the Social Initiatives that are enabling children and families to maximise their life opportunities."

The Placemaking Academy is a collaboration between Queens University Belfast and the Department for Communities, which brings together researchers, students and practitioners.

Dr Neil Galway, Director of Postgraduate Studies in Planning at Queens University Belfast explained: "Ive been working with staff in the Department for Communities, theyre the regeneration department in Northern Ireland, and they were keen to look at how we could provide some informal training in relation to placemaking.

"Its largely about creating an informal space where staff working in central government, in councils, in housing executives, in heritage departments, within council regeneration teams can come together with students from Queens.

"We look at best practices in terms of regeneration, placemaking and dealing with big issues, be that resilience, climate change, reuse of historic buildings, pedestrianisation, all the stuff about making places better essentially."
UNIVERSITY of Limerick (UL) has cleared a major hurdle in its plans to introduce a vet school.

The third-level college has been informed by government that its plans for a new school for veterinary surgeons were approved to go to preparing a full business case by government.

At present, University College Dublin is the only third-level institution to offer training for veterinary surgeons, who traditionally work to treat medical problems being experienced by animals.

This Wednesday, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has announced UL has been given the green light to proceed to the next stage of its application for a new school for these medics.

It comes after earlier in the year, UL was chosen by the Higher Education Authority to have a viable proposal to teach veterinary education, a course which is constantly oversubscribed with interest from students.

Mr Harris said: "This is a major day for the university and veterinary communities and for the people of Limerick and the Mid-West and real vote of confidence in their ability to expand educational provision in our region. This project will now proceed to the next phase which is the formulation of a full business case which will then be assessed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform."

A business case is designed to give justification for undertaking a programme. It evaluates the benefit, cost and risk of alternative options, providing a rationale for the preferred solution.

Mr Harris acknowledged any vet school will not happen overnight, "but it is a significant moment to be celebrated."

Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the news, saying: "Today is a brilliant day for the people of UL, Limerick and the Mid West."

"I am delighted to be working closely with my colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher education on our plans to develop this new school. We have campaigned long and hard for this and today we make real progress. I will continue to work with Simon Harris to make this project a reality," she concluded.

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Niall Collins said Limerick students interested in becoming vets only had two choices at present - Dublin or Poland.

Now they will be able to study in their own county. Farming is a huge economic activity in Co Limerick and the Mid-West. For years people involved in veterinary practices and farming have been lobbying me for a second or third veterinary school in Ireland. We need more vets - plain and simple.

This decision by Government significantly advances the University of Limericks bid to establish a new veterinary school which I welcome," added the Fianna Fail TD.

Fellow Junior Minister Kieran O'Donnell also welcomed the news, saying: "I have always believed that UL is the ideal location for a new veterinary college, regionally based, in the heart of the Golden Vale and furthermore UL has a very successful track record in the setting up of a new faculty, as we have seen with the medical school. Critically, this will address the significant shortage of vets in practice, particularly in rural areas as well as the demand from Irish students to study veterinary in Ireland."

Elsewhere, UL's application for more nursing and graduate entry medicine places will now be considered as part of budgetary discussions.

And Technological University of the Shannon has also been deemed viable in its application for additional nursing places.
A GROUP campaigning for safe zone legislation has sent an open letter to the Health Minister after receiving a call from a very distressed woman about the anti-abortion protests outside University Maternity Hospital Limerick.

Co-chairs of Together for Safety, Karen Sugrue and Yvie Murphy wrote a letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, to ask him When will they leave us alone?

This comes after a very distressed woman told the group that anti-abortion protesters were once again standing outside Limerick Maternity Hospital and causing distress to people going for medical appointments, as well as to passersby and local residents. According to Karen Sugrue, a lot of the people attending these protests around the country are now wearing body cameras.

We are writing to you this morning to ask when the long promised Safe Access Zone legislation will be in place? Last month, you publicly promised the legislation would be in place by July. It is now halfway through June, read the letter.

Since the end of 2020, Together for Safety have been campaigning for safe access zones around hospitals, GP and health centres.

Co-chair of Together for Safety, Karen Sugrue, told Limerick Live: We partnered up with a group of residents, and they have been helping us to keep track of the protests ever since. They would signpost us if they come across anybody who finds the protests distressing.

According to Ms Sugrue, at the moment, anti-abortion protesters are there once or twice a week. We contact the guards and we ask residents and anybody who sees the protesters to also contact the guards. We also ask that nobody approach the protesters.

As the law stands, the protesters are entitled to be there. Were hoping to change the law and what were looking for is legislation to put in place a hundred meters around health centres, hospitals and GPs, so the protesters have to just move a little bit back from the front gates.

Ms Sugrue pointed out the campaigning group is very aware that this is a balance of rights.

The legislation balances the right to protest, which is very important, but people have the right to access healthcare and go to work without being distressed and having their privacy intact, and thats very important, she said.

Its a hugely important piece of all of this because there are many reasons why people would like to be able to go into hospitals and go to appointments in privacy and without anybody knowing that they're going. But we know from our protests around the country that a lot of the protesters are now wearing body cameras and are recording people going in and out.

In their letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Together for Safety wrote: "Minister, it is seven years since the Citizens Assembly on the 8th Amendment, six since the Oireachtas Committee, five since Repeal. Each of these public debates supported the need for Safe Access Zones. It is four years since the abortion legislation was put in operation, and three years since Together for Safety started collecting reports of distress caused by the protests and lobbying for Safe Access Zone legislation."

They added: It is two years since we wrote and submitted a Private Members Bill for Safe Access Zones, which had such broad support across all parties and none that it went through the Seanad and into the second stage in the Dail. It is one year since you got cabinet approval to legislate for Safe Access Zones. The Abortion Review report said they are urgently needed. Last September, you promised that the Safe Access Zones would be in place by Christmas. Last month you promised they would be in place by July.
A YOUNG Limerick woman went berserk in the back of a garda patrol car causing 1,309 worth of damage after calling gardai 'skanky f****** pigs' in the seaside resort of Kilkee.

At Kilrush District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett commented that Abbey Rice had destroyed the garda car by kicking out at internal door panels during an incident on July 30 last outside the Greyhound Bar, O'Curry Street in the west Clare town.

Judge Gabbett said the 20-year-old, from Danesfort, Corbally, Limerick had gone berserk in the back of the garda car after drinking alcohol while on prescribed medication.

John Casey, solicitor for Ms Rice, admitted that what took place was a nasty incident - an explosion.

Ms Rice pleaded guilty to the criminal damage of the 181-registered white Hyundai garda and to a public order offence on the date.

Outlining the facts, Sergeant Louis Moloney said that on the night of July 30, 2022, gardai were alerted to a possible public order incident outside the Greyhound Bar in Kilkee.

Sgt Moloney said upon arrival, gardai encountered three women outside the bar. One had been refused entry by security personnel there and their view was she that Ms Rice had too much to drink.

Sgt Moloney told the court that in her interaction with gardai, Ms Rice said: F**k you - Skanky f**k** pigs.

She resisted arrest and the incident escalated further with the arrival of her father at the scene. She became quite aggressive and quite upset while in the back of the garda car and began to kick out repeatedly causing damage to both trims of the vehicle causing damage totalling 1,309 to the interior of gardai car.

Sgt Moloney said that the patrol car has since been repaired.

She said Ms Rice has no previous convictions and on this occasion was out of control on drink.

Mr Casey said that there was a very short medical report from Ms Rices GP which outlined that Ms Rice was on prescribed medication on the night.

He added: Her mother is here in court with her. She never has caused them any difficulty.

Judge Gabbett said that compensation must be paid in the case adding: The difficulty as I see it is that the offending comes from drinking with medication dealing with anxiety.

Mr Casey said that his client is on disability but is hopeful of getting back into the workforce.

Judge Gabbett adjourned the case to October to allow compensation to be paid.

In doing so, he said: A situation where she has to work a few hours a week in order to earn that money might do her the world of good.
Here's a look at trending topics for today, June 20:

Hunter Biden

President Joe Biden's son Hunter will plead guilty to federal tax offenses but avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge in a deal with the Justice Department that likely spares him time behind bars.

Hunter Biden, 52, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday. The agreement will also avoid prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions set by prosecutors. It's somewhat unusual to resolve a federal criminal case at the same time charges are filed in court but not unheard of.

The deal ends a long-running Justice Department investigation into Biden's second son, who has acknowledged struggling with addiction following the 2015 death of his brother Beau Biden.

Read more here:

Andrew Tate

Andrew Tate, a social media personality known for expressing misogynistic views online, was charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to exploit women, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Prosecutors also filed charges against Tate's brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women in a court in Bucharest, Romania's capital, the nation's anti-organized crime agency said.

In a statement, the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism alleged the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania as well as the United States and Britain.

Get more info here:

Julian Sands

A weekend search for long-missing actor Julian Sands on Southern California's massive Mount Baldy was unsuccessful, authorities said.

Sands was reported missing in January after setting out to hike on Mount Baldy, which rises more than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) east of Los Angeles and was pounded by severe storms during winter.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said the latest search was conducted Saturday by more than 80 search-and-rescue volunteers and deputies, two helicopters and drone crews.

Search teams were flown into remote areas and drones were used to search areas inaccessible to ground crews, the department said in a statement.

Find out more here:

***

Get more of today's trending topics here:

Titanic sub missing

Bebe Rexha phone
A LIMERICK photographer is set to Reach for the Stars, in a competition of that title.

Sean ORiordan, an astro-photographer from Castletroy, has been shortlisted in the above competition, which is run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).

Sean, 29, takes photos of space and has a keen interest in astrology.

He has been shortlisted in the Back on Earth category for his image Aurora Pano over the Fishing Hut.

The winning images selected by the judging panel and the public vote will be announced in July. An outdoor exhibition will be staged by DIAS in August to showcase the best images.

CEO and Registrar of DIAS, Dr Eucharia Meehan, said: Im looking forward to seeing the online gallery and what this years photographers have captured in our night sky.

Im so impressed by the level of creativity and skill we have amongst photographers in Limerick, and right across the country.

June 26 is the closing date. The winning prize includes a VIP tour and a 500 voucher.
A LIMERICK woman is set to be elected leader of a clan which counts more than 20,000 members worldwide.

This weekend, almost 300 members of the O'Malley Clan will gather in Mayo for their annual rally.

And it will be a big occasion for Cappamore teacher Nano O'Malley McMahon (pictured) who will be installed as the chieftain of the tribe.

It follows a year of her acting as tanaiste to this year's chieftain Martin O'Malley, a former governor of Maryland, USA.

Marking its 70th anniversary this year, the O'Malley Clan was formed in Westport with the aim of fostering links and connections between people of OMalley heritage worldwide and promoting awareness of the family.

One of the main events each year is a gathering in June, which will return to Limerick next year under Nano's watch.

A teacher at Cappawhite National School for almost 30 years, her uncle Paddy, now 87, is one of five O'Malley brothers.

She first got involved in the O'Malley Clan in 2013 when the first cousin of her father, Denis O'Malley from Murroe asked her to help organise a gathering.

Following this, she went in full throttle, joining the committee where she has arranged photobooks and linked up with O'Malleys from all around the world.

After her election as tanaiste last year, she will be crowned chieftain after a special Mass in Mayo on Sunday.

I will become 'the' O'Malley for a full year. It'll be lovely. I have my brother coming from Saudi Arabia where he is working. His partner is coming from Thailand, and I have a sister coming from the south of France. It's a real family affair and a world affair too, Nano explained.

In preparation, the mother-of-three is currently getting her cloak and staff made.

One of her friends has a wolfhound, so she will get an image taken with the creature at her fitting on Wednesday.

I'll love the reaction of the children I teach in school. They know I'm going to become chieftain of the O'Malleys. I'll come to school with my cloak, staff and new chieftain medal on Monday morning, she revealed.

All are welcome to attend the O'Malley Clan's gathering this weekend, with the current chieftain stressing you just need to be someone who is keen to hang out with the O'Malleys!

For information on the weekend, call 085-1349651.
Joe Kennedy, US special envoy for Northern Ireland, has offered his commitment to social enterprise leaders in Northern Ireland, saying his role was to help focus on people.

Mr Kennedy addressed a meeting at Stormont on Wednesday hosted by Speaker Alex Maskey in conjunction with Social Enterprise NI.

The social enterprise leaders at the meeting represented a range of issues, including sustainable energy, helping children in the care system and integrating refugees into communities in Northern Ireland.

Many spoke of their wish to break into the US market or receive US investment for their projects and businesses in Northern Ireland.

Mr Kennedy told them: What you have is my commitment to try to do what we can to meet the needs of your organisations.

He said his role as special envoy included a focus on the quality of life in Northern Ireland.

As I come here, for the president of the United States, who cares so much about this place and your people, to say hey, yes why dont you focus on economic affairs.

Were asking you that because we want you to focus on people.

To focus on not just jobs, its not special envoy for GDP. Its not a special envoy for employment numbers. Its a special envoy for economic affairs, which is quality of life.

Which is a roof over your head, food on your plate and your kid in a good school.

Its healthcare, its childcare, its skills, its sustainability, its prosperity.

And so filling those needs and working with partners, from businesses, from communities, government, to try to find ways to amplify the folks that are striving and struggling and fighting and scratching and clawing, to innovate.

Head of the Northern Ireland civil service Jayne Brady said social enterprise initiatives were a key part of ensuring more young people want to live and work in Northern Ireland.

She told the meeting: We shouldnt have to leave the place that we grew up to find career opportunities. It shouldnt be that hard.

The Speaker said: The #SocialEnterprise economy sector here can be the engine for empowering and growing our communities. Im delighted that we have the @USEnvoyNI @cajessca and @HeadNICS with us today to explore the opportunities available from working together. pic.twitter.com/0Ch6LesonX  Northern Ireland Assembly (@niassembly) June 21, 2023

But it was and it still is for a lot of people here in Northern Ireland, this place we call home.

I suggest we need to look beyond the equality of opportunity, of which we have made great strides, but to the equity of opportunity, and address some systemic changes that are holding us back.

I believe we need to focus on innovation, on inclusivity and on sustainability. We need to create higher value jobs, more fulfilling jobs that are accessible to more people.

She added: Social enterprise has been and always is vital to that vision.

After the event Mr Kennedy spoke to a number of the social enterprise leaders in the Great Hall at Stormont.
THE ALL-new Mercedes-Benz second-generation, entry-level van, Citan has arrived in Ireland and is now making its way into dealer showrooms.

Priced from 23,245 (ex VAT), its arrival marks the entry by Mercedes-Benz in Ireland into what their commercial vehicles sales manager, Fergus Conheady says is the "highly-competitive" 1-tonne panel van segment.

Buoyed by the popularity of their large-capacity Sprinter and medium-size Vito series, the introduction of the all-new Citan into the line-up of Mercedes-Benz vans will create, what Mr Conheady believes, will be "a strong premium product offering at all points in the panel van market".

With its compact exterior and impressively-spacious interior, Citan is expected to achieve sales in sizeable numbers supported by a dedicated and ambitious dealer network, he added.

In being chosen joint winner  alongside the Renault Kangoo  of last years coveted International Van of the Year award, jurors are reported to have been influenced by its numerous safety features and by the inclusion of the MBUX infotainment system  the much-vaunted driver assistance device drawn from the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range.

In addition, Citan has received a 5-star rating in Euro NCap safety standards.

Poised to extend Mercedes-Benzs appeal amongst buyers who seek a holistic product proposition, Conheady also sees Citan attracting strong interest from SMEs, urban delivery users, small trades and services markets.

As might be expected, Citan is a Mercedes-Benz through-and-through. Stylish in design, and with an outer appearance that echoes its larger siblings, Sprinter and Vito, with hints of B-Class and other models from the passenger car side, its high-

quality appeal is reflected throughout.

Impressive is its level of interior comfort with a completely changed dashboard, car-like steering wheel and seating, and the standard MBUX infotainment system and driver information screen. Door bins can hold 1.5-litre bottles while lidded storage is

provided on top of the dashboard and under the centre armrest. Two trim levels are offered  the PRO and PRO +.

Initially available in standard wheelbase length, an extra-long wheelbase will follow.

The Citan is 4,498mm long with a gross vehicle weight of 2,235kgs. Towing capacity is up to 1.5 tonnes and drawbar load is 75 kg. Load capacity in the panel van is up to 2.9m3 with a load compartment length of 1,806mm, large enough to fit two Euro pallets.

The easy-to-access panel van can be equipped with up to two sliding side doors, giving an opening clearance 451mm wide by 1059 mm high.

The rear loading sill is 59 cm high and rear doors can be blocked at a 90-degree angle or moved through 180 degrees to the sides of the vehicle.

Power will come from a 4-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine in two power ratings  a 95hp, 110CDI and a 116hp, 112CDI. Both are Euro 6d compliant, feature ECO start/stop function and have WLTP Combined fuel economy figures of 5.6 l/100km.

Coupled with six-speed manual transmission, models are also available with seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

On the standard wheelbase model, the turning circle is just 11.75m  making it perfect for tight spaces. Standard safety elements include six airbags, fatigue-warning Attention Assist and electronic stability control.

Additional optional items many imported from the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range  include Hill Start Assist, Crosswind Assist and Active Brake Assist. As with all Mercedes vans, a three-year warranty with unlimited mileage applies along with an inclusive service pack.

Further variants in the Citan pipeline are set to follow with increased wheelbases and the all-electric eCitan due towards the end of 2023.

Contact either Denis OBrien or Neil Cusack at Truck Car Mercedes-Benz Fannngstown, Patrickswell County Limerick - (061) 600720

*SPONSORED CONTENT
India plans to turn its creaky telecom department into a company next month," Reuters wrote in a news article on 29 September 2000. but the road from state-owned monopoly to modern telecom firm looks long and winding".

That month, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) was incorporated and it inherited the business from the governments department of telecom services. With 2.4 crore telephone connections, BSNL, overnight, became one of Indias largest companiesits annual turnover, back then, was assessed at 20,000 crore and it had a book value of assets worth 68,000 crore.

The new company faced a roadblock right away. About 400,000 employees from the department went on strike, resisting the change.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

BSNL survived that strike and several others over the next two decades. But the road ahead still remains long and winding.

At a time when private telecom companies have already launched 5G services, BSNL is yet to roll out 4G commercially. It has been losing customers and its losses widened to 8,161 crore in 2022-23, from 6,981 crore the previous year. Its revenue, at 20,700 crore today, is roughly the same as 23 years ago, when it started.

On 7 June, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared a 89,047 crore revival package for BSNL, the third such package offered by the government. Overall, the government has pumped in 3.22 trillion, or $39 billion, into the company, now Indias fourth largest telecom and internet services provider.

The latest package funds the allotment of 4G and 5G airwaves through equity infusion by the government. And to put this in perspective, the package is worth almost the same amount that Mukesh Ambani-backed Reliance Jio spent during the last spectrum auctions, in September 2022 ( 88,078 crore). Jio, Indias biggest carrier, had picked up almost half of the spectrum that was sold.

The question is whether a revival is in sight. Or is it too late for BSNL to be revived? Can taxpayers money turn BSNL into a competitive telecom service provider? Lets not forget that telecom is a hugely capital-intensive sector and India is arguably the toughest market in the worldan average user spends less than $2 a month for almost unlimited 4G data and free calls. Compare this to Brazil and China, where users spend more than double the amount, $4.6 and $5.2, respectively.

The answers, therefore, are nuanced. It depends on who you ask.

4G in times of 5G

Industry executives in the private sector, analysts and market watchers said that BSNL was always way behind. The catch-up game with the more agile private sector companies hasnt been easy.

BSNL has been relegated to being a laggard since the Indian telecom industry was infused with private sector competition," Sanjay Kapoor, a telecom industry veteran, said. He was Airtels India and South Asia chief executive officer (CEO) between 2010 and 2013. Devoid of technology (2G, 3G or 4G), they have not been able to match customer centricity, agility, build a brand/culture, or even attract talent to compete with the private service providers," he added.

Kapoor mentioned that historically, inflexible policies added to BSNLs woesfor instance, the government mandate to buy from the lowest bidders.

Just getting additional fund infusion and spectrum for 5G appears insufficient to strike back and challenge the market leaders," he concluded.

Like we mentioned earlier, BSNL is yet to launch 4G services commercially. Indias top two carriersReliance Jio and Bharti Airtelhave not only launched 5G services but between them, have set up 200,000 sites across the country in what is being viewed as one of the fastest 5G rollouts in the world.

BSNL aims to launch 4G services in a couple of months, followed by 5G in 2024. But this lag with the private sector wont help in either customer retention or acquisition.

Arresting customer decline will be critical for BSNLthe company had 111 million customers in March 2018 and it has lost about eight million users since then, data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) showed. The competition, meanwhile, has gained. Bharti Airtel has increased its customer base from 304 million in 2018 to 371 million as of March 2023. Reliance Jio had 186 million customers in 2018 but scaled that up to 430 million as of March.

One of the issues that BSNL, like most public sector units, faces is poor customer service. Today, users take to the social media to highlight problems and they expect resolution immediately. BSNL has been unable to offer that," a senior industry executive said, asking not to be named.

In other words, BSNL will have to transform its entire customer service and spend more to match services offered by rivals. Private telcos contract armies of customer executives who are available 24X7; they reach out to existing customers proactively for upgrades or to new ones to port phone numbers.

BSNL does have social media presenceit runs multiple Twitter accounts, one for each circle or state. It launched a revamped BSNL Selfcare app in 2021, which now has over 5 million downloads. The question is if the company will allocate enough capital for superior services, going ahead.

A senior government official, who didnt want to be identified, said that plans of monetizing its existing infrastructuresuch as land, buildings and sharing of passive infrastructure like towersdid not take off. This further restrained the company financially.

Too strategic

Although BSNL has been making net losses, its financial position has improved over the past couple of years. It has been clocking operating profit since 2020-21. And in 2022-23, its revenue rose by 9% to 20,700 crore. The growth came on the back of higher number of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections, in non-urban areas, smaller towns and villages. The company also earns from leasing its fixed lines and fibre infrastructure, which recorded a spike last year. BSNL has also reduced its debt, from 32,944 crore in 2021-22 to 22,289 crore in 2022-23. It plans to be debt-free in three years.

These are encouraging signs, but the minister for railways, communications and information technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, knows it wont be easy to bounce back. With the package in place, BSNL has to emerge and revive, and will provide good quality service. That is the only way to win customers. Im not saying this will happen overnight. It will take a lot of effort," he told Mint.

The government wont infuse any further equity or provide additional government-backed debt, Vaishnaw added, indicating that the telco will have to stand on its own, from here on. The government has increased its equity share in the carrier, by increasing its authorized share capital to 2.1 trillion from 1.5 trillion earlier .

Interestingly, the government believes that BSNL is not behind in the technology race. K Rajaraman, secretary, department of telecom, reasoned that 80-85% of the coverage, across the world, is still on 4G. So, there is life left in the technologyat least another 8-10 years. Also, 2G services will continue. BSNL will surely be upgrading some of the 4G towers to 5G in the next one or one-and-a-half years, where they will get good revenue," he said.

Besides the potential for revenue, the government is keen on BSNL because of its strategic nature. Telecommunications is a strategic sector under the governments public sector enterprise or PSE policy. The policy mandates one government-owned company to be operating in such sectors.

We must be there in national interest, from a national security point of view. It is very important to back it (BSNL) up," Rajaraman added.

Telecom services from a state-owned telco may be required in states and regions that share borders with hostile countrieslike Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and some north eastern states. Similarly, the government needs more control over the communication infrastructure in areas where left wing extremists operate. The state also takes ownership of ensuring connectivity where there is none.

India, meanwhile, has developed a 4G/5G stackcommunication software and hardware that allow devices or phones to connect with a telecom service providers network. This stack has been co-developed by a consortium consisting the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tejas Networks. C-DoT is the department of telecommunications research and development centre.

The government will need a telco, which can be, sort of a sandbox to try new things, new technologies. The 4G/5G stack that has been developed is unlikely to be adopted by the private players for various reasons. But BSNL is adopting it, and it will be available for global players," said a second government official, asking not to be named.

Task ahead

Top executives at BSNL said that they are aware of what needs to be done, going ahead.

We will do everything that needs to be done. We will increase our marketing budget to 8-10% of annual revenue, which is the industry standard, from about 3-4% that we are spending now," P.K. Purwar, chairman and managing director of BSNL, said.

Purwar has been heading BSNL since 2019. He also became the head of sister telco Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in 2020. While BSNL provides services across India barring Delhi and Mumbai, MTNL just operates in these two metros.

There will be a complete overhaul. Customer facing systems, technical systems and human resource systemsall will be overhauled, one by one," Union minister Vaishnaw said.

BSNL will commercially launch 4G services only after it has tested about 20,000 4G sites at one goup from 200 sites that it is testing at the moment. For 4G equipment for 100,000 sites, BSNL has placed an order worth 19,000 crore.

Winds of change

BSNL, today, has 62,000 employees. To turn around the company, its work culture needs a revamp. But that is easier said than done. Unlike private sector companies, BSNL cannot hire and fire at will or even based on performance or annual appraisals. The company has four recognized employee unions and a few associations. These unions occasionally threaten strikes. In 2019, for instance, the unions called for a hunger strike, alleging that the management was forcing employees to opt for voluntary retirement.

But senior executives at the company do see winds of change. Several employees did opt for voluntary retirement, which was offered as part of the revival packages. Now, most of the employees are under the age of 50. Its a much younger workforce than before," said one of the executives Mint spoke to. He didnt want to be identified.

A second executive, who also declined to be identified, pointed to a new system of e-filing government files in electronic formavailable to officials at any given time. That system has made decision making much faster than before as well as execution," he said.

He added that work from home during the covid-19 pandemic years also benefited the telco. The regular 9am-5pm work hour paradigm changed and was replaced by round-the-clock availability of personnel. That sped up decision making and execution.

Union minister Vaishnaw would hope that this hard work and the new-found rigour in decision making reflects in the numbers soonin higher revenue and profit, lower debt, and more customers.
Google has been ordered by a Delaware federal jury to pay patent holding company Personal Audio LLC $15.1 million for infringing two patents related to audio software.

In a lawsuit, Personal Audio had argued that Google's music app Google Play Music featured playlist downloading, navigation and editing features that violated its patent rights.

The jury also said that Google willfully infringed the patents, which could lead to a judge increasing the award by up to three times the verdict amount.

Google said on Wednesday it was disappointed with the verdict and plans to appeal.

The tech giant also said the verdict concerns a discontinued product" and would not affect customers.

A spokesperson for Personal Audio's law firm Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth said on Wednesday that the firm was pleased with the verdict.

Beaumont, Texas-based Personal Audio had requested $33.1 million in damages, according to a May court filing. It first sued Google in 2015 over the patents in a lawsuit that was later moved from Texas to Delaware.

The Delaware verdict came less than a month after a San Francisco jury ordered Google to pay Sonos $32.5 million for patent infringement amid a sprawling intellectual property dispute between the companies over smart-speaker technology.

(With inputs from Reuters)
Olx Group, the online marketplace and classifieds business arm of Prosus, has announced the reduction of approximately 800 jobs worldwide. The company has begun closing operations of its automotive unit, Olx Autos, in certain markets after exploring potential buyers and investors, a Tech Crunch report cited

The layoffs are not limited to a specific market or division and affected employees are being informed about the decision, sources close to the development informed.

An Olx spokesperson confirmed the job cuts, attributing them to the company's previous announcement in March regarding its exit from Olx Autos. Olx Group operates in over 30 countries globally and is headquartered in Amsterdam.

Earlier this year, we made the strategic decision to exit the Olx Autos business and potential buyers or investors have been explored since then," the company said in a statement emailed to TechCrunch. As a result of this process, it became clear that pursuing individual country sales was the best option, given the significant value that exists within local markets. This includes Chile, the financing business in Latin America, and both the Olx classifieds platforms and the Autos transaction businesses in India, Indonesia and Turkey."

Olx Group has closed operations in Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia due to a lack of potential buyers or investors. Uncertainty remains regarding its future plans in other markets.

We are committed to supporting all impacted people throughout this transition," the company said.

Olx's recent job cuts come after previously announcing a 15% reduction in its global workforce (1,500 jobs) in January. However, there is no confirmation on whether any C-level officers were affected or the current headcount.

In its annual report for the year ending on March 31, 2022, Prosus said its classifieds business  predominantly Olx  had 11,375 employees globally. The new job cuts notably come just months after Olx confirmed plans to decrease its global workforce by 15% (1,500 jobs) in January.
The Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) has allowed Reliance Industries (RIL) to retain $2 billion over and above the $3 billion it had raised in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), reported The Economic Times (ET). The report, quoting sources, further said that Reliance plans to use the money to fund working capital needs and to expand its new energy and telecom businesses.

"Given Reliance's strong credit rating and cash flows, banks across the globe wanted to participate in the loan exercise back in March. The strong demand for the loan after two rounds of syndication meant that there was still money on the table that banks were willing to offer; so, the company decided to retain more than it needed. This is not the first time RBI has given permission for such an increase. Reliance itself has sought special permission from the RBI before," ET quoted a source saying so.

Earlier, media reports suggested that Reliance Industries was planning for a foreign-currency loan of up to $2 billion.

RIL is in talks with lenders for a foreign-currency loan of up to $2 billion to fuel the ongoing expansion of its oil-to-telecoms business, Bloomberg reported. The Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate plans to use the country's dedicated external commercial borrowing route to secure the loan, the report added.

The facility may have a maturity period ranging between three to five years and the proceeds will be used for capital expenditure and to refinance another loan that matures in September. The lenders involved in the discussions include Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc. and Standard Chartered Plc, said the report.

Read more: Reliance in talks to secure $2 billion foreign-currency loan to fuel expansion: Report

Brokerage firms are positive about RIL stock. Brokerage JM Financial has given a buy rating to Reliance Industries as it suggests a target price of 2,900. The brokerage said that the concerns about debt are overdone.

JM Financial said that Reliance Industries share prices were very close to our worst-case value, the key debates with investors have been on potential triggers that could actually drive a decisive rerating in the stock.

Reliance shares hit their 52-week high of 2,754.70 on BSE on December 1, 2022. As of June 20 close, the stock is down seven per cent from its one-year peak.

Read all market-related news here

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts and brokerage firms. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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NEW YORK : When Prime Minister Narendra Modi met diverse experts, ranging from academics to policy analysts, and healthcare professionals to economists, in New York on Tuesday, he listened, seeking their advice on what India needs to do better and how to foster stronger India-US relations. While he projected Indias achievements, he also showed awareness of the countrys challenges.

Multiple people who met Modi in New York said they were impressed with his ability to distil the big picture in various domains and lay out Indias worldview.

Modi met with the participants, exchanging insights and seeking inputs and assessments about their domains and India, at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan.

Modi met six people from the think tank community, including Michael Froman, the president-designate of the prestigious Council of Foreign Relations; Jeff Smith of Heritage Foundation; Elbridge Colby, who drafted the 2018 US national defence strategy during the Donald Trump presidency; Daniel Russel of the Asia Society Policy Institute; Max Abrahms of Bostons Northeastern University, and Guru Sowle of the Indus International Research Foundation.

We talked about different aspects of policymaking and the emerging global trends. Emphasized the positive changes in India and how they are being powered by our youth," Modi tweeted. An official statement said they discussed developmental and geopolitical issues", with the PM encouraging the experts from think tanks to enhance their presence in India.

Those who attended the meeting spoke about the geopolitical, economic and strategic dimensions of the current global moment, including the challenge posed by China. In the meetings, Modi emphasized the importance of democratic values and democratic norms and the need for democracies to work together with each other and third countries to strengthen democracy.

Modi also met academic leaders in New York. They included the chancellor of the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Robert Jones; the University of California San Diego chancellor Pradeep Khosla; Penn State University president Neeli Bendapudi; University of Buffalo president, Satish Tripathi; Wharton Business Schools Jagmohan Raju; dean of the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago Madhav V. Rajan; Ohio State Universitys distinguished professor Rattan Lal; and Stanford University professor Anurag Mairal.

Among them, Jones, Bendapudi, Tripathi and Khosla are co-chairs of a task force set up by the Association of American Universities to deepen the knowledge and research partnership with India under the initiative on critical and emerging technologies. After meeting the group, Modi tweeted, They shared their views on how to further strengthen the education sector in India, with a focus on skills and innovation. I talked about the transformative potential of our National Education Policy." An official statement said he and the academics held discussions on enhancing research collaborations and two-way academic exchanges".

Modi also met Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a thinker and author of The Black Swan. While Modi said that Taleb had an interesting perspective on many issues and was interested in Indias development strides, Taleb tweeted, Todays conversation with PM Modi, covering tail risks, reaction to covid, how successful interventions like controlling the virus that averted catastrophes look excessive in hindsight (intro to The Black Swan), and repeated small losses vs blowup risk, the usual."

He also met a group of health experts. Among them was Peter Hotez of the National School of Tropical Medicine in Texas, who played a key role in developing the covid vaccine Corbevax, Sunil David of ViroVax engaged in vaccine research, General Catalyst adviser Stephen Klasko, University of Pennsylvanias Lawton Burns, Harvard medical schools Vivian Lee and Nobel laureate and molecular biologist Peter Agre.

Had an informative discussion with a group of healthcare experts. They shared their rich perspectives on ways to augment healthcare capacities in India. I told them about the work we have done in integrating the latest technology in the sector and our efforts like TB elimination," Modi tweeted about the interactions. An official statement said that the group had discussed issues regarding the use of digital technologies for quality health care, a greater focus on integrative medicine and better health care preparedness.

Modi also met Nobel Laureate in economics Paul Roemer and discussed, according to a statement, Indias digital journey, Aadhaar, innovative tools such as Digilocker, and urban development. Modi tweeted, We had extensive conversations on leveraging technology to improve lives. We also talked about how to make our cities more sustainable and people-friendly."

Ray Dalio, investor and co-founder of Bridgewater Associates, a hedge fund, too came to meet the PM, and the two discussed economic reforms underway in India, reduction of compliances and decriminalization of many legal provisions. The PM tweeted that he had urged Dalio to deepen investments in India.

Modi also met astrophysicist Neil de Grasse Tyson, with both speaking about inculcating scientific temperament" among the young, Indias rapid progress in the space domain, and opportunities for the private sector and for academic collaboration under Indias National Space Policy.
(CNN)  Following a weekend of devastating storms, hundreds of thousands of customers are without power in areas of the South and Southwest now facing scorching heat.

As of Tuesday, more than 38 million Americans are under active extreme heat advisories, watches, and warnings, according to the National Integrated Heat Health Information System, a platform created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The scorching temperatures are concentrated across large swaths of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Daily records could be broken throughout the week, with the peak heat occurring Tuesday and Wednesday.

Louisiana has about 53,000 customers who are without power as of Tuesday afternoon and Texas has more than 51,000 customers without power, according to poweroutage.us.

In Oklahoma, as temperatures soar in the aftermath of the weekend storms, over 130,000 customers remained without power statewide, according to poweroutage.us.

The National Weather Service in Tulsa warned Tuesday morning that temperatures could feel like over 100 degrees for much of the area.

Heat impacts will be a concern today for those without power. Be safe out there! the agency said in a tweet.

In Tulsa, one person died because they were unable to power their respirator, according to Mayor G.T. Bynum, who signed a disaster declaration for the city on Sunday.

The Office of the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner Tuesday confirmed two additional fatalities caused by the storms but was unable to provide additional details.

Texas heat could keep breaking records

Temperatures across Texas will be running 10 to 15 degrees above normal for at least the next seven days.

The highest heat indices are forecast across South Texas, where it could feel as hot as 120 degrees, the Weather Prediction Center said.

With air conditioners running on full blast, the organization that operates much of the states electric grid, ERCOT, is expected to issue a Voluntary Conservation Notice Tuesday.

ERCOT is asking Texans today to voluntarily reduce electric usage if it is safe to do so. This is a Voluntary Conservation Notice that has been requested today from 4pm until 8pm this evening, ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas said at a ERCOT board meeting.

I want to be clear, ERCOT is not experiencing any emergency conditions right now. Voluntary conservation is a very widely used industry tool that can help lower demand for specific periods of time, which is typically in the late afternoon and early evening during the summer.

Several daily heat records were broken across Texas Monday, including Laredo, which hit 115 degrees, San Angelo, which reached 111 degrees, and Del Rio, at 109 degrees.

The-CNN-Wire

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Actor Suniel Shetty has announced his collaboration with Branquila Brand Ventures, the integrated brand management agency founded by Sandeep Dahiya. Effective immediately, Branquila Brand Ventures assumes responsibility for managing Shettys brand and businesses across multiple avenues. This is the first time that the actor has got an agency on-board, to strengthen and scale-up existing ventures besides exploring newer avenues, across categories, and across platforms.

Sandeep brings with him experience across categories and imagination. I am excited to have him on-board to explore newer avenues, as well as to propel the existing ones. I strongly believe in ethical growth, and doing things differently. I am glad that weve got great alignment with him there as well," Shetty said in a statement.

Dahiya launched Branquila last year, after he quit the Times of India Group in 2021. He spent eight years at the group, spearheading the launch of Times brands into newer consumer categories. At Times Lifestyle Enterprise, Dahiya lead the Times Groups foray in the beauty space, with the launch of Femina FLAUNT Studio Salon - a company-owned, company-operated format, in Mumbai. Prior to the Times Group, he spent eight years at Viacom18, heading its consumer products business, creating business models in new categories for brands and IPs of MTV, Nickelodeon, Vh1, and Colors.

Dahiya, founder and CEO of Branquila Brand Ventures said its an honour to work with Shetty across multiple ventures to curate, create and collaborate on new and novel ideas. His acute understanding of the key aspects of business, is hard to match  not just within the industry, but outside it as well. We look forward to collectively breaking newer frontiers," he added.
The company today announced in its corporate filing that the Board of Directors of the Company will meet in New Delhi on Saturday, June 24, 2023 to, consider the issuance of bonds or non-convertible debentures ("Bonds/NCDs") up to Rs. 12,000 crore, subject to approval by shareholders at the following annual general meeting.

According to the financials, the company delivered an operating profit of 49,499.15 crores in FY23 as compared to 42,604.59 crores in FY22. The net profit stood at 16,341.58 crores in FY23 as opposed to 15,940.16 crores in FY22. Company has been maintaining a healthy dividend payout of 42% and the stock is providing a good dividend yield of 3.73% for the Q4FY22. The stock has a PE of 10.8x and an ROE of 9.81%. The FIIs are seen have increase its share in the corporation from 14.74% in FY22 to 15.61% in FY23. On YTD basis, the shares of NTPC Ltd surged 11.43% to 187.20 per share. The stock has returned 36% on the yearly basis.

The management said, As far as thermal is concerned, we are broadly targeting around 6 GW. When I say 6 GW, I am leaving out Talcher where the LOA has already been placed for 1320 MW. So, you can add another 6,120 MW, which will comprise of five different projects. We are expecting that much of this will be awarded by the end of the current fiscal. For the renewable projects we have 3.3 GW of capacity already commissioned and 4.6 GW is under execution and for these PPAs are available and construction contracts have been awarded. Another 12.6 GW is in the pipeline where we have either won the bids or LOA is received, PPA signed, or a joint venture agreement signed, term sheet have been signed, consent received."

NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) Ltd., together with its affiliates, subsidiaries, and joint ventures, focuses primarily on the production and sale of bulk electricity to state power utilities. The organisation also engages in project management and supervision, energy trading, oil and gas exploration, and coal mining.

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Shriram Finance shares touched a 52-week high on Wednesday, rising more than 12% on the back of block transaction news. Piramal Enterprises is expected to sell its whole 8.34% interest in the non-banking financial organisation (NBFC), according to media reports. Shriram Finance share price opened at 1,715.35 apiece on BSE .

On the other side, Piramal Enterprises share price opened at the intraday low level of 900.10 and reached an intraday high of 964.40. Shares of the company gained over 14% on Wednesday's trade.

Piramal Enterprises Ltd held 8.34% stake of the firm as on March 31, 2023.

According to a businessline report, the stake sale includes the 3.12 crore shares held by Piramal Enterprises as of March 2023. The deal's floor price has been set at Rs 1,483, representing a 5% discount to the current share price. Morgan Stanley will be the sole broker for the transaction.

TPG India Investments, a US-based private equity firm, sold its whole 2.65% ownership in the company, or 99.2 lakh shares, in various block agreements on Monday for 1,401 per share, totalling 1,390 crore.

Piramal Enterprises to sell its entire 8.34% stake in Shriram Finance via block deal: Report

According to Ruchit Jain, lead research analyst at 5paisa, the trend is positive for Shriram Finance. The block deal removes the overhang on the stock and hence, stock has seen a rally.

Shriram Finance shares hit in an intraday high of 1764.45 and low of 1675 on Wednesday's trade. As per trendlyne data, the stock price rose 36.9% and underperformed its sector by 0.6% in the past year.

According to brokerage ICICI Direct Research, NBFCs have been outperforming segment within mid/small cap rally over past few months as many stocks are breaking out of multi year/quarter consolidations.

"Shriram Finance which is under consolidation phase for past five years, is coming out of hibernation and gave a breakout from triangular consolidation signalling emergence of new up trend. We expect share price to head towards its life highs around 1,690 in coming few weeks with immediate key support placed at 1,390," said the brokerage in its report

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The Ministry of Home Affairs late Wednesday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called an all-party meeting on June 24 in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur.

 Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah has convened an all party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur," the MHA spokesperson tweeted.

Earlier in the evening, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met the home minister. The announcement came after the meeting.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the convenor of the NDA's Northeast chapter NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance), visited Imphal a fortnight ago and met Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and a number of political leaders.

Separately, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi today issued an appeal for peace in Manipur and said the unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people of the state has left a deep wound on the nation's conscience.

"For nearly 50 days, we have witnessed a great human tragedy unfolding in Manipur. The unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people in your state and uprooted thousands has left a deep wound in the conscience of our nation," she said in a video message shared by the Congress on social media.

"It is heartbreaking to witness our brothers and sisters who have coexisted peacefully turn against each other," she added.

Violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

So far, nearly 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 are injured.

(With inputes from agencies)
Delhi Police Wednesday said it has arrested the person who allegedly made calls threatening to 'kill' Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar early today.

"We have taken him into custody," news agency ANI reported quoting DCP (Outer), Harendra Kumar Singh as saying.

Singh said the accused is an alcoholic and works as a carpenter in Delhi.

"He is an alcoholic. Over the course of the investigation, we found that the accused made the calls in an inebriated state," Singh said.

Earlier, the DCP (Outer) informed that two PCR calls were received by the police, with the caller threatening to kill PM Modi, Amit Shah and the Bihar CM.

"One call was made at 10.46 am in which the caller threatened to kill three VVIPs of the country and demanded money. Eight minutes later, at 10.54 am, another call was received in which the caller issued the same threat and made the same demand," Singh added.

Earlier, the caller was identified as Sudhir Sharma (37), a resident of Madipur, Paschim Vihar, in the national capital. His family informed the police that Sudhir was a habitual drinker.

A team was deployed to locate the caller as soon as the calls were received, police said.

During the probe, the police traced the location of the caller and arrested the accused.
Vashram Sagathiya, a Dalit leader from Rajkot, Wednesday returned to the Congress with 50 other AAP workers and leaders, a day after Aam Aadmi Party expelled him for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities.

Sagathiya, who served as AAPs Gujarat unit vice president before his expulsion from the party, said by rejoining the Congress, he has returned to the party that is like his "home", and called it a "mistake" to have joined the AAP and chosen the "wrong path" earlier.

"I went to AAP in order to defeat BJP because the ruling party is destroying our Constitution. However, it was a mistake to join AAP. I later on realised that I had chosen the wrong path. That is why I decided to return to Congress, which is like my home. I firmly believe that only Congress can save our democracy," news agency PTI quoted Sagathiya as saying.

Sagathiya was reinducted in the old party in the presence of state president Shaktisinh Gohil at Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad.

On Tuesday, the AAP sacked him as its vice president state unit and also from its primary membership alleging that he was working against the interests of the party. The decision came a day after Sagathiya was seen at a foot-march organised by the state Congress unit.

Sagathiya worked for the Congress for more than three decades before quitting it and joining the AAP ahead of the Assembly elections held in December 2022.

People like Sagathiya are always welcome in the party if they remain committed to the party's ideology," Congress state president Gohil said.

"Congress is a mass-based party and we will welcome everyone who remains committed to the party's ideology. We do not believe in use-and-throw policy. Many Congress leaders who joined the BJP were insulted. But if you come to Congress, your dignity will be maintained," Gohil added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged American students to come to India during his first official stop in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, as he met with US First Lady Jill Bidenat the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Indian prime minister said, To maintain a growth momentum, India and the US need a pipeline of talent. On one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions & advanced technologies. On the other hand, India has the world's biggest youth factory. That is why, I belive that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth," Reuters reported. We can think of starting an India-US teachers' exchange programme. To increase the engagement of scientists & entrepreneurs across the world with Indian institutions, we started GIAN - Global Initiative of Academic Networks - in 2015", news agency ANI reported quoting PM Modi.

Hundreds of United States teachers are already in India, participating in a tech partnership."

I am delighted to tell you that under this, 750 faculty members from the US have come to India"in a tech partnership, the Indian prime minister added.

I think together, both the countries should also organise hackathons on different issues. This may offer solutions to several of the current problems as well as new ideas for the future," he said.

Under Skill India, we have skilled over 50 million people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others," PM Modi added.

First lady Jill Biden also advocated for educational collaboration between the two countries.

She said The education is the cornerstone of the bond between India and the United States. Students from both countries are learning and growing alongside each other, discovering the people that they want to become and building a better world together. Working side by side, our nations can create a safer, healthier, more prosperous future for everyone."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official visit to the United States, scheduled from June 20 to June 24. The visit holds great significance as it underscores the strengthening ties between the two nations.

PM Modi US Visit LIVE

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will be honoured with a state dinner hosted by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on June 22. This prestigious event will serve as a platform for further discussions and deepening the bilateral relationship between India and the United States.

Here is what has happened so far on June 20-21:

PM Modi's US visit commenced with a grand arrival at Lotte New York Palace hotel, amidst chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and heavy security deployment.
Hari Hajara Paswan got the call Saturday morning. The train carrying his 16-year-old son to a factory job in southern India had crashed, killing scores and injuring hundreds more.

The teenager, Ramanand Paswan, was traveling from the familys village in Nepal with an uncle and two other relatives to Chennai. No one had heard from the four men since the accident.

Fearing the worst, Paswan and his wife, Mira Devi, set out on what would turn into an anguishing three-day, three-city hunt through hospitals and morgues, searching for their lost loved ones.

At least 288 people were killed when Ramanands train, the Coromandal Express, slammed into a freight train and caused the Coromandals scattered railcars to hit a third train traveling in the opposite direction.

It was one of the worst railroad accidents in Indian history, and as local officials struggled to cope with the chaotic aftermath, hundreds of families were stuck scouring incomplete lists of names of survivors, in limbo over competing claims to corpses or sorting through grisly photos of the disfigured dead.

Devi, 35 years old, and Paswan, 40, hoped and prayed they would find their son alive. Devi hadnt wanted her son to leave school to work. But Ramanand had insisted he wanted to help support the family, she said. His Chennai job would pay $360 a month, more than tripling family income.

After a daylong journey, Ramanands parents arrived around midday Monday at the hospital near the crash site in Balasore District where many of the injured were being treated. But Ramanand and his relatives werent among the patients there.

They were directed to tables heaped with photos of the dead. Many were mutilated or bloodied.

View Full Image Hundreds of people endured a chaotic search for missing relatives after the crash. (Ishan Tankha for The Wall Street Journal)

Among the pictures, Devi managed to identify the three relatives who had been traveling with Ramanand. But she didnt see anyone who looked like her son.

A hospital staffer joined the search, after looking at a photo of curly-haired Ramanand that his parents had brought. He zeroed in on a picture of a young man with a curly mop of hair cropped close on the sides. The body was tagged No. 177.

The photograph wasnt very good, but the face was visible. Devi thought it looked like her son. She broke down in tears. But there was no time to grieve.

The bodies had been moved to the state capital, Bhubaneswar. The family took another train and arrived at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a large government hospital, around 11 p.m. Monday.

The hospitals lobby was in disarray, crowded with officials and bereaved families. A television screen played a slideshow showing dead bodies stored at that hospital. Another displayed photos of corpses that were kept at five other hospitals across the city.

People struggled and squinted to examine the shapes of eyebrows or faint tattoos. The photos showed bodies that had decomposed beyond easy recognition. Some were no more than mounds of flesh.

Devi and her family stared at the screens depicting victim after victim of violent death. They concluded that the bodies of two relatives were at that hospital, including Devis son, while the two other bodies were at two different hospitals.

Grief-stricken, Devi asked to see the body tagged 177. A hospital official with a clip board told her that body had already been claimed, and they wouldnt share any information about those who had taken it.

But the official also offered a glimmer of hope. According to his records, a passenger named Ramanand, whose age was recorded as 20, was being treated at a hospital in the nearby city of Cuttack. Ramanands name isnt uncommon. Still, his parents wondered: Could he be alive?

View Full Image Hari Hajara Paswan provided his identification to an official while trying to find the body of his son Ramanand. (Ishan Tankha for The Wall Street Journal)

It was around midnight, but they decided they couldnt wait until the morning. A railroad staffer arranged for a car to take the couple to Cuttack, an hours drive.

They didnt get there. Instead they were dropped off at a building where the government was housing families of the deceased.

Paswan was angry. He said authorities must have concocted the story about the patient named Ramanand to get rid of them. Officials were trying to deflect attention from the fact that they had bungled and handed his sons body to someone else, Paswan said.

They went to sleep that night assuming their son was dead, Paswan said. But they remained determined to at least locate his body.

The Search for 177

Back at the Bhubaneswar hospital Tuesday morning, Devi and her husband said they felt lost in a sea of bureaucracy and unsure what to do next. They knew body No. 177, which they had identified as their son from a photo, had been brought to that hospital. There, it had been renumbered No. 34 and claimed by another family.

The couple were directed to officials in charge of settling such competing claims. Situations in which more than one family claims a body werent unusual, hospital workers said. Corpses deteriorate fast, making them harder to identify with every passing day.

One man said five other families had laid claim to a body he believed was his young nephew.

View Full Image Hari Hajara Paswan spoke with a relative in their home region of Nepal about the search. (Ishan Tankha for The Wall Street Journal)

Officials pulled up a picture of body No. 34 on a computer screen. It was a different picture from the one Devi had seen earlier in Balasore. This one had been taken when the body arrived at the hospital. But it appeared to show the same young man.

I know my child, and Im sure thats him," Devi said. She hugged her younger sister, and the two wept.

The officials suggested the couple check the hospitals two morgues to make sure the body was actually gone. A police officer posted outside checked his list. There was no 34. They got the same answer at the second.

Devi and Paswans options were limited. They could leave a DNA sample for testing and authorities would see if it matched the DNA they had collected from 34, officials said.

Body No. 005

While they were focused on finding No. 34, another possibility presented itself.

Scanning the second screen in the hospital lobby, the one showing images of bodies kept at other hospitals, they saw the half-visible face of a young man with a haircut similar to Ramanands. What caught Paswans eye was the mans right wrist.

Around it was a band made of red threads, resembling one a Hindu priest had fastened on Ramanands right wrist a month ago.

The tying of a red thread or band is a common practice among Hindus. Still, Paswan thought that could be his son, and set out for the second hospital.

For Devi, it was all too much. She burst into tears on the drive over. Stop crying, stop crying," Paswan consoled her, sobbing himself.

In the hospital morgue, Paswan peered at the body, tagged 005. The face was blackened as if smeared with soot and it was covered with maggots, making it difficult to identify. The body appeared to Paswan to be bigger and heavier than his sons. Emerging a few minutes later, he shook his head.

My son is thin, not as big as this boy," he said.

Afterward, though, he had second thoughts. Someone had told him bodies swell up after death. So he wondered: What if the body wasnt heftier, but just enlarged since the crash?

Second, he hadnt been able to see the red wrist band. The mortuary attendant had declined to unwrap the body beyond the face, saying he worried it was so decomposed that it might fall apart.

Tuesday afternoon, Paswan went to see the body a second time. Hand! Hand!" he insisted, pointing to the middle of the body bag. A government official pressed the mortuary staffer to gently reveal the right hand. Paswan hopped on a ledge to look.

There was a red band on the right wrist. At the end of a long day, that seemed like sufficient evidence.

Tired and defeated, but also a little relieved, Paswan said, Yes, its him."

When Paswan and Devi started the paperwork to claim the body, they were told another family had also made a claim. That meant there would need to be DNA testsand a wait for seven to 10 days.

We have to come back again?" Devi asked, starting to unravel. It took us three days to get here. How can we come back?"

Paswan gave a blood sample. The couple decided they would stay in Bhubaneswar for as long as it took to recover their sons body.

An Unexpected Turn

It was 7 p.m. and there was nothing left to do but to wait. A thought occurred to Paswan: Should they visit the hospital in Cuttack where an injured passenger named Ramanand was allegedly convalescing? Paswan had been convinced the previous night that the information was a ruse.

He decided it was worth ruling out, and set out on an hourlong car ride.

Outside the hospital in Cuttack was a tent for families of crash victims. Paswan walked by an official showing another family the photo of a patient who was recovering at that hospital. Do you know this Nepalese guy?"

Paswan looked over. It was the boyish face of his son.

Paswan rocked back and forth, his hands held in prayer. Ive found my son, Ive got my son back," he said repeatedly.

When they reunited with Ramanand in the intensive-care unit, they clutched his hands and rained kisses on his face. Devi inspected her son for injuries. Ramanand had suffered a broken foot and some bruises and scratches. Doctors said he would make a full recovery.

View Full Image Hari Hajara Paswan, seated next to his wife, Mira Devi, express relief after being shown a photograph of his son Ramanand alive in a hospital in Cuttack. (Ishan Tankha for The Wall Street Journal)

After the crash, Ramanand said, he broke an emergency window and crawled out of the train car. He lost consciousness, waking up a few days later in the hospital.

The staff tried to locate his parents, but they werent dialing the country code for Nepal and couldnt get through.

View Full Image The couple greet their son Ramanand in the hospital in Cuttack, where doctors said he would fully recover. (Ishan Tankha for The Wall Street Journal)

The couple beamed as they bent over their sons hospital bed. Devi stroked his hair. Hes my pillar of support," she said. Im so happy."

In response to questions from The Wall Street Journal about why the couple werent brought to Cuttack the night before, a railroad official said authorities would seriously look into the incident, which they blamed on miscommunication. The railroad provided three days of free food and lodging to Paswan and Devi, said J.P. Mishra, chief passenger transportation manager for the Indian Railways region where the accident took place. We have tried our level best to take care of relatives of the deceased," he said.

Tuesday evening, two of the three deceased family members were loaded into ambulances and driven 21 hours to their home. They were cremated the following day. The body of the third, Devis younger brother, was released early Thursday.
Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday said he's a fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who really wants to do the right thing for India."

Speaking to reporters after meeting Modi in New York, Musk said the Indian prime minister really cares about India as he's pushing Tesla to make significant investments in the country. Speaking on PM Modi's leadership role in making technology inclusive so that digital infrastructure can be created, he said, "I can say he really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies, obviously, but at the same time, make sure it accrues to India's advantage, which is obviously that's the job I'm saying. I am a fan of Modi," to ANI.

In response to PM Modi's tweet regarding his meeting with business leaders in the US, Musk tweeted, "It was an honor to meet again."

"In the USA, I will also get the opportunity to meet business leaders, interact with the Indian community and meet thought leaders from different walks of life. We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas," tweeted PM Modi.

He also divulged plans to visit India anytime soon. On being questioned over did PM Modi extended an invitation to him, he said, "He did. And yes, I'm tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I'm looking forward."

Notably, this is the first meeting between PM Modi and Musk after he became the owner of Twitter. PM Modi earlier met Musk in 2015 during a visit to Tesla Motors factory in California.

"Well, I'm actually incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world," told Musk to ANI.

Speaking about the takeaways from the meeting, Musk noted that PM Modi really cares about India because he is pushing them to make significant investments in India, which is something that they intend to do and are just trying to figure out the right timing.

Earlier, during an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Musk was asked if the automaker was interested in the Indian market. "Absolutely," he replied.

He added that Tesla will likely finalise a location to set up its India factory by the end of this year.

"It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our Tesla Fremont Factory several years ago, and so we've now known each other for a while, said Musk after meeting PM Modi today.

Speaking about future plans and investment in India, he said, "Yeah, well, I think there's a tremendous amount of potential for all three pillars of the sustainable energy future. The three pillars are sustainable energy generation through solar and wind, primarily. And obviously, India is great for solar. And the amount of land area you actually need to generate enough electricity to power India is very small. I believe it'd be probably one or 2 per cent of the land area of India. So it's very doable. And then you need to pair that with stationary battery packs because the sun doesn't shine at night. And then you need electric vehicles, and then you have a sustainable energy future. And I think the interesting thing people will find is that this is a lower cost way to go as well."

Musk also said that he is looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well.

"The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for sort of remote or rural villages where they perhaps either may have no access to the Internet or the Internet is very expensive and slow," he said.

Significantly, this meeting takes place shortly after former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed that the Indian government, led by the BJP, had threatened to shut down Twitter in India and conduct raids on its employees during the peak of the farmers' protest in 2020.

(With inputs from ANI)
Press Release

June 20, 2023 Pia's advice to fellow mothers: Listen to medical experts on vaccination, ignore 'fake news' on social media Tagbilaran City, Bohol - Senator Pia S. Cayetano has urged mothers to heed the advice of medical professionals and health workers on the importance of immunizing their children against vaccine-preventable diseases. At the same time, the senator urged parents to ignore 'fake news,' including baseless claims against immunization that are posted by dubious sources on social media. Cayetano is the principal sponsor in the Senate of the landmark Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011, or Republic Act No.10152. "When I visit communities and speak with mothers, I raise important topics like vaccination for their children," said the senator, who met with various groups in Tagbilaran City on Tuesday (June 20). The groups included mothers, barangay health workers, and barangay nutrition scholars, among others. "It was on the news just the other day that cases of measles in our country are on the rise," the senator noted, citing a report from the health department over the weekend that measles cases have increased by 339 percent as of May 20 this year. "And it breaks my heart whenever I hear about children dying of measles," she shared, while adding that these deaths could be prevented with routine vaccination. "That's why I always share my story to fellow mothers that I have also lost a child. My child had Trisomy 13. It's very rare and no medical intervention can save the life of a child with this condition. But for measles and polio, there are medical interventions that can save a life, right?" she added. She continued: "So that's my message to the mothers. Don't pay attention to [negative claims against vaccination] on TikTok. Mga fake news yan!" "Listen to the doctors and the health workers to know what's best for your children. It's heartbreaking to lose a child. I've lost a child. So that has always been my message and it hasn't changed. Basic yan: immunization," she concluded.
Heres the only thing that makes sense about the unfathomable and ill-fated casino agreement between New York State and the Seneca Nation of Indians: The Assembly balked. It was the right call.

Seneca President Ricky Armstrong Sr. blamed Gov. Kathy Hochul for the deals ongoing implosion, but there seems to be plenty of blame to go around. How do you plan to build a casino in a large market  the Rochester area  without ever consulting the state and local officials who represent its residents? And thats only part of the problem in a secret accord that is rife with problems.

Some background: The 2002 agreement that allowed the Senecas to build three casinos in Western New York expires on Dec. 9. With hundreds of millions of dollars on the table, both the Senecas and the state want to craft a new compact.

Armstrong has said the negotiations recently kicked into high gear and earlier this month  to just about everyones surprise, given the history of bad blood  the two sides announced a deal, which the State Senate promptly approved. But when word leaked out that the secret agreement gave the Senecas authority to build a new casino in or near Rochester, its Assembly delegation erupted in anger and Speaker Carl Heastie slammed on the brakes.

That devious agreement may count as the snakiest of the problems with this deal, but there are others. Among them:

Not only did the agreement try to slide this past the people of Rochester, but Rochester had previously rejected a casino. Did anyone check to see if sentiment had changed? Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca knew about the negotiations ahead of time and critics had the opportunity to try to head it off. Thats how democracy is supposed to work.

Hochul has said she was barred from discussing the deal because of a nondisclosure agreement, but Armstrong said the only requirement was to keep the information away from the media. Not that either is actually ethical  keeping the information from the media means keeping it from New Yorkers, including those who live in Rochester  but which is it?

The agreement also disturbed a key part of Hochuls electoral constituency: organized labor. The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, which represents nearly 1,000 workers at the del Lago Resort and Casino east of Rochester, opposes the plan and released the results of a survey that backs its position.

Its easy to view this crackup as continuing fallout from the bad behavior of the state and the Senecas, both of whom let greed cloud their judgment during the life of the current agreement. Now the question is: What happens next?

Heres what wont happen: Failure to agree. The gusher of greenbacks assures that. Heres what should: Representatives of the state and the Senecas should open an honest conversation with the people of Rochester, who can look at Niagara Falls and Buffalo for a sense of the benefits and pitfalls of hosting a casino. They can also review how the state and Senecas have conducted themselves.

One way or another, though, an agreement will be struck. All thats unknown is how much the Senecas will pay for the right to operate the casinos and what New York voters will conclude about all the participants, including their governor and legislators.

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 company who manufactured the missing submersible, had been warned repeatedly earlier in 2018 warning of catastrophic consequences when the vessel reached extreme depths," . The submersible named Titan was going to the Titanic wreckage to document the rusting ship that drowned almost a century ago.

The submersible lost touch with its surface support ship Polar Prince just one hour and forty five minutes after it immersed into water. US and Canada Coast Guards have been on their toes looking for the submersible. On Wednesday diver informed that they had heard some banging noise bringing a glimmer of hope of the survival of the submersible and its five passengers.

According to latest report, there is only a day's worth of oxygen left on the submersible. The five passengers on the submersible were a pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family and another passenger.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced stating that the vessel maker OceanGate Expeditions had sued their director of marine operations, who had warned of extreme danger for passengers.

What did Lochridge warn about?

Lochridge's concerns primarily focused on the company's decision to rely on sensitive acoustic monitoring  cracking or popping sounds made by the hull under pressure  to detect flaws, rather than a scan of the hull.

Lochridge said the company told him no equipment existed that could perform such a test on the 5-inch-thick (12.7-centimetre-thick) carbon-fibre hull.

This was problematic because this type of acoustic analysis would only show when a component is about to fail  often milliseconds before an implosion  and would not detect any existing flaws prior to putting pressure onto the hull," Lochridge's counterclaim said.

Further, the craft was designed to reach depths of 4,000 metres (13,123 feet), where the Titanic rested.

But, according to Lochridge, the passenger viewport was only certified for depths of up to 1,300 metres (4,265 feet), and OceanGate would not pay for the manufacturer to build a viewport certified for 4,000 metres.

OceanGate's choices would subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible," the counterclaim said.

Why did OcenGate sue their marine ops director?

David Lochridge, OceanGate's director of marine operations, wrote an engineering report in 2018 that said the craft under development needed more testing and that passengers might be endangered when it reached extreme depths," according to a lawsuit filed that year in US District Court in Seattle.

OceanGate sued Lochridge that year, accusing him of breaching a non-disclosure agreement, and he filed a counterclaim alleging that he was wrongfully fired for raising questions about testing and safety, reported AP.

OceanGate had said in its complaint that Lochridge is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan."

The case settled on undisclosed terms several months after it was filed.

OceanGate refused to get vessel checked by third party?

OceanGate also received another warning in 2018, this one from the Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers and educators.

In a letter to OceanGate Chief Executive Stockton Rush, the society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers.

Rush had refused to do so.

Rush was piloting the vessel that is now missing.

OceanGate changed the hull?

News media outlet AP, has reported that in an emailed correspondence, a spokesman for the company said the missing sub was completed in 2020-21, so it would not be the same as the vessel referenced in the lawsuit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington on Wednesday on the second leg of his state visit to the US.

In Washington, Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.

Modi is visiting the US at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He will join them for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries on Thursday.

The Official State visit moves to its next phase. PM @narendramodi accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour as he sets foot at the Joint Base Andrews airport in Washington DC. In Washington DC, PM will hold bilateral meeting with @POTUS @JoeBiden; address the Joint Session of the US Congress; and interact with CEOs and a cross-section of Indian diaspora," Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson, ministry of external affairs, said in a tweet.

The Indian prime minister arrived in Washington from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga.

From the airport, Modi travelled to the hotel where Indian diaspora members were waiting for him.

Indian diaspora members braved rain to welcome Modi at Freedom Plaza in Washington.

He briefly interacted with the enthusiastic supporters at the hotel and gave autographs to some of them.

Later, the First Lady and Prime Minister Modi will visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia to highlight the US and India's shared priorities around education and workforce. The First Lady will highlight career-connected learning and workforce training programs and partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and universities with employers.

In his departure statement, Modi had said this special invitation" from President Biden and the First Lady for a state visit is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies.

(With inputs from PTI)
The G20 Secretariat, India and the International Energy Agency (IEA) recently held an event on Indias Role in the Future of Energy, focusing on energy security, the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, and fuels of the future. The event brought together diverse perspectives on achieving a sustainable energy landscape, throwing light on a new clean energy economy that is emerging against the backdrop of an energy crisis marked by soaring prices and far-reaching supply disruptions. India is a major driving force in this new world order. The G20 can build a global bridge to a future of sustainable energy and Indias G20 presidency has led to links with the G7 forum to promote a climate agenda that could make a tangible difference.

The International Energy Agencys recently released World Energy Investment report shows that for every dollar invested in fossil fuels today, $1.70 goes into clean energy. Just five years ago, the ratio was 1:1. The amount of new capital flowing into energy drawn from solar photovoltaic technology is set to surpass total investments in oil production this year for the first time in history.

These trends will need to accelerate to ensure that people around the world can benefit from cleaner, more affordable and more secure energy suppliesand to prevent the worsening impacts of climate change and air pollution. The IEA estimates that global energy investments will need to almost triple by 2030 to put the world on a path towards limiting global warming to the critical target of 1.5 Celsius. Mobilizing the financial resources for these investments, especially in emerging and developing economies, is vital.

India is set to capture a wave of this investment as one of the top markets for clean technologies and its size and influence makes it well placed to be a global leader in international cooperation that will be essential for reaching the worlds energy and climate goals. This is one of the priority areas for India under its G20 presidency.

It is encouraging to see the linkages between the recently held G7 Summit in Hiroshima under the presidency of Japan and Indias G20 presidency. The Prime Minister of India and leaders of other key emerging economies such as Brazil and Indonesia were invited by the Prime Minister of Japan to take part in the G7 Summit, enabling them to give their vital perspectives. The momentum from this open dialogue and a recognition of common goals can now carry over into the high-level G20 discussions, including the Leaders Summit that is scheduled in New Delhi this September.

Advanced economies, together with development banks and institutional investors, have the responsibility to take the lead in massively scaling up-financing that can accelerate clean energy progress and expand energy access in the parts of the world where it can make the biggest difference. Today, while per capita emissions in advanced economies are over as twice as high as those in emerging and developing economies, the cost of reducing emissions in emerging economies is around half the level in advanced economies.This underlines the importance and urgency of mobilizing greater international investments in clean energy projects in emerging economies.

There is still a great deal of work to be done to deliver modern energy services to a huge number of people who lack them. More than 2 billion people worldwide are unable to obtain fuels and energy for clean cooking, while nearly 800 million still do not have access to electricity. Platforms like the G20 are important to develop a coordinated approach among advanced and emerging economies in addressing these challenges.

As the G20 president, India is bridging the gap between the G7 and G20 forums. By endorsing a shared vision for sustainable development, India is also emerging as a leading voice of the Global South. With global challenges in mind, India has raised critical issues such as low-cost project financing to help get clean energy projects off the ground in regions of the world that would otherwise struggle to attract investment, universal access to clean energy, and decarbonization of energy-intensive industries like steel and cement through future fuels such as hydrogen and advanced biofuels.

Moreover, India has raised the profile of the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement and promoted the importance of behavioural change and pro-climate consumer choices to mitigate environmental damage. As estimated by an IEA study, LiFE lessons from India, if all countries worldwide adopt the kind of measures recommended by the LiFE initiative, it would reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2 billion tonnes by 2030. This alone would deliver around one-fifth of the emissions reductions needed this decade to put the world on a path to net zero emissions. Whats more, these LiFE recommendations, if fully adopted, would also save consumers globally around $440 billion a year on their energy bills. Given that the G20 makes up nearly 80% of global energy demand, meaningful changes by its members can make a big difference.

Ultimately, the bridge between the G7 and G20 lies in concrete international cooperation. With its economic, geographic and cultural diversity, India would be the perfect engineer to bring the international community together, fostering a meaningful global dialogue that goes beyond words and instead delivers tangible results that touch lives.

Amitabh Kant & Fatih Birol are, respectively, Indias G20 sherpa and executive director of the International Energy Agency.
In spite of strategic convergences, relations between India and the US have not moved forward at the pace one would have expected. The two countries have been coming closer, no doubt, but there are still a few differences that have proven hard to resolve and held back ground-level engagement. It is these gaps that Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden will try to narrow during the formers state visit to America. Areas of business interest can serve as easily grabbed fruit to offset differences on the geopolitical front, where New Delhis refusal to align itself with the Western compact, its neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, and increased purchases of Russian crude oil may have let the West down. Of course, no damage was done, the upside of relative oil-market stability has served us all well, and America needs India as a force that can counter Chinas influence in the Indo-Pacific. But the two democracies need to move faster in their hunt for common ground on issues of divergence, be it in the domain of trade or any other policy. They must set time aside for sticky matters to help deepen ties while conditions are ripe.

Consider commercial ties. In one spotlight is Elon Musk-owned Teslas planned entry to the Indian market for electric vehicles (EVs). Musk has indicated that its not a question of if, but when. To the extent Tesla has made valid points on our tariff barriers for cars, an earlier cause for a deadlock, we could soften our stance if needed to smoothen the EV-makers path. Like with Apple, it would help advertise India as a hot choice for global supply-chain shifts in line with China-plus-one strategies. We can assume Tesla wouldnt want to miss out on our energy transition, given the promise it holds. As far as other top-tech fields go in which Chinese ambitions have exposed US nerves, semiconductors rank high. Approval for a microchip testing and packaging unit by US chipmaker Micron Technology could mark an Indian debut in this prized field, even as other big investors such as Vedanta and Tata take time to get their acts together. On sensitive technology reaching domestic shores, the big deals in todays arclights relate to defence hardware. Jet engines made here in collaboration with GE could power Tejas fighters and future aircraft to help catapult our Air Force towards a higher orbit of capability. Alliances in artificial intelligence, space efforts and other futuristic endeavours, with startups in both countries being nudged to join hands, could complete an engagement of mutually assured development.

Encouragingly, with Joe Biden in the White House, the US has dropped unhelpful rhetoric on trade gapsand minor distractions like our motorcycle import dutiesthat marked his predecessors approach. While free trade has not made a revival on the US agenda and a version of America first lives on under Biden, its recent signals suggest a will to settle trade disputes with India. This sort of economic diplomacy suits our negotiators, accustomed as they are by now to the give-and-take that attends such talks. On the whole, it is clear that both nations have compelling reasons to push ahead with a relationship that has been more than two decades in the making. India is never going to be an American ally (in a Nato-like sense), as New Delhi will always reserve a right to take its own calls, but that does not preclude the pursuit of mutual interests across a wide swathe of global affairs. As the rest of this century unfolds, the value of these ties will only get clearer.
Warmly welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US this week, Congress and President Joe Bidens administration will underscore the flip side of growing antagonism to China: a deepening infatuation with Modis India.

The affection was manifest most recently  and embarrassingly  when US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, wearing a colorful Indian outfit and gesticulating emphatically, hailed Modi as a visionary," who was unbelievable," even indescribable." No doubt, Modis India is irresistible to many US leaders as the worlds biggest arms buyer, an enticing market for US capital and goods, and the ancestral country of an affluent, politically consequential and largely Democrat-voting diaspora.

But India is also a country, where, as writers including Salman Rushdie, Kiran Desai and Jhumpa Lahiri pointed out in a signed statement last year, hate speech is expressed and disseminated loudly; where Muslims are discriminated against and lynched, their homes and mosques bulldozed, their livelihoods destroyed; where Christians are beaten and churches attacked; where political prisoners are held in jail without trial."

Modis Western cheerleaders obscure the depth of fears about his government among the large and globally prominent Indian intelligentsia, not to mention respected institutions such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and the Committee to Protect Journalists. No less than the US Holocaust Memorial Museum recently ranked India eighth, above Syria and Somalia, in a list of 162 countries exposed to the risk of mass killings.

It is hard to see how the Biden administration can pursue intimacy with such a government without risking both the long-term reputation and material interests of the US.

For one, despite his governments use of the judiciary, tax authorities, and security and intelligence agencies against critics, Modis domination over Indian politics is hardly complete. He has notably failed to persuade electorates in Indias richest states in the south; his Bharatiya Janata Party still only gets a little over a third of the national vote. And it remains far from clear how electorally potent Hindu nationalism will be in Indias poorest and most populous states whenever Modi himself departs the scene.

Moreover, as recent violence in the state of Manipur shows, the governments efforts at social engineering in border regions with non-Hindu populations could radically destabilize India. The US cannot afford to be seen taking what could turn out to be  yet again  the catastrophically wrong side in a countrys existential conflicts.

US support for despots in Latin America sowed the seeds of a seemingly ineradicable anti-Americanism in the region. More recently, former President George W. Bush found Vladimir Putin to be very straightforward and trustworthy." The perils of such misjudgments are even higher today, amid a global surge of authoritarian and neo-fascist regimes.

Biden repeatedly insists the US stands for democracy against autocracy. If this is not just some expedient rhetoric, policy makers must bring moral principle in line with policy.

As it happens, this challenge is less difficult than it seems in the case of India  especially compared to, say, Saudi Arabia. And it neednt involve moralizing about the virtues of democracy and pluralism. For Modi himself never ceases to proclaim India as the mother of democracy" and originator of the idea that the world is one family."

The US government should take up Modis invitation to broad and naturally flowing links between India and the world. It should reach out to Indias battered and besieged political opposition; it should talk publicly to the Indian intelligentsia. And, when his government complains about foreign interference, it should hold Modi to his own vision of a traditionally cosmopolitan and open Indian society.

In any case, Modi himself has invited foreigners into Indian politics by relentlessly projecting his popularity among foreign leaders in order to woo Indian voters. Biden could, if he wishes, innovatively use the glamor and authority invested in his office and forge a closer and more multi-dimensional relationship between the US and India.

For those who seek it, a middle way exists between hailing Modi as an unbelievable visionary and sternly lecturing him about Indias democratic deficit. There is ample scope for a US policy that is both pragmatic and ethical, which not only recognizes Indias geostrategic and economic importance but also honors the pluralistic politics and culture of its society.

By vigorously flattering Modi, the Biden administration instead echoes former President Donald Trumps weakness for strongmen. It also evokes US adversaries Russia and China, who are only too happy to strike lucrative deals with blatantly illiberal regimes while turning a blind eye to their violations of civil liberties and ordinary decency.

Perhaps we can expect nothing more as big powers aggressively scramble for military and economic advantage. But a greater common good is worth striving for even in our bleakly amoral, multipolar world.

Pankaj Mishra is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is author, most recently, of Run and Hide."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ties between New Delhi and Washington are stronger and deeper than ever as India moves to secure what he sees as its rightful place on the world stage at a moment of geopolitical turmoil.

There is an unprecedented trust" between the leaders of the U.S. and India, Modi said in an interview ahead of his first official state visit to Washington after nine years in office. He hailed growing defense cooperation between the two countries as an important pillar of our partnership," which he said extends to trade, technology and energy.

In Washington this week, Modi is expected to complete deals to manufacture jet-fighter engines in India to power advanced light combat aircraft, and to purchase high-altitude armed Predator drones from the U.S. in a multibillion-dollar agreement to boost surveillance efforts over the Indian Ocean and near its disputed border with China in the Himalayas.

As the West squares off against Moscow and, increasingly, China, New Delhi stands to gain. Washington has courted India hoping that it will be a strategic counterweight to Beijing. The U.S. has moved to deepen defense ties even as New Delhi makes large purchases of Russian oil at discounted prices, providing financial support for Moscow as it wages war in Ukraine.

Modiwho gives many speeches but fewer news conferences and interviewsspoke with The Wall Street Journal about Indias foreign policy, its efforts to build a more modern and sustainable economy and a range of other topics in a nearly hourlong interview in his office at his sprawling official residence in the heart of New Delhi.

Overall, Modis message was thatfrom Indias role in global politics to its contributions to the world economythe countrys time has come. He sought to portray New Delhi as the natural leader of the global South, in sync with and able to give voice to developing countries long-neglected aspirations.

India deserves a much higher, deeper and wider profile and a role," said Modi, wearing a yellow kurta and light-brown jacket. Peacocks squawked in the garden outside.

The 72-year-old leader called for changes to the United Nations and other international organizations to adapt them for an increasingly multipolar world order and to make them more broadly representative of the worlds less-affluent nations and their priorities, from the consequences of climate change to debt reduction.

Unlike the vision of nonalignment advanced by Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru in the early years of the Cold War, Modis foreign policy is one of multiple alignments, seeking to advance Indias interests in partnership with a range of global powers, including those in conflict with each other.

Modi is one of Indias most popular prime ministers. He and his Bharatiya Janata Party won nationwide elections in 2014 and 2019 by comfortable margins. With national elections due next year, Modis approval rating is high.

Political opponents and human-rights advocates have accused Modis party, which has roots in Hindu nationalism, of fostering religious polarization and democratic backsliding, pointing to issues such as restrictions on the press and removal of the special status of Indian-administered Kashmir to more closely integrate the Muslim-majority region into the country.

Modi said that India not only tolerates but celebrates its diversity.

For thousands of years, India has been the land where people of all faiths and beliefs have found the freedom to coexist peacefully and prosper," he said in a statement. You will find people of every faith in the world living in harmony in India."

On the economic front, Modi has won praise for eliminating bureaucracy, relaxing rules and opening the way for more foreign direct investment. The country has surpassed China as the worlds most populous. Whats more, its population is young, promising a significant demographic dividend.

The government has invested enormously in education and infrastructure, and it is poised to gain as multinationals look to diversify manufacturing and supply chains in an era of geopolitical tension.

Apple is among the companies making significant new investments in southern India, with supplier Foxconn Technology Group planning new facilities in the states of Karnataka and Telangana and expanding iPhone production in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Let me be clear that we do not see India as supplanting any country. We see this process as India gaining its rightful position in the world," Modi said. The world today is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. To create resilience, there should be more diversification in supply chains."

One thing India and the U.S. share are relationships with China that have grown increasingly fraught in recent years, marked by deepening military and economic rivalries. For India, that challenge is at its doorstep, with rising tensions centering around its decadeslong dispute with Beijing over the 2,000-mile border separating the two countries, known as the Line of Actual Control. The countries have been building infrastructure and deploying more troops in the region since a deadly 2020 clash in the Himalayas.

Indian officials have blamed China for violating border agreements, and the two countries have held 18 rounds of military talks since 2020 aimed at preventing the dispute from spiraling into wider conflict.

For normal bilateral ties with China, peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential," Modi said. We have a core belief in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, observing the rule of law and peaceful resolution of differences and disputes. At the same time, India is fully prepared and committed to protect its sovereignty and dignity."

Chinas Defense Ministry didnt respond to a request for comment sent via the State Council Information Office.

In drawing closer to Washington, the Indian government has had to overcome deep skepticism about the U.S. that dates back to the Cold War, when New Delhi became more closely aligned with Moscow after Washington declined to supply arms to India in 1965. The U.S. instead became a military backer of Indias neighbor and rival, Pakistan.

Indias relationship with the U.S. has strengthened in recent years in part because of economic ties. Trade between the two countries reached a record $191 billion in 2022, making the U.S. Indias largest trading partner. The U.S. is Indias third-biggest source of foreign direct investment, and one of the top five destinations for investment from India.

At the same time, India has maintained close ties with Russia, which still provides about 50% of the countrys military supplies, including arms, ammunition, tanks, jet fighters and S-400 air defense systems. Washington has put pressure on India to reduce its dependence on Moscow for arms, and some in the U.S. have criticized Modis government for not taking a more forceful stance against Russias invasion of Ukraine. India has abstained from U.N. votes condemning the invasion.

I dont think this type of perception is widespread in the U.S.," said Modi, referring to criticism of its stance on Russia. I think Indias position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that Indias topmost priority is peace."

When it comes to the Ukraine conflict, Some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace," said Modi. All countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries." Disputes should be resolved with diplomacy and dialogue," not war, Modi said.

He said he has spoken several times to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said he most recently spoke to Zelensky on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Japan in May. India will do whatever it can" and supports all genuine efforts to bring an end to the conflict and ensure enduring peace and stability," he said.

Modi linked many of the worlds problems, such as terrorism, proxy wars and expansionism, to a failure of global institutions created during the Cold War to adapt, saying that smaller and regional groupings have emerged in the vacuum. He said global institutions such as the U.N. must change.

Look at the membership of key institutionsdoes it truly represent the voice of democratic values?" he said. A place like Africadoes it have a voice? India has such a huge population and is a bright spot in the global economy, but is it present?"

He signaled Indias desire to be on the U.N. Security Council, pointing to Indias role as a contributor of troops for peacekeeping operations around the world. There has to be an evaluation of the current membership" of the council and the world should be asked if it wants India to be there."

Modi has often drawn parallels between his own rise and that of his country. Born in a small town in the western state of Gujarat three years after India gained independence, he has recalled working as a child in a family-owned tea stall.

He got his start in politics after joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, an organization that is closely associated with the cause of Hindu nationalism. His work in the organization and later the Bharatiya Janata Party got the attention of a BJP prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who tapped him to become the chief minister of Gujarat in 2001.

As a politician, Modi tends to ignite intense feelings in both supporters and opponents, but no one would dispute that he has come a long way from that tea stall.

Modi was once denied a visa to enter the U.S. after the 2002 Gujarat riots that killed more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims. In 2012, an investigative panel appointed by Indias Supreme Court said it found no evidence of wrongdoing by Modi. The U.S. said it would grant him a visa to visit after he was elected prime minister in 2014.

That year he delivered a Hindi-language speech to a jubilant crowd of more than 18,000 at Madison Square Garden who were chanting his name. In the years since, more U.S. appearances have followed, including an address to a joint session of Congress in 2016 and a Howdy, Modi" rally with President Donald Trump in Houston in 2019. He returns this week for an official state visit.

There is a sense too in India that the countrys moment on the global stage has arrived. Across the Indian capital, Modis image appears on signs promoting the Group of 20, with some bearing the motto India has chosen for its presidency, One Earth, One Family, One Future."

I am the first prime minister to be born in free India," Modi said. And thats why my thought process, my conduct, what I say and do, is inspired and influenced by my countrys attributes and traditions. I derive my strength from it."

I present my country to the world as my country is, and myself, as I am," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York in USA where he will lead the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters on June 21. PM Modi will thereafter travel to Washington DC, where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22, and meet President Biden to continue their high-level dialogue. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. PM Modi will also address a joint sitting of the US Congress on June 22. Praise for PM Modi flew thick and fast as an enthusiastic group of Indian Americans heartily raised slogans in support of the prime minister amid tightened security measures outside the hotel he will stay tonight. PM Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Tuesday, is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a state dinner on June 22. The visit includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Kirby said it is a big week at the White House as the President and First Lady welcome the Prime Minister of India for an official state visit and dinner.

Kirby said India and the US are "increasingly partners of first resort" in the Indo-Pacific.

He said that PM Modi and US President Joe Biden will discuss ways to further enhance educational exchanges and people-to-people ties as well as work together to tackle common challenges.

"This is a big week here at the White House as the President and First Lady welcome the Prime Minister of India for an official state visit and dinner. It's only the third such state dinner and visit of this administration. This 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," Kirby said.

"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. The leaders will discuss ways to further expand our educational exchanges and people-to-people ties as well as our work together to confront common challenges, from climate change to workforce development and health security. As the world's oldest and largest democracies and as key net security partners in the Indo-Pacific, the US and India are increasingly partners of first resort as a combined force for global good," he added.

Terming India a "critical strategic partner" for the US in the coming decades, he said that India's growing commitment to playing a more engaged international role in the Indo-Pacific, Quad demonstrates a new and growing readiness to join the US to protect and advance a shared vision of free, open and rules-based order.

*With agency inputs
The air was buzzing with excitement ahead of the launch of the RMS Titanic on April 10, 1912. The new ship was the largest moving human-made object in the world. It had a number of innovative features, including remotely sealable compartments that led it to be deemed "unsinkable."

On its maiden voyage, more than 2,000 passengers and crew boarded the Titanic along its route from Southampton, England, to New York City. However, for most of them, it would be the last trip they ever made.

When was the Titanic built?

The RMS Titanic was built by the White Star Line, which was a competitor to another shipbuilding company, Cunard. In 1906, Cunard made major waves by building the Lusitania and the Mauretania, which set speed records crossing the Atlantic. To compete, White Star Line decided to build several large vessels known for their comfort instead of their speed, according to the Molly Brown House Museum: the Olympic, the Titanic and the Britannic.

The Titanic was completed March 31, 1912, in Belfast, at a cost of $1.5 million (the equivalent to more than $47 million today), according to the National Archives . It took more than two years to build.. The ship was 883 feet (270 meters) long, or more than four city blocks, and more than 92 feet (28 m) high. It weighed an incredible 46,500 tons (42,000 metric tons), according to the Royal Museums Greenwich .

The RMS Titanic being fitted out at the Harland and Wolf Shipyard, Belfast, between 1911 to 1912. (Image credit: Pictures from History/Getty Images)

The Titanic began its journey in Southampton, England, and then sailed to Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown, Ireland (now known as Cobh), according to the Titanic Belfast museum . It sped west toward New York on April 10. The ship had the capacity to hold 3,320 passengers and crew, but it set sail carrying just 2,240 passengers and crew, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) . Passengers were a diverse mix, including wealthy tourists and working-class immigrants from Germany and Ireland searching for new opportunities in the land promising the "American dream."

The known route of the Titanic and a possible route of the iceberg. (Image credit: Texas State University)

The Titanic was designed to prioritize comfort rather than speed, but was comfort also prioritized over safety? It carried some of the richest people in the world at that time and was a huge leap forward in luxury travel. Conditions in second-class cabins were similar to other cruise ships' first class, and the Titanic's passengers were provided with gyms, pools, libraries and huge restaurants.

Problems with the vessel occurred from the outset, with a series of accidents and near-misses. While the deaths of those aboard the Titanic when it sank are well documented, the first victims were, in fact, some of its builders. It took around 3,000 men to build the massive ship over two years. During construction, before the ship had even touched water, eight workers lost their lives, according to the National Geographic Society .

On April 14, 1912, a nearby ship, the SS Californian, sent a message at 11 p.m. the ship's time, to the Titanic that said, " We are stopped and surrounded by ice ." But the captain of the Titanic, Edward Smith, and First Officer William Murdoch did not heed these warnings and steamed ahead at near full speed.

When did the Titanic sink?

A view of the sunken front portion of the Titanic's bow, called the forepeek. (Image credit: Getty Images)

During the evening of April 14 and into the morning of April 15, 1912, just four days after setting off, the Titanic sank.

"Iceberg, right ahead!" Frederick Fleet, the man who first spotted the icy death trap, yelled just before 11:40 p.m. on April 14, according to Fredrick Fleet's testimony in the British Wreck Commissioner's Inquiry into the sinking of the Titanic.

As one of two lookouts, alongside Reginald Lee, Fleet was keeping watch when Titanic hit the iceberg. Spotting danger in the water was made more difficult than usual that night, as the sea was incredibly calm. This reduced the ability to spot objects in the water, as no telltale waves were crashing against the iceberg.

In an attempt to avoid the quickly approaching iceberg, the ship made a sudden turn to the left, causing it to sideswipe the iceberg. The ice punched holes in the starboard (right side) along a nearly 300-foot (90 m) stretch of the boat, and it began filling with water.

Two hours and 40 minutes after hitting the iceberg, the ship lay in pieces below the surface of the Atlantic.

Why did the Titanic sink?

Six of the ship's 16 water-tight compartments started filling with water upon the iceberg impact. This was enough to make the ship start to sink, at which point the water flowed off the top of these compartments (the "transverse bulkheads") and began filling the other compartments. Modern estimates suggest that the boat could have possibly limped to shore with only four breached compartments, according to Britannica .

With six compartments leaking, however, the Titanic's fate was sealed  it had lost too much buoyancy to remain afloat, no matter how well it was built.

That said, it took nearly three hours for the Titanic to sink; when the ship's engineer heard that six compartments were leaking, he predicted it would stay afloat for only 1 to 1.5 hours, according to Titanic expert Parks Stephenson .

In 1998, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) also discovered that the hull sustained a series of thin gashes, rather than one large gash, as was originally believed. The poor quality of the iron used in rivets holding the hull, which contained three times the amount of slag (a glassy residue formed during smelting), may have contributed to Titanic's rapid demise, according to NIST. Under cold temperatures, slag can become more brittle, which may have contributed to the rivet head breaking off upon impact with the iceberg.

As the front filled with water and sunk into the ocean, the back of the ship lifted out of the water. This placed tremendous pressure on the middle of the boat. It eventually cracked, and the front of the ship crashed back into the ocean; the ship sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15.

How deep is the Titanic?

The wreck of the Titanic sits on the ocean floor about 12,467 feet (2.4 miles; 3,800 m; 3.8 km) below the surface, according to NOAA. At this depth, there is a pressure of about 380 atmospheres.

Titanic passengers and survivors

The Titanic carried only 16 lifeboats, as well as four "collapsibles," which in total could accommodate only a third of the Titanic's total passengers had the ship been fully filled, according to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers . As it was, it could have accommodated only half of the passengers aboard. While this may seem unforgivable by today's standards, the Titanic actually carried more lifeboats than necessary under the law at the time. In the aftermath of the sinking, laws were put in place to prevent this from happening again and required ships to carry more lifeboats, according to the International Maritime Organization .

All of the Titanic's survivors were rescued by the Carpathia, which received the Titanic's distress signal and immediately set off toward the Titanic. It didn't get there until about 4 a.m., however, according to Encyclopedia Titanica.

Some of the Titanic's passengers were prominent people, including John Jacob Astor IV, one of the wealthiest men in the world at that time. So were Ida and Isidor Straus, who co-owned the Macy's department store. And, of course, there was "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, a socialite who became famous when she exhorted her lifeboat to return to look for survivors and ultimately survived the ordeal herself.

Astor didn't survive; he didn't take the reports that the ship was sinking seriously and later wasn't allowed onto a lifeboat due to a "women and children first" policy. (His pregnant wife did survive, however.) Of the total people saved from the disaster, 70% of women and children were saved and only 20% of men were saved, according to 2012 a study published by Uppsala University in Sweden . Ida Straus initially boarded a lifeboat but returned to her husband, reportedly saying "Where you go, I go", according to The National Archives in the U.K. . The couple died together. (He was 67; she was 63.)

When was the Titanic found?

The wreck of the Titanic was discovered on Sept. 1, 1985, according to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI ). In a joint mission between WHOI and the French National Institute for Ocean Science (IFREMER), research teams, led by WHOI's Robert Ballard and IFREMER's Jean-Louis Michel, narrowed down the site of the wreck to an area of 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Using the sonar capabilities of two underwater vehicles called Argo and SAR, the teams followed a trail of debris straight to the ship's hull.

Initially, Ballard and his colleagues were in the Atlantic on a secret mission to help the U.S. Navy find two sunken nuclear submarines, U.S.S. Thresher and U.S.S. Scorpion, according to National Geographic. But the crew located the subs faster than expected, and spent the remaining 12 days searching for the Titanic, which was Ballard's longtime goal.

In May 2023, scientists completed the first full-scale digital scan of the Titanic shipwreck , and in June 2023, a submersible being piloted near the Titanic wreck went missing .

Additional information
Its a free fishing weekend, and no one needs a fishing license. That said, you must still abide by the fishing regulations for the body of water you intend to fish. There are three kids fishing derbies and clinics this weekend. Another record bass on Cayuga Lake?

Lake Erie and tributaries

The day walleye bite has been showing a good number of fish off the windmills out of Buffalo in 35 to 45 feet of water, according to Bruce Kowalski of TAAR Outdoors of Lake View. Best two approaches have been trolling stick baits off lead core line or bottom bouncing worm harnesses. Bass have moved into summer patterns off beds and onto reef structures and deeper points, casting crank baits or fishing craw patterns. Live crawfish are working on bait rigs, too. Perch remains a viable option out of Cattaraugus Creek near Evans Bar, but you must work for them. Capt. Jim Rores of Big Greek Charters is finding that the east wind has been moving the bait off Buffalo, making bait pods  and the walleyes  more difficult to find. It has been a grind for eight to 12 fish, bottom-bouncing with worm harnesses. He may have to go to plan B to find reefs with gobies on them, a food source for walleyes. Another option is to head to Barcelona where reports of very good walleye numbers are starting to come in from the west. Steve Brzuszkiewicz of Marilla found plenty of fish in 45 to 50 feet of water on the New York side of the international line, but they were short of the 26-inch minimum length required in the Southtowns derby.

Niagara River

Musky was the talk of last weekend with many headed out for opening week on the upper river and Buffalo Harbor, Kowalski said. Anglers were casting large stickbaits and jigging large Red October-style tube jigs to take some fish, but the moss is starting to create some serious issues for all fishing activities. The walleye and bass in the lower river remain good on spinners, spinnerbaits and minnow-style jigs with reports of several lake trout hitting the same baits. The best live bait was crabs and minnows.

Lake Ontario and tributaries

It was a fun trip on the lake for Kevin Reimers of Wilson and his family that included dad Duane, brother Keith, son Cody and Codys father-in-law Franco Angelini of Lexington, N.C. The group fished with Capt. Mike Johannes of On the Rocks Charters out of Wilson. The morning rain stopped by the time they found their fishing spot between 300 and 400 feet of water northwest of the harbor. Johannes used a mixed bag of fishing tactics, 200 to 400 feet of copper lines off planer boards, downriggers and divers to hit the prime fish zone of 50 to 70 feet down. For the trip, they boated 14 fish out of 25 releases, catching king and Coho salmon, as well as steelhead. Fish were hanging in 46-47 degree water and a north-south troll at 2.7 to 3.2 mph seemed to work best.

Chautauqua Lake

Walleye fishing has been decent if you are willing to jig in the weeds, said Capt. Mike Sperry with Chautauqua Reel Outdoors. Use a jig head and twister tail, - or 3/8-ounce bucktail jig, Vibes and other spoons. The key is to work the weed pockets. Slow trolling worm harnesses along weed lines will produce fish but be prepared with a load of worms as the white perch will keep you busy. For musky, the casting bite is outproducing trolling with plenty of fish in or just off the weeds. Glide baits and jerk baits worked around and over weeds will create some action, too. Top water baits in the early morning and evening will work, especially with some cloud cover.

Finger Lakes

Cayuga Lake: Tom Russell of Albion did it again on the states opening day of bass (June 15)  he caught a big one, along with four others for a very impressive five-fish bag while teaming with cousin Eric Sullivan of Albion. The dynamic duo hauled in a tournament limit of five bass that weighed in at 33 pounds, 1.2 ounces on the tournament scale while fishing out of Deans Cove on Cayuga Lake with the Finger Lakes Open Bass Tournament Circuit. It set a record for the tournament circuit for total weight, thanks to a kicker fish of 9 pounds, 0.4 ounces. Yes, it would have been a state record, but Russell and Sullivan were more concerned about the big fish  a fish that they truly believe was the same fish they caught last year when they set the current state record of 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Second place in the tournament was 26 pounds for five bass, still impressive. Still no thermocline on Cayuga as of the weekend, but lake trout jigging started out slow last week and finished very good Sunday. Fish are widely distributed throughout the lake.

Skaneateles Lake: The brown drake hatch is in full swing. Many bass are still spawning. The lake temperature on the surface is around 63. Rock bass and yellow perch are active in the shallows. Some nice walleyes are being caught by persistent anglers. Smallmouth bass action was better in deeper water this past week. Zoom Superflukes, tube jigs and dropshot rigs worked well on the bass.

Otisco Lake: Capt. John Gaulke with Finger Lakes Angling Zone had a tough day fly-fishing for tiger musky last Tuesday. His client raised one small musky for the day. The lake is in good shape with good clarity and plenty of pondweed around. They had some nice bass chasing and hitting streamers.

Kids contests, clinics

A Hooks for Harry contest for kids 4 to 15 years of age is scheduled for Saturday at the Town of Newfane Marina, Olcott and Eighteen Mile Creek up to Burt Dam from 8 a.m. to noon. Also, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen and DEC will hold its annual Teach-Me-To-Fish Youth Clinic at Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park. Pre-register by calling 533-4070. On Sunday, the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs and the Niagara River Anglers Association will hold a kids contest at the NRAAs Wilderness Preserve on Balmer Road in Youngstown from 9 a.m. to noon. Register with Paul Jackson at 998-8910.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

There was commotion in the National House of Assembly on Wednesday after the Parliamentary Legal Committee issued a non-adverse report on Statutory Instrument 144, which clearly stipulates that presidential candidates will fork out US$20,000 each in the forthcoming general elections.Furious opposition Members of Parliament questioned the PLC report but the Acting Speaker of the House of Assembly, William Moomba, stood firm, noting that there would be no debate on a non-adverse report.Citizens Coalition for Change lawmaker, Prince Dubik Siyanda, said the PLC should explain to Zimbabweans why they are supporting the high nomination fees."People want to know why you are doing all this. It's unfair," said Siyanda.People intending to contest for seats in the House of Assembly are expected to pay US$1,000, which is equivalent to an annual salary of a Member of Parliament.But Zanu-PF supported the PLC report saying there is need to ensure that only strong candidates are allowed to contest in all the elections.The ruling party's parliamentary chief whip, Pupurai Togarepi, said, "There was commotion in the house. Obviously, it was members trying to politic on a non-procedure. I mean we all know the procedure of parliament regarding bills and how they operate and we all understand what the Constitutional Court said. For us it meant that the process of looking and analyzing the Statutory Instrument was supposed to be finished. That was our understanding and when that ruling was done we followed it through having the Statutory Instrument going its journey through the PLC  And that was done. Yesterday, the PLC came to parliament to report and it did report. It was a non-adverse report."He said this means that the gazette nomination fees will be used in the 2023 general elections."What was there before proclamation cannot be changed  Whether we were going to debate about these fees, whether we were going to think we can alter them, they were not going to apply in this election. They would apply in 2028 or during primary elections. So, it was just an academic debate, wasting everybody's time."Togarepi emphasized that the fees gazetted in 2022 will be used in the forthcoming general elections "because the fees were already there at the proclamation of the date of the elections."
Gene therapy could be more effective than surgery at curbing cat population
Over two dozen people addressed the City Council about an LGBTQ book display, which has since been taken down from the E.G. Fisher Public Library. The display included books like, 'Queer Heroes' and 'Ready When You Are.'
The US Capitol building is seen from the base of the Washington Monument as the sun rises in Washington, DC.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

PRESIDENT of the Chief's Council, Fortune Charumbira, has been reported to the police for cyber-bullying after he allegedly fabricated a WhatsApp chat history to downplay his sexual assault case.Charumbira, who is also the Pan-African Parliament president, is being accused of sexually assaulting his niece, who cannot be named for ethical reasons.Police are, however, yet to arrest him although the case was reported in April this year.A document, titled Plan to dethrone PAP president, which has been circulating on social media contains a WhatsApp chat history purporting to involve Charumbira's family members.According to the document, people involved in the chats are the victim and her father, who also cannot be named for ethical reasons, and two others who are allegedly plotting to dethrone Charumbira.The chat history alleges that the victim's father and the other three family members were worried that their plot to dethrone Charumbira using the sexual assault case was collapsing.In the conversation, they then discussed a fresh plot to dethrone him, which was to write a petition for his removal from the chieftaincy.But the victim's father dismissed the messages and filed a case against Charumbira and five other family members whom he accused of fabricating the chats to trivialise the assault case which has been reported to the police.The case was reported under RRB 5457709 at Masvingo Central Police Station last Thursday.Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dewa referred NewsDay to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi."On that one, get the comment from our national office," Dhewa said.Nyathi was, however, not picking calls.In his self-recorded statement filed with the police, the victim's father said Charumbira connived with other family members to fabricate the chat history after he had panicked over a petition they had filed against him with government."I do not know the accused person, but I strongly suspect Chief Fortune Charumbira in conjunction with Akim Manyudza, Terminate Charumbira, Alimot Charumbira, Bylaw Charumbira and Muzvondiwa Charumbira. They all originate from the Charumbira clan," the victim's father said."The accused person contravened section 164B of the Data Protection Act [Chapter 11:22], cyber-bullying and harassment."The victim's father said his family filed a petition addressed to Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira, chairperson of the Provincial Chief Assembly, Chief Chitanga, Local Government minister July Moyo and Chief Secretary in the Offcice of the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda.He accused Charumbira of using the names of the signatories of the petition to fabricate a WhatsApp chat.The statement further read: "I assume the suspected person, after being served with the copy of the petition, noted the signatories on the petition which he used to manipulate the fraudulent WhatsApp chat."The suspect, towards countering all these allegations, formulated and hatched a plan to manipulate a false (sic) WhatsApp chat and posted it on social media, claiming that the aforementioned allegations of indecent assault and threats of violence were staged towards dethroning him."Contacted for comment, Charumbira said: "What WhatsApp chat history? Are you sure I have a link to that WhatsApp? Send me the chats to ascertain the truth."Charumbira recently refuted the allegations being levelled against him and threatened to sue the victim for defamation.The victim later filed another report of threat of violence against her by Charumbira.Last week, she filed a complaint against the police for failing to take action against her case.
Delegates hold up their ballots at the Southern Baptist Convention at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Tuesday, June 13.
Local Government Minister Daragh OBrien is coming under increasing pressure to step in and bring an end to ongoing industrial action taken by retained firefighters despite a planned all-out strike being called off this week.

The planned action, scheduled for yesterday (Tuesday) was called off following exploratory talks at the Labour Court.

A number of part-time fire services personnel staged a picket outside the headquarters of Longford County Council ahead of last weeks monthly council meeting.

The row centres on demands for improved pay and conditions with warnings from trade union SIPTU that the action will be escalated to an all-out strike next week if the dispute is not resolved.

The countrys 2,000 retained firefighters began co-ordinated rolling strikes on Tuesday in a move that closed half the countrys 200 stations.

Councillors unanimously backed calls for Mr OBrien to intervene and settle the dispute following a concerted plea by Cllr Peggy Nolan at last weeks meeting of Longford County Council.

Not one of these people are in that job for money, she said, while pausing to reveal her own late father was a retained firefighter.

I am asking for a whole new scenario to be put in place so that it is a career, and looked on as a career, because as far as I am concerned these men and women give willingly to provide excellent public service.

Those overtures were given further weight by Councillors Gerry Warnock and Seamus Butler.

The former said retained firefighters caught up in the dispute had to effectively put their own lives on hold in order to carry out their own duties, something which Cllr Butler said also impinged on those firms that employ such individuals.

He referenced how his own business was among a select number of locally based companies that proudly had a retained firefighter on its books.

I have an employee who is a retained firefighter and they have permission to leave at very short notice which we believe is good for the community and we do that willingly, he said.

His fellow Fianna Fail party colleague Cllr Martin Monaghan was arguably more frank, saying it was time the minister opened his eyes and his pockets.
Longfords St Mels Cathedral played host to Mass for the Episcopal Ordination of Paul Connell as new Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois last Sunday.

Born on 27 January 1958, the second of four children to Thomas and Philomena Connell, Bishop Connell told the congregation of laity, religious, clergy, family and guests that courage was required as the Church faced many challenges.

He cautioned, The model of Church we have been living with will not survive what is happening now.

During his homily, Fr Michael McGrath CC, welcomed Bishop Connell. Paul, as the twin spires of the Cathedral of Christ the King diminish in your rear-view mirror, we want to assure you of a hundred thousand welcomes in this sacred place. We hope that you will grow to be happy here in your new home.

Fr McGrath added, Paul, you are most welcome among us as Pastor. We promise to work with you. Help each one of us find our voice in the chorus that continues to sing: The Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand'.

Bishop Connell expressed his deep appreciation to everyone present in St Mels Cathedral and also to those who joined by webcam.

A special welcome to those joining us from abroad, and in particular those of you in the United States, especially in All Saints and Saint Gabriels in Florida, and Saint Gregorys in San Diego.

He thanked the new Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor for his presence and Monsignor Julien Kabore, from the Nunciature in Dublin, who broke the news of his appointment to him so gently.

Bishop Connell, who was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, on 20 June 1982, thanked Archbishop Eamon Martin for being principal consecrator and also the two co-consecrators Archbishop Francis Duffy, the former bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, and the bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan.

He said he was very grateful for the presence and support of all the bishops, and his two chaplains and good friends Monsignor Joseph McGuinness and Fr Joseph Gallagher.

He thanked Fr Michael McGrath for his eloquent homily and he welcomed the Church of Ireland bishop, Ferran Glenfield, and representatives of other Christian traditions, for their presence and good wishes.

The Mullingar native commended the large network of volunteers for their superb organisation of the day. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Fintan Farrelly, the Cathedral choir and soloists for the wonderful music that adorned our liturgy.

I also deeply appreciate the work of planning and preparation done by Father Turlough Baxter, Master of Ceremonies, and his assistants, and by Father James McKiernan, the priests of the Cathedral and their parish team.

"I would like to thank the Board of Management of Saint Mels College, and the principal, Mr Malachy Flanagan and his staff, for their hospitality.

He paid tribute to his predecessor Archbishop Francis Duffy. Following his ten years ministering among you as your bishop, there was very genuine regret and sorrow when the news came that he was moving to Tuam as its new archbishop.

"That says a great deal about his commitment and energy and the very pastoral style of his leadership here among you.

Bishop Connell, a former President and Principal of Saint Finians College, referred to how the magnificent St Mels Cathedral was reborn from the ashes following the devastating Christmas Day fire of 2009 and he paid tribute to Bishop Colm OReilly who assured the people of the diocese that their Cathedral would be rebuilt. It was just one achievement of many during the ministry of Bishop Colm in this diocese for thirty years.

"I am acutely aware of how he is held in the highest esteem and affection by the people of the diocese. And I hope to benefit from his invaluable insight and advice for many years to come.

Bishop Connell paid tribute to diocese administrator Fr Tom Healy. Fr Tom tells me he is a very happy man today! I know he is looking forward to a quieter life, for the moment anyway. We all know of the vital role he played in co-ordinating the restoration of this cathedral. But we must also thank him most sincerely for the manner in which he has led the diocese as its administrator since the departure of Archbishop Duffy.

The new Bishop said there are moments in all of our lives when everything suddenly changes. Sometimes we can plan for that moment but at other times it comes as a bolt from the blue.

"My appointment by Pope Francis as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois was such a moment. It was completely unexpected for me.

He admitted being faced with a decision that to say the least was not easy. I knew that saying yes, as I did, would change everything. But I did so because in the end I believe that what makes my life authentic is that I continue to have that same faith and trust in God that set me out on the path of priesthood all those years ago.

"And while I have met difficulties and challenges along the way, and while I have also a much better appreciation of how weak a vessel of clay I am, I can honestly say I have never had any regrets about my decision to say yes to priesthood.

Bishop Connell said courage was required as the Church deals with a fall off in vocations. Today we have listened to the words of the gospel: the harvest is rich but the labourers are few.

"What are they saying to us? We know the harvest is rich but certainly at this time very difficult. As a Church we live in interesting times, facing many challenges.



For too long we have seen the labourers as priests and religious. Yes, we need priests and religious and we need now more than ever to pray for vocations and encourage people, young and older, to accept the invitation that Christ is extending to them.

I want to acknowledge on your behalf the incredible commitment and service of our priests. This diocese has been so blessed with their ministry.



"We are however an ageing priesthood and the model of Church we have been living with will not survive what is happening now. And so, we, together, as a listening Church, must try to understand and discern that somehow in the midst of this necessary change, that God is speaking to us.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

THE High Court has ruled that husbands of police officers should receive medical and dental services as dependants after ruling that a 1968 discriminatory law on the services was unconstitutional.Harare lawyer Kenias Shonhai on Friday last week successfully led a legal campaign to declare section 2 of the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations 1968 unconstitutional.Shonhai, who is the managing and founding partner at Shonhai Law Chambers and is married to a police officer, sued the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage minister, Police Commissioner-General and chairperson of the Police Service Commission in relation to that law."This is an application for an order declaring the omission from section 2 of the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations 1968 in the definition of the word dependant' of the word husband' after the word wife' to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe and consequential relief," Shonhai said in his court application."I approach this court as a person affected by the above omission acting in my own interests under section 85(1)(a) of the Constitution."Shonhai said he was compelled to approach the court after he and his children were denied access to treatment as dependants of a female police officer at Dombotombo Camp Clinic despite being married under the Marriages Act (Chapter 5:11)."I inquired about the reason and I was told that, in terms of the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations, I together with my children, we are not considered as dependants."I assumed the nurse at the clinic was only following the dictates of the law and we ended up looking for alternative medical services," he said.Shonhai further argued that from 1968 to June 16 this year, female police officers had been treated as second-class citizens when it came to police medical and dental services.He said spouses of male police officers had the right to benefit from the medical and dental services, but the converse was not true when it came to spouses of female police officers.The High Court then declared the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations, 1968 unconstitutional in as far as they differentiate female police officers from male police officers when it comes to medical and dental benefits.The court found the regulations in violation of sections 56 and 80 of the Constitution, and as a result, all husbands of police officers will receive medical and dental services as dependants of their wives."Pending a decision of the Constitutional Court on the validity of the impugned section of the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations, 1968, the applicant and all husbands of members of the police service shall receive the benefits due to a dependent in terms of the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations, 1968," ruled the court."It is ordered that the first and third respondents shall, within 90 days of confirmation of this order of invalidity by the Constitutional Court, amend the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations, 1968 to insert in section 2 of the same the word husband' after the word wife' in the definition of a dependant' under the regulations."The High Court ordered the first, second and third respondents to pay the costs of the suit, jointly and severally the one paying for the other to be absolved.Shonhai was being represented by advocate Tererai Mafukidze, advocate Sylvester Hashiti and Zivanai Makwanya of Makwanya Legal Practice with support from the Catholic Lawyers' Guild.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: June 21 2023

Jordan Randolph Had Multiple Prior Drunk Driving Convictions and a Pending Circumvention of an Ignition Interlock Device Charge When He Caused the Fatal Crash.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jordan Randolph, 43, of Bellport, was sentenced to 12.5 to 25 years in prison after a jury found him guilty in February 2023 of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, after he fled from police at a high rate of speed and slammed into another car, killing the driver.

This defendant is a serial drunk driver who had no regard for anyones life, including his own, said District Attorney Tierney. The fact that he was able to be out on the street with a pending charge for not using a court mandated ignition interlock device before driving is beyond comprehensible. The entire purpose of an ignition interlock device is to keep drunk drivers off the road. I hope this lengthy prison sentence provides the victims family with some measure of justice after such a senseless and avoidable crime.

The evidence at trial established that on January 12, 2020, Randolph was out drinking for hours in Islandia as well as at a friends home in Mastic. Later that night, while extremely intoxicated, Randolph was driving a 2014 Cadillac ATS southbound on the William Floyd Parkway when he swerved into the opposite lanes of traffic at the intersection of William Floyd Parkway and Rose Executive Boulevard, near the Suffolk County Police Departments Seventh Precinct.

A police officer who was pulling out of the precinct, saw Randolph reverse and then drive in the southbound lanes of William Floyd Parkway. The officer followed Randolph and attempted to pull him over, but Randolph refused to stop and continued driving. Randolph then made a U-turn at the intersection of William Floyd Parkway and Dawn Drive then fled from the police officer at a high rate of speed. As he continued northbound on the William Floyd Parkway, Randolph smashed into a 2015 Ford Escape driven by the victim, 27-year-old Johnathan Flores Maldonado. The collision caused the victims vehicle to turn over onto its roof and was thrust down the road over 500 feet. Flores Maldonado died as a result of blunt force impact injuries he sustained from the crash.

Randolph struggled with responding officers as they attempted to place him under arrest, and hurled profanities at EMT workers who were attempting to treat him. Randolph subsequently refused to submit to a blood test, but a court order was secured by law enforcement which compelled the defendant to provide a blood sample. That sample, which was collected five hours after the crash, showed Randolphs blood alcohol concentration was a .20% BAC  more than double the legal limit. A search warrant was also obtained for blood that the defendant provided at Long Island Community Hospital approximately two hours after the crash. The results showed Randolphs blood alcohol concentration was .23%  almost triple the legal limit. A search of the event data recorder in Randolphs vehicle revealed that he was travelling 137 mph seconds before crashing into the victim, who was driving 45 mph.

On February 15, 2023, Randolph was convicted after a jury trial held before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro, of the following charges:

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B felony;

Manslaughter, a Class C felony;

Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;

Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;

Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, as a Class D felony;

Operating a Motor Vehicle with .08% of .1% or More in Blood, as a Class D felony;

Driving While Intoxicated, as a Class D felony;

Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in the First Degree, a Class D felony;

Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, a Class E felony;

Circumvention of an Ignition Interlock Device, a Class A misdemeanor;

Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor; and

Reckless Driving, an unclassified misdemeanor.

The defendant committed these crimes while he had a pending criminal charge of Circumvention of an Ignition Interlock Device, a Class A misdemeanor, in Nassau County. Installation of an ignition interlock device is a condition that may be imposed by a court during the sentencing phase of a driving while intoxicated conviction. Ignition interlock devices require a motorist to blow into an instrument that is connected to their vehicles engine, and prevents drivers from starting their vehicles if the device detects that the driver has been drinking alcohol.

Additionally, Randolph has a lengthy criminal history that includes 12 prior criminal convictions, six of which are felonies, and multiple prior felony and misdemeanor DWI convictions. Randolph was convicted of felony Driving While Intoxicated in both 2016 and 2018, and misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated in 2011. Additionally, in 2003, he was sentenced to six to 12 years in prison for felony Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in or Near School Grounds. He also has prior convictions for felony assault from 1998, and attempted robbery from 1997.

On June 16, 2023, Randolph was sentenced by Judge Ambro to 12.5 to 25 years in prison. He was represented by Joseph Hanshe, Esq. and Kimberly Wall, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Bureau Chief Carl Borelli of the Vehicular Crime Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jacob DeLauter of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Donal Hughes, of the Suffolk County Police Departments Major Case Unit.
Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: June 21 2023

By dedicating themselves to community service, these young men have already done a great deal to strengthen the fabric of their community, Legislator Drucker said.

Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D  Plainview) recently honored Ian Louie and Connor Chan  Syosset Boy Scout Troop 170s newest Eagle Scouts  during a Court of Honor ceremony held at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Syosset.

During the ceremony, Legislator Drucker presented Nassau County Legislature Citations to Ian and Connor in recognition of the accomplishments and community service that earned them the highest rank in Scouting.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zanu-PF) and opposition Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa on Tuesday successfully filed nomination papers ahead of today's sitting of the nomination courts across the country.Several other presidential candidates are expected to file their nomination papers on Wednesday.These include exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who will stand as an independent candidate, National Constitutional Assembly leader Lovemore Madhuku and MDC Alliance leader Douglas Mwonzora, among others.Kasukuwere and Democratic Union of Zimbabwe leader Robert Chapman are some of the surprise presidential candidates expected to enter the presidential race in the August 23 elections.Nomination fees are pegged at U$20 000 for the presidential candidates, while prospective MPs will fork out US$1 000 to participate in the polls, with aspiring councillors and senators paying US$100.Prospective senators and MPs will file their papers in provincial capitals.Councillors will converge at district centres to submit their papers.Political analysts yesterday expressed mixed feelings over Kasukuwere's chances of successfully filing his candidature today."I have my grave doubts," Eldred Masunugure said."It's possible, but improbable unless a pact has been crafted between him and those at the apex of power."But Southern African Political Economy Series Trust director Ibbo Mandaza said he had high hopes that Kasukuwere would successfully file as a presidential candidate despite a pending warrant of arrest."Apparently, the warrant of arrest was mala fides and should have been put aside already," Mandaza said."By the way, a candidate doesn't have to be physically present at the nomination court. It's the task of an election agent."
Lexington Gold Ltd - gold explorer with projects in North and South Carolina - Says it has support from 52% of investors so far for meeting resolutions, including approval of White Rivers Exploration (Pty) Ltd acquisition.

Chair Edward Nealon says: ""Despite the current challenging market conditions, we are pleased to have received this overwhelming show of support for...our proposed acquisition of White Rivers...from our largest shareholders by way of irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of all of the resolutions to be tabled at the forthcoming special general meeting [on June 26]. I would like to thank such shareholders for their continued support and we look forward to providing further updates on the proposed acquisition and our plans to unlock value from White River's highly promising assets in the Witwatersrand gold fields in due course."

In mid-May, Lexington said its subsidiary has entered into a conditional share subscription and loan agreements to acquire 76% of White Rivers. It said it would pay GBP300,000 through a new loan to White Rivers, as well as up to GBP6.4 million via the issue of new shares in Lexington Gold, dependent on certain milestones being met.

Current stock price: 6.49 pence, up 1.3%

12-month change: More than doubled

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
It is clear that around the motu, entrants are taking this comp very seriously and that plenty of thought has gone into the delivery of top-flight toasties, he said. Seasoning levels were much more consistent, the choice of cheese more considered and the importance of monitoring fat content has been noted."
A red balloon, center, was seen during a test of how high a cell tower proposed by AT&T would stand on Side Road in Manchester. That site hasn't moved forward, but the company might be looking at a new proposed location.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

ZIMBABWEAN businessman Frank Buyanga incarcerated in South Africa has launched a fresh bid in the High Court to avert extradition to his home country.Buyanga has been in a Johannesburg prison since November and launched his new application Monday, seeking to block his possible extradition to Zimbabwe.He has been at loggerheads with his former girlfriend, Chantelle Muteswa, contesting custody of their minor son for years.A warrant of arrest was issued against him after he took his son to South Africa following a landmark ruling that gave parents with children outside of wedlock equal access to their children.In his application, Buyanga said he fears he will be unfairly treated in Zimbabwe, insinuating judiciary interference.He alleges Muteswa has close ties with the Zimbabwe First family.The application reads: "I mention in passing that Ms Muteswa has abused her close connections to the First Family in Zimbabwe to use ZRP to lay the charges of kidnapping and robbery and to illegally procure the authorisation of the warrant of arrest that is relied upon in the extradition request."He further claimed Muteswa is in a relationship with one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's sons."I reserve the right to disclose his name should the need arise," he said.The businessman is seeking an order declaring the extradition warrant unlawful.Buyanga also wants the hearing at the Randburg magistrate court to be discontinued and set aside for lack of jurisdiction.In his founding affidavit, Buyanga said South Africa has no extradition treaty with Zimbabwe.Buyanga was arrested on November 10 on the back of a warrant issued in his home country.Initially, he was granted R150 000 bail but was arrested immediately after on separate charges of contravening the Immigration Act.The businessman filed another bail application, which the court dismissed. He has been in custody since then.Buyanga argues he is being held on a non-extraditable offence.The application reads: "I am further advised that contempt of court is not an extraditable offence in terms of the SADC Protocol on Extradition as read with Criminal Law (Codification and Reform)(chapter 9:23) Act of Zimbabwe."I am therefore advised and believe the advice to be correct: to the extent that the sentence for contempt of court in Zimbabwe is a fine or a period of imprisonment not exceeding one year or both, it follows that no request for my extradition should have been made relying upon the alleged contempt charges."To that extent, I have advised the extradition request by the government of Zimbabwe was irreparably defective."The Randburg Magistrate Court will hold an inquiry in terms of sections 9 and 10 of the Extradition Act.However, Buyanga says: "Because I was prima facie arrested unlawfully, the Randburg magistrate court cannot lawfully exercise its jurisdiction over me. By extension, it cannot, therefore, purport to hold an extradition inquiry that is premised on my unlawful arrest."To that extent, the legality of the extradition inquiry is equally tainted."I there humbly request that this honourable court ought to review and set aside the warrant of arrest on which I was arrested on 10 November 2022, because it was applied for and authorised improperly."
OSLONorway said Tuesday it plans to open parts of its continental shelf to commercial deep-sea mining exploration, a controversial move it hoped would set the standard for good practices.

The announcement comes a day after the UN adopted the first international treaty to protect the high seas.

Environmentalists are vehemently opposed to seabed mining amid fears it could inflict damage on deep-sea ecosystems, such as fish populations, marine mammals and the ecosystems function regulating the climate.

We need minerals to succeed with the green transition, Norways Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Aasland insisted in a statement announcing the governments proposal.

The seabed on the countrys continental shelf is believed to contain large deposits of minerals, including the possibility of rare earth minerals.

Seabed minerals can become a source of access to important metals, and no other country has a better basis to lead the way when it comes to managing such resources in a sustainable and responsible way, Aasland said.

Often considered a champion of the environment, Norway is also Europes biggest oil and gas producer.

The government said extraction would only be permitted if the industry can demonstrate that it can be done in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Aasland said the minerals needed for the green transition were today controlled by few countries, something that makes us vulnerable. China is currently the worlds largest producer of rare earth, a group of 17 heavy metals that are actually abundant in the Earths crust.

Mining the metals requires heavy chemical use that results in huge amounts of toxic waste and has caused several environmental disasters, making many countries wary of shouldering the heavy financial costs for production.

Rare earths are used in industry and can be found in a wide variety of both everyday and hightech devices, from light bulbs to guided missiles.

Norways announcement came a day after UN member states adopted the first treaty establishing a legal framework to extend swathes of environmental protections to international waters, which make up more than 60 percent of the worlds oceans.

Norwegian environmental organization Natur og Ungdom (Nature and Youth) told AFP it was really disappointed in the Norwegian government.

We dont have enough research to know the full environmental impacts, said Gytis Blazevicius, the groups deputy head.

We cant build a sustainable industry, a sustainable society, continuing with the same business as usual mindset, doing exactly the same as what made the society we live in now unsustainable, Blazevicius said.

But the head of the University of Alaskas Center for Arctic Security and Resilience downplayed the risks.

I think localized sea-bed mining will have a relatively minor impact to ecosystems if done responsibly, Troy Boufard told AFP, adding that the impact of global warming on maritime ecosystems is the more urgent problem.

I absolutely believe that Norway should help lead the world into seabed mining if such production is the foregone conclusion, he added.

Boufard cited Norways rare and effective model for the oil and gas sector that removes private-sector pressure to exploit gaps in pursuit of maximum profits.

If seabed mining grows into a large-scale, worldwide practice, then early development of effective practices is critical to preventing avoidable problems that are part of the immediate and ongoing debate, Boufard said.

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The Boston Police Department is investigating a woman accused of posing as a high school student in an extremely sophisticated fraud scheme.

Boston Public Schools officials claim the unidentified woman used fraudulent paperwork to register as a student and enroll in several Boston high schools over the 2022-2023 school year.

District Superintendent Mary Skipper said the woman used the transfer process to enroll in Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School and English High School.

Read more: Four Rivers Charter School staff member on leave amid misconduct investigation

I am deeply troubled that an adult would breach the trust of our school communities by posing as a student. This appears to be a case of extremely sophisticated fraud, Skipper said.

Administrators at the English High School in Bostons Jamaica Plain neighborhood contacted authorities after reviewing some suspicious paperwork from one of their students, according to a police report.

School officials told police they became concerned after a students parent said theyll be withdrawing their daughter and enrolling her into St. Columbkille school in Boston because she was being bullied.

Administrators were confused due to the fact that the student enrolled in the school a week prior and the school staff had only just begun addressing the reported bullying, the police report read.

Believing there may be some custodial issues with the students parents, English High School staff began reviewing the students enrollment paperwork, officials wrote.

During the review a school administrator noticed one of the students Department of Children and Families forms was incorrect, the report stated.

School administrators contacted DCFs Lowell branch to see if the social worker listed under the form was in the office. The agency informed the school that no such person was listed as a DCF employee.

Administrators identified irregularities in the students enrollment and immediately called the police.

The Boston Police Department has now launched an investigation into the reported high school student impersonation scheme.

Officials have not released the name of the suspect in the impersonation scheme.
As the U.S. Supreme Court nears a decision on affirmative action, the University of Massachusetts Amherst will have to consider the potential impact the Courts ruling will have on its ability to attract Black students.

UMass Amherst  like the flagship in almost every state in America  is less diverse, is wealthier, is whiter than other public institutions, said James Murphy, the deputy director of Education Reform Now. So I think there could impact there as well.

Many higher education experts like Murphy predict that the majority conservative Supreme Court will decide to end race-conscious admissions. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where Black enrollment is roughly 5%, a ban on affirmative action could present a major hurdle toward the schools efforts to diversify its campus.
A Hingham man accused of crashing a car through an Apple Store and running over a crowd of people  killing one  is set to appear in court for a pretrial hearing in Plymouth County Superior Court Wednesday afternoon, according to the courts calendar.

Bradley Rein, 53, of Hingham, previously pleaded not guilty to murder in the second degree and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation in connection with the death of 65-year-old New Jersey man Kevin Bradley.

Bradley was the only person killed when an SUV burst through the glass wall of the Apple Store in Hingham and drove over a group of people in November 2022. He became engaged a day before the fatal crash, according to NBC Boston.

Twenty-two people were injured in the incident.

Rein  who prosecutors believe was the driver of the SUV  pleaded not guilty to reckless operation of a motor vehicle, 18 counts of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, along with four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the non-fatal injuries from the crash.

Read more: Barriers placed in front of Hingham Apple Store days after fatal crash

Rein told Hingham police that the crash was an accident and that his foot was stuck on the gas pedal of his Toyota. He blew a 0.00% on a voluntary Breathalyzer test, telling police he had no medical issues and that the car had no mechanical concerns of which he knew.

Since the crash, perimeter barriers were set up outside the Apple Store while it was temporarily closed and boarded up. On Jan. 11, the store reopened with a line of bollards  roughly hip-high vertical pillars designed to stop a car in its tracks.
The 19-year-old man killed on Tuesday in a crash on Route 128 in Manchester-by-the-Sea has been identified by Massachusetts State Police.

Byssman Pablo Bixcul was identified on Wednesday as the man killed in the serious single-car crash on Rt. 128, which happened around 7 a.m. on June 20, police said.

Bixcul, who was believed to be the passenger in the car, was found dead at the scene of the crash, police said.

There was also a 26-year-old man with a Florida address, who police later said is believed to live in Lynn, who was flown to the hospital by helicopter from the scene with life-threatening injuries, police said.

An early investigation revealed the Honda Civic had veered off the road into a wooded area, and officials stated the Hondas speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.

The investigation into the two peoples connection and the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing, Massachusetts State Police said.
A jury has convicted a New Bedford gang member almost six years after he killed two men execution-style, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced Wednesday.

Carmelo Kercado Jr. was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and illegal firearm charges, and was immediately sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole, Quinns office said in a statement.

Read more: Carlos Asencio found guilty of murder of Amanda Dabrowski

I want to thank the jury for holding the defendant accountable for the execution of two young men who didnt deserve to die that way. This was premeditated street violence at its worst. The defendant was well known to the authorities over the years and was previously acquitted of murder in 2015, Quinn said in the statement.

On Oct. 10, 2017, at around 1:19 a.m., Kercado was seated in the back of a car driven by Stephen Bodden with Fabio Tavares in the front passenger seat. Bodden and Tavares met with Kercado at the Whiskey Lounge in New Bedford between 11 p.m. and midnight the day before, leaving after 1 a.m.

Traveling north on Acushnet Avenue before heading west on Central Avenue, Kercado shot both men, Quinns office said. The car crashed into a parked vehicle and Kercado fled on foot. Bodden was shot six times, including three shots to his head. Tavares was shot in the back, in his thigh and his hand, receiving five shots in total.

Read more: Valdir Chaves sentenced to life in prison for stabbing wife in Roxbury in 2019

Quinns office said two civilian witnesses and surveillance video were crucial to the successful prosecution of the case.

Kercado was known to authorities for years and was previously acquitted of murder in 2015, Quinns office said. He was previously convicted for weapons possession and assault, and was wanted on an arrest warrant for cocaine possession at the time of the 2017 shooting, MassLive reported in 2017.

Kercado was added to the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Sections Most Wanted List, MassLive reported after the shootings, and was considered armed and dangerous. He then fled from Massachusetts, before the United State Marshals Services North Carolina Joint Fugitive Task Force found and arrested him on Dec. 19, 2017, in Concord, North Carolina.

Although the motive for the killings remains unclear, it may be connected to previous criminal activity, Quinn said in his statement. I am grateful to the prosecution team and investigators for their hard work on this case.
Abortion rights advocacy is moving into a new arena in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade  cellphone data privacy.

Reproductive advocacy groups including Reproductive Equity Now, the ACLU of Massachusetts, and Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts are working to support the Location Shield Act, also known as Bill H.357, that would ban the selling, leasing, trading or renting of cellphone location data.

If the the legislation passes, Massachusetts would be the first in the nation to protect cellphone users location data, according to Kade Crockford, ACLU of Massachusetts Technology for Liberty program director.

It implicates all of us, Crockford said. I think that if you were to ask people, is it OK if I just follow you around and broadcast live everywhere that you go for the rest of your life, people would be very uncomfortable with that.

Any individual located in Massachusetts would be covered under the Location Shield Act, even if the individual lived in another state, making the bill potentially beneficial for individuals traveling from states such as Texas where strict abortion restrictions are in place, said Rebecca Hart Holder, president of Reproductive Equity Now.

Individuals traveling from out of state would have their cellphone location data shared as normal until they hit Massachusetts state lines, according to state Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, one of the bills sponsors.

The bill, however, also has several limitations, allowing location data to be shared for a permissible purpose without user consent, including for law enforcement purposes such a federal, state, or local government agency serving a warrant or in response to an emergency service agency, an emergency alert, a 911 communication, or any other communication reporting an imminent threat to human life, according to the bill.

Although abortion is legal and protected in Massachusetts, the bill would allow healthcare decisions to become more privatized, according to Lipper-Garabedian.

Yes, its (abortion) a protected choice that you have here, but it may not be something you  its certainly not something that everyone needs to know about, Lipper-Garabedian said.

Location sharing, according to Hart Holder, puts those seeking and traveling for abortion care in particular instances of prosecution and harassment.

Hart Holder said the bill is the second step to protecting patients and providers post-Roe, the first being a abortion protections bill which was passed in July of 2022 to protect patients and providers from out-of-state litigation.

Although the Attorney Generals Office would be the ones to regulate and enforce the Location Shield Act, cellphone users could also create lawsuits against an app provider or software broker if the individual believes they might be improperly selling location data.

In order to consent to location data sharing, Lipper-Garabedian said the disclosure has to be unambiguous and written for the average consumer  not hidden in a terms and conditions agreement.

This bill doesnt stop the collection of this data. It doesnt stop companies from using it to provide people with services that they want. It really just aims to stop a very predatory industry that frankly, weve already seen abused by far-right extremists, Crockford said, referencing an article from the Washington Post that found a Catholic group paid to see app data of priests using gay dating and hookup apps.

Hart Holder also referenced a Vice article that found a location data firm offered users the ability to see where Planned Parenthood abortion clinics may live, distributing heat maps and data on their site.

The industry will say that this information is anonymized, but theres actually no way to anonymize location data because it shows where someone lives and works, which means its very, very easy to re-identify that information and connect a persons data to their real name and other sensitive personal information about them, Crockford said.

According to research conducted by ACLU of Massachusetts and Beacon Research, 92% of Massachusetts voters support the passage of a law to prohibit the sale of location sharing in the state.

I do think that legislators are worried about harassment and targeted litigation against people who are coming to the state for both abortion care and gender affirming care. So this is an attempt to try to protect their privacy, said Carrie Baker, a women and gender studies professor at Smith College.

State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa said she is supportive of the act. However, she believes Massachusetts should go further to protect the rights of Massachusetts residents and those traveling to Massachusetts.

I think we should follow in the footsteps of of Washington and Connecticut and other states and focus on health data privacy, because not only should your location not be shared, but what youre looking up also should not be shared, Sabadosa said. Our physical and our mental health shouldnt be up for sale, especially if it can be connected back to you.

Sabadosa is working on an act which would prohibit the sale of consumer health data unless the sale was disclosed to the consumer and consented to.

It really puts the power in the hands of the consumer, which I would argue is where it belongs since its your own data, Sabadosa said.

Although Crockford believes the Location Shield Act is only one of many holes in Massachusetts privacy laws, the ACLU of Massachusetts believes it is crucial for the act to pass to outlaw this practice once and for all.
A Watertown man was arraigned on Tuesday after he was charged in connection with striking a 14-year-old Everett teen in a Chelsea cannabis dispensary parking lot on Sunday, which put her in a coma.

Ceserino Borelli, 44, of Watertown, was charged in Chelsea District Court with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and speeding, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office on Wednesday. He was ordered held on $7,500 bail by Judge Kareem Morgan.

Borelli was also ordered not to drive while the case against him is pending and to stay in Massachusetts, Haydens office said.

On Sunday at around 8:10 p.m., a Mercedes Benz sedan sped into the Dunkin parking lot at 276 Beacham St. and hit multiple parked cars, Massachusetts State Police said. Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Amelia Singh said witnesses told police they saw that the car, driven by Borelli at a high rate of speed, flew over the fence bordering the parking lot, Haydens office said. The fence bordered a Dunkin lot and the lot for RISE Cannabis.

The car struck a parked Mercedes before it hit the unnamed teen, who was standing in the parking lot, and left her critically injured. The girls father, Teddy Tene, told Channel 7 News on Monday that his daughter was in a coma.

Read more: Carlos Asencio found guilty of murder of Amanda Dabrowski

Borelli was identified by authorities as the driver and went to a Boston hospital after complaining of back pain and was hospitalized under Chelsea Police guard, police said.

Shes not doing well at all, Tene told the news outlet. Her lungs are bruised, her heart is bruised, shes having a hard time feeding right now.

A witness who saw the Mercedes go airborne over their vehicle said to Channel 7 they didnt have any time to think about it. It just hit us, went over our car and as soon as it was over, I got out to see what happened and saw the woman on the ground behind us.

Borelli is due back in court on July 19 for a pre-trial hearing, Haydens office said.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The EFF in Zimbabwe will not field a presidential candidate, but will rally behind "like-minded" Zanu-PF's Emmerson Mnangagwa on 23 August.Innocent Ndibali Sibanda, the organisation's president in Zimbabwe, in an interview with News24, said the decision was foregrounded on Pan-African alliances it shared with Zanu-PF."He is the only president who will ensure continuity in land expropriation without compensation, and the protection of the non-negotiable Zimbabwe sovereignty."The EFF voted with Zanu-PF at the Pan-African Parliament and brought about the EFF-sponsored rotational principle in the presidency of the Pan-African Parliament."Zanu-PF, under President Mnangagwa, has not violated the rights of Africans and this is in line with our borderless Africa and the belief that no African can be a foreigner in Africa," Sibanda said.At the Pan-African Parliament last year, EFF South Africa voted for Zimbabwe's Fortune Charumbira for the presidency.But the stance taken by EFF Zimbabwe was somewhat different from the SA party's standpoint.The SA leader, Julius Malema, in May, attacked Mnangagwa in a tweet for jailing opposition leaders."Sending an activist to four years' imprisonment for simply holding different political views is pathetic," he tweeted.Nomination CourtThe Nomination Court will convene on Wednesday  and, to stand for the presidency, there's a US$20 000 fee to be lodged at the high court, for Parliamentarians it's US$1 000 at provincial courts, and those eyeing senate seats will have to pay US$200.The fees were contested last week, with the Constitutional Court directing Parliament to review the fees.Zanu-PF enjoyed more than a two-thirds majority  and the fees were not changed.On Monday, opposition political parties filed an urgent court application calling for the fees to be reduced.High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi ruled the application seeking an urgent determination of the challenge was not urgent, so the matter should be set down for hearing on a normal and ordinary court's roll.During the 2018 general elections, there were 23 presidential candidates.The steep fees could serve as a deterrent to many aspirants.
A Dorchester man was found guilty of the role he played in the killing of a 29-year-old New Jersey woman whose dead body was found burnt alongside MBTA tracks in 2015.

After a seven-day trial, a jury found Fernando Owens, 51, of Dorchester guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office stated Wednesday afternoon.

Prosecutors claim Owens conspired alongside New Hampshire couple, Julian and Shannon Squires, to kidnap and kill 29-year-old New Jersey woman Ashley Bortner.

Owens and the Squires couple believed that Bortner played a role in the death of Owens son and sought revenge, according to Plymouth County prosecutors.

Read more: Julian Squires of New Hampshire sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty in 2015 killing of woman found burning near Bridgewater train tracks

Bortner was also previously acquainted with Owens and the Squires couple, officials added.

Fernando Owens son Dominic Owens was found shot dead in front of a Dorchester home on Nov. 2, 2015, according to previous MassLive coverage. Dominic Owens died at 21 years old.

A day following the discovery of Dominic Owens body, a person reported a fire burning beside MBTA commuter rail tracks in Bridgewater.

Police found a human body on fire, officials stated.

The body  later identified as Bortner  was over 70% burned. Her face was wrapped in a towel and her hands and feet were tied behind her, officials stated.

Read more: Jack Teixeira pleads not guilty to sharing classified documents

A follow-up investigation led authorities to recover an electrical cord and cotton towel from Fernando Owens home, investigators said the items linked him to the murder.

Owens fled to the Dominican Republic shortly after Bortners death. He was captured by local authorities and extradited to the United States to face trial for the killing of Bortner.

Hes scheduled to be sentenced on Friday morning, according to officials.

In June 2022, Julian Squires was sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of the role he played in Bortners death. Shannon Squires still awaits her trial and is set to appear in court on July 20.
PALMER  Friendlys closed its shop Monday at 1519 North Main St., leaving the Springfield-born icon with fewer than 118 restaurants total in 11 states from New Hampshire to Florida.

Employees were at the Palmer restaurant Wednesday, cleaning up and removing items. A sign directed customers to the next-closest locations: 1811 Boston Road in Springfield near the ice cream plant that bears the Friendlys name and 697 Southbridge St. in Auburn.

The real estate in Palmer is owned by Orion Real Estate Group of Florida, which bought it in 2021 for $775,000, according to Palmer tax records.

Friendlys built the Palmer site with its familiar design in 1961.

Employees at the Springfield shop said Palmer was the only closure. Corporate spokespeople for Brix Holdings, the current owner of the Friendlys restaurant chain, didnt return calls or emails Wednesday.

Brothers S. Prestley and Curtis Blake co-founded Friendly in 1935 with a loan from their mother, who was concerned the boys wouldnt be able to get summer jobs in the Great Depression.

Their first Friendly Ice Cream shop was at 161 Boston Road in Springfield. They stayed open until midnight that first day, selling 552 cones in five hours and making $27.60.

The Friendly's at 1519 North Main St. in Palmer closed Monday with workers Wednesday, June 21 on scene cleaning up.

The brothers sold the company in 1978 to Hershey Foods for $162 million, or about $788 million in todays money. At that time, the chain had more than 600 restaurants in 16 states.

It grew to 850 locations in 15 states at its height in 1996.

But frequent ownership changes and changing dining habits took their toll, and Friendlys went through two bankruptcies; the most recent in 2021 had private equity investors Amici Partners Group buy the chain through bankruptcy for $1.9 million and fold it into its Brix Holdings subsidiary.

That $1.9 million was a pittance compared to the $337.2 million paid when Friendlys sold to Sun Capital in 2007.

It was Sun that sold off most of the real estate, the wholesale ice cream business and Wilbraham factory. The wholesale ice cream business, delivering products to stores, and the manufacturing business are now owned by the co-op Dairy Farmers of America.

S. Prestley Blake died in February 2021. He was 106.

Curtis died in 2019 at age 102.

In February 2022, Brix opened what it promised was Friendlys new-look future, a Friendlys Cafe at 291 East Main St. Westfield, where customers order at the counter and have food brought to them. The new location, which is still open, emphasizes drive-thru and delivery business.

The Friendly's at 1519 North Main St. in Palmer closed Monday with workers Wednesday, June 21 on scene cleaning up.
The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of sharing classified documents online pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday.

Jack Teixeira, 23, of North Dighton, appeared in U.S. District Court in Worcester for his arraignment on six charges of willful retention and transmission of classified information relating to the national defense.

Teixeira is accused of leaking top-secret military documents regarding the war in Ukraine to his internet friends over Discord, a communication platform popular amongst video gamers. Officials said he accessed Discord while employed at the Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod.

He was arrested and charged in April under the Espionage Act. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy asked whether defense attorneys have obtained clearance to view classified documents. Defense attorney Michael Bachrach said he has clearance to view documents, though other attorneys indicated they still need to gain that clearance.

Attorneys said the classified information will have to be reviewed in a sensitive compartmented information facility.

Hennessy previously granted the governments motion for detention, and Teixeira has remained in federal custody since. He ordered Teixeira to remain in custody Wednesday, and set a status conference for Aug. 9.

The unauthorized removal, retention and transmission of classified information jeopardizes our nations security. Individuals granted access to classified materials have a fundamental duty to safeguard the information for the safety of the United States, our active service members, its citizens and its allies, Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy in a press release at the time.

Teixeira enlisted in the U.S. Air National Guard in 2019, officials have said. Since May 2022, he held the rank of an E-3/Airman, with the title of Cyber Defense Operations Journeyman.

A government memo says Teixeira began accessing hundreds of classified documents containing national defense information starting around February of 2022, adding those documents were not related to his work as an IT specialist.

Teixeiras lawyers contend it was another social media user who disseminated the military secrets. They say Teixeira shared the material with a small, private group.

Officials say Teixeira transmitted classified national defense information at times by transcribing the information and sharing it, and at other times posting images of the documents.

At least one of the documents containing national defense information was found in digital form in a particular account associated with Teixeira, according to the report.

The charges of unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, officials stated.
A former CNN television producer who had pleaded guilty to luring a 9-year-old girl into illegal sexual acts was sentenced Tuesday to more than 19 years in prison and an additional 15 years of supervised release during a U.S. District Court hearing in Vermont.

John Griffin of Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in federal court in December to using interstate commerce to entice and coerce the girl to engage in sexual activity at his Vermont ski house.

As part of the 2022 plea deal, the government dropped two remaining counts of enticement of a minor against Griffin, then 45 years old.

Griffin had initially pleaded not guilty in 2021. He has been ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

According to the plea deal, Griffin met a woman on a website during the summer of 2020 and persuaded the woman to bring her daughter to his Ludlow, Vermont, ski home for sexual activity.

Griffin paid the woman and girl to fly from Nevada to Boston, picked them up and drove them to his Vermont home where the girl said Griffin sexually assaulted her, court records say.

Griffin was arrested on Dec. 10, 2021, a day after he was indicted by a grand jury. He worked for CNN for about eight years but was fired after he was arrested, according to the network.

Read more: Valdir Chaves sentenced to life in prison for stabbing wife in Roxbury in 2019

He also cannot have contact with people under the age of 18, except in the presence of an adult who has been approved by a probation officer, and is prohibited from being in areas where children congregate, such as schools, playgrounds and theme parks, unless approved by the probation office beforehand.
A Worcester man was sentenced for the role he played in the 2019 attempted robbery of a high-end glassware dealer in Rockland.

District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman sentenced Keith Eike Johnson, 41, of Worcester, to 98 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Massachusetts in a press release Wednesday.

In November 2022, Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery in connection with the reported plot to rob a high-end glassware dealers home in Rockland, officials stated.

Prosecutors said Johnson devised the robbery plot with Shaun Walker, Junior Melendez and Grace Katana in March 2019.

Investigators intercepted Melendezs phone calls to the group between March 18, 2019, through March 25, 2019. Officials said the phone records revealed that the group was planning an armed home invasion and robbery of a Rockland home.

On the afternoon of March 25, 2019, the four men drove more than 60 miles from Worcester to Rockland in two cars while investigators were tracing the groups movement, officials added.

Officials said Katana and Melendez surveyed the glassware dealers Rockland home. The two drove to a nearby Home Depot and met up with Walker and Johnson.

The group purchased a 2-foot iron crowbar, a screwdriver and razor blades ,which investigators believe were intended to be used in the robbery.

Authorities stopped the group and arrested the four men at the parking lot of the hardware store. Officials said police stopped the soon-to-be armed robbery.

Officers recovered a loaded .380 from the glove compartment of Johnsons car along with the items the group purchased from the hardware store, officials stated.

Walker pleaded guilty in May 2022 and was sentenced to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Katana was convicted by a federal jury in June 2022 and sentenced to 64 months in prison and three years of supervised arrest. Melendez pleaded guilty on March 13 and was sentenced to 156 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
A 19-year-old man from Lynn has been identified as the passenger killed in a serious crash, which police believe may have been caused by speeding, on Route 128 Tuesday morning, according to Massachusetts State Police.

At around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to a crash on the northbound side of the highway near exit 50. Both lanes of the highway were closed due to the crash, police said.

Authorities initially said a juvenile boy, later identified as the 19-year-old Lynn man, was found dead at the crash site. The 19-year-old was believed to be the passenger of the car, police said.

There was also a 26-year-old man with a Florida address, who police later said is believed to live in Lynn, who was flown by helicopter from the scene with life-threatening injuries, police said.

An early investigation revealed that the Honda Civic veered off the road into a wooded area, and officials stated the Hondas speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.

The investigation into the two peoples connection and the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing, Massachusetts State Police said.
Nicole Arpiarian was stirred to try to change Massachusetts law by a conversation she had following the incident that she says almost killed her then-12-year-old son at a restaurant.

The Sudbury mother was talking to a woman investigating how her son, Tripp Hollister, was served a pastry filled with peanut butter despite having told the server about the boys peanut allergy.

She said she sees these accidents too often and nothing will change unless the law changes, Arpiarian said.

Read more: FDA adds sesame to list of major food allergens

As she has done since the 2018 incident that landed Hollister in a hospital with a severe anaphylaxis reaction, Arpiarian shared her story with lawmakers Wednesday and pressed the Joint Committee on Public Health to again advance legislation (S 1338 / H 2183) that would update food allergy training materials and require restaurants to always have someone who has used the updated materials present during food service hours. Her son joined her Wednesday.

We had told the waitress of my peanut allergy and she wrote it down. But due to a misunderstanding by the restaurant staff, I was given a food that would have killed me if my parents were not prepared with an EpiPen, Hollister told the committee. By supporting bills S 1338 and H 2183, you will help people with allergies feel safe when theyre dining out. For example, if Im eating dinner and our server does not know what to do when I tell them about my allergy or they treat it like its nothing, it makes me feel nervous about if Ill have a reaction that day instead of enjoying my meal with my friends.

Filed by Sen. Cynthia Creem and Rep. Carmine Gentile, the bills would require the Department of Public Health certification for food protection managers to use an updated video that is approved or accredited by certain national groups, is interactive, and that features the most up-to-date list of allergens labeled under the Food Allergy Label Consumer Protection Act. Restaurants would be required to have at least one employee who has watched the video as part of a food protection manager course on duty whenever food is being served.

Creem and Gentile said the idea of the legislation is to build upon a 2009 law that required restaurants to post food allergy information in kitchens and put a line on menus telling customers to inform their server of any allergies. That same law also required that standard food service courses include a food allergy video.

This legislation builds on the existing rules to help protect people like this young man who can follow all the rules but still get hurt or die because their server did not have someone with expertise in allergies to help coordinate service, Gentile said.

Jason Linde, senior vice president for advocacy at Food Allergy Research and Education, said there are more than 711,000 Massachusetts residents who have potentially life-threatening food allergies, including more than 100,000 children under the age of 18. He noted that the Bay States food allergy cohort is larger than the combined populations of Boston and Revere.

Linde said the bill filed by Creem and Gentile is a common sense solution that offers a win-win outcome for food allergy families and restaurants.

It updates the states 2010 restaurant training law by revising the training video to include the newest allergen to be labeled, sesame, and ensures greater protection for the states more than 1.1 million food allergy families by requiring at least one restaurant employee with food allergy training is always on site, he said. By making these changes, the states restaurants should benefit economically as food allergy families are among the most loyal and repeat consumers in the country.

Linde said that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that the rate of children with food allergies has more than doubled over the last 20 years and has tripled for children with peanut or tree nut allergies.

There are more and more children with food allergies, and it isnt fair that theyre not able to go out to eat with their families like those who dont have food allergy, Creem said.
The unified, complex search for the missing Titanic submersible vessel has focused where a Canadian aircraft heard underwater noises as even more international agencies band together to find and rescue the five people onboard, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

During a 1 p.m. press conference on Wednesday from the U.S Coast Guard base in Boston, Capt. Jamie Frederick, the First Coast Guard District response coordinator, said the international assistance provided by several countries in the search for the missing submersible has been paramount.

The good news is what I can tell you is were searching in the area where the noises were detected. And well continue to do so, Frederick said. He also said, With respect to the noises specifically: We dont know what they are... Were searching where the noises are. And thats all we can do at this point.

Whats more challenging, he explained, is the remote location where the vessel went missing.

The location of the search 900 miles east of Cape Cod, and 400 miles southeast of St. Johns makes it exceptionally difficult to mobilize large amounts of equipment quickly. In spite of those challenges, weve been able to provide continuous air and surface search assets as well as additional ROV (remotely operated vehicle) capability search below the surface, the captain added.

The submersible vessel, called the Titan, went missing on Sunday after officials said contact was lost with those on board about 1 hour and 45 minutes into the vessels dive. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified after the vessel didnt resurface at its planned time of 6:10 p.m. Sunday.

The Coast Guard in Boston joined efforts on Monday to search for the 21-foot submersible, which came from the Canadian research vessel, Polar Prince via OceanGate Expeditions. More reinforcements from several jurisdictions, including the Canadian Coast Guard, arrived Wednesday morning to help.

During the Wednesday afternoon conference, Frederick said there are currently five service assets searching for the Titan, and expected a total of 10 service assets to search within the next 24 to 48 hours. There were also two back to back flights planned, one ongoing and one for the evening, Frederick said.

As a result of the noises detected on Tuesday, Frederick said ROV operations were relocated to try and find the noises origin, and although the search yielded negative results, the efforts continue in the area.

The data collected from the plane that detected the noises was shared with U.S. Navy experts for further analysis, and will be considered in future search plans, Frederick said.

The surface search is now approximately two times the size of Connecticut; the subsurface search is up to two and a half miles deep, exponentially expanding the size of the search area. We also have to factor in ever-changing weather conditions, currents and sea states that expand the search area every hour, Frederick said.

A team of highly trained French ROV operators departed St. Johns last night [and] are en route to aid the search. Moreover, our Canadian partners have been providing critical leadership and significant response capabilities since the beginning of our efforts, Frederick said.

There are two ROVs actively searching and several more are in route will arrive by tomorrow morning, Frederick said, adding that updates were being continuously made to the British and French consulates general.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the crew with the Titan and their loved ones. We will continue to work as hard and as quickly as possible in an effort to locate them, Frederick said.

As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the five people on board had about 40 hours of oxygen left, according to First U.S. Coast Guard District Captain Jamie Frederick.

Rear Admiral John Mauger, the commander of the Coast Guard district leading the search, said the submersible went missing about 900 miles off Cape Cod where the water depth in the area is about 13,000 feet.

Five people were aboard the vessel when it went missing, including a pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Their names are Hamish Harding, the owner and chairman of Action Aviation, ex-Navy officer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush.

During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Frederick stated thered been a search by sight and by radar with sub surface efforts, and that monitoring sonar buoys had been dropped on Tuesday, but that those efforts had not yielded any results in the search.

Additionally, the U.S. Navy... is working with U.S. transportation command to bring additional assets to the search area, Frederick had said. There are also several private research vessels, RV capabilities, that are making preparations to join the efforts.

Preparations for the 13,000-foot underwater voyage began Friday at Newfoundland Island off Canadas Atlantic coast. The expedition, headed by OceanGate Expeditions, was intended to be an eight-day research tour of the Titanic remains, according to the expedition groups website.

OceanGate held successful expeditions of the Titanic remains in 2021 and 2022. The group looks to return to the Titanic wreck site annually to document the historic ship and its rate of decay, according to OceanGates website.

The company said at the time that in addition to archaeologists and marine biologists, the expeditions also would include about 40 paid tourists who would take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the five-person submersible.

The initial group of tourists would pay around $100,000 to $150,000 each to join the expedition.
The penguin colony at Bostons New England Aquarium just got a little larger with the addition of 3-month-old Bray, a female African penguin which was the first penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium since 2019.

The former chick was born with downy feathers, but now at 3 months old, the penguin is considered an adult with waterproof feathers which allow her to venture away from the nest and swim safely, the New England Aquarium said in a news release on Wednesday.

She got her name Bray due to the donkey-like vocalizations made by her species, which is endangered and is native to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, the aquarium added.

Read more: Meet the first African penguin chick hatched at the New England Aquarium in years

Since her hatching on March 23, The New England Aquarium noted Bray has been growing rapidly, now at 6.6 pounds  or 42 times her weight when she hatched.

Bray has been raised by both her parents Malgas II and Demersus III as well as Animal Care trainers behind the scenes, according to the aquarium.

Watch a video below of Brays journey from a young chick to an adult below or by clicking here.

In the early stages, the parents provide most of the care, just as they would in the wild, said Senior Penguin Trainer Amanda Burr in a statement. As the chick grew, we started teaching her to be hand-fed by our Animal Care team so she would be ready to join the rest of the colony on exhibit.

To prepare for Brays shift to the aquariums penguin habitat, she received a full physical exam along with blood tests which determined her sex as female, according to the aquarium.

Visitors to the aquarium will be able to identify Bray by the gray feathers and green and brown identification bracelet on her right wing, the aquarium added.

In joining the colony, Bray is surrounded by family, including her great-grandmother Deco, the oldest penguin at the New England Aquarium at a staggering 41 years old. The New England Aquarium said in the wild African penguins typically live for only 10 to 15 years.

Watch a video of Bray joining the penguin colony at the New England Aquarium below or by clicking here.

The New England Aquarium also participates in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums  an effort to support field conservation and thoughtful breeding programs to promote a sustainable future for these endangered penguins, it said.

Every new African penguin chick is a huge win for this endangered population, so were overjoyed to welcome a new chick to the colony, Barr said.

The breeding effort teaches us a little more about the factors that can help us support future births, from nest temperature to genetics, and we get to share that information and play a part in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums efforts to save African penguins around the world, she added.

The species threatened by factors like overfishing, oil spills and climate change, according to the New England Aquarium. It added that the species global population has been reduced 97% in the last century and that Without the close attention and efforts of humans and conservation organization like the Aquarium, the species could go extinct by 2035.

Read more: New England Aquarium releases 24 rehabilitated sea turtles back to the wild

Since the 1970s, 108 African penguin chicks have hatched at the New England Aquarium, it added. The chance for the penguins to breed also marks an important life stage for the species as they form pair-bonds, nest, breed and rear their chicks.

The aquarium had previously put its efforts to breed its penguins on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MassLive previously reported.

Brays mother, 15-year-old Malgas II laid the egg which contained Bray back in February after displaying mating behavior with Brays father, Demersus III.

The pair had previously raised another chick together, and Malgas II has had two other offspring with a previous mate.
HOLYOKE  Dozens of parents showed up at an emergency meeting at a Catholic elementary school Monday evening, intent on learning how the Springfield diocese handled a former teacher whose career has been dogged by allegations of misconduct with children.

Matthew Holmes, 51, of East Longmeadow, has moved from school system to school system over nearly two decades, according to a lawsuit filed this month in Hampden Superior Court.

Parents want to know what the diocese has done to protect their children.

The suit names Holmes and his last employer, the Holyoke Community Charter School. Holmes was accused by an 8-year-old boy of asking the child to lift up his shirt to show his belly, then asking: Can I have it?

Holmes was terminated. With assistance from parents and the plaintiffs attorney, Laura Mangini, The Republican has determined that Holmes teaching career has included posts at four schools within the Catholic diocese since 2018.

Diocesan spokeswoman Carolee McGrath said the church took steps to remove Holmes from teaching after his alleged conduct with children was revealed.

Prior to working for the diocese, Holmes had longer careers at Forest Park and Chestnut Middle schools in Springfield, where children complained of inappropriate touching, according to the lawsuit. Holmes has not been charged with a crime.

Holmes has been named in multiple state Department of Children and Families complaints, according to McGrath and the lawsuit.

Leaders of both the Springfield Public Schools and the Holyoke Community Charter School have either declined to comment or have not responded to requests for comment.

Multiple attempts to reach Holmes have been unsuccessful, including a visit Tuesday to his home.

Questions about vetting

Holmes final two parochial school positions were at St. Marys elementary school in Longmeadow and Mater Dolorosa elementary in Holyoke, where a meeting Monday was hosted by diocesan leaders. A reporter attended the beginning of the meeting, until members of the media were informed they were barred from being there.

Officials present included the diocesan schools superintendent; the human resources director; Michael Collins, new head of dioceses Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance; Mater Dolorosa Principal Mary Fedora; the schools pastor, the Rev. Albert Scherer; and school board members.

The meeting opened with a prayer and questions from parents about Holmes history and the sort of vetting he may have undergone before getting hired by the diocese and transferred from the St. Marys School system in Westfield from 2018 to 2020, onto the Longmeadow school and Mater Dolorosa from 2021-2022, according to Mangini.

In response to questions about Holmes employment, McGrath said Holmes was placed on administrative leave at St. Marys in Longmeadow on May 12, 2022.

That step was taken, she said, after concerns were brought forward alleging inappropriate boundary violations with a student. This action was communicated with Mater Dolorosa School.

Holmes was terminated from both St. Marys Academy in Longmeadow and Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke on May 26, 2022, McGrath said, after a complaint was filed with the Department of Children and Families.

In addition, the Diocese of Springfield notified the Hampden District Attorneys Office, McGrath said. The diocese is looking into his employment at St. Marys in Westfield.

Parents who attended Mondays meeting told the newspaper that Collins said Holmes had been vetted through references, but did not detail who those references were.

Also, according to parents, Scherer said during the meeting he was instructed by a previous superintendent that he was not to inform parents that Holmes had been terminated  or why.

At St. Marys in Longmeadow, Holmes had been discovered searching student addresses using the schools database, the lawsuit says.

Since a story ran in the The Republican June 2 about the Holmes legal complaint, parents have demanded answers from the school, leading to Mondays meeting.

The diocese initially offered emergency counseling to Mater Dolorosa students who may have been affected by Holmes conduct, according to a letter to parents obtained by the newspaper. The offer cited the urgency of the matter, but the diocese later withdrew its offer, noting a dearth of available clinical resources.

I am following up on my recent email regarding the availability of counselors for our students this week, says a letter dated June 14. We heard back from the Diocese, and they do not have an active contract with a health care provider that can provide these services rapidly. In addition, local providers would not have the resources to have clinicians respond this quickly.

With that being said, we are most fortunate to have on staff ... our 5th grade teacher, who happens to be a Certified Mental Health Counselor, read the letter, signed by Fedora and Scherer, adding that parents should reach out to health care professionals independently if their child is experiencing anxiety or trauma.

Mangini said more than one parent has reported their child was disciplined by Holmes by being banished to an empty art room attached to his classroom, where they could get out from under further discipline by offering Holmes a hug.

Collins told parents Monday he had not received any complaints from Mater Dolorosa students or parents prior to the publication of the news article, according to those in attendance.

Mater Dolorosa Catholic elementary school on Maple Street in Holyoke.

McGrath said the diocese made a report to the Hampden District Attorneys Office regarding the allegations against Holmes. Mangini said she followed up with the office herself.

Nothing has been done other than Holmes being shipped for school to school to school. My clients wanted to make sure it was reported to the proper authorities and wasnt swept under the rug. There have been complaints about this teacher since 2018, Mangini said.

James Leydon, spokesman for Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni, said he could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an ongoing investigation.

The diocese is mandated to report any allegations of abuse to law enforcement, following a long-brewing scandal over the late Bishop Christopher J. Weldons rape of a young altar boy in the 1960s. That cost the church a lawsuit settled recently with Weldons accuser.

McGrath said Mondays dialogue will lead to more communication with parents of parochial school students.

Protecting children in the care of those who work in Catholic schools or who work or volunteer in the diocese remains and must always remain a top priority. Parents spoke of better communication when a teacher or administrator is terminated, which the diocese will work to implement, she said.

The diocese encourages anyone who has information on misconduct to report this directly to law enforcement as well as to the Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance at (413) 452-0624, via a confidential hotline, 1-800 842-9055, or by email to reportabuse@diospringfield.org.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Mnangagwa after checking his papers pic.twitter.com/QyJyFYfXUi  Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) June 21, 2023

President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressing media after checking if his nomination papers for the 23 August presidential election are in order.His papers were filed earlier in the day by Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.Mnangagwa will battle it out with main opposition CCC leader Nelson Chamisa and independent candidate Saviour Kasukuwere, a former Zanu-PF minister and MP, in what promises to be an explosive contest.Mnangagwa says the nomination process across the country for the general elections has been going on well, showing Zimbabwe is now a "mature democracy".
BOSTON  This Friday, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women will honor 125 women from across the commonwealth, including Francena Brown of Springfield.

Brown was nominated by state Rep. Bud L. Williams, D-11th Hampden, and will be recognized at the 20th Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023 Celebration.

She is the executive director of Families Against Violence, an organization that provides support to families who have lost loved ones to various forms of violence, sudden death and suicide. Brown lost two of her sons to gun violence and has made it her mission to be a voice for families who have experienced such profound pain and loss.

Along with her gun reform efforts, Brown also partakes in multiple community-based events, including Christmas and Easter toy giveaways and sharing Thanksgiving care packages. She helps the Springfield community in whatever ways she can while simultaneously looking to spread Families Against Violence to other cities and states, Williams noted In a statement.

Francena is being recognized for her unwavering passion, dedication and commitment to providing support to families impacted by loss. She has been called to action and she delivers. Her impact, her character, and the service she provides have indeed been noticed and are greatly appreciated, Williams said. She is Springfields Unsung Heroine, and it is an honor that we celebrate her along with the other Commonwealth Heroines for their invaluable extraordinary acts of service.

The celebration will take place at 11 a.m. in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts Statehouse.
Almost four years after the death of his wife, Valdir Chaves of Roxbury was sentenced to life in prison following a guilty plea for fatally stabbing her, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office announced Tuesday.

Chaves, 47, had been scheduled to stand trial this week on a first-degree murder charge, Haydens office said. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after killing his wife Dora Chaves, 38, on Aug. 11, 2019.

Boston police responded to the Clarence Street apartment at around 12:21 p.m., MassLive reported at the time. Dora Chaves was found with multiple stab wounds and was brought to the hospital, where she later died.

In a Roxbury court over a week after her death, Valdir Chaves pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail to charges of murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the Boston Globe reported.

Her death came after the couple had an argument behind a locked bedroom door, the Globe reported. When Valdir Chaves emerged, he was covered in blood, Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum told the court.

His claim was the last thing he remembered was the victim yelling at him or arguing with him, Polumbaum said. Next thing he knew, she was in that state of being seriously wounded and he had no memory or no idea of how she got that way.

There was an earlier argument where Dora Chaves left the home but returned the next morning with police, the Globe wrote in 2019. She did not report any crime against her at that time, but (asked) that the police get him to leave the house, which he did, Polumbaum said in court.

A lot of victims say that I dont want them arrested, I dont want to move forward with charges. But police still arrest, Maureen Flores, civilian domestic violence advocacy program manager for Quincy-based DOVE Inc., told the Globe. We have no idea where that person is going to be the next hour, the next day.

Valdir Chaves was sentenced by Judge Anthony Campo, Haydens office said. He has the possibility of parole in 20 years.
MINNEAPOLIS  Red Sox starter Tanner Houck will undergo facial surgery next week to have a plate inserted where he got hit by a line drive Friday night, manager Alex Cora said Monday. The team did not provide a timetable for Houcks potential return.

Houck suffered a facial fracture when he got hit under the right eye by an 89.7 mph line drive off the bat of Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka. He was taken to Mass. General Hospital, then released over the weekend before undergoing more tests Tuesday. Cora said Houck will return to pitch this year, adding that he isnt sure when.

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Feels good. Getting rest and knowing thats going to happen (the surgery), Cora said. Knowing hell be part of this whenever he gets back, its a good feeling.

The Red Sox consider the results of Houcks test to represent something of a best-case scenario even if surgery is required. That Houck avoided damage to his eye and did not suffer a concussion represent obvious positives.

Close enough to the eye, its OK, Cora said. Close enough to the temple. Hes with us. It sounds bad, fracture, but the fact he knows hes going to be part of this, its the best news we can get out of this.

In the near term, the Red Sox will be short when it comes to their starting rotation. Both Houck and Chris Sale (shoulder) are out for the foreseeable future, so with Nick Pivetta and Corey Kluber both in the bullpen, the club has just four healthy starters (James Paxton, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello and Garrett Whitlock). They have not yet named a starter for Thursday and could go in various directions, including using an opener like they did during Game 1 of Sundays doubleheader against the Yankees when Kaleb Ort started.
A Leominster man died after two vans crashed into each other in Cranston, Rhode Island, on Monday, police said on Facebook.

At around 8:49 p.m. on Monday, police said two white work vans collided head-on on Scituate Avenue in the eastbound lane, according to a statement from Cranston police. One van was a 2015 Ford Transit Van and was carrying compressed oxygen for use in health care.

Three occupants between the two vehicles were involved in the crash, police said. The health care van driver, Garrison Gonzalez, and a passenger both had to be pulled from the vehicle due to the amount of damage sustained in the crash.

Gonzalez, 61 of Leominster, died at Rhode Island Hospital, police said. The injuries of the passenger and other driver were considered not life-threatening.

The van belonged to the Ludlow-based company Life Supply Corporation and contained 44 oxygen cylinders of different weights. Three 100 lb. oxygen cylinders were leaking because of the crash and were removed from the van by the health care company before the van could be moved for further investigation, police said.

Any spark or flame could ignite and oxygen is a highly compressed type of fuel for any ignition source, police said in the statement.

The investigation is being led by the Cranston Police Traffic Unit, the statement read. Police have not found any evidence that either driver was impaired.
After investigators determined that a mushroom cloud explosion in Truro in April was caused by a propane leak, state fire officials looking into a fatal explosion in Berlin that happened the same week have preliminary thoughts as to what caused it.

On April 14, the Berlin Fire Department was notified at about 3:30 a.m. about an explosion in the area of 71 Pleasant St. One woman, 79-year-old Judy Christensen, died in the explosion. Her daughter, Jill, was injured and needed to undergo jaw surgery after she was rescued by three neighbors and a Berlin police officer.

As of Wednesday, June 21, the Department of Fire Services had an update on what might have caused the explosion.

Investigators believe that the fire and explosion were accidental and most likely related to a propane leak at the home, but the case is still open as local and state officials work with insurance investigators and other agencies, State Fire Marshal spokesperson Jake Wark told MassLive on Wednesday.

Investigators will announce their conclusion once they make a final determination as to what caused Christensens home to explode, Wark said.

The investigation is being led by Berlin Fire Department, the Berlin Police Department, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.s office.

Neighbors Brian and Dylan Clemmer called upon Berlin police officer Molly Plante to help them lift a porch roof off of a woman they heard calling for help. Then a second explosion brought heavy fire as a live, sparking electrical wire was under the rescuers feet.

Plante and neighbor Bobby Wheeler removed Jill Christensen from under the porch. Plante hauled her over her shoulder and carried her back to the police cruiser just as another explosion further engulfed the house in flames.

All four rescuers were recognized by Berlin Fire/EMS Chief Michael McQuillen and Police Chief Eric Schartner for their heroic actions, they said in a joint statement.

Andrea Clemmer  whose relationship to the Christensens and father and son Brian and Dylan has not been clarified  set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses and help Jill rebuild her life. Overall, it received 672 donations and raised $77,235, well over the $60,000 goal.

Christensen, who turned 79 the day before the explosion, was remembered in the joint statement by McQuillen and Schartner for her smile and the laughter she spread. Our memories of her will never be forgotten and we will cherish the gratitude she had for our Public Safety Departments and the stories of random acts of kindness she spread throughout the community.

Memorial services for Christensen took place at First Parish Church of Berlin on April 29, the GoFundMe said.

As for the explosion in Truro, officials said in a statement that propane leaked into the homes basement at 8 Hardings Way and ignited either by a water heater or furnace, leading to a fire and explosion. This then caused a 120-gallon propane tank to detonate. No evidence indicates foul play.

Inspectors also discovered that the propane tank was manufactured in 1989 and was overdue for a requalification examination. It had been improperly filled with 5.5 gallons of propane, a violation of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, officials added.
The owner of an apartment building that was the site of a deadly fire last year is asking the Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund for financial support to rebuild the property, but if it was up to the City Council, the answer would be no.

2 Gage Worcester LLC, the owner of 2 Gage St., submitted an application to the trust fund requesting $472,356 to build a seven-unit apartment building, with three apartments restricted to households earning 30% or less of the area median income (the request was later reduced to $471,770, the maximum allowed for the project under the funds regulations).

At 3:31 a.m. May 14, 2022, the Worcester Fire Department received a report of the fire at the six-family triple-decker building. The building was a complete loss and has since been torn down. Two other buildings, 5 Eastern Ave. and 4 Gage St., were also damaged in the fire.

Four people died in the fire: Joseph Garchali, 47; Christopher Lozeau, 53; Vincent Page, 41; and Marcel Fontaine, 29. Another resident was seriously injured after jumping from a window to escape the fire.

Yvonne Ngoiri, a former resident of 2 Gage St., was indicted in September on four counts of second-degree murder, two counts of arson of a dwelling, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing bodily injury in connection with the fire, which officials say was deliberately set. Ngoiri has pleaded not guilty.

The owners of 2 Gage St., Huanchen Li and Wendy Wang, had a history of health and safety violations at that and other properties they owned in the city, MassLive previously reported. Li is the resident agent of 2 Gage Worcester LLC, the current owner of the property, along with Jaime Vargas, a Marlborough-based contractor who is also the builder on the project.

After the fire, housing advocates called for the city to establish a rental registry that would require rental units to be inspected regularly and keep current contact information for property owners or managers on file in case of an emergency. Currently, the city only inspects a property when a complaint is made.

According to the property owners application to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rebuilding project has already been started and is expected to be completed within a year and a half.

The new building will offer seven apartments with 22 bedrooms. One unit will be accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Worcester City Council on Tuesday night said it is opposed to the trust fund granting 2 Gage Worcester LLC the money for the project.

Im very concerned that as a city we might be rewarding really irresponsible behavior, especially when it comes to harming our tenants, said Councilor Etel Haxhiaj.

Haxhiaj asked the city managers office to provide a report to the council on how the trusts Board of Trustees screens for developers with a history of health code and tenant rights violations.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, whose district includes 2 Gage St., said it was lunacy that the application was even up for discussion.

This individual, not only on Gage Street, but in several other locations in this city, (is) putting peoples lives at risk. What are we doing? Mero-Carlson said. These folks should not be getting one cent from this city. Remember, four individuals died. ... We should not be allowing that man to put another individual into any one of his units because he doesnt care whether they live or die.

The council voted unanimously to oppose the application; however, this decision is not binding, and the trustees can still decide to approve the grant.

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, June 21 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the application.

MassLive has reached out to the property owners for comment.
News / National

by Tarisai Mudahondo | Simbarashe Sithole

United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) deputy resident representative programs Madelena Monoja hailed their partnership with National climate service framework to build a national climate resilient society.

Speaking during the two day workshop held in Harare from yesterday Monoja said, " Today UNDP is supporting the National Climate Service framework to establish strategies for sustained operations and mantainance of the country's hydro- metro logical equipment.The partnership is aimed at advancing the national climate resilience building agenda where Zimbabwe like most part of Sub Saharan Africa is perennially affected by several hazards impacting heavily on rain fed agricultural production systems".Monoja further stated that," The support by UNDP contributes to the work being done by ministry especially on the national framework for weather , water and climate services of Zimbabwe.I express my deepest appreciation to the government of Zimbabwe for allowing a partnership extension model where UNDP showcases the seamless transition from the national framework".She added that UNDP desires to realize increased coordination between Metrological services department and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).
The Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Market is expected to be worth US$ 2500 by the year 2025, at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2017-2025. Digital health is into occupation of a noteworthy position in our lives, thereby rendering it a significant tool in the medical device trends going forward. This would be the overall outlook of the healthcare vertical in the forecast period.

An endoscopic technique called Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) is used for the resection of large distal colorectal poylps. EMR was developed for minimally invasive, organ sparing endoscopic removal of benign and early malignant lesions in the GI tract.

EMR is used to treat superficial neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. A new research report by Persistence Market Research is based on the analysis of the global endoscopic mucosal resection market and its overview. The report titled Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Market: Global Industry Analysis 20122016 and Forecast 2017  2025 includes the major aspects of the market such as the market size, growth rate, pricing analysis and much more.

Ask For Free Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13693

Company Profiles

Boston Scientific Corporation

Cook Medical Inc

Olympus

Interscope, Inc.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation

CONMED Corporation

STERIS Plc

According to the report forecast, the global endoscopic mucosal resection market reached a value of over US$ 1,400 Mn in 2017 and this is expected to increase to over US$ 2,500 Mn by the end of 2025. Revenue growth is anticipated to expand at a robust CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period 2017-2025.

The growth is a result of new technological advancements in the global endoscopic mucosal resection market and companies are ready to make full use of this by launching new products in the market.

Glance Through The Methodology Implied@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/13693

Global Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Market: Dynamics

The global endoscopic mucosal resection market has a major support of the macro factors like increase in the spending on healthcare sector in various regions by the local governments. This has led to an overall improvement in the technology used by the healthcare industry.

It has helped in increasing the number of endoscopic mucosal resection procedures worldwide. The market has also observed collaborations between the manufacturers. Original equipment manufacturers and third party service vendors focus on the collaboration and partnership activities in some regions to provide sales and after sales services effectively.

This boosts the brand image of endoscope reprocessing equipment and ultimately helps the growth of the global endoscopic mucosal resection market.

However, the global endoscopic mucosal resection market may face challenges in its growth due to stringent rules and regulations pertaining to the launch of new products in the market. Also, inadequate reimbursements of claims limits the willingness of people to spend on costly medical procedures like endoscopic mucosal resection.

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Segmental Highlights from the Research Report

On the basis of region , Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global market with the fastest growth rate of 7.9% during the forecast period. Another attractive region in the global endoscopic mucosal resection market is North America that is anticipated to hold the maximum market size by the end of 2025.

, Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global market with the fastest growth rate of 7.9% during the forecast period. Another attractive region in the global endoscopic mucosal resection market is North America that is anticipated to hold the maximum market size by the end of 2025. On the basis of technology , suck-and-cut technique is the most lucrative segment with a high CAGR, whereas the lift-and-cut technique leads with a higher market size during the forecast period.

, suck-and-cut technique is the most lucrative segment with a high CAGR, whereas the lift-and-cut technique leads with a higher market size during the forecast period. On the basis of indication duodenal cancer and esophageal cancer are both attractive segments according to the analysis.

duodenal cancer and esophageal cancer are both attractive segments according to the analysis. On the basis of end user, hospitals hold the maximum market size with an expected value of over US$ 1,400 Mn by the end of 2025.

Read More Trending PMR Exclusive Article:

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June 21, 2023 Tolentino: Accepting Afghan refugees is the highest form of human rights compliance for PH WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Francis 'TOL' N. Tolentino said that accepting displaced refugees is the highest standard when it comes to the adherence to international human rights commitment. In an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel direct from Washington D.C., Tolentino said that the Philippines being part of the community of nations has the "moral obligation" to render necessary assistance to displaced persons, just like many people in Afghanistan who are currently being persecuted and threatened following the Fall of Kabul into the hands of the Taliban in 2021. "Itong ginagawa nating ito, this is the highest form of compliance with human rights obligations, yung tanggapin mo yung mga nangangailangan na mga kababaihan--mga nangagaling sa Afghanistan... wala na tayong patutunayan dito," said Tolentino, vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In light of the persisting humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Tolentino earlier favored the Philippine government's initiative to extend help to Afghans who have been tragically affected by the decades-long war. Tolentino once again stressed that he sees nothing wrong on the idea of accepting Afghan refugees, noting that "it is legal" since the Philippines is "bound to comply with several (international) treaties," particularly the United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol; and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). "I don't see any reason to hype the hysteria all over again. Is it illegal to help a fellow human being in need? Is it illegal to provide a temporary shelter for someone in need? I don't see anything wrong. In the age of conscience, morality, and principles of international law would justify all of these" he added. The senator explained that by aiding Afghans who are currently seeking refuge from their war-torn nation is the best chance for the Philippine government to prove its doubters and critics wrong over their accusations of allegedly not totally fulfilling the country's human rights obligations. "Lagi po tayong sinasabihan ng European Union, lagi po tayong sinasabihan ng ilang bansa na hindi tayo tumutupad sa human rights obligation natin... this is the highest level of compliance within international humanitarian laws and human rights obligations of the Philippines," said Tolentino.
If the world were flat, the far southern tip of Chile would be just the spot to peer over the edge. The epicenter of this rugged destination is Puerto Williams of Navarino Island, on the nearly pristine Cape Horn archipelago. This frontier locale of 2,000 hearty residents faces Beagle Channel, the narrow waterway named after 19th century British explorer Charles Darwins iconic ship. Billed as the worlds southernmost city, Puerto Williams is developing new maritime and airport infrastructure to boost sustainable tourism and restore its legacy as the gateway to Antarctica, a slice of which is part of Chile. The city also aspires to become a hub for scientific research across the UNESCO Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve.

Modern-day explorers will discover a rich, untrampled landscape right around Puerto Williams itself, whether navigating through icy fjords or spotting crimson-headed Magellanic woodpeckers in sub-Antarctic primary forests. Boasting a more laid back, less commercial profile than the Argentinian city of Ushuaia across the channel, Puerto Williams is the ideal destination for intrepid travelers eager for immersion into a raw natural realm.

All listings featured on Conde Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Silversea

Getting there via cruise

For travelers looking for outdoor adventure without ditching creature comforts, small cruises that embark from Chiles central coast port city of Valparaiso are a posh option. Relying on the local Chilean naval base for logistics, Puerto Williams has long hosted turnarounds of passengers heading into or out of Antarctica. The first phase of a new multipurpose dock now under construction will facilitate the arrival of slightly larger ships with around 200 passengers by the end of the year.

Silversea, a unit of Royal Caribbean, plies Chiles long coast to Puerto Williams. Silversea offers an indulgent month-long option that reaches the Antarctic Peninsula plus the Falkland Islands and other far-flung South Atlantic islands. Prime your camera for sightings of king penguins, seals and whales wolloping through the frigid seas, while majestic albatross soar overhead and cormorants flap across choppy waters.

Travelers looking for more time on land might consider flying into Puerto Williams. Chiles DAP Airlines offers regular one-hour flights from Punta Arenas, capital of Chiles Magallanes and Antarctic region that encompasses Cape Horn. The carrier serves remote destinations in southern Chile, including King George Island in Antarctica and Ushuaia. DAP also offers helicopter tours to soak in Cape Horns mountains and imposing glaciers from the crystal clear skies. Charter options are available too.

Budget-minded travelers might ride the 32-hour Yaghan ferry from Punta Arenas, operated by Chilean firm Tabsa. Outfitted like a long-distance bus, half of the no-fuss vessel is carved out for vehicles and provisions shipped into Puerto Williams twice a week. Ferry riders are rewarded with close-ups of Cape Horns best-known glaciers and breathtaking views of the Milky Way from open decks.

Dientes de Navarino Posnov/Getty

When to visit for the best natural wonder

Most visitors arrive in Puerto Williams in the southern hemisphere summer months starting in November. In contrast to the more terrestrial far northern hemisphere, the vast southern seas help to keep temperatures here from dropping too sharply even in winter, a tendency thats reinforced by climate change. Bear in mind, the summer months offer long stretches of daylight to squeeze the most out of a remote destination thats not easy to reach. Winds tend to ease in the winter months though, and the surrounding mountains are snow-capped year-round. No matter when you visit, pack a parka, toasty hat and gloves, and sturdy waterproof shoes. Youll want sunglasses and binoculars too.

Once on shore, visit the government-run Sernatur tourism office in central Puerto Williams to arrange hikes through the snow-capped Dientes de Navarino mountains, horseback riding and sport-fishing. Bird-watching is a newer focus. The National Audubon Society is helping promote sustainable avitourism in conjunction with the Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), perched on a hill overlooking the channel.

Well-equipped sailboats offer dreamy half-day to 10-day tours though the fjords and tundra-swept islands of Cape Horn. Take a slow walk down to the local dock to see colorful fishing boats that harvest luscious centolla, or king crab. On the outskirts of Puerto Williams, visit the Yaghan Indigenous community of Villa Ukika for woven baskets and other handicrafts. Elsewhere, history buffs can duck into old military foxholes and meander through an open-air museum of relics left over from Chiles near-war with Argentina in the late 1970s.

Plaza Bernardo Ohiggins at Puerto Williams Posnov/Getty

Where to stay and eat

There are only a few modest accommodations and family-run restaurants around Puerto Williams. Check out the charming Hotel Fio Fio near downtown Puerto Williams. Its worth chatting with the hotels gracious proprietor Maurice Van De Maele, an anthropologist who heads the local tourism chamber and has lived here for nearly four decades.

A couple of kilometers outside of town is Lakutaia Lodge, named after a Yaghan woman. The hotel closed during the pandemic and served as a quarantine facility for travelers to Antarctica. Although the hotel remains officially closed, groups can still arrange for ad hoc stays. A new 150-bed expansion is planned for the site. Further afield is Errante Ecolodge where you can soak in a hot tub watching the sunset from a stunning bluff.

Puerto Williams has only a couple of year-round restaurants, Dientes de Navarino and Resto del Sur. A few others open during the summer months. Among the homestyle offerings are king crab empanadas and grilled Austral merluza. Wash down your meal with a pisco sour or Subantarctica golden ale, or pick up a hot cocoa at Notro Patagonia Emporio.

Puerto Williams has no taxis or regular public transport, although informal private options abound. Thanks to the thriving navy base, fiber-optic internet signal is robust downtown. There are modest grocery stores, but dont count on too many choices as the town still relies on biweekly shipments from the mainland for most provisions. Local greenhouses supply fresh lettuce and herbs. Make sure to pack whatever medicines you might need.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler
Arizton published the latest research report, Medical Aesthetics Market  Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027, Industry Trends, Growth, Opportunity Company Analysis, medical aesthetics market to reach $45 billion by 2027.

[354 Pages Report] medical aesthetic market research report segmented by procedures (minimally invasive and non-invasive), product (body contouring devices, laser & energy based devices, cosmetic implants, derma filler & neuromodulators, microneedling & chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and other), application (body contouring & cellulite reduction, skin tightening & skin lighteners, facial aesthetic, breast augmentation, and other), end user (hospital & skin clinics, medical spa & beauty centres, and homecare), geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa)  Market Forecast Till 2027.

Medical aesthetics treatment focuses on treating and improving the appearance of the patient skin & body. Medical aesthetics treatments are not as aggressive as surgical interventions; they include minimally invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures that enhance the body shape, skin texture, and other benefits. It required high skills, knowledge, and human anatomy and physiology training. The global medical aesthetics industry has changed in the past few years, with the overall demand for cosmetic treatments trending in a single direction; on another side, despite the barriers and restrictions on cosmetic procedures significantly imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there was still a healthy rise of 3% from 2019. This reveals the strong preference for improving appearance, and there are enormous opportunities for the medical aesthetics market in the coming years.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/customize-report/3549

Medical Aesthetics Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size 2027 $45 Billion Market Size 2021 $21 Billion CAGR (2022-2027) 13.7% Base year 2021 Forecast Year 2022-2027 Segmentation Analysis Procedures, Product, Application, End User, and Geography Key Leading Countries The US, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa Major Markets to Look for North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Key Companies AbbVie (Allergan), Bausch Health Companies, Candela, Cutera, Cynosure, EL.En. S.p.A., Galderma, Johnson & Johnson, Lumenis, Merz Pharma, Sientra, Sinclair, and Sisram Medical, Aerolase, Aesthetics Biomedical, Asclepion Laser Technologies, Astanza Laser, Beijing Sanhe Beauty S & T Co., Beijing ADSS Development, Biolitec, Biotec Italia, BISON Medical, Bluecore Company, Brera Medical Technologies S.R.L., BTL Aesthetics, Cartessa Aesthetics, Dominion Aesthetic Technologies, Erchonia, ENDYMED, F Care Systems, Gigaalaser, GSD  Global Skin Dermatologist, InMode Aesthetic Solutions, Leaflife Technology, LINLINE Medical Systems, Lutronic, Lynton Lasers, MedArt ApS, Microaire Surgical Instruments, Medytox, Meyer-Haake, PhotoMedex, Revance Aesthetics, Sciton, ThermiGen, Venus Concept, Wavemed, and Zimmer MedizinSysteme Market Dynamics Better Access for Cosmetic Surgeries by Medical Tourism

Increasing Awareness & Expenditure on Medical Aesthetic & Cosmetic Solutions

Increasing Demand for Minimally Invasive & Non-invasive Surgeries

Ageing Demographics & Increasing Focus on Improving Appearance & Youthfulness

New Medical Aesthetics Launched in the Medical Aesthetics Market

In 2022, newly launched treatment such as Ellacor dermal micro-coring became more popular for lines and laxity.

A newly developed treatment RHA Redensity is used for lip lines. RHA Redensity gets approval for the correction of moderate and severe lip lines.

2022 a new thread lift, APTOS,  was launched. The Aptos PLLA/PCL treads are developed from a novel blend of polymer material. These threads have good tissue gripping strengths with longer-lasting results.

The new glow-boosting injectable Volite is more akin to a laser for enhancing skin quality, tone, and texture.

The newly developed Sculptra for cellulite is collagen stimulating injectables indication used off-label for many years for the augmentation of the buttocks wrap up with clinical trials expected in 2022.

The breast-enhancing implant A Cleavage will be available for patient use in 2022.

Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3549

Application of Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) In Medical Aesthetics Creating Huge Market Opportunities

In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a highly popular facial rejuvenation treatment that stimulates collagen production and cell migration to eliminate lines, folds, and wrinkles in aging skin. The procedure involves using the patients platelet-rich blood cells to naturally rejuvenate the skin and repair and treat the signs of aging. The minimally invasive procedure is known to have no risks of allergic reactions, which makes it ideal for patients who do not prefer injectable fillers. The injection of PRP into targeted areas stimulates collagen production and regenerates tissues to make the skin smooth and tight. PRP treatments can be combined with hyaluronic fillers such as Restylane, and Juvederm removes lines and folds on facial skin to volumize the face and enhance the skin tone and texture.

Aging Demographics & Increasing Focus on Improving Appearance Positively Impacting the Market Growth

Young individuals, middle-aged adults, and older people are major medical aesthetic products and device users. The younger and aging populations worldwide rely on aesthetic treatments to look desirable and young. These treatments combat aging and include anti-aging creams and approved cosmetic procedures. Many young people are turning to aesthetic procedures to prevent their bodies from aging too soon. Also, healthcare professionals have observed a surge in the adoption of aesthetic procedures among different demographic cohorts worldwide. Botulinum toxin injections are highly sought-after aesthetic procedures among the younger demographic. The IAPAM journal shows around 90% of botulinum toxin injection users are female. However, in recent years, a larger proportion of the male population is turning to botulinum toxin injections and other aesthetic procedures to improve the appearance of their skin.

Body Contouring & Cellulite Reduction Application Segment to Generate Largest Revenue Share in the Market

In 2021, the markets body contouring and cellulite reduction segment was valued at $6.44 billion.

Body contouring is a medical aesthetic surgical procedure requiring non-surgical fat reduction and liposuction devices. (non-surgical fat reduction devices, cellulite reduction devices, and liposuction devices). Also known as body sculpting, body contouring is a surgical/medical procedure that helps to reshape different body areas. The procedure eliminates excess fat and extra skin, reshaping/contours the area and tightening the skin. Under the body contouring segment, lipolysis is a non-surgical procedure that uses heat, cold, laser, and other technologies. Some prominent body contouring surgical procedures include lifts, liposuction, and tucks. Medical aesthetic solutions are commonly used after massive weight loss during breast lift procedures, lower body lifts, thigh lifts, and upper arm lifts.

The rise in facial bone contouring surgeries and nonsurgical fat reduction procedures has propelled the demand for body contouring devices. Also, liposuction is a widely performed cosmetic procedure that requires body contouring solutions. Around 1.5 million surgical procedures are performed by plastic surgeons every year, contributing to the segments growth.

Geographical Overview

North America is a leading region in the global market due to the high expenditure on aesthetic procedures and consumer awareness. The US has the highest expenditure on medical aesthetic procedures in the market. Liposuction, breast augmentation, and tummy tuck medical aesthetic procedures are some of the highly sought-after procedures in the US market. Factors such as the rise in awareness of and advances in medical aesthetic procedures, the expansion of the aging population, and better access to medical aesthetic treatments have accelerated market growth in recent years.

Moreover, APAC is witnessing comparatively higher growth compared to all other regions. Factors such as the rising aging population, the increasing acceptance, and the surging demand for cosmetic surgeries and expenditure on medical aesthetic procedures are driving the market growth in the region. Also, the increasing access to medical aesthetic procedures in Japan, China, India, South Korea, and Australia contributes to the regions high market growth. The significant demand for cosmetic procedures among adults, teenagers, and the working population has accelerated market growth in Japan. There was a considerable surge in the frequency of cosmetic and plastic surgical procedures in China between 2020 and 2021. Also, around 90% of people in China who undergo cosmeceutical procedures are women.

Key Vendors

AbbVie (Allergan)

Bausch Health Companies

Candela

Cutera

Cynosure

EL.En. S.p.A.

Galderma

Johnson & Johnson

Lumenis

Merz Pharma

Sientra

Sinclair

Sisram Medical

Other Prominent Vendors

Aerolase

Aesthetics Biomedical

Asclepion Laser Technologies

Astanza Laser

Beijing Sanhe Beauty S & T Co.

Beijing ADSS Development

Biolitec

Biotec Italia

BISON Medical

Bluecore Company

Brera Medical Technologies S.R.L.

BTL Aesthetics

Cartessa Aesthetics

Dominion Aesthetic Technologies

Erchonia

ENDYMED

F Care Systems

Gigaalaser

GSD  Global Skin Dermatologist

InMode Aesthetic Solutions

Leaflife Technology

LINLINE Medical Systems

Lutronic

Lynton Lasers

MedArt ApS

Microaire Surgical Instruments

Medytox

Meyer-Haake

PhotoMedex

Revance Aesthetics

Sciton

ThermiGen

Venus Concept

Wavemed

Zimmer MedizinSysteme

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Airway Clearance System Market

The global airway clearance system market is expected to reach USD 785.27 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.41% from 2022 to 2029. The growth of the market is being driven by the increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia.

The airway clearance system market has witnessed substantial growth due to the increasing incidence of chronic respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis. These conditions often result in the accumulation of mucus and impaired airway clearance, leading to respiratory symptoms and complications. Airway clearance systems offer effective treatment options to assist in clearing the airways and improving respiratory function.

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The airway clearance system market has experienced significant growth in recent years due to the rising prevalence of respiratory diseases and the increasing demand for effective airway clearance therapies. Airway clearance systems are medical devices designed to assist in the removal of mucus and other secretions from the airways, helping to improve lung function and respiratory health. This research report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the airway clearance system market, including market trends, growth factors, competitive landscape, and future prospects.

The research report is based on a combination of primary and secondary research. Primary research involved interviews with healthcare professionals, respiratory therapists, and industry experts. Secondary research involved analyzing industry reports, company websites, trade journals, and other relevant sources of information. The data collected was analyzed to provide insights into the airway clearance system market.

Key Drivers and Trends

The growth of the airway clearance system market is being driven by the following factors:

Increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases

Growing demand for non-invasive airway clearance methods

Technological advancements in airway clearance systems

Rising awareness about the benefits of airway clearance therapy

Key Players

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

Philips Respironics (Koninklijke Philips N.V.,)

Aptalis Pharma US,Inc.

Thayer Medical

Electromed Inc.

General Physiotherapy, Inc.

Vortran Medical Technology

Monaghan Medical Corporation

Others.

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Market Segmentation

The airway clearance system market can be segmented based on type, application, end-user, and region.

Type

Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) Devices

High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) Devices

Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) Devices

Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV) Devices

Mechanical Cough Assist Devices

Others

Application

Cystic Fibrosis

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Bronchiectasis

Neuromuscular Disorders

Asthma

Others

End-User

Hospitals and Clinics

Homecare Settings

Rehabilitation Centers

Others

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

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Recent Developments

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare announced in 2022 that it had launched a new cough assist device called the CoughAssist 360. This device is designed to help people with cystic fibrosis and other respiratory diseases to clear their airways more effectively.

that it had launched a new cough assist device called the CoughAssist 360. This device is designed to help people with cystic fibrosis and other respiratory diseases to clear their airways more effectively. ResMed announced in 2022 that it had acquired the assets of Amedsys, a leading manufacturer of airway clearance systems. This acquisition will help ResMed to expand its product portfolio and reach new markets.

that it had acquired the assets of Amedsys, a leading manufacturer of airway clearance systems. This acquisition will help ResMed to expand its product portfolio and reach new markets. Philips Respironics announced in 2022 that it had launched a new oscillating device called the CoughAssist Go. This device is designed to be more portable than traditional oscillating devices, making it easier for people to use at home or on the go.

that it had launched a new oscillating device called the CoughAssist Go. This device is designed to be more portable than traditional oscillating devices, making it easier for people to use at home or on the go. Invacare announced in 2022 that it had launched a new manual airway clearance device called the Flutter. This device is designed to be easy to use and affordable, making it a good option for people with limited financial resources.

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by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 20, 2023

Source: COMvergence

COMvergence has issued its latest net billings rankings report for the US based on Final 2022 media agency and group billings.

With a total billings figure estimated at $9.2B and despite a negative growth of -5.8% vs. 2021, OMD remains the top media agency in the US, followed by Spark Foundry with a billings figure of $7.9B (-3.2%).

Independent agency Horizon Media takes the 3rd place with a billings figure of $7.7B and a negative growth of -9.8% vs. 2021.

Carat, Starcom, Zenith and Mindshare placed 4th-7th respectively.

MediaCom, ranked 8th, has posted the highest growth (+50%) among the top 30 US agencies studied.

Olivier Gauthier, COMvergence Founder and CEO notes that the report records Essence and MediaCom as separate entities for 2022, with the merger of the two agencies coming into effect in early 2023. EssenceMediacom will be assessed as one agency in the 2023 billings tables.

The total 2022 billings figure of the 30 USA studied media agencies is $94.5B (+8% vs. 2021). This includes 19 media agency networks and 10 independent agencies. Altogether they represent 63% of market share.

Digital media spending accounts for 48% (vs. 42% in 2021) of the media agency total billings. Essence (ranked 15th) alongside US independent PMG (ranked 20th) are showing the highest digital share among all agencies with 63%.

At the group level, Publicis Media remains a strong leader with 14.6% market share and $21.9B in billings (+3.9% vs. 2021). GroupM retains the 2nd position ($17.7B in billings and 11.8% market share) with solid growth of +12% vs. 2021 - while OMG ranks 3rd ($16.2B in billings and 10.8% market share) and a growth rate of 4.2% vs. 2021.

COMvergence says that USA media agency billings are calculated based on clients whose spend is at least $2 million. Industry market shares are calculated on the basis of the total market studied ($153B in 2022).
by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, June 21, 2023

Summers annual shark showdown between NatGeo and Discovery arrives next month, but for the fifth consecutive summer, Sharknado is missing.

This years Shark Week is the 35th for Discovery. It starts on July 23, emceed by Aquaman star Jason Momoa.

Meanwhile, SharkFest on NatGeo will have 72 hours of shark content running from Sunday, July 2, through Monday, July 10.

Twenty-two hours will be original, says NatGeo, including Bull Shark Vs. Hammerhead (pictured above) and Sharks Vs. Dolphins.

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NatGeos SharkFest content will be shared on other Disney platforms such as Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN2.

But there will be no Sharknado. For six glorious summers -- 2013 through 2018 -- a new Sharknado movie was a highly anticipated annual event.

In the first one, Sharknado, Los Angeles was the site of the series first super tornado. In all of them, hundreds of killer sharks were thrown toward shore as powerful funnel storms touched down on the surfaces of the worlds oceans.

Once airborne, the sharks flew like missiles into city centers, where they attacked the human residents with bloody impunity.

After the first one, the series spread across the country and around the world and so did the Sharknado movie phenomenon.

In Sharknado 2: The Second One, a sharknado superstorm slammed into New York City.

Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! had its airborne killer sharks wreaking havoc along the entire Eastern Seaboard.

Then, in Sharknado 4: The Fourth Awakens, the action shifted to the inland United States as a super-tornado touched down over a Las Vegas casino that just happened to possess a giant shark tank.

Sharknado 5: Global Swarming brought the deadly sharknadoes to foreign shores around the world.

And finally, Sharknado 6: Its About Time, had the Sharknado-fighting team -- led, as always, by Ian Ziering as Fin Shepard -- traveling back in time to battle sharknadoes throughout human history.

Sharknado 6 represented the end of this beloved series, leaving a void in summers annual parade of shark-infested content.

The reason was a change of direction at Syfy. For many years, Syfy was known for its Sharknado series and scores of other campy sci-fi movies, including a three-installment Sharktopus series, and the holiday-themed Santa Jaws and Christmas Icetastrophe. But thats all over now.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 20, 2023

A new bipartisan bill would establish a commission to explore potential regulations for artificial intelligence.

The National AI Commission Act -- introduced by Representatives Ted Lieu (D-California), Ken Buck (R-Colorado) and Anna Eshoo (D-California) -- calls for establishing a 20-member panel that would be tasked with reviewing the current approach to regulation, and developing a risk-based framework for the technology.

Panel members would be required to have a background in either technology, government, industry and labor, or civil society (including civil liberties, ethics and constitutional issues).

The bill calls for the group to issue an interim report after six months, which would propose urgent regulations or enforcement actions, and a final report after one year. That final report would include recommendations for a regulatory framework.

Artificial Intelligence is doing amazing things for our society. It can also cause significant harm if left unchecked and unregulated, Lieu stated Tuesday. Congress must not stay on the sidelines.

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Backers of the bill include the advocacy groups Public Citizen and Center for AI and Digital Policy.

Earlier this year, Lieu called for a new agency to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

An agency is nimbler than the legislative process, is staffed with experts and can reverse its decisions if it makes an error, the lawmaker wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times.

The bill's introduction comes as regulators and policymakers increasingly turn their attention to artificial intelligence. Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan recently called for regulation, as have consumer advocates.

Sam Altman, head of artificial intelligence company OpenAI, recently recommended to lawmakers that Congress create a new agency to oversee and license the most advanced types of artificial intelligence.

Separately, the Federal Communications Commission and National Science Foundation said Tuesday they will hold a workshop to address issues such as how artificial intelligence can play a role in spectrum management, as well as challenges the technology presents regarding problematic issues like robocalls.

AI is a real opportunity for communications to become more efficient, more impactful, and more resilient, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated Tuesday. While we are aware of the challenges AI can present, there is also significant potential to use this technology to benefit communications networks and their customers.

The workshop will take place on July 13.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 21, 2023

A day after winning the Health Grand Prix For Good at the Cannes Ad Festival, Working with Cancer has announced plans for a competitive pitch for its 2024 global ad campaign, which, like this years campaign, is backed by $100 million in media support.

The new brief, entitled "The Big C," will be given this Thursday morning in the Lumiere theatre, at the Palais in Cannes and is supported by a cross-industry coalition. Next years campaign will kick off on World Cancer Day 2024.

A coalition including Edelman, Interpublic, Omnicom, Publicis and WPP are participating in Thursdays launch effort.

Cannes Lions will facilitate the judging process with a jury made up of senior creatives across the five holding companies that are supporting the initiative. The team of jurors will include Susan Credle (Global Chair & Global Chief Creative Officer, FCB), Chaka Sobhani (Global CCO of Leo Burnett), Luiz Sanches (CCO of BBDO NA), Judy John (Global CCO of Edelman) and Debbi Vandeven (Global CCO of VMLY&R).



Those vying for the brief will be able to enter starting Monday, July 10, with a submission deadline of Friday, September 15. Judging will take place throughout October, with the winner announced at the end of that month.

The goal of the Working with Cancer organization, unveiled in January by the Publicis Foundation, is to erase the stigma and insecurity of cancer at work. Over 600 companies (with a combined 20 million workers) have pledged to positively support their employees dealing with cancer.

The program has partnerships with key cancer research bodies and influencers, including Dani Trops, The Stroups, CancerChic and Laurie MacCatskill.

Lions is a proud supporter of the Working with Cancer pledge and happy to lend our world-class judging process to a competition that provides an exciting opportunity for the industry to unite and work towards removing the stigma of cancer in the workplace, said Lions CEO Simon Cook.

We invite the industry to step up to arguably one of the most worthwhile and high-profile creative challenges they will ever work on, said Carla Serrano, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe. In raising awareness for Working with Cancer and encouraging more pledging companies, we will redefine cancer in the workplace and enable recovery forward environments worldwide.
by Wayne Friedman , June 21, 2023

Adding to the growing list of media companies, Warner Bros. Discovery has signed on to the identity graph Unified ID 2.0, also known as UID2, for its brands within all its digital platforms.

Started up by the demand-side platform The Trade Desk in 2018, Unified ID 2.0 is an open-source framework of publishers, advertisers, and digital ad platforms that can establish identity without third-party cookies.

The Trade Desk started developing the identity graph to improve user privacy and ad targeting after Google announced its plan to eliminate third-party cookies.

Partners now include publishers such as NBCUniversal, AMC Networks, Paramount Global, Tubi, and Fubo TV as well as a number of demand-side platforms (DSPs) and supply-side platforms (SSPs) such as PubMatic, Magnite, OpenX, SpotX, and Xandr.

Jim Keller, executive vice president of digital advertising sales and advanced advertising at Warner Bros. Discovery, said in the release: Offering new capabilities such as Unified ID 2.0 within our inventory means that our advertisers will be able to leverage their first-party data to target the audiences they want.

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Data providers of Unified ID 2.0 include Acxiom, Comscore, Experian, LiveRamp, Nielsen, Salesforce, Snowflake, and Adobe.

Once users are logged in to a particular digital platform, Unified ID 2.0 creates an identifier that is hashed and encrypted.

Advertisers can access this data to learn more about an individual browsing habits. But they cannot connect any of this data back to individual users or link it to personally identifiable information.

Marketers then can personalize site content and target consumers with ads based on their browsing history and behavior.

Although consumers remain anonymous, under privacy-compliant rules, a 2021 eMarketer study said 54% of consumers described targeted advertising messages they consume as creepy.
Do you ever see someone super limber and think yeah, (s)he does yoga? You can tell just by looking. Some physical benefits of yoga can be enjoyed by noticing in the mirror and others can be felt.



Whether youre a fitness fanatic or a laidback will-start-tomorrow sort of person, spending a few minutes on a yoga mat can help you reach your goals.

In episode #185 Yoga With Adriene: Spirituality in the Material World, off Luminarys podcast, Under The Skin, Russell Brand has guest Adriene Mishlar. Shes an actor, yoga teacher and entrepreneur, who runs the widely watched YouTube channel Yoga With Adriene. Through her videos, the wellness expert has established a 10 million subscriber strong brand.



 Luminary

Russell and Adriene go back and forth between discussing the physical and mental benefits of yoga. The host extols the connection between mind and body that yoga helps foster, and the Mishlar agrees. The yoga guru further notes the feelings of calmness and mental clarity that yoga additionally brings to everyone's life.



Yoga is an all-are-welcome kind of practice with almost limitless health benefits. There are asanas for absolutely everyone.

A lot of men tend to keep their distance from yoga, perhaps concerned that flexibility, lycra leggings and age-old philosophy are not for them.

But remember this, from the very first moment you start doing yoga, your body begins to transform. It only gets better after that.

The benefits of yoga transform everybody on a personal level but heres what every yogi experiences.

 MensXP

1. After A Few Classes

-Lower Stress Levels

A 2017 study stated that people who practice yoga regularly have low cortisol levels which are further linked to reduced stress and inflammation.

- Improved Brain Function

20 minutes of Hatha yoga can improve cognitive function, boost focus and working memory.

In a University of Illinois study, participants performed better on brain functioning tests after practising yoga, as compared to their performance after 20 minutes of aerobics.

-Alter Gene Expression

A 2013 Norwegian study from the University of Oslo suggested that yoga practices can have an almost immediate impact on gene expression, particularly in immune cells.

-Increased Flexibility & Mobility

Mobility is how you get from point A to B and flexibility is how far youre able to go into point A or point B. Both are equally important.

A study done by Colorado State University found that Bikram yogaa series of 26 postures performed for 90 minutes in a heated roomcan improve shoulder, lower back and hamstring flexibility. It can also help increase strength and decrease body fat.

Not just that, yoga can improve the range of your joints movement through its socket aka mobility.

2. After A Few Months

- Toned Body

Many postures like the warrior series, Utkatasana or Chaturanga Dandasana are meant to build strength and muscles. When you tone the body through these asanas, you build more muscles resulting in burning more calories even when you're resting.

Youll experience toned biceps and triceps, chiselled calf muscles and a whittled waist as a result of strength-building, core-engaging yoga asanas.

-Balanced Blood Pressure

People with high blood pressure might benefit from practising yoga, as a 2013 study stated that yoga could help in lowering blood pressure levels.

The participants who practised yoga witnessed greater dips in blood pressure compared to the participants who chose to walk, control their diet or went ahead with a weight counselling program.
Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan is poised to join Barcelona, according to media reports.

The Germany international, who is out of contract this summer, now seems unlikely to renew terms with the treble winners.

City had offered the 32-year-old a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months but Barca are understood to have presented a more tempting three-year, and more financially-rewarding, package.

City are comfortable with the situation and the player would leave with their blessing.

The development comes on the same day City are understood to have agreed a 30million deal with Chelsea to sign Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

The champions are set to pay an initial 25million for the 29-year-old with a further 5million to follow in potential add-ons.

Kovacic, who joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2018, is entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

City now expect to complete formalities with the player and an official announcement will follow in due course.

Kovacic's versatility and experience would go some way to compensating for the loss of Gundogan.

The influential former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League in his seven years at City.

This year Gundogan lifted three trophies as City became only the second English side to win the treble.

The club had been keen to retain his services but, given his age, did not want to match Barcelona's offer and have taken a pragmatic decision.

Kovacic would arrive at City as a four-time Champions League winner having been a member of Chelsea's victorious side in 2021 and triumphed on three occasions with Madrid. He also had a spell with Inter Milan earlier in his career.

The article Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan looks set to join Barcelona appeared first on Planetsport.com.
Zach Wilkinson/Getty

The DNA collected from a knife sheath found at the scene of the quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students last fall is a statistical match to accused killer Bryan Kohberger, prosecutors say.

In a June 16 motion for a protective order, Idaho prosecutors revealed that a STR DNA comparison was performed between a cheek swab collected from 28-year-old Kohberger and the sheath found face down and partially under one of the four murder victims. The DNA was at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to belong to Kohberger than an unrelated individually randomly selected from the general population, prosecutors said.

The motion seeks to protect some of the investigation, including raw DNA data, lab notes, the names and personal information of Kohbergers relatives, and names that were matched against the DNA from genealogy services. The DNA link is the latest development in the closely watched case, and provides new details into how investigators used genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as their prime suspect.

Woman Describes Eerie Tinder Date With Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger

Prosecutors allege that Kohberger murdered Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen as they slept in their off-campus home in Moscow at around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13. The former doctoral criminology student at Washington State University has pleaded not guilty to several charges and is scheduled to face trial in October.

The motion says that when authorities arrived at the scene, the sheath was face down and partially under both Madisons body and the comforter on the bed. Initially, the Idaho State Lab concluded that DNA found on the sheath came from a male, but the FBI was not able to directly tie it to any data in publicly available genealogy sites.

The FBI went to work building family trees of the genetic relatives to the suspect DNA left at the crime scene in an attempt to identify the contributor of the unknown DNA, the motion states, adding that a break in the case came when a tip was sent in to investigate Kohberger.

The tip, the motion states, did not provide law enforcement with substantive evidence of guilt but did prompt them to collect a DNA sample from trash recovered from Kohbergers Pennsylvania family home. Ultimately, investigators also took a buccal swab from the suspect. That evidence was then sent to the Idaho State Lab for testing, which prosecutors say yielded a match with the sheath.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan is poised to join Barcelona, the PA news agency understands.

The Germany international, who is out of contract this summer, now seems unlikely to renew terms with the treble winners.

City had offered the 32-year-old a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months but Barca are understood to have presented a more tempting three-year, and more financially-rewarding, package.

Gundogan has had seven successful years at City (Martin Rickett/PA)

City are comfortable with the situation and the player would leave with their blessing.

The development comes on the same day City are understood to have agreed a 30million deal with Chelsea to sign Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

The champions are set to pay an initial 25million for the 29-year-old with a further 5m to follow in potential add-ons.

Kovacic, who joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2018, is entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

City now expect to complete formalities with the player and an official announcement will follow in due course.

Kovacics versatility and experience would go some way to compensating for the loss of Gundogan.

City are close to signing Chelseas Mateo Kovacic (Zac Goodwin/PA)

The influential former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League in his seven years at City.

This year Gundogan lifted three trophies as City became only the second English side to win the treble.

The club had been keen to retain his services but, given his age, did not want to match Barcelonas offer and have taken a pragmatic decision.

Kovacic would arrive at City as a four-time Champions League winner having been a member of Chelseas victorious side in 2021 and triumphed on three occasions with Madrid. He also had a spell with Inter Milan earlier in his career.
As Congress moves toward retiring more A-10 Warthogs from service, the Air Force also aims to cut over the next three years the number of elite airmen responsible for calling in close-air support on the battlefield.

Rose Riley, a Department of the Air Force spokeswoman, confirmed to Military.com that the service plans to shrink the Tactical Air Control Party, or TACP, job field to about 2,130 positions -- a decrease of 44%, according to the service. The Air Force said the manning is now "roughly" 3,700 airmen.

"Currently, there are no plans to retrain TACPs to other career fields in light of the manning reduction, but the Air Force is opening opportunities for those who would prefer to pursue other careers," Riley said.

Read Next: Lawmakers Advance Bill to Let Disabled Vets Collect Full Benefits, But Hurdles to Passage Remain

Tactical Air Control Party airmen are part of a special warfare job in the Air Force and embed with other services to help scout and guide air support in the heat of battle. It's one of the service's toughest jobs and involves rigorous physical training and hazardous assignments.

But these cuts come as the Air Force seeks to reassess its close-air support capabilities amid escalating tensions with China, even looking to scrap more A-10 Warthogs -- one of the main airframes that TACPs have worked with -- in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

In the next three fiscal years, the Air Force is asking to decrease TACPs by "44% to approximately 2,130 positions with a reduction of roughly 370 positions in FY23, 610 positions in FY24, and 600 positions in FY25," Riley said in an emailed statement.

The Tactical Air Control Party field has remained, historically, around 80% manned, Riley said. The service would try to make cuts from that unmanned 20% first.

The decrease from 3,700 down to 2,130 airmen is just over a 42% cut, and it was not immediately apparent how the Air Force was calculating the slightly higher reduction.

While Riley added that TACPs remain an important part of the Air Force's strategy and that they will "become even more imperative as the Department of Defense postures toward strategic competition after focusing on counterinsurgency for the last 20 years," some veterans remain skeptical.

News of the TACP reduction was first reported by Military Times in April. Troops-In-Contact, an advocacy group led by A-10 and air support veterans, issued a statement after the cuts were revealed saying close-air support, or CAS, is crucial to the military. The group argued that the results of cutting TACPs could be deadly.

"If successful, this plan would kill the CAS profession and cripple America's CAS capability," the group wrote on its website. "Ground troops would be supported, if at all, by CAS amateurs in a small, expensive fleet of fragile aircraft that are far less effective. In Low Intensity Conflict, that will cost lives."

The group has also fought against cuts to the A-10 Warthog, the close-support aircraft with a more than 57-foot wingspan has been flown by the military since the 1970s. Known for its menacing 30-mm Gatling-style guns, the aircraft protected troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the first Gulf War.

But Air Force officials haven't run to the A-10's rescue.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown, who has been nominated as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Air and Space Forces Association's Air Warfare Symposium in March that he expected the service to retire all A-10s by 2028 or 2029. He argued that the F-35A Lightning II is capable of providing close-air support.

"I would say over the next five or six years we will probably [have] the A-10 out of our inventory," Brown told reporters. "The A-10 is a great airplane. It's a great airplane in an uncontested environment. The challenge is we're going to be in more contested environments in the future."

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: A-10s Were Saved from Retirement for Years. Congress May Not Swoop to the Rescue This Time.
The two 1st Cavalry Division soldiers accused of lighting fires and painting racial slurs and a penis on the walls of a Fort Cavazos, Texas, barracks two months ago have not faced charges and their unit has not taken disciplinary action, according to the Army.

The soldiers are accused of painting the N-word on at least three different places in a barracks building on April 22, shown in photos of the incident reviewed by Military.com. The pair also are accused of lighting part of the laundry room on fire and spray-painted male genitalia on a wall.

A service spokesperson, citing an ongoing investigation, confirmed to Military.com that despite the elapsed time since the incident, no soldiers have been charged and local commanders have taken no disciplinary action so far.

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"The Army does not condone these deliberate acts of vandalism as they run counter to Army values and standards of conduct," Maj. Tim Watts, a spokesperson for the 1st Cavalry Division, said in a statement. "It is Army policy not to comment on open investigations. The Army will take the necessary steps to ensure appropriate disciplinary action is taken against those involved once the investigation is completed and provided to the command."

While criminal investigations are known to move slowly, those proceedings are separate from actions a commander can take, including reduction of rank or extra duty. The service declined to comment on who the soldiers accused of the vandalism are or their unit.

"These people have done harm to their community and made their fellow soldiers feel unsafe; they're revealing the military has done nothing to weed these people out," Kris Goldsmith, an Army veteran and CEO of Task Force Butler, a nonprofit focused on combating extremism in the military, told Military.com. "The victims are fellow service members and deserve to see these guys spend a few years in [prison], and the Army needs to rehabilitate these guys."

Concerns of "overt" and "in your face" racism were noted by numerous soldiers in private surveys on base, according to the findings of the Fort Hood report, a damning investigation in the aftermath of the slaying of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. In June, the installation was renamed for Gen. Richard Cavazos, a decorated combat veteran of two wars and the first Latino four-star general.

Though details have not been released, including the race of the two suspects, the N-word slur used in the vandalism echoes the sporadic racism sometimes found in the military, as well as white supremacist activity that has been on the rise across the U.S. in recent years.

The long wait for any potential punishment in the vandalism comes as the military grapples with systemic racism in its ranks and in its criminal justice system. A Pentagon study released this month found that "significant racial disparities" exist across investigations and criminal justice.

The study pointed to bias among junior officers and supervisors -- how they treat and handle subordinates, including early discretionary decisions -- having the biggest effect on the unequal treatment of minority service members when it comes to reprimands and punishments.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

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In 1940, Larry Ponder's father and uncle were kicked out of the Navy after signing onto a letter to a Black newspaper detailing racist treatment they'd received while serving on a warship.

The men, James and John Ponder, were part of a group later dubbed the Philadelphia 15, for the 15 Black sailors on the USS Philadelphia who signed the letter. Though they were from Alabama, they later moved to Chattanooga, where Larry Ponder and others in their family were born and raised.

The brothers were around 20 years old at the time of the letter, Larry Ponder said in an interview Tuesday.

On Friday, Ponder and three other family members attended a ceremony at the Pentagon, where Navy officials formally apologized for expelling the sailors and issued honorable discharges for the sailors, all of whom have died.

"We were told that what they did started a movement throughout the service," Ponder said. "But they were the first ones to be disciplined and kicked out."

The Pentagon's correction was the resolution to Ponder's decadeslong attempt to correct the record.

After his father, John, died in 1997, Ponder said he found paperwork detailing his "undesirable" discharge. Now called an "other than honorable" discharge, the action barred the 15 sailors from accessing veterans' benefits. Though his father didn't talk much about his time in the Navy, Ponder said he never disparaged the military and encouraged several family members to enlist  including Ponder, who served in the Vietnam War.

"It bothered me, because I knew the type of person my dad and my uncle was," he said. "So I started inquiring about it."

Years later, a Wikipedia article referred Ponder to a book by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, which mentioned the Philadelphia 15. He then went down the rabbit hole, tracking down the letter and related articles published in the Pittsburgh Courier, a leading Black newspaper at the time.

The letter detailed how the 18 Black soldiers on the USS Philadelphia, who were promised chances to move up in the Navy, were shut out of job opportunities and denied pay raises. While white sailors were sent into combat, Black sailors were relegated to the "messman branch," Ponder said, tasked with cleaning and serving other sailors.

"They went through the chain of command and nothing happened," Ponder said.

Years after his father's death, Ponder saw news of another Black veteran granted an honorable discharge 75 years after being kicked out. He contacted the attorney who carried that case, and she agreed to help him free of charge, Ponder said.

Their first application for exoneration was rejected, he said, because the Navy said it didn't have enough records to back up a reversal. Ponder and his attorney, with the help of another law firm, supplied the photos and documents he'd found and tried again.

A week before Friday's ceremony at the Pentagon, Ponder got on a conference call with Navy officials. They told him to gather family members, especially those who have served in the military, and sent him a flight confirmation the night before he flew out to Washington, D.C.

Once the family members arrived, Ponder said Navy officials "rolled out the red carpet" for them, including a tour of the Pentagon. The Ponders were the only descendants of the Philadelphia 15 present at the ceremony, held in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, though Ponder said officials are in the process of tracking down other family members.

Ponder said learning about the Philadelphia 15 has made him respect his father and uncle even more.

"He didn't begrudge the Navy," Ponder said. "He didn't talk about them, he didn't put the Navy down ... my dad, he was hardworking, never did complain about anything."

Ponder is a longtime member of the Unity Group of Chattanooga, Eric Atkins, the group's co-chair, said in an interview Tuesday. The Unity Group and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP, supported Ponder's efforts to exonerate his father and uncle.

"African Americans have served every major combat in this nation from the beginning," Atkins said. "They continue to serve now. That's sort of what this correction represents, that all soldiers should be valued.... we don't always get it right, but we can always make it right."

Along with the Ponder brothers, the letter was signed by Black soldiers Ernest Bosley, Arval Perry Cooper, Shannon H. Goodwin, Theodore L. Hansbrough, Byron C. Johnson, Floyd C. Owens, James Porter, George Elbert Rice, Otto Robinson, Floyd C. St. Clair, Fred Louis Tucker, Robert Turner and Jesse Willard Watford, the New York Times reported.

(c)2023 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Visit the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at www.timesfreepress.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An Army Ranger based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state was being held in jail Wednesday for allegedly shooting into a crowd and killing two people at an electronic music festival over the weekend.

James Kelly, 26, a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, was booked into the Grant County Jail on Tuesday and was under investigation for the shooting at the Beyond Wonderland festival Saturday about 149 miles east of Seattle, according to The Associated Press. Kelly was shot by law enforcement officers during the incident and had been in the hospital.

Kelly, an artillery spotter with the Rangers, was expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.

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Seattle residents Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26, who were engaged to be married, both died from their gunshot wounds, the wire service reported. Two others -- Lily Luksich, 20, of Mill Creek, Washington, and Andrew Cuadra, 31, of Eugene, Oregon -- were wounded by the gunfire.

Another person was injured -- a private security officer who responded to the shooting. A bullet ricocheted off her ballistic glasses, per the AP.

"First, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command extends our condolences to the victims and families of those affected by this act of violence. The command is aware of the allegations against Spc. James Kelly," Lt. Col. Michael Burns, a spokesman for the command, wrote in an email statement. "We take all allegations seriously and are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities."

The Grant County Sheriff's Office released additional information in a Facebook post on Tuesday, from Sheriff Joe Kriete.

Kelly "was hospitalized for a gunshot wound and was returned to Grant County today where he is lodged in the Grant County Jail. He is held for investigation of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of first-degree assault domestic violence."

According to Burns, Kelly's home of record is Strongsville, Ohio. Kelly has earned two Army Achievement Medals and the Parachutist Badge. He has not served on combat deployments.

-- Steve Beynon contributed reporting.

-- Adrian Bonenberger, an Army veteran and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, reports for Military.com. He can be reached at adrian.bonenberger@monster.com.

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Platte County officials will be pursuing the option of putting a county-wide emergency medical services (EMS) levy, excluding Columbus city limits, up to a vote by the public.

For many years, the City of Columbus has provided EMS to the Columbus Rural and Duncan Rural fire protection districts at no cost and with no formal agreement in place.

In the fall of 2022, discussions had started regarding the City of Columbus wanting an official agreement in place and for the two rural fire districts to pay for those services. A committee made up of individuals from all involved entities have been working towards a solution since last September, but none have come forth.

From the citys perspective, it can no longer provide those services due to the continued growth in Columbus and the increase of calls for Columbus Rural and Duncan Rural.

We cannot adequately serve the citizens of Columbus, Columbus Rural and Duncan Rural with our current staffing, Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley said at a May 23 Platte County Board of Supervisors meeting. Both Columbus Rural and Duncan Rural account for approximately 14% of all Columbus Fire Department calls. Overlapping calls and the distance served with these calls can leave us vulnerable.

The city has said an additional ambulance will need to be in use in order to accommodate the two rural fire districts, which will require the hire of six additional personnel  a cost of $600,000.

With state statute limiting the amount the fire protection districts can levy, the most that both Columbus Rural and Duncan Rural could raise combined is $300,000 per year.

According to information provided by Platte County, the maximum combined amount that can be levied by all fire protection districts in any one county is $.15 per $100 of property value. In Platte County, the aggregate amount levied in 2022 was approximately .122180 per $100 of property value. This leaves Platte County with the ability to increase fire protection district levies by a maximum of approximately $.02782 per $100 of property value.

District 3 Supervisor Kim Kwapnioski said on May 23 that the county is not willing to supplement $300,000 to meet that $600,000 request.

The city has suggested a county-wide EMS tax, which county officials have previously said would be unfair to the citizens who do not benefit from the citys EMS and a portion of the Duncan Rural Fire Protection District is in Polk County.

A statement from the county indicates that Lincoln County and Platte County are similar population-wise and, in 2022, Lincoln County entered into a five-year agreement with the City of North Platte in which the county pays the city $72,191.35 per year for EMS to areas beyond the North Platte city limits.

However, as noted by Bulkley at the May 23 meeting, the city is standing by its $600,000 request as it wants everyone to pay their fair share. Additionally, the city will only grow its staff at a rate needed to serve its citizens.

On June 5, the Columbus City Council agreed on the Committee of the Wholes recommendation that the county contribute $600,000 and submit by July 1 their decision to the city. The city will discontinue providing EMS to the two rural fire protection districts on Oct. 1 of this year.

As noted during the last Platte County Board of Supervisors meeting, Priority Medical, which provides EMS to Columbus Community Hospital, has indicated it does not have the staffing to serve the Columbus Rural and Duncan Rural fire districts.

At the June 20 Platte County board meeting, supervisors passed a motion in favor of pursuing the option of a vote regarding an EMS levy in Platte County, which would exclude areas that are within Columbus city limits.

Kwapnioski, reading from a statement later provided to the Telegram, said supervisors are taking into consideration the costs, effects and impacts on all parties involved.

The intent of this motion was to continue to demonstrate that Platte County is acting in good faith, and is in compliance in the citys June 5, 2023 request that the county take steps to address this issue by July 1, 2023, Kwapnioski read.
The U.S. Navy is offering a maximum $75,000 enlistment bonus  up from $50,000 last year  for new recruits pursuing select nuclear rates in an effort to draw them away from civilian employers.

The record-high bonus was announced last week by the Navy Recruiting Command as part of the Enlistment Incentives program. The announcement follows a year of recruitment struggles, with the Navy meeting its 2022 enlisted active recruiting goal by just 42 sailors and falling short in reserve enlisted and active and reserve office recruiting.

The Navy is experiencing a very challenging recruiting environment, competing against private sector organizations and other branches of the armed forces, said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Parker, spokesperson for Navy Recruiting Command. We recognize that potential recruits bring value and desirable skills to the job market, and we want to offer attractive incentives for choosing a career in the Navy.

The bonus will apply to future sailors pursuing one of three rates: electronics technician nuclear, machinists make nuclear and electricians mate nuclear. Future nuclear sailors are eligible to receive $50,000 upon completion of A or C school, plus a $25,000 shipping bonus. Bonuses can be paid in one or multiple installments.

While the Navy is increasingly nuclear  with more than 60 nuclear-powered vessels across the fleet  recruits in the nuclear power ratings traditionally make up less than 10% of new sailors who join the service each year.

The Navy places a high degree of value on nuclear power ratings, as those who have the unique skills to excel in these fields are in high demand, Parker said.

Nuclear electronics technicians operate and perform maintenance on the electronic systems that make a nuclear reactor on Navy ships run. Nuclear machinists mates operate and maintain steam turbines and reduction gears used for nuclear ship propulsion and auxiliary machinery such as turbogenerators, pumps and oil purifiers. Nuclear electricians mates are responsible for the operation of a ships electrical power generation systems, lighting systems, electrical equipment and electrical appliances.

To qualify for the Navys Nuclear Power Program, recruits must score higher than 252 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

This is a higher qualifying score for any job in the military  not just the Navy. As a measure of comparison, to qualify as a hospital corpsman, the minimum score is 156, Parker said.

Understanding nuclear power requires strong skills in math and science, such as physics and chemistry, and patience. Nuclear recruits are typically required to fulfil a six-year enlistment, two of which are spent training.

The curriculum is intense, focusing on nuclear physics and reactor engineering, Parker said.

Once a recruit completes basic training, they are sent to the Navys Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina, to learn the basics of nuclear power plants and related equipment. Students who complete training at Nuclear Power School will move on for additional job-specific training.

But $75,000 is not guaranteed to every future sailor interested in the Navys nuclear program. Eligibility for bonuses is determined when an applicant enters the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), based on the date they ship out for basic training, and the classification assigned by the recruits Military Entrance Processing Station.

According to the Enlistment Incentives program update, future sailors who joined the Navys Delayed Entry Program after June 18 must ship to boot camp by Sept. 30  the end of Fiscal Year 2023  to qualify for the maximum bonus.

The $75,000 bonus can also be combined with a $65,000 student loan repayment program offered by the Navy.

They are not mutually exclusive, so if a Future Sailor maximizes both, that respectively adds up to a life-altering $140,000, and the opportunity to serve in the worlds finest Navy, said Walker, commander Navy Recruiting command, in a Navy release.

Meanwhile, other high-demand ratings are being offered the following enlistment bonuses, which can be combined with the $25,000 shipping bonus:

 Air rescue swimmer  $15,000  Cryptologic technician interpretive  $15,000  Cryptologic technician networks  $5,000  Explosive ordnance  $15,000  Hospital corpsman  $15,000  Information systems technician submarines  $15,000  Machinists mate submarines  $10,000  Missile technician  $5,000  Special warfare boat operator  $15,000  Sub-electronics computer field  $15,000

The Navy has until Sept. 30 to meet its recruitment goal of 37,700 new enlisted active members. An estimate of how close the Navy is to meeting that goal is not yet available, Parker said. The final numbers will not be processed until the end of the fiscal year.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com

2023 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ISLAMABAD  Afghanistans Taliban rulers Tuesday carried out what is believed to be the second confirmed public execution since the religious group took power in 2021, according to the country's Supreme Court.

The court had sentenced to death a man identified only as Ajmal from the capital Kabul who was found guilty of murdering five people in two separate incidents last year.

The execution was carried out with an assault rifle by the son of Siad Wali, one of five men killed by Ajmal. It took place outside a mosque near the offices of the provincial governor in eastern Laghman province according to Islamic law, the high court said in a statement.

Relatives of the four other men who were killed by Ajmal witnessed the execution.

The latest public execution is likely to draw criticism from the international community. It comes just a month after the United Nations in a report strongly criticized the Taliban for carrying out public executions, lashings and stonings since seizing power, and called on the countrys rulers to halt such practices.

In May, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in the past six months alone, 274 men, 58 women and two boys were publicly flogged in Afghanistan.

The Taliban-run Supreme Court in Kabul said when the case against Ajmal was brought to the government's attention, it thoroughly examined and investigated and said three different courts eventually upheld the death sentence.

The court said the final approval for the execution was ordered by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada after supervising a separate probe into the murder case.

Akhundzada was named the Taliban leader in 2016 after a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan killed his predecessor, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour. It was the second known public execution since the Taliban takeover, even though rights groups and the international community have opposed such extreme punishments.

The first was in December last year, when Taliban authorities punished an Afghan convicted of murdering another man. The execution was carried out with an assault rifle by the victims father in western Farah province before hundreds of spectators and many top Taliban officials.

During the previous Taliban rule of the country in the late 1990s, the group regularly carried out public executions, floggings and stonings of people convicted of crimes in Taliban courts.

After they overran Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban initially promised to allow for womens and minority rights. Instead, they later restricted rights and freedoms, including imposing a ban on girls education beyond the sixth grade.
Corrosion from seawater. Missiles that lack an updated security system. A confusing reporting and evaluation structure that uses different metrics for assessing unit and equipment readiness.

These are some of the problems the Government Accountability Office found during a recent review of the U.S. missile defense system. Ranging from coast to coast and far abroad, the study painted an alarming picture of America's ability to defend itself from missile attacks and concluded that fixes are needed to address the problems.

After the Cold War ended, missile defense focused mostly on rogue or terrorist missile attacks, as well as capabilities fielded by smaller nations that sometimes work with terrorists. The current system is organized to confront one-off threats of that nature.

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Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prominently featured attacks on infrastructure and cities using missiles and drones. Some of these have been thwarted by the delivery of a U.S. Patriot anti-missile system that has drawn rave reviews. The war has once again put missile attacks on America or against troops front of mind for military planners. So, too, the military's overall ability to defend against them.

"These aren't glaring deficiencies; this isn't big red lights flashing on the board. But there are certainly yellow lights," Diana Maurer, the director of defense capabilities and management for the GAO and the study's author, said in an interview with Military.com.

The 10th Missile Defense Battery at the Shariki Communications Site in Japan uses temporary shelters -- tents -- for some of its radar components, and the system itself "faces challenges mitigating corrosion" from seawater, according to the report.

The 100th Missile Defense Brigade and its subordinate 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Fort Greely, Alaska, have had to supplement the security system they use to monitor and guard interceptor fields with foot patrols due to a lack of funding for parts, repairs and upgrades.

The Cobra Dane radar located at Eareckson Air Station in Alaska's Aleutian Islands requires an HVAC system to cool it so it works properly -- but it has not gotten one in part because the Cobra Dane is not always prioritized by base command, per the report.

Meanwhile, the critical report has already produced some results.

Task Force Talon on Guam fields a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Battery that the GAO report flagged as having "insufficient facilities for maintenance work, spares storage, protection from typhoons, and lavatories with running water." It also struggles with the corrosive effect of seawater.

Indeed, a typhoon did strike Guam just before the report was published. Super Typhoon Mawar, a massive Category 4 storm, made landfall in late May. Guam and the robust military community stationed there are still cleaning up after the disaster. Permanent change of station moves to the island were paused until at least the end of June. Without the necessary structures to protect it, sensitive equipment can easily break or be swept away.

According to Maj. Nicholas Chopp, a spokesperson for the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, "No THAAD equipment was damaged by the typhoon. Some ancillary (support) equipment and facilities were damaged, but none that affect our ability to conduct our mission."

Chopp confirmed by email that base support for the THAAD was, as reported by the GAO, somewhat lackluster, but added that leaders hoped a recent move would resolve those resourcing issues.

"THAAD on Guam was initially emplaced as a temporary deployment, but the facility improvements that should come with the move to permanent stationing have not kept up," Chopp said.

He noted that a recent move to Camp Blaz, run by the Marine Corps, was intended to remedy the shortcomings.

On the sustainment front, the AN/SPY-1 detection system requires a part that a manufacturer stopped producing in 2021. Installed on destroyers, the SPY-1 guides the Navy's AEGIS Combat System. The Navy is upgrading it to the SPY-6 system, but the SPY-1 could be fielded on destroyers through 2060 while upgrades take place.

"Sustainment and all the related issues that go with it -- spare parts, buildings, maintainers, what is the contractor going to do versus what's going to be done organically -- in a lot of cases people don't think about those details, but they're really important," Maurer said.

The GAO identified another, broader problem: Two parallel systems exist for reporting on readiness using different metrics. That could lead to critical systems or units not being mission ready.

The Missile Defense Agency uses the Missile Defense Reporting System, or MDRS, a stand-alone system, while the military services use the Defense Readiness Reporting System-Strategic, or DRRS-S, to track training, maintenance, and availability for use and deployment.

Meanwhile, a relatively new player in missile defense -- the Space Force -- is building its capabilities. One of its new responsibilities is missile detection, but it may not be talking to the other services enough.

Per the GAO report, the Space Force still has a ways to go in cross-service coordination and communication, and "could improve the strategic understanding of missile defense readiness by regularly communicating available readiness data."

So, at what point do enough yellow lights amount to a red light?

Riki Ellison, chairman and founder at Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, feels that the system itself needs an overhaul.

"We have a problem with roles and responsibilities with integrated missile defense," said Ellison during a phone interview. "It's been OK for checking North Korea and Iran. But when it comes to keeping our soldiers and citizens safe from a near-peer enemy such as China or Russia, our system is inadequate."

Ellison said he is concerned about missile defense capabilities in Poland, Romania and Guam against Russia and China. He also said the systems deployed around Washington, D.C., are not up to the task of protecting against a near-peer enemy.

"The basic fact is that we can't defend our own turf," he said.

Maurer, for her part, feels that, while the report highlighted a number of gaps, they are not beyond fixing.

"The things that we recommended are reasonable. I think they're doable, and I think that they will make the missile defense system that we are continuing to develop and build out for this country even more effective than it is now," Maurer said.

-- Adrian Bonenberger, an Army veteran and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, reports for Military.com. He can be reached at adrian.bonenberger@monster.com.

Related: Space Force Looking for Surge in Funding for 2023 to Focus on Missile Defense Warning Systems
Veterans and visitors to VA facilities can now report incidents of sexual harassment or assault that occur on campus by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs' 1-800-MyVA411 information line.

Officials announced Wednesday that the call center, established in 2019 to provide information on VA health care services, disability compensation and education benefits and serve as a venue to receive veterans' concerns, will take confidential reports on incidents of rape, assault or harassment.

According to the VA, the hotline will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and callers will have access to follow-up health care and support if needed.

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The new method of reporting is in addition to the VA's current avenues for reporting an incident, which include reporting directly to VA police, a VA staff member or local law enforcement.

"By creating multiple avenues for persons to report sexual harassment or sexual assault incidents, the VA removes barriers to reporting and creates a quicker path for VA to investigate and take appropriate action," Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said in a press release Wednesday.

The Department of Veterans Affairs did not provide details on the number of incidents of sexual assault or harassment reported in the past decade by veterans or visitors to VA campuses, including family members, caregivers or survivors.

But a 2011 Government Accountability Office investigation -- more than a decade ago -- found that nearly 300 assaults were reported to VA police from 2007 to 2010, including 134 rapes, nearly half of which came in 2010.

A 2022 GAO report found that policies at the VA to prevent and address sexual harassment were incomplete and noted that 17% of VA employees said they had been sexually harassed, compared with 12% of non-VA employees in similar settings.

That report did not address sexual harassment against veterans or VA visitors.

During a press conference with reporters Wednesday, VA Undersecretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said the department has the data and plans to distribute it. He cautioned against drawing conclusions on trends in the data, however, saying that any increases in reports can be attributed to the "more open environment" the VA has fostered to encourage victims to step forward.

"When you institute programming and make for a more open environment around reporting, which is the  first and most important step, a cultural step that makes it clear to veterans and employees alike that reports will be taken seriously and addressed, you actually see and expect reports to go up. That's actually a positive sign," Elnahal said.

"MyVA411 will actually increase reports, and we think that's a good thing because every single report we get is an opportunity to address a veteran who's been wronged," he added.

Pressure began mounting on the VA to improve its prevention efforts and policies on sexual assault and harassment in 2019 when a Navy Reserve member and senior congressional staffer, Andrea Goldstein, reported she had been sexually assaulted at the VA medical center in Washington, D.C., and her claims weren't taken seriously.

No criminal charges were filed, but a subsequent investigation found that the facility lacked functioning security cameras and employees did not respond adequately to the incident.

Former VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, appointed to the job by then-President Donald Trump, also was investigated in relation to the case over allegations that he actively sought to discredit Goldstein, an adviser to the Democratic chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

The VA Office of Inspector General concluded that Wilkie disparaged Goldstein but did not actively order staff to investigate her background.

Department officials said they have taken a number of steps since then to prevent and address sexual harassment and sexual assault at VA facilities, such as establishing locations in facilities for visitors to report incidents; implementing bystander intervention training for staff and veterans; and encouraging employees and veterans to take a pledge never to commit a sex crime or stay silent if they witness or have knowledge of one.

The VA also has a working group on sexual assault and harassment prevention that crafts recommendations on VA policies and outreach on sexual assault and harassment.

VA officials said they will take all reports of assault or sexual harassment occurring on VA property seriously and encourage victims to notify the department, regardless of the amount of time that has passed. The numeric version of 1-800-MyVA411 is 1-800-698-2411. Press 9 to report.

 Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Victims Asked to Come Forward After VA Doctor Charged with Sexually Assaulting Patients
The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.

Veterans of the armed services need to know this. Everyone else will want to know.

In recent months, provisions of a new law, the PACT Act, have been expanding essential and long-delayed medical coverage for veterans.

The law represents the largest expansion of veterans health care in generations. It covers exposures to toxins and other chemicals that the U.S. government has been slow to acknowledge routinely resulted in injury.

For years, veterans who believed their health problems stemmed from exposure during their military service have had to prove they are right  and the government is wrong.

Thats been an unfair deal of the cards for people who served the nation.

Now, veterans receiving care from the Veterans Administration are eligible for free screenings that assess their exposure to toxins while in uniform. Whats more, the law, formally called the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, rights the imbalance in how veterans establish that the government should help them do all it can to regain health. The measure won bipartisan support in Congress and was signed into law last August.

Twenty new medical conditions that bedevil veterans are now presumed to be service-related. The coverage is expected to reach as many as 5 million veterans. To learn more, veterans should contact veterans agents in their home communities.

At a recent gathering at the VA clinic on Bond Street in Springfield, Gumersindo Gomez, executive director of the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, underscored the importance of that change. No longer are veterans required to assemble stacks of paperwork and engage in long bureaucratic battles to get help.

Local veterans agents say they are busy helping people obtain the expanded benefits under the PACT Act. Gomez said the other day that one veteran he worked with was able to qualify for 100% disability status because of the newly recognized conditions. It wouldnt have happened without this law, he said at the gathering, hosted by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D- Springfield.

Neal plans additional events to get the word out to veterans and their families in the 1st Congressional District. A staffer in his office, Michelle Brown, is assisting that effort.

The law came late for veterans exposed to things like Agent Orange and toxic smoke from burn pits, from the Vietnam era all the way through conflicts after 9-11. But late is better than never.

2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
On Aug. 30, 2021, then-Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue boarded a C-17 at Kabul Airport, making him the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan. For two weeks, U.S. forces defended the airport after the Taliban captured the Afghan capital.

While U.S. and NATO troops were being evacuated from the country via the airport, thousands of foreign and at-risk Afghan citizens waited to join that evacuation. Hundreds of American citizens and Afghans with U.S. visas were left behind, along with potentially tens of thousands of former translators and their families.

"Warhorse One" takes place after this chaotic withdrawal of Americans and other foreigners. Navy SEAL Master Chief Richard Mirko (Johnny Strong, "Black Hawk Down") is isolated inside the country after his helicopter is shot down during a rescue mission. He must reach a rendezvous point while evading hostile forces and protecting a young girl he encountered along the way.

The movie also stars Raj Kala ("Black Adam") and Athena Durner as the young girl. It was picked up for North American and international distribution ahead of the Cannes Film Festival.

"Warhorse One" is the third movie about American rescue missions in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal since the beginning of 2023. "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant," a movie about an Army sergeant (Jake Gyllenhaal) rescuing his Afghan interpreter (Dar Salim, "Game of Thrones"), hit theaters in April.

"Kandahar," starring Gerard Butler, featured an intelligence operative escaping across Afghanistan with his translator (Navid Negahban, "Homeland") after their cover gets blown. It was released in theaters in May.

Almost as soon as the evacuation was completed, Tom Hardy and Channing Tatum signed on to an as-yet untitled film about special operators who go back into Afghanistan alongside Afghan troops to rescue their families.

If the lineup of "Left Behind in Afghanistan" films feels familiar, especially to older audiences, there's a reason for that. As the evacuation of Kabul continued in the summer of 2021, many news outlets (especially foreign ones) were quick to point out the similarities between it and the American evacuation of Saigon in 1975.

Hollywood's slate of films following the end of the Vietnam War were filled with "Left Behind in Vietnam" stories. Only instead of Vietnamese translators, the issue of the day was Vietnam's prisoners of war and missing in action. This led to a stream of films that continued into the 1980s.

"Missing in Action," "Rambo: First Blood Part II" and "Uncommon Valor" were all action-adventure movies centered around the idea that American POWs had been left behind in North Vietnamese prison camps, and all it would take is a handful of special operators to free them.

As far as Hollywood digging into military themes goes, the issue of rescuing Afghan interpreters and civilians left behind under Taliban rule isn't so bad. There are still 150,000 Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas trying to leave Afghanistan, and the Taliban is only increasing its reprisals against former interpreters. A slate of continuous action movies are a pretty good way to keep the issue alive.

"Warhorse One" is due in theaters on June 30, 2023, and will be available on digital July 4.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn.

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Carlisle Police (717-243-5252)

Josiah Kyle Michael Weller, 26, of Carlisle, was charged via summons with misdemeanor false imprisonment after an incident at the Harvon Motel about 9:50 p.m. June 20. Police said Weller had physically picked up a woman after she left the room and forcibly moved her back inside, then locked the door while standing and blocking it.

Middlesex Township Police (717-249-7191)

Timofey Sakaly, 22, of Shermans Dale, was charged June 19 via summons with misdemeanor criminal mischief after a report of damage at a house on Wertzville Road on March 16. Police watched security footage and saw a man throwing a brick against a car on the property before backing his car into a wooden staircase and leaving the scene.

Upper Allen Township Police (717-795-2445)

Dewalt tools and a J-Air compressor with serial number 02252218 were stolen from a construction trailer in the 300 block of Pennington Drive overnight between June 19 and June 20. Police said someone broke into the locked trailer to steal the items.

East Pennsboro Township Police (717-732-3633)

Chad Eric Zander, 43, of York Haven, was charged June 12 with felony fleeing police, misdemeanor DUI and driving vehicle without an ignition interlock, as well as summary traffic offenses after a pursuit at 2:20 p.m. May 4 that started in the 400 block of North Enola Road. Police said they tried to initiate a traffic stop on a motorcycle, but it fled officers at a high rate of speed west on Shady Lane. Officers discontinued the pursuit, but they reported June 20 that they determined the operator was Zander. He was arraigned and posted $5,000 cash bail.

Information is from police reports and may be incomplete depending on the status of an investigation. Phone numbers are nonemergency.
Veteran outfielder David Dahl has signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, according to Triple-A communications director Alex Freedman (Twitter link). Hes joining their top affiliate in Oklahoma City.

Its the third career NL West organization for Dahl. Hes best known for his time with the Rockies, where he flashed middle-of-the-order potential and was nominated to the 2019 All-Star Game. Injuries derailed his Colorado tenure, though, and Dahl hasnt gotten much of a big league look since hitting .210/.247/.322 in 63 games for the 2021 Rangers.

After splitting the 22 campaign between a handful of Triple-A clubs, Dahl returned to the majors this season. He broke camp with the Padres after an offseason non-roster contract. He got into four MLB games before a quad strain sent him to the injured list. After he returned, he was optioned to Triple-A. Dahl hit .265/.342/.382 in 17 games there before being designated for assignment two weeks ago.

Upon clearing waivers, Dahl tested minor league free agency. He finds a new landing spot with the Dodgers, where hell try to hit his way back to the big league level. Los Angeles has Jason Heyward and rookie Jonny DeLuca backing up their starting outfield of Mookie Betts, James Outman and David Peralta for the moment. Dahl joins Kole Calhoun as a veteran depth option in Triple-A. Steven Duggar is also on the OKC roster but he has been on the injured list since June 9.
Angels infielder Gio Urshela was placed on the injured list this week due to a pelvic fracture and now it seems like the issue might prevent him from returning again this year. Manager Phil Nevin relayed the news to reporters, including Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times. Urshela wont need surgery but he will need to be shut down for six weeks and then will require at least six weeks of ramp-up time after that. Given that timeline, it will be very difficult for him to make it back to the Angels this year.

Urshela, 31, was acquired in an offseason trade from the Twins, with pitching prospect Alejandro Hidalgo headed the other way. Urshela was coming off a solid season in Minnesota, hitting .285/.338/.429 for a wRC+ of 119 while providing solid third base defense. However, he was set to make a projected $9.2MM via arbitration in his final season before free agency, so the Twins flipped him to Anaheim. The latter club and Urshela eventually went to a hearing with the Halos emerging victorious, leading to the infielder making $8.4MM this year instead of his desired figure of $10MM.

The addition was a sensible one for the Angels, as they have often fielded a roster with plenty of star power but a lack of depth and complementary pieces. They opted to try to fill multiple holes by bringing in solid and versatile players like Urshela, Brandon Drury and Hunter Renfroe. Overall, the plan has worked quite well as the club is having their best season in years, currently 41-34 and currently in possession of a playoff spot. But they will now have to proceed without Urshela in the mix.

Zach Neto and Anthony Rendon have each landed on the injured list in recent days as well. That forced the Halos to turn to the likes of Andrew Velazquez, Michael Stefanic and Kevin Padlo in the short term. Upgrading the infield via trade next month seems a possibility. The Halos figure to be aggressive to capitalize on a chance to make the postseason in Shohei Ohtanis final season of club control. Los Angeles enters play Wednesday at 41-34, tied with the Astros for the final Wild Card spot in the American League.

From Urshelas perspective, its a brutally timed injury. Hell likely close his platform year with a modest .299/.329/.374 showing in 62 games. While the projected timeline suggests hes likely to have a more or less typical offseason, hell hit the open market coming off an injury-shortened year.

Next offseasons free agent infield class appears very thin. Matt Chapman tops the group, but there arent many other productive regulars trending towards free agency. Jeimer Candelario is having a decent season in Washington, while Whit Merrifield is playing fairly well for the Blue Jays but entering his age-35 campaign. Amed Rosario is probably the top shortstop option, but he carries a .229/.303/.346 line in 65 contests.
The Nationals and Orioles have settled their dispute regarding MASN rights fees between 2012-16, as first reported by Chelsea Janes and Ben Strauss of the Washington Post. The agreement comes two months after a New York appellate court ruled in favor of the Nationals and MLB as part of a longstanding legal battle with the Os.

According to the Washington Post, the network is paying out a little less than $100MM to each franchise. (Andy Kostka and Dylan Segelbaum of the Baltimore Banner specify the payment around $99.2MM.) As Janes and Strauss note, the deal requires the network to pay equal rights fees to each organization. The payment still represents a win for Washington since the Os have a much greater ownership stake in MASN.

The Nationals and Orioles jointly own the network, which carries local broadcasting rights for both clubs. The Baltimore organization has a majority share (presently around 76%, dropping to 67% by 2032). That came as part of the agreement between the Orioles and MLB to facilitate the relocation of the Expos from Montreal to Washington  into the Orioles territorial range  nearly two decades ago.

As part of that deal, the sides agreed to share telecasting money owed by MASN to the clubs for broadcasting rights. An arbitration panel was created to resolve possible disputes between the franchises in calculating those fees. After the sides failed to come to an agreement for the period covering 2012-16, the issue went to arbitration. The panel  a committee made up of representatives from three other MLB teams  ruled closer to the Nationals desired number than the Orioles had found appropriate (albeit nearer to the Os proposed figure than Washingtons). Baltimore and MASN appealed, questioning the leagues impartiality.

A court found in the Nationals and leagues favor on that issue back in 2019. The court ruled the network owed the Nationals roughly $105MM in unpaid rights fees. The Orioles appealed that decision, but the appellate court agreed there were no grounds for contesting the arbitration panels findings.

However, the appellate court found the lower court had overstepped its authority in awarding the $105MM in past damages. That put the onus back on the franchises to calculate damages. They have apparently found the approximate $99.2MM figure mutually agreeable.

To be clear, this does not permanently resolve the dispute between the organizations. Theyre still divided on fees for the 2017-21 period. Janes and Strauss report that MLB is preparing to put that issue before its revenue sharing committee. The sides negotiate rights fees every half-decade, so theyll also have to figure out the 2022-26 numbers in due time.

Finding a long-term solution could be especially welcome for the Washington franchise. The Lerner family announced in April 2022 they were looking into selling the team. Negotiations with a group led by Ted Leonsis were put on pause over the winter, in large part on account of the TV rights uncertainty.
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - Michigan is home to one of, if not the largest Pez conventions in the entire country and its happening this weekend. People come from all over the world for this event which you can attend for free.

The 6th Michigan Pez Convention takes place on Saturday, June 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Delta Marriott at 37529 Grand River Avenue in Farmington Hills.

Saturday is just the free public portion of the event. Behind the scenes, this convention is a weeklong celebration of anything and everything Pez and a chance for Pez enthusiasts from around the world to see people who they havent seen in at least a year.

Its not about a plastic toy, its about relationships, event host Jim Blaine told MLive. Ive had people checking in since last Friday. Theres people from all over the place already in Michigan. They come here to travel around, enjoy the state and what Michigan has to offer before ending at the convention which is like a family reunion to us.

Blaine, who also owns one of the largest Pez collections anywhere with more than 300,000 pieces, says some guests come from as far away as Austria and Israel and a lot of guests come early to help set everything up.

Weve had people here all week coming from different states just to see how they could help us get ready, added Blaine. This is a very come as you are and welcoming community of all kinds of different people. The Saturday show thats open to the public is a chance for our community to show everyone what we do and who we are.

Free admission for Saturdays public portion of the event is sponsored by Docs Sweets Candy Company in Clawson. The first 500 families get a free Pez dispenser courtesy of Uno Pizzeria.

One of the special guests at the event will be Michigans infamous Pez Outlaw, Steve Glew. Netflix released The Pez Outlaw documentary earlier this year which is all about how Glew found a way to make a lot of money selling Pez dispensers in the U.S. that he sneaked in from all over Europe.

According to Blaine, since 2016, the Michigan Pez Convention has raised more than $80,000 for Higher Ground at Lake Louise in Boyne Falls to help send children of fatherless homes to summer camp. The convention will also help raise money for Bottle Babies Rescue, which is an animal rescue in Plymouth.

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12-year old magician ventriloquist from Michigan shocks with AGT audition

How Nickelbacks Mike Kroeger became a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan
Another week, another chance to see the hottest tour of the summer.

Taylor Swift brings her sellout Eras tour to Minneapolis this week and tickets can still be found at Stubhub and Vivid Seats.

Swift broke yet another record during her Pittsburgh tour stop with the largest audience of 73,117 Swiftie fans in attendance at the Acrisure Stadium. The mega popstar beat a Garth Brooks record of 72,887 concert goers in 2019 at the same venue.

Taylors surprise songs included Seven and The Story of Us.

Stubhub and Vivid Seats have tickets as low as $899 for Friday night and $748 for Saturday night performances.

But remember that ticket prices fluctuate.

Get tickets to the Eras Tour, and experience lively performances with songs that span her entire career, including new music, dancers and more.

Heres how you can get, last minute, hard-to-find tickets to the shows in Minneapolis at Stubhub and Vivid Seats.

Minneapolis - Friday June 23, 6:30pm, with Girl in Red and Gracie Abrams, US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

1. Stubhub

2. Vivid Seats

Minneapolis - Saturday, June 24, 6:30pm, with Girl in Red and Owenn, US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

1. Stubhub

2. Vivid Seats

Further reading

Taylor Swifts surprise songs from both of her huge Ford Field Detroit concerts

Taylor Swift in Detroit: One of the most awe-inspiring concerts weve ever seen
TROY, MI  A suspect has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that seriously injured a 7-year-old girl in Troy.

Raed Yousef Abdalla, 27, of Troy was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing serious injury. Abdalla was given a $1 million cash bond.

The hit-and-run crash occurred near the intersection of Silverstone Drive and Dryden Road in Troy at 10:51 a.m. on Saturday, May 13.

Police say Abdalla struck the young girl while she crossed the street riding her bicycle. She suffered a broken femur, broken pelvis, and severe abrasions.

Officers worked the scene and developed Abdalla as a suspect and later connected to a used car dealership in Roseville.

The Roseville Police Department located the suspect vehicle within 45 minutes of the crash.

The Dearborn Police Department arrested Abdalla at a family members house on June 19.
MACOMB COUNTY, MI  A Michigan man has been charged with the murder of his brother after police found a body behind a home in Eastpointe.

McKinnley Hearon, 42, was charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, lying to police officers and felony firearm on Tuesday.

It is alleged that Hearon shot his brother at their residence in Eastpointe following an argument on June 15. He initially told police that his brother was not home, but police found the victims body behind the house.

Violence in the family is devastating, and unacceptable. What happened in this instance is a tragedy. We will work diligently with the Eastpointe Police Department to ensure justice, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido in a statement.

Hearon was arraigned in the 38th Eastpointe District Court. Bond was set at $2 million. The defendant was also referred to Macomb County Community Mental Health for a mental health evaluation.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on June 28 and a preliminary exam is scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 5.
The Cumberland Valley School District is purchasing the property of a nearby church with a congregation thats reportedly dwindling in size.

On Monday night, the Cumberland Valley School Board authorized the district to purchase the Family Worship Center property at 6780 Carlisle Pike for $825,000.

The district initially approached the church to buy a sliver of right-of-way land to install a traffic signal and turn lane at the adjoining intersection of Carlisle Pike and Dapp Lane. The district recently installed the traffic improvements there in partnership with developers of the Hempt Farm property in Silver Spring Township.

We needed that piece of land to add a turning lane on Dapp for individuals exiting our campus, Superintendent David Christopher said Tuesday. The developer of the Hempt Farm property worked with us to get the light in place, which has been a huge help on getting students and fans from our stadium off campus safely. The district shared the cost with the developer, which was very minimal, of the traffic study that was used to justify the light, but the developer took care of the cost of installing the light.

The church offered to sell its entire 1.37 acre property, including the church building, to the district due to declining parishioner-ship, according to Michael Willis, CVs director of business and support services. He said the church has around 25.

Willis said Monday that the district has no specific plans for developing the church property, but officials plan to conduct a structural evaluation of the building soon.

School administration

Cumberland Valley school directors also approved the transfer of several district building administrators to other positions, including the new positions of assistant director of curriculum, instruction and assessment and director of professional development. Another position, assistant director of student services is a replacement due to a retirement, Christopher said.

On Monday, the school board approved the transfer of Shaull Elementary School Principal Deana Raymer to serve in the sd assistant director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, effective July at an annual salary of $127,995.

The board also approved transferring Monroe Elementary School Principal Megan Ward to director of human resources for professional development, effective July 1 at an annual salary of $133,885.

The transfer of CV High School Assistant Principal Brian Robinson to the new position of assistant director of student services also was approved Monday by the board, effective July 1 at an annual salary of $130,375.

Also Monday, the board approved the transfer of Bianca Cirrincione to food services supervisor, effective July 1 at an hourly rate of $26.15.

School directors also approved the transfer of high school secretary Lisa Shipe Henry to high school administrative secretary-student services/special education, effective July 1 at an hourly rate of $24.15.

Finally, board members approved the transfer of human resources assistant Veronica Ames to human resources generalist, effective July 1 at an annual salary of $56,632.
Almost 40,000 student-loan borrowers are in line for refunds in connection to what the Federal Trade Commission described as a student loan debt relief scheme.

According to a statement by the FTC, 37,844 people who paid money to Arete Financial Group qualify for checks totaling $3.3 million in connecting to a scheme that charged illegal upfront fees for debt relief but failed to deliver. The FTC sued Arete Financial and related companies and the defendants agreed to settle.

According to the lawsuit, defendants pretended to be affiliated with the Department of Education, falsely promising to reduce or eliminate monthly student loan payments but then charged consumers illegal upfront or recurring monthly fees.

Defendants promised consumers that in exchange for the payment of upfront fees and subsequent monthly fees, they would reduce or eliminate consumers student loan balances, the FTC said in a statement. However, Arete Financial regularly failed to reduce or eliminate consumers loan balances or monthly payments.

The settlement requires the defendants to provide refunds and banned them from the student loan debt relief industry.

The FTC has determined the customers who are eligible for refunds and they will be receiving a check. The amount of refund will depend on how much FTC is able to collect and how many people lost money.

You can find more information here or by calling 855-678-0558.
The Department of Natural Resources has announced several changes to Michigans deer hunting regulations.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission met in Roscommon earlier this month and approved the deer regulations, which will be in effect for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 hunting seasons.

DNR deer program experts say that many of the traditional regulations remain unchanged, but there are several important updates aimed at enhancing deer hunting opportunities for Michigan deer hunters.

Among the highlights are multiple rejected proposals, limit changes to the DNRs hunt for young hunters and hunters with disabilities and changes to chronic wasting surveillance zones.

RELATED: 10 best practices for hunters to follow during Michigans firearm deer season

There are many challenges facing deer hunting in Michigan and across much of the Midwest in the coming years, said Chad Stewart, the DNRs deer, elk and moose management specialist.

While the approved regulations for the 2023-2025 deer seasons are geared toward increasing opportunities for a declining hunter base, we recognize that well have to continue to evaluate all possible options to sustainably manage Michigans deer herd in the future.

Here is a closer look at the notable developments from the meeting.

Restricted tag of the deer combo license

The four-point antler point restriction on the restricted tag of the deer combo license has been reinstated in 19 Lower Peninsula counties including Barry, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lenawee, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa and Shiawassee.

Under the updated regulation, all deer combo licenses in the affected counties will now have an unrestricted regular tag and a four-point restricted tag.

Liberty Hunt

Hunters participating in the Liberty Hunt, a firearm deer hunt on private or public land for youth and hunters with disabilities, will now be allowed to harvest more than one deer.

While the limit for bucks remains at one, hunters can pursue multiple antlerless deer, but a separate license will be required for each deer harvested.

U.P. CWD Surveillance Zone

The Upper Peninsula Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Zone (including parts of Delta, Dickinson and Menominee counties) has been removed.

As a result, hunters in this area can resume baiting and feeding practices. The hunters choice antler point regulations, which include an unrestricted tag for the deer license and point restrictions for the regular/restricted tag of the deer combo license, have been reinstated.

The restrictions on the deer combo license are three points on a side for the regular tag and four points on a side for the restricted tag.

Late archery season and crossbows

The proposal to allow crossbows in the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula was rejected. That means hunters are still prohibited from using crossbows during the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula.

This includes hunters in the previous CWD Surveillance Zone where crossbow use in the late archery season had previously been allowed.

Antlerless harvest in northern DMUs

The proposal to reinstate antlerless harvest opportunities in several northern deer management units (007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131) using archery equipment was rejected.

Antlerless harvest remains largely prohibited in those units, with exceptions only for qualified individuals during the Liberty Hunt and through Deer Management Assistance Permits, where authorized.
SENEY, MICH. -- Its been an eventful summer for ABJ, the worlds oldest male common loon.

No stranger to making headlines, the Michigan loon first ruffled feathers this year after a brief reunion and subsequent split with his longtime former partner, Fe, the worlds oldest female loon. A skirmish with Fes new mate left ABJ with a broken bill and sent him packing from the loons summer home at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, but then the battle-worn bird returned to Seney a month later, seemingly to settle in for a bachelor summer.

The latest update? ABJ is a bachelor no more.

To the surprise of Seney loon experts, who had assumed ABJs injured bill would prevent him from pairing with a mate this season, the famous elder-loon has been recently reported to have found a new female  and the two have built a nest.

Color me astounded and impressed, wrote Damon McCormick of Common Coast Research & Conservation, who has been chronicling ABJs story on the wildlife refuges Facebook page.

McCormick wrote in an update that barring nest failure, in the coming weeks ABJ and his mate will take turns incubating any eggs while the other patrols their territory, with the earliest likely successful hatch occuring in early July.

ABJs name stands for Adult Banded Juvenille as a reference to the color-coded research bands on his legs, which have allowed scientists to study the loon across his lifespan of 36 years.

The identity of ABJs mystery mate is not yet known, but in the post McCormick said researchers are welcoming any visitor photos that capture the bands on her legs, which can help determine an ID.

Staff is continuing to monitor the refuges loon population, and there will be updates on the Seney National Wildlife Refuges Facebook page in the weeks to come.

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ANN ARBOR, MI -- A man charged in an Ann Arbor stabbing will soon head to trial.

Tyler Oliveria, 46, was bound over to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court during a hearing on Tuesday, June 13. Oliveria has been charged with one count of assault with intent to murder in connection with a stabbing that took place around 9 a.m. on Monday, April 17, inside a home on the 2300 block of Pauline Boulevard in Ann Arbor.

During the incident, a 42-year-old Ann Arbor man was stabbed in his left shoulder. He was treated at the University of Michigan Hospital for injuries not believed to be life threatening and then released.

Read more: Man charged in Ann Arbor stabbing

The pair knew each other before the incident, police said.

Oliverias case had previously been adjourned after the prosecution discovered their witness  also the stabbing victim  arrived unable to take the stand due to possibly being under the influence.

The 46-year-old also has open cases in the 15th District Court on charges for larceny less than $200 and for receive and concealing stolen property valued between $200 and $1000. Those cases remain in the district court.

Oliveria is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on a $50,000 bond and is next scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, July 20.

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:

Proposed Ann Arbor law aims to restrict police traffic stops

Kitchen fire severely damages Washtenaw County home

41-year-old man stabbed to death in Lansing, police looking for suspect
(Update: Heres how MSP developed second suspect in Andrea Eilbers 2011 murder)

LAPEER, MI  Michigan State Police authorities have identified an additional suspect in the 2011 homicide of Andrea Eilber.

Eilber, 20, was found dead in the basement of her aunt and uncles home on Kings Mill Road in Lapeer Countys Mayfield Township in November 2011.

Less than an hour after her body was found, police picked up her boyfriend at the time, the then 19-year-old Kenneth KC Grondin, whom they would eventually charge with open murder in connection to her death.

Grondin in 2015 was convicted by a jury of killing Eilber and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, his conviction was overturned in 2018 after state courts ruled there were issues with the verdict form used at trial.

He has since been on house arrest awaiting a new trial, which was expected to take place this year.

But MSP detectives continued the investigation into Eilbers homicide, attempting to identify an additional suspect, according to information obtained by MLive-The Flint Journal late Tuesday, June 20.

The suspect, a 42-year-old Utah resident who was last seen in Box Elder County, Utah, was last seen on June 7, the AGs office said.

The investigation regarding his involvement with Grondin and the 2011 crime is ongoing, the AGs office said in a statement. The Michigan State Police and the Attorney Generals department have remained vigilant in identifying anyone involved with the murder of Andrea Eilber.

Eilber was killed while watching her aunt and uncles home while they were out of town.

Late on Nov. 15, 2011, Eilbers family became worried when they had not heard from her.

The victims father called the police the night before and said his daughter was missing from their Otisville home. Officers went to her aunt and uncles home but there was no answer when they knocked on the door.

Another one of Eilbers aunts went to the home to look for her. She found the house dark, all the lights off. Eilbers vehicle was not there.

Eilbers father eventually made a police report. Meanwhile, the friends and coworkers formed a search party for the victim.

The search party found Eilbers vehicle, abandoned in a parking space for a state game area on 5 Lakes Road, less than 2 miles away from the home shed been staying. The door was ajar and a tire mark was visible on the rear bumper.

Police later got permission to break into the home and found Eilbers body. She was positioned on a chair in the laundry room of the basement. A medical examiner would later testify that she was bound to the chair  likely with zip ties  when she was shot and killed.

Several items were missing from the home, but obvious items of value, such as a gold nugget and jewelry, were left behind, according to testimony offered at Grondins trial.

About 30 minutes after Eilbers body was found, troopers with the Michigan State Police were knocking on the door of Grondins house. He was taken to the MSP Lapeer Post where what would become a 13-hour interview began.

For 12 days in October 2015, a jury of Lapeer County residents heard evidence presented by attorneys in the case. When all was said and done, they returned a verdict finding Grondin guilty of first-degree premeditated murder.

Grondins trial attorney, Michael Manley, argued that Eilber was killed  just not by his client.

This courtesy photo taken from MLive archives shows a man authorities say used Andrea Eilber's debit card around the time of her death. He has never been identified.

Manley sought to admit evidence of this defense through testimony from a woman who said Grondin was at her house watching a movie when Eilbers debit card was used to withdraw money from an ATM at Hantz Bank.

Grondins cell phone also pinged off cell towers near the womans home at this time. It also pinged off a tower near his own home at 11 a.m. the following morning, when Eilbers debit card was again used at a Speedway gas station in Burton. This time, a dark-colored SUV is seen outside, apparently the vehicle used by the man.

Manley argued this person was who killed Eilber.

The Grondin family went so far as to offer $5,000 for information that could be used to identify the man in the gas station video.

But the person in the video has never been identified.

Police are asking anyone with information on Eilbers murder or the location of the suspect to contact D/Sgt. Amy Hofmeister or D/Sgt. John Sholtz at the MSP Lapeer Post by calling 810-664-2905.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

19-year-old Kenneth C. Grondin III charged with murder in Lapeer County homicide

Friends of slain 20-year-old Otisville woman remember Andrea Eilbers vibrant smile in vigil

Judge gives Kenneth Grondin, man accused of killing girlfriend in Lapeer County, bond

Judge throws out statements to police ahead of boyfriends trial in slaying of 20-year-old Otisville woman

Grondin gets life in prison for 2011 killing of former girlfriend in Lapeer County

Family of Kenneth Grondin III claims mans innoncence, lawyer says

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.
FLINT, MI -- Eric Mays, the longest-serving member of the Flint City Council, has been targeted for recall, the fifth attempt to remove a member of the divided council so far this year.

Dionne Freeman, a resident of the citys 1st Ward, which Mays represents, filed proposed recall language against her councilman on Wednesday, June 21, with the county Clerks Office.

The language says Mays -- a lightning rod of controversy in Flint politics -- should be recalled because he was charged with a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct.

A Genesee District Court jury found Mays guilty of the disorderly conduct charge in March for his refusal to leave a council meeting almost a year earlier after he was twice ruled out of order. A Flint police officer arrested him after he refused to leave City Hall voluntarily.

Mays has filed a notice that he will appeal that verdict in Genesee Circuit Court and has said council President Allie Herkenroder committed perjury when she testified against him at that trial.

Both the councilman and the presiding judge at the trial have said videotape from the meeting shows Herkenroder gave Mays permission to leave the meeting in question but Herkenroder has maintained that she never gave her colleague permission to leave the meeting and has said he had no right to return to his council seat.

MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Freeman for comment on the attempted recall on Wednesday, but Mays said he believes he will retain his position even if the petition language against him is approved by the Genesee County Election Commission, which must decide whether Freemans proposed language is clear and factual before authorizing the collection of signatures to force a recall election.

The commission -- composed of county Probate Judge Jennie Barkey, county Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons and county Treasurer Deb Cherry -- must schedule a hearing on the proposed recall language 10-20 days after it was filed.

My position is that I wasnt disorderly for getting in and out of my seat ..., Mays said of the reason stated in his proposed recall. The video is the strongest evidence of that.

Mays may be the best-known politician in Flint even though he is one of nine council members, representing fewer than 10,000 voters.

He has developed a national following because of viral videos on YouTube and TikTok, where he has more than 180,000 followers and where other account holders have used video from council meetings to create dozens of clips that have been viewed by millions.

Many of the videos feature Mays frequent clashes with other members of the council, back-and-forth insults and name-calling, as well as his trademark practice of interrupting meetings with repeated points of order.

Critics have said the councilmans antics have amounted to bullying and blame him for creating a hostile environment inside City Hall.

The councilman said he thinks the proposed petition language filed against him could be approved by the Election Commission, but even if it is, and Freeman collects the required signatures to force a recall election, I think the 1st Ward residents will retain me, he said.

Michigan election law provides for a single special election if recall language is approved and if the petitioner collects the minimum valid signatures required. The election automatically includes the recall target and other candidates seeking to replace the officeholder, and the candidate with the highest vote total completes the term in office.

In Flint, former Mayor Karen Weaver was the subject of a recall election in November 2017 but she retained her position after collecting nearly 53% of the vote in a special election that included 17 other candidates.

To force a recall election for Mays, Freeman would be required to collect the signatures of at least 25% of the number of votes cast in the 1st Ward for all candidates for the office of governor in the last gubernatorial election if her proposed petition language is approved.

Mays is the fifth member of the council to be targeted for recall this year.

Last month, the Election Commission rejected proposed recall petition language filed against 4th Ward council member Judy Priestley for failing to work effectively with her Flint City Council colleagues.

Recall petition language has also been filed against Herkenroder, who represents Flints 7th Ward, but who has announced shes resigning effective July 1.

Proposed language to recall council members Ladel Lewis (Ward 2) and Eva Worthing (Ward 9) for missing a special council meeting was also filed earlier this month.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

If the teeth fit, you must acquit, Eric Mays has a colorfully weird history in Flint politics

Flint councilman thrown out of meeting after barrage of racial slurs

Two more Flint City Council recall attempts target Lewis, Worthing

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ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI  A 29-year-old Holland man was killed in the Tuesday afternoon crash that closed northbound I-196 near Saugatuck.

Michigan State Police say a 32-year-old Zeeland man suffered serious injuries in the crash but is expected to survive.

The crash happened around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, on northbound I-196 at mile marker 43, north of Saugatuck, in Laketown Township in Allegan County.

Related: Fatal crash leads to closure of I-196 in West Michigan

Around that time, the two men were driving on I-196 in a pickup truck when one of its tire blew out, state police said. The Zeeland man lost control of the vehicle and it overturned into the median.

Both men werent wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the truck, state police said.

The Holland man died at the scene of the crash. The Zeeland man was taken to an area hospital.

Alcohol and drugs arent believed to be a factor in the crash. State police were assisted by the Graafschap Fire Department and the Allegan County Sheriffs Office.

I-196 was closed for two hours after the crash and has since reopened.

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KALAMAZOO, MI -- When Kalamazoo Public Schools board trustees were asked to describe their feelings about the state of the board in one word, they said irritated, bewildered and confused.

The exercise happened in a June 15 workshop, the last of a series of board development workshops. They were hosted by Karika Parker, the president and CEO of Onyx Consulting Group.

Parker has been listening to community members in the past six months to gather feedback for the board.

We need to course correct, because theres an attitude, theres a tone of gossip, attitudes, innuendos, thats presenting itself as poor leadership, Parker said. Theres avoidance, theres toxic behaviors. The question is, Do we have the policies in place to talk about it and to deal with it?

The district has been plagued by turmoil since the departure of former superintendent Rita Raichoudhuri in December 2022. Emails between Raichoudhuri and the board revealed Raichoudhuri had accused the board of creating a hostile work environment.

Most recently, former Trustee Tandy Moore unexpectedly resigned on June 8.

Related: Kalamazoo schools needed to hire a finance director. It did not end well.

Parker addressed past traumatic events in the district in the past six months, including the homicide of a student.

Parker said one of her goals has been to eliminate a culture of disrespect of the board from the community. But it still persists, she said. Parker said she hears community members saying the board need(s) to shut up during meetings.

It just takes one good announcement, pulling the people aside, having a conversation (to shift attitudes), Parker said.

Trustee Jennie Hill, who has been on the board for 12 years, said the board has always had hot times when were under the fire. But these hot times are persistent.

Board secretary Megan Maddock said it feels like the board has been going in circles.

Our attempts at change have not been effective, and so I want to make some decisions as a board and get things in writing, I want to know what this boards goals are, Maddock said.

Trustee Patti Sholler-Barber, the previous Board president, acknowledged the trauma that came with the unexpected departure of Raichoudhuri. Its added to the huge issues of trust on the board.

The workshops, spanning six months, have been separated into three phases: (1) Climate, culture and communication; (2) Readiness in welcoming a new superintendent and (3) Welcoming the new superintendent and having the board focus on its work.

Parker is paid $200 an hour for her work with the district, according to her contract obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Darrin Slade, the former deputy superintendent at Hazelwood Public Schools in Missouri, was unanimously selected by the board to lead the district. Last weeks was the first workshop Slade attended.

Slade said he felt very encouraged and highly motivated at the meeting, and questioned when they would start discussing solutions to issues. He also said the board was one of the hardest working he had seen.

We may have issues, but they are not super serious issues. They are issues that can be easily addressed and solved, Slade said. We really could be ready to have serious conversations about solving them, and from what Ive observed, we have to take ownership of whats happening and make a real effort to change it.

The biggest issue on Slades mind, he said, are bus route cancellations in the district due to staffing.

Thats just not acceptable to me and if I have to drive a bus if its legal ... Im being serious, because people have done that, Slade said.

Parker said the board needs to clean up so Slade can effectively serve the district. Creating an effective board/administrator relationship is the result of time and energy, she said.

You all need to get the district quiet so that he can do this work, Parker said. It starts interpersonally, how you work together.

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KALAMAZOO, MI -- While highlighting the importance of solving gun violence, members of the Kalamazoo City Commission voted unanimously to approve a new police surveillance system extending to businesses anywhere in the city.

The commission first discussed police surveillance at the June 5 commission meeting and temporarily paused their consideration after hearing several citizen questions.

The group approved the $375,000, three-year contract with Fusus Inc. at its Tuesday, June 20 meeting. It creates a partnership to allow police to connect to business cameras throughout the city and view live video feeds.

We have to stop the bleeding, Vice Mayor Don Cooney said while approving the contract, mentioning three people have been killed in the city in the last two weeks.

He believes privacy is protected because the cameras are only in public where people have no right to privacy.

We have to join together to do everything we can to keep our people safe, Cooney said. Thats their fundamental right.

Any business in the city can buy their own box and connect to the system once it goes live, one city official said.

Commissioner Esteven Juarez said he was the first on scene along with Public Safety Chief David Boysen when a 17-year-old was killed in Kalamazoo last week.

He found the child after he had been shot in the head.

The image is burned into my mind. Its not going away, Juarez said. He described someone doing CPR and the mother arriving and screaming because her son was dead. The shooter got away, Juarez said.

Others have experienced similar impacts from seeing the aftermath of homicides, Juarez said.

He believes the contract with Fusus Inc. can help.

Commissioners asked for follow-up reports after the program begins and want to review the police policy that dictates how it is used.

Multiple citizens called in or commented at City Hall to oppose the police surveillance program, describing it with words like dystopia.: Others supported an increase of police presence or security, particularly near the Arcadia Festival Site in north downtown.

Resident Ryan Smith asked commissioners to reject the real-time crime center and surveillance proposal.

I think its a violation of many human rights and I often wonder what it will be used for, Smith said. It seems like a reactive move, Smith said.

NAACP President Wendy Fields sent a note to ask about written policies.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Deputy Chief Matt Huber said KDPS would draft a policy upon contract approval, and it would be posted on the police transparency page. Commissioner Jeanne Hess asked if the commission could look at the policies before they are put into practice, and Huber said yes.

Huber said the goal is not to turn Kalamazoo into a surveillance state, but to keep the community safe.

Its still brand new, but its just one tool we need to try, he said, to address issues like gun violence.

Residents react

Several residents are worried about how the tool will be used.

It is clear that if the intelligence ecosystem passes, we will lose our right to privacy forever, Sabrina Pritchett-Evans said in a phone call to the commission.

Big Brother will be watching, she said.

Pritchett-Evans shared a list of concerns about the technology, like worries about how it could be used with artificial intelligence (AI).

AI is a beast, Pritchett-Evans said. Our info is feeding that beast.

Commissioner Juarez asked if police would monitor cameras and watch people. Huber said police can use the cameras to check spots, but officers would not be monitoring them continuously.

Commissioner Qianna Decker asked about locations of the cameras and what areas would they cover. She and others asked for progress reports and data withing the first year of use.

She asked if it has the opportunity to ever do facial recognition. Huber said no.

That is a strong point of the Fusus program, that it does not allow (facial recognition), Huber said.

Residents are not convinced.

I know its been stated facial recognition wont be used, Kim Harris said, but how do we know that for sure?

Northside Association for Cultural District Executive Director Mattie Jordan-Woods asked why the group wasnt included in conversations about using technology to reduce violence. Shes concerned people might go to the Northside to cause trouble to avoid the Fusus-connected cameras downtown.

Other commenters, including downtown residents who live near the Arcadia Festival Site, asked for more police or more security in their neighborhood.

Resident Jeff Lectka said conditions on the north end of the Kalamazoo Mall have escalated quickly and badly. Drugs are being openly sold in parking lots adjoining Arcadia, with disturbances day and night, he said.

A person sleeps at Arcadia Festival Place on the morning of Thursday, June 8.

We really need that section of town policed better, he said. We cant sacrifice a large corner of downtown.

Caller Victoria said she opposes the police surveillance project, because it could harm marginalized communities.

There are so many better ways to spend this money that wont plunge us into this dystopian hellscape, she said.

Caller Kayla, who works on the North Kalamazoo Mall, said Arcadia, in the center of the city, is overrun by unhoused people and drug users.

Theres vomit everywhere, she said.

The meeting adjourned after midnight, as commissioners discussed items on a lengthy agenda including the Fusus contract.

Other technology in the world is already tracking us, Mayor David Anderson pointed out, like our phones and new cars.

For better or for worse, that horse has been out of the barn a long, long time ago, he said. City leaders will demand Fusus is used ethically, he said.

A selection of 30 security cameras spotted in downtown Kalamazoo. These are in the area of the Kalamazoo Mall and nearby.

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GRAND HAVEN, MI  Students of Grand Haven High School have used inspirational figures in their community around them to create the Buccaneer Wall of Honor for Grand Haven veterans.

The wall, showcasing the names of 72 Grand Haven High Sschool graduates who served in the military, was unveiled Wednesday.

The new wall is a project that stems from a course taught at the school exclusively for seniors called Pay It Forward. In this course, students connect with nonprofits and the community around them, covering difficult topics through the lens of the broader community around them.

Amelia Segroves took the class last year and graduated in 2022. Her class, in particular, had such a connection to their experiences in talking to veterans about their service that they stuck with the larger project of creating a permanent wall at their school a year after graduating.

One of the people that we talked to in our community was a veteran who came to our class, and he talked about his experience and his story, Segroves said. I, along with the students in my group, thought that it was very inspiring, and the sparks started to fly and we decided that that was kind of where we wanted to focus our project on.

The class started talking to members of the American Legion in downtown Grand Haven as well as any veterans they could find, asking them about the hardships they faced, but also the funny stories they wanted to share, getting to know what was important to the veterans in the community.

From learning about the veterans during their interviews, the students took their artistic vision from there, adding different crests and flags of the various branches of the military as well as four American flags above the plaques that held all the names and years of service of the Grand Haven veterans.

We wanted something almost obnoxious, but in a positive way, Segroves said. We wanted something big.

Even with as large as it is now, the students are still searching for more former students to honor, knowing that there must be more veterans out there with Grand Haven High Schools long history.

With the project being a year in the making, the students were just excited to be able to unveil it to the public.

I feel really, really happy that were able to honor these people, Segroves said. I keep thinking about the smiles of the veterans that we are honoring.

Amelia Segroves was one of the students who worked on the Bucaneer Wall of Honor at was in attendance at the unveiling. (Liz Nass | MLive)

High School Principal Tracy Wilson, the mother of a son currently serving in the Army, is pleased with the dedication in the group honoring those who served or are serving, like her son whose plaque is on the new wall. She said that it is incredible to see a significant number of students from graduating classes at Grand Haven High School having went into the armed services to defend the country.

We try to find a way to honor them, and this is now a permanent way to honor them once they make that decision, Wilson said.

Wilson said the Pay It Forward class teaches the students to be selfless, and how to think about others in the community they can serve outside of the school building. Wilson highlighted other events different Pay It Forward classes had done such as a charity concert or starting an inclusion week with different themed days to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

It makes me feel really happy that this group of kids was so dedicated and committed that even a year after they graduated, theyve come back to continue to make sure the project gets completed, Wilson said. It would be really easy to graduate and walk away and say hopefully somebody else will finish it, but they have not been that way. They have continually communicated and reached out and we actually timed it so that some of them could be here.

Three of the students were in attendance at the unveiling as well as multiple community members and contributors to the project.

Segroves believes this honor will resonate with the community.

For myself, I cant imagine leaving high school and going to such a big, dangerous commitment, Segroves said. I cant imagine risking my life for our country. For those who have the bravery to do that, its so important that we honor them.

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For Ken Morrison, it isnt about selling peanuts; its about family.

Charles Veto and Dominic Minchella sold peanuts and ice cream for 48 years at the Square in Carlisle. Morrison  the great-nephew of Veto and the great-grandson of Minchella  is constructing a new peanut cart with the intent of keeping his familys entrepreneurial legacy alive.

Im very outgoing, he said. Ive always had an interesting story, and people enjoy listening to it. I think that this would be a great opportunity for me to share my familys stories with the public. I have a great rapport with people because I enjoy people.

The original peanut cart, which was powered by gasoline, is on display at the Cumberland County Historical Society Museum. The cart was on display at Wardeckers Menswear shop at 32 N. Hanover St. in Carlisle until its closure in 2020, and it was then donated to the museum by the Wardecker family.

The duo also had an ice cream cart, although they stopped selling ice cream at the beginning of World War II, according to the museum. The ice cream cart, made out of metal, no longer exists.

Morrison, who is of Italian descent, said his heritage is inspiring him to build a new cart. He said he knew of his ancestors entrepreneurship but never took a deep dive into it until recently, when he was looking into his familys history.

(Veto and Minchella) built themselves a reputation because of their hard work, even when they went through all these trials and tribulations of life, he said.

Morrisons maternal grandparents were Italian immigrants. His grandmother spoke very little English and struggled to overcome the language barrier while in school. He credits his entire family for his work ethic and personable demeanor.

They showed me how important it is to work hard every day, he said. Not only hard work, but to put your personality into how you treat your customers, because thats what I watched when I was a child growing up. That right there was key because that made me who I am today.

Morrison, 53, graduated from West Perry High School in 1988. His familys strong work ethic led him to join the Armed Forces, serving in the Air Force, Air Reserve and Air National Guard. Morrison is an 80% service connected disabled veteran.

(The VA) has treated me like gold, he said. They have perfect service every time I go in. Im grateful for that.

Injuries have forced Morrison to give up working full-time, leaving him with plenty of time to invest in the project.

I just wanted to be able to reinvent the wheel, he said. Kind of bring it back around just for the sheer novelty of it.

Morrison also spends his free time biking as a member of the Knights on Bikes, a Roman Catholic fraternal organization.

Despite his ailments, Morrison said that he is beyond thankful for the time he spent serving his country. He has never let anything get in his way, which he attributes to his Catholic faith.

Without (my faith), I would have nothing, he said.

Morrison is in the early stages of building the new cart, with the intention of selling peanuts with the Farmers on the Square as soon as he can. His intent isnt to make a profit.

The peanuts just sell themselves, he said. I want to continue the legacy of giving back a connection (to the community).

He intends to source the peanuts he will sell locally.

I think its something that will be good and benefit the local community, he said.

Farmers on the Square is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays from May to Oct. 19 and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. from Oct. 26 to April.
SAGINAW, MI  A downtown Saginaw restaurant and bar has abruptly closed its doors, leaving a vacancy on Washington Avenue.

The BoardRoom, located inside the SVRC Marketplace building at 203 S. Washington Ave., closed Tuesday, June 20. Restaurant officials announced the closure with a farewell message to customers via The BoardRoom Facebook page.

In addition to offering build-your-own burgers and craft cocktails, The BoardRoom sought to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Boardroom was a unique restaurant concept that started 3 years ago by SVRC Industries, with the hopes of offering a culinary arts program for disabled individuals which helped provide jobs and an experience fulfilling the SVRC mission, reads the Facebook posting.

With Covid effecting so many, The Boardroom was one with a complete shut down for almost a year, different management with different concepts, but through the struggles, we were finally finding our way this past year. We revamped our menu, found a very strong & ambitious like family staff, offered community catering of food and alcohol for community events, LIVE music Thursday through Saturday & offering one of the only outdoor patios on Riverfront Saginaw. An overall unique experience that every dollar went towards SVRC Industries and their programs that again fulfilled our mission.

We are sad to not provide an experience for our community.

The BoardRoom, which opened in 2020 in a space formerly occupied by a wine bar and taproom called Federal 131, was known for offering customizable burgers, flatbreads, appetizers, salads, Michigan beer and cocktails. Its announcement Tuesday prompted messages of condolence and support from customers and other small businesses, including Valeries Downtown and Artisan Urban Bistro.

Its parting message thanked customers for their support and implored them to continue to support small local businesses.

As we overcame so much, community support is what keeps small businesses like ours ALIVE! Theres so many out there to support & we ask that you please do your part!

To our community supporters, we cant thank you enough! Whether it was by word of mouth, sharing of a post, bringing in new guests and or supporting us daily... WE THANK YOU!

Rachel Caudy, general manager of the SVRC Marketplace and The BoardRoom, said the marketplace remains open with many small businesses in need of the communitys support.

The BoardRoom may have closed, but the SVRC Marketplace remains open all year round offering global flavors, American favorites and retail therapy, Caudy said. Keep dreams alive and support small. Our businesses are what make up our community.

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.

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FRANKENMUTH, MI  The worlds largest bounce house, a colorful 16,000-square-foot inflatable with giant slides, ball pits and a stage for a DJ, is coming to Michigans Little Bavaria this summer.

Frankenmuth River Place Shops will host Guinness-certified world record holder The Big Bounce America this August. The Big Bounce America is the biggest touring inflatable event in the world and features four massive inflatable attractions, including a 16,000-square-foot bounce house, the worlds largest, according to a Frankenmuth River Place Shops news release.
SAGINAW, MI  Authorities are investigating a suspected arson at a biker clubhouse on Saginaws West Side.

The fire at 1903 Durand St., a private club of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, was reported about 11:10 a.m. on Thursday, June 15. Callers initially said a generator was on fire near the building, but when crews arrived, they found it was actually a leaf blower that was burning, said Saginaw Fire Marshal Derron Suchodolski.

Firefighters pulled the leaf blower from its spot near the clubhouse and doused its flames.

Shortly afterward, witnesses came forward to say they saw a person pouring some fluid on the clubhouses back porch and lightning it, Suchodolski said. Once ignited, the flames flashed up then went out, the witnesses said.

Investigators found evidence at the scene corroborating the witnesses accounts, Suchodolski said.

It appears to have been intentionally set, Suchodolski said of the fires origin, adding the criminal element of the probe was referred to the Saginaw Police Department.

Police on Friday, June 16, arrested a 32-year-old suspect on a charge of first-degree arson. The man was released from the jail the following afternoon and has not been charged by prosecutors.

The fire itself did not cause much damage to the clubhouse, which the Fraternal Order of Outlaws BC has owned since February 2019.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club was established in 1935 in McCook, Illinois. Since then, it has expanded to 41 countries. It has four Michigan chapters, including one in Bay City.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club is not a criminal organization, the club states on its website.It is a motorcycle club.  We may not live by the rules of society, but we do live by its laws.

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In 2004, nearly six out of every 10 Michiganders who cast a ballot voted to ban same-sex marriage and civil partnerships from the state altogether.

Nearly 20 years later, attitudes have changed. And lawmakers are looking to change Michigans law change with them, hoping to avoid what occurred nationally on the topic of abortion to also impact the ability for same-sex couples to get married.

House Joint Resolution F, introduced in the lower chamber June 15, would strike from the state constitution wording explicitly restricting marriage to a man and woman.

A subsequent 50-bill package, spanning from HB 4764 to HB 4814, would then clean up language in other parts of state law to remove gendered mentions of marital status  instead using the word spouse  in the areas of tax policy, divorce proceedings, disability compensation and more.

As this involves a constitutional change, however, the resolution would need approval from two-thirds of the House  instead of a standard majority vote  before it could move out of the chamber.

Even if that happened, the resolution would not immediately amend the constitution but allow the decision to be placed on a ballot for a vote  circumventing the signature gathering task required for a change to the constitution.

RELATED: Protecting same-sex marriage could mean another ballot initiative in Michigan

Given Democrats only have a two-seat majority over Republicans in the House, triggering a referendum is seen as a moonshot. But it is one worth taking for Rep. Jason Morgan, an Ann Arbor Democrat set to marry his fiance Jon in October.

This is a big task, he said. This is not an easy effort, and its not one that will just happen next week. This is the beginning of trying to build the support of trying to codify marriage equality into our state constitution.

The 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, but there is concern relying on a potentially reversable court decision, said Morgan, spearheading the effort alongside Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park.

Both pointed to the courts 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion, overhauling the national landscape on abortion and giving power in some states to decades-old bans on abortion still in statute.

Furthering fears, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, in his concurring opinion on Dobbs, suggested the court, considering the Roe reversal, should revisit topics like same-sex marriage and contraception.

Taken together, the pair said Democrats werent willing to sit idly and see if same-sex marriage was next.

RELATED: Freeing hair and banning flags: Your guide to Michigan politics

The opinion that was written by Justice Thomas, I think it sent  for lack of a better phrase  chills through many different groups, McFall said. I think if Roe taught us anything, weve learned that just because a court decision occurs doesnt mean that its the law of the land.

Morgan and McFall, however, were realistic about the likelihood of the measure passing through the House.

Eighteen Republicans would have to join with Democrats. By comparison, only eight Republicans crossed party lines to vote with Democrats in codifying gender identity and sexual orientation protections into Michigans civil rights act.

Should the joint resolution fail, supporters of a push to alter the state constitution would instead need to collect signatures to place a question on the ballot. This is how Proposal 3, which successfully amended the state constitution to guarantee a right to abortion, earned a spot on the ballot in 2022.

Its a change Morgan believes would succeed if ultimately put to the test.

Its just too important to not try this route, he said.

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Now that charges have been brought against eight Michigan prison staffers for their alleged roles in the death of inmate Jonathan Lancaster, his sister says this is just the beginning of another long-haul battle.

After a year of hounding the Michigan Attorney Generals office, Lancasters sister and personal legal representation, Danielle Dunn of Ypsilanti, were told of the charges at an in-person meeting with a special prosecutor Tuesday, June 20.

Id be lying if I said, you know, it wasnt a relief because I walked into that room yesterday feeling like I was going to hear there was going to be no charges, Dunn said. It is an absolute shock and relief.

Related: 8 prison staffers charged with manslaughter, misconduct in Michigan inmates death

Lancaster of Detroit died March 11, 2019 of dehydration at the Alger Correctional Facility in Munising. He was 38 years old and serving a sentence for armed robbery and felony firearm charges.

My brother made some bad choices. He was obviously paying for those choices with the sanctions that he received, Dunn said. He was looking forward to coming home and being reunited with his family, his daughter and his grandchildren, and he did not deserve to be tortured.

An investigation by the Michigan State Police found Lancaster allegedly stopped eating and drinking while incarcerated. His sister said this was the result of a mental breakdown and he believed his food was being poisoned by prison staff.

Prior to his death, Lancaster had a history of mental illness, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and anti-social personality disorder, according to a November 2019 lawsuit filed by Dunn against Michigan Department of Corrections employees.

He was placed in an observation cell, where he remained until he died in restraints three days later.

The attorney generals office said Lancaster lost an excess of fifty pounds in fifteen days. Despite widespread knowledge of his deteriorating state and corrections policies, he received no medical attention until his death, the office alleges.

Those charged by the attorney generals office in connection with his death include Scott Sprader and Benny Mercier. They were the acting warden and assistant deputy warden, respectively, at the prison when Lancaster died and are accused of involuntary manslaughter, punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Also charged with the manslaughter offense are former MDOC registered nurses Paul Zelenak, Nathan Moser, Barbara Bedient and John Crane. Former corrections Sgt. Jason Denman and Officer Shawn Brinkman are charged with misconduct in office, which carries a top penalty of five years.

Brinkman was the only person charged who still works at the facility.

In response to questions from MLive, the Department of Corrections said in a statement it immediately launched an internal investigation into the events leading up to and surrounding his death. The MDOC investigation resulted in six individuals being fired and several others disciplined.

MDOC said it will continue to fully cooperate with this process until its conclusion.

Dunn said she hopes to see each person punished to the full extent of the law.

These are the types of animals that we are dealing with inside of the MDOC, she said. And when I say animals, Im not referring to the inmates, Im referring to the officers that are animals, people who treat human beings like this for no reason.

According to the lawsuit, Lancaster exhibited bizarre behavior, was pepper sprayed then transferred to the observation room, where he was neglected of proper medical care and did not have free access to fluids and/or methods of re-hydration.

Despite acknowledging Lancasters decompensating condition amongst each other, the corrections staff assured his family he was physically fine, the lawsuit states.

He was placed in a restraint chair to be prepared for transfer for medical treatment, left unattended despite his dire condition, for more than fours and died in the chair, the lawsuit contended.

Lancasters family settled the civil suit in 2021 for $2.6 million. Minus legal costs and court fees, relatives were to receive about $1.73 million. The lawsuit initially named more people than those charged.

I do believe that they found the people who have the most responsibility in Jonathans death and that is who was charged, Dunn said. Obviously, would my heart like to see more? Sure, but I will take what Ive been given.

Dunn said she saw MDOC make changes to policies regarding restraints after Lancasters death. However, its the culture of the prison system that needs fixing, she said.

With the culture remaining and the leadership that fosters this culture still in place, not looking to make any changes regarding this culture, is the biggest problem, Dunn said. I heard from people today that refuse to believe that officers did this, even though our attorney generals office has reviewed it and said that they did it.

Read more from MLive:

How Michigan could reconsider a 2004 move to ban same-sex marriage

Wisconsin Line 5 shutdown order may disrupt pipeline fight in Michigan

Democrats to lift a means test for low-income food assistance

Michigan schools could soon start before Labor Day without waiver
Monkeys infected with tuberculosis were imported into Michigan earlier this year, sparking a disease investigation by state officials and raising questions from animal rights advocates over national testing shortfalls.

In addition to the monkeys that tested positive for the bacterial infection TB at a West Michigan research facility, there were also two individuals who tested positive, according to the states Department of Health and Human Services. It is not clear if the infections were related, however, as only 2% of humans at the lab tested positive and typically about 4% of people, some without knowing it, have TB in the general population.

TB is a disease caused by bacteria that can lay dormant in some individuals, and cause serious illness in others. Its a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animal to human, sometimes checked by the immune system for years before causing health problems.

The illness not only poses a potential public health threat, it threatens biomedical research, explained Lisa Jones-Engel, a primate scientist and senior advisor for the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). An undiagnosed TB infection can skew research data and mislead scientists on the effects of experimental therapies.

Its scary when you have something that is going to be so deadly to the animals, is a zoonotic threat, can and certainly does represent a scientific threat, and when these animals are co-infected and battling TB infection, anything else theyre infected with are more likely to be shed at that point because the animal is sick, its immune system is distracted, Jones-Engel said.

So its a mess.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) was alerted early this year of the TB infections in monkeys. At least three macaques wild caught in Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, and imported to Florida and then Michigan were infected, according to an MDARD report obtained by PETA through a Freedom of Information request.

Dr. Jennifer Calogero, assistant state veterinarian for Michigan, said the owner euthanized the infected monkeys, and additional exposed primates were quarantined before being cleared. The states investigation has since concluded.

The humans who were positive for TB were not experiencing symptoms when tested and were referred for treatment, according to MDHHS. Health officials said its likely that prompt identification and quarantining of the symptomatic animals may have prevented the potential for transmission to both people and other animals.

According to PETA, the Michigan lab with the TB outbreak was Northern Biomedical Research (NBR) in Norton Shores, which reported having 483 non-human primates in 2020. The state declined to identify the lab, citing a privacy law, and a spokesperson for the lab declined to respond to MLives questions.

We do not comment on specific business activities at our facility to protect client confidentiality and employee privacy, reads a company statement. As a general matter, exposure to TB is a health concern in the federally mandated research and development of critical human treatments and cures.

NBR said it requires negative TB tests as a regular precaution to protect employees and non-human primates from disease. It also proactively tests for many zoonotic diseases in its research models to identify and treat any latent infections, and requires staff to use personal protective equipment.

What concerns Jones-Engel most is infected monkeys were cleared from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quarantine prior to arriving in Michigan. She said available skin and blood testing can be inadequate in detecting latent TB, allowing for infections to go undetected.

Those monkeys should never have left CDC quarantine; they should never have been brought into this country with TB, she said.

This goes back to how poor the tuberculin tests really are for detecting in monkeys. Those animals in that room who were there with the three original positive animals, all five of those could go through their testing and come out clean and go back on their experimental study and then a month or two months later when the animals are more fully immunosuppressed, they could pop up positive.

In a 2021 paper, JoAnn Yee from the University of California National Primate Research Center wrote that while the CDC continues to require a series of negative tuberculin skin test results for monkeys to clear import quarantine, there are multiple documented cases of animals successfully clearing quarantine and then later developing clinical disease after shipment to other facilities, often after having been enrolled in a research study.

Monkeys can be imported to the U.S. for three reasons: education, exhibition, and science. The leading exporters of monkeys to the U.S. include Cambodia and Mauritius.

In 2021, there were more than 30,000 monkeys imported into the U.S. Of those shipments, six had monkeys with positive tuberculin skin tests for TB  the most in any year since 2009  resulting in 24 monkeys being euthanized over suspicion of TB, according to records obtained by PETA through a Freedom of Information Act request and shared with MLive.

TB can attack the lungs, kidney, spine and brain. Its spread through the air and once it settles in a persons lungs it can move through the blood to other parts of the body.

Some people who are infected have a latent form of TB, meaning they dont get sick or exhibit any noticeable symptoms. They cant spread the bacteria, according to the CDC, and are likely unaware theyve been infected.

Others can develop symptoms including a bad cough, chest pain, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, lack of appetite, chills, and fever. If left untreated, the disease can lead to organ failure and become deadly.

Latent TB can develop into TB disease as well. That development is more common in people with weakened immune systems from conditions like HIV, kidney disease, diabetes, or some types of cancer.

Last year, Michigan reported 120 positive cases of TB in humans, or about 1.2 cases per 100,000 people. That marked a 12% decrease from 2021 and was on-par with the states five-year average.

TB disease can be treated through a combination of drugs taken for 6 to 12 months. Theres a vaccine known as BCG, but its not among the typically recommended shots in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Jones-Engel and her PETA colleagues want to see the CDC suspend importation of primates for use in labs and/or revise its requirements for screening imported primates.

A recent audit by the Government Accounting Office, mandated by U.S. Congress, determined the CDCs current approach in regulating certain imported wildlife species may not be sufficient to prevent outbreaks.

If CDC comprehensively assessed disease risks to inform decisions about regulating imported wildlife, it could help prevent the introduction of zoonotic diseases into the U.S, reads the report.

Read more on MLive:

Michigan schools could soon start before Labor Day without waiver

Are LGBT book bans discriminatory? Michigans civil rights agency wants AG opinion.

Juneteenth another step in journey to equity for Black businesses

A labor of love: The growing success of a Michigan lavender farm
Michigan is panting under a drought as summer arrives.

A parched spring has left the entire Lower Peninsula either abnormally dry or experiencing moderate drought, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.

Drought conditions have put increased demand on water providers, stressed vegetation and sharply increased the risk of wildfire, as evidenced by the Wilderness Trail Fire that scorched 2,400 acres near Grayling after a campfire got out of control on Saturday, June 3 and burned for four days.

The Grayling fire punctuated ongoing unease over the dry conditions and sparked warnings about campfires from agencies like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which described the states extreme hot and dry conditions as unprecedented in early June.

Wildfires elsewhere have also made their presence known.

Wildfire smoke from Quebec combined with already dry, hot conditions have caused hazy, gray skies and poor air quality around Michigan, prompting multiple Air Quality Alerts over the past several weeks in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas due to increased ground level ozone and particulate dust.

Detroit air quality was ranked among the worst in the world on June 7 because of Canadian wildfire smoke. Such unwelcome and unhealthy conditions are, unfortunately, something Michigan can expect to experience more of as the climate warms and rainfall patterns change, experts say.

Yet, wildfires are not something to be avoided at all costs. Burning can be beneficial under the right conditions. Certain ecosystems, such as the states jack pine tree stands  home to the once-endangered Kirtlands warbler songbird  depend on fire to heat pinecones and disperse seeds onto recently burned soil free of competition from other plants.

Prescribed burns to clear out low-growing combustible material are becoming a more common state and federal forestry management tool, building off longstanding Indigenous practices.

Here are four stories to help you learn more.

In other Michigan environmental news, lawmakers last week introduced a clean energy package aimed at reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. The bills are scheduled for committee hearings this week.

Speaking of fossil fuels, a judges ruling last week that Enbridge has three years to reroute its Line 5 oil pipeline off a northern Wisconsin reservation has stirred hope among Michigan pipeline opponents that the case may disrupt plans for a utility tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac.

Also last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested a major disaster declaration to activate federal aid for areas hit by spring flooding in the Upper Peninsula, where record snowmelt and precipitation in April and May overwhelmed stormwater and sewer systems, burst dams, and washed out culverts in Baraga, Gogebic, Iron, Marquette and Ontonagon counties.

Its also dredging season in the Great Lakes, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is struggling to remove sand shoaling that blocks commercial ships from entering harbors. Experts say that stronger storms and less ice cover on the Great Lakes may lead to worse shoaling and shoreline erosion over time.

And legal experts say state laws mean its business as usual for wetlands protection in Michigan following a U.S. Supreme Court decision in late May which significantly narrows federal authority to regulate wetlands.

- Garret Ellison

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WASHINGTON, DC  Veterans exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals while serving in the military would receive presumptive health care benefits under legislation introduced in Congress this week for the fourth time in six years.

On Wednesday, June 21, Congressman Dan Kildee of Flint reintroduced the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act (VET PFAS Act), which would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover treatment of certain health conditions linked to PFAS exposure.

Illnesses associated with PFAS exposure such as high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension would be considered service-connected injuries.

A service-connected presumption makes veterans and their families eligible for disability payments and medical treatment from the VA without an onerous process to prove a connection between their symptoms and exposure to contaminants.

Although PFAS is a known contaminant at hundreds of U.S. military sites around the world, the VA doesnt recognize associated illnesses as service-related and the Department of Defense denies that that some veterans were highly exposed, even in the face of compelling evidence.

Kildee, a Democrat who co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, introduced the legislation in March 2022. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Neither bill moved out of committee last session.

Kildee also introduced the bill in 2018 and 2019. Kildee previously represented Iosco County, home to the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, before Michigans redistricting. U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, represents the area now.

We made a promise to those who signed up to serve our country that wed take care of them and their families. This bill makes good on that promise by ensuring that all service members exposed to toxic chemicals as a part of their military service get the health care they need, said Kildee.

The legislation is supported by veteran advocacy groups such as Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America and the American Legion. Environmental groups such as the Environmental Working Group and the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network also support the legislation.

Our nation has a sacred obligation to care for the men and women who have suffered the ill effects of toxic exposures in the military. DAV strongly supports the VET PFAS Act, as it keeps the promise and removes barriers to service-connected benefits and provides access to VA health care, said Shane Liermann, deputy DAV legislative director.

The VET PFAS Act follows a similar bill passed last year to provide presumptive benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burns pits overseas, on the model of care received by some for exposure to the Agent Orange defoliant in Vietnam.

The VA began processing new PACT Act claims in January.

Related stories:

PFAS, the Agent Orange of our generation

Air Force, state spar over Wurtsmith cleanup again

Michigan begins PFAS blood testing in Oscoda

Air Force tries to win back trust in Oscoda

Lejeune victims can sue, but Wurtsmith victims cant

Air Force dismisses evidence of PFAS exposure

Activists call Air Force exposure claim a flat out lie

Veterans face uphill battle proving toxic exposure

Veterans blame Wurtsmith water for chronic diseases

Hydrant data shows high PFAS in old base water

Veterans likely drank PFAS at Wurtsmith, report says
Those in Michigan who want the Line 5 oil and gas pipeline shut down believe a recent ruling from a federal judge in Wisconsin could impact a pending legal case against Enbridge and disrupt company plans.

U.S. District Judge William Conley in Wisconsin last week gave Enbridge three years to shut down a section of its Line 5 oil and gas pipeline that crosses tribal lands and ordered the company to pay the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa more than $5 million for trespassing.

The tribe argued extensive erosion along a riverbank near the pipeline created an emergency risk of the infrastructure rupturing on and harming reservation land; Enbridge officials said they intend to appeal the ruling and may seek a stay of the judges decision.

Tribal authorities celebrated this new Line 5 shutdown order  even with a three-year wait.

Bad River Band Chairman Mike Wiggins said they appreciate the court ending Enbridges trespass and disregard for tribal rights. Tribal sovereignty prevailed over corporate profits, he said.

Enbridge officials said that while the three-year timeline is arbitrary, the goal to reroute the pipeline 41 miles around tribal land is achievable if government regulatory agencies grant work permits in a timely fashion. The project, once permitted, would take less than one year to complete, said Ryan Duffy, Enbridge spokesperson.

Regardless, the clock is now ticking toward that three-year deadline.

Conley sided with the Wisconsin tribe in September, saying Enbridge was trespassing and must compensate the tribe for illegally using its land. Yet just last month, the judge said he was uncomfortable placed in a position to potentially shut down the pipeline, an extraordinary request when the tribe hadnt allowed the company to do on-site erosion prevention work.

Related: Wisconsin judge hesitates to shut down line 5 pipeline

Tribal leaders in Michigan are among those closely watching the Wisconsin case for implications at home.

I was very happy because it creates a timeline now for Line 5 to be shut down, said Whitney Gravelle, president at Bay Mills Indian Community in the Upper Peninsula.

Ultimately, I think that the ruling is a clear signal to Enbridge as well as to state and federal regulators that there is no point investing further into risky and expensive projects for a pipeline that will inevitably be shut down. And that includes not investing in the Great Lakes tunnel project. I think the writing is on the wall that Line 5 is on life support, and that eventually it will be decommissioned altogether.

Where Line 5 crosses between the Upper and Lower peninsulas beneath Great Lakes waters at the Straits of Mackinac has been the crux of the fight in Michigan.

An aerial photo of the location where the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline enters Michigans Lower Peninsula after crossing underneath the Straits of Mackinac, May 15, 2022. (Garret Ellison | MLive)

Enbridge wants to relocate the underwater portion of the line into an underground tunnel, removing the 4-mile section running across Great Lakes bottomlands where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet. Those plans are now under state and federal environmental review.

State leaders want the line shut down immediately to avoid the risk of an oil spill into Great Lakes waters.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the Wisconsin ruling was a victory for those who share her concern for protecting the Great Lakes.

With that said, much remains to be done. I will continue to advance my lawsuit to stop a similar trespass on the bottomlands of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the Straits of Mackinac, Nessel said.

The attorney general said Line 5 remains a ticking time bomb more than 200 feet below the surface of the Great Lakes. She pointed to the risks showcased after two ship anchor strikes on the underwater pipeline in 2018 and 2020, as well as Enbridges historic oil pipeline spill into the Kalamazoo River in 2010.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revoked the companys state easement for the use of Great Lakes bottomlands and ordered the infrastructure shut down in 2021. But Enbridge defied her order and said it would shutter the line only when federal regulators or a judge ordered it.

Since then, both Whitmer and Nessel filed lawsuits in state court to shut down Line 5, though Enbridge successfully had both cases removed to federal court.

Whitmer voluntary dismissed her case so Nessel could press the issue through hers; Enbridges countersuit against Whitmer remains pending in federal court. Nessel earlier this year asked a panel of federal appellate judges to return her case to state court.

Meanwhile, environmental advocates argue the Wisconsin case may have profound impacts on Michigans Line 5 situation, both in the courtroom and at the drawing board.

Beth Wallace of the National Wildlife Federation said the three-year timeline set in the Wisconsin case could render the Michigan legal case altogether moot. Enbridge may not have time to do anything but shut down its pipeline, she argued.

They need to be using those three years to start that transition. And of course, that translates to what does it mean then for a tunnel if Line 5 is shutting down in three years? she said.

We already know for sure that a tunnel cannot be constructed in that timeframe nor can a reroute, not under the current permitting requirements. So, theres a lot of downstream impacts I think a lot of people are just now starting to wrap their heads around.

Sean McBrearty, coordinator of the Oil & Water Dont Mix coalition to shut down Line 5, said he believes the Wisconsin judges ruling could disrupt Enbridges plan to build the tunnel in Michigan. He suggested state and federal regulators can be expected to take note of this ruling.

That could have big implications on whether or not Enbridge gets the permits for the tunnel and whether or not Enbridges board decides to move forward with the tunnel, McBrearty said.

Above-ground portion of Enbridge Line 5 at the company's Mackinaw Station on Sunday, May 15, 2022. The oil pipeline travels under the Straits of Mackinac. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com

However, business proponents in Michigan argue the lawsuits in both states are unfounded, and the reroute in Wisconsin and tunnel plans at the straits should move forward.

Mike Alaimo, environment and energy director for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said the agency doesnt believe either legal case is grounded in law.

We do think that by and large, these are political motivations or motivations based on stigma surrounding pipelines, Alaimo said.

We absolutely need access to the energy supplies that it provides. And there are thousands of jobs that rely on that pipeline that does operate safely and continues operating safely. We feel like this is all the more reason to move forward with permitting on the tunnel.

Line 5 is nearly 70 years old and carries about 23 million gallons a day of crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, into and across Michigans Upper Peninsula, beneath Great Lakes waters at the Straits of Mackinac, and then through Lower Michigan to refineries in Sarnia, Ontario.

Both Indigenous tribes and environmental groups contend the dual pipelines are a constant petrochemical spill risk that could pollute hundreds of miles of Great Lakes shorelines at the heart of the continents greatest freshwater resource. Enbridge officials say the lines have never leaked in the Straits and remain in sound working condition.

Proponents contend a tunnel is needed to maintain energy market stability in the Midwest and would heighten environmental protections for the pipeline, now exposed to Great Lakes waters and strong underwater currents.

In 2021, Canada invoked a 1977 treaty over Michigans efforts to close the line, arguing it delivers critical fuel supplies to Ontario and Quebec. The treaty limits actions that could impede energy supplies of either the U.S. or Canada.

The President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau administrations remain in negotiations over the treaty invocation.

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Related articles:

Wisconsin Line 5 trespass ruling may influence Michigan legal fight

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The North Middleton Township Board of Supervisors last Thursday approved Police Chief Gary Carvers recommendation that the ownership of a .40 caliber semi-automatic rifle be transferred to the Cumberland County District Attorneys office.

The rifle was purchased in 2003 by then police chief Jeffrey Rudolph and has never been in service. No officers in the township are certified or qualified to use the weapon, Carver said, though he didnt specify at the meeting why the firearm had been purchased.

Four years ago, the Special Police Emergency Response Team asked if they could use it, which they did. Since then, it has remained in a locker within the police department.

Recently the county district attorneys office asked the township to transfer ownership to it and remove the weapon from the departments books. There is no cost to the township for the ownership transfer.

Carver said the township does not need the powerful rifle; if needed, the emergency response team would be called in for assistance.

Road improvement

PennDOT is in the preconstruction phase with a contractor over logistics for Spring and Cavalry road improvements.

In 2021, PennDOT proposed to fix the intersection at Spring and Cavalry roads by widening the intersection, putting in turn lanes and adding all-new traffic signals. In a separate project, it will pave Cavalry Road from Harrisburg Pike to Spring Road and Spring Road from Marion Avenue to Sterretts Gap Avenue.

The township will inform the public of the construction schedule as soon as it is available. It will begin in the fall and continue over the winter months. The cost for both projects is under $5 million, and they are two of 113 infrastructure projects occurring in the region over 2023 and 2024.

Police accreditation

North Middleton Township Police Departments assessment was completed for the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. It will move forward for presentation at the July Accreditation Commission meeting for determination. Carver will announce the outcome at the August supervisors meeting.

The full accreditation process took four years, according to Carver. If awarded, the police department will receive benefits that include potential insurance savings, stronger community relations and increased employee input and interaction, according to the PA Chiefs of Police Association website.

Accreditation is valid for three years and requires annual reports by the accredited agency.

Since the programs inauguration in 2001, more than 375 agencies have enrolled, and 149 agencies across the state have maintained accreditation status.

It is designed to be affordable, consistent and achievable for all types and sizes of law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania.

Burn ban

Supervisors last week voted to enact a burn ban that was effective immediately and will last for 30 days, according to the township. Other municipalities in the area have issued a burn ban, including Middlesex Township, South Middleton Township and Penn Township, and the state issued a Drought Watch for the entire state due to the lack of rain in early June.

Also, the supervisors last week approved a part-time administrative position for a township fire chief. The position will help the North Middleton Fire Department organize specialized training that otherwise would overwhelm the department. An ordinance will be written for the new position.
20.06.2023 LISTEN

Award-winning rapper Amerado Burner was on Accra 100.5 FM's Ayekoo Ayekoo midmorning programme, Monday, 19, 2023.

Host Nana Romeo asked for his thoughts on the raging controversy sparked by movie star Yvonne Nelson about the music star Sarkodie.

"I ordinarily would not speak on this," he noted. "but let me make it simple."

He stated, "There's no one who would build a tall house and desire for it to be demolished by an excavator in just a day."

According to him, "All of us working to progress make mistakes."

He emphasised his "love" for Sarkodie and Yvonne Nelson, adding that his only problem with what is happening currently "is the online abuse".

"Let's exercise self-control in commenting because none of us is righteous," he admonished the public. "With love and respect, I'd say that let's restrain ourselves."

When Nana Romeo noted that it may be Sarkodie's issue being discussed in the open today, Amerado responded by saying "It could be anyone else tomorrow."

Sarkodie, he said, "has built the brand to an extent that we think he is not human anymore and has no feelings but to err is human."
21.06.2023 LISTEN

19th June 2023, Bangalore: Mrs. Renu (name changed) was pregnant for the sixth time, but this time, her emotions were a mix of joy and apprehension. The memories of her past pregnancies, filled with heartbreak and loss, haunted her, casting a shadow over her current experience. She was diagnosed with cervical incompetence, a condition in which the cervix, the mouth of the uterus, is weak and prone to premature opening. This premature opening typically occurs between the third and fifth month of pregnancy, leading to miscarriage. Desperate for a solution, Mrs. Renu had sought help from multiple doctors and underwent various treatments, including strict bed rest, high doses of medications, and injections to support past pregnancies. She also underwent a cervical stitch or encerclage, a procedure performed through the vaginal route, but unfortunately, none of these interventions proved successful.

Determined to find a solution, Mrs. Renu's regular gynecologist referred her to Dr. Shwetha S. Kamath, Obstetrics and Gynecologist, Advanced Laparoscopy, Infertility & High-risk Pregnancy at Rainbow Childrens Hospital, Hebbal. With renewed hope, Mrs. Renu met Dr. Shwetha, who assured her that there was indeed hope for her situation. Dr. Shwetha proposed a laparoscopic encerclage, a procedure in which the cervix is stitched closed through minimally invasive surgery. After ensuring the baby's health at three months into the pregnancy, the laparoscopic encerclage was performed successfully. Mrs. Renu's pregnancy progressed smoothly, and at 38 weeks, she underwent a cesarean delivery, giving birth to a healthy baby.

The percentage of miscarriages due to various factors is about 15%. About 80% occurs in the first trimester, the most common reason being genetic abnormalities in babies. Upto 5 % can happen in 2nd trimester and up to 25% of these may be due to cervical incompetence. If the medical management fails, vaginal encerclarge is offered. In failed vaginal encerclage, IVF conception, recurrent miscarriages, prolonged period of infertility, laparoscopic encerclage is suggested.

Laparoscopic encerclage does not prevent all 2nd-trimester miscarriage. It offers benefits in miscarriage due to cervical incompetence. It offers maximum benefit in cases where it is applied before pregnancy or soon after NT scan in pregnancy before the cervix opens. Said Dr. Shwetha Kamath of the procedure.

In this case, the patient had a typical history suggesting cervical incompetence with failed medical management and vaginal encerclage. It offered her maximum benefit as it was applied soon after NT scan, she added of the case.

Cervical incompetence is a common cause of recurrent miscarriage, and initial treatments typically involve medications and encerclage performed through the vaginal route. However, laparoscopic cervical encerclage has proven to be a highly effective alternative in cases where these treatments fail. The procedure can be done either prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy itself, offering renewed hope to couples longing for a safe and successful pregnancy.

Dr. Shwetha S Kamath, Obstetrics and Gynecologist, Advanced Laparoscopy, Infertility & High-risk Pregnancy, Rainbow Childrens Hospital, Hebbal, Bengaluru
The African continent would be unable to achieve its growth objectives unless it had strong development financial institutions, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana said today in Accra as he performed the formal opening of the 30th Annual General Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023) is also being held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Bank, which was founded in 1993.

President Akufo-Addo told participants that Africas financial development institutions had remained highly undercapitalised, saying those institutions needed to be properly capitalised and to have effective coordination with the African Union (AU) in order to be able to deliver effectively for the continent.

Noting that a bank like the China Exim Bank had a capital of $54 billion while Afreximbank had only $6 billion, he urged African countries and Africans to contribute to Afreximbanks general capital initiative by subscribing to their allotted shares.

President Akufo-Addo commended Afreximbank for its catalytic role in Africa and urged it to strive to further improve its rating with the credit rating agencies in order to enhance its operations and be able to work consistently for Africa and the African Diaspora.

He pledged to work for Afreximbank to be admitted to a special status at the AU in recognition of its role and contributions to the continent and described AAM2023 as a truly intercontinental event with the participation of several Caribbean countries that had become full members of the Bank following the signing of partnerships agreements with the institution.

The President further welcomed the Banks support for Ghana, noting that its first transaction was with the Ghana Cocoa Board and that, beyond that, Afreximbank had provided timely support to Ghana through its Counter-Cyclical Liquidity Facility (COTRAFL) which it had put together at a time when global financial institutions were exiting Africa.

When dealing with powerful global financial institutions, it is important to have your own powerful financial institutions, said the President.

Earlier, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said that the Bank was delivering on the blueprint laid out by the pioneers of the OAU for Africas socio-economic transformation.

"The pioneers had set priority key goals to establish a free trade area among the various African countries; to establish a Pan-African Payments and Clearing Union; to establish a common external tariff to protect the emergent industries and set up a raw material price stabilisation fund; to develop trade among African countries by the organisation and participation in African trade fairs and exhibitions and by granting transport and transit facilities; and to progressively free national currencies from all non-technical external attachments and the establishment of a Pan-African monetary Zone," he said.

For sixty years, this well-articulated road map remained a map and gathered dust, said President Oramah. But thanks to the vision of African leaders who founded Afreximbank 30 years ago, one by one, they are being delivered within the framework of Team Africa, comprising the African Union and its Agencies, the AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank as the underpinning banker.

Today, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is up and running, which will save the continent 5 billion US dollars in intra-African transfer changes. It will also expedite and enable payments for intra-African trade in African currencies, he said. Very soon, we will domesticate all intra-African payments and extend the same to the CARICOM, where just a few days ago, the Association of CARICOM Central Banks adopted PAPSS as their preferred payment infrastructure for a pilot project. By this singular move, we are one step closer to a full integration of African and CARICOM economies.

He added that, in response to the founding fathers aspiration to develop trade among African States by organising and participating in African trade fairs, Afreximbank, in 2018, worked in partnership with the African Union to introduce biennial Intra-African Trade Fairs (IATF). Afreximbank pre-funded the organisation of the trade fairs, of which two had been held in Cairo and Durban, South Africa, attracting an aggregate of about 40,000 visitors and about 75 billion US dollars in deals.

With the AfCFTA Secretariat joining the partnership following its establishment, the IATF, branded the AfCFTA Marketplace, had become the largest gathering of African businesses and traders, he continued. The thirdedition would hold in Cairo from 9 to 15 November 2023.

It was also because Africa had Afreximbank that an integrated regional transit guarantee scheme for the continent had been birthed to ease the movement of goods across the 110 borders that divide Africa, said Prof. Oramah. Under the Scheme, goods could move across multiple African borders under one transit bond, significantly reducing border delays and transit costs.

Prof. Oramah also noted that the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in 2018, and its entry into force a year later, fulfilled another key aspiration of the continents founding leaders, saying that to make that Agreement work for Africa, a financial backbone was necessary. Afreximbanks existence will give the AfCFTA the best chance of success.

He announced that to deal with the considerable intra-African trade finance gap, Afreximbank disbursed over 20 billion US dollars in the five years to 2021 and projected to double those disbursements to 40 billion US dollars in the five years to 2026.

Prof. Oramah added that it was Afreximbank: that arranged the 2.9 billion US dollar bundle of credit and guarantees that made it possible for Egyptian contractors to begin executing the largest intra-African construction contract for a dam in Tanzania; that supported, phosphate fertiliser imports from Morocco to Nigeria and Ethiopia with hundreds of millions of US dollars; and that enabled Vista Bank, Burkina Faso, to complete the acquisition of some BNP subsidiaries in West Africa.

Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat had also established the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund to, among others, compensate eligible countries for tariff revenue losses arising from the new trade regime while also supporting the private sector to adjust in an orderly manner to the new arrangement under the AfCFTA, he continued.

Prof. Oramah added that Afreximbank was working with the African Regional Standards Organization to harmonise trade standards across Africa and had used Afreximbank mobilised grant funding to harmonise over 155 standards covering priority areas of automobile, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.

The Bank was working with Bureau Veritas of France to build testing, inspection, and certification centres across Africa under the branded Africa Quality Assurance Centres, he said. The first project had been completed in West Africa and others were underway in North and East Africa.

In his speech, Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Chairman of CARICOM, noted that the countries of Africa and the Caribbean shared similar challenges but had not been maximising the hands dealt them by geography.

Prime Minister Davis expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended to the Caribbean delegation to AAM2023, noting that many people in the Caribbean traced their ancestral ties to Ghana and Africa.

He added that the new linkages between Afreximbank and the Caribbean represented a strong testament to the shared goal of pan-African prosperity.

He highlighted the risks posed to Caribbean states by climate change and said that those countries were at the frontlines of the threat of climate change.

Speaking on behalf of Azali Assoumni, President of Comoros and Chairman of the African Union, Assoumany Aboudou Salam, Special Adviser to the President and former Minister of Finance of Comoros, said that it was time to think about relaunching Africas economies.

He said that Africa needed strong visionary leaders that were committed to working for the welfare of all Africans, adding that there should be an emphasis on investing in technology in order to stimulate economic development and job creation for the continents youth.

Albert Muchanga, the AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining, speaking on behalf of Musa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the African Union Commission, congratulated Afreximbank on its 30th anniversary and said that the AU was a great friend and supporter of all African financial institutions.

He commended Afreximbank for its role in pioneering a relationship with the Caribbean countries and said that Africa would still have to go deeper in its integration with the Caribbean.

Earlier, Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance of Ghana, had welcomed participants to AAM2023 and noted that in its 30 years, Afreximbank had made significant contributions in building prosperity for all Africans.

He commended the Bank and its President for the decisive role it had played in supporting African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, including making available $7 billion to help address COVID-19-related challenges and setting up the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.

The opening ceremony also featured a poem delivery by South African artiste Lebo Mashile, an enactment of the life of famed Mali Empire ruler Mansa Musa, and a hologram featuring the words of Kwame Nkrumah.

AAM2023, which ends on 21 June, is being attended by political and business leaders, bankers and other trade and trade finance practitioners from across Africa and beyond, including leaders of several member countries of the Caribbean Community.
The application for the High Court to vary its order to hear the Mr. James Gyakye Quayson case on a daily basis has been adjourned to Wednesday, June 21.

This follows a request by prosecution to be given time to react to the affidavit deposed to in the application.

Lawyers for James Gyakye Quayson are seeking to prevent the case from being heard on every day which they believe will affect the campaigns of the accused who is the NDC's parliamentary candidate in the Assin North By-election scheduled for June 27.

But when the matter was called, deputy attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah argued that the state has not had enough time to study the affidavit hence the hearing of the motion be moved to June 21.

The prosecution further urged the court to continue the cross-examination of its witness today.

The defence team led by Tsatsu Tsikata however, opposed the request asking the court to hear the motion today before continuing any proceedings related to the substantive case.

The judge however stayed proceedings for Tuesday and adjourned the hearing of the motion to Wednesday after which a decision on the next adjourned date for the substantive matter will be given.

Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah spoke to the media after Tuesday's hearing.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which was heavily represented in court by members of parliament and former ministers is confident of getting the order of the court varied.
20.06.2023 LISTEN

Ketu North Parliamentary Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Eric Edem Agbana has stated that the open display of support by Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei-Asare for Alan Kyerematen is an obvious sign of Vice President Bawumias failed leadership.

According to him, it is very surprising that the Deputy Finance Minister is not backing the candidacy of the Vice President in the flagbearer race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) although she has worked closely with him in the last six years.

The Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena was part of his campaign team. Now you have an economic management team chaired by the Vice President, his Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The Deputy Finance Minister, her position on who leads Ghana or who leads the NPP into the next election is a verdict on the leadership of the gentlemen on this team. That is supposed to be, if I choose to support President Mahama in my internal primaries, it is because I have confidence in his ability to provide the leadership that Ghana needs.

If you have a Deputy Minister of Finance who is supposed to be working under the leadership of the Vice President who chairs the economic management team taking or supporting a different candidate other than the Vice President, I believe from my personal view, I think that it raises concerns about the capacity or the performance of the vice president and we have a local adage that when a crocodile comes out of the water to tell you that if the tilapia is dead, you have every reason to believe it because the crocodile is from the water. So I have found out that to be very interesting about the Deputy Finance Ministers decision not to support Dr. Bawumia but Alan Kyerematen, Edem Agbana argued during a discussion on TV3.

Both Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kyerematen are seen as frontrunners in the flagbearer election of the New Patriotic Party.

They are part of a total of 11 aspirants contesting for the flagbearer slot to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.
The International Symposium on Agricultural Transformation and Biotech Crops in Africa (ISATBCA) is urging African governments to embrace plant biotechnology, including GMO technology and genome editing, to advance scientific frontiers in the fight against food insecurity.

According to a communique issued at the end of the symposium which was held at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) - University of Ghana in Accra, collaborative research and discovery in the biotechnology space are essential to unlock new possibilities in the fight against hunger.

The 10-point communique signed by Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, Ph.D., Professor & Founding Director of WACCI, and Joseph Opoku Gakpo, country lead of Alliance for Science Ghana, observed that Africas food insecurity situation surpasses that of all other continents and requires new tools to help deal with it. The communique called on African governments to prioritise the creation of an enabling environment for the deployment of agricultural biotechnology to address Africas food insecurity situation.

The symposium brought together over 100 scientists from 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the USA. With 25 main speakers delivering in-person presentations, the event addressed the need for expanded farmer access to crops produced using New Breeding Techniques (NBTs). Participants also discussed the deployment and impact of genetically modified organism (GMO) technology in Africa as well as the untapped potential of genome editing in achieving food self-sufficiency in Africa.

The symposium, now established as an annual gathering also urged African governments to demonstrate political support for biotechnology by addressing challenges related to limited human resources and insufficient investments hindering its deployment and adoption. Governments must allocate sufficient resources to academic institutions that train plant breeders and biotechnologists to build human capacity and provide them with the necessary resources so they can create made-in-Africa biotech crops for the benefit of the populace, the communique said.

It said governments should increase investments in agricultural biotechnology projects as a commitment to addressing food insecurity. Currently, most biotech crop projects rely on donor funding, and efforts should be made to reverse this dependence, the communique said.

The communique, themed Pathways to achieving food security in Africa, also urged governments to establish seed systems thatensure the delivery of biotech seeds to farmers and translates research findings into practical solutions. Traditional plant breeding, agronomy, digitisation, and other approaches should also be recognised as complementary to improving food systems.

The communique said government regulatory agencies should address loopholes in regulatory frameworks for GMOs and genome-edited crops, streamlining and simplifying the processes while maintaining transparency and robustness. Harmonisation of biosafety frameworks continentwide, with the African Union taking the lead in this effort, is needed.

Stakeholders in agricultural biotech should focus not only on traits that directly benefit farmers, such as herbicide tolerance and pest resistance but also on consumer-oriented traits like biofortification, improved taste, and delayed ripening. Research and development efforts in deploying biotech should adopt an interdisciplinary approach, considering political, sociocultural, legal, ethical, environmental, and economic factors throughout the entire process from pre-deployment to post-deployment.

The symposium recommended that stakeholders in agricultural biotech initiatives should foster public-private partnerships to ensure selfsustainability and the adoption of efficient business operating models for project implementation.

Also, all stakeholders must address long-term public misinformation and disinformation campaigns about agricultural biotechnology. The scientific community should proactively educate and inform the public about the benefits of biotech crops.

The communique said by implementing these recommendations, Africa can make significant progress toward achieving food security and sustainable agricultural transformation through the responsible use of biotechnology.
Eniola Ibrahim has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Rahmon Oshodi of Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Nigeria for raping his girlfriend, a Nigeria-based Punch Newspaper reports.

The offence contravened the provisions of section 260 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The prosecution was able to demonstrate the application of force, intimidation, and threat when the defendant had sexual intercourse with the survivor, proving the necessary ingredients beyond doubt to establish the offence of rape.

Ibrahim, per the prosecution, hit his girlfriend on the face, making it swollen, and pinned her neck to his bed before raping her.

The survivor testified that the convict invited her to his house and raped her after pinning her neck to his bed on June 6, 2012, at his residence on Lateef Dosumu Street in Lagos, Nigeria.

The presiding judge, Justice Rahmon Oshsodi ordered that the convicts name be registered as a sex offender on Lagos State Sexual Offenders register.

In your case, I do consider the seriousness of the offence to justify a life sentence and that is the sentence I must, therefore, impose upon you.

Accordingly, I sentence you, Mr Eniola Wasiu Ibrahim to life imprisonment, portion of the judges pronouncement.

The sentence of life imprisonment sends a signal that it is unacceptable and our laws in Lagos State have zero tolerance for sexual crimes, the judge added.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed displeasure at the Attorney Generals insistence on having James Gyakye Quayson appear in court every day for his perjury and forgery case.

According to the MP, it is shocking that the Attorney General and the Judiciary insist that James Gyakye Quaysons prosecution is most urgent, knowing well that he is contesting in an upcoming by-election.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says he is optimistic that James Gyakye Quayson will win the by-election to become MP for Assin North.

Its extremely curious that the AG & the judiciary insist that his prosecution is most urgent so he must appear in court daily despite his parliamentary contest; meanwhile just as Kwame Nkrumah won the 1951 parliamentary election from prison, I am of the firm conviction that regardless of the diabolic legal impediments, the great people of Assin North will repeat history on June 27th, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said.

Lawyers for James Gyakye Quayson were in court on Tuesday but were unsuccessful in the attempt to change the orders of the court.

The lawyers are of the view that this arrangement will affect the campaigns of the accused who is the NDCs parliamentary candidate in the Assin North By-election.

But when the matter was called, deputy attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah argued that the state has not had enough time to study the affidavit hence the hearing of the motion be moved to June 21.

The defense team led by Tsatsu Tsikata, however, opposed the request asking the court to hear the motion today before continuing any proceedings related to the substantive case.

The judge, however, stayed proceedings for Tuesday and adjourned the hearing of the motion to Wednesday after which a decision on the next adjourned date for the substantive matter will be given.
French President Emmanuel Macron and the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emerged from talks on Tuesday at the Elysee Palace to underline their backing for Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion and highlight a palpable sense of unity over ways to halt flows of migrants fro North Africa.

"As Europeans and allies, it is our joint responsibility to continue to stand together to support the Ukrainian people, both economically, and in humanitarian and military terms," said Macron during a joint press conference with the Italian leader.

Turning to Meloni, he added: "And I want to thank you for the clarity of your commitment, your support and our cooperation in this area.

"In the very short term, our aid to Ukraine is obviously military, and we can be proud of ourselves for the excellent cooperation between our two countries in this area."

Before meeting Macron during her first official visit to France, Meloni had singled out the SAMP/T-MAMBA air defence system as a symbol of how the countries could work together.

Meloni said: "There is no doubt that Italy and France will continue to support Ukraine's cause for as long as it will be necessary, at all levels, simply because if we decided not to do so, we would be living in a world that would not be a world without war but a much more chaotic world, a world where war would come ever closer to our countries.

"What the Ukrainians are doing is also defending our freedom, defending a system in which the force of law prevails and not the law of the strongest."

Macron and Meloni met informally in Rome just after her appointment last September, and then held talks unofficially in March on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels about migration policy. They also spoke about the need to continue to work for European sovereignty in industrial policy and decarbonisation.

Fall

However, relations between the two countries degenerated early last month following comments from the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who said that Meloni was incapable of fulfilling her pledge to voter about solving the migration problems In italy.

Antonio Tajani, Italy's Foreign Minister, cancelled his trip to Paris to meet his counterpart Catherine Colonna in the wake of Darmanin's outburst. Tajani branded the remarks as unacceptable.

The French Foreign Ministry distanced itself from Darmanin's statement adding that ties between Italy and France had been founded on mutual respect.

Since then, the two capitals have been trying to bridge their differences.

And Meloni and Macron  who have been in contact with the Tunisian President Kais Saied  emphasised their push for solidarity over the issue of the number of migrants heading to Europe from Tunisia and help from donors such as the International Monetary Fund for the north African country.

"We are working together on Tunisia," added Meloni. "I am pleased to be able to do so, even with the full involvement of the European Union. So there is a European dimension to the desire to find a solution for a country that is currently experiencing difficulties that is at risk of getting out of hand.

"That's why, pragmatically and very seriously, we believe that we can all work together to find solutions for this country."

World Expo 2030

Before returning to Rome to host the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Meloni also passed by the Bureau International des Expositions to support Rome's bid for the 2030 World Expo.

The city is competing with Busan in South Korea, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Odessa in Ukraine to host the event.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and South Korea's President, Yoon Suk Yeol both visited France for an audience with Macron during their time in the city while also backing bids from their countries for the right to stage the extravaganza.
21.06.2023 LISTEN

Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mohammed, Economic Advisor to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has opined that the Vice President has proven himself worthy to become President through his works.

According to the Economic Advisor to the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia has been loyal to the NPP and will be an example for Ghana when elected President.

In his advocacy for the Vice President, Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mohammed described Dr. Bawumia as the most visible Vice President in the fourth republic with concrete policy measures attributed to him.

In fact if loyalty he has served loyally to the NPP family, he has served loyally to the President and I think that is what he is coming in with. The Vice President is coming in with inclusion. A Muslim minority having the opportunity to serve as Vice President and a Muslim minority coming in to serve the people of Ghana and largely Christian-dominated community. The Vice President is looking forward to being an example for Ghana in this regard.

The Vice President is coming with hard work, we all know that for the fourth republic, we have never had such a visible President where some policy, concrete policy measures directly attributed to him. The Vice President is coming with integrity, integrity as someone who is not able to impune corruption. He has a very impressive vision for Ghana, the measurement of impressiveness is going to be anchored on the parameters of that, Dr. Tiah Mohammed said during a discussion on Metro TV.

While Vice President Dr. Bawumia is regarded largely as a frontrunner in the upcoming flagbearer election of the NPP, he is facing stiff competition from former Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen.
More than 1 million people have been dropped from Medicaid in the past couple months as some states moved swiftly to halt health care coverage following the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

Most got dropped for not filling out paperwork.

Though the eligibility review is required by the federal government, President's Joe Biden's administration isn't too pleased at how efficiently some states are accomplishing the task.

"Pushing through things and rushing it will lead to eligible people  kids and families  losing coverage for some period of time," Daniel Tsai, a top federal Medicaid official recently told reporters.

Already, about 1.5 million people have been removed from Medicaid in more than two dozen states that started the process in April or May, according to publicly available reports and data obtained by the Associated Press.

Florida has dropped several hundred thousand people, by far the most among states. The drop rate also has been particularly high in other states. For people whose cases were decided in May, around half or more got dropped in Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

By its own count, Arkansas has dropped more than 140,000 people from Medicaid.

The eligibility redeterminations have created headaches for Jennifer Mojica, 28, who was told in April that she no longer qualified for Medicaid because Arkansas had incorrectly determined her income was above the limit.

She got that resolved, but was then told her 5-year-old son was being dropped from Medicaid because she had requested his cancellation  something that never happened, she said. Her son's coverage has been restored, but now Mojica says she's been told her husband no longer qualifies. The uncertainty has been frustrating, she said.

"It was like fixing one thing and then another problem came up, and they fixed it and then something else came up," Mojica said.

Arkansas officials said they have tried to renew coverage automatically for as many people as possible and placed a special emphasis on reaching families with children. But a 2021 state law requires the post-pandemic eligibility redeterminations to be completed in six months, and the state will continue "to swiftly disenroll individuals who are no longer eligible," the Department of Human Services said in statement.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has dismissed criticism of the state's process.

"Those who do not qualify for Medicaid are taking resources from those who need them," Sanders said on Twitter last month. "But the pandemic is over  and we are leading the way back to normalcy."

More than 93 million people nationwide were enrolled in Medicaid as of the most recent available data in February  up nearly one-third from the pre-pandemic total in January 2020. The rolls swelled because federal law prohibited states from removing people from Medicaid during the health emergency in exchange for providing states with increased funding.

Now that eligibility reviews have resumed, states have begun plowing through a backlog of cases to determine whether people's income or life circumstances have changed. States have a year to complete the process. But tracking down responses from everyone has proved difficult, because some people have moved, changed contact information or disregarded mailings about the renewal process.

Before dropping people from Medicaid, the Florida Department of Children and Families said it makes between five and 13 contact attempts, including texts, emails and phone calls. Yet the department said 152,600 people have been nonresponsive.

Their coverage could be restored retroactively, if people submit information showing their eligibility up to 90 days after their deadline.

Unlike some states, Idaho continued to evaluate people's Medicaid eligibility during the pandemic even though it didn't remove anyone. When the enrollment freeze ended in April, Idaho started processing those cases  dropping nearly 67,000 of the 92,000 people whose cases have been decided so far.

"I think there's still a lot of confusion among families on what's happening," said Hillarie Hagen, a health policy associate at the nonprofit Idaho Voices for Children.

"We're likely to see people showing up at a doctor's office in the coming months not knowing they've lost Medicaid," she said.

Advocates fear that many households losing coverage may include children who are actually still eligible, because Medicaid covers children at higher income levels than their parents or guardians. A report last year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services forecast that children would be disproportionately impacted, with more than half of those disenrolled still actually eligible.

That's difficult to confirm, however, because the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services doesn't require states to report a demographic breakdown of those dropped. In fact, CMS has yet to release any state-by-state data. The AP obtained data directly from states and from other groups that have been collecting it.

Medicaid recipients in numerous states have described the eligibility redetermination process as frustrating.

Julie Talamo, of Port Richey, Florida, said she called state officials every day for weeks, spending hours on hold, when she was trying to ensure her 19-year-old special-needs son, Thomas, was going to stay on Medicaid.

She knew her own coverage would end but was shocked to hear Thomas' coverage would be whittled down to a different program that could force her family to pay $2,000 per month. Eventually, an activist put Talamo in contact with a senior state health care official who confirmed her son would stay on Medicaid.

"This system was designed to fail people," Talamo said of the haphazard process.

Some states haven't been able to complete all the eligibility determinations that are due each month. Pennsylvania reported more than 100,000 incomplete cases in both April and May. Tens of thousands of cases also remained incomplete in April or May in Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico and Ohio.

"If states are already behind in processing renewals, that's going to snowball over time," said Tricia Brooks, a research professor at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. "Once they get piles of stuff that haven't been processed, I don't see how they catch up easily."

Among those still hanging in the balance is Gary Rush, 67, who said he was notified in April that he would lose Medicaid coverage. The Pittsburgh resident said he was told that his retirement accounts make him ineligible, even though he said he doesn't draw from them. Rush appealed with the help of an advocacy group and, at a hearing this past week, was told he has until July to get rid of about $60,000 in savings.

Still, Rush said he doesn't know what he will do if he loses coverage for his diabetes medication, which costs about $700 a month. Rush said he gets $1,100 a month from Social Security.

In Indiana, Samantha Richards, 35, said she has been on Medicaid her whole life and currently works two part-time jobs as a custodian. Richards recalled receiving a letter earlier this year indicating that the pandemic-era Medicaid protection was ending. She said a local advocacy group helped her navigate the renewal process. But she remains uneasy.

"Medicaid can be a little unpredictable," Richards said. "There is still that concern that just out of nowhere, I will either get a letter saying that we have to reapply because we missed some paperwork, or I missed a deadline, or I'm going to show up at the doctor's office or the pharmacy and they're going to say, 'Your insurance didn't go through.'"
The trial of Guinea's former dictator Moussa Dadis Camara for a 2009 massacre will resume on Wednesday after lawyers ended a boycott over pay that caused a three-week suspension, attorneys said.

Camara and 10 other ex-military and government officials stand accused over the killing of 156 people and the rape of least 109 women by pro-junta forces at an opposition rally at a stadium in the capital Conakry.

The trial began on September 28, 2022, exactly 13 years after the massacre, but has been suspended since May 29 after lawyers began a boycott, saying they had not been paid for more than eight months.

They also wanted aid for their clients to pay for their defence, the creation of a fund to cover lawyers' fees and improved working conditions in the courtroom.

One of the civil parties' lawyers, Aboubacar Sidiki Camara, on Tuesday said the authorities and a group representing lawyers in the trial had reached an agreement.

"The trial will resume tomorrow," he said.

Another lawyer representing the civil parties, Alpha Amadou DS Bah, confirmed the resumption of hearings.

Sidiki Camara said the authorities accepted the principle that lawyers can receive legal aid which clients can apply for.

Attorneys say their clients struggle to meet costs associated with the trial.

Sidiki Camara added that the authorities agreed to change the tables and chairs used by the lawyers.

Victims have pinned high hopes on the trial, the first of its kind in the West African country, where authoritarian regimes have previously ruled for decades.

Human Rights Watch had expressed concern that the trial's future was in doubt over dwindling financial resources and issues bringing the process to its conclusion.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) marked World Refugee Day 2023 in Accra on Tuesday, June 20, in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board.

World Refugee Day is an international day organised annually on June 20 by the United Nations and commemorated all over the world to remind us all of the plight of refugees and the need to help find solutions for them.

It is designed to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world.

World Refugee Day 2023 is being celebrated on the theme Hope Away From Home and focuses on solutions for refugees and the power of inclusion.

UNHCRs flagship annual report, Global Trends in Forced Displacement 2022, found that by the end of 2022, the number of people displaced by war, persecution, violence, and human rights abuses stood at a record 108.4 million, up 19.1 million on a year earlier, which was the biggest ever increase.

The upward trajectory in global forced displacement showed no sign of slowing in 2023 as the eruption of conflict in Sudan triggered new outflows, pushing the global total to an estimated 110 million by May.

Speaking at the event to celebrate 2023 World Refugee Day with these figures in mind, UNHCR Representative in Ghana, Ms. Esther Kiragu bemoaned the fact that the rate of displacement is getting faster and bigger than the rate of finding solutions.

She indicated that behind these statistics are real people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered and devastated by war and persecution causing untold anguish.

As we commemorate this world refugee day, we celebrate their resilience given their determination to pick up the pieces against all odds and continue living. We must stand by them, Ms. Esther Kiragu stressed.

UNHCR Representative, Ms. Esther Kiragu

While praising Ghana for setting the pace with its rich Pan-Africanist tradition of hosting refugees that allows space to participate in rebuilding their own lives, the UNHCR Representative also acknowledged that the country cannot do it alone.

She used the opportunity to call on development partners to come on board to support Ghana.

Support is required for the host to enhance the absorption capacity and we use this occasion to call on development partners to prioritize, and advocate for the prioritization of refugee hosting Districts in both the Upper East and Upper West. This is very important in order to obviate friction over resources and to maintaining peaceful co-existence between the refugees and their host.

With the theme of this year, "Hope away from Home"- nothing gives a refugee parent more morale to weather the storms of life than having their children enrolled in schools! It gives hope. Health is another area that needs support to ensure that they can exercise their right to health in general, Ms. Esther Kiragu added.

She urged refugees in Ghana and in the world to have hope that achieving their dreams and aspirations is possible despite the situation they find themselves in.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Esther Kiragu applauded the government of Ghana, the Ghana Refugee Board, the US, and Canada, as well as all partners and stakeholders who play a role to give hope to refugees.

Delivering a keynote address at the event, Board Chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah assured that Ghana will continue to provide "hope away from home" for persons who flee from their home countries, seeking a place to live in safety and in dignity.

He said in fulfilling the countrys obligations as prescribed in the UN and Africa Union Refugee Conventions and in the true spirit of brotherliness and Pan-Africanism that Ghana is known for, the doors of the country are open to its brothers and sisters from across the border.

Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah

Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah further indicated that government through the Ghana Refugee Board, will continue to support UNHCR in the provision of assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.

Refugees in Ghana will continue to be encouraged to be self-reliant and contribute towards national development.

At this point let me reassure our refugee brothers and sisters that Ghana shall continue to guarantee that they live here in safety and in dignity. I will end by wishing us all a successful commemoration of World Refugee Day, the board chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board said.

The ceremony to commemorate World Refugee Day 2023 was held at the Blue Oasis Refugee Community Center

The clarion call from all the speakers was for everyone to give refugees a chance to thrive in the places where they have found asylum.

Representatives from UNICEF, UNAIDS, IOM, the Canadian High Commission, Christian Council of Ghana joined UNHCR and the Ghana Refugee Board to celebrate the day with refugees in Ghana.
Musician-turned-designer Pharrell Williams took over the oldest bridge in Paris, packed it with celebs and turned it into a pumping gospel nightclub as he made his historic debut for Louis Vuitton on Tuesday.

Rihanna, Beyonce, Jay Z, LeBron James and Zendaya were among the many stars lined up along the Pont Neuf in central Paris, which had a golden carpet rolled along its entire length.

The multi-faceted artist told AFP before the show that he was conscious of the traumatic history behind the current dominance of black culture that has allowed him to take over at the world's most lucrative fashion label.

"We wish that our culture and our people didn't have to suffer so hard in order to get us here," said Williams ahead of his debut as menswear director for Louis Vuitton.

"It's not lost on me that a lot of people died, a lot of people lost their lives and suffered... to get us to these positions."

The show itself played it fairly safe, drawing on Louis Vuitton's familiar check patterns and leather work, adding in some pixelated patterns to suits with shorts, and throwing in some military-style camouflage.

A couple of souped-up karts even made their way down the catwalk carrying piles of classic Vuitton luggage.

The soundtrack made its way from stately classical music to full-blown gospel disco.

'Waking up'

Williams is the second successive black American to take over menswear for Louis Vuitton. By JULIEN DE ROSA (AFP)

Williams is the second successive black American to take over menswear for Louis Vuitton, the world's most lucrative luxury brand -- a sign of how hip-hop culture has come to dominate global fashion.

He spoke to AFP as the final preparations were being made for the show, which saw a whole stretch of the riverbank cordoned off.

"I think these corporations are waking up, slowly but surely, I think they're understanding that we have flavour and that we have something really interesting to offer," Williams said.

"Historically and factually, it's been whitewashed (but) while that's been tough on us historically, it's kind of made it easy when it comes to taste because we bring such a striking juxtaposition.

"It's striking when you see LeBron James wearing something, when you hear Jay-Z's lyrics, when you see and hear Beyonce, the energy and voice."

Virgil's energy

Williams, 50, also spoke about his predecessor Virgil Abloh, a former Kanye West collaborator who breathed new life into Louis Vuitton with his hip-hop-infused style, but died tragically young from cancer in 2021.

"I collaborated with him on a couple of things," said Williams. "Spiritually, his energy is very much still here."

Many labels have moved away from the big-name designers of the past like Jean Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld, preferring more discreet professionals.

But Louis Vuitton, which made more than 20 billion euros ($22 billion) in revenue last year, is going the other way, putting a full-blown celebrity in charge.

It follows its last show in January when a performance by Spanish pop superstar Rosalia was almost more of a focus than the clothes on the runway.

It is "consistent with LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault's idea that Louis Vuitton does not sell handbags but sells culture", said bank HSBC in a briefing note.

Rosalia performed at the last Louis Vuitton menswear show. By Emmanuel DUNAND (AFP/File)

Williams has long been a red carpet sensation, known for daring outfits that go far beyond the usual hip-hop stylings, and a string of collaborations with Chanel, Moncler and Tiffany -- as well as Louis Vuitton.
Mr Henry Myles-Mills, Head of Dispute Resolution, and Litigation at the Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited, says the government never accepted the offer letter drafted by the Bank regarding the facility for the sale and purchase of 200 ambulances.

This agreement between the two parties was never executed because the two parties could not agree on favourable terms, he added.

He said the government, through the Ministry of Health, approached the Bank to assist with the purchase of these ambulances and there were two possible types of facilities regarding the letter of credit and term loan.

Mr Myles-Mills, who is the first defence witness for Dr Ato Forson, was subpoenaed by lawyers of Dr Forson to testify on his behalf.

Dr Forson and two others have been variously charged with willfully causing financial loss to the State to the tune of 2.37 million in the purchase of ambulances.

The other two are Dr Seth Anemana, a former Chief of Director, Ministry of Health and Mr Richard Dzakpa, a businessman.

The defence witness said the proposed agreement between the government and the Bank was for letters of credit facility and not a term loan as at the time of drafting the offer letter.

He explained that under a letter of credit facility, a Bank extended a credit line to the borrower, which was used to pay directly for goods supplied by a third party when it reached its maturity stage.

He told the Court that he drafted the offer letter in the transaction between the two parties.

The Head of Dispute Resolution said the offer letter contained all the commercial terms of the agreement, the parties involved and conditions.

In cross-examination, Mr Alex Owiredu Dankwa, lead Counsel for Dr Anemana, asked the witness whether they received any reply from the government and the witness answered in the affirmative.

He said they received a commentary response from the then Attorney General, who raised a lot of issues regarding the agreement.

Before the adjournment of the matter, Mr Dzakpa, however, incurred the wrath of the Court after he reacted angrily to Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe's decision to let him use a washroom within the cell area of the Court.

This was to save him from stepping out of the Courtroom to the public washrooms within the premises.

When Dr Dzakpa came back from the washroom, the Judge offered him hand sanitiser, but he refused the offer murmuring that he did not need it.

Justice Asare Botwe, therefore, issued a stern warning to the accused person not to ever repeat that behaviour in her court again otherwise she would employ her full powers.

Dr Forson was granted a self-recognisance bail of GH3 million for allegedly willfully causing a financial loss of 2. 37 million Euros to the State.

He is also facing an additional charge of Intentionally misapplying public property contrary to section 1 (2) of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).

Dr Anemana has also been granted bail in the sum of one million Ghana Cedis with three sureties, one of whom shall be a public servant not below the rank of a director.

Mr Dzakpa is also on five million Ghana Cedis bail with three sureties, one of whom must be justified with documents of landed property.

Dr Forson, a former Deputy Minister of Health, and a Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, and the two others, according to the prosecution, breached the procurement law in the purchase of ambulances.

On August 7, 2014, Dr Forson wrote to the Bank of Ghana urgently requesting to establish the Letters of Credit for the supply of 50 ambulances amounting to 3,950,000, while arrangements were being made to perfect and sign the loan agreement in favour of Big Sea.

This represented 25 per cent of the contract sum.

On August 12, 2014, Dr Forson wrote to the Controller and Accountant-General authorising the release of GH806,688.75 to the Minister for Health for the payment of bank charges covering the establishment of Letters of Credit (LCs) for the supply of 50 Mercedes Benz ambulances and related services.

The facts indicated that Dr Forson further directed that the LCs should be charged to the budget of the Ministry of Health contrary to the Parliamentary approval on the funding for the supply of the ambulances.

The Controller and Accountant-General on the authority of the letters dated August 7 and 12, 2014, written by Dr Forson to the Central Bank, authorised it to establish an irrevocable transferable LCs in the sum of 3,950,000 in favour of Big Sea.

By February 2015, 30 ambulances had arrived in Ghana and a post-delivery inspection revealed that they had no medical equipment and had other defects.

A further inspection by Silver Star Auto, at the request of the Ministry of Health, revealed that the vehicles were not originally built as ambulances and were not fit to be converted for that purpose.

A total amount of 2,370,000 was paid for the 30 vehicles.

Dr Forson has denied any wrongdoing.

GNA
21.06.2023 LISTEN

Professor Godfred Bokpin, an economist and Professor of Finance, says that the design of Ghana's Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights a possibility of programme extension.

According to the finance professor at the University of Ghana, the pathway to restoring macroeconomic stability by 2026 with the current conditionalities would require an extension of the programme for the objectives to be achieved.

Moreover, the programme, he observed, did not provide the fundamental restructuring the country needed to not enter an IMF programme in future.

If you look at the objectives and the adjustments in the programme and when we are supposed to restore debt sustainability, and looking at the way we have managed our affairs, especially in an election year, you will almost predict with certainty that there would be an extension of the programme.

He was speaking at the Graphic-Stanbic Breakfast meeting on the theme: The current economic situation and you.

Prof Bokpin noted that the programme had proposed a cut down on capital expenditure to restore the economy even though Ghana had a huge infrastructure deficit.

He observed that failure to improve capital expenditure over time would lead to an inability to maintain or add to the stock of infrastructure, which in the medium to long term, would impose restrictions on the growth drivers of the economy.

If you look at how many hours it takes the average Ghanaian to get to work and the productive hours we spend in traffic, and its effect on productivity, you will have to be unique to think that this country will make if we don't do something fundamental about this, he said.

Ghana would, therefore, require bulk of fiscal adjustments coming from debt restructuring to maintain a primary surplus of not be less than 10 per cent to achieve a sustainable debt level within the next five years.

The country, he, however, noted, had restructured less than 50 per cent of its domestic debt.

It had a universe of eligible domestic debt of 259 billion cedis to be restructured as at the end of 2022, he explained.

So far, he said, it had only restructured 85 per cent of GHS98 billion, with more than GHS123 billion debt to be restructured.

This debt, he mentioned, included cocoa bills, Bank of Ghana overdraft extension to government, and pension fund.

As far as external debt was concerned, he said Ghana had a financing gap in terms of balance of payment of about $15 billion, while the IMF was providing US$3 billion.

That, he noted, left the country with no option than to rely on external debt restructuring.

Ghana is looking forward to more than US$10 billion in debt relief, fresh funding from external bilateral and external commercial partners. Is that not too much to ask from somebody else? he asked.

He called for prudent measures to manage the revenue, generated rather than introducing more taxes, which was often lost to corruption and wastage.

Mr Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director for Energy Think Tank, Africa Centre for Energy Policy, urged the government to meet citizens halfway'' by implementing strategic reforms in the public sector  by downsizing government, improving monitoring of procurement, and reducing waste in the energy sector.

He said the biggest crime of the country was the procurement system.

The procurement system has been consistently reviewed but we know that corruption is so massive in our procurement process,'' he stated.

To buttress his point, he said that a recent track of contracts awarded by the government to his outfit revealed that many governments contract above one-million dollars did not go through a competitive tendering process.

To improve accountability and advocacy to address this challenge, he charged the citizens to be critical of certain '' bad decisions'' of the government because the negative implication of those decisions were not selective.

It is not enough to say I am minding my business because when the decisions start biting like the we experienced, you would suffer regardless of who you are, but ensuring that the government works for the people is the job of all of us,'' he stressed.

Mr Timothy Mugodi, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking of Stanbic Ghana, advised the accumulation and building of reserve at the micro and macro- economic levels to build resilience against economic downturns.

''We all need to create some reserve from whatever we earn so that we can allocate a percentage of that into savings so that when we go through a troubled patch, you are able to cope,'' he said.

GNA
A new, young generation of Moroccan filmmakers last month stepped into the limelight to make its debut at France's Cannes Film Festival -- snatching three prestigious awards.

"The Moroccan films screened at Cannes represent some of the best in the history of cinema in Morocco," said film critic Bilal Marmid, who covered the two-week festival on the French Riviera.

Director Asmae El Moudir, 32, won the coveted prize for directing in the Un Certain Regard section for her film "Kadib Abyad" ("The Mother of All Lies").

The documentary explores her family's unspoken past during the nation's so-called Years of Lead, a period from the 1960s to the 1980s characterised by the repression of political dissidents under King Hassan II.

Lacking archival footage from the time, the filmmaker built a miniature set that recreated her childhood neighbourhood in Casablanca with figurines to narrate her family's story against the backdrop of the bloody suppression of the city's "bread riots" in June 1981.

"Making this film took me 10 years and allowed me to reconcile with this past, even if it was violent," Moudir, whose family members were featured in the film, told AFP.

'A childhood dream'

"Being at Cannes is a childhood dream come true. Being selected is wonderful, but winning a prize is even more so," she said.

Moroccan director Kamal Lazraq hopes the Cannes success will encourage other young filmmakers to 'embark on this adventure'. By FADEL SENNA (AFP)

Director Kamal Lazraq, 38, also used Casablanca as the setting for his first feature film "Les Meutes" ("Hounds"), which won the jury prize in the Un Certain Regard section.

The film takes viewers on a hellish night in the city's suburbs as a father and son try to make a corpse disappear after a kidnapping goes wrong.

Lazraq describes it as a "feverish road movie traversing Casablanca" featuring two non-professional actors, Ayoub Elaid and Abdellatif Masstouri.

"I like to start on a blank page and build the film with my actors because they bring a lot from their life and experiences," Lazraq told AFP after returning from the festival. "I try to leave them a certain amount of freedom to create something authentic and intense."

After the screening, "we had the impression that the film had been understood as it should be ... It's great comic relief", added the director, noting that it had been a "long and difficult" shoot.

'Victory for youth'

"The films are all very, very different... I hope it will encourage young people to embark on this adventure," he added.

His hope resonates with Zineb Wakrim, a 22-year-old director who was awarded third place in the student film award La Cinef for her short film "Ayyur" ("Moon" in Amazigh, Morocco's Berber language).

She paints a portrait of two teenagers with a rare genetic disease whose sufferers, known as "moon children", are hyper-sensitive to sunlight.

Showing her film at Cannes was "a great victory for youth", said the graduate of The Superior School of Visual Arts of Marrakech (ESAF).

Moroccan cinema gained steam in the 1970s and '80s, with the emergence of powerful filmmakers such as Mustapha Derkaoui ("About Some Meaningless Events", 1974), Ahmed Bouanani ("Mirage", 1980) and Ahmed Maanouni ("Oh the Days!", 1978).

Over the past two decades, other directors -- such as Faouzi Bensaidi ("A Thousand Months", 2003), Nabil Ayouch ("Horses of God", 2012) or recently Maryam Touzani ("The Blue Caftan", 2022) -- have distinguished themselves on an individual basis.

Seeking to support and promote its national cinema, Morocco has spent 60 million dirhams (about 5.5 million euros) annually on productions since 2012.

Asmaa El Alaoui, director and head of the ISCA film school in Rabat, said the country's latest success at Cannes was a huge encouragement to students.

"They know now that it's possible, that with work, patience and passion, they can make it," she said.
The Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Torffey, has extended words of encouragement to James Gyakye Quayson, the deposed National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Assin North.

Gyakye Quayson is currently standing trial for criminal charges and has been ordered to appear in court on a daily basis for trial by an Accra High Court.

Despite facing issues of dual citizenship herself, the Jomoro MP won her case and believes that God will see Mr Quayson through his ordeal.

In a tweet on Tuesday, June 20, she wrote, "I can assure you, Mr. Quayson, that God will not fail you. The good people of Assin North will not fail you. The NDC fraternity will not fail you."

Mr. Gyakye Quayson's name was expunged from Parliament by the Supreme Court after being found guilty of dual citizenship.

This led to a by-election, which is slated for Tuesday, June 27, in which he is contesting again.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice have made a case for an expeditious trial, and Mr Quayson will have to make a daily appearance when the case begins.

The Jomoro MP expressed her disappointment with the A-G's decision to push for an immediate trial, despite pleas from the defense counsel to wait until after the by-election.

"I am saddened by the move by the A-G despite the pleas by the defence counsel to grant him the opportunity to begin the case after the June 27 Assin North Constituency by-election, she expressed.

Despite the challenges he is currently facing, Mr Quayson said he remains undeterred and determined to win the upcoming by-election.

In a recent interview, he noted: "I believe the people of Assin North know me, and they know what I stand for. I am confident that I will win the by-election and continue to serve my constituents. They can even make me go to court on the Election Day, I will win.
Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI Africa, has criticized the Attorney General's push for daily trial of deposed Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson for criminal charges.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 20, Mr Cudjoe questioned the Attorney General's motives, suggesting that Mr Quayson does not deserve such treatment.

He said: "Ah, has Gyakye Quayson stolen the Attorney General's property? The way the man mean Quayson paa if e no succeed jail am, e go turn eunuch. Herh!"

The High Court in Accra recently rejected an application filed by Mr Quayson's lawyer to postpone his trial until after the by-election scheduled for June 27.

The court ordered that the trial continue on a day-to-day basis starting June 20.

The Attorney General, Godfred Dame, objected to the application to postpone the trial, arguing that Gyakye Quayson's primary duty was to clear his name in the criminal charges brought against him.

He also noted that the Supreme Court had annulled Mr Quayson's election and that he risked being jailed if found guilty of the charges.

Mr Dame urged the court to expedite the trial in the interest of justice.

After listening to both sides, Justice Mary Maame Yanzuh ruled against postponing the trial.

She ordered that proceedings continue on June 20, 21, and 23, signaling her determination to ensure a speedy resolution of the case.

The decision to push for daily trial proceedings has been met with criticism from some quarters.

Mr Quayson is facing charges of deceit of public officer, forgery of passport, perjury, and false declaration of allegiance.

He has denied any wrongdoing.
Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI Africa has blamed politicians for allegedly making Ghana's education system "horrible" through their interference.

In a recent Facebook post, Mr Cudjoe reflected on the last "paper" of the GCE 'O' level, which was written 29 years ago.

He then criticized politicians for their role in the deteriorating state of the education system.

"Then politicians started fooling with our education system, and it has since been horrible," he said.

Mr Cudjoe's comments come on the back of the recent Ghana Teacher Licensure Exams, in which 6,481 out of 7,728 trained teachers who took the exams failed.

In response to the results, the policy advisor argued that the teachers' failure was due to their poor numeracy and literacy skills.

The state of Ghana's education system has been a subject of debate for many years, with concerns raised about the quality of education and the lack of resources for schools.

Just like Mr. Cudjoe, some have argued that politicians' interference in the education system has contributed to its decline.

Others have called for more investment in education and better policies to improve the system.

In recent years, the government has introduced several initiatives aimed at improving the education system, including the Free Senior High School policy.

However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a lack of qualified teachers.
The makers of Guurdoon, the first app for singles in Somalia, are hoping to help their fellow citizens find love in a nation with no shortage of challenges.

Just don't call it a dating app.

Guurdoon ("seeking marriage" in English) was launched in October last year by the Guryosamo family development centre, whose chairman Ahmed Abshir Geedi sees the app as a salve for some of the troubles facing the country since its 1991 descent into chaos.

"Everything society required collapsed, including the family which is the backbone of society," the 37-year-old told AFP, describing the decades since a civil war tore Somalia apart and set the stage for an ongoing jihadist insurgency.

Guurdoon, he says, is not a dating app but a marriage platform based on Islamic values and traditions in the predominantly Muslim country.

Geedi and his colleagues initially sought to focus their efforts on helping families pay for weddings but soon realised that the compatibility issues troubling couples could not be solved with money.

The idea for the app emerged during discussions with religious leaders and community elders.

"We have learned about the need for facilitating a platform where people of all ages can meet and find each other as partners since our youth are mainly on social media these days," Geedi said.

The app is seen as a salve for the troubles facing the country since its 1991 descent into chaos and conflict. By GUY PETERSON (AFP/File)

The app, which is free to download on Android and iPhone models, requires subscribers to pay a $1 fee before they can start using it.

Tens of thousands of people, including Somalis living overseas, have already signed up, Geedi said, with the surge of interest forcing the app's servers to crash in the early days.

'Cannot tell my parents'

Users are asked to provide details about themselves to narrow down the search for a suitable partner.

"I have tried the app and it works well," Rahma Hussein, 23, told AFP.

"It is easy to use, and you can find a selection of boys to choose from," she added.

Abdifatah Adan, who drives a tuktuk for a living, told AFP that the app looked "cool".

"I have submitted details of my preferred partner and it gave me options, about eight people," he said.

"I have to decide and choose one."

But both acknowledged that they were conscious of the stigma surrounding dating in the largely Muslim nation.

Adan said his mother mocked him when he told her he was using an app to find a wife.

"She told me that it is easy to trick someone using technology," he said.

Hussein said she and her friends used the app in secret to avoid being shamed by relatives.

"My brother knows I use the dating app but not my parents, I cannot tell my parents that I am dating a man or looking for someone to date online... because of cultural norms," she said.

But online dating also offers women a measure of safety in a conservative country, the young nurse pointed out.

"It is less trouble than physically meeting strangers. Once you interact with someone (online) you can ask them all the questions you want and make sure they suit you before you even meet them," she said with a smile.

'Good intentions'

Map of Somalia locating the capital, Mogadishu, and the breakaway Somaliland region.. By (AFP)

Some Somalis have raised eyebrows, wondering if the app is in line with the Horn of Africa nation's traditional ethos.

"We are a society that values its religion and cultural norms and internet platforms like this can violate these values because the idea of a dating app (comes from) Western civilisation," Mohamed Yasin, 35, told AFP.

The divorced father-of-two nonetheless subscribed to Guurdoon after his first marriage ended and he said he hopes to find a second wife before long.

But in the meantime, he will have to traverse the same tricky terrain as singletons everywhere.

"I have tried the app, but it looks that most people lie about details of their personal information," said Mogadishu resident Muhidin Abdinur.

"How come that all subscribed girls and boys have the perfect features? I think they are lying to attract a partner easily," he said.

But he is keeping his hopes high.

"My intentions are good so I am positive about getting a match," he said.

"But even if I don't get a suitable partner who I end up marrying, it will still add to my courtship experience."
Press Release

June 21, 2023 Tolentino sees no security risk in temporary hosting of Afghan refugees WASHINGTON D.C. -- Senator Francis 'TOL' N. Tolentino said he sees no security risk in the temporary hosting of Afghan refugees in the Philippines as they have been vetted by the United States (US) and United Nations (UN) before sending them here and will be confined in a specific area the Philippine government designates. "Sa pagkakaalam ko...naka-confine sila. Para mas maliwanag sa ating mga kababayan, ano po ang naka-confine? Naka-quarantine sila sa isang lugar, hindi sila makakalabas hangga't hindi natatapos ang pagpoproseso ng kanilang visa, siguro po napakahaba na ng ninety days at saka pa lang sila aalis," Tolentino explained during an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel on Wednesday, June 21. (To my knowledge...they are confined. To be clear to our compatriots, what is confined? They are quarantined in one area, they cannot go out until the processing of their visas are done, maybe the longest is ninety days and then they leave.) Tolentino, vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said the Afghan refugees' destination after their temporary stay in the Philippines could be Germany, Canada, Australia, or United States. The senator disagreed with the "sovereignty issue" being raised in hosting the Afghan refugees, noting that the Philippine government is not being dictated upon by any other country, and it determines how many of them will be accommodated in the country and where to host them. He said the temporary hosting of Afghan refugees is legal, citing the UN Declaration of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Article 17, Section 7 of the 1986 Constitution, among other laws and treaties promulgated. "I don't see any reason to hype the hysteria all over again. Is it legal to help a fellow human being in need? Is it illegal to provide temporary shelter to someone in need?" he iterated. Senator Tolentino assured that the Philippine government will not spend for the hosting of Afghan refugees because the country sending them and the UN High Commission on Refugees will shoulder all the expenses.
Doe Run resident Jackie William Banks, 50, was recently given a ten-year sentence in Iron County for felony delivery of controlled substance and seven years each in St. Francois County for felony manufacture of a controlled substance and felony possession of controlled substance. All felony convictions are to run concurrent with one another.

Banks waived his right to jury trial and pleaded guilty in court to the felonies. The court remanded Banks to the Missouri Department of Corrections in an undetermined location to serve his terms. Banks was credited 34 days for time already spent in jail awaiting court proceedings. A fine of $46 was also imposed for the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

In a probable cause statement filed on May 2, law enforcement officials state the Mineral Area Task Force contacted Banks at his residence on May 1 in response to information received from confidential sources that Banks was cooking and selling methamphetamine at his residence. Investigators say methamphetamine was in plain sight on a desk in the main entry of the home while they were talking with Banks.

Banks allegedly confessed to selling methamphetamine because he needed money. He reportedly said he was unable to work while on house arrest for an ongoing case also related to drug charges. When officers asked where Banks cooked the methamphetamine, Banks reportedly told them he cooked in a camper located at the back of his home.

Investigators say they received consent from Banks to search the camper and collected a long list of items used to make methamphetamine. A criminal history by law enforcement revealed a lengthy list of theft- and drug-related convictions for Banks going as far back as 1995. Several of his prior convictions were for distribution and manufacturing of methamphetamine. Missouri Case Net shows Banks was given early release and/or probation for most of his prior convictions.
On stage, Julius Maada Bio dances to an afrobeats hit, pacing with a slightly off-rhythm bounce as supporters in his party's token green cheer.

The scene, like others captured in widely shared videos from campaign rallies, appears unnatural for the quiet former putschist, now leading Sierra Leone as an elected civilian.

But Bio, 59, who on Saturday contests a second term as president of the West African nation, has worked hard to rebrand himself since his brigadier days as a family man who cares deeply about education and women's issues.

"Bio is concerned about how his presidency is perceived, particularly internationally, and his media team have sought to curate a narrative that amplifies its positives and glosses over shortcomings," said independent analyst Jamie Hitchen.

Supporters hail his record as fostering some of the most progressive policies in the region over his five-year tenure.

From abolishing the death penalty and a criminal libel law, to boosting women's representation in the public and private spheres, and slashing school fees to widen access to education, all were recommendations by Sierra Leone's post-civil war Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Around the capital Freetown, his face adorns billboards advertising free sanitary pads for students and he has introduced measures to keep vulnerable children including pregnant girls in school.

Improving access to education accounts for nearly a quarter of the national budget.

In a recent interview with AFP, Bio said he would prioritise agriculture in a second term and reduce reliance on imported food staples such as rice, as Sierra Leoneans battle a cost-of-living crisis.

"What we want to do is not only to produce the staple and other things, but also to use agriculture to stimulate economic growth right across the country," he said.

However, his detractors say the civic space has shrunk under his watch.

Sierra Leone's score on the annual index of US-based democracy advocacy group Freedom House has slipped.

The country dropped 28 places on Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index for 2023.

Following deadly riots last August, Amnesty International said it had gathered testimonies alleging excessive use of force and denounced internet restrictions.

Bio's main challenger, Samura Kamara, is on trial for corruption, in a case that reopened directly after his election as the opposition's presidential candidate.

'Shot their way to power'

Bio comes from the south, a stronghold of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) he now leads.

His father, a local chief, died when he was four and he was raised by an illiterate mother whom he credits for instilling in him a respect for women and an understanding of the value of education.

Julius Maada Bio, who is running for a second term as Sierra Leone's president, has worked hard to rebrand himself since his former putschist brigadier days as a family man who cares deeply about education and women's issues. By Kola SULAIMON (AFP/File)

In 1992, he participated in a coup with a group whose leader, Valentine Strasser, became the youngest head of state in the world at age 25.

Bio served as chief of the defence staff and deputy to Strasser before overthrowing him in 1996 and briefly taking over as head of state.

He agreed to step aside three months later for an elected civilian leader and subsequently apologised for his role in the junta.

"He was among a group of military guys who shot their way to power," Information Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray told AFP.

"The other guys were trying to stay on, and he wanted to leave... He had a conviction that Sierra Leone was bigger than their personal aspirations."

Bio retired from the military and went to study in the United States.

Swaray described Bio as loyal, naming a long list of cabinet ministers and aides who have known him since his time in the diaspora, or even since school.

Trade Minister Edward Hinga Sandy said the president was a "very good listener" who seeks many viewpoints before making a decision.

Sandy described his leadership as "ambitious", "focused", "disciplined" and "bold".

"He has this thing in him... 'What I was not able to do when I was a military leader because I did not have time, I should be able to do at this time'", Sandy said.

The Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) data group found that Bio has fully completed 33.5 percent of his 2018 campaign promises, including on land planning and housing, the economy and education, and has made significant progress on another 28 percent.

Few words

A man of few words, even by his own description, Bio does not often show emotion.

When AFP asked about Sierra Leone's current economic malaise that has left people struggling to afford three meals a day, he was quick to say the crisis was caused by exogenous factors and not his doing.

But some burdens appear to weigh heavily on the leader.

Joseph Kaifala -- a historian on the 1991-2002 civil war during which Bio was a soldier and later part of the ruling junta -- once asked the president if he knew that the largest identified mass grave in Sierra Leone was in his hometown of Tihun.

"He responded, 'Yes, I know -- those people were killed because of me'", Kaifala told AFP by telephone.

"President Bio is a very stoic fellow... but then he did manage to convey to me how much that has affected him... and he really does believe in the work that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission did."
Minority in Parliament wants various stakeholders in the education sector to be summoned before the Education Committee of Parliament over the mass failure of teachers in the 2023 licensure examination resit.

The Minority says the National Teaching Council, various Colleges of Education and their affiliates, and the Ghana Education Service ought to brief the Committee on the underlying factors contributing to the failure of the teachers.

Speaking to Citi News in an interview, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak underscored the need to invite the relevant stakeholders on the failure in hopes of addressing the issue.

The stakeholders in education and the parliamentary sub-committee on education in particular ought to hold a hearing by inviting those charged with preparing teachers which will include the colleges of education, the universities that the various colleges are affiliated to, the National Teaching Council, the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education so that we find out exactly where the problem is and why such a colossal number of teachers failed to pass a licensure exam.

A total of 6,451 out of 7,728 teachers failed the 2023 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination conducted in May 2023.
Britain opens a recovery conference for Ukraine on Wednesday with a promise to unlock $3 billion worth of World Bank loans to help rebuild the war-ravaged country, even as Russia's invasion continues.

"Ukraine's bravery on the battlefield must be matched by the vision of the private sector to help the country rebuild and recover," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to say, in comments released by Downing Street in advance of the conference .

Sunak will welcome dignitaries and diplomats including US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, who will address the conference. U krainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will attend virtually.

Russia's war brought Ukraine's GDP down by 29 percent last year.

Funding push

More than 1,000 foreign officials from over 60 states along with business chiefs and global investors will join the two-day event to discuss ways to help Ukraine rebuild itself.

Private companies will be encouraged to invest in the country's reconstruction, while Blinken has said he would set out a new assistance package for Ukraine. London is pledging 240 million in bilateral assistance.

"This week is very much about creating the conditions necessary for public sector money, of course, but predominantly private sector money to fund their reconstruction," British Foreign Minister James Cleverly said.

In a Twitter post Wednesday morning ahead of the conference, von der Leyen said she had a constructive following a phonecall with Sunak.

"We spoke about financial support for Ukraine after 2023, opportunities and challenges for AI - a discussion to have with like-minded partners and companies and fighting migrant smuggling," von der Leyen said .
About 20 selected Teachers and Education Directors at the Basic Education level have been trained in Open, Distance Learning (ODL) and Technology- Enabled Learning (TEL) to help sharpen their skills in the usage of available IT tools in Teaching and Learning activities.

Organized by the Tamale College of Education (TACE) with funding support from the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL), the five-day training held from 5th to 9th June 2023, sought to strengthen the capacity of the beneficiary Teachers and the Directors to be able to use Open Educational Resources (OERs) and other IT Tools in their classroom works and academic trails.

The participants were made up of classroom teachers, head teachers, regional, metro, municipal, and district directors of education, and School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs) were drawn from the Tamale Metro, Sagnerigu Municipal, Savelugu Municipal, Kumbungu District and Yendi Municipal.

They were taken through topics such as Benefits and Challenges of ODL and TEL, Effective Teaching Strategies for ODL and TEL, Overview of Learning Management System and their roles in ODL/TEL, Identifying the needs of diverse learners in an ODL/TEL environment and using video conferencing tools for synchronous learning.

Other topics were: Introduction to Open Educational Resources (OERs) and their benefits, Strategies for finding and evaluating OERs, Principles of assessment and evaluation in ODL/TEL, Tools, and Techniques for online assessment, and Strategies for Providing Effective Feedback in ODL/TEL among others.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, the Principal of the college, Dr. Sulemana Iddrisu, indicated that the training sought to gather inputs and feedback from stakeholders for the development of a framework for Open, Distance, and Technology- Enabled Learning at the college

He used the opportunity to encourage Teachers and Management of Educational Institutions to embrace the use of ODL and TEL as it would increase their productivity and also ease their workloads.

The principal also pledged the support of the TACE to the holistic development of teachers to help improve educational outcomes both at the basic and secondary level, and encourage the participants to pay attention to what would be taught at the workshop and also contribute meaningfully to the success of the training.

The Lead-Facilitator and Consultant to the Project, Harry Barton Essel (PhD) on his part called on lecturers to take advantage of the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it came to increase their speed at work and also improve upon their productivity.

He denied the thinking by many that the emergence of Technology in the field of education was to promote laziness among current and future generations, arguing that Technology-Enabled Learning Mechanisms such as increased usage of AI would rather lessen the burden of both educators and learners thereby promoting positive learning outcomes.

I do not believe in the fact that AI will make us lazy, though I do not have any empirical evidence, I have done research in cognitive abilities and AI, it is yet to be published but the outcome of the research is telling us that there is no way AI can kill cognitive of people, he said

What I believed as an I-tech person is that these tools are there to make us 10 times more productive and then help us bring our ideas to live, so it is just a matter of teaching our students and incoming teachers how to ethically use these tools to their benefits, he added.

He thought the Teachers and the Directors were not direct beneficiaries of the project, soliciting inputs and feedback from them was an integral part of the development of the ODL/TEL framework for the College.

We are training them as evangelists or propagators of this project to go out there and tell the in-service teachers what they should expect so that when it rollout, they would be encouraged to participate, Professor Essel stated.

For his part, the Vice-Principal of the college, Mr Nuhu Imoro Alhassan, thanked the consultant Professor Harry Barton Essel, and the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) for making the training workshop possible.

He also thanked the participants and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for making the teachers available for the training and urged them to share the knowledge they gained with their colleague teachers for it to benefit the larger community.

In his submissions, a lecturer at the Tamale College of Education and co-facilitator, Dr. Osei Yaw, assured the participants that their inputs made at the workshop would be added to the development of the TACE ODL/TEL Framework, indicating that the college would call on them and other stakeholders for further inputs when the ODL/TEL framework has been developed before implementation begins.

In his remarks during the closing ceremony on Friday, June 9, 2023, the Tamale Metro Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Mr. Nelson Konlan, urged teachers to make constant learning habits.

He also called on stakeholders to support the GES in organizing In-Service Training for teachers to make them more productive and efficient at work.

He further assured the organizers that the knowledge gained would be used appropriately because they (participants) would share what they have learned with their colleagues who could not get the opportunity to attend.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Northern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Mr. Owusu Frederick, on behalf of the Regional Education Director, lauded TACE and CoL for their efforts to improve education in Ghana.

He also said the GES was in full support of the training because it resonated well with their mandate, and appealed to other stakeholders to support the GES in making teaching easy and interesting for teachers and other educators.

In an interview with the media, some of the teachers expressed their gratitude to the Tamale College of Education and CoL, for training them, and appealed for more similar workshops to help make teachers a holistic-21st Century educator.

This workshop is an eye-opener it has exposed us to so many resources we can use as Teachers to make our work in the classroom faster and easier, stated Madam Ernestina A. Samari, a teacher at the Kanvili R/C JHS in Tamale and a participant.

This workshop has opened my eyes beyond what I knew already as a teacher, Mr. Yussif Nurideen Musah, a participant and a teacher from Zogbeli M/A JHS C told the media.
Anti- black discrimination has always been the bane of African migrants' life in the United States. This has led to the deportation of some African migrants to their home countries where they face life- threatening situations due to war, political upheaval and lately climate change.

To confront this problem, pro- immigrant advocates working with and hailing from African countries, as well as United States members of Congress, called on President Biden to enact Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for African immigrants in the U.S. at a press conference held at the "House Triangle" on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC on Africa Union Day, May 25.

The press meet was part of a week of action organized by advocates and immigrant leaders calling for protection for African migrants in the US.

U.S. Congress woman, Rep. Rashida Harbi Tlaib (D-Mich.) speaking at the press conference said: "Temporary Protected Status is one of the most important tools we have to prevent our immigrant neighbors from being deported and forced to return to violence, political upheaval, and devastation. Unfortunately, our immigration policies continue to leave Black and brown immigrants behind. I am proud to join these incredible advocates calling for redesignating Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon, and designating Mali, the DRC, Nigeria and Mauritania for TPS.

African Migrants from vulnerable countries like: Mali, Mauritania, the DRC, Nigeria, Cameroon and Sudan face life- threatening situations when they are repatriated to their home countries.

For this reason, Congress man, Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04) asserted that: TPS is critical for countries in Africa like Cameroon and Nigeria among others. We must treat those fleeing war and political violence from African countries in the same way we have welcomed those from Ukraine. Our country has been made stronger by the innovation, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial efforts of African immigrants. I join leaders of ACT in asking the administration to reinstate, implement or otherwise grant TPS to the countries highlighted in todays roundtable."

Moderator of the event, Zeinabou Sall of the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in the U.S. emphasized that it's not right for thousands of immigrants in the U.S. to be repatriated to face violence in their home countries. According to Zeinabou, Biden's administration must act now, since advocates are singing the same tune.

Nigerian immigrant leader, Gbenga Ogunjimi, Founder of Nigerian Center Inc. said: Extensive and protracted armed conflict mean that Nigeria is facing an extraordinary level of insecurity. Unfortunately, the conflict has recently escalated, leading to unprecedented levels of insecurity in Nigeria. The time to take action is now.

During the week of action from May (23-25), pro- immigrant advocates in a letter to President Biden stated that, some African migrants in the U.S. are protected, but many face imminent danger when deported. For this reason, members of congress emphasized that Biden has not been fair with the TPS, which has left out several African countries: Nigeria, Mauritania, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS), is. a time-limited permission granted to migrants in the U.S. to enable them live and work, and also protect them from being deported to countries considered unsafe.
Health workers in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region have undergone training in sickle cell and Asthma management.

The capacity building program sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti Ghana, Obuasi Mine was to equip the health professionals with the skills and knowledge to provide care and support for patients.

Sickle cell disease is one of the most common genetic diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. Healthcare professionals play an important role in providing support and care for patients and families with sickle cell disease, yet there is a gap in the availability of open-access education for healthcare professionals.

Asthma on the other hand is the most common non-communicable disease in children and remains one of the most common throughout the life course. There is a reported challenge of inadequate human resources with the capacity to manage asthma.

To address these gaps, Dr. John Gyasi Banin, an Emergency Physician Specialist at AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation said it was important to organize the capacity building for health professionals in both the Obuasi East and the Obuasi Municipality.

He said the training forms part of efforts by AngloGold Ashanti to improve the health care needs of the people in its operational area as contained in the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan of the mining company.

"We are conscious of the technicalities involved in managing Sickle cell and Asthma hence we decided to join forces with AGA and the Health Directorates of the two districts to roll out this capacity building which we believe will bridge the existing knowledge gap within the health sector," he noted.

The need to promote peer review

One of the key factors needed to improve performance in the health sector is peer review. According to Elizabeth Boateng of the Environmental Department of AngloGold Ashanti, the workshop was intended to create a platform for health workers to learn from one another in terms of different approaches to solving problems.

She intimated that AngloGold Ashanti has since 2019 rolled out a plethora of capacity building programs for healthcare workers in Obuasi. " The intention is to ensure that the people within our operational area have access to quality healthcare," he stated.

New methods and approaches to deal with Sickle cell and Asthma

Participants of the workshop including Linda Mensah of the Sanso Health Center lauded AngloGold Ashanti for the training program.

She said the program has broadened her knowledge of new methods and approaches to manage the two conditions, saying it is an upgrade of what she was taught in school.

A nurse at the AGA Health Foundation said Asthma and Sickle cell form part of the common diseases reported at the hospital. He said the program has given him on-the-field training on how to deal and manage patients with the diseases.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia is touring some constituencies in the Greater Accra Region to canvass for votes ahead of the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) Presidential Primary.

The tour will offer the Vice President the opportunity to have closer interactions with polling station and constituency executives as well as other key stakeholders of the Party on his bid to lead the NPP in the 2024 General Election.

This follows the successful filing of his nomination last Friday, June 16, at the Partys headquarters in Accra, and the official declaration of his plans to lead the Party as its flagbearer in the 2024 General Election.

Addressing party stakeholders in Ashaiman and Tema during the campaign tour, Dr Bawumia acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the grassroots of the Party towards its election success over the years.

Everyone in this Party has contributed to the progress and success of the Party. So, let no one tell you that they have spent money so, they have contributed more than you.

Everyone has contributed in diverse ways towards the progress of the Party, he said.

Aside monetary support from some Party members, Dr Bawumia said some contributed ideas while others engaged in door-to-door campaign, noting that it took the collective efforts of all for the Party to win elections.

The presidential hopeful recalled how supporters at the grassroots worked very hard to gather pink sheets across the country as evidence for the 2012 Election Petition at the Supreme Court.

Vice President Bawumia also shared his own contributions to the Party, recounting his role as the Running Mate to then Presidential Candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2008, 2012 and 2016 and being in government as Vice President of the Republic of Ghana in 2017 till date.

Dr Bawumia highlighted some of the policies and programmes he had spearheaded as Vice President and assisting the President to transform the nation.

The NPP is expected to organise a Special Delegates Congress in August this year to select five of the presidential aspirants.

The top five aspirants will then face-off on November 4, 2023, to stake claim to the flagbearer slot, and the winner leading the Party to the 2024 General Election.

So far, 10 aspirants have declared their desire to be the Partys flagbearer.

GNA
Six more persons standing trial for being members of an organisation dubbed the Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF) have been found guilty by the High Court in Accra for 19 charges.

They have since been convicted by the court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh after full trial and face sentencing on June 27, 2023.

The convicts  Kennedy Awuni, Kwame Tornyevidzi alias Abizibey, Raymond Yao Blu alias Captain, Edem Nukornu alias FBI Commander, Jerry Kpeglo and Sylvanus Sheshie, had pleaded not guilty to their respective charges and have been in lawful custody since.

They were variously charged for 19 counts comprising of six counts of attending meetings of a prohibited organisation, one count of participation in a campaign of a prohibited organisation, three counts of making contributions for the benefit of a prohibited organisation, a count of accepting contributions for the benefit of a prohibited organisation, six counts of being a member of a prohibited organidation, stealing and unlawful training

On March 21, this year, a first set of five were each sentenced to five years in jail in hard labour after they were found guilty upon full trial, which lasted for over two years.

In court on Tuesday, June 20, exactly three months after, another set of six have been convicted.

The Criminal Division '3' of the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh said prosecution was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused persons.

Family members of some of the accused persons were already sobbing before the case was eventually called.

Brief Facts

Per the brief facts of the case, officers of the National Security Council, based on intelligence gathered, embarked on an exercise to identify and arrest members of the Western Togoland Restoration Front, who, on September 25, 2020, blocked the road at Juapong and Sogakope and set fire to two STC vehicles.

It stated that, on same day, the group of people also attacked the Aveyime and Mepe Police Stations respectively, freed the inmates in the cells, locked up the policemen on duty in the cells, took arms and ammunitions from the armoury of the police stations and bolted.

It stated that, the WTRF is a splinter organisation from the Homeland Study Group Foundation, whose main objective is to secede from the Republic of Ghana.

The facts added that, investigations led to the arrest of the accused persons who admitted being members of Western Togoland Restoration Front.

The prosecution stated that, they also admitted playing active roles in its organisation and activities, such as attendance of meetings, contribution of funds and the receipt of funds for the running of the organisation.

Roles

The prosecution stated that, when a search was conducted in the room of the first accused person, Kennedy Awunyo, quantities of Western Togoland flags and stickers were found.

The first accused person also received and disbursed funds of the Western Togoland Restoration Front to ensure that the plans of the organisation materialised.

The second accused person, Kwame Tornyevidzi alias Abizibey, was found to have stolen one AK47 rifle at the Aveyime Police Station during the raid on September 25, 2020.

The facts stated that, the third accused person, Raymond Yao Blu alias Captain, admitted participating in Western Togoland's guerilla military training after which he was issued with a certificate.

It further stated that, when a search was conducted in the room of the third accused person, a Western Togoland membership card and an army guerilla training certificate in his name and with his picture embossed on it, were found.

Again, the third, fourth and sixth accused persons were also found to have contributed funds for the running of the Western Togoland Restoration Front.

But for the vigilance of the security agencies, the activities of the accused persons and others at large would have led to the disruption of the presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2020 in the Volta and Oti regions respectively.

It stated that, after investigations, the accused persons were arraigned.


In celebration of the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour, Rainforest Alliance, A Non-Governmental Organisation with support from the NORAD funded project made presentations to two community basic schools.

The event attracted participants from various organizations and stakeholders across the country to the Ntowkrom district of the Ayensuano District in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Child labour describes the exploitation of childrens rights, mostly deprived of their childhood, their potential and their dignity. The nature of the work they do can be physically, mentally and socially damaging to them and often interferes with their schooling. This results in a cycle of poverty which affects the community at large.

The World Day Against Child Labour is commemorated around the world on June 12 each year. The global theme for this years commemoration is Protecting Children Against Labour Now More Than Ever and the domesticated national theme is Intensify Action Against Child Labour; Do it fast, Do it now, as a way of emphasizing the urgency of the need for stakeholders to intensify their efforts at addressing the situation.

This years celebration was organized by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) with support from a number of development partners including Rainforest Alliance. The commemoration also served as a platform for the Ministry to launch the Ghana Accelerated Action Plan Against Child Labour (NPA3).

This NPA3 is a document to guide all stakeholders to align their resources, expertise, and interventions with that of government through the Child Labour Unit of the MELR, in making the joint effort towards eradication of child labour effective and nationally visible from now till 2027.

Speaking in an interview, Senior Project Manager at Rainforest Alliance, Joyce Poku-Marboah explained that Rainforest Alliance shares in the vision of a world where nature and humans thrive in harmony and takes the interest of farmers and their household seriously, including working towards eliminating child labour and other human rights abuses through its certification program and other donor-funded projects.

There couldnt be a better time to adopt a national localized theme like Intensify Action Against Child Labour; Do it Now! Do it Fast! than now.

It is the moral duty of parents, guardian, the citizenry, government, CSOs and companies in the relevant supply chains to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy their childhood and build a better future.

Experiences gained through the implementation of Rainforest Alliances certification as well as projects such as the NORAD funded Tackling Forced and Child Labour in Ghanaian Cocoa and Gold Mining project, over the last couple of years, show that through stakeholder collaboration, and continuous improvement where farmers are advised to expose and report such abuses, the results are eminent.

"As part of our efforts to curb child labour which prevents children from going to school and school girls from staying in school when its that time of the month for them, Rainforest Alliance with support from the NORAD funded project made presentations to two community basic schools.

This was done in two separate commemorations at the district and national levels; the two schools were Coaltar Basic Presby School in the Ayensuano district and the Ankaase Community Basic School in the Atewa East District.

The two basic schools were presented with 2000 exercise books, 400 notebooks, 400 mathematical sets, 2000 pens, 150 white board markers, 500 pieces of rulers, 1000 erasers, 1000 packs of crayons and 500 sanitary pads.

The items were presented by the Member of Parliament, Honourable Teddy Safori Addi and Senior Project Manager at Rainforest Alliance, Joyce Poku-Marboah in the presence of all stakeholders to the Coaltar School; while Alvin Adu Asare, Senior Associate, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Rainforest Alliance presented to the Ankaase Basic School in the presence of the District Assembly representatives, chiefs, opinion leaders and Edmark Foundation an NGO in the community, she said.

The Country Director of Rainforest Alliance, Kwame Osei Boateng disclosed in an exclusive interview that Rainforest Alliance continues to use several pathways as part of its efforts to tackling child labour and other human rights abuses in the country.

We will continue to raise awareness and support small-scale farmers through certification and other donor funded projects.

Present at the days event were Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations Hon. Bright Wereko Brobbey who represented the Minister, the Eastern Regional Minister, the District Chief Executives, traditional leaders, Member of Parliament for the area, International Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, and schools in the community.
Dr Gideon Boako, Spokesperson for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has dismissed claims that the government has failed, labelling it a false narrative.

In an interview on Face to Face on Citi TV, Dr Boako said despite the economic challenges faced by the country, the government is working diligently to meet the needs of Ghanaians.

He emphasized that the government has taken appropriate measures to address the sufferings and hardships caused by the economic effects, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and global events such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

Dr. Boako acknowledged that the current situation is challenging compared to earlier periods but reiterated that the government has the best interests of Ghanaians at heart and is striving to make them comfortable amidst the difficulties.

This government has not failed. That is a false narrative. Yes indeed like all other economies, you will have such a catastrophic effect as we experienced recently through COVID and the Russia and Ukraine war. But for us in Ghana what matters most to us is how we are able to deal with the issues that we have as a country.

This government on its own has done what we think is right to mitigate the sufferings and the hardships that the economic effects are having on the people, he stated.

That is what President Akufo-Addos govt has been doing right from the beginning. We can say that the situation we have ourselves in now in comparative terms with what pertained at the time that this government came to power from 2017 to 1019 is not the same.

But even in the midst of that, we are trying to solve the problems. There is no dumsor even in the midst of these challenges, if you go to the pumps yes prices may be high but people can have it, he said.

Overall, Dr. Boako emphasized that the government is committed to resolving the problems faced by the country and that despite the challenges, it is working towards ensuring a better future for Ghanaians.

citinewsroom
Air Raid Juggling meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at ACAC Adventure Central. Free. Club welcomes all experience levels and provides free lessons. juggler.bz.

Albemarle Amateur Radio Club will present Ham Radio Field Day for 24 hours starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company at 283 Reas Ford Road in Earlysville. Free. https://www.albemarleradio.org/2023/05/25/field-day-2023-invitation/.

Albemarle County Public Schools Transportation Services Department is asking parents to complete a one-question form by June 30, even if their children do not need bus transportation, to help the department develop the most efficient bus routes to save travel time. Parents should log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal to complete the survey. sis.k12albemarle.org.

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is participating in the USDAs Summer Food Service Program and will be providing breakfast items, vegetables, fruit, dishes with protein from meat and other sources and snacks to children at Abundant Life at 3101 Fontaine Ave. Extended through Aug. 11. Hours will be 8 to 8:30 a.m. and noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Other sites will be in Waynesboro, Elkton, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Grottoes, Timberville and Luray. http://www.brafb.org/summerfoodserviceprogram.

Cat Action Team is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization serving Charlottesville and 12 surrounding counties to help homeless cats with trap/neuter/return programs, fostering, adoption, feral colony maintenance, food and support. Volunteers are welcome. catactionteam.org.

Charlottesville Ballet seeks applicants for its new Keith Lee Scholarship Fund, which is designed to provide dance scholarships for young men and dancers from diverse demographic backgrounds to help Charlottesville Ballet Academy to better reflect the ethnic identities within the community. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Winners will be announced and candidates notified by email on Aug. 1. Application details: cstrawderman@charlottesvilleballet.org or (434) 218-3652. www.CharlottesvilleBallet.org/KLSF.

Charlottesville Parks and Recreation will open its outdoor pools at Onesty Family Aquatic Center and Washington Park Pool from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday daily. Onesty Family Aquatic Center will be closed on Wednesdays. www.charlottesville.gov/parksandrec or (434) 970-3072.

Charlottesville Parks and Recreations Spray Grounds are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at Belmont Park, Forest Hills Park, Greenleaf Park and Tonsler Park. Free. www.charlottesville.gov/parksandrec or (434) 970-3072.

Charlottesville Retreads is recruiting senior softball players at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Darden Towe Park. The program is for men 55 and older and women 40 and older and runs from April through November. http://charlottesville retreads.org. (434) 825-5304.

The Compassionate Friends will meet on Zoom on the second Tuesday of every month, and in person at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and on the fourth Tuesday of every month, in the Fellowship Hall of Church of Our Saviour on East Rio Road. The support group is for families who have lost a child of any age, for any reason. Free; no fees. mashRN@aol.com or (434) 974-9314.

Finally Home Animal Haven, specializing in donkeys and barnyard animals, will have a fundraising Vendor Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 8 at 7251 Blenheim Road in Scottsville. There will be vendors, food trucks, animals, face painting and more. Vendors have until July 1 to register. www.finallyhomehaven.org.

Greene County Public Schools will participate in this years Summer Food Service Program during summer school through Friday and during YMCA Camp at Ruckersville Elementary School through July 28. These sites will be closed July 3 and 4. All students attending summer school are entitled to one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. Families who do not have children in summer school can receive meals on a first-come, first-served basis from 8 to 9 a.m. weekdays and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at Ruckersville Elementary School, William Monroe Middle School and William Monroe High School. (434) 939-9096.

Hospice of the Piedmont offers general grief support drop-in groups at 3 p.m. Wednesdays on Zoom; call (434) 817-6915 to register. Remembering Our Children, a support group for parents who have lost children, takes place at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month on Zoom; call (434) 817-6915 to register. hopva.org. (434) 817-6949.

40th annual Kiwanis Independence Day 5K Run/Walk will begin at 7:30 p.m. July 1 at Lakeside Middle School and follow its traditional course through Forest Lakes. Packet pickup is available from 5 to 7 p.m. June 30 and 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. on race day. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge. Registration forms for the race and a virtual option are available at Ragged Mountain Running Shop and online at https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Charlottesville/KiwanisIndependence Day5K. (434) 293-3367.

Living Free Together will present Polo Picnic @ Roseland Farm Road in Crozet, part of a series of family events for military families, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and again on June 29, July 6 and July 13 at King Family Vineyards. Bring a dish or two to share, plus chairs and sunscreen; fried chicken, bottled water and lemonade will be provided. Free. Reservations are required at livingfree2gether@gmail.com or (804) 218-5505.

Living Free Together will present Tubing on the James River with James River Runners from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 for military families with swimmers ages 6 and older. $17; reservations and waivers are required. livingfree2gether@gmail.com or (804) 218-5505.

Monticellos 61st annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony and livestream will begin at 9 a.m. July 4 on Monticellos West Portico. University of Virginia President James E. Ryan will speak. There will be a presentation of colors by Boy Scouts of America Troop 75 and music by the Charlottesville Band, Charlottesville Opera, Old Line Fife and Drum Corps and Oratorio Society of Virginia. Stay after the ceremony for root beer floats and childrens activities. Plan to arrive at Piedmont Virginia Community College at 8 a.m. and take the shuttle. Free; registration for shuttle rides required at monticello.org. Livestream will be available on Monticellos Facebook page, website and YouTube channel. monticello.org.

Parkinsons Care Partners Support Group meets at 10:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at The Center at Belvedere. The meeting is part of the Virginia Chapter of the American Parkinsons Disease Association Information and Referral Center of Virginia at UVa Health System. (434) 974-7756.

Smith Aquatic & Fitness Centers Lap & Recreational Pool will be open for fewer hours as a result of the lifeguard shortage. The pool, including the Zero Depth, Lazy River and Slide sections, will be closed from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The upstairs fitness area will remain open as scheduled. www.charlottesville.gov/parksandrec. (434) 970-3072.

Survivors of Suicide Loss meets in person on the first Thursday of every month at Church of the Incarnation and by Zoom at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month. Send email address to mashRN@aol.com for Zoom link. The group is for anyone who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. (434) 974-9314.

Scottsvilles DMV Select office will close Thursday. The Town of Scottsville voted in May not to renew its contract with Virginia DMV. Customers have other options in the area, including Palmyra DMV Select at 13027 James Madison Highway in Palmyra, Charlottesville DMV Select at 605 E. Main St., A120, and Charlottesville DMV Customer Service Center at 2055 Abbey Road. dmv.virginia.gov.

White Feather Project of Trinity Episcopal Church, Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP Religious Affairs Committee and Charlottesvilles Coming to the Table will present Advancing Civil & Human Rights in Communities from noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church at 1118 Preston Ave. Reservations: pjonesey19@icloud.com.

From staff reports
I don't care whether the dam breaks or not. After all, when the sea is rough, the fishes don't give a dime. In fact, I don't really care whether dishonorable Gyakye Quayson wins the impending Assin North by-election and neither do I care a hoot if he loses his bid to become the Member of Parliament again haven been disqualified by the Supreme Court for dubiously misleading the Electoral Commission (EC) to accept his nomination form for the 2020 Parliamentary Elections.

History will record him as a Member of Parliament of Ghana who held a dual citizenship but was able to meander his way to be elected as the MP when he surely knew that what he did was illegal. History will say when the chickens came home to roost; he was booted out of Parliament with disgrace.

My interest is what will happen when some legalalistic purists decide to take him to court for one reason or the other. He is already facing some charges in court which could land him in jail if he loses the case. As they say, there is no status bar as far as the law is concern.

From all indications, there is no difference between Mr. Quayson and the late Adamu Sakande, the former MP for Bawku Central. Mr. Quayson is riding on the back of a tiger and very soon he will find himself in the mouth of the beast. In fact, he is walking on a political tight rope and if he slips, he will come tumbling down.

Adamu Sakande sojourned in the UK for several years and when the seat of Bawku Central became vacant he decided to fly down and contest. The NPP leadership did not make any background check on the guy and allowed him to run for the Parliamentary seat. And he won. Barely two years later, one Sumaila Beblie, an NDC cattle dealer, took him to court for holding a dual citizenship. The case went up and down in the law courts and finally, Sakande was found guilty and jailed at the Nsawam Maximum prison.

He felt ill and at the verge of dying. The state pardoned him and he flew back to the UK only to die a few months later. The NDC was then in power but nobody blamed the courts for the ruling like the way Mr. Mahama is bastardizing the courts over the disqualification of Gyekye Quayson. What a dreadful and sad story of Adamu Sakande, a fine gentleman. I used to love his demeanor and the way he respected anyone he met but the law has no respect for all these qualities.

Gyekye Quayson sojourned in Canada for more than 45 years and also flew back to Ghana to contest the NDC Parliamentary Primaries of Assin North in 2012. The NDC did a background check on him following a tip off from some of the NDC contestants and found that he held a dual citizenship. He was barred from contesting by the leadership of the NDC.

He flew back to Canada only to come back in 2016 to contest again without denouncing his citizenship of Canada, thinking that Ghanaians are dunderheads and shortsighted as Mr. Mahama referred to and once again he was barred from running by his own party.

Then once again he flew back to Canada and returned to contest the 2020 Parliamentary Election and lied to the EC that everything about his denunciation was correct. He was then allowed to file his papers. Unknown to the EC, the documents presented by Mr. Quayson was doctored.

Before the elections, somebody challenged him at the court for presenting a questionable document before he was allowed to contest. Gyekye Quayson unsuccessfully defended himself in public but the problem still lingered on till he won the Assin North Parliamentary seat. Since crime has no status bar, he lived with the nemesis till finally he was booted out of parliament by the Supreme Court of Ghana.

From the above mentioned narration, only a person suffering from infantile disorder will say it was the NPP that engineered the removal of Gyekye Quayson from Parliament. And there was Mr. Mahama again at his lying best when he met supporters of the NDC at Assin North.

He said it was the NPP that orchestrated the removal of the man from parliament because they wanted the number to pass the E-Levy. Oh! Honour and truth, where have thou flown to?

He also lied through his teeth that all the alleged development projects executed by Mr. Gyekye Quayson was done from his own pocket money since he was not paid a pesewa since he entered parliament and neither was any Common Fund paid to him.

Mr. Mahama says the Akufo-Addo led the government has done nothing for the people of Assin North and NDC zombies clapped for him like the way cripples clap when they see a hunchback running because they could not run as the hunchback did.

Meanwhile, their children who would have been working on their cocoa farms, roaming the streets and idling away at home, are attending free SHS and eating free hot meals a day.

School blocks are being built and their roads are being fixed even before the by-election was declared. In the face of the economic hardships being experienced all over the world, Assin North people continue to survive, hoping that the storm will calm down one day as we trudge along.

And there was this pretty low grade politician who also said the NPP wanted Gyekye Quayson out of Parliament so that they could get the number to pass the LGBT Bill which was laid before parliament through a Private Members bill, including some members of the NPP. How stupid and childish! Some people in the NDC, out of desperation for political power have made politics too sour to taste.

In fact, they talk before they think. Have they all too soon forgotten that the best friend of their tin god, Mr. Mahama is Andrew Solomon, the number one gay man and campaigner of gay rights? Was it not the same Andrew Solomon who came to Ghana to Launch Mr. Mahama's book, My First Coup De Etat? No wonder the sages say birds of the same feathers flock together. Who can promote gay rights in Ghana more than John Mahama? The Akans say 'kyre me wo adamfo na me nkyre wo suban.' (Show me your friend and I will show you your character).

Eric Bawah
Richard Jakpa, the second accused person standing trial alongside Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson, on Tuesday, June 20, received a stern warning from the court for engaging in acts that amount to contempt.

The warning followed outbursts by the CEO of Big Sea Trading LLC who is standing trial together with the minority leader for counts of causing financial loss to the state.

It all happened when the accused person was nearly prevented from using the washroom while proceedings were ongoing. During cross-examination of the first witness of Cassiel Ato Forson, Richard Jakpa attempted to leave the courtroom for the washroom but a hesitant Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe allowed him to use the washroom within the courtroom.

Afterwards, the judge offered sanitiser to Jakpa, but he expressed frustration at the judge for initially preventing him from using the washroom.

This outburst angered Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, who took offence to the accuseds actions and deemed them contemptuous.

She cautioned Jakpa against repeating such behaviour and warned that she would exercise her powers freely if he did.

How dare you speak to the court like that? This should be the very last time you will show disrespect to the court, if you do, I will fully use my powers, the Court of Appeal judge sitting as an additional High Court judge said furiously.

Meanwhile, the first accused person, Cassiel Ato Forson has opened his defence with a subpoenaed witness, an officer of the Stanbic Bank, which was approached by the Government of Ghana to issue letters of credit for the purchase of some 200 ambulances.

In his testimony, the witness who said he worked on the letters of credit as required by the government revealed that the deal between the government, however, did not materialize.

He noted that he did not have the full reflection of events and will require a month to get some of the documents relating to the deal which have been sent to their archive.

But Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe who did not see the relevance of the documents refused the request saying it will unduly delay the trial.
The judge presiding over the criminal case involving Minority Leader of Parliament Cassiel Ato Forson has rebuked the second accused person, Mr Richard Jakpa, who also serves as the CEO of Big Sea Trading LLC, for displaying disrespect towards the court during a hearing.

After the judge granted permission for Mr Jakpa to use the toilet within the courtroom, he expressed dissatisfaction with her initial hesitation to allow him that concession.

Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal judge sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, responded furiously, asserting that she was not obliged to permit the accused person to visit the toilet.

Considering Mr Jakpa's outburst to be contemptuous, the judge warned him against repeating such behavior.

"How dare you speak to the court like that?" she admonished Mr Jakpa, adding, "This must be the very last time you demonstrate disrespect towards the court."

She further emphasised, "Should you do so, I will fully exercise my powers."

Regarding the case itself, Dr Ato Forson commenced his defence with a witness who was subpoenaedan officer from Stanbic Bank. The government of Ghana had approached the bank to issue letters of credit for the purchase of approximately 200 ambulances.

During the witness's testimony, he stated that he had worked on the letters of credit as required by the government for the ambulance purchase. However, he revealed that the deal between the government did not materialize. He mentioned that he did not possess a complete record of the events and would require a month to retrieve certain documents related to the deal, which had been archived.

However, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, deeming the documents irrelevant, denied the request, citing that it would unduly prolong the trial.

ClassFMonline.com
A Bolgatanga Circuit Court has discharged 18 out of the 61 persons standing trial in the matter involving the Sherigu community and the State in connection with the rioting between the youth of Sherigu and some Fulani settlers in the area.

The rest, 43 in number, have also been granted bail with two sureties each and are to reappear on July 3, 2023.

The suspects had been charged with conspiracy to commit crime namely; causing unlawful damage and rioting with weapons.

The suspects were arrested by the Police at Sherigu, a community in the Bolgatanga Municipality for allegedly attacking Fulani settlers and violently protesting against the Police.

The Fulanis were alleged by the residents of Sherigu to have constantly attacked and robbed residents of their properties and killed a resident in the area.

However, the court, presided over by Mr Sumaila Mbache Ahmadu, discharged 18 persons after the Police could not establish their involvement in the incidents and granted bail to the rest.

Earlier, the prosecution led by Chief Superintendent Rueben Dugah said, the suspects were youth and residents of Sherigu who about two weeks ago, attacked Fulani settlements, burnt their dwellings, killed some of their animals and displaced 170 of them.

Prosecution said on June 4, 2023, at about 1000 hours, the Upper East Regional Police Command received information that the youth of Sherigu had planned to attack the Fulani settlements for the second time and allegedly kill the Sherigu Chief and his sons for being behind the presence of the Fulanis in their community.

Mr Dugah said based on the information, the Police located the ringleader's house and arrested six suspects.

Prosecution said, however, before the Police could proceed to make further arrests, the youth had mobilised, blocked the roads at two different sections and launched an attack on the Police by pelting stones at them and succeeded in causing damage to a vehicle belonging to the Police which was being used by the Defense Officer of the Intelligence Unit of the Military who was part of the team.

The prosecution said the Police maneuvered and conveyed the six suspects to the Regional Police headquarters in Bolgatanga while a reinforcement team was mobilised to proceed back to Sherigu to restore calm.

However, prosecution said before the team could proceed, the Sherigu youth had gone to the Bolgatanga Police Station and attacked the Police with stones, causing extensive damage to the

glass windows and doors to both the Bolgatanga Station and the Regional MTTD Office but the Police managed to disperse the youth.

Mr Dugah said information was later gathered that the youth had mobilised again to attack the Sherigu Chief and had blocked roads to prevent access to security personnel, so following this third attack, the police proceeded to arrest the 61 suspects for their involvement in various attacks.

He said the Police have not yet commenced investigations into it and prayed for the court to remand all accused into prison custody.

But Counsel for the accused pleaded that there were minors among the suspects and prayed the court to grant them bail.

GNA
Zanu Mandela, a popular motor rider in the Akatsi South Municipality has been shot dead by unknown gunmen near Holy Childhood Academy at Akatsi.

The deceased, a native of Akuave in Akatsi South, who also owned a mobile money shop called 'Nezu Yayra' was shot severally by the unknown assailants on Tuesday evening, June 20, at about 1900 hours while on his way home.

Eyewitnesses told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) minutes after the incident that the deceased was approaching his house when the gunmen emerged from their hideout, shot him on the spot, and bolted with his motorbike with registration number M-4-36-VR 23 and an undisclosed cash.

Neyram Satsi, also an eyewitness, told the GNA that the deceased, in his 30s, was returning from work when the suspected gunmen emerged from a nearby hideout, and shot him at a close range.

This is one humble guy that we all love to engage his services always. We don not know what should have necessitated this bad act, he told the GNA.

Police sources has since confirmed the incident to the GNA and opened investigations into the heinous crime.

The Police have recovered the body of deceased and deposited it at the St Paul's Hospital Morgue awaiting autopsy.

Some residents within Akatsi South, the GNA observed, have been calling on the Akatsi South Municipal Security Council and the traditional authorities to bring the town to order, saying criminal activities are becoming too rampant.

He left behind a wife and two children.

GNA
Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has stated that the ousted Member of Parliament for Assin North is a "victim of political chicanery, abuse of power, and manipulation of the judiciary."

Mr Ablakwa made these comments following a ruling by the Accra high court, which insisted that a perjury case against Mr Quayson be heard on a daily basis.

After accompanying Mr Quayson to court on Wednesday, 21 June 2023, Ablakwa expressed his thoughts to journalists, saying, "What is interesting is that Prof Asare, a former appeal court judge, and Justice Douse have all stated that this is a clear manipulation of the judiciary. It is a total travesty of justice. Let me also state, as President Mahama said, even murder cases are not subjected to daily court appearances."

Ablakwa emphasised that people fail to learn from history. He cited past events such as Kwame Nkrumah winning the 1951 elections while in prison and the people demanding justice following President Rawlings' imprisonment on May 15, leading to the June 4 uprising.

"With Honorable Quayson, the people love him and want him to be their representative. So, if we believe in democracy and in the will of the people, the voice of the people should be respected. If we continue with this blatant manipulation and these shenanigans, what kind of justice do we have in Ghana? There seems to be a different standard of justice for the president's friends, cronies, and NPP members, while the rest of us are subjected to a different set of rules and justice. No country progresses under such circumstances. The handling of the Quayson case reflects a disgraceful disregard for justice. It is a national embarrassment, and like many Ghanaians, I feel ashamed to be Ghanaian at this time," said Ablakwa.

The lawmaker hinted that a future NDC government would demonstrate to the NPP how power should be used to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for those who suffer. "I want a restoration. The time will come when they will look back and feel ashamed, realising how power should be utilised," he stressed.

Classfmonline.com
Ethiopian Airlines Group, the fastest-growing airline brand globally and the continents leading airline brand, has been crowned with The Best Airline in Africa title at the prestigious SKYTRAX 2023 World Airline Awards during the Paris Air Show held in France, Paris on June 20, 2023.

It is the sixth time in a row that Ethiopian Airlines has been recognized as the Best Airline in Africa at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards.

Sending his congratulatory message on the award, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO said: We are truly pleased by the top award that we received today at the admired World Airline Awards. Crowned with Skytraxs prestigious awards for several years in a row is a testimony of our consistency and commitment in delivering high-quality services. We are very proud of the strong vote of confidence of our valued customers, and I would like to thank them and reaffirm that we will continue exceeding their expectations. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the hardworking Ethiopian Airlines families who strive round the clocks to keep the engines of our success run.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said: Ethiopian Airlines wins this top award as Africa's favourite carrier for a sixth successive year and this level of consistency is a fabulous achievement for all the Ethiopian Airlines management and frontline staff.

The World Airline Awards referred to by media around the world as the Oscars of the aviation industry are wholly independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global.

Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners. Over 100 customer nationalities participated in the 2022/2023 survey with more than 20 million eligible entries counted in the results. More than 325 airlines are featured in the final Award results.

It is to be recalled that Ethiopian amasses a plethora of awards including but not limited to: The Best Airlines in Africa from SKYTRAX World Airline Awards for the last several years in a row; Sustainable Cargo Airline of the Year -Africa at the 2023 Freight Week Sustainability Awards; Outstanding Food Services by a Carrier at the 2023 PAX International Readership Awards; and Best Overall in Africa Award at the 2023 APEX Passenger Choice Awards.

Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airline brand globally and the continents largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years of successful operations, Ethiopian, the fastest-growing airline, has become one of the continents leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.
21.06.2023 LISTEN

TAAG Angola Airlines announced that it has entered into a long-term lease agreement with Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) for four new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, raising the possibility of a return to the Accra market later this year.

TAAG, which started flights from Luanda, Angola to Accra, Ghana in November 2022 but suspended operations in March 2023 as part of their fleet optimization process.

Diane Chung, Regional Manager, TAAG Angola Airlines Africa, in an email response to AviationGhana's enquiry confirmed the airlines plans to resume the Luanda-Accra-Luanda service once a new fleet is acquired.

Unfortunately the restart has been delayed until later in the year. We are waiting for the delivery of new aircraft, and as soon as they arrive we will assess where to deploy those aircraft to best meet the needs of the business, Diane Chung wrote.

Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines, commenting on the newly-leased aircraft said: Incorporating four new A220 aircraft under this agreement is a clear sign of our international credibility and a major milestone in renewing the TAAG fleet. We are deeply committed to growing the company, leveraging our market share and destination portfolio. Our passengers will benefit from higher connectivity options while planning their trips and a greater flight experience overall, as the Airbus A220 is a smart, tech-advanced equipment suitable for nowadays gadgets.

On his part, Tom Baker, CEO and President of ACG, noted that: On behalf of ACG, were truly honored and proud to be a business partner of TAAG Angola Airlines, supporting its growth and expansion plans with the modern and environmentally friendly A220-300 aircraft. This state-of-the-art equipment, with its comfort, low noise and fuel economy characteristics will support TAAGs mission to reopen markets, tap into new destinations and increase the connectivity options with more frequencies.

Mikail Houari, President, Airbus Africa and Middle East said: "The A220 is perfectly suited to the requirements of the African market and is the ideal choice for TAAG Airlines as it expands its footprint on the continent and beyond. Thanks to its optimal size, single aisle comfort, and generous baggage and cargo capacity, the aircraft will

further, elevate TAAG's service capabilities.

Aviation Capital Group was founded in 1989 and is one of the worlds premier full-service aircraft asset managers with approximately 480 owned, managed, and committed aircraft as of September 30, 2022, which are leased to approximately 90 airlines in approximately 45 countries. ACG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation.
Passengers travelling from Accra, Ghana to Angolas capital Luanda will now be able to fly three times (3x) per week on Asky Airlines.

The Luanda flights which start on August 2, will be operated via ASKYs hub in Lome, Togo on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

AviationGhana sources confirmed that the airline will be operating one of the Boeing 737 MAXs recently leased from AerCap Holdings N.V., on the Lome-Luanda route.

The new service will deepen intra-regional and intra-Africa connectivity, and help to better connect West, Central, and Southern Africa on ASKY for business, trade, and tourism purposes following the temporal withdrawal of TAAG Angola from the Ghanaian market.

TAAG Angola suspended flights to Ghanas capital Accra in March 2023, after a few months of operations. TAAG Angolas maiden flight to Accra touched down at the Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. ASKY hopes to fill this void and future demand with the planned launch of flights to oil-rich Luanda.

The complete schedule and fares are now available in various GDS for sale.

ASKY, The Pan-African Airline, is a 100% privately owned airline created by regional banking institutions in Africa that includes The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and ECOBANK Group (ETI) in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines.

ASKY is a commercial company under private law and is managed by experienced African aviation professionals, with Ethiopian airlines as its strategic partner. ASKY currently operates a fleet of thirteen aircraft: Nine (9) Boeing 737-800s and four (4) Boeing 737-700s, serving twenty-seven (26) cities in twenty-four (24) countries within Africa.
A new hate crimes bill is inching closer to the possibility of becoming law in South Africa. The bill entrenches human dignity as a foundational value of the country by providing for penalties for explicit acts of violence and discrimination motivated by prejudice and intolerance.

However, prejudice and intolerance can also be expressed and experienced in everyday ways that are often taken for granted. The bill does not necessarily acknowledge this. It's crucial to acknowledge that acts of discrimination happen not only in obvious forms of hate speech and violence in public spaces. They also happen in the everyday private spaces that form part of our homes, faith spaces, workplaces and, in particular, the bathrooms available in these spaces.

As psychologists and scholars working in the fields of sexualities and gender in a country with high levels of gender-based violence , we are sensitive to the anxieties of all people and, in particular, women, who voice an almost omnipresent sense of the threat of violence in public spaces. But we've also come to understand that people whose gender appearance may be non-normative often feel unsafe in public bathrooms.

As the debate around gender-inclusive toilets rages around the world, we argue that shared bathrooms create more inclusive societies that ultimately protect human dignity.

Bathrooms are public-private spaces

The bathroom, a seemingly private yet inherently public space, has become subject to intense scrutiny. Especially regarding the rights of trans and gender diverse individuals, both in South Africa and abroad . (A transgender person identifies with a gender different from that of their sex that's assigned at birth. A gender diverse person has a gender identity or expression that's at odds with what's perceived as being the social norm.)

The public bathroom has become a lightning rod for a general social anxiety about safety and gender. Are women safe if a trans woman uses the same bathroom? What does it mean to the gender (and indeed sexuality) of men if a trans man uses the men's bathroom? Aren't children at risk if anyone can decide they are trans and walk into a public bathroom? Why can't we keep things simple and make people go to the bathroom according to their sex assigned at birth?

Read more: How did public bathrooms get to be separated by sex in the first place?

It's in this context of moral and personal panic, we argue, that in fact it's trans and gender diverse people who are most at risk of a quiet violence as they attempt to access and navigate these everyday spaces.

This discrimination is quiet because it does not appear as the kind of overt act of violence that the hate crimes bill seeks to legislate against, such as a transphobic slur or assault. However, it remains a form of violence because trans and gender diverse people feel policed and threatened navigating these spaces.

Bathrooms as political arenas

Bathrooms hold more than a functional purpose; they're historically significant sites of overt and covert political struggles. Throughout social justice movements worldwide, bathrooms have played pivotal roles . In the US, bathrooms became contested spaces during civil rights movements for women's rights, desegregation and disability rights. South Africa, 1977. Andrzej Sawa/Sunday Times/Gallo/Getty Images

Apartheid also enforced strict policing and segregation of public amenities including swimming pools, beaches and toilets. This perpetuated institutionalised racism and a disregard for the dignity and worth of people of colour.

This legacy endures in historically marginalised communities, where the  bucket system  (non-flush toilets where a bucket is used to collect waste), pit latrines and inadequate sanitation facilities persist.

The gendered nature of bathrooms

Choosing between men's and women's bathrooms subjects an individual to a normative system that organises and disciplines their body based on a sex-segregated understanding of gender.

This system enforces a binary of gender, defined solely by two biological sexes  male and female. For trans and gender diverse individuals, selecting a bathroom becomes a calculation of self-preservation. This requires self-surveillance in an effort to minimise the likelihood of harassment and violence for deviating from normative gender presentations.

Violence and discrimination in bathrooms

Bathrooms are often reported to be distressing spaces for trans and gender diverse individuals, becoming sites where they experience discrimination and exclusion. Occupying gendered facilities can lead to discomfort, verbal abuse and physical assault. Being forced to hold in basic biological functions can also result in health problems.

Calls for these individuals to use bathrooms aligned with their assigned sex at birth don't only demonstrate the binary model of gender. They are discriminatory and foster conditions that perpetuate violence, confusion and negative attitudes towards trans individuals. It's crucial to recognise that violence against trans and gender diverse people is often overlooked.

Ensuring recognition and safety

It's critical to acknowledge women's concerns regarding the prospect of sexual assault in using gender-inclusive bathrooms. It's equally crucial to challenge the notion that bodies assigned male at birth are inherently violent and that safety can only be guaranteed through gender-specific or sex-segregated bathroom arrangements.

Studies from Australia , the US and the UK have demonstrated that gender-inclusive facilities do not compromise safety or privacy.

In fact, they serve as catalysts for social change, challenging binary constructs and debunking the notion of inherent male violence. Reducing violence to a specifically gendered body overlooks the complex social psychology of violence, which is rooted in gendered power asymmetries, control and dehumanisation.

Read more: LGBTIQ learners at risk in South Africa as conservative Christian groups fight plans for safer schools

By recognising the discrimination that trans and gender diverse people face in these spaces and implementing new gender-inclusive bathroom arrangements which accommodate all people, we believe that inclusive societies can challenge harmful assumptions and contribute to the cause of dignity for all.

Jarred H Martin sits on the Executive Committee for the Sexuality and Gender Division of the Psychological Society of South Africa.

Pierre Waldemar Brouard is affiliated with the Sexuality and Gender Division of the Psychological Society of South Africa and is a board member of the Professional Association of Transgender Health South Africa.

By Jarred H Martin, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, University of Pretoria And

Pierre Waldemar Brouard, Acting director of the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS & Gender, University of Pretoria, University of Pretoria
A play being presented at Piedmont Virginia Community College this weekend, June 23-24, will focus on one familys experiences to examine the pain, resilience and resolve of Virginians evicted from their Blue Ridge Mountain homes in the 1930s to enable the creation of Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.

Cant Feel at Home, written by Dr. John T. Glick and adapted and directed by Stanley W. Schwartz, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the V. Earl Dickinson Theater at Piedmont Virginia Community College.

Its a historical play. Its a realistic look at what happened and how the families dealt with it, said Bobby Wolfe, who is producing the play with Joe Appleton for JoeBob Productions and presenting it with the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. And its a healing play.

Glick was a popular physician who served patients in Elkton and Shenandoah, and he also performed in the musical comedy team Glick & Phillips. Wolfe said Glick drew inspiration for his play from stories he heard from patients whose lives had been upended by the evictions.

His play relies on a narrating grandmothers recollections of the traumatic expulsion of families losing everything theyd owned and loved to benefit strangers in the name of tourism and modern progress. Ten children are in the cast, and one young character is an 8-year-old girl who is among the last residents to leave.

Wolfe said that Glick, who died Jan. 17, had hoped to see his play presented in all Virginia counties that were affected by the evictions: Albemarle, Augusta, Greene, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham and Warren. A December production by Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg demonstrated strong interest in Rappahannock County.

Three shows turned into five, and all the shows sold out, Wolfe said. Five shows soon turned into 10, and a third production is planned there from Aug. 31 to Sept. 10.

Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook can be seen in the cast at PVCC, portraying Virginia Gov. George Peery. Snook said audience members will see his side of a conversation with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in one scene and an exchange with a Rockingham County sheriff in another scene that will change characters lives forever.

The first scene, Im on the phone with FDR, Snook said. The second scene is right at the end. The sheriff has come in and is speaking on behalf of the family, and I go all Snidely Whiplash or Emperor Palpatine or Darth Vader on them.

Snook, who participated in theater productions in high school, said the play can help Charlottesville residents gain deeper insights into how painful the mountain evictions were to the surrounding community. While shaping his portrayal, Snook said, he drew on his memories of a summer experience that brought the tragedy of the evictions home to him.

In 1972, I worked for a summer doing work on Skyline Drive, Snook said. He cut overgrown brush and helped clear out stone-lined ditches and gutters that had filled with debris over the years since Civilian Conservation Corps workers had built them in the 1930s.

Snook was surrounded at work that summer not only by tangible reminders of the project to create the park, but also by the emotional impact it continues to have on local families.

My coworkers, most of their families had been evicted and pushed down into the hollers, Snook said. It was a very real thing for them.

Here in Charlottesville, we dont always appreciate that these families were not just losing their homes, but that their government was doing it to them.

We really appreciate him doing a cameo, Wolfe said of Snook.

Wolfe said that audience members will be able to explore a wide variety of emotions. The youngest mountain residents, for example, are torn between the looming reality of losing the homes they grew up in and the landscapes they loved playing in and the anticipation of finding more modern homes with electricity and radios. And, Wolfe said, the show isnt nonstop tragedy.

Theres a funeral, and theres a hoedown, and theres music, Wolfe said. Its a total package for a play.

Tickets are $30 at the door and $25 in advance. Theyre available in advance at https://CFAH-Albemarle.eventbrite.com.
The Sudanese capital was again under fire Wednesday, after the latest breached ceasefire between warring generals ended without any sign of an end to more than two months of war.

Already on Tuesday evening, an immense fire had engulfed the intelligence service's headquarters in the capital Khartoum with each side accusing the other of attacking it in violation of the 72-hour truce mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Mediators had repeated a warning that if the ceasefire, which ended at dawn Wednesday, were not respected they would consider adjourning talks between the warring sides in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The International Committee of the Red Cross had earlier said the "ceasefire was not respected", and cited gunshots that forced the agency to abort a transfer of wounded soldiers.

Fighting began on April 15 between the regular army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) headed by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Numerous ceasefires have been announced only to be violated, despite commitments by the two sides to provide for secure aid access.

Wad Madani, the capital of Sudan's Al-Jazira state, hosts some of the more than 1.9 million people internally displaced by the war -- here filling containers with water. By - (AFP)

The latest truce, which coincided with an international donors' conference in Geneva on Monday, did, however, bring a brief respite to the millions of civilians trapped by fighting in the capital and suffering shortages of medical care, electricity, water and other essentials.

But an exodus of refugees -- and wounded -- continued from the war's other main battleground Darfur.

On Wednesday morning, residents of Omdurman, just across the Nile from Khartoum, reported heavy artillery exchanges within minutes of the ceasefire expiring at 6:00 am (0400 GMT).

Army warplanes flew low over several adjacent districts, the residents said.

Bodies on city streets

Nationwide, more than 2,000 people have been killed since battles began, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project said.

More than 2.5 million people have fled their homes, of whom around 600,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, according to latest figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The United States State Department said up to 1,100 people have been killed in the West Darfur state capital El Geneina alone.

A covered body lies in a street in the West Darfur state capital El Geneina near an armoured vehicle. By - (AFP)

Bodies have remained on the streets of the city, where months of unrest have left shops either vacant or gutted by looters.

One lay covered on the asphalt, in front of an armoured vehicle. A dead man was partially curled up outside a house. Several others appeared to be lying face down together on a dirt road.

More than 155,000 people have fled Darfur into Chad since the start of fighting, according to IOM.

Some described being shot at by fighters and subject to searches during the perilous journey.

The United Nations has spoken of possible "crimes against humanity" in Darfur as the conflict has "taken an ethnic dimension".

The region is still reeling from a 2003 rebellion among non-Arab minorities that prompted then-strongman Omar al-Bashir to recruit the Arab Janjaweed militia, whose actions led to charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Washington has said the RSF, which traces its origins to the Janjaweed, is "primarily" responsible for recent "atrocities" in Darfur.

In an audio recording Tuesday, Daglo denounced what he called "a tribal conflict" in El Geneina, claiming to have ordered his men "not to intervene" and accusing the army of "creating sedition by distributing weapons" to civilians.

'Fleeing for their lives'

Monday's donors' conference raised close to $1.5 billion in aid pledges for Sudan and neighbouring countries, but that amounted to less than half of the estimated needs.

A record 25 million people -- more than half Sudan's population -- are in need of aid and protection, the United Nations says.

The Islamic Relief charity on Wednesday said "many farmers have been unable to plant at the start of the rainy season" as a result of the fighting.

"The conflict has forced many smallholder farmers from their land and destroyed their seed stocks and markets," it added, in a country that relies primarily on agriculture for its income.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned this week that "the scale and speed of Sudan's descent into death and destruction is unprecedented," and the country could become a "locus of lawlessness" without strong international intervention.

Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN's refugee agency, on Tuesday said in an interview with AFP that there is "an element of insecurity that risks spreading," but he appealed to neighbouring countries to "please keep your borders open because these people are really fleeing for their lives."
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has pledged an amount of GH100,000 to the champions of the Ghana Premier League, Medeama Sporting Club (SC).

Medeama SC secured their historic first Ghana Premier League title with an impressive 3-0 victory over Tamale City at Akoon Park on Sunday, June 11, 2023.

Throughout the league campaign, Medeama SC showcased exceptional performance, winning 18 games, drawing six, and suffering 10 defeats.

During a ceremony held in Accra on Wednesday, where the team and its management presented the trophy to Parliament, Mr. Bagbin made the generous pledge.

So Medeama SC, I want to assure you that the house is with you and I will proceed to pledge which you can take up from me anytime an amount of GH100, 000 now to support you. This is the time to enjoy, refresh, motivate and incentivise yourself ahead for the task ahead, we are with you. Congratulations, he stated.

The speaker emphasized that Parliament would provide unwavering support to ensure that Medeama SC triumphs in the African Cup on behalf of the nation.

I want to on your behalf commit the house to go with them all the way to the continent to ensure that they win the African Cup for Ghana. This I will proceed to enforce to ensure that they get the necessary resources and motivation to surprise the continent by winning the cup, he added.
One-horned creatures are found in myths around the world . Although unicorns in different cultures have little to do with one another, they have multiple associations in European thought.

For example, the Roman natural historian Pliny the Elder wrote about unicorns in the first century AD. The unicorn features in both medieval Christian and Celtic beliefs, and is Scotland's national animal . The unicorn's prominence in European culture spread across the globe with colonisation.

In southern Africa, colonial European ideas encountered older indigenous beliefs about one-horned creatures. I've highlighted this in a recent research article about some of the region's rock art.

Unicorns in Africa?

In the age of natural science, unicorns were gradually dismissed as mythical rather than biological creatures. But some thought that real animals with single horns might yet exist in the unexplored wilds of Africa.

A famous search for such evidence was carried out by the English traveller, writer and politician Sir John Barrow (1764-1848) . He'd heard rumours about unicorns from the colonists and local people he encountered on his southern African travels.

One of those rumours was that unicorns were depicted in the rock paintings made by the indigenous San (Bushman) inhabitants of the region. Barrow searched unsuccessfully for them. Then, in mountains in what's now the Eastern Cape province, he found and copied an image of a unicorn (Figure 1). Figure 1. Barrow's unicorn. After the image published by Barrow

But many were sceptical of his claims. His published copy resembles a European engraving rather than a San rock painting. More generally, critics have argued that rock paintings of unicorns were probably inspired by side-on views of gemsbok or South African oryxes  antelope with long, straight horns  or by rhinos (which might have one horn in India, but have two in southern Africa).

My research concludes that these criticisms don't take into account several factors that have since come to light. My paper provides further support for the claims that some San rock paintings do indeed depict one-horned creatures.

Multiple rock art depictions

Early documented rock paintings of one-horned creatures are known from 19th and 20th century copies by British geologist George Stow and South African teacher M. Helen Tongue .

I draw attention to additional examples of rock paintings of one-horned creatures (Figures 2 and 3). Figure 2. A pair of spotted one-horned animals surrounded by fish. David M. Witelson

Collectively, these show that rock paintings of one-horned creatures can't be dismissed as naturalistic profile views of two-horned creatures, one horn covering the other.

Rain-animals

The second way in which my research engages with early criticisms is to draw attention to previously overlooked indigenous beliefs concerning one-horned beings.

The evidence suggests that the unicorns in indigenous mythical beliefs and rock art are actually animal-like forms of rain, known as rain-animals.

Tongue's colleague and co-worker, Dorothea Bleek , compared Stow's and Tongue's copies and suggested in 1909 that rock paintings of one-horned antelope were probably kinds of rain-animals, which she knew from |Xam San (Bushman) myths .

Rain-animals feature prominently in San ritual, myth and art . They take many forms, ranging from four-legged creatures to serpents . They were ritually captured and slaughtered by San rainmakers to cause rain to fall in specific places. Many |Xam myths tell of the dangerous male rain, sometimes personified as the Rain, who turned pubescent girls and their families into frogs when the girls did not correctly observe their initiation taboos. Figure 3. Digital drawing of original rock painting near the town of Dordrecht. David M. Witelson

Among other details, my paper highlights a fascinating and previously missed reference to a one-horned water creature. In one of the variants of a story told by |Han=kass'o or Klein Jantje  a |Xam man who was an expert storyteller  a water child or juvenile rain-animal is said to have a single horn. The story was written down in phonetic script (to record the sounds of the San langauge) by Lucy Lloyd (Bleek's aunt) and translated into English.

The girl in |Han=kass'o's story breaks the rules of her ritual puberty seclusion by going to a pond and catching (like fish) the children of the rain, which she cooks and eats. After a few times she struggles to catch another one: unlike the others, this last creature is a grown-up water .

We know what made it recognisably grown-up: unlike the others, it had a single horn that poked out of the water . We have, therefore, the actual |Xam San words (which translate as horned rain-child) used to describe this kind of rain-animal, which we find in the rock paintings in and around the Eastern Cape.

An intersection of beliefs

In the colonial period, indigenous people were exposed to European images of unicorns on crests, badges and buttons and through tales. In one of the recorded instances , indigenous people at the Cape saw the British royal coat of arms and commented on the unicorn in it. They recognised it as their god, but this description, translated into English from an unknown indigenous idiom, probably refers to the creature's mythical nature rather than a genuine god-like status. Figure 4. Rain-animals with horns that point up or curve forward at a site near Indwe. David M. Witelson

Foreign unicorn images may have gradually influenced local ones. Some rock paintings of one-horned creatures  dated by associated human figures in European dress to the colonial period  show horns pointing upward or forward (Figure 4) like the European unicorn, rather than backwards like antelopes, such as the eland (Figure 5), on which many rock paintings of one-horned rain-animals are modelled. Figure 5. The horns of the common eland. Pxfuel , CC BY-SA

One-horned animals depicted in rock art are not mere rhinos nor antelope, nor are they the creatures of European myth.

Indigenous beliefs help us to explain that the uncanny resemblance between European unicorns and South African unicorns was pure chance. The mixing of foreign beliefs with local ones in colonial South Africa has hidden the independent, indigenous creature.

David M. Witelson is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand's Rock Art Research Institute (RARI). He receives funding from RARI and the University's Faculty of Science.

By David M. Witelson, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of the Witwatersrand
The deposed National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson has reiterated his confidence in winning the upcoming by-election in the constituency.

Speaking to the media after a court hearing on Wednesday, June 21, Mr. Quayson expressed optimism despite the ongoing legal battle over which he has been accused of perjury and forgery.

"I am going to be victorious, he said in relation to the upcoming by-election on Tuesday, June 27.

The court hearing was an appeal made by lawyers for Mr. Quayson against the daily trial of criminal charges against him.

The Accra High Court had previously ordered the trial to be done on a day-to-day basis starting from June 20.

However, the court reversed this decision after Mr. Quayson's lawyers argued that the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, had made prejudicial comments and had not shown respect to legal etiquette.

Lead counsel for Mr. Quayson, Tsatsu Tsikata, cited Article 55(13) of the constitution and the Supreme Court's provisions, which allow accused persons to take part in national assignments such as the by-election.

However, Mr. Dame objected, stating that the accused person's primary duty was to clear his name in the criminal charges brought against him.

Despite the legal battle, Mr. Quayson remains focused on the upcoming by-election.

He has been campaigning vigorously, highlighting his achievements during his tenure and promising to do more for the constituency if given the chance again.

The by-election, scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, is expected to be closely contested with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ND vying for the seat.
A High Court in Accra has granted permission for James Gyakye Quayson, the deposed Member of Parliament for Assin North, to be absent on the next adjourned date.

The perjury trial of the ex-MP is currently being conducted on a day-to-day basis leading up to the by-election in the constituency, scheduled for Tuesday, 27th June.

At the previous hearing, Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah stated that while the ousted MP has the right to contest the Assin North by-election, the state also has the right to hear cases.

He informed journalists after Tuesday's hearing that the state is not obstructing Mr. Quayson's election bid by insisting on the case being heard daily.

"It is not about him being disallowed from contesting the elections. He has the right to contest, and the state also has the right to hear cases pending in court," he said.

During Tuesday's hearing, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, the lead counsel for Mr. Quayson, described certain remarks made by Attorney General Godfred Dame in opposition to his client's request to freeze his ongoing criminal trial until after the by-election as insulting. The by-election is scheduled for June 27, 2023.

While arguing against the freezing of the case, Mr. Dame noted that the former MP's lawyers were introducing "extraneous" political matters, stating, "He is saying the accused is involved in a national assignment."

Mr. Dame questioned, "Who gave him a national assignment?" He further asserted, "It is a selfish quest to contest in this election knowing very well that there is a criminal case pending against him."

The AG added, "The Supreme Court has declared your election unconstitutional, and you know that he is facing a criminal prosecution and he could be convicted and jailed."

Mr. Dame proposed that "the case be heard on a day-to-day basis" in the interest of justice, a proposal to which the court agreed, scheduling the matter for June 20 to 23, 2023. Mr. Quayson's lawyers filed for a review of the decision.

During the hearing, Mr. Tsikata requested the court to adjourn the hearing to June 28, 2023. However, the Deputy Attorney General informed the court that the state had not been served with the court processes for the review and insisted that the matter be heard on a day-to-day basis.

Opposing Mr. Tuah's argument, Mr. Tsikata maintained that "there is actually proof of service on the docket." He explained that the matters addressed in the motion logically precede the continuation of the trial.

Mr. Tsikata referred to the "extraneous, prejudicial, unjustified, and insulting remarks" made by the Attorney General when seeking the application for a day-to-day hearing.

He pointed out that these remarks were made after the revelation that the accused person is a parliamentary candidate for an election scheduled on June 27.
Mr Isaac Adongo, the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, says Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister has for sometime now not updated Ghanaians on the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan.

At a news conference dubbed The Update of the Finance Minister and Comments Made by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Adongo alleged that Mr Ofori-Atta purposely failed to inform the public about conditionalities of the IMF government signed onto.

Such as three months upward adjustments of utility tariffs, restrictions on public sector salaries, restructuring of pension funds and local banks, he said.

Mr Adongo alleged that the government was likely to default in the payment of first matured bonds under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

Mr Adongo, also a National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central, questioned Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumias vision for Ghana, particularly when he was hopeful of becoming the next President in 2025.

-GNA
Three more aspirants seeking to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as flagbearer in the 2024 general election have filed their nomination forms to contest the Party's presidential primary.

The three; Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP and Mr Kwadwo Poku, an Energy Expert, filed their nomination forms at the Party's headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra, on Wednesday.

The filing of nomination by the three brings to eight the number of aspirants who have filed to contest the flagbearership of the Party come November 4, 2023.

Already, Mr Alan Kyerematen, a former Trade and Industry Minister, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Mr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Boakye Agyarko, a former Energy Minister and Mr Kofi Konadu Apraku, an Economist, have all filed their nomination forms to contest for the position.

Addressing his teeming supporters after filing the nomination, Mr Kennedy Agyapong said one of his major focuses would be the creation of job opportunities for the youth should he emerge the flagbearer of the Party and, the President of Ghana.

I have visited about 180 constituencies and have come to realise that we as politicians have done a disservice to the nation. We have arable lands and water bodies; we are endowed with so many minerals; there are a lot of opportunities in this country. But everywhere you go, especially Volta Region, the resources are untapped. And I want Ghanaians to give me the opportunity and challenge and I will make sure I turn the fortune of this country around, he said.

He added that: I dont believe in theory. I am a pragmatic person; I believe in practical things. What I saw in Volta Region, what I saw in Afram Plains area and Northern Region, believe me that we can change this country.

Mr Agyapong also promised to deal ruthlessly with corruption and corruption-related issues, stressing that discipline was critical if the country was to attain development.

I believe in accountability, he said, adding that, no member of his government would be spared should they be found guilty of any corruption and corruption-related charges.

He urged his supporters to begin door-to-door campaign for victory on November 4.

Mr Kwabena Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP, also indicated that, Ghana was at a crossroads, and what the country needed urgently was an astute political leadership with a vision that inspired hope in the youth and rekindled the faith of Ghanaians in the constitutional democracy.

That, he said, was what he represented.

Mr Agyepong said he believed in small, lean government machinery that was efficient, effective, and primed to deliver to the aspirations and expectations of the Ghanaian people.

The law should work in this country to stop corruption, to protect individual and property rights, he said.

Mr Kwadwo Poku, an Energy Expert, also promised to address the countrys high unemployment rate through job creation should he emerge victorious as the flagbearer of the NPP and President of Ghana.

He entreated other aspirants to make the election a contest of ideas to enable delegates to choose a flagbearer who could win the Party in the 2024 election.

The NPP opened nomination for its presidential primary on May 26, 2023.

The one-month-long exercise is expected to close on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

The Party has slated August 26 for its Special Elections and November 4, for the National Conference to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 general election.

GNA
President of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) Mr Jephthah Nana Kwame has described as worrying the mass failure of teachers in the licensure exams.

The National Teaching Council recently released results indicating that a total of 6,451 teachers failed the 2023 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination conducted in May 2023, and only 1,277 passed. This was after the teachers wrote the re-sit papers.

Speaking on the Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, President of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana, Jephthah Nana Kwame bemoaned the dashed hopes of these teachers who failed the exams.

Having completed all the required credit hours, passing all the papers at the College of Education, and then going to sit for an NTC exam that will warrant you a license to be able to get to the classroom to teach, only to fail, is very critical and worrying as well, Jephthah Nana Kwame complained.

He said they will engage the failed teachers to ascertain the problems associated with the licensure exams.

I may not be able to give the exact reasons for these results, but we are engaging our people to find out the challenges they might have faced. We will call for an intensive assessment to ascertain why someone was able to pass the College of Education exams but was not able to do the same with the NTC exams. Part of the blame can also be on the students in that they were not able to redeem or defend the good grades they had at the Colleges of Education, he stated.

--citinewsroom
Seneca House Advisors decreased its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) by 1.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 145,764 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,921 shares during the period. Altria Group accounts for about 3.4% of Seneca House Advisors holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Seneca House Advisors holdings in Altria Group were worth $6,504,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,248,000 after acquiring an additional 6,324 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.2% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $974,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 3.4% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,690,000 after acquiring an additional 89,334 shares during the period. Finally, First Western Trust Bank bought a new position in shares of Altria Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $498,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock.

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Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MO traded down $0.36 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $43.71. The stock had a trading volume of 3,241,558 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,911,510. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $40.35 and a 1 year high of $51.57. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $45.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.84. The firm has a market cap of $78.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.59.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.12 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 120.90%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $44.67.

Altria Group Profile

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Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating).

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American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH  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 8,660,000 shares, a decline of 5.1% from the May 15th total of 9,130,000 shares. Currently, 2.6% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 2,310,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.7 days.

American Homes 4 Rent Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AMH opened at $35.09 on Wednesday. American Homes 4 Rent has a one year low of $28.78 and a one year high of $38.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.33, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.67. The companys fifty day moving average price is $34.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.56.

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American Homes 4 Rent Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.51%. American Homes 4 Rents payout ratio is 101.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Insiders Place Their Bets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AMH. JMP Securities cut their target price on shares of American Homes 4 Rent from $42.00 to $38.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. VNET Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of American Homes 4 Rent in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on American Homes 4 Rent in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. They set an equal weight rating and a $31.00 target price on the stock. Oppenheimer reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $31.00 price target on shares of American Homes 4 Rent in a report on Monday, March 6th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on American Homes 4 Rent in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Homes 4 Rent currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.79.

In other news, insider Sara H. Vogt-Lowell sold 8,789 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.88, for a total value of $306,560.32. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 62,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,193,219.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, insider Sara H. Vogt-Lowell sold 8,789 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.88, for a total transaction of $306,560.32. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 62,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,193,219.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Bryan Smith sold 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.25, for a total value of $881,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 94,478 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,330,349.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 91,789 shares of company stock valued at $3,217,810 in the last three months. 6.03% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Homes 4 Rent

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 0.3% in the first quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 93,983 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,956,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its stake in American Homes 4 Rent by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 18,417 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $555,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the period. Prudential PLC lifted its position in American Homes 4 Rent by 1.5% in the first quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 20,896 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $657,000 after purchasing an additional 306 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 25.5% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,753 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 356 shares during the period. Finally, BOKF NA grew its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 0.6% in the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 61,124 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,922,000 after purchasing an additional 369 shares during the last quarter. 83.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About American Homes 4 Rent

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American Homes 4 Rent operates as a real estate investment trust. It engages in the acquisition, renovation, leasing, and operating of single-family homes as rental properties. The company was founded by Bradley Wayne Hughes, Sr. on October 19, 2012 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV.

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One person has died after a shooting Tuesday afternoon behind at the Rio Hills Apartments behind Albemarle Square shopping center north of Charlottesville.

The Albemarle Police Department said it responded at 4:36 p.m. to a report of shots fired in the 1600 block of Rio Hill Drive.

One suspect remains at large, with police presence continued in the area as officers seek their whereabouts. Based on preliminary information, police believe this is a domestic-related incident, the department said in a statement.

The police said they were not prepared to release the victims identity as of Tuesday evening.

Criminal Investigations Division is currently investigating the matter as a homicide case.
Bank of Georgia Group PLC (OTCMKTS:BDGSF  Get Rating) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $39.15 and last traded at $39.15, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $39.15.

Bank of Georgia Group Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average is $36.20.

About Bank of Georgia Group

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Bank of Georgia Group Plc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and wealth management services. It operates through the following business segments: Retail Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and JSC Belarusky Narodny Bank (BNB). The Retail Banking segment provides consumer loans, mortgage loans, overdrafts, credit cards and other credit facilities, funds transfer, and settlement services.

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Buckingham Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 39,083 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,047,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Roberts Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Roberts Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,563 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $978,000 after buying an additional 254 shares during the period. Grassi Investment Management boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 1,054.7% in the first quarter. Grassi Investment Management now owns 36,868 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,931,000 after acquiring an additional 33,675 shares during the last quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 41.9% in the first quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC now owns 52,824 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,767,000 after purchasing an additional 15,596 shares during the period. Seneca House Advisors increased its position in Charles Schwab by 31.5% during the first quarter. Seneca House Advisors now owns 56,059 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,936,000 after purchasing an additional 13,432 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new position in Charles Schwab during the first quarter worth approximately $597,000. 82.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In other Charles Schwab news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown acquired 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $53.47 per share, with a total value of $267,350.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $533,844.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown acquired 5,000 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $53.47 per share, with a total value of $267,350.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $533,844.48. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total transaction of $4,018,646.40. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly 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. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Charles Schwab Price Performance

Several research firms have recently weighed in on SCHW. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their price target for the company from $99.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, Raymond James upgraded Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $63.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, May 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $67.19.

Shares of NYSE:SCHW opened at $53.93 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $52.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.91. The Charles Schwab Co. has a fifty-two week low of $45.00 and a fifty-two week high of $86.63. The company has a market cap of $95.41 billion, a PE ratio of 14.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.88.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. The business 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 businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.77 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.29 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.85%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 27.32%.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

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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.

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China Minsheng Banking (OTCMKTS:CGMBF  Get Rating) is one of 208 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare China Minsheng Banking to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Dividends

China Minsheng Banking pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 25.3%. China Minsheng Banking pays out 8.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 11.6% and pay out 15.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. China Minsheng Banking is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares China Minsheng Banking and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio China Minsheng Banking N/A N/A 0.31 China Minsheng Banking Competitors $3.30 billion $790.24 million 364.48

Analyst Ratings

China Minsheng Bankings peers have higher revenue and earnings than China Minsheng Banking. China Minsheng Banking 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.

This is a summary of current recommendations for China Minsheng Banking and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score China Minsheng Banking 0 1 0 0 2.00 China Minsheng Banking Competitors 976 3001 3044 34 2.30

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 507.94%. Given China Minsheng Bankings peers stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe China Minsheng Banking has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Profitability

This table compares China Minsheng Banking and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets China Minsheng Banking N/A N/A N/A China Minsheng Banking Competitors 35.43% 9.58% 0.78%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

3.6% of China Minsheng Banking shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.4% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 14.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

China Minsheng Banking peers beat China Minsheng Banking on 11 of the 13 factors compared.

About China Minsheng Banking

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China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. provides various financial products and services to individuals, small and micro-enterprises, corporate customers, government agencies, and financial institutions in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, and Others segments. Its deposit products include saving accounts, deposit certificates, contracted deposits, agreement deposits, call deposits, corporate term deposits, and corporate current deposits. The company also offers personal housing mortgage, individual automobile purchase, household composite consumption, home, medium and long term, and short-term working capital loans; micro-credit products for individuals; debit and credit cards; and safe deposit boxes. In addition, it provides payment and collection agent, and clearing services, as well as internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. Further, the company offers gross settlement; wages distribution agency and letter of guarantee; cash management; trade finance; industrial chain finance; individual forex settlement, forex remittance, travelers promissory notes, collection, individual deposit certificate, and guarantee letter products; and comprehensive credit granting, forex settlement and sale, financial product investment, and trust financing services. Additionally, it provides convenient finance, investment banking, and asset management services, as well as non-financial services in the education, business travel, traveler, art, luxury life, health, club, and isports areas. The company has branch-level institutions, business outlets, community sub-branches, and small business sub-branches. China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.

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FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Rating) released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The shipping service provider reported $4.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.09, MarketWatch Earnings reports. FedEx had a return on equity of 17.71% and a net margin of 3.23%. The firm had revenue of $21.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.55 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $6.87 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. FedEx updated its FY24 guidance to $16.50-18.50 EPS.

FedEx Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:FDX traded down $1.67 on Tuesday, hitting $231.79. The company had a trading volume of 5,157,374 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,973,626. FedEx has a 1-year low of $141.92 and a 1-year high of $248.76. The stock has a market cap of $58.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.33. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $226.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $208.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81.

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FedEx Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, June 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.26 per share. This represents a $5.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.17%. This is an increase from FedExs previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 9th. FedExs payout ratio is presently 43.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Insider Buying and Selling at FedEx

FDX has been the subject of several research reports. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of FedEx from $233.00 to $305.00 in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Atlantic Securities began coverage on shares of FedEx in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. They set an overweight rating and a $265.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of FedEx from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of FedEx from $233.00 to $228.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price target on FedEx from $196.00 to $234.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 27th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, FedEx has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $244.21.

In other news, EVP Brie Carere sold 1,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $232.08, for a total value of $406,140.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,616 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,392,081.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Amy B. Lane acquired 830 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $232.88 per share, with a total value of $193,290.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,359 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $549,363.92. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Brie Carere sold 1,750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.08, for a total transaction of $406,140.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,616 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,392,081.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 146,486 shares of company stock worth $34,001,009 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 8.62% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FDX. RB Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of FedEx by 3.3% in the first quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 1,951 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $451,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. AMI Investment Management Inc. increased its position in FedEx by 43.9% during the 1st quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 15,385 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $3,560,000 after purchasing an additional 4,693 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its position in FedEx by 101.5% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 4,274 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $989,000 after purchasing an additional 2,153 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of FedEx by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 148,735 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $34,408,000 after buying an additional 10,731 shares during the period. Finally, Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its position in shares of FedEx by 553.3% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 392 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $91,000 after buying an additional 332 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.39% of the companys stock.

FedEx Company Profile

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FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. The company's FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; time-critical transportation services; and cross-border enablement, technology, and e-commerce transportation solutions.

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Country Club Bank GFN lessened its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Get Rating) by 18.5% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 17,439 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 3,954 shares during the period. Country Club Bank GFNs holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $3,919,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America by 45.6% in the 4th quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 131 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in Laboratory Co. of America in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in Laboratory Co. of America in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America by 186.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 146 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.75% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on LH shares. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $235.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $265.00 to $240.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com upgraded Laboratory Co. of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $304.00 to $288.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 13th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $285.00 to $275.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $273.50.

Insider Activity

Laboratory Co. of America Trading Up 0.6 %

In other news, CEO Paul R. Kirchgraber sold 4,300 shares of Laboratory Co. of America stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $216.91, for a total value of $932,713.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 12,946 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,808,116.86. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In related news, COO Mark S. Schroeder sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $216.77, for a total transaction of $325,155.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 6,687 shares in the company, valued at $1,449,540.99. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, CEO Paul R. Kirchgraber sold 4,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $216.91, for a total value of $932,713.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 12,946 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,808,116.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 9,697 shares of company stock worth $2,137,850. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

NYSE LH traded up $1.29 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $232.76. The stock had a trading volume of 105,014 shares, compared to its average volume of 606,030. The company has a market capitalization of $20.62 billion, a PE ratio of 21.00 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $223.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $232.51. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a twelve month low of $200.32 and a twelve month high of $263.13.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The medical research company reported $3.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.99 by ($0.17). The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.70 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a net margin of 6.78% and a return on equity of 15.56%. The businesss revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $6.11 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 16.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were paid a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.24%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 17th. Laboratory Co. of Americas payout ratio is presently 26.13%.

Laboratory Co. of America Profile

(Get Rating)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

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Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited (OTCMKTS:LMPMY  Get Rating)s share price was down 5.7% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $3.42 and last traded at $3.42. Approximately 164 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 91% from the average daily volume of 1,915 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.62.

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Price Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $3.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.20.

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Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.034 per share. This represents a yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. Lee & Man Paper Manufacturings payout ratio is currently 1.49%.

About Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and trades in packaging papers, pulps, and tissue papers in the People's Republic of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Macau, and Hong Kong. The company operates through Packaging Paper, Tissue Paper, and Pulp segments.

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Nexa Resources (NYSE:NEXA  Get Rating) had its price target lowered by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $5.60 to $4.50 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, The Fly reports. Morgan Stanleys price objective would suggest a potential downside of 7.02% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on NEXA. 500.com reissued a maintains rating on shares of Nexa Resources in a research note on Monday, May 1st. TheStreet lowered shares of Nexa Resources from a c- rating to a d rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Nexa Resources from $9.50 to $8.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and two have issued a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $6.50.

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Nexa Resources Stock Performance

Shares of NEXA traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $4.84. 77,018 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 92,257. Nexa Resources has a fifty-two week low of $4.27 and a fifty-two week high of $7.70. The businesss 50 day moving average is $5.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nexa Resources

Nexa Resources ( NYSE:NEXA Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by ($0.32). The company had revenue of $667.32 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $652.92 million. Nexa Resources had a positive return on equity of 3.45% and a negative net margin of 1.13%. On average, analysts expect that Nexa Resources will post 0.28 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in Nexa Resources by 2,954.7% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,185 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 4,048 shares during the last quarter. PDT Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nexa Resources during the 4th quarter worth $69,000. Balyasny Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Nexa Resources in the 3rd quarter worth about $63,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Nexa Resources in the 4th quarter valued at about $75,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in Nexa Resources during the 1st quarter valued at about $86,000.

About Nexa Resources

(Get Rating)

Nexa Resources SA engages in the production of zinc in Latin America. It operates through the Mining and Smelting segments. The Mining segment comprises of mines located in Peru and Brazil, which includes mineral exploration activities and the production of zinc, copper, and lead concentrates. The Smelting segment consists of facilities that recover and produce metallic zinc, zinc oxide, and by-products.

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Leidos (NYSE:LDOS  Get Rating) and SCSK (OTCMKTS:SCSKF  Get Rating) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Leidos and SCSK, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Leidos 0 3 2 0 2.40 SCSK 2 0 0 0 1.00

Leidos currently has a consensus price target of $103.63, indicating a potential upside of 20.45%. Given Leidos stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Leidos is more favorable than SCSK.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Valuation and Earnings

74.8% of Leidos shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of Leidos shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares Leidos and SCSKs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Leidos $14.40 billion 0.82 $693.00 million $4.86 17.79 SCSK N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Leidos has higher revenue and earnings than SCSK.

Profitability

This table compares Leidos and SCSKs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Leidos 4.60% 21.00% 6.84% SCSK N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Leidos beats SCSK on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Leidos

(Get Rating)

Leidos Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S. Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, the space development agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, defense information systems agency, military services, and government agencies of U.S. allies abroad, as well as other federal and commercial customers in the national security industry. Its solutions include technology, large-scale systems, command and control platforms, data analytics, logistics, and cybersecurity solutions, as well as intelligence analysis and operations support services to critical missions. The Civil segment provides systems integration services to air navigation service providers, including the federal aviation administration, the En route automation modernization, advanced technology oceanic procedure, time based flow management, terminal flight data management, geo-7, and future flight services, as well as enterprise-information display systems; and security detection and automation services. It also offers information technology (IT) solutions in cloud computing, mobility, application modernization, DevOps, data center, network modernization, asset management, help desk operations, and digital workplace enablement; and environment, energy, and infrastructure services. The Health segment offers solutions to federal and commercial customers responsible for health and well-being of people, include health information management, managed health, digital modernization, and life sciences research and development services. Leidos Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

About SCSK

(Get Rating)

SCSK Corporation provides information technology (IT) services in Japan and internationally. It operates through six segments: Industrial IT Business, Financial IT Business, IT Business Solutions, IT Platform Solutions, IT Management Service, and Others. The Industrial IT Business segment offers various IT solutions comprising core systems, manufacturing management systems, information management systems, supply chain management systems, customer relationship management systems, e-commerce systems, and other systems for manufacturing, communication, and energy industries. This segment also develops embedded software for automotive industry. The Financial IT Business segment develops, maintains, and operates systems for banks and trust banks, as well as insurance, securities, lease, and credit companies. The IT Business Solutions segment provides contact center services; and application management outsourcing services that covers development, installation, maintenance, and operation of enterprise resource planning and CRM products, such as ProActive, SAP, Oracle, and Salesforce, as well as business process outsourcing services. The IT Platform Solutions segment provides services and products in the fields of IT infrastructure and manufacturing, including computer-aided design and engineering. The IT Management Service segment develops solutions-oriented netXDC data centers to provide outsourcing services; and provides cloud infrastructure, and on-site SE support management services. The Others segment performs remote development, software development, system operation and management, system equipment sales, and consulting services. The company was formerly known as Sumisho Computer Systems Corporation and changed its name to SCSK Corporation in October 2011. The company was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. SCSK Corporation is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation.

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ  Get Rating) (TSE:CNQ)  Investment analysts at Stifel Firstegy reduced their FY2023 EPS estimates for Canadian Natural Resources in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, June 15th. Stifel Firstegy analyst M. Dunn now anticipates that the oil and gas producer will earn $4.58 per share for the year, down from their previous estimate of $4.65. The consensus estimate for Canadian Natural Resources current full-year earnings is $5.20 per share. Stifel Firstegy also issued estimates for Canadian Natural Resources FY2024 earnings at $4.21 EPS.

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Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.14.

Canadian Natural Resources Price Performance

NYSE:CNQ opened at $53.34 on Monday. Canadian Natural Resources has a one year low of $44.45 and a one year high of $62.57. The company has a market cap of $58.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.58. The firms fifty day moving average price is $57.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $56.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ  Get Rating) (TSE:CNQ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.05. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 20.63% and a return on equity of 29.39%. The firm had revenue of $6.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.26 billion.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Natural Resources

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 6.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 40,235,475 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,493,796,000 after acquiring an additional 2,332,528 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in Canadian Natural Resources by 6.7% during the third quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 20,646,839 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $966,189,000 after buying an additional 1,287,480 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia increased its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources by 32.8% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 19,845,541 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,102,057,000 after buying an additional 4,897,414 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources by 36.6% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 17,233,139 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $953,143,000 after buying an additional 4,618,176 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 16,898,161 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $935,050,000 after buying an additional 1,134,070 shares during the period. 71.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Canadian Natural Resources Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Friday, June 16th will be paid a $0.664 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $2.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.98%. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.02%.

Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals Stock Down 2.9 %

AMPE stock opened at $0.25 on Friday. Ampio Pharmaceuticals has a twelve month low of $0.18 and a twelve month high of $3.11. The stocks 50 day moving average is $0.25 and its 200-day moving average is $0.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.74 million, a PE ratio of -0.13 and a beta of 1.48.

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Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Monday, March 27th. The specialty pharmaceutical company reported ($0.18) earnings per share for the quarter.

Institutional Trading of Ampio Pharmaceuticals

About Ampio Pharmaceuticals

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. HRT Financial LP increased its position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 1,399.2% during the first quarter. HRT Financial LP now owns 217,052 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 202,574 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals during the first quarter valued at approximately $168,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 73.5% during the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 394,100 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 166,979 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals during the second quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP increased its position in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 304.3% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 432,216 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 325,300 shares during the last quarter. 19.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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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.

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A Maryland man accused of murder in connection with a Wintergreen police officers shooting death June 16 is facing updated charges, according to online court records.

Virginia State Police said Daniel M. Barmak, of Towson, Maryland, is charged with one count each of capital murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony in connection with the shooting death of officer Mark Christopher Chris Wagner II. He also faces two counts of malicious wounding.

Nelson General District Court records as of Tuesday afternoon show Barmak, 23, is charged with aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer and one count each of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, malicious wounding and possession of a Schedule I/Schedule II drug.

Barmaks preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Nelson General District Court.

The incident began shortly after 10 p.m. June 16 when an emergency call came into the Wintergreen Police Department about two people being assaulted at the residence they were all staying at on Arrowood Lane in the Wintergreen community of Nelson County, a news release from state police said.

After calling police, the two injured men fled the residence on foot. The two 23-year-old men were both taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, the release said.

Wagner, 31, was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the residence. He encountered Barmak in the woods and a struggle ensued, the release said.

During the course of the struggle over Wagners department-issued handgun, Barmak shot and killed the officer, the release said. Barmak was also shot during the encounter.

Wintergreen police and the Nelson County Sheriffs Office took Barmak into custody without further incident. Barmak was taken to UVA Medical Center for treatment of a non-life threatening injury sustained during the incident, the release said.

Inside the residence, state police recovered illegal narcotics, the release said. Wagners department-issued handgun was recovered at the shooting scene in the woods.

Barmak is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. He is represented by attorney Scott De Bruin, online court records show.

Funeral arrangements have been finalized for Wagner. Visitation is 10 a.m. to noon Monday, June 26, at Augusta Expo Event Center, 277 Expo Road, Fishersville. The funeral service is at noon. Visitation and the service are open to the public.
StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Holly Energy Partners (NYSE:HEP  Get Rating) in a research note published on Sunday morning. The firm issued a buy rating on the pipeline companys stock.

Holly Energy Partners Price Performance

Shares of HEP stock opened at $17.94 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $17.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $17.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The firm has a market cap of $2.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.13 and a beta of 0.90. Holly Energy Partners has a 12 month low of $15.12 and a 12 month high of $19.85.

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Holly Energy Partners (NYSE:HEP  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.42 by $0.03. Holly Energy Partners had a return on equity of 24.44% and a net margin of 39.39%. The firm had revenue of $143.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $124.62 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.45 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 19.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Holly Energy Partners will post 2.06 EPS for the current year.

Holly Energy Partners Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Holly Energy Partners

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st were issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 28th. Holly Energy Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.10%.

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. ING Groep NV increased its position in shares of Holly Energy Partners by 110.9% during the 4th quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 129,300 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,343,000 after purchasing an additional 68,000 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Holly Energy Partners during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Tortoise Index Solutions LLC increased its holdings in shares of Holly Energy Partners by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. Tortoise Index Solutions LLC now owns 55,319 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,600,000 after acquiring an additional 12,571 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Income Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Holly Energy Partners during the 4th quarter worth approximately $8,946,000. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Holly Energy Partners by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 4,598,902 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $83,332,000 after acquiring an additional 54,275 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 25.30% of the companys stock.

Holly Energy Partners Company Profile

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Holly Energy Partners, L.P. provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage, and throughput services to the petroleum industry in the United States. It operates through two segments, Pipelines and Terminals; and Refinery Processing Unit. The company operates refined product pipelines that transport conventional gasolines, reformulated gasolines, and low-octane gasolines for oxygenate blending, as well as sulfur diesel and jet fuels, and liquefied petroleum gases; intermediate product pipelines that transport intermediate feedstocks and crude oils; and oil trunk, gathering, and connection pipelines that delivers crude oil.

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Stokes Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Get Rating) by 0.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,469 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 100 shares during the quarter. Stokes Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $1,559,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Providence Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Morris Financial Concepts Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 524.4% during the 4th quarter. Morris Financial Concepts Inc. now owns 256 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. acquired a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 70.5% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 283 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares National Muni Bond ETF Trading Down 0.2 %

iShares National Muni Bond ETF stock traded down $0.22 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $106.65. 573,460 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,569,958. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $106.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.74. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $101.35 and a fifty-two week high of $108.82.

iShares National Muni Bond ETF Profile

iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index).

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The Lion Electric Company (NYSE:LEV  Get Rating) saw a large decline in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,990,000 shares, a decline of 6.3% from the May 15th total of 10,660,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 842,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 11.9 days. Currently, 10.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Power Corp of Canada increased its holdings in Lion Electric by 14.6% during the 4th quarter. Power Corp of Canada now owns 77,143,685 shares of the companys stock worth $172,802,000 after purchasing an additional 9,842,519 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in shares of Lion Electric by 2,691.8% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 775,613 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,218,000 after acquiring an additional 747,831 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lion Electric in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,127,000. State Street Corp purchased a new position in shares of Lion Electric in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,517,000. Finally, HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lion Electric in the 1st quarter valued at about $630,000. 42.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Lion Electric Price Performance

NYSE:LEV opened at $1.91 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 3.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stocks fifty day moving average is $2.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.17. Lion Electric has a 52 week low of $1.68 and a 52 week high of $5.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $416.53 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 191.19 and a beta of 2.12.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Lion Electric ( NYSE:LEV Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.10) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by $0.03. Lion Electric had a negative return on equity of 17.77% and a net margin of 0.05%. The company had revenue of $54.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $52.96 million. Research analysts anticipate that Lion Electric will post -0.38 EPS for the current year.

LEV has been the topic of several recent research reports. National Bankshares lowered their target price on Lion Electric from $3.50 to $3.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 13th. Raymond James lowered their target price on Lion Electric from $4.50 to $2.50 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. DA Davidson lowered their target price on Lion Electric from $5.00 to $4.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 13th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Lion Electric in a report on Monday, March 20th. They set a market perform rating and a $2.00 target price on the stock. Finally, R. F. Lafferty began coverage on Lion Electric in a report on Monday, March 27th. They set a buy rating and a $7.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lion Electric presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $3.67.

Lion Electric Company Profile

(Get Rating)

The Lion Electric Company designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes purpose-built all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles in North America. The company's products include battery systems, chassis, bus bodies, and truck cabins. It also distributes truck and bus parts, as well as accessories.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Westlake Chemical Partners (NYSE:WLKP  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report published on Saturday.

Several other research firms also recently commented on WLKP. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Westlake Chemical Partners from $32.00 to $26.00 in a report on Sunday, May 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of Westlake Chemical Partners from $28.00 to $27.00 in a report on Monday, May 22nd.

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Westlake Chemical Partners Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of WLKP stock opened at $21.68 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $21.92 and a 200-day moving average of $22.65. The company has a quick ratio of 4.41, a current ratio of 4.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Westlake Chemical Partners has a 12-month low of $18.58 and a 12-month high of $26.25. The firm has a market cap of $763.57 million, a P/E ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 1.00.

Westlake Chemical Partners Dividend Announcement

Westlake Chemical Partners ( NYSE:WLKP Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $307.68 million during the quarter. Westlake Chemical Partners had a net margin of 4.09% and a return on equity of 6.77%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Westlake Chemical Partners will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were given a dividend of $0.471 per share. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.69%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. Westlake Chemical Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 105.59%.

Institutional Trading of Westlake Chemical Partners

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Westlake Chemical Partners by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 569,693 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $12,539,000 after buying an additional 19,644 shares in the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its position in Westlake Chemical Partners by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 473,897 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $11,137,000 after purchasing an additional 2,290 shares during the period. UBS Group AG raised its position in Westlake Chemical Partners by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 452,561 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $9,961,000 after purchasing an additional 13,296 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in Westlake Chemical Partners by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 351,880 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $8,269,000 after purchasing an additional 15,192 shares during the period. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Westlake Chemical Partners by 2,101.0% in the 1st quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 206,894 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $207,000 after purchasing an additional 197,494 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 30.53% of the companys stock.

About Westlake Chemical Partners

(Get Rating)

Westlake Chemical Partners LP engages in the operation, acquisition and development of ethylene production facilities and related assets. It is also involved in the manufacture and marketing of basic chemicals, polymers, and fabricated building products. The company was founded on March 14, 2014 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

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One of the two groups suing the city of Charlottesville in hopes of obtaining the bronze statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that formerly stood in a downtown park has dropped out of the suit.

One month after the presiding judge denied it the right to stay in the case with a modified name, the Ratcliffe Foundation has quit the case via a June 12 filing in Charlottesville Circuit Court.

The move, however, poses as many questions as it answers because Virginia allows a plaintiff that hits a roadblock to withdraw or "nonsuit" then refile within six months.

At issue is a larger-than-life equestrian bronze of the defeated general that stood in what was long called Lee Park, the site of the Unite the Right rally-turned-riot on Aug. 12, 2017, a day that ended with the death of an anti-racist protester and the toxic equation in many minds of Charlottesville and racial strife.

Ratcliffe sued after allegedly getting stymied by city officials in its pursuit to obtain the Lee statue. The group wants to place Lee and other cast-off statues on a sprawling tract it owns in Russell County, near the southwest tip of Virginia.

"We are certainly interested," Sam Varney, the secretary-treasurer of the foundation, told The Daily Progress.

Varney said that the Ratcliffe Foundation owns 4,100 acres and has two historic houses, including one they call the "Governor's Mansion" because the 47th Virginia governor, Henry Carter Stuart, lived there. However, a site closer to the foundation's 1858 house where a brother to Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart later dwelt, Ellenbrook, is the more accessible location for monuments, Varney said.

"We've got the place for all the monuments we can get," Varney said.

Ratcliffe contends that it began expressing interest in the Lee statue shortly after its removal in July 2021 from what is now called Market Street Park in Charlottesville.

"Our client is not interested in simply relocating the statues and rebuilding monuments to the past," a Ratcliffe lawyer wrote in October, 2021. "Instead they are keen on developing a series of exhibits and programming that will appropriately display the monuments as historic artifacts."

Located in an economically challenged part of the commonwealth, Ratcliffe also described its plan as a tourist draw.

"The Southwest Historic Monuments Trail could attract up to 40,000 visitors annually, creating significant new tax revenue for the region."

Charlottesville City Council, however, warmed to a local proposal from the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center whose project name borrowed a historic allusion to peacetime: Swords Into Plowshares. And the proposal had some symbolic destruction, or at least catharsis, in its plan. It would melt down the controversial Lee and craft a new statue from the bronze.

On December 7, 2021, City Council chose Swords Into Plowshares. Two weeks later, Ratcliffe and the Louisa County-based Trevillian Battlefield Foundation, joined forces to sue.

The Swords Into Plowshares side denigrates the other side's quest for the Lee statue as legal harassment.

"This use of the legal system to thwart the will of the Charlottesville people by outside entities sadly continues a long history of white supremacist attempts to intimidate and harass Black-centered organizations," the center wrote in a recent statement to the media.

Although no longer a defendant, the center remains a "party" to the lawsuit, with its attorney Christopher Tate shouldering many key arguments. Earlier this month, Tate filed a plea in bar, a legal document which is sometimes called a peremptory plea because it attempts a knock-out punch before trial.

Neither plaintiff's attorney Ralph Main nor opposing counsel Tate responded to a request for comment from The Daily Progress on Wednesday. But their battle, like the ones that raged on either side of the Mason-Dixon Line about 160 years ago, shows little sign of a truce.

"Neither plaintiff can present a justiciable controversy," Tate wrote in his new filing.

"The Center is improperly attempting to shortcut a trial," the Trevillian Battlefield Foundation fired back.

Both sides plan to be back in court on June 27 to argue these issues, but a trial date remains to be set.
The second largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, Bajaj Auto forayed into the two-wheeler market in 1972 by launching the famous Bajaj Chetak. Now, after the success of 50 years, the company is gearing up to release multiple e-2Ws by aiming at the eco-friendly market space.



Also read: Rajiv Bajaj's Elon Musk-inspired 'humanly possible' remark about EVs



Rajiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Auto, said that he was fortunate enough to be a part of the brand when it transitioned from scooters to motorcycles. Our goal 30 years ago was to be the world's most versatile and complete motorcycle maker, which I think we have achieved. We became the world's most valuable motorcycle manufacturer last year, he said, hoping to do the same with electric vehicles.



In an interview with Network18, Rajiv said that he will be heading to the British motorcycle brand Triumphs launch in London, to unveil their joint product after announcing their collaboration for the first time in 2017.



The production will begin in early July and deliveries will also begin in July. Obviously, more details about the product and prices will be released closer to the launch. We are trying our very best to hold the price closer to Rs 2.5 lakh and not at Rs 3 lakh, said the MD, adding that their new plant in Chakan has the capacity to manufacture about 6,000 to 8,000 Triumph motorcycles per month.



Bajaj has consciously chosen to focus on the 125cc Plus segment with a lesser focus on the 100cc segment, as three factors influence the decision. One, it is the customer whose sentiment was most impacted by the lockdown. Secondly, that is where petrol prices hurt the most. I think people are being beamed by EVs there, more than in any other segment. And finally, the premiumisation to 125cc is the third factor, he added.



Also read: Rajiv Bajaj 'inspired' by Siddharth Lal's success with Royal Enfield



As far as exports are concerned, from an average of 2,00,000 vehicles a month, a few months ago, we had come down to almost half at 1,00,000-1,10,000 a month. This month, it looks more like 140,000 and hopefully next quarter is more like 1,50,000, the MD said.



Post the devaluation of the Nigerian currency Naira, Bajaj says that there is a lot of uncertainty in the market. One day, we hear of three-wheelers being banned in Egypt, the next day, it's motorcycles being banned in Iraq. Or the next day, Argentina says it can deal only with RMB, and the next day, Nigeria devalues its currency, he said, hoping to make a comeback by producing 75 percent of the normal demand. In the bigger picture, price increases do get absorbed, consumers do adapt, as what we are selling them is not luxury but something they need, Rajiv added.



The Bajaj Auto MD also commented on the discontinuation of FAME subsidies from March 24. The earlier, the better, he said, adding that many innovations have come into the ICE space over the last 30 years without any subsidy. He further added that the idea of subsidy does not translate to sustainability and that he hopes to move into expanding the environment of EVs.
Bikar Aerospace GmbH, a German supplier of aerospace materials, chose Belagavi Aerospace Cluster (BAC) in India to establish its advanced aerospace service centre. The move will allow Bikar to cater to aerospace manufacturing units in India's aerospace triangle of Belagavi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The company plans to have the new location fully operational by the first quarter of 2024. BAC, operated by Aequs Infrastructure, provides a suitable environment for Bikar's operations as it hosts more than 30 manufacturing units and is strategically located. Aravind Melligeri, Chairman & CEO of Aequs, welcomed Bikar Aerospace to BAC, stating We are excited with the addition of Bikar to the Aerospace Ecosystem at BAC, Indias first notified precision engineering and manufacturing SEZ. BAC hosts a vertically integrated manufacturing ecosystem with co-located capabilities that deliver an end-to-end manufacturing value stream. Bikars choice of the BAC bears testimony to its success and utility to global Aerospace OEMs for quality services ranging from raw materials to globally approved capabilities offered by manufacturing units within the cluster". Also Read: Akasa Air to buy 4 more Boeing 737 Max planes; 'three-digit' aircraft order this year Bikar, a family-owned company with over 60 years of experience, is known for its expertise in distributing non-ferrous metals. Alex Bikar, CEO of Bikar Aerospace GmbH, expressed excitement about expanding into India while strengthening the company's position in the aerospace market. The Aerospace Service Centre in Belagavi is expected to support Biakar's growth, he said. Bikar's presence at the BAC will help it in catering to diverse customer requirements. With the new plant, the company aims to strengthen its global presence and contribute to the advancement of the aviation industry. Aequs Infrastructure, besides operating the BAC, provides infrastructure and industrialisation support for various industries, including manufacturing, engineering, and IT/BT sectors.

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Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said on Tuesday that the electric carmaker is looking to invest in India "as soon as humanly possible."



His comments followed a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York during Modi's state visit to the United States. A source previously told Reuters that Musk would brief Modi on plans to set up a manufacturing base in India.



Catch live updates of the PM's visit here



"I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk said when asked by reporters about Tesla's plan to invest in India, adding he intended to visit the country next year.







"I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we'll be able to announce something in the not too distant future," he added.



Musk said he is "a fan" of Modi and noted the prime minister visited a Tesla factory in California several years ago, according to video from Indian broadcaster ANI on Twitter.



"India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (Modi) really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing," Musk said.



India has strong potential for a sustainable energy future including solar power, stationary battery packs and electric vehicles, he said. Musk, also CEO of SpaceX, said it hopes to bring Starlink satellite internet service to India as well.



Executives of Tesla visited India and held talks with Indian bureaucrats and ministers last month on establishing a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in India.



Musk said last month Tesla would probably pick a location for a new factory by the end of this year, adding India was an interesting place for a new plant.



U.S. companies need to reduce reliance on China as a manufacturing base in the face of tensions between Washington and Beijing. Tesla last year shelved its India entry plans due to high import tax structures.



Modi's meeting with Musk, who owns Twitter, came days after Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey accused India of threatening to shut down the platform for not complying with content takedown orders during a 2020-2021 protest. India called the allegation an "outright lie".



Musk has not commented on the episode, which caused a political storm in India.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on June 20 said that the electric carmaker is looking to invest in India "as soon as humanly possible", following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York during PM Modi's state visit to the United States.



I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we'll be able to announce something in the not-too-distant future, the Tesla CEO said.



Musk mentioned that the Prime Minister is pushing foreign business leaders to make significant investments in India. "We just have to figure out the right timing. He wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open and supportive to the companies. And obviously, at the same time, make sure that it accrues to India's advantage," he added.



Also Read: I am a fan of Modi, says Elon Musk after meeting PM



The billionaire entrepreneur and chief executive of SpaceX hopes to bring Starlink satellite internet service to the country, which, he feels will help internet penetration in rural India.



Recently, SpaceX executives revived talks with the telecom ministry in India for setting up satellite internet service Starlink in the country, according to TechCrunch, a popular Silicon Valley technology news site.



In late 2021, Starlink registered its business in India and roped in a top executive to manage the local business.



Also Read: PM Modi looks to solidify Indias tech ambition with US state visit



Sanjay Bhargava, the CEO appointed for Starlink India, resigned weeks later after the Centre ordered the SpaceX division to stop taking orders for the devices as it didnt have the license to operate in the country.



In a LinkedIn post, Bhargava said he has stepped down as country director and board chairman due to personal reasons.



Last year, Starlink told its members that New Delhi had asked the company to refund all its pre-orders until it receives licences to operate in the country.



Starlink received more than 5,000 pre-orders for its devices in India but was struggling to receive commercial licences without which it cannot offer services in India.



Further, the Centre had advised people against subscribing to Starlink without a licence and ordered the company to refrain from taking bookings and rendering. services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden are expected to announce a mega defence deal during their upcoming meeting this week in Washington DC. After the US government gave the go-ahead to General Electric (GE) to transfer jet engine manufacturing technology to India, the two sides reached an in-principle agreement on the deal. Bharat Forge CMD Baba Kalyani, in an interview with CNBC-TV18, said there is a huge opportunity for small, medium & large sectors that are participating in the prgramme once the deal is inked between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). "When we talk about fighter jets and engines, there are over 300 technologies that are used in making jet engines...I think there is going to be a large space for small, medium and large sectors to participate in this programme because one country alone cannot do everything by itself," he said. He further added that there will also be a huge horizontal deployment of these technologies coming to India through the transfer of jet engine technology to HAL. The American defence company will be entering into an agreement with HAL to co-produce jet engines in India. The technology will power India's fighter jet programme once the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is operationalised.

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This week, five clinicians from Zambia are visiting the University of Virginia Division of Cardiovascular Medicine to gain experience in advanced cardiovascular care. The visit is a part of an ongoing partnership with Zambian clinicians to bridge the gap in cardiovascular treatment offered in Zambia.

The clinicians, along with two others who have already visited and one who has yet to arrive, are physicians and nurses from Zambias National Heart Hospital and the Morningstar Clinic. Working with UVa clinicians and cardiologists, the trainees are gaining experience in advanced cardiac monitoring and diagnostic services such as stress testing, right heart catheterization and other forms of hemodynamic assessment, according to Dr. Sula Mazimba, associate professor of medicine at UVa.

Hemodynamic assessment is a form of diagnostic testing more invasive than taking blood pressure or pulse rates, and involves going into the heart to see how it is working. Right heart catheterization has clinicians insert a small, thin tube called a catheter into the heart. Stress testing allows doctors to see how well the heart handles stress, such as from exercise.

Sometimes patients with coronary artery disease will have functional limitations, Mazimba told The Daily Progress. When patients come to the hospital clinic, theyre sitting, but theyre telling you that when they walk, they have shortness of breath. So we sometimes put patients on the treadmill and monitor them to see exactly what happens.

UVa clinicians have visited Zambia multiple times since 2018 to work with physicians in an effort to bridge the experience gap, said Mazimba, who is from Zambia. While they may have the necessary infrastructure and knowledge, clinicians in Zambia dont necessarily have the experience to perform more complicated procedures.

And with a high burden of cardiovascular disease in Zambia and few experts in the field, they need all the help they can get, Mazimba said. In particular, there is a high prevalence of rheumatic fever, which can occur as collateral damage of a strep infection. Antibodies produced to fight a strep infection attack valves in the heart, a process called molecular mimicry.

In the future, Mazimba said he hopes Zambian clinicians will be able to perform complex heart surgeries, the focus of the teams most recent visit to Zambia in March. One of those surgeries was an ascending aortic replacement surgery, which involves inserting a graft into the heart and reconnecting the coronary arteries.

In July, the team plans to return to Zambia to set up a right heart catheterization program, which will be used to diagnose patients with pulmonary hypertension and unspecified shortness of breath, as well as to categorize type and severity of heart failure.

The team will also screen patients to gauge need and qualifications for valvuloplasty, a procedure that allows clinicians to relieve hypertension without opening the chest. The team will then visit again early next year to perform those procedures, which go through the groin to insert a balloon in the heart, opening the narrowed heart valve.

I have very close connections to the country, Mazimba said. I love to be involved, in terms of knowledge transfer, to give back to the country.
Amid a series of corporate governance lapses in the Indian startup ecosystem, Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys and Axilor Ventures, which backs early-stage companies, on June 21 urged investors to have patience and not push founders for immediate results.



Gopalakrishnans comments come at a time when Ashwin Swaminathan and Rajat Gupta, founders of Mojocare, a heathtech startup, admitted that they inflated sales bills and overstated revenues to meet investor targets. A group of investors, which includes Chiratae Venture, B Capital and others, have appointed Deloitte to conduct a forensic audit of the company.



The Mojocare episode is a repeat of what had happened at GoMechanic. In January 2023, the founders of the car-servicing startup said that they got carried away, took the growth at-all-costs path and cooked books to show higher sales figures.



The Indian startup ecosystem is the third-largest in the world behind the United States and China. Gopalakrishnan said India is well positioned to grow to a $30-$40 trillion economy over the years, up from about $3.75 trillion, which augurs well for new-age companies.



Opportunities in the Indian economy and startup ecosystem are real. VCs and investors should not push startups to higher valuations - valuations are (a) result of performance; sometimes (that) takes more time, he tweeted.



At the same time, Request startup founders to have patience and build businesses with strong fundamentals. Do not take shortcuts. Negative costs are high, he added.



Negative costs would mean more difficulty in raising capital, stricter due diligence and the like when startups are already struggling to raise money.



While GoMechanic and Mojocare came on the radar more recently, there have been several such cases in the past year or so in the Indian startup ecosystem.



Earlier this month, Info Edge, the largest shareholder of Broker Network, Rahul Yadavs second startup, also initiated a forensic audit at Broker Network. Yadav is infamous for the fiasco at Housing.com.



Fintech unicorn BharatPe, tech and commerce platform Zilingo, and lifestyle video app Trell are some of the other startups that find a mention in the list of new-age companies with corporate governance issues.
Kitchenware and home appliances manufacturer Greenchef Appliances Ltd. has issued a fresh offering of 61,63,200 shares. Priced in the range of Rs. 82 - 87 per share, the company aims to raise Rs. 53.62 crore through its initial public offering (IPO).



The subscription for the IPO will open on June 23 and the bidding process will end on June 27. The company's shares will be listed on NSE Emerge, a dedicated platform for small and medium enterprises.



Based in Bengaluru, the company specializes in manufacturing and marketing kitchen appliances in the brown goods segment of consumer durables.



Greenchef primarily produces LPG gas stoves, pressure cookers, non-stick cookware, and wet grinders in the kitchen utensils category. It has recently expanded into the production of induction cooktops and irons, among other home appliances.



According to its annual report, the company operates three manufacturing units in Karnataka and one in Himachal Pradesh. It sells its products through 107 authorized dealers across 15 states, as well as through e-commerce platforms such as Flipkart India Private Limited, Jiomart, Bigbasket, and Amazon Seller Services Private Limited. Additionally, it reportedly has marketing agreements with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.



In FY22, Greenchef's revenue from operations increased to Rs. 335.78 crore from Rs. 238.99 crore in FY21. However, the EBITDA margin for FY22 declined to 2.17 percent compared to the previous year, and the profit after tax (PAT) also decreased to Rs. 76.54 lakh from Rs. 2.51 crore in FY21.



Also read Veefin Solutions IPO opens June 22; check offer price, other details



In the brown goods segment, Greenchef Appliances Ltd. faces competition from domestic kitchenware and appliance majors such as TTK Prestige, Stove Craft, Hawkins, and Butterfly Gandhimathi.



Although a significant portion of Greenchef's revenue in FY22 came from the sale of gas stoves, accounting for 41.63 percent of earnings, the company ranked fifth in the stoves and hobs segment, lagging behind its peers.



The company's consolidated inventory for FY22 increased and was valued at Rs. 67.06 crore, compared to Rs. 42.75 crore and Rs. 36.10 crore in the previous financial years. The prospectus also reveals that the company borrowed a total of Rs. 43.77 crore from banks, resulting in an increased debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29 in FY22, up from 1.02 in FY21.



As mentioned in the prospectus, Greenchef Appliances intends to utilize the proceeds from the IPO to fund capital expenditure for additional plant and machinery, construct a factory building, and meet working capital requirements.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Veefin Solutions Limiteds Rs 46.73-crore initial public offering (IPO) opens for subscription on June 22, with the issue price set at Rs 82 a share. The 5,699,200-share issue, which closes on June 26, will be launched on the BSE as a small and medium enterprise (SME) IPO.



The company is offering a fresh issue of 2,849,600 shares aggregating up to Rs 23.37 crore.



The company is engaged in supply chain finance tech solutions and digital lending suite solutions segments. Veefin Solutions' client list includes banks, non-banking financial institutions, fintech and marketplaces. Corporates such as Yes Bank, IndusInd Bank, Indian Bank, Citi Bank, BRAC, VP Bank, Riyadh Bank, Aditya Birla Capital, Mintifi and Ambit Finvest are among its corporate clients.



The financials



Veefins revenue for FY23 increased 93 percent year-on-year to Rs 12.7 crore in January 2023. The fintech solution companys net profit grew 400 percent year-on-year to Rs 3.5 crore for the same period.



The company does not have any direct peers. There are no listed companies in India and abroad that are engaged in developing a similar line of product solution to that of our company, Veefin said in its prospectus.



Veefin said its current expenditure is not fit to support the long and expensive process of software product development in a sufficient and timely manner. The SME also disclosed its directors and group companies as party to certain tax proceedings, which could potentially impact the companys business, results of operations, and financial conditions.



"Our digital lending and supply chain finance technology product solutions may not be protected by all intellectual property laws and does not have any copyright," it said. The company also reported negative cash flows for two consecutive years in January 2023.



The proceeds from the IPO would be used for funding global sales and marketing expenditures, developing new products or enhancement and maintenance, upgrading or updating existing products, and general corporate purposes, reported Veefin.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Even as the benchmark indices scale new highs, much of the action is taking place in mid and small-cap stocks.



The Nifty Midcap 100 Index recently reached a record high and surpassed the 35,600 mark. Over the past three months, the index has risen almost 20 percent compared with a 10 percent increase in the Nifty.



According to CLSA, the 100-stock index on the National Stock Exchange may still have a 13 percent upside potential. CLSA analyst Laurence Balanco advises investors to focus on midcap stocks for potential outperformance, citing current market conditions and the breakout in the midcap segment.



Moneycontrol compiled a list of five midcap stocks with the maximum return potential, based on coverage by at least 10 analysts.







Federal Bank: Of 40 analysts covering this stock, 36 have given it a buy rating, suggesting a potential upside of more than 35 percent from the current market price (CMP).



JPMorgan recently initiated an overweight rating and viewed the bank's share price as having a positive balance of risk-reward. The primary attraction of the stock, according to the brokerage, is its relatively stronger liability franchise compared to its midcap bank peers, especially in an environment of tight loan and deposit ratios (LDR).



Although the stock has outperformed the Bank Nifty over the past year, it has faced some struggles on a year-to-date basis. Valuations are supportive, at 1.1 times the FY24 price-to-book value compared to midcap peers.



Max Financial Services: Of 15 analysts covering the stock, 14 have given it a buy rating, according to a Bloomberg consensus rating, suggesting a potential upside of 35 percent. Yes Securities said the company's relatively stable, non-cyclical business model, reflected in its lower linkage to equity markets and high-quality underwriting standards over an extended period of time, is the reason for initiating coverage on this stock.



Coromandel International: Of 13 analysts covering the stock, 11 have given it a buy rating, according to a Bloomberg consensus rating, suggesting a potential upside of 26 percent. The company is a leading agri-solution provider, offering diverse products and services across the farming value chain. It operates in two major segments: nutrients and other allied businesses, and crop protection. Additionally, the company has announced its entry into specialty and industrial chemicals, contract development, and manufacturing businesses. With its robust position in India's phosphatic fertiliser market, strong operating efficiency, diversified product portfolio, and robust balance sheet, the company seems well-positioned to capture opportunities in the Indian market.



Indian Bank: The stock has mustered gains of almost 100 percent over the past year. However, on a year-to-date basis, it has declined by more than 5 percent. Currently, 10 out of 11 analysts have a buy rating on the stock and suggest a potential return of about 26 percent. The bank benefits from stable net interest margins and a decline in provisioning. The management expects loan growth of 10-12 percent for FY24. The stock is still expected to deliver positive returns.



Sun TV Networks: Of 19 analysts covering the stock, 13 have a buy rating and suggest a potential upside of almost 25 percent. A leading regional broadcaster in India that owns and operates a bouquet of 32 TV channels prominently across the southern market. The company, which is touted as an acquisition candidate, has a low dividend pay-out with a mountain of cash, raising fears of capital misallocation. Events surrounding acquisition and/or increased pay-out may drive a significant re-rating of the stock, according to Dart brokerage.
Shares of HDFC Bank jumped nearly 1.5 percent in the early trade on June 21, as Goldman Sachs reinstated its buy rating on the stock and raised its target price from Rs 1,840 to Rs 2,050 a share, a 21 percent upside from the current market price.



Indias largest private sector bank is expected to emerge stronger after the merger with HDFC Limited, Goldman Sachs said in its report on June 21. It forecasts sector-leading earnings growth of 18 percent during FY23-26. This will be on the back of superior return ratios with a huge degree of earnings visibility in FY23-26.



The stock currently trades at 14.6x standalone FY24 earnings per share (EPS) estimate and is expected to continue with strong balance-sheet growth and superior profitability, the report said



Follow our live blog for all the market action



Not just Goldman Sachs, several brokerages, too, see high growth for the private sector lender.



Motilal Oswal



The brokerage house said in a recent report that the HDFC Bank is well-positioned to lead new-age banking. The brokerage house has given a potential upside of 21 percent with a target price of Rs 1,950.



The bank is well positioned to lead new-age banking. At its analyst day meet, HDFCB management highlighted how the bank is getting future-ready by focusing on strengthening its digital capabilities and sustainable growth after the merger while maintaining RoA at the current level, the report said.



The bank plans to announce various initiatives to provide a superior experience to customers, it said.



Also Read: HDFC Life gains after HDFC's additional stake buy gets CCI's green signal



Growth is likely to be broad-based, mainly driven by technology and expanding distribution network, while improved cross-selling will further augment revenue growth, the report said.



The bank said that the cost-to-income (C/I) ratio may remain sticky for the near term but could decline to 30 percent over the next 10 years.



HDFCB remains one of our preferred picks and we maintain our buy rating with a TP (target price) of INR 1,950, it said.



Prabhudas Lilladher



Brokerage firm Prabhudas Lilladher also has retained its buy rating on the stock in a recent report, with target price of Rs 1925, a potential upside of more than 20 percent. The focus of the bank is now shifting from product to customer, it said



HDFC Bank has given a return of 0.50 percent over the last six months against benchmark Nifty Bank gaining 3.02 percent during the period.



At 10.05 am, the stock was trading 0.94 percent higher at Rs 1,622.55 on the National Stock Exchange.



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.




Zinc prices registered a significant drop of 2 per cent overnight, reflecting a continuing downward trend. The decline in zinc prices can be attributed to weak demand, coupled with an increase in smelter supply. The profitability of mines too has suffered, particularly due to sluggishness in the steel sector, which has impacted the demand for galvanizing. On a monthly basis, prices have fallen by 2.5%, while the year-till-date decline stands at a substantial 34%. In March 2022, zinc was valued at $4896 per tonne, but by May 2023, the price had plummeted to $2215. The prices have recovered slightly in June to $2370. In response to these challenges, Swedish producer Boliden has decided to to halt operations at its Irish facilities, including the Tara Zinc mine, as the mine's cash flow turned negative. The closure of the mine is also adding to the strain on zinc supply. Furthermore, smelters have been charging miners higher fees, as evidenced by the global treatment charges. This year, these charges rose to $274 per tonne compared to $230 in 2022. Interestingly, China has been increasing its import of zinc concentrates, with a rise of 13% in 2022 and a further 21% growth reported thus far in 2023. This suggests that China is actively stockpiling zinc reserves. Money managers have taken note of the situation, as reflected in the significant number of LME zinc shorts, which currently stands at 10,295 contracts. This indicates a bearish sentiment towards zinc in the market.

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IndiGo, Indias largest carrier, started off the Paris Air Show with a bang by signing a purchase agreement for 500 A320neo aircraft.



The new order, the largest in the history of aviation, was signed at a time when IndiGo has a pipeline of around 470 aircraft still to be delivered by 2029.



This historic deal is pegged at $50 billion at list prices, and the airline will take delivery of these new aircraft between 2030 and 2035.



However, the actual cost of acquisition is expected to be significantly lower, as such big deals happen at a substantial discount to list prices.



IndiGo now has a backlog of over 970 aircraft from Airbus. This is over double the total order Air India has placed with Airbus and Boeing.



So, why has Indias largest airline placed a new order for jets?



Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IndiGo, said that the airline's record order for 500 A320 family aircraft will give the budget carrier ample time to plan out its future.



"The new order speaks about the growth potential that Indian aviation holds. It gives IndiGo time to elaborately plan our domestic and international network and also our pilot requirements, going forward," Elbers said.



He added that IndiGo will look to double its current fleet by 2030 and has plenty of time and flexibility to decide on the specific aircraft to buy under the current order of 500 planes.



Fleet expansion and betting on the long-term potential of India  are these the only reasons for the new order?



According to aviation analysts, officials, and experts, IndiGos new order not only secures its own future and profitability but also makes it harder for other airlines to compete with IndiGo going forward..



According to aviation analyst Ameya Joshi, IndiGo has placed the new order to ensure non-stop deliveries of aircraft to its fleet until 2035.



"Airbus has a backlog of over 6,000 planes for the A320 family. A look at the order book and mapping it against the production rate estimates show that the earliest available slot for the A320neo family is in 2030. In simple terms, if an airline wants a plane in 2030, it has to place an order now," Joshi said.



He added that in order to garner 50 percent market share in the domestic Indian aviation market in 2033, IndiGo would need to double the number of planes it has now.



"With rival Air Indias induction plan known, it is easier for IndiGo to plan the fleet expansion to maintain its lead in the market," Joshi added.



Similarly, a former senior executive of an Indian airline company said that not only has IndiGo locked in delivery slots for the next decade by way of this order, but it has also given itself the flexibility to auction off its delivery slot for a premium should the need arise.



"Delivery slots are very precious in aviation, and airlines often tend to lock in delivery slots, which not only ensures continuous jets when required but also gives them the option to auction off the delivery slot if profitability is hit," the executive said.



Another executive from a domestic airline said that around 200300 planes from the new order will be used for replacing older planes in IndiGos fleet, which is key to IndiGo, which operates one of the most efficient fleets in India.



"IndiGo operates on razor-thin margins. Efficiency is key for them to be profitable, and newer planes are the key to high efficiency," the executive said.



He added that, apart from efficiency, through the new order, IndiGo has assured that it will be given first pick for any new aircraft that Airbus will launch before 2030.



"Airbus has said that it will launch a new single-aisle programme by 202526 as the replacement for the A320 family. IndiGos new deal will give it the negotiating power to upgrade to the newer aircraft from 2030," the executive said.



IndiGos large order book is also expected to help the airline negotiate more profitable leases in the future, which will help fund some of the fleet acquisitions.



"IndiGo is the biggest bright spot in the Indian aviation industry, and lessors from around the world will be rushing to work with IndiGo following this new order," a senior executive from a leasing firm said.



He added that due to its enormous fleet and leasing history, IndiGo will hold the negotiating power for newer planes when deliveries start.



In a sale and leaseback model, an airline acquires the aircraft and sells it to a lessor before leasing it back for use. The sale is usually at a profit, which helps with cash flow.
Traders in Nepal have resumed importing onions from India, more than two weeks after they stopped buying from the neighbouring country following the Nepal government's move to impose a hefty 13 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on vegetables last month.



Vegetable vendors started bringing onions to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market, Kathmandu's main vegetable trading centre, on Monday, with the largest consignments of onions being poured in on Tuesday and Wednesday.



"Onions have started arriving in the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market," said Arjun Prasad Aryal, Deputy Executive Director of the market's Development Committee.



"In total, 145 metric tonnes of onions arrived in Kathmandu's major vegetable wholesale market on Tuesday and Wednesday," Aryal said, adding that there is a smooth supply of the vegetable in the market as traders have started bringing onions by paying VAT.



According to the financial bill introduced in the Himalayan country's Parliament on May 29, imported onions, potatoes and other vegetables and fruits will now be subjected to a 13 per cent VAT.



Onion, sold in the wholesale market for Rs 48 per kg, costs Rs 70 in retail markets.



"We have started bringing onion from India for three, four days," said Bharat Upreti, a vegetable vendor at the Kalimati market.



"Before paying 13 per cent VAT, we also need to pay 9 per cent vegetable import tax and 5 per cent advance tax," he said.



"Our demand for removing VAT is still there, but we have started importing onions in the interest of the customers," added Upreti, who brought 21 metric tonnes of onions from India on Wednesday.



"I brought 25 tonnes of onions on Wednesday after paying VAT," said Ram Bilash, another trader, adding that the sellers are stuck on their demand of removing VAT from onions.



"We want (the) government to allow trading onions under PAN (Personal Account Number)," he said, adding that imposing VAT on vegetables such as potato and onion is "ridiculous".



Although the supply of onions in Kathmandu's markets is relatively smooth now, the market price has soared to Rs. 70 from the previous price of Rs. 50, a straight 40 per cent increase.



Nepal imports almost all its onions from neighbouring India. Last year, it imported 173,829 tonnes of onions from India.



Nepal grows potatoes that cater to around 60 per cent of local demand, while the rest of the vegetables are also imported from India.
A good score helps your lenders recognise your high creditworthiness. A credit score of 750 or more will get you some of the best loan and credit card offers.



Cheap financing, which a good credit score can get you, goes a long way in bringing down the costs you incur towards the financing of various aspirations, such as owning a home or upgrading your car. On the other hand, a low score means youll have to pay a high rate of interest on your borrowings. In the more extreme cases where a borrower has defaults and loan settlements against their name, few lenders would want to give them a loan.



For example, a large government bank charges someone with a score of 800 a rate of 8.50 percent on a home loan. On a 20-year loan of Rs 50 lakh, the interest is Rs 54.13 lakh. The same lender charges someone with no credit score 8.80 percent and the interest works out to Rs 56.42 lakh. Someone with a bad scorelets say 600pays 9.65 percent, and the interest works out to Rs 63.03 lakh.



Since a subprime borrower will pay more interest, a bad score can limit the achievement of other financial goals, such as saving for retirement or childrens education.



Therefore, a good scorepreferably one over 800is desirable. Getting financing becomes easier. With that comes the fulfilment of aspirations. Lets look at how to get and maintain a credit score of 800.



The first rule - Always pay on time



The only thing that guarantees a high score all the time is timely repayment of equated monthly instalments (EMIs) and credit card dues. Never be late. If you have trouble keeping track of your bill payments, automate them through netbanking or an Electronic Clearance Service (ECS) mandate. Let me tell you the story of Syed, whose score fell from the 840s to the 720s with just one missed credit card payment. While abroad, Syed couldnt access the credit card payment gateway on the due date. Though he returned to India to settle the dues along with the penalty and interest, his score fell to 776 after a month. Despite the payment, his score fell to 727 the following month. It took months of responsible credit card use and timely payments for Syed to get his score back above 800.



Also read: Credit Scores: A beginners guide to good financial health



Keep your utilisation low



Utilisation refers to the percentage of your credit limit that is used in a month. For example, your credit card has a limit of Rs 1 lakh but youve spent only Rs 10,000 in a month, which makes your utilisation ratio 10 percent. The higher your utilisation, the greater the negative impact on your score. This is also a little complex because high utilisation, when done with full and timely payment, has limited bearing on your credit score. Experts recommend staying under 30 percent. But if youre repaying your dues without fail in the same month, higher utilisation may not hurt. What hurts is paying the minimum dues and rolling your dues over to the next month.



Dont be MAD



One of the worst things you can do to your own financesand thereby your credit scoreis pay just the minimum amount due (MAD) on your credit card. While the MAD saves you from penalties, it doesnt save you from the high interest costs of unsecured debt. Most cards will charge you 2.5-4 percent a month on your dues. This works out to an annualised rate of 30-50 percent. Unless youre going through a crisis that prevents you from repaying your dues, never settle for MAD. Repay your dues in full, and always remember Rule No. 1: be on time.



Also read: Your credit score report: How to ensure accuracy and maintain a healthy credit profile



Apply smartly



Each time you apply for a new credit line, the lender initiates a check on your credit history. Each such checkwhich we call a hard checkpulls your score down marginally. If you apply for too much credit or even credit cards, lenders will see a credit-hungry streak in your profile, which is a red flag. Therefore, when youre in the market for a loan or card, shortlist your options thoughtfully as per your eligibility. Then apply for one. If you get rejected, understand the reasons for it before you apply again.



Dont settle



If you have a problem paying your monthly credit card bills, your bank might offer you a one-time settlement. The question is: should you take it?



Heres how a typical settlement works. Lets say your dues are Rs 1 lakh. Youre in no position to pay. The lender says pay Rs 40,000 and consider the loan settled. If you take this option, the lender will get off your back. But it will also wreck your credit score.



Therefore, avoid settlements and always repay in full. Even if youve opted to settle, approach your lender to repay the dues in full and collect a no-dues certificate. It would also help turn your loan status from settled to closed, which is what you want on your credit report.



Dont cancel your card



If youre able to hold on to a credit card or a loan for many years, it reflects your creditworthiness. The age of your credit lines has a minor impact on your score. The older the credit line, the better for your score. Therefore, cancelling an old card may remove the positive effect it has on your score. In fact, it may lower your score slightly. The impact varies from one person to another, and its also possible there may be no impact. The reasons for cancelling a card are many. But often it has to do with annual fees or not finding its features useful. In such cases, you could ask your bank to move you to a card that fits your current needs better.



Keep an eye on your score



Your score could move up and down for a variety of reasons. But you have to know about the movement. This would only happen if you were tracking your score regularly. Once a month is enough. These self-checksalso called soft checksdo not harm your score.



Movements in your score during credit inquiries, account openings or closures, and high credit card use are quite instructive. It helps you see how your credit behaviour impacts your score. If your score is falling, you could take immediate corrective steps. Sometimes your score could fall through no fault of your own. Recently, while checking their credit reports, some people got the rude shock of seeing unauthorised loan accounts in their names. Some of those loans had been defaulted on. The victims credit scores were ruined through no fault of their own. They escalated the matter via the lender and got the fraudulent loans off their records.



Lastly, remember Rule No. 1: always pay on time.
Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk said on June 21 he is a fan of PM Modi, adding that the prime minister extended him the invitation to visit India and he is planning it next year.



Musk met PM Modi on Day 1 of the latter's three-day visit to the US. Asked whether PM Modi extended an invitation to him, the billionaire entrepreneur said, He did. And yes, I'm tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I'm looking forward.



I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible. I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we will be able to announce something in the not so distant future, he added.



Also Read: I am a fan of Modi, says Elon Musk after meeting PM



Citing an unnamed source, Reuters reported that the Tesla CEO would brief PM Modi on plans to set up a manufacturing base in India. New Delhi had invited Tesla to explore opportunities in infusing money in electric mobility and commercial space sectors.



The electric vehicle makers executives visited India and held discussions with top government officials and ministers last month on setting up a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in the country.



Musk said PM Modi was pushing the electric carmaker to make a significant investment in the country, mentioning that such an announcement was expected soon, according to ANI.



Last month, the billionaire said Tesla would probably choose a new manufacturing location by the end of this year, mentioning that India was an interesting place for a new factory.



Musk, who also owns SpaceX, said he is looking forward to bringing Starlink to India which can be incredibly helpful for remote or rural villages.



Also Read: Looking forward to bring Starlink, Tesla to India, says Elon Musk after meeting PM Modi



"India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (Modi) really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing," Musk said.



Further, he highlighted that India has strong potential for a sustainable energy future including solar power, stationary battery packs and electric vehicles.



Meanwhile, on his meeting with Musk, PM Modi tweeted, "Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality." To this, Musk replied,"It was an honour to meet again."
Charlottesville is set to see a number of familiar faces in the General Assembly this upcoming term.

In the immediate wake of Tuesdays Democratic primary, Creigh Deeds has retained his grip on his Senate seat, fending off a strong candidate in Del. Sally Hudson.

In the House, locals that remember Amy Laufer from her time heading the Charlottesville School Board will have to familiarize themselves with her again. After a failed Senate run in 2019, Laufer claimed a resounding victory over Kellen Squire to represent the 55th District in the House of Delegates.

Former Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris may have hoped his name recognition would have propelled him to represent the 54th District, but it was not enough to overcome Katrina Callsen, who raised far more money than either of her opponents and took a commanding lead over Norris and Bellamy Brown in Albemarle County.

Charlottesville will recognize Mayor Lloyd Snook and councilor Michael Payne, both of whom retained their seats on City Council. Locals will need to learn the name Natalie Oschrin, who is joining the council after running on a platform that emphasized affordable housing, public transit and making the city more walkable.

It is hard to draw any single conclusion from Tuesdays results. Since the Roe v. Wade decision, women candidates have found much success all over the country, and that continued in both House races, where Callsen and Laufer who are both mothers  focused on keeping abortion legal in Virginia.

But in the Senate race, it appears voters felt more comfortable with the experience Deeds promised than the change promised by Hudson, who has never before served in the upper chamber.

Heres how each race shook out.

Senate District 11

Deeds long stay in the General Assembly has been extended at least four more years.

Despite Hudsons argument that Richmond needed an injection of young leaders and new ideas, voters in District 11 opted to stick with Deeds who has served in the Senate since 2001, accumulating seniority and power throughout his long tenure.

Leaving the polls Tuesday afternoon, voter Vickie Vess told The Daily Progress that while she liked Deeds, she elected to go with Hudson.

We need new people and a younger generation in office, she said.

After casting her ballot for Hudson, Meredith Douglas, who liked Hudsons progressive agenda, conceded that she had some concerns about Hudsons lack of Senate experience.

But we dont know what she can do until she gets the chance, Douglas said.

That chance will not come this upcoming term, and Deeds decades of experience may be the primary reason why, as many voters struggled to make a decision between two candidates they equally liked.

Hudson makes good points but Deeds has more experience and can get bills passed, Clare, who declined to give her last name, told The Daily Progress after voting for the senior statesman.

It is also possible, however, that Hudsons attacks on Deeds backfired. Throughout the campaign she challenged Deeds on his gun control record, releasing what some characterized as negative ads. The message resonated with some, with one voter telling The Daily Progress that he didnt trust Deeds to pass gun control legislation.

But Kay, who declined to give her last name, said those attacks rubbed her the wrong way.

I didnt like the negative bashing in the ads because theyre both Democrats. Theyre on the same side, Kay said.

With Hudson repeatedly pushing her opponent on gun control, Deeds may feel some pressure this term to take further action on the issue.

House District 54

Money isnt everything, but it sure helps. Just ask Callsens campaign.

According to the most recent filings, she outraised both her opponents by over $100,000 combined. That may have helped the sitting chair of the Albemarle County School Board defeat rivals Norris and Brown, despite them perhaps having more name recognition.

Walking out of Charlottesville High School after casting her ballot, Amanda Jones conceded shed never heard of Callsen prior to entering the voting booth.

I felt guilty because I usually like to vote for women, Jones said with a laugh, telling The Daily Progress she felt the 54th District race had been overshadowed by the Deeds-Hudson Senate contest.

Tom, who declined to provide his last name, voted for Norris because he recognized the former mayor.

I felt bad because I didnt even know Callsens name, he said.

No matter. With a large war chest and a team that knocked on over 12,000 doors, Callsen beat both of her opponents by double digits.

A surprise showing in Charlottesville city proper may have cemented her win. While conventional wisdom may have expected former Charlottesville Mayor Norris to win the city, as of press time Callsen bested him in the city by five points.

What was not surprising was Callsens popularity in the suburbs. She beat Norris by 20 points in Albemarle County.

55th House District

When Amy Laufers campaign released mailers questioning emergency room nurse Kellen Squires commitment to reproductive rights, some speculated shed made a misstep.

Squire and his surrogates labeled the attacks as disingenuous and claimed shed taken his previous statements out of context. Attacking a clearly pro-abortion candidate, they believed, was a bridge too far.

Laufer disagreed. In an interview with The Daily Progress last week, she defended her campaigns mailers.

The statements hes had in the past are his direct quotes from his website and multiple other documents, she said.

If the attacks rubbed voters the wrong way, it wasnt evident on election day. While other races were close, Laufers fate appeared set early in the evening. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Laufer had a 40-point lead over her opponent.

Perhaps the strategy her critics called disingenuous led to the big win. Abortion remains a huge issue in the Democratic Party, and any doubts about a candidates commitment to pro-abortion policies can be a death sentence for a campaign.

Squire may have learned that the hard way, as hes lost another House race. The first was to Republican Del. Rob Bell in 2017.

City Council

Voters chose to stick with something familiar but also try a bit of something new.

Snook and Payne retained their seats on the council but will be joined by one new face.

City residents will soon become accustomed to seeing Oschrin, the councils newest member. That is, if they havent become accustomed already. The newcomer received more votes than any other Council candidate on the ballot.

Standing outside the Charlottesville High School polling place with a campaign sticker on her shirt and hat, she called out to two voters who walked by after they declined her offer to see a sample ballot.

My name is Natalie, and Im running for City Council! she exclaimed as they walked away.

Oschrins yard signs are spread across the city, and shes been active in the community, attending county meetings and introducing herself to all who would listen.

I feel good, she told The Daily Progress 30 minutes before polls closed. Its been a fun day. I like talking to people and I think getting out early to meet voters at polls makes a difference.

The work paid off, as she won over thousands of community members on the campaign trail. But now shell have to deliver policy wins to a voter base excited by her candidacy, and by the promises made along the way.
Listed real-estate developer Arihant Superstructures Ltd is foraying into the plotted development segment and plans to invest Rs 700 crore for constructing a township in Chowk near Panvel -- a two-hour drive from Mumbai.



Plotted developments are subdivisions of land into plots or lots for sale or lease to homebuilders for new housing developments. The plots typically have the same dimensions, and there is no land between them, but they're usually divided by a network of roads.



Arihant has acquired nearly 76 acres of land for the project, named World Villa, and plans to construct 500 luxury villas and a 200-room resort, Ashok Chhajer, Chairman and Managing Director of Arihant Superstructure, told Moneycontrol on June 20.



According to the company, out of the 76 acres, around 55 will be sold to buyers for constructing luxury villas, and the remaining will be used for the construction of gymkhanas, clubs and resorts to create an ecosystem.



The company, which is mainly focused on the affordable and mid-segment housing segments at Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, says there is a lot of opportunity in the plotted development space, and plans to create a portfolio gradually.



"The total land acquisition and approval costs, along with the investment for plotted development, is Rs 700 crore, and we are expecting a sales value of Rs 1,000 crore for 500 villas," Chhajer said.



Launch in Diwali



Arihant plans to launch the plotted development township during Diwali in 2023, and plans to sell a minimum of 2,000-3,000 sq ft of land parcels in each transaction. The company maintains that it will construct the ecosystem in the township by constructing gymkhanas, clubs with a hotel and resort, spread across 20 acres. Further, it will be open for constructing villas on behalf of land buyers for which the buyers will have to bear the construction cost, added Chhajer.



Bookings by invitation only



"Bookings in the project will be only by invitation, and the company will be adopting a pull model for selling rather than the push model. This means we do not go to the buyers, but we pull buyers towards us," added Chhajer.



Also read: Why are real estate developers launching plotted developments?



Pricing not decided yet



Arihant has not decided on the pricing yet and will announce it during the launch. However, competitors are offering similar land parcels at a rate ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,500 per sq ft.



"The location is very strategic, considering we have ND's Film World opposite to our land parcel, and it is close to the Hiranandani Fortune City, Panvel. The project is 30 minutes away from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and several Bollywood celebrities have their farmhouses in the area," he said.



Company plans in 2023-24



According to the company, along with a plotted development project around Diwali 2023, it will remain focused on the construction of residential homes in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in the affordable, mid-income and premium segments.



Also read: Why Bengalurus villas are all the rage among millennial buyers



The company has 96 percent of portfolio in the affordable and mid-income segments, with prices ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 3 crore.



The company plans to launch projects in Taloja, Khopoli, Panvel, Kalyan, Badlapur, Karjat, Shilphata, Titwala, and one plotted development project in Karjat in the next few months.



"We expect to raise the investment of Rs 200 crore by issuing equity shares and are expecting six project launches in 2023-24. Also, we plan to construct 10 lakh sq ft in MMR, excluding the plotted development project and around 2 lakh sq ft in Jodhpur," added Chhajer.



In 2023-24, the company expects to complete four out of 12 ongoing projects. Its ongoing projects have an unsold inventory of 20 lakh sq ft.




Shares of Aptus Value Housing Finance India declined over 7 percent to Rs 246 on the BSE on June 21 after a large trade in the stock.



Bloomberg data shows that 90.5 lakh shares of the housing finance company changed hands on Wednesday, amounting to 1.8 percent equity stake worth Rs 234 crore. The trade happened at an average of Rs 250 per share. The price was significantly lower than the previous closing price and thus led to selloff.



It was not immediately known who the buyers and sellers were.



The stock has not performed well in the near past. It has delivered a negative return of 18.65 percent in the current year so far. It was listed on exchanges last year at an issue price of Rs 353, much higher than the prevailing rate today.



Axis Securities has a buy rating on the stock with the target price at Rs 303 as it believes the company is on a long growth runway. The company boasts of best-in-class returns on assets and improved asset quality, it said.



Catch all live market action here



Aptus Value Housing is a retail-focused housing finance company primarily serving low and middle-income self-employed customers in the rural and semi-urban markets of India. It is predominantly present in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka with operations mainly concentrated in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, which collectively contribute 78 percent of the AUM.



ICICI Securities also has a buy rating on the counter as it highlights stable management and tight control on asset quality that will likely drive earnings. It has a target price of Rs 325 on the stock.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Shares of Dev Information Technology hit its 52-week high of Rs 159.70 on June 21 after the Ahmedabad-based IT firm said LT1, a wholly-owned stepdown subsidiary of US-headquartered Lilikoi Holdings Inc, acquired a 51-percent stake in the company. The stock was trading 4.54 percent up at Rs 159 at 12.35 pm on the BSE.



The all-cash deal is estimated to be worth Rs 300 crore, as per reports.



Through acquisitions and in-house expertise, Lilikoi is creating a unique ecosystem to design, engineer, manufacture, and support their IoT devices, and seamlessly integrate various technologies, Dev IT said in a regulatory filing on June 20.



Catch all the market action on our live blog



This strategic acquisition will boost the company's presence in North American markets directly and tap into global business opportunities. It will facilitate growth in Digital Transformation services via cloud, blockchain, and other existing services while adding IoT-led business to the revenues, it added.



the Acquirer is seeking to acquire at least 51 percent (Fifty One percent) of the paid-up equity share capital of the Company through a combination of (i) Preferential Allotment, (ii) secondary acquisition from the Sellersand (iii) acquisition of equity shares in the Open Offer, it said.



The share purchase and subscription agreement (SPSA) between the parties was signed on June 16, the company had informed the exchanges earlier.



The shares of the company have been hitting its upper circuit of 5 percent ever since the deal was announced.



An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the company is scheduled to be held on July 16, 2023, to seek shareholders approval for increase in the authorised share capital of the firm, and issue of equity shares on a Preferential basis to the acquiring entity.



Shares of Dev IT are up 23 percent on YTD basis, and have doubled over the past year.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) share price rose 4 percent in the early trade on June 21 after the company received three letters of acceptance (LoAs) from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) for various underground stations. Chennai Metro has awarded RVNL the construction of five underground stations at KMC (Kilpauk), Sterling Road JN, Nungambakkam, Gemlni (Anna Flyover), Thousand Lights and Thousand Lights crossover box and works of two underground stations at Royapettah government hospital (Roy Apettah) & Chetpet Metro The order value is Rs 1,730.59 crore and to be executed in 1,725 days. Catch all the market action on our live blog The second order is for the construction of three underground stations at Adyar Depot, Indira Nagar and Taramani Road Junction (Taramani) as well as ramp and other works at Thiruv Anmiyur. This order is valued at Rs 865.62 crore and to be executed in 1,630 days. The third order is for the construction of four underground stations at Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Thiruma Yilai, Mandaneli, and Adyar Junction and two cross passage shafts and one emergency escape shaft and other works at one underground station at Greenways Road. The order value is Rs 1,461.97 crore and to be done in 1,725 days. At 9.20 am, Rail Vikas Nigam was quoting at Rs 126.10, up Rs 3.55, or 2.90 percent on the BSE. The share touched a 52-week high of Rs 144.50 on May 8, 2023 and a 52-week low of Rs 29 on June 21, 2022. It is trading 12.73 percent below its 52-week high and 334.83 percent above its 52-week low. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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IT services giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the expansion of its partnership with National Employment Savings Trust, UKs largest workplace pension scheme in a 840 million (around $1.1 billion) deal over an initial tenure of 10 years, wherein it will digitally transform the firms administration services to deliver enhanced member experiences.



The total maximum estimated value of the contract, if extended to the entirety of its 18-year tenure, will be 1.5 billion (around $1.9 billion).



"The contract will be for a minimum term of 10 years, with an optional extension period of up to 5 years, and the option of an additional period of up to 3 years for exit. The total contract value is indicative and covers this potential 18 year period," a Nest spokesperson said.



This contract was earlier with French IT services firm Atos which was cancelled in early 2023, just two years into a potential 18-year team, The Register had reported.



The news website had added that the collapse of this contract may lead as many as 1,000 Atos job losses in the UK and India.



This is TCS fourth large deal from the region in 2023, following the $723-million deal from insurer Phoenix Group, the Marks & Spencer deal and the 10-year contract with the Teachers Pension Scheme in England and Wales, amidst a challenging macro environment in the region.



Nest and TCS have worked closely since 2011 when the digital, auto-enrolment pension scheme was first launched. Nest currently has more than 12 million members and by the end of the next decade it expects

to have around 100bn assets under management.



"While the exact costs are commercially sensitive, we can confirm that under our current estimates, the total contract cost falls within the total estimated contract value of 1.5bn, as published in the Contract Award Notice. Its important to note this amount is the estimated total maximum value for the maximum duration of the contract, including extensions," the Nest spokesperson added.



As a part of this extended partnership, TCS will deploy solutions from TCS BaNCS to deliver personalized, self-directed experiences to members. This will enable Nests 12 million members and 1 million employers to access the right information at the right time, in the way that suits them best, the company said.



Gavin Perera-Betts, Chief Customer Officer, Nest in a statement said, We have a strong foundation after many years of working together and theyve proven their ability to deliver successfully for a scheme the size and complexity of Nest. This puts us in an excellent position to further advance our operations and build a truly digital offering that delivers a superior customer experience long into the future.



Vivekanand Ramgopal, President of BFSI Products & Platforms, TCS added, We are delighted to further expand this long-standing partnership with Nest and support them in pushing the boundaries in offering compelling omnichannel member experiences to the new generation of workers entering the workplace. We are looking forward to leveraging our contextual knowledge, technology expertise and proven platform to help Nest realise our shared vision for the future.



TCS is the largest provider of software and IT services in the UK, and has a workforce spanning 30 locations around the country.



Overall, with this TCS would have bagged around five large deals in the first half of calendar year 2023 so far. The Marks & Spencer deal, according to reports is worth $1 billion.



In India, it had recently bagged an advanced purchase order of Rs 15,000 crore or $1.8 billion in a consortium from the government-run telco BSNL to expand its 4G network pan India.
Mining major Vedanta Ltd donated a total of Rs 155 crore to political parties during the financial year 2022-23, according to a regulatory filing. The amount was donated through the subscription of "electoral bonds", an exchange filing on June 19 stated, adding that it was higher compared to Rs 123 crore donated in FY22. The electoral bond scheme, introduced by the government in 2018, provides an alternative to the cash donations made to registered political parties. The State Bank of India (SBI) is the sole lender authorised in the country for the issuance and encashment of these bonds. The Anil Agrawal-led Vedanta has donated a cumulative amount of Rs 457 crore via the subscription of electoral bonds in the last five years, The Economic Times reported. Notably, more than half of the income of four national political parties in 2021-22 was from donations through electoral bonds, an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed in March. BJP topped the list as it received a total donation of Rs 1,033.70 crore in the form of electoral bonds during the financial year, followed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which received Rs 528.143 crore, ADR stated in its report, adding that the Indian National Congress received Rs 236.09 crore and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) received Rs 14 crore. Together, the four national parties collected Rs 1,811.9425 crore through electoral bonds, the election watchdog said. "Four national parties, including BJP, AITC, INC and NCP, collected 55.09 percent of their total income from donations through electoral bonds for the financial year 2021-22, it further added.

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India has ranked at 127 out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity -- an improvement of eight places from last year -- according to the World Economic Forum's annual Gender Gap Report, 2023.



The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked India at 135 out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index in the report's 2022 edition.



India has improved by 1.4 percentage points and eight positions since the last edition, marking a partial recovery towards its 2020 parity level, the report stated.



The country has attained parity in enrolment across all levels of education, it said.



India has closed 64.3 per cent of the overall gender gap, the report said. However, it underlined that India has reached only 36.7 per cent parity on economic participation and opportunity.



The index ranked India's neighbours Pakistan at 142, Bangladesh at 59, China at 107, Nepal at 116, Sri Lanka at 115 and Bhutan at 103.



Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the world for the 14th consecutive year and the only one to have closed more than 90 per cent of its gender gap, according to the report.



In India, while there has been uptick in parity in wages and income, the share of women in senior positions and technical roles have dropped slightly since the last edition, the report pointed out.



On political empowerment, India has registered 25.3 per cent parity, with women representing 15.1 per cent of parliamentarians -- the highest for the country since the inaugural report in 2006.



Out of the 117 countries with available data since 2017, 18 countries -- including Bolivia (50.4 per cent), India (44.4 per cent) and France (42.3 per cent) -- have achieved women's representation of over 40 per cent in local governance.



This comes after Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani earlier this year said the WEF recognised the need to enumerate women's participation in local government bodies in its Gender Gap Report after the government raised the with it in Geneva.



For India, the 1.9 percentage point improvement in sex ratio at birth has driven up parity after more than a decade of slow progress, the report said.



However, it also said that for Vietnam, Azerbaijan, India and China, the relatively low overall rankings on the Health and Survival sub-index is explained by skewed sex ratios at birth.



"Compared to top scoring countries that register a 94.4 per cent gender parity at birth, the indicator stands at 92.7 per cent for India (albeit an improvement over last edition) and below 90 per cent for Vietnam, China and Azerbaijan," it said.



Overall, the Southern Asian region has achieved 63.4 per cent gender parity, the second-lowest of the eight regions.



The score in South Asia has risen by 1.1 percentage points since the last edition on the basis of the constant sample of countries covered since 2006. The improvement is partially attributable to the rise in scores of populous countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.



In terms of the share of women in ministerial positions, 75 countries have 20 per cent or less female ministers.



Populous countries such as India, Turkey and China have less than seven per cent women ministers while those like Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon have none.



Overall, the report said gender parity globally has recovered to pre-Covid levels but the pace of change has stagnated as converging crises slow progress.



While no country has yet achieved full gender parity, the top nine countries have closed at least 80 per cent of their gap.



The report found that the overall gender gap has closed by 0.3 percentage point from last year.



The overall progress in 2023 is partly due to the improvement in closing the educational attainment gap, with 117 out of the 146 indexed countries now having closed at least 95 per cent of the gap.



The report stated, "For the 146 countries covered in the 2023 index, the Health and Survival gender gap has closed by 96 per cent, the Educational Attainment gap by 95.2 per cent, Economic Participation and Opportunity gap by 60.1 per cent, and Political Empowerment gap by 22.1 per cent." Parity has advanced by only 4.1 percentage points since the first edition of the report in 2006, with the overall rate of change slowing significantly.



Closing the overall gender gap will require 131 years. At the current rate of progress, it will take 169 years for economic parity and 162 years for political parity, the report stated.

"While there have been encouraging signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels, women continue to bear the brunt of the current cost of living crisis and labour market disruptions," said WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi.



"An economic rebound requires the full power of creativity and diverse ideas and skills. We cannot afford to lose momentum on women's economic participation and opportunity," Zahidi said.



The Global Gender Gap Report, now in its 17th edition, benchmarks the evolution of gender-based gaps in four areas: economic participation and opportunity; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment. It is the longest-standing index which tracks progress on closing these gaps since its inception in 2006. It also explores the impact of recent global shocks on the gender gap crisis in the labour market.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has met leading American economist Prof Paul Romer, investor and co-founder of the hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio, and other eminent thought leaders and exchanged views with them and briefed them about the reform trajectory of his government to foster economic growth.



Prime Minister Modi is here on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden.



Modi and Prof. Romer held discussions on India's digital journey, including the use of Aadhar and innovative tools like Digilocker. They also discussed various initiatives being undertaken by India for urban development.



"Glad to have met noted economist and Nobel laureate, Professor @paulmromer. We had extensive conversations on leveraging technology to improve lives. We also talked about how to make our cities more sustainable and people friendly," Modi tweeted after the meeting.



In his conversation with Dalio, the Prime Minister highlighted the reforms undertaken by the government to foster economic growth, including the reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of a large number of legal provisions.



Modi also invited Dalio for further investing in India.



"Met my friend, the distinguished author and investor @RayDalio. Urged him to deepen investments in India and also talked about the reform trajectory of our Government," Modi tweeted.



Prime Minister Modi also met Neil de Grasse Tyson, astrophysicist, author and science communicator and exchanged views on inculcating scientific temperament among youth.



They discussed at length India's rapid progress in the space sector, including various space exploration missions being undertaken by India, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.



The Prime Minister and Tyson also discussed opportunities for the private sector and academic collaboration under India's newly launched National Space Policy.

"Talked space, science and related issues with @neiltyson. Highlighted steps India is taking to reform the space sector and draw more youngsters towards science as well as innovation," Modi tweeted.



Prof. Robert Thurman, American Buddhist scholar, author, and Padma Shri awardee, called on Prime Minister Modi.



The Prime Minister and Prof Thurman exchanged perspectives on how Buddhist values can act as a guiding light for finding solutions to global challenges. They also discussed India's Buddhist connect and efforts being made by India for the preservation of Buddhist heritage.



"The interaction with @BobThurman was outstanding. I admire his passion towards research and scholarship on aspects relating to Buddhism. I highlighted India's Buddhist heritage and how Buddhism can help overcome many challenges our world faces," Modi tweeted after the meeting.



Prime Minister Modi also had a meeting with distinguished American mathematical statistician, academician, public intellectual and author, Prof. Nicholas Taleb.



He complimented Prof. Taleb on his success as a public intellectual and for bringing complex ideas of risk and fragility into the popular conversation.



In his conversation with Prof. Taleb, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the risk-taking abilities of India's young entrepreneurs and the growing start-up ecosystem in India.

"Professor @nntaleb has interesting perspectives on many issues and I had the opportunity to hear them on some of those subjects. He was greatly interested in India's development strides. I emphasised on how we are nurturing a spirit of enterprise and risk-taking among our youth," Modi tweeted later.



(With PTI inputs)
A powerful American Senator has said he plans to introduce a bill to make India part of the NATO Plus grouping that would facilitate the transfer of topmost American technology and defence equipment without much bureaucratic hassle, amid growing challenges from a rising China.



NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations - Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and South Korea - to boost defence and intelligence ties.



"Senator (John) Cornyn and I, my co-chair at the (Senate) Indian Caucus will be introducing this week both as a standalone bill and as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, an effort to upgrade India, US defence ties," Senator Mark Warner told reporters at a news conference here on Tuesday.



"What we propose is adding India to the so-called NATO plus five arrangement, where the United States is able to transfer, with this little bureaucratic interference as possible, defence equipment in a very strong way," he said.



Warner from the Democratic Party and Cornyn from the Republican Party are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the only country-specific Congressional Caucus in the Senate.



"This current relationship is only between the United States and NATO and certain other key allies like South Korea, Australia, New Zealand. India ending into that category strengthens our incredibly important defence ties, particularly as we both grapple with challenges in particular around China," Warner said.



Chairperson of the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Warner said this is an extraordinarily important week for US-India relations as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Washington for talks with US President Joe Biden.



"I'm looking forward to my opportunities to both visit with Prime Minister Modi and a variety of meetings, hear his presentation to the United States Congress and attend the State Dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi. Since India's independence, its relationships with the United States have gone through a variety of phrases," Warner said.



"We are now at a critical juncture of this relationship where we need to move beyond the kind of common descriptions of this tie between the world's oldest democracy, the United States and the world's greatest and biggest democracy, India, and turn that into a full-fledged partnership," he said.



The Senator from Virginia said he expects expansion of some of the conversations that have been started around communications and technology.



"I am looking forward very much to conversations about how India and the United States can partner in the next generation wireless technology beyond 5G called Open Radio Access Network," he said.



"There's a real opportunity here for India to bring its enormous powers and expertise and software combined with American efforts and telecommunications to combine to where we move beyond traditional stacked hardware in telecommunications units," Warner said.



He said he understands both the challenges and some of the opportunities as the two countries deal with a rising China.



"I was glad to see Secretary (of State, Tony) Blinken have a good visit to China, but I think as well, India realises and I realise, and I think in the United States, that China is a potential economic challenge and in terms of aggressiveness in South Asia, a potential challenger on a variety of fronts," he said.



"That's why the United States and India must find a more common cause. The Quad is a great step forward in that area. India on defence alignment to the NATO plus five would be the next step," Warner said.
Turnout in the Democratic primary races in Charlottesville are likely to match or exceed primary turnout in gubernatorial matchups when early and day-of votes are finally tallied.

Across the Charlottesville area, about 12,000 early votes were cast for the Senate District 11 race that pitted longtime incumbent Creigh Deeds against up-and-coming Del. Sally Hudson.

The 54th and 55th House districts accounted for nearly of fourth of early votes Democrats cast in the state. In House District 54, it was a three-way race between Bellamy Brown, Katrina Callsen and Dave Norris to represent the city of Charlottesville and a sliver of Albemarle County in the lower chamber. In House District 55 Amy Laufer was pitted against Kellen Squire for the Democratic nomination to represent much of Albemarle.

Winners of the Democratic primaries in Senate District 11 and both House districts are widely predicted to win in November, considering the area is a Democratic stronghold and has been for years.

Across the state, Democrats have submitted nearly four times as many early votes in both House and Senate races  roughly 94,000 in House of Delegates races and 45,000 in Senate races  than Republicans, who have cast roughly 23,000 in House races and 23,000 in Senate races.

The Virginia Public Access Project published early vote totals for both the state Senate the House of Delegates up until Tuesdays primary.

In Charlottesville, in-person voting on the day of the primary is close to equal with early voting, which bucks statewide trends. In recent off-year elections in the commonwealth, early voting has grown in popularity.

There will be about 3,700 to 3,800 early in-person and absentee ballots and that number is surprisingly equal to the number of election day voters, Jim Nix, a member of the electoral board, told The Daily Progress on Tuesday.

This election year marks a new turn in Virginia politics. Incumbents have been stripped of their old districts drawn by politicians for new boundaries drawn from scratch by order of the state Supreme Court.

Already, the state has seen more than two dozen retirements and new competitive primaries that pit old allies against one another.

In all likelihood, the surge in turnout when a candidate for governor is not on the ballot is driven by the high-profile nature of the Deeds versus Hudson race which has garnered national media attention.

People go to vote for big elections, but local elections are just as, if not more, important, voter Walker Catoltt told The Daily Progress. The race I am most interested in is Deeds versus Hudson.

On primary day, Charlottesville High School pulled in the most in-person voters. As of 5 p.m., the new polling location had roughly 600 in-person voters.

Even though vote tallies were on track to fall below the turnout from 2021 which saw 10,380 of the citys roughly 30,000 voting population come to vote, some candidates expected the number to eclipse 2021 turnout.

Callsen said she expected that turnout would be anywhere between 12,000 to 14,000 voters because of the high-profile nature of the Deeds-Hudson race. It is important to note that Callsen has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for her state house race as well.

With the amount of money these people have spent on Creigh Deeds and Sally Hudson, I expected turnout to be a lot higher, Callsen said. But it is probably just going to be around 9,000 people.

Juxtaposed to Callsens forecast, Charlottesville City Council candidate Natalie Oschrin said she was blown away with the turnout for in-person voting on Tuesday.

It has been way better than I was expecting. A lot more people have shown up and may not have done all their research, and I can educate them and convince them. Oschrin said. Then there are some people who come by and know exactly who and why they are voting. ... It is great to help democracy.
Describing the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to America as a "watershed moment" in bilateral ties, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said that this week will be one of those moments that can change the course of history as the two democracies get together for peace and prosperity.



In his keynote address to the inaugural INDUS-X conference being organised by the US India Business Council in partnership with the US Department of Defense and India's Department of Defence Production, Garcetti said on Tuesday, "We're just getting in the car together and we're starting this voyage. It's the elevation of something that has been growing".



Catch live updates of the PM's visit here



"Let us take this watershed moment that is a game changer and an ecosystem and bring those two things together. Let us see that tonight. This is what it feels like to live through history. This week is one of those moments that can change the course of history. I know our leaders will deliver that, but they're counting on us to implement that vision together," he said on the eve of the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Modi, who arrives here on Wednesday for talks with President Joe Biden.







Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He will celebrate the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.



On June 22, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Modi at a State Dinner. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.



"The vision first of two leaders of Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, who when they came together said, if we put our minds together, and not just of two leaders, but of our people, we would be a pretty unstoppable force. An elevation then from our national security advisors who came up with, iCET, the Initiative on Critical Emerging Technologies, from the seabed to space, from the bottom of the ocean to the heavens, where we can see that sort of domain awareness in the oceans," Garcetti said.



"Two democracies, after all, are about our people. 1.75 billion of them are unstoppable, a force for peace, for prosperity, for our planet and for people," Garcetti said.



He said India and the US can help to work and preserve the planet, bring peace and look all the way up into the air and beyond.



"So, I hope that we find each other and that we build the blocks of this voyage. Things like the roadmap for defence industry cooperation, which will give us that mechanism to move forward, the technology that we're leaning in, in very bold ways that I want to thank this president and I'm proud to be part of an administration that's leaning in with more courage than we've ever seen, not just between the US and India, but I would argue the US and any other country before," said the top American diplomat.



With the launch of iCET dialogue, Garcetti said, he expects to see opportunities for startup companies to participate in government-sponsored joint challenges, to put a problem out there and say you solve it, to find technological solutions to our most pressing problems.



"Expect opportunities for startups to partner with established defence industry leads. I'm so excited in the coming months to work with folks both in India and here to have a mechanism to match and make those startups," he said.



"We might think we know everybody out there, but right now there's a woman in Hyderabad, or there's a man in North Carolina they don't know they're about to meet, but they've got an amazing idea and it's the two of them together that won't just add in a linear way, but an exponential way to the innovation that can bring that greater piece," he said.



"Expect programmes like today's that bring experts and stakeholders and defence industry accelerators together. In the longer term, we're working towards those joint innovation funds that can spark innovation, certificates, and regulations. In fact, we have to be able to find each other more quickly. We have to be able to collaborate more easily," he said.



Garcetti said both India and the US need to be able to navigate their regulation and bureaucratic culture more readily.



"I think if we're harsh critics of ourselves, which we always have to be, there's so much more we can do to take the rhetoric of this moment and actually institutionalise it into the way that we do business from the newest bureaucrat all the way up to the leaders of our two countries," he said.
The Ukraine issue will come up in the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, a White House official said.



National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby, however, said to what "degree specifically they will talk about a peace summit or a peace proposal, I cannot say right now".



Also Read: PM Modi in US live updates: I am a fan of PM Modi, says Elon Musk after New York meet



Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a State Dinner on June 22. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.



Kirby also told press conference here on Tuesday that the US welcomes the role of a third-party country involved in the Ukrainian peace process.



He said that as for the role of other nations, "we have also long said we would welcome the role of a third-party country involved in a peace process, and we believe that there could be such a role for a third-party country in the peace process".



But again, in order for that role to be sustainable and to have any chance at success, it is got to start with a "complete understanding of the Ukrainian perspective here and a complete and utter commitment to the UN Charter, to the idea of territorial integrity, to Ukraine's sovereignty along its internationally recognised borders", Kirby said.



He was responding to a question on if the Ukraine war would be discussed during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden.



"There's no doubt in my mind that the war in Ukraine will come up this week, during the State Visit, with Prime Minister Modi. No question about it," Kirby said.



"Now, to what degree specifically they will talk about a peace summit or a peace proposal, I cannot say right now. We will have to wait to hear from the leaders after it. But there is no doubt in my mind that they will have a chance to talk about what is going on in Ukraine," he said.



The White House official said that everyone wants to see this war end. "We would like to see it end today. And, as I have said many times, it could end today if (Russian President Vladimir Putin) Mr. Putin would do the right thing and pull his troops out," Kirby said.



"Now, obviously, he (Putin) is not going to do that, and he is doubling down, and there is some pretty vicious fighting going on right now in the east and in the south of Ukraine," he said.



Kirby said that "we have said many times that we support (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy's vision of a just peace, and we have said many times that any discussion, any credible discussion, whether it is at a summit or somewhere else or in smaller settings, any discussion, would be welcome only if it is going to be credible and sustainable".



This means that it has to start with a foundation of a belief in Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and at least start with a discussion of the proposal that President Zelenskyy has put forward, the White House official said.



"You have heard President Biden say a million times 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'. That exists today," Kirby said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India has always nurtured traditions that unite, adopt and embrace, and made a fervent appeal to eliminate contradictions, hurdles and resistances through Yoga.



In a video message on the occasion of International Day of Yoga, Modi said Indians have welcomed new ideas and conserved them and celebrated the country's rich diversity.



"Yoga strengthens such feelings, expands the inner vision, and connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being giving a basis of love for the living being," the prime minister said.



The prime minister is on an official visit to the US and will lead the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.







"We have to eliminate our contradictions, blockages and resistances through Yoga. We have to present the spirit of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat as an example to the world," Modi said.



Modi said the International Day of Yoga was special this year as researchers at India's research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica too were participating in the celebrations.



The prime minister said the idea of the "Ocean Ring of Yoga" makes Yoga Day even more special as it is based on the mutual relation between the idea of Yoga and the expanse of the ocean.



He emphasised that the participation of crores of people from all over the country and the world in this unique celebration in such a spontaneous manner shows the vastness and fame of Yoga.



(With PTI inputs)
Paul J. Davies



UBS AGs takeover of Credit Suisse Group AG might have been a sweet deal, but the rescuer still must pay to clean up its failed rivals messes  and there are many.



Among the biggest relates to Archegos, the family office-turned-hedge fund, which collapsed in early 2021 and hit Credit Suisse with losses of more than $5 billion, the worst among all the brokers that dealt with the fund. The bank was always going to be penalized by regulators for its ineptitudes in that debacle  and UBS as the new owner must pick up the tab.



An early estimate that the fines will total nearly $430 million, according to a report by the Financial Times, should probably leave executives and investors somewhat relieved. It could have been much worse. However, it is a reminder of a bigger and potentially more important issue for UBS namely the capital demands it faces from Swiss regulators to cover Credit Suisses past failings, misconduct and other operational risks.



On the Archegos fine itself, one yardstick for comparison is the $920 million in penalties paid by JPMorgan Chase & Co. to US and UK regulators in 2013 after its London Whale credit derivatives trading failures, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. That was when part of the banks in-house treasury team took outsized positions in the markets, then lost $6.2 billion as other investors moved against them.



Credit Suisse lost less money than that on Archegos, so its penalties are likely to be lower than JPMorgans. But they could have been much higher than the initial estimates of $300 million from the Federal Reserve and 100 million ($128 million) from the UKs Prudential Regulation Authority. And these totals might still be reduced during settlement talks.



UBS has more than enough money put aside to cover exactly these kinds of costs. Credit Suisse already had about $1.3 billion in provisions for litigation, though only about $35 million of that was for the Archegos case. UBS has added another $4 billion in provisions as part of its takeover. (When doing a deal, banks are allowed to put aside much larger amounts than under normal accounting rules.)



Yet the bigger, more complex question for UBS is about the extra capital demands. Regulators apply charges to banks for operational risk, which covers a range of exposures such as IT systems failing, losses from rogue traders, as well as litigation. The more a bank pays out in fines or court settlements, the greater the operational risk charges.



These charges are added by increasing the total risk-weighted assets on a banks balance sheet, the measure of size used to calculate its capital needs. Operational risk assets dont generate any income, they just increase capital demands, so higher charges cut the returns that banks generate from their financial assets. This matters for investors.







Credit Suisse already carried more operational risk than UBS. At Credit Suisse, operational risk-weighted assets accounted for 30% of its total risk weighted-assets at the end of the first quarter, versus 25% at UBS.



Operational-risk charges that arise from past misconduct or lawsuits can hang around for years even if a bank has stopped doing the business that got them into trouble. So, for UBS, closing down large parts of Credit Suisses investment-banking and markets business, as it is expected to do, might not deliver a cut in operational-risk capital linked to those activities.



Then there is the pile of litigation and regulatory actions that Credit Suisse still faced when it collapsed, including its appeal against a conviction for facilitating money laundering for a Bulgarian cocaine smuggler and ongoing lawsuits related to its role in the Mozambique tuna bonds scandal. UBS will have to deal with all these and potentially meet capital charges for them, too.



Just how much operational risk Credit Suisse adds to UBS will be a key debate between the bank and its regulators in the months ahead. The long and difficult integration it must do adds to the potential pitfalls it faces, which could also entail further capital demands. The answers UBS gets from regulators could make a big difference to the returns it can generate from this deal for investors.



Paul J. Davies is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering banking and finance.
As high mortgage rates make potential sellers wary of listing a home and buyers feverishly compete for disappearing inventory, some employers are stepping in to offer employees affordable housing solutions. An offer too good to refuse? It may not be as simple as that.



Housing help can come in many flavors. Companies can create planned communities such as Meta Platforms Incs Willow Village in Menlo Park or Elon Musks proposed Snailbrook development outside Austin, with housing offered below market rates to attract and retain employees  a strategy not dissimilar to the company towns and utopias from a century ago. Local governments can provide affordable housing for employees and citizens, like Chicagos Teachers Village, which is focused on city teachers and independently living seniors. Employers can also offer direct financial support, such as a down-payment assistance program and help with closing costs, or guidance on how to access local grants.



Much as when employers started to offer student loan repayment assistance to lure in millennial hires, this trend of employer-subsidised housing will likely expand as affordability declines. The median cost of an existing single-family home has increased nearly $100,000 in two and a half years, according to a National Association of Realtors report. The mortgage rate has doubled in the same period and peoples monthly payments have gone from 14.7 percent of their income to 26 percent.



Should employees be tempted by a housing benefit? It depends entirely on whether your company is helping you buy your own place or providing you with accommodation.



Even though prevailing logic suggests we should not look a gift horse in the mouth, it is wise to be at least a little suspicious since many employee benefits function as golden handcuffs. Take for example an employer-matched retirement plan or stock options that come on a graded- or cliff-vesting schedule over years, as opposed to something the employee gets immediately. End-of-year bonuses are designed to retain talent until they can at least earn the full bonus. Company health insurance plans in the US could be seen as the most effective golden handcuffs.



It's already a nightmare that health insurance is tied to employment, lumping in housing would further reduce a workers flexibility to leave, which, of course, is the intent. For an employee, handing over this level of control may not be in their best long-term interests.



Of course, employer-sponsored (or subsidised) housing is not a novel idea. Hershey, Pennsylvania  named for the famous chocolate  was once a model town developed by Milton Hershey for his workers and their families. The military operates housing on bases exclusively for soldiers and their families. Even resident assistants on college campuses can work in exchange for free room and board.



The critical concern for employees is the fine print of the deal because not all employer-subsidised housing benefits are created equal.



Employer-Assisted Housing Programs are often quite flexible. Employers offer a bonus to put toward a down payment or closing costs, provide easier access to loans through partnerships with local banks or credit unions, or classes to help employees navigate the complicated world of homeownerships. Depending on the level of assistance, the employer may require an employee to stay with the company for a set period or face a repayment penalty if they quit.



One example is the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. The global non-profits focus is to help provide everyone a decent place to live, so the Dallas chapter decided to ensure their employees could take the first steps towards homeownership. Employees can receive a $13,500 forgivable loan to put towards a down payment or closing costs. The loan is forgiven on a graded vesting schedule at 20 percent a year for five years. Johns Hopkins University offers a taxable grant of up to $17,000 for eligible employees to use towards a down payment or closing costs if they buy within a designated neighborhood of Baltimore.



The dynamics with such benefits are quite different from living and renting in company-owned housing. The latter, such as Elon Musks proposed Texas community of Snailbrook, would likely mean youll be evicted if you quit your job even if you stay in the area with a different employer. It also begs the question: is your base salary being significantly reduced as a byproduct of being offered subsidised housing in a company town?



When weighing the pros and cons of employer-subsidised housing, the primary rule of real estate should be top of mind: location, location, location. Is the location a personal choice or has your company created a community in which they want employees to live? A company community means you will be surrounded by co-workers. Depending on your job, status within the company, and work culture, there is a very real possibility that living around your coworkers and higher-ups will create an unhealthy or even toxic home-life environment. The behavior of your spouse or children could impact your career trajectory. Plus, your company would have leverage to suppress wages because they know exactly how much it costs for housing and might even control on-site grocery stores and other supplies.



To avoid such outcomes, employers should focus on benefits programs that help employees navigate the complex world of applying for a mortgage, and ensure wages steadily increase. We shouldnt be turning to companies to solve societal problems such as a shortage of affordable housing unless those gifts come with minimal strings attached. No lengthy tenures at the company and, for those situations where a home purchase is involved, no nasty penalties should an employee choose to leave for another job.



Erin Lowry is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering personal finance. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
By Joseph R Biden Jr, Fumio Kishida, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Emmanuel Macron, Charles Michel, Mia Mottley, Cyril Ramaphosa, William Ruto, Macky Sall, Olaf Scholz, Rishi Sunak, Ursula von der Leyen and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan



We are urgently working to deliver more for people and the planet. Multiple, overlapping shocks have strained countries ability to address hunger, poverty and inequality, build resilience and invest in their futures. Debt vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income countries present a major hurdle to their economic recovery, and to their ability to make critical long-term investments.



We are urgently working to fight poverty and inequalities. An estimated 120 million people have been pushed into extreme poverty in the last three years and we are still far from achieving our United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We should thus place people at the center of our strategy to increase human welfare everywhere on the globe.



We want a system that better addresses development needs and vulnerabilities, now heightened by climate risks, which could further weaken countries ability to eliminate poverty and achieve inclusive economic growth. Climate change will generate larger and more frequent disasters, and disproportionately affect the poorest, most vulnerable populations around the world. These challenges cross borders and pose existential risks to societies and economies.



We want our system to deliver more for the planet. The transition to a net zero world and the goals of the Paris Agreement present an opportunity for this generation to unlock a new era of sustainable global economic growth. We believe that just ecological transitions that leave no one behind can be a powerful force for alleviating poverty and supporting inclusive and sustainable development. This requires long-term investment everywhere to ensure that all countries are able to seize this opportunity. Inspired by the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, we also need new economic models which recognise the immense value of nature for humanity.



We are convinced that poverty reduction and protection of the planet are converging objectives. We must prioritise just and inclusive transitions to ensure that the poor and most vulnerable can fully reap the benefits of this opportunity, rather than disproportionally bearing the cost. We recognise that countries may need to pursue diverse transition paths in line with the 2.7 degree Fahrenheit limit depending on their national circumstances. There will be no transition if there is no solidarity, economic opportunities or sustainable growth to finance it.



We, leaders of diverse economies from every corner of the world, are united in our determination to forge a new global consensus. We will use the Paris Summit on June 22 and 23 as a decisive political moment to recover development gains lost in recent years and to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals including just transitions. We are clear on our strategy: development and climate commitments should be fulfilled and, in line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, we recognize that we need to leverage all sources of finance, including official development assistance, domestic resources and private investment.



Delivering on that consensus should start with existing financial commitments. Collective climate finance goals must be met in 2023. Our total global ambition of $100 billion of voluntary contributions for countries most in need, through rechanneling of special drawing rights or equivalent budget contributions, should also be reached.



No country should have to wait years for debt relief. We need greater and more timely cooperation on debt, both for low- and middle-income countries. This starts with a swift conclusion of solutions for debt-distressed countries.



A top priority is to continue ambitious reform of our system of multilateral development banks, building on the existing momentum. We are asking development banks to take responsible steps to do much more with existing resources and to increase financing capacity and private capital mobilisation, based on clear targets and strategies in terms of private finance contribution and domestic resource mobilisation. These financial resources are essential, but this reform is about far more than money. It should deliver a more effective operational model, based on a country-led approach. We also need our development banks to work together as an ecosystem, closely with other public agencies and streamlined vertical funds, and where appropriate, with philanthropists, sovereign wealth funds, private finance and civil society to deliver the greatest impact.



Technology, skills, sustainability, and public and private investment will be at the core of our partnerships, to promote voluntary technology transfer, a free flow of scientific and technological talents, and contribute to an inclusive, open, fair and non-discriminatory economy.

We will promote an agenda of sustainable and inclusive investment in developing and emerging economies, based on local economic value-added and local transformation, such as fertiliser value chains. This comprehensive approach will require new metrics to update our accountability instruments.



Public finance will remain essential to achieving our goals. We should start with strengthening our instruments (the International Development Association, the International Monetary Funds Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust and Resilience and Sustainability Trust, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Green Climate Fund and other concessional windows of our banks, as well as the Global Shield against Climate Risks). But we acknowledge that meeting our development and climate goals, including the fight against hunger, poverty and inequality, adapting to climate change, averting, minimising, and addressing loss and damage, will require new, innovative and sustainable sources of finance, such as debt buybacks, engagement from sectors that prosper thanks to globalisation and more trusted carbon and biodiversity credit markets.



Increasing resilience through a comprehensive suite of financial instruments is a priority. We need a stronger global safety net, based on pre-arranged approaches, to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change, especially when disasters hit. This implies climate and other disaster-resilient deferral mechanisms, insurance nets and emergency response financing, including a more sustainable financing model of humanitarian aid.



Achieving our development goals, including climate mitigation, will also depend on scaling up private capital flows. This requires enhanced mobilization of the private sector with its financial resources and its innovative strength, as promoted by the G20 Compact with Africa. This also requires improving the business environment, implementing common standards and adequate capacity building, reducing perceived risks, such as in foreign exchange and credit markets. This may require public support, as well as sharing reliable data. Overall, our system needs to lower the cost of capital for sustainable development, including through the green transition in developing and emerging economies.



Our work together is all about solidarity and collective action, to reduce the challenges facing developing countries and to fulfill our global agenda. We will continue to press for progress, leveraging other important events, including the G20 Summits in India and Brazil, the SDG Summit, and the COPs, starting with COP28 in the United Arab Emirates this year. In all of our upcoming international works and negotiations, we will seek to advance concrete actions that deliver on the promise of the SDGs, for our prosperity, people and planet.



Joseph R Biden Jr is the president of the United States; Fumio Kishida is the prime minister of Japan; Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the president of Brazil; Emmanuel Macron is the president of France; Charles Michel is the president of the European Council; Mia Mottley is the prime minister of Barbados; Cyril Ramaphosa is the president of South Africa; William Ruto is the president of Kenya; Macky Sall is the president of Senegal; Olaf Scholz is the chancellor of Germany; Rishi Sunak is the prime minister of the United Kingdom; Ursula von der Leyen is the president of the European Commission; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates.



Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
In the run-up to the Karnataka elections, the Congress had announced five major promises and had even distributed signed guarantee cards to households assuring that they would be implemented if the party came to power. It is now a month since Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar assumed office as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively and the government is struggling to meet its promises.

It appears that the Congress did little or no homework while making these promises, especially with regard to their financial implications. With finance department officers reportedly pointing out that implementing the freebies would cost the exchequer up to Rs 1 lakh crore, the government has begun adding one rider after another to exclude various sections from availing these benefits. Though this might be a prudent decision, it amounts to going back on the partys poll promises.

The Cost Of Freebies

Karnataka currently has a budget size of Rs 3.09 lakh crore with a revenue surplus of Rs 402 crore. With 50 percent of revenue receipts going towards committed expenditure including salaries, pensions and interest, Siddaramaiah is left with very little leeway. After the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), the states own revenue is limited to excise duties on liquor and fuel, stamps and registration, professional tax, taxes on vehicles, land revenue, among others. There is not much headroom left for increasing state taxes as liquor is already heavily taxed, while the government is unlikely to increase the cost of fuel as it would have a cascading effect.

This could force the Chief Minister to bridge the gap through borrowing. The fiscal deficit is currently contained at 2.6 percent of the State Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) as against the 3 percent ceiling fixed by the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002. This means the government can afford to increase the borrowing while remaining within the set parameters. While this would be an easy way out, Siddaramaiah should bear in mind that it would also increase the tax burden on the coming generations while financially constraining future governments.

Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present his budget on July 7 and it would be interesting to see how he would bridge the gap, with the guarantees expected to cost Rs 50,000-Rs 60,000 crore even after the riders.

But The Poor Love Them

So far, the government has been able to fully implement only one scheme without any preconditions, that is, Shakti which enables women to travel free of cost in non-air conditioned public transport buses anywhere in the state. The scheme has received an enthusiastic response with the ridership of buses increasing exponentially.

The government faces an uphill task in implementing Siddaramaiahs favourite programme, Anna Bhagya through which 10 kg of rice will be provided to those under the Below Poverty Line (BPL). While 5 kg of rice is now provided by the central government, Food Corporation of India (FCI) which had promised to make good the remaining quantity at a cost, has suddenly reneged on its commitment. Though the Punjab and Chattisgarh have come to the states rescue, the government is at its wits end, considering the huge transportation costs involved.

However, the Congress has gained political mileage out of this by holding a statewide protest against the Narendra Modi government for conspiring to scuttle the scheme.

Riders Attached, Opportunity Costs Too

Another flagship programme, Gruha Jyothi aimed at providing free electricity to households that consume less than 200 units of power per month is scheduled to be launched on August 1. While during the campaign, Congress leaders had promised that 200 units will be free for households irrespective of their consumption, the new restrictions have not gone down well with many. The Congress, however, appears unperturbed with Energy Minister KJ George claiming that 95 percent of households would benefit even now.

The party has also gone back on its promise to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for every woman head of family, by now announcing several preconditions. The government has also inadvertently pitted mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law against each other as only one of them can claim the dole.

The fifth flagship programme, Yuva Nidhi pertains to a monthly allowance to unemployed graduates and degree holders. Here too, the government has imposed many new conditions.

While social security measures do offer succour to the underprivileged, the government should realise that capacity building in the form of assets that can provide good education, healthcare and employment, will provide a lasting solution to peoples problems, rather than mere freebies.

Gautham Machaiah is a senior journalist and political commentator based in Bengaluru. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit is being framed as a game-changing engagement with American President Joseph Biden. Beyond the theatrics, both governments appear poised to announce a wide-ranging package of concrete deliverables. There is real momentum behind the expansion of security ties, including both defence and strategic commercial issues.

The larger challenge remains  finding a common vision for the countries economic future. Both leaders must find meaningful ways to lash their economies together, both for respective prosperity  and to stop feeding Chinas belligerent economic and military expansionism.

Commercial Ties: The Three Tracks

Commercial ties between the United States and India are progressing along three separate tracks. On one track, real commercial ties, the news is quite good. Annual bilateral goods trade has crossed the $130 billion mark, and services trade is at least half that.

US-India information technology services trade remains the quiet backbone to the commercial relationship. The United States contributes a sizeable portion of Indias $50 billion annual foreign investment, and India is increasingly a key source of foreign investment into the United States.

A second track, focused on strategic commercial relations, has shown meaningful progress in the last few years. Both the United States and India are concerned about Chinas increasing ability to employ commercial coercion in critical technology sectors.

The countries share concerns about Chinese data firms inability to withhold customer information from a security-conscious communist party leadership. Additionally, the countries have shared fears of Chinas potential domination of advanced technologies that will rapidly become fundamental to economic transformation in areas such as 5G communications, advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

A crucial third track of our commercial relations, everything else, is filled with challenges and frictions.

The Friction Points

American firms have steadily lost market access in sectors where India has adopted higher tariffs. Furthermore, developments such as local manufacturing rules, and the anticipation over expansion of data controls in the near future fuel uncertainty.

This, along with the USs recent movement towards promoting domestic production may be indicative of an increasingly protectionist stance from both countries. This can be harmful for the shared economic prosperity of both nations and could also hamper their competitive stride against China.

On the other hand, Indian firms continue to quietly push for a more liberal visa policy to support the vibrant technology services trade, as well as a relaxation in the steel and aluminium tariffs introduced during President Trumps administration.

Finally, the 2019 termination of Indias trade benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) program still burns. Thus, while the worst of the trade fighting is dormant, certain issues continue to simmer.

Shed The Limited Focus

The summit on June 22 is expected to have a sharp focus on the second bucket. We can expect a range of announcements to augment US-India commercial cooperation across several strategically significant sectors. This will presumably include a push by the governments to jump-start US-India commercial cooperation in defence research and production.

The Indian government has further prioritised self-reliance in defence production, while the US Department of Defence continues to look for ways to fulfil this need without eroding American defence firms innovation leadership. This can be a hard needle to thread. We can also expect key announcements around climate change cooperation during the visit  Indias actions on climate change are closely linked to job creation, which tends to rank much higher to Indian voters than the mitigation of climate change broadly.

Taking steps to cement cooperation in strategically significant commercial sectors is important. But this limited focus misses the far wider range of areas in which the United States and India need to further elevate commercial ties.

Commerce Can Counter China

As noted earlier, technology services cooperation remains the most significant element of the countries commercial relationship yet gets relatively little focus from policymakers. Other services sectors, including insurance, banking, media, and more, face several impediments, but rarely receive any senior-level attention. Similarly, firms in sectors ranging from automobiles to consumer products could benefit from high-level government engagement and concrete steps on both sides to remove impediments.

Both countries leaders must ensure that the entirety of the commercial sectors have expanded opportunities in each others markets. Chinas massive accumulation of trade surpluses has provided the country with the required capital to build, buy, and steal strategic technologies. This has fuelled Chinas economic embrace of smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

The United States and India will be core drivers of global growth in the coming decades. It is important to ensure most of that growth  and the resultant economic power  accrues to like-minded nations. Removing roadblocks to cooperation can help ensure we both reduce our reliance on China as the workshop of the world, and degrade Chinas economic heft.

Richard M. Rossow is Senior Adviser and holds the Chair in US-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington, DC. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to opposition parties to discuss the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital at the June 23 meeting of non-BJP parties in Patna while asserting that similar ordinances can be brought for other states too.



The Friday meeting of opposition parties has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.



Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, stressed the first thing to be discussed in the meeting should revolve around defeating the bill related to the Centre's ordinance in the Rajya Sabha.



"The Centre has carried out an experiment in Delhi by bringing this ordinance. If it is successful, it will bring similar ordinances in non-BJP states and snatch away the powers of states with respect to subjects in the concurrent list," he said in the letter dated June 20.



Kejriwal also said that the "day is not far when the prime minister will run 33 states through lieutenant governors and governors".



The Centre had on May 19 promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, with the AAP government calling the move a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services.



The ordinance, which comes a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government, seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre.



Transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor before the May 11 verdict of the apex court.



Following the ordinance, Kejriwal has been reaching out to leaders of non-BJP parties to garner their support against the ordinance so that the Centre's bid to replace it through a Bill is defeated when it is brought in Parliament.
On October 27, 2013, Narendra Modi kicked off his first Lok Sabha election rally from Patnas Gandhi Maidan. The campaign eventually scripted history as the Bharatiya Janata Party won a majority on its own in the national elections the following year and Modi took over as the Prime Minister.



Almost 10 years later, the city is back in the national political spotlight as Indias key opposition parties assemble there to brainstorm on a common strategy to take on the BJP. On June 23, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is set to host opposition leaders from more than a dozen political parties, including the Congress, the largest of them.



Opposition leaders from Bihar and political experts said the key agenda of the meeting is to project the unity of some of the main opposition parties in their fight against the BJP ahead of the national elections, which are due by next year.



The leaders could take up the contentious issue of how to collaborate in states where there would be a direct contest between the Congress and a regional opposition party such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and Punjab.



Meeting agenda



The main agenda is how to strike alliances in different states effectively to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, a senior Congress leader from Bihar said, requesting anonymity. We expect a broad-based discussion on what kind of seat sharing could take place. This will not be a specific or granular discussion but yes, seat-sharing talks are on the table.



Top leaders of Congress allies including Kumars Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) are likely to attend the meeting. Leaders from the TMC, AAP, the Left Parties, National Conference and Samajwadi Party (SP) could also be present.



I see this as a Congress+Third Front meeting that will put to test whether anti-BJP can become a political pole in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections or not. It is extremely significant because it could see attendance from the topmost leaders of different parties going to Patna to engage, Manisha Priyam, a New Delhi-based political analyst, told Moneycontrol.



The opposition parties could consider pro-people issues to be taken up by the joint platform, including social and policy matters under the BJP, a senior JDU leader said.



This is the first of more meetings, the Congress leader said, adding that it will lay the basis for how the discussions will move over the next few months.



Opposition states



States, where the Congress and a regional opposition party would be in a contest, could continue to be the key bone of contention.



What remains to be seen is what strategy is adopted for more sticky issues like states where two opposition parties are against each other. We do not know to what extent that issue will be ironed out, the JDU leader added.



In West Bengal, the TMC led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee finds the Congress as one of its key challengers. In Delhi, the Congress positions itself staunchly against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of AAP, which ended its 15-year rule in 2013.



The problem will come from states where the Congress and regional parties are opposed to each other like in West Bengal, Delhi and Telangana. Opposition will need a well-defined strategy to tackle issues emerging in such states, Priyam said.



Nitish Kumars role



Kumar has had a blow-hot-blow-cold political relationship with the BJP. Kumars JDU won the Bihar election of 2020 in alliance with the BJP but two years later, he exited the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and joined hands with the RJD and the Congress to form the government.



He has walked out once earlier from the NDA and once from the mahagatbandhan in Bihar. However, he has retained the top post in the state for about 18 years, barring a one-year stint of Jitan Ram Manjhi.



Over the past few months, however, Kumar has taken the lead in crisscrossing the states to meet top opposition leaders in a bid to bring them onboard for a common anti-BJP forum. Kumar was often accompanied with his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.



This included Kumars meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and top leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, with Kejriwal in the national capital, Banerjee in Kolkata, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneshwar.



His intention is to develop a clear-cut platform for anti-BJP politicking, similar to the way in which he has done it for Congress in the past. He realises the importance of political allies in doing this, Priyam added.
Of the surprises Tuesday nights Virginia primary brought, none was bigger than the upset defeat of Sen. Chap Petersen in Northern Virginia.

His challenger, Saddam Azlan Salim, didnt make an issue of a potential new Washington Commanders stadium, but the night of voting, and a wave of retirements after redistricting, changes the calculus as Virginia pursues the project.

The Commanders are expected to be under new ownership, led by Bethesda native Josh Harris, by the end of the summer.

That group has been working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for a new stadium project, with celebrity investor Magic Johnson making an informal tour of lawmakers and other influential figures.

At one point in early 2022 Virginia was the only locality left in the stadium race, but the energy brought by the new ownership group is expected to bring D.C. and Maryland back to the table for a competitive contest.

Maryland has the incumbency advantage, with FedEx Field currently located in Landover, while D.C. has the most widely sought-after site among fans, where RFK Stadium stands now.

Virginias advantage would be financial. In 2016, then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe said nearly two-thirds of the teams season-ticket holders live in the state, and a number of major corporate backers are in the commonwealth as well.

The state also appears willing to pony up to make it happenearly in last years process, as much as $1 billion in state support was floated.

While that could still happen, the math is now very different.

One of the top advocates for the stadium, Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw of Fairfax, is retiring, and Petersen, one of the founding members of the Redskins caucus, is now a lame duck.

Among Democrats, it was a rough night for some business-friendly establishment candidates, and the party will look to protect its razor-thin Senate majority, currently 22-18, in November.

But Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin had a good night, watching all the candidates he endorsed win nominations and candidates with more extreme positions, like Chesterfield Sen. Amanda Chase, fall to primary challengers.

Youngkin is a pro-business leader who has long said he would support a Commanders stadium as long as the numbers made sense for Virginia taxpayers.

If his party can reclaim the Senate in November, while holding the House, he, not the Democrats, would have the upper hand on what stadium legislation looks like.

While RFK remains a sentimental favorite, and Maryland is freshly back in the picture, Virginia remains a powerful force in the running.

The state that landed Amazons new headquarters may have a new legislative path to the stadium, but its likely to be every bit as competitive as it was before Tuesdays primaries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met American billionaire investor Ray Dalio in New York. PM Modi said he urged the noted hedge-fund manager to deepen investments in India. They discussed the reform trajectory of our government.



The 73-year-old founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, called PM Modi reformed, and said that India has an enormous potential.



Met my friend, the distinguished author and investor @RayDalio. Urged him to deepen investments in India and also talked about the reform trajectory of our Government. pic.twitter.com/sgM9JSPtQn

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023





Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a man whose time has come when Indias time has come. The potential of India is enormous, and you have now a reformer who has the ability to transform and the popularity to transform, Ray Dalio said.



India and Prime Minister Modi are at a juncture in which a lot of opportunities will be created.



The Foreign Ministry described PM Modi's meeting with Dalio as "fruitful". "A fruitful meeting between PM @narendramodi and investor, author and co-founder of hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates @RayDalio," ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.



"PM highlighted reforms undertaken by the government to foster economic growth, including reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of large number of legal provisions. PM invited @RayDalio for further investing in India," Bagchi said.



On the same day, the Prime Minister met Tesla chief, billionaire Elon Musk, in New York. The much-anticipated meeting a big talking point on the internet on Wednesday. The Twitter and SpaceX chief said India has more promise than any other large country and that he is incredibly excited about its future.



PM Modi, who is visiting the US this week at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, is meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts.



Other personalities on PM Modi's meeting list include astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer and author Nicholas Nassim Taleb.
Better late than never is a popular adage, but it may not stand true in all cases. Take, for example, Delhi Metro Rail Corporations (DMRC) recent response to a complaint about two passengers kissing on the metro  which came two days after the complaint was first raised.



Delhi Metro Rail Corporations response to the complaint has led to much amusement on Twitter, because it appears as if Delhi Metro authorities went looking for the couple two days after the complaint was first raised, effectively killing any chances of actually finding them.



It all began when Twitter user Bhagat Chingsubam shared a photo of the couple kissing on a metro travelling towards HUDA City Centre station. The photo was shared on Saturday, June 17. Chingsubam tagged Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Police in his tweet, asking them to take action against the couple.



DMRC did take note of his complaint and even responded to it. However, it was too little, too late.



On June 19, exactly two days after the photo was shared, DMRC responded saying authorities checked HUDA City Center but could not find the passengers photographed.



Hi. Any inconvenience is regretted. Checked at HUDA City Center and no such passengers found, the official Twitter account of DMRC tweeted.



Hi. Any inconvenience is regretted. Checked at HUDA City Center and no such passengers found.

 Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) June 19, 2023



While some Twitter users were amused by the late response, other slammed DMRC.



Utterly nonsense response, wrote one person.





Utterly nonsense response.



 Liz/Barsha (@debunk_misinfos) June 20, 2023









Good reply after two days .

 Delhi ka Citizen (@mannojdora) June 19, 2023







How can you find that guy if you are looking after 2 days of the incident??



 rohit srivastava (@rohitdel1987) June 20, 2023







Absolutely superb response, and the 48-hour time gap makes it even better, a Twitter user joked.



Absolutely superb response, and the 48-hour time gap makes it even better. https://t.co/hp7APKH3M6

 Gautam Bhatia (@gautambhatia88) June 20, 2023



Many also asked for action to be taken against a complainant for taking pictures and videos inside the metro, which is forbidden.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he had a very good conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on Tuesday evening. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Musk, 51, praised Modis outlook for India and reiterated his intention of investing in the country.



I'm incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world, said Elon Musk, who has been in talks with the Indian government about establishing a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in the country.



He (Modi) really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing," Musk said. In a nutshell, it was a fantastic meeting with the prime minister, he added, calling himself a fan of PM Modi.



Musk noted that he has known PM Modi for a while  from the time the prime minister visited a Tesla factory in California several years ago. Asked if Tesla would enter the Indian market, Musk replied in the affirmative and said that Tesla would be in India as soon as humanly possible.



#WATCH | Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, says "I'm incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as he's pushing us to make significant investments in India. I am a fan of Modi. It pic.twitter.com/lfRNoUQy3R

 ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023



Asked about his plans for investment in India, Musk said the country had potential for all three pillars of sustainable energy future  the three pillars being potential for solar and wind energy generation, stationary battery packs and electric vehicles.



The Tesla CEO also said he hopes to bring Starlink satellite internet service to India, noting that it would help those in rural areas who have no access to the internet or where internet is too expensive for them.



He confirmed that PM Modi had extended an invitation to him to visit India and said he plans to visit India next year.



Musk is among the several high-profile personalities that PM Modi has met in the US. Others include astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met several notable personalities in New York City on Tuesday evening  including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and author Nassim Nicholas Taleb, who have locked horns on various issues in the past. The feuding duo met the Indian prime minister within minutes of each other, prompting a cryptic tweet from Taleb.



Nassim Nicholas Taleb, mathematical statistician and bestselling author of The Black Swan, shared a video of his meeting with PM Modi on Twitter and wrote: Elon Musk, while attacking me on Twitter, was next but I did not run into him.



Elon Musk, while attacking me on Twitter, was next but I did not run into him. https://t.co/E5G1MpeStz

 Nassim Nicholas Taleb (@nntaleb) June 20, 2023



During their meeting, PM Modi and Taleb discussed Indias response to Covid, which the author praised as commendable. Taleb later tweeted that successful interventions, which helped control the virus and avert catastrophes, might look excessive in hindsight.



Interestingly, the pandemic is one issue where Taleb and Musk have not seen eye-to-eye in the past. In March 2020, Elon Musk had tweeted The coronavirus panic is dumb.



Nassim Nicholas Taleb had a sharp rejoinder  Saying the coronavirus panic is dumb is dumb, he tweeted in response. Musk apparently blocked him on Twitter after that.





Saying the coronavirus panic is dumb is dumb.#PrecautionaryPrinciple #WittgensteinsRuler https://t.co/AS5UzFBs03



 Nassim Nicholas Taleb (@nntaleb) March 7, 2020







More recently, in April 2022, Taleb had hit out at Musk for blocking him on Twitter just before Covid hit the fan. He criticised Musk for interfering with the flow of information, and going so far as to buying an entire social media company to do so.



From suckers who firmly believe @ElonMusk is a defender of the flow of information, he has blocked me for this in March 2020, just before Covid hit the fan.

I have nothing agst blocking or restricting accounts; but I am not buying Twitter to facilitate the flow of information. https://t.co/1cyhojh6nr



 Nassim Nicholas Taleb (@nntaleb) April 25, 2022



Prime Minister Narendra Modi held meetings with several eminent personalities on Tuesday evening  including Musk, Taleb, astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson and investor Ray Dalio. He will now fly to Washington DC from New York City to meet US President Joe Biden.
Lily Thai, a 23-year-old from Adelaide, Australia will be administered life-ending medication today to bid farewell to a life plagued by bodily pain and suffering. Lily has battled Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare condition in which her immune system attacks her nervous system, leaving her in constant agony and dependent on others for care. Today, under South Australia's recently passed voluntary assisted dying laws, Lily will be euthanised.



Lily lamented missing out on moments like graduating from high school, stating, "You never do the normal things like going to your high school graduation."



South Australia's legalization of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in January was a significant step towards providing compassionate options for individuals facing terminal illnesses. The state allocated $18 million over five years to ensure the safe delivery of this end-of-life choice to those in need. Lily, who had exhausted all viable treatment options, recognized that her body had reached its limit. She shared, "I realized that I can't have any more anesthesia, so I couldn't have any more feeding tube changes or surgeries."



She expressed her relief, saying, "I'll no longer have any pain, I will no longer suffer with any of these issues, and I'll finally be free of all the suffering that I have endured for so many years."



Throughout her battle with this debilitating illness, Lily has received palliative care at the Flinders Medical Centre's Laurel Hospice.



Lily's mother chose not to be present when her only child signed her final consent form. Lily's mother acknowledged the immense difficulty her family and friends would face, saying, "I feel pretty numb. I know how hard it will be for my family and friends. But it's gotten to the place that I've lost control of everything else in my life, and I've been reliant on my dad as a caregiver to do everything for me, even the most intimate things."



Lily has meticulously planned parts of her funeral and selected a "lovely place" for her burial. Moreover, she had taken the time to write letters to her loved ones, reminding them of the cherished memories they shared together.



One of Lily's final wishes before her passing was to savour a meal from McDonald's and visit the beach. A photo shared on Facebook captured Lily in the back of an ambulance, clutching a box of McDonald's fries, gazing out at the ocean.
American astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on Tuesday evening. I was delighted to spend time in the company of a head of state who is as scientifically thoughtful as is PM Modi, he said. Tysons introduction of Modi included a quote from his book Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier  For me the sky is not the limit, he read, drawing an appreciative wah from the Indian prime minister. The quote echoed what Tyson would later say about India  the potential for what India can accomplish knows no bounds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his maiden state visit to the US during which he has already met several high-profile personalities, including Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio. Neil DeGrasse Tyson said that PM Modi reserved his conversations about space for him and for Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He also praised the prime minister for his focus on science and technology to tackle modern-day challenges. So many leaders of the world, I think their priorities may be out of balance going into the 21st century, Tyson observed. All the challenges we have in civilization, solutions are going to come from innovation and science and technology, engineering and math, and its clear to me that he (Modi) cares about all of this. He added that space matters quite a bit to PM Modi and he was delighted to hear about the future space programmes that he has in mind.

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Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, expressed his enthusiasm for India and its potential during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US which caught the attention of Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma.



Sharma shared a video of one of Musks interactions with the media on Twitter. Sharma had earlier shared the video highlighting Musks plan to visit India next year. In his latest tweet he stated, "He won't find population problem in India. Finds clean energy, energy storage and EVs as great potential. Loves India and is a fan of our PM."



In a media interaction, Musk praised PM Modi's leadership and his efforts to make technology inclusive and create a digital infrastructure in the country.



He wont find population problem in India.

Finds clean energy, energy storage and EVs as great potential.

Loves India and is a fan of our PM https://t.co/K36UhPB6Ge

 Vijay Shekhar Sharma (@vijayshekhar) June 21, 2023

Musk said PM Modi has a desire to be open and supportive of new companies while ensuring that the country benefits from these partnerships. He said, "I can say he really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies, obviously, but at the same time, make sure it accrues to India's advantage, which is obviously that's the job I'm saying. I am a fan of Modi."



Musk mentioned that he intends to invest in India but is currently working on determining the appropriate timing for these investments.



Great conversation with @NarendraModi https://t.co/UYpRvNywHb

 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2023

He continued, "I'm incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we intend to do and are just trying to figure out the right timing. I am a fan of Modi. It was a fantastic meeting and I like him quite a lot."



Musk also revealed his plans to visit India again in the near future, stating, "He did. And yes, I'm tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I'm looking forward."



This is PM Modi and Musks first meeting since he became the owner of Twitter. Their previous meeting took place in 2015 when PM Modi visited the Tesla Motors factory in California.
A woman and her friends were fined at a restaurant in China for allegedly failing to create a "vibrant enough vibe" in a popular pub. The incident, which took place at the Boom Shake bar in Hangzhou, sparked a debate on consumer rights on social media.



The unidentified woman had booked a VIP booth at the pub, which required a minimum spend of 3,800 yuan (Rs 43,372). However, upon arrival, they discovered that the booth allocated to them was too small. Despite the inconvenience, they decided to stay and continue their evening. To their surprise, when the bill arrived, they were charged an extra 300 yuan (Rs 3,424) along with an additional bottle of wine they had not ordered.



According to the woman, the staff informed them that the extra charge was a "punishment" due to the supposedly lacklustre atmosphere around their booth. In an interview with news site Pear Video, the woman expressed her disbelief, stating, "I was speechless. We went there as consumers, not to work to create a vibe. Why should we be penalised?"



The woman noted that they had only ordered four bottles of wine, but mysteriously, they were charged for an additional bottle costing over 1,000 yuan (Rs 11,409) for staff, not customers. However, the woman discovered that the waiter responsible for adding the charge, called Li, was working on commission through a third-party sales company.



A heated argument ensued over who should take responsibility for the incident, with the bar management asserting their stance. Eventually, the group reluctantly settled the bill.



However, after the woman filed multiple complaints with the company that owns the bar and the local market supervision authority, Li, the waiter who added the charge, repaid 1,480 yuan to the woman as an apology.



The incident has ignited a widespread discussion on social media platforms in China, with netizens expressing their astonishment and concerns over consumer rights. One user on Weibo remarked, "I am lucky to see this kind of extremely incredible news." Another person commented, "It's obviously a robbery," highlighting the outrage felt by many.



Just a few months ago, a man in eastern China faced overcharging at a restaurant, with the establishment denying the allegations until surveillance footage confirmed the discrepancy and prompted the correction of the bill.
Shahzada Dawood, one of Pakistans richest men, and his teenage son, are among the five people onboard the missing submersible that was meant to take them to the Titanic shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean. The sub, named Titan, is still missing even as rescuers are racing against time to locate the vessel. The vessel could run out of oxygen by Thursday morning.



Contact with the small sub was lost about an hour and 45 minutes into its dive in the mid-Atlantic on Sunday. The last known location was about 700 kilometers south of St. John's, Newfoundland in the United States. On Tuesday, a Canadian P-8 aircraft using sonar to search for the missing submersible detected underwater "banging" sounds in the North Atlantic, media reports said, citing US government communications.



Shahzada Dawdood, his 19-year-old son Sulaiman, British billionaire-explorer Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet and Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate Inc, that organised the underwater expedition, are the five passengers onboard the missing submersible.



Who is Shahzada Dawood?



Dawood, 48, is the vice chairman of Karachi-based Engro Corporation. The British-Pakistani, who joined the family business in 1996, belongs to a leading business family in Pakistan. His father, Hussain Dawood, 79, is the chairman of the Dawood Hercules Corporation (DH Corp), a big business entity in Pakistan with Engro Corporation as its subsidiary. The Dawood family, who live in Surbiton, southwest London, are in Canada for a month.



Shahzada Dawood is also a trustee of the Seti Institute, a research organisation in California, according to its website. It says he lives in the UK with his wife, Christine, and his children Suleman and Alina, and is in the Founder's Circle of the British Asian Trust. It says he lives in the UK with his wife, Christine, children Suleman and Alina, his dog Stig and cat Proteus.



Dawood completed his Masters in Global Textile Marketing from Philadelphia University in the US. He also has an LLB from Buckingham University in the UK.



He is also a supporter of British Asian Trust, a charity founded by King Charles III when he was the Prince of Wales.



Engro Corporation, one of Pakistan's largest conglomerates, has investments in fertilisers, vehicle manufacturing, energy and digital technologies.



The company, in a statement, said that all it knew was that contact was lost with the submersible craft. There is limited information available beyond this that we know, and we humbly request that speculation and theorisation is avoided. it said.



We, at Engro, remain in prayer for their swift and safe return, and will share updates we may have as and when they come, it added.



The Pakistan government has not commented on the missing Titanic sub so far, while the family and the company are not ready to offer any insight due to the sensitivity of the issues.
In a Class 12 English language exam question asking students to describe the 44th Chess Olympiad which was held in India last year, R Praggnanandhaa had a bit of an advantage over his classmates  the Indian chess prodigy was actually a medal-winner in the tournament.



Praggnanandhaa, a student of Velammal school in Chennai, shared a picture of his English exam question paper, wherein students were asked to write a letter describing the 44th Chess Olympiad which took place in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.



Praggnanandhaa, 17, was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the Chess Olympiad, along with D Gukesh, Nihal Sarin and Raunak Sadhwani in the Open section. He also won an individual bronze medal for India.



Gave my 12th exams, English paper today.. and was happy to see this question appear! pic.twitter.com/gdVxlvuCpQ

 Praggnanandhaa (@rpragchess) June 20, 2023



The Indian grandmaster shared a picture of the question paper on Twitter, saying he was happy to see the question. Gave my 12th exams, English paper today.. and was happy to see this question appear! he tweeted.



His picture shows that students had the option of either writing a letter describing the 44th Chess Olympiad or responding to a given job ad with a biodata. No points for guessing which question Praggnanandhaa attempted.



His tweet got a response from another grandmaster  Anish Giri of Netherlands. Giris attention was drawn to another part of the exam  the 28-year-old was left puzzled by a question asking students to find a mistake in the sentence My teacher told me that my answer is wrong.





This is indeed wonderful. But I don't see the mistake in "My teacher told me that my answer is wrong."



 Anish Giri (@anishgiri) June 21, 2023







Thats unfair to other students, joked another Twitter user.



That's unfair to other students

 nishant (@knave4cs) June 20, 2023



You had a checkmate moment, another quipped.



The international Chess Olympiad, organised by the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE), took place in Mamallapuram in August 2022. Mamallapurams well-connected transport network and the presence of several luxury hotels all helped in the selection of the coastal town as the venue for the international chess tournament.
At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry of Sri Lanka will visit China from June 24 to 30.



CCTV: Premier Li Qiang is in Germany for an official visit and the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Could you share more information?

Mao Ning: At the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang is paying an official visit to Germany and has held the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation from June 18 to 21. This is Premier Li Qiangs first overseas trip since he took office and a trip to renew friendship and deepen cooperation. Chancellor Scholz held a welcome ceremony for Premier Li. They held talks and co-chaired the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation. They jointly witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation agreements, met the press, and attended the China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum and a round table for Chinese and German entrepreneurs.

The seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation is a highlight in this trip. It is the first face-to-face consultation since the start of COVID-19 and the first time for the two new governments to fully engage with each other, which gives the occasion special importance for coordinating and advancing China-Germany practical cooperation in various fields. Both sides attached high importance to the consultation. Leading officials of 22 ministries including foreign policy, commerce and trade, industry, finance, judiciary, transportation, education, science and technology, health, environmental protection, development, among others, held consultations in their respective fields and reported to the Premier and the Chancellor how bilateral cooperation is progressing. During the consultation, both sides reached a host of important outcomes, including agreeing to set up a dialogue and cooperation mechanism on climate change and green transition, hold the third China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue as well as new editions of Sino-German Environmental Forum and health dialogue, and continue to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, investment, automobile manufacturing, high-tech, new energy, digital economy and people-to-people exchanges, step up exchanges at all levels and in various fields, engage in diplomatic consultation and dialogue and jointly respond to global challenges.

Both sides agreed that this round of China-Germany Inter-governmental Consultation has been highly efficient, pragmatic and productive. China-Germany cooperation has a solid foundation and is full of vitality. To deepen cooperation at a higher level and seek higher standards and quality, and jointly keep the global production and supply chains stable serves the interests of both countries and is of global significance. China stands ready to continue to follow the principles of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, exchanges and mutual learning, and win-win cooperation as we work together with Germany to deliver what has been agreed by the two leaders to boost the healthy and steady growth of China-Germany relations and make China and Germanys due contribution to global stability and prosperity as two major countries.

AFP: Two Chinese nationals were convicted on Tuesday in the US. They were accused of forcibly repatriating Chinese citizens to China. Do you have any reaction to that?

Mao Ning: The need to fight cross-border crimes, repatriate corrupt fugitives and recover illegal proceeds is widely recognized by the international community. It is a just cause. Chinas law enforcement cooperation with any country in the world is conducted in strict accordance with international law with full respect for the laws and judicial sovereignty of other countries and commitment to protecting the lawful rights and interests of criminal suspects. The relevant operation is fully justified. The US, on the other hand, has chosen to ignore the facts, deliberately distorted Chinas efforts as something sinister and even resorted to judicial action. China firmly opposes this.

We urge the US to immediately right its wrongdoing, fulfill its obligations under the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the UN Convention against Corruption and other international treaties, step up to its international responsibilities and stop America from turning into a safe haven for criminals.

***

In observance of the Dragon Boat Festival, the MFA regular press conference will be adjourned from June 22 (Thursday) to 23 (Friday), and resumed on June 26 (Monday). During the holiday, you can reach the spokespersons office by fax, email or WeChat as usual.
Imagine a world where every high school student is taught how to apply for a job, get into trade school or college, earn scholarships, and budget to live within their means. This is how I define a brighter financial future, and that is the vision of the Oregon credit unions who, as members of the GoWest Credit Union Association, collaborated to create groundbreaking financial education legislation.

The need for a financial literacy curriculum in Oregon schools is clear. According to research by Oregon State University, 62% of Oregonians spend more than they earn. And 29% of Oregonians do not have enough cash on hand to pay for a $2,000 emergency. Financial education requirements in high schools could help to reverse that trend.

Senate Bill 3 would set young Oregonians on the right path by requiring their high schools to offer financial education classes as part of a broader life skills credit. One class would help them gain access to secondary education and careers.

The other required class would teach budgeting skills that would serve them well for the rest of their lives. Theyd learn credit-building skills, how to budget to pay for what theyre buying, prepare tax returns, and avoid becoming victims of fraud. SB 3 would give students half a credit for each of these classes.

We know from experience that students would welcome the opportunity to learn more. As not-for-profit cooperative financial services providers, credit unions take seriously their responsibility to promote financial wellness for all. At my credit union, weve offered real-life Financial Reality Fair experiences to more than 1,200 high school students.

Many of them came into the exercises having no idea how much it costs to raise a child or feed a family. Some had jobs and were already helping their parents or guardians to support their households, but didnt know how to stretch a dollar. They always leave these events with more awareness and respect for money management.

It should also be noted that credit unions offer adult financial education. The lack of financial foundation attendees received in high school is very apparent, and many tell us they wish theyd had more opportunities when they were in school to learn how to build a path to financial wellness.

SB 3 is the right answer.

This common-sense legislation isnt the ask of just one educator or one credit union but was created by the GoWest Credit Union Association in collaboration with its member credit unions. The bill has the wide support of the Credit Union Movement in Oregon, which is proud to serve 2.3 million Oregonians.

SB 3 also has bipartisan support; it was co-sponsored by Senate President Rob Wagner and Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp. SB 3 has passed through the committee process and is ready for House and Senate votes. We strongly encourage passage before the 2023 session ends.

Its about the future.
Lufthansa said Wednesday it would sell payments subsidiary AirPlus to Sweden's SEB Kort Bank for around 450 million euros ($490 million), as part of the German group's efforts to refocus on its airline business. The sale of AirPlus, which provides corporate travel payment services, "is the next major step" in Lufthansa's strategy "to focus on its core business going forward," chief financial officer Remco Steenbergen said in a statement. It comes after Lufthansa in April announced the divestment of its LSG catering business, and last month agreed to buy a 41-percent stake in Italy's ITA Airways. "Selling two group companies and agreeing on a stake in ITA - all in less than three months - clearly shows our determination in executing this strategy," said Steenbergen. The Lufthansa group -- one of Europe's biggest airlines -- was brought to the brink of bankruptcy when the Covid-19 pandemic saw global air travel grind to a halt, and had to be bailed out by the German government in 2020. The group recovered swiftly once coronavirus curbs eased and demand for air travel bounced back. It returned to the black in 2022, posting a net profit of 791 million euros, and has expressed confidence about meeting its 2023 targets amid ongoing strong demand. Lufthansa said the AirPlus sale was expected to "have a positive effect" on the group's operating profits and return on capital. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2024. "By joining forces, SEB Kort and AirPlus will be well placed for the future corporate payments market, benefitting from complementary strengths, synergies and scale benefits," Johan Torgeby, president and CEO of SEB group, said in the same statement.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Wednesday on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.



Modi arrived from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.



The prime minister, who is visiting the US at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, will join them for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries on Thursday.



Modi and Biden have had the opportunity to meet several times since his last official visit to the US in September 2021. "This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership," Modi said.



In his departure statement, Modi said this "special invitation" from President Biden and the First Lady for a state visit is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies.



Modi said his discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity).



Noting that the US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties, Modi said that during his visit, he will address a joint session of the US Congress at the invitation of the Congressional leadership.



"Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries. I look forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies," he said.



In Washington, Modi will also meet business leaders and interact with the Indian community.



"We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas," he said.



The US is India's largest trade partner in goods and services, and the two countries collaborate closely in the fields of science and technology, education, health, defence and security, the prime minister said.



The initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration in defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, artificial intelligence and biotech sectors, he added.



"Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific," he said.



Modi expressed confidence that his visit to the US will reinforce ties between the two countries based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom.



"Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges," Modi said in his statement.



From the US, Modi will travel to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Rescuers searching for a missing tourist submersible near the wreck of the Titanic have detected "underwater noises" in the search area, the US Coast Guard said Wednesday, with oxygen for the five on board rapidly running out more than two days after they lost contact.



All communication was lost with the 21-foot (6.5-meter) craft during its descent Sunday to see the remains of the British passenger liner, which sits more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the surface of the North Atlantic.



US and Canadian coast guard ships and planes are scouring 7,600 square miles of ocean (around 20,000 square kilometers) -- larger than the US state of Connecticut -- for the vessel, which was attempting to dive about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.



"Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remotely operated vehicle) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises," the US Coast Guard's First District said on its official Twitter page.



The ROV searches had so far not yielded results, but would continue, the military branch said, adding that data from the Canadian aircraft had been shared with US Navy experts to inform future search plans.



The submersible, named Titan, was carrying three fee-paying passengers, including a British billionaire and a Pakistani tycoon and his son. OceanGate Expeditions charges $250,000 for a seat on the sub, which is about the size of an average truck.



The US Coast Guard announcement is the most encouraging sign yet that those on board may still be alive.



Rescue aid has been pouring in from around the world, with a specialized winch system for lifting heavy objects from extreme depths, other equipment and personnel due to join the rescue effort on Tuesday night, according to the US Navy.



The Pentagon said it was deploying a third C-130 aircraft and three C-17s, while France's oceanographic institute announced a deep-sea underwater robot and its experts would arrive in the area on Wednesday.



"This is a very complex search and the unified team is working around the clock to bring all available assets and expertise to bear as quickly as possible," US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters.



- 'Untested design' -



"Logistically speaking, it's hard to bring assets to bear. It takes time, it takes coordination," he added.



Rescuers estimate that passengers have less than two days of oxygen left, based on the sub's capacity to hold up to 96 hours of emergency air.



"There's about 40 hours of breathable air left based on that initial report," Frederick said at around 1:00 pm (1700 GMT) Tuesday.



Rescue efforts ramped up as a 2018 lawsuit came to light that alleged that OceanGate Expeditions' former director of marine operations was fired after he raised safety concerns about Titan.



David Lochridge cited the company's "experimental and untested design of the Titan" in a court filing.



The Titan lost contact with the surface less than two hours into its descent, authorities say.



On board are Briton Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush and French submarine operator Paul-Henri Nargeolet, nicknamed "Mr Titanic" for his frequent dives at the site.



In an Instagram message posted just before their journey, Harding said a window had opened after days of bad weather and he was proud to be part of the mission.



"Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023," he wrote.



Harding, 58, is no stranger to daredevil activities and has three Guinness world records to his name.



A year ago, he became a space tourist through Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin company.



Shahzada and Suleman Dawood hail from one of Pakistan's richest families, which runs Karachi-headquartered conglomerate Engro, with investments in energy, agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunications.



Mike Reiss, an American television writer who visited the Titanic wreck on the same sub last year, told the BBC the experience was disorientating. The pressure at that depth as measured in atmospheres is 400 times what it is at sea level.



"The compass immediately stopped working and was just spinning around and so we had to flail around blindly at the bottom of the ocean, knowing the Titanic was somewhere there," Reiss said.



He said everyone was aware of the dangers.



"You sign a waiver before you get on and it mentions death three different times on page one."



- Fears of a leak -



The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912 during its maiden voyage from England to New York with 2,224 passengers and crew on board. More than 1,500 people died.



It was found in 1985 and remains a lure for nautical experts and underwater tourists.



Without having studied the lost craft itself, Alistair Greig, professor of marine engineering at University College London, suggested two possible scenarios based on images of the Titan published by the press.



He said if it had an electrical or communications problem, it could have surfaced and remained floating, "waiting to be found" -- bearing in mind the vessel can reportedly be unlocked from the outside only.



"Another scenario is the pressure hull was compromised -- a leak," he said in a statement.



"Then the prognosis is not good."
SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son declared the worlds largest tech investment firm will go on the offensive soon, ending years of relative dormancy in startup investments.



Thats welcome news for the startup ecosystem, where even the valuations of profitable firms are crumbling as higher interest rates sap liquidity and spur caution among venture capital funds. Son spoke at length about his excitement about AIs potential at the conglomerates annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday.



Prior to this week, the billionaire largely stayed away from the public eye. He stepped away from conducting SoftBanks earnings calls, even as the Vision Fund unit shouldered billions of dollars in losses over five straight quarters. New investments have ground to a virtual halt, as Son said he would focus on listing chip design unit Arm Ltd.



Thanks to its long hibernation, SoftBank now has enough cash on hand to invest again, Son said. Arm is at the beginning of an explosive period of growth, he said, adding that hes spent the last few years doubling the number of the units engineers.



We will go on the counter-offensive soon, he said. When your grandkids grow up to be our age, I believe that they will be living in such a reality where the computer is 10,000 times smarter than the sum of all human wisdom.



SoftBanks shares, which rose as much as 4.1% before the meeting began, pared some of their gains after Sons comments. Still, the stock has gained more than 30% in the June quarter, heading for their best quarterly performance in three years.



An early champion of investing in artificial intelligence, Son the previous day told shareholders at Japanese telecom unit SoftBank Corp. how happy he was about growing public awareness about AIs potential. SoftBank has poured billions of dollars into hundreds of companies and now sees some of those bets bearing fruit soon, Son said.



Prospects for Arms initial public offering have brightened recently, buoyed by hype around generative AI and talks with potential anchor investors including Intel Corp. Arm is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion, Bloomberg News reported, and brokerages are revising up their SoftBank stock price targets.
Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, has agreed to plead guilty to two tax charges and enter an agreement that may allow him to avoid a conviction on a firearm offense, according to court filings on Tuesday. Here is a look at each of the charges.



Also Read: Hunter Biden to plead guilty to tax crimes, reaches deal on gun charge



WILLFUL FAILURE TO PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAX

Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax, according to court papers.



He is charged with twice failing to pay over $100,000 in income tax. The amounts stem from over $1.5 million in taxable income Biden received in 2017 and again in 2018, according to the court papers.



Those charges are misdemeanor counts. The maximum penalty is a fine of $25,000 as well as up to one year in federal prison. Imprisonment is not mandatory under the charge.



FIREARM POSSESSION

Hunter Biden was also charged with possessing a revolver for about 11 days in October 2018 while being an addicted and unlawful user of a controlled substance. That charge is a felony.



In a 2021 memoir, he described dealing with substance abuse issues in his life, including crack cocaine use and alcoholism. Biden was discharged from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2014 after testing positive for cocaine, sources told Reuters at the time.



Also Read: Who is David Weiss, US prosecutor in Hunter Biden case?



Biden is entering a pretrial diversion agreement on the firearm charge, prosecutors said in a letter to the court on Tuesday. Pretrial diversion is an alternative to prosecution that is sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid prison time or a criminal conviction. Such programs can include requiring individuals to undergo treatment for substance abuse.



If Biden successfully completes the terms of his diversion program, the charge could be lowered or dismissed, or prosecutors could seek a lighter sentence for him.
Yesterday the Aussie market hit a two-month high. You should be hunting for opportunity. Ive given you a few ideas on this front. And I have another one for you today

Hey, this is more fun! Yesterday the Aussie market hit a two-month high.

Hopefully, you didnt stress out during the recent weakness. You might remember back on 10 May, I suggested a market crash was unlikely.

That was despite the drama over the US debt ceiling, a surprise RBA rate hike and all the other worries out there.

You should be hunting for opportunities. Ive given you a few ideas on this front.

One of those was battered REIT Abacus Property Group [ASX:ABP]. On 25 May, I said it looked like a good buy in the spirit of the late investor and grave dancer Sam Zell.

It was $2.58 on that day. Yesterday, it closed at $2.75 and up by a nifty 6%. Any shareholder is on track for a 7% yield at least.

The intriguing thing about Abacus is that its about to split in half and float a second company onto the market. There might be more in it yet.

What else can we get pumped about?

Copper is in the big game right now when it comes to the resource markets. We talked a bit about why that is on 17 May.

Just this morning, Rio Tinto [ASX:RIO] announced that its going to invest US$498 million into its American copper mine in Utah.

Thats around $733 million Aussie dollarsthats not far off $1 billion of shareholder money!

Rio said in its release:

Production from the NRS will commence in 2024 and is expected to ramp up over two years, to deliver around 250 thousand tonnes of additional mined copper over the next 10 years alongside open cut operations.

Hello!

The big mining boys are investing in copper for the years ahead.

That makes a whole lot of sense to me.

BHP CEO Mike Henry said back in May:

Copper is one of those commodities that will require a freakishly large number in terms of investment.

BHP says the number required could be US$250 billion by 2030.

The problem for you, me, and everyone else is that even if this money can be found  and its a big IF  the mining industry isnt clear about where to put it to use.

Richard Adkerson is the CEO of miner Freeport-McMoRan.

The Economist quoted him this year as saying about copper:

There is just a scarcity of actionable investment opportunities in the world today.

You can take the same approach and accumulate copper plays into your portfolio.

You do this in the full knowledge that its whole resource sentiment is a little depressed and the shares look good value.

Dont let the thought of a possible recession or economic weakness put you off, either.

There may be no higher authority on resource investing than hedge fund legend Jim Rogers. His book Hot Commodities is a classic of the sector.

One of the points he makes in that book is that the economy in the abstract is not a deciding factor when it comes to any natural resource.

The 1970s are a perfect example of this. It was a roaring time to be making money in commodities in that decade.

But the economic performance of the US economy  and share market  was largely a dud.

However, what mattered more at the time was the underinvestment in resource development during the 50s and 60s.

Its likely were looking at a similar setup in the next decade, at least in terms of supply issues.

The really big investors put their money into Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft over the last decade.

They couldnt have cared less about the outlook for copper, or any other resource for that matter.

Why would they when some of the greatest businesses of all time are churning out cash and explosive revenue growth?

However, the world cannot continually run down its known reserves of copper (and oil, iron, etc.) and not reinvest for the future.

We saw how this could play out with coal last year. The investment markets completely turned away from coal, as did banks, at least in the West.

Then we ran into an unexpected energy crisis, and coal prices went through the roof.

Along the way, my colleague Greg Canavan recommended Whitehaven Coal [ASX:WHC], and we all watched as it went up 800% at one point.

800%?

Theres only one sector that can deliver a gain like that in a reasonably short time frameand thats the resource market.

For my money, copper is the best shot at pulling off a move like this in the next few years. BHP and Rio Tinto are leading the way here, and I am more than happy to follow in their slipstream.

In my last issue of Australian Small-Cap Investigator, I put down my favourite ASX copper play.

If youre keen to check it out, get started here.

Join the fun!

Regards,

Callum Newman,

Editor, Money Morning
The Lebanon Fire District is missing a vehicle after what appears to be the second theft of the department in under a month.

In under a month, the Lebanon Fire District has been the target of two thefts, according to a Wednesday, June 21 news release. In May, tools were missing following a break-in at a relatively remote fire station. Now a 2002 White Ford Ranger has been stolen from the Station 31 parking lot, presumably on or around June 18, according to the release.

The vehicle is owned by Benton County Shops, which provides vehicle repair and maintenance services for the district. The truck was used to assist in shuttling apparatus and delivering personnel back and forth between the fire station and the shop in Corvallis, according to the release.

It is exceptionally frustrating to have to deal with these thefts on top of our already high emergency response load, fire Chief Joseph Rodondi said in a statement. When we have to divert resources to replenishing stolen tools, adjusting apparatus repair schedules, and enhancing security, ultimately, we are taking away from our ability to serve the citizens of our District. These thefts have a ripple effect that extends much further out than just the loss of goods or vehicles.

Fire District authorities believe that the suspects attempted to use the fuel card onboard on June 18 in Sweet Home, Brownsville and Coburg between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at various fuel stations.

The license plate on the white, 2002 Ford Ranger is E227387. Anyone with information regarding this theft is urged to contact Sgt. Miner at Lebanon Police Department by calling 541-451-1751, option *0, and referencing case number 2023-7417.

Related stories:

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June 21, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-147

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on June 21, 2023 at 15:45 UTC | Permalink

Comments

next page 
Jaded political pros will tell you voters hate big money in politics so much, theyd even support a tax hike if it were labeled, campaign finance reform.

Thats probably a stretch  and it sells the public short  but it does underscore the deceptive allure of so many proposals over the years to get money out of politics. Every such effort at every level of government, throughout Colorado and across the country, has been an utter failure. The policies in fact have made matters much worse.

And yet plenty of the voting public continues to rally around the cause, hope against hope, and remains receptive to ever-newer proposals of the same old spiel. Its as if to say, maybe this time, theyll get it right.

Hence, the decision by Denver voters in 2018 to create the Fair Elections Fund  which, of course, flunked its debut in Denvers 2023 municipal election. This time, the effort even had a twist, offering candidates a carrot to stay on the straight and narrow when raising campaign contributions in any race for Denver office.

It was to no avail  surprising none of the Colorado political gurus from across the spectrum who recently went on the record with Gazette Executive Editor Vince Bzdek.

Plugged-in progressive political consultant Ian Silverii, for example, summed up the new policy as an abject failure.

Candidates who agree to participate get matching funds for each contribution they receive of $50 or less. The match is at a 9-to-1 ratio, so thats $450 for each $50 donation. Denver taxpayers get stuck with the tab, with $8 million budgeted for the matching funds in this springs municipal races. The candidates also agree to a cap on all contributions over $50  the maximum allowable donation varies with the office sought  and candidates may accept contributions only from individuals and so-called small-donor committees (which in most cases are big labor unions).

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.

Never mind that the policy didnt stop the candidates who raised the most money from winning and didnt even erode their vote totals. In the mayoral race, the two candidates who were by far the top fund-raisers also wound up with by far the most votes. The only effect the Fair Elections Fund had on their campaigns was to subsidize them with tax dollars.

Never mind, as well, the role the fund played in fostering candidacies that never had a prayer but stayed in the race for the tax-funded free ride. All they did was make it nearly impossible to choreograph the first-round election debates.

The funds fundamental flaw was the same as it ever has been in prior iterations of campaign reform: Restricting campaign fund-raising by individual candidates campaigns only diverts the money into the coffers of independent expenditure committees. And they do a lot more damage than the campaigns do.

Theres far less disclosure of their contributors; far less accountability over their expenditures, and no limits on the size of their bankrolls. They sling mud with abandon.

All of which is exactly what happened in the campaigns leading up to Denvers April 4 general election and the June 6 runoff. More than $5 million flowed into the independent committees; a lot of the money even came from out-of-state billionaires like Wall Streeter Michael Bloomberg.

Those independent committees have the right to do what they do so long as they dont coordinate with the campaigns they support or oppose. The courts have said so.

Like it or not, political funding equates with political speech. Any attempt to limit it will backfire  but politicians will keep pitching it so long as the rest of us buy into it.
Wolves, their count up by three, stabilize and organize. Moose, down by 379, starve and decline. Michigan Technological University researchers discuss the latest populations in the 64th Isle Royale Winter Study.

The annual winter study, led by Sarah Hoy, John Vucetich and Rolf Peterson of Michigan Techs College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES), is the longest-running predator-prey study in the world  now in its 65th year. As always, fieldwork for the winter study of wolves and moose was conducted during a seven-week expedition at Isle Royale National Park.

Winter camping at Isle Royale. (Image credit: Winter Study field crew members Isabella Evavold and Brenna Cassidy)

This year, MTU researchers visited the island from Jan. 20 to March 3. They found a stabilized wolf population with a dynamic, somewhat unexpected social organization that includes lone wolves and small groups outside established packs. They also observed a moose population in dramatic but not unprecedented decline, succumbing to starvation due to a food shortage.

About the Researchers Sarah Hoy srhoy@mtu.edu

906-487-3292 Specialties Predator-prey interactions

Animal ecology and conservation

Population biology

Life-history trade-offs John Vucetich javuceti@mtu.edu

906-487-1711 Areas of Expertise Demographic and genetic elements of population biology

Ecology of wolves and moose

Environmental ethics Researcher Profile Rolf Peterson ropeters@mtu.edu

906-487-2179 Researcher Profile

Three or Four Wolf Litters Born in 2022

Wolves are thriving, according to the research team. Isle Royales wolf population is likely 31, including the East Pack with 11 wolves and the West Pack with five wolves, both established since 2019-20. Researchers also observed a small pack formed in the middle of the island  a deviation from the social organization seen over the last few years.

Prior to the translocation of wolves to Isle Royale in 2018, the wolf population most commonly consisted of three stable packs and a small number of lone wolves, Vucetich explained. By contrast, over the past 12 months the population appears to be characterized by three to four reproducing groups, of which only two seem to have well-established territories, and many wolves that are not closely associated with an established pack.

Most of the wolf pups born on the island last year belonged to the established packs. Peterson said three or possibly four litters were born in spring 2022: one at the west end of the island, two at the east end and another probable litter in the middle. Both the East Pack and West Pack had three pups survive the winter, and more pups are expected to be born in 2023. During the 2023 breeding season, we observed evidence of four, possibly five, breeding females, said Peterson.

The uptick is a promising development for re-establishing a healthy wolf population. There were no litters observed on the island from 2015-18  the islands wolf population had collapsed due to inbreeding. After new wolves were brought to Isle Royale in 2018, there was one litter born in 2019, two litters born in both 2020 and 2021, and potentially four litters in 2022.

"The reproductive success of the wolf population has steadily increased over the last five years. The majority of wolves in the population were all born on the island." Sarah Hoy, co-leader, Isle Royale wolf-moose study

Hoy said there are also strong indicators pointing to the continued viability of adult wolves. Over the past year, the survival of adult wolves was slightly higher than the long-term average observed on Isle Royale, she said.

Wolf pups at Isle Royale National Park.

4.5 years

the average life expectancy of a wild wolf

1,2,4

increase in litters from 2019 to 2020-21 and 2022

26

moose killed by wolves, mid January to early March

The number of moose killed by wolves, another indicator of wolf population health, tallied 26 during the winter study period. Thats slightly lower than the previous year, but in line with what researchers expected given the number of wolves and moose currently on the island, Hoy said.

Food Shortages, Fewer Calves, Contribute to Rapid Decline

Updates on Isle Royales moose population present a sharp contrast to the wolf observations. As was the case in last years winter study, the number of moose declined by about 28% from the previous count. Overall, the moose population dropped from 1,346 to 967, continuing a downward trend.

The ongoing decline is not unprecedented. Hoy said its comparable to the population collapse that occurred in the mid-1990s. At this point, moose numbers have shrunk by 54% since 2019, when they peaked at 2,060 on the heels of rapid growth from 2010-19. Adult moose survival rates have declined by 30% over the past four years, and many fewer calves are being born.

Researchers, who survey the moose population by air, ski and snowshoe, typically find that at least 13% of the moose counted are calves. This year, it was just 2%  the lowest ever observed, according to the team.

Wolf predation is, of course, a factor. Researchers estimate that wolves killed about 10% of the moose population over the last year. Its the highest predation rate observed since 2011, but the increase was expected given the re-establishment of wolf packs on the island. And, the study found that wolf kills were a less significant cause of moose deaths. Starvation killed more moose than the wolves did.

"Starvation appears to be a more important cause of mortality than predation." Sarah Hoy, co-leader, Isle Royale wolf-moose study

For every moose we found that was killed by wolves, one to three other moose had died of starvation. Forty-six percent of the dead moose we examined over the past year died of malnutrition, Peterson said, adding that the elevated starvation rates continue a pattern researchers first detected in 2019.

Researchers said a food shortage is one of the main causes of moose starvation. Balsam fir saplings, the mooses preferred winter food source, are under siege by ongoing overbrowsing and spruce budworm infestations. Both prevent saplings from growing into mature, cone-producing trees.

Over the past year, we observed that many balsam fir saplings had either died or had few green branches left, said Hoy.

The team found evidence that moose are increasing browsing on other tree species, including cedar. Researchers have also seen them stripping bark from mature aspen and balsam firs. The uncommon behaviors suggest that foraging moose cant find sufficient fir twigs and foliage during winter.

A moose wades in as the snows of winter give way to spring and summer.

10 years

average life expectancy of a moose on Isle Royale

54%

decline in Isle Royales moose population since 2019

46%

of dead moose examined for the 2023 study died from malnutrition

Researchers have commenced summer fieldwork, observing and documenting both the history and unpredictability of a unique natural system that continues to offer fresh insights.

"It's remarkable to reflect on how much we've learned about these wolves and moose over the past six decades and, at the same time, how many more questions remain." John Vucetich, co-leader, Isle Royale wolf-moose study

Learn More About the Island and the Research

Designated a national park in 1931 and an international biosphere reserve in 1980, Isle Royale National Park covers 850 square miles and is home to the longest-running predator-prey research project in the world. Get acquainted with the wildlife of Isle Royale and access more resources here:

Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale

Wolves and the Isle Royale Environment

Wolf reintroduction

Restoring the Balance

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.
Nicaraguas telecoms regulator Telcor (Instituto Nicaraguense de Telecomunicaciones y Correos / Nicaraguan Institute for Telecommunications and Posts) is set to have its powers expanded by the countrys National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional).

Local media reported that the proposed reform was presented to the National Assembly on 2nd June and ratified on 13th June. The assembly is controlled by President Daniel Ortegas ruling FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional / Sandinista National Liberation Front) party.

The ruling party claims that the regulatory overhaul enshrined in Organic Law No. 1053 is intended to provide clarity and explicitness in relation to Telcors powers and attributions in terms of regulation, control of the sector, as well as the promotion of innovation and investments.

However, opponents of the regime argue that expanding the regulators powers will increase the states capacity for espionage and repression, highlighting the connections between Telcor chief Nahima Diaz Flores and Ortegas government.

Diaz was granted the top role at Telcor after its previous chief Orlando Castillo died in June 2020. Her sister is married to one of Ortegas sons, while her father Francisco Diaz is the Chief of the National Police. CommsUpdate reports that the senior Diaz is a key supporter of Ortegas sustained censorship of independent media within Nicaragua.
Construction is underway May 7, 2023, at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz in Dededo. The U.S. Navy has announced a 45-day comment period for a programmatic agreement memo in support of the Marine Corps relocation to Guam.
Senators vote on a resolution Monday, June 19, 2023, during an emergency session of the 37th Guam Legislature in Hagatna.
The main entrance to the Guam Judicial Center in Hagatna is shown Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has talked up the potential benefits of privatising state-owned ICT companies.

Local outlet New Era reports that the regulator has indicated that privatisation could boost competition as well as drive innovation, to the benefit of consumers.

In its draft ICT Sector Regulatory Environment assessment for 2023, CRAN said: Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) and Telecom Namibia (TN) would potentially compete more with each other if owned by different private sector companies, compared to the current situation, where both are controlled by the state.

State control over ICT assets is notably high in Namibia; in its latest assessment, CRAN determined that the state had direct control over 89.4% of ICT assets in 2021, down from 92.8% in 2016. The apparent gains by the private sector over the past six years are partially due to TNs asset values falling; its ownership share dropped from 51% to 37% during this time.

TeleGeography names Paratus as the sole notable private sector player in Namibia, accounting for around 81% of private sector assets in 2021. Between 2016 and 2021, it saw its share of the asset market rise from 4.1% to 8.6%.

Part of the issue is that overseas investment is somewhat discouraged as any licensed players must be majority local-owned (minimum 51%). CRAN suggested lowering this figure, as well as overhauling licence requirements and regulation around licensing in order to encourage private sector investment. The regulator also called for better enforcement of infrastructure sharing, and encouraging new and smaller players into the market by changing spectrum allocation processes.
STT GDC Indonesia, a leading data centre provider, has officially launched its first data centre facility, STT Jakarta 1, in Bekasi, Jawa Barat. The data centre campus will support up to 72 megawatts of critical IT capacity, with STT Jakarta 1 supporting up to 19.5 MW.

The new facility is the first building in the data centre campus, developed under a joint venture with leading Indonesian conglomerate Triputra Group and global investment company Temasek.

A surge in data requirements has increased demand for data centres in Indonesia. STT GDC says its new facility has been built to support the long-term expansion of Indonesia's digital economy.

STT Jakarta 1 has a gross floor area of 18,000 square metres and caters to the varying needs of cloud, technology, banking and finance, content, gaming, e-commerce and other enterprise customers. It features a highly secure building perimeter; a column-less design in the data hall, optimising the utilisation of white space; a building design that complies with the most stringent seismic standards; certification to both Uptime Institutes Tier III certification of design documents and TIA-942 Rated 3; and LEED Gold certification, making the new data centre among the most sustainable data centres in Indonesia.

It also boasts readiness to host the latest compute infrastructure, such as GPUs, to support the wave of AI-fuelled demand, including both air and liquid cooling options.

PT STT GDC Indonesia has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) separately with five connectivity partners, each of which will set up a point of presence in STT Jakarta 1 to serve the domestic, regional and international connectivity needs of customers in the data centre campus.

In addition, according to the Data Centre Dynamics website, STT GDC's Philippines unit is intending to expand the capacity of its data centres in Makati, Cavite, and Quezon City by a total of 5.2MW. This will bring the total footprint up to 27.2MW, the majority of which will be powered by renewable energy sources.

It is also exploring greenfield builds in order to cater to hyperscalers, and eventually plans to operate over 150MW of IT capacity in the coming years.
Winity, which became a new Brazilian national mobile operator in 2021, and satellite operator Hughes have announced a pilot project involving prepaid mobile internet in remote areas.

The project is called RuralChip and uses 700MHz spectrum won by Winity at auction in 2021. Ericsson, Nokia and Algar Telecom are among the partners for the project.

The duo's proof of concept is taking place in two cities: Presidente Juscelino and Cururupu. Both are in Maranhao state in northern Brazil. In the first city the access network provider is Ericsson. The other uses technology provided by Nokia. Algar Telecom provides the network core along with charging, provisioning, NOC and data centre services.

Both sites will make use of Hughes' high-capacity satellite backhaul solution, an LTE site and a Winity network core, effectively creating a 4G network to serve RuralChip customers in the areas covered.

The official launch of the project took place last week. The plan is to refine the solution for a future deployment at scale throughout the country, making possible the digital inclusion of thousands of people and the economic development of these regions, in line with Winity's business plan, which is to get to where no other operator has reached to date.

According to TeleGeography's CommsUpdate, Winity Telecom  which is backed by alternative asset management firm Patria Investimentos  successfully bid on a national 210MHz 700MHz licence in Brazils November 2021 5G spectrum auction, paying BRL1.428 billion (USD276.8 million)  the highest bid for a single spectrum lot in the auction.

Winity plans to build 5,000 cell towers by 2029 and to establish itself as Brazils first wholesale operator.
Tuolumne County, CA Recently a man went missing at Lake Don Pedro and was suspected of possibly drowning. An article covering the initial story can be found here.

In their efforts to locate the missing swimmer, Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office (TCSO) deputies joined forces with boat patrol deputies from the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office. The search operation utilized advanced technology, including a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and a drone.

Given the considerable water depths in the area where the man was last seen, estimated to be approximately 250 feet or more, TCSO requested assistance from agencies equipped with specialized equipment. Throughout the weekend and into Monday, boat patrol deputies from TCSO, Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, and Alameda County Sheriffs Office continued the search. They deployed an ROV from the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, a tow fish (deep dive sonar device), and an ROV from the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. Additionally, a Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 from Sacramento County Search and Rescue (SAR) aided in the search efforts.

As of today, June 20, the man remains missing, and the search operation is ongoing. The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office expresses gratitude to the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office, Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, and Alameda County Sheriffs Office for their assistance throughout the ongoing search operation.
Tropical Storm Bret spins toward eastern Caribbean

Tropical Storm Bret chugged toward the eastern Caribbean on Tuesday as the region prepared itself for an unusually early storm and torrential rains, the Associated Press reported.

Bret had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and was moving across the Atlantic Ocean at 18 mph (30 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, which warned that its been unable to get a better handle on the systems intensity and size.

The storm was located some 835 miles (1,350 kilometers) east of the Windward Islands and is expected to pummel some eastern Caribbean islands on Thursday at near-hurricane strength. A tropical storm watch was issued for Barbados, while Dominicas meteorological service said Tuesday that the storm poses a high threat to the island and warned of landslides, flooding and waves of up to 12 feet (4 meters).

Meanwhile, the hurricane center urged people in the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to closely monitor the storm and have their hurricane plans in place.

To read the full AP story, visit: https://bit.ly/apcaribbeanbret

Guatemala prepares to vote after a tumultuous presidential campaign

Guatemalans are preparing to vote in a presidential election on Sunday, the AP reported. The presidential ballot will feature the candidates from 22 registered tickets. At least 50% of the votes are required to win outright. Otherwise, a second round pitting the top two finishers would be held Aug. 20.

The vote is to end one of the most turbulent election seasons in Guatemalas modern history. Some of the most popular aspirants were not included on the ballot because electoral authorities and courts blocked some from running and canceled the candidacies of others who were initially allowed to enter the race.

Of the 22 tickets, the presidential candidacies break down roughly into two ideological positions: 19 on the right and three on the left. The top three candidates on the right are fairly conservative and have campaigned promising to install tough security measures like President Nayib Bukele in neighboring El Salvador and promoting conservative family values.

Guatemala has a long history of right-wing governments since no leftist party has governed in almost 70 years. The last leftist government, led by President Jacobo Arbenz, was overthrown in a CIA-backed coup in 1954. After that, the country was governed by a series of right-wing military governments and survived a 36-year civil war that ended in 1996. Since the countrys return to democracy in 1986, the conservative tendency has only been briefly interrupted twice, with centrist social democratic administrations in 1986 and 2008.

To read the full AP story, visit: https://bit.ly/apguatemalaelection

Family separations at the U.S. border inspired Isabel Allende's newest novel

Award-winning Chilean author Isabel Allende released her latest book earlier this month, the AP reported. The Wind Knows My Name mixes reality and fiction and delves into decisions that mothers make to save their children, such as sending them alone to another country or risking a dangerous journey together.

For Allende, 80, the separation of children from their parents at the border evoked similarly wrenching historical moments, such as when children of enslaved or Indigenous families were wrested from their parents.

The book is also a cry against immigration policies that Allende considers abuses of power and a tribute to the thousands of lawyers, social workers, psychologists, and other volunteers who work without pay to help reunite these families.

Allende has sold over 77 million books and is considered the worlds most widely read Spanish-language author. The Wind Knows My Name was released in both English and Spanish and is available at bookstores in the U.S., Spain, and Latin America.

To read the full AP story, visit: https://bit.ly/apchileallende

Pope Francis promises full cooperation over alleged abuse by priests in Bolivia

Pope Francis expressed concern and dismay over the allegations of sexual abuse committed by priests in Bolivia in a letter sent Friday to President Luis Arce, the AP reported. The letter arrived as a pedophilia scandal involving priests continues to rock the the Andean country.

The pontiff pledged the full cooperation of the Church to work alongside the government in the ongoing investigations over the abuse allegations.

Francis was responding to a letter Arce sent him last month after allegations of pedophilia involving a Jesuit priest came to light. Alfonso Pedrajas, who died of cancer in 2009, revealed in a personal diary published by Spanish newspaper El Pais that he had abused dozens of minors in Catholic boarding schools dating back to the 1970s.

So far, 12 judicial investigations against clergy members in Bolivia, including one which already resulted in a 10-year prison sentence for a priest charged with rape, the Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB) said earlier this week. In several of the cases, those who have been accused of abuse have already died.

To read the full AP story, visit: https://bit.ly/apboliviapopeletter

Women-led group is on a mission to save Mexico City's bees

Bee relocation organization Abeja Negra SOS works to relocate beehives found in Mexico City, the AP reported. While the city exterminates the bees it considers pests, the group works to relocate them safely. The group removes the hive from the city and takes the bees to the rural outskirts, where they can recover and grow strong. They later donate the bees to local bee farmers or release them into the wild.

Globally, bee populations have been decimated in recent decades.The drop is often blamed on human causes: the use of damaging chemicals, destruction of natural habitats and climate change. Scientists and world leaders warn that bee population decline could have a wide range of detrimental ripple effects.

Because many of the bees in Mexico come from African roots, they can be more aggressive than the average honeybee. This can create problems in big cities, where residents often associate the insects more with danger than their environmental importance.

Over the past five years, the group has traveled across the sprawling city of 9 million, saving bee colonies from trees, street gutters and lamp posts. They have relocated around 510 hives, with an average size of about 80,000 bees.

To read the full AP story, visit: https://bit.ly/apmexicososbees
On June 6, Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law the first comprehensive update of Connecticuts gun laws since the sweeping reforms enacted a decade ago in response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

House Bill 6667, An Act Addressing Gun Violence, was proposed by Lamont and expanded to include measures sought by urban mayors

What changes does the law make to Connecticuts gun policies? Heres what to know.

The bill updates several aspects of Connecticuts existing gun laws.

H.B. 6667 bans the open carry of firearms and strengthens rules for gun storage and reporting stolen firearms. It also expands a ban on AR-15s and other so-called assault weapons passed in 1993 and updated in 2013.

AR-15s purchased prior to the bans still can be legally owned, if registered with the police. But the new law closed what proponents called a loophole that allowed the legal sale of now-banned weapons if manufactured prior to 1994.

The legislation also further tightens restrictions on military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines that were largely banned after the Sandy Hook school shooting.

Additionally, the bill regulates the sale of body armor to civilians, generally limits the sale of handguns to three in any one month, increases training requirements for gun permit holders, and raises the minimum age to purchase a semiautomatic rifle from 18 to 21, the same threshold as handguns.

The bill also bans the online sale of kits used to assemble ghost guns, firearms that have no serial number and are largely untraceable.

The bill was largely approved along party lines.

House Bill 6667 cleared the House on a vote of 96-51, with seven Republicans in favor and five Democrats opposed. In the Senate, Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, joined 23 Democrats in favor. One Democrat, Sen. Cathy Osten of Sprague, did not vote.

A group of Democratic mayors urged certain provisions.

The measure incorporates elements of a tougher approach to gun crimes urged by the Democratic mayors of Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury, where 80% of all shootings occur in Connecticut.

At the mayors request, the bill would target what they described as a relatively small cohort of repeat gun offenders with dedicated court dockets, higher thresholds for bail and probation, and tougher penalties.

Supporters pointed to research showing the effectiveness of gun safety laws.

Democratic supporters of HB 6667 have argued it was a data-driven, public health measure, and said a growing body of research shows that the states with the strongest gun safety laws have the lowest rates of suicides and murders by firearms. The majority of gun death are suicides.

Opponents said the bill is too focused on guns, not the individuals that misuse them.

Republican opponents argued the Connecticut General Assembly is too focused on law-abiding gun owners and the mass shootings that generate headlines and not enough on more commonplace gun crimes: Street shootings with illegal handguns, often involving shooters and victims with criminal backgrounds.

H.B. 6667 could face legal challenges.

Even before final passage, the bill has survived one legal challenge  a request for a temporary restraining order sought by gun owners, which was rejected by a federal judge. Others are expected.

Connecticuts gun laws have survived repeated legal challenges, whether brought in state or federal court.

Connecticuts gun legislation is strict compared to other states.

Connecticut has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the U.S., with universal background checks to purchase a firearm or ammunition and the nations earliest risk warrant law allowing the seizure of guns from people deemed a threat to themselves or others.

The state has the fifth-lowest per-capita rate of gun suicides after Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Hawaii.

This story originally appeared at ctmirror.org, the website of The Connecticut Mirror.
The Sudanese government has condemned rampaging militia who stormed the Zimbabwean embassy and ambassadors residence in Sudan, looting valuables.

Sudan has been gripped by violence since April as the regular army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces clash.

In a statement, Sudans foreign ministry slammed the attack on Zim properties, calling on the international community to also speak out against the criminal behaviour.

The ministry said the militias storming of the embassy and the home of the Zimbabwean ambassador, and the theft of valuablesviolates international norms.

Zim foreign ministry spokesperson Livit Mugejo confirmed our properties in Sudan were trashed by fighters taking advantage that we have evacuated our people.

He said: Its not just Zim targeted but most countries have been hit. Its sheer criminality, looting diplomats property during the war.

When the conflict broke out in April, over 100 Zim citizens and embassy staff were evacuated from Sudan.

The looting of Zims embassy and diplomats home shows how the chaos in Sudan has allowed militia and criminal gangs to run riot.

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The Chinese were right to remain skeptical after the Blinken visit to Beijing. The short version:

Literally took 24 hours for insults to start again  What's the point of sending Blinken to Beijing to cool things down if you're going to insult Xi literally the day after? That's frankly beyond me  https://t.co/bLCsK8qt5D  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) June 21, 2023

Even though Blinken emerged from his many hours of meetings looking beaten up, he still had enough gumption left in him to have his short talk with Xi Jinpeng labeled as candid. Nevertheless, Blinken appeared to offer a meaningful concession to China by the appearance of firming up its language on the status of Taiwan in a China-favoring direction, going from the old formula of empty reaffirmations of the one-China policy to saying at a press conference, We do not support Taiwan independence.

Moon of Alabama cited an AlJazeera story that picked up a more telling statement, that the US had also revised its Taiwan fact sheeton May 28, before the Beijing meeting. But the AlJazeera piece stressed that despite the appearance of some verbal flip-flopping, US policy had not changed. Hence the extremely strong words to Blinken.

As we said, everyone tried to put the best possible face on these meetings, even thought there was as close to nada as you could get in the way of concrete next steps. China did not agree to the US key demand of reopening military channels of communication because the US is pig-headedly refusing to drop sanctions on Chinas defense chief Li Shangfu.

English language house organ Global Times, in articles after the Blinken meeting with foreign minister Qin Gang and then the meetings with Wang Yi and Xi, stressed that what would matter was US actions. Thats hardly a surprising position given recent history, as summarized in Responsible Statecraft:

One recurring problem in U.S.-Chinese relations is that China perceives a wide gap between what the U.S. says it wants from the relationship and what it does. Washington professes to value the status quo, but it takes actions vis-a-vis Taiwan that seem to erode it. The U.S. and its allies claim that they dont seek to harm the Chinese economy while the U.S. implements export controls that are clearly designed to kneecap Chinas technology sector. The administration then says that it wants to stabilize relations, but then it turns around and produces a communique with its G-7 partners that attacks China in the sharpest terms and faults China for coercive behavior that the U.S. and its allies also engage in. It is natural that the Chinese government sees U.S. policy as an effort to contain and suppress China, because that is what the U.S. has been seeking to do. Under these conditions, repairing ties becomes much more challenging if it is even possible. The Biden administration frequently likes to pose as being open to diplomacy with other states while putting the burden on the other state to take the initiative. This creates the impression here at home that the administration is the reasonable party willing to talk while making no effort that might involve politically risky concessions. Diplomatic outreach is rarely successful without sustained effort and at least some risk-taking, so it is no surprise that this approach has been fruitless in every case. The administration is also very stubborn in its refusal to offer any sanctions relief, no matter how minor, to facilitate diplomatic progress. As they see it, sanctions relief should only be granted after the other side yields. The trouble is that the other side just digs in its heels and refuses to budge, and the administration refuses to show the sort of flexibility that might end the impasse. The administration can blame the other government for the lack of progress, but the reality is that the U.S. chooses stalled diplomacy over making any goodwill gestures that might lead to reciprocal moves.

Alexander Mercouris highlighted a key point in his presentation yesterday, that that China explicitly and repeatedly rejected the US approach of what he called going a la carte with China, cooperating where it suited the US, being confrontational elsewhere. Yet as Mercouris pointed out, you can still infer from US readouts that the US has not dropped that stance either. For instance, from the State Department on the Blinken-Qin discussion:

The Secretary raised a number of issues of concern, as well as opportunities to explore cooperation on shared transnational issues with the PRC where our interests align.

A new article in Global Times calls out another point we had flagged in our earlier post, that the US insisting in its Qin readout and presumably even more so in the meeting, that it was going to uphold the rules-based order as in US hegemony. From Global Times today:

A statement on Sunday by a US State Department spokesperson said that Blinken said the US will work with its allies and partners to advance our vision for a world that is free, open, and upholds the rules-based international order. Yang [Tao, director-general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry,] said that the original intention of President Xi Jinping in advocating a community with a shared future for mankind is to maximize international solidarity and cooperation to jointly address global challenges. China is the first country to sign the UN Charter. It is the creator, defender and beneficiary of the current international order. Why should China change the existing international order? said Yang. Some people always talk about the rules-based international order. What rules are they based on? If it is the UN Charter, China has no problem. If it is the rules formulated by a handful of countries, China, as well as many other countries, will find it difficult to agree, Yang said.

Not surprisingly, the Financial Times and other outlets report that China is hopping mad about this snub. From the pink paper:

China has responded with outrage after US president Joe Biden called his counterpart Xi Jinping a dictator, in a row that threatens to derail nascent attempts to reach a truce in their deteriorating relationship. Chinas foreign ministry described as extremely absurd and irresponsible the remarks from Biden  which came just a day after US secretary of state Antony Blinken visited the Chinese leader in Beijing in a bid to restore dialogue. The comments seriously violate basic facts, diplomatic protocols and Chinas political dignity, Chinas foreign ministry said. The US president told a campaign fundraising gathering in California on Tuesday evening that Xi had not known about an alleged spy balloon that flew over the US early this year. The incident sparked acrimony and sent bilateral ties plunging to an all-time low. Thats whats a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened, Biden told the gathering for 130 guests in a private home. The timing of the comments is expected to anger Xi, Chinas most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, who secured an unprecedented third five-year term in office in March.

I wouldnt bet on the minimal commitments from the meetings, like a return to pre-zero Covid levels of passenger flights, being implemented.

The worst is that this insult does not simply demonstrate that the US is incapable of diplomacy. It shows we are so interested in dominance that weve lost sight of what our interests our. So institutionally, we are engaging in the same sort of self-destructive behavior that Trump practices personally. Perhaps that is the real reason Democrats hate him. Despite decorating in gold, the essence of his behavior is not all that different than theirs.
Yves here. Depressing, but not entirely surprising. Military Keynesianism is making arming Ukraine less costly than it seems due to its impact on GDP growth. But this beneficial-only-in-the-eyes-of-economists spending does not include the direct subsidy of the Ukraine government budget, which has also become a very big ticket item.

By Mariia Chebanova, Manager for issues of financial system digitisation National Bank Of Ukraine; Oleksandr Faryna, Head of Research Unit, Monetary Policy and Economic Analysis Department National Bank Of Ukraine; and Slavik Sheremirov, Economist in the Research Department Federal Reserve Bank Of Boston. Originally published at VoxEU

Following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many countries have supplied military assistance to Ukraine. This column discusses early evidence on the recent fiscal multipliers in donor countries. While it appears that the multiplier did not change materially following the first invasion of Ukraine in 2014 or in 2022, in the short term, an expansion of military spending due to the war in Ukraine may have a stimulative effect on output in donor countries. The economic cost of military assistance to Ukraine may be materially smaller when this domestic output effect is taken into account.

Following Russias unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, 32 countries have supplied military assistance to Ukraine, with some dedicating almost 1% of their 2022 GDP. While military support for Ukraine is motivated primarily by international security and peace considerations, the fiscal expansion related to this war may have economic effects on the donating countries. In this column, we discuss early evidence on the recent fiscal multipliers in donor countries.

The idea of exploiting variation in military expenditures has long-standing support in economic research (e.g. Barro 1981, Hall 1986, Rotemberg and Woodford 1992, Nakamura and Steinsson 2014, Ramey and Zubairy 2018, Miyamoto et al. 2019, Auerbach et al. 2023). Much historical evidence indicates that the fiscal expansion driven by military spending is motivated primarily by geopolitical factors. The military support for Ukraine is a testament to this principle. Thus, by isolating the component of government spending that is independent of current and expected future economic conditions, it is possible to identify the output effects of government spending.

In our ongoing work (Chebanova et al. 2023), we estimate government spending multipliers for the period influenced by the war in Ukraine and the countries that provide military assistance to Ukraine. The government-spending multiplier measures the amount, in currency units, by which real GDP changes in response to a one currency unit increase in government spending. We find that, following the first Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the government spending multiplier remained in line with the estimates obtained over longer historical periods. Moreover, the multiplier associated with military spending in 2022, a year that saw a dramatic rise in global geopolitical tensions, changed little relative to previous years. We also do not find significant differences between the multipliers for countries that provided military donations to Ukraine in 2022 and those for countries that did not.

How Much Military Support Was Provided to Ukraine in 2022?

Prior to the full-scale invasion, military assistance to Ukraine was relatively small. The situation changed dramatically in February 2022. According to estimates by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, total commitments of military aid to Ukraine over 2022 amounted to approximately $66.5 billion. This sum encompasses the cost of promised weapons, training, auxiliary services, and financing for the purchase of military goods. While this figure appears quite large in relation to Ukraines economy and past assistance packages, it constitutes no more than 5% of the combined 2022 defence spending of donor countries. At the same time, there is significant heterogeneity across these countries in the amount of military assistance to Ukraine relative to their domestic production, total government expenditure, and defence budgets (Figures 1 and 2). Countries that perceive a more immediate threat from Russia have committed a significantly larger portion of their resources to support Ukraine.

Figure 1 Military support to Ukraine as a ratio to GDP and government expenditures

Source: Ukraine Support Tracker from Kiel Institute for the World Economy; IMF World Economic Outlook.

Figure 2 Military support to Ukraine as a ratio to military expenditures



Source: Ukraine Support Tracker from Kiel Institute for the World Economy; Military Expenditure Database from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

Fiscal Multipliers and Military Assistance to Ukraine

We find that, for the sample of 101 countries during the 20062022 period, the government spending multipliers are in line with those for the earlier period. We reach this conclusion by following the estimation procedure in Sheremirov and Spirovska (2022), whose sample ends in 2013. Specifically, we employ local projections (Jorda 2005) and instrument total government consumption expenditures with military spending. We normalise real GDP, total government consumption, and military spending by country-specific trend GDP and control for country and time fixed effects as well as the lags of normalised real GDP, total government consumption, and military expenditures.

We estimate that a $1 increase in military spending by the countries that supported Ukraine in 2022 is associated with a $0.65 increase in output within a year and a $0.79$0.87 increase over the following two years. The cumulative multipliers decline at longer horizons but remain positive and significant for five years.

While the multipliers for donor countries are slightly larger than those for countries that provided no military assistance to Ukraine, the differences between the estimates for the two groups are small and not statistically significant at conventional levels. The multiplier appears to be remarkably stable over recent years, with the only noticeable dip occurring during the Covid-19 pandemic (Figure 3). Thus, it appears that the multiplier did not change materially following the first invasion of Ukraine in 2014 or in 2022.

Figure 3 On-impact government spending multiplier over time

Is This Time Going to be Different?

Because fiscal expansion tends to have stronger output effects over longer horizons, and military support for Ukraine is ongoing, these early estimates will be reassessed as more data become available. There are, however, reasons to believe that they may indicate the lower bound for the output effects of military support for Ukraine.

One such reason is that in 2022 much of the military support provided to Ukraine took the form of transfers of existing military equipment and ammunition. As domestic production in donating economies ramps up over the next few years to replace that equipment, a rising proportion of military spending could be directed to durable capital goods. Furthermore, the effects of public spending on military research and development can spill over into other sectors (Moretti et al. 2023) and stimulate aggregate demand and aggregate supply simultaneously.

The government spending multiplier could be much larger in recessions than in expansions, because in recessions labour and capital are underutilised (Michaillat 2014). Some forecasters (e.g. IMF 2023) predict a slowdown in economic growth and more economic slack. If their predictions materialise, a stimulus to aggregate demand stemming from military support for Ukraine may come for many countries just at the right time.

Some of the fiscal expansion due to the recent rise in defence spending could be offset by fiscal consolidation elsewhere. But history teaches us that in most cases total government spending rises following the onset of an unexpected external war. Moreover, some influential studies (e.g. Auerbach and Gorodnichenko 2012) document that the government spending multipliers associated with military expenditures can be larger than the multipliers associated with other types of public spending. Thus, even if rising defence spending has a limited effect on total government spending, its effect on output could still be stimulative in the short term.

Finally, the means through which defence spending is financed can substantially affect the size of the multiplier. Recent analyses (Rathbone 2023) indicate that taxes typically change little in response to defence spending associated with short wars but tend to rise if a country needs to finance a prolonged war. While this suggests that the short-term stimulative effect of defence spending may eventually evaporate, defence spending could pay a peace dividend in the long term through increased global cooperation and national security.

Conclusion

Following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many countries provided substantial military assistance to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The long-term geopolitical benefits from promoting global peace and security as well as the cost of assistance have been discussed widely following the invasion. Based on our ongoing research that focuses on estimating government spending multipliers, this column discusses an overlooked point: in the short term, an expansion of military spending due to the war in Ukraine may have a stimulative effect on output in donor countries. Our analysis implies that the economic cost of military assistance to Ukraine may be materially smaller relative to the case when this domestic output effect is ignored.

Authors note: The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not indicate concurrence by the National Bank of Ukraine, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the principals of the Board of Governors, or the Federal Reserve System.

See original post for references
Elnur Enveroglu

A group of separatist 'officials' who made themselves deaf and blind are making a cabinet for themselves in the heart of Karabakh, and talk nonsense. A separatist named Gurgen Narsisyan, who is trying to promote himself as the minister of the so-called state in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, has been motivated and has come out with the offer of negotiating with the heads of state at the table. After all, I mentioned a while ago - such people who are addicted to high position have also hearing and vision problems. Just as the anarchist forces supporting them from Yerevan and from different parts of the world can be both deaf when it is for their own favor.

As for Narsisyan's desire for a kind of minister position, there is a solution for this, but this is not related to Karabakh. Because both he and his surrounding who encouraged him in this work, should know that the book on the fate of Karabakh has been concluded for a long time. Now is the time for the separatist forces, whose only hope lies in the Russian peacekeepers, to think more deeply and choose the right direction. Yes, it is important for the Armenian minority living in Karabakh to hold talks with Azerbaijan. The head of state has repeatedly proposed this, but each time it has been rejected by the separatists and the Armenian authorities, who try to slow down the processes of peaceful negotiations. The reason is very clear: first of all, the agreement on the citizenship of the Armenians in Karabakh and, most importantly, the return of the Western Azerbaijanis who were deported at the end of the 1980s. The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, was approached about this - but why did the people's appeal remain unanswered. It means that the leadership of Armenia also has a problem of hearing. In addition, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has a special statement regarding the issuance of Azerbaijani passports to Armenian minorities living in Karabakh. Moreover, the state of Azerbaijan assumes all responsibility for those people to live in peace and tranquility in Karabakh, which is developing within the framework of equal rights. What more..?

A group of minorities of Armenian origin living in Karabakh already know that such so-called ministers and leaders, who are trying to harm their destiny, will eventually leave them halfway. Why not... For example, from the Second Karabakh war until today, how many people in Karabakh declared themselves as separatist leaders, gathered the people on the streets with empty promises and told fairy tales. What results have been achieved in the last two and a half years?

Of course, there is a clear answer to this question - Armenia only intensified environmental and mine terrorism in Karabakh, as well as provocation by firing at our soldiers from different directions. As a result, a border control checkpoint was placed on Lachin road. Perhaps that is the reason whichmade Narsisyan to propose this unreasonable meeting. After all, how much will they have to walk under the piles of smelly Russian peacekeepers pants...?

The best option for Narsisyan would be to leave Karabakh unilaterally and not to mention the word "artsakh" in his language. Maybe Azerbaijan has enough time to wait if he and his surrounding still have confidence in someone. Because working on giant projects, Azerbaijan never gives any significance to thinking of separatists with their brains like sparrows'. Azerbaijan knows that time is against them and that sooner or later they will be exhausted and finally the black cloud over the heads of the poor Armenian minority will disappear in an instant. That day is not far away.

Like the saying goes in politics: 'Like Saturn, the Revolution devours its children.'

Be it Narsisyan, Vardanyan, or Harutunyan, their end is either prison or a one-way direction from which no return is possible. First of all, they should answer for their crimes, recognize the laws of Azerbaijan and stop their dirty deeds before the time comes for them. One day, when their hope is cut off everywhere, they will eat each other's flesh and shamelessly accuse each other like the one in the Armenian parliament. There have been many such incidents in political history. Deep discussions in the Yerevan parliament are deafening today. The Prime Minister of Armenia blames the opposition and the separatists among them for the failure in the Second Karabakh War. For two and a half years, Armenia has experienced such a blow that the numb they suffered is now opening, and the authorities are pointing those harmful elements among them with finger. Yes, today, in one of the fiery speeches of the speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, there were exactly these statements: "Some are waiting for unexpected and interesting details. As I understand it, the prime minister will present everything in detail," he said.

Pashinyan's sensational detailed statement will not only be the most interesting event in the short history of Armenia, but will also be a clear acknowledgment that elements in Karabakh have become insignificant.
On 21 June, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, met in Brussels to discuss the impacts of climate change on peace and security.

They reiterated that climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to the planet, and also have immediate, direct, and growing negative implications for security and defence.

To that end, NATO and the EU will continue to strengthen their cooperation to address the security implications of climate change. Building on NATOs Climate Change and Security Action Plan, and the EUs upcoming Joint Communication on the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on peace, security, and defence, the EU and NATO will explore possibilities for an intensified dialogue on the impact of climate change and security.

In the lead up to this years second annual NATO High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Security at the Vilnius Summit and the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, they will seek to identify opportunities to cooperate on new insights and operational information about security aspects of climate change and environmental degradation, green standards, and energy efficiency, including to measure greenhouse gas emissions from military activities and installations with the goal of reducing these emissions.

They decided to continue high-level meetings on these issues, with the broad involvement of partners, including at COP28.
Blinken meets with Xi in Beijing as China puts onus on US to stabilize deteriorating relations

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Monday, June 19, and claimed to have come to an agreement to stabilize the deteriorating relations between the United States and the communist nation.

Blinken is the first American secretary of state to visit China in five years, and the most senior official within President Joe Biden's administration to make such a trip.

In this rare visit, Blinken stressed to Xi the importance of maintaining steady relations with America following years of steadily rising tensions. (Related: Biden administration looks DESPERATE to reestablish normal communications with China.)

Blinken's meeting with Xi took only 35 minutes. During this time, Xi said that the world needed relations between China and America to be "generally stable." He added that whether the two countries "can find the right way to get along bears on the future and destiny of humanity."

"I hope that, through this visit, Mr. Secretary, you will make more positive contributions to stabilizing China-U.S. relations," said Xi in a part of the meeting that was televised through Chinese state media outlets. This request was made following "candid and in-depth discussions" between the two officials that supposedly led to progress and agreement on some undetailed "specific issues."

China repeatedly claimed that the U.S. bore the brunt of the responsibility for halting the "spiraling decline of China-U.S. relations to push it back to a healthy and stable track."

The communist nation's foreign ministry even claimed that it is entirely in the hands of Washington whether or not it wants "to make a choice between dialogue or confrontation, cooperation or conflict," further blaming the U.S. for its "erroneous perception of China" which has supposedly led to "incorrect policies toward China."

China's main diplomat to the Western Hemisphere, Yang Tao, claimed that Blinken's visit "marks a new beginning" for U.S.-China relations. Blinken also met with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang as well as top diplomat Wang Yi. The latter urged the U.S. to drop its supposed "China threat theory," to lift sanctions against Chinese officials and to stop suppressing China's technological development.

For his part, Blinken agreed on the need for stable and bilateral ties between Washington and Beijing. He added that Biden had "no illusions" about the challenges of managing this relationship.

China still not ready to reestablish military-to-military communications

Despite claiming to have made great progress in mending the deteriorating relations between the two countries, China rebuffed Blinken's main request, which is for better communications between the United States Armed Forces and China's own military, the People's Liberation Army.

"The U.S. side is surely aware of why there is difficulty in military-to-military exchanges," said Yang, who blamed the issue on American sanctions against many high-ranking Chinese officials, including members of the PLA.

Despite this clear lack of an agreement on a crucial issue, both Blinken and Xi claimed that they were satisfied with the progress made during the talks between Blinken and Xi and other senior Chinese officials.

It should also be noted that Blinken's meeting did not produce any clear agreements beyond a mutual decision to return to a vaguely broad agenda for cooperation and increasing free market competition, an agreement endorsed last year by both Xi and Biden during a summit in Bali, Indonesia.

"Progress is hard," Blinken said during a press conference, admitting to China's refusal to resume military-to-military communications. "It takes time, it takes more than one visit."

Still, both Blinken and the Chinese Communist Party officials he met with expressed their willingness to hold more talks in the future. But there is little indication that either side is prepared to bend from the issues that are causing tensions, including trade, human rights conditions for Uyghurs, Tibetans and the people of Hong Kong, the future of the democratically-governed Taiwan and the PLA's increasing militarization over the South China Sea.

What Blinken's trip has succeeded in is making sure that there will be more visits by senior U.S. and Chinese officials to each other's countries in the coming months. Qin has already agreed to pay a visit to Washington, D.C. at a "suitable time," while Xi and Biden may be able to set up a meeting in the coming months either in India or the United States.

Learn more about deteriorating relations between America and China at CommunistChina.news.

Watch this clip from "Carl Higbie Frontline" on Newsmax as news anchor Carl Higbie discusses Blinken's mistaken belief that his trip to China made real progress in mending relations.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are: Bill Gates funnels $50 million to CCP-controlled Chinese university.

US to rejoin UNESCO to counter China's growing influence in the international agency.

China continues to threaten Taiwanese airspace, deploying 10 WARPLANES to cross Taiwan Strait median line.

Biden secretly sent CIA director on a "diplomatic mission" to China last month.

Biden crime family profited from influence peddling, received $10 million from China and other countries.

Sources include:

APNews.com

Axios.com

CNBC.com

Brighteon.com
Louisiana farmer loses two-thirds of customers for criticizing Pride Month on Instagram

A Catholic father of five who runs a small family farm in Louisiana is facing backlash after he defended traditional family values during "Pride Month" on Instagram.

Ross McKnight, the owner of Backwater Foie Gras, wrote on the Meta-owned, Facebook-tied social media platform on June 3 that LGBT pride has become a serious threat to traditional family values and the families like his own that still adhere to them.

"The push to have every mainstream value and holiday represented in some way in our Louisiana ought to make no sense at all to any Louisianais or Louisianaise, unless recognized as a forward offensive by an ever-encroaching enemy that has sought for generations to destroy our unique culture which is so intimately tied to our Catholic identity," were McKnight's exact words posted to Instagram.

McKnight also referred to "pride month," which now takes over every month of June on an annual basis, as an "attempted coup of the month of June." He also suggested "some antidotes to a false pride," including enthroning the so-called "Sacred Heart of Jesus" in one's home while wearing "the Sacred Heart as a badge wherever you go" and praying "the Rosary for the conversion of souls."

(Related: Did you catch our story about the middle school students in Massachusetts who staged a revolt against "Pride Spirit Day?")

Aren't LGBTs supposed to be tolerant and accepting of others' beliefs?

Not long after posting all this McKnight was informed that some of his family farm's biggest customers will no longer do business with them. In fact, two-thirds of the restaurants that purchase from McKnight's farm have said they are done because pride is more important to them than respecting another's free speech and religious rights.

"Recently, we received two texts from two restaurant owners who have decided that theyve had enough of our Catholicism based on our latest Instagram feed post and have canceled their large, recurring orders," McKnight wrote in a follow-up post about the punishment he received for speaking his faith on social media.

"While we've never required our customers to pass a litmus test before serving them, it seems our values, which come from lives lived as Louisiana Catholics, are considered unacceptable by some."

As any true Catholic would, McKnight celebrated and rejoiced about the persecution he is now receiving at the hands of LGBT enthusiasts who, unlike their "tolerance" mantra, cannot stand that he is a devout Catholic willing to stand up against the perversion being pushed in the name of LGBT pride.

"We count it a privilege to have lost much," he wrote. "It is an honor to participate, through the suffering of our family, in the triumph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

"We have already seen Divine Providence working through all of this, and we have already seen that business we lost by rejecting pride beginning to be restored  in no small part by fellow Catholics who have reached out to support us and to share in the great victory that it is to suffer for and with Christ the King."

According to Harrison Weinhold, a family friend and supporter of the McKnights, the family has lost somewhere between $6,000 and $10,000 in monthly revenue due to canceled orders. This threatens their livelihood, he said, because the McKnight's run a "tiny artisanal operation" that cannot afford such a blow to the finances.

In a Twitter thread, Weinhold revealed that the canceled orders "are not from Louisiana" but "are the exact transplants that ruin the culture of a once great community, and are the type of virtue signaling leftists that are more than happy to persecute and ruin the lives of a native son and his family in the name of celebrating pride."

LGBT pride is losing steam as Americans grow weary of endless barrage of perversion and propaganda. To learn more, visit Gender.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

BackwaterFoieGras.com

NaturalNews.com

Twitter.com
Macron asks for invite to August BRICS summit in South Africa  but adding France could create FRICTION within the group

French President Emmanuel Macron is asking for an invitation to BRICS's upcoming summit in South Africa, causing speculation about whether or not France wants to join the economic bloc . While some member nations are happy with this development, one member is clearly not.

The BRICS economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is slated to hold a summit in Johannesburg, South Africa this August. This upcoming summit is quickly becoming one of the key events in the global economy this year, reflected not only in the widening coverage of the event in the mainstream media but also in the possibility of some Western leaders like Macron joining the event.

Macron reportedly asked South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to invite him to the BRICS summit. This is according to a phone conversation he had with his South African counterpart on June 3 that was recently made public. (Related: BRICS members discuss possible expansion and creation of common currency to challenge US dollar's supremacy.)

The French government has not officially confirmed whether Macron's request to be invited to the BRICS summit is legitimate. But Palki Sharma on Firstpost described the request as "a surprising knock on BRICS door" and said that Macron "wants a slice of the action" that is definitely expected to happen during the summit.

Firstpost further speculated that Macron may want France to join BRICS because it is entering the "big leagues." Alternatively, Yaroslav Lissovolik, writing for Modern Diplomacy, suggested that Macron may want BRICS to open up a new platform specifically designed to promote cooperation between the developed and developing world economies.

Other media outlets have made their own speculations. Russia Today suggested that the French leader may want to discuss his plans to "overhaul the global financial and geopolitical order," a topic he raised more than once in past statements.

China ecstatic, Russia confused about Macron's show of interest to join BRICS summit

Russia and China, the two biggest players within the BRICS bloc, have expressed differing views on Macron's potential visit during the BRICS summit.

The Kremlin's main reaction is confusion over Macron's potential motives. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova remarked that "it would be nice if they told us why they want to attend."

"Do they want to once again make some contact to show Paris' activity, or is it a 'Trojan horse' of some sort? So, let them explain," she said.

"It is up to the host country to invite guests, much depends on it, but many organizational and practical issues have not yet been settled," said Assistant to the Russian President on Foreign Policy Yuri Ushakov. He noted that summits "often have guests" and that South Africa "initially planned to invite literally most of the African states to the summit."

"It is common practice, yes, but as a rule, these issues are coordinated with all member states," Ushakov added, hinting that Ramaphosa may need to consult with other BRICS nations before accepting Macron's request for an invitation.

France's relationship with most of the BRICS nations is "fractious at best," according to Russia Today, with matters especially tense with Moscow due to Macron's open and continued opposition to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine and support for a peace plan drafted by Kyiv, which Moscow has categorically rejected.

Meanwhile, Chinese state media are ecstatic at the prospect of Macron's participation at the summit. Global Times, a tabloid owned by the Chinese Communist Party's central committee or governing council, described Macron's participation in the summit as a "bold and innovative idea," seeing it as an opportunity for Beijing to peel Paris away from the West's sphere of influence.

"Macron himself has made surprising statements on multiple occasions, demonstrating a certain level of autonomy separate from Washington," reported the Global Times. "These factors make it feel like it wouldn't be particularly strange if Macron were to attend the BRICS summit. The fact that such news are emerging in France and not in other countries itself speaks volumes."

Learn more about BRICS and its ongoing effort to create a multipolar global financial and economic structure at EconomicRiot.com.

Watch this clip from "Vantage with Palki Sharma" on Firstpost as host Palki Sharma discusses Macron's confusing desire to elbow his way into the BRICS summit.

This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com.

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Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul blasts Bill Gates for being the BIGGEST FUNDER of disease outbreaks

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) blasted technocrat globalist Bill Gates for his obsession with funding research into deadly viruses . Such endeavors led directly to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, he added.

"Gates is the largest funder of trying to find these viruses in remote caves and bring them to big cities," he told Maria Bartiromo, host of "Sunday Morning Futures" on Fox News, during a June 18 appearance.

"So what happened in China is they went eight to 10 hours south of Wuhan, 200 to 300 feet deep into a cave, found viruses and took them back to a city of 15 million."

According to the Kentucky senator, this endeavor part of gain-of-function research "has largely been funded by Gates." He added: "I think he's inadvertently helped to create something that the biggest danger to mankind right now is something that he's been funding. So there's a responsibility there."

Paul further remarked that he wasn't the only one opposing the Microsoft co-founder's decision to bankroll dangerous gain-of-function research. He continued "There are many, many scientists who think that Gates is wrong in funding this."

"We don't need to be searching for viruses that may never interact with man. It's worse than that. They bring viruses that we may never interact with  back to the lab. But then, they manipulate them by combining them with other viruses to create viruses that don't exist in nature."

The senator's comments came amid a revelation by independent journalists Michael Shellenberger, Matt Taibbi and Alex Gutentag regarding the first individuals infected by COVID-19. A June 14 article penned by the three revealed that three scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology  Ben Hu, Yu Ping, and Yan Zhu  had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 since fall 2019.

"One of them, the one they think that was the first scientist to get sick  was one of [those involved in] creating these new viruses, viruses not found in nature," Paul said. "This is the gain of function research, and so this essentially closes the deal." (Related: Sen. Rand Paul: COVID lab leak among the greatest coverups in modern medical history.)

Paul calls for US-led consortium to restrict gain-of-function research

The lawmaker for the Bluegrass State told Bartiromo: "What I'm going to try to pursue now is, whoever revealed this if there's documentation of this, it's all supposed to be declassified. That legislation passed unanimously. If we can get those records, and actually put it out there for all the public to see that the first person that got sick was a scientist in the lab, then it's a done deal."

"We know it came from the lab, and everybody can just admit it, but then we can move to the reform. We shouldn't be funding this kind of research in China, but we also shouldn't be funding this kind of research in the United States."

Paul emphasized the need to restrict gain-of-function research, adding that the U.S. and an international consortium should "voluntarily agree to restrict this." According to the senator, the possibility of another man-made virus-like SARS-CoV-2 leaking from a laboratory could kill off between five and 50 percent of the world's population.

"This is very, very serious. This is up there with nuclear arms control  [and] the danger of nuclear war. But this is much more insidious," he concluded.

Visit RandPaul.news for more stories about the Kentucky senator.

Watch Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul zooming in on Bill Gates' obsession with funding gain-of-function research below.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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Rand Paul to lead first ever congressional hearing on gain-of-function research.

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Dr. Rand Paul doubles down, takes on Dr. Fauci and the coronavirus gain-of-function coverup.

Rand Paul verbally backhands Anthony Fauci after Biden health czar claimed his critics are "anti-science."

Rand Paul exposes total fraud, deception of Fauci and the CDC, who deliberately ignore NATURAL immunity.

Sources include:

BlacklistedNews.com

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Brighteon.com
RFK Jr. says he needs to be careful as the CIA could assassinate him  just like what it did to his uncle and father

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has admitted that he needs to be careful , warning that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) could assassinate him.

He made this admission during an appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience." RFK Jr. told the controversial podcast host and mixed martial arts commentator that he is endangering himself by speaking out about the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy (JFK) and former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy Sr.  his uncle and father, respectively.

Thus, the Democratic candidate said he takes steps to ensure that he does not suffer the same fate at the hands of the CIA. He explained to Rogan: "I [got to] be careful. I'm aware of that danger. I don't live in fear of it at all, but I'm not stupid about it and I take precautions."

According to RFK Jr., his uncle had been "at war" with the military-industrial complex (MIC). The younger Kennedy also asserted that the intelligence agencies "were trying to trick" his uncle into launching military excursions into Cuba and Vietnam.

Ultimately, the founder and general counsel of Children's Health Defense (CHD) recounted the former president's conclusion that the CIA must be "shattered  into a thousand pieces [and] scattered to the winds." The younger Kennedy explained the necessity of destroying the CIA  an apparatus of the Deep State  as its sole purpose is to perpetuate war, keep the MIC in power and consistently give it more control.

"[My uncle John] learned very early that the purpose of the CIA and the intelligence apparatus was to create a constant pipeline of new wars  for the MIC," RFK Jr. told Rogan. "[He was adamant that] it's not the U.S.'s job to dictate what kind of governments other countries [must] have."

RFK Jr.'s uncle was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas in November 1963. Almost five years later, his father was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan in June 1968 at a Los Angeles hotel.

RFK Jr: My uncle's death orchestrated by CIA was a COUP

The Democratic presidential candidate recounted an exchange involving his uncle, the former U.S. president.

"In October of 1963, he heard that some of his Green Berets had been killed. He said, 'I want a total casualty list from Vietnam,'" RFK Jr. shared to Rogan.

"His aide came to him and said, '75 Americans have died.' He said that was too many, and he signed that day a national security directive ordering all troops out of Vietnam. The first thousand over the next month, and then the rest by the beginning of 1965. And then a month later, he was killed."

Back in December of last year, former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson disclosed that the CIA was indeed involved in the assassination of JFK. He cited a source who had access to the still-classified CIA documents and was deeply familiar with their contents.

"The answer is yes. I believe they were involved. It's a whole different country from what we thought it was," the source said.

Carlson then remarked: "Yes, the CIA was involved in the assassination of [JFK]. It means that within the U.S. government, there are forces wholly beyond democratic control. They can do pretty much anything they want  even hide their complicity in the murder of an American president." (Related: Robert Kennedy Jr. says murder of uncle JFK was coup d'etat as CIA involvement confirmed.)

In a now-deleted tweet, RFK Jr. responded to Carlson's revelations with a bold statement. He wrote: "The most courageous newscast in 60 years. The CIA's murder of my uncle was a successful coup d'etat from which our democracy has never recovered."

Visit DeepState.news for more stories about agencies controlled by the Deep State, like the CIA.

Watch this segment of "The Joe Rogan Experience" where RFK Jr. emphasizes the need to be careful amid the CIA's attempt to assassinate him.

This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ron Paul, RFK Jr. publicly call out CIA for Kennedy assassination, covid plandemic.

JFK assassination expert drops major bombshell regarding CIA involvement and alleged shooter Lee Harvey Oswald.

RFK Jr.: CIA-led 'military response' to pandemic was meant to drive democracy from the world and usher in global totalitarianism.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $135,000 grant for training to help law enforcement officers across Alabama best serve the needs of domestic violence victims.

The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence is using the funds for statewide training to develop and enhance awareness of domestic violence and responses to assist victims. The coalition will consult with national speakers to enhance best practices for improving law enforcement response to domestic violence. It will also work with law enforcement agencies to support efforts to hold domestic violence offenders accountable.

Professionals who respond to domestic violence calls should be trained to provide the most up-to-date services possible to those in need, Ivey said. I commend the work being done by the coalition and the local agencies to ensure victims get the professional help they need to cope with and recover from very difficult circumstances.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation and water resources management.

ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of the coalition and the local law enforcement officers that they work with throughout the state to provide vital help to survivors of domestic violence, ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. ADECAs partnership with the coalition ensures that this level of assistance will continue to be available throughout the state.
Texas governor signs bill ordering the CLOSURE of DEI offices across state-funded universities

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a bill ordering the closure of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices in all state-funded colleges and universities.

The Republican governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 17 into law on June 14, after it was passed by the Texas Legislature in May. It ordered the closure of existing DEI offices and prohibited the establishment of new ones in publicly-funded higher education institutions in the Lone Star State. It also banned mandatory diversity training for both students and employees starting January 2024.

Moreover, SB 17 stressed that institutions cannot endorse an ideology that promotes differential treatment based on race, color or ethnicity. Public educational institutions also cannot require students and employees to disclose their race, color, ethnicity or national origin unless it is necessary for demographic information under the measure. Any public college or university that does not adhere to the new law would be unable to spend state funds allocated to it.

The law also requires state officials to conduct studies every two years until 2029 to assess the impact of the law on students. The studies will specifically analyze rates of application, acceptance, enrollment, retention, graduation and grade point averages. (Related: DEI captures the University of Florida.)

Republican State Sen. Brandon Creighton, one of the authors of SB 17, called the newly-signed law "the most significant ban on DEI in higher education in the nation." He noted that it will promote a merit-based approach in evaluating individuals based on their qualifications, skills and contributions.

"Education is the greatest equalizer in our nation, and Texas is home to world-class and innovative colleges and universities," the state lawmaker said. "The decisions we make for higher education today determine our Texas of tomorrow."

Democrats find ways to criticize SB 17

GOP state lawmakers in Texas have generally supported eliminating DEI initiatives, arguing that cutting funds for such programs would save taxpayers millions of dollars. They insist that such initiatives promote discrimination and racial profiling, prioritize race over merit. Moreover, DEI programs could hinder the ability of state colleges to attract diverse students.

But SB 17 was not without opposition, with Democratic state lawmakers actively leading the charge.

Democratic State Sen. Royce West remarked that instead of dismantling the entire DEI program, efforts should be made to improve and rectify isolated incidents. Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds, chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, added that the state appears unwilling to confront systemic inequalities and provide an inclusive learning environment for all students.

Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, also expressed disappointment over SB 17. She dubbed Abbott's signing of the law as a "sad occasion for all students in state-funded universities in Texas." According to Russell, dismantling DEI programs and offices would hinder students' success and that a diverse student body benefits all students, regardless of race.

Visit PublicEducation.news for more stories about DEI programs in public universities and colleges.

Watch this video discussing a similar move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to block DEI programs on state colleges and universities in the Sunshine State.

This video is from THE HEALTHY AMERICAN channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

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More universities are moving to gradeless system for "diversity," ensuring more students will fail in real life.

Universities now demanding total obedience to transgenderism lunacy for businesses before they are allowed to operate on campus... intellectual DIVERSITY is outlawed.

"Woke" public schools increasingly dumping tests and teaching children to hate whites in the name of pursuing "diversity" and "equity."

Sources include:

NBCNews.com

Edition.CNN.com

TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
Big Pharma is bleeding horseshoe crabs dry to meet growing demand for vaccines

The pharmaceutical industry is depleting horseshoe crab populations along the U.S. Atlantic coast with limited accountability  and serious environmental consequences, NPR reported this week.

(Article by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D. republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org)

Drugmakers use a product derived from horseshoe crab blood to test vaccines, injectable medicines and medical devices before injecting them into humans. The product tests for the presence of endotoxins, a toxin found in some bacteria that can cause inflammation, fever, sepsis or death.

The horseshoe crabs bright blue blood contains a substance called limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) that detects the harmful bacterial toxins and captures them in blood clots. No other natural substance is known to work as well to detect the toxins.

A synthetic alternative exists, but unlike in some other countries, U.S. regulators have not established standards for its use industry-wide.

That means the key medical test is dependent on a single animal, whose already precarious existence  the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2016 listed horseshoe crabs in the U.S. as vulnerable to extinction  can be further threatened by events like the COVID-19 pandemic demand for mass vaccine production.

A finite source with a potentially infinite demand

Scientists discovered the horseshoe crab bloods unique capacity in the 1960s, and in 1987, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the endotoxin test using horseshoe crab blood.

To meet Big Pharmas growing demand since the 1990s, an industry exploded around the collection and bleeding of the animals. Today, five major corporations harvest the blood along the east coast of the U.S.

The companies harvest the animals when they come to shore to spawn. Crabs caught in nets from trawling and dredging fisheries are not subject to regulations, which creates loopholes that make it possible for the companies to harvest and kill more crabs.

Lab technicians pierce their hearts and drain up to half their blood before releasing the animals back into the sea.

LAL labs claim that the vast majority of crabs recover. But research shows the bleeding appears to make the animals more lethargic, slower and less likely to follow the tides like their unbled counterparts do.

As a result, 30% or more of them die and many others never make it to shore to lay the eggs needed to reproduce the population and that serve as food for a wide range of migratory birds and marine life.

Despite demands for industry regulation by environmental groups, some limited legislative protections and successful lawsuits limiting horseshoe crab harvests in a few key locations, the amount of blood harvested by the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry from the animals grows every year.

The heart of environmentalism is care for vulnerable plants, animals, people, and places.https://t.co/FDDW2fkBEI  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 15, 2023

Habitat loss and overharvesting have affected the 475-million-year-old species in the past, but the massive growth of the pharmaceutical industry seriously threatens the species.

The five corporations operating in South Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia and Maryland reportedly drained the blood of more than 700,000 crabs in 2021, which NPR reported is more than any other year since officials started keeping track in 2004.

Larry Niles, a wildlife biologist and leader of the nonprofit Horseshoe Crab Recovery Coalition (HCRC), which unites different organizations into a single concerted effort to end the killing of horseshoe crabs on the Atlantic coast, told The Defender those industry numbers severely undercount the number of harvested crabs.

Horseshoe crabs are a finite source with a potentially infinite demand and those two things are mutually exclusive, Allen Burgenson, of Swiss biotech Lonza, told Agence France-Presse last year. Lonza produces the LAL test and also has developed a synthetic alternative to horseshoe crab blood.

Prioritizing money over the health of the stock

Horseshoe crabs are one of the oldest species on the planet. They are considered a keystone species, which means many other species depend on the horseshoe crab for survival. Their nutrient-rich eggs are an important food source for migratory birds and marine animals.

The rufa red knot, a federally listed shorebird species at risk of extinction, relies on horseshoe crab eggs for food during its annual 9,000-mile migration from Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of Argentina to its breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic.

But pressures from harvesting crabs for bait, habitat loss and biomedical bleeding have led to a 60% crash in the population along the Atlantic coast over the last 25 years. As a result, shorebird and fishery populations have also crashed. About 94% of red knots have disappeared over the past 40 years.

And despite recent harvest regulations, horseshoe crab populations have not increased, according to the HCRC.

Niles said part of the problem is that horseshoe crabs are treated as if they have no value  data is not collected on them in any systematic way and they are not protected.

He said:

The reality is that the bleeding companies who are extracting the blood and the lysate from the blood are making hundreds of millions of dollars off of the east coast horseshoe crabs because theyre able to hide all the data, including the value.

It perpetuates this myth that the crab is worthless, but in fact, its very likely the most valuable fishery on the Atlantic coast. 

Yet the agencies are treating it like its valueless.

And given pharmas resources, it is hard to fight them, Niles said.

Were up against this system that really prioritizes money over the health of the stock, he said, adding that along the East Coast, every fishery is essentially stressed to the breaking point.

Shadowy practices and limited regulation

NPR reported that the horseshoe crab industry falls into a regulatory gray area because they arent regulated by fisheries or by biomedical regulations  and the regulations that do exist for the treatment of crabs are largely unenforced.

There are best practices that function as guidelines, but audio recordings of industry meetings obtained by NPR indicate that companies involved in harvesting show little concern for following the non-binding guidelines.

Niles said regulations for protecting marine life are much looser than those protecting terrestrial wildlife. For terrestrial animals, he said, corporations have to prove their practices wont damage the population.

But for fisheries, he said, its the opposite. If you think that they are destroying a population, you have to develop the data to prove it.

HCRC has developed its own best practices guidelines and says if the practices were implemented, they would actually preserve and re-grow the crab populations. The group is working to get the industry to incorporate them.

The horseshoe crab blood extraction industry is dominated by giant multinational firms like the Japanese Fujifilm and Charles River Laboratories, a $22 billion publicly traded pharmaceutical company that provides half of the worlds supply of the horseshoe blood-derived test.

In April, a South Carolina District Court issued an injunction against Charles River Laboratories, prohibiting them from harvesting horseshoe crabs during the 2023 season on key red knot migration stopover beaches in South Carolina, in response to a lawsuit brought by the Defenders of Wildlife and other conservation groups against Charles River Laboratories.

The injunction also stopped the labs practice of keeping crabs in holding ponds prior to bleeding them, where they cannot spawn, so the migratory birds have no access to food.

This settlement is a welcome reprieve for the threatened red knot, Ben Prater, Defenders of Wildlife Southeast program director, said in a press release.

For years, Charles River Laboratories has overharvested horseshoe crabs, depleting a vital food source for red knots. As these long-distance migrants return to the shores of South Carolina this month we are grateful they now have a better chance to thrive.

But NPR reported that Charles River was responding by simply moving operations elsewhere. It also reported that when it requested annual reports from states where the bleeding was based, the company shared only highly redacted information, which makes it difficult to assess collection and mortality numbers for the crabs.

Are high profit margins on horseshoe crab blood hindering progress on synthetic alternative?

There is a synthetic alternative, called recombinant factor C (rFC), which can be used to test for endotoxins.

The European Pharmacopoeia has confirmed that it is a reliable alternative, but the U.S. Pharmacopoeial Convention (USP)  the nonprofit scientific organization that sets the legally recognized standards for the strength, purity and quality of medicines manufactured and distributed in the U.S.  has not yet approved it.

Environmental groups like HCRC and Revive and Restore say the transition to this synthetic alternative is essential for protecting the species.

Biologists Jeak L. Ding and Bo Ho, from the National University of Singapore, produced rFC in yeast. They licensed the process to Lonza, which brought it to market as PyroGene. A German company named Hyglos has been working on another synthetic endotoxin detector.

Wildlife nonprofit Revive and Restore reports that the patent for rFC was initially withheld from production after it was created because the profit margins on horseshoe crab blood are so high  it sells for approximately $29,000 per quart.

Some of the corporations that harvest horseshoe crabs also manufacture and sell the synthetic alternative, but Charles River doesnt and it continues to lobby to expand its harvest territory, The State reported last year.

A 2020 paper by rFC creator Ding and her colleagues said that the continued production and use of the horseshoe crab-harvested LAL has been a barrier to the production of rFC.

Others indicate most pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. have not turned to a synthetic alternative because of their reluctance to go through the regulatory process. Regulators like the FDA follow the USP guidelines. Shifting to an alternative method requires additional testing to show the method is equivalent to the existing approved LAL method.

A recent op-ed by environmentalist, horseshoe crab expert and author Deborah Cramer in The New York Times faults the USP for repeatedly and inexplicably failing to set standards for the use of rFC in the U.S.

The USP has proposed two sets of standards since 2019 but failed to approve them and the committee responsible for the approval was dismissed last year. A new one has been convened.

If USP approves standards, drug makers can use the synthetic test without having to go through the lengthy process of winning approval by the FDA, according to Cramer.

She wrote that according to Pfizer, a green light from USP would save drugmakers weeks of laboratory validation tests and documentation for every new product and subsequent F.D.A. regulatory review and approval.

Eli Lilly is currently the only U.S. pharmaceutical company using rFC and it has gone through the FDA regulatory review process.

Biotech and biopharmaceutical companies and venture capitalists interviewed for the Times op-ed all indicated they are eager to enter the new market.

Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org
China negotiating with Cuba to put training base on soil just 90 minutes from Americas shoreline

The situation between China and the United States is shaping up to be "Cold War 2.0" -- and nothing more, hopefully.

During the first Cold War, the communist regimes of Cuba and the Soviet Union were friendly even to a point of having Russian nuclear missiles placed on the island for a short period of time (see the Cuban Missile Crisis). Now, it looks as though China is following in the footsteps of the old USSR.

"China and Cuba are negotiating to establish a new joint military training facility on the island, sparking alarm in Washington that it could lead to the stationing of Chinese troops and other security and intelligence operations just 100 miles off Floridas coast, according to current and former U.S. officials," The Wall Street Journal reported this week.

According to U.S. intelligence reports, discussions regarding a facility on Cuba's northern coast are in an advanced stage but have not been finalized. The Biden administration has reached out to Cuban officials in an attempt to prevent the agreement, taking into account potential Cuban reservations about relinquishing sovereignty. The establishment of a military training facility by Beijing in Cuba has not been publicly disclosed until now, the WSJ added.

As concerns grow in Washington regarding China's aspirations in the Caribbean and Latin America, the administration is simultaneously working to ease tensions with Beijing on various fronts, such as the issue of U.S. support for Taiwan. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently made a visit to China, where he held high-level discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

"The trip appeared to halt a downward spiral in relations. But Blinken failed to secure Chinas agreement to a U.S. proposal that the two countries resume military-to-military communications to avoid misunderstandings. He also raised U.S. concerns about Chinese intelligence activities in Cuba, according to a State Department statement," the WSJ noted.

According to U.S. officials, the mention of the proposed training facility in Cuba is included in recently obtained highly classified intelligence reports. The reports are considered convincing, although they are described as fragmentary in nature. The information has sparked varying levels of concern among policymakers and intelligence analysts, the outlet reported.

On June 8, The Wall Street Journal published a report stating that China and Cuba had tentatively agreed upon establishing a new eavesdropping site in Cuba. The White House responded to this article by dismissing the accuracy of the report without providing further details. However, two days later, the White House declassified intelligence information, which confirmed that Chinese intelligence collection facilities have indeed been present in Cuba since at least 2019.

"Current and former U.S. officials said a new military facility could provide China with a platform to potentially house troops permanently on the island and broaden its intelligence gathering, including electronic eavesdropping, against the U.S.," the outlet noted further.

Of particular concern to the United States is the fact that the proposed facility is a component of China's "Project 141." The initiative, led by the People's Liberation Army, aims to enhance its worldwide military bases and logistical support network, both a current and a former U.S. official told the WSJ.

According to U.S. officials, China and Cuba are already engaged in a joint operation of four eavesdropping stations on the island. These officials indicate that around 2019, this network underwent a notable upgrade, transforming a single station into a network of four sites that are now jointly operated. Furthermore, Chinese involvement in these activities has intensified, the officials said.

"Other Project 141 sites include a deal for a Chinese naval outpost in Cambodia and a military facility whose purpose isnt publicly known at a port in the United Arab Emirates, a former U.S. official said. None of the previously known Project 141 sites are in the Western Hemisphere," the paper reported.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

NaturalNews.com
EU urges member nations to ban Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE from 5G networks due to security risk

The European Union (EU) has called on its member states to ban Chinese telecommunications giants Huawei Technologies and ZTE from their 5G networks as soon as possible, citing security risks

EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton announced the ban at a press conference in the Belgian capital Brussels on June 15. He added that the European Commission (EC) would remove Huawei and ZTE equipment from commission facilities across the continent. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the EU's move escalates its efforts to address the security risks linked to Chinese 5G providers.

Breton stressed the urgency of the situation, mentioning that the slow progress "poses a major security risk and exposes the union's collective security since it creates a major dependency for the EU and serious vulnerabilities." The SCMP noted that "the influence of specific third countries with security laws and corporate governance poses a risk to EU security."

Back in 2020, the EC recommended removing "high-risk" suppliers from member states' networks without specifying any particular companies. Frustration by the slow progress in implementing this recommendation led Brussels to publicly name Huawei and ZTE. The two companies had already faced market restrictions in 10 of the 27 EU member nations.

According to SCMP, Brussels' decision to ban Huawei and ZTE aligns with the U.S.'s approach. Washington has been gradually reducing its reliance on external companies for its own networks.

Overall, the move seeks to minimize dependencies on China and prevent European technology from falling into the hands of Beijing. (Related: US and UK partner up to ban Huawei from 5G surveillance and data collection.)

Huawei decries potential EU ban

The Shenzhen-based Huawei decried the potential ban, claiming that such a move would be "unfair and unlawful." According to the telecommunications firm, it is wrong to politicize technology assessments and cybersecurity evaluations.

A spokesperson for Huawei Europe strongly opposed the plan, explaining that such a move is not in the best interest of any party involved. Any such ban violates the principles and laws of the EU and its member states, the spokesperson said.

According to the company, exclusions based on non-technical judgments come with "severe and economic and social risks." Such actions would hinder innovation, distort the EU market and drive up costs for consumers of digital services.

"Throughout our time in Europe, there is no record showing back doors in our equipment," the spokesperson added.

According to a study by the Copenhagen-based consultancy firm Strand Consult, Chinese vendors supplied over 50 percent of the 5G equipment in 31 European countries by the end of 2022. Germany obtained 59 percent of its equipment from Chinese vendors, with Huawei enjoying a higher market share in Berlin than in Beijing.

But Germany isn't the only one that procured 5G equipment from Huawei as other EU countries like Italy, Portugal, Austria, Poland and Spain have also done so. The Chinese firm has been actively involved in the continent's 5G rollout since its inception, and nearly 60 percent of the company's 50 global 5G commercial contracts were signed with European operators.

The EU is facing mounting pressure from the U.S. to drop Huawei, with Washington putting the company on a trade blacklist back in 2019. Other Western nations like Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand have also banned Huawei.

Berlin was reportedly considering removing Huawei and another Chinese company from its 5G networks. Meanwhile, Lisbon was also exploring a potential policy change to ban certain 5G equipment  including that of Huawei's.

Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories about Beijing spying on other nations via Chinese 5G equipment.

Watch this video about former President Donald Trump deeming Huawei a "threat to national security."

This video is from the Truth Vendor channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

The Economist failed to disclose lucrative Huawei ties, even as it defended the Chinese tech giant.

Romania approves US-backed bill banning Huawei from its 5G network.

Canada bans Chinese tech giants Huawei and ZTE from its 5G networks, citing security concerns.

Wall Street Journal publishes highly classified leaked materials proving Chinese telecom giant Huawei uses its tech to SPY on its enemies.

China to pollute the summit of Mt. Everest with 5G stations, building infrastructure to spy on the world.

Sources include:

SCMP.com 1

SCMP.com 2

Brighteon.com
STUDY: Farming sector of Ukraine, the breadbasket of Europe, wont recover for at least 20 years

After the war in Ukraine comes to an end  and who knows when that might be?  it will take at least 20 years for the country's agricultural sector to recover, according to a new report from the Kyiv School of Economics.

Once known as the "breadbasket" of Europe, Ukraine's farming industry has been severely disrupted following the Russian invasion. Staple crops like maize (corn), oats, rapeseed (canola), and rye are not expected to fully recover to pre-invasion production levels until at least 2050.

Barley, sunflower, wheat, and other sectors could recover sooner, the report states, but not until at least 2040.

"This means that it may take as long as 20 years for Ukraine to regain its strength in agriculture after the devastation brought by the Russian military assault," researchers say.

(Related: Even as the Biden regime continues to send billions of American taxpayer dollars to Zelensky, the Ukrainian government is staging false flag terror attacks against itself while blaming them on Russia.)

Destruction of Kakhovka dam, which appears to have been an inside job, spells loss of one of Ukraine's most farming-rich regions

By April of this year, more than 26 percent of Ukraine's physical assets had been destroyed by the war. This includes upwards of $9 billion worth of the country's agricultural sector, which Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere rely on for sustenance.

Naval blockades imposed by Russia on the Black Sea are of course taking the blame for all this rather than Ukraine's collusion with the Pentagon in harboring dozens of bioweapons-producing laboratories, which is what provoked Russia to invade in the first place.

Instead of being sent to their intended destinations, crops instead sat on ships or at port where they rotted. Prior to the invasion, Ukraine had about 33 million hectares (about 82 million acres) dedicated to the cultivation of grains and oilseeds. Last year following the invasion, that figure dropped to 25 million hectares (about 62 million acres).

The latter figure is expected to continue dropping for as long as the conflict is ongoing. Assuming the war ends before the sowing of winter crops this year, the amount of Ukrainian land used for agriculture could be partially restored by 2030 and reach 37 million hectares (about 91.5 million acres) by 2050.

Prior to the war, Ukraine produced about 10 percent of global wheat exports; 15 percent of barley and corn exports; and 50 percent of sunflower oil exports. These figures have since dropped precipitously.

Keep in mind that the report came out prior to the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Southern Ukraine near Kherson, an event that further destroyed Ukrainian agriculture in one of the most farming-intensive regions of the country. The loss of all that water will effectively turn the land into deserts.

"The destruction of the [Kakhovka dam] will lead to the fact that the fields in the south of Ukraine may turn into deserts as early as next year," said Ukraine's agricultural ministry earlier this month, warning that the dam's destruction could cost Ukraine hundreds of millions of dollars.

Since the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, upwards of 600,000 hectares (about 1.5 million acres) of formerly arable land no longer has access to irrigation.

In 2021 before the war, Ukraine harvested about 106 million tons of grain and oilseed. According to the agriculture ministry, this year's harvest could be as low as 65 million tons.

The effects of this are already being seen across the globe as about 345 million people have now been forced into a state of "food insecurity," which is a nice way of saying that they could starve to death.

The latest news about the war in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

KSE.ua

Newstarget.com
NASAs next lunar mission could discover existence of life on the moon

The next lunar mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2025 may end up discovering microbial life on the lunar surface

NASA's Artemis 3 mission will be the first human lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972  the final flight of the Apollo program. Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt were the last humans to walk on the moon.

The Artemis 3 mission is intended to be the first of a number of human missions to the Artemis Polar Exploration Zone, the region poleward of 84 degrees south latitude. So far, only one Artemis mission has been launched  Artemis 1, which went to the lunar orbit last year and then returned to Earth.

NASA researchers believe that the moon may be harboring some microbial life on lunar south pole's shadowed craters.

"One of the most striking things our team has found is that, given recent research on the ranges in which certain microbial life can survive, there may be potentially habitable niches for such life in relatively protected areas on some airless bodies," said Prabel Saxena, a planetary researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

Saxena added the lunar south pole may really have the properties that can allow survival and possibly even intermittent development of specific microbial life.

"We're currently working on understanding which specific organisms may be most suited for surviving in such regions and what areas of the lunar polar regions, including places of interest relevant to exploration, maybe most amenable to supporting life," Saxena said.

NASA has picked 13 locations around the lunar south pole where Artemis 3 may land and is working to finalize its decision. Saxena and other researchers at NASA are working hard to finalize which sites to use for the landing, taking into consideration which sites could possibly be habitable for lunar microorganisms.

Lunar microbes likely from Earth  if they actually exist

According to Saxena, any microbial life forms on the lunar surface may have originated from Earth and survived their journey to the freezing lunar south. (Related: Life on the ice: Extraterrestrial life on ice worlds could look like Hawaiian underwater creatures.)

Saxena noted that these microorganisms may have been bits of the planet thrown to the moon as "Earth meteorites."

According to Heather Graham, a NASA Goddard organic geochemist and a member of the study team, that is indeed a possibility. However, that doesn't mean that Earth microbes can also survive deep-space journeys.

"While extraterrestrial transfer of organic molecules from meteoritic sources is very likely, and indeed observed in our own terrestrial meteorite analysis, the transfer of microbes from similar sources does not have the same weight of evidence. It may be an interesting idea, but without viable data, this route cannot be included in this study," Graham said.

Graham added that the study team is very conscious of the several ways that humans are the largest vector of microbes on the moon.

"We will soon have 50 years of history of humans and their objects on the surface with no stringent requirements regarding forward contamination. We view humans as the most likely vector given the extensive data that we have about our history of exploration and the impact record as a second, albeit less influential, early terrestrial source," Graham stated.

Graham mentioned that the way the study team is tackling the problem isn't necessarily because they believe the Artemis missions will create a deluge of microbes to blossom instantly close to the lunar south pole in a "dorm room fridge" scheme.

Follow Space.news for more news about lunar missions to the moon.

Watch this clip from Fox News as NASA veteran Nicole Stott discusses how the United States can do more to expand its space industry.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

China to begin construction of LUNAR BASE using moon soil.

The Moon has plenty of water  frozen below the surface.

Scientists find surface-exposed water ice on the moon.

Lunar meteorite hints at the moon having water, once upon a time.

Interior of the moon likely contains billions of gallons of water.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

Yahoo.com

Brighteon.com
National debt hits record-high $32 trillion two weeks after suspension of debt ceiling

The United States' gross national debt hit a record-breaking $32 trillion on Friday, June 16, less than two weeks after President Joe Biden signed into law the suspension of debt ceiling

According to the nation's treasury data, the national debt is currently at $32.03 trillion. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the country's deficit for the fiscal year 2023 to be near $1.4 trillion, driving the national debt even higher.

The debt ceiling deal, which also included tens of billions in spending cuts demanded by Republicans in the House of Representatives, will allow the government to borrow whatever it wants until the end of 2024 when the debt ceiling suspension ends.

When the bill was signed into law earlier this month, the national debt was just around $31.47 trillion. On the first business day after the debt ceiling was suspended, federal borrowing surged by nearly $400 billion.

According to Fox News, the national debt will just keep on growing as long as the federal government keeps spending more than it collects.

"In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, the government has already spent $1.2 trillion more than it collected," wrote Peter Kasperowicz for Fox Business. "Annual budget deficits of $1 trillion or more are expected in the foreseeable future under current law."

Meanwhile, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Maya MacGuineas said the "only thing more disheartening" than skyrocketing national debt is the "fact, we reached $31 trillion last October."

"We can't even get through a single fiscal year anymore without adding a trillion dollars in debt and $33 trillion is likely just around the corner," she added. "Our debt addiction saddles the next generation with a debt burden that only grows larger so long as we insist on ducking the hard choices of governing. We need a return to responsible fiscal policy if we're ever going to get ourselves out of this mess."

MacGuineas also presented a simple formula for fiscal responsibility: "No new borrowing  meaning fully offset all new spending or tax cuts  and better yet, hold off on them until our debt is under control; address the drivers of our runaway debt; and reform our broken budget process."

House starts to adopt lower government spending targets for next fiscal year

The House of Representatives has started to adopt government spending targets for the next fiscal year that are below the level agreed upon by Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

According to reports, the House Appropriations Committee voted 33 to 27 along party lines to adopt a discretionary spending level of $1.47 trillion for the fiscal year 2024, which starts on Oct. 1. That is about $120 billion below the $1.59 trillion set out in the debt ceiling bill negotiated by Biden and McCarthy. (Related: Lawfare with Tom Renz: There is nothing good about debt ceiling deal between Biden and McCarthy  Brighteon.TV.)

Reuters reported that targets would maintain defense spending at the $866 billion level agreed in the debt ceiling legislation. But it would lower spending on the environment, public assistance and foreign aid. It would also increase spending for border security, drug enforcement and countering the threat posed by China.

"The debt ceiling bill set a ceiling, not a floor, for fiscal year 2024 bills. The allocations before us reflect the change members on my side of the aisle want to see," said Appropriations Committee Chairperson Rep. Kay Granger of Texas.

Meanwhile, Democrats did not agree with the policies that Republicans attached to the spending bills, such as one that would prevent an abortion drug from being distributed through pharmacies.

Also, lower spending levels could make it harder for the House to reach an agreement with the Democratic Party-led Senate. According to analysts, federal agencies may have to shut down if the two chambers cannot agree on spending levels by October.

"They're moving toward a shutdown. That's what they seem to want to guarantee," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator. GOP Rep. Steve Womack also expressed concern about a shutdown. "I worry about what's going to happen on Oct. 1."

Visit DebtBomb.news for updates on the collapsing U.S. economy and the growing federal debt.

Watch the video below where ITM Trading Chief Market Analyst Lynette Zang talks about the impending debt crisis.

This video is from the What is Happening channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Calm before the storm: Treasury bills to flood market following sealed debt-ceiling deal.

DEBT SENTENCE: Bankruptcy haunts corporate America as interest rates soar following the end of easy money.

NO DEAL! Biden, McCarthy fail to reach an agreement on DEBT CEILING just days from potential default.

Newt Gingrich says a debt default on Biden's watch will end his 2024 reelection bid.

Survey: 75% of people in Joe Biden's America believe the country's economy is GETTING WORSE.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

FoxBusiness.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Newly uncovered emails from Hunter Bidens laptop reveal secret Maltese bank account opened by Ukrainian energy exec

The tangled web of corruption woven by the Biden family over the past decade at least is beginning to be unwound, and it is shocking, the level of corruption that is being revealed.

According to Breitbart News, "Burisma Holdings executive Vadym Pozharskyi informed Hunter Biden in 2016 that he was opening a Maltese bank account for him."

The Twitter account of Kanekoa the Great laid out more details in a thread.

"Emails from the Biden laptop reveal a newly discovered Hunter Biden Maltese bank account opened by Burisma that coincides with the $10 million bribery allegations involving Biden and Burisma, as reported by an FBI source," the thread began.

"Mykola Zlochevsky, Burisma's founder, allegedly paid a $5 million bribe each to then-VP Joe Biden and Hunter Biden. Zlochevsky, who faced investigations for money laundering, reportedly employed Hunter to leverage his political influence in order to halt the investigations," it continued.

2) Mykola Zlochevsky, Burisma's founder, allegedly paid a $5 million bribe each to then-VP Joe Biden and Hunter Biden. Zlochevsky, who faced investigations for money laundering, reportedly employed Hunter to leverage his political influence in order to halt the investigations. pic.twitter.com/BgxDdpS14l  KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) June 16, 2023

Kanekoa noted that in 2018, Joe Biden acknowledged that he had exerted pressure on Ukraine's President to dismiss prosecutor Viktor Shokin, who was conducting an investigation into his son's Ukrainian energy company. Biden utilized the leverage of a potential withholding of a $1 billion US loan guarantee as part of this effort. That tweet contained a video of Biden literally discussing engaging in a quid pro quo with the government of then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (reminder: Trump's first impeachment involved a fake allegation that he engaged in a quid pro quo with current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy).

3) In 2018, Joe Biden admitted to pressuring Ukraine's President to fire the prosecutor Viktor Shokin, who was investigating his son's Ukrainian energy company. Biden accomplished this by leveraging the threat of withholding a $1 billion US loan guarantee. pic.twitter.com/JuNxAtUu3n  KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) June 16, 2023

Breitbart News noted further:

Emails uncovered by the nonprofit Marco Polo suggest Burisma tried to move money to the Bidens through a Maltese bank account set up by Pozharskyi for Hunter Biden.

In May 2016, Pozharskyi requested the documentation required for the account opening, including a copy of Hunters passport, a bank reference letter, and a utility bill.

Hunter responded to Pozharskyi, We are working on this  I was traveling with my dad and had my passport abroad last week."

Kanekoa noted further: "In the subsequent weeks, Hunter Biden's assistant, Joan Mayer, provided copies of Hunter's documentation, as requested. Mayer also suggested providing a letter from Hunter's corporation, Owasco, to confirm his annual salary, asking, 'Is that what the bank is looking for?'"

6) In the subsequent weeks, Hunter Biden's assistant, Joan Mayer, provided copies of Hunter's documentation, as requested. Mayer also suggested providing a letter from Hunter's corporation, Owasco, to confirm his annual salary, asking, Is that what the bank is looking for? pic.twitter.com/Rsubqs8fY9  KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) June 16, 2023

"A Burisma attorney sent an email to Hunter, sharing the address and swift code of Satabank, the Maltese bank. A few days later, Hunter's assistant sent 'Hunter's tax ID number and signature' to the Burisma executive, who responded with a confirmation: 'All received!'"

"In 2018, Satabank was closed for money laundering violations. In 2019, all accounts were frozen, and investigations started for suspicious transactions tied to illegal activities. Auditors found in 2020 that around 11 billion in suspicious transactions went through Satabank," Kanekoa noted further. "Vadym Pozharskyi facilitated the establishment of the Maltese bank account for Hunter Biden a year after Hunter introduced his father to the Burisma executive."

9) Vadym Pozharskyi facilitated the establishment of the Maltese bank account for Hunter Biden a year after Hunter introduced his father to the Burisma executive. pic.twitter.com/18OSAe5fOy  KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) June 16, 2023

"In a now-infamous email, Pozharskyi revealed that Hunter Biden and his business partner Devon Archer operated as unregistered foreign lobbyists by organizing a private dinner with then-Vice President Joe Biden at Cafe Milano in D.C.," Kanekoa noted further. (Another reminder: Earlier reports noted that federal investigators were allegedly looking into whether Hunter Biden acted as an unregistered foreign lobbyist, which is illegal.)

Fun fact: Archer is reportedly negotiating to provide testimony about these bribes to the GOP-controlled House Oversight Committee.

Imagine how many other political leaders who have been in Washington for years are just as corrupt. No wonder they never want to leave.

Sources include:

ConservativeBrief.com

ThreadReaderApp.com

Breitbart.com
Nuclear war escalation alert  Urgent interview with Steve Quayle

Russian president Vladimir Putin is now warning the West about military escalations that could lead to nuclear war. As reported by the UK Daily Mail , Putin warns that a Third World War would be catastrophic for the world. "There will be no winners," he says, "including America."

Writing at SHTFplan.com, Michael Snyder posts additional comments from Putin that speak directly about the possibility of nuclear strikes against American cities or military bases:

We were forced to try to end the war that the West started in 2014 by force of arms. And Russia will end this war by force of arms, freeing the entire territory of the former Ukraine from the United States and Ukrainian Nazis. There are no other options, Putin said.

The Ukrainian army of the US and NATO will be defeated, no matter what new types of weapons it receives from the West. The more weapons there are, the fewer Ukrainians and what used to be Ukraine will remain.

And importantly, he emphasized that Direct intervention by NATOs European armies will not change the outcome. But in this case, the fire of war will engulf the whole of Europe. It looks like the US is ready for that too.

This "fire of war" refers to nuclear weapons, and Russia has the world's most advanced assortment of nuclear missiles, including nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles for which the West has no effective defense.

America keeps poking the bear and begging to be nuked

The issue at hand is that the United States of America -- led by raging, hate-filled tyrants and historically illiterate "woke" idiots like Victoria Nuland at the State Dept. -- keeps provoking Russia on purpose. The latest provocation is the promise of providing nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. These combat aircraft would be deployed from military bases outside of Ukraine (Poland, for example) and would attempt to engage Russian forces or launch nuclear missiles against military or infrastructure targets inside Russia.

Putin clearly explains that if the West deploys F-16s from military bases outside of Ukraine, Russia will consider those military bases to be legitimate targets for annihilation, most likely using nuclear weapons.

Yet launching nuclear weapons at European military bases would likely lead to European countries launching their own nuclear missiles aimed at Russia. As those are launched, Russia would almost certainly launch its entire nuclear arsenal at targets in Europe and the United States, resulting in the near-total nuclear annihilation of the West.

Russia itself, meanwhile, has air defense systems that can bring down some portion of incoming ICBMs. In addition, Russia has nuclear fallout bunkers spread across its cities, allowing a high survival rate even if nuclear detonations occur. America, on the other hand, has virtually no nuclear preparedness and would be instantly plunged into anarchy and collapse in the aftermath of nuclear strikes.

Additionally, thanks to stimulus money and the welfare state, the American masses are fat, lazy and stupid. In contrast, thanks to years of economic sanctions, the Russian people are adaptive, resilient and resourceful. Which population do you think will fare better in the aftermath of a nuclear exchange?

On top of all this, Russia has its Poseidon nuclear-armed underwater drones parked off the coastlines of both the USA and Britain. With a single command, these drones will detonate 100 megaton nuclear warheads, unleashing a tidal wave of radioactive ocean water that inundates the coast and wipes out ports, cities and naval bases. There is no defense against that. None whatsoever. And America's most important cities, ports and naval bases are, of course, located near the East Coast.

Yet, astonishingly, the USA doesn't want to negotiate peace with Russia. Nor does Zelensky, a tyrannical puppet of the Biden regime. Besides, Russia has already learned that it's pointless trying to negotiate with people who are insane and stupid, which is exactly what now characterizes the "leadership" of both the USA and NATO countries. They are all steeped in child mutilations, election rigging and the trans cult, proving to be completely dissociated from reality and utterly oblivious to the real laws of cause and effect, economics, war, nuclear weapons, currencies, supply chains and more. Sadly, the leaders currently running the show were never elected by the American people. They achieved their positions of power through fraud, psyops, propaganda and cheating. Yet those tactics won't work against Russia, even though the West knows nothing else to try.

Russian influencers call for deploying nuclear weapons to SAVE the world from the West

Making matters even more dangerous, multiple influencers in Russia are calling for nuclear strikes against NATO and the USA in order to save the world. Here's an article authored by Professor Sergey Karaganov, honorary chairman of Russias Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and academic supervisor at the School of International Economics and Foreign Affairs Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow: Sergey Karaganov: By using its nuclear weapons, Russia could save humanity from a global catastrophe. (RT.com)

The article argues that leaders of the USA and NATO countries have lost their minds (which is true) and must be shocked back to their senses using nuclear weapons (which would be catastrophic for the world). From the article by Karaganov:

But what if the present Western leaders refuse to back down? Perhaps they have lost all sense of self-preservation? Then we will have to hit a group of targets in a number of countries to bring those who have lost their senses back to their senses.

Failure to nuke the USA and NATO, argues Karaganov, will lead to the end of human civilization on planet Earth:

Its a morally frightening choice  we would be using Gods weapon and condemning ourselves to great spiritual loss. But if this is not done, not only may Russia perish, but most likely the whole of human civilization will end.

Given the suicidal tendencies of Western European globalists who are running a bioweapons depopulation agenda on the planet, Karaganov may have a point, even if his conclusions point to a dangerous end game. But the fact that he is arguing for a limited number of nuclear strikes on numerous western cities as a kind of "warning shot" should be alarming to anyone paying attention. If Putin shares this view, then he may indeed launch such weapons with the justification that doing so is the only effective way to defend Russia against the West.

Prepare for U.S. cities to burn.

Hear Steve Quayle discuss all this in more detail in today's Brighteon Broadcast News episode

Today's episode is especially powerful and urgent, covering:

- The pattern of escalation that leads to nuclear war

- Europe's military bases will be obliterated in giant mushroom clouds

- Why millions of oblivious people will soon be dead

- Putin promises to engulf America in the fire of nuclear annihilation

- Is 2023 humanity's last year on planet Earth? (Scott Ritter)

- Full interview with Steve Quayle on Russia's nuclear arsenal

- Why nuclear war will unleash "unimaginable mayhem" as Americans PANIC

- Almost no one is truly prepared for World War III

- Russia's missiles can strike any target, anywhere on the planet

Brighteon: Brighteon.com/62baedfd-c453-4461-a06e-bfcfb2f5a203

Rumble: Rumble.com/v2vimts-bbn-june-21-2023-nuclear-war-escalation-alert-analysis-feat.-steve-quayle.html

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Banned.Video: Banned.video/watch?id=64930472ca63bd04ec1a3a92

iTunes podcast: Healthrangerreport.com/brighteon-broadcast-news-june-21-2023-nuclear-war-escalation-alert-analysis-feat-steve-quayle

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Planned Parenthood to dismiss 100 employees as first anniversary of Roe v. Wade overturn draws near

Planned Parenthood will have 100 fewer employees soon, thanks to the Supreme Court's decision on June 24, 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade.

This counts as another victory for pro-life advocates following the overturn of the landmark decision. It is estimated that about 60,000 lives have been saved so far, and hundreds of thousands more will be saved yearly following the Supreme Court's decision.(Related: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, sending issue of abortion back to states where it always belonged.)

Planned Parenthood has been at the front line of the fight for access to abortions nationally, heading several legal battles against states that have restricted abortion access and often taking the lead for how abortion providers responded to the fresh legal landscape in some of those states. It has been branded by Republicans as an extension of the extreme left faction of the Democratic Party.

In May, Alexis McGill Johnson, head of the national organization that murders more than 350,000 babies each year and has killed more than eight million since 1970, declared the employee retrenchment and stated it is required to "meet the needs" in the new life-affirming culture.

McGill Johnson also announced that starting this summer, Planned Parenthood will use its resources to better meet the needs of patients and communities.

"There will be a reduction in the national office workforce. We believe this strategic decision is essential to meet the current situation. PPFA [Planned Parenthood Federation of America] will prioritize what the national office must do and cut programs that we will not do. That shift in strategy and resource prioritization requires a reduction in our current workforce," McGill Johnson said.

"We don't take this moment lightly. The shifting landscape requires very difficult decisions about the way forward, meaning that some of our fiercest, most incredible staff won't continue on this journey with us."

Planned Parenthood to continue war against the unborn

However, McGill Johnson insisted that the war against the unborn must remain. "Planned Parenthood is going to meet this moment boldly, proudly, unapologetically. We have the opportunity and the obligation to put forward a new vision that better serves Planned Parenthood patients and empowers [them] to control their own bodies and lives," McGill Johnson stated.

The Boston Globe condemned the need to lay off workers at Planned Parenthood, and at the same time praised the company's move to start its latest initiative called the Black Health Equity Initiative that targets black mothers-to-be.

According to Planned Parenthood, the Black Health Equity Initiative was designed "to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities, particularly for Black patients, starting with states in the South and Midwest."

Currently, Planned Parenthood runs more than 600 clinics in America and uses some $633 million of American taxpayer money each year to fund the genocide.

But it is now feeling the effect of the Roe overturn. In March, Planned Parenthood quietly closed its clinic in Logan, Utah.

It is just another loss for Planned Parenthood in its war against life from conception.

Follow Abortions.news for more news about Planned Parenthood and abortions in America.

Watch the video below to know more about the Planned Parenthood insiders who exposed its evil practices.

This video is from the RED PILLED channel on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Planned Parenthood disavows Margaret Sanger, continues racist, eugenicist ways.

Susan Swift condemns woke narrative that abortion is healthcare and necessary to save women.

Planned Parenthood was set up out of a desire to exterminate "human weeds."

Sources include:

TheNewAmerican.com

BostonGlobe.com

Brighteon.com
Summer Fest in Culpepper Park in Daleville is July 1 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the public is invited to attend the free community event.

The event is sponsored by the Southeast Alabama American Veterans Post 7 and will feature over 20 vendors, kids activities, live music and food, said Post 7 Commander Kevin Turley.

The Friends of Army Aviation UH-1 Helier will be featured and music will be provided by Alan Wayne and Travis and Roscoe.

Awesome Dog Grooming is sponsoring the Patriotic Pup Costume Contest at 11 a.m. at the AMVETS stage. Turley said the best patriotic dressed pup will win a $50 gift certificate for grooming at Awesome Dog Grooming. There will be a free inflatable for kids to enjoy sliding and jumping on.

It is our hope that this event will serve to bring our community closer together and lift everyones spirits as we ring In Independence Day this year, said Turley, who also serves as the executive director of the state AMVETS. We sincerely appreciate the city of Daleville and each of our partners for making this event possible.

Membership in the Southeast Alabama AMVETS Post 7 is open to all currently serving or honorably discharged service members of the U. S. Armed Forces to include Reserve and National Guard members.

AMVETS, as an organization, was created in 1944 as many veterans were helping returning World War II veterans obtain their earned benefits from the federal government, Turley said. As the number of veterans swelled to millions, it was realized there was a need for a national organization to provide this assistance.

On Dec. 10, 1944, 18 representatives from nine veterans organizations collaborated to form what is now AMVETS. On July 23, 1947, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 216 making AMVETS the first World War II organization chartered by Congress. Since then, the charter has been amended several times to include veterans of other wars, Turley explained.

Serving with Turley on the local organizations board are Travis Parker, first vice commander and publicity chair; Ben Jimmerson, second vice commander, finance and service officer; Chris Carilie, adjunct; Rev. John Logsdon, chaplain; and Karl Boesen, provost marshal. Its a great team of motivated people and I am very honored to be able to serve with them.

Charter members hail from Daleville, Enterprise, Chancellor, Elba, and Newton, Turley said. If you want to join an extremely active group to help and honor our veterans and community, you are invited to attend a meeting and check the post out.

AMVETS also aids veterans filing their VA claims, scholarships, warrior reintegration, career assistance, and more. Free mental counseling is also available in partnership with the Military Support Group and Care Counseling, LLC. For more information on AMVETS Post 7 call (334) 379-8286.
Study, now retracted, found that popularity of transgender mutilation among youth a direct result of referral to a gender specialist  children are being GROOMED to destroy their own bodies

Not nearly as many children would be seeking out a "gender transition" were it not for the heavy social and medical transition culture that aims to brainwash them into dissatisfaction with their natural biology.

These are among the findings of a new study, which was retracted from the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, not long after publishing, that destroy the myth of gender dysphoria being a common thing that children are just too scared to "come out" and admit.

Virtually no children would have any concept of transhumanism were it not for all the programming on television, on social media, and in public school. All of the grooming that occurs in public life these days, including drag performances at the local bar and grill and "drag queen story hour" at the local library, is the reason why transgenderism has become a fad.

"It's easy to study things that make people happy," said Prof. J. Michael Bailey of Northwestern University, one of the study's authors. "It's much harder to study things that are bound to make at least some people unhappy."

"Academia is in a really bad state right now with respect to what we should be doing, which is pursuing knowledge."

Bailey's article prior to being retracted is available for viewing at the Springer website.

(Related: The recent passage of Assembly Bill 957 in California means that LGBT "non-affirming" parents could lose their children to the state.)

Transgender lobbying group launches boycott of journal until editor is removed

Suzanna Diaz, the pseudonym of another study co-author, is one such parent who believes her child developed rapid-onset gender dysphoria not because of some natural inclination, but rather because of social contagion.

For her own safety, Diaz chose to remain anonymous, presumably recognizing that the LGBT mob is sure to go after her for daring to tell the truth about how deliberate grooming is the reason for the transgender trend currently sweeping the West.

Diaz was smart to use a pseudonym seeing as how she and Bailey are already under attack by a group called the Center for Applied Transgender Studies that wrote to Springer in May 2023 launching a boycott of Archives of Sexual Behavior until its current editor, University of Toronto Prof. Kenneth Zucker, is removed.

"With this letter, we are informing you that we will no longer submit to the journal, act as peer reviewers, or serve in an editorial capacity until Dr. Zucker is replaced with an editor who has a demonstrated record of integrity on LGBTQ+ matters and, especially, trans matters," the open letter states.

The reason for this boycott and letter, of course, is because the Center for Applied Transgender Studies does not like the findings of Bailey's study, which it says "raises serious concerns over research ethics and intellectual integrity."

Bailey's own Institutional Review Board (IRB) looked at the article prior to publishing and "advised that publishing the results was likely ethical, provided data were deidentified," which is exactly how it was published.

Even so, the Center for Applied Transgender Studies only approves of pro-trans "science" that never questions anything like social contagion as a possible factor in transgenderism becoming a fad among young people desperately seeking attention and affirmation.

Archives of Sexual Behavior, presumably due to bullying from this pro-trans group, agreed to retract the study under false pretenses that Bailey says are not even true.

"Informed consent means that you're supposed to inform participants what it is that youre studying, and get their consent," Bailey said, referring to the false claim that his paper somehow lacked informed consent.

The latest news about the transgender grooming and mutilation of children can be found at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Springer.com

NaturalNews.com
Saudi Arabia signs $5.6 billion deal with China to boost the kingdoms EV industry

Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to further "collaborate" with China by strengthening its economic ties with the communist nation in the form of a new multi-billion dollar deal that will boost the kingdom's electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment inked a $5.6 billion deal with Chinese EV manufacturer Human Horizons to collaborate on the development, manufacture and sale of new EVs.

The agreement accounts for more than half of the over $10 billion in investments the Saudis and the Chinese signed just on the first day of an Arab-China business conference in Riyadh, with the investments involving multiple sectors including technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, metals, tourism and healthcare.

These varied deals highlight the desire of Saudi Arabia, the world's leading oil exporter, to reduce its economic dependence on oil and shift toward boosting its investments in non-oil industries.

The move also underscores Saudi Arabia's desire to increase collaboration with China, already its largest trading partner, as the kingdom moves to decouple itself from the United States and the rest of the Western world. (Related: Dollar dominance scheduled for TERMINATION as Saudi Arabia declares CHINA its "reliable partner.")

During the Arab-China conference, Saudi Arabian Minister for Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, half-brother of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasized the importance of deepening ties with China.

"We came to recognize the reality of today that China is taking, had taken a lead [and] will continue to take that lead," said the prince. "We don't have to compete with China. We have to collaborate with China."

Saudi Arabia and China to have more collaborations in the future

One of the key objectives of Saudi Arabia's diversification agenda is the establishment of a domestic EV manufacturing industry. Human Horizons, known for its production of EVs under the HiPhi brand in China, will lend its expertise and technology to support the kingdom's EV ambitions.

For Human Horizons, the collaboration serves as a stepping stone for the private company's goal of expanding internationally. Before this deal, Human Horizons announced its plan to introduce its premium car brands in select European markets.

Even before the signing of this $5.6 billion deal, China has already been a longstanding partner of Saudi Arabia. The investment from Human Horizons signifies the communist nation's growing interest in the Saudi market.

In addition to economic collaboration, Saudi Arabia also recently joined the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a "dialogue partner." The SCO supposedly focuses on regional security issues, such as counterterrorism operations and the prevention of violent extremism.

Chinese foreign direct investments into Arab markets reached a total of $23 billion in 2021, with $3.5 billion investment explicitly in Saudi Arabia.

The growing partnership between the Saudis and the communists in the growing EV sector is expected to foster more innovation, technology transfer and the creation of new jobs within the kingdom.

Learn more about China's other economic dealings at CommunistChina.news.

Watch the video below to learn how Saudi Arabia and China are initiating a plan to create petroyuan.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

A dollar collapse is now in motion  Saudi Arabia signals the end of petro status.

Ignoring U.S. concerns, Saudi Arabia reiterates oil partnership priorities with communist China.

Saudi Arabia increases September oil prices for Asian buyers to record-high levels.

Saudi Arabia hikes oil prices as Asia eases COVID-19 restrictions.

Saudi Arabia, China initiating plan to create petroyuan and bring an end to the petrodollar.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Liberty watch: UN seeks to introduce global ID that would be tied to an individuals bank account

Once again, the 'grand masters of the universe' at the United Nations are plotting to exert control over the most modern of Earth's societies -- though no one anywhere elected them to such positions.

As reported by Slay News, the UN "is planning to introduce a global digital ID system that is linked to individuals bank accounts" under a plan that "is similar to the system developed by the World Economic Forum (WEF)."

The entire play is described in a trio of policy briefs titled, A Global Digital Compact, Reforms to the International Financial Architecture, and The Future of Outer Space Governance. The objective is to advance UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterress vision for the future" -- which is, of course, total control of every human on the planet (and on other planets, eventually).

Called "Our Common Agenda" (says who?), the plan is on pace to be approved in September 2024 at an event called "The Summit for the Future."

The plan calls for:

Digital IDs linked with bank or mobile money accounts can improve the delivery of social protection coverage and serve to better reach eligible beneficiaries.

Digital technologies may help to reduce leakage, errors and costs in the design of social protection programmes.

Just like their unofficial 'partners' over at the World Economic Forum, the UN also discusses how it wants to regulate the global digital future basically. The unelected organization goes on to use phrases such as international cooperation and many stakeholders who will advance principles, objectives, and actions to describe this globalist agenda.

The challenges that we face can be addressed only through stronger international cooperation. The Summit of the Future in 2024 is an opportunity to agree on multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow, strengthening global governance for both present and future generations," Guterres says in the plan's introduction.

"In my capacity as Secretary-General, I have been invited to provide inputs to the preparations for the Summit in the form of action-oriented recommendations, building on the proposals contained in my report entitled 'Our Common Agenda,' which was itself a response to the declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. The present policy brief is one such input. It elaborates on the ideas first proposed in Our Common Agenda, taking into account subsequent guidance from Member States and over one year of intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder consultations, and rooted in the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments," he adds.

"The present brief proposes the development of a Global Digital Compact that would set out principles, objectives and actions for advancing an open, free, secure and human-centered digital future, one that is anchored in universal human rights and that enables the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. It outlines areas in which the need for multi-stakeholder digital cooperation is urgent and sets out how a Global Digital Compact can help to realize the commitment in the declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations," he noted further.

Again, this man was not elected by the people. He is an advocate of freedom. Nothing the UN does (or the WEF, for that matter) relies on voluntary cooperation among peoples and countries. It is all forced -- it has to be in order for the organization to 'realize' it's 'vision.'

Later, Guterres gives away his true objective: More "state" control.

"Behind these divides is a massive governance gap. New technologies are lacking even basic guardrails. It is harder to bring a soft toy than an AI chatbot to market today. Because such digital technologies are privately developed, Governments are constantly lagging behind in regulating them in the public interest. As a result of decades of underinvestment in State capacities, public institutions in most countries are ill-equipped to assess and respond to digital challenges," he stated.

Governments have their roles, of course, but to grow bigger than the private sector is not one of them. This plan is frightening and should be roundly rejected by all free people.

Sources include:

UN.org

SlayNews.com
Biowarfare incoming? Russia accuses US of planning to drop malaria-infested mosquitoes on Russian troops in Ukraine

A high-ranking Russian general has alleged that the United States is planning to use drones to drop mosquitoes infected with malaria onto Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, commander of the Russian Armed Forces' Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, made this claim during an address televised by the Russian state-owned media as he also accused Ukraine of targeting the Nova Kakhovka dam and flooding the entire region. (Related: Thousands of people forced to evacuate following destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine.)

"The flooding of Kherson Oblast [region] planned by the Kyiv regime can complicate the situation, including with regard to arbovirus infections," said Kirillov.

"After a drop in the water level, it is possible to form foci of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily West Nile fever," he continued. "The high technical level of U.S. preparedness for the use of infected vectors is evidenced by a patent for a drone designed to spread infected mosquitoes in the air."

The general then claimed that these drones will be deployed to Kherson region and to other parts of the front line of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine to degrade the health of Russian forces.

"In accordance with the description, the drone must deliver a container with insects to a given area and release them," said Kirillov. "The description of the patent emphasizes that the infected soldier is not able to perform the combat missions assigned to him."

US accused of studying insect-borne diseases for military use

In the same address, Kirillov noted that the U.S. is actively conducting research on insect-borne diseases that are not native to North America. These diseases include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, tick-borne encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis.

Kirillov added that American research organizations and the Department of Defense have already published more than 100 studies in open sources about key species of mosquitoes and ticks that can transmit epidemic diseases such as Rift Valley fever, West Nile fever, dengue fever and Zika fever.

The general even pointed out how official reports from the World Health Organization noted that the largest outbreak of yellow fever in Africa in 2013, which caused more than 170,000 cases of severe fever and over 60,000 deaths, was precipitated by a dramatic increase in the mosquito populations of the affected regions.

Coincidentally, Ukrainian officials in Kherson and Mykolaiv Oblasts in southern Ukraine are preparing for the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid and leptospirosis nearly two weeks after Nova Kakhovka dam's destruction led to massive flooding.

"Currently, trucks carrying essential medical supplies for infectious diseases such as cholera are being unloaded," said Oleksandr Chebotarov, medical director for the Kherson City Clinical Hospital. "As of today, we have not had any reported cases of illness, but we are actively preparing."

Concerns about a potential outbreak of cholera or any other waterborne disease has also spread among Russian troops on the frontline in southern Ukraine. Atesh, a partisan movement working in the territories occupied by Russia and internationally recognized as Ukraine, reported that its "informants" within military hospitals in the region are concerned about the quality of the water.

The group noted that Russian troops are resorting to drinking water "from open sources" amid difficulties with the delivery of safe drinking water. Several Russian soldiers have reportedly died of cholera, although this report hasn't been verified by international sources.

Learn more about the use of biological weapons and other biowarfare incidents, especially in Ukraine, at BiologicalWarfare.com.

More related stories:

GLOBAL BIOWARFARE: US-run biolabs aren't just in Ukraine: They're also deployed in Africa and Asia-Pacific regions.

Russia claims avian flu pathogens with 40% lethality rate in humans being cooked up at US-run biolab in Ukraine.

Russia says US government working on "universal" GMO bioweapons at Ukrainian biolabs that would cause MASS DEATH of humans, animals and crops.

Russia exposes Ukrainian biolab operator Metabiota and its connections to the Pentagon, Hunter Biden, EcoHealth Alliance and the WEF.

Russia invokes Biological Weapons Convention treaty, calls on UN Security Council to investigate US biolabs in Ukraine.

Sources include:

Metro.co.uk

NYPost.com

The-Express.com

TASS.com

IBTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Bidens politically weaponized IRS agents now using fake names to illegally gain access to taxpayers homes

A House Republican wants answers from the director of the Internal Revenue Service after being contacted by a female taxpayer about an IRS field agent who used an alias to harass her.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "In a Friday letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan demands answers about a bizarre and disturbing IRS house call. The letter recounts that on April 25 a Marion, Ohio, taxpayer received a visit from a man who claimed his name was 'Bill Haus' and worked in the IRS criminal division.

Haus approached her, the WSJ said, stating that he needed to discuss an estate matter for which she served as the fiduciary. Despite not receiving any prior communication from the IRS, she allowed him inside.

Haus then alleged that she had not correctly completed the estate forms and owed a significant sum to the IRS. It was only after the taxpayer provided evidence of having paid all taxes related to the estate that the agent disclosed the true purpose of his visit. It turned out to be regarding several alleged delinquent tax returns associated with a deceased individual associated with the estate.

According to the letter, the taxpayer contacted her attorney, who instructed Haus to leave the premises. However, Haus responded by saying, I am an IRS agent, I can be at and go into anyones house at any time I want to be.

Eventually, Haus departed, but not before issuing a warning that he would freeze the taxpayer's assets and place a lien on her house unless the outstanding balance was settled within a week. Suspicious of the situation, the taxpayer contacted the local police, who verified Haus's identity by running his license plate.

"When an officer called Mr. Haus, Mr. Haus identified himself as an IRS agent but said Haus wasnt his real name. He had used an alias," the outlet continued. "The officer, also suspecting a scam, warned that if he returned to the taxpayers home hed be arrested. Mr. Haus then filed a complaint against the Marion police officer with the Treasury Department inspector general."

According to the House letter, on May 4, the taxpayer had a conversation with Haus's supervisor, who confirmed that she did not owe anything and acknowledged that things never should have gotten this far. However, the very next day, the taxpayer received a letter addressed to the deceased individual, indicating that the decedent had failed to file several 1040 forms. The letter was the taxpayer's sole notification via mail.

The taxpayer once again contacted the supervisor, who reassured her that no payment was due. Finally, on May 30, the taxpayer received notification that the case had been closed.

The WSJ noted further:

If true, this is something else. An agent of the Treasury, wielding the power of tax enforcement, shows up unannounced at a taxpayers home. He lies about his identity and his purpose to get inside, then threatens the taxpayer with punishment if she doesnt pay a tax bill that she doesnt owe. The IRS agent leaves only after an intervention by her lawyer, and when local police call the agent he sics the Treasury Department on the officer.

Mr. Jordan wants all IRS documents and communication related to this episode, and Mr. Werfel cant be allowed to stonewall. This is the second report of an IRS house call since March, when another T-man visited journalist Matt Taibbi at home on the day he was away testifying to Congress on government abuse.

"What the hell is going on over there? What in IRS workplace culture gives agents the belief they can do this? Democrats bestowed $80 billion on the IRS last year to empower people like 'Bill Haus.' Republicans clawed back some of it in the recent debt-ceiling bill, but an IRS that makes threatening house calls deserves to have it all clawed back," the outlet concluded.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

NaturalNews.com
Information from several sources has answered a few questions regarding the sinister chunk of plutonium popularly known as the 'Demon Core.'

What is the Demon Core?

Two nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan by the United States in the closing stages of World War II. On August 6, 1945, one was dropped on Hiroshima, and on August 9, one was dropped on Nagasaki. The US was ready to launch a third bomb, fueled by the plutonium core subsequently referred to as the 'demon core,' which was code-named 'Rufus' throughout the operations.

It had a diameter of almost 3.5 inches and was approximately 14 pounds in weight. Additionally, scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory were permitted to preserve the core for future research when Japan surrendered, according to All That's Interesting.

The scientists sought to test the limitations of nuclear material, as Atlas Obscura describes. They wanted to know more about the transition from subcritical material to the considerably more hazardous radioactive critical state since they were aware that a nuclear bomb's core reached criticality during a nuclear explosion.

How Deadly is the Demon Core?

Due to its role in two tragic mishaps, the chunk of plutonium at Los Alamos Laboratory earned the moniker 'demon core.'

In the first, while conducting neutron reflection studies, scientist Harry Daghlian placed a 4.4 kg tungsten carbide brick directly into the core, setting off an uncontrollable chain reaction in the plutonium that resulted in a blast of ionizing radiation. Daghlian instantly withdrew the block, but he had already taken a lethal dose; he developed blisters and burns on his palm and passed away 25 days later.

In the second incident, Louis Slotin was assembling two reflecting beryllium sphere halves when the screwdriver slipped, setting off a chain reaction that quickly accelerated and released a burst of ionizing radiation. Slotin was able to swiftly separate the two portions of the core, sparing the other lab workers from more radiation exposure. He reported tasting something sour, and his coworkers saw a blue light in the air and felt a wave of heat. Slotin's condition progressively worsened, and nine days after the incident, he passed away, according to the Institute of Physics.

How did 'Rufus' Become 'Demon Core'?

Only a few months separated the two fatal tragedies that led to substantial changes at Los Alamos.

'Hands-on' criticality tests have to come to an end due to new guidelines, forcing researchers to manage radioactive cores remotely from hundreds of meters away.

The plutonium core was no longer referred to as 'Rufus,' either. It was then that the chunk of plutonium was dubbed 'demon core.'

Plans to utilize the core in 'Operation Crossroads,' which was supposed to be the first nuclear explosion demonstrations post-war, slated to start in the Bikini Atoll a month later, were abandoned as a result of the Slotin disaster and the resulting increase in radiation levels in the core.

Instead, the chunk of plutonium was melted down and added back to the US nuclear arsenal, where it will be reused as needed for additional cores, according to Science Alert.

Also Read: Is Nuclear War Really the Answer to Climate Change?

How Sinister is This Chunk of Plutonium?

It's easy to understand why the scientists gave the demon core the superstitious moniker they did, even if the deaths of two scientists are incomparable to the unimaginable atrocities that would have occurred if the core had been used in a third nuclear assault against Japan.

Then there are the peculiar features that complete the story's setting.

Similar to how Slotin and Daghlian died in the same hospital room and both instances occurred on Tuesdays, the 21st day of the month, rather than merely being killed in accidents using the same plutonium core.

Those are only coincidences, of course and there was nothing demonic about the demon core. The fact that people hurried to create these dreadful weapons in the first place seems to be the sinister element in the situation. The true horror, according to Science Alert, is how spectacularly mid-20th century scientists failed to shield themselves from the great hazards they were playing with, despite fully understanding the serious threats in their vicinity. This is in addition to the horrific repercussions of radiation poisoning.

Related Article: Bomb Simulator Shows Disastrous Consequences If Nuclear Bomb Explode Near You
With its Refurbishment Scheme, Ireland will pay renovators $92,000 to purchase and restore abandoned homes on its lovely offshore islands.

For those who desire to renovate a rural paradise away from the chaos of contemporary life, new options are in the works. Inis Mor, whose stunning beauty was showcased in the Hollywood blockbuster "The Banshees of Inisherin," as well as ten Irish-speaking Gaeltacht islands, are among the more than 20 lovely islands that lie off Ireland's western shore.

$92000 Budget for Renovators, New Residents

Increased incentives of up to roughly $92,000 will soon be made available to those ready to restore abandoned or dilapidated homes and move inside of them. Vacant Home Officers are currently on the case to find properties that qualify. Though there are no limits on who can own property in Ireland, prospective island residents should be aware that owning a home does not provide them the right to live there, CNN reports.

Refurbishment Scheme on the Living Islands of Ireland

The villages and coastal islands of Ireland are a crucial component of rural Ireland's structure. They play a significant role in Irish culture and are an essential element of the State's legacy.

There are about thirty islands off the coast of Ireland that are not under private possession, have a permanent year-round population, are cut off daily by the tide, and have no access to the mainland by a bridge or causeway.

Maintaining island populations requires a developed infrastructure as well as good transportation options. The goal of the Department is to attempt to fulfill these needs through capital and current investments made by the Department itself as well as through other pertinent Departments and organizations.

According to the Government of Ireland, "Our Living Islands" is a 10-year national policy for offshore islands that was released in June 2023.

According to the government, the objective of a larger program to rejuvenate life and communities on the islands and boost population is to renovate unoccupied or abandoned buildings on the islands, turning them into long-term dwellings.

As a consequence of implementing this strategy, more people will live on the islands of Ireland and more people will work on the islands, with solid career possibilities, regardless of where their business is located, according to Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, Insider reports.

Also Read: New Vast Sanctuary in California Now for Approval is First Tribally Nominated, Led in Mainland US

Eligible Properties and Available Funding

A grant of up to $70,000 is available, including the cost of the works in VAT. According to a fair cost estimate made by the local authorities, there are upper limitations for certain types of work.

A top-up grant sum of up to $22,000 is available if renovation expenditures are higher than the basic grant amount of up to $70,000. The property must be proven to be abandoned, unsafe, or physically unsound to qualify for this top-up award. Therefore, a derelict property is eligible for a grant of $92,000.

The application must be accompanied by a certified independent report from a qualified professional attesting to the property's abandoned status.

Grants are available for eligible unoccupied properties nationwide, including those in rural, suburban, and urban areas, according to the Government of Ireland.

Related Articles: Delray Beach in Florida Earns Blue Flag Voluntary International Award for Complying with 33 Criteria
Due to the extended drought, flamingos in Fuente de Piedra, Spain, are being compelled to move to other areas.

Prolonged Drought in Spain

Flamingos are the most recent casualties of Spain's protracted drought.

The Fuente de Piedra wetlands in Andalusia would typically attract a large number of birds, but recent climate changes have caused the lagoon to dry up.

Widespread water shortages in Spain are also having an impact on cattle, agriculture, and reservoir levels. The country's rainfall fell by 24% between October 2022 and April 2023 compared to the norm for this time of year.

Flamingos in Fuente de Piedra Wetlands

With its 1,400 acres, the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon, the biggest in Andalusia, is situated in a unique location in the Western Mediterranean. According to the Andalusia Tourist Community, it is home to the most impressive colony of flamingoes to be found anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula.

The far-reaching Fuente de Piedra lagoon in Malaga was home to hundreds of pink flamingo couples the previous year.

An enormous wading bird colony exists in Europe thanks to the migratory birds' yearly arrival to saltwater marshes to hatch their eggs.

Only a small number of adults have been observed in the waters this year due to a prolonged drought that has caused the lagoon to dry up and force the birds to relocate.

Resident Alberto Gonzalez Sanchez believes it is unfortunate that tourists spend the day in the lagoon. The lagoon is often teeming with flamingos and other species. It appears that climate change is to blame for this.

The lagoon, a natural reserve since 1984, served as the hatchery for almost 200,000 flamingo chicks, according to the Office for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Sustainability in Andalusia.

According to Africa Lupion, the Fuente de Piedra curator for natural spaces, the area's rainfall was at its lowest level since 1995 February.

Since records began in 1961, this spring in Spain was the warmest and second-driest on record. This summer's very high temperatures are probably going to last.

Also Read: Migratory Birds African Bee-Eaters Back in Norfolk to Nest, Experts Mark First Two-Year Streak

Water Crisis and Illegal Wells

South of Spain has another national park that is in trouble. An abundant ecology of plants and wildlife is supported by the Donana natural reserve's marshes, streams, and sand dunes.

But the wildlife is in danger due to overuse of water and the drought. The exploitation of the wetlands' water resources to irrigate surrounding crops has caused controversy.

Farmers in the vicinity of Huelva have come under fire for utilizing the lagoons to saturate their strawberry fields without a permit.

Nearly 510,000 illegal wells were thought to exist in Spain as of 2006. According to Greenpeace, there are actually more than a million unauthorized wells, Le Monde reported at the time.

As a result of the region generating 30% of the EU's and 98% of Spain's red fruits, the regional administration intends to legalize its system of wells.

The Andalusian government has been cautioned by the European Commission that granting amnesty would go against its duty to conserve the wetland.

According to the Spanish government, there is no longer any surface or subsurface water accessible for cultivation, EuroNews reports.

Relatd Article: El Nino Causes Mass Die-Off of Birds on Shores of Mexico, Bird Flu Ruled Out in Autopsy
When Brazilian authorities confiscated almost 30 tons of illegal shark fin cargo, two corporations were penalized.

According to Ibama, Brazil's environmental protection organization, a haul of that scale required the deaths of nearly 11,000 shortfin mako sharks and blue sharks.

The fins were intended to be taken to Asia, where soup made with shark fins is a prized delicacy.

Over 30 Tons of Illegal Shark Fin Shipment

In Brazil, nearly all of the shark fins-30 tons out of the total of 31-were confiscated from a single export business. At the international airport in So Paulo, Ibama seized the final ton.

According to the government, this may have been the greatest weight-wise seizure of shark fins unlawfully harvested anywhere in the globe to date.

In Brazil, shark fishing is prohibited. Ibama said that the businesses were unlawfully pursuing sharks while utilizing licenses to fish for other species. The firms were also charged with killing thousands of seabirds amid their shark fishing operations, according to the agency. The two unidentified businesses were penalized.

Illegal Fishing in Brazil

Ibama issued a warning about the decline in shark populations brought on by illegal fishing. Just three weeks ago, the shortfin mako shark was listed as one of Brazil's species at risk of extinction, BBC News reports.

To mitigate the negative consequences of weaker environmental agencies and supervision powers during the previous government led by Jair Bolsonaro, the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has prioritized the preservation of Brazil's wildlife and flora.

The recent operation to collect a significant quantity of shark fins acquires considerable significance as a signal of the revitalization of Ibama's commitment to protecting marine habitats.

Conservation Efforts

Sea Shepherd Brazil, a nonprofit organization devoted to marine conservation, demanded a full ban on the importation and sale of shark meat and fins in reaction to the seizure, highlighting the crucial role such restrictions would play in protecting these species, WIONews reports.

In order to manage communications and transportation for the Sea Shepherd fleet during operations outside of the United States, Sea Shepherd Global was founded in Amsterdam in 2013. Today, the movement comprises autonomous organizations collaborating on direct-action campaigns in over 20 different nations.

To conserve the Mui dolphin, Sea Shepherd Global, according to their website, has implemented import restrictions on fish from New Zealand fisheries. They have also pursued toothfish poachers across three seas and shut down poaching operations in West Africa, among other things.

Also Read: Maple Trees In Oregon's Willamette Park Being Illegally Logged Burl by Burl

Shark Fin Trade

Shark finning has been a contentious topic for many years, and it is now prohibited in many nations. Furthermore, even in areas where it is prohibited, individuals nonetheless trade and sell shark fins, and many establishments continue to offer shark fin soup.

Similar to many other animal rights concerns, it might be difficult to oversee what goes on behind closed doors if one does not know what is actually happening on fishing vessels. However, Animal Save Movement says that it is incredibly cruel, wasteful, and unsustainable to kill sharks for their fins.

Related Article: Endangered Totoaba Fish Swim Bladders Worth $2.7 Million Confiscated in Largest Seizure Reported - Arizona
According to information published by the US DoD on June 20, 2023, the US Navy's Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) (Blue) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK).

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Ohio class submarine USS Michigan. (Picture source: US DoD)

In May 2022, a mutual agreement was reached between President Joe Biden and President Yoon Suk Yeol to commence talks on the potential resumption and expansion of joint military exercises in and around the Korean Peninsula.

Fast forward to April 2023, a nuclear deterrence plan focused on North Korea was conceived during President Yoon's visit to Washington. This agreement, according to President Biden, permitted nuclear submarines to anchor in South Korean waters, a capability unseen since 1991.

Biden stated that any nuclear assault by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners would be intolerable, promising the collapse of any regime daring to take such action.

This statement, now known as the Washington Declaration, came nearly five decades after Korea ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and renounced its nuclear intentions.

About the submarine

The USS Michigan is an Ohio-class submarine. She has a displacement of 16,764 long tons (17,033 t) when surfaced and 18,750 long tons (19,050 t) when submerged.

The submarine measures 560 feet (170 m) in length and has a beam of 42 feet (13 m) and a draft of 38 feet (12 m). USS Michigan is powered by a single S8G PWR nuclear reactor, two geared turbines, and a 325 horsepower (242 kW) auxiliary motor, which drives a shaft with a power output of 60,000 shp (45,000 kW), allowing it to achieve speeds greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph). The submarine can dive to depths greater than 800 feet (240 m).

The USS Michigan has a crew complement of 15 officers and 140 enlisted personnel. Her armament includes four 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and she can carry 154 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles, organized into 22 groups of seven.
After serving 16 years in the Army as an enlisted soldier and as an officer, including in multiple capacities on Fort Novosel in the past few years, Maj. Sara C. Adams has some simple career advice for people who may be contemplating a path in the Army.

Theres always a way, said Adams, who serves as the executive officer and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter instructor pilot at 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment.

A lot of people, they hit a wall and just spin their wheels. Go around it, go over it, go under it, blow it up, she said.

With a career that has taken her to Fort Drum, New York, including a deployment to Iraq, and serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the service has opened the door to opportunities for herself and her family, she explained.

My mom, shes always like, I would have never gotten out of Iowa if it werent for you. Ive done this and Ive done that, and its all because of you, she said.

If I can be an instructor pilot in two airframes, and a primary staff officer in a training battalion, and a single mom, and volunteering on the weekend, you can probably do it too, said Adams, who recently received the Order of Saint Michael Bronze Award.

No stranger to Fort Novosel, Adams previously served as the International Military Student Office commander, Company D, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment. She flew for a headhunter program run by 1st Battalion, 223d Aviation Regiment, providing aerial flight following to help mitigate risk to flight training, before the program was discontinued.

She served as Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander at 110th Aviation Brigade; and also served as the 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment Air Traffic Control operations officer, including providing support to hurricane evacuation planning efforts to help ensure the installations preparedness to protect its people and mission in the event of a major storm.

Thinking back on her initial decision to serve in the Army, she felt the military was a good option to provide structure in her life. As an enlisted soldier, she served as a small arms repair technician.

Then came a day at Fort Drum when she and other soldiers had the opportunity to hear from an Army aviator, an event she recalled as if it were straight out of a movie.

The door opens and rays of light are shooting as this man walks forward in his green pilot suit, and flips his beautiful perfect hair to the side, and says, Im going to tell you guys about being a pilot. Were just little kids, star struck staring at him as he tells his little story about the amazing Kiowa scout/reconnaissance platform and how amazing it is, Adams said. Thats how I remember it.

Two weeks later she took the flight aptitude test but soon encountered some dead ends when she tried to pursue the warrant officer route, she said.

Thanks to the support of her leaders, the Armys Green to Gold program, and a Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Iowa State University, she eventually made her way to Army aviation as an officer.

One of her duties in the past year has been serving as a guest Black Hawk instructor pilot.

We utilize her as a guest quite a bit, normally about three or four days a week, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin J. Deveau, a UH-60M instructor pilot who serves as a platoon leader at Lowe.

Shes one of those go-to instructors we can always count on. Shes got the hours, shes got the experience, shes got the passion to be able to come and sit down in front of students and instill the information to make them successful in their Army career. She is always ready to go fly, he said.

To her, flying is freedom, whether in an Army helicopter or in a civilian plane on her own time, including volunteering together with her young son to fly for a puppy rescue program.

She said she is passionate not only about aviation but advocating for Army aviation and helping others along on their journey, including keeping an eye out for enlisted Soldiers and providing advice about Army programs.

I believe that what were doing is important, said Adams. Its really fulfilling for me, teaching students in the helicopter, you know, doing volunteer things in the airplane, pushing people down that road or at least opening up their experience to it. Its not for everybody.

Adams said she has tried to be true to her roots since she transitioned from enlisted to officer corps.

A lot of people were like, dont forget where you came from, she said. Thats been important to me throughout the whole tenure as an officer, taking care of the soldiers, not forgetting about them when were hard charging to accomplish the mission. You got to remember the soldiers.

Adams said she found a sense of purpose and a calling in the Army and hopes others will too.

I hope that people, if theyre on the fence about joining, or on the fence about staying, or they havent had a positive experience, (will not) judge the entire experience off of one bad apple or egg, Adams said. A lot of places are what you make of it.
According to information published by Yonhap on June 15, 2023, the frigate BRP Jose Rizal from the Philippine Navy, has entered a shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea for depot maintenance.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Philippine Jose Rizal class frigate BRP Jose Rizal. (Picture source: Philippine Navy)

South Korea has consistently been a significant arms donor and supplier to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, contributing various military equipment over the years.

This includes several F-5A/B fighter jets, which were extensively utilized by the Philippine Air Force in their domestic military operations against communist and Muslim separatist insurgents before being decommissioned. South Korea has also provided T-41 trainer planes.

In 2014, South Korea donated a Pohang-class corvette, the ROKS Chungju, to the Philippine Navy. After a period of refitting, this vessel was commissioned as the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) on August 5, 2019.

Beyond these donations, the South Korean government has numerous contracts with the Philippines, supplying a variety of military hardware that ranges from small arms and armored tactical vehicles to missile frigates and multirole fighters.

About the frigate

BRP Jose Rizal is equipped with four MTU-STX 12V2000-M41B diesel generators, each generating about 650 kW (872 shp). Her propulsion comes from a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) arrangement with four MTU-STX 12V1163-TB93 12-cylinder diesel engines.

The frigate can reach speeds of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph), with a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) and an endurance of 30 days.

Jose Rizal can carry 2 RHIB boats and has accommodation for 110 personnel, comprising a crew of 65, 25 non-organic personnel, and 20 additional personnel.

She is equipped with sophisticated sensors and processing systems, including a Hanwha Systems Naval Shield Baseline 2 Integrated CMS, a Hensoldt TRS-3D Baseline D multi-mode phased array C-band radar, and a Selex ES NA-25X fire control radar among others.

The frigate is armed with an OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun, an Aselsan SMASH 30 mm gun, four S&T Motiv K6 .50 cal (12.7 mm) guns, four LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles, and two MBDA Mistral Simbad-RC twin launchers among other armaments.
A proclamation signed by Enterprise Mayor William Cooper was the surprise that Lula Cole presented to her friend Tony Hutson as part of his 80th birthday celebration at Grace Place Church Saturday afternoon.

Cole, who said she considers Hutson and his wife of 53 years Susie her surrogate parents presented the combined Fathers Day/80th Birthday gift proclamation as a surprise to the couple she has known 12 years.

The Hutsons daughter Nikki Wright and granddaughter Haylie Hutson were at the surprise presentation from the mayor that recognized the military service of the three time Purple Heart Awardee who began his military service at the age of 15.

Tony joined the Army at the age of 15 with only a junior high education, said Wright. He left his hometown of McComb, Miss., and sweetheart to become a man and used the opportunities the Army gave him to continue his education while he was enlisted.

Hutson joined the Army at the age of 15. I lied, he said. He attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., jump school at Fort Benning, Ga followed by ranger school and special operations training for Special Forces. From there he was assigned to Germany and then went to Vietnam.

I was a 17 year old sergeant E7, he said.

Wright said her father served his first tour in Vietnam as a Special Forces Infantry foot soldier. While he was fighting on the ground, he knew exactly what he wanted to do every time he looked up at the helicopters flying overhead. He was injured and sent back stateside. When he was asked what he wanted to do, he told them he wanted to attend flight school. After graduating from flight school Hutson flew the UH-1 Huey, the Cobra Warfighter and other models, including the TH-65, which he flew as an instructor at Fort Wolters, Texas.

Hutson went to Vietnam the first time as a 16 year old. He served three tours in Vietnam and was awarded three Purple Hearst from injuries suffered there in 1966 and 1967. During his active duty career he served as a paratrooper, an underwater demolitionist, a company command, aviation instructor and many other assignments and was awarded numerous other medals, according to the mayors proclamation.

Hutson retired with 15 years of active duty service and become an Army Reservist before receiving a Presidential Call-Up back to service during Operations Desert Shield and Storm. He retired in 2002 35 years of military and civil service. During his career, he logged more than 29,000 flight hours.

Anthony Hutson met his soul mate Susie when he was 14 years old and she was 11, said Wright. They came from opposite sides of town but Tony Kissed Susie when she was 11 and the rest, as they say, is written in the stars. The couple have been married 53 years and have called Enterprise home since 1987.

Wright said that after her fathers second tour in Vietnam, he returned stateside and went back to school. By the time he retired, he had acquired his masters degree, she said. Through ambition and perseverance, he attained the rank of lieutenant colonel by the time he retired.

The three time Purple Heart awardee declines to be called a hero. When youre in a situation like that you are fighting for the people who are in it with you, he said. Youre fighting for your country, of course, but youre really fighting for the people in the foxhole with you.
Namrata Joshi By

Express News Service

The innocence of a child can lay bare the compassionate side of religion that the adult world tends to complicate and turn into a site of conflicts. In Marco Bellocchios Italian film Rapito (Kidnapped), a young Jewish boy named Edgardo Mortara, says the prayer of Israel in a Catholic church, just as he regards the holy cross as a good luck charm and looks towards the statue of Christ for a sense of comfort and security. There are no divisions or distinctions between the two faiths in his mind, even as the film is about the two fighting to possess him and his soul.

Inspired by Daniele Scalises book Il cao Mortara, the film begins in the 1850s when Mortara, the sixth child of a Jewish family is abducted by the Papal States to get raised as a Catholic in Rome. All because he had been secretly baptized as a child, an act that cant be annulled, and hence he is forbidden to be raised amid people of a different belief even if they are his own.

Bellocchio crafts a strong, sturdy, beautifully mounted, energetic, and engaging film though not quite the top of the heap in the official competition section of the Cannes Film Festival. Tension, drama, and emotions propel the narrative in equal measure. The film flows like a thriller that gradually mutates into an exploration of human predicaments and vicissitudes of life and the unspoken tragedies that they can engender. Bellocchio goes about telling the story in a straightforward, linear, and at times heavy-handed fashion, starting with the kidnapping itself. In the kidnapping sequence, we could vividly see the disbelief of the family, their sense of violation, and the heartbreak of the forcible separation from their child for no fault of their own.

Theres a lot at stake for the Church itself. Will it be seen in a bad light? Will the Saviour be perceived as a criminal? Will it be questioned for antisemitism? What of the authority of the Pope himself? And the media outcry?

But the most heart-tugging is the plight of the child himself as he becomes the arena of this theological tussle. To put up a brave front before his father and mother but not being able to cross over to where he truly belongs and go back to being with them. Enea Salas performance as the young Mortara is virtuoso beyond his age, especially in the scene where he meets the mother, cant hold back his tears, and tells her that he still recites the Jewish prayer every night. With as clear a conscience, he goes about removing the iron spikes from the statue of Jesus, hoping to bring comfort to an alien figure that has been bringing him succor in turbulent times. There is no either-or in his heart and mind, its where the irreconcilables come together and co-exist in peace.

As the child stays caught in the crossfire of religion, Italy goes through a political transformation, with forces of democracy pitted against the papacy. A much-needed rift emerges between the Church and its power-hungry Pope as opposed to the state.

Slowly the film takes a different turn to become all about the power of persuasion. Mortara moves on from his past, growing up to renounce his family and embrace Christianity. The enormity of his loss hits home in the finale, worsened by the understanding that people could be voluntarily oblivious to the tragedies in their own lives. And thats essentially the lesson to take back from the film. There can be no winners in the fights of faith and fanaticism.

Cinema Without Borders

In this weekly column, the writer introduces you to powerful cinema from across the world

Film: Rapito (Kidnapped)



The innocence of a child can lay bare the compassionate side of religion that the adult world tends to complicate and turn into a site of conflicts. In Marco Bellocchios Italian film Rapito (Kidnapped), a young Jewish boy named Edgardo Mortara, says the prayer of Israel in a Catholic church, just as he regards the holy cross as a good luck charm and looks towards the statue of Christ for a sense of comfort and security. There are no divisions or distinctions between the two faiths in his mind, even as the film is about the two fighting to possess him and his soul. Inspired by Daniele Scalises book Il cao Mortara, the film begins in the 1850s when Mortara, the sixth child of a Jewish family is abducted by the Papal States to get raised as a Catholic in Rome. All because he had been secretly baptized as a child, an act that cant be annulled, and hence he is forbidden to be raised amid people of a different belief even if they are his own. Bellocchio crafts a strong, sturdy, beautifully mounted, energetic, and engaging film though not quite the top of the heap in the official competition section of the Cannes Film Festival. Tension, drama, and emotions propel the narrative in equal measure. The film flows like a thriller that gradually mutates into an exploration of human predicaments and vicissitudes of life and the unspoken tragedies that they can engender. Bellocchio goes about telling the story in a straightforward, linear, and at times heavy-handed fashion, starting with the kidnapping itself. In the kidnapping sequence, we could vividly see the disbelief of the family, their sense of violation, and the heartbreak of the forcible separation from their child for no fault of their own.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Theres a lot at stake for the Church itself. Will it be seen in a bad light? Will the Saviour be perceived as a criminal? Will it be questioned for antisemitism? What of the authority of the Pope himself? And the media outcry? But the most heart-tugging is the plight of the child himself as he becomes the arena of this theological tussle. To put up a brave front before his father and mother but not being able to cross over to where he truly belongs and go back to being with them. Enea Salas performance as the young Mortara is virtuoso beyond his age, especially in the scene where he meets the mother, cant hold back his tears, and tells her that he still recites the Jewish prayer every night. With as clear a conscience, he goes about removing the iron spikes from the statue of Jesus, hoping to bring comfort to an alien figure that has been bringing him succor in turbulent times. There is no either-or in his heart and mind, its where the irreconcilables come together and co-exist in peace. As the child stays caught in the crossfire of religion, Italy goes through a political transformation, with forces of democracy pitted against the papacy. A much-needed rift emerges between the Church and its power-hungry Pope as opposed to the state. Slowly the film takes a different turn to become all about the power of persuasion. Mortara moves on from his past, growing up to renounce his family and embrace Christianity. The enormity of his loss hits home in the finale, worsened by the understanding that people could be voluntarily oblivious to the tragedies in their own lives. And thats essentially the lesson to take back from the film. There can be no winners in the fights of faith and fanaticism. Cinema Without Borders In this weekly column, the writer introduces you to powerful cinema from across the world Film: Rapito (Kidnapped)
SLOCOMB  One person was injured Monday following a two-vehicle crash in Geneva County.

According to Slocomb Fire-Rescue, the crash occurred at around 12:30 p.m. on Highway 52 at South County Road 9 in Slocomb.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found two vehicles with heavy damage and one vehicle on its side with an occupant trapped inside. Firefighters managed to stabilize the vehicle by using stabilization struts and fold the roof back with hydraulic extrication tools.

The patient was treated by medics before being transported to an area hospital in stable condition. The cause of the accident is currently unknown.

Multiple units including Slocomb Police, the Geneva County Sheriffs Office, and troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency also responded to the incident.
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in the state. He reached Chauhtan and Sanchore and assessed the damage caused by cyclone Biparjoy. The CM highlighted the damage caused to thousands of kutcha houses across the affected areas and announced compensation. The aid will be initiated once the aerial survey is completed.

Expressing concern over the rules of NDRF and SDRF, were causing delays in providing compensation, Gehlot also addressed a letter to the Central government requesting changes to ensure immediate compensation for everyone. He assured that compensation will be provided according to the rules once the survey is completed.

In Sanchore, Gehlot conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected area, after which he met the flood victims at the Dak Bungalow and listened to their problems. He also assured that adequate compensation would be given to flood-affected people. The Chief Minister also mentioned that due to the storm and floods, 25 teams of SDRF and NDRF were deployed and they have done an excellent job in helping victims in the flood-affected areas. No deaths occurred during their rescue operations. However, he acknowledged that some deaths occurred due to drowning after the water filled up, so he appealed to the people to take precautions and stay away from waterlogged areas.

Situation grim in southwest Rajasthan The flood situation remains grim in parts of southwest Rajasthan. Due to the Biparjoy storm, significant rainfall was recorded in several districts over the past three days: 192.37 mm in Barmer, 419.10 mm in Jalore, 464.66 mm in Sirohi, 318.70 mm in Pali, and 251.92 mm in Rajsamand.

On Tuesday, a red alert was issued for Bundi and Sawai Madhopur districts. In a meeting, officials stated that 17 teams of SDRF and 8 teams of NDRF were actively involved in rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. Further, two army units were deployed to provide assistance.

Before the situation worsened, 15,000 people from the affected districts were relocated to safer places.

So far, 1,595 people trapped in water have been rescued and their lives saved, with NDRF rescuing 133 people, SDRF rescuing 123 people, and the army rescuing 9 people. In Rajsamand, a Rajasthan Police soldier displayed bravery and saved 2 people from strong currents.

There has been heavy rainfall in Sirohi, with 14 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Additionally, water levels in 12 dams have exceeded the storage limit, and there has been no electricity for the past 4 days.

The Meteorological Department has issued an alert regarding Biparjoy. A red alert has been issued for Dholpur district, where heavy rains are expected, accompanied by thunder and lightning.



JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in the state. He reached Chauhtan and Sanchore and assessed the damage caused by cyclone Biparjoy. The CM highlighted the damage caused to thousands of kutcha houses across the affected areas and announced compensation. The aid will be initiated once the aerial survey is completed. Expressing concern over the rules of NDRF and SDRF, were causing delays in providing compensation, Gehlot also addressed a letter to the Central government requesting changes to ensure immediate compensation for everyone. He assured that compensation will be provided according to the rules once the survey is completed. In Sanchore, Gehlot conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected area, after which he met the flood victims at the Dak Bungalow and listened to their problems. He also assured that adequate compensation would be given to flood-affected people. The Chief Minister also mentioned that due to the storm and floods, 25 teams of SDRF and NDRF were deployed and they have done an excellent job in helping victims in the flood-affected areas. No deaths occurred during their rescue operations. However, he acknowledged that some deaths occurred due to drowning after the water filled up, so he appealed to the people to take precautions and stay away from waterlogged areas.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Situation grim in southwest Rajasthan The flood situation remains grim in parts of southwest Rajasthan. Due to the Biparjoy storm, significant rainfall was recorded in several districts over the past three days: 192.37 mm in Barmer, 419.10 mm in Jalore, 464.66 mm in Sirohi, 318.70 mm in Pali, and 251.92 mm in Rajsamand. On Tuesday, a red alert was issued for Bundi and Sawai Madhopur districts. In a meeting, officials stated that 17 teams of SDRF and 8 teams of NDRF were actively involved in rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. Further, two army units were deployed to provide assistance. Before the situation worsened, 15,000 people from the affected districts were relocated to safer places. So far, 1,595 people trapped in water have been rescued and their lives saved, with NDRF rescuing 133 people, SDRF rescuing 123 people, and the army rescuing 9 people. In Rajsamand, a Rajasthan Police soldier displayed bravery and saved 2 people from strong currents. There has been heavy rainfall in Sirohi, with 14 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Additionally, water levels in 12 dams have exceeded the storage limit, and there has been no electricity for the past 4 days. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert regarding Biparjoy. A red alert has been issued for Dholpur district, where heavy rains are expected, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Jitendra Choubey By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Members of Parliaments and 130 civil society organizations and their leaders expressed concerns at the lack of transparency and non-inclusive consultation processes adopted by the Union Government in the negotiations for entering into free trade, comprehensive economic partnership or investment-related agreements.

In an open letter to the Govt of India on Tuesday, they referred to the ongoing negotiations with several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Israel and the European Union.

The open letter is significant in the context of the fifth round of negotiations between India and the European Union, currently ongoing in Brussels. India and the 27-nation bloc resumed negotiations in June 2022, after a gap of over eight years on the proposed agreements on trade and investments.

The EU is India's third largest trading partner, accounting for 88 billion worth of trade in goods in 2021 or 10.8% of total Indian trade. India is the EUs 10th largest trading partner, accounting for 2.1% of EU total trade in goods.

Looking at the possible fallout of a non-transparent process, the open letter said, This non-consultative and exclusionary process signals a disregard for the questions of human rights, social justice and environmental impacts that wider stakeholder involvement would put on the table.

It also said that the Parliament must therefore deliberate on the implications of the proposed legislative changes for the lives, livelihoods and well-being of all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable groups.

Some of the prominent signatories were Member of Parliament, Jawhar Sircar; Shailesh Gandhi, former Chief Information Commissioner; Madhu Bhaduri, former Ambassador; Medha Patkar, Narmada BachaoAndolan; Annie Raja, National Federation of Indian Women; Teesta Setalvad, Social Activist; Gautam Mody, NTUI; Viju Krishnan, All India Kisan Sabha, former civil servant and Sharad Behar, former Chief Secretary, Govt of Madhya Pradesh and several others.

NEW DELHI: Members of Parliaments and 130 civil society organizations and their leaders expressed concerns at the lack of transparency and non-inclusive consultation processes adopted by the Union Government in the negotiations for entering into free trade, comprehensive economic partnership or investment-related agreements. In an open letter to the Govt of India on Tuesday, they referred to the ongoing negotiations with several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Israel and the European Union. The open letter is significant in the context of the fifth round of negotiations between India and the European Union, currently ongoing in Brussels. India and the 27-nation bloc resumed negotiations in June 2022, after a gap of over eight years on the proposed agreements on trade and investments.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The EU is India's third largest trading partner, accounting for 88 billion worth of trade in goods in 2021 or 10.8% of total Indian trade. India is the EUs 10th largest trading partner, accounting for 2.1% of EU total trade in goods. Looking at the possible fallout of a non-transparent process, the open letter said, This non-consultative and exclusionary process signals a disregard for the questions of human rights, social justice and environmental impacts that wider stakeholder involvement would put on the table. It also said that the Parliament must therefore deliberate on the implications of the proposed legislative changes for the lives, livelihoods and well-being of all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable groups. Some of the prominent signatories were Member of Parliament, Jawhar Sircar; Shailesh Gandhi, former Chief Information Commissioner; Madhu Bhaduri, former Ambassador; Medha Patkar, Narmada BachaoAndolan; Annie Raja, National Federation of Indian Women; Teesta Setalvad, Social Activist; Gautam Mody, NTUI; Viju Krishnan, All India Kisan Sabha, former civil servant and Sharad Behar, former Chief Secretary, Govt of Madhya Pradesh and several others.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Representatives of the Gujarati Jain business community held a protest outside the German Consulate in Mumbai seeking the unconditional repatriation of baby Ariha to India and also said they would boycott buying German cars. It may be recalled that Ariha has been in German foster care for the last 28 months even as her biological parents and the Indian government are making continuous efforts to get her back to India.

Recently, a German district court had denied Arihas parents the custody of the child as well as visitation rights. They said that the parents were no longer authorised to know about the whearabouts of the child as she would remain in German foster care. The child was taken away by Jugendamt (German Youth Service) as she had suffered injuries and the parents were suspected of abuse. These charges were dropped but the custody of the child remains with the German authorities.

ALSO READ | Parents run out of money but stay hopeful after German court rejects plea to return baby Ariha

"We have decided to boycott buying of any German cars until the child is sent back. The child is a Jain and is being made to eat food which doesnt befit our sensibilities and upbringing. It is a gross violation of the rights that the child deserves," says Yatin Shah, a member of the Jain community representing Arihas parents (Bhavesh and Dhara Shah) in India. Arihas parents are living in Germany at present.

The Gujarati Jain community has been constantly seeking the return of the child and say they would stop only when she is either united with her biological parents or repatriated to India where she can live with a family that will bring her up based on her culture and roots.

NEW DELHI: Representatives of the Gujarati Jain business community held a protest outside the German Consulate in Mumbai seeking the unconditional repatriation of baby Ariha to India and also said they would boycott buying German cars. It may be recalled that Ariha has been in German foster care for the last 28 months even as her biological parents and the Indian government are making continuous efforts to get her back to India. Recently, a German district court had denied Arihas parents the custody of the child as well as visitation rights. They said that the parents were no longer authorised to know about the whearabouts of the child as she would remain in German foster care. The child was taken away by Jugendamt (German Youth Service) as she had suffered injuries and the parents were suspected of abuse. These charges were dropped but the custody of the child remains with the German authorities. ALSO READ | Parents run out of money but stay hopeful after German court rejects plea to return baby Arihagoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "We have decided to boycott buying of any German cars until the child is sent back. The child is a Jain and is being made to eat food which doesnt befit our sensibilities and upbringing. It is a gross violation of the rights that the child deserves," says Yatin Shah, a member of the Jain community representing Arihas parents (Bhavesh and Dhara Shah) in India. Arihas parents are living in Germany at present. The Gujarati Jain community has been constantly seeking the return of the child and say they would stop only when she is either united with her biological parents or repatriated to India where she can live with a family that will bring her up based on her culture and roots.
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: A day after receiving a setback in the Supreme Court, the State Election Commission (SEC) faced another jolt as the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered it to deploy more than the number of security personnel used in the five-phase 2013 panchayat polls, which was 82,000, for the upcoming rural polls in West Bengal. The SEC had earlier sought just 22 companies of central armed paramilitary forces (CAPF) comprising around 2,200 personnel.

The division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam directed the SEC to requisition the central force within 24 hours.

On Tuesday, the apex court upheld the Calcutta High Courts order directing the SEC to deploy CAPF across the state for the rural polls slated to be held on July 8 after the state poll panel submitted a petition challenging the lower courts verdict.

Back in 2013, the Bengal rural polls were held under the watch of the CAPF following a face-off between the state government and the SEC, headed by Mira Pandey. She was in favour of conducting the panchayat elections involving central forces but the state government moved the court challenging the state poll panel decision which was not entertained.

The courts order came in response to a petition by the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accusing the SEC of seeking an inadequate number of security personnel for the upcoming rural polls.

Noting that the number of districts in Bengal has increased from 17 in 2013 to 22 at present and also the electorate has increased in these 10 years, the high court asked the poll panel to deploy 82,000 or more CAPF personnel.

Shortly after the apex courts verdict, the SEC requisitioned 22 companies of the CAPF for 22 districts for the rural polls which will be held for 73,897 seats comprising 63,239-gram panchayats, 9730 panchayat samities and 928 zilla parishad seats. There are 61,636 polling booths where Bengals 5.67 crore electorate will exercise their franchise in the rural polls.

ALSO READ | Bengal rural polls: Body of BJP candidate's kin found with stab wounds

Opposition parties raised question on the intent of the poll panel asking how only 22 companies of CAPF comprising 2,200 personnel will conduct the rural polls.

The BJP moved the high court citing the volume of CAPF engaged in the 2013 rural polls.

We informed the court that 82,000 CAPF personnel were engaged to conduct the rural polls 10 years ago and the division bench noted our submission before passing the order, said a BJP leader.

While passing the verdict specifying the volume of CAPF to be engaged in the rural polls, the division bench also observed that if the state election commissioner Rajeeva Sinha fails to comply with the courts order, he should quit.

Reacting to the high courts order on the volume of central forces to be deployed in the rural polls, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, The volume of central forces to be used in the upcoming elections doesn't matter as the people of Bengal will vote for the TMC.

While hearing another petition alleging that documents requited for submitting nominations were tampered with in two gram panchayats in Howrah, high court judge Amrita Sinha ordered a CBI probe into the alleged malpractice.

KOLKATA: A day after receiving a setback in the Supreme Court, the State Election Commission (SEC) faced another jolt as the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered it to deploy more than the number of security personnel used in the five-phase 2013 panchayat polls, which was 82,000, for the upcoming rural polls in West Bengal. The SEC had earlier sought just 22 companies of central armed paramilitary forces (CAPF) comprising around 2,200 personnel. The division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam directed the SEC to requisition the central force within 24 hours. On Tuesday, the apex court upheld the Calcutta High Courts order directing the SEC to deploy CAPF across the state for the rural polls slated to be held on July 8 after the state poll panel submitted a petition challenging the lower courts verdict.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Back in 2013, the Bengal rural polls were held under the watch of the CAPF following a face-off between the state government and the SEC, headed by Mira Pandey. She was in favour of conducting the panchayat elections involving central forces but the state government moved the court challenging the state poll panel decision which was not entertained. The courts order came in response to a petition by the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accusing the SEC of seeking an inadequate number of security personnel for the upcoming rural polls. Noting that the number of districts in Bengal has increased from 17 in 2013 to 22 at present and also the electorate has increased in these 10 years, the high court asked the poll panel to deploy 82,000 or more CAPF personnel. Shortly after the apex courts verdict, the SEC requisitioned 22 companies of the CAPF for 22 districts for the rural polls which will be held for 73,897 seats comprising 63,239-gram panchayats, 9730 panchayat samities and 928 zilla parishad seats. There are 61,636 polling booths where Bengals 5.67 crore electorate will exercise their franchise in the rural polls. ALSO READ | Bengal rural polls: Body of BJP candidate's kin found with stab wounds Opposition parties raised question on the intent of the poll panel asking how only 22 companies of CAPF comprising 2,200 personnel will conduct the rural polls. The BJP moved the high court citing the volume of CAPF engaged in the 2013 rural polls. We informed the court that 82,000 CAPF personnel were engaged to conduct the rural polls 10 years ago and the division bench noted our submission before passing the order, said a BJP leader. While passing the verdict specifying the volume of CAPF to be engaged in the rural polls, the division bench also observed that if the state election commissioner Rajeeva Sinha fails to comply with the courts order, he should quit. Reacting to the high courts order on the volume of central forces to be deployed in the rural polls, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, The volume of central forces to be used in the upcoming elections doesn't matter as the people of Bengal will vote for the TMC. While hearing another petition alleging that documents requited for submitting nominations were tampered with in two gram panchayats in Howrah, high court judge Amrita Sinha ordered a CBI probe into the alleged malpractice.
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: Two days after former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi led Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAM(S)) withdrew its support to the grand alliance government, the party's chief Santosh Kumar Suman announced in New Delhi on Wednesday that it would contest both 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 assembly polls in the state as part of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The announcement came soon after HAM patron Manjhi along with his son and former minister Santosh Kumar Suman met union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. Suman had resigned from Nitish Kumar cabinet on June 13 on the plea that he was pressurised by Nitish to merge HAM with JD(U). He was ST/ST Welfare department minister, the post was later allotted to JD(U) MLA Ranteshwar Sada. HAM has four MLAs in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

With HAM joining NDA fold, the formation of old NDA is slowly getting its shape in the state ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election. Former minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal is also likely to join NDA soon. Kushwaha has already given indications about him joining NDA.

Two other leadersChirag Paswan and Mukesh Sahanihave soft a corner for BJP. While Chirag had campaigned for BJP candidates in by-polls in Kurhani and Gopalganj assembly seats, Sahani has recently been provided 'Y' plus category security cover by the central government.

Political analysts said that BJP is making efforts to unite smaller (regional) parties in its favour to counter the grand alliance in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. HAM joining on is a case in point, they added.



PATNA: Two days after former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi led Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAM(S)) withdrew its support to the grand alliance government, the party's chief Santosh Kumar Suman announced in New Delhi on Wednesday that it would contest both 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 assembly polls in the state as part of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The announcement came soon after HAM patron Manjhi along with his son and former minister Santosh Kumar Suman met union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. Suman had resigned from Nitish Kumar cabinet on June 13 on the plea that he was pressurised by Nitish to merge HAM with JD(U). He was ST/ST Welfare department minister, the post was later allotted to JD(U) MLA Ranteshwar Sada. HAM has four MLAs in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. With HAM joining NDA fold, the formation of old NDA is slowly getting its shape in the state ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election. Former minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal is also likely to join NDA soon. Kushwaha has already given indications about him joining NDA.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Two other leadersChirag Paswan and Mukesh Sahanihave soft a corner for BJP. While Chirag had campaigned for BJP candidates in by-polls in Kurhani and Gopalganj assembly seats, Sahani has recently been provided 'Y' plus category security cover by the central government. Political analysts said that BJP is making efforts to unite smaller (regional) parties in its favour to counter the grand alliance in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. HAM joining on is a case in point, they added.
Amit Mukherjee By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A delegation from Ladakh has met a panel of the Ministry of Home Affairs and presented a four-point agenda ahead of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) meeting on the Union Territory.

The six-member team that met the home ministry panel headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai presented an agenda that included statehood, special status for the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and job reservation for locals.

The meeting comes as a positive development for the region, especially after the dialogues between the representatives of Ladakh and the Centre were stalled almost 22 months back. Mondays meeting was the first direct and official meeting of the MHA with Ladakh leaders after August 29, 2021.

According to sources, The delegation of Ladakh, however, insisted on the inclusion of the four-point agenda as an essential prerequisite for them to participate in the meeting with the HPC members.

The delegation from Ladakh included two-time Lok Sabha MP Thupstan Chhewang, former ministers in erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir Chering Dorjay and Nawang Rigzin Jora, former minister Qamar Ali Akhoon, former MLA Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, and activist Sajjad Kargili.

Chhewang, Dorjay and Jora represented Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Akhoon, Karbalai and Kargili represented Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The Ladakh leaders informed the panel about the threats to the tribal culture and environment of the region if it was not brought under the Sixth Schedule, which provides for greater administrative and political autonomy to certain tribal areas.

The MHA had on January 3 set up a high-powered committee headed by Rai, which also included the former Ladakh lieutenant governor RK Mathur, Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgayal and other leaders from Leh and Kargil.

But the LAB and KDA, in a meeting on January 7, decided to boycott the HPC on the ground that neither their agenda nor the members recommended by them were included in it. Later, the LAB and KDA sent the names they wanted to include in the HPC to the Union Home Ministry.

Both LAB and KDA had earlier held joint protests in Jammu, followed by a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, to pitch for their demands. Last year, both Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil had passed separate resolutions seeking Sixth Schedule-like status to Ladakh.

NEW DELHI: A delegation from Ladakh has met a panel of the Ministry of Home Affairs and presented a four-point agenda ahead of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) meeting on the Union Territory. The six-member team that met the home ministry panel headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai presented an agenda that included statehood, special status for the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and job reservation for locals. The meeting comes as a positive development for the region, especially after the dialogues between the representatives of Ladakh and the Centre were stalled almost 22 months back. Mondays meeting was the first direct and official meeting of the MHA with Ladakh leaders after August 29, 2021. According to sources, The delegation of Ladakh, however, insisted on the inclusion of the four-point agenda as an essential prerequisite for them to participate in the meeting with the HPC members. The delegation from Ladakh included two-time Lok Sabha MP Thupstan Chhewang, former ministers in erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir Chering Dorjay and Nawang Rigzin Jora, former minister Qamar Ali Akhoon, former MLA Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, and activist Sajjad Kargili.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Chhewang, Dorjay and Jora represented Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Akhoon, Karbalai and Kargili represented Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The Ladakh leaders informed the panel about the threats to the tribal culture and environment of the region if it was not brought under the Sixth Schedule, which provides for greater administrative and political autonomy to certain tribal areas. The MHA had on January 3 set up a high-powered committee headed by Rai, which also included the former Ladakh lieutenant governor RK Mathur, Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgayal and other leaders from Leh and Kargil. But the LAB and KDA, in a meeting on January 7, decided to boycott the HPC on the ground that neither their agenda nor the members recommended by them were included in it. Later, the LAB and KDA sent the names they wanted to include in the HPC to the Union Home Ministry. Both LAB and KDA had earlier held joint protests in Jammu, followed by a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, to pitch for their demands. Last year, both Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil had passed separate resolutions seeking Sixth Schedule-like status to Ladakh.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has equated Prime Minister Modi with the historical character of Dhirodatta for reducing the effects of cyclone Biparjoy to almost zero. The cyclone hit Gujarat, Rajasthan and affected other states in its wake.

Chouhan, who blogs regularly, has written that the persons who work with alertness, patience, prudence and seriousness succeed in reducing the magnitude of the crisis to zero. Such characters are established in history as Dhirodatta heroes."

Chouhan wrote that the PM does not lose patience in any disaster. In nine years of Modis tenure, it has been proved time and again that he does not lose patience in any disaster when it comes to saving the lives of the countrymen and confronts them with well-thought-out strategies; be it cyclones, other natural calamities or heavy rains and floods, any threat to the security and integrity of the country or global pandemic such as Covid-19.

The CM of the BJP-ruled state wrote that the PM has been able to prevent the loss of life and other damage effectively with his action plan. His guidance and strategy proved effective in dealing with the Biparjoy. He alerted the governing and administrative machinery ahead of time.

He himself took high-level meetings with agencies, Central ministries and Gujarat government officials to ensure that the residents of the affected areas were transported to safer places while the maintenance of essential services such as electricity, water, health was ensured, the MP CM said in his blog post.

About 58% of land in India is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity and over 40 million hectares, which accounts for 12% of the land area, remain prone to floods.

NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has equated Prime Minister Modi with the historical character of Dhirodatta for reducing the effects of cyclone Biparjoy to almost zero. The cyclone hit Gujarat, Rajasthan and affected other states in its wake. Chouhan, who blogs regularly, has written that the persons who work with alertness, patience, prudence and seriousness succeed in reducing the magnitude of the crisis to zero. Such characters are established in history as Dhirodatta heroes." Chouhan wrote that the PM does not lose patience in any disaster. In nine years of Modis tenure, it has been proved time and again that he does not lose patience in any disaster when it comes to saving the lives of the countrymen and confronts them with well-thought-out strategies; be it cyclones, other natural calamities or heavy rains and floods, any threat to the security and integrity of the country or global pandemic such as Covid-19.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The CM of the BJP-ruled state wrote that the PM has been able to prevent the loss of life and other damage effectively with his action plan. His guidance and strategy proved effective in dealing with the Biparjoy. He alerted the governing and administrative machinery ahead of time. He himself took high-level meetings with agencies, Central ministries and Gujarat government officials to ensure that the residents of the affected areas were transported to safer places while the maintenance of essential services such as electricity, water, health was ensured, the MP CM said in his blog post. About 58% of land in India is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity and over 40 million hectares, which accounts for 12% of the land area, remain prone to floods.
By Express News Service

Bhopal: A political controversy has erupted in assembly poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, over the participation of two government officials in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) program in Satna district.

The controversy erupted after a picture of Satna district collector Anurag Verma and Satna municipal commissioner Rajesh Shahi participating in a traditional RSS prayer alongside RSS and BJP leaders on the concluding day of Sanghs training camp on June 11 went viral recently.

While the opposition Congress leaders, including Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha have demanded that such officials be kept away from the preparations for the year-end MP Assembly polls, the BJP has defended the presence of the two government officials at the RSS event, saying neither is it unconstitutional nor does it violate any code of conduct.

Tweeting the picture of the two government officials participating in the RSS program and saluting the ruling BJPs parent outfits flag, the state Congresss media wing head KK Mishra said on Tuesday, "It can't be expected that such officials will perform their duty without any bias in the assembly polls. Their behaviour is against the conduct meant for civil servants. Well make a complaint to the Centre's Department of Personnel and Training."

The opposition partys Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Vivek Tankha demanded that the Election Commission of India keep such leaders away from preparations of the Assembly polls.

However, responding to Congresss barbs, the state BJP secretary Rajneesh Agrawal said there was no violation of the code of conduct by the officials. Taking part in an RSS event is not illegal or unconstitutional and doesn't violate the code of conduct. The RSS, which works under constitutional arrangements, is a democratic, social and cultural organisation, Agrawal said.

Importantly, in April 2003, the then Digvijaya Singh-led Congress government banned state government employees from taking part in RSS activities/programmes, treating it as a violation of the state civil services (conduct) rules 1965.

However, three years later, in August 2006, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government, ended the restrictions imposed on state government employees from participating in RSS activities.

Twelve years later, the Congress in its 2018 assembly polls manifesto, had mentioned that RSS shakhas will not be allowed in the government premises and the government order allowing government officials and employees to attend the shakhas too will be scrapped.

But even after coming to power in December 2018, the Kamal Nath-led Congress government fell in March 2020, paving the passage for another Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in the state.

Bhopal: A political controversy has erupted in assembly poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, over the participation of two government officials in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) program in Satna district. The controversy erupted after a picture of Satna district collector Anurag Verma and Satna municipal commissioner Rajesh Shahi participating in a traditional RSS prayer alongside RSS and BJP leaders on the concluding day of Sanghs training camp on June 11 went viral recently. While the opposition Congress leaders, including Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha have demanded that such officials be kept away from the preparations for the year-end MP Assembly polls, the BJP has defended the presence of the two government officials at the RSS event, saying neither is it unconstitutional nor does it violate any code of conduct.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Tweeting the picture of the two government officials participating in the RSS program and saluting the ruling BJPs parent outfits flag, the state Congresss media wing head KK Mishra said on Tuesday, "It can't be expected that such officials will perform their duty without any bias in the assembly polls. Their behaviour is against the conduct meant for civil servants. Well make a complaint to the Centre's Department of Personnel and Training." The opposition partys Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Vivek Tankha demanded that the Election Commission of India keep such leaders away from preparations of the Assembly polls. However, responding to Congresss barbs, the state BJP secretary Rajneesh Agrawal said there was no violation of the code of conduct by the officials. Taking part in an RSS event is not illegal or unconstitutional and doesn't violate the code of conduct. The RSS, which works under constitutional arrangements, is a democratic, social and cultural organisation, Agrawal said. Importantly, in April 2003, the then Digvijaya Singh-led Congress government banned state government employees from taking part in RSS activities/programmes, treating it as a violation of the state civil services (conduct) rules 1965. However, three years later, in August 2006, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government, ended the restrictions imposed on state government employees from participating in RSS activities. Twelve years later, the Congress in its 2018 assembly polls manifesto, had mentioned that RSS shakhas will not be allowed in the government premises and the government order allowing government officials and employees to attend the shakhas too will be scrapped. But even after coming to power in December 2018, the Kamal Nath-led Congress government fell in March 2020, paving the passage for another Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in the state.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Poll-bound Madhya Pradesh is set to see a flurry of political activity over the coming week as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress vie for the crucial 21% tribal vote.

While the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government is said to host five mega Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatras from different tribal-dominated areas, the opposition Congress will organize mega an Adivasi Sammellan in tribal-dominated Mandla district on June 24.

June 24 marks the 459th anniversary of the Gondwana kingdom queens martyrdom, which was attained while fighting the forces of Mughal emperor Akbar.

The five yatras will be launched on Thursday, simultaneously from Balaghat, Kamal Naths pocket-borough Chhindwara, besides Damoh and Sidhi  all in MP  and Kalinjar Fort in adjoining Uttar Pradeshs Banda district, which is the birth-place of the brave-heart queen.

One of these yatras will be launched by union home minister Amit Shah from the Maoists-affected Balaghat district, after which he is likely to have lunch at the house of a tribal family, as part of the saffron party governments ongoing tribal outreach efforts.

The other four yatras will be launched by first-time Lok Sabha members DD Uike and Himadri Singh, first-time Rajya Sabha member Sumer Singh Solanki, former MP Sampatiya Uike, and states forest minister Kunwar Vijay Shah. All these leaders are tribal politicians.

All the five yatras will culminate on June 27 in Shahdol district, where a mega Rani Durgavati Balidan Diwas event will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before he reportedly travels to a tribal village for lunch and interaction with tribals.

Just two days after the start of the BJP governments five mega yatras, the Mandla district will host a mega Adivasi Sammellan of the opposition Congress, which will be addressed by state party chief Kamal Nath. The event will coincide with the 459th death anniversary of the brave queen.

Importantly, tribals constitute 21% of MPs population and 47 out of the total 230 assembly seats are reserved for tribals. Out of these 47 seats, the ruling BJP had won 29 seats and the Congress 18 in the 2008 assembly polls. In 2013 polls, the saffron party emerged victorious on 31 seats, while the Congress won 16 seats.

In the 2018 polls, the story was reversed, as the Congress emerged triumphant on 31 seats, while the BJP had to be content with just 15 seats, and one seat was won by a Congress rebel.

The BJP governments five mega yatras dedicated to Rani Durgavati will particularly traverse through tribal dominated parts of Vindhya region, which house 30 assembly seats, Mahakoshal region which has 38 seats and some parts of Bundelkhand region.

In the 2013 elections, the BJP had won 24 out of the 30 seats in Vindhya region, while the Congress was a distant second with just six seats. On the contrary, the Congress had won 24 out of the 38 seats in the Mahakoshal region, while the BJP had managed to win just 13 seats, followed by one seat to a Congress rebel.

BHOPAL: Poll-bound Madhya Pradesh is set to see a flurry of political activity over the coming week as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress vie for the crucial 21% tribal vote. While the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government is said to host five mega Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatras from different tribal-dominated areas, the opposition Congress will organize mega an Adivasi Sammellan in tribal-dominated Mandla district on June 24.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); June 24 marks the 459th anniversary of the Gondwana kingdom queens martyrdom, which was attained while fighting the forces of Mughal emperor Akbar. The five yatras will be launched on Thursday, simultaneously from Balaghat, Kamal Naths pocket-borough Chhindwara, besides Damoh and Sidhi  all in MP  and Kalinjar Fort in adjoining Uttar Pradeshs Banda district, which is the birth-place of the brave-heart queen. One of these yatras will be launched by union home minister Amit Shah from the Maoists-affected Balaghat district, after which he is likely to have lunch at the house of a tribal family, as part of the saffron party governments ongoing tribal outreach efforts. The other four yatras will be launched by first-time Lok Sabha members DD Uike and Himadri Singh, first-time Rajya Sabha member Sumer Singh Solanki, former MP Sampatiya Uike, and states forest minister Kunwar Vijay Shah. All these leaders are tribal politicians. All the five yatras will culminate on June 27 in Shahdol district, where a mega Rani Durgavati Balidan Diwas event will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before he reportedly travels to a tribal village for lunch and interaction with tribals. Just two days after the start of the BJP governments five mega yatras, the Mandla district will host a mega Adivasi Sammellan of the opposition Congress, which will be addressed by state party chief Kamal Nath. The event will coincide with the 459th death anniversary of the brave queen. Importantly, tribals constitute 21% of MPs population and 47 out of the total 230 assembly seats are reserved for tribals. Out of these 47 seats, the ruling BJP had won 29 seats and the Congress 18 in the 2008 assembly polls. In 2013 polls, the saffron party emerged victorious on 31 seats, while the Congress won 16 seats. In the 2018 polls, the story was reversed, as the Congress emerged triumphant on 31 seats, while the BJP had to be content with just 15 seats, and one seat was won by a Congress rebel. The BJP governments five mega yatras dedicated to Rani Durgavati will particularly traverse through tribal dominated parts of Vindhya region, which house 30 assembly seats, Mahakoshal region which has 38 seats and some parts of Bundelkhand region. In the 2013 elections, the BJP had won 24 out of the 30 seats in Vindhya region, while the Congress was a distant second with just six seats. On the contrary, the Congress had won 24 out of the 38 seats in the Mahakoshal region, while the BJP had managed to win just 13 seats, followed by one seat to a Congress rebel.
By Online Desk

Over 100 people in Uttar Pradesh have died from heat-related illnesses over the last several days while Bihar has reported over 45 fatalities, according to news reports and health officials. Odisha reported one confirmed death on Sunday.

UPs Ballia district hospital has reported at least 68 heat-related deaths in five days until Monday.

It was reported that at least 44 people, admitted to that particular hospital, died between June 15 and 16 with scorching heat aggravating their pre-existing ailments. Officials said that most of the patients were over the age of 60.

On June 16, Ballia reported a maximum temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius, which is 4.7 C above normal, as per IMD data.

On June 18, Ballias Chief Medical Officer Jayant Kumar was removed from his post, after his on-record statement saying many of the deaths were due to heatstroke went viral.

He has been removed for "giving a careless statement on deaths caused by heatwave without having proper information", UP Health Minister Brajesh Pathak said.

Jayant Kumar had told The Associated Press on June 17 that "all the individuals were suffering from some ailments and their conditions worsened due to the extreme heat," He had said that most of the deaths were because of heart attack, brain stroke and diarrhea.

Officials have been offering divergent explanations for the deaths. A committee from the health department in Lucknow is investigating the cases of deaths in Ballia district.

Lucknow Health Director Dr AK Singh said that most of the patients have been complaining of chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and then fever.

He told ANI that the other patients admitted included those who already had some prior illness and added that they would be able to confirm if they were heat-related deaths only after sample testing.

Family members of patients speak with a health official at a hospital after several people were hospitalized due to heatwave conditions, in Ballia, UP, on June 18, 2023. (PTI)

The sudden increase in deaths and patients being admitted to hospitals with fever, breathing trouble, and other issues have overwhelmed the Ballia district hospital.

So many people are dying from the heat that we are not getting a minutes time to rest. On Sunday, I carried 26 dead bodies, Jitendra Kumar Yadav, a hearse driver in Deoria town, 110 kilometers from Ballia, told The Associated Press.

Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of the hospital Diwakar Singh claimed that fans, coolers and air conditioners have been arranged in the hospital to prevent the risk of heat stroke for patients and staff.

On June 18, 40-year-old traffic police sub-inspector Vinod Sonkar died after fainting on duty near Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya due to severe heat, police said.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav blamed the state government for the deaths.

"So many people across UP have lost lives because of the carelessness of the state govt. They should have warned the people about the heatwave. Not a single district hospital has been built in UP in the last 6 years. Those who have lost their lives are poor farmers because they did not receive food, medicines and treatment on time," he said.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Monday had told officials to ensure no unnecessary power cuts happen in the state and said there should be a provision to purchase more electricity if needed.

There should be no shortage of drinking water and arrangements should be made for drinking water in all municipal bodies and rural areas besides the markets and on the main roads, he told officials.

The Odisha government on Sunday had confirmed its first heat wave-related death and sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 50,000 for the deceased's family. The victim is a middle-aged person from Balasore district. A senior official at the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office told PTI that the state has so far received allegations of 20 deaths due to heat waves.

On Tuesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had asked a team of experts to visit the affected areas in UP and Bihar. The minister then chaired a high-level meeting on public health preparedness for heatwave management across the country.

Toll keeps rising as heat wave continues

Heat strokes claimed nine more lives in Bihar on Monday and Tuesday, the state Disaster Management Department (DMD) said. Five casualties were reported in Bhojpur, three in Arwal, and one in Jehanabad in the last 48 hours.

However, Bihar Disaster Management Minister Shahnawaz told PTI that over 22 deaths in the state attributed to heat stroke have been found to be caused by other factors.

Bihar is currently in the grip of a scorching heatwave that has broken the record of 11 years.

The mercury crossed the 43-degree Celsius mark or more at several places in the state on Monday, with Aurangabad recording the highest maximum temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius. The mercury had soared past the 45-degrees Celsius mark on June 17.

IMD scientist Naresh Kumar told ANI that Delhi, Punjab and Haryana will witness temperatures up to 40-45 degrees in the upcoming days.

Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, too, are facing heat wave-like conditions. Many states have extended summer vacations in view of the heat wave condition.

A study by World Weather Attribution found that a searing heat wave in April that struck parts of South Asia was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change.

AAP blames power cuts amid heatwave for UP deaths

Meanwhile, AAP's Rajya Sabha member and in-charge of the Uttar Pradesh Sanjay Singh alleged in a press conference that the people of UP are suffering due to power cuts.

"People are losing their lives due to power cuts amid the scorching heat. The deaths that have taken place due to the heat in the state are actually murders. The government should give compensation and jobs to the affected families," he said.

The AAP leader claimed that "137 people have died in Gorakhpur so far due to heat, 33 people have died in Basti division while 104 people have died in Ballia alone".

Singh also announced that the Aam Aadmi Party would launch a mass movement in all the districts on June 22 against the frequent power cuts in the state.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI, AP)

Over 100 people in Uttar Pradesh have died from heat-related illnesses over the last several days while Bihar has reported over 45 fatalities, according to news reports and health officials. Odisha reported one confirmed death on Sunday. UPs Ballia district hospital has reported at least 68 heat-related deaths in five days until Monday. It was reported that at least 44 people, admitted to that particular hospital, died between June 15 and 16 with scorching heat aggravating their pre-existing ailments. Officials said that most of the patients were over the age of 60.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On June 16, Ballia reported a maximum temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius, which is 4.7 C above normal, as per IMD data. On June 18, Ballias Chief Medical Officer Jayant Kumar was removed from his post, after his on-record statement saying many of the deaths were due to heatstroke went viral. He has been removed for "giving a careless statement on deaths caused by heatwave without having proper information", UP Health Minister Brajesh Pathak said. Jayant Kumar had told The Associated Press on June 17 that "all the individuals were suffering from some ailments and their conditions worsened due to the extreme heat," He had said that most of the deaths were because of heart attack, brain stroke and diarrhea. Officials have been offering divergent explanations for the deaths. A committee from the health department in Lucknow is investigating the cases of deaths in Ballia district. Lucknow Health Director Dr AK Singh said that most of the patients have been complaining of chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and then fever. He told ANI that the other patients admitted included those who already had some prior illness and added that they would be able to confirm if they were heat-related deaths only after sample testing. Family members of patients speak with a health official at a hospital after several people were hospitalized due to heatwave conditions, in Ballia, UP, on June 18, 2023. (PTI) The sudden increase in deaths and patients being admitted to hospitals with fever, breathing trouble, and other issues have overwhelmed the Ballia district hospital. So many people are dying from the heat that we are not getting a minutes time to rest. On Sunday, I carried 26 dead bodies, Jitendra Kumar Yadav, a hearse driver in Deoria town, 110 kilometers from Ballia, told The Associated Press. Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of the hospital Diwakar Singh claimed that fans, coolers and air conditioners have been arranged in the hospital to prevent the risk of heat stroke for patients and staff. On June 18, 40-year-old traffic police sub-inspector Vinod Sonkar died after fainting on duty near Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya due to severe heat, police said. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav blamed the state government for the deaths. "So many people across UP have lost lives because of the carelessness of the state govt. They should have warned the people about the heatwave. Not a single district hospital has been built in UP in the last 6 years. Those who have lost their lives are poor farmers because they did not receive food, medicines and treatment on time," he said. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Monday had told officials to ensure no unnecessary power cuts happen in the state and said there should be a provision to purchase more electricity if needed. There should be no shortage of drinking water and arrangements should be made for drinking water in all municipal bodies and rural areas besides the markets and on the main roads, he told officials. The Odisha government on Sunday had confirmed its first heat wave-related death and sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 50,000 for the deceased's family. The victim is a middle-aged person from Balasore district. A senior official at the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office told PTI that the state has so far received allegations of 20 deaths due to heat waves. On Tuesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had asked a team of experts to visit the affected areas in UP and Bihar. The minister then chaired a high-level meeting on public health preparedness for heatwave management across the country. Toll keeps rising as heat wave continues Heat strokes claimed nine more lives in Bihar on Monday and Tuesday, the state Disaster Management Department (DMD) said. Five casualties were reported in Bhojpur, three in Arwal, and one in Jehanabad in the last 48 hours. However, Bihar Disaster Management Minister Shahnawaz told PTI that over 22 deaths in the state attributed to heat stroke have been found to be caused by other factors. Bihar is currently in the grip of a scorching heatwave that has broken the record of 11 years. The mercury crossed the 43-degree Celsius mark or more at several places in the state on Monday, with Aurangabad recording the highest maximum temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius. The mercury had soared past the 45-degrees Celsius mark on June 17. IMD scientist Naresh Kumar told ANI that Delhi, Punjab and Haryana will witness temperatures up to 40-45 degrees in the upcoming days. Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, too, are facing heat wave-like conditions. Many states have extended summer vacations in view of the heat wave condition. A study by World Weather Attribution found that a searing heat wave in April that struck parts of South Asia was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change. AAP blames power cuts amid heatwave for UP deaths Meanwhile, AAP's Rajya Sabha member and in-charge of the Uttar Pradesh Sanjay Singh alleged in a press conference that the people of UP are suffering due to power cuts. "People are losing their lives due to power cuts amid the scorching heat. The deaths that have taken place due to the heat in the state are actually murders. The government should give compensation and jobs to the affected families," he said. The AAP leader claimed that "137 people have died in Gorakhpur so far due to heat, 33 people have died in Basti division while 104 people have died in Ballia alone". Singh also announced that the Aam Aadmi Party would launch a mass movement in all the districts on June 22 against the frequent power cuts in the state. (With inputs from PTI, ANI, AP)
BOSTON  A renowned Titanic expert, a world-record holding adventurer and two members of one of Pakistan's wealthiest families are facing critical danger aboard a small submersible that went missing while descending to the world's most famous shipwreck.

The submersible Titan was reported overdue Sunday night about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland, according to Canada's Joint Rescue Coordination Center, spurring a desperate international rescue effort. As of Tuesday morning about 10,000 square miles (25,900 square kilometers) of the Atlantic Ocean had been searched, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Here's the latest on the search:

Rescuers were racing against the clock because the oxygen supply could run out by approximately 6 a.m. Thursday.

The expedition was led by OceanGate, making its third voyage to the Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew.

The five people on the vessel include:

HAMISH HARDING

A British businessman, Harding lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Action Aviation, an aircraft brokering company for which Harding serves as chairman, said he was one the mission specialists, who paid to go on the expedition.

Harding is a billionaire adventurer who holds three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. In March 2021, he and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo dived to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench. In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.

"Both the Harding family and the team at Action Aviation are very grateful for all the kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues," the company said in a statement.

In a Facebook post Saturday, Harding said he was "proud" to be part of the mission given that the weather might make another trip to the wreck unlikely this year.

"Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023," he posted. "A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive (Sunday)."

Harding was "looking forward to conducting research" at the Titanic site, said Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club, a group to which Harding belonged.

"We all join in the fervent hope that the submersible is located as quickly as possible," he said in a statement.

***

SHAHZADA AND SULEMAN DAWOOD

Father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood are members of one of Pakistan's most prominent families. Their family said in a statement that they were both aboard the vessel.

"We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety while granting the family privacy at this time," the statement said. "The family is well looked after and are praying to Allah for the safe return of their family members."

Their firm, Dawood Hercules Corp., based in Karachi, is involved in agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunication infrastructure

Shahzada Dawood also is on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Dawoods live in the UK, according to SETI.

Shahzada Dawood is also a member of the Global Advisory Board at the Prince's Trust International, founded by Britain's King Charles III to address youth unemployment.

He has degrees from the University from Buckingham in the United Kingdon and Philadelphia University in the U.S.

***

PAUL-HENRY NARGEOLET

Nargeolet is a former French navy officer who is considered a Titanic expert after making multiple trips to the wreckage over several decades.

David Gallo, a senior adviser for strategic initiatives and special projects at RMS Titanic, said in an interview with CNN that Nargeolet was on board.

He is director of underwater research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc., has completed 37 dives to the wreck and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artifacts, according to his company profile.

He was expedition leader on the most technologically advanced dive to Titanic in 2010, which used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the bow and stern sections as well as the debris field.

While with the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of Sea, he led the first recovery expedition to the Titanic in 1987.

Titanic by the numbers: 10 things to know about the 'unsinkable' ship 882 feet 175 feet 4 smokestacks 21 knots 3 propellers 9 decks 159 furnaces 14,000 gallons 75,000 pounds 2,208 people
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday indicated Indias time has come on the global stage, as he embarked on a state visit to the US, asserting both sides share unprecedented trust and bilateral ties were stronger than ever.

India, he said, deserves a much higher, deeper, and wider role globally, in a rare interview with a foreign media organisation. India deserves a much higher, deeper, and wider profile and role. For thousands of years, India has been the land where people of all faiths and beliefs have found the freedom to coexist peacefully and prosper, Modi said in his interview with the Wall Street Journal.

He reiterated the countrys stand on the frayed relationship with China, saying for normal bilateral ties, peace, and tranquility are essential. We have a core belief in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, observing the rule of law and peaceful resolution of differences and disputes. At the same time, India is fully prepared and committed to protecting its sovereignty and dignity, Modi said.

Asked about Indias position on the Ukraine war, Modi said India wasnt neutral but was on the side of peace. Some people say that we are neutral. But, we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace.

The prime minister said he had spoken to both Russias President Vladimir Putin and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and supported all genuine efforts to bring an end to the conflict.

In his departure statement, Modi hoped his US visit on the invitation of President Joe Biden would be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of India and the bilateral partnership. My discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate our bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF.

Nine years after Modi first proposed at the United Nations General Assembly that the International Yoga Day be observed as an annual event, he will for the first time be at the UN Headquarters to lead the yoga session on Wednesday.

PM reaches New York

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York on the first leg of his state visit during which he will lead the International Day of Yoga event at the UN today

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday indicated Indias time has come on the global stage, as he embarked on a state visit to the US, asserting both sides share unprecedented trust and bilateral ties were stronger than ever. India, he said, deserves a much higher, deeper, and wider role globally, in a rare interview with a foreign media organisation. India deserves a much higher, deeper, and wider profile and role. For thousands of years, India has been the land where people of all faiths and beliefs have found the freedom to coexist peacefully and prosper, Modi said in his interview with the Wall Street Journal. He reiterated the countrys stand on the frayed relationship with China, saying for normal bilateral ties, peace, and tranquility are essential. We have a core belief in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, observing the rule of law and peaceful resolution of differences and disputes. At the same time, India is fully prepared and committed to protecting its sovereignty and dignity, Modi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Asked about Indias position on the Ukraine war, Modi said India wasnt neutral but was on the side of peace. Some people say that we are neutral. But, we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace. The prime minister said he had spoken to both Russias President Vladimir Putin and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and supported all genuine efforts to bring an end to the conflict. In his departure statement, Modi hoped his US visit on the invitation of President Joe Biden would be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of India and the bilateral partnership. My discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate our bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF. Nine years after Modi first proposed at the United Nations General Assembly that the International Yoga Day be observed as an annual event, he will for the first time be at the UN Headquarters to lead the yoga session on Wednesday. PM reaches New York Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York on the first leg of his state visit during which he will lead the International Day of Yoga event at the UN today
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Modis development work has touched every corner of the country. He named a village near the China border, saying that even today, gas, light, and toilet amenities have reached there.

The PM, he said, has taken Indian culture and traditions across the globe, with International Yoga Day being an example. Shah was addressing a gathering of CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India) in Ahmedabad.

I visited Indias first village Kibithu near the China border, where there were artisan shops. A woman in her 80s told the people around her in her language that if the Home Minister came to sip tea at her house, the entire village would praise her. I agreed and went to her. When I thanked her for calling, she replied, I called to thank the PM.

I am thanking you for ensuring that the tea you drank was prepared on a gas cylinder given by PM Modi. Today, my residence has electricity and a toilet, and I receive 5 kg of grain every month, as well as access to all health facilities with a single card, Shah quoted the woman as saying.

Shah said PM Modi has turned the practice of yoga into a public movement that has benefited many people. Modi has become the first head of a country who will be leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the UN, he said.

Explaining the Yoga benefits, Shah said, Through Yoga Day, PM Modi has taken Indian culture and traditions to the entire world. The Day is celebrated in 170 countries on June 21, he said. Our ancient research proved that we will not need medicines if we perform yoga regularly. Narendrabhai turned this ancient knowledge into a public movement and inspired people to embrace this lifestyle. This practice has changed the lives of many people, he added. Amit Shah also claimed that in the last nine years, India has made exceptional development under Prime Minister Modis leadership.

AHMEDABAD: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Modis development work has touched every corner of the country. He named a village near the China border, saying that even today, gas, light, and toilet amenities have reached there. The PM, he said, has taken Indian culture and traditions across the globe, with International Yoga Day being an example. Shah was addressing a gathering of CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India) in Ahmedabad. I visited Indias first village Kibithu near the China border, where there were artisan shops. A woman in her 80s told the people around her in her language that if the Home Minister came to sip tea at her house, the entire village would praise her. I agreed and went to her. When I thanked her for calling, she replied, I called to thank the PM.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); I am thanking you for ensuring that the tea you drank was prepared on a gas cylinder given by PM Modi. Today, my residence has electricity and a toilet, and I receive 5 kg of grain every month, as well as access to all health facilities with a single card, Shah quoted the woman as saying. Shah said PM Modi has turned the practice of yoga into a public movement that has benefited many people. Modi has become the first head of a country who will be leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the UN, he said. Explaining the Yoga benefits, Shah said, Through Yoga Day, PM Modi has taken Indian culture and traditions to the entire world. The Day is celebrated in 170 countries on June 21, he said. Our ancient research proved that we will not need medicines if we perform yoga regularly. Narendrabhai turned this ancient knowledge into a public movement and inspired people to embrace this lifestyle. This practice has changed the lives of many people, he added. Amit Shah also claimed that in the last nine years, India has made exceptional development under Prime Minister Modis leadership.
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: IN a setback to the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed its petition along with that of the State Election Commission (SEC) challenging the Calcutta High Courts June 15 order directing the deployment of central forces for the July 8 panchayat elections.

Taking note of the history of violence in West Bengal during elections, a vacation bench of judges B V Nagarathna and Manoj Mishra said the HC order was to ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.

Holding elections cant be license of violence. There has been a history of violence. We appreciate that you are a state having a democratic setup at grassroot level where elections are taking place but elections cannot be accompanied by violence. People who file nominations are completely finished. Where are free and fair elections? said Justice Nagarathna.

The bench pointed out that the state had already requisitioned additional police forces from half a dozen states for the panchayat elections as it might have found its police forces inadequate. The court said the state and central forces should coordinate on the deployment of forces.

The SC also raised questions on the maintainability of the plea filed by the SEC challenging HC order. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the state to conduct free and fair elections but how are you (SEC) aggrieved? You have yourself requested the state (for additional forces) but how is it maintainable? From where the forces come is not your concern, said Justice Nagarathna.

NEW DELHI: IN a setback to the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed its petition along with that of the State Election Commission (SEC) challenging the Calcutta High Courts June 15 order directing the deployment of central forces for the July 8 panchayat elections. Taking note of the history of violence in West Bengal during elections, a vacation bench of judges B V Nagarathna and Manoj Mishra said the HC order was to ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. Holding elections cant be license of violence. There has been a history of violence. We appreciate that you are a state having a democratic setup at grassroot level where elections are taking place but elections cannot be accompanied by violence. People who file nominations are completely finished. Where are free and fair elections? said Justice Nagarathna.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The bench pointed out that the state had already requisitioned additional police forces from half a dozen states for the panchayat elections as it might have found its police forces inadequate. The court said the state and central forces should coordinate on the deployment of forces. The SC also raised questions on the maintainability of the plea filed by the SEC challenging HC order. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the state to conduct free and fair elections but how are you (SEC) aggrieved? You have yourself requested the state (for additional forces) but how is it maintainable? From where the forces come is not your concern, said Justice Nagarathna.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Amid an intensifying heat wave, leading to deaths and hospitalisations in some states, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting with representatives of seven affected states and reviewed public health preparedness.

At the virtual meeting, the states were directed to share data on heat waves, including on deaths, for a better assessment of the situation.

They were also asked to implement the State Action Plans at the ground level along with issuing timely warnings to people.

The meeting with the health ministers and officials of the seven states, which included Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the worst affected as deaths and hospitalisation has been reported, came a day after the health minister dispatched a central team to these states.

The other states which are witnessing extreme heat waves and attended the meet were Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

After the meeting, the health minister tweeted that he had a fruitful meeting with health ministers and senior officers of the seven states affected by heat waves, along with Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

Had a fruitful meeting with Health Ministers & senior officers of 7 States affected by heat waves, along with Minister @NityanandRaiBJP Ji.



Highlighted the importance of joint efforts between Centre & States for effective management of any disaster, including severe heatwaves. pic.twitter.com/htKbwnUB8Q  Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) June 21, 2023

Highlighted the importance of joint efforts between Centre & States for effective management of any disaster, including severe heatwaves. With coordinated actions, we can surely ensure there are no deaths due to heat waves, he tweeted.

He said he also urged states to implement the State Action Plans at the ground level with a timely warning to the people, and ensure preventive preparedness to reduce the severe impact of heatwaves.

Effective disaster response and management is a collaborative work, he said.

In the meeting, states were asked to ensure preparedness of healthcare facilities, availability of essential medicines and logistics; and enhance awareness among people.

A granular status and analysis of overall heatstroke cases and deaths in India and heat-related illness in the seven affected states were made by the union health ministry officials covering the trajectory of total emergency OPD, suspected and confirmed heatstroke cases and deaths; and their reporting as per Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, the union health ministry said in a statement.

Mandaviya said that heatwave alerts and forecasts from the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) are being amplified and shared with all states daily by the Centre.

He urged states to develop training manuals on heat and health for state officials, medical officers and health workers.

State-level trainers need to ensure that their training is up to field level. Capacity building of medical officers, health staff & sensitization of grassroots level workers on heat illness, with focus on early recognition and management using training manuals provided by Union Health Ministry is crucial", he said.

States were also advised to review health facility preparedness in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, Ice-packs, ORS, drinking water, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, installation of solar panels and adopting measures to reduce indoor heat through the installation of cool/green roofs, window shading, shades, etc

Highlighting the lack of accurate data from the ground, Minister Rai urged states to share field-level data on heatwaves, including on deaths and cases, so that a realistic assessment of the situation can be made.

He also stressed on the importance of timely action as soon as IMD alerts are received in the states.

Timely, advanced and wide awareness among the people on the preventive measures will hugely support in reducing the severe impact of such heat waves, Rai said.

NEW DELHI: Amid an intensifying heat wave, leading to deaths and hospitalisations in some states, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting with representatives of seven affected states and reviewed public health preparedness. At the virtual meeting, the states were directed to share data on heat waves, including on deaths, for a better assessment of the situation. They were also asked to implement the State Action Plans at the ground level along with issuing timely warnings to people.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The meeting with the health ministers and officials of the seven states, which included Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the worst affected as deaths and hospitalisation has been reported, came a day after the health minister dispatched a central team to these states. The other states which are witnessing extreme heat waves and attended the meet were Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. After the meeting, the health minister tweeted that he had a fruitful meeting with health ministers and senior officers of the seven states affected by heat waves, along with Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. Had a fruitful meeting with Health Ministers & senior officers of 7 States affected by heat waves, along with Minister @NityanandRaiBJP Ji. Highlighted the importance of joint efforts between Centre & States for effective management of any disaster, including severe heatwaves. pic.twitter.com/htKbwnUB8Q  Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) June 21, 2023 Highlighted the importance of joint efforts between Centre & States for effective management of any disaster, including severe heatwaves. With coordinated actions, we can surely ensure there are no deaths due to heat waves, he tweeted. He said he also urged states to implement the State Action Plans at the ground level with a timely warning to the people, and ensure preventive preparedness to reduce the severe impact of heatwaves. Effective disaster response and management is a collaborative work, he said. In the meeting, states were asked to ensure preparedness of healthcare facilities, availability of essential medicines and logistics; and enhance awareness among people. A granular status and analysis of overall heatstroke cases and deaths in India and heat-related illness in the seven affected states were made by the union health ministry officials covering the trajectory of total emergency OPD, suspected and confirmed heatstroke cases and deaths; and their reporting as per Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, the union health ministry said in a statement. Mandaviya said that heatwave alerts and forecasts from the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) are being amplified and shared with all states daily by the Centre. He urged states to develop training manuals on heat and health for state officials, medical officers and health workers. State-level trainers need to ensure that their training is up to field level. Capacity building of medical officers, health staff & sensitization of grassroots level workers on heat illness, with focus on early recognition and management using training manuals provided by Union Health Ministry is crucial", he said. States were also advised to review health facility preparedness in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, Ice-packs, ORS, drinking water, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, installation of solar panels and adopting measures to reduce indoor heat through the installation of cool/green roofs, window shading, shades, etc Highlighting the lack of accurate data from the ground, Minister Rai urged states to share field-level data on heatwaves, including on deaths and cases, so that a realistic assessment of the situation can be made. He also stressed on the importance of timely action as soon as IMD alerts are received in the states. Timely, advanced and wide awareness among the people on the preventive measures will hugely support in reducing the severe impact of such heat waves, Rai said.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stirred a hornets nest with its draft proposals for the realignment of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in Assam.

The opposition parties criticised the Commission for allegedly favouring the ruling BJP.

The Commission published the draft proposals on Tuesday based on 2001 Census figures. It kept the number of constituencies unchanged but increased the number of Assembly seats reserved for Schedule Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC). The seats increased from 16 to 19 for STs and eight to nine for SCs. The state has 126 Assembly and 14 Parliamentary seats respectively.

Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah suspected a conspiracy behind the publication of the draft proposals as the Supreme Court is hearing the matter.

The final date of hearing on the delimitation exercise in the Supreme Court has been fixed on July 25. We are surprised that the EC did not wait for the courts judgement, Borah said.

We suspect that the EC is favouring the BJP, he further said.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi tweeted, Not surprised to find that the draft delimitation listhas dismembered my Lok Sabha seat Kaliabor. The list has several errors and faults. With less than a year left for the polls, the motive is plain. But nothing can stop the winds of change.

The minority-based party All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) sniffed that the EC was in league with the BJP and the Congress.

AIUDF chief and Lok Sabha member Maulana Badruddin Ajmal was critical of the Commission for basing delimitation on the 2001 Census.

Pointing out that the last delimitation in Assam in 1976 was based on the 1971 Census, he said the current exercise could have been carried out in 2026 along with the rest of the country based on the 2011 Census.

He alleged the ECs proposals for the realignment of the Assembly seats were politically-motivated, aimed at reducing the number of Muslim-majority constituencies. The Commission proposed changes in the names of some constituencies as well as their geographical boundaries.

The smaller regional parties also slammed the EC. The Raijor Dal dubbed the proposals BJP-centric while the Assam Jatiya Parishad felt the 2001 Census-based process would deprive the indigenous communities.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was saddened that his Jalukbari constituency has been trifurcated but he welcomed the draft proposals stating they reflected peoples sentiments.

GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stirred a hornets nest with its draft proposals for the realignment of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in Assam. The opposition parties criticised the Commission for allegedly favouring the ruling BJP. The Commission published the draft proposals on Tuesday based on 2001 Census figures. It kept the number of constituencies unchanged but increased the number of Assembly seats reserved for Schedule Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC). The seats increased from 16 to 19 for STs and eight to nine for SCs. The state has 126 Assembly and 14 Parliamentary seats respectively.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah suspected a conspiracy behind the publication of the draft proposals as the Supreme Court is hearing the matter. The final date of hearing on the delimitation exercise in the Supreme Court has been fixed on July 25. We are surprised that the EC did not wait for the courts judgement, Borah said. We suspect that the EC is favouring the BJP, he further said. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi tweeted, Not surprised to find that the draft delimitation listhas dismembered my Lok Sabha seat Kaliabor. The list has several errors and faults. With less than a year left for the polls, the motive is plain. But nothing can stop the winds of change. The minority-based party All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) sniffed that the EC was in league with the BJP and the Congress. AIUDF chief and Lok Sabha member Maulana Badruddin Ajmal was critical of the Commission for basing delimitation on the 2001 Census. Pointing out that the last delimitation in Assam in 1976 was based on the 1971 Census, he said the current exercise could have been carried out in 2026 along with the rest of the country based on the 2011 Census. He alleged the ECs proposals for the realignment of the Assembly seats were politically-motivated, aimed at reducing the number of Muslim-majority constituencies. The Commission proposed changes in the names of some constituencies as well as their geographical boundaries. The smaller regional parties also slammed the EC. The Raijor Dal dubbed the proposals BJP-centric while the Assam Jatiya Parishad felt the 2001 Census-based process would deprive the indigenous communities. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was saddened that his Jalukbari constituency has been trifurcated but he welcomed the draft proposals stating they reflected peoples sentiments.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday said it has been 50 days since Manipur has been burning but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "totally and completely failed" in his duty by choosing to deliberately ignore the violence-hit state in the time of crisis.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP-led government of "maximum silence, minimum governance" in Manipur.

"Let us remind ourselves amidst all the news of the Prime Minister's visit to the USA that today is the 50th consecutive day of Manipur's pain, distress and agony," Jairam Ramesh said.

"The Prime Minister who gives 'gyaan' on so many issues has sadly not said a word on the tragedy that has engulfed the state, has not given an appointment to representatives of political parties who sought time from him, and has given no indication whatsoever that he even cares or is concerned," Ramesh wrote on Twitter.

The horrific violence, destruction & displacement in #Manipur has now crossed 50 days. The government's silence & inaction are incomprehensible. Can anything have been a bigger priority in the country over the last 50 days? Where is the "maximum governance" we were all promised?  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 21, 2023

"He has totally and completely failed his duty as the Prime Minister of India by choosing to deliberately ignore Manipur in a time of crisis. His behaviour on Manipur is most shocking and beyond comprehension," he said.

Manipur Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei also asked, "How long will the ongoing turmoil in Manipur go? For months or years or decades?" The people of Manipur have a right to be heard by the prime minister, who is constitutionally duty-bound to give answers to the people, instead of maintaining a stoic silence for 50 days, he said.

"Manipur is kept under darkness for almost 2 months continuously as the ban on internet has been extended repeatedly by the BJP govt in the state. The people of Manipur are deeply affected by the internet ban as many professionals have already left the state for internet," Meitei said in a tweet.

Leaders from 10 opposition parties in Manipur, which has been rocked by ethnic clashes, are camping in Delhi and seeking a hearing from the prime minister since June 10, but have failed to meet him so far. They have handed over a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "The horrific violence, destruction and displacement in Manipur has now crossed 50 days. The government's silence and inaction are incomprehensible."

"Can anything have been a bigger priority in the country over the last 50 days? Where is the 'maximum governance' we were all promised?" he asked.

India is rightly proud of its tech stack and the use of the internet for so many purposes, from banking to e-governance, the former Union minister noted while asking, "Then why has it shut the Internet down in Manipur for two months, adding to the miseries of the people, with no impact on mob violence?"

"This reflexive resort to Internet shutdowns must stop. We hold a dubious world record, for the largest number and longest duration of Internet shutdowns anywhere on the planet," Tharoor said.

Intermittent firing has been reported from two places in Manipur, officials said on Wednesday. Around 15-20 rounds of automatic weapon fire were heard at 11.45 pm on Tuesday at Thangjing in Manipur East, they said. Sporadic firing was also reported from Geljang and Singda, both falling in the Kangchup area.

"Between 8 pm and 9.30 pm, four-five rounds were fired from the Geljan and Singda areas. It was speculative fire and not at each other. The distance between the two places is two kilometres," an official said.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday said it has been 50 days since Manipur has been burning but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "totally and completely failed" in his duty by choosing to deliberately ignore the violence-hit state in the time of crisis. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP-led government of "maximum silence, minimum governance" in Manipur. "Let us remind ourselves amidst all the news of the Prime Minister's visit to the USA that today is the 50th consecutive day of Manipur's pain, distress and agony," Jairam Ramesh said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The Prime Minister who gives 'gyaan' on so many issues has sadly not said a word on the tragedy that has engulfed the state, has not given an appointment to representatives of political parties who sought time from him, and has given no indication whatsoever that he even cares or is concerned," Ramesh wrote on Twitter. The horrific violence, destruction & displacement in #Manipur has now crossed 50 days. The government's silence & inaction are incomprehensible. Can anything have been a bigger priority in the country over the last 50 days? Where is the "maximum governance" we were all promised?  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 21, 2023 "He has totally and completely failed his duty as the Prime Minister of India by choosing to deliberately ignore Manipur in a time of crisis. His behaviour on Manipur is most shocking and beyond comprehension," he said. Manipur Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei also asked, "How long will the ongoing turmoil in Manipur go? For months or years or decades?" The people of Manipur have a right to be heard by the prime minister, who is constitutionally duty-bound to give answers to the people, instead of maintaining a stoic silence for 50 days, he said. "Manipur is kept under darkness for almost 2 months continuously as the ban on internet has been extended repeatedly by the BJP govt in the state. The people of Manipur are deeply affected by the internet ban as many professionals have already left the state for internet," Meitei said in a tweet. Leaders from 10 opposition parties in Manipur, which has been rocked by ethnic clashes, are camping in Delhi and seeking a hearing from the prime minister since June 10, but have failed to meet him so far. They have handed over a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "The horrific violence, destruction and displacement in Manipur has now crossed 50 days. The government's silence and inaction are incomprehensible." "Can anything have been a bigger priority in the country over the last 50 days? Where is the 'maximum governance' we were all promised?" he asked. India is rightly proud of its tech stack and the use of the internet for so many purposes, from banking to e-governance, the former Union minister noted while asking, "Then why has it shut the Internet down in Manipur for two months, adding to the miseries of the people, with no impact on mob violence?" "This reflexive resort to Internet shutdowns must stop. We hold a dubious world record, for the largest number and longest duration of Internet shutdowns anywhere on the planet," Tharoor said. Intermittent firing has been reported from two places in Manipur, officials said on Wednesday. Around 15-20 rounds of automatic weapon fire were heard at 11.45 pm on Tuesday at Thangjing in Manipur East, they said. Sporadic firing was also reported from Geljang and Singda, both falling in the Kangchup area. "Between 8 pm and 9.30 pm, four-five rounds were fired from the Geljan and Singda areas. It was speculative fire and not at each other. The distance between the two places is two kilometres," an official said.
E D Mathew By

Is the shadow of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) looming over India and the Asia-Pacific region? If one heard Chinas Defence Minister Li Shangfu at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asias largest security summit held in Singapore early this month, it is very much so. Taken together with a push to impose a security agenda on the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, the Asia-Pacific is turning out to be a major theatre of big-power rivalry. That puts India in a quandary.

Forging NATO-like alliances would plunge the region into a whirlpool of disputes and conflicts, Li warned at the summit, which was also attended by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. Todays Asia-Pacific needs open and inclusive cooperation, not buddying up into small cliques, Li said. The cliques in question are the Australia, UK, and US (AUKUS) security pact as well as the Quad, of which India is a member along with Australia, Japan and the US.

Lis warning comes in the wake of a US House Select Committee recommending the inclusion of India in NATO Plus, a security arrangement that currently includes NATO and five aligned nationsAustralia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Israel. India has, however, brushed aside the idea, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying that the NATO template does not apply to India.

In what is going to be the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region (Indo-Pacific in American lingo), a NATO liaison office will open in Tokyo next year. Last month, Britain and Japan signed a new strategic partnership and agreed to deepen collaboration between NATO and Tokyo. During the Shangri-La summit, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said having such an office in Japan is in the interests of NATO.

In addition, NATO plans to further strengthen collaboration with its four major partners in the Asia-Pacific regionAustralia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, a recent report in Nikkei Asia said. The alliance will formulate an Individually Tailored Partnership Program with all four countriesan upgrade to a higher form of partnership. Its details will be thrashed out during the forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on July 11 and 12, which all four leaders are expected to attend.

The curiously named House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party is chaired by Republican and China hawk Mike Gallagher who views the competition between China and the US as an existential struggle. According to the Select Committee, including India in NATO Plus would build upon the US and Indias close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region.

Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India, says the report. Interestingly, India is being called up to the defence of Taiwan, with which New Delhi has no formal diplomatic relations. Nor does Taiwan appear anywhere in Indias defence calculations.

Meanwhile, there is a push to make the Quad embrace a security agenda. A report by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, released early this month, argues that the Quad needs more muscle to live up to its potential and for that, the group should focus on a security agenda, especially maritime security, to serve as a deterrent to China. The purpose is to make the Quad capable of providing mutual support in crisis or conflict situations, even if its members are not aligned on policy or directly involved in combined operations.

Although accused by Beijing of being an anti-China coalition, the Quad has hitherto refrained from deepening cooperation in the security realm. It has limited itself to contributing to global health as a provider of vaccines, working on climate change, building infrastructure, and cooperating in space. New Delhi has serious qualms about being part of a security alliance against China. The new report aims to whittle down such reservations and make the Quad countries share their capabilities to seamlessly refuel, resupply and repair ships and aircraft from any of its members, and foster the ability to do so at very short notice.

Amidst growing concern over Chinas increasing naval activities in the region, some Asia-Pacific nations are already taking proactive measures to counter Beijings advances. Japan has announced plans to increase its defence budget by a whopping 56%. An AUKUS agreement will lead to Australian naval forces hosting nuclear-powered submarines. The Philippines has identified four additional military bases for the use of US troops.

With the Asia Pacific accounting for 60% of the worlds GDP and over half of the global population, the region will be the engine of the global economy in the coming decades. Chinas looming presence over the region adds another dimension. Beijing has territorial disputes with Japan, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. India is on a permanent border standoff with China, having fought a full-scale war in 1962 and being embroiled in several territorial disputes over the years.

A NATO overreach to the Asia-Pacific will pose a major challenge to New Delhis much-touted strategic autonomy. The push to transform Quad into a security alliance focusing on China will also have the same effect.

India has resisted being drawn into rival blocs over Ukraine until now. Its refusal to take sides has brought the country under intense questioning in the West. Having moved on from its traditional non-alignment, New Delhi now boasts of multi-alignment as its new foreign policy mantra.

So far, India has done an impressive job of maintaining its balancing act. Whether it can continue to do so in the years ahead is an open question, says Nirupama Rao, former Ambassador to both China and the US. A prolonged invasion could lead India to tussle more with Washington as the United States pushes harder for neutral states to come off the sidelines, she says.

Although an Asian NATO remains a pie in the sky for now, an extended war over Ukraine will force India and the Asia-Pacific nations to bear the brunt of increasing big-power rivalry in the region.

E D Mathew

Former UN Spokesperson

(edmathew@gmail.com)

Is the shadow of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) looming over India and the Asia-Pacific region? If one heard Chinas Defence Minister Li Shangfu at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asias largest security summit held in Singapore early this month, it is very much so. Taken together with a push to impose a security agenda on the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, the Asia-Pacific is turning out to be a major theatre of big-power rivalry. That puts India in a quandary. Forging NATO-like alliances would plunge the region into a whirlpool of disputes and conflicts, Li warned at the summit, which was also attended by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. Todays Asia-Pacific needs open and inclusive cooperation, not buddying up into small cliques, Li said. The cliques in question are the Australia, UK, and US (AUKUS) security pact as well as the Quad, of which India is a member along with Australia, Japan and the US. Lis warning comes in the wake of a US House Select Committee recommending the inclusion of India in NATO Plus, a security arrangement that currently includes NATO and five aligned nationsAustralia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Israel. India has, however, brushed aside the idea, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying that the NATO template does not apply to India.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In what is going to be the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region (Indo-Pacific in American lingo), a NATO liaison office will open in Tokyo next year. Last month, Britain and Japan signed a new strategic partnership and agreed to deepen collaboration between NATO and Tokyo. During the Shangri-La summit, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said having such an office in Japan is in the interests of NATO. In addition, NATO plans to further strengthen collaboration with its four major partners in the Asia-Pacific regionAustralia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, a recent report in Nikkei Asia said. The alliance will formulate an Individually Tailored Partnership Program with all four countriesan upgrade to a higher form of partnership. Its details will be thrashed out during the forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on July 11 and 12, which all four leaders are expected to attend. The curiously named House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party is chaired by Republican and China hawk Mike Gallagher who views the competition between China and the US as an existential struggle. According to the Select Committee, including India in NATO Plus would build upon the US and Indias close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region. Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India, says the report. Interestingly, India is being called up to the defence of Taiwan, with which New Delhi has no formal diplomatic relations. Nor does Taiwan appear anywhere in Indias defence calculations. Meanwhile, there is a push to make the Quad embrace a security agenda. A report by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, released early this month, argues that the Quad needs more muscle to live up to its potential and for that, the group should focus on a security agenda, especially maritime security, to serve as a deterrent to China. The purpose is to make the Quad capable of providing mutual support in crisis or conflict situations, even if its members are not aligned on policy or directly involved in combined operations. Although accused by Beijing of being an anti-China coalition, the Quad has hitherto refrained from deepening cooperation in the security realm. It has limited itself to contributing to global health as a provider of vaccines, working on climate change, building infrastructure, and cooperating in space. New Delhi has serious qualms about being part of a security alliance against China. The new report aims to whittle down such reservations and make the Quad countries share their capabilities to seamlessly refuel, resupply and repair ships and aircraft from any of its members, and foster the ability to do so at very short notice. Amidst growing concern over Chinas increasing naval activities in the region, some Asia-Pacific nations are already taking proactive measures to counter Beijings advances. Japan has announced plans to increase its defence budget by a whopping 56%. An AUKUS agreement will lead to Australian naval forces hosting nuclear-powered submarines. The Philippines has identified four additional military bases for the use of US troops. With the Asia Pacific accounting for 60% of the worlds GDP and over half of the global population, the region will be the engine of the global economy in the coming decades. Chinas looming presence over the region adds another dimension. Beijing has territorial disputes with Japan, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. India is on a permanent border standoff with China, having fought a full-scale war in 1962 and being embroiled in several territorial disputes over the years. A NATO overreach to the Asia-Pacific will pose a major challenge to New Delhis much-touted strategic autonomy. The push to transform Quad into a security alliance focusing on China will also have the same effect. India has resisted being drawn into rival blocs over Ukraine until now. Its refusal to take sides has brought the country under intense questioning in the West. Having moved on from its traditional non-alignment, New Delhi now boasts of multi-alignment as its new foreign policy mantra. So far, India has done an impressive job of maintaining its balancing act. Whether it can continue to do so in the years ahead is an open question, says Nirupama Rao, former Ambassador to both China and the US. A prolonged invasion could lead India to tussle more with Washington as the United States pushes harder for neutral states to come off the sidelines, she says. Although an Asian NATO remains a pie in the sky for now, an extended war over Ukraine will force India and the Asia-Pacific nations to bear the brunt of increasing big-power rivalry in the region. E D Mathew Former UN Spokesperson (edmathew@gmail.com)
By Online Desk

Teachers at a kindergarten in New Taipei City have been accused of sedating students with cough syrups containing drugs like phenobarbital and benzodiazepines, BBC has reported.

BBC report said police have been investigating for weeks and say it's not clear why the children were fed the addictive syrups. But the scandal has sparked family protests outside government buildings.

Hundreds joined a demonstration in New Taipei City on Sunday calling for greater transparency from the police investigation, with many criticising authorities for their lack of public disclosure, the report said.

On Monday, a separate case also emerged concerning a medical practice in the southern city of Kaohsiung, on the other end of the island.

The local health department there found four doctors guilty of misconduct and improper use of phenobarbital on about 20 children. They were ordered to suspend their practice for six months, and were fined 1.4m Taiwanese dollars (35,989, $46,121), BBC report added.

Amid growing public concern, Taipei City Hospital has also begun offering free blood tests for preschool children to check for traces of sedatives.

The measures come after the scandal first emerged in May, when parents at a private preschool in New Taipei City accused staff of feeding their children "unknown drugs".

According to The Guardian, the scandal threatens to dent the opposition partys chances at the upcoming presidential election.

Teachers at a kindergarten in New Taipei City have been accused of sedating students with cough syrups containing drugs like phenobarbital and benzodiazepines, BBC has reported. BBC report said police have been investigating for weeks and say it's not clear why the children were fed the addictive syrups. But the scandal has sparked family protests outside government buildings. Hundreds joined a demonstration in New Taipei City on Sunday calling for greater transparency from the police investigation, with many criticising authorities for their lack of public disclosure, the report said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On Monday, a separate case also emerged concerning a medical practice in the southern city of Kaohsiung, on the other end of the island. The local health department there found four doctors guilty of misconduct and improper use of phenobarbital on about 20 children. They were ordered to suspend their practice for six months, and were fined 1.4m Taiwanese dollars (35,989, $46,121), BBC report added. Amid growing public concern, Taipei City Hospital has also begun offering free blood tests for preschool children to check for traces of sedatives. The measures come after the scandal first emerged in May, when parents at a private preschool in New Taipei City accused staff of feeding their children "unknown drugs". According to The Guardian, the scandal threatens to dent the opposition partys chances at the upcoming presidential election.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Yoga Day celebration at the UN headquarters on Wednesday created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

The event saw people from across 135 nationalities  setting a Guinness World Record for participation by most number of nationalities in a Yoga session. The participants included diplomats, officials, academicians, health professionals, technocrats, Industry leaders including Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.

"I am delighted to take part in the Yoga Day programme at the UN Headquarters. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and wellness. I fully agree with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, that Yoga brings us closer and improves the health of the planet," said PM Modi at the iconic North Lawn of the UN Headquarters at New York.

PM recalled that nine years back he proposed celebrating the International Day of Yoga on June 21st at the UN.

"Yoga comes from India. Like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic and is very universal. Yoga is a way of life, added PM Modi.

A phenomenal #IDY2023!



Thousands of Yoga enthusiasts from 135 nationalities joined PM @narendramodi for the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at @UN HQ, setting a Guinness World Record for participation by maximum number of nationalities in a Yoga Session.



This is pic.twitter.com/UqHzeF8ovi

 Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 21, 2023

Prior to the yoga session, the PM paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which was inaugurated in December 2022, during Indias UNSC Presidency. PM Modi also paid his respects at a Peacekeeping Memorial, also on the North Lawn.

The theme for this year was Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which translates as One Earth, One Family, One Future.

Earlier, PM Modi met many luminaires which include academics and industry leaders including tech pioneer Elon Musk.

PM Modi appreciated Musks efforts are making technology accessible and affordable in various sectors and he also invited Musk to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and the rapidly expanding commercial space sector.

"I had a wonderful meeting with CEO of Tesla Elon Musk. Discussions revolved around the implementation of economic reforms aimed at improving the business climate and promoting investment prospects in India, said PM Modi. Musk too said that he "had a great conversation with PM Modi."

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Yoga Day celebration at the UN headquarters on Wednesday created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities. The event saw people from across 135 nationalities  setting a Guinness World Record for participation by most number of nationalities in a Yoga session. The participants included diplomats, officials, academicians, health professionals, technocrats, Industry leaders including Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. "I am delighted to take part in the Yoga Day programme at the UN Headquarters. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and wellness. I fully agree with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, that Yoga brings us closer and improves the health of the planet," said PM Modi at the iconic North Lawn of the UN Headquarters at New York.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); PM recalled that nine years back he proposed celebrating the International Day of Yoga on June 21st at the UN. "Yoga comes from India. Like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic and is very universal. Yoga is a way of life, added PM Modi. A phenomenal #IDY2023! Thousands of Yoga enthusiasts from 135 nationalities joined PM @narendramodi for the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at @UN HQ, setting a Guinness World Record for participation by maximum number of nationalities in a Yoga Session. This is pic.twitter.com/UqHzeF8ovi  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 21, 2023 Prior to the yoga session, the PM paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which was inaugurated in December 2022, during Indias UNSC Presidency. PM Modi also paid his respects at a Peacekeeping Memorial, also on the North Lawn. The theme for this year was Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which translates as One Earth, One Family, One Future. Earlier, PM Modi met many luminaires which include academics and industry leaders including tech pioneer Elon Musk. PM Modi appreciated Musks efforts are making technology accessible and affordable in various sectors and he also invited Musk to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and the rapidly expanding commercial space sector. "I had a wonderful meeting with CEO of Tesla Elon Musk. Discussions revolved around the implementation of economic reforms aimed at improving the business climate and promoting investment prospects in India, said PM Modi. Musk too said that he "had a great conversation with PM Modi."
A new city hall is expected to be constructed as part of the City of Dothans multi-million-dollar downtown revitalization project.

I want to thank the staff for about a year and a half of work, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba said. Its been a big effort and a lot of data has been gathered. I appreciate the city commissions work on it as well and Im very excited to move forward with this project.

During a regular meeting of the Dothan City Commission Tuesday, commissioners unanimously voted to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Houston County, paving the way for the structure to be built.

The new city hall will be located at the corner of Main Street and Oates Street, directly across from the Houston County Courthouse. According to the memorandum, the city will buy the property, which the county currently uses for courthouse parking.

Several other properties in close proximity are also expected to be purchased and turned into parking lots as part of a $2 million-dollar agreement between the county and the city. The additional lots will provide public and employee parking.

Saliba said the new city hall will be three stories in order to provide smooth access for people coming into the complex to conduct business.

The architectural design on this new building will make it easier for the public to come in and out of it, Saliba said. It will be a lot more ADA compliant and all of the entities that people need to do business with will be in the same building.

In the long run, Saliba believes the public will be happy with the new building.

Moving forward, I think this will be something people will be proud of, Saliba said. Theyll be happy with its location and how close it is to other large buildings in the area. The complex will pretty much look like one of your typical office complexes around the City of Dothan. Its going to look nice, but it wont be over the top.

It is currently unknown when construction will begin as the city is still in the planning and designing phases.

The new city hall is just one aspect of Dothans City Center project. Outside of building this structure, improvements will be made to the Opera House, Civic Center, and other recreational areas in the city.

With all of the improvements being made to Dothan, Saliba is looking forward to the citys future.

Im glad were finally at this point, Saliba said. So many wonderful people have worked on this for a very long time. I was actually speaking at the Rotary Club on Monday, and someone said they were on a committee back in the early 80s that started on the efforts to revitalize the downtown area. This has been going on for over 20 years and Im ecstatic that were accomplishing some of these things.

In other action Tuesday, the city commission:

 Approved an application for a Retail Beer and Retail Table Wine License (On or Off Premises) for Gourmet on Main, 105 South Cherokee Avenue; Suites 4 and 5, by Erin E. Hayes.

 Approved an application for a Restaurant Retail Liquor License (On Premises) for The Juicy Seafood, 3240 South Oates Street, by Shouqiang Huang.

 Approved an application for a Restaurant Retail Liquor License (On Premises) for Mikata Japanese Steakhouse, 4600 Montgomery Highway, by Joeurt Puk.

 Confirmed the costs incurred in the weed abatement of properties determined to be nuisances and turned the amounts over to the county tax collector to be added to the next regular bills for taxes levied against the respective lots and/or parcels of land.

 Applied for and accepted funding from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (WRC&D) for a reimbursable grant in the amount of $15,000 for the Wiregrass Public Safety Academy.

 Applied for and accepted funding from WRC&D for a reimbursable grant in the amount of $15,000 for equipment for the Special Response Team Division of the Dothan Police Department.

 Entered into an agreement with ESRI, Inc. for software and maintenance at an annual cost of $56,700 for a three-year period.

 Approved a final change order with L and K Contracting Company, Inc. for the 2022 Pleasant Redwater Project to deduct $37,382 from the original contract amount, resulting in a final contract price of $2,036,143.

 Approved a final change order with L and K Contracting Company, Inc. for the Little Choctawhatchee Wastewater Treatment Plant Timber Pile Repairs Project for an additional cost of $35,000 resulting in a final contract price of $215,000, and for a time extension of 350 calendar days from the original contract date.

 Approved the utilization of seizure funds to be used to pay various allowable expenditures for Police Department operations in the amount of $67,763.

 Entered into an agreement with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program for reimbursement of overtime expenditures in the amount of $15,000, and appropriated funds for said agreement.

 Declared 10 computers as surplus and no longer needed for municipal purposes and authorized the Leisure Services Department to donate said computers to the Wright Star Foundation

 Awarded the bid, entered into a contract, and issued a notice to proceed to Hollon Contracting, LLC, for the Pole Barns at Wiregrass Complex Project in the amount of $251,218, and appropriated funds for said contract.

 Entered into a sales contract and accepted a warranty deed to purchase a parcel of property located at 539 Third Avenue for the price of $30,000 for the purpose of expanding Wiregrass Park, and appropriated funds for said purchase.

 Awarded the bid, entered into a contract, and issued a Notice to Proceed to C and R Contracting, LLC for the Pedestrian Bridge for James O. Oates Park Project in the amount of $376,500, and appropriating funds for said contract.

 Entered into a three-year renewal agreement with ThinkGard, LLC for DataGard Services to include a one-time charge of $750 and a monthly cost of $6,846.

 Approved payment of invoices for the month of May 2023 in the amount of $15,061,540.

 Awarded bids and approved other purchases over $15,000 by the city and appropriated funds for said bids.

 Approved advance travel requests for City employees.

 Accepted Right-of-Way Warranty Deeds, Temporary Easement Deeds,

 Permanent Easement Deeds, and Tree Trimming Easements from multiple property owners for the Honeysuckle Road Improvements Project.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: A powerful American Senator has said he plans to introduce a bill to make India part of the NATO Plus grouping that would facilitate the transfer of topmost American technology and defence equipment without much bureaucratic hassle, amid growing challenges from a rising China.

NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations - Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and South Korea - to boost defence and intelligence ties.

"Senator (John) Cornyn and I, my co-chair at the (Senate) Indian Caucus will be introducing this week both as a standalone bill and as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, an effort to upgrade India, US defence ties," Senator Mark Warner told reporters at a news conference here on Tuesday.

"What we propose is adding India to the so-called NATO plus five arrangement, where the United States is able to transfer, with this little bureaucratic interference as possible, defence equipment in a very strong way," he said.

Warner from the Democratic Party and Cornyn from the Republican Party are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the only country-specific Congressional Caucus in the Senate.

ALSO READ | US lawmakers urge Biden to raise 'areas of concerns' with PM Modi

"This current relationship is only between the United States and NATO and certain other key allies like South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. India ending into that category strengthens our significant defence ties, particularly as we grapple with challenges around China," Warner said.

Chairperson of the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Warner said this is an extraordinarily important week for US-India relations as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Washington for talks with US President Joe Biden.

"I'm looking forward to my opportunities to both visit with Prime Minister Modi and a variety of meetings, hear his presentation to the United States Congress and attend the State Dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi. Since India's independence, its relationships with the United States have gone through a variety of phrases," Warner said.

"We are now at a critical juncture of this relationship where we need to move beyond the kind of common descriptions of this tie between the world's oldest democracy, the United States and the world's greatest and biggest democracy, India, and turn that into a full-fledged partnership," he said.

The Senator from Virginia said he expects expansion of some of the conversations that have been started around communications and technology.

ALSO READ | Tesla will be in India as soon as humanly possible, says Elon Musk after meet with PM Modi

"I am looking forward very much to conversations about how India and the United States can partner in the next generation wireless technology beyond 5G called Open Radio Access Network," he said.

"There's a real opportunity here for India to bring its enormous powers and expertise and software combined with American efforts and telecommunications to combine to where we move beyond traditional stacked hardware in telecommunications units," Warner said.

He said he understands both the challenges and some of the opportunities as the two countries deal with a rising China.

"I was glad to see Secretary (of State, Tony) Blinken have an excellent visit to China, but I think as well, India realises and I realise, and I think in the United States, that China is a potential economic challenge and in terms of aggressiveness in South Asia, a potential challenger on a variety of fronts," he said.

"That's why the United States and India must find a more common cause. The Quad is a great step forward in that area. India on defence alignment to the NATO plus five would be the next step," Warner said.

WASHINGTON: A powerful American Senator has said he plans to introduce a bill to make India part of the NATO Plus grouping that would facilitate the transfer of topmost American technology and defence equipment without much bureaucratic hassle, amid growing challenges from a rising China. NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations - Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and South Korea - to boost defence and intelligence ties. "Senator (John) Cornyn and I, my co-chair at the (Senate) Indian Caucus will be introducing this week both as a standalone bill and as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, an effort to upgrade India, US defence ties," Senator Mark Warner told reporters at a news conference here on Tuesday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "What we propose is adding India to the so-called NATO plus five arrangement, where the United States is able to transfer, with this little bureaucratic interference as possible, defence equipment in a very strong way," he said. Warner from the Democratic Party and Cornyn from the Republican Party are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the only country-specific Congressional Caucus in the Senate. ALSO READ | US lawmakers urge Biden to raise 'areas of concerns' with PM Modi "This current relationship is only between the United States and NATO and certain other key allies like South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. India ending into that category strengthens our significant defence ties, particularly as we grapple with challenges around China," Warner said. Chairperson of the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Warner said this is an extraordinarily important week for US-India relations as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Washington for talks with US President Joe Biden. "I'm looking forward to my opportunities to both visit with Prime Minister Modi and a variety of meetings, hear his presentation to the United States Congress and attend the State Dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi. Since India's independence, its relationships with the United States have gone through a variety of phrases," Warner said. "We are now at a critical juncture of this relationship where we need to move beyond the kind of common descriptions of this tie between the world's oldest democracy, the United States and the world's greatest and biggest democracy, India, and turn that into a full-fledged partnership," he said. The Senator from Virginia said he expects expansion of some of the conversations that have been started around communications and technology. ALSO READ | Tesla will be in India as soon as humanly possible, says Elon Musk after meet with PM Modi "I am looking forward very much to conversations about how India and the United States can partner in the next generation wireless technology beyond 5G called Open Radio Access Network," he said. "There's a real opportunity here for India to bring its enormous powers and expertise and software combined with American efforts and telecommunications to combine to where we move beyond traditional stacked hardware in telecommunications units," Warner said. He said he understands both the challenges and some of the opportunities as the two countries deal with a rising China. "I was glad to see Secretary (of State, Tony) Blinken have an excellent visit to China, but I think as well, India realises and I realise, and I think in the United States, that China is a potential economic challenge and in terms of aggressiveness in South Asia, a potential challenger on a variety of fronts," he said. "That's why the United States and India must find a more common cause. The Quad is a great step forward in that area. India on defence alignment to the NATO plus five would be the next step," Warner said.
By PTI

NEW YORK: Twitter chief Elon Musk on Wednesday said the social media platform has no choice but to follow the local laws in any given country or risk being shut down.

Musk's comments came in response to questions regarding Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's allegations that the Indian government had threatened the social networking platform with raids if it did not take down critical content during the farmers' protests against the three farm laws.

"Twitter doesn't have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws then we will get shut down," he told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York.

"The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," adding that it is impossible for "us to do more than that".

#WATCH | Twitter and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk after meeting PM Modi in New York, says "Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws, we will get shut down so the best we can do is to work close to the law in any given country, pic.twitter.com/4B4mgzxz9e  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Musk said there were different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and "we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law".

"One cannot just apply America to the earth," Musk said.

ALSO READ | 'We'll shut you down, raid homes': Ex-Twitter CEO on Indian govt's pressure during farmers protest

In a recent interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that during his tenure as CEO, Twitter received requests from the Indian government to block accounts covering the 2020-2021 farmers' protests and those 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; and this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey said.

Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar had termed Dorsey's claims as an "outright lie".

Chandrasekhar said Dorsey's Twitter regime "had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law".

"It (Twitter) behaved as if laws of India did not apply to it," Chandrasekhar said.

NEW YORK: Twitter chief Elon Musk on Wednesday said the social media platform has no choice but to follow the local laws in any given country or risk being shut down. Musk's comments came in response to questions regarding Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's allegations that the Indian government had threatened the social networking platform with raids if it did not take down critical content during the farmers' protests against the three farm laws. "Twitter doesn't have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws then we will get shut down," he told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," adding that it is impossible for "us to do more than that". #WATCH | Twitter and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk after meeting PM Modi in New York, says "Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws, we will get shut down so the best we can do is to work close to the law in any given country, pic.twitter.com/4B4mgzxz9e  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023 Musk said there were different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and "we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law". "One cannot just apply America to the earth," Musk said. ALSO READ | 'We'll shut you down, raid homes': Ex-Twitter CEO on Indian govt's pressure during farmers protest In a recent interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that during his tenure as CEO, Twitter received requests from the Indian government to block accounts covering the 2020-2021 farmers' protests and those 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; and this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey said. Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar had termed Dorsey's claims as an "outright lie". Chandrasekhar said Dorsey's Twitter regime "had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law". "It (Twitter) behaved as if laws of India did not apply to it," Chandrasekhar said.
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: Jill Biden is taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a side trip to Virginia on Wednesday, a day before his formal state visit and fancy dinner at the White House.

Modi was arriving from New York, where earlier Wednesday he performed backbends and corpse poses during a yoga session with a multinational crowd on the lawn of the United Nations.

President Joe Biden, who invited Modi for the state visit, has spent the past two days in California raising money for his reelection campaign and was due back in Washington later Wednesday.

Despite deep differences with India over its record on human rights and its approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, Biden nevertheless extended to Modi the administration's third invitation for a state visit. With all the pomp and attention being paid to Modi, Biden hopes to firm up his relationship with the leader of a country the U.S. believes will be a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come.

In a warmup of sorts to Thursday, the first lady arranged a visit Wednesday to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, for an event highlighting workforce training programs for Modi, who leads one of the world's largest democracies with an estimated 1.4 billion people. She typically takes the spouse of a visiting leader on an outing in the Washington area, but Modi was travelling alone.

Afterward, the first lady was returning to the White House to unveil the decor and menu for Thursday's state dinner, which is being held in a temporary pavilion erected on the South Grounds of the White House. She enlisted help from a guest chef, Nina Curtis, who specializes in plant-based cooking, to work on the three dinner courses with the White House kitchen staff. Modi is a vegetarian.

Violinist Joshua Bell will entertain guests after dinner.

Jill Biden is a career community college teacher who has taken on a big role in helping her husband's administration promote career-connected learning as an alternative to four years of college.

At the science foundation, the first lady and Modi will also meet students from the U.S. and India, and participate in a moderated conversation.

The presidents of France and South Korea travelled to the U.S. on official state visits in December 2022 and April of this year, respectively.

WASHINGTON: Jill Biden is taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a side trip to Virginia on Wednesday, a day before his formal state visit and fancy dinner at the White House. Modi was arriving from New York, where earlier Wednesday he performed backbends and corpse poses during a yoga session with a multinational crowd on the lawn of the United Nations. President Joe Biden, who invited Modi for the state visit, has spent the past two days in California raising money for his reelection campaign and was due back in Washington later Wednesday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Despite deep differences with India over its record on human rights and its approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, Biden nevertheless extended to Modi the administration's third invitation for a state visit. With all the pomp and attention being paid to Modi, Biden hopes to firm up his relationship with the leader of a country the U.S. believes will be a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come. In a warmup of sorts to Thursday, the first lady arranged a visit Wednesday to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, for an event highlighting workforce training programs for Modi, who leads one of the world's largest democracies with an estimated 1.4 billion people. She typically takes the spouse of a visiting leader on an outing in the Washington area, but Modi was travelling alone. Afterward, the first lady was returning to the White House to unveil the decor and menu for Thursday's state dinner, which is being held in a temporary pavilion erected on the South Grounds of the White House. She enlisted help from a guest chef, Nina Curtis, who specializes in plant-based cooking, to work on the three dinner courses with the White House kitchen staff. Modi is a vegetarian. Violinist Joshua Bell will entertain guests after dinner. Jill Biden is a career community college teacher who has taken on a big role in helping her husband's administration promote career-connected learning as an alternative to four years of college. At the science foundation, the first lady and Modi will also meet students from the U.S. and India, and participate in a moderated conversation. The presidents of France and South Korea travelled to the U.S. on official state visits in December 2022 and April of this year, respectively.
Odisha Rath Yatra: Sudarsan Pattnaik uses 250 coconuts in sand art of Lord Jagannath at Puri beach

Puri, June 20: Famed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the commencement of the Rath Yatra festival in Odisha's Puri has created art on the Puri beach.

Odisha Rath Yatra: Sudarsan Pattnaik uses 250 coconuts in sand art of Lord Jagannath at Puri beach

Pattnaik has created a 6ft high sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and three chariots with the installation of 250 coconuts, an official release stated.In his sculpture, Pattnaik depicts the story of Dasia Bauri, a devotee of Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Dasia Bauri was a non-brahmin and not allowed into the Shree Mandir but when he offered coconut, which was accepted by the Mahaprabhu.Pattnaik used about 5 tons of sand in the sculpture. Students of his sand art school joined hands with him to complete this sculpture. Every year Sudarsan creates different sand sculptures on Ratha Yatra like 3D sand art, Balaram Das's Bali Ratha etc.Earlier, Bhubaneswar-based miniature artist, L Eswar Rao, curated eco-friendly chariots of the holy trinity Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra using papers and decorative stars ahead of the world-famous Rath Yatra.The deities sitting inside the holy chariots have been made out of neem wood, and completed in 15 days. The chariots are 9 inches tall from bottom to top.Speaking to ANI, the artist L Eswar Rao said, "To mark this year's Rath Yatra, I decided to craft miniature models of chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra using papers.""It took me fifteen days to complete them by decorative stars. I used neem wood to make the deities", L Eswar Rao added.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.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 in Odisha.Its history is also depicted in Hindu scriptures like Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita.ANI20 June 2023

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Achieving Environmental Sustainability Governance and reporting it accurately becomes effortless for corporates

BusinessWire India, Mumbai / New Delhi, June 20: Chrysalis Services, a consultancy dedicated to changing the landscape of the Indian social sector and bridging the gap between the privileged and underprivileged, aims to address the pressing need for Environmental Sustainability Governance (ESG) in the corporate landscape and assist companies in integrating sustainable practices into their operations.

Achieving Environmental Sustainability Governance and reporting it accurately becomes effortless for corporates

ESG encompasses the three pillars - Environmental, Social, and Governance, that measure a company's sustainability and ethical impact. Environmental factors focus on a company's impact on the environment and natural resources.Social factors evaluate the company's relationship with its employees, customers, communities, and other stakeholders. Governance factors assess the company's leadership, accountability, and transparency in decision-making processes. ESG has emerged as a critical factor in the decision-making process for investors, regulators, and stakeholders. Recognizing its significance, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) for the top 1000 companies from FY 2022-23. This reporting requirement has been extended to supply chain disclosures for the top 250 companies from FY 2024-25. Additionally, independent assurance on Business Responsibility Services Reporting (BRSR) Core is now mandatory for the top 250 companies from FY 2023-24.In addition to SEBI's mandates, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also taken steps to introduce sustainable finance through its regulated entities. These initiatives highlight the growing importance of ESG considerations in the corporate ecosystem and underscore the need for expert guidance in navigating this evolving landscape.Embracing ESG practices brings numerous benefits for companies. Firstly, it enhances their reputation and brand value, as stakeholders increasingly value businesses committed to sustainable and responsible practices. Secondly, it reduces operational risks by proactively managing environmental and social issues, such as resource scarcity and labour rights.Thirdly, it attracts investors seeking to align their portfolios with sustainable investments. Studies have shown that companies with strong ESG performance tend to outperform their peers in terms of financial returns and resilience. While the implementation of ESG reporting mandates brings about numerous benefits, companies often face challenges in meeting these requirements. The complexities of data collection, measurement, and reporting pose significant hurdles, especially for organisations that lack experience or internal capabilities. Moreover, ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and credibility of reported information requires specialised expertise and independent assurance."Environmental sustainability and responsible governance are no longer optional for corporates - they have become a mandate. Organisations are grappling with the complexities of sustainability standards and the need to provide comprehensive data. Meeting sustainability requirements involves implementing environmentally friendly practices, reducing carbon footprint, and adopting ethical business practices," shares Sudhir Rao, Director, Chrysalis Services. "However, these initiatives often require significant investments and changes in operational processes, which can be challenging for companies," he adds.Chrysalis Services has taken an initiative to guide and support companies in meeting these ESG reporting obligations. It will help corporates navigate the complexities of ESG reporting, ensuring accurate and transparent disclosures. For this, Chrysalis Services is collaborating with Ramanlal G. Shah and Co., an esteemed firm. This partnership will leverage the expertise and experience of both organisations to facilitate the integration of sustainable practices into businesses, aligning them with the evolving regulatory landscape.Vivek Shah from Ramanlal G. Shah and Co. says, "As part of our collaborative efforts, we will provide guidance on ESG strategies, data collection, measurement, reporting, and supply chain disclosures. Moreover, we will facilitate independent assurance on BRSR Core, ensuring the credibility and reliability of reported information. This partnership will enable companies to enhance their ESG performance, gain competitive advantage, and contribute to sustainable development."(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)ANI20 June 2023

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Redefining Success: 10 Trailblazing CEOs of 2023

PNN, Mumbai, June 20: With over 167,076 companies set up in FY22, and a massive 7.

Redefining Success: 10 Trailblazing CEOs of 2023

5% increase from the 155,377 companies created in the FY21, each year the percentage is exponentially skyrocketing. For the last 20 years the growth seen in India has been unprecedented thus setting a standard far above any country deep in its financial boom.At the core of every successful business lies an indomitable backbone--the CEOs who ignite societal change, inspire growth, and create boundless opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. They embody the very essence of creative power and serve as catalysts for transformative progress.Now, prepare to be enthralled by a meticulously curated list of 10 extraordinary CEOs from all corners of the nation, poised to inspire and redefine the landscape in 2023. These remarkable visionaries stand at the forefront of innovation, charting new territories, and reshaping industries. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and steadfast pursuit of societal impact have made them beacons of inspiration, commanding respect and admiration from their peers.1. Prof. Bipin SuleIntroducing Dr. Sule, the CEO of Vishwakarma Group and an instrumental figure in implementing India's National Education Policy. With a transformative approach, he ensures the best education for all classes of society, making it accessible to every student in India. Recognized for his contributions, Dr. Sule's efforts in revolutionizing the education system have garnered appreciation. As a testament to his achievements, he has earned 35+ national and 5+ international awards, as well as felicitations from Presidents, Ministers, and the Honourable Prime Minister, who share his vision for quality education.2. Raghu ChowdharyEmbark on the extraordinary journey of Raghu Chowdhary, the visionary CEO behind Wowidays. With relentless drive and exceptional leadership, he redefines the travel industry, captivating global giants, travel agents, and businesses worldwide. Wowidays offers unparalleled experiences, empowering entrepreneurs and facilitating bulk bookings. Under Raghu's guidance, the company also fosters a thriving work-from-home platform, empowering women to achieve financial independence. Raghu Chowdhary and his dynamic team are expanding Wowidays' horizons, adding value to diverse industries. Get ready for an exceptional journey with this visionary CEO and his powerful mission, shaping the future of travel.3. Santosh KedariThe visionary CEO of Sanriya Finvest Pvt Ltd, is a Pune-based investment service provider with over two decades of experience. With a national clientele spanning across the country, Santosh has successfully served and guided more than 3,000 investors through their investment journeys. As a Certified Financial Planner (CM) accredited by FPSB India and a registered distributor with the AMFI, he is deeply committed to promoting financial literacy and simplifying the investment process for his clients. Santosh's expertise, combined with his passion for building long-term relationships, has positioned him as a trusted advisor for individuals seeking personalized and need-based investment planning solutions.4. Tikshnagat WaghmareThe futurist CEO of Superb Group, has been a dominant force in the real estate industry for over 40 years. With a remarkable presence in Akola, Aurangabad, and Navi Mumbai, Superb Group is renowned for innovative solutions, quality projects, and high ethical standards. Under Tikshnagat's visionary leadership, they have completed 70+ projects and introduced ground-breaking concepts like 'pre-sold' Built to Suit projects. A third-generation developer, he swiftly assumed the mantle of managing day-to-day operations and leading an exceptional team. Tikshnagat's passion for creating remarkable spaces propels Superb Group to unprecedented heights.5. Haseeb FaquihAn accomplished educationist and social entrepreneur, has made significant contributions to the field of education. With a diverse background and a strong commitment to community development, Haseeb has successfully launched multiple educational initiatives, including ENA Foundation, Orbis Schools and Anjuman Islam Peermohamed School Pune. He has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and dedication, receiving prestigious awards such as the Highly Effective Edupreneur Award. Haseeb's transformative work has impacted the lives of thousands of students, providing them with quality education and empowering them to become independent and confident contributors to society.6. Dr Manoj K.SinghA distinguished educationist with extensive experience spanning kindergarten to university level, brings his expertise in the education industry. With a PhD in Economics (Innovation), Masters in Economics and Foreign Trade, and LL.B., his influence extends across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. As CEO of Rubika India, he has shaped students in animation, video game design, and digital design, while also spearheading various other notable projects. During the pandemic, his leadership included running MS Online, an institution following the Cambridge schooling pattern, ensuring uninterrupted learning and significant contributions to online education.7. Saurabh AwasthiThe CEO of Meet7, is committed to leveraging data and technology to address the challenges in online dating, aiming to create an anti-swipe revolution and enhance the user experience in online dating. He holds a B.Tech degree in Material Science from the IIT, Roorkee. With over 12 years of experience, he has driven transformative changes in insurance, CPG, and consumer internet sectors, yielding substantial financial gains. Now dedicated to revolutionizing online dating, Saurabh brings extensive expertise and skills to propel this industry forward. With his visionary approach, Saurabh is poised to reshape the dating landscape in a remarkable way.8. Neha SinhaA dementia specialist and clinical psychologist, leads Epoch, an esteemed eldercare organization in India. Trained in palliative care philosophy, Neha emphasizes a holistic approach to elderly care. With centers in Delhi NCR and Pune's Kharadi Eon Waterfront, Epoch aims to positively impact the lives of people with dementia. Showing perseverancein her grandmother's Alzheimer's diagnosis, Neha strives to reduce the stigma surrounding dementia and assisted living. Through specialized care programs, Epoch supports elders at all stages of the condition, following globally practiced approaches. Seek compassionate and comprehensive eldercare at places like Epoch Homes.9. Anup SasidharanCEO of Inurture Galileo Pvt Ltd, is a management professional with over 25 years of experience in driving growth, transformation, and change initiatives across diverse sectors. Grounded in positive leadership philosophy, he values self-awareness, optimism, and personal integrity. Anup's passion for education as a force for social impact has shaped Inurture Galileo's commitment to empowering students and co-creating a future where dreams are realized. With a focus on originality, perseverance, innovation, and selflessness, Anup's team strives daily to make a positive community impact. Guided by the tenets of growth, excellence, and student outcomes, Inurture Galileo is dedicated to transforming lives through education.10. Deepak AwateA seasoned health luminary with over two decades of unparalleled expertise, has positively impacted the lives of more than 10 lakh individuals through his transformative ventures. Urbounce, Fitness Institute of India, Gymshim, and Healthynz exemplify his unwavering commitment to fostering a mission of "Every Citizen, Healthy Citizen" paradigm. Healthynz, his latest ground-breaking endeavour, empowers individuals with affordable generic medicines, organic sustenance, personalized nutrition, and artisanal self-care products. With a grand ambition to cultivate 1 lakh entrepreneurs, Deepak Awate aims to elevate Healthynz into a global movement. Embrace the noble mission of Deepak Awate and become an esteemed health partner today.These pioneers have transformed their industries, igniting inspiration among entrepreneurs and businesses through their exceptional services. They epitomize innovation, making an indelible impact on the nation. With unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, they have propelled their organizations to unprecedented heights. Their remarkable accomplishments showcase the limitless possibilities of passion, determination, and a quest for excellence. As beacons of inspiration, they embody the spirit of creativity and resilience, shaping the future and leaving an enduring legacy.Media Contact Varsha Marathe 9370220270(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI20 June 2023

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Can Yoga and modern medicine work together?

Hyderabad, June 20: World Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21. The term 'Yoga' consists of mindful practice of various asanas that connect body, mind and breath to promote physical and memory wellbeing.

Can Yoga and modern medicine work together?

Few doctors shared their views on the health benefits of practicing Yoga.Upon asking about benefits of Yoga for people who are advised physiotherapy for various ailments and after orthopaedic or surgical procedures, Dr. Sudhindra Vooturi, Consultant Lifestyle and Rehabilitation, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderbad said "Yoga Asanas and workouts help stretch the muscles, increase flexibility and declutter the mind. Yogasana like Tadasana is routinely used by us as part of Tilt Training program for patients with syncope; where Tadasana helps to tone calf and thigh muscles and increases circulation to heart. Moreover, for patients undergoing physiotherapy, we include breathing exercises to improve their concentration during stretching and strengthening exercises. Patients who practice Yoga as part of their routine can heal faster compared to the ones who don't. This ancient practice of meditation and asanas boosts the immunisation and blood pressure, with increased flexibility amongst people who prioritise it in their routine."Specifically, when talking about people with health-related problems; such as asthma, cardiology related issues or understanding orthopaedic treatments, consider it a therapy to build strength, blood circulation, improve sleep patterns, arthritis and bone-related issues.As per Dr Imran Ul Haq, Cardiologist, Amor Hospital, in cardiovascular conditions, Yoga helps lower cholesterol, blood pressure and improve heart rate."Most of the heart related health issues are caused by stress that is left unchecked which may result in obesity or diabetes. Being able to recognize common symptoms and getting regular physical activity can have many health benefits. If you're uncertain about stress and the cause, you need to consider seeing a professional to check if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, dizziness or nausea."Dr G Vishnu, Psychiatrist, Dr Bharati Rao's rehabilitation centre, RehabCity, Hyderabad, said "There are many benefits of Yoga for mental wellbeing. It stimulates oxygen flow and eases stress levels in mind, making space for positive thoughts. In many cases it affects the body and behaviour. During such cases, it is recommended to meet a counsellor or a therapist who can identify the cause of stress or trauma. For people who are starting, the first step is to learn to focus the breath and if you're in alignment with your breath and thoughts, you don't need to be worried about people's opinions, judgments or other pressures."For patients who need life support Dr Anusha Kantheti, Consultant Pulmonology and sleep medicine SLG Hospitals added "Yoga improves the condition of lungs and breathing for people suffering from asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis and chest related infections. Consistent yoga practice helps instill a sense of control in breathing and improve the overall respiratory muscular strength, eliminating the need of surgical procedures. In India, about 35% people from all age groups have pre-existing pulmonary symptoms. And, curated yoga practices at centres reduce symptoms of anxiety and make it easier to enjoy daily routine and socialization."During the time of pandemic, the industry saw an increased demand for Yoga and meditation classes in the online yoga space and is expected to grow by 12.3 per cent by 2027.Most of the healthcare centers in India have incorporated Yoga and naturopathy as indigenous medical systems under Ayurveda. These healing sciences work well with modern medicine, and are classified under different names- AyurYoga, Medical Yoga and postural yoga.IANS21 June 2023

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Yogas benefits are precious in todays dangerous and divided world: UN Secretary General

New Delhi, June 20: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the eve of International Day of Yoga said that benefits of this ancient practice (Yoga) are precious in today's dangerous and divided world.

Yoga's benefits are precious in today's dangerous and divided world: UN Secretary General

"In a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice (Yoga) are particularly precious. Yoga offers a heaven of calm," he said in a message on Tuesday, on the eve of the International Day of Yoga, which is observed on June 21 every year.He further added that, "On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity, and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, planet and ourselves."Prime minister Narendra Modi is set to lead a yoga session at UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday during the course of his ongoing US visit.IANS21 June 2023

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Punjab Assembly passes Bill to appoint DGP

Chandigarh, June 20: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed the Punjab Police Amendment Bill, 2023, paving the way for the state to appoint a Director General of Police (DGP).

Punjab Assembly passes Bill to appoint DGP

With this amendment, the government has decided to put in place a parallel mechanism to circumvent the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) procedure.As per the procedure, with the vacancy of the DGP, the state will send the names to the UPSC which would in turn appoint a three-member panel to pick the candidate for the top job.The Bill was passed without any opposition in the House. The main opposition Congress had walked out earlier in the day and the BJP had boycotted the two-day special Assembly session.The Bill will become law only after the Governor's assent.The amendment states that the committee shall prepare a panel of three senior officers from the pool of eligible names based on the selection criteria, which would include length of service, work record and range of experience."Selection will be made on merit from a pool of eligible officers as per zone of consideration," the Bill states, adding that the DGP appointed following the amendment will have a minimum tenure of three years.In case of vacancy for the post of DGP, the state government may give additional charge to any officer of an equivalent rank."The provisions of this section (Section 6) shall prevail notwithstanding anything contained in any judgement, order or decree of any court," the Bill adds.IANS21 June 2023

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OZARK-An Ozark man has been arrested and charged with reckless murder in connection with the Jan. 9 multi-vehicle crash in which a Daleville woman died.

On Monday at approximately 5:30 p.m., Corey Marshall Austin Collins, 27, of Ozark was charged with reckless murder in connection with the crash that resulted in the death of Grace Nicole Rivera, 23, according to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Public Information Officer Sgt. Jeremy Burkett.

Collins was booked into the Dale County Jail and was released on a $100,000 bond.

According to Burkett, Collins was the operator of the 2006 Suzuki GSXR-1000 motorcycle and Rivera the passenger when the motorcycle struck the rear of a 2017 Nissan Altima. The crash occurred on Alabama Highway 27 at the intersection of Dale County 34, approximately two miles south of Ozark. Collins and Rivera were both ejected from the motorcycle on collision.

According to Burkett, Rivera was then struck by a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe after the initial collision. Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene and Collins was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

ALEAs Highway Patrol Division investigated the crash.
The Culture of Impetus: Driving success through innovation and collaboration

VMPL, New Delhi, June 20: Impetus Technologies, a digital engineering company focused on delivering expert services and products to help enterprises achieve their transformation goals, has attributed its remarkable success to not only innovation but also a strong and vibrant culture.

The Culture of Impetus: Driving success through innovation and collaboration

Our culture serves as a driving force, fueling our growth and setting us apart from competitors. Here, we will explore the key elements of our culture that contribute to our thriving and dynamic work environment.Collaboration is deeply ingrained in our culture at Impetus. We encourage teamwork, cross-functional collaboration, and knowledge sharing among our employees. Through regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and open communication channels, we foster an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and ideas are freely exchanged. This collaborative approach promotes innovation and allows us to leverage our collective expertise, resulting in robust and effective solutions for our clients.At Impetus, we empower our employees by providing them with autonomy and ownership over their work. We value individual contributions and encourage our employees to take initiative, make decisions, and drive projects forward. This sense of ownership fosters a culture of accountability, where employees are motivated to deliver high-quality results. We also prioritize professional growth and development, offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement paths. By empowering our workforce, we cultivate a sense of pride, commitment, and loyalty among our employees, which directly contributes to our success.We strongly believe in the immense value of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and creativity. We actively promote a diverse workforce and inclusive culture, embracing individuals from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. This commitment to diversity enables us to harness the power of varied ideas, leading to enhanced problem-solving and more robust solutions. We also support employee resource groups and initiatives that celebrate diversity, creating a sense of belonging and ensuring that every employee's voice is heard and respected.We also place a strong emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being. We understand that a healthy and fulfilled workforce is more productive and engaged. We offer flexible work arrangements, wellness programs, and initiatives that support the physical and mental well-being of our employees. By prioritizing work-life integration and providing a supportive work environment, we foster employee satisfaction, reduce burnout, and enhance overall productivity.In conclusion, while innovation is undoubtedly a driving force behind our success at Impetus Technologies, it is our vibrant culture that truly sets us apart. Our culture, which values collaboration, empowerment, diversity, and well-being, creates an environment where our employees thrive and innovation flourishes. It fuels our growth and contributes to our ability to attract and retain top talent. As we continue our journey of success, our unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and empowering culture will undoubtedly remain a key pillar of our continued achievements.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI21 June 2023

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Indian Minorities diaspora participates in large number during Ziyarat organized at USAs oldest Mazar ahead of PM Modis US State Visit

PRNewswire, Philadelphia [US]/ Chandigarh, June 20: As the day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic state visit to the United States of America (USA) 21st June 20:23 is approaching, the excitement level and spirits of the Indian Diaspora are lifted.

Indian Minorities diaspora participates in large number during Ziyarat organized at USA's oldest Mazar ahead of PM Modi's US State Visit

In this regard, a multi-faith delegation of the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) comprising religious and community leaders, and philanthropists belonging to different minority communities participated in prayers at USA's oldest Mazar of the Sufi saint Shaikh MR Bawa Muhaiyaddeen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The multifaith delegation was led by Ahamed Muhaiyadeen Jonathan Granoff, President Global Security Council, Special Representative to the United Nations for the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates and Ambassador for Peace and Security of the Parliament of the World's Religions along with IMF Convener and Chancellor Chandigarh University Satnam Singh Sandhu.Ahead of the much-anticipated state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, the minority communities in the Indian diaspora living in the USA are thrilled about it. They have expressed eagerness to see PM Modi holding talks in the USA and addressing the US Congress.Ahamed Muhaiyadeen Jonathan Granoff, President Global Security Council, said, "India has given the message of 'world as a family' and I believe this stands out when we talk about PM Modi. The American community along with the Indian diaspora here is awaiting his arrival."Ahamed Muhaiyadeen Jonathan Granoff, who is also an ambassador for Peace and Security of the Parliament of the World's Religions, said, "I understand that over the parliament of India is the verse of Maha Upanishad - the world is a family and that is a message that we need in America and the world because this is the truth. We welcome PM Modi here with that heart as a family."IMF Convener and Chancellor Chandigarh University Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "Minority communities in India were a mere source of vote bank and to appease them the governments during the 65 years since independence made promises which were never kept." He further said, "PM Narendra Modi walked the path to fulfill the aspirations of minority communities and resolved their long pending issues".During his address at the Ziyarat, Satnam Singh Sandhu said that during PM Modi's nine years, the minority communities in India flourished, and a new wave of peace and communal harmony spread throughout the country. He further added that "Unlike previous governments, PM Modi left no promise and delivery gap during the last nine years in India which led to all-inclusive development in the country and has elevated the minority communities in the country."Sacred Chadar from Ajmer Sharif Dargah India offered at Mazar Shaikh M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen as a message of peace and humanity on-behalf of 1.4 billion IndiansThe multifaith delegation comprising Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Jains, and Buddhists took part in the mass prayers held for the propagation of the message of world peace, stability, and success of PM Modi's US visit for strengthening the relationship between the two nations. During the prayers by the IMF delegation, Sacred Chadar brought by IMF Convener Satnam Singh Sandhu and IMF Founder Prof Himani Sood from Ajmer Sharif Dargah Khawaja Garib Nawaj India was offered at the Mazar of Shaikh M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen which is the sacred resting place of Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, the Sufi saint, and founder of the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship.While offering the Sacred Chadar at Mazar, IMF Convener and Chancellor Chandigarh University said, "We have brought the message of humanity, peace, and brotherhood from India to the United States. This is the message of 1.4 billion Indians which our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bringing to the United States during his state visit which begins this week". This is the first of its kind of mass prayer attended by a delegation comprising of multifaith communities at the Mazar of Philadelphia.Philadelphia chosen for multifaith delegation keeping its historic importance in mind says Satnam Singh Sandhu"We had intentionally chosen Philadelphia for the multifaith delegation to offer prayers for world peace and humanity keeping in mind the historic importance of the city. This is the city where a strong foundation of inclusive and equal society of United States of America was laid in 1787," said Satnam Singh Sandhu. The US Constitution which guarantees freedom of right to practice his or her own religion was written and signed in Philadelphia in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall.During his address, Satnam Singh Sandhu said that, "During PM Modi's nine years, the minority communities in India flourished, and a new wave of peace and communal harmony spread throughout the country. Pending issues of Minority Communities such as the Opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor after 7 Decades, ensuring Justice for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot Victims after 3 Decades for the Sikh Community, abolition of Triple Talaq, FCRA Registration for Harimandir Sahib, and the creation of Ladakh as separate UT were all resolved during the 9 years of PM Modi's tenure."Pakistani Muslims living in the USA praise PM Modi for inclusive policies"Working for improving the living standards of every citizen irrespective of their caste, religion or community has been the mark of PM Modi's 9 years in tenure. Through various initiatives Prime Minister Narendra Modi has infused the spirit of inclusivity, equality, and belongingness amongst every Indian, especially amongst the people belonging to different minorities' communities," said Mehmood, a Pakistani Muslim living in the United States and originally hailing from Lahore. He further added, "No matter what religion one belongs to, we are all one, and shall live together in peace and harmony. India is a perfect example of unity in diversity with different religions flourishing alongside each other. Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a secular leader who respects all religions. Through his works over the years, he has ensured equality and unity among all in the country, and worked for establishing peace and harmony between the communities."IMF launches its USA chapter; aimed at connecting the Indian diaspora with their motherlandThe Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) which has been established by NID Foundation launched its third international chapter in the United States (US), on June 18, at The Green Barn Gallery in Pennsylvania, USA, during the IMF delegation's visit to the Mazar of the Sufi saint Shaikh MR Bawa Muhaiyaddeen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The launch of this chapter is aimed to provide a common platform for Indian minority communities living in the country to address their issues and act as a bridge between them and the Indian government. Earlier IMF launched its international chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was launched by Ahamed Muhaiyadeen Jonathan Granoff, President Global Security Council who also serves as a Special Representative to the United Nations for the Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates along with IMF convenor and Chancellor Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu; Prof Himani Sood; Michael Green, an American Sufi artist based in Pennsylvania among other religious leaders and preachers were present on the occasion.Meanwhile, IMF convenor, Satnam Singh Sandhu, during the launch ceremony in Pennsylvania, said that IMF's prime objective is to prepare a roadmap for the role and contribution of minority communities in India's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047 that is Amrit Kaal.Pakistani women appreciate welfare measures taken by PM Modi to strengthen the rights of Muslim Women in India; Hope for other Muslim nations to follow in their footsteps."Muslim women have raised their voice all over the world for equal rights for many decades but Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 took the bold and decisive step to establish a strong law to abolish Triple Talaq," said Saba Malik, a Pakistani Muslim woman. Muslim women from all over the world are grateful to PM Modi who has walked the path of giving Muslim women the equal rights they deserve. Saba Malik hoped that other nations especially Muslim countries will follow in the footsteps shown by Prime Minister Modi in the future.Another young Muslim girl from Pakistan Hazel said, "Abolition of Triple Talaq has infused new confidence in every Muslim Woman who can now stand up to raise their other issues."Another group of Muslim women comprising of Hiba, Wajiha, and Aayesha who hail from Pakistan said, "PM Modi enjoys a global following and hence we are confident that taking a cue from his actions to protect the rights of Muslim Women, other nations across the world will understand the importance of the women rights."About India Minorities FoundationIndia Minorities Foundation, a non- government organization, founded by Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor Chandigarh University, is committed to promote patriotism and national pride among minority groups and support to empower individuals and communities. IMF is working to promote a sense of belonging and inclusion. The main objective of IMF is to foster a sense of national pride with a sense of national pride among minority groups by highlighting their shared history, culture, and contributions to the nation, and by encouraging active participation in civic life.WebsiteChandigarh 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(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI21 June 2023

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Study shows how brain receptor patterns separate sensory, cognitive networks

London, June 20: Scientists have revealed that receptor patterns establish essential organising principles in the brain.

Study shows how brain receptor patterns separate sensory, cognitive networks

An multinational team of researchers mapping out neurotransmitter receptors in macaque brains has shown a potential function in separating internal thoughts and emotions from those created by external factors.The extensive dataset has been made public, functioning as a link across different dimensions of neuroscience, from the microscopic to the complete brain.Lead author Sean Froudist-Walsh, from the University of Bristol's Department of Computer Science explained, "Imagine the brain as a city. In recent years, brain research has been focused on been studying its roads, but in this research, we've made the most detailed map yet of the traffic lights - the neurotransmitter receptors - that control information flow."We've discovered patterns in how these 'traffic lights' are arranged that help us understand their function in perception, memory, and emotion."It's like finding the key to a city's traffic flow, and it opens up exciting possibilities for understanding how the normal brain works."Potentially in the future, other researchers may use these maps to target particular brain networks and functions with new medicines."Our study aimed to create the most detailed map yet of these 'traffic lights'."The team used a technique called in-vitro receptor autoradiography to map the density of receptors from six different neurotransmitter systems in over 100 brain regions.To find the patterns in this vast data, they applied statistical techniques and used modern neuroimaging techniques, combined with expert anatomical knowledge. This allowed them to uncover the relationships between receptor patterns, brain connectivity, and anatomy.By understanding the receptor organisation across the brain, it is hoped new studies can better link brain activity, behaviour, and the action of drugs.Moreover, because receptors are the targets of medicines, the research could, in the future, guide the development of new treatments targeting specific brain functions.Dr Froudist-Walsh added "Next, we aim to use this dataset to develop computational models of the brain."These brain-inspired neural network models will help us understand normal perception and memory, as well as differences in people with conditions like schizophrenia or under the influence of substances like 'magic mushrooms'."We also plan to better integrate findings across species--linking detailed circuit-level neuroscience often conducted in rodents, to large-scale brain activity seen in humans."Creating openly-accessible maps of receptor expression across the cortex that integrate neuroimaging data could speed up translation across species."It is being made freely available to the neuroscientific community via the Human Brain Project's EBRAINS infrastructure, so that they can be used by other computational neuroscientists aiming to create other biologically informed models," added Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, HBP researcher at the Forschungszentrum Julich and senior author of the paper.ANI21 June 2023

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Robo Rath Yatra: Vadodara mans environmentally-conscious solar-powered chariot tribute to Lord Jagannath

Vadodara, June 20: Every year as the famed Rath Yatra commences in Odisha's Puri, a man in Vadodara for the past nine years has been taking out a chariot procession of his own to commemorate the occasion.

'Robo Rath Yatra': Vadodara man's environmentally-conscious solar-powered chariot tribute to Lord Jagannath

Unlike the ancient Rath Yatras in Puri and the one in Gujarat's Ahmedabad where majestic chariots on which the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are pulled by a large number of devotees, the one organised by Jai Makwana uses a robot to power a motor chariot that carries an idol of Lord Jagannath.For Makwana's 'Robo Rath Yatra' the chariot is operated through a remote control. This year, he took another step forward by making the chariot motor solar-powered.Makwana says that he got the idea nine years ago, prompted by the fact that every year, in Jagannath Puri, a new chariot is made from fresh wood. The environment-conscious and nature-loving Jai created a robot-driven chariot considering this problem. In this remote-operated chariot, a robotic motor is made, and the structure of the chariot is fitted on it.This year Jai has gone above and beyond by using solar-charged batteries in the robotic motor. Solar panels have also been fitted on the top of the chariot which seats the Sudarshan Chakra.Jai insists that if science is used without humility, it can lead to destruction."That's why we set out on this kind of Robo Rath Yatra to spread the message of discretion in science," he says.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.It is one of the famous Hindu festivals celebrated across the world. The Yatra is associated with Lord Jagannath at Shri Kshetra Puri Dham in Odisha. At Puri, idols of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings- elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra installed on majestic chariots give darshan to the public and visit the Gundicha Temple.The three majestic chariots are pulled by lakhs of devotees from in front of the Singha Dwar of Jagannath Temple towards the Gundicha Temple.The Yatra's history is also depicted in Hindu scriptures like Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita.Apart from Jai's place in Vadodara, the Rath Yatra is also celebrated in other parts of Gujarat. The Ahemdabad Rath Yatra is considered the second-biggest Rath Yatra in the country after the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha.The 146th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad commenced early Tuesday morning from the Jagannathji Temple in Ahmedabad. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a day-long visit to Gujarat, took part in the 'Mangla Aarti' (part of worship) at Jagannath temple in the Jamalpur area of the city.A more recent tradition of holding it in Rajkot (Gujarat) has been practised for the last 16 years. This year the Saurashtra region is observing its longest-yet Rath Yatra in Rajkot, with a route of 23 kilometres.ANI21 June 2023

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Developing future leaders: Nurturing talent within

VMPL, New Delhi, June 20: In a highly complex and volatile business environment, growing expectations of talent from companies, availability of plethora of opportunities for talent, battle for talent is becoming extremely difficult.

Developing future leaders: Nurturing talent within

Companies are investing heavily on talent to build future leaders across levels. Those with strong commitment towards developing leaders, structured talent development processes and robust execution have significant competitive advantage over others.At GTFL, we believe that there is immense potential in people and if provided with the right environment, resources and opportunities they thrive and deliver exceptional results. We have a series of initiatives around developing leaders from within, few of our high impact interventions are1. Right Person on Right Role (RPoRR) - RPoRR initiative aims to develop leaders, we identify critical leadership roles and potential leaders, assess their development areas through various assessments, stakeholders feedbacks and observations. Top team invests lot of time with talent to arrive at the development plans which are periodically reviewed. The developmental competencies are strengthened through on the job projects, cross functional projects, stretch assignments, coaching (internal /external), mentoring by seniors, external training programs, sponsored education, exposure to overseas markets and customers, presentations in conferences, opportunity to shadow other leaders etc.2. Individual Development Plan (IDP) - Junior and Middle management employees who are Hi performers, Hi potential and critical talent undergo IDP initiative. It starts with identifying the areas where they need to be developed (technical and behavioural) through past performance feedbacks and competency gaps, inputs from various instruments, 360 feedback, etc. and planning series of interventions to build the talent further on those areas.3. Human Process Labs Program Human Process Labs aims to create safe space for individuals where they can re-explore themselves, know more about themselves, understand why they are the way they are, how they interact with others and how they can further enhance their effectiveness in personal and professional lives, share their limiting emotions and beliefs. This awareness enables them to be more effective at personal and professional front both. While it's a self-exploratory session, we also talk about "System Interface" which is specifically about "I vs others" or "I vs Team". Few perspectives about- how do we see myself when in connection with team vis a vis how do I perceive team when I am in need to work with them. These perspectives gives a lot of introspection and lead to some desired changes to participant's behaviour.We strongly believe that our signature programs and various other initiatives around investing in leaders at all levels, will keep us competitive and on track in the journey of enhancing human capital. These are crucial for our long-term success and sustainable growth and will go a long way in strengthening GTFL culture, building a workforce which is agile, adapts well, thinks new and novel, innovates and supports the company to achieve long-term success.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI21 June 2023

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Dont Man Up, Speak Up: Making Mens Mental Health a Priority

BusinessWire India, Chennai, June 20: At a recent event on why prioritising Men's Mental Health is the need of the hour, Niharika, a mental health counsellor and founder of Therapy with N from Chennai, spoke about the stigma around men's mental health and how as a community, we must actively work towards creating safe spaces for men.

Don't Man Up, Speak Up: Making Men's Mental Health a Priority

It is 2023 and though we are progressing in a lot of areas globally, there is still a lot of stigma around seeking help for mental health, especially w.r.t. men's mental well-being.In recent times we are seeing many deaths of men who are just in their early 40's, in good physical health collapsing due to cardiac arrests, mostly caused due to stress.And also if we take statistics into account the suicide rates are higher in men than in women. What do you think the primary reason for this is? From the very beginning, the role of a man is usually to be a provider in our society and our society has long perpetuated harmful stereotypes that men should be stoic, self-reliant, and unaffected by emotional struggles.However, this mentality often discourages men from seeking the help they need, leading to a higher likelihood of undiagnosed mental health issues. "I have dealt with male clients who say they haven't cried in years and some don't know what they are feeling or how to even express those emotions. Due to gender stereotypes, from childhood men are exposed to statements like 'Boys don't cry' or 'Don't be a crybaby', as they grow up they feel being vulnerable is a sign of weakness," said Niharika. "One of the main barriers to men's mental health is the persistent stigma attached to seeking help.As a community, we must actively work towards creating safe spaces for men to be vulnerable and express their emotions and also normalise help-seeking behaviour. This can be achieved by encouraging men to view therapy as a sign of strength and self-care, rather than weakness, which can help dismantle the stigma and create a more supportive environment for men's mental health," she added. At Therapy with N, Niharika, a certified mental health professional works with clients both India and abroad both online and offline and offers therapy sessions to help individuals improve their mental health.She also works with a number of corporates prioritising the mental well being of their employees. She can be reached via her website or through Instagram "Let's Break the stigma, one conversation at a time".(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)ANI21 June 2023

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Ujjivan Small Finance in partnership with BUSINESSNEXT wins the Best CRM Implementation Award

NewsVoir, Mumbai, June 20: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (USFB) Limited, one of the leading small finance banks catering to the un-served and under-served segments, won the 'Best CRM implementation' award.

Ujjivan Small Finance in partnership with BUSINESSNEXT wins the Best CRM Implementation Award

The CRM initiative, in collaboration with BUSINESSNEXT, a universe of composable enterprise solutions for banks and financial services, was deemed the winner out of more than 150 submissions.Recognised for its exceptional business impact, the initiative substantially increased product per customer ratio, service quality index, and customer satisfaction by 70%. With over 640 branches, contact centers, and digital interfaces, USB demonstrates its dedication to digital inclusion and superior customer relationship management.Abdul Hameed, CIO, USFB Ltd., said, "Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (USFB) Limited is honoured to receive the 'Best CRM Implementation' award at the 4th ELETS BFS | Game Changer Summit 2023. Our commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting financial and digital inclusion is what drives us. This honour reaffirms our commitment to customer-centricity and navigating the ever-changing digital transformation landscape. BUSINESSNEXT is a valued associate who shares our vision of embracing the possibilities of the future. Together, we seek to emancipate the populace and pioneer the development of a more inclusive financial and digital ecosystem."Accepting the award on behalf of USFB Ltd. a visibly elated, Nitin Agrawal, Head - CRM, said, "CRMNEXT platform has led our digital transformation journey via its proven implementations, out-of-box functional capabilities, and strong integration capabilities. The deep insights gained by smart analytics and AI-driven operating model have helped us map our customers' needs and design an effective banking experience. It has been a great run and I look forward to our partnership with BUSINESSNEXT for continuing to script such success stories and tangible business impact for our customers."Beaming with pride, Bidhan Choudhary, Co-founder and Director - Key Account Management, BUSINESSNEXT said, "This prestigious award is a testament to the consistent hard work and effort put in by the team. It truly highlights the innovative spirit underlying our vision of Total Customer Experience (CX) and is a major boost to our march in the direction of autonomous banking, the #BFSIGamechanger. Riding high on generative AI, Data Analytics, and ML we are committed to paving the way for a unified, standardised, and personalised customer experience."The award recognizes the relationship between a financial institution with its strategic IT service provider and honours the innovations that are revolutionising the BFSI industry. Reputed to be the biggest residential event of BFSI leaders, the exclusive 3-day event from June 9th-11th event addressed the dual challenge of managing the present while preparing for future innovations.Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited is one of the leading small finance banks. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank began operations in February 2017 and currently serves 76+ lakh customers through its 640 branches and 17,000+ employees. The bank remains committed to serve the un-banked and the under-banked customers and promote financial and digital inclusion, as a mass market bank. Ujjivan SFB offers comprehensive banking solutions along with a personalised customer experience. The strengthened digital interfaces across regions and languages have empowered Ujjivan SFB customers to seek timely and easy access to finance at all times.BUSINESSNEXT is a universe of composable enterprise solutions with a focus on banks and financial services globally. Recognized as a Visionary by leading industry analysts, it leverages technology, innovation, and experience to relentlessly deliver incredible, unique, and human experiences, acing the volatile and complex business environment. BUSINESSNEXT platforms namely CRMNEXT, CUSTOMERNEXT and DATANEXT are AI and ML-driven cloud-agnostic platforms dedicated to enabling digital transformations. It comprises an enriched portfolio of hyper SaaS modular solutions that are responsive, can readily plug and play, and has superlative integration capabilities with the ecosystem. BUSINESSNEXT today powers 1 million+ users across 65,000 branches and call centers, managing 1 billion end customers worldwide. BUSINESSNEXT has its USA headquarter in Raleigh, North Carolina and its international headquarter in Noida, India. It has a footprint across 5 continents and direct offices in 14 countries across the U.S.A, MEA, and APAC.For more information, visit .(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI21 June 2023

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People perform yoga at Trafalgar Square in London

London, June 20: People in London on Tuesday performed yoga at Trafalgar Square in Central London to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. The event was organised by the Indian High Commission in the UK and the Mayor of London.

People perform yoga at Trafalgar Square in London

High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami also performed yoga along with people at Trafalgar Square in Central London. International Day of Yoga is set to be celebrated on June 21. Author Amish Tripathi also took part in the Yoga event in Central London.Speaking to ANI, Vikram Doraiswami said, "I think my colleagues and I did more yoga than even the yoga school people did because each of them did about 35-40 minutes each. We ended up doing it for all 2 hours, but it was great because I think even the weather was super. It rained a bit in the morning and we've had cloud cover, so it wasn't a really hot sunny day. Otherwise, this could have been a bit of a warm day for yoga. I think this was just perfect."He noted that yoga schools did a terrific job of synchronising the yoga session. He further said, "People came out in good numbers and from all communities to take part in the Yoga Day event held at Trafalgar Square in Central London today."Sharing glimpses of the International Day of Yoga celebrations, the High Commission of India in London in the tweet stated, "Yoga lovers from around London have gathered at the historic @trafalgar square to celebrate the International Day of Yoga,spreading positivity and tranquility." In another tweet, the High Commission of India in London stated, "Some more glimpses of 9th #IDY2023 at the iconic Trafalgar Square, London.""Trafalgar Square London. Common Yoga Protocol in progress ! The theme of this year "One Earth,One Family,One Future," the High Commission of India in London further said.Speaking to ANI, Amish Tripathi said, "It was fantastic, this is an iconic location in London, as you can see, we have the Nelson's Column out here, the museum out here, Trafalgar Square. Everyone passes through here and most of London and we did yoga in the morning right out here. It's kind of like a build-up to Yoga day. This is the 20 June, so we did it as a build-up to the International Day of Yoga."He further said, "What was wonderful was that it was raining very heavily in the morning and we were very concerned. But, we prayed very hard and the rain Gods, Lord Indra listened to us. The rain stopped just in time and because ofthe rains it was nice and cool as well. So it was a wonderful day of yoga."This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the International Day of Yoga celebration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.PM Modi on Tuesday emplaned for the United States for his first historic State visit. Prior to leaving for the US, PM Modi tweeted, "Leaving for USA, where I will attend programmes in New York City and Washington DC. These programmes include Yoga Day celebrations at the @UNHQ, talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden, address to the Joint Session of the US Congress and more."PM Modi is visiting the US at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The visit will commence in New York where the Prime Minister will lead the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters on June 21.ANI21 June 2023

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Henkels Chennai plant achieves carbon neutrality

BusinessWire India, Mumbai, June 20: Henkel's Adhesive Technologies plant in Chennai, India, has achieved carbon neutrality, marking a significant milestone in the company's ambitions to become climate positive across its global operations by 2030.

Henkel's Chennai plant achieves carbon neutrality

The Adhesive Technologies factory in Tuzla, Turkey and the Chennai production site are the first two Henkel facilities across the India, Middle East and Africa region to be carbon neutral. The switch to zero carbon footprint was achieved at the Chennai plant by drawing electricity from on- and offsite renewable energy sources, along with the deployment of energy efficient solutions such as LED lighting, smart motion sensors and natural lighting. By achieving carbon neutrality at its Chennai site, Henkel covers scope 1 and 2 of the Greenhouse Gas (GhG) protocol, the world's most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standards.Henkel will transform all of its production sites in India into carbon neutral sites by 2030, sourcing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, and reducing the use of fossil carbon sources through state-of-the-art technologies.Simon Ulmann, VP Operations and Supply Chain IMEA said, "By achieving carbon neutrality in Chennai, we have made a clear and tangible commitment towards our global sustainability goals. We recognise the urgent need to reduce our environmental impact and are taking significant steps towards achieving a more sustainable future." "Our 2030+ Sustainability Ambition Framework sets out our three long-term ambitions - to support regenerating the planet; help communities to survive, and to be a trusted partner. Achieving carbon neutrality in Chennai - and also Tuzla - is a significant benchmark in our journey towards these goals." "To be amongst the first Henkel operations in the IMEA region to achieve carbon neutrality is a great achievement, and we hope to inspire our customers, partners and stakeholders to join us in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and the impact of climate change." Suneel Aggarwal, Plant Manager, Henkel Chennai, added, "It is important that we reduce our environmental impact and we are proud to have achieved carbon neutrality at the Chennai plant. We analysed all areas of the business, and upgraded the fossil fuel heater to an electrical temperature control unit; replaced the conventional boiler with an upgraded electrical version; and by installing on-site PV Rooftop Solar, Power Purchase Agreements and iRECs we provide the plant with electricity from renewable energy sources." Henkel is pursuing ambitious goals to make its production processes climate positive by 2030 as part of its global strategy for a more sustainable tomorrow. By 2025, the company aims to reduce the carbon footprint at its production sites worldwide by 65 percent compared to the base year 2010 and to date, this has already been reduced by 55 percent per ton of product. By 2030, Henkel is working to generate 100 percent of electricity required from renewable sources. Today, the share of renewable electricity at Henkel is already 68 percent. In addition, the company aims to replace the last remaining fossil fuels in production with climate-neutral alternatives, such as biogas. To become climate-positive, Henkel will also supply surplus CO2-neutral energy not required for its own purposes to third parties.(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)ANI21 June 2023

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Rashmika showers praises on Animal co-star Ranbir Kapoor, says God has taken his time to make him

Hyderabad, June 20: After completing the shoot of 'Animal', actor Rashmika Mandanna set to kickstart shooting for her much awaited film 'Pushpa 2' but before that she penned a long emotional note for Ranbir Kapoor and team on social media.

Rashmika showers praises on 'Animal' co-star Ranbir Kapoor, says God has taken his time to make him

Post wrapping the film in New Delhi, Rashmika is in Hyderabad.Taking to Instagram stories, Rashmika wrote a lengthy note, which read, "Dear Diary, Today, hmm no actually last night I had a night shoot and I just wrapped up and I am back in Hyderabad and tonight I start work on Pushpa 2. But first, I wanted to say a few things about how much I loved working on the sets of #Animal. Initially na... the film came so suddenly to me, was really surprising but I was extremely extremely excited for animal cz of course I wanted to work with the whole team. I think I've shot for about 50 days now for this film... and now that it's over, I am starting to feel one big void. I absolutely loved working with my boys to the extent that they have and will always have a special place in my heart. "She shared her feelings after working with the director Sandeep Reddy Vanga.Rashmika wrote, "The whole team are such darlings ya.. everyone who I worked with on set are so professional and yet so kind-hearted and I in fact kept mentioning to them that I would've loveeeed to work with them for 1000 more times and I'd still be so happy. So 1st @sandeepreddyvanga is awesome everyone knows that, he is so obsessed with his craft and character creation that - the clarity he comes with for all scenes and also the freedom he gives to artists is just absolutely amazing. My acting or performance depends directly and entirely on the director" is something I think you now know and so tomorrow if people like what they see or me in Animal - all credits goes to whom you know."Not only she talked about Sandeep Reddy Vanga but also her co-star Ranbir Kapoor."Rkaaaaayyy, I think initially because he is #ranbirkapoor. I was super nervous but my god!!! Our little secret...God has really taken his time to make him perfect ya..Brilliant actor. Amaaazing human - Everything else - Crazy no? Love it.. but what a beautiful human he is ya.. I only wish the best for him for life and woaaaaahhhhh. wait haveeeee to say this RK in Animal is the bomb. I don't think people are ready for him yet but the release is coming sooooooooonn... I am super duper excited for the team," she added.Rashmika shared her working experience with Anil Kapoor. "Amit sir has made it so easy for us to perform which Sir's lighting's and all, loved it. I got to work with @anilskapoor sir also.. he's also been so nice to me.. Animal team.. they rock ya. I love them.. I loved everyday I shot with them. They are special to me. Big bigger biggest hugs to them.. I hope I get to spend more time with the team, but I don't.. @- least you'll know how special they're to me.. Every word O've said here, I meant it. I want to tell the team - " Thank you for being so awesome"Helmed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles and is all set to hit the theatres on August 11.Apart from 'Animal' and 'Pushpa 2', Rashmika also will be next seen in Rainbow, VNR Trio.ANI21 June 2023

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Ulsters 98m factory of future will boost industrial innovation

Plans for a 98m factory of future innovation centre for Belfast have been approved by local council. The 10,500m2 Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (Amic) will become Northern Irelands national centre for advanced manufacturing, accelerating innovation and collaboration between industry and researchers. It is due to open in 2026 at Global Point, Newtownabbey.

As part of the project, Innovate UK has announced a 1m investment to support Northern Irish businesses, starting within a few months. The funding will help them to build capabilities in automated food manufacturing, digital twins, and embedded digital verification technology. A series of digital manufacturing testbeds will be available to businesses to explore digital manufacturing technologies, use cases and how they can be applied to address business challenges.

The aim of Amic  being delivered by Queens University in partnership with Ulster University and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council  is to reinvigorate local industry and to address the future technology and skills challenges faced by the regions manufacturing sector.

A report last year found that Northern Ireland manufacturing has a strong local competitive position, but a weak global one. Apart from a few large-scale and niche players, the economy is dominated by small companies with limited innovation capabilities that, without help, will struggle to take on new technologies and risk falling prey to more agile international competitors.

The UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive are providing 170m of funding for Amic and two other centres  the Global Innovation Institute and the Institute of Research Excellence for Advanced Clinical Healthcare  while a further 30m will be invested by Queens University and its partners.

Northern Ireland has a vibrant and highly sophisticated advanced manufacturing sector, says Steve Baker, Minister of State for Northern Ireland. Amic will provide further support as a springboard for manufacturing, giving local companies access to the latest manufacturing technologies.

Amic will build on 50 years of innovation at the Northern Ireland Technology Centre, the Polymers Processing Research Centre and the more recent NI Advanced Composites and Engineering university-industry partnership.

Northern Irelands planned Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre is intended to act as a springboard for manufacturing innovation in the region

The near-term 1m funding will help to expand local manufacturers existing strengths in smart design, digitalised manufacturing, smart nano, and sustainable polymers and composites. The funding will also strengthen the relationship between Amic and the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult  the network of research and innovation centres established by Innovate UK to transform UK manufacturing.

The 1m investment from Innovate UK will accelerate our partnerships support for the Northern Irish manufacturing sector, explains the HVM Catapults chief technology officer Professor Sam Turner, who has been seconded to Amic as interim chief executive. The regions full potential can be unlocked with the combined industry expertise and academic knowledge from Amic, HVM Catapult, Queens University Belfast, Ulster University and the thousands of SMEs which are the sectors backbone.

Innovate UKs support will further strengthen the relationship between Amic and HVM Catapult, adds HVM Catapult CEO, Katherine Bennett. The businesses we work with will be even better equipped to make the most of exciting opportunities that manufacturing innovation has to offer across the whole of the UK.

Manufacturing investment is a key driver of future growth, she says, and we must ensure that all manufacturers have access to new productivity, efficiency and sustainability-boosting technologies and approaches.

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Indian Economic Trade Organization appoints Nutan Roongta as Director of USA East Coast

SRV Media, New Delhi, June 20: The Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO) has recently announced the appointment of Nutan Roongta as the Director of the USA East Coast Chapter.

Indian Economic Trade Organization appoints Nutan Roongta as Director of USA East Coast

This significant development highlights IETO's commitment to expanding its presence and promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and the United States. As the Director of the USA East Coast Chapter, Nutan Roongta will play a pivotal role in leading and coordinating the organization's activities across this vital region. With her extensive experience and expertise in international trade and business development, she is well-equipped to spearhead IETO's efforts to enhance commercial ties between the two nations.Nutan Roongta's attendance at the NRI Council Function in Indore, India, earlier this year, where she was awarded the NRI Achievers Award by the Hon. Minister of Maldives and the Ambassador of Zimbabwe, is a testament to her outstanding contributions and accomplishments as a member of the Indian diaspora. The NRI Council, which is a part of IETO, serves as a platform to recognize and honour the achievements of non-resident Indians (NRIs) who have excelled in their respective fields and made significant contributions to India's growth and development. Nutan Roongta's receipt of the NRI Achievers Award is a prestigious recognition of her exceptional achievements and her dedication to making a positive impact.IETO is a renowned organization dedicated to fostering economic growth, facilitating business partnerships, and promoting investment opportunities between India and its global counterparts. Establishing USA East Coast Chapter is a strategic move that reflects IETO's commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation with the United States, one of India's key trading partners. According to the President of IETO, Dr. Asif Iqbal, "The trade relations between India and the United States hold immense potential for mutual economic growth and collaboration. Both countries have vibrant economies and possess unique strengths that can complement each other. India's rapidly expanding consumer market, skilled workforce, and technological advancements provide attractive opportunities for American businesses seeking to expand their presence in the country. Similarly, the United States' robust economy, innovation-driven industries, and technological expertise offer Indian companies avenues for growth and investment."The establishment of regional chapters is a strategic move by IETO to enhance its presence and outreach in different key regions of the United States. By having localized chapters, IETO aims to better understand the unique dynamics and specific business needs of each region, while also fostering stronger relationships with local businesses, trade associations, and government entities. The regional chapters of IETO will act as regional hubs for various activities and initiatives. They will serve as focal points for organizing business events, seminars, and conferences that bring together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts from both countries. These events will facilitate knowledge sharing, promote cross-border collaborations, and provide a platform for Indian and American businesses to explore trade opportunities. The IETO Delegation is headed to Texas in early 2024.Both India and the United States are looking to expand their economic ties and capitalize on the enormous potential for mutually beneficial trade. India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies, and the United States remains the world's largest economy. Strengthening the economic partnership between these two nations holds immense promise for businesses and investors on both sides. By establishing strong leadership, the USA East Coast Chapter of IETO aims to facilitate greater market access for Indian businesses in the United States, while also attracting American companies to explore investment opportunities in India. By leveraging on existing expertise and the Indian diaspora IETO, will work towards removing trade barriers, identifying potential sectors for collaboration, and promoting cross-border partnerships that create a win-win situation for both nations.As the founder of Nectar Nectar New York, Roongta successfully merged her expertise in both the front-end and back-end aspects of the business. Her ability to align both the creative and logistical aspects of the business will undoubtedly enhance IETO's efforts to foster successful collaborations and partnerships in diverse sectors. Nutan Roongta brings a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to her new role. Having previously held leadership positions in the international business arena, Nutan Roongta deeply understands the intricacies of cross-border trade and investment. Her track record of successfully navigating complex business environments will undoubtedly be instrumental in driving IETO's initiatives forward. Nutan Roongta expressed her enthusiasm and confidence in her comments, "I am excited about being a part of IETO and strong desire to support and contribute to the organization's goals. I am happy that I can support my home country, India, dedicate to promoting Indian businesses and nurturing economic growth and cooperation between India and the United States".According to the Vice President - Global Partnerships of IETO, Wali Kashvi, "The India-USA relationship holds immense potential for economic growth and collaboration, and the establishment of regional chapters by the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO) marks a pivotal step towards strengthening this bilateral partnership. These chapters will serve as localized platforms to engage with businesses and stakeholders in various key regions of the United States, fostering closer ties and facilitating trade opportunities. Nutan Roongta's appointment is not only a significant milestone but also paves the way for the establishment of many regional chapters across the country."As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, organizations like IETO play a pivotal role in facilitating international trade and fostering global economic growth. With Nutan Roongta at the helm of the USA East Coast Chapter, IETO is well-positioned to contribute significantly to the flourishing trade relations between India and the United States, bringing mutual prosperity and strengthening the ties that bind the two nations.For more information, visit -(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI21 June 2023

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MyRevue Elite Revolutionizes D2C Brands Sales and Engagement Strategies

SRV Media, New Delhi, June 20: In an era where direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands are vying for consumer attention, a game-changing platform has emerged to help these brands increase sales, maximize return on investment (ROI) from ad spends, and boost engagement on their websites.

MyRevue Elite Revolutionizes D2C Brands' Sales and Engagement Strategies

Elite, the brainchild of Anurag Gupte, is transforming the D2C landscape with its three master products that empower brands to connect with their audience in innovative ways.At the heart of MyRevue Elite's success are its three key offerings. The first, Interactive Videos, enables brands to tell their stories in captivating and immersive ways. By leveraging this, feature brands can effectively convey product information and address frequently asked questions, all within a video format. This engaging approach ensures that consumers better understand the brand and its offerings.The second product, Shoppable Videos, unlocks the potential of user-generated content to foster trust and build relationships with consumers. By incorporating these videos into their marketing strategies, brands can inspire confidence and loyalty among their target audience. The power of real users sharing their experiences through video testimonials is unmatched, as it allows potential customers to see genuine product reviews from fellow consumers.The third product offered by MyRevue Elite is the Remote Collection of Video Testimonials. Brands often struggle to gather customer testimonials or reviews efficiently. However, with this feature, MyRevue Elite streamlines the process by providing a hassle-free solution. Customers can easily record their testimonials in just three simple steps. This seamless integration allows brands to accumulate valuable feedback, further establishing their credibility.One standout advantage of MyRevue Elite is its easy integration onto a brand's existing website without requiring additional code. This convenience means that D2C brands can quickly implement these powerful video tools, enhancing their conversion rates by an impressive 330%. Furthermore, ROI can increase by up to 25 times, enabling brands to maximize the value of their advertising investments. Additionally, website engagement can surge up to 5 times, as users become captivated by the rich and interactive content offered by MyRevue Elite.Anurag Gupte, the CEO of MyRevue, highlighted how MyRevue Elite addresses the pain points faced by D2C brands. "Access to authentic information, minimizing the language barrier, providing the best and maximum use cases, and allowing consumers to express themselves freely are just a few of the challenges we aim to solve," he explained. "Our platform offers a single place for organized, structured, and relevant content created by end consumers." MyRevue Elite is poised to reshape the D2C landscape by revolutionizing the way brands connect with their customers. By leveraging the power of interactive and shoppable videos, as well as a simplified video testimonial collection, brands can expect remarkable results. With MyRevue Elite's integration capabilities, D2C brands can unlock new levels of success, driving higher conversions, increased ROI, and enhanced engagement on their websites. To signUp on MyRevue Elite you can visit , We are offering the first campaign for free for the first 50 customers. Signup today !!(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)ANI21 June 2023

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Super Angels Summit, 14th-15th Sep, ADNEC Abu Dhabi; Worlds first and largest summit for active and aspiring angel investors

ThePRTree, New Delhi, June 20: Super Angels Summit 2023 is ready to take place on 14th and 15th September at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi.

Super Angels Summit, 14th-15th Sep, ADNEC Abu Dhabi; World's first and largest summit for active and aspiring angel investors

The Summit is designed to celebrate the spirit of angel investment and to bring thousands of active and aspiring angel investors from across the world.The summit is held under the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Matkoum, Emirates Angels (A non-profit organization registered in the UAE to support the angel investing ecosystem).The summit would feature a carefully curated selection of global Govt. agencies and representatives, Venture Capital Funds, Family Offices, HNIs and UHNIs, Financial Institutions, Industry Leaders, World's most sought after speakers and Celebrities, as well as high-potential startups from various sectors.In addition to the main conference, both active and aspiring angel investors would have an opportunity to join various masterclasses and workshops to enhance their skills as an angel investor. Super Angels Summit will also showcase a vibrant exhibition floor, where attendees can explore cutting-edge products and services from ground breaking startups and established industry players. The exhibition will serve as a hub for collaboration, fostering new partnerships that can drive innovation forward."Having participated in over 2000+ startup events worldwide and being an active part of the startup ecosystem, I was forced to confront the glaring and astounding gap in global angel investment education as Asia has only 40,000+ angel investor in comparison to 1.7 MN in the USA and That's when I realized it was time to act," said Ravi K Ranjan, the founder of Super Angels Summit, spoke on the opportunity that rest of the world has to strengthen the angel investor community."Angel investors are essential to the development of a thriving and diverse startup ecosystem. While there are many events celebrating startups and their impact, the contribution made by angel investors who provide critical support and resources to early-stage companies, deserve greater recognition and appreciation in the discourse surrounding the startup ecosystem. With a growing number of curious investors globally, there is a clear need for a global conference that brings together the best minds in angel investing" said Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, the co-founder and president of Venture Catalysts++Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Part of ADNEC Group said, "Hosting this ground-breaking event for the first time at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is a valuable addition to the agenda of prominent global annual events which are set to take place at the Centre. As the largest exhibition and conference Centre in the MENA region, ADNEC is committed to hosting world-class events and ensuring their success by deploying its advanced infrastructure, modern facilities, and integrated solutions that meet the requirements of event organisers. In doing so, we continue to drive Abu Dhabi's leading position as the capital of business tourism in the region.""The Super Angels Summit is a pivotal event in the UAE that bolsters the angel investing ecosystem. It provides a platform for networking, sharing insights, and fostering collaborations, which, in turn, promotes growth and sophistication within the region's angel investing sector. A significant stride in this field has been the partnership forged between Emirates Angels and Super Angels. Emirates Angels, a leading non-profit association in the UAE, brings a wealth of local experience and knowledge to the partnership. This collaborative effort has not only magnified the influence of both entities but also fueled innovation and entrepreneurship across the UAE," said Masaood Al Masaood, Chairman of the Board, Emirates Angels.Abu Dhabi, with its strategic location and supportive business environment, serves as an ideal host for the SuperAngels Investors Summit. Recognized as a global hub for investment and innovation, the city provides an exceptional platform for startups and investors to connect, grow, and thrive.The event is being organized by CRRE8IVE, a new age Event IP and Media company, an initiative by Venture Catalysts++. With a team of visionaries, storytellers, designers and artists, CRRE8IVE believes in the power to inspire, connect and transform communities with their mission to curate and produce extraordinary event experiences that would leave a lasting impression on the attendees while also redefining the industry standards.Attendees at Super Angels Summit can expect an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, all led by prominent figures in the startup and investment community. Attendees would also have an opportunity to explore and invest in high growth startups at the summit. These thought leaders will delve into a wide range of topics including angel investing strategies, emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and the future of the startup ecosystem. The insights shared at the summit are expected to shape the future of startup investing and provide attendees with a competitive edge in the market.For more information, Visit -(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by ThePRTree. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI21 June 2023

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Bollywoods desi Archies gang Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda return from Brazil

Mumbai, June 20: After enthralling audience in Brazil at Tudum 2023 fan event, 'The Archies' members Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor and Agastya Nanda returned to Mumbai on Tuesday.

Bollywood's desi 'Archies' gang Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda return from Brazil

They made a stylish exit from the Mumbai airport. Director Zoya Akhtar and other young actors Vedang Raina, Yuvraj Menda, Mihir Ahuja and Aditi Dot were also with them.In the viral images and clips, Suhana and Dot are seen twinning in black. Khushi opted for a violet athleisure.The debutants were smiling and busy chatting with each other as they made their way to their respective cars. They were surrounded by bodyguards.Created by Zoya Akhtar', 'The Archies' is coming soon on Netflix and is an Indian adaptation of the famous comic book. However, the release date is not revealed yet.Zoya recently unveiled the film's teaser that reveals that the film is set in 1964 in Riverdale, described on a railway sign as a "hill station," a term dating back to colonial times that refers to a town located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain.One of the transport links servicing the hill stations are small mountain railway trains running on narrow gauge tracks, known affectionately as "toy trains", and the teaser opens with a shot of the top train puffing into Riverdale station. The Archies gang play music and dance at parties and classrooms while also enjoying their time outdoors.The teaser also offers a glimpse of the gang -- Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda and Khushi Kapoor -- falling in love and going through heartbreaks.They also performed live on the title track at Tudum 2023.ANI21 June 2023

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UK: People perform yoga at Trafalgar Square in London

London, June 20: The people from different communities performed yoga at Trafalgar Square in Central London to celebrate the International Day of Yoga and recounted its benefits on multiple fronts.

UK: People perform yoga at Trafalgar Square in London

The event was organised by the Indian High Commission in the UK and supported by the Mayor of London.The Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, Sujit Ghosh called the experience 'delightful' and appreciated new people starting yoga.Sujit Ghosh told ANI, "It was a delightful experience this morning. Yoga is all about harmony, harmony with the inner self and harmony with the outer world. It was a great experience people were very happy and we got many new people to commit to yoga and making it part of their normal routine".A foreign national lady named Murailah from Finchley, north London, who is a yoga enthusiast, also came forward to teach yoga to other people."It was a nice experience to do yoga in such beautiful surroundings. In the last 10 years, I discovered yoga and my love for yoga. I also wanted to share it with people. I came here myself to teach yoga. Yoga connects with my spirit, with my mind, with my heart," she said.An Indian national, Komal Mehta who is a yoga trainer talked about the health benefits of yoga."We went through the Yoga protocol, issued by the AYUSH ministry. We wanted to show its benefits, there are so many health benefits. The experience was fantastic. I can't believe, so many people turned out in the rain. Everyone from children, and older people participated and did the yoga," she said.Joyce, another foreign national and yoga enthusiast, who is also connected with Sadhguru's ISHA Foundation, told how yoga guided her in choosing the right path in life."It was a great privilege to learn about ancient tools of transformation. Yoga has helped us at various levels, at the physical, mental, emotional level and also at the spiritual level. I was looking for directions, and yoga has helped me choose the right path," she said.Inderpal Ohri Chandel, an Indian national and yoga enthusiast said that by doing yoga, people are also spiritually connected."It was an immensely proud moment to be here, and representing yoga and our culture. While doing yoga in a group, you are not just physically connected, but also spiritually connected to roots. We are feeling refreshed," she said.Notably, this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the International Day of Yoga celebration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.India in London in the tweet stated, "Yoga lovers from around London have gathered at the historic @trafalgar square to celebrate the International Day of Yoga, spreading positivity and tranquillity."In another tweet, the High Commission of India in London stated, "Some more glimpses of 9th #IDY2023 at the iconic Trafalgar Square, London.""Trafalgar Square London. Common Yoga Protocol in progress! The theme of this year "One Earth, One Family, One Future," the High Commission of India in London further said.The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide annually on June 21 since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.In his 2014 UN address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the date of June 21, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world.After the yoga day celebration in New York, PM Modi will then travel to Washington D.C., where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22, and meet President Biden to continue their high-level dialogue.PM Modi on Tuesday emplaned for the United States for his first historic State visit. Prior to leaving for the US, PM Modi tweeted, "Leaving for USA, where I will attend programmes in New York City and Washington DC. These programmes include Yoga Day celebrations at the @UNHQ, talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden, address to the Joint Session of the US Congress and more."PM Modi is visiting the US at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The visit will commence in New York where the Prime Minister will lead the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters on June 21.ANI21 June 2023

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CJI Chandrachud, other judges to participate in Yoga event at Supreme Court

New Delhi, June 20: On the occasion of the 9th International Day for Yoga on Wednesday, a Yoga event will be organized in the Supreme Court for officers and staff members of the Registry, which will also be attended by the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and other judges.

CJI Chandrachud, other judges to participate in Yoga event at Supreme Court

The event will be held at 8.30 am in the 'Yoga and Recreation Hall' in the Supreme Court of India.The Yoga Asanas performed will be supervised by experts."Hon'ble the Chief Justice of India and Hon'ble Judges will also participate in the event. Participation in the event is on a voluntary basis and Yoga Asanas will be supervised by Yoga Expert(s)," said a statement from the Supreme Court.June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day globally.ANI21 June 2023

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4th Education Working Group Meeting begins in Pune

Pune, June 20: The 4th Education Working Group meeting (EdWG) commenced on Tuesday in Pune to final outcome documents to be presented at the Education Ministers meeting on June 22, 2023.

4th Education Working Group Meeting begins in Pune

The meeting was chaired by G-20 India Chair and Secretary, Department of Higher Education K Sanjay Murthy, with the Secretary of, the Department of School Education and Literacy, Sanjay Kumar, and Secretary, of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Atul Kumar Tiwari as Alternate Chairs.Deliberations with the G20 delegates on the draft ministerial declaration took place on day one of the 4th EdWG meetings."The International Organisations (IOs) UNICEF, OECD, and UNESCO presented the education working group report. G20 members and invited countries appreciated the sustained efforts of the Indian Presidency and IOs for having put together the education policies and programs by setting a common agenda for the group in a comprehensive manner through the EdWG Report and Compendium," the Ministry of Education said.Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator, of India's G20 Presidency emphasized that India, as the world's largest democracy, is being considered a source of solutions for global and local challenges.He highlighted the valuable exchange of best practices in the previous three EdWG meetings held in Chennai, Amritsar, and Bhubaneswar, focusing on tech-enabled learning, research and collaboration, and the future of work. The Fourth and final meeting will address the theme of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN). He further added that India is focused on driving towards an inclusive international order that works together despite ideological differences for sustainable global good.K Sanjay Murthy extended a warm welcome to all the delegates attending the 4th EdWG meeting.He shared that the exchange of experiences and best practices witnessed during the EdWG meetings will pave the way for targeted actions aimed at ensuring fundamental literacy for every child.He also highlighted the importance of the previous three meetings and expressed appreciation towards the G20 delegates for the enthusiastic participation witnessed in all past EdWG events.On the side-lines of the 4th EdWG, a meeting and seminar were held on the theme 'Ensuring Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, especially in the context of Blended Learning.' Additionally, a multimedia exhibition is being held at Savitribai Phule Pune University from June 17 to 23."With over 12,000 attendees and 80+ exhibitors, the exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase FLN-related initiatives. Notable participants in the exhibition include NCERT, IKS (Indian Knowledge System), Microsoft, Nipun Bharat initiative, Indonesia, UNICEF, UNESCO, and many others," the release stated.G20 Delegates also participated in a Heritage Walk of Pune City which included visits to Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal, and Nana Wada to experience the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra.In addition, International Day of Yoga celebrations will be arranged to give G20 delegates, an opportunity to do Yoga for a healthy mind and soul.ANI21 June 2023

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Ricky Kej gives credit to PM Modi for popularising Yoga globally

New York, June 20: Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for popularising yoga globally. He expressed his gratitude towards PM Modi and shared his new music video on his Twitter handle.

Ricky Kej gives credit to PM Modi for popularising Yoga globally

He tweeted, Happy #InternationalDayOfYoga -)Thanks to PM @narendramodi ji for popularizing #Yoga globally, through this day. Watch my brand new music video, collaboration with sound-healers at SVARAM. Many musical instruments, all created by them! SHARE this video to celebrate #YogaDay!"Kej will participate in the Yoga Day celebrations at UN headquarter which will be led by PM Modi on June 21.He told ANI, "Yoga has gained strong prominence worldwide because of PM Modi. This year, Yoga Day at the United Nations headquarters in New York will be extra special because PM Modi is leading everyone. I am thrilled to attend World Yoga Day tomorrow."With the use of multiple instruments, the music video is soothing to ears and well-complement the theme. It takes the listener close to nature and serenity.Ricky is a three-times Grammy Award-winner music composer and environmentalist, who started off his career as a keyboardist and later came up with many albums and collaborated with numerous artists. Ricky Kej won the award for 'Divine Tides' as he was nominated in the Best Immersive Audio Album category.ANI21 June 2023

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Exercise may cause strokes in persons who have blocked arteries: Study

Washington, June 20: Many people ignore the warnings posted before gym sessions that advise them to see a doctor before engaging in strenuous exercise. Isn't it true that exercise is healthy for you? Certain diseases, however, may make the higher heart rate associated with exercise harmful.

Exercise may cause strokes in persons who have blocked arteries: Study

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur found that an elevated heart rate can induce a stroke in patients with highly blocked carotid arteries. Contrastingly, for healthy patients and those with only slightly blocked arteries, exercise is beneficial for maintaining healthy blood flow.Carotid arteries supply blood flow to facial tissues and the brain and are located on both sides of the neck. When fat, cholesterol, and other particles build up the inner carotid walls, they form a plaque that narrows the artery.The narrowing is called stenosis, and while it can be very difficult to detect early stages of plaque accumulation, stenosis is dangerous because it limits blood flow to the brain. Without the necessary blood, the brain lacks oxygen, and the patient experiences a stroke.In healthy patients, an elevated heart rate increases and stabilizes the drag force blood exerts on the vessel wall, reducing stenosis risk. But for patients already experiencing stenosis, it may not be as beneficial.The authors used a specialized computational model to simulate blood flow in carotid arteries at three stages of stenosis without blockage, with a mild 30% blockage, and with a moderate 50% blockage. They compared the effect of an exercise-induced heart rate, 140 beats per minute, and resting heart rates of 67 and 100 bpm.As expected, for healthy and mild cases, the exercise condition improved the health of the simulated carotid. However, the results for moderate blockage were concerning."Intense exercise shows adverse effects on patients with moderate or higher stenosis levels," said author Somnath Roy. "It substantially increases the shear stress at the stenosis zone, which may cause the stenosis to rupture. This ruptured plaque may then flow to the brain and its blood supply, causing ischemic stroke."Additionally, an elevated heart rate could increase the likelihood of another stenosis forming.Many factors contribute to stenosis and stroke risk, including age, lifestyle, and genetics, but the authors recommend checking arterial health regularly for people doing intense workouts. They also recommend a carefully prescribed exercise regimen for people with moderate to severe stenosis or with a history of strokes.ANI21 June 2023

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Mukesh Khanna slams Adipurush makers, says, I think this is a terrible joke with Ramayan

Mumbai, June 20: Actor Mukesh Khanna has slammed the makers of 'Adipurush' and questioned who has given them the right to insult our scriptures. In an exclusive interview with ANI, he strongly condemned the dialogues and costumes used in the film.

Mukesh Khanna slams 'Adipurush' makers, says, I think this is a terrible joke with Ramayan

He told ANI, "I think this is a terrible joke with Ramayan. Who has given the right to anyone to insult our scriptures? I have even said that both of them have not even read Ramayan. Those who don't know which blessing Ravan had received. They pasted the blessing of Hiranyakashyap on Ravan."The 'Shaktimaan' actor further added, "While Shiv ji had blessed Ravan, now those who do not have that much knowledge, then you are talking big things. It is absolutely rubbish. They should not be forgiven. Yesterday I said on my channel that this whole team should be burnt standing at fifty degrees Celsius."When asked who should be blamed, he replied, "Firstly, Om Raut ji, who directed 'Tanhaji' and then Manoj Muntashir, never followed him, but I feel very bad after listening to his childish words."While criticising them further, he shared with ANI, "I thought that when all this has happened, they will hide their face, but they are coming forward and explaining this much. They are saying that we are making it for Sanatan Dharma. Hey, is your Sanatan Dharma different from ours? They said that there was the version of Valmiki ji, then there was the version of Tulsidas ji, this is our version.""Are you above Valmiki ji that you will create your own version and tell the children to forget the old tradition? 'And we are saying Hanumanji used to talk like this, Arey tel tere baap ka, ghee tere baap ka'. Hanuman ji was seen wearing leather costumes. Now I have an objection, neither Lord Ram had a moustache, nor Lord Krishna nor Lord Vishnu can have a moustache, we have grown up seeing Them. Can you do this with any other religion? I have a bigger objection to making fun of the Hindu religion.""The owners of T-Series, who were known for their bhajans on Devi, Lord Ram and made them popular. His son is making this Ramayan. Is he carrying forward his father's tradition or is he spoiling his father's name?," said Khanna while pointing towards Bhushan Kumar."The makers are demanding not to say against their movie but why as you are saying you have made this film for the youth.""I want to say that if the people of the country do not stop this, then I would believe that our hundred crores Hindus have not yet woken up," he concluded.Directed by Om Raut, 'Adipurush' stars Prabhas as Lord Ram, Kriti Sanon as Goddess Sita, Sunny Singh as Laxman and Saif Ali Khan as Ravan.ANI21 June 2023

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Rena Murshud

The scandal in the Armenian parliament was memorable with many interesting moments. The topic discussed in the agenda was the reasons for Armenia's great defeat in the Second Karabakh War in 2020. It seems that Armenia has started to feel the pain of the defeat now. When some forces tried to accuse Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as the cause, the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan considered it inappropriate. Even Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that he would reveal sensational details at a meeting of the commission investigating the 44-day war.

Such a statement by Pashinyan was not unambiguously accepted by the opposition and politicians, and there was even an accusation against the prime minister.

According to the Armenian Speaker, by speaking live the Prime Minister is trying to shift the responsibility for the lost war from himself to the opposition.

Alen Simonyan believes that Pashinyan's live performance is not a manifestation of an unequal attitude towards politicians. To date, no one has expressed a desire to speak live at the commission, as many have tried to avoid it.

According to him, "some people are waiting for unexpected and interesting details. The Prime Minister will present everything in detail."

The opposition had the opportunity to ask the prime minister live questions on all the accusations voiced in recent years, but they did not take advantage of this opportunity.

What is the reason for such a statement by the Prime Minister of Armenia, whose domestic policy is split in two different groups?

In fact, Pashinyan's statement can be partially clarified if we look at some of the events that happened in the Armenian army until the end of 2020.

Recall that the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in one of his speeches, stated that the Armenian army destroyed in the 44-day war was not only the army of Pashinyan, but also the army of Sargsyan and Kocheryan (the old Karabakh clan). After Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the Karabakh clan destroyed its army as a result of corruption. With reference to Armenian sources, it is reported that the head of the Armenian army in Karabakh kept some of the weapons in a special warehouse and sold them to foreign terrorist groups. But during the war, he blew up the warehouse because he was afraid that the weapons would be seized. Also, news leaked from the Armenian media about the destruction of the arms factory created by General "Tushonka" and Terpetrosyan, which sold military food of the Armenian army on the grocery.

Thus, some of the mentioned facts indicate that the number one causes of Armenia's defeat were the opposition forces and internal corruption.

"Most likely, Nikol Pashinyan will not say anything new, except for some details that should not significantly change the general understanding of the causes and development of the conflict, as well as its settlement process."

Ukrainian political expert Vitaliy Yarmolenko told this Azernews while commenting on Pashinyan's speech.

The expert added that Pashinyan will not give a new opinion in his statement about the cause and development of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Because if Pashinyan touched on this issue, it could lead to further growth of the existing conflict. The main goal of the Armenian prime minister is to clarify the reasons for the bitter defeat in the war and the reluctantly signed capitulation document. In short, the Armenian authorities are blaming the former opposition political elites, known as the Karabakh Clan, for the course of all these events.

Ukraynal? siyasi ekspert Erm?nistandak? muxalif?t t?r?fdar? olan siyas?tcil?rin Pa?inyana qar?? etirazlar?na munasib?t bildirib. Onu sozl?rin? bu h?m d? Rusiyadan g?l?n bir signald?r.

"Most likely, this is pressure on Pashinyan, who has recently been pursuing a less pro-Russian course in foreign policy. Even opening the Zangazur corridor, which in the interest of Russia, is a pretext to reduce the rating of the current government," Yarmolenko added.

Everyone knows that the opening of the Zangazur corridor is economically beneficial for neighboring regions, especially for Russia.But all the same, some politicians and opposition in Armenia persistently stand their ground and lead the opposite way. Do they have more important factors than the development of their country?; the expert said that there are fears on the Armenian side about the possible pressures from Azerbaijan, of course, in some necessary cases. Besides, Yerevan fears that Baku will try to take transport communications and adjacent territories under physical control.

?n conclusion, the expert stressed that there is no way out for Armenia other than to normalize relations with Azerbaijan and its closest partners. This kind of step can even be a tool that can pave the way for Armenia's economic development and becoming an independent state.

"Pashinyan most likely understands that in the current geopolitical conditions, when Russia is strategically weakened through a war with Ukraine, it is in Armenias interest to seek a peace agreement with Azerbaijan and normalize relations with Turkiye and the West," the expert added.
Scams and identity fraud in Australia are increasing rapidly, reaching industrial levels, warns GBG, a global digital identity expert.

Their report, the Global State of Digital Identity 2023, reveals that one out of every ten Australian smartphone owners surveyed has fallen victim to identity fraud in the past year. Additionally, 94 per cent of respondents expressed concerns about future fraud attempts.

While Australian consumers generally feel secure when using smartphones for transactions like mobile banking and peer-to-peer payments, GBGs research found that 69 per cent of them worry that their personal information, such as their name or bank account number, might be available for sale to criminals on the internet. The majority of respondents (86 per cent) believe it is the responsibility of businesses they interact with to protect their data, but nearly as many (80 per cent) feel they should also take some responsibility themselves.

Carol Chris, Regional General Manager for Australia & New Zealand at GBG, emphasised the growing threat of fraud in Australia and the impact it has on individuals and businesses. She urged businesses to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers, particularly those pretending to be genuine customers. By ensuring the safety and security of their customers online, businesses can earn their trust.

According to the GBG research, more than half (56 per cent) of Australian businesses experienced known or suspected fraud attempts in the past year. Financial impact, brand reputation, and customer retention were the top concerns for these businesses. Identity takeover was identified as a significant fraud risk for 15 per cent of businesses, and 40 per cent noticed an increase in such cases in the last year. Identity takeover involves fraudsters combining stolen real identity information with fake details to create a new identity for illicit purposes.

Chris highlighted the importance of businesses demonstrating their commitment to protecting customer identities and preventing fraud. She noted that customers now prioritize security over speed when opening new accounts, and business leaders can gain a competitive advantage by building trust and implementing robust identity verification solutions.

The report also reveals that Australian consumers highly value their digital identity, with only 2 per cent considering no information to be important for their personal identity. They deem various types of private data essential, including drivers license numbers (80 per cent), dates of birth (77 per cent), passports (67 per cent), mobile phone numbers (62 per cent), and biometric information (56 per cent). The study also found that 10 per cent of Australians surveyed experienced personal identity fraud in the past year.

When it comes to online accounts, Australian consumers tend to switch brands and show security-conscious behavior. Approximately 82 per cent signed up for new online accounts in the past year, and a significant majority switched to different brands. Credit card providers and loan companies experienced the most customer churn. More than 90 per cent of Australians would choose a brand over its competitors if it systematically reviewed transactions for fraudulent activity.

While Australian businesses aim to provide a frictionless onboarding experience, some consumers abandon the sign-up process due to factors like its lengthiness (32 per cent), complexity (27 per cent), or lack of required documents (17 per cent). However, businesses rate themselves at an average of six out of ten for providing a smooth onboarding experience, on par with global organizations.

To manage identity verification, Australian businesses are actively adopting technology. Around 78 per cent believe that good identity verification can be a strategic differentiator, leading 67 per cent of businesses to increase their budgets in this area. Popular solutions include address verification, identity document verification, and fraud checks. The majority of businesses (63 per cent) perform customer identity checks to reduce fraud, while 57 per cent do so to comply with regulations.

Many businesses struggle to assess the reliability of different datasets, and a significant number (71 per cent) are considering consolidating identity verification suppliers. Future-facing technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile device attribute verification, and digital identities are being considered for adoption over the next three years.

To download the full Global State of Digital Identity 2023 report, please visit here.



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Kazakhstan: International Volunteer Forum to be held in Astana on June 20, 21

New Delhi, June 20: The International Volunteer Forum will be held at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana on June 20 and 21.

Kazakhstan: International Volunteer Forum to be held in Astana on June 20, 21

More than 40 speakers from 34 countries will take part in the event, including Toily Kurbanov, executive coordinator of the UN volunteer program, Timur Bekmambetov, director and founder of the Cultural Initiatives Foundation, Haluk Levent, musician and president of the ANVAR Association (Turkey), Michaela Friberg-Storey, UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan, Arthur Van Diesen, Representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan, Shirin Abidova, head of the Uzbekistan Volunteer Association (Uzbekistan), among others.Delegates from all regions of Kazakhstan will also participate in the forum. In total, over 400 people will attend the event, including 140 representatives of international organizations and foreign participants, the Embassy of Kazakhstan said in a release.The main purpose of the forum is to develop and support the volunteer movement, present Kazakhstan's experience in volunteering and form a positive image of the country in the international arena, as well as raise the status of volunteers, and strengthen cooperation and interaction.In order to promote and popularize the Forum, a slogan, hashtag and logo have been approved."The slogan of the forum is 'Awaken the gene of kindness', which serves as a reminder that each of us is capable of doing good. The logo of the forum is an image of a person and a fragment of a DNA chain, as a symbol of the 'kindness gene'. This is a special type of gene that is inherent in all people, regardless of gender, age, nationality, and other distinctive features. The image of a person symbolizes a volunteer and embodies humanity's readiness for mutual assistance and cooperation," the release said.The volunteer movement in Kazakhstan has turned into a large project with the support of the entire population. The 'Year of the Volunteer' in 2020, initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, highlighted the role of volunteering, especially during the pandemic.The active participation of Kazakhstan's citizens in the volunteer movement and the creation of the right conditions for this by the state has contributed to the development of volunteerism in the country. This is evidenced by the positive dynamics of the growth of volunteer organizations - a threefold increase from 224 to more than 600 between 2020 and 2023, and a fourfold increase in active volunteers (50,000 in 2020, and more than 200,000 in 2022), the release said.Measures to support volunteers have been introduced at the legislative level in the country. Benefits are provided for admission to educational institutions and employment, and state property is also leased free of charge to volunteer organizations.In order to develop the volunteer movement infrastructure, there is a state front office and 20 regional offices. Every year they hold more than 6,000 events with the participation of over 113,000 volunteers.According to the Embassy, the Ministry of Information and Public Development of Kazakhstan is actively working to develop international volunteering. Currently, seven volunteers from Kazakhstan are working in the UN structures with the support of the Government of Kazakhstan.The United Nations Volunteers program (UNV) contributes to peace and development through volunteerism around the world. The UNV program appeared in Kazakhstan in 1993. Over the next three decades, more than 300 Kazakhstan's citizens became UN volunteers.They have also worked as international UN volunteers in countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Niger, Mozambique, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Turkiye. Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian country with this type of experience in the volunteer movement.At the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, President Tokayev proposed to proclaim the International Year of Mobilizing Volunteers for Development. This initiative testifies to Kazakhstan's special attitude to the development of traditions and culture of volunteering not only in our country, but also around the world.In this regard, the first Central Asian Volunteer Forum was held in 2022. The Forum was attended by more than 600 delegates from Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries (the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan), as well as representatives of volunteer movements and international organizations, experts in the field of volunteering from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Turkiye, government agencies, and representatives of the business sector.The organization of the International Volunteer Forum is supported by the Representative Office of the UN Volunteer Program in Kazakhstan, the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, the National Volunteer Network and other volunteer and international organizations, the Kazakhstan Embassy stated.ANI21 June 2023

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Yoga has its foundation in India: Co-founder of Yoga in Times Square

New York, June 20: The preparation is underway at Times Square ahead of International Yoga Day on Wednesday, with the aim to bring in the participation of more and more people in the event.

Yoga has its foundation in India: Co-founder of Yoga in Times Square

Notably, this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the International Day of Yoga celebration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.Speaking to ANI, Douglass Stewart, the co-founder of Yoga in Times Square said, "Yoga has its foundation in India. The principles have been around for thousands of years. It is interesting that the Western culture has started to adapt".He said that Times Square has been organising the event for the last 20 years, and around 8000 people are expected at the event."Tomorrow is a big day. You can see the preparations. Barricades are being put in place, sponsors area is getting ready, where those who support us will display their products. The crew is getting ready for the big event tomorrow. We are sending out registrations to people to sign up for the event. We are expecting around 8,000 people this year," he said.Stewart added, "We launched the event in 2003. Throughout the years, we have been looking at how can we bring more and more people for this. Over the years, so many different people were interested in the event and they participated. International Yoga Day has launched nine years ago. And we are happy that Prime Minister Modi is supporting us as well.The co-founder of yoga at Times Square further said that there are 15 million people practising yoga in the US, which is a significant number, meaning that more and more people are getting aware of the process."Tomorrow, we start the class at 730 in the morning, and then we have hourly classes ending at 730 pm, during sunset. We will start the day with some sun salutation, and moving so that the people are oriented through the day. That's how the day will line up, 7 classes during the day," he said.Stewart further said, "Each teacher will decide their poses. Depending on which school you belong to, your lineage will depend. For example, there are 500 poses and there are 24 poses (in different schools). I will move through 15 poses during the day. So that, you get to absorb what you are generating and appreciate the sun. I call, it would be a lava-like class, very small and methodical".Vice President of Communications, Times Square Alliance, TJ Witham said that they have been undertaking preparations for months."We have been working on this for months, making sure that local New Yorkers and tourists are known to visit the place. So that the people are aware in advance and can register for any classes. We have been setting up our main stage, and various satellite stages, so that one main teacher from the main stage, his voice can echo across the whole Square," he said.Witham added, "We are expecting around 8000 people, these many have registered. Of course, there are 24 hours left, before people can still register. There is a relationship between June 21 and yoga. We have been celebrating the day for 20 years. The day has been recognised as the International Day of Yoga. It is a matter of great pride and great synergy. It connects Times Square with the rest of the world".The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide annually on June 21 since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.In his 2014 UN address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the date of June 21, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world.ANI21 June 2023

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Assam CM Sarma attends celebrations of Bishnu Rabha Divas, presents awards to eminent personalities

Guwahati, June 20: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday attended the celebrations of Bishnu Rabha Divas at Dhubri.

Assam CM Sarma attends celebrations of Bishnu Rabha Divas, presents awards to eminent personalities

In the same program, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma presented Sri Madhavdev Award 2022 to eminent author Arup Dutta, Bir Chilari Award 2022 to martyr Bhaskar Kalita, Kalicharan Brahma Award 2023 to Dr. Tiyathi Zameer.Moreover, the Chief Minister also presented Bishnu Rabha Award 2023 to eminent painter Ajit Sheel and dancer Gopal Krishna Goswami, Sonit Konwar Gajen Baruah Award 2023 to eminent folk artiste Nakul Das, Sati Sadhini Award 2023 to eminent scientist Dr. Jayanti Chutia and Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha Award 2023 to prominent social worker Boloram Phangsho.Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that the great personalities who contributed immensely to enriching the socio-cultural life of Assam, Bishnu Prasad Rabha was one of the most prominent among them. With his highly valued creation, he became a glittering name in the socio-cultural life not only in Assam but in other places also.Besides being a true and spirited freedom fighter, Bishu Prasad Rabha etched his name as an artiste, musician, dancer, lyricist, orator, and above all a litterateur of high eminence, the Chief Minister added.Sarma also said that Bishu Prasad Rabha vowed to make a harmonious Assam that embraces people belonging to all castes, creeds, ethnicity, and community and who contribute to the development march of the state. He took a crucial role in promoting Assam's name at the global stage.He also said that Bishnu Prasad Rabha created songs that are socially emotive and through which he wanted to bring about socio-cultural reforms in the society.Through his songs, he created a bond among the people. Referring to Bishnu Prasad Rabha who tried to enhance people's mental horizons through his music, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that his songs are primarily responsible for the people of the state to aim high to take the state altogether to a higher pedestal. The Chief Minister also said that in Assam's cultural and political life, Bishnu Prasad Rabha is always glittering as a living legend. The younger generation of Assam should come out to follow the path shown by Bishnu Prasad Rabha to make Assam everybody's dream. Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora, Guardian Minister of Dhubri Jayantamalla Baruah, MP and Chief Minister's Political Secretary Pabitra Margherita, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Avinash Joshi, and a host of other dignitaries were present in the program which was organized by Cultural Affairs Department in association with Dhubri District Administration.ANI21 June 2023

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Wicked Part 2 release date changed, check out

Los Angeles, June 21: 'Wicked Part 2' has got an earlier holiday release date.

'Wicked Part 2' release date changed, check out

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wicked Part Two is moving up its release date in theatres from December 25, 2025 to November 26, 2025.Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.The star-studded cast also includes Michelle Yeoh -- who made history earlier this year when winning the Oscar for best actress -- Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater.The Wicked movies, based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, is adapted for the screen by the stage production's book writer Winnie Holzman and by Academy Award winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway stage musical is produced by Universal Stage Productions."Wicked is such a proud part of our legacy," Universal film boss Donna Langley told theater owners at CinemaCon in late April, noting the musical has just become the fourth-longest-running in Broadway history. "They are creating an entire world I know will dazzle your screens." Footage of the film was one highlights of the annual convention of exhibitors.Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Erivo as Elphaba, a defiant social outcast who has yet to discover her true power, and Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.ANI21 June 2023

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PM Modi meets co-founder of Bridgewater Associates, highlights reforms taken to foster economic growth

New York, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Ray Dalio, an investor, author, and co-founder of the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates in New York, on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted reforms undertaken by the Indian government to foster economic growth, including the reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of a large number of legal provisions.

PM Modi meets co-founder of Bridgewater Associates, highlights reforms taken to foster economic growth

Taking to Twitter, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "A fruitful meeting between PM @narendramodi and investor, author and co-founder of hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates @RayDalio.""PM highlighted reforms undertaken by the government to foster economic growth, including reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of a large number of legal provisions. PM invited @RayDalio for further investing in India," he added.PM Modi, who is in the US for a four-day visit to the US, had also met Professor Paul Romer, and American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator Neil De Grasse Tyson.Professor Paul Romer said, "It was a great meeting. We talked about the importance of successful urban development. He understands these issues very well. PM articulated it very well that urbanisation is not a problem. It's an opportunity. I take this as a slogan. India can show the way to the World on the authentication front with programs like Aadhaar."PM Modi and American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator Neil De Grasse Tyson exchanged views on inculcating scientific temperament among youth. Discussed at length India's rapid progress in the space sector including various space exploration missions being undertaken by India.Tyson said, "I was delighted to spend time in the company of a head of state who is as scientifically thoughtful as is Prime Minister Modi. I was delighted to hear about future programs that he has in mind. I'm quite sure I'm not alone when I say the potential for what India can accomplish knows no limits. So I see a very bright future for India.""PM also highlighted the potential of academic collaboration and private participation in space sector between and under India's National Space Policy," Bagchi said in a tweet."A stimulating exchange of views between PM @narendramodi and eminent economist and Nobel laureate Prof @paulmromer. Discussions touched upon India's digital journey, including the use of Aadhar and innovative tools like Digilocker. Talks also covered various initiatives being undertaken by India for urban development," he added.Earlier, on Tuesday, PM Modi arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and received a grand reception.PM Modi received a rousing welcome on Tuesday from the Indian diaspora at the Hotel Lotte where he will be staying during his trip to New York."Bharat Mata ki Jai," slogans reverberated at the hotel as people from the Indian diaspora cheered and waved their flags seeing the Prime Minister.PM Modi will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora.ANI21 June 2023

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Neetu Kapoor performs yoga with daughter Riddhima, granddaughter Samara, fans shower praises on three generations

Mumbai, June 21: A family that performs yoga together, stays together -- Seems like veteran actor Neetu Kapoor swears by this fitness mantra.

Neetu Kapoor performs yoga with daughter Riddhima, granddaughter Samara, fans shower praises on 'three generations'

On International Day of Yoga 2023, Neetu Kapoor's daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni took to Instagram and shared visuals of herself performing yoga with the 'Khel Khel Mein' star.In the videos and images, one can also see Riddhima's daughter Samara giving "yoga company" to her mom and nani Neetu Kapoor."'Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.' -- B.K.S Iyengar .This International Yoga Day, immerse yourself in the world of yoga which harmonises, balances and strengthens the mind, body and soul," she captioned the post.The fam-jam yoga visuals have impressed netizens."Wow... three generations doing yoga together," a social media user commented."Inspiring," another one wrote.Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'. It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along.ANI21 June 2023

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UN chief calls for continuation of Black Sea grain deal

United Nations, June 21: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the parties to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

UN chief calls for continuation of Black Sea grain deal

In a statement issued by his spokesperson on Tuesday, Guterres also called on the parties to accelerate operations, pointing to the reduction in the movement of vessels coming in and out of Ukrainian sea ports, and a drop in the supply of essential foodstuff to global markets.Food exports via the Black Sea have fallen from a peak of 4.2 million metric tonne in October 2022 to 1.3 million metric tonne in May, the lowest volume since the grain deal came into operation, according to the statement.The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed separately by Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul with Turkey and the UN in July 2022, Xinhua news agency reported.The initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days, till May 18, 2023. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days.As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertiliser exports.The UN chief's statement said that the UN is fully committed to supporting the implementation of both the initiative and the memorandum of understanding, so that exports of food and fertilisers, including ammonia, from Russia and Ukraine reach markets around the world safely and predictably."This is especially critical now as the new grain harvest begins in both Ukraine and the Russian Federation," said the statement.IANS21 June 2023

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UN allocates $20 mn for urgent food aid campaign in Nigeria

United Nations, June 21: The UN has allocated $20 million for an urgent food security and nutrition campaign for hunger-hit northeast Nigeria, a UN spokesman said.

UN allocates $20 mn for urgent food aid campaign in Nigeria

With $9 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund and $11 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, "we will support the government-led response efforts across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states," said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Tuesday.Haq added the assistance includes food, ready-to-eat meals, access to clean water, healthcare and agriculture support, Xinhua news agency reported.Nearly 700,000 children aged under five are likely to suffer from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition this year in this region and more than 500,000 people may face emergency levels of food insecurity during the lean season from June to August, he said, citing reports from humanitarian partners."The emergency funding will help jumpstart the response, but humanitarian partners need more to prevent widespread hunger and malnutrition," he said.The spokesman also added the $1.3 billion humanitarian response plan for Nigeria this year is only 26 per cent funded.Humanitarians blamed violence from armed groups and the effects of climate change for the food crisis in northeast Nigeria.IANS21 June 2023

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US Senators to press ahead with NATO Plus bill, despite Indias opposition

Washington, June 20: A bipartisan duo of US senators will introduce legislation this week proposing to add India to the NATO Plus group of American allies, disregarding opposition from New Delhi.

US Senators to press ahead with NATO Plus bill, despite India's opposition

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat who chairs the India Caucus in the Senate, said on Tuesday that he and Senator John Cornyn, the Republican co-chair, will be introducing "both as a stand-alone bill and as an amendment to the (National) Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) and effort to upgrade India-US defence ties"."What we propose is adding India to the so-called NATO Plus arrangement where the United States is able to transfer with as little bureaucratic interference as possible defense equipment in a very strong way."This current relationship, he added, is restricted only to US' ties with NATO and with certain other key allies such as Israel, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand."Adding India to that category will strengthen our incredibly important defence ties, particularly as we both grapple with challenges" from China.The lawmakers intend the legislation to be a part of the celebration of Prime Minister Modi's visit, but India does not want to be added to that group."That is not a template that applies to India," External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said at a recent news conference in response to a question about a recommendation by the US congressional body to expand NATO Plus to include India.Jaishankar not only expressed opposition to the idea, but also said the Joe Biden administration did not support it either."So I must say, a lot of it is actually outside the administration. The administration understands this very, very well. So we have a situation where actually in many areas, the administration has been very forthright, very understanding, very cooperative."The Senator did not directly address Jaishankar's opposition to India's inclusion in the group, when asked specifically about the minister's remarks.Warner replied instead by stressing on the general need to improve defence ties with India and improve India's defence capabilities by making defence trade between the two countries easier. There was a need to improve defence ties, he said, as he had heard form Indian defence companies, and defence companies owned by Indian Americans and even Indian defence officials.Membership of the NATO Plus group will considerably shorten the approval procedures for the sale of US defence equipment, specially those subjected to export controls.Warner and Cornyn's legislation -- both stand-alone and as an amendment to the NDAA -- will need to pass both chambers of the US Congress before it becomes law. There is already some support for it in the other chamber, the House of Representatives, whose committee on China recommended adding India to NATO Plus earlier in June.This proposed legislation will not be the first. Earlier efforts failed because of opposition from some key lawmakers.IANS21 June 2023

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US-India Business Council organises INDUS X Summit

Washington DC, June 21: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's White House visit, the US-India Business Council organised the INDUS X Summit and its President Atul Keshap said that it will demonstrate the full power of free enterprise systems to the world.

US-India Business Council organises INDUS X Summit

Taking to Twitter, US-India Business Council said, "This #INDUSX exhibition "is going to demonstrate the full power of our free enterprise systems to the world" ahead of President Biden and Prime Minister Modi's meeting at the White House. @USAmbKeshap kicks off the #INDUSX reception at @USChamber."PM Modi will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.INDUS X Summit is a key opportunity to accelerate U.S.-India defence co-development and co-production and to fortify the strategic partnership between our nations.At the summit, US Congressmen Ro Khanna, Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and Deputy Ambassador at Embassy of India in Washington DC Sripriya Ranganathan were also there."At the #INDUSX reception at @USChamber, Congressman @RoKhanna states that the "U.S. and India have mutually aligned security interests" and that "the business world is looking to India to diversify its supply chains" in Asia," US-India Business Council said."In his remarks during the #INDUSX reception at @USChamber, Ambassador Garcetti @USAmbIndia underscores that threats can come from the "absence of coordination," and says that "we're thrilled to see #INDUSX" facilitating the coordination necessary for peace."Garcetti further stated to expect to see startups have the opportunity to "participate in government-sponsored joint challenges" and to "partner with established defence industry leads.""At the #INDUSX reception being held at @USChamber, Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan @ranganathan_sr states that she hopes to see these defense startups become "Indo-U.S. unicorns for the next century," US-India Business Council tweeted.Meanwhile, on June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora.ANI21 June 2023

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Australias national science agency, CSIRO, is spearheading the advancement of Australias advanced manufacturing sector by providing businesses with free research and development (R&D) support to drive innovation in their products and services.

Recognising the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving advancements in advanced manufacturing, CSIRO has launched the online Innovate to Grow program, a 10-week intensive initiative aimed at equipping SMEs with the necessary R&D knowledge to bolster their ideas.

By participating in the Innovate to Grow program, SMEs involved in pioneering advanced manufacturing solutions can tap into a wealth of resources and expertise to refine their concepts.

Upon successfully completing the program, eligible participants may be granted access to facilitation support provided by CSIRO. This support enables them to connect with research experts across the nation, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, participants may also be eligible for dollar-matched R&D funding, boosting their financial capabilities to bring their innovative ideas to fruition.

The Innovate to Grow program is specifically designed to cater to SMEs operating in various sub-sectors within advanced manufacturing. These sub-sectors include digital solutions and smart robotics, additive manufacturing, advanced materials and processes, quantum technology, mechatronics design and engineering, and biomedical manufacturing.

By encompassing such diverse domains, CSIRO aims to provide comprehensive support to SMEs across a broad spectrum of advanced manufacturing disciplines.

Scheduled to commence on August 10, CSIROs Innovate to Grow: Advanced Manufacturing program is currently accepting applications from SMEs. With a limited capacity to accommodate up to 25 participants, interested businesses are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date of July 17, 2023, to secure their spot in this transformative initiative.

Dr Marcus Zipper, CSIROs Director of Manufacturing, underlines the agencys unique position within the research ecosystem, emphasising its commitment to driving innovation and advancing the field of Australian manufacturing.

Manufacturing is a vitally important sector, employing over 800,000 people across Australia, Dr Zipper said.

At CSIRO, we work collaboratively with SMEs on research and development to find new and improved technologies and processes that enable great ideas to see success locally and internationally.

We translate research into products and processes that businesses want to adopt because what weve created is economically viable, more efficient and effective, and sustainable, he said.

Connop Metal owner Murray Connop, a participant in the 2022 Innovate to Grow manufacturing cohort has recently made headlines for developing a world-first method of analysing the chemical compositions of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)to make it recyclable  right here in Australia.

Mr Connop said the program provided invaluable connections to industry experts.

Thanks to the Innovate to Grow program, I gained the vital contacts and support needed to determine the feasibility of my project, Mr Connop said.

I wholeheartedly recommend this program to fellow start-ups and small businesses in advanced manufacturing. The invaluable connection to industry experts provided by this program has played a significant role in the success of my project.

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PM Modi to celebrate International Day of Yoga at UN; events planned across country to spread awareness of Yogas benefits

New Delhi, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community. Arrangements have also been made in different parts of the country to celebrate the occasion and spread awareness of the benefits of ancient Indian practice.

PM Modi to celebrate International Day of Yoga at UN; events planned across country to spread awareness of Yoga's benefits

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will join Indian Navy personnel to perform yoga onboard the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, President of Naval Welfare and Wellness Association Kala Hari Kumar along with other senior officers of Indian Navy and the Ministry of Defence will be present during the event.Armed forces personnel including Agniveers will participate in the event embracing the spirit of unity and well-being. After the yoga session, Defence Minister will address the gathering and felicitate the yoga instructors.Indian Navy will stream an exclusive video on Indian Navy's outreach activities emphasising the theme 'Ocean Ring of Yoga', while Indian Navy units that are deployed in the Indian Ocean Region will visit various ports of friendly foreign countries to spread the message of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" which is also the theme for International Day of Yoga 23.It is the ninth year since the UN recognised June 21 as the International Day of Yoga through a resolution in 2014Culture Ministry would also celebrate International Day of Yoga. All organizations under the ministry have been directed to observe IDY with full participation following the approved Common Yoga Protocol.It has also been proposed to observe IDY 2023 at iconic sites with the help of circle offices of ASI which would enable wider reach and participation.Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi will be present at Purana Qila, New Delhi. Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal will be the Chief Guest at Nurmahal Sarai in Jalandhar.TRIFED has supplied 34,000 Yoga mats to Ayush Ministry. These mats procured exclusively from tribal artisans across different regions of the country, bear distinct designs and motifs representative of their respective communitiesThe initiative will help bolster the economic prospects of tribal communities but also ensures the preservation and promotion of their unique artistic traditions.Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized "Yoga Mahotsav" on Tuesday at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi in run up to the International Day of Yoga, 2023 (IDY-2023).Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to people of the state to adopt yoga in a big way.In the video message through tweet, he said that the practice of yoga never goes in vain."Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the 9th 'International Yoga Day'.Yoga keeps both body and mind healthy. It is the medium of health, happiness, peace, harmony. Yoga has been an integral part of our eternal tradition since the beginning. Yoga is an invaluable gift of Indian saints, which has been presented to the world at large by Prime Minister Modi for the well-being of people.""Accepting the importance of Yoga, most of the countries of the world expressed their gratitude towards the sage tradition of India. This year its theme has been kept Har Aangan Yoga by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Its aim is to achieve wellness and health benefits by connecting every family with yoga. Yoga Day is being organized widely in the state. That's why you must adopt yoga. Be healthy, be happy," he added.CM Yogi will celebrate the International Day of Yoga people at Gorakhnath temple complex in Gorakhpur on June 21.ANI21 June 2023

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Anupam Khers yoga video will leave you inspired

Mumbai, June 21: On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Veteran actor Anupam Kher shared a special video with fans and followers on social media.

Anupam Kher's yoga video will leave you inspired

Kher is one of the actors who does not take his health for granted. From working out regularly to eating healthy, his fitness regime is quite inspiring.Taking to Instagram, 'The Kashmir Files' actor posted a video featuring moments from him performing yoga asanas, and attending sessions to pose with Yoga gurus.Sharing the video, he wrote, "Best wishes to all of you from InternationalYogaDay. Yoga, a gift from India to the whole world with a message for both healthy body and peace of mind! Hail to all my Yoga Gurus! Hail India."As soon as the video was uploaded, the actor's fans and industry friends chimed in the comment section.One of the users wrote, "Happy international yoga day to you too..""You're such an inspiration," another commented.Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'. It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along.Meanwhile, on the work front, Anupam Kher was recently seen in the thriller film 'IB71' opposite actor Vidyut Jammwal.He is currently busy shooting for 'Vijay 69'.The film will be directed by Akshay Roy, who has previously directed 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' with YRF. He has also worked on acclaimed films like Mira Nair's 'The Namesake', Aamir Khan's directorial debut 'Taare Zameen Par' and Deepa Mehta's 'Water' as an assistant director. Maneesh Sharma is producing it.He will be next seen in director Anurag Basu's upcoming film 'Metro...In Dino' alongside Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal and Neena Gupta.ANI21 June 2023

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Indian diaspora member in US dons jacket with PM Modis image

New York, June 21: A member of the Indian diaspora in the United States was seen donning a unique Nehru jacket adorned with an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian diaspora member in US dons jacket with PM Modi's image

Indian diaspora gave a rousing welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival in New York on Tuesday for the first leg of his inaugural state visit to the US. Among them was Minesh C Patel, who was seen flaunting his jacket.Speaking to ANI, he said, "This jacket was made in 2015 during Gujarat Day... We have 26 of these (jackets) and out of these 26 (jackets) four of them are here today."PM Modi, who is on a four-day visit to the US, received a rousing welcome on Tuesday from the Indian diaspora at the Hotel Lotte where he will be staying during his trip to New York."Bharat Mata ki Jai," slogans reverberated at the hotel as people from the Indian diaspora cheered and waved their flags seeing the Prime Minister.As people from the Indian diaspora cheered and proudly waved their flags upon seeing the Prime Minister.There was a sense of excitement among the crowd, who were eager to catch a glimpse of and interact with PM Modi during his visit.The Prime Minister also held a meeting with the Bora community in the hotel.An individual of Indian origin in the US expressed his profound joy at seeing and having the opportunity to meet PM Modi, stating, "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have met Prime Minister Modi here in the United States."Meanwhile, another Indian origin said, "The aura surrounding PM Modi is truly remarkable, and he warmly greeted us with such calmness and kindness. We are very thrilled."Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and received a grand reception.Members of the Indian diaspora chanted 'Modi, Modi' slogans as they await PM Modi's arrival in New York.PM Modi also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and was seen shaking hands with them.PM Modi is expected to meet CEOs, Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians, and health sector experts on Tuesday (local time).He will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora.ANI21 June 2023

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Tens of thousands join yoga in Chandigarh, Haryana

Chandigarh, June 21: Tens of thousands on Wednesday participated in the ninth International Yoga Day events organised at various places in Chandigarh and Haryana.

Tens of thousands join yoga in Chandigarh, Haryana

In Chandigarh, the main event was held at the world acclaimed Rock Garden, where scores of people turned up to do yoga.Punjab Governor and Union Territory Administrator Banwarilal Purohit and Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, joined nearly 1,000 people in the iconic Rock Garden.In Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar led hundreds of people at the main event in Panipat town.Ministers of the Haryana government attended the day's functions at other district headquarters.This year's theme was 'Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', emphasising the global unity and harmony that yoga promotes.In Chandigarh, diverse yoga associations and non-governmental organisations participated in the event organised at nearly 100 locations, showcasing commitment to the promotion of yoga and well-being.IANS21 June 2023

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Powers of chancellors of universities in Punjab to now be vested with Chief Minister

Chandigarh, June 20: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday unanimously passed Punjab University Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023 thereby vesting the powers of Chancellors of state Universities with CM.

Powers of chancellors of universities in Punjab to now be vested with Chief Minister

Summarizing the debate on the floor of the house, the Chief Minister said that the state has its own rich culture, traditions and heritage which need to be perpetuated amongst the younger generations.He said that for this Educational institutions especially Universities can play a pivotal role. Bhagwant Mann recalled how the universities of the state have produced great intellectuals, artists and other eminent people in various fields.The Chief Minister said that to carry forward this legacy, men of high integrity, prudence and repute need to be appointed in the universities of the state as Vice Chancellors.However, he bemoaned that the Governor, who is not from the state and is not aware of its history and culture, creates unnecessary hurdles in it.Bhagwant Mann said that it is surprising that the Governor knows nothing about the state but is empowered to appoint the VCs which is totally unfair.The Chief Minister said that contrary to securing the state's interests, the Punjab Governor is often seen on the other side.Citing the issue of Panjab University, he said that instead of safeguarding the interests of Punjab and Punjabis, the Governor had been taking the stance in favour of Haryana to allow its entry into the senate of the university.Bhagwant Mann said that this is a very strange situation as the Governor just to appease his political masters sitting in Delhi is doing all these gimmicks.The Chief Minister said that it is brazen disrespect of the verdict of the people that have elected the state government to work for their well-being.He said that on lines of the bill already passed by West Bengal, the Punjab government has formulated this bill which will entrust the powers of chancellor of the Universities to the Chief Minister.Bhagwant Mann said that with the formation of this Act the Chief Minister, and not the Governor, will be the chancellor of the universities of the state.The Chief Minister said that no interference from the Governor is required in the day-to-day functioning of the affairs of the state.He said that the state government is committed to securing the interests of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat adding that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.Bhagwant Mann said that the state government will take every step to restore the pristine glory of the state.ANI21 June 2023

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Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed meets with President of Malta

Dubai, June 20: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, today met with George Vella, President of Malta and his accompanying delegation at the Ruler's Court in Dubai.

Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed meets with President of Malta

The meeting was attended by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.The meeting explored opportunities to further enhance commercial, trade and investment ties as well as closer collaboration in a wide range of industries. Sheikh Hamdan said the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the UAE and Malta provides a new opportunity to expand engagement in diverse spheres.Dubai is keen to promote meaningful partnerships with countries and institutions across the world to raise sustainable economic growth and generate solutions to some of the critical challenges the planet is facing, he added.The meeting discussed how Dubai and Malta can tap synergies in the areas of renewable energy, food security and innovation development.The meeting also explored opportunities for greater cooperation in the digital and green economies. As the UAE gears up to host the COP28 climate conference, Dubai seeks to build an extensive network of global partners with whom it can share knowledge and expertise and combine resources to address pressing environmental challenges, Sheikh Hamdan noted.Apart from harnessing complementarities in established sectors and industries, the forward-looking vision of Dubai and Malta presents opportunities to explore new mutual opportunities to drive the development of future-oriented sectors, Sheikh Hamdan stated.Several UAE ministers and government officials also attended the meeting. (ANI/WAM)ANI21 June 2023

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US Coast Guard confirms underwater noises during search for missing sub

Washington, June 21: The US Coast Guard on Wednesday confirmed that a Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area for the missing tourist submarine with five people on board.

US Coast Guard confirms 'underwater noises' during search for missing sub

In a series of tweets, the Coast Guard said "Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue."Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans."This is the first official confirmation from authorities conducting the search operation, although they did not specify what the "banging" sounds were, reports the BBC.Before the official confirmation by the US Coast Guard, several American media outlets citing internal US government memos, reported that a Canadian search aircraft detected "banging" in 30-minute intervals coming from the area where the sub disappeared on June 18.It is unclear when and how long the banging lasted.The submarine was lost about an hour and 45 minutes into its dive to the Titanic's wreckage in the Atlantic on June 18, according to the Coast Guard.The missing vessel istour firm OceanGate's Titan submersible, a truck-sized sub that holds five people and usually dives with a four-day emergency supply of oxygen.Tickets cost $250,000 for an eight-day trip including dives to the wreck at a depth of 3,800m.A search operation is currently underway in an area in the ocean "larger than the state of Connecticut", about 20,000 sq.km.Rescue teams from Canada's navy, air force and coast guard, as well as the New York state air guard are assisting.A French research vessel and Magellan, a British firm that specialises in deep ocean investigations and recovery operations, have also joined the mission.The Titan submersible is thought to be approximately 1,450 km east and 643 km south of Newfoundland's capital, St John'sAccording to US Coast Guard estimates, the Titan has roughly 30 hours of oxygen remaining on board.The five passengers on board are Hamish Harding, 58-year-old British adventurer who has previously been to space and multiple times to the South Pole; British businessman Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman (19); Paul-Henry Nargeolet (77), a former French Navy diver who has reportedly spent more time at the Titanic wreck than any other explorer and was part of the first expedition to visit it in 1987; and Stockton Rush (61), the chief executive of OceanGate.IANS21 June 2023

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In US, PM Modi meets experts from health sector, academia, tech, economy

New York, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a group of leading experts from the health sector, industry, entrepreneurial world, technology, economy and others in New York on Tuesday (local time) and held relevant discussions with them.

In US, PM Modi meets experts from health sector, academia, tech, economy

PM Modi is in the US on a State visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.During his meeting with a group of experts from various think-tanks, PM Modi discussed geopolitics, the global economic situation and terrorism among other relevant issues.PM Modi tweeted, "Met a group of people associated with key think tanks. We talked about different aspects of policy making and the emerging global trends. Emphasised on the positive changes in India and how they are being powered by our youth."Among those he met included Michael Froman, President-designate and Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), New York; Daniel Russel, Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, New York; Max Abrahms, Associate Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University, Boston; Jeff M. Smith, Director, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation, DC; Elbridge Colby, Co-founder of 'The Marathon Initiative', based in Washington DC and Guru Sowle, Founder-member, Director (Indo-US Affairs), Indus International Research Foundation, Texas.The PM also met CEOs, economists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians, and health sector experts.Prime Minister and the experts discussed various matters pertaining to the health domain, including the use of digital technologies for quality healthcare, a greater focus on integrative medicine and better healthcare preparedness."Had an informative discussion with a group of healthcare experts. They shared their rich perspectives on ways to augment healthcare capacities in India. I told them about the work we have done in integrating the latest technology in the sector and our efforts like TB elimination," PM Modi tweeted.Those who met PM Modi include Dr Peter Hotez, Founding Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, Texas; Dr Sunil A David, CEO of ViroVax based in Texas; Dr Stephen Klasko, Advisor to General Catalyst; Dr Lawton R Burns, Professor of Healthcare Management, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; Dr Vivian S Lee, Founding President, Verily Life Sciences; Dr Peter Agre, Physician, Nobel laureate and molecular biologist, at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.Meanwhile, PM Modi also met a group of eminent US academics in New York. The academics hailed from diverse fields of agriculture, marketing, engineering, health, science and technology."In New York City, held an extensive interaction with a group of academics. They shared their views on how to further strengthen the education sector in India with a focus on skills and innovation. I talked about the transformative potential of our National Education Policy," tweeted PM Modi following their meeting.They discussed the possibilities of enhancing research collaborations and two-way academic exchanges under India's New Education Policy.Academics shared perspectives and experiences from their respective areas of expertise with the PM. The experts and PM Modi discussed a range of developmental and geo-political issues.Among those who met PM Modi include Chandrika Tandon, Chair of the Board, NYU Tandon School of Engineering; Neeli Bendapudi, President of Pennsylvania State University; Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor, University of California, San Diego; Satish Tripathi, President of the University at Buffalo; Professor Jagmohan Raju, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania; Madhav V Rajan, Dean, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago; Professor Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science; Anurag Mairal, Adjunct Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University.Prime Minister invited them to enhance their presence in India as it embarks on its transformation during the Amritkaal.After attending Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters later today, PM Modi will travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora.ANI21 June 2023

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Goa CM should ask Maha govt to permanently stop Virdi dam work: Cong

Panaji, June 21: Congress leader Girish Chodankar on Wednesday dared Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to ask the Maharashtra government to permanently stop work of the Virdi Dam if he was concerned about the water issue of Goa.

Goa CM should ask Maha govt to permanently stop Virdi dam work: Cong

Ridiculing the statement of Goa and Maharashtra Chief Ministers over the Mhadei issue to fight it together against Karnataka, Chodankar said that the BJP was trying to hoodwink people.Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently, in presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, said that Maharashtra and Goa will fight the Mhadei issue together against Karnataka."Goa and Maharashtra are brothers and there are no disputes within. We are going to fight together against Karnataka," Shinde said.This statement was welcomed by Sawant saying, "It will benefit Goa in a big way, if we both are together."Attacking Pramod Sawant over the statement, former Congress secretary Chodankar said that the triple engine government of BJP has been exposed over this act now."Who had stopped Pramod Sawant and Eknath Shinde to make such statements and act against Karnataka when there was a BJP government in Centre, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. Now it is evident that both are dancing to the tunes of Centre and making statements to attain political dividend after BJP lost miserably in Karnataka," Chodankar said."It is very much clear that both the Chief Ministers of Goa and Maharashrtra have joined hands over the Mhadei issue as now Congress is ruling in Karnataka," he said."If Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is really concerned about the water shortage issue of Goa, then he should warn Eknath Shinde not to do construction activities at Virdi dam," Chodankar said.Earlier in April, the Maharashtra government had moved its machinery to begin work on the Virdi dam to construct the dam across the Valvanti River via its Kattika tributary in Virdi, located along the Goa-Maharashtra border."Does Pramod Sawant have the audacity to speak to his bosses at the Centre and intervene in matters to stop Maharashtra from diverting water," he questioned.IANS21 June 2023

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Yoga is an effective medium to achieve global peace, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow, June 21: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described Yoga as an effective medium to achieve global peace and the welfare of humanity, apart from being a means to stay healthy both physically and mentally. He was Speaking on the occasion of the 9th International Yoga Day at a program organized at Mahant Digvijay Nath Smriti Auditorium here on Wednesday.

Yoga is an effective medium to achieve global peace, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath

"Yoga is a precious gift of the Indian sage tradition to the world to achieve global wellness. Our legacy includes thousands of years of Indian sage tradition and knowledge. We should be proud of our legacy of Yoga," CM Yogi said."Yoga, which we have been incorporating into our lives for hundreds of years, has now spread to the world and is attracting people from different parts to practice it," he added.CM Yogi was addressing practitioners and trainees of Yoga prior to doing it himself on the premises of the Gorakhnath temple. He also congratulated the people of the state on the occasion of International Yoga Day and expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for re-establishing the prestige of Yoga on the global platform.He remarked, "PM Modi inspired people at the United Nations to use Yoga for global wellness and peace. Today, about 200 countries of the world are expressing their gratitude towards India's sage tradition by joining various programmes of Yoga."CM Yogi said that India became a world 'guru' because everything here is practical and already proven.CM Yogi further said that in the last three-and-a-half years, when the whole world was battling the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian AYUSH system was in great demand on the global platform as people considered it as a source of complete health.The Indian AYUSH system has paved the way for the welfare of humanity, he added. He further said that the demand for AYUSH is continuously increasing."Those who used to drink tea and cold drinks earlier began drinking Ayurvedic 'kadha' during the Covid period. This is the contribution of Ayush of India. Turmeric is a major part of Indian cuisine and its increasing demand in the world provides a new opportunity for the farmers of India," he pointed out.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Yoga is a means to stay healthy physically and mentally, emphasizing the importance of both in a person's life.CM Yogi outlined the significance of Yoga, claiming that 'Pranayama' practitioners barely felt the effects of corona even during the deadly second wave of the pandemic when people were having issues related to their lungs and facing respiratory problems. Even those 'Pranayama' practitioners who got infected by the virus, recovered within a few days of infection for the merits of the 'asana'.The Chief Minister said that Pranayama not only strengthens people but also serves as a medium of physical purification. Similarly, the 'Yogasanas not only give us stability but also provide physical strength. Besides, Yoga is the way to enter the spiritual realm which leads to a wider dimension of consciousness, he remarked.CM Yogi further said that Ashtanga Yoga is an important Yoga tradition in which Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi are different activities."There are different types of these genres which provide us all with the medium of physical and mental purification," he said.CM Yogi said that Yoga gives relief from all cold, and cough disorders. Along with explaining the importance of asanas and pranayama, he also discussed the purification of the 'nadi'.He further emphasized that Yoga is effective in reducing stress, which is common these days because of an unhealthy lifestyle. It relieves anxiety and stress and also controls blood pressure and sugar. He appealed to all the people to make Yoga a part of their regular routines.On International Yoga Day, Yogi Adityanath witnessed the live address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the program organized at Mahant Digvijay Nath Smriti Auditorium of Gorakhnath Temple. Later, he practised Yoga with practitioners and trainees present in the auditorium.ANI21 June 2023

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Seven new directors of Bamboo Airways pose for a picture on June 21, 2023. Photo courtesy of Bamboo Airways

Oshima Hideki, the former deputy CEO of Japan Airlines, has been appointed chairman of Vietnams Bamboo Airways for the 2023-2028 period.

He is among seven new directors of the airline, according to decisions made at the companys general meeting on Wednesday.

Hideki has nearly 40 years of experience in the aviation industry.

He was previously Deputy General Director of Japan Airlines, Deputy General Director of the Tokyo Narita Airport, and a Project Manager at Haneda Airport.

Bamboo Airways new deputy chairmen are Nguyen Ngoc Trong, Doan Huu Doan and Phan Dinh Tue. The other members of the board of directors are Le Ba Nguyen, Le Thai Sam and Tran Hoa Binh.

A new board of supervisors, comprised of three members, has also been appointed.

Bamboo Airways plans to operate 30-36 aircraft by the end of this year, aiming for an occupancy rate of 81.5% and an on-time flight ratio of 90%.

The carrier is targeting a revenue increase of 15-20% from last years VND11.73 trillion ($498.94 million). It also wants to expand its network in Europe, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia.

Bamboo Airways is building an aviation ecosystem for itself by establishing subsidiaries for transportation, ground services, aviation technology and food services.
Ten US students arrive in Lucknow University to learn Urdu, Persian

Lucknow, June 21: Ten American students have arrived at the Lucknow University (LU) to learn Urdu and Persian during their eight-week stay in the city.

Ten US students arrive in Lucknow University to learn Urdu, Persian

The university will hold classes for them twice a week and will also acquaint them with Indian culture and ethos.These students already have a knowledge of these two languages and have come here to hone their skills and diction.This development is a result of an MoU signed between the University of Lucknow and the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), New Delhi.Prof RP Singh, director, international collaboration, said, that in line with this collaboration, Lucknow University is offering a short-term course spanning eight weeks to teach Urdu and Persian to American students.Julia Norman from Los Angeles says they are fortunate to have been given the opportunity to study Urdu in Lucknow. Julia hopes to develop language skills here at LU. "This city's rich culture and vibrant history makes this an ideal place," she said.Meredith Church from the University of Colorado says they are fascinated by the history and confluence of culture in Lucknow. "Honoured to have the opportunity to learn Urdu here," she said.Nikash Harapanahalli from the US state of Texas said that the opportunity to learn Urdu in Lucknow is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.IANS21 June 2023

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China railways to handle 71 mn passenger trips during Dragon Boat Festival

Beijing, June 21: The China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. on Wednesday announced that around 71 million trips will be made until Sunday during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday,.

China railways to handle 71 mn passenger trips during Dragon Boat Festival

In a statement, the Group said that on an average, the daily railway trips will reach 14.2 million, reports Xinhua news agency.The passenger flow will peak on Thursday, with about 16 million railway trips expected to be made.China's railways are maximising their transportation potential and increasing capacity to satisfy people's travel needs, while improving service quality to ensure that passengers have better experiences, the Group said.The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.The holiday is celebrated by holding dragon boat races and eating sticky rice dumplings called zongzi.IANS21 June 2023

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Like Vivekanada: Railways Ministers high praise for PM Modi on International Yoga Day

Balasore, June 21: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi's feat in showcasing India's culture worldwide to that of Swami Vivekananda.

Like Vivekanada: Railways Minister's high praise for PM Modi on International Yoga Day

"The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi has showcased India's culture worldwide is comparable to that of Swami Vivekananda," he said on the occasion of International Yoga Day at a time when the Prime Minister is on a state visit to the United States.Thanking the people of Balasore who took part in the Yoga celebrations here, the Union Minister said, "Today, so many people in Balasore participated in International Yoga Day celebrations, I want to thank everyone."Earlier in the day, Vaishnaw performed Yoga in Balasore to mark the ninth International Yoga Day.Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda participated in the International Yoga Day programme at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram.Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also performed Yoga in Haridwar. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Ayush Minister Sarbanand Sonowal to perform yoga at garrison ground in Jabalpur. In Himachal Pradesh, Union Minsiter Anurag Thakur took part in the International Yoga Day.Meanwhile, PM Modi celebrated the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide every year. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of International Yoga Day during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.This year the theme of Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of 'One World-One Family'.It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along.ANI21 June 2023

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Fully agree: PM Modi responds UN Secretary Generals message on International Yoga Day

New Delhi, June 21: On International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he fully agreed with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after the latter articulated his views on the importance of Yoga.

Fully agree: PM Modi responds UN Secretary General's message on International Yoga Day

PM Modi, who is leading a special Yoga session at the UN headquarters in New York on his maiden official visit to the US, wished "may Yoga bring us all together".Earlier, the UN Secretary-General shared a personalised video message on International Yoga Day, saying that Yoga not just unites body and mind, but also millions of people across the globe.He also urged people to embrace Yoga to build a more harmonious world.In response to his video address, PM Modi tweeted, "Fully agree with @UN Secretary General @antonioguterres on the importance of Yoga. May Yoga Day bring us all closer and improve the health of our planet."Guterres said, "Yoga offers a haven of calm. It can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection. And it reveals our common humanity - helping us to understand that despite our differences, we are one."The idea of International Yoga Day was mooted by Prime Minister Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly.Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance and overall fitness.After overseeing the Yoga Day celebrations in New York, PM Modi will travel to Washington D.C where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.Later, on Thursday, he will call on President Joe Biden.ANI21 June 2023

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Malabar Gold & Diamonds renews Association with Superstar NTR Jr. as Brand Ambassador

NewsVoir, Mumbai, June 21: Malabar Gold and Diamonds, the 6th largest jewellery retailer globally with over 320 showrooms across 11 countries, has signed mass superstar Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds renews Association with Superstar NTR Jr. as Brand Ambassador

also known as NTR Jr. as its newest brand ambassador. NTR Jr. will be featured in the upcoming consumer campaigns of Malabar Gold and Diamonds. A prolific actor and a pan-India mass superstar attracting global attention, NTR Jr. reflects the core values of the group i.e., trust, transparency, and excellence with his affable and grounded persona.The second innings of NTR Jr. as the brand's ambassador will make Malabar Gold and Diamonds 30th anniversary even more glittering. Signing the super-star is in line with the group's aim to further expand its customer base and build a stronger consumer connect in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region as well as across India and around the world.Speaking about the association, NTR Jr. shared, "I am happy to be associated once again with Malabar Gold and Diamonds. Apart from being one of the most trusted jewellery brands, they are actively showcasing Indian designs, art and culture at the global stage. Their customer-centric promises and ESG initiatives have established their leadership in the industry. I see great synergy between the values I believe in and what the brand stands for."Commenting on associating with NTR Jr., MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group said, "We are excited to renew our time-tested association with NTR Jr. He has emerged as a one of the widely admired movie stars in India across regions. His outstanding filmography underlines his command over the crafts of acting. He is an actor par excellence and his impressive personality will further elevate our brand proposition. We had an amazing association in the past with NTR Jr. and the revival of the relation will help accelerate the acceptance of the brand globally in our ambition to be the no. 1 global jewellery retailer. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to offering our valued customers excellence in transparency, jewellery variety and craftsmanship along with world-class jewellery shopping experience."Malabar Gold and Diamonds boasts of an extensive retail network in India, UK, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore and the US. The group has plans to foray into new markets such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, Egypt, Bangladesh, Turkey and New Zealand as well as major cities in India.Malabar Gold and Diamonds is known for providing an exceptional jewellery shopping experience with convenience and customer-friendly policies, known as the 'Malabar Promise.' This promise assures customers of unmatched quality, transparency, and service assurance. With more than 12 exclusive sub-brands in gold, diamond, and precious gems, Malabar Gold and Diamonds presents designs curated from 20 countries, catering to the diverse tastes and preferences of their vast, multicultural customer base.Malabar Gold and Diamonds was established in 1993 and is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate. With an annual turnover of $5.2 billion, the company currently ranks as the 6th largest jewellery retailer globally and today has a strong retail network of over 320 outlets spread across 11 countries in addition to multiple offices, design centers, wholesale units and factories spread across India, UK, Middle East, Far East and USA. The group, owned by more than 4,000 shareholders, has more than 18,500 professionals from over 26 countries working towards its continued success. Malabar Gold and Diamonds also features an online store providing customers the opportunity to purchase their favourite jewellery at any time and on any day from the comfort of their homes.ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) has been the primary commitment of the group since its inception. The key ESG focus area of Malabar Group are Health, Housing, Hunger Free World, Education, Environment and Women empowerment. Integrating the principles of responsibility and sustainability into its core business, Malabar Group periodically strengthens its ESG goals to remain a socially conscious and responsible organization. The group contributes 5% of its profit.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI22 June 2023

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Despite the ravages of storms, seaweed farming is transforming the lives of Filipino families in traditionally male-dominated fishing communities, turning women into family breadwinners who are paying for their children to go to college.

The Cherish Fisherfolk Cooperative of 120 seaweed farmers in the Palawan village of Balintang is named after the 1984 hit "Cherish" by U.S. band Kool & the Gang.

"Cherish means to protect and care for what we have," Mardy Montano, president of the cooperative, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation as she rested after a day's work on a floating house in the midst of Palawan's turquoise waters.

"That's how valuable seaweed farming is for all of us."

Seaweed farming is the world's fastest-growing form of aquaculture and the Philippines is the fourth largest producer globally. More than 1 million Filipinos benefit from the seaweed industry, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

In 1995, when Montano settled in Balintang, only a few women in the village farmed seaweed and their earnings were marginal.

Increased support from the local government and private funders led to an uptick in production from 2017, when Montano and other women formed the Cherish Fisherfolk Association to grow their farms together.

It is now a lucrative business. Balintang seaweed farmers earn 20,000 to 40,000 Philippine pesos ($358 to $715) a month, compared to about 5,000 pesos made by small-scale fishermen.

Unlike fishing and rice farming - both capital and labor-intensive - seaweed provides an income every 45 days, the typical cultivation cycle.

"The women in our village are no longer just confined at home. We don't just simply wait for our husbands to come back from the sea," said Montano. "Through seaweed, we now play a huge role in our family and community."

Montano's eldest child is now an agricultural engineer.

"All because of seaweed farming," she said.

Seaweed farming a family enterprise

On a typical day, Cherish women gather in a small nipa hut - a thatched house on stilts common in rural Philippines- to attach seaweed cuttings to long nylon ropes. The men then take the lines offshore to farms of about 2,500 meters squared.

Some six weeks later, the seaweed is harvested and the women set it out to dry in the sun for two to three days, then sell it locally for processing into crisps or noodles or to export as carrageenan - a valuable additive in food and pharmaceuticals.

Last year, the Department of Agriculture developed a five-year seaweed industry roadmap to help the country become the "global market's preferred seaweed and carrageenan supplier."

The World Bank-assisted Philippine Rural Development Project has also identified seaweed as one of eight commodities of national importance, or priority crops for development and trade.

Seaweed farming is often a family enterprise involving the entire household. Mothers share the work with their children who help attach seaweed cuttings to the lines.

"Women lead the farming process from nursery to harvesting," said Palawan agricultural officer Pacita Bravo.

Melinda Gimotea, a mother of five, has managed the family seaweed farm for two decades while her husband is away fishing.

"I'm always happy during harvest time because it means I can buy my children's needs, like food and school supplies," said Gimotea, who has not only passed on her knowledge to her children, but also sent them all to college.

She fondly recalled heading out towards the open sea to check their seaweed crop with her youngest daughter, Charry, who is now studying fisheries in college.

Climate change

Storms, however, often dash much of the farmers' hard work. An archipelago in the western Pacific, the Philippines is among countries most at risk from climate change and is hit by typhoons about 20 times a year.

When Tropical Storm Nalgae hit the Philippines in October, it destroyed a floating dryer donated by the United States Agency for International Development. The debris litters the shore.

When large storms hit Balintang, seaweed lines in the shallows are washed away and around half the crop is lost.

Wilfred John Santianez, a marine scientist focusing on seaweed, said the plant is vulnerable, not only to stronger and more frequent storms, but also to rising sea temperatures.

"Most of the seaweeds are just floating near the surface of the sea, so they're receiving much of the heat," said Santianez, who teaches at the University of the Philippines.

Santianez said direct sunlight and heat reduce the plants' capacity to photosynthesize and leave them vulnerable to disease and a growing number of bacterial infections such as ice-ice, which leads to whitening and hardening of seaweed tissues.

But farmers can adapt to warming temperatures by deep sea cultivation. Montano hopes donors can help them farm further out to sea.

Last year, Cherish became a cooperative - a business that is owned by its members who get a democratic voice in how it is run - to earn more from selling directly to bigger traders and processing plants.

Being organized as a cooperative is also often a requirement of donors and the government for material and technical assistance, Montano said.

The success of Indonesia - the world's top seaweed producer - was due to government funding of grassroots cooperatives, according to the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Following its neighbor's strategy, the Philippines has funded 10 seaweed cooperatives in the provinces of Palawan, Albay, Sorsogon, Bohol, Dinagat and Surigao Del Sur and is planning to establish more seaweed nursery cooperatives.

For Montano, the social aspect is equally important.

"The farming process is being done as a collective," she said. "We drink coffee, eat biscuits and share stories with other members while doing it. That's how we form a bond."
Thailand has said it will halve the visa approval time for Chinese visitors to less than a week to ease travel from the world's largest outbound tourism market.

The tourism industry had been complaining that the approval time was currently too long since it had taken only 3-5 working days to issue visas in pre-Covid times.

China was Thai tourism's biggest overseas market in 2019 as 11 million visited the country, accounting for 28% of arrivals.

There were one million Chinese tourists between January and May 18 this year, and the Thai government expects to achieve its target of five million during the full year.
The work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals continues to advance accountability for atrocities committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

The Mechanism achieved a significant milestone with the capture and arrest of fugitive Fulgence Kayishema, noted U.S. Legal Advisor at the United Nations Mark Simonoff:



Kayishema was indicted over twenty years ago, charged with genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity for his role in the cold-blooded murders of more than 2,000 Tutsi men, women, and children at the Nyange Parish Church. His arrest cannot restore what was lost in April 1994 in Kivumu, but we hope that it will provide victims some comfort that the fight for justice for their loved ones will continue and the facts surrounding their death will be fully brought to light.

The United States continues to offer a reward of up to $5 million for the three remaining Rwandan fugitives sought by the Mechanism.

Mr. Simonoff also acknowledged the significance of the recent appeals judgment in the case of Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic. This long-awaited judgment confirmed their liability as participants in a joint criminal enterprise to forcibly remove civilians through the crimes of persecution, murder, deportation, and inhumane acts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. It is the final case involving atrocity crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia.

There is only one other remaining case involving core crimes pending before the court, the case of Felicien Kabuga, accused of acting as the primary financier of the militia and political groups that perpetrated the genocide in Rwanda.

The success of the Mechanism has always depended on the cooperation and support of all states. The United States is pleased to note the increased cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia on war crimes cases, as well as the report that the Croatian Minister of Justice has been transferring requests for assistance to the appropriate judicial authorities for action, said Mr. Simonoff:

We hope that the region can continue to make progress on cooperation, as victims have waited too long for justice. In particular, we continue to urge Serbia to act on the outstanding arrest warrants for Jojic and Radeta.

The United States will continue to press for justice, mutual trust, and reconciliation as the foundation for peace and stability.
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In a race against the clock on the high seas, an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes is searching for a submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic
The frustration is hard to hide on Cody Schroeders face as the wildlife biologist steers his pickup off Interstate 80 and into the Carson Range to monitor mule deer habitat.

A once-bushy and tree-covered mountainside near Verdi is bisected by construction access roads, flat patches of dirt piled high with boulders that have been cleared out to level the steep slopes.

This is kind of crazy, just how this has changed since I was out here just a few days ago, says Schroeder, a staff biologist with the Nevada Department of Wildlife. What were driving through is winter range for mule deer  or what used to be winter range for mule deer.

The mountainside is slated for somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 houses by luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers.

Just seeing these trucks, it crushes my spirit, Schroeder says as he navigates his truck up a dirt road and past men huddled around a pickup, a bulldozer parked off to one side. Its hard to be optimistic as a wildlife biologist in 2023.

The number of mule deer across Nevada plummeted this year as the deer, weakened by two years of successive drought, struggled to find food sources during one of the snowiest winters on record and the sheep battle widespread disease.

Both biologists and hunters alike are watching populations to see if they will continue their downward trajectories  a highly possible situation considering development and erratic weather conditions across Nevada  or if they will rebound.

On April 15  historically when areas are likely to have their peak snowpack  watersheds across the state were reporting anywhere from two to five times their usual median snowpack. The Snake River Basin that extends from Idaho into northeastern Nevada had nearly twice its median snowpack while the Carson River Basin in eastern California and western Nevada had more than three times its median snow level. Southern Nevadas Spring Mountains had more than 500 percent of their median snowpack.

That thick snow hampered the ability of mule deer to forage. Not only were high-elevation summer ranges buried under snow, but, this winter, low-elevation ranges, like the soon-to-be housing development Schroeder was visiting, were too.

Fall surveys of the deer showed promising numbers for mule deer: For every 100 does, there were roughly 31 bucks and 54 fawns. But as the snowy winter raged on, the numbers turned. Mule deer monitored by the department during December, February and March had exceptionally low body fat reserves, and most herds saw a fawn loss of between 40 percent and 55 percent over the winter.

Now, only around 68,000 mule deer are roaming Nevada, the fewest in the state in nearly five decades, according to Schroeder.

During the 1990s, roughly 200,000 mule deer populated the state.

The area Schroeder is driving through, southwest of Northern Nevadas Peavine Mountain, once hosted anywhere between 4,000 and 5,000 mule deer in the winter. Now, biologists are lucky if they spot 1,000.

Theyre kind of a canary in a coal mine, like the sage grouse, he says. They dont just provide things for recreationalists to look at and people to hunt. They are very much part of the ecosystem.

Adult mule deer mortality was also well above average, especially in herds around the Ruby Mountains. Roughly 50 percent of Nevadas deer population is in three major herds in Elko County, and those herds saw roughly 5,000 deer die off over the winter.

In Elko County, sprawling housing developments at low elevations arent a problem like they are in Washoe County  instead, large-scale mines and renewable energy projects cut across prime winter habitat and migratory corridors.

They have the same issues out there, just from a different source, Schroeder says.

Desert bighorn sheep across Nevada are also struggling. The population is about 7,100, down from more than 10,000 between 2017 and 2019.

The alarming drop in sheep numbers stems from a number of factors, according to the department  like the mule deer, the cumulative effects of the drought and a loss of habitat and water sources have taken their toll. The sheep are also vulnerable to diseases spread by domestic livestock, and Nevadas desert bighorns have seen an uptick in lamb and adult mortality from respiratory diseases.

The past two summers saw Southern Nevadas bighorns trapped, trying to find water, says Mike Cox, staff biologist with NDOW. We physically had animals dying of thirst.

Fewer hunting tags

The declining numbers are a problem for Nevada hunters, who are seeing an increase in applications for tags and a decrease in the number that are issued.

During the past 11 years, an average of 300 bighorn ram tags were issued annually. This year, just 234 tags are being issued, the largest single-year drop in the history of Nevada desert bighorn ram hunting.

Nevada is one of the most sought-after states for desert bighorn sheep and historically has offered more ram tags than any other Western state, according to Schroeder.

And just under 11,000 tags are being issued for mule deer this year, a 40 percent reduction over the amount issued in 2022. The number of tags NDOW issues for mule deer has declined steadily since 2012, when more than 24,000 were issued.

But as the number of tags issued has gone down as wildlife has battled extreme climate fluctuations and development, the department has seen an increase in tag applications.

Over 85,000 people applied for more than 432,000 hunting tags in Nevada this year; in 2018, roughly 70,000 people applied for 269,000 tags.

There will be small recoveries, Cox says. But other than pronghorn and elk that can hold their own, mule deer and bighorn are going to continue to suffer.
Jackies story is not all that different from my story," Robert Jones says. "One of the common factors is that we both saw something greater for ourselves than our current situations.
Scientists studying gene activity data of the early human embryo have discovered an overlooked type of cell which self-destructs within days of forming, as part of a quality control process to protect the developing fetus. The findings give insights on what happens at the very first stages of life after fertilization which could in the future help improve IVF or regenerative medicine treatments.

A new study published on 20 June 2023 in PLoS Biology by an international team of scientists including researchers at the University of Bath, finds that our earliest development in the womb may be rather different to what we have always assumed.

While human adults are made up of trillions of cells, we all started out as just one cell, the fertilized egg. This divides to become 2 cells which in turn divide to become four, which become 8 and so on. At some point the cells then start to specialize in their function. Like trains sent to different end stations, some will be shunted off to become the placenta while others will become the embryo.

Self-destructing embryonic cell

The team of scientists analyzed previously published data on gene activity of each individual cell from 5-day old embryos and discovered around a quarter of the cells didn't fit the profile of any of the known cell types (pre-embryo, pre-placenta etc).

Investigating further, they discovered that these cells contained so-called "Young transposable elements" or "jumping genes". These are rogue elements of DNA that can copy themselves and insert themselves back into our DNA, often causing damage in the process.

Staining of embryos by project collaborators in Spain confirmed the existence of the cells with proteins derived from the jumping genes.

Looking a little further forward in time, the team found their descendants both have DNA damage and undergo a process of programmed cell death.

Quality control mechanism

This process, the researchers suggest, looks like a form of quality control: selection between cells in favour of the good ones.

Dr Zsuzsanna Izsvak, co-senior author from the Max Delbruck Center and an expert on mobile DNA, said: "Humans, like all organisms, fight a never-ending game of cat and mouse with these harmful jumping genes.

"While we try and suppress these jumping genes by any means possible, very early in development they are active in some cells, probably because we cannot get our genetic defenses in place fast enough."

Co-lead author Professor Laurence Hurst, from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, said: "If a cell is damaged by the jumping genes  or any other sort of error such as having too few or too many chromosomes  then the embryo is better off removing these cells and not allowing them to become part of the developing baby.

We are used to the idea of natural selection favoring one organism over another. What we are seeing within embryos also looks like survival of the fittest but this time between almost identical cells. It looks like we've uncovered a novel part of our arsenal against these harmful genetic components." Laurence Hurst, Co-Lead Author, Professor, Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath

Using old genetic enemies to fight new ones

Conversely, the single-cell data showed that the key cells that will become the embryo (the inner cell mass or ICM) don't contain jumping genes but instead express a virus-like gene called human endogenous virus H. This helps suppress the young jumping genes in the inner cell mass, fitting with an emerging pattern that we use our old genetic enemies to fight our new ones.

The authors suggest that if the quality control process is too sensitive, the embryo as a whole may die. This might explain why some mutations in our system to detect damage in early embryos are also associated with infertility.
New research published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes examines the pilot phase of the American Heart Association quality improvement program Target: Aortic Stenosis. The program aims to lay the groundwork to more reliably measure performance on the quality of aortic stenosis (AS) care from diagnosis to treatment. The Target: Aortic Stenosis program focuses on closing care gaps for patients who are not appropriately diagnosed and referred for initial treatment, especially as it relates to healthcare disparities.

Without valve replacement, as few as half of the nearly 1.6 million seniors with AS, a progressive disease that occurs when the opening of a heart valve narrows, usually due to age, survive more than two years. To help these patients, the Association launched Target: Aortic Stenosis in 2020, with support from Edwards Lifesciences.

The pilot focused on developing a process to evaluate quality in the management and timely treatment of patients with AS and gathering data on "current state" performance for proposed metrics at the sites. In the pilot phase, the program examined 68 data elements, including demographics, medical history, symptom status, echocardiographic measurements and treatment decisions to determine care quality and equity needs. The pilot phase included 15 hospitals nationwide with varied geography, size, teaching status, and other characteristics. It included a diverse group of more than 2,500 unique patients who had at least one clinic visit, echocardiogram or other care encounter during or after 2020.

Among the nearly 1,300 patients identified as having symptomatic severe AS, just under half received transcatheter aortic valve replacement, which experts say is often the most appropriate and least costly treatment. About 17% underwent surgical aortic valve replacement and 36% did not undergo valve replacement.

As part of the pilot, the American Heart Association also formed an independent scientific advisory group to oversee the program and provide a foundation for effectively identifying and disseminating best practices for treating AS while improving equity in care.

This is the first systematic attempt to measure quality of care for patients with AS during the period from diagnosis to treatment. This pilot included a diverse group of sites, making it eminently feasible to translate the findings to a variety of other hospitals and improve care on a larger scale for patients with AS nationwide." Brian Lindman, M.D., MSc, lead study author, American Heart Association volunteer and medical director of the Structural Heart and Valve Center and associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Building on work conducted over the past three years, with continued support from Edwards Lifesciences, the initiative in the coming years will expand to include at least 80 hospitals across the country. These sites will help to create and test best practices, grow the national aortic stenosis patient registry to be a robust dataset for future research and participate in the Target: Aortic Stenosis recognition program based on validated quality metrics.

"As the pilot phase of this program completed the project goals, the American Heart Association is poised to build on this important work," said Mariell Jessup, M.D., FAHA, chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association. "A key future objective is to determine what system changes improve the quality of care for patients with aortic stenosis and widely disseminate those best practices. This effort to measure quality and quantify site performance is anticipated to help address current disparities in the treatment of patients with AS based on sex, race, and ethnicity."

Co-authors are Gregg Fonarow, M.D.; Gary Myers, MS; Heather Alger, PhD, MPH; Christine Rutan, CPHQ; Katie Troll, CPHQ; Angeline Aringo, MS; Melanie Shahriary, RN, BSN; Mariell Jessup, M.D.; Suzanne Arnold, M.D., MHA; Pinak Shah, M.D.; Wilson Szeto, M.D.; Clyde Yancy, M.D., MSc; and Catherine Otto, M.D. Authors' disclosures are listed in the manuscript.

The study was supported by the American Heart Association Target: Aortic Stenosis program. Edwards Lifesciences is the national sponsor of American Heart Association's Target: Aortic Stenosis.
In 2007, Yale pediatric neurosurgeon Steven Schiff, MD, visited his friend, Benjamin Warf, MD, at the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda. The scenes at the hospital stunned him: every day mothers came from all over the country carrying infants with enlarged heads, desperate for a cure. The mothers all told a similar story: the babies had all been born without incident but within the first weeks of their lives, they developed a severe infection, and after they recovered, their heads began to rapidly enlarge over weeks to months. The mothers didn't know it, but their babies had developed postinfectious hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus, or "water on the brain," is a devastating neurological condition caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles deep within the brain. This excess fluid causes the ventricles to expand, putting harmful pressure on the brain's tissues. It can be congenital or develop after an infection or hemorrhage in the brain. There is no known cure, and the need to relieve pressure on the brain forms the most common indication for neurosurgery in infancy worldwide. East Africa had become a hotbed for pediatric hydrocephalus for mysteriously unknown reasons, with an estimated 4,000 new cases in Uganda alone each year. Without easy access to advanced care, babies often died, and even those who made it to the CURE Children's Hospital in the early stages of the disease struggled to recover because of the damage already created by the infection. Schiff was struck by the magnitude of suffering that he saw. "As a physician and scientist and as a father, I am struck by how much we don't know about newborn infections in developing countries. I am concerned that one reason is that the newborn infants who die there have no political voice," he would later testify in front of the Congressional Subcommittee on Africa, Global Heath, and Human Rights.

On June 14, 2023, after 16 years of persistent pursuit of answers, the team published a landmark paper in The Lancet Microbe detailing the results of three linked studies, conclusively identifying the Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus bacteria as responsible for postinfectious hydrocephalus in Uganda.

"These results are the culmination of decades of collaboration and provide a clear path forward for testing the impact of targeted diagnosis and treatment of Paenibacillus infections," says Sarah Morton, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, at Harvard Medical School and co-lead author of the paper.

A new frontier

While the cause of newborn infections and postinfectious hydrocephalus in developed countries is often well known and less common than other causes of hydrocephalus, the infectious agent for thousands of hydrocephalic Ugandan babies eluded researchers for years. The bacteria didn't grow with traditional culture methods, which made it impossible to identify and characterize. Uganda's electrical grid made it often challenging to keep samples deep-frozen and stored at treatment sites for later analysis. What's more, it isn't easy to draw enough blood in infants to reliably analyze for bacteria. And although it was possible to use advanced gene sequencing methods to identify bacteria that would not grow in culture, those technologies were both expensive and not readily available in Uganda. This combination of challenges made the question of what was causing all these cases of postinfectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan babies daunting. But Schiff was determined to tackle this mystery, believing that it was a solvable problem.

After nine years of smaller-scale failed efforts, their big break came when they received several NIH Director's awards to scale up their efforts. "The NIH Director's high-risk high-reward programs took a risk on us, and we never could have brought the teams together and cracked this mystery properly if they had not given us this chance," Schiff says.

By 2020, Schiff's team of assembled investigators at Columbia and Penn State Universities identified through genomic sequencing that an organism previously thought to be harmless in the cerebrospinal fluid, called Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, was swimming in the brains of the Ugandan infants with hydrocephalus. The researchers stumbled upon a way of successfully growing some of these strains  using blood culture bottles for cerebrospinal fluid. This allowed them to discover that the organism was resistant to the first line antibiotics used to treat sick infants. They also found that these African strains picked up a virulent toxin that was highly lethal. In 2020 they published these findings from sequencing and culture in Science Translational Medicine.

Over the next three years, the team set out to discover where the bacteria was coming from and if it was indeed the underlying cause of postinfectious hydrocephalus or if it was an infection showing up in the hydrocephalic infants weeks and months later but not the cause of the hydrocephalus itself.

Since many newborn infections are transmitted from mothers, they ran a maternal trial of 100 laboring Ugandan women from different regions but did not find any evidence that Paenibacillus bacteria was carried by the mothers or being transferred to infants. They then examined 800 newborns who had developed a serious infection  sepsis  from different areas of Uganda. Here, they did find the Paenibacillus bacteria  in about six percent of cases. Of the newborns that survived the sepsis infection, many developed post-infectious hydrocephalus. In 400 cases of hydrocephalus in infants, 44 percent of postinfectious cases had PCR confirmation of Paenibacillus infection. And when the team ran PCR tests on samples of those newborns with sepsis who had developed postinfectious hydrocephalus, the same bacteria was found causing the newborn infection and, following treatment, still present when they returned for treatment weeks and months later with an enlarging head from hydrocephalus.

The resulting papers published in The Lancet Microbe and the journal Clinical Infectious Disease conclusively identified the Paenibacillus infection not only as the disease-causing widespread hydrocephalus in infants, but also newborn deaths.

"Our results suggest that Paenibacillus is an underrecognized cause of neonatal infection, which is important because the antibiotics that are commonly used to treat neonatal sepsis often won't work for Paenibacillus infections," says Jessica Ericson, MD, assistant professor of pediatric and infectious diseases at Penn State, lead author of the paper published in the journal Clinical Infectious Disease.

For the first time, we were able to describe the progression of infections during the neonatal period to the development of infant post-infectious hydrocephalus enabling us to guide the crucial diagnostics and interventions needed to prevent the devastating brain damage associated with post-infectious hydrocephalus." Christine Hehnly, PhD, post-doctoral fellow and co-lead author of The Lancet Microbe paper

From discovery to treatment

The team was now confident that the Paenibacillus bacteria is at the root of thousands of postinfectious hydrocephalus cases each year in Uganda. They also found that the pathogen has an affinity for wet places  the cases clustered around the swampy regions on the northern banks of Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile River, and the northern and southern banks of Lake Kyoga, where the Nile River flows in and out. Cases also directly correlated with the rainy seasons, consistent with an environmental source of the Paenibacillus.

To get around the limitations that prevent doctors from using gene sequencing and PCR for diagnosis in resource limited settings, Schiff and collaborators are using geolocation and daily satellite rainfall measurements to better predict whether a newborn patient was likely infected with Paenibacillus bacteria depending on when and where they had been infected. His team is working with local Ugandan hospitals to develop robust treatment protocols for these patients.

Currently, Schiff is focusing on uncovering the locations within rural environments where this bacterium lurks through field work, and to understand the cultural newborn care practices that may contribute to high infection rates with this bacterium. "After all we have learned, the last thing we want to be doing is trying to treat infants after they've been infected with these highly virulent bacteria. If we can nail down how it is getting into the infants, then we can develop public health policies that can prevent these infections", Schiff said.

Having cracked the answer to one seemingly intractable problem, Schiff and his colleagues are already setting their technologies and sights on others. They are studying similar infections in Vietnam, Kenya, and the U.S. and looking at the possibility of developing inexpensive sequencing systems at points of care to confirm infectious agents and tailor patient treatment.

"This is why doctors do research," says Schiff. "If we're really lucky, we can go from treating one person at a time to treating large numbers of people. I'm thrilled that after all these years working on this, we found a new disease process and grateful to the doctors, scientists and the patients' families who have worked so hard together to enable us to get to this point. Newborn infants at risk of dying are the universal currency binding together so many people who have worked so hard together on this problem."
The 6th World Congress on Targeting Phage Therapy 2023 that was held on June 1-2 in Paris, and gathered more than 150 attendees from 30+ different countries. Targeting Phage Therapy 2023 included more than 71 presentations between major talks, short orals, and posters.

The Chairman of the scientific committee Dr. Marvin Edeas Universite de Paris, Cochin Institute, France, and Dr. Domenico Frezza, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Italy, stated: "It's wonderful to hear that the speakers at the Targeting Phage Therapy 2023 conference delivered excellent presentations on a variety of fantastic topics. The fact that new findings and original results were shared suggests that the field of phage therapy is advancing and contributing to the development of a new kind of medicine. Phage therapy holds immense potential in addressing the challenge of antibiotic resistance and improving treatment options for bacterial infections. The research and discussions presented at the conference likely showcased the progress and possibilities of this innovative therapeutic approach."

The future of phage therapy

Dr. Marvin Edeas presented a talk on phages and microbiota, he commented, Phages have the potential to play a significant role in shaping our microbiota and influencing various effects within our bodies. The human microbiota, which consists of trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and phages, is known to have a profound impact on our health and well-being. Phages, being viruses that specifically target bacteria, can modulate the composition and dynamics of the microbiota by selectively infecting and killing certain bacterial species. This process, known as "phage predation," can lead to shifts in bacterial populations and the overall balance of the microbiota.

Furthermore, phages can impact the functions and interactions within the microbiota. They can transfer genes between bacteria through a process called horizontal gene transfer, influencing the genetic makeup and capabilities of bacterial communities. This transfer of genetic material can contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes or confer beneficial traits to bacteria, such as the ability to digest certain substances or resist pathogens.

Phages can also have indirect effects on human health by modulating the immune system. They can interact with immune cells and trigger immune responses, potentially influencing immune function and the body's ability to respond to infections or diseases.

Overall, the interplay between phages, bacteria, and the human microbiota is a complex and fascinating area of research. Understanding and harnessing the power of phages in modulating the microbiota holds great potential for developing innovative therapeutic approaches, improving health outcomes, and addressing various health challenges.

Phage and non-infectious diseases: New perspectives

Dr. Edeas strongly convinced that the potential applications of phages extend beyond their traditional use in treating bacterial infections. Emerging research suggests that phages could have therapeutic implications in a variety of non-infectious diseases, including obesity, cancer, and even mental health conditions like depression. However, it's important to note that while these possibilities are being explored, the field is still in its early stages, and more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and effectiveness of phage therapy in these areas.

Current challenges and future prospects

While phage therapy shows great promise, there are still challenges to overcome before it becomes widely available.

Regulatory hurdles: Regulatory frameworks for phage therapy vary across different countries, and establishing standardized guidelines is essential.

Phage selection: Identifying the most effective phages for specific bacterial strains can be time-consuming and complex.

Clinical trials: Rigorous clinical trials are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of phage therapy in different patient populations.

Despite these challenges, phage therapy holds significant potential. Ongoing research aims to optimize phage therapy protocols, develop phage cocktails, and improve delivery mechanisms to enhance its efficacy. Phage therapy, in combination with other advances in personalized medicine and immunotherapy, could revolutionize the treatment of bacterial infections and shape the future of medicine.

How phage therapy could influence the future of medicine

Dr. Edeas, Dr. Frezza and the scientific committee of Targeting Phage Therapy discussed the different targets of phage therapy:

Antibiotic Resistance: The global health community is grappling with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. As more bacteria evolve resistance to our current arsenal of antibiotics, the effectiveness of these treatments decreases. Phage therapy could offer a solution to this problem as phages are capable of infecting and killing even antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Precision Medicine: Phages are highly specific to the bacterial strains they infect. This means they could potentially be used for more targeted therapies than broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can disturb the gut microbiota and lead to side effects. This specificity aligns with the broader trend towards precision medicine, which aims to tailor treatment to individual patients based on their unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Phage Therapy Research: There is a resurgence of interest in phage therapy research due to the mounting crisis of antibiotic resistance. This research is producing promising results, but there are still many challenges to be overcome. These include determining the safety and efficacy of phage therapy, regulatory and manufacturing hurdles, and the need for more controlled clinical trials. Bioengineering: With advancements in biotechnology, it is possible to genetically modify phages or engineer synthetic ones. This could allow us to create phages that are even more effective at combating bacteria, or that carry genes which make bacteria more susceptible to other treatments. Diagnostics: Phages can be used to detect specific bacteria in diagnostic tests. This could help clinicians identify the cause of an infection more quickly and accurately, leading to more effective treatment. Environmental applications: Besides human health, phage therapy can also be used in agriculture to combat bacterial diseases in crops or farm animals, and in food safety to kill foodborne pathogens.

While phage therapy holds great promise, it's important to note that much more research is needed to understand how best to use phages in a clinical setting. Phages are incredibly diverse and complex, and our understanding of phage-bacteria interactions is still in its infancy. It's also crucial to consider potential risks and challenges, such as the possibility of bacteria developing resistance to phages, the potential for phages to transfer harmful genes between bacteria, and the need for robust regulation and quality control in phage production.

Targeting Phage Therapy 2023 material & videos on demand

For those interested in accessing the materials and videos from the conference, the organizers offer the opportunity to request access to the replay and abstracts book. Additionally, conference recordings are available on demand for a period of three weeks. This allows participants and others interested in the field of phage therapy to catch up on the details and insights shared during the conference.

Targeting Phage Therapy 2023 awards

Martha Clokie Editor in Chief of PHAGE Journal was awarded the Phage Therapy 2023 Best Scientific Contribution for her presentation: Challenges and Opportunities for Bacteriophage Therapy.

PHIOGEN's CEO was awarded the Phage Therapy 2023 Best Scientific Innovation for their technology platform: "Creating Patient Ready Products in a Remedy Ready World".

Targeting Phage Therapy 2023 Best Short Oral: Bacteriophage-Antibiotic Combination to Allow Liver Transplantation by Brieuc Van Nieuwenhuyse from UC Louvain, Belgium.

Targeting Phage Therapy 2023 Best Poster: Thermostable Bactericidal Endolysin Discovery by Pantiora Panagiota from the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.

Targeting Phage Therapy 2024

The 7th World Conference on Targeting Phage Therapy will be held in 2024 in Malta. We will keep you updated about the details.
A single mutation stands in the way of a drug's effectiveness. Understanding it helps find new therapeutic approaches.

So far, there are no specific drugs to treat the hepatitis E virus. Doctors only have the broad-spectrum antiviral drug ribavirin at their disposal, which is often associated with severe side effects. Drugs against other hepatitis viruses can be used, but are often of limited help. Why hepatitis E can escape treatment with the hepatitis C drug sofosbuvir has been discovered by a team of the junior research group "Computational Virology" around Dr. Daniel Todt from the Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, together with researchers from Berlin, Hamburg and Hannover: A single mutation of the virus causes the treatment to be less effective. The researchers report this in the journal Hepatology on 20. Juni 2023.

Which viral variants circulate in the blood?

In an earlier clinical trial, in which the Bochum researchers were also involved, patients with chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection were treated with the drug sofosbuvir, which was actually developed for the treatment of hepatitis C.

In this pilot study, we observed that treatment with sofosbuvir was initially effective." Dr. Andre Gomer

"The amount of viral RNA initially decreased. However, it increased again during the observation period. So, the therapy did not bring the desired success," adds Mara Klohn. The researchers analyzed samples from these patients to identify virus variants that could explain the failure of therapy with sofosbuvir. They hope this will provide new insights for future drug development.

Fivefold loss of efficacy due to a single mutation

In the retrospective analysis, they were able to identify a single mutation in the polymerase, a protein responsible for hepatitis E virus replication, called A1343V, which occurred in parallel with the resurgence of viral RNA. In laboratory experiments, the drug was shown to be five times less effective at eliminating the mutated virus than other genetic variants of the virus.

Currently, the research team is testing whether combination therapy with the standard drug ribavirin can prevent the development of the A1343V mutation, making it a promising treatment option. "For the development of future therapies against hepatitis E, we need to better understand the role of this mutation," concludes Michelle Jagst.

Todt's research group is investigating, among other things, the evolution of viruses and the interaction between virus and host cell using high-throughput sequencing and computer-assisted methods as part of its VirBio project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Hepatitis E

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis. Each year, approximately 70,000 people die from this disease. After the first documented epidemic outbreak in 1955-1956, more than 50 years passed before researchers took a closer look. Acute infections are usually self-limiting in patients with intact immune systems. In people with weakened or suppressed immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients or people infected with HIV, HEV can become chronic. HEV is also particularly threatening to pregnant women.

Funding

Through the guideline for funding junior research groups in infection research, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting the "VirBio" project with 1.7 million euros from 2022 to 2027. The aim of this funding measure is to specifically promote the careers of qualified young scientists in clinical and application-oriented infection research and to strengthen the scientific basis in infection research in Germany.

This work was also supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Project VirBio, 01KI2106, Project SILVIR: 16GW0202, Project HepEDiaSeq 01EK2106A/B), the German Federal Ministry of Health (ZMVI1-2518FSB705), the German Research Foundation (398066876-GRK 2485/1), and the German Center for Infection Research.
Thought Leaders Dr David Sunderhauf Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Exeter

In this interview, we spoke to Dr. David Sunderhauf, a microbiologist and a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Exeter, about his latest research removing AMR plasmids using a mobile, broad-host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool.

Please introduce yourself, tell us about your career background, and provide insight into what has inspired your career to date?

Hiya! My name is David Sunderhauf (prev Walker-Sunderhauf), Im a microbiologist and a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Exeter. During my postdoc and before that my PhD, Ive been researching novel approaches to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Im particularly interested in antibiotic-resistance genes carried on mobile genetic elements. Apart from just this research (as exciting as it is!), Im also inspired by outreach and science communication.

Posing a threat to human and animal health, the environment, food security, economic development, and societal equity, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been listed as one of the top 10 threats to health. Please could you outline what AMR is and why it poses such a significant global threat?

AMR is an umbrella term that describes when microbes, mostly bacteria or fungi, are resistant to the drugs we use to treat them. This means, thanks to AMR, antibiotics that we have been routinely using since the 1940s often dont work anymore. For now, antibiotics can still often be used, but this is quickly changing with many multi-drug resistant infections seen every day. Without effective antibiotics, wed be back in a world where a simple cut can mean that you need to lose your arm, or where complex surgeries are completely impossible.

AMR is such a complex global issue because it is the bacteria (rather than people) that are becoming resistant to antibiotics  and bacteria can exchange genetic material that makes them resistant, giving rise to superbugs that cant be treated with any type of antibiotic. This means mis- and overuse of antibiotics in one part of the environment or one part of the world can have global impacts.

There currently is a global effort across many different sectors to tackle the spread and lessen the impact of AMR. What role does research play in this fight, and why is research so important?

As I said above, AMR is complex and cant just be summarized as an issue for the clinic, which is why it is great that there is an effort across different sectors to tackle this problem.

There are many different types of research into AMR going on that in my opinion are all important to solve the problem: there is no one miracle solution that will solve everything on its own. Some of these research avenues are, for example, research into new antibiotics, research into how to most effectively use existing antibiotics and stop resistance arising, and finally research into alternatives to antibiotics.

Without research into these three different areas, any other fix (for example providing better diagnostics to make sure antibiotics are only used when necessary) would be just temporary. Bacteria still evolve, and antibiotic resistance genes still spread, meaning superbugs will still cause problems.

Image Credit: angellodeco/Shutterstock.com

By 2050, AMR is estimated to cause more human deaths than cancer and diabetes combined. High-quality research is necessary to develop an effective response to the issue. Your most recent study involves a well-known gene editing technique known as CRISPR-Cas 9. Could you please outline what CRISPR-Cas 9 is and how it works in the context of eliminating AMR?

In our work, we use CRISPR-Cas9 to remove antibiotic resistance genes. In nature, CRISPR-Cas9 is a bacterial immune system that can learn to recognize specific DNA sequences and cut these. When using it as a biotechnology, we can repurpose this by telling Cas9 which DNA sequence to recognize and to cut. We programmed Cas9 to target an antibiotic resistance gene, which means bacteria that have received this CRISPR-Cas9 treatment will lose the antibiotic resistance gene that is being targeted and can be treated by antibiotics again.

Your most recent study utilizes a broad-host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool to remove AMR plasmids from multiple members of complex microbial communities. Please could you outline how you conducted this research and tell us the main outcomes of this study?

Plasmids are short pieces of DNA that bacteria can often exchange with each other  this is one of the main avenues which antibiotic-resistance genes can get passed on between different bacterial species. We engineered one such plasmid to encode CRISPR-Cas9. The plasmid we chose, pKJK5, is known to have a very broad host range which means it can be taken up by many different species of bacteria, including pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Staphylococcus aureus.

In this study, we carry out proof-of-concept experiments and show that we can use our CRISPR-Cas9 tool to protect a series of different isolates from the uptake of an antibiotic resistance plasmid, which prevents them from becoming resistant. We also show that we can remove an antibiotic resistance gene that is already present in a target E. coli bacterium  this means we can use this CRISPR-Cas9 tool to resensitise bacteria that were previously resistant to antibiotics, and successfully kill them with this antibiotic after the CRISPR-Cas9 treatment.

The exciting part is firstly the broad host range of this CRISPR-Cas9 tool, which means we can apply it in a range of different bacteria without having to re-engineer it. Secondly, the way it can be delivered to target bacteria is very ecologically feasible. Because we engineered a natural plasmid, which bacteria naturally exchange with each other, this CRISPR-Cas9 tool can be delivered to microbiomes by adding a donor strain, essentially a probiotic bacterium that already carries the CRISPR-Cas9 tool and will pass it on to other bacteria.

Image Credit: Freakeistein/Shutterstock.com

AMR is a complex, continually evolving issue that disproportionately affects low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). Affordable and accessible techniques to combat AMR are required to bridge the uneven societal burden of AMR. While CRISPR-Cas-9 provides a novel approach to tackle the issue, do you believe CRISPR is an accessible approach that could be utilized in LMICs to slow the growing spread of multi-resistant bacteria? How can the potential for inequitable access be avoided?

Absolutely, once fully developed I dont see any reason why a technology like this should stay inaccessible to LMICs  especially, as mentioned above, as AMR is a global issue that needs to be tackled globally. Once this technology is developed for more specific use cases, I think it will be very important to engage directly with the people who will be using it, in the communities that will be using it. And this of course includes LMICs.

Your most recent study establishes a promising broad host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool for AMR plasmid removal, which has the potential to be applied in complex microbial communities to remove AMR genes from a broad range of bacterial species. What could this mean for the future of AMR?

A tool like this has the potential to be used in two different main applications. In clinics, it could be used to make sure a patients infection is not resistant to antibiotics so that treatment afterward will be successful. In the environment, it could be used in places like waste-water treatment plants, where bacteria often exchange genetic material with each other, including antibiotic resistance genes. Using a CRISPR-Cas9 tool like ours, we could interfere with this process and stop superbugs arising in the first place, before they cause problems in the hospital.

What further steps are required for this tool to be applied in real-world settings to eliminate AMR genes from bacterial communities?

There are several technical challenges we are still facing, one of these is the delivery efficiency  how well does the CRISPR-Cas9 tool transfer into the bacteria in which we want it to act?

Apart from this sort of research, legislation, and policymakers need to be engaged. CRISPR-Cas9 is a bacterial immune system, which we use to immunize bacteria from antibiotic resistance genes.

Nevertheless, we are still using an engineered plasmid to deliver this to the target bacteria. Application of a technology like this should of course only be carried out in line with regulations (which need to be made), and after stakeholder engagement of people it directly affects.

What's next for you and your research? Are you involved in any exciting upcoming projects?

Were still very actively working on this CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool and applying it in the lab in more complex communities, against more clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes, and figuring out different approaches to getting around target bacteria properties that might limit how effective the treatment is.

Apart from this, we are also discovering some cool things about the fundamentals of how plasmids (the accessory pieces of DNA that carry antibiotic-resistance genes) interact with each other, and how plasmids are maintained and spread through bacterial communities. This sort of insight adds to a wealth of other work and can allow us to predict how antibiotic-resistance genes might spread in different microbiomes.

Where can readers find more information?

About Dr. David Sunderhauf

David is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, UK. He holds a PhD as well as an MRes in Microbiology from the University of Exeter, and a BSc (Hons) in Immunology from the University of Aberdeen.

Apart from his research, he is also involved in organizing public science events as co-chair of Cornwall Science Community, and in local politics as a Green Party Truro City Councillor.
Carlos Ghosn, former chairman of Nissan, has sued the company for over $1 billion, according to media reports. Ghosn was ousted from Nissan in 2018 and was arrested in Japan on charges of financial misconduct.

According to a Reuters report, Carlos Ghosns lawsuit, which he filed in Lebanon and a copy of which was seen by Reuters, includes allegations of defamation, slander, libel and the fabrication of material evidence by Nissan as well as 12 individuals and two other firms.

We have a long battle in front of us. We are going to fight it to the end," Ghosn told Reuters in Lebanon, where he has lived since fleeing Japan hidden in a box aboard a private jet.

Ghosns lawsuit seeks $588 million in lost remuneration, and another $500 million in moral damage.

What I am asking for is only a little compensation compared to what theyve done to me," the 69-year-old, wearing a blue open-necked shirt, said during an interview in Beirut.

Once a global car industry titan, Ghosn was arrested in Japan in late 2018 and charged with under-reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds.

He denied the charges and said his detention was part of a plot against him by Nissan.

Ghosn fled Japan in December 2019 as he awaited trial and after arriving in his childhood home of Lebanon said he was escaping a rigged" justice system and would clear his name.

Tokyo prosecutors have previously said Ghosns allegations of a conspiracy were false.

(With Inputs From Agencies)
Rs 2,000 Notes Withdrawal: Amazon Inc on Wednesday offered to collect soon-to-be-withdrawn Rs 2,000 notes from customers in India and credit that amount to their Amazon Pay balances.

According to a report by Reuters, Amazon said the move was meant to help people who had been struggling to exchange the notes for smaller denominations after RBI decided last month to withdraw the notes from circulation.

Amazon said its customers can hand over up to Rs 50,000 worth to delivery agents for orders meant for payment via cash. The amount will then be credited to their Amazon Pay wallets.

The facility to top up your Amazon Pay balance with cash handed to delivery agents at your doorstep is one of our unique services in India," Vikas Bansal, whole-time director at Amazon Pay India, said in a statement.

The Reserve Bank of India in May announced withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes from circulation and gave public time till September 30 to either deposit such notes in accounts or exchange them at banks.

As per the RBI guidelines issued, a person can exchange up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time.

The Rs 2,000 denomination bank note was introduced in November 2016, primarily to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after the withdrawal of legal tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes in circulation at that time.

Meanwhile, the Rs 2,000 note withdrawal decision and response to it so far suggest that the move can help boost FY24 GDP growth to beyond 6.5% estimated by the RBI, a report said on Monday.

The real GDP growth for the first quarter of FY24 will come at 8.1% with an upward bias and the Reserve Bank of Indias 6.5% estimate can also be exceeded, economists at the countrys largest lender SBI said.

We expect Q1 FY24 GDP growth at 8.1% with an upward bias due to the impact of Rs 2000 note withdrawal eventthis reinforces our projection that FY24 GDP could be higher than 6.5%, basis the RBI estimate," a note said.

It can be noted that earlier this month, the RBI informed that over half of the currency notes in the denomination have returned back, with 85% of it coming as deposits into banks, while the remaining 15% have been exchanged at bank counters.

Based on this experience, the SBI note said the consumption can get a Rs 55,000 crore boost because of the move.

It estimated Rs 3.08 lakh crore to come back as deposits into the system, of which Rs 92,000 crore will come into saving banks accounts, of which 60% will get withdrawn, thus giving an immediate increase in consumption at Rs 55,000 crore.

In the long run, the boost can be Rs 1.83 lakh crore because of the consumption multiplier, it added.

One of the major benefits of withdrawal of Rs 2000 note might be the immediate uptick in consumption demand," the report said. It is expected that high-value amounts could move to high-value spends, such as gold/jewellery, high-end consumer durables like AC, mobile phones, and real estate, according to the note.

It cited reports of an increase in fuel payments and cash on delivery, with online food aggregator Zomato reporting three-fourths of users opting for cash payments by Rs 2,000 notes.

The SBI economists also said that the RBI move is expected to increase donations to temples and other religious institutions through Rs 2,000 notes and will push sundry purchases like consumer durables and boutique furniture.

As per the note, the RBIs retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), which is being tested in a close user group already, will also benefit from the move to withdraw Rs 2,000 notes.

The absence of higher denomination note should propel faster adoption of E-RUPI for merchant transactions, concurrent with physical fiat currency," it said.

(With agency inputs)
WELLS  A brothel owner who tried to run for sheriff of Elko County last year has started a nonprofit foundation advocating for the sensual services industry and seeking to replace the term prostitute on work cards that are issued by the sheriffs office.

Bella Cummins, the owner-operator of Bellas Hacienda Ranch in Wells, penned a letter to the city manager of Wells seeking support for the change from the city council. She said the term prostitute carries a significant stigma and needlessly demeans and degrades the licensed workers who lawfully practice their trade at my establishment.

Cummins proposed changing the designation from prostitute to courtesan, saying it lacks the negative connotations and has already been adopted in Nye County.

Derogatory terms can contribute to a hostile environment toward women, undermine their inherent dignity and hinder social progress, Cummins said in a news release. By avoiding derogatory terms and using respectful language when classifying female workers, we promote inclusivity, foster understanding, and contribute to a more compassionate and equitable society.

Cummins says she has operated her legal brothel for the past 34 years and that it has more than 7,300 patrons per year.

Ten of Nevadas 17 counties have licensed brothels. In Elko County they are found in the incorporated cities of Elko, Carlin, Wells and West Wendover.

Brothel workers are required to obtain a work card from the county sheriff, as are many other classifications of workers such as bartenders, security guards and some casino workers.

The Elko County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Cummins proposal.

Cummins was one of four people to file for office to challenge Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza in 2022. She was disqualified, however, due to a 2019 law that lowered the population threshold of counties where sheriffs are required to have at least five years of law enforcement experience.

Her Onesta Foundation seeks to communicate and educate the public to modify perception and bring stakeholders in both public and private sectors together to strategically manage a new direction that will ensure that Nevadas Sensual Services industry is a blueprint for the world.

The foundation does not have any receipts or assets listed on the GuideStar information service.
An IIT Kharagpur alumnus, a hedge fund researcher in New York, has come forward to support 10 meritorious students of the premier educational institution for their summer internship in reputed foreign universities.

The scholarship would facilitate the scholars to pursue their research internship at premier universities in the US, the UK, Belgium, Canada, and Germany.

An institute spokesperson said Tuesday that Dr. Mukund Padmanabhan, who had worked at IBM T J Watson Research Lab after a BS in Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering in IIT KGP and MS from the University of California, has donated funds through his US-based charitable organisation -Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF)- in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur Foundation USA.

Ten students were selected by the IIT KGP selection committee for a total scholarship award of US $ 45,000.

These summer programmes add value to IIT Kharagpur academia and it is my pleasure, as an alumnus, to be able to provide these internships to the current students that will further contribute to their holistic development, Padmanabhan, a researcher at Renaissance Technologies, said.

Manav Nitin Kapadnis, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, and one of the recipients of the scholarship said, As a student pursuing my passion for artificial Intelligence and natural language processing, I got the opportunity to work on improving ChatGPT during my internship at Inria Paris. IIT Kharagpur Director, Prof. V K Tewari, said that the scholarship has opened doors to new possibilities for meritorious students.

This kind of scholarship provides them a practical notion about research development and implementation of ideas in terms of global industry expertise, he said.

Apart from this, 15 students from the departments of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, Aerospace Engineering, and Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur have also been awarded the IIT Kharagpur Foundation Scholarship 2023 funded by IITKGP Foundation USA, the spokesperson said.
The Indian Army has enabled the online application link for the recruitment of unmarried male and unmarried female engineering graduates, as well as widows of Indian Armed Forces Defence Personnel, for the SSC Tech 2023 exam. Apply online at joinindianarmy.nic.in if youre interested in joining the Indian Armys SSC(Tech)-62 Men Course or SSCW(Tech)-33 Women Course.

The programme will start in April 2024 at Chennai, Tamil Nadus Officers Training Academy (OTA). More information on the Indian Army SSC Men and Women Recruitment is available in the article below for candidates:

The deadline to apply for this is July 20, 2023. Meanwhile, applications for the JAG course will be accepted from 22 June through 21 July, while applications for the NCC Special Entry Scheme course will be accepted from 5 June through 3 August.

Candidates for the 62nd SSC Tech (Men) and 33rd SSC Tech (Women) Courses in the Indian Army must hold an engineering degree as of April 2024. Students in their senior year may also apply for this. However, the degree must be presented within 12 weeks of the trainings start date. After the candidates are narrowed down based on their engineering degree marks, an SSB interview will be conducted. A five-day SSB interview is required.

JAG Course

Judge Advocate General joins the Indian Army after completing the LLB with at least a 55% grade point. Additionally, it is important to register as an advocate with the Bar Council of India.

Candidates for JAG should be at least 21 years old and not older than 27 years old.

After being accepted into the JAG programme, candidates will complete 49 weeks of training at the Chennai-based Officers Training Academy.

NCC Special Entry Scheme

For the NCC Special Entry Scheme course, a C certificate and at least a B grade are required.

Bachelors degree from an accredited university, with a minimum grade point average of 50%.

Students who are in their final year of school can apply.

The permitted age range for this is 19 to 25.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has announced an increase in the number of available seats this year. A total of 17,385 seats are now available in all 23 IITs across India, indicating a slight rise from last years total of 16,598 seats.

According to Professor Bishnupada Mandal, the Organizing Chairperson of JEE (Advanced) 2023, the available information indicates that the total number of seats for admissions in IITs this year is 17,385, which includes the inclusion of female supernumerary seats, Indian Express reported.

The online registration process for Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counseling 2023 started on June 19 and will conclude on June 28. Those who qualified in the JEE Advanced 2023 exam are now eligible to register for IIT admission counseling on the official website at josaa.nic.in.

JoSAA Counselling: How to Apply

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Joint Seat Allocation Authority at josaa.nic.in.

Step 2: Look for and click on the link titled Registration and Choice Filling for JoSAA 2023."

Step 3: Enter the JEE Mains or JEE Advanced registration details as requested on the new window.

Step 4: Fill out the JoSAA counseling form as required.

Step 5: Upload all the necessary documents and make the payment, if applicable.

Step 6: Submit the registration form.

The JoSAA 2023 counseling process will span across six rounds and encompass various stages, including registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and admission confirmation. On June 18, the results of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2023 were announced by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati.

This year, a total of 1,89,744 candidates registered for the JEE Advanced 2023 exam, out of which 1,80,372 appeared for the test, and 43,773 students successfully cleared it. Among the qualified applicants, approximately 7,509 are female students. In order to secure admission to IITs and the NIT+ system, candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria.

They are required to obtain a minimum of 75 per cent marks in the Class 12 examination or be in the top 20 percentile in the Class 12 examination conducted by their respective Boards. For SC/ST/PwD students, the qualifying marks are relaxed to 65 per cent in the Class 12 examination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a four day visit to the United States. On his first day, PM Modi interacted with US academicians and discussed ways to collaborate on skill development and innovation in the country. Sharing the update on Twitter, PM Modi wrote In New York City, held an extensive interaction with a group of academics. They shared their views on how to further strengthen the education sector in India with a focus on skills and innovation. I talked about the transformative potential of our National Education Policy."

In New York City, held an extensive interaction with a group of academics. They shared their views on how to further strengthen the education sector in India with a focus on skills and innovation. I talked about the transformative potential of our National Education Policy. pic.twitter.com/SZFvsxYvIZ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

On his first day in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with these US academicians : Dr. Robert J Jones, Crop scientist, accomplished vocalist and Chancellor of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, President of Pennsylvania State University; Dr. Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor, University of California, San Diego; Dr. Satish Tripathi, President of the University at Buffalo & Co-Chair of the Association of American Universities Task Force on Expanding US-India Universities Partnerships; Professor Jagmohan Raju, Professor of Marketing, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Madhav V. Rajan, Dean, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago; Professor Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science, Ohio State University; Dr. Anurag Mairal, Adjunct Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University & Faculty Fellow and Lead for Technology Innovation & Impact at Center for Innovation & Global Health, Stanford University

In the interaction, the US academicians shared their views on how to strengthen education sector in India with a focus on skill and innovation. PM Modi also discussed ways and roles of National Education Policy in the country. A statement shared by Ministry of External Affairs mentioned the possibilities of research collaboration, two way academic exchanges between India and US under the National Education Policy 2020. Further, these eminent scholars discussed the prospectus and future of educational sector in India.

PM Modi also met with essayist and Statistician Professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Prof. Nassim shared minutes of the meeting with news agency, ANI, I connect with the Prime Minister. We sat down, he mentioned Antifragile, we spoke about bouncing back from adversity, and about central risk-taking. It was wonderful and I also commended India on the response to COVID and how India very efficiently dealt with it, particularly with the food, the distribution and all of that,"
Television actress Tunisha Sharmas death in December 2022 jolted Sheezan Khans life. He was accused of abetment to suicide and had to spend over three months in jail. During that time, Sheezan Khans sister and actress Falaq Naaz stood strong with him. While Khan is currently in Cape Town where he is shooting for Khatron Ke Khiladi 13, Falaq recently entered Bigg Boss OTT 2 house.

However, prior to entering Salman Khans show, Falaq talked at length about what they faced following Tunisha Sharmas death and shared she was very much worried about her younger brother Sheezan. She mentioned how their family was shaken after the incident and that she had no other option but to stay strong.

I was not scared about Sheezans future as I know God is with us. I was worried about Sheezan, my mother and my younger brother. We are very attached to each other as a family and if anything happens to anyone of us, our family gets shaken. I had to be strong during the phase when Sheezan was going through all that Im his sister and family. I dont think Ive done anything extraordinary. Im his sister and it was my duty to stand up for him," Falaq told E-Times.

The Bigg Boss OTT 2 contestant further mentioned that she is relieved that Sheezan is back to work now. Im very happy for Sheezan that he has bagged a show. Mujhe apni itni fiqr nahi hai jitni uski thi (I was worried about him more than myself) I am relieved that he is working Ek Sukoon hai," she added.

Falaq further mentioned that it was a very difficult period which made her mentally very strong. Jis moment par Ek normal insaan ka emotional breakdown hota hai, I had to standup and fight. It was mentally very challenging, but Im happy we came out of it. I dont think apart from God no one has the right to decide your fate and I just prayed to him," she said.
A small underwater vehicle with five people onboard that went to visit the remains of the Titanic in the deep sea has not been found yet, even after a big search effort.

However, there have been reports of banging sounds in the area. Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises, but the source of the sounds couldnt be determined by the US Coast Guard, a CNN report said.

A government memo mentioned that search teams heard banging sounds at regular intervals, and there is still hope for survivors based on the feedback from underwater sound signals, as per the report.

How Did it Go Missing, Who Was on Board?

The Titan submersible, which was heading towards the famous wreckage of the Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, lost contact with its support ship. The people on board the submersible only have enough oxygen for a few days, according to CNN.

The submersible was part of an eight-day journey organized by OceanGate Expeditions, with a price of $250,000 per person.

The trip started in Newfoundland and involved a 400 nautical mile journey to the wreck site, located about 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

During the descent to the wreck, the submersible lost contact with the support ship. Search operations were initiated on the same day.

The names of the five missing individuals have not been officially disclosed, but it has been confirmed that British businessman Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, and his son Sulaiman Dawood were among them, according to CNN. The fifth person is believed to be Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate.

Have There Been Safety Concerns About Oceangate Before?

The recent incident involving the missing Titan submersible has sparked discussions about the safety of deep-sea tourism, particularly focusing on OceanGate, the company involved, according to CNN.

Former employees of OceanGate have raised concerns about the thickness of the Titans hull, suggesting potential safety issues.

Furthermore, conflicting information has emerged regarding the engineering and testing of the vessel, with a research labs statement indicating discrepancies.

Despite OceanGates legal representative claiming the Titans exceptional safety features, the University of Washingtons Applied Physics Laboratory, allegedly involved in its development, denied any association with the design, engineering, or testing of the submersible.

Industry leaders also expressed concerns about OceanGates experimental approach" to the Titan submersible and its Titanic expedition, as highlighted in a letter sent to the missing CEO, Stockton Rush, by the Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society in 2018. The letter warned of potential negative outcomes with serious consequences for the industry.

Passengers who were about to board OceanGates submarines for the expedition to the Titanic wreckage were presented with a contract warning them about the potential risks involved. The contract stated that the expedition had not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and that it carried the possibility of physical injury, disability, motion trauma, or even death, according to a report by The Independent.

A Deeper Look at the Issues

There have been several warning signs about potential issues with OceanGates Titan submarine. A former employee, David Lochridge, filed a lawsuit alleging that he was fired for raising concerns about safety issues with the ship.

These concerns included flaws in the hull, flammable materials onboard, an inadequate viewing window, and missing safety documents. Lochridge pushed for further testing and third-party evaluation but was terminated when he refused to authorize manned testing without hull scans.

In addition, an industry letter in 2018 expressed unanimous concern about the companys decision not to seek external evaluation and testing, emphasizing the importance of safeguards in submersibles.

How the Company Had Defended Itself?

In a blog post in 2019, OceanGate defended its decision not to have its submarine classed" by an external evaluator, stating that the majority of marine accidents are caused by operator error rather than mechanical failure, the report by The Independent said.

They argued that focusing solely on vessel classification does not address operational risks and emphasized the importance of maintaining high-level operational safety through constant effort and a strong corporate culture.

In the same year, CEO Stockton Rush expressed concerns that submarine regulations were hindering innovation in an interview with Smithsonian Magazine. In 2020, he mentioned that the submarines hull was experiencing cyclic fatigue," a technical issue that former employee David Lochridge had reportedly raised concerns about.

The company conducted tests, including a 4,000-meter deep dive in the Bahamas, and temporarily downgraded the hull depth rating of the Titanic submarine to 3,000 meters, which is 1,000 meters less than the depth of the Titanic, the report said.
China has refused to support a proposal put forth by India and the US at the United Nations, which aimed to designate Sajid Mir, a terrorist associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, as a global terrorist.

The plan involved blacklisting Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, which would have led to freezing his assets, imposing a travel ban, and an arms embargo.

Last year, China had already put a hold on the proposal, and now they have blocked it completely.

Sajid Mir is considered one of Indias most wanted terrorists and carries a $5 million bounty on his head by the US.

Although Pakistani authorities claimed that Mir had died, Western countries remained skeptical and demanded proof, which affected Pakistans assessment by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) last year.

Who is Sajid Mir?

Sajid Mir, also known by various aliases such as Ibrahim," Wasi," and others, is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is on the organisations Most Wanted List.

He is wanted for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in India. These attacks, carried out by militants trained by the Pakistan-based organization Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), targeted multiple locations in Mumbai, including hotels, cafes, and a train station, resulting in the deaths of approximately 170 people, including six Americans.

Mir is believed to have played a significant role as the chief planner of the attacks, overseeing preparations and reconnaissance, and serving as one of the controllers based in Pakistan during the attacks.

Mir is also accused of conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack against a newspaper and its employees in Denmark between 2008 and 2009.

In relation to these crimes, Mir was indicted in the United States District Court in Chicago, Illinois, on April 21, 2011. He faces charges including conspiracy to injure property of a foreign government, providing material support to terrorists, aiding and abetting the killing of a citizen outside the United States, and bombing places of public use. A US arrest warrant for Mir was issued on April 22, 2011.

Convicted by Pakistan, But China Comes to Rescue

Despite Pakistans conviction and claims regarding the presence and death of Sajid Mir, China has taken the step to block his designation as a global terrorist.

Pakistan initially denied Sajid Mirs presence within their borders, but later, in 2022, he was arrested by Pakistani authorities. An anti-terrorism court in Lahore found Sajid Mir guilty in a terror financing case and sentenced him to 15 years in prison, along with a fine of Pakistani Rs 4,20,000. Pakistan reported this arrest and conviction to the global terror financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and has requested the removal of Pakistan from the FATFs Grey list.

Despite these developments, Chinas move to block Sajid Mirs designation as a global terrorist indicates their opposition to the proposed designation.

Not the First Time China Has Done This

This is not the first time China, Pakistans all weather ally, has pulled a similar move. Beijing has consistently blocked proposals put forth by India and other nations at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose sanctions on terrorists operating from Pakistan.

China has used technical holds" to hinder Indias efforts to have the UNSC impose sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. Azhar is known as the mastermind behind several terrorist attacks in India, including the one in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, on February 14, 2019, targeting paramilitary personnel.

After years of resistance, China finally allowed the Security Council to take action against Masood Azhar in May 2019. Similarly, China eventually permitted the Security Council to impose comprehensive UN sanctions, including travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes, on Abdul Rehman Makki, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, after initially blocking such measures, according to a report by Deccan Herald.

China has also blocked Indias attempts to secure UN sanctions against Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi, a commander of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Syed Salahuddin, the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, both based in Pakistan.

Why Does China Keep Doing This?

When questioned by The Hindu in August last year about the reasons behind the consistent holds" on Indias requests for various terror listings, Chinese Ambassador to India, Sun Weidong, stated that they needed time to study the specific cases. However, he emphasized that Chinas position on counter-terrorism cooperation efforts remained unchanged.

It is possible that China objects to the listing proposals being brought by a group of countries, particularly the joint proposals by India and the United States, rather than solely by India. However, China has not provided a comprehensive explanation for these holds.

During a United Nations Security Council meeting in August, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Khamboj, called for an end to the practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without providing any justification. Khamboj expressed deep disappointment that genuine and evidence-based proposals for listing some of the most notorious terrorists worldwide were being put on hold. She highlighted the detrimental effects of double standards and ongoing politicization, which have significantly undermined the credibility of the sanctions regime.

How Did India Respond to the Mir Move?

India strongly criticized China on Wednesday for blocking a proposal jointly tabled by India and the United States at the United Nations.

India responded with a strongly-worded statement during a high-level conference, saying it had righteous reasons to believe something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture.

If we cannot get established terrorists, who have been banned across global landscapes, proscribed by the United Nations - for petty geopolitical interests - then we really do NOT have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge" India said in its speech, that did not mention China.

Ten fully armed assailants from across our borders descended on our shores and wreaked havoc over three days. Resulted in 166 innocents being killed, including 26 foreign nationals," India said. It also noted that the UNSC had also visited Mumbai in October last year and paid collective homage at the site of the attacks, but that regretfully justice continued to elude the victims.

The first and most crucial gap - we feel addressing is: avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of good terrorist vs bad terrorist. A terror act is a terror act - period - (and) any justification being used should not be countenanced by anybody."

PTI contributed to this report
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday issued a draft proposal for delimitation of the assembly and Lok Sabha seats in Assam with the total number of constituencies retained at 126 and 14 respectively. The poll body has sought suggestions and objections till July 11.

According to the draft, the lowest administrative unit will be village in the rural areas and ward in urban areas. Further, the village and ward have been kept intact and have not been broken anywhere in the state, the poll body added.

What is Delimitation?

According to the ECI, delimitation literally means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.

In India, the job of delimitation is assigned to the Delimitation Commission or a Boundary Commission. Delimitation Commissions have been constituted four times  in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952, in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962, in 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972, and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.

Under the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 1972, the last delimitation of constituencies in Assam was done on the basis of census figures, 1971, by the then Delimitation Commission in 1976. However, when the exercise was repeated in 2002, Assam was not a part of that.

In the 2002 exercise, Assam, along with Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland, was left out after a PIL was filed in the Gauhati High Court challenging the use of the 2001 Census for reference.

In February 2020, then President Ram Nath Kovind paved the way for the delimitation exercise in Assam, rescinding the February 8, 2008 order.

What has the EC said in the draft proposal?

In a statement, the EC said all assembly and parliamentary constituencies in the state are being delimited on the basis of the 2001 Census as provided in Article 170 and Article 82 of the Constitution. While the limits of the constituencies have changed, the total number of the seats have remained unchanged in the state both at the assembly as well as at the Lok Sabha level.

The number of seats in the Legislative Assembly and the House of People in the state of Assam has been retained as 126 and 14 respectively. Articles 170 and 82 laid down that the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each state and the allocation of seats in the House of the people to the states shall not be altered until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published, the poll body said.

What will change now?

After implementation of this draft proposal, the state will have new assembly and parliamentary constituencies. However, not all will see major changes.

Among the districts that have seen major changes is Bodoland where the assemblies have increased from 16 to 19. One assembly seat has also increased in the West Karbi Anglong district.

In terms of Parliamentary seats, two Lok Sabha seats were given to the Barak Valley districts (Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj). Also, the Tezpur Lok Sabha seats will now be called Sonitpur. Among the new names for the Lok Sabha seats included Kaziranga, Diphu and Darrang.

The assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes have increased from eight to nine while those for the Scheduled Tribes have jumped to 19 from 16 earlier.

The draft proposal has been prepared based on administrative units i.e., development block, panchayats and village in rural areas and municipal boards, wards in urban areas, they added.

How EC handled uneven population growth while dividing seats?

During the discussions, it was highlighted that there was an uneven population growth pattern in Assam. While some districts have undergone more population growth since last delimitation, others have witnessed less population growth.

It is seen that the population density in the districts of the state varies from 38 persons per square km in Dima Hasao district to 1,096 persons per square km in Kamrup (Metropolitan) district.

Taking all these factors into account, the EC has categorised all 31 districts in three broad categories A, B and C giving a margin of (+/-) 10% of average population per Assembly constituency.

The average population density of the state is 338 persons per sq.km. A population density range of 304 (subtracting 10% from the average population density) to 372 (adding 10% to the average population density) has been established and on this basis, three categories have been made, the ECI said.

Districts having population density less than 304 persons per sq. km were grouped as A while those with population density between 304 to 372 persons per sq. km were called B. Districts where population density was more than 372 persons per sq. km. were termed C.

Assembly seats to the districts have been allocated on the basis of category of the district. The number of seats for a particular category district has been arrived at by dividing the total population of the district by the average assembly constituency population of category A, B, C as applicable to the district.

On this basis, 122 assembly seats are allotted to the districts. Four assembly seats were left out from allocation while adopting this criterion. All the districts having a fraction in the range of 0.25-0.49 were sorted out and of such 10 districts, four districts having the largest geographical area were allocated one seat each, the ECI said, adding that these districts were Cachar, Kokrajhar, West Karbi Anglong and Udalguri.

ECI team to revisit Assam in July

The commission will visit Assam again in July 2023 for a public hearing on the draft proposal. Earlier, the team had visited the state in March and representations were received from 11 political parties and 71 organisations.

The EC has devised the guidelines and methodology keeping in mind the constitutional and legal provisions and the suggestions received.

Efforts have been made to keep all constituencies, as far as practicable, as geographically compact areas, and in delimiting them, regard has been had to the physical features, density of population, existing boundaries of administrative units, facilities of communication and public convenience, the poll body added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to deliver a speech to a joint session of the US Congress tonight.

Congressional leaders had extended an invitation to Modi, expressing the opportunity for him to present his vision for Indias future and discuss the global challenges faced by both countries.

This will be the PMs second formal address to US lawmakers, with his previous speech in 2016 making him the fifth Indian prime minister to address the House and Senate. By addressing Congress again, Modi will join a select group of world leaders who have had the privilege of speaking to Congress on multiple occasions.

Who are the people in this select group?

Modiji is one of the few leaders whom America has given a rare honor. Leaders like Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill had the honor of addressing the US Parliament twice, so did PM Modi Indias stature has increased. Thats why the people in America have faith and enthusiasm. Modiji has brought this change," Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had told NDTV earlier.

Winston Churchill

According to a report by Semafor, former British PM Winston Churchill had the honor of addressing the US Congress on three occasions. His speeches took place in 1941, 1943, and 1952. The first address was during an informal meeting of Congress, where leaders speak to members of the House and Senate without a formal joint session. Churchill was only the second foreign leader to have this opportunity, with the first being King Kalakaua of Hawaii in 1874.

Churchills first speech was a significant moment during World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor. His return to Congress more than a decade later occurred during the Cold War, where he emphasized the importance of defending Western Europe. In his address, he appealed for support in terms of military equipment and assistance, emphasizing the need for strength and unity.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, had the opportunity to address the US Congress twice. The first address took place in 1990, followed by another in 1994. Mandelas speeches were significant moments that reflected the international recognition and support he garnered during South Africas transition from apartheid to democracy.

Yitzhak Rabin, the former Prime Minister of Israel, also had the privilege of addressing joint meetings of Congress on two occasions. The first address occurred in 1976, while the second took place in 1994.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu, the former Prime Minister of Israel, had the opportunity to address the US Congress three times during his two-decade tenure. He first spoke in 1996, and then again in 2011 and 2015 after returning to power.

Netanyahus 2015 speech generated controversy as it was reported that the White House was not consulted about the invitation, and then-Vice President Joe Biden did not attend. In his address, Netanyahu criticized the nuclear deal the US was negotiating with Iran, Semafor reported.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has also addressed the US Congress both informally and formally. In March 2022, shortly after Russias invasion of Ukraine, Zelenskyy virtually pleaded for US assistance during an informal meeting with legislators. Later that year, he visited Congress in person and delivered a high-profile address. During his speech, Zelenskyy emphasized that the US funding provided to Ukraine during the war was not just charity but an investment in global security and democracy, highlighting Ukraines responsible handling of the situation.
Granting bail to a man in a kidnapping case, the Delhi High Court observed that imprisonment cannot be prolonged during trial just to teach the accused a lesson.

A bench of Justice Vikas Mahajan said no recovery was required to be made from the accused who was in custody for almost two years and nine months, and the trial, where the case would be tested, will take a long time to conclude.

At the stage of the trial, imprisonment cannot be prolonged only for the purpose of teaching the accused a lesson. The case of the prosecution and the defense of the accused persons is yet to be tested at trial, the court said in its order dated June 7.

A single-judge bench said that it is trite that the seriousness of an offence is not the only criteria for denial of bail. A person who has not been convicted should only be kept in custody, if there is a possibility that he or she might abscond or tamper with evidence or threaten the witness. Merely because the offence is of a serious nature, cannot be the ground to curtail the personal liberty of an under trial for an indefinite period, it added.

Justice Mahajan was hearing a bail plea of an accused namely Shah Alam charged under Sections 364A, 365, 342, 323, 506,102B, 34 IPC registered at New Ashok Nagar, police station.

The prosecutions case is that the victim, in her statement under Section 161 Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), alleged that she was kidnapped by two accused persons for ransom and that she was also beaten up. She also alleged that her mobile phone was taken and WhatsApp messages were sent demanding ransom. She was also threatened by the accused and was wrongly confined. According to the complaint, Rs 40 lakh was demanded as ransom.

The counsel for the petitioner contended that the victim in her statement stated that she was beaten by the accused, whereas it was clearly recorded that no fresh external injuries seen through naked eye examination.

The examination-in-chief of the victim has already been recorded. There are 23 witnesses cited by the prosecution and it will take long time to conclude the trial, the court noted. It also noted that it is not the case of the prosecution that any injury was caused by the accused to the victim.

At this stage, without going into the merits of the case, this court is of the opinion that regard being had to the above discussion, the petitioner has made out a case for the grant of bail, the court said.

Accordingly, the court granted bail to the petitioner on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 20,000 with one surety of like amount.
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Chief Justice of Russia Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Lebedev. (Photo: VNA)

At a reception in Hanoi on June 20 for Chief Justice of Russia Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Lebedev, Hue welcomed the Russian official's ongoing visit which takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 10th founding anniversary of comprehensive strategic partnership.

Congratulating Lebedev and Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa Binh on their successful talks, Hue affirmed that the Vietnamese NA supports comprehensive and extensive cooperation between the two nations' judicial sectors in general and the supreme courts in particular. He believed that the outcomes of the talks will lead to significant and beneficial cooperation between the two sides in the near future.

He expressed his delight that the exchange of delegations at all levels between the two nations have been maintained and stepped up despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the Vietnamese NA is actively preparing for an official visit to Vietnam by Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin.

According to the top legislator, the 13th Party Central Committee issued a resolution on continuing to build and complete the socialist rule-of-law State of Vietnam in the new period, which includes various contents related to improving the effectiveness of the court system. In this process, the invaluable support, cooperation and sharing of experience regarding law and justice from Russia and its Supreme Court in particular holds significant importance.

Lebedev, for his part, said the Supreme Court of Russia submitted 187 draft laws to the Federal Assembly, of which 108 have become laws. According to the Russian law, when the Federal Assembly reviews draft amendments or supplements to certain laws, the collection of the Supreme Courts feedback is mandatory. Apart from the legislative work, the Supreme Court has also engaged in various forms of cooperation with the Federation Council and the State Duma, particularly in fine-tuning and enforcing laws, amending and supplementing activities of courts.

Besides working closely with the Federal Assembly of Russia, the Supreme Court has also summarised the practice in the enforcement of laws, analysed and recapitulated trial practices for publication on journals of the government and the Supreme Court, he said.

Lebedev believed that his visit will contribute to expanding ties with the Supreme Peoples Court of Vietnam, and that the two nations will promote the exchange of visits at all levels as well as tourism and people-to-people exchanges as Russian citizens are keen on travelling to and vacationing in Vietnam./.
Mangalurus Ullalbail-based Sadashiv Acharyas hands were trembling when he saw his electricity bill of Rs 7.71 lakh for June. His case was unusual, and the billing has been considered an error by MESCOM.

However, the sharp increase in electricity bills in domestic households in Karnataka, at a time when the newly formed Congress government announced free electricity up to 200 units, has left residents perplexed, angry, and  in the case of Acharya  absolutely shocked.

News18 spoke to several residents across Bengaluru about the spike in their electricity bills. Some have received double the usual amount, while others have received negative billing.

Pooja, a resident of Northeast Bengalurus Horamavu, received an electricity bill that is double the amount she usually receives each month.

It used to be around Rs 800 or so. This is Rs 1,500. When I inquired, I was told the rate per unit is now Rs 7, as against around Rs 3 earlier. My consumption is around 147 units, and the BESCOM officials said that since it is above 100 units, I will be charged at Rs 7 per unit. This is ridiculous," she said.

Rajeev Subramanians household based in CV Ramanagar in east Bengaluru has been consuming around 201 units on average. They received a bill of Rs 2,200 for June, which is much higher than what they have received since January this year.

The power outages have been high as well and now the power bill is almost double. We dont get a proper explanation from the officials as to why there has been such a steep increase. We understand if its done gradually, maybe we can also account for it in our monthly expenses. But how many can actually afford it?" he questioned.

Another resident Shilpashree, who lives in HSR Layout, received a bill of Rs 3,028 that showed she had consumed 352 units of power. I had read that power can become costly, but this spike needs an explanation from the government," she said.

News18 spoke to officials at BESCOM to understand the high bills and how they are expected to reduce in July. Here is a simple explanation:

So, if a consumer was paying Rs 800 per month for around 140 units of power, why are they paying almost double now?

On May 12 this year, just after the election code of conduct was lifted as Karnataka was in election mode until May 10, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the proposals made by electricity supply companies to hike the power prices by 70 paise per unit. The order issued stated that the new tariff was to be levied on the bills from June with retrospective effect from April.

Simply put, this means that the electricity bill for June includes the new power prices with arrears from April.

This decision was taken soon after the election process was completed, before the formation of the Congress government and the new chief minister being sworn in on May 20. It was an order issued by the KERC and usually, such orders are not reversed. The newly revised tariff structure was to be made effective from April onwards and now reflects in the June bill, explained a BESCOM officer.

The BESCOM official further explained that the FPPCA (Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment) charge of Rs 1.49 per unit, which was decided by the Centre, has also been levied from June and an additional Rs 1.81 per unit is being carried forward to July. This is done as per the Indian Electricity Act.

A notification was issued by the Centre under FPCCA in December, which stated that the adjustment charge needs to be collected from the consumer with retrospective effect every month. Earlier, it was billed to the consumers every quarter. Now, since the Centre asked us to collect monthly, that also increases the bill rates by around Rs 1.06 paisa, the official explained.

The state approached the Centre stating that it would prove to be a huge financial burden if consumers are charged with retrospective effect and sought six months.

By doing this, we could bring down the rate to Rs 59 paise per unit. That will translate into another Rs 300-400 additionally in the June bill. From August, that billing will show negative in the electricity bills," the officer said.

Thus, there will be an overall increase in the tariff for June by Rs 2.89 per unit, said the officer who did not want to be named.

There was another change where the energy consumption slabs, which were three earlier, have now been brought down to two. Earlier, in the first slab, for those who consumed under 50 units, we charged Rs 4.75 paise per unit. The second slab included 50-100 units and those who fell in this category were charged Rs 5.15 paise. For those consuming above 100 units, we charged Rs 7.15 paisa.

The KERC decided to create just two slabs from the previous three slabs due to the revised tariff  0-100 units at Rs 4.75 paisa and above 100 units will be billed a flat Rs 7 per unit, explained another senior official from BESCOM.

This also came into effect in May this year, which is why consumers are seeing a huge surge in their power bills, he added.

What will bring some cheer is the fact that in the coming months, all these charges will be negative, and the bills will be lower. Once Griha Jyothi is implemented, those who have consumed up to 200 units will get a NIL bill, assured BESCOM officials.

Some consumers like Sharadha, a resident of Banaswadi, received a negative bill of Rs -111. She too finds herself in a fix. I checked the portal, and my bill shows negative," she points out.

BESCOM officials have acknowledged that the negative bills are a result of a software error, and many residents have received bill amounts that show -Rs 100 to -Rs 5,000.

This is being swiftly resolved by issuing corrected bills to the affected customers," confirmed a highly placed officer.

BESCOM also released a statement informing consumers who have found negative billing on the portal. The body also assured consumers not to panic since the billing has happened only for their actual consumption and the new tariff structure.

There is no excess billing done and the billing system will be smooth without any glitches from July onwards. Electricity bills in online apps are showing negative amounts since June bills served to consumers are yet to be updated in the system. This issue will be resolved within two days, said BESCOM.

Consumers can enter the amount mentioned in the physical copy of the bills and make their payments wherever the amount is not reflected. They can approach their nearest sub-division office or call the call centre 1912 if there are any discrepancies in their physical bill received, they clarified.
A man allegedly slit a womans throat for refusing to marry him in Hyderabad late Tuesday night.

The woman, a 22-year-old software engineer, is currently has been hospitalised in Hyderabad with grievous injuries. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Puppalaguda under the limits of Narsingi police station.

The police said accused Ganesh, who works as a food delivery boy, wanted to marry the victim, who happens to be his relative. However, the girl who hails from Piduguralla in Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh, had rejected his proposal.

The girl was working in a company in Hyderabad and resided at a hostel in Gachibowli area.

According to police, Ganesh went to the girls hostel on Tuesday night and later took her to a place near T-Grill Hotel in Puppalaguda where he once again put forward his marriage proposal. However, the girl rejected his proposal which led to an argument between the two. Later, the youth took out a knife he was carrying in his bag and attacked her. The girl also suffered stab injuries on her neck, face and hands.

After being alerted by some passersby on Dial 100, police rushed to the spot. They shifted the girl to the hospital and arrested Ganesh. Further investigation is underway.

(With IANS inputs)
Narendra Modi US Visit LIVE: Stage Set for PM to Lead International Yoga Day Celebrations at UN Headquarters

PM Modi on Wednesday said Yoga is a global spirit and unites the world. The statement comes as PM Modi will lead the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters with representatives from over 180 countries. PM Modi, who arrived in New York on Tuesday, met Tesla owner Elon Musk among other thought leaders on the first day of his state visit to the US. READ MORE

PM Narendra Modis Yoga Day Event at UN HQ in US: Richard Gere, Ricky Kej, Vikas KhannaList of Attendees

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads a unique yoga session on Wednesday in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga (June 21) at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, top officials, envoys and prominent individuals from more than 180 countries will join him. READ MORE

With One Against One Poll Strategy, Opposition to Pitch for Bipolar Fight in 450 Seats at Patna Meet

One against one, consensus on caste census, movement against central agencies high-handedness, Hindu-Muslim polarisation and projection of a larger united Opposition  these will be the probable topics on the table to be discussed when the Opposition parties meet on June 23 in Patna. READ MORE

An Underwater Trip to Titanic for Rs 2 Crore But Was it Ever Safe Enough? Diving into OceanGates Issues

Asmall underwater vehicle with five people onboard that went to visit the remains of the Titanic in the deep sea has not been found yet, even after a big search effort. However, there have been reports of banging sounds in the area. Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises, but the source of the sounds couldnt be determined by the US Coast Guard, a CNN report said. READ MORE

Adipurush Dialogue Jalegi Tere Baap Ki Removed After Backlash, Replaced With THIS Line

On June 18, the team of Adipurush decided to make alterations" to the films dialogues after the dialogues of Hanuman received backlash for sounding overly colloquial, offending the audience. The makers revisited the ones that have not gone down well with the audience, ensuring to resonate with core essence of the film and the same will reflect in the theatres in the next few days. READ MORE
International Yoga Day 2023 LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead yoga session on Wednesday, marking the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters. This historic celebration will witness the participation of renowned individuals, top UN officials, and envoys from around the world.

Expressing his anticipation, Prime Minister Modi tweeted upon arriving in New York City, where he will engage in various programs, including an interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day program on June 21st.

This visit to the US marks the beginning of Prime Minister Modis inaugural state visit, following an invitation from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Nearly a decade after Prime Minister Modis initial proposal at the United Nations General Assembly to establish International Yoga Day as an annual commemoration, he will finally be present at the UN Headquarters to lead the yoga session, making it a truly historic occasion.

A Look At Some of the Updates:

Yoga Has Become Indias soft Power, Says Health Minister Mandaviya

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said yoga has become Indias soft power" as he marked the International Day of Yoga by leading a session with hundreds of participants at AIIMS, New Delhi. 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 practising yoga.

Addressing the event, Mandaviya said, Yoga is an ancient tradition of India but, with time, its practice started to decline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a huge impetus to yoga and, today, there is no place in the world where yoga is not practised. It has become Indias soft power."

HD Deve Gowda Sends Greetings on International Yoga Day

Warm greetings to my fellow Indians on International #YogaDay. I have touched the age of 91 and yoga has helped sustain me. I urge everybody to practice yoga and discover its benefits. pic.twitter.com/Nep9SNr2uN H D Deve Gowda (@H_D_Devegowda) June 21, 2023

Over 1 Lakh Participants In Gujarat CMs Yoga Event | Watch

#WATCH | Gujarat: Over 1 lakh people performed Yoga with CM Bhupendra Patel in Surat on #9thInternationalYogaDay pic.twitter.com/1EuHDqSVsZ ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Rajnath Singh Participates in Yoga Celebrations on Board INS Vikrant

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday joined hundreds of Navy personnel on board INS Vikrant, Indias first indigenously built aircraft carrier, to participate in the yoga celebrations on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga. He joined the personnel in their performance and led the celebrations on board the sprawling aircraft carrier.

Cutting across their ranks, the defence personnel positioned themselves in various rows and performed different asanas according to the instructions for nearly an hour. Agniveers also performed yoga in unison, embracing the spirit of unity and well-being.

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and other senior officers of the Navy and the Ministry of Defence were also present during the event. The UN General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day following a resolution moved by India and co-sponsored by a large number of nations. The first International Yoga Day was observed on June 21, 2015.

Celebrating the International Yoga Day onboard #INSVikrant in Kochi. Watch https://t.co/eNlLNtV1N4 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 21, 2023

International Yoga day: Army Personnel Perform Yoga in Sikkim

Indian Army personnel perform Yoga in Sikkim to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay. pic.twitter.com/k2D2AnLRvu ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Maharashtra: CM Shinde, Dy CM Fadnavis Perform Yoga

#WATCH | Maharashtra: CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis perform Yoga, in Mumbai to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay. pic.twitter.com/5zPE1fDGCv ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

MP: VP Dhankhar & CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Jabalpur to Mark International Yoga Day Z | Drone Visuals

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar and CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan perform Yoga in Jabalpur to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay.(Drone Visuals from Jabalpur) pic.twitter.com/B3IJA3XRsv  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Ramdev and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Perform Yoga in Haridwar

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Yog Guru Baba Ramdev and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami perform Yoga in Haridwar to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay. pic.twitter.com/W8G7Sptseq ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 21, 2023

Union Minister Anurag Thakur Performs Yoga in Hamirpur

#WATCH | Union Minister Anurag Thakur performs Yoga in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay. pic.twitter.com/xWo8t7rT77 ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Yoga Day Now a Global Spirit: PM Modi

Prime Minister Modi emphasizes the global significance of Yoga Day, stating that it has become a universal phenomenon. He highlights the special significance of the ocean ring of yoga this year, with millions of people participating in yoga activities under the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family). According to PM Modi, yoga has the power to unite the world, and it is our responsibility to represent India as a great nation with the motto of Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat" (One India, Best India).

34,000 Yoga Mats Procured from Tribal Artisans to Be Used at Govt Yoga Day Events

With an aim to promote tribal products, 34,000 yoga mats sourced exclusively from tribal artisans in the country will be used at government events to mark the International Yoga Day on Wednesday.

Tribal Affairs Ministrys Tribal Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED), a national-level cooperative body mandated to bring about socio-economic development of tribals of the country, has procured the yoga mats adorned with designs and motifs representative of various tribal communities.

The Ministry of Ayush will employ these mats for a range of events, workshops, and training programmes organized on the International Yoga Day, according to a statement released by the ministry.

People From Over 180 Countries To Be Present

The advisory for the event encourages guests and attendees to wear Yoga-friendly attire for the special session and added that Yoga mats will be provided during the session. Welcome to take it home as a souvenir," it said.

People from more than 180 countries will participate in Prime Minister Modi-led Yoga Day celebrations here, representing different walks of life and comprising diplomats, artists, academicians and entrepreneurs among others, sources said.

UN officials, agencies and member states have said they are looking forward to participating in the historic event.

Looking forward to participating in the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations @UN with Prime Minister @NarendraModi at the UNHQ North Lawn next week," UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, the highest-ranking woman at the world organisation, said in a tweet.

UN on Yoga

The UN underlined that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The draft UNGA resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.

Yoga Day for Me Would Be when Free Yoga Classes Start in Delhi: CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said yoga day for him would be the day when free yoga classes will be started in the city again.

Hitting out at Kejriwal for his remarks, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said yoga classes were stopped because of non-payment of salaries to yoga teachers. He claimed that making controversial statements" on auspicious occasions has become a daily routine of the Delhi chief minister. In a tweet in Hindi, Kejriwal said, Tomorrow is International Day of Yoga. This day inspires us to do yoga. Two years ago, the Delhi government started free yoga classes for the people of Delhi. About 17,000 people started doing yoga every day."
In a bizarre incident, a court in an unusual ruling permitted a man to pay his wife maintenance dues amounting to Rs 55,000 in one and two rupee coins. The mans family brought the payment, which filled seven sacks, to the court after he was arrested for failing to make the required payments.

While his wifes counsel termed it as mental harassment", the judge permitted the payment but asked the man to count the coins in court to make packets of Rs 1,000 each and hand them over to her at the next hearing on June 26.

The couples divorce case is being heard in a family court. The court had directed the husband, Dashrath Kumawat, to give the maintenance amount of Rs 5000 per month but he was not paying it for the last 11 months.

Dashrath, a resident of Harmada area in Jaipur, was arrested on June 17 after family court number 1 issued a recovery warrant against him for non-payment of maintenance.

Since the husband refused to give the amount, the police arrested him. The family court was closed due to holidays so he was produced in the link court of Additional District Judge (ADG)-number 8.

In the court, the family members of Dashrath reached with coins worth Rs 55000 to give to his wife, Raman Gupta, the advocate of the husband, told PTI on Tuesday.

He said that the coins were in the denomination Re 1 and Rs 2 and were stuffed in seven sacks.

The advocate of his wife objected to this, but it was argued on behalf of the husband that these coins are legal tender and no one can refuse to accept them.

The court then allowed the husband to give the coins after counting them on the next hearing in the family court on June 26. Till then, the coins will remain in the custody of the court. The husband will have to count the coins and make packets of Rs 1000 each before handing them over to the wife in the court, he said.

Wife Seema Kumawats advocate Ramprakash Kumawat said that giving coins to the woman was equal to mental harassment.

It was done in a preplanned manner just to harass the woman. However, the court has permitted him to give the coins, he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday joined hundreds of Navy personnel on board INS Vikrant, Indias first indigenously built aircraft carrier here, to participate in the yoga celebrations on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga.

He joined the personnel in their performance and led the celebrations on board the sprawling aircraft carrier.

Cutting across their ranks, the defence personnel positioned themselves in various rows and performed different asanas according to the instructions for nearly an hour.

Agniveers also performed yoga in unison, embracing the spirit of unity and well-being.

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and other senior officers of the Navy and the Ministry of Defence were also present during the event. The UN General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day following a resolution moved by India and co-sponsored by a large number of nations. The first International Yoga Day was observed on June 21, 2015.
As part of the 21-day long decennial celebrations of the Telangana State Formation Day, the BRS government led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is observing Wednesday as Spiritual Day" in the state to uphold the secular ethos.

The Telangana government accorded top priority to strengthen the states secular fabric by treating all religions equally even as Rao believes in the maxim of unity in diversity and is helping the growth of all religions in spiritual and devotional fields, an official release issued on Tuesday night said.

Today, Telangana stands as the epitome of Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb (composite culture), it said.

Listing out the measures taken for upholding spirituality in the state, the release said the government introduced a scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to Vedic schools in Telangana when traditional education is neglected.

Eligible Vedic schools can apply online and offline with 32 Vedic schools already benefitting from this scheme. The government spent Rs 59.5 lakh, it said.

Under the Dhoopa Dheepa Nivedyam, monthly maintenance of temples in the erstwhile united AP was Rs 2,500 and paid to 1,805 temples. After the formation of the state, the scheme was applied to 1,840 temples and today, the number of shrines making use of the scheme stands at 3,645.

Under this scheme, Rs. 26.25 crore is being spent by the government every year," the release said.

Besides, the government provided land and funds for the construction of buildings with all facilities to organise cultural, traditional, social, Vedic and Brahmin community welfare programmes.

While 75 per cent of the total cost of construction of the building is borne by the Brahmin Parishad and the rest is donated by the local Brahmin community.

The BRS government completed the construction of the stone-cut Yadadri Shree Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple, besides allotting funds for several festivals such as Bonalu and Medaram Jatara.

For Muslims welfare, the Telangana government has been officially organising Ramzan. Since 2015, the BRS regime has been organising Dawat-e-Iftar programme at LB Stadium in the state capital every year to celebrate the holy festival. From 2017, the government has been organising clothes distribution programmes in the form of gift packets to poor sections of Muslim people.

The state government is recognising Christmas as a state festival at the LB Stadium every year. The Chief Minister attends the Christmas dinner every year. Besides, each church in all the constituencies of the state is receiving Rs 2 lakh each, the release added.
Despite early morning rains and drizzle in most of the part of Uttar Pradesh, Madrasas in Uttar Pradesh observed Yoga Day in a big way.

Danish Azad Ansari, the state minister for minorities welfare of Uttar Pradesh kick started the Yoga Day celebrations by performing yoga at Darul Uloom Warsiya, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.

All Madarsa in Lucknow and the entire UP observed Yoga Day and performed Yoga, which is the best way to stay fit and healthy, said Sone Kumar, district minority officer, Lucknow, who too performed yoga on the day.

UP has around 25,000 Madarsa, of which around 16,000 are recognised by the Board of Madarsa Education. However, the officials with the social welfare department said the day was observed at all the madrasas.

Its worth mentioning that almost a week back the Board of Madarsa education had issued strict directives to all aided and non-aided madarsa to celebrate Yoga Day. On June 17, Jagmohan Singh, the registrar of the Madarsa Board had written to all district minority officers of the state, directing them to ensure that the day is observed at all madrasas at district level.

One of the oldest Madrasa, Hanfia Jia-ul-Quran, in Lucknows Bada Chandganj area, too, witnessed grand Yoga Day celebrations where students, teachers and other members of the management gathered at the central hall to perform Yoga.

Its just like going to the gym or jogging. It is just a way to keep oneself stress free and healthy in the present busy lifestyle, the instructor told the student while performing yoga on Wednesday.

Other than the Madrsas, UP clerics too came out in support of Yoga, calling it one of the most effective ways to keep people healthy.

Yoga is no Puja and hence there is no harm in doing yoga. It is a kind of an exercise and in todays busy lifestyle, yoga is very important in staying fit and healthy, said Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi, a senior Sunni cleric and member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).
International Yoga Day 2023: Fitness fanatic Malaika Arora highlighted the advantages of incorporating yoga asanas into daily life on International Yoga Day in 2023. Malaika posted a video on Instagram in which she can be seen practising yoga. Malaika owns Diva Yoga Centre, a yoga studio in Mumbai. She frequently publishes images and videos from her wellness centre.

Taking to Instagram, Malaika wrote, This is my point of view. What is yours? Happy international day of yoga! . Malaika just released a video in which she can be seen doing yoga. POV: Yoga is, quieting the mindYoga, is calming the nerves. Yoga is developing strength, growth and love. Happy International Yoga Day," the text inserted in the video read.

Check out Malaikaspost right here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Malaika Arora (@malaikaaroraofficial)

The world observes International Yoga Day on June 21 every year. It acts as a platform to promote yogas comprehensive approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and to spread awareness of the many advantages of the practise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi first mentioned International Yoga Day in his 2014 speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Due to its capacity to improve flexibility, strength, balance, and general fitness, yoga has since experienced tremendous growth in popularity on a global scale.

Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or yoga for the benefit of all in the form of One World-One Family," is this years theme for Yoga Day. It highlights the uplifting and inclusive nature of the yoga philosophy.

ALSO READ: International Yoga Day 2023: 5 Homegrown Activewear Brands That Are Perfect For Every Yoga Session

Similar to this, Malaika gave a taste of one of her yoga sessions to entice others to try it out. She posted on Instagram in advance of International Yoga Day 2023 to discuss how practising yoga can actually be a tonne of fun.

Who says yoga cant be fun? Hello divas, are you ready to begin your week on a happy note? she wrote in the caption. Let your practice be an outlet for you to celebrate your happiness and let go of the stress. And along the way, you will realise that youve not only challenged yourself but achieved your goals and broken a few more. Remember to love your practice and not feel compelled by it, she said.

Check out the post below-

View this post on Instagram A post shared by DIVA YOGA (@thedivayoga)

Malaika can be seen doing yoga, dancing, and having fun while executing a variety of asanas in the video.
The art of yoga has reached the farthest corners of the world, with the 9th International Yoga Day being celebrated on June 21, 2023. But an old house in Gokulam area of Karnatakas Mysore is the address most yoga enthusiasts and even tourists flock to. This is where the late K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga is taught to practitioners from all over the globe.

When Jois died at the age of 95 in 2009, international newspapers like the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian and LA Times published lengthy obituaries, paying rich tributes to one of the original yoga gurus in the world.

Heres what the NYT wrote: Long before yoga studios sprang up in shopping centers and gyms across America and Europe, Mr. Jois began teaching yoga at the Sanskrit University of Mysore in the late 1930s, according to a biography on his website. He eventually opened his own school, the Ashtanga Yoga Institute, which has drawn students from around the world. The son of a Brahmin priest and astrologer, Mr. Jois was inculcated in ancient Hindu teachings from an early age. He was first exposed to yoga when he was 12. He learned from Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, a guru who also taught another famous Indian yogi, B.K.S. Iyengar.

Jois is known for taking the school of yoga known as Ashtanga to the world. Ashtanga, which translates to eight limbs, consists of fast-paced exercises that are performed with controlled breathing. Ashtanga yoga aims to make its practitioners sweat profusely, which Jois believed was necessary to cleanse the body.

It is a coincidence that another great yoga guru who made it internationally famous, BKS Iyengar, was also a student of the same T Krishnamacharya who taught yoga to Jois.

Both Jois and Iyengar, two Kannadigas from the pre-Independence era, took yoga to the nooks and corners of the world, especially Europe and America, much before the new age yoga gurus and their spiritual centers started mushrooming all over India and the world. But the name, fame and influence did not change them much. Till their death they stayed humble and never commercialised the ancient knowledge.

Jois following in the West brought him fame and influence, but people close to him say that it did not appear to have changed him much. He never altered his early morning prayer rituals and put all his students, including celebrities, through the same tough regimen.

Everybody got the same training. There was no difference, even for me. Even his own grandson had the same training that his students had, maybe a little tougher, Jois grandson Sharath Rangaswamy told NYT when the yoga guru died.

Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka and former capital of the princely state of Mysore, has been the yoga capital for over a century. In a way, yoga is as native to Mysore as its famous sweet Mysore Pak.

Talking about how yoga has helped Mysores economy and tourism industry in the recent years, Vikram Muthanna, the managing editor of English daily Star of Mysore and Kannada daily Mysore Mithra, said, The whole of Gokhulam area looks like a foreign country when Sharath Rangaswamy, the grandson of Pattabhi Jois opens his yoga camp. Thousands of foreigners will be there every day to learn and understand yoga. These Mysoreans have been practising and teaching yoga in its purest and truest form. Yoga is both physical and spiritual. Many neo-yoga centers and gurus have made it a mere physical exercise like drill or like aerobics.

Apart from the world-renowned Pattabhi Jois and BKS Iyengar yoga schools, Mysore also has other famous yoga teachers like Bharath Shetty, Sheshadri et al.

There are several dozen small and large yoga centres in and around Mysore. According to some estimates, at least 50,000 foreigners, mainly from Europe and America, visit Mysore to learn yoga every year. Some of them come here for a short duration course and go back in a week or two. Some spend six months to one year learning yoga and understanding it. It has immensely helped Mysore in many ways, said Mysore-based journalist Puttappa.

Half a century before Prime Minister Narendra Modis big push for yoga and modern gurus promotional activities across the globe, Mysore popularised yoga across the world, including the Communist Soviet Union to far away Argentina.

Indra Devi, born Eugenie Peterson in Latvia on May 12, 1899, was the daughter of a European nobility. She introduced ancient Indian discipline of yoga from Kremlin to Connecticut in the 1950s. Even Hollywood stars like Gloria Swanson were her students.

The Indra Devi Yoga Centre in Argentinian capital Buenos Aires was founded by her more than 60 years ago.

Like Pattabhi Jois and BKS Iyengar, Indra Devi was also a student of Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the real father of Yoga who made Mysore its global headquarters.

In 1960, Indias ambassador to Moscow arranged for her to meet top Soviet leaders, including premier Aleksei Kosygin, foreign minister Andrei Gromyko, and chairman of the Supreme Soviet Anastas Mikoyan. After she spoke to them of the benefits of yoga, it was legalised in Russia, says her 2002 obituary in New York Times.

The serious ones who believe that yoga is not a commodity and are aware of its spiritual and physical benefits come to Mysore. They dont go to new age gurus or spiritual leaders. The yoga gurus in Mysore dont go after name and fame. They are not godmen. They teach it to everyone with the same dedication. For them, it is sharing of an ancient Indian discipline with the rest of the world. It is not a publicity stunt. Whatever others might say or do, Mysore has always been the final destination for yoga. It will always remain the worlds yoga capital, said Mysorean R Bharatadri.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a speech while attending the closing ceremony of the 11th China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2023. Li and Scholz also attended a roundtable with entrepreneurs from both countries before the forum on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BERLIN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Germany should work together to deepen economic and technical cooperation, so as to set an example and lead the way in strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe and promoting global development, visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks when attending the 11th China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

More than 200 representatives from the Chinese and German economic and business communities attended the forum.

Li said that under the current changing and turbulent situation, strengthening cooperation is the right way to mutual benefit and win-win results, and is also the right thing that we should do with all efforts.

He also noted the necessity to take economic and technological cooperation as an important cornerstone of international cooperation, grasp the trend of economic globalization, firmly support free trade, and promote the common prosperity and development of mankind.

Li said that the achievements and experience of China-Germany economic and technological cooperation are invaluable. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago, the two countries have carried out extensive and in-depth friendly cooperation, with the economic and technological cooperation being the most dynamic and active, and has gradually formed a new pattern of all-round and multi-field cooperation.

The key to the success of China-Germany cooperation lies in the spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, mutual benefit and win-win, pragmatic and innovative cooperation, he added.

Scholz said that Germany will not take the path of anti-globalization, will adhere to the open policy, continue to strengthen cooperation with China and accelerate the development of bilateral cooperation after the pandemic.

Germany is willing to solve the problems in bilateral cooperation through communication and dialogue with China, Scholz added.

Before attending the China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum, Li and Scholz attended a round table for more than 30 representatives of Chinese and German entrepreneurs.

Cooperation is the only way out and the best way to deal with difficulties and challenges, said Li, adding that the government should create a sound environment and stable expectations for companies to operate so that they can evaluate and deal with risks in accordance with market and economic laws, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results in opening up and cooperation.

From a new starting point, China will keep expanding the high-level opening up to foster a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework, Li said.

He expressed the hope that the German side will keep its market open, and create a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to invest in Germany.

Noting that China and Germany enjoy broad space and great potential for cooperation in such fields as digital economy, artificial intelligence and green development, Li said that it is believed that with the joint efforts of the countries' entrepreneurs, China-Germany cooperation will continue to achieve new results.

The entrepreneurs attending the round table said that China and Germany are important cooperation partners, the business communities of the two countries support the policy of opening up.

They advocated giving full play to the role of the China-Germany economic advisory committee and other mechanisms to enhance exchanges and mutual learning, and deepening cooperation in areas including innovation, digital economy and green development to achieve mutual benefit, win-win results and common development.

Wu Zhenglong, among others, was present at the events. 

Editor: Zhang Zhou
KESHAV BALIRAM HEDGEWAR DEATH ANNIVERSARY: Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), passed away on June 21, 1940. He was a well-known physician and the first Sarsanghchalak of the RSS. He founded RSS on Vijaya Dashami day on September 27, 1925, in Nagpur. June 21, 2023, marks the 83rd death anniversary of Dr Hedgewar.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar Death Anniversary: 8 Interesting Facts
Diabetes has sadly become a common disease affecting people of all ages in todays fast-paced environment. The sickness has invaded numerous houses, affecting everyone from children to the elderly. Those who have diabetes must constantly refrain from eating sweets, even when the urge strikes. However, a historic British-era business in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, named Ravi Alpahar has found a solution to this problem. They are making dry-fruit-based, sugar-free laddoos for diabetics specifically. With the help of this innovative invention, now diabetic patients can also enjoy the pleasure of sweets without endangering their health.

The shop owner, Priyansh Rodwal, admits that diabetes is extremely common today, affecting about one in three or four people. As a result, sugar patients, who wish to enjoy sweets, are unable to do so due to their illness. Many clients enter their store with eyes full of desire for sweet treats but ultimately choose savoury foods like Kachori to fulfil their needs.

Thus Ravi Alpahar created sugar-free laddus using a combination of dry fruits. People line up outside the store every day to buy these delicious laddus since there is a high demand for them.

The shop owner says that it was established by his grandfather Motilal Ji in 1921, and then it initially focused on Kachori and Poha. However, they decided to make these dry fruit sugar-free laddus after realising the rising number of sugar patients. Ingredients such as dates, cashews, almonds, and raisins are used in ample amounts in making these laddus.

These laddus not only have a delicious flavour, but they also have a lot of health advantages. These sugar-free laddus are made on the advice of doctors and medical professionals, who themselves recommend these to their parents. Ravi Alpahars sugar-free laddus is a solution to the needs and cravings faced by people with diabetes. It explains their dedication to meeting client needs while promoting a better way of life.
Social media influencer and actress Hema Sharma, popularly known as Viral Bhabhi, revealed her unpleasant encounter with Salman Khans security officers in 2019. Hema shared her disappointment after being manhandled when she approached to meet Salman and click a picture with him on the sets of his home production, Dabangg 3.

Hema Sharma expressed her desire to work in Dabangg 3, eagerly hoping to meet Salman Khan. Although she appeared in a scene for the film, Salman was not present during the shoot, leaving Hema disappointed. Determined to meet the actor, Hema reached out to numerous individuals, seeking assistance to connect with Salman. Her efforts led her to Pandit Janardhan, who assured her that they would arrange a meeting with Salman Khan.

Hema Sharma shared her ordeal during the attempted meeting with Salman Khan. She described being treated badly and humiliated by the actors security officers, who forcibly removed her and even threatened Pandit Janardhan, citing a potential ban on his entry. The incident occurred in front of a unit of around 100 people, including individuals known to Hema personally, which intensified her sense of humiliation.

Although Salman Khan was not present at the exact time of the incident, Hema mentioned that he was in the vicinity. She expressed disappointment, noting that Salman could have intervened and handled the situation, but he did not.

This incident involving Salman Khans security officers is not the first to gain attention. Recently, at a red carpet event in Dubai, Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal was pushed aside by Salmans security team. The situation was later resolved when the actors hugged each other, dispelling any speculations.

The mistreatment deeply affected Hema Sharma, who disclosed that she struggled to sleep for ten days following the incident. All she wanted was a chance to meet Salman Khan and take a picture with him, but instead, she experienced humiliation and disappointment.
Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoors much-awaited film Bawaal which was initially planned for a theatrical release will now be following the OTT route. While an official announcement on the same is awaited, rumours are rife that the makers are going to skip theatrical release and let the romantic drama be released on Amazon Prime Video. As July inches closer, the makers have started planning promotions. But with Janhvi Kapoor in London for Ulajh shoot and Varun Dhawan in Serbia for Citadel India shoot, the leads are planning strategies on video calls!

Varun took to Instagram Stories to post a picture of himself in Serbia talking to Janhvi on video call. He captioned it, When ur planning bawaal activities from different countries..@janhvikapoor"

Recently, as the news of Bawaal going straight to OTT made headline, Varun has now penned a cryptic note. Taking to his Instagram stories, Varun wrote, There is power in silence. There is no negative situation if your are positive. The world is only how we see it, not how others want you to see it.

Regarding Bawaals OTT release, a source close to Bollywood Hungama revealed, Bawaal is among the most ambitious films by Sajid Nadiadwala that rides on a subject that doesnt exactly have the commercial trappings of dance and music. In the present market scenario. Sajid, who has a knack of commercial cinema, feels that its best to bring Bawaal on direct to digital, rather than risking a theatrical outing. He has got a great deal from digital players and decided to part ways with the original plans of bringing it in theatres. The film will now release in October on Amazon Prime Video.

It is supposedly a timeless love story that will require Varun and Janhvis characters to travel across multiple countries. The film was initially supposed to release on April 7.
Mukesh Khanna has once again lashed out at the makers of Prabhas and Kriti Sanon starrer Adipurush. In a recent interview, Khanna expressed disappointment with the dialogues and contumes in Adipurush and called it a terrible joke on Ramayana. He claimed that the makers have not even read the Hindu mythological epic and went on to say that they must be burnt standing at 50 degrees.

While Shiv ji had blessed Ravan, now those who do not have that much knowledge, then you are talking big things. It is absolutely rubbish. They should not be forgiven. Yesterday I said on my channel that this whole team should be burnt standing at fifty degrees Celsius," Khanna told ANI.

The Shaktimaan actor further criticised director Om Raut and dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir for defending their version of Ramayana. I thought that when all this has happened, they will hide their face, but they are coming forward and explaining this much. They are saying that we are making it for Sanatan Dharma. Hey, is your Sanatan Dharma different from ours? They said that there was the version of Valmiki ji, then there was the version of Tulsidas ji, this is our version," he added.

Khanna also accused the makers of Adipurush of mocking Hindu religion.

Mukesh Khanna is not the first actor who has expressed disappointment with Adipurush. Earlier, Karan Suchak, who used to play the role of Laxman in the television show Siya Ke Ram, also urged everyone to avoid watching Adipurush. Prior to him, Arun Govil aka Ram of Ramanand Sagars Ramayana also slammed the makers of Adipurush and called Prabhas starrer Hollywood Ki Cartoon.

Directed by Om Raut, Adipurush is an adaptation of the Hindu mythological epic Ramayan. With Prabhas playing Raghav, Kriti essaying Janakis role, and Saif of Lankesh, the film also features Sunny Singh as Shesh and Devdatta Nage as Bajrang. The film hit theatres on June 16.
Hollywood actor Richard Gere joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Yoga Day Event taking place at the United Nations HQ. The event was held to celebrate World Yoga Day. In photos coming from the venue, Richard was seen greeting PM Modi and giving him a hug. In a photo going viral, Richard was seen sporting a big smile as he hugged the Indian Prime Minister.

Richard also joined PM Modi to perform the yoga poses planned for the gathering. He was seen seated close to the Prime Minister and following the yoga instructions.

#InternationalDayofYoga2023 | Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the Yoga Day event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA pic.twitter.com/3WX4bcdnCP ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

In a video, Richard was also heard talking about PM Modi and praising him. He said PM Modis message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood" should be repeated over and over again. It is a lovely message. He (PM Modi) is a product of Indian culture and comes from a vast place like Indian culture. This message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood is the one we want to hear again and again," he told the media gathered at the event.

#WATCH | It is a lovely message. He (PM Modi) is a product of Indian culture and comes from a vast place like Indian culture does. This message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood is the one we want to hear again and again, says Richard Gere after Yoga Day event in New York pic.twitter.com/9fKXLpCYyh ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Beside Richard, the function will be attended by personalities and influencers from all walks of life, including diplomats, officials, academicians, health professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, media personalities, artists, spiritual leaders, yoga practitioners, among others. These include Jay Shetty, Vikas Khanna, and Ricky Kej.
Actor Sobhita Dhulipala might have kept her personal life away from the public glare all these years but it is only recently that her love life has come under the scanner. Speculations are rife that she has been dating actor Naga Chaitanya. While the duo has never confirmed their alleged relationship, a photo of Chaitanya posing with a chef during his trip to London with Sobhita in the background went viral in March this year.

In an exclusive chat with News18, Sobhita, without mentioning anyone, tells us that she remains unfazed by the spotlight cast on her private life. But shes quick to add that such things tend to take the focus away from her work. Whats there to be bothered? If I say dont say this, theres no way people would know about it I mean, its not a nice thing to talk about my own accomplishments. Its not like Im asking people to look at my accomplishments and the name I made for myself but its more like, I come from Vizag and Ive worked hard at every step along the way, says the actor, who will next be seen in Disney+ Hotstars The Night Manager: Part 2.

While she isnt worried about the sudden attention and curiosity about her life behind the curtains, she would rather want audiences to talk about her achievements, which familiarised her with them in the first place. Ive done many, many auditions before I landed my first part. So, somewhere I feel like, if Im being given a few minutes of the spotlight, I want people to see me for my merit. I really work on my craft just like I work on every single thing in my life, Sobhita states.

The Made In Heaven and Ponniyin Selvan actor further continues, If youre going to see me or know me, I would rather you know me for my merits, hard work and craft because thats something thats very precious to me. Its not like, I go, Oh, how can they talk about my personal life? I want to tell them, Ive worked very hard on my craft, so at least look at this. Im not easily bothered.

But keeping the rumours aside, what is she looking for in an ideal partner? I look for grounding. I want someone whos close to the earth and has that understanding that were all going to come and go and that life is short. I want him to be kind and good and know that were not everything [end all and be all], Sobhita remarks.

Earlier, in an interview with us, the 31-year-old had spoken about how she prefers to keep a part of her life sacrosanct, away from public discussion and scrutiny. While she acknowledged the interest about a celebritys life, she added that its in her nature to not talk about things beyond her profession.

I like it when I dont know too much about someone, especially public figures. Theres a certain charm to that distance. Its not like Ive drawn these boundaries that people cant cross. But it doesnt come naturally to me to share too much of whats happening apart from work because work takes up a lot of space in my day and Im very happy about it. So, I would love for people to know about my work and for it to travel, Sobhita had shared.
Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma were engaged in social media PDA on Tuesday after they reacted to the couples sexy photo shoot for their upcoming anthology Lust Stories 2. Tamannaah recently confirmed dating Vijay and called him her happy place."

Tamannaah Bhatia, who is not shying away from expressing her fondness for Vijay, referred to her Lust Stories 2 co-star as prince" while reacting to his tweet. On Monday, a fan shared Vijay and Tamannaahs recent hot photo shoot on Twitter and wrote, She is everything. He is just Vijay." Vijay quote retweeted the post and shared: I kinda agree."

I kinda agree https://t.co/4SsbMUuJEl Vijay Varma (@MrVijayVarma) June 19, 2023

Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varmas relationship rumours have been grabbing headlines for a long time now. During a recent interview with Film Companion, Tamannaah said, I dont think you can get attracted to someone just because they are your co-star. I have had so many co-stars. I think if one has to fall for someone, feel something for someone its definitely more personal, its nothing to do with what they do for a living, I mean thats not the reason why this would happen.

When asked the actress if things changed for her and Vijay on the sets of Lust Stories 2, Tamannaah confessed their romance and said, Yes. Describing Vijay, she added, He is someone I really look up to. He is someone with whom I bonded very, very organically Hes a person who I care about deeply and yeah, hes my happy place.

Meanwhile, Vijay Varma recently said that he has a lot of love in his life right now." In an interaction with Janice Sequeira for her YouTube channel, Vijay Varma spoke about why he refrained from talking about his personal life. You speak about it when the right time comes but I can just tell you that theres a lot of love in my life right now. And Im happy," the actor said.
This year marks the bi-centenary of a famous letter written by Raja Ram Mohun Roy (1772-1833) to the then Governor General Lord Amherst advocating the cause of modern scientific education in India. While this letter, based on incomplete and faulty reading, has been drawn into an unfortunate controversy recently, its value has been vindicated by the fact that all governments in independent India from Nehru to Modi have prided upon building modern scientific institutions as Roy had desired.

On December 11, 1823, Roy wrote a letter to Lord Amherst, Governor General of India (1823-28), in the backdrop of the East India Companys government establishing a Sanskrit College in Calcutta. Roy argued that instead of establishing this new Sangscrit School, the government should consider an institution to instruct the natives of India in Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Anatomy and other useful sciences, which the nations of Europe have carried to a degree of perfection that has raised them above other inhabitants of other parts of the world (Sophia Dobson Collet, The Life and Letters of Raja Rammohun Roy, P.458).

Roy had prescience for science education. Roys letter antedated the establishment of the first medical college (Calcutta Medical College, 1835), the first Engineering College (Thomason College of Engineering, now IIT, Roorkee, 1847), first science college (Jubbulpur, 1860) in India. He had the best interest of India in his heart while advocating a curriculum of mathematics, natural philosophy (i.e. physics), chemistry and anatomy etc. In 1835, the Medical College was set up in Calcutta. Roy was no longer alive to rejoice in it. His friend Prince Dwarkanath Tagore, grandfather of the poet, took keen interest in the institution and announced munificent prizes for meritorious Indian students. It was here on January 10, 1836 that Madhusudan Gupta carried out the first human cadaver dissection, thereby breaking religious and social taboo prevalent in Indian society for centuries. Shakunt Pandey in an article in Science Reporter (November, 2017) informs that as recently as 2011 doctors of the Anatomy Department of Calcutta Medical College have unearthed some document that showed how the Hindu pandits were alarmed at the foundation of the medical college, and kept a vigil that corpses were not brought in the college for dissection (P.49).

On the other hand, there was Dwarkanath Tagore, Roys friend, who had announced an annual donation of Rs. 2,000 to the Medical College for being disbursed as prizes for Hindu students performing dissection. His biographer Krishna Kriplani informs that Dwarkanath was himself present in the dissection room to overcome the repugnance of Hindu sentiments to dissection (Dwarkanath Tagore- A Forgotten Pioneer: A Life, P.111).

Madhusudan Gupta, who hailed from Vaidya caste, traditional practitioners of Ayurveda in Bengal, carried out a coup against his own class. Gupta, who taught Ayurveda in Sanskrit College, was persuaded by the likes of David Hare and John Drinkwater Bethune to perform the dissection. Gupta knew that Sushruta Samhita, ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery, mentions about a number surgical processes and instruments. Ancient Hindus perhaps could not have arrived at this knowledge without performing human cadaver dissection. However, as smriti-shastras triumphed over Sushruta, touching a human cadaver became an unclean act putting an end of a scientific odyssey. It was only in the nineteenth century, when this taboo was broken; and the stagnated stream of knowledge began to flow anew.

A few short years- says a 1839 brochure of the Bengal Medical College-since it was considered a vain chimera to suppose Hindoos of good caste could ever be brought to pursue the study of the Anatomy in Dissecting-room, and by many they were considered incapable of mastering the difficulties of science, or of attaining proficiency in a profession so complicated as that of medicine. But the time has shewn that these assertions are unfounded. (The Medical College of Bengal, P.ii).

Dwarkanaths scholarship directly helped two graduates of Calcutta Medical College pursue higher studies in medicine in Britain. For two other students, scholarship came from other sources. In all, four students viz. Bholanath Bose, Suryakanta Chakraborty, Dwarkanath Bose and Gopalchandra Seal accompanied Dwarkanath during his second and final voyage to Britain in 1844. Two years later they obtained a diploma of College of Surgeons, whereas three of them were awarded M.D. Degree (A Forgotten Pioneer, P.111). Though this act, the Hindu society broke another taboo- undertaking sea voyages. The path had been prepared by Roy himself, who was the first Hindu gentry to go overseas. The religious prohibition on sea voyages, which had fallen upon the Hindu society, in the medieval ages due to historical circumstances, was finally passing away. In the subsequent decades, it became fairly common to go abroad for education and career like Indian Civil Services.

II

A few years ago US-based author and activist Rajiv Malhotra began a tirade against de-Sanskritization efforts of Raja Ram Mohun Roy based on the aforesaid letter. Malhotras tweet dated May 28, 2019 proves that he was not conversant with the contents of the letter. Malhotra presumed that it was written to British Prime Minister William Pitt instead of Governor General Lord Amherst. In 1823, Roy could not have written to William Pitt, the Senior (1707-78), or William Pitt, the Junior (1759-1806), since both these Prime Ministers of Britain were long dead and gone. Coincidentally, Lord Amhersts Christian name was also William Pitt, but Roy addressed him with his full name leaving no scope for doubt on that count.

At the same time, Malhotra issued an 18 min 33 sec video interview on YouTube deprecating Roy as a supporter of colonialism based on the letter. It was evident that Malhotra (who took down the discourse to the level of Makke di Roti, Sarson da saag and Bhangra) had not paid sufficient attention to the academic and social trends in the nineteenth century.

Roys letter nowhere advocated terminating support to Sanskrit education per se. Roys argument that as there were already numerous teachers of Sanskrit in various parts of the country, the government will do well by providing them grants, rather than starting a new institution that broke no fresh ground.

An examination of nineteenth century trends will reveal definite groundswell for English education in India. The Hindus took advantage of English education throughout in the nineteenth and twentieth century that gave them significant edge over the Muslims in government services, medicine, law, engineering, teaching profession and politics.

Syed Ameer Ali in his essay A Cry from Indian Muslims (August, 1882) used tables to prove how Hindus outnumbered the Muslims in matter of government employment in Bengal Presidency. The picture was equally dismal for the Muslims elsewhere in India. Ameer Ali concluded that the backwardness of the Muslims under the British rule was due to their failure to take advantage of the English education. Ali, however, attributed this failure more to the general poverty amongst Muslims, rather than any unwillingness on their part to the study the language of an alien race (Syed Razi Wasti, ed, Memoirs and Other Writings by Syed Ameer Ali, P.171).

Those who wish to create the Sanskrit-English dichotomy overlook a few basic facts. Firstly, it was not Sanskrit, but Persian, whose political and official clout the English replaced in the nineteenth century. From the establishment of Delhi Sultanate to beginning of British rule, it was Persian which held sway in official circles. Even Roy, like many other educated men of his epoch, was adept in Persian. Urdu was the handmaiden of Persian. When the British began to substitute Persian and Urdu with English and local languages like Hindi and Bengali in judiciary and revenue administration, alarm bells started ringing for the Muslim intelligentsia. The Hindus, however, were favourably placed to take advantage of this situation.

Secondly, it is a popular myth that the British imposed English upon India by the agency of Lord Macaulay. The truth is that English was equally welcomed in Nepal and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where there was no Macaulay. Without English, Swami Vivekananda could not have delivered his memorable lectures amongst the Tamils of Ceylon.

The Education Commission (1909) in Baroda, a princely state, rejected the proposal for Vernacular University, on the grounds that higher education in vernacular language would have little practical value, when rest of the India had committed to higher education in English.

The Hindus in the nineteenth century were discreet enough in appreciating the distinct spaces occupied by Sanskrit and English. Sanskrit did not offer subjects that were assuming practical importance in the nineteenth century like science, political science, law, geography etc. Sanskrit pandits pursued Veda, Dharma Shastras, Darshana, literature and grammar, etc, in the nineteenth century, even as they do today. Sanskrit is perhaps the only language where grammar could be studied even up to PhD level. Although many Hindu nationalists are starry-eyed about the scientific heritage of Sanskrit, except for Ayurveda and Jyotish (astrology), Sanskrit offered no such curriculum. Thus, while ancient India might have produced rust-free iron pillar, magnificent temples or even as some claim the Vimana, but there was no curriculum in Sanskrit that could produce a metallurgist, civil engineer and aeronautical engineer.

The Sanskrit College (estd. 1824) exists still, having recently been upgraded to a university. According to its website, the courses offered by the university are mostly in language, literature and philosophy. Could India have come of age in the nineteenth century world with such a curriculum?

Roy was not pleading the cause of English education, but modern scientific education. His inspiration evidently was Lord Francis Bacon (1561-1626), a lawyer, Member of Parliament, and Queen Elizabeth Is counsel, who played a major role in advancing education in Britain. Bacons natural philosophy represented a struggle with traditions, whereby he felt that Aristotelian cosmology had become obsolete. Roy, like Bacon, felt that knowledge production in India had failed to keep abreast of time.

People who did not find English convenient, also accepted the value of modern education. In 1846, Hyderabad Medical School (HMS), now Osmania Medical College (OSC), was set up during reign of Nizam IV Mir Farqunda Ali Khan Nasir ud Daula. While the medium of instruction was Urdu, the college was not for studying Unani or Ayurveda, but Allopathic medicine. The textbooks were translated from English to Urdu. This arrangement was, however, not found feasible in the long run, as there was no original research on medicine in Urdu. The language was thus switched to English in the latter part of the century.

III

What was Roys temporal perspective? It might be remembered that Warren Hastings, the first Governor General of India (1772-1785), followed a policy of Orientalism, under which oriental languages like Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian were promoted, and research was undertaken into Indic knowledge through institutions like Asiatic Society of Bengal, and erstwhile Fort William College. Under this policy, the British government established Central Sanskrit College in Varanasi, Calcutta Madrasa, Sanskrit College at Calcutta and Hindoo College in Pune, etc. The policy aimed at bridging the intellectual and emotional gap between the British and Indians.

Whereas the British wanted to instruct Hindus in Sanskrit, the Hindus themselves wanted to expose their younger generation to English. They thus founded Hindu College (estd.1817) in Calcutta and Elphinstone College (estd.1834) in Bombay. The foundation of both these institutions antedated the arrival of Thomas Babington Macaulay in India in 1835, thus giving lie to the assumption that English education was imposed upon India by the British at the behest of Macaulay. The truth is that Hindus themselves wanted to take advantage of English language, as all latest, practical and scientific knowledge was available in that language.

The struggle between Sanskrit and English in the nineteenth century was not as acute as one tends to believe. For instance, Radhakanta Deb, author of eight volume Sanskrit encyclopedia Shabda-Kalpadrum, was associated with the governing body Hindu College (estd.1817) for upwards 40 years since its inception. Hindu College (later Presidency College) was founded to provide modern education in English language to students from Hindu families. In the later part of the century, the people who set up New English School (1880) in Pune, and subsequently the Fergusson College (1885) were all well-versed in Sanskrit  Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Vishnushastri K. Chiplunkar, Vaman Shivaram Apte and Gopal Raghunath Nandargikar, etc.

A conservative Radhakanta Deb was a die-hard opponent of Roy on the Sati abolition question in the 1820s and 30s. Blessed with a long life, he also had the opportunity take cudgels against Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar on the widow remarriage question in the 1850s. Tilaks anti-colonial credentials require no fresh introduction. He was the first Indian mass leader to be imprisoned on charges of sedition, not once, but twice. Similarly, Tilak was a conservative when it came to Age of Consent Bill, 1891. His knowledge of Hindu philosophy is borne out in his authorship of Gita Rahasya (1915), written while in Mandalay jail.

These examples refute the proposition that Roy was a supporter of colonialism. Why should different standards apply to Roy, Deb and Tilak, all of whom were multi-linguists? They all worked in their own languages, but also promoted English. Moreover, Indias approach to colonialism varied with time. It is important to note what Bankim Chandra Chatterjee says in the last chapter of his novel Ananda Math (1882), written half a century after Roys death:

The English are great in objective sciences and they are apt teachers. Therefore, the English shall be made our sovereign. Imbued with a knowledge of objective sciences by English education our people will be able to comprehend subjective truth. Then there would be no difficulties to the spread of True Faith;- it will then shrine forth of itself. Till that is so, till the Hindus are great again in knowledge, virtue and power, till then English rule will remain undisturbed. The people will be happy under them and follow their own religion without hindrance. (The Abbey of Bliss, Tr. Nares Chandra Sen-Gupta, P.199)

Whether Malhotra would dub Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, seer of Vande Mataram, also as a colonialist on the lines of Roy is speculative. In reality, they were both pragmatists who knew that India had fallen behind times, and required to be brought in line with rest of the advanced world by taking advantage of modern education.

It will be fitting gesture if Indias medical colleges, IITs and science institutions display a photograph of Raja Ram Mohun Roy along with full copy of this letter to pay homage to the architect of modern India.

The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. The views expressed are personal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the United States from June 21-24, 2023, is generating immense anticipation and excitement. The invitation extended by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden is a testament to the growing importance of the India-US partnership in todays world, characterised by geopolitical shifts, emerging threats, and shared concerns. This historic visit will focus on key areas of cooperation, encompassing defence and strategic ties, healthcare collaborations, technology advancements, environmental conservation, renewable energy, and knowledge exchange in education.

PM Modis visit marks a significant milestone as he becomes the third world leader to be invited for a state visit, following Frances Emmanuel Macron and South Koreas Yoon Suk Yeo under Bidens presidency. The event showcases Indias rising global stature and the pivotal role it plays in global affairs. Despite having visited the US on six occasions since assuming office in 2014 and engaging with three US presidents  Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden  this state visit holds a special place for PM Modi. State visits are typically reserved for heads of state, not heads of government, making this invitation an extraordinary honour that highlights the charisma and allure PM Modi commands on the international stage.

The visit has commenced with PM Modi leading the International Day of Yoga celebration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York today, i.e. June 21. Yoga, an ancient Indian tradition that has become a global phenomenon, serves as a unifying force, fostering compassion and well-being. Its holistic approach, benefiting billions worldwide, brings people together and promotes a balanced mind, body, and soul. This celebration will highlight Indias rich cultural heritage and its profound contributions to the world.

In addition to the UN event, PM Modi will engage with business leaders in New York to explore opportunities for enhancing the Indo-US trade and investment relationship while fortifying global supply chains. Recognising the pivotal role played by the Indian-American community in fostering bilateral ties, PM Modi will also meet with the vibrant diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Centre. This interaction will showcase the Indian diasporas achievements and contributions to both Indian and American societies, further strengthening people-to-people linkages.

The visits agenda includes crucial bilateral discussions, delegation-level talks, and press statements, paving the way for significant announcements. On June 22, Joe and Jill Biden will host PM Modi at a grand state dinner, an exquisite display of American hospitality. The state dinner, meticulously planned by the White House, marks the pinnacle of the state visit and offers an opportunity for the leaders to deepen their personal bonding and understanding.

PM Modis itinerary also encompasses a momentous address to the Joint Session of the US Congress on June 22. With a history of bipartisan support for India-US relations, the US Congress serves as a significant platform for PM Modi to share his vision for the future of the partnership. Notably, he will become the first Indian leader to address the US Congress twice, an esteemed recognition that places him alongside revered global leaders like Nelson Mandela.

Anchored in the shared values of democracy, diversity, and freedom, the Indo-US ties are poised to be reinforced as both nations confront common global challenges. Through high-level engagements, strategic dialogues, and enthusiastic participation from various sectors, Prime Minister Modis state visit promises to leave a lasting impact on the bilateral relationship, opening new avenues for cooperation which would shape the global order.

The author is director of research at New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS). He tweets @imrahulpawa. Views expressed are personal.
The delegation of the Czech-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic has started its visit to Agdam, which was freed from occupation.

Azernews reports that during the visit, the delegation will get acquainted with the war crimes committed in Agdam, which was occupied by Armenia for nearly 30 years, as well as the restoration and construction works carried out by the Azerbaijani state after the city was freed from occupation.

to be updadet...
Petteri Orpo, leader of the National Coalition Party, speaks to the press before the government negotiations at the House of the Estates in Helsinki, Finland, on May 2, 2023. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

The government consists of the prime minister and 18 ministers from the National Coalition Party, the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats.

HELSINKI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The new government of Finland, led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, took office on Tuesday.

The government consists of the prime minister and 18 ministers from the National Coalition Party, the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats.

Orpo said in his speech during the government's welcome visit to the presidential palace that the Finnish people have "voted for change." The government parties are united in their view of the state of public finances, he said, adding: "We must tighten our belts."

Born in November 1969, Orpo was first elected as a member of Parliament in 2007. Before serving as prime minister, he held three different positions as a member of two governments, including minister of Agriculture and Forestry, minister of the Interior, and minister of Finance. He was elected leader of the National Coalition Party at the party conference in the summer of 2016.

(L-R) Chairs of the Finnish Christian Democrats, the Finns Party, the National Coalition Party, and the Swedish People's Party, which constitute the new coalition government of Finland, pose for a photo during a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, June 16, 2023. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

In its first plenary session on Tuesday, the new government decided on the division of responsibilities among ministers, the composition of ministerial committees and working groups, and deputizing arrangements for ministers. The Orpo government also outlined the government program to Parliament.

Editor: WJH
Yoga is a tool for transformation. It can help you to become more flexible, strong, and healthy. It can also help you to reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels. Happy Yoga Day! (Image: Shutterstock)
National Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said that he wants to step down as the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as he was never interested" in the role.

Speaking at the 24th Foundation Day event of the NCP I am told that I dont act tough as the leader of the opposition".. I was never interested to work as Leader of Opposition but accepted the role on demand of the party MLAs," he said.

Pawar also said it is up to NCP leadership to decide on his demand.

Assign me any post in the party organisation, and I will do complete justice to whatever responsibility I am entrusted with," he added.

Pawar took over the Leader of the Opposition in July 2022, after the MVA government, in which he was deputy chief minister, collapsed due to a rebellion in Shiv Sena.

This comes days after NCP supremo Sharad Pawar appointed Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the working presidents of the party.

This will be the first time NCP will have the post of working president.

As the working presidents, Sule was given the responsibility of Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab whereas Patel got Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Both leaders represent the NCP in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and also have contacts across parties.

Amid these important announcement, Sharads nephew Ajit Pawar was not given any key responsibility.

Top leaders are of the opinion that, considering the upcoming general elections, Sharad Pawar has made this decision as the first poll strategy. They are also hopeful that once Pawar decides on Maharashtra, Ajit will be given all the responsibilities as he is the face of the party in the state.

Party leaders also feel that Pawar has already made a natural division in the party, where Sule is looking after national politics and Ajit will be looking after state politics.

The new leadership team will work closely with Sule and Patel but both leaders have the responsibility to continue Sharad Pawars work and carry forward his legacy at a national level.
BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday accused the BJP governments at the state and Centre of encouraging communal and religious disputes to divert peoples attention from pressing issues of price rise and unemployment.

In her address to the party workers, she urged them to strengthen the party ahead of the general elections next year and work from booth level up.

People in UP are battling problems of price rise, poverty, unemployment, lack of security for women and other exploitation," she said. The former Uttar Chief Minister urged the BJP governments, wherever they are, must to understand that alleged instances of love jihad, land jihad, religious conversion, and hate speech have people under the grip of fear, and asked it to act sternly against forces which spread them.

Manipur is burning today because of the promotion of narrow political interests," she said without taking any names. BSP has already made it clear that it would not align with any party and go alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha.

The party, which historically has had a strong Dalit supporter base, had fought the last general election in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, and has 10 MPs in the Lok Sabha. It has some MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttrakhand.

Mayawati has so far kept a distance from efforts of forging a grand alliance by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and others.
The opposition Congress in Kerala on Wednesday lodged a complaint with DGP Anil Kant seeking action against CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan over his recent remarks against KPCC Chief K Sudhakaran in connection with a POCSO case involving self-styled controversial antique dealer Monson Mavunkal.

The false" statement made by the ruling party secretary had brought disgrace to the entire Congress and was amounted to inciting riots against the party, the complaint said.

The petition was lodged by KPCC general secretary T U Radhakrishnan.

It has been stated in the complaint that the accused had committed offences under various Indian Penal Code Sections including 153(A) (promoting enmity), 499 and 500 (defamation) and under the sections of the Kerala Police Act and so he should be punished.

The controversial statement had been widely circulated through social media as well, the petition pointed out.

KPCC general secretaries G Subodhan, G S Babu and P M Niyas also accompanied Radhakrishnan while lodging the complaint.

Citing a report that appeared in CPI(M) mouthpiece Deshabhimani, Govindan had said the victim has told Crime Branch that Sudhakaran was present at one of the locations where she was raped by Mavunkal.

In a setback to the ruling party, the Crime Branch wing of Kerala Police on Sunday said the survivor of the rape case, in which Mavunkal was sentenced to life term, had not made any statement referring to Sudhakaran.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened an all-party meeting on June 24 in New Delhi to discuss the volatile situation in Manipur, which was rocked by ethnic clashes over a month ago. The meeting will take place at 3pm, informed the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah has convened an all party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur.@PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) June 21, 2023

Shah visited the state for four days last month and met a cross-section of people in his efforts to bring back peace to the state.

The opposition has been targeting the Centre over the situation in the north-eastern state where more than 100 people have died in the violence that ensued between Meitei and Kuki communities over a month ago.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Wednesday slammed the Modi government for not using power and resources at its disposal to control the ongoing violence in the state. Speaking at a function organised to mark the NCPs 24th foundation day, the former defence minister said the BJP-ruled Manipur is a border state and its international boundary could be misused by neighbouring countries.

The Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, questioned PM Modis visit to the United States amid the ethnic strife in Manipur. The TMC said, More than 100 lives lost, 50,000 people displaced, and Modi ji is off to his first state visit to the US. Miss the good old days when leaders actually addressed crises instead of evading responsibility!"

The BJP, however, rebutted the charge pointing out that the central and Manipur governments are concerned about the situation in the northeastern state and efforts are on to bring peace.

Meanwhile, Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi issued an appeal for peace in Manipur and said the unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people of the state has left a deep wound on the nations conscience.

In a video message shared by the Congress on social media, she expressed her condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones and said she was sad that people were forced to flee the only place they called home and leave behind all that they had built over their lifetime.

Clashes first broke out in Manipur on May 3 after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs 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.

(With PTI inputs)
The stage is set for the much-awaited opposition meeting in Patna on June 23, which leaders of at least 18 political parties will attend at chief minister Nitish Kumars residence in Patna. Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, MK Stalin among others will be arriving in Patna from Wednesday night. Kumar, who is the host, is keeping a close watch on the arrangements.

Colourful posters and banners, including those of Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwat Mann, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and others can be seen in the state capital. Leaders will be staying at the VIP guest house and prime hotels in the city.

The BJP, meanwhile, is also trying to garner support and forming new allies. On Tuesday (June 20), Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) patron and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi met union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi. His son Santosh Suman, who was a cabinet minister in the Mahagathbandhan government, was also present.

The meeting was important as Manjhi has a strong Dalit vote bank in Bihar. Soon after the meeting, the HAM officially announced that it was an NDA ally now.

Here is all you need to know about the upcoming opposition meeting:

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will propose to form a core committee at the meeting of opposition leaders

The committee should resolve the issue on seat sharing and all parties should accept the decision

There should be a common opposition candidate against the BJP and it would be better if that is decided first

Kumar can also seek proposals from all parties regarding seat sharing

Who all will be attending?

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Left leaders will be attending the meeting.

What is likely to be discussed?

A close confidant of Nitish Kumar said the CM, who is trying to bring the opposition parties together, will be hosting the leaders. As soon as the meeting starts, he will make an opening speech and, during the meeting, he will urge everyone to present their opinions on drawing up a strategy on how to fight the BJP as one for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Kumar will likely be named convener of the united opposition front and will then launch his formal campaign against the BJP. In his speech, he will address the need to form a core committee with representatives of all parties.

The CMs advice will be to form the core committee, a powerful body to resolve issues within the alliance if any arise. The decisions of this committee should be considered as final and, in case of a dispute, its decision will be binding. He will also talk about fixing the name of the coordinator for the core committee.

Kumar will also be urging the opposition parties to agree to defeat the BJP that the opposition should have a common candidate against the saffron camp. In doing so, he will request all parties to show generosity. Mamata has also given the same advice that defeating the BJP was not a difficult task if there was a united front.

If there is an issue with seat sharing, the core committee should solve it. The Bihar CM will urge everyone in his keynote address to suggest a formula for seat sharing. If there is any problem with seat sharing, then the core committee should resolve it. Its decision should be final and binding, as it can then prevent conflicts.

We have decided on three things. The date, venue and that the heads of the opposition parties will attend the meeting. We will decide the date and venue of the next meeting on June 23. Beyond this, if anyone wants to jump the gun, it will not be advisable, said the TMCs Rajya Sabha MP Derek OBrien.

Decoding caste dynamics in Bihar

Kumar has been criticised for switching sides and abandoning those close to him. If we look at the recent past, he has lost a number of important friends after ditching the BJP in August last year. Former union minister RCP Singh (from the Kurmi caste), who was once Kumars main man, joined the BJP. Upendra Kushwaha (from the Koeri community), who was once closest to the CM, had resigned from the JD(U) and formed his own party, the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD).

Manjhi (Mahadalit community), who was an ally of the JD(U) till three days ago, has declared his support for the NDA. Samrat Choudhary, the present state BJP president, is also from the Koeri caste.

According to Census data, other backward classes (OBC) form 50 percent of the population in the state. Of this, 11 percent are Kurmis and Koeris, while 15 percent are Yadavs. The Muslim population is 17 percent followed by dalits at 16 percent and so-called upper castes at 15 percent.
The first thing that strikes you as you enter Jaipur, also called the Pink City, are the huge pink hoardings lining the capital city.

As you cross the Bharat Jodo Setu, inaugurated during Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra, its clear that the hoardings are an attempt to beat the cyclical pattern of poll results which ensures each time a different party comes to power.

The hoardings have a huge image of chief minister Ashok Gehlot announcing his new schemes  from economic benefits for women to electricity sops and jobs for the youth. There is no party symbol nor any picture of the Gandhis. The message is clear  these polls will be fought on the Gehlot factor.

So, it comes as no surprise that the party office is near-deserted and even the homes of the top leaders and MLAs are not buzzing with visitors. In fact, the feedback given to the central leadership is that the anti-incumbency factor has not kicked in against Gehlot while many of his ministers are facing this. So, the party is likely to change many sitting MLAs.

PILOT FACES A TEST

But one cannot talk about Rajasthan Congress without mentioning Sachin Pilot. At his house, the line of visitors is surprising as he is just an MLA on paper. But the supporters and ticket-seekers are aware of his hotline to the Gandhis and are hopeful that he can ensure tickets for them.

Pilot, however, faces a challenge. In the last polls, Gujjars  the caste he belongs to  had en-mass voted for the Congress and one of the reasons was that they believed Pilot could be chief minister. They stuck on even though he was made the deputy CM, hoping that his time would come.

As speculation rises on Pilot floating his own party, there are two factors which come up  One, many in the BJP think this could hurt them as Pilot is raising the same issues as the BJP, for instance corruption. BJPs calculation and hope of a swing of Gujjar votes and the anti-Gehlot votes could be compromised.

The second is a worry for pilot. We are aware that a Kalyan Singh minus the BJP was soon forgotten. Similarly, its quite possible that many of Pilots supporters may be wary of his new front, thinking they may not have a future. This is one reason why Pilot is not too keen to float his party yet. He also feels that having been in the Congress for years and contributed to it, he would rather fight from within than outside.

VASUNDHARAS ACID TEST

In stark contrast is the BJP office and homes of the partys top leaders. Both Rajendra Rathore, the LoP, and state BJP chief CP Joshi barely have a moment to breathe. Packed schedules, diktat from the Centre to roam the entire state, and meeting all supporters keeps them busy.

The BJP doesnt want to be smug and complacent in the belief of the cyclical pattern in the state. But while they are vocal in talking about Gehlots corruption and Pilots future, when it comes to Rani Sahiba Vasundhara Scindia, there is total silence.

Interestingly, while the leaders are busy with their outreach, Vasundhara Scindia herself is out of reach. Seen in Rishikesh, the former chief minister is now in Jharkhand and incognito on party work. But as she faces a battle within the party, its her future which is in question. The party has so far made it clear that it wont go to polls with any CM face. But it also realises that Vasundhara Scindia as a factor cannot be ignored. Some in private acknowledge that dislodging Gehlot is possible with Vasundhara in the top post. But as she faces an uneasy relation with her male counterparts in the state and no comments from the top two in the party, her silence is seen as one before the storm.

Like Pilot, her political future hangs in the clout she will exercise during the polls.

My take  the desert elections are a do-or-die for both Pilot and Vasundhara. Despite their strong opposition to each other, its the common thread that ties them.
The BJP and other Opposition parties in Bengal are not happy with the deployment of 22 companies of central forces for the panchayat elections.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed the State Election Commissions (SEC) challenge against the Calcutta High Court order to deploy Central Forces in all districts for the Panchayat polls.

Consequently, the State Election Commission now has to request central forces. Following the Supreme Courts order on Tuesday evening, the SEC requisitioned one company of forces for each district. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also approved this, but the Opposition has raised questions. According to the Opposition, how can 22 companies of central forces be sufficient for the entire state when around 8 people have died in the past 15 days.

Dilip Ghosh, BJP Vice President, stated: They are just trying to show that they are following orders, but in this situation, everybody will understand that this company force is not sufficient."

Although State Election Commissioner Rajib Sinha has stated, We are monitoring the situation." It is clear that this issue might end up in court again.

On Tuesday in Baroa, Murshidabad, the Congress claimed that their candidates were beaten up by members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) outside the Block Development Office (BDO). Adhir Choudhury of Congress has been participating in a sit-in demonstration since Tuesday and has also raised the point that the SEC has given a meager requisition of forces.

Experts said that each district has approximately more than 100 booths, making it difficult to handle the situation with just one company of Central Force along with the state forces.

Speaking to News18, Sukanto Bhattacharya, BJP President, said: Even kids will tell you that this is not sufficient. We are in discussions with our legal team, lets see what happens."

TMC leader Tapas Roy spoke to News18 and said: The opposition does not have any base or logic. They are unnecessarily making these claims. Whatever decisions the SEC is taking, they know what they are doing. They will not win, which is why they will only go to court."

Although central forces are being deployed for the elections, it is clear that the panchayat battle will see more sides in court.
With Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao skipping the big opposition meeting on June 23 in Patna, rumours that the pink party and saffron party are now friends have become stronger.

Recently, NCP chief Sharad Pawar called BRS the B team of the BJP. On the home turf too, BRS leaders have suddenly stopped attacking BJP leaders and have trained their guns on the Congress. The fact that BRS MLC and chief ministers daughter K Kavitha is an accused in the Delhi liquor scam policy might be the driver behind this change of strategy. But political commentators say the move was expected.

Political analyst Kambalapally Krishna, who runs a consultancy called Voice of Telangana and Andhra, said: There is nothing strange about KCR not attending the big meeting of the opposition on the 23rd of this month. He will not attend because of his internal agreements with the BJP. In fact, KCR has recently stopped talking about the BJP and has been targeting the Congress. This political shift can be clearly seen after the Karnataka results. KCR will not even dare to share platforms to openly criticise the BJP. He is not encouraging migration from BJP in Maharashtra. No attempt was made to defeat the BJP in Karnataka.

KCR has been trying to stitch an anti-Modi front since 2019, but has not succeeded so far. Over the years, he has met chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, MK Stalin and other leaders like Akhilesh Yadav and Uddhav Thackeray in this endeavour. He had always maintained that he wanted a non-BJP and non-Congress front.

With KCR now warming up to the BJP, he is not going to attend the meeting where Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will be present. Congress is now the common enemy of the BRS and BJP.

Drawing attention to a remark made by BRS working president K Taraka Rama Rao, political commentator Telakapalli Ravi said: KTR made it clear more than once that they are not interested in forging opposition unity by meetings or fronts. They may oppose certain moves like Delhi ordinance but now their main call is not opposing communalism or the Centre. Its the possibility of alternative governance in the whole country. So this decision is not a surprise move.
The Shiv Sena-UBT will take out a protest march to BMC headquarters in Mumbai on July 1 to protest alleged irregularities in its functioning, party leader and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray announced on Tuesday. The march will be led by senior leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray.

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray accused the Eknath Shinde-led government of looting" public money and demanded that long-pending elections to BMC be held soon.

He said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) revenue was in deficit when the Shiv Sena took charge in 1997 but in the next 25 years, its fixed deposits rose to a whopping Rs 92,000 crore. He alleged Rs 7,000 crore to Rs 9,000 crore has been spent from these FDs now.

Mumbai is left without any guardian and loot is on. Someone has to question the BMC because this is peoples money. The Shiv Sena (UBT) will take out a morcha against irregularities in the BMC," he said.

Indias richest civic body was ruled by the Shiv Sena (undivided) from 1997 to 2022 and is currently under an administrator as the term of its elected corporators ended early last year and fresh polls are due.

The Shinde government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe irregularities" worth Rs 12,024 crore in various works of the Mumbai civic body flagged by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The irregularities allegedly pertain to the period when the undivided Shiv Sena headed the MVA coalition government with the Congress and NCP.

In a separate meeting of party workers, Thackeray said the Shiv Sena-UBT will fight elections alone if no consensus is reached at the Opposition meeting in Patna. If all-party alliance happens in Patna, then nothing like it. But if it doesnt get work out, we are capable of facing the election on our own. Remember, we won the last BMC election without Modi-Shah, he said.

In the meeting, several Shiv Sena-UBT corporators reportedly complained that BMC officers were not cooperating with them while corporators from Shindes faction of the Shiv Sena and the BJP were receiving funds without any issues.

They will try to lure you with some offers and try to deviate you. But dont fall in their trap. Even if you are not getting funds, try to work for the people, Thackeray is said to have told party corporators.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the Shiv Sena-UBTs protest a desperate measure.

Uddhavjis unease is understandable as the CM-appointed SIT is going to expose a gang in the BMC that was active because of his (Thackerays) blessings. The CAG, in its report, has already indicated the possibility of corruption in various procurement orders issued by the BMC," said Fadnavis, who also handles Home and Finance portfolios.

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar also targeted Uddhav Thackeray, saying: When the CAG report was tabled in the state Assembly, why did Shiv Sena-UBT MLAs keep quiet? This means they also accepted that irregularities took place in the BMC. Everything will come out once the SIT is formed by the Chief Minister.
People carry the body of Khaled Sabah during his funeral in the West Bank city of Tubas, on June 20, 2023. Two Palestinian gunmen were shot and killed on Tuesday evening after launching a shooting attack that killed four Israelis near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. They were identified as Muhand Shada and Khaled Sabah, both from the village of Urif south of Nablus, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinian gunmen were shot and killed on Tuesday evening after launching a shooting attack that killed four Israelis near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

They were identified as Muhand Shada and Khaled Sabah, both from the village of Urif south of Nablus, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

In the afternoon, the two Palestinians armed with M16 rifles drove from Urif to a gas station outside the Jewish settlement of Eli, north of the West Bank city of Ramallah, and opened fire on Israelis in a restaurant there.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that four people were killed at the scene, while four others were injured, including one in critical condition.

The Palestinian Islamist Resistance Movement (Hamas) that rules the Gaza Strip said in a statement that the two gunmen were members of its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Tension between Israelis and the Palestinians has been flaring in the West Bank since January, following daily Israeli army raids on Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps to arrest Palestinians wanted by Israeli security forces.

On Monday, five Palestinians were killed and 91 others injured, including 23 in serious condition, after Israeli soldiers, backed by bulldozers and a helicopter, stormed the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

An Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that seven of its soldiers were lightly or moderately injured during the operation in Jenin.

Editor: WJH
One against one, consensus on caste census, movement against central agencies high-handedness, Hindu-Muslim polarisation and projection of a larger united Opposition  these will be the probable topics on the table to be discussed when the Opposition parties meet on June 23 in Patna.

The meeting was earlier scheduled to take place on June 12. It was postponed due to the unavailability of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he was on a long trip to the UK.

At present, apart from Congress, Aam Aadmi Partys convener Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav have agreed to join the meeting in Patna, organised and hosted by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. JD(U) and RJD have been the prime movers for the meeting.

KC Tyagi, senior leader of JD(U) and former MP, told News18, Nitish Kumar ji has proposed the one against one formula, which appears to be the only way to consolidate Opposition votes now. Barring a few states such as Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, the formula will work for the Opposition. This meeting is a platform to discuss ideas of all like-minded Opposition parties.

Apart from the one against one formula, Opposition parties are likely to discuss issues related to extreme polarisation on communal lines, high-handedness by central agencies such as the CBI and ED, and the need for caste census, a senior leader in the Opposition told News18.

Even though the regional parties have specific issues to raise in the meeting, the focal point would be the strategy for the forthcoming elections, he added.

Bipolar Fight

According to senior JD(U) and RJD leaders, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad would pitch for a bipolar fight in 450 constituencies. We have done our homework Senior leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav have agreed to this idea too. But we have to be in agreement with Congress as it has a government in many states now, a senior RJD leader said.

Reacting to the war of words between Trinamool Congress, Congress and AAP, the senior RJD leader said, To project unity, the Opposition parties have to stop attacking each other about controlling their turf. We need to remember that the general election is not about winning in states, but getting a good number to defeat Modi."

The parties will also raise the issue related to caste census. Manoj Jha, during an earlier interaction with News18, said, Caste census is a crucial matter for all of us. In Bihar, the government conducted a survey and 90% of the survey was done. India saw caste census before Independence. The data, now used for schemes, is over 80 years old. We need to have fresh caste census.

Trinamool Congress, however, says the venue and date are fixed, while the issues would be discussed only in the meeting, there should not be speculation about them. We have an agreement on three issues. Thats a positive. The date of the meeting (June 23), the venue (Patna) and that the head of every party will attend the meeting. Subsequently, the date and venue for the next meeting will be decided in Patna. Beyond this, it is not advisable for anyone to jump the gun and speculate, said TMCs Rajya Sabha leader Derek OBrien.

Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal in a letter has asked opposition parties to make Centres ordinance the top issue at the Patna meet.
Google has resolved a bug that granted WhatsApp to access Android users microphones. The US tech giant expressed apologies and gratitude to WhatsApp for their collaboration in addressing the issue. Also, the fix is ready in the latest update of WhatsApp for Android and available for download on the Google Play Store.

Android Developers took to the micro-blogging platform Twitter where they announced the resolution of the Android bug that caused confusion among WhatsApp users.

A recent Android bug affecting a limited number of WhatsApp users produced erroneous privacy indicators and notifications in the Android Privacy Dashboard.Users can now update their WhatsApp app to address this issue. We thank WhatsApp for their partnership and apologize  Android Developers (@AndroidDev) June 21, 2023

In their tweet, Google acknowledged that a recent bug in their operating system affected a limited number of WhatsApp users, resulting in incorrect privacy indicators and notifications within the Android Privacy Dashboard.

They expressed gratitude towards WhatsApp for their partnership in resolving the issue and issued an apology for any confusion caused by the bug. In the same tweet, they also asked users to update their WhatsApp app to address the problem.

Last month, allegations were made against WhatsApp regarding its alleged misuse of the microphone in the background. These claims caught widespread attention, particularly after a tweet shared by Elon Musk. WhatsApp quickly posted a statement, attributing the issue to a bug within the Android systems Privacy Dashboard.

The company also highlighted its commitment to user privacy and promptly involved Google in investigating and mitigating the situation.

Google spokesperson later confirmed that it was a bug in the Android system. In fact, the app wasnt really using the microphone in the background as the Android operating system incorrectly displayed privacy indicators to a limited number of WhatsApp users.

As per reports, WhatsApp took quick action and worked closely with Google to address the problem in the Android operating system promptly.

The fix for the issue regarding privacy indicators within the Privacy Dashboard is available after installing the latest version of WhatsApp for Android from the Google Play Store.
If you have watched the movies from The Purge franchise, you will be well aware of what a crime-ridden city looks like. The movies depict a dystopian future where the US government legalises all kinds of crime, including murder, for one night annually, leading to a night full of terror for common citizens. While this is all a part of fiction, do you know that there is a city in the world where a Purge-like scenario enfolds 24/7?

The poorest country in the Americas is the Caribbean country of Haiti. Currently, criminal organisations rule over around 80% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, where 200 gangs operate with free reign over the city. Gang wars and all kinds of crime are essentially part and parcel of the citizens of Port-au-Prince. Citizens carrying dead bodies through the streets while armed. Burned-out bodies. Young males hunting suspected gang members with machetes in hand. These have become a common sight in the city.

Velina Elysee Charlier, a human rights activist, claims that she has witnessed enough deaths to haunt her for many lifetimes. In the event of a death, the deceased persons body is also set ablaze on the highway. It is like hell, she said in an interview with the Guardian, and she doesnt want anyone else to see it. Since 2005, there have been more murder, rape, and kidnapping cases in this area, and the situation has gotten so bad that students are shot in their classes.

Recently, a gang tried to take control of the citys Turgeau area. The locals fought back, taking up knives and firearms against the deadly criminals.

Former US special envoy to the Caribbean nation, Daniel Foote, said he was not shocked by the bloodshed, given the polices failure to subdue the gangs.

At some point, I believed the common man would begin to act independently because they had no other option, he said. Social activists are now batting for the intervention of an external force. calling for the urgent deployment of an international specialized force to fight gangs.
In an extraordinary tale of corporate desperation, an employer in the United States recently took his quest for control and compliance to unprecedented levels. A restaurant chain owner in California, Che Garibaldi, has come under fire for resorting to extreme measures to extract confessions from his employees. Garibaldi, who owns two Taqueria Garibaldi restaurants in Sacramento and one in Roseville, reportedly hired a phoney priest to interrogate his staff about their supposed sins" against the company.

The U.S. Department of Labor has now ordered Garibaldi to compensate his employees with $140,000 (over 1 crore) in back pay and damages, in addition to a civil penalty of $5,000 (over 4 lakhs). Federal investigators have labelled this act as one of the most shameless displays of corruption committed by an employer against their staff.

According to the Department of Labor, an investigation and subsequent civil court case revealed multiple violations committed by Taqueria Garibaldi. Among these violations were the illegal payment of employee tips to managers, the denial of overtime pay and the hiring of a fake priest to uncover alleged wrongdoings by employees.

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento has confirmed that the imposter priest had no affiliation with their diocese. A spokesperson for the diocese stated, While we dont know who the person in question was, we are completely confident he was not a priest of the Diocese of Sacramento. The diocese has found no evidence of any connection between the fake priest and their religious institution.

Maria Parra, a former employee of Taqueria Garibaldi, testified in federal court about the dubious practices within the restaurant. Parra revealed that employees were offered the opportunity to confess their sins to a person posing as a priest during work hours. However, the confessions turned out to be unconventional, focusing solely on employment-related matters. The phoney priest allegedly questioned employees about theft, lateness, harm caused to the employer, and any ill intentions towards their employment.

Meanwhile, as part of the courts ruling, Taqueria Garibaldi received a clear directive. They were explicitly prohibited from impeding their employees exercise of their rights as workers. The court further emphasized that the restaurant chain must refrain from interfering with any ongoing departmental investigations, as well as refrain from engaging in discriminatory practices, threats, or wrongful termination against any employee who might have interacted with investigators.

Garibaldi and the other owners of the restaurant chain have yet to respond to these allegations.
In recent times, a lot of images and videos of couples getting intimate inside the Delhi metro have surfaced. Another such picture has emerged online and it shows the couple getting cozy with each other. According to the caption, the incident took place on June 17 on the yellow line of the Delhi Metro, heading towards HUDA City Center. While most times, these images and videos seemed like a topic of concern and left people in dismay, this time people are in favor of normalising PDA.

Also Read: Bill Burr Shutting Joe Rogan Down With Simple Covid-19 Logic Has Gone Viral Again, Heres Why

The image does not show the faces of the duo but from what can be assumed, the couple might be kissing. Here is the image:

People in Dehli will literally walk past a man stabbing a woman to death like its not their business but PDA is where they draw the line, wrote a Twitter user as he urged people to normalise the expression of love in public. Another person mentioned, Kiss more and kiss open. Kiss often. Make them jealous. Cheers to love.

Its so pathetic that Indian society is more angered over small consensual acts of love than actual violence against women and children which also happens in public. https://t.co/Ebb8LZegyX Amitesh Davaram (@amiclicks) June 20, 2023

People in Dehli will literally walk past a man stabbing a woman to death like its not their business but PDA is where they draw the line https://t.co/L6apKqGX1P OhChiefestAndGreatestOfCalamities (@mustyoumustard) June 20, 2023

Kiss more and kiss open. Kiss often. Make them jealous. Cheers to love. https://t.co/PQkFEKwc7q hopeless hollow (@Suslovelygl) June 20, 2023

Why does a consensual display of love upset you? Cope. Get used to it https://t.co/QoYriespYK Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) June 20, 2023

Meanwhile, Delhi Metro also responded to the image. Taking to Twitter, it wrote, Hi. Any inconvenience is regretted. Checked at HUDA City Center and no such passengers found.

Hi. Any inconvenience is regretted. Checked at HUDA City Center and no such passengers found. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) June 19, 2023

Are you in favour of normalising PDA in public?

Also Read: Watch: Chef Creates Stunning Lord Hanuman Artwork On Watermelon
The celebration of the 9th International Yoga Day is at its peak on Wednesday, June 21, and India seems to be in the grip of yoga fever. Numerous events are being held across the country. Among the many that are gaining attention on social media is the attempt of Indian Army personnel to perform asanas underwater. The visuals are from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The video begins by showcasing Indian Army personnel standing inside a pool. Dressed in tri colours, each jawan is seen donning swimming glasses and a cap. They stand patiently for the announcer to give them instructions and once commanded all the members submerge themselves inside the pool completely. They appear to perform various yoga asanas inside water, all while a person donning an oxygen cylinder gear monitors their moments.

The army personnel stay submerged holding their breaths for about 20-25 seconds before slowly surfacing above water level. Indian Army personnel perform underwater Yoga in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the 9th International Yoga Day, the news agency reveals in the caption. Take a look at it here:

#WATCH | Kerala: Indian Army personnel perform underwater Yoga in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the #9thInternationalYogaDay.(Video Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/fHQPkJHro6  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

This comes at a time when the Indian Navy has formed an Ocean Ring of Yoga circling the waters of foreign countries. As reported by PTI, naval ships have been deployed in the Indian Ocean to visit various ports of friendly countries in order to raise awareness about Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family), the theme of International Yoga Day 2023. The ports visited by the naval officials include Egypt, Jakarta, Muscat, and Oman, among others.

#OceanRingofYogaUnderpinned by our age-old ethos of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbukam', #IndianNavy takes message of peace & tranquility across our extended neighbourhood.19 ships (11 in International ports/waters), 3500 personnel, travelling over 35,000 km carrying out #IDY23 outreach. pic.twitter.com/2zBkdm8iU1 SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 20, 2023

In addition to this, Indian Army personnel also gathered at the Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh to perform Yoga. Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande joined the yoga processions held at Delhi Cantonment, meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar joined the bandwagon onboard INS Vikrant at Kochi in Kerala. Meanwhile, Gujarat also set a brand new Guinness world record for hosting the largest yoga gathering in Surat on Wednesday.
A banner-laden airplane soars over New York, extending a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he embarks on his landmark State Visit to the United States.

PM Modi received a rousing on Tuesday welcome upon his arrival here with Indian-American community members cheering him and raising slogans in his favour.

PM Modi US Visit LIVE Updates: Plane with Banner Welcoming Modi Cicrles over New York; Musk Says Tesla Will be in India After Meeting PM

A few hours into his trip, PM Modi engaged in meetings with esteemed American investors and CEOs in New York City.

The Prime Minister met the likes of Telsa CEO Elon Musk, Nobel laureate Prof Paul Romer, US astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bridgewater Associates

Ray Dalio.

Catalyzing - space collaboration!PM @narendramodi interacted with celebrated US astrophysicist, author and science communicator @neiltyson. Exchanged views on inculcating scientific temperament among youth. Discussed at length Indias rapid progress in space sector pic.twitter.com/drWTrNLan9  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 21, 2023

Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a state dinner on June 22. The visit includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.

On the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US, PM Modi will lead the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters and hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden in Washington.

In his departure statement, Modi said this special invitation from President Biden and the First Lady for a state visit is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies.

The prime minister noted that President Biden and he have had the opportunity to meet several times since his last official visit to the US in September 2021. This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership, Modi said.

Modi said his discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity).

The prime minister said he will also join President Biden and the First Lady for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries.

Noting that the US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties, Modi said that during his visit, he will address a joint session of the US Congress at the invitation of the Congressional leadership.

Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries. I look forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies, he said.

I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains, Modi said.

Modi expressed confidence that his visit to the US will reinforce ties between the two countries based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom.
China blocking a proposal put forth by India and the United States at the UN to designate 26/11 Mumbai attacks planner Sajid Mir as a global terrorist is a deliberate attempt by Beijing to support Pakistan in terror activities, top intelligence sources said to CNN-News18 on Wednesday.

On the one hand Pakistan denies the location of Sajid Mir but we have given his locations multiple times including videos to their spy agencies," said an Indian intelligence official. Sajid Mir is someone who killed global citizens in the 26/11 attacks and he should be punished to save the world from terror activities."

His name was even confessed by the 2008 Mumbai attacks planner David Coleman Headley and everything is on record, intelligence officials said.

Sajid Mir is considered one of Indias most wanted terrorists and carries a $5 million bounty on his head by the US.

He is believed to have played a significant role as the chief planner of the Mumbai attacks, overseeing preparations and reconnaissance, and serving as one of the controllers based in Pakistan during the terror strike.

Beijing has consistently blocked proposals put forth by India and other nations at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose sanctions on terrorists operating from Pakistan. It used technical holds" to hinder Indias efforts to have the UNSC impose sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, relenting only in 2019.

China has also blocked Indias attempts to secure UN sanctions against Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi, a commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Syed Salahuddin, the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, both based in Pakistan.
Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk hit out at Jack Dorseys claims of Indian government pressuring the micro-blogging platform during the farmers protest in 2021-21 and said that the social media platform did not have a choice but to obey the laws made by local governments.

Rejecting Twitter co-founder Jack Dorseys claims, Musk, who last year bought Twitter for USD 44 billion, said one cannot apply America everywhere.

We cannot apply America to Earth. Twitter does not have a choice but to obey the local government. If we dont obey local laws then we will get shut down, Musk told India Today.

To my ques on @jack's remarks on India, @elonmusk -We cannot apply America to Earth.Twitter didn't have a choice but to obey local govts. If we don't obey local laws then we will get shut down.We will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the rule pic.twitter.com/n8NvWv436r Geeta Mohan     (@Geeta_Mohan) June 20, 2023

We will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the rule," he added.

Elon Musk gave the statement on the day he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on Tuesday.

PM Modi tweeted about the meeting saying he had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. Great meeting you, Elon Musk. We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality," Modi said in the tweet.

Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

The meeting comes days after Jack Dorsey made sensational allegations that the Indian government threatened to shut down the social media platform for not complying with content takedown orders during a 2020-2021 farmers protest.

Dorsey claimed the Indian government threatened to shut Twitter down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts during the farmers protest against the Centres agri laws, an accusation Union Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed as an outright lie".

BJPs IT department head Amit Malviya also came down heavily on Dorsey, saying the social media company was in violation of laws between 2020-2022 when he was at the helm of affairs.

Meanwhile, after meeting Modi, Elon Musk said Tesla is looking to make a significant investment in India and said he saw India as holding more promise than any other large country around the globe. He also said he plans to visit India in 2024.

I am confident that Tesla will be in India and we will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk told reporters after the meeting. We dont want to jump the gun on an announcement, but I think its quite likely that it will be a significant investment, a relationship with India."

Calling himself a fan" of Modi, Musk said the Indian prime minister cares about India because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment in India.

India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as hes pushing us to make significant investments in India. I am a fan of Modi. It was a fantastic meeting and I like him quite a lot," he added.
The European Union on Wednesday agreed an 11th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including measures aimed at clamping down on evasion of restrictions already in place.

Sweden, which holds the blocs rotating presidency, said the new measures were approved at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels.

As part of the package, the bloc has put three Hong Kong-based companies on a list of firms to which the EU restricts exports of sensitive technologies, a document seen by AFP showed.

Five companies from mainland China included in an earlier proposal were dropped from the list, a diplomat said, after Beijing pushed Brussels to take them off.

The 27-nation EU has hit Moscow with an unprecedented swathe of sanctions since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the war on Ukraine last February.

But European diplomats concede the bloc has now come close to reaching the limit on broad measures all EU countries are willing to agree.

Brussels has now turned its attention to closing the loopholes in the sanctions already in place.

The EU is seeking to crack down on the re-exportation via third countries to Russia of sensitive technology that can be used on the battlefield, such as microchips.

European officials have complained that countries including Turkey, the UAE, and ex-Soviet states in the Caucasus and Central Asia have seen a huge increase in sanctioned goods they import.

Companies in Armenia, Iran, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates are also on the list of those subject to export restrictions.

In a bid to convince third countries to crack down on sensitive tech going to Russia, the EU is establishing a measure that allows it to restrict certain exports to states that dont cooperate.

It is also introducing a ban on ships suspected of receiving secretive transfers of Russian oil out at sea from accessing EU ports.

As part of the latest package, the EU has placed a further 71 individuals and 33 individuals on a visa ban and asset freeze blacklist.

Those include senior Russian military officers, figures linked to the Wagner mercenary group, those involved in mobilising Russian forces and state propagandists.

The latest measures were delayed by weeks of wrangling as Budapest and Athens complained about Ukraine adding Hungarian and Greek firms to a name-and-shame list of companies still doing business in Russia.
Photo taken on June 19, 2023 shows a medical worker guiding children from Qingyang Primary School to experience weighing traditional Chinese medicine in Shanggao County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Yichun City, east China's Jiangxi Province.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, people usually pick herbs, hang wormwood, bath in herbal water, burn realgar and other traditional Chinese herbs-related customs, so this is a good chance for children to learn about the relevant Chinese herbs and understand the story between the Dragon Boat Festival and traditional Chinese medicine. (Chen Qihai/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on June 19, 2023 shows a medical worker expaining the knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine to children from Qingyang Primary School in Shanggao County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Yichun City, east China's Jiangxi Province.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, people usually pick herbs, hang wormwood, bath in herbal water, burn realgar and other traditional Chinese herbs-related customs, so this is a good chance for children to learn about the relevant Chinese herbs and understand the story between the Dragon Boat Festival and traditional Chinese medicine. (Chen Qihai/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on June 19, 2023 shows a medical worker making traditional Chinese medicine sachet with children from Qingyang Primary School in Shanggao County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Yichun City, east China's Jiangxi Province.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, people usually pick herbs, hang wormwood, bath in herbal water, burn realgar and other traditional Chinese herbs-related customs, so this is a good chance for children to learn about the relevant Chinese herbs and understand the story between the Dragon Boat Festival and traditional Chinese medicine. (Chen Qihai/Guangming Picture)

Editor: ZAD
India matters significantly to US President Joe Biden and to the US administration and not just in South Asia but truly globally, the White House said on Tuesday amid Prime Minister Narendra Modis State Visit.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby also said India like the US is a vibrant democracy and the two nations are going to continue to work on their bilateral relationship.

In President Bidens mind, India is not a second-tier anything. India matters significantly to President Biden and to this administration, and not just in South Asia or the Indo-Pacific region but truly globally, Kirby told reporters.

That doesnt mean that  democracy is tough. We know that. Weve seen it firsthand here in this country. Its tough; youve got to work at it. And India has a vibrant democracy, and they, too, work at it. No democracy at any given point in time reaches perfection, he further said.

PM Modi is in the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a State Dinner on June 22. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.

Modis visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together, the White House said.

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 defense, clean energy, and space, Kirby said.

He also said India will be a critical strategic partner for the United States in the coming decades.

Indias growing commitment to playing a more engaged international role, including in the Indo-Pacific Quad, demonstrates a new and growing willingness to join the United States to protect and advance a shared vision of a free, open, and rules-based global order, he further said.

John Kirby said that the US is excited about Modis visit and added that the bilateral relationship has deepened in the last two and a half years.

We are very excited about this visit and about deepening and improving this bilateral relationship. And we wouldnt have  President Biden wouldnt have invited Prime Minister Modi if he wasnt strong and confident in the manner in which this bilateral relationship truly has deepened in the last two and a half years, he added.
A passenger unsuccessfully attempted to open the door of a plane during a flight early Monday aboard a Jeju Air flight that was on its way to Incheon from Cebu in the Philippines, the Korea Times said in a report.

This the second such incident in less than a month after a passenger aboard an Asiana Airlines flight opened the door of the plane mid-air. However, in the latest incident no doors opened and no one was hurt.

The passenger forced open the door on the Jeju Air flight which was carrying about 180 passengers aboard. The Boeing 737 departed from Cebu at 1:49am (local time).

A separate report by CNN said the passenger was a 19-year-old Korean man who also tested positive for drugs following an investigation by the Incheon Airport police.

Jeju Air officials told the Korea Times that the passenger started acting strangely and complained that he felt a pressure on his chest. The flight crew offered to move him to a seat near the jump seats but were unable to calm him. The passenger sprang up suddenly and ran toward the exit to force the door open, the Korea Times said.

With the help of some other passengers and flight attendants, the passenger was subdued three hours before the flight landed. The officials immediately handed over the passenger to the Incheon airport police afterward, Jeju Air told the news outlet.

The Korea Times also said an apparent eyewitness posted online claiming the male passengers threatened to open the door and get everybody killed.

The officials thanked the crew for ensuring no damage or casualties. Earlier in May, a man opened an emergency exit door during a flight in South Korea. He faces up to 10 years in prison on a charge of violating the aviation security law.

I wanted to get off the plane soon, the man told the court.

The 33-year-old told investigators that he felt suffocated and tried to get off the plane quickly, according to the Associated Press. He injured at least twelve people when he opened the emergency exit door Asiana Airlines Airbus A321-200 as the plane was preparing to land in Daegu following an hour-long flight from the southern island of Jeju with 200 people on board.

The plane landed safely, with the door open.
US President Joe Biden equated his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping with dictators" on Tuesday as he addressed a Democratic Party donors reception in the presence of journalists.

Speaking at a campaign fundraiser in northern California, Biden said Xi had been angered over an incident in February when a Chinese balloon - which Washington says was used for spying - flew over the United States before being shot down by American military jets.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there," Biden said.

Im serious. That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened.

That wasnt supposed to be going where it was and he didnt know about it," Biden said of Xi. When it got shot down he was very embarrassed and he denied it was even there."

The multi-faceted rivalry between China and the United States turned into a full-blown diplomatic crisis with Februarys balloon incident.

Biden, who at 80 is running for re-election, on Tuesday waived off concerns about the Asian giant, telling donors that China has real economic difficulties."

The remarks are likely to raise strong objections from Beijing, where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited just days earlier in an attempt to lower the temperature between the two global powers.

Still on the subject of China and Xi, Biden said were in a situation now where he wants to have a relationship again."

Blinken did a good job" on his Beijing trip, but its going to take time," Biden added.

The US president did bring up another prickly point regarding communist-ruled China: a recent summit in which leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States  known as the Quad group  sought to boost peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime region.

The four countries are working hand in glove in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean," Biden said.

What he (Xi) was really upset about was that I insisted that we unite the so-called Quad," Biden said.

Tuesday was not the first time Biden has made significant, even provocative, statements at fund-raising receptions, usually small-scale events at which cameras and recordings are forbidden but where journalists may listen to and transcribe the presidents opening remarks.

At one such event last October, for example, Biden spoke of the threat of nuclear Armageddon" from Russia.
Kyiv said Wednesday the destruction of the Russian-held Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine earlier this month caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damages to the environment.

The breach of the dam on June 6 caused devastating floods in the Kherson region under Russian and Ukrainian control, forcing thousands to flee and sparking fears of an environmental disaster.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of eco-cide" by blowing up the Soviet-era dam on the Dnipro River, while Russia has blamed Ukraine.

Every day Russia is inflicting new losses on Ukraine," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said at a reconstruction conference in London.

He said the overall cost of Ukraines reconstruction, estimated at $411 billion by the World Bank, will grow, especially after the Russians blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant".

He said the preliminary estimates" of $1.5 billion in environmental damages following the dam breach do not include losses to agriculture, infrastructure, housing, and the cost of rebuilding the plant itself".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla chief executive Elon Musk in New York and said he had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality.

After the meeting, Elon Musk described his conversation with the PM Modi as excellent and said he is planning to visit India next year.

It was excellent and a very good conversation. I am planning to visit India next year," Musk said.

It was an honor to meet again Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 20, 2023

In a separate tweet after the meeting, Elon Musk said, It was an honor to meet again. He also asserted that India has more promise than any other large country and that he is incredibly excited about its future.

The Tesla chief executive also said that he is looking to invest in India as soon as humanly possible."

Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk said when asked by reporters about Teslas plan to invest in India, adding he intended to visit the country next year.

I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully well be able to announce something in the not too distant future," he added.

In a separate video statement, Musk also lauded Modi, saying he really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make significant investment in India." I am a fan of Modi," he said.

#WATCH | Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, says "I'm incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as he's pushing us to make significant investments in India. I am a fan of Modi. It pic.twitter.com/lfRNoUQy3R ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023

India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (Modi) really cares about India because hes pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing," Musk said.

PM Modi met a range of personalities including author, economist, investor and other thought leaders upon reaching New York on Tuesday. Some of the notable personalities Modi met included author Nicholas Nassim Taleb, Falu Shah, Jeff Smith, Michael Froman, Daniel Russel, Elbridge Colby, Peter Agre, Stephen Klasko and Chandrika Tandon.

PM Modi will also lead Internal Yoga Day celebrations in UN headquarters before departing for Washington DC.

PM Modi has a packed schedule in the US where he is scheduled to attend State Dinner, bilateral talks with Joe Biden and address US Congress.
India aims to make this decade a tech decade  Techade," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday during his visit to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.

Shortly after Modis arrival in Washington on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US, he visited the US federal agency that supports science and engineering.

Accompanied by US First Lady Jill Biden, PM Modi met students from both India and the US who are learning skills to succeed in industries vital to the economies of the two countries.

Addressing the students, PM said India is working on multiple projects with US National Science Foundation. Modi said that his governments goal is to make this decade a tech decade, what he described as a Techade."

We have established around 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools wherein children are being provided with all kinds of facilities for various types of innovations. To encourage young entrepreneurs, we have started Start Up India mission. Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade - Techade," he said.

India is working on multiple projects with National Science Foundation," says PM Modi. pic.twitter.com/IbBjQZ7yAx Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 21, 2023

I am very happy that I got to meet these young and creative people right after visiting Washinton DC. With NSF, India is working on a lot of projects. I want to thank First Lady Jill Biden to plan and organise this event. Your life and your achievements are an inspiration for future generations. Education, skill and innovation are important for a bright future," he added.

In his address, PM Modi even brought up the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling taking place in India. Under Skill India, we have skilled over 15 billion people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others," he added.

Jill Biden said that she knows that education is close to PM Modis heart. If we want our economies to be strong, we have to invest in young people," she added.

Modi arrived at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC where he was given a guard of honour amid incessant rains.

In the Washington leg of the visit, Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.

Read More: PM Modi in US: Indian Diaspora Brave Rain to Welcome Prime Minister in Washington | WATCH

Modi arrived here from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

The prime minister, who is visiting the US at the invitation of President Biden, will join them for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries on Thursday.

Indian diaspora members braved the rain to welcome Modi at Freedom Plaza in Washington. Some of the community members staged cultural programmes including Garba and other folk dances outside the hotel in Washington DC where Modi will stay.

#WATCH | Washington, DC: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the members of the Indian diaspora outside the hotel he is staying in. pic.twitter.com/gLOjE2FPIQ ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

In his departure statement, Modi said his discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity).

Noting that the US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties, Modi said that during his visit, he will address a joint session of the US Congress at the invitation of the Congressional leadership.

The US is Indias largest trade partner in goods and services, and the two countries collaborate closely in the fields of science and technology, education, health, defence and security, the prime minister said.

The initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration in defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, artificial intelligence and biotech sectors, he added.

(With inputs from Sanjay Jha)
The Guinness World Record for most nationalities in a Yoga session was created during the International Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on Wednesday.

Guinness World Record official, Michael Empric, was present at the UN Headquarters lawn on Wednesday morning (local time) to present the award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, United Nations General Assembly president Csaba Korosi and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj.

Today there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today in New York, at the UN, they have 135. It is a new Guinness world records title, Michael Empric, Guinness World Records official adjudicator said.

Envoys from over 100 nations, people from all walks of life in the US, prominent New Yorkers, Hollywood celebrities and members of the Indian Diaspora attended the event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

I am delighted to see you all and thank you all for coming. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today and what an amazing cause to bring us together. Yoga means to unite. The coming together in itself is another form of Yoga, PM Modi said.

Like all Indian traditions, yoga is dynamic. It is free from royalty, copyright and patents, PM Modi said. You can do it at home, at work or at transit. It is flexible, you can learn from a teacher or be self-taught, PM Modi further added.

Use Yoga to fight against wars, gender violence, food insecurity and the destruction of our planet, New York mayor Eric Adams, who also attended the event, said.

United Nations General Assembly president Csaba Korosi said Yoga is a way of uniting the mind and body and can enhance ones intellectual performance.

Yoga is a way of uniting the mind and body. We are part of nature despite considering ourselves detached from other creatures. Yoga can enhance physical, mental and intellectual performance. My daughter has already reached a high-level of practice and I am proud of her, Korosi told the attendees.

Meanwhile, India set another Guinness Record on the International Yoga Day event for the largest gathering for a yoga session at one place with 1.53 lakh people joining the program in Gujarats Surat on Wednesday. The previous world record was set in 2018 in Kota city of Rajasthan when 1,00,984 people participated in a Yoga Day session in one place.
Moscow said Wednesday it had downed three Ukrainian drones and accused Kyiv of perpetrating a terror" attack, after officials said the vehicles had targeted a military base near Russias capital.

An attempt today by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by three aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles on facilities in the Moscow region was thwarted," the defence ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that each of the drones was downed by electronic warfare defensive systems and that no one was injured in the attack.

Earlier the governor of the Moscow region Andrei Vorobyov said two drones had crashed around on approach to storage units of a military base" some 50 kilometres (31 miles) southwest of Moscow.

The attack came as Ukraine is waging a counter-offensive to recapture land seized by Russian troops.

Kyiv said on Wednesday that its air defence systems had shot down six Iranian-designed attack drones launched by Russia forces over the western Khmelnytskyi region.

Those attacks came one day after Ukrainian officials said Russia had deployed a massive" barrage of nearly three dozen assault UAVs that targeted key infrastructure in western Ukraine.

Attacks, mostly by drones, on Russian territory bordering Ukraine have increased over the past weeks.

Moscow and its environs, lying some 500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, have up to now been rarely targeted.

In early May, two drones were shot above the Kremlin and late the same month drones hit Moscow high-rises.
Inmates had complained for weeks they were being threatened by gang members at a womens prison in Honduras. The gang fulfilled those threats, slaughtering 41 women, many of them burned, shot or stabbed to death.

President Xiomara Castro said Tuesdays riot at the prison in the town of Tamara, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Honduras capital, was planned by Maras (street gangs) with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities."

Castro pledged to take drastic measures," but did not explain how inmates identified as members of the Barrio 18 gang were able to get guns and machetes into the prison, or move freely into an adjoining cell block and slaughter all the prisoners there.

Video clips presented by the government from inside the prison showed several pistols and a heap of machetes and other bladed weapons that were found after the riot.

Sandra Rodriguez Vargas, the assistant commissioner for Honduras prison system, said the attackers removed" guards at the facility  none appeared to have been injured  around 8 a.m. Tuesday and then opened the gates to an adjoining cell block and began massacring women there. They started a fire that left cell walls blacked and bunks reduced to twisted heaps of metal.

Twenty-six of the victims were burned to death and the remainder shot or stabbed, said Yuri Mora, the spokesman for Honduras national police investigation agency. At least seven inmates were being treated at a Tegucigalpa hospital.

The riot appears to be the deadliest at a female detention center in Central America since 2017, when girls at a shelter for troubled youths in Guatemala set fire to mattresses to protest rapes and other mistreatment at the overcrowded institution. The smoke and fire killed 41 girls.

The worst prison disaster in a century also occurred in Honduras, in 2012 at the Comayagua penitentiary, where 361 inmates died in a fire possibly caused by a match, cigarette or some other open flame.

There were ample warnings ahead of Tuesdays tragedy, according to Johanna Paola Soriano Euceda, who was waiting outside the morgue in Tegucigalpa for news about her mother, Maribel Euceda, and sister, Karla Soriano. Both were on trial for drug trafficking but were held in the same area as convicted prisoners.

Soriano Euceda said they had told her Sunday that they (Barrio 18 members) were out of control, they were fighting with them all the time. That was the last time we talked."

Another woman, who did not want to give her name for fear of reprisals, said she was waiting for news about a friend, Alejandra Martinez, 26, who was being held in the ill-fated Cell Block One on robbery charges.

She told me the last time I saw her on Sunday that the (Barrio) 18 people had threatened them, that they were going to kill them if they didnt turn over a relative," she said.

Gangs sometimes demand victims turn over" a friend or relative by giving the gang their name, address and description, so that enforcers can later find and kidnap, rob or kill them.

Officials described the killings as a terrorist act," but also acknowledged that gangs essentially had ruled some parts of the prison.

Julissa Villanueva, head of the prison system, suggested the riot started because of recent attempts by authorities to crack down on illicit activity inside prison walls and called Tuesdays violence a reaction to moves we are taking against organised crime."

We will not back down," Villanueva said in a televised address after the riot.

Gangs wield broad control inside the countrys prisons, where inmates often set their own rules and sell prohibited goods.

They were also apparently able to smuggle in guns and other weapons, a recurring problem in Honduran prisons.

The issue is to prevent people from smuggling in drugs, grenades and firearms," said Honduran human rights expert Joaquin Mejia. Todays events show that they have not been able to do that."

Meanwhile, the grim task continued of trying to identify the bodies, some terribly burned.

The forensic teams that are removing bodies confirm they have counted 41," said Mora.

The wait for news was torture for many families of inmates. Dozens of anxious, angry relatives gathered outside the rural prison.

We are here dying of anguish, of pain  we dont have any information," said Salomon Garcia, whose daughter is an inmate at the facility.

Azucena Martinez, whose daughter was also being held at the prison, said there are a lot of dead, 41 already. We dont know if our relatives are also dead."

Tuesdays riot may increase the pressure on Honduras to emulate the drastic zero-tolerance, no-privileges prisons set up in neighbouring El Salvador by President Nayib Bukele. While El Salvadors crackdown on gangs has given rise to rights violations, it has also proved immensely popular in a country long terrorised by street gangs.
A massive search and rescue effort for a missing submersible near the wreck of the Titanic entered a critical stage late Wednesday, with just one night left before the oxygen supply for the five people on board runs out.

While coast guard officials insisted they remained hopeful," with a surge of assets and experts joining the operation and sonar picking up unidentified underwater noises, the challenge of locating and recovering the crew alive appeared increasingly formidable.

Sometimes youre in a position where you have to make a tough decision. Were not there yet," said US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick, adding that it remained a search-and-rescue mission 100 percent."

Read More: An Underwater Trip to Titanic for Rs 2 Crore But Was it Ever Safe Enough? Diving into OceanGates Issues

Organizers of the multinational response  which includes US and Canadian military planes, coast guard ships, and teleguided robots  are focusing their efforts in the North Atlantic close to multiple underwater noises" detected by sonar late Tuesday and Wednesday.

The sounds raised hopes that the passengers on the small tourist craft are still alive though experts have not been able to confirm their source.

We dont know what they are, to be frank with you," said Frederick, who added:

We have to remain optimistic and hopeful."

Titan began its descent at 8:00 am on Sunday and had been due to resurface seven hours later, according to the US Coast Guard.

Rescuers, who have received help from around the world, estimate that passengers may run out of oxygen on Thursday morning, based on the subs capacity to hold up to 96 hours of emergency air.

The 21-foot (6.5-meter) tourist craft lost communication with its mothership less than two hours into its trip to see the remains of the Titanic, which sits more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the surface of the North Atlantic.

The submersible, named Titan, was carrying British billionaire Hamish Harding and Pakistani tycoon Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who also have British citizenship.

OceanGate Expeditions charges $250,000 for a seat on the sub.

- Mr Titanic -

Also on board is the companys CEO, Stockton Rush, and a French submarine operator Paul-Henri Nargeolet, nicknamed Mr Titanic" for his frequent dives at the site.

Ships and planes have scoured 10,000 square miles (around 20,000 square kilometers) of surface water  roughly the size of Massachusetts  for the vessel, which was attempting to dive about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

After the noises were detected by a Canadian P-3 aircraft, rescuers relocated two remotely operated vehicles (ROV) that search under the water and one surface vessel with sonar capability.

The ROV searches have not yielded results but data from the Canadian aircraft has been shared with US Navy experts for acoustics analysis.

There have been multiple reports of noises and every one of those noises is being analyzed," said Carl Hartsfield, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

He added that the sounds have been described as banging noises."

Frederick said the number of surface vessels in the search would double from five to 10 within 24 to 48 hours.

The Navy has sent a specialized winch system for lifting heavy objects from extreme depths, other equipment and personnel; and the Pentagon has deployed three C-130 aircraft and three C-17s.

A deep-sea underwater robot sent by Frances oceanographic institute was due to arrive early Wednesday afternoon.

- Fears of a leak -

Titans mission was expected to be the only manned trip to the Titanic this year due to bad weather, Harding wrote in on Instagram beforehand.

The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912 during its maiden voyage from England to New York with 2,224 passengers and crew on board. More than 1,500 people died.

It was found in 1985 and remains a lure for nautical experts and underwater tourists.

The pressure at that depth as measured in atmospheres is 400 times what it is at sea level.

Mike Reiss, an American television writer who visited the Titanic wreck on the same sub last year, told the BBC the experience was disorientating.

Alistair Greig, professor of marine engineering at University College London, has suggested two possible scenarios based on images of the Titan.

He said if it had an electrical or communications problem, it could have surfaced and remained floating, waiting to be found"  bearing in mind the vessel can reportedly be unlocked from the outside only.

Another scenario is the pressure hull was compromised  a leak," he said in a statement.

Then the prognosis is not good."

In 2018, OceanGate Expeditions former director of marine operations David Lochridge alleged in a lawsuit that he had been fired after raising concerns about the companys experimental and untested design" of the craft.
The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and Beyond: Russia Will Pay a High Price for Its Crimes

By Victoria Litvinova, Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine

The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant blowing up has shocked all Ukrainians, being labeled as the largest man-made disaster after Chornobyl. While it will take time to fully assess the consequences, it is already evident that entire ecosystems, flora and fauna, soils, and all adjacent areas, including the Black Sea, are experiencing a true catastrophe. The ramifications will be felt for years and decades, not only within Ukraine but globally.

The attack on the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant showcases to the world the devastating impact of Russias aggression on the environment. However, this is just one instance of the ecocide committed by Russia.

War Crimes Against the Environment

Currently, 190 war crimes causing environmental damage are under investigation, with 13 of them related to ecocide. Sixteen individuals have been notified of suspicion, ten indictments have been sent to court, and two individuals have already been convicted. Notably, this marks the first conviction for war crimes against the environment in Ukraine.

The convicted individuals, who have been sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay 1.5 billion UAH, include the deputy commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet for material-technical support and the commander of the 11th Separate Guards Engineer Brigade of the Southern Military District of Russia. Prosecutors proved in court that the major general and colonel directly orchestrated the seizure of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and the sabotage of the North-Crimean Canal in the Kherson region in late February 2022.

The Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office has plenty of work. For instance, Ukraine is currently the most mine-contaminated country in the world, with over 174,000 sq km affected by explosive objects. Two million hectares of forests and 20% of nature reserves have suffered from fires and mines. Over 80 species of animals are at risk of extinction.

Unlike Russia, which in fact prohibited the investigation of any man-made accidents resulting from military activities until 2028, the Ukrainian prosecution seeks to uncover every piece of evidence and every criminal act. We actively learn from leading global practices to achieve this.

Learning From the Best

A few weeks ago, the team of Ukrainian prosecutors returned from the United States, where they attended training sessions organized by the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice.

Various institutions involved in nature conservation, including the Coastal Guard, the Environmental Agency, and the Ministry of Agriculture, participated in the training. We delved into topics such as coordinating law enforcement actions, environmental monitoring, detecting ecological crimes, predicting potential accidents, and applying machine learning in environmental analysis, among others.

We agreed to establish ongoing consultations. During our meeting, Attorney General Merrick Garland assured us that the U.S. Department of Justice will continue to collaborate with Ukrainian partners to hold those responsible for the aggressor's atrocities accountable.

We are also actively engaging with the European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment. In April, our prosecutors participated in a conference in La Rochelle, France, aptly titled "The Sea, the World's Largest Crime Scene: The Case of Environmental Crime."

Our Ukrainian prosecutors had valuable insights to share with their international colleagues. For instance, the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office is actively investigating the mass deaths of Black Sea dolphins resulting from Russian armed aggression. This crime has also been classified as ecocide.

We utilize all international platforms to expose the truth about the war in Ukraine and to exchange contacts and practical knowledge that can be applied to our work.

For example, our British colleagues from the European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment shared their experience in investigating a major accident at an oil depot in Herefordshire. Their methodologies in collecting samples, involving specialized experts, and restoring the affected area can greatly assist us in documenting and investigating the extensive environmental crimes resulting from Russian shelling and fires.

Environmental protection is an integral part of Ukraine's peace formula

During the G19 summit in November 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that countering ecocide is a key element of the peace formula and called on partner countries to join in this effort.

Ukraine proposed the establishment of a global platform to assess climate and environmental damages caused by armed conflicts.

Therefore, we deepen international cooperation to determine the extent of damage, assess losses, and hold all those involved in these crimes accountable, as their impact extends far beyond Ukraine's borders. We are committed to raising worldwide awareness of these crimes and their consequences and invite partners to contribute to the collection of evidence and the prosecution of criminals, including in international courts.

According to preliminary estimates, the material losses inflicted by Russian aggressors on our environment exceed 1.97 trillion UAH, not including the consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. The government alone estimates the restoration of the dam's integrity and the construction of a new station at 1 billion USD. It is challenging to determine the cost of restoring the affected territories, but it will undoubtedly be a significant amount.

We will track all the facts, document all the consequences, and identify those involved, no matter how many they are. We firmly believe that the terrorist state will pay a steep price for all the evil it has committed, including the destruction of Ukraine's environment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla CEO Elon Musk in New York City on the first day of his landmark State Visit to the United States on Tuesday.

This meeting comes as the billionaire entrepreneur has expressed his interest in establishing a firm foothold in Indias dynamic market.

PM Modi US Visit LIVE Updates: PM Says Yoga Unites the World; Musk Confident Tesla Will be in India After Meeting Modi

Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) giant, is poised to select a prime location for its upcoming factory this year, according to recent reports.

Musks ambitious plans to expand Teslas operations to the Indian subcontinent have generated immense excitement among industry insiders and EV enthusiasts alike.

Here are the top five things Elon Musk said after meeting PM Modi:

I can say he really wants to do the right thing for IndiaI am a fan of Modi," Musk said as he chuckled. I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his support. Hopefully, we will be able to announce something in the not-so-distant future," he said. We dont want to jump the gun on an announcement, but there will be a significant investment relationship with India in the future," he added. India has more promise than and any other large country in the world. PM really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment in India," he said. Answering media queries about his meeting with PM Modi, he said, I am planning to visit India next year."

The worlds richest man, who met the Indian Prime Minister for the second time, said in a tweet that it was an hour to meet PM Modi."

The first meeting between the two took place in 2015.
In anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modis State Dinner on Thursday, the White House unveiled exquisite dishes at a media preview, showcasing a delightful fusion of flavors that included Millet-based recipes.

The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, recognizing their significance in meeting nutritional needs and fostering global demand.

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates: PM Meets First Lady, Says Indo-US Ties Will be Inclusive; Meeting with Joe Biden Next

The campaign initiated by the Indian government, led by PM Modi himself, aims to address the nutritional requirements of millions of people worldwide.

Millets are considered beneficial for farmers, and environmentally friendly. They are energy dense, have less water requirements and are easy to grow on arid soils.

Crisped Millet Cakes and Marinated Millet were included in the preview held by US first lady Jill Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House ahead of PM Modis State Dinner.

The culinary talents of guest Chef Nina Curtis, White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison came together to create a remarkable menu for the State Dinner.

#WATCH | Guest Chef Nina Curtis gives details on the State Dinner that will be hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.We are very excited that India is leading efforts to celebrate the international year of millet. We have incorporated marinated millets into our menu" she pic.twitter.com/Ts0Smq6TN7  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

According to the news agency ANI, the exquisite dishes also include a delightful fusion of flavors, including Lemon-Dill Yogurt Sauce, Summer Squashes, and Grilled Corn Kernel Salad.

Other dishes include compressed Watermelon, Tangy Avocado Sauce, Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, Creamy Saffron-infused Risotto, and Rose and Cardamom-infused Strawberry Shortcake.

Washington, DC | At a media preview at the White House, ahead of the State Dinner that will be hosted for PM Narendra Modi, dishes that will be served have been put on display.The menu will include Marinated Millet and Grilled Corn Kernel Salad among other dishes. pic.twitter.com/ScA7ojdbYd  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Gives details on the State dinner, Jill Biden said, PM Modi will have the opportunity to hear one of our nations incredible talents - Grammy award winner Joshua Bell.

His performance will be followed by Penn Masala - a South Asian acapella group from the University of Pennsylvania who are bringing a little piece of my hometown to the White House along with songs inspired by the sounds of India..," she was quoted as saying by ANI.

Modi arrived at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC where he was given a guard of honour amid incessant rains.

He arrived here from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

Read More: PM Modi in US: Indian Diaspora Brave Rain to Welcome Prime Minister in Washington | WATCH

In the Washington leg of the visit, Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.

Earlier on Wednesday, Jill Biden joined Prime Minister during their visit to the National Science Foundation in Virginia, where she highlighted his commitment to education and emphasized its role in strengthening the bilateral ties between India and the US.

Read More: Education is Close to PM Modis Heart and Mine: US First Lady Jill Biden

Modi visited the US federal agency that supports science and engineering, shortly after he arrived in Washington on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the country.

The First Lady and PM Modi also met students from India and the US who are learning skills to succeed in industries vital to the economies of the two countries.
The president of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) Atul Keshap, while speaking to news agency ANI on Wednesday, said the forum is working to help both countries to develop the strongest possible" defence ties.

We are trying to help the US and India develop the strongest possible defence ties for our shared prosperity. The state visit of PM Modi marks the strategic, economic and technological convergence of the United States and India, Keshap was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Keshap further added that he is excited regarding the Prime Ministers ongoing visit and is looking forward to the address to the special joint session of the US Congress and the state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

I am really excited about this and I think that PM Modi and President Biden have shown real leadership in taking our countries to the next great level, Keshap further added.

He said that India and the US are working together to ensure that every nation in the Indo-Pacific region can exercise their sovereignty and have equal opportunities to take care of its people.

I think the US and India are trying to ensure that every country in the Indo-Pacific has sovereignty and opportunity to take care of its people. We believe in the peaceful arbitration of disputes and have strong defence ties so that our people are safe, Keshap said further adding that both nations are Quad partners and are working together in several ways to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, pointing to the meeting of the defence staffs of Quad nations in California.

Keshap earlier said that PM Modis state visit will be a truly momentous occasion, while addressing the India Ideas Summit organised by the USIBC. Keshap also previously served as the former US envoy to India.

He further added that in the two years that he has been the president of the US-India Business Council he witnessed India-US ties transform and said the relationship is a resilient" one.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the International Yoga Day event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Addressing the gathering at the UN Headquarters lawn, PM Modi thanked everyone attending the event and said the coming together of nationalities from all over the world in itself is a form of Yoga.

PM Modi said that people must use Yoga to be healthy and happy in todays fast paced world.

PM Modi was accompanied by New York mayor Eric Adams, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations Amina J Mohammed, United Nations General Assembly president Csaba Korosi and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj.

Here Are Some Quotes from PM Modis Address:
Ukrainian soldiers in the south and east are actively destroying the enemy, physically clearing Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message on Tuesday.

"Protection against terror means the destruction of terrorists. And it is a guarantee that the evil state will never again have the opportunity to bring evil to Ukraine," he said.

Zelenskyy also expressed condolences to the families and friends of the rescuers who died on Tuesday in Kherson region.

"Eight SES workers were injured, one, unfortunately, was killed. My condolences to their families and friends! Ukrainian warriors will definitely give the terrorists a response to all this meanness," he said.

He said that "every such Russian strike, every Russian terrorist attack is an argument that the occupiers have no chance of staying anywhere on Ukrainian soil. There is no place here for murderers and terrorists and there will never be."
A Delta Air Lines pilot who was allegedly too drunk to fly was arrested just 35 minutes before a flight from Edinburgh to New York City was due to take off, authorities say. Scottish police say the 61-year-old man was arrested at the airport at 10am Friday on suspicion of violating the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, which bans pilots and other transport operators from working when they are over the legal limit for impairment, NBC reports. The law states that it is illegal to carry out an "activity which is ancillary to an aviation function" when impaired, per STV.
A former CNN television producer who had pleaded guilty to luring a 9-year-old girl into illegal sexual acts was sentenced Tuesday to more than 19 years in prison and an additional 15 years of supervised release during a US District Court hearing in Vermont. John Griffin of Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in federal court in December to using interstate commerce to entice and coerce the girl to engage in sexual activity at his Vermont ski house. As part of the 2022 plea deal, the government dropped two remaining counts of enticement of a minor against Griffin, then 45 years old.

According to the plea deal, Griffin met a woman on a website during the summer of 2020 and persuaded the woman to bring her daughter to his Ludlow, Vermont, ski home for sexual activity, the AP reports. Griffin paid the woman and girl to fly from Nevada to Boston, picked them up and drove them to his Vermont home where the girl said Griffin sexually assaulted her, court records say.

Griffin was arrested on Dec. 10, 2021, a day after he was indicted by a grand jury. He worked for CNN for about eight years but was fired after he was arrested, according to the network. When he gets out of prison, he will be banned from having contact with people under 18, except in the presence of an adult who has been approved by a probation officer.

(Read more CNN stories.)
A deadly fire in New York City has brought fresh attention to the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. Four people died early Tuesday and two others were critically injured after a fire broke out in an e-bike store on the first floor of a six-story building near Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood and smoke spread to the apartments above, the New York Times reports. Daniel E. Flynn, chief fire marshal FDNY Bureau of Fire Investigation, said the business, HQ Ebike Repair, was fined for violations related to charging lithium-ion batteries in 2021 and 2022. He said investigators recently saw "many, many batteries" at the location.

"It is very clear that this was caused by lithium-ion batteries and e-bikes, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said at the scene, next to a pile of charred e-bikes. "This exact scenario, where there is an e-bike store on the first floor and residences aboveand the volume of fire created by these lithium-ion batteriesis incredibly deadly," Kavanagh said, per the New York Post. The fire killed two women and two men, all over 60 years old. Eric Wu tells the Post that his parents are among the dead. He says the e-bike business was clearly unsafe, with e-bikes and parts often spread out on the sidewalk, and he had urged his parents to move.

The fire is the latest in a long line of deadly fires in New York City and beyond caused by lithium-ion batteries. The FDNY says so far this year there have been 108 fires caused by the batteries, killing 13 people, CBS reports. Lawmakers are pushing for tougher safety standards. The National Fire Safety Association recommends keeping the batteries at room temperature, not storing them anywhere near flammable items, and not charging them overnight or leaving them in the charger after they have reached full charge. (Read more e-bikes stories.)
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) continues to work in Kherson region and provide assistance to as many people as possible who suffered as a result of the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) by Russian invaders.

"We continue to provide humanitarian assistance in the most dangerous settlements of the region and transport people from medical institutions to evacuation trains to other cities, where they can receive further treatment and professional assistance," the URCS said on its Facebook page.

Volunteers of the URCS are also on duty at the railway stations to provide first aid and psychological assistance if necessary.

Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society evacuated 243 people from the flood zone, most of them with limited mobility and could not have escaped on their own.
Florida's restrictions on gender identity and sexual orientation as classroom subject matter are being challenged by the authors of a book about penguinsand students who want to read it. The Lake County school board decided last year to prevent students in kindergarten through third grade from having access to And Tango Makes Three. The 2005 book tells the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo that formed a nontraditional family unit when they adopted and raised an orphaned penguin chick. A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, six students, and the students' parents contends that decision violates the First Amendment, NBC News reports.

The award-winning picture book is intended for readers 4 to 8 years old. Other school districts around the country have pulled it after receiving objections, per the New York Times. The central Florida school board said its decision was based on the state's Parental Rights in Education law, which opponents label the "Don't Say Gay" mandate. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a more sweeping version last month that, among other restrictions, prohibits instruction in sexual orientation or gender identity in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

The suit says the book was pulled for ideological and political reasons, which violates "the authors' right to freedom of expression" and the "students' right to receive information." The authors said they want to battle censorship and stand up for everyone's right to read "a heartwarming story of difference, acceptance, and love." Student plaintiffs are quoted in the suit as saying they want to learn about a family structure they might someday create. One said he wants to learn about the protagonists because he wants to grow up to be an "animal doctor." School board representatives did not immediately comment on the lawsuit. (Read more book ban stories.)
Another tragic apparent accident ended with the death of a Kentucky 5-year-old. State police say a 7-year-old in the McKee home fatally shot the younger child. The children are believed to be siblings, LEX18 reports. Lifesaving measures were not successful, and the 5-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. "This is a tragedy whenever you experience something like this. There are no words to describe what this family is going through," a state trooper says. "It's always just a good reminder to make sure that your firearms are in a safe place and out of reach of children." The investigation is ongoing, WYMT reports. (Read more Kentucky stories.)
Bernie Sanders announced Tuesday that the Senate committee he chairs has launched a probe into working conditions at Amazon's warehouses. The senator said the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, or HELP, will be looking into why Amazon is "one of the most dangerous places" to work in America, the Guardian reports. Among the issues the committee will investigate, according to a letter Sanders sent Amazon CEO Andy Jassy that was obtained by the Washington Post : the e-commerce giant's "systematically underreported injury rates, worker turnover rates, productivity targets for employees, and how federal and state safety recommendations are being adhered to.

The companys quest for profits at all costs has led to unsafe physical environments, intense pressure to work at unsustainable rates, and inadequate medical attention for tens of thousands of Amazon workers every year, Sanders wrote in the letter. The AP notes this is "the latest in a series of probes hes initiated against big corporations" since taking over the committee chair position in January; other entities include Starbucks and Moderna. An Amazon spokesperson says the letter was received and is being reviewed, but that the company disagrees with Sanders' claims. "There will always be ways to improve, but were proud of the progress weve made, which includes a 23% reduction in recordable injuries across our US operations since 2019," he says, adding that Sanders is always welcome to visit a warehouse. Sanders is asking Amazon workers to submit their stories here. (Read more Amazon stories.)
Iceland is one of three nations left on the planet that still hunts whales commercially, and it looks like it may be bowing out of that small, controversial group on a humanitarian basis. As AFP reports, Reykjavik announced it's suspending the annual whaling seasonwhich runs from mid-June to mid-September, and allows for the killing of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whalesuntil the end of August. Given that decision allows for only two weeks in the hunting season, and that Iceland currently has only one whaling company left with a license expiring this year, many are seeing this as the government ringing the death knell on an industry that its food ministry has found to be in violation of its Animal Welfare Act.

AFP notes that recent video showed a fin whale being hunted for five hours, and that a government report found that killing the animals is taking too long to be considered humane. "If the government and licensees cannot guarantee welfare requirements, these activities do not have a future," said Svandis Svavarsdottir, the nation's minister of food, agriculture, and fisheries. Whale advocates are predictably cheering the move, with an exec for Humane Society International saying that, "There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea, and so we urge the minister to make this a permanent ban." The head of Sea Shepherd UK called it "a huge blow" to Japan and Norwaythe only two other nations who participate in whaling.

The Independent notes that the Irish are taking a little bit of credit for the move, after PM Leo Varadkar complained about the practice to Icelandic PM Katrin Jakobsdottir last monthpragmatically noting Ireland's status as a whale sanctuary has seen its whale-watching industry grow, growing three times more profitable than its whale-hunting industry. Demand for whale meat has fallen off in recent years, while whale tourism has increased. The Independent notes that Russia may have a covert whaling industry. (Japan has caught plenty of flak over its whaling.)
"Banging sounds" were detected "every 30 minutes" in the area that a Canadian aircraft was searching for the missing Titanic submersible, according to internal email updates sent to the Department of Homeland Security and obtained by Rolling Stone . The aircraft involved "has underwater detection capabilities from the air," the email says, and four hours after the sounds were initially detected Tuesday, "additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard." A retired US submarine commander previously told Sky News the sub's crew might use rhythmic banging on the walls in an effort to transmit sound to search vessels using sonar. The email to DHS did not specify a time, nor did it speculate on a cause of the banging, and none of the official agencies contacted by Rolling Stone returned a comment.

A DHS official did, however, anonymously (and confusingly, given the timeline that has been reported) tell the publication that no noise has been detected since Monday. In its own email, the Explorers Society, a travel and research group that says two of its members were aboard the Titan submersible when it went missing Sunday, said Tuesday afternoon that, "It is being reported that at 2am local time on site that sonar detected potential tapping sounds at the location, implying crew may be alive and signaling." CNN also later reported on the internal government memo reporting the banging that was heard at two different times four hours apart, and the outlet notes that a separate memo from later Tuesday night indicated "additional acoustic feedback was heard and will assist in vectoring surface assets and also indicating continued hope of survivors."

Further confusing matters, a US Coast Guard statement from early Wednesday says that "Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue." It's not clear whether those "noises" are the same as those previously mentioned by the various media outlets. The Coast Guard earlier said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference that the search has so far "not yielded any results." The DHS official who spoke to Rolling Stone said the "situation looks bleak." The sub's 96-hour oxygen supply is estimated to run out Thursday morning local time, CBS 8 reports. The retired sub captain who spoke to Sky News says the crew is likely trying to remain as calm as possible, possibly even meditating, to conserve oxygen. (Read more Titanic stories.)
Relations between the US and China have been a little rougher than usual since February, when Washington shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon over South Carolina. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China this month, however, ended up in "constructive" talks, and culminated in a Blinken meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday that "sent a signal" that perhaps a thaw was taking place. Enter President Biden, whose remarks at a Tuesday event may have dismantled "the hard-won efforts to calm tensions between the two superpowers," per the Washington Post .

Biden's Xi-offending comments came during a California fundraiser, where he got more in depth about the balloon incident, claiming Xi had been red-faced when the balloon went off course. "The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two boxcars full of spy equipment in it was he didn't know it was there," Biden said, per Reuters. "That's a great embarrassment for dictators." Beijing has long contended that the balloon incident was an accident, and so Biden's remarks ticked off China, with a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson calling them a "blatant political provocation," per the AP.

"The US remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible," Mao Ning told reporters Wednesday, adding, per the Post: "They are a serious violation of basic facts, diplomatic etiquette, and China's political dignity." Mao went on to say that DC had "distorted the facts" and "hyped" the whole thing, and that the US "should have handled the incident in a calm, rational, and professional manner."The Post notes multiple nations are alarmed at Xi's "increasingly authoritarian tendencies," but that not many have dared to utter "the D-word."

Experts on China aren't looking kindly on Biden's words after Blinken and Xi's meeting, with John Delury, a Chinese studies professor at Seoul's Yonsei University, noting that what Biden said "does jeopardize some of what was done." Wu Xinbo, head of Fudan University's Center for American Studies in Shanghai, was a bit more blunt. "Biden's big mouth is a loose cannon," he tells Reuters, calling the US leader's comments "very destructive and damaging." Not that Blinken's meeting with Xi went off without a hitch. "We have no illusions about the challenges of managing this relationship," the secretary of state said afterward on Monday, per the AP. "There are many issues on which we profoundly, even vehemently, disagree." (Read more US-China relations stories.)
Armie Hammer is almost a single man again. TMZ reports that legal documents show the 36-year-old Call Me by Your Name actor has reached a divorce settlement with estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers, nearly three years after she first filed to split. Details are scarce, other than that the arrangement centers on property issues, as well as spousal and child support. The AP notes that Hammer's attorney filed paperwork for the settlement Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The deal now heads to a judge for a signature that would make it official. The settlement comes just a few weeks after prosecutors in LA County opted not to charge Hammer over a woman's allegations that he sexually assaulted her in 2017, noting there didn't seem to be enough evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The accusations against Hammer from several women started emerging in 2021, which ended up tanking his career.

In February of this year, Hammer spoke out for the first time since that controversy, noting he wanted to "own my mistakes," per People. Chambers, for her part, told Elle the same month that "I support Armie through his journey and I always will." Chambers, now 40, had filed for divorce in 2020, before the sexual misconduct scandal broke, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for custody of the couple's two kids, 8-year-old Harper Grace and 6-year-old Ford. The couple were married in 2010, after dating for three years. (Read more Armie Hammer stories.)
More than 1 million Americans were fooled into paying a so-called psychic who reached out with vague predictions about coming fortunes, per the Daily Voice . But the person behind the signature and photograph of Maria Duval and other psychics was actually a Canadian man who defrauded his victims of $175 million over 20 years. A jury in New York convicted 57-year-old Patrice Runner, a citizen of Canada and France, of 14 counts of mail and wire fraud on Friday, the Justice Department announced. Authorities say he masterminded a scheme that sent 56 million letters to people, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable, promising they could achieve wealth and happiness in exchange for an initial $37.50 fee, per the Washington Post . That was just the beginning.

The letters, sent between 1994 to 2014, hooked recipients by offering up their birthdays, places of birth, and other personal information "purchased from data brokers," per the Post. They also teased psychic visions, including large lottery wins. Recipients were asked to send back money and personal items, like photos and locks of hair, so a psychic could perform personalized services, according to an indictment. Most responses were thrown out, but they told the scammers who'd been duped. Up to 100 additional letters might follow with more requests for money, per the Post. "And when recipients stopped responding, the letters could turn menacing." One victim said she "couldn't eat or sleep" for fear that she would suffer the promised bad luck.

Duval is a real person who worked as a psychic in the south of France. But authorities found she was not involved. Runner had directed the North American branch of the scheme through a Montreal-based company, Infogest Direct Marketing, but hidden his involvement in a series of shell companies while living abroad, mostly in Europe. He was extradited from Spain to the US in late 2020, per the Montreal Gazette. Convicted of eight counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, he now faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. Two people in Montreal and two others in the US previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with the scheme. (Read more mail fraud stories.)
Apple the company has been around since 1976. Apple the fruit, a lot longerwhich helps explain how a Swiss farmers organization has been using an apple as its logo for 111 years. But as Wired UK explains, perhaps not for much longer. The Fruit Union Suisse is in the midst of a trademark battle with the American company, which is waging an aggressive battle not just in Switzerland but all over the world to "gain intellectual property rights over depictions of apple, the fruit," writes Gabriela Galindo. For the record, the farmers group uses a whole apple, not a bitten one, as the company does.

"You know, Apple didn't invent apples," says Fruit Union Suisse director Jimmy Mariethoz, whose group is described as being baffled by the lawsuit. "Their objective here is really to own the rights to an actual apple, which, for us, is something that is really almost universal ... that should be free for everyone to use." If that seems sensible enough, Macworld points out that "common sense is sometimes lacking in trademark disputes." The Wired story quotes one legal expert as saying that Swiss law theoretically protects companies in such disputes if they can prove prior use of a disputed image, but the same expert notes that deep-pocketed companies such as Apple can intimidate smaller entities in legal fights.

The Tech Transparency Project reported last year that Apple is particularly aggressive on that front, having filed more trademark oppositions in the US over a three-year period (215), more than the combined total (136) of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. And often the targeted businesses are of the mom-and-pop variety, with TTP citing examples: "an organization that supports families of children with autism, a school district in Appleton, Wisconsin, and an online test prep service for nursing students." In the Swiss case, the farmers group says it would cost millions to rebrand if it has to change its logo. (Read more Apple stories.)
Hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed into a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, setting fire to dozens of cars and homes to avenge the deaths of four Israelis killed by a pair of Palestinian gunmen the previous day, residents said. Palestinians said one man was killed in the violence. The settler attack came as the Israeli military deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new settler homes in response to the deadly shooting, the AP reports. "Our answer to terror is to strike it hard and to build our country," Netanyahu said.

The moves threatened to further raise tensions after two days of deadly fighting in the West Bank that included a daylong Israeli military raid in a Palestinian militant stronghold and Tuesday's mass shooting. Palestinian residents and human rights groups have long complained about Israel's inability or refusal to halt settler violence. In Wednesday's rampage, residents in Turmus Ayya said some 400 settlers marched down the town's main road, setting fire to cars, homes and trees. Mayor Lafi Adeeb said some 30 houses and 60 cars were partly or totally burned.

"It was terrifying, we just saw mobs of people in the streets, masked, armed," said Mohammed Suleiman, a 56-year-old Palestinian-American who lives in Chicago and was visiting his hometown. Suleiman blamed the Israeli military, saying the soldiers turned their guns on the Palestinian residents instead of the vandals marching into the town with guns and firebombs, throwing fuel oil and setting alight everything in their path. The army was "literally clearing the way for them, he said. The Israeli military said it sent forces into the town to extinguish the fires, prevent clashes and to collect evidence."

Tuesday's shooting in the settlement of Eli came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a daylong battle against Israeli troops in the militant stronghold of Jenin. The worsening violence has created a test for Israels government and prompted calls for a widespread military operation in the West Bank.

(Read more West Bank stories.)
The European Union will cover 45% of all needs of Ukraine in financing its recovery until 2027, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said on Wednesday in London at the Ukraine Recovery International Conference.

"Until 2027, Ukraine's remaining fiscal gap is about EUR 60 billion. The needs for fast recovery are about EUR 50 billion. That makes in total EUR 110 billion until 2027 that are not covered. Therefore, yesterday I proposed to EU Member States to cover 45% of this gap  this is in total EUR 50 billion for Ukraine," von der Leyen said.

According to her, this funding will be provided in the form of European grants, loans, as well as at the expense of previously frozen Russian assets.

"We will work with Ukraine on a corresponding plan for investment and reforms. This plan could also become an anchor for all international donors, including the private sector. This will help our coordination and maximise our impact," she said.

As reported, on the eve of the conference, the European Commission proposed to allocate EUR 50 billion of financial assistance to Ukraine in the form of grants and loans.
The Coast Guard says a unified command team is working "tirelessly" to find the missing submersible Titan in a search of a vast area of the North Atlantic. At a briefing Wednesday afternoon, Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick said Canadian planes detected underwater noises on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, offering hope that the five people in the submersible could still be alive, the New York Times reports. "This is a search and rescue mission, 100%, Frederick said. When youre in the middle of a search and rescue case, you always have hope." He said the search is focusing on the area where the noises were heard and experts are analyzing tapes to determine the cause of the sounds.

A plane reportedly detected "banging sounds" every 30 minutes during the search Tuesday. Carl Hartsfield of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution said Wednesday that acoustic analysts "have to put the whole picture together in context and they have to eliminate potential man-made sources." Frederick said that remotely operated vehicles were relocated to search for the sound of the noises and "although the ROV searches have yielded negative results, they continue." The Coast Guard currently has five vessels searching for the Titan in an area twice the size of Connecticut and they expect there will be 10 within 24 hours, the BBC reports.

Experts believe there is less than a day's worth of air left in the submersible, which disappeared during a dive to the wreckage of the Titanic on Sunday morning. Asked whether there is food and water on board, Frederick said, "They do have limited rations aboard but I can't tell you exactly how much ." Asked if he was optimistic, he said, "We have to remain optimistic and hopeful when we are in a search and rescue case." At the end of the press conference, he said his team is "not in the business of speculation. We are in the business of searching." More on why the search is uniquely challenging here. (Read more Titanic stories.)
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President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged battlefield progress has been "slower than desired," weeks into Ukraine's military offensive to recapture areas occupied by Russia.

"Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not," he told the BBC.

Zelenskyy said the military push was not going easily because 200,000 square km of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces. "Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best," Zelenskyy added.

"No matter how far we advance in our counter-offensive, we will not agree to a frozen conflict because that is war, that is a prospectless development for Ukraine," he said.

Responding to a question about the possible use of nuclear weapons by Russia, Zelenskyy said that "Putin has been dangerous for us since 2014 when he occupied the first of our territories." "He will talk about the use of nuclear weapons, I don't think he is ready to do it because he is scared for his life, he loves it a lot. But there is no way I could say for sure, especially about a person with no ties to reality, who in the 21st Century, launched a full-scale war against their neighbor," Zelenskyy added.

He reinforced the need for Ukraine to be given security guarantees from Nato but said ultimately the goal was membership of the defensive alliance.

"[Jens] Stoltenberg knows my position," the Ukrainian leader said "We've told them numerous times: 'Don't knock the ground from under our feet.'"

The Ukrainian leader again made the case for Ukraine to receive US-made F-16s and said he believed fighter pilots could start training as soon as August, and that the first jets could arrive in six or seven months' time.

Zelenskyy said the quick recovery steps that need to be taken immediately include finding places for people to live, rebuilding the collapsed Kakhovka Dam and decentralizing the power grid.

"But on the larger scale we are speaking about the transformation of Ukraine," he explained.

Asked about Putin's words that Zelenskyy is a disgrace to the Jewish people, the president said: "It's like he doesn't fully understand his words. Apologies, but it's like he is the second king of antisemitism after Hitler. This is a president speaking. A civilised world cannot speak that way. But it was important for me to hear the reaction of the world and I am grateful for the support."
Agencies | Rabat

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain attaches utmost importance to broadening joint Arab cooperation at all levels, especially in the media field. Information Minister, Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Noaimi highlight the medias major role in strengthening the pillars of the Arab national security and consolidating the Arab identity, as well as enhancing coordination and cooperation in confronting various challenges to the region.

This is in line with the kingdoms strong belief that strengthening joint Arab action is the best means to optimise Arab achievements, he said. Dr. Al Noaimi was speaking as he took part in the 17th regular session of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, held in Rabat, Morocco yesterday.

Members of the Executive Bureau, including the information ministers of Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Algeria, the Comoros, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Morocco, participated in the meeting.

Bahrain participated in the meeting because it will host the 2024 Arab Summit. The Information Minister stressed the importance of the topics discussed during the 17th session of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, within the framework of its follow-up on the agenda and issues that will be tackled by the 53rd session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, set to be held in Rabat tomorrow, in a way that contributes to advancing joint Arab media cooperation and enhancing its role in supporting various Arab issues.

The Information Minister said that through its membership in the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Information Minister, Bahrain aims to contribute constructively to pushing efforts to develop joint Arab media action forward.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain and France discussed a number of health cooperation projects, particularly the medical training programme.

This came as Government Hospitals Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Ansari, received yesterday a delegation from the French Embassy in the Kingdom, led by Emmanuel Mayer, the First Counsellor of the Embassy, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between Bahrains government hospitals and the health sector in France.

Dr. Al Ansari affirmed the depth of the long-standing Bahraini-French relations. He stressed the importance of strengthening fruitful cooperation between the two countries, especially regarding medical training, field visits, high-level training of Bahraini doctors in France, and exchange of medical expertise.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) has highlighted its efforts to support refugees all over the world, in line with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas directives on promoting humanitarian work.

In a press conference held yesterday marking the World Refugee Day, which is observed worldwide every June 20, the RHF said that its efforts have contributed significantly to alleviating the suffering of refugees.

The event featured a film and a report prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They shed light on the humanitarian projects implemented by the RHF in collaboration with the UNHCR in many countries.

RHF Secretary-General, Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, extended profound thanks and gratitude to HM King Hamad, the RHF Honorary President, for HMs unwavering interest in supporting the humanitarian work carried out by the RHF.

He also paid tribute to the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its humanitarian efforts. Dr. Al Sayed also commended the efforts made by HM the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, to lead the RHFs endeavours to implement the royal directives to serve the needy in Bahrain and abroad.

The RHF cited its recent success in winning the Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities in the Islamic world.
Auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Nissan and about a dozen individuals in Beirut over his imprisonment in Japan and what he says is misinformation spread against him, Lebanese officials said Tuesday.

According to the officials, Ghosns lawsuit accuses Nissan and the individuals of defamation and of fabricating charges against him, which eventually put him behind bars in Japan.

The lawsuit was filed last month, the judicial officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the case. The officials did not identify the individuals that Ghosn is accusing.

Carlos Ghosn sues Nissan, aims to 'fight to the end'https://t.co/JLWVmMHy8r  John (@PlasteredJohn) June 20, 2023

Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on charges of breach of trust, misusing company assets for personal gains and violating securities laws by not fully disclosing his compensation.

According to Judge Sabbouh Suleiman, who is at the Beiruts prosecutors office, a hearing date in the case was set for September.

The judicial officials who spoke to The Associated Press said that Nissan and the accused individuals are expected to send representatives to Beirut or name a Lebanese lawyer to represent them. ...continue reading
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at the URC2023 Conference in London that Germany would provide Ukraine with and additional EUR 381 million in humanitarian aid in 2023.

"And my colleague, Development Minister Svenja Schulze, and I have come today here to underline that the German government is stepping up efforts for Ukraine's recovery. This recovery starts with humanitarian support. Germany will provide Ukraine with an additional EUR 381 million for humanitarian assistance in 2023 for everything from generators to food and tents for those who have fled or lost their homes recently," Baerbock said during a speech at the conference.

She added that Germany would continue to help with demining "since there can be no peace in places where people live in constant fear of their children stepping on a mine while playing."

The Foreign Minister noted that Germany provided EUR 16.8 billion in support of Ukraine in countering aggression of the Russian Federation, including military assistance.
The global skincare brand is pledging $1 from June sales of the Pride Limited Edition NIVEA Creme tin and will match donations up to $15,000 to fund Pflag's summer leadership camp

TORONTO, June 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Beiersdorf Canada Inc., the parent company of NIVEA, announced today its Pride 2023 campaign in support of Pflag Canada and the organization's summer leadership camp for LGBTQ2S+ youth, Camp Rainbow Phoenix.

NIVEA Celebrates Pride Giving Back to LGBTQ2S+ Community (CNW Group/Nivea) Pride Limited Edition NIVEA Creme Tin (CNW Group/Nivea)

For the second year in a row, NIVEA will donate $1 from the sale of every Pride Limited Edition NIVEA Creme tin sold in June to Pflag, up to a maximum of $15,000. Additionally, the company will match every Pflag donation contributed through Nivea.ca, up to a maximum of $15,000. NIVEA will further amplify this combined $30,000 pledge with a donation of skincare essentials, including body wash and deodorant, for every Rainbow Phoenix camper and their family.

To close out the campaign, NIVEA will join Pflag at the 2023 Toronto and Montreal Pride Parade to celebrate inclusivity, community and the beauty of just being yourself.

"As a global leader in skin care, we share the universal values of #respect and #togetherness . We believe in a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging while embracing their authentic individuality. This partnership is well aligned with Beiersdorf's strong commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as NIVEA's brand values," says Florian Wolfram, General Manager - Beiersdorf Canada. "We are proud to be teaming up with Pflag for another year to advance its cause of uplifting LGBTQ2S+ youth and creating a more informed and inclusive world."

As the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ2S+ rights, Pflag's mission is to promote the equality and wellbeing of LGBTQ2S+ persons and their families. Its summer leadership camp, Camp Rainbow Phoenix, expands on this pursuit by creating a carefree and affirming environment for LGBTQ2S+ campers aged 12-17 to connect with one another and become agents of social change in their own communities.

"We're thrilled to once again be teaming up with NIVEA in support of Camp Rainbow Phoenix and all the incredible LGBTQ2S+ youth who make it their summer home," says Donny Potts, Vice President of Pflag Canada. "For the second year in a row, this funding will enable us to welcome 30 campers and provide them with a safe, nurturing and fun-loving experience they won't soon forget. We couldn't be more grateful or energized by NIVEA's support."

This consumer-facing Pride initiative builds off the success of the 2022 Pride Limited Edition NIVEA Creme tin launch campaign in support of Pflag. This initiative represents a seamless extension of Beiersdorf's global diversity, equity and inclusion work and its goal of encouraging self-expression through a culture of togetherness. The "Be You @Beiersdorf" community founded on the initiative of Beiersdorf's own employees underscores this commitment and fosters a welcoming environment for LGBTQ2S+ employees and their allies.

NIVEA is delighted about reupping with Pflag Canada for a second year and joining forces to promote a more inclusive community during Pride Month and throughout the year.

The Pride Limited Edition NIVEA Creme is available at select mass retailers and drugstores across Canada.

ABOUT BEIERSDORF AG:

Beiersdorf Canada Inc. is part of the Beiersdorf Group, a global leading provider of innovative, high-quality skin care products and has 140 years of experience in this market segment. The Hamburg-based company has over 20,000 employees worldwide and is listed on the DAX, the German benchmark equities index. Beiersdorf generated sales of 7.6 billion in fiscal year 2019. NIVEA, the world's No. 1 skin care brand*, is the cornerstone of the company's brand portfolio, which also includes brands such as Eucerin, Elastoplast and Coppertone in Canada.

* Source: Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA as umbrella brand in the categories Face Care, Body Care, and Hand Care; in retail value terms, 2016.

SOURCE Nivea

For further information: Alexandria Horvat Becevello, 1Milk2Sugars Communications, [email protected]
During an interview with CNBC/Mad Money/Jim Cramer, Ford CEO Jim Farley dismissed the Tesla Cybertruck as a high-end product targeted at Silicon Valley rather than a truck for real working people.

In the United States, Ford F-Series deliveries totaled 170,377 units in Q1 2023, an increase of about 21 percent compared to 140,701 units sold in Q1 2022. Ford F-150 Lightning sales totaled 4,291 units in Q1 2023.

I predict the Ford CEO predictions of Tesla Cybertruck being a niche product will end up the same as cellphone competitors to Apple predicting the iPhone would be a niche product.

We will see what the pricing is for the Cybertruck in August or September, 2023. The pricing, range and production specifications will be big factor in how Tesla compares to the Ford Lightning and the Rivian R1T and R1S.



Microsoft x-CEO Balmer and the Apple iPhone

Theres no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. Its a $500 subsidized item, said then-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

In 2014, Balmer expressed his regret that Microsoft did not get into cellphone hardware earlier.

Blackberry Response to Apple IPhone

Mike Lazaridis, the founder and vice chairman of BlackBerry at the time, was watching the 2007 televised report of the Apple iPhone announcement from his treadmill.

How did they do that? he wondered.

Lazaridis response along with that of his company are detailed in a new book out today, showing in detail how BlackBerry went from being the seemingly unstoppable king of smartphones, to an also-ran.

BlackBerrys executives were at first in awe of Apples ability to pack so many features into one phone, but they werent impressed enough to race to build a consumer device that was just as useful and aesthetically pleasing.

Instead they comforted themselves with reminders that the iPhones keyboard was difficult to use and the battery life, terrible. BlackBerry was leading the pack, after all.

The next day Mr. Lazaridis grabbed his co-CEO Jim Balsillie at the office and pulled him in front of a computer.

Jim, I want you to watch this, he said, pointing to a webcast of the iPhone unveiling. They put a full Web browser on that thing. The carriers arent letting us put a full browser on our products.

Mr. Balsillies first thought was RIM was losing AT&T as a customer.

Apples got a better deal, Mr. Balsillie said. We were never allowed that. The U.S. market is going to be tougher.

These guys are really, really good, Mr. Lazaridis replied. This is different.

Its OKwell be fine, Mr. Balsillie responded.

Nokia and Techcrunch Also Predicted Niche iPhone

The development of mobile phones will be similar in PCs. Even with the Mac, Apple has attracted much attention at first, but they have still remained a niche manufacturer. That will be in mobile phones as well, Nokia chief strategist Anssi Vanjoki told a German newspaper at the time.

Techcrunch predicted that when the iPhone is rushed to market. Digg [the Internet] will be full of horror stories from the poor saps who camped out at their local AT&T store, only to find their purchase was buggier than a camp cabin.
Ukrainian PM: after war we expect great boost in development of military-industrial complex in Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said that after the war, the authorities expect a boom in the development of the military-industrial complex in Ukraine.

"We have identified five key segments that will form the basis for the recovery and transformation of our economy," Shmyhal said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday.

In particular, the Prime Minister noted the huge potential in Ukraine's electricity sector, gas production and storage, and also hydrogen energy.

Another important sector of the economy is the military-industrial complex.

"European and global companies are increasingly considering options for building new production facilities in Ukraine. After the war, we expect a great boost in the development of this sector in Ukraine," he added.

In addition, Shmyhal drew attention to agriculture, saying that the post-war growth of this industry could be in double digits.

Among other things, according to the prime minister, another promising industry is infrastructure.

"The fifth sector is IT. We have ambitions to become a digital hub in Europe. We offer IT companies some of the most favorable tax and regulatory conditions in the world. In general, we are telling the private sector that those who invest in Ukraine today will have extraordinary opportunities and prospects in coming years," Shmyhal said.




Twenty-six-year-old Ohenhen Victor Ikponwosa, a graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and 10 others were on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City for internet fraud.





The others are Iredia Junior Ehis, Awe Macdonald, Azanuwa Junior, Kelvin Akenuwa, Godspower Oghenekohwa, Collins Daniel, Junior Osarobo, Marvis Ogbodaga Osemudiamen, Jephthah Eromosele and Christopher Christian Dickson.





The convicts journey to prison began following their arrest based on intelligence on their nefarious activities by operatives of Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC and subsequent arraignment on separate one-count charges each bordering on possession of alleged proceeds of crime, false representation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents, contrary to Sections 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act.





Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, Salihu Ahmed and KY Bello to pray the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.





However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who had turned a new leaf.





Justice Ikponmwonba thereafter convicted and sentenced Osemudiamen, Ikponwosa and Ehis to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira as fine.





The quartet of Akenuwa, Macdonald, Dickson, and Oghenekohwa bagged two years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred Thousand Naira fine while Eromosele, Oserobo, and Daniel were sent to three years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred Thousand Naira fine.





The judge sentenced Junior to two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine. The judge also ordered that a Lexus RX 330 car and phones recovered during the investigation, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
A former media aide to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has criticized those faulting the demolition of the Alaba International Market in Lagos State.

Onanuga said some ethnic bigots are politicising and reading ethnic dimensions to the demolition of the Alaba International Market.

Last Friday, the Lagos State Government began the process of removing distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.

The enforcement team of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, and the Lagos State Task Force embarked on the joint exercise.

The team, which went around to re-seal several buildings marked with previous multiple quit seal notices by LASBCA, said the measure was to prevent disaster.

The demolition had drawn several condemnations from the affected traders and some Igbo groups.

However, Onanuga tweeted: Some closet ethnic bigots are already politicising and reading ethnic dimension to the plan by Lagos Government to demolish distressed buildings in Alaba Market in Lagos.

Some are even teaching LASG how to conduct its business or exercise its authority. What a country.
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has prepared a regular report on Azerbaijan and Armenia within the 6th monitoring period, Azernews reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The document emphasizes that since the report was compiled in 2016, positive changes have taken place in Azerbaijan in certain areas.

The report notes that ECRI understands that the population of Azerbaijan, including numerous internally displaced persons, has suffered from a long conflict and clashes.

The ECRI report on Armenia notes that incidents with incitement to hatred, including violence, regularly occur in the public and political life of the country. It is noted that in Armenia, the terms Azerbaijani and Turk are used to denigrate political opponents in order to internally split and impede peace negotiations.

In addition, it is emphasized that there is no longer an Azerbaijani community in Armenia, and the number of Turks living in the country or visiting it is unknown.

Note that the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), established by the Council of Europe, is an independent human rights body specializing in issues related to racism, discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance in Europe. The Commission regularly publishes reports on these topics and makes recommendations in this regard to the member countries of the Council of Europe.
Spain allocates aid to equip schools with shelters, support for victims of sexual violence, mobilizes 24 tonnes of humanitarian aid to victims of Kakhovka HPP explosion  FM

Spain allocates assistance to equip schools with shelters, support victims of sexual violence and provide mobile clinics for newborns, and mobilizes 24 tonnes of humanitarian aid to victims of Russia's undermining of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said.

Spain continues to support Ukraine: at URC2023 Minister Jose Manuel Albares announces more help to equip schools with shelters, support victims of sexual violence & provide mobile clinics for newborns. Spain is also mobilising aid to assist civilians affected by the bombing of the Kakhovka dam, the minister said in a video message posted on the Foreign Ministry's Twitter page.

Albares assured that Spain would support Ukraine as much as necessary and stressed that he condemns Russia's brutal and justified invasion of Ukraine.

The Spanish government has allocated more than EUR 250 million for rehabilitation and reconstruction, including a new commitment of EUR 7 million, which I am announcing today, is aimed at equipping schools with shelters, supporting victims of sexual violence and providing mobile clinics for newborns, the Foreign Minister said.

In addition, he noted that Spain is mobilizing more than 24 tonnes of humanitarian aid to meet the basic needs of thousands of civilians affected by the Russian bombing of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

Today at this conference we are joining forces with the private sector in this endeavor.

Speaking about today's Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine (URC2023) in London, Albares said that Spanish companies are ready to share their experience in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, water supply, sanitation, healthcare, railways in order to restore a better Ukraine.
President Bola Tinubu has exempted the boards of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from dissolution.

This comes about 24 hours after Tinubu approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies.

A statement signed by the Director, Information of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey explained that this is in the exercise of his Constitutional Powers and in the Public interest.

But in a statement today, the federal government said: Further to the directive on the dissolution of Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions and Government-owned Companies, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has clarified that the Boards of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) are exempted from such dissolution.
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has closed its case against President Bola Tinubus election, after calling one witness to support its petition.

Chichi Ojei, APMs candidate, had scored 25,961 votes during the February 25 presidential election.

The party is contending that Tinubu was improperly sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) since he nominated Kashim Shettima as his vice-presidential candidate for the election.

It claims that at the time Shettima accepted to be APCs vice-presidential candidate, he was still the partys candidate for Borno central senatorial district.

At the court session on Wednesday, the party called its sole witness, Aisha Abubakar, APMs assistant welfare officer.

Led in evidence by Gideon Idiagbonya, APM counsel, Abubakar adopted her witness statement on oath.

Under cross-examination by Kemi Pinheiro, INEC lawyer, the witness admitted that she cannot confirm when the electoral commission received the notice of substitution of the candidate for Borno central.

Lateef Fagbemi, APCs lawyer, presented a certified true copy of a supreme court judgement which dismissed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Shettimas alleged dual nomination.

Abubakar confirmed the authenticity of the apex courts verdict and it was subsequently admitted in evidence despite an objection by the APMs lawyer.

SUIT ADJOURNED TO JULY

On his part, Wole Olanipekun, Tinubu and Shettimas counsel, made the witness read several relevant paragraphs of the supreme court verdict.

The excerpts of the courts judgment were to establish the frivolity of the petition challenging Tinubus election on the grounds of double nomination.

After listening to all parties in the suit, Haruna Tsammani, chairman of the panel, ordered the respondents to file their final written addresses within 10 days from Wednesday.

He ordered the APM to file its written address within seven days after the respondents filing.

The court then adjourned further hearing in the suit to July 14.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could not proceed with its petition due to shortage of time. Consequently, the court adjourned the hearing to Thursday.




Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has advised his former club to bring Victor Osimhen to Old Trafford this summer.





The Red Devils are in the market for a new striker and have been linked with Osimhen, Harry Kane and Rasmus Hojlund.





A move for Kane seems impossible at the moment with Tottenham Hotspur Chairman, Daniel Levy not willing to sell the England international to United.





Atalanta striker, Hojlund is gettable but is not proven at the highest level.





Ferdinand reckoned Osimhen would be the ideal forward for the club and urged United to pay his asking price.





Do it. Look at the market. Who else is there? Theres no one ready-made, Ferdinand was quoted by United in Focus.





Osimhen scored 31 goals all competitions for Serie A champions Napoli last season.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, said that it plans an upward salaries review for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kasim Shettima, governors, judiciary officers and other political office holders.

According to NAN, the Chairman of RMAFC, Alhaji Muhammadu Shehu, disclosed this at the presentation of reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.

However, Shehu did not state the per cent salary increment; he urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly to hasten efforts to amend relevant laws to allow the review of remuneration packages for political, judicial and public officers upward.

Shehus statement comes amid speculations that Tinubu, Shettima, governors, judges and other political persons salaries had been increased by 114 per cent.

The RMAFC chairman, represented by the Federal Commissioner, Mrs Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, said the proposed salary review is in line with the provisions of Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government (as amended).

He said: It empowers the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution of the federal government.

Shehu said the last review of the remuneration was carried out in 2007, which culminated in the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008.

Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the Remuneration Packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should be reviewed, he added.
The National President of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, Yerima Shettima has set a five-point agenda for the President Bola Tinubu administration.

President Tinubu upon assumption of office, vowed to change the economic and security template of the country.

Within two weeks, he carried out a major shake-up, leading to the sack of all the Service Chiefs.

He had earlier relieved Abdulrasheed Bawa of his duty as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, INEC, and Godwin Emefiele as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, amid other reform policies.

Shettima said that the President had taken major bold steps so far.

He went ahead to outline five major areas of focus for the new administration.

SECURITY

Shettima expressed optimism that Tinubu would make giant strides in tackling insecurity in Nigeria.

He noted that the sack of the Service Chiefs and immediate replacement was a sign that Tinubu was determined to tackle insecurity.

Shettima said: Tinubu is an advocate of restructuring and true federalism, but he might not want to do it directly. For instance, what happened yesterday, was one of the best things he has done by sacking those Service Chiefs.

This is a clear indication that he is all out to confront insecurity by bringing fresh ideas and people to tackle it.

Making Ribadu his NSA was a good thing because he is very principled and does not tolerate corruption, not because he was a former EFCC Chairman, but because hes a no-nonsense person. So, Im sure we are progressing in the area of insecurity.

ANTI-CORRUPTION

In the area of corruption, Shettima said Tinubu has shown Nigerians his determination to subdue the hydra-headed monster in the country with the sack of Bawa and Emefiele.

He said: We can see from his body language that Tinubu is out to fight corruption by bringing Bawa to book; but beyond him, there are others like governors who served under the last administration who should be brought to book on account of what they have done.

Somebody like Hadi Sirika must be brought to book and made to explain that last-minute scam because thats an abuse of our sensibilities as Nigerians. 

ECONOMY

He charged Tinubu to end states dependency on the federal allocation, stressing that they should be made to pay taxes.

Though our economy is very bad, the centre cant hold, state governors should go back to their state and begin to harness their resources.

If possible, the constitution should be amended rather than depend on federal allocation, states should be useful by ensuring the payment of tax to the centre, so that the burden will be lesser at the centre now, he said.

AGRICULTURE

The AYCF National President urged the President to diversify the economy by encouraging agriculture and ensuring the sector is managed by capable hands.

Beyond looking for oil, they should diversify the economy by looking at Agriculture. Lets have people who know what it takes, even if it means bringing expatriates on how to make agriculture so that that sector can do better.

This government must ensure that our educational sector must be very functional by allocating good money there and supervising it properly, not like the case of Buhari who put people there without any supervision, he said.

OPENING OF BORDERS

Tinubu should open up the land borders for import and export, though with restrictions. The Customs, Immigration and those responsible should know that it wont be business as usual.

This will help in ensuring that we dont have a porous border where everything comes in and goes out, he said.
Amobi Ogah, a member of the House of Representatives, has asked politicians in the country to support President Bola Tinubus administration.

Speaking in an interview with journalists on Monday, Ogah, a member of the Labour Party (LP), said Nigerians should respect whoever God has given the mandate to lead them.

Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia, said it is time for governance, noting that the election has come and gone.

Once you are in this politics, dont lose hope. Dont think that if you dont win today, you will not win again, Ogah said.

Once somebody has won an election, to be a good sportsman, you must give the person support.

For me, like I said earlier last week that trended all over the world when I told the people, the election has come and gone. Now it is about governance. And whoever God has given that mandate to represent the people, you must respect that institution

That is why I always say, whoever that is on that seat (president), give the person that supports until either court says otherwise or God says otherwise.

We must put Nigeria first. Nigeria is more important than anybody. It is more important than me. I can tell you it is only God that gives power.

This is not the first time Ogah is expressing his views about Tinubu.

A day before the inauguration of the 10th assembly, Ogah, after meeting with Tinubu at the presidential villa, said he never knew the president is so intelligent.

Today is my best day. Today, Im so happy that Im an elected member seeing my president talking. In fact, Ive never known that this man is so intelligent, he had said.
A witness of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 presidential election, Mpeh Clarita Ogar admitted on Tuesday at the Presidential Election Petition Court that she has no mandate of the Amazon Web Services Incorporation to testify in the petitions challenging the election.

Mrs Ogar works as a cloud engineer and architect at the International Company.

She told the Justices that she was in court in her personal capacity to give evidence in the petition filed by Peter Gregory Obi and his Labour Party against the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the poll.

The witness, who was led in evidence by the counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) on Tuesday told the Court, under cross examination by counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) that she was in court in respect of the petition in her personal capacity and not through the mandate of her employer.

According to the witness, The Subpoena was not delivered to Amazon but delivered to me. I'm here as an expert witness, I'm not here on the mandate of Amazon and, it is not true that I'm here as a Labour Party activist.

In response to a question by counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Clarita Ogar insisted that there was no technical glitches on February 25, 2023 when the Presidential election was held.

Also at the proceedings, on Tuesday, the chairman of INEC, Prof Yakubu Mahmood responded to the subpoena served on him on May 30 and that of June 13, 2023 by producing some documents through two senior officials of the Commission.

The Deputy Director, department of Certification and Complaints of INEC, Mrs. Moronkeji Tairu tendered the documents contained in the subpoena dated May 30 issued on the INEC chairman.

She said some of the documents required by the petitioners are not in the custody of the Commission and that some of the documents came from INECs offices across the states and that because of lack of logistics, those documents could not be produced as at Tuesday and added that the Subpoena dated May 30 was served on the Commission on Monday.

While assuring that the rest documents would be made available within the week, the INEC official presented documents on INECs manual for election officers.

Lead counsel to the petitioners, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) informed the court that INEC refused service of the Subpoena all the while and all efforts to serve the Commission proved abortive until Monday.

The Deputy Director, ICT department of INEC, Dr. Lawrence Bayode also presented some documents contained in the June 16 subpoena issued on the INEC Chairman and informed the court that the rest of the documents are work in progress.

The Justices of the court, led by Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani adjourned further hearing in the petition to Wednesday June 21.
Former Niger Delta agitator, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has fired a shot at the Indigenous People of Biafra for calling him a freedom fighter turned bunkering militant and political thug.

Dokubo was seen in a video that went viral on Tuesday night addressing the Igbo people as slaves who would have continued to be sold if not for the British governments intervention.

The ex-militant said, The Igbo people do not know their roots. They dont have respect for who bought their father. You think every Kalabari man is a Kalabari man.

See how the Igbo people are dying. They keep saying that I have run away. Look at me; Im here, he said.

Dokubo, while displaying an AK-47 rifle in the video, added that the Igbo people are just seeking attention.

Recall that Dokubo during a visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Nnamdi Kanu was a criminal who contributed to the crises that emerged from nationwide #EndSARS protests across the country, hence, should face the music.

He added, His release would fuel impunity; during #EndSARS, Nnamdi Kanu was walking free. What did he do? He poured petrol on the flames of #EndSARS. Now, he has been caught. What of the people who have died? This is a criminal. He should face the law.

Meanwhile, IPOB, through a statement by its media and Publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, said Kanu is not a criminal but has become a political prisoner for championing a sovereign state of Biafra.

IPOB stressed, Those campaigning for the continuous detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS solitary confinement forgot that militancy for monetary gains is in the same category as criminals and terrorists.

The pro-Biafra group noted, From freedom fighter to bunkering militant; from militant to ex-militant; from ex-militant to oil pipeline guard; from pipeline guard to Biafra agitator; from agitator to ex-agitator; from ex-agitator to political thug; from thuggery to a government informant. Wash a pig, clothe a pig, and a pig will always remain a pig.
Big Brother Titans, BBTitans, winner, Makhosazane Twala, popularly known as Khosi, has stated that she is yet to receive her cash prize for winning the show.

Khosi disclosed this in a trending video of her recent interview with TV3 Ghana.

She expressed her surprise at her victory and mentioned that even months after the show, she and her fellow housemates had not received their rewards and prizes, including her $100,000 cash prize from the show organizers.

Reflecting on her victory, Khosi stated that it still feels unreal and gives her goosebumps whenever she watches the show.

My victory at the Big Brother Titans show really surprised me, and whenever I watch it, it feels unreal and gives me goosebumps.

My fellow housemates and I have not been paid our rewards, and I am sure its for a good cause, she said.












The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday, insisted that the lead counsels of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Mike Ozekhome and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, have not been sacked.





Emma Powerful, the IPOBs spokesman, said the statement credited to Kanus family members that Ozekhome and Ejiofor have been sacked should be disregarded.





Powerful said Ozekhome and Ejiofor are IPOB lawyers, hence cant be sacked by Kanus family.





In a statement, Powerful said those spreading the laughable rumors that Ejiofor and Ozekhome have been sacked should desist.





A statement by Powerful reads: IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who engaged these dependable legal luminaries, are very confident in their legal prowess.





Biafrans and lovers of Biafra freedom across the world should ignore the purported statement from the so-called brothers of our leader because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu regards IPOB members as his brothers and sisters.





The legal representation contract between IPOB/Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Sir Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor are still intact. They are not Kanus family lawyers but IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanus lawyers. We encourage our lead counsels and other members of the legal team not to be distracted or discouraged in their fight for the unconditional release of Kanu from DSS dungeon as the Courts has ordered. The agenda of IPOB and MNKs enemies is to get the lead counsels angry and abandon Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Their agenda is dead on arrival as the lead counsels are not amateur to intimidation and blackmail.





Mazi Nnamdi Kanu once said publicly, In this Biafra struggle, I have no brothers and no sisters except IPOB members. Therefore, any so-called brother claiming of speaking for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the DSS dungeon is making a jest of himself. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not in detention because of his family but because of Biafrans freedom.





Everybody must be careful because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has gone beyond Kanus family. He is a leader and the face of Biafra. He is a national asset for Biafrans and must be protected from wolverine and jackals.
EU ambassadors have agreed on the 11th package of sanctions against Russia, the Swedish presidency of the EU Council reported.

Today, the EU Ambassadors agreed on the 11th package of sanctions against Russia. The package includes measures aimed at countering sanctions circumvention and individual listings, a message posted on Twitter says.

In turn, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote on Twitter that she welcomes the political agreement on the 11th package of sanctions.

It will deal a further blow to Putins war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin. Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods, she noted.




The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday lauded the immediate past governor of the State, Chief Samuel Ortom, for honouring the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.





The former governor was at the EFCC facility in Makurdi, the state capital, on Tuesday following allegations of embezzlement of public fund.





According to reports, Ortom was grilled for about 11 hours by officials of the anti-graft agency before he was freed.





Reacting, the PDP, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, hailed Ortom, saying the ex-governors action shows he has no skeleton in his cupboard.





The statement reads partly, The former governors action also depicts him as a man of his word as it fulfils promises he made while in office that at the end of his tenure, he will be willing to give an open account of all that he did in execution of the mandate vested in him as governor by the Benue electorate.





PDP notes that while this wont be the first time a former governor will be answering questions before the anti-graft body, Ortoms case is remarkably distinct for the lack of rancour and acrimony which usually attend such appearances.





The party is satisfied that Ex-Governor Ortoms conduct is a clear reflection of his having no skeletons in his cupboard, which he should be running away from, as only the guilty usually are afraid.
Hakeem Odumosu, a retired assistant inspector general of police (AIG), is embarrassed by the rumour on social media that he has been appointed as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), TheCable understands.

In a phone chat with TheCable, an associate of the former Lagos state commissioner of police said Odumosu was embarrassed by the widespread rumour as there is no substance to it.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, the current chairman, was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on June 14 but remains the substantive chief executive until he is removed.

Odumosu will also have to undergo senate screening if he is appointed.

However, reports that he had been appointed trended on social media on Tuesday without any attribution.

Presidency did not issue any statement to make the announcement, as it usually does.

Odumosu was so embarrassed he had to be making calls to all the key people he knew to confirm if it was true but there was no confirmation from any one, the source said.

On Tuesday morning, Odumosu himself sent a text message to his friends and associates debunking the report.

Good Morning everyone, he wrote.

I have been inundated with so many calls and messages between yesterday and today on a purported EFCC Appointment. I just want to use this opportunity to debunk this information and say its totally untrue.

This information must have emanated from Mischief Makers and should be totally disregarded.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State has said that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege didnt work against the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 election in the state.

It claimed that it was Cairo Ojougbo and a group of detractors who worked against the president.

In a statement signed by Delta State APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, the party said Ojougbo and his group were suckering up the national executive committee and the presidential campaign council during the campaigns.

Onojeghuo noted, They were also busy at home taking active steps in undermining the prospect of the party in Delta State by openly collaborating with the opposition to defeat APC candidates in the various state and national elections.

So far, the only notable contribution of Cairo Ojougboh and his group, is to be caught on videography and photographs joining members of the opposition to celebrate the electoral losses of the party in the state

The APC urged the president to ignore the rantings of Cairo Ojougboh, a former member of the party and his gang of detractors.

The statement added, They are unnecessary distractions to your onerous task of nation building ahead.
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) says those against the arrest of Godwin Emefiele, suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are enemies of the country.

One Chima Uzor who claimed to be speaking on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide had said the suspension of Emefiele is ethnic cleansing.

However, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, distanced the group from Uzors statement and said the organisation would not interfere in the matter.

In a statement on Tuesday, the CSOs  Gatekeepers Foundation, Christian Muslim Youth Association of Nigeria (CMYAN), National Anti-Corruption Network, and the National Campaign Against Vandals  said Emefiele neglected his role as CBN governor and sought to be president of Nigeria.

They said the action affected the countrys foreign exchange and had adverse effects on the economy as a whole.

The individuals or groups protesting the arrest and questioning of the suspension of governor of CBN Godwin Emefiele are enemies of Nigeria, the statement jointly signed by Tunji Ajiboye and Peter Davids reads.

It is erroneous to assume that deputy governors in the apex bank were all involved in the malpractices which the former CBN governor is being investigated for.

The CSOs asked President Bola Tinubu to assess the deputy governors in the apex bank and pick Emefieles successor.

About three weeks ago, Tinubu suspended Emefiele while the Department of State Services (DSS) later announced that he was in its custody for some investigative reasons.
Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Igboho has vowed to return to Nigeria to continue his agitation.

Igboho assured his followers that he would soon return to Ibadan, Oyo State.The Yoruba nation agitator disclosed this in a viral video

Igboho also stressed that the Nigerian Government would compensate him with N20 billion because the courts had cleared him of all charges.

Igboho said: Im coming back to Ibadan; Im originally from Oyo State. Im coming back home. So, Yorubas should not be afraid, and nothing will happen; nobody can make the other person afraid.

The question I asked the Nigerian Government was in place, and the court has justified my demands.

Also, the N20 billion Nigerian Government owes me will be paid.

In 2021, Igboho fled Nigeria to Cotonou in the Benin Republic when the Department of State Services, DSS, launched a manhunt for him.

This was after his residence in Ibadan was ransacked by DSS operatives, and weapons discovered.

Watch video here.




The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has expressed total disappointment over what he described as the lopsided representation by the immediate past Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba.

According to NAN, the Oba said this in a statement in Benin by Mr Iguobaro Osaigbovo, the Chief Press Secretary to the monarch.

The King noted that while in office, the ex-minister failed to extend ministerial benefits to Edo South and Edo Central senatorial districts.

According to the statement, Oba Ewuare expressed disappointment while responding to the Minister who was on a thank-you-visit to the palace for its role in his appointment as a minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oba Ewuare noted that having benefited from the goodwill that led to his appointment, Agba should have reciprocated the kind gesture to the entire three senatorial zones of the state rather than engaged in politics of disintegration .

Oba Ewuare advised all Edo indigenes to use their good offices to attract development to the state and to better the lots of the people.

He said the erstwhile Minister of State Budget and Planning performed below expectation .
One man was killed and a woman was injured Tuesday when a motorcycle collided with an SUV in Burlington County, authorities said.

The crash occurred shortly before 5 p.m. when the driver of the SUV made a left turn at the intersection of Route 206 and County Road 670 in Springfield Township, according to New Jersey State Police.

The motorcycle collided with the SUV in the intersection, killing the 24-year-old motorcyclist. The SUV driver, a 70-year-old woman, was treated for minor injuries, state police said.
A shuttered Chinese-inspired vegan eatery is making its resurgence in New Jersey.

Fat Choy, a New York City eatery that closed last year, will reopen in Englewood at 52 E. Palisades Ave.

The restaurant is expected to open sometime in August although an exact date has yet to be announced.

Fat Choys new full-service spot will feel a bit like a diner, owner Chef Justin Lee said.

Lee has now partnered with Jonathan Krieger, co-founder of the Australian coffee brand Bluestone Lane. The company operates two New Jersey locations and over 55 nationwide.

The eaterys menu will be altered slightly to appeal to a wider audience.

It will now include several new dishes and sides, like sticky rice dumplings, Kung Pao hashbrowns, vegan burgers and Sichuan curly fries. Vegan versions of General Tsos chicken and matzo ball soup are also expected to be offered.

Fat Choy grew popular in Manhattans East Village for its mushroom sloppy joe sandwiches and salt-and-pepper cauliflower.

The eatery originally opened in Manhattans East Village in 2020 and closed in December of 2022. It cited pandemic pressures on small restaurants as a reason for closing.

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Pride flags and signs will not be permitted outside school buildings in the Westwood Regional School District, the superintendent reiterated in an email sent to parents and the community last week.

Officials in the Bergen County school district restated the districts position in the message, which was sent weeks after a pride sign supporting the LGBTQ community was removed from school property.

In a letter sent Friday addressing district updates and new hires, Westwood Regional School District Superintendent Jill Mortimer said she believes only the national and state flags should be flown outside school buildings.

Please note, I have no objection to the Pride flag, and I am in no way banning it. That narrative is incorrect, she wrote in italics. The High School displays a large Pride flag in the lobby of the school every June.

Mortimer said her decision is also based on legal advice from the districts attorney. She doesnt want to expose the district to potential costly legal fees, she added.

Pride lawn signs will also not be permitted outside the districts schools. Signs outside of school buildings should only be signage that advertises or relates to school events, Mortimer said.

Many people and groups request us to advertise something for them, yet we are judicious in our approach, she said. Again, my opinions are not grounded in negative feelings regarding any flag, sign, individual, or group.

Westwood Regional has six schools and serves roughly 2,770 students, according to state data. It includes students from Westwood and Washington Township.

Mortimers letter comes a few weeks after a pride sign was removed from outside the districts middle school. Officials said the sign violated the districts new flag policy, which says only the American flag and New Jersey state flag are allowed to be displayed on or above school property.

Mackenzie Fox, a senior and student representative to the school board, started a Change.org petition after the LGBTQ lawn sign was removed from outside the school.

Then-interim superintendent Kenneth Rota told Fox he believed the intent of the school boards policy is that there will not be any signs/banners/flags outside the schools, on school property with the exception of the American flag and the state flag of New Jersey, he wrote in an email. If the BOE directs me otherwise, I will comply.

Last Monday, Rota resigned from his position, effective immediately. In a letter announcing the change, Mortimer said she returned to her job from medical leave and replaced Rota.

Its unclear if Rotas resignation was related to the pride sign incident or other controversies in the district. Rota did not respond to a request to comment after his resignation.

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The World Health Organizations (WHO) list of diseases that could cause the next pandemic includes the ominous Disease X.

The pathogen Disease X is a new disease agent unknown to medical science that likely does not have any treatments or vaccines.

Researchers have to prepare for the unknown when it starts to spread.

You cannot prevent an unknown pathogen from evolving into one that could lead to a pandemic, Dr. Sandra Adams, a biology professor and virologist at Montclair State University, told NJ Advance Media.

However, researchers can use the knowledge they have gained to fight against pandemics.

You can, however, use what we learned to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, she added. The availability of vaccines worldwide to prevent deaths and serious illness and mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 until vaccines were developed were crucial in preventing the most recent pandemic from becoming much worse.

Most researchers believe the next Disease X will come from animals before infecting humans.

If a Disease X pathogen does evolve, it will likely be from a zoonotic RNA virus, Adams said. This means an RNA virus that resides in an animal will develop mutations that will allow it to infect human hosts.

But they have not ruled out other sources, such as laboratory accidents or incidences of bioterrorism.

The WHO started using the term Disease X in 2018. It last used the term as COVID-19s original name when the virus first began spreading across China.

The COVID-19 pandemic was not the first to wreak havoc on the world and it will not be the last, the authors of a 2021 article from the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology wrote. Thus, we need to prepare for the next outbreak as soon as possible.

Adams had a more positive outlook on the fate of Disease X.

Hopefully, we will take the knowledge gained from battling SARS-CoV-2 to prevent Disease X pathogen from becoming the next pandemic, Adams said.

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Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has launched a pretrial investigation of almost 92,000 criminal proceedings related to the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, 448 representatives of the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation and the command of the Russian army have been suspected, 22 of them have already been convicted, the SBU reports with reference to head of the SBU Vasyl Maliuk.

It is noted that today the investigation continues in about 43,000 cases concerning violations of the laws and customs of war of the Russian Federation, the SBU said on the Telegram channel on Wednesday.

"To date, the SBU is investigating almost 43,000 proceedings under Article 438  violation of the laws and customs of war. And we don't just record these crimes. And we carry out all the necessary procedural actions within the framework of Ukrainian legislation. So that sooner or later all Russian criminals will be brought to justice," Maliuk was quoted as saying during a meeting of the interdepartmental working group on cooperation between law enforcement and state bodies, held in the Prosecutor Generals Office.

The head of the SBU stressed that the investigation of crimes committed by the Russian Federation is extremely important for Ukrainians and for the whole world.

"First of all, this concerns the highest military and political leadership of the Russian Federation and the army command. According to Maliuk, 448 war criminals from this category of Russian officials, including more than 25 commanders of individual branches of the armed forces and armies, have been reported on suspicion," the message says.

Also, as noted in the SBU, the perpetrators of crimes are also being established. "For example, the commander of a heavy bomber regiment, Colonel Timoshin, was declared suspicious. SBU investigators found that he was responsible for missile strikes on a residential building in Dnipro in January of this year and on the Amstor shopping center in Kremenchuk in June 2022," the SBU informs.

In total, 95 criminal proceedings were sent to the court against 142 people from the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation, of which 22 have already been convicted.

"The decision of the International Criminal Court to arrest Putin and Lvova-Belova is just the beginning. We must provide a strong evidence base to go this way completely," Maliuk stressed.

The head of the SBU added that international structures investigating both individual cases and the main proceedings on Russian aggression against Ukraine are also involved in this work.

"The Security Service itself uses modern approaches to record the war crimes of the Russian Federation. These are not only inspections of crime scenes, but also analysis of open data, use of various software products, system interaction with the military and the PGO," the report says.

"The SBU maximally unifies the work on the search and analysis of data  so as not to lose any evidence of a crime. Rocket debris, intercepted conversations, satellite images and trophy documentation  everything goes into our piggy bank of evidence," Maliuk summed up.
The wheels on the ambitious SciTech Scity project in Jersey City have been turning faster and faster since its groundbreaking, and it could soon reach a new speed with the potential approval of its 12-story, 500-unit twin buildings residential complex.

The complex, titled Scholars Village  proposed as the new home for potential SciTech Scity campus members like students, scientists and entrepreneurs  is up for potential approval before the Jersey City Planning Board Tuesday.

The project will be developed by Manhattan-based developer Alpine Residential and will be built on the west side of Phillip Street, across from Liberty State Park and just south of the Liberty Science Center

Its going to be a fantastic project, said William Rosato, a managing partner at Alpine. Its going to be a real premier development in not just Jersey City, but for New Jersey.

The twin buildings will house 250 units each, ranging from studios to three bedrooms, and will also have two-level parking garages with a combined total of 153 parking spaces. The buildings will be connected by a one-story lobby building.

There is also a total of 3,296 square feet of commercial space planned within the complex, and numerous amenities like a library, a rooftop pool and playground space at the west building; and yoga and gym rooms, and co-working spaces in the east building.

Outside the complex, landscaping is being proposed, including what was described as a riparian forest area, grassland and pool area, and upland meadows areas between the buildings, and an upland meadow area on the roof of the lobby.

Since the SciTech Scity groundbreaking by the Liberty Science Center officials in October 2021, plans for the eight-story Edge Works startup business incubator was approved and the new Liberty Science Center High School broke ground this May.

Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione called the project the latest milestone for SciTech Scity ... as we continue the positive momentum to make this revolutionary vision a reality.

Scholars Village will play a key role in SciTechs overarching goal of creating a transformational community overflowing with opportunities and inspiration for residents, students, entrepreneurs, scientists, and everyone else who wants to be involved, she said.

Those who plan to live at the complex could also get a view of the revitalized Liberty State Park that is being worked on by state officials. Most of the contaminated interior located near SciTech will be naturally restored with tidal and freshwater wetlands, meadows and urban forests.

Scholars Village is set to be built in front of the high school and just south of Edge Works. Rosato said that he expects the groundbreaking the project to take place in the first quarter of 2024 and will finish construction by early 2027.
Fans know all Too Well that Renee Rapps tour is one you cant miss.

The Snow Hard Feelings Tour will begin on Sept. 15 in Houston, Texas and will wrap up on March 4 in Dublin, Ireland.

While on tour, Rapp will be performing two shows in New York: one in New York City on Oct. 30 and in Brooklyn on Nov. 2.

The tour will be in support of her latest album, Snow Angel, which will be released this August.

Tickets for the Snow Hard Feelings Tour go on sale to the public on June 23 at 9 a.m. through Ticketmaster.

Fans can also look for Snow Hard Feelings Tour tickets on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork, TicketCity and MegaSeats.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

A complete list of Renee Rapps Snow Hard Feelings Tour dates is available here.

More massive upcoming tours

Renee Rapp is not the only artist going out on tour in the next few months.

Here are a few more upcoming tours you wont want to miss.

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Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
The Interstate 95 overpass in North Philadelphia that was destroyed by a tanker truck fire on June 11 is scheduled to reopen on a temporary structure built less than two weeks after the incident that severed one of the nations busiest highways.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll have announced that I-95 will be reopened this weekend, ahead of the originally projected two-week timeline.

Based on the tremendous progress these crews made over the weekend and the time it takes to complete the remaining steps, I can now say that we will have I-95 back open this weekend, Shapiro said in a statement. We have worked around the clock to get this done, and weve completed each phase safely and ahead of schedule.

The almost unbelievably fast temporary structure construction started less than a week ago, when truckloads of recycled glass aggregate were transported to the site starting last Thursday to support a temporary roadway from a Delaware River plant south of Philadelphia.

Shapiro paid tribute to the hard-working men and women of the Philadelphia Building Trades who are making this happen, and coordination between local, state and federal agencies.

Demolition of the damaged overpasses and roadway was completed in just four days  ahead of experts original predictions. Throughout the Fathers Day and Juneteenth holiday weekend, crews made significant additional progress by filling the gap with ultra-lightweight foamed glass aggregate to build up to surface level, officials said.

During the remainder of this week, crews will begin paving three new lanes on top of the fill in both directions. Pennsylvania State Police will escort trucks carrying the pavers up I-95 to make sure they get to the site safely and as quickly as possible as crews continue working around the clock to reopen I-95 this weekend, officials said.

State Police escorts accompanied trucks carrying loads of the specially-designed, Pennsylvania-made glass aggregate, produced by AeroAggregates of North America from Delaware County, up I-95 to the site starting last week. PennDOT hired Philadelphia-based contractor Buckley & Company to backfill the gap, pave over it, and reopen it safely and as quickly as possible, officials said.

That plan was developed with state administration, engineers and contractors, in consultation with Federal Highway Administration engineers.

That work will allow six lanes that carry roughly 160,000 vehicles daily to reopen in the northbound and southbound direction. Officials initially expected the highway to be closed for several months.

Schapiro signed a disaster declaration on June 12 that allocated $7 million in emergency funding and cleared the way for asking for federal assistance. The Federal Highway Administration also allocated $3 million in emergency funding last week for the I-95 rebuild.

The highway was damaged beyond repair after a tanker truck fire underneath caused a section of the overpass to buckle and collapse. The accident claimed the life of the truck driver.

The collapse and demolition of the fire-damaged overpass severed a section of the eastern seaboards busiest and most essential north-south highway, causing traffic delays in the city and sending detouring traffic through New Jersey to avoid that area of I-95.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
A New York resident has admitted to the assault of a woman on a flight that was headed toward Newark Liberty International Airport, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Ryan Manuella, 30, of Cheektowaga, New York, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit stalking before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton before being detained without bond, prosecutors said.

Manuella moved to a vacant seat next to a female passenger during a flight from Denver International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on April 16, 2021, officials said. While sitting next to the woman, he touched her without her consent, authorities said.
A man has admitted that he sold fentanyl to a woman who thought she was buying heroin, which led to her fatal overdose, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Jehmar Barrett, 36, of Lacey Township, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Monday in the death of the 35-year-old in Toms River on Nov. 23, 2020, prosecutors said.

Toms River police were called to a home on Alabama Avenue and found the woman dead upon arrival, officials said. Investigators learned the woman bought drugs from Barrett and charged him with possession of and distribution of cocaine and heroin and eluding, authorities said.

Toxicology tests later found that it was actually fentanyl that was in the victims system and not heroin, prosecutors said. The Ocean County Medical Examiners Office determined that the fentanyl was the cause of her death and Barrett was charged on Aril 29, 2020, officials said.

He turned himself in at the Toms River Police Department the next day and was transported to Ocean County Jail, but was released pending trial.

Barretts sentencing is scheduled for August 18. Prosecutors said the state will be seeking a seven-year term, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, requiring him to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Sweltering summers and rising sea levels are only a couple of the issues New Jersey struggles with in the face of climate change. The states location in the mid-Atlantic causes it to warm at twice the rate of the rest of the country.

Temperatures will continue to rise as more greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. One of the biggest stationary sources of climate emissions is coal- and gas-fired power plants, which in 2021 produced 25% of the nations emissions.

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."



Thankfully, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed new rules that would require power plants to significantly reduce their harmful carbon emissions by 617 million metric tons by 2042. That would be the pollution-reducing equivalent of taking half the fossil-fuel cars in the country off the roads. The EPA proposal would also help New Jersey reach its goal of having 50% of energy sold in the state be renewable by 2030.

It is crucial to call on the EPA to extend its regulations to smaller plants that are currently exempt. The proposed rules public comment period has been extended to Aug. 8, and is the perfect opportunity to show your support for the regulations that work towards a more livable future.

Rida Ali, Jersey City

Grant grandparents the biggest proposed tax cut

Columnist Tom Moran continues his fight against senior citizens property tax relief in his latest commentary, In Trenton, Democrats call Murphys bluff. Tequila shots all around.

This, even after negotiations between Gov. Phil Murphy and the StayNJ bills sponsors reduced the impact on the state budget and lessened the benefit for the wealthy. (The StayNJ benefit has become income-restricted with households with income above $500,000 now ineligible, and a $6,500 limit on rebates.)

Moran still argues that the program wont help the poor who dont own homes.

Keep in mind that it is the middle class that has the largest number of taxpayers who fund the programs for the poor. Many middle-income people retire and wish to remain in New Jersey near family but, with their income slashed upon retirement, they cant afford $10,000 in property taxes on top of all the other taxes and costs inherent in living this expensive state.

Trust me, there are many people who bought their homes 25 or 30 years ago at a reasonable cost, and have been watching their property taxes go up above $10,000 a year. They are struggling to make ends meet.

Have a little consideration for those who helped build the state and wish to remain here near their children and grandchildren in retirement.

Rick Snyder, Parsippany

Remember the COLAs

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin seems to have billions of excess New Jersey tax revenue to spend.

See the StayNJ brainstorm, concerning a plan to cut senior citizens property taxes in half. Its now estimated to cost $1.2 billion annually, down from $1.7 billion before some alterations were made.

Yet, retirees from public-sector jobs in the state have not heard a peep about restoring an annual cost-of-living adjustment to pension benefits. The COLA was suspended in 2011, and it has been over a decade since recipients have seen an increase.

Can there be some discussion on a COLA restoration? In maybe a year or two? Or half a year? Throw us a bone, or half a bone  something to say we are not forgotten.

James Racz, East Hanover

Ziggy disappoints with disease reference

The Star-Ledgers June 20 Ziggy comic-strip panel by Tom Wilson and Tom Wilson II shows a chef pointing to a wall sign stating that the daily special is seizure salad, and telling a customer, That aint a typo!!

This is not funny, is in terrible taste, and shows ignorance.

Our son has suffered from incurable epilepsy for more than the past 40 years. So, my wife and I do not find the cartoon funny at all.

Hyman C. Grossman, Monroe Township

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In the end, there are only two ways to cut taxes.

One is to cut the cost of government, which is difficult. The other is to raid the treasury and throw a party, without offering any plan to cover the cost.

Democrats in Trenton just agreed to the second option. And to make it worse, their form of tax relief will provide generous benefits for Wall Street executives earning $500,000 a year, and very little for a truck driver earning $50,000.

All this is the brainchild of Speaker Craig Coughlin, who has dubbed the program StayNJ, a tax credit program designed to cover up to half the property tax bill for seniors, no matter how rich they are. The benefit was capped at $10,000, but payments still skewed heavily towards the wealthy and their larger homes.

Gov. Phil Murphy hated it from the start, saying Coughlins plan would derail hard-fought progress on the states budget mess. And because it had no income limit, it seemed downright sloppy to him. I dont think we should be in the business of giving the likes of me tax breaks, the governor said. He promised a ferocious fight, saying he would shut down state government before hed support such a crazy policy.

But Coughlin seemed to know that the governor was bluffing. Always the gentleman, the Speaker offered soothing words about compromise, then made only minor concessions. Heres a look:

 The new version excludes seniors who earn more than $500,000 a year. So OK, Murphy will not get a piece of this action. But that income threshold is still quite high, and its effect remains deeply regressive. How many retirees earn $500,000 a year? For perspective, it will cost about twice as much as the combined value of the states two main anti-poverty tax breaks, the child tax credit and the earned-income tax credit.

 The maximum benefit will be $6,500, down from $10,000. Again, its an improvement for those concerned about costs. But again, its not much. The change will reduce the annual costs from $1.7 billion a year to $1.3 billion, according to Treasury.

 There is more help for renters now, $250 a year on top of the $450 maximum benefit they can receive under the existing Anchor rebate program. Again, an improvement, but why give a wealthy homeowner $6,500 and a renter only about 10 percent as much? It should be the other way around, says Peter Chen of New Jersey Policy Perspective, a liberal think tank.

There is a good chance that this program will never go into effect, even if it is signed into law this year. Thats because state revenues are dropping fast, federal pandemic aid is running out, and big costs are looming, like an expected deficit of nearly $1 billion for NJ Transit.

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If the money is not there, then these rebates could disappear, as happened under former Govs. Jon Corzine and Richard Codey. Last week, a bipartisan panel of budget experts convened by former Senate President Steve Sweeney warned of big shortfalls in coming years -- even without Coughlins new plan.

Theres no way the state could support the extra spending proposed under StayNJ, said Richard Keevey, a straight numbers guy who served as a senior budget officer for governors in both parties, referring to Coughlins original plan. The numbers are just too big, without making substantial cuts in other programs, or tax increases.

Sweeney, an unannounced candidate for governor, thinks the plan is unsustainable, until Democrats do the hard work of cutting costs, putting their political necks at risk. He negotiated the pension and health changes that were signed by former Gov. Chris Christie in 2011, and hes still paying a political price for it, having infuriated the public worker unions. Hes also the leading advocate for merging local governments and school districts, a challenge to the sanctity of home rule and another politically bruising fight.

Since I left, no one is looking for ways to reduce the cost of state government, Sweeney says. Theyre just looking to throw money at it. But what happens if the moneys not there?

For now, Democrats are in the mood to party, and Murphy cant stop it. Democrats in the Legislature feel free to defy him in a way that Republicans never defied Christie. And that means the progress hes made on the state budget, along with the improved credit rating, could soon be washed away with the tide.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

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A 66-year-old New Jersey man was sentenced last week to 44 years in prison for sexually abusing a child on multiple occasions two years ago, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Julio Largo-Veletanga, of Paterson, was found guilty last year of aggravated sexual assault and several other crimes, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.

The victim, who was 10 when the abuse was reported in May 2020, told investigators Largo-Veletanga sexually abused her several times in February and May of that year, the prosecutor said.
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Ukrainian servicemen shot down Russian helicopter on Wednesday, June 21, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Good news. This afternoon, our soldiers shot down a Russian Mi-24 helicopter," the Facebook post says.
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.
Latvian PM: We to send our entire fleet of helicopters to Ukraine

Latvia is preparing to send its entire fleet of helicopters to Ukraine, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said.

"Our Stingers arrived in Ukraine just one day before the full-scale invasion, and thankfully they were part of the solution of keeping the Russians from taking the airport, which is part of their initial plan. Since that time, our government has spent over 1.3% of our GDP on all kinds of aid to Ukraine. Over 1% is militarily alone," the Prime Minister of Latvia said at Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2023) in London.

He said all Latvian Stinger missiles are now in Ukraine.

"We had a fleet of helicopters. All of those helicopters, the last ones are still being repainted we sent them so they are usable and look good as well, are going to Ukraine," the prime minister said.

In addition, according to him, Latvia is training about 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers in 2023.

Karins said that after the explosion of Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, within one week, Latvia adopted three different government decisions on various aid packages.
Starting with the class of 2028, all Louisiana high schoolers must learn to balance a checkbook before they graduate, per a law that is aimed at filling gaps in students' educations.

Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday that he has signed Act 267, formerly House Bill 103, into law. Sponsored by Rep. Nicholas Muscarello, R-Hammond, the law requires students to pass a financial literacy course that covers credit, bank accounts and other finance topics.

The law is a response to this criticism often heard by Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley:

"'You guys  and when they say that, they mean the educational system  need to do a better job of training students to be prepared when they graduate high school for the financial decisions they have to make,'" Brumley said at a House Education Committee hearing May 2.
WASHINGTON  Gov. John Bel Edwards, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other state and local officials across the U.S. overstepped their legal authority when they required masking and promoted vaccines to slow the spread of COVID-19, Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill said Wednesday to a U.S. House panel.

Murrill, who is running to replace Jeff Landry as Louisiana's attorney general, testified before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, a panel created to probe the White House's response to COVID-19. The hearing was titled Churches vs. Casinos: The Constitution is not Suspended in Times of Crisis.

From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of leaders at the federal, state, and local levels engaged in completely irrational decision-making, while claiming complete autocratic power to justify those bad decisions, Murrill said. This behavior began at the federal level, with federal bureaucrats ultimately leading by example and providing justifications for similar behavior at the state and local levels with a complete disregard for the law.
A rendering of the Covington Trace Ridge Apartments development proposed for a site along La. 21 just outside the city of Covington. The complex has been at the center of a tense dispute between St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper and the Parish Council.
Ukrainian forces conduct counteroffensive operations in at least two sectors of front on administrative border between Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations on the administrative border between Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions and in the west of Zaporizhia region on June 20, according to a review by the ISW Institute for the Study of War.

Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations in at least two sectors of the front on June 20. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations on the administrative border between Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions and in western Zaporizhia region, the report reads.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that units of the Eastern Grouping of Forces repelled four Ukrainian assaults near Orikhiv, Zaporizhia region, and in western Donetsk region.

The ISW recalled that Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on June 19 that Russian forces committed significant forces to stop Ukrainian offensives, making Ukrainian advances difficult.

The situation in the east is difficult now. The enemy has pulled up its forces and is actively advancing on Lymany and Kupyansk directions, trying to seize the initiative from us. High activity of enemy attacks is recorded. Hot fighting continues, she wrote on the Telegram on Monday.

Nevertheless, according to the Institute for the Study of War, Maliar stated that the current Ukrainian operations have several tasks that are not focused solely on the liberation of the territory, and that the Ukrainian forces have not yet begun the main phase of the counteroffensive.
In London, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba for the first time has held a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Luminita Odobescu, discussed the intensification of Ukrainian-Romanian bilateral cooperation.

First meeting in person with Romanias new Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu. We discussed boosting Ukrainian-Romanian bilateral cooperation in order to realize the full potential of our good-neighborly relations. I thanked Romania for its support for Ukraines NATO membership, Kuleba said on Twitter.
EQT Private Equity, together with its co-shareholders, to sell Ellab to Novo Holdings

Since EQT Private Equity invested in 2019, Ellab has transformed into a full-suite provider of validation and monitoring solutions and services, serving all the top 20 biotech companies and all the top 40 pharmaceutical companies globally

Transformation has resulted in Ellab tripling its revenues, EBITDA and number of employees, while experiencing approximately 20% annual organic revenue growth and completing 15 add-on acquisitions

(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

STOCKHOLM, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that EQT Mid Market Europe ("EQT Private Equity"), together with its co-shareholders, have agreed to sell Ellab ("Ellab" or the "Company") to Novo Holdings, which is responsible for managing the assets and wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, one of the world's largest philanthropic enterprise foundations.

Headquartered in Hillerd, Denmark, Ellab provides validation and monitoring solutions and services for biotech and pharmaceutical processes. Its solutions and services measure and document parameters such as temperature, pressure, and carbon dioxide. These help clients to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance while reducing time to market and the risk of product loss.

EQT Private Equity acquired Ellab in September 2019 with a vision to accelerate the Company's growth journey by solidifying its core offering within validation solutions, while expanding into monitoring solutions and field services & consulting. Today, Ellab has transformed into a full solution provider, while tripling its revenues, EBITDA and employee base. It counts all the top 20 biotech companies and all the top 40 pharmaceutical companies globally as clients.

During EQT Private Equity's ownership, Ellab shifted its customer focus towards high-growth industries such as biotech, cell & gene therapies, and contract development & manufacturing organizations. At the same time, it invested significantly in research & development, digitalization and personnel to strengthen the organization, while acquiring 15 companies around the globe. The Company has also defined a clear sustainability strategy, for instance by committing to the Science Based Targets initiative that requires Ellab to set greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in line with the 1.5 pathway described in the Paris Agreement.

Rikke Kjr Nielsen, Partner within EQT Private Equity's Advisory Team, said, "Ellab's solutions play a vital role in ensuring accuracy and compliance in its clients' biotech and pharmaceutical processes, which is key for these companies. This was true when we first invested in Ellab and remains the case today. The difference now is the scale and flexibility that Ellab offers, as it has transformed into a full-suite provider of validation and monitoring solutions and services. It has been a privilege to partner with the entire Ellab management team, who have built a company with a strong culture and customer focus, dedication to innovation and commitment to consumer safety. We believe Novo Holdings is a great partner for the next stage of Ellab's growth journey and we wish them all the best in the future."

Ludvig Enlund, CEO of Ellab, said "With EQT Private Equity's support, Ellab has transformed into a truly leading global player with best-in-class software and hardware for validation and monitoring for the life sciences industry, and today also holds a strong position within field services & consulting. We are grateful for the partnership and now look forward to continuing our journey with Novo Holdings."

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Closing of the transaction is expected in Q3 2023.

ContactEQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

The following files are available for download:

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eqt-private-equity-to-sell-ellab-following-transformation-into-a-leading-validation--monitoring-provider-for-the-biotech-and-pharmaceutical-industries-301856367.html
Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori visited the training ground of the National Guard of Ukraine and met with its commander, Lieutenant General Yuriy Lebid.

"Today, Japanese Ambassador Matsuda visited the National Guard training ground and met with its commander, Lieutenant General Yuriy Lebid. The sides discussed their interaction in peacetime and wartime, as well as challenges related to the modern full-scale aggression of Russia," the Embassy said on Twitter.
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HOBART  A worker at the Albanese Confectionery Factory was airlifted to a Chicago hospital after becoming trapped underneath a pile of boxes Tuesday afternoon, according to the Hobart Fire Department.

Medical personnel were called around 2:20 p.m. to the factory's location at 5441 W. Lincoln Highway where the worker was quickly freed with the help of medics and other employees, the fire department said.

The employee is in "serious condition," the department said. Hobart fire did not immediately respond to a request for information about what caused the incident.

"Teamwork between Albanese workers and our firefighters kept this from being much worse," Hobart Fire said in a Facebook post. "Our thoughts are with this person and their family."

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
HAMMOND  Former GOP Portage Mayor James Snyder could find out Friday morning if he will be required to surrender himself by Tuesday as requested by federal prosecutors to begin serving a 21-month prison term.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly, who had sentenced Snyder in October 2021, announced Wednesday morning his intention to hold a telephonic meeting to address the surrender date.

The sentence was well below the recommended sentencing guideline of 46 to 57 months on Snyder's federal bribery and tax violation convictions.

Federal prosecutors filed a request Tuesday for the prompt surrender date following Thursday's ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit that rejected all of Snyder's claims of error in his case, which upheld his convictions.

"Now that the judgment has been affirmed, it is appropriate to revoke the defendants bond and have the defendant surrender to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons," according to Amarjeet Bhachu, special attorney for the United States.

The motion references federal code "permitting bond pending appeal only when appeal presents a 'substantial question of law' likely to result in reversal or new trial."

"In view of the fact that this matter has been pending for a considerable period, the government respectfully requests that the defendant be ordered to surrender within seven days, on or before June 27, 2023," the motion reads.

UPDATE: State senator denounces Porter County graffiti calling for the death of LGBTQ members "The people of Chesterton should be livid that a coward decided to vandalize town property with a call to violence and derogatory language," state Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton, said.

Snyder's defense attorney had not filed a response by late Wednesday morning.

Snyder, 45, was found guilty of soliciting and accepting a $13,000 bribe in 2014 in return for steering a $1.125 million contract for the purchase of garbage trucks for the city of Portage to the local Great Lakes Peterbilt company. Additionally, federal prosecutors said he obstructed the Internal Revenue Service's efforts to collect unpaid taxes on a private mortgage company he ran.

He was tried and found guilty in February 2019. When Snyders attorneys moved for a judgment of acquittal or a new trial, the district court denied the motion for acquittal but granted Snyder a new trial on the bribery charge. He was convicted for a second time in March 2021.

In an appeal argued before the court in January, Snyders defense team said his rights were violated when the government seized email communications between him and his attorney as part of the discovery of evidence in the case.

The government maintained the integrity of its investigation through a filtering process in which federal agents determine which emails are considered privileged communications that should not be disclosed to the prosecution.

"The emails had been seized and the filter process completed before Snyder was indicted in November 2016, and only at that time did his Sixth Amendment right to counsel attach," the appellate court wrote. The court also concluded that seizure of Snyders emails under the warrant did not violate the particularity requirement of the Fourth Amendment.

Snyder's team further argued that his conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence, which the judges did not find to be legitimate.

"The evidence here was sufficient to support the jurys verdict," the judges said. "Evidence at trial established that Snyder owed personal and payroll taxes and that the IRS had taken specific, targeted steps to collect by levying Snyders personal and business bank accounts."

Snyders legal team took additional action in March, suing the city of Portage, Democratic Mayor Sue Lynch and city attorney Dan Whitten, accusing the two of instructing city employees, including case witness Randall Reeder Jr., to not meet with Snyder and his legal team as they prepared for his second trial.

Attorneys for the city, Lynch and Whitten filed a motion in May to dismiss. Snyders legal team has five days to respond to the motion, according to federal court records.
VALPARAISO  A 33-year-old Kouts man arrested this week on four counts of possessing child pornography reportedly told investigators he could have as many as 1,000 images of underage girls on his cell phone, according to a charging document.

"He stated that while viewing pornography online he would find himself clicking and navigating to other websites which contained younger looking girls," an Indiana State Police investigator said.

Christopher Hultquist said his interest in young girls started after he had his own "personal relationship issues," police said.

"He stated that he had been viewing such material for about three (3) years," a charging document reads.

The charges describe a few of child sexual abuse images and videos linked to Hultquist, which include girls as young as 4 or 6 appearing alone or involved in sexual activity with adult men.

Police said they were tipped off in August by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that files containing child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to a cell phone later traced to Hultquist. The uploads were detected by a subsidiary of Verizon Wireless.

State police investigated and said they discovered more than 300 uploaded images of child sexual abuse material.

Investigators used Facebook to help confirm the identity of Hultquist.

On Monday, state police stopped a vehicle being driven by Hultquist near Ind. 49 and Ind. 8 in Kouts, a charging document says. He was taken to the Porter County Sheriff's Department and at first indicated he was unsure why he was stopped.

"I explained that I was concerned with somethings that would be found on his phone," police said. "His head dropped, he sighed and then indicated that there were pictures of girls on his phone."

Hultquist reportedly told police he also had an older cell phone at his home that contained the illegal images.

"He added that there was also a desktop computer that the kids primarily used for school would be in an upstairs bedroom," according to police.

Hultquist remained in custody at the Porter County Jail as of Wednesday morning.

"The Indiana State Police Crimes Against Children Task Force was assisted throughout the investigation by Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Unit, troopers from the Lowell Post, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, and the Kouts Police Department," ISP Sgt. Jeremy Piers said.
PORTER  An 19-year-old man pulled Tuesday evening out of Lake Michigan at Porter Beach has died, amounting to the second presumed drowning death along the local popular shoreline in less than a week, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

A 14-year-old girl, pulled out of the water during the same incident Tuesday, was taken for medical care and is reportedly in good condition.

The deceased man pulled from the water Tuesday is a resident of Mexico and release of his name is pending notification to his family, according to the Porter County Coroner's Office.

The man was pulled from the water following a 20-minute search, Porter police Lt. Dan Dickey had said.

Emergency responders were called to Porter Beach around 6:50 p.m. for two people struggling in the water, the DNR reported.

"Investigation at the scene revealed that the 19-year-old was swimming with a 14-year-old family member when the current pulled them into deeper water where both began to struggle," the agency said.

Porter Fire Chief Jay Craig said the girl had been pulled from the water by a bystander by the time his crew arrived, but the whereabouts of the man was unknown.

First responders searched for the man until he was located at 7:07 p.m. and brought to shore, Dickey said. Emergency crews administered CPR on the man and transported both individuals to Northwest Health Porter hospital.

Beachgoers in the Porter area were at moderate risk for swimming and rip current as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

UPDATE: State senator denounces Porter County graffiti calling for the death of LGBTQ members "The people of Chesterton should be livid that a coward decided to vandalize town property with a call to violence and derogatory language," state Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton, said.

A 7-year-old Chicago child wading in Lake Michigan off the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach was swept away by the current and drowned Thursday, the DNR has said.

The child was reported missing shortly before 5 p.m. and emergency responders found the boy in the water along nearby Ogden Dunes minutes later.

"The child was removed from the water and taken to a waiting ambulance. Lifesaving measures were started, and the boy was transported to Northwest HealthPortage hospital, where he was pronounced dead," officials said.

An autopsy listed the cause of the 7-year-old's death as an accidental drowning.

The DNR is withholding identities "to allow for proper family notifications."

"Investigations have revealed the boy was playing in waist-deep water before entering deeper water," according to the statement. "A witness reported it appeared the child was caught in a current that pulled him away from shore. A family member entered the water in attempt to rescue the boy but also was caught in a current and lost sight of the boy."

The National Weather Service had put a beach hazard statement in effect at the time of the incident.

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The Bulgarian government is preparing a new package of military assistance for Ukraine in accordance with Ukrainian requests and available resources, Bulgarian Prime Minister Todor Tagaerev said, the BGNES news agency reports.

"In terms of volume, the assistance will be provided in the same volume as last time. We take out of warehouses what is in good condition, has a greater resource, but, lets say, 30-40 years or more, and there is always a question with the cost, what exactly we mean and how this cost is calculated," Tagarev said.

At the same time, he noted that the issue of providing basic military equipment has not been discussed yet.
CHESTERTON  A state senator is denouncing Tuesday's defacing of a sign at the town's municipal complex with language that called for the death of members of the LGBTQ community.

"Kill all (homophobic slur)" was found spray painted in black on one of the two sides of the sign in front of the Chesterton Municipal Complex at 1490 Broadway, according to Chesterton police.

The graffiti was discovered around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday by a street department employee arriving at work, police said.

Surveillance video partly captured a person wearing all black run up the sign around 4:02 a.m., hang out for a minute and then spray paint the sign before running off, according to the incident report.

"(The town employee) stated he was unable to get a closer look at the person's face," police said.

"The people of Chesterton should be livid that a coward decided to vandalize town property with a call to violence and derogatory language," state Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton, said. "I denounce this senseless and shameful act."

Pol urged anyone with information on the offensive action to come forward.

"As a legislator and public servant, my priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all people in my community, and this inflammatory, ignorant message absolutely cannot go unanswered," Pol said in a press release.

Kouts man guessed he had more than 1,000 child porn images on his phone, cops say VALPARAISO  A 33-year-old Kouts man arrested this week on four counts of possessing child pornography reportedly told investigators he could 

"LGBTQ+ people are our family, friends, and neighbors and they undoubtedly deserve to live safely and happily in our shared community just as much as anyone else," he said.

"Chesterton is strong thanks to its diversity and its amazing residents," Pol said. "This sort of hateful rhetoric has absolutely no place here. Our focus is on building an exceptional, inclusive community with opportunities for all."

"We have no time or patience for sowing division and fear. I know the residents of Chesterton feel the same way, which is why this act was carried out under the cover of night with no witnesses. This incident is a stain on a community of otherwise upstanding, honest and compassionate citizens."
Two more Lake County state lawmakers have announced their support for Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch's bid for the 2024 Republican nomination for Indiana governor.

State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, and state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, on Wednesday endorsed Crouch for governor over her intraparty rivals, U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden.

"As members of the Senate, we have worked closely with Suzanne Crouch regarding Lake County issues. In her role as president of the Senate, we have seen firsthand her hard work and dedication. Residents of Lake County can trust that Suzanne will be a governor who is committed to them, and, for that, we offer our endorsement," Dernulc and Niemeyer said in a joint statement.

The senators' endorsement follows Tuesday's announcement by state Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, that she's also backing Crouch in what's expected to be the first fiercely contested Republican gubernatorial primary in years.

Crouch, a former state auditor and state representative from Evansville, has served two terms as lieutenant governor alongside Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is barred by the Indiana Constitution from seeking a third consecutive four-year term.

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  Voters assigned to cast their ballot at Frank H. Hammond Elementary School in Munster should probably get used to seeing candidates, or their campaign team, making a final pitch for support just inside the school's doors.

On Tuesday, the Lake County Election Board dismissed two complaints filed against a Munster Town Council candidate who voters alleged was electioneering too close to where voters were marking their ballot in the school gymnasium for the May 2 primary election.

Under Indiana law, a 50-foot "chute," measured from the entrance to the polls, must be kept clear of all individuals, clothing, signs, buttons and other paraphernalia advocating for or against a candidate, political party or public question.

Linda Smith, a former poll worker, and John Twohy, both of Munster, each told the election board that at numerous prior elections candidates and their supporters at their polling place were kept outside the Munster elementary school, creating an expectation that voters would be free from candidate hassles once they got inside the building.

This year, however, they said Republican town council candidate Jonathan Petersen, or his supporters, were inside the school passing out palm cards listing candidates allied with Peterson and his "elect fresh leadership" agenda.

"A lot of people were upset about this," Twohy said.

Peterson, who attended the meeting, opted not to address the allegations after county elections staff noted for the board that a 50-foot chute was marked with rope from the school gym to a point near the building entrance.

By all accounts, Peterson and his team remained outside the chute as they approached voters inside the elementary school  prompting the election board to dismiss the complaints.

"It was important for us to hear the complaint. We just feel it doesn't meet the burden (of an election law violation)," said J. Justin Murphy, acting election board chairman.

Lake County elections staff said they're looking at ways to more clearly mark the chute at the polling places set to be used in the Nov. 7 general election.
Porter Beach Porter police and Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating.

PORTER  After searching the waters of Lake Michigan for approximately 20 minutes, emergency crews pulled an 18-year-old man onto the shores of Porter Beach Tuesday evening, Porter police Lt. Dan Dickey said.

Porter Fire Department crews were dispatched at 6:48 p.m. to the Indiana Dunes National Park beach for a report of a 14-year-old girl who had been pulled from the water by a bystander and a male still in the water. His location was unknown at the time of the call, Porter Fire Chief Jay Craig said.

First responders searched for the man until he was located at 7:07 p.m. and brought to shore. Emergency crews administered CPR on the man and transported both individuals to Northwest Health Porter hospital. The girl is reportedly "doing well," Dickey said, and the man's condition is unknown.

Beachgoers in the Porter area were at moderate risk for swimming and rip current as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Porter police and Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating.
Ryan Murphy, the television megaproducer behind hits like American Horror Story and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, is poised to move his operation to the Walt Disney Company, five years after he stunned Hollywood by decamping to Netflix for a $300 million deal.

The contract talks with Disney are not finished, according to three people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations. No deal is expected to be completed until after the screenwriters strike in Hollywood is resolved, one of the people said. (Unionized film and television writers have been on strike since May 1.)

But the talks between Mr. Murphy and Disney are advanced, the people said. Mr. Murphys contract with Netflix expires at the end of the month. Renewal talks with Netflix never got off the ground.

Representatives for Mr. Murphy, Disney and Netflix either declined to comment or did not return calls. Bloomberg reported Mr. Murphys likely move to Disney earlier on Tuesday.
After a series of assaults in the subways over the weekend  including a fatal stabbing of a man during a fight and attacks on three women who were slashed in the legs  the Police Department stepped up its presence in the system and arrested two men.

The incidents were unrelated, but they came at a time when riders remain fearful of crime on the mass transit system. Over the weekend, the police added 80 additional officers to the citys subways and platforms to reassure riders, said Michael M. Kemper, the chief of the transit police.

That perception is real to so many, he said. Thats what were trying to combat  this overwhelming uniformed presence in the subway system is what were doing to reduce that fear and that perception.

In the first incident, Tavon Silver, 32, of the Bronx, who had survived a subway stabbing a year ago, was killed during an early-morning fight on the 4 train on Saturday. Claude White, 33, was arrested on Monday and charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the killing, according to the police.
That wasnt supposed to be going where it was, Mr. Biden said of the balloon at the California fund-raiser. It was blown off course up through Alaska and then down through the United States, and he didnt know about it, he added, referring to Mr. Xi. When it got shot down, he was very embarrassed. He denied it was even there.

The balloon provoked a furor in the United States when it was spotted floating over a nuclear missile site in Montana, then passed above Kansas City and finally was blown up by a Sidewinder missile fired by an F-22 fighter jet just off the coast of South Carolina. U.S. officials have previously said they suspected the craft was supposed to conduct surveillance over U.S. military bases in Guam and Hawaii but got blown off course to Alaska and eventually the continental United States, but they had not publicly disclosed Mr. Xis apparent ignorance.

This was not the first time Mr. Biden has made off-the-cuff remarks about foreign policy during an evening fund-raiser. At another such event in New York in October, he warned donors that the world was closer to nuclear destruction than at any time since John F. Kennedy faced off against Nikita S. Khrushchev over Soviet missiles in Cuba in 1962. We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis, Mr. Biden said then, prompting a nervous reaction.

In California on Tuesday, Mr. Biden was addressing Democratic contributors at the home of Mark Robinson, an investment banker, and his wife, Stephanie Robinson, who has worked as a management consultant and investment banker. In offering a wide-ranging review of international affairs, Mr. Biden focused on China, which has been on his mind lately. He used the occasion to try to tamp down American anxiety over Beijings economic rise and increasing assertiveness on the world stage.

Dont worry about China, Mr. Biden said. I mean, worry about China, but dont worry about China, he added to laughter. No, but I really mean it. China is real  has real economic difficulties.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland was 4,000 miles away from Delaware on Tuesday when federal prosecutors announced a deal for Hunter Biden on tax and gun charges that would most likely ensure he does not serve a prison sentence.

It reflected the distance Mr. Garland has sought from the investigation into his bosss son.

Mr. Garlands aides say his trip to Europe had been weeks in the making, and his absence from the country was happenstance, not calculation. But his two-day visit to Stockholm and The Hague was nonetheless fitting for an attorney general who has taken great pains to emphasize his removal from the day-to-day oversight of high-stakes investigations of former President Donald J. Trump, President Biden and Mr. Bidens troubled youngest son.

The investigation into Hunter Biden predates Mr. Garlands appointment. It was initiated by the Justice Department under Mr. Trump in 2018 and placed under the U.S. attorney in Delaware, David C. Weiss, one of the few Trump-appointed prosecutors to be retained in the Biden administration.

Mr. Garland did not dismiss Mr. Weiss, a Republican, to ensure the appearance of impartiality  a strategy aimed at protecting the department, and to some degree himself, from accusations of political favoritism.
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2023) in London, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced the creation of an insurance mechanism for investments in Ukraine against the risks associated with the war.

"I am announcing today the establishment of the insurance mechanism to cover investments in Ukraine against war-related risks via the French Public Investment Bank. This is totally consistent with the military insurance mechanism proposed by the UK and Ukraine, which we support," Colonna said speaking at the conference.

The minister also said that France fully supports the "courageous" reforms Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "has pledged to undertake in order to foster the rule of law and to improve the business climate in the country."

"These efforts will be key to attract private investment, without which reconstruction will not be possible. Thanks to our joint efforts, Ukraine will be back, and will be back better. Up until then, our support will not fade," Colonna said.
As his few remaining hours with a place to live ticked by last Thursday, Scott Alexander panhandled near a McDonalds in Brattleboro, in southern Vermont, while running through a mental checklist of the supplies he would need for a move back into the woods nearby.

He had a tent and sleeping bags for himself and his wife, a propane stove and a heater. But he needed tarps and propane, and in two hours of holding his battered cardboard sign  Any Act of Kind Greatly Appreciate  he had made only $3.

It feels like a countdown, Mr. Alexander, 41, said as he eyed the storm clouds gathering overhead. Ill be up all night, trying to get ready.

In the progressive bastion of Vermont, it was a point of pride that the state moved most of its homeless residents into hotel rooms during the coronavirus pandemic, giving vulnerable people a better chance of avoiding the virus.
The flier announcing a new exhibition in Queens, Home-O-Stasis, doesnt give an address. Instead, it has instructions: When you reach the Queens Public Library in Flushing, go up to Kissena Boulevard till you see the Q17/Q27 stop. Go past the garage gate, enter the mini-mall on the right where scooters and bikes are parked outside. (How you get to the library is up to you and Google maps.)

The gesture says a lot about the show, up until July 23: it pays homage to a neighborhood whose residents are almost 70 percent Asian, most from China, Korea and Taiwan. To find the art, which jostles for space with shop signs, advertising notices and handbills that plaster the walls and windows of its nondescript site, you need to experience Flushing as its residents do  as a series of everyday, visual cues that shape a sense of place rather than an address.

Even though I grew up in Flushing my grasp of the language is not whole, said the sculptor Anne Wu, whose work is on view. I may not know what a place is called but I can tell you how you get there.
Initially, Apples biggest challenge was that there was very little Atmos content available. In 2017, R.E.M.s Automatic for the People became the first album mixed for Atmos, and over the next few years, several notable Atmos releases  from Elton John, Queen and the Beatles  showcased the formats possibilities.

To achieve its broader aims, Apple needed to make Atmos content both viable and plentiful. It began by partnering with Dolby to encourage recording studios to upgrade to the format. There are now some 800 officially recognized Dolby Atmos studios in over 40 countries, a 350 percent increase in just two years. (Dolby estimates there are two or three times that number of other studios capable of delivering music in Atmos.)

Apple Music also drew up wish lists of artists, albums and tracks and presented them to record labels, along with funding and deadlines, to help quickly expand the library of titles available in Atmos. Over the past few years, this effort to refit 50 years of pop music has heralded a rush of work for engineers and mixers, whove suddenly found themselves doing volume business in the format.

Wood, initially dismissive of learning to work in Atmos, said he changed his mind once he realized the inevitability of its rise. It was clear that records Id made were going to get mixed in Atmos, he said, and if I didnt learn how to do it, somebody else would, and Id be ceding that control. Woods first Atmos mix was for Liz Phairs Soberish, an album hed originally produced. And, also, I realized there would be a good payday in learning, he added.

While contemporary pop and hip-hop artists were quick to adopt the format for new releases, convincing veteran rock acts to enter the Atmos fray proved more of a challenge. The first six months, those artists had a lot of questions, Schusser said.

Some groups, like the Doors, embraced the format, overhauling their entire catalog in Atmos all at once; others, like Fleetwood Mac, have proceeded more cautiously, doing one album at a time. More and more though, top legacy artists have been putting out Atmos mixes with increasing regularity, with recent releases including landmark albums like Pink Floyds The Dark Side of the Moon and the Beach Boys Pet Sounds.
Sex and the City presented Aidan as Mr. Nice Guy, and Carrie might still blame herself for their breakup. After all, she cheated on him. (Big time, you could say.) And then Aidan punished her with passive aggression, even letting her know he was contemplating cheating on her in retaliation. Later, when Carrie freaked out about their impending nuptials (to the point where she developed a rash) and requested more time, Aidan pressured her to get married right away. So maybe Aidan wasnt the Good Boyfriend who got away but rather a dodged bullet.

Aidan subsequently married a fellow furniture designer and had three sons. This didnt stop him from kissing Carrie during their rendezvous in Abu Dhabi in the second film. Carrie was quick to tell Big about this, but did Aidan do the same with his wife? Whatever trust issues he had before, he would have to accept that he is just as flawed as Carrie if not more so. Should he and Carrie ignore all this history to get together one more time? If so, they would need a memory-free environment: Carries old apartment, despite its renovations, contains their past, not their future.

Carries career

Carrie Bradshaw, sexual anthropologist, has written a long-running newspaper column, a number of pieces for Vogue and several books. The latest of these, Loved & Lost, is a weepy grief memoir with an optimistic epilogue.

That upbeat ending was added at the behest of Carries editor Amanda (Ashlie Atkinson), who pushed the author to re-enter the dating pool to offer readers a taste of hope. This led her to dip her toes in with the widower Peter (Jon Tenney)  no oomph  and with her podcast producer, Franklyn (Ivan Hernandez), who definitely has potential. More research may be required.

Amanda is prepping next steps: setting up readings, interviews, audiobook recordings. None of these things will give Carrie what she still needs, which is time to reboot more fully after Bigs death.
The relationship between The New York Times and its most famous source, Daniel Ellsberg, reads like a thriller, replete with clandestine meetings, top secret documents and a war raging in the background.

The connection was mutually beneficial. For Mr. Ellsberg, a former military analyst who died on Friday at age 92, exposing a secret government history about the Vietnam War changed how the nation thought about a conflict that he opposed. And the 1971 publication of the documents, which became known as the Pentagon Papers, burnished The Timess reputation as a government watchdog.

Yet Mr. Ellsberg had conflicted feelings about The Times.

Mr. Ellsberg was happy with the prominent coverage The Times gave the Pentagon Papers  their courage in doing that and the risks they undertook  Mr. Ellsbergs son Robert said in an interview. And he respected Neil Sheehan, the main reporter on the story, believing he picked the right person for the leak.

But the younger Mr. Ellsberg said his father had some regrets and resentment about the way he felt hed been treated, which he felt was very unnecessary.
On a recent spring afternoon, Marcella Roberts and Brooke Council sat in a salon chatting about how much they liked their hair. The two women, who are Black, were discussing a new cream they had been using to style and moisturize their curly hairstyles.

It does wonders, said Ms. Roberts, whose daily work outside as a meter reader can quickly dry out her curls. It lasts for a couple of days.

Even my co-worker said how soft my hair was, Ms. Council added.

The cream didnt leave their scalps with the distracting little flakes that other products sometimes did, the women said. And while they agreed that the cream had a pungent tropical scent when first applied, it calmed down and it was a pleasant smell as the day went on, Ms. Council said.

And that initial whiff hadnt stopped Ms. Roberts from slathering the cream all over her scalp. A little does go a long way, she said. But I just wanted to try it. I said, Well, its a testing center.
Approaches to drug addiction have evolved in recent years, with both states and the federal government allocating more funds for treatment and prevention. The Biden administration has embraced the concept of harm reduction  the short-range goal of making drugs less dangerous for users. The Food and Drug Administration has approved an overdose reversal medication, Narcan, for purchase over the counter.

But to many public health experts, the tough new fentanyl laws seem like a replay of the war-on-drugs sentencing era of the 1980s and 90s that responded to crack and powder cocaine. They worry the result will be similar: The incarcerated will be mostly low-level dealers, particularly people of color, who may be selling to support their addictions.

Already, there are signs pointing to a reoccurrence of the bitter legacy of the crack cocaine laws. Last year, the average federal trafficking prison sentence for a fentanyl-related substance was about six and a half years, with 56 percent of those convicted Black, 25 percent Hispanic and 17 percent white, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Such disparities are poised to become even more extreme, argue critics including Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, pointing to a federal fentanyl crime bill that passed last month in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

Fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin, was linked to more than two-thirds of the nearly 110,000 overdose deaths in the United States last year. In small, tightly regulated doses, it can be legally prescribed to patients with relentless pain. But over the past five years, illicit versions have exploded.
The premise that motors No Hard Feelings, a new comedy directed by Gene Stupnitsky, is, if not outright indecent, at least a little crass. Via online advertisement, Laird and Allison, megawealthy Montauk residents, are seeking an attractive woman in her early 20s to deflower their socially awkward Princeton-bound son, Percy. In return for this service theyll bestow a not-quite brand-new car on the kinda-sorta prostitute.

Taking up the offer is Jennifer Lawrences Maddie, a lifelong Montauker whos increasingly resentful of the rich folk taking over her town. Shes 32 and a little too old for the gig, but shes a knockout  as mentioned, shes played by Lawrence  and has a canny sales pitch.

Capricious and promiscuous as she is, Maddie isnt a pro escort, but a bartender and ride-hail driver whose car has been repossessed  and if she cant pick people up, she cant earn enough to pay the tax lien on the house she inherited from her mother. Assigned to date date the puppy-cute but initially highly recessive 19-year-old Percy, she goes after her prey with an aggressiveness thats initially off-putting to the lad. (He maces her at one point.)
Hi. This is Wes Anderson. Im the director of Asteroid City. So this scene is near the beginning of our movie. We meet a general who has come to this town as one of the hosts of a gathering of young junior astronomers and scientists, kind of like a science fair in a meteor crater. And these are his opening remarks. The role was written for Jeffrey Wright, who Ive worked with before and who I love. And what I thought is this character is going to come out and not just set the stage for this convention theyre doing, but more to set the stage for the decade. One of the sort of subtexts of our movie has something to do with how this placid period of the 50s is filled with anxiety and sort of these men with post-traumatic stress disorder thats undiagnosed, that is being dealt with through their families. And by the time we get 10 years later, the effect that it will have had on the next generation will be so significant that therell be a complete shift. Anyway, thats kind of a broad description of whats in this little speech. Chapter 1, I walk to school 18 miles each morning. Milked the goats, plucked the chickens, played hooky, caught fireflies, went skinny dipping in the watering holes, said my prayers every night, and got whipped with a maple switch twice a week. That was life. We staged it in a way where it would happen in one shot, and it would be a performance like one that someone would give on a stage. And it was a dazzling thing to watch Jeffrey Wright take this scene and just expand it, and play it with a kind of momentum and also sort of a grandeur that was arresting to watch. Because on the day that were shooting it, Im just the audience. That was life. In the meantime, somebody elses story. A man thinks up a number, divides it by a trillion, plus it into the square root of the circumference of the Earth, multiplied by the speed of a splitting atom, and voila. Progress. Im not a scientist, you are. End of chapter 3. The way we stage the scene, its sort of a complicated rig because weve got to start in one position, then we pull back. Then, Jeffrey comes to us, and then Jeffrey goes over here, and we go over there. And Jeffrey goes over here, and we go here. And Jeffrey goes over here, we move around side to side. And then, we push back in again. Well to do that, youre either going to work with a techno crane or something that sort of telescopes and is a programmed remote head thing. Or you use what we use, which is a crazy set of sideways dolly tracks with a section of track that glides on the top of the three tracks. So you can slide forward and back and side to side, but its an extremely complex rig invented by our key grip Sanjay Sami. To Dinah Campbell. Its fueled by cosmic radiation instead of sunlight. For her work in the area of botanical acceleration. Unfortunately, it makes all vegetables toxic. The Red Giant Sash of Honor. Then, we shift into him introducing us to the young people and what theyve done, and they each get a prize. And so theres a series of astronomical, celestially themed medals and badges and other kinds of things they get. But then, we see what each of these people has done. And I think theyre quite impressive, you know? I mean, from the perspective of real life, theyve done some very good work, these teenagers, as we show in these scenes. [APPLAUSE]
Come late June, most state legislators in New York are typically far away from the Capitol in Albany, getting a jump on the summer after wrapping up their lawmaking duties for the year.

But in a rare twist, the State Assemblys 150 lawmakers were recalled to Albany this week to address unfinished parts of the peoples business that were left behind when they left two weeks ago at the supposed end of their yearly session.

Democrats in the majority passed a raft of bills during their overtime session, from transparency measures to a proposal that would offer legal protection to New York abortion providers who prescribe medication to patients in states where such care is banned.

The Assembly also passed a bill that would make it easier for people convicted of crimes to overturn certain convictions, with the aim of helping to vindicate those wrongfully convicted. The legislation, which generated last-minute opposition by the states district attorneys association, was passed earlier by the Senate and will now head to Gov. Kathy Hochuls desk.
On June 20, with the joint organization of the embassies of Azerbaijan and Israel in Germany, the Pestalozzi synagogue in Berlin hosted an event called "Jewish Life in Azerbaijan", as well as an exhibition of the same name and a presentation of the photo book "Jewish Heritage in Azerbaijan", Azernews reports.

As reported by the press service of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Germany, the official partners of the event were influential Jewish organizations in Germany and Europe - the Central Council of Jews in Germany, the Jewish community of Berlin and the Conference of European Rabbis.

The event was attended by members of the Bundestag, high-ranking representatives of German government institutions, ambassadors, media representatives, scientists and cultural figures, as well as members of the Azerbaijani, Jewish, Turkish and other communities living in Germany.

During his speech, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Nasimi Agayev spoke about the Jews living in our country, their history, the environment of multiculturalism and inter-religious harmony in Azerbaijan, friendly relations and strategic partnership with Israel.

Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prozor in his speech touched upon high-level relations between Azerbaijan and Israel and stressed that the opening of the Azerbaijani embassy in Israel raised these relations to a new level. The diplomat noted that the Jewish community of Azerbaijan is an example of the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Jews.
The share of Ukrainians surveyed who consider democracy to be the most desirable type of state structure increased to 73% after the start of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, and those who preferred an authoritarian regime decreased to 9.5%.

This is evidenced by the data of a survey conducted by the sociological service of the Razumkov Center from May 23 to May 31, 2023 within the framework of the MATRA Program project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine. The results of the survey were presented at the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Wednesday.

"Between 2010 and 2021, the proportion of respondents who considered democracy the most desirable type of government was in the range of 48-56%, and those who preferred an authoritarian regime - in the range of 18-24%. According to a survey conducted in September-October 2022, that is, after the start of a full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, the share of the former increased to 68%, and the share of the latter decreased to 11.5%. In May 2023, the share of supporters of the democratic regime has grown even more to 73%, and the share of supporters of authoritarianism has decreased to 9.5%," the Razumkov Center said in a press release handed over to Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.

As noted, the situation of a large-scale war has led to an increase in the share of respondents in Ukraine who consider the system to be "rather good" or "very good" when the military or military regime rules (up to 28%), whereas in 2017 there were 12% of such. However, the overwhelming majority (71%) of Ukrainians still consider such a system to be bad.

At the same time, it should be noted that 26% of respondents in Ukraine consider both the system when the military or military regime rules and the democratic system to be good at the same time (91% of those who consider the system when the military or military regime rules to be good also consider the democratic system to be good). That is, the "military regime" is mainly perceived as a means of protecting democracy in a military confrontation with the aggressor.

According to sociologists, over the past six years, citizens' assessment of the level of democracy in the governance of the country has been growing. The average score characterizing how democratically our country is governed (on a 10-point scale, where 1 means "not at all democratic", 10 means "absolutely democratic") increased from 3.8 in 2017, to 5.1 in 2020 and to 6.2 in 2023.

Compared to 2020, the share of citizens in Ukraine who believe that the political system does not allow them to influence the actions of the government has decreased from 34% to 28%. At the same time, the total share of those who believe that the political system allows people like them to influence the actions of the government "unconditionally" or "sufficiently" has also decreased from 17% to 12%.

In general, citizens' assessment of how much they are able to influence the course of their own lives has hardly changed over the past few years and was in the range of 5.8-6.2 points on a ten-point scale.

According to sociologists, for those who consider themselves a free person, compared with 2021, it increased from 62% to 84%.

If it is necessary to choose what is more important - freedom or equality, 75% of respondents choose freedom (in 2022 there were 71% of such people, in 2020 - 64%). But if choosing between freedom and security, Ukrainians often choose security (54.5%, and 44% choose freedom). However, the choice in favor of security is now significantly less than in 2020, when 66% of Ukrainians gave preference to security (and this is in a situation when there is a large-scale war in Ukraine and the urgency of the security issue has enormously increased).

When it is necessary to choose between freedom and prosperity, Ukrainians' choice of freedom is constantly growing. If in 2010 the shares of those who preferred freedom and those who preferred prosperity were approximately equal (32% and 30%, respectively), then in May 2023 the share of the former increased to 51%, and the share of the latter decreased to 23%.

The war has made adjustments to the readiness of Ukrainians to defend their homeland, sociologists report. So, in 2011, in Ukraine, the share of those who give a positive answer regarding the readiness to defend the country was 40%, in 2020 it has grown to 57%, in May 2023  to 67%.

As noted, the readiness to defend the country is expressed by the majority of residents of all regions: 61% in the East, 67% in the Central region, 68% in the West and 71% in the South of the country, 74% among men and 60.5% among women, from 68% to 75% in the age groups from 18 to 59 years, 51% - among those who are 60 or older.

Some 2,020 respondents aged 18 and over were interviewed. The theoretical sampling error does not exceed 2.3%. At the same time, additional sample deviations may be due to the consequences of Russian aggression, in particular, the forced evacuation of millions of citizens.

The survey was conducted on a stratified multi-stage sample using random selection at the first stages of sample formation and the quota method of selecting respondents at the final stage (when respondents were selected by gender and age quotas). The sample structure corresponds to the demographic structure of the adult population of the territories where the survey was conducted, as of the beginning of 2022 (by age, gender, type of settlement).
In just 15 days, Kenwood Allen killed four people, prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorneys office said on Wednesday.

Mr. Allen, 33, was already charged late last year after prosecutors said he was part of a criminal operation that targeted people emerging from bars on Manhattans Lower East Side after a long night out. Prosecutors said that he would drug victims with fentanyl and other opioids before stealing their credit cards and other valuables, often leaving them unconscious on the street.

On Wednesday, the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, said that further investigation had revealed the full breadth of Mr. Allens criminal operation. He is now accused of targeting 21 victims between March and December of 2022, and killing five people within five months, including the four between July 22 and Aug 6.

Mr. Allen has been charged with 10 counts of second-degree murder  two for each death, one accusing him of acting with depraved indifference to human life, the other of acting in furtherance of another crime. He was also charged with 17 counts of robbery and attempted robbery. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Wednesday.
His girlfriend told him not to buy the electric scooter.

But Alfonso Villa Munoz was intrigued. He was working in a Brooklyn bodega last August when a delivery man said he knew someone selling one for $700. Mr. Munoz said yes.

The scooter was cherry red with the number 7 on the front. Under the seat was an extra-large lithium ion battery. When it needed charging, Mr. Munoz would remove the battery from the scooter and use both hands to lug it up to the couples third-floor apartment in College Point, Queens.

A month later, the battery exploded in the living room, unleashing flames that engulfed the apartment. Mr. Munoz screamed for their 8-year-old daughter, Stephanie, who was asleep. He could not breach the wall of black smoke to get to her. Stephanie died from smoke inhalation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, on a three-day visit to the United States, kicked off a group yoga session for international diplomats on the lawn of the United Nations in Manhattan on Wednesday morning, stressing the nondenominational aspect of the practice that has roots in Hindu spirituality.

I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today, and what an amazing cause to bring us all together  yoga, Mr. Modi said. Yoga means to unite.

After his remarks, the prime minister joined the crowd for stretching exercises. He intends to travel to Washington later on Wednesday for a state dinner with President Biden the next day.

Mr. Modis focus on inclusivity at the United Nations stood in contrast to his political posture at home: Mr. Modis Hindu nationalist policies over his more than eight years in office, critics say, have undercut Indias religious minorities and his government has cracked down on dissent. India has a population of 1.4 billion people, including about 200 million Muslims.
My colleague Nicholas Fandos writes that Ocasio-Cortez is evolving from an insurgent focused on bringing in other like-minded leaders to a more conventional figure who, among other things, does not want to overextend her capital.

So, unlike such House colleagues as Representative Adriano Espaillat and Representative Nydia Velazquez, Ocasio-Cortez has yet to endorse any candidates in the City Council primaries.

If we called on her for support in the future, Im sure that she would definitely step in, said Chi Osse, a City Council member from Brooklyn whom she has helped behind the scenes. But shes very focused and busy on whats happening in Washington right now.

That is a change from 2021, when Ocasio-Cortezs political action committee backed some 60 candidates, and it comes at a time when her own political operation is changing. She dismissed her campaign manager in March after a congressional ethics report concluded that there was substantial reason to believe that the congresswomans attending the 2021 Met Gala might have violated House ethics rules and possibly federal law. A replacement, the former political director for Senator Bernie Sanders, started only last week.

Lauren Hitt, a spokeswoman for Ocasio-Cortez, said last week that she was still considering whether to wade into any City Council races. Hitt also said that Ocasio-Cortezs silence did not signal a permanent pullback. Its just a very different election cycle, she said, adding that the overwhelming reason is that many incumbent Council members are running unopposed or are not in competitive races this time around.
Mr. Murphy, a Democrat, and his aides were at first strenuously opposed to the concept, arguing that taxpayer funds should not be used to benefit the states wealthiest residents  including multimillionaires like himself and his wife  at the expense of poorer renters.

It became a source of tension during budget negotiations after several of Mr. Murphys closest aides publicly questioned the wisdom of the plan. Mr. Murphy even suggested he would be willing to endure a government shutdown over the proposal  a stalemate last seen in New Jersey in 2017, when former Gov. Chris Christie was photographed lounging on a state beach closed to the public over Fourth of July weekend.

William Glasgall, senior director of public finance at the Volcker Alliance, a nonprofit founded by the former Federal Reserve Board chairman, Paul A. Volcker, said tax cuts, once implemented, are difficult to undo  even if funding dries up.

It really just puts the bite on the whole tax base of the state, Mr. Glasgall said. Thats not really a solution. It just moves the money around.

The scaled-down consensus plan includes an extra $250 annual rebate for most renters. Mr. Murphy said that the rental benefit, as well as the income threshold and $6,500 savings cap, made the proposal more palatable than the original one. Nonbinding language that seeks to safeguard the states budget surplus and its commitment to fully fund its pension obligations and public schools, even in the event of an economic downturn, was also added.
Discomfort with abortion itself doesnt rule out discomfort with a lightning rearrangement of expectations, either. The government is suddenly in a place, or threatening to be in a place, where many people did not expect it to be, intervening in what were recently private decisions, cutting in on an unpredictable basis. Every single woman [who] has been in a relationship has experienced the being late moment, an Arizona Republican strategist told Politico last year. Every woman can relate to that, but its an intangible thats hard to explain to men. That story detailed a Republican-led focus group with women voters in Arizona after the midterms. Its about control, offered one independent voter. A Republican participant said, If they are demanding control here, where does it end?

The Dobbs decision coincided with a re-embrace of state power across both left and right  a reconsideration of the bargain. Theres a sense, broadly, of American complication and stasis at total scale, that things are kind of too messed up and dense for incremental changes. Thats clear in the rise of the new left and the return toward European-style visions of health care and industrial policy, along with calls for more enforcement and pressure on the private sector around wages and climate change.

On the right, a wave of intellectuals and politicians have called for conservatives to unapologetically embrace the use of state power, including (for some) a more populist, family-oriented welfare state. The animating idea of the right in the 2020s tends to be that societys crises demand a response beyond the limits of traditional conservatism, which comes through in the way Donald Trump talks about retribution and Ron DeSantis promises a Leviathan to clear out the administrative state. And as much as a contingent of anti-abortion conservatives wants the government to expand maternal care and family assistance, little of that has happened so far. Instead, the edge of crisis and battle thats been attached to government power permeates politics.

The contours of the bargain between the governed and the government had been changing anyway. The central change to everyday life of the last two decades  phones and the social internet  obliterated distance between people and places. For all the good in that, theres a paranoid vision of it too. The phone can become a weapon against individuals, who couldnt look something up, couldnt talk about something the way they normally would, couldnt go somewhere without some apps location services capturing that movement, couldnt control what people text them, couldnt stop the ads following them, couldnt claw back the information already out there, couldnt undo what theyve searched, said and done.

Its overwhelming to think that way, about a phone or the law unexpectedly intruding in a moment of crisis or deep grief. But things are changing, with sometimes chaotic intersections of broad laws and personal circumstances. Theres a lot to say about the limits and failings of American government and the way its been in the past, but one thing that can be said for a less-for-more view of American government is that it created the space for privacy, pluralism and the complexity of being an individual.
My enchantment with Christies fireworks makes me a cliche. In an observant and witty analysis in The Atlantic on Monday with the headline Chris Christie, Liberal Hero, David Graham inventoried the adoring media coverage Christie has garnered, noting that while theres zero evidence that Christie could actually win the contest he has entered, pundits are swooning.

But the swoon isnt about Christies prospects. Its about the hugely valuable contrast to other Republican presidential candidates that hes providing. And about this: The health of American democracy hinges on a reckoning within the Republican Party, and that wont come from Democrats saying the kinds of things that Christie is now. Theyve been doing that for years. Itll come  if it even can  from the words and warnings of longtime Republicans who know how to get and use the spotlight.

Did you see Christies CNN town hall last week? Have you watched or listened to any of his interviews? Hes funny. Hes lively. Hes crisp. And hes right. Over the past few weeks, he has described Trumps behavior as vanity run amok. Trump himself is a petulant child.

At the town hall: He is voluntarily putting our country through this. If at any point before the search in August of 22 he had just done what anyone, I suspect, in this audience would have done, which is: said, All right, youre serious? Youre serving a grand jury subpoena? Let me just give the documents back, he wouldnt have been charged. Wouldnt have been charged with anything, even though he had kept them for almost a year and a half.

Other candidates, who prefer not to talk about the charges against Trump, are reportedly worried that his indictment will mean ceaseless chatter about him and extra difficulty promoting their own (muted and muddled) messages. Josh Barro, in his Substack newsletter Very Serious, nailed the absurdity of that, pointing out that Trumps front-runner status and enormous lead over all of them guarantee that hell always monopolize the conversation, indictment or no indictment.
Science is known for rigorous self-policing by the research community, yet it can seem that scientific fraud is rampant. Why do frauds think they can get away with it?

The story of Hwang Woo-suk, a South Korean scientist who gained notoriety for claiming to clone human embryos, provides clues. After leaving the field in disgrace, he has landed in clover and now spends his days cloning beauty show and racing camels for United Arab Emirates royalty.

Dr. Hwangs story is re-entering the public eye nearly 20 years after his fall from grace with two new documentaries, on Netflix and YouTube. His improbable career should prompt reassessment of popular assumptions about the effectiveness of sciences supposed self-correcting system and recognition of the ways in which it can fail to deter or discipline misconduct.

Dr. Hwang burst into the spotlight in 2004 when he reported success in making an embryonic human clone and deriving stem cells from it. This was the proof of principle for the once-hyped therapeutic cloning  in which patients own cells, from the skin or other tissue, could be used to create embryonic stem cells with their genetic signature, which could then be used to treat diseases.
The names of the researchers who reportedly fell ill, which have not been publicly confirmed by the U.S. government and therefore remain unverified, and the nature of their work, were disclosed last week by the news site Public. One of those named researchers, Ben Hu, is a leading scientist who has worked on bat coronaviruses related to SARS. Some of Hus work was funded by the U.S. government, a fact that was unearthed through Freedom of Information Act requests by the nonprofit group White Coat Waste Project, which opposes taxpayer-funded research on animals, as well as by The Intercept, which uncovered broader U.S. funding for potentially dangerous lab work in Wuhan.

Another researcher who reportedly fell sick, Yu Ping, had written a thesis in 2019 about work at the virology institute on bat coronaviruses related to SARS  a thesis that was unearthed by a group of independent researchers who call themselves DRASTIC. The thesis further confirmed that work on these dangerous viruses was being done in labs with the second-lowest level of biosafety, BSL-2.

In September 2021, DRASTIC also obtained a funding proposal that the Wuhan Institute of Virologys U.S. collaborator, EcoHealth Alliance, submitted to the Pentagons Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The proposal called for using genetic engineering to perform experiments with bat SARS-like coronaviruses and modify them by inserting features that can increase their ability to infect humans. The U.S. government rejected the proposal. One of the things that the scientists were proposing to do was to insert into these SARS-like viruses what is called a furin cleavage site  a feature of the Covid virus, but of no other known member of its subgenus.

The feature could also have evolved naturally, and many scientists dismissed its significance as evidence that research set off the pandemic origins. In a September 2021 journal article, published just before the grant application was made public, 21 scientists wrote that there was no evidence of research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology involving the artificial insertion of complete furin cleavage sites into coronaviruses. So the grant application, which calls that claim into question, is significant.

Thanks to extensive public records requests by the nonprofit group U.S. Right to Know, we are also aware that, as early as February 2020, many scientists who were publicly ruling out any role that research could have played in the pandemic, were privately expressing concern that there was a such connection, and in fact were specifically worried about the unusual furin cleavage site. (Some of the scientists have said they later changed their minds.)
Marshall H. Tanick

Minneapolis

To the Editor:

Your headline Hunter Biden Likely to Avoid Prison in Deal implies, wrongly, that he was treated leniently, when in fact his prosecution for delayed payment of taxes contrasts sharply with the fact that others, most prominently Roger Stone, never even faced criminal charges for similar conduct. The false statements on his application for a gun also would not prompt criminal prosecution absent evidence of violent behavior.

Far from getting favored treatment, Hunter Biden was prosecuted solely because he is his fathers son.

Ursula Bentele

New York

The writer is professor emerita at Brooklyn Law School.

To the Editor:

I have some questions for congressional Republicans who complain that Hunter Biden got a sweetheart deal because he escaped prosecution on a felony gun charge and received only probation on a tax charge.

Is it now your official position that gun owners who are not completely truthful when filling out a government form asking questions to determine their right to own a gun be sentenced to prison? If so, will you make that position known to the National Rifle Association?

And is it also your position that anyone who fails to file taxes on time or commits tax fraud should have to serve time? If so, will you publicly state that position at campaign rallies?
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe (CoE) has prepared a new report on Azerbaijan within the 6th cycle of monitoring, Trend reports.

In the document, ECRI emphasized that over the past period since 2016 when the previous report was compiled, positive changes have been made in Azerbaijan in relevant areas.

Besides, in the report, ECRI expressed a sympathetic attitude to the sufferings of Azerbaijan's population, including numerous internally displaced persons, from long-year conflicts and clashes.

In the report, ECRI also stated that since 2020, human rights topics in the field of inclusive education have been included in the curriculum, and practical changes have been made to the legislation in order to prevent racist speech and hatred on the internet.

According to the report, thanks to the work carried out by the authorities on the legal status of migrants, in 2021 the number of persons with an illegal status was reduced by 10 percent, the access of migrants to public services was facilitated, and the issuance of work and residence permits to migrants was accelerated.

In the report, ECRI also informed about the provision of labor migrants in Azerbaijan with equal rights to social protection with the Azerbaijani citizens, as well as access of refugees to the labor market.

ECRI also emphasized that multiculturalism and tolerance are an integral part of Azerbaijani society.

Meanwhile, in the latest ECRI report on Armenia, it was noted that incidents related to inciting hatred, including calls for violence periodically take place in the political and public life of the country. In particular, as an example of hate speech, the 'Azerbaijani' and 'Turk' expressions were used in Armenia to smear political opponents in order to stir up internal divisions and obstruct peace negotiations.

At the same time, ECRI emphasized that the Azerbaijani community no longer exists in Armenia, and the number of Turks living or visiting the country is unknown.

In the report, ECRI reminded the importance of the statement on preventing ultra-nationalist and racist speech and combating violence in relation to clashes and unresolved conflicts in Europe, as well as following the relevant recommendations of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights.

Among the two intermediate and 15 main recommendations given by ECRI to Armenia, special attention was paid to work conducted by the country's leadership in the field of raising awareness about the importance of diversity and tolerance in society, ensuring strong feedback through political, public, religious figures and influential persons on inciting hatred, establishing appropriate rules of conduct for elected bodies and political parties, as well as eliminating discrimination based on ethnicity and religion in education through reforms, and others.

ECRI is the Council of Europes independent human rights monitoring body specializing in combating antisemitism, discrimination, racism, religious intolerance, and xenophobia. It publishes periodic reports on CoE member states and general policy recommendations. The decision to find ECRI was adopted in 1993. The organization became officially active in March 1994.

It consists of 47 experts, one from every CoE member state. The chair of the commission is Maria Daniella Marouda from Greece, since 2020.
Others are trying to forge new kinds of religious paths for themselves. One example is the trend of mostly younger Americans who are deconstructing Christianity, and as my newsroom colleague Ruth Graham explained this year, deconstruction has a broad range of definitions and outcomes, from understanding more about a faith once accepted uncritically to full abandonment of religious belief.

The process of deconstructing Christianity, at least the way many creators express it on TikTok and Instagram, often begins with questioning the conservative racial, gender, political and sexual attitudes of the churches they were raised in  an approach that has particular relevance right now: Just last week, the Southern Baptist Convention voted to bar women from its pastorate.

Donnell McLachlan, 29, who lives in Chicago, has been sharing the story of his deconstruction on TikTok @donnellwrites, where he has nearly 250,000 followers, since 2021. He was brought up in what he describes as a small Black church on the South Side of Chicago in the Pentecostal and Apostolic traditions. Though he says the church did a lot for him and his family when he was growing up, he came to feel that it was a faith rooted in fear and judgment.

I started to notice the distance between what we professed and what we actually did, he told me, especially when it came to women, the L.G.B.T.Q. community and Black Lives Matter. For a while, he and his wife tried attending a different church that seemed more modern, but, McLachlan said, I started to see a lot of the same patterns of religious conservatism that were just repackaged in a kind of shiny cool way. During this process, McLachlan was at a seminary, and thought he was going to complete a masters in divinity and become a pastor, but, he said, as he learned more about Christianitys history and its connection to the legacy of colonialism, he switched to a research track and graduated with a masters in religious studies instead.

McLachlan said he now describes himself as a spiritual pluralist rather than a Christian, though he still embraces some rituals from his Christian heritage, like prayer, gospel music and drawing upon the love-rooted, justice-centered wisdom found in the Bible. He said: Religion is like a language, a means of communicating with the divine. And just like language, there are many interpretations and ways to express it. I believe that love is the ultimate law of life, and try to align my spiritual practices with traditions that reflect this belief. McLachlan added that he has found a reservoir of grace and compassion in his online community: Sharing my story and uplifting others stories has been its own beautiful kind of ritual.
Every fall, monarch butterflies embark on one of natures greatest journeys. These insects flap more than 2,000 miles from their summer homes in Canada down to the mountains of central Mexico. Only about 30 percent survive the trip. Researchers have found a shared trait in the butterflies that make it: The edges of their wings tend to be slightly spottier.

No one even knew what these spots were for in monarchs, said Andy Davis, a biologist at the University of Georgia and an author of a study published on Wednesday in the journal PLOS ONE. He added, All of a sudden, it seems like theyre really important.

Monarch wings are mostly orange, but their edges are black, punctuated with tiny white spots. Dr. Davis was curious if those black edges contributed to monarchs migratory capabilities. Dark colors absorb more heat, and studies of seabirds have suggested that the temperature difference between dark and light feathers can change air flow patterns, enabling birds with blacktopped wings to enhance their flight efficiency  basically increasing the lift and decreasing the drag, said Mostafa Hassanalian, a mechanical engineer at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

He and Dr. Davis teamed up to see if the same held true in monarchs, with darker-winged butterflies having an aerodynamic advantage, making them more likely to survive the long migration than spottier peers.
The Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon on Wednesday, accusing it of illegally inducing consumers to sign up for its Prime service and then hindering them from canceling the subscription, in the most aggressive action against the company to date by the agencys chair, Lina Khan.

In its lawsuit, the F.T.C. argued that Amazon had duped millions of consumers into enrolling in Prime by using manipulative, coercive or deceptive design tactics on its website known as dark patterns. And when consumers wanted to cancel, Amazon knowingly complicated the process with byzantine procedures.

Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money, Ms. Khan said in a statement.

Amazon said in a statement that the F.T.C.s claims are false on the facts and the law and that by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership. The company accused the F.T.C. of filing the lawsuit without advance notice, while the two sides were still in conversation about the case.
On a nighttime street in 1970s Belfast, Northern Ireland, a D.J. named Terri Hooley runs into a pair of local toughs  young men whove found their purpose in the gunfire and explosions of a sectarian conflict pitting Protestants against Catholics.

That strife defines everything around Terri, but his lifes meaning comes from music: the Hank Williams songs of his childhood; the rock and reggae that became his soundtrack later on.

Do your feet a favor, he tells the toughs. Take them dancing, like you used to.

Is it bad to call a punk rock musical charming? I hope not, because Good Vibrations  a biomusical about the real Terri Hooley, who became the idealistic, stalwart champion of Belfasts nascent punk scene  absolutely is. Directed by Des Kennedy for the Lyric Theater, Belfast, it portrays music as a defiantly joyous refuge from ugliness and danger. Far from romanticizing mayhem, it presents Northern Irish punk as a youthful life force in opposition to it.

Adapted by Colin Carberry and Glenn Patterson from their 2012 film of the same name, Good Vibrations (not to be confused with the Broadway jukebox musical also of the same name, set to Beach Boys tunes) transports the movies righteous sense of pleasure and freedom to the stage at Irish Arts Center, in Manhattan.
More than a quarter said they would have to cut wages  from a median hourly wage of about $12. Nearly a third of providers, including 44 percent at those owned by minorities, said they might consider leaving their job or, in the case of home-based child care, closing altogether.

Federal funding made a huge difference, said Julie Kashen, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation and an author of the new report. There are going to be huge and dire consequences for child care employees, for families, for employers.

Childrens Corner, which cares for 80 children in Millcreek, Utah, has been receiving $26,000 a month in grants, said its director, Jen Whyte-Frederickson. Without the grants, she said, the center, which her parents started 40 years ago, would have closed during the pandemic.

She used the money to raise hourly pay to $15 because they all deserve it, she said. When the grants end, she said, the plan is raising tuition. She already increased it to $985 from $900 monthly for a 2-year-old, and will probably raise it above $1,000.
An invasive species of large snail that can grow as large as a human fist and carries a parasite that can cause meningitis has been spotted in Floridas second-most-populous county, prompting officials to set up a quarantine zone to try to contain it.

The species, the giant African land snail, was detected earlier this month in Miramar, Fla., north of Miami. On Tuesday, after completing a survey of the area, state agriculture officials decided to place a 3.5-square-mile section of Broward County under quarantine.

People who live within that zone may come and go, but it is illegal to move the snails as well as any soil, debris, yard waste or plants within or out of the quarantine area without a compliance agreement from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

African land snails thrive in warm, wet climates, underscoring the urgency of ramping up mitigation efforts, said William Kern, an associate professor at the University of Florida who specializes in nuisance wildlife management.
The calls came in, one after the other, with reports of sea lions swaying their heads back and forth, foaming at the mouth, or slumped, lifeless on the beach. Rescuers along the central California coast struggled to keep up as they captured the sick animals in the hopes of saving them. Already, hundreds of sea lions and dozens of dolphins had died.

The marine mammals  considered sentinel species because of what they tell humans about the health of the ocean  are believed to be falling sick from a scourge of harmful algae that occur naturally but can be made worse by human activity.

The algae, Pseudo-nitzschia, produces a neurotoxin called domoic acid, which makes its way up the food chain from anchovies to sea lions and dolphins, causing lethargy, disorientation, vomiting, bulging eyes, muscle spasms, seizures and, in severe cases, death. The animals are appearing, sick and beached, along the shoreline from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo County.

Rescuers say it is among the worst mass poisoning events theyve ever seen. And its only June.

Its been really sad, said Michelle Berman Kowalewski, a biologist and the director of the Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit, a nonprofit that has been responding to the beached dolphins. Algal blooms are not uncommon, but Ms. Berman Kowalewski said that, even in a bad year, she might respond to 30 to 40 poisoned dolphins. This year, we have been averaging about 10 animals a day for 10 days, she said.
Its become a little internet family

Ms. Raines wants to spread that outlook  and has harnessed social media to do so. A camera hangs in the truck where she passes out food, capturing moments that are uploaded to her TikTok and Instagram accounts (5.3 million and 373,000 followers) that she hopes are changing the narrative on homelessness. It is also a fund-raising device for an operation that runs entirely on donations, Ms. Raines said.

People have grown to love some of the people that we support and take care of, Ms. Raines said. Its become a little internet family.

Beauty 2 the Streetz became a registered nonprofit in 2019. Sydney Granados, the organizations executive coordinator, estimates that it feeds about 1,000 people each week, mostly on Skid Row, an area of Downtown Los Angeles. Some days, Ms. Raines brings McDonalds burgers. Other days its pizza from Costco. Sometimes a chef in a food truck cooks enchiladas, chicken tortilla soup or vegan cauliflower steaks. Ms. Raines and her volunteers also hand out toiletries  toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo  and they even color hair.
This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table, Dr. Uma Valeti, the chief executive and founder of Upside Foods, said in a statement. Its a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future  one that preserves choice and life.

The decision will make the United States the second country in the world, after Singapore, to authorize the production and sale of lab-grown meat. Bruce Friedrich, the president of the Good Food Institute, a nonprofit focused on cell- and plant-based meat, said U.S. approval was a critical step for the industry, adding that the world does look to the United States food safety approval system, and now lots of governments will follow.

Supporters of cultivated meat say the product has better outcomes for the environment, food safety and animal welfare. But skeptics are wary of scientific and safety risks and say the purported environmental benefits are unproven. Difficulties remain over how to increase the product for mass consumption.

About 100 companies worldwide, including dozens in the United States, focus on the production of cultivated meat, according to Mr. Friedrich. The industry was valued at about $247 million in 2022, according to the market research firm Grand View Research, and could grow to $25 billion by 2030, the consulting firm McKinsey & Company projected.

Lab-grown meat begins with cells taken from an animal. Those cells are then fed water and salt and nutrients like amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The cells then multiply in large tanks called cultivators or bioreactors. When harvested, the product is essentially minced meat, which is then formed into patties, sausage or fillets. The meat contains no bones, feathers, beaks or hooves and does not need to be slaughtered.
Why It Matters: 13-year-olds missed a crucial time in their schooling.

Performance has fallen significantly since the 2019-2020 school year, when the coronavirus pandemic wrought havoc on the nations education system. But the downward trends reported today began years before the health crisis, raising questions about a decade of disappointing results for American students.

The federal standardized test, known as NAEP, was given last fall, and focused on basic skills. The 13-year-olds scored an average of 256 out of 500 in reading, and 271 out of 500 in math, down from average scores of 260 in reading and 280 in math three years ago.

Achievement declined across lines of race, class and geography. But in math, especially, vulnerable children  including Black, Native American and low-income students  experienced bigger drops.

A large body of research shows that most American children experienced academic struggles during the pandemic. It has also been clear that low-income students of color were most heavily affected by school closures and remote learning, which in some districts lasted more than a year.

The latest NAEP results are the federal governments final major release of data on pandemic learning loss. The scores add to educators understanding of the challenges that lie ahead for children of different ages and demographic groups.

The 13-year-olds who took this version of the NAEP exam last fall were 10 years old  and in fourth or fifth grade  when the pandemic began. Many were old enough to participate in remote learning without minute-to-minute adult assistance, as younger children often needed.

But the ages of 10 to 13 are also a crucial period for mastering foundational skills, from multiplication to recognizing a characters feelings in a short narrative passage.

The bottom line  these results show that there are troubling gaps in the basic skills of these students, said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which gives the NAEP exam. This is a huge-scale challenge that faces the nation.

Background: The test allows for comparisons across years.

In the highly decentralized American education system, NAEP is one of the few consistent tests given across states lines over many years, making the results easily comparable.

Scores on the exam do not result in any rewards or punishments for students, teachers or schools, making them especially useful for research purposes, since there are fewer incentives to cheat or teach to the test.

Still, some education experts believe there is too much focus on NAEP. They point out that the content of the exams, in many cases, has little overlap with the material that is actually taught in classrooms across the country.

Whats Next

A student survey given alongside the test turned up other interesting results that will keep educators buzzing. The percentage of 13-year-olds enrolled in algebra has declined to 24 percent from 34 percent in 2012. In some districts and states, notably California, there has been a push to equalize math education by placing fewer eighth graders into advanced math.

The percentage of 13-year-olds who reported reading for fun has also declined. Last fall, 31 percent said they never or hardly ever read for fun, compared to 22 percent in 2012.

Audio produced by Tally Abecassis .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Macedonia Bujar Osmani, Azerbaijani FM tweeted, Trend reports.

"I was glad to meet with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Macedonia Bujar Osmani within the framework of the conference dedicated to the restoration of Ukraine," Bayramov said.

We discussed the agenda of the Azerbaijani-Macedonian bilateral relations, cooperation within the OSCE, as well as the post-conflict situation in our region," he said.

Azerbaijan is among the countries that regularly send humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

As of late, Azerbaijan provided regular humanitarian aid to Ukraine on June 9. The humanitarian cargo consisted of water pipes, water pumps, and life jackets. A total of 20 tons of fuel intended for equipment and vessels involved in rescue operations were also sent to Ukraine.

Moreover, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), taking into account the appeal of the Ukrainian side, provided Ukraine with 20 tons of fuel as humanitarian aid on June 10.
We will not tolerate hate-based, threats of violence designed to intimidate Tennesseans, Henry C. Leventis, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, said in a statement.

The F.B.I. said in March that hate crimes increased nearly 12 percent from 2020 to 2021, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Of the 12,411 known victims of hate crimes in 2021, 15.9 percent were targeted because of the offenders sexual orientation bias and 3.2 percent were targeted because of the offenders gender identity bias, the F.B.I. said.

Nashville Pride, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, includes a parade and a festival with food vendors, market stalls and concerts. Organizers said in a statement on Wednesday that there had been no credible threat against the event and that they looked forward to creating a safe and secure space for the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community to be authentically and vulnerably themselves this weekend.

Safety and security has, is, and will always be a top priority for Nashville Pride, the statement said. While no credible threat existed, Nashville Pride is thankful for the F.B.I. and the U.S. attorneys office for their proactive efforts and response.

The festival works with a private security company as well as local, state and federal agencies to design and enforce safety measures, the statement said.
Oisin Fanning, who made two deep-sea dives on the Titan last summer, said the passengers ability to survive on the missing submersible could depend on staying calm and avoiding panicked breathing that would use up more oxygen.

The submersible was believed to be able to sustain its passengers for 96 hours  four days  when it entered the water on Sunday. More vessels joined the increasingly urgent search on Wednesday in a remote patch of the North Atlantic.

Mr. Fanning said Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a maritime expert and former commander in the French Navy, would be well aware of ways to conserve oxygen and would be making use of the vessel's blankets and scrubbers, which absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

A lot depends on the people down there, said Mr. Fanning. Are they breathing heavily? I dont see a lot of panic from the people down there, certainly not those two, he said, referring to Mr. Rush and Mr. Nargeolet, each of whom took part in dives aboard the Titan with him last summer.
Jack Teixeira, the 21-year-old Air National Guardsman accused of posting a trove of secret documents to an online chat group, pleaded not guilty to six counts of federal criminal charges on Wednesday, two months after his arrest.

Airman Teixeira, appearing in an orange prison uniform and fresh buzz cut, sat quietly as a federal magistrate judge read him his rights before standing to say, Not guilty, your honor, during a 10-minute hearing in Worcester, Mass., attended by his family and dozens of media outlets.

His lawyer asked the judge, David H. Hennessy, to reconsider an earlier decision to hold Airman Teixeira without bail indefinitely. But the judge rejected the request, saying that the circumstances have not changed since the Justice Department successfully argued that the airmans history of violent threats and leaking made freeing him an unacceptable risk.

His next court date, a conference to discuss the status of the case, was scheduled for early August. The next important legal benchmark will be the selection of a trial judge, who will set a trial timetable  if the two sides do not reach a plea agreement first, as has often happened in recent cases involving the illegal disclosure of government documents.
For three years, the U.S. government has been tied in knots over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, frustrated that Chinas hindrance of investigations and unwillingness to look critically at its own research have obscured what intelligence agencies can learn about whether the virus escaped from a lab.

Inquiries during the Trump and Biden administrations have yielded no definitive answers. The Energy Department and the F.B.I. favored the theory that a laboratory leak may have caused the pandemic. Five intelligence bodies considered theories of natural transmission  that the coronavirus developed naturally and was transferred to humans at an animal market or other location  more likely. But the C.I.A., the nations leading spy agency, would not make an assessment with even a low level of confidence.

This week, intelligence agencies are expected to release declassified material on what they have learned about Covids origins, a subject of intense interest and scrutiny among American lawmakers. But people briefed on the material say there is no smoking gun, no body of evidence that sways the intelligence community as a whole, or top C.I.A. analysts, that a lab leak was the more likely origin of the pandemic than natural transmission, or vice versa.

In fact, senior intelligence officials remain more convinced than ever that the agencies are not going to be able to collect a piece of evidence that solves the puzzle. Local and national authorities in China, U.S. officials say, destroyed some virus samples and used up others in research, all of which might have helped answer the questions over Covids origins. But those officials also caution against overstating the importance of the destroyed samples.
Judge Jackson, her voice rising with disgust as she documented his actions in detail, said she was sympathetic to Mr. Rodriguezs claim that his extended absence has been harmful to his ailing mother, but she cast the stiff sentence as serving a higher purpose of safeguarding democracy from the continuing threats.

The shadow of tyranny has not gone away, said Judge Jackson, who was appointed by President Barack Obama.

Patriotism, she told Mr. Rodriguez, is loyalty to your country, not to a single head of state.

Few among the more than 1,000 people who have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack were as violent as Mr. Rodriguez, a single, fatherless man who, according to his lawyer, idolized Mr. Trump and his MAGA movement.

Over the course of nearly two hours at the Capitol on Jan. 6, prosecutors say, Mr. Rodriguez sprayed a fire extinguisher at the police, shoved at officers with a wooden pole, took part in a heave ho effort to break police lines and eventually assaulted Officer Michael Fanone of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington  who had rushed to the scene when he heard law enforcement calls for help  by hitting him twice in the neck with an electroshock device in a crowd outside the building.

Even then, prosecutors say, Mr. Rodriguez kept going. He entered the Capitol and sought to rile up other rioters, they said, and tried to smash a window with a pole-like object he found inside. He also ransacked offices, the government says, and instructed others in the mob to go through drawers to look for intel.
A former F.B.I. intelligence analyst from Kansas received nearly four years in prison on Wednesday in a case that bears parallels to that of former President Donald J. Trump, including the same charge of willful retention of national security secrets.

The analyst, Kendra Kingsbury, 50, was accused of improperly removing and unlawfully taking home about 386 classified documents to her personal residence in Dodge City, Kan. She pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Espionage Act.

During her sentencing hearing in Federal District Court in Kansas City, Mo., Ms. Kingsbury said she was loyal and did not apologize for taking the records. She was guilty of being too honest, Ms. Kingsbury said, because she had told the F.B.I. in late 2017 she had the documents. She criticized investigators, accusing them of vilifying her character.

Some of the documents would have revealed the governments most important and secretive methods of collecting essential national security intelligence, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo, adding that she removed sensitive documents during the more than 12 years she worked in the F.B.I.s office in Kansas City.
The G.O.P.-led House formally censured Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, on Wednesday over his role investigating former President Donald J. Trump, the first in what could be a series of votes seeking to punish those whom Republicans have deemed the partys enemies.

The censure passed by a party-line vote of 213 to 209 with six Republicans voting present. The measure had the backing of Speaker Kevin McCarthy after its lead sponsor, Representative Anna Paulina Luna, Republican of Florida, altered its language to remove a multimillion-dollar fine some Republicans viewed as unconstitutional.

Adam Schiff launched an all-out political campaign built on baseless distortions against a sitting U.S. president, Ms. Luna said. The censure accused him of engaging in falsehoods, misrepresentations and abuses of sensitive information as he sought to unearth connections between Mr. Trump and Russia.

It is rare for a member of Congress to be censured, a punishment that amounts to a public reprimand. The House has censured members just 24 times in the chambers history, and typically only after a finding of wrongdoing. Before Mr. Schiff, just two members of the House had been censured in almost four decades.
I think presidents have bought into this canard that theyre independent, and thats one of the reasons why theyve accumulated so much power over the years, Mr. DeSantis said. We will use the lawful authority that we have.

But the context of Mr. DeSantiss remarks was mostly about a president firing political appointees and bureaucrats at the Justice Department and the F.B.I., not about a president ordering them to target specific people with investigations and prosecutions. Mr. Griffin did not respond when asked in a follow-up on this point.

Mr. Trump has portrayed his legal troubles as stemming from politicization, although there is no evidence Mr. Biden directed Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Mr. Trump. Under Mr. Garland, Trump-appointed prosecutors are already investigating Mr. Bidens handling of classified documents and on Tuesday secured a guilty plea from Mr. Bidens son, Hunter, on tax charges.

Especially since Watergate, there has been an institutional tradition of Justice Department independence from White House control. The idea is that while a president can set broad policies  directing the Justice Department to put greater resources and emphasis on particular types of crimes, for example  he or she should not get involved in specific criminal case decisions except in rare cases affecting foreign policy.

This is particularly seen as true for cases involving a presidents personal or political interests, such as an investigation into himself or his political opponents.
Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, announced her campaign on Wednesday for the Delaware Senate seat being vacated by Senator Thomas R. Carper, beginning as the favorite in a race that could make her the third Black woman in U.S. history to win election to the Senate.

Ms. Blunt Rochester, 61, a close ally of President Bidens, made a 3.5-minute biographical video that focuses on her faith, how she overcame the untimely death of her husband and her experience during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, when she prayed while trapped in the House balcony as rioters laid siege to the building.

The run for the Senate for me is also about protecting our democracy, and that includes voting rights, and also for protecting our freedoms, like reproductive rights, Ms. Blunt Rochester said in an interview.

Ms. Blunt Rochester is the only House member in Delaware, a deep-blue state in which the winner of the Democratic primary will be heavily favored to win the general election. Powerful Democrats, including Mr. Carper, for whom Ms. Blunt Rochester once interned, and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, have indicated support for her candidacy. Mr. Carper said he would do everything in his power to ensure that she won.
Some Republicans dismissed the maneuver as nothing more than a blatantly partisan Dobbs messaging festival, coming during a busy week of committee work before Congress leaves for a two-week recess. (The case that overturned the right to abortion is Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.)

But Mr. Schumer said Democrats were using it to expose the Republicans radical, anti-choice agenda for what it is: an endless pursuit of a nationwide abortion ban.

Republicans, deep down, want to ban abortions for everyone, everywhere, he said.

The proposed legislation the Senate took up Wednesday afternoon included a bill that would enshrine into law the right to use birth control; a bill that would ensure women can travel freely to receive abortion care; a bill to ensure doctors can continue to safely provide legal abortion care and protect health care providers from being held liable for providing services to patients from other states; and a bill to protect peoples online health data so it cannot be used against them.

The outcome seemed preordained: Republicans blocked many of those same bills last year. And on the Senate floor on Wednesday, they railed against all four bills, arguing that putting them forward served only to underscore Democrats obsession with abortion and address problems that didnt exist.

Senator Mike Braun, Republican of Indiana, objected to codifying the protection of contraception, arguing, This bill is not about contraception, its about abortion. He said the legislations ulterior motive was to protect access to abortion, because it included a provision that would guarantee funding for Planned Parenthood.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Armenia does not accept the hand of peace extended by Azerbaijan and Turkiye and continues provocations, former military attache of the Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan, General Yucel Karauz told Trend.

"Armenia talks about peace, stability, and that Karabakh is an Azerbaijani land at meetings in Washington, in Brussels, wants to normalize relations with Turkiye, and then is arming itself. The state which seek peace, should neither arm itself nor commit terrorist activities and provocations," Karauz said.

Armenia continues to gain time by committing provocations. This state doesn't do it alone. There are certain circles in Iran, France and Russia that support it," he said.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at the Caspian Connectivity Conference organized by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) on June 20 that prospects have opened up for the process of normalization of relations with Armenia on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders.
Like the other passengers of the missing submersible, Shahzada Dawood loves adventure.

For the British Pakistani businessman, 48, who boarded the vessel with his son, Suleman, 19, the expedition to the wreck of the Titanic followed a yearslong passion for science and discovery, according to friends and family.

Traveling, science, are part of his DNA, said Ahsen Uddin Syed, a friend of Mr. Dawood who used to work with him at the Engro Corporation, a business conglomerate where Mr. Dawood is the vice chairman.

Mr. Syed said that Mr. Dawood loves Star Trek and Star Wars, and is also fond of nature, often traveling to faraway places and sharing pictures of his adventures.

He is an explorer, Mr. Syed said.

Like his father, Suleman Dawood also loves science fiction, according to a statement from Engro. He also plays volleyball and takes a keen interest in solving Rubiks Cubes.
The owner of an animal park in South Carolina who was featured on the popular Netflix documentary Tiger King was convicted in Virginia last week on wildlife trafficking charges, state prosecutors announced.

Bhagavan Antle, better known as Doc Antle, was charged in October 2020 with illegally purchasing endangered lion cubs in Virginia for display at the park, Myrtle Beach Safari, along with nine misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. A Virginia jury convicted him on Friday of two felony counts of wildlife trafficking and two felony counts of conspiring to wildlife traffic, prosecutors said. Mr. Antle was cleared of all the misdemeanor charges he faced.

Each felony count is punishable by a maximum of five years imprisonment, according to state law. Mr. Antle is to be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Mr. Antles daughters Tawny Antle and Tilakam Watterson, who also faced misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, were cleared of all counts.
As interest has intensified around Ozempic and other injectable diabetes medications like Mounjaro, which works in similar ways, that term has gained traction. Videos related to the subject food noise explained have been viewed 1.8 billion times on TikTok. And some of the people who have managed to get their hands on these medications  despite persistent shortages and list prices that can near or surpass a thousand dollars  have shared stories on social media about their experiences.

When food noise fades

Wendy Gantt, 56, said she first heard the term food noise on TikTok, where she had also learned about Mounjaro. She found a telehealth platform and received a prescription within a few hours. She can remember the first day she started taking it last summer. It was like a sense of freedom from that loop of, What am I going to eat? Im never full; theres not enough. What can I snack on? she said. Its like someone took an eraser to it.

For some, the shortages of these medications have provided a test case, a way to see their lives with and without food noise. Kelsey Ryan, 35, an insurance broker in Canandaigua, N.Y., hasnt been able to fill her Ozempic prescription for the last few weeks, and the noise has crept back in. Its not just the pull of soft-serve each day, she said. Food noise, to Ms. Ryan, also means a range of other food-related thoughts: internal negotiations about whether to eat in front of other people, wondering if theyll judge her for eating fried chicken or if ordering a salad makes it look like shes trying too hard. Ozempic is more of a way to silence the food noise than anything else, she said.

Its a tool, she said. Its not like a magic drug thats giving people an easy way out.

What causes food noise?

There is no clinical definition for food noise, but the experts and patients interviewed for this article generally agreed it was shorthand for constant rumination about food. Some researchers associate the concept with hedonic hunger, an intense preoccupation with eating food for the purpose of pleasure, and noted that it could also be a component of binge eating disorder, which is common but often misunderstood.

Obesity medicine specialists have tried to better understand why a person may ruminate about food for some time, said Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association. It just seems to be that some people are a little more wired this way, he said. Obsessive rumination about food is most likely a result of genetic factors as well as environmental exposure and learned habits, said Dr. Janice Jin Hwang, chief of the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Mexican prosecutors have obtained a warrant for the arrests of an Army general and 15 other soldiers in connection with the disappearance of 43 students in 2014, a crime considered one of the worst atrocities in the countrys recent history.

The students are widely believed to have been massacred in Central Mexico after a night of violence in the town of Iguala, when police officers accused of working with the criminal cartel in the area forced them off buses, shot some of them and took the rest away. The authorities have only ever identified the remains of three students.

Investigations by the governments truth commission into the case and a group of independent experts have said every level of government was involved, including the military, which they said had closely monitored the attack on the students in real time, but did not use that information to help locate them.

The general, Rafael Hernandez Nieto, was accused of being involved in organized crime and the soldiers were accused of organized crime and forced disappearance, according to the judges order issuing the warrants, which was reviewed by The New York Times. A former judge, to whom some of the students were taken before reportedly being handed over to the cartel, was also accused of forced disappearance.
Although the standardized test topic was the Korean language, the students had to answer questions about equity capital and risk-weighted bank assets. Problems on the society portion of the exam challenged them to decipher three-dimensional hypothetical analyses of Piagets theory of cognitive development.

For years, high school seniors in South Korea taking the annual college entrance exam known as the College Scholastic Ability Test, or the CSAT, have faced what are commonly called killer questions  extremely difficult problems that are seemingly incongruous with the section titles they fall under and that are sometimes outside the scope of the public education system curriculum.

The test, notorious not just for its rigor, has also long kept the private education industry booming. So-called cram schools are typically filled with students until well past midnight, and the stakes that come with acing the CSAT have fueled an intense rat race among students to enter the nations best universities. Hundreds of thousands of students sit for the nine-hour exam, typically held every November.

But this week, after government officials complained about killer questions, the head of the organization that administers the exam stepped down.
Rosina Roet. Adelheid Roet. Abraham Prince.

The names of those three Dutch Jews and others who died in the Holocaust could have easily been lost to history, their individual humanity snuffed out under the overwhelming weight of six million victims.

Haim Roet, a relative, ensured that this never happened.

Mr. Roet, who survived the Holocaust by hiding in a Dutch village, came up with the simple but powerful idea of memorializing Jewish victims of the Nazis by intoning their names.

I tried to find a way to make the Holocaust more personal, so people can understand the calamity of six million souls murdered for being Jewish, he said in a speech before the United Nations in 2016.

Mr. Roet died on May 22 at his home in Jerusalem, his daughter Vardit Lichtenstein said. He was 90.

Mr. Roet created Unto Every Person There is a Name, a memorial project that involves annually reading the names of Nazi victims in public around the world.
At least two migrants died and 35 more were feared dead after an inflatable boat en route to the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off northwestern Africa, sank on Wednesday, according to the Spanish authorities and an aid group.

Carmen Lorente Sanchez, a spokeswoman for Maritime Rescue, Spains sea search-and-rescue agency, said the lifeless body of a minor and the corpse of a man had been found. She added that rescue operations coordinated by the Moroccan authorities had saved 24 people.

But the toll was expected to rise since the boat carried 61 people, according to Caminando Fronteras, a nongovernmental organization that tracks the deaths of migrants.

The inflatable vessel en route to the Canary Islands sank just days after as many as 650 migrants drowned when an overloaded fishing boat capsized off Greece a week ago. That disaster has brought renewed attention to the rising number of deaths of people trying to reach Europe from the Middle East and North Africa, and to European nations handling of the people and smugglers traversing the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
Last summer, the beaches that ring the port city of Odesa in southern Ukraine were crowded with volunteers packing sandbags under bluffs where troops were positioned in machine gun nests as the threat of a Russian amphibious assault still loomed.

This summer was supposed to be different. In the first days of June, the sun was warm, the Black Sea was a shimmering blue, and many Ukrainians were already packing the beaches despite an official ban on swimming.

Then the Kakhovka dam was destroyed.

It released a torrent of water rushing down the Dnipro River, washing over towns and villages across southern Ukraine. Thousands of houses and businesses were flooded, vast stretches of rich farmland were ravaged, and the full environmental and economic cost is likely to take years to measure.

The floods also carried mountains of debris out to the Black Sea  pieces of buildings, trees, appliances, boats, livestock carcasses and even instruments of war, like the land mines both Russian and Ukrainian forces had planted near the river. Now, the tides are carrying much of that to shore, along with a stew of toxic chemicals, fouling the famed beaches of Odesa and other coastal communities.
As much of the world pays close attention to the slow progress of Ukraines counteroffensive, its leaders are trying to tamp down expectations, saying that the fight to expel the Russian invaders was inevitably going to be a hard, bloody slog, not a lightning advance.

Some people want some sort of a Hollywood movie, but things dont really happen that way, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, when asked in a BBC interview about the attitudes of the allies supplying Ukraine with weapons.

We would definitely like to make bigger steps, he said, according to a transcript provided by the BBC, but he insisted that he remained confident and suggested that expectations of rapid success were unrealistic. Allies may try to pressure Ukraine, but with all due respect, nothing will depend on that opinion, Mr. Zelensky told the BBCs Yalda Hakim. We will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best.

The counteroffensive in southeastern Ukraine, now in its third week, has so far recaptured only a smattering of villages in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, with progress often measured in yards, not miles. Ukraines forces are also trying to advance around the Russian-held city of Bakhmut, in Donetsk. At the same time, Russian forces have attempted to go on the offensive elsewhere in Donetsk and the Luhansk region, potentially diverting Ukrainian resources.
Western countries pledged tens of billions of dollars to rebuild war-torn Ukraine on Wednesday, as leaders gathered at a two-day conference convened by the British government in the shadow of Ukraines counteroffensive against Russia.

But with the total cost of reconstruction projected to spiral into the hundreds of billions of dollars, the prospect of using confiscated Russian assets to pay for it emerged as a potent, if problematic, theme at the gathering.

Britain and the European Union are both exploring legal mechanisms to divert frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Globally, these public and private assets are estimated to be worth at least $300 billion, a sizable chunk of the total reconstruction cost, which the World Bank currently estimates at more than $411 billion.

While few legal experts question the right of countries to freeze foreign assets, some warn that confiscating a large amount of Russian funds could set a troublesome legal precedent and undermine confidence in financial markets.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev approved an agreement between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina on cooperation in the field of protection from natural disasters, Trend reports.

The head of state signed a law on approving this agreement.

The agreement was signed on April 11, 2023 in Baku.
The superyacht Mayan Queen IV was sailing smoothly in clear weather through the dark and calm Mediterranean in the early hours of June 14 when it received a call about a migrant ship in distress four nautical miles away.

About 20 minutes later, shortly before 3 a.m., the towering $175-million yacht, owned by the family of a Mexican silver magnate, arrived at the scene. The distressed boat had already sunk. All the four-person crew could see were the lights of a Greek Coast Guard vessel scanning the waters inky surface. But they could hear the screams of survivors.

Horrible, said the Mayan Queens captain, Richard Kirkby, who described the sea as pitch black on that nearly moonless night.

In a few hours, the 305-foot Mayan Queen, more accustomed to pleasure boating to Monaco and Italy with billionaires and their friends aboard, was filled with 100 desperate, dehydrated and sea-soaked Pakistani, Syrian, Palestinian and Egyptian men, as it played an unexpected role in one of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks in decades. As many as 650 men, women and children drowned.
Summer has come to Sistan and Baluchistan province, an impoverished fragment of chapped earth and shimmering heat in Irans southeast corner, and all people there can talk about is how to get water.

For weeks now, taps in cities like Zahedan have yielded nothing but a salty, weakening trickle. In the villages that water pipes have never reached, the few residents who remain say people can barely find enough water to do the laundry or bathe themselves, let alone fish, farm or sustain livestock.

Sometimes, just to wash the dishes, we have to wait for so long, said Setareh, 27, a university student in Zahedan, the provincial capital. Everything from cooking to other chores is an ordeal for us.

Drought has stalked Iran for centuries, but the threat intensified in recent years as political priorities trumped sound water management, experts say. Climate change has only made things worse in an area that typically gets no rainfall for seven months out of the year, and where temperatures can soar to 124 degrees in July.
Israeli extremists caused widespread damage in a wave of attacks on Palestinian towns that lasted from Tuesday night until Wednesday night in revenge for the killing of four Israelis by Palestinian gunmen outside a nearby settlement in the territory.

Scores of Israeli arsonists entered the Palestinian communities closest to the site of the shooting, setting fires that damaged dozens of cars, buildings and farmland, and spurring confrontations with Palestinian villagers. At least one Palestinian was shot and killed, and 12 others were injured, some of them in clashes with the Israeli security forces, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the settler attacks unacceptable, saying: The State of Israel is a state of law. The citizens of Israel are all obligated to respect the law.

But Mr. Netanyahu also attempted to assuage hard-line allies in his far-right government by announcing that he would immediately advance plans to build 1,000 new homes in Eli, the settlement in the West Bank close to the attack on Tuesday by Palestinian gunmen.
I look forward to being found innocent, Mr. Tate said.

On Friday, a court spokeswoman said the brothers had been ordered to remain under house arrest while the court considers the case.

Heres what you need to know about the case.

Who is Andrew Tate?

Mr. Tate, 36, is a British American former competitive kickboxer who won greater fame after appearing as a contestant on the British reality television show Big Brother in 2016. He was ejected from the show, according to The Sun tabloid, after a video surfaced of him hitting a woman with a belt, which they both said was consensual.

He amassed a following of millions, many of them young men, across social media and appeared on podcasts boasting of get-rich quick schemes and making demeaning comments about women. Mr. Tate has claimed that men are victims of feminism and that women belong to men and need mens guidance. He has also described ways in which he would physically attack women and called them partly responsible if they were raped.

He has used ostentatious displays of wealth, such as a fleet of luxury cars, to signal his masculinity, and has promised to teach his followers through an online academy how to have the same lifestyle, charging them $49.99 a month.

He has also said that he is a victim of the matrix  an umbrella term for what he views as a conspiracy by corporate elites, feminists and mainstream politicians to target men.
The deep-diving submersible vehicle that was lost in the North Atlantic on Sunday was believed to have less than two days of oxygen remaining on board as of Tuesday night, as ships and aircraft raced to search an area larger than Connecticut.

The submersible, the Titan, had five passengers on board  its maximum capacity  and it was a tight squeeze. Promotional materials showed an interior with no seats, only a flat floor passengers could sit on, and a single view port 21 inches in diameter.

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Tuesday that several vessels were on their way to assist in the search for the submersible, including its ship the Sycamore and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel, John Cabot. The French government said on Tuesday that it was also sending a research vessel, the Atalante, which is equipped with an exploration robot, to help with the search. Already at the site on Tuesday were the M.V. Polar Prince, Deep Energy  a pipe-laying vessel flagged in the Bahamas, and three other Canadian vessels.

The Sycamore was approximately 975 miles from the wreckage at 10:54 a.m. Wednesday. CANADA Ann Harvey and Terry Fox at around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Newfoundland The Polar Prince, John Cabot and three other vessels were within 26 miles of the wreckage by around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Glace Bay at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday Atalante at 11:09 a.m. Wednesday The Titanic wreckage sits on the ocean floor, approximately 12,500 feet down. North Atlantic Ocean 200 miles The Sycamore was approximately 975 miles from the wreckage at 10:54 a.m. Wednesday. CANADA North Atlantic Ocean Ann Harvey and Terry Fox at around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Newfoundland U.S. The Polar Prince, John Cabot and three other vessels were within 26 miles of the wreckage by around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Glace Bay at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday The Titanic wreckage sits on the ocean floor, approximately 12,500 feet down. Atalante at 11:09 a.m. Wednesday 200 miles Sources: United States Coast Guard, MarineTraffic, GEBCO Note: All times are in Eastern. Data as of 11:30 a.m.

The Polar Prince deployed the Titan on Sunday and has been searching the area since losing contact with it less than two hours later. Deep Energy arrived at the scene earlier on Tuesday and launched a remotely operated vehicle, or R.O.V., to aid in the search, the U.S. Coast Guard said. American and Canadian aircraft have also been scanning the search area by sight and radar, and have deployed sonar buoys.
Photos and clips of a proud-looking pigeon with its chest puffed out like a cartoon character and impressively long legs have been getting a lot of attention online.

The chad pigeon went viral after a UK pigeon breeder shared a clip of their impressive-looking bird on TikTok, where it quickly went viral. Million of people around the world have seen the footage and still cant believe its a real animal. Some are convinced that it is the work of an AI-powered digital tool, while others claim that the video was digitally altered for views. However, the bird in the video is just a really impressive specimen of a rare pigeon breed called English Pouter. A simple Google search reveals that there is nothing too special about this particular bird, and that the extremely puffed-out chest and long legs are breed-specific traits.

The origin of the English Pouter, like that of many other fancy pigeons, is somewhat of a mystery, but according to English naturalist William Bernhardt Tegetmeier, it was the result of cross-breeding between old pigeon breeds like the Dutch Cropper, Uploper and the Parisian Pouter. Its endlessly long legs make it the tallest fancy pigeon breed in the world.

This majestic pigeons name was inspired by its ability to fill its crop with air and maintain this puffed-out look for long periods of time. It is believed that the breed developed this capacity to increase the success rate of the courtship ritual.

The body is also far removed from that of the bird your mind associates with pigeons. It is slim with a V-shaped keel, pigeon breeder Frank Barrachina told Backyard Poultry.

The English Pouter is often called the most distinct of all domesticated pigeons, so its no surprise that it always draws the attention of people unfamiliar with the breed. The specimen in the recently-gone-viral video was dubbed chad pigeon, mutant pigeon, bodybuilder pigeon, and worlds buffest pigeon, among other creative nicknames.

For more unusual-looking pigeons, check out the google-eyed Budapest Short Faced Tumbler, and the curly frillback pigeon.
A family of poppy farmers in Slovakia has been having trouble getting rid of hundreds of swans that have become addicted to poppy seeds and sometimes even overdose on them.

Poppy farmers near the Slovakian town of Komarno first reported the presence of swans in their fields back in February. It is believed that they were originally attracted by the large puddles of water that formed in the area, but after pecking at the flowers all day, many of them became addicted to the opium-containing seeds and refused to leave. Back in May, Slovakian media reported that around 200 swans had made a poppy field near Komarno their home, causing around 10,000 in damages to the flowers and getting so high on the natural narcotic that many of them couldnt even fly anymore.

Photo: Nick Fewings/Unsplash

They came gradually. We counted more than 200 swans here, farmer Balints Pam told reporters, adding that in all his years planting poppies, he had never seen anything like it.

Swans are usually crazy about rapeseed, and farmers believe that they confused the poppies with their preferred delicacy, which not only made them addicted, but caused serious health issues. Apparently, because the large water birds have an insatiable appetite, several dozen of them have already overdosed on poppy seeds, while many others lost their capacity for flight, making them easy targets for predators.

Photo: Va Lia/Unsplash

After suffering serious damage to their crops, poppy fields have been trying to get rid of the swans for a while now, but the addicted birds refuse to relocate. Because swans have a protected status in Slovakia, farmers are not allowed to hunt or even disturb the birds, even if they are on their property.

In preparation for next season, the farmer should apply for an exception to be allowed to scare away the protected birds. The swans that are already there can only be scared away with bare hands. At the moment, nothing else can be done, said Jans Kalavskis, representative of the Slovak State Nature Protection Service.

Swans in Slovakia found a poppy field and munched on the opium-producing plants to their hearts content for months  pic.twitter.com/RlhCpJxTis  DW News (@dwnews) June 15, 2023

Animal lovers and volunteers from groups like the Slovak Environmental Protection Agency have been trying to relocate the opium-addicted swans, in an effort to wean them off of poppy seeds, but experts are concerned that they might return to the fields as soon as they have the chance.

A few years back, we also wrote about opium-addicted parrots causing havoc on Indian poppy farms.
A Chinese farmer claims to have successfully created a hybrid fruit that allows people to enjoy the taste of both melon and watermelon in equal measure.

A 40-something watermelon farmer from Fuyang, in Chinas Anhui province, referred to only as Mr. A by Chinese news outlets recently lit up Weibo, Chinas version of Twitter, with photos of a strange-looking fruit that he claimed was half-melon and half-watermelon. He had apparently documented his efforts to create a melon-watermelon hybrid for a while, but last week he posted the fruits of his labor on Weibo, claiming that he had finally achieved success after several failed attempts. The unusual fruits look like watermelons growing on top of melons, which he claims allows people to enjoy the taste of both fruits at the same time.

I have made several new attempts to transplant melon seeds into watermelon seeds, but this time I finally succeeded. It is possible, Mr A recently wrote on Weibo.

Although the fruits shown in the photos and videos doing the rounds on Chinese social media are about the size of a human fist, thus still in development, they have already captured the imagination of millions, many of whom have expressed their excitement in the comments. However, seeing as this is still a work in progress, expectations should be held in check.

Despite boasting about his achievement, Mr. A himself admitted that the process still needs perfecting, as the results are not always as planned.

Some of the modified varieties planted in the field grew exactly half the watermelon and melon as expected. However, others were 10% watermelon and 90% melon, the Chinese farmer wrote.

For more extreme hybridization, check out this unique tree that produces 40 different fruits.
An inmate in Bangladesh sparked controversy in his own country after being released four years and four months earlier for hanging 26 people during his time in prison.

in 1991, Shahjahan Bhuiyan was sentenced to 42 years in prison for murder, but he served four years and four months less by carrying out executions of 26 fellow inmates during his time in prison. The 74-year-old man received two months commutation for each execution, which, coupled with his good behavior and other aspects, shortened his sentence by almost a decade. Shahjahan became a hangman at Dhaka Central Prison in 2001, after informing prison officials that he knew how to handle a rope. Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the world that carries out death sentences by hanging, so Shahjahan Bhuiyans skills were valued highly.

I had a good time, Bhuiyan told reporters as he exited Dhaka Central Prison. I served a prison term for a long time, but the authorities ensured my comfort and honored me.

Among the mans victims during his stint as executioner were Islamist leader Ali Ahsan Mujahid, Siddique Islam, known as Bangla Bhai, an Islamist leader of the banned Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh organization, and military officers found guilty of plotting a 1975 coup and of assassinating Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the countrys founding leader.



If I didnt hang them, someone else would have, Shahjahan explained. Even if I feel sympathy for them, as a convict, I have to do it. I did not order the hangings, the State ordered me to do it.

With no family to return to and no home to call his own, the man nicknamed Jallad (executioner), said that he would go live with a former inmate that he had befriended in prison.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka, Azerbaijani FM tweeted, Trend reports.

"I was glad to meet with my esteemed colleague and friend - Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka within the framework of the conference on the restoration of Ukraine. We discussed the current Azerbaijani-Albanian bilateral cooperation and prospects for its development," he said.

Recently, within the framework of the conference dedicated to the restoration of Ukraine, Azerbaijani FM has met with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Macedonia Bujar Osmani.

They also discussed the agenda of the Azerbaijani-Macedonian bilateral relations, cooperation within the OSCE, as well as the post-conflict situation in the region.
360PR+ is selected to manage public relations for Saris, which manufactures bike racks, bike trainers and bike storage racks, as well as public bike systems and infrastructure. 360PR+ will spearhead Saris' PR efforts in the US market, supporting the introduction of new products and other brand news. 360PR+ vice president Bethany Mousseau, who brings 20+ years of experience in the outdoor, active living sector, will head up the work for Saris. Saris will be part of the portfolio of consumer products represented by 360PR+s sister company, C+A Global, with a team headquartered in Edison, NJ. "360PR+'s understanding of both the endemic and mainstream consumer mindset makes them an excellent fit for the Saris brand," said C+A Global social media and public relations director. Jessica Bitran.

IMAGINE PR is named North American public relations representative for MINOIS Hotel on the island of Paros in Greece as well as US public relations representative for Baros Maldives and Milaidhoo Maldives. IMAGINE PR will be providing integrated public relations, digital marketing, and brand partnerships, among other services. Specific areas include: strategic communications counsel, travel recovery services, media relations, event planning and execution, social media content and strategy, and influencer connections. The company will also lead media familiarization trips and tours. The newly renovated 44-suite MINOIS Hotel, which reopened in May 2023 offers wellbeing treatments at the Aura Spa, dining at the restaurant Olvo, and such experiences as hiking and salt harvesting along the coastline. The Baros Maldives is a private island resort, a 25-minute speedboat ride from Maldives International Airport. The Milaidhoo Maldives, with 50 pool villas, features over-water spa treatments, sunrise yoga classes and snorkeling excursions.

Matter Communications adds three clients to its cybersecurity client portfolioAcalvio Technologies, a cyber deception technology company; Cymulate, which offers cybersecurity risk validation and exposure management; and SANS Institute, a provider of cybersecurity training and certification. Matter will develop and execute multi-faceted PR programs for the new clients that focus on awareness, media coverage, executive visibility and category creation. Their media relations and content campaigns have been highly effective. We are appreciative of the partnership and Matters deep understanding of our industry and our business goals, said SANS institute CMO Deb Oenning.
Latondra Newton

Latondra Newton has quit her chief diversity officer job at Walt Disney Co. to pursue other endeavors, according to a memo from Sonia Coleman, chief human resources office.

She joined Disney in 2017 from Toyota, where she handled its DEI program.

Coleman said Newton inspired countless cast members and employees to bring about lasting change and to help create a world where we can all feel safe and we all belong.

She is dedicated to ensuring every person sees themselves and their life experiences represented in a meaningful and authentic way.

A search for Newtons replacement is under way.

Disney is in the midst of corporate layoffs.
ROSCREA'S Main Street has been left in a state of disrepair while other roadworks on the town's periphery are underway, elected representatives told the monthly meeting of the Municipal Council for the area on Monday.

Despite repeated pleas from the local business community to repair the raveled road surface, the street has fallen into serious disrepair and presents a trip hazard for pedestrians the meeting heard.

Councillor Michael Smith said the issue is now urgent and although welcoming the works to repair a heavily dilapidated section of the Limerick Road near the Nenagh roundabout in recent days, Main Street is the most pressing problem he said.

Councillor Shane Lee echoed those calls for immediate repairs on Main Street and highlighted sections of the N62 near the county border with Offaly as another serious problem.

He said sightlines on the N62 junction with Golden Grove are seriously affected by overgrowth and said the road surface, in an area which has already seen serious road traffic incidents, needs repairs on safety grounds.

Eamonn Lonergan, Director of Services, said the process of completing the Town First Masterplan for Roscrea caused some delays on the planned rejuvenation of Main Street, which includes resurfacing the road.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) completed a parking survey and suggested modifications and now that the Town First Masterplan process nears completion, the Main Street aspect of the project is a high priority, the meeting heard.

It is an exciting time for Roscrea, Mr. Lonergan said, adding he will ask the Town Regeneration Officer for Roscrea to attend an upcoming monthly meeting of the Municpal Council to proivde members with an in-depth update of how the project is progressing.

The plan for Main Street is to make it a more pleasent and safer environment, the Director of Services said.

The Main Street project is in the pipleine now and will soon be a reality. The Masterplan project has been underway for two years and of the 26 towns around the country picked for the new Town First scheme Roscrea was the first to be completed - which says a lot for Roscrea and the future, Mr. Lonergan said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Investigation of the criminal case on the violation of the state border of Azerbaijan by the sabotage group of the Armenian armed forces has been completed, the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan told Trend.

During the preliminary investigation, it was established that Armenian servicemen Arut Khovakimyan and Karen Gazaryan, who are citizens of Armenia, by prior agreement with a group of persons with illegally acquired firearms and ammunition, using force against servicemen of the Zangilan Border detachment of the State Border Service illegally crossed the protected state border of Azerbaijan, as well as with the aim of threatening commit a terrorist act on the territory of Azerbaijan, by smuggling firearms and ammunition into the village of Razdara in the Zangilan district, servicemen of the Azerbaijani military unit guarding the state border in the village of Razdara were attacked.

During the arrest of members of the Armenian sabotage group who tried to escape, one AKM brand firearm and a clip with 10 caliber cartridges of 5.45 mm, were seized from Arut Khovakimyan.

Final charges were brought against Arut Khovakimyan and Karen Gazaryan under articles 206.3.2 (smuggling of firearms and ammunition by a group of persons by prior agreement), 214.2.1, 214.2.3 (terrorism with the use of firearms by a group of persons by prior agreement), 228.2.1 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of firearms by a group of persons by prior agreement), 283.2.1 (incitement of national, racial, social or religious hatred and call for the use of force) and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the State border of the Republic of Azerbaijan committed either by a group of persons by prior agreement or by an organized group or with the use of violence or with the threat of its use) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The criminal case was sent to the Baku Court On Grave Crimes for consideration on June 21.
Tax on PF account to payment method for mutual funds: 7 changes that impacts you from today

17.2 Lakh Join EPFO In April, Over Half Of Them Are First-Timers

India

oi-Sanjeev Nayak

Retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) added 17.2 lakh members on a net basis in April this year. "Out of the 17.2 lakh members added during the month, around 8.47 lakh new members have come under social security coverage of the EPFO for the first time," a Union Labour Ministry statement said.

According to the provisional payroll data released on Tuesday, there is a significant increase on several key parameters. The EPFO had added 13.4 lakh during the previous month of March indicating a year-on-year increasing trend in net payroll addition for the month of April.

Among the newly joined members, the age group of 18-25 years constitutes 54.15% of total new members added during the month. This indicates that majority of the members joining organised sector workforce of the country are mostly first-time job seekers.

The data also shows increasing number of re-joinees as 12.5 lakh members exited but rejoined EPFO in comparison to 10.09 lakh in previous month of March this year. These are the members who would have switched their jobs and re-joined the establishments covered under EPFO and opted to transfer their accumulations instead of applying for final settlement, thus extending their social security protection.

As compared to the previous month, number of exits have decreased by 11.67% with 3.77 lakh exits in April. Year-on-year comparison also shows that exits have registered a decline for the month of April this year.

Gender-wise analysis of the payroll data reflects that enrolment of net female members has been 3.48 lakh in April as compared to 2.57 lakh during March this year. Of the total 8.47 lakh new members added during the month, around 2.25 lakh are new female members, joining EPFO for the first time.

Explained: Why has EPFO relaxed withdrawal norms for EPS-95 subscribers

Female members have constituted about 26.61% of all new enrollments during the month indicating the highest female participation in the last six months among the new members.

A pan-India analysis of payroll shows that month-on-month growing trend in net member addition is reflected in the most of the States. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Delhi constitute the top five States contributing around 59.2% of net member addition during the month.

Month-on-month comparison of industry-wise data shows significant growth in manufacturing & IT related sectors. Among the top 10 industries, highest growth has been witnessed in the establishments engaged in manufacture, marketing-servicing and usage of computers.

This was followed by electrical, mechanical or general engineering products and trading-commercial establishments. Other major industries witnessing growing trend include garment making, textiles, building & construction and expert services.

The above payroll data is provisional since the data generation is a continuous exercise, as updating employee record is a continuous process. The previous data hence gets updated every month. From the month of April 2018, the EPFO has been releasing payroll data covering the period September 2017 onwards.

In monthly payroll data, the count of members joining EPFO for the first time through Aadhaar validated Universal Account Number (UAN), existing members exiting from coverage of EPFO and those who exited but re-joining as members, is taken into account to arrive at net monthly payroll.

The EPFO is country's principal organization responsible for providing social security benefits to the organised/semi-organised sector workforce covered under the statute of The Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 9:50 [IST]
When Will Modi Govt Stop Acting Like All Is Well: Cong On Manipur Video

What Happened With Daughters Can Never Be Forgiven: PM Modi On Manipur Parade Incident

If Govt Does Not Act, We Will: Supreme Court Warns After 2 Manipur Women Paraded Naked By Mob

3 Civilians Injured In Bomb Blast In SUV In Manipur's Kwakta

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In yet another incident of violence in Manipur, three civilians were injured in a bomb blast this evening. The explosion took place in Bishnupur's Kwakta, an area severely affected by the ongoing ethnic violence that has plagued the state for nearly two months, according to reports.

The bomb, which was planted in an SUV parked near a culvert, detonated with considerable force. One of the injured individuals is reported to be in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported observing the driver abandoning the Scorpio car moments before the explosion. They also noted that there was no one else present inside the vehicle, suggesting a deliberate act.

Authorities suspect the use of an improvised explosive device (IED) in the blast, indicating a potentially organized and planned attack.

Following the incident, the three injured civilians were swiftly evacuated to the Bishnupur District Hospital for immediate medical attention.

Manipur Violence: 'Situation Heartbreaking' Sonia Gandhi reacts, Issues Video Message

Meanwhile, the state has extended the internet ban until Sunday as tensions continue to escalate in Manipur. The violence erupted on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts, protesting against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Since then, sporadic incidents of violence have plagued various parts of Manipur. Most recently, the house of Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh was set ablaze in Imphal, further exacerbating the already tense situation.

The root cause of the violence can be traced back to the eviction of Kukis from reserve forest land, which triggered a series of smaller agitations and ignited existing tensions among the major communities in Manipur. The Meiteis represent the majority community, followed by tribal communities such as the Nagas and Kukis.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 23:38 [IST]
Setback For Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar Likely To Get Finance Portfolio

Ajit Pawar Expresses Desire for Senior Position in NCP, Plans to Step Down as Maha LoP

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Ajit Pawar, a prominent leader of the National Congress Party (NCP), has expressed his intention to step down from his current role as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, according to reports.

Pawar aims to secure a senior position within the party, with speculations pointing towards the coveted role of Party President.

Making the announcement during a speech delivered to party workers at the Shanmukhanand Auditorium in Mumbai, Pawar addressed his aspirations in the presence of party stalwart Sharad Pawar.

Pawar said, "I am told that I don't act tough as the leader of the opposition".

"I was never interested to work as Leader of Opposition but accepted the role on demand of the party MLAs," he said. Though he said that it is up to NCP leadership to decide on his demand.

"Assign me any post in the party organization, and I will do complete justice to whatever responsibility I am entrusted with," he added.

'Happy': Ajit Pawar On Appointment Of Supriya Sule, Praful Patel as NCP Presidents

In July 2022, Ajit Pawar assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, in which he served as deputy chief minister, faced a collapse due to a rebellion within the Shiv Sena.

Notably, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has entrusted his daughter and Member of Parliament, Supriya Sule, with the responsibility of Maharashtra by appointing her as a working president. Additionally, Praful Patel has been appointed as another working president to oversee affairs in other states.
Akalis Back Bill Axing Panjab Guv's Powers As Chancellor Of Varsities

India

oi-Sanjeev Nayak

In what would amount to further politicisation of educational institutions, yet another State has enacted law removing the Governor as the Chancellor of the universities in that State. The Punjab Legislative Assembly has passed the Punjab University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, vesting the powers of the Chancellor of State universities with the Chief Minister.

Opposition BJP has, however, lambasted the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government for the move. Party general secretary Tarun Chugh said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has undermined the constitutional principles and brought shame on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by removing Governor Banwarilal Purohit from the position of Chancellor of all the State universities.

Interestingly enough, Akali legislators supported the government on this front. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), with its three MLAs, also voted in favour of the Bill along side 92 AAP MLAs in the 117-member House. This has further isolated BJP in the State politics and also jeopardised the chance of reviving its alliance with SAD.

The government's move comes in the backdrop of a simmering tussle between CM Mann and Governor Banwarilal Purohit over a number of issues for the past several months, even after the Supreme Court counselled both to uphold their respective constitutional protocols.

Summarising the debate on the floor of the House yesterday, CM Mann said the State had its own rich culture, traditions and heritage which need to be perpetuated among the younger generations. For this, the educational institutions, especially the universities, could play a vital role. Mann recalled how the universities had produced great intellectuals, artists and other eminent people in various fields.

Punjab Assembly Passes Bill To Make 'Gurbani From Golden Temple Free For All

To carry forward the legacy, men of high integrity, prudence and repute need to be appointed in the universities as Vice-Chancellors, he said, alleging that the Governor, who is not from the State and not aware of its history and culture, created unnecessary hurdles in it. Expressing surprise that a man who "knows nothing about the State" has been empowered to appoint the Vice-Chancellors, Mann dubbed it as 'unfair', reported the Tribune.

The Chief Minister further alleged that contrary to securing the interests of the state, the Governor was often seen on the other side. Raising the issue of Panjab University in Chandigarh, he said instead of safeguarding the interests of Punjab and Punjabis, the Governor was taking the stand in favour of Haryana to allow its entry in the Senate of the university.

Mann said on the lines of the Bill already passed by West Bengal, the government had formulated the Bill which would entrust the powers of the Chancellor of the universities with the Chief Minister. He said with the passage of this Act, the Chief Minister, not the Governor, would be the Chancellor.

He said no interference of the Governor was required in the day-to-day functioning of the affairs of the State. The government was committed to securing the interests of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat, adding that no stone would be left unturned for this noble cause. Mann said the government would take every step to restore the pristine glory of the State.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 16:20 [IST]
Time for Indian products to be the best in quality in the world: Piyush Goyal

Indias overall exports cross an all time high of US$ 750 billion despite global headwinds: Goyal

Centre Not Giving Rice Is Policy Decision, Not Specific To Karnataka: Goyal

India

oi-Deepika S

Amid a political row after the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government accused the Centre of refusing to sell rice from central reserves, Union minister Piyush Goyal said Karnataka is free to purchase rice from the open market and distribute it instead of criticising the Centre.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah hit out at the Union government for its anti-Kannadiga and anti-poor decision not to allow the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to sell rice directly to the state.

The central government has refused to provide rice to several states from its stocks to ensure that the price of the grain does not increase in the open market and people continue to get it at affordable rates, said Goyal.

A committee of secretaries decided that the stock of rice at central reserves be kept to ''serve 140 crore people of the country'' and states can purchase the rice from the market if they need, the Union Minister said when asked for his comment on protests in Karnataka over the supply of rice. The politics over the supply of rice to Karnataka heated up on Tuesday with the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP staging demonstrations in various parts of the state.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Wife Parvathi Hospitalised, Condition Stable

The Congress staged protests in all district headquarters of the state against the BJP-led Centre for allegedly denying rice for the Karnataka government's Anna Bhagya scheme.

The Centre said it cannot provide the additional five kg though Karnataka said it was ready to buy it from the central institutions such as Food Corporation of India, Central Warehousing Corporation and NAFED.

Recently, the union government discontinued the sale of rice and wheat from the central pool under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to state governments.

Refused rice supply to UP, MP as well

Reacting to Siddaramaiah's anti-Kannadiga charge, Goyal said ''I have received demands for rice from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Various states keep demanding rice in huge quantities. But we have refused (to give rice to) all of them."

"We want that the rice stock which is with India (government)...so that there is no rise in price (of rice) in the country and the rice is sold at a cheaper rate in the open market in every nook and corner of the country. The country's 140 crore people have to buy rice," the minister added.

The Centre releases surplus grains from its stocks under the open market sale scheme (OMSS) to increase the supply of wheat and rice and arrest price rise in the open market.

Jagadish Shettar to contest in Karnataka MLC bypolls

Punjab steps in to help Karnataka

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has offered to supply the requisite quantum of rice even as the State government is trying to procure rice from national-level cooperative agencies.

"The AAP government of Punjab is ready to provide the rice required for the implementation of Anna Bhagya scheme in Karnataka." He stated that he had a detailed discussion on the issue with Punjab Chief Minister Mann," AAP Karnataka convener Prithvi Reddy said in a letter to Siddaramaiah.

"Mann reacted positively and has in-principle agreed to supply rice in the state from Punjab," Reddy claimed. The AAP strongly believes that irrespective of political differences, all parties must support initiatives that are meant to help people of our country, he said.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 12:04 [IST]
Defence Ministry To Take Up Deal To Acquire MQ-9 Reaper Armed Drones From US Today

In Its 'Chintan Shivir', MoD Decides To Scrap Colonial Practices

India

oi-Sanjeev Nayak

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) organised a two-day 'Chintan Shivir' (brain-storming camp) to discuss various issues and challenges faced by its departments and come out with new ideas for better governance. The camp, which concluded in New Delhi yesterday, mainly discussed about scrapping colonial practices and making systemic course corrections.

The Departments of Defence (DoD), Defence Production (DDP), Military Affairs (DMA) and Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) held separate sessions, during which eminent subject matter experts shared their insights on a variety of relevant themes.

Department of Defence Production

The sessions of DDP, spread across two days, were aimed at collective brain-storming, experiential learning, making systemic course corrections and enhancing efficiencies within the indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing sector.

The event, presided over by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, was unique in its format as stakeholders' participation included its senior officials, CMDs of defence public sector undertakings (PSUs), A&D industry leadership, quality assurance agencies and the academia.

The sessions were based on five themes -- 'Increasing Aatmanirbharta: Road ahead for indigenisation', 'Enhancing Production and Defence Exports', 'Industrial Ecosystem & Skilled Workforce', 'Enhancing Level Playing Field' and 'Quality Reforms' with a panel of experts sharing their viewpoints from diverse domains contributing to the A&D sector.

The industry welcomed the open-house discussions in an interactive format and brought out that significant steps taken in the past are assurances that further ground will be covered to achieve the target of domestic A&D production of Rs 1,75,000 crore including A&D exports of USD 5 billion by 2024-25.

The DDP has collated the points emanating from the Chintan Shivir so as to make course corrections and reforms in due course for further growth of the indigenous A&D manufacturing sector and imbibe niche technology towards an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).

Department of Defence

Over the two days, various issues/challenges relevant to the area of work in DoD were discussed with a view to evolve ideas for better governance/ease of doing business. The broad themes deliberated upon include 'Cyber Security Challenges to the National Security', 'Comprehensive Approach to National Security', 'Performance Audit', 'Sainik School Education System' and 'Capacity Building in Defence Acquisitions'.

During the sessions, eminent subject matter experts from NSCS, Intelligence Bureau, DRDO, CAG, serving and retired officers and also from field of academics, addressed and shared their views on the themes with DoD officers. An open-house session was also organised wherein various suggestions for enhancing organisational efficiency were received from the participants.

Department of Military Affairs

The DMA sessions included topics of 'Integrating and Optimising Human Resource Aspects', 'Training and Operational Issues Towards Achieving Greater Synergy' and 'Modernisation & Capability Augmentation of Armed Forces in Realms of Strategic Domain'. Deliberations were held on measures to identify and abolish colonial practices and obsolete laws and further incorporate the country's own ethos and practices in functioning of the armed forces.

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

The DESW held discussions on 'Leveraging SPARSH for Better Pension Services and Other Welfare Measures for Veterans', 'Resettlement of Veterans by Improving Employability and Promotion of Entrepreneurship to Start of Micro Enterprises by Beterans' and 'Improvement in the Health Services of the Veterans'.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 13:09 [IST]
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Azerbaijan and Slovenia have a lot to offer each other, said President of Slovenia Natasa Pirc Musar, addressing the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Trend reports.

it is never so good that it cannot be even better. I think that sometimes, even my country is closing itself to a European Union bubble. But the world is wide and big. We have to expand the friendship and cooperation to other countries as well. I am pretty sure that Azerbaijan has a lot to offer to Slovenia and Slovenia has a lot to offer to Azerbaijan as well, she said.

Earlier, Slovenian foreign ministry told Trend that the country sees such economy areas as green technologies and recycling, renewable energy sources, telecommunication and ICT, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, construction and engineering as perspective in expanding bilateral economic cooperation with Azerbaijan.

The Slovenian-Azerbaijani Business Council, established in 2016, as well as the Slovenian-Azerbaijani Friendship Society in Slovenias Nova Gorica town can also make a significant contribution to fostering mutual cooperation, said the ministry.
As Modi Lands In US, White House Hails India

India

oi-Prakash KL

Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit, the White House has said that India like the US is a vibrant democracy and the two nations are going to continue to work on their bilateral relationship.

The Indian Prime Minister is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a State Dinner on June 22. The visit also includes an address by the Prime Minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22. He is currently in New York.

"Democracy is tough. We know that. We have seen it firsthand here in this country. It is tough, you have got to work at it," National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told a news conference on Tuesday.

Tesla Coming To India Soon: Elon Musk After Meeting PM Modi

"India has a vibrant democracy, and they, too, work at it. No democracy at any given point in time reaches perfection," he said. The idea of democracy is that "you try to become more perfect... So we are going to continue to work on this bilateral relationship between these two vibrant, relevant, strong, and influential democracies in the world to improve the relationship", Kirby said.

That means that in doing so, "we are also going to have conversations, we can have and we need to have somewhat uncomfortable conversations with our partners and our friends and our allies", he said. "That is what you can do when you have, when you are partners and friends and allies, is have conversations about uncomfortable issues," Kirby said.

Responding to a question, he said President Biden raises concerns over human rights wherever he goes around the world and whatever leaders he is speaking to. "Human rights are a foundational element of this (Biden) administration's foreign policy, and you can certainly expect that the president will, as he always does and as you can do with friends and partners like Prime Minister Modi in India, raise our concerns about that," he said. Kirby said the US routinely raises human rights concerns with its friends, allies, partners and even nations that it is not so friendly with. "We are not bashful about raising those concerns, and we will continue to do that," he said.

Yoga Has Become A Global Spirit, Says PM Modi Via Video Message From US

Meanwhile, PM Modi will lead a unique yoga session at the UN Headquarters on Wednesday in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga that will see the participation from top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals.
Indian Navy Creates 'Ocean Ring' To Mark International Yoga Day

India

oi-Sanjeev Nayak

The Indian Navy, in collaboration with the AYUSH and other ministries, has deployed its ships in the Indian Ocean Region to form a ring to commemorate the International Day of Yoga (IDY) today. The formation has been christened as 'Ocean Ring of Yoga' that symbolises unity and solidarity.

Indian naval ships are visiting various ports of friendly foreign countries and spreading the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' which is also the theme of IDY this year. Yoga sessions are being held at most of these foreign ports visited by the ships.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognised 21st June as IDY in December 2014 at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since 2015, the day is being observed worldwide with great enthusiasm and fervour, 2023 being the ninth year.

The Indian Navy has been an ambassador for Yoga across the seas for several years now, thereby spreading the message of the benefits accrued from Yoga towards leading a healthy lifestyle. As part of its IDY celebration this year, Indian Navy is actively conducting events at a global scale.

Port calls were taken up at Chattogram, Bangladesh; Safaga, Egypt; Jakarta, Indonesia; Mombasa, Kenya; Toamasina, Madagascar; Muscat, Oman; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; and Dubai, UAE, by Indian Navy ships 'Kiltan', 'Chennai', 'Shivalik', 'Sunayna', 'Trishul', 'Tarkash', 'Vagir', 'Sumitra' and 'Brahmaputra', respectively.

Yoga Day Event In Surat Sets New Guinness World Record: Gujarat Minister

In all, nearly 3,500 naval personnel onboard 19 Indian naval ships have travelled for over 35,000 km so far as part of the Ocean Ring of Yoga event. This includes over 2,400 personnel, acting as ambassadors of Yoga in both national and international waters, on 11 Indian naval ships at foreign ports or international waters.

Notably, the day was celebrated onboard ships of several foreign navies in concert with India's overseas missions, involving over 1,200 foreign navy personnel.

The activities of the Indian naval ships at foreign ports involved the ship crew and personnel from the host country and would be focused on the 'Common Yoga Protocol' (CYP), to increase awareness about yoga on an international scale and to highlight its immense potential to enhance physical, psychological and emotional aspects of well-being.

IDY activities at all naval ports, bases, ships and establishments have commenced in an an endeavour to facilitate its worldwide adoption. These activities include practising CYP and conducting Yoga-related activities daily in the run-up to the final event on Wednesday.

Yoga awareness campaigns were held to encourage maximum participation by naval personnel, defence civilians and families as promulgated in the portals of the AYUSH Ministry, including 'Har Angaan Yoga'. Mass camps, workshops, poster-making competitions, quizzes and lectures on 'Health Benefits of Yoga' were also conducted across the Navy.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended an IDY event onboard INS Vikrant at Kochi today. He joined the Navy personnel to perform Yoga onboard the indigenously built aircraft carrier. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar was present during the event.

Armed forces personnel, including Agniveers, participated in the event embracing the spirit of unity and well-being. After a Yoga session, the Minister addressed the gathering and felicitated Yoga instructors. On the occasion, Indian Navy streamed an exclusive video on Indian Navy's outreach activities emphasising the theme 'Ocean Ring of Yoga'.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 11:20 [IST]
22 Lakh BPL Families Unlikely To Get Cash Immediately Under Anna Bhagya: Here's Why

Anna Bhagya: Karnataka Govt Starts Cash Disbursal In Lieu Of 5 KG Rice Under The Scheme

Hundreds Of Acres Of Land Allocated To RSS, Its Affiliates Put On Hold

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Wife Parvathi Hospitalised, Condition Stable

India

oi-Deepika S

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi Siddaramaiah has been admitted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday night.

Parvathi, the wife of 75-year-old Siddaramaiah, had fever and was suffering from respiratory problems.

"Hon'ble CM's wife Parvathi Siddaramaiah was admitted last night. She is stable and on oxygen. Currently in MICU. Will be moved to ward today. CM is expected to visit at 11 am," the hospital said in a bulletin.

Karnataka: Siddaramaiah Govt Decides To Repeal Anti-Conversion Law

Without disclosing the ailment she is suffering from, the hospital said the Chief Minister's family has asked the hospital "to respect their privacy."

"More bulletin to be released post consent only," the bulletin said.
Man Threatens To kill PM Modi, Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar; Probe On

India

oi-Deepika S

The Delhi Police on Wednesday received two PCR calls from a man who threatened to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Police are now looking for an individual who is believed to be an alcoholic.

The police said, the accused, who has been identified as Sudheer Sharma, had called the PCR around Tuesday midnight and threatened to kill the prime minister.

"The man who made threatening calls to kill the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Bihar CM has been identified as Sudheer Sharma, a resident of Madipur. The police are trying to locate him," an officer said.

"We reached out to his family. He is an alcoholic and has been drinking since last night. Currently, he is not at home. He will be apprehended soon, " he added.

Delhi HC Refuses Urgent Listing Of Plea By Hindu Sena To Ban Movie 'Adipurush'

"We received two PCR calls - one at 10.46 am and another at 10.54 am from an unknown man targeting VVIPs. In his first call, he threatened to kill Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and demanded Rs 10 crore. He then called and threatened to kill PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah while demanding Rs 2 crore," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Harendra Singh told The Indian Express.

Subsequently, the police then sprung into action and the SHO Paschim Vihar (East ) with his 4 subordinates immediately moved to the location but could not find Sudheer.

According to the latest update, the Police are trying to trace the person.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 14:49 [IST]
Enormous Good Fortune For Country To Have Somebody Like Him: Jaishankar Hails PM Modi

Opposition Mantra Is Of, By And For Family: PM Modi

What Happened With Daughters Can Never Be Forgiven: PM Modi On Manipur Parade Incident

PM Modi in Washington on Second Leg of His Maiden State Visit to US

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.

Modi arrived here from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

The prime minister, who is visiting the US at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, will join them for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries on Thursday.

Modi arrived at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC where he was given a guard of honour amid incessant rains. The Prime Minister, who was wearing a raincoat, stood for the national anthem of the two countries.

#WATCH | National anthems of India and the United States played at the Joint Base Andrews, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/mHbfODEJpM  ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023

Indian diaspora members braved rain to welcome Modi at Freedom Plaza in Washington. Some of the community members staged cultural programmes including 'Garba' and other folk dances outside the hotel in Washington DC where Modi will stay.

''We are very happy, this is a memorable event. We are very excited and looking forward,'' said Kavita, a Kuchipudi dancer representing Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

PM Modi-led Yoga Event at UN HQ Sets Guinness World Record

In his departure statement, Modi had said this ''special invitation'' from President Biden and the First Lady for a state visit is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies.

Modi and Biden have had the opportunity to meet several times since his last official visit to the US in September 2021. ''This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership,'' Modi said.

Modi said his discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity).

PM Modi-led Yoga Event at UN HQ Sets Guinness World Record

Noting that the US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties, Modi said that during his visit, he will address a joint session of the US Congress at the invitation of the Congressional leadership.

''Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries. I look forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies,'' he said.

In Washington, Modi will also meet business leaders and interact with the Indian community.

''We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas,'' he said.

The US is India's largest trade partner in goods and services, and the two countries collaborate closely in the fields of science and technology, education, health, defence and security, the prime minister said.

The initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration in defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, artificial intelligence and biotech sectors, he added.

''Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,'' he said.

Modi expressed confidence that his visit to the US will reinforce ties between the two countries based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom.

''Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges,'' Modi said in his statement.

From the US, Modi will travel to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
When Will Modi Govt Stop Acting Like All Is Well: Cong On Manipur Video

If Govt Does Not Act, We Will: Supreme Court Warns After 2 Manipur Women Paraded Naked By Mob

Public Have Lost Faith In Biren Singh Govt: 9 BJP MLAs Write To PM Over Manipur Violence

India

oi-Prakash KL

Nine BJP MLAs from Manipur have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the people of the state have lost faith in the N Biren Singh-led government, India Today reported.

They claim that there is a complete breakdown of law and order in the state and all sections of society have been affected by this development. Every community, every person, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, wants immediate restoration of peace in Manpur, the BJP MLAs said.

"At present, there is no trust and confidence in the government and administration. Public have lost complete faith in the present state government. Some special measures for proper administration and function of the government by following Rule of Law may kindly be resorted to so that the trust and confidence of the general public is restored," they said in the memorandum.

Karam Shyam Singh, Th Radheshyam Singh, Nishikant Sing Sapam, Kh Raghumani Singh, S Brojen Singh, T Robindro Singh, S Rajen Singh, S Kebi Devi, and Dr Y Radheshyam are the MLAs who have lashed out at their own government over the violence in Manipur that started on May 3. It has to be noted that they all belong to the Meitei community.

More than 100 people have lost their lives in the violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur that broke out over a month ago.

On asking whether they wanted a change in the guard, one of the leaders said that the memorandum expressed the feeling of the general public. "What is happening in Manipur shows people have no faith in elected members. Why are houses of ministers and MLAs being targeted? The feeling of the people, not our feelings, have been articulated in the memorandum," Telegraph India quoted the MLA as saying.

Days ago, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, had said the law-and-order condition had "totally" failed although the Centre has sent a lot of security forces to Manipur

Clashes erupted 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.
SC to Hear on July 31st Uddhav Thackeray's Plea Against ECI Order on Shiv Sena Name, Symbol

There Is Now A Strong Front Against Dictatorship: Uddhav Thackeray On INDIA Coalition

SRPF, Extra Cops Removed From Outside Thackeray Residence; No Downgrading of Security, says Govt

India

pti-PTI

The State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel deployed outside the residence of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray here have been removed but there has been no downgrading of his and his family's security cover, officials said on Wednesday.

Some of the additional police personnel deployed outside Matoshree', the Thackeray residence in Bandra area, and extra vehicles in the security convoys of Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi and son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray too have been removed, an official said.

Earlier in the day, a functionary of the Shiv Sena (UBT) had claimed that the security outside Matoshree' had been reduced.

BJP Scared Of Uddhav, Claims Sanjay Raut After Amit Shah's Nanded Rally

But the state home department, in a statement, said there has been no downgrading of the security provided to Uddhav Thackeray and his family members.

The former chief minister is accorded Z-plus security while Aaditya Thackeray gets Z security. Rashmi Thackeray and (Aaditya's younger brother) Tejas get Y-plus escort security, the official release said. However, the SRPF and ''extra police deployment'' outside the Thackeray residence have been removed, a police official said.
To Reduce Response Time, Child Helpline To Be Integrated With ERSS

India

oi-Sanjeev Nayak

As part of its broader vision of 'One Nation One Helpline', the government is in the process of integrating the Child Helpline number '1098' with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) Helpline number '112' and the Women Helpline number '181', by the end of this month.

While the helpline numbers for children and women were implemented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had come up with the ERSS helpline number. The 1098 helpline service was started in 1995 and is currently managed by around 1,500 NGOs throughout the country.

After integration, the helpline number will be operated through the local district administration and police. Sources in the WCD Ministry said that this has been done to correct several anomalies in the existing system. The helpline centres were listed in 568 districts of the country and during an enquiry, 200 of them were found to be non-functional, they added.

The Childline India Foundation (CIF) is rendering helpline services in 568 districts, 135 railway stations and 11 bus stands through its network of more than 1,000 units. However, the response time by the CIF to respond to children's distress calls is about 60 minutes, which is abominably poor by any standards. It is very difficult to rescue a child in danger with this response time.

"The current system lacks interoperability with other services like police, fire, ambulance which leads to loss of precious time in distress situations. The government has taken a decision to integrate the Child Helpline with ERSS-112 for all emergency cases so that immediate help can be provided to children in distress conditions," the sources explained.

Lone Child Seeking Help Might Be A Trap, NCIB Cautions Women

The WCD ministry has roped in the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Kerala, for automation of the helpline and its integration with ERSS-112. At present, the number '1098' would remain functional. However, going forward, '112' would be the single contact number for all types of such calls.

The incoming calls will be classified in three categories of emergency calls, non-emergency calls and information calls, and accordingly they will be transferred to the concerned departments for quick action. The WCD Ministry has already discussed it with the MHA and State governments, and all are in agreement to implement this system, the sources said.

In the first phase, the new system will be launched in nine States, starting from June 30. These States include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Gujarat, Goa, Ladakh, Mizoram and Puducherry. Another 14 States will join the new system by July-end while all other States and Union territories will be moved to it in the next three months.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 14:52 [IST]
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WATCH: Goal Is To Make This Decade Techade, says PM Modi in Virginia

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US First Lady Jill Biden visited the National Science Foundation on Thursday where they interacted with Indian and American students.

These students are learning skills to succeed in industries important for the economies of India and the US.

"I am very happy that I got to meet these young and creative people right after visiting Washinton DC. With NSF, India is working on a lot of projects. I want to thank First Lady Jill Biden to plan and organise this event. Your life and your achievements are an inspiration for future generations," PM Modi said at the event.

PM Modi said, "Education, skill and innovation are important for a bright future. In India, we have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling. Under Skill India, we have skilled over 15 billion people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others."

He also said how India has established over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools that provide students with all kinds of facilities for various types of innovations.

"To encourage young entrepreneurs, we have started 'Start Up India' mission. Our goal is to make this decade a tech decade - Techade," he added.

In his address, PM Modi even brought up the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling taking place in India. "Under Skill India, we have skilled over 15 billion people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others," he added.

Jill Biden said that she knows that education is close to PM Modi's heart. "If we want our economies to be strong, we have to invest in young people," she added.

This visit is likely to be the first public engagement of PM Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21 to 24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Earlier in the day, Modi celebrated the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters.

VIDEO | PM Modi interacts with first lady Jill Biden and other dignitaries at National Science Foundation Headquarters in Alexandria. pic.twitter.com/59a6eDI9X1  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 21, 2023

National Science Foundation is headed by Indian American Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan.

In the last year or so, several Indian Cabinet Ministers have visited its headquarters in Virginia. Prominent among them are Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

PM Modi in Washington on Second Leg of His Maiden State Visit to US

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent agency of the United States government that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.

The prime minister arrived at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC where he was given a guard of honour amid incessant rains. The Prime Minister, who was wearing a raincoat, stood for the national anthem of the two countries.

From the airport, Modi travelled to the hotel where Indian diaspora members were waiting for him. Indian diaspora members braved rain to welcome Modi at Freedom Plaza in Washington. Some of the community members staged cultural programmes including 'Garba' and other folk dances outside the hotel in Washington DC where Modi will stay.
WB Panchayat Polls: Only 22 Companies Submit Central Forces' Requisition to EC

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a recent development, the Election Commission has received requisitions for central forces from only 22 companies. These 22 companies represent a total of 2,200 personnel, whereas the number of voters exceeds 50 million. However, Opposition parties have claimed that it is inadequate to cover all 61,636 polling booths in the state.

Questions have now arisen regarding the feasibility of ensuring peaceful and fair elections with only 22 companies and their 2,200 personnel.

It should be noted that the Election Commission has not yet made a decision on increasing the deployment of central forces.

In 2013, during the previous state elections, Election Commissioner Mira Pandey had deployed 825 companies of central forces in five phases of voting. Now, the Election Commission is considering deploying only one phase of voting with 22 companies of central forces.

Following a setback in the Supreme Court, the State Election Commission has sent a requisition to the central government for central forces. Each district will receive one company, which means a total of 22 companies have been requested from the central forces. Each company consists of about 100 personnel. The question arises as to how 2,200 personnel of the central forces can provide security for such a large number of voters, which exceeds 50 million. It is clear that the current deployment of central forces is far from adequate to ensure peaceful voting.

Governor Organises Bengal Foundation Day Event Despite Objections From Mamata

Although the State Election Commission has remained tight-lipped on this matter, Rajeev Sinha, a spokesperson, has not made any comments. The entire state has been gripped by a wave of violence since the submission of nomination papers.

Four people have been killed in the clashes, and on Wednesday, another left-wing activist was killed in an ambush. Unrest has been observed in various districts, and the situation remains tense. The situation in the Deganga area has deteriorated, further raising questions about the feasibility of conducting the elections with only 22 companies of central forces.

Although central forces are being deployed for the elections, it is clear that the panchayat polls will see more sides in court.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Russia calls on Yerevan not to distance from work in trilateral formats, Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova said during a weekly briefing, Trend reports.

Zakharova made the remark speaking about the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Downtime with work inside the above formats has a detrimental effect on the situation in the region and leads to an escalation of the situation on the ground, she said.

We are ready to work step by step on all platforms. This is a very difficult daily work, involving enormous efforts. We have been doing and are ready to continue doing it," the official noted.

Besides, Zakharova noted that Russia has repeatedly called for the launch of a bilateral commission on the delimitation and demarcation of the border.

According to her, this work should be effective.

The Kremlin, for its part, is ready to help with delimitation of borders [between Armenia and Azerbaijan], she added.

Following over a month of military action to liberate its territories from Armenian occupation from late Sept. to early Nov. 2020, Azerbaijan has pushed Armenia to sign the surrender document. A joint statement on the matter was made by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

In January 2021, during a meeting in Moscow, the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan made a decision to create a working group at the level of the deputy prime ministers of the three countries that would focus on establishing transport and economic links in Karabakh, following the end of the second Karabakh war.

On June 2 this year, a meeting of the trilateral working group of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia was held in Moscow.
What Prevented Elon Musk's Tesla From Entering Indian Market, So Far?

India

oi-Prakash KL

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is one of the businessmen who met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

After the meeting, the Twitter CEO said he is planning to visit India next year. "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," he said.

"I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we will be able to announce something in the not-so-distant future," Musk said. "We do not want to jump the gun on an announcement but I think it is quite likely that it will be a significant investment in our relationship with India," the Tesla CEO added.

So, What Prevented Tesla Motors From Entering the Indian Market, So Far?

Well, Tesla has been eyeing to enter the market since 2019, but the high import duty stopped the company from entering the market.

What Elon Musk Said, Reveals A Lot About India, PM Modi: Anurag Thakur

At present, cars imported as completely built units (CBUs) attract customs duty ranging from 60-100 per cent, depending on engine size and cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value less or above USD 40,000.

As per the tax brackets in India, an electric vehicle priced below $40,000 is subject to a 60 per cent import tax. Once the price surpasses $40,000, the tax rate goes up to 100 per cent, according to a report in NDTV.

The least-priced Tesla vehicle itself will cost around $45,000 (Rs 37 lakh). So, the company believes that a 100 per cent import duty would make their cars too costly as the affordability factor goes for a toss, especially in the price-sensitive Indian market.

Two years ago, the company's CEO, responding to a Twitter query, had claimed that it wants to launch Tesla in India, but "import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country!"

The Centre's Response

The BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has been pushing for 'Make in India' where it encourages companies to manufacture products in the country. Earlier, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said if the US-based Tesla was ready to manufacture its electric vehicles in India then there is 'no problem' but the company must not import cars from China.

"If Elon Musk (Tesla CEO) is ready to manufacture in India then there is no problem ... Come to India, start manufacturing, India is a large market they can export from India," he said.

The Road Transport and Highways Minister requested Musk to come and manufacture in India. "But if he wants to manufacture in China and sell in India, then it cannot be a good proposition for India," Gadkari said.

In 2021, the heavy industries ministry had also asked Tesla to first start manufacturing its iconic electric vehicles in India before any tax concessions can be considered.

However, it appeared like Tesla wanted to import the vehicle first before setting up a factory in India. The automaker has received proposals from various state governments, many of which are providing subsidies and exemptions to set up a factory.

However, Tesla's demand for a reduction in import duties and the government's emphasis on the 'Make in India' initiative have created obstacles, causing delays in Tesla's entry into the Indian market.

Elon Musk To Paul Romer: PM Modi Meets Global Leaders In US On Day 1 [See Pics]

Are Things Progressing?

When a reporter had asked Musk whether he was considering setting up his next factory in India, he had replied "Absolutely". It has to be noted that a team had come to Delhi to hold long discussions with officials.

After the meeting, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar had said that Tesla was serious about setting a manufacturing base in India, according to a report in Reuters.

As per the official statement by the minister, "They [Tesla] are very seriously looking at India as a production and innovation base."

He further added, "We have signalled to them that the government of India is working together (and) will certainly make whatever ambitions they have or investment objective they have in India a success."

How Many Factories Does Tesla Have?

At this stage, the company has six manufacturing plants out of which four are in the US. Also, it has two Gigafactories in Shanghai and Berlin that can manufacture cars and batteries -

Tesla is prepping up to start a Gigafactory in Mexico.

With the market for electric vehicles raping growing in India due to the Narendra Modi government's push for clean energy, it is time for Tesla to act.
World Witnessed India's Cultural Power at UN HQs: Amit Shah

India

pti-PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the world witnessed the power of India's culture as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the international yoga day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

PM Modi described Yoga as "truly universal" and "free from copyrights and patents" as he led the historic event to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

"A landmark day for India. The world witnessed the power of India's culture as PM @narendramodi Ji practised Yoga at the UN HQs on Yoga Day today. Modi Ji not just promoted Yoga on a global platform but reclaimed India's glory by gifting a new worldview of unity," Shah tweeted.

A landmark day for India. The world witnessed the power of India's culture as PM @narendramodi Ji practised Yoga at the UN HQs on #InternationalDayofYoga today.



Modi Ji not just promoted Yoga on a global platform but reclaimed India's glory by gifting a new worldview of unity. pic.twitter.com/kGGLG5rIvg  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 21, 2023

PM Modi-led Yoga Event at UN HQ Sets Guinness World Record

The home minister also said that in a remarkable achievement, yoga enthusiasts from different parts of the world created a Guinness World Record at the UN headquarters for the highest number of nationalities practising yoga together.

"The feat achieved in the presence of PM @narendramodi Ji is a perfect ode to Yoga and the spirit of India's inclusively," he said.
US To Provide Cluster Munitions To Ukraine As Part Of Aid Package

Joe Biden Calls Chinese President Xi Jinping A Dictator

International

oi-Prakash KL

US President Joe Biden has reportedly called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "dictator" who got upset after the Pentagon shot down the Chinese spy balloon in February.

His remarks come a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese President Xi in Beijing.

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didn't know it was there," Biden said at a fundraiser in California on Tuesday.

"That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened. That wasn't supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course," Biden added.

In February, the US shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean as it crossed continental America after hovering over its skies from Montana to South Carolina.

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However, this did not go well with China as it expressed its strong dissatisfaction and protest against the US's use of force on the airship. China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei said that his country "reserves the right to use necessary means to deal with similar situations."

"US' overreaction seriously violated the international practice. China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests of relevant companies, while reserving the right to make further necessary reactions," China's state-run Global Times quoted the ministry as saying. "The Chinese side has repeatedly informed the US side after verification that the airship is for civilian use and entered the US due to force majeure, which was completely accidental," Beijing had said in a statement.

Following the incident, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's postponed his first official trip to Beijing.

However, the latest comments by Biden come a day after Blinken's visit to Beijing - the first by a top US diplomat in almost five years.

Both the leaders hailed the restarting of high-level communications between the two countries as a welcome development.
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Pakistan Army Wasnt Prepared for War With India: Imran Khan

International

oi-Deepika S

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan has revealed that Qamar Javed Bajwa, repeatedly told him that Pakistan Army is not equipped nor prepared for a war with India.

Imran Khan made this comment during an interview with the US-based think tank Atlantic Council on June 18.

Speaking about the strained ties with New Delhi, Khan said India was supposed to give concession and a roadmap to the Kashmir issue, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to visit Pakistan.

Pakistan Bans Holi Celebration In Universities

Khan confirmed that there was indeed an opening for peace with India-despite New Delhi's rescinding of disputed Jammu and Kashmir's semi-autonomous status in 2019-and the Pakistani army chief favored it.

Despite New Delhi's rescinding of Jammu and Kashmir's semi-autonomous status in 2019 - and the Pakistani army chief favouring it - normalising trade between the two nuclear-armed countries was reportedly one of the steps that was to be taken before PM Modi could visit Pakistan, he revealed.

However, despite successfully de-escalating a military standoff in 2019, Khan could not explain why he faltered in trade normalisation with New Delhi after India changed its relationship with Kashmir by removing its special status. Khan responded to India's Kashmir move by closing the border for trade with India.

"I don't remember the trade talks," the former prime minister said. "All I know is that there was supposed to be a quid pro quo. India was supposed to give some concession, give some sort of a roadmap to Kashmir and I was going to then host PM Modi in Pakistan. But it never materialised."

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He added that Bajwa's plan, which included a ceasefire with Indian forces on the Line of Control in Kashmir, was a lost opportunity for establishing long-term peace with Pakistan's arch-rival.

"I tried everything but I came across this brick wall," Khan said. "And I realised it's something to do with the RSS-BJP mentality where they've cashed in on hostility with Pakistan. That's all."

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 16:10 [IST]
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Pakistan Bans Holi Celebration In Universities

International

oi-Prakash KL

After clips of people playing the Hindu festival 'Holi' at Quaid-i-Azam University went viral, Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) has reportedly banned Holi celebrations in universities.

The Higher Education Commission issued a notification highlighting its 'role' in transforming youth, who "uphold the cultural and moral values of Islam". It said that students are forbidden to follow this festival in order to adhere to "sociocultural values".

"While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society that profoundly respects all faiths and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm," the notification said.

Happy Holi  

Biggest Holi celebrations at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan  pic.twitter.com/ZciVSyctuI  QAU News (@NewsQau) June 13, 2023

Referring to Holi celebrations at Quaid-i-Azam University, the Commission stated, "This widely reported/publicized event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image."

Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan 

Biggest holi celebration in Pakistan  pic.twitter.com/xdBXwYEglt  QAU News (@NewsQau) June 13, 2023

It urged the students to stay away from such events which are "incompatible with the country's identity and societal values".

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"Foregoing in view, it is advised that the HEls (higher education institutions) may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country's identity and societal values, while ensuring that they rigorously engage their students and faculty in academic pursuits, intellectual debates, and cognitive learning besides identifying, creating, and fostering avenues for extra-curricular activities and rational discourse," said the statement.

Of all the times I miss #QAU the most, missing #HoliCelebrations tops the list 

This spirit of QAU should be upheld given the polarized times we're in to maintain some level of sanity & inclusiveness in our society. https://t.co/2ATQhKTTft  Tanveer Ali Bagoro (@bagoro_tanveer) June 13, 2023

Reportedly, the event was organised by the Mehran Students' Council, a non-political cultural organisation of the university. The clips of the Holi celebrations from the said university had went viral on June 12.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 16:03 [IST]
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Petty Geopolitical Interests: India Slams China Move On Pak-Based Terrorist

International

oi-Deepika S

India on Wednesday tore into China after it blocked a proposal at the United Nations to label Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir - wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a global terrorist.

Speaking at the United Nation's counter-terror meeting, Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary, UN Political at the Ministry of External Affairs said if established terrorists cannot be proscribed by the United Nations for petty geopolitical interests, it shows a lack of genuine political will to sincerely fight the challenge of terrorism.

"We have righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture. If we cannot get established terrorists who have been banned across global landscapes proscribed by the United Nations - for petty geopolitical interests - then we really do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism," Gupta said while addressing the United Nations counter-terror meeting.

China Blocks Proposal By India, US To Blacklist Pak-based LeT Terrorist and 26/11 Accused Sajid Mir

Slamming China, India said there was a need to avoid double standards and classifying terrorists as good and bad.

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"A terror act is a terror act. Period. Any justification being used should not be countenanced upon by anybody," Gupta said, adding that the sanctions regime itself needed to be looked at.

On Wednesday, China blocked the proposal that had been moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

Reportedly, China had put a hold on the proposal to designate Mir at the UN in Spetember last year.

China has repeatedly put a hold on proposals to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists under the sanctions committee of the UN Security Council.

Who is Sajid Mir

Sajid Mir is one of India's most wanted terrorists for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He has a bounty of USD 5 million placed on his head by the United States.

In June last year, Mir was jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.
US says it recognises Arunachal Pradesh as integral part of India

None can encroach: Shahs message to China in Arunachal

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Senate Committee To Consider Resolution To Recognise Arunachal Pradesh As Integral Part Of India

International

oi-PTI

A powerful senatorial committee on Wednesday is set to consider a bipartisan resolution to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, pushing back against China's military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the resolution for discussion on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the city on a three-day official US state visit.

The resolution condemns additional Chinese provocations, including Beijing's use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

It slams China for the construction of villages in contested areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and expansion of Beijing's territorial claims in Bhutan.

The bipartisan resolution was introduced in February this year by Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, and Bill Hagerty, a Republican. Senator John Cornyn, Co-Chair of the India Caucus, has co-sponsored the resolution.

Observing that India has taken steps to defend itself from aggression and security threats from China, including by securing its telecommunications infrastructure and conducting investment screening, the resolution unequivocally recognises the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the Republic of India and supports the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It condemns China's use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, as well as additional provocations including the construction of villages in contested areas, expansion of territorial claims in Bhutan, and publication of maps assigning Mandarin-language names to cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan. Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, a claim firmly rejected by the External Affairs Ministry which has asserted that the state is an "inseparable part of India".

Beijing routinely protests visits of top Indian leaders and officials to Arunachal Pradesh to reaffirm its claim.

The resolution commends India for taking steps to defend itself against aggression and security threats from China, including securing its telecommunications infrastructure, examining its procurement processes and supply chains, implementing investment screening standards, and expanding its cooperation with Taiwan in public health and other sectors.

It supports India's continued defence modernisation, including its diversification away from countries that fail to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations.

It applauds India for increasing its development efforts in Arunachal Pradesh, including improving border infrastructure, connectivity, and energy security, including renewable energy production.

The bipartisan resolution commits to deepening US assistance to the region through the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development using funding mechanisms such as the Countering Chinese Influence Fund.

It also encourages like-minded international partners and donors to bolster their assistance efforts to Arunachal Pradesh.

The resolution supports further strengthening the US-India bilateral partnership, including through enhanced defence interoperability and information-sharing especially for early warning systems, the United States-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, further economic cooperation, and our broad and long-standing people-to-people ties.

Among other things, the resolution promotes enhancing our multilateral cooperation with India through the Quad, the East Asia Summit alongside our partners in the Association for Southeast Asian Nations.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 12:54 [IST]
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Yoga is Portable and Truly Universal, Says PM Modi at UN HQ

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday described Yoga as "truly universal" and free from copyrights and patents as he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals.

Modi, who is here on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, began the celebration by paying respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the North Lawn of the UN headquarters. The bust was installed in December last year under India's presidency of the UN Security Council.

The prime minister, wearing an especially customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, began his address with a 'Namaste' and thanked people for coming here from far away to attend the celebration.

Addressing mega session at UN HQs, PM Modi said,''We've gathered here at the meeting point of entire humanity. I am delighted to see you all and thank you all for coming. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. Yoga means to unite, so you are coming together is an expression of another form of Yoga.''

Who Will Be Joining PM Modi for Yoga Day Event at UN HQ? Here's The List of Attendees

''Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free from copyrights, patents and free from royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal,'' PM Modi said in New York.

Delighted to take part in the #YogaDay programme at @UN HQ. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and further wellness. https://t.co/XvsB8AYfGs  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

"I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. Yoga means to unite, so you are coming together is an expression of another form of Yoga," PM Modi said in New York.

"Last year the entire world came together to support India's proposal to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets...It is wonderful to see the entire world come together again for Yoga," PM Modi said.

Hundreds of yellow yoga mats were placed on the ground where yoga enthusiasts and practitioners, wearing customised white yoga T-shirts, joined the event. LED screens playing videos of Indian culture and heritage were set up on the lawn.

The historic yoga session was attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from Member States as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community.

President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Korosi, Hollywood actor Richard Gere, Mayor of New York City Eric Adams and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Amina J Mohammed were among prominent personalities who attended the event.
In a move with implications for thousands of home owners, a Greens councillor flagged changes to heritage rules to make it easier for people to install solar panels or subdivide their lots.
The daughter of German-Iranian citizen Jamshid Sharmahd has filed charges against eight members of the Iranian judiciary and secret services for kidnapping and torture, and the threat of state-sanctioned murder.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Head of the Czech-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group Jan Kubik and member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament Michal Ratiborsky familiarized themselves with traces of Armenian vandalism and restoration and reconstruction work carried out in Azerbaijan's liberated Aghdam, the Azerbaijani Parliament's press and public relations department told Trend.

The Czech MPs were accompanied by Azerbaijani MP, member of the working group on inter-parliamentary relations with the Czech Republic Aliabbas Salahzade.

The delegation members were provided with detailed information about war crimes committed by Armenia on Azerbaijani lands during the 30-year period of occupation.

They were also told that before the Armenian occupation, Aghdam was one of the largest and most developed cities not only in the Karabakh region, but also in the entire country, and that after its occupation by Armenia on July 23, 1993, Armenian vandals looted, destroyed and burned down houses, schools and the entire infrastructure.

Besides, Kubik and Ratiborsky were informed that cemeteries, historical and cultural monuments in Aghdam were also subjected to Armenian vandalism.

During the visit to the Aghdam Juma mosque, the delegation members were told that during the occupation, Armenians didn't completely destroy the mosque, as they used its minarets for military purposes. Moreover, Armenian vandals kept cattle in the Aghdam Juma mosque, thereby demonstrating their hatred for the Azerbaijanis and the entire Muslim world.

It was noted that following the liberation of the city of Aghdam, the reconstruction and restoration work have been launched in the mosque with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The Czech MPs also visited the central street of Aghdam and the Alley of Martyrs.

Then in the special representative office of the President the visitors were provided a detailed information about construction work which will be conducted within the Aghdam city master plan.

Besides, the delegation got acquainted with the Aghdam Conference Center.

Aghdam district was liberated from Armenian occupation following the 2020 second Karabakh war.
The UK will open a recovery conference for Ukraine with a pledge to unlock $3bn (2.4bn) worth of World Bank loans to help the rebuilding, even as Russia's war rages on.
Oneindia 11 Jun 2023

The breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam seems to have made a very little difference for Kyivs plans in its attempt to wrest its..
Even before the devastating breach of the Kakhovka dam this month, Ukraine's infrastructure had been devastated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ideas about reconstruction needed to become real projects.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a four-day visit to the United States. It wasn't that long ago he couldn't get a U.S. visa.


A German court has convicted a woman of membership of the "Islamic State" terror organization, crimes against humanity and aiding and abetting genocide. The 37-year-old kept a Yazidi woman as a "household slave" in Iraq.
The third day of tit-for-tat attacks in the occupied West Bank has led to the death of at least one Palestinian. Israel has said it will build 1,000 more settlement homes despite international calls to halt the plans.
The Democrats and Donald Trump reminds me of a bad horror movie, where the hapless protagonists only make the monster stronger with..

Eurasia Review 12 Jun 2023
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Japan will push ahead with support for Ukraine and plans to host a meeting to encourage companies to participate in the economic recovery of the nation torn by
As South Africa celebrates National Blood Donation Month, the Western Cape Blood Service (WBCS) has pleaded with South Africans to donate more blood as stocks become critically low.
Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in London, to discuss various issues, including Sweden's accession to NATO, defense cooperation, as well as bilateral ties, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The talks took place in central London, where the two counterparts had arrived for the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Fidan told reporters before the meeting, "Today, we are here in London to demonstrate our support for Ukraine."

Although the two countries may not see eye to eye on every issue, Fidan noted that their longstanding alliance within NATO and other platforms compel them to continue working together.

Recalling that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden established Turkiye-US strategic mechanisms last year in the Spanish capital Madrid, Fidan said the goal of the mechanism is to address the outstanding issues and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation.

For his part, Blinken said it is a pleasure to meet with the "colleague of many years, referring to Hakan Fidan, Turkiyes new foreign minister.

He praised bilateral relations, saying, "There's so much the US and Turkiye are doing together on the most essential, vital issues."

He underlined that during the meeting, the upcoming NATO summit, Sweden's accession to the alliance and defense cooperation between the US and Turkiye will be on the agenda, as well as bilateral ties.

"...and moving forward, a number of issues, including energy and economic collaboration, but the relationship between our countries is deep and rich," Blinken added.

The two ministers arrived at the InterContinental London hotel, where they were attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Dialogue can't be replaced in Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department said during a briefing on June 21, Trend reports.

"We look forward to hosting another round of talks in Washington soon, as the parties continue to pursue a peaceful future in the South Caucasus region. We continue to believe direct dialogue is key to resolving issues and reaching a durable and dignified peace. The steps that are going to incite tensions and elevate tensions are certainly unproductive right now. as talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan are proceeding in different venues. And so will continue to engage on this and look forward to hosting another round of talks very soon," he said.

Regarding Russia's role in this process, Patel said if Moscow thinks that they can play a constructive role in this, certainly they are welcome.

"But we continue to feel that these talks are progressing, they're proceeding. The United States has been an important partner in this, the secretary personally has been engaged on this. We think direct dialogue is key to resolving this issue and reaching a durable and dignified peace and we also continue to think that dialogue can't be replaced in this process," he concluded.
The Wall Street Journal reported Beijing and Havana were making a deal to build a training facility in Cuba, but the Chinese government denies the claims.
The US leader makes the remark just after talks aimed at easing tensions between the countries.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is on his first international travel since assuming office, is anticipated to discuss trade, climate change, and the conflict in Ukraine with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Phil Craig reflects on a recent Joe Kitchen column published on News24 in which he expressed his reservations of SA's handling of the Russia-Ukraine invasion.
US President Joe Biden has equated his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping with 'dictators' as he addressed a Democratic Party donors reception in the presence of journalists.
Upworthy 22 Jun 2023

Israeli troops on Thursday demolished the home of a Palestinian who is suspected of killing an Israeli soldier last year, in the..
President Joe Bidens forthcoming meeting with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn attention and criticism regarding the prioritization of traditional geopolitics over human rights.



While India is recognized as the worlds largest democracy, Modis leadership style, characterized by Hindu nationalism, has...
Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China was considered a success by government officials. In such a complicated relationship, what does that even look like?
BGaming Joins Forces with Street Artist I AM EELCO for a Creative Collaboration at iGB Live.

Published June 21, 2023 by OCR Editor

BGaming has teamed up with Dutch street artist I AM EELCO, for the iGB Live event in Amsterdam. They plan to incorporate Eelco's unique artistic style into BGaming's games, showcasing its commitment to supporting local artists and innovation in the iGaming industry. Attendees can expect an exciting experience with Eelco's artwork decorating BGaming's booth and exclusive branded merchandise available for discovery.

BGaming, a leading iGaming content provider, has teamed up with Dutch street artist I AM EELCO to create an exciting collaboration for the upcoming iGB Live event in Amsterdam. Eelco van den Berg, known for his exceptional talent, will reimagine the themes and characters from BGaming's popular games like Aztec Magic, Elvis Frog in Vegas, and Book of Cats.

During the event, which will take place from July 11th to 14th, BGaming's booth will feature Eelco's captivating artwork. The slot studio will also showcase an exclusive collection of branded merchandise for partners and clients, adding a creative touch to the experience.

Eelco, recognized as one of New York City's Top 10 street artists, has worked with renowned brands such as Philips, Levi's, Jack Daniels, and Heineken. In addition to his artistic pursuits, he serves as a guest lecturer at the prestigious Willem de Kooning Academie in the Netherlands.

This collaboration between BGaming and Eelco follows the studio's successful partnership with pop culture-inspired artist Thumbs at ICE London earlier this year. By teaming up with local artists, BGaming demonstrates its commitment to supporting and showcasing creative talent.

Kate Puteiko, CMO at BGaming, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating that I AM EELCO's unique style will bring a fresh perspective to their games at the iGB Live event. She also emphasized BGaming's dedication to supporting local artists and showcasing their work.

Artist I AM EELCO expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting that the vibrant BGaming games align perfectly with his artistic style. He looks forward to adding his own artistic twist to the beloved characters and believes that visitors to the booth will enjoy spotting their favorites.

About BGaming

BGaming is a rapidly growing iGaming content provider known for transforming gambling into gaming. With a player-driven approach and a skilled team, the studio creates innovative and engaging products featured on reputable platforms and over 900 online casinos worldwide. BGaming is the world's first provider to support cryptocurrencies and offer Provably Fair games. The brand comprises 100+ products boasting high-definition graphics and user-friendly interfaces across all devices. BGaming is also renowned for its exclusive collaborations with leading operators in the industry, resulting in unique and exciting offerings.
If you are a die-hard fan of Berlin from the hit series 'Money Heist', here's a reason to rejoice. Netflix has announced a spin-off titled 'Berlin', which will revolve around this popular character played by actor Pedro Alonso.

Though there are rumours that the series will start streaming on the platform this year, there has been no official confirmation from Netflix yet in this regard. However, the trailer of the series was released by the makers at Tudum, a global fan event that is held annually in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Much before Berlin joined the Professor (his half-brother) to carry off the money heist in the Royal Mint of Spain, we are told that he was a jewel thief who conducted 27 robberies at jewelry stores and auction houses. The new trailer reveals this slice from Berlin's past and shows him robbing the top auction house in Paris. He is also shown getting romantically linked with the wife of the auction house owner.

Fans have reacted to the trailer, sharing their excitement about the spin-off. They also hoped to see Palermo (who appears in the second season of Money Heist) and the Professor in the spin-off series.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The "Alpan-2023" joint exercises are being held with the participation of military personnel of the Azerbaijan Air Force and the Turkish Armed Forces within the approved plan, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.

According to the scenario of the exercises hosted by Azerbaijan, the aircraft carried out flights from the base airfields and accomplished the tasks on attacking air defense system, command control point and assembly facilities of imaginary enemy at long and short distances, etc.

The main objectives of the exercises are to improve the theoretical and practical skills of the personnel, as well as to ensure the interoperability between the units and increase their combat capability.

Previously, Azerbaijani and Turkish servicemen participated in "Anatolian Eagle-2023" International Flight-Tactical Exercises held on May 11 in Turkiye's Konya.
Boston: Rescuers searched a vast swath of the North Atlantic for a third day on Tuesday, racing against time to find a missing tourist submarine that vanished while taking wealthy passengers on a voyage to the wreck of theTitanic in deep waters off Canada's coast.The 21-foot submersible Titan is built to stay underwater for 96 hours, according to its specifications - giving the five people aboard until Thursday morning before air runs out.



One pilot and four passengers were inside the miniature sub early on Sunday when it lost communication with a parent ship on the surface about an hour and 45 minutes into its two-hour dive. As Canadian and US authorities stepped up the search, previous questions about the safety design and development of the submersible by its owner, U.S.-based OceanGate Expeditions, came to light.

The wreck of the Titanic, a British ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in April 1912,lies about 900 miles (1,450 km) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 400 miles (644 km) south of St. John's, Newfoundland.U.S. and Canadian aircraft have searched more than 7,600 square miles of open sea, an area larger than the state of Connecticut, U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Canadian military has dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds that might come from the Titan, and a commercial vessel with a remote-controlled deepwater submersible was also searching near the site, Frederick said.

Separately, a French research ship carrying its own autonomous deep-sea diving vessel was dispatched to the search area at the request of the U.S. Navy and was expected to arrive Wednesday night local time, the Ifremer research institute said.

Those aboard Titan for a tourist expedition that costs $250,000 per person included British billionaire Hamish Harding,58, and Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, with his 19-year-old son Suleman, who are both British citizens.French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, and Stockton Rush,founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, were also reported to be on board. Authorities have not confirmed the identity of any passenger.

Challenges in rescue mission

Rescuers face significant obstacles both in finding the Titan and in saving the people aboard, according to experts.If the submersible experienced a mid-dive emergency, the pilot would likely have released weights to float back to the surface, according to Alistair Greig, a marine engineering professor at University College London. But absent communication, locating a van-sized submersible in the vast Atlantic could prove challenging, he said.The submersible is sealed with bolts from the outside, preventing the occupants from escaping without assistance even if it surfaces.If the Titan is on the ocean floor, a rescue effort would be even more challenging due to the extreme conditions more than 2 miles beneath the surface.

The Titanic lies 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater, where no sunlight penetrates. Only specialized equipment can reach such depths without being crushed by the massive water pressure."It's really a bit like being an astronaut going into space," said Tim Matlin, a Titanic expert. "I think if it's on the seabed, there are so few submarines that are capable of going that deep. And so, therefore, I think it was going to be almost impossible to effect a sub-to-sub rescue."

Safety concerns of the vessel

The ability of the tourist sub's hull design to withstand such depths was questioned in a 2018 lawsuit filed by OceanGate's former director of marine operations, David Lochridge, who said he was fired after he raised safety concerns about the vessel.OceanGate said in its breach-of-contract suit against Lochridge, who is not an engineer, that he refused to accept the lead engineer's assurances and accused him of improperly sharing confidential information. The two sides settled their court case in November 2018.

Neither the company nor its lawyer, Thomas Gilman, immediately responded to requests from comment from Reuters.An attorney for Lochridge declined to comment.Several months before the suit was filed, a group of submersible industry leaders wrote a letter to OceanGate warning that the "experimental" approach" to the sub's development could result in "minor to catastrophic" problems, the New York Times reported.U.S. President Joe Biden was "watching events closely,"

White House national security adviser John Kirby said on Tuesday. Britain's King Charles asked to be kept fully apprised of the search, a Buckingham Palace source said, as Dawood is a longtime supporter of the monarch's charity, the Prince's Trust International.OceanGate said it was "mobilizing all options," and U.S.Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told NBC News the company was helping to guide the search efforts."They know that site better than anybody else," Mauger said.

"We're working very closely with them to prioritize our underwater search efforts and get equipment there."

Billionaire Aboard

OceanGate schedules five week-long "missions" to the Titanic each summer, according to its website.David Pogue, a CBS reporter, rode aboard the Titan last year. In a December news report, he read aloud the waiver he had to sign, which noted the submersible had "not been approved or certified by any regulatory body" and could result in death.In an interview on Tuesday, Pogue said OceanGate has successfully ventured to the wreck around two dozen times and that the company conducts a meticulous safety check before each dive.

"They treat this thing like a space launch," he said.Harding, a UAE-based businessman and adventurer who is chairman of Action Aviation, posted a message on Facebook on Saturday, saying: "This mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023."Fellow tourist Dawood is vice chairman of Engro, one of Pakistan's largest conglomerates.The sinking of the Titanic, which killed more than 1,500 people, has been immortalized in books and films, including the 1997 blockbuster movie "Titanic," which renewed popular interest in the wreck.
In a recent article we argued how unwise it is for electric power companies to use electric power consumption (KWH consumed) for allocating their charges for delivery of power to individual homes and businesses. To be clear, charges for the power itself (as opposed to delivery of that power) are sensibly billed as a fixed charge for each KWH consumed; it is the delivery charges that we focus on here. From an economic standpoint, this is clearly a mistake because with that approach there is but insignificant rational connection between delivery costs for the power company and charges to customers.

Still, throughout this country, this is how customers' delivery charges are determined, a fixed charge for each KWH of grid-power. It is a widespread and longstanding habit, but especially now, a bad one. And it is not surprising that bad habits can, in time, inflict damaging consequences.

The true costs experienced by a power company for delivering electric power are driven largely by the capital costs for building and maintaining the electric grid. Heavy copper wires and the poles needed to support them are unavoidable expenses and so are the switches, transformers and the like that are needed for delivering the power. Added to these are ongoing costs for maintaining the grid, costs that can be particularly high when there are storms. No doubt these particular costs will increase with our now-warming earth. And of course there are also the costs for pay and training the workforce and the costs associated with equipment buildings and land. There are many costs and in one way or another the power company must be compensated for all of them if there is any hope of having electric service. Unless the power company is a public service, these costs are paid by power-company customers, but how those costs are allocated among the customers is what is at issue in these articles.

Delivery costs are not driven by the amount of electricity consumed so long as the existing grid is able to support the change (as is usually the case) and that is why it is foolish to base the allocation of costs on measures of consumption. The grid is built to support what invariably exceeds what is ever consumed. It can easily accommodate wide variations in consumption without changing the costs experienced by the power company.

The present way of allocating costs is a longstanding habit that needs to change. The urgent need today for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels has become an important new consideration. In the earlier article, Perverse Delivery Charges, we saw that, because of this bad habit, consuming additional electric power from the grid is excessively costly and so customers are more cautious than they really should be about using the available grid-power. In this article we examine the opposite consideration, namely that cutting consumption is a more attractive proposition than it should be. We will see that a consequence of this is that delivery charges for each KWH can be expected to spiral upward so long as power companies persist in the habit of charging for delivery on the basis of use. Costs to the power company are bills the company must surely pay out of customer payments, but the misleading way these costs are allocated among customers leads to additional complications.

Here is the issue. The KWH billing policy (what we might call delivery-billing) causes unduly high marginal costs for consuming electric-grid power. So customers are motivated to reduce their consumption of electric power from the grid but, as noted above, such changes in consumption in no way reduce the costs of the power company; the changes merely reduce the income of the power company. The company responds by petitioning for an increase in their delivery-charge rates because, to them, that seems the only way for it to recover the income they need and expect. But another way would be to change the charging structure to be based primarily on the service level; two customers who have the same class of service should in principle pay the same monthly service charge regardless of how much power they consume. Likewise, if two customers consume the same amount of power, the one with 1000-amp service should reasonably pay roughly ten times the service charge as the customer with only 100-amp service. This would be service-billing, a better approach than the current delivery-billing.

Under delivery-billing, customers who reduce or eliminate their use of grid-power can shift the cost of their service to other customers. Despite paying less, these customers retain the capability of drawing on the grid whenever necessary. Maintaining that greater capability remains the major expense for the power company but in the extreme, the customer may entirely avoid paying a delivery charge, allowing the customer this valuable backup service/insurance at no cost. In the service-charge model, the customer would still be billed to cover the costs to the power company for the still available service level.

Today, the costs of solar panels continue to fall. As a result, there is an increasingly convincing argument for homes and businesses to install panels so as to reduce their use of grid-power. Faced with reduced income from such installations of solar panels and fixed (no doubt actually increasing) costs, the power company has no choice but to petition for yet another increase the KWH charges. In turn this further increases customer motivation to install solar panels and draw less power from the grid. There is an upward spiral of KWH cost to customer that compensates for the downward spiral of grid-power consumption.

Although every customer feels driven by rising delivery rates to consume less grid-power, not all customers find this to be practical. Some customers may instead choose to substitute fossil fuels while others will be unwilling to take that step. The increasing costs for grid-power will burden most the people who are unable to install solar panels.

Renters, for example, cannot install solar panels. And some privately owned homes are poorly situated for solar panels. Perhaps a home falls in the shadow of a taller building or perhaps in the shade of a tall wall, a mountain or perhaps trees.

Also, even today, installing solar panels still takes a significant capital investment that will be recovered only over several decades; the elderly, who do not expect to live so long, are apt to find such a long-term investment particularly unattractive even if they can find bank financing for the project. The poor may be unable to get financing even if they could. The elderly and the poor seem destined to shoulder a disproportionate burden from this upward spiral of delivery charges that so naturally follow from the ill-considered practice of delivery-billing.

Notice however that the downward spiral of grid-power consumption can be viewed as, in itself, a virtuous cycle. It is good for the environment and good for the world when solar-power production can be substituted for burning fossil fuels. The problem is the accompanying upward spiral of grid-power prices and the fact that these price increases are felt mostly by the poor and the old.

An obvious counter-strategy might be to delay changing to a service-billing for a few years but, over those few years, provide government subsidies to power companies to compensate them for a rollback and subsequently stable KWH prices. That would allow the virtuous fall in grid-power consumption while shifting the cost away from the poor and old and onto taxpayers more generally. There is a problem with this solution, however, and that is the view presented in the earlier article, Perverse Delivery Charges. In those intervening years before service-pricing is adopted, customers will continue to be discouraged from switching from fossil fuel consumption to electric-grid consumption.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on June 16. One of the items on their agenda was Lebanon, which has close historical and language ties to France. The tiny Mediterranean country has been in financial collapse for several years, and has been without a president at its helm since October 31, 2022. Lebanon suffers from financial problems linked to fraud accusations against the Central Bank chief, the military occupation of Shebaa Farms by Israel, and further suffers from a sectarian-ruled political system that prevents a solution to the nation's woe.

Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Maher Al-Dana, a Beirut-based journalist who has contributed to multiple news agencies, and has covered the war in Syria. He is now the Information Director for the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP).

#1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): The SSNP published a video on their official Facebook page, which showed the SSNP military wing taking positions in the South of Lebanon on the border with Occupied Palestine.

Maher Al-Dana (MA): The video published was the same time as Hezbollah's training with live ammunition in the South of Lebanon. From what you know, could there be a possible operation in the near future? First, what happened was the announcement of activating the military and resistance action in the SSNP and announcing that this party, which withdrew from its role of resistance as a result of the wrong previous decisions and calculations of previous leaders, has today reactivated its work in its natural arena, although the nationalist have never backed down from this work. Neither in the Jewish occupation of the south, nor later in the July War; they also had a major, important and pivotal presence in the global war on Damascus. As for today, in what is said about operation, this matter is determined by the requirements of the battle with the enemy and the requirements of confrontation, and we are present within a unified operations room of the resistance effort, which takes this decision and directs the resistance factions as needed.

#2. SS: Interpol has issued a red notice arrest warrant for Riad Salameh of the Lebanese Central Bank on accusations of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering of the Lebanese people's money. In your opinion, will the corrupted Lebanese politicians prevent his arrest?

MA: Politicians in Lebanon and no one can protect Riad Salameh after today, but on the issue of Interpol, on the issue of international justice, this is something that needs discussion. No one can cover Riad Salameh, but the most important thing is that the political pressures on the Lebanese judiciary be lifted in order for it to move towards Riad Salameh first, towards all those who participated in wasting and stealing the money of the Lebanese, and towards everyone who smuggled money and deposits abroad, and this is a matter of priority. The battle today in corruption is not a battle against individuals; it is a battle against a system, Riad Salameh is one of its heads.

#3. SS: Lebanon has been without a president for over seven months. The parliament should be meeting soon to elect a president, between Sulaiman Franjieh and Jihad Azour. In your opinion, will the politicians agree on a choice, or will they wait for foreign influence to make their choice?

MA: After the election session that was held on June 14, in the parliament, we can say that we are facing the reality that there are two candidates: a candidate whose team has burned him, and a candidate whose team continues to nominate him. Jihad Azour ended, it ended for several reasons. First, whoever nominated him is not convinced of him, and he nominated him on the basis of the principle of conspiracy. As for Franjieh, he is a candidate on the basis principle and criteria that this team still believes in, and he will continue to nominate him for an indefinite period now, either by bringing him to the presidency of the republic or by changing circumstances. Therefore, whoever nominated Jihad Azour did not respect him, and he did not respect himself when he accepted that he be nominated by a team to manipulate him, and this matter requires scrutiny by those who nominated him, I mean, there is Minister Gebran Bassil who nominated him to maneuver, to say to the other team, come and talk to me, I am the helmsman's egg, while the other nominated him to overthrow Franjieh, and because he brings economic policies that this team has always pursued since the year '90, and this matter will not pass, and these people, if we remove Gebran Bassil aside, will not have any influence on the decision in the light of Lebanon's presence in this environment and in these circumstances, and therefore let us look at who can protect him and who can preserve the role that Lebanon plays within its surroundings.

#4. SS: The SSNP foundation is based on secularism, while Lebanon is being divided and weakened by sectarianism. In your view, will the new agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia have a positive effect on Lebanon, and what is the role of the SSNP in decreasing sectarianism in the region?

MA: The role of the SSNP has always been, and since its establishment, to fight the occupation of Palestine, the project for the establishment of a Jewish state that we consider an entity and it will disappear, as well as the project of sectarianism and fragmentation in our country, which only serves the occupation project. We are fighting sectarianism with slogans, and indeed, we are always striving for the establishment of a civil state, and our project today at this stage is entitled the state of resistance and citizenship, and therefore it is unacceptable in the year 2023 for the sects to remain the ones that control the fate of the country. Towards a citizen state, and towards a state of resistance, and these two things are interrelated, and the first factor does not deviate from the second factor completely.

#5. SS: The resistance movements in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank have grown stronger and tensions have been increasing there. In your opinion, are we entering a new phase of resistance to the brutal military occupation of 6 million people?

MA: The resistance has never retreated. Rather, it has always accumulated its strength and accumulated its experiences and performance in order to make a difference and in order to reach the main goal, which is the liberation of the occupied territories. Within the context of the forties until today, we have seen where the resistance has become. As for what is happening today in the West Bank, and what is happening in the Palestinian interior, it is the biggest blow to the Jewish project, which I believe is that by subjugating some leaders and some regimes, it can go towards subjugating the people, and this is something of course that has not happened and will not happen. Today, the security coordination officers who work with the Palestinian authority and coordinate with the enemy and the Shin Bet and Mossad agencies in order to pressure the resistance fighters, the sons of these people leave their homes to carry out stabbing and run-over operations against settlers and against members of the occupation army, and thus they dropped the idea of volunteering and dropped the idea of security coordination. Our people are a living people that cannot, under any circumstances, give up their natural right to confront and liberate the land.

Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist
Amazon is rolling out roll out scanners at Portland area Whole Foods Market checkouts that can charge customers credit cards with a scan of their palm.

The technology has rolled out at the Whole Foods stores in Tigard, Hillsboro and the Fremont and Hollywood neighborhoods in Portland. Its expected to arrive at the Pearl District and Laurelhurst locations in Portland later this week.

Amazon says its already launched the palm payment technology in Bend, Eugene and Tanasbourne, and its expected to arrive at remaining Whole Foods stores across Oregon in the coming weeks.

Customers must enroll in the program, called Amazon One, by inserting a credit card into a device and then hovering their palm, or both palms, over a lit-up circle on the device. The Amazon One device then scans and records the customers palm signature. The company says the process takes less than a minute.

Items are still manually scanned by a cashier, or by the customer at self-checkouts. To pay, shoppers can hover their palm above the Amazon One device for about a second to make purchases.

The ecommerce giant touts the palm technologys convenience, saying in a press release that customers wont have to fumble with their wallets and handbags to pull out credit cards at checkout counters anymore.

The Amazon One contactless payment system was launched in late 2020 at Seattle Whole Foods stores and has since been introduced to stores in California, New York and Texas.

The company has also expanded Amazon Ones use beyond its own business and has rolled out the technology to third parties, including some Panera Bread restaurants and Hudson shops at airports in Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville and Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the technology has some consumer privacy watchdogs concerned. In 2021, a group of U.S. senators questioned Amazons data collection practices and specifically whether biometric data is being used for advertising and tracking purposes.

In a 2021 letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the senators argued that, unlike Apple or Samsungs biometric systems that store the information on a users device, Amazon One reportedly uploads biometric information to the cloud, raising unique security risks.

In a press release, Amazon said that protecting customer data is very important to the company and that the palm-reading device is protected by multiple security controls. The company also says that palm images arent stored on the Amazon One device. They are encrypted and sent to secure Amazon One servers.

According to Amazon Ones website, a customers palm data will be deleted if they cancel Amazon One, or if they dont use Amazon One for two years.

 Kristine de Leon; kdeleon@oregonian.com
Oregon lawmakers have lined up a plan to borrow $1 billion over the next eight years to pay for the construction of a new Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River.

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday tacked the bonds onto House Bill 5005, a broad budget bill expected to move quickly during the waning days of the legislative session. It would allow the state to issue $250 million in general obligation bonds for the bridge replacement project in each of the next four biennia.

Lawmakers had previously discussed devoting $1 billion for Oregons share of the new bridge, which is projected to cost as much as $7.5 billion. Tuesdays amendment comes as disagreements persist over how much money Oregon and Washington states should spend on the bridge, where the funding should come from and what the bridge should look like.

Gov. Tina Kotek also weighed in on the proposed source of funding, saying while she was in favor of replacing the bridge, the state should save its bonding capacity for affordable housing projects and other priorities. Kotek said instead she would advise lawmakers to draw on existing funds.

But lawmakers failed to pass a policy bill that directed funds to the bridge project while placing restrictions on the scope of the project. The budget bill, on the other hand, includes no such strictures.

Rep. Khanh Pham, D-Portland, had called for lawmakers to put $250 million toward the bridge during the next budget cycle, enough to put the project in line for federal funds without fully clearing the way for the project. She also had proposed paring down the size of the bridge and including language that would ensure the bridge is constructed by a company with a unionized workforce.

Pham said writing the financially strapped state transportation agency a billion-dollar check is fiscally irresponsible.

This session, the Legislature doubled down on status quo transportation investments that prioritize freeway expansions before fixing existing streets, at a time in which traffic fatalities, air pollution, potholed roads, transit unreliability and carbon emissions are all steadily on the rise, Pham wrote in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Other lawmakers, however, said approving the full $1 billion was always part of the plan  and a necessary step toward building the bridge on the existing timeline.

Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, said in passing a funding plan to fund the new Interstate Bridge, lawmakers did what needed to be done.

Using general obligation bonds makes it clear to the federal government that this project is a priority for Oregon, Boshart Davis wrote in an email. Using existing funds would have robbed money from approved transportation projects around the state. What this plan doesnt do is meet the growing needs of our transportation system broadly by funding needed projects like the Rose Quarter.

Boshart Davis referred to an earlier funding proposal that would have included a commitment to fund an expansion of Interstate 5 through Portlands Rose Quarter.

Rep. Susan McLain, D-Hillsboro, said the state needed to fully match Washingtons $1 billion commitment to the bridge in order to compete for $2.5 billion in federal matching grants, which will help pay for the rest of the construction costs.

Authorizing the $1 billion match sends a clear message of bi-state support for the bridge, McLain wrote in an email.

28 1 / 28 Interstate Bridge Replacement Renderings

She also dismissed the idea that using bond funding for the bridge took away from other projects.

If you look at all the budget bills passed today, many important projects around the state are receiving funding, she wrote. We voted to fund projects at community colleges and universities, for improvements to courthouses across the state, and allocations to the Burnside Bridge and the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge.

McLain also touted funding for transportation projects like the Safe Routes to School program and the Hood River-White Salmon bridge over the Columbia River.

But some public transit and climate advocates say those investments paled in comparison to what was needed.

The climate activist group No More Freeways said transportation advocates had called for lawmakers to direct $100 million to the state transportation departments Great Streets program, which funds safety improvements and increases walking, biking and public transit access on state-owned roads. A bill introduced in this session proposed devoting $10 million to the state program. In Tuesdays budget bill, it got $1 million.

Two bills that directed the state transportation department to study passenger railways also stalled. And another Columbia River bridge replacement project, the seismic retrofitting of the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, also isnt in line for funding.

HB 5005 must pass both chambers of the Legislature by Sunday, the constitutionally mandated end of the session.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com
Oregon lawmakers on Wednesday voted to end a prohibition on self-serve gas thats been in place since 1951.

House Bill 2426 would require gas stations to staff at least half of their open pumps for people who want assistance. But it would allow other pumps to be open for self-service.

Stations are prohibited from charging different prices at self-serve and attended pumps.

The bill passed the Senate 16-9. While the bill had bipartisan support, each no vote came from a Democrat, while four Republicans and the Senates lone Independent Party member did not vote.

Fuel companies have long pushed for the change, saying its getting harder to staff fuel pumps. The Northwest Grocery Association argued earlier this year that the bill wouldnt eliminate jobs because half the pumps at most gas stations are already closed for lack of staffing.

Some drivers, too, have clamored for the opportunity to skip the wait for an available attendant  even as others have just as forcefully argued that full-service gas stations are a convenience that the state should preserve.

The bill, which passed the House in March, now goes to Gov. Tina Kotek to be signed into law. It would take effect immediately once signed.

The legislation would end Oregons long run as one of two states that require attendants to pump gasoline, the other being New Jersey.

Oregon has previously curtailed its full-service requirements.

Oregon in 2015 legalized self-serve gas at night in some rural and coastal counties. In 2017, it expanded that rule to all rural counties. And the state fire marshal has lifted the self-serve ban every summer since 2020 during wildfires or heat waves.

This bill approved Wednesday would also eliminate from state law language referring to coin-operated fuel pumps, perhaps in recognition of the fact that a $1 coin, the largest denomination in general circulation, would today buy two-tenths of a gallon of gas, and it would take more than 50 of them to fill an average tank.

Related coverage

-- Elliot Njus; enjus@oregonian.com

Jayati Ramakrishnan contributed reporting.
Graffiti vandals attempted to break into the historical Heceta Head Lighthouse in Florence last week, Oregon State Police said in a statement Tuesday.

Video footage shows four people approaching the lighthouse and its buildings at 8:43 p.m. Wednesday, and one of the people was carrying a can of spray paint, police said.

Two others broke a window on the lighthouse building and tried to enter but fled after a bystander approached them, police said.

One of the buildings near the lighthouse was tagged, as well as signs along the trail.

Police identified four suspects from the surveillance footage.

An Oregon State Parks representative told police that repairs could cost between $10,000 and $20,000.

Investigators are searching for the suspects, and ask anyone with information to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch Center at *OSP (*677) from a cellphone or 1-800-442-0776 from a landline and reference case number SP23-178524.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
The victims who died in Saturday nights shooting at a campground near the Gorge Amphitheatre were two women in their twenties, and an Army intelligence and artillery support specialist has been named as the alleged gunman.

Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison on Tuesday identified the women as Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26. A GoFundMe fundraiser for Ruiz said the women were engaged.

Also on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command identified the alleged shooter as Spc. James Kelly, with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Kelly joined the Army in 2021 and worked as a Joint Fire Support Specialist, said Lt. Col. Mike Burns.

Escamilla died from a gunshot wound to the head and Ruiz died from a gunshot wound to her trunk, Morrison said. Officials have not disclosed how many times either woman was shot.

The shooting happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. while the electronic music festival Beyond Wonderland took place at the amphitheater, which is in Quincy, Washington.

The suspected shooter, now identified as Kelly, fired into the crowd at the campground, and as he walked away, he continued firing randomly, said Kyle Foreman, a Grant County Sheriffs Office spokesperson. Two others were injured, as was the alleged gunman.

It appears at least one sheriffs deputy fired at Kelly. He sustained injuries and was arrested, Foreman said. A roster for the Grant County jail lists Kelly as of Tuesday.

The Grant County Sheriffs Office turned over the investigation to the North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit, which investigates police shootings.

Organizers of Beyond Wonderland canceled the second day of the festival Sunday.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_

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The alleged gunman in the Gorge Amphitheatre campground shooting Saturday told police he ingested mushrooms and believed the world was ending when he grabbed a handgun from his Dodge Ram pickup and shot and killed two women who happened to be walking by, according to court documents.

U.S. Army Spc. James Kelly of Joint Base Lewis-McChord is now accused in Washingtons Grant County Superior Court of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and domestic violence assault in the shooting spree that injured three others, including Kellys 20-year-old girlfriend, Lily Luksich of Mill Creek, Washington.

Kelly and Luksich, who have dated for about a year, attended the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival at the Gorge. Kelly told police he took a dose of mushrooms at the campground and then walked to the concert venue, according to court documents.

Kelly started hallucinating and told Luksich that they need to go back to the campground. This is the end, he told Luksich, according to court records.

Once back at their campsite, Kelly allegedly grabbed a handgun from a locked box in the console of his red pickup. He loaded it, stepped away from the truck and fired at Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26, court records say. The couple was engaged to be married, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser. They died at the scene.

Andrew Cuadra, another festival attendee, was also in the area. Kelly allegedly shot Cuadra, whos from Eugene, in the upper torso. He survived.

Kelly then started to walk away, court records say, and Luksich followed him and dialed 911. She told dispatch her man had a gun, according to court records. Then no more information could be provided because Kelly took her phone and discarded it.

Multiple security guards then arrived in a utility vehicle, and Kelly allegedly fired at them, striking the glasses of 61-year-old Lori Williams, one of the workers. The impact left cuts and bruises on her face.

Kelly and Luksich then walked into an adjacent field, and the Grant County Sheriffs Office flew a drone overhead, recording the couple. Kelly allegedly fired at the drone.

At multiple times, Luksich laid down on the ground and Kelly sat either on her, or sat next to her and leaned over her, according to court records. At one point Luksich began to walk north away from Kelly, turned around with her hands raised in the air, and walked back to Kelly.

Police said Kelly then shot Luksichs foot and upper leg, causing life-threatening injuries. She has been released from a hospital.

Moses Lake police Detective Edgar Salazar, working undercover at the festival, shot Kelly once, said Capt. Brian Chance of the North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit. Salazar, 35, has worked for Moses Lake since 2015, Chance said, and is on paid administrative leave.

A helicopter flew Kelly to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he was treated. Hes now being held in Grant County Jail, records show.

Kelly is a joint fire support specialist who performs Army intelligence and artillery support services with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

His next hearing is July 5.

 Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com; 503-221-8551

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly within the framework of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Trend reports via the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.

According to the ministry, the sides highlighted friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the UK and discussed joint steps to expand it.

"Further strengthening of cooperation aimed at ensuring stability & peace in the region was emphasized," the ministry added.
Judges who face sweeping motions or a series of motions by a prosecutor, defense lawyer or law firm to strip them from handling a whole class of cases could challenge the move before another judge under a bill passed by the Legislature.

Senate Bill 807 allows the targeted judge to request a hearing before a judge from a different judicial district. At the hearing, the attorney seeking the judges disqualification may file an affidavit arguing why they have a reasonable good faith belief that a judge wont be fair.

The amended bill doesnt go as far as judges had sought during the legislative session. Many described judges who have been barred from criminal or juvenile case dockets for months, even years, based on a filing by a single prosecutor with no explanation.

Lawyers have been allowed to file a motion simply saying they believe they cant have a fair or impartial trial or hearing before that judge. They dont have to offer any specific grounds or provide evidence, though they are expected by law to make the request in good faith and not to delay a case.

The burden of proof has rested on the targeted judges, who have had to show that a lawyer filed the motion in bad faith, which is nearly impossible to do, senior and retired judges told lawmakers. Thats why judges rarely challenge the motions, and they also generally dont want to draw extra attention to a motion because its embarrassing.

Judges had sought to shift the burden of proof to the lawyers making the motion and change the standard from a good faith belief to that of a reasonable person, but that language didnt make it in the final bill approved by the House and Senate last week.

The bill does shift the burden of proof to the lawyer making the disqualifying motion, however, it changes the standard to a reasonable good faith belief that the lawyer must use to show that a judge lacks fairness or impartiality.

If a lawyer establishes a reasonable good faith belief that the judge cant be fair, their motion shall be granted, the bill says.

Under the original bill, a lawyer who lost an effort to bar a judge from a full docket of cases would be prevented from filing disqualifying motions against the same judge for up to a year. But the amended bill carries no penalties for the lawyer whose motion isnt granted.

The vote to pass the amended bill was 53-4 in the House and 21-2 in the Senate.

Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, said the bill responds to a relatively rare situation when lawyers seek such blanket disqualifications of a judge. The bill gives the states chief judge the authority to issue rules on how the hearing before an uninvolved judge is held.

Kropf said he expects the bill to help improve the legal process.

Rep. Tom Andersen, D-South Salem, said he worked with Kropf to satisfy concerns by judges but also tweak the bill so it would be acceptable to all stakeholders.

Senior Judge Henry Kantor, who spent 22 years as a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge and was among the judges who sought a legislative change, called the bill a welcome reform to court procedure.

He said hes pleased it shifts the burden to the lawyer seeking to remove an elected judge from a criminal docket. That lawyer will have to establish that their belief is reasonable, before an uninvolved judge, if the targeted judge requests a hearing.

This is good for everyone appearing in an Oregon criminal court case and aligns Oregon procedure with most of the rest of the country, he said by email.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian

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An Oregon alternative church leader who has been convicted three times of sexually abusing the daughter of one of his congregants was sentenced Tuesday to 13 years and four months in state prison.

Its been more than 25 years since seven women and girls first told Portland police that they were sexually abused by Michael G. Sperou and described how he transformed an insular Christian church in Southeast Portland into a cult of personality.

Many of the womens relatives still support Sperou.

The defendant was not just grooming the children; he was grooming the church, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Chuck Mickley said.

Prosecutors initially declined to bring charges against Sperou in 1997 but indicted him in 2014 after giving the case a second look. By then, all but one of the cases had passed the statute of limitations.

Sperous first trial the next year eventually was overturned because witnesses referred to the women as victims. A second jury convicted Sperou in 2020 but the 11-1 decision was overturned after the U.S. Supreme Court banned non-unanimous verdicts

Five jurors from the third trial held last month were among the dozens who packed the courtroom for the sentencing, including two rows of Sperous supporters.

Also present were many of the women who had accused Sperou and their backers. They called for Sperou, now 72, to finally repent and face accountability.

Bryn Courtright, 38, said she was regularly sexually abused from ages 5 to 12 while living in what was then known as the Southeast Bible Church when Sperou required her to watch TV while lying in his bed.

I was terrified during every moment, Courtright told Sperou. But you were too stupid to think about how little girls grow up to become strong, confident women  and they were going to come for you.

Sperou didnt speak during the sentencing.

Defense attorney Steven Sherlag said Sperou maintains his innocence and plans to appeal his conviction because the third trial included testimony from two of the women whose accusations were past the statute of limitations.

He will return to court for a fourth trial, Sherlag said.

Sherlag made an unsuccessful attempt during the sentencing hearing to convince a judge to grant bail and allow Sperou to remain out of custody while he plans the appeal.

Arguing against the defense attorneys proposal, Mickley said Sperou has continued to prey on his congregation by developing an inappropriate relationship with a woman who has a 10-year-old daughter.

The prosecutor played jail call recordings of the two appearing to engage in flirtatious banter and laughingly suggesting that the woman Sperou was convicted of abusing should die of an overdose.

Sherlag described the joke as dark humor and said everyone in the church expresses their love for each other.

Under subpoena by prosecutors, the woman said she watched TV with Sperou in his bed once a week when he was formerly out on bail. In separate testimony, the womans fifth-grade daughter said she had never met Sperou but hopes to someday, as shes been told hes gentle and kind.

The sickness that was in this church is still as present today as it was when the crimes were committed, Mickley said.

Circuit Judge Andrew Lavin sentenced Sperou to more than 13 years for two counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, with credit for time served. Lavin ruled Sperou ineligible for other sentence reduction programs and ordered him to register as a sex offender.

Im very concerned about a child still living in the congregation, the judge said. The comments wishing the victim dead disgust and anger me  however its not my role to impose a sentence based on disgust or anger.

 Zane Sparling; zsparling@oregonian.com; 503-319-7083; @pdxzane

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An Oregon man who was identified as one of the first people to push past police and enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has been convicted in federal court of civil disorder, assaulting an officer and disorderly conduct.

Richard L. Harris, 42, of Happy Valley, took a selfie video just before entering the building, boasting he was in the front (expletive) line baby, were storming the Capitol, according to prosecutors.
For some younger viewers, it often seems like movies made in the past are irrelevant, and all that matters are films made in recent years. Jacqueline Stewart doesnt see things that way. And Stewart, who is among the recipients of the 2023 Cinema Unbound Awards presented by the Portland Art Museums PAM CUT (Center for an Untold Tomorrow), is in a position to have a uniquely informed opinion.

Not only is Stewart a familiar media personality, thanks in part to her appearances as a host on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel, she is also, among other accomplishments, director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The Los Angeles-based museum draws from archives and collections from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that awards the Oscars.

The Academy Museum is in the rare position to be able to work directly with Academy members, and the international film community, to enlighten people on what it takes to make films, going deeply into film history, Stewart says, in a recent phone interview.

Films made in earlier decades are valuable not just in themselves, Stewart suggests, but also as sources of information and insight about issues that remain timely today.

Stewart cites a current Academy Museum exhibit focused on the 1942 classic, Casablanca. Nostalgic fans who can quote lines from the script (Heres looking at you, kid, Round up the usual suspects, Well always have Paris, and so on) may delight in seeing archival materials associated with the production.

But what makes the exhibit more than a pleasant trip down memory lane is what Stewart describes as a narrative that puts the Casablanca story in context. So many of the cast and crew were emigres, Stewart says. They were fleeing persecution, and the prospect of death in Europe.

That behind-the-scenes reality parallels the Casablanca refugee-crisis storyline, in which characters are desperate to flee the dangers of World War II.

We can see the film itself as a documentation of what those artists were experiencing, says Stewart, who adds that the plight of immigrants and political refugees are still issues that were dealing with now.

As a recipient of this years Cinema Unbound Awards, Stewart is joined by fellow honorees Guillermo del Toro, Gregory Gourdet, Fred Armisen, Jon Raymond, and Tessa Thompson. The awards will be presented in a ceremony on Thursday, June 22, at the Portland Art Museum.

I was really humbled, Stewart says of her reaction to being named a Cinema Unbound Award winner. The incredible company that Im in for this award is just stunning to me. Making the move to the Academy Museum, after a long career as a scholar, has been a real revelation to me, to spend so much time with filmmakers. So, the fact that my work would be in the company of these people, Stewart says, makes her feel that her contributions are visible, and meaningful.

Stewart also has a background in studying African American cinema, has been active in efforts to highlight diversity, equity and inclusion in film archives, and, in appearances on Turner Classic Movies, has contributed commentary that adds context to older films that often perpetuate disturbing racial stereotypes.

While it may be tempting to shun vintage movies that reflect stereotypes, Stewart says there is value in acknowledging such films.

Some people do want to ignore them, and some people want to actively suppress them, Stewart says. In her view, its important for us to see and to recognize those problematic practices of the past, in order to not repeat them. I think theres a real danger when we talk about repressing films, even painful ones. They stand as a record of a kind of misrepresentation, stereotyping and sometimes outright discrimination. We have to reckon with those things, and I dont think we can do that if we put them out of view.

Its important, Stewart says, to see the stereotypical roles that people of color were relegated to playing, and to recognize the labor of these people, and the sacrifices that they made.

An example Stewart often cites, she says, is that of Hattie McDaniel, the first Black actress to win an Oscar when she was honored as best supporting actress for her role in 1939s Gone With the Wind.

A lot of people dont want to watch Gone With the Wind, with good reason, Stewart says. But its important, she says, to recognize McDaniels achievement, and reconstruct what led to McDaniel getting that role, and consider what Black filmmakers have done in the years since.

Another example of cinema history that is worthy of exploring, Stewart says, is silent film. As the host of the Silent Sunday Nights showcase on Turner Classic Movies, Stewart each week introduces classics such as Buster Keatons The Cameraman, and again explains the context surrounding the movies.

I really feel that silent films are the blueprint for films that come later, Stewart says. They show us how screenwriting, acting, set design and costuming developed over time. To lose those films is like losing the ancestry of the most powerful medium in the world. Im really proud to be the chair of the National Film Preservation Board, where we make recommendations to the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry. Its a critically important issue for American cultural preservation.

Its become common in recent years for critics to bemoan the state of movies, worrying about at-home streaming drawing viewers away from theaters, and complaining that superhero blockbusters have squashed other kinds of films.

Stewart isnt so pessimistic. Her position at the Academy Museum brings her into contact with people who are actively making work, who continue to be incredibly passionate about the power of the moving image, and visual storytelling, Stewart says. Im not worried about the future of cinema. I think theres always going to be this desire to create narrative and characters in that form, and that there will be an appetite for it.

(Some Turner Classic Movies content can be streamed via Max)

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

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For the first time, prosecutors in the University of Idaho student homicides case have acknowledged that investigators employed an advanced DNA technique more commonly used in cold cases to land on Bryan Kohberger as the suspected killer.

The FBI submitted DNA found at the Moscow crime scene to one or more public genealogy databases to establish familial ties to the alleged perpetrator, according to newly released court records. The since-deleted DNA profile that federal agents created, on online services like Ancestry.com or 23andMe, resulted in the lead that pointed law enforcement to Kohberger, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson wrote.
Crews were scouring an area twice the size of Connecticut in waters 2 1/2 miles deep for a missing submersible with five people on board, said Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District, who noted that authorities are still holding out hope of saving the passengers onboard the Titan.

The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan went missing on Sunday is prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search-and-rescue mission, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol. The lost submersible could be as deep as about 12,500 feet below the surface near the watery tomb of the Titanic.

Key to the search are camera-equipped remote-operated robots, which are designed to scan the seafloor in real-time at depths other vessels cant reach. Two were operating in the area Wednesday and more were on the way, officials said.

Frederick said while the sounds that have been detected offered a chance to narrow the search, their exact location and source hasnt yet been determined.

We dont know what they are, to be frank, he said.

Retired Navy Capt. Carl Hartsfield, now the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, said the sounds have been described as banging noises, but he warned that search crews have to put the whole picture together in context and they have to eliminate potential manmade sources other than the Titan.

The report was encouraging to some experts because submarine crews unable to communicate with the surface are taught to bang on their submersibles hull to be detected by sonar.

A U.S. Navy official said during a media briefing Wednesday that a special naval salvage system that could be used to pull the Titan to the surface has arrived in St. Johns, Canada, but it is expected to take another 24 hours to prepare it for use. The Navy said in a statement that the equipment is capable of hoisting large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels.

--The Associated Press

Experts, specialized equipment rushed to help

The daunting search and rescue effort for a submersible missing in the North Atlantic is rushing experts and specialized underwater equipment together by land, by air and by sea to find the submersible before its oxygen runs out.

A remotely operated vehicle that can scan the sea floor, known as an ROV, was flown to Canada on Tuesday and is expected to arrive at the Titanic site on Thursday morning.

The equipment that is onsite and coming is the most sophisticated in the world and certainly capable of reaching those depths, said Sean Leet, chief executive of Canadian Horizon Maritime company.

The company and the Mikmaq band co-own the Polar Prince, which is the research vessel that launched the Titan submersible.

We are praying for our friends onboard the Titan submersible, said Miawpukek First Nation Chief Misel Joe. We want them to come home safely. We ask everyone across Canada and the world to pray with us that we can find and rescue the Titan.

--The Associated Press

US Navy sending equipment for possible salvage

The U.S. Navy is sending a specialized salvage system thats capable of hoisting large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels in the hopes that the Titan will be found in the waters of the North Atlantic.

The Titan weighs 20,000 pounds (more than 9,000 kilograms). The U.S. Navys Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System is designed to lift up to 60,000 pounds (27,215 kilograms), the navy said on its website.

The Flyaway has a traction winch as well as a system that prevents high-snap tension from occurring in the lift line.

--The Associated Press

Passenger on 2021 dive describes risks

Looking back on his own 2021 dive to the Titanic, an early OceanGate passenger says one must be a little bit crazy.

Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he conceived the idea to see the Titanic while on a 2016 trip to the South Pole. He paid $110,000 for a dive in 2019, but the first submersible didnt survive testing. Loibl went two years later.

Imagine a metal tube, a few meters long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You cant stand, you cant kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other, Loibl said. You cant be claustrophobic.

The dive, which was repeatedly delayed to fix problems, took 10 1/2 hours, he said.

Lost aboard the vessel are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers are a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

I was a bit naive, looking back now, said Loibl.

--The Associated Press

Coast Guard brings in more ships for search

The Coast Guard said Wednesday it is bringing in more ships and underwater vessels to search for a submersible missing in the North Atlantic after detecting underwater sounds, including banging noises, that provided a glimmer of hope three days after the Titan disappeared while bringing five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.

This is a search and rescue mission, 100%, said Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District. When youre in the middle of a search and rescue case, you always have hope.

The exact location and source of the sounds was not yet determined, but it allowed searchers to focus on a more narrowly defined area. The full scope of the search was twice the size of Connecticut and 2 1/2 miles deep, Frederick said.

Even those who expressed some optimism warned that many obstacles remain: from pinpointing the vessels location, to reaching it with rescue equipment, to bringing it to the surface  assuming its still intact  before the passengers oxygen supply runs out.

The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan submersible went missing on Sunday is prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search-and-rescue mission, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol.

After a Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area, a robotic vessel was sent to scour the region but had so far yielded negative results, the Coast Guard wrote on Twitter.

The Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be. The vessel is estimated to have as little as a days worth of oxygen left if it is still functioning.

--The Associated Press

Coast Guard estimates about a days worth of air remains

The air inside the missing Titanic submersible vessel will run out by Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The submersible vessel, called the Titan, went missing on Sunday after officials said contact was lost with the five people on board about 1 hour and 45 minutes into the vessels dive. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified after the vessel didnt resurface at its planned time of 6:10 p.m. Sunday.

The Coast Guard in Boston joined efforts on Monday to search for the 21-foot submersible, which came from the Canadian research vessel, Polar Prince via OceanGate Expeditions. More reinforcements from several jurisdictions, including the Canadian Coast Guard, arrived Wednesday morning to aid the search.

As of approximately 11 a.m. on June 21, BBC reported the U.S. Coast Guard stated the passengers onboard will run out of oxygen by Thursday morning, as there is about 20 hours left of air in the vessel.

Five people were aboard the vessel when it went missing, including a pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Their names are Hamish Harding, the owner and chairman of Action Aviation, ex-Navy officer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush.

There was initially about 96 hours of oxygen onboard when the vessel disconnected, and as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the five people on board had about 40 hours of oxygen left, according to First U.S. Coast Guard District Captain Jamie Frederick.

However, Rear Admiral John Mauger, the commander of the Coast Guard district leading the search, told the outlet it is difficult to predict exactly how much oxygen is onboard.

One of the factors that makes it hard to predict how much oxygen is left is that we do not know the rate of the consumption of oxygen per occupant on the sub, Mauger told BBC.

Mauger told the outlet the search team is now operating under the assumption they have about 20 hours left to find and rescue the submersible, meaning by Thursday morning.

--MassLive

Underwater noises detected by searchers

A Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises as a massive operation searched early Wednesday in a remote part of the North Atlantic for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.

A statement from the U.S. Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be, though it offered a glimmer of hope for those lost aboard the Titan. The vessel is estimated to have as little as a days worth of oxygen left if it is still functioning.

In this photo released by Action Aviation, the submersible Titan is prepared for a dive into a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Rescuers raced against time Tuesday, June 20, to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. (Action Aviation via AP)AP

Three search vessels arrived on-scene Wednesday morning, including one that has side-scanning sonar capabilities, the Coast Guard tweeted.

The Coast Guard wrote on Twitter that a Canadian military surveillance aircraft had detected underwater noises in the search area and that an underwater robot sent to search that area has so far yielded negative results.

Still, authorities pushed on Wednesday to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.

The Coast Guard statement about detecting sounds underwater came after Rolling Stone reported that search teams heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes.

The report was encouraging to some experts because submarine crews unable to communicate with the surface are taught to bang on their submersibles hull to be detected by sonar.

It sends a message that youre probably using military techniques to find me and this is how Im saying it, said Frank Owen, a submarine search and rescue expert. So, thats really encouraging if thats the case.

Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club, wrote an open letter to his clubs adventurers, saying he had much greater confidence about the search after speaking to officials in Congress, the U.S. military and the White House.

However, no official has publicly suggested they know the source of the underwater noises.

Meanwhile, questions remain about how teams could reach the lost submersible, which could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the surface near the watery tomb of the historic ocean liner. Newly uncovered allegations also suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during its development.

Lost aboard the vessel are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers are a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Three transport planes from the U.S. military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. Johns, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokesperson for U.S. Air Mobility Command said.

The Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specializes in dive medicine. It also dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds from the Titan.

Authorities reported the 22-foot carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

Owen said the estimated 96-hour oxygen supply is a useful target for searchers, but is only based on a nominal amount of consumption the average human might consume in doing certain things. Owen said the diver on board the Titan would likely be advising passengers to do anything to reduce your metabolic levels so that you can actually extend this 96 hours.

Chris Brown, a British adventurer who paid a deposit to go on the Titan voyage but later withdrew because of what he called safety concerns, said word that the searchers have heard sounds is both good news and bad news.

If the sounds are coming from below the water indicator then that indicates that they may be alive in the water, but now weve got time pressures in getting them up to the surface, Brown told ABCs Good Morning America Wednesday.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon.

Aaron Newman, who has been a passenger on the Titan, told NBCs Today show Wednesday that if the submersible is below a couple hundred meters and without power, the passengers are in complete darkness and its cold.

It was cold when we were at the bottom, he said. You had layered up. You had wool hats on and were doing everything to stay warm at the bottom.

Meanwhile, documents show that OceanGate had been warned there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way the experimental vessel was developed.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, said in a 2018 lawsuit that the companys testing and certification was insufficient and would subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

The company insisted that Lochridge was not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan. The firm also says the vessel under development was a prototype, not the now-missing Titan.

The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators, also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush, OceanGates chief executive. The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. The New York Times first reported about those documents.

The search for the missing vessel has drawn international attention. In Dubai, where the missing British adventurer Hamish Harding lives, Crown Prince Hamadan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum wrote: Dubai and its people pray for their safety and hopeful return home.

Others aboard include Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country. In Pakistans port city of Karachi, employees at his firms said they prayed for the twos safe return, as did government officials. French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet also was on the vessel.

Describing Harding and Nargeloet as tourists is a misnomer, said Newman, the former Titan passenger.

These are people who lived on the edge and loved what they were doing. If anythings going on, these are people that are calm and thinking this through and doing what they can to stay alive, Newman said, adding that he felt safe and in the hands of professionals on his descent. Its a good set of people.

--The Associated Press
The mayor of Baker City in eastern Oregon is defending himself after posting an offensive meme to social media over the weekend that showed four pride flags rearranged to form a swastika, an image that drew a sharp rebuke from the former mayor and others in the city of 10,000.

On Tuesday, Mayor Matt Diaz told residents that the post was meant to illustrate how the DEI or woke ideology is being propagandized and militantly forced on American society. He also said he is not a Nazi sympathizer or supporter, and added, I also hold no hate for those who choose a different lifestyle, religion, or sexual preference than my own.

Diaz, a Navy veteran, owns the Get Smoked BBQ food cart in Baker City and was previously a pastor.

As a man of faith and a veteran surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and fellow veterans, I hold dear the oath I took when I enlisted to defend the Constitution and be a part of preserving our Republic, Diaz said in the statement. That preservation starts right here in Baker City using tools like Facebook to speak out against ideas that ultimately harm the families and nation that was built and protected by men and women willing to stand for what they believe in.

Former Mayor Beverly Calder, a member of the city council, said many frustrated residents have sent letters and messages to city officials in response to the meme.

I was shocked, Calder said. Its a crushing blow to the community. As an employer who has worked to create a safe space for customers and staff, its personal.

Calder said business owners and others in the community are working to set up a town hall to discuss the offensive act, which came during Pride month.

Diaz took his seat as mayor after Calder was voted out of office April 11. Mayors in Baker City are not elected by voters, but selected by city council members. Calder was removed from office after writing a letter-to-the-editor to the Baker City Herald concerning a $1 million shortfall in the citys general fund, as reported by the Herald.

Jeana Phillips, owner of Bettys Books in Baker City, said Diazs post does not represent the community at large. Phillips is working with local LGBTQ organizations to schedule a community listening session.

We have no words for the harm this causes, Phillips said in a statement. We send our solidarity and love to the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, and will always strive to provide a safe and inclusive space for anyone who walks through our doors.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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When Cherish Sawyer saw the news earlier this month that one person had been killed and two others injured in a shooting in downtown Portland she called detectives immediately. Her 29-year-old son was supposed to be hanging out with friends there.

I called the detective and I asked, Is it my son? Is it my son? Sawyer said. She said the victim hadnt been identified and asked for any identifying marks. I told her he has a broken heart tattoo under his eye, and she got really quiet.

On Tuesday, police identified Sawyers son, Dominick Sawyer, as the man shot and killed June 10 downtown. The father of three young children was in his car at the intersection of Southwest Third Avenue and Harvey Milk Street, his mother said.

Officers came across the aftermath of the shooting around 1:45 a.m. while on patrol. Police said two others were shot. One victim was transported to a hospital, and the other left the scene with minor injuries, police said.

Cherish Sawyer said she woke up around 2 a.m. with a strong feeling of nausea and called it mothers intuition.

She said that a friend of her son came by the house about an hour later nursing two bullet wounds. She asked him where her son was, but the man didnt know. She could not confirm if this was one of the injured victims police mentioned.

Sawyer had last seen her son the day before the shooting.

I saw him that morning, she said. I dont even remember if I told him I loved him.

The two had moved from Grand Junction, Colorado in 2012. On Tuesday, she is preparing to bring his body back to Colorado so friends and family could say goodbye.

Its what he wouldve wanted, she said.

The victims mother described her son as an avid outdoorsman, loving father and friend to everyone he met. He went to school for nursing while in Colorado, but found a passion for roofing when he moved to Portland, she said.

He participated in BMX and dirt bike racing when he was younger and loved camping and hiking.

I want people to understand he was a good kid, she said. Whether you knew him for one minute or his 29 years, youd never forget him.

Dominick Sawyer is survived by three siblings and his children. His death marked the 38th homicide in Portland so far this year, compared with 41 at this same point last year when Portland broke a record with 101.

Police have not made an arrest in the case. And Cherish Sawyer said she is seeking justice for her son, calling the level of gun violence in Portland unacceptable. The city has recorded 443 shootings as of June 1, compared with 586 by this point last year.

She said Dominick Sawyer never met his biological father, who has also died.

He never knew his real dad, and now hes with him, she said. At least I hope so.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
Mike McCarter calls for the Oregon Legislature to hold a hearing on the Greater Idaho movement which he heads, (Opinion: Legislators should hear from Oregonians on Greater Idaho proposal, June 14). I hope that Gov. Tina Kotek and Oregons sensible legislators would give a swift, firm, and resounding No! to this request. I can think of at least two major obstacles to this effort by some Eastern Oregonians to exit Oregon.

First, the Columbia River. Do Western Oregonians want to cede control of over 200 miles of the south bank of the Columbia to the state of Idaho, and make Idaho a third party to the Columbia River Compact? Second, tribal rights. McCarters opinion neglects to mention anything about the role of Native Americans in this discussion who should clearly have a seat at the table.
UPDATE at 12:30 p.m.: Internet service has been restored at the Capitol.

Multiple state agencies are experiencing internet outages tied to a firewall update, hindering employees from doing their jobs and blocking the Legislature from making progress on hundreds of bills.

An email sent to state employees Wednesday morning by the Department of Administrative Services described the issue as beginning at 7 a.m. and as a SEV-1, or severity level one, event. Thats considered a critical event and made it the top priority for state technology staff to fix.

The issue included remote connectivity outages and blocked legislative employees from using their Office applications, the email said.

The outage postponed scheduled House and Senate floor sessions, first until 11 a.m. and now until past 12 p.m., with the possibility that delays will take longer. The chambers could proceed without the internet by printing bills, but members of the public wouldnt be able to watch live proceedings.

Shortly after 11 a.m., Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, told a smattering of lawmakers, staff and reporters in the House chamber that they should return at noon. House staff urged lawmakers not to leave the building.

Well ask everybody to come back to the chamber at noon with high hopes and great expectations, Gomberg said.

But floor sessions hadnt resumed by noon.

Landlines in the Capitol were also down because they operate over the internet, leaving staff to carry messages back and forth between the House and Senate because their phones and state email werent working.

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services had no immediate further details, other than that theres an intermittent connectivity issue. The agencys Enterprise Information Services, which oversees cybersecurity, is investigating the issue, a spokesperson said.

At the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, staff handling calls for emergencies pivoted from logging calls on computers to taking down information with pens and paper, said Chris Crabb, a spokesperson for the agency. The switch will not delay resources to any emergencies, Crabb said.

We are still covered, just not able to do electronically, Crabb said.

Through its Oregon Emergency Response System, the agency coordinates resources for emergencies like natural disasters, search and rescue operations and landslides that can block a highway.

The outage also affected the states campaign finance system and business registry, the Secretary of States Office announced on Twitter.

Reporter Ben Botkin contributed to this article

-- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Buyar Osmani, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's foreign ministry.

The sides discussed bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia, issues on the OSCE agenda, as well as the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

They pointed out the importance of mutual visits and bilateral meetings at different levels for the development of relations between the two countries.

North Macedonia's foreign minister was briefed about Azerbaijan's efforts to overcome the consequences of the past conflict, its priorities in post-conflict reconstruction and reintegration. He was informed about Azerbaijan's position regarding the normalization of relations with Armenia at the interstate level with the signing of the peace agreement, which is the main goal. They also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
Oregon lawmakers on Tuesday tucked $1.1 billion into an end-of-session budget bill, a move that will pump cash into purposes ranging from natural disaster planning to helping people seeking citizenship.

The proposal, called the Christmas tree bill by Capitol observers because its loaded with spending like a tree with ornaments, serves a purpose: Lawmakers, state agencies and lobbyists get money for projects and needs that didnt attract attention earlier in the legislative session. The Joint Ways and Means Committee heard the proposal on Tuesday, sending Senate Bill 5506 to the Senate for a vote as lawmakers face a Sunday deadline to adjourn.

The 124-page list of budget projects would sprinkle money throughout state agencies and services. The bill also would provide money for local priorities, including courthouse renovations, new fire stations, roads, sewer systems and broadband service.

The end-of-session bill gives lawmakers a chance to push for projects in their districts, whether rural or urban. Some Republican lawmakers raised concerns about rural Oregon getting short-changed, such as by not receiving enough money for wildfire fighting or childrens advocacy centers that serve youth in small communities.

But even rural lawmakers can still go home with something.

Were at that point in the session where no ones going to be entirely happy, said Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner. I felt as if my voice was heard.

Heres a look at the highlights:

$450 million for state employee compensation increases, including those needed to aid recruitment and retention of staff. The budget bill doesnt specify what salary raises employees will get. Thats up to state agency managers, who often negotiate with unions for raises. That work is ongoing, including Oregons negotiations with the union that represents about half of state employees.

$50 million to help the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Human Services respond to increased demand from Oregonians for services including food assistance, medical coverage and child welfare.

$35 million to help the state prepare and respond to natural disasters.

$23 million for a state program that helps working Oregonians cover part of their child care costs. $15 million will go toward increased payments to providers in the program, and another $8 million will help the state enroll more people.

$20.9 million to provide housing and food benefits to people pursuing citizenship.

$20 million to help the Oregon Health Authority cover costs of modernizing the public health system. The COVID pandemic demonstrated the need for states to have robust public health systems to collect data and conduct community outreach.

$19.4 million so providers of residential psychiatric facilities and community programs for children can pay employees better. Children need extra help because of homelessness, addiction, abuse or behavioral health challenges.

$13.8 million for community violence prevention programs that reach people who have a high risk of arrest or becoming a crime victim. It provides $10 million for state grants to cities and $3.8 million for the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, which mentors and provides youth and adults with education, job training and placement.

$8.9 million in stipends to teachers and classified school employees who work in special education. Special education positions are among the hardest to fill, school districts say.

$7.6 million to Oregon State Police to conduct background checks for people who are purchasing firearms. Measure 114, a voter-approved proposal, would require the state to set up a new permit-to-purchase system with safety courses for applicants purchasing firearms. The measure faces court challenges.

$5 million for grants to help Oregon police agencies target illegal marijuana grows.

$1 million for district attorneys for costs related to cases with non-unanimous jury verdicts, including victim assistance and investigations. The Oregon Supreme Court in December 2022 determined that non-unanimous jury verdicts are not constitutionally sound and have overturned hundreds of cases involving felony convictions.

$100,000 so the state can study the pros and cons of decriminalizing prostitution in order to combat human trafficking.

-- Ben Botkin; bbotkin@oregoncapitalchronicle.com

Oregon Capital Chronicle is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. On June 21-22, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, as part of a working visit to the UK, took part and spoke at a conference on the restoration of Ukraine, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's foreign ministry.

"I wish to start by expressing gratitude to the organizers of this important conference.

Azerbaijan deeply regrets that the current crisis in Ukraine continues to undermine peace and security in Europe, causing serious humanitarian sufferings. Azerbaijan stands for earliest settlement on the basis of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The dire humanitarian consequences of the crisis require expedient measures to alleviate the suffering of civilians.

Our first humanitarian cargo of medicines and other medical items reached Ukraine on 27 February 2022, followed by a number of humanitarian aid batches, mostly consisting of medicaments and food. Most recent aid, including water pipes, water pumps, life jackets, inflatable boats, wading overalls and relevant items was delivered to Ukraine on 10 June 2023. So far, the volume of Azerbaijans humanitarian aid to Ukraine exceeds one thousand tons and 20 million US dollars.

From our own painful experience of early 1990s we know that children are one of the most vulnerable society segments, and they need more protection and special care during wars and armed conflicts. In this regard, my country provided one hundred children from Ukraine with fully covered medical and social-psychological rehabilitation services in Azerbaijan. We are planning to double this number by the end of the year. As a responsible member of international community, Azerbaijan will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine with the aim of alleviating civilian population sufferings.

Azerbaijan has a first-hand experience in post-conflict recovery and reconstruction. Following the liberation of its territories from the decades-long Armenian aggression, Azerbaijan has embarked upon an unprecedented scale of reconstruction activities in its territories affected by the former conflict. The major impediment here is massive contamination of those territories with landmines by Armenia, which refuses to provide accurate maps of minefields and continues to plant mines in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. In spite of our difficulties, Azerbaijan will soon provide to Ukraine a demining machine, to be used for humanitarian demining purposes.

Azerbaijans post-conflict reconstruction experience is a best practice worth to be shared with other countries, including Ukraine. Our support to Ukraine in this area has already started with full reconstruction of the school in the city of Irpin in 2022.

Today I would like to announce that Azerbaijan is planning to contribute further to the recovery and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, in particular through supply of electric equipment and implementation of reconstruction projects in the city of Irpin. The total sum of this aid will be no less than 10 million US dollars," the statement said.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan National Committee for Human Rights, an NGO, has urged European Union (EU) countries to review their hostile policies towards immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and stop sending them back to Libya
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan prime minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba, Wednesday met with Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation, Ali al-Abed, on the Ministry's plan to organize and register the private sector and combat double employment
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The United States on Tuesday announced nearly $172 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Sudan and neighbouring countries experiencing the impacts of the ongoing humanitarian crisis following bitter fighting between rival militaries
Photo: (Photo : Mercedes Mehling on Unsplash)

The New York Police Department is investigating "a criminal mischief pattern" of vandalism against Pride and transgender flags at the Stonewall National Monument during Pride month, it said in a statement.

The police department said its Hate Crime Task Force is investigating three incidents, which occurred June 10, June 15 and June 20. According to police, individual or individuals were seen removing Pride flags that were displayed on the fence of the monument. In two of the incidents, the flags were also broken, the statement said.

According to CNN, there were no injuries as a result of the alleged crimes, and it's not clear from the statement released Monday if the same person or people were involved.

Earlier this month, the NYPD tweeted a photo of individuals it said were "wanted for criminal mischief" in connection to the June 10 incident and asked for public assistance. President Barack Obama in 2016 designated the area around the Stonewall Inn, the site of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, as the country's first national monument to honor the LGBTQ+ community.

The uprising occurred when a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, turned violent after patrons fought back. The incident led to the first march for gay and lesbian rights. The Stonewall National Monument includes Christopher Park, the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding streets and sidewalks where the uprising occurred.

Authorities Seek Public Assistance in Identifying Suspects

In a disheartening turn of events, the Pride and transgender flags displayed at the Stonewall National Monument in New York have been subjected to acts of vandalism during the month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ pride.

The New York Police Department has initiated an investigation into what it describes as a "criminal mischief pattern" targeting the flags, as announced in a statement. The Hate Crime Task Force of the NYPD is actively looking into three separate incidents that occurred on June 10, June 15, and June 20. Eyewitnesses reported individuals removing the Pride flags from the monument's fence, with two incidents involving the flags being intentionally broken.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with these alleged crimes. However, it remains unclear whether the same person or group of individuals is responsible for all three incidents. The police are diligently working to gather evidence and identify the culprits. Earlier this month, the NYPD took to Twitter to seek public assistance by sharing a photograph of individuals who were wanted in connection with the June 10 incident, emphasizing the seriousness with which they view these acts of vandalism.

The significance of the Stonewall National Monument cannot be overstated. Designated by former President Barack Obama in 2016, the monument holds immense historical value as it commemorates the site of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. This uprising marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, occurring when a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a renowned gay bar, escalated into a violent confrontation as patrons fought back against the oppression they faced. The incident ultimately catalyzed the first-ever march for gay and lesbian rights.

Read Also: LGBTQ Bill on Child Abuse Creates Uproar in Virginia and Beyond

Protecting the Legacy of Stonewall: Upholding Values of Justice and Inclusivity

The Stonewall National Monument encompasses various important landmarks, including Christopher Park, the Stonewall Inn itself, and the surrounding streets and sidewalks where the brave individuals stood up against injustice. The acts of vandalism targeting Pride and transgender flags at the Stonewall National Monument are a somber reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride month, intended as a time of celebration and solidarity, should serve as a reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead. These incidents underscore the importance of continued efforts to foster inclusivity, acceptance, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

As the investigation unfolds, the NYPD urges anyone with information related to the incidents to come forward and assist in their efforts to bring the responsible parties to justice. In a city known for its diversity and acceptance, such acts of vandalism serve as a call to action for individuals, communities, and institutions to reaffirm their commitment to equality and reject hatred and discrimination.

The NYPD, along with the support of the community, remains dedicated to upholding the values of justice and inclusivity that the Stonewall National Monument represents. The monument stands as a testament to the resilience and bravery of the LGBTQ+ community, and it is crucial to protect and honor its legacy. Through collective efforts, society can strive to create a world where every individual can express their identity freely and without fear of persecution.

As Pride month continues, it is imperative to remember the importance of unity and solidarity. The vandalized flags at the Stonewall National Monument serve as a poignant reminder that the fight for equality is far from over. The resilience and determination exhibited by those who fought at Stonewall and the countless activists who have followed in their footsteps will continue to inspire progress. Together, we can ensure that acts of hatred and discrimination are condemned and that love, acceptance, and respect prevail.

Related Article: Johns Hopkins University Faces Backlash Over LGBTQ Glossary's 'Lesbian' Definition, Attempting Gender-Neutral Identities
Photo: (Photo : ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Getty Images)

A federal judge has made a landmark ruling by overturning Arkansas' ban on gender-affirming treatment for transgender youth and declaring it unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. of the Eastern District of Arkansas permanently blocked the law from taking effect, citing violations of the First Amendment as well as the equal protection and due process clauses of the 14th Amendment.

This decision marks the first time a judge has overturned a law banning gender-affirming care, representing a significant victory for LGBTQ advocates.

Unconstitutional Ban on Gender-Affirming Treatment

According to NBC News, the ban, known as the "Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act," was enacted in Arkansas after the majority-Republican Legislature overrode former Governor Asa Hutchinson's veto in April 2021.

It aimed to prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, to transgender minors.

Additionally, it barred doctors from referring minors to other providers for such treatment.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit in May 2021 on behalf of four transgender minors and their parents, along with two physicians who provide gender-affirming health care.

The ACLU argued that the law violated the Constitution.

CNN reported that in an 80-page ruling, Judge Moody determined that the law violated the U.S. Constitution, specifically the First and 14th Amendments.

He emphasized that the evidence presented showed that gender-affirming medical care improved the mental health and well-being of patients, and prohibiting such care undermined the state's claimed interest in protecting children.

The now-blocked law would have had significant consequences for transgender youth in Arkansas.

It would have prevented them from accessing puberty blockers, a treatment option used to prevent the onset of puberty.

The law also banned cross-hormone therapy, which allows trans individuals to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.

The legislation included limited exceptions for certain intersex individuals and those with difficulties resulting from previous gender-affirming treatments.

A Nationwide Legal Battle

While this ruling only applies to Arkansas, it represents a crucial victory for LGBTQ advocates who have been challenging similar laws enacted in GOP-led states.

It was the first time a federal judge had the opportunity to receive extensive evidence and briefing in a case against a ban on gender-affirming care.

According to Politico, similar lawsuits have been filed in other states, such as Alabama and Indiana.

Arkansas intends to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. However, in August last year, a three-judge panel on the appeals court allowed Judge Moody's preliminary injunction to stand, indicating potential challenges ahead for the state's appeal.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin expressed disappointment with the decision, asserting that the state aimed to protect children from what they deemed dangerous medical experimentation.

Read Also: Ohio Father Charged with Murder as Three Young Sons Shot Dead in Tragic Family Tragedy

Concerns for Transgender Youth

LGBTQ and medical advocates strongly opposed the ban, fearing its negative impact on transgender youth, who already face a higher risk of attempting suicide, as indicated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Judge Moody's ruling recognized the potential risks associated with gender-affirming treatments but emphasized that for many adolescents, the benefits of such treatment outweigh the risks.

The body of medical research as a whole supports the effectiveness of gender-affirming medical treatments in improving mental health outcomes for adolescents with gender dysphoria.

With the overturning of Arkansas' ban on gender-affirming treatment, the conversation surrounding transgender youth's access to appropriate healthcare continues to evolve.

This ruling sends a message to other states considering or implementing similar bans, highlighting the vulnerability of these laws and the potential harm they can cause.

Related Article: Two Children Killed on California Freeway, Mother Arrested for DUI
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Our focus today was on the city of Gloucester, and most particular on the citys cathedral. When I think of Gloucester, Im afraid that the very first thing that occurs to me is Richard III, who reigned from 1483 until his death  the last English king to die in combat and the last of the Plantagenet monarchs  at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Prior to his brief tenure as king of England, Richard was duke of Gloucester.

A horse! A horse! the beleaguered Richard cries shortly before his death in Shakespeares Richard III. My kingdom for a horse! And its Shakespeares Richard  one of the greatest and most cunning villains in all of literature  of whom I particularly think, although some are now arguing that Shakespeares portrayal of the king is wildly unjust and the product and embodiment of Tudor propaganda. (The Tudors were the family who displaced the Plantagenets and who overthrew and killed Richard.) One of the most spectacular pieces of acting that Ive ever seen was Gary Armagnacs depiction of Richard III at the 1994 Utah Shakespeare Festival. For sheer brilliant evil, Ive never seen the like (although some of my critics would happily give me the edge in goofball evil, if not in brilliance). It is etched unforgettably in my memory.

In any case, Richard Plantagenet is nowhere to be found in Gloucester Cathedral. Instead, the cathedral is the site of the tomb of Osric, the Anglo-Saxon King of the Hwicce, who founded what would eventually become the cathedral in about AD 679.

The tomb of Robert II of Normandy (ca. AD 1051-1134), or Robert Curthose, the eldest son of William the Conqueror, is also found in the cathedral. Robert was, by reputation, a heroic warrior. But he was passed over by his father for the rule of England, and probably for good reason. Somewhere in the cathedral literature today I saw a reference to him as the king we never had and, elsewhere, as born to be king.

In October 1216 Gloucester Cathedral was the venue for the coronation of Henry III, after the death of his father, the notorious King John, who has a bit of a public image problem and who could use some reputation management. John has his own play among Shakespeares historical dramas, but he is probably most famous for his enforced signing of the Magna Carta, on which he later tried to renege. He has been portrayed in film by Claude Rains (opposite Errol Flynns title role and Basil Rathbones Sir Guy of Gisbourne in the 1938 Adventures of Robin Hood, which has a special and cherished place in my unwritten autobiography) as well as by a cowardly thumb-sucking lion (voiced by Sir Peter Ustinov in the 1973 Disney Robin Hood). In The Lion in Winter, a very memorable 1968 film, John, who is the son of Henry II (Peter OToole) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn) and the younger brother of Richard the Lion Heart (Sir Anthony Hopkins in his first significant film role), is portrayed as an effete weakling, but also as a dishonorable schemer.

Perhaps the cathedrals chief claim to specific fame  apart, that is, from its repeated use in the Harry Potter films (which isnt altogether uncommon in the places weve visited during this trip)  is that it is the burial place of Edward II, the seventh Plantagenet king of England (who reigned, rather poorly, from 1307 to 1327 and who died under mysterious circumstances while effectively under house arrest in nearby Berkeley Castle). We had already spent some time with Edward II up in Scotland, when our group visited the site of the 23-24 June 1314 Battle of Banockburn, where the forces of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, inflicted a decisive defeat upon Edwards vastly larger army  some sources give figures of 27,000 English to 6,000 Scots  during the First War of Scottish Independence.

That was perhaps an omen of things to come for Edward II, as was the refusal of the lord of Stirling Castle  a place that we visited on the first day of our group tour  to grant him asylum following the battle.

There was actually a petition, centuries ago, seeking canonization for Edward II, probably on the basis of the fact that he was an anointed king and that his possible murder thus represented martyrdom. The Vatican apparently never acknowledged or responded to the petition. Which was probably lucky for Rome, since there is at least a fifty-fifty chance that Edwards sexual practices were, umm, quite catholic. Which is to say that they may not have been Catholic. But this may be mere rumor, the result of propaganda designed to justify his having been deposed from the throne, and it may perhaps not be true at all. (The simple fact that a source may be old, or contemporary, doesnt necessarily mean that its not biased or partisan or that its accurate. Historiography requires wisdom and judgment and, even so, its an inexact science.)

The Age of Chivalry has much to commend it. Unfortunately, its largely myth, and it was as corrupted by human wickedness as every other age has been. Perhaps, though, we can learn some virtues from the romanticized, purified accounts of it that survive in literary texts from the medieval period through the Victorians and beyond. I still love them.

Posted from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Hypocricy of MFA of Armenia has no borders, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Aykhan Hajizada tweeted, Trend reports.

"Hypocricy of MFA of Armenia has no borders!

A country responsible for ethnic cleansing of more than 1 million Azerbaijanis and multiple of massacres against civilians disseminates false narratives distorting historical facts.

Such false claims that also disrespect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan show the disinterest of Armenia in normalization of relations with Azerbaijan, and understand the legitimate grievances of Azerbaijanis suffered as a result of Armenia's aggression, he said.
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Beautiful, understated colors

Super-smooth switches

Excellent build quality Cons Confusing function layout

No programming

No paper manual Our Verdict The Varmilo Minilo is a great keyboard if you want to buy it and never modify it, ever. Its super-smooth EC switches are a particular highlight. But if you need programming options for your compact keyboard, look elsewhere.

Best Prices Today: Varmilo Minilo VXB67 keyboard

One of the very first mechanical keyboards that I bought was from Varmilo, a Chinese brand focused on simple designs with solid components. Solid enough, in fact, that I still use that board on a regular basis, even after modifying it several times. So I was excited to check out one of the companys latest models in a more official capacity, seeing how Varmilo had improved in the last few years.

Further reading: See our roundup of the best gaming keyboards to learn about competing products.

The Varmilo Minilo VXB67 design

The Minilo VXB67 is a gorgeous little board, mixing subtle hues with high-quality plastic and understated lighting into an appealing whole. Its also sticking with those high-quality components, with a compact but high-quality plastic body and completely custom electro-capacitive switches (more on those later).

The low point of the design is its confusing function key layout, which is exacerbated by an inability to reprogram any keys at all. This gives the Minilo a steep learning curve even compared to other compact keyboards, and it insists that you adapt to it instead of the other way around. But if you can forgive this quirk, and youre not looking for easy customization, its a high-quality offering with some unique appeal in a sea of samey gaming and typing boards.

Compared to more utilitarian designs, like Logitechs MX Keys Mechanical or even Keychrons Q series, or the bombastic disco light show of gaming keyboards, the Minilo is pleasantly understated. The plastic case has a double-layered effect, with an eggshell-colored exterior and a layer of minty green directly surrounding the keys. These colors are continued into the keycaps themselves, accented by a splash of blue on the modifier keys. I think it would look great next to that new Fractal Design Terra case from Computex. If youre not a fan of this particular Eucalyptus combination, theres a pink-themed Mendozae option available as well.

The Minilo is a high-quality offering with some unique appeal in a sea of samey gaming and typing boards.

Michael Crider/Foundry

The good looks extend to the rest of the board. Note the logo on the bottom right, which lights up (and can be disabled if you please), and the matching green bottom plate with its engraved metal badge giving you all the manufacturer and model details. Theres a lot of careful and very appealing work put into this board, as you might expect from a manufacturer that focuses so closely on its colorful special editions. Double-stage keyboard feet are a nice surprise, ABS keycaps (instead of the more premium PBT) slightly less so.

The layout is a variation of the popular 65% semi-standard, though I found a couple of the choices to be odd. The Delete key is just above the arrow cluster, instead of in the upper-right corner as in most similar designs. Some of the function layer layout is strange, too: F-keys along the top are obvious enough, but who looks for the Print Screen key on L, or media keys from T to P? More complex hardware functions, like controlling the lighting or pairing via Bluetooth, require a dive into the user manual.

Michael Crider/Foundry

For example, the board has no power switch. Itll auto-sleep after 30 minutes, and re-awaken with a double-tap of the space bar. To turn off the white LEDs, you press Fn+X. To pair a new Bluetooth device or switch between existing paired devices, press Fn+Q, W, or E which will flash a light on 1, 2, or 3, despite the fact that these keys arent the ones youre pressing. To switch the top row from the default numbers to the function row, press Fn+Page Down. None of these operations are indicated on the keycaps themselves. Oh, and theres no manual in the box: You have to search for it on Varmilos support site, adding yet another bit of frustration to all this.

Perhaps worse, theres no way to change any of these pre-programmed functions. Thats a definite ding against the design in 2023. Budget boards like the excellent G.Skill KM250 can get away with that, but Varmilo cant, especially on a compact board where a comfortable and intuitive layout is crucial for usability. This is the biggest drawback of an otherwise excellent product.

mentioned in this article G.Skill KM250 RGB Keyboard Read our review

What about the Varmilo Minilo VXB67 switches?

This board comes with switches designed exclusively by and for Varmilo. Thats not exactly uncommon these days  half the gaming keyboards seem to have custom switches, which generally means a company like Kailh or Gateron made them, possibly with a little extra design work, possibly not, and re-branded the outer casings. Thats not the case here: The Jasmine switches on our review unit are electro-capacitive, and fairly unique for it.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Electro-capacitive used to refer to a design that used a sliding stem as well as a rubber dome between the switches and the circuit board registering key presses, resulting in a distinctive thock feel that made the Happy Hacking keyboards popular. That isnt what Varmilos electro-capacitive switches do. Theres no sheet of rubber domes, each switch is entirely contained in its own Cherry MX-style housing. What the electro-capacitive term refers to is the stem and leaf design, which does not require direct contact like a typical MX-style switch, actuating the press by mere proximity instead of the usual click. This means that from the top of a keypress to the bottom, the only resistance you feel comes from the stem sliding along the switch housing and the spring itself.

If all that seems like Greek to you, heres the TLDR version: The EC V2 switches in this board are very smooth. The Jasmine variant of the switch isnt just color-coded to match the keyboard, its also a speedy linear design, so theyre slightly lighter than most switches with a faster activation. If you like to type lightly without bottoming out (pressing down until you cant anymore), youll be particularly pleased with these switches.

Michael Crider/Foundry

And thats a very good thing, since you dont have any other choices. While most keyboards in this price range come with hot-swap switch sockets that let you customize the switches, Varmilo omits the feature on the Minilo. Thats not out of any kind of stinginess: The unique properties of these EC switches make them incompatible with other MX-style switch designs, even if they look very similar. If that extra flexibility is important to you, theres another slightly more expensive model of the Minilo with standard MX switches, hot-swap sockets, RGB lighting, and a 2.4GHz wireless dongle.

But again, even with the limitations, these switches are very good. Smooth and quiet thanks to boxy stems, an all-plastic body, and a bit of silicone between the plate and the PCB, this board was surprisingly low-volume in an empty coffee shop even without switches with silent properties. Its a shame that ordering the EC V2 switches or the hot-swap sockets are an either-or proposition.

How does the Varmilo Minilo VXB67 compare to the competition?

Varmilo asks a little less than $110 for the Minilo VXB67 on its website, with a choice of several electro-capacitive switch variants. Its about $5 more if you go for the model with standard MX switches and hot-swap sockets, which also lets you connect via a wireless USB dongle in addition to Bluetooth and upgrades the lights to RGB.

Michael Crider/Foundry

However, postage to the U.S. makes the price shoot up considerably  around $150 total for me. Buying from third-party vendors on Amazon or the MechanicalKeyboards.com specialty store brings the price back down to the $110-130 range, depending on your switch choices.

Do you want a very pretty keyboard with zero programming options, or a board thats less eye-catching and more customizable?

That puts the Minilo in the midrange category for mechanical boards, competing with wireless non-gaming designs like the Keychron K6 Pro. In that context, the question becomes clear: Do you want a very pretty, very high-quality keyboard with essentially zero customization options (including programming), or a board thats less eye-catching but allows you to customize to your hearts content?

Michael Crider/Foundry

I cant answer that question for you. But I can say that theres no reason for Varmilo to omit programming options, even if the electro-capacitive switches take hot-swapping off the table. Youll have to learn this board, not make it conform to your user style. Its an oversight thats hard to forgive when every other board in this price range offers at least some kind of programming option  even Logitech.

If you can get over that limitation, the Varmilo Minilo VXB67 is an excellent little board thats equally comfy on your desktop or in your laptop bag. Just dont expect it to be especially accommodating.
Christ Addict, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading love, compassion, and positive change, recently held its maiden edition of the Annual General Meeting, urging members and volunteers to become ambassadors and agents of change in their communities.



The event which took place at AH Hotel in Accra served as a platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the organization in the past year under the theme Inspiring Transformation: Empowering Communities for a brighter future.



According to the President and Founder of Christ Addict Mr Caleb Dande, the organisation and its dedicated members and volunteers were ready to tackle the challenges ahead, armed with compassion, resilience, and a burning desire to make a difference.



Together, we are poised to transform lives, one act of kindness at a time, and bring about a brighter future for all, he noted.



Mr Dande however called for more partnerships as it is the sure way to bridge gaps and collate resources and expertise to achieve common goals.



Christ Addict acknowledges that partnerships are vital for bridging gaps and collating resources and expertise to achieve common goals. The organization remains committed to working hand in hand with other like-minded individuals, businesses, and organizations to create a lasting impact on the communities we serve, he said.



One of the significant milestones, Mr Dande said, was the successful fundraising efforts of Christ Addict, raising an impressive Gh125,000 through various initiatives since January 2023.



Undeterred by the challenges faced, he added that the organization has set its sights even higher, to raise an additional Gh150,000 to continue its impactful work.



The meeting served as an opportunity to reflect on the six transformative projects executed by Christ Addict in the past six months.



The organization's dedication to education and child welfare was evident through initiatives such as enrolling nine street children into school, providing scholarships to one student from Accra Academy, and supporting two university students in pursuing their dreams.



Additionally, on Easter Monday, Christ Addict Ghana fed more than 200 street children, bringing smiles to their faces and warmth to their hearts.



In a remarkable effort to address educational disparities, Christ Addict Ghana distributed over 2,000 exercise books to students in three communities in Greater Accra and one community in the Northern Region.



Touching on the plans of the organisation, Mr Caleb Dande said they have launched the "Feed A Child" program, with the sole aim to supplement the government's school feeding program, ensuring that no child goes to school hungry.



Another initiative, "Project 100K," aims to distribute 100,000 exercise books, stationery, and school uniforms to students in deprived communities, fostering a supportive learning environment, he disclosed.



He further mentioned that a scholarship Fund has been established to exemplify the organization's commitment to education, which aims to provide 200 students at various academic levels with tuition fees and other necessary resources.



Additionally, through the Vocational Training program, Christ Addict Ghana seeks to empower unskilled youth by offering training in various fields, including hairdressing, carpentry, soap making, tailoring, and car repair skills. The program also includes tutoring and equips participants with starter kits, enabling them to embark on a fulfilling career path, he mentioned.



Recognizing the prevalence of addiction and mental health challenges, he said that Christ Addict Ghana has partnered with the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to establish a rehabilitation centre.



This long-term endeavour aims to provide help, support, and guidance to youth battling addiction issues, ultimately helping them reclaim their lives, he added.



As the maiden edition of the Annual General Meeting came to a close, the atmosphere was filled with hope, determination, and a shared sense of purpose.



One of the highlights of the AGM was the discussion on Collaborative Solutions for Sustainable Development, thus, representatives of Tribe Africa Foundation, Irish Africa Saving Lives and The Leading Africa Foundation shared solidarity messages and the need for partnership.







About Christ Addict:



Christ Addict is a nonprofit organization based in Ghana, dedicated to empowering communities and fostering positive change. The organization founded in July 2016 by Mr Caleb Dande has spearheaded 12 projects since its inception and an increasing beneficiary list of over 2,000 people. Through a holistic approach that encompasses education, drug regulation, community development, and empowerment initiatives, Christ Addict aims to inspire transformation and create a brighter future for all. With a team of dedicated volunteers and strategic partnerships, the organization is committed to making a meaningful impact in Ghana and beyond.



For more information about Christ Addict and how to contribute or get involved, please visit www.christaddict.org.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Ghana Refugee Board in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR has commemorated the 2023 World Refugees Day in Accra on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 to celebrate the resilience of refugees.



World Refugee Day is an international day organized annually on June 20 by the United Nations and is observed all over the world to remind the world of the plight of refugees and the need to help them.



This years ceremony was held at the Blue Oasis Refugee Community Center under the theme Hope Away From Home to honour refugees from around the world.



Delivering a keynote address at the event, Board Chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board, Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah assured that Ghana will continue to provide "hope away from home" for persons who flee from their home countries seeking shelter.



He said, in fulfilling the countrys obligations as prescribed in the UN and Africa Union Refugee Conventions and in the true spirit of brotherliness and Pan-Africanism that Ghana is known for, the doors of the country are open to its brothers and sisters from across the border.



Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah further indicated that the government through the Ghana Refugee Board will continue to support UNHCR in the provision of assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.



Refugees in Ghana will continue to be encouraged to be self-reliant and contribute towards national development.



At this point let me reassure our refugee brothers and sisters that Ghana shall continue to guarantee that they live here in safety and in dignity. I will end by wishing us all a successful commemoration of World Refugee Day, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board said.



UNHCRs flagship annual report, Global Trends in Forced Displacement 2022, found that the number of people displaced by war, persecution, violence and human rights abuses by the end of 2022 stood at a record 108.4 million higher than the previous year which had 19.1 million.



The upward trajectory in global forced displacement of persons showed no sign of slowing down in 2023 as the eruption of conflict in Sudan triggered new outflows, pushing the global total to an estimated 110 million in May.



Speaking at the 2023 World Refugee Day event, UNHCR Representative in Ghana, Ms. Esther Kiragu bemoaned the fact that the rate of displacement is getting faster and bigger than the rate of finding solutions.



She indicated that behind these statistics are real people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered and devastated by war and persecution causing untold anguish.



As we commemorate this world refugee day, we celebrate their resilience given their determination to pick up the pieces against all odds and continue living. We must stand by them, Ms. Esther Kiragu stressed.



While praising Ghana for setting the pace with its rich Pan-Africanist tradition of hosting refugees that allows space to participate in rebuilding their own lives, the UNHCR Representative also acknowledged that the country cannot do it alone.



She used the opportunity to call on development partners to come on board to support Ghana.



Support is required for the host to enhance the absorption capacity and we use this occasion to call on development partners to prioritize, and advocate for the prioritization of refugee hosting Districts in both the Upper East and Upper West. This is very important in order to obviate friction over resources and to maintaining peaceful co-existence between the refugees and their host.



With the theme of this year, "Hope away from Home"- nothing gives a refugee parent more morale to weather the storms of life than having their children enrolled in schools! It gives hope. Health is another area that needs support to ensure that they can exercise their right to health in general, Ms. Esther Kiragu added.



She urged refugees in Ghana and in the world to have hope that achieving their dreams and aspirations is possible despite the situation they find themselves in.



In her concluding remarks, Ms. Esther Kiragu applauded the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Refugee Board, the US and Canada as well as all partners and stakeholders who play a role in giving hope to refugees.



The day was well celebrated with cultural dances and drama from some of the Refugees to mark the special day.















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USA President, Joe Biden has said the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin using tactical nuclear weapons is "real", days after denouncing Russia's deployment of such weapons in Belarus.



Last week, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said his country has started taking delivery of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, some of which he said were three times more powerful than the atomic bombs the U.S. dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.



The deployment is Russia's first move of such warheads - shorter-range, less powerful nuclear weapons that could be used on the battlefield - outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.



The United States has said it has no intention of altering its stance on strategic nuclear weapons in response to the deployment and has not seen any signs that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon.



On Saturday, Biden called Putin's announcement that Russia had deployed its first tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus "absolutely irresponsible".

But on Monday, June 19 while talking to group of donors in California, he said the nuclear threat is real.



"When I was out here about two years ago saying I worried about the Colorado river drying up, everybody looked at me like I was crazy," Biden said.



"They looked at me like when I said I worry about Putin using tactical nuclear weapons. It's real."



The Russian deployment of nuclear weapons 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 war in Ukraine.

















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A farmer in Ejura Sekyeredumase in the Ashanti Region, Opanyin Kwame Anthony Adjei, has called on delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to elect former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey, as flagbearer of the party.



He says Hon. Ghartey deserves to lead the NPP as flagbearer and Ghana as President.



Hon. Ghartey who is on his nationwide "Walking and Talking Tour" was commended by Opanyin Kwame Anthony. This was after Hon. Ghartey's team

while driving along a bush track stopped to ask a group of farmers on the way to their farm for directions.



Opanyin Anthony could not hide his joy when he asked "Isn't that Joe Ghartey" and he got a positive response. He exclaimed, "you used to wear your glasses at the tip of your nose when you were Attorney-General President Kufour's era." He praised Hon. Ghartey for all the work he had done as Attorney-General and Minister for Railway Development. He said Hon. Ghartey had served NPP and the country well, so NPP delegates should vote for him.



Opanyin Adjei said Hon. Ghartey was also from the resource-rich Western Region and had never had a Presidential Candidate under NPP or in the Fourth Republic. He concluded emphatically that "this is Joe Ghartey's time."

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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A New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has justified the small throng that accompanied him to file his nomination papers, claiming that he only garnered a dedicated crowd of believers in his bid.



According to him, he is not intimidated by the massive crowds that have characterised the filing of nomination papers by other contestants.



Tens of thousands of NPP supporters and enthusiasts descended on the partys headquarters in Accra on June 16, 2023 to support Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in filing his candidacy papers.



But Dr. Akoto told the media yesterday after filing his papers that, unlike other contestants who bussed people in, the folks who joined him did so of their own volition, with the majority of them being farmers.



Let me say here that everybody who has come here, including representatives of farmers, are here on their own accord. You cannot see any bused crowd or any big commercial vehicle bringing people to come and support.



People have come on their own volition and conviction that my candidature will be good for the people of Ghana and the NPP, and I am very grateful, he insisted.



Despite the fact that a few people were spotted following him, Dr. Akoto claimed he was accompanied by 22 Greater Accra Region Constituency Chairmen, including his Campaign Chairman, Alfred Boye, a former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party.



Others are his Co-Campaign Chairman, Ken-Wood Nuworsu, who is also a former Volta Regional Chairman of the party; National Campaign Coordinator, Peter Oteng Darko; as well as Electoral Area Coordinators, Polling Station Executives, farmers, friends, and loved ones.



My forms were received by the Director for Finance and Administration, Williams Yamoah, and the Director of Election, Evans Nimako, he revealed.



He said the national executives of the party, after reviewing the forms, cleared him for meeting all the requirements.



I assured Ghanaians that I have laid a solid foundation at Ghanas agriculture sector that is capable of changing the countrys economic fortunes and that I am the best candidate for the partys flagbearer position, he intimated.



He expressed appreciation for the support he had received from some delegates, particularly constituency chairmen, and urged them to remain committed to the cause of electing him as the NPPs flagbearer.



Dr. Akoto, an agricultural economist, who is banking his hopes on farmers to become President, appears to have more billboards and posters across the country than any of the aspirants.



The handful of supporters who followed him for the filing of candidacy papers were spotted holding placards with messages emphasising his abilities and the importance of using agriculture to preserve the country.



For Dr. Afriyie Akoto, the NPP needs to be united to stand a chance of breaking the eight, asserting, You cannot break the 8 with half an egg.



It has to be the full egg and everybody in this party is important in this respect, especially the delegates who have been given the constitutional powers to choose a flagbearer of this party, he added.



I hope that at the end of the day, we will be given the opportunity for delegates to listen to us and make the right choice so that this party can retain power come 2024, he noted.



Besides Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko also filed his nomination forms to contest in the NPPs presidential poll.



He called on the party to take action against flagbearer aspirants who violate election rules, highlighting the significance of adhering to the rules and regulations for a fair and transparent electoral process.



It is important that all (aspirants) uphold the rules and regulations. Without sounding like a fly in the jar, there have been many provocations, there have been many breaking the rules for which no sanctions have been applied. I have even raised the matter at the national council, he stated.



Mr. Agyarko said, So long as the rules are clear, so long as there is total fairness, so long as we are all tempered or measured, I believe that we would have a very peaceful contest. But please do not hold yourself aloof from the entire process.



Konadu Apraku



Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, another aspirant, also managed to file his nomination papers after being instructed previously by the partys elections committee to revise his forms because they were missing needed information.



He had turned in his papers without including key documents, such as his CV and list of personal contributions to the party.





Source: Ernest Kofi Adu/Daily Guide









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Professor Godfred Bokpin, an economist and lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has called for the resignation of President Akufo-Addo, citing his inability to effectively govern with a cabinet of up to 40 ministers.



Professor Bokpin argues that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Program secured by the country is not a definitive solution to the economic crisis and that additional measures must be implemented to complement the IMF's recommendations.



In Professor Bokpin's view, the government should reduce the number of ministers and dissolve unnecessary agencies in order to address the dire economic situation.



He suggests merging certain ministries to cut down on government expenditure and urges the president to take action accordingly.



The professor believes that it is unnecessary to seek perfect individuals to govern the country, as perfection is unattainable.



Instead, he emphasizes the need for effective governance with fewer ministers and a reduced budget, even suggesting the sale of luxury vehicles.



Professor Bokpin made these statements during a speaking engagement at the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Business Meeting, where the theme was "The Current Economic Situation and You."



He also expressed skepticism regarding the IMF's role in transforming economies, stating that the organization lacks a single case study demonstrating successful economic transformation. He points out that Ghana, despite previously being praised for its IMF interventions, is currently struggling.



In light of these concerns, Professor Bokpin emphasizes the importance of Ghana deciding on specific interventions and strategies to achieve the broad fiscal policy framework prescribed by the IMF.



He believes that relying solely on the IMF will not lead to the desired economic transformation and calls for proactive measures to be taken by the government.





Source: class fm









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Atik Mohammed has predicted the fate of former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko going into the NPP Super Delegates Congress to determine the five aspirants who will be contesting the partys presidential primary.



Boakye Agyarko is part of ten candidates who have filed their nomination forms to contest the race.



The NPP will hold a Super Delegates Congress in August 2023 to trim the number to five.



Commenting on the election during Peace FMs Kokrokoo show, Atik Mohammed stated emphatically that he doesnt believe the former Minister will make it to the top three in the primary.



He told host Kwami Sefa Kayi; "I am biased towards the inclusion of Mr. Boakye Agyarko because of his expertise and how grounded he is in issues of policy. But to be frank and to tell you the truth, if you ask me if he will be part of the top three, I can't say he's part."

















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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in London on the sidelines of the conference on Ukraine's reconstruction, Trend reports.

Alongside with other issues, the sides also discussed the process of normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Moreover, they touched upon the situation in Ukraine, NATO's expansion and other issues related to bilateral relations.
Traditional authorities in Assin North have cautioned political leaders to be mindful of comments which could undermine the peace of the area before, during, and after the by-election.



Despite the tribal, religious, and ethnic diversity, the chiefs said the area remained indivisible and will continuously guard the standing unity and peace ahead of Tuesday, June 27 by-election.



For us, we have come a long way, and have a history of peaceful coexistence among ourselves despite the tribe, religion and ethnic diversity which have always remain indivisible.



It is this love for each other, underpinned by the biblical directive of love your neighbour as thyself, that today Assin is rated as the most peaceful place in the country, and we thank God for that, Nana Yaw Owusu Aduomi, the Chief of Assin-Praso, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.



To him, the sustenance of unity and peace of the country over the years was a feat that was well deserved and should not be taken for granted.



Lets be careful with what we say and how we say it to ensure that it does not bring political instability, and unnecessary tension in a peaceful area because peace is the pinnacle for development, he indicated.



The Chiefs upbeat about peace and use of intemperate language was borne out of the steady rise of political tension and apprehension due to high stakes in the by-election.



He said some recent pockets of ethnic sentiment and unsubstantiated contentions being peddled by some political actors could disturb the peace of the area and must stop.



He admitted the fact that there had not been political acrimony in the area, however, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) had deployed various schemes to win votes, resulting in high anxieties.



Reinforced by the hung parliament which had split NPP and NDC into almost equal, he said the two political parties, had a lot to fight for, hence the different maneuvering and tactics.



He wondered why leaders of political parties had for years agreed to be decorous in their public discourse but had failed to punish members for misguided statements to deter others.



The politicians had sometimes defended those reckless statements as rebuttals, in the context that: This person said that, and that person also went to say this.



Such positions only came to hurt the nation because none of them is helpful.



For the media, he charged them to be careful about the platforms they offered to political actors.



They must ensure that people who got onto their platforms did not abuse the public space with reckless statements that would jeopardize the peace of the area and the country at large.



Nonetheless, Nana Aduomi called on the government to redeem its promises to construct the Assin-Praso town roads and bring back the tollbooth in the community, which was relocated due to the road construction.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Three teenagers were shot at two separate parties located at two different Airbnb properties in Philadelphia on Monday evening.

The first incident occurred on the 2200 block of Amber Street in the Kensington area at about 10 p.m., according to reports from the Philadelphia Inquirer and Fox 29.

Police arriving on the scene found an 18-year-old man with two gunshot wounds in his abdomen. He was taken to a hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition.

About 100 young people were outside the property, police told the news outlets, which appeared to have been rented for a party.

Then, a little before midnight, there was a shooting at a house along the 1700 block of North 29th Street in the Brewerytown section of the city.

About 30-40 people were at the property. A 13-year-old girl had been shot in her lower body. She was taken to a hospital. An 18-year-old was also shot in the leg and was taken to a hospital in a private vehicle.

Authorities said the Brewerytown property is known to be an Airbnb and that the two shootings do not appear to be related.

We condemn this senseless gun violence, and hope that the victims make a swift recovery, an Airbnb spokesperson said in a released statement. Parties are banned on Airbnb, and our Safety team has taken initial action to remove the booking guests from the platform and deactivate the listings as we investigate. We are also in contact with the Philadelphia Police Department to offer our assistance with their investigation.

No arrests have been made yet in either incident.

READ MORE: Pa. teen shot in the face while in house: reports
By Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman (TNS)

BOISE, Idaho  For the first time, prosecutors in the University of Idaho student homicides case have acknowledged that investigators employed an advanced DNA technique more commonly used in cold cases to land on Bryan Kohberger as the suspected killer.

The FBI submitted DNA found at the Moscow crime scene to one or more public genealogy databases to establish familial ties to the alleged perpetrator, according to newly released court records. The since-deleted DNA profile that federal agents created, on online services like Ancestry.com or 23andMe, resulted in the lead that pointed law enforcement to Kohberger, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson wrote.

The process, known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), was previously reported by several news outlets, including Slate and The New York Times, but never before confirmed by officials involved in the case.

Kohberger, 28, a former Washington State University graduate student of criminology, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in the Nov. 13, 2022, killings. His trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 2, and he could face the death penalty.

The four victims were seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, junior Xana Kernodle, 20, and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20. All four students were stabbed to death at an off-campus home on King Road where the three women lived, while two other housemates went unharmed. Chapin was Kernodles boyfriend and had stayed over for the night.

In recent years, law enforcement has used the genealogical technique to solve high-profile cold cases across the U.S. Most notably, IGG was applied to identify and prosecute California serial murderer Joseph James DeAngelo, otherwise known as the Golden State Killer, in 2018.

And increasingly, law enforcement is turning to IGG in active investigations.

FBI sent tip to local detectives

Moscow police found a tan leather sheath for a combat-style knife next to Mogens body in her bed and later located a single source of male DNA on its button snap. The Ka-Bar brand sheath, which included a U.S. Marine Corps insignia, was left face down, partially under Mogens body and the comforter, the new court filing detailed.

Based on the genealogical evidence that identified Kohberger, the FBI sent a tip to local law enforcement to investigate him, Thompson wrote. But other more traditional investigative and DNA methods were used to identify and charge Kohberger, he said.

In this case, investigators used lGG to begin the process of developing a lead to the individual who left DNA on the Ka-Bar knife sheath, Thompson wrote. The IGG process pointed law enforcement toward (Kohberger), but it did not provide law enforcement with substantive evidence of guilt.

In late December, investigators acquired trash left at the home of Kohbergers parents in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was staying at the time of his arrest. The Idaho State Police Lab in Meridian tested that evidence to confirm the DNA left behind in the trash to be the biological father of the person whose DNA was on the knife sheath, police previously disclosed in the affidavit.

A swab from inside of Kohbergers cheek was later compared to the DNA found on the knife sheath and showed a statistical match, Thompson wrote in the new court filing.

After Kohberger was in custody, the FBI deleted the genealogy profile on the public website, per U.S. Department of Justice policy, Thompson wrote.
A 17-year-old girl is in the hospital after being shot in the face on Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Police responded to a report of a shooting at around 12:51 p.m. at a house in the 5500 block of Media Street, according to reports from NBC10 and 6ABC.

Police told the news outlets that upon arrival they found a 17-year-old girl who had a gunshot wound to her right cheek in the living room of the home.

She was taken to a hospital and is listed in critical condition.

No arrests have been made yet, police said, and no weapon has been recovered.

READ MORE: Teen driver was using drugs, alcohol before central Pa. crash that killed passenger: police
By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Two years after a former Gettysburg College student finally saw charges filed over her 2013 campus sexual assault, the man suspected of sending her a Facebook message that said, So I raped you, remains on the run.

Shannon Keeler, 28, and her attorneys question how Ian T. Cleary has avoided capture in an age when people are tracked by their cellphones, internet connections, security cameras and credit card purchases. Investigators, led by the U.S. Marshals Service, believe the 30-year-old from Silicon Valley is likely overseas and on the move.

How is he financially supporting himself? How is he able to travel abroad without detection? Has he assumed a false identity? asked Andrea Levy, legal director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, who represents Keeler. Whos helping him?

Shannon Keeler of South Jersey poses for a portrait on April 7, 2021. Keeler is seeking justice after being sexually assaulted on a college campus in Pennsylvania in 2013. (Chris Carlson, AP, file)AP

Keeler was sexually assaulted on a snowy December night in her dorm room. She texted friends for help even before he fled, and went to police the same day.

For years, local officials declined her pleas to file charges, even after she showed them the startling Facebook messages she discovered in 2020. They reversed course weeks after she went public in an Associated Press story that examined the reluctance of local agencies to prosecute campus sexual assaults.

For Keeler, the years of limbo have been painful, even as she moves forward with her life and career. She works for a software company and is getting married this fall. But she remains on high alert for an arrest that could come at any time, knowing a trial could disrupt her life for months or even years.

Shes had to push and push and put herself out there  and then hes just literally gone on with his life. Its hard to measure that impact on her as a human being, (and on) her family, her partner, Levy said. Theres a cost. Theres a real human cost. Its someones life.

After leaving Gettysburg, Cleary, 30, graduated from Santa Clara University, near a family home in Saratoga, California, worked for Tesla, then moved to France for several years, according to his website, which describes his self-published medieval fiction.

The Gettysburg College campus in Gettysburg, Pa., is seen April 7, 2021. (AP File Photo/Matt Rourke) AP File Photo/Matt Rourke

Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett, who filed the arrest warrant on June 29, 2021, called the duration of the search somewhat frustrating.

I just have to think this person is accessing resources from somewhere, Sinnett said.

Neither Clearys father in California, a marketing executive who has served as a professor and trustee at Santa Clara, nor his mother in Baltimore returned messages this month seeking comment.

U.S. marshals said the search remains active. An Interpol Red Notice has been issued, asking police agencies worldwide to detain Cleary, although he is not yet listed in the public database, which includes a few dozen rape and sexual assault cases.

We put a lot of work and effort into it, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Phil Lewis, warrant supervisor for the office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Any crimes against women and children, we take seriously and we make those types of cases a priority.
A meat manufacturer in central Pa. has a new claim to fame - the worlds largest piece of turkey bacon.

Earlier today, Godshalls Quality Meats earned the title during an event held at its Lebanon County facility.

Were one of the leading turkey bacon producers in the country and today is the longest day of the year and its national Turkey Lovers Month. We though it would be the perfect day to make the longest piece of turkey bacon, said Francis Yupangco, the companys head of marketing.

Godshalls bacon strip measured 17 feet and 3/4 inches, beating the previous record set at 16 feet. Guinness World Records officials were on hand to certify the record.

It took Godshalls employees six hours to cook the bacon in its smokehouse. The company hosted a lunch and served the bacon to a few hundred employees, Yupangco said.

Godshalls was founded in the 1940s in Telford by Marvin K. Godshall. Today it sells several varieties of smoked turkey and beef bacon products.

READ MORE:
By Mike Andrelczyk, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

Tom Prather, founder of Lancasters Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre and its sister theater, the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers, Florida, died recently.

Prather died in Florida on April 3, days before what wouldve been his 86th birthday. He was diagnosed with stage-four bone cancer in January and had been receiving palliative care at a retirement community in Fort Myers.

Prather left a remarkable legacy in the theater world. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Deborah Debbie Prather, two sons, Will and David, and and a grandson, TJ.

He was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on April 7, 1937. He grew up on his parents cattle ranch.

He graduated from San Jose University in 1958 with a major in theater. Even after enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1960, assigned to a demilitarized zone in Korea, he found a role that tapped into his love of performance: a morning radio announcer.

His afternoons echoed that love, too; he started a community theater with GIs and members of the Red Cross. Later, he transferred to Army Headquarters in Japan where he also directed plays. Upon honorable discharge, he received the Army Commendation medal.

Back home, he worked for the Army as a civilian in New York City and as a propmaster in Southberry, Connecticut, before moving to Harrisburg to found the Arena House Theatre in 1964.

Harrisburg looked like a nice place, Prather said in 2015. I ran the Arena, a not-for-profit theater, for four years.

Thats where he met Deborah Zimmerman, whod become his wife. They were married less than six months later.

Deborah Prather left WITF, and she and her husband took theatrical productions across Pennsylvania: the Host Inn in Harrisburg, the Host Corral in Lancaster, and theaters in Hazleton, Selinsgrove, Shamokin Dam, Chadds Ford, York, Williamsport and Philadelphia.

Looking for a change of pace, Deborah Prather attended a dinner-theater conference. She believed she and her husband could buy and run their own theater.

Instead of chasing people, we would have them come to us, Prather said in 2015. And Lancaster was the core of the idea.

As they were chatting about it at a restaurant, a man approached them. It was Bob Ellis, the owner of the Quality Inn-Sherwood Knoll Hotel. He also owned the three acres of land adjoining the property on Centerville Road.

Those three acres became the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. At first, the Prathers rented the land. Within six months, they bought it.

It took off beyond our expectations, Prather said in 2015.

In 1993, the couple opened the Broadway Palm in Florida. They opened a third theater in Mesa, Arizona, in 2001, which closed in 2015.

More: Harrisburg arts group finds permanent space: This is what were all about
By Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News (TNS)

New York City fire inspectors dogged the HQ E-Bike Repair shop since at least 2021 over unsafe handling of lithium-ion batteries before a blaze Tuesday that killed four people in Manhattans Chinatown, Fire Department officials said.

One inspection last August resulted in a $1,600 fine, said the officials.

But an undercover inspection in May did not result in any violations, as the inspector did not see any batteries being charged, a Fire Department official told the Daily News.

Firefighters and investigators go through the aftermath of a fire which authorities say started at an e-bike shop and spread to upper-floor apartments, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, file)AP

FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn told reporters that during the visit last month, the undercover inspector observed many, many batteries inside the store, which is a violation of the fire code.

But the Fire Department official who spoke to The News said whether a violation was issued in May would have depended on whether the batteries were charging.

Having batteries isnt a violation. Having them charge too close together is the violation. We didnt see any charging, the official said.

During the August 2022 inspection, fire marshals found HQ E-bike Repair was charging batteries stacked next to each other and plugged into extension cords  violations that could undoubtedly spark and spread a blaze, FDNY officials said.

The marshals entered the repair shop on Madison St. near Catherine St. in Manhattan on Aug. 30 after getting a 311 tip about charging e-bikes plugged into extension cords, which is a violation of the fire code.

The marshals saw some e-bikes plugged directly into a wall socket, which is allowed, but many were being charged with extension cords.

The e-bike and scooter battery packs were also lined up next to each other  not separated three feet apart, as required by FDNY rules.

The shop itself did not have a designated charging area, an FDNY official said. The battery packs were being charged for more than an hour, which is also a violation.

Marshals gave the owner of the Chinatown store three FDNY summonses for using extension cords and failing to maintain a charging area in accordance with the fire code. They were also given a summons for not having service tags on their fire extinguishers.

At an Environmental Control Board hearing, the business was found guilty of the violations and ordered to pay a $1,600 fine, Flynn said.

Similar violations were filed against the store in 2021, he said.

Its common for stores like HQ E-Bike to flagrantly violate the fire code, FDNY officials said.

Everyones worst fear occurred Tuesday shortly after midnight when a fatal fire broke out in HQ E-Bike Repair and quickly spread through the building on Madison St.

Firefighters pulled seven people out of the fire. As of Tuesday afternoon four people were dead, including a 71-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman. Two women were fighting for their lives later Tuesday.

Two of the deceased had not been identified Tuesday.

So far this year, the FDNY has responded to about three lithium-ion battery fires a week, officials said.
By Megan Tomasic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

After a three-year pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal student loan payments are expected to restart this fall.

Student loan interest will resume Sept. 1, and payments will be due starting in October, according to the Federal Student Aid website, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.

The announcement came years after student loan payments were first suspended in March 2020 when the pandemic shut down the U.S. economy. That suspension was extended five times.

But this month, Congress approved a bill prohibiting the education secretary from making extensions without congressional approval.

The restart will impact about 43 million borrowers who collectively owe more than a trillion dollars in student loan debt, NPR found.

We recognize that the return to repayment would result in significant financial hardships for many borrowers, a U.S. Department of Education spokesperson said in an email. We will also be in direct touch with borrowers and ramping up our communications with servicers well before repayment resumes to ensure borrowers and their families are receiving accurate and timely information about the return to repayment.

Those with federal student loans are also waiting on a Supreme Court ruling that will determine the legality of the Biden administrations student loan forgiveness plan, announced in August, that would eliminate more than $400 billion in federal student debt.

The one-time federal student loan debt relief program would permit individuals who are single and earn under $125,000 to qualify for $10,000 in debt cancellation. Married couples who file taxes jointly qualify if their income is under $250,000.

It is based on the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003.

The HEROES Act allows the Education secretary to waive regulations related to student loans during times of war or national emergency. It was used by both the Trump and Biden administrations to initially pause federal student loan payments and interest. It was also used to issue the extensions.

A ruling on the proposal is expected by the end of the month.
A growing number of aircraft and ships from the U.S. and Canada searched Tuesday for a submersible vessel carrying five people that disappeared on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic.

The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the search for the small craft, named Titan, in a remote area of the North Atlantic Ocean. OceanGate Expeditions, an undersea exploration company, has been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021.

What we know so far about the submersible, what may have gone wrong, and whats being done to find it:

WHATS THE LATEST ON THE SEARCH?

A Canadian aircraft has detected underwater noises during the hunt for the submersible. The U.S. Coast Guard said via Twitter early Wednesday that as a result of the noises detected by the Canadian P-3 patrol aircraft, search efforts have been relocated and the data is being used to help guide the ongoing effort.

In this photo released by Action Aviation, the submersible Titan is prepared for a dive into a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic on Sunday, June 18, 2023. (Action Aviation via AP)AP

WHEN AND WHERE DID THE TITAN GO MISSING?

The craft submerged Sunday morning, and its support vessel lost contact with it about an hour and 45 minutes later, according to the Coast Guard.

The vessel was reported overdue about 435 miles south of St. Johns, Newfoundland, according to Canadas Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Titan was launched from an icebreaker that was hired by OceanGate and formerly operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. The ship has ferried dozens of people and the submersible craft to the North Atlantic wreck site, where the Titan has made multiple dives.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday afternoon that the submersible had about 40 hours of oxygen remaining, meaning the supply could run out Thursday morning.

WHAT KIND OF DEEP-SEA VESSEL IS IT?

OceanGate has described the Titan as the largest of any deep diving submersible with an unparalleled safety feature that assesses the integrity of the hull throughout every dive.

Made of titanium and filament wound carbon fiber, the Titan weighs 20,000 pounds in the air, but is ballasted to be neutrally buoyant once it reaches the seafloor, the company said.

Titan is capable of diving four kilometers (2.4 miles) with a comfortable safety margin, according to documents filed by the company in April with a U.S. District Court in Virginia that oversees Titanic matters.

At the time of the filing, Titan had undergone more than 50 test dives, including to the equivalent depth of the Titanic, in deep waters off the Bahamas and in a pressure chamber, the company said.

During its 2022 expedition, OceanGate reported that the submersible had a battery issue on its first dive and had to be manually attached to its lifting platform.

Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist based in California who has been on similar submersibles, said the vessels operate much like hot air balloons, with weights that pull it down. He said those onboard would have been briefed on how to bring the submersible to the surface.

Its all about buoyancy, he said. Its usually a few switches where you can throw them, and theyll just release the weights on the outside of the submarine and itll come back up.

In this photo provided by Blue Origin, Hamish Harding receives his Blue Origin astronaut pin after a successful flight to space on June 4, 2022, in Van Horn, Texas. Harding is among those aboard a missing submersible carrying five people to view the wreckage of the Titanic. (Felix Kunze/Blue Origin via AP, file)AP

WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO IT?

Eric Fusil, an associate professor and director of the shipbuilding hub at the University of Adelaide, described several possible scenarios, including a power blackout, fire, flood or entanglement.

A fire, he said, could incapacitate the vessels systems or create toxic fumes that could render the crew unconscious. A flood would be even more dramatic, resulting in a near instantaneous implosion.

The most optimistic scenario would be a power loss that allowed the vessel to return to the surface, where it would wait for search crews to find it, Fusil said.

The takeaway is that its easier to go and rescue people in space than to dive that deep and rescue people because we cant communicate easily, he said. Its still a very, very risky endeavor, even with the technology of today.

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO FIND IT?

At least 10,000 square miles have been searched, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was supporting the Titan, was conducting surface searches with help from a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, and the Canadian military dropped sonar buoys to listen for any possible sounds from the Titan.

An underwater robot had also started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic, and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the submersible is found, said Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District in Boston.

Two U.S. Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft were conducting overflights, and three C-17s from U.S. Air Mobility Command have also been used to move another commercial companys submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. Johns to aid in the search.

A Royal Canadian Navy ship that provides a medical team specializing in dive medicine and a six-person mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber also was en route Tuesday, according to the Canadian military.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba in the UK, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's foreign ministry.

The ministers discussed the agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries, the situation in Ukraine, and post-conflict efforts in the South Caucasus region.

Bayramov said that over the past years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine, important progress has been made towards expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The minister said that Azerbaijan, which has always supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, will continue its humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to tackle the crisis.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also informed the other side in detail about the current situation in the region, Azerbaijan's peaceful and constructive efforts in the post-conflict period, steps taken to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and current challenges.

The Minister of Ukraine spoke with satisfaction about the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine and stressed the role of intensive contacts between the leaders of the two countries. They also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
By PAN PYLAS, The Associated Press

LONDON (AP)  All hail the rising sun.

A seemingly curious alliance of druids, pagans, hippies, local residents and tourists gathered around a prehistoric stone circle on a plain in southern England to express their devotion to the sun, or to have some communal fun.

With many of those present clad in an array of colorful costumes and even antlers, they stayed and celebrated at Stonehenge for the night and greeted sunrise on Wednesday, which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

People gather around the Heel Stone during sunrise as they take part in the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)AP

At dawn, the sun rose behind what is known as the Heel Stone in the northeast part of the horizon and the first rays shone into the heart of the stone circle.

The sky was clear  not always the case during an English summer.

All over the U.K., optimism will reign supreme as summer officially starts. Its no coincidence that the nearby Glastonbury Festival, one of the worlds biggest music events, opens its doors on Wednesday, too. Both Stonehenge and Glastonbury supposedly lie on ley lines  mystical energy connections across the U.K.

For druids, modern-day spiritualists linked to the ancient Celtic religious order, Stonehenge has a centuries-long importance, and they performed their rituals around the solstice in their traditional white robes. Its effectively all about the cycle of life, of death and rebirth.

This year, the summer solstice at Stonehenge started at 7 p.m. Tuesday and ran through 8 a.m. Wednesday. For this one night, worshippers are allowed to spend time inside the stone circle. Some chanted or played their acoustic guitars or banged their drums. Alcohol was prohibited, as were sound systems. No climbing on the stones, though.

Revelers gather at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, near Salisbury, England, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)AP

Stonehenge is a symbol of British culture and history and remains one of the countrys biggest tourist draws, despite the seemingly permanent traffic jams on the nearby A303 highway, a popular route for motorists traveling to and from the southwest of England.

Stonehenge, one of the worlds most famous prehistoric monuments and a World Heritage Site, was built on the flat lands of Salisbury Plain in stages starting 5,000 years ago, with the unique stone circle erected in the late Neolithic period about 2,500 B.C. Some of the stones, the so-called bluestones, are known to have come from the Preseli Hills in southwest Wales, nearly 150 miles away, but the origins of others remain a mystery.

People gather during sunrise as they take part in the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)AP

The sites meaning has been the subject of vigorous debate, with some theories seemingly more outlandish, if not alien, than others.

English Heritage, a charity that manages hundreds of historic sites, notes several explanations  from Stonehenge being a coronation place for Danish kings, a druid temple, a cult center for healing, or an astronomical computer for predicting eclipses and solar events.

The charity said the most generally accepted interpretation is that of a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun.
A 9-year-old boy died after he was found drowning in a pond Monday evening.

Central Bucks Regional Police were dispatched to a pond at Vaux and Hickory roads in New Britain Borough, around 40 miles north of Philadelphia, just before 6 p.m. after receiving reports that a boy was missing.

When crews arrived at the scene, police found a boys bicycle and fishing pole next to it.

A dive team from Point Pleasant Fire Department also responded and located the boy minutes later. The boy was immediately taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead around 7 p.m.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this traumatic time, Central Bucks Regional Police said in a statement. We extend our thanks to the Doylestown Fire Department, Central Bucks Ambulance, the Bucks County Special Operations Drone Team and the Point Pleasant Fire Department Dive Team.

Anyone with information or witnesses who saw the young boy at the pond is asked to contact Captain Robert Milligan at 215-345-4143 or submit a tip.

READ MORE:

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The Hampden Township Board of Commissioners recently officially recognized several members of the staff and community for their years of dedicated service and resolute commitment to Hampden.

Lt. Shaun Felty, a respected figure within the Hampden Township Police Department, received the Kenneth E. Fetrow Public Employee Longevity Award, honoring his remarkable career and retirement, a press release said. Throughout his tenure, Felty demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and integrity, establishing himself as a beacon of excellence in law enforcement.

The commissioners also took the occasion to recognize Nathan Funk, the townships new patrol operations lieutenant. Before his promotion, Funk exhibited exceptional leadership skills, dedication, and a profound commitment to the safety and well-being of Hampden residents.

In addition to the commendation of staff members, the commissioners presented the townships esteemed Citizenship Award to former township Commissioner Donald McCallin. He was recognized for outstanding contributions to the Hampden community throughout many years of selfless service, including his past service in the U.S. Air Force as well as in his current role on the townships Industrial Development Authority.

Former Commissioner Donald McCallin stands with commissioners Al Bienstock, Nate Silcox, John Gaspich and Sherri Chippo.

Their collective efforts have left an indelible mark on Hampden Township, and their legacies will continue to inspire and motivate future generations, Commissioner Nate Silcox, president of the board, said of the three men who were honored.

In other action during the meeting, the board:

Held a public hearing and approved a proposed text amendment, with regards to the Beltway Commons project at 5401 Carlisle Pike, to permit parking along certain circulation drives and modify various other design standards related to the Mixed Use Overlay District (West)

Recognized Amav Chatrathi, Parimala Rajesh, and Kaitlyn Silcox for their time served as junior commissioners and authorized advertisement for the 2023/2024 junior commissioners program

Extended the contract with Penn State Health Life Lions Advance Life Support services from Hampden Townships Good Hope Station.

Lt. Nathan Funk is pinned by his father. Funk is Hampden Township's new patrol operations lieutenant.

The Hampden Township Board of Commissioners will meet again at 7:30 p.m. June 29, and the public is invited to attend virtually or in-person. The meeting agenda will be posted prior to the meeting at this link.

More:

Its not about how good you are at golf: TopGolf opens its third facility in Pa.

What chain restaurants do you want in central Pa.? Churchs Chicken, Whataburger, more
In a celebration awash with the solemn rituals of the Roman Catholic faith, Bishop Timothy Senior on Wednesday addressed one of the thorniest issues in the Catholic Church as he was installed head of the Diocese of Harrisburg at St. Patrick Cathedral.

Amid the pomp of sacred music and the solemnity of liturgy, Senior, who was appointed to the post by Pope Francis in April, urged more than 100 priests from across the diocese and some 30 bishops from across the country in attendance to remember victims and survivors of clergy sex abuse.
As a community member from Delaware County and a previous candidate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2018, my goal has always been to serve the community. From a young age, my Sikh faith and practice has taught me the concept of seva.

Seva is the idea of selfless service for others and the community without a thought or consideration for personal gain. Over my career, I have found that I am able to embrace seva through my work with my community of fellow citizens of Pennsylvania, a state I consider and call my home.

This belief in service to others is why Im supporting bipartisan, common-sense legislation recently introduced in our legislature. Together, this series of bills will make the commonwealth safer by preventing hate and discrimination, working towards more inclusive schools, and creating equal and accessible employment opportunities.

The horrific synagogue attack in Pittsburgh four years ago demonstrates that more must be done to protect all communities within the commonwealth against violent hatred.

The House Bills 1024, 1025, 1026, and 1027 would expand protections for marginalized communities, increase training for law enforcement and education professionals, encourage the reporting of hate-based incidents in schools, and expand restorative justice opportunities for those convicted of hate crimes.

The Sikh community is no stranger to attacks on institutions of faith; the 2012 attack at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek is a tragedy that Sikh Americans will continue to grieve, and a reason we continue to advocate for change. Thankfully these bills passed out of committee on Wednesday, May 24.

It is also important that people are educated about the experiences of different communities so that we can continue to find ways to keep each other safe. One way would be that students learn about the diverse and varied history of our country. Yet, learning about Sikh history and the history of other Asian American and Pacific Islander groups, has historically been excluded from public schools. This can be one factor driving the high rates of bullying for Sikh and other minority students.

HB 779 would amend Pennsylvanias Public School Code, requiring the Department of Education to develop a model curriculum for K-12 students on Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history.

As a father, l strongly support this bill as it would increase the likelihood of Sikhisms inclusion in the classroom, and potentially, reduce rates of discrimination of Sikh students. With increase in awareness and understanding, our communities will be able to practice their faith openly and fearlessly.

This is why I also advocate for the safety of teachers in schools. Pennsylvania has an outdated law that bans public school teachers from wearing articles of faith. Over the years, every state in the United States has repealed this outdated law--with the sole exception of Pennsylvania.

SB84 would accommodate and welcome teachers of diverse backgrounds and beliefs by allowing them to wear religious attire consistent with their faith, including the Sikh turban.

All of these proposed reforms are common sense measures that will benefit all Pennsylvanians and help make the commonwealth safer and more welcoming for our kids and generations to come. While I am committed to rallying my fellow Sikh Pennsylvanians in support of these laws, I urge Pennsylvanians from all backgrounds to do the same. Safer streets, better education, and more inclusive workplaces benefit everyone, no matter your race or faith.

By having our voices heard in the collective, we can all better support our individuals in the community.

Inderjit Bains was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Upper Darby. He is an emergency management specialist with the Department of Emergency Services with Delaware County. He served on the Upper Darby Library Board and now serves on the Delaware County Library board. He is a trustee at the Philadelphia Sikh Society.
The Pennsylvania State Senate on Wednesday confirmed Nancy A. Walker as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) and Dr. Latika Davis-Jones as Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP).

Since taking on the role of Acting L&I Secretary, Walker has led the departments efforts to build a resilient Unemployment Compensation (UC) system, prioritize enforcement of Pennsylvanias 13 labor laws, and strengthen Pennsylvanias economy by empowering workers to pursue opportunities like registered apprenticeships that lead to family-sustaining jobs, a press release said.

Nancy Walker has been acting Secretary of Labor & Industry for Pennsylvania.

I am deeply grateful for Gov. Shapiros confidence and the full support of the Pennsylvania Senate. It is a tremendous honor to lead L&I in serving the people of Pennsylvania, Walker said. I am inspired every day by the determination and creativity of the L&I team to create meaningful change and promote the growth of our workforce and economy.

Under Secretary Walkers leadership, L&I has hired more than 200 additional UC interviewers to staff service centers and answer calls, the release said. UC staff are now answering emails in real time  within 24 hours. L&I also launched a chat option for UC claimants with questions  and served more than 5,200 people that way in April.

Davis-Jones also was officially confirmed Wednesday. In this role, she will lead the commonwealths efforts to reduce substance use disorder (SUD) and problem gambling disorder, with a large focus on expanding access to and increasing the quality of SUD treatment, to help all Pennsylvanians live fulfilling lives free from the disease of addiction.

Dr. Latika Davis-Jones will lead the commonwealths efforts to reduce substance use disorder (SUD) and problem gambling disorder.

It is a privilege to serve the commonwealth as Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Davis-Jones said. Gov. Shapiro built the most diverse and well-qualified cabinet in state history, and it is a true honor be first person of color to lead the department.

Since being nominated by Shapiro in January, Secretary Davis-Jones has:

Awarded nearly $9 million in grant funding to four Single County Authorities (SCA) to establish or expand crisis stabilization services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and SUDs.

Awarded $4 million in grant funding for the establishment of regional recovery hubs to enhance resources for individuals in recovery and promote recovery within communities across Pennsylvania.

Awarded more than $6 million in grant funding for organizations to establish or expand SUD services, community outreach and education to underrepresented communities of color.

Expanded Just Five, DDAPs free SUD prevention and education tool to include three new lessons, one of which being fentanyl: the leading substance in overdose deaths across the Commonwealth.

Released the second annual report analyzing the impact of online gambling, also referred to as interactive gaming or iGaming, in Pennsylvania.

Received the Nellie Leadership Award from Three Rivers Youth for her contributions to the drug and alcohol field.

Joined the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) officials for a convening in Philadelphia to discuss the emerging lethal threat of xylazine and ways to combat the trend.

Presented on DDAPs Life Unites Us campaign at the Global Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, sharing the success of the campaign which reached almost 28% of Pennsylvanians with stigma reduction messaging.

More:

Cost of Pa. dog licenses may rise for the first time in 27 years

Bill would allow Pa. patients to get medical marijuana regardless of illness
Herman and Joanne Edward from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band led a sunrise ceremony and indigenous blessing, Wednesday as part of National Aboriginal Peoples Day. A small crowd gathered at the Gyro Park bandshell shortly after 4:30 a.m. on what was Summer Solstice.
This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. Theres a faint glimmer of hope in the search for submersible missing near the wreck of the Titanic south of Newfoundland after an underwater noise was detected overnight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-OceanGate Expeditions via AP
Trend presents an interview with the Founder and CEO of Femmes Digitales  Public Association: Supporting Women in TECH Jana Krimpe.

How did the idea to create an association to support women in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) come up? What is the role of the association? Tell us the details...

The idea to establish Supporting Women in TECH - Femmes Digitales Public Union originated from my active participation in predominantly male-dominated professional meetings, consultations, conferences, and related technology events after founding B.EST Solutions Azerbaijan - the IT company, which operates the qualified mobile electronic signature "Asan Imza." This led me to question the absence of women in Azerbaijan's technology field. Consequently, the idea emerged to find and unite with women, willing to form an organization dedicated to supporting women in tech field. As our organization celebrates its 9th anniversary this year, our primary objective is to showcase the accomplishments of women in technology in Azerbaijan, provide support to those, who are still uncertain about their career choices or unaware of the significance of technology in both professional and everyday life. Over time, Femmes Digitales has grown into one of the largest communities supporting women in TECH industry and advocating for changes that contribute to their success. Operating as a non-profit organization, we strive to empower women in all areas of science and technology to pursue their aspirations. We acknowledge the substantial contributions made by women to societal development and economic growth and actively operate to ensure that they receive deserved recognition and opportunities. Our outmost goal is to foster an inspiring and supportive environment where women can realize their potential, achieve professional growth, and attain remarkable results. Moreover, we actively address the challenges faced by women in the technology industry and draw attention to gender inequality issues.

There are abundant opportunities for young people in Baku, such as a variety of conferences, courses, and exhibitions. However, these opportunities are mostly absent in the regions, which motivated us to establish a regional program. Our primary goal is to bridge this gap and offer girls from the regions the chance to personally interact with women, who have reached significant accomplishments in this area. We strive to break stereotypes and provide girls from the regions with the opportunity to personally meet with leading women in the field of technology, learn about their remarkable experience, gain fundamental skills in coding, and realize the significance of IT education. By organizing rural workshops, we bring together schoolgirls from 7-9th grades across the region with aim to attain interest in the tech field and shape future career choices. Each regional event attracts over 70 students from diverse urban and rural schools in various parts of Azerbaijan.

I take pride in mentioning that we have successfully organized 7 regional events in Masalli, Guba, Gabala, Shamakhi, Mingachevir, Lankaran, and Ismayilli cities. These philanthropic events have benefited over 700 girls from different regions. During the initial phase, we familiarize the girls with the fundamentals of startups and the process of generating innovative ideas using information technology. Later, the schoolgirls present their inventive projects and outline their implementation plans within teams. Afterward, during the practical session, STEP IT Academy mentors introduce girls to the basics of programming and robotics.

Upon the event conclusion, all schoolgirls are presented with diplomas and souvenirs. These programs serve as a tremendous source of motivation for us - over the years of the programs existence, we have noticed the raise of talented girls from the regions being admitted to faculties of information technology, both in Azerbaijan and abroad. Such achievements have been made possible through networking opportunities with our esteemed female technology leaders. I want to emphasize the fact that there are a lot of smart and remarkable girls with innovative ideas in the regions with the potential to become leading experts in the field of technology in the future.

2. How do you assess the potential of Azerbaijani girls in the field of IT?

In Azerbaijan, just like in any other country, girls possess immense potential. However, societal stereotypes have led parents to overlook the importance of investing in STEM education for their daughters. Girls often lack self-assurance, fearing mistakes or not attaining excellence, while also believing that certain specialties in the technology field are not meant for women. These stereotypes serve as obstacles to the progress of female entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, I can confidently say that Azerbaijani women are exceptionally talented, remarkably innovative, and brimming with vast potential and opportunities. Most importantly, they are driven by great motivation.

Our initiative, the "AWITA - Azerbaijan Women in IT Awards," was specifically created to inspire and motivate women, empowering them to celebrate their accomplishments and make their mark in society. The main goal of this event is to promote gender equality in the country's digital economy, acknowledge the significant role women play in the field of information technology, and establish a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among IT professionals. We have already hosted three successful annual awards ceremonies, and it is noteworthy that the number of women participating in the competition has consistently grown with each subsequent event.

More than 200 women from all regions of the country have applied to participate in the AWITA 2023 Awards. The selection process involved a jury panel comprising 33 experts, including public figures, leaders of well-known IT companies, and parliament members. They meticulously chose 33 finalists and 12 winners. This serves as a tangible proof of the increasing influence of women in the field of information and communication technologies in Azerbaijan. The esteemed award not only recognizes women's accomplishments in the IT sector, but also serves as an inspiration for other women to overcome obstacles and pursue success.

The "AWITA 2023" ceremony witnessed the participation of over 400 prominent figures from the IT industry, public and government sectors, leading university executives, students, school directors, and esteemed ambassadors and diplomats from various countries accredited in Azerbaijan. We take immense pride in the increasing attention and recognition the AWITA ceremony receives from society and the media, as it helps us reach a wider audience and raise awareness about the remarkable contributions of women in Azerbaijan's technology sector. Our ultimate objective is to promote the professional advancement of women in the field of information technology and foster outstanding achievements. AWITA plays a pivotal role in shaping a positive

perception of women in the ICT industry, by breaking stereotypes and acknowledging their exceptional accomplishments.

I would like to share some inspiring real-life examples. One remarkable young woman, who graduated from university and received the prestigious AWITA award, is now a doctor in the field of artificial intelligence, working at MercedesBenz in Germany. Her journey exemplifies how support and recognition can lead to impressive professional growth and achievements.

I would also like to tell the story of another girl who, thanks to our regional program, was able to persuade her parents to change their decision regarding her education. She shifted her focus from pursuing a teaching career to embrace education in the field of information technology. This example highlights how our influence and workshops can empower young women to explore new possibilities and reshape their futures. And these stories are just a glimpse of the numerous success stories we have witnessed.

These narratives represent a fraction of the many instances in which our organization, Femmes Digitales, has influenced the career development and triumphs of women in the field of information technology in Azerbaijan. We are extremely proud to support and inspire even more women to excel in this dynamic and innovative realm.

How can Women's National Business Agenda help attract more women to IT?

The Womens National Business Agenda (WNBA) is an initiative supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at supporting businesswomen and creating equal opportunities for them. Although the WNBA's primary focus is not specifically on IT, it has incorporated two crucial objectives into its agenda that directly relate to the goal of increasing female representation in the technology field:

Increasing number of women top managers and employees; Gender statistics within the public and private sectors.

Based on the experience of our nonprofit organization, I assume the following steps are necessary to address this issue:

Enhancing awareness: The WNBA can organize information campaigns, events, and forums dedicated to discussing the opportunities and advantages of pursuing careers in IT for women. This approach will help to elaborate on knowledge about various career paths and prospects in the industry.

Education and support: The WNBA can offer educational programs and training sessions to enable women to develop the skills necessary for a successful IT career. This may encompass training programs in programming, application development, project management, and other critical competencies.

Networking: The WNBA can contribute to fostering coordination among women communities in IT, where they can exchange experiences, mentorship, and support each other. This will foster to alleviate issues of isolation and establish connections with professionals in the industry.

Increasing visibility and recognition: The WNBA can work towards enhancing the recognition of women in IT through events, competitions, and awards. This will highlight the achievements of women in TECH and inspire others to join.

I am pleased to acknowledge our organization's contribution to the WNBA platform. We actively support the achievement of goals such as raising awareness among women in the IT sphere and recognizing highly skilled women in this domain. On May 17, 2023, at the SHE (Smart, Happy, Equal) Congress, we hosted a panel session titled "Female make ICT, STEAM, Tech, and AI", supported by USAID. The main objective of this panel session was to promote gender equality in the technology industry.

Within the panel session, our objective was to enhance awareness among influential leaders, identify the challenges and opportunities for empowering women in the technology field, and foster dialogue to establish the best practices for addressing this pertinent issue. Our aim was to create a strong platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences that would drive progress in achieving gender equality and inspire women to achieve further advancements in the technology industry.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Some European countries have switched to a 4-day work week, and this topic should be discussed in Azerbaijan, Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during "The role of the state in the transition from oil capital to human capital" panel discussion within the framework of the "Human Resources Summit 2023" forum

"The stated and real intentions regarding the introduction of a 4-day work regime in Azerbaijan are different. While the intended intention is for people to have a lot of free time, the true motive is for entrepreneurs to save their finances. Thus, this issue is bilateral," Aliyev said.

Some countries are implementing it as a pilot project. The 4-day operation mode should be thoroughly studied. The Ministry of Economy cannot solve this issue alone. Moreover, it can be considered differently in different countries," he said.

The "Human Resources Summit 2023" forum has started its work in Baku today.
"Clo22" & "DanHimillerdotcom" Win Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal Main Events

June 20, 2023 Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S.

Right in time for the Montreal Formula 1 race, Global Poker hosted the Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal this week which featured four daily Gold Coins (GC) tournaments and four daily Sweeps Coins (SC) tournaments from June 16-18.

Each event, including the Main Event, required GC 11,000 or SC 11 to enter. The Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal was the second installment of the Grand Prix Turbo Series after one in May supporting the Miami, Florida Formula 1 race.

At the end of the F1 season, the overall Sweeps Coin winner on Global Poker will win an exclusive trip to Italy and more specifically the Ferrari factory in Maranello.

Here's a look at the Gold and Sweeps coins winners during the Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal on the popular social poker site.

A round of applause to these players who zoomed their way to the top 10 of the #GlobalPoker Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal Edition '23 Gold Coin and Sweeps Coin leaderboards! # #  Global Poker (@official_glp)

Find Out More About Global Poker

"Clo22" Wins GC Main Event

The series kicked off with four winners on June 16, each of them taking home GC 1,072,500. "Missy1253" and "Johnniefrost" respectively won the first two events, while "Lizzie75" and "VITO2020" won events three and four.

Later in the series, "Tybach" and "Onlygreentrades" won events seven and eight, while "Iveyjr98" and "ThreePieceMeal" won the next two events.

When it came time for the Grand Prix Turbo Series 12 - Main Event - GC 25,000,000 Added, it was "Clo22" who came out on top over the field of 233 runners to win GC 5,589,579.60.

"DanHimillerdotcom" Gets Sweeps Coin Main Event Title

Now looking at the Sweeps Coin side of things, "Ledn378" started things out by winning Grand Prix Turbo Series 01 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo], while "Maysville", "PineapplePizza" and "MoneyDance21" took down the next three events.

Each player earned 1,870, and the same was true as the next four winners: "LetsMuckShitUp", "Ncoz11", "Poke66" and "Fesuoy".

But the biggest winner of them all was "DanHimillerdotcom", who got through a field of 1,368 players in the Grand Prix Turbo Series 12 - Main Event with SC 50,000 added to win 10,465.97.

A full list of Gold and Sweeps Coin winners during the Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal is available in the tables below.

Global Poker Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal Edition Gold Coins Results

DATE EVENT ENTRANTS WINNER PRIZE (GC) Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 01 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 172 "Missy1253" 1,072,500 Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 02 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 176 "Johnniefrost" 1,072,500 Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 03 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 167 "Lizzie75" 1,072,500 Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 04 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 179 "VITO2020" 1,072,500 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 05 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 158 "Busurass" 1,072,500 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 06 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 163 "RPH" 1,072,500 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 07 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 160 "Tybach" 1,072,500 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 08 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 159 "Onlygreentrades" 1,072,500 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 09 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 170 "Iveyjr98" 1,072,500 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 10 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 161 "ThreePieceMeal" 1,072,500 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 11 - GC 5,000,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 166 "Yourfacebrah 1,072,500 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 12 - Main Event - GC 25,000,000 Added [Deep Hyper-Turbo] 233 "Clo22" 5,589,579.60

Global Poker Promo Code: POKERNEWS Use our promo code POKERNEWS to play now at Global Poker. PLAY NOW

Global Poker Grand Prix Turbo Series Montreal Edition Sweeps Coins Results

DATE EVENT ENTRANTS WINNER PRIZE (SC) Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 01 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 625 "Ledn378" 1,830 Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 02 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 546 "Maysville" 1,870 Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 03 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 549 "PineapplePizza" 1,870 Fri June 16 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 04 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 519 "MoneyDance21" 1,875 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 05 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 534 "Tram003" 1,875 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 06 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 471 "LetsMuckShitUp" 1,885 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 07 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 489 "Ncoz11" 1,875 Sat June 17 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 08 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 507 "Poke66" 1,875 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 09 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 613 "Fesuoy" 1,830 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 10 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 616 "Everlong" 1,830 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 11 - SC 10,000 Guaranteed [Hyper-Turbo] 603 "Kopino" 1,830 Sun June 18 2023 Grand Prix Turbo Series 12 - Main Event - SC 50,000 Added [Deep Hyper-Turbo] 1,368 "DanHimillerdotcom" 10,465.97
The Muck: Should Poker Community Ban Martin Kabrhel?

June 20, 2023 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S.

Martin Kabrhel has been accused of cheating during a recent $250,000 buy-in World Series of Poker (WSOP) event, and now Chance Kornuth wants the Czech poker pro banned from the WSOP and all high roller tournaments.

In this edition of The Muck, we discuss Kornuth's take and the reaction. As for that take, here it is:

Martin Kabrhel should 100% be banned.  Chance Kornuth (@ChancesCards)

Kornuth Doesn't Hold Back

Kabrhel finished third for $2,279,038 in Event #40: $250,000 Super High Roller, an event won by Chris Brewer. But the biggest story coming out of that event was some cheating allegations.

Andrew Robl, who competed but failed to cash in the Super High Roller, tweeted out accusations against Kabrhel, suggesting the Czech poker pro marks cards. Dan Smith was among the high-profile players who back up those claims, and now Kornuth is taking it a step further.

"Martin Kabrhel should 100% be banned," Kornuth wrote at the start of his lengthy rant.

Kornuth would go on to say that "even if he's not cheating," his behavior at the poker table is worthy of harsh actions.

The whole situation was recently debated on the seventh episode of The Chad & Jesse Poker Show:

Does the Poker Community Agree?

It seems as if everyone within the poker Twittersphere has a take on the Kabrhel cheating allegations, but not all of them side with Kornuth, Smith, and Robl. Many actually believe he's innocent, or at least aren't convinced just yet that he cheated. Take, for example, Doug Polk who said he wonders if Kabrhel would be so careless that he'd mark cards during a live-streamed event.

The WSOP has conducted and investigation into Kabrhel, and has yet to uncover any concrete evidence of cheating. But there are still many within the poker community who aren't buying it.

"Fwiw, I went back and forth about playing the $250k for the outside chance at a laugh if I won. Glad I didnt," Alan Keating tweeted.

Chance Kornuth

"Couldn't have said it any better - Cheating is one thing, making it look like your cheating isn't remotely funny, nor should it be tolerated in any industry. He for sure crossed the line," Andreas Froehli said in response to Kornuth's tweet.

"Well said," Tony Dunst wrote in support of Kornuth.

There were, however, a number of poker players who took an opposing stance. The common theme among that crowd was that the allegations against Kabrhel was, more or less, a group of poker players trying to ban someone they simply just don't like.

"This is a great example of Twitter mob logic. They dont like him. They cant see through any other lens. The scientific method goes out the window and every measurement is only their bias," @hoewithacamera argues.

"Terrible take. If he didn't cheat, let him play. He's great for television. Put in your headphones if you can't handle it or figure out your own banter.," @AAACK_its_Lemmy wrote.

@mobiuspoker Weird that we were covering our cards just incase they were marked?  Chance Kornuth (@ChancesCards)

The only thing we know for sure is that everyone seems to have an opinion on Kabrhel one way or the other. But there is no definitive proof at this point that he cheated, only questionable behavior.

Sharelines Poker pro @ChancesCards has called for a ban on Martin Kabrhel.
PokerStars Heads To The Mediterranean For The Summer Festival Malta

June 21, 2023 Jon Pill Contributor

After the huge success of last year's Summer Festival Malta, PokerStars is heading back to the island for more fun in the sun. 2023's Summer Festival Malta will build on last year's success, featuring 19 events played out between June 27 and July 2.

The Intercontinental Hotel in St Julians will play host to the event, situating the poker festival right in the heart of a district full of bars, restaurants, and beachside relaxation. Players who want to combine a little pleasure with their poker will find plenty of tourist and holiday activities. From bust to the beach in no time at all.

The highlights of the Summer Festival Malta include:

The 2,200 High Roller event (starting June 27);

event (starting June 27); The 1,100 Main Event (starting June 28);

(starting June 28); The 330 Cup event (starting June 30);

event (starting June 30); The 550 Live on Stars event (starting June 30); and

event (starting June 30); and The 5,300 Super High Roller event (starting July 1).

On And Off The Felt

There are plenty of good reasons to enjoy the Summer Festival Malta. The busy week of tourneys means there's always some action going on in a variety of poker variants.

Plus, with many top pros away in Vegas at this time of year, the fields for European festivals are often a little softer.

However, one of the major reasons for the success of poker events in Malta is the variety of activities away from the table. Step outside The Intercontinental Hotel, and you're a short distance from some of Malta's best beaches. There is something for everyone from modern nightclubs to a five-thousand-year-old burial complex, from power boat rentals to leisurely walks through medieval castles.

The local food scene is excellent, and the weather in the summer is blue-sky perfect  though with highs of 32oC, you will definitely want to remember your high SPF sunblock.

Click Here To Download The PokerStars Client

PokerStars Summer Festival Malta Complete Schedule

Date/Time Event Number Event Buy-In Starting Stack June 27 - Tuesday 12:00 #1 Qualifier to 2,200 High Roller - 'Win Your Seat @ 100,000 Chips' - Unlimited Re-Entry 250 10,000 13:00 #2 (1/A) High Roller - 40 Minute Levels - Unlimited Re-Entry 2,200 30,000 14:00 #3 Qualifier to Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 100,000 Chips' - Unlimited Re-Entry 125 10,000 18:00 #4 Qualifier to Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry 250 10,000 20:00 #2 (1/B) High Roller - 20 Minute Levels - Unlimited Re-Entry 2,200 30,000 June 28 - Wednesday 13:00 #5 (1/A) Summer Festival Malta Main Event - 60 Minute Levels - Single Re-Entry Per Flight 1,100 30,000 14:00 #6 Qualifier to Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry 250 10,000 14:00 #2 (Final) High Roller - 60 Minute Levels - Unlimited Re-Entry 2,200 30,000 18:00 #7 NLH - Freezeout 250 10,000 21:00 #8 Qualifier to Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 100,000 Chips' - Unlimited Re-Entry 125 10,000 21:00 #5 (1/B) Summer Festival Malta Main Event - 30 Minute Levels - Single Re-Entry Per Flight 1,100 30,000 June 29 - Thursday 12:00 #9 Qualifier to Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry 250 10,000 12:00 #5 (1/C) Summer Festival Malta Main Event - 60 Minute Levels - Single Re-Entry Per Flight 1,100 30,000 14:00 #10 PL Omaha 4 Cards - Single Re-Entry 330 50,000 19:00 #5 (1/D) Summer Festival Malta Main Event - 30 Minute Levels - Single Re-Entry Per Flight 1,100 30,000 21:00 #11 NLH - Freezeout 220 30,000 June 30 - Friday 12:00 #5 (day 2) Summer Festival Malta Main Event - 60 Minute Levels - Single Re-Entry Per Flight 1,100 30,000 13:00 #12 Qualifier to 550 Live on Stars - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry 130 10,000 15:00 #13 (day 1) NL Hold'em - Live on Stars - 30 Minute Levels - Unlimited Re-Entry 550 50,000 18:00 #14 (1/A) Malta Cup - 30 Minute Levels - Unlimited Re-Entry 330 30,000 20:00 #15 Qualifier to Malta Cup - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 chips' - Unlimited Re-Entry 80 10,000 July 01 - Saturday 11:00 #101 Qualifier Freeroll - Win a Seat to a Regional Tour Main Event - Open Only to Online Qualifiers 0 1 12:00 #14 (1/B) Malta Cup - 30 Minute Levels - Unlimited Re-Entry 330 30,000 12:00 #13 (Final) NL Hold'em - Live on Stars - 40 Minute Levels 550 50,000 12:00 #5 (day 3) Summer Festival Malta Main Event - 75 Minute Levels 1,100 30,000 14:00 #16 Super High Roller - Unlimited Re-Entry 5,300 100,000 18:00 #14 (1/C) Malta Cup - 20 Minute Levels - Unlimited Re-Entry 330 30,000 21:00 #17 NLH - Freezeout 220 30,000 July 02 - Sunday 12:00 #5 (Final) Summer Festival Malta Main Event - 75 Minute Levels 1,100 30,000 12:30 #14 (Final) Malta Cup - 30 Minute Levels 330 30,000 14:00 #18 Deepstack Bounty (100 Bounty) - Unlimited Re-Entry 270 50,000 16:00 #19 6 Handed - Unlimited Re-Entry 1,100 50,000

Keep Track Of PokerStars Online Poker Tournaments With The PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar

If you can't make it to Malta this summer, that doesn't mean you need to miss out on the PokerStars action. If you need a tool to keep track of upcoming online tournaments on PokerStars and some of the other biggest operators in the poker industry, then you should give the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar a try.

This free-to-use tool is fully customizable, allowing you to set filters for each online poker site's tournament schedule, helping you to find the events you want as quickly as you like.

Sharelines The PokerStars Summer Festival Malta kicks off June 27 for a week's worth of poker fun.
The early position player bet for 12,000 as the cutoff raised to 36,000. Christian Roberts from the small blind raised to 66,000 as the cutoff raised to 105,000. Roberts made the call to head to the flop.

The flop came K7J as Roberts was quick to check. His opponent bet 44,000 and Roberts made the call.

With the 3 on the turn, Roberts again checked to his opponent. They led out for 60,000 as Roberts found the call.

The river peeled the K as Roberts once again checked. His opponent raised to 115,000 with Roberts immediately putting them all-in for 8,000 more. His opponent folded as Roberts took down the pot.
Play in Day 1 of Event #47: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. has ended for the day. Some 836 players at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas entered the event, an increase from last year's field of 773. At the end of today's play, only 260 have advanced to Day 2. Those players will be chasing the top prize of $207,678 and a WSOP bracelet. First up for the returning players, though, is making the money, as 126 players will be paid, with the minimum prize worth $2,406.

Players who were unable to advance included Barry Greenstein, Norman Chad, Allen Kessler, Kevin Gerhart, and Justin Liberto.

Among those at the top of the chip counts are "Crazy Mike" Thorpe, who bagged an impressive 252,500. Thorpe already has three cashes this summer and looks to make his fourth the biggest. He is joined atop the leaderboard by Yueqi Zhu, who bagged 243,000 and will look to make his ninth cash of the series.

End of Day 1 Top 10 Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count 1 Mike Thorpe United States 252,500 2 Yueqi Zhu China 243,000 3 Israel Garcia United States 237,000 4 Phillip Hui United States 212,000 5 Liam Murphy United States 208,500 6 William Short United States 194,000 7 Dan Colpoys United States 193,500 8 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil 189,500 9 Joseph Palma United States 188,000 10 Lawrence Cesareo United States 187,500

Other notable names making it to Day 2 include Yuri Dzivielevski (189,500,) David "Bakes" Baker (130,000), Koray Aldemir (130,000), and Matt Savage (106,500.) Aldemir showed his multitasking skills by grinding the $3,200 High Roller online event while playing in this live tournament!

Further down the chip counts you find such luminaries as Joao Vieira (158,000), Dylan Linde (151,000), and the charitable Gershon Distenfeld (115,500.)

Play will resume with Day 2 on June 21 at 1 p.m. local time. Players will play ten 60-minute levels in an attempt to reach Day 3 and get their hands on the WSOP gold bracelet.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for full coverage of this and all events at the 2023 World Series of Poker.
After 13 and a half hours of play, a new WSOP Online champion has been crowned. Event #8: $3,200 No-Limit Holdem saw a total of 321 players come out and create a prize pool of $1,489,600 to divy up between 54 players.

At the end of it all it was Jeremy ChipChecka Ausmus taking home his sixth WSOP bracelet for $360,036. Ausmus fourth cash of the series sees him collect his first piece of jewelry for the summer. The Las Vegas resident and family man has a long list of poker accomplishments, and now he joins the ranks of only 18 other men in the history of the WSOP to collect at least six bracelets.

Ausmus began the tournament strong and hung around the top of the chip counts for a bit, but after the bubble burst, Ausmus found himself quite short in dire straights. He was able to bounce back, and his years of experience paid off in spades as he carefully maneuvered his way to the final table to come in second in chips.

The final table lasted just over two and a half hours, and Ausmus found himself heads up with fellow WSOP bracelet winner Christopher Ccast93 Castiglia in a battle that would swing quite a bit. When it was all said and done, Ausmus pocket kings held up for the win, and he joins Shaun Deeb in becoming a six-time bracelet winner at the 2023 WSOP.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Jeremy "ChipChecka" Ausmus United States $360,036.32 2 Christopher "Ccast93" Castiglia United States $224,631.68 3 Ioannis "Cheeecha" Angelou Konstas Greece $151,939.20 4 Chance "BingShui" Kornuth United States $108,442.88 5 "Cokinaalcubo" United Kingdom $73,735.20 6 Koray "seatscramble" Aldemir Germany $53,029.76

Tournament Action

A star-studded group managed to fight their way into the money in this tournament. Some of the stars fell early like Adam PHsGoldShoes Hendrix (54th - $7,001), Frank thewholefunk Funaro (38th - $7,596), Justin Jsaliba2 Saliba (32nd - $8,490), Nick cashusklay Schulman (24th - $9,831), Jason EddieVedder Koon (14th-$14,151.20), and Tom looter Marchese (9th - $22,492). All of their runs came to a halt prior to the final table, but they were able to secure a cash for their efforts.

The final hand before the final table saw a double elimination after Jeremy ChipChecka Ausmus had taken almost all of the chips of wildace_hun. He raised with pocket queens in the hijack, and wildace_hun moved all in for his last big blind while Fred staeks Li moved all in for his final chips with ace-king and Ausmus called with the queens holding against both of their hands which saw the final table set with wildace_hun collecting $29,196 for his eighth place finish, and Li collecting $38,878.56 for his seventh-place finish.

Final Table Action

WSOP 2021 Main Event Champion Koray seatscramble Aldemir impressively bagged a stack in Event #47: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. while playing this event. Aldemir came into the final table as a short stack, but seemed to gain some momentum early on, separating himself from the other short stack Ioannis Cheeecha Angelou Konstas. It all came to an end when he got in his pocket queens in against Chance BingShui Kornuths pocket jacks and quad jacks on the turn gave the start of final table chip leader a boost, while Aldemir ended his first final table of the series in sixth place for $53,029.

Following him out the door was Cokinaalcubo, who ended the tournament in fifth place. They had moved all in over an open from Konstas and a call from Ausmus with ace-queen, only for Ausmus to call with pocket eights and be racing for their tournament life. An ace-high flop looked as if the double would be going to Cokinaalcubo, but an eight on the turn saw the double-up chances go up in smoke, and they collected $73,735 for their efforts.

Next to go was the start of the final table chip leader Kornuth. Kornuth had put on a dominant performance throughout the later levels of the day, never relinquishing the chip lead as players got closer to the final table. Once arrived, a few costly pots with Konstas saw his chips go from first to last. His final hand saw Kornuth flop top pair with queen jack against Christopher Ccast93 Castiglia, who held pocket tens. The turn put Castiglia in the lead with a straight, and Kornuth missed his chop outs on the river to send the three-time WSOP bracelet winner out in fourth place for $108,442.

What started out as an even three-way battle quickly changed as Ausmus pulled ahead of both Konstas and Castiglia. Having each of them out chipped 3:1 saw Ausmus open-shoving against the field. Konstas called one of those shoves with ace-eight, only to watch Ausmus king-nine make two pair against him, and the Greek player ended his run in third place for $151,939.

Ausmus began heads up against Castiglia with a 4:1 lead, but that quickly shrank as two double-ups put Castiglia in the lead to make a more even match. What followed was a series of lead changes, where either one could have ended the other if the flips just went more their way. In the end, Ausmus did pull into the overall lead, and eventually Castiglia moved in his seven big blinds in with ten-seven suited, only for Ausmus to wake up with kings and hold. Ausmus won his sixth bracelet while Castiglia was denied his second, and he finished his impressive run in second place for $224,631.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for all updates regarding the 2023 WSOP.
Russias Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic group performed aerial stunts at the opening of the International Maritime Defense Show 2023 near St. Petersburg, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

The groups crew members performed barrel, dead loop, tulip and other maneuvers at the maritime defense show.

The International Maritime Defense Show 2023 is running in Kronshtadt west of St. Petersburg on June 21-25. The maritime defense show has been organized by Russias Industry and Trade Ministry. For the first time, the Naval Glory Museum and the Congress and Exhibition Center on the premises of the Island of Forts tourist and recreational cluster have been chosen as the venue for the International Maritime Defense Show. The exposition of shipbuilding companies and enterprises has brought together over 250 leading Russian and foreign participants. TASS is a strategic media partner of the International Maritime Defense Show 2023.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Tickets for July for regular bus services to Azerbaijans Shusha and Aghdam districts, organized by the Land Transport Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, will go on sale at 11:00 (GMT+4) on June 22, 2023, The Land Transport Agency of Azerbaijan told Trend.

Citizens must enter into the system the data contained in their identity document to purchase tickets. Each ticket can only be used by a citizen who is identified by an identity card. It is impossible to transfer it to another person.

Passengers can purchase round-trip tickets on certain routes at the same time in advance through the portal: www.yolumuzqarabaga.az.

The first regular bus routes to Shusha and Aghdam were launched on January 24, 2022. A total of 565 trips have been completed, and 23,011 people have visited the territories liberated from Armenian occupation [after Second Karabakh War].
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President Joe Biden has announced new steps to combat sexual violence in conflict zones around the world. In a statement released on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, President Biden acknowledged that this scourge continues to be widespread throughout the world, from Ukraine to Ethiopia, to Haiti, to Sudan, and beyond. He reiterated the United States commitment to doing all it can to end this blatant abuse of human rights, and announced that his Administration would be issuing historic sanctions targeting actors who perpetrate this abuse.

Ending gender-based violence, wherever it occurs, and supporting survivors has been a high priority for me  as a Senator, Vice President, and since day one of my Administration, Biden said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA.

This marks the first time that a dedicated focus on conflict-related sexual violence has led to the imposition of U.S. sanctions.

In November 2020, President Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum to reinforce and strengthen the governments use of financial, diplomatic, and legal tools to address conflict-related sexual violence. The sanctions issued today build off of this Memorandum and designate two political and military targets from South Sudan who oversaw the rape and murder of civilians during the civil war, and two ISIS terrorists responsible for the brutal rape and torture of Yazidi women and girls.

The President affirmed that the United States stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence in conflict and, together with its partners, will continue to lead the effort to hold perpetrators accountable for this grave abuse of human rights. This announcement is a significant step in the right direction toward ending sexual violence in conflict zones and ensuring justice for survivors.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 93F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 74F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Sunshine this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 95F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the evening. Low 76F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Mostly sunny early then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 95F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
The founder of a Charleston construction and engineering firm wants a federal judge to take the unusual step of allowing grand jury testimony into a criminal case alleging the builder demanded kickbacks for work he did at a Nucor Corp. steel mill in Kentucky.

Attorneys for Tony Berenyi of Berenyi Inc. filed the request on June 21, saying the government hasn't shown any evidence that a kickback scheme existed.

Prosecutors are required to turn over any evidence they intend to use at trial.

Berenyi's lawyers said in the filing that they are "at a disadvantage in preparing a defense" because they "cannot identify any proof that" their client "somehow knew of and included kickbacks in the contract with Nucor."

They added that evidence, if it exists, must have been gathered during grand jury proceedings.

"The defendant and his counsel must be provided with the grand jury testimony in order to properly evaluate and prepare the case," Berenyi's lawyers stated.

The U.S. attorney in charge of prosecuting the case did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Peter Shahid, a Charleston lawyer who represents Berenyi.

Testimony before a grand jury is usually secret and can be provided to defense lawyers only in limited circumstances.

Berenyi's lawyers add they might ask to dismiss the case based on a pair of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that shot down the government's "right to control" theory in fraud cases.

Under that theory, the government says withholding information that's necessary to make discretionary economic decisions counts as fraud. The Supreme Court said the theory is too vague and doesn't apply to traditional property interests governed by federal fraud laws.

It's not clear whether prosecutors planned to use the "right to control" theory in Berenyi's case.

Berenyi was charged in an Oct. 20 indictment with felony conspiracy, money laundering and wire fraud over payments he made to Jaymin Vinson, a former Nucor engineer who was overseeing an expansion at the steel giants Gallatin County, Ky., mill starting in 2018.

Prosecutors said the payments totaling $452,125 were kickbacks to Vinson for steering construction work to Berenyis firm. The payments were hidden in the projects overall costs, according to court documents.

Vinson, of Delaware, Ohio, pleaded guilty last year to a single felony charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. His scheduled May 8 sentencing was delayed pending the outcome of Berenyi's case. Vinson has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the Berenyi case as part of his plea agreement.

Berenyi told The Post and Courier in October that Vinson was extorting the money from his firm and cooked up the kickback allegations so prosecutors will recommend a light punishment.

Hes got a wife and two boys and instead of just saying, I screwed up, he has allegations that are false, Berenyi said on Oct. 24. Hes trying to minimize his damage by saying it was my idea.

Berenyi said he ultimately told Nucor about what he termed was a shakedown, and that led to Vinsons firing and the construction contract being revoked. According to court documents, Berenyi informed the Charlotte-based steelmaker of the scheme in December 2019.

An indictment stated that Nucor paid Berenyi about $7.4 million for work at the Gallatin County plant in 2018 and 2019. He then made payments to Vinson totaling 15 percent of that amount, according to court documents. Nucor was able to recoup some of the payments it had made to Berenyi when the contract was canceled, but prosecutors are seeking restitution of $452,125.

According to Berenyi Inc.s website, the company provides architecture, engineering and construction services and has been involved in some of South Carolinas largest industrial projects.

Berenyi, a graduate of The Citadel with a civil engineering degree, founded the firm in 1989.
Containerized cargo at the Port of Charleston is expected to nearly rebound to pandemic-era highs next fiscal year, helping the State Ports Authority pay for nearly $259 million in improvements to its terminals and other projects, according to a budget approved on June 20.

The SPA said it expects to handle 1.55 million containers in the 12-month period starting July 1  an 8 percent increase over current fiscal year projections and just 2 percent shy of the all-time high in fiscal 2022, when consumers waited out COVID-19 lockdowns by filling their homes with furniture, electronics and other imported goods.

The increase is expected to fuel near-record operating revenues of $442.1 million. After expenses totaling $408.9 million, the SPA expects to net $33.2 million in operating earnings for the year.

Barbara Melvin, the maritime agency's president and CEO, said the projected cargo increase isn't due to a coming economic boom but to port operations getting back to normal after a pair of atypical years.

The import surge in fiscal 2022 led to abnormally high growth, while this past fiscal year has seen a drop in container levels. The upcoming budget averages the performance of those two years at about 3 percent  an amount Melvin still calls "a stretch."

"When you talk to our ocean carriers, when you talk to our shippers, you are not seeing them project that type of growth for next year," she said. "But we have always said we would perform at two times the U.S. port market, so we are reflecting that in this plan."

Melvin said cargo has been weaker than expected this spring and the import bump that occurs in the months leading up to school and holiday shopping will be light this year. That's in line with guidance from the National Retail Federation, which predicts a nearly 18 percent drop in cargo nationally through the first nine months of this year compared with 2022.

The muted expectations compared to the banner performance of fiscal 2022 mean SPA employees won't see as big a boost in their paychecks. The agency's board approved a 2 percent salary increase for its workforce. That means Melvin will earn $540,600 in the coming year. Last year, the SPA's average salary increase was about 10 percent.

"During the pandemic, we experienced a huge boom," Melvin said. "We efficiently handled record-breaking cargo and that bolstered our ability to have the operating revenues that enabled us to get above-market-wage increases to our employees. That landscape has now shifted, and people are buying less and spending less, and that's impacting our port volumes. So, with that in mind, that 2 percent wage increase for our employees is responding to the current economic conditions, and the economic situation called for a conservative wage increase."

The SPA also plans to spend $258.9 million on capital improvements in fiscal 2024. Most of that will be for the truck-chassis pool and work at the Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant, but improvements are slated for nearly all of the agency's operations.

About $11.4 million will be spent on improvements at Union Pier Terminal, where the SPA operates a cruise ship hub. The SPA has been working to sell the downtown Charleston property to a private developer to help fund capital improvements, but said this month it will delay that sale for a year. The board did not discuss Union Pier publicly during its meeting Tuesday.

That doesn't include another $237.3 million the state is spending to build a rail yard near the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston and a barge system that will haul containers by water to Leatherman from Wando Welch.

Also included in the SPA's financial plan for the coming fiscal year:

The board approved a 2 percent increase in salaries for the agency's executives.

The number of vehicles moving through the Columbus Street Terminal, mostly BMWs exported from the German automaker's manufacturing plant in Greer, is expected to increase by 3 percent to 194,500 cars.

The number of cruise ship passengers sailing from Union Pier Terminal is expected to increase by 3 percent to 284,400.

The amount of money the SPA makes from storage fees when shippers leave containers on its terminals too long is expected to decline to $10.2 million. Those surcharges soared to a record $82.5 million in fiscal 2022 amid pandemic-related congestion on the waterfront.
COLUMBIA  The Lexington One school district has agreed to end its relationship with education nonprofit EL Education, settling a lawsuit from a faction of hardline conservative S.C. House Republican lawmakers who allege the outside vendor was illegally training district teachers on lessons about race.

The S.C. Freedom Caucus's lawsuit, filed in November, claimed the state's sixth-largest district was violating a provision of the state budget banning the use of state funding for buying classroom materials or training teachers on critical race theory.

Its allegations were based on an edited recording of an EL Education employee talking about "culturally relevant pedagogy," which the group's CEO previously told The Post and Courier were "deliberately twisted into a false and crudely edited narrative."

The recording was first released by the caucus in October. Caucus leaders maintained the audio did not take anything out of context, though they did acknowledge that it had been edited.

An internal review of the EL Education curriculum, which the district started before the caucus filed its lawsuit, did not reveal any violations of state law, the district said in a June 20 statement.

But the district pushed for a settlement with the Freedom Caucus to avoid a legal fight and redirecting its resources away from students.

"We owed it to our entire community to find a solution that did not involve a lengthy and costly legal battle and to affirm that our district is, in fact, in compliance with all state laws," Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait said in the statement.

Had the lawsuit gone to court, the district said it would have faced "extremely broad" requests for documents, including one requesting all records referencing terms such as decolonize, race, colorblind, "colorblindness," "affirmative action," "inclusion," "underrepresented," and "allies, according to the district, which it said are "common words" found in state education standards.

Contesting this lawsuit would have redirected district resources, including employees time and attention, as well as taxpayers dollars, away from our primary focus," Postlewait said.

Freedom Caucus leaders celebrated the settlement, declaring the group had "successfully removed Critical Race Theory-derived curriculum" from the district in a June 20 statement.

This is a win for the Freedom Caucus, for parents, but most importantly, this is a win for students who will no longer be subjected to radical, liberal indoctrination by the District, state Rep. RJ May, R-Lexington, the caucus's vice chair, said in the statement.

May said the settlement terms show the district was "caught red-handed peddling the Lefts pernicious, racist nonsense." The agreement filed in Lexington County court June 20 does not include any admission from the district or finding that it had violated the law.

The agreement requires Lexington One to end its links with EL Education and to not enter any new ones, and to "fully comply with all South Carolina laws regarding instruction and training for students, teachers, and other staff."

The district had challenged the caucus' standing to bring the lawsuit, asserting they "had to find some additional Plaintiffs so they wouldnt be kicked out of court" in their June 20 statement.

In an April 25 hearing, the district's lawyer asked a judge to dismiss complaints from the caucus and from a parent whose children do not attend EL Education schools, though it conceded that two parents whose children did attend EL schools had standing.

The caucus also sued the Charleston County School District, where Postlewait previously served as superintendent, over similar allegations in November, asserting the district used state funding for lessons teaching students to discriminate.

That suit was based on the same budget prohibition as the claims against Lexington One, which recently also served as a flashpoint in the adjacent Lexington-Richland Five school district where a teacher's lesson about a book on racism was stopped with records showing administrators' concerns that it would violate the budget law.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 93F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 76F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. A resident of Azerbaijan's Lankaran district Elgun Eyvazov, born in 1986, was detained during violation of the state border from Iran in the direction of Azerbaijan on June 21, at 01:30 (GMT +4), as a result of joint operational-search activities carried out by employees of the State Border Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

At 07:00 the same day, a citizen of Afghanistan Amir Majid (born in 1995) was detained on the territory of the Goytapa border detachment of the Border Troops under the State Border Service during violation of the state border from Iran in the direction of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Operational and investigative measures on the above facts are ongoing.

Previously, citizens of Afghanistan Asadziya Hevad, Abdulbasid Feyzi and Mutullah Habibi who violated the state border from Iran in the direction of Azerbaijan were detained as a result of operational activities carried out on June 2 on the territory of the Lankaran border detachment of the Border Troops under the State Border Service.
COLUMBIA  Over three years, the president of the small, private Columbia College has watched his campus bounce back from an enrollment drop and accreditation troubles. In July, Tom Bogart will leave the college with a growing, newly co-ed student body, successful academic endeavors and an updated campus.

Columbia College has a student population of about 1,400 as of 2022 with only 400 of them living on the city-block sized campus in North Columbia. The school started in 1854 as an all-female Methodist college educating white women to become teachers. The college has gone through much growth, becoming co-ed as recently as 2020, but has stuck to its roots.

Students and faculty knock on the president's office window while walking between classes to wave hello to Bogart. He has made an attempt to learn everyone's name each year. Bogart says he never quite achieved that, but he's gotten close.

"I got into college leadership because I wanted to have a huge impact on the world," he said. "They say, 'Well, why do you work in small colleges?' Because the way to have huge impact on the world is one person at a time."

On July 17, Bogart will hand the reins over to John Dozier. Dozier, formerly an administrator at the University of South Carolina, is making his return to Columbia from his position as an institute community and equity officer at MIT. He'll return to lead a Columbia College that has gone co-ed and pulled state recognition for new education programs since the time Dozier left USC in 2020.

Bogart joined Columbia College in October 2020, when the campus had shut its doors for the COVID-19 pandemic after years of falling enrollment. The school also received a warning from its accreditor for debt.

Enrollment for single-gender education had been dropping for a decade, Bogart said. All-female institutions across the country shrank from 70 colleges in the early 2010s to about 30 today. Columbia College followed suit, dropping from its peak enrollment of 2,500 in the late 1990s to 1,200 in 2020, Bogart said. For a small private college that relied on tuition, this drop put the college in debt by the mid-2010s, Bogart said.
This is part of The Post and Couriers Daily Digest series, in which one of our food reporters asks a local to describe a day of eating in detail. Interested in being featured in Daily Digest? Email pmilner@postandcourier.com.

Abbay and Brandon Olson live in Charleston. Brandon is the chef de cuisine at King BBQ.

We started the day with the best of both worlds at The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery, where we split a breakfast sandwich and the Grasshopper toast.

For an afternoon pick-me-up, we headed to another one of our favorite neighborhood spots: Huriyali. Brandon got a Popeyes Punch smoothie with extra greens, and I ordered an Aloha Bowl.

Dinner was prepared at home. Brandon made tuna tataki with tuna sourced from Crosby's Seafood Co. He paired that with a chilled street corn salad.

The salad was made even better by a recent delivery of avocados that were picked from his grandparents' avocado tree in San Diego. Finally, the salad was dressed with a smoked tomato soy dressing and finished with tajin.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 94F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 94F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
After six years of debate, Charleston City Council failed to agree on a path forward to redevelop a former grocery store property in West Ashley that some hoped would revitalize the area.

A vote on one of three proposals for the 3.3-acre Piggly Wiggly site instead turned into a power struggle among council members.

Even before conversation could begin in depth June 20, council members argued over how and when to discuss it. From there, the differences got more heated with council members calling each other rude and accusing each other of trying to score political points ahead of the November election in which half of council and the mayor are up.

A narrow vote came down to last-ditch efforts to sway council members and gain a majority. Council voted 6-6 to approve the original design plan for the site that would have included a $45 million investment from the city and a $30 million investment from development partner, Landmark Enterprises.

By council rules, a tie is a failed vote.

Councilmen Ross Appel, Stephen Bowden, Karl Brady Jr., Jason Sakran, Peter Shahid and Mayor John Tecklenburg voted in favor of moving forward with the original plan. Boyd Gregg, William Dudley Gregorie, Robert Mitchell, Caroline Parker, Kevin Shealy and Keith Waring voted against the plan. Councilman Mike Seekings was absent, though he previously expressed disapproval of the plan.

When considering two alternative proposals, council deferred making a decision and referred the project back to its housing and community development committee for further review.

City legal counsel Julia Copeland said before the discussion that a failure to decide on any proposal for the property would effectively end the city's contract with Landmark, requiring the city pay over $600,000 in termination fees.

Landmark President Jason Ward told The Post and Courier on June 21 that his company is not preparing to request the fee at this time.

As far as I am concerned, our (memorandum of understanding) is still in effect, Ward said. We will see what the committee has to say about our next steps.

The city bought the property in 2017 after surrounding neighbors were dismayed to find out that a private developer had proposed building a large gas station there. The purchase was part of a broader effort led by Shahid and Tecklenburg to direct more city funds and planning efforts toward West Ashley and reduce the area's prevalence of car-centric sprawl and empty commercial spaces.

Bowden said he was not confident that bringing the project back to the drawing board now six years later would result in substantive change and that it would only increase the final cost to develop the property because of the delays. He said he was disappointed that the council members who opposed the plan did not offer specific alternatives.

"We have a responsibility to use taxpayers' money the way they are telling us to," Bowden said. "In the meantime, citizens are going to be looking at the same slab of concrete that they have been looking at for the last six years."

For Gregg, the disagreement was ideological. Gregg was not on City Council when the property was purchased, but he said he did not believe in using public funds to pursue such efforts. He was skeptical of the city's plan and said it was "naive" to hope that it would spur private development in the surrounding area.

Although a special taxing district established for the Sam Rittenberg Boulevard area in 2016 would have been used to cover the city's end of the deal, Gregg said he wanted to see those taxing district funds used throughout the area, not just on one project.

"This will deplete the entire TIF," Gregg said, referring to the taxing district. "This is putting all of our eggs in one very small basket."

Those in favor of the plan, such as Appel, said they believed the government's job is to pursue projects that the private sector won't. And in doing so, Appel said he was confident the project would be a catalyst for further change in the area that otherwise would not happen. He said the domino effect of the development would refill the taxing district coffers. He likened the project to the city's role in developing the Gaillard Center and Charleston Place in downtown Charleston.

Its been said that the private sector would never do such a thing, Appel said. Thats true. The private sector would not pursue that option. We know what they think. They see it as a gas station.

Others such as Gregorie and Waring said they were willing to invest in project like this for West Ashley but not for the current proposals on the table.

"I think West Ashley deserves more," Gregorie said.

Not everyone believed that the squabble was purely ideological. Brady and Sakran both accused fellow council members of holding the vote up to settle political scores.

"There are some council members that have disagreements with or dislike for the mayor," Brady said. "Petty squabbles and resentment are threatening the most generational investment in West Ashley to date."

Waring called the process leading up to the vote a "campaign" and accused city staff of acting like "lobbyists" for the mayor rather than independent voices for the city. He added that the council members in favor of the plan would not have been elected to council without the mayor's support.

"This is coming down to the council members that Mayor Tecklenburg helped to get elected and the ones who won independently of his support," he said.

The planning process

The original design for the site included a $23 million underground parking garage and a $22 million civic center to be paid for by a bond fronted by the taxing district funds. Landmark was expected to contribute $30 million for mixed-use commercial space that would includes offices, shops and restaurants.

The proposal came out of a series of planning efforts led by the city. That included establishing the West Ashley Revitalization Commission in 2016 and a planning document drawn up by consultants known as Plan West Ashley.

Over 900 residents, including 733 from West Ashley, were polled in the feedback process used to shape the Piggly Wiggly plan. But gauging whether a majority of West Ashley residents are on board with it is challenging.

The day after the June 20 meeting, Tecklenburg said council's actions ignored West Ashley residents' desires.

"Last night, some of our council members decided to just throw that citizen-led plan in the trash," he said. "That was wrong. And I intend to keep fighting every day until our West Ashley residents get the plan they asked for and deserve."

The diverse area is home to over 40 percent of the city's population and recent public meetings have yielded mixed results. At a constituent meeting held by Shahid, whose district includes the property, many residents spoke against the proposal for the site. But another meeting held by the city planning department a few weeks later yielded more favorable responses. Most, but not all, public commenters at the June 20 meeting spoke in favor of the proposal.

"We need a gateway to West Ashley that reflects West Ashleys beauty and not a developers dream," said resident Bob O'Brien, adding that he would prefer to see a park at the site.

Others saw the first proposal as a chance to breathe new life to the area.

"Look at the vacant storefronts, look at the empty parking lots, we need mixed-use development," said resident William Tinkler.

Some of those in favor of the original proposal represented nearby neighborhood associations, including Sandhurst and Citadel Woods.

"Getting anything done by consensus in West Ashley has been a struggle," Shahid said.

Some council members balked at the idea of spending $23 million on a proposed underground parking garage. Council voted in April to solicit two more proposals for the property but did not vote on either at the June 20 meeting. One included a parking garage, and the other included surface parking. Both scaled back the overall cost to the city and the amount of mixed-use development built out on the site.

The three options presented to council are listed below.

Option 1

Total cost: $75 million City: $45 million Developer: $30 million

Total square feet: 63,900

Parking: 244-space underground garage

Option 2

Total cost: unknown City: $35-37 million Developer: unknown

Total square feet: 56,300

Parking: 253-space above-ground garage

Option 3

Total cost: unknown City: $21-23 million Developer: unknown

Total square feet: 19,600

Parking: 152-space surface lot

An alternate path

After jockeying for votes and failing to come to a consensus, council members began to discuss alternate paths forward.

Gregg and Parker were interested in placing zoning limitations on the site and then selling it, similar to the way that the South Carolina Ports Authority is working with the city to set parameters for redeveloping Union Pier, its former cruise ship hub downtown.

"Sell it, put a deed restriction on it and have the private sector figure out what to do with it," Gregg said.

But Appel argued that West Ashley does not garner the same level of interest for developers as downtown and they will not want to jump through extra hoops to repurpose the empty lot.

"No private developer is going to be shoe-horned into zoning they dont want," he said.

Others expressed interest in working with Charlotte-based developer Faison. The company owns the property adjacent to the Piggly Wiggly site and recently announced plans to relocate an existing Publix grocery store on its site and add an apartment building. Council members were interested in trying to forge an agreement with Faison and design the properties together. Faison is a private company that has not been a part of the contract that established the public-private partnership between the city and Landmark.

Both Tecklenburg and Landmark President Jason Ward said during the meeting that they had spoken with representatives of Faison and were under the impression that the developer was waiting on results of the citys vote before weighing in.

Faison president Kris Fetter, however, told the Post and Courier June 21 that he would be interested in working on a vision for the two projects.

I am open to having a conversation, he said. As long as its productive and economically feasible for everybody, then everybody should win.

Although Shahid also expressed interest in working with Faison and had previously criticized the original proposal, he said he wanted council to vote on one of the three proposals that were already in the works.

"If we vote down option 1, I dont want to leave this chamber tonight without an option," he said. "That sends a message that we are paralyzed, and we cant get anything done."

Well past 11 p.m., council left the chamber without a plan.
Attorneys for the U.S. government dismissed drug-trafficking charges against two ex-prison guards midway through their jury trial  an extraordinary move by the government in a case that presented hours of unflattering testimony for the S.C. Department of Corrections.

Prosecutors moved on June 21 to dismiss a two-count indictment against Xavier Kaseem Capers and Joseph Corey Bailey Jr., two former Department of Corrections employees who were each charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of possession with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brook Andrews said in an email that prosecutors dismissed the case in the interest of justice but declined to comment further.

Capers and Bailey were working as correctional officers at the Ridgeland Correctional Institution in Jasper County on March 6, 2021, when a sergeant discovered roughly 400 grams  nearly 1 pound  of pink and blue crystalline powders inside the prison that tested positive for methamphetamine, according to prosecutors. The drugs, as well as tobacco, were hidden in sealed Chrystal Light flavoring packets inside a black mesh backpack similar to an item Capers and Bailey were seen handling less than an hour before.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Bower and Justin Holloway were more than halfway through their witness list when they decided to pull the plug.

Nathan Williams, the former criminal chief for the U.S. Attorney's Office in South Carolina, said he has not previously seen the office dismiss a case while a trial is underway. The former federal prosecutor who spent 13 years in the office said the government's attorneys must have recently learned about a critical issue in their case.

It would have to be something significant that they didnt know about, Williams said. It raises the question of why they just learned about it and werent aware of it.

Defense attorneys had advocated for the judge to toss out the case on the eve of trial. The motion filed by Capers' attorney, Cody Groeber, read he had discovered an "altered" SCDC document that was "highly misleading."

The document was a "key log" that guards signed to account for keys in their possession that unlocked secure areas of the prison.

Attorney Peter Phillips, who represented Bailey, maintained that on the night the drugs were discovered his client did not have access to the room where they were found. The Charleston attorney argued that multiple witnesses called by the government had access to the key log, sheets of paper attached to a clipboard inside the prison's control room.

Phillips noticed the discrepancy less than 48 hours before the trial began as he poured over case files well after midnight. He argued the alteration called into question the integrity of the government's investigation.

U.S. District Court Judge David C. Norton denied the defense's pre-trial motion. But he agreed to dismiss the case June 21 after the federal prosecutors requested the dismissal. Norton granted the request "with prejudice," which means the criminal case cannot be refiled.

Jurors returning from lunch June 21 learned their service was no longer needed.

"I have some good news and I have some bad news," Norton told the jury.

Bailey walked into Charleston's federal courthouse facing a sentence of as much as 20 years in prison if convicted. As he prepared to leave June 21, he said he was looking forward to taking his daughter, age 7, to Disney World.

Bailey, 30, described the past three years as stressful. He was hard-pressed to find decent work and could not travel outside of the state pending trial.

"I'm at a loss for words," he said in the courthouse's hallway, supported by his twin brother and parents. "I knew I was innocent. There were lots of fake accusations. Justice has been served."

Current and former correctional officers who testified at trial described layers of precautions inside the SCDC that are designed to keep out contraband  but are not always followed by the facility's own officers.

Asked to respond to allegations made under oath by employees, SCDC spokeswoman Chrysti Shain said in an email: "I would hesitate to take generalized information from a former employee as fact."

The Ridgeland Correctional Institution is a medium-security facility in Jasper County operated by the SCDC.

Anita Harris, a former sergeant, testified that in 2021, seven guards were responsible for supervising 900 to 1,200 prisoners on a good day."

The prison, like most, contends with a "high volume" of contraband, according to Lt. Torelle Housey, who has been working at the prison for more than two decades.

Prisons across the country battle contraband entering their facilities through visitors, mail, staff and drones. The illicit trade of drugs, cigarettes, cellphones and weapons has been linked to overdoses, drug trafficking and even murder.

Capers was a sergeant at the Jasper County prison while Bailey was a corporal. They were colleagues, friends and neighbors.

Capers, according to court documents, had told authorities after his arrest that Bailey had asked him to bring him his backpack and glasses, which Bailey had left inside his car. Capers denied knowing what was in the backpack.

Groeber, who represented Capers on behalf of the Charleston Federal Public Defender's Office, argued prosecutors were trying to turn a favor into a felony."

Five current and former correctional officers testified they would not retrieve a colleagues personal belongings out of fear they could be facilitating the introduction of contraband into the prison. Several officers also described a protocol in place for when an officer wants to retrieve an item from their car in the middle of their shift.

Video surveillance from outside the prison entrance showed Bailey enter the lobby and walk straight into the main building, eschewing X-ray scanners and metal detectors in violation of the prison's policies.

Doors were supposed to be locked by a control officer. But Holyoke Williams, then a corporal working in the control room that evening, admitted June 20 she had left the doors unsecure.

She said she was suspended without pay for one day for enabling contraband to enter the prison. Williams, who has since been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, said she believed she was unfairly blamed.

"It's something that happens all of the time at the institution," she said.

Phillips said widespread policy failures inside the prison influenced his client's conduct that evening.

What appeared suspicious if everyone is doing what theyre supposed to be doing isnt actually suspicious," he said.
Barbara Melvin has a simple request for everyone whos interested in what gets built on Union Pier.

Stay engaged, the S.C. State Ports Authority president and CEO says. Dont think the hard work is done. The hard work is just beginning.

Thats great advice, because its exactly what everyone in Charleston needs to do.

Last week, Melvin and the Ports Authority board announced they were pulling their original plans and pressing pause on the redevelopment of Union Pier  a 64-acre piece of waterfront land in the heart of downtown Charleston that Melvin justifiably calls the most attractive property on the East Coast.

It was a savvy move by the port, and the right one.

Of course, the usual suspects  neighborhood groups, preservationists, conservationists  all celebrated. They had complained for months that the process was moving too fast, that they hadnt had enough input and they got their victory.

Sort of.

Because it will be a short-lived win if the interested parties kick back and relax during this decidedly temporary reprieve. Union Pier will be back next spring  bet on it.

See, whats actually happened here is the pressure has shifted from the port to its critics. They now have to step up and offer constructive input, and work with the Joe Riley Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston, which the port asked to lead the process for creating a new Union Pier plan.

By definition, that means offering specifics about what people really want, within reason, for the most important development Charleston has seen in at least a century.

When the ports plan for Union Pier was unveiled, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said it was too tall, too dense and needed fewer hotel rooms and more affordable housing. And it shouldnt just be about the port making money.

All those groups against the plan more or less adopted that as their mantra. Trouble is, they never said what they would accept ... or at least not protest.

Thats got to change, because now the port has made a civic-minded gesture. And with a new, very public, nearly year-long process in place, the this is moving too fast argument will no longer fly.

Melvin doesnt think it will come to that. She says when port officials sat down with various concerned groups, there was never a point where any of them said no development was acceptable.

Good call. Everybody has to understand the property is too valuable to turn into Charlestons version of Central Park, although a scaled-down version of that could be a part of it. Realistically, theres going to be some development. Probably more than a lot of people want.

But what that looks like is what everyone needs to focus on. In fact, the ports counting on it.

Melvin says she talked with the mayor after that recent planning commission meeting, when hundreds of people showed up to lodge their complaints, and all that led to this reset.

Because those folks were saying basically the same thing the port had heard from the city.

The mayor and city staff told us they didnt want to review someone elses work, they wanted to be a part of it, Melvin tells me. We really took it in.

She says it only took some conversations with SPA board members to change course. And yeah, they probably also realized the Union Pier plan as it stood didnt have the votes to make it through the Planning Commission or City Council.

Still, instead of trying to ram it through, the port signed off on the citys proposal for a new timeline and public planning process. In the coming months, city staff is going to develop the outline for a waterfront district  with specific instructions on waterfront parks, a public space centered around the Rice Mill facade with a memorial to the Mosquito Fleet, as well as provisions for the mixed-use residential and commercial elements the port originally proposed.

The port agreed to that plan, basically opting for the high road. Now its time for their critics to do the same.

That doesnt mean automatically accepting anything; it simply means that the days of going all Nancy Reagan and just saying no are over. You want greater public waterfront access? Sure thing. More public space? Certainly.

But with great amenities come some trade-offs. There will be commercial buildings on Union Pier. Folks can grouse about it  or they can have a say in how those buildings look, their mass and scale.

We want a great project  a legacy project that we are all proud to have, Melvin says. We dont want people to squander this opportunity.

And theres some more very good advice.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The return of about 140,000 citizens to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan is planned, the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev said during a panel speech at the Human Resources Summit 2023 forum, Trend reports.

The minister noted that in the liberated territories benefits for the activities of the private sector were established.

According to him, for 140,000 citizens planned to be returned to the liberated areas.

"We must provide 7,000-10,000 people with knowledge and skills. Benefits will allow people with knowledge and skills to return and build business there," Babayev emphasized.

Following the liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the long-awaited 'Great Return' program, which envisions the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their native lands.

To date, Azerbaijan's former IDPs have returned to the liberated villages of Aghali (Zangilan district), Talish (Tartar district) and Lachin city and were provided with jobs.
The problem with the Lords Prayer being recited at the start of the Berkeley County School Board meetings wasnt that its a Christian prayer.

Although Jesus gave the prayer to his disciples and so its identified with the Christian faith, its about as nonsectarian as you can get: praising and thanking an unnamed god and asking for forgiveness and protection. Jews or Muslims or members of any other faith that believes in a god could recite it just as easily as Christians.

The problem is that self-selected members of the public have been reciting it at school board meetings without any authorization, and in violation of the school board policies, which say public participation is limited to the public comment section of the meetings.

For three meetings, the school board did nothing to stop the outbursts, which were led by former school board member Ann Conder. She declared at one meeting we will not be silenced.

Although we dont agree with the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundations argument that the First Amendment prohibits prayers in public meetings, we do agree that its a problem when a school board does nothing to prevent one group of people from interrupting its moment of silence  in this case with a prayer  while kicking out someone who interrupts the moment by protesting the interruption.

Thats what Sheryl Monk told Charlestons WCSC-TV happened to her after she objected to the prayer recital. A district spokeswoman disputed the claim, telling The Post and Couriers Maddy Quon that the woman and a man chose to leave after a security officer said they would have to if they didnt settle down. That strikes us as a distinction without a difference.

But contrary to Ms. Monks complaint, the issue here isnt about respecting non-Christians: Its about respecting decorum. And not just decorum but rules: Members of the public  and board members, for that matter  dont have a right to speak when they dont have a right to speak. And during an official moment of silence, nobody has a right to speak.

Although the vigilante prayers are being recited by members of the public instead of elected officials, this is very much akin to what happened in Tennessee in April, when three state representatives took over the lectern and egged on chanting protesters in the gallery  an incident that had nothing to do with prayer. The decision to strip two of those lawmakers of their jobs was an overreaction, but removing them from the chamber would have been absolutely appropriate. Whats been going on at the school board meetings is no different. Ms. Conder and her followers should have been removed when they spoke out without authorization.

And those of us who are actually Christians  as opposed to people who warp Christianity into a political statement  should be as outraged by this behavior as Ms. Monk and other non-Christians. More, actually, because the vigilantes give actual Christians a bad name. Actual Christians believe we are supposed to obey civil authorities (Render unto Caesar ) except in those cases, rare in our country, where the authorities are actually assaulting the fundamental principles of Christianity. As opposed to simply refusing to promote our faith.

When board chairman Mac McQuillin finally acted  after reporting by the TV station and after Freedom From Religion threatened to sue  he didnt tell the vigilantes to obey the rules; instead, he suspended the moment of silence while the board examines its options.

Frankly, we dont care whether the school board begins its meetings with a moment of silence, a public prayer or neither. But if it reinstates the moment of silence, it needs to make it clear that silence means silence. And then it needs to enforce that rule to the same extent that it would enforce any other rule of decorum. Otherwise it could face a lawsuit  which it should lose  over providing a public forum to people it agrees with while silencing those it doesn't.

Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier.
Charleston, SC (29532)

Today

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 95F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 73F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill aimed at reducing violent crime by changing South Carolina's bail bond system but again told legislators they haven't done enough to "close the revolving door" on career criminals.

McMaster's June 20 signature came with a three-page letter stressing to legislative leaders their work isn't done. It repeated in writing what he's said over the last several months through public news conferences and private phone calls.

While applauding legislators for taking a "much-needed and long-overdue step in the right direction," the Republican governor emphasized it's just a step.

His signature on bond reform, he wrote, "does not absolve the General Assembly of its inherent police power to provide for and protect public safety or relieve legislators of their corresponding responsibility to pass additional legislation to support law enforcement's top priority: enhancing existing penalties for illegal gun possession."

While it's a federal crime for felons to carry guns, there needs to be a corresponding state law for South Carolina's state and local officers to make anything other than a misdemeanor charge. The Legislature sent McMaster part of his request in a bill penalizing fentanyl traffickers. The felon-in-possession piece tacked on during floor debate in the Senate adds prison time for drug dealers arrested with a gun.

But that law, signed by McMaster last week, is still only a partial fix, the governor said.

"It does not have to be this way," he wrote about increases in violent crime and weapon offenses in South Carolina over the last several years.

"It is no mystery who is responsible," he continued. "And many of these individuals would have been  and logically should have been  prohibited from possessing a firearm under South Carolina law."

Legislative leaders in both chambers agree with the governor. The problem is that the issue has gotten tangled with a push for so-called "constitutional carry" that would let adults legally carry a handgun openly or concealed without requiring a permit or training.

The House passed a bill that both allowed permitless carry and created graduated felon-in-possession crimes. But that bill didn't and can't get through the Senate this year. Enough Senate Republicans oppose permitless carry to block that from becoming law, and its staunch advocates in the Senate won't let their colleagues divorce the issues.

"They think it gives them some leverage," Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, said.

He's among Republicans who oppose permitless carry, and he's willing to vote on the issues separately or together. But the Senate's stuck without enough votes on either side to do anything, he said.

"The gun penalties is something we absolutely need to address," he said. "I wish we couldve taken that up."

The effort will carry over until next year. The bill remains in place on the Senate calendar for the legislative session that resumes in January. But Massey's not sure how it becomes unstuck then either.

And even if the Senate manages to pass a stand-alone bill that creates state crimes for felons with guns, the House may reject it.

"There is a willingness by some to separate the issues, but obviously those were put together because it made the bill more palatable," House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, told reporters.

He wanted to concentrate on what did pass before the special session concluded last week.

"I think we need to celebrate the wins we had on public safety," he said. "We had bond reform. We had fentanyl trafficking as well. Those are two major priorities in the public safety agenda, and we will eventually address that issue.

"We agree wholeheartedly with the governor," he continued. "We have to address the issue of felons carrying guns and continuing to be the ones continuing to commit crimes with weapons theyre not legally allowed to possess."

The bond reform measure McMaster signed takes effect in stages over the coming year.

It makes it progressively harder for defendants charged with repeat violent crimes to post bond and be released from jail. It allows prosecutors to seek an additional five-year sentence for anyone convicted of committing a violent crime while out on bond for a previous alleged violent crime. And it gives the State Law Enforcement Division the responsibility to set rules for the now unregulated GPS ankle monitoring industry.

Also in his letter McMaster directed SLED to use and enforce its new regulatory authority. And he told the Department of Insurance, whose director answers to the governor, to "use its enhanced (but still relatively limited) licensing power to hold bail bondsmen accountable and to ensure timely reporting of electronic-monitoring violations."
SPARTANBURG  Debbie Baer enjoys walking the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail with friends along the 1.9 mile route that is set for resurfacing for the first time since it opened in June 2006.

She walks the trail about five times a week.

The trail is shaded in some spots and traverses through residential and commercial areas of the city. It's a popular destination for area residents and is on track to have about 200,000 visitors in 2023.

In some areas, the trail's asphalt has deteriorated and is in need of repair. Spartanburg City Council voted to spend $250,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds to resurface the entire trail. The schedule for the resurfacing has not yet been determined.

"Some sections of the trail are still in good shape," said Laura Ringo, the executive director of Play. Advocate. Live Well. "The typical life cycle is 15 to 20 years before resurfacing is needed, and that has proven to be true for the Mary Black Rail Trail."

From January through April, there have been 66,000 users on the trail.

In 2022, there were 165,000 users, Ringo said. The trail from Country Club Road to Union Street was extended in 2022 through downtown along South Converse Street to Barnet Park and East Saint John Street. The extension was named The Hub City Hopper.

"I think people are finding it to be a great connection, and it extends their walk and ride into downtown," Ringo told The Post and Courier. "People still have a lot to learn about it and will get more comfortable using it."

Baer walked the trail June 16 with her friends Judy Marshall and Sonya Eberhart, both of Inman. They find the setting relaxing and not overcrowded.

With future development planned along the trail, including a project by Charlotte-based developer Lat Purser and Associates to build a new 160-unit apartment complex at Union Street, they hope the trail won't lose its natural charm.

With more mixed-use development possible along the trail, Baer questioned where parking would be available for new residents and businesses. She's hopeful planners will help balance the trail's growth for everyone to continue to enjoy.

"I just worry about it having a different atmosphere and how it could become overdeveloped," Marshall said. "We don't want to see overuse of the trail."

Eberhart said she feels safe walking her dog Ginger on the trail and believes it's still among the best places to walk in the city. Work continues on redeveloping the Rail Tail Dog Park along the trail with designated areas for dogs of all sizes. The dog park renovations are on schedule to be completed in July.

The rail trail is expected to continue to spur growth in the city, especially along Union Street.

Over the past year, several projects have already been completed nearby. These include The Fitzgerald, a 132-unit apartment complex at Kennedy and Union streets, which was finished in late 2022.

The rail trail extension passes in front of the complex, giving residents easy access to a wider trail network.

In late 2022, a former cotton gin site close to the rail trail was transformed into an outdoor venue for live music and other events. The Fretwell project included the construction of a 7,500-square-foot building at 101 Fretwell St. that houses Little River Roasting Co.'s operations, including warehousing and roasting.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20. Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov met at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with Rachel Thomson, Executive Director for the group of countries that includes Azerbaijan, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan.

It was emphasized at the meeting that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to partnerships with international financial institutions, including the ADB, and the financial and technical support of the bank to our country is highly appreciated.

It was noted that ADB provides support to our country within the framework of projects in the fields of energy, environment, infrastructure, transit and logistics, digital development, public-private partnership, and other areas. In addition, the Minister of Economy spoke about the national priorities of the country, the work carried out within the framework of the Strategy for Socio-Economic Development for 2022-2026, reconstruction and construction work in the territories liberated from occupation, and emphasized the opportunities for cooperation in this area with ADB.

The Executive Director of the ADB for the group of countries, which includes Azerbaijan, expressed the interest of the bank in expanding ties with our country, noting that joint initiatives and projects will contribute to ensuring further sustainable development in Azerbaijan.

The parties discussed the joint projects being implemented by the parties, the main challenges in the field of economic development, and other issues.
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NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Andrew Tittle is a veteran HVAC expert, currently managing operations at Aireconomics Inc. - a family-run business based out of Brentwood, Tennessee. Having worked in the construction industry for many years, Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to his current position. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University with a specialization in Building and Construction Management. He is certified by the National Environmental Balancing Bureau in TAB and BSCx, and highly skilled in testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.As a way to shed light on his professional accomplishments, Andrew recently sat down with a popular media platform to provide some insight into his career. When asked to share some strategies for growing a business, Andrew says that being personable is a key factor to his success."My key strategy is being personable. I'm the central contact for the company. It's hard work, but I know it's something our customers and contractors really appreciate. We don't advertise, but our name is very much out there. In fact, the company has mostly grown through word-of-mouth referrals, and nearly every month we bring in new contacts. Our strength has been that people know we perform our work very well, all the while working hand-in-hand with our clients." According to Andrew, transparency and direct communication are also vital to running a successful business. Establishing a sense of trust also helps to ensure that everyone remains on the same page. As a company that specializes in ventilation solutions, they take pride in helping their customers adapt to the ever changing needs of their business.Throughout the conversation, Andrew also provides some examples of how he and his team collaborate on projects. "When I take a job, usually I have some lead time to plan things out before setting to work. However, after years of industry experience, I've also encountered issues where I need to provide a solution right away. For example, a hospital facility requires 24/7 operations. So, if they happen to encounter a ventilation problem, we need to come up with a solution for how to upgrade the ventilation system while they are still occupying the space. In a case like that, I'll collaborate with the engineers to figure out a method to accomplish the task as quickly as we possibly can. Then we'll have to schedule appropriate hours to implement a change to the system or a total change-over to a brand new HVAC system." As a fast paced position, Andrew and his team are always ready to come up with productive solutions. Although Aireconomics Inc. is a small family-run business, he looks forward to his continued success and growth of the company.Anyone interested in reading the full interview can do so here.About Andrew TittleAndrew Tittle is an experienced TAB and BSCx Manager overseeing operations at Aireconomics Inc., a company committed to delivering high-performance buildings and system solutions. Operating out of Nashville, Tennessee, the company is certified by the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) and specializes in a wide range of services, including air and hydronic testing adjusting and balancing, building systems commissioning, residential and commercial building envelope and duct leakage testing, indoor air quality testing, and more.Media Contact:Andrew TittleEmail: info@ andrewtittle.com SOURCE: Andrew Tittle
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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Canopus Biopharma Inc. (OTC PINK:CBIA) is pleased to announce a corporate update to its valued shareholders.The Company has completed a reverse takeover (RTO) and change of ownership. The Company will now be doing business as Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. (BHC).BHC has received approval from the State of Nevada for the name change. The new name became effective with the Nevada Secretary of State on April 21, 2023.Additionally, a name change request has been filed with OTC Markets, and that process is currently pending. Once approved, the Company's trading symbol will change to reflect the new name, providing enhanced visibility and recognition in the market.These significant developments mark an exciting chapter for Canopus Biopharma Inc., as it embraces its new identity. With the successful name change to Blue Heaven Coffee Inc., the Company will now focus its efforts on expanding its retail network across North America.With a track record of over five years in operation, the Company has successfully generated positive revenue and currently possess over $2 million worth of deployed assets. This achievement is bolstered by secure Government contracts, showcasing the Company's strong financial foundation.BHC specializes in providing client tailored, profit-driven opportunities via their fleet of automated retail devices which are connected and managed through a unified platform, enabling BHC to provide state-of-the-art programmatic advertising revenue opportunities in a hassle-free manner. In addition to exceptional service, products and technologies, BHC also offers its clients the opportunity to profit and tap into the vast and lucrative world of programmatic marketing revenue.BHC's retail network will feature a wide variety of unattended and attended retail solutions ranging from touchless vending services, smart kitchens, micro markets, cafe kiosks, digital water coolers and workplace coffee services.Unattended retail, also referred to as self-service retail, has emerged as a prominent trend within the retail industry and has gained substantial momentum in recent years. The North American market is specifically witnessing remarkable growth in unattended retail due to the rising popularity of vending machines, self-service kiosks and other similar automated systems.Programmatic advertising is a form of digital advertising that leverages automated software to facilitate the real time buying and selling of ad inventory through online advertising exchanges. This acutely targeted and data-driven approach enables advertisers to effectively reach their desired audience with precision and efficiency. Some notable features of programmatic advertising include real-time bidding, data-driven targeting, cross-device targeting and the optimization of ads using algorithms, machine learning, data analytics and artificial intelligence.Moreover, Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. is proud to announce that it will offer access to 100% pure Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee at select locations throughout its retail network. Known for its exceptional quality and distinct flavor profile, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee embodies the Company's commitment to providing a premium coffee experience to customers across its expanding network."We are excited to share this corporate update with our shareholders," said Justin De Four, CEO of Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. "The successful completion of our Reverse-Takeover and our recent approval of our name change in Nevada marks a significant milestone in our journey as we transition to Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. These strategic moves reflect our vision and allow us to focus on expanding our retail network, incorporating advanced digital advertising solutions, and introducing the world-renowned Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee to our customers. We believe these initiatives will enhance shareholder value and position us for long-term success in the evolving retail market." Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. remains committed to delivering excellence in its products and services while leveraging its technology-driven approach to creating a seamless and enjoyable retail experience for its customers.The Company will continue to provide updates to its shareholders as it progresses on its expansion plans and strengthens its market presence.For more information about Blue Heaven Coffee Inc., please visit www.blueheaven.cafe About Canopus Biopharma Inc. (dba Blue Heaven Coffee Inc.)Canopus Biopharma Inc. dba Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. (BHC) is a provider of unattended and attended retail and digital advertising solutions. Our company specializes in providing client tailored, profit-driven solutions backed by innovative technologies (powered in part by breakthrough Artificial Intelligence), state of the art equipment, and top-notch service and support. BHC specializes in a breakthrough business model, anchored to cutting edge digital advertising solutions. Our fleet of automated retail devices are all connected and managed via a single platform allowing us to offer cutting edge access to programmatic advertising revenue (in a turnkey fashion) allowing us to offer our clients not only stellar service, products, and technologies but also an avenue by which they can profit share, tapping into the vast and lucrative world of programmatic marketing revenue. We empower our clients to create meaningful value beyond the basic framework of unattended retail, by leveraging our existing relationships, knowledge, and experience.Disclaimer:The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements.These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and because of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements, or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to complete a qualifying transaction. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-21 18:12:28

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JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / CE Broker, the leading provider of continuing education management and compliance software, is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (IMLCC) to streamline continuing education and licensure compliance required for physicians to practice across multiple states.The mission of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (Compact) is to increase access to healthcare - particularly for patients in underserved and rural communities. By providing an expedited pathway to multi-state licensure for physicians, the Compact makes it possible to extend the reach of qualified physicians, improve patient access to medical specialists, and leverage the use of new technologies, such as telemedicine. The Compact also strengthens public protection by enhancing the ability of states to share investigative and disciplinary information.With over 20 years of experience working with state medical licensing boards, agencies, associations, and medical professionals, CE Broker provides member licensing boards the opportunity to further automate their renewal processes by verifying continuing education compliance at the time of renewal. Additionally, CE Broker's accredited course catalog enables medical professionals to complete continuing education requirements online with automated reporting to participating state boards. CE Broker is currently piloting this Compact compliance process with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners."CE Broker is honored to support the mission and vision of the Compact by partnering to help streamline how their medical professionals manage multi-state licensure compliance," said Julie Walker, CEO of CE Broker. "We believe that CE Broker further supplements the compliance efficiencies that IMLCC has instituted with medical boards across the nation." Approximately 80% of U.S. physicians meet the criteria for licensure through the Compact and since 2017, the Compact process has been used by more than 15,000 physicians who were able to secure more than 66,000 licenses in member states. To apply and qualify for multi-state licensure, a physician must meet nine requirements, and hold an active, unrestricted license in a member state where they live and practice. Continuing education compliance is a function, which is established by each board independent of the Compact, generally applicable to all licensees who wish to use it to renew their license."The utilization of the Compact process by physicians since its inception has been phenomenal and demonstrated a need in the licensing process that proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Marschall Smith, Executive Director of the IMLCC. "With CE Broker, the Compact will provide our member boards the option to automate their independently established continuing education compliance verification and support the essential work that they perform in the evaluation of physician qualifications and enforcement of their Medical Practice Act." The Compact currently includes 39 states, the District of Columbia and the Territory of Guam. In these jurisdictions, physicians are licensed by 52 different medical and osteopathic boards. Other U.S. states are currently in the process of introducing legislation to adopt the Compact.Learn more about each organization at cebroker.com and imlcc.org Contact Information:Jean ChenCMO, CE Brokerjeanchen@ cebroker.com 720.445.5537SOURCE: CE Broker
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-21 21:10:31

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Company is awarded a multi-year contract by Mohawk Medbuy on behalf of its Member hospitals and healthcare providers across Canada.News in SummaryMohawk Medbuy awards innovative remote patient monitoring services contract to Cloud DX after competitive request for proposal (RFP).Mohawk Medbuy provides procurement and other supply chain services to hundreds of hospitals and Health Authorities across Canada.The contract has a term of 3 years with up to 2 extensions of 2 years each; overall contract value announced is $3,040,000 CAD.This is the 17th contract or contract extension announced by Cloud DX in 2023, versus 28 announced contracts in FY2022.KITCHENER , ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX)(OTC:CDXFF), a leading North American provider of remote patient monitoring services announces that they have won a competitive RFP to supply remote monitoring technology and services to two health organizations. Mohawk Medbuy Corporation (MMC) led the procurement process, in collaboration with these member health care providers, using Broader Public Sector Procurement Directives. The award, which was announced on the procurement portal Biddingo on June 20, 2023, is also available to MMC's other members.Mohawk Medbuy is a national, not-for-profit, shared services organization trusted by hundreds of Canadian hospitals and health care providers to drive value, efficiencies and cost savings on the supplies and services they use.Under the terms of the contract award announced on June 20, 2023, Mohawk Medbuy will serve as the master contractor for the two members, who can order RPM products and services from Cloud DX with assured pricing and terms. Other Mohawk Medbuy members can leverage the agreement without having to issue separate requests for proposals (RFPs), reducing the cost and complexity of procuring best-in-class RPM services.The initial contract runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026 with option for a further 2 extensions of 2 years each, to June 30, 2030. The total estimated awarded contract valuation for the full term of the agreement including option periods is $3,040,000 CAD.For Cloud DX, winning this competitive award further cements the Company's status as a leader in remote patient monitoring delivery in Canada. This is the 17th contract or extension announced by the Company in 2023 versus 28 contracts announced in all of 2022, showing that the demand for RPM continues to increase across the Canadian healthcare landscape.Cloud DX CEO and Founder Robert Kaul stated, "We are very excited to win this competitive contract award and continue to deliver life-changing remote patient monitoring, virtual care and telemedicine products and services to Canadian patients and providers".About Mohawk Medbuy CorporationMohawk Medbuy is a national, not-for-profit, shared services organization that supports hundreds of health care providers across Canada, as well as child welfare agencies and other public sector organizations. MMC provides value-driven contracting and procurement solutions for medical/surgical supplies, pharmaceutical products, local sourcing, capital equipment (FF&E) and food/nutrition solutions. MMC also provides data analytics, in-hospital services, warehousing/logistics, technology services, procure-to-pay services, accounts payable and linen services.With an emerging focus on sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, MMC is actively supporting the creation of a resilient value chain that incorporates environmental, social and economic wellbeing. The Burlington, ON-based organization also has offices in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Kingston, Brantford and London, a distribution centre in Oakville and a linens facility in Hamilton.About Cloud DXAccelerating digital healthcare, Cloud DX is on a mission to make healthcare better for everyone. Our Connected Health TM remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to virtually manage chronic disease, enable aging in place, and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care in the home. Our partners achieve better healthcare and patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization or re-admission, and reduce healthcare delivery costs through more efficient use of resources. Cloud DX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, 2022 Top Innovator by Canadian Business, a 2021 Edison Award winner, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist, and one of "Canada's Ten Most Prominent Telehealth Providers." Cloud DX is an exclusive partner to Medtronic Canada, Teladoc Health Canada, and Equitable Life of Canada.Cloud DX Investor Site https://ir.clouddx.com/overview/default.aspx Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Social LinksTwitter https://twitter.com/CloudDX Facebook https://www.facebook.com/clouddxinc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-dx/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cloud.dx/ For media inquiries please contact:Marketing EnquiriesPhone 888-543-0944marketing@ clouddx.com For investor inquiries please contact:Jay Bedard (Canada)Cloud DX Investor RelationsPhone 647-881-8418investors@ clouddx.com Gary Zwetchkenbaum (USA)Plumtree LLCPhone 718-224-3123Cell 516-455-7662ir@ clouddx.com Forward Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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 statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. In particular, this news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the terms of the contract extensio
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-21 14:01:44

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JERSEY CITY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Golden Pear Funding (Golden Pear), a national leader in pre-settlement legal funding, announced the upsizing to $67.2 million of its existing corporate notes. The incremental capital raise was assigned a BBB rating by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (NRSRO) and follows the Company's successful corporate note issuance announced in January 2022. Proceeds from the upsize will be used to repay subordinated debt and support additional growth of the business.Since inception, Golden Pear has funded nearly $1 billion in aggregate to more than 70,000 clients nationwide."Golden Pear continues to demonstrate significant momentum and has completed this transaction to further our ability to serve the consumer litigation marketplace," said Gary Amos, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Pear. "We greatly appreciate the continued support of our institutional investor base, which recognizes the resilience of our business and our strong financial position." Daniel Amsellem, Chief Financial Officer of Golden Pear, added, "Our demonstrated access to institutional capital in a difficult credit environment is a strategic advantage, as we further pursue market opportunities in a disciplined and profitable manner. These notes complement our asset-backed debt to provide us with an efficient capital structure at a competitive cost of capital." Brean Capital, LLC served as the Company's exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent in connection with the transaction.About Golden Pear FundingFounded in 2008, Golden Pear is one of the largest specialty finance companies in the United States funding legal matters and purchasing medical receivables from physicians and medical centers. The Company empowers its clients to navigate the legal system and provides them with financial solutions that work. Golden Pear is backed by a partnership of several private equity firms that allow for the stability and continued institutional growth of the firm. For additional information about the Company, visit https://goldenpearfunding.com Contact Information:Gary AmosCEOinvestorrelations@ gpfco.com SOURCE: Golden Pear Funding
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-21 16:46:23

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Lead program, iTOL-102, in development as a cure for Type 1 diabetesCompany pioneering regenerative medicine without immunosuppression to treat other diseasesMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / iTolerance, Inc. ("iTolerance" or the "Company"), an early-stage regenerative medicine company developing technologies to enable tissue, organoid or cell therapy without the need for life-long immunosuppression, today announced it was selected by U.S. Representative David Schweikert (AZ-01) to participate as one of three companies in a Disruptive Healthcare Technology Showcase at the U.S. Capitol, which took place Monday, June 12, 2023.At the event, members of the iTolerance management team introduced the Company's lead candidate, iTOL-102, in development as a cure for Type 1 diabetes to Members of Congress and their staffs. iTOL-102 combines allogenic insulin-producing stem cells with iTolerance's proprietary immunomodulator iTOL-100. The Company believes ITOL-100 will differentiate itself from other products by obviating the need for life-long immunosuppression.Joining the iTolerance team for the event was Zoe Heineman, an independent patient advocate who has engaged in policy-changing discussions with legislators about unmet patient needs in diabetes, and testified in various settings, such as with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, state houses of representatives and committee meetings."It is a great honor to have been selected by Congressman Schweikert as one of three companies with disruptive healthcare technologies to showcase at the U.S. Capitol. We need to be thinking beyond simply treating diseases and move forward with curative approaches as the next great leap in medical product innovation. I am proud to have had the opportunity to connect with our politicians to make them aware of potentially curative approaches to Type 1 diabetes through transplantation without immunosuppression," commented Dr. Anthony Japour, Chief Executive Officer of iTolerance.Sumitra Ghate, Senior Vice President of Development & Global Regulatory Affairs of iTolerance stated, "Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition affecting more than one million adult patients in the United States and over eight million people worldwide. There continues to be exciting advancements across a number of development areas in the treatment of Type 1 diabetes, and we are pleased to receive recognition for what we believe is truly innovative and disruptive technology." Zoe Heineman added, "As a person living with Type 1 diabetes since 1990 and an active patient advocate working to advance technologies towards a cure, I am encouraged by the innovative approach iTolerance is developing. We need a cure now, to save lives and reverse the U.S. spending $237 billion each year on direct medical costs, more than half of which is related to treating the complications of diabetes including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, retina conditions and neuropathies1." iTolerance's iTOL-100 immunomodulatory technology is a biotechnology-derived bio-synthetic form of the naturally occurring protein FasL, mixed with a biotin-PEG microgel that would allow convenient and effective co-administration with implanted cells or organoids to induce local immune tolerance without the need for life-long immunosuppression. This proprietary technology has broad applicability and can be applied to both allogenic and stem cell-derived organoids across a number of diseases.In the iTOL-102 development program, insulin producing stem cell-derived pancreatic islets are combined with iTOL-100 and implanted in the body. These stem cell-derived pancreatic islets are potentially capable of secreting insulin in response to sugar intake, similar to how native pancreatic islet cells behave.About iTolerance, Inc.iTolerance is an early-stage privately held regenerative medicine company developing technologies to enable tissue, organoid or cell therapy without the need for life-long immunosuppression. Leveraging its proprietary biotechnology-derived Streptavidin-FasL fusion protein/biotin-PEG microgel (SA-FasL microgel) platform technology, iTOL-100, iTolerance is advancing a pipeline of programs using both allogenic pancreatic islets and stem cells that have the potential to cure diseases. The Company's lead program, iTOL-102, leverages significant advancements in stem cells to derive pancreatic islets which allows an inexhaustible supply of insulin-producing cells. Utilizing iTOL-100 to induce local immune tolerance, iTOL-102 has the potential to be a cure for Type 1 Diabetes without the need for life-long immunosuppression. Additionally, the Company is developing iTOL-201 for the treatment of liver failure by utilizing hepatocytes and iTOL-401 as a nanoparticle formulation for large organ transplants without the need for life-long immunosuppression. For more information, please visit itolerance.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "anticipate", "being", "will", "plan", "may", "continue", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking.All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. The Company may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, anticipated levels of revenues, future national or regional economic and competitive conditions, and difficulties in developing the Company's platform technology. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as the Company's current plans, estimates and beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-21 22:33:00

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TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) announced its combined April and May 2023 sales volumes and revenue by business unit.PotashApril/May 2023April/May 2022Sales Volumes in thousands of tonnes(1)1,6171,436Sales Revenues in millions$672$976PhosphatesApril/May 2023April/May 2022Sales Volumes in thousands of tonnes(1)1,329959Sales Revenues in millions$948$1,027Mosaic FertilizantesApril/May 2023April/May 2022Sales Volumes in thousands of tonnes(1)1,3051,424Sales Revenues in millions$791$1,426(1)Tonnes = finished product tonnesFor the second quarter, we expect potash sales volumes toward the high end of the previous guidance range of 2.0-2.2 million tonnes, reflecting the impact of strong spring demand in North America. For pricing, we now expect realized MOP prices at the mine near the low end of our previous range of $325-$375 per tonne. Our updated pricing guidance incorporates the recent China contract settlement of $307 per tonne.In Phosphates, we expect sales volumes to be near the low end of our previous guidance range of 1.8-2.0 million tonnes. Following strong demand for the spring season, North American customers are deferring inventory restocking to the third quarter. Realized DAP prices on a FOB basis are expected at the high end of our previous guidance range of $550-$600 per tonne. Results for the quarter are expected to reflect the capture higher-priced sales early in the quarter.About The Mosaic CompanyThe Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single source provider of phosphates and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com The Mosaic Company Contacts Investors:Media:Paul Massoud, 813-775-4260Ben Pratt, 813-775-4206 paul.massoud@mosaicco.combenjamin.pratt@mosaicco.comThis release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending future transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: political and economic instability and changes in government policies in Brazil and other countries in which we have operations; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the economic impact and operating impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates, including the performance of the Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (also known as MWSPC), the future success of current plans for MWSPC and any future changes in those plans; difficulties with realization of the benefits of our natural gas based pricing ammonia supply agreement with CF Industries, Inc., including the risk that the cost savings initially anticipated from the agreement may not be fully realized over its term or that the price of natural gas or ammonia during the term are at levels at which the pricing is disadvantageous to Mosaic; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation, including expansion of the types and extent of water resources regulated under federal law, carbon taxes or other greenhouse gas regulation, implementation of numeric water quality standards for the discharge of nutrients into Florida waterways or efforts to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere; further developments in judicial or administrative proceedings, or complaints that Mosaic's operations are adversely impacting nearby farms, business operations or properties; difficulties or delays in receiving, increased costs of or challenges to necessary governmental permits or approvals or increased financial assurance requirements; resolution of global tax audit activity; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil, and including potential hurricanes, excess heat, cold, snow, rainfall or drought; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties, or the costs of the MWSPC; reduction of Mosaic's available cash and liquidity, and increased leverage, due to its use of cash and/or available debt capacity to fund financial assurance requirements and strategic investments; brine inflows at Mosaic's potash mines; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.SOURCE: The Mosaic Company
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-21 22:20:19

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DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Solitario Zinc Corp. ("Solitario") (NYSE American:XPL)(TSX:SLR) announces results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders at which holders of 35,017,204 shares of common stock or 55.04% of the total outstanding shares eligible to vote as of the record date were present in person or by proxy. The five matters identified below were submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Each proposal is more fully described in Solitario's definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated April 28, 2023.Chris Herald, President and CEO of Solitario, commented "We are pleased with the results of this year's Annual Meeting and thank our shareholders for their ongoing support as we strive to create value by moving our projects forward. We are pleased that our shareholders have approved the name change to Solitario Resources Corp., which more accurately reflects the scope of our exploration activities including the exploration success we have reported at our Golden Crest project in South Dakota as well as on-going activities at our Lik zinc project in Alaska operated by Teck and at our Florida Canyon zinc project in Peru, operated by Nexa. We look forward to reporting results on these activities in the coming months." Report of Voting ResultsElection of Directors. Seven directors were elected to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified, with each director receiving the votes (and percentage of shares voting, excluding broker non-votes) below: Shares votedNameFor (%)WithheldBroker Non-VotesBrian Labadie24,822,040 (96.41)924,0939,271,071John Labate24,560,824 (95.40)1,185,3099,271,071James Hesketh23,214,159 (90.17)2,531,9749,271,071Christopher E. Herald24,973,112 (97.00)773,0219,271,071Gil Atzmon24,566,128 (95.42)1,180,0059,271,071Joshua D. Crumb24,481,067 (95.09)1,265,0669,271,071Debbie Austin25,559,729 (99.28)186,4049,271,0711 Name change to Solitario Resources Corp.: The shareholders approved the name change to Solitario Resources Corp. with 34,835,576 shares voting for (99.48% of shares voting), 90,333 shares voting against, 91,294 shares abstaining, and 1 broker non-vote.2. The 2023 Solitario Stock and Incentive Plan: The shareholders approved the 2023 Solitario Stock and Incentive Plan with 24,593,392 shares voting for (95.52% of shares voting), 897,470 shares voting against, 255,271 shares abstaining, and 9,271,022 broker non-votes.3. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation: The shareholders approved the following resolution concerning the compensation of Solitario's named executive officers with 24,484,981 shares voting for (95.10% of shares voting), 1,045,514 shares voting against, 215, 637 shares abstaining, and 9,271,072 broker non-votes."RESOLVED THAT: Solitario shareholders approve the compensation of Solitario's named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company's proxy statement, dated April 28, 2023, pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission set forth in Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including, but not limited to, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and any related material disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting." 4. Appointment of Auditors. The appointment of Plante Moran PLLC as Solitario's auditors for fiscal year 2023 was ratified with 34,441,784 shares voting for (98.36% of shares voting), 153,930 shares voting against, 421,490 shares voting to abstain, and no broker non-votes.About SolitarioSolitario is a natural resource exploration and development company focused on high-quality Tier-1 gold and zinc projects. The Company is traded on the NYSE American ("XPL") and on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("SLR"). In addition to its Golden Crest project, Solitario holds 50% joint venture interest (Teck Resources 50%) in the high-grade, Lik zinc deposit in Alaska and a 39% joint venture interest (Nexa Resources holds the remaining 61% interest) on the high-grade Florida Canyon zinc project in Peru. Solitario is carried to production through its joint venture arrangement with Nexa. Solitario's Management and Directors hold approximately 9.2% (excluding options) of the Company's 64.8 million shares outstanding. Solitario's cash balance and marketable securities stand at approximately US$4.1 million. Additional information about Solitario is available online at www.solitariozinc.com Solitario has a long history of committed Environmental, Social and Responsible Governance ("ESG") of its business. We realize ESG issues are also important to investors, employees and all stakeholders, including communities in which we work. We are pledged to operate our business in a manner that supports environmental and social initiatives and responsible corporate governance.FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:Christopher E. HeraldPresident & CEO(303) 534-1030, Ext. 14SOURCE: Solitario Zinc Corp.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Slovenia sees great potential for cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of renewables, Hinko Solinc, director of the Directorate of Energy at Slovenias Ministry of Infrastructure said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"In Slovenia, we are currently particularly focused on promoting solar energy, where we see the most potential. However, we are also targeting projects using wind, hydro, geothermal energy, and biomass, as well as the production of hydrogen from RES and the production of biogas," he said.

Solinc pointed out that Slovenia supports efforts to strengthen EU energy sources diversification.

"Keeping in mind our partnership in the framework of the Eastern Partnership energy panel, we particularly welcome increasing cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of energy supply. Slovenia welcomes any project that complies with EU legislation and contributes to greater energy security and diversification of energy sources. The more providers there are on the market, the greater the competition and consequently the supply of natural gas for the end user," he added.

Hinko Solinc noted that Slovenia is encouraging its natural gas providers to diversify their supply away from Russian fossil fuels.

"One potential alternative source is also Azerbaijan. In this respect, we see the Southern Gas Corridor as a great opportunity to increase energy cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan," he believes.

Southern Gas Corridor started transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe on December 31, 2020. It transports gas from the Caspian Sea region to European countries through Georgia and Turkiye.

The projects cost totaled $33 billion, as compared to the forecast $45 billion. Capital expenditures on the SGC project are expected to be fully reimbursed within 8-10 years.

In July 2022, Azerbaijan and EU agreed to increase the volume of gas supplies via the Southern Gas Corridor from the current 10 bcm to 20 bcm by 2027.

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
They say size doesnt matter, but most men wont agree with that assertion.

Among the male folk, the most popular idiom for a superiority contest is dick-measuring, which reflects the affinity for men to take their size seriously.

This notion is, however, not exclusive to men alone. A famous skit maker in Lagos is known to insert a cucumber in his mid-region to get the reaction of the female folks.

From online videos, he does trigger a certain response from ladies, mostly leaving them flushed.

From South Africa to the United Kingdom, Nigerian men have established themselves, with enough witnesses, that they are the best lovers in the world.

But interestingly, this does not reflect on the average size of the crotch the Nigerian man carries, at least going by statistics from WorldData.info, a comprehensive database for geographic, climatological and demographic data.

The platform provides a wide variety of analyses, global comparisons, and data sheets for each country with additional development data and charts on various subject areas, including, of course, penises.

The girth battle

Despite the volume of penis enlargement supplements sold in the country, it is surprising that Nigerians are not the leading men in the phallus competition.

According to the website, no other topic has been asked for more often than the average size of male genitalia.

This international comparison now gives some basic data about the mean sizes per country, the website states.

Of the 88 countries sampled, Nigeria occupies the median position of 44, between Australia and Switzerland.

The chart is topped by Ecuador with an average of 17.61 cm when erect, Cameroon at 16.67 cm and Bolivia at 16.51.

Other prominent countries like the United States and the United Kingdom are at 60 and 66, respectively.

Despite all the conflict in the Central African country, Sudan still occupies the fourth position of men with the largest phalluses in the world.

Data sources

World Data notes that in its evaluation, the results of numerous studies have been evaluated and made relative to the number of their probands.

Wherever possible, sources were skipped when they were based on self-reported measurements.

The collected values, it said, roughly illustrate the relationship between penile sizes and origin instead of giving an exact evaluation.

In some cases, there were only a few dozen test subjects in a country, which doesnt allow for a representative survey, the website states.

On the flip side, a study published in February showed that penises had gotten surprisingly longer over the past 29 years.

In arriving at the study, the team led by Michael L. Eisenberg, the director of male reproductive medicine and surgery and a urology professor at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, analysed penis measurements from 75 studies conducted between 1942 and 2021.

The team recorded the anatomical data from over 55,000 men ages 18 to 86.

The researchers said the average length of an erect penis had increased 24 per cent over three decades, from 4.8 to 6 inches, and worry that negative environmental factors may be responsible.

The results were published 14 February in the World Journal of Mens Health.

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Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency says Malaria and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines will be introduced into routine immunisations for children in 2024.

Elfrida Omogun, the agencys state immunisation officer, stated this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday, shortly after the agencys PHCs Social Mobilisation Committee/ Quarterly Stakeholders meeting.

Mrs Omogun said that Edo was in the second phase of implementing the HPV vaccination in the country.

Edo will benefit from the second phase of the HPV vaccine that will be given to children between ages nine and 15.

The HPV vaccine is to prevent our children from coming down with cervical cancer, which is now rampant in society, he said.

She sought collaboration with relevant organisations and individuals in the implementation of the agencys health interventions for better outcomes.

We are sensitising our stakeholders so they can inform the public about our health programmes, she said.

She added that measles revaccination was ongoing in some wards in eight local government councils in the state to meet up with the expected target.

Speaking, Irene Uabor, the agencys health education officer, urged Edo residents to utilise Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) nearest to them for their basic health care needs.

We want Edo residents to utilise our PHCs effectively. Our PHCs services are numerous; we do immunisation, nutrition, family planning and general family health.

We want our stakeholders to be abreast with PHC activities and communicate the same to their different communities and associations, she said.

Mrs Uabor added that plans were ongoing to implement the Community Health Influencers Promoters and Services Programme in the state.

(NAN)

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The Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has cited poor investment in the nations health sector as part of the challenges limiting the potential of many Nigerians.

Mr Gates, who spoke on Wednesday in Lagos during the Pan-African Youth Innovation Forum, said the country spends only $10 per person on healthcare.

The amount is equivalent to N6,900 based on exchange rates in the Nigerian foreign exchange market on Wednesday as of the time of this reports filing.

Mr Gates said the Nigerian government must improve its investment in equitable solutions and in the people who are working on them.

He noted that Nigeria is full of talented people with many potentials, but it would be hard to fulfil the potential if they dont have access to the most basic building blocks of life.

Mr Gates said: It may not surprise you that Nigerias state and the federal government only spend the equivalent of $10 on health per person each year, compared to $31 in sub-Saharan Africa.

Leaders need to make a much bigger financial commitment, focusing most on improving primary health systems.

Making sure clinics are well-staffed and supplied, making sure children get the vaccines they needall of these is essential to improving health and opportunity and unlocking all of Nigerias potential.

Mr Gates promised to speak with the government about increasing agricultural and digital financial systems commitments.

Engaging young innovators

Meanwhile, at the Forum, which was themed: Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation, Mr Gates interacted with Nigerian innovators and encouraged them to see opportunities in challenges.

According to the philanthropist, Nigerian youths have shown how passionate they are about progress but need to encourage their leaders to follow through on these commitments.

He said: The last time I visited Nigeria in 2018, I spoke to government leaders about your countrys potential for growth.

This time, I wanted to speak also with you: Nigerias next generation of innovators.

Ever since I was a teenager, writing computer code on a terminal at my high school and later at Microsoft, I have loved the feeling of innovating to make something a little better for peopleor a lot better.

Im sure you know this feeling too.

Theres going to be a lot of opportunity for you to continue to make a difference in the world because of the unprecedented potential of new technologies.

However, Nigerians are still facing many of the challenges I talked about five years agoand you have to contend with economic instability and security threats.

I have a lot of faith that your generation will persevere and improve lives throughout Nigeria and beyond.

He said talented youths are a powerful asset for improving the world, noting that Nigerias huge youth population represents many potential skills and passion for solving big problems.

He added: Yesterday, I met some impressive Nigerians whom the Gates Foundation has partnered with for years.

These scientists are improving seeds, fertiliser, and biopesticides so farmers can thrive in climate change and grow crops free of toxins.

And I met with a researcher scaling up an effective way to reduce anaemia in pregnant women.

Mr Gates said young people need a strong support system to thrive, starting with education.

He added that Nigeria had a strong foundation, with some of the continents best educational and research institutions.

He stressed the need to bridge inequity in health, education, financial services and pay gaps to drive development.

Mr Gates expressed his belief in the power of science and innovation to help people lead long, healthy lives. Still, he noted that he had learnt that the benefits dont automatically reach everyone.

To do that, the people creating breakthroughs, funding them, and getting them into the world all need to prioritise equity, he said.

Expected interventions

The philanthropist said many exciting innovations in the global pipeline would improve lives here in Nigeria.

Mr Gates said: Theyre going to prevent infectious diseases, provide life-saving interventions for mothers and babies; make food more nutritious, and give women more convenient contraception options.

Down the road, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be applied to bring quality healthcare and education to more people.

He expressed excitement at the AIs potential to save and improve lives but insisted that wont happen if profit was the only motive.

So, our foundation is thinking about what we can do to help AI develop in ways that improve the lives and well-being of everyone, not just the wealthiest people in a few rich countries.

The foundation has issued a call for proposals or what we call a Grand Challenge for innovative, safe uses of large language models.

We received 1,300 proposals, and half of them were from Africa. The winners will be announced in Senegal in October.

We hope what emerges will help build an evidence base for advancing equitable outcomes in health and development everywhere in the world, he said.

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As France prepares to host world leaders at a global financial summit seeking to reconfigure global financial systems, sources in the French government say developed countries will be able to, by year end, deliver on the $100 billion climate financing pledge of 2020.

The financial summit hosted by France seeks to establish a system that will be more responsive, just and inclusive. A system that will fight inequalities, finance the climate transition, biodiversity protection, and move closer to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In 2009 at COP 15 in Copenhagen, in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation, developed countries decided to commit to a goal of jointly mobilising $100 billion a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.

Parties decided that this funding would come from a wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources of finance, and that new multilateral funding for adaptation would be delivered through effective and efficient fund arrangements, with a governance structure providing for equal representation of developed and developing countries.

The commitment was formalised at COP16 in Cancun and at COP21 in Paris, it was reiterated and extended to 2025.

French officials involved in organising this weeks summit are now saying that developed countries are on their way to fulfilling this pledge by the end of 2023. The OECD in its most recent analysis (2022) put the figure mobilised by developed countries in 2020 at $83.3 billion for climate finance.

This is realised from a range of sources including bilateral public, multilateral public, export credit and the private sector.

President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados and UN Chief Antonio Guterres amongst others are expected to comment on this at the summit starting on Thursday 22 June.

Nigerias President Bola Tinubu is in France to attend the financial summit where he will be briefed by Nigerias Ambassador to France Kayode Laro, Permanent Secretary Adamu Lamuwa, and other officials on Nigerias position on the summit, and the scheduled sideline meetings with leaders and multilateral institutions.

Africa needs more

The president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, in May, hinted that Africa will need $2.7 trillion to upscale climate change adaptation by 2030.

Mr Adesina made this known at the AfDB annual meeting themed: Mobilising private sector financing for climate and green growth in Africa, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Africa is being shortchanged by climate finance. Africa is choking. Africa will need $2.7 trillion by 2030 to finance its climate change needs, Mr Adesina said.

Despite being the worlds lowest emitter of greenhouse gases, Africa is one of the worst hit by climate change in the world.

For instance, in 2022, Nigeria experienced one of its worst flood disasters ever. Over 26 of the 36 states in the country were affected by floods, resulting in the death of hundreds of citizens and the destruction of houses. Also, expansive hectares of farmland were ruined, and roads and bridges were washed off.

The flood affected over 2.5 million people, displaced 1.3 million; left 2,407 injured, and 603 persons dead.

This natures rage, believed to have been aggravated by the existential climate change effects and poor government attention, sparked humanitarian tragedies as fears of worsening food insecurity linger.

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A 15- year-old boy identified as Sallah was killed inside a collapsed building along Shiroro Road, Minna, the Niger State capital, on Tuesday.

Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the staircase of the building fell on the boys head.

Sallah, a student of an Islamic School in the area, was said to be resting with two of his friends when the incident happened, and he died instantly while one of his friends sustained injuries.

One of the residents, Jabir Ayuba, told our correspondent that the building which had been under construction for over a year lacked standard specifications.

We have been concerned since the beginning of construction of this storey building. The boy that was killed was with us this morning; he even told us that he wanted to buy a recharge card to call his mum in the village. Hes our neighbour.

He was sitting here with two of his friends when the staircase of the building collapsed on his head, and he died instantly.

Niger State Urban Development Board had marked the building for demolition before it collapsed.

All efforts to get the reaction of the owner of the building were not successful, as he was said to be in Abuja.

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In a remarkable display of commitment to the Nigerian agricultural sector and the economy, BUA Foods has informed distributors of its rice products that it would maintain prices of its BUA Rice to support efforts at making rice more affordable in Nigeria. According to a statement by the company, this is due to the strong sales potential from the companys newly upgraded 200,000tonnes per annum rice mill in Kano using locally sourced rice paddy.

According to the company, this decision to maintain prices is as a result of the little reliance on FX for rice production. Prior to the BUA Foods business integration which saw its listing in 2022, the BUA Group Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, had stated that BUAs goal would be to focus on areas where raw materials can be sourced locally across all its business areas including rice in order to promote food security in Nigeria and support the government in national development.

According to a key distributor in Kano, he said distributors were excited by this development and were sure that BUA Foods in its usual fashion would crash the rice prices further as it had consistently done with its other food products like flour, sugar, and pasta.

By prioritizing local agricultural resources, BUA Foods is not only supporting Nigerian farmers but also contributing to the nations self-sufficiency in rice and sugar production through backward integration.

BUA Foods steadfast commitment to its vision has gained recognition and appreciation from stakeholders across the industry. The companys efforts to bolster the Nigerian agricultural sector have garnered praise, positioning BUA Foods as a leader in the drive towards sustainable food production.

The upgraded rice mill and parboiling plant will further enhance BUA Foods rice production capacity, enabling the company to meet the growing demand for its high-quality rice products whilst remaining committed to delivering excellence and ensuring that consumers have access to top-notch rice that is locally produced.

As BUA Foods continues to make significant strides in advancing the Nigerian rice industry, the company remains focused on building strong relationships with farmers, empowering local communities, and contributing to the overall development of the nations agricultural landscape.

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A former Minister of Education in Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili, has advised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to immediately publish details of buildings demolished by his government at the Alaba International Market in the state.

There has been controversy over the demolition of 17 shops in the market which is in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Government had explained that the buildings in the market were physically distressed and that the lives of business men and women within the market would be put at risk in the event of imminent collapse.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, said the distressed buildings also pose danger to other adjoining structures.

The market has a high population of Igbos.

Since the demolition began, there have been speculations that the governor was carrying out the exercise to punish Igbos for allegedly voting against him in the 18 March governorship election in the state.

Ezekwesili speaks

Mrs Ezekwesili, who hails from an Igbo-speaking community in Anambra State, said providing the details of the demolition would serve as a proof that the governor was not on a vengeful political mission against the Igbos in the market.

I have a policy advice for @jidesanwoolu that would be helpful for all sides and the public, Mrs Ezekwesili wrote on her verified Twitter handle on Tuesday.

Mr Governor, please immediately publish details of each destroyed building and the dateline of due process rules that were exhausted by your government before it was removed.

It will be wise for the governor to take this counsel on transparency and full disclosure since it would provide evidence to the public that this is not a vengeful political attack against the predominant Igbo community in Alaba Market, she said.

Stop brewing toxic atmosphere against fellow citizens

Mr Ezekwesili also advised the state government and President Bola Tinubu to stop brewing toxic atmosphere against others which she alleged the duo had been doing before the 2023 general elections.

Let me also use this opportunity to really again advise the @followslasg and its cheerleaders including @officialABAT to be careful in persisting to brew a terribly toxic atmosphere against fellow (Nigerian) citizens since before, during, and after the 2023 elections, she said, without details.

Governance by maliciousness does no one any good. A word is sufficient for only the wise.

The @followslasg is the official twitter handle of the Lagos State Government while @officialABAT is the official handle of President Tinubu.

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach the Lagos State Government immediately for their comment on the issues raised by the former minister.

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The Anambra State Government on Tuesday warned brothel operators to stop using underage girls to run their businesses or face prosecution.

The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in the state, Ify Obinabo, gave the warning in Awka on Tuesday while reacting to the rescue of 12 girls from brothels in the state capital on Sunday.

The ministry, in collaboration with the police, rescued the 12 girls, some as young as 15 years, in a raid at a guest house in Amawbia on 18 June.

Anambra government is committed to putting an end to all forms of child kidnap, trafficking and sexual slavery in the state.

We got a tip-off and during the raid, we discovered that three out of the 12 girls are underage girls who were trafficked into Anambra from other states.

We are warning brothel operators in Anambra. They should desist from using underage girls in running their businesses or face the full wrath of the law.

The owner of the brothel has been arrested and the case will not be treated with levity as it has been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for investigation, Mrs Obinabo said.

She added that the girls had been taken to hospital for medical examination and treatment and their families had been contacted.

Lured away from home

Narrating her ordeal, a 15-year-old rescued girl told reporters that she was taken from her home in Ebonyi by two women.

She said the women tricked her that she would be employed as a sales girl in Anambra.

She said she was shocked that she was taken to Awka to engage in prostitution.

The ladies who brought us to the brothel in Awka seized our phones and other belongings before handing us over to another woman.

The woman is our madam and she told us that she would not release us unless we pay her N150,000 each or serve her for one year.

We were mandated to bring between N10,000 and N15,000 every night and N40,000 every Sunday. The men who sleep with us usually pay N1,000 per session.

We started having issues with our madam because we could not pay the stated sums, she said.

The girl said she and other victims used a whistleblowers phone to contact their families, and that the whistleblower notified the ministry and the police.

The Mother of the 15-year-old said she already lodged a complaint at a police station in Abakaliki when her daughter did not return home.

She thanked the commissioner and the police for their prompt response and efforts.

(NAN)

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A Magistrates Court in Aba, Abia State, on Tuesday remanded 60-year-old Chukwuemeka Orji at the Correctional Centre over the alleged rape of a minor.

Mr Orji, a pastor with the Assemblies of God Church, Ukonu Street, off Ngwa Road, Aba is facing a one-count charge of serially raping a 13-year-old girl that lived with him.

The rape survivor (name withheld) told the court that the defendant had carnal knowledge of her several times.

She said that after Mr Orji raped her the third time, she told his wife, Mercy, who reportedly confronted him over the allegation.

The survivor claimed that the pastor denied the allegation before his wife.

She said that Mr Orji, however, continued to rape her and threatened to send her back to her parents in the village in Ugwunagbo, should she expose him.

The threat, she said, deterred her from reporting to her parents, who worship in another branch of the church.

She further said that on Thursday, 15 June, after Mr Orjis wife had gone to market, the pastor asked her for sex but she refused because she was menstruating.

Mr Orji, however, forced her to suck his private part, an act she described as nauseating to her.

She said that because she could not satisfy him, he ordered her to cut the overgrown grass in their compound as a punishment.

How the police were brought in

The girl said that after the 15 June incident, she went to school crying.

It was while I was crying that my school proprietor inquired as to know why I was crying and I told him the truth, she said.

From there, the school proprietor invited the police into the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Orji pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After presenting his own version of the story, the Magistrate, Jane Young-Daniel, called Mr Orjis wife on the phone, and asked her if she was aware of the allegation against her husband.

It was learnt that Mr Orjis wife initially denied being aware of the allegation, but later admitted that she heard it and confronted her husband who, she said, denied the allegation.

The police prosecutor, Mary Udoji, urged the court not to admit the defendant on bail in order to prevent him from further molesting the girl.

Mrs Young-Daniel ordered that the girl be returned to her parents immediately, after she was told that she had since been in the custody of the police.

She also ordered that Mr Orji be remanded at the Aba Correctional Centre.

The matter was adjourned to 6 and 18 July for hearing.

(NAN)

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A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), James Caulcrick, has said that Nigerian security agencies underperformed in the past because there was a lack of synergy among them.

Mr Caulcrick spoke when he appeared as a guest on The Morning Show, a programme on Arise TV on Wednesday while reviewing the recent appointment of new service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu.

The former AIG urged the newly appointed service chiefs to share intelligence to tackle insecurity in the country. He pointed out that there were inter-agencies rivalries among the countrys security forces in the past.

It is obvious that, in the previous administrations, a lack of synergy and maximum cooperation and inter-agency rivalry tendencies that permeated the security agencies have actually led to non-performance and non-realisation of the objectives for which they were set up, Mr Caulcrick said.

The retired police officer, however, expressed optimism that Nuhu Ribadu, the newly appointed national security adviser, has the capacity and competence to revive the countrys security architecture and stimulate intelligence-sharing among other security chiefs.

He urged the new service chiefs to stay apolitical to avoid being used as political mercenaries in their duties.

How to win the fight against insecurity

Security has deteriorated in Nigeria, with all the regions of the country battling various security challenges.

The North-west region, for instance, has been battling attacks from a gang of terrorists locally referred to as bandits.

In the North-east, Boko-Haram insurgency attacks have led to thousands of death, while there have been a series of attacks on pipelines and oil theft in the South-south.

The South-east is plagued by deadly Biafra agitation, while the South-west suffers recurring attacks by suspected herders, who also allegedly carry out attacks in the North-central region.

READ ALSO: Nigerian military to partner Enugu govt on insecurity

Mr Caulcrick said the new service chiefs should prioritise dialogue to win the war against insecurity in the country.

I want to say that apart from the brute force or the kinetic approach, there is also a dialogue approach. And I think that (dialogue) should be engaged, particularly with some of the community leaders, local chiefs and others, he said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium will launch a new market test (the 2023 market test), starting with a non-binding Phase in July 2023, Luca Schieppati, TAP managing director, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"While TAPs initial long-term capacity has been allocated to shippers based on the long-term agreements signed for the initial project for 25 years to underpin the investment, we could support Europes energy security of supply even more as TAP is designed for capacity expansion up to approximately 20 bcm per year," he said.

Schieppati noted that TAPs expansion capacity is offered to the market through regular market tests in an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory way.

"Market tests are initiated at least every odd year. The market tests are structured in two phases: the non-binding phase and the binding phase. The binding bidding phase of the 2021 Market Test closed in January 2023, resulting in TAP being able to trigger the first level of capacity expansion and allocating ca. 1.2 bcm/a of incremental capacity through long term contracts starting from 2026. Extraordinary, in order to accommodate the market needs, a second binding phase of the market test is expected to be launched in December 2023. In parallel, in line with regulation, a new market test (the 2023 market test) will be launched, starting with a non-binding Phase in July 2023," he added.

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline serves as a conduit for transporting natural gas from the vast Shah Deniz field located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. Spanning an impressive length of 878 kilometers, the pipeline begins at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, where it interconnects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP). From there, TAP traverses through Greece and Albania, crossing the Adriatic Sea before reaching the southern shores of Italy.

TAP plays a vital role in facilitating the delivery of gas supplies to countries in South Eastern Europe, utilizing existing interconnectors while also paving the way for future connections. Notably, TAP is linked to the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB), which commenced commercial operations in October 2022. This connection enables the transportation of Caspian gas to Bulgaria, further enhancing the energy security of another European nation.

Moreover, TAP's presence in Greece and Albania, along with its landfall in Italy, creates numerous opportunities for expanding the transportation of gas from Azerbaijan to broader European markets. This infrastructure provides a gateway for delivering Azerbaijani gas to various destinations, contributing to the diversification of energy sources and bolstering the security of energy supplies in Europe.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
The labour unions at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, on Wednesday, held a protest against the sack of some of their newly-appointed members by the university council.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the unions barricaded the institutions main entrance and disrupted academic and administrative activities as no staff or students were allowed to enter the institution.

The unions involved in the protest are the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the National Association of Nigeria Students.

Rotimi Olorunisola, chairperson of ASUU, told NAN that some lecturers and non-teaching staff appointed in March 2022 were relieved of their posts by the institutions council.

He said appeals to the council, inaugurated in August 2022, yielded no results, and the unions have no option but to protest.

According to him, Our members were appointed in March before the inauguration of the council in August 2022, but the council insisted that the appointees must be sacked.

The Joint Action Congress (JAC) of the unions deliberated on the issue and decided to embark on the protest following the injustices meted to our members. The protest will continue until the council reverses its decision,  Olorunisola said.

Efforts by NAN to speak with the institutions Vice Chancellor, Temi Ologunorisa, over the matter were futile as he did not reply to calls and text messages sent to his phone.

(NAN)

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A top member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, Abdulmajid Mustapha, has accused the Kano State Pilgrim Board of barring him from getting a visa to travel for the 2023 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Mustapha, popularly known as Dan-Bilki Commander, is a popular critic of Rabiu Kwankwaso, a leader of the ruling New Nigerian People Party (NNPP) in the state.

He claimed that the state government deliberately targeted him because he was a member of the opposition.

Mr Mustapha stated his ordeal in an 11 minutes video he posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

Today, the Kano Pilgrim Welfare Board denied me my passport claiming that my Visa is not ready. I met the head of the board, and he claimed that it was the fault of the former administration.

I bought my hajj seats from Abuja, and I decided to depart from Kano together with five members of my family, but I was not allowed to travel because they are not comfortable with my opposition.

They told me I cannot travel because my Visa is not ready. This is even when they told me that my Visa is ready and they provided my uniform, ID card and bag, but at the last minute, they told me that I cant travel.

I was treated this way because I am not their member; the Kano pilgrim board is now an agency for the Kwankwasiyya people if you are not their member you cant travel.

All officials, including the medical team earlier booked for the Hajj exercise, were removed because they are not members of the Kwankwasiyya, about 150 officials were removed; this is nothing but a vengeance, Mr Mustapha claimed.

But the Kano State government denied the allegations.

The Head of the Kano State Pilgrim Media Team, Sanusi Bature, said the state did not prevent him from going for hajj as the state is not responsible for procuring visas for intending pilgrims.

Such complaints should be channelled to appropriate authorities saddled with the visa authorisation, not the Kano Pilgrim Welfare Board,  Mr Bature said.

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A former member of the House of Representatives, Musa Adar, says the increase in the pump price of fuel occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal was affecting elites more than ordinary Nigerians.

Mr Adar, who represented Gada-Goronyo Federal Constituency in Sokoto State between 2007 and 2023, spoke when he appeared as a guest on the Arise TVs The Morning Show, on Wednesday.

Nigerias President, Bola Tinubu, announced the removal of the oil subsidy during his inaugural speech on 29 May.

The announcement caused fuel scarcity in the country as many petrol stations hiked their pump prices while others completely shut down operations, apparently to conserve their products.

The federal government would later announce over N500 per litre new petrol pump prices across the 36 states amidst complaints by many Nigerians.

Speaking on the complaints by Nigerians because of the hike in the pump price of fuel, Mr Adar said the elites bear the brunt more than the ordinary Nigerians because they buy more fuel than others.

The fuel price was (earlier) being subsidised for the elites, not the poor persons, as some people are trying to portray, he said.

Majority of car owners and the elites are the rich ones whereby we own one, three, four, five (and) ten cars, especially in the government circle where you see a convoy of a minister and his security details with over 20 vehicles at a time, Mr Adar stated.

The lawmaker, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, lost his reelection bid to his 33-year-old Peoples Democratic Party opponent, Bashir Gorau, during the 2023 National Assembly elections.

Why Tinubu didnt roll out palliative before subsidy removal

Many Nigerians, including members of the countrys House of Representatives, have criticised Mr Tinubu for not rolling out palliative measures before the subsidy removal.

Following the public outcry, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, announced, on 1 June, that Mr Tinubu had directed that palliatives be put in place to cushion the effect of the fuel price hike on Nigerians.

However, the palliative measures have not been introduced exactly three weeks after.

When asked during the Arise TV programme why Mr Tinubu did not roll out the palliatives before removing the oil subsidy, Mr Adar said the presidents sudden decision was intended to evade possible gang up by critics against the policy.

Any policy that is announced before it is implemented, you will see critics, without evaluating it properly, just gang up at a particular corner and start disparaging, attacking and saying all sorts of things against the policy before it is even implemented, he stated.

What President Tinubu did was a mark of courage. If he had not made that pronouncement, I assure you, it would continue to linger till the end of his first tenure and maybe to his second tenure if hes lucky to get it. So, he (Tinubu) should be commended, the former lawmaker stated.

He added that Mr Tinubu, who left Nigeria for France on Tuesday for the New Global Financial Pact, would give Nigerians great news about the proposed palliatives on his return.

Palliatives are being worked out. And very soon, if the president comes back from France, assure you Nigerians will get great news, he said.

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The Akwa Ibom State governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Bassey Albert, has applied for the relocation of the Governorship Election Tribunal in the state to Abuja over threats to lives.

Mr Albert, a former senator, is challenging the victory of Governor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 18 March governorship election at the Tribunal in the state.

In two separate letters addressed to the President of the Appeal Court and the Chairperson of the Tribunal, Mr Albert, through his lawyer, Ahmed Raji, said the application was to preserve the lives of lawyers and witnesses appearing at the proceedings.

A copy of the letter was sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday.

This newspaper earlier reported how Usoro Usoro, the spokesperson of Mr Alberts campaign council, raised the alarm, alleging that the candidates life was in danger.

He accused the police of attempting to arrest a witness who testified at the tribunal.

Threats to life

Mr Raji, SAN, in the letter, said the witness, Daniel Akpan, a staff member of the University of Uyo, was consistently persuaded to give evidence for Mr Albert in court but declined, claiming that his life was under threat by certain persons.

Mr Akpan, an Administrative Officer in the Office of the Universitys Registrar, claimed to have certified Governor Enos academic credential at the University of Uyo.

On this premise, the petitioners were compelled to have a subpoena issued and served on him (Mr Akpan). He was invited to testify in court and give evidence as to whether he is a staff of the University of Uyo, who certified the academic records of Governor Eno, indicating that he (Mr Eno) was expelled from the school because he had no verifiable results from the West Africa Examination Council, Mr Raji said in the letter.

Mr Raji said Mr Akpan, while giving evidence in the court on Tuesday, complained of receiving calls from unknown persons warning him not to give evidence at the tribunal and threatening to kill him, a development he said prompted the witness to solicit court protection, a request he said the tribunal rebuffed.

He said after the adjournment, military men and police officers invaded the court and blocked him and his team from going home.

We were all ordered to alight from our vehicles, wielding heavy armament, weapons, shooting into the air, bullets and tear gas.

The whole environment was engulfed in commotion, with our team of lawyers escaping on foot and hiding in bushes, scampering for safety, But for the armoured car which convened me and the intervention of the Senate President and the Inspector General of Police, these men who were carrying out the instruction of Governor Eno would not have bothered killing us after holding us hostage for more than two hours.

Mr Raji said he was compelled to apply for the relocation of the tribunal from Akwa Ibom to Abuja not only for the safety of lawyers but for justice, equity and fairness, which he said can no longer be realised in Uyo.

Governor Enos spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, did not respond to requests for comments on the allegation that the police officers invaded the court on the governors order.

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko Macdon, did not also respond to requests for comments on the alleged invasion of the court.

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The war of words between Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, is far from being over with raging arguments over the states finances.

Mr Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) served as a two-term governor of the state from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023, when he handed over to Mr Otti.

Mr Otti was elected governor of the state on 22 March under the Labour Party (LP) ticket.

How it began

Governor Otti, in his inaugural speech, accused Mr Ikpeazu of leaving behind an empty treasury when he exited office on 29 May.

We have a treasury that has been criminally ravaged to the extent that we have an alleged N50 billion in unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions. Our local and foreign debt overhang is reported to be in the region of N200 billion, in addition to other debts to contractors, the governor had said.

He later continued his accusations through his media aides accusing Mr Ikpeazu of leaving only debts and zero assets for the new administration.

Mr Ikpeazu, through Ikechukwu Iroha, his media aide, would, on 10 June, deny the allegations and claimed that his administration perfected a $50 million World Bank loan and another $200 million African Development Bank loan, which he said are now available for the new administration.

The former governor insisted that the state, under his watch, was not owing any commercial bank.

He also said the new administration received N24 billion on 9 June, which he (Ikpeazu) processed.

But Mr Otti, through his special adviser on finance, refuted the claim, describing it as fictitious.

He added that records showed that Mr Ikpeazu left a debt of N191 billion on 28 May.

The $200 million and $50 million they claimed they left for the new administration are loans they were pursuing which are yet to crystalise, the governor stated, insisting that Mr Ikpeazu had not repaid some bank loans when he exited the office.

The war of words continues

Mr Ikpeazu, in his recent response through Mr Iroha, the media aide, said the commercial bank loans listed by Mr Ottis government were not obtained or signed off by his administration.

From my investigation, what I believe happened was that those were mostly borrowings done by the federal government on behalf of the 36 states of the federation, he claimed.

I hereby challenge Ottis government to publish application and approval documents for the listed loans so we can all see the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

The former governor also criticised Mr Otti for failing to admit that his (Ottis) government actually received N24 billion on 9 June 2023, which was processed before he (Ikpeazu) exited the office, but chose to publish purported balance as at 28th May 2023.

I therefore challenge Ottis administration to publicly state without equivocation that they have not received the money, as I stated, so that we, as citizens, can use legal instruments to compel the concerned bank and institutions to respond accordingly, he said.

Mr Ikpeazu asked Mr Otti to use the N24 billion and pay off a liability of N21 billion in pensions and N4.4 billion in contractor debt, which the new administration accused him of leaving behind.

He suggested that it was ironic that Mr Ottis administration would claim to be ethical in its operations but would turn around to engage in unethical conduct by hiring as his special adviser on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Chimereze Okigbo who was allegedly indicted by Anambra State Government for fraud.

Mr Okigbo was allegedly sacked as a senior special adviser on IGR to Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State following allegations of diversion of IGR of the state to private accounts, according to the letter by the Executive Director (operations and other taxes) of the Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue.

The letter, dated 8 June and seen by PREMIUM TIMES, was also copied to the chairperson of Abia State Internal Revenue Service.

Abia to gain N6 billion

Mr Ikpeazu also claimed that his administration, before it ended, interfaced with the Office of Accountant General of the Federation and subsequently reconciled their accounts with N6 billion standing to the credit of the (Abia) state.

He argued that the development implies that his government was not owing but that the federal government was owing the state.

For the avoidance of doubt, Ottis government is set to receive this amount this month alongside the regular monthly FAAC allocation to the state, he stated, pointing out that the governor was unlikely to give him credit when he finally gets the funds.

He said it was improper that the new administration accused him of owing gratuity arrears to N27 billion even when successive Abia State Governments had not paid gratuities since 2001, which he inherited and paid at least N100 million as gratuity.

He equally alleged that Mr Otti, while in opposition, instigated labour unions in the state to embark on repeated industrial actions, which he claimed led to the withdrawal of accreditation of some state-owned institutions.

He said contrary to Mr Ottis claims, the withdrawal of the accreditations for the institutions was reversed before he left office.

The accreditation for Abia State Polytechnic Aba was reversed on 26 August 2022, according to the letter signed by the Director of Human Resources of the National Board for Technical Education, Lawal Hafiz.

Mr Ikpeazu also said Mr Ottis threat to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intimidate him is a fruitless tactic.

While we want to believe that Ottis response to my initial article is a subtle commencement of the planned attacks against Ikpeazu, given the EFCC dimension to it, we wish to remind those concerned that those who pelt another with pebbles should expect rocks in return, he stated.

Ferdinand Ekeoma, a media aide to Governor Otti, did not respond to calls or texts seeking his comments.

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A former governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform in Edo State, Kenneth Imansuangbon, on Wednesday, received the Labour Party (LP) membership card after defecting from the PDP ahead of the Edo 2024 governorship election.

He was a PDP governorship aspirant in 2020.

Mr Imansuangbon, popularly known as Riceman, spoke to reporters shortly after receiving the card at the LP secretariat in Benin.

He said godfatherism was over in Edo politics and that it was now left for the ordinary people to decide who would succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2024.

I have been in this sojourn to govern Edo State for 20 years. I pray that LP will get it right, and if they do get it right and give me the ticket, it will mean game over for the godfathers.

Edo men are the finest species created by God. Now my eyes are opened, I have decided to take my case in 2024 to God Almighty and Edo people.

I do not want to put my case in the hands of godfathers anymore.

I am tired of the oppression of godfathers. I am tired of the godfathers deception and tricks.

I want to take my faith and destiny and put them into Gods hands as well as the hands of the people of Edo State.

Mr Imansuangbon said he was sure of victory in 2024, with the support of the people.

The people will be on my side. And if the people are on my side, God will be is on my side, he said.

Mr Imansuangbon described the LP as the peoples party.

I have decided to go to the peoples party, which is the Labour Party and the obidient family. Let the people decide.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that others who received LP membership cards include Andrew Emwanta, former Edo State commissioner for information, and Amen Uhumwangho-Ogbemudia.

The state LP Chairperson, Kelly Ogbaloi, welcomed Mr Imansuangbon and others to the party and urged them to work for the partys victory.

The LP made a remarkable showing in the 2023 general elections and has continued to attract some new members, apparently because of Peter Obis effect.

Mr Obi was the party presidential candidate in 2023.

(NAN)-

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The Head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) 2023 Election Mission to Sierra Leone, former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, arrived in Freetown ahead of Saturdays general election in the country.

The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Communications Officer (GJF), Wealth Ominabo, stated this in a statement made available to reporters in Abuja.

Mr Ominabo said that Mr Jonathan, also the forums chairman, is in Sierra Leone to encourage and support a peaceful democratic transition in the country.

He quoted the former president as urging citizens of the country to be patriotic in discharging their civil responsibility in the election.

The mission urges citizens of Sierra Leone to approach the election with utmost patriotism by prioritising the nations peace and stability and refrain from acts capable of undermining the nations democracy, he quoted Mr Jonathan.

Mr Ominabo listed members of the mission to include Kadre Ouedraogo, the former Burkinabe Prime Minister and one-time president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); and members of staff from the WAEF secretariat.

He said the team would have a series of consultative engagements with different political actors and key stakeholders in Sierra Leone.

According to him, these include leaders of the political parties, candidates, the Election Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), security agencies, the diplomatic community, civil society groups and the media.

Since its establishment in 2020, WAEF, an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, has undertaken missions to different countries in the sub-region, including Gambia and Nigeria.

This is in line with the Forums mission of preventive diplomacy to reduce electoral-related tension and violence in West Africa, Mr Ominabo said.

(NAN)

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Enugu State residents have expressed concern over the proposed 40 per cent hike in electricity tariff beginning July 1.

On Wednesday, the residents spoke on the issue in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

An industrialist, Jude Emordi, said the proposal would push up the cost of production, leading to a hike in the prices of manufactured goods.

Mr Emordi also said that the proposed increase might chase many small-scale entrepreneurs out of business.

With an increase as high as 40 per cent, how do you think pure water producers can survive because this will lead to an increase in the production cost?

The purchasing power of Nigerians will also reduce drastically. It will be terrible for many business owners and salary earners, he said.

Also, a civil servant, Mercy Ofoma, advised that the proposal be shelved for now.

Mrs Ofoma said the new administration should first fulfil the palliative measures promised to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy removal.

For me, the suffering will be much for poor Nigerian workers when everything begins to go up, and salary remains static, she said.

She argued that an upward review of workers salaries would not change anything.

Another resident, Jane Okeke, said she envisaged a tougher time ahead of the planned hike in the electricity tariff.

It will be difficult to survive without light, especially those of us who do not use prepaid meters, a hairdresser, said Miss Okeke, a hairdresser.

She advised that the proposal should be suspended until every electricity consumer is metered.

(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu made sweeping changes to Nigerias armed forces on Monday, retiring all service chiefs and the inspector general of police.

Mr Tinubu, who was sworn in on May 29, has made security one of his major priorities and promised reforms to the sector, including the recruitment of more soldiers and police officers while paying and equipping them better.

He appointed Emmanuel Ogalla, a rear admiral, to replace Awwal Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff.

Mr Ogalla, 55, is from Ezike Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In 1987, he obtained the West African School Certificate from Nigerian Military School Zaria where he graduated as the best boy in Sciences. He had A1 in all subjects except in the English language. He is a member of the Nigeria Defence Academy 39th Regular Course where he graduated with a BSc in Maths and was awarded the sword of honour as the best naval cadet in his course.

Mr Ogalla was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992 and he rose to the rank of rear admiral in September 2021. In May 2000, he completed the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course (STC) of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) QUORRA.

He then went to Basic Hydrography National Hydrographic School in India. When he returned to Nigeria, he took Junior and Senior Staff Courses at Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji in November 2001 and July 2006 respectively.

The senior officer was a participant in National Defence College (NDC) Course 22 and was awarded the title of fellow defence college (fdc) in August 2014. As part of the course, he took part in the MSc Strategic Studies programme of the University of Ibadan from 2014 to 2015.

He served on board many ships including Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) AMBE, NNS EKUN, NNS DELTA and NNS PATHFINDER, according to his resume obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. While on board NNS EKUN, he took part in the Economic Community Cease-Fire Monitoring Group, (ECOMOG) Operations in Liberia in 1996. ECOMOG was set up by a group of West African nations under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to end the bloody civil war in Liberia, in August 1990.

As the Base operations officer in NNS PATHFINDER, Mr Ogalla was responsible for coordinating anti-illegal bunkering operations as well the entire policing duties of the base. It was learnt that during the period, there was a remarkable reduction in illegal activities in the maritime area within the base area of operations.

Until his new appointment, he was the DLL at the Navy Headquarters in Abuja. During his cumulative 6-year tour of duty in the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School (NNHS), he taught geodesy, datum conversion, tidal predictions and analysis, satellite surveying, and bathymetry, among others.

As Commandant, he linked the School with Teledyn Marines, a reputable Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in the United States, which enabled the Nigerian Navy to procure several survey equipment from the company, leading to improvements in practical training.

He was also instrumental in the review of the schools curriculum to align with International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) requirements, his career details show.

During his tour of duty in the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO), the senior officer was instrumental in the localisation of tidal prediction and analysis. He participated in the FAO-sponsored Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem survey in 2004 and provided professional inputs during the survey and production of the NNHO charts.

His tour of duty at the Nigerian Defence College saw him contribute immensely towards the improvement of the colleges research package and also led the 2018 participants on a research study tour to China and South Korea.

As DLL, his last position until Monday, he was responsible for collating and analysing previous NN Operations and activities with the objective of drawing lessons necessary for doctrinal and operational improvements.

He is a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the International Earth Rotation Services and also a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association of the UK.

He is married to Ijeoma Ogalla and the marriage is blessed with two children. His hobbies include jogging, reading, listening and researching about science and nature.

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The candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) has released the 2023 campaign expenses of its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Femi Adeyeye, said in a statement that the party also released detailed sources of funding for its presidential campaign.

In line with the best campaign practice and the spirit of accountability as we hold dear in the African Action Congress (AAC), the Sowore Political Action Committee (SPAC) has released a final breakdown of the 2023 Presidential election campaign donations, sources of funding and expenditure, he said.

During the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the flagbearer of the ACC garnered 14,608 votes.

Funds

According to the breakdown of spending, the party received a total of about N40 million for the campaigns, N38.3 million of which was donated to it while the partys presidential candidate, Mr Sowore contributed only N1.8 million.

The breakdown of spending compiled by the party showed that N21 million was spent on conveyance; N5 million for the campaign and party activities; N3.3 million to cover the cost of printing; N2.5 million on media logistics; and N2.2 million on security and other volunteers.

Other expenditures include N1.6 million on maintenance; N1.2 million for subscriptions; N1.3 million on welfare; N20,000 for consumables and N80,302 bank charges for the period.

From the candidates personal funding, however, the party used N1.5 million for conveyance; N200,000 to cover the cost of printing and N70,000 for maintenance.

Mr Adeyeye said the party also gave the breakdown in 2019, shortly after the presidential election, claiming it is the first recorded in Nigerias electioneering history.

AAC challenges other parties

The party also challenged the 17 other political parties that presented candidates during the election to present their expenses.

The AAC insisted that Nigeria cannot have a clean leadership recruitment process if politicians continue to shroud their campaign spending in secrecy.

He said: The campaign organisation also seizes this medium to challenge other presidential candidates including the one who was sworn in, to release their campaign financials, thats if any books were kept at all.

We believe that those who cant keep books of campaign expenses and transparently account for the expenses incurred cant run a country like Nigeria properly.

What the law says about campaign funding

Nigerias electoral law regulates the entire funding of political campaigns from the sources of the funds to the amount a party can spend during campaigns.

Going by Section 88 (2) of the Electoral Act (2022), a presidential candidate cannot spend beyond N5 billion on a campaign within the period stipulated for the campaign by the commission.

Meanwhile, spending by a candidate in governorship elections cannot exceed N1 billion. Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates should not exceed N100 million and N70 million in election expenses respectively, the Act states.

In the case of State Assembly election, the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate shall not exceed N30,000,000. In the case of a chairmanship election to an Area Council, the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate shall not exceed N30,000,000. In the case of councillorship election to an Area Council, the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate shall not exceed N5,000,000, the act reads.

Also, no individual can donate more than N50 million to any candidate, the act states in section 88 (8).

Section 85 of the Electoral Act also prohibits any political party from holding or possessing funds outside the country.

Violations

PREMIUM TIMES had reported last year that on different occasions, political parties violate the requirements of the Act both in campaign expenses and submission of financial reports to the INEC.

For instance, in a review of the 2019 general elections with political parties, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed that only one presidential candidate has submitted a financial expenses report, three months after the election.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Azerbaijans proven resources of natural gas will last for more than 100 years, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Bulgaria Huseyn Huseynov said, Trend reports.

He was among the speakers during Green Week 2023 about the green transition in Central and Eastern Europe, organized by dir.bg and 3E news with the media partnership of BTA.

In the Ambassador's words, Bulgaria is a reliable partner for natural gas supplies for Central and Eastern Europe.

Azerbaijan will increase the natural gas supplies for Europe, he added. To make that happen, however, technical measures and improvements should be undertaken and funding should be available.

In addition to natural gas and oil, Azerbaijans government has actively began looking into the opportunities for green energy production, the Ambassador noted. A memorandum with the United Arab Emirates has been signed to that end. Also, leading companies have committed to produce 25 GW of solar and wind energy. Azerbaijan intends to export 4 GW of green energy to the European market along an underwater cable, which will pass along the bottom of the Black Sea, he specified.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed 23 October for hearing a suit filed by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, challenging the order obtained by the EFCC for final forfeiture of her seized assets.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, fixed the date on Wednesday after Mrs Alison-Maduekes lawyer, Benson Igbanoi, and EFCCs counsel, M.D. Baraya, regularised their processes in the suit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anti-corruption agency had planned to conduct a public sale of all the assets seized for being proceeds of crime as ordered by courts to be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The auctioning exercise, conducted on the seized assets believed to include Diezanis property, started on 9 January.

The suspended chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, recently revealed that $153 million and over 80 properties had been recovered from Mrs Alison-Madueke.

She was alleged to have escaped to the United Kingdom and remained there after her exit from public office as the petroleum minister, an office she held between 2010 and 2015 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The suit is different from the one she also filed to seek N100 billion as compensation for a series of EFCCs alleged libellous publications against her

The former minister, who has corruption charges pending against her in a Nigerian court, said in her libel suit that she had been living in the United Kingdom after she was rushed there for medical treatment days to completing her term in office as minister in May 2015.

Suit

But the ex-minister, in her assets-related suit, sought an order extending the time to seek leave to apply to the court for an order to set aside the EFCCs public notice issued to conduct a public sale on her property.

In the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, dated and filed on 6 January by her lawyer, Mr Ozekhome, the former minister sought five orders from the court.

Mrs Alison-Madueke sued the EFCC as the sole respondent in the suit.

The former minister, who argued that the various orders were made without jurisdiction, said these ought to be set aside ex debito justitiae.

She said she was not given a fair hearing in all the proceedings leading to the orders.

The various court orders issued in favour of the respondent and upon which the respondent issued the public notice were issued in breach of the applicants right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as altered, and other similar constitutional provisions, she said.

She argued that she was neither served with the charge sheet and proof of evidence in any of the charges nor any other summons regarding the criminal charges pending against her before the court.

She further argued that the courts were misled into making several final forfeiture orders against her assets through suppression or non-disclosure of material facts.

The several applications upon which the courts made the final order of forfeiture against the applicant were obtained upon gross misstatements, misrepresentations, non-disclosure, concealment and suppression of material facts, and this honourable court has the power to set aside same ex debito justitiae, as a void order is as good as if it was never made at all.

The orders were made without recourse to the constitutional right to fair hearing and right to property accorded the applicant by the constitution.

The applicant was never served with the processes of court in all the proceedings that led to the order of final forfeiture, she said, among other grounds given.

EFCC counters

But the EFCC, in a counter-affidavit deposed to by Rufai Zaki, a detective with the commission, urged the court to dismiss her application.

Mr Zaki, a member of the team that investigated a case of criminal conspiracy, official corruption and money laundering against the ex-minister and some other persons involved in the case, said the investigation had clearly shown that she was involved in some acts of criminality.

He said Mr s Alison-Madueke was therefore charged before the court in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018.

We hereby rely on the charge FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018 dated 14 November 2018 filed before this honourable court and also attached as Exhibit C in the applicants affidavit, he said.

The EFCC operative said most of the depositions in Mrs Alison-Maduekes suit were untrue.

He said contrary to her deposition in the affidavit filed in support of the suit, most of the cases which led to the final forfeiture of the contested property were action in rem, same was heard at various times and determined by this honourable court.

He said the courts ordered the commission to do a newspaper publication inviting parties to show cause why the said property should not be forfeited to the federal government before final orders were made.

Mr Zaki argued that one Nnamdi Awa Kalu represented the ex-minister in reaction to one of the forfeiture applications.

We humbly rely on the judgment of Hon. Justice I.LN. Oweibo dated 10th September, 2019 shown in Exhibit C of the applicants affidavit, he said.

The officer said contrary to her, the final forfeiture of the assets, which were subject to the present application, was ordered by the court in 2017 and that this was not set aside or upturned on appeal.

According to him, the properties have been disposed of through due process of law.

(NAN)

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The recently announced British policy that prevents students on study visa from bringing their family members to the UK is not targeted at Nigerians only, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, said Wednesday.

Mr Montgomery, who addressed journalists after meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the visa issue was not discussed with the Nigerian leader.

The new policy will come into place in January 2024 to replace the existing one that allows students on study visa to travel to the UK with their dependants.

The diplomat said the UK granted three million new visas last year, out of which 325,000 were between Nigeria and the UK.

So, Nigerian visitors constitute over 10 per cent of the people coming to London and the UK.

I would also like to provide the context that the number of Nigerian students coming to the UK has increased fivefold in the last three years. It is a fantastic success story for our universities and we are really delighted that so many Nigerians are coming to the UK.

READ ALSO: British investors impressed by Tinubus economic policies High Commissioner

The issue about restrictions of people bringing dependents  that is not just for Nigeria but many parts of the world; many more students are trying to bring their dependents with them; and I think there are two issues here; the first is  it is not always possible to find housing services to meet all the needs of all our existing student population.

Secondly, I think reasonable people will accept that we have to manage our visitor numbers and that we have to manage migration in and out of the UK; just as the Nigerian government does for your own borders, the envoy said.

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The absence of federal government prosecutors on Wednesday stalled the scheduled trial of Tukur Mamu, charged with terrorism-related offences and a suspicious relationship with terrorists that carried out last years attack on a Kaduna-bound train.

The prosecution was billed to open their case at the Federal High Court in Abuja by

calling their first witnesses on Wednesday. The matter was the third on the list of cases scheduled for the day.

But when it was the turn of the matter, only Mr Mamus counsel, Obiabo Francis-Amedo, was in court.

The lawyer told the court that he was notified through a letter from the prosecution that the prosecuting counsel in the matter had gone on training and that they suggested a date before vacation.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, who reiterated that the adjournment was at the instance of the prosecution, fixed 19 July for trial.

Arrest, charges

Mr Mamu has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) for over nine months after his arrest on 6 September 2022, based on his suspicious relationship with the terrorists that carried out the March 2022 train attack along the Abuja-Kaduna railway.

At least eight people died in the attack, while 168 people were declared missing, most of whom were believed to have been kidnapped.

The remaining 23 kidnapped victims only regained their freedom after six months in captivity on 5 October 2022, following the federal government intervention.

Mr Mamu, who is accused of receiving ransom from families of the victims of the train attack on behalf of the terrorists, was arrested by Interpol in Cairo, Egypt, on behalf of the Nigerian government on 6 September 2022.

He was said to be on his way to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj when he was intercepted in Cairo. He was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated to Nigeria.

While being held in Cairo, the SSS raided his Kaduna residence and office. The SSS claimed that it recovered military uniforms and money during the raid.

The defendant, who also doubled as the spokesperson of the Kaduna-based cleric, Ahmad Gumi, was arrested by the SSS on 7 September afternoon at the Aminu Kano International Airport in North-west Nigeria upon his arrival from Egypt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SSS, on 21 March, arraigned Mr Mamu on ten counts of terrorism financing, among others.

He was alleged to have, among others, convinced the terrorists to discuss ransom payments with individual families of the hostages of the train attack instead of the Chief of Defense Staff Committee set up by the federal government for his financial gain.

He was said to have been nominated by the terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train sometime in March 2022, which took scores of persons, hostage.

Mr Mamu allegedly collected ransoms on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists from families of hostages, confirmed the amount and facilitated the delivery to the terrorists.

He was said to be in possession of large sums of unexplained cash and property that he tried to conceal upon arrest by directing his proxies to change their locations.

Though Mamu was said to have denied these allegations, witness and victim statements and the investigation by the security outfit were said to have revealed a prima facie case against him.

Mr Mamu pleaded not guilty to the counts and subsequently prayed to the court for bail on the grounds of ill-health. The SSS opposed the bail application.

In April, the court rejected his bail application, extending his detention, which was seven months old at the time, in the custody of SSS.

The judge, Mr Ekwo, said in his ruling that Mr Mamus grounds of ill-health were not cogent enough to justify granting bail to the defendant facing terrorism-related charges.

He also cited Mr Mamus failure to debunk the claims contained in the counter-affidavit filed to oppose his bail application by the SSS, the agency keeping him in custody.

(NAN)

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A veteran journalist, Folu Olamiti, has outlined how President Bola Tinubu should combat corruption.

Mr Olamiti urged Mr Tinubu to tackle malpractices from the top echelons of his government.

He spoke on Tuesday at a two-day capacity-building training organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for journalists in Abuja.

Fielding questions from journalists at the event, Mr Olamiti said Mr Tinubu must be fair in tackling corruption. When you want to tackle corruption, begin from the top.

Mr Olamiti, whose journalism career spanned five decades, advised the president to cut down on the cost of governance.

Let us look into the humongous salaries of legislators and long convoys of government officials. The president must cut down on these things, he said.

He touched on the issue of Nigerias fuel subsidy fraud, urging the president to revisit its investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr Tinubu, in his inaugural address on 29 May, announced the removal of subsidy from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), widely known as petrol.

The presidential announcement led to a nearly 200 per cent hike in the pump price of petrol.

We want relief for the masses. It is not enough to remove fuel subsidy. He (Mr Tinubu) must reduce the number of cars in the convoys of public officers.

The government should retrieve the fuel subsidy funds from persons who stole them. He should revisit the fraud in Nigerias subsidy regime, Mr Olamiti advised Mr Tinubu.

Corruption remains a recurring issue in Nigerias public and private sectors.

Many Nigerians have consistently called for tougher measures against the menace of corruption.

But the countrys corruption perception index has continued to deep over the years, with ratings from global anti-corruption watchdogs like Transparency International.

Tasks journalists on investigative reporting

Speaking on the topic, The Role of the Media in Fighting Corruption, Mr Olamiti said journalists have the constitutional duty to hold the government accountable to the people.

He cautioned journalists against unethical conduct, saying it erodes public confidence and trust.

Recalling his experiences as a reporter, Mr Olamiti urged journalists to seek alternative ways of funding investigative stories.

Similarly, the chairman of ICPC, Bolaji Owasanoye, advised journalists against fake news.

Fake news and biased reporting threatens all of us. It threatens the stability of the state, and it threatens professional competencies and our livelihoods.

Mr Owasanyo, a law professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), noted that the training was an opportunity for the anti-graft agency and journalists to close ranks about deciding how to continue to communicate professionally bearing the risk of reporting fake news in mind.

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, Salma Anas, has said the new administration is determined to achieve its healthcare reform agenda by prioritising Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Mrs Anas said this on Wednesday in Abuja during a health policy dialogue, which was organised by the UHC 2023 Forum- a coalition of stakeholders in the health sector, including representatives of civil societies, donor agencies, media and international partners.

Themed: Setting UHC and Health Security Priorities in the New Dispensation: Getting it Right from the Outset, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue examined the nations health policy priorities considering the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Health Reform.

It also appraised what it termed the citizens-led health agenda of the new administration and how to chart a course of action.

The special adviser said Mr Tinubus objective is to bridge the divide between the underprivileged and accessing quality healthcare by providing financial security.

Others speak

Also speaking at the event, APC Women Leader, Betta Edu, hailed the administrations fuel subsidy removal policy, saying Mr Tinubu is committed to redirecting the resources to subsidise every household by prioritising investments in the health and education sectors.

On his part, the Emir of Shonga, Kwara State, Haliru Yahaya, said improving the countrys health system will rely greatly on political will and a change in attitudes.

The monarch said the two elements are crucial in driving positive change and progress in the countrys health sector.

WHO, Chatham House lend helping hand

The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, said for the government to get it right from the outset will require putting the right people in the right place.

Mr Mulombo said the WHO acknowledges the invaluable role of community involvement in shaping health policies and urged the new administration to adopt a similar approach.

The Executive Director of the Centre for Universal Health Coverage at Chatham House, Rob Yates, emphasised how political commitment is critical to achieving UHC in the country.

Mr Yates said Chatham House is willing to support the new state governors in advancing the UHC agenda in the country.

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), Mrs Chika Offor, urged the new government to work with a sense of urgency to address the poor health outcomes in the country.

UHC Forum chair speaks

Earlier, the Chair of the UHC 2023 Forum, organisers of the event, Moji Makanjuola, said the dialogue was put in place in recognition of the new political dispensation in the country.

Mrs Makanjuola said the forum would intensify its engagement with the political class to ensure their health policy priorities reflect the most important gaps in the health system.

She said: Todays event is one of such endeavours aimed at articulating available evidence on policy reforms in Nigeria and forging a consensus on health and health security priorities in the light of available evidence.

This gathering also offers us the opportunity to identify key success factors for achieving health and health security reform objectives, especially in a complex administrative setting like ours.

Furthermore, this forum comes with a unique opportunity to chart a course of action for effective and sustained citizens engagement towards productive health reforms.

About UHC 2023 Forum

The forum, according to the organisers, is a coalition of a wide array of stakeholders, including donor agencies, development partners, Civil Society Organisations and the media.

According to its leadership, the forum is committed to taking advantage of the policy window created by the political transition to put UHC and health security on the political front burner.

The forum noted that it had formed a robust partnership with a global policy think-tank, the Chatham House UK, and the Nigeria Governors Forum, to raise the political profile of health in the country.

The forum creates a citizens-led health agenda for participation by major political parties in the country, it noted.

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The Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the reinstatement of Mahdi Gusau as the deputy governor of Zamfara State.

He was removed from office in February last year.

The order came about three weeks after the end of the tenure of his mandate and the inauguration of the newly elected governor and deputy governor of the state.

Delivering judgement in a suit filed by Mr Gusau, the judge, Inyang Ekwo, ruled that his ouster from office was null and void, having taken place in disregard of pending proceedings and a court order.

The judge set aside all the steps and actions taken by the House of Assembly, former Governor Bello Matawalle and the states Chief Judge in the purported removal of Mr Gusau during the pendency of the suit in court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ekwo held their steps were an aberration and could not stand.

I agree with the learned silk for the plaintiff/applicant that the court must protect its dignity by reprimanding the 5th, 6th and 7th defendants (speaker, governor and chief judge) and undoing the steps, acts or proceedings taken in the impeachment while this suit was pending, he ruled.

The judge also held that, contrary to the argument of counsel for the 5th to 38th defendants, no judicial authorities cited and relied upon by the defendants supported litigants to take extra-judicial action while a case was pending in court.

Once parties have turned their dispute over to the court for determination, the right to resort to self-help ends.

So, It is not permissible for one of the parties to take any step of complete helplessness, or which may give the impression that the court Is being used as a mere subterfuge, to tie the result of litigation and the appropriate order of court before acting further, he said.

Rift

The Zamfara State House of Assembly controversially removed Mr Gusau about 16 months ago, disregarding a court order directing a stay of action on steps for his removal from office.

Twenty of the 24 members of the House of Assembly voted for his removal on 23 February 2022 on allegations of abuse of office, criminal self-enrichment using public funds and failure to discharge official duties.

The state legislatures action followed a political rift after Mr Gusau refused to join the governor, Mr Matawalle, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a show of loyalty to the governor in the wake of the political differences between him and his deputy, the state lawmakers had threatened to remove the deputy governor last year over alleged misconduct.

A major allegation counted against him by the lawmakers was that he held a political rally amidst killings in the state. But he denied any wrongdoing.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, later in July 2021, restrained the lawmakers and the states Chief Judge from taking steps to impeach the deputy governor.

The state House of Assembly started fresh moves to remove the deputy governor in February 2022.

The lawmakers subsequently served him an impeachment notice.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that 18 lawmakers voted for continuing the impeachment process, paving the way for the states Chief Judge to set up a panel to investigate the deputy governor.

Suit

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Matawalle, with members of the National Assembly from the state and members of the state House of Assembly, had all defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on 29 June 2021.

Following their defection, the PDP and Mr Gusau, who refused to defect to the APC with them, filed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/650/2021 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In their suit, they sought an order declaring the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant because they had abandoned the party on whose platform they were elected.

The plaintiffs had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, President of the Senate, House of Representatives Speaker and House of Assembly Speaker as 1st to 5th defendants, respectively.

Also joined in the suit were Zamfara State Governor, Chief Judge Bello Matawalle, the three senators, House of Representatives members and all members of the states House of Assembly as 6th to 38th defendants, respectively.

They sought an order of mandatory injunction compelling INEC to accept the list of the PDP candidates issued to hold and occupy the governors office and the state and federal lawmakers.

They also sought an order for INEC to issue certificates of return to each of the said candidates to hold and occupy the offices purportedly occupied by members of the APC in defiance of the decision of the Supreme Court in SC. 377/2019: APC v. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and others for the unspent electoral term of office of May 29, 2019, to May 28, 2013.

They also sought an order compelling the defendants to swear in Mr Gusau as governor on PDPs platform to complete the tenure of office, among others.

On 19 July 2021, the court restrained the House of Assembly from proceeding with its planned impeachment of Mr Gusau as deputy governor.

The court gave the order following an ex parte application brought by the PDPs lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, in which he argued that the House of Assembly, Mr Matawalle and others were planning to remove Mr Gusau from office for refusing to defect to APC.

Despite the courts order, Mr Gusau was removed by the House of Assembly after receiving the investigative panel report constituted by the Chief Judge, Kulu Aliyu.

The plaintiffs, however, filed a motion on notice seeking an order restoring the status quo of Mr Gusau wholly to the position as of 8 July 2021 when this suit was commenced.

They also sought an order setting aside all the steps taken by the defendants in furtherance of the purported impeachment proceedings.

NAN reports that though the suit was filed on 8 July 2021, the plaintiffs amended the originating summons.

(NAN)

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The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, tendered tons of electoral documents, including Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) records before the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja.

In furtherance of his suit challenging President Bola Tinubus victory in the 25 February presidential election, Mr Obi, through his lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu, presented certified true copies (CTCs) of documents detailing the total number of registered voters and PVCs.

On 1 March, INEC declared Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential contest winner.

Mr Uzoukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the electoral documents were from the 32 states of the federation.

He further listed other documents to include  CTCs of supplementary INEC Results Viewing report regarding three local government areas of Benue State, two LGAs of Cross River State, 13 LGAs of Lagos State and one council area of Gombe State.

The lawyer also tendered a certificate of compliance concerning the conduct of the presidential poll in Edo State.

Kemi Pinheiro, who represented INEC at the proceedings, did not oppose its admissibility.

But the legal teams of Mr Tinubu and the APC kicked against its admissibility.

Wole Olanipekun and Lateef Fagbemi, both SANs, who represented Mr Tinubu and the APC, respectively, promised to give reasons for their objections in their final arguments in the suit.

More witnesses

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, one of Mr Obis lawyers, Patrick Ikwueto, a SAN, led more witnesses to prove his clients case against the president.

The eighth witness, Chubuike Ugwuoke, mounted the box, where he adopted his witness statement on oath.

Mr Ugwuoke, a cyber security expert, was subpoenaed to testify before the five-member panel of the court chaired by Haruna Tsammani.

He tendered a press statement that was issued by INEC before the general elections.

The press statement issued in November 2022 by Festus Okoye on behalf of INEC debunked an alleged plot to abandon transmission of polling unit results to IReV portal.

The claim is patently false, Mr Okoye said in the statement, assuring Nigerians that the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Results Viewing (IReV) (portal) has come to stay for Voter accreditation and uploading of polling units results in real-time in Nigeria.

Mr Okoye, an INEC commissioner in charge of voter education, explained that the IReV is one of the innovations introduced by the electoral umpire to guarantee electoral integrity and credibility in Nigeria.

But during the 25 February presidential election, INEC failed to transmit polling station results in real-time as promised electronically.

Its inability to comply with the said electoral guidelines forms one of the grounds for Mr Obi and other petitioners suits to overturn Mr Tinubus victory.

Also, Mr Ugwuoke presented a report called Meta data.

But INEC, APC and Mr Tinubu objected to the admissibility of the document, promising to provide reasons in support of their objection.

The respondents lawyers urged the court to defer Mr Ugwuokes cross-examination until Thursday, which the court granted.

Thereafter, Mr Obis ninth witness, Onoja Sunday, mounted the witness box.

Mr Sunday, a staff member at Women & Child Rescue Initiative, a not-for-profit organisation, adopted his witness statement and presented his staff identity card to the court.

Under cross-examination by Abubakar Mahmoud, INECs lawyer, Mr Sunday said he was not a political party member.

But while being cross-examined by Emmanuel Ukala, a lawyer in Mr Tinubus legal team, the witness said he was subpoenaed in his capacity using his permanent residential address.

Recalling his observation during the polls, Mr Sunday said electoral officials failed to upload the presidential election results to the IReV portal.

Kefas Iya, the 10th petitioners witness, said he worked as a member of the ad-hoc staff during the presidential election.

Mr Iya, a civil servant, told the court that he supervised 24 polling stations in his Ward at Madagali LGA in Adamawa State.

He said INEC officials could not upload the presidential election results from the polling units.

Mr Iya said the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, won the presidential election in Adamawa, his home state.

The court adjourned the hearing in the case until Thursday.

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Immediate past Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, said on Wednesday that he left the Nigeria Police Force better than he met it when he was appointed in 2021.

As I exit the leadership of the Force today, I believe that I am leaving it better than I met it.

I believe that I have added value to policing in Nigeria, he said while handing over the reins of authority to the newly-appointed Acting IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

Mr Baba said he had set out to positively change policing narratives in Nigeria by laying out well-articulated vision and mission objectives upon his appointment.

The former IGP said he had pledged to address the welfare concerns of serving and retired officers and enhance the operational capacity of the Force through the procurement of critical operational assets.

He said he also set out to reposition special detachments of the Force, particularly the Marine and Air wings, the Special Forces, Police Mobile Force, Counterterrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit.

He added that he also strove to enhance the intelligence capacity of the Force through the push for the upgrade of the technical intelligence assets.

I am convinced that steady progress has been made in all components of my promise to change policing narratives and restore the dwindling police primacy within the internal security architecture of the country.

We might not be there yet, but the pathways have been clearly defined, firm foundation built, and giant strides taken.

These are for the new leadership to leverage on in the quest for a better Police Force, he stressed.

Mr Baba commended the Nigeria Police family for loyalty, sacrifice, and duty orientation, which, he said, aided his administration to attain most of its set leadership visions and targets.

I especially thank members of the Force Management Team for being strategic partners throughout my leadership journey, he said.

Responding, Mr Egbetokun commended President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him.

He said his appointment was a call to commitment and a platform to make a difference in the shared mission of the president to safeguard the lives and well-being of Nigerians.

Mr Egbetokun said the Nigeria Police Force, under his leadership, would strive for excellence, transparency, and accountability to rebuild public trust.

He said his administration would also strive to restore public confidence in law enforcement institutions and create a Nigeria where every citizen would feel safe, protected and respected.

Mr Egbetokun pledged to unveil new tactics to release the great potential of the Nigeria Police to secure the country, build lasting peace and deliver on the presidents vision.

(NAN)

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The Naval Headquarters has dismissed as false, the allegation that the outgoing Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Awwal Gambo, a vice admiral, refused to hand over to the newly appointed chief, Emmanuel Ogalla.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Director of Naval Information, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said that handing over in the military was procedural.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Ogalla, a rear admiral, on Monday as the new chief of naval staff.

Mr Ayo-Vaughan, a commodore, said the publications by some online were malicious lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public.

It is, therefore, necessary to put the record straight.

Suffice to state that handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural.

Upon the announcement of the change of the Watch on deck, the outgoing CNS is expected to give a detailed brief to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign.

Accordingly, the programme of events leading to the formal handing and taking over ceremony has kicked off to culminate at a public ceremony on Friday, June 23, in line with age-long naval tradition, he said.

The Navy spokesperson also said that sister services were due to hand over as they had set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies.

He urged the public to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information, which was the figment of the reporters imagination.

(NAN)

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Addressing the challenges in the tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Implementingsolutions and collaborations between the government, private sector operators, educational institutions and local communities will unlock the potential of the tourism/hospitality sector and create a conducive environment for tourism development in Nigeria. This will lead to economic growth through improved revenue generation, job creation, cultural preservation and sustainable development in the industry.

The tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria holds significant economic importance. It can contribute to the countrys GDP, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in various ways. Unfortunately, this sector has not gotten the the necessary attention it should. In our quest for double digit growth and economic diversification, this sector can be a major cash cow for Nigeria. Strengthening and developing the tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria will have positive ripple effects on the overall economy, leading to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development. In this article, the focus will be on highlighting the economic importance of this sector and proposing practical solutions for the challenges that have hindered the growth and massive potential in this amazing industry.

Economic Importance of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector

1. Foreign Exchange Earnings: The tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria can generate foreign exchange earnings through international tourist arrivals and expenditures. Foreign tourists spend money on accommodation, food and beverage, transportation, souvenirs and other tourism-related services, which can contribute to the countrys foreign exchange reserves. This will help to strengthen the countrys balance of payments position, improve its international trade and enhance its economic stability.

2. Cultural Preservation: Nigeria is a country with rich cultural heritage and diverse cultural assets, including traditional arts, crafts, music, dance, festivals and historical sites. The tourism and hospitality sector plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Nigerias cultural heritage by creating demand for experiences of cultural tourism. This encourages the preservation of traditional practices, promotes cultural exchange and raises awareness about the value of Nigerias cultural assets.

3. Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development: The sector in Nigeria can provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and small business development, as it offers a favourable environment for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive. Local entrepreneurs can start small-scale businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector, such as guesthouses, restaurants, tour guiding and souvenir shops, which can contribute to economic diversification and reduce dependence on the traditional sectors.

4. Forward and Backward Linkages: The tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria has forward and backward linkages with other sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and services. For instance, hotels and restaurants rely on local agricultural products for food supply, creating demand for agricultural produce and supporting local farmers. Similarly, the sector creates demand for manufactured goods such as furniture, textiles and handicrafts, thereby stimulating local manufacturing and handicraft production.

5. Infrastructure Development: The sector drives the development of tourism-related infrastructure such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, transportation and other facilities in Nigeria. The development of such infrastructure requires investment in construction, renovation and maintenance, which generates economic activities and creates employment opportunities in the construction and related industries.

6. Government Revenue Generation: The tourism and hospitality sector can contribute to government revenue generation through various means such as taxes, fees, permits and licenses. The government can collect revenue from the tourism and hospitality sector, which can be used to fund public infrastructure development, social services and other government programmes, contributing to the overall economic growth and development of the country.

7. Regional Development: The sector can also stimulate regional development by promoting tourism in lesser-known destinations and rural areas. This can help in reducing regional imbalances and promoting inclusive development. Tourism development can create opportunities for local communities to participate in the sector and benefit from the economic gains.

8. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Inflow: The tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria can attract foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow, which can contribute to economic growth and development. International hotel chains, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses may invest in Nigeria, bringing in foreign capital, technology, expertise and global best practices. This can stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of the sector.

Challenges In the Tourism and Hospitality Sector In Nigeria and Practical Solutions

1. Inadequate Tourism Infrastructure: Transportation, accommodation and attractions are often inadequate, which hinders the growth of the tourism sector.

Solution: To address the challenges of inadequate infrastructure, the government can collaborate with private investors and international development agencies to fund and implement infrastructure projects such as:

i. Building and improving roads, seaports and other transport networks leading to tourist destinations, particularly in remote areas, to ease access for tourists.

ii. Upgrading and expansion of major airports to accommodate more international flights and improved passenger experience.

iii. Developing and managing quality accommodation facilities that cater for different segments of tourists, from budget to luxury.

iv. Providing basic amenities such as water supply, electricity and waste management in tourist destinations to meet international standards.

v. Developing and promoting tourist attractions, such as natural sites, cultural heritage and events to attract tourists.

Challenges including issues of insurgency, terrorism and crime have affected Nigerias image as a safe and secure tourist destination, leading to decreased tourist arrivals To address the challenge of security concerns, the government should work towards improving the overall security situation in the country and Implement effective security measures to enhance safety and security awareness among tourists.

2. Limited Marketing Efforts: Nigerias tourism sector lacks effective marketing and promotion, resulting in low awareness and limited visibility in the international tourism market.

Solution: To address the challenge of limited marketing efforts, the government can collaborate with the private sector to create comprehensive tourism marketing strategies such as:

i. Destination branding campaigns that showcase Nigerias unique tourism products, its rich cultural heritage, natural attractions, vibrant music and arts scene.

ii. Partnering with travel agencies, tour operators and media outlets to promote Nigeria domestically and internationally as a preferred tourist destination.

iii. Utilising social media influencers and digital marketing platforms to raise awareness and promote Nigerias tourism offerings.

iv. Participating in international tourism fairs, such as World Travel Market and ITB Berlin, to network with international travel professionals and showcase Nigerias tourism offerings.

3. Security Concerns: Challenges including issues of insurgency, terrorism and crime have affected Nigerias image as a safe and secure tourist destination, leading to decreased tourist arrivals.

Solution: To address the challenge of security concerns, the government should work towards improving the overall security situation in the country and Implement effective security measures to enhance safety and security awareness among tourists. This can be achieved by:

i. Collaborating with security agencies, local communities and tourism stakeholders to establish community-based security initiatives, such as neighbourhood watch programmes to enhance security in tourist areas and restore confidence among tourists.

ii. Deploying security personnel, including police and tourist police to popular tourist destinations to provide visible security presence and ensure the safety of tourists.

iii. Installing surveillance and monitoring systems in tourist areas, enhancing emergency response mechanisms and providing training to staff on safety protocols to create a safe environment for tourists.

iv. Enabling private sector operators to take steps to ensure the safety of tourists by implementing appropriate security measures at their facilities.

4. Limited Tourism Product Development: The diversity and potential of Nigerias tourism products have not been fully developed, resulting in limited options for tourists and reduced competitiveness in the global tourism market.

Solution: To address this challenge, the government should invest in the development of a diverse range of niche tourism products that cater to different types of tourists. These include:

i. Cultural tourism, such as festivals, traditional crafts, indigenous music and dance performances, to showcase Nigerias rich cultural heritage.

ii. Eco-tourism, such as wildlife viewing, hiking and nature trails in national parks and reserves.

iii. Others are adventure tourism and medical tourism. Niche tourism products helps attract specific target markets.

iv. And also support and collaborate with local communities and stakeholders to create unique community-based tourism initiatives, such as homestays, cultural tours and craft workshops that provide authentic experiences for tourists and generate income for local communities.

5. Inadequate Service Quality: Service quality in the hospitality sector in Nigeria can be inconsistent, with issues such as poor customer service, lack of trained personnel and substandard facilities.

Solution: To Improve service quality, there should be investment in training and capacity building for hospitality industry personnel. These include:



ii. Language proficiency programmes for frontline staff to enhance communication with international tourists.

iii. Education and training programmes can be offered by collaborating with educational institutions to develop a skilled workforce in the sector and private sector operators can offer scholarships, internships and on-the-job training.

iv. Implementing and enforcing quality standards and regulations for tour operators and other tourism-related businesses, such as star-rating systems for hotels and restaurants, to ensure that accommodation facilities and dining establishments meet international standards in terms of cleanliness, safety and service quality. Access to finance for tourism/hospitality businesses, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can be challenging in Nigeria, hindering their growth and expansion Establish dedicated funding schemes or venture capital funds specifically for the tourism/hospitality sector, to provide affordable and accessible financing options for businesses. i. Training programmes on customer service, communication, technical skills and best practices in the tourism/hospitality sector.ii. Language proficiency programmes for frontline staff to enhance communication with international tourists.iii. Education and training programmes can be offered by collaborating with educational institutions to develop a skilled workforce in the sector and private sector operators can offer scholarships, internships and on-the-job training.iv. Implementing and enforcing quality standards and regulations for tour operators and other tourism-related businesses, such as star-rating systems for hotels and restaurants, to ensure that accommodation facilities and dining establishments meet international standards in terms of cleanliness, safety and service quality. 6. Limited Access to Finance: Access to finance for tourism/hospitality businesses, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can be challenging in Nigeria, hindering their growth and expansion.

Solution: Establish dedicated funding schemes or venture capital funds specifically for the tourism/hospitality sector, to provide affordable and accessible financing options for businesses. This can be achieved by:

i. Collaborating with financial institutions and international development agencies to establish tourism development funds and favourable financial products, options and incentives tailored for the tourism/hospitality industry, including low-interest loans, longer repayment periods, grants, tax breaks and equity investments.

ii. Providing support and mentoring programmes for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the tourism/hospitality sector on business plan development and financing options for expansion, upgrading and innovative projects.

iii. Enabling private sector operators to offer financing options or partnerships to support local businesses in the tourism value chain, such as tour operators, accommodation providers and handicraft producers.

7. Lack of Skilled Manpower

Solution: Invest in education and training programmes to develop a skilled workforce for the tourism/hospitality sector. This can be achieved by:

i. Collaborating with educational institutions to offer specialised courses and programmes in hospitality management, tour guiding, culinary arts and other relevant fields.

ii. Providing scholarships, internships and apprenticeship programmes to students and young professionals and offering on-the-job training and mentoring programmes to attract and retain talent in the tourism/hospitality industry.

iii. Establishing hospitality and tourism training centres in key tourist destinations to provide training programmes for locals, and this will also create employment opportunities and enhance the quality of services provided to tourists.

8. Lack of Destination Management Organisations (DMOs)

Solution: The government should establish and support Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) at the local, regional and national levels to coordinate and promote tourism development efforts. This can be achieved by:

i. Establishing DMOs in key tourist destinations, such as Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Enugu, to coordinate tourism development efforts, conduct market research and promote tourist destinations.

ii. Provision of funds by government, including training and technical support to DMOs to enable them effectively develop and manage marketing strategies, branding campaigns and promotional materials.

iii. Fostering collaboration among DMOs, local communities and tourism stakeholders to ensure sustainable and inclusive tourism development.

9. Inadequate Information and Data

Solution: The availability and accessibility of accurate and up-to-date information and data on Nigerian tourism should be improved. Steps to achieve this include:

i. Collaborating with local communities, tour operators and other stakeholders to collect and share accurate and up-to-date information.

ii. Developing a comprehensive and centralised tourism information system that includes an online database to disseminate information of tourist destinations, attractions, accommodation facilities, transportation options, safety guidelines and other relevant information to potential tourists, tour operators and other stakeholders.

iii. Creating user-friendly websites, mobile applications and social media platforms to provide information and engage with potential tourists.

10. Limited Community Involvement

Solution: Local communities should be involved in tourism planning, development and decision-making processes. Their representation in tourism governance structures should be ensured to foster community engagement, ownership and empowerment. These can be achieved by:

i. Creating community-based tourism initiatives that promote the conservation of cultural heritage and provide economic opportunities for local communities.

ii. Implementing benefit-sharing mechanisms, such as revenue-sharing arrangements, employment opportunities and capacity building programmes, to ensure that local communities directly benefit from tourism development and this will ensure that tourism development is sustainable and inclusive. Addressing the challenges in the tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Implementing the above solutions and collaborations between the government, private sector operators, educational institutions and local communities will unlock the potential of the tourism/hospitality sector and create a conducive environment for tourism development in Nigeria. This will lead to economic growth through improved revenue generation, job creation, cultural preservation and sustainable development in the industry. Dovish Okojie is an Abuja-based public affairs analyst. He can be reached on dovishokojie@gmail.com

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As the only ethnically neutral zone of the country, with above average income, voter education and awareness, and security atmosphere relatively free from voter intimidation and vote suppression, it logically follows that the legitimacy of any individual aspiring to lead a diverse and significant country like Nigeria should be questioned, if they fail to garner at least 25% of the electoral votes from this special territory.

To unravel the and FCT conundrum, one must know what the military had in mind when they decided to set up a special Federal Capital Territory.

Introduction

On Saturday, 25 February, Nigeria conducted an election for the position of President, which was widely regarded as the most fiercely contested in the country since 1999. On 1 March, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner and President-elect. On 29 May, the Chief Justice of Nigeria swore him in as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and 16th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While the reaction of the international community was mixed, the two major opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, took their dissatisfaction to the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja in petitions challenging the announced outcome of the presidential election.

Their core argument revolves around the President-Elects alleged failure to secure not less than 25% of the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of the States of the Federation, AND the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as mandated by the constitution [capitals added]. They contend that this constitutional requirement was not met in the election.

The challenge to the 25 February presidential election results has revived a well-known constitutional dilemma around the intended meaning of the phrase and FCT in the aforementioned constitutional clause, as distinct from including FCT or plus FCT. While there may be disagreement on the precise interpretation, it seems generally agreed that the intention was not to exclude the FCT from the constitutional requirement.

If indeed the framers of the constitution intended and FCT to mean plus FCT or FCT specifically, the opposition would be justified in challenging INECs declaration of an APC victory. If the interpretation leans towards including FCT, then INECs result would fulfill the specific constitutional requirement, especially considering that the 1999 Constitution also acknowledges that the FCT can be treated as a state.

If the former, then this raises the fundamental question of why the framers of the 1999 Constitution would grant such a special right or privileged status to citizens of Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that voters in other administrative units in the country do not enjoy.

To unravel the and FCT conundrum, it is important to examine what the founding fathers of the 1999 Constitution, all military personnel, had in mind when they decided earlier, in 1976, to build a new capital city on virgin land and set it up as a special federal capital territory. This article analyses the historical context and the public policy considerations that drove the establishment of Abuja as a FCT, in order to inform the ongoing national debate and decision-making concerning the 2023 Presidential Election Petition process.

The Founding Fathers of the FCT/Abuja

Among the various reasons identified for the decision to construct Abuja, two factors stand out prominently. First, there was the notion of national pride. As Africas most populous country and one of the wealthiest, due to its abundant natural resources (further bolstered by the oil boom and petrodollars of the 1970s), Nigeria was seen by both its citizens and the international community as the black giant of Africa and potentially a global leader.

The just concluded May gubernatorial election in Lagos confirmed this fundamental truth about the Nigerian polity. In the weeks and months leading up to that election, the prevailing discourse revolved around the question of who the real owners or indigenes of Lagos are and which individuals or groups possess a more legitimate right to influence and shape the city-states future political trajectory.

The military, as the founding fathers of Abuja in the mid-1970s, believed that Nigeria was destined for greatness. They aspired to build an ultramodern city that would rival Western capitals and serve as a source of national pride and symbol of modernity for black people worldwide. A new capital city in Abuja deliberately located inland and distinct from the congested and traffic-heavy urban landscape of Lagos, the military believed, would establish a modern and prestigious metropolis, simultaneously banishing the conspicuous remnants of British colonial influence in Nigeria. This reinforced the notion of a new, independent Nigeria that had firmly arrived as a legitimate member of the Newer World.

The second significant motivation behind the militarys choice of Abuja was the concept of an administrative framework known as the FCT. Beyond the evident fact that the FCT does not possess the typical characteristics of a Nigerian state, lacking an elected governor but instead having an appointed minister of the FCT, there is a less known yet crucial aspect of national unity and ethnic neutrality.

As I wrote years ago, It is common knowledge that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic countryand that the country has been riffed by ethnic rivalry from its inception. Lagos, obviously, is a Yoruba land and with such a lop-sided ethnic mix (Yoruba, 72.2%; Igbo,15.4%; Edo, 3.17%; and Hausa, 2.05% in 1963), it was felt that the city, as capital, is inimical to the spirit of national unity, as it could never be a place where all Nigerians could lay claim to every available right, privilege and resource on an equal footing. This could only be achieved in a sort of no-mans land where no one ethnic group predominated.

The just concluded May gubernatorial election in Lagos confirmed this fundamental truth about the Nigerian polity. In the weeks and months leading up to that election, the prevailing discourse revolved around the question of who the real owners or indigenes of Lagos are and which individuals or groups possess a more legitimate right to influence and shape the city-states future political trajectory.

The Strategic Location of Abuja  An Attempt To Make it equi-polity-distant For All

Thus, the founding fathers of Abuja in the 1970s and 1980s embarked on a social re-engineering endeavour with the goal of achieving three objectives related to national unity and cohesion. First, they aimed to strategically locate Abuja at the geographical heartland of the country. By doing so, they hoped that both government and development would be brought closer to the governed. This approach aimed to ensure that citizens from all parts of the country had relatively equal access to the capital city in terms of physical distance.

Additionally, it is worth noting that one of the underlying motivations for the establishment of Abuja was a desire to address the concerns of the northern elite for conducting the nations affairs from a capital that was not located so far away in the perceived hostile Southern region. (See Figure 1).

Figure 1: Centrality of FCT in terms of physical distance

The Question of Who Owns Abuja and Making It A Place For All, On Equal Footing?

Second, another key objective pursued by the military proponents of Abuja was to establish a territory that would provide equal rights and opportunities to all Nigerians, devoid of any specific regional or ethnic affiliation. To achieve this strategic objective, the military regime made a series of deliberate and courageous decisions regarding the FCT.

They carefully selected a central area in Nigeria that had a relatively low population density and limited development. This selection was crucial in creating a neutral ground where every Nigerian would be treated equally and have the same rights. In response to this, the military government claimed full ownership of the entire FCT area, granting the Federal Government complete control over the land. Unlike in any of the other 36 states of Nigeria, the Federal Government possesses 100% monopoly control over the land in the FCT.

Third, and significantly, the military decided to compensate and physically relocate all indigenous populations from within the FCT. Approximately 600 villages predominantly inhabited by farmers and potters belonging to the Gbagyi or Gwari ethnic groups, had to be swiftly resettled between 1976 and 1991. Where relocation of the indigenes proved costly, the military government simply decided to excise those parts from the FCT, as can be observed by examining the map of the FCT (Figure 2), where one can notice a distinct V shape at the top. This cutout represents the removal of the present-day Suleja town and its sizable indigenous population from the FCT.

Until such a time that Nigerian political leaders can harness our rich multi-ethnic and cultural heritage into the positive force for change that it is, an emphasis on obtaining at least 25% of the votes in FCT/Abuja as a constitutional requirement may serve as a necessary barometer for both measuring and safeguarding the nations true political pulse in ideals of national unity and democracy.

Figure 2: Map of FCT with a V shape to the top, showing excision of the town of Suleja

These rationales influenced the territorys design and also played a pivotal role in its development as a distinct administrative unit.

Situating FCT/Abuja Within the Political and Democratic Framework of the New Nigeria

During the civilian administration of Shehu Shagari (1979-1983), significant construction work began in Abuja. However, the bold and visionary decisions to build Abuja, along with meticulous planning and the allocation of substantial resources for its groundbreaking and full-scale implementation, were made under Generals Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo (1975-1979). It can be argued that Abuja represents one of the most remarkable and ambitious endeavours in political and social re-engineering for nation-building undertaken by the Nigerian military. Subsequent military rulers  Muhammadu Buhari (1983-1985), Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993), Sani Abacha (1993-1998), Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999), and Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007)  demonstrated increased commitment in terms of political support and financial resources allocated to the project.

Considering the foregoing historical context of the capital relocation, it is reasonable to assume that the military, while formulating the Nigerian Constitution of 1999, deemed it appropriate to uphold the same principles and institutionalise in the political fabric of the country the broad official aims for the new capital, including among others:

To provide for a physical symbol of national unity, and of Nigeria as a symbol of Pan Africa unity; and

To provide a physical expression of the ideal constitutional democratic government.

They had envisioned FCT/Abuja as a place where ethnic considerations would not dictate political power and where the genuine essence of Nigerian polity could emerge unhindered.

Conclusion  FCT/Abuja As Electorate-barometer of the Nations True Pulse and Spirit

It is hoped that this article has provided some insight into history on the FCT/Abuja that many Nigerians may not know, along with how this relates to the constitutional issue about the 25% threshold of voters in the FCT/Abuja. To understand this debate, one must decode the reasons behind its establishment and the great lengths to which successive Nigerian military rulers (1975-2007) went to create a special identity for the territory and enshrine it in the 1999 Constitution.

It is this articles thesis that the outcome of the February presidential election in FCT/Abuja validates the foresight of the Generals who envisioned and implemented the FCT project as a deliberately designed neutral microcosm of Nigeria, where ethnicity did not trump all else  a kind of legitimising litmus test of the ability of an aspiring candidate for the highest office in the land to appeal to and garner threshold support from diverse segments of the population.

Until such a time that Nigerian political leaders can harness our rich multi-ethnic and cultural heritage into the positive force for change that it is, an emphasis on obtaining at least 25% of the votes in FCT/Abuja as a constitutional requirement may serve as a necessary barometer for both measuring and safeguarding the nations true political pulse in ideals of national unity and democracy.

As the only ethnically neutral zone of the country, with above average income, voter education and awareness, and security atmosphere relatively free from voter intimidation and vote suppression, it logically follows that the legitimacy of any individual aspiring to lead a diverse and significant country like Nigeria should be questioned, if they fail to garner at least 25% of the electoral votes from this special territory. The voice of people in the FCT must not be taken lightly (i.e., not among the 24 states mandated by the constitution), or without factoring in its historical context and raison detre. For both the generals and civilians alike, FCT symbolizes true unity, representing a shared national identity about the progressive Nigeria everyone wants.

Erasmus Morah received a PhD from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, in 1990 with a dissertation on the establishment of Nigerias FCT.

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Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has reinstated Muhyi Magaji, the chairman of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), who his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, sacked.

The governors spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, in a statement on Wednesday, told reporters that Mr Magajis reinstatement was with immediate effect in compliance with (a) court order.

Background

In July 2021, the Kano State House of Assembly suspended Mr Magaji as the head of the anti-corruption agency for a month over his alleged opposition to the posting of an accountant to the agency from the Office of the Accountant-General of the state.

The suspension, according to the states assembly, followed a letter of complaint it received from the Office of the Accountant-General of the state.

The former administration never recalled him following his suspension. He was subsequently dismissed.

While on suspension, Mr Magaji sued the Kano state government for denying him his rights and privileges. He asked the court to reverse his suspension.

The National Industrial Court in Abuja later ruled that Mr Magaji is the substantive head of the commission.

The court ordered the Kano State Government to pay Mr Magaji his outstanding salaries and arrears.

The court declared that Mr Magaji be reinstated as the substantive chairman of the anti-corruption commission because he was not given a fair hearing before he was dismissed.

The judge, Ebeye Eseimo, ruled that his dismissal was illegal, null and void.

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Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Florence Obi, has announced the promotion of 35 academic staff members of the institution to the professorial cadre.

Mrs Obi, a professor, made this known at the 234th Senate Meeting, held at the institutions Senate Chamber on Tuesday in Calabar.

According to her, 13 professors and 22 associate professors are beneficiaries of the promotion.

The vice-chancellor said those who made the list of new professors included Basil Akwuegwu (Educational Management), Bob Mgbeje (Biochemistry), Emon Duke (Nursing Science) and Oluwatosin Kennedy (Animal Science).

Others were: Mary Sule (Educational Management), Joseph Ogar (Philosophy), Item Atanghwo (Biochemistry) and Imo Obot, a reverend father (Educational Foundation), among others.

Mrs Obi urged those who benefitted from the promotion to uphold the tenets of sound academic standards.

She added that the institution would continue encouraging and promoting hard work and diligence.

(NAN)

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Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has sworn in 35 new commissioners with a charge for them to be diligent with their assignments.

Mr Nwifuru warned the new commissioners that he would not hesitate to sack any of them who allows lapses in his office, according to a report by Vanguard newspaper.

If I see lapses in your office, you are leaving the next minute and I can never call you back, he told the new commissioners.

As you all know, this is a call to serve, while I congratulate you, I implore you to take your duties seriously and I say it clearly, the appointments are not for political patronage, the governor added.

The commissioners

The newly sworn-in commissioners and their portfolios are:

Stanley Lebechi Mbam (Works and Transport)

Leonard Uguru (Finance)

Matthew Nwobashi (Lands & Survey)

Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education)

Nwogo Obasi (Market Development & Parks)

Elijah Okwu Oko Udu (Skill Development & Job Creation)

Etta Uka Ude (Internal Security)

Victor Chukwu Uzoma (Environment)

Jude Chikadibia Okpor (Information and State Orientation)

Chidi Onyia (Solid Minerals)

Oguzor Offia Nwali (Commerce and Industry)

Aligwe Ann (Human Capital Development)

Paul Awo Nwobashi (Education)

Others are commissioners are:

Uchenna Igwe (local government & chieftaincy matters)

Ben Odo Uruchi (Justice and Attorney-General)

Stanley Ogbuewu, (Culture & Tourism)

Donatus Ilang (Border Peace & Conflict Resolution)

Obichukwu Ngozi (Aviation)

Chinwe Okah (Budget & Planning)

Moses Ekuma Nnanna (Health)

Richard Ugo Idike (Youths & Sports)

Felicia Nwankpuma (Women Affairs)

Chinedu Nkah (Water Resources)

Ogbonna Abara Obashi (Infrastructure)

Francis Ori, (Housing & Urban Development)

Nkechinyere lyioku (Agriculture & Natural Resources)

Uzor Toochukwu Okorie (Information Communication & Technology)

Ogbonna Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring & Evaluation)

Ogbonna Okorie (Inter-Party Affairs)

Valentine Okike-Uzor (Special Duty)

Inyima Sunday (Capital City)

Peter Oge Ali (Power & Energy)

Elechi Elechi (Investment)

Solomon Azi (Grant & Donour Agencies)

Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development)

Mr Nwifurus number of commissioners (35) is eight above the number of commissioners (27) appointed by his predecessor, Dave Umahi, who exited office as governor on 29 May.

More appointments

Aside from the commissioners, the governor also swore in Emmanuel Echiegu as the chief of staff and Timothy Nwachi as the deputy chief of staff.

Governor Nwifuru urged the new commissioners and appointees to join hands with him to transform the state.

He also warned that his administration would not tolerate indolence from them.

Our State is very charged, waiting for our leadership style and we must show them what we have for them and show them that we have the capacity to deliver, he said.

The governor thanked residents of the state for their patience with his administration, assuring that he would hit the ground running to deliver on his campaign promises.

Speaking on behalf of the new appointees, the Chief of Staff, Mr Echiegu, a professor, thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in his administration.

He assured the governor that they would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Governor Nwifuru, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, is the immediate past Speaker of the State Assembly.

He succeeded Mr Umahi, who won an election to represent Ebonyi South District in the 10th Senate.

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The Abia State Government says it will revitalise the state-owned cocoa processing industry to boost the production of the commodity and enhance the economic fortunes of the state.

The State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, announced this on Tuesday during a meeting with the members of the State Cocoa Transformation Committee in Umuahia.

He said that Nigeria was the largest exporter of cocoa after Cote dIvoire; hence the state government was poised to explore the entire value chain in producing and processing the commodity.

He added that the government would provide funding and training for cocoa farmers to adopt improved ways of farming to boost production.

We are determined to make Abia State one of the largest producers of cocoa in Nigeria, he said.

Mr Emetu said that the meeting was to acquaint the farmers with the governments policy thrust on cocoa production and remind them of the imperatives of cocoa production.

He explained that cocoa production enhanced food security, good nutrition, organic fertilisers, and raw materials for industries and served as a source of foreign exchange.

The deputy governor expressed displeasure over the leasing out of Agbozu Cocoa Estate, a government-owned property, in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area of the state.

He requested the lease agreement from Okey Ihedioha, permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.

In his remarks, Mr Ihedioha said that the state was blessed with cocoa-producing belts in areas such as the Ibere community in Ikwuano Local Government Area and Itumbuzo community in Bende Local Government Area.

He said the state would produce more cocoa with government support.

ALSO READ: Cocoa farmers protest eviction from Ondo forest reserve

Abia was ranked eighth in cocoa production, leaving room for improvement, according to John Kalu, the state chairperson of the Cocoa Farmers Association.

Mr Kalu urged the government to subsidise the rates of inputs and distribute improved cocoa seedlings to farmers for mass production and bumper harvest.

The representative of the Cocoa Institute of Nigeria, Prince Olaniyi, expressed disappointment that the only government-owned cocoa plantation had been leased out.

He said out of the cocoa-producing states, Abia had one of the best cocoa seeds nationwide.

(NAN)

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A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Hakeem Odumosu, has denied being appointed as the chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Reports emerged on Tuesday that the former commissioner of police in Lagos had been appointed to replace the suspended Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Good Morning everyone, I have been inundated with so many calls and messages between yesterday and today on a purported EFCC Appointment. I just want to use this opportunity to debunk this information and say its totally untrue, Mr Odumosu was quoted as saying.

President Bola Tinubu had suspended the former chairman of the anti-graft for abuse of office on 14 June.

The suspension was due to weighty allegations of abuse of office, against Mr Bawa, a statement from the presidency said.

Mr Bawas suspension was to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The main goal within the strategy of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is to ensure energy security in Azerbaijan and in the region as a whole, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf said during the panel discussion themed "Human resource management in public and private enterprises" as part of the Human Resources Summit 2023, Trend reports.

According to him, we are talking about the use of sustainable and progressive technologies while ensuring energy security.

"Human resources are the most important and most important of all in achieving the set goals and moving forward confidently. Currently, the most contested resource is human resources. Their development, as well as the development of human capital, is an ongoing process," he noted.

"All people, regardless of where they receive education, in the epoch of dynamic development, constantly need even more training, joining it through constant self-improvement," Najaf added.

The "Human Resources Summit 2023" forum has started its work in Baku today.

The event is attended by heads of a number of government agencies, representatives of international organizations in Azerbaijan, foreign experts, specialists in the field of human resources, MPs, and representatives of the media.
VIENNA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium Vienna coffee roaster, Julius Meinl, has announced award-winning pastry chef and author, Antonio Bachour, as its Global Brand Ambassador.

The partnership is driven by the shared values between Julius Meinl and Antonio Bachour, including a deep passion for exceptional taste, a common vision to create meaningful moments in people's lives, and a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Antonio Bachour becomes global ambassador for premium Vienna coffee roaster Julius Meinl

Renowned for his hyper-creative desserts, Antonio Bachour has won numerous awards, has been named one of the best pastry chefs in the United States, and has received the Best Pastry Chef in the World Award from the prestigious Best Chefs Foundation, the world's leading culinary award platform.

Antonio Bachour, who speaks with excitement about becoming an ambassador for one of the oldest coffee roasters in the world, stated: "I have chosen this coffee brand because Julius Meinl embodies tradition, elegance and a long-standing culture with social and environmental responsibility. It's a trusted brand with a strong reputation that shares the same values as me, one of the most important being the contentment of offering people moments of pure enjoyment and happiness through our food and drinks. To stand here as an ambassador is an absolute pleasure."

Commenting on this collaboration, Razvan Talpau, Managing Director at Julius Meinl North America, said: "We are extremely honoured to partner with Antonio Bachour and be part of the unwavering pursuit of excellence and extraordinary creativity that delight the most discerning tastes. By combining our expertise and passion for coffee with Antonio's innovative approach to flavours, we can offer a truly exceptional experience to our customers. The fact that we stand in a position to be able to collaborate with someone who shares and recognises all that Julius Meinl stands for is truly humbling."

Antonio, who has been proudly serving Julius Meinl coffee in his award-winning pastry shop in Miami, has chosen to introduce an Original Bio & Fairtrade certified Coffee Blend this fall, which he highly appreciates: "Every extraordinary creation begins with the finest ingredients. Julius Meinl's 'The Originals Blend Gloriette Gold' embodies the perfect harmony of exceptional aromas and premium quality, and will pair exceptionally well with my desserts."

As part of his collaboration with the Vienna Coffeehouse Brand, Antonio will showcase the exceptional synergies by promoting the partnership in relevant channels, developing special projects and bespoke creations, as well as attending key events, including Host Milano.

About Julius Meinl: Founded in 1862, Julius Meinl is one of the oldest coffee roasters in the world and an iconic Vienna coffee house brand. Today Meinl coffees and teas are sold in over 50,000 hospitality venues in 70 countries.

About Antonio Bachour: Throughout his career, Antonio has been associated with globally renowned hotels and patisseries, including overseeing the St. Regis in Miami, and the dessert programs for 3* Michelin Chef Jean Georges' outlets at the hotel. His success has resulted in him opening four bakeries and publishing six books.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105197/Antonio_Bachour_becomes_global_ambassador.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105198/Julius_Meinl_logo.jpg

SOURCE Julius Meinl
DUBAI, UAE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), in a strategic partnership with UNESCO and the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA), upgrades the 'Climate x' Campaign it initiated last year to contribute to the progress of global climate governance and the success of the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).

The Climate x Campaign 2023

The Campaign aims to mobilize global multi-stakeholders to cultivate future climate leaders, with a particular focus on the synergistic perspective between climate change and other UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 'Climate x' Leadership Training Program 2023 (the 'Climate x' Training), which is the first flagship program of the Campaign, has received an enthusiastic response from global youth. Within just one week, over 1,000 college students from over 70 nations and regions have applied. The application portal will remain open at http://climatexleadership.gauc.net/ until June 30th.

"The innovative actions and contributions of young people on promoting carbon neutrality, addressing climate change and achieving the SDGs are remarkable," said Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office for East Asia and Representative to China, DPRK, Japan, Mongolia and ROK, at the launching ceremony of the 'Climate x' Training. "International organizations, educational institution alliances, policy makers and the private sectors should work together to provide a global platform for them, so that their talents can be lightened, their voices can be heard and their actions can be seen."

A paradigm shifts

Being an existential challenge, climate change is closely interconnected with all the other UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and holds transforming impact across social and economic sectors. The transition towards a carbon-neutral economy is a paradigm shift that will give rise to a new model of development.

As its theme indicates, the 'Climate x' Campaign emphasizes the synergy between climate change and other SDGs and features a three-dimensional structure to engage with the broadest multi-stakeholders. At the national level, the Training aims at fostering future climate leaders. On the regional scale, a Regional Forum on Climate Change is to encourage broader academic collaboration. At the international level, the Global Youth Climate Week, a brand-new mechanism co-initiated by GAUC and its global partners, is to amplify youth climate action worldwide.

Thanks to the collective strength of GAUC's member universities and the firm support from its global partners, the first 'Climate x' Campaign harvested significant success. It cultivated 100 young students from GAUC's member universities to take the lead in climate actions, mobilized over 40 universities across Africa ahead of the COP27 in Egypt, and attracted over 100 multi-stakeholders on 6 continents to support the climate actions of youths. At the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), the representative students selected from the training issued an open letter to global climate leaders in Sharm el Sheikh, and handed it personally to 5 national heads of state, 14 ministers from 11 countries, and a dozen government delegations.

Building upon the success from last year, the Campaign 2023 will adhere to its mission and structure while further enhancing the inclusivity and impact.

U28 for COP28

Given that COP28 will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), GAUC has established a strategic partnership with the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA), which comprises 15 member universities across Asia.

With the University of Tokyo and Tsinghua University being members of both alliances, this partnership brings together the educational and academic resources of 28 universities worldwide, with a special focus on Asia. During the Campaign, the member universities from the two alliances will collaborate to provide interdisciplinary online courses for the 'Climate x' Training. Moreover, they will work closely to raise global awareness of Asia's climate challenges and to mobilize the network of higher education institutions across the continent for decisive climate efforts leading up to and following COP28.

In addition to the expanded collaboration within the higher education sector, the Campaign also witnesses even more concrete support from global partners across a wide range of industries, including UNESCO, UNITAR, and Arab Youth Council on Climate Change, among others.

Train the Trainers

To empower more young individuals and enable them to embrace the opportunities presented by the paradigm shift and lead future climate initiatives, the 'Climate x' Training 2023 is open to college students worldwide.

"Youth are the backbone of the net-zero future. The 'Climate x' Training is designed to help them shoulder this historic responsibility." said Dr. WANG Binbin, the Executive Secretary-General of GAUC. "It will impart academic knowledge, expand their global perspective, and deepen their understanding of global climate governance. Moreover, we hope it serves as a guiding light, facilitating their journey towards self-fulfillment."

Featuring the 'Train the Trainer' approach within a "1+3" module, the training program is dedicated to empowering students to transition from being learners of climate knowledge to becoming leaders of climate action. The module is divided into two parts: "1" represents the online coursework spanning one month in July, while "3" symbolizes the three hybrid events that enrolled students must organize from August to November.

As an integral part of the 'Climate x' Campaign, the Global Youth Climate Week 2023, scheduled from November 20th to 24th this year, will provide a platform for all training participants to showcase their third event and bring the climate actions of college students to the international arena.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107481/The__Climate_x__Campaign_2023.jpg

SOURCE Global Alliance of Universities on Climate
CHANGZHOU, China, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 World New Energy Expo is held in Changzhou, China from June 19 to 21. With the theme "Innovation in energy create a better future for Changzhou", it aims to promote the shift of industrial structure towards the "New Energy" and the transformation of energy structure towards the "Green Power", according to the organizing committee of the Expo.

2023 World New Energy Expo

During the exhibition, the Hurun Research Institute releases the "Hurun China New Energy Cities 2023" report, which lists the Top 50 cities in terms of new energy industry concentration in China. Changzhou ranks fourth, and it is the only second-tier city to make it to the Top 10. Changzhou ranks first nationwide in terms of investment attractiveness and concentration, reflecting its significant influence and great development potential in the field of new energy.

Changzhou is an established "Industrial Star" and has inherent advantages in becoming a leading "Capital of New Energy" that influences the entire Yangtze River Delta, radiates throughout the country, and has a global impact. It is known that Changzhou has the most comprehensive industrial system among similar cities in China, with the highest number of national manufacturing champions and industrial awards among prefecture-level cities. Changzhou is home not only to headquarter-based leading companies such as CALB, SVOLT, and Trina Solar but also hosts manufacturing bases and research institutions for over 70% of China's leading companies in various segments, including CATL, Li Auto, BYD, BTR, and SENIOR.

This year's expo brings together 200 new energy companies around the world. Through comprehensive, wide-ranging, and multi-level exhibitions, it showcases all aspects of the development of the new energy industry, aiming to promote the deep integration of innovation chains, industrial chains, funding chains, and talent chains.

The purpose of hosting the World New Energy Expo is to provide a platform for the significant development of the new energy industry and the realization of "future scenarios". It aims to create a fertile ground for the explosive growth of new energy. The expo stimulates production through exhibitions, integrates and improve the industry chain, striving to create an ongoing event of technological, intellectual, and business exchange.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441198

Caption: 2023 World New Energy Expo

SOURCE The Organizing Committee of the 2023 World New Energy Expo
The qualification enables the production of hard-to-process tungsten powder to produce additive manufacturing parts for new nuclear applications, hypersonics as well as other applications in aerospace that require high temperature.

PITTSBURGH and HUDDERSFIELD, England, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 6K Additive, a division of 6K Inc. and leader in the sustainable production of materials for additive manufacturing, and Wayland Additive, developer of the NeuBeam metal additive manufacturing (AM) process, have announced that 6K Additive's sustainably produced tungsten powder has been qualified for processing by Wayland's NeuBeam print process to address new applications with parts made in the nuclear, aerospace and hypersonic sectors. This collaboration and qualification of 6K Additive's tungsten powder will set the standard for high-strength, heat resistant parts that are printed using the NeuBeam technology.

Tungsten is a refractory metal with the highest melting point of any metal at 3422C / 6191F making processing exceptionally challenging. Tungsten is known for its exceptional hardness, high melting point, and excellent thermal conductivity. It has been widely used in various industries including aerospace, defense, energy and medical where its unique properties are highly sought after. The combination of the NeuBeam EBM technology and 6K Additive produced tungsten powder also addresses the requirements sought after in the nuclear market.

Will Richardson, CEO of Wayland Additive explained: "Wayland Additive has removed the barriers associated with traditional e-beam technologies with our NeuBeam process, allowing a wider range of metals and alloys to be additively processed. 6K Additive can produce these hard-to-process materials at scale, ready for use in the NeuBeam enabled Calibur3 system. We are particularly excited about the opportunities we are uncovering here in the UK for nuclear applications which require the material properties of tungsten."

Frank Roberts, President of 6K Additive added: "The UniMelt process can create a virtually infinite range of materials, including hard-to-manufacture metals and alloys. While these materials have exceptional properties, they are equally hard to process with traditional AM technologies and often present commercial challenges due to their high cost. Through the combination of our two innovative technologies, 6K Additive and Wayland can produce and process metals that have previously proved elusive. The exceptional properties of refractory metals like tungsten can now be exploited fully through additive manufacturing, opening up exciting new applications in the nuclear, aerospace and defense sectors."

6K Additive's production-scale microwave plasma process, UniMelt, precisely spheroidizes metal powders while controlling the chemistry and porosity of the final product. This revolutionary technology uses the microwave plasma process to manufacture many of the difficult to produce metal powders including refractories like tungsten, rhenium, tantalum, niobium and molybdenum. Yields of greater than 90% within the desired particle size as well as the ability to use scrap and revert as feedstock makes the process significantly more environmentally sustainable and commercially viable compared with traditional atomization technologies.

Wayland Additive's NeuBeam is an e-beam powder bed fusion (PBF) process that effectively neutralizes the charge accumulation generated by the electron beam, which is a major limitation of traditional e-beam technologies. Eliminating the charge removes the need for pre-sintering of the bed, allowing parts to be easily removed without a hardened sinter cake. The NeuBeam process can produce fully dense parts in a wide range of materials, many of which are not compatible with traditional e-beam or laser PBF processes such as refractory metals and highly reflective alloys.

6K Additive is the world's first producer of AM powder made from sustainable sources and offers a full suite of premium powder including nickel, titanium, copper, stainless steel, aluminum alloys and refractory metals such as tungsten, niobium (C103) and rhenium. The proprietary UniMelt system is the world's only microwave production-scale plasma system, with a highly uniform and precise plasma zone with zero contamination and high throughput production capabilities. The UniMelt process produces powders that are truly spherical, void of porosity and satellites, with better flowability than other processes. Companies interested in working with 6K Additive regarding their specific powder requirements are urged to visit 6K Additive's website 6KAdditive.com.

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.

About Wayland Additive

Wayland Additive Limited is a UK- based company pushing the boundaries of electron beam 3D printing. Wayland's goal is to develop, manufacture and sell metal Additive Manufacturing ("AM"  3D printing) machines to industrial end-users such as major players in the aerospace and medical industries.

Wayland's technology is based around highly sophisticated evolutions from the worlds of scanning electron microscopy and electron beam lithography. As a result of these innovations the machines offer higher productivity, unparalleled process monitoring and control, and versatility in materials.

SOURCE 6K
Toyota Mobility Foundation launches a three-year Sustainable Cities Challenge to bring cities and innovators together

The Challenge aims to help cities reduce carbon, improve access, enhance data-driven concepts for more resilient transport systems

Three cities will work with innovators to tailor solutions to overcome their mobility barriers

LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toyota Mobility Foundation, in partnership with Challenge Works and World Resources Institute, has launched a $9 million global challenge to help cities adapt to the future, with the potential to transform the lives of millions around the world.

$9 Million Global City Challenge Launched to Drive Safe, Inclusive, and Sustainable Innovation in City Mobility

As cities grow and evolve, the challenges of moving people and goods in reliable, efficient, and inclusive ways have never been more essential. At the same time, opportunities to apply advances in transport modes, infrastructure design, operations, energy options, and connected data systems have never been more promising.

The Sustainable Cities Challenge aims to improve the lives of people by increasing access to jobs, education and other essential services. It will bring cities and innovators together to implement mobility solutions that could reduce carbon, improve accessibility, and use data to build more resilient transport systems.

"Our experience over the past decade has underscored the importance of local cities' buy-in and engagement with our activities," Ryan Klem, director of programs at the Toyota Mobility Foundation, said. "Throughout the Sustainable Cities Challenge, we are looking to work alongside cities to find innovative solutions in the areas they identify as critical to develop a scalable model for the cities of tomorrow."

https://youtu.be/BWyvepfq90c

Call for Entries

Entry to the first stage of the Challenge is open to city leaders and municipal governments, transport departments and other related local and regional agencies. Entries should be submitted according to one or more of the following three themes:

Expanding access to safe, affordable, and inclusive modes of transportation

Harnessing the power of data to create connected and resilient mobility ecosystems

Reducing environmental impact through low-carbon and renewable energy solutions

Shortlisted cities will be invited to attend a capacity building academy in the U.S. and will receive support developing their challenge design, becoming part of a wider network of other innovative city teams.

In February 2024, three winning cities will be selected to host a City Challenge to attract entries from global innovators. Innovators could be homegrown - living in the city or country chosen - or maybe from anywhere across the globe, but with solutions applicable and adapted to the winning cities.

The winning innovators for each city will be announced in late 2024, and the cities and innovators will share $9 million in funding to test and roll out their solutions.

Increase mobility solutions for a more sustainable future

Many cities are now adapting to new behaviors and lifestyles, as our lives move increasingly online, and patterns of work change. With more than half of the world's population currently living in cities, the United Nations predicts this will increase to two-thirds by 2050. Additionally, cities are responsible for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Sustainable Cities Challenge is funded by the Toyota Mobility Foundation and has been designed in partnership with Challenge Works and World Resources Institute. Challenge Works is an international leader in developing challenge programs to drive new thinking and find creative solutions to problems facing society. World Resources Institute is a global research organization which works with partners to develop practical solutions that improve people's lives and ensure that nature can thrive.

"Brilliant people all over the world are working hard to create innovative solutions to help mobility systems work better, and with a lower carbon footprint," Kathy Nothstine, head of future cities at Challenge Works, said. "The Sustainable Cities Challenge will help those innovators interface with cities to test and adapt solutions according to local needs to improve people's lives. Challenges like this can act as catalysts for change by accelerating innovation in real world settings."

In addition to helping cities decarbonize, transforming mobility systems will help cities become more inclusive and accessible for the people living in them. Currently, 1.2 billion people living in cities do not have access to one or more core services.

"Cities are in need of innovations to foster sustainable mobility that reduces emissions, improves health, and increases access to jobs and opportunity for all," Ben Welle, director of integrated transport and innovation at World Resources Institute's Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, said. "The Sustainable Cities Challenge is an excellent opportunity for cities globally to build capacity and support innovators to work hand in hand with officials."

To find out more and to enter, visit the Sustainable Cities Challenge website .

About Toyota Mobility Foundation

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores Toyota's on-going commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota's expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world.

In the past, TMF has led a range of Challenges, including the global Mobility Unlimited Challenge , CATCH in Malaysia, InoveMob Challenge in Brazil and STAMP Challenge in India. You can find out more about TMF and how it is governed at toyotamobilityfoundation.org

About Challenge Works

For a decade, Challenge Works has established itself as a global leader in designing and delivering high impact challenges that incentivize cutting-edge innovation for social good. Challenge Works is a social enterprise founded by the UK's innovation agency Nesta. In the last 10 years, they have run more than 80 prizes, distributed 100 million in funding, and engaged with more than 12,000 innovators. Challenge Works believe no challenge is unsolvable, partnering with non-profits, governments, and other organizations around the globe to unearth the entrepreneurs and their innovations that can solve the greatest challenges of our time. Visit them at https://challengeworks.org/

About World Resources Institute

World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization with offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, and regional offices for Africa and Europe. WRI's 1,700 staff work with partners to develop practical solutions that improve people's lives and ensure nature can thrive. Learn more: WRI.org and on Twitter @WorldResources .

Media Contacts

Julie Ann Burandt

[email protected]

Valarie Oladeinde

[email protected]

SOURCE Toyota Mobility Foundation
Sierra is based on ADAMA's unique formulation technology platform for improved consumer traits and robust efficacy on key broadleaf weeds

BEIJING and TEL AVIV, Israel, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ADAMA Ltd. (SZSE 000553), a leading global crop protection company, announces the registration of Sierra, its self-produced Saflufenacil-based herbicide formulation, the first off-patent product based on this active ingredient, in Australia.

Sierra, powered by ADAMA's unique formulation technology platform, provides farmers with a critical resistance management tool for improved knockdown of annual grass and broadleaf weeds in various crop and non-crop situations, while maximizing efficiency and minimizing loss of valuable soil moisture. Sierra's superior and consistent performance in comparison to existing solutions has been confirmed by more than 100 trials conducted across different conditions.

"This significant milestone is the first global registration of Saflufenacil, one of the active ingredients in our 'Core Leap' strategy," said Walter Costa, VP Marketing and Product Strategy at ADAMA. "The registration in Australia of this important molecule demonstrates our dedication to delivering innovative solutions that meet farmers' needs and ADAMA's agility to bring that strategy to life. We are excited to bring this patented, high-performance product to the market. It is part of our commitment to offer a complete range of crop protection solutions to cereals and pulse growers around the globe."

ADAMA expects further registration approvals for this product to be obtained in the upcoming years in Brazil, Canada, Argentina, South Africa and others.

About ADAMA's Core Leap strategy

To increase the commercial potential and sustainability of ADAMA's portfolio, the company identified 24 leading active ingredients coming off patent. These active ingredients form the building blocks of ADAMA's innovation pipeline. ADAMA's proprietary Formulation Technology Platforms further optimize the performance of these molecules, transforming them into more effective, sustainable, and user-friendly products.

About ADAMA

ADAMA Ltd. is a global leader in crop protection, providing solutions to farmers across the world to combat weeds, insects and disease. ADAMA has one of the widest and most diverse portfolios of active ingredients in the world, as well as state-of-the-art R&D, manufacturing and formulation facilities. With a culture that empowers our people to listen to farmers and ideate from the field, ADAMA is uniquely positioned to offer a vast array of distinctive mixtures, formulations and high-quality differentiated products, delivering solutions that meet local farmer and customer needs in over 100 countries globally. For more information, visit us at www.ADAMA.com and follow us on Twitter at @ADAMAAgri.

ADAMA Contact:

Tal Moise

Public Relations

Email: [email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/799829/Adama_Agricultural_Solutions_Logo.jpg

SOURCE ADAMA Ltd.
Details added: first version posted on 15:32

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The main goal within the strategy of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is to ensure energy security in Azerbaijan and in the region as a whole, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf said during the panel discussion themed "Human resource management in public and private enterprises" as part of the Human Resources Summit 2023, Trend reports.

According to him, we are talking about the use of sustainable and progressive technologies while ensuring energy security.

"Human resources are the most important and most important of all in achieving the set goals and moving forward confidently. Currently, the most contested resource is human resources. Their development, as well as the development of human capital, is an ongoing process," he noted.

"All people, regardless of where they receive education, in the epoch of dynamic development, constantly need even more training, joining it through constant self-improvement," Najaf added.

The "Human Resources Summit 2023" forum has started its work in Baku today.

The event is attended by heads of a number of government agencies, representatives of international organizations in Azerbaijan, foreign experts, specialists in the field of human resources, MPs, and representatives of the media.
One of the nation's largest wealth management firms has rebranded to reflect a bold vision for the future

PHOENIX, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisor Group, one of the nation's largest networks of independent wealth management firms, announced that it has changed its name and rebranded as Osaic.

The firm announced plans to rebrand and transition its eight firms into one earlier this year and shared the new brand today during a livestream event. After extensive research and thousands of interviews, the company chose a new name and brand platform that reflect the firm's heritage and history while also demonstrating the firm's commitment to the next generation of financial professional and investor.

"We are excited to announce our new brand and believe it truly pulls together our culture, community, experience, and diversity of thought into one inspiring story," said Jamie Price, President & CEO, Osaic. "It's the perfect confluence of everything we are today and everything we plan to become in the future. We developed the Osaic brand for the advisors we serve today and those we will serve tomorrow. It was also built with their end-clients in mind, because we know they are who matter most to our advisors, and when they thrive, we all thrive."

By bringing all eight of its wealth management firms together under one brand, Osaic will be better positioned to serve its financial professionals by offering them access to the full breadth of capabilities and expertise that the firm's growing scale provides. The simplified business structure will reduce complexity through a unified platform, technology stack, procedures, and support model.

"As we went through the brand and naming process, we decided to go with a brand that could be uniquely ours. The mission and promise underlying Osaic is that we will leverage our scale, resources, and expertise to help our financial professionals reach their full potential, as business leaders and as partners to their clients," said Greg Cornick, President, Advice and Wealth Management, Osaic.

Starting this fall, each of the current wealth management firms previously under Advisor Group will transition into Osaic. The firm has a well-crafted plan to ensure a smooth transition of financial professionals' businesses, without the need for repapering accounts.

The plan was also developed to maintain relationships and communities that have been cultivated over time. The individual firms will unify under the new brand in phases over the next 18-24 months. Financial professionals will reap multiple benefits from reduced corporate, brand, and operational complexity, including:

Enriched peer-to-peer sharing, conversations, and networking without artificial barriers

An improved experience with unified service and support teams

Innovative technology solutions delivered through a common tech stack unencumbered by legacy systems

Streamlined operations that results in more efficient procedures

Consistent, best-in-class regulatory and compliance policies

Acquisition, succession, and business continuity planning across the firm's 11,000 financial professionals will become a more seamless experience with no repapering

For more information, please refer to the replay of the brand announcement livestream.

About OSAIC

Osaic, Inc. ("Osaic"), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners, is one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management solutions, supporting over 11,000 financial professionals. Our mission is to support the strategic role that financial professionals can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Osaic champions the enduring value of financial professionals. For more information visit www.osaic.com

Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: FSC Securities Corporation, Osaic Wealth, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, Infinex Investments, Inc., and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., broker-dealers and member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by FSC Securities Corporation, Osaic Wealth, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC., and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser.

Media Inquiries

Joseph Kuo / Donald Cutler

Haven Tower Group

[email protected] or [email protected]

424 317 4851 or 424 317 4864

SOURCE Osaic, Inc.
BRUSSELS, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amrop Partnership, a premier leadership and Executive Search consultancy with 67 offices in 54 countries, re-elected Hamburg, Germany-based Annika Farin as Chair to direct the global group for a second term of three years.

Since her initial election in 2020, Farin, a Founding Partner of Amrop in Germany, has successfully led Amrop's global partnership through the pandemic while building a strong strategic alliance with US-based JM Search, and growing the group significantly.

"We still see Executive Search and leadership advisory as an art. It's supported yet challenged by so many current trends, among them social media and AI. Our founding partners created Amrop to offer bespoke services to our clients nearly 50 years ago, which today we are more committed to than ever", Farin said.

Asked about the reasons for her successful steering of the firm, Farin said: "We have nearly 200 strong, very entrepreneurial Partners around the globe. Our firm is all about stimulating ideas, allowing for communication and nurturing what is our strongest asset  our culture."

What is to come during her second term? "A lot is challenging our clients, be it the energy transformation, a lack of talent caused by an ageing workforce in many parts of the world, or the continuous need for better governance across industries. Our role as strategic advisors will develop even further during the next years. We are confident to grow our partnership even further."

Following the General Election, two new members were also appointed to the Global Board at Amrop: Jeff Rosin , Managing Partner at Amrop Rosin Canada, and Mikael Norr , a Managing Partner at Amrop Sweden.

To learn more about Amrop's leadership consulting and Executive Search services, please visit www.amrop.com .

About Amrop

Amrop is a global leadership consulting firm, offering retained executive search, Board and leadership advisory services. We advise the world's most dynamic, agile organizations on identifying and positioning Leaders For What's Next - adept at working across borders, in markets around the world. Established in 1977, Amrop operates in Asia, EMEA and the Americas.

Media Contact:



The Amrop Partnership SC

Rue Abbe Cuypers 3

1040 Brussels, Belgium

T. +32 471 733 825

E. [email protected]

Brigitte Arhold, COO

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1755576/Amrop_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Amrop
Workers Organize for Better Wages, Greater Safety

LYNWOOD, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers at Amuse, a cannabis distribution company in Southern California, have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 630.

"These workers stood strong because they aren't afraid to stand up for themselves," said Lou Villalvazo, Local 630 Secretary-Treasurer. "We look forward to getting them a strong contract that addresses the issues that are important to them  security, regular wage increases, respect, and a voice on the job."

"We're expanding our reach among California cannabis distributors because workers see the difference we make firsthand," said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region Vice President and Food Processing Division Director. "They recognize the Teamsters is the best union to ensure that they have long-term, prosperous careers in this exciting, burgeoning industry."

Elias Valenzuela Jr. is a driver and member of the organizing committee who was previously a member of the United Auto Workers. He got interested in organizing Amuse when he saw a worker from a different company dropping off product in a cannabis Teamsters shirt.

"When we first started handing out authorization cards, almost everyone signed up  it was really quick," Valenzuela said. "People realized that this company isn't moving with us, and we have to move up. A message I have for other cannabis workers about why they should unionize is corporate greed is still strong and alive, and it's never going away until we stand up and say enough is enough."

Established in 1937, Teamsters Local 630 represents workers in various industries, from clerical, warehouse, professional drivers, food service, liquor, food processing, dairy, and more. For more information, go to teamsters630.org.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (617) 894-0669

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 630
Latest scientific research shows Softstar Shoes increase foot muscle size in children.

PHILOMATH, Ore., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent scientific research study of elementary aged school children wearing Softstar shoes confirms that minimalist shoes increase foot muscle growth in kids. It is the first scientific study focusing exclusively on children's foot development, and the results are consistent with existing research that until now has focused mainly on adults. While kids are inarguably the biggest fans of being barefoot, they now have their first piece of scientific evidence that their natural instincts are, in fact, best for growing feet.

Minimal footwear for kids will increase muscle development that is important for balance and stability. Kids are undoubtedly the biggest fans of barefoot-like footwear, and now there is scientific evidence that their natural instincts are, in fact, best for growing feet.

"Softstar is proud to be part of the first scientific research study showing minimal shoes increase muscle size in Childrens' feet."

 Softstar CEO Tricia Salcido

The recent research study was conducted by scientists from the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, and the University of South Florida[1]. The study looked at children aged 8-12 attending a private school in Sydney where black dress shoes were required by uniform. The researchers wanted the most barefoot-like shoes which would meet the approval of the school dress code. They found their ideal shoes with Softstar, a well-respected USA brand of barefoot shoes. The Softstar Primal RunAmocs have a minimalist rating of 94%, where 100% represents the highest degree of minimalism.

The minimalist rating is a standardized research index[2] to compare footwear. It considers the weight, stack height, heel-to-doe-drop, use of stability / motion control technologies and flexibility of each shoe. Most minimal shoe brands are moderately ranked in the 40-70% rating range. Softstar shoes are among the most minimalist shoes available, closer to protective leather gloves than traditional footwear.

After eight months of wearing the Softstar shoes during school hours, researchers found statistically significant increases in flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle size in the group that wore Softstar Shoes compared to the control group. FDB muscles are the large muscle belly on the bottom of the feet in charge of toe flexion as well as stabilizing and supporting the foot during movement. Choosing well-fitting minimalist shoes over padded, inflexible footwear is an important way to help children's feet develop muscle size even while doing more sedentary activities like being in school.

Parents are always looking for the latest edge to help their children thrive. While most emphasis is put on nutrition, sleep habits and exercise, sometimes it is easy to miss the low hanging fruit, like choosing healthier footwear. Feet are the foundation of our amazing and complex muscular and skeletal systems. Improving foot development in childhood can not only prevent long-term problems but can give kids immediate improvements in muscle structure.

Also of equal health importance, cautions Softstar CEO Tricia Salcido, is ensuring your kids have enough space for their feetwhich can be tricky when children's feet seem to grow overnight! Check your kids' shoe fit every 6-8 weeks to ensure they still have plenty of room, and when it is time to size up, steer towards the most barefoot-like, breathable footwear in your budget.

Softstar is a certified B Corp that has been designing and handcrafting minimal leather footwear in the USA since 1985.

Contact:

Anna Lammers

541-936-9300

[email protected]

Softstar Shoes

Philomath, OR 97370

1 Roy T.H. Cheung, Shayan Quinlan, Alycia Fong-Yan and Irene S. Davis. Softstar, Western Sydney University (Australia), The University of Sydney (Australia), University of South Florida (USA) research collaboration report. (2 February 2023)

2 Jean-Francois Esculier et al. A consensus definition and rating scale for minimalist shoes (Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2015) 8:42.

SOURCE Softstar Shoes
G&E's new Baltimore-based litigator-advocate has fearlessly held abusers and enablers accountable

BALTIMORE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran trial attorney and sexual abuse survivors advocate Steven J. Kelly is the newest partner in the Baltimore Office of Wilmington-based Grant & Eisenhofer. The Baltimore native has devoted his career to fearlessly fighting for justice for crime victims, including those preyed upon by serial sexual abusers enabled by their employers. Over the past two decades his passionate, skillful representation of the voiceless and vulnerable has resulted in numerous precedent-setting verdicts and settlements in high-profile civil actions, many following prosecutions of perpetrators for an array of felonies, including homicide, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, and child exploitation. Outside state and federal courthouses, Mr. Kelly has been a formidable fighter for the rights of survivors, serving on victims' rights boards and commissions, testifying on proposed legislation before state and federal panels, and training advocates, prosecutors, and judges.

Jay Eisenhofer, G&E's Managing Director and Co-founder, announced the hiring of this "pioneering Partner", who joins the firm's renowned Civil Rights, Sexual Assault / Harassment & Discrimination practice group. "We are incredibly fortunate to add Steve Kelly to our team of immensely talented attorneys whose practices focus on obtaining justice for child and adult victims, survivors of heinous crimes, who deserve the level exceptional experience, skill and determination exemplified by Steve over his distinguished career," said Mr. Eisenhofer. "He is an innovator, in Maryland and nationally, in providing pro bono civil representation to crime victims during the criminal prosecution of their assailants, and throughout their civil proceedings. As a native son of Maryland, he has been particularly involved in battling for survivors rights there, and transitions seamlessly into new representations, including our work on behalf of countless victims of clergy sex abuse with enactment of the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023."

Mr. Kelly said recently joining G&E, after several years in the Baltimore office of Sanford Heisler Sharp, where he founded and co-headed its Criminal/Sexual Violence group, is an incredible honor. "I have been fortunate my entire career, since graduating law school and clerking for a federal judge, to have worked with remarkable professionals from whom I've learned and honed my craft in the service of crime victims, our society's most vulnerable citizens who generally remain a vastly under-represented group. G&E, a firm I've long respected and admired, is an ideal fit for my practice and I'm delighted to report that we've hit the ground running, actually sprinting."

It is well known in legal circles that Mr. Kelly's outspoken brand of informed, activist-advocacy for sexual crime victims is rooted in personal family tragedy; his sister was raped and murdered in 1988 when he was 14. Long before he graduated law school (Georgetown, 2003), he stood up and spoke out for justice for crime victims.

His wide-ranging, often high-profile and highly-impactful outcomes on behalf of survivors/victims, includes:

A $14 million landmark Title IX settlement against Dartmouth College on behalf of students who were sexually assaulted and/or harassed by a group of professors; besides monetary compensation, the agreement required Dartmouth implement new measures to protect students.

landmark Title IX settlement against on behalf of students who were sexually assaulted and/or harassed by a group of professors; besides monetary compensation, the agreement required implement new measures to protect students. A $14.25 million settlement for survivors of Rabbi Bernard 'Barry' Freundel, the disgraced former Kesher Israel Synagogue ( Washington, D.C. ) leader who was convicted of illicitly photographing women they prepared for their religious conversion in his temple's ritual bath.

settlement for survivors of Rabbi Bernard 'Barry' Freundel, the disgraced former Kesher Israel Synagogue ( ) leader who was convicted of illicitly photographing women they prepared for their religious conversion in his temple's ritual bath. Overturning the exoneration of convicted Maryland murderer Adnan Syed , the focus of the Serial Podcast, on behalf of his victim's family who were given no opportunity to participate in the criminal proceedings.

murderer , the focus of the Serial Podcast, on behalf of his victim's family who were given no opportunity to participate in the criminal proceedings. Leading the first mass action filing under the federal child pornography statute, Masha's Law, against more than 150 perpetrators who possessed, viewed, and distributed images of two very young girls being sexually abused by adult men.

In 2015 Maryland's governor appointed him to serve as the chair of the State Board of Victim Services, the leading advisory board to the governor on issues relating to crime victims. In 2009, the governor appointed Mr. Kelly as a commissioner to the state Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Mr. Kelly also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Crime Victim Law Institute, the Advisory Board for Maryland's Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) chapter, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center.

SOURCE Grant & Eisenhofer
CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the Austria tractor market will grow at a CAGR of 4.10% during 2022-2028.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3847

Austria Tractor Market Report by Arizton

Browse In-Depth TOC of the Austria Tractor Market

43 - Tables

44 - Charts

138  Pages

The market for agricultural tractors in the country primarily supports Austria's agricultural economy. Austria's highly developed agricultural sector, which is important to the country's economy, consists of more than 170,000 agricultural properties. Austrian farms mostly rely on tractors, and the agricultural tractor market is often stable. Well-known brands control the market, including CNH, AGCO, and John Deere. However, there are also several Austrian tractor manufacturers, such as Steyr. Many factors, including the need to replace old tractors, the adoption of new technology, and the desire to boost agricultural productivity and efficiency, affect the market for tractors in Austria. In Austria, there were 5,353 registered tractors as of 2022.

Most tractors available in Austria fall into the 50 HP and under, 50 HP to 100 HP, and above 100 HP categories. Smaller tractors with less than 50 horsepower and larger tractors with more than 100 horsepower each occupy a smaller percentage of the market. Farmers have access to various national and international brands on the comparatively steady market for agricultural tractors in Austria. But the market is also susceptible to changes in legislation, the adoption of new technologies, and supply and demand fluctuations. Austria has recently seen a rise in precision agriculture, which has raised the demand for tractors equipped with GPS and other cutting-edge equipment. This tendency suggests that the country will require more new tractors.

Austria Tractor Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) 6,814 Units Market Size (2022) 5,353 Units CAGR (2022-2028) 4.10 % Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Horsepower, Drive Type, and Geography Market Dynamics Fiscal Support to Farmers Through Loans & Subsidies

Reducing Workforce Boosting Farm Mechanization

Growing Agricultural Productivity & Exports

Socio-Demographic Changes in Austria

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Development of Smart and Computerized Tractors Creating Buzz in the Market

In recent years, Austria has made significant progress toward creating intelligent and self-driving tractors. Adopting intelligent and robotic tractors is anticipated to considerably increase productivity and efficiency in the agriculture sector, where the nation is a prominent player.

Several Austrian businesses have carried out the development of intelligent and computerized tractors. For instance, The AGCO Corporation subsidiary business Fendt in Austria has worked on creating smart tractors that can be operated remotely using a tablet or smartphone. These tractors have GPS and sensor technology, which enables them to work independently in the field. The business has also created a system that enhances overall efficiency by enabling many tractors to operate in concert.

Steyr, an Austrian company, has created a concept for a robotic tractor that can run without a driver. The tractor has advanced cameras and sensors to navigate fields and avoid obstacles. The company has also created a system that enables communication between the tractor and other farm equipment, enhancing overall coordination and productivity.

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Competitive Overview

In 2022, CNH and AGCO were the two largest tractor manufacturers with high selling units. In 2022, CNH was the highest-selling tractor brand in Austria.

CNH, AGCO, and John Deere dominated the Austrian agriculture tractor. These players focus on innovations to compete in the market. They invest in developing advanced agriculture tractor technology for precision farming and machine automation.

The Austrian market for farm tractors has numerous manufacturers from all over the world. Most of them are Western European brands. Among the most popular pieces of equipment are tractors from Asia (China, India, Japan) and the US.

CNH Industrial, with its tractor brands Case IH and New Holland, introduced autonomous technology in agriculture tractors. The company has already incorporated auto-steering and telematics in its agriculture tractors. In 2016, the company introduced a working concept of an autonomous tractor using its existing New Holland T8 and Case IH Magnum models.

John Deere equipped many tractor models with GPS, location tracking, image sensors, and telematics to assist navigation. The company also equipped its S700 with features to adjust harvesting equipment autonomously according to the state of crops. Vendors, such as AGCO and John Deere, provide direct financing to farmers to encourage them to buy tractors and other related agricultural machinery.

Key Company Profiles

John Deere

Kubota

AGCO

CNH Industrial

Steyr Traktoren

Other Prominent Vendors

Arbos

CLAAS

Iseki

SDF

Yanmar

Market Segmentation

Horsepower

Less Than 50 HP

50 HP-100 HP

Above 100 HP

Wheel Drive

2-Wheel-Drive

4-Wheel-Drive

Geography

Lower Austria

Styria

Carinthia

Burgenland

Others

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

What are the expected units sold in the Austria tractor market by 2028?

tractor market by 2028? What is the growth rate of the Austria tractor market?

tractor market? How big is the Austria tractor market?

tractor market? Which region holds the largest Austria tractor market share?

tractor market share? Who are the key companies in the Austria tractor market?

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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

5 REPORT ASSUMPTIONS & CAVEATS

5.1 KEY CAVEATS

5.2 CURRENCY CONVERSION

5.3 MARKET DERIVATION

6 PREMIUM INSIGHTS

7 MARKET AT A GLANCE

8 INTRODUCTION

8.1 OVERVIEW

8.2 VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

8.2.1 OVERVIEW

8.2.2 RAW MATERIAL & COMPONENT SUPPLIERS

8.2.3 MANUFACTURERS

8.2.4 DEALERS/DISTRIBUTORS

8.2.5 RETAILERS

8.2.6 END-USERS

8.3 COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY & EU AGRICULTURAL EXPENDITURE

8.4 TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES

9 MARKET LANDSCAPE

9.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

9.1.1 LABOR SHORTAGES IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

9.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

10 HORSEPOWER

10.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

10.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

10.3 LESS THAN 50 HP

10.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

10.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

10.3.3 LESS THAN 50 HP AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY REGION

10.4 50100 HP

10.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

10.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

10.4.3 50 HP100 HP TRACTOR MARKET BY REGION

10.5 ABOVE 100 HP

10.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

10.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

10.5.3 ABOVE 100 HP AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY REGION

11 DRIVE TYPE

11.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

11.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

11.2.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

11.2.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

11.2.3 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

11.2.4 2-WHEEL DRIVE AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY REGION

11.3 4-WHEEL DRIVE

11.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

11.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

11.3.3 4-WHEEL DRIVE AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY REGION

12 REGION

12.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

12.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.3 LOWER AUSTRIA

12.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.3.3 LOWER AUSTRIA REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY HORSEPOWER

12.3.4 LOWER AUSTRIA REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY DRIVE TYPE

12.4 STYRIA

12.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.4.3 STYRIA REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY HP

12.4.4 STYRIA REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY DRIVE TYPE

12.5 CARINTHIA

12.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.5.3 CARINTHIA REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY HP

12.5.4 CARINTHIA REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY DRIVE TYPE

12.6 BURGENLAND

12.6.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.6.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.6.3 BURGENLAND REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY HP

12.6.4 BURGENLAND REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY DRIVE TYPE

12.7 OTHERS

12.7.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.7.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.7.3 OTHER REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY HP

12.7.4 OTHER REGION AGRICULTURE TRACTOR MARKET BY DRIVE TYPE

13 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES & TRENDS

13.1 DEVELOPMENT OF SMART AND COMPUTERIZED TRACTORS

13.2 INCREASING POTENTIAL FOR ELECTRIC TRACTORS

13.3 USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL-BASED TRACTORS

13.4 TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN TRACTORS

14 MARKET GROWTH ENABLERS

14.1 FISCAL SUPPORT TO FARMERS THROUGH LOANS & SUBSIDIES

14.2 REDUCING WORKFORCE BOOSTING FARM MECHANIZATION

14.3 GROWTH IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY & EXPORTS

14.4 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN AUSTRIA

15 MARKET RESTRAINTS

15.1 CLIMATE CHANGE ADVERSELY IMPACTS AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

15.2 RISING DEMAND FOR USED & RENTAL TRACTORS

15.3 FARMERS UNAWARE OF LATEST INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT

15.4 FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

15.4.1 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS

15.4.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS

15.4.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS

15.4.4 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES

15.4.5 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY

16 COMPETITION LANDSCAPE

16.1.1 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BY TOP PLAYERS

16.1.2 BRAND LOYALTY

16.1.3 SALES & EXPORTS

17 KEY COMPANY PROFILES

17.1 JOHN DEERE

17.2 KUBOTA

17.3 AGCO

17.4 CNH INDUSTRIAL

17.5 STEYR TRAKTOREN

18 OTHER PROMINENT VENDORS

18.1 ARBOS GROUP

18.2 CLAAS GROUP

18.3 ISEKI

18.4 SDF

18.5 YANMAR

19 REPORT SUMMARY

19.1 KEY TAKEAWAYS

19.2 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

20 QUANTITATIVE SUMMARY

20.1 HORSEPOWER

20.2 DRIVE TYPE

20.3 REGION

21 APPENDIX

21.1 ABBREVIATIONS

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
Led by Renowned IP Litigator Alfred Zaher, Seven Senior-Level IP Lawyers Join Berger Montague with a Mission to Provide Premier IP Legal Services to Clients Worldwide

PHILADELPHIA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger Montague is pleased to announce that effective today, it has added one of the leading intellectual property groups in the country to represent clients worldwide in all facets of intellectual property law. In doing so, Berger Montague, an award-winning national complex litigation firm, will fill a critical need in the marketplace for a full-service IP firm that can represent clients in all their IP legal needs on a cost-effective basis. The new practice area is opening with a group of seven senior IP lawyers plus staff, who have joined Berger Montague after leaving a large defense-side law firm in Philadelphia.

The head of the new IP Group is Alfred W. Zaher , and joining him are his longstanding colleagues, Shawn S. Li, Ph.D., Richard L. Moss, Patrick J. Farley, Ph.D., Aaron S. Haleva, Stephanie K. Benecchi, Maryellen Madden, and an accomplished staff.

By retaining Berger Montague for their IP legal needs, clients will benefit from more personalized and bespoke service. Tweet this

In the current market environment, clients seeking top quality IP representation concerning patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, have often been limited to working with large firms that do not offer creative hybrid/contingent arrangements, reasonable hourly rates, or the opportunity to represent clients both as plaintiffs and defendants. By retaining Berger Montague for their IP legal needs, clients will benefit from more personalized, boutique, and bespoke service. Rather than be slowed down by red tape, Berger Montague's IP practice will have autonomy to operate for clients with flexible and reasonable billing arrangements, while providing thoughtful, cutting-edge legal services. Berger Montague's goal is to build out the IP practice by attracting the best and brightest IP lawyers who desire more autonomy and a better work environment and culture in which to serve clients.

As the group led by Alfred Zaher remains intact from their previous law firm, they have hit the ground running at Berger Montague with a large portfolio of clients and legal matters. The group focuses on patent, trade secret, and trademark prosecution involving healthcare, medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies, among many other industries. For example, the group is currently engaged in patent litigation against C.R. Bard on behalf of Medical Components Inc., including allegations of infringement involving implantable port devices. With previous successes representing global manufacturers, including those in China, the group can support clients in the most complex intellectual property matters worldwide.

Berger Montague Chairman Eric L. Cramer stated, "We're thrilled to be building out an intellectual property and patent infringement litigation practice at Berger Montague, and there isn't a better group of attorneys than Alfred's team to usher the firm into this area of law. The combination of our resources and litigation abilities, with the experience in complex IP work that this group of lawyers brings, will provide creativity, flexibility, and unparalleled service to our existing and new clients. We are committed to building one of the top IP boutique litigation firms in America, and this is a great start."

This has been a record-breaking year of expansion for Berger Montague. In the past year, the firm has opened new offices in San Francisco, Chicago, and Toronto, and has hired many lawyers and staff. Berger Montague is helping more businesses and consumers than ever before and looks forward to continuing to shape the legal industry by pioneering new litigation strategies while delivering unequaled client service and successful outcomes.

The IP group at Berger Montague includes the following talented professionals:

Alfred W. Zaher focuses his practice on patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret litigation, licensing, and counseling. He counsels companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electronics, and software industries. Mr. Zaher has a particular focus on managing clients' patent and trademark portfolios in the United States, China, and worldwide, including securing and prosecuting infringers in both the U.S. and foreign countries. Mr. Zaher will also join Berger Montague's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force. Mr. Zaher remarked, "Joining a premiere complex litigation law firm such as Berger Montague is an honor. I look forward to helping more U.S. and international businesses navigate patent infringement and other intellectual property matters. With Berger Montague's support, I know we can continue to reinvent how IP legal services are delivered and ensure our clients receive the best services possible."

Shawn S. Li, Ph.D. joins Berger Montague as Senior Counsel. Dr. Li has developed global protection strategies, drafted and prosecuted U.S. and international patent applications, prosecuted patent reexaminations, and negotiated and prepared complex licenses and related agreements. Relying on his education in the medical sciences, he provides counsel to clients in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, medical device, and other technology-related industries. He also advises U.S. and multinational clients on issues related to protecting intellectual property in China, including patent, trademark, and trade secret enforcement actions, as well as cross-border technology transfers and joint ventures.

Richard L. Moss joins Berger Montague as Senior Counsel. Mr. Moss focuses his practice on U.S. and foreign patent prosecution matters in electrical, electromechanical, general mechanical, medical device, computer software, and process technology areas. Mr. Moss also represents clients in intellectual property litigation matters and post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patent Trial and Appeal Board, as well as in business transactions involving intellectual property assets, including licensing and corporate due diligence matters.

Patrick J. Farley, Ph.D. joins Berger Montague as Senior Counsel. He has more than 20 years of international experience in intellectual property law and concentrates his practice on all aspects of intellectual property, including patent drafting, patent prosecution, patent litigation, patent and trademark portfolio management, and licensing. Dr. Farley represents companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries with a particular focus on patent and trademark portfolios, agreements, and due diligence. He also served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State's BioIndustry Initiative Program.

Aaron S. Haleva joins Berger Montague as Senior Counsel. Mr. Haleva focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation, as well as patent and trademark preparation and prosecution in various industries. These include healthcare, pharmaceuticals and immunology, chemical preparations and manufacturing, computing systems and architecture, digital technology and coding, memory devices and interfaces, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and complex data mining and decision-making algorithms. On the technical side, he has personally developed vision/image processing systems for autonomous robots, as well as analytical tools to process medical informatics, thus navigating the patenting and licensing arenas as both inventor and attorney.

Stephanie K. Benecchi joins Berger Montague as Senior Counsel. Ms. Benecchi focuses her practice on commercial litigation, including IP litigation. Her practice focuses on the healthcare sector, where she represents entities and individuals from health systems, medical practices, and medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, in conjunction with government investigations, including billing, labeling, and monitoring of medical devices, and pharmaceutical sales practices. Ms. Benecchi is a member of the Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility committee for the Pennsylvania Bar Association and has devoted time to speaking and writing articles on legal ethics issues which have been published by the ABA Section of Litigation Ethics and Professionalism.

Maryellen Madden joins Berger Montague as Of Counsel. She brings a wealth of experience in complex litigation and commercial disputes, including those involving securities, corporate governance, real estate, commercial contracts, healthcare, and the sale and distribution of goods. Ms. Madden has led litigationincluding complex, multidistrict litigationin 22 states, as well as before domestic and international arbitration panels, administrative agencies, and industry self-regulatory organizations.

Berger Montague PC is a national law firm focusing on complex civil litigation in federal and state courts throughout the United States. For 53 years, Berger Montague has played lead roles in consequential, precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $36 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Minneapolis, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Toronto. Berger Montague encourages U.S. and international businesses and individuals to contact the firm for more information concerning representation in intellectual property matters, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and domain names.

Media Contacts:

Alfred Zaher, Chair, Intellectual Property Group

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 215.875.4625

Melania Stepanenko, Marketing Project Manager

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 860.634.7114

SOURCE Berger Montague
NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - BMO today announced the launch of MAX Exchange Traded Notes ("ETNs"). MAX offers sophisticated investors efficient, tactical leveraged exposure to stocks in specific market sectors to manage risk and potentially enhance returns.

The first two MAX ETNs are linked to the performance of the Prime Airlines Index. The MAX Airlines 3x Leveraged ETNs (ticker: JETU) and MAX Airlines -3x Inverse Leveraged ETNs (ticker: JETD) will start trading today on NYSE Arca.

"We are excited to launch MAX ETNs with a pair of leveraged and inverse leveraged exchange-traded notes linked to an index that includes stocks of U.S.-listed companies that have operations relating to the airline industry, including airlines and aircraft and aircraft parts manufacturers, and companies engaged in the businesses of air freight and logistics, aircraft leasing and airline and airport operations," said Laurence Kaplan, Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets. "We are thrilled to offer sophisticated investors the option to trade airline stocks with +/- 3X leverage exposure with JETU and JETD ETNs."

About MAX

Started in 2023, MAX is the leveraged and inverse leveraged exchange traded notes brand of BMO. MAX ETNs offer sophisticated investors efficient, tactical leveraged exposure to market sectors to manage risk and potentially enhance returns.

For more information, please visit www.maxetns.com

About BMO Financial Group

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.25 trillion as of April 30, 2023. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to over 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.

The ETNs are senior, unsecured obligations of BMO, and are subject to BMO's credit risk.

Investment suitability must be determined individually for each investor, and the ETNs may not be suitable for all investors. This information is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon as providing accounting, legal, regulatory or tax advice. Investors should consult with their own financial advisors as to these matters.

The ETNs are not suitable for investors with longer-term investment objectives. In particular, the ETNs should be purchased only by sophisticated investors who do not intend to hold the ETNs as a buy and hold investment, who are willing to actively and continuously monitor their investment and who understand the consequences of investing in and of seeking daily resetting investment results, which are leveraged. The ETNs are intended to be daily trading tools for sophisticated investors to manage daily trading risks as part of an overall diversified portfolio. They are designed to achieve their stated investment objectives on a daily basis. The returns on the ETNs over longer periods of time can, and most likely will, differ significantly from the return on a direct long or short investment in the index.

Prime Indexes and the Index referenced herein are trademarks of Level ETF Ventures LLC (Licensor) and have been licensed for use by Bank of Montreal (Licensee). Licensee's financial products that are based on the Index are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Licensor, and Licensor makes no representation regarding the advisability of trading in such products.

BMO, the issuer of the ETNs, has filed a registration statement (including a pricing supplement, a product supplement, a prospectus supplement and a prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") about each of the offerings to which this press release relates. Please read those documents and the other documents relating to these offerings BMO has filed with the SEC for more complete information about BMO and these offerings. These documents may be obtained without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Bank of Montreal, any agent or any dealer participating in these offerings will arrange to send the applicable pricing supplement, the applicable product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus if you so request by calling toll-free at 1-877-369-5412.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group
Simon Benita, Professor Emeritus at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Founder, CEO and Chairman of S and Chairman of BNSO, stated: "We are very proud to have two outstanding new Directors joining the BNSO Board, bringing extensive expertise in relevant therapeutic areas and strategic decision-making capabilities. Ari has already contributed significantly to BNS's strategic and scientific progress since 2018, thanks to his extensive experience and strong background. Joseph and Ari, having worked together, bring an impressive and successful track record of leadership and achievements. I am convinced that under their joint guidance, BNSO will succeed in bringing novel medicines to the market to serve important patient needs, while creating significant shareholder value. The presence of Joseph and Ari in the BNSO Board reflects their confidence in BNSO scientific potential and excitement about the future prospects of BNSO.

Aris Mitsopoulos, Vice President of RAFARM and CEO of BNSO, stated: "We are thrilled to welcome Joseph Papa and Ari Kellen, to our esteemed Board of Directors. Joseph Papa brings a wealth of experience, competence and an innovation perspective that will undoubtedly enrich our board discussions and drive our collective vision forward. Ari Kellen, with a proven record of outstanding leadership and a wealth of knowledge in healthcare companies across all sectors and major geographies, brings his strategic thinking and invaluable expertise to BNSO. Their collective expertise and diverse perspectives will shape the future, empowering us to achieve remarkable milestones in Ophthalmology".

Joseph Papa has more than 30 years of leadership experience across a diverse range of global pharmaceutical businesses, encompassing branded and generic drugs spanning nearly every therapeutic area. As chairman and CEO of Bausch & Lomb, he led the eye health company through an IPO after completing the successful turnaround of multinational pharmaceutical company Valeant Pharmaceuticals (now Bausch Health Companies). Previously, Joseph spearheaded Perrigo's transformation into a global multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical manufacturer during his 10-year tenure as CEO. Joseph has a strong track record of building businesses with global healthcare organizations, and has been instrumental in leading the launch of products that are widely recognized as blockbuster drugs. He received a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. In addition, Joe received an honorary doctor of science degree from the University of Connecticut's School of Pharmacy.

Dr Ari Kellen is an experienced healthcare executive with global P&L and consulting experience across R&D, commercial, supply chain and distribution. Since 2017 Ari has served as an advisor/board member to growth-stage healthcare companies and as a counselor to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies on growth, innovation, and risk management. Ari has been working closely with BNS since 2018, helping advance its preclinical programs across Ophthalmology, Metabolic Disease and Oncology. Previously, he led a multi-billion dollar P&L, working closely with Mr Papa as Global Segment lead for Bausch & Lomb. Prior to that, Ari served as a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, advising leading healthcare companies around the world in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health care systems and services. Prior to joining McKinsey he was a practicing physician in South Africa while also running a large segment of a 1,000 bed teaching hospital. Ari has a Medical Degree and MBA from Witwatersrand University, South Africa, both with distinction.

As previously announced on May 29, RAFARM, a Greek-based pharmaceutical company and established European manufacturer with expertise in Ophthalmics, and BioNanoSim (BNS), an Israeli-based nanotechnology drug discovery and development company, entered into an agreement to create a new Ophthalmic company called BNS Ophthalmics (BNSO). BNSO will develop, manufacture and commercialize a range of innovative ophthalmic pharmaceutical products developed by BioNanoSim to address serious ophthalmic unmet needs for patients around the world. RAFARM will provide appropriate funding, together with infrastructure for development, commercial scale manufacturing and distribution. BNSO is on track to initiate a phase I/IIa clinical study this year in patients suffering from Chronic Anterior Uveitis, and has two additional preclinical programs in its pipeline. Together, BNSO's programs target multibillion dollar global market opportunities.

About BioNanoSim (BNS)

BioNanoSim is led by Prof. Simon Benita who has decades of scientific expertise as well as proven commercial success in bringing nanoparticle-based products to market. BioNanoSim is backed by strong leadership, the collective know-how of a talented cross-functional team, and affiliation with the Hebrew University. These enable us to target multiple areas of unmet needs simultaneously. Our inhouse GMP facility is the perfect platform for the manufacturing of independent nanocarrier-based drugs for clinical testing.

https://www.bionanosim.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bionanosim/about/

About RAFARM

RAFARM is an innovation-driven, dynamically growing pharmaceutical company and a well-established European manufacturer with an outward-looking orientation that invests 13% of net turnover in Research and Development. At RAFARM, we expand our exports worldwide and open new markets. We constantly enhance our expertise in complex pharmaceutical products and invest in high-tech platforms for the development and production of ophthalmics and injectables. We introduce high technology in our state-of-the-art sterile manufacturing plant and create new production lines with cutting-edge technology and robotic equipment.

At RAFARM, we evolve beyond the obvious and make a positive impact on people's lives.

www.rafarm.gr

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rafarm-s.a/

Contacts:

Alon Moran

Tel: +972-2-5956171

[email protected]

Christina Veiopoulou

Tel: +30 211 176 1000 (1212)

+30 6946 338234

[email protected]

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SOURCE RAFARM; BNS
LE BOURGET, France, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) [NYSE: AL] today announced at the Paris Air Show 2023 that the leading global lessor will grow its world-class portfolio of airplanes with a purchase of two 787 Dreamliners.

ALC has been a long-standing 787 customer, placing its first purchase for the 787-9 in 2010. Its airplane portfolio currently includes the 787-9 and 787-10.

Boeing and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) today announced at the Paris Air Show 2023 that the leading global lessor will grow its world-class portfolio of airplanes with a purchase of two 787 Dreamliners. (Image: Boeing)

Since revenue service began in 2011, the 787 family has launched nearly 360 new nonstop routes around the world, more than 10 times as many new routes as other jets in the same category. The 787-9 can fly 296 passengers up to 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km) in a typical two-class configuration.

"ALC is a key strategic leasing partner to Boeing, and we are delighted that it continues to see the value proposition of the 787 family for its customers," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With its unparalleled fuel efficiency, the 787 Dreamliner family is playing a major role in pioneering new routes in the long-haul travel market while reducing fuel use and emissions, allowing airlines to meet their sustainability objectives."

Using 25% less fuel and creating 25% fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace, the 787 family has avoided more than 125 billion pounds of carbon emissions since entering service.

The 787 family is selling at the highest rate in its history, receiving more than 250 orders and commitments in the past six months.

About ALC

Air Lease Corporation is a leading global aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing new commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. The company routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the "Investors" section of its website at www.airleasecorp.com. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult Air Lease Corporation's website regularly for important information. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, ALC's website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

About Boeing

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers .

Contact

Boeing Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing
Qabil Ashirov

Not having a lesson from the last happenings, Armenia continues to draw water to its own mill by manipulating the facts. Especially after a humiliating defeat in the 44-day War in 2020, the country's irrational foreign policy against its neighbors reached to impasse. First up, Armenians started to reproach their allies not sacrificing themselves on behalf of Armenia during the war. Seeing that it does not work, they changed their strategy and commenced to perform a scene of an oppressed one. Frankly saying, Armenians are master actors in this performance as it is national folklore of them. The last such barefaced performance was acted by the Armenian Foreign Ministry on world refugee day. The Armenian Foreign Ministry posted a tweet and accused Azerbaijan of allegedly ethnic cleansing and implored to the international community to focus on it.

Reading the tweet, some could think that the Ministry is wrapping the world around their little finger. Because it was not Azerbaijan, but Armenia who stacked local Azerbaijanis into the cattle wagons without food, and half-naked in the mid-winter and expelled them from Kapan, a city compact-settled by Muslims, to Azerbaijan in 1987. Immediately, after the completion of Kapan's deportation in February 1988, Armenians in Karabakh made protests and claimed self-determination. Over 30 years, Armenian statesmen and public figures have tried to separate these two events and din into minds that the overlapping of time was just a coincidence. However, the interviews of then-officials, especially Igor Muradyan, with international media outlets confirm that it was not a coincidence but deliberate deeds, because Armenians feared that Azerbaijanis in Kapan could claim self-determination like Armenians in Karabakh. They were not limited to Kapan, the same crime i.e. ethnic cleansing was reiterated by Armenians in ?revan (today's Yerevan), Alaverdi, and Zangazur.

Thousands of local Azerbaijanis and Muslim Kurds expelled from Armenia found shelter in Azerbaijan. Later, the "civilized" compatriots of "little and proud" Armenia attacked cities and villages located in Karabakh and adjoined districts and invaded them. These civilized chauvinists killed, raped, and looted thousands of Azerbaijani citizens. It is worth noting that not only Azerbaijanis but also Meskhetins and Muslim Kurds were subjected to Armenian terror in Karabakh. Hatred against other nations has turned Armenians into blind to such an extent that they see other nations as a political instrument. In an interview with a British Journalist Thomas de Waal, Igor Muradian stated that Azerbaijanis were the instruments of power  and we werent interested in their fate and were not interested now. Shepherded by such chauvinist ideology, they turned multinational Armenia and Karabakh into a mono-ethnic regions populated only by Armenians.

Relating to the invasion of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians, the UN adopted four resolutions calling on Armenian Armed Groups to withdraw immediately. However, Armenia shamelessly ignored these resolutions and even claimed that they had created a buffer zone.

The world has witnessed a myriad of wars for thousands of years, and no invaders have driven out local civilians, except Armenians. Even Adolf Hitler, the most notorious dictator in the world, did not commit such kind of crime. However, as is said, after rain comes fairy weather. With the help of Azerbaijani's grandiose victory in 2020, Armenians understood that no crime can evade justice forever. Azerbaijan liberated most of the lands that had been carved out by Armenia. Just now, Azerbaijan pushes for Armenia to sign the peace agreement and to stop supporting separatism in Karabakh and to allow refugees, more precisely Azerbaijanis and Muslim Kurds, to return to their hometowns in Armenia. However, Armenia fidgets to evade taking responsibility. In vain, hoping for external assistance, Armenia grasps at straws to gain time. Armenia, so to say, is a suitcase without a handle. No one can save this failed state in the South Caucasus but only rational foreign police and peace with other neighbors. So, we advise Armenians to give up heinous behaviors and find the way leading to peace.
Former exec at Skanska, Walsh Group and Clayco is now one of the most senior women in construction technology

CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction technology leader Buildots today announced that Jessica Herrala has been named Head of Sales for North America. Herrala has held executive positions at multiple leading construction and real estate development companies including Skanska, Walsh Group and Clayco, and is now one of the most senior women in the construction technology space.

Jessica Herrala, Buildots new Head of Sales for North America, has held executive roles at some of the largest construction and real estate development firms in the US. She is now one of the most senior women in construction technology.

"Productivity and profit in construction have long been passions of mine. Buildots takes the guesswork out of construction and drives performance-based decisions that very transparently increase profitability and efficiency," said Herrala. "I'm thrilled to join Buildots, a proven leader in the space, which is driving transformational change."

Herrala brings more than 25 years of construction industry experience in sales, communications, marketing, strategy and operational improvement. At Skanska USA she held multiple senior positions, including Head of Public Affairs, Communications & Marketing, Infrastructure Development. In that role, among other accomplishments, she secured $10B in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects through the successful development and execution of marketing and communications strategies, campaigns and public affairs work.

Herrala also served as VP of Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff at The Walsh Group, directing strategic planning and development for a $5 billion unit of the Fortune 500 construction and development firm. She subsequently worked as Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Clayco, and later as Chief Revenue Officer at Bonfire and Constru.

"There are few people in construction with the type of experience and accomplishments in sales, marketing and strategy that Jessica has. She's just the person we need to head our efforts as Buildots' continues its ambitious expansion across North America, and we're really excited to have her join the team," said Buildots CEO Roy Danon.

Often the only woman in a position of leadership in a historically male-dominated industry, Herrala has worked to empower the next generation of women in construction. She is a member of the International Women's Forum and received her bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Tennessee.

About Buildots

Buildots is an award-winning global technology leader leveraging the power of AI and computer vision to modernize the construction industry. Buildots uses hardhat-mounted cameras to capture imaging of every detail of an ongoing project. The data is then analyzed using AI models to transform random visual data into highly accurate, actionable insights that are correlated with the project's designs and schedule. The platform is helping transform construction management, enhance resource efficiency, save management time, and avoid costly errors on construction projects worldwide.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107929/Jessica_Herrala.jpg

SOURCE Buildots
BOSTON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Burns & Levinson partner Scott Moskol, who co-chairs the firm's Financial Restructuring & Distressed Transactions Group, has been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers guide for his impressive accomplishments helping clients manage their distressed assets. According to Lawdragon, "the elite corps of U.S. lawyers represent the best of the best helping companies navigate ailing economies and uncertain times."

Burns & Levinson partner Scott Moskol, who co-chairs the firms Financial Restructuring & Distressed Transactions Group, has been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers guide for his impressive accomplishments helping clients manage their distressed assets.

Moskol's bankruptcy and restructuring practice is focused on counseling clients across the country on restructurings, workouts, bankruptcies, receiverships, and other insolvency-related matters. He has deep experience in the purchase and sale of distressed assets, companies and loans, in addition to representing clients in financings and lending transactions.

He also co-chairs the firm's Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group, which helps clients navigate the complex legal and business framework that surrounds the rapidly growing cannabis industry in the U.S., including the challenges of financial insolvency. Moskol has been involved in several cannabis receiverships on a national level. His national client base includes investors, lenders, and operators of cultivation and dispensary facilities who seek out his advice for capital raises, structuring and restructuring investments, acquisitions, and general business issues. Moskol, who was named a "Cannabis Trailblazer" in 2018 by The National Law Journal, is considered one of the leading lawyers in the cannabis industry.

Moskol recently completed a term as President of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), Northeast Chapter. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Elevate Northeast, a non-profit dedicated to empowering, educating, and elevating underrepresented talent in the cannabis industry. He received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his A.B. from Brown University.

About Burns & Levinson LLP

At Burns & Levinson, we provide high-level, client-centric and results-oriented legal services to our regional, national and international clients. We are a full-service law firm with 125 lawyers in Boston, Providence and London. Our areas of expertise include: business/finance, business litigation, divorce/family law, venture capital/emerging companies, employment, estate planning, government investigations, intellectual property, M&A/private equity, probate/trust litigation, and real estate. We partner with our clients to solve their business and personal legal issues in a collaborative, creative and cost-effective way. For more information, visit Burns & Levinson at www.burnslev.com .

Contact:

Amy Blumenthal Kristen Weller Blumenthal & Associates Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer 617.879.1511 617.345.3555 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Burns & Levinson
Valmet Oyj's press release on June 21, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. EEST

ESPOO, Finland, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Petri Rasinmaki (M.Sc. Eng, MBA) has been appointed Business Line President, Paper, at Valmet as of September 1, 2023. In his new position, Petri Rasinmaki will be a member of Valmet's Executive Team reporting to President and CEO Pasi Laine.

Jari Vahapesola, the current Business Line President, Paper, has decided to retire after a long, successful career at Valmet as of December 1, 2023.

Petri Rasinmaki currently holds the position of Vice President, Board and Paper Mills business unit at Valmet's Paper business line. Prior to his current position, he worked in various management positions at Valmet and Metso since 2004.

"I want to express my warmest gratitude to Jari Vahapesola for his invaluable contribution to Valmet's success over the years. Jari has been instrumental in making our Paper business line a market leader valued by customers around the world. It has been a privilege to work with Jari in our Executive Team and on our global customers, and we will all miss him. I am pleased that we could find a successor for Jari internally. Petri Rasinmaki is a long-term Valmeteer with versatile experience in the company covering both process technologies and services. He has led our Board and Paper Mills business unit successfully since 2021 and has a deep understanding of the business and our customers. Petri is in a good position to lead our Paper business line forward from the excellent foundation built under Jari's leadership," says Pasi Laine, President and CEO, Valmet.

Petri Rasinmaki's CV

Petri Rasinmaki

Business Line President, Paper business line, Valmet as of September 1, 2023

Born 1974

M.Sc. (Eng), MBA

Finnish citizen

Relevant previous experience:

Vice President, Board and Paper mills business unit, Paper business line, Valmet, 2021  current

Director, Board and Paper Machines Technology unit, Paper business line, Valmet 2018-2021

General Manager, Mill improvements Finland, Services business line, Valmet 2013-2017

General Manager, Service Technology Center, Metso, 2011-2013

Global Technology Manager, Metso, 2009-2011

Manager, CCR Paper Technology, Metso, 2007-2009

Paper Technology Manager, Metso, 2004-2007

Production Superintendent, Cartiere Burgo S.p.A, Verzuolo Mill, Italy, 2001-2004

VALMET

Corporate Communications

Further information, please contact:

Pasi Laine, President and CEO, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0001

Anu Salonsaari-Posti, SVP, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability, Valmet, tel. +358 50 453 4262

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our 17,500 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward  every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. Valmet's net sales in 2022 were approximately EUR 5.1 billion.

Valmet's shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.

Follow us on valmet.com | Twitter | Twitter (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram |

Processing of personal data

SOURCE Valmet Oyj
-Fast casual concept celebrates grand opening on June 28th with free chicken salad for a year-

ATLANTA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick , the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its newest Colorado location in Colorado Springs. This marks the brand's second restaurant in the state and the first for local franchise owners Kirsten and David Garrett, along with Kirsten's mother, Judy DeVincentis. The team plans to bring a total of three locations to the area. Chicken Salad Chick made its Centennial State debut in March, introducing its made-from-scratch chicken salad to new fans in Greeley. Now, the Colorado Springs community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Chicken Salad Chick at 5660 Barnes Road on Wednesday, June 28. The first 100 guests that morning will win free chicken salad for a year.

During grand opening week, Colorado Springs guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for with specials and giveaways that include:

Wednesday, June 28  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests may arrive starting at 7 a.m. for grand opening day only.

  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests may arrive starting at for grand opening day only. Thursday, June 29 - The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a FREE Chicken Salad Chick Tumbler.**

- The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a FREE Chicken Salad Chick Tumbler.** Friday, June 30  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a FREE Chicken Salad Chick Crossbody Bag.**

 The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a FREE Chicken Salad Chick Crossbody Bag.** Saturday, July 1  The first 100 guests to purchase two Large Quick Chicks receive a FREE Chicken Salad Chick Summer Tote Bag.**

Kirsten Garrett of Why Not Chicks, LLC served in the United States Air Force as an engineer for nearly a decade before she reached a turning point in her life and wanted to diversify her service to others. She moved back to her home state to partner with her husband and mother in opening FirstLight Home Care of Colorado Springs. Almost 10 years later, the trio is expanding their service-minded business focus to include Chicken Salad Chick, a brand well known in the Southeast for spreading joy and enriching lives with service from the heart. Garrett is confident the new restaurant  located in an area boasting multiple military bases - will be a great addition to this community that values fresh, healthy food options.

"Chicken Salad Chick's fresh food and hospitality is second to none," said Kirsten Garrett, co-owner of Chicken Salad Chick Colorado Springs. "During my time in the Air Force stationed in Alabama, I became a frequent visitor at my local Chick. I fell in love with the culture, the food and the simplicity of the concept, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to offer that same experience to others right here in the Springs."

Garrett and her team are eager for the opportunity to give back to important causes. With the Colorado Springs opening, they will be supporting Camp Wapiyapi, a summer camp for kids facing pediatric cancer, as part of the pre-opening Friends & Family events. As a mother of four young boys, this is a cause close to Garrett's heart.

Chicken Salad Chick in Colorado Springs will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:00 a.m.  8 p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickColoradoSpringsCOBarnes/.

*Guests should start arriving at 7 a.m. to get checked in. The first 100 guests will be assigned a number and a designated return time between 10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Upon return, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of greater value and enter a code on the Chicken Salad Chick app to officially secure your spot. If you are late, or miss the return time, your spot will be awarded to the next in-line. Guests will receive their first free Large Quick Chick electronically to your App the Monday following Grand Opening Day.

**Must download the CSC App and be 16 years or older to purchase. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama, by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 225 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the third consecutive year, Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2023, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019, 2020 and 2022, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Nicole Hunnicutt

Fish Consulting

404-558-4108

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick
BEIJING, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (HKG: 0386, "Sinopec") will host the 7th World Geothermal Congress (WGC 2023) from September 15 to 17 in Beijing, China, which will be China's first time hosting the international convention known as the "Olympics of Geothermal." The theme for the WGC 2023 is "Clean Geothermal, Green Earth."

Clean Geothermal, Green Earth: Sinopec to Host World Geothermal Congress 2023 by Sept 15th to 17th in Beijing.

Organized by the International Geothermal Association (IGA), a leading global platform on geothermal energy committed to promoting and supporting global geothermal development, the triennial conference is the premier global event convening the leaders of industry, academia, the finance sector, governments, NGOs, and communities to collaborate and provide thoughtful solutions for a sustainable society.

Sinopec Star Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sinopec that has been actively exploring the development and utilization of geothermal energy since 2006, is making significant contributions to Sinopec's roadmap of clean energy development and building up a new industry layout.

The company is committed to promoting scaled development of its "Geothermal+" business model to further expand carbon asset volume and improve service quality while integrating into major regional and national economic and ecological development strategies to push forward clean energy heating.

As of now, Sinopec Star has built 10 "smoke-free cities" in China and boasts more than 1 million square meters of geothermal heating capacity in 22 cities. It has built nearly 85 million square meters of clean energy heating capacity, serving more than 60 cities and counties in Tianjin, Shaanxi, Hebei, Henan, Shandong provinces, and more, thereby reducing carbon emissions by 4.2 million tons per year while benefiting millions of households.

Globally, Sinopec Star is actively pursuing cooperation opportunities with international institutions, organizations, and partners. It has established alliances which Icelandic companies, landed a series of pilot geothermal projects in China, led the establishment of a Sino-Icelandic Geothermal R&D Center with Iceland's Arctic Green Energy, and hosted international geothermal conferences and workshops to continually strengthen global cooperation while expanding the brand's influence.

In addition, Sinopec Star has drafted 52 industry standards that have been approved and cover a wide scope, including geothermal resource exploration and evaluation, geothermal heating, and more. It actively participates in constructing the geothermal international standard system, winning the market's trust with leading standards.

With the press center established on June 20, the WGC 2023 has now opened media registration.

For more information about Sinopec and WGC 2023, please visit http://www.sinopecgroup.com/group/en/ and https://www.wgc2023.com/wgc2023/en/.

SOURCE SINOPEC
MSUWC, Flint Officials Join Company in Celebrating $10.1 Million Project

FLINT, Mich., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy leaders and employees were joined today by Michigan State Utility Workers Council (MSUWC) members and officials from the city of Flint to celebrate the opening of Flint Gas City, a state-of-the-art, immersive training facility for hundreds of Consumers Energy employees who build and operate natural gas infrastructure in the state.

"We are committed to building the workforce of the future to ensure we safely and reliably deliver natural gas to our customers, and this world-class facility is a tangible representation of that commitment," said LeeRoy Wells, Jr., senior vice president of operations for Consumers Energy. "We are deeply grateful for our partnerships with the MSUWC and the city of Flint to bring this project to fruition and look forward to seeing the impact it will have and the workforce it will grow for years to come."

Consumers Energy and MSUWC partnered to develop the $10.1 million facility. As with Consumers Energy's Marshall Training Facility for lineworkers, Flint Gas City will immerse trainees in the environments, equipment and scenarios that natural gas workers encounter on the job. After nearly two years of construction and development, the ceremony Wednesday marked the formal opening of the site, which is expected to train hundreds of natural gas workers every year, in addition to emergency first responders.

"Flint Gas City is a great example of how the partnership between Consumers Energy and the Utility Workers Union is working to provide safe, best in class training to all of our members who keep the public safe and provide exceptional service to our customers," said Craig Wright, president of the Michigan State Utility Workers Council. "This state-of-the-art training center, along with our process of utilizing qualified Union employees, will provide for a great training opportunity."

The first-of-its-kind site enables natural gas workers to receive training and manage practice scenarios in a real-world setting. The company provides natural gas to 1.8 million customers across Michigan, and is carrying out a 10-year, $11 billion plan to ensure delivery is more safe, reliable, affordable and clean than ever before.

"At Consumers Energy safety for our customers and our employees is one of our top priorities, and the training we're able to provide with this facility will help ensure we're able to continue delivering on that goal," said Josh Sturgis, one of the instructors at Flint Gas City. "Allowing our workers to learn about and practice the work they will encounter on the job in a controlled but real environment ensures they are prepared for multiple scenarios at a job site before they're out in the field. That kind of training is critical to ensure they can keep themselves, their coworkers and our customers safe."

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy

SOURCE Consumers Energy
CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the data center market will grow at a CAGR of 5.03% during 2022-2028.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3893

Data Center Market Report by Arizton

Browse In-Depth TOC of the Data Center Market

192 - Tables

550 - Charts

1234  Pages

The data center market is attractive, with data centers offering higher returns on investment (ROI) than other commercial and industrial properties. In 2022, owing to increased digitalization because of the pandemic, several initiatives taken by different countries in that direction, the deployment of technology such as IoT, big data, 5G, and edge, and increased investments by cloud service providers across various geographies, the colocation market witnessed significant growth.

The market also witnessed supply chain-related challenges in 2022 for IT and support infrastructure providers. This recovered to an extent in the latter half of 2022; however, raw materials prices have since risen, leading to higher costs for data center investors. The market growth in 2022 was aided by previously announced projects and expansions of facilities in a few locations where data centers were deemed essential services. Most of the demand for colocation data center services is contributed by cloud-based service providers.

The data center market in the Americas is a developed market with an increasing presence of local and global data center operators, especially in countries such as the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. Other emerging markets in 2022 included Argentina, Peru, and others. The demand for data centers grew significantly due to the pandemic, with the major workforce shifting to remote working.

Global Data Center Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 289.66 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 215.73 Billion CAGR By Revenue (2022-2028) 5.03 % Market Size - Area (2028) 58.15 Million Square Feet Power Capacity (2028) 9,778.6 Mw Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 MARKET Segmentation Facility, Infrastructure, Electrical Infrastructure, Mechanical Infrastructure, Cooling Systems, Cooling Technique, General Construction, Tier Standards, And Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Nordics, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Apac, And Southeast Asia Market Dynamics Growth in Submarine & Inland Connectivity

Increasing M&As and JVs Across the Industry

Big Data & IoT Fueling Data Center Investments

Government Support for Data Center Investments

Increasing Demand for Cloud-Based Services

Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3893

Key Insights

In data centers, the top of rack switches comprising 10/25 GbE ports will continue to grow, and the growing network traffic will increase the penetration of 25/40/100 GbE ports in the aggregation layer and 100/200/400 GbE in hyperscale facilities.

Hyperconverged platforms will overcome the complexity of data center operations and enable faster deployment of infrastructure compared to traditional integration of independent infrastructure silo.

The cost of Lithium-ion batteries is almost 3X more than VRLA UPS. However, lithium-ion batteries will provide more efficiency over five years compared to VRLA battery-based UPS systems.

Mega data center projects are facing difficult-to-get approvals for the use of water to cool down facilities. This prompts operators and vendors to collaborate and develop systems that can save up to 50% of water consumption in data centers.

Free cooling techniques will continue to dominate the market for evaporative coolers, free cooling chillers, air-side economizers, and water-side economizers in North America , Europe , Japan , and Northern China . The adoption of these systems is also growing in Australia and New Zealand .

, , , and . The adoption of these systems is also growing in and . The government's interest in promoting data center investments through land for development, reducing electricity tariffs, and renewable energy procurement will drive the market during the forecast period.

Data center construction in terms of investment, square feet area, and power (MW) continues to grow in the UK, Germany , Italy , France , Belgium , Spain , and the Netherlands .

, , , , , and . Almost all European countries will facilitate free cooling for over 5,000 hours a year, whereas Asia Pacific countries will still depend on water-based cooling.

countries will still depend on water-based cooling. The Nordic region will attract more hyperscale projects over the next three years. However, colocation investments in hyperscale facilities will mostly depend on service demand. Iceland will be a sought-after location for bitcoin mining operations and is likely to have a major impact on other Nordic regions in the upcoming years.

will be a sought-after location for mining operations and is likely to have a major impact on other Nordic regions in the upcoming years. In Central & Eastern Europe , Poland , Austria , the Czech Republic , and Russia are dominant countries attracting data center investments.

Buy the Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/global-data-center-market-report-2025

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Sustainable Innovations in Data Center Power Technology Leveraging the Market Growth

The scalability of a data center is related to its power system capability to support the required additional loads. If the utility power is readily available, operators can maintain scalability to suit increasing demand while operating efficiency can be improved and maintained at a lower cost.

As digital transformation, technological innovation, and remote working continue to grow, data centers are integral in supporting businesses and organizations across all industries. With investment in power forming a significant portion of the CAPEX and OPEX for data center operators, innovations in power infrastructure will continue.

In January 2022 , Microsoft announced its plan to invest around $50 million in LanzaJet's sustainable fuel plant in Georgia . The fuel company will provide sustainable renewable diesel to Microsoft made of ethanol. The fuel will be a replacement for the diesel fuel that can be used by the operator for its data center generator sets and for some other uses that require fuel.

, Microsoft announced its plan to invest around in LanzaJet's sustainable fuel plant in . The fuel company will provide sustainable renewable diesel to Microsoft made of ethanol. The fuel will be a replacement for the diesel fuel that can be used by the operator for its data center generator sets and for some other uses that require fuel. Mitsubishi Electric offers the Mitsubishi Power SOFC system that can provide electricity and heat in a single system. Hydrogen, natural gas, biofuel, or a mixture of any hydrogen ratio can power the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC).

General Electric's gas generators also run on natural or other gases such as biogas, landfill, sewage, and combustible industrial waste gases.

Bloom Energy, a major provider of fuel cells, has also installed natural gas-powered fuel cells in data centers worldwide.

In September 2022 , Equinix, in partnership with the National University of Singapore , announced its plan to test hydrogen-powered fuel cells as a power source for its data centers in Singapore .

, Equinix, in partnership with the , announced its plan to test hydrogen-powered fuel cells as a power source for its data centers in . In September 2022 , Nxtra (Airtel) announced its plan to deploy hydrogen fuel cells, which will be provided by Bloom Energy, in one of its data center facilities in Karnataka, India .

, Nxtra (Airtel) announced its plan to deploy hydrogen fuel cells, which will be provided by Bloom Energy, in one of its data center facilities in Karnataka, . In August 2022 , the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) worked with Toyota to evaluate and install a 1 MW fuel-cell power generation system, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell at NREL's Flatirons Campus.

, the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) worked with Toyota to evaluate and install a 1 MW fuel-cell power generation system, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell at NREL's Flatirons Campus. The UK data center service provider Kao Data has partnered with Crown Oil to replace its diesel backup generator with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel generators. The company plans to replace the 45,000 liters of diesel with more than 750,000 liters of HVO fuel in its Harlow data center campus on full build.

In addition, Ark Data Centers is replacing the diesel in the fuel tanks of their generators with HVO. The company believes using HVO will reduce fossil emissions by 90%, particulate emissions by >25%, and NOx emissions by >15. In addition, the company believes that the use of natural gas generators provides significant reductions in NOx and SOx emissions than the equivalent diesel generators running on HVO.

Adoption of AI-Based Infrastructure Driving Liquid Immersion & Direct-to-Chip Cooling Booming the Market Growth

The data center market is witnessing substantial growth in advanced technology adoption, such as AI & ML. Countries across the globe have substantially started adopting AI for several operations. In January 2019, the US Federal government launched the American AI initiative to encourage investments in AI in the country, which was later codified under the National AI Initiative Act of 2020. The act includes increasing investment in AI research, implementing Federal AI computing and data resources, setting AI technical standards, upskilling Americans on skills in AI, and reinforcing international cooperation on AI.

Liquid cooling is the most popular cooling technology used in High-Performance Computing (HPC) in data centers to support AI and ML workloads. These technologies require powerful computing capabilities for TPU, where the heat generated exceeds the cooling limit and thus demands superior efficiency to keep the chips working optimally.

The report includes the investment in the following areas:

Facility Type

Hyperscale Data Centers

Colocation Data Centers

Enterprise Data Centers

Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

IT Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers, & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Cooling Technique

Air-based Cooling

Liquid-based Cooling

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Fire Detection & Suppression

Physical Security

DCIM/BMS Solutions

Tier Standards

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

Geography

North America

The US



Canada

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Chile



Colombia



Rest of Latin America

Western Europe

Germany



Ireland



The UK



France



Belgium



Switzerland



Italy



Spain



Netherlands



Portugal



Other Western European Countries

Nordics

Norway



Sweden



Denmark



Finland & Iceland

& Central & Eastern Europe

Russia



Poland



Austria



Czech Republic



Other CEE Countries

Middle East

UAE



Saudi Arabia



Bahrain



Oman



Kuwait



Qatar



Israel



Jordan



Other Middle East Countries

Africa

South Africa



Kenya



Nigeria



Egypt



Ethiopia



Other African Countries

APAC

China



Hong Kong



Australia



New Zealand



Japan



India



South Korea



Taiwan



Rest of APAC

Southeast Asia

Singapore



Indonesia



Malaysia



Thailand



Philippines



Vietnam



Other Southeast Asia Countries

Vendor Landscape

Key Data Center IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

Other Data Center IT Infrastructure Providers

DataDirect Networks (DDN

Extreme Networks

Fujitsu

Hitachi Vantara

Infortrend Technology

Inspur

Intel

Micron Technology

MiTAC Holdings

NEC

Nimbus Data

Oracle

Pure Storage

Seagate Technology

Silk (Kaminario)

Supermicro

Synology

Toshiba

StorCentric

QNAP Systems

Quanta Cloud Technology

Quantum (Pivot3)

Western Digital

Wistron (Wiwynn)

Key Data Center Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Legrand

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv

Other Data Center Support Infrastructure Providers

3M

Airedale

Alfa Laval

Asetek

Assa Abloy

Bloom Energy

Carrier

Condair

Cormant

Cyber Power Systems

Daikin Applied

Data Aire

Enlogic

FNT Software

Generac Power Systems

Green Revolution Cooling (GRC)

HITEC Power Protection

Honeywell

Johnson Controls

KOHLER

KyotoCooling

Mitsubishi Electric

Munters

Natron Energy

NetZoom

Nlyte Software

Panduit

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Siemens

Trane ( Ingersoll Rand )

) Tripp Lite

Yanmar (HIMOINSA)

ZincFive

Key Data Center Contractors

AECOM

Arup

Corgan

DPR Construction

Fortis Construction

Holder Construction

Jacobs

Mercury

Red Engineering

Rogers-O'Brien Construction

Syska Hennessy Group

Turner Construction

Turner & Townsend

Key Data Center Operators

21Vianet Group (VNET)

Amazon Web Services

Apple

China Telecom

Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS)

Compass Datacenters

CyrusOne

Digital Realty

EdgeConneX (EQT Infrastructure)

Equinix

GDS Services

Global Switch

Google

Iron Mountain

Meta (Facebook)

Microsoft

NTT Global Data Centers

QTS Realty Trust

STACK Infrastructure

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

Vantage Data Centers

Other Data Center Operators

3data

Africa Data Centres

AirTrunk

Aligned

American Tower

AQ Compute

Aruba

AtlasEdge

atNorth

AT TOKYO

BDx (Big Data Exchange)

Bulk Infrastructure

Bridge Data Centres

CDC Data Centres

Chayora

China Mobile

Chindata

CloudHQ

Cologix

COPT Data Center Solutions

CtrlS Datacenters

Cyxtera Technologies

Data4

DataBank

DC BLOX

Digital Edge

Digital Parks Africa

Element Critical

ePLDT

eStruxture Data Centers

fifteenfortyseven Critical Systems Realty (1547)

Flexential

Green Mountain

Gulf Data Hub

H5 Data Centers

HostDime

KDDI

Keppel Data Centres

Khazna Data Centers (G42 & Etisalat)

LG Uplus

Lumen Technologies

maincubes one

MainOne (Equinix)

MEEZA

Millicom (Tigo)

Mobily

Moro Hub

NEXTDC

Nxtra by Airtel

ODATA

Orange Business Services

Ooredoo

Prime Data Centers

Princeton Digital Group (PDG)

Proximity Data Centres

Rack Centre

Raxio Group

Rostelecom Data Centers

Sabey Data Centers

Saudi Telecom Company (stc)

Scala Data Centers

Sify Technologies

Skybox Datacenters

Stream Data Centers

SUNeVision (iAdvantage)

Switch

T5 Data Centers

Tenglong Holdings Group

Teraco (Digital Realty)

TierPoint

Turkcell

Urbacon Data Centre Solutions

Wingu

Yondr

Yotta Infrastructure (Hiranandani Group)

New Entrants

AdaniConneX

AUBix

Cloudoon

ClusterPower

Corscale Data Centers

Damac Data Centres (EDGNEX)

Data Center First

DHAmericas

Edge Centres

Evolution Data Centres

Global Technical Realty

Hickory

iMCritical

Infinity

Kasi Cloud

MettaDC

Open Access Data Centres

PowerHouse Data Centers

Pure Data Centres Group

Quantum Loophole

Quantum Switch Tamasuk (QST)

Stratus DC Management

YCO Cloud

YTL Data Center

ZeroPoint DC

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How big is the global data center market?

What is the growth rate of the global data center market?

What is the estimated market size in terms of area in the global data center market by 2028?

What are the key trends in the data center market?

How many MW of power capacity is expected to reach the global data center market by 2028?

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PUNE, India, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dataintelo, a leading market research company, recently published a detailed report on the global telemonitoring system market. The report provides an extensive analysis of the market's growth factors, opportunities, and trends for the period between 2023-2031. The study covers various aspects of the telemonitoring system market, including its types, applications, components, connectivity, end-users, and regions. It aims to provide valuable insights for market players, stakeholders, and investors to help them make informed decisions and capitalize on emerging opportunities in this rapidly growing market.

Telemonitoring systems are increasingly being used in healthcare settings, due to their ability to remotely monitor patients' vital signs, glucose levels, blood pressure, and other health parameters. These systems have gained significant traction, particularly in chronic disease management, as they enable healthcare providers to deliver timely and efficient care to patients while reducing the overall cost of care. The report by Dataintelo highlights the immense growth potential of the global telemonitoring system market, driven by factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, aging population, technological advancements, and growing demand for remote patient monitoring.

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One of the key aspects of the report is its in-depth analysis of the different types of telemonitoring systems available in the market. These include COPD, glucose level, blood pressure, cardiac monitoring systems, and others. The study provides valuable insights into the growth trends and opportunities in each of these segments, enabling market players to make strategic decisions and capitalize on the potential of specific telemonitoring systems.

The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the various applications of telemonitoring systems, such as home care, long-term care centers, hospital cares, specialist clinics, and rehabilitation centers. The study highlights the growing demand for telemonitoring systems across these applications, driven by factors such as the increasing need for remote patient monitoring and the rising adoption of telehealth and telemedicine services. This detailed analysis of the applications of telemonitoring systems helps market players understand the current and future growth trends in this market and identify lucrative opportunities for expansion.

The global telemonitoring system market is further segmented based on components, including hardware, software, and services. The report provides an insightful analysis of the growth potential of each of these segments, driven by factors such as the increasing demand for advanced telemonitoring devices, the need for efficient data management and analysis, and the growing emphasis on patient-centric care.

In terms of connectivity, the telemonitoring system market is classified into wired and wireless systems. The report by Dataintelo highlights the growing preference for wireless telemonitoring systems due to their ease of use, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. This detailed analysis of the connectivity options in telemonitoring systems enables market players to make informed decisions and leverage the growth opportunities in the wired and wireless telemonitoring system segments.

The report also offers a comprehensive analysis of the telemonitoring system market's end-users, including patients, healthcare providers, payers, and employers. The study highlights the growing adoption of telemonitoring systems by these end-users, driven by factors such as the increasing need for efficient patient monitoring, the rising demand for cost-effective healthcare solutions, and the growing emphasis on improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

The global telemonitoring system market report provides a detailed regional analysis, covering North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. It offers valuable insights into the growth trends, opportunities, and challenges in each of these regions, helping market players understand the regional dynamics and capitalize on emerging opportunities in specific markets.

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The global telemonitoring system market report by Dataintelo is a comprehensive and insightful study that provides valuable information on the market's growth factors, opportunities, and trends. It offers a detailed analysis of the market's various segments, enabling market players, stakeholders, and investors to make informed decisions and capitalize on the immense growth potential of the telemonitoring system market. The report also highlights the increasing demand for telemonitoring systems across various applications, driven by factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, aging population, technological advancements, and growing demand for remote patient monitoring. With its in-depth analysis and valuable insights, the report is a must-read for anyone looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving telemonitoring system market.

Related Report:

Telemonitoring Systems Market - Segments - by Type (Devices [Multi-parameter Monitoring, Blood Pressure, Glucose, Chronic Cardiovascular Disease Monitoring, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Monitoring, and Others] and Services), End-user (Hospital Care, Home Care, Long-term Care, and Others), Application (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, Oncology, and Cardiovascular Diseases), and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023  2031

Cardiac Biomarkers Market - Segments - by Types (Troponin, Creatine kinase - MB, Natriuretic peptides - B-type Natriuretic Peptide & N-terminal pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide, Myoglobin, Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA), Heart-type Fatty Acid Binding Protein, and LDH Isoenzymes), Applications (Acute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy, Ischemia, Myocarditis, and Atrial Fibrillation), End-users (Laboratory Testing and Point of Care (POC) Testing), and Regions (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2021  2028

South America Cardiac Monitoring Market - Segments - by Device (ECG Monitor, Event Recorder, Implantable Cardiac Loop Recorder, Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Devices, Smart Wearable, and Other Device Types), End-users (Hospitals and Clinics, Home Care Settings, and Other End-users), and Geography (Brazil, Argentina, and Rest of South America) - Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2021  2028

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CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The dental 3D printing industry is poised for remarkable growth in the near future. As digital dentistry continues to revolutionize the field, the adoption of 3D printing technology is set to transform the way dental products and treatments are created. With advancements in materials and printers, dental professionals will have access to a wider range of biocompatible and aesthetically pleasing options for fabricating crowns, bridges, implants, and orthodontic appliances. The ability to produce highly accurate and customized dental solutions with reduced turnaround times will greatly benefit patients, providing them with faster and more precise treatments. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and digital scanning technologies will streamline the design and production processes, further enhancing efficiency and quality control. The dental 3D printing industry, fueled by these advancements, is on track to revolutionize dental care, offering improved patient outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and personalized solutions in the near future.

Dental 3D Printing Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $3.0 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $6.7 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Dental 3D Printing offers several advantages such as reduces inventories, limits material wastage, and provides dental professionals access to innovative designs. Reduced product development time for dental appliances, superior-quality complex parts and products, and mass personalization also add to the rising demand for dental 3D printing products and services. This has led to the increasing growth of the market.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Dental 3D Printing Market"

250 - Tables

40 - Figures

250 - Pages

Dental 3D Printing Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $3.0 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $6.7 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 17.5% Market Size Available for 20222028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Dental 3D Printing  End User, Product & Service, Application, Technology, Region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Increasing popularity of CAD/CAM technology Key Market Drivers High incidence of dental caries and other dental diseases

"During the forecast period, the materials segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment of the Dental 3D Printing market."

Based on prodtc & service, the dental 3D printing market is segmented into services, materials, and equipment. The materials segment is forecasted to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The primary driver of this market is the increasing advancement in the field of materials and their versatility across various applications. Research is underway to develop materials for temporaray restoration, which is expaceted to contribute heavily to the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

"In 2022, by end user, dental laboratories segment held the largest share of Dental 3D printing market."

By end user, the Dental 3D printing market can be segmented into Dental Laboratories, Dental Hospitals & Clinics, and Dental Academic & Research Institutes.

Due to increasing number of dental laboratories, the expansion of existing dental laboratories, the outsourcing of certain manufacturing functions to dental laboratories, and the rising demand for customized/fabricated solutions, the dental laboratories segment occupied the largest share of the market in 2022. This segment is also exected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

"In 2022, North America was the largest segment in the Dental 3D Printing market "

Based on region, the dental PMS market is segmented into five major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to be the region with the highest CAGR from 2023 to 2028. This can be attributed to the rising dental tourism, increasing awareness about new technologies, and increasing prevalence of dental disorders.

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Dental 3D Printing Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

High incidence of dental caries and other dental diseases

Restraints:

Lack of skilled workforce due to limited specialized training in additive manufacturing

Opportunities:

Increasing popularity of CAD/CAM technology

Challenges:

High capital investment and operating costs

Key Market Players:

Key players in the Dental 3D printing market include Stratasys Ltd. (US), 3D Systems Corporation (US), and Desktop Metal, Inc. (US). Among other developments, these companies adopted strategies such as partnerships, collaborations, agreements, integrations, acquisitions, product launches, and expansions, to strengthen their presence in the Dental 3D printing market.

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Recent Developments:

In May 2023 , 3D SYSTEMS CORPORATION (US) entered into an agreement to acquire Wematter Gravity ( Sweden ), which provides an affordable, turnkey SLS solution to the market. This was aimed at further expanding 3D Systems' Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) portfolio.

, 3D SYSTEMS CORPORATION (US) entered into an agreement to acquire Wematter Gravity ( ), which provides an affordable, turnkey SLS solution to the market. This was aimed at further expanding 3D Systems' Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) portfolio. In May 2023 , Desktop Metal, Inc. (US) and Stratasys Ltd. (US, and Israel ) entered into a definitive agreement to merge. This is expected to combine the polymer strengths of Stratasys with the complementary industrial mass production of Desktop Metal's brands.

, Desktop Metal, Inc. (US) and Stratasys Ltd. (US, and ) entered into a definitive agreement to merge. This is expected to combine the polymer strengths of Stratasys with the complementary industrial mass production of Desktop Metal's brands. In February 2023 , Stratasys Ltd. (US, and Israel ) signed an agreement with Ricoh USA , Inc. (US) to provide on-demand 3D-printed anatomic models for clinical settings. This combines the cloud-based Segmentation-as-a-Service solution from Axial3D (a Stratasys subsidiary), and precision additive manufacturing services from Ricoh into one convenient solution.

Dental 3D Printing Market Advantages:

Enhanced Precision and Accuracy: Dental 3D printing enables the creation of highly precise and accurate dental models, crowns, bridges, and other dental restorations. The technology allows for intricate details and ensures a perfect fit, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced chairside adjustments.

Time and Cost Efficiency: 3D printing streamlines the dental manufacturing process by eliminating the need for manual labor and multiple steps involved in traditional dental fabrication methods. This results in significant time savings and reduced costs for dental laboratories and clinics.

Customization and Personalization: Dental 3D printing allows for the customization and personalization of dental prosthetics and appliances. Dentists can create restorations that perfectly match the patient's anatomy and requirements, enhancing comfort and aesthetics.

Improved Workflow and Productivity: With dental 3D printing, dental professionals can optimize their workflow and increase productivity. Digital scanning, CAD (Computer-Aided Design), and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technologies can be seamlessly integrated, reducing errors, enhancing collaboration, and enabling faster turnaround times.

Expanded Treatment Options: 3D printing opens up new treatment possibilities in dentistry. It enables the production of complex dental structures, such as implant-supported restorations and surgical guides, which may not be feasible or cost-effective using traditional methods. This expands the range of treatment options available to dental professionals.

Reduced Waste and Inventory Management: 3D printing in dentistry is an additive manufacturing process, which means that material waste is minimized compared to subtractive methods. Additionally, dental practices can maintain a digital inventory of designs and materials, reducing the need for physical storage space and inventory management.

Research and Development Opportunities: Dental 3D printing fosters innovation and advancements in dental research and development. It enables the exploration of new materials, techniques, and treatment modalities, leading to continuous improvements in dental care.

Overall, dental 3D printing offers numerous advantages, including enhanced precision, time and cost efficiency, customization, improved workflow, expanded treatment options, reduced waste, and research opportunities. These benefits contribute to improved patient care, increased efficiency, and a more sustainable and technologically advanced dental industry.

Dental 3D Printing Market  Report Highlights:

Refinements in the segmentation of the global dental 3D printing market:

The current edition of the report consists of an updated market overview, average selling price trends, technology analysis, patent analysis, trends/disruptions impacting customers' businesses, adjacent market analysis, ecosystem/market map, value chain analysis. Market sizes and shares have also been provided country-wise.

The competitive landscape chapter has been updated with the overview of strategies adopted by players, market share analysis of key players, company evaluation quadrant, competitive leadership mapping for start-ups, competitive benchmarking. The competitive landscape also includes the revenue share analysis of the top market players and an updated competitive situations and trends section.

In the geographical analysis chapter, Netherlands has been added as a separate segment under the Europe region.

Coverage of new market players in the dental 3D printing market:

The company profiles include the company evaluation matrix, competitive leadership mapping, market share analysis of the top market players, and start-up company evaluation matrix.

The new edition of the report includes profiles for Ackuretta Technologies Pvt. Ltd. ( Taiwan ). The company has emerged as a key market player due to their product portfolios and the strategic investments undertaken in the dental 3D printing market space.

Updated financial information/product portfolios of players:

The new edition of the report provides updated financial information in the dental 3D printing market until 2022 for each listed company in a single diagram. This will help analyze the present status of profiled companies in terms of their financial strength, profitability, key revenue-generating region/country, business segment focus in terms of the highest revenue-generating segment, and investment in R&D.

Updated market developments of profiled players:

Recent developments are important to understand market trends and the growth strategies adopted by players. The current edition of this report provides updated developments of profiled players from January 2019 to June 2023 , indicating a continuation of the previous version. Product launches, approvals, upgrades, acquisitions, agreements, partnerships, integrations, and collaborations have been the principal growth strategies adopted by market players within this period.

Related Reports:

Dental Practice Management Software Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

3D Printing Medical Devices Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Dental Equipment Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Dental Digital X-ray Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Medical Aesthetics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

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CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dream Exchange, the first minority-owned and governed stock exchange, is thrilled to announce its official corporate sponsorship of the highly anticipated Boxer Brief 5K run. The Boxer Brief 5K run was held on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The annual event aims to raise awareness and funds for colorectal cancer research and education. Hundreds of participants and supporters, from all walks of life, united in their commitment to making a difference in the fight against prostate cancer.

Mindy Conklin, Founder of HCB2 pictured with Mike Conklin, Dream Exchange Estates Manager

"Partners like the Dream Exchange amplify our educational messages and support all our efforts to create environments where colorectal cancer cannot survive. Building and bridging resources so we can offer services to high-risk populations is at the heart of our work. Together, we are moving people from awareness to action, and we are honored to call the Dream Exchange a partner and hero in the defeat of colorectal cancer." said HCB2 Founder, Mindy Conklin.

The passing of Rich Conklin in January of 2011 led his wife, Mindy of nearly 20 years to create Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2). Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2) is honoring its 10th year of working to prevent and defeat colorectal cancer - our country's second-leading cancer killer. With diagnoses rising sharply in the 45 and under population, HCB2 is not only sounding the alarm but providing direct services to save lives.

As the corporate sponsor of the Boxer Brief 5K run, Dream Exchange demonstrates its strong dedication to corporate social responsibility and community engagement. By supporting this event, Dream Exchange seeks to promote health and wellness and raise awareness about colon cancer, a disease affecting millions of people worldwide.

Joe Cecala, Chief Executive Officer of Dream Exchange expressed his enthusiasm about the event and its underlying mission, stating, "We are incredibly excited to sponsor the Boxer Brief 5K run and contribute to the fight against colon cancer. At Dream Exchange, we believe in the power of community and collective action to create change. This event not only promotes fitness and well-being but also raises awareness about a critical health issue. We are proud to support this important cause."

Sign-up for Dream Exchange's upcoming free webinar on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 4PM EST where they will discuss exciting new developments including the release of the Dream Exchange Anthem!

About Dream Exchange

The Dream Exchange is preparing its application and operations to become registered as the first minority-owned and governed stock exchange in the history of the United States. In addition, Dream Exchange is championing the creation of a new type of stock exchange called a venture exchange, to list and trade smaller, early-stage company stock. Dream Exchange's mission is to create access and equality of opportunity for all people in a fair marketplace that instills ethics, integrity, and humanity.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The existing loan portfolio of projects in Turkmenistan, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), amounts to approximately 31 million euros, Trend reports.

According to the EBRD, the bank's loan portfolio is calculated for the implementation of 22 projects.

As stated by the EBRD, the majority of their project portfolio, amounting to approximately 95 percent or nearly 30 million euros, is allocated for investments in industry, commerce, and agribusiness. The remaining 5 percent, equivalent to 2 million euros, is directed towards investments in financial institutions.

In total, the bank's investments in Turkmenistan have exceeded 334 million euros, spanning across 87 different projects.

The Head of the EBRD Resident Office in Turkmenistan, Fatih Turkmenoglu, previously emphasized the bank's commitment to providing ongoing support to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs engaged in exporting or seeking to initiate export activities. This support aims to contribute to the growth and development of the country's economy.
With a wink to C-suites everywhere, the original craft coffee company is launching a search for a cold brew connoisseur. Get ready for all the cold brew you can drink.

EMERYVILLE, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Peet's Coffee is on the hunt for its first-ever 'Chief Cold Brew Officer'  or CCBO  a "role" without any of those actual C-suite requirements like spreadsheets and board meetings. In fact to qualify for this very chill role, candidates must just declare their willingness to indulge all summer long in their personal love of Peet's cold brew.

Beginning today, June 21, through Friday, June 30, cold brew lovers across the U.S.* can "apply" online at www.PeetsCCBO.com for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spread cold brew love.

Beginning today, June 21, through Friday, June 30, cold brew lovers across the U.S.* can apply online at www.PeetsCCBO.com for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spread cold brew love.

The Peet's CCBO role comes with an unlimited** flow of Peet's Cold Brew coffee. Plus, the CCBO will be granted the special authority to declare an official Peet's Cold Brew BOGO Day  a day of their choosing this summer, where all cold brew is buy one, get one free for all customers (participating locations nationwide).

Other responsibilities and perks of the CCBO includes:

Cold Brew Ambassador: You'll be the official Cold Brew ambassador for Peet's, going to Peet's Coffee locations and inspiring others to join the cold brew revolution .





You'll be the official Cold Brew ambassador for Peet's, going to Peet's Coffee locations and . Social Media Sip-sation: Embrace your inner influencer and advise on current coffee trends on social media! Capture and share captivating photos, videos, and stories of your cold brew adventures on social media platforms . Your content will drive engagement and generate excitement around Peet's Cold Brew Coffee's offerings.





Embrace your inner influencer and advise on current coffee trends on social media! . Your content will drive engagement and generate excitement around Peet's Cold Brew Coffee's offerings. Cold Brew + Chill: You pledge to always make sure the cold brew's flowing when visiting your local Peet's this summer, but as the CCBO, of course you're the master of chill.

"Summer is cold brew season and we can't wait to onboard our new CCBO," said Jessica Buttimer, Peet's vice president of brand. "Peet's is true cold brew, steeped slowly overnight to bring the wonderful flavors of the cold coffee to the surface; when you take a sip, it is super refreshing and you taste flavors that you might have missed before."

Peet's Coffee invites cold brew aficionados across the country to share why they would be the best CCBO at www.PeetsCCBO.com for the chance to embark on a brew-fueled summer. Winner will be announced on or around Monday, July 10. Terms and conditions apply.

*For a complete list of eligible states, visit www.PeetsCCBO.com

**Full prize details available at www.PeetsCCBO.com

About Peet's Coffee

Founded in Berkeley, California in 1966 by Alfred Peet, the "Big Bang of coffee," Peet's Coffee pioneered the artisan movement in the U.S. With rich, complex, superior quality roasts unlike anything Americans ever tasted before, Peet's influenced generations of coffee entrepreneurs and connoisseurs. Today, Alfred Peet's legacy lives on in every Peet's cup whether ordered online, selected at a grocery store or served in any one of the more than 370 Peet's Coffee locations in the U.S. and China. Peet's coffee is verified as 100 percent responsibly sourced, per Enveritas standards. For more information, visit www.peets.com . Stay connected to Peet's: @peetscoffee on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook .

SOURCE Peet's Coffee Inc.
Fifth Annual TAG European Fraud Benchmark Report Also Shows Progress in Fight Against CTV Fraud With 86% IVT Reduction in TAG Certified Channels

WASHINGTON and LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the 2023 TAG European Fraud Benchmark study , invalid traffic (IVT) rates in Europe have been held under the industry's accepted benchmark of 1% for five consecutive years in TAG Certified Channels (TCC), where multiple participants have adopted TAG's rigorous anti-fraud standards. The study found the invalid traffic (IVT) rate in TCCs in Europe was 0.68% last year, and it remained in a tight range of 0.53% to 0.69% across all five years of the study.

Trustworthy Accountability Group

"If you had told a major brand or agency in 2018 that you could hold their IVT rates under 1% for the next five years, they would have thought you were either a liar or a fool," said Mike Zaneis, CEO of TAG. "Happily, the TAG model works, not only in Europe but worldwide, and study after study has shown that inventory that runs through TAG Certified Channels is able to maintain the consistent, low, and predictable IVT rates that seemed nearly unimaginable just a few years ago."

The study also showed significant progress in the industry's fight against fraud in the connected TV (CTV) space, with an 86% drop in IVT when comparing the TCC rate of 1.28% with the Non-Certified Channel (NCC) rate at 8.85%.

"As with all fast-growing media, ad fraud presents a challenge in the CTV space, but TAG continues to stay ahead of the threats by continuously reviewing and updating its anti-fraud requirements for CTV and other emerging media," said Jules Kendrick, MD, UK & Europe for TAG. "This year's study demonstrated the success of TAG's efforts in the CTV space, as IVT rates were dramatically lower in TAG Certified Channels where multiple participants had adopted TAG's high standards than in Non-Certified Channels. We look forward to building on that record of success not only in CTV but other newer areas of digital advertising like audio and gaming as well."

The study was conducted by The 614 Group and evaluated IVT rates in TCC by measuring more than 259 billion ad impressions in TCCs from January-December 2022 from three of the largest advertising agency holding companies across the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

In addition to the quantitative results, the study also conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with senior executives from the participating agencies and other ad tech companies. From those interviews, several themes emerged:

Advertisers in Europe are cost-conscious but willing to pay for high-quality, low-IVT impressions. Amid uncertain global economic prospects and ongoing risk of recession, agencies and their clients are increasingly cost-conscious, but they continue to value and are willing to pay a premium for high-quality, low-IVT inventory. European advertisers are increasingly interested in global certifications that provide validation of low IVT rates. While recognition of global certifications is lower in some European markets, regional advertisers are showing increasing interest in certifications that help them identify and purchase low IVT inventory.

Advertisers' priorities are extending beyond low IVT to encompass safe, transparent, and responsible inventory. Holding IVT rates down is still one of the top priorities for agencies, but they also want to address related supply chain challenges like Made-for-Advertising sites; diversity issues (DEI); and privacy concerns.

"While IVT reduction remains a top priority, corporate priorities around advertising are increasingly expanding to include new consumer protection issues such as brand safety, privacy, diversity, and sustainability," said Rob Rasko, CEO of The 614 Group. "This shift is becoming increasingly evident as companies take a proactive stance not only against fraud but around other ad-related issues."

The full study can be found here . Additional information about TAG's Certified Against Fraud Program and how companies from across the advertising ecosystem can receive the TAG Certified Against Fraud Seal can be found at https://www.tagtoday.net/fraud .

Methodology

This is the fifth annual TAG European Fraud Benchmark Study conducted by The 614 Group, and it continues to follow the methodology of the prior studies. The 614 Group partnered with three leading agency holding companies - GroupM, Omnicom Media Group, and Publicis Groupe - along with their MRC-accredited measurement vendors to collect and aggregate all impressions for campaigns that were executed from January 2022 to December 2022 in five European countries (Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK).

These impressions included display media and video ads in desktop, mobile web, mobile in-app, and CTV environments. The analysis did not use sampling of any kind, as 100% of all TAG Certified Against Fraud impressions given to The 614 Group were included in the analysis. Upon receipt, all data was aggregated within a secure database in order to create the proper reporting.

About the Trustworthy Accountability Group

TAG (The Trustworthy Accountability Group) is the global certification programme designed to fight against criminal activity and protect brand safety in the digital advertising industry. TAG advances its mission of eliminating fraudulent traffic, facilitating the sharing of threat intelligence, and promoting brand safety by connecting industry leaders, analyzing threats, and sharing best practices worldwide. The 700+ member TAG community includes the world's largest and most influential brands, agencies, publishers, and ad tech providers. For more information on TAG, please visit tagtoday.net .

Media Contact:

Andrew Weinstein

202-667-4967

[email protected]

SOURCE Trustworthy Accountability Group
VANCOUVER, BC, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to report exploration results from the Swain and Sol d'Or properties in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project ("BUGB Project" or the "Project") located in northwestern Ontario, Canada, near the Company's Springpole Gold Project (the "Springpole Project"). Results from field and drilling programs on these two properties have identified new gold mineralization in favourable geologic settings with a potential for unlocking new discoveries. Work completed in 2022 and work planned for 2023 include components of soil geochemistry, prospecting and mapping, airborne geophysics, and diamond drilling programs.

Figure 1. Plan Map Showing 2022 Drill Locations, Swain Property (CNW Group/First Mining Gold Corp.) Figure 2: Oblique 3D View of the 2022 Exploration Drilling in the Area of the GDZ (Looking NE) (CNW Group/First Mining Gold Corp.)

Highlights of the Exploration Advancements:

Identification of key exploration elements in the Grace Deformation Zone over a structural strike length of 6.5 km

Discovery of a new gold-in-soil anomaly, including a gold assay of 724 ppb Au, with open opportunity for expansion and infill

Return of rock grab samples from the Sol d'Or property, including a high-grade sample of 34.7 g/t Au, confirming potential for a high-grade host environment, and additional samples from the Swain property, including one at 9.3 g/t Au

Completion of a 150-line km airborne geophysical survey with advanced processing and modelling supporting forward targeting

Identification of six discrete electromagnetic conductive plate models from geophysical modelling favourable for further targeting and resolution advancement

Drilling of five priority holes at the Swain property validating a geologic setting of favourable host rocks including notable alteration and mineralization, and including drill intersects of up to 0.64 g/t Au over 5.6 m , and 0.34 g/t Au over 14.9 m

"We continue to be encouraged by the results of our initial exploration phases," stated Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining. "Building key datasets and evaluating regional host settings in our consolidated district has supported the growth of an important prospectivity pipeline which includes over 80 current targets. The additional targets and potential mineral discovery in our district-scale Birch-Uchi land package provides tremendous upside to our already robust Springpole Project."

Swain  Sol d'Or Targeting

The Swain and Sol d'Or property areas are located approximately 7 km southwest of First Mining's western-most property boundary at the Springpole Project. Exploration targeting is focused along the northwest-southeast striking Grace Deformation Zone ("GDZ"), and the north-south striking Uchi Deformation Zone ("UDZ"), targeting iron carbonate alteration assemblages, and anomalous arsenic and copper values generated from recent field exercises are planned for immediate follow up. The 2022 field campaign by First Mining returned a high gold-in-soil assay of 724 ppb which is associated with mapped shearing and quartz veining within 300 m of the GDZ, an area that has historically produced numerous exploration targets within the Birch-Uchi Greenstone belt, including the historic Sol d'Or mine operated in the 1930's. Prospecting by First Mining in the vicinity of the historic mine returned grab samples with anomalous gold, including one sample at 34.7 g/t Au, further supporting the targeted areas' gold endowment. Mineralization is associated with increased silica and carbonate-altered mafic to intermediate volcanic units and banded iron formations that are host to brecciated and discrete quartz veining, and sulphides. The dominant sulphide mineralization is fine grained, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite, averaging an abundance of 1-5%. Most mineralization found across the property is associated with, or found within, the GDZ.

2022 Swain Diamond Drilling

The 2022 Swain diamond drilling campaign comprised 5 drill holes totalling 1,557 metres and was completed as scout-level drill testing along and proximal to the GDZ, in areas prospective for gold mineralization based on geology, grab sampling, geophysics, and structural architecture (see Figure 1). Recent and historical field work identifies grab samples at Swain that returned gold grades of 2.93 g/t Au and 1.59g /t Au, indicative of notable gold endowment with an opportunity to advance and vector within a mineralization system over a meaningful strike length. Mineralization potential has been modelled in 3D with a focus on outward growth and vectoring to areas of higher grade and width (see Figure 2). Select assay results from the Swain drill program are reported below in Table 1, and drill locations are provided in Table 2.

The exploration drilling campaign carried out on the Swain property has been successful in advancing base datasets and target vectoring with exploration validation through the identification of favourable host rock lithologies over zones of meaningful width with increased alteration, veining and mineralization. Results have delineated an area of interest over one kilometre of strike length coincident with the influence of the GDZ structure, which includes drill intercepts of 0.64 g/t Au over 5.6 m, and 0.34 g/t Au over 14.9 m (hole SWL22-001). Initial work has identified important indicators that support further vectoring down strike of the GDZ where additional target work-ups will focus on anomalous soil geochemical values (including 724 ppb Au) at the Hogwarts target and rock grab sample values including 34.7 g/t Au at the Sol d'Or target.

Table 1: Assay Highlights from the 2022 Drill Program, Swain Property

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au Grade (g/t) SWL22-001 63.46 78.33 14.87 0.34 including 65.68 66.07 0.39 2.51 and 118.86 124.5 5.64 0.64 including 124 124.5 0.5 4.59 SWL22-002 116.1 118.3 2.2 0.69 and 126.3 134.9 8.6 0.26 and 326 329 3 0.23 and 414.7 417 2.3 0.27 SWL22-003 163.97 165.2 1.23 1.18 SWL22-004 208 215.3 7.3 0.09 and 245.65 249.2 3.55 0.27 SWL22-005 16 18.33 2.33 0.15 and 42 43.06 1.06 0.43 and 54 57 3 0.13 and 62 66 4 0.14 and 75 89 14 0.16 and 94 104 10 0.23

*Reported lengths are drilled core lengths, true widths of all intercepts have not yet been determined; all assay values are uncut



Table 2: 2022 Drill Locations, Swain Property

Hole ID Easting (UTM) Northing (UTM) Depth (m) Azimuth  Dip  SWL22-001 529295 5683550 383 180 -45 SWL22-002 529439 5683504 437 150 -50 SWL22-003 529848 5683192 256.2 180 -50 SWL22-004 530253 5683432 305 210 -50 SWL22-005 530243 5683064 176 220 -45

Note: Collar coordinates in UTM NAD 83 z15



2022 Exploration Field Campaign

Soil Survey Program

A soil survey was designed across the properties to infill any soil sampling gaps from historical data across the GDZ and UDZ. A soil grid targeting the GDZ was designed at 300 m line spacing and 100 m station spacing, and a soil grid targeting the UDZ was designed at 200 m line and station spacing. A total of 159 soil samples were collected across the Swain property. This soil survey was successful in delineating new high priority targets for additional follow-up work and testing. This is highlighted by the 724 ppb Au soil sample which was collected at the newly found Hogwarts target. Infill soil sampling and mapping programs have been designed for follow up in 2023. This survey was also successful in further enhancing the understanding of structures across the property from elevated gold pathfinder elements found along the GDZ and UDZ. A total of 26 soil samples reported below detection limits of 5 ppb Au.

Mapping and Prospecting Program

A total of 129 grab samples were collected during the 2022 field campaign across the properties. Highlights from the grab sample results include gold values of 34.7 g/t, 9.3 g/t, 2.9 g/t, and 1.6 g/t (see Table 3). Each highlighted sample was taken from a different target across the properties, demonstrating the potential gold endowment across multiple structures along strike.

Bullseye Target  sheared mineralized mafic volcanics with chalcopyrite and pyrite grab sample towards the southeast portion of the SDZ returning 9.3 g/t Au; the mineralized structure was mapped in the 2022 field campaigns and strikes continuously for 200 m towards the northeast.

 sheared mineralized mafic volcanics with chalcopyrite and pyrite grab sample towards the southeast portion of the SDZ returning 9.3 g/t Au; the mineralized structure was mapped in the 2022 field campaigns and strikes continuously for towards the northeast. Snake Target  samples returned gold values including 1.6 g/t and 34.7 g/t, which were collected from sulphide mineralized quartz veining proximal to the historic Sol d'Or areas of development

 samples returned gold values including 1.6 g/t and 34.7 g/t, which were collected from sulphide mineralized quartz veining proximal to the historic Sol d'Or areas of development Mystical Target  shear-hosted intermediate volcanics returned 2.9 g/t Au in a mapped mineralized structure along the GDZ

Table 3: Significant Grades from 2022 Grab Sampling

Property Sample ID Gold Grade (g/t) Sample Type Target Area Sol d'Or B1055352 34.7 Muck Snake Swain B1055051 9.3 Grab Bullseye Swain B1055032 2.9 Grab Mystical Sol d'Or B1055381 1.6 Muck Snake



2022 Airborne Geophysics Campaign

In partnership with SkyTEM, a total of 150-line km of airborne magnetics and electromagnetics ("EM") surveying was completed across the Swain & Sol d'Or properties. The survey was successful in confirmation and refinement of major structures and lithologies as well as identifying new key focal points of interest. The magnetics survey well supported high resolution delineation of the GDZ and UDZ structures, and further identifies key stratigraphic units of iron formation and ultramafic intrusive bodies. These units were then confirmed and supported in interpretation with mapping and soil geochemical data collected in 2022. Additional processing work with Mira Geosciences identified six key EM conductive plates as favourable follow-up targets for advancement in 2023. The EM conductor modelling is highlighted by two plates modelled within the Hogwarts target area. These EM targets will be further enhanced with increased mapping and soil geochemical resolution, followed by a detailed 3D geological model and drill targeting program.

Priority Swain Targets

In 2021, First Mining commenced field campaigns targeting initial field validation and assessment of historical showings. Two of the historical showings returned elevated gold; Swain Lake North, which is characterized as foliation parallel, quartz vein-hosted mineralization, returned 6.6 g/t Au; and Hodgson, characterized as quartz vein and felsic volcanic host units, returned samples with elevated Au over a 30 m long exposure. Multi-element assay results indicate a strong association between gold and arsenic anomalies at the Hodgson target as well as the Bobarris West target, a signature that has been identified further along the GDZ.

The Mystical target is hosted within a sheared intermediate volcanic unit with notable chalcopyrite mineralization, returning a 2.9 g/t Au grab sample with results aligned to prospectivity elements of the exploration model. Additional resolution of the area has been further established in drilling of hole SWL22-002 specifically testing the target further at depth.

The Hogwarts target was discovered through a significant gold-arsenic soil anomaly returned from the 2022 field campaign and was further prioritized through the 2022 airborne geophysics survey and modelling. This is a priority and prospective target for the 2023 field season, with infill mapping and soil sampling further planned to expand the geological potential and scalability of this target while understanding the regional association with known prospective targets like the Sol d'Or mine trend.

The Snake target was discovered through historic Sol d'Or mine development review, which demonstrated the potential for increased gold grades within areas of the favourable targets trend. The 2023 field season will focus on advancing the structural controls of the vein system along the Sol d'Or trend, attempting to unlock the understanding of higher-grade settings.

2023 Swain Target Outlook

For 2023, field campaigns on the Swain and Sol d'Or property areas will focus on follow-up and infill sampling, with additional detailed mapping to be focused on deformation zones and projections for the extension of alteration halos, structure and mineralization. Findings will further support integrated exploration models followed by proposed drilling campaigns in the fall of 2023.

Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project

The Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project represents regional scale exploration opportunities that have been consolidated by First Mining surrounding the Springpole Project. This land tenure coupled with the Springpole Project, also located in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt, consists of >70,000 hectares and presents a strong opportunity for new discoveries in an area that is historically underexplored and has only seen a fraction of the exploration work that has been done in the neighbouring Red Lake and Pickle Lake greenstone belts that have been subject to earlier consolidation and discovery cycles.

First Mining has initiated district-scale screening of the Birch-Uchi Project area through a multi-phase commitment to explore and enhance mineral potential within the region.

Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures

All sampling completed by First Mining within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials and a level of duplicate analysis. Samples from the 2022 exploration programs were sent to Activation Laboratories located in Thunder Bay, Ontario where they were processed for gold analysis by 50 gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish, and multi-element analysis (including silver) by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method with an aqua regia digest for soil samples or four acid digest for core and grab samples. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meet assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101.

Qualified Person

Hazel Mullin, P.Geo., Director, Data Management and Technical Services of First Mining, is a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and she has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in Canada, the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario, where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities are on-going with a draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project published in June 2022, and the Duparquet, Pitt Gold, Duquesne and Porcupine East Gold Project in Quebec, a collection of advanced-stage development assets located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the prolific Abitibi region. First Mining also owns the Cameron Gold Project in Ontario and a portfolio of gold project interests including the Pickle Crow Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), the Hope Brook Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.), and a large equity interest in Treasury Metals Inc.

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com , and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp.
Funds to support FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

MIAMI, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vida & Estilo, a national restaurant and hotel group based in Miami, is establishing two new funds to support student success and educational programming at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU).

One of the largest privately owned restaurant groups in the state of Florida, Vida & Estilo is a culinary industry pioneer behind recognizable restaurant concepts such as News Cafe, Havana 1957, Cafe Americano, PaperFish, Barsecco, Oh! Mexico and Marabu.

The Vida & Estilo Hospitality Program Fund will help create and build out training and programming to elevate the skill level of both executive leadership teams and emerging leaders in the hospitality industry.

Complementing this fund, the Vida & Estilo Student Support Fund will foster student enrichment and experiences that include scholarships, stipends and student programming.

The Chaplin School, a top 10 ranked hospitality program, and Vida & Estilo also plan to hold branded days at the Biscayne Bay Campus, where Vida & Estilo senior leadership, general managers and directors can mentor students with real-life business applications and highlight career opportunities in fields that include real estate and venue development, marketing, public relations, culinary, beverage and design.

"These funds will undoubtedly bolster the work of the Chaplin School as we seek to continue to produce leaders in the hospitality industry," said Michael Cheng, dean of the Chaplin School. "We are grateful to Vida & Estilo for its support."

The company is led by CEO, owner and FIU alumnus Matias Pesce, who graduated from FIU in 2018. The two new funds are the latest initiatives to come from Vida & Estilo's partnership with the Chaplin School. The company has supported the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF), of which the school is a beneficiary of, each of the past two years.

"Vida & Estilo is proud to continue its partnership with the Chaplin School by establishing the Vida & Estilo Hospitality Program Fund and the Vida & Estilo Student Support Fund," Pesce said. "As an alumnus, I know firsthand about the excellent education FIU provides and the powerful community outreach that it has. It perfectly aligns with the mission of Vida & Estilo."

"We believe that business success is not only about individual achievements as a person or as a company, but also about our ability to build strategic alliances, establish trusting relationships and foster a collaborative environment that will contribute to continue developing the next generation of business leaders for the hospitality industry and our communities." Pesce said.

Both funds will be available starting in Fall 2023.

Media Contact:

Ivonne Yee-Amor

305-299-2091

[email protected]

SOURCE Florida International University
Empress's Chemilogics product platform creates small molecule drugs quickly and cost-effectively

The company emerges after two years of platform development with an initial commitment of $50 million from Flagship Pioneering

Empress has identified and characterized 15 potential small molecule drugs in less than two years; it expects to file multiple Investigational New Drug (IND) applications within the next 24 months

Murray McKinnon , Ph.D., former Global Head of J&J's World Without Disease Accelerator and Head of Immunology Discovery within Janssen Pharmaceuticals, appointed Chief Scientific Officer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagship Pioneering, the bioplatform innovation company, today unveiled Empress Therapeutics. Empress's proprietary Chemilogics product platform creates drugs by understanding how the genetic code programs cells in the human body to produce chemical compounds called metabolites, a rich source of potential small molecule medicines. The company is initially focused on metabolites produced by commensal bacteria and uses a proprietary suite of computational and genetic technologies to create small molecule compounds with favorable drug properties. This approach systematically generates promising small molecule drug candidates at unprecedented speed. In less than two years, with a team of less than 30 people, Empress has generated 15 molecules, across multiple target classes, for multiple indications. The company expects to file multiple IND applications in the next 24 months.

Flagship has made an initial commitment of $50 million to support the development of Empress's platform and the company's initial pipeline of drug candidates. Empress also announced that global pharmaceutical leader, Murray McKinnon, Ph.D., who has delivered 30 clinical candidates across multiple therapeutic modalities and disease areas and supported the development of multiple marketed products, will lead the company's R&D efforts as Chief Scientific Officer.

Founded by Flagship Pioneering, Empress generates good medicines, fast by starting with chemistry inside the human body. Tweet this

"Small molecules are the most versatile class of medicines. Despite their advantages, however, finding small molecule compounds that are qualified to be drugs is unpredictable, time-consuming, and expensive," said Doug Cole, M.D., Managing Partner at Flagship Pioneering, Co-Founder and Chairman of Empress Therapeutics' Board of Directors. "Empress overcomes these obstacles by linking gene pathways to small molecule compounds. This unique approach makes it possible to find high quality drug candidates faster and more predictably than has previously been possible."

"Biosynthetic genes are essentially lines of DNA code that program cells in our bodies to produce metabolites," explained Jason Park, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Empress Therapeutics and Operating Partner at Flagship Pioneering. "Over the past several decades, the programmability of the DNA code has made it possible to create biologic drug candidates predictably and quickly. In much the same way, we can now apply the programmability of the DNA code to create small molecule drugs predictably and quickly."

The company calls its approach Chemilogics because it creates products with the valuable attributes of small molecule chemical compounds by harnessing the genetic foundation of biologics. In less than two years, the company has made 15 drug leads. These compounds span multiple structural classes and target multiple classes of proteins, including cytokines, enzymes, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and ion channels. They have the potential to address unmet needs in multiple indications, in areas including immune and inflammatory, metabolic, neurologic, oncologic, and pain disorders.

Dr. Park continued, "Empress's mission is to make a lot of great small molecule medicines fast. We believe we are well on our way to realizing this mission. Our expanding pipeline puts us in a position to file multiple IND applications within the next 24 months. Murray McKinnon's experience discovering and successfully advancing dozens of drug compounds brings invaluable expertise to our efforts to turn these and many more compounds from our platform into impactful medicines."

"Advances in genomics, synthetic and molecular biology, and computation transformed how we find and make biologic medicines by unlocking speed, precision, and predictability," said Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Empress Therapeutics and Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering. "Empress offers a transformative proposition because it takes the same underlying logic and technologies and applies them to small molecules, a class of medicines that, through their versatility, continues to offer tremendous value in improving human health."

In addition to Afeyan, Cole, and Park, the founding team of Empress Therapeutics includes Flagship Principal Sabrina Yang, Ph.D., who serves as its Chief Innovation Officer and Flagship Executive Partner John Mendlein, Ph.D., J.D., who serves on the Board of Directors.

About Empress Therapeutics

Founded by Flagship Pioneering in 2020, Empress Therapeutics generates good medicines, fast, by starting with chemistry inside the human body. The Empress Chemilogics platform uses novel insights that connect the lines of code in DNA with drug-like chemistry made in the human body to create first- or best-in-class oral medicines for a broad range of diseases quickly, predictably, and cost-effectively. For more information, visit www.empresstx.com and follow at @empress_tx .

About Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category bioplatform companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, the firm has, through its Flagship Labs unit, applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $100 billion in aggregate value. To date, Flagship has deployed over $3.1 billion in capital toward the founding and growth of its pioneering companies alongside more than $19 billion of follow-on investments from other institutions. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 43 transformative companies, including Denali Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DNLI), Foghorn Therapeutics (NASDAQ: FHTX), Generate Biomedicines, Inari, Indigo Agriculture, Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Omega Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OMGA), Sana Biotechnology (NASDAQ: SANA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB) and Tessera Therapeutics.

SOURCE Flagship Pioneering
CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The food coating ingredients market is estimated at USD 3.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4.9 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2028. The food coating equipment market is estimated at USD 5.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 7.7 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2023 to 2028 according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets.

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Food coating refers to the process of adding a layer of coating or breading to food products, which can provide improved texture, taste, appearance, and preservation. The market for food coating is driven by several factors, including the growing demand for convenience and processed food products, increasing consumer preferences for crispy and crunchy food textures, and the need for extended shelf life of packaged food. The demand for convenience food products, such as frozen and ready-to-eat meals, has been on the rise. Food coatings are used to enhance the taste and texture of these products, thereby driving the market growth. The food coating equipment market is steadily increasing in North America and Europe and growing consistently due to established equipment manufacturers and the organized food industry.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Food Coating Market"

110  Tables

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The Cocoa & Chocolates in by ingredient type segment accounted for the largest share of the food coating market in 2023 in terms of value.

Chocolate and cocoa are crucial ingredients that are used to make a variety of products, including cereal, protein bars, dried fruits, and nuts. These components are frequently used to add a delightful chocolate flavor to bakery and confectionery items. Enrobing, panning, and dipping are the three main techniques for coating foods like caramel or almonds in chocolate. The centers that will be covered in chocolate are transported via a machine during the enrobing process. Chocolate is sprayed onto revolving centers that are put on pans during panning, and then the chocolate is solidified by air that has been cooled. The centers are dipped, then cooled after being submerged in molten chocolate.

The liquid in by ingredient form segment accounted for the largest share of the food coating market in 2023 in terms of value.

Liquid coating materials include cocoa, chocolate, fats, oils, batter, sugar, and syrups. Liquid coatings are used in the manufacturing of bread goods, flavored spreads, ice cream coatings, granola bars, and confectioneries such as candy bars. These coatings are made up of fat-based formulations that are melted and applied on solid food products such as nuts, cakes, doughnuts, cookies, sugar wafers, ice cream bars, and fruit pieces. Manufacturers utilize liquid coatings to improve the flavor and texture of various food products, adding a layer of flavor and appeal to the finished product.

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The North America region accounted for the largest share, in terms of value, of the global food coating ingredients market in 2023.

The food coating ingredient market in North America is witnessing substantial growth, primarily fueled by the thriving food processing industry. Furthermore, the region's rising health concerns, including obesity and heart ailments, have led to a heightened emphasis on consuming healthy products such as low-sugar breakfast cereals. In response to this demand, food coating ingredient manufacturers have introduced products with reduced sugar content and allergen-free formulations. These factors have provided a significant boost to the North American food coating ingredient industry.

The North American food coating market is experiencing robust expansion, driven by various factors. One of the key drivers is the increasing demand for convenience foods, which arises from evolving lifestyles and busy schedules. Consumers are actively seeking quick and easy food options that align with their time constraints. Food coatings play a crucial role in enhancing the appeal of convenience foods by adding layers of flavor and texture. Additionally, these coatings aid in preserving the freshness and quality of products during transportation and storage, contributing to their popularity in the market.

The Asia Pacific region accounted for the largest share, in terms of value, of the global food coating ingredients market in 2023.

The Asia Pacific area is poised to become the largest market for food coating equipment. This expansion is being fueled largely by causes such as the region's growing industrialization, rising demand from numerous applications, and government measures to assist food producers and processors in modernizing their technology and processes. Many multinational corporations are creating manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and research & development centers to capitalize on the promise of these expanding markets. Due to favorable government backing and cheap labor costs, India is likely to enjoy tremendous development, drawing investments from global firms. Small and medium-sized equipment manufacturers in the Asia Pacific area mostly supply semi-automatic coating equipment, responding to the rising demand from diverse end-use applications in countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and other Asian nations, driving the expansion of the coating equipment market in the region.

Key Players

Major key players operating in the food coating market Cargill Incorporated (US), Kerry Group plc. (Ireland), ADM (US), Ingredion (US), Newly weds Food (US), Associated British Foods PLC (UK), Tate & Lyle (UK), Solina (France), Idan Foods (US), POPLA International, Inc. (US).

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Browse Adjacent Reports @ Food and Beverage Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Other Food & Beverages Related Reports:

Food & Beverage Processing Equipment Market by Type (Processing, Pre-Processing), Application (Bakery & Confectionery, Meat & Poultry, Dairy, Alcoholic & Non Alcoholic Beverages), Mode of Operation, End Product Form and Region - Global Forecast to 2028

Meat Substitutes Market by Product (Tofu, Tempeh, Textured Vegetable Protein, Seitan, Quorn and Other Product), Source (Soy Protein, Wheat Protein, Pea Protein and Other Sources), Types ( Concentrates, Isolates and Textured), Form (Solid, Liquid), Category (Frozen, Refrigerated and Shelf Table) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World) - Forecast-2027

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Recognized as Best Bank in Rhode Island by Independent Consumer Survey

WESTERLY, R.I., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Trust Company ("Washington Trust"; "the Bank") today announced that the Bank has been selected to the Forbes list of Best-In-State Banks 2023. This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on June 20th, 2023, and can currently be viewed on the Forbes website. Washington Trust was one of 137 unique banks across the United States selected for the Forbes list.

Forbes selects Washington Trust to Best-In-State Banks 2023 List. Pictured: Mary E. Noons, Washington Trust President & COO, and Edward O. Ned Handy III, Washington Trust Chairman & CEO

"We are proud to be recognized by Forbes as the Best-In-State Bank in Rhode Island," stated Edward O. "Ned" Handy III, Washington Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Throughout our 222+ year history, Washington Trust has been a community partner that provides trusted financial advice and personalized solutions to our customers. This honor reflects the value our customers place in us."

Forbes and Statista identified Best-In-State Banks 2023 based on two sources:

An independent survey : Approximately 26,000 US consumers were asked to rate banks at which they have or previously have had checking/saving accounts. Participants made recommendations regarding overall satisfaction and assessed banks in the following areas: Trust, Terms & Conditions, Branch Services, Digital Services, Customer Service, and Financial Advice. Publicly available reviews : For each bank, in each state, a sentiment analysis approach of publicly available online text reviews and ratings was applied.

ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST

Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and one of the Northeast's premier financial services companies. Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ: WASH). Additional information on Washington Trust can be found at washtrust.com.

SOURCE The Washington Trust Company
DUBLIN, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Generative Artificial Intelligence Emerges as a Globally Disruptive Technology" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Enterprise Generative AI will be critical for vendors and service providers to assess the potential application opportunities for adoption use cases and establish strategic partners to develop strong value propositions and accelerate go-to-market strategies.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications have captured widespread attention from enterprise and consumer segments. This technology marks an inflection point in AI adoption, with the potential to transform business models, company functions, and job roles.

While enterprise adoption is still nascent, organizations are exploring the potential impact and seeking to understand the steps to build adoption readiness. In addition, Generative AI comes with legal and ethical concerns that must be considered and planned for.

Enterprises must encourage a culture of experimentation and simultaneously follow a structured approach to prioritize use cases and accelerate implementation.

The technology's significance and disruptive potential create new growth opportunities across the information and communication technologies (ICT) ecosystem for digital infrastructure applications, boosting algorithm training and application deployments.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Generative Artificial Intelligence

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2. Technology Overview

Overview of Generative AI

Background of Foundation Models

Description of Key Generative AI Foundation Models

Overview of Generative AI Segmentation

Overview of Generative AI - ChatGPT

3. Enterprise Generative AI

Generative AI for Enterprises

Generative AI - Key Use Cases

Generative AI - Implementation Steps

Generative AI Implementation - Key Considerations

4. Generative AI Ecosystem

Generative AI Ecosystem

Public Cloud Service Providers are Key Industry Participants in the Generative AI Ecosystem

AWS - Key Offerings

Google - Key Offerings

Alibaba - Key Offerings

5. Growth Opportunity Analysis

Growth Drivers

Growth Restraints

6. Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Industry-specific Generative AI Solutions

Growth Opportunity 2: AI Advisory and Implementation Services

Growth Opportunity 3: Data Management Services

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eu6x0c

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.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Organ Transplant Diagnostics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2017-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global organ transplant diagnostics market is anticipated to observe impressive growth during the forecast period 2023-2027.

The major factors include the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, the increase in the number of organ transplantation surgeries, and the adoption of advanced technology in the field of transplant diagnostics, which are impelling the growth of the market. Organ transplantation is a medical technique in which an organ is removed from one body and placed in a recipient's body to substitute a damaged or missing organ.

The other factors supporting the market's growth are, increasing government initiatives for spreading awareness, the rising geriatric population, the rising incidence of organ failure, high demand for molecular diagnostic tests, the surging investment and expenditure in healthcare and diagnostics, growing number of the organ transplant procedure, growing launch of programs & new product development in organ transplant diagnosis, and rise in research and development activities.



Rising Incidences of Chronic diseases



The increasing occurrence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and others, across the globe, are bolstering the growth of the market. This is attributed to the increased risk of organ failure among patients suffering from chronic diseases.

According to the WHO, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, taking approximately 17.9 million lives each year.

Also, the geriatric population is more prone to organ malfunction, especially the liver, heart, and kidney, thus, in turn, driving the growth of the market. As per the United States Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation, in 2019, 63 % of those who had organ transplants were aged 50 or older, and 21% of overall organ transplant individuals were aged 65 and above.



Increasing Awareness and Increase in the Number of Organ Transplantation Surgeries



Over the past few years, people are becoming more aware of organ transplantation, which is augmenting the growth of the market. Owing to the awareness among the masses, people are going for organ transplantation surgeries, which is fueling the growth of the market. Various initiatives are taken by the government and non-government organizations to make people aware of organ transplantation.

Moreover, the rise in number of organ transplantation surgeries is fueling the growth of the market. Owing to the increase in the number of patients with organ failure, the demand for transplant procedures is rising, which is facilitating the growth of the market. According to Health Resources and Services Administration, in 2019, about 112,568 people in the U.S. required organ transplantation.



Market Players



Illumina, Inc., Thermo Fischer Scientific, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Quest Diagnostics, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, bioMerieux S.A., CareDx, Inc, and Immucor, Inc. are some of the leading companies operating in the market.



Report Scope:



In this report, global organ transplant diagnostics market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:



by Component:

Kits & Assays

Consumables

Services

by Transplant Type:

Solid Organ Transplant

Stem Cell Transplant

by Technology:

Molecular Technologies

Serology

Flow Cytometry

Others

by Application:

Clinical Diagnostics

Translational Research

by End User:

Hospitals & Transplant Centers

Academic & Research Institutions

Others

by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

Australia

South Korea

Europe & CIS

& CIS Germany

France

United Kingdom

Spain

Italy

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Colombia

Middle East & Africa

& South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Turkey

Egypt

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/huhwua

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
PARIS, June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 World Airline Awards, the Oscars of the aviation industry, was held in Paris on June 20, 2023. Hainan Airlines, a prominent globalplayer in the aviation sector, garnered multiple prestigious awards from the world's top airport and airline service quality organization SKYTRAX, which are Best Airline in China, Best Airlines Staff Service in China, Best Business Class Comfort Amenities and so on. Besides, Hainan Airlines also ranks No 3 in Best Business Class Airline Onboard Catering, ranks No.5 in The World's Best Airline Cabin Crew and The World's Cleanest Airline. For other 5 world and asian awardsHainan Airlines is also listed Top 10. The World Airline Awards are wholly independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners.

2023 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards ceremony (PRNewsfoto/Hainan Airlines)

"Congratulations to Hainan Airlines on their outstanding achievement at this year's World Airline Awards. The recognition is a testament to the airline's exceptional service quality recognized and appreciated by passengers worldwide," said SKYTRAX chairman Edward Plaisted. "The airline is a global leader in aviation services and we look forward to seeing more of their innovative efforts to enhance service quality, delivering an unparalleled air travel experience to passengers worldwide."

"We are honored to have received the multiple accolades at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards and deeply appreciate the recognition from our passengers worldwide," stated Hainan Airlines chairman Ding Yongzheng. "Hainan Airlines, under the guidance of its controlling shareholder Liaoning Fangda Group, has undergone a transformative journey, continuously upgrading its services quality and standards to establish an international brand prestige embodied with oriental beauty. With an unwavering dedication to providing a warm and comfortable travel experience, Hainan Airlines invite travellers from all corners of the globe to experience the captivating allure of oriental culture."

Based on its long-term commitment to offering exceptional travel experiences, Hainan Airlines took an innovative approach when expanding its Dream Series and Hai Series services. A notable example is the introduction of the Rosy Clouds uniform for its ground service staff at Beijing Capital and Haikou Meilan international airports in April. This uniform, inspired by the integration of Eastern cultural traditions, enhances the overall passenger experience. The firm has also undertaken a comprehensive brand revamp by incorporating visual elements such as the Dream Feather, enriching the service experience for passengers across various visual touchpoints.

To bolster the portfolio's competitiveness, Hainan Airlines has recently rolled out Premium Express, aimed at optimizing the travel experience for passengers. The program offers more convenient flight departure times, upgraded air and ground services, and integrated travel benefits. Furthermore, the airline launched Flying Express, a novel ticket package specially tailored for business travelers. The package provides triple value benefits and enhanced flexibility in travel options, catering to the unique needs of this passenger segment.

In addition, Hainan Airlines has elevated its in-flight services by introducing cabin-wide internet access on 28 Boeing 787-9 aircrafts, enabling passengers to experience seamless wireless internet connectivity throughout the flight. The airline has forged a partnership with the Michelin-starred restaurant Huaiyang Fu, ensuring passengers are treated to an exceptional culinary journey while on board. The collaboration brings a high-standard dining experience on par with renowned restaurants around the world, further enhancing the in-flight dining experience for passengers.

Hainan Airlines continues to uphold the core principles of the Chinese civil aviation industry, which emphasize the provision of genuine air services. The airline remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a safe, convenient, and comfortable air travel experience that reflects the service quality expected of a five-star airline.

SOURCE Hainan Airlines
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The oil and gas company of Kazakhstan JSC NC KazMunayGas and the German company Rosneft Deutschland signed an agreement on the supply of crude oil to the PCK Raffinerie refinery in the city of Schwedt, the KMGs press office says, Trend reports.

The oil seller is KazMunayGas Trading AG, a subsidiary of JSC NC KazMunayGas. Oil buyer - Rosneft Deutschland GmbH, which is one of the shareholders of the PCK Raffinerie refinery.

The volume of supplies will be 100 thousand tons per month until the end of 2023 from the resources of the Karachaganak field. The volume of supplies to Germany in 2023 will be at least 890 thousand tons. At the same time, the German side is interested in increasing the volume of deliveries of Kazakh oil from the resources of other Kazakh oil companies.

In 2022, the German government turned to Kazakhstan with a request to supply Kazakh oil via the Druzhba oil pipeline to the PCK Raffinerie refinery (the city of Schwedt). In February-May 2023, the volumes of oil supplied via Druzhba pipeline reached 190,000 tons, with 100,000 tons set for June.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harvard University's Division of Continuing Education (DCE) announced a significant modification to the degree residency requirement at the Harvard Extension School (HES) to provide greater access to adult learners worldwide. These changes, designed to be flexible and inclusive, will broaden access for students who may be challenged by multiple trips to Harvard's campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Starting in the upcoming academic year, the Harvard Extension School will offer the majority of courses for the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) graduate degrees online with a low residency requirement. This decision reduces the barrier of geography for those outside of the greater New England area.

Dr. Nancy Coleman, Dean of Harvard's Division of Continuing Education and University Extension, saw the need for this transformative change stating, "We have always been committed to removing barriers and expanding access to a world-class education. By offering online courses paired with an immersive purpose-driven on-campus experience, we can provide adult learners from around the globe with a unique opportunity to engage in rigorous academic programs while benefiting from the vibrant Harvard campus community."

To complement the online coursework, each program requires four credits of residency. These active residency components range in length from two weekends to three weeks. Through experiential learning, students will collaborate with peers, instructors, and immerse themselves in the Harvard University campus, building connections and skills for real-world impact.

HES Dean of Academic Programs Suzanne Spreadbury, Ph.D., emphasized the innovative approach, saying, "Our vibrant learning environment combines the convenience of online education with the importance of in-person interaction. Our flexible and immersive model caters to the needs of diverse learners worldwide, enhancing their educational experience."

Harvard Extension School's revision of the degree residency requirement represents a progressive approach to education, ensuring that adult learners worldwide can pursue advanced degrees on their terms.

About the Harvard Division of Continuing Education

A division of Harvard University dedicated to bringing rigorous programs and innovative online teaching capabilities to modern purpose-driven learners including working professionals, high school students, visiting college students, and those seeking higher learning in retirement. We've been fueled by innovation and dedicated to excellence for over 100 years. Learn more about DCE here.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Harvard University Division of Continuing Education
UPSIDE Foods makes history after completing the final step in the U.S. pre-market regulatory review process for cultivated meat by obtaining a Grant of Inspection from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its cultivated chicken. This follows UPSIDE's label approval earlier this month.





UPSIDE's cultivated chicken will be launched at Bar Crenn in San Francisco through a partnership with three-Michelin-star chef Dominique Crenn. Consumers can visit UPSIDE's Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts for details on how to be among the first in the United States to try UPSIDE's cultivated chicken.





Following this historic regulatory approval, UPSIDE has already taken its first restaurant order of its cultivated chicken, placed by Bar Crenn, as well as another special order, details of which will be shared later.





Because cultivated chicken is meat made from real animal cells, UPSIDE Foods is subject to similar standards as other meat and poultry products in the U.S.

BERKELEY, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UPSIDE Foods , the leading cultivated meat, poultry and seafood company, announced today that it has completed the pre-market regulatory review process for its cultivated chicken after obtaining a Grant of Inspection (GOI) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This follows its announcement earlier this month that its label has been approved by USDA. With this approval, UPSIDE Foods can now start commercial production and sales of its cultivated chicken, taking a historic step towards building a more humane, sustainable, and resilient food system.

UPSIDE Foods' Cultivated Chicken (GOI)

In November 2022, UPSIDE Foods became the first company in the world to receive the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s green light for cultivated meat . The GOI and label approval from USDA means that UPSIDE Foods has demonstrated compliance with USDA regulations for food safety and labeling of poultry products. Since cultivated chicken is grown directly from real chicken cells, the company is subject to similar rigorous inspections and food safety standards as conventionally-produced poultry. Having obtained full regulatory clearance in the U.S. for its cultivated chicken, UPSIDE Foods can now begin commercial production at its Engineering, Production, and Innovation Center (EPIC). UPSIDE will make its market debut with a whole-textured chicken product that is over 99% cultivated chicken cells.

"I'm thrilled to share that cultivated meat will now be available for consumers in the U.S.," said Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder of UPSIDE Foods. "This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table. It's a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future - one that preserves choice and life. We are excited to launch with our signature, whole-textured UPSIDE chicken and can't wait for consumers to taste the future."

Following this regulatory approval, UPSIDE processed the first order of its cultivated chicken, placed by three-Michelin-star Chef Dominique Crenn. UPSIDE's cultivated chicken will be launched in the U.S. in limited quantities through select restaurant partners, starting with Chef Crenn's restaurant Bar Crenn in San Francisco.

UPSIDE also announced a contest where consumers can enter for a chance to be among the first in the United States to eat UPSIDE's cultivated chicken. Consumers can visit UPSIDE's Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter accounts to enter.

"We at UPSIDE Foods have long championed the dual regulatory jurisdiction of FDA and USDA, starting with a historic partnership with the North American Meat Institute in 2018. Since then, our team has been working diligently with both agencies to bring our cultivated chicken to market," said Eric Schulze, PhD, VP of Global and Scientific Affairs at UPSIDE Foods. "We are grateful for the FDA's and USDA's thoughtful and rigorous review processes, which have enabled us to start bringing safe, delicious, and high-quality cultivated meat products to market in the U.S."

This announcement comes after a series of milestones as UPSIDE Foods approaches commercialization, including receiving the world's first "green light" for cultivated meat from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , a $400M Series C placing the company's valuation at over $1 billion, and the expansion of its product portfolio to include ground cultivated meat products . In addition, UPSIDE will continue its work with FDA and USDA to bring its next consumer products to market, including sausages, nuggets, and dumplings.

About UPSIDE Foods

Based in Berkeley, CA, UPSIDE Foods grows meat, poultry and seafood directly from animal cells. These products are not vegan or vegetarianthey are delicious meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. Founded as the world's first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including being the first company to produce multiple species of meat (beef, chicken and duck), and to receive a "green light" from FDA for a cultivated meat product. The company believes that people shouldn't have to choose between the foods they love and a thriving planet, and is working to build a better food system with access to delicious, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood. UPSIDE Foods has won various industry awards, including New York Times' Good Tech Awards, FastCo's Next Big Thing in Tech, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. UPSIDE Foods has raised a total of $608 million, including from the Abu Dhabi Growth Fund (ADG), Baillie Gifford, Bill Gates, Cargill, Future Ventures, John Doerr, John Mackey, Kimbal and Christiana Musk, Norwest, Richard Branson, Softbank, Temasek, Threshold, Tyson Foods, and others. For more information, please visit www.upsidefoods.com.

Media Contact

Brooke Whitney

[email protected]com

SOURCE UPSIDE Foods
NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Many Android users claimed that "I locked myself out of my Android phone accidentally, and now I don't remember its password". "If you want to know how to unlock your phone when you forgot the password, remember not to restore a factory reset to keep the data safe. Fortunately, there are a few resetting-free solutions to unlock Android phone password without factory reset," says a Tenorshare spokesperson.

Is It Possible to Unlock Android Phone Password without Factory Reset?

How to Unlock Android Phone Password without Factory Reset?

Yes, bypassing a factory reset to unlock your Android phone is possible. Avoiding resetting is advantageous to prevent deleting all your device data, including apps, contacts, photos, and files. Below are a few options you can try to unlock your Android phone without resetting:

Using Third-Party Unlocking Software Using Google Find My Device function With Forgot Pattern

Complete Guide: How to Unlock Android Phone Password without Factory Reset?

To unlock your Android phone password without factory reset, get the full scoop below!

Unlock Android Phone Password Without Factory Reset With 4uKey for Android:

To unlock your phone without resorting to a reset, try Tenorshare 4uKey for Android . It is a reliable solution that unlocks Android phones and removes phone passwords, PINs, patterns, screen locks, fingerprints, face recognition, and FRP locks. Moreover, it doesn't need a Google account or password to use it. Here's how to unlock an Android phone without passwords and factory reset:

Connect your phone to your PC, and open 4uKey for Android.

Choose the "Remove Screen Lock" function and click "Start."

In a few seconds, you will unlock Android phones without resetting.

Unlock Android Phone Password without Factory Reset with Google Find My Device:

If your locked phone is connected to a Google account, use "Google Find My Device" to locate, lock, or wipe your phone remotely. Just visit google.com/android/find, sign in with your synced Google Account, and select your locked Android device. Click on "ERASE DEVICE" to unlock your device. However, you can only use this feature if you have a backup of your Android phone.





Unlock Android Phones without Factory Reset with Forgot Pattern:

If you have a smartphone running Android 4.4 or below, you can use the in-built "Forgot Pattern" feature. Here's how to unlock phone password with it:



After multiple unsuccessful login attempts, the "Forgot pattern" option will appear on your Android screen. Tap on it to enter your Google account login details and bypass the "Forgot Pattern."

About Tenorshare

If you are locked out of your phone and you don't know how to unlock Android phone password without factory reset, there's no need to panic. Instead, consider using Tenorshare 4uKey for Android to unlock your Android phone password without resetting it. You can trust Tenorshare to always provide a reliable solution for your smartphone problems.

Information: https://www.tenorshare.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TenorshareOfficial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tenorshare_Inc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TenorshareOfficial/videos

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tenorshare_tech_tips

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE Tenorshare Co. Ltd.
INGLEWOOD, Calif., June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready to revolutionize your business's online presence and unlock the potential of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in 2023! The highly anticipated Reach More Clients Power Conference, hosted by Zhe Scott, CEO of The SEO Queen, is set to take place on Saturday, July 22, 2023. This game-changing event will be held at LA Create Space, located at 401 E Hillcrest Blvd I, Inglewood, CA 90301. Doors will open at 9am, with the conference starting promptly at 10am. This conference is jointly sponsored by the Los Angeles South Chamber of Commerce, Connected Women of Influence, FacilityAXS.net, and Courageous Woman Magazine. This conference is designed answer questions live and equip attendees with the latest strategies and the information of how to improve SEO for their brands.

https://youtu.be/vKoXcspEIVc

According to Ahrefs.com, a staggering 90% of websites fail to attract any traffic from search engines, a critical issue considering that Google dominates online traffic. Zhe Scott, an accomplished entrepreneur, MIT alumna, and CEO of The SEO Queen, will reveal how your brand, business, non-profit, or ministry can tap into the 2 trillion searches conducted on Google annually. Under her leadership, The SEO Queen has generated over $250 million in revenue for her clients. Recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative, Zhe Scott is a true trailblazer in the industry. "We're excited to announce the early bird registration deadline for our upcoming conference," said Zhe Scott, CEO of SEO Queen. "This is a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes to learn from the best in the industry and get ahead of the competition in SEO."

The 4th Annual Reach More Clients Power Conference offers attendees a unique opportunity to learn how to leverage AI, Chat GPT, SEO, and more. From the main stage, Dr. John Aden will delve into the fascinating world of AI, Chat GPT, and Bard, and demonstrate how showcasing how these cutting-edge technologies can supercharge SEO and digital marketing efforts. Adrienne Grace will share her expertise on making websites ADA compliant, inclusive and more effective for all users.

https://youtube.com/shorts/rmjD4JPqifc?feature=share

To secure your spot, register today at seoqueen.com/conference. Early Bird Virtual Tickets are $97. In-person tickets are $197, allowing you to attend in the vibrant atmosphere of the conference and network with attendees. For those seeking a truly VIP experience, early bird VIP tickets are available for $1,000. VIP ticket holders will enjoy a private meal, a swag bag filled with exclusive goodies, and VIP 1-on-1 access to Zhe Scott, The SEO Queen.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tAoWV-w7O9c

Contact:

Zhe Scott

Founder and CEO of The SEO Queen

[email protected]

6174750964

Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12970274

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE The SEO Queen
The inaugural award recognizes integrators that continuously drive success, value, and return on investment for joint customers.

ATLANTA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Exotec, a global warehouse provider, announced that it selected Hy-Tek Intralogistics, a premier integrator of full-service automation technology for the supply chain, as the winner of the Exotec Global Integrator of the Year Award for 2023. Exotec presented the award at the company's inaugural ExoDay, held at the North American headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hy-Tek Intralogistics

The Global Integrator of the Year Award is aimed at spotlighting integrators that embody Exotec's core principles by continuously offering superior customer service and maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellence.

The criteria for the awards took the following categories into consideration:

Quality of service provided to joint customers

Volume of joint business and the rate of growth

Engagement in cross-promotional efforts

"We are thrilled to have been announced Exotec's Global Integrator of the Year for 2023," said Zac Boehm, Vice President of Robotic Solutions for Hy-Tek Intralogistics. "We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with them throughout their launch and growth in North America and are excited about the opportunities and projects to come."

"As one of our first integrators in North America, Hy-Tek has been pivotal to our rapid growth in the market," said Stanislas Normand, Managing Director of Exotec North America. "Today, we are thrilled to name them our Global Integrator of the Year for 2023 and we look forward to our continued partnership and shared success."

About Hy-Tek Intralogistics

Headquartered in Columbus, OH, Hy-Tek Intralogistics is an automation technology integrator serving clients in diverse end markets and applications, including e-commerce, third-party logistics, and parcel. Hy-Tek is the premier single-source provider of material handling solutions for a wide range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, retail, construction, food, electronics, and automotive. Since 1963, Hy-Tek and its best-in-class industry partners have been providing customers large and small with turnkey solutions. From customized one-of-a-kind handling and storage systems to pre-assembled buildings and off-the-shelf productsHy-Tek's experienced team of engineering, sales, operations, and project management professionals' partner with customers to help enhance productivity, streamline processes, and boost profitability. With over 500 employees, Hy-Tek serves customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from offices in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. For more information, visit www.hy-tek.com .

About Exotec

Exotec builds elegant goods-to-person warehouse robotic solutions for the world's largest brands. The company combines the best of hardware and software to offer flexible warehouse systems that drive operational efficiency, add resiliency, and improve working conditions for warehouse operators. 30+ industry-leading brands including Carrefour, Decathlon, Gap, and Uniqlo trust Exotec to improve their operations and profitably navigate rapid shifts in business models and customer expectations. Learn more at Exotec.com.

SOURCE Exotec
City Forest Credits issues credits in U.S. cities for carbon and co-benefits

SEATTLE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Accreditation (ICROA) has endorsed the carbon crediting Standard City Forest Credits, a Standard dedicated to carbon credits generated by urban forests  trees in and around cities and towns. This endorsement represents the 15th*independent standard endorsed in ICROA's 15-year history.

City Forest Credits is a non-profit carbon Standard based in the U.S. that develops carbon protocols and issues carbon credits to tree preservation and planting projects in and around cities and towns. These projects create a public resource  trees where people live, breathe, work, and recreate. Almost all the projects are on public property or open to the public, making these credits of genuine public interest.

ICROA is an accreditation programme for carbon market intermediaries who follow the ICROA Code of Best Practice. Accredited organizations may only sell carbon credits from ICROA Endorsed Standards. ICROA is the oldest such programme for the carbon market and highly respected for its standard endorsement procedure, and it undertook a comprehensive analysis of CFC's standards and program. Based on recommendations from ICROA, CFC strengthened its Standard to improve transparency, policies, and best practices.

"We are delighted to endorse the City Forest Credits Standard as a valuable addition to the ICROA Code of Best Practice. The program provides the opportunity for all ICROA Accredited Organisations to transact credits from this new and emerging sector of projects that are making our cities greener, healthier, and more equitable," said Amy Zell, Technical Director ICROA.

Each City Forest Carbon+ Credit from an urban forest carbon project includes quantified co-benefits such as stormwater reduction, air quality impacts, and energy savings, as well as reported social impacts such as social equity for under-resourced communities and physical, mental, and social health benefits. CFC has issued credits to projects representing an estimated $128 million in ecosystem co-benefits over 50 years.

Mark McPherson, Executive Director of City Forest Credits said, "Giving these projects access to the carbon markets addresses three urban problems  continuing tree canopy loss in cities, a pervasive shortage of municipal funding for city forests, and inequitable distribution of city trees. ICROA's endorsement validates the work CFC has done to develop these public interest credits with transparency and integrity."

Jad Daly, CEO of American Forests, adds, "American Forests is proud to support CFC to accomplish something long overdue  bringing urban forests into the carbon markets. These credits are like the rare earth minerals of carbon credits  lower in volume, higher in price, but extremely valuable to companies because the multiple benefits are delivered to where 80% of the population resides  in cities and towns."

* one standard is conditionally endorsed

About ICROA

The International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Accreditation (ICROA) is a leading industry Accreditation Programme aiming to enhance integrity in the voluntary carbon market in support of the Paris Agreement Goals. Based on the ICROA Code of Best Practice, the Accreditation Programme certifies best practice in GHG emissions reduction and offsetting through the use of high-quality carbon credits. The Programme is open to all organisations that offer carbon credits as well as emissions reduction and offsetting services. ICROA is a non-profit initiative housed within the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA).

www.icroa.org

About City Forest Credits

City Forest Credits is a non-profit carbon Standard based in the U.S. The programme administers carbon protocols and issues offset credits to tree preservation and planting projects in and around cities and towns.

www.cityforestcredits.org

SOURCE City Forest Credits
BEIJING, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- iHuman Inc. (NYSE: IH) ("iHuman" or the "Company"), a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

First Quarter 2023 Highlights

Revenues reached a record-high of RMB265.2 million ( US$38.6 million ), compared with RMB242.7 million in the same period last year.

( ), compared with in the same period last year. Gross profit was RMB185.6 million ( US$27.0 million ), compared with RMB169.9 million in the same period last year.

( ), compared with in the same period last year. Operating income reached a record-high of RMB56.7 million ( US$8.3 million ), a year-over-year increase of 402.3%.

( ), a year-over-year increase of 402.3%. Adjusted operating income [1] reached a record-high of RMB59.1 million ( US$8.6 million ), a year-over-year increase of 346.3%.

reached a record-high of ( ), a year-over-year increase of 346.3%. Net income reached a record-high of RMB53.6 million ( US$7.8 million ), a year-over-year increase of 308.9%.

( ), a year-over-year increase of 308.9%. Adjusted net income [1] reached a record-high of RMB56.1 million ( US$8.2 million ), a year-over-year increase of 271.8%.

reached a record-high of ( ), a year-over-year increase of 271.8%. Average total MAUs[2] for the first quarter were 21.09 million, a year-over-year increase of 14.7%.

[1] "Adjusted operating income" and "adjusted net income" exclude share-based compensation expenses. Please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Results" at the end of this press release. [2] "Average total MAUs" refers to the monthly average of the sum of the MAUs of each of the Company's apps during a specific period, which is counted based on the number of unique mobile devices through which such app is accessed at least once in a given month, and duplicate access to different apps is not eliminated from the total MAUs calculation. [3] "Paying users" refers to users who paid subscription fees for premium content on any of the Company's apps during a specific period; a user who makes payments across different apps using the same registered account is counted as one paying user, and a user who makes payments for the same app multiple times in the same period is counted as one paying user.

Dr. Peng Dai, Director and Chief Executive Officer of iHuman, commented, "I am pleased to announce a strong start to 2023, with another quarter of growth in both our top- and bottom-lines. We also made further progress in enhancing our comprehensive portfolio across various markets. Domestically, we released several important product updates to optimize the user experience and boost user engagement. For example, we upgraded iHumanpedia with an innovative module called "AI Talk", an AI-generated content (AIGC) chatbot designed for children. Leveraging the latest AIGC technologies, this innovative module can understand and respond to children's questions and answer with personalized feedback and guidance. As one of the first kid-friendly chatbots being trialed in China, it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies to nurture children's holistic development. In addition to improving the user experience through innovative technologies, we also enhanced user engagement by incorporating more interactive features into our products. During the quarter, we launched "Creative Zone", an interactive module within iHuman Coding that enables children to share their coding projects with peers, both within and outside the app. This new feature allows children to try out each other's work, give thumbs up to projects they enjoy, and interact with each other through various in-app events. This helps improve the activeness in our community while at the same time nurturing children's logical thinking and creativity. Internationally, we continued to execute our product roadmap and are excited to welcome a new member to our bekids product family called Gogo Town. This vibrant mini world app offers a diverse range of daily life-themed interactive activities that support early childhood development and allow children to explore from the activities they love. In the meantime, we are thrilled to see the growing market acceptance of our existing products. For example, our open-ended fantasy adventure-themed app, Aha World, has experienced significant growth in first-time daily downloads since its launch last quarter. Even more impressively, it has swiftly ascended to the top ten most popular children's apps on Apple's app store & Google Play in both the US and Europe recently. The strong momentum not only speaks to the widespread appeal of the app, but also signifies its great potential in the international market. Moving forward, we will continue to build upon our industry-leading product matrix, driving the sustainable growth of our business."

Ms. Vivien Weiwei Wang, Director and Chief Financial Officer of iHuman, added, "In the first quarter, we sustained the business momentum we built up over the last several quarters, resulting in a new record high revenue of RMB265.2 million. This helped us achieve our fifth consecutive quarter of profitability, with net income increasing by 308.9% year-over-year to hit another record-high of RMB53.6 million. The continuous balanced financial performance was made possible through ongoing investments in areas crucial to our sustainable long-term growth, such as high-quality content, innovative technologies, and our effective efforts to enhance operational excellence. While working relentlessly to strengthen our in-house capabilities, we constantly seek out new partnerships and collaborations to better serve the diverse needs of our users. During the quarter, we joined forces with major industry players such as Post & Telecom Press and its affiliate Children's Fun Publishing Co. Ltd., one of the leading publishers of children's books in China. Together, we will explore innovative ways to enhance both the digital and traditional reading experience for children in order to offer a wider range of high-quality content to young readers. Post & Telecom Press is a prominent Chinese publishing house under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. These partnerships not only reflect important industry endorsements of our leadership position in child-oriented content and technologies, but also provide us with valuable expertise and complementary resources to our in-house capabilities. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in key strategic priorities and expand the industrial ecosystem while maintaining a healthy balance between growth and profitability."

First Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

Revenues

Revenues were RMB265.2 million (US$38.6 million), an increase of 9.3% from RMB242.7 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by enhanced user engagement.

Average total MAUs for the quarter were 21.09 million, an increase of 14.7% year-over-year from 18.39 million in the same period last year. The number of paying users[3] was 1.50 million.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB79.6 million (US$11.6 million), an increase of 9.4% from RMB72.8 million in the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in channel costs, which was in line with the Company's revenue expansion.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit was RMB185.6 million (US$27.0 million), an increase of 9.2% from RMB169.9 million in the same period last year. Gross margin was 70.0%, maintaining the same level of 70.0% in the same period last year.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were RMB128.8 million (US$18.8 million), a decrease of 18.8% from RMB158.6 million in the same period last year.

Research and development expenses were RMB61.7 million (US$9.0 million), a decrease of 36.2% from RMB96.6 million in the same period last year, primarily due to payroll-related cost savings and decreased outsourcing expenses as a result of the continued optimization of our operational efficiency.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB40.4 million (US$5.9 million), an increase of 12.6% from RMB35.9 million in the same period last year, primarily due to increased strategic investments in seasonal promotional activities.

General and administrative expenses were RMB26.7 million (US$3.9 million), compared with RMB26.1 million in the same period last year.

Operating Income

Operating income was RMB56.7 million (US$8.3 million), an increase of 402.3% from RMB11.3 million in the same period last year.

Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted operating income was RMB59.1 million (US$8.6 million), an increase of 346.3% from RMB13.3 million in the same period last year.

Net Income

Net income was RMB53.6 million (US$7.8 million), an increase of 308.9% from RMB13.1 million in the same period last year.

Adjusted net income was RMB56.1 million (US$8.2 million), an increase of 271.8% from RMB15.1 million in the same period last year.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were RMB1.01 (US$0.15) and RMB0.99 (US$0.14), respectively, compared with RMB0.25 and RMB0.24 in the same period last year. Each ADS represents five Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

Adjusted diluted net income per ADS was RMB1.04 (US$0.15), compared with RMB0.28 in the same period last year.

Deferred Revenue and Customer Advances

Deferred revenue and customer advances were RMB362.1 million (US$52.7 million) as of March 31, 2023, compared with RMB379.1 million as of December 31, 2022.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Time Deposits

Cash, cash equivalents and time deposits were RMB1,033.6 million (US$150.5 million) as of March 31, 2023, compared with RMB1,050.0 million as of December 31, 2022.

Exchange Rate Information

The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this press release is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of March 31, 2023, which was RMB6.8676 to US$1.00. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

iHuman considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS, as supplemental metrics in reviewing and assessing its operating performance and formulating its business plan. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). iHuman defines adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS as operating income, net income and diluted net income per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses, respectively. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS enable iHuman's management to assess its operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. iHuman believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating the Company's current operating performance and prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, which possibly do not reflect all items of expense that affect our operations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures iHuman uses may differ from the non-GAAP measures used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about iHuman's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the description of the management's quotations in this announcement contains forward-looking statements. iHuman may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: iHuman's growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to attract and retain users, convert non-paying users into paying users and increase the spending of paying users, the trends in, and size of, the market in which iHuman operates; its expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; its expectations regarding its relationships with business partners; general economic and business conditions; regulatory environment; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in iHuman's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and iHuman does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About iHuman Inc.

iHuman Inc. is a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China that is committed to making the child-rearing experience easier for parents and transforming cognitive development into a fun journey for children. Benefiting from a deep legacy that combines over two decades of experience in the parenthood industry, superior original content, advanced high-tech innovation DNA and research & development capabilities with cutting-edge technologies, iHuman empowers parents with tools to make the child-upbringing experience more efficient. iHuman's unique, fun and interactive product offerings stimulate children's natural curiosity and exploration. The Company's comprehensive suite of innovative and high-quality products include self-directed apps, interactive content and smart devices that cover a broad variety of areas to develop children's abilities in speaking, critical thinking, independent reading and creativity, and foster their natural interest in traditional Chinese culture. Leveraging advanced technological capabilities, including 3D engines, AI/AR functionality, and big data analysis on children's behavior & psychology, iHuman believes it will continue to provide superior experience that is efficient and relieving for parents, and effective and fun for children, in China and all over the world, through its integrated suite of tech-powered, intellectual development products.

For more information about iHuman, please visit https://ir.ihuman.com/.

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

iHuman Inc.

Mr. Justin Zhang

Investor Relations Director

Phone: +86 10 5780-6606

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Eric Yuan

Phone: +86-13801110739

E-mail: [email protected]

In the US

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

E-mail: [email protected]

iHuman Inc.



UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("US$") except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)













December 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2022

2023

2023

RMB

RMB

US$











ASSETS









Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents 1,049,999

923,635

134,492 Time deposits -

109,947

16,010 Accounts receivable, net 79,614

81,475

11,864 Inventories, net 19,127

14,884

2,167 Amounts due from related parties 2,286

1,976

288 Prepayments and other current assets 102,765

104,232

15,177 Total current assets 1,253,791

1,236,149

179,998 Non-current assets









Property and equipment, net 9,205

8,288

1,207 Intangible assets, net 24,872

23,362

3,402 Operating lease right-of-use assets 12,782

8,275

1,205 Long-term investment 26,333

26,333

3,834 Other non-current assets 6,416

6,068

881 Total non-current assets 79,608

72,326

10,529 Total assets 1,333,399

1,308,475

190,527











LIABILITIES









Current liabilities









Accounts payable 24,206

21,579

3,142 Deferred revenue and customer advances 379,063

362,116

52,728 Amounts due to related parties 6,944

13,194

1,921 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 144,717

94,946

13,825 Current operating lease liabilities 6,123

1,624

236 Total current liabilities 561,053

493,459

71,852 Non-current liabilities









Non-current operating lease liabilities 2,894

2,583

376 Total non-current liabilities 2,894

2,583

376 Total liabilities 563,947

496,042

72,228 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY









Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share,

700,000,000 Class A shares authorized as of December

31, 2022 and March 31, 2023; 125,122,382 Class A

shares issued and 121,722,467 outstanding as of

December 31, 2022; 125,122,382 Class A shares issued

and 120,219,182 outstanding as of March 31, 2023;

200,000,000 Class B shares authorized, 144,000,000

Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of

December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023; 100,000,000

shares (undesignated) authorized, nil shares

(undesignated) issued and outstanding as of December 31,

2022 and March 31, 2023) 185

185

27 Additional paid-in capital 1,079,099

1,081,506

157,479 Treasury stock (7,123)

(14,006)

(2,039) Statutory reserves 7,967

7,967

1,160 Accumulated other comprehensive income 10,497

4,308

627 Accumulated deficit (321,173)

(267,527)

(38,955) Total shareholders' equity 769,452

812,433

118,299 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 1,333,399

1,308,475

190,527

iHuman Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("US$") except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)





For the three months ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2022

2023

2023

RMB

RMB

US$











Revenues 242,679

265,203

38,617 Cost of revenues (72,797)

(79,636)

(11,596)











Gross profit 169,882

185,567

27,021











Operating expenses









Research and development expenses (96,625)

(61,673)

(8,980) Sales and marketing expenses (35,906)

(40,435)

(5,888) General and administrative expenses (26,058)

(26,735)

(3,893) Total operating expenses (158,589)

(128,843)

(18,761) Operating income 11,293

56,724

8,260 Other income, net 3,347

6,082

886 Income before income taxes 14,640

62,806

9,146 Income tax expenses (1,522)

(9,160)

(1,334) Net income 13,118

53,646

7,812











Net income per ADS:









- Basic 0.25

1.01

0.15 - Diluted 0.24

0.99

0.14











Weighted average number of ADSs:









- Basic 53,476,316

53,205,925

53,205,925 - Diluted 54,060,837

54,033,560

54,033,560











Total share-based compensation expenses included in:









Cost of revenues 64

98

14 Research and development expenses 967

638

93 Sales and marketing expenses (88)

379

55 General and administrative expenses 1,014

1,292

188













iHuman Inc. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("US$") except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)





For the three months ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2022

2023

2023

RMB

RMB

US$











Operating income 11,293

56,724

8,260 Share-based compensation expenses 1,957

2,407

350 Adjusted operating income 13,250

59,131

8,610











Net income 13,118

53,646

7,812 Share-based compensation expenses 1,957

2,407

350 Adjusted net income 15,075

56,053

8,162











Diluted net income per ADS 0.24

0.99

0.14 Impact of non-GAAP adjustments 0.04

0.05

0.01 Adjusted diluted net income per ADS 0.28

1.04

0.15











Weighted average number of ADSs  diluted 54,060,837

54,033,560

54,033,560 Weighted average number of ADSs  adjusted 54,060,837

54,033,560

54,033,560













SOURCE iHuman Inc.
Leading vape brand INNOKIN is positioned for major growth in the Middle East market

DUBAI, UAE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- INNOKIN, a leading global vaping brand, is unveiling a wave of new product launches at the highly anticipated World Vape Show Dubai, taking place 21-23 June 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (Booth #4221). With a strategic focus on capitalizing on the rapidly growing Middle East vaping market, INNOKIN aims to introduce a range of innovative products specifically tailored to local tastes.

image

INNOKIN is showcasing several groundbreaking products designed to meet the diverse preferences of the Middle Eastern vaping community. INNOKIN's INNOBAR 6000 and INNOBAR V7000 are rechargeable, high-capacity disposable options, designed to provide a streamlined, user-friendly experience for vapers who require single-use devices, with flavours specifically tailored to the Middle East market.

For users of refillable vaping devices, INNOKIN is unveiling the Klypse Zip, an updated version of the global best-selling Klypse pod device. The Klypse Zip features a smaller form factor, and new 1.2Ohm refillable pod, designed for longer vaping sessions and intense flavour production. New pre-filled Klypse C1 pods are also showcased, allowing vapers to experience award-winning Klypse performance, without needing to learn how to refill a vaping device. All new pods are cross-compatible with the original Klypse device, giving existing customers a whole new range of options.

INNOKIN has invested extensive research and development efforts into understanding local tastes. Commenting on this research, INNOKIN Co-founder, George Xia, stated: "In April, we adjusted all our flavours to suit the Middle Eastern market. First, we selected more single fruit and mixed fruit flavours, such as dragon fruit, grape, apple peach, and strawberry watermelon. Secondly, we adjusted the sweetness and cooling effects of each profile to match local tastes. Already, our new formulations are receiving high praise and have surpassed similar products from other brands."

"We are thrilled to unveil our latest range of products at World Vape Show Dubai," said George Xia. "The Middle Eastern market is experiencing exponential growth, and we are confident that our tailored offerings and industry-leading support will allow INNOKIN to thrive. Our team has worked tirelessly to create exceptional vaping experiences, and we are looking forward to building relationships with distributors and retailers to serve vapers in the Middle East."

To learn more about INNOKIN, please visit their website or contact [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107486/image.jpg

SOURCE Innokin Technology
Lead candidate demonstrates specificity, biologic activity and a favorable safety profile in extensive mouse and non-human primate models

Upcoming company presentations at Cellicon Valley '23 and In Vivo Engineering of Therapeutic Cells Summit

PHILADELPHIA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Interius BioTherapeutics , a leading developer of in vivo cell-specific genetic medicine therapeutics, today announced the presentation of compelling preclinical data at the Cellicon Valley 2023 Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. The data demonstrates the potential of Interius Bio's lead program (INT2104) to generate biologically active CAR cells directly in vivo for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. The company will also be unveiling non-human primate data from multiple studies at the In Vivo Engineering of Therapeutic Cells Summit in Boston, MA on July 10-12, 2023.

In mouse models of systemic lymphoma, complete tumor clearance occurs across a wide dose range after a single intravenous infusion of Interius Bio's targeted cell-specific lentiviral vector. The proprietary vector mediates direct in vivo creation of CAR T and NK cells that specifically kill malignant B cells. In non-human primates treated with a single vector infusion in the absence of conditioning chemotherapy, significant B cell depletion is observed with no toxicity and has been sustained in one animal for over 6 months.

Interius President and CEO Phil Johnson, MD states "The company's preclinical data address three critical questions: Does it work? Can you make it? Is it safe? We are thrilled that the answer to each of these questions is yes based on extensive animal model work, including dosing of over 20 cynomolgus macaques, with a vector dose equivalent or exceeding the highest proposed human dose. In all models we have observed no signs of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or neurotoxicity, no clinical symptoms, and no laboratory abnormalities."

"The compelling preclinical findings of specificity, biologic effect, tolerability and pharmacologic profile in multiple animal models following intravenous administration support the advancement of INT2104 to the clinic as a promising treatment option for B-cell malignancies," says Tim Culp, PhD, VP of Research and Development. "We continue to maintain our timeline to IND with initial human data expected in 2024."

About Interius BioTherapeutics

Interius BioTherapeutics is a preclinical stage biotechnology company utilizing our proprietary in vivo cell-specific gene delivery platform to develop breakthrough products in oncology and autoimmune disease. We have created a differentiated novel off-the-shelf biologic therapeutic modality, which could be available to patients without delays, without preconditioning chemotherapy, and in expanded care settings. The first application of the platform is to treat B cell lymphomas by generating disease-fighting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cells inside each patient's body. Interius BioTherapeutics' headquarters and laboratories are located in Philadelphia, PA.

SOURCE Interius BioTherapeutics, Inc.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Charles Noplis Scholarship for Medical Students is thrilled to announce its inaugural year, offering a one-time award of $1,000 to a deserving student pursuing a medical degree. Founded by esteemed psychiatrist Dr. Charles Noplis, this scholarship aims to recognize exceptional individuals and support their aspirations in the medical field.

Dr. Noplis, CEO and President of Noplis Psychiatry, is renowned for his expertise in psychiatry and addiction medicine. With an illustrious career spanning over a decade, Dr. Noplis has dedicated himself to improving the lives of countless patients.

The Dr Charles Noplis Scholarship is open to current university students across the United States, as well as high school students who have been accepted into a university medical program. To apply, eligible candidates must submit a creative essay of fewer than 1,000 words, addressing the following thought-provoking question:

"Who is your biggest inspiration in medicine and how would you add to their contributions with your medical degree?"

The application deadline for the Dr. Charles Noplis Scholarship is June 15, 2023. Applicants are encouraged to visit the official scholarship website at https://drcharlesnoplisscholarship.com/dr-charles-noplis-scholarship/ to access the application form and review the complete eligibility criteria.

Dr Charles Noplis, the visionary behind this scholarship, has left an indelible mark on the medical community. Graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2001, Dr. Noplis continued his journey at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 2008. He completed his Residency Program in Psychiatry at the University of Louisville Department of Psychiatry in 2012.

The recipient of the Dr. Charles Noplis Scholarship for Medical Students will be announced on July 15, 2023. Stay updated by visiting the scholarship website at https://drcharlesnoplisscholarship.com/ and following Dr. Charles Noplis Scholarship on social media.

About Dr. Charles Noplis Scholarship:

The Dr. Charles Noplis Scholarship for Medical Students is a prestigious scholarship program founded by Dr. Charles Noplis, a highly skilled psychiatrist with extensive experience in the field. The scholarship aims to recognize and support exceptional individuals pursuing a medical degree, providing them with financial assistance to fuel their educational journey and fulfill their aspirations in the medical field.

SOURCE Dr Charles Noplis Scholarship
NEW YORK, June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global isopropyl alcohol market size is estimated to increase by USD 571.27 million from 2022 to 2027. However, the market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 3.54%. The high volume consumption of isopropyl alcohol in solvents is notably driving market growth. Isopropyl alcohol is one of the most widely used solvents owing to its solvency properties. It can be directly used in applications such as surface coatings, inks, pesticides, herbicides formulations, resin production, disinfectants, and cleaning products. Among these, the coatings and ink industries are the major end-users of isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol can be used to dilute essential oils due to its low toxicity, less density, and low boiling point. It is used for paint stripping in surface coatings and as an alcohol solvent in manufacturing paints and coatings. Isopropyl alcohol is also used in hand sanitizers. Therefore, the growing consumption of isopropyl alcohol in solvents is expected to fuel market growth during the forecast period. Discover some insights on market size, historic period (2017-2021), and forecast period (2023-2027) before buying the full report - Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Isopropyl Alcohol Market 2023-2027

Isopropyl alcohol market  Vendor analysis

Vendor landscape 

The global isopropyl alcohol market is fragmented, with the presence of several global as well as regional vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer isopropyl alcohol in the market are Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd., ENEOS Holdings Inc, Exxon Mobil Corp., GJ Chemical, Greenfield Global Inc., Honeywell International Inc., INEOS Group Holdings SA, LCY Chemical Corp., LG Chem, LyondellBasell Industries NV, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Penta s.r.o, Sasol Ltd., SEQENS GROUP, Shell plc, Soft Jamb Co., Spectrum Laboratory Products, Tokuyama Corp., Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Vizag Chemical International, and others.

The global isopropyl alcohol market is highly competitive and is mainly dominated by key vendors. The competition among the vendors is extremely high. However, this competition leads to decreasing profit margins, thus creating a threat to existing players and new entrants. Over the past few years, the key manufacturers have been focusing on increasing their presence in the market through the expansion of their production facilities. The rising consumption of isopropyl alcohol in end-user industries, including coatings, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, chemicals, and other industries, is providing opportunities for existing vendors to expand their product offerings and increase their production capacities.

Vendor offerings -

Exxon Mobil Corp. - The company offers business continuity management programs and disaster recovery product line for MSPs to efficiently prevent data loss and minimize downtime for their customers.

The company offers business continuity management programs and disaster recovery product line for MSPs to efficiently prevent data loss and minimize downtime for their customers. GJ Chemical - The company offers business continuity management programs, which help businesses with strategic imperatives.

The company offers business continuity management programs, which help businesses with strategic imperatives. Greenfield Global Inc. - The company offers business continuity management programs, which help businesses sustain potential disasters.

The company offers business continuity management programs, which help businesses sustain potential disasters. Honeywell International Inc. - The company offers business continuity management programs, which help sustain businesses by assessing potential disasters.

The company offers business continuity management programs, which help sustain businesses by assessing potential disasters. For details on vendors and their offerings  Request a sample report

Isopropyl alcohol market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on application (solvents, chemical intermediates, pharmaceutical, and others), end-user (cosmetics and personal care, cleaning agent, food and beverages, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The solvents segment will account for a significant share of market growth during the forecast period. Some of the applications of isopropyl alcohol include inks and processing solvents of natural products, such as fats, gums, vegetables, animal oils, and waxes. Isopropyl alcohol is also used as a solvent in the manufacturing of cleaning and disinfectant solutions for various household and commercial uses. It is the most commonly used disinfectant in hospitals and households. These factors will drive the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

Geography overview

The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global isopropyl alcohol market.

APAC is estimated to account for 51% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The growth of the petrochemical industry in APAC, especially in China and India , is leading to the entry of new players. Major manufacturers are establishing their manufacturing facilities in the region. China is the fastest-growing country, with rising demand from the downstream construction and automobile industries. China is the largest producer of isopropyl alcohol due to the presence of several local and regional vendors and the abundant availability of low-cost labor and raw materials.

For insights on global, regional, and country-level parameters with growth opportunities from 2017 to 2027 - Download a sample report

Global Isopropyl Alcohol Market  Market dynamics

Key trends - Capacity expansions and new plants are key trends in the market. The rising demand for isopropyl alcohol-based consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and household cleaning products has encouraged producers to expand their production capacities. The markets in China and India have developed rapidly, with continuously increasing production capacities. Due to the increasing demand and limited production capacity, end-user industries rely on imports. Therefore, during the forecast period, many new production facilities will open. These factors will support market growth during the forecast period.

Major challenges - Fluctuations in crude oil prices are challenging market growth. Propylene is the major raw material for the production of isopropyl alcohol. Propylene is a key chemical building block for various industrial products. It is directly produced from oil or its derivatives, such as naphtha or liquefied petroleum gas. In recent years, the decline in oil prices has compelled players in the oil and gas industry to implement cost-cutting measures such as workforce layoffs. Thus, fluctuations in crude oil prices will hamper production capacity and increase the production cost of propylene, thereby challenging market growth.

Drivers, trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find more insights in a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this isopropyl alcohol market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the isopropyl alcohol market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the isopropyl alcohol market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the isopropyl alcohol market across APAC, North America , Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , , 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 isopropyl alcohol market vendors

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Isopropyl Alcohol Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 3.54% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 571.27 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.75 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 51% Key countries US, China, Japan, India, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd., ENEOS Holdings Inc, Exxon Mobil Corp., GJ Chemical, Greenfield Global Inc., Honeywell International Inc., INEOS Group Holdings SA, LCY Chemical Corp., LG Chem, LyondellBasell Industries NV, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Penta s.r.o, Sasol Ltd., SEQENS GROUP, Shell plc, Soft Jamb Co., Spectrum Laboratory Products, Tokuyama Corp., Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., and Vizag Chemical International 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 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.

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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 Application



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ 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 isopropyl alcohol market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global isopropyl alcohol market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  End-user 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 Application

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Application

6.3 Solvents - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Solvents - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Solvents - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Solvents - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Solvents - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Chemical intermediates - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Chemical intermediates - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Chemical intermediates - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Chemical intermediates - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Chemical intermediates - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Pharmaceutical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Pharmaceutical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Pharmaceutical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Pharmaceutical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Pharmaceutical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Application ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 51: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 Cosmetics and personal care - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Cosmetics and personal care - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Cosmetics and personal care - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Cosmetics and personal care - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Cosmetics and personal care - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Cleaning agent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Cleaning agent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Cleaning agent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Cleaning agent - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Cleaning agent - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 63: Chart on Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Chart on Food and beverages - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Food and beverages - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 67: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 69: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 70: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.7 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 71: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 72: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 73: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 74: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 75: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 76: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 80: 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 81: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: 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 93: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: 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 101: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 109: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 110: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 111: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 112: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 113: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 114: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 115: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 116: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 117: 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 118: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 119: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 120: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 121: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 122: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 123: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd.

Exhibit 124: Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 126: Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd. - Segment focus

12.4 ENEOS Holdings Inc

Exhibit 128: ENEOS Holdings Inc - Overview



Exhibit 129: ENEOS Holdings Inc - Business segments



Exhibit 130: ENEOS Holdings Inc - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: ENEOS Holdings Inc - Segment focus

12.5 Exxon Mobil Corp.

Exhibit 132: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 133: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 134: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Segment focus

12.6 Honeywell International Inc.

Exhibit 136: Honeywell International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 137: Honeywell International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: Honeywell International Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 139: Honeywell International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: Honeywell International Inc. - Segment focus

12.7 INEOS Group Holdings SA

Exhibit 141: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Overview



Exhibit 142: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Business segments



Exhibit 143: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Key news



Exhibit 144: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 145: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Segment focus

12.8 LCY Chemical Corp.

Exhibit 146: LCY Chemical Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 147: LCY Chemical Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 148: LCY Chemical Corp. - Key offerings

12.9 LG Chem

Exhibit 149: LG Chem - Overview



Exhibit 150: LG Chem - Business segments



Exhibit 151: LG Chem - Key news



Exhibit 152: LG Chem - Key offerings



Exhibit 153: LG Chem - Segment focus

12.10 LyondellBasell Industries NV

Exhibit 154: LyondellBasell Industries NV - Overview



Exhibit 155: LyondellBasell Industries NV - Business segments



Exhibit 156: LyondellBasell Industries NV - Key news



Exhibit 157: LyondellBasell Industries NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 158: LyondellBasell Industries NV - Segment focus

12.11 Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

Exhibit 159: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 160: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 161: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 162: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Segment focus

12.12 Penta s.r.o

Exhibit 163: Penta s.r.o - Overview



Exhibit 164: Penta s.r.o - Product / Service



Exhibit 165: Penta s.r.o - Key offerings

12.13 Sasol Ltd.

Exhibit 166: Sasol Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 167: Sasol Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 168: Sasol Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 169: Sasol Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 170: Sasol Ltd. - Segment focus

12.14 Shell plc

Exhibit 171: Shell plc - Overview



Exhibit 172: Shell plc - Business segments



Exhibit 173: Shell plc - Key news



Exhibit 174: Shell plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 175: Shell plc - Segment focus

12.15 Spectrum Laboratory Products

Exhibit 176: Spectrum Laboratory Products - Overview



Exhibit 177: Spectrum Laboratory Products - Product / Service



Exhibit 178: Spectrum Laboratory Products - Key offerings

12.16 Tokuyama Corp.

Exhibit 179: Tokuyama Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 180: Tokuyama Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 181: Tokuyama Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 182: Tokuyama Corp. - Segment focus

12.17 Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 183: Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 184: Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 185: Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 186: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 187: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 188: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 189: Research methodology



Exhibit 190: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 191: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 192: 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 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
Applications Due July 31

SAN DIEGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation (JCNI), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Southeastern San Diego, has announced an open call for volunteers to serve a 3-year term on its board.

Jacobs Center board members have an opportunity to work alongside staff and partners to support the organization's mission to build community and lift lives through economic development, real estate development and community engagement. Applicants should live, work, or be regularly involved in the Southeastern San Diego community and exhibit dedication to JCNI's mission.

JCNI began as a family foundation established by Joe and Vi Jacobs with the goal of transitioning it to a community-governed organization. As of 2022, community members make up the majority of the organization's board  marking a significant milestone.

Grandson of Joe and Vi Jacobs and board member Andrew Hapke says, "The leadership and insight that community stakeholders provide is invaluable in deciding the future of the organization. If you are interested in contributing to and supporting your community, we encourage you to apply."

Responsibilities of board members include engaging in community events on behalf of JCNI and actively participating in board committees.

Interested applicants can submit their application online at bit.ly/JCBoardApp23. The application deadline is July 31.

About Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation

Founded in 1995, the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is focused on building communities and lifting lives. As a creative catalyst and incubator, the Jacobs Center works with the community to revitalize Southeastern San Diego's Diamond Neighborhoods. This means transforming nearly 60 acres into sustainable developments that provide residents with greater access to resources and amenities that improve their quality of life. Additionally, the Jacobs Center works with community organizations and partners to increase residents' economic opportunities, leadership skills and educational success. Learn more at jacobscenter.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Deidra Brown

619-527-6161

[email protected]

SOURCE Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation
- New Funding Follows Rapid Growth of Enterprise-focused AI Tools, with 1,100+ Customers Using FLUX Products -

TOKYO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FLUX Inc., Japan's leading AI platform developer, announced 4.4 billion JPY (approximately US$32 million) in Series B funding led by DNX Ventures, and including existing investor Archetype Ventures and new investors Japan Co-Investment, Aozora Corporate Investments, Salesforce Ventures, Sony Innovation Fund, SMBC Nikko Securities, and NTT Docomo Ventures.

This additional funding brings FLUX's total funds raised to 5.6 billion JPY (approximately US$40 million), and accelerates FLUX's continued development of FLUX AI -- a no-coding AI platform.

Image1:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107723/202306156380/_prw_PI1fl_818rvX69.png

Market Overview

FLUX AI allows businesses to easily leverage AI technologies such as predictive analytics, natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs), without requiring any prior coding skills or knowledge.

In recent years, the business environment has been rapidly changing due to the emergence of AI technologies such as LLMs and generative AI. Despite these advancements, many companies in Japan struggle to adopt AI technologies into their businesses due to a lack of expertise and talent needed to understand and implement them. In order to tackle these challenges, FLUX has formed a team of experts to carry out in-depth research and service development within the AI technology field.

Image2:

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No-code AI platform FLUX AI

FLUX AI is an AI platform that underpins several no-code solutions that allow businesses to easily incorporate AI technologies into their operations.

When developing solutions that include optimization or predictive analytics capabilities, it generally takes a significant amount of time and development cost to structure the available data in a way that the AI can use it. FLUX is able to efficiently develop AI-based solutions because every solution is built on the same FLUX AI architecture.

Image3:

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FLUX collects over 100TB of data each month across its services, which are stored in a common database. Those data are used to train its models to increase performance for each service, while maintaining compliance with data governance best practices and privacy regulations.

Image4:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107723/202306156380/_prw_PI4fl_O3Oj1jhd.png

Over 1,100 publishers and advertisers are using FLUX services, with enterprise customers making up the largest customer segment. Throughout the past few years of rapid growth, the churn rate across FLUX services has stayed low at 0.2%, indicating strong customer satisfaction.

Growth strategy and use of funds

FLUX will leverage the funds raised for three primary purposes to fuel its continued growth in the Japanese B2B software market.

1. Enhancement of current products

FLUX AI's applications today focus on digital advertising and marketing, with solutions for optimizing ad revenue, ad operations, and online audiences. Development will continue on each of these services to further improve their effectiveness and maximize ROI to customers. New features in development include the use of generative AI for marketing applications such as generating ad creatives and content. FLUX will continue to provide a range of services that help to solve various challenges within the advertising and marketing industry.

2. Horizontal expansion

FLUX aims to leverage the FLUX AI platform to bring the benefits of AI to functions beyond advertising and marketing. There are many other business functions which could be made simpler or more efficient through leveraging AI, and FLUX will continue to develop simple solutions for its clients to increase productivity and decrease operational costs.

3. AI research

Since its founding, FLUX has conducted research on AI technologies ranging from predictive analytics to NLP and LLMs. The Series B funding will accelerate these research efforts as well as enabling hiring of more AI engineers.

Series B participants

- Existing investors : DNX Ventures, Archetype Ventures

- New investors: Japan Co-Investment, Aozora Corporate Investments, Salesforce Ventures, Sony Innovation Fund, SMBC Nikko Securities, and NTT Docomo Ventures

- Debt financing: Resona Bank, Shoko Chukin Bank

About FLUX

FLUX is a venture-backed startup which develops no-code AI platform FLUX AI. Several no-code solutions are based on FLUX AI, each of which enables businesses to leverage AI in their operations. FLUX's mission is to maximize ROI for its clients by simplifying technology.

URL: https://flux.jp/en/

SOURCE FLUX Inc.
JASPER, Ala., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Business Consulting (Catalyst BC) is thrilled to announce their client and partner, Jasper Development Group Inc . (JDG), has obtained a highly sought-after merit-based, limited license to process medical marijuana in Alabama from hundreds of applications. This monumental achievement marks a significant milestone for both Alabama locals, Jasper Development Group Inc., and the rapidly evolving medical cannabis industry in the state.

Alabama's recent legalization of medical marijuana has created opportunities for businesses looking to enter the emerging cannabis market. JDG, a pioneering entity committed to advancing patient care, has positioned itself at the forefront of this burgeoning industry in a notably conservative state.

Under the guidance of Catalyst BC, JDG undertook a rigorous merit application process, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to patient care, compliance, safety, quality, consistency, and innovation in providing medical marijuana in Alabama. A managed, comprehensive approach and commitment to excellence enabled JDG to secure one of the limited medical marijuana processor licenses issued by the AMCC on Monday, June 12th.

The medical marijuana processor license will allow JDG to produce a wide range of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products including tinctures, topicals, lozenges, balms, salves, and more. These products will benefit Alabama medical patients with qualifying condition symptoms and improve their quality of life. While the state currently limits those who can obtain medical cannabis and the types of products available for treatment, Catalyst BC and JDG are hopeful that this first license will lead to more options for medical cannabis for Alabama residents.

"This is an incredibly proud moment for JDG," said Tyler Robinson, CEO of JDG. "We are immensely grateful for the expert guidance and strategic support provided by Catalyst BC throughout this process. This license is a testament to our mission of helping our neighbors in Alabama with research and innovation in the medical marijuana industry."

As part of its mission, JDG will build and operate a state-of-the-art medical cannabis processing facility, adhering to quality control measures to ensure the production of safe, reliable, and efficacious medical cannabis products. The company's progressive vision will extend beyond its operations as it intends to collaborate with local healthcare providers, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to foster awareness and encourage further research into the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis in Alabama.

Catalyst BC, a leading consulting firm specializing in the cannabis industry, played an instrumental role in supporting JDG throughout the application process. The Catalyst BC team's expertise in navigating complex regulatory frameworks, the in-depth details of successful merit-based applications, and their deep industry knowledge has proven invaluable in securing this license for their client.

"We are honored to have been part of this journey with JDG's internal team," stated Ian Miller, CEO at Catalyst BC. "We are confident that JDG will contribute to Alabama's medical cannabis landscape and the successful outcomes of its patients. This license award is a testament to the openness and will of Alabama's voters and public servants and the dedication, professionalism, and vision of both JDG and Catalyst BC."

The issuance of the medical marijuana processor license to JDG marks an exciting new chapter in Alabama's evolving medical cannabis industry. The collaboration between Catalyst BC and JDG exemplifies the potential for transformative partnerships between focused subject matter experts and bold entrepreneurs in this emerging sector.

About Catalyst Business Consulting

Catalyst BC is a boutique global cannabis consulting and advisement firm established to support entrepreneurs, investors, and operators to activate and perform at an accelerated rate through science, data, and hands-on experience. The team at Catalyst BC includes a dynamic group of experienced business professionals and legacy cannabis operators with over 50 years of direct founder, operator, and advisor experience in regulated cannabis and vertical farming. Catalyst BC specializes in License Acquisition, Vertical Farming, Facility Design Assistance, and Operational Optimization/Turnaround, including Pre-Exit Optimization Services for cannabis and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operations.

About Jasper Development Group Inc.

Owned and operated by Alabama natives, Jasper Development Group Inc. is a pioneering medical marijuana processor in the state. With a steadfast commitment to advancing patient care, research, and innovation, Jasper Development Group Inc. aims to provide pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from qualifying medical conditions. They are dedicated to adhering to the highest safety standards, efficacy, affordability, and innovation, delivering enhanced quality of life, and supporting positive comprehensive health and wellness outcomes for Alabama's medical cannabis patients.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Alexa Oliphant

Kip Morrison and Associates

714-420-6492

[email protected]

SOURCE Catalyst BC
IRVINE, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jennifer Keller, a nationally prominent attorney at Keller/Anderle LLP in Irvine, has been named to the list of "Top Women Lawyers of 2023," as selected by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals. This is the fourteenth time Keller has been selected for the Top Women Lawyers award.

Jennifer Keller is one of America's most successful trial attorneys. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of high-stakes commercial litigation and white collar cases. She has litigated numerous high-profile cases over the years, resulting in statewide, national and international recognition.

Chambers USA and Chambers Global rank Jennifer in Band 1, among the top commercial litigators in the nation, quoting sources who describe Jennifer as "a highly respected trial lawyer" who is "exceptional on every metric." "Her writing is clear, concise and compelling and her oral advocacy is powerful and persuasive. This makes her a superior trial attorney."

Jennifer is a Fellow of the invitation-only American College of Trial Lawyers, considered to be among the highest honors a North American trial attorney can receive. The Legal 500, among the most prestigious international legal directories, recommends Jennifer as one of just 68 "leading trial lawyers" in the entire United States. Benchmark Litigation lists her as one of the "Top 100 Trial Attorneys in America" calling her a "National Litigation Star."

Awards within the state have included a 2018 induction into the California Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, one of only 36 attorneys so honored throughout the years. "Revered for her versatility and ease in front of a jury  the go-to trial attorney for difficult cases" is how Jennifer is described by The Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, ranking her as a "Top 100 Lawyer in California" for over 10 years in a row. In three separate years (2019, 2018 and 2012), in starkly different subjects, Jennifer's trial victories have led to California Lawyer Magazine Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) awards for extraordinary achievements in litigation.

Keller/Anderle LLP is among the premier boutique trial law firms in California, handling highly complex litigation of all types.

Contact: Kay Anderle

Managing Partner



Address: 18300 Von Karman Ave., Suite 930

Irvine, California 92612-1057

Ph. 949.476.8700

Fax 949.476.0900

[email protected]

SOURCE Keller/Anderle LLP
The 734,000-square-foot development features a pioneering design unlike any other multi-story industrial product in New York City

NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL Capital Markets announced today that it arranged the $354 million total capitalization for 28-90 Review Ave., a 4.03-acre, industrial development totalling 734,000 square feet in Long Island City, New York.

JLL represented Innovo Property Group LLC in securing construction financing through Axos and Cerberus Capital Management. Additionally, JLL lined up the equity with IPG and Goldman Sachs (GS) Asset Management's Urban Investment Group.

28-90 Review Avenue

Positioned strategically in the Long Island City (LIC) submarket, the property's location is ideal for multi-story industrial product with direct access to Manhattan, LIC, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. The building is advantageously positioned along Long Island's main truck route I-495, providing access to a variety of major transportation routes and critical distribution hubs, including LaGuardia Airport (8.2 miles) and John F Kennedy Airport (12.4 miles).

The JLL Capital Markets team was led by Senior Managing Director Christopher Peck, Managing Director Peter Rotchford, Senior Director Tyler Peck and Director Nicco Lupo.

"28-90 Review Ave. will arrive to market during a severe imbalance in supply and demand in the New York City market," said Christopher Peck. "IPG's intimate knowledge of the property and market trends, coupled with Goldman Sachs' extensive investing experience, position the investment as a generational development opportunity of unparalleled scale within one of the world's most desirable logistics markets, where demand is skyrocketing and supply has not kept pace."

JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. The firm's in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients  whether investment sales and advisory, debt advisory, equity advisory or a recapitalization. The firm has more than 3,000 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly 50 countries.

For more news, videos and research resources, please visit JLL's newsroom.

About JLL

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $20.9 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 103,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com .

Contact: Alli Semans, Public Relations, Associate

Phone: +1 330 329 6750

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE JLL
WESTON Fla., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ProspectCloud has recruited Johnna Weary, who brings years of senior-level operations and marketing experience at EducationDynamics and JMH Consulting, to serve as the firm's Chief Operating Officer and SVP of Partnerships.

Johnna Weary, COO and SVP of Partnerships for ProspectCloud

"Johnna is a tech-savvy strategic thinker, an inspiring team leader, and an operations process guru, but she is above all a relationship builder," said ProspectCloud CEO Oren Pinhas. "That combination makes her invaluable both to our growing company and to our wide range of corporate and higher education clients who will benefit from Johnna's partnership in building pipelines, campaigns, and revenue."

"In my role at ProspectCloud, I am dedicated to creating alignment between people, processes, and technology. Increased efficiency and optimized processes are core aspects of how I can help ProspectCloud deliver excellent service to our clients," said Weary. "I'm especially excited to share thoughtful recruitment strategies to help higher education clients stabilize and grow their degree-seeking enrollments."

Johnna Weary has a remarkable background in the higher education sector, starting with her tenure at JMH Consulting, where she worked closely with university clients across the United States and Canada. During her 10 years with JMH Consulting, she successfully designed and implemented digital marketing strategies, achieving consistent enrollment growth. She then devoted five years to supporting partner relationships and driving marketing and operational performance in her leadership roles at EducationDynamics.

Throughout her career, Johnna Weary has brought insightful thought leadership to the industry, contributing to conferences and publications, including UPCEA, AMA Symposium for Higher Ed, Insights EDU and The Evolllution. Johnna's expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence have earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike. She is deeply committed to fostering a positive and inclusive organizational culture, prioritizing client success, and driving meaningful growth.

About ProspectCloud

ProspectCloud is a specialized lead research organization providing bespoke market research and analysis, lead information, and communications consulting for High Growth, Technology, Political, Business, Healthcare and Higher Education clients. We help our clients discover the deeper connective tissue between their best customers to identify and source their ideal sales contacts. We curate high proclivity sales leads and educate clients on humanizing the sales funnel to create authentic relationships between brands and customers. ProspectCloud consulting empowers clients with the access and know-how to go beyond traditional direct marketing efforts to effectively use a blend of purposeful strategies and channels to develop contacts into community. For thoughtful organizations seeking to spend time only with their most promising opportunities, ProspectCloud customizes solutions that transform prospects into purchasers.

Higher Education Practice

The "learner first" mission of ProspectCloud's Higher Education Practice is to facilitate a symbiotic relationship that serves our clients' most valued stakeholder: prospective students. With ProspectCloud, graduate school Enrollment, Admissions, and Marketing leaders unlock new recruitment pipelines with high quality prospective students and build authentic connections between the pre-active student, the employer community and their university.

500+ Masters, MBA, and Executive programs have successfully engaged with ProspectCloud to increase yield and impact classroom diversity and persistence, while reducing their blended cost per enroll and their dependence on over-broad tactics.

Business Contact: Johnna Weary

COO & SVP of Partnerships | ProspectCloud | www.prospect-cloud.com

413-281-3900 | [email protected]

Media Contact: Judy Tashbook Safern | 516-200-3805 | [email protected]com

SOURCE ProspectCloud
Policymakers urged to address unique challenges faced by outpatient therapy providers under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and APTA Private Practice urged policymakers to address the unique challenges faced by therapy providers under the current Medicare Physician Fee Schedule system of payment. The organizations released a joint statement as the U.S. Congress begins to consider ways to reform the fee schedule.

Over the last three years, rehabilitation therapy providers have received some of the largest cuts of any health care providers because of the fee schedule's budget neutrality policies. At the same time, therapy providers are subject to significant legacy reductions to the payment for services that date back to the days of the sustainable growth rate formula, as well as excessive and burdensome administrative costs and barriers to participation in innovative and value-based programs.

These policy principles, as outlined in the newly released Policy Principles for Outpatient Therapy Reform Under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule , identify some high-impact reforms that are needed to address administrative burden, value-based payment, and patient choice challenges that limit patient access to providers of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology services.

Medicare payment reform is a top priority for our organizations as we continue to advocate for improved patient access, payment that reflects the value of therapy services, and sustainable updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

"Since the implementation of MACRA, payment for Medicare Part B occupational therapy services has either been frozen or cut. Over this same time research has continued to demonstrate that access to occupational therapy services can provide tremendous savings to the healthcare system through decreasing hospital admissions and readmissions and enabling people to remain living in their homes," said AOTA President Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP. "If enacted into law, these policy principles would expand access for many people over 65 and provide meaningful relief to occupational therapy practitioners who are struggling after seven years of freezes and cuts to outpatient therapy services. AOTA looks forward to working with Congress on therapy-specific proposals as they look to reform the Fee Schedule."

"Reforms to the Medicare fee schedule must address the unique challenges faced by therapy providers," said APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA. "The economic value that physical therapist services bring to the health care system and the patients we serve is not reflected under the current fee schedule. Addressing patient access, payment, and administrative burden is critical to providing value-based payment while addressing the increased costs of running a practice. These joint policy principles impacting outpatient therapy services provide a starting point, and APTA is eager to work with our congressional champions and provider allies in seeking meaningful fee schedule reforms."

"Outpatient therapy providers like speech-language pathologists are not properly paid for their services in part because of long-standing reimbursement challenges under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule," said 2023 ASHA President Robert Augustine, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. "The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association supports these policy principles because they are a starting point for discussions with Congress about how to develop a more stable and equitable Medicare payment system that will help ensure beneficiaries have the necessary access to critical speech, language, swallowing, and cognition-related care in the future."

"Physical therapists in private practice provide highly skilled therapy services and as small business owners they play crucial roles in their communities, yet they face constant challenges when interfacing with Medicare," explained Private Practice Section of APTA President Mike Horsfield, PT, MBA. "APTA Private Practice is proud of this coalition effort to present these policy suggestions to lawmakers as they begin to consider ways to reform the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. We look forward to working together on Medicare policy that results in healthy seniors, strong communities, and sustainable small businesses."

The American Physical Therapy Association represents more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students nationwide. Visit apta.org to learn more.

SOURCE American Physical Therapy Association
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Collectible industry leader Joy to the World Collectibles (JTTW) announced today the release of a limited edition collectible ornament to support The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. Proceeds from ornament sales will benefit the Foundation.

Joy to the World Collectibles releases limited edition ornament supporting The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation Tweet this Joy to the World Collectibles releases commemorative ornament in collaboration with The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation

The non-profit Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation was established in 1981 to raise money for and oversee the historic restoration of these beloved monuments. Through collaboration with the National Park Service in one of America's most successful public-private partnerships, the Foundation has completed hundreds of additional projects that preserve Lady Liberty and Ellis Island while enhancing the experience for millions of visitors.

"Maintaining these landmarks is a great responsibility shouldered by the whole nation," said Jesse Brackenbury, president and CEO of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. "It has always been everyday Americans and communities whose contributions preserve the statue. We are so thankful to Joy to the World Collectibles for stepping in to help keep the torch burning."

JTTW Collectibles founder, Lisa Kelechava has a personal connection to this project. The late Lee A. Iacocca (1924 - 2019) was Lisa's uncle and was passionate about preserving the statue. Iacocca, a high-profile, veteran businessman served as the chairman of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.

"This is a personal initiative for me," says Kelechava. "My family has deep ties to the Statue of Liberty, so to be able to use our unique talents to design a custom ornament to help fund the continued preservation is incredibly meaningful. Ornament-making is an art form for Joy to the World. These handcrafted replicas of one of our greatest landmarks serve as a reminder of our nation's heritage.

JTTW Collectibles creates the custom ornaments in their Poland-based studio where skilled sculptors, glass blowers and painters create handmade ornaments. It takes an average of seven production days to make each piece. The ornaments are handcrafted by master artisans from the beginning stages of clay mold to the finishing touches of applying hand-cut glitter.

The Joy to the World Collectibles Statue of Liberty commemorative keepsake is available for $60 on the Foundation's website at www.statueofliberty.org/product/libertytorch, with proceeds supporting The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation's mission to restore and preserve these American treasures.

SOURCE Joy to the World Collectibles
MAYNARD, Mass., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading interactive B2B sales and marketing digital customer engagement platform Kaon Interactive has been awarded the 2023 Communicator Award of Excellence by the Academy for Interactive Visual Arts in the B2B Mobile Application and Website category.

"Digital engagement has become a differentiating competitive advantage for visionary B2B enterprises," said Kaon Interactive CMO Dana Drissel. "In today's fast-paced business environment, buyers are seeking more self-serve ways to evaluate complex solutions quickly. We help our customers increase their buyer engagement, understanding, and ultimately sales, which is the real prize."

For more than 25 years, Kaon Interactive has created a clear vision of how to engage customers in problem-solving experiences. Kaon's strategy of leading with value-based outcomes and hyper-personalized experiences sets an example for the entire industry to follow. Kaon Interactive is privileged to partner with innovative marketing leaders across life sciences, energy, networking infrastructure, industrial manufacturing, cloud computing, and more to deliver award-winning experiences that bring those visions and strategies to life.

Kaon Interactive's innovations, which deliver high-quality, immersive customer engagement solutions, have garnered recognition from industry leaders and clients alike. This recent award, highlighting the Kaon-developed Dell Global Industries interactive application, reinforces the company's position as a trusted partner for B2B enterprises seeking to digitally transform their marketing and sales strategies and reimagine their buyer engagement in a hybrid world. Explore case studies : https://kaon.com/customers/case-studies.

The Communicator Awards, now in its 29th year, is one of the most esteemed international competitions honoring excellence in marketing and communications. With thousands of entries from around the world, the awards showcase the best creative work in various categories, including interactive multimedia, website design, video, advertising, and mobile applications.

To learn how Kaon Interactive is creating interactive customer engagement experiences that differentiate unique value everywhere your buyers are, visit kaon.com .

About Kaon Interactive

Kaon Interactive is a B2B software company. Kaon's interactive sales and marketing applications simplify complex product and solution stories in a visually engaging way anywhere, anytime, to turn prospects into customers. The company's interactive 3D sales and marketing applications transform product and solution marketing content into visual storytelling experiences that deepen customer engagement, reduce marketing expenses, and accelerate the sales cycle. Whether virtual or in-person, Kaon's applications are used by leading global B2B companies in life sciences, manufacturing, and technology industries across more than 195 countries and 2M unique users. For more information about Kaon, visit kaon.com .

About The Communicator Awards

The Communicator Awards is the leading global awards program honoring creative excellence for marketing and communications professionals. Founded nearly three decades ago, The Communicator Awards is an annual competition recognizing the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations, and design. The 29th Annual Communicator Awards received around 3,000 entries from ad agencies, digital agencies, production firms, in-house creative & communications professionals, graphic designers, design firms, and public relations firms. The Communicator Awards are judged and curated by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA).

The AIVA is an assembly of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and evolving nature of traditional and interactive media.

SOURCE Kaon Interactive
The telecoms leader enters the Canadian market following the acquisition of three data centers in Toronto

TOKYO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecommunications leader, together with its data center brand Telehouse, has announced the latest expansion of its global footprint in North America by reaching an agreement with Allied Properties REIT to acquire three data centers and its accompanying assets in Toronto, Canada. This investment of CAD 1.35 billion comes as a result of increased demand in the market for reliable interconnectivity services and is an important milestone for KDDI's expansion plans which will see the company establish a new legal entity, KDDI Canada, Inc.

KDDI expands data centre presence in North America

Starting with the first Telehouse data center in New York in 1989, KDDI has been continuously expanding Telehouse's presence in new markets for over 30 years, with this recent acquisition bringing the total portfolio of data centers to 12 countries. The new carrier-neutral data centers are located in the city center of Toronto, and when fully operational, will provide over 30MW of IT load.

KDDI's new data centers will provide both shared and dedicated space to fulfill customer needs, especially those expanding internationally, who require a highly trusted partner to establish their IT environment. Businesses wishing to colocate from the new locations will gain unrivalled access to a variety of connectivity partners, including carriers, ISPs, ASPs, and the world's largest private and public cloud service providers, to extend network reach, reduce latency and costs, and improve performance.

Yasuaki Kuwahara, Member of the Board, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of Business Solution at KDDI, commented: "This is another milestone achievement for KDDI, and an exciting investment which will enhance connectivity capabilities for Canadian businesses. With many North American organizations accelerating their digital transformation and innovation initiatives, we're delighted to be able to play a part in their success, offering reliable, scalable, flexible and secure services to modernize and future-proof IT environments."

Michael Emory, Founder and Executive Chair, Allied Properties REIT, said: "With global data center operating capability, KDDI is an ideal successor owner for our data center assets. Canadian cities continue to grow dramatically and successfully. The growth is driven in large part by knowledge-based organizations that require sophisticated and wide-ranging connectivity solutions. KDDI is extremely well positioned to provide these solutions and, in doing so, contribute meaningfully to the many and varied businesses operating in our cities."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About KDDI Corporation

Created in 1953 at the initiative of the Japanese government to develop the international network from Japan, KDDI Group operates at various levels in the field of telecommunications and is now present in more than 60 cities and 100 locations around the world. KDDI deployed major international infrastructures, including its Global Network, a digitized proprietary network including optic-fibre and linking Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. With a customer portfolio of over 50 million subscribers in Japan, KDDI offers cell phone services, network services and IT solutions to its global customers. For more information visit: https://www.kddi.com/english/

About Telehouse

Telehouse is a leading global data center service provider under KDDI group, bringing together more than 3,000 business partners including carriers, mobile and content providers, enterprises, cloud providers and financial services companies. Established in 1989, Telehouse provides reliable, secure, and flexible colocation, enabling organisations to accelerate speed to market and create business opportunities through fast, efficient and secure interconnections. For more information visit: https://www.telehouse.net/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2106799/KDDI_expands_in_North_America.jpg

SOURCE KDDI Corporation
Solid Waste, Water, Streets, Traffic, and Field Operations Teamsters Demand Fair Treatment

LAWRENCE, Kan., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- City of Lawrence public sector workers represented by Teamsters Local 696 have filed a complaint in the District Court of Douglas County against their employer for ignoring grievances and safety concerns, as well as retaliating against workers. To educate the public about the issues raised in the complaint, Teamsters in the solid waste, water, streets, traffic, and field operations department held an informational picket outside of City Hall during the June 20th City Commission meeting.

The complaint highlights multiple instances where the City of Lawrence failed to follow the grievance procedure that was agreed upon in the ratified union contract, ignored workers' grievances outright, and refused to discuss safety concerns. The complaint also details instances where the City of Lawrence retaliated against employees who filed a grievance. In one specific example, the city removed the employee from their typical position on a front loader truck, made them paint trucks in the rain, and required them to watch 40 hours of training videos as a part of the discipline being challenged under the grievance.

"These Teamsters are responsible to keeping the City of Lawrence clean, well-maintained, and operating efficiently," said Michael Scribner, President of Local 696. "It's abhorrent that these workers are being treated with such disrespect in the workplace and the city must change its behavior immediately. Local 696 is proud to stand with our City of Lawrence members to ensure that their voices are heard, and needs are met. We will not rest until they receive just treatment."

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
- StoreDot has successfully completed the first evaluation and integration testing phase for A-Samples of its extreme fast charging (XFC) electric vehicle battery cells

- Testing programs were initiated earlier this year with 15 leading global automotive brand manufacturers from Europe, Asia and the US, as well as key ecosystem partners

- Feedback from those that have completed the tests showed that the cells exceeded expectations with some OEMs now progressing to B-Sample programs in their specific battery cell form-factor

- Tests saw OEMs reach an energy density greater than 300Wh/kg, at a charging rate higher than 4C, achieving over 1000 consecutive XFC charging cycles

- StoreDot continues to foster a growing network of strategic partnerships with its investors, leading OEMs and manufacturing partners

- StoreDot remains on target for mass production readiness of '100in5' cells next year delivering at least 100 miles of range in just 5 minutes of charging

HERZLIYA, Israel, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging (XFC) high energy battery solutions for electric vehicles, has obtained outstanding battery performance feedback for the first evaluation and integration A-Samples testing phase of its XFC electric vehicle battery cells.

StoreDot's 100 in 5 battery cells have been tested over the last 6 months at these locations Amir Tirosh, StoreDot COO

The comprehensive testing programs took place over the past six months by 15 leading global automotive brand manufacturers from Europe, Asia, and the US, as well as several of StoreDot's strategic ecosystem partners. Feedback from partners that have completed tests showed that the cells exceeded expectations, with those still conducting tests expected to report similar results.

The aim of the testing and evaluation programs was predominantly to replicate StoreDot's unique extreme fast charging specifications based on its partners' use case and test procedures. When the OEMs and partners replicated StoreDot's results, they reached an energy density greater than 300Wh/kg, at a charging rate higher than 4C, achieving over 1000 consecutive XFC charging cycles.

The programs encompassed two main paths: The first included XFC datasheet and specification verification based on StoreDot's rigorous testing procedures, and the second covered specific EV-OEM test protocols for critical performance and safety parameters relevant to their use cases.

The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, surpassing StoreDot's target specifications. Some OEM partners have already progressed to phase two of the testing programs, which involves the initiation of B-Samples programs tailored to their own form-factor and specific requirements, enabling future implementation in each OEM EV architecture.

Amir Tirosh, StoreDot COO: "We are hugely confident in our XFC technology - the ability to charge the cell from 10%-80% in just 10 minutes - based on our own rigorous testing procedures. However, receiving such positive feedback from global EV manufacturers gives us even more assurance in our groundbreaking product. Our partners are extremely pleased with the results of our battery cells, showcasing unprecedented energy density levels, and charging times that will prove to be a game-changer for the entire industry. The testing results confirm the value proposition that XFC is critical in eliminating range and charging anxiety, while at the same time empowering OEMs to design EVs with smaller pack sizes that can charge in minutes. Using standard Li-ion manufacturing lines either owned by the partners themselves or with subcontractors, this success enables us to promptly begin selective collaboration on B-samples with our partners."

StoreDot continues to foster a growing network of strategic global partnerships and investors, encompassing the entire battery ecosystem. Notably, it has received investments from renowned global automotive manufacturers such as Daimler, Ola Electric, Polestar, VinFast, and Volvo Cars.

Last year, StoreDot unveiled its ambitious '100inX' strategic technology roadmap, outlining three generations of StoreDot technologies: Silicon dominant XFC, semi-solid state, and post-lithium architecture. This roadmap reiterates that the anticipated milestones will be delivered over the next decade, with 100in5 targeted for 2024, 100in3 for 2028, and 100in2 for 2032.

About StoreDot:

StoreDot is the pioneer and global leader of extreme fast charging (XFC) electric vehicle batteries that overcome the critical barrier to mainstream EV adoption  charging anxiety. The company has revolutionized the conventional Li-ion battery by designing and synthesizing proprietary organic and inorganic compounds, optimized by Artificial Intelligence algorithms, to make it possible to charge an EV in under ten minutes  the same experience as refueling a conventional combustion engine car.

Through its '100inX' product roadmap, StoreDot's battery technology aims to deliver 'Range on Demand': 100 miles charged in 5 minutes in 2024, 100 miles charged in 3 minutes by 2028, and extreme energy density solution enabling 100 miles to be charged in 2 minutes by 2032. StoreDot's strategic investors and partners include Daimler, bp, VinFast, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Ola Electric, Samsung, TDK, and its manufacturing partner EVE Energy. StoreDot's agnostic technology is designed to utilize existing standard production lines with no changes to process or equipment. In 2022, the company achieved a world first by demonstrating a live extreme fast charging of an EV battery cell in 10 minutes capable of over 1000 consecutive XFC cycles. This technology is now under testing with over 15 automotive OEMs. StoreDot is on target for mass production readiness of 100in5 technology by 2024.

StoreDot's media kit can be found at this link.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2106795/StoreDot.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2106796/Amir_Tirosh_StoreDot_COO.jpg

SOURCE StoreDot
VIENNA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexogen, a leading provider of innovative next-generation sequencing solutions, is pleased to announce that it has successfully earnt ISO 13485:2016 certification from Quality Austria. This internationally recognized standard reflects Lexogen's dedication to designing and delivering the highest quality products for the biotechnology and medical device industry.

ISO 13485 is a stringent quality standard intended for organizations that produce medical devices or critical components used therein, ensuring the safety and efficacy of their products. Lexogen has been granted ISO 13485 for the research, product design, development, and production of genomic analysis solutions (kits, reagents and software). By achieving this certification, Lexogen has demonstrated its commitment to meet or exceed the legal requirements and rigorous quality standards required in the medical device industry.

"Obtaining ISO 13485 certification is a significant milestone for Lexogen," says Stephane Barges, Chief Executive Officer at Lexogen. "This achievement highlights our unwavering commitment to providing cutting-edge biotechnology solutions, built considering the needs of our customers, that meet the highest quality standards. It reinforces our position as a trusted partner in the industry and demonstrates our dedication to customer satisfaction."

Lexogen's ISO 13485 certification further strengthens the company's ability to serve the growing demands of its customers, including researchers, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies as well as IVD manufacturers.

Lexogen's pledge to continuous improvement, risk and quality management extends beyond the ISO 13485:2016 requirements since the company is also certified to ISO 9001:2015.

About Lexogen

Established in 2007, Lexogen is a leading company in transcriptomics, next-generation sequencing, and RNA analysis. The mission of the Lexogen team is to empower their customers with innovative top quality RNA analysis solutions and support. Lexogen is the inventor of 3' RNA sequencing, a unique technology proven for its efficiency, robustness, and sensitivity, especially unmatched for differential gene expression analysis. Lexogen's proprietary portfolio includes innovative kits for true single-cell as well as bulk RNA sequencing, RNA extraction, ribosomal RNA depletion, spike-in RNA variant controls, and nascent RNA labeling for transcriptome-wide analysis of RNA kinetics. Lexogen also provides first-class, fully integrated NGS services from experimental design to analytical reporting. Lexogen is a privately held company, headquartered in Vienna, Austria with a subsidiary in New Hampshire, USA.

To learn more, visit www.lexogen.com and follow @lexogen.

Contact person:

Amra Dedic

Brand and Event Manager

Tel.: +43 660 69 66 045

Email: [email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472869/Lexogen_logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Lexogen
CANTON, Ohio, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty HealthShare, one of the country's leading Christian healthsharing ministries, today announced it will host a free webinar on affordable healthcare for seniors on Medicare on Thursday, June 29.

The free 30-minute webinar will review money-saving options available for those 65 and older looking for alternatives to traditional health insurance.

Liberty HealthShare will host a free webinar on affordable healthcare for seniors on Medicare on Thursday, June 29. Tweet this

"You should be able to enjoy your golden years and live a fulfilling life without worrying about whether you can afford medical expenses," said Amy Hagen, Liberty HealthShare's vice president of Medical Services, who will take part in the webinar. "We believe medical cost sharing is a great alternative."

The ministry introduced the Liberty Assist sharing program in September 2022 to serve seniors who had few, if any, affordable healthsharing options available to them after they turn 65. The budget-friendly sharing program, which helps fill in the gaps in Medicare coverage, has proven popular with its senior audience.

The webinar will be available at three convenient times in the morning and evening on June 29. To learn more and pre-register, go to Free Liberty HealthShare Webinar for Seniors.

Liberty HealthShare is a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable Christian medical cost-sharing ministry focused on members helping each other in times of need. The faith-based program, which facilitates healthsharing for its members, is a caring community of health-conscious individuals and families who choose to support one another and agree to the Christian values of stewardship to make healthcare affordable for all.

As it is not insurance, Liberty HealthShare enrollment is available year-round with no requirement for special life events to qualify. For more information about its healthcare sharing programs visit libertyhealthshare.org or call (855) 585-4237.

SOURCE Liberty HealthShare
As the go-to brand for Pina Coladas1, Malibu is breathing new life into the feel-good favorite "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" & giving away $100,0002 to Pina Colada enthusiasts

NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today on the official start of summer, Malibu debuts a modern remix of the karaoke crowd pleaser, "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" with pop music and social media sensation, Jax, to introduce summer as a state of mind.

Malibus collaboration with Jax re-captures the 1979 classics summer spirit, originally made famous by Rupert Holmes, while reimagining the song for a modern audience. As the go-to brand for Pina Coladas, Malibu is breathing new life into the feel-good favorite Escape (The Pina Colada Song) & giving away $100,000 to Pina Colada enthusiasts.

"We're celebrating Malibu's status as the go-to brand for Pina Coladas1 by spotlighting the iconic cocktail's ability to unlock carefree confidence and inspire our consumers to Do Whatever Tastes Good," said Matt Foley, Vice President of Marketing, Malibu. "We hope to further establish the Pina Colada in culture, making it symbolic of a lifestyle not just during the summer, but one that goes beyond that with this feel-good favorite song that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere."

Malibu's collaboration with Jax re-captures the 1979 classic's summer spirit, originally made famous by Rupert Holmes, while reimagining the song for a modern audience. Jax's unequivocal sound comes to life both sonically and visually with a music video directed by the acclaimed Drew Kirsch, renowned for his star-studded collaborations, which was conceptualized and created by Wieden+Kennedy London. Blending '70s and '80s nostalgia against the backdrop of a Pina Colada-themed celebration, the film embodies the essence of what it means to Escape while still embracing the summer mindset that's all about carefree fun, sunny optimism and doing what you truly love. Complete with synchronized swimmers, vibrant fashion, celebrity cameos and guests embodying Malibu's signature free-spirited attitude, the bright and colorful aesthetic creates a space to unplug and live in the moment.

"Just like that first sip of Malibu, there's something special about The Pina Colada Song that you hear and are transported from any moment to one that exudes summertime fun," said Jax. "This widely popular tune that I had the opportunity to remix is the essence of summer vibes and perfect backdrop for any drinking occasion with Malibu."

With the spotlight on Pina Coladas, Malibu is transcending the famous cocktail into music, as well as fashion. Teaming up with resort wear brand Kenny Flowers, the brands will drop a limited-edition Escape-wear Collection on National Pina Colada Day this July 10.

Malibu is once again inspiring people everywhere to Do Whatever Tastes Good, further living its global brand positioning. Recognized as the #13 spirit associated with summer, Malibu is on a mission to reintroduce summer from a season to a mindset and will continue to offer exciting and delicious products to extend its carefree, summertime vibes.

If you like Pina Coladas, join the celebration and enter for a chance to win a $15 Venmo as part of Malibu's pledge to give away a total of $100,000 to Pina Colada enthusiasts. To learn more, visit malibudrinks.com and follow @malibrumus #MalibuPinaColada.

Malibu Pina Colada

1 Part Malibu

1  Parts Pineapple Juice

 Parts Coconut Cream

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add ingredients. Shake. Strain into glass!

1: Source: Global Organic Search data

2: Individuals can win up to a $15 Venmo as part of the collective $100,000 total giveaway. Sweepstakes Rules: No purchase necessary. Must be 21+ legal resident of (50) U.S. or D.C. Ends 9/4/2023. See official rules at www.malibudrinks.com/en-us/Pina-Colada-Song. Odds of winning based upon number eligible entries received. No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award. Void wherever prohibited. Sponsor: Pernod Ricard USA, 250 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10177.

3: Source: Prime Report CY21

SIP EASY. ENJOY MALIBU RESPONSIBLY.

MALIBU Caribbean Rum with Coconut Liqueur. 21% - 24% Alc/Vol.

2023 Pernod Ricard USA, 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 Malibu
WELLSVILLE, N.Y., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LJUNGSTRM has signed another contract with Riggs Distler & Company, Inc. to provide specialized structural steelwork for the Revolution Wind and South Fork Wind projects.

Revolution Wind and South Fork Wind are joint venture projects between rsted and Eversource. The offshore wind farms will be located approximately 15 miles south of Rhode Island, and 35 miles east of Montauk Point with a combined capacity of over 800MW. The South Fork project is expected to begin commercial operations by the end of 2023 and Revolution Wind by the end of 2025.

LJUNGSTROM signs another order for New England's growing offshore wind capacity Tweet this

Deliveries for the Revolution and South Fork projects will be made to the rsted offshore wind construction hub facility at ProvPort in Rhode Island, where Riggs Distler will directly employ more than 125 skilled tradesmen and women from local labor unions to assemble the components.

"We continue to expand our ongoing relationship with Riggs Distler on these important projects and are proud to be supporting rsted and Eversource on their development of offshore wind projects with our innovation driven manufacturing background and expertise." said Matt Ferris, Managing Director, LJUNGSTRM USA. Ferris noted further that, "It is great to see how our order book for secondary steel structural components, from our Wellsville facility, now totals more than 2,800 MW of offshore wind capacity. This underscores the great confidence in our service, technology, and solutions."

The additional orders are further proof of LJUNGSTROM's success in constantly developing its business to provide tailor-made solutions to manufacturing and logistic challenges for large offshore wind tower platform components. LJUNGSTROM is the first U.S. supplier with proven experience on delivering secondary steel components for U.S. offshore wind projects, and has developed new proprietary fabrication processes and tooling to support the scale and serial production requirements.

About LJUNGSTROM

LJUNGSTROM, a division of the ARVOS Group, is a global leader providing innovative solutions to a diversified range of industries, with a focus on environmentally beneficial technologies to enable more efficient and cleaner operations. With a century of history in Wellsville, NY, LJUNGSTROM has a proven track record of expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and field services.

Related links:

https://www.ljungstrom.com

SOURCE LJUNGSTROM
Hole CU23-27 intersected multiple high-grade structures in the breccia pipe, notably 2.0 metres from 229.0 metres grading 33.30 g/t gold and 123.5 g/t silver (34.78 g/t Au Eq), within a wider intercept of 287.0 metres from 99.0 metres, which graded 1.10 g/t gold and 8.8 g/t silver (1.21 g/t Au Eq).

Hole CU23-29 confirmed that Cuyes West extends at least 500 metres down from surface, while remaining open to depth. The hole cut a 30.0 metre interval grading 2.81 g/t gold and 1.66 g/t silver (2.83 g/t Au Eq) from 475.0 metres, including 6.0 metres grading 6.69g/t gold and 3.0g/t silver (6.72g/t Au Eq) from 487.0 metres. This hole stepped out approximately 210 metres vertically below hole CU23-22, which intercepted 15.0 metres of 6.18 g/t gold and 41.8 g/t silver (6.68 g/t Au Eq) from 308.0 metres.

Hole CU23-28 intersected multiple high-grade intercepts, including 24.0 metres returning 2.31 g/t gold and 13.08 g/t silver (2.47 g/t Au Eq) from 313.0 metres, within a broader 50.0 metre zone of 1.70 g/t gold and 9.51 g/t silver (1.82 g/t Au Eq) from 293.0 metres.

Other intervals are present in additional structures in holes CU23-27, CU23-28 and CU23-29 and are detailed in Table 1.

The style of mineralization at Cuyes West structure is identical to that at the Camp deposit, 600 metres to the west. At a property scale, these mineralized structures are interpreted to be hosted in ring and radial fractures around the Los Cuyes caldera (See Figure 1).

Table 1. Drill intercepts for the Cuyes West structure and breccia pipe.

Hole Azimuth / Dip / Length From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au Eq (g/t) CU23-27 6 / - 48 /

441.45m 24.0 26.0 2.0* 0.41 0.8 0.42 And 80.0 84.0 4.0* 0.73 0.8 0.74 And 99.0 386.0 287.0* 1.10 8.8 1.21 Incl 166.0 168.0 2.0 6.82 25.8 7.13 Incl 182.0 183.0 1.0 5.26 68.1 6.08 And 199.0 218.0 19.0 1.34 9.3 1.45 And 229.0 231.0 2.0 33.30 123.5 34.78 And 345.0 375.0 30.0 2.11 21.9 2.38















CU23-28

78.0 82.0 4.0* 0.41 3.0 0.45 And 94.0 162.0 68.0* 0.52 3.3 0.56 And 178.0 184.0 6.0* 0.88 14.1 1.05 And 196.0 206.0 10.0* 0.91 15.9 1.10 And 234.0 235.0 1.0 1.70 9.2 1.81 And 277.0 279.0 2.0 1.63 7.3 1.72 And 293.0 343.0 50.0 1.70 9.5 1.82 Incl 313.0 337.0 24.0 2.31 13.1 2.47















CU23-29 0 / -75 / 593.45m 10.0 14.0 4.0* 0.40 4.1 0.45 And 30.0 34.0 4.0* 0.56 6.5 0.64 And 46.0 84.0 38.0* 0.36 5.6 0.43 And 122.0 316.0 194.0* 0.96 3.4 1.00 Incl 203.0 234.0 31.0 2.06 4.7 2.12 Incl 241.0 265.0 24.0 1.79 5.3 1.85 Incl 313.0 314.0 1.0 6.34 5.1 6.40 And 330.0 445.0 115.0* 0.74 3.2 0.78 Incl 339.0 340.0 1.0 2.93 0.5 2.93 Incl 348.0 351.0 3.0 1.83 2.1 1.86 Incl 361.0 363.0 2.0 2.37 2.4 2.40 Incl 422.0 440.0 18.0 1.66 5.1 1.72 And 475.0 505.0 30.0 2.81 1.7 2.83 Incl 487.0 493.0 6.0 6.69 3.0 6.72

Asterisked (*) intervals are "Shallower" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 0.20 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of ten continuous metres below cut-off occurring within the stated intercept and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 9.94 g/t Au. Remaining intervals not marked with an asterisk are for "Deeper" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 1.0 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of up to six continuous metres below cut-off and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 48.60 g/t Au. Au Eq values assume $1,500 gold and $18.00 silver (Au Eq= Au g/t + (Ag g/t *0.012)).



Prometedor

Seven exploration holes were drilled at the Prometedor target (PR23-01 to PR23-05 and EB23-01 to EB23-02), located three kilometres south-east of the Soledad deposit. This target comprises a one kilometre by 250 metre rock and soil anomaly at surface with creek bed samples returning up to 38.97 g/t gold. The maiden drilling consisted of five drill holes spaced 100 to 250 metres apart. Holes EB23-01 and EB23-02 were drilled 430 metres south of the main Prometedor surface anomaly. All holes encountered various mineralized intercepts and provided important geologic data. Hole PR23-01 intercepted a 1.79 metre interval grading 1.21 g/t gold and 22.99g/t silver (1.48 g/t Au Eq) from 27.5 metres within a broader interval of 8.34 metres grading 0.59 g/t gold and 7.34 g/t silver (0.68 g/t Au Eq) from 21.0 metres. Hole PR23-03 intercepted 48.9 metres grading 0.36 g/t gold and 7.48 g/t silver (0.45 g/t Au Eq) from surface. See Table 2 for additional intervals in all of the holes drilled on this target.

Mineralization from parts of the Prometedor area is of the same style as discovered at Camp and Cuyes deposits and is associated with rhyolite dikes. Strong quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration is present in the drill core with mineralized intercepts including pyrite, marcasite and sphalerite as the dominant sulphide minerals. Drilling has been paused in this area, but given the possibility of discovering mineralogically similar material to Camp and Cuyes, surface geological and geochemical work at Prometedor continues.

Table 2. Drill intercepts for Prometedor and Esperanza drill holes.

Hole Azimuth / Dip / Length From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au Eq (g/t) PR23-01 240 / -60 / 147.45m 21.0 29.3 8.3 0.59 7.3 0.68 Incl 27.5 29.3 1.8 1.21 23.0 1.48 And 47.0 58.0 11.0 0.20 2.0 0.22 And 75.0 76.0 1.0 0.32 1.6 0.34 And 79.0 80.0 1.0 0.34 1.1 0.35 And 84.0 85.0 1.0 0.29 4.6 0.34 And 92.0 120.0 28.0 0.30 3.5 0.35















PR23-02 230 / -60 / 182.50m 25.0 41.0 16.0 0.20 1.6 0.22 And 68.0 75.0 7.0 0.63 14.2 0.80 And 89.0 96.0 7.0 0.73 16.9 0.93 Incl 89.0 92.0 3.0 1.26 29.8 1.61















PR23-03 230 / -50 / 181.35m 0.0 48.9 48.9 0.36 7.5 0.45 And 67.0 92.0 25.0 0.28 3.6 0.32 And 103.0 115.0 12.0 0.32 3.3 0.36















PR23-04 270 / -60 / 105.05m 18.0 20.0 2.0 0.34 1.9 0.37 And 48.0 53.0 5.0 0.20 0.6 0.21 And 73.0 74.6 1.6 0.40 6.1 0.47 And 97.0 98.3 1.3 0.42 4.5 0.47 And 103.0 105.0 2.0 0.28 18.3 0.50















PR23-05 202 / -60 / 163.15m 70.3 77.0 6.7 0.44 4.0 0.48 And 136.0 137.0 1.0 0.67 39.9 1.15















EB23-01 225 / -60 / 124.65m 27.0 69.4 42.4 0.27 4.1 0.32 And 95.0 96.0 1.0 0.64 1.1 0.65 And 111.0 114.0 3.0 0.26 5.1 0.32















EB23-02 260 / -60 / 125.20m 4.0 11.0 7.0 0.29 3.1 0.32 And 17.0 21.0 4.0 0.24 0.9 0.25 And 32.4 34.0 1.6 0.23 0.7 0.24 And 38.0 40.0 2.0 0.25 0.9 0.26

Interval calculated using a lower limit of 0.20 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of ten continuous metres below cut-off occurring within the stated intercept and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 2.88 g/t Au. Au Eq values assume $1,500 gold and $18.00 silver (Au Eq= Au g/t + (Ag g/t *0.012)).

Quality Assurance

All Luminex sample assay results have been independently monitored through a quality control / quality assurance ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standards, blanks as well as pulp and reject duplicate samples. Logging and sampling are completed at Luminex's core handling facility located at the Condor property. Drill core is diamond sawn on site and half drill-core samples are securely transported to ALS Laboratories' ("ALS") or Bureau Veritas Minerals' ("BMV") sample preparation facility in Quito, Ecuador. The ALS lab's sample pulps are sent to Lima, Peru for analysis where gold content is determined by fire assay of a 50-gram charge with ICP finish. The BMV lab's samples are analyzed for gold by a 50-gram charge fire assay in Quito and the remainder of the sample is sent to Lima, Peru for a 44 element - ICP finish.

Silver and other elements are also determined by ICP methods. Over-limit samples assaying greater than 10 g/t gold and 100 g/t silver are re-analyzed by both labs using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Luminex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. ALS Laboratories and BMV are independent of Luminex.

Qualified Persons

Leo Hathaway, P. Geo, Senior Vice President Exploration of Luminex and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, verified and approved the scientific and technical information concerning the Condor Project in this news release and has verified the data underlying that scientific and technical information.

About Luminex Resources

Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV:LR, OTCQX:LUMIF) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. Luminex's inferred and indicated mineral resources are located at the Condor Gold-Copper project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador, including the Pegasus and Orquideas projects, which are being co-developed with Anglo American and JOGMEC respectively.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminexresources.com/.

To receive news releases please sign up at https://www.luminexresources.com/contact/contact-us/.

Follow us on: Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook.

LUMINEX RESOURCES CORP.

Signed: "Marshall Koval"

Marshall Koval, CEO and 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 news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future drilling and work programs at Condor. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Luminex Resources Corp.

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CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global machine control system market size is projected to grow from USD 5.1 billion in 2023 to USD 7.3 billion by 2028 at CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The key factors fueling the growth of this market include the anticipated increase in demand driven by the growth of the construction industry and elimination of bulk earthworks setout and surging pegging.

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Machine Control System Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $5.1 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $7.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Equipment, Vertical and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Sustaining reliability and accuracy in data provided by machine control systems based on GNSS technology Key Market Opportunities Rising trend of 3D modeling and scanning across industries Key Market Drivers Safety concerns associated with workers and heavy construction machinery



Excavators are expected to hold the largest size of the machine control system market by 2028.

Excavators are commonly used within machine control systems for various applications in the construction and earthmoving industries. These systems utilize advanced technology to provide real-time positioning and guidance to excavators, improving their precision and productivity. By integrating GPS or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) technology with onboard sensors and control units, machine control systems enable excavators to perform tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency. The equipment can benefit from features such as automatic grade control, depth control, and slope control. This allows operators to achieve precise excavation depths, follow specific slope angles, and maintain consistent grades throughout the project. Machine control systems provide real-time feedback to the operator, displaying the desired cut or fill values, ensuring that the excavation is performed according to the required specifications.

The infrastructure industry is projected to account for the largest size of the machine control system market in 2023.

The market for machine control systems in the infrastructure vertical is thriving due to its ability to deliver precision, efficiency, and cost savings. Infrastructure projects require accurate and efficient construction processes to meet specific design requirements. Machine control systems enable construction equipment to perform tasks with enhanced precision, minimizing rework and material waste. This results in improved productivity and faster project completion, crucial for time-sensitive infrastructure projects. Additionally, these systems contribute to cost savings by optimizing material usage and reducing errors. They also ensure compliance with safety regulations and design standards, enhancing overall project quality. With their ability to deliver accurate and efficient construction processes, machine control systems have become essential tools in the infrastructure industry.

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Asia Pacific is projected to be the largest market for a machine control system from 2023 to 2028.

The machine control system industry in Asia Pacific is expected to contribute the largest share during the forecast period. The dominance of the market is attributed to rapid urbanization and infrastructure development, leading to a high demand for advanced construction equipment. The growing construction industry in Asia Pacific, driven by population growth and government initiatives, fuels the need for efficient and precise construction processes. Machine control systems enable companies to enhance productivity, optimize resources, and meet tight project timelines. Additionally, the region's focus on adopting advanced technologies and government investments in infrastructure development further contribute to the market's substantial size. The combination of these factors establishes Asia Pacific as a key market for machine control systems in the construction industry.

The key players operating in the machine control system companies include Topcon (Japan), Trimble Inc. (US), Hexagon AB (Switzerland), MOBA Mobile Automation AG (Germany), Hemisphere GNSS, Inc. (US), and EOS Positioning Systems, Inc. (US), among others.

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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.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marcum LLP, one of the nation's largest accounting and advisory firms, has once again demonstrated its commitment to its team members, earning a top spot as a Best Employer in Ohio, according to Crain's Cleveland Business. 2023 marks the 3rd time Marcum has been featured on this competitive list since coming into the northeast Ohio market via merger in 2019. Marcum placed in the top 10 for large-scale employers, a category for companies with teams of 250 employees or more.

"Marcum works hard to demonstrate our commitment to team members every day, so being named among Cleveland's elite employers for the third time since 2021 is an enormous honor. This accolade is a testament to our commitment to fostering an environment that promotes professional growth, a culture of entrepreneurship, and values diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Marcum, we believe everyone with skill and talent should have an equal chance to progress their career, and we're committed to creating clear pathways to leadership for all our associates," said Dani Gisondo, Regional Managing Partner-Ohio and member of Marcum's Executive Committee.

The Crain's Cleveland Business 2023 Best Employer program represents a critical benchmark in employee satisfaction. Best Companies Group, an independent third-party evaluator, assessed nominated companies and their employees' satisfaction based on a range of criteria, including benefits, policies, personal engagement, and overall satisfaction.

In addition to regional accolades, Marcum was recognized as a Top 20 firm in the 2023 national Vault accounting survey, solidifying its standing as a leader in the accounting industry. The Vault survey ranks accounting firms based on culture, employee satisfaction, and overall business outlook, gathering insights from accounting industry professionals nationwide. In 2023, Marcum maintained its position at No. 13 overall and advanced to No. 13 in the Prestige category, demonstrating its continued commitment to excellence. Additionally, the firm maintained its Top 20 rankings across the Practice Area, Quality of Life, and Diversity categories.

Marcum LLP's ongoing recognition in regional and national surveys is a testament to its unwavering commitment to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that fosters professional growth and entrepreneurship. As Marcum continues to set new standards in the accounting and advisory field, it remains focused on its mission: to nurture talent and provide unparalleled service to clients.

About Marcum LLP

Marcum LLP is a top-ranked national accounting and advisory firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurial, middle-market companies and high net worth individuals achieve their goals. Marcum's industry-focused practices offer deep insight and specialized services to privately held and publicly registered companies, and nonprofit and social sector organizations. The Firm also provides a full complement of technology, wealth management, and executive search and staffing services. Headquartered in New York City, Marcum has offices in major business markets across the U.S. and select international locations. #AskMarcum.

SOURCE Marcum LLP
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Kazakhstan's Pavlodar Oil Chemistry Refinery has announced a temporary suspension of operations due to the planned overhaul, Trend reports.

The work schedule was approved by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and provides for the temporary suspension of operation of the Pavlodar Oil Refinery in the period from June 20 to July 19, 2023.

During the planned capital repairs of the enterprise, the primary tasks involve conducting technical inspections, repairs, and assessments of the industrial safety of various process equipment such as pipelines, furnaces, and steam pipelines. According to the requirements outlined in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Civil Protection" and industry regulations, it is necessary to completely suspend the operation of the plant's technological facilities while performing these aforementioned tasks.

During the plant shutdown period, there are sufficient reserves of gasoline and diesel fuel available, with respective quantities of 37,000 tons and 47,000 tons. This supply will enable the smooth distribution of products throughout the entire duration of the enterprise's repairs.
MINNEAPOLIS, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Metavention, Inc. has received US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval to initiate its RADAR Pivotal IDE study to determine the safety and efficacy of their Integrated Radio Frequency (iRF) Renal Denervation System, for the treatment of hypertension. RADAR Pivotal is a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study, that will allow up to 300 patients to be enrolled at 50 participating centers.

Overactive sympathetic nerves in the kidneys can contribute to high blood pressure. Renal denervation of the kidneys (RDN) is a minimally invasive procedure which inhibits sympathetic nerve overactivity. Metavention's iRF Denervation System provides an important distinction to RDN procedures in that it requires only a single ablation cycle per kidney. With the emergence of RDN as a potential treatment option in the care continuum of hypertension, the iRF Denervation System intends to simplify these procedures and reduce the overall burden on patients undergoing RDN.

Todd Berg, CEO of Metavention commented, "The benefits of renal denervation for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension has been meticulously studied for over a decade, the procedure could represent a new frontier in hypertension management for interventionalists. This pivotal study of the iRF Denervation System is a tremendous opportunity to bring next-generation capabilities to this emerging field."

About Metavention, Inc.

Metavention, Inc. is a privately held medical device company headquartered in Minneapolis Minnesota, and the developer of the iRF Denervation System, a catheter-based, minimally invasive renal denervation procedure, intended for the treatment of hypertension.

The iRF Denervation System uses an integrated multi-RF electrode balloon with a cooling circuit to provide renal denervation in a single ablation cycle. By requiring only one ablation per kidney, the iRF System is intended to significantly simplify and standardize the denervation procedure.

The iRF Denervation System is an investigational device, limited to use in studies only, and is not currently approved in any geography.

About Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

High blood pressure is a common condition in which the force of blood pressure against the artery walls is great enough that it may eventually cause serious health problems. Potential complications of uncontrolled hypertension include heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, and heart failure. Hypertension is the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide. Hypertension has historically been treated with lifestyle modifications and medication but the prevalence of patients suffering from uncontrolled hypertension continues to increase.

For more information, please visit www.metavention.com.

SOURCE Metavention
Houston Dermatologists Jennifer Segal, MD and Scott H. Smith, MD are Featured as NewBeauty Top Doctors

HOUSTON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NewBeauty is thrilled to announce that Houston, Texas board-certified dermatologists Drs. Jennifer Segal and Scott H. Smith have been selected as 2023 NewBeauty Top Doctors. Through innovation and research, they are helping change the way people age by offering a full spectrum of products and treatments for all types of people, at any age or any stage of life.

With their combined skill and experience in the field, Drs. Segal and Smith are highly respected experts in cosmetic dermatology. They have been featured in numerous publications, including Teen Vogue and Glamour, and have consulted for international brands including Dove and Simple. Their dedication to patient care and passion for their field has earned them a reputation as one of the most trusted and sought-after dermatology practices in the country.

NewBeauty's Top Doctor program features only the most trusted and highly regarded aesthetic experts in the industry. As a leading beauty authority, NewBeauty is committed to providing readers with accurate information from board-certified aesthetic experts. This partnership with Metropolitan Dermatology Institute highlights their outstanding work and dedication to patient safety, core values of the NewBeauty brand.

NewBeauty has always been a leading resource for those seeking expert advice on their beauty and wellness journey. We are honored to have Drs. Segal and Smith as NewBeauty Top Doctors and look forward to continuing to work together to provide readers with the most up-to-date and accurate information in the field of cosmetic dermatology.

ABOUT NEWBEAUTY TOP DOCTORS:

As the beauty authority, NewBeauty magazine advises readers to make educated decisions when it comes to the treatments they receive and the board-certified doctors who perform them. NewBeauty's Top Doctors are vetted and properly certified to perform the cosmetic treatments they offer and represent an exclusive group of the nation's best plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, dermatologists, oculoplastic surgeons and cosmetic dentists.

For more information on NewBeauty, visit newbeauty.com.

Contact Information:

[email protected]

SOURCE NewBeauty
Global Citizens Fund is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for international, DACA, and refugee students

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MPOWER Financing, a mission-driven fintech firm and a leading provider of scholarships and no-cosigner loans to promising students from around the world, has announced the launch of the Global Citizens Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship fund designed to support refugee, DACA, and international students more broadly, seeking educational opportunities in the U.S. and Canada.

Global Citizens Fund is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for international, DACA, and refugee students Tweet this The Global Citizens Fund is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for international, DACA, and refugee students

The fund will enable more students like MPOWER's recent Refugee Scholarship award winners Kateryna Shapovalenko and Fatema Hosseini to fulfill their educational potential. Kateryna is a Harvard educated, internationally recognized and awarded public policy consultant who fled the War in Ukraine as a refugee and now advocates for her country from Washington, D.C. Fatema is an investigative journalist attending graduate school at the University of Maryland who fled Afghanistan after a career there reporting on the systematic oppression of women by the Taliban.

The launch of the scholarship fund coincides with United Nations World Refugee Day (June 20), a day honoring refugees around the world. MPOWER has long supported refugees and asylum seekers with education financing. Recently, the firm launched the MPOWER Refugee Scholarship, which was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Tytus Michalski, Managing Partner at Fresco Capital, who was once a refugee himself and is now an active student mentor.

"Students can only benefit from education if they have the necessary access and resources," said Michalski. "I was one of those fortunate enough to experience this transformation in access and support after moving to Canada from Poland during the early 1980s. Helping vulnerable students overcome challenges is also helping ourselves because we all benefit from their future success."

In 2022, MPOWER announced that its total five-year scholarship pledge, combined with outside donations, had exceeded $500,000. The Global Citizens Fund will grow and distribute this pool of funding, as well as manage the generous donations of individuals and organizations that share MPOWER's commitment to education. 100% of funds donated to the Global Citizens Fund will go directly toward providing scholarships. MPOWER Financing will be providing all operational support for the fund to achieve no overhead expenses, enabling all donations to go directly toward helping deserving students.

The Global Citizens Fund will allow eligible students to apply for scholarships for attending one of 400+ leading colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada. Nearly 80% of MPOWER students are from the Global South, and over 90% reported that financial support from MPOWER was critical to their ability to study abroad. According to the 2022 MPOWER Social Impact Report , a significant majority report that they would have been unable to study abroad or would have had to defer their admission without financial support from MPOWER. These scholarships will give students an additional, independent funding option to pursue their educational goals and help them overcome a lack of societal and financial support.

Students are invited to browse scholarships on the Global Citizens Fund's website, www.globalcitizensfund.org . Donors interested in contributing to a scholarship fund are welcome to write to [email protected].

About MPOWER Financing

MPOWER Financing , co-headquartered in Washington, D.C. and Bengaluru, India, is a mission-driven fintech company and the leading provider of global education loans. Its proprietary algorithm analyzes overseas and domestic credit data as well as the future earning potential to serve promising international and DACA students. MPOWER works with over 400 top universities across the U.S. and Canada to provide financing to students from over 200 countries. The MPOWER team consists of former international students and provides students with personal financial education and career support to prepare them for life after school.

MPOWER is a Certified Great Place To Work , one of the best fintechs to work for , and the best tech workplace for diversity . The company is hiring for various positions worldwide.

About the Global Citizens Fund

Global Citizens Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, is the nonprofit arm of MPOWER Financing whose mission is to expand the reach and impact of scholarships, grants, and other activities that support international students in the U.S. and Canada.

Students are invited to browse scholarships on the Global Citizens Fund's website, www.globalcitizensfund.org . Donors interested in contributing to a scholarship fund are welcome to write to [email protected].

SOURCE MPOWER Financing
The donation marks Nilekani's 50-year association with the Institute and will fund world-class infrastructure, research in emerging areas of engineering and technology, and a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay

BANGALORE, India and MUMBAI, India, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys Ltd. and Founding Chairman of UIDAI, has donated USD 38.5 Million to his alma mater, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. This substantial contribution builds upon his previous grants of INR 85 Crores to the Institute, bringing the cumulative value of his support to INR 400 Crores. The donation will be instrumental in fostering world-class infrastructure, stimulating research in emerging areas of engineering and technology, and nurturing a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay.

Nandan Nilekani with wife Rohini Nilekani and Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri of IIT Bombay

The Memorandum of Understanding was formally signed today in Bengaluru by Nandan Nilekani and Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay. This significant contribution serves as the anchor for IIT Bombay's ambitious vision to become a global leader among engineering and technology institutes and contribute significantly towards nation-building.

Nilekani joined IIT Bombay in 1973 for a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. The donation marks the golden jubilee of Nilekani's association with the Institute and reflects the deep bond he continues to share with his alma mater. It also stands as one of the largest donations made by an alumnus in India.

Speaking about the donation, Nandan Nilekani said, "IIT Bombay has been a cornerstone in my life, shaping my formative years and laying the foundation for my journey. As I celebrate 50 years of my association with this esteemed Institution, I am grateful to give forward and contribute to its future. This donation is more than just a financial contribution; it is a tribute to the place that has given me so much and a commitment to the students who will shape our world tomorrow."

Pegging it as the beginning of a new era of IIT Bombay, Director Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri said, "We are extremely delighted to see our illustrious alumnus Nandan Nilekani, continuing his foundational & pioneering contributions to the Institute. This historic donation will significantly accelerate the growth of IIT Bombay and will firmly set it on a path of global leadership. IIT Bombay is committed to building research and academic excellence that can make India a leader in scientific discovery and its translation towards solving the pressing challenges facing humankind. Nandan's contribution will catalyse philanthropic contributions towards advancing research & development at universities in India."

Nilekani's initial contribution totalling up to INR 85 Crores over the years, was instrumental in constructing new hostels, co-financing the School of Information Technology, and establishing India's first university incubator, thereby significantly boosting the Indian startup ecosystem.

IIT Bombay's strategic plan for the coming decade includes setting up world-class centres of excellence in strategic areas such as AI, green energy, quantum computing & others, nurturing a deep tech startup ecosystem, and providing best-in-class research, living, and academic facilities to students & faculty. The plan envisages fundraising of about USD 500 million over the next five years. Nilekani's anchor contribution of USD 38.5 Million will help the Institute kick-start its plans and inspire others to join this transformative initiative.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107272/Nandan_Nilekani.jpg

SOURCE Nandan Nilekani
Survey conducted by Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence finds that 85% of the C-suite say companies should be required to publicly report their workforce well-being metrics, but only around 50% report doing this

NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Deloitte released a new report in collaboration with independent research firm Workplace Intelligence that explores why organizations are generally struggling to improve workforce well-being and what it could take to finally make progress on this important issue.

Now in its second year, the survey revealed that employee well-being has worsened across all dimensions. For employers, the path forward will likely require a strong focus on delivering immediate impact but ultimately should shift toward a more long-term view  one that prioritizes people over profits. To achieve this, leaders should increase their support for their managers, and they also should hold themselves and their organizations more accountable.

Fortunately, the C-suite executives surveyed are largely on-board with taking more ownership around matters of well-being. In fact, 85% feel organizations should be required to publicly report their well-being metrics, for example in their annual reporting. However, only around half say their company is currently doing this. Some employees reported that executives were not meeting their expectations when it comes to advancing human sustainability, which Deloitte defines as the long-term, collective well-being of individuals, organizations, climate, and society.

The report, "Advancing workforce well-being," sheds light on what leaders should do to help move the needle on workforce well-being, digs into the role that managers and executives should play, and discusses why human sustainability should be part of the long-term solution.

Key findings from the report include:

Workforce well-being is declining, but, in general, employees feel that some executives don't recognize this. Most employees feel their health worsened or stayed the same last year  only around one-third say their health improved. However, more than 3 in 4 C-suite leaders believe their workforce's health improved.





For some, work remains an obstacle to well-being. Eight in 10 respondents are struggling to improve their well-being, with a heavy workload and stressful job topping the list of obstacles they face. The result is that compared to last year, an even greater number of people  60% of employees, 64% of managers, and 75% of the C-suite  say they're seriously considering quitting for a job that would better support their well-being.





Managers can play a pivotal role in employee well-being, but they're lacking organizational support. Seven in 10 managers say obstacles like rigid company policies, a heavy workload, and an unsupportive workplace culture prevent them from doing more to support their team members. Only 42% feel completely empowered to help their company achieve its well-being commitments.





Executives generally agree they should be more accountable. Eighty-five percent of the C-suite say they'll become more responsible for workforce well-being over the next few years. Notably, 78% feel their company's leaders should step down if they can't maintain an acceptable level of workforce well-being, and 72% believe executives' bonuses should be tied to workforce well-being metrics.





Greater accountability should go hand-in-hand with public reporting. Eighty-five percent of executives believe organizations should be required to publicly report their workforce well-being metrics, but only around half are currently doing this. And while 84% of the C-suite we surveyed say their companies have made public well-being commitments, just 39% of employees feel the same way about their companies, indicating that leaders should elevate the visibility of these initiatives.





Human sustainability is a way forward, but companies should step up their efforts. Organizations that are embracing this concept may be helping their employees become healthier, more skilled, and more connected to a sense of purpose and belonging, and they can also be supporting their suppliers and communities. However, while 89% of the C-suite say their company is advancing human sustainability, just 41% of employees agree.

With employee well-being worsening, it's clear that organizations may be at a turning point right now. If they don't act, workforce well-being may continue to decline, which could have a negative impact on retention for employees, managers, and executives.

Leaders have an opportunity to meet the moment and rewrite this story for a better tomorrow  not only for their employees, but for themselves as well. They should take greater accountability around matters of health and embrace a focus on human sustainability, and they should also do more to empower their managers. It may not be easy, but with the right support and the right mindset, real change could be possible.

"Leaders should be immensely concerned that work continues to be the primary reason why people are both physically and mentally unwell," said Dan Schawbel, managing partner at Workplace Intelligence. "Employees need to be able to take time off and disconnect, and they shouldn't be in a constant state of stress and exhaustion due to their jobs. Work can and should be compatible with well-being  and it's up to leaders to deliver on that promise."

"Organizations have much to gain from metrics that can help them better understand and communicate about worker well-being," added Jen Fisher, Deloitte's U.S. chief well-being officer. "The majority of the leaders surveyed agree that sharing this information could build employee trust and help them attract talent. And while publicly disclosing these metrics may seem radical, it has a precedent with the evolution of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting."

"Our understanding of what it means to create and sustain value is shifting," said Paul Silverglate, U.S. Executive Accelerators leader and Deloitte LLP's technology sector vice chair. "We're beginning to see how economic value is fundamentally intertwined with employee well-being and quality of life, and that's why human sustainability should be at the top of every corporate agenda."

Research findings are based on a survey conducted by Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence in March 2023 among 3,100 employees, managers and C-level executives across the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. For more insights, access the full report here.

About Workplace Intelligence

Workplace Intelligence is an award-winning thought leadership and research agency focused on the world of work. We help companies, and their executives, tell their workplace story in a meaningful, relevant, and impactful way using primary data, insights, and interviews. For more information go to our website and subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's marketplace  delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 415,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

SOURCE Deloitte
BOCA RATON, Fla., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The docu-series EARTH with John Holden airs Sunday, June 25th at 5:00 pm ET on Fox Business Network; Sunday, July 2nd at 3:30 pm ET and Sunday, July 9th at 3:30 pm ET on Bloomberg TV; and Sunday, July 2nd at 10:00 am ET on BNN Bloomberg Canada. EARTH with John Holden is also available on the streaming platforms Vimeo, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and YouTube.

In this episode, viewers learn how Hyundai creates high fashion from auto parts, Printpack protects perishables with greener packaging, Evoco uses plants to replace oil, Gerdau repurposes mega-tons of scrap metal, and Infineon creates semiconductors that help decarbonize planet Earth.

First, John goes to South Korea to find out how Hyundai works with fashion designers to transform seat covers, wipers, and wires into haute couture through its "Re:Style" program. It's part of the car company's overall commitment to build greener vehicles.

Next, John travels to Villa Rica, Georgia, to learn how Printpack stays ahead of the curve in producing sustainable packaging. Printpack's light, flexible material protects all kinds of products, from food to medical supplies, using fewer resources.

Co-host Andrea Ocampo goes to Toronto, Canada to find out how Evoco uses plants, and not oil, to create low impact, high performance materials which supports lower carbon emissions. Evoco's researchers also developed plant-based leathers and plastics.

John visits Texas to explore how Gerdau, a leading global steel manufacturer, produces low carbon steel that is transformed into machinery, construction materials and heavy equipment from millions of tons of recycled scrap metal  minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, John travels to Austin, Texas and Silicon Valley, California to find out how Infineon semiconductor chips enable renewable energy, electric vehicles, cell phones, and more  which are all critical to decarbonizing our world.

StarMedia Productions , creator of EARTH with John Holden , remains at the forefront of the latest trends, technology and ideas that shape the way audiences interact with television - in entertaining and educational ways. Our shows lead viewers towards a promising future fueled by effective, powerful communications between consumers, business leaders, and stakeholders.

For more information:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthwithjohnholden

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earthwithjohnholden

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earthstarmediaproductions

Contact: Robert Albolino, EVP of Programming

Phone: +1 (561) 501-3828

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE StarMedia Productions
NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and Grubhub are pleased to announce their continued partnership in the Community Impact Grant Program, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund. The program provides vital assistance to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, bars serving food, and other eating establishments nationwide. These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, will provide a much-needed financial lifeline to businesses in the LGBTQ+ community.

"This collaborative effort between the NGLCC and Grubhub highlights our commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ business community. By joining forces again, we aim to uplift and support local LGBTQ+-owned and allied establishments," said NGLCC co-founder and president Justin Nelson.

NGLCC and Grubhub Reunite to Support LGBTQ+-Owned and Allied Restaurants Tweet this

"Grubhub is proud to partner with NGLCC on the Community Impact Grant Program, which recognizes and supports LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses across the country," said Dave Tovar, Grubhub's senior vice president of communications & government relations. "This grant program, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, helps alleviate some of the financial strain restaurants have experienced over the last several years  allowing them to market and grow their business and invest in new technologies."

The Community Impact Grant Program builds on the success of previous collaborations between the NGLCC and Grubhub. The program enables LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants and eating establishments to continue their operations, maintain employment, make enhancements, and serve their communities. These grants are a testament to the unwavering dedication of both organizations in promoting economic growth and resilience within the LGBTQ+ business sector.

As part of this initiative, NGLCC and Grubhub will present the Community Impact Grant Program funds at the upcoming Pride In Times Square event in New York City on June 23, 2023 at 2pm ET. This celebration, in partnership with Playbill and the Times Square Alliance, promises to be a remarkable addition to New York City's Pride Weekend, taking place June 23 and 24, 2023. A full schedule of events can be found here.

This collaboration exemplifies the shared values of the NGLCC and the Grubhub in fostering economic empowerment and advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community. By supporting LGBTQ+-owned and allied establishments, this initiative will contribute to the vibrant and diverse culinary landscape across the country.

About the NGLCC:

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBTQ+ community and the largest global advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ+-owned businesses. NGLCC is the certifying body for LGBTQ+-owned businesses nationwide and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion in the workplace.

About Grubhub:

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

Press Contact:

Lacey Weil

Digital Media & Communications Advisor

[email protected]

SOURCE National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
MIAMI, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Nicklaus Children's Hospital specialty programs are again identified among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report in its 2023-24 "Best Children's Hospitals" survey results, posted online today. No other hospital in South Florida has more ranked programs.

Nicklaus Children's was recognized as follows:

Ranked in 5 Specialties

Cardiology & Heart Surgery, #37 ( Only ranked program in South Florida .)

Neonatology, #45 (Only ranked program in South Florida .)

Neurology & Neurosurgery, #22 ( No other program in Florida is ranked higher.)

Orthopedics, #31 ( No other program in Florida is ranked higher.)

Pulmonology, #48 (Only ranked program in South Florida .)

"It is always a tremendous honor to be recognized for the excellence of our pediatric specialty programs," said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System. "For the children and families we serve, it means that world-class care is available right here in our community, furthering our promise that Nicklaus Children's is the hospital where your child matters most."

Since 2008, numerous Nicklaus Children's specialty programs have been annually ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News.

Nearly 200 hospitals participate in the annual survey. The methodology is based on clinical outcomes such as patient survival, infection rates and complications; the level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care such as staffing, technology and special services; delivery of healthcare programs that prevent infections and adherence to best practices; and expert opinion among pediatric specialists and subspecialists. The survey is updated every year, designed to account for new treatments and evidence-based best practices, informed by leading experts in the field.

About Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians, including more than 390 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org

Contact:

Rachel Bixby

305-663-8476

SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Many student groups decline in both subjects since 2020; scores for lowest-performing students the same as in 1978 in mathematics and lower than in 1971 in reading

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's 13-year-olds showed the largest declines ever recorded on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) long-term trend assessment (LTT) in mathematics, according to results released today by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The average mathematics score for 13-year-olds declined 9 points between the 201920 and 202223 school years, and the average reading score declined 4 points over the same time period.

"The 'green shoots' of academic recovery that we had hoped to see have not materialized, as we continue to see worrisome signs about student achievement and well-being more than two years after most students returned for in-person learning," said NCES Commissioner Peggy G. Carr. "There are signs of risk for a generation of learners in the data we are releasing today and have released over the past year. We are observing steep drops in achievement, troubling shifts in reading habits and other factors that affect achievement, and rising mental health challenges alongside alarming changes in school climate. The mathematics decline for 13-year-olds was the single largest decline we have observed in the past half a century. The mathematics score for the lowest-performing students has returned to levels last seen in the 1970s, and the reading score for our lowest-performing students was actually lower than it was the very first year these data were collected, in 1971."

The data released today were collected between October and December 2022, during the 202223 academic year. In mathematics, scores declined between 201920 and 202223 for most student groups. Scores declined for Black students, Hispanic students, American Indian/Alaska Native students, students of two or more races, and White students. Declines ranged from 6 points (for White students) to 20 points (for American Indian/Alaska Native students). Mathematics scores for Asian students were not measurably different comparing 201920 and 202223. Scores declined for girls as well as boys, across all regions of the country, and across all school locations. Mathematics scores for students attending Catholic schools were not measurably different comparing 201920 and 202223.

In reading, scores declined since 201920 for Black students, White students, and students of two or more races. Scores for Hispanic students, American Indian/Alaska Native students, and Asian students were not measurably different. Reading scores declined for 13-year-olds attending city, suburban, and rural schools, but were not measurably different for schools located in towns. Reading scores for students attending Catholic schools were not measurably different comparing 201920 and 202223.

"Prior to 2012, we had seen noticeable improvements in mathematics achievement and some improvement in reading achievement since the 1970s," said NCES acting Associate Commissioner Dan McGrath. "Scores for 13-year-olds declined for the first time in both subjects between 2012 and 2020, beginning a downward trajectory that has lasted for more than a decade, and has not been reversed. Middle school is a critical time for studentsa time when they are maturing academically as well as socially and emotionally. What happens for students in middle school can strongly influence their path through high school and beyond."

Fewer Students 'Reading for Fun'

"Reading for fun is strongly associated with higher achievement," explained Commissioner Carr. "Yet fewer students, especially lower-performing students, are reading for fun compared to a decade ago. Aside from its academic effects, reading opens the mind and the heart to new ways of seeing and thinking about the world. Many of our young people will never discover latent passions or areas of interest without reading broadly on their own time."

The percentage of 13-year-olds who said they "never or hardly ever" read for fun has risen over the past decade; about one-third (31 percent) of 13-year-olds said they "never or hardly ever" read for fun in 2023, while 22 percent said they "never or hardly ever" read for fun in 2012.

Higher-performing students were more likely to read for fun; 51 percent of 13-year-olds scoring at or above the 75th percentile on the NAEP reading assessment reported reading for fun at least once per week, while 28 percent of students scoring below the 25th percentile reported reading for fun at least once per week.

Fewer Students Taking Algebra

There have been significant shifts in mathematics coursetaking since 2012. While about one-third of 13-year-olds (34 percent) in 2012 said they were currently taking algebra, that figure has declined to 24 percent in 2023. The percentage of 13-year-olds enrolled in pre-algebra has also declined since 2012; 29 percent of 13-year-olds in 2012 said they were currently taking pre-algebra, and that has declined to 22 percent in 2023. By contrast, the percentage of 13-year-olds taking regular mathematics has risen. In 2012, 28 percent of 13-year-olds said they were currently taking regular mathematics, and that has risen to 42 percent in 2023.

The data suggests this drop in algebra coursetaking is driven by the West region. In 2012, 51 percent of 13-year-olds in the West were currently enrolled in algebra; that has declined to 19 percent in 2023. There were no other measurable differences across the other regions.

Results by Subject

Mathematics

The average mathematics score (271) for 13-year-old students was 9 points lower in 2023 than in 2020 and 14 points lower than in 2012 but was 5 points higher than in 1973.

Mathematics scores declined between 2020 and 2023 across the performance distribution, with declines for students at the 10 th , 25 th , 50 th , 75 th , and 90 th percentiles. There were greater declines for lower-performing students (students at the 10 th and 25 th percentiles) than their higher-performing peers at the 75 th and 90 th percentiles.

, 25 , 50 , 75 , and 90 percentiles. There were greater declines for lower-performing students (students at the 10 and 25 percentiles) than their higher-performing peers at the 75 and 90 percentiles. The score declined 14 points for students at the 10 th percentile, from 228 in 2020 to 213 in 2023.

percentile, from 228 in 2020 to 213 in 2023.

The score declined 12 points for students at the 25 th percentile, from 255 in 2020 to 244 in 2023.

percentile, from 255 in 2020 to 244 in 2023.

The score declined 8 points for students at the 50 th percentile, from 282 in 2020 to 274 in 2023.

percentile, from 282 in 2020 to 274 in 2023.

The score declined 6 points for students at the 75 th percentile, from 307 in 2020 to 301 in 2023.

percentile, from 307 in 2020 to 301 in 2023.

The score declined 6 points for students at the 90 th percentile, from 329 in 2020 to 322 in 2023.

percentile, from 329 in 2020 to 322 in 2023.

The mathematics score for students at the 10 th percentile in 2023 (213) was not significantly different compared to the score for students at the 10 th percentile in 1978 (213).

percentile in 2023 (213) was not significantly different compared to the score for students at the 10 percentile in 1978 (213). Mathematics scores declined between 201920 and 202223 for most student groups. Scores declined by 13 points for Black students (from 256 to 243), declined by 10 points for Hispanic students (from 267 to 257), declined by 20 points for American Indian/Alaska Native students (from 275 to 255), declined by 8 points for students of two or more (from 285 to 277), and declined by 6 points for White students (from 291 to 285).

The mathematics scores also declined for both male and female students, for students attending schools in all school locations, and for students from all regions of the country.

Enrollment in algebra has declined since 2012 among 13-year-olds overall.

Reading

The average reading score (256) for 13-year-old students was 4 points lower in 2023 than in 2020 and seven points lower than in 2020 and was not significantly different from the average score in 1971 (255).

Reading scores declined between 2020 and 2023 across the performance distribution, with declines for students at the 10 th , 25 th , 50 th , 75 th , and 90 th percentiles.

, 25 , 50 , 75 , and 90 percentiles. The score declined 7 points for students at the 10 th percentile, from 209 in 2020 to 202 in 2023.

percentile, from 209 in 2020 to 202 in 2023.

The score declined 6 points for students at the 25 th percentile, from 236 in 2020 to 231 in 2023.

percentile, from 236 in 2020 to 231 in 2023.

The score declined 4 points for students at the 50 th percentile, from 262 in 2020 to 258 in 2023.

percentile, from 262 in 2020 to 258 in 2023.

The score declined 4 points for students at the 75 th percentile, from 287 in 2020 to 283 in 2023.

percentile, from 287 in 2020 to 283 in 2023.

The score declined 3 points for students at the 90 th percentile, from 308 in 2020 to 305 in 2023.

percentile, from 308 in 2020 to 305 in 2023.

The reading score for students at the 10 th percentile in 2023 (202) was lower than the reading score for students at the 10 th percentile in 1971 (208). The score for students at the 25 th percentile in 2023 (231) was not significantly different from the score for students at the 25 th percentile in 1971 (232). The score for students at the 50 th percentile in 2023 (258) was not significantly different from the score for students at the 50 th percentile in 1971 (257).

percentile in 2023 (202) was lower than the reading score for students at the 10 percentile in 1971 (208). The score for students at the 25 percentile in 2023 (231) was not significantly different from the score for students at the 25 percentile in 1971 (232). The score for students at the 50 percentile in 2023 (258) was not significantly different from the score for students at the 50 percentile in 1971 (257). Scores for Black students declined 7 points (from 244 in 2020 to 237 in 2023); declined by 8 points for students of two or more races (from 265 to 257); and declined by 4 points for White students (from 269 to 264). Scores for Hispanic students, American Indian/Alaska Native students, and Asian students were not measurably different.

Students who reported reading for fun more often tended to score higher, but a rising percentage of 13-year-olds say that they "never or hardly ever" read for fun.

How Results Are Reported

Student performance on the LTT assessments is reported in several ways: scale scores, percentile scores, performance levels, student group scores, and score gaps.

Scale scores represent the average performance of students on a scale of 0 to 500. Scores are reported at the national level and for groups of students based on race/ethnicity, gender, and other demographic characteristics.

About the Assessment

Since the 1970s, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has monitored student performance in reading and mathematics through the long-term trend (LTT) assessments. The LTT assessments are age-based, rather than grade-based, and assess 9-year-old, 13-year-old, and 17-year-old students.

The LTT assessments measure basic reading and mathematics skills to gauge how the performance of U.S. students has changed over time. At age 13, reading was first assessed in 1971 and mathematics was first assessed in 1973. The LTT reading assessment asks students to read short texts and answer mostly multiple-choice questions, though there are a few questions requiring written responses. For mathematics, students answer mostly multiple-choice questions related to basic math facts, computations, formulas, and real-life applications. Survey questionnaires, which are administered to students, teachers, and school administrators who participate in an LTT assessment, are used to collect and report contextual information about students' learning experience in and out of the classroom.

The 2023 long-term trend assessment for 13-year-olds was administered between October and December of 2022, during the 202223 academic year. The assessment schedule was amended so that NCES could collect, analyze, and report data on 13-year-old students during the 202223 school year to report a snapshot of how student achievement has changed since immediately before the onset of the COVID-19 global health emergency.

Visit https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/ to view the report.

The National Center for Education Statistics, a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, is the statistical center of the U.S. Department of Education and the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. Founded in 1867, NCES fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a congressionally authorized project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The National Center for Education Statistics, within the Institute of Education Sciences, administers NAEP. The commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics is responsible by law for carrying out the NAEP project. Policy for the NAEP program is set by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), an independent, bipartisan board whose members include governors, state legislators, local and state school officials, educators, business representatives and members of the general public. Since 1990, NAGB has been developing achievement levels, which are being used on a trial basis.

CONTACT:

Grady Wilburn, NCES, [email protected] , (202) 245-8159 OR

James Elias, Hager Sharp, [email protected] , (202) 355-4417

SOURCE National Center for Education Statistics
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. On June 15-17, 2023, a meeting of representatives of business circles of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

The Kyrgyz-Turkmen round table was organized by the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Turkmenistan, the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. From the Kyrgyz side, the meeting was attended by representatives of 17 companies representing the food industry, the textile and clothing industry, the production of building materials, IT technologies, and petro chemistry.

From the Turkmen side, the event was attended by representatives of 40 companies and entrepreneurs working in the production of building materials, transport and logistics, food industry, textile industry and IT technology.

The development of bilateral trade and economic relations, in particular, the expansion of export opportunities of the countries, as well as active interaction between the chambers of commerce and industry of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan were discussed at the meeting.

In addition, within the framework of the Kyrgyz-Turkmen round table, bilateral meetings were held between entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

As a result of the bilateral meetings, more than 20 documents on cooperation in various areas of joint activity were signed.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Holdings A/S, a leading global life sciences investor, today announced that it has agreed to acquire Ellab from EQT.

Headquartered in Hillerd, Denmark, Ellab ("Ellab") provides validation and monitoring solutions and services for biotech and pharmaceutical processes. Its solutions and services measure and document parameters such as temperature, pressure and carbon dioxide, which helps clients to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance, while reducing time to market and the risk of product loss.

Initially established as a family-owned business in 1949 in Denmark, Ellab began its journey by developing temperature sensors for the food industry. Today, Ellab has transformed into a full-suite provider of validation and monitoring solutions and services for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, serving a blue-chip customer base globally. Novo Holdings will support the continued growth of Ellab, building on the impressive long-standing track-record, by utilising its industry network and global presence to accelerate future business expansion.

Henrik Kjr Hansen, Senior Partner, Principal Investments at Novo Holdings, said:

"Ellab is a company Novo Holdings has followed closely for several years. Ellab has a high quality offering for the pharma and biotech sector and aligns perfectly with our investment focus and expertise. We are very impressed by Ellab's management team, track-record, innovation capabilities and strong customer focus, and see an excellent match between our two organisations. We look forward to partnering with the management team and employees to drive our joint strategy of growth and innovation."

Ludvig Enlund, CEO of Ellab, said:

"With EQT Private Equity's support, Ellab has transformed into a truly leading global player with best-in-class software and hardware for validation and monitoring for the life sciences industry, and today also holds a strong position within field services & consulting. We are grateful for the partnership and now look forward to continuing our journey with Novo Holdings. "

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

About Novo Holdings A/S

Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. In addition to managing a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure and private equity assets, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life sciences investor. Through its Seeds, Venture, Growth, and Principal Investments teams, Novo Holdings invests in life science companies at all stages of development.

As of year-end 2022, Novo Holdings had total assets of EUR 108 billion.

www.novoholdings.dk

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

About Ellab

Headquartered in Hillerd, Denmark, Ellab provides Validation- and Monitoring Solutions and Services used for measuring and documenting critical parameters such as temperature, pressure and carbon dioxide in mainly biotech and pharma processes. The Company serves all of the top 20 biotech companies and all of the top 40 pharma companies globally helping them ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance, while reducing time to market and the risk of product loss.

More info: https://www.ellab.com/

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 119 billion in assets under management within two business segments  Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com

Follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

SOURCE Novo Holdings
Pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, and pediatric orthopedics programs named among nation's best

NEW ORLEANS, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, Ochsner Hospital for Children has been named the #1 hospital for kids in Louisiana in the 2023-2024 Best Children's Hospital rankings by U.S. News & World Report. These rankings assist parents of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses and their doctors in choosing the right hospital for them. Ochsner Hospital for Children was also recognized as a national leader in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, and pediatric orthopedics. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner Hospital for Children as a national healthcare leader since 2017.

Dr. William Lennarz, System Chair of Pediatrics, Ochsner Hospital for Children said, "Year after year, Ochsner Hospital for Children provides high-quality care to thousands of kids in our region. We remain committed to building upon our long history of putting patients first, and continually strive to provide nationally ranked, expert pediatric care right here in Louisiana and across the Gulf South."

Pete November, CEO, Ochsner Health said, "I could not be more proud of the dedication, innovation and care provided by our nationally recognized teams at Ochsner Hospital for Children. To be named the #1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for the third year in a row is an amazing accomplishment and is truly a reflection of the high-quality pediatric care provided right here in our region."

The 17th annual Best Children's Hospitals rankings recognize the top 50 pediatric facilities across the United States in 10 pediatric specialties: cancer, cardiology & heart surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, gastroenterology & gastrointestinal surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology & lung surgery, and urology.

U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 119 children's hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children's hospitals awarded a "Best" designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists.

"For 17 years, U.S. News has provided comprehensive information to help parents of sick children and their doctors find the best children's hospital to treat their illness or condition," said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News.

"As a pediatrician myself, I know the importance of providing the highest quality care for our youngest and most vulnerable patients," said Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Physician Executive, Ochsner Health. "This continued recognition by U.S. News & World Report is an incredible honor and true testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses and all our multidisciplinary care teams who provide exceptional care every day."

Ochsner Hospital for Children has offered exceptional pediatric care for more than 80 years. The destination center exclusively dedicated to children offers the only pediatric heart and liver transplant program in the state. More than 200 physicians who specialize in 30+ pediatric specialties and sub-specialties care for over 76,000 children every year. Its flagship facility is in New Orleans, with subspecialty clinics across Louisiana and Mississippi.

For more information about Ochsner Hospital for Children, please visit www.ochsner.org/pediatrics.

For more information on the U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals, explore Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #BestHospitals.

About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating more than 80 years of service, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and kidney transplants and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children's hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The not-for-profit organization is inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities through its Healthy State by 2030 initiative, a bold and collaborative plan to realize a healthier Louisiana. Its focus is on preventing diseases and providing patient-centered care that is accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner Health pioneers new treatments, deploys emerging technologies and performs groundbreaking research, including 4,000 patients enrolled in 685 clinical studies in 2022. It has more than 37,000 employees and over 4,700 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. In 2022, Ochsner Health treated more than 1.4 million people from every state and 62 countries. As Louisiana's top healthcare educator of physicians, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. To learn more, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE Ochsner Health System
NEW YORK, June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The offshore rental equipment market is expected to grow by USD 7,956.37 million during 2022-2027, progressing at a CAGR of 6.63%. North America is forecast to contribute 58% to the growth of the global offshore rental equipment market during the forecast period. Due to growing shale gas production, the United States is anticipated to be the leader during the forecast period. Another element that is predicted to have a substantial impact on the regional industry is E&P combined with the development of ultra-deep drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico region. Technological advancements in product design and functionality are expected to boost industry growth in this region during the forecast period. For more insights on market size - Request the Sample Report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Offshore Rental Equipment Market 2023-2027

Offshore Rental Equipment Market: Segmentation Analysis

Technavio has segmented the offshore rental equipment market by Type (Drill Equipment, Flow, and pressure equipment), and End-user (Oil and gas industry, Marine engineering, and Exploration). The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all segments to the growth of the global offshore rental equipment market.

The market share growth in the drill equipment segment will be significant during the forecast period. For drilling activities in offshore oil and gas exploration and production, drill equipment is crucial. Drill equipment leasing is necessary due to the requirement for cutting-edge drilling technology, expanding oil and gas production activities, and the trend towards deepwater drilling. It contains a variety of tools, such as drill pipes, drill motors, drill bits, and drilling fluids. These tools are utilised for a variety of drilling operations, including vertical, horizontal, and directional drilling, and are essential to the success of offshore drilling projects. The need for drill equipment rose along with the demand for oil and gas. For instance, from 4.54 million bpd in 2020 to 4.76 million bpd in 2021, the demand for oil grew. According to a statistical report by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 2022, the demand for petrol in the US increased by 2.9% year over year (YOY) compared with the demand in 2021. Thus, the increase in demand for drilling equipment is expected to drive the growth of the global offshore rental equipment market during the forecast period.

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Key factor driving market growth

Increasing demand for oil and gas is a key factor driving the growth of the market. Oil and gas assets are an important component of the global energy mix and are used for a variety of purposes such as transportation, power generation, and heating. Population growth, urbanization, and economic development are progressing in emerging countries. As demand for oil and gas increases, so does the need for oil and gas exploration and production. More demanding marine environments require the use of advanced marine equipment, such as deepwater and ultra-deepwater reservoirs. Offshore equipment such as oil platforms, subsea systems and pipelines are essential to the efficient and safe exploration and production of oil and gas in the oceans. Therefore, increasing demand for oil and gas is expected to drive the growth of the global offshore rental equipment market during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

Increasing demand for offshore rental equipment in the renewable energy industry is the major trend driving the growth of the market. A significant trend within the global offshore rental equipment industry is that the rising demand for renewable energy. The impact of the increase in global climate change directing the depletion of fuel supplies, a shift toward renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power is expected during the forecast period. Offshore wind energy is gaining popularity as a possible alternative resource for energy in comparison to other energy sources. Moreover, many industries are trying to find cost-effective alternatives from offshore rental equipment providers, which led to extending the demand for offshore rental equipment like cranes, lift boats, jack-up rigs, and installation vessels.

With the increasing demand for offshore wind energy, the renewable energy sector as an entire is predicted to extend significantly within the during forecast period. This often is due to governments across the globe adopting more renewable energy mandates, also because of the dropping costs of renewable energy technologies. This creates an enormous potential for offshore rental equipment companies to expand their product offerings and maximize the growing demand for renewable energy solutions. Thus, increasing demand for renewable energy is one of the main trend for the expansion of the worldwide offshore rental equipment market during the forecast period.

Download the sample to get a holistic overview of the gas station equipment market by

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Competitive Analysis

The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, among others, Buy the Report

What are the key data covered in this gas station equipment market report?

The offshore rental equipment market size is expected to accelerate at a CAGR of 6.63% during the forecast period.

The offshore rental equipment market is segmented Type (Drill Equipment, Flow, and pressure equipment), End-user (Oil and gas industry, Marine engineering, and Exploration), and Geography ( North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa ).

, , APAC, , and and ). The market is fragmented due to the presence of many/few established vendors holding significant market share.

The research report offers information on several market vendors, including Aquaterra Energy Ltd., Ashtead technology Ltd., Atlas Copco AB, Baker Hughes Co., BESTWAY OILFIELDS FZCO, Bois Equipment Rentals BV, Certified Oilfield Rentals LLC, China Oilfield Services Ltd., Ensign Energy Services Inc., Halliburton Co., Norwegian Offshore Rental AS, NOV Inc., Offshore Rental and Support, Oil States International Inc., Parker Drilling Co., Schlumberger Ltd., Superior Energy Services Inc., Tiger Offshore Rentals, Weatherford International Plc, and TechnipFMC plc

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The offshore oil and gas seismic equipment and acquisitions market share is expected to increase by USD 1.62 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 7.13%. The offshore oil and gas seismic equipment and acquisitions market report extensively covers market segmentation by technology (3D seismic survey, 2D seismic survey, and 4D seismic survey) and geography (Europe, APAC, MEA, South America, and North America).

The offshore drilling rigs market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.16% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 2,821.26 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (bottom-supported rigs and floating rigs), application (shallow water, deepwater, and ultra-deepwater), and geography (North America, Middle East and Africa, Europe, APAC, and South America).

Offshore Rental Equipment Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.63% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 7,956.37 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.67 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 58% Key countries US, Mexico, China, India, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Aquaterra Energy Ltd., Ashtead technology Ltd., Atlas Copco AB, Baker Hughes Co., BESTWAY OILFIELDS FZCO, Bois Equipment Rentals BV, Certified Oilfield Rentals LLC, China Oilfield Services Ltd., Ensign Energy Services Inc., Halliburton Co., Norwegian Offshore Rental AS, NOV Inc., Offshore Rental and Support, Oil States International Inc., Parker Drilling Co., Schlumberger Ltd., Superior Energy Services Inc., Tiger Offshore Rentals, Weatherford International Plc, and TechnipFMC plc 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 Type



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ 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 offshore rental equipment market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on global offshore rental equipment market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  End-user 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 Type

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Type

6.3 Drill equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Drill equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Drill equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Drill equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Drill equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Flow and pressure equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Flow and pressure equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Flow and pressure equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Flow and pressure equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Flow and pressure equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 44: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 Oil and gas industry - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 48: Chart on Oil and gas industry - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Oil and gas industry - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 50: Chart on Oil and gas industry - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Oil and gas industry - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Marine engineering - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 52: Chart on Marine engineering - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Marine engineering - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 54: Chart on Marine engineering - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Marine engineering - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Exploration - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 56: Chart on Exploration - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Exploration - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 58: Chart on Exploration - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Exploration - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 60: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 62: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 63: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 65: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 70: 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 71: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 78: 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 79: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 82: 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 83: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 Mexico - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 93: Chart on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 97: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 105: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 107: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)



Exhibit 108: 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 109: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 110: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 111: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 112: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 113: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 114: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Atlas Copco AB

Exhibit 115: Atlas Copco AB - Overview



Exhibit 116: Atlas Copco AB - Business segments



Exhibit 117: Atlas Copco AB - Key news



Exhibit 118: Atlas Copco AB - Key offerings



Exhibit 119: Atlas Copco AB - Segment focus

12.4 BESTWAY OILFIELDS FZCO

Exhibit 120: BESTWAY OILFIELDS FZCO - Overview



Exhibit 121: BESTWAY OILFIELDS FZCO - Product / Service



Exhibit 122: BESTWAY OILFIELDS FZCO - Key offerings

12.5 Bois Equipment Rentals BV

Exhibit 123: Bois Equipment Rentals BV - Overview



Exhibit 124: Bois Equipment Rentals BV - Product / Service



Exhibit 125: Bois Equipment Rentals BV - Key offerings

12.6 China Oilfield Services Ltd.

Exhibit 126: China Oilfield Services Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 127: China Oilfield Services Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 128: China Oilfield Services Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 129: China Oilfield Services Ltd. - Segment focus

12.7 Ensign Energy Services Inc.

Exhibit 130: Ensign Energy Services Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 131: Ensign Energy Services Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 132: Ensign Energy Services Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 133: Ensign Energy Services Inc. - Segment focus

12.8 Halliburton Co.

Exhibit 134: Halliburton Co. - Overview



Exhibit 135: Halliburton Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 136: Halliburton Co. - Key news



Exhibit 137: Halliburton Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 138: Halliburton Co. - Segment focus

12.9 Norwegian Offshore Rental AS

Exhibit 139: Norwegian Offshore Rental AS - Overview



Exhibit 140: Norwegian Offshore Rental AS - Product / Service



Exhibit 141: Norwegian Offshore Rental AS - Key offerings

12.10 Offshore Rental and Support

Exhibit 142: Offshore Rental and Support - Overview



Exhibit 143: Offshore Rental and Support - Product / Service



Exhibit 144: Offshore Rental and Support - Key offerings

12.11 Oil States International Inc.

Exhibit 145: Oil States International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 146: Oil States International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 147: Oil States International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 148: Oil States International Inc. - Segment focus

12.12 Parker Drilling Co.

Exhibit 149: Parker Drilling Co. - Overview



Exhibit 150: Parker Drilling Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 151: Parker Drilling Co. - Key offerings

12.13 Schlumberger Ltd.

Exhibit 152: Schlumberger Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 153: Schlumberger Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 154: Schlumberger Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 155: Schlumberger Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 156: Schlumberger Ltd. - Segment focus

12.14 Superior Energy Services Inc.

Exhibit 157: Superior Energy Services Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 158: Superior Energy Services Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 159: Superior Energy Services Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 160: Superior Energy Services Inc. - Segment focus

12.15 TechnipFMC plc

Exhibit 161: TechnipFMC plc - Overview



Exhibit 162: TechnipFMC plc - Business segments



Exhibit 163: TechnipFMC plc - Key news



Exhibit 164: TechnipFMC plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 165: TechnipFMC plc - Segment focus

12.16 Tiger Offshore Rentals

Exhibit 166: Tiger Offshore Rentals - Overview



Exhibit 167: Tiger Offshore Rentals - Product / Service



Exhibit 168: Tiger Offshore Rentals - Key offerings

12.17 Weatherford International Plc

Exhibit 169: Weatherford International Plc - Overview



Exhibit 170: Weatherford International Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 171: Weatherford International Plc - Key news



Exhibit 172: Weatherford International Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 173: Weatherford International Plc - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 174: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 175: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 176: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 177: Research methodology



Exhibit 178: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 179: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 180: List of abbreviations

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
Over 25,000 students across six campuses will benefit from Instructure Learning Platform flagship product Canvas LMS and Impact by Instructure

SALT LAKE CITY, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure , the leading learning platform and maker of Canvas, has announced that Ohio University selected Canvas learning management system ( LMS ) as part of a major initiative to transform and modernize its learning experience and increase student success.

The university's main campus in Athens and five regional campuses will implement Canvas alongside Impact by Instructure, a data and analytics solution that improves adoption and evaluates the impact of edtech, as part of its migration to the Instructure Learning Platform. This means the university can use insights to make informed decisions and evolve its offerings to best suit the needs of students, faculty and admins alike.

"After 20 years of working with a different LMS, we are confident that the transition to a more modern, user-friendly learning management system will support Ohio's initiatives to integrate active learning design and optimize campus space usage," said Elizabeth Sayrs, Executive Vice President and Provost at Ohio University. "Canvas will be a pillar in transforming the students' learning experience and Its intuitiveness and simple-to-use features will help increase student engagement and adoption rates."

In 2022, the university's Spring 2022 LMS faculty survey highlighted the significant growth in LMS usage and revealed needs calling for improving the university's LMS experience. As a result, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) conducted a comprehensive evaluation process that included input from students, faculty and staff across each of its campuses and resulted in the selection of the Instructure Learning Platform, including Canvas LMS .

"With the adoption of Canvas and Impact, we are excited to offer our faculty tools that will allow them to enhance the course design process while allowing for a consistent student experience and time optimization. For example, by creating templates they may reuse for their courses or creating course content in Canvas Commons and pulling those into courses at any time, our educators will be able to spend more time on instruction," said Chris Ament, Chief Information Officer at Ohio University.

Ohio University is recognized nationally for its arts, journalism, business and medicine programs and for research and scholarship in avionics, biotechnology, communications, education, environmental studies, history, pipeline corrosion, physics and psychology.

"We are excited to partner with Ohio University in its commitment to student success and join them in this new stage of its learning and teaching evolution, " said Justin Beck, senior vice president of sales at Instructure. "By migrating to Instructure's robust learning platform and tapping into the extensive Instructure community of users, the university is adding a trusted strategic partner to help meet student demands for more flexibility and personalization in the learning experience."

ABOUT INSTRUCTURE

Instructure (NYSE: INST) is an education technology company dedicated to elevating student success, amplifying the power of teaching, and inspiring everyone to learn together. Today the Instructure Learning Platform, comprised of its flagship product Canvas LMS and several products serving K-12 and higher education, supports tens of millions of educators and learners around the world. Learn more at www.instructure.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the potential, timing and examples of any strategic alternatives. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 17, 2023 and other documents filed with the SEC and could cause actual results to vary from expectations. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof and Instructure undertakes no duty to update this information except as required by law.

CONTACT:

Brian Watkins

Corporate Communications

Instructure

(801) 658-7525

[email protected]

SOURCES: Instructure, Canvas

SOURCE Instructure
Museum actively seeking applicants for new education-based AmeriCorps program

STURBRIDGE, Mass., June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Old Sturbridge Village has been selected by the Massachusetts Service Alliance as one of 31 Bay State organizations to receive an AmeriCorps grant. AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism and provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically. Old Sturbridge Village is the first museum in Massachusetts to receive the AmeriCorps grant.

As the host site for an AmeriCorps program, Old Sturbridge Village is actively recruiting a diverse group of dedicated, service-minded individuals to live on-site and be part of its new education-based program launching in September 2023. The AmeriCorps program will serve elementary students in after-school programs across Central Massachusetts. Corps members will work as community-based museum educators and will be responsible for developing fun and engaging hands-on lessons for students working directly with students in after-school and community settings. The deadline to submit an application for the Old Sturbridge Village AmeriCorps program is July 5th.

The Old Sturbridge Village/AmeriCorps program will serve elementary students across Central Massachusetts. Tweet this

To apply, access the application here or download a PDF copy of the application here. Completed applications can be sent to [email protected].

"Old Sturbridge Village is thrilled to be partnering with AmeriCorps and the Massachusetts Service Alliance to create this new education-based program that will benefit students across Central Massachusetts," said James Donahue, President and CEO of Old Sturbridge Village. "Community based education has always been an important mission of the museum. This new program will enable us to expand our educational reach and bring the unique hands-on learning experience our museum is known for into the community."

About Old Sturbridge Village

Old Sturbridge Village, first opened to the public in 1946, is one of the country's oldest and largest living history museums, celebrating life in early New England from 1790-1840. It is the largest living history museum in the Northeast. Each year, more than 250,000 visitors interact with costumed historians, experience up-close demonstrations of early American trades, and meet heritage breed farm animals. Situated on 200 scenic acres, the Village is a collection of more than 40 historic buildings - including homes, meetinghouses, trade shops, working farms, restaurants, shops and three water-powered mills.

Located just off the Massachusetts Turnpike and Routes I-84 and 20 in Sturbridge, Mass., Old Sturbridge Village is open year-round, but days and hours vary seasonally. Daily admission is: $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $15 for College Students, $15 for children ages 4-17, children 3 and under admitted free. For details, visit https://www.osv.org/plan-your-visit/.

Old Sturbridge Village is also the managing partner of Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, R.I. Members at OSV receive reciprocal membership at Coggeshall Farm Museum.

SOURCE Old Sturbridge Village
VALLETTA, Malta, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick Kortman assumes the role as Interim CFO at Kindred Group as of 21 June, taking over from Johan Wilsby who resigned earlier this year. Patrick has been with Kindred Group since 2018 and will be supported by Johan Wilsby during a transition period.

Kindred Group plc's (Kindred) Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, Patrick Kortman, assumes the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as of 21 June 2023. Kindred's previous CFO, Johan Wilsby, announced on 15 May that he will leave Kindred.

Patrick has been at Kindred since 2018 working closely with the Board, the Executive Team, and the Financial Department. He also has extensive experience from the financial market having held senior positions at Nordea and Ratos.

"I am very pleased that Patrick has agreed to take on the role as Interim CFO at Kindred. Patrick knows Kindred very well and has a vast experience from the financial sector, and he will continue to bring great value to Kindred's financial operations, to the wider Executive Team, and to the Board as we continue to focus on the strategic review", says Nils Anden, Interim CEO at Kindred Group.

Johan Wilsby will continue to support the Executive Team until he leaves Kindred.

In addition to the Interim CFO role, two additional interim appointments have been made to the Executive Team. Usha Ganesan will assume the role as Interim Chief Finance Operations Officer, and Neil Banbury will assume the role as Interim Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer. All appointments will remain as interim until the strategic review is concluded.

"I am delighted that we can maintain momentum and consistency across the company during this period thanks to our excellent senior leaders and strong employee base", continues Nils Anden.

This disclosure contains information that Kindred Group is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 21-06-2023 08:00 CET.

For more information:

Alexander Westrell,

Director of Communications

[email protected]

+46 73 7071686

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/824/3790966/2142630.pdf Patrick Kortman assumes role as Interim CFO at Kindred Group https://news.cision.com/kindred-group/i/patrick-kortman,c3192349 Patrick Kortman

SOURCE Kindred Group
Rainforest Car Wash opens it's 6th location at the old Pearl Brookpark Car Wash

CLEVELAND, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rainforest Car Wash is thrilled to announce the opening of its latest location in the charming Old Brooklyn area of Cleveland. Nestled at 5133 Pearl Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44129, this new establishment stands on the hallowed grounds once occupied by NE Ohio's oldest car wash, Pearl Brookpark.

Dan Spencer Sr. at the new Rainforest Car Wash location. New Rainforest location in Old Brooklyn

Having been a beloved part of the community for decades, Pearl Brookpark Car Wash holds a special place in the hearts of many. Rainforest Car Wash recognizes and appreciates the rich legacy that Pearl Brookpark has left behind. As a family business, Rainforest takes great pride in welcoming Dan Spencer Sr., the owner of Pearl Brookpark, to share his expertise and passion at the new location. Reflecting on this exciting new opening, Dan Spencer Sr. exclaimed, "It's just incredible."

As the oldest car wash in Eastern Ohio, Rainforest Car Wash holds the utmost respect for the Pearl Brookpark legacy and the loyal customers who have made it their go-to wash for countless years. With the new location, Rainforest Car Wash aims to provide both long-time patrons and newcomers with an unforgettable express exterior service that embodies their commitment to exceptional quality and family friendly fun.

Rainforest Car Wash warmly invites the residents of Cleveland, Old Brooklyn, and Parma to join in the celebration of this thrilling Rainforest adventure. To mark this special occasion, Rainforest is offering $9.99 for the first month of Unlimited Car Washes and Free Storm Washes until June 30th!

ABOUT RAINFOREST CAR WASH:

Rainforest Car Wash is a family-owned and family-operated car wash chain headquartered in northeast Ohio. With multiple locations, their mission is to inspire a sense of adventure, family, and fun, one clean car at a time.

SOURCE Rainforest Car Wash
Focus on Fathers: One in Seven Men Experience Perinatal Mental Health

Disorders; Support and Treatment are Accessible and Effective;

New Findings Will Pave Way for Better Care, More Awareness

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its ongoing effort to provide support to parents, raise awareness about perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs), and educate health professionals, nonprofit Postpartum Support International (PSI) is hosting its 36th annual conference June 28 to July 2 in Kansas City, Mo. Research shows postpartum depression and other PMHDs, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychosis, affects 800,000 people a year, yet only 25% of them receive treatment and many parents are unaware that what they are experiencing is normal and treatable.

One in five mothers and one in seven fathers experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period. Many people don't realize what they're experiencing is normal and treatable. Postpartum Support International is hosting its annual conference in Kansas City June 28-July 2 as part of its ongoing mission to stop the stigma around these conditions and help parents get the support they need to feel better.

"We are thrilled to bring our annual conference to beautiful Kansas City and to showcase the amazing team of PSI staff and volunteers who are based here," said Wendy Davis PhD, PMH-C, executive director of Postpartum Support International. "I experienced a perinatal mental health disorder in 1994 after my son was born, and it is really inspiring to see how far we've come since thento witness the effort, intelligence, and enthusiasm that are part of this conference and are critical to the perinatal mental health field."

During the conference, hundreds of volunteers, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, researchers, and advocates will gather to be trained and learn from colleagues, hear from experts in the field about latest research and treatment developments, and strengthen the network of parents and professionals that is changing the dialogue about perinatal mental health.

Conference sessions will feature topics including "Coloring the Conversation," with the PSI Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color; "Addressing Racial Disparity in Maternal and Infant Health"; "Therapeutic Tools for Owning Your Story"; and "Doing It All for My Baby: A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Contemporary Fatherhood."

In addition to the conference kicking off this month, June is also when Americans celebrate fathers and fatherhood, which is anything but happy for those suffering from a PMHD.

"As a society, we much more commonly think about moms when it comes to perinatal mental health concerns, but we know that as many as one in seven men experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy, post-loss, and 12 months postpartum," said Postpartum Support International Advisory Board Member Psychologist Daniel Singley, Ph.D. "Societal norms dictate that men should be supportive and strong, which makes them even less likely to seek support or treatment for PMHDs. It's imperative that we break the stigma that is often associated with perinatal mental health disorders for both mothers and fathers.

Singley also says another barrier to understanding and treatment of PMHDs in fathers is that men often exhibit different symptoms of depression. It can manifest itself as anger, irritation, frustration, and being short with people, or withdrawing from relationships. Dads may start drinking more alcohol or using other substances.

"We are finding that many mental health professionals are not connecting these types of behaviors with the fact that the father may be depressed or have anxiety. We are working to change that with our resources," Singley said. "Nobody should have to suffer, and these conditions are common and treatable."

Recent tragedies involving Lindsay Clancy in the Boston area and Paulesha Green-Pulliam in San Francisco have brought PMHDs to the forefront of national news. While symptoms vary, these disorders commonly make parents feel alone and helpless. They may be paralyzed by anxiety and doubtful of their ability to parent, which can lead to feelings of regret and despondency at a time society dictates should be one of the happiest of their lives.

PSI will also host its Climb Out of the Darkness awareness event and unity walk on Saturday July 1st from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Washington Square Park. The event is free and open to the public and will include yoga and barre classes and an agenda full of family activities. Proceeds from donations and sponsorship will benefit Kansas City's Whole Parent Foundation , which promotes the mental health and well-being of all mothers, birthing persons, partners, and support systems in the Kansas City area.

If you or someone you know is interested in registering for the PSI annual conference, visit here .

Parents and their loved ones should know support and care are available, and you don't need a diagnosis to get help. PSI offers coordination, comfort, and peer support, helping people find the right resources online and in their own communities, including Kansas City. Parents can call or text the PSI Helpline for support and resources at 1-800-944-4773 (English and Spanish); text "help" to 1-800-944-4773 (English) or 971-203-7773 (Spanish); or visit postpartum.net.

PSI has an online Perinatal Mental Health Provider Directory that lists specialized groups and providers with their location and insurance coverage and operates a Perinatal Psychiatric Consultation line through which any medical provider can consult with an expert perinatal psychiatrist at no charge. PSI facilitates more than 30 virtual support groups including those for military families, fathers, LGBTQIA+ families, Spanish speakers, and more.

About Postpartum Support International

Founded by a new mother in 1987 to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional difficulties women can experience during and after pregnancy, Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers a wealth of resources for a wide range of needs and situations to give families the strongest and healthiest start possible through support and community. PSI offers support, resources, best-practice training and certification for healthcare professionals and peer supporters nationwide and in more than 30 countries. PSI is committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring compassionate and quality care and support are available to all families. Call or text 1-800-944-4PPD (4773) or learn more at postpartum.net .

SOURCE Postpartum Support International
PARIS, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PARIS AIR SHOW -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, today announced that Condor Flugdienst GmbH ("Condor") has signed an EngineWise Maintenance long-term agreement for their fleet of 41 GTF-powered Airbus A320neo family aircraft, made up of 13 A320neo and 28 A321neo aircraft.

From L to R: Scott Cika, regional vice president, Customer Business for Europe at Pratt & Whitney and the Condor Flugdienst GmbH team including Axel Schefe, group director, Fleet Management & Strategic Maintenance Procurement, Arndt Berlage, senior contracting manager, Bjorn Walther, chief financial officer and Sabina Heil, senior manager, Fleet Management, Aircraft Leasing in front of the GTF engine.

"GTF-powered aircraft will provide an exceptional combination of economic and environmental benefits for our business and passengers," said Bjorn Walther, chief financial officer at Condor. "EngineWise services will provide the insights we need to optimize the efficiency of fleet and operations, to support our ambition to enable responsible, and at the same time comfortable, travels with significantly reduced carbon emissions, lower fuel consumption and less noise."

Condor has been taking its guests to beautiful holiday destinations for more than 60 years. Every year, more than 9 million guests fly with Condor to around 90 destinations in Europe, Africa and America. Currently flying PW4000-powered Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, Condor and Pratt & Whitney established their relationship more than 60 years ago with the Wasp-powered Convair CV-240 aircraft. In subsequent years the airline operated a full range of Pratt & Whitney-powered aircraft, including the DC-8, 707, 727, 737, 747 and 757.

"Condor will not only benefit from the latest engine technology delivering the greenest, most fuel-efficient engines in service today, but they will also have access to our portfolio of services and solutions to advance the performance and maturity of their fleet," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney.

The EngineWise service portfolio provides owners and operators of Pratt & Whitney engines with a variety of aftermarket services to maximize engine performance and fleet availability. Learn more at enginewise.com.

About GTF Engines

The Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, featuring Collins Aerospace nacelle and engine accessories, offers the greatest fuel efficiency and lowest greenhouse gas emissions for the Airbus A320neo family. GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 16% to 20%, NOx emissions up to 50% and noise footprint up to 75%.* Certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and successfully tested on 100% SAF, GTF engines are ready to enable further reductions in carbon footprint, which will help the aviation industry meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The engine's revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for even more efficient and sustainable propulsion technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engine and beyond. Learn more at pwgtf.com.

*Reductions vs. prior-generation aircraft, based on 75 dB noise contour and ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

About RTX

RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into space. Effective July 1, the company will complete its realignment into three customer-focused business units  Collins Aerospace, Raytheon and Pratt & Whitney. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

[email protected]

+1 860 565 9600

SOURCE Raytheon Technologies
WASHINGTON, June 21, 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 state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington this week.

"The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States comes at a fragile time for India, which is the largest democracy in the world. The National Press Club has grave concerns about the crackdown on independent media and civil society under the Modi government. Too often, we receive reports of journalists being attacked, both online and in-person. These assaults pose a significant danger not only to Indian journalists but also to Indian democracy. The government of India does not do enough to protect journalists from partisan assaults and can sometimes incite the violence through its rhetoric. We hope these issues will be raised by the Biden administration during the upcoming bilateral discussions.

"The National Press Club remains deeply concerned about the arrest and detention of Vivek Raghuvanshi, an Indian reporter who has written for Defense News, an award-winning U.S. based publication, for more than three decades. Vivek has been charged with espionage in an outrageous attack on press freedom. The National Press Club and NPC Journalism Institute urge the Biden administration to seek Vivek's immediate release and press the case for press freedom during Modi's visit.

"In 2022, the National Press Club awarded Indian journalist Rana Ayyub with the John Aubuchon Award for Press Freedom. She was the first Indian journalist to receive this honor  and almost immediately, she came under attack. The government of India can and must do more to show its supporters that this behavior harms India's reputation on the world stage. The Modi government must lead its nation out of this dangerous place and toward the democracy that is an essential part of India."

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 United States and around the world.

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.

Press Contact: Eileen O'Reilly, 202-662-7517, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club
According to Wingie's Data, early international bookings increased by 100% before Eid Al Adha

DUBAI,UAE and BERLIN, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eid Al Adha is one of the two most significant religious and public holidays Muslims celebrate with exquisite festivities. Thousands of Muslims opted to travel on this major holiday and flight searches increased dramatically. Leading travel marketplace Wingie.com presents a comprehensive analysis of travel activities preceding this eminent holiday.

Early international bookings soared by 100% and the top origin countries were Saudi Arabia, the United Emirates, and Egypt. Most of the travelers opted to travel to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and Turkey. Likewise, the most popular route was between Riyadh and Cairo.

92% of Travelers booked round-trip international flights while 68% of bookings made by solo travelers

International round-trip bookings skyrocketed by 92% meanwhile domestic round-trips were 8%. Otherwise, international one-way bookings were 85% and 15% of bookings were domestic one-way flights. Overall, 52% of bookings were one-way flights and 48% were round-trips.

Precisely 88% of bookings were international, while 12% were domestic. Travelers acted early, with 60% of bookings made for travel prior to Eid. When it comes to costs, the average expenditure per person for a one-way ticket was USD 300. Round-trip tickets were more affordable, with an average price of USD 470 per passenger.

Finally, the median age of passengers was 33,5 and 68% of travelers were solo, followed by 20% of passengers who traveled with infants or children. While 61% of travelers were men, 39% of them were women.

About Wingie Enuygun Group

Wingie Enuygun Group is a popular travel marketplace in the MENA region focusing mainly on flights operating under wingie.com, sa.wingie.com, wingie.ae and enuygun.com domains. The company offers a range of products including flights, bus tickets, hotels, and rental cars. Wingie Enuygun Group has been one of the most innovative players in the MENA online travel space, with the aim of pioneering technological developments and leading the transformation of the travel industry with the approach of thinking digitally. Wingie.com is a leading flight booking platform with its inclusion in the development of virtual interlining for flights, offering a diverse range of airline tickets and other travel content to enhance the user experience by providing the best options.

Wingie.com is available in 6 languages, employs over 300 people, and has around 165 million visitors to its platforms annually.

Media Contact:



Wingie

[email protected]

+1 4378883181

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035421/Wingie_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Wingie
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP (RJLF), an elite, majority women-owned trial boutique, has announced the addition of four trial lawyers to its Silicon Valley Office. Partners Matthew Berkowitz and Patrick Colsher, and Associates Yue (Joy) Wang and Aaron Morris join the firm from Shearman & Sterling with decades of technical expertise in high-stakes patent, trade secret, and complex commercial disputes.

Matthew Berkowitz, Partner

Matthew Berkowitz previously served as a partner in the Litigation Group at Shearman & Sterling, where he launched and spearheaded Shearman's intellectual property litigation practice. Nationally recognized by Chambers USA for his litigation prowess, clients describe Berkowitz as "technically savvy and a great strategist with a keen eye for the entire picture," "very impressive," and "an excellent attorney with great client management skills." He has nearly 20 years' experience representing clients in high-stakes patent infringement disputes in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission (ITC), as well as in post-grant proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Berkowitz has argued and won numerous cases before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

"Matt is a seasoned pro. Companies with the most challenging disputes have called on Matt, which is no surprise given his tech acumen, judgment, and trial experience," said Courtland Reichman, RJLF's Managing Partner. "Matt's deep commitment to client service, first-tier expertise, and commitment to diversity make him a perfect fit for our firm. We're excited to have Matt, Patrick, Joy, and Aaron join our team."

Berkowitz regularly represents Fortune 500 companies such as Sony, Toyota, Airbus, and GE Healthcare, among others. He has represented clients across a range of technologies, including consumer electronics, memory systems, hybrid vehicles, pre-collision vehicle systems, aircraft components, pharmaceuticals, and various software and networking technologies. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Temple University and his B.S. in industrial engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

"It's an honor to join RJLF's team in Silicon Valley," said Berkowitz. "We've admired how they've built an agile, innovative, and respected trial firm in less than five short years. The team and I are excited to deepen their superb bench of trial lawyers."

Patrick Colsher brings more than a decade of experience focusing on intellectual property and other complex commercial litigation and counseling. A registered patent attorney with a technical background in electrical and biomedical engineering, Colsher is frequently called upon to guide clients through their toughest IP issues. He has significant trial experience, having litigated numerous patent, trade secret, and other IP cases in federal courts throughout the country and Section 337 investigations before the ITC. Colsher has also developed a track record for success in post-grant inter partes review and covered business method review trials before the USPTO, acting as lead counsel for both petitioners and patent owners in dozens of trials. Colsher received his J.D., cum laude, from New York Law School. He received his B.S.E in electrical engineering and another B.S.E. in biomedical engineering from Duke University.

Yue (Joy) Wang has nearly a decade of experience in intellectual property litigation. Focusing on patent matters in district courts and before the ITC, her technical background and former career as an engineer enable her to advise clients across various products and technologies. Wang has also prosecuted patents before the USPTOfrom drafting responses to office actions and appeal briefs to provisional and non-provisional applications. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and her B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Aaron Morris focuses on intellectual property litigation with an emphasis in patent litigation. His experience includes defending and prosecuting district court matters and IPRs as well as coordinating pre-filing investigations for both accused infringers and patent owners. Morris received his B.S. in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned the Ronald E. McNair Award for academics and contribution to the minority community. While at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, Morris was a Gold Honors Scholar and a member of the Southern California Law Review. He also served as a judicial extern for Judge William Ryan of the Los Angeles Superior Court. Prior to law school, Morris was an engineer at Northrop Grumman, where he was responsible for designing and running tests of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft.

About Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP

Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP (RJLF) is an elite national trial firm that handles high-stakes commercial litigation, intellectual property, and white-collar disputes. The firm is majority women-owned and rejects the billable hour in favor of fee arrangements that align client interests. RJLF's attorneys are diverse, exceptionally credentialed, and passionate about trial advocacy. From offices in Silicon Valley, New York, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, the firm tries cases and argues appeals throughout the country. For more information, visit www.reichmanjorgensen.com.

Contact :

Jennifer Estremera

[email protected]

(650) 623.1407

SOURCE Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP
VANCOUVER, BC, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE: PRR) (OTC: PRRSF) (FRA: OED) is pleased to report on the prospecting results on three showings on our Holy Grail property. The grab samples collected contain mainly gold ("Au"), silver ("Ag") and copper ("Cu"), but also include lead ("Pb") and zinc ("Zn"). The Holy Grail property forms a horseshoe that encloses our fully owned Knauss Creek property in its southeastern part and is located 10 kilometres north of Terrace, BC. All samples reported herein were obtained from our 2021 exploration campaign.

Results highlights include:

Grab sample C362354 returned 28.0 g/t Au, 56.9 g/t Ag and 2.03% Cu on the 4 Shore showing;

on the showing; Grab sample C362357 returned 13.7 g/t Au, 39.9 g/t Ag and 1.33% Cu, on the 4 Shore showing;

on the showing; Grab sample C363353 returned 0.37 g/t Au, 58.7 g/t Ag and 3.43% Cu on the Maroon Creek showing;

on the showing; Grab sample C363092 returned 6.7 g/t Au, 21.1 g/t Ag and 0.12% of Pb on the Iceberg showing.

Prospect Ridge's CEO Michael Iverson commented: "We are extremely pleased with the high-grade results obtained from such an early of our campaign and look forward to the results and reporting on the next batch of samples. These results continue to illustrate the very high potential of this property. In addition to the gold and silver, the consistent presence of base metals continues to add value to our Holy Grail property."

4 Shore showing

The 4 Shore showing is located near the middle western edge of the property, approximately 32 kilometres north of Terrace. The grab samples were obtained on both sides of the Nisga'a highway, over a strike length of 700 metres. Two adits, one north facing and the other south facing, separated by approximately 120 metres, were sampled by C362351 and C362354, respectively. The quartz veins in the adits are east-west oriented.

A selection of results are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Best results on the 4 Shore showing

Sample Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) C362118 0.032 125.00 0.611 1.150 0.872 C362351 11.300 6.70 0.372 0.000 0.003 C362354 28.000 56.90 2.028 0.001 0.002 C362357* 13.700 39.90 1.329 0.002 0.008 C362360 4.600 13.20 0.677 0.000 0.005 C363413 1.886 59.70 3.088 0.000 0.002 C363433 9.300 15.20 0.537 0.000 0.003

*Erratic block sample

Maroon Creek

The Maroon Creek showing is located some 3 kilometres southeast of the 4 Shore showing. The float samples were obtained from the north side of the creek, and are gold, copper and silver bearing. No lead and zinc were obtained as in other areas of the property. The best results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Best results on the Maroon Creek showing

Sample Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) A0600910* 2.130 2.6 1.985 0.002 0.006 C363353* 0.373 58.7 3.434 0.000 0.024 C363401* 0.135 34.7 1.935 0.000 0.016

*Erratic block sample

Iceberg

The Iceberg showing's best grab samples are predominantly silver and lead bearing accompanied either by gold or zinc. Along with the samples published in the news release dated October 29th, 2021, they were taken in an area of about 1 kilometre by 1.5 kilometres located in the northwestern part of the property. The four best samples are in Table 3. Those results were obtained by sampling quartz veins containing sulfides.

Table 3: Best results on the Iceberg showing

Sample Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) C363087 0.027 32.3 0.014 1.150 0.216 C363089 0.017 48.5 0.042 0.972 0.230 C363090 2.130 20.2 0.004 0.154 0.066 C363092 6.720 21.1 0.006 0.118 0.012

CORPORATE UPDATE

The Company would like to provide a corporate summary of the latest events and outline our plans for the 2023 field season.

The Company achieved two significant milestones regarding our properties: we acquired 100% of the Knauss Creek property by accelerating the earn-in requirements under its option agreement (see news release dated November 25th, 2022) as well as reached an agreement and accelerated the acquisition of 100% of the Holy Grail property (see news release dated February 8th, 2023). With full title and control over its land package, Prospect Ridge is well positioned to exploit the opportunities in front of it.

Additional changes have occurred within our executive management team and Board. The Company was saddened by the passing of former director, Dr. Allen Alper. In addition, Nick Lushka stepped down as Executive Vice-President and as a director. Welcome additions are Yan Ducharme, M. Sc., P.Geo., who joined Prospect Ridge as President and a director and Michael Michaud, M. Sc., P.Geo., who has also joined the Board (see news release dated March 16, 2023). The Company will continue to strengthen its board and management team throughout the year.

The field season commenced at the beginning of May with our team comprised of many returning staff. Prospecting and geological mapping on the western edge of the Holy Grail property is currently taking place. A drill program is being designed with a focus on better understanding each showing and new ground is being investigated. The shipping of samples to the laboratory has commenced and we anticipate assays being available in the coming months.

Quality control

Some rock samples were assayed for gold by standard 50g fire-assaying with atomic absorption finish (Au-AA24) or gravimetric finish (Au-GRA22) or 1000g metallic screening (Au_SCR24) at ALS Canada in Terrace, British Columbia. The samples were also assayed for 35 metals from an aqua regia digestion with ICP-AES finish (ME-ICP41). For samples with overlimit results in silver, copper, lead and zinc aqua regia with ICP finish was used (OG46 ore grade).

Other rock samples were assayed for gold by standard 50 g fire-assaying with atomic absorption finish (FAS-121) or gravimetric finish (FAS-425) or 1000g metallic screening at MSALABS Laboratories in Terrace, British Columbia. Rock samples were also assayed for 35 metals from an aqua regia digestion with ICP-AES finish (ICP-130). For samples with overlimit results in silver, arsenic, copper, lead and zinc aqua regia with ICP finish was used (ICF-6 ore grade).

A quality assurance/quality control program has been implanted and consists of inserting standards, blanks and duplicate on a regular basis in the samples stream. Grab samples and erratic blocks are selective by nature and grades may not be representative of mineralized zones. True thickness or mineralization style and geological models cannot be determined with the information currently available.

Qualified Person

All scientific or technical information included in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Yan Ducharme, M. Sc., P.Geo., President of the Company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. This news release was written by Yan Ducharme.

About the Holy Grail Property

The Holy Grail property starts about 10 kilometres north of the town of Terrace in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It is easily accessible by Highway 16, the Nisga'a highway and a network of logging roads. It covers about 700 square kilometres and is contiguous to our fully owned Knauss Creek property. Prospecting led to the discovery of several gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc showings. Gold rich grab samples with values up to 50 grams per ton gold were obtained.

The southern tip of the Golden Triangle is located a few tens of kilometers northwest of the PRR properties. The Bowser Lake and the Hazelton Groups, hosting the majority of deposits and mines of this area are also underlying the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail.

About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia based exploration and development company focused on the gold exploration near the prolific Golden Triangle. Prospect Ridge's management and technical team cumulate over 100 years of mineral exploration experience and believe that the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail properties have the potential to extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to include this under-explored region.

Cautionary Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects and the Company's use of proceeds from the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will not be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 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 and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.
CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The public safety drone market is valued at USD 1.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.0 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 13.0% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The public safety drone market has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly growing sector, revolutionizing the way public safety agencies respond to emergencies and ensure the safety of communities. With the increasing adoption of drones in various public safety applications, including disaster management, search, and rescue operations, surveillance, and incident response, the market has witnessed significant growth and technological advancements. By harnessing the power of drones, public safety organizations can revolutionize emergency response efforts, minimize risks, and better protect and serve the communities they serve.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=52227848

Browse in-depth TOC on "Public Safety Drone Market"

150  Tables

60  Figures

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Public Safety Drone Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $1.1 billion Estimated Value by 2030 $2.0 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 13.0% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Mode of operation, Platform, Application and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Delivery authentication and cybersecurity concerns Key Market Opportunities Technological advancement in the field of drone payloads Key Market Drivers Increasing use of drones for border management

Based on Platform, the rotary wing segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the platform, the public safety drone industry has been classified into fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and hybrid-wing. The rotary wing segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to rotary-wing drones being extremely maneuverable, with the ability to hover, rise, descend, and fly in any direction. Because of their agility, they can negotiate complicated environments such as metropolitan areas, heavily populated regions, or limited spaces, making them ideal for search and rescue missions, law enforcement operations, and disaster relief efforts.

Based on the Platform, small drones are expected to lead the markets during the forecast period.

Based on the Platform, the public safety drone market is classified into Microdrones (250gm-2Kg) and small drones (2kg- 25Kg). Small drones are expected to lead the markets during the forecast period due to small drones are lightweight and portable, making them quick to deploy and providing immediate aerial surveillance and situational awareness during emergency situations. They have lower acquisition costs and require less infrastructure for deployment, such as runways or hangars. Small drones can be used to minimize risks to law enforcement officers and public safety personnel. They can assess hazardous situations remotely, monitor dangerous areas, and gather information before sending personnel into potentially high-risk environments.

Based on operational mode, a semi-autonomous segment of the public safety drone market is projected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period.

Based on operational mode, the public safety drone market has been classified into semi-autonomous and fully autonomous. The semi-autonomous segment of the public safety drone market is projected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the cost-effective usage of public safety drones in several applications ranging from border management to surveys. Also, semi-autonomous public safety drones deliver high maneuverability and are equipped with advanced technologies. They have comparatively low maintenance costs. These drones are anticipated to be substituted by fully autonomous public safety drones in the coming years as they have high payload capacity, enhanced propulsion power, and long endurance, as well as can operate without any human involvement.

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Asia Pacific Region is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Region is expected to have the highest CAGR in the public safety drone Market during the forecast period. This can be attributed to innovations in UAV technology, low-cost manufacturing of UAV parts, and increased demand for patrolling at crowded locations. The prevailing trends of automation in India, Australia, and China and the ongoing globalization are also fueling the growth of the public safety drone market in the Asia Pacific. Public safety drones are being increasingly used in border management, traffic monitoring, firefighting, search & rescue operations, and maritime security in China and Japan. The public safety drone ecosystem requires political support to promote the use of semi-autonomous and autonomous drones in various applications. Currently, public safety drones are in the race to gain political and financial support from the governments of various countries in Asia Pacific. China is the powerhouse of APAC and has a stable government. Regulations regarding the public use of drones are very strict in the country. India, the largest democracy in the world, is a favorable place to start a business and offers more political freedom than China. With the increase in commercial applications of drones and the rise in agriculture spending in India, the market for UAVs is flourishing in India. In Australia, urban renewal and decentralization, along with the strategic planning of the transport infrastructure, are the focus of the government of the country for facilitating deliveries through drones.

Key Players

DJI (China), Autel Robotics (China), Skydio Inc (US), Parrot Drone SAS (France), and Teledyne FLIR LLC (US) are Key players in the public safety drone companies. They have mainly resorted to contracts to drive their growth along with launching technologically advanced and cost-effective products.

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Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports &Consulting

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CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the Qatar construction equipment market will grow at a CAGR of 4.54% during 2022-2029.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3846

Qatar Construction Equipment Market Report by Arizton

Browse In-Depth TOC of the Qatar Construction Equipment Market

06 - Tables

57- Charts

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The Qatar government included new projects with USD 14.8 billion worth in its budget for 2021. It was planned to award the projects between 2021 and 2023. The nation also spends a lot on construction and infrastructure projects, with USD 220 billion planned for the nation's road system, stadiums, and other amenities. Furthermore, according to figures released by the Planning & Statistics Authority (PSA), Qatar awarded 685 building licences in October 2021. The Umm Slal experienced the biggest growth, at 42.9%, while Al Khor saw growth of 25%. In addition, Qatar National Vision 2030 intends to turn the country by 2030 from a developed economy to a developed nation. The federal government is funding infrastructure development initiatives, such as enlarging the nation's airports, railroads, roads, and highways. The surge in infrastructure development projects is expected to drive the Qatar construction equipment market in the upcoming years.

Qatar Construction Equipment Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) 8,596 Units Market Size (2022) 6,300 Units CAGR (2022-2029) 4.54 % Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2029 Market Dynamics A Surge in Government Investment in the Country

The Increased Investment in Renewable Energy Projects

Robust Growth in Oil & Gas Industry

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In 2022, Qatar submitted its second report on the National Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations. In the report, the country pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. In 2021, Qatar's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change identified 1,406 sustainability-certified buildings. The country has the highest number of buildings with the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). Therefore, the country is significantly focusing on developing more green buildings in line with its emission targets. Green buildings incorporate solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient appliances to minimize environmental impact.

Moreover, Qatar's solar energy initiatives are witnessing steady growth. With average daily sun rays of around 9.5 hours, low-cloud cover conditions, and plentiful space, the country offers exceptional scope for small, medium, and large-scale solar power projects. The rise in the construction of green buildings and the integration of energy-efficient methods will propel the demand for electric and hybrid construction equipment during the forecast period.

Qatar's National Vision Plan 2030 to Boost the Qatar Construction Equipment Market

A few public infrastructure projects under the QNV 2030 include the Qatar Integrated Rail, a USD 40 billion urban metro, high-speed passenger railway, freight line system, and the New Port Project, a USD 7.4 billion mega port designed for food security facilities and warehouses. The expansion of the Hamad International Airport is also included, with a budget of USD 15.5 billion. Qatar's 2023 budget outlined the implementation of 22 new projects with a total value of USD 2.6 billion. The budget also aims to develop several new schools and improve school facilities in addition to new and existing hospitals and healthcare centers. In March 2023, Further, Qatar Public Works Authority (Ashghal) was in March 2023 awarded the main construction contract 'Roads and Infrastructure' works in Rawdat Egdaim and Ezghawa with a value of $67 million. The project is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2025.

Qatar's Energy Sustainability Strategy to Propel the Demand for Material Handling Equipment

In 2022, Doha's Energy Minister started developing two major solar projects that will more than double its energy output from renewable sources within two years. These new plants will be developed at Mesaieed and Ras Laffan, generating a total output of 1.67 gigawatts by the end of 2024. The country also announced its 5 GW solar energy capacity target by 2035. Furthermore, Qatar's Energy Sustainability Strategy 2021 had been set to achieve various targets such as a methane intensity of 0.2% by 2025, carbon reduction intensity of 15% from upstream and 25% from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities by 2030 and add 2-4 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

Rising Green Building Development in the Region to Boost Sales of Hybrid and Electric Construction Equipment

As of 2021, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar had 1,406 sustainability-certified buildings. The country has the highest number of buildings with the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). Therefore, the nation is significantly focusing on developing more green buildings in the region in line with its emissions target and will contribute to the Qatar construction equipment market. Green buildings incorporate solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient appliances to minimize environmental impact.

Vendors

Prominent Vendors

Caterpillar

Komatsu

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG)

Liebherr

Volvo Construction Equipment

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

JCB

SANY

HD Hyundai Construction Equipment Co., Ltd.

Other Prominent Vendors

Kobelco

Liu Gong

Yanmar

Tadano

CNH Industrial

MERLO Group

SDLG

Distributor Profiles

Qatar Tractors & Equipment Co.

Jaidah Heavy Equipment

Qatar Building Co. Heavy Equipment

Nasser Bin Khaled Heavy Equipment

Mannai Trading Co. WLL

Arabian Agencies Company L.L.C (ARACO)

Market Segmentation

Type

Earthmoving Equipment

Excavator



Backhoe Loaders



Wheeled Loaders



Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers)

Road Construction Equipment

Road Rollers



Asphalt Pavers

Material Handling Equipment

Crane



Forklift & Telescopic Handlers



Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts)

Other Construction Equipment

Dumper



Tipper



Concrete Mixture



Concrete Pump Truck

End Users

Construction



Mining



Manufacturing



Others (Power Generation, Utilities Municipal Corporations, Oil & Gas, Cargo Handling, Power Generation Plants, Waste Management)

Key Questioned Answered in the Report:

How big is the Qatar construction equipment market?

construction equipment market? What is the growth rate of the Qatar construction equipment market?

construction equipment market? Who are the key players in the Qatar construction equipment market?

construction equipment market? What are the trends in the Qatar construction equipment industry?

construction equipment industry? Which are the major distributor companies in the Qatar construction equipment market?

Table of Content

Section1  Research Methodology

Section 2  Research Objectives



Section 3  Research Process



Section 4- Introduction



4.1 Market Coverage



4.2 Report Scope



Section 5- Market at a Glance



5.1 Market Snapshot



Section 6- Executive Summary



Section 7- Market Landscape



7.1 PESTLE Analysis



7.2 Economic Scenario



7.3 Key Projects



7.4 Market Dynamics



7.5 Import & Export Analysis



7.6 Supply Chain Analysis



Section 8- Segmentation

8.1 By Equipment Type

8.1.1 Equipment Definition (Earthmoving)

8.1.1.1 Earthmoving Equipment (Volume & Value)

8.1.1.2 Excavators

8.1.1.3 Backhoe Loaders

8.1.1.4 Wheeled Loaders

8.1.1.5 Other Earthmoving Equipment

(Other Loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers, etc.)

8.1.2 Equipment Definition (Road Construction)

8.1.2.1 Road Construction (Volume & Value)

8.1.2.2 Road Rollers

8.1.2.3 Asphalt Pavers

8.1.3 Equipment Definition (Material Handling)

8.1.3.1 Material Handling Equipment (Volume & Value)

8.1.3.2 Cranes

8.1.3.3 Forklifts & Telehandlers

8.1.3.4 Aerial Platforms

8.1.4 Equipment Definition (Other Equipment)

8.1.4.1 Other Equipment (Volume & Value)

8.1.4.2 Dumpers

8.1.4.3 Tippers

8.1.4.4 Concrete Mixers

8.1.4.5 Concrete Pump Trucks

8.2 By End-users

8.2.1 End-user Definition

8.2.2 Construction

8.2.3 Manufacturing

8.2.4 Mining

8.2.5 Others (Waste Management, Agriculture, Oil & Gas Extraction, Utilities & Energy, Power Generation, Disaster Management and Water Management)

Section 9- Geographical Analysis

Section 10- Technological Development

Section 11- Competitive Landscape

11.1 Competitive Landscape Overview

11.2 Vendors (Caterpillar | Volvo Construction Equipment | Komatsu | Hitachi Construction Machinery | Liebherr | JCB | XCMG | Zoomlion | Kobelco | HD Hyundai Construction Equipment| Tadano |SANY| Merlo SPA | Liugong| CNH Industrial | Yanmar | SDLG)

11.3 Other Prominent Vendors

11.4 Distributor Company Profiles

Section 12- Report Summary

12.1 Key Insights

12.2 Abbreviation

12.3 Exhibits

12.4 Related Report

12.5 Database

12.6 Global Reach

12.7 Offerings

Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Research Reports:

UAE Construction Equipment Market - Strategic Assessment & Forecast 2023-2029

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STOCKHOLM, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RaySearch's founder and CEO, Johan Lof, has sold 600,000 Class B shares in RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) on June 16, 2023, after first converting 800,000 Class A shares into Class B shares. Johan Lof remains a long-term shareholder and after the transaction owns 5,443,084 Class A shares and 218,393 Class B shares, corresponding to 16.5 percent of the total number of shares and 53 percent of the total number of votes in the company.

Johan Lof, founder and CEO, RaySearch, says: "The sale is due to private financial reasons. I remain committed to the company with continued strong confidence in RaySearch's future. We are well positioned for continued growth and I look forward to continuing to lead and develop RaySearch towards our strategic goals."

The transaction has been reported to the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) according to current regulations.

For more information, please contact:

Johan Lof, founder and CEO, RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ)

Telephone: +46 (0) 8 510 530 00

[email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1102/3790865/2143128.pdf RaySearch Press Release June 21, 2023

SOURCE RaySearch Laboratories
Tour four inspired model homes at Parkdale on June 24

ERIE, Colo., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc., a subsidiary of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC), is pleased to announce the debut of four must-see model homes at Parkdale (RichmondAmerican.com/Parkdale) in Erie. The notable new neighborhood offers an exciting array of ranch and two-story floor plans, including some from the builder's sought-after Seasons Collection (RichmondAmerican.com/Seasons).

Model home tours (RichmondAmerican.com/ParkdaleGO)

The Yorktown is one of four new Richmond American model homes opening at Parkdale in Erie, Colorado.

Prospective homebuyers and area agents are encouraged to tour the ranch-style Arlington and Peridot and two-story Ammolite and Yorktown model homes at Parkdale from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. Attendees can enjoy complimentary treats from Besties Ice Cream Truck and enter for a chance to win a prize drawing.

More about Parkdale:

New homes from the upper $500s

12 ranch and two-story plans, including some from the versatile Seasons Collection

2 to 6 bedrooms, approx. 1,750 to 3,100 sq. ft.

Close proximity to popular schools and recreation

Easy access to Boulder , Denver and the Interlocken Business Park via I-25 and the Northwest Parkway

Parkdale is located at 2668 Sawyer Lane, Erie, CO 80026. Call 303.850.5750 or visit RichmondAmerican.com to RSVP for the event or learn more about this beautiful new community.

About M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1972. MDC's homebuilding subsidiaries, which operate under the name Richmond American Homes, have helped more than 230,000 homebuyers achieve the American Dream since 1977. One of the largest homebuilders in the nation, MDC is committed to quality and value that is reflected in each home its subsidiaries build. The Richmond American companies have operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, insurance and title services are offered by the following MDC subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDC." For more information, visit MDCHoldings.com.

Contact:

Derek R. Kimmerle

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

866.424.3395

[email protected]

SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
PARIS, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PARIS AIR SHOW -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) today announced its Collins Aerospace business has signed a FlightSense flight-hour contract with Envoy Air. Under the multi-year agreement, Collins will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for a number of systems across Envoy's fleet of 128 Embraer E175 aircraft. Collins' products covered under the contract include electric power, fire protection and sensors, among others.

Collins Aerospace vice president of Aftermarket for Power & Controls Ryan Hudson shakes hands with Envoy Air senior vice president for Corporate Services John Nicks.

"Our new agreement with Envoy builds on our existing support for the airline's Embraer fleet, further expanding Collins' relationship with one of America's largest regional carriers," said Cory May, vice president, Aftermarket Business Development for Collins Aerospace. "By providing Envoy with a maintenance program tailored to its unique operational requirements, we will help the airline reduce repair time and costs, while maximizing operational efficiency."

"We're pleased to reach an agreement with Collins Aerospace to enhance our maintenance program as we serve thousands of customers every day," said John Nicks, Envoy senior vice president, Corporate Services. "This multi-year agreement will help ensure that our aircraft are safe, compliant and ready to meet the demands of our airline operation for years to come."

About Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace is a business of RTX, the largest aerospace and defense company in the world. Our global team of 73,000 employees dreams, designs and delivers smarter, more connected solutions for passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and operational efficiency and sustainability. We make the most powerful concepts in aerospace a reality.

About RTX

RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into space. Effective July 1, the company will complete its realignment into three customer-focused business units  Collins Aerospace, Raytheon and Pratt & Whitney. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

About Envoy Air Inc.

Envoy Air Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, operates more than 130 aircraft on 700 daily flights to over 160 destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and Caribbean. The company's 19,000 employees provide regional flight service to American Airlines under the American Eagle brand and ground handling services for many American Airlines Group flights.

Media Contact

Al Killeffer

+1 980-322-5087

[email protected]

SOURCE Raytheon Technologies
WALLDORF, Germany, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced that it will publish its regular earnings release for the second quarter 2023 at 6:00 PM CEST / 5:00 PM BST / 12:00 PM (noon) on July 20, 2023. The financial analyst call will be held at 7:00 PM CEST / 6:00 PM BST / 1:00 PM EDT on July 20, 2023.

Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @SAPNews.

About SAP

SAP's strategy is to help every business run as an intelligent, sustainable enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: SAP customers generate 87% of total global commerce. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers' businesses into intelligent enterprises. SAP helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want  without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people's lives. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

This document contains forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to materially differ. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors section of SAP's 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

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DUBLIN, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Vehicle Type (Two- Wheeler, Passenger Car, Commercial Vehicle), By Type, By Charging Mode, By Installed Location, By Connector Type, By Type of Charging, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market is anticipated to register a robust CAGR during the forecast period, 2024-2028.

Increasing sales of electric vehicles and favorable government initiatives are the primary factors driving the growth of Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market.

Also, the rise in the market players investing in the set-up of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the ongoing advancements in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is the other factors boosting the Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market growth in the next five years.



Rising Sales of Electric Vehicle Drives the Market Growth



The high per capita income of consumers, rapid urbanization, and road infrastructure development enables consumers to afford a quality lifestyle. Consumers prefer to invest in purchasing private vehicles for daily commute purposes. With growing awareness about the benefits of using electric vehicles and support from the government, the demand for electric vehicles is expected to grow at a rapid rate.

The electric vehicle charging infrastructure market in Saudi Arabia generated revenue of USD0.71 million in 2021. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is working on developing an EV battery supply chain as the mining companies have begun searching for battery metals which are expected to fuel the growth of Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market in the next five years.

Modern Group and Hyzon Motors announced in May 2021 that they had signed a memorandum to construct an electric vehicle manufacturing plant that can produce up to 10,000 hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles annually in Saudi Arabia.

The rise in the number of market players obtaining metal exploration licenses for electric vehicle battery manufacturing and the growing demand from the booming transportation and logistics industry is expected to accelerate the Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market demand in the forecast period.



Supportive Government Policies Favor the Market Growth



The government is focusing on generating new income sources to reduce the dependency on the oil & gas industry and promoting the growth of other prominent industry verticals. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pledged that at least 30% of total cars will be electric in Riyadh by 2030.

At the Saudi climate conference, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman announced to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. Vehicles using conventional sources of energy release harmful emissions into the environment and are considered the major source of pollution.

The government is taking steps to promote the adoption of electric vehicles among consumers to promote a sustainable environment, such as the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) targets to attract 3-4 original equipment manufacturers to accelerate the production of electric vehicles in the country. In compliance with the vision of Saudi Arabia 2030, lading authorities are offering income tax rebates, tax incentives, loans, and subsidies for the manufacturing and sales of electric vehicles.

To facilitate the smooth running of electric vehicles, the government is investing in constructing adequate electric vehicle charging stations. With the support and huge funds for the construction of EV charging stations, the Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market is expected to grow at a significant rate.



Construction of Smart City Supports the Market Growth



The ongoing construction of the mega-city Neom city is expected to support only electric vehicles as it aims to achieve net-zero carbon emission and use only renewable sources of energy. To support the running of a large number of electric vehicles, the construction of EV charging stations is mandatory.

Government authorities are expected to make hefty investments to make electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Neom city. The growing advancements in battery charging technology and the introduction of wireless chargers are expected to fuel the Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market growth in the next five years.

Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Saudi Arabia electric vehicle charging infrastructure market.

Electromaps S.L.

Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia

NEC Saudi Arabia Ltd.

ABB Ltd.

CATEC Mobility

Voice of Customer Analysis

Charging Station Selection Criteria

Challenges/Unmet Needs

Charging Time

Report Scope:



Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Vehicle Type:

Two- Wheeler

Passenger Car

Commercial Vehicle

Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Type:

AC

DC

Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Charging Mode:

Plug-in

Wireless

Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Installed Location:

Commercial

Residential

Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Connector Type:

Type 1

Type 2

UK 3-Pin

CHAdeMO

CCS

Others

Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Type of Charging:

Slow

Fast

Saudi Arabia Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market, By Region:

Northern & Central

Southern

Eastern

Western

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yfb31x

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar signed a Memorandum in the field of trade, Trend reports.

According to official information, the signing of the document took place within the framework of the state visit of the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Dushanbe (Tajikistan).

The document will facilitate the establishment of cooperation in order to create favorable conditions for the development of bilateral trade based on mutually beneficial principles in certain areas, including the exchange of experience in the development of domestic and foreign trade, the development and promotion of exports of goods and services, and the improvement of trade infrastructure.

At the same time, it will contribute to the expansion of the stock exchange and e-commerce, promote dialogue between public and private structures, corporate communication in staff training, exchange of innovative experience, cooperation between enterprises of both states, including facilitating trade in goods and products.

Meanwhile, in general, following the results of high-level meetings and negotiations between Tajikistan and the State of Qatar, 15 new documents on cooperation were signed in the presence of the heads of state.
ROME, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 20 June, 2023(CET), 31st International Congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES 2023) was opened at Rome, Italy. Medical technology company Scivita Medical attended EAES 2023 and showcased its 4K UHD Fluorescence Imaging System, 3D Visualization System (Booth: E36), which reflects Scivita Medical's determination to its core strategy of "globalization".

Scivita [email protected] EAES 2023

Scivita Medical is a global medical technology company for minimally invasive diagnostics, establishing R&D centres in both China and Japan. Besides, Scivita Medical has obtained FDA-/CE- and PDMA-certifications for their products and applied patents in China as well as overseas. The company aims to increase market penetration with excellent products and be the preferred brand trusted by doctors and patients around the world through the continuous improvement of its core technologies.

With solid in-house R&D capabilities, Scivita Medical has built a unique technology platform based on five synergistic core technologies: 4K UHD medical imaging technology, Fluorescence medical imaging technology, 3D medical imaging technology, Ultrathin Endoscopic imaging technology and Single-use Endoscopic technology. With its comprehensive portfolio of endoscope products, Scivita Medical aims to cover all types of endoscopic procedures and meet various medical needs in this field.

The 4K UHD Fluorescence Imaging System exhibited at EAES 2023 is developed by 4K UHD medical imaging technology and Fluorescence medical imaging technology from this unique technology platform. Scivita Medical 4K UHD Fluorescence combined with 3D Technology to obtain ultra-high-definition 3D images with fluorescence effect, which can be used in hepatobiliary surgery, thoracic surgery, gynecology, gastrointestinal surgery, and urology, etc.

"For us, the focus is always on the doctors and patients, for whom we want to provide optimal care. EAES 2023 is a great opportunity for Scivita Medical to talk with world-class surgeon directly, to know more about local patients. " said Michael Li, Vice President of International Marketing & Sales. "In addition, we believed through this exhibition that we are able to make more local surgeon to know us and recognize us due to the high quality of our products." Mr. Li continued.

About Scivita Medical

Founded in 2016, Scivita Medical is a medical device company that provides minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment solutions, and focuses on the research, development and commercialization of medical endoscopes and related products. Scivita Medical takes 'Globalization' as its core strategy and has established R&D centers both in China and Japan. With solid in-house R&D capabilities, Scivita Medical has established a unique technology platform built upon five synergistic core technologies, and built a comprehensive portfolio of endoscope products and products candidates covering all types of endoscope procedures conducted by the various clinical departments, to address diverse medical needs. Adhering its value of 'Clinical Focus' 'Collaborative Innovation' 'People Oriented' 'Excellence & Efficiency', Scivita Medical will continuously upgrade its core technologies, improve market penetration with excellent products, and to be the preferred brand trusted by doctors and patients around the world.

For more information, please visit: scivitamedical.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107822/Scivita_Medical__EAES_2023.jpg

SOURCE Scivita Medical
The Company's groundbreaking "deep-sea energy island" makes its public debut at the China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair 2023 (CSITF) and the inaugural Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo in Technologies, Products and Achievements (Carbon Neutrality Expo).

SHANGHAI, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) unveiled its innovative smart energy, smart manufacturing, and digital intelligence integration solutions at the China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair 2023 (CSITF) and the inaugural Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo in Technologies, Products, and Achievements (Carbon Neutrality Expo) held in Shanghai this June.

Liu Ping, President of Shanghai Electric said, "Shanghai Electric will continue to focus on business areas such as smart energy, smart manufacturing, and digital intelligence integration, implement the development path of 'technology promotion, transformation, and upgrading', and join hands with creators around the world to jointly promote human progress and sustainable social development."

China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair Highlights

At the event, Shanghai Electric showcased its groundbreaking "deep-sea energy island" solution while introducing the new development concept of "4+2+X," focusing on smart energy, smart manufacturing, and digital intelligence integration.

Deep-Sea Energy Island: The highlight of the exhibition was the presentation of a zero-carbon energy island concept, where wind power, photovoltaic, underwater tidal power generation, and ocean current power generation complement each other to provide sustainable energy for residents and businesses on the island. All energy consumption is achieved through green electricity, ensuring true green travel with electric and hydrogen-powered cars, and the integration of marine pastures and sea sightseeing tunnels near the island creates additional economic benefits. Furthermore, Shanghai Electric showcased the latest advancements and project progress in solar energy, multi-energy storage, and hydrogen energy.

Smart Manufacturing: Shanghai Electric unveiled the SMR-300iA composite mobile robot, an innovative solution that combines manual labor processes effectively. This solution addresses the challenges of labor shortages and the high risks of work-related injuries in enterprises.

Carbon Neutrality Expo Highlights

Under the banner of "Shanghai Electric, Your Energy Steward," the Company emphasized its dedication to smart energy, smart manufacturing, and digital intelligence integration within the context of achieving carbon neutrality. Shanghai Electric exhibited its "all-round" new power system and the overall solution of the "three-dimensional" zero-carbon industrial park system, focusing on the transformation direction of becoming an "energy steward."

Release of Shanghai Electric's "Double Carbon" Action Plan: Shanghai Electric aims to achieve its own "Dual Carbon" goal and actively promote the optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure. Leveraging its expertise in system solutions in the energy and industrial sectors, Shanghai Electric aims to assist industry customers in achieving green and low-carbon transformation and development. At the Carbon Neutrality Expo, Shanghai Electric's 600 square meter booth was powered by green electricity, achieving 100 percent green power supply for the first time ever.

Comprehensive New Power System Solutions: Shanghai Electric is actively contributing to the development of a new energy system. It offers optimized combinations of traditional and emerging technologies, including below-level heavy-duty gas turbine and combined cycle equipment, safe nuclear power solutions, power generation pumped storage clean hydropower, smart strong grid equipment, sea and land wind power solutions, solar energy systems, multiple energy storage integration layouts, and integrated stations in the transportation sector.

Shanghai Electric Officially Launches Three Innovative Products

16MW Offshore Wind Turbine: The electric wind power 16MW, coupled with the Poseidon platform, is designed to adapt to different sea areas and wind speeds. It allows for customized development based on platforming and modularization, ensuring efficient offshore wind power generation.

The electric wind power 16MW, coupled with the Poseidon platform, is designed to adapt to different sea areas and wind speeds. It allows for customized development based on platforming and modularization, ensuring efficient offshore wind power generation. The complete product line of 20GW heterojunction PV modules will lead the production of high-efficiency solar cells into the era of microcrystalline HJT.

will lead the production of high-efficiency solar cells into the era of microcrystalline HJT. 500kW Containerized Vanadium Liquid Flow Energy Storage System: This highly integrated green energy storage system features a battery compartment that incorporates 500kW stacks, BMS, thermal management, fire protection, and lighting facilities. It saves up to 30 percent of floor space and offers flexible configuration options based on energy storage duration.

This highly integrated green energy storage system features a battery compartment that incorporates 500kW stacks, BMS, thermal management, fire protection, and lighting facilities. It saves up to 30 percent of floor space and offers flexible configuration options based on energy storage duration. 2000Nm3/H Alkaline Electrolyzer: Shanghai Electric presented modular and high-performance core equipment for the entire hydrogen energy production, storage, and utilization industrial chain. By combining renewable energy power generation and water electrolysis to produce hydrogen, it enables green chemical industry production and storage, as well as the creation of hydrogen energy storage system solutions.

About Shanghai Electric

Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited (SEHK: 2727, SSE:601727), a leading global supplier of industrial-grade eco-friendly smart system solutions with a presence around the world, is dedicated to smart energy, intelligent manufacturing, and the integration of digital intelligence. With the focus on low-carbon development and digital transformation by opening up new arenas and promoting new growth drivers, Shanghai Electric will strive to be a leader in the pursuit of to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, new energy equipment production, and high-end equipment localization, utilizing the boundless opportunities in an innovative industrial ecosystem along with global partners.

For more information, please visit https://www.shanghai-electric.com/group_en/.

SOURCE Shanghai Electric
HOUSTON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After winning a high profile prisoner's rights case in St. Louis in 2022, Shook, Hardy & Bacon is dedicating much of the fee award recovery to the expansion of the firm's civil rights and racial justice pro bono efforts. Initially, the practice will focus primarily on prisoners' civil rights and abuse-of-force litigation, but the firm anticipates that the scope could expand in the years to come.

Shook Bolsters Civil Rights and Racial Justice Practice Tweet this Shook Partner and Pro Bono Director Scot Fishman leads the pro bono initiatives at the firm. Michael Harrison looks forward to joining a firm with a national trial reputation and getting right to work, helping us build something special, Fishman said. With Michaels leadership, we will be able to strengthen our advocacy for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. Michael Harrison, a former civil rights division prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorneys Office in Houston, joins Shook as senior counsel. Initially, the practice will focus primarily on prisoners civil rights and abuse-of-force litigation, but the firm anticipates that the scope could expand in the years to come.

Spearheading the program will be Michael Harrison, a civil rights division prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Houston, who will join Shook as senior counsel. Harrison will work closely with Shook Partner Charles Eblen to transform the firm's current work in this space into a nationally recognized practice.

"We are excited about what the future holds and the lives we will change by doubling down on our civil rights and racial justice efforts," said Shook Partner and Pro Bono Director Scot Fishman, who moved to the firm in 2021 to help nationalize Shook's pro bono mission. "Michael is an incredibly gifted trial lawyer, and he will complement the pro bono program that we are building at Shook."

Under Eblen's leadership, Shook obtained an $8.5 million award for the firm's client as the representative of her late brother, a federal detainee at the Phelps County Jail in Rolla, Missouri. The jury returned a verdict against a doctor, nurse and Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.the largest health care provider for jails in the U.S.for a Section 1983 deliberate indifference claim and medical negligence.

"We made the strategic decision to do something monumental with this fee award," said Shook Chair Madeleine McDonough, who noted that the firm already has a team of attorneys and support staff who focus full time on pro bono matters. "This decision is a commitment to the future and will harness the firm's trial strength to help those who do not have a voice. With both Scot and Michael now on board, Shook can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who seek relief from injustice."

For the past eight years, Harrison has served the community as a civil rights division prosecutor where he investigated and prosecuted law enforcement excessive force and corruption cases.

"I am excited to join Shook and continue working in this important area of law alongside the firm's experienced team of attorneys and support staff," said Harrison.

Harrison is also an adjunct professor of law at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He earned his law degree from the Florida A & M University College of Law.

"Michael is looking forward to joining a firm with a national trial reputation and getting right to work, helping us build something special," Fishman said. "With Michael's leadership, we will be able to strengthen our advocacy for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society."

To speak to a Shook attorney on this new initiative, contact Shook Director of Communications Heather McMichael, 816.389.0419, or [email protected].

About Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 18 offices in the United States and London, with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security, and regulatory counseling.

SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
ATLANTA and STOCKHOLM, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To meet the rising bar for exceptional customer experiences, Sinch, which powers meaningful conversations between businesses and their customers through its Customer Communications Cloud, has launched Smart Conversations, a powerful AI capability integrated into Sinch's Conversation API. This significant advancement enables businesses to automate and personalize conversations across multiple channels, leading to superior customer experiences while optimizing costs.

With the increasing demand from vertical sectors such as retail and financial services for valuable insights, time-saving solutions, cost reduction, and personalized interactions, Sinch recognized the requirement for an AI-powered tool.

Smart Conversations utilizes AI technology to analyze incoming messages from any channel supported on Conversation API, providing businesses with invaluable insights into customer journeys and customer intent, and allowing them to deliver exceptional customer experiences (CX) like never before. Unlike traditional chatbot solutions, Smart Conversations in combination with Conversation API transcends basic responses, offering businesses a comprehensive solution for enhanced customer engagement.

Key highlights of Sinch's Smart Conversations:

Sinch's Conversation API, known for its seamless communication across popular messaging channels like WhatsApp, RCS, KakaoTalk, Instagram, and more now integrates AI features such as automatic intent recognition and sentiment analysis using Smart Conversations.

Sinch's Smart Conversations goes beyond just generative AI, offering a range of advanced models such as document comprehension from images (OCR), profanity detection, document classification and automatic audio transcription. These features streamline processes and eliminate the need for additional integrations, making Smart Conversations the ideal solution for businesses seeking AI-powered enhancements.

Smart Conversations is based on Sinch's recognized AI expertise. Sinch is the only CPaaS (Communications-Platform-as-a-Service) company acknowledged by Gartner in its Magic Quadrant for Conversational AI. With over 150,000 businesses leveraging Sinch's Customer Communications Cloud, Sinch's expertise in applying AI to CPaaS is unparalleled in the industry.

"As part of Sinch's commitment to innovation, generative AI models are now being seamlessly integrated into our technology components," said Jon Campbell, Senior Director of Messaging Products, Sinch. "This type of integration helps both our B2B software builders as well as our enterprise customers as it enables natural language processing (NLP) tasks to be trained with fewer examples, leading to more accurate responses and improved customer experiences. By combining the power of generative AI models with Sinch's own Conversation API, Smart Conversations now offers turnkey sentiment analysis, providing businesses with deeper insights into customer feedback."

Sinch's advantage in the communications industry lies in its extensive data processing capabilities, a crucial element for success in AI-driven solutions. With a wealth of data and a strong portfolio of use cases and customer references, Sinch has established itself as an expert and thought leader in the application of AI to CPaaS. The company actively utilizes AI in various ways for its customers' benefit and these consist of external as well as internal facing use of AI, including spam filtering and optimizing sending routes for its customers.

In addition to its own proprietary Natural Language Understanding (NLU) engines that power its chatbots, which consistently delivers exceptional results, Sinch also offers integrations to external AI models like ChatGPT. By incorporating these different forms of AI into Conversation API, Sinch enhances the overall value of this API platform, surpassing the capabilities of individual channel-specific APIs.

To learn more about Sinch's Smart Conversations and its capabilities, please visit https://developers.sinch.com/docs/smart-conversations/

CONTACT:

Marcel Kay

Global PR Director

[email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/i/what-is-conversational-ai-1400x830-hero-1,c3192283 What is Conversational AI 1400x830 hero 1

SOURCE Sinch AB
Assay highlights from DDRCCC-23-043 include:

422.7 metres (m) of 0.74 g/t Au from 4.0 m to 426.7 m (end of hole) including:

28.0 m of 0.91 g/t Au from 4.0 m



40.0 m of 1.02 g/t Au from 81.0 m ,



111.7 m of 1.24 g/t Au from 315.0 m ,



14.0 m of 3.28 g/t Au from 345.0 m ,

"The results obtained from Hole 43 are quite remarkable and further illustrate just how consistent and well-endowed the gold mineralization is at our Blackjack deposit", stated Cor Coe, CEO and Director of Sitka Gold. "Gold mineralization was encountered at surface and continued for the entire 422.7 metre length of this drill hole, which averaged 0.74 g/t gold and had multiple occurrences of visible gold. Hole 43 was designed to fill in an area of our deposit model that was missing drill core data and test for mineralization at depth. Although the drill hole was stopped in mineralization at the end of our winter program to avoid any complications that could arise during the spring thaw, it has since been re-entered and drilling is currently underway to extend it at depth. Additional step out drilling to expand both the Blackjack and Eiger gold deposits, both of which remain wide open, will be the primary focus of our 2023 summer field season at RC Gold along with additional exploration drilling to test for continuity across the mineralized corridor (see Figure 3)."

DDRCCC-23-043 was collared at the same location as DDRCCC-21-021 (see news release dated December 13, 2021) and drilled at an azimuth of 005 degrees and a dip of -85 degrees (see Figures 1 through 3). The purpose of the hole was to fill in a gap of data in the current resource model and to extend the higher-grade mineralization in the current resource to depth.

Hole 43 intersected dominantly MQMZ from surface to 111.25 m; metasediments intruded by metre scale MQMZ dykes to 318.45 m; dominantly MQMZ with metasediments to 382.1 m and then granite dykes with inclusions of MQMZ xenoliths to the end of the hole at 426.7 m. Quartz sulphide veins intersected all units with the highest intensity of veining occurring from 250 m to the end of the hole at 426.7 m. Visible gold was noted multiple times in quartz  bismuthinite veins. (see Figure 4).

DDRCCC-23-043 was variably mineralized throughout its entire length with the interval from 4.0 m to the end of the hole at 426.7 m returning 422.7 of 0.74 g/t Au. Significant intervals of higher-grade mineralization include 40.0 m of 1.02 g/t Au from 81.0 m; 111.7 m of 1.24 g/t Au from 315.0; 28.0 m of 1.99 g/t Au and 14.0 m of 3.28 g/t Au from 345 m. Narrower intervals of multi-gram gold mineralization include 1.0 m of 6.95 g/t Au from 27.0 m; 1.0 m of 7.09 g/t Au from 53.5 m and 2.0 m of 5.00 g/t Au from 241.0 m.

Hole 43 was terminated before target depth in known mineralization to avoid complications that could arise with the onset of spring thaw conditions. The casing was left in the hole and the drill rig was left on site in anticipation of resuming drilling efforts once the spring thaw conditions had passed. Drilling at Hole 043 has since resumed.

Table 1  Assay Highlights for DDRCCC-23-043

HoleID Azimuth () Dip () From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Au (g/t) DDRCCC-23-043 005 -85 4.0 426.7 422.7 0.74 Including



4.0 32.0 28.0 0.91 Including



27.0 28.0 1.0 6.95 Including



53.5 54.5 1.0 7.09 Including



81.0 121.0 40.0 1.02 Including



96.0 106.0 10.0 2.86 Including



173.0 203.0 30.0 1.38 Including



241.0 243.0 2.0 5.00 Including



320.0 331.0 11.0 2.39 Including



345.0 373.0 28.0 1.99 Including



345.0 359.0 14.0 3.28 Including



315.0 426.7 111.7 1.24

*Intervals are drilled core length, as insufficient drilling has been completed at this time to determine true widths

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

On receipt from the drill site, the NQ-sized drill core was systematically logged for geological attributes, photographed and sampled at Sitka's 2022 field camp. Sample lengths as small as 0.3 m were used to isolate features of interest, otherwise a default 2 m downhole sample length was used. Core was cut in half lengthwise along a predetermined line, with one-half (same half, consistently) collected for analysis and one-half stored as a record. Standard reference materials, blanks and duplicate samples were inserted by Sitka personnel at regular intervals into the sample stream. Bagged samples were placed in secure bins to ensure integrity during transport. They were delivered by Sitka personnel or a contract expeditor to ALS Laboratories' preparatory facility in Whitehorse, Yukon, with analyses completed in North Vancouver.

ALS is accredited to ISO 17025:2005 UKAS ref. 4028 for its laboratory analysis. Samples were crushed by ALS to over 70 per cent passing below two millimetres and split using a riffle splitter. One-thousand-gram splits were pulverized to over 85 per cent passing below 75 microns. Gold determinations are by fire assay with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) finish on 50 g subsamples of the prepared pulp (ALS code: Au-ICP-22). Any sample returning over 10 g/t Au was re-analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 50 g subsample (ALS code: Au-GRA21). In addition, a 51-element analysis was performed on a 0.5 g subsample of the prepared pulps by an aqua regia digestion followed by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) finish (ALS code: ME-MS41).

About the RC Gold Project

The RC Gold Project (RC Gold) consists of a 376 square kilometre contiguous district-scale land package located in the newly road accessible Clear Creek, Big Creek, and Sprague Creek districts in the heart of Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City and is accessed via a secondary gravel road from the Klondike Highway an approximate 2 hour drive from Dawson. It is the largest consolidated land package strategically positioned mid-way between Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine - Yukon's newest gold mine which reached commercial production in the summer of 2020 - and Sabre Gold Mine's Brewery Creek Gold Mine. The RC Gold Project land package comprises five underlying properties, namely, the RC, Bee Bop, Mahtin, Clear Creek, and Barney Ridge properties*. The planned 10,000 metre drill program for 2023 is currently underway and is focused on expanding the Blackjack and Eiger gold deposits, both of which remain open in all directions.

On January 19, 2023 Sitka Gold announced an Initial Mineral Resource Estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") guidelines for the RC Gold Property of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1). The road accessible, pit constrained Mineral Resource is classified as inferred and is contained in two near/on-surface zones: The Blackjack and Eiger deposits. The Mineral Resource estimate is presented in the following table at a base case cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au:

Table 2: RC Gold Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate

COG g/t Au Blackjack Zone

Eiger Zone

Combined Tonnes

000's Au g/t 0z Au

000's

Tonnes

000's Au g/t 0z Au

000's

Tonnes

000's Au g/t 0z Au

000's 0.20 35,798 0.80 921

32,523 0.45 471

68,321 0.63 1,391 0.25 33,743 0.83 900

27,362 0.50 440

61,105 0.68 1,340 0.30 31,282 0.88 885

22,253 0.55 393

53,535 0.74 1,279 0.35 29,065 0.92 860

17,817 0.60 344

46,882 0.80 1,203 0.40 26,975 0.96 833

14,506 0.66 308

41,481 0.86 1,140



Notes 1. Mineral resource estimate prepared by Ronald G. Simpson of GeoSim Services Inc. with an effective date of January 19, 2023. Mineral Resources are classified using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards. 2. The cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au is believed to provide a reasonable margin over operating and sustaining costs for open-pit mining and processing 3. Mineral resources are constrained by an optimised pit shell using the following assumptions: US$1800/oz Au price; a 45 pit slope; assumed metallurgical recovery of 85%; mining costs of US$2.00 per tonne; processing costs of US$8.00 per tonne; G&A of US$1.50/t. 4. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. 5. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

The Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold at the RC Gold Project is comprised of two deposits: the Blackjack deposit containing 900,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.83 g/t gold and the Eiger deposit containing 440,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.50 g/t gold (see news release dated January 19, 2023). Both of these deposits are at/near surface, are potentially open pit minable and amenable to heap leaching, with initial bottle roll tests indicating that the gold is not refractory and has high gold recoveries of up to 94% with minimal NaCN consumption (see News Release July 13, 2022).

The Blackjack and Eiger deposits are in close proximity to highway and power infrastructure, are road accessible year-round, remain open in all directions and are respectively located at the western and eastern end of a large, 500 metre by 2 kilometre intrusion related gold system that was recently discovered on the Property. To date, just 41 diamond drill holes have been drilled into this system for a total of approximately 14,500 metres with results of up to 201.0 m of 1.26 g/t gold from surface, including 82.0 m of 2.04 g/t gold and 19.5 m of 4.87 g/t gold at Blackjack (drill hole DDRCCC-22-040; see news release dated January 11, 2023) and 354 m of 0.41 g/t gold including 72 m of 0.72 g/t gold at Eiger (drill hole DDRCCC-21-09; see news release date August 19, 2021).

Several high priority intrusion related gold targets exist at RC Gold with nine outcropped intrusions identified to date over the 376 sq km property, however Sitka's main focus at the RC Gold Project has been on the underlying Clear Creek Property where a large 500 metre by 2000 metre intrusion related gold system covering the area over the Blackjack, Saddle and Eiger zones was identified. Prior to the onset of the 2023 winter drilling program, the Company had drilled 38 diamond drill holes into this system for a total of approximately 13,000 metres. This drilling culminated in the discovery of the Blackjack and Eiger deposits with an initial inferred mineral resource estimate of 1,340,000 gold ounces(1).

Sitka Gold inherited a wealth of historical and current data from these properties from work spanning the last 40 years. Recent exploration work and the compilation of historical data have defined several mineralized zones with both bulk tonnage, intrusion-related gold deposit targets and high-grade, vein- and breccia-hosted gold targets. The RC Gold Project also has a common border with Victoria Gold's Clear Creek property at its western boundary and Florin Resources' Florin Gold property at its northern boundary.

(1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory.

*For more detailed information on the underlying properties please visit our website at www.sitkagoldcorp.com.

Deposit Model

Exploration on the Property has mainly focused on identifying an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS"). The property is part of the Tombstone Gold Belt which is the prominent host to IRGS deposits within the Tintina Gold Province in Yukon and Alaska. Notable deposits from the belt include: Fort Knox Mine in Alaska with current Proven and Probable Reserves of 230 million tonnes at 0.3 g/t Au (2.471 million ounces; Sims 2018)(1); Eagle Gold Mine with current Measured and Indicated Resources of 233 million tonnes at a grade of 0.57 g/t Au at the Eagle Main Zone (4.303 million ounces; Harvey et al, 2022)(2); the Brewery Creek deposit with current Indicated Mineral Resource of 22.2 million tonnes at a gold grade of 1.11 g/t (0.789 million ounces; Hulse et al. 2020)(3); the Florin Gold deposit, located adjacent to Sitka's RC Gold project, with a current Inferred Mineral Resource of 170.99 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t (2.47 million ounces; Simpson 2021)(4) and the AurMac Project with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 207.0 million tonnes grading 0.60 gram per tonne gold (3.99 million ounces; Jutras 2022)(5).

(1) Sims J. Fort Knox Mine Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USA National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. June 11, 2018. https://s2.q4cdn.com/496390694/files/doc_downloads/2018/Fort-Knox-June-2018-Technical-Report.pdf



(2) Harvey N., Gray P., Winterton J., Jutras M., Levy M.,Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine, Yukon Territory, Canada. Victoria Gold Corp. December 31, 2022. https://vgcx.com/site/assets/files/6534/vgcx_-_2023_eagle_mine_technical_report_final.pdf



(3) Hulse D, Emanuel C, Cook C. NI43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources. Gustavson Associates. May 31, 2020. https://www.goldenpredator.com/_resources/Brewery-Creek_NI-43-101-05OCT2020-File.pdf



(4) Simpson R. Florin Gold Project NI43-101 Technical Report. Geosim Services Inc. April 21, 2021. https://sedar.com/GetFile.dolang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00005795&issuerType=03&projectNo=03236138&docId=4984158



(5) Banyan Gold News Release Dated May 17, 2022 (Technical Report to be filed within 45 days of news release)

https://www.banyangold.com/news-releases/2022/banyan-announces-4-million-ounce-gold-mineral-resource-estimate-for-the-aurmac-property-yukon-canada/

About Sitka Gold Corp.

Sitka Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company headquartered in Canada. The Company is managed by a team of experienced industry professionals and is focused on exploring for economically viable mineral deposits with its primary emphasis on gold, silver and copper mineral properties of merit. Sitka currently has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the RC, Barney Ridge, Clear Creek and OGI properties in the Yukon and the Burro Creek Gold property in Arizona. Sitka owns a 100% interest in its Alpha Gold property in Nevada, its Mahtin Gold property in the Yukon and its Coppermine River project in Nunavut.

The Company recently announced an NI 43-101 compliant Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1) beginning at surface and grading 0.68 g/t at its RC Gold Project in Yukon (see news release dated January 19, 2023). A resource expansion diamond drilling program is currently underway.

The Company is also planning additional drilling at its Alpha Gold Property in Nevada where a new Carlin-type gold system was recently discovered. The Company is focused on vectoring towards the high-grade core of this system, which is located on the Cortez Trend just 40 km southeast of the Cortez Mine Complex of Barrick/Newmont.

(1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory.

Upcoming Events

Sitka Gold will be attending and/or presenting at the following events:

TakeStock Calgary Capital Event, Calgary, AB : July 5, 2023

: YMA Property Tours, Dawson City , Yukon : July 16-22, 2023

, : Precious Metals Summit, Beaver Creek, Colorado : September 12 - 15, 2023

All events are subject to change.

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cor Coe, P.Geo., Director and CEO of the Company, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

SITKA GOLD CORP.

"Donald Penner"

President and Director

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "appear", "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "approximate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "would" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and terms of the private placement, use of proceeds, anticipated work program, required approvals in connection with the work program and the ability to obtain such approvals. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the CSE. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

SOURCE Sitka Gold Corp.
Prestigious International Annual Awards Program Honors Standout AI and Machine Learning Solutions and Companies

SAN FRANCISCO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Skai , a leading omnichannel marketing platform, today announced that it is the recipient of the "Best AI-based Solution for Advertising" award in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program conducted by AI Breakthrough , a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market today.

Since 2006 Skai has leveraged proprietary AI technologies to enable team productivity and drive unbeatable performance for marketers. This includes features such as Search Term Analysis which uncovers wasted spend on low-performing keywords in an instant and Budget Navigator, a predictive forecasting engine that identifies investment opportunities and guides budget allocation across digital channels. With advancements in Generative AI, Skai also leads the way in leveraging the most innovative technologies around for practical use with updates to its Intent Driven Messaging feature which integrates with OpenAI to serve up Generative AI based headlines.

Guy Cohen, chief product officer at Skai said "We're delighted to have our AI capabilities recognized by the industry at a time when there are record levels of excitement around it. AI isn't just in our name, it is in our DNAand this award is testament to the team's relentless dedication to delivering industry-leading, privacy-safe solutions for our clients. We look forward to pushing boundaries in the world of advertising over the next 12 months."

The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work and success in a range of AI and machine learning related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry specific AI applications and many more. This year's program attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries throughout the world.

"Skai's AI-powered omnichannel platform once again stood out among the entries, securing its second consecutive win in the Best AI-based Solution for Advertising category," said James Johnson, managing director, AI Breakthrough. "It is testament to Skai's continued dedication to innovation and its ability to address the evolving challenges of advertising on platforms like Google, Meta and Amazon. The judges were impressed by the practical ways in which Skai is using AI to help automate tasks, optimize landing pages, identify product trends and drive superior performance."

About Skai

Skai (formerly Kenshoo) is a leading omnichannel marketing platform that uniquely connects data and performance media for informed decisions, high efficiencies, and optimal returns. Its partners include Google, Meta, Amazon Ads, TikTok, Snapchat, Walmart Connect, Instacart, Roundel, Criteo, CitrusAd, Pinterest, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Apple Search Ads, and more.

For over 16 years, Skai has been trusted by an impressive roster of brands, including Pepsico, Michaels, Reckitt, Daimler, LG, and Vodafone. The company is headquartered out of San Francisco and Tel Aviv, with seven international locations, and is backed by Sequoia Capital, Arts Alliance, Tenaya Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, Pitango, and Qumra Capital. Visit skai.io for more information.

About AI Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough , a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com .

SOURCE Skai
Partnership Highlights:

Billboard Arabia will introduce Billboard's iconic franchises to the MENA market, including Music Awards, Charts, Arab Music Week, Women in Music, and much more.

The new platform will spotlight artists with Arab roots by celebrating creativity and artistry, as well as increasing accessibility to a wider global audience.

SRMG's partnership with Billboard is another example of its transformation strategy to redefine the regional media ecosystem by championing local and regional talent and delivering high-quality content.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SRMG, the largest integrated media group from the MENA region, and Billboard, the world's most influential music media brand, have partnered to launch Billboard Arabia. The newly launched platform is dedicated to celebrating artists with Arab roots by spotlighting their music and promoting personal stories on a global stage.

SRMG media group and Billboard have partnered to launch Billboard Arabia Tweet this Billboard Arabia

Billboard Arabia will be the premier global destination for artists with Arab roots  bringing the latest releases, reviews and interviews from the biggest names, exclusive coverage of regional and global events, original photography, and special video content together in one centralized location. Billboard Arabia will launch several charts over the next year, utilizing data from the top digital streaming platforms such as Spotify, Anghami, YouTube and others to highlight the artists and songs driving the global and regional music industry.

Billboard Arabia celebrates and amplifies the work of Arab artists for a global audience by republishing content across Billboard's digital products. It will also host the Billboard Arabia Music Awards, as well as live concerts, activations, and regional and international events to celebrate all music genres and the artists that are inspiring innovation in the industry.

Since its founding almost 130 years ago, Billboard has transformed the music industry. Through its platforms, Billboard has created a passionate and deeply engaged audience, celebrating popular culture and bringing people together around the world. Billboard Arabia will bring that same passion for music to cover the stories, experiences and cultures from the MENA region.

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, MENA is the fastest growing music region in the world. In 2022 alone, a handful of rising Arab artists garnered more than one billion streams, demonstrating the significant potential of the music market in the MENA region.

"The music scene in the MENA region is rapidly transforming. However, there is currently no dedicated platform to spotlight and tell the stories of the Arab artists leading innovation in the global music industry. Our partnership with Billboard will help fill that void in the market." said Jomana R. Al-Rashid, CEO of SRMG. "Billboard Arabia is more than just a digital platform. It will be the premier destination to celebrate the Arab music community and empower the business of music through data-driven charts, live concerts and awards. Our vision at SRMG is to ensure that creators and audiences have increased access to high-quality, original content and impactful experiences."

"We are excited to join forces with SRMG to launch Billboard Arabia," said Mike Van, President of Billboard. "Billboard has a strong legacy of recognizing and amplifying artists across genres, languages, and cultures with a mission to share the power of music with new fans everywhere. SRMG's reach and access in the region coupled with our experience will ensure artists with Arab roots are heard around the world."

Billboard Arabia was announced today from the SRMG Beach at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. As part of the announcement of Billboard Arabia, several artists from MENA are joining SRMG in Cannes to celebrate the diversity of sounds from the region. This includes performances from Elyanna, Felukah, Kouz1, DJ Outlaw, Jeed, Moayad Al Nefaie, Flipperachi, Meshaal, and DJ Rodge.

Billboard Arabia is now live across Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Be sure to check out Billboard Arabia's engaging content about Arab artists.

Twitter: @billboardarabia

Instagram: @billboardarabia

Facebook: @billboardarabia

YouTube: @billboardarabia

ABOUT SRMG:

SRMG is the largest integrated media group from the MENA region. With a +50-year legacy responsible for many regional firsts, SRMG has built a portfolio of over 30 outlets  including Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq Network which includes Asharq News and Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Arab News, Independent Arabia, Sayidaty, Hia and more.

Through its diversified platforms, SRMG brings quality news and information to an audience of millions across 4 continents in 7 languages. SRMG provides access to the biggest stories and issues, including exclusive news and in-depth analysis in an innovative way to help convey all regional and global events.

A champion of regional creativity, ideas, and innovation, SRMG has now expanded beyond media - diversifying its business to include book publishing, events and experiences, research and advisory, content production, venture capital and more. Leveraging its experience and knowledge of the region - and supported by global talent and partners - SRMG aims to unlock the possibilities of the future.

For more information, please visit: https://www.srmg.com

ABOUT BILLBOARD:

Billboard is a global music media brand, with a renowned authority among artists, fans and the industry. Billboard powers the ultimate global music destination and magazine, featuring unrivaled reporting on music news, issues and trends, the industry's definitive charts, encompassing the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. Billboard also produces elite experiences and events which regularly convene the industry and consumers around important conversations  from the annual Power 100 to Women in Music to Latin Music Week and more.

SOURCE Billboard
BETHLEHEM, Pa., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Luke's University Health Network of Bethlehem, Pa., has informed US News & World Report that the Network will no longer participate in the magazine's hospital rankings because its methodology is deeply flawed and misleading.

Link to download the letter to US News & World Report:

https://www.slhn.org/-/media/slhn/News/2023/US-News-Ben-Harder-Letter.ashx

About St. Luke's

Founded in 1872, St. Luke's University Health Network is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 19,000 employees providing services at 14 campuses and 300+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue of more than $3 billion, the Network's service area includes 11 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke's is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania.

SOURCE St. Luke's University Health Network
STT GDC Thailand is a highly secure, reliable, and sustainable data center services provider that delivers outstanding end-to-end solutions based on the industry's strictest global standards.

SAN ANTONIO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently researched the data center services industry and, based on its findings, recognizes STT GDC Thailand with the 2023 Company of the Year Award. STT GDC Thailand is a leading hyperscale colocation data center services provider that focuses on supporting the growing demand for digital infrastructure from over-the-top (OTT) enterprises. The company has a strong commitment to expanding its data centers in strategic locations to gain a competitive advantage and create exceptional value for existing and potential customers. Currently, STT GDC Thailand operates the STT Bangkok 1 facility in Hua Mak, Bangkok, and another is under construction to drive its rapid expansion in the Thai market.

Furthermore, STT GDC Thailand is strengthening its current network of hyperscale data centers by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and implementing best practices in business operations.

"With a vision to support the growing digital infrastructure demand from OTT companies and enterprises, STT GDC Thailand leverages disruptive technologies and drives initiatives focusing on best practices to provide best-in-class, scalable, secure, and world-class services," said Rubini Kamal, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "The company's final goal is to capture a larger market share and keep providing first-class services with high scalability, operational excellence, and robust security."

The company fully complies with international best practices in data center security and environmental sustainability, pledging carbon-neutral data center operations by 2030. Today, the company is on track to meet its sustainability goals, and in 2020, its first data center was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold v.4 Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its energy-efficient designs.

The company continues to create strategic partnerships and seek alternatives to power its data centers with more water efficiency, less energy consumption, enhanced indoor environmental quality, and more sustainable building practices.

"The company applies international standards and best practices that ensure technical resilience, reliability, and security. It has achieved numerous globally recognized certifications, reinforcing its strong value proposition in Thailand's data center colocation services industry," noted Nishchal Khorana, vice president and global program leader of ICT at Frost & Sullivan.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in 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 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:

Tammy Chan

E: [email protected]

About STT GDC Thailand

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) is one of the fastest-growing data centre providers with a global platform serving as a cornerstone of the digital ecosystem that helps the world to connect. Powering a sustainable digital future, STT GDC Thailand offers a full suite of best-in-class, highly scalable and flexible solutions with a portfolio of carrier-neutral data centres strategically located across central Bangkok.

STT GDC Thailand is a joint venture between Frasers Property Limited (FPL), a leading integrated real estate platform in Thailand and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC). For more information, please visit sttelemediagdc.com.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
The collaboration combines global consultancy industry expertise and best-in-class compliance technology solutions

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- StarCompliance ("Star"), a leading SaaS provider of employee compliance technology solutions, announced today its collaboration with Huron, a global professional services firm, headquartered in Chicago, that has deep industry focus across education, healthcare, financial services, energy and utilities, industrials and manufacturing, and the public sector.

The collaboration will enable Huron to provide additional tools to help customers achieve sustainable results, streamline operational processes, and strengthen financial risk management using Star's industry-leading compliance solutions, including:

StarCompliance Brings Integrated Risk and Compliance Framework Offering to Huron Tweet this

Enterprise-Wide Assessments and Roadmaps

Program and Policies Development

Advisory Audits and Audit Reviews

Change Management Putting Policies into Actions and System Adoption

Phase 0 Readiness

System Implementations

Upgrades and Migration

Managed Service and Ongoing Support Offerings

"Our collaboration with Star enables us to round out our integrated risk and compliance approach to transforming key functions in financial institutions and provides our clients a trusted compliance solution," said Mike Willhelm, managing director at Huron.

"We are so pleased to be joining forces with a consultancy of Huron's caliber," said Steve Schott, Head of Ecosystem and Partnerships at Star. "Huron's pedigree in combining broad industry expertise leading to organizational transformation is a perfect fit for Star and we look forward to a successful partnership."

Star has more than 20 years of experience building configurable compliance technology, supporting a global client base across a broad range of financial services. Its new License & Registration software will include enterprise reporting capabilities, with improved progress and time tracking. All of this critical data will be hosted in a single location and accessed through a user interface focused on intuitive use and efficient workflows.

About StarCompliance

StarCompliance is the world's leading provider of compliance technology solutions. Trusted globally by forward-thinking companies in 114 countries, Star's future-ready compliance platform delivers on-demand configurability, multi-jurisdictional integrity, and the actionable intelligence you need to monitor for conflicts, meet regulatory obligations, and reduce risk. Compliance no longer needs to be complex. Check out Star's intuitive, straightforward UX and give your employees the multi-layered protection they need to comply with confidence. www.starcompliance.com

SOURCE StarCompliance
June 29 online sale by Tiger and Liquidity Services features millions of dollars in manufacturing and processing equipment from Zume's California plant

CAMARILLO, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Molded-pulp packaging equipment from global manufacturer Zume is available in a June 29 online auction by host Liquidity Services and sale partner, Tiger Group.

A wide range of inventory from Zume, a company manufacturing environmentally conscious food packaging and pulp molding manufacturing technologies, is available for immediate sale from Tiger Group. The sale features multiple thermoformer presses. The inventory on offer includes a 2017 Fanuc Robot.

The sale features rarely available, late-model processing and packaging lines from Zume's 70,000-square-foot facility in Camarillo, California, as well as assets such as industrial robots, CNC machines and shop equipment. With customers in more than 25 countries, Zume was one of the few companies in North America to manufacture high-quality, leak-proof, compostable packaging out of pulp fiber.

The sale is open for bidding now at two auction websites: AllSurplus.com and SoldTiger.com. Lots begin closing at 10:30 a.m. (PT) on Thursday, June 29. The auction closes at 2 p.m. (PT).

"The online auction is the next phase of this project, and we are extremely excited to bring assets from Zume's state-of-the-art processing facility to the marketplace," said Jonathan Holiday, Director of Business Development, Tiger Commercial & Industrial. "This equipment is world class and in pristine condition. We're already seeing very high interest in these assets and look forward to worldwide participation in the sale."

"We are pleased to offer these high-value assets on our AllSurplus marketplace," said Nick Jimenez, Vice President of Global Business Development at Liquidity Services. "Our understanding of these assets and connectivity to packaging and manufacturing companies all over the world enable us to deliver a truly unique opportunity for strategic buyers."

The assets include:

Pulp and Fiber Molding and Manufacturing Equipment , including thermoformer presses, pulp-formers, trimmers, and five complete thermoformer production lines/manufacturing centers.

, including thermoformer presses, pulp-formers, trimmers, and five complete thermoformer production lines/manufacturing centers. Industrial Robots (eight 2021 ABB IRB 6700 6-axis robots and one 2017 Fanuc R-2000iC/210F 6-axis robot)

(eight 2021 ABB IRB 6700 6-axis robots and one 2017 Fanuc R-2000iC/210F 6-axis robot) A wide array of Lab Equipment , including a tension and compression machine, microscope, hotplate, scale and fume hood as well as lab furniture and other items

, including a tension and compression machine, microscope, hotplate, scale and fume hood as well as lab furniture and other items Material Handling Equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks/racking, trucks, carts, cabinets and shelving

such as forklifts, pallet jacks/racking, trucks, carts, cabinets and shelving Plant Support Equipment such as compressors, air dryers, floor cleaners, pumps, ladders, fans, vacs and eyewash stations

such as compressors, air dryers, floor cleaners, pumps, ladders, fans, vacs and eyewash stations A Large Quantity of Parts , including spare motors and pumps, wire, fittings, hardware, valves and fuses

, including spare motors and pumps, wire, fittings, hardware, valves and fuses Offices Equipment, Supplies and Furniture from a conference room, breakroom and other locations

Inspections will be hosted on June 28 by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact Brandon Mohrey: [email protected], (610) 730-2162.

Bidders must register in advance. For asset photos, descriptions, and other information, visit:

https://soldtiger.com/sales/zume-food-packaging-and-molded-pulp-fiber-manufacturer-auction-california/

AllSurplus Auction Page: https://www.allsurplus.com/events/25175

Separate, select groupings of Zume assetsincluding intellectual propertyare available in a previously announced private treaty sale.

"We're receiving robust interest in the IP from global bidders," Holiday noted. "Green and sustainable packaging clearly is a growth sector given the increasing urgency that many countries and communities feel about combatting single-use plastic pollution. This IP includes all the tech specs and other assets a buyer would need to hit the ground running with Zume's unique, high-quality process for manufacturing molded-pulp packaging."

For private treaty inquiries, email [email protected], call (805) 367-3893 or visit: https://soldtiger.com/sales/food-packaging-and-molded-pulp-fiber-manufacturer-plant-closure/

About Liquidity Services

Liquidity Services the world's largest B2B e-commerce marketplace platform for surplus assets with over $10 billion in completed transactions to more than five million qualified buyers and 15,000 corporate and government sellers worldwide. The company supports its clients' sustainability efforts by helping them extend the life of assets, prevent unnecessary waste and carbon emissions, and reduce the number of products headed to landfills. https://liquidityservices.com/

About Tiger Group

Tiger Capital Group provides asset valuation, advisory and disposition services to a broad range of retail, wholesale, and industrial clients. With over 40 years of experience and significant financial backing, Tiger's seasoned professionals help clients identify the underlying value of assets, monitor asset risk factors and, when needed, provide capital or convert assets to capital quickly and decisively. Tiger maintains offices in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Toronto. https://tigergroup.com/

Media Contacts: At Tiger Group, Maria Hoang, [email protected], (805) 497-4999. At Jaffe Communications: Elisa Krantz, [email protected], (908) 789-0700.

SOURCE Tiger Group
Two different robotic devices are used to first identify, then remove tumors from the lungs of early-stage cancer patients while the patient is under anesthesia.

TAMPA, Fla., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in Hillsborough County, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) physicians diagnosed and removed a cancerous tumor from a patient's lung during a single surgery, saving critical time between procedures that might otherwise be weeks apart.

Using two highly precise surgical robots, a doctor first used one robot to identify and diagnose the cancerous tumor. Another doctor then used the second robot to remove the tumor, all in the same day while the patient remained in the surgical suite.

For the first time in Hillsborough County, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) physicians diagnosed and removed a cancerous tumor from a patients lung during a single surgery. Doctors use the robot to navigate through the airway to the location of the tumor to perform a biopsy of the tumor to confirm the presence of cancer and then place fluorescent dye to mark the position of the tumor. Then, a cardiothoracic surgeon uses a second robotic platform to remove the tumor.

"The robot provides superior navigation, stability, accuracy and precision," said Dr. Alberto Goizueta, medical director of Interventional Pulmonology at Tampa General and assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Goizueta performed the first part of the procedure  a bronchoscopy and biopsy. "The earlier we diagnose, the better the prognosis for the patient. The longer it takes to obtain a diagnosis and undergo surgery, the chances are higher that the cancer will spread, which then may result in a very different outcome for the patient," Goizueta said.

Patients start the same-day process by receiving a low-dose CT exam of the lung prior to the day of their procedure. If a tumor is detected, then a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform called the Ion endoluminal system is used for a minimally invasive biopsy of the lung. A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows doctors to see the lungs and air passages.

Doctors use the robot to navigate through the airway to the location of the tumor to perform a biopsy of the tumor to confirm the presence of cancer and then place fluorescent dye to mark the position of the tumor.

"This robotic system gives us 3-dimensional, 360-degree access to everything inside the lungs,'' Goizueta said. "I think it will change the way we do diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. And because it's minimally invasive, the patient's recovery time is minimal.''

Once the cancer is identified, a cardiothoracic surgeon uses a second robotic platform, the da Vinci Surgical System, to remove the tumor. As both procedures are minimally invasive, the patient experiences minimal blood loss and a faster recovery. Dr. Jonathan Daniel, a board-certified thoracic surgeon at Tampa General and the TGH Lung Cancer Center, performed the tumor removal during the hybrid procedure.

"Conducting the diagnostic procedure with a same-day surgery for lung cancer is a game-changer and a huge win for patients. Some patients may not even require any follow-up treatment. For them, it's a single event, with same-day diagnosis and treatment,'' Daniel said. "The patient doesn't have to return to the hospital for another operation or an additional round of anesthesia.'' For a patient needing further treatment, the goal of performing both procedures together is to stop the cancer from progressing to more advanced stages.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. The American Cancer Society's estimate for lung cancer in the U.S. for 2023 stands at about 238,340 new cases, Daniel said. "This will result in better outcomes and gives patients an improved chance at life."

The Ion bronchoscopy platform consists of a catheter, vision probe, biopsy needle and computer console. It collects tissue samples for biopsies, even when the nodules or lesions are small and in hard-to-reach areas of the peripheral lung  where more than 70% of tumors reside. The ultra-thin, maneuverable catheter allows doctors to reach these lesions in all upper, middle and lower lobes of the lung, and with the precision and stability needed for accurate biopsies.

The FDA-approved system is made by Intuitive Surgical, a California-based technology company specializing in minimally invasive care and robotic-assisted surgery platforms. Intuitive also is the maker of the da Vinci Surgical System, a 3D vision tool that replicates what a human arm can do, and is used for the minimally invasive removal of lung cancer.

"Doing both procedures together in one day expands a world of opportunity for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer," said Dr. K. Eric Sommers, a cardiothoracic surgeon and medical director of the TGH Center for Lung Cancer at the TGH Cancer Institute. "A patient with early-stage cancers can now be diagnosed and treated in one procedure, with the goal of achieving a cure."

"This is yet another example of Tampa General being at the forefront of cutting-edge medical technology and innovation,'' Sommers said. "These are the kind of tools you find in the world's best academic health systems, and we're excited to be offering this treatment to people whose lives may depend on it.''

A part of the TGH Cancer Institute, Tampa General's Lung Cancer Center is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists and other specialists who take a collaborative approach to developing individualized treatment plans.

"By potentially curing the patient in a same-day surgery, this new approach is representative of our focus on innovation, technology and unique management of complex cancers," said Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, director of the TGH Cancer Institute. "Additionally, it shows the type of multidisciplinary teamwork we strive for when caring for each cancer patient."

Tampa General has earned a "high performing" designation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-23, meaning that the academic health system is ranked among the top 10% of hospitals and is also ranked as "high performing" for lung cancer surgery.

For more information on the TGH Lung Cancer Center, visit https://www.tgh.org/institutes-and-services/cancer-institute/lung-cancer-center-of-excellence.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 1,040-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system,, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2022-23 Best Hospitals, and is tied as the third highest-ranked hospital in Florida, with seven specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  first nationally in the 2022 America's Best Employers for Women and sixth out of 100 Florida companies in the 2022 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging powered by Tower outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR

Senior Communications Specialist

(813) 844-7322 (direct)

(813) 510-6363 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
MELBOURNE, Australia, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) today announces it has entered into an agreement to acquire Lightpoint Medical and its SENSEI radio-guided surgery business. Lightpoint Medical is a United Kingdom-based medical device company specialising in the intra-operative detection of targeted radiopharmaceuticals.

SENSEI is an ultra-miniature robotic gamma probe for intracavital use that is able to provide radiopharmaceutical-based surgical guidance ("radio-guided surgery") by enabling the intra-operative detection of cancer in real time. Telix's initial commercial objective is to align SENSEI with Telix's Illuccix/TLX599-CDx[1] programs for prostate cancer. Additionally, there is considerable scope to expand into other urologic and non-urologic malignancies. Lightpoint also has innovative capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) for surgical guidance that will complement Telix's own AI program.

This highly strategic and synergistic transaction broadly strengthens Telix's capabilities in deploying molecular imaging in the surgical setting. The acquisition will further enhance and differentiate Telix's innovation position and product depth in urology by enabling targeted radiation to be harnessed across the entire continuum of cancer patient care, from initial diagnosis and staging, to surgical intervention and therapeutic use.

SENSEI has attained a marketing authorisation in the United States, having been registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since September 2020. SENSEI has also attained a Conformite Europeenne (CE) Mark for use in the European Economic Area (and other applicable countries) in January 2021 for intra-operative detection of sentinel lymph nodes and cancer metastasis via the lymphatic system, supporting broad clinical use of the product.[2] The SENSEI probe is currently the only gamma probe validated for use with the Intuitive Surgical DaVinci robotics system.[3]

Telix initially established a strategic collaboration agreement with Lightpoint in August 2021[4] to jointly develop SENSEI with Telix's investigational PSMA[5]-targeting SPECT[6] imaging agent TLX599-CDx for prostate cancer. The Lightpoint SENSEI business will be integrated into Telix and operate as a new surgeon-focused business unit, driving the ongoing development of SENSEI combined with Telix's pharmaceutical pipeline. This new business unit will also support development of Telix's other related medical device and software technologies, such as Telix's recently acquired artificial intelligence platform.[7]

In the U.S. alone, an estimated 288,300 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023,[8] with approximately one-third (96,100) receiving radical prostatectomy. At least 85 percent of these performed robotically.[9] The use of molecular imaging in the operating theatre has the potential to drive a paradigm shift in the surgical treatment of cancer in terms of throughput and patient outcomes.

Dr Colin Hayward, Chief Medical Officer of Telix said, "PSMA-targeted imaging is transforming the detection of prostate cancer. With radio-guided surgery we can harness the targeting power of PSMA to precisely guide surgery and create a holistic 'PSMA toolkit' to detect, manage and treat this disease. This is in line with our vision to continue to innovate and partner with physicians at every step of the patient journey. Small, flexible gamma probes that can be used in the operative field while conducting robotic or laparoscopic surgery is a powerful innovation."

Dr Christian Behrenbruch, Managing Director and Group CEO of Telix said, "The transaction with Lightpoint brings a compelling commercial-stage asset to Telix that has the potential to transform the use of radiopharmaceuticals in the interventional setting, with commensurate impact on Telix's market share for Illuccix. This acquisition also brings a highly talented team to drive development of this asset and will leverage the commercial infrastructure we have built for Illuccix to further deepen our relationship with our customers."

Founder and CEO of Lightpoint Medical, Dr David Tuch said, "We are thrilled to be joining forces with Telix to propel the development of radio-guided surgery. This acquisition brings numerous benefits to our surgeon users including enhanced access to the SENSEI technology and a continuum of PSMA-based detection and treatment options. We look forward to working with Telix to shape the future of targeted cancer treatment."

Visit www.telixpharma.com to view or download Telix's ASX disclosure, with further information including deal terms and conditions.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland), and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical-stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical need in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX).

Visit www.telixpharma.com for further information about Telix, including details of the latest share price, announcements made to the ASX, investor and analyst presentations, news releases, event details and other publications that may be of interest. You can also follow Telix on Twitter (@TelixPharma) and LinkedIn.

TLX599-CDx has not received a marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction. Telix's lead product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11) injection, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),[10] and by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),[11] and by Health Canada.[12] Telix is also progressing a marketing authorisation application for this investigational candidate in the United Kingdom and the European Union.[13]

About Lightpoint Medical Ltd.

Lightpoint Medical is a technology leader in precision-guided robotic cancer surgery. We develop and market miniaturised imaging and sensing tools for advanced intra-operative cancer detection. Our mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer by transforming the efficacy of robotic surgery. Lightpoint is headquartered in the U.K. with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Barcelona; and Amsterdam. Visit: www.lightpointmedical.com and www.senseisurgical.com

Telix Investor Relations

Ms. Kyahn Williamson

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

SVP Corporate Communications and Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Disclosure Committee on behalf of the Board.

Legal Notices

This announcement is not intended as promotion or advertising directed to any healthcare professional or other audience in any country worldwide (including Australia, United States and the United Kingdom). This announcement may include forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or other similar words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect the Company's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical studies, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Except as required by applicable laws or regulations, Telix does not undertake to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. Readers should read this announcement together with our material risks, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the ASX and on our website.

2023 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. The Telix Pharmaceuticals and Illuccix name and logo are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates (all rights reserved).

[1] 99mTc-HYNIC-iPSMA (TLX599-CDx).

[2] Lightpoint Medical media release 20 January 2021.

[3] Registered trademark of Intuitive Surgical Inc.

[4] Telix ASX disclosure 23 August 2021.

[5] Prostate-specific membrane antigen.

[6] Single photon emission computed tomography.

[7] Telix ASX disclosure 27 April 2023.

[8] Oberlin et al., Urol Oncol. 2016.

[9] Harvard Medical School, 2022.

[10] Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021.

[11] Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021.

[12] Telix ASX disclosure 14 October 2022.

[13] Telix ASX disclosure 3 April 2023.

SOURCE Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited
KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tension Packaging & Automation, a leader in packaging automation solutions for both eCommerce and pharmacy automation fulfillment operations, is proud to announce its acceptance into two of Material Handling Industry's (MHI) industry groups, SLAM (Scan, Label, Apply, Manifest) and Solutions Community Group.

Tension Packaging & Automation Joins MHI Industry Groups, SLAM and Solutions Community

MHI is the nation's largest material handling, logistics and supply chain association. Its SLAM group promotes the best and largest possible market for end-of-line technologies and systems, which aligns with Tension's conveyor systems, sorting machines and other related warehouse automation solutions. The Solutions Community Group is a network of thought leaders on automation, software, hardware, equipment and services that support a fully integrated supply chain.

"Our involvement in these industry groups further integrates our brand into the MHI community," says Jason Protzman, Director of Software and Controls Engineering at Tension Packaging & Automation. "It is well aligned with our mission to become a full integrated solutions provider for our customers, as the industry groups both foster knowledge sharing and the fruition of innovative ideas through future offerings."

James Herbert, Vice President and General Manager of Tension Packaging & Automation, adds that "the industry groups provide opportunities to showcase our brand as the world-class leader in packaging and automation innovation to the entire supply chain industry."

Tension Packaging & Automation looks forward to engaging with members of both groups to collaborate on ideas that will help shape the future of supply chain innovation. With its involvement in these two industry groups, Tension is better positioned to provide innovative automated packaging solutions for its customers.

About Tension Packaging & Automation:

Tension Packaging & Automation is a global leader in complete packaging and automation solutions. Specializing in a wide variety of results-driven processes, we offer customers expertise in project design, machine development and software integration. Our broad support for automation includes manufacturing, installation, equipment, consumables and robotics. We are known as automation solution specialists for eCommerce and pharmacy  helping customers optimize productivity.

Tension Packaging & Automation's parent company, Tension Corporation, was founded in 1886 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Erin Moloney, Senior Marketing Manager

Tension Packaging & Automation

(816) 283-1463

[email protected]

SOURCE Tension Packaging & Automation
STANFORD, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is pleased to announce that Jorge A. Aguilar, Superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District, has joined the Board of Trustees .

"We are delighted Jorge has agreed to serve as a trustee," said Diane Tavenner, Chair of the Carnegie Foundation Board of Trustees. "Jorge brings an unequivocal focus on children, educational equity and impact. His appointment to the Board is a testament to his exceptional leadership and tireless dedication to improvement in education."

Jorge A. Aguilar, Superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District

"Jorge is brilliant, dedicated, humble and always keeps his eyes on the prize," said Timothy F.C. Knowles, President of the Carnegie Foundation. "The Foundation will benefit enormously from having Jorge in our firmament."

Jorge A. Aguilar began his career in education as a Spanish teacher at South Gate High School. He currently serves as the Superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District, with responsibility for over forty thousand students. Previously he served as Associate Superintendent in Fresno Unified School District and Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational and Community Partnerships and Special Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of California, Merced.

Under his leadership, Aguilar has supported educators to significantly increase high school completion rates, dramatically reduce dropout rates, raise student performance, and improve post-secondary entry and success. He recently forged a historic agreement with the region's major higher education institutions to enable Sacramento students to seamlessly transition to higher education. Aguilar is a champion for equity and access in education and has guided Sacramento City Unified in the creation of an award-winning Facilities Master Plan, which serves as a model for other districts for reimagining how construction and improvement projects are prioritized with a focus on schools that are historically underserved.

Aguilar also serves as a Commissioner on the Carnegie Postsecondary Commission , a Carnegie Learning Leadership Network member and he provided plenary remarks for the 10th Anniversary Carnegie Foundation Summit on Improvement in Education. He is recipient of the Winston Doby Impact Award for exceptional professionals chosen by their colleagues for commitment to improving educational opportunities for California students. In 2015, Aguilar was invited by first lady Michelle Obama to present on education equity and access as part of a White House initiative. The same year, he was appointed by California State Superintendent to the state's Advisory Task Force on Accountability and Continuous Improvement.

He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish and Portuguese and earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He is the son of farm workers in the central valley of California and a product of the Migrant Education Program. He spent his early childhood migrating back and forth between Parlier, California and the state of Michoacan, Mexico.

"I am honored to join the Carnegie Foundation Board of Trustees," said Aguilar. "This appointment represents an incredible opportunity to collaborate with esteemed leaders and contribute to driving transformational change in both K12 and higher education. My work has always been grounded in a philosophy that all students should graduate K-12 with the greatest number of postsecondary choices from the widest array of options, and I am looking forward to supporting the Carnegie Foundation to realize this goal for every student."

"Jorge possesses an unwavering commitment to educational excellence and equity," said Knowles. "He will be an invaluable trustee, as we undertake work to catalyze educational transformation so every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life."

About the Carnegie Foundation

The mission of the Carnegie Foundation is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. Enacted by an act of Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a rich history of driving transformational change in the education sector, including the establishment of TIAA-CREF and the creation of the Education Testing Service, the GRE, and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education. The Foundation was also instrumental in the formation of the U.S. Department of Education and Pell Grants, and mostly recently in the use of networked improvement science to redress systemic inequities in educational opportunities and outcomes.

Carnegie Foundation: Kito Cetrulo, [email protected]

SOURCE Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
With CLEAR Plus, move through airport security lines faster; Mileage Plan members can now enroll for a CLEAR Plus membership at a reduced rate and receive bonus miles

SEATTLE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Our commitment to care for our guests comes in all forms, including improving their travel day. To help do that, Alaska Airlines is partnering with CLEAR  the secure identity company  to provide friction-free and predictable travel experiences with CLEAR Plus. With our new partnership, Mileage Plan members can take advantage of a discounted rate for a CLEAR Plus membership and also receive bonus miles for a limited time. This is the first step in the partnership to accelerate the adoption of digital identity and remove friction throughout the travel journey.

Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan members can get a CLEAR Plus membership at a discounted rate. CLEAR Plus allows its members to travel faster through security at 52 airports nationwide by verifying their identity with their eyes or fingerprint.

CLEAR Plus is an opt-in program that allows its members to travel faster through security at 52 airports nationwide by verifying their identity with their eyes or fingerprint, replacing the need to take out their wallet and driver's license. After verification, a CLEAR Ambassador escorts members through a dedicated lane and directly to TSA physical security, saving them time waiting in line at the security checkpoint.

"We understand from our guests how important it is for them to have the best possible experience when traveling with us, and part of that is saving time when they're at the airport," said Shane Jones, vice president of real estate and business development at Alaska Airlines. "Our frequent flyers are already big fans of CLEAR Plus. With a discounted CLEAR Plus membership available to all of our Mileage Plan members, we believe more of our guests will appreciate this valuable travel benefit."

All Mileage Plan members can enroll in CLEAR Plus at a discounted rate of $179 a year at clearme.com/alaska. Plus our elite Mileage Plan members  MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K  who enroll will receive 1,500 Mileage Plan bonus miles. Elite Mileage Plan members who renew an existing CLEAR Plus membership and link it to their Mileage Plan account will receive a total of 1,250 miles every year upon renewal.

In addition, to celebrate the launch of the partnership, between now and July 16, 2023, all Mileage Plan members  elite or non-elite  who enroll in a new CLEAR Plus membership will receive 1,000 Mileage Plan bonus miles.

"CLEAR is obsessed with delivering the best customer experience, so we're excited to provide Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan members with the confidence and predictability of CLEAR Plus," said Kasra Moshkani, executive vice president of operations at CLEAR. "We look forward to expanding our partnership with Alaska to continue unlocking seamless experiences for their frequent flyers from home to gate and beyond."

CLEAR Plus is available at Alaska's key hub airports in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Mileage Plan members who join CLEAR Plus can add up to three family members or friends to their account for just $70 each. Family members under 18 years old can always join CLEAR members in the CLEAR Lane for free. CLEAR has more than 16 million members.

While CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck are independent of each other, many passengers use CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck together for the fastest way through airport security.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program. As a member of the oneworld alliance, and with our additional global partners, our guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 25 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.

About CLEAR

CLEAR's mission is to create frictionless experiences. With more than 16 million members and a growing network of partners across the world, CLEAR's identity platform is transforming the way people live, work, and travel. Whether you are traveling, at the stadium, or on your phone, CLEAR connects you to the things that make you, you - making everyday experiences easier, more secure, and friction-free. CLEAR is committed to privacy done right. Members are always in control of their own information, and we never sell member data. For more information, visit clearme.com.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines
From new spins on beloved classics to exciting inventions we've never seen, the specialty toy industry continues to innovate and evolve.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) just wrapped up their 2023 Marketplace & Academy show in Columbus, OH, where thousands of new toys were featured, from plush to science kits to puzzles to toys you didn't know your kids needed, but now can't live without! The ASTRA team, composed of ASTRA staff, small retailers and Certified Play Experts, scoured the floor and spoke with members to discover the top trends in the industry.

"This was a banner year for Marketplace & Academy. Every year we gather to see what's new, then consumers have to wait until they see products on-shelf. This year we're excited to be sharing trends from the show to give everyone a sneak peek of what to expect this holiday season," said Sue Warfield, President, ASTRA." These trends were compiled through the lens of the small retailer. They're on the front lines, they're hearing what is wanted from consumers and they were able to walk our show floors to see what fits those consumer interests. We anticipate it's going to be a strong toy year."

This year's trends included:

Sloths might move slow, but they are one of the fastest growing trends we saw at the show. From plush to backpacks to games, sloths were front and center. Tech hasn't gone away, but we're seeing a lot more low-tech toys. Flying toys and lots of lights and glowing toys dominated at the show. Class Table Games have evolved and become more accessible. From new versions of ping pong to smaller foosball tables to table top volleyball, you don't need a giant playroom to join in on the fun! Toy Adjacent products are dominating with new fidget toys. New textures and an increased emphasis on stress relievers and anxiety easers, shows that this category continues to expand and address issues facing both kids and adults. Tweens are disconnecting for a brief moment to focus on fashion and the industry is not disappointing. Spa kits, hair accessories, manicures, purses that change color, they're all attracting the attention of this group. Getting creative never goes out of style and we saw this with new crafting kits and blank canvas toys. From painting to drawing to glitter, kids are being encouraged to create more than ever before. Inclusion and diversity was seen across multiple play patterns. From more neutral colors in toys, to added ethnicities in dolls and products that directly address inclusion, there was something to celebrate everyone. Social Emotional Learning continues to evolve with toys that help kids recognize emotions, role play scenarios and get in touch with how they feel. From blocks to dolls to games, there are multiple ways to approach the topic and help kids feel heard.

ASTRA Marketplace & Academy was held in Columbus, OH from June 11-14. This year's show featured over 300 exhibitors. ASTRA Marketplace & Academy is held yearly, rotating cities each year. The 2024 show will be held in St. Louis from June 1 to 4th. The show is open to trade only. For additional information visit astratoy.org

About the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)

Founded in 1992, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is an international not-for-profit trade organization that develops and supports a membership of independent retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives in the toy industry. As the guiding star of the specialty Play industry, ASTRA is a community of dedicated professionals committed to providing children with healthy, quality play materials that have a high play value and are designed with a focus on what the child can do, rather than what the toy can do. Through certification programs, educational resources and networking opportunities, ASTRA engages, elevates, and promotes members to make a positive impact on the economy and culture of the communities they serve. For more information, visit http://www.astratoy.org .

CONTACT: Julie Stern, [email protected]com

SOURCE The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)
Lack of instructor experience, standardization diminish Fractional's training program

COLUMBUS, Ohio , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NetJets pilots fly in one of the world's most complex and dynamic operational environments, which makes crewmember training vital to their preparation to conduct such operations. This critical importance of pilot training compelled the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) to file a Class Action Grievance earlier today to address systemic deficiencies that have decimated the NetJets training program. NJASAP represents the 3,000-plus pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary (NYSE: BRK.A).

Systemic deficiencies have decimated the NetJets training program, compelling NJASAP to file a class action grievance. Tweet this Working as a NetJets pilot is one of the most challenging jobs in professional aviation today. Indeed, a pilot career at NetJets is very different in comparison to one at a Part 121 carrier because of the unique nature of the NetJets operation. It is this distinctiveness that reinforces the need for the global leader in fractional aviation to attract and to retain top pilot talent  a resource that is in very short supply.

In the grievance, NJASAP has alleged NetJets is failing to provide adequate and standardized training across all segments of the pilot group from its newly hired pilots who are completing initial aircraft training to crewmembers who have been on property for decades and are completing new aircraft transition training. "The quality of the NetJets training product has significantly diminished, which is very concerning to NJASAP given the number of ongoing and scheduled training events required to accommodate the dramatic expansion of our fleet," NJASAP President Capt. Pedro Leroux said.

"One of NJASAP's most pressing concerns is specific to instructors: In several instances, training is being conducted by new, inexperienced staff who have little to no knowledge of NetJets' standard operating procedures and aircraft," the Union president continued. Moreover, the instructor-to-pilot ratio is too high to facilitate a productive training environment and there is a profound lack of standardization in the delivery of study materials and instructor familiarity with the same.

Many pilots, Leroux continued, are seeking resources outside the established training curriculum to offset inadequacies in their instruction. "When pilots are so concerned about the level of instruction that they have no choice but to supplement their training resources outside the classroom, you have a very big problem on your hands," Leroux said. The Union alleges these many and varied deficiencies in the training program constitute an egregious violation of the parties' collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which NJASAP will endeavor to remediate through the minor dispute resolution process codified in the CBA. The matter must be heard within 10 business days unless the parties mutually agree to an extension.

About NJASAP Founded in 2008 as an independent labor advocate, the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) represents the professional interests of the 3,000 pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary. For more information, please visit our websites, www.njasap.com and www.genuineqs.com, or find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/njasap, Instagram, www.instagram.com/njasap, and Twitter, @njasap.

SOURCE NJASAP
HONGHE, China, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "International Youth Tour to Honghe" program took place from June 16th to 19th when the representatives from Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, Peru, Thailand, Vietnam, and other countries known for their terraced culture and recognized World Cultural Heritage sites for terraced fields gathered together in Honghe, Yunnan, China, for visits and exchange. The Project was organized by the News Office of Honghe Prefecture and the International Communication and Development Center of the China Foreign Languages Bureau.

Roundtable Discussion of International Youth Dialogue on Inheritance and Innovation of Civilization Diversity

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces being inscribed as a World Heritage site. With a rich history of 1,300 years, it holds the distinction of being the first world heritage site named after an ethnic group, representing the essence of China's agricultural civilization.

During the visit, the international youth explored the awe-inspiring Hani Rice Terraces, visited the Hani History and Culture Museum and Azheke Village, witnessed mesmerizing sunrises over the rice terraces, enjoyed the ancient Hani songs, discovered the charm of Jianshui Ancient Town, and immersed themselves in the Jianshui purple pottery culture. This trip enabled them to gain insights into local people's philosophy of respecting and venerating nature. The locals take the strictest measures to protect farmland and safeguard the local ecosystem comprised of forests, villages, rice terraces, and water systems. The Hani Rice Terraces perfectly embody and interpret the concept of harmony between human and nature and amity between people.

"The terraced landscapes are exceptionally beautiful, with their curved shapes resembling nature's dance," said Ngo Huong Tra from Vietnam. Another Indonesian influencer described it as a "harmony between heaven and earth, a paradise on earth".

Ksenia Korolevak from Russia expressed, "If I had to use one word to describe the beauty of the rice terraces, I would choose 'magnificent,' and for the unique Jianshui purple pottery, 'astonishing' would be appropriate."

The shared interests of these young people in protecting and developing rice terraces brought them together for the international dialogue on "Inheritance and Innovation of Civilization Diversity".

In the round-table discussion, they exchanged perspectives and commitments to cultural preservation, fostering mutual learning and cultural exchanges in Honghe.

Photo -https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107366/HongHeTrip.jpg

SOURCE the International Communication and Development Center of the China Foreign Languages Bureau
Dr Andrew Forrest AO leads business with USD$500 million for Ukraine Development Fund with a call to other investors

LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Andrew Forrest AO, the Chairman of Tattarang, is leading the investment of USD$500 million in founding funding for the official 'Ukraine Development Fund' (UDF) at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 jointly hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President and UK Foreign Secretary welcomed Dr Forrest's investment and leadership in kickstarting the UDF that will be critical in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war, with a focus on the development of green energy and digital infrastructure. Dr Forrest called on other global investors to see Ukraine for what it is, an excellent long-term investment with major collateral social good.

Deputy Minister for the Economy Oleksandr Gryban welcomed Dr Forrest's investment and leadership for the UDF. He said: "Dr Andrew Forrest has been there with us from the start. He brought this private investment fund idea to us modelled off the Marshall Plan and then has worked together with BlackRock to bring it to fruition. We will not only rebuild Ukraine but also make it an attractive place for global business as a major European green economy. Together with Dr Forrest and BlackRock, we will assist Dr Forrest with direct outreach to ensure other investors can get involved."

Mr Charles Hatami, who oversees BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory group (BlackRock FMA) in his capacity as Global Head of the Financial and Strategic Investors Group, said: "BlackRock is honoured to assist the Ukrainian people by advising their government on the launch of the Ukraine Development Fund. We recently had the privilege of visiting Kyiv, where we met with President Zelenskyy and members of his cabinet. We were greatly impressed by the unwavering resilience demonstrated by the Ukrainian people. Preparations for the Fund are well underway, with a focus on rapid capital deployment as soon as hostilities cease. The Fund will play a crucial role in Ukraine's modernization and transformation into an appealing international investment destination."

The idea for the UDF was conceived and developed by Dr Forrest and inspired by the World War II Marshall Plan. After discussions with the Secretary General of the OECD and the President of the USA and his Chief of Staff at the White House in March 2022, Dr Forrest then approached Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, to seek advisory support for creating an investment vehicle.

The UDF was announced by the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy and will be the most effective way to catalyse investment in Ukraine post the war. It will enable a secure, reliable pathway for private investment. It will complement the work of Ukraine and its public sector partners and build confidence in Ukraine as an investment destination.

Dr Forrest's investment to various layers of the UDF will enable it to start the moment that hostilities cease to the satisfaction of the Ukrainian Government and BlackRock. He will be a strategic adviser in the establishment of the Fund and his investment groups in green strategic metals, green iron, green hydrogen and green electricity, will collectively act as an advisory team to the Ukrainian government.

Dr Forrest said: "We must not aim to build back what Ukraine was, with its antique soviet era infrastructure. We must imagine what it can be with vision, planning and availability of the world's best technology, management and thinking. This will position the rebuilding of Ukraine not as simply a recovery, but as a major opportunity for national renewal. We will build a future that is digital, green, fair and corruption free. We are joining with all of the free world to help walk the Ukrainian people into a golden era, coming out of this dreadful war. To not build what it was, but build to its easily brightest future yet.

Dr Forrest spent nearly a week in Ukraine and visited Kyiv in June 2022, meeting the majority of Ukraine's Cabinet including President Zelenskyy, where the early-stage principles for the strategy were agreed.

Following an introduction by Dr Forrest in September 2022, BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory (BlackRock FMA) group has worked closely with the Ukrainian Government, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) whereby BlackRock FMA is providing advisory support in developing an investment framework to attract private capital for the recovery and support of Ukraine's economy. In May 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy announced BlackRock FMA's appointment to advise on the design of the Ukraine Development Fund.

The Forrests' philanthropic organisation Minderoo Foundation has already contributed millions of dollars to help the Ukrainian people, including funding the first humanitarian grain shipment out of Ukraine in August, and providing critical grain storage facilities for farmers whose crops would have otherwise perished. Further, 180 generators were provided to assist with energy supply.

FURTHER BACKGROUND

The Ukrainian Ministry of Economy appointed BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory Group ("BlackRock FMA") in May 2023 to provide advisory services in support of the design of the UDF, on a pro bono basis. This reflects the continued partnership between BlackRock FMA and the Ukrainian Government after the initial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") in November 2022 after Dr Forrest facilitated the process. The UDF will mobilise and attract public and private capital into the reconstruction of Ukraine by using a range of innovative and traditional financial instruments. The structure will comprise a multi-layered approach guided by strong governance and global standards for sound financial and risk management practices. The UDF will target key sectors of the Ukrainian economy including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and IT. The Fund will contribute to Ukraine's efforts to build back the economy in line with best practices and become a key partner to the global community in the low carbon transition.

The UDF aims to mobilise private and public investments to support the post-conflict reconstruction and modernisation of key sectors within the Ukrainian economy. The latest World Bank damage assessment report estimates Ukraine's total recovery and reconstruction needs at $411bn as of February 2023. Since the beginning of the war, a range of critical bilateral and multilateral financial aid initiatives have been launched to address humanitarian, military, budgetary, and short-term economic relief efforts in Ukraine.

SOURCE Tattarang
The French-Saudi Investment Forum has concluded with the signing of 24 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and investment agreements worth a combined value of $2.9 billion.

These agreements covered sectors including clean energy, hospitality, culture, healthcare, manufacturing, military industries, health and education training, and attracting well-known brands.

The forum, which brought together policymakers, business leaders and innovators from both countries, showcased the breadth of the French-Saudi trade and investment partnership.

The agreements signed

An MoU between Shurfah Holding Company and Hoffman Green Cement Technologies to design and produce decarbonated cement.

A Joint Venture between Saudi Arabias SmartHealth and Frances Visiomed that will establish 40 examination centres in several locations across the kingdom, upgrading health services and upskilling healthcare workers.

An agreement between Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI), the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company (Dussur) and Frances Figeac Aero to manufacture aircraft parts and components to supply global markets.

An MoU that will enable Saudi healthcare professionals to work alongside French University Health Internationals visiting doctors, nurses and professors to enhance service to patients in secondary cities around the kingdom.

A Joint Venture between Saudi Arabias Zamil Group and Knowliom and Frances Chargeurs that will support Saudi Arabia to elevate the designs, offering and events at our museums as well as develop local Saudi talent in the cultural sector.

An MoU that will bring iconic French restaurant brands including Moto, Manko, Mimosa, Resofair and La Maison Martins to the Kingdom  providing visitors with a world-class dining experience. This will support Saudi Arabias objective to welcome 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

Growing strength

Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, said: The success of the French-Saudi Investment Forum is a testament to the enduring and growing strength of the French-Saudi relationship and underscores how by working together we can deliver greater prosperity for both of our countries.

As demonstrated through the agreements signed, the potential for greater investment and cooperation between us goes far beyond traditional sectors such as energy but extends to sectors where Saudi Arabia and France are forging ahead including healthcare, clean energy, hospitality and culture.

The kingdom attaches great importance to our relationship with France and the rest of Europe, as the high-level delegation in Paris this week  including His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  demonstrates. We look forward to working together with our French partners to unleash the full potential of our relationship.

Keynote addresses

Attendees witnessed keynote addresses by leading government officials from France and Saudi Arabia including Al-Falih and Oliver Becht, French Minister of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad.

The Forum also included three panel discussions on tourism and culture, tech and entrepreneurship and clean energy transition. Speakers on these panels included Fahad Hamiddadin, CEO and Board Member, Saudi Tourism Authority; Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO, Diriyah Company; George-Olivier Reymond, CEO, PASQAL; and Beatrice Buffon, Chairperson, EDF International.

The agreements signed at the Forum come at a time of increasing trade between France and Saudi Arabia. In 2022, French-Saudi trade volumes increased by more than 80% to $11.5 billion while the total stock on French Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Saudi Arabia reached nearly $6 billion.

In addition, the number of French companies operating in Saudi Arabia has increased by 43% since 2020 with major French investors operating in the kingdom now including Air Liquide, Airbus, Alstom, Credit Agricole, LOreal, Sanofi Aventis, Thales, Total and Veolia.-- TradeArabia News Service
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Turkmenistan and Slovakia discussed promising areas of bilateral cooperation, taking into account the priorities of state development of both countries, Trend reports.

These issues were discussed between the Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova and the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to Turkmenistan Viktor Boretsky.

During the meeting, the diplomat was informed in detail about the main directions of Turkmenistan's domestic and foreign policy, the large-scale transformations initiated by the head of state, as well as the implementation of major projects of regional and international importance.

The Ambassador was also familiarized with the structure and multilateral activities of the Parliament of Turkmenistan. In this context, mutual interest was expressed in intensifying inter-parliamentary ties, including through reputable international and regional organizations.

At the end of the meeting, Boretsky assured that, as the plenipotentiary representative of Slovakia in Turkmenistan, he would contribute to further building up a multifaceted partnership that meets the long-term interests of the two states and their peoples.
Study demonstrates clinically relevant improvements in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) receiving 16 weeks of treatment with oral orismilast

Study supports the dose-finding results from the recent IASOS Phase 2b study of oral orismilast in psoriasis

study of oral orismilast in psoriasis Orismilast has been granted a Fast Track designation by the FDA for HS, and UNION plans to seek regulatory advice on the design of the pivotal study program

Orismilast is a high potency, next-generation PDE4 inhibitor with broad anti-inflammatory properties also in development for oral treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis

HELLERUP, Denmark, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UNION therapeutics A/S (UNION), a privately-held, clinical stage, pharmaceutical development company focused on immunology and infectious disease, today announces positive topline results from the OSIRIS investigator-initiated proof-of-concept study with oral orismilast in adult patients with HS. HS is a painful, scarring, inflammatory skin disease with few or limited treatment options.

The study demonstrated clinically relevant improvements in HS for patients who completed the planned 16 weeks of treatment with oral orismilast. Importantly, the improvements included reduction of pain (Global Pain Assessment) and improvement in patient-reported quality of life (DLQI). Most responders had moderate or severe HS at baseline, including several prior failures to biologics treatment.

The conclusion on the doses explored is consistent with the findings from the subsequent IASOS Phase 2b dose-finding study in psoriasis recently reported. The target product profile of oral orismilast was confirmed including the well-established favorable safety profile of PDE4 inhibition.

The results will be presented by the sponsoring investigator at an upcoming scientific conference, and UNION expects to further progress the development of oral orismilast in HS.

Professor Gregor B. Jemec, PhD, MD, Founding Chairman of the Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Denmark and sponsoring investigator of the study said:

"Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory systemic skin disease where a strong unmet need remains for safe and effective oral treatments. Patients suffer from pain discharge and scarring of intimate skin areas. The positive topline data from the OSIRIS study are very encouraging."

Kim Kjller, Chief Executive Officer of UNION therapeutics said:

"We are delighted to see positive topline results from the OSIRIS study. The results are very encouraging, including not least seeing patients in this difficult to treat patient population achieving HiSCR90 and HiSCR100 response. Equally important, patients experienced significant reduction in pain, which is a great burden for patients with HS, and most responders had moderate or severe HS at baseline, including several prior failures to biologics treatment. The study supports the target product profile of orismilast as a high-potency PDE4 inhibitor consistent with the recent IASOS Phase 2b study in psoriasis. We are looking forward to advancing orismilast in HS and will engage with the regulatory authorities around the best path to approval."

About the OSIRIS Phase 2 study

OSIRIS is an open-label, single-center, prospective, single arm, investigator-initiated proof-of-concept study investigating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral orismilast taken twice daily for up to 16 weeks in adult patients with mild, moderate, and severe HS.

About HS and treatment of HS

HS is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease which results in painful inflammation of the hair follicles, most notably in the armpit and genital regions. The clinical hallmarks of the disease include very painful inflammatory nodules, boils or abscesses that typically open and release odorous inflammatory fluids. HS patients suffer primarily from pain and significant discomfort resulting from the constant formation of pus, often requiring the use of bandages and diapers, resulting in social isolation. Patients are often stigmatized by these symptoms. HS severely and adversely affects patients' quality of life and is associated with an increased overall mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease and suicides.1)

Currently, only one drug (a biologic) is approved for treatment of moderate to severe HS in the US. For mild HS there are no treatments approved. The general standard of care for HS patients, although off-label, includes topical, oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment which often provides only temporary symptomatic relief. Antibiotics do not target the underlying inflammation and they are associated with resistance development.2)

About orismilast

Orismilast is a high-potency, next-generation PDE4 inhibitor targeting the PDE4 subtypes linked to inflammation. It operates early in the inflammation cascade, inducing a broad range of anti-inflammatory effects across multiple cytokines involved in many dermatological and immunological diseases.3)

UNION is developing orismilast as an efficacious but safe oral treatment across immunology, initially targeting best-in-class or first-in-class positions in atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis.

The FDA has cleared UNION's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for oral orismilast and granted Fast Track designation for oral orismilast for the treatment of moderate to severe AD as well as for the treatment of moderate to severe HS. In 2021, UNION entered a strategic partnership with Innovent Biologics for the development of orismilast in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Sources

1) Ballard et al., Hidradenitis Suppurativa, StatPearls 2022: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534867/ and

Thorlacius et al., Increased Suicide Risk in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, The Journal of Investigatory Dermatology, 2018: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28942360/

2) Saunte et al., Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment, JAMA, 2017: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29183082/

3) Silverberg J.I. et al., Pharmacology of orismilast, a potent and selective PDE4 inhibitor, JEADV 2022: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdv.18818 &

Warren R.B. et al., Efficacy and safety in moderate-severe psoriasis and development of modified release tablets, JEADV 2022: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdv.18812

Contacts:

Morten Boesen, Chief Financial Officer, UNION therapeutics A/S

+45 2381 5487

[email protected]

Sarah Toft-Jrgensen, Director of Communications and IR, UNION therapeutics A/S

+45 5385 3044

[email protected]

About UNION therapeutics

UNION therapeutics is a privately held, mid- to late-stage, pharmaceutical development company advancing novel treatment options within immunology and infectious diseases, two large and fast-growing therapeutic areas. UNION is headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark, and led by an international team combining biotech entrepreneurs and seasoned pharma executives, with a track record of developing and launching more than fifteen marketed drugs. Read more at www.uniontherapeutics.com

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE UNION therapeutics
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center moves to No. 1 overall

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, today announced the 2023-2024 Best Children's Hospitals rankings, designed to assist parents of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses and their doctors in choosing the right hospital for them.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ascended two positions to No. 1 on the Honor Roll , making it the first time that hospital has been No. 1. It also took the top spot in the Midwest and Ohio, and in four of the 10 pediatric specialties that U.S. News evaluates: cancer, diabetes & endocrinology (tie), neonatology, and urology.

Other outstanding hospitals include Texas Children's Hospital, which ranked No. 1 in the nation in cardiology & heart surgery, nephrology and pulmonology & lung surgery; Boston Children's Hospital, which ranked No. 1 in diabetes & endocrinology (tie); gastroenterology & GI surgery and neurology & neurosurgery; and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which earned the top ranking in orthopedics.

A number of hospitals saw improvements in their rank this year, including Duke Children's Hospital and Medical Center, which climbed into a tie for No. 1 in the Southeastern U.S.; Rady Children's Hospital, which increased eight spots to No. 3 and Nationwide Children's Hospital, which increased ten spots to No. 5 in cardiology & heart surgery; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, which rose to No. 3 (from No. 14) in cancer; and Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., which jumped ten spots to No. 8 in gastroenterology & GI surgery.

Refinements to the methodology this year included less of an emphasis on expert opinion and an increase in weight on such measures as commitment to best practices and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

"Parents of sick children face many difficult challenges, including how to identify the best children's hospital to treat their illness or condition," said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. "The rankings, which are increasingly determined by objective measures of hospital quality, can help them make informed decisions."

For the 2023-2024 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 119 children's hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children's hospitals awarded a "Best" designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.

2023-2024 Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Boston's Children's Hospital Texas Children's Hospital Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Children's National Hospital ( Washington, D.C. ) Nationwide Children's Hospital ( Columbus, OH ) Children's Hospital Los Angeles UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Rady Children's Hospital ( San Diego, CA ) Johns Hopkins Children's Center ( Baltimore, MD )

The full rankings for the 2023-2024 Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll, regional and specialty rankings can be found at USNews.com .

Parents considering options for the best pediatrician to treat their child for primary and specialty care can check out U.S. News' Doctor Finder tool and this column on what to consider when choosing the right pediatric provider.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.
SAN MATEO, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half of America's frontline workers would quit their jobs if they could afford to, citing threats to their personal safety at work, according to the 2023 Verkada Workplace Safety Survey . The study found that 76 percent of employers have experienced a security incident in the last year, and a majority of frontline workers feel that the threat of physical harm is on the rise.

Key findings of the 2023 Verkada Workplace Safety Survey include:

Frontline workers are on edge about their safety. More than half (58%) of frontline workers feel that the threat of physical harm is on the rise, and 40 percent say they are more concerned about personal safety at work than they were a year ago.

More than half (58%) of frontline workers feel that the threat of physical harm is on the rise, and 40 percent say they are more concerned about personal safety at work than they were a year ago. Violent, aggressive and erratic behavior from customers and visitors is the main cause of distress for workers. Healthcare workers are especially concerned: 69 percent report worries about aggressive or erratic behavior among patients or visitors, and 59 percent regularly worry about being assaulted at work. The two biggest sources of concern for retail workers are erratic or aggressive behavior from customers (58%) and theft (58%), and nearly half (49%) of retail workers say theft and vandalism are on the rise.

Healthcare workers are especially concerned: 69 percent report worries about aggressive or erratic behavior among patients or visitors, and 59 percent regularly worry about being assaulted at work. The two biggest sources of concern for retail workers are erratic or aggressive behavior from customers (58%) and theft (58%), and nearly half (49%) of retail workers say theft and vandalism are on the rise. There is a significant divide between employers' perceptions of job safety and the experiences and concerns of their workers. 69 percent of leaders or managers report feeling very safe at work and 67 percent think their direct reports feel equally safe. Yet only about a third of workers (37%) feel safe at their workplace.

69 percent of leaders or managers report feeling very safe at work and 67 percent think their direct reports feel equally safe. Yet only about a third of workers (37%) feel safe at their workplace. Those differences are also stark across generational lines: Gen Z is consistently two times more concerned about safety than their Boomer counterparts. And these younger workers will take action to prioritize their safety if employers won't. More than 30 percent of Gen Z workers say they have turned down job opportunities or switched jobs because they've felt vulnerable or at an increased level of risk.

And these younger workers will take action to prioritize their safety if employers won't. More than 30 percent of Gen Z workers say they have turned down job opportunities or switched jobs because they've felt vulnerable or at an increased level of risk. Ensuring workers are physically secure is an urgent business need. More than half of frontline workers who feel that their jobs do not prioritize employees' physical safety have said they plan to leave in the next year if their employer does not act to improve safety. Two in five frontline workers would quit their job due to safety concerns if they could afford to.

"Our research reveals a disconcerting picture for the frontline workforce driving our economy," said Brandon Davito, Senior Vice President of Product and Operations at Verkada. "Our nurses, teachers, cashiers, and so many other workers who serve in critical roles interacting with the public are worried about their safety every time they show up to work. As employers, policy makers, and public safety leaders, we need to address these alarming trends and ensure that the safety of our people is the top priority."

"The reality of living in America in 2023 is that every day, workers are sacrificing their lives and endangering their physical safety and their physical, mental, and emotional health in the workplaceand it needs to stop," said Jeffrey Pfeffer , PhD, professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University, and author of Dying for a Paycheck. Commenting on the findings of the 2023 Verkada Workplace Safety Survey, and drawing upon his 50+ years of research expertise as a leading theorist on business and the future of work, Pfeffer added: "This new data is a wake-up call that we need to focus on human sustainability. The environment we work in is just as important as the one we live in, and we absolutely must build better, healthier and safer workplaces."

The 2023 Workplace Safety Study is a research study commissioned by Verkada. A nationally representative sample of 1,000 Americans who work on-location across critical sectors - including healthcare, retail, consumer banking, hospitality and services - were surveyed online leveraging Cint's global digital insights platform.

In addition to working on-site, all respondents were screened to ensure job responsibilities included regular contact with patients, customers, clients and/or guests, in addition to colleagues. An equal breakdown of employers and employees were surveyed, segmented by job title, level and managerial responsibility. The study examines worker attitudes, priorities, and concerns pertaining to physical safety and security in the workplace. The study was fielded in March 2023, and designed in collaboration with independent market research consultants at Method + Mode.

For more information about the study, please visit www.verkada.com/blog/workplace-safety-survey.

About Verkada

Verkada is the leading physical security platform to protect people and places. Designed with simplicity in mind, Verkada's product lines - video security cameras, access control, environmental sensors, alarms, workplace and intercoms - provide unparalleled building security through an integrated, secure cloud-based software platform. Over 17,800 organizations across more than 70 countries worldwide trust Verkada as their physical security layer for easier management, intelligent control, and scalable deployments. For more information, please visit www.verkada.com .

SOURCE Verkada
NEW YORK and HOUSTON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vitol, the largest independent energy trading company globally, and Riverstone Credit Partners ("RCP"), a dedicated credit investment platform focused on energy and the energy transition, announced today the formation of Valor Upstream Credit Partners, L.P. ("VCP" or the "Fund").

VCP will seek to make structured credit investments in North American upstream oil and gas companies. The Fund will primarily target event-driven financing opportunities focused on debt refinancing, acquisition funding, and development capital providing companies with a flexible solution to accelerate growth and drive shareholder value.

VCP will be managed by RCP, which has a track record of successfully investing capital across the entire energy value chain.

Christopher Abbate and Jamie Brodsky, Co-Heads of RCP, stated: "Since inception, RCP has successfully committed over $1 billion of capital to support North American upstream oil and gas companies. As traditional capital providers continue to exit the space, we see tremendous opportunities to partner with operators in growing critical energy resources. We are thrilled to partner with Vitol on this new investment platform, which combines our energy credit origination and structuring expertise and their deep understanding of global commodity markets."

Ben Marshall, Vitol Head of Americas, added: "Vitol has a long history of investing in quality upstream assets. As we continue to invest across the energy spectrum in North America, we see a tremendous opportunity to support companies in the upstream sector via private credit. We are pleased to partner with RCP, a leader in its field, to execute on this strategy."

Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to Vitol and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to RCP on the formation of the Fund.

Please direct all VCP business development inquiries to [email protected].

About Vitol

Vitol is a leader in the energy sector with a presence across the spectrum: from oil to power, renewables and carbon. Vitol trades 7.4 million barrels per day of crude oil and products, and charters around 6,000 sea voyages every year.

Vitol's counterparties include national oil companies, multinationals, leading industrial companies and utilities. Founded in Rotterdam in 1966, today Vitol operates from some 40 offices worldwide and is invested in energy assets globally including: 17 m m3 of storage globally, roughly 500 k b/d of refining capacity, over 7,000 service stations and a growing portfolio of transitional and renewable energy assets. Revenues in 2022 were $505 billion. For more information please visit www.vitol.com

About Riverstone Credit Partners

Founded in 2014, Riverstone Credit Partners is a dedicated credit investment platform focused on energy, power, decarbonization, and infrastructure. Since inception, RCP has committed approximately $5.1 billion of capital to over 60 portfolio companies. Riverstone Holdings was founded in 2000 by David Leuschen and Pierre Lapeyre with approximately $43 billion of capital raised. For more information, please visit www.riverstonellc.com.

Media:

Daniel Yunger / Emma Cloyd

Kekst CNC

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Riverstone Credit Partners
Iconic Scottish brand marks 125 years of baking the best of Scotland

NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker's Shortbread is excited to celebrate 125 years of baking delicious all butter shortbread. The brand is honoring its 125th anniversary by updating its logo to be introduced first on its festive holiday product range and an impressive art display depicting New York's iconic Empire State Building made of Walker's Shortbread. This feature will be premiered at the Summer Fancy Food Show, held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, June 25-27.

The eye-catching Empire State Building encourages attendees to stop by the Walker's booth, snap a photo and scan a QR code for a prize giveaway to the entrant who most closely guesses the number of shortbread cookies used to build the sculpture.

Walker's Shortbread will showcase its updated Festive range of products which includes its new logo with an apostrophe in its name as well as a fresh, distinctive festive design and new offerings.

The festive range provides offerings for all holiday occasions from snacking, to gifting and entertaining. Holiday favorites like Festive Shapes, Gingerbread Men and Mince Pies among others, feature bright holiday designs and range in size from stocking stuffers to larger assortment boxes.

"Family owned and run since 1898, an important detail within our new logotype is the inclusion of an apostrophe to emphasize our pride in our heritage and create a stronger consumer association with our founder Joseph Walker whose signature is on our package and whose recipes we still use today," said Nicky Walker, Managing Director and third generation member of the Walker's family. "Our inspiration for the new Festive range draws from our history and also reinforces our commitment to providing a diversified holiday product offering in order to meet a wider audience of consumers and their changing needs for gifting and entertaining in the holiday season ahead."

The brand has so much to celebrate with 125 years of baking the finest shortbread, the Walker's way. Joseph Walker founded the company in 1898 when he opened his village bakery. The fifth generation, family-run business, remains true to founder Joseph's original recipe and ethos  to bake the best and showcase Scotland at its finest.

The beloved brand will be at the 2023 Summer Fancy Foods Show at Booth #2436 to celebrate its 125-year family heritage and thank many of its partners who have made Walker's continued success possible over the years.

About Walker's Shortbread

Walker's Shortbread has been the ancestral home to Scotland's highest quality shortbread for 125 years. Established in Aberlour, Speyside, Scotland in 1898 by Joseph Walker, the company continues to be family owned and managed by the founder's grandchildren and great grandchildren who faithfully maintain the tradition of producing the finest shortbreads, biscuits, cakes and oatcakes while staying true to the original Walker's recipes. Walker's iconic shortbread recipe sets the global standard for shortbread with a simple but powerful philosophy of using only the highest quality of just four ingredients: creamery butter, flour, sugar and salt. All Walker's products are free from artificial color, flavorings and preservatives, and suitable for vegetarians; all shortbread and cookies are Kosher OUD; a range of gluten-free products are also available. Exported to over 100 countries worldwide, learn more about Scotland at its Finest at https://us.walkersshortbread.com.

Press Contact

Megan McWilliams

[email protected]

SOURCE Walkers Shortbread
VANCOUVER, BC, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. ("West Fraser" or the "Company") (TSX andNYSE: WFG) today released its 2022 Sustainability Report, providing a comprehensive disclosure on topics such as climate action, sustainable forestry and environmental performance as well as a newly developed social performance strategy outlining priorities in areas including safety, diversity, equity and inclusion and Indigenous relations.

"As a company founded nearly 70 years ago, we understand the importance, and necessity, of doing the right thing for the environment, our communities and our employees while sustainably and profitably growing our business," said Ray Ferris, President & CEO.

"In 2022, we took important steps towards achieving our goal of being a sustainability leader," said Ferris. "Building on our foundations, we continued the work to advance robust and credible environmental and social goals and targets to guide the Company's next chapter."

In February 2022, West Fraser became one of the first Canadian forest products companies to commit to reducing our scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46.2% and scope 3 by 25%, by 2030. This commitment has since been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) in April 2023. To ensure our work aligns with international expectations we also joined the United Nations Global Compact, solidifying our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which guide our work in every community where West Fraser operates.

A social performance strategy was developed to establish meaningful ambitions and goals to progress our social performance and frame future disclosures. This work includes a strong focus on people and company culture, reflecting not only West Fraser's long-held values but a commitment to a safer, healthier, more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.

"Looking ahead, ambitious but credible targets, with valid, verified, achievable pathways to meet those targets, will continue to be a hallmark of our approach to sustainability," said Ferris.

For more information, the full sustainability report is available on westfraser.com, as an online document.

About West Fraser

West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. From responsibly sourced and sustainably managed forest resources, the Company produces lumber, engineered wood products (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, and particleboard), pulp, newsprint, wood chips, other residuals, and renewable energy. West Fraser's products are used in home construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers, tissue, and box materials. For more information about West Fraser, visit: westfraser.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, our approach to sustainability, statements related to our environmental, social performance and governance strategies, commitments, goals and targets and our ability to drive progress in our performance, the Company's GHG reduction commitments and related verification and the Company's ability to realize these commitments and benefits accruing therefrom. Any such forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are based on assumptions and analyses made by us considering our experience and our perception of historical trends and current conditions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties including our ability to implement our approach to sustainability successfully, our environmental, social performance and governance strategies may not progress as planned, we are unable to attract and retain skilled employees to implement our goals, we face changes in the laws and regulations that apply to our business, we may be unable to achieve the emissions reduction goals within the time period specified or unable to implement the required capital projects and plans to achieve such goals and access sufficient capital and resources to undertake such projects and plans. Readers should also refer to the risk factors set forth in the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, each dated February 14, 2023, available at SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) and EDGAR ( www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml ). There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which forward-looking statements are based will be realized. Actual results may differ, and the difference may be material and adverse to the Company and its shareholders. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
This tasting room will serve as a hub for education, community engagement and the exploration of non-alc craft spirits. Tweet this

Wilderton CEO & Co-Founder Brad Whiting shares, "In the traditional spirits world, I have seen firsthand how a home distillery and tasting room provides a powerful anchor for exploration, innovation, and brand transparency. This is crucial in the non-alcoholic space as we introduce a whole new experience to our guests and elevate the appreciation of our craft process and products with bartenders. Spearheading this milestone and doing so in my hometown of Hood River feels especially sweet."

Wilderton's new distillery, attached to the tasting room, will house its distillation and production facility, including a 1,500-gallon stainless vessel for extraction of whole, raw botanicals, and a 1,000-gallon stainless vacuum pot still. The immersive tasting room will be open daily and offer scheduled tours of the facility and a behind-the-scenes look at Wilderton's R&D lab where art, science, and innovation merge. The distillery tours will allow visitors to witness the production process and experience a sensory journey through the various Wilderton botanicals: citrus, bitter roots, exotic spices, precious woods, and everything in between. Distillery tours will be available for visitors weekly and are by reservation only.

Prior to building this state-of-the-art facility, Wilderton was produced at partner facilities in Portland. Seth O'Malley, Wilderton Founding Distiller, expressed his excitement about the implications of this new production facility, "Having the right equipment hand-picked by our team for extraction and distillation at our own Wilderton distillery means we have more opportunities to tinker and continually refine our offerings. It also gives us space to develop new products, including limited edition releases and seasonal offerings. In addition to creating our own production space, it was equally important for us to have a physical space to build community, share ideas, and connect over the rich world of botanical spirits."

Striving to expand inclusivity in cocktailing and provide healthier alternatives for those seeking options that fit a more active lifestyle, Wilderton wanted to create a tasting room that would be a gathering place, encouraging exploration. This tasting room vision was brought to life by the Wilderton team and Christina Tello of Tello Interiors . The Wilderton Tasting Room interior design reflects the unique spirit of the Pacific Northwest. Notably, a stunning 40'x16" hand-painted botanical mural by J. Brinkerhoff will serve as a signature anchor and pay homage to the botanicals that comprise Wilderton's signature spirits. Sustainability was also a priority during the design process, with the building constructed to LEED Gold standards.

Wilderton's tasting room will feature a range of experiences for visitors, including complimentary guided tastings of their unrivaled spirits and mouth-watering, non-alcoholic craft cocktails for purchase. Additionally, a rotating specialty cocktail will be available along with Wilderton Spritz happy hours each week during the Summer.

The tasting room is set to open its doors on July 1st, 2023. Wilderton's new tasting room and distillery are located at 407 Portway Ave, Suite 100, Hood River, OR with outdoor seating facing the Columbia River and Hood River's bustling waterfront. It will be open to the public seven days a week from 12pm to 6pm. Walk-ins are welcome for tastings, while tours of the facility will require prior appointments. To learn more about Wilderton's new tasting room and distillery or to make a reservation visit https://wildertonfree.com/pages/tasting-room .

About Wilderton

Bringing craft sensibilities to non-alcoholic spirits, Wilderton creates bold, non-alcoholic spirits expertly crafted from raw botanicals sourced from around the world to re-imagine no and low-alcohol cocktails. Using both less common and familiar wild plants from around the world, Wilderton's signature expressions, the spicy, smoky Earthen, the bright, floral, citrusy Lustre, and the herbal, refreshing Bittersweet Aperitivo offer provocative flavor combinations. Fellow Oregon craft spirits veterans Brad Whiting and Seth O'Malley came together with a shared mission: to create amazing liquids that would celebrate the complexity and experience of a traditional spirit but pair better with an active lifestyle. The beautiful result is Wilderton.

For more information, visit http://www.wildertonfree.com | @wilderton_free

SOURCE Wilderton
Seal joins the ranks of former Pioneers Twitter, Airbnb and Google

TORONTO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Seal Storage Technology , a leading provider of decentralized cloud storage, announces its selection as one of the 100 most-promising "Technology Pioneers'' at the forefront of addressing critical issues such as sustainability, climate change, science and healthcare. Seal takes immense pride in being selected as one of the pioneers in this domain.

The World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers are early-stage companies that lead in adopting new technologies and driving innovation, with the potential to have a significant impact on both the business landscape and society as a whole. Seal continues to revolutionize the digital landscape with innovative and sustainable decentralized cloud storage solutions, propelling the digital transformation forward and contributing to a more sustainable, resilient, and secure future.

Seal is poised to make meaningful contributions to the future of business and society through immutable, affordable and sustainable data storage. Seal utilizes data centers powered by renewable energy and operates on top of DeStor's sustainable open-source technology to minimize its environmental impact. In addition to sustainability, Seal's immutable and affordable platform enables scientific advancement and data democratization by offering zero egress fees to researchers allowing them to access their data around the globe. Immutability ensures that all data has a chain of custody and is tamper-evident, preventing cybersecurity and data integrity threats such as deepfakes and misinformation.

"We're excited to welcome Seal Storage Technology to our 2023 cohort of Technology Pioneers," said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum. "Seal and its fellow pioneers are at the forefront of innovation and disruption needed to help us solve the world's most pressing issues. We look forward to their contribution to the Forum's content work that brings together the public and private sectors to tackle these global issues."

Seal's CEO, Michael Horowitz, shared his thoughts on this achievement: "As a Technology Pioneer, we are thrilled to join forces with global leaders through the World Economic Forum. Seal's goals to increase data democratization and integrity to enable scientific advancements and combat misinformation align perfectly with the Forum's goal to tackle crucial industry and societal issues head-on. This invaluable platform enables us to forge connections with leading stakeholders from both the public and private sectors."

As a Technology Pioneer, Horowitz will be invited to engage with the World Economic Forum, working with global leaders to help address key industry and societal issues. Technology Pioneers will also be invited to join Forum events and discussions throughout the year, bringing together leading stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

This year's Technology Pioneer cohort includes startups from 31 economies, with a third led by a woman chief executive. China has the second-highest representation with 12 Technology Pioneers, behind the US with 29 companies.

About Seal Storage Technology

Seal Storage Technology is a decentralized cloud storage platform that provides immutable, affordable, and sustainable data storage. Seal serves universities, research institutes, and enterprises using the highest data security and protection standards. Seal data centers are enterprise-grade and powered by renewable energy. sealstorage.io | Twitter | LinkedIn

About the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. (www.weforum.org).

About the Technology Pioneers

Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneer community is composed of early-stage companies from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations, and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society. The World Economic Forum provides the community with a platform to engage with public and private sector leaders and to contribute new solutions to overcome the current crisis and build future resiliency.

The Technology Pioneers community is part of the Innovator Communities within the Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Innovator Communities convene the world's leading global startups across different growth stages from early-stage Technology Pioneers to growth-stage Global Innovators and unicorn companies valued at more than $1 billion.

SOURCE Seal Storage Technology
BEIJING, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The retail environment in China is undergoing a significant transformation in 2023, with domestic brands experiencing exponential growth on the market.

WUDASHU, found by Wu Nan, has been recognized as a leader at the China Industry Impact Brand Summit, where the recent developments in Chinese branding were discussed.

Wu Nan, the founder of WUDASHU

Wu Nan points out that with the polarization of Chinese consumers, many Chinese retailers are increasingly excelling in this area. 5-10 years ago, there weren't many players in the domestic brand market, and no one anticipated that these brands would become the key to winning consumer favor.

Regarding the current Chinese domestic brand market, Wu Nan suggests that we can analyze it from three aspects: retailers, consumers, and suppliers. Past Chinese retailers often made mistakes when developing their own brands, such as inconsistent product quality or unclear product positioning, causing consumers to distrust these brands.

Nowadays, as the business scale expands and the level of specialization increases, the Chinese retail market has begun to reevaluate and launch domestic brand projects. As consumers mature, rational consumption behavior leads to the emergence of many high-quality, cost-effective products. Retailers now hold more initiative by developing domestic brands in cooperation with suppliers, benefitting from direct procurement and lower marketing costs, they manage to offer competitive products.

In addition, Chinese consumers are demanding more. They seek more personalized and trendy products to meet their needs, making domestic brands comparatively flexible. In the past, suppliers led the development of domestic brands, but now retailers are closing the distance with consumers by gaining a deeper understanding of them and reducing product development time.

At the supplier level, with the rapid industrial development, many small suppliers are becoming more specialized. These suppliers have strong production and research capabilities and can effectively control costs. However, they urgently need suitable retailers to provide channels to address overcapacity. This kind of beneficial cooperation can achieve a win-win situation.

WUDASHU is a brand that has evolved with the development of e-commerce platforms and content platforms. The company has gone from the traditional e-commerce model, where it communicated with consumers through pure text, to the era of graphics and images as internet technology matured, and now to the era of short online videos. After more than a decade of evolution, WUDASHU continues to grow and improve communication efficiency with consumers.

In 2020, WUDASHU invested a significant amount of time researching short video content and quickly opened communication channels with consumers through unique content on the Kuaishou platform. With the growth of the Douyin platform, and the optimization of traffic and algorithm mechanisms, WUDASHU shifted to Douyin to further reach a large user base.

Short video content, as an important bridge between WUDASHU and consumers, is not only limited to platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, but also applied to Taobao, Pinduoduo, and other channels, always synchronizing with consumer reading habits. Traditional e-commerce platforms are gradually integrating short videos, with globally popular TikTok leading the charge.

In 2022, Douyin e-commerce upgraded from "interest-based e-commerce" to "pan-interest e-commerce", and WUDASHU continued to strive to provide e-commerce services from both expert and brand perspectives. The brand's partners are becoming more diverse, and collaboration is deepening.

From 2023 onwards, WUDASHU has further strengthened its operations and promotion in the Douyin Mall, and its operational activities are becoming more detailed. As of January 2023, WUDASHU has repeatedly topped the sales rankings in the women's shoe stores across Douyin Mall, achieving a single-store monthly sales volume of approximately 5 million.

SOURCE WUDASHU
Responsible for leading global growth strategy and advancing hyperscaler partnerships

NEW DELHI, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xebia, a renowned global IT consultancy and software development company, has appointed Guido Bartels as Global Managing Director - Cloud. Xebia has significantly strengthened its capabilities and client base in the last few years. To further grow its global market, the company has onboarded yet another industry veteran to its leadership team. Guido will be based in Connecticut, USA.

Guido Bartels

Xebia's cloud service line works with organizations across industries to design and engineer their cloud-native transformation. Xebia helps first-time cloud adopters with everything they need to move to the cloud, and digital natives with optimizing their cloud platforms. From building a reliable and scalable infrastructure to deploying cloud-native solutions, assessing in-house knowledge, managing cloud spend, and training teams, Xebia provides comprehensive assistance.

Xebia has established long-term relationships with the largest cloud providers, and Guido will be responsible for taking these partnerships to the next level. He will cover the full cloud spectrum, from multi-cloud consulting and architectural services to cloud cost management, training, and managed services. With his support, Xebia aims to assist every organization in becoming cloud-native and to enhance and expand its authority in cloud services across the globe.

Guido has worked in many countries over the past 24 years. Before joining the team at Xebia, he worked at AWS, where he held the position of Managing Director for the Nordic and Baltic countries, among others. During his nearly four years in this regional role, he successfully launched AWS EMEA's 5th Infrastructure Region in Stockholm and significantly grew AWS's business, more than tripling its size.

Additionally, Guido has over 20 years of experience at IBM, where he served as General Manager for the global Energy & Utilities industry vertical and as Managing Director for the Nordic region. In his last nine years at IBM, he also held a position on the company's Senior Leadership Team. Guido's expertise in sustainability has made him an early thought leader in the field, and he has served on the boards of both non-profit and for-profit publicly listed organizations. Furthermore, he was appointed for two consecutive 2-year terms as a member of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Electricity Advisory Committee (EAC), upon direct invitation by the U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Anand Sahay, Global CEO, Xebia, said, "We welcome Guido as a strategic leader to carve and execute the future direction for cloud at Xebia globally. His long association with the leading cloud service providers and experience as a transformation leader will help us create better solutions and align closely with our stakeholders. We partner with the leading cloud providers including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. With Guido as a part of our team, we anticipate strengthening our Cloud capabilities and grow the client base manifold."

Guido Bartels, Global Managing Director, Cloud, Xebia, said, "With a career long passion of driving customer value at the intersection of advanced technologies and deep business insights, I'm thrilled to join a team that embodies 'authority' in the domain of digital transformation as its mission. Xebia helps the world's top 250 companies and category leaders to overcome digital challenges, embrace innovation and implement new business models. I look forward to partnering with my new colleagues to ensure we unlock the full potential of cloud for our customers. I am honored to lead a team of Xebians that serves our customers with in-depth expertise based on an authentic, value-led, and high-quality way of working."

ABOUT XEBIA

Media contact: [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1883841/Xebia_Logo.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107337/Guido_Bartels.jpg

SOURCE Xebia
XIAMEN, China, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 21, Xiamen Airlines and Airbus announced a strategic partnership focused on sustainable development during the Paris Air Show. The partnership aims to enhance collaboration in advancing sustainability within the civil aviation sector. Both parties are committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering the long-term growth of the aviation industry.

image

The partnership was initially discussed at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. During the meeting, Xiamen Airlines chairman Zhao Dong and Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer engaged in discussions leading to the concept of forming the partnership. Subsequently, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to solidify their intentions, which had been earlier established at the 14th Airshow China held in Zhuhai in 2022.

The MoC encompasses several areas of collaboration, including the expanded adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) across test, freight, and commercial flights, exploration of innovative solutions and technologies to enhance fleet fuel efficiency, reduction of emissions, and mitigation of noise levels, collaborative implementation of eco-friendly travel initiatives to encourage low-carbon transportation, fulfillment of corporate social responsibilities, nurturing of talent development in emerging technologies and sustainability expertise, and strengthening of cooperation in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) realm.

"Sustainability has not only become a global consensus but has also emerged as a new trend in the aviation industry, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the sector," said Xiamen Airlines chairman Mr. Zhao. "Over the years, Xiamen Airlines has consistently pursued sustainability with a particular focus on green development, social responsibility, and corporate governance. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Airbus to advance the industry's green, low-carbon transition."

"We are thrilled with the prospect of collaborating with Xiamen Airlines in creating a sustainable future for the aviation industry," stated Xu Gang, global executive vice president of Airbus and CEO of Airbus China. "Although the airline just joined the Airbus fleet family earlier this year, we share a vision and ambition for spearheading sustainability in the aviation sector, making us crucial strategic partners."

Xiamen Airlines has consistently demonstrated its active participation in and support of the UN SDGs. The airline's commitment to the SDGs was highlighted when it became the sole Chinese airline to join the UN Global Compact in late 2022. This significant milestone followed an agreement signed with the UN in 2017, affirming their dedication in promoting the SDGs on a global scale. In May 2023, the airline successfully accomplished mainland China's inaugural commercial A321neo flight utilizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in collaboration with Airbus and China Aviation Oil. The milestone marked an important step towards promoting sustainability within the aviation sector. Building upon this achievement, the company aims to further develop its sustainability alliance, fostering a more environmentally friendly and promising future for the entire industry.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107483/image.jpg

SOURCE Xiamen Airlines
LONDON, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The HALO Trust, the world's largest landmine clearance charity, has received a $1 million donation from leading algorithmic trading firm XTX Markets to support its mine clearance operations in Ukraine.

HALO, which currently has 800 staff in eastern and southern Ukraine and around Kyiv, will use the XTX funding to equip and train hundreds of new deminers.

James Cowan, HALO's CEO said: "Coming in the week of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, this generous support from XTX Markets will help us as we grow our operations to tackle the largest landmine and explosive contamination seen in Europe since the Second World War. The more support we receive of this kind, the faster we can clear land  saving lives and bringing Ukraine's farmland back into productive use as quickly as possible."

With XTX's support, HALO will purchase 308 Minelab F3 detectors  highly accurate mine detectors whose sensitivity can be adjusted to find landmines even on battlefields contaminated with metal fragments.

The funding from XTX Markets will also enable HALO to train newly recruited deminers in manual clearance techniques at its training centre in Kyiv, and then at other regional training hubs near Kharkiv, Kherson and Mykolaiv. By the end of 2023, HALO expects to employ 1,200 Ukrainian staff equipped to move into heavily-mined territories liberated from Russian occupation.

Simon Coyle, Head of Philanthropy at XTX Markets, commented: "XTX Markets is committed to supporting the immediate humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the rebuilding of the country and its prosperity. HALO's work is crucial on both counts - saving Ukrainian lives now and restoring Ukrainian agriculture for the future."

Notes to Editors

The HALO Trust is the world's leading humanitarian organisation working to save lives and restore the livelihoods of people affected by conflict. HALO was founded in Afghanistan in 1988 and now employs 12,000 women and men in 30 countries either at war or recovering from conflict. HALO has cleared over 1.9 million landmines, 1.5 million pieces of unexploded ordnance and 10 million bullets in the last three decades.

HALO has conducted life-saving mine clearance operations in eastern Ukraine since 2016 and has rapidly expanded its programme since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

XTX Markets is a leading algorithmic trading firm which partners with counterparties, exchanges and e-trading venues globally to provide liquidity in the Equity, FX, Fixed Income, Futures and Commodity markets. XTX has over 190 employees based in London, Paris, New York, Mumbai, Yerevan and Singapore. XTX is consistently a top 5 liquidity provider globally in FX (Euromoney 2018-present) and is also the largest European equities (systematic internaliser) liquidity provider (Rosenblatt FY 2020-2022).

The company's corporate philanthropy focuses on STEM education and maximum impact giving (alongside an employee matching programme) and supporting Ukraine. Since 2017, XTX has donated over 80 million to charities and good causes, establishing it as a major donor in the UK and globally.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107902/4099931/The_HALO_Trust_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The HALO Trust
Volume Inspect  Comprehensive workflow with a single software

The connection of the new ZEISS VoluMax 9 titan to the ZEISS Quality Suite is one of the major advantages of the system. All steps in the inspection of parts  from operating the CT to inspecting high-resolution 3D volume data sets to creating and sharing the final report  can be performed with the Volume Inspect software solution. Next to maximum ease of use, the software integration offers access to various add-ons. For example, scanning processes can be optimized even further with ZEISS Automated Defect Detection (ZADD), an optional software solution for the AI-based, automated detection of defects.

ZEISS VoluMax 9 titan  Compact design and high performance combined

ZEISS VoluMax 9 titan is extremely compact with its small installation area of no more than 750 x 2,350 x 1,750 mm. Thus, the CT is ideally suited for installation in every quality laboratory or in close proximity to the production line. Moreover, the integrated control panel and the improved axis system for easy loading ensure a high degree of flexibility and efficient operation in the smallest of spaces. The combination of solid design and various hard- and software services made by ZEISS guarantees a long life cycle and a low maintenance level.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling 6.3 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (as of September 30, 2020).



For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research as well as medical-technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trend-setting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.



With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 12 percent of its revenue in research and development  this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.



With over 34,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 30 production sites, 60 sales and service companies and 27 research and development facilities. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG (as of March 31, 2021).



Further information is available at www.zeiss.com

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions is a leading manufacturer of multidimensional metrology solutions. These include coordinate measuring machines, optical and multisensor systems, microscopy systems for industrial quality assurance as well as metrology software for the automotive, aircraft, mechanical engineering, plastics and medical technology industries. Innovative technologies such as 3D X-ray metrology for quality inspection round off the portfolio. In addition, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions offers a broad global spectrum of customer services with ZEISS Quality Excellence Centers close to its customers. The company is headquartered in Oberkochen. Production and development sites outside Germany are located in Minneapolis in the USA, Shanghai, China and Bangalore, India. ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions is part of the Industrial Quality & Research segment.

SOURCE Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Chinese businessmen plan to invest in Uzbekistan's leather and footwear industry, Trend reports.

The issue was discussed at the meeting between the investors from China and Uzbekistans Uzcharmsanoat trade association. The sides focused on the implementation of a large-scale investment project in Uzbekistan with Chinese capital.

The foundation for the current implementation of this major investment project was laid on May 17 in Xi'an, during the state visit of President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where Uzbek-Chinese business forum was held. Over 400 major Chinese companies, including those prominent in the leather and footwear industry, participated in the forum. The outcome of the business circles' meeting was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in the leather and footwear industry. Less than a month later, the partners moved forward with the practical implementation of the agreements reached.

During the subsequent meeting, the parties discussed the creation of a Chinese industrial zone in the leather and footwear industry, spanning an area of 60 hectares in the Yukorichirchik district of the Tashkent region. The project envisions establishing production facilities for renowned Chinese footwear brands on this territory. Additionally, a training center for skilled personnel for footwear factories and laboratories for quality assessment and certification of products will be established there.

Currently, China is focused on enhancing cooperation with Uzbekistan, especially considering the country's familiarity with the quality of Uzbek leather industry products. Uzbekistan is among the main suppliers of processed and semi-processed leather.

The next stage will involve the placement of major Chinese footwear factories in Uzbekistan. The Tashkent region has been selected for accommodating production facilities, and negotiations are underway regarding land allocation for the construction of the factories.

Moreover, in July-August this year, Uzcharmsanoat plans to organize a business mission to the provinces of China, where the footwear industry is concentrated. The goal is to attract more producers of branded footwear to the newly established industrial zones.
Rome, June 21 : Marking World Refugee Day, Italy's President Sergio Mattarella has called for greater attention to the plight of refugees forced to flee their homes in search of safety from violence and economic hardships.

"A sense of humanity and respect for the highest values ... requires that we do not ignore their plight," he said in a press statement on Tuesday.

"In celebrating World Refugee Day today, it is appropriate to reiterate that initiatives to assist these people -- and in particular refugees in particularly vulnerable conditions -- must be accompanied by the search for indispensable and urgent long-term structural solutions," Mattarella added.

Last year, nearly 110 million people were "forcibly displaced" globally, an increase of 19 million compared to the end of 2021, according to a report published in June by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Xinhua news agency reported.

In Europe, UNHCR data showed that the number of displaced and stateless people rose to 21.8 million at the end of last year, with much of the increase due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, deteriorating economic and weather conditions, and political conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.

Italy is by far the most common landing spot for migrant arrivals from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, most of whom via the dangerous route across the Mediterranean Sea. As of Sunday, more than 56,000 people have arrived in Italy this year, UNHCR said.

Meanwhile, around 7,000 arrived -- by land and sea combined -- in Greece and around 10,400 arrived in Spain.
Oslo, June 21 : Norway's Energy Minister has said that the country is proposing to open parts of its continental shelf for commercial seabed mineral activities.

Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland emphasised the importance of gaining more knowledge in this field and expressed the need to gather expertise and open up for commercial mapping, exploration, and extraction of seabed minerals.

"Therefore, we are proposing to open an area on the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities," said Aasland in a press statement on Tuesday.

He added that the extraction of seabed minerals holds significant potential for value creation in the future, and the Norwegian government aims to facilitate this as well as create job opportunities in the ocean industries, Xinhua news agency reported.

Aasland assured that no extraction would be approved unless the rights holder's recovery plan demonstrates the ability to conduct the extraction sustainably and responsibly.

As part of the opening process, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, which serves as the Ministry's directorate for seabed minerals, has conducted a resource assessment for the designated area.

The assessment revealed significant expected undiscovered mineral resources on the Norwegian continental shelf, some of which may be extractable. It also acknowledged the current lack of knowledge regarding extraction technologies and development solutions to evaluate potential ore deposits and estimate extraction rates.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Iran is following not only the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but also many other issues in the discussions regarding its nuclear program, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said, Trend reports.

Along with the JCPOA, Iran is focusing on lifting sanctions and other issues in its nuclear talks with the opposite parties, the president added.

According to Raisi, the most important issue for Iran is that the sanctions do not affect the country's development. For this purpose, Iran should follow such a way that sanctions do not have any negative impact on the country.

The president also noted that Iran's nuclear negotiators announced Irans requests in the discussions. European countries also considered Iran's requests reasonable. However, these discussions coincided with the riots that took place in the country last year, and European countries tried to put pressure on Iran from that direction.

"Iran has not left the discussions on its nuclear program and there are no obstacles to hold discussions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed 15 times that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and there is no diversion," he said.

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.

On May 30, 2023, informed sources in Iran announced that Iran and IAEA have agreed on two issues. The issue raised by the IAEA regarding the Abadeh nuclear facility in Fars province in the south of Iran, as well as the issue about the discovery of 83.7 percent enriched uranium remains in Iran, have already been resolved.

As reported, Iran discloses various programs related to its nuclear industry to reflect that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, according to the information obtained by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has increased the amount of highly enriched uranium by 27 percent in the last three months, and currently, the country's enriched uranium reserves are 4,745 kilograms. This is 15 times more than the amount of uranium allowed for Iran in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Although Iran claims that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, it is requested to provide facts and guarantees to prove it at the world level.

Recently, discussions between Iran and the US have been held indirectly through various mediators, including Oman.

On June 13, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani noted that he had a discussion with his counterparts from 3 European countries about 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.

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Tripoli, June 21 : The Libyan Illegal Immigration Control Department has deported 165 female illegal immigrants to their home country of Nigeria.

"Some of them were arrested as they were begging on the streets and others were arrested during raids on criminal hideouts," the department's spokesman Haitham Belgasem told Xinhua on Tuesday, adding that more deportation flights would be arranged in the future.

The International Organisation for Migration has said that a total of 7,477 illegal immigrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far this year, Xinhua news agency reported.

Due to the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, many immigrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores via Libya.
Beirut, June 21 : Top Lebanese officials have reaffirmed the need to implement "a voluntary return" of the Syrian refugees in the country that has reached a "severe level," media reported.

"It is no longer permissible, morally, humanely, or legally, to ignore the repercussions resulting from the crisis of the displaced Syrians in Lebanon, which must be resolved by a voluntary return to their motherland," Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday during his meeting with an European Parliament's delegation.

In a separate meeting with the delegation that arrived in Lebanon on Monday for a five-day visit, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Lebanon hopes to receive "a positive response" to a plan its Foreign Minister presented to a conference held last week in Brussels on finding solutions to the Syrian crisis, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lebanese authorities are in continuous dialogue with European countries and the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees to explain the heavy repercussions of the Syrian presence in Lebanon, Mikati noted.

Lebanon aims to secure a safe return for Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country's internal security and economic situation can no longer support their stay.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said in early May that there are about two million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and the figure threatens to disrupt the structure of Lebanese society.
Lucknow, June 21 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the whole world can today see the stark differences between India and Pakistan.

While India is giving free ration to 80 crore people, the people of Pakistan are yearning for two square meals, he added.

"Pakistan was formed a day before India became independent, but today the whole world is seeing the difference between India and Pakistan," he said at a public meeting organised at the Mahant Digvijaynath Park in Gorakhpur late on Tuesday.

"Today India has become the fifth largest economy in the world. Today's India gives free ration to 800 million people, whereas in Pakistan there is a scuffle over a kilo of flour. There is happiness and prosperity in India, whereas the people of Pakistan are yearning for two square meals," he added.

He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 727 development projects worth more than Rs 2,604 crore in Gorakhpur to mark nine years of the Modi government.

"The first condition of Ram Rajya is service. We all should have the same feeling irrespective of religion, religion, sect, language, area. Our work should be dedicated to 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'," he said.
Tokyo, June 21 : Local seafood businesses in Japan's Fukushima have said the Japanese government has not yet provided a sufficient explanation of the planned release of radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

About 30 people, including owners of fish stores, restaurants and other seafood-related businesses in Iwaki city, Fukushima Prefecture, invited government officials to a study session at the city's central wholesale fish market on Tuesday, in a bid to seek a full explanation about the release plan, public broadcaster NHK said.

A government official said the effects of the release will be minimal for humans and the environment, while a participant said fish stores will face questions from consumers about the safety of seafood, according to the NHK.

Another attendant said the government and plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) should think closely about why people are skeptical about the safety of marine products caught in waters near the plant, said the report.

The president of a fisheries company, Koji Suzuki, who organised the session, said people in seafood-related businesses have not been given an explanation on the planned release, adding that although he is opposed to the plan, he needs additional information that he can share with his customers, Xinhua news agency reported.

NHK report said TEPCO began trialing the equipment for discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific on June 12. The test run of the discharge facility is expected to last around two weeks.
Tehran, June 21 : Iranian Foreign Minister met with the Qatari emir in the Qatari capital of Doha on bilateral ties and cooperation, media reported, citing the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Nasser Kanaani made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Doha, commenting on the main issues discussed in the meeting between Iran's Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani earlier on Tuesday.

Amir-Abdollahian described political relations between Tehran and Doha as "excellent" and called for expanding bilateral trade ties in proportion to their "close and friendly" relations, said the report.

He expected the imminent holding of the Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Commission meeting to provide an "appropriate" opportunity for trade expansion, Xinhua news agency reported.

The top Iranian diplomat and Qatari emir also discussed transportation cooperation, particularly in the maritime sector.

Amir-Abdollahian also praised Qatar's efforts over the past years in resolving regional problems, calling on the two sides to enhance cooperation to ensure regional peace, stability and security, according to the report.

The Qatari emir, for his part, said Tehran has a "special status" in Doha's foreign policy, and his country "takes pride in its strong and sincere ties" with Iran, the report added.

He noted that it has taken decades of efforts to build such relations with Iran and called for working toward improving bilateral trade cooperation to an "appropriate level".

Heading a diplomatic delegation, the Iranian Foreign Minister arrived in Doha on Tuesday morning, before leaving the Qatari capital for Oman later in the day.
Cape Town, June 21 : The recent floods in the Western Cape province of South Africa have left two people killed and could cause up to one billion rand (about $54.5 million) damage to local agriculture.

The Western Cape government said on Tuesday that the initial flood damage assessment is estimated to be between 750 million and one billion rand for the province's agricultural sector, according to local media.

However, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, head of the provincial government, said that it was too soon to tell the extent of the damage caused by the recent floods.

Winde said that it was going to take some time before all the damage assessments were complete, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Unfortunately, two people have lost their lives in the flood. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of those lost. Each life lost is a tragedy," he was quoted by the provincial government website as saying.

A series of cold fronts which led to heavy rains between June 14 and June 19 caused severe flooding in some regions of the Western Cape, the southernmost province of South Africa. At least two people died and thousands of others have been displaced in the floods since last week.

The public is urged to remain vigilant by avoiding river crossings and roads that have been affected by flooding.
Jerusalem, June 21 : Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a gas station near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, killing at least four and injuring four others, Israeli military said.

The military said on Tuesday in a statement that two Palestinian men armed with M16 rifles arrived by car at a gas station adjacent to the settlement of Eli and opened fire on civilians who were sitting at a restaurant there.

One of the gunmen was shot and killed by a civilian at the scene. The other fled, prompting a manhunt. As part of the pursuit, "blockages have been set up in the area," the army said.

The Homefront Command issued a statement requiring the residents of Eli to stay indoors and lock doors and windows, Xinhua news agency reported.

"No exits allowed until the conclusion of the event (the manhunt). Driving in and out of the area is forbidden until further notice," it said.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that four deaths were declared at the scene, while the four injured, one with critical injuries, two moderate and the other slight, needed hospital care.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that the killed gunman was identified as Muhand Shada, a 25-year-old resident of the village of Urif near the West Bank city of Nablus and a member of Hamas, the ruling Islamist movement of the Palestinian enclave Gaza Strip.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant's office said in a statement "an operational situation assessment" meeting will be convened in the evening with the Army Chief-of-Staff, the director of the Shin Bet internal security service and additional senior officials. The meeting will take place amid growing calls in the far-right government for launching a large-scale military campaign in the West Bank.

The attack came a day after Israeli forces, supported by a rare use of attack helicopters, killed six Palestinians, including a 15-year-old teenager, and injured at least 90 others, in an hour-long gunbattle in Jenin in the northern West Bank.
Mogadishu, June 21 : Somali National Army (SNA)'s elite forces, the Danab, killed 13 al-Shabab militants and wounded others during an operation at the terrorist group's stronghold village in Lower Juba region, southern Somalia.

Ahmed Abdullahi Nur, commander of the 16th Battalion of Danab Commandos in the region, told Somali National News Agency on Tuesday that the forces recovered weapons, including seven AK-47 rifle guns and one RPG, during the special operation.

Abdullahi did not comment on the number of casualties of SNA soldiers during the operation, Xinhua news agency reported.

The security forces have vowed to intensify both air and ground operations to flush out al-Shabab militants who have been attacking the locals and collecting illegal levies from the residents.

Despite intensified security operations mounted by the allied government, the militants have increased their onslaught against government security forces and other public places to topple the government.
New York, June 21 : Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in the US on a three-day state visit, and said that he is a fan of Modi and plans to visit the country next year.

Musk, who is yet to bring his electric car-maker Tesla to India, said the country is great for solar energy investment.

"I am a fan of Modi. India is great for solar energy investment. We are also hoping to bring Starlink internet to India," the outgoing Twitter CEO told reporters here late on Tuesday.

"I am incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world," he added.

Asked if Tesla will enter the Indian market, Musk said, "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible." "I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his support and hopefully we will be able to announce something in the not so distant future," Musk noted.

In April this year, Musk started following on Twitter.

Musk and India have been in talks for years, but disagreements over a local factory and the country's import duties of as much as 100 per cent have led to an impasse.

The government has asked the EV maker to ramp up local procurement and share detailed manufacturing plans while Musk has demanded lower taxes so that Tesla can start-off by selling imported vehicles at a cheaper price in a budget-conscious market.

Musk further said that Modi really cares about India because he is pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we tend to do.

"We just have to figure out the right timing. It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our factory a few years ago. So, we have known each other for a while," he told reporters.

"He really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive to the companies. And obviously, at the same time, make sure that it accrues to India's advantage," Musk added.
Lucknow, June 21 : The International Yoga Day is being observed at all the 12,044 Amrit Sarovars across Uttar Pradesh, a state government spokesman said.

The Uttar Pradesh government has directed that besides being developed as rural tourism hubs, the area around these ponds should also serve as Yoga centres.

According to the state government spokesman, all Amrit Sarovars in the state have been cleaned and spruced up for the event on Wednesday.

The department has also asked officials concerned to take photographs of the Yoga Day events at the Amrit Sarovars in villages and upload them on social media. Participants should also be encouraged to take photographs under the 'Selfie with Yoga' (Amrit Sarovars) programme.

The Yoga sessions are being held at the Amrit Sarovar banks, open air gyms and parks there.

Members of women self-help groups and MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) workers, other village bodies members and villagers, teachers and the village schools are briefing attendees about the benefits of Yoga.

As part of the celebration of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' (75 years of India's Independence), the Amrit Sarovar Mission was launched on April 24, 2022, with the objective of developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district across the country.

The mission aims to create a total of 50,000 water bodies, each spanning an area of about an acre or more, contributing to the preservation and enhancement of water resources.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The statement of the Iranian parliament member about the installation of 100 new surveillance cameras by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the nuclear power plant in Irans Isfahan Province does not reflect the truth, Vice President of Iran and Chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami said, Trend reports.

In general, there is no nuclear power plant in Irans Isfahan Province, where 100 cameras can be installed, the official emphasized.

Reportedly, Iranian MP Mahmoud Nabavian said that 100 new surveillance cameras of the IAEA were allowed to be installed at the nuclear power plant in Isfahan. This is contrary to the strategic action plan of the Iranian parliament.

Eslami added that the AEOI is taking steps within the framework of the Iranian parliament's strategic action plan. At the same time, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran coordinates steps related to Iran's nuclear program under the agreement reached with the International Atomic Energy Agency on March 4, 2023.

The vice president also noted that Iran's actions are within the framework of safeguards. Also, Iran is trying to lift sanctions under the goals of the strategic action plan.

In late 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to implement a strategic plan to tackle the sanctions, citing the non-implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and an additional protocol provided for in the nuclear deal.

Iran's Fordow nuclear facility currently produces 17-20 grams of 20-percent enriched uranium per hour.

According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, 1,000 units of IR2M centrifuges have been installed.

On June 15, 2023, the spokesman of the AEOI, Behrouz Kamalvandi said in his statement that 10 surveillance cameras were reactivated at the Isfahan Centrifuge Production Center in Irans Isfahan Province under the agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran stopped the operation of 29 IAEA surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities in the country. After certain problems occurred at the Karaj Centrifuge Production Facility in Iran's Alborz Province, production has been resumed at the Isfahan Centrifuge Production Center.

The Iranian side says that there are two issues that the International Atomic Energy Agency has mentioned for cooperation with Iran. The first is the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and the second is the safeguards rules. So that all activities of Iran are under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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Lakhimpur Kheri : , June 21 (IANS) A tantrik and a woman have been arrested for the murder of a 27-year-old woman from Shahjahanpur who was in a relationship with another woman she met in college, police said.

Poonam Kumari, a resident of Shahjahanpur, was allegedly lured by the tantrik, identified as Ram Niwas, with the promise of changing her gender, police added.

Shahjahanpur's Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) city, Sudhir Jaiswal, said on Wednesday that Poonam and her 25-year-old partner, Preeti Sagar, who lived in Lakhimpur Kheri, met while pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree and were in a relationship for a few months.

"The Lakhimpur Kheri woman's reluctance in getting married to a man despite her family's multiple efforts, revealed her relationship status, and invited opposition from both the families who feared social stigma," he added.

Police have arrested Sagar under several charges, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

Lakhimpur Kheri's Mohammadi police station in-charge, Amber Singh, said the tantrik was in touch with Sagar's mother and told her that changing Kumari's gender could help her get married to Sagar.

He added Kumari was called for the alleged ritual and left her house -- nearly 50 km away from Lakhimpur Kheri -- on April 18.

She was reported missing by her brother Parvinder Kumar on April 26.

"The police came to know about Preeti Sagar when they scanned the victim's call details and discovered they both had been talking over phone for long durations," Jaiswal added.

Niwas has been taken into police custody.

"He (tantrik) confessed to having strangulated Kumari after calling her at a deserted place on the pretext of performing a ritual to change her gender." Niwas fled after disposing of the body on the banks of the Gomti in a forested area, the ASP said.

Police recovered 11 bones from near Sagar's house and have sent it for forensic examination.

In the FIR, Kumar accused Sagar, her mother Urmila and Niwas of murdering his sister.

A police officer said the FIR was lodged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (concealing body after crime).
New York, June 21 : After hearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" pitch, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced a change of plans, saying that his electric vehicle and battery company will now come to India "as soon as it is humanly possible".

Musk told reporters in conversations following his meeting with Modi on Tuesday, "He really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we intend to do and we're just trying to figure out the right timing." It was a change of plans for the mercurial Musk who had earlier refused to consider manufacturing in India unless India lowered tariffs for imported Teslas to be sold in India.

Modi "really wants to do the right thing for India," he said.

Modi wants to make sure that the advantage from investments "accrues to India's advantage, which is, you know, obviously, that's the job," he added.

India has more "promise than any large country in the world," he said.

If Tesla comes to India, it will be following the pattern of companies like Apple diversifying their manufacturing from China because of geopolitical and supply chain issues.

Musk gushed about his "fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister" and declared, "I am a fan of Modi." He said that Modi had invited him to visit India and that he would next year.

Musk added that India has tremendous potential for "the three pillars of sustainable energy future" -- a goal of Modi.

These were power generation using solar and wind energy, deploying batteries to store it, and having electric vehicles that run on it, the Tesla CEO said.

"The interesting thing you will find is that this is a lower-cost way to go as well," he added.

Another Musk venture is Starlink which uses low-orbit satellites to provide broadband internet connections.

He said that he was "hopefully looking forward" to bringing it to India.

Asked about former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's assertion that the Indian government had asked the company to shut down a large number of accounts, Musk said bluntly that a company "doesn't have a choice but to obey local governments".

"If we don't if we don't obey local government laws, then we will get shut down. So the best we can do is really to hew close to the law in any given country," he added.

It is impossible for us to do more than that (or) we will be blocked and our people will be arrested, Musk said.

He added that there are "different rules and regulations, different forms of government, so what we'll do, the best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law".

Modi met earlier with Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the nemesis of Musk.

The author and thinker who expounds on the quirks of history and how they impact the world.

Taleb and Musk have been engaged in twitterfights, and Taleb took a dig at Musk on his own Twitter: "Elon Musk, while attacking me on Twitter, was next (in line to meet Modi) but I did not run into him." After Modi's meeting with Taleb, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Baghchi tweeted, "PM lauded Prof Taleb for his contribution in bringing complex ideas of risk and fragility in popular conversations. Highlighted India's growing start-up ecosystem and the risk-taking abilities of India's young entrepreneurs." (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Washington, June 21 : Police in the US state of Tennessee have launched a probe after shots were fired inside a Walmart in Lenoir City, authorities said.

In a statement late Tuesday night, Lenoir City Police Department Chief Don White said a suspect shot five rounds into the Walmart on Highway 321 on at around 7 p.m. in the evening, reports WATE 6, a Tennessee-based local TV channel.

Officers arrived at the location and evacuated the building, he added.

The police have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Although additional details about the shooting were not immediately available, Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens told local media that the evidence suggests that someone "shot up in the air", not aiming at anyone specifically.
Washington, June 21 : Just a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken became the highest ranking American official to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Joe Biden called his counterpart in Beijing a "dictator".

Blinken's meeting with Xi in Beijing on Monday was part of efforts to improve the strained relations between the two largest economies.

But at a fundraiser in California on Tuesday night, Biden said that Xi was embarrassed over the recent tensions involving a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting the US which was shot down by an American fighter jet, the BBC reported.

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it, was he didn't know it was there. That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened," the President said.

China is yet to comment on Biden's remark.

On the outcome of the meeting on Monday, Xi had said that some progress was made, while Blinken indicated both sides were open to more talks as major differences remained.

Blinken's visit to Beijing, which was the first by a Secretary of State to China in five years, restarted high-level communications between the two countries.

The Biden administration's relationship with Beijing is one of its most complicated and consequential, and one that has seen months of strain, including two military-related incidents in recent weeks.

Biden and Xi met in person for the first time as presidents on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Indonesia last November.

Blinken's trip, which had been announced by Biden and Xi after their meeting, was originally scheduled to happen in February and had been seen as a key follow-on engagement.

However, it was postponed after the discovery of the suspected Chinese spy balloon.
Toronto, June 21 : A second accused has been charged with first-degree murder in a New Year's Day shooting that left a 51-year-old Sikh father dead and his 21-year-old daughter injured in Canada.

Daqwan Roshayne Howard Lee, 28, was arrested on Monday and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault and discharging a firearm with intent, Edmonton police said.

Police said Barinder Singh and his daughter were "innocent victims of a wrongly targeted crime".

Lee is the second person charged in the shooting, after Tevahn Orr, 31, who was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, turned himself in to the Hamilton Police Service on March 21.

Orr was also charged with first degree murder, aggravated assault and discharging a firearm with intent.

On January 1, patrol officers responded to the report of a disturbance at a residence in the area of 16A Avenue and 38 Street.

Upon arrival, officers located an injured man and woman.

EMS responded, treated and transported Singh to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The 21-year-old woman was also taken to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.

A week later, the Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on Singh and determined the cause of death to be gunshot wounds.

The manner of death was homicide.

Singh had moved from Punjab to Edmonton in 2019 along with his family.

The family told Global News the four of them were asleep when the front door was smashed in and bullets began flying.

"Somebody broke into the house," said Singh's wife Jasjeet Kaur.

"We all were sleeping and there was a number of gunshots."It's all like a nightmare for us," a shattered Kaur had said earlier responding to the tragedy.
London, June 21 : A senior World Bank official has admitted that the Ukrainian economy will need external help for many years to come as it has witnessed a significant decline since Russia launched its ongoing war last February.

Speaking to the BBC here on Tuesday, Anna Bjerde, the global lender's managing director for operations, said that in the immediate term, the war-torn nation needs $14 billion from international donors to get through this year.

Bjerde says this will go towards "essential social expenditures" such as pension payments, healthcare and salaries for doctors and teachers.

It will also help fund urgent repairs that are needs to infrastructure such as roads and the power system that are crucial for the battered economy to function.

Despite the difficulties that many economies around the world are suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine, Bjerde is hopeful that the funding will be forthcoming.

"I think there's been a huge level of commitment shown to Ukraine, and I think that will continue. Ukraine is just too important," she told the BBC.

The billions of dollars poured in so far have "helped arrest what otherwise would have been even more devastating humanitarian impacts on the country", Bjerde said, adding that Ukraine will also need to help itself.

The World Bank official made the remarks ahead of a major international conference in London on rebuilding Ukraine's economy.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference will start by hearing from the co-hosts, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports the BBC.

Sunak is set to announce $3 billion in World Bank loan guarantees.

As Russia launched the war, Ukraine's economy shrank 29 per cent to just over $140 billion.

The total reconstruction bill was estimated at $411 billion in March this year, but continued fighting with Russia means that will now be higher.
Las Vegas, June 21 : A massive fire engulfed and completely destroyed an under-construction building in Las Vegas, with the plumes of smoke visible from miles away, authorities said.

The fire was reported on Tuesday evening at 8030 W. Maule Ave. near South Buffalo Drive and the 215 Beltway in US city's southwest valley, the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper reported.

In a statement, Clark County Fire Department Kelly Blackmon said that fire crews began responding after calls started coming in at about 4.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Department initially responded to the fire with 75 personnel and 11 fire engines.

The building remained unstable as of around 6.30 p.m. Tuesday evening and was considered a total loss, the newspaper quoted Clark County Assistant Fire Chief Brian O'Neal as saying.

Fire investigators were investigating the cause of the blaze as of Tuesday night.

None of the surrounding buildings were exposed to the point of evacuation, and surrounding buildings were protected from lasting damage from the fire, he said.

O'Neal added that fire crews would remain on scene for several more hours, and to expect traffic delays for five to six hours in the area.

A tweet from the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada said the three right lanes of the southbound 215 had been blocked because of heavy smoke from the fire.
Washington, June 21 : A new poll has revealed that Republican support for former US President Donald Trump appears to have softened after he was indicted with 37 counts in connection with the mishandling of classified documents case.

The CNN poll published on Tuesday revealed that Americans approve of Trump's indictment, even as 71 per cent say politics played a role in that charging decision.

Though Trump continues to lead the Republican field by a wide margin in the race for the party's nomination for President, the poll suggested that his support has declined, as have positive views of him among Republican and Republican-leaning voters.

Nearly a quarter now say they would not consider backing his candidacy under any circumstances.

The survey also found that the Republican-aligned voters not currently backing his 2024 bid have different views on his indictment and behaviour than those in his corner.

Overall, 47 per cent of Republicans and Republican-leaning registered voters say Trump is their first choice for the party's nomination for president, down from 53 per cent in a May CNN poll.

Support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held steady at 26 per cent in the latest poll, with former Vice President Mike Pence at 9 per cent, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley at 5 per cent, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott at 4 per cent, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at 3 per cent and the remaining candidates at 1 per cent or less.

In addition to the decline in support for Trump's candidacy, his favourability rating among Republican-aligned voters has also dipped, from 77 per cent in May to 67 per cent now, while the share who say they would not support him for the nomination under any circumstances has climbed, from 16 per cent in May to 23 per cent now.

The CNN poll was completed after Trump's arraignment in federal court last week, and Republican and Republican-leaning voters participating in the poll were asked questions about the 2024 presidential race before any mention of the charges facing Trump.

A 54 per cent majority of Republican and Republican-leaning voters say that Trump's conduct doesn't matter much to them as they consider his candidacy, because a President's effectiveness matters more.

Meanwhile, only 26 per cent of Republican and Republican-leaning voters say that Trump should end his campaign in light of the federal charges he now faces, with an additional 16 per cent saying he should end his campaign if he is convicted of federal crimes.
Mumbai, June 21 : A Maharashtra Shiv Sena Minister has claimed that if the rebellion by the 40 MLAs and other independents in June 2022 which toppled the then ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government headed by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, had failed, then their leader Eknath Shinde could have committed suicide.

Making the sensational claim, School Education Minister Deepak V. Kesarkar contended that he was very close to Shinde and they would regularly exchangeAnotes so he was privy to the information.

"Shinde had taken the step of the 'uprising' along with us. However, he was very clear and said that in case it failed, then he would send us all back (to the party), call up Thackeray and say 'sorry', absolve us (the 40 MLAs) of any blame and take the full responsibility for it, and then shoot himself in the head," Kesarkar averred.

Shinde also reportedly told Kesarkar that he would ensure that no rebel MLAs' political prospects were ruined while he would care even if he lost his life in the entire drama then.

Later, the rebellion proved to be a success, with Shinde becoming the Chief Minister and who will also complete a year in office on June 30, so everything ended well, the state Minister told the media on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of the walk-out that was marked as 'Gaddar Day' (Traitors Day) by the MVA allies Nationalist Congress Party-Shiv Sena (UBT).

"He is a true Shiv Sainik. Are you calling him a 'gaddar'? Now, if we don't support him, then who else can we support?" questioned Kesarkar, while highlighting anecdotes of the unprecedented bloodless political coup that changed the course of Maharashtra politics after June 20, 2022 when the revolt started.

Kesarkar also revealed how Shinde was allegedly slighted and insulted on various occasions by Thackeray, and claimed that whenever promises were broken by the latter, he (Kesarkar) would go and share it with Shinde.
New Delhi, June 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that apart from discussing energy with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, they also touched upon the topic of spirituality.

Modi met Musk on Tuesday as part of his three-day state visit to the US, where he met several prominent personalities from across the spectrum.

"Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality," the prime minister said in a tweet.

Musk reacted: "Great conversation" with Modi.

The Tesla CEO also posted about his meeting with Modi in New York: "It was an honour to meet again".

After the meeting, Musk said that his electric vehicle and battery company will now come to India "as soon as it is humanly possible".

"I am a fan of Modi. India is great for solar energy investment. We are also hoping to bring Starlink internet to India," the outgoing Twitter CEO told reporters.

"I am incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world," he added.

Musk recently discussed the meaning of life and whether he believes in God on the Full Send Podcast.

Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

"I would say I generally agree with the teaching of Christianity, but I'm not religious. I've never been particularly religious," he said.

When asked if he believed in God, Musk answered, "Something created the universe, or the universe is here."

-- Syndicated from IANS
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Iran intends to benefit from all peaceful areas of the nuclear industry, including energy, medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and innovation, the 1st Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at the meeting regarding the activity of Irans Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Tehran on June 21, 2023.

The vice president noted that Irans current government (which has been in power since August 2021) regulates various programs for the use of the nuclear industry in various fields.

Mokhber added that one of these programs is the generation of 20,000 megawatt-hours of electricity in the country through nuclear power plants.

According to him, in the next year's state budget (March 20, 2024, through March 20, 2025), funds should be provided for the construction of nuclear power plants with a generation capacity of 20,000 megawatt-hours of electricity.

Mohammad Eslami, the Vice President of Iran and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization, who participated in the meeting, noted that the program of launching and developing of new NPPs in the country until 2041 is in the spotlight.

Eslami said that the process of identifying a large number of locations and technical possibilities for the construction of new NPPs in the country has started.

The 1st unit of the Bushehr NPP was launched in 2011 by the Russian Atomic Company (ROSATOM). In 2013, the development of the unit was handed over by ROSATOM to an Iranian company. The unit has been generating 1,000 megawatt-hours of electricity per year since 2013.

At present, the power generation capacity of Iran's all power plants including, thermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, renewable, etc. is approximately 91,000 megawatt-hours. Of this, 82 percent are accounted for by the countrys thermal power plants.

Although Iran claims that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, it is requested to provide facts and guarantees to prove it at the world level.

Recently, discussions between Iran and the US have been held indirectly through various mediators, including Oman.

On June 13, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani noted that he had a discussion with his counterparts from 3 European countries about 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.

---

Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur
Washington, June 21 : Police in Philadelphia have said that three teenagers aged between 16-19 years tried to light explosives inside a grocery store in the US city.

In a statement, the police said that officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the Fresh Grocer on the 5300 block of Chew Avenue at around 5 p.m., reports Fox 29 News Philadelphia.

The accused however, fled before the police arrived and the store security managed to recover the explosive devices, the statement said.

The police have not revealed what kind of explosives were recovered.

As of late Tuesday night, no arrests were made.
Bhopal, June 21 : On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said yoga practive will be mandatory in all schools of the state.

"I have decided that yoga practice will be mandatory in all schools in Madhya Pradesh," Chouhan added.

Meanwhile, he appealed to people of the state Pradesh to take pledge to practice yoga every day.

"Yoga is not a small thing, it's being practiced in more than 180 countries. Yoga is not limited to any particular religion or caste, it's a subject of harmony," Chouhan said, while addressing the participants of yoga event in Jabalpur.

Vice-President Jagdip Dhankar, who was in visit to Madhya Pradesh and Governor Mangubhai Patel along with several ministers attended the yoga pratice programme in Jabalpur.

"The countries of the world have given wide support to this initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and as a result, on December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as International Yoga Day," Dhankar said on this occasion.

Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, who also joined the yoga event here, hailed the Prime Minister for making yoga an international festival.

"I thank PM for organising this grand event of Yoga. The main Yoga event in the country is being held here in the Jabalpur. Prime Minister has done the work of spreading yoga to the world," Patel added.

Meanwhile, Congress Rajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer Vivek Tankha, who hails from Jabalpur, alleged that city administration has organised yoga programme as a party event of BJP.

"Yoga practice is the pride of India. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar is the chief guest of the programme here. However, state and city administration made this auspicious occasion a party event of BJP. Didn't do justice to such an important day and an eminent person of vice-president's stature," Tankha said.
Kolkata, June 21 : West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is slated to reach Patna a day in advance of the meeting of non-BJP parties convened by the Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar on June 23.

Highly placed Trinamool Congress sources said that the chief minister is expected to reach Patna on June 22 afternoon and there is a possibility of her meeting with former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad.

The probable meeting on this count is being viewed as quite crucial as Mamata Banerjee has already made it clear that she would not be able to provide support to the Congress in West Bengal because of the latter's alliance with CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state.

Political observers feel that since Congress will also be present at the meeting there is a possibility that any representative of the country's oldest national party might seek some clarifications on Trinamool Congress stand on this issue. In that case, observers feel, Lalu Prasad being a veteran politician and having extremely good relations with a number of senior Congress leaders might act as a mediator.

Initially, the grand alliance meeting at Patna was scheduled on June 12. However, later it was postponed to June 23.

In fact, when Nitish Kumar along with Bihar's deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had a meeting with Mamata Banerjee at the West Bengal secretariat this month, she requested Kumar to initiate convening the grand opposition alliance meeting at Patna only. The Bihar chief minister assured her of that and on the basis of the assurance he convened the meeting.

The meeting on June 23 is happening when the Congress state president in West Bengal and veteran party Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has said that in the state Trinamool Congress will continue to be an equal opponent like the BJP for Congress. He had also expressed doubts that the BJP was trying to implant some Trojan Horses within the opposition alliance. Chowdhury's doubts have been echoed by senior CPI(M) leaders like party's central committee member Sujan Chakraborty and Rajya member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya.
Los Angeles, June 21 : Actress Hayley Atwell has teamed up with Tom Cruise on the 'Mission: Impossible' film franchise, and she has been wowed by his work ethic, describing her co-star as "deeply inspiring." "He's a one-man studio. There is nothing this man doesn't know about movie-making and the cinematic experience for the audience," the brunette beauty told ET Canada, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"It's deeply inspiring to find someone who is so committed to something, whose work ethic extends to so many different departments. For me, he remains a real inspiration as a professional, dedicated, enthusiastic guy, whose own success has never been his demise." Atwell believes Cruise is a unique character in the movie business. The London-born star-who was previously rumoured to have dated Tom - said, "He's always hungry, always searching, and has kind of a childlike wonder about movies... There's never been anyone like him and never will be." Earlier this year, Tom revealed that he watches his own movies at the cinema. The actor - who is one of the most bankable stars in the business - revealed that he likes to watch his own films on the weekend they open. He said on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', "I go opening weekend. I love seeing movies that are made for the screen on the big screen." The Hollywood star is ultimately determined to make entertaining and engaging movies for his fans. Tom also described his work as a "pleasure." The actor - who starred in the first 'Mission: Impossible' movie back in 1996 - shared, "When they really enjoy it, that's what I want. I make my movies for audiences, for you all. So it's a pleasure. I just want to entertain you."
Hyderabad, June 21 : At least eight workers were injured when a portion of a ramp of an under-construction flyover collapsed in Hyderabad in the wee hours of Wednesday. The condition of one of the injured is stated to be critical.

The incident occurred on Sagar Ring Road where the flyover is being constructed at a traffic intersection.

Police said the accident occurred when workers were laying slabs over the pillars.

An engineer and seven workers were injured in the incident and shifted to KIMS Hospital, where the condition of one of them is stated to be critical.

The injured men are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Four of them were identified as Rohit Kumar, Puneeth Kumar, Shankar Lal and Jitender LB Nagar Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sridhar Reddy said a small stretch collapsed when workers were laying the slab. Police registered a case and took up investigation. The ACP said since the flyover work was still on, action can't be taken against the contractor for poor quality.

Rachakonda Police Commissioner D. S. Chuhan and LB Nagar DCP Sai Sri also visited the spot.

Local MLA Sudheer Reddy also visited the accident site and spoke to the workers. Local leaders of opposition Congress and BJP alleged that poor quality of work and negligence led to the accident.
Chennai, June 21 : Sasikanth Senthil, a 2009 batch ex-IAS officer of Karnataka cadre hailing from Chennai and one of the four key strategists in Karnataka who ensured Congress victory, is the front runner for the post of Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Committee (TNCC) president.

Senior Congress leader and incumbent TNCC president, K.S. Alagiri will be stepping down soon and discussions for his replacement are rife among the Congress circles in Chennai and New Delhi.

Sasikanth, who was Deputy Commissioner in Dakshina Kannada, had earned respect for crushing the communal riots in the area as also putting an end to the menace of sand mafia by taking strong measures.

He was one of the four 'S' -- Siddaramiah, D.K. Shivakumar, election strategist Sunil Konagolu, and himself, who led the Karnataka Congress to victory.

He quit the civil services in 2020 after expressing discontent with the BJP government at the Centre as well as in Karnataka. Senthil was the brain behind the 40 per cent commission charges levelled against the Karnataka BJP government. He was also behind the highly successful campaign, 'PayCM' with a photograph of the then Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai that embarrassed the BJP in Karnataka and instantly connected with the people of the state.

Tamil Nadu Congress, which is in for a revamp, is looking forward to put Sasikanth Senthil in a responsible position in the state Congress. Several senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal are supportive of Sasikanth Senthil to be the TNCC president.

However, the caste equation and other social factors are being taken into consideration before a final decision is taken. Several senior Congress leaders from Tamil Nadu have been camping in New Delhi to meet K.C. Venugopal for a plum party position.

The state Congress has four working president posts and with the change of guard at the TNCC, the four working presidents will also be removed. Sources in the Congress told IANS that if by any chance Sasikanth Senthil could not be anointed as the TNCC president, the party will post him as a single working president in TNCC.

With K. Annamalai, an IPS officer-turned-politician making waves in Tamil Nadu for the BJP as its state president, the Congress party is seriously contemplating to post Sashikant Senthil as the next Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president for a healthy competition at the grassroots level.
Washington, June 21 : The US Coast Guard on Wednesday confirmed that a Canadian P-3 aircraft "detected underwater noises in the search area" for the missing tourist submarine with five people on board.

In a series of tweets, the Coast Guard said: "Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

"Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans." This is the first official confirmation from authorities conducting the search operation, although they did not specify what the "banging" sounds were, reports the BBC.

Before the official confirmation by the US Coast Guard, several American media outlets citing internal US government memos, reported that a Canadian search aircraft detected "banging" in 30-minute intervals coming from the area where the sub disappeared on June 18.

It is unclear when and how long the banging lasted.

The submarine was lost about an hour and 45 minutes into its dive to the Titanic's wreckage in the Atlantic on June 18, according to the Coast Guard.

The missing vessel istour firm OceanGate's Titan submersible, a truck-sized sub that holds five people and usually dives with a four-day emergency supply of oxygen.

Tickets cost $250,000 for an eight-day trip including dives to the wreck at a depth of 3,800m.

A search operation is currently underway in an area in the ocean "larger than the state of Connecticut", about 20,000 sq.km.

Rescue teams from Canada's navy, air force and coast guard, as well as the New York state air guard are assisting.

A French research vessel and Magellan, a British firm that specialises in deep ocean investigations and recovery operations, have also joined the mission.

The Titan submersible is thought to be approximately 1,450 km east and 643 km south of Newfoundland's capital, St John's According to US Coast Guard estimates, the Titan has roughly 30 hours of oxygen remaining on board.

The five passengers on board are Hamish Harding, 58-year-old British adventurer who has previously been to space and multiple times to the South Pole; British businessman Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman (19); Paul-Henry Nargeolet (77), a former French Navy diver who has reportedly spent more time at the Titanic wreck than any other explorer and was part of the first expedition to visit it in 1987; and Stockton Rush (61), the chief executive of OceanGate.
Kolkata, June 21 : For the second time in just eight days, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has again summoned West Bengal Education Secretary Manish Jain to interrogate him in connection to the multi-crore school recruitment scam case.

Sources said that Jain has been asked to appear at the CBI's Nizam Palace office in Kolkata by 11 a.m. on Friday.

On June 15, he was questioned for over six hours.

The sources said that during the course of interrogation, it was revealed that a number of crucial files in connection with the recruitment process were missing.

Jain will now be questioned in relation to the details of those files and how they went missing, they added.

This is the third time that the Education Secretary has been summoned by the CBI.

He has also been named as a witness in the charge sheet filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel probe into the case.

During his earlier interrogation, Jain told the CBI that his work was to just sign the files forwarded to him by former state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee for learance.

Chatterjee is currently in judicial custody due to his alleged involvement in the case.

It was because of Jain's confession in court that the Education Department faced the ire of the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay for the decision to create super-numeric teaching posts in state-run schools.
Mumbai, June 21 : Actress Sunny Leone, who recently made waves at the Cannes Film Festival with the premiere of her upcoming film 'Kennedy', has opened up about her Yoga routine on the International Day of Yoga on Wednesday.

She said that she likes to include Yoga in her fitness programme as it helps to cleanse the body of all the harmful toxins.

The actress, who started her journey in Indian showbiz after appearing on 'Bigg Boss' Season 5, spoke about her Yoga routine, as she said, "Whenever I do yoga, I opt for Hot yoga. The reason I love hot yoga is because it releases toxins from almost every organ in my body on top of strengthening and toning my muscles".

She also shared her opinion about mindfulness which is closely linked with Yoga, and how it's important in current times, "In current times being mindful is so important not just for ourselves but being mindful for everything and everyone around us".

Meanwhile, on the work front Sunny will be soon seen in 'Kennedy' which has been directed by the poster boy of Indian noir - Anurag Kashyap. She will share the screen with Rahul Bhat and Abhilash Thapliyal in the film.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New York, June 21 : The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has announced the appointment of Mastercard CEO, Michael Miebach, to its board of directors.

Miebach said that in his new role he looks forward to working with the top advocacy group focused on strengthening India-US partnership in Washington, and hopes to build strategic, commercial, and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

"USISPF is a critical forum for business and government leaders to come together and drive the next phase of growth in the US-India partnership. I believe the relationship between our two countries will define the future of the global economy and shape our ability to tackle the most pressing global challenges together," Miebach said in a statement.

"I look forward to working with USISPF to build the strategic, commercial, and people-to-people ties that will serve as the bedrock of the US-India partnership in the 21st century," he added.

Miebach's appointment comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to the US on the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Welcoming Miebach's confirmation to the Board, USISPF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi said: "Michael has been a true champion of digital economy cooperation between the United States and India, helping drive cutting-edge innovation that powers commerce and societies in both countries." The USISPF said that Miebach's additionAto the board reflects a consistent commitment from the senior-most levels of Mastercard to strengthen the US-India corridor and trade and commercial relations between the two countries.

"Mastercard's steadfast commitment to financial inclusion and digital transformation is a model for the private sector -- both in the US-India corridor and around the world. I look forward to continuing our partnership with Mastercard and engaging with Michael as a USISPF Board Member," he said.

Mieback, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Passau in Germany, joined Mastercard in 2010 to lead its Middle East and Africa operations.

He is a member of The Business Roundtable, The Business Council, the US-India CEO Forum, the International Advisory Panel of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and The International Business Council of the World Economic Forum.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Serious and constructive discussions on Iran's nuclear program were conducted between Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani and Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service, on June 21, 2023,Trend reports.

Kani himself made the statement on Twitter. He said that many issues, including the lifting of sanctions against Iran, were discussed in the discussions held in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

He did not reveal any details of the discussions.

On June 13, Kani noted that he had a discussion with his counterparts from 3 European countries about 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.

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
Mumbai, June 21 : Actor Jisshu Sengupta has talked about working with actress Tanuja to now her daughter Kajol and his experience of working with both of them and the uncanny similarities he found.

Jisshu said: "I played Tanuja aunty's son in a Bengali film before I worked with Kajol in 'The Trial' and at both instances I was in awe of them. They are incredibly talented and brilliant actresses but they are nothing like each other. I was surprised to witness how different they are. The only similarity they share is that they're both very spontaneous when they are in front of the camera." "I like to improvise my scenes depending on the sequence we're shooting and it worked like a charm with them as they would catch on to your flow and improvise themselves. They both have this edge to them that they'll push you to be a better actor." "While I enjoyed working with both of them, however, I can't choose one if I have to, they're both incredible at their craft and I wish I could work with them again and again." Produced by Banijay Asia, with director and showrunner Suparn S Varma, 'The Trial - Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha' will air on Disney+ Hotstar from July 14.
New Delhi, June 21 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said that they recently conducted searches under FEMA violations at 14 locations in Kerala as part of an investigation into a network of hawala operators and illegal forex dealers in the state.

The raids were carried out based on gathered intelligence that hawala operations were being conducted at these premises, disguised as Forex Money Exchanges, gift shops, textile stores, jewellery shops, and readymade garment shops.

"Among the key players in the hawala network and the targets of the search operation were Suresh Forex, Ettumanoor Forex, Dubai Forex, Sangeetha Foreign Exchange, Crescent Trading, Hana Trading, Fornas Forex Pvt Ltd, and their key managerial persons.

"Assorted foreign currencies from more than 15 countries, amounting to approximately Rs 1.50 crore, were seized. Additionally, a significant sum of unaccounted Indian Rupees, generated from illegal foreign currency exchange and totalling approximately Rs 1.40 crore, was also recovered and seized during the operation," stated an official.

The ED revealed that the searches also exposed the involvement of these individuals and entities in illegal foreign currency exchanges and arranging cross-border payments to Dubai, the US, and Canada through hawala channels, bypassing legal banking channels. The operators admitted to conducting illegal forex dealings without following proper Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures or issuing bills.

Voice memos and WhatsApp conversations retrieved from the devices of these individuals revealed the modus operandi of the hawala operations, involving transactions worth crores of rupees.

Additional data from over 50 mobiles and electronic devices seized during the searches is currently being analyzed by forensic experts to conduct further operational analysis and identify the larger racket involved in the cross-border hawala transactions and its beneficiaries.

"The investigation into this matter is still ongoing to trace other illegal forex dealers involved in hawala transactions," the official added.
New Delhi, June 21 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Wednesday leave for Paris in France to participate in the Summit for the New Global Financing Pact scheduled for June 22-23.

During her official visit, Sitharaman will have multilateral and bilateral engagements with her counterparts, official sources said.

The two-day summit will bring together heads of state and government, ministers, leaders of key international organisations, representatives of global financial institutions, private sector and civil society representatives.
New York, June 21 : An Indian-American doctor is facing sexual assault charges for inappropriately touching a co-worker at a medical facility in California.

Rachandeep Singh, a medical director at the River Pointe Post-Acute Care Facility in Carmichael, was arrested on June 17 at the San Francisco International Airport and was booked into custody at the San Mateo County Jail.

He was released on bail the same day, and is scheduled to appear in court in Sacramento on August 17 for his alleged sexual misconduct, the Sacramento County Sheriff Office said.

The Office began an investigation after receiving a report of a sexual assault on April 26.

The victim, an employee at the medical facility, alleged that her Singh touched her sexually against her will.

Based on the subsequent investigation results, the District Attorney's Office elected to file felony sexual battery charges against Singh.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Singh was removed from the River Pointe Post-Acute Care Facility by their administration.

He oversaw at least two other facilities as the medical director in the City of Stockton and the San Joaquin County areas.

Due to Singh's position in several areas throughout the region, detectives are looking for other potential victims, the Sheriff's Office said.

A Conan Daily report said that Singh graduated from Dayanand Medical College in Ludhiana in 2001 with a medical degree.
New Delhi, June 21 : The Congress on Wednesday said that it was the first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising Yoga and even made it part of the national policy.

In a tweet from its official Twitter handle, the Congress said, "On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pandit Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising Yoga and even made it a part of national policy. Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art and philosophy in our physical and mental wellbeing and take steps to incorporate it in our lives." Congress views were also echoed by senior party leader Shashi Tharoor, who said, "We should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised Yoga including our government." In a tweet in response to Congress, Tharoor said, "Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government, Prime Minister's Office an MEA, for internationalising International Yoga Day through the UN. As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world and its great to see it recognised." On June 21, people worldwide are observing the 9th International Yoga Day with live celebrations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spearhead the festivities at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, graced by delegates from over 180 nations.

Notably, an estimated 250 million individuals are anticipated to participate in the event, centred around the theme 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', meaning 'One Earth One Future One Family'.
New Delhi, June 21 : Delhi Police's outer district unit jumped into action on Wednesday after receiving two PCR calls, both from a man who made chilling threats against the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and Bihar Chief Minister.

"Promptly responding to the alarming calls, a team was swiftly deployed to trace the location of the anonymous caller," said a senior police official.

Police have also launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter, leveraging advanced technological tools to trace the origin of the calls.

"The cyber cell of Outer district has also been engaged to analyse the digital footprints of the threatening messages, aiming to gather vital evidence that may aid in identifying the suspect," the official added.

More details are awaited.
New Delhi, June 21 : Sam D'Souza, the accused involved in the extortion demand of Rs 25 crore in the Aryan Khan drug case, on Wednesday joined the second round of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe at its headquarters here.

On Tuesday, D'Souza was grilled by the CBI team for around nine hours.

D'Souza has now joined the ongoing CBI probe and is currently being questioned.

The case is filed against former Mumbai zone NCB Director Sameer Wankhede and four others.

D'Souza was summoned thrice in the case. He reportedly skipped two summons. On Tuesday, he arrived at the CBI headquarters in Delhi with his lawyers to join the probe.

"Sam D'Souza arrived with his lawyers. The CBI had summoned him on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. for questioning at the CBI headquarters in Delhi," said a source.

"D'Souza had struck a deal between Shah Rukh Khan's manager and K.P. Gosavi (a witness). D'Souza had told Khan that he would help him in the case," the source said.

He had approached the Bombay High Court seeking anticipatory bail, but his plea was dismissed.

It was Prabhakar Sail, the witness in the case, who had made the shocking revelations that D'Souza and Gosavi were planning to extort Rs 25 crore from Shah Rukh Khan for the release of his son Aryan Khan. Later, Sail died under mysterious circumstances.

"On October 2, 2021, Aryan Khan was brought to NCB's Mumbai Zone office where D'Souza and Gosavi were also present, as per Sail. He (Sail) had heard their conversation about the deal of Rs 25 crore," said the source.

Previously, Wankhede was interrogated by the CBI in Mumbai. Wankhede too has approached the Bombay High Court, which granted him protection from arrest till June 23.

The accessed FIR reveals shocking revelations.

"Sameer Wankhede is accused of engaging in the buying and selling of expensive watches without disclosing this information. He also allegedly concealed details of his expenses during his foreign trips," stated the CBI source, quoting the FIR.

The CBI has mentioned that while some individuals were caught on the Cordelia cruise ship, Aryan Khan was arrested. It also mentioned that KP Goswami, who appeared as an NCB official, was responsible for Aryan Khan's arrest. He was presented in such a way that he seemed like an officer of the NCB. Later, a demand of Rs 25 crore was made for a settlement, which was eventually negotiated down to Rs 8 crore. Initially, Rs 50 lakh was taken, but later some of the money was returned due to the case getting stuck.

The NCB arrested Aryan Khan on October 3, 2021. Later, the Bombay High Court granted him bail on October 28, 2021. Aryan Khan spent 25 days in jail.

On May 27, 2022, the NCB filed a charge sheet in the drug-seize matter, giving a clean chit to Aryan Khan. The agency had said that there was not enough evidence against Aryan Khan. The charge sheet was filed against 14 persons by the NCB.

Later, as per the SIT report, which was initiated into the matter, the CBI lodged an FIR against Wankhede, D'Souza, and others.
New Delhi, June 21 : India on Tuesday strongly condemned China's move to block Lashkar-e-Taiba's Sajid Mir from being designated as a "global terrorist" by the United Nations.

Issuing a strongly-worded statement at the UN headquarters in New York, joint secretary (UN political at external affairs ministry) Prakash Gupta said that if efforts to ban terrorists fail due to "petty geopolitical interests", then "we really do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism".

Gupta added that Mir, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was listed as a proscribed terrorist under the laws of India and the US and of several other countries.

"But when the proposal for listing Sajid Mir did not get through the Global Listings of the UN Security Council Sanctions Regime", despite several member states cosponsoring it, "we have righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter terrorism architecture".

Gupta said this while addressing a high-level conference on counter-terrorism after China blocked India and US proposal on Mir.

The session he was addressing was on "Strengthening Capacity Building Programmes: Making them Fit for Purpose to Meet Resilience Gaps".

The Indian diplomat's comments came just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the UN.

During the session, Gupta also played an audio file recorded during the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai and referring to the voice, he said, "This is Sajid Mir, directing the terrorists on phone to hunt down foreigners at the Taj hotel and kill them indiscriminately." He said that even 15 years after the Mumbai terror attacks, its masterminds have not been brought to justice.

"Some of them continue to roam scot-free with full state hospitality," Gupta said.

"So the first and most critical gap we feel addressing is, avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists vs bad terrorists. A terror act is a terror act, period, any justification being used should not be countenanced upon by anybody," he added.

The diplomat also told the gathering what Modi had said last year, "We consider that a single attack is one too many and even a single life lost is one too many. So we will not rest till terrorism is uprooted." "India remains resolutely firm in walking the talk, when it comes to plugging the resilience gaps in countering terrorism," Gupta concluded.

Sajid Mir, one of India's most-wanted terrorists, is being hunted for his involvement in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that took place on November 26 that year.

He was the chief planner of the attacks, directing preparations and reconnaissance, and was one of the Pakistan-based controllers during the attacks, India maintains.

In recent times, China has blocked several bids to designate terrorists based in Pakistan.
Chennai, June 21 : Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), underwent surgery for coronary artery blocks at the city's Kaveri Hospital on Wednesday.

A medical bulletin issued by the hospital stated that the condition of the minister was stable.

As per the bulletin, the minister underwent beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery. Four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularization procedures were done. The coronary revascularization process as per medical terminology is for restoring the blood flow to the heart.

"He is hemodynamically stable and is being monitored in the postoperative cardio thoracic intensive care unit. A multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses are at the Intensive care unit monitoring him," it read.

Notably, Balaji was one of the most powerful ministers of the M.K. Stalin cabinet and was in charge of Electricity, Excise and Prohibition. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) authorities in a case related to a job-for-cash scam that took place when he was transport minister in 2011-16 in the AIADMK government of J. Jayalalithaa.

Senthil Balaji had then shifted position and joined the DMK where he became a minister for Electricity, Excise and Prohibition.

The DMK and the BJP are engaged in a fight after the arrest of Senthil Balaji with the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin himself openly challenged the BJP.

BJP state secretary S.G. Suryah was arrested by the Tamil Nadu police for using defamatory terms against the Chief Minister.
Hyderabad, June 21 : A 22-year-old software engineer has been hospitalised in Hyderabad with grievous injuries after her throat was slit by a man for refusing to marry him.

The incident occurred late Tuesday night in Puppalaguda under the limits of Narsingi police station.

According to police, Ganesh, who works as a food delivery boy, wanted to marry the victim, who happens to be his relative.

However, the girl who hails from Piduguralla in Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh, had rejected his proposal.

The girl was working in a company in Hyderabad and resided at a hostel in Gachibowli area.

Ganesh went to the hostel on Tuesday night and took her to a place near T-Grill Hotel in Puppalaguda.

He once again put forward his marriage proposal but she rejected it.

During the argument, the youth took out a knife he was carrying in his bag and attacked her. The girl also suffered stab injuries on her neck, face and hands.

After alerted by some passersby on Dial 100, police rushed to the spot.

They shifted the girl to the hospital and arrested Ganesh.

Further investigation is underway.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Air India on Tuesday firmed up its order for 250 Airbus aircraft and 220 new Boeing jets worth $70 billion at list prices, the airline stated in a press release.

The airline signed separate purchase agreements with the two planemakers at the Paris Airshow for the jets and some services.

Air India's firm orders include 70 widebody planes, comprising 34 A350-1000s and six A350-900s from Airbus, and 20 787 Dreamliners and 10 777Xs from Boeing. It also includes 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo and 190 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft.

The airline has also signed options to buy an additional 70 planes from Boeing including 50 737 MAXs and 20 787 Dreamliners, the US planemaker said in a separate statement, making this Boeing's largest order in South Asia.

"Happy to share that we have signed purchase agreements with @Airbus and @BoeingAirplanes at Paris Air Show today to add 470 new aircraft to enhance our fleet strength! Air India is committed to playing its part in building New India," said Air India in a tweet.

Boeing in a statement said the two companies have finalised an order for up to 290 new Boeing jets, including 70 on option and expanded services.

Air India said the agreements go "one step further in its USD 70 billion (based on list prices) fleet expansion program that it announced in February this year".

The Airbus A350 will lead the deliveries of the new aircraft later this year, with the bulk of the order to arrive from mid-2025 onwards, it said.

N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, said the landmark step further positions the airline for long-term growth and success that, "we have every hope, will come together to represent the best of modern aviation to the world".

Air India has already started taking delivery of 11 leased B777 and 25 A320 aircraft to accelerate its fleet and network expansion.

Campbell Wilson, Air India CEO and MD, said its ambitious fleet renewal and expansion programme will see the airline operate the most advanced and fuelefficient aircraft across its route network within five years.

Satair, an Airbus company, and Boeing Global Services will support Air India with a broad range of solutions, including parts and maintenance provisioning, digital applications, and modification services.

Boeing said that a set of aviation services will also enable Air India to sustainably expand its operations in South Asia's rapidly growing aviation market.

Over the next 20 years, South Asia is expected to more than triple its in-service fleet from 700 to 2,300 aeroplanes to meet passenger demand, Boeing said in the statement.
New Delhi, June 21 : Amid ongoing row over the central government's alleged move of not selling rice which is in stock of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to Karnataka government, the Congress on Wednesday hit out at the BJP government saying its "anti-poor" and "vendetta politics" is at display.

Slamming the government, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Most recent chronology of Modi's anti-poor and vendetta politics. On May 13, 2023, Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and BJP were rejected comprehensively by the people of Karnataka. On June 2, Chief Minister Karnataka (Siddaramaiah) announces implementation of Anna Bhagya guarantee from July 1 that will give 10 kg free food grains to poor families. June 13, 2023, Union government issues circular banning sale of rice from FCI to states under Open Market Sale Scheme. This is done to scuttle Anna Bhagya." Ramesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP said, "Karnataka was willing to pay FCI Rs 3,400 per quintal. But that window was closed. But FCI continues to sell rice at Rs 2,000 per quintal for ethanol production and blending of petrol. Food Security should be of paramount concern at all times." His remarks came days after the ruling Congress in Karnataka condemned the central government's alleged move of not selling rice which is in stock of the FCI.

Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that he will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah maintained that the meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would be a courtesy call and he is meeting them for the first time after becoming the CM.

He further stated that he will also meet Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Piyush Goyal and discuss the supply of rice to the state.

Talking about the implementation of Anna Bhagya scheme, Siddaramaiah had stated that the implementation of the scheme could be delayed. The Congress had announced that it would be launched from July 1.A BJP had announced that if the project is not delivered, they would stage agitation.
New Delhi, June 21 : Delhi Police's outer district unit jumped into action on Wednesday after receiving two PCR calls from a man who made chilling threats against the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and Bihar Chief Minister.

The official said that they have identified the caller -- Sudheer Sharma, who works as a carpenter and a manhunt has been initiated to trace and nab him.

Sharing the details, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Harendra K. Singh said that a PCR call was received on Wednesday at 10:46 a.m. ,in which the caller threatened to kill Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar if not given Rs 10 crore.

"It's location was found in the Nangloi area. Again at 10:54 a.m., the same caller threatened to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah if not given Rs two crore.

"The location of the caller was in Paschim Vihar (East). The Station House Officer (SHO) Paschim Vihar (East) police station along with his four subordinates immediately moved to the location," said the DCP. Eventually, the caller's address was traced. "It is Sudheer Sharma who lives in Madhipur. He was not available at his address but his 10-year-old son Ankit was found there," said the official.

On further inquiry, it has come out that the person is a habitual drinker and consumes alcohol during the day time also. "His son told the team that his father had been drinking since early this morning. When Ankit was asked to talk to him, he was responding very incoherently. Our team is constantly trying to trace the person," the DCP added.
Chennai, June 21 : Police canteens in Tamil Nadu will soon have 'Freedom' products that are made in the jails of the state by prison inmates.

A recent order of the Tamil Nadu government said, "Presently, prison-made articles are being manufactured to a good standard and sold to the general public and at other sales outlets with marginal profit. Wages are paid to prisoners as well as profit. Further, the sales of good quality police uniform items and other items at a price, less than that of the price in the open market, will not only be beneficial to those uniformed personnel who purchase such products at the Tamil Nadu police canteen but also to the prison inmates who are employed in production of such goods in prison bazar." The prison inmates are making police uniforms, confectionaries, bed sheets, readymade garments, cold-pressing oils, and some other products. These prison inmates made items branded as 'Freedom' products which were till now available in prison bazaar outlets as well as petrol bunk outlets.

The products are priced much lesser than what is available in the open market and the profit from the sale is shared among the inmates and a percentage for the welfare of prisoners in jails.

Prison Bazars have been established in all prisons since December 8, 2013.
Phnom Penh, June 21 : The Cambodian Mine Action Centre's (CMAC) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts have safely removed a war-era US-made MK-82 aerial bomb discovered recently in Kandal province, a mine clearance chief said on Wednesday.

The CMAC director-general Heng Ratana wrote on his Facebook page that the aerial bomb, weighing approximately 230 kg, was spotted in Kean Svay district's Raing Dek village while a farmer restored a pond, reports Xinhua news agency.

"This bomb was safely removed and neutralized on June 20," he said, adding that it was buried more than four metres deep in mud for more than 50 years.

According to Yale University, between 1965 and 1973, the US dropped some 230,516 bombs from planes on 113,716 sites in Cambodia.

Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote in his book titled "Hun Sen: 10 Years of Cambodia's Journey, 1979-1989" that the US bombings on his country caused "tens of thousands of civilian casualties because of this vicious undeclared war".
Sydney, June 21 : The government of Australia New South Wales (NSW) state on Wednesday announced that it will introduce a new bill to Parliament to impose tougher penalties on those who assault retail workers.

According to the NSW government, the bill will introduce three offences to the state's Crime Act, reports Xinhua news agency.

The reforms make it an offence to assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 4 years' imprisonment; assault a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty and cause actual bodily harm to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 6 years' imprisonment; and wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, with a maximum penalty of 11 years' imprisonment.

Under the new bill, physical and verbal attacks on a retail worker could lead to a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment, while 11-year imprisonment is applicable if physical injury is involved.

The state government cited a survey from the McKell Institute, which showed that a staggering 85 percent of retail workers in Australia have been abused or assaulted at work.

"The new offences will carry more severe penalties than general assault provisions, and send a strong message that this behaviour is unacceptable," said NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.

Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the country's peak retail body, welcomed NSW's new legislation, as it is in response to the growing prevalence of customer aggression and assaults.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra praised the NSW Government's commitment to protecting retail workers and consulting with industry via the ARA on the development of the initiative.

"We've seen a frightening escalation in retail crime, where it is now becoming a matter of life-or-death for workers simply trying to do their job," Zahra said.

"It is shocking that in recent months in different locations across the country, we've seen several retail workers stabbed -- in addition to the broader issue of staff being harassed, intimidated, and physically assaulted.

"Actions speak louder than words, and we're extremely pleased that the NSW government has listened to our views and the needs of retail workers and is taking strong action to deter these violent incidents and keep retail staff safe," he added.
Bengaluru, June 21 : The Congress government in Karnataka has issued an order on Wednesday to provide school children studying from Class 1 to 8 with either eggs or bananas.

The circular in this regard has been signed and released by Shubh Kalyan Director of PM Poshan, School Education department and directed the staff of the aided and unaided school across the state to provide boiled eggs to students as nutrition supplement. For those who are not eating eggs, bananas or chikki (a sweet dish made of groundnut and jaggery) would be provided.

The supplements would be given along with midday meals to eradicate malnutrition and anemia. The egg or banana would be given once in a week from August 20 till the further government orders in the first phase.

The schools are directed to procure eggs/bananas/chikki at Rs 8 per piece.

Earlier, the Karnataka government's decision had triggered a controversy in the state. The decision had angered a section of the society who demanded that eggs shouldn't be distributed in school premises as it encourages discrimination among school going children.

Another section supporting egg supplement to school children claimed that this project shouldn't stop as protein supplement is badly needed by students. They maintained children who have better access to better nutrition have better education outcomes.

The BJP-JD (S) coalition government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy had rolled back its project of distributing eggs to school children in 2007 succumbing to pressure from religious groups. However, the previous BJP government implemented the scheme.

Then Education Minister B. C. Nagesh had stated that the project has been implemented amid people opposing and vouching for it. "There is no substitution for egg as such. There is soyabean, but children won't eat it. The project has been implemented with an intention to address malnutrition among children," he had stated.
Lucknow, June 21 : They dress in sarees, groove to rocking beats and sing songs with meaningful lyrics that convey a social message.

The 'Meri Zindagi' music band from Lucknow that comprises five homemakers, is setting the stage on fire.

India's first all-female music band has, so far, performed in 50 cities in more than 550 concerts.

Started in 2010 with modest resources by Dr Jaya Tiwari, the band gained significance because of its songs where the emphasis is more on lyrics than on rhythm.

"Despite popular demand and lucrative money, we do not perform Bollywood songs. We only perform the songs that we write and compose. Social change and not money has been our motivation. We would never promote songs with lyrics that deride or sexualise women," said Tiwari.

Instead of choosing quick money by agreeing to perform Bollywood songs, all members of the band juggle their passion for music and social change with a regular job for financial stability.

Another striking feature about the band, as mentioned earlier, is that they only perform in saris.

"We do not want to dress in flashy clothes and come across to our audience as distant personalities. On the contrary, we want to become the voice of those who have been suppressed, wronged, or just neglected. When we perform in sarees, regular homemakers identify with us," said Tiwari.

Jaya Tiwari recalls, "It started with three women and one guitar in 2010. We used kitchen utensils as music instruments during our initial days. We would think of the lyrics and the rhythm of our songs while doing household chores." For raising awareness towards social issues, the band has received several awards from government, social, and private organisations.

The band is credited with creating jingles for 1090 Women Power Helpline, Women Honour Cell, and a song for Mahila Bal Kalyan Vibhag which was launched by the chief minister himself.

Recently, the band performed for the Indian Army in Kashmir.

"I remember how hard it would be for us to find a place and time for jamming sessions. Sometimes, it still is. We could not do it in our houses as others would get disturbed. So, a lot of times, we jam together in public parks," said Tiwari.

Tiwari added, "Our music is a fusion of Indian and Western. While our band may use rap music to highlight a cause, we also take inspiration from Uttar Pradesh folk music. Not all our songs highlight women's issues. We also sing about the water crisis, pollution, and tobacco usage, among others. I also want to highlight here that just because our band raises women's issues, it does not mean that we are 'anti-men' in any way." Niharika Dubey, who plays synthesizer for the band, said, "After every concert, we feel like warriors fighting against social evils. Our instruments are our weapons. Our band gives a platform to women who can sing or play an instrument and are passionate about bringing a social change. I want to highlight the mission of our band through one of our songs -- hum hi hain shakti, hum hi tarakki, humein garv hai, hum beti hain (we are the power, we are progress, we are proud to be daughters)."
Kolkata, June 21 : Facing criticism, the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) on Wednesday finally issued an instruction barring election-related duty for the forthcoming panchayat polls to medical officers associated with different state-run medical utilities.

In a directive to all the district magistrates and district panchayat election officers, the additional chief secretary of the commission clearly stated that medical officers have been exempted from any kind of poll-related duty.

Controversies shrouded recently after the administration in Howrah district allotted election-related duties to doctors associated with the state-run medical outfits.

The Association of Health Service Doctors- West Bengal has written to the West Bengal State Election Commission expressing their objection to the development.

In the letter, the association has contended that since the doctors being involved in emergency services of utmost importance like health care services, how the district administration could allot them the duties of presiding officers or polling officers. The association has pointed out that this is unprecedented in the polling history at least in the state.

In the same order to all the district magistrates and district panchayats, the election officers have also barred primary teachers and para-teachers associated with different state-run schools from being appointed as the fourth polling officers for the forthcoming panchayat elections.

"With reference to the above, I am directed to state that it has come to the notice of the Commission that there have been instances where Para Teachers and Primary Teachers have been appointed as Fourth Polling Officers and in other instances Medical Officers have been assigned polling duties. In this regard, I am directed to inform that Para Teachers or Primary Teachers may not be appointed as Fourth Polling Officers and where Medical Officers have been assigned polling duties, they may be exempted," read the order, a copy of which is available with IANS.
Kiev, June 21 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that progress in the war-torn nation's counter-offensive to recapture areas seized by Russia, has been "slower than desired" since it was launched on June 10.

Speaking to the BBC, the President said: "Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not. What's at stake is people's lives." According to authorities in Kiev, Ukrainian forces have reclaimed eight villages so far in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk to the east.

Zelensky said the military push was not going easily because 200,000 sq.km. of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces.

"Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best," the President told the BBC.

He reinforced the need for Ukraine to be given security guarantees from NATO but said ultimately the goal was membership of the defensive alliance.

"(NATO chief Jens) Stoltenberg knows my position... We've told them numerous times: 'Don't knock the ground from under our feet'." Zelensky's remarks came ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, which will focus on the role the private sector can play in rebuilding his country.

The President told the BBC that the support he needed was not just for recovery but for transformation as well.

He said "quick steps" to be done immediately included finding places for people to live, rebuilding the destroyed Kakhovka dam and decentralising the energy network.

"But on the larger scale we are speaking about the transformation of Ukraine," he explained. "This is Ukraine not only with its energy and agriculture and industrial complexes, but with its reforms we can see." Regarding the end-game of the war, Zelensky said "victories on the battlefield are necessary" and that "no matter how far we advance in our counter-offensive, we will not agree to a frozen conflict because that is war, that is a prospectless development for Ukraine".

When asked about Russia's recent announcement of moving tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, he said: "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has been dangerous for us since 2014 when he occupied the first of our territories. He will talk about the use of nuclear weapons, I don't think he is ready to do it because he is scared for his life, he loves it a lot.

"But there is no way I could say for sure, especially about a person with no ties to reality, who in the 21st Century, launched a full-scale war against their neighbour."
Mumbai, June 21 : The doyen of Indian advertising, Sylvester daCunha - who created the lovable Amul Girl 'utterly butterly' campaign in 1966, passed away late on Tuesday, his associates said.

He was in his 80s and is survived by his wife Nisha, their son and advertising master Rahul daCunha. He was the brother of the late advertising genius, Gerson daCunha.

It was way back in 1966 that Managing Director of advertising agency ASP, Sylvester daCunha, and his art director Eustace Fernandes had designed the iconic Amul Girl campaign which won the hearts of millions, and was widely acknowledged during her Golden Jubilee in 2016.

The ad had a special sense of humour and the mischievous Amul Girl in a polka-dotted frock, with rosy, chubby cheeks, didn't flinch at poking fun at the high and mighty in India, including the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the present Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amitabh Bachchan, and many others.

The Amul is credited with running what is probably the longest hoarding ad campaign at Mumbai's picturesque Chowpatty with many quotable quotes and even featuring in the local newspapers.

Tributes poured on social media for the ad-master with Amul India GM Marketing, Pavan Singh, expressing sadness at Sylvester's passing.

"Very sad to learn that Sylvester daCunha, the legend of the Indian Advertising world, is no longer amongst us. It was an honour to have learnt the art of Brand communication and advertising, from him over nearly 3 decades," said Singh.

He recalled how, along with the legendary Dr. Verghese Kurien, it was Sylvester Dacunha who had initiated Amul's "immortal, iconic topical campaign in 1966, which is one of longest continuously running advertising campaigns in the world".

"This campaign scaled new heights, moved seamlessly from OOH to print, TV & then digital and social media, enhancing its reach and popularity across multiple generations!," Singh said in his tribute to the legend.
KRAKOW, Poland, June 21. The opening ceremony of the III European Games got underway in Poland, Trend reports.

The event is being held at the Wisla stadium.

The first European Games were held in 2015 in Azerbaijan, while the second games took place in Belarus four years later.
New Delhi, June 21 : The much delayed reshuffle in the Congress is scheduled to take place before June 30, and the party is also mulling the idea of appointing a vice president, informed sources said on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the changes are on the cards and will be announced soon after the first opposition meeting in Patna.

A party source said that in view of the reshuffling in the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision making body, a discussion is on to appoint a vice president.

The source said, however, a decision will be taken by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Besides this, the source said that there are several changes on the cards in the CWC as several senior leaders are set to get promotion.

The source said that Rajiv Shukla, who played a crucial role for ensuring the victory in Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls as in-charge of the hill state will get the charge of another state.

Besides Shukla, senior party leader Ajay Maken, Mohan Prakash, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Nitin Raut, Ramesh Chennithalla and Suraj Hegde are also likely to bag bigger roles in the party.

The source said that senior party leaders like Tariq Anwar, Mukul Wasnik, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jitendra Singh, Kumari Selja, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will be able to hold their posts.

The source also revealed that many state unit chiefs are also likely to be changed in the next few days.

The source said that the state presidents of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are also likely to be changed.

At the party's three-day plenary session that was held in Raipur from February 24 to 26, the Steering Committee had unanimously decided to authorise Kharge to nominate all members to the working committee (CWC) and thus election was not required for the party's top decision making body.

The party during the Plenary Session had also decided to provide 50 per cent reservation for SC, ST, OBC, minorities, women, and youth below the age of 50 years in the CWC and also increase the members of the highest decision making body to 35.

The source said that Congress is also likely to give independent charge to many secretaries below the age of 50 years, as per the resolution passed at the party's three-day Chintan Shivir held in Rajasthan's Udaipur in May last year.

The reshuffling in the party is being made keeping in view the crucial Lok Sabha Polls scheduled next year.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 21 : The Kerala unit of Congress on Wednesday requested State Police chief Anil Kant to register a case against CPI(M) state secretary M.V.Govindan over his utterances regarding State Congress president K.Sudhakaran.

A Congress delegation led by KPCC general secretary T.U.Radhakrishnan and three other party office-bearers went to meet the police chief.

"We have filed a complaint demanding registration of case against Govindan for his statements as it has caused a huge dent to the image of the party and our president. There has been no mention of what Govindan has said in any of the police records. He did it purposely to incite trouble and hence appropriate action as per the law should be taken against him," said Radhakrishnan to the media soon after meeting Kant.

On Sunday, the party organ published a report which was later referred to at a press conference by Govindan that Sudhakaran was present at the residence of now-jailed fraud antique dealer Monson Mavunkal when he was sexually abusing his domestic help's daughter.

The report and statement came a day after Mavunkal was sentenced to life by the Ernakulam District POCSO court.

The case surfaced in 2022, when he was already in jail in a cheating case, after his former domestic help petitioned the police that her minor daughter sexually assaulted him in July 2019 at his house.

The court, on Saturday, found the man guilty of the crime and sentenced him to life.

Sudhakaran said that he will go to any extent to ensure that Govindan is taken to task for such a shameless act, not befitting the stature of a party's state secretary.
Kolkata, June 21 : The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought a report from the West Bengal government on children injured in a bomb-blast at Murshidabad district on June 19.

The NCPCR has also sought an action taken report (ATR) from the state government on this count.

A communication in this regard had been sent from NCPCR to the office of the state chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi seeking the report within the next 24 hours.

On June 19, five children were severely injured in the Jangipur area in Murshidabad district following the explosion of a crude bomb which the kids were playing with, mistaking it for a ball. The five children, aged between seven and 11 years, are currently under treatment at a local hospital. The matter was reported to NCPCR which had taken strong exception to the development.

Sources said that in its communique NCPCR has described the matter as a serious matter of child right's violation.

It has also directed the state government to immediately identify those behind the tragic incident and get them booked under necessary legal provisions, besides making all necessary treatment arrangements for the injured children.

In the communique to the state government, NCPCR has also hinted towards sending a field-inspection team to the states to investigate the matter on-ground at the pace of occurrence.

Since the model code of conduct is already applicable in the state in view of the forthcoming polls for the three-tier panchayat system in the state, NCPCR might seek the permission of the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) for sending the field-inspection team.
Tokyo, June 21 : The Japanese Parliament concluded its 150-day regular session on Wednesday during which 58 bills were enacted into legislation, including controversial laws related to rising defence spending and immigration.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition has enacted legislation spanning a controversial law to boost the pacifist country's defence expenditure, as well as a bill to revise the immigration and refugee law, which was also a point of political contention, reports Xinhua news agency.

During the main session of the year, despite concerns in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a bill was also approved by parliament to allow the country's nuclear reactors to be operated beyond the current time limit of 60 years.

As for when Kishida will dissolve the lower chamber and call a snap election, political watchers here believed that the decision would have been announced prior to the end of the regular session, but the Prime Minister quashed such speculation last week.

Political analysts now believe Kishida may be waiting for an uptick in his cabinet's support rate before making the move, which has taken a hit over an array of privacy errors related to the "My Number" national identification card system, amid broader concerns over how key policies will be funded.

On June 16, the lower house voted down a no-confidence motion submitted against Kishida's cabinet by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ).

The CDPJ in the motion against Kishida's cabinet had taken aim at the Prime Minister for being unable to explain how key policies would be funded.

Such policies included controversial, hefty spending plans by Japan to boost its defence capabilities, as well as expenditure to counter the country's rapidly declining birthrate.

It may now be the case that Kishida will hold off on calling a snap election until an extraordinary parliamentary session that might be held in fall, the analysts said, after a likely cabinet reshuffle, which could go ahead in summer.
Jammu, June 21 : Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command participated in the event organised at Udhampur in J&K, the Army said on Wednesday.

"He complimented the soldiers and families for incorporating yoga into their daily routine in extreme high-altitude areas and harsh climatic conditions to combat psychological stress and fatigue.

"Yoga is a prime tool for stress management and improvement of the combat efficiency. The Army Commander exhorted the troops to practice yoga to further expand their physical and mental capacities," the Army said.

"Yoga is being promoted as a way of life in the Army and specially for the troops deployed in mountainous and High-Altitude Areas of Northern Command. All ranks have imbibed it as a regime to boost their mental / physical health. Unique feat has been achieved by the units and formations of Northern Command by organising Yoga at large number of places," "The campaign on yoga was spread throughout Northern Command from 'Indus to Ganges' and over 1,75,000 soldiers and 75,000 families participated in the Yoga sessions with great zeal and enthusiasm," the Army said.
Hyderabad, June 21 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at a few private medical colleges and other institutions in Telangana on Wednesday.

The ED officials began simultaneous searches in the morning at multiple locations in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Mahabunagar and other places.

Searches were on at Malla Reddy Medical College at Suraram on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The college is run by Malla Reddy group of institutions owned by Telangana labour minister Malla Reddy.

The personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were providing security to the ED teams conducting searches at various premises.

Searches were also conducted at the corporate office of Prathima Group at Film Nagar in Hyderabad. The ED officials were also conducting searches at other offices of Prathima Group.

The central agency was also carrying out searches at Prathima Medical College and Prathima Multiplex in Karimnagar. Searches were also on at Chalmeda Ananda Rao Medical College in Karimnagar.

The ED officials were also conducting searches at Kamineni Medical College at L.B. Nagar Hyderabad, SVS Medical College in Mahabubnagar, MSR Medical College in Sangareddy district.

The ED officials were reportedly checking records of financial transactions at these colleges following allegations of irregularities.
Chennai, June 21 : Governor R.N. Ravi said that while Tamil Nadu was very progressive and spread the light of Yoga to the whole country, the state was having high incidents of diabetes, which was a matter of concern.

He was speaking at Annamalai University in Chidambaram during the International Yoga Day celebrations.

The Governor said that diabetes is not a disease that was spread by bacteria or virus but one that can be kept away with adequate and proper lifestyle.

The Governor called upon students and practitioners of yoga to spread the light of Yoga in villages and rural areas. He also said that Yoga was the cheapest way to keep oneself healthy.

He said that Tamil Nadu was the land where Yoga originated and Yoga had now spread across the length and breadth of the country and across the globe. The Governor also said that the great Shaivite saint Thirumoolar had given 'Thirumandiram '(Tamil classic that has extensive mentions on Yoga) some 3000 years ago Ashtanga yoga which was incorporated by Rishi Pathanjali in Sanskrit.

He also said that Tamil Nadu was a state of Siddhars and Yogis for several thousands of years and called upon the Yoga teachers and practitioners in the state to spread it.

The Governor said that he began practicing Yoga at a very young age and it has helped him to stay in good health.
Wellington, June 21 : As incidents of crime and robbery continue unabated in New Zealand, a group of dairy store owners, mostly of Indian descent, presented a petition signed by 34,000 people to the New Zealand Parliament on Wednesday, calling for government action.

The petitioners have called on the government to take a harder stance on crime, with more police presence on the streets, legal penalties for parents of youth offenders, and stronger punishments for teenagers who were offending, the NZ Herald reported.

"There was a consensus among Kiwis that something needed to be done. We are being burgled and robbed 18 times a day, we are getting ram-raided every ten hours," Sunny Kaushal, who leads the Dairy and Business Owners Group in New Zealand, said.

The petition, which says 'enough is enough', comes after 34 year-old Indian-origin dairy worker Janak Patel was brutally stabbed to death last year during an alleged robbery at the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham.

Three men have been charged with his murder and will go to trial next year.

Following Patel's death, protests erupted in New Zealand with people turning up in huge numbers asking the government to do more to combat robberies.

Even though the country announced new measures to counter retail crime, which included providing a NZ$4,000 subsidy to shop owners to install fog cannons in their shops to stop burglaries, crime has continued unabated.

Patel's father, who was among the petitioners, demanded a strong action from the government in preventing such tragedies in future.

The group also presented a manifesto, which called on the government to reform the laws of self-defence and the defence of property based on the Australian Criminal Code, among other things.

"We need to feel safe in our communities... it is a time for red lines before we have another murder in New Zealand," Kaushal told NZ Herald.

Just a day before the petition was presented, three masked men rammed their way into a vape store owned by an Indian-origin Pawik Patel in Goulstone Road, and stole products worth NZ$8000.

Indians make up 5 per cent of the New Zealand population.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs data, there are 240,000 Indians residing in New Zealand, out of which there are 1.6 lakh people of Indian origin and 80,000 NRIs.

The New Zealand government statistics said there were close to 23 ram raids in the Northland region alone until November 20, 2022.
Guwahati, June 21 : Badruddin Ajmal, Lok Sabha MP and the chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), on Wednesday criticised the draft proposal published by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam.

According to Ajmal, the ECI prepared the draft under the influence of the BJP.

Ajmal told reporters here, "We saw that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a very long meeting a few days ago. They sent the proposal and the ECI prepared the draft accordingly." He also claimed that the BJP leaders first approved the draft for delimitation after which the ECI published it.

The AIUDF chief also alleged that Congress has a 'secret' tie-up with Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam.

"The Chief Minister showed the draft to the Congress which agreed to it. The Congress often calls us as a B team of BJP but in reality, Congress is the A plus team of the BJP in the state," he said.

In the draft proposal published on Tuesday, the ECI said, "All Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in the state are to be delimited on the basis of the 2001 Census as provided under Article 170 and Article 82 of the Constitution. The census figures of 2001, as published by the Census commissioner, have thus alone been considered for this purpose." The number of seats in the Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies has been retained at 126 and 14, respectively.

In the draft proposal, 19 seats in the Assembly have been allocated to Scheduled Tribes (STs), a rise of of three seats, while two seats are allotted to STs out of the 14 Parliamentary seats.

Similarly, nine seats in the Legislative Assembly are allocated to Scheduled Castes (SCs), a rise of one seat, while one seat is allotted to SCs in the Lok Sabha.

Ajmal also said that Congress will gain at least 10-12 seats in the next Assembly elections due to the delimitation, whereas many AIUDF leaders are set to lose the next polls.

"The BJP and Congress have planned to finish AIUDF in Assam," he added.

Meanwhile, the AIUDF chief will visit Patna on Thursday to meet Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad for opposition unity talks. He will fly to Delhi from there to submit a representation before the Election Commission on the delimitation issue.

"We will oppose the draft proposal of delimitation," he told the press.

Earlier, AIUDF MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya had alleged that the ECI is like a 'caged parrot' under BJP's rule.

He wrote on Twitter, "The draft delimitation for Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam published by ECI is clearly agenda-driven and not based on any population or geographical factors, but purely on communal basis - the agenda driven by the RSS and BJP.

"This draft, if finalised, will be a black spot on democracy. Delimitation should make the legislative process easier and not complicate it. The draft will create a lot of legislative hurdles in the coming times, leave aside taking away the democratic rights of the minorities."
A braveheart from Mumbai, Maj. VETRI MATHAN, Veer Chakra, got a memorial in his honour in his birthplace, for his supreme sacrifice in the 1971 War. Image Source: IANS News

A braveheart from Mumbai, Maj. VETRI MATHAN, Veer Chakra, got a memorial in his honour in his birthplace, for his supreme sacrifice in the 1971 War. Image Source: IANS News

A braveheart from Mumbai, Maj. VETRI MATHAN, Veer Chakra, got a memorial in his honour in his birthplace, for his supreme sacrifice in the 1971 War. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, June 21 : In a befitting tribute, 1971 India-Pakistan war hero Major Vetri Nathan, hailing from Mumbai, has been honoured with a memorial in Colaba, an official said here on Wednesday.

Joining the Indian Army at the age of 21, the officer belonged to 11 Gorkha Rifles regiment and already has a road named after him as 'Major Vetri Nathan Marg'.

At the height of the war in December 1971, Major Nathan fought gallantly and successfully completed his special mission against the enemy, before making the supreme sacrifice in the Kargil sector.

Aged just 30 when he was martyred, Major Nathan was conferred the Vir Chakra posthumously for his brave deeds.

At the memorial inauguration, Lieutenant General H.S. Kahlon, GOC of MG and G Area, felicitated the family members of the braveheart in the presence of several army personnel and war veterans, civilian dignitaries, NCC cadets and Army Public School students.

He urged the people in the armed forces to draw inspiration from the life of Major Nathan and imbibe the qualities of courage and selfless devotion to duty.

During the 1971 war, Major Nathan's Battalion 2/11 GR was deployed in the challenging Kargil sector, which had a series of hills along the Line of Control that were of strategic importance for the military.

One such position was Point 13620 dominating the Srinagar-Leh Highway that was under the control of the Pakistani forces.

India had captured this Point in the 1965 war, but had to return it as part of the Tashkent Agreement of January 10, 1966.

As the hill Point under control of the enemy posed a serious threat to the Indian troops' movement on the highway, it was imperative to dislodge the Pakistanis from there.

This task was assigned to the young Major Nathan and his dedicated team, who launched an attack on December 6, 1971.

Displaying exemplary courage and leadership skills, Major Nathan managed to capture a post, known as 'Black Rocks', and as they advanced towards Point 13620, they encountered the enemy's medium machine-gun post at the top.

Major Nathan concluded that the enemy post had to be neutralised at any cost, and without regard for his personal safety, he took a handheld rocket launcher, stood up and aimed to destroy the enemy bunker.

As he shot off the rocket which knocked off the MMG bunker, he was shot in the head by an enemy bullet and was martyred.

Enraged by this, the aggressive Gorkha Regiment troops unsheathed their 'Khukris' and pounced on the enemy soldiers, eliminating many before the survivors were forced to evacuate and flee all the posts before dawn the next day, and the mission was successfully completed.

Acknowledging Major Nathan's valour and successful mission, the post was named a 'Vetri Post' in his honour and a memorial was erected there.

"Bravehearts like Major Nathan are not limited to a house, family or society but they are the pride of the state and the nation," said Lt. Gen. Kahlon, dedicating the memorial for the general public.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. On June 21, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks in Moscow with Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, press service of the government of the Russian Federation says, Trend reports.

"The heads of government plan to discuss topical issues of Russian-Qatari trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of joint projects in the field of energy, industry, agriculture and other areas," the press service said.
Panaji, June 21 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that when he speaks about injustice done to Goans by Portuguese some people feel bad about.

The Chief Minister was speaking during the shifting of new premises of Goa Konkani Akademi in Panaji.

Jnanpith awardee Damodar Mauzo, Saraswati Samman awardee Mahabaleshwar Sail and other writers were present on the occasion.

"I don't have to talk much as Damodar Mauzo and Mahabaleshwar sail has cleared some issues. They have spoken about how the Portuguese were doing injustice to the Konkani language," Sawant said.

"They also spoke about inquisition. This proves that the Portuguese were doing injustice to people of the state. If I say this then people feel bad, as I speak from the position of Chief Minister. It is good that our writers spoke about it, because when writers speak people easily understand," Sawant said.

He urged the student community to learn about Portuguese inquisition. "Our writers should write about it," he said.

Mahabaleshwar Sail said that Portuguese ruled Goa for 450 years and during this period they tried to wipe away Konkani language but they did not succeed because Konkani is a rich language.

On June 6, during the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Chief Minister had urged the people to wipe away all the Portuguese signs from the coastal state.

The Chief Minister said that the Portuguese began destroying temples in Goa and their acts ceased only after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj intervened.

Stating that 60 years have passed since Goa was liberated, the CM said, "We should wipe away all the Portuguese signs from the coastal state." The Chief Minister remarks had drawn flak over his remarks from politicians and netizens, who said that Portuguese had brought many things (like cashew and other things) from their land to Goa, which can't be wiped out.
San Francisco, June 21 : Popular chatting platform Discord has introduced a new tool called -- 'Downloadables', which will give creators a new way to make money from their communities by selling digital products via one-time purchases.

"Over the coming months, we'll begin experimenting with ways for server owners to sell digital products (like a recipe e-book, gaming guide or digital wallpaper) as a one-time purchase with Downloadables," Derek Yang, Group Product Manager at Discord, said in a blogpost on Tuesday.

The company also introduced Premium Roles, which is currently available as part of Server Subscriptions -- will soon be purchasable either standalone or bundled with users' chosen Downloadables for a one-time purchase.

With Premium Roles, creators can offer exclusive access with every purchase. Creators can make role-gate channels and perks, allowing customers to connect with each other and get support for their purchases, according to the company.

With all of these additional ways to earn on Discord, the chatting platform is also testing 'Server Shop', a single home for server owners, to sell Server Subscriptions, Downloadables and Premium Roles.

Moreover, Discord introduced a new type of channel in beta called -- Media Channels.

"Media Channels are a new media-first channel type in Beta that enables you to pamper your subscribers like never before, and will start rolling out today to all Community servers with Server Subscriptions enabled," said Discord.

These are designed to focus on videos, photos, and files, and they could be useful for communities that want to better separate meme dumps from text chats.
Kolkata, June 21 : Suchetana Bhattacharya, the daughter of former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, has declared herself as a "transman", adding that she would shortly undergo sex reassignment surgery (SRS).

The matter first surfaced on social media in a post by LGBTQ activist Suprava Roy, who uploaded a picture of Suchetana addressing a symposium on the livelihood of the people of the community.

According to Roy, at the symposium, Suchetana declared herself as a "transman" and also said that after the sex-change surgery, 'he' would be known as 'Suchetan'.

Later, Suchetana confirmed the genuineness of the post to a section of the media, and said that it was her own decision as an adult individual having attained the age of 41.

She also appealed to the people not to mix up her family identity with her personal identity.

Suchetana also confirmed about taking the necessary legal steps required before going for the surgery.

Actress and rights activist Ushashie Chakrabiorty, who was also a speaker at the symposium, told IANS that it is not easy for someone like Suchetana, whose father is a former Chief Minister of the state, to come out so boldly and announce such a decision.

"I feel that the bold step taken by Suchetana will encourage many others to come out of the closet and express their feelings. Many people are scared to open up. The more people come forward, the more the social movement on this issue will be strengthened. Steps taken by persons like Suchetana will surely have a big impact on the society," Chakrabiorty told IANS Senior counsel of the Calcutta High Court and a prominent face of the LGBTQ movement in Kolkata, Kaushik Gupta, also agreed with Chakraborty on this point.

"The idea is to establish freedom of choice and freedom of expression. There have been cases of people undergoing sex reassignment surgeries before. Their initiatives are equally commendable for encouraging others to come out of the closet. But when a person coming from a background of repute opens up on such an issue, it has a bigger impact on the society," Gupta said.
London, June 21 : A top virologist on the UN health body's panel, Professor Marion Koopmans, has said that the World Health Organization (WHO) should never have dismissed the lab leak theory about the origin of the Covid pandemic.

The WHO in its initial assessment in 2021 had stated that it was "extremely unlikely" that Covid might have spilled into humans from a lab.

Koopmans, who heads the Department of Viroscience at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, is one of 12 people investigating the emergence of the pandemic on behalf of WHO.

Speaking to the BBC podcast "Fever: The Hunt for Covid's Origin", Koopmans said the theory that the virus escaped from a secretive lab in Wuhan could never be ruled out, the Daily Mail reported.

"We shouldn't have done that," she added.

A team of experts from the WHO spent four weeks in China in January 2021 to investigate whether Covid-19 is the result of a lab-leak.

The agency announced that "all hypotheses remain on the table," and that "we have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do." But the global health body ruled that the natural-origins theory was the most likely -- and placed a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology as "extremely unlikely" and behind the frozen-food origin theory.

China, on the other hand, stated that the virus began in a US research facility in Maryland or in imported frozen food packaging.

Meanwhile, Koopmans said that she hasn't ruled out both theories of the frozen-food and lab-leak.

"Neither of them are ruled out in my mind," she was quoted as saying.

Asked whether including the frozen-food theory in the final report undermined WHO's mission, Koopmans said: "I don't think so." "Again, as a scientist, looking at the literature and looking at what is possible, I felt we should also not throw it out because it was pushed politically." In May, former Chinese CDC head Dr George Fu Gao, also said that the theory that Covid-19 is the result of a lab-leak should not be discounted. Gao directed China's CDC when Covid first emerged in Wuhan.

"You can always suspect anything. That's science. Don't rule out anything," Gao was quoted as saying to the same BBC podcast.

China has since the beginning dismissed any suggestion the disease may have originated in a Wuhan laboratory.

More than two years after the pandemic that has infected over 763 million and claimed more than 6.9 million lives globally, the origins of Covid-19 remain unclear.
Hyderabad, June 21 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha has said that Telangana will oppose any attempt to impose Hindi.

"We will break any Hindi imposition rules," said Kavitha, who is daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

She was addressing Telangana Sahitya Sabha on Wednesday. Kavitha, a member of Telangana Legislative Council, stated the Telangana movement was carried forward with the slogan that it is not only important to achieve Telangana but also to preserve our culture and traditions.

She said that Hindi is a beautiful language and her favorite language too. The words in Hindi songs are amazing. "As literature lovers, we will adore literature in the Hindi language, but if someone sets rules imposing Hindi, we will break the rules," she said.

"In the context of such strange developments taking place in the country, we need to travel from the limited perspective of Telangana to the broader perspective of Indianness. Telangana Jagruti was transformed into Bharat Jagruti as a part of that, a said Kavitha, who is prudent of Bharat Jagruthi.

Telangana Sahitya Sabha has started under the chairmanship of Kavitha. On this occasion, she conferred Professor Kothapalli Jayashankar Vishishta Sahitya Puraskar-2023 on Acharya N Gopi.

Kavitha said that except for Telangana, no state in the country pays salaries and honors artists. She pointed out that the Telangana government has established an organization called Kala Sarathi and it is honoring more than 530 artists by paying salaries.
Hyderabad, June 21 : Telangana Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy said on Wednesday that the state is witnessing re-alignment of anti-KCR forces ahead of the Assembly elections.

Revanth Reddy said as part of the process, he is inviting several leaders to join the Congress. The state Congress chief was speaking to reporters after inviting former minister Jupally Krishna Rao and ex-MP Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy to join the party.

Both Krishna Rao and Srinivasa Reddy were recently suspended from the ruling Bhaarat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for anti-party activities.

Revanth Reddy along with party MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and other senior leaders met Krishna Rao and Srinivasa Reddy on Wednesday and invited them to join the party.

While Srinivasa Reddy told reporters that he will announce his decision in 3-4 days, Krishna Rao agreed with the need to unite anti-KCR forces to realise the dreams of Telangana's martyrs.

According to Congress sources, both the leaders will meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on June 25. The next day they will announce their decision to join the Congress at a press conference.

Two MLCs, some former MLAs and a couple of Zilla Parishad chairpersons are also likely to join the Congress.

All the leaders will formally join the Congress at a public meeting at Khammam on July 2 which will be addressed by Rahul Gandhi, sources said.

Revanth Reddy said that a re-alignment of anti-KCR forces will be done to bring Congress to power so that justice can be done to Dalits, tribals, minorities and weaker sections of the society.

He noted that many leaders are raising their voice against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and they will all be brought together so that they play their role in bringing 'Indiramma Rajyam' in the state.

The state Congress chief exuded confidence that the Congress will win 15 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, and thus play a key role in strengthening the party at the Centre.

Krishna Rao said that the BRS has lost the moral right to rule Telangana, adding that BRS and KCR have betrayed Telangana's martyrs by not fulfilling their dreams. He also alleged that all the schemes of the BRS government are aimed at fooling the people and that it is neck deep in corruption.

Stating that there are dissidents in the BJP and other parties, he underlined the need to unite them to become a strong force.

Srinivasa Reddy said that KCR's rule is against the spirit of self-rule, adding that for the last four months, he along with krishna Rao visited various parts of the state and met people from various sections of the society.

"After consultation with all, we have almost taken a decision in tune with the people's aspirations and we will announce the same shortly," he said.

Srinivas Reddy, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Khammam on YSR Congress Party ticket in 2014, later switched loyalties to BRS. He was unhappy after KCR denied him a party ticket for both 2018 Assembly and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Krishna Rao had resigned from the Congress to join the BRS in 2011. He was elected from the Kollapur constituency in Mahabubnagar district in 2014 on a BRS ticket. He felt sidelined in the BRS after MLA Harshvardhan Reddy, who had defeated him in 2018, switched his loyalties from Congress to BRS after the Assembly polls.
Bhopal, June 21 : Rats reportedly nibbled the ears and face of a body kept in the mortuary of government-run Hamidiya hospital in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal.

As per reports, the body was of a 50-year-old man who died during treatment on Monday. It was kept in the mortuary located at the basement area of the hospital.

The matter came to light after the family members, who came to receive the body, noticed the multiple bite marks on ears and face of the deceased.

Reportedly, when the family of the deceased raised questions, the employees associated with the department (mortuary) said that such incidents occur often.

Reacting to the incident, Congress accused the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government of gross negligence.

Medical Education Minister, Vishwas Sarang, however, swung into action soon after the controversy and claimed to have ordered an inquiry into the matter.

"It's matter of gross negligence. An inquiry has been ordered in to matter," Sarang said.
New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga during a programme organised on the 'International Day of Yoga' at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the programme organised on the 'International Day of Yoga' at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the programme organised on the 'International Day of Yoga' at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga during a programme organised on the 'International Day of Yoga' at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New York : People perform yoga during a programme organised on the 'International Day of Yoga' at the UN headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New York : People perform yoga during a programme organised on the 'International Day of Yoga' at the UN headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi after arriving at United Nations headquarters for the 'International Day of Yoga' celebrations, in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo: IANS/MEAIndia) Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at United Nations headquarters for the 'International Day of Yoga' celebrations, in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo: IANS/MEAIndia) Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauds as India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj shows the Guinness World Records certificate awarded after creating a record for most nationalities in a Yoga session during the 9th Interna Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga during a programme organised on the 'International Day of Yoga' at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New York : Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi after arriving at United Nations headquarters for the 'International Day of Yoga' celebrations, in New York, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Photo: IANS/MEAIndia) Image Source: IANS News

United Nations, June 21 : The International Day of Yoga celebrations on the UN campus on Wednesday entered the Guinness World Records for most nationalities gathering for a yoga session, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary Generl Antonio Guterres' message that the ancient art is a universal unifying force.

A representative from Guinness declared that with 135 nationalities participating, the event set the record for the most nationalities gathering for a single yoga session.

Modi said that yoga unifies everyone, of all faiths and cultures.

"Yoga is truly a universal brand," he said.

Guterres, who was away in Paris for a conference, said in a video message, "Yoga reveals our common humanity, helping us understand that despite our differences, we are one." He said that Yoga Day has embraced the spirit of unity and resolve to build a better and more harmonious world for the people, planet and ourselves.

A mosaic of races and nationalities covered the green of the UN lawn speckled with yellow yoga mats. As one, they went through an array of simple yoga exercises focused on breathing and relaxation.

About 1,800 people -- officials, diplomats, UN staff and yoga enthusiasts -- participated in the event, spilling over from the lawns to the walkway along the East River.

Before the yoga observances, Modi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi before his statue and honoured at their memorial the peacekeepers who died in the service of the UN.

UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi emphasised yoga's role in protecting the environment.

"Yoga is an ethical guide, it is a guide to sustainability, not overusing," he said.

New York Mayor Eric Adams called for making yoga shape the city and national agendas.

The spirit and emotion of yoga should "challenge [us] to fight against war, to fight against gender oppression, to fight against violence and to fight against lack of clean water", he said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
New Delhi, June 21 : A 25-year-old B.Tech graduate was arrested from Uttar Pradesh for harassing a woman, who works in a placement agency in Delhi, an official said on Wednesday.

The accused was identified as Satendra Kumar Gupta, a resident of district Chandauli. He did B.Tech from Lucknow.

Sharing the details, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka), M Harsha Vardhan, said that a complaint was received on Tuesday at Cyber Dwarka police station, in which the complainant alleged that she works in a placement agency and one person is harassing her by sending obscene messages.

During the investigation, the Internet Protocol Detail Record (IPDR) of the alleged WhatsApp account was obtained by the police team tasked with the investigation.

"On the basis of technical surveillance and analysis of IPDR details, the alleged person was located in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh. Accordingly, a raid was conducted in the area, and Gupta was arrested," said the DCP.

During interrogation, Gupta admitted that he was searching for the job, and he got the mobile number of the complainant after which he called her and started harassing her by sending obscene messages.

"From the possession of the accused, one mobile phone was recovered which was used in the commission of the crime," the official added.
New Delhi, June 21 : A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Vikas Singh, a key associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, to five-day National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody in a case related to the Rocket-propelled Grenade (RPG) attack on Punjab Police's intelligence headquarters in Mohali in May 2022.

The agency produced the accused before vacation judge Pawan Kumar of the Patiala House Courts, and sought his seven-day custody for further interrogation.

Singh, a resident of Lucknow, was arrested on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in harbouring Deepak Surakhpur and Divyanshu, both residents of UP's Faizabad, of the Lawrence Bishnoi terror syndicate.

The two were involved in various criminal cases, including the RPG attack.

Appearing for the NIA, the special public prosecutor submitted that Singh's custodial interrogation is required to unfurl the criminal conspiracy and his links with the co-accused.

However, advocate Amit Sinha, appearing for Singh, opposed NIA's request for remand.

Considering the facts and submissions, the court observed that custodial interrogation of the accused is required.

"Accordingly, the application is allowed and the accused be sent to five-day NIA custody," the court ordered.

Judge Kumar also directed that the accused should be produced before the court again on June 26, adding that he also has to be medically examined according to the rules.

The present case relates to the terrorist-gangster conspiracy hatched by members of the Bishnoi syndicates based in India and abroad to raise funds and recruit youth to carry out terrorist acts in Delhi and other parts of the country.

The investigations so far have shown that the conspiracy was hatched in jails of different states and was being executed by an organised network of operatives based abroad.

The NIA investigation has revealed that Surakhpur was introduced to Singh by Vicky Midhukhera, another associate and friend of Bishnoi. Singh had connected Divyanshu, who was already known to him, to the Bishnoi syndicate.

The duo was also involved in numerous targeted contract killings, including those of businessman Sanjay Biyani in Maharashtra and gangster Rana Kandhowalia in Punjab. Singh also harboured another accused named Rinku after Kandowalia's murder.

The NIA has arrested 15 accused to date and has charged 14 accused, including Lawrence Bishnoi, in the terror-gangster conspiracy case.

The NIA had filed the charge sheet in the instant case on March 24 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Arms Act.
Majority of the UAE construction professionals (owners, contractors or industry consultants) are ready to welcome a government-monitored national construction playbook to safeguard the industry, according to a recent poll by British Business Group (BBG).

Nearly 64% of respondents believe the adoption of the same principles of the UK Construction Playbook would benefit the UAE's construction sector and protect the underlying performance of the industry, stated BBG.

A resounding 90% of those surveyed feel there has not, to date, been enough focus at the outset of a project on the whole life cost of the project.

In addition, 65% of respondents feel adopting the UK Construction Playbook approach to a UAE version would drive earlier stakeholder engagement, team collaboration and whole life perspective of the planning, delivery and operation of major projects, it added.

Christopher Seymour, Mott MacDonald's Head of Strategy and Investment Middle East, Africa and South Asia, said: "The UK Construction Playbook was well received by both supply chain and clients when it was released in 2020 and this survey demonstrates cross-sector support is extremely strong in the UAE for a guide based on similar themes."

Seymour was speaking at BBG's Construction Working Group, held in Dubai today (June 14).

Nearly 90% agree a playbook could enable all stakeholders to bring enhanced efficiency, innovation, transparency and standardisation to the sector, which can positively impact the returns achieved for all, he noted.

Suzannah Newboult, partner at the global law firm DLA Piper, said: "It is great to see the industry's confidence in the adoption of a construction playbook, which, if appropriately monitored, could result in the use of standard form contracts and risks being shared fairly. If properly implemented, a construction playbook would play a major part in establishing new market norms for the industry."

As per the BBG poll, the same percentage of those polled agree a playbook implemented and monitored by an appropriately designated government body to safeguard the underlying performance of the industry would drive the change required to deal with the challenges experienced by many project stakeholders.

Furthermore, over 80% of respondents feel the playbook, implemented and monitored through Project Outcome Profiles, or scorecards, by an appropriately designated government body, will provide the confidence required in the region's construction industry to attract further foreign direct investment (FDI) and stimulate the sector.

Almost all respondents agree a Construction Act codifying payment timeframes, adjudication and certification terms should be formulated and enforced.

Reacting to the survey results, Newboult said: "Backed up by a Construction Act in due course, we could see much more confidence in delivering projects here and reattract some of the major international contractors we have lost from the market."

"With the playbook would come transparency of the project pipeline, which more than 90 per cent agreed would help investment planning and regional commitment. Furthermore, 85 per cent support the concept of a playbook, which can bring about the principles required for contracts to be in a more standard form with risk being shared more fairly between the parties," he added.

General Manager of BBG in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Katy Holmes, said: "Since the BBG Construction Sector Working Group's inception in 2019, it has sought to provide a collective view of British construction and related companies to share with the UK and UAE governments."

"The survey shows a great willingness by companies keen to work together across the sector to improve the FDI environment, which will, in turn, support the UAE's progressive growth plans," he noted.

Most respondents predict the introduction of a playbook could have additional benefits, with nearly 90 per cent surveyed believing a UAE-specific playbook can emphasise environmental, social and governance principles to ensure organisations take the steps towards becoming more environmentally sustainable throughout the entire life cycle of a capital project.-TradeArabia News Service
Final Communications of UK Tycoon Aboard Lost Titanic Submarine Unveiled (Photo : Facebook/OceanGate Expeditions)

The occupants of the missing submersible, lost on its journey to visit the legendary Titanic wreck, include two billionaires, a renowned explorer, and a diver with extensive knowledge of the Titanic, among others. Authorities reported losing contact with the vessel - comparable in size to a minivan - on Sunday, roughly one hour and forty-five minutes into its deep-sea descent.



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Despite authorities withholding official passenger names, British entrepreneur Hamish Harding, Pakistani tycoons Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman Dawood, and esteemed French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet are known to be aboard. The fifth passenger is believed to be Stockton Rush, CEO and founder of the expedition's orchestrating company, Ocean Gate, as per an insider.



Hamish Harding, who resides in the UAE and has an impressive portfolio of extraordinary adventures, chairs Action Aviation, an aircraft brokerage firm. The company confirmed his presence aboard the submersible via a social media statement. The adventure enthusiast holds numerous records, including a 2019 world record for the fastest globe circumnavigation via both poles. In 2020, he ventured to the deepest point in the world's oceans, Challenger Deep, in the Pacific. Harding even bought a ticket for a Blue Origin space flight, the cost of which remains undisclosed.



Moreover, Harding, a trustee of the New York-based The Explorers Club, has participated in two South Pole expeditions. In 2016, he accompanied astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who became the oldest individual to reach the South Pole, and in 2020, he accompanied his son Giles, who became the youngest.



In a social media announcement preceding the vessel's disappearance, Harding expressed pride in joining the OceanGate Expeditions for the RMS Titanic mission as a mission specialist.



Shahzada Dawood and his son, Sulaiman, are prominent Pakistani business magnates, leading the Dawood Hercules Corporation, one of Pakistan's largest conglomerates with interests spanning energy, petrochemicals, fertilizers, IT, and food and agriculture.



Harding also named Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a diver with decades of experience exploring the Titanic, as a team member on his Facebook post.



Nargeolet's biography on RMS Titanic Inc's website reveals that he has completed 35 dives to the Titanic wreck and has overseen the recovery of 5,000 artifacts. David Gallo, a colleague at RMS Titanic Inc., expressed shock at the incident but affirmed that "everything that can be done, is being done."



Finally, Ocean Gate's CEO, Stockton Rush, who has previously piloted the now missing vessel, "Titan," is also among the missing. The world now watches in anticipation as rescue efforts for these remarkable individuals continue.


Kolkata, June 21 : The Trinamool Congress in West Bengal is reportedly facing internal revolt from two heavyweight party legislators over candidate selection for the July 8 panchayat elections in the state.

The development comes at a time when several incidents of clashes have been reported between two factions of the state's ruling party from different parts of the state over candidate selection and nomination filing.

The two Trinamool MLAs vocal on this issue are Manoranjan Byapari from Balagarh constituency in Hooghly district, and Humayun Kabir from Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad district.

Byapari has already resigned from two party posts besides expressing his desire to resign from the post of legislator.

"I also wish to resign from the post of MLA. But I am yet to start receiving pension for the job that I quit for contesting the elections two years back. Once I start receiving my pension, I will resign from the post of MLA. I can well realise now that politics is not the domain for people like me," Byapari said.

Although Byapari did not clearly specify the reasons for his actions, sources close to him said that he has been left distraught by the candidate selection in Hooghly district, especially over allegations of giving nominations to candidates in exchange for money.

Kabir, meanwhile, has been more vocal on this issue. Throwing a direct challenge at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool MLA has threatened to campaign for the Independent candidates.

He also accused Trinamool's Murshidabad district president Saoni Sinha Roy of allotting candidature to those who are infamous in the district as 'extortionists'.

The Trinamool leadership, however, does not want to give too much importance to such allegations. According to party leaders, since the people of West Bengal are behind the Chief Minister, the statements made by others need not be given much importance.
United Nations, June 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hit out at commercialisation of yoga, pointing out that it is free of copyrights and patents.

"Yoga is free from copyrights, free from patents and free from royalty payments," Modi said at the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN headquarters here.

In the US in particular, as well as elsewhere, yoga teachers and organisations claim copyrights and royalties and, sometimes, approach the courts.

For example, Indian-American yoga teacher Bikram Choudhury had sued an organisation that he claimed had violated his copyright on yoga practices. But the US federal courts threw out his case.

Meanwhile, Modi also welcomed the medical and scientific research on yoga.

"I'm delighted that many of you are working on scientifically validating the different aspects of yoga. Indeed, this is the way," he said while addressing a gathering of about 1,800 people.

"Yoga comes from India and it has a very old tradition. But like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living, dynamic," Modi said.

"Yoga is a way of life, a holistic approach to health and well-being, a way to mindfulness in thought and action, a way to live in harmony with self, with others and with nature," he said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Washington, June 21 : Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not then US President Barack Obama's first and automatic choice for his presidency's first state guest.

Singh became one by a "process of elimination", according to a former official of the Obama administration, who did not wish to be identified.

Singh was the last Indian Prime Minister hosted by a US President as a state guest until Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will join President Joe Biden on Thursday. Incidentally, every other Indian Prime Pinister has had that honour with the exception of P.V. Narasimha Rao; some of them were honoured twice, including Indira Gandhi (1971, 1982) and Manmohan Singh (2005, 2009).

Here is how Singh got his second invitation as Obama's first state guest. The Obama White House had decided early that it wanted to do something different with the selection of its first state guest, and it had quickly dismissed the "usual suspects", the allies and neighbours such as the United Kingdom (Ronald Reagan's first), South Korea (Bill Clinton's first), and Mexico (George W. Bush's first).

It finally had a short-list of four: India, China, Turkey and Brazil. And then the process of elimination started, according to the former staffer.

China was an important and strategic candidate. President Obama was keen on improving relations with China and had seriously mulled a G-2 grouping, which was being pushed by some scholars as a way for the world's two largest economies to work together to fight the economic crisis and deal with geopolitical flashpoints around the world.

Obama had met then Chinese President Hu Jintao and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had traveled to China in the early days of the administration.

But the Obama White House decided against Chin because "it did not want to honour a Communist country early on in the administration".

Turkey ruled itself out, according to the former staffer, because of "unhelpful moves" by then Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan regarding Kurds, the country's largest ethnic minority.

The next candidate was Brazil, and the White House appeared to be "leaning heavily towards" it. Many staffers were convinced that it would be Brazil -- and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is the current President as well.

But President Lula da Silva shot up his chances by eagerness to position himself for a larger global role by offering to mediate between the US and Iran. The "Obama people" did not like Lula telling them how to run US' ties with Iran - "there was a bit of hubris involved here".

India and Prime Minister Singh survived the elimination process, but they were not a top choice. Obama was not very keen at the time on a relationship with India.

As a Senator, Obama was one of the 13 Senators who had voted against ratifying the 2008 Civil Nuclear agreement signed by Prime Minister Singh and President George W. Bush.

Joe Biden, also a Senator then who would go on to be Obama's Vice President and then President, voted 'Yes' as did Hillary Clinton, who would go on to become Obama's Secretary of State and the Democratic nominee for President in 2016.

Senator Obama had also grilled then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her testimony in 2006 on the Civil Nuclear deal.

But it was India which survived the "process of elimination" that was undertaken by the White House. And once the decision was made and announced, the administration went all-out to promote it and position it appropriately.

"President Obama will host Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, at the White House on November 24 for an official state visit," the White House Press Secretary had said in a statement on October 2.

"This visit will be the first state visit of the administration and will highlight the strong and growing strategic partnership between the United States and India, and the friendship between the American and Indian people." The Press Secretary had further said: "During the visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues of shared interest and common concern. The two leaders will also likely discuss the strategic dialogue that was launched in July and review the progress made in the dialogue." Singh's visit included a state dinner that was hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the Indian Prime Minister and his wife Gursharan Kaur.

The dinner also made news for a couple that gatecrashed, in a serious breach of security: Tareq and Michaele Salahi. They had even met President Obama at the dinner and later claimed they had documents to prove they had an invitation, which was denied by the White House.
Bhubaneswar, June 21 : To improve rural road connectivity in the state, Odisha cabinet on Wednesday approved projects worth Rs 4,947 crore under four different components of Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana (MMSY).

Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena told media persons that the Cabinet has approved 15 proposals including four proposals from the Rural Development Department for construction of roads and bridges in rural and hilly areas during the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The cabinet has approved an outlay of Rs 1,893 crore for construction of roads to the length of 1814.92 km during two years (2023-24 to 2024-25) under MMSY-Transferred Road Improvement Programme (TRIP). All ongoing projects under this scheme will also be completed, he said.

Similarly, the government has approved implementation of MMSY-Connecting Unconnected Villages in Difficult Areas (CUVDA) with an outlay of Rs 976 crore.

Under the scheme, projects with a length of 361.34 km will be executed during 2023-24 and 2024-25. Bridges where required will be taken up to provide new connectivity or improved connectivity in difficult places of the targeted area, Jena said.

Further, the government has also decided to implement MMSY-Improvement to Existing RD Roads with an outlay of Rs 918 crore during 2023-25.

Besides, Rs 1,160 crore was approved for execution of 673.49 km of roads under MMSY- Connecting Missing Road Links (CMRL) during the two years.

The cabinet has also revised the cost of the ABADHA scheme from Rs 3,208 crore to Rs 4,224.22 crore with scheme implementation period from 2017-18 to 2024-25.

The state government had launched the ABADHA scheme during 2017-18 to develop Puri into a world class heritage city, to preserve and revitalise the heritage city.

The state Cabinet also approved a new scheme Mukhya Mantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana (MSPY), which is aimed at transforming nutrition outcomes of the adolescent girls (15-19 years), pregnant women & lactating mothers, malnourished children and severely underweight children of under 6 years of age across the state.

The scheme will be implemented over a period of five years with effect from the current financial year 2023-24 with a projected cost of Rs 3,354.40 crore, said the Chief Secretary.

The cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recommended the proposal for inclusion of the tribal language in the 8th schedule of Constitution of India, said ST & SC Development Minister Jagannath Saraka.

Inclusion of the Saora language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India will help in the preservation, promotion, propagation of the Saora language and culture, he said.

More than 5 lakh Saora speaking indigenous people will be benefited with this decision with no financial implication, he added.
New York, June 21 : Prime minister Narendra Modi left for Washington on Wednesday after completing the New York leg of his state visit to the US.

On Thursday, after reaching Washington, Modi will receive a ceremonial welcome and later will be hosted at a state dinner by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

He is also scheduled to address the joint session of US Congress in Washington.

Earlier on Wednesday, Modi led a yoga session at the UN headquarters in New York in the company of several dignitaries to mark the International Day of Yoga.
New Delhi, June 21 : Customs officials here at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday said that they have arrested a Tanzanian national for smuggling 1187 grams of methaqualone valued at around Rs 60 lakh by concealing it in his body.

Officials said that the accused, who came to Delhi from Uganda via Dubai, was arrested based on specific information.

"On personal search and through medical examination of the accused, 100 oval-shaped capsules of off-white colour were recovered which were concealed in his body. This yielded recovery of psychotropic substance tested positive for methaqualone," they said.

According to officials, the accused committed offense punishable under Section 22, 23, and Section 29 of NDPS Act. Accordingly, he was placed under arrest under Section 43(b) of NDPS Act.
New Delhi, June 21 : Customs officials said on Wednesday that they have arrested a Kenyan woman for smuggling 4.145 kg cocaine, valued at Rs 38.05 crore, hidden in three whisky bottles of the Black Label brand.

According to the Customs officials, the woman arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi from Addis Ababa. She was apprehended after she crossed the green channel and was heading towards the exit gate of the international arrival hall.

"During physical examination of her baggage, we fould white-coloured powdery substance suspected to be cocaine in three whisky bottles. The total weight of the recovered substance was 4.145 kg. The seized substance, valued at Rs 38.05 crore, is believed to be narcotics," said a Customs official.

The official added that the Kenyan woman has been arrested for the violation of provisions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Patna, June 21 : After returning to Patna from Chennai on Wednesday, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav claimed that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be fought on people's issues, and not on the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

When asked about BJP leaders claiming that the meeting for opposition unity in Patna on June 23 is aimed at making the country 'Congress Mukt', Tejashwi said, "When the opposition parties have already clarified the purpose of the June 23 meeting, why people are asking us questions about the BJP? "The meeting is an indication that a change will take place very soon. The change is necessary because people's issues are important. Elections are not about PM Modi alone, they are about people's issues," Tejashwi said.

"Removing one person from the post of Prime Minister is not the only concern for us. The elections are for the people of the country. They will choose the next government and they have already made the assessment of the present government.

"The people of the country are hit by price rise, unemployment etc, and the elections will be fought on these issues. We will make chalk out our plans at the (June 23) meeting," the RJD leader said.

Tejashwi had gone to Chennai on Tuesday to attend an event organised in the memory of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi. He has also invited present Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin to attend the opposition meeting scheduled in Patna on June 23.
Imphal, June 21 : Three people were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) placed in a vehicle exploded at Kwakta in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Wednesday, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Bishnupur district hospital and one of them is said to be critical.

Additional security forces have been deployed in the area following the incident, a police official said in Imphal.

On the day, security forces dismantled a bunker reportedly used by militants in Leimakhong area of Imphal West district.

Intermittent firings between the rival militant outfits were also reported from two places in Manipur's Imphal East and Imphal West districts. However, there was no report of death or injury in these firing incidents.

Meanwhile, the Army, Assam Rifles and various other central and state security forces have been continuing combing operations in different parts of the state.

Search operations were also conducted to recover the arms and ammunition from miscreants and arrest those involved in violence.

As many as six students organisations in Manipur have decided to boycott the nine MLAs who submitted a memorandum to Prime minister Narendra Modi pointing to a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

The students bodies, which include the All Manipur Students Union, Manipur Students Federation, Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, and Kangleipak Students Association, have miffed that the nine MLAs in their memorandum have stated people have lost faith in the state government and the administration.

They said that it is not the time for leaders to take political advantage of the situation.

Eight BJP MLAs and an independent legislator submitted a five-point memorandum to Prime Minister Modi last week, claiming that people have no trust and confidence in the government and the administration.
Jaipur, June 21 : BSF jawans in Rajasthan have arrested four smugglers and recovered 2 kg heroin smuggled in from Pakistan using a drone. The contraband is worth Rs 10 crore in the international market, officials said on Wednesday.

The BSF and the police jointly carried out the operation and arrested the four smugglers, who had come to collect the supply dropped by a drone.

An attempt was made to deliver heroin to the miscreants using a drone near Anupgarh town in Sriganganagar district. At around 12 midnight on Tuesday, the BSF team heard the sound of the drone, and chased it.

Due to a technical glitch in the drone, it fell on the ground and 2 kg of heroin was seized during the search operation.

Meanwhile, the miscreants reached the spot on a car to collect the supply of heroin. However, seeing the BSF jawans, they fled from the spot taking advantage of the darkness.

Four of them were nabbed from the nearby areas later, who confessed to heroin smuggling during interrogation.
Major Explosion in Paris' Left Bank District Injures 16: Evacuations Underway (Photo : Screenshot/Twitter Video)

An intense explosion rocked a building in Paris' notable Left Bank on Wednesday, injuring at least 16 people, igniting a fire, and prompting the evacuation of nearby structures. The authorities are yet to determine the cause of this incident that has rattled the city.



The powerful blast occurred in a building situated in the 5th arrondissement, causing its facade to collapse. Emergency responders are currently examining the wreckage for any potential victims still trapped inside, according to an official from the Paris Police Department. The explosion occurred in close proximity to the historically significant Val de Grace military hospital.



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Laurent Nunez, Paris police chief, informed the press that the explosion has resulted in 16 injuries, seven of which are severe. While the fire was somewhat controlled, it was yet to be fully extinguished, he added.



Florence Berthout, the mayor of the arrondissement, described the explosion as "extremely violent", indicating the ongoing danger of falling glass shards from buildings in the vicinity.



Paris police chief Nunez outlined that the victims suffered various degrees of injuries, including a few critical ones, but refrained from sharing specific numbers or clarifying if any injuries were life-threatening.



The Paris Prosecutor's office announced an investigation into aggravated involuntary injury, with a special focus on whether the blast was due to a suspected breach of safety norms.



Despite the ambiguity surrounding the cause of the explosion, officials from the 5th arrondissement speculate it might have originated from a gas leak. The building hit by the explosion houses the Paris American Academy, a private educational institution established in 1965, providing courses in fine arts, fashion design, interior design, and creative writing.



Firefighters tussling with the blaze caused a decrease in the thick plume of smoke, yet the smell remained pervasive. The vicinity has been sealed off and is bustling with emergency personnel, police officers, and soldiers.



A student identified as Achille, located roughly 100 meters away from the blast, narrated his ordeal to BFM television, "We were sitting by the window when the blast pushed us about 2 meters away, instigating immense fear... we immediately saw flames and were promptly evacuated with the help of the police."



With a population exceeding 2 million living within its boundaries and some structures of historic significance that are aging, Paris is not unfamiliar with gas explosions. A similar incident in January 2019 in the city's 9th district led to the tragic loss of four lives and injuries to several others.


Madrid, June 21 : Real Madrid announced on Wednesday that German midfielder Toni Kroos has signed a one-year contract extension, which will keep him at the club through June 2024.

"Real Madrid C.F. and Toni Kroos have agreed to extend the player's contract, which will see him remain with the club through 30 June 2024," the club's official website confirmed.

Kroos transferred to Real Madrid in 2014 from Bayern Munich. Since then, he has made 417 appearances, becoming the German with the highest number of games played for the club and has won four Champions League and three La Liga titles, a Xinhua report said.

Although there were slight doubts regarding Kroos' willingness to extend his contract due to interest from Saudi Arabia, the 33-year-old has chosen to stay with the club.

However, he is likely to have a reduced role in the next season following the a103 million signing of Jude Bellingham.
New Delhi, June 22 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday accused the Central government of playing dirty politics over the supply of wheat and rice to the state government by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

He said that he would flag the issue regarding the supply of rice to the state for its 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, which provides additional 5 kg of rice for each member of BPL families, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Karnataka Chief Minister is on a visit to Delhi where he has met President Droupadi Murmu and also called on Home Minister Shah. The Chief Minister has also met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

He said that FCI had initally accepted the Karnataka government's request to provide the rice but later turned down the request. Siddaramaiah also said that FCI officials told him that they "have sufficient quantity of rice" to fulfill the request.

The Karnataka Chief Minister claimed that the request was turned down by the FCI after the Union Food Ministry, and the Consumer Supply Ministry "written letters to the Chairman and MD of the FCI to stop supply of rice and wheat to the state".

The Chief minister said: "... what does this indicate? They have sufficient quantity of rice and they also agreed to supply through their letter. And Government of India played dirty politics, hate politics, isn't it?"
New Delhi, June 22 : Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a meeting with Health Ministers and officials of seven states affected by heatwaves via video conferencing to assess and review preparedness for heat-related illnesses.

Mandaviya told health ministers that with coordinated actions, "we can surely ensure there are no deaths due to heat waves".

After the meeting, Mandaviya took to Twitter and wrote, "Had a fruitful meeting with Health Ministers and senior officers of seven states affected by heat waves, along with Minister Nityanand Raiji. Highlighted the importance of joint efforts between Centre and States for effective management of any disaster, including severe heatwaves." The Union Health Minister said: "With coordinated actions, we can surely ensure there are no deaths due to heat waves. Also, urged States to implement the State Action Plans at the ground levels with a timely warning to the people, and ensure preventive preparedness to reduce the severe impact of heatwaves."
New Delhi/Imphal, June 22 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened an all-party meeting on June 24 in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur.

Ministry of Home Affairs in a tweet said: "Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened an all-party meeting on June 24 at 3 p.m. in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur." The decision to hold an all-party meeting came immediately after the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Sarma, who is also the convenor of the NDA's northeast chapter NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance), had visited Imphal on June 10 and held a series of meetings with his Manipur counterpart N. Biren Singh and various other organisations.

Sarma also met representatives of some militant groups from the Kuki community in Guwahati on June 11.

Kuki National Organisation (KNO) Spokesperson Seilen Haokip, while talking to the media about the Guwahati 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 had said.

The Union Home Minister had also visited the strife-torn state for four days (May 29 to June 1) and met a cross-section of people, more than 45 civil society organisations and different political parties as part of his efforts to bring back peace and normalcy in the northeastern state.

The Union Home Minister after his visit announced a slew of measures to deal with the situation in Manipur.

The measures include constitution of a commission of inquiry headed by a retired Chief Justice of a High Court to probe the violence in the state, formation of high-level peace committee headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey, CBI probe into the six specific conspiracy cases, formation of joint security command headed by Chief Security Advisor to Manipur, Kuldiep Singh, a former CRPF Chief, relief package for the families of the victims and construction of houses of the affected families.
New Delhi, June 22 : Congress has taken a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi's bust in the United Nations headquarters.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh in a tweet on Wednesday said: "Regardless of Prachar Mantri's "maximum hypocrisy, minimum sincerity" and efforts to legitimise the Godse ideology, Gandhiji will continue to inspire us to keep up the struggle to save the Republic, preserve the Constitution and protect democratic institutions, values and modes of governance." He made the remarks while responding to a tweet by the Prime Minister Modi.

Modi in a tweet had said: "Had the honour of paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his bust in the UN Headquarter. His enduring message of peace, non-violence and harmony continues to guide and inspire us, and stands as a beacon for the world." The Prime Minister also led the yoga session at the UN headquarters later on Wednesday, where he had arrived on June 20 as part of his three-day state visit to the US.

Modi is on a state visit to the US on the invitation of President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden. He is also scheduled to address the joint session of the US Congress in Washington.
New Delhi, June 22 : AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Wednesday questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be able to convince the United States not to engage in supplying F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

Kakkar tweeted, "If international entities declare India as No. 1 in the world in terms of hunger, they call it an international conspiracy. But if the Prime Ministers of different countries praise India as the 'World Guru', they call it 'World Guru'." According to sources, in October last year, the Joe Biden administration had taken a decision to reverse the previous Donald Trump administration's suspension of military aid to Islamabad and approved the F-16 fighter jet deal with Pakistan.

Kakkar said in another tweet, "Will the 'World Guru' be able to make the US understand not to engage with Pakistan or supply F-16 fighter jets to them? They seem content with photos and rhetoric. What has India gained? Indian citizens are not even getting appointments for US visas, the process now takes around two years."
New Delhi, June 22 : The Delhi High Court has sought the police's response on a mother's plea seeking to know the whereabouts of her baby, who was allegedly abducted by an unknown woman from the hospital soon after his birth.

The mother apprised the vacation bench of Justices Tara Vitasta Ganju and Amit Mahajan that she gave birth to the baby on December 23 last year at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital from where he reportedly stolen.

The counsel for the petitioner informed the court that according to the hospital staff, a woman had asked them to hand over the baby impersonating as the maternal grandmother of the child.

The lawyer contended that the hospital staff handed over the baby to the unknown woman without checking her identity, following which she fled with the child.

While issuing notice on the plea, the court asked the police to search for the child and also file a status report in the matter.

"It is more than what meets the eye," the bench observed as it posted the matter for next hearing on July 18.

The mother had moved the court as no action was taken by the police in this matter.

On the other hand, the counsel for the police submitted that they are trying to locate the infant and have also questioned the hospital staff.
Kabul, June 22 : Afghan counter-narcotic police have destroyed poppy farms on 123 acre of land in northern Badakhshan province, Provincial Director for Information and Culture Qari Maazudin Ahmadi said.

The illegal crop, according to the official, has been destroyed around the provincial capital Faizabad city and adjoining areas over the past couple of days.

Hundreds of hectares of poppy farms have been smashed across Badakhshan over the past two months, the official said pon Wednesday, adding police won't allow anyone to cultivate poppy or other illegal crops in the province.

Afghan counter-narcotic police have accelerated the poppy eradication campaign as police personnel has destroyed 80 acre of poppy farms in the northern Jawzjan province since early May, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Afghan caretaker administration, issued a decree in April last year to ban the cultivation of illegal crops, including poppy, and drug processing and trafficking.
Phnom Penh, June 22 : Military police in northwest Cambodia's Battambang province have arrested an alleged drug trafficker, seizing almost 32 kg of illicit drugs, the Battambang Gendarmerie said in a news statement.

The 23-year-old local suspect was apprehended on Monday afternoon in Battambang provincial town after a thorough probe for several months, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Southeast Asian country has no death sentence for a drug trafficker. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 gram of illicit drugs could be jailed for life.

According to the Anti-Drug Police Department on Wednesday, Cambodia nabbed 7,230 drug-related suspects, including 136 foreigners, during the January-May period of 2023, seizing nearly 785 kg of narcotics.

Most of the seized drugs are ketamine, crystal meth, methamphetamine pills, heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine.
Summit Venture Studio and CodeKeyz We believe that CodeKeyz has the potential to transform the way programming is taught in universities, schools, and professional settings." Spencer Walker, Managing Director at Summit Venture Studio

CodeKeyz, the leading syntax-first platform for learning Python programming language, announced today that it has partnered with Summit Venture Studio (SVS) to expand the reach of its revolutionary software. Codekeyz allows more coders to learn Python than ever before. The license was negotiated through the Technology Transfer Services office at Utah State University.

CodeKeyz was developed using the proven Hanon method for teaching the piano, an approach based on learning through repetition. It makes learning faster, easier, and more effective, and has been shown to significantly improve student learning outcomes. Through CodeKeyz, these research-based teaching styles and benefits can be effectively used to assist students learning Python Syntax. With the support of Summit Venture Studio, CodeKeyz is poised to bring this groundbreaking approach of syntax-first learning to a wider audience.

"Partnering with Summit Venture Studio will accelerate CodeKeyz mission in exciting ways," said Dr. John Edwards, USU professor of Computer Science and inventor of CodeKeyz. "Their expertise in helping innovative technologies reach a wider audience is invaluable, and we are excited to work with them to revolutionize the way computer programming is taught."

CodeKeyz has already gained recognition from educators and experts in the field of programming education.

We believe that CodeKeyz has the potential to transform the way programming is taught in universities, schools, and professional settings, said Spencer Walker, managing partner at Summit Venture Studio. Their unique approach to syntax-first learning has already shown impressive results, and we are excited to help them reach an even wider audience.

With this partnership, CodeKeyz and Summit Venture Studio aim to transform the way programming is taught and equip students with the skills they need to succeed in a digital age.

We are excited to partner with Summit Venture Studio to bring CodeKeyz to more universities and school districts, said Will Christensen, Co-Founder of CodeKeyz. Our platform is designed to help students learn Python through a syntax-first approach, which we believe is the most effective way to learn a new programming language. By partnering with Summit Venture Studio, we can help more students develop career-ready skills in coding and programming.

Summit Venture Studio

SVS is a venture studio based in Lehi Utah with a focus on commercializing novel faculty inventions via university tech transfer across the U.S. To learn more about Summit Venture Studios and its portfolio of licensed technologies, visit https://summitventure.studio/

CodeKeyz

CodeKeyz offers tools for students that help develop the muscle memory required to quickly master Python syntax. CodeKeyz was developed at Utah State University and is based on the Hanon method for habituating accurate keystrokes when playing the piano.

For more information about CodeKeyz and its syntax-first learning platform, visit http://www.codekeyz.com

Utah State University

Utah State University is a premier land- and space-grant institution committed to excellence, access, and inclusion. Since its founding in 1888, USU has evolved from a small agricultural college tucked away in the Northern Utah mountains to a thriving, R1 research university with locations serving the entire state of Utah and known throughout the world for its intellectual and technological leadership. The university serves over 27,000 students and employs over 10,000 faculty, staff, and students in positions across its 38 Extension sites and 31 statewide locations. USUs education sites include three residential campuses in Logan, Blanding and Price and USU Online is Utahs premiere online university, providing students access to the same top-tier education anytime, anywhere. To learn more about Utah State University, visit http://www.usu.edu/about
Egypts Strategy for Human Rights was the focus of talks between Egyptian MPs and European Union (EU) Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore in Brussels on Tuesday.
Corrective Exercise Specialist of the Year Ryan Vivar Everyone can benefit from postural assessments and corrective exercise techniques.

The BioMechanics Method, the highest-rated provider of corrective exercise education for fitness, exercise and health professionals, is pleased to name Ryan Vivar as the Corrective Exercise Specialist of the Year for 2023. The Corrective Exercise Specialist of the Year award recognizes an individual who is certified in The BioMechanics Method, currently providing corrective exercise services to clients/patients, and has demonstrated exceptional application of their corrective exercise skills.

Ryan, based in Oklahoma City, is widely considered to be the most respected exercise professional for post-rehab individuals and those with medical conditions in the state of Oklahoma. A highly-skilled and motivated exercise professional with over 15 years and 40,000 hours of personal training experience, Ryan has a proven track record of providing safe, purposeful, and effective exercise programs for disease prevention, serious medical conditions, neuromuscular disorders, and chronic pain. His life-changing programs have helped transform individuals from all walks of life and his client base includes many of Oklahoma's top doctors, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

In addition to earning his corrective exercise credential from The BioMechanics Method (TBMM-CES) in 2017, Ryan also holds numerous certifications in applied functional science, active aging, disease recovery, and medical exercise. As the owner of Ryan Vivar Fitness, a state-of-the-art personal training studio in downtown Oklahoma City, Ryan believes everyone can benefit from postural assessments and corrective exercise techniques.

The BioMechanics Method has served as a foundation to many of my programs and I believe it should be the first step in the training process for most individuals, says Vivar. It is truly one of the most useful programs an exercise professional could ever take.

As a pioneer in medical fitness training, Ryan has been bridging the gap between healthcare and fitness for more than 10 years. His corrective exercise training programs receive recognition from fitness authorities and the medical community, including physicians and physical therapists in the Oklahoma City metro area, specialists at the Cleveland Clinic, MD Anderson, and UCLA Health. Ryans clients also praise his work and remarkable program outcomes.

When I first got out of the rehabilitation hospital I used a walker to make it to my mailbox. Thanks to working with Ryan, I progressed to walking the two mile Alzheimers walk, and no longer use a walker or cane. My strength has improved dramatically which has given me the confidence to return to work. The quality of life has returned, and I have God, the prayers of friends and family, and Ryan Vivar to thank for that, says one grateful individual.

Prior to receiving the Corrective Exercise Specialist of the Year award from The BioMechanics Method, Ryan was a finalist for the 2021 Medical Fitness Professional of the Year, and nominated for Best Personal Trainer in Oklahoma City in 2022, IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year in 2020, and named as one of the Top 10 Personal Trainers in the World in 2014. He has also been a featured fitness professional and named an ACE All Star by The American Council on Exercise.

Meeting Justin Price (The BioMechanics Method creator) in 2013 at an ACE Symposium and learning about corrective exercise was truly a career shifting experience and I am grateful for this award, Vivar says.

As the 2023 Corrective Exercise Specialist of the Year, Ryan will serve as a spokesperson on corrective exercise for The BioMechanics Method. He also receives an award trophy, a prize package from The BioMechanics Method, a membership with IDEA Health & Fitness Association and equipment from industry leaders BOSU and TRX Training.

Finalists for the 2023 Corrective Exercise Specialist of the Year award were Lynne Olsen, Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist and owner of Rolling Brook Yoga in Catonsville, MD and Rhonda Collins, owner of Body Longevity in Brisbane, Australia. Rhonda is a two-time finalist for this award.

ABOUT THE BIOMECHANICS METHOD

The BioMechanics Method is the provider of the worlds highest-rated corrective exercise specialist credential. The BioMechanics Method Corrective Exercise Specialist certification (TBMM-CES) teaches fitness, exercise and health professionals how to assess clients for common musculoskeletal imbalances and correct any issues they uncover through the use of targeted corrective exercises. Specialists trained in the BioMechanics Method have the ability to reduce pain, improve movement and enhance performance for clients of all ages and abilities. The BioMechanics Method specialists can be found in over 75 countries. Learn more at http://www.thebiomechanicsmethod.com.
The funding catapults HUNGRYs valuation up to $270 million and includes investments from professional athletes Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers, Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks, Roquon Smith of the Baltimore Ravens and Laremy Tunsil of the Houston Texans.

HUNGRY (tryhungry.com) is on a roll. Fresh from winning prestigious national business awards for its explosive growth and receiving recognition for its community give-back initiatives, the food-tech marketplace has just closed a $10 million Series C1 funding round, its final raise before expected profitability.

The funding catapults HUNGRYs valuation up to $270 million and includes investments from professional athletes Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers, Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks, Roquon Smith of the Baltimore Ravens and Laremy Tunsil of the Houston Texans. Robert G. Hisaoka of RGH Capital, who was one of HUNGRYs earliest investors, returned for a leading investment in this round, with additional investments from many new and current investors, including Sands Capital Ventures, Motley Fool Ventures, Evolution VC Partners and GP Ventures as well as Chef Tom Colicchio, Chef Ming Tsai, Dan Simons, Eric Kessler.

Since participating as a seed investor to HUNGRY in 2016, Ive been extremely impressed with the companys ability to expand rapidly and disrupt the food space, said Robert Bob Hisaoka, Chairman and CEO of RGH Capital. I am excited to invest and lead HUNGRYs C1 funding and look forward to the growth thats to come.

The Series C1 group joins HUNGRYs A-list roster of existing individual and institutional investors, including Jay-Zs Marcy Venture Partners, Kevin Hart, Usher, Ndamukong Suh, Stonewall Robb Investments, Studio Management, Bread and Butter Ventures, Ames Watson, LLC, and others.

Having now raised $60 million, HUNGRY will use the C1 capital to continue its growth trajectory and reach full operational profitability. HUNGRY has expanded from operating in five markets pre-COVID to 13 major cities across North America. The company recently acquired a better-for-you snacks brand, NatureBox, and has been on the front end of corporate Americas return-to-office movement (RTO). RTO is helping fuel HUNGRYs exponential growth, improved margins and geographic and product-line expansions.

Were proud that our work at HUNGRY has attracted the attention of big-time investors and leading venture funds, said Jeff Grass, HUNGRY Co-Founder and CEO. Were equally proud of the work we do to give back to the communities we serve, which also will benefit from this capital. The funding enables HUNGRY to expand our new Carbon Neutral Delivery initiative, aimed at fully offsetting the carbon footprint of our catering deliveries by planting mangrove forests in the Philippines.

HUNGRY recently made headlines for debuting on the 2023 Real Leaders Impact Awards list. HUNGRY also made the 2022 Inc. 5000 list and was ranked among Deloittes Technology 2022 Fast 500 companies. It was named a Best Company to Work For by US News & World Report and a Top Startup to Watch in 2022 by BuiltIn.

For more information on the company, its services and initiatives, visit tryhungry.com.

About HUNGRY

HUNGRY, the innovative food-tech marketplace that provides amazing business food solutions from top local chefs and restaurants, was founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Eman Pahlavani, Shy Pahlevani and Jeff Grass. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a growing national footprint, HUNGRY has rapidly disrupted the $60-billion corporate food and events market with its curated solutions as well as live and virtual experiences. HUNGRY is laser-focused on improving the lives of the chefs, clients, and communities it serves, donating over 1 million meals to people in need through its Fighting Hunger program and actively promoting waste reduction through its Food Solutions initiative. HUNGRYs notable investors include Jay-Zs Marcy Venture Partners, Kevin Hart, Usher, Ndamukong Suh, and celebrity chefs Tom Colicchio and Ming Tsai. In addition to Washington, HUNGRY has operations in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and San Jose. For more information, visit tryhungry.com.
Smileyscope devices being used.

Nicklaus Childrens Hospital has implemented use of Australia- and Texas-based Smileyscope Holding Incs (Smileyscope) state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) therapeutics to soothe children during needle procedures in the hospitals Emergency Department. Nicklaus Childrens is among the first childrens hospitals in the nation and the first in South Florida to offer this child-friendly, immersive technology.

Needle procedures can be very stressful for children of all ages, said Dr. David Seo, senior vice president and chief information and digital officer for Nicklaus Childrens Health System. The Smileyscope virtual reality tool supports our Emergency Department clinicians in providing the artful distraction that is so beneficial to children during such procedures. Families can request VR support to reduce their childs discomfort and anxiety.

Evelyn Chan, CEO of Smileyscope, said, "We are extremely pleased to partner with Nicklaus Children's Hospital to bring Smileyscope to South Florida. Nicklaus Childrens commitment to ensuring every child receives the best possible care and a comfortable experience is evident in their adoption of our device.

One of the most requested VR experiences sought by children is the underwater adventure, which features waves washing over the injection site and a fish nibbling on the childs arm during the injection. Clinical trials have shown this VR program can safely and effectively reduce pediatric needle pain by up to 60 percent and anxiety by 40 percent, allowing for a more comfortable and positive patient experience.

Giovanna Pedemonte of Miami brought her 7-year-old son, Silas, to the emergency department at Nicklaus Childrens with a high fever and an infection in his finger. Silas typically gets anxious whenever he enters a clinical setting and asks whether he will be getting a shot or undergoing any pain, said Pedemonte. I was impressed to learn that Nicklaus Childrens offered the Smileyscope technology to distract him. He didnt seem to notice the draining of the wound on his finger. He likes video games, and he enjoyed the technology so much that we will request Smileyscope whenever he visits the hospital, she added.

To learn more about Nicklaus Childrens Hospital, visit http://www.nicklauschildrens.org and Smileyscope, visit http://www.smileyscope.com.

About Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Childrens Hospital is South Floridas only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children. The hospital has about 800 attending physicians, including over 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed medical facility, known as Miami Childrens Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing professions most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit http://www.nicklauschildrens.org.

About Smileyscope:

Smileyscope is a multi-award winning digital therapeutics company with proprietary technology that reframes medical procedures using choreographed virtual-reality (VR) experiences to help reduce patient pain and anxiety, and improve the overall patient experience. Smileyscope VR is the first regulatory body approved VR product for medical use and is clinically proven to reduce patient pain, anxiety and the need for restraints. The device is utilized by clinicians across a range of medical procedures such as vaccines, bloodwork, wound dressings, aesthetic inductions, nitrous oxide, and plaster cast applications/removals. Smileyscope VR has partnered with over 40 US hospitals to implement the VR technology.
After a lengthy and deliberate review of the IT market, it was obvious we needed to incorporate short courses into our rich product mix in response to the growing demand for skills-training in the industry

Flexible offerings designed to help students fill the growing demand for IT pros in the cybersecurity industry

For the IT workforce upskilling = advancement, and advancement = more money. At its core this fundamental fact is the reason MyComputerCareer is now offering flexible, live, instructor-led courses to help IT professionals potentially jump into, or advance their skills, in the world of cybersecurity where 45% of the available position s remain vacant in the United States alone.

The Need

Currently the market for global corporate learning and development is an estimated $350 billion. In fact, a recent LinkedIn report stated upskilling and reskilling and digital upskilling and digital transformation is the focus of a combined 72% of corporate learning and development programs, which glaringly highlighted the need for short, skills-based course offerings from MyComputerCareer. The strongest IT professionals are the ones that continue learning and advancing their skills, and with the launch of this new platform, the IT-training school will draw from 15+ years of innovative instruction to deliver these new courses.

The Details

Two-weeks in length, the skill-building training courses will utilize MyComputerCareers landmark training platform featuring in-person instruction from some of the best in the industry in a live online format. By replicating the personal interaction the school has utilized since day one to over 20,000 students, it provides an unparalleled upskilling option for IT professionals. Courses currently offered include:



Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity First Responder

Cybersecurity Advanced Practitioner

CISCO Networking Associate

Cybersecurity Ethical Hacker

Cybersecurity Analyst

CISCO Cyber Operations Specialist

Salesforce Administration

Those taking these short courses will also gain know-how that will prepare them to test for key industry certifications. Add-on services like test prep sessions, 1-on-1 tutoring, and certification vouchers provide a complete learning package designed to help students absorb information in their optimal way.

One additional important detail. Because employers value and understand the need for a highly-skilled digital workforce, they may cover some, or all of the costs.

The Quote

After a lengthy and deliberate review of the IT market, it was obvious we needed to incorporate short courses into our rich product mix in response to the growing demand for skills-training in the industry, said Tony Galati, founder and CEO of MyComputerCareer. These upskilling courses are designed to help MyComputerCareer educate the whole student by rounding out our signature Information Technology Security and Administration program tailored to help students break into IT; and our Cyber Security Specialist, Cyber Security Engineer, and Associates programs designed to hone and further advance IT knowledge. We firmly believe this is a game-changer for professional advancement.

The Sizzle Reel

MyComputerCareer is an online and in-campus technical college that is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training and provides entry-level IT foundational courses and advanced programs for students. Last year alone, students earned more than 3600 IT certifications during their journey to graduate and potentially find careers in the industry.

The school was recently named the 2022 Accredited Training Center of the Year by EC-Council, one of the most prestigious awards within the cybersecurity industry; it was named a 2022 outstanding leader by CompTIA for the volume of students it trains, certifies, and places into the industry; and lead instructor and IT-industry veteran Jill Schaumloeffel was named the 2022 Americas CertNexus Instructor of the year. Most importantly, MyComputerCareer was able to celebrate the accomplishments of thousands of graduates in 2022 and 2023.

(Watch IT professional and MyCC alumnus Jordan break down how the school prepared him for his career)

About MyComputerCareer

MyComputerCareer is an accredited* technical school, with classes online and on-campus, that provides hands-on Information Technology training, certifications and job placement in as little as seven months. Founded in 2007, the school boasts nine campuses in Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, and Nellis Air Force Base, with its headquarters in Holly Springs, North Carolina. For more information, call (866) 606-6922 or visit http://www.mycomputercareer.edu
We are truly honored to receive this designation as a Top Workplace. Our talented team members are our best asset, and we strive to foster a sense of belonging and community that also extends to our clients.

Logic announced today that it has been recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available at startribune.com/mn-top-workplaces and was also published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 18.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 32-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health, and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from 124,719 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The results of the Star Tribune Top Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

Bill Szlaius, Logics CEO said, We are truly honored to receive this designation as a Top Workplace. Our talented team members are our best asset, and we strive to foster a sense of belonging and community that also extends to our clients. Together, we are focused on a shared purpose to help our clients to reach their true potential.

Star Tribune CEO and Publisher Steve Grove said, The companies in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.

To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. More than 5,000 companies were invited to participate. Rankings were composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.

About Logic

Logic works with the worlds leading retailers to help them move faster, innovate smarter and thrive in the face of retail disruption. Our expert retail business and technology consultants apply Logics proven methodologies and unique technology assets to partner with retail executivesfrom strategy to executionin delivering on initiatives that drive customer loyalty, boost revenues and margins and help outpace the competition. For more than 25 years, over 150 retailers such as Staples, Ralph Lauren, Total Wine & More, Express, David Yurman, Maurices, Bealls, Bluemercury, Hot Topic, Makro, Alshaya, 7-Eleven, Renner, John Lewis Partnership, The Warehouse Group, and more have counted on Logic to deliver on their most important business outcomes.

To learn more, visit logicinfo.com.
Phil McLaughlin, Chief Technology Officer at AML RightSource, explained: This award validates the great work of our employees, the urgent need to modernize anti-money laundering efforts, and the leadership AML RightSource had demonstrated by enlisting AI in the financial crime fight.

AML RightSource, the leading provider of Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance solutions, is honored to be recognized in the 2023 AIFinTech100 list. The AML RightSource AI Solution was identified as AI technology that improves efficiency in financial services. This ranking affirms AML RightSource as one of the worlds most innovative companies developing AI and machine learning technologies for the fight against financial crime.

The AML RightSource AI Solution automates the three critical phases of the AML process  reducing false positives, automating investigations, and identifying risk from suspicious activity regularly missed by transaction monitoring systems. The industrys most complete AML solution utilizes RPA, AI, and machine learning to automate data gathering, identify financial crime, and report findings. AML RightSources technology is proven to help regulated entities become meaningfully more efficient with their AML investigations and more effective at ridding organizations of money laundering and other financial crime related to human trafficking, the drug trade, terrorism, and political corruption.

The third annual AIFinTech100 list is produced by FinTech Global, a specialist research platform for all things FinTech. The selection process for this years list was exceptionally competitive. Finalists were chosen by a panel of industry experts and analysts based on research produced by FinTech Global of more than 2,000 FinTech companies.

According to FinTech Global director Richard Sachar: Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have shown how advanced AI technology has become. Financial institutions must explore how they can leverage the latest AI and data analytics technology, or they risk being left behind by the competition. The new AIFinTech100 list gives senior decision-makers the knowledge of the best vendors and those leading the charge on innovation.

AML RightSource extends its gratitude and appreciation to FinTech Global, explained Phil McLaughlin, Chief Technology Officer at AML RightSource. This award validates the great work of our employees, the urgent need to modernize anti-money laundering efforts, and the leadership AML RightSource had demonstrated by enlisting AI in the financial crime fight.

A complete list of the AIFinTech100 and detailed information about each company is available to download at http://www.AIFinTech100.com.

About AML RightSource, LLC

AML RightSource is the leading technology-enabled managed services firm focused on fighting financial crime for our clients and the world. AML RightSource provides custom solutions to financial institutions, FinTechs, money service businesses, and corporations. Using a blend of highly trained anti-financial crime professionals, cutting-edge technology tools, and industry-leading consultants, AML RightSource assists clients with their AML/BSA, transaction monitoring, client onboarding (KYC), enhanced due diligence (EDD), and risk management needs. We support clients in meeting day-to-day compliance tasks, urgent projects, and strategic changes. Our global staff of more than 4,000 highly trained analysts and subject matter experts is the industrys largest group of full-time compliance professionals. AML RightSource is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. With our clients across the globe, we are Reimagining Compliance. For more information, visit http://www.amlrightsource.com.
"These two leaders exemplify the transformative power of educators who utilize the right tools to promote career exploration and certifications, bridging the expanding skills gap in the U.S. Edson Barton, CEO, YouScience.

Two respected educators have been named the inaugural recipients of the YouScience Innovative Educator Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions in guiding and inspiring students to explore their aptitudes and make informed decisions about their futures. This award celebrates educators who have implemented innovative approaches to empower the next generation of professionals through academic and career exploration.

The winners of the inaugural YouScience Innovative Educator Award are Principal Steven Mazzola of Saunders Trades and Technical High School from Yonkers, New York, and School Counselor Darlene Goff of Chester County Schools from Henderson, Tennessee.

Steven Mazzola and Saunders Trades and Technical High School prepare students for academic and career success

With over 30 years of experience in education, Principal Steven Mazzola has been a driving force at Saunders Trades and Technical High School, where he has served as principal for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership, the school has consistently achieved graduation rates of 94-98% or higher. Mazzola's innovative approach combines career and technical education (CTE) courses with academic programs, ensuring students are well-prepared for success in both school and life. He introduced YouScience to the school, helping students identify their best-fit career and educational pathways and quantify their skills for potential employers.

Saunders Trades & Technical High School is committed to combining vocational and academic instruction to provide graduating students with skills for employment and academic preparation for college. Situated in the diverse school district of Yonkers, the third largest city in New York state, the magnet school has implemented strategic measures to enable and empower its students through various tools and programs. The remarkable outcomes achieved by Mazzola, the administration, staff, and students are a testament to the profound impact of their work.

Christina Nola, Assistant Principal of Saunders Trades and Technical High School, expressed her delight at the acknowledgement of Mazzola's outstanding work, stating, "Mr. Mazzola is the personification of a true educational warrior! Under his nearly 20-year tenure as Principal of Saunders Trades and Technical High School, Mr. Mazzola challenged all staff and students to maximize their full potential. Leading by example, he never stopped loving the classroom or lost his passion for teaching, and he maintained his role as teacher in his capacity as Principal. He expanded the 112 years of traditions and maintained the legacy of what being a part of the Saunders family is about. At the helm, Mr. Mazzola fostered relationships with parents, staff, and studentsmaking Saunders a second home where every member is loved, appreciated, and respected."

Highlights of Principal Mazzola's accomplishments:



Integration of career and technical education (CTE) courses with academic programs, providing a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students for both employment and college.

Creation of a positive and inclusive learning environment that embraces diversity and fosters student success.

Introduction of YouScience to help students identify their best-fit career paths and quantify their skills, empowering them to make informed decisions about their futures.

Darlene Goff of Chester County Schools uses data to transform educational experiences for students Darlene Goff of Chester County Schools in Henderson, Tennessee, has been counseling students for over 21 years. Noting that many of her junior high students lacked a clear direction for their high school educational pathways, she spearheaded efforts to create a more meaningful and impactful educational experience. She has worked tirelessly to make high school pathway recommendations based on their personalized results. Through one-on-one sessions with teachers from appropriate aptitude-fit programs, Goff and her team deliver personalized guidance and support, resulting in significant success stories for students as they discover their individual pathways. Field trips have been made more meaningful through targeted recruitment efforts to encourage student engagement aligned to their best-fit career clusters.

Darlene's exceptional contributions to the success of Chester County Schools have not gone unnoticed by the administration and staff, who have emphasized her innovative and student-centered approach. Dr. Belinda Anderson, Principal, Chester County Junior High School, praised Darlene's advocacy, stating, "School Counselor Darlene Goff's unwavering dedication and innovative approach have revolutionized the educational experience at Chester County Junior High School. By empowering students to discover their unique pathways and providing personalized guidance, she has transformed their futures. Through her tireless efforts, Darlene has not only made a difference in the lives of countless students but has paved the way for a more meaningful and impactful educational journey. Her commitment to student success is truly inspiring." Chester County Schools began working with YouScience in 2017, and in 2019 participated in a career education and workforce development study of five counties in West Tennessee funded by a USDA grant with the Tennessee Board of Regents. After the grant funding ended, Goff championed keeping, and even expanding, use of YouScience in the Chester County Schools to ensure intentionality in their career advising program. As they begin the 2023-2024 school year, the district is committed to expanding programs and industry engagement with YouScience Brightpath, through their Innovative School Model grant funded by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Highlights of Counselor Goff's achievements:



Extensive experience counseling students with a focus on individualized guidance, ensuring that each student's unique needs and aspirations are understood and addressed.

Organization of one-on-one sessions with teachers from aptitude-fit programs, providing personalized guidance and encouragement to students on the cusp of discovering their individual pathways.

Utilization of YouScience Aptitude & Career Discovery and Insights & Analytics to help students gain certainty about their future academic pathways, empowering them to make informed decisions about their educational and career goals.

Innovative educators make the difference

"We are thrilled to recognize Principal Steven Mazzola and Counselor Darlene Goff with the YouScience Innovative Educator award. They exemplify the transformative power of educators who utilize the right tools to promote career exploration and certifications, bridging the expanding skills gap in the U.S., said Edson Barton, CEO, YouScience. These educators equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an ever-evolving job market and make informed decisions about their educational and career paths."

The YouScience Innovative Educator Award recipients are selected based on their innovative programs and use of YouScience solutions to support students' career exploration journeys. These educators have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to fostering a positive, forward-thinking educational environment that prioritizes student success and future readiness. Educators, students, and parents are encouraged to nominate deserving educators who are making a significant impact in career exploration using YouScience products. Nominations for subsequent winners can be submitted by completing a submission form. To learn more about YouScience, please visit youscience.com.

About YouScience

YouScience is the leading technology provider dedicated to solving the skills and exposure gap crisis for students and employers. Its end-to-end platform, YouScience Brightpath, connects education with career applications designed to help students unlock their potential for future pathways. YouScience leverages proven research, artificial intelligence, and industry input to help individuals identify their aptitudes, validate their skills and knowledge, and get matched with real-world educational and career pathways in high-demand occupations. YouScience is the preferred choice of individuals, parents, educators, and counselors to guide and support educational and career pathways, currently serving more than 7,000 educational institutions and millions of users nationwide.

Media Contact

Lindsay Hull

Zer0 to 5ive for YouScience

lindsay@0to5.com
At Actifai, we're passionate about empowering broadband providers, large and small, to make smarter, AI-enhanced decisions throughout the subscriber lifecycle. And were proud of the results our provider partners have achieved so far. - Ned Brody, CEO, Actifai

AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market, today announced that Actifai, a software-as-a-service provider delivering a first-of-its-kind AI-powered customer engagement platform to the telecommunications industry, has been selected as winner of the Best Decision Intelligence Solution award in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program.

Actifais pioneering, prescriptive AI-powered platform helps broadband service providers deliver personalized phone and web-based customer engagements, improving the acquisition and retention of subscriber relationships. The platform gathers and analyzes previously inaccessible customer information at the point of sale. Actifai's machine learning (ML) engine analyzes this real-time data, along with anonymized results from over one million prior sales engagements, to predict a product/service offer's likelihood of acceptance and the expected value of a customer engagement. Then, Actifai's AI identifies and recommends the ideal product/service offer and contextual selling points for each unique prospective customer to maximize sales conversion, ARPU, and CLV.

Actifai Engage augments the call-center/agent-led sales process with a modern web-app that guides CSRs through a streamlined sales flow and identifies the ideal customer offer recommendation. Actifai Digital extends the same AI-based intelligence to the online sales channel. It provides an end-to-end acquisition solution that brings personalization to the self-service buying process, without requiring live agent interaction. Actifai Digital can be deployed via API to providers existing websites or as a separate microsite connected through to providers billing systems. Both Engage and Digital offer Actifais AI-powered enhancements including rich predictive data, a modern, engaging customer discovery flow, built-in machine learning-enhanced serviceability validation, AI-identified offer recommendations, and selling points, as well as advanced leads management.

"We're honored to receive the AI Breakthrough Award for Best Decision Intelligence Solution. At Actifai, we're passionate about empowering broadband providers, large and small, to make smarter, AI-enhanced decisions throughout the subscriber lifecycle. And were proud of the results our provider partners have achieved so far, said Ned Brody, CEO of Actifai. We believe that the first interaction with a customer is uniquely crucial. It sets the tone of the customer relationship and significantly impacts both the long-term profitability and satisfaction of a subscriber. With Actifai, providers can now apply real-time, AI-powered personalization to make the most of those interactions, opening doors to substantial growth. Our team continues to be laser focused on further transforming providers customer engagements; but as the only company offering this capability to the broadband industry, we're excited by this milestone recognition of our technologys impact.

The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work, and success in a range of AI and machine learning related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry specific AI applications and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries throughout the world and included winners like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Qualcomm.

Actifai's customer engagement platform breaks through the competitive customer engagement space with an unprecedented ability to gather and analyze complex customer data, leveraging prescriptive analytics and machine learning-backed AI models. Actifai's commitment to delivering outstanding results, such as improved sales conversion, increased average revenue per user, and enhanced customer retention, demonstrates the tangible impact of their decision intelligence solution which separated them as the standout in their category.

Personalization from Actifai allows telecom companies to present the right services and products to potential customers, improving their prospect's experience and boosting their subscriber acquisition and retention, said James Johnson, managing director, AI Breakthrough. As our Best Decision Intelligence Solution, Actifai acknowledges the importance of outstanding initial customer sales engagements for cable and telecommunications companies. Traditional sales processes lack personalization, but by utilizing AI, Actifai revolutionizes the sales process by enabling real-time customer engagement personalization at scale.

Available in both the call center and for online sales, Actifai enables up to a 30% improvement in sales conversion rates, 8%-14% increases in average revenue per user, and 6%-11% lifts in customer retention.

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About AI Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies, and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision, and more.

For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com.

About Actifai

Actifai is a software-as-a-service provider serving a growing portfolio of regional operators and several leading broadband and communications providers in North America. By matching potential subscribers with a single optimal offer across providers agent-assisted and digital sales channels, Actifais customer engagement platform reduces buying complexity for consumers and eliminates information barriers and selling biases to deliver optimized sales outcomes. Actifais industry-first, AI-powered offer, and sales personalization enable providers to maximize the value of customer engagements in real-time, helping them achieve up to 30% conversion improvement, an average 12% ARPU increase, 6%-11% retention improvement, and a 15- to 30-fold return on investment.

For more information, please visit actif.ai.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Belize for achieving malaria elimination, a significant milestone more than 70 years in the making. Margaret Reilly McDonnell, Executive Director of United to Beat Malaria: Today, we celebrate the investment and perseverance of the Belize government, vector control personnel, frontline health workers, and local communities who have diligently worked to wipe out malaria..."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Belize for achieving malaria elimination, a significant milestone more than 70 years in the making. Belize becomes the second Central American country, after El Salvador, and 42nd country (plus one territory) worldwide to receive malaria-free certification.

Belize is the latest success story in the decades-long global fight to end malaria, said United Nations Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Cousens. This milestone is a testament to the power of sustained government commitment and strategic partnerships across borders, sectors, and communities. Together, we can eradicate this deadly disease and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals promise of good health and well-being for all.

A century ago, it was estimated that malaria caused approximately 10% of all deaths in Belize. Frequent population movement to and from malaria-endemic areas  mainly Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras  has complicated efforts to control the disease.

Nevertheless, Belize made significant progress in the latter 20th century through the strategic use of indoor residual spraying and a national network of community health workers and volunteers, driving down transmission to under 2,000 cases annually by 2000 and under 100 cases by 2011.

This century, the vast majority of cases have occurred in remote rural areas among indigenous and migrant populations. Belizes government prioritized these high-risk groups, effectively coordinating across sectors and borders to maintain malaria surveillance, provide prompt access to diagnosis and treatment, and respond to every single malaria case. The country reported its last indigenous malaria case in December 2018.

Today, we celebrate the investment and perseverance of the Belize government, vector control personnel, frontline health workers, and local communities who have diligently worked to wipe out malaria  a disease that was once widespread throughout the country, said Margaret Reilly McDonnell, Executive Director of the United to Beat Malaria campaign. Belizes success should inspire us all to act with renewed urgency to achieve a malaria-free future for the Americas and the world.

Regional and global partners have played an important role in helping Belize reach and sustain zero cases. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a longtime technical partner, has helped the Belize government build its capacity for prompt malaria diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. The Inter-American Development Bank; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Carlos Slim Foundation; the U.S. Agency for International Development; and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are among the partners whove made catalytic investments in regional elimination efforts that have strengthened Belizes fight to end malaria.

Over the past seven years, United to Beat Malaria has been proud to support PAHO and other UN partners in the Americas region. This work has helped ensure the most at-risk populations and communities  such as pregnant women, children under five, migrant populations, and indigenous communities with limited access to healthcare  have access to bed nets, rapid diagnostic tests, anti-malarial treatments, and other vital malaria tools.

Learn more about Belize's journey to malaria elimination by visiting 'Malaria on the Frontlines: Belize,' United to Beat Malaria's multimedia feature story.

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About United to Beat Malaria

The United to Beat Malaria campaign brings together key and diverse partners and supporters to take urgent action to end malaria and create a healthier, more equitable world. Since 2006, United to Beat Malaria has worked to equip and mobilize citizens across the U.S. and around the world to raise awareness, funds and voices. The campaign works with partners in endemic countries to channel life-saving resources to protect the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. By championing increased leadership, political will and resources from the U.S. and beyond, as well as more holistic, innovative tools and strategies, we can be the generation that ends malaria once and for all. Learn more at http://www.beatmalaria.org

About the UN Foundation

For 25 years, the UN Foundation has built novel innovations and partnerships to support the United Nations and help solve global problems at scale. As an independent charitable organization, the Foundation was created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanitys greatest challenges and drive global progress. Learn more at http://www.unfoundation.org
Alitheons FeaturePrint technology is an advanced Optical-AI that fingerprints items with just one photo. These digital fingerprints then allow users to identify, authenticate, and trace individual products.

AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market, today announced that Alitheons FeaturePrint, the machine-vision based solution for authentication and traceability of physical items, has been selected as winner of the Best Optical AI Solution award in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program.

Alitheons FeaturePrint technology is an advanced Optical-AI that fingerprints items with just one photo. These digital fingerprints then allow users to identify, authenticate, and trace individual products.

FeaturePrint is a patent-protected solution that focuses on and identifies the items themselves without any additives, such as QR codes or NFC tags, which makes it impossible to tamper with, and adds an irrefutable layer of protection like no other. FeaturePrint sees and converts the minute surface details of each physical item into a unique mathematical identity for that individual item, the one out of the many, thus like a humans fingerprint, identifies it specifically.

The first step is to take a picture of an item as-is with an off-the-shelf camera including mobile phones. FeaturePrints algorithms will then automatically identify and codify the unique attributes and features inherently existing on the surface of the item. It then creates its one-of-a-kind FeaturePrint  similar to a digital fingerprint  and the integrity of the match is preserved. The original image is no longer required.

The solution supports Industry 4.0 and Web 3.0, and its capabilities deploy quickly, fitting into physical, cloud and data architectures.

From gears and circuit boards to watches and collectables, no two objects are exactly the same, even though they may have just come out of the same production line. Everyone is well aware of growing fraud and the inability to irrefutably trace items  and the trillions of dollars lost annually because of it, said Roei Ganzarski, CEO of Alitheon. Thank you AI Breakthrough for identifying the power of FeaturePrint and selecting it as Best Optical AI Solution. We are here to help eliminate counterfeits, shut down gray markets, and trace each item.

The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work and success in a range of AI and machine learning related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry specific AI applications and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries throughout the world.

Congratulations to Alitheon  its FeaturePrint optical AI technology securely links the physical and digital worlds. FeaturePrinting allows high confidence distinguishing of individual items out of millions of similar and so-called 'identical' objects. Stickers, tags, barcodes, et cetera can be damaged, misplaced, moves to other items, and counterfeited, said James Johnson, managing director, AI Breakthrough. With counterfeit products estimated to cost the global economy $3T a year, Alitheon offers a literal one in a million solution to businesses so that their products can be reliably traced through simple image taking. Thats a true breakthrough.

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About AI Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com.

About Alitheon

Alitheon is a Bellevue, Washington-based leader in advanced optical AI and creator of FeaturePrint, a patented system connecting the physical and digital worlds via a secure and immutable link. FeaturePrint digitizes for items and products, what fingerprints are for people  a one of a kind, unique identifier that does not require you to mark, modify or add anything to the item. Using just a camera, FeaturePrinting enables authentication, identification, and traceability of individual items out of millions of similar objects. With FeaturePrint, counterfeits are avoided, misidentification of parts is eliminated, and the use of wrong products is minimized. FeaturePrint is currently used for numerous track, trace, and authentication purposes across automotive, pharmaceuticals, aerospace & defense, medical equipment, precious metals, and luxury goods & collectibles.
Villagers in El-Aliqat village in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Qena have tested positive for the mosquito-borne dengue virus, the Ministry of Health announced in a statement on Tuesday.
The Integral S, by Aura Aero, is a side-by-side two seater that is ideal for pilot training and offers a high level of safety as well as an optimized learning environment. Photo courtesy of Aura Aero. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University plays an important role shaping Floridas next generation of top-tier talent in aerospace. Their MOU with Aura Aero demonstrates the importance of this event and its ability to ... enhance our states workforce development. - Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez

Preparing pilots to fly zero-emission, eco-friendly aircraft of the future is the goal of a newly inked partnership that will also create high-paying, high-quality jobs, Aura Aero and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced at the 2023 Paris Air Show.

A memorandum of understanding between Aura Aero and Embry-Riddle was signed at the Florida Activation Event, hosted by Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez and Enterprise Florida June 20 at the Business France Headquarters in Paris.

By establishing a major footprint in Embry-Riddles busy Research Park in Daytona Beach, Florida, electric aircraft pioneer Aura Aero expects to create some 20 exceptional new jobs in Volusia County as well as internships for student pilots. Since 2017, Embry-Riddles Research Park has served 25 leading and emerging companies while creating 174 lucrative jobs and 224 internships.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University plays an important role shaping Floridas next generation of top-tier talent in aerospace, said Lieutenant Governor Nunez. Their MOU with Aura Aero demonstrates the importance of this event and its ability to create meaningful partnerships between Florida and France in order to enhance our states workforce development. Together, we look to strengthen our aerospace sectors by creating a pipeline to meet demand.

Under the agreement, Aura Aero is also launching an internship program for Embry-Riddle students who are eager to learn more about the Integral  the companys two-seater training aircraft with aerobatic capabilities, which is available with thermal or full electric propulsion.

Aura Aero is committed to serving humankind by designing and manufacturing aircraft that accelerate air transport decarbonization, said company co-founder and CEO Jeremy Caussade, who also serves as the companys chief engineer. We are excited to partner with Embry-Riddle, a global leader in aviation education, to accelerate innovation and prepare pilots for a more sustainable future.

Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., said the partnership reflects a unique synergy between two organizations with shared goals. We look forward to welcoming Aura Aero, a company at the leading edge of sustainable aviation options, to Embry-Riddles Research Park in Daytona Beach, to support their technology development efforts while also enhancing educational opportunities for our students.

Embry-Riddle Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rodney Cruise said: Our Research Park offers a creative ecosystem that cultivates transformational business ideas and careers. We are honored to work with Aura Aero to advance sustainable aviation, create high-paying, high-quality jobs, and build workforce capacity.

In addition to the Integral training aircraft, Aura Aero, established in 2018, is developing the ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft), a regional transport 19-seater. Alongside Caussade, the companys co-founders are Chief Programs Officer Wilfried Dufaud and Chief Operations Officer Fabien Raison.

Aura Aero plans to establish operations at Embry-Riddles Research Park by 2024. Details are pending, but the company will occupy between 3,000 and 10,000 square feet of space in the MicaPlex, the Research Parks cornerstone facility, and the adjacent Applied Aviation and Engineering Research Hangar.

AT THE PARIS AIR SHOW: Visit Embry-Riddle in Hall 3, #G73. Visit Aura Aero in the B4 area, in front of the press center.

Media Contacts:

At the show: Jacques Rocca, Aura Aero, Communication and Institutional Affairs Advisor, +33 (0)6 07 91 03 29, jacques.rocca.external@aura-aero.com

By phone: Caroline Brown, Aura Aero Press Officer / CB Relations Presse, + 33 (0)6 22 08 86 23, caroline.brown.rp@gmail.com

About AURA AERO:

A pioneer in low-carbon aviation, AURA AERO is committed to serving mankind by designing and manufacturing aircraft that accelerate air transport decarbonization, by industrializing disruptive technologies resolutely focused on the aviation of tomorrow. Combining the best in the aeronautical industry and digital technologies, AURA AERO manufactures aircraft that offer unrivaled efficiency on the market of eco-efficient vehicles. Founded in 2018, AURA AERO is based at Toulouse-Francazal airport, France, and employs 200 people. In addition to its many shareholders, the manufacturer is supported by the Occitanie Region, the BPI (French Public Investment Bank) and the venture capital firm Innovacom. Laureate of the France Relance modernization fund and benefiting from the France 2023 investment plan, AURA AERO is a member of the steering committee of AZEA (Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation), a European Union initiative.

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Reporters worldwide contact Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for content experts in all aspects of aviation, aviation business, aerospace, engineering and STEM-related fields. Our faculty experts specialize in unmanned and autonomous systems, security and intelligence, air traffic and airport management, astronomy, human factors psychology, meteorology, spaceflight operations, urban air mobility and much more. Visit the Embry-Riddle Newsroom for story ideas.

Embry-Riddle educates 31,300+ students at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, at approximately 110 Worldwide Campus locations and through online degree programs. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report named Embry-Riddle Worldwide the nations No. 2 provider of online bachelors degree programs. The university has ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in this category every year since 2016. Our residential campuses hold multiple Top 10 rankings. All of our campuses have been ranked Best for Veterans.
"We are thrilled to welcome Serv and Liz to our team! Their unique talents and perspectives will undoubtedly enrich our collective knowledge and strengthen our ability to tackle challenges creatively and collaboratively.

Avenue7Media, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in Amazon and eCommerce strategies, is pleased to announce the appointment of two accomplished executives, Liz LaVallee, and Serv Chumber, to its management team. The pair bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Avenue7Media, further strengthening their ability to deliver innovative solutions and drive category leadership for their clients.

Liz LaVallee joins Avenue7Media as the Director of Client Operations. With over 15 years of experience in brand marketing, Liz's extensive background includes holding key roles at The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. During her tenure, she successfully spearheaded digital advertising and email marketing and managed the Amazon Sales Channel for various brands, including the highly successful PajamaGram. Liz's deep knowledge of eCommerce and her passion for client success will be pivotal in Avenue7Media's mission to help brands achieve profitable growth.

Regarding her new role, Liz says, "I am so thrilled to embark on this journey with Avenue7Media. Having spent my career as a brand marketer, I was impressed upon joining Avenue7Media to see how each team member has a deep sense of investment and passion for their brands. They truly become a seamless extension of their client's organizations, which is refreshing and inspiring. I am excited to have this opportunity to work with such a best-in-class team and to use my skills and background to contribute to the company's transformative vision of helping brands achieve profitable growth."

Serv Chumber, a seasoned eCommerce executive, joins Avenue7Media as the VP of Client Engagement and Managing Director of Europe. With a remarkable track record of founding and growing global brands over the past 15 years, Serv brings a wealth of strategic leadership and expertise to the agency. His experience heading the European arm of an organization and leading the Global Account Management Team has equipped him with a deep understanding of client engagement and the ability to drive success in eCommerce.

In his new role, Serv said, "I am thrilled to be joining Avenue7Media and love being part of an innovative team that remains at the forefront of all Amazon and eCommerce strategy. Our 7 Avenues to success are a clear pathway for brands to grow their businesses profitably, and being able to implement this strategy with our team and technology is hugely rewarding."

Avenue7Media's CEO, Jason Boyce, expressed his enthusiasm for the new additions to his management team, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Serv and Liz to our team! Their unique talents and perspectives will undoubtedly enrich our collective knowledge and strengthen our ability to tackle challenges creatively and collaboratively."

Angela Murphy, Avenue7Media's COO, also shared her excitement, stating, "Both Serv and Liz bring extensive experience and a proven track record of success, which will be instrumental in driving our company's continued growth. With their leadership, we are confident in our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers and exceed expectations in all aspects of our business."

The addition of Liz LaVallee and Serv Chumber to the Avenue7Media team reflects the agency's commitment to delivering exceptional results and providing best-in-class services to its clients. Their appointments further strengthen the company's position as a leader in the digital marketing industry.

For more information about Avenue7Media and its services, please visit http://www.avenue7media.com.

About Avenue7Media

Avenue7Media is a software-enabled service business that provides every aspect of Amazon, Walmart, and other eCommerce marketplace-managed services supporting its clients growth and sales strategy.

Founder Jason Boyce is a former U. S. Marine, a former Top 200 Amazon Seller, a former Top 1000 direct-to-consumer eCommerce seller, co-author of The Amazon Jungle, and host of the Day 2 Podcast. He started Avenue7Media with the mission to change Sellers lives by harnessing the power of Amazon for direct-to-consumer product brands. Our proven methods, informed by 20 years of top-ranking eCommerce and online marketplace success, put our organization in the shoes of the talented leaders and entrepreneurs they represent. Avenue7Medias high-performing teams dramatically improve the brand presentation and sales performance for seven, eight, and nine-figure brands.

Follow Avenue7Media on LinkedIn and YouTube. Learn more at https://avenue7media.com/
We are thrilled to offer these exceptional leaders a uniquely transformational Eisenhower Fellowship experience to connect them with other like-minded leaders overseas, said Eisenhower Fellowships Chairman Dr. Robert M. Gates, former U.S. secretary of defense.

Eisenhower Fellowships (EF) announces the selection of 11 dynamic doers from the worlds of artificial intelligence, international relations, poverty reduction, agriculture and philanthropy as recipients of the Eisenhower USA Fellowship in 2023.

These ascendant midcareer leaders will travel in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America and the Middle East to pursue individual projects, broaden their horizons and expand their approaches to problem solving that they can apply to their professions and communities when they return home.

The leaders selected for this prestigious program come from across the United States and include five USA Justice Fellows, working in diverse disciplines to advance racial and social justice in their states and communities. Each fellow will travel independently to one or two countries and meet with top practitioners in their respective fields.

We are thrilled to offer these exceptional leaders a uniquely transformational Eisenhower Fellowship experience to connect them with other like-minded leaders overseas, said Eisenhower Fellowships Chairman Dr. Robert M. Gates, former U.S. secretary of defense. Their journeys of exploration will sharpen their skills, expand their knowledge and help them make a positive impact in their professions and their communities when they return home.

The 2023 Eisenhower USA Fellows include:

An executive of the artificial intelligence company that created the explosively popular ChatGPT, which provides detailed answers to questions and commands. He plans to visit India and Sweden from his base in Washington, D.C. to understand how their job-security and training programs have prepared them for the workforce transformation brought about by AI innovations.

A program officer for a prominent Los Angeles community organization who plans to visit Germany and Spain to explore the role that immigrants have played in their societies, the publics perceptions of the newcomers and the ways that policymakers in those nations have responded.

One of the nations top experts on Native American tribal affairs and restorative justice who plans to visit New Zealand and Australia to learn about those nations respective reconciliation efforts with their Maori and aboriginal populations.

A financial services executive from St. Louis who plans to visit Sweden and Colombia to study their disparate but related initiatives to increase financial literacy among disadvantaged communities.

A Cuban-American nonprofit leader who wants to facilitate diaspora investment in Cubas private sector. He plans to visit Taiwan, where expatriate investments sparked growth as a manufacturing hub, and Vietnam, where normalizing ties with the U.S. in the 1990s stimulated significant investment from Vietnamese communities overseas.

Read about the 2023 USA Fellows here.

Now in its 70th year and named for Americas 34th president, Eisenhower Fellowships brings together innovative leaders from across geographies and sectors with the common goal of creating a world that is more peaceful, prosperous and just. Since 1953, more than 2,500 mid-career leaders from 115 countries have benefitted from the unique experience of an Eisenhower Fellowship.

The organization will mark the 70th anniversary of its founding with a World Forum, Leaders Confronting Global Challenges: What Works? in San Francisco, October 12-14, 2023, convening hundreds of Eisenhower Fellows and other thought leaders to share perspectives on emerging solutions to pressing transnational problems at the top of every nations agenda.

For more information about the 2023 USA Fellows, please contact Lee West, Director of USA Fellowship Programs at lwest@efworld.org or 215-546-1738


Vote for Introspect Technology in the Test Measurement & Inspection Product of the Year category in the Electronics Industry Awards 2023 To increase their chances of winning the award, Introspect Technology asks for each individual reading this to vote for them.

Introspect Technology, leading manufacturer of test and measurement products for high-speed applications, is pleased to announce that two of its products have been nominated for a prestigious Electronics Industry Award in the Test Measurement & Inspection Product of the Year category. The first product is the I3C PurVue Analyzer -- the oscilloscope you can take anywhere -- which provides a real-time, high-resolution, single-shot view of I3C signals. The second nomination is for the SV7C Personalized SerDes Tester, a game-changing phase-aligned bit error rate tester (BERT), Protocol Exerciser and Analyzer. To increase their chances of winning the award, Introspect Technology asks for each individual reading this to vote for them in the Test Measurement & Inspection Product of the Year category.

Why the I3C PurVue Analyzer merits the title of Test Measurement & Inspection Product of the Year:

The essence of the Introspect Technology I3C PurVue Analyzer is that it combines two standalone instruments into one: It takes the powerful protocol analyzer of the SV4E-I3C I3C Test and Debug Module and adds a complete high-resolution real-time oscilloscope that simultaneously samples the protocol analyzer inputs. In other words, it is an embedded 500 MHz, 12-bit I3C protocol-triggered real-time oscilloscope with 2 simultaneous channels. It provides internal probing of SCL and SDA signals within the SV4E-I3C I3C Test and Debug Module, thus eliminating the need for external active probes or bench-top oscilloscopes.

Why the SV7C Personalized SerDes Tester merits the title of Test Measurement & Inspection Product of the Year:

Not only is the SV7C Personalized SerDes Tester designed to address the challenges associated with high-speed digital interface testing, it is a game-changer for the test and measurement industry. Its advanced capabilities and features, such as its ability to emulate complex communication channels, make it a unique solution that sets it apart from other SerDes testers in the market. The SV7C integrates multiple tools into one  a pattern generator with feed-forward equalization, an error detector with programmable equalization and clock recovery, a full-functional protocol exerciser, and a full-functional protocol analyzer. Operating at up to 28 Gbps per lane and featuring 16 independent pattern generators and 16 independent data analyzers, the SV7C provides self-contained functional and physical layer test and measurement capabilities for interfaces such as DisplayPort 2.1, Thunderbolt, PCI Express, DDR and GDDR memory interfaces, USB, and JESD204C.

Show Your Support: Vote for Introspect Technology

Introspect Technologys nominations can only materialize into the recognition that the organization hopes to achieve when experts like yourself cast their vote. Whether you are an esteemed electronics expert, a respected colleague, or a valued customer, Introspect Technology asks for your vote by clicking here. Simply look for the "Test Measurement & Inspection Product of the Year" category at the bottom of the Product Awards section and vote for one of Introspects two nominations.

About the Electronics Industry Awards

Organized by Components in Electronics (CIE) publisher Datateam Business Media, the Electronics Industry Awards will celebrate excellence and ingenuity across the electronics sector for the sixth year running. The Electronics Industry Award trophy has come to symbolize the highest mark of approval from industry professionals and experts. The ceremony has now firmly established itself as an unmissable event on the calendar, giving the industry an opportunity to come together and celebrate the years successes. The organizers look forward to giving the electronics sector a chance to highlight and reward the very best professionals and companies as well as the most innovative products and projects. The ceremony will be held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, United Kingdom, on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

About Introspect Technology

Founded in 2012, Introspect Technology designs and manufactures innovative test and measurement equipment for high-speed digital applications. Whether it is the next augmented reality headset or the level-4 autonomy engine in a mobility solution, our award-winning tools are used to develop, test, and manufacture next-generation products. In short, we help the leading global technology companies make tomorrows technology todays possibility.
National Leader for Children's Orthopedics We take immense pride in the exceptional outcomes achieved by our orthopedics team and acknowledge that our continued inclusion in this prestigious list is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire staff, said Caitlin Stella, MPH, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital.

Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital has once again achieved national recognition for its excellence in orthopedics, earning a coveted spot among the top 50 children's hospitals in the country. This prestigious accolade comes from U.S. News & World Report, the esteemed authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. For nine consecutive years, Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospitals Orthopedic Center has consistently received this national recognition.

"When it comes to the well-being of your child, where you go truly matters. At Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital, we understand the gravity of those crucial moments. That's why we are proud to have a team of distinguished experts in pediatric orthopedics, ready to provide the highest level of care, said Caitlin Stella, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital. Our continued inclusion in this prestigious list is a testament to the unwavering dedication and commitment of our entire staff. We take immense pride in the exceptional outcomes achieved by our orthopedics team. However, it is the collective commitment of our entire hospital to deliver unparalleled care for children that we truly celebrate."

This recognition reflects Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital diverse and innovative medical expertise. Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital Orthopedic Center has one of the largest groups of fellowship trained pediatric orthopedic surgeons in Florida, and one of the busiest in the country, providing world class care and expertise for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and sports-related injuries affecting children, adolescents and young adults.

U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 119 childrens hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Childrens hospitals awarded a Best designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists.

For 17 years, U.S. News has provided comprehensive information to help parents of sick children and their doctors find the best childrens hospital to treat their illness or condition, said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News.

For more information on the U.S. News Best Childrens Hospitals, explore Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #BestHospitals.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Orthopedic Center has several office locations throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. Call 954-265-6300 or visit JDCH.com/orthopedics for a second opinion or to schedule an appointment.

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About Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital

Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital is one of Floridas leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. A level one pediatric trauma center, the hospital, part of Memorial Healthcare System, combines advanced technology and the expertise of one of the largest and most diverse, groups of board-certified pediatric specialists in the region, with a focus on patient and family-centered care to heal the body, mind, and spirit. To learn more, visit jdch.com and connect with @jdchospital on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Lighthouse Connections Academy Celebrates The Class of 2023 Throughout their time at our school, they have proven to be driven, intelligent and hardworking, all skills that will serve them well in their post-graduation endeavors.

Michigan's Lighthouse Connections Academys Class of 2023 was recently honored at an in-person graduation ceremony at Washtenaw Community College. All of the graduates online public school had the opportunity to accept their diplomas and toss their caps in recognition of this milestone accomplishment.

The Class of 2023 is the fifth graduating class from Lighthouse Connections Academy and I continue to marvel at the work our students complete, said Lighthouse Connections Academy Executive Director Teresa Woods. Throughout their time at our school, they have proven to be driven, intelligent and hardworking, all skills that will serve them well in their post-graduation endeavors.

Among this years Lighthouse Connections Academy seniors 36% plan to attend a 2- or 4- year college or university, 17% plan to enter the workforce and 16% plan to attend vocational or technical school. Other graduates have expressed they plan to join the military, take a gap year or pursue other opportunities.

The tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students across the state of Michigan offers an exceptional curriculum taught by state-certified teachers who specialize in virtual education. This education model benefits many students, allowing them to learn at their own pace while having the flexibility to explore a variety of subjects.

My message to the Class of 2023 is to continue to be curious and always look for ways to be kind to others, Woods continued. I hope they remember they are special and cared for as they start the next phase of their life journey.

Enrollment is currently open for the 2023-24 school year. Families interested in Michigan's Lighthouse Connections Academy are encouraged to attend an online information session to learn more, ask questions and discover if virtual school is the right fit for their student. For more information or to begin the enrollment process, visit http://www.LighthouseConnectionsAcademy.com or call 800-382-6010.

About Lighthouse Connections Academy

Lighthouse Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students in Michigan. Authorized by Oxford Community School, Lighthouse Connections Academy offers 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, call 800-382-6010 or visit http://www.LighthouseConnectionsAcademy.com.
Leaders from Mary Washington Healthcare will speak at the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)s 2023 Annual Conference on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Were excited to discuss Mary Washington Healthcares success pursuing an innovative mindset and leveraging new AI-based technologies. - Abigail Armstead, Technical Product Manager for Medical Informatics at MCG Health

MCG Health, part of the Hearst Health network and an industry leader in technology-enabled, evidence-based guidance, announces its Technical Product Manager for Medical Informatics, Abigail Armstead, will host experts from Mary Washington Healthcare at the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)s 2023 Annual Conference. The HFMA conference runs June 25-28, 2023, and will take place at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee.

The session, Finding Financial Predictability using AI in an Industry that is Anything but Predictable, is part of the Innovation & Technology spotlight and will take place on Monday, June 26, 2023, from 9:50 am to 10:40 am Central Time. Ms. Armstead will host four thought leaders from Mary Washington Healthcare: Sarah Ogle, Senior VP of Revenue Cycle; Mary Loyd, Manager of Service Coordination and Performance Improvement; Cheri Basso, Director of Care Coordination; and Kimberly Mitkowski, Manager of Care Coordination.

The session will explore current challenges hospitals face in optimizing patient throughput, maintaining patient satisfaction, and maximizing appropriate revenue while minimizing their cost burdens. Mary Washington Healthcare, a recent recipient of the Richard L. Doyle Award for Innovation and Leadership in Healthcare, will share how they successfully navigated these obstacles to reduce denials, improve hospital throughput, and apply unique AI technologies (including MCG Indicia for Admission Documentation) to optimize their utilization review workflow. Attendees can expect to learn about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline clinical, financial, and operational aspects of the patients care journey into one experience. The speakers will also discuss valuable insights for process improvement, cost containment, and useful tactics to manage labor shortages and economic factors without sacrificing innovation.

Were excited to discuss Mary Washington Healthcares success pursuing an innovative mindset and leveraging new AI-based technologies, said Ms. Armstead. Were hopeful that the insights we share in this session will help other hospitals facing these same industry challenges find a path forward for their communities.

More information about the HFMA Annual Conference is available here: https://events.hfma.org/event/e5c80b52-e34d-4e45-9761-d353672c6b71/summary


The GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module has the potential to make a world-changing impact and were thrilled to recognize Medtronic for this achievement"

AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market, today announced that Medtronic plc, the leading global healthcare technology company, has been selected as winner of the Best Deep Learning Platform award in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program, recognizing the breakthrough innovation of Medtronics GI Genius system.

The GI Genius system, developed by Cosmo Intelligent Medical Devices, is an intelligent endoscopy module that uses AI to assist physicians in detecting polyps, in real-time, during a colonoscopy procedure. GI Genius is the first FDA authorized computer-aided detection (CADe) system using AI to help endoscopists identify colorectal polyps, regardless of shape, size, or morphology.

GI Genius leverages deep learning to support a clinicians assessment of diagnostic images as it supplements colonoscopies with real-time image analysis of any colonoscopy video and scans every visual frame of the procedure to alert physicians to the presence of lesions  including small, flat polyps that can go undetected by even the most trained human eye.

Additionally, the software built into GI Genius has a robust dataset of more than 13 million polyp images and, as the datasets grow, the intelligent endoscopy module continues to learn, increasing better performance and accuracy. A recent announcement showcased the vision of GI Genius capability of hosting multiple AI algorithms.

Its an honor to have GI Genius selected for this award, said Giovanni Di Napoli, president of the Medtronic Gastrointestinal business, which is part of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic. Our aim is to improve colonoscopies and increase early detection of potentially precancerous colorectal polyps. GI Genius doesnt get tired or distracted, and it augments human intelligence with the potential to transform the way healthcare is delivered. Our expanding AI capabilities at Medtronic create opportunities to deliver against unmet needs, including across the Gastrointestinal (GI) practice.

The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work and success in a range of AI and machine learning related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry specific AI applications and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries throughout the world.

The GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module has the potential to make a world-changing impact and were thrilled to recognize Medtronic for this achievement. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S., yet 90% of people can beat it if diagnosed early. Screening is one of the most effective ways of doing that. However, colonoscopy is difficult, and polyps may be difficult to find, said James Johnson, managing director, AI Breakthrough. Congratulations to Medtronic. This world-changing, AI-driven innovation couldnt come at a more pressing time as gastroenterologists manage an overwhelming backlog of colonoscopies.

In the past two years since FDA authorization, Medtronics facilitation of the Health Equity Assistance Program provided 130 GI Genius units to underserved communities that otherwise would not receive the technology.

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About AI Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission  to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life  unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.
I am excited to be a part of this year's meeting because the patient is truly at the center. I hope that attendees will find the inspiration, validation, and motivation to accelerate mobile technology implementation, no matter where each company is in its journey, - Kai Bode, Merck

The Conference Forum announced the launch of the 10th annual Mobile Tech in Clinical Trials conference taking place September 19, 2023 in Boston at the Westin Copley Place.

For the first time, over 12 pharmaceutical companies from AbbVie to Takeda, FDA, tech companies and patient advocacy come together to discuss which technologies used in COVID-19 for remote patient participation were successful, and how these will impact the future of clinical trials.

The following pharma and biotech companies share what worked and what didnt when they deployed digital tech during and after the pandemic:



AbbVie

BioMarin

BMS

Eli Lilly

Janssen

Merck

Novartis

Novo Nordisk

Otsuka

Roche

Sanofi

Takeda

I am excited to be a part of this year's meeting because the patient is truly at the center. I hope that attendees will find the inspiration, validation, and motivation to accelerate mobile technology implementation, no matter where each company is in its journey, said Kai Bode, 2023 co-chair and Director, Digital Innovation and Patient Strategy, Global Digital Analytics & Technologies Team at Merck.

Novo Nordisks Head of US Digital Transformation and Innovation, Amy West, presents the 2023 Keynote with a report on the companys digital transformation journey.

Three agencies from the FDA  The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)  to provide guidance updates and industry recommendations on prioritizing and implementing digital health tech in trials. The FDA representatives will be available for open Q&A.

Leveraging advancements in mobile technologies has the potential to accelerate the pace of drug discovery and development and reach hard-to-get populations in trials, said Adama Ibrahim, eMBA, 2023 co-chair and VP, Digital Strategy and Change Management at Novo Nordisk. I look forward to hearing how our industry is using new advancements with mobile technologies in healthcare and research to benefit patients.

The 10th annual Mobile Tech in Clinical Trials will be followed by DPHARM: Disruptive Innovations to Modernize Clinical Research, September 20-22, 2023. To learn more, visit http://www.theconferenceforum.org.

About Mobile Tech in Clinical Trials:

Mobile Tech in Clinical Trials is the first conference, founded in 2013 to convene R&D operations and digital leaders to access, deploy and scale strategies for applying mobile/digital tools to connect and empower patients, and obtain better outcomes in drug development/clinical research. Each year, we bring forward the latest experience-based case studies while presenting fresh ideas to advance fit for purpose, adoption and scale of remote digital solutions.

About The Conference Forum:

The Conference Forum is a life science industry research firm that develops conferences primarily around how to get therapeutics to patients faster. The company also publishes six newsletters and produces PharmaTalkRadio, virtual events, and webinars.
Mount Sinai Health System expands digital tools including virtual urgent care, virtual primary care and symptoms checker Mount Sinai is committed to providing a seamless digital experience that encourages our patients to proactively engage with their care team, manage their health progress, and take advantage of ongoing support and resources, said Kristin Myers, MPH, Executive Vice President at Mount Sinai.

Mount Sinai Health System patients will experience greater access to care, fast identification of symptoms, efficient online search and connection to specialists, and easy appointment scheduling thanks to newly launched Digital Experience tools accessible on their smartphones or computers.

These digital tools include Virtual Urgent Care to address non-emergencies such as the flu or mild COVID-19 infection, Virtual Primary Care to schedule doctor visits including annual wellness exams, and Check Symptoms & Get Care, an intelligent care navigation system that includes a short questionnaire for patients to self-identify their ailments and a personalized list of telehealth or in-person care options based on their results.

Mount Sinai is the first health system in New York City to use this digital self-triage system, developed by Mount Sinais Digital and Technology Partners department in partnership with Clearstep, an artificial intelligence chat health care assistant.

The Check Symptoms & Get Care platform uses natural language processing, a branch of artificial intelligence, to translate complex medical data into user-friendly content. This tool can currently identify and match more than 300 unique primary symptoms. The new suite of digital tools also includes Mount Sinai Virtual Assistant, which can assist patients with questions and manage appointments.

Mount Sinai is committed to providing a seamless digital experience that encourages our patients to proactively engage with their care team, manage their health progress, and take advantage of ongoing support and resources, said Kristin Myers, MPH, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System and Dean for Digital and Information Technology of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Our latest digital tools also leverage automation and integration throughout the Health System, streamlining processes and support services, so our priority and focus remains continuity of care and equitable access to services for our diverse community.

The Digital Experience tools expand on existing capabilities of MyMountSinai, a mobile app developed in 2021, as an online gateway to Mount Sinai physicians and services. Through MyMountSinai, patients are able to access health records and lab results, schedule appointments, check in for appointments, conduct video visits, pay bills, and request prescription refills.

We know access to high-quality servicesincluding urgent, primary and specialty careis imperative for healthy communities, said Kelly Cassano, DO, Chief Executive Officer of the Mount Sinai Doctors Faculty Practice, Dean for Clinical Affairs at Icahn Mount Sinai, and Senior Vice President for Ambulatory Operations of the Mount Sinai Health System. Through transformative innovation and expansion of our telehealth options, Mount Sinai continues to deliver world-leading care, especially when and where our patients most conveniently need it.

Patients can log into either the MyMountSinai website or mobile app and navigate the main menu tab to select Check Symptoms & Get Care under the Find Care section. All of Mount Sinais Digital Experience tools can be accessed at Digital Patient Tools and Resources.

To learn more about how to use the Digital Experience tools, watch a video here.

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, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 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 7,400 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 Reports 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 Childrens Hospital among the countrys best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 14 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweeks The Worlds Best Smart Hospitals ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Consumer demand for housing has defied logic throughout 2023. This is testament to the demographic tailwinds of todays market and the inherent desire for homeownership. We are continuing to watch the depth of todays buyer pool...  Ali Wolf, chief economist

Today, the experts at Zonda, the housing industrys foremost advisors, released the New Home Market Update report for May 2023.

We are in the life happens housing market, one where sales are driven primarily by changes in life stage and lifestyle. Marriage, divorce, death, retirement, downsizing, having children, and relocating encourage a move despite the mortgage lock-in effect, housing affordability challenges, and economic uncertainty. In other times, investors, flippers, fear of missing out, and moving out of 'want' versus 'need' were more prevalent.

The overall demand pool is down compared to the past few years, but the lack of inventory is keeping prices firm and competition high for desirable homes. Many builders continue to benefit from the ability to compete with the resale market by offering quick move-in homes, the ability to work with the discerning buyers by offering customization on to-be-built product, and the ability to help the affordability-challenged buyer by offering mortgage rate buydowns and funds towards closing costs.

Consumer demand for housing has defied logic throughout 2023, said Ali Wolf, Zondas chief economist. This is testament to the demographic tailwinds of todays market and the inherent desire for homeownership. We are continuing to watch the depth of todays buyer pool, though, given mortgage rates are at or near 7.0% again and home prices back on the rise.

May sales remained high but ticked down from April

Zonda's new home sales metric counts the number of new home contract sales each month and accounts for both cancellations and seasonality. This metric shows there were 704,853 new homes sold in May on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. This was a decline of 1.6% from last month but an increase of 11.2% from a year ago. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, 62,559 homes were sold, down nearly 13% year-over-year and compared to the same month in 2019.

Sales adjusted for supply hold steady

Total sales volume is influenced by both supply and demand. Zonda's New Home Pending Sales Index (PSI) was created to help account for fluctuations in supply by combining both total sales volume with the average sales rate per month per community. The May PSI came in at 139.5, representing an 11.9% rise from the same month last year. The index is currently 19.9% below cycle highs. On a month-over-month basis, seasonally adjusted new home sales increased 0.1%.



The markets that posted the best numbers relative to last year were Salt Lake City (+44.1%), Sacramento (+41.4%), and Seattle (+33.5%).

The metros that performed the worst year-over-year were New York (-16.4%), Philadelphia (-11.7%), and Atlanta (-6.9%).

On a monthly basis, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, and Seattle were the best performing markets.

A continued deceleration in home price appreciation

National home prices increased year-over-year across entry-level, move-up, and high-end homes. Prices rose 2.5% for entry-level to $339,084, 2.5% for move-up to $529,945, and 6.2% for high-end homes to $920,483.

Supplementing our data with a monthly survey Zonda conducts, 60% of builders reported raising prices in May and 34% reported holding prices flat. This stands in direct contrast to the end of last year where roughly 50% of builders were lowering prices and 50% were holding prices flat.

Incentives are still common in todays housing market to help address the affordability constraints for buyers. The majority of new home communities across the country were offering incentives in May, with the most popular being mortgage rate buydowns, funds towards closing costs, and flex dollars.

Total community count is far below 2019 levels

There are currently 13,814 actively selling communities tracked by Zonda, up 0.6% from last year. On a month-over-month basis, the national figure slipped 2.5%. Total community count is 28.6% below the same month in 2019. The lack of competition from other new home communities is allowing for some upward pressure on the average sales rate per month per community. Zonda defines a community as anywhere where five or more units are for sale.

Riverside/San Bernardino (+24.3%), Salt Lake City (+14.0%), and Los Angeles/OC (+12.0%) grew community count the most year-over-year. Community count is down 7%, 31%, and 45%, respectively, compared to 2019.

Relative to last year, the biggest community count declines were in Tampa (-11.6%), Philadelphia (-9.1%), and New York (-8.5%). Tampas community count is 51% below 2019 levels. Community count is down 46% and 36%, respectively, in Philadelphia and New York compared to 2019.

Community count in 8% of our select markets rose month-over-month, 8% were flat, and 84% fell.

National quick move-ins (QMIs) totaled 23,818, up 49.6% compared to last year but 13.3% lower month-over-month. Total QMIs are 32.2% above 2019 levels. QMIs are homes that can likely be occupied within 90 days.

QMIs are selling out quicker than they can be replaced in many markets as consumers view these homes as a great alternative to the resale market given the dearth of supply.



On a metro basis, 80% of Zonda's select markets increased QMI count year-over-year.

The markets that grew the most year-over-year were Jacksonville (+165.6%), Phoenix (+152.0%), and Riverside/San Bernardino (+113.8%).

The markets with the most total QMIs coincide with the largest production housing markets across the country: Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix.

Jacksonville, Las Vegas, and Sacramento have seen the most growth in QMIs compared to the same time in 2019, up 498.8%, 195.3%, and 173.0%, respectively.

QMIs are down the most compared to 2019 in Seattle (-65%), Atlanta (-57%), and San Francisco (-53%).

Methodology

The Zonda New Home Pending Sales Index (PSI) is built on proprietary, industry-leading data that covers 60% of the production new home market across the United States. Reported number of new home pending contracts are gathered and analyzed each month. Released on the 15th business day of each month, the New Home PSI is a leading indicator of housing demand compared to closings because it is based on the number of signed contracts at a new home community. Zonda monitors 18,000 active communities in the country and the homes tracked can be in any stage of construction.

The new home market represents roughly 10% of all transactions, allowing little movements in supply to cause outsized swings in market activity. As a result, the New Home PSI blends the cumulative sales of activity recently sold out projects with the average sales rate per community, which adjusts for fluctuations in supply. Furthermore, the New Home PSI is seasonally adjusted based on each markets specific seasonality, removes outliers, and uses June 2016 as the base month. The foundation of the index is a monthly survey conducted by Zonda. It is necessary to monitor both new and existing home sales to establish an accurate picture of the relative health of the residential real estate market.

Visit ZondaHome.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more information.

About Zonda

Zonda provides data-driven housing market solutions to the homebuilding industry. From builders to building product manufacturers, mortgage clients, and multifamily executives, we work hand-in-hand with our customers to streamline access to housing data to empower smarter decisions. As a leading brand in residential construction, our mission is to advance the home building industry, because we believe better homes mean better lives and stronger communities. Together, we are building the future of housing.
Northeast Delta HSA to host JiggAerobics Health and Fitness Event on June 22 at Monroe Civic Center "We know physical fitness plays a critical role in positive health outcomes. So, when we combine our physical fitness initiatives with our prosocial mental health and primary healthcare mitigation strategies, we can expect to see overall regional population health improvements," Dr. Sizer said.

Northeast Delta Human Services (NEDHSA) will host its fourth JiggAerobics event on June 22 at 6 p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center. This event is part of its #getfitHSA initiative that supports the NEDHSA's integrated care model to increase access to healthy activities and inform communities about staying fit and active.

NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. Sizer said this event provides a fun and upbeat activity for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. He also said it exposes regional citizens to "valuable information concerning the importance of personal wellness and holistic mental, physical, and spiritual health."

"We know physical fitness plays a critical role in positive health outcomes. So, when we combine our physical fitness initiatives with our prosocial mental health and primary healthcare mitigation strategies, we can expect to see overall regional population health improvements," Dr. Sizer said. "By hosting events like JiggAerobics, we are providing an opportunity for citizens of northeast Louisiana to further learn about the interconnectedness of their mental health, physical health, and spiritual well-being."

Dr. Sizer said data shows that heart disease, obesity, and other physical illnesses are correlated with various forms of trauma, stress, and mental illness.

JiggAerobics will be led by LaDonte Lotts, better known as "Mr. Get Right." Lotts founded JiggAerobics as a dance-based fitness program that fuses "jigging," an energetic Louisiana dance style, with Lotts' own personal dance moves and numerous plyometric exercises.

Lotts said he had some great opportunities throughout the state and country hosting JiggAerobics events and is excited to be back in northeast Louisiana.

"JiggAerobics has provided me with an amazing opportunity to bring physical and mental wellness to every person I encounter," Lotts said. "Your health is your wealth, and I want you to invest wisely."

Dr. Sizer said finding innovative ways to help solve significant societal problems "is at the heart of what we do."

"We consistently work to understand the unique health care needs of the citizens of northeast Louisiana. And once we understand the needs and wishes of the people, we actively put programs and services in place to help meet people where they are," Dr. Sizer said.

Register for Jiggaerobics at nedhsaerobics2023.eventbrite.com
I am excited to announce the launch of our new customer payment portal. This portal is a secure and convenient way for our customers to make payments online. It is also a major step forward in our digital transformation efforts.

Pacific Mobile Structures is excited to announce the launch of an online customer portal this summer, designed to enhance the speed and ease of doing business with the modular construction company for each and every customer at each and every touch point. The online customer portal will provide customers with the ability to:



View Open Invoices

View Paid Invoices

View Statements

Make Secure One-Time Payments

Set Up Recurring Payments

Pacific Mobile Structures customers will enjoy convenience at their fingertips with the ability to make payments with just a few clicks anytime, anywhere. It also provides customers with a more secure way to pay with multiple payment options, rather than over the phone, through email, or traditional mail. The development of this online customer portal is backed by Pacific Mobile Structures robust IT and Software Development Team and spearheaded by the companys President and CEO to create a simple and streamlined payment process that centers around user experience.

"I am excited to announce the launch of our new customer payment portal. This portal is a secure and convenient way for our customers to make payments online. It is also a major step forward in our digital transformation efforts," said Kevin Aleshire, Director of Information Technology at Pacific Mobile Structures.

"I am very proud of our internal IT staff and their dedication to support our operations which allows us to provide our customers with first-class service, said Garth Haakenson, President and CEO of Pacific Mobile Structures.

Pacific Mobile Structures will be releasing more information and instructions to set up account access next month and they cant wait to provide customers with this service. In the meantime, learn more here.

ABOUT PACIFIC MOBILE STRUCTURES

Since 1983, Pacific Mobile Structures has provided superior mobile office space to thousands of jobsites. Family-owned for two generations and with multiple locations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Texas, and Arizona, Pacific Mobile Structures is known for delivering the highest-quality mobile offices, permanent modular construction, educational facilities, and government services, with a commitment to customer service excellence built on the cornerstones of experience, quality, flexibility, and dedication.
Phantom Screens welcomes Phantom Screens of Newfoundland & Labrador as its newest regional distributor! Since 2000, All Seasons Sunrooms and Outdoor Living, a division of WLH Contracting, has offered clients the highest quality products to enhance their outdoor living pleasure.

Multiple award-winning Phantom Screens is delighted to welcome Darrell Hopkins and Jason Foote as an Authorized Regional Distributor of Phantom Screens in Newfoundland & Labrador. Last fall, Darrell's company, WLH Contracting, purchased one of its competitors, C. J. Enterprises, an existing Phantom Screens regional distributor in Newfoundland.

Since 2000, All Seasons Sunrooms and Outdoor Living, a division of WLH Contracting, has offered clients the highest quality products to enhance their outdoor living pleasure. Over the years, All Season Sunrooms & Outdoor Living has expanded their product line many times to include various market-leading products. Now, they can proudly add Phantom Screens to that renowned list.

Hopkins highly values his long-standing relationships with their suppliers, customers, and colleagues, and looks forward to the same professional relationship with Phantom Screens.

We chose Phantom Screens because we bought a company, and that was one of their product lines, says Hopkins, Principal, All Seasons Sunrooms and Outdoor Living.

Although new to Phantom Screens, Darrell and his team look forward to introducing his existing and new clientele to Phantom Screens' award-winning product line.

If you are considering or already building an outdoor oasis in Newfoundland & Labrador, you can trust Phantom Screens to create a screened room that you can enjoy year-round. As a highly regarded company, Phantom can customize its motorized retractable screens for any climate or season, including Newfoundland & Labradors harsh winter weather conditions.

About Phantom Screens: From its humble beginnings in 1992, manufacturing screens in a single-car garage, Phantom Screens has become an award-winning North American premier provider of retractable screens. Since its inception, the company has placed a high value on its distributors as part of a long-standing commitment to product excellence and customer satisfaction. All Phantom Screens products come professionally installed by factory-trained experts; while providing customers with retractable screens that are made to fit your space perfectly and are backed by our industry-leading warranty.

A proud manufacturer, Phantom Screens has made it easier for people across North America to enjoy their homes and businesses with its innovative and revolutionary custom retractable screens for doors, windows, multi-panel systems, and outdoor spaces. For more information, visit http://www.phantomscreens.com.
We have reached a stage where groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence occur on a weekly basis, and while AI has already changed the way we live and work, the reality is that were just at the beginning of a journey to understand AIs power, reach and capabilities"

AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market, today announced the results of its sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program, showcasing technologies and companies that drive innovation and exemplify the best in artificial intelligence related technology solutions across the globe.

The AI Breakthrough Awards program is the premier awards and recognition platform founded to recognize artificial intelligence-related technology innovators, leaders, and visionaries from around the world.

The annual awards program honors AI excellence and innovation in a range of AI and machine learning-related categories, including AI and Machine Learning Platforms, Generative AI, Robotics, Data and Analytics, Natural Language Processing, MLOps & AIOps, industry-specific AI applications, and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries throughout the world.

We have reached a stage where groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence occur on a weekly basis, and while AI has already changed the way we live and work, the reality is that were just at the beginning of a journey to understand AIs power, reach and capabilities," said James Johnson, managing director, AI Breakthrough. In this past year the rapid development and adoption of generative AI is significantly augmenting the impact of AI overall, which we anticipate will generate trillions of dollars of additional business value each year and completely transform the nature of work and our daily lives. As we close out our sixth year of evaluating and honoring innovation within the AI industry, we are thrilled to extend our congratulations to the pioneering visionaries driving this remarkable transformation. Congrats to our entire 2023 AI Breakthrough Award winners circle.

All award nominations were evaluated by an independent panel of experts within the AI industry, with the winning products and companies selected based on a variety of considerations, including innovation, design, and user-experience, as well as overall technological advancement for their respective categories.

The 2023 AI Breakthrough Award winners include:

AI Platforms

Best Machine Learning Company: Devron

Machine Learning Innovation Award: ZestyAI

Best Deep Learning Platform: Medtronic GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module

Best Overall AI Platform: Verint

Data & Analytics

Best Predictive Analytics Platform: Stem, Stem Athena

Best Predictive Analytics Solution: Xactly, Xactly Forecasting

AI-based Analytics Innovation Award: Medidata, a Dassault Systemes Company

Best Overall AI-based Analytics Company: Alteryx

Generative AI

Best Generative Video Platform: Waymark

Best Generative Text AI Solution: Emplifi

Best Generative Image AI Solution: Stability AI

Generative AI Innovation Award: Glowforge

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Best Natural Language Understanding (NLU) Solution: Cognigy

Best Conversational Interface: Posh

Best Natural Language Generation Platform: Moveworks

Best Overall NLP Company: Lexalytics, an InMoment Company

Virtual Agents & Bots

Best Informational Bot Solution: TELUS International Assistant (iTIA)

Chatbot Innovation Award: Concentrix, ALBA (Advanced Learning through Bot & Automation)

Best Overall Bot Solution: Espressive

Robotics

Developmental Robotics Innovation Award: AMD Kria KR260 Starter Kit

Smart Robotics Innovation Award: SoftBankRobotics America, X1

Best Overall Robotics Company: Qualcomm Technologies

Vision

Best Optical AI Solution: Alitheon

Best Handwriting Recognition Solution: Hyperscience

Best Overall Computer Vision Solution: Spark Cognition

Best Overall Computer Vision Company: Hayden AI

Decision Intelligence & Management

Best Decision Management Solution: Evaluate

Best Decision Intelligence Solution: Actifai

Best Decision Intelligence Company: Qloo

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Best Robotic Process Automation Solution: Capgemini, Automated Finance Code

Robotic Process Innovation Award: Deloitte, Smart Factory Product Suite

Virtual Reality

Best Use of Virtual Reality for Enterprise Applications: Honeywell Process Solutions, Honeywell Immersive Field Simulator (IFS)

Best Overall Use of AI for Virtual Reality: Maxar Technologies and blackshark.ai, SYNTH3D

Biometrics

Best Use of AI for Authentication: Onfido

Authentication Innovation Award: Keyless

Vertical Industry Applications

Best AI-based Solution for CyberSecurity: ExtraHop

Best AI-based Solution for Fraud Prevention: Moody's Analytics, Moody's Analytics AI Review

Best AI-based Solution for Financial Services: Envestnet

Best AI-based Solution for Healthcare: IQVIA, IQVIA Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Best AI-based Solution for Transportation: FLYR Labs

Best AI-based Solution for Manufacturing: Bright Machines

Best AI-based Solution for Advertising: Skai

Best AI-based Solution for Marketing: Movable Ink

Best AI-based Solution for Workforce Management: Legion Technologies

Best AI-based Solution for Sales: Marchex

Best AI-based Solution for Legal: LinkSquares

Best AI-based Solution for Agriculture: Carbon Robotics

Best AI-based Solution for Procurement: LevaData

Best AI-based Solution for Insurance: Messagepoint

Best AI-based Solution for Supply Chain: RoamBee

Best AI-based Solution for Life Sciences: DDN and Helmholtz Munich

Best AI-based Solution for Engineering: mabl

Best AI-based Solution for Data Science: Austin Data Labs

MLOps

Best MLOps Solution: OneStream, Sensible ML

MLOps Innovation Award: Krones, Contiloop AI

Best MLOps Company: Arize AI

Large Language Models (LLM)

Best LLM Application: Coveo

Best Overall Large Language Model: OpenAI GPT-4

AI Development & Testing

Best AI Tool for Developers: Launchable

Best AI Software Development Solution: Canvas by LTIMindtree

Best AI Quality Management Solution: TruEra

Leadership

Best AI Services Solution Provider: Bosch Service Solutions

Best AI Solution for Big Data: Pure Storage, AIRI//S

AI Hardware Innovation Award: Untether AI

Best Cognitive Communications Solution: YouAi

Best AI Startup: Robust Intelligence

Best Overall AI Solution: Cleerly

Best Overall AI Company: Nuance Communications

###

About AI Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies, and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Vision, Biometrics, and more.

For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com.
"As a brand deeply rooted in service, Take 5 Oil Change recognizes the significance of supporting our Nation's heroes and their families," said Mo Khalid, EVP and President, Take 5 Oil Change.

Take 5 Oil Change proudly announces the success of its 2nd annual Folds of Honor Fundraiser, raising an impressive $202,044 to support the families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Take 5 is committed to the communities it serves and is dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of those who have served our local neighborhoods and country.

Folds of Honor provides academic scholarships to the family members of fallen or disabled service members and first responders, enabling them to continue their education. Last year, during the inaugural Folds of Honor Fundraiser, Take 5 Oil Change raised $201,500 in support of Folds of Honor's mission.

Throughout the Folds of Honor Fundraiser, which ran from May 21 through June 9, Take 5 Oil Change rallied its customers, employees, and communities nationwide to contribute. Donations were collected at Take 5 locations across the country.

"As a brand deeply rooted in service, Take 5 Oil Change recognizes the significance of supporting our Nation's heroes and their families," said Mo Khalid, EVP and President, Take 5 Oil Change. "Our successful Folds of Honor fundraiser and upcoming Children's Hospital fundraiser showcase our unwavering dedication to making a lasting impact in the lives of those in need."

Take 5 Oil Change will also kick off its annual Children's Hospital fundraiser in July. Last year, the Children's Hospital fundraiser raised over $1.1 million for childrens hospitals across the country, demonstrating Take 5's commitment to supporting the health and well-being of children in the communities it serves.

For more information about Take 5 Oil Change and its community initiatives, please visit https://www.take5.com/oil-change/

About Take 5 Oil Change

Established in 1984, Take 5 Oil Change is a quick lube service featuring a unique drive-thru concept that allows customers to never leave the comfort of their car. The brand offers an on average 10-minute oil change service and ancillary services such as air filter replacement, wiper blade changes, and coolant exchanges. Take 5 has more than 750 company-owned and franchised service centers throughout the United States and Canada. Take 5 Oil Change is a member of Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America. For more information, visit https://www.take5.com/oil-change/.

About Driven Brands

Driven Brands, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is the largest automotive services company in North America, providing a range of consumer and commercial automotive needs, including paint, collision, glass, vehicle repair, oil change, maintenance and car wash. Driven Brands is the parent company of some of North Americas leading automotive service businesses including Take 5 Oil Change, Take 5 Car Wash, Meineke Car Care Centers, Maaco, 1-800-Radiator & A/C, Auto Glass Now, and CARSTAR. Driven Brands has more than 4,800 locations across 14 countries, and services over 70 million vehicles annually. Driven Brands network generates approximately $2.1 billion in annual revenue from more than $5.8 billion in system-wide sales.

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Beginning in 2022, it expanded its mission to include first responders. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a masters degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelors degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded about 44,000 scholarships totaling about $200 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.
"We're incredibly proud to have been included in Bob Scotts Top 100 VARs for the 13th year running." Katherine Turner-Lawrence, VP of Marketing at Western Computer

Western Computer continues to offer customers top quality services and Microsoft solutions to help them transform their businesses. After 36 years in business, we continue to implement, support and consult on Microsoft business solutions that includes, all Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Finance, Supply Chain Management, Business Central, Sales, Customer Service and Field Service along with the legacy on prem Dynamics solutions like Dynamics NAV, Dynamics AX and CRM).

The Top 100 resellers are chosen from companies globally that specialize in the sales and implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and accounting software, with the rankings based on the revenue they generate annually. The comprehensive report of this year's top-performing VARs is available for download at Bob Scott's Insights (http://www.erpglobalinsights.com).

"We're incredibly proud to have been included in Bob Scotts Top 100 VARs for the 13th year running," said Katherine Turner-Lawrence, VP of Marketing at Western Computer. "This recognition speaks volumes about our team's steadfast dedication to providing powerful, personalized ERP and accounting solutions that help our clients achieve success. As we continue to expand and adapt, our commitment to equipping businesses with the tools they need to succeed remains unwavering."

Bob Scott, a seasoned veteran in the mid-market financial software community, has been providing informative and entertaining insights for 24 years via his email newsletters. Since 2009, these insights have been disseminated through the ERP Global Insights newsletter and website. Scott's seasoned perspective on the market comes from nearly 32 years of covering both the traditional tax and accounting profession and the mid-market financial software community.

We want to congratulate this year's class of Bob Scott's Top 100 VARs, said Bob Scott, executive editor of ERP Global Insights (formerly known as Bob Scotts Insights). This selection represents recognition of leaders in this important field.

Western Computer's continued recognition in Bob Scotts Top 100 VARs underlines the companys dedication to customer success and its effective track record in delivering robust and comprehensive ERP and accounting solutions.

About Western Computer

Western Computer is a Gold certified Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) founded in 1987 to empower and enable businesses. Specializing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform solutions, services, and support, our 180+ senior-level experts bring advanced functional and industry expertise to companies across North America. With over 35 years of ERP, CRM, and business intelligence experienceand more than 1,100 successful implementationswe deliver solutions to meet the unique needs of specialized industries and companies of all sizes.

Western Computer is a proud 2022/2023 Inner Circle Member and finalist of the 2022 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Partner of the Year. Learn more at http://www.westerncomputer.com or call (805) 581-5020.

Contact:

Katherine Turner-Lawrence

805-581-5020

Katherine.turner-lawrence@westerncomputer.com
BDWKABS04-BK: a complete desk workstation set-up with a washable/waterproof keyboard (KBWKABS104-BK), mouse (OMWKABS04-BK), and repositionable mouse pad (MPWKR-1). Stay clean, stay productive! Having a reliable and hygienic workstation is a must.

WetKeys Washable Keyboards, a premier provider of hygienic workstation solutions including waterproof computer peripherals and water-resistant keyboards, is delighted to launch the KBWKABS104-BK keyboard and the OMWKABS04-BK mouse. Combined with their unique, washable mouse pad, these groundbreaking products are pivotal for organizations seeking to establish rigorous hygiene measures as employees transition back into traditional office spaces.

Ensuring unmatched durability and user-friendly cleaning procedures, these WetKeys products not only help to prevent the spread of diseases but also cater to the rising employee demand for a safe, hygienic office environment. These peripherals are part of our lineup of water-resistant keyboards and rugged computer peripherals, designed to combine functionality, robustness, and simplified maintenance.

David Malo, the COO of WetKeys, underlined, "Having a reliable and hygienic workstation is a must. Our range of cleanable computer accessories, which includes the resilient SaniType keyboards, meets this requirement perfectly, standing up to even the toughest cleaning regimens. This significantly contributes to establishing a healthy and safe office environment."

As companies strategize their transition back to the office, WetKeys Washable Keyboards delivers a feasible solution to support employee health and comfort. Our hygiene friendly office equipment, including durable and washable mice, helps businesses create a clean and secure work environment.

Ready to prioritize the health and wellbeing of your team? Don't delay - upgrade your office workspace with WetKeys Washable Keyboards today! Visit our website or call us directly to learn more about our products and how they can provide a healthier and safer environment for your office. Embrace the future of hygienic workstations with WetKeys!

About WetKeys

WetKeys Washable Keyboards was founded with a focus on function for industrial, institutional, food processing, and general use with easy-to-sanitize products. Later SaniType Sanitary Typing created affordable, germ-resistant medical keyboards to help prevent cross-contamination, improving patient and staff safety in healthcare facilities and dental offices.

Today, they have over ten unique product lines and are home to the widest selection of sealed, washable computer keyboards and waterproof computer mice. WetKeys Washable Keyboards is a graduate of the Advanced Technology Development Center of Georgia Tech, a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and a Certified Diversity Supplier. They have been featured on CNBC, NBC's Today Show, and Fox News. Learn more about WetKeys Washable Keyboards, here.


The Israeli army killed at least five Palestinians in a raid on the Jenin Refugee Camp in the north of the West Bank this week.

The latest round of Israeli escalation in the West Bank ended on Monday after an attack by the Israeli army on the Jenin Refugee Camp in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli forces killed several Palestinians, including one child. In response, the Israeli military was met with a fierce counterattack by Palestinian forces in the camp.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that at least five Palestinians had been killed by the Israeli forces and a further 100 others injured. This raises the number of victims of Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territories to 163 so far this year, according to Health Ministry figures.

The escalation began when Israeli special forces were seen entering the camp at dawn on Monday as they attempted to snatch a wanted figure. Palestinian forces in the camp responded by opening fire and injuring seven Israeli soldiers.

After further intervention by the Israeli army to rescue their troops, Israeli military equipment was firebombed using bombs hidden underneath vehicles. The firebombing damaged seven military vehicles, including an armoured personnel carrier and military jeeps, according to an Israeli army statement.

The Palestinian group Saray Al-Quds-Jenin chapter, which is affiliated with Islamic Jihad, said this was the first time it had used explosive devices weighing more than 40 kg against Israeli forces. It said that its fighters had engaged in firefights for more than eight hours with the invading forces.

The Israeli army said its troops were attacked with explosive devices and it had used military helicopters to bomb targets in Jenin in order to create a circle of fire preventing Palestinian forces from reaching the Israeli soldiers in the refugee camp.

The army said that one of its helicopters had been hit by bullets.

This is the first time that the Israeli army has used helicopters to bomb targets in Jenin since 2002, when it carried out a massive invasion of the West Bank known as Defensive Shield.

Israels onslaught also targeted the Ibn Sina Hospital, one of the main hospitals in Jenin, where most of the injured were taken. The hospital came under heavy gunfire, and Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances were also shot at.

In the Jenin Refugee Camp itself, dozens of Palestinians streamed video clips on social media showing them in front of the remains of an Israeli military vehicle that had been targeted. Palestinian rage at the continued killings carried out by the Israeli army in the West Bank caused Palestinian forces to clash with Israeli soldiers at the Al-Jalameh military checkpoint.

Hundreds of Palestinians also clashed with the Israeli army in Ramallah, Al-Bireh, and Nablus in the West Bank. Similar clashes also took place at the border fence east of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli escalation was met with strong Arab and international condemnation. The Palestinian presidency described it as part of a comprehensive war against the Palestinian people, urging the international community, and especially the US administration, to immediately intervene to end this Israeli insanity, according to a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh.

The status quo cannot continue, Abu Rudeineh said. Israel is responsible for thwarting all recent Arab and international efforts to prevent further escalation and tensions.

He was referencing a recent Chinese vision for peace announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Beijing last week, along with Washingtons attempts to push for progress on the Peace Process between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

However, Tel Aviv continues its aggression against the Palestinians despite US, European, and Arab criticism of the construction of 4,000 settlement units in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

It is also proceeding with plans for returning settlers to outposts it previously vacated under the 2005 Disengagement Plan, under which Israel withdrew from settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It is also continuing its military operations in the West Bank.

The Israeli escalation in Jenin and the growing presence of armed Palestinian factions in the West Bank, especially in the north at Jenin and Nablus, have revived the option of a broad military operation against the Jenin Camp for Israeli officials.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that it is now time to launch a broad attack on the northern West Bank that includes air and armoured forces. He added that he would be demanding an emergency meeting of Israelis security services.

Members of Israels right-wing governing coalition supported his demand, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the army would continue operations in the West Bank without referring to the possibility of launching a large-scale military operation.

The calls came after Israeli security reports revealed that the army is very close to launching a large-scale military operation that would primarily focus on Palestinian refugee camps in Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm, as well as on arresting wanted Palestinians.

Israeli concerns about the growing military capabilities of armed Palestinian groups in the West Bank were compounded by the latest military assault on Jenin, which demonstrated the capabilities of these military formations. The Israeli army is also monitoring repeated attempts to manufacture rockets in the West Bank.

Israeli Security Agency (Shabak) Chief Ronen Bar stated that there are attempts to manufacture rockets in the northern West Bank by Palestinian groups. However, the Israeli army has been working to stop these since they started.

Such signs are pushing the political and security leadership in Israel to accelerate the option of carrying out a large-scale military operation in the West Bank, or intensifying the repeated incursions that the Israeli army routinely carries out.

Israel believes that the Palestinian factions, headed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, are trying to create new security conditions in the West Bank that would allow them to attack the Israeli army in areas outside the Gaza Strip, which over recent years has been subjected to successive Israeli attacks that have resulted in massive losses.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 22 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population launched an automated response hotline to address the healthcare needs of Sudanese refugees in Egypt.

The service is accessible by sending a text message to hotline number 15335, using the keyword "Nile" or "the Nile" in Arabic only.

Users will receive a comprehensive list of available medical services.

The hotline offers information on the nearest healthcare facilities, medical conditions, mental health support, as well as national emergency hotlines.

When seeking guidance regarding medical conditions, users will be directed to either the track for pregnant women or the one for children's health. Children's services encompass vital healthcare aspects such as vaccinations, hearing inspections, and thyroid problems.

In the mental health support section, users can contact the national mental health support hotline directly or explore the resources available on the General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment (GSMHAT) website.





The hotline also provides important national hotline numbers, including 16474 for the health ministry, 122 for the national helpline, and 180 for firefighters.

Providing care for those displaced from Sudan is our priority, the ministry said.

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In National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkinss forthcoming novel, Hope in the Valley (FSG), 12-year-old aspiring poet Pandita Pandu Paul struggles to navigate grief and change in her rapidly gentrifying Silicon Valley neighborhood. Pandu does not like change, and her summer is filled with it: drama camp, a flailing friendship, Babas new girlfriend. When the apricot orchard across the streetwhich Pandu and her late mother called Ashar Jaiga, or place of hopeis threatened with redevelopment into purportedly affordable rental units, Pandu finds herself at odds with her family. Perkins considers the book a return to writing for middle grade readers, a complement to her 1993 debut, The Sunita Experiment (republished in 2005 as The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen). PW spoke with Perkins about research, writing character, and her long publishing career.

Did you think of Hope in the Valley as a historical novel?

Its a dual history. Parts of it are set in the 80s, an era that set in motion a lot of things were struggling with in our culture today. It was a formative period for our current present. Its history that I lived, but its historical for the readers. But it also goes back 100 years; my main character Pandita has to do some deep historical research figuring out how they got into the mess theyre in.

What kind of research did you do?

I re-encountered the physical land and geography. I took it in with all of the sensesthe beautiful orchards and hikes in the hills that I did in college. I recalled what it was like to come of age in the 1980s: entering eighth grade and having a friendship thats on the rocks, feeling lonely and disconnected from your friends, not excited to grow up. I went deep into California history. I visited working apricot orchards in Sunnyvale. I read books about that time period. I interviewed people who work on issues of affordable housing in that time period. I studied public policy and Im very concerned about the lack of housing and the increase in homelessness and all the equity issues in this area of California.

You have a connection to the Silicon Valley area. Are there any autobiographical aspects in the book?

My parents immigrated to the East Bay and it was very white then. Can you picture us: my mom in sari and her heavy accent? She wanted us to be fully American. They pulled us away from tapping into our Bengali culture because they wanted us to assimilate. There was no diaspora here. This context is very similar to what Pandita is facing with her parents. The scene where her Baba was shot with a BB gunthat happened to us. The turmoil over Asian cars is also from my childhood. I had a librarian like the librarian character. I had teachers who were open and friendly and hospitable to me as a newcomer. The poetry in the book is the poetry that I wrote when I was 12. I found my old diary with scribbled poems, and I included those poems almost verbatim.

Loss is a big theme throughout the bookloss of a parent, loss of a place. How did you land on writing about the contradictory processes and emotions that loss can bring up?

Panditas whole family is stuck because theyre grieving the loss of their mom and wife and they cant move forward. Even though theres such a deep loss of letting go of people you love and things that you love and the way life used to be, you still have to let go. Thats part of growing up. Her story also stands in for how family systems, communities, and nations can get stuck in holding onto the past in a way that impedes equity and justice in the future. Time presses forward. You cant stop that. But that doesnt mean we cant honor the best of the past. There are people who say, The past is all crap; lets move on. And others who hold onto everything, who say, Make America Past Again. In Hope in the Valley, theres a town that cares about what happens to their community, but disagrees about how to flourish. My fiction is nuanced and leaves room for a child reader to be curious and uncover what they think.

 Time presses forward. You can't stop that. But that doesn't mean we can't honor the best of the past. 

Baba, Mr. Mavin, and Aunty Lydia are complicated characters with strengths and weaknesses and struggles of their own. How do you approach writing adult characters in books for young people?

I try to do the deep work of knowing each charactertheir age, race, class, culture, education, gender, their past, their traumas, everythingeven if theyre a secondary character like Ms. Maryann, the librarian. I wanted to know that shed lost her husband to cancer and shes involved in historical preservation, and that she loves young people and music. I dont put that into every scene, but it informs the subtext of her interactions. I try not to be heavy-handed with those identities because I want to leave a lot of room for the readers imagination to intersect with those characters. Secret Keeper was set in 1970s India and had all Indian characters. I got a letter from a girl in Iowa on a dairy farm who read the book seven times. When youre reading a book, it becomes your story. Shed never left Iowa. One of the characters was an aunt, who was really bossy, and this letter-writer went on for seven pages telling me how her stepmom was exactly like that aunt. I try to leave room for the reader to find their connections. I have no idea what those are going to be.

What relevance do you think Hope in the Valley has for kids today?

In my town, we recently had a debate about a parcel of land. It was marked to be developed with a large-scale property. We had a huge voter turnout, which you often dont at the national level. It was because people cared about that property. At a local level, a lot of our quality of life is affected by that governance, and thats what I want to show readers. I like the decentralized way that the American government is set up. We can make a difference at the local level with our feet, our voice, our opinions.

Hope in the Valley marks your 16th book for children. How has your writing evolved over the years?

Whats grown in me is an understanding of the strength and dignity of my child reader. The intersection of a reader with a story is such a mystery and something we dont have control over as a writer. Im letting go more and leaving room both for the characters and the reader to breathe. I dread Goodreads. There are readers who want me to be more rigid in my faith-forward books and my justice-oriented books. Im moving away from rigidity toward love. Children are in formation; theyre still open to love. They havent developed grooves of rigidity ingrained in their hearts yet.

Whats next for you?

Holy Night and Little Star (WaterBrook, Sept.) is illustrated by Khoa Le. Its a Christmas story from the perspective of a little star who doesnt like change and wants to stay in her spot in the sky, even on Holy Night when her Maker needs the entire galaxy to take part. Between My Hands (FSG, 2024), illustrated by Naveen Selvanathan, is a story of a girl who wants to help her community. Shes got little hands, and she asks, Whats between my hands? Its the namaste gesture, that idea of I bow to the world. Her grandfather tells her, When you use the namaste gesture, youre saying, How can I serve the planet? What can I do to serve you?  It asks what little hands can do to promote justice, love and mercy in a very big problematic world. I once asked the poet Mary Oliver, How can a poet serve the poor? Its a question Ive wrestled with for a long time. My nonfiction book Just Creativity is an exploration of how an artist can promote justice. Its not going to be just my voice; I interviewed authors and artists who address that question head-on. As an artist, you sit for hours in front of a computer or in front of an easel, and there are hungry children in the world. How do you justify that investment of time when you care about justice?

Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins. FSG, $17.99 July 11 ISBN 978-0-374-38851-5
Lithuanian railway operator LTG Link has awarded Stadler a contract for 15 state-of-the-art FLIRT (Fast Light Intercity Rapid Transit) Intercity multiple units.

This order continues Stadler's success with FLIRT multiple units, having already sold over 2,500 FLIRT trains worldwide, but this is Stadler's first FLIRT contract in Lithuania.

The initial order of 15 FLIRT multiple units comprises nine electric FLIRTs for intercity operations and six battery-electric FLIRTs for non-electrified lines.

The contract also allows for the delivery of up to 13 electric FLIRT Intercity multiple units, 15 battery-electric FLIRT multiple units with a 100km range, and 11 battery-electric FLIRT multiple units with a 70 km range.

Stadler will also provide technical support and spare parts for ten years after the delivery of the last vehicle.

The nine Intercity FLIRTs are five-car units with a length of 93 metres and can seat up to 200 passengers, with 16 passengers in first class. Each vehicle has space for 14 to 30 bicycles and a spacious baggage area. Each train also has a bistro area where passengers can order a meal.

The six battery-electric FLIRTS are 65 metres long and consist of three passenger cars and a dedicated power pack car housing the motive-power batteries.

Each vehicle can seat up to 128 passengers and from six to 30 bicycles depending on the time of year and requirements for particular routes. The new units toilets and snack vending machines, and will replace diesel trains currently operating on non-electrified lines.

Both the electric and battery-electric FLIRTS are fully accessible, with no stairs and lifts to assist passengers in wheelchairs boarding from the lowest platforms, and adapted toilets.

Stadler has also supplied FLIRTS to other Baltic States, with orders in 2012 and 2014 for 38 FLIRT multiple units from the Estonian operator Elron, and 20 electric multiple-units for Finland.

Peter Spuhler, the Executive Chairman of the Stadler Group, said Stadler has already sold over 2,500 FLIRT trains worldwide  it is a tried and tested, reliable and comfortable vehicle model based on a light-weight modular design, that is available in a number of drive variants, meets the expectations of the most demanding customers and is environmentally friendly.

I'm happy that our vehicles will soon carry passengers in Lithuania too. I'm certain that Lithuanians will love FLIRT trains and enjoy travelling on them.

Linas Bauzys, the Head of the passenger transport company LTG Link, said Every day, we strive for more and more people to switch to environmentally friendly railway transport. Today we can confidently say that the new trains will make a significant contribution to the realisation of our sustainable mobility goals.

They will bring a significant leap in the quality and experience of train travel for all passengers. The design works of trains adapted specifically for Lithuania will soon begin. Battery-powered trains adapted to harsh climate conditions and wide gauge railways will be produced for the first time in Europe. And together with the supplier that won the public procurement, we will ensure their efficient operation for many years.
A new, young generation of Moroccan filmmakers last month stepped into the limelight to make its debut at France's Cannes Film Festival -- snatching three prestigious awards.

"The Moroccan films screened at Cannes represent some of the best in the history of cinema in Morocco," said film critic Bilal Marmid, who covered the two-week festival on the French Riviera.

Director Asmae El Moudir, 32, won the coveted prize for directing in the Un Certain Regard section for her film "Kadib Abyad" ("The Mother of All Lies").

The documentary explores her family's unspoken past during the nation's so-called Years of Lead, a period from the 1960s to the 1980s characterised by the repression of political dissidents under King Hassan II.

Lacking archival footage from the time, the filmmaker built a miniature set that recreated her childhood neighbourhood in Casablanca with figurines to narrate her family's story against the backdrop of the bloody suppression of the city's "bread riots" in June 1981.

"Making this film took me 10 years and allowed me to reconcile with this past, even if it was violent," Moudir, whose family members were featured in the film, told AFP.

'A childhood dream'

"Being at Cannes is a childhood dream come true. Being selected is wonderful, but winning a prize is even more so," she said.

Director Kamal Lazraq, 38, also used Casablanca as the setting for his first feature film "Les Meutes" ("Hounds"), which won the jury prize in the Un Certain Regard section.

The film takes viewers on a hellish night in the city's suburbs as a father and son try to make a corpse disappear after a kidnapping goes wrong.

Lazraq describes it as a "feverish road movie traversing Casablanca" featuring two non-professional actors, Ayoub Elaid and Abdellatif Masstouri.

"I like to start on a blank page and build the film with my actors because they bring a lot from their life and experiences," Lazraq told AFP after returning from the festival. "I try to leave them a certain amount of freedom to create something authentic and intense."

After the screening, "we had the impression that the film had been understood as it should be ... It's great comic relief", added the director, noting that it had been a "long and difficult" shoot.

'Victory for youth'

"The films are all very, very different... I hope it will encourage young people to embark on this adventure," he added.

His hope resonates with Zineb Wakrim, a 22-year-old director who was awarded third place in the student film award La Cinef for her short film "Ayyur" ("Moon" in Amazigh, Morocco's Berber language).

She paints a portrait of two teenagers with a rare genetic disease whose sufferers, known as "moon children", are hyper-sensitive to sunlight.

Showing her film at Cannes was "a great victory for youth", said the graduate of The Superior School of Visual Arts of Marrakech (ESAF).

Moroccan cinema gained steam in the 1970s and '80s, with the emergence of powerful filmmakers such as Mustapha Derkaoui ("About Some Meaningless Events", 1974), Ahmed Bouanani ("Mirage", 1980) and Ahmed Maanouni ("Oh the Days!", 1978).

Over the past two decades, other directors -- such as Faouzi Bensaidi ("A Thousand Months", 2003), Nabil Ayouch ("Horses of God", 2012) or recently Maryam Touzani ("The Blue Caftan", 2022) -- have distinguished themselves on an individual basis.

Seeking to support and promote its national cinema, Morocco has spent 60 million dirhams (about 5.5 million euros) annually on productions since 2012.

Asmaa El Alaoui, director and head of the ISCA film school in Rabat, said the country's latest success at Cannes was a huge encouragement to students.

"They know now that it's possible, that with work, patience and passion, they can make it," she said.

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Hosted by James and Oliver Phelps, aka the mischievous Weasley twins of Harry Potter fame, Fantastic Friends is part adventure-travel series, part magic-infused challenge show and part a celebration of friendship. It is produced and directed by Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker Daniel Sharp, founder of Dash Pictures and the companys Agata Pieczynska and executive produced by the Sharp, the Phelps twins and Martin Blencowe.Each episode sees the twins travel to a destination to meet up with one of their famous friends, who then take on the role of tour guide. The show is filmed in locations including Turkey, the Swiss Alps, Singapore, Australia, Florida in the US, Chile and Patagonia.Season one featured the twins Harry Potter co-stars Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) and Luke Youngblood (Lee Jordan), as well as Game of Thrones Maisie Williams, Outlanders Sophie Skelton and The Sixth Senses Haley Joel Osment. The action moved from Iceland to Ireland, from St Lucia to Dubai, as the twins expanded their horizons and explored new worlds, while engaging in a series of magic-themed challenges and competitions.The series will see more famous faces from the Harry Potter franchise join the James and Oliver on their travels, including Mark Williams, who played the twins father in the films, Matt Lewis, Alfie Enoch, Nat Tena and Stanislav Yanevski. Corey Mylchreest, who plays the young King George in the hit Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Brigerton Story, will also feature in the second season.The second season of Fantastic Friends has also been acquired by HBO Max EMEA and Crave in Canada after what are said to have been successful runs of the first season last summer.Commenting on the commission, Sharp said: "We're extremely happy to see Fantastic Friends land on The CW - a perfect home for it in the US and that we've had this opportunity to create a second season, with an extraordinary ensemble of guest stars, and of course, James and Oliver Phelps. It's a pleasure to continue our collaboration with Off The Fence and grow this second season from 6 to 8 episodes. Myself, Martin, James and Oliver are looking forward to working closely with our broadcast partners to promote the series on The CW, and continue our work with HBO and Crave on the second series."
Elizabeth Bice / Instagram

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/20/2023



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Elizabeth Bice has provided fans with an update on her marriage to Jamie Thompson , suggesting that their separation is more of a breakup.Jamie had announced in late April that he and Elizabeth were trying out a separation and he wasn't sure if their relationship would ever recover, and then about a month later, Elizabeth broke her silence and told her Instagram followers in a Q&A session that she wasn't in the best place to talk about her relationship."I'm not ignoring [your messages]," wrote Elizabeth, who married Jamie on Season 9 of . "[I'm] just not [quite] ready to open up. But I appreciate you supporting the journey."And apparently, not much has changed for Elizabeth since then.Elizabeth took to Instagram with a video late last week titled, "Let's talk Separation."Elizabeth wrote in the caption, "Okay, it's time to address this moment happening in my life. I wanted to make this and share an update you of what's going on. Since most of you all started following me on this journey because of my relationship on TV, I think you all deserve some honesty.""I am healing and finding my new path and really appreciate all of the love and support. It means the world to me!!!! Xxoo Beth."Elizabeth began the video by "getting the elephant out of the room" for her fans."I know everyone wants me to talk about my separation right now. And I know -- 'You started a relationship in the public eye, and so you can't complain,' and blah, blah, blah. I know. I'm aware of this," Elizabeth explained."And I don't want to gatekeep what's going on. Everyone who follows me has pretty much followed me because I was on the show where I married a stranger, and I totally welcome that. Welcome to my life! I'm not upset my relationship is in the public eye."Elizabeth, however, reasoned, "But come to find out, I'm a real human and I have these real emotions, and I'm just not ready to talk about some things in public yet. There are a lot of emotions that come with getting out of a long-term relationship, and when that time comes, I will talk about those.""But I can't even form sentences right now," she admitted, "because I can't even put my emotions together."Elizabeth went on to reveal that she's having an extremely difficult time post-split from Jamie."I still cry in the middle of the night right now, guys, okay?!" Elizabeth confessed."I still cry in the middle of the night. So that being said, I totally respect everyone's comments and concerns, and I love you for that -- I do. Just give me a little bit of time... because I can't!"Elizabeth elaborated of her current mindset, "Do you want to know what's going through someone's head who is still crying in the middle of the night?! I don't. I don't want to know that.""But we will get there, guys," she assured her followers in the video. "We will. So stick around and watch the show."Supportive comments rolled in from fellow alums. Amani Rashid-Smith commented, "You can share whatever you want! Sending you love on this journey." Lindsey Georgoulis wrote, "Proud of you queen. Grief isn't linear so you do you. Can't wait to see what this next chapter holds."And Myrla Feria chimed in, writing, "Do you, do what makes you happy."Jamie revealed on April 22 that he and Elizabeth had already been living apart for a month. He claimed Elizabeth left him because their "fighting had gotten really bad" and he had said a lot of things he shouldn't have "out of anger and frustration."Elizabeth then conducted her Q&A session via Instagram Stories on May 24, and one of her followers asked, "What's going on with you and Jamie??!?"Elizabeth replied to the fan, "I'm still not in the best place to talk about this.""But I do want to let you know I see these questions," Elizabeth continued, presumably referencing her influx of questions about the status of her marriage to Jamie.Elizabeth went on to explain how she was in the "discovery era" of her life and that Colorado "may potentially just be a stop" for her and her dog.When Jamie first announced he and Elizabeth had parted ways, he posted some of his wedding photos and wrote on Instagram, "Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a leap forward.""A lot of you have been asking and I've been avoiding the questions... So, I just wanted to share that I'm taking some time away from my wife to focus on myself and my personal growth," he added.Jamie said while time away from Beth was "not easy" to deal with, he believed it was "necessary.""Taking this step may be difficult, but I know it's necessary for me to become the best version of myself," Jamie continued in his April post."I can't say what the future holds for Beth and I, but I know I will be a stronger version of myself regardless. #selfcare #mentalhealth #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth #takingtimeforme #marriedatfirstsight."Jamie then revealed in a Q&A session of his own that Elizabeth had left him after a big fight; however, he wasn't willing to accept all the blame for the falling out with his wife."I also haven't felt like I've had any reciprocation back of, like, how to fix this and how to move forward. So she's been gone for four weeks. I think at this point, it's better for me to focus on myself and trying to become a better version of myself, honestly. That's all I can say," Jamie explained.In terms of what happened or what went wrong, Jamie surprisingly disclosed, "Nothing. It's basically death by a thousand paper cuts, at this point.""I think the winter was really hard on us here in Colorado and we weren't ready for all that," Jamie elaborated. "And being stuck inside with sub-freezing temperatures daily and snow on the ground for weeks at a time -- and we're both active... people.""So I think we just pushed each other's buttons, honestly. And five months of doing that straight, here we are today."Jamie revealed at the time that he knew he needed to "take a step back" from Beth at the three-week mark of their separation, when he felt Beth wasn't trying to work on things or save their marriage."I wasn't getting any sense of desire to fix this. The only thing I was really hearing, coming from her side, was blame," Jamie claimed via Instagram Stories."And I'm not perfect, I make a lot of mistakes. I say things I shouldn't say and I get more angry than I should get sometimes, but I've got to go take care of myself now... I've got to control myself. It's like Mental Health 101 -- focus on yourself, love yourself first before you try to love somebody else. So that's where I'm at today."Jamie admitted that he and Beth felt "pressure" to create "an image of happiness" on social media, even though their relationship had been struggling for months."To me, that's not real. We took a lot of heat coming off the show. We were our most authentic selves, our most raw selves on that show, and I just want to be honest... A lot of people are invested in our life, and I feel like I owe you guys an explanation," Jamie said.When asked why he couldn't work on himself while continuing his marriage -- given the couple had made a vow to support and love each other through sickness and in health -- Jamie said he believes a healthy marriage is when "people grow and evolve together.""I don't think being apart and growing and evolving is always the best solution. I don't know, it's just my opinion. Why would you need to be apart to work on yourself?" Jamie shared, seemingly criticizing Beth's need for some space."It almost seems like maybe you shouldn't be in the marriage at that point... If you get to a point where things aren't evolving or getting better, then that's where I'm at today. I've got to step away and take care of myself."Jamie went on to admit that he wasn't sure if Elizabeth was going to be angry at him for speaking about their separation publicly."I don't know. I'm really trying to do this in a tactful way. I don't want to say anything bad about her. I'm not here to bash Beth and drag her out behind the woodshed, so to speak, as we say in the South," Jamie noted.Jamie said that prior to his April 22 separation announcement, he and Beth had talked about potentially going public with the news of their breakup in a united fashion."If we could've worked together to address this publicly, we probably could've worked together to work on our marriage," Jamie said.While Jamie and Beth appear to be on the outs, Jamie insisted he was "absolutely not" ready to date again."I'm good on the dating streets. I think for me, right now, I just want to take some time to work on myself. Dating is not going to solve anything. Finding that perfect someone is not going to make life great all of a sudden," Jamie reasoned in his Q&A."It kind of sucks because I'm 39-years-old and I would like a family at some point, and I was hoping that was going to be possible with Beth. But I don't know after all this."He concluded, "If I'm 45 having my first kid, or 50, you know, medicine is great these days. What are you going to do?"Jamie said, for the time being, he and Elizabeth were both going to therapy while he was also working on anger management.Jamie acknowledged he and Elizabeth probably "should've been going to therapy" together and that they had swept a lot of their fights under the rug -- which resurfaced and worsened later on.But Jamie insisted on April 23 that he still loved Beth "a lot" and cared for her "tremendously.""We just can't seem to get to the point where we can have enough healthy conversation to start discussing what this looks like going forward," Jamie said."Initially, I wanted her to be here and work on things together when she left. I thought this was going to be a three or four-day thing... It hurts. It's not what I want."Jamie, however, said he recognized they both probably needed a little space from each other."And now I'm like, 'How do you keep reaching somebody who doesn't want to be reached?' She just wants her own space, and honestly, I've got to do what's best for me and take my own space too," Jamie said.Jamie admitted he definitely "lost" himself trying to please Beth in their marriage, although he wouldn't call her a "demanding" person. He said he really wanted their relationship to work."I started putting my hobbies, my goals, my own personal stuff aside trying to focus on this relationship, and that's just a piece of advice -- don't lose yourself. Be true to yourself. Know yourself," Jamie told his followers.He also said they got in "way over their heads" with moving around the country for Jamie's job -- including stops in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, North Carolina, and then Colorado."The desperation of a new life really hurt," Jamie recalled of trying to settle down in Colorado.Jamie and Beth's split came as a surprise to fans given they had just celebrated their four-year anniversary in early April."I think we were both struggling to make each other happy... Why were we relying on each other to make our own selves happy vs. just being happy on our own?" Jamie noted.Elizabeth and Jamie chose to stay together on 's ninth season, which was based in Charlotte, NC, and aired in 2019.Back in May 2021, Elizabeth and Jamie talked about having kids together on a : Countdown to Decision Day special that aired on Lifetime."Are we waiting? What are we doing, babe?" Jamie asked Beth on the show."Speaking of babies," Elizabeth began, "Jamie and I are actually thinking to start towards the end of the year now. So, like, it's in the conversation... I am going to be a cool mom!"Elizabeth and Jamie hit it off right away when they met at the altar as strangers on four years ago.Elizabeth and Jamie were crazy about each other, as well as sexually attracted to one another, but their passion and tempers often resulted in explosive and volatile arguments.Elizabeth sometimes got overly emotional over things that bothered her and memorably flipped over their living-room table, while Jamie sometimes used his words as weapons and complained about their lack of physical intimacy. He even called Elizabeth "a materialistic c-nt" at one point.However, with the help of the 's experts, Elizabeth and Jamie managed to get through every rough patch and effectively communicate, resulting in what they thought would be a happy and long-lasting marriage.Both spouses recognized by "Decision Day" that they didn't want to live without the other.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now!
Tesla Inc, the world's largest electric car producer, is looking to make a significant investment in India, said its chief Elon Musk, who saw India as holding more promise than any other large country around the globe.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk during their meeting in New York. Photograph: Courtesy, PIB

Musk, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said he plans to visit India in 2024.

"I am confident that Tesla will be in India and we will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk told reporters after the meeting.

"We don't want to jump the gun on an announcement, but I think it's quite likely that it will be a significant investment, a relationship with India."

India, the world's third-largest energy consumer, is pitching as an alternate destination for investment for US companies in a bid to capitalise on the growing chill between Beijing and Washington.

Musk, who has been scouting for the location of Tesla's next factory and is reportedly considering France, South Korea and Indonesia as possible destinations, said India has strong potential for sustainable energy including solar power, stationary battery packs and electric vehicles.

Calling himself "a fan" of Modi, he said the prime minister "really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment in India."

"Great meeting you, Elon Musk. We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality," Modi tweeted after the meeting.

Musk replied back, saying "It was an honour to meet again."

"Great conversation with @NarendraModi," he said.

Tesla has been in talks with Indian authorities for months now.

It has already registered its business under the name Tesla India Motors and Energy Pvt. Ltd and has also been testing its vehicles in the country.

But it wants the government to reduce import taxes on electric vehicles and components.

Government officials have previously stated that the EV maker should first start production in India before tax benefits can be considered.

The American EV giant first wants to gauge the demand here by offering CBU (Completely Built-Up) units before moving with a heavy investment.

Korean auto giant Hyundai, too, has been supportive of Tesla's request, but Indian players like Tata Motors and Ola Electric are against the move as they believe a reduction in import tax would hurt domestic manufacturing.

Prime Minister Modi began his landmark visit to the US meeting prominent personalities from different walks of life.

"Modi met Elon Musk, tech pioneer, business magnate and CEO of Tesla Inc. & SpaceX; owner, CTO and chairman of Twitter; founder of the Boring Company and X-corp; co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI, on Monday, in New York, USA.

"Prime Minister appreciated Musk's efforts at making technology accessible and affordable in various sectors.

Prime Minister invited Musk to explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector," an official press statement said.

Later in a video message, Musk said he was "incredibly excited about the future of India".

"India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as he's pushing us to make significant investments in India.

"I am a fan of Modi. It was a fantastic meeting and I like him quite a lot," he added.

His meeting with Modi came days after Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey made sensational allegations that the Indian government threatened to shut down the social media platform for not complying with content takedown orders during a 2020-2021 farmers' protest.

The government has denied the allegation, calling them an "outright lie".

Asked about Dorsey's comments, Musk, who last year bought Twitter for $44 billion, said, "We cannot apply America to Earth.

"Twitter does not have a choice but to obey the local government.

"If we don't obey local laws then we will get shut down.

"We will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the rule."
'With Trump, the relationship was very transactional, whereas with President Biden it is very structured.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi waves to supporters as he arrives at the Lotte New York Palace hotel in New York City, June 20, 2023. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Dr Mukesh Aghi is the President and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum that works extensively with business and government leaders in the US and India to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra D Modi will attend and address a special event hosted by USISPF on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC that is expected to be attended by over 1,100 business leaders, academics, US Congressmen and Senators.

"The GE engine deal is a pivotal moment for India. When we signed the nuclear deal in 2006, there was no technology transfer. But now, if India starts making hot engines for planes in India, it will be the fifth country in the world to do that, after Russia, France, the UK and the United States. Not even China makes hot engines. That to me is a changing of the relationship," Dr Aghi tells Rediff.com's US Contributor Abhijit J Masih in a Zoom call.

India has deregulated a lot of defense production to the private sector, does it pave the way for more deals being signed?

These are more transactions and they don't define the relationship in a very concrete manner.

I think what we see is more of a technology partnership and technology transfer, that builds a relationship for the next 30 years.

For example, the GE engine deal is a pivotal moment for India.

When we signed the nuclear deal in 2006, there was no technology transfer.

But now, if India starts making hot engines for planes in India, it will be the fifth country in the world to do that, after Russia, France, the UK and the United States.

Not even China makes hot engines. That to me is a changing of the relationship.

We're looking at areas such as AI, we're looking at areas such as quantum, we're looking at cybersecurity.

So there's lot of areas we're looking at where technology can be brought between the two countries.

Other than the GE deal, would you have knowledge of any other deals that might take place?

At the moment, I think the announcement is on GE. What I'm seeing is US companies setting up more and more defense manufacturing in India.

IMAGE: Modi with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Photograph: PTI Photo

Considerable steps were being taken during the Trump administration in terms of US-India trade ties which sort of slowed down at the beginning of this administration.

The US revoked India's trade preference under the Generalized System of Preferences program.

What are the impediments that you would like removed for better trade relations?

Well, for whatever reason, the Biden administration is not focused on trade deals. They have not signed any trade deal with any country in over two years.

The question I have to ask is, does India need a trade deal to accelerate the process of more trade between the two countries and my thinking is no.

Because without a trade deal, we are seeing business growing, both from India's export perspective and also import perspective.

On the GSP, if you look at the items listed, they are the fastest growing exports from India to the United States.

India is becoming more efficient, if a trade deal comes well and good, though there is growing trade between the two countries.

IMAGE: 'Had an informative discussion with a group of healthcare experts. They shared their rich perspectives on ways to augment healthcare capacities in India. I told them about the work we have done in integrating latest technology in the sector and our efforts like TB elimination.' Photograph: Narendra Modi/Twitter

Foreign Direct Investment by US into India is always highlighted, but India's investment into the US is not often talked about? How is USISPF helping Indian companies?

We are seeing a lot of investing with the tech companies. They are setting up service centers, R&D centers and customer centers here in the US.

We're seeing Indian pharma companies setting up contract manufacturing in the US.

They are also manufacturing generic drugs for the US market. I saw a study which said that Indian companies are putting up $40 billion into the US creating hundreds and thousands of jobs.

So, I think that process continues. We work with them when we can to support them.

And it's the same thing we're doing with US companies going to India. That process continues.

Would the upcoming elections in both countries be a cause of additional protectionism and caution?

I don't think so, because what we have seen is that protectionism does not drive economic growth.

It stifles the competition and stiffens the innovation. When you look from India's perspective, it is opening up its market.

It is encouraging US companies, especially from China to move into India.

IMAGE: Modi with United States President Joe Biden at the G20 Summit, in Bali. Photograph: ANI Photo

Mr Modi's clout and charisma is undeniable.

What more needs to be done for India to gain a seat at the high table of global diplomacy?

You have a prime minister who built a very close relationship with President Obama, built a very strong relationship with President Trump and now he's built a very, very, strong relationship with President Biden.

I think you have geopolitical alignments taking place. His personal leadership, building a personal relationship, helps the interest of both countries to move the agenda much more explicitly, it makes things happen much, much faster.

I think the relationship between President Biden, President Xi and Prime Minister Modi is going to help as we look at geopolitical scenarios.

The other factor which is also impacting is the Indian diaspora.

They also are keen to build this relationship. They are reaching out to Congressmen, Senators and the White House to make sure the relationship continues.

So to answer your question, all the global leaders, the surveys I read, Prime Minister Modi comes out to be the most popular. He is very well connected and basically builds friendships.

IMAGE: Modi with then US president Donald J Trump. Photograph: ANI Photo

You mentioned how he had built personal relationships with previous US Presidents and there seemed a very personal camaraderie between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, but not much was done.

Do you think that a lot more has been done with President Biden with less noise and thunder?

Well, absolutely. I think with Trump, the relationship was very transactional, whereas with President Biden it is very structured.

He has a team, which is driving the same agenda. (US National Security Adviser) Jake Sullivan was in India last week and before that you had (US Secretary of Defense) Lloyd Austin in India.

They are all basically moving in the right direction as an administration.

Regardless of how much noise you make, a lot has been done between India and the United States in the last two years than it was done before.

What are the threats that may cast a shadow over this historic visit?

You can always have challenges and threats. When you have a progressive Left constantly hammering on human rights and religious freedom in India, it kind of doesn't put a dent, but it does take away the satisfaction and the joy of this relationship.

I don't think that's going to derail the relationship.

It's time to celebrate.

I don't see any critical threat coming in as Prime Minister Modi comes to Washington DC.

IMAGE: Desis at a Unity rally in Washington, DC ahead of Modi's visit. Photograph: PTI Photo

Is there pressure on both sides, especially before an election year, to display a special relationship and to not let any difficult topics be put on the table for discussion.

No, I don't think there's any pressure. I think both sides are genuine about building this relationship.

It is an opportunity for the US to partner with a nation which is rising, a nation which is going to be great and to have that democratic value system.

It's a win-win for both countries. So I don't think either side is under pressure.

If they were under pressure, they wouldn't be meeting, there won't be a State visit.

It serves the interests of both countries to come up with a value proposition where both countries succeed.

How does this visit impact the Indian American community?

Indian Americans are proud that the country they left is rising. They are proud that more US investments are going to India.

It raises spending power and it raises the quality of life of the citizens of India.

Any engagement does have a positive impact for millions of Indian Americans to make this partnership, this relationship, highly successful.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The Hindustani Awam Morcha has again joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, party chief Jitan Ram Manjhi announced after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in New Delhi on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Hindustani Awam Morcha chief Jitan Ram Manjhi (second from right) meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, June 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The move comes two days after the HAM withdrew support to the Grand Alliance government comprising the Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Janata Dal-United in Bihar on Monday.

"From today (Wednesday), we are an NDA partner. We have agreed to support the NDA and the NDA is also ready to be with us. This is what we discussed today," Manjhi told reporters after his meeting with Shah.

Asked if the issue of seat-sharing in Bihar for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls came up at the meeting, he said any such discussion will take place when the time comes.

"As of now, we have agreed to walk along with the NDA and the NDA has also agreed to walk along with us. That is all we discussed at the meeting," the former Bihar chief minister said.

Accompanied by his son Santosh Suman, Manjhi met Shah at his residence in New Delhi.

The HAM withdrew support to the Grand Alliance government in Bihar on Monday and a letter to the effect was handed over to Governor Rajendra Arlekar.

Manjhi, after meeting the governor along with Suman, the national president of the HAM, said he will be in Delhi for the next few days during which he will try to meet leaders of the BJP-led NDA, including Shah, to explore future options.

Kumar had recently accused Manjhi of "spying on the Mahagathbandhan allies" for the benefit of the Bharatiya Janata Party and said his exit was good riddance.

The chief minister had also said Manjhi wanted to be part of a June 23 meeting of opposition parties, but he was apprehensive that the latter might leak details of the conclave to the BJP.

Suman resigned from Kumar's cabinet on June 13, alleging "pressure" from the Janata Dal-United to merge the HAM with it. Suman was the minister of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes welfare department in Bihar.

Manjhi (78) enjoyed a less-than-a-year-long tenure as the Bihar chief minister when Kumar stepped down in 2014, owning moral responsibility for the JD-U's drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls.

Manjhi's eight months in power were mired in controversies and he had to eventually step down, making way for Kumar's return to the top post.

He subsequently quit the JD-U, floated the HAM and joined the NDA, only to part ways with it in 2018. The party is yet to taste significant electoral success and has changed allegiance almost every two years.
The conflict in Sudan, which has shown how quickly "hard-won peace gains" can unravel, should not distract attention from the risks facing neighboring South Sudan, the UN envoy to the country warned Tuesday.

After separation from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan descended into a civil war that left nearly 400,000 people dead and millions displaced between 2013 and 2018.

A peace agreement signed in 2018 provided a power-sharing agreement between rivals Salva Kiir and Riek Machar in a government of national unity.

But tensions remain and violent local groups continue to bloody the world's youngest country.

Two months of fighting in Sudan, to the north, has had an impact on the country, Nicholas Haysom, who heads the United Nations mission in South Sudan, told the Security Council.

"Since mid-April, over 117,000 women, children and men have crossed over into South Sudan from Sudan along the border areas," and 93 percent are South Sudanese returnees, he said.

That puts a strain on the country's ability to absorb such numbers in border towns where bottlenecks have developed, Haysom said.

"Now is not the time to take our eyes off the ball in South Sudan," the UN envoy stressed, warning that the economic impacts of the conflict "cast a shadow in an already fragile country."

"On the political side, the conflict in Sudan reduces the much-needed bandwidth... to focus attention on South Sudan during this critical phase of its transition," he said.

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As India and the United States are set to begin negotiations on two transformational deals -- Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and Reciprocal Defence Procurement Agreement (RDP) -- the Pentagon has said that the defence industries of the two nations will come together once the negotiations conclude.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters as he arrives at the Lotte hotel in New York City, on June 20, 2023. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

RDP will allow Indian businesses to service DoD procurement contracts; and allow US businesses to service defence ministry procurement contracts while the SOSA will allow the Department of Defence to move Indian orders for US equipment to the front of the line.

This is particularly helpful during crises when one country has urgent needs, but American vendors are struggling to prioritise between their customers.

"Both agreements would promote long-term supply chain stability. So those are initiatives that will take probably years to negotiate, but we're committed to starting those negotiations," a Defence Department official told PTI on Tuesday.

Announced during the recent trip of Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to India, SOSA and RDP agreements are part of a new Roadmap for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation.

"It commits us to long-term supply chain integration and specifically to beginning negotiations on a security of supply arrangement and reciprocal defence procurement arrangement. These will be transformational agreements when they are concluded that will do a tremendous amount for actually bringing the Indian and defence industrial bases more closely together in the future," a senior defence department official said.

'SOSA is something that allows on both sides, more rapid access to critical supplies, minerals technologies that we can access those more rapidly when we need them,' the official said in response to a question.

RDP MOUs are binding international agreements that relate to the research, development, or production of defence equipment, or to the reciprocal procurement of defence items.

They involve a mutual commitment not to discriminate against the supplier of the other country for agreed-upon items, the official said.

SOSAs allow the DoD to request priority delivery for DoD contracts, subcontracts, or orders from companies in the country with whom the agreement is signed.

SOSA also allow the signatory nations to request priority delivery for their contracts and orders with US firms.

Earlier, the Pentagon said that the US remains deeply confident in India's diversification of military equipment and believes that Washington's proposal for industrial cooperation will further integrate the defence industries of the two countries.

Pentagon's Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday that the US encourages all its partners and allies to avoid transactions with Russia.

"We welcome Prime Minister Modi's visit to the United States this week. (Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin visited India just two weeks ago and was able to meet with his counterpart (Rajnath Singh) there. What we always will continue to urge our allies and partners around the world is to avoid transactions with Russia," she said, referring to the sanctions imposed on Moscow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

"We remain deeply confident in India's diversification of equipment, and over the past decade, our proposal for industrial cooperation will further integrate the US and Indian defence industries. So, I think I'll just leave it at that," Singh said.

"That's something that we've continued to reiterate with Turkey, with India, and with others. I think, there are very different and two different cases, and when it comes to India, we remain confident in their diversification of equipment and our ability to integrate with them as well," she said.

"I'm not going to get ahead of any announcements that might come out from the White House or any other agencies," Singh said when asked about the possible defence deals that could be signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit.

India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia in October 2018 for purchasing five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, despite a warning from the previous Donald Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions.

The S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.

The Triumf' interceptor-based missile system can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km.

Russia started delivery of the first regiment of the missile systems in December 2021 and it has been deployed to cover parts of the border with China in the northern sector, as well as the frontier with Pakistan.

In February this year, Russia said it will soon complete the supplies of the third regiment of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India as both sides are committed to the contract.

Russia has been a major supplier of military hardware to India.

The two countries have been holding discussions on what kind of payment mechanisms can work between them in view of the Western sanctions on Moscow.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened an all-party meeting on June 24 in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur which has witnessed sporadic violence since May 3.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit A Shah met with members of civil society organisations in Kangpokpi, Manipur, May 31, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah has convened an all party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur," a home ministry spokesperson tweeted.

The announcement came after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met the home minister in New Delhi this evening.

Sarma is also the convenor of the NDA's Northeast chapter NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance).

He had also visited Imphal a fortnight ago and met Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and a number of political leaders.

Violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'tribal solidarity march' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

So far, nearly 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 are injured.

Amit Shah had also visited the state for four days last last month and met a cross sections of people in his efforts to bring back peace in the northeastern state.
In UP and Bengal, it is willing to sacrifice its interests to stop the BJP and would work towards ensuring the BJP did not win incremental seats in Odisha and Telangana.

IMAGE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi listen to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at Kharge's residence in New Delhi, May 21, 2023. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

Contradictions abound in the path to Opposition unity, some of which Opposition leaders will discuss in Patna on June 23.

Most other concerns could be resolved in subsequent meetings. Several could likely remain unsettled.

Opposition strategists will need to agree on a common agenda for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and iron out rough spots over areas where regional parties and the Congress contest for the same turf, whether constituencies in states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal or their outreach to castes and communities that do not vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

After Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Congress' Karnataka win, where it promised to restore 4 per cent job reservation for Muslims and threatened to ban the Popular Front of India and Bajrang Dal, regional parties, like the Samajwadi Party and its ally, the Rashtriya Lok Dal in UP, the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, and the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi are nervous that a reinvigorated Congress could potentially dent their support base.

The Janata Dal-Secular losing its minority support base to the Congress in the Karnataka assembly polls -- Muslims comprise 13 per cent of the state's electorate -- spurred its recent outreach to the BJP.

"It is a matter of survival for the Deve Gowda family," said a former JD-S leader.

The JD-S's 23 Muslim candidates lost, but nine of the Congress's 15 won.

In UP, the SP is taciturn about an alliance with the Congress as it burned its fingers in the 2017 assembly polls when the two parties joined forces.

However, the RLD, an ally of the SP, is keen since it cannot take on the BJP in Western UP without a Jat-Muslim entente.

IMAGE: Floor leaders of like-minded Opposition parties join hands after addressing a joint press conference at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, April 06, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to an analysis of the recent UP local body elections, Muslims preferred the Congress over the SP in seats with sizeable minorities.

Similarly, in the December 2022 civic polls in Delhi, Muslims returned to the Congress, especially in northeast Delhi, which saw riots in February 2020, and southeast Delhi -- the heart of the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests.

As a result, the AAP's vote share dipped significantly.

In Bengal, the Congress candidate, supported by the Left, won the Sagardighi by-poll in Murshidabad in March, defeating the TMC. When he joined the TMC last month, the Congress complained he was pressured.

Can a united Opposition catalyse not just arithmetic but also chemistry to defeat the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the BJP to secure a vote share of over 50 per cent in 12 states in 2019?

In 14 northern and northwest Indian states, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 298 of 330, with the BJP itself winning 255, merely 17 short of the majority mark.

Opposition parties are working on a formula of their own.

IMAGE: Giant cutouts in Hyderabad greet the Opposition leaders attending the Bharat Rashtra Samithi rally in Khammam on January 18, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to a Janata Dal-United leader, there are at least 450 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats where the Opposition could agree to challenge the BJP-led NDA to one-on-one contests, with Odisha (21 seats), Kerala (20), Andhra Pradesh (25), and Telangana (17) as notable exceptions that could witness multi-cornered fights where the BJP is a marginal player.

The Congress, however, believes it needs to primarily focus on the upcoming November-December assembly polls in the Hindi heartland -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh (MP), and Chhattisgarh -- where there is a bipolar contest with the BJP.

For the Lok Sabha, the Congress will concentrate on 150-odd seats on which it is in direct contest with the BJP in Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra, seats where it performed abysmally in 2014 and 2019.

A Congress leader privy to the ongoing discussions in the party said the party is confident about its alliances in Tamil Nadu (and Puducherry), Bihar, and Maharashtra, which account for 128 seats together.

In states such as UP and Bengal, it was willing to sacrifice its interests to stop the BJP and would work towards ensuring the BJP did not win incremental seats in Odisha and Telangana.

The Congress may be amenable to alliances with the AAP in Delhi and Gujarat.

Party strategists disagree that the Congress refusal to attend the meeting in Patna on June 12, which Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced earlier this month, was a sign of hubris.

They pointed out that both Nitish and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar could soon be entrusted with crucial responsibilities.

Rather than arrogance, the Karnataka win has given Mallikarjuna Kharge and his team the courage to stand up to the naysayers within the party who advise against sacrificing interests for Opposition unity.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has informed a court here that it has made a woman Pakistani agent who apparently honey-trapped Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar a co-accused in the case.

IMAGE: DRDO official Pradeep Kurulkar was arrested on charges of providing confidential information to a Pakistani agent. Photograph: ANI Photo

ATS has also sought permission to run a psychoanalysis test on the scientist.

Kurulkar was the director of one of the labs of the DRDO in Pune when he was arrested by the ATS on May 3 on the charges of leaking confidential information to a woman Pakistani intelligence operative.

Sources said the woman operated under the name of Zara Dasgupta and was in touch with Kurulkar.

ATS added the name Zara Dasgupta to the first information report (FIR) after the agent's IP address was traced to Pakistan, the sources said.

ATS has now added to the FIR Section 4 of the Official Secrets Act that pertains to communications with foreign agents to be evidence of commission of certain offences, they said.

As per the ATS, the DRDO scientist was in touch with the Pakistani agent through WhatsApp and video calls.

The agency has also submitted an application to the court requesting permission to conduct a voice layer and psychological analysis test on Kurulkar and sought his temporary custody for that.

Additionally, the ATS has sought Kurulkar's consent to undergo a polygraph test.

Defence counsel Rhishikesh Ganu said they will file an appropriate reply to the ATS applications in court as per his client's instructions.

The court will hear the matter next on June 26.

The prosecution had earlier informed the court that the agency had seized a phone on which the Pakistani agent had messaged Kurulkar using an Indian number. Kurulkar had allegedly travelled to five to six countries on a diplomatic passport and the prosecution wanted to know whom he met during those trips.
Intermittent firing has been reported from two places in Manipur, officials said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: People from Manipur stage a protest over the ongoing violence in the state, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Around 15-20 rounds of automatic weapon fire was heard at 11.45 pm on Tuesday before it fell silent, at Thangjing in Manipur East, they said.

Sporadic firing was also reported from Geljang and Singda, both falling in Kangchup area.

"Between 8 pm and 9.30 pm, 4-5 rounds were fired from Geljan & Singda areas. It's speculative fire and not at each other. Distance between the two places is 2 km," an official said.

Assam Rifles personnel went to both the locations to find out if there were any injuries or casualties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met prominent American personalities from different walks of life, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk who asserted that India has more promise than any other large country and that he is incredibly excited about its future.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Elon Musk, New York, June 20, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy @narendramodi/Twitter

Musk told reporters after meeting Modi that Twitter, the social media giant he owns, does not have a choice but to follow the local government.

"Or it will get shut down," he said when asked about the company's former owner and CEO Jack Dorsey's recent allegation against the Indian government.

"The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," he said, adding that it is impossible for 'us to do more than that'.

There are different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and 'we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law', Musk said.

Asked if Tesla will enter the Indian market, Musk said he is planning to visit the country next year.

"I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," he said.

"I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we will be able to announce something in the not so distant future," Musk said.

"We do not want to jump the gun on an announcement but I think it is quite likely that it will be a significant investment in our relationship with India," the Tesla CEO said.

In a separate video statement, Musk also lauded Modi, saying he 'really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make significant investment in India'.

"I am a fan of Modi," he said.

India is great for solar energy investment, Musk added, describing his talks with the prime minister as excellent.

On his meeting with Musk, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, 'Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality.'

To this, Musk replied, 'It was an honour to meet again.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nicholas Taleb, New York, June 20, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy, MEA India on Twitter

Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, is meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts.

Besides Musk, they include astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb and investor Ray Dalio.

Prime Minister Modi met one-on-one with some of them while others met him in groups.

Taleb after meeting Modi said, 'I commended India for its response to Covid and how India has very efficiently dealt with it. Discussed risk taking and anti-fragility with the prime minister.'

'Professor @nntaleb has interesting perspectives on many issues and I had the opportunity to hear them on some of those subjects. He was greatly interested in India's development strides. I emphasised on how we are nurturing a spirit of enterprise and risk taking among our youth,' Modi tweeted.

Dalio said, 'Modi is a man whose time has come when India's time has come.'

'Potential of India is enormous and you have now have a reformer who has the ability to transform. India and Prime Minister Modi are at a juncture in which lot of opportunities will be created,' he said.

Modi tweeted, 'Met my friend, the distinguished author and investor @RayDalio. Urged him to deepen investments in India and also talked about the reform trajectory of our government.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Paul Romer, New York, June 20, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy, MEA India on Twitter

In a video statement, Tyson also praised Modi, saying the sky is not the limit for him and describing the prime minister as 'scientifically thoughtful'.

"Priorities might be out of balance for many world leaders but Prime Minister Modi cares for many things, including solutions. I am not alone when I say that potential what India can accomplish knows no limit," the astrophysicist said.

The prime minister tweeted, 'Talked space, science and related issues with @neiltyson. Highlighted steps India is taking to reform the space sector and draw more youngsters towards science as well as innovation.'

On Modi's meeting with Romer, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, 'A stimulating exchange of views between PM @narendramodi and eminent economist and Nobel laureate Prof @paulmromer.'

'Discussions touched upon India's digital journey, including the use of Aadhar and innovative tools like Digilocker. Talks also covered various initiatives being undertaken by India for urban development,' he tweeted.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Neil deGrasse Tyson, New York, June 20, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy, MEA India on Twitter

The prime minister on Twitter said, 'Glad to have met noted economist and Nobel laureate, Professor @paulmromer. We had extensive conversations on leveraging technology to improve lives. We also talked about how to make our cities more sustainable and people friendly.'

On his meeting with author Robert AF Thurman, Modi tweeted, 'The interaction with @BobThurman was outstanding. I admire his passion towards research and scholarship on aspects relating to Buddhism. I highlighted India's Buddhist heritage and how Buddhism can help overcome many challenges our world faces.'

A tweet on the prime minister's meeting with astrophysicist Tyson by the MEA official read: 'Catalyzing India-US space collaboration!'

The prime minister also highlighted the potential of academic collaboration and private participation in space sector between India and the US under India's National Space Policy, the MEA spokesperson said.

Modi is also scheduled to observe the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations headquarters here with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

Representatives of over 188 countries are expected to attend the exercise.

On June 22, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Modi at a State Dinner.

The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.
India has raised its concerns about human rights and religiously motivated hate crimes in the United States, a senior Biden administration official said on Wednesday, asserting that it's vital for America's national security that the US engages a rising India.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

"It is vital for America's national security and economic prosperity that we engage a rising India. At the same time, as a genuine partner and friend of India, we speak honestly and constructively about our areas of difference. India certainly does that with us," the official told a group of reporters in Washington, DC.

"They have raised concerns about human rights and religiously motivated hate crimes here in the United States. We have also raised our human rights and religious freedom concerns regularly with senior government officials (in India). We do this in an atmosphere of mutual respect, the official said.

The official said that India is a true democracy with a vibrant civil society, a free press and an independent judiciary.

"It is equally important as a partner of India that we support all of these pillars of Indian democracy. To that end, we regularly meet with civil society and journalists, including during Secretary Blinken's recent visit to India in March and over the past several weeks ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the visit.

"We have had at every level, including the highest levels, discussions about human rights. Those are frank and constructive discussions," said the official in response to a question.

According to the official, the US is able to have serious discussions with Indians through a whole range of issues including through the global issues forum, which they had last December here in Washington.

Responding to a question, the official said: "You will see tomorrow is a real vote of confidence for this relationship and for India's capacity as a defense manufacturer.
India has hit out at China for blocking a move to designate Pakistan-based LeT leader Sajid Mir as a global terrorist by the UN, saying it shows a lack of genuine political will to fight the scourge of terrorism.

IMAGE: Mumbai terror attack handler Sajid Majeed Mir. Photograph: ANI Photo

China on Tuesday blocked a proposal moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Mir is wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In a strongly-worded statement, joint secretary at India's permanent mission in New York Prakash Gupta said on Tuesday if efforts to ban terrorists fail due to petty geopolitical interests, then we really do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism.

"The first and most critical gap we feel addressing is avoiding double standards, and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists. Terror act is a terror act, plain and simple. Any justification of any kind being used should not be countenanced by anybody," he said at United Nation's counter-terror meeting.

Gupta said in this day and age of accountability and transparency, can evidence-based listing proposals be blocked without giving any reason.

He said India has fought against terrorists in practically real-time on a daily basis.

"While the 9/11 terror bombings in this iconic city of New York had changed the landscape of the global counterterrorism architecture, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks shook the collective conscience of the world's largest democracy," he said.

Gupta also played an audio clip of Mir in which he can be heard instructing terrorists from Pakistan during the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks.

Ten fully armed assailants from across the borders well trained in conducting urban warfare, descended on the shores of Mumbai and wreaked havoc for three days. The carnage resulted in the killing of 166 innocents, including 26 foreigners.

"Justice still continues to elude the victims of the Mumbai terror attack," he said. Mir was listed as a proscribed terrorist under the national laws of India and under the laws of the United States and several other countries globally, he said.

"But when the proposal for listing him did not go through the Security Council sanctions regime, we had strong reasons to believe that something was genuinely wrong in the global sanctions regime, as manifested in the Security Council," Gupta said.

"If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes, listed under the Security Council architecture for petty geopolitical interests, then we really do not have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism," he added.

Gupta rued that 15 years after the Mumbai terror attacks, its masterminds in Pakistan have not yet been brought to justice.

Mir, believed to be in his mid-40s, is one of India's most wanted terrorists and has a bounty of USD 5 million placed on his head by the US for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In June last year, Mir was jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities had in the past claimed Mir had died, but Western countries remained unconvinced and demanded proof of his death. This issue became a major sticking point in FATF's assessment of Pakistan's progress on the action plan late last year.

Mir is a senior member of the Pakistan-based LeT and is wanted for his involvement in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
A 36-year-old constable posted at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp in south-west Delhi's Chhawla area was killed on Wednesday allegedly after being shot by the son of an officer residing on the same campus of the border guarding force, official sources said.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons

The incident was reported from the family quarters of the camp around 1 pm.

It was found that the constable, Bhoop Singh Meena, was shot dead in the house of an ITBP officer of 2IC rank by the son of the officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) M Harsha Vardhan said.

A case under section 302 (murder) of the IPC and Arms Act has been registered at the Chhawla police station. Forensic teams have collected pieces of evidence from the site, the DCP said.

The accused -- identified as Digvijay (32) -- has been arrested, he said.

The DCP said the private licensed weapon is in the name of the officer and the accused is unemployed.

"We suspect five rounds were fired. The motive is under investigation," the DCP said.

ITBP officials said the constable Meena worked as a cook and was posted on the Chhawla campus. He is survived by his wife and two young children, they said.

Officials of the border force said the exact reason that led to the firing was not known immediately even as a court of inquiry (CoI) has been ordered by the central force.

They said the private weapon used by the accused was in the name of his father, ITBP second-in-command rank officer Lok Pal Singh.

The ITBP, an about 90,000 personnel strong force, is primarily deployed to guard the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, apart from rendering a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country.
A five-star hotel in New Delhi has alleged to have suffered a loss of Rs 58 lakh when one of its guests colluded with some hotel staff and stayed for almost two years without making any payment.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Jason Lee/Reuters

The hotel, Roseate House in Aerocity near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, has lodged a case at IGI Airport police station.

According to the FIR lodged recently by Vinod Malhotra, an authorised representative of Bird Airports Hotel Private Limited, which operates Roseate, guest Ankush Dutta stayed for 603 days which cost Rs 58 lakh but checked out without paying a single penny.

The FIR alleges that Prem Prakash, head of front office department of the hotel, who was authorised to decide room rates and had access to the hotel computer system to track dues of all guests, allowed Dutta's long stay violating the hotel norms.

The hotel management suspects that Prakash might have received some cash amount from Dutta for letting him overstay by manipulating its in-house software system that maintains and monitors stay/visit of guests and their accounts.

A criminal conspiracy was hatched by guest Mr Ankush Dutta along with some known and unknown hotel staff, including Mr Prem Prakash with a motive to gain wrongfully and deprive the hotel of its rightful dues, the FIR said.

In pursuance of the said conspiracy, the alleged staff of the hotel forged, deleted, added accounts entries and falsified a large number of entries in the account of the said guest Ankush Dutta in the Opera software system of the hotel, it added.

The hotel has alleged that Dutta checked in on May 30, 2019 and booked a room for one night. He was supposed to check out the very next day on May 31 but he kept on extending his stay till January 22, 2021.

The hotel norm says that if a guest's pending outstanding dues exceed 72 hours, it should be brought to the notice of CEO and Financial Controller for their information and seeking instruction. However, Prakash didn't send Dutta's dues to the CEO and FC of the hotel.

According to the FIR, Prakash didn't make any outstanding payment report from May 30, 2019 to October 25, 2019.

Even when he created the outstanding payment report after October 25, he forged it by clubbing pending bills of other unrelated guests into one bill with the motive to camouflage the pending dues of Dutta.

The hotel has alleged that Prakash resorted to various modus operandi to help Dutta enjoy a long stay there.

He even fudged the account to show that other guests, who stayed in the hotel, paid for Dutta which turned out to be fabricated.

The scrutiny of record of the alleged officials of the hotel revealed that they created several fake and false pending bills to benefit Ankush Dutta by adopting various ways like by removing room nights from his bills, transferring his debits into the bills of other guests' bills, using settled bills of other guests by incorporating his name in the bill, etc, the FIR said.

The hotel also noticed that Dutta paid three cheques of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 7 lakh and Rs 20 lakh at different dates but all of them bounced and Prakash didn't bring this fact to the notice of the hotel management.

The hotel has demanded a strict legal action against the culprits as they have committed criminal offences, criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and falsification of accounts.

A preliminary inquiry by the IGI police showed that prima facie the offences were made out, and now they are further probing the matter.
The House of Representatives approved on Wednesday a presidential decree regarding Egypt's agreement to host the headquarters of the African Space Agency (AfSA).

According to a statement by the parliament, the agreement signed on 24 January aims to implement African policies and strategies in space, utilizing space technologies to accelerate economic and sustainable development processes.

The statement added that the agreement will also play a significant role in boosting Egypt's national economy by energizing small industries relating to space technology.

The statement also noted that the satellite data collected by the African Space Agency can help achieve the sustainable development goals and Africa's Agenda 2063.

To infinity and beyond



Founded by the African Union in 2016, AfSA aims to promote, advise, and coordinate the development and use of space science and technology in Africa, fostering cooperation within Africa and beyond for the benefit of Africa and the world.

In February 2019, Egypt won the bid to host the African Space Agency and allocated $10 million for its operations.

According to Islam Abo El-Magd, advisor for African affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, hosting the agency will establish Egypt as a leading country in the field among the 55 member states of the AU, as he told Al-Ahram.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States First Lady Jill Biden will visit the National Science Foundation on Wednesday where they would interact with Indian and American students, the White House has said.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, and other dignitaries upon his arrival in New York on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill.

He will celebrate the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.

A visit to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia is likely to be the first public engagement of the prime minister, which would be hosted by the First Lady, the White House said on Tuesday.

'The First Lady will highlight career-connected learning and workforce training programmes and partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and universities with employers,' it said in a statement.

'During the visit, the First Lady and the Prime Minister will meet with students from the US and India and participate in a moderated conversation,' it said.

National Science Foundation is headed by Indian American Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan.

In the last year or so, several Indian cabinet ministers have visited its headquarters in Virginia. Prominent among them are Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent agency of the United States government that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health.

The President and the First Lady will welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India to the White House, the White House said.

The arrival ceremony would take place on the South Portico of the White House. Soon thereafter, Biden and the First Lady would host the dinner, it said.

The prime minister will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the White House on Thursday for which more than 8,000 invitations have been sent. Indian Americans from across the country are expected to attend the historic event, the White House said.

Later in the night, the president and the First Lady would host the prime minister for a State Dinner in the presence of more than 400 guests. A big tent is expected to be pitched on the South Lawns of the White House for this, it said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington, DC on Wednesday on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the United States during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Washington DC from New York. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

Modi arrived in Washington, DC from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

The prime minister, who is visiting the US at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, will join them for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries on Thursday.

Modi arrived at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC where he was given a guard of honour amid incessant rains. The Prime Minister, who was wearing a raincoat, stood for the national anthem of the two countries.

"The Official State visit moves to its next phase. PM @narendramodi accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour as he sets foot at the Joint Base Andrews airport in Washington DC. In Washington DC, PM will hold bilateral meeting with @POTUS @JoeBiden; address the Joint Session of the US Congress; and interact with CEOs and a cross-section of Indian diaspora," Arindam Bagchi, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a tweet.

From the airport, Modi travelled to the hotel where Indian diaspora members were waiting for him.

Indian diaspora members braved rain to welcome Modi at Freedom Plaza in Washington. Some of the community members staged cultural programmes including 'Garba' and other folk dances outside the hotel in Washington DC where Modi will stay.

"We are very happy, this is a memorable event. We are very excited and looking forward," said Kavita, a Kuchipudi dancer representing Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Some diaspora members in colourful attires were carrying Indian flags and chanting 'Modi-Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. Modi briefly interacted with the enthusiastic supporters at the hotel and gave autographs to some of them.

Later, the First Lady and Prime Minister Modi will visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia to highlight the US and India's shared priorities around education and workforce. The First Lady will highlight career-connected learning and workforce training programs and partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and universities with employers.

During the visit, the First Lady and the Prime Minister will meet students from the US and India who are learning skills to succeed in industries vital to the economies of the two countries.

In his departure statement, Modi had said this "special invitation" from President Biden and the First Lady for a state visit is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies.

Modi and Biden have had the opportunity to meet several times since his last official visit to the US in September 2021. "This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership," Modi said.

Modi said his discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity).

Noting that the US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties, Modi said that during his visit, he will address a joint session of the US Congress at the invitation of the Congressional leadership.

"Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries. I look forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies," he said.

In Washington, Modi will also meet business leaders and interact with the Indian community.

"We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas," he said.

The US is India's largest trade partner in goods and services, and the two countries collaborate closely in the fields of science and technology, education, health, defence and security, the prime minister said.

The initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration in defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, artificial intelligence and biotech sectors, he added.

"Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific," he said.

Modi expressed confidence that his visit to the US will reinforce ties between the two countries based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom.

"Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges," Modi said in his statement.

From the US, Modi will travel to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Prime Minister Narendra D Modi had a typically hectic schedule soon after his arrival in the United States as he met with thinkers, businessmen and members of the Indian diaspora in New York City.

Photograph: PTI Photo IMAGE: Modi meets Professor Robert Thurman , one of the Dalai Lama's oldest friends and Hollywood star Uma Thurman's father.

IMAGE: Modi with celebrity Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who turns 52 on Wednesday next, June 28. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: 'Met a group of people associated with key think-tanks. We talked about different aspects of policy making and the emerging global trends. Emphasised on the positive changes in India and how they are being powered by our youth,' Modi tweeted. Photograph: Narendra Modi/Twitter

IMAGE: 'Had an informative discussion with a group of healthcare experts. They shared their rich perspectives on ways to augment healthcare capacities in India. I told them about the work we have done in integrating latest technology in the sector and our efforts like TB elimination.' Photograph: Narendra Modi/Twitter

IMAGE: 'In New York City, held an extensive interaction with a group of academics. They shared their views on how to further strengthen the education sector in India with a focus on skills and innovation. I talked about the transformative potential of our National Education Policy.' Photograph: Narendra Modi/Twitter

IMAGE: Earlier, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, India's permanent representative to the United Nations and other diplomats greet Prime Minister Modi on his arrival at New York's John F Kennedy airport. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Desis greet Modi on his arrival at the Lotte hotel in New York, here and below. Photograph: PTI Photo

Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

IMAGE: A desi wears clothing with Modi's image outside the Lotte hotel. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

IMAGE: Desis dance ahead of Modi's arrival outside the Lotte hotel in New York City. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com and Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a unique yoga session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga that will see the participation from top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters as he arrives at a hotel in New York City, on June 20, 2023. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

In a video message on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Modi said India has always nurtured traditions that unite, adopt and embrace and made a fervent appeal to eliminate contradictions, hurdles and resistances through yoga.

Modi said Indians have welcomed new ideas, conserved them and celebrated the country's rich diversity.

Yoga strengthens such feelings, expands the inner vision, and connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being giving a basis of love for the living being, the prime minister said.

"We have to eliminate our contradictions, blockages and resistances through Yoga. We have to present the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' as an example to the world," Modi said.

Modi also said the International Day of Yoga was special this year as researchers at India's research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica too were participating in the celebrations.

Modi is in New York on the first leg of his first state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told PTI in an interview that the yoga celebration this year will be a very 'unique occasion' because it was Prime Minister Modi who had given this vision and it was his leadership that ensured that June 21 every year is celebrated as International Yoga Day.

"So about nine years later, the author of that vision comes to the United Nations," she said, adding that now Yoga Day is a UN-mandated occasion.

"So the coming together of the two- the visionary leader and the United Nations, I think, is in itself very unique," Kamboj said.

She said that the yoga event is generating a lot of anticipation and excitement and is very heavily subscribed.

"The international element is very high. There's a lot of interest, which is in itself, I would say, a sort of attribute to yoga, this ancient Indian practice, the fact that it has transcended all borders and it has become a global phenomenon."

Kamboj added that the 'fact that there will be children performing yoga onstage is very unique. So altogether I think it is going to be quite a one of its kind event'.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his message for Yoga Day, said yoga unites people.

"It unites body and mind, humanity and nature and millions of people across the globe for whom it is a source of strength, harmony and peace," he said.

"In a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice are particularly precious. Yoga offers a haven of calm, it can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection," Guterres said.

He added that yoga reveals 'our common humanity, helping us to understand that despite our differences, we are one. On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, the planet and ourselves'.

The Yoga session will run from 8 to 9 am on June 21 at the expansive North Lawn in the UN Headquarters, where a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, a gift from India to the UN, was installed in December last year during the country's Presidency of the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Modi will be paying his respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi that now 'proudly adorns' the North Lawn of the UN headquarters where the yoga will also be conducted.

"There is also a memorial to the fallen Peacekeeper which is, I think, very poignant and very significant given that India is the largest troop and police contributing country," to UN peacekeepers, Kamboj said.

The historic yoga session is expected to be attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from Member States as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community.

People from more than 180 countries will participate in Prime Minister Modi-led Yoga Day celebrations in New York, representing different walks of life and comprising diplomats, artists, academicians and entrepreneurs among others, sources said.

President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Korosi said in a tweet that he was 'looking forward to participating in the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations" with Prime Minister Modi.

The first International Day of Yoga was commemorated in 2015 and has since then been marked with several sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the UN, Times Square and iconic locations across the world.

The UN underlined that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India.

The word 'yoga' is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

The draft UNGA resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.

The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met leading American economist Prof Paul Romer, investor and co-founder of the hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio, and other eminent thought leaders and exchanged views with them and briefed them about the reform trajectory of his government to foster economic growth.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Neil deGrasse Tyson, New York, June 20, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy @MEAIndia/Twitter

Prime Minister Modi is in New York on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden.

Modi and Prof Romer held discussions on India's digital journey, including the use of Aadhar and innovative tools like Digilocker. They also discussed various initiatives being undertaken by India for urban development.

'Glad to have met noted economist and Nobel laureate, Professor @paulmromer. We had extensive conversations on leveraging technology to improve lives. We also talked about how to make our cities more sustainable and people friendly,' Modi tweeted after the meeting.

In his conversation with Dalio, the prime minister highlighted the reforms undertaken by the government to foster economic growth, including the reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of a large number of legal provisions.

Modi also invited Dalio for further investing in India.

'Met my friend, the distinguished author and investor @RayDalio. Urged him to deepen investments in India and also talked about the reform trajectory of our Government,' Modi tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi also met Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, author and science communicator and exchanged views on inculcating scientific temperament among youth.

They discussed at length India's rapid progress in the space sector, including various space exploration missions being undertaken by India, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

The prime minister and Tyson also discussed opportunities for the private sector and academic collaboration under India's newly launched National Space Policy.

'Talked space, science and related issues with @neiltyson. Highlighted steps India is taking to reform the space sector and draw more youngsters towards science as well as innovation,' Modi tweeted.

Prof Robert Thurman, American Buddhist scholar, author, and Padma Shri awardee, called on Prime Minister Modi.

The prime minister and Prof Thurman exchanged perspectives on how Buddhist values can act as a guiding light for finding solutions to global challenges.

They also discussed India's Buddhist connect and efforts being made by India for the preservation of Buddhist heritage.

'The interaction with @BobThurman was outstanding. I admire his passion towards research and scholarship on aspects relating to Buddhism. I highlighted India's Buddhist heritage and how Buddhism can help overcome many challenges our world faces,' Modi tweeted after the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi also had a meeting with distinguished American mathematical statistician, academician, public intellectual and author Prof. Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

He complimented Prof. Taleb on his success as a public intellectual and for bringing complex ideas of risk and fragility into the popular conversation.

In his conversation with Prof Taleb, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the risk-taking abilities of India's young entrepreneurs and the growing start-up ecosystem in India.

'Professor @nntaleb has interesting perspectives on many issues and I had the opportunity to hear them on some of those subjects. He was greatly interested in India's development strides. I emphasised on how we are nurturing a spirit of enterprise and risk-taking among our youth,' Modi tweeted later.
A powerful United States senatorial committee on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, is set to consider a bipartisan resolution to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, pushing back against China's military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi addresses a joint session of the US Congress, June 9, 2016. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the resolution for discussion on a day when Prime Minister Narendra D Modi lands in Washington, DC on a three-day official State visit.

The resolution condemns additional Chinese provocations, including Beijing's use of military force to change the status quo along the LAC.

It slams China for the construction of villages in contested areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and expansion of Beijing's territorial claims in Bhutan.

The bipartisan resolution was introduced in February this year by Senators Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, and Bill Hagerty, a Republican. Senator John Cornyn, co-chair of the India Caucus, has co-sponsored the resolution.

Observing that India has taken steps to defend itself from aggression and security threats from China, including by securing its telecommunications infrastructure and conducting investment screening, the resolution unequivocally recognises the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the Republic of India and supports the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It condemns China's use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, as well as additional provocations including the construction of villages in contested areas, expansion of territorial claims in Bhutan, and publication of maps assigning Mandarin-language names to cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan. Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, a claim firmly rejected by the external affairs ministry which has asserted that the state is an 'inseparable part of India'.

Beijing routinely protests visits of Indian leaders and officials to Arunachal Pradesh to reaffirm its claim.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee resolution commends India for taking steps to defend itself against aggression and security threats from China, including securing its telecommunications infrastructure, examining its procurement processes and supply chains, implementing investment screening standards, and expanding its cooperation with Taiwan in public health and other sectors.

It supports India's continued defence modernisation, including its diversification away from countries that fail to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations.

It applauds India for increasing its development efforts in Arunachal Pradesh, including improving border infrastructure, connectivity, and energy security, including renewable energy production.

The bipartisan resolution commits to deepening US assistance to the region through the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development using funding mechanisms such as the Countering Chinese Influence Fund.

It also encourages like-minded international partners and donors to bolster their assistance efforts to Arunachal Pradesh.

The resolution supports further strengthening the US-India bilateral partnership, including through enhanced defence interoperability and information-sharing especially for early warning systems, the United States-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, further economic cooperation, and our broad and long-standing people-to-people ties.

Among other things, the resolution promotes enhancing our multilateral cooperation with India through the Quad, the East Asia Summit alongside our partners in the Association for Southeast Asian Nations, and other international fora.
'India matters significantly to President Biden and to this administration, and not just in South Asia or the Indo-Pacific region, but truly globally.'

Photograph: Abhijit J Masih for Rediff.com IMAGE: Admiral John Kirby, the US National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, at the briefing on Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's State visit at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, DC on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, afternoon.

"A State visit is not just about the red carpet and a terrific meal. It is about anchoring the relationship through a wide-ranging and very robust agenda of significant policy issues, and you are going to see that this week," says Admiral John Kirby, the US National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications.

The news briefing room at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, DC on Tuesday afternoon was packed to capacity with journalists from all over the world, a majority representing Indian news agencies. In the hour-long briefing Kirby spent only a few minutes in reading out his opening statement and took almost all the questions that was asked by the journalists present in the room.

Providing a preview of the agenda for the three-day State visit Kirby affirms, "This visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States 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 defense, clean energy, and space," the admiral added.

The National Security Council coordinator reiterated the focus of the discussions being on five major areas: Global health, climate crisis, defense cooperation, emerging technologies including cyberspace and people to people ties.

"It's going to be the young people that are going to be the future leaders of both the countries, and so we want to make sure that we're investing properly in their growth, in their development, in their mutual understanding, and in the relationships that they will take forward into the future," Kirby stated.

"So there's going to be an awful lot on the agenda, but those are sort of the top five areas that I would cite," he said.

The only monosyllable response that Kirby gave was to the question on whether the main purpose of inviting Prime Minister Modi was to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. The answer, a firm No from the admiral.

Answering a question about the shift of focus to India in South Asia and it becoming a partner for the future, Kirby explained, "India matters significantly to President Biden and to this administration, and not just in South Asia or the Indo-Pacific region, but truly globally."

He mentioned the repair work of relationships being done under the Biden administration. "Coming into office, President Biden saw that our relationships around the world in many cases, many places, were eroding, tattering, and trust and confidence in the United States as a partner, a friend, in some cases an ally, was beginning to fade."

"And he immediately set forth an assertive but cooperative foreign policy to revitalize those relationships," he added.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who will join the President and First Lady at the official welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Modi on Thursday, will be a full party to the State visit, Kirby said.

"I know she will be having opportunities, including a lunch that she'll be hosting for the prime minister and his staff to engage specifically and directly with the prime minister," he said.

There were a couple of questions raised about the concern for human rights and would President Biden discuss human rights issues in India as part of the conversations during the State visit.

"Some issues are always easier to talk about than others, but that's what partners do. You have those kinds of conversations."

"We don't shy away from addressing those concerns privately. We don't shy away from addressing those concerns publicly. And everywhere the President goes, where and when it's appropriate and when it's a significant issue, he raises those concerns. And again, I don't think that this week will be any exception to that."

The State visit extended to Prime Minister Modi is only the third by the Biden administration. From the US perspective, there has been a huge shift of focus from other nations in South Asia to now India becoming the center of attention and a long term partner. Why is the red carpet being rolled out for India?

"A State visit is not just about the red carpet and a terrific meal. It is about anchoring the relationship through a wide-ranging and very robust agenda of significant policy issues, and you're going to see that this week," Admiral Kirby asserted.

"Take a look at the way in which this bilateral relationship has improved in the last two-and-a-half years," Kirby said, adding, "And just as critically, take a look at where this relationship is going to be going in the next 10, 15 years and how vital this bilateral relationship will be not just to regional security but global security."
The State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel deployed outside the residence of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai have been removed but there has been no downgrading of his and his family's security cover, officials said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Uddhav Thackeray. Photograph: @ShivSenaUBT_/Twitter

Some of the additional police personnel deployed outside 'Matoshree', the Thackeray residence in Bandra area, and extra vehicles in the security convoys of Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi and son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray too have been removed, an official said.

Earlier in the day, a functionary of the Shiv Sena-UBT had claimed that the security outside 'Matoshree' had been reduced.

But the state home department, in a statement, said there has been no downgrading of the security provided to Uddhav Thackeray and his family members.

The former chief minister is accorded Z-plus security while Aaditya Thackeray gets Z security. Rashmi Thackeray and (Aaditya's younger brother) Tejas get Y-plus escort security, the official release said.

However, the SRPF and "extra police deployment" outside the Thackeray residence have been removed, a police official said.
Describing the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to America as a "watershed moment" in bilateral ties, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said that this week will be one of those moments that can change the course of history as the two democracies get together for peace and prosperity.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the Indian community as he arrives at the Lotte New York Palace hotel, New York, June 20, 2023. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

In his keynote address to the inaugural INDUS-X conference being organised by the US India Business Council in partnership with the US department of defense and India's department of defence production, Garcetti said on Tuesday, We're just getting in the car together and we're starting this voyage. It's the elevation of something that has been growing.

Let us take this watershed moment that is a game changer and an ecosystem and bring those two things together. Let us see that tonight. This is what it feels like to live through history. This week is one of those moments that can change the course of history. I know our leaders will deliver that, but they're counting on us to implement that vision together, he said on the eve of the official state visit of Prime Minister Modi, who arrives in Washington, DC, on Wednesday for talks with President Joe Biden.

Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He will celebrate the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

On June 22, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Modi at a state dinner. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22.

The vision first of two leaders of Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, who when they came together said, if we put our minds together, and not just of two leaders, but of our people, we would be a pretty unstoppable force. An elevation then from our national security advisors who came up with, iCET, the Initiative on Critical Emerging Technologies, from the seabed to space, from the bottom of the ocean to the heavens, where we can see that sort of domain awareness in the oceans, Garcetti said.

Two democracies, after all, are about our people. 1.75 billion of them are unstoppable, a force for peace, for prosperity, for our planet and for people, Garcetti said.

He said India and the US can help to work and preserve the planet, bring peace and look all the way up into the air and beyond.

So, I hope that we find each other and that we build the blocks of this voyage. Things like the roadmap for defence industry cooperation, which will give us that mechanism to move forward, the technology that we're leaning in, in very bold ways that I want to thank this president and I'm proud to be part of an administration that's leaning in with more courage than we've ever seen, not just between the US and India, but I would argue the US and any other country before, said the top American diplomat.

With the launch of iCET dialogue, Garcetti said, he expects to see opportunities for startup companies to participate in government-sponsored joint challenges, to put a problem out there and say you solve it, to find technological solutions to our most pressing problems.

Expect opportunities for startups to partner with established defence industry leads. I'm so excited in the coming months to work with folks both in India and in US to have a mechanism to match and make those startups, he said.

We might think we know everybody out there, but right now there's a woman in Hyderabad, or there's a man in North Carolina they don't know they're about to meet, but they've got an amazing idea and it's the two of them together that won't just add in a linear way, but an exponential way to the innovation that can bring that greater piece, he said.

Expect programmes like today's that bring experts and stakeholders and defence industry accelerators together. In the longer term, we're working towards those joint innovation funds that can spark innovation, certificates, and regulations. In fact, we have to be able to find each other more quickly. We have to be able to collaborate more easily, he said.

Garcetti said both India and the US need to be able to navigate their regulation and bureaucratic culture more readily.

"I think if we're harsh critics of ourselves, which we always have to be, there's so much more we can do to take the rhetoric of this moment and actually institutionalise it into the way that we do business from the newest bureaucrat all the way up to the leaders of our two countries, he said.
A spirit of enthusiasm and celebration overflowed outside the UN headquarters in New York as people arrived in large numbers to attend a historic event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga.

The overwhelming number of people of Indian origin mixed with a smattering of yoga enthusiasts of other nationalities formed a long queue outside the entrance amid tight security measures.

Many people who arrived in the hope to get in without the pass given in advance were left disappointed.

"I took a chance but it is alright. It is nice to see such an enthusiastic crowd for yoga," said Madhusudan, who travelled from New Jersey on a train to reach the venue.

Modi's presence at the event has worked as a magnet to draw Indian-Americans in large numbers to the venue as they arrived in buses and trains.

"Modi is the ambassador of yoga for the world. World needs peace and harmony amid war and conflict, yoga is the medium for this," said Pramod Bhagat of the World Peace and Health Foundation.

Standing in the queue, Caroline, a German national, said she came after she got to know about the UN event and praised yoga's benefits.

All Photographs: Kind courtesy PMOIndia/Twitter

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Egypt has called for an immediate cessation of the attacks of Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank, which resulted in casualties and injuries among Palestinian civilians.

At dawn on Wednesday, Israeli settlers attacked homes of Palestinians in the town of Kafr Al-Dik, near Salfit and rampaged through the streets of the town, according to the towns mayor Mohammad Naji, as quoted by the Associated Press (AP).

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday morning, an Israeli army unit raided the village of Orif near Nablus , storming several homes and detained five people, according to WAFA.

Settlers attacks led to the destruction and vandalism of a large number of properties without any response from the Israeli authorities, read a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Egypt completely rejects these acts of intimidation and collective punishment against Palestinian citizens," the foreign ministry said.

Egypt has previously warned of the dangers and repercussions of the continuous escalation by Israel last seen in the storming of Jenin two days ago, which resulted in victims and injuries in successive episodes of violence," it added.

Egypt has affirmed that the cycle of violence should be immediately to halt bloodshed and prevent further deterioration in the security situation in order to allow the de-escalation efforts of the regional and international parties to achieve their goals.

At least 130 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured by Israeli army and settlers attacks since the start of the year, according to a tally by the AP.

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The yoga celebration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN headquarters on Wednesday has created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

Hundreds of yellow yoga mats were placed on the ground where yoga enthusiasts and practitioners, wearing customised white yoga T-shirts, joined the event.

LED screens playing videos of Indian culture and heritage were set up on the lawn.

"When we do yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally content. Yoga is a way of life, a way to live in harmony with self, with others and with nature, Modi told the gathering.

He said he was delighted that many people are working on scientifically validating different aspects of yoga.

"Let us use the power of yoga, not only to be healthy, happy, but also to be kind to ourselves and each other, let us use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, of a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener sustainable future," he said.

The historic yoga session was attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from member States as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga on the lawn of the UN headquarters, New York. Photograph: PTI Photo

Photograph: PTI Photo

Photograph: PTI Photo

Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: People from various nationalities joined in doing yoga at the UN. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi addresses the gathering. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi ahead of the Yoga Day celebrations. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: The event saw an enthusiastic participation from the gathering. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi joins children for a group photo session. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi heads to the Yoga Day event. Photograph: ANI Twitter

Photograph: ANI Twitter

Photograph: ANI Twitter

Photograph: ANI Twitter

IMAGE: Modi with other dignitaries arrives to participate in the Yoga Day celebrations. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: LED screens were set up at the venue. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi applauds as India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj shows the Guinness World Records certificate for most nationalities in a yoga session. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi pays tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi before participating in the event. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi pays tribute at the Wall of Peace. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Modi greets participants as he arrives at the Yoga Day event. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

IMAGE: Modi embraces actor Richard Gere as they attend the yoga event. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

IMAGE: New York City Mayor Eric Adams is all ears as PM Modi speaks. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

IMAGE: Modi and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Csaba Korosi at the event. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday described Yoga as "truly universal" and "free from copyrights and patents" as he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga with others during the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN headquarters, in New York, June 21, 2023. Photograph: @narendramodi/Twitter

Modi, who is here on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, paid respects to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the North Lawn of the UN headquarters at the beginning of the event that created the Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

The prime minister, wearing a customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, began his address with a 'Namaste' and thanked people for coming here from far away to attend the celebration.

IMAGE: Participants during the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN headquarters. Photograph: PTI Photo

"I'm delighted to see you all. And I thank you all for coming. Friends. I'm told that almost every nationality is represented here today," Modi said.

He was joined by President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korisi, deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed and New York City mayor Eric Adams.

Hollywood actor Richard Gere, Iyengar yoga exponent Deidra Demens and prominent American singer Mary Millben were among the eminent personalities who attended the event that lasted nearly 45 minutes.

"I remember about nine years ago right here at the UN, I had the honour to propose celebrating the International Day of yoga on 21st June," Modi said.

"It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea back then," he said, adding that it is wonderful to see the entire world come together again for yoga.

"Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. But like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic. Yoga is free from copyrights, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal," Modi said.

Hundreds of yellow yoga mats were placed on the ground where yoga enthusiasts and practitioners, wearing customised white yoga T-shirts, stretched their bodies, breathed in and out and performed asanas such as Tadaasan, Brahmari', Padahastaasan, Vrajaasan, Bhujangaasan and Ardhchakraasan to celebrate the mega event.

IMAGE: Modi, wearing a customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, began his address with a 'Namaste'. Photograph: PTI Photo

LED screens playing videos of Indian culture and heritage were set up on the lawn.

"When we do yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally content. Yoga is a way of life, a way to live in harmony with self, with others and with nature, he said.

Modi said he is delighted that many people are working on scientifically validating different aspects of yoga.

"Let us use the power of yoga, not only to be healthy, happy, but also to be kind to ourselves and each other, let us use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, of a peaceful world and a cleaner , greener sustainable future," he said.

IMAGE: Modi with UN deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed (middle) and New York City Mayor Eric Adams (right) during the Yoga day event. Photograph: PTI Photo

The historic yoga session -- attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from member states as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community -- created the Guinness World Record for participation of people of most nationalities, officials said.

People from 135 countries attended the yoga session.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his video message on the occasion, said yoga unites body and mind, humanity and nature and millions of people across the globe for whom it is a source of strength, harmony and peace.

"In a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice are particularly precious. Yoga offers a haven of calm, it can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection," Guterres said.

IMAGE: Modi in a group photo session with children during the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations.. Photograph: PTI Photo

He added that yoga reveals "our common humanity, helping us to understand that despite our differences, we are one. On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, the planet and ourselves."

The first International Day of Yoga was commemorated in 2015 and has since then been marked with several sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the UN, Times Square and iconic locations across the world.

The UN underlined that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India.

The word yoga' is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.

IMAGE: Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi before participating in the yoga session. Photograph: PTI Photo

Today it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

The draft UNGA resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.

The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.

Earlier in a video message on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Modi said yoga expands the inner vision, and connects one with that consciousness which makes him/her feel the unity of the living being giving a basis of love for the living being.

Modi also said the International Day of Yoga was special this year as researchers at India's research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica too were participating in the celebrations.
Arrested Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji on Wednesday underwent a bypass surgery and was hemodynamically stable, the private hospital treating him in Chennai said.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin meets state minister V Senthil Balaji at Omandurar government hospital in Chennai, June 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

In some relief to the beleaguered Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, the Supreme Court refused to stay a Madras high court order allowing him to be shifted to the private hospital.

The Enforcement Directorate, which arrested Balaji in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the state transport department, had moved the apex court against the Madras HC order.

The HC had last week allowed the minister's plea to be shifted from a government super specialty hospital in Chennai to the private Kauvery Hospital, where he underwent the bypass surgery early on Wednesday.

The opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged protests across Tamil Nadu seeking his dismissal from the state cabinet led by Chief Minister MK Stalin.

The minister underwent Beating Heart Coronary Artery Bypass surgery on Wednesday morning, a medical bulletin issued by Kauvery Hospital said.

"Four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularization was established," the bulletin from Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, co-founder and executive director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said.

"He is currently hemodynamically stable and being monitored in the postoperative intensive care unit by the multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses," it said.

Balaji was initially admitted to the government hospital following his arrest, when he complained of chest pain and later shifted to the private facility following a court order.

Meanwhile, the apex court refused to stay the lower court order.

A Supreme Court vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice MM Sundresh noted that the petition was still pending in the high court and asked the ED to approach that court.

"The observations made by the high court was in an interim order and any oral observation made by this court shall have no bearing on the case," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on July 4.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for ED, said the high court order sets a wrong precedent.

Balaji, then electricity and prohibition and excise minister of Tamil Nadu, was arrested on June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam that took place when he handled the transport portfolio in an AIADMK government led by the late J Jayalalithaa.

He is now Minister without Portfolio, after those handled by him were re-allocated to his cabinet colleagues Thangam Thennarasu and S Muthusamy.

The high court passed an interim order after Balaji's wife filed a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal arrest.

Meanwhile, main opposition AIADMK held state-wide protest seeking Balaji's expulsion from the cabinet.

Senior leaders and former minsters including D Jayakumar, SP Velumani, Sellur Raju, C Ve Shanmugam and P Thangamani among others led the agitations held in cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Villupuram, Namakkal, Salem and Ramanathapuram.

State BJP president K Annamalai termed as "stonewalling measure," Balaji undergoing the surgery a week after complaining of chest pain.

Responding to a reporter's query in neighbouring Mahabalipuram in this regard, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said generally one doesn't criticise someone when the person is under medical treatment.

"So, I am not going to talk about that. Let the doctors do whatever surgery after taking decisions. Beyond that, this is more or less a stonewalling measure . The ED has also argued (about this) in the Supreme Court," he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would have "shot himself in the head" if his revolt against the Shiv Sena leadership had failed last year, cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar has claimed.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Photograph: @mieknathshinde/Twitter

Reacting to the sensational claim of Kesarkar, who was among the rebel MLAs led by Shinde, made on Tuesday, rival Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said the minister should be taken into custody for being aware of someone's suicide plans.

Kesarkar alleged Shinde, who was a minister in the Uddhav Thackeray cabinet, was insulted on the Shiv Sena foundation day (June 19) last year.

The school education minister, a key member of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said the chief minister is a true Shiv Sainik.

Shinde saheb is a genuine human being and a true Shiv Sainik. He (Shinde) had said 'if my revolt failed, I would have sent all the (rebel) MLAs back... I would have made a call (to Matoshree -- the private home of Thackeray family in suburban Bandra) and said I made a mistake, but the MLAs are not at fault and then I would have shot myself in the head', Kesarkar said.

The minister said a person who thinks on these lines is all together at a different level as he has the maturity to understand that not a single MLA's career should be politically ruined because of him, even at the cost of his own life.

Latching on the statements, Raut said police should take Kesarkar into custody.

Police should take Deepak Kesarkar into custody because someone is thinking about committing suicide and Kesarkar is aware of it. If tomorrow he (apparently referring to Shinde) commits suicide after the Assembly

Speaker gives a decision (on disqualification of MLAs), then Kesarkar should be taken into custody immediately, the Rajya Sabha MP added.

On June 20 last year, 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, including Shinde, revolted against the leadership, leading to a split in the party and collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Days later, Shinde took over as new chief minister with the BJP's support.
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday issued an appeal for peace in Manipur and said the unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people of the state has left a deep wound on the nation's conscience.

IMAGE: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi appeal for peace in Manipur in a video message. Photograph: @INCIndia/Twitter

In a video message shared by the Congress on social media, she expressed her condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones and said she was sad that people were forced to flee the only place they called home and leave behind all that they had built over their lifetime.

"For nearly 50 days, we have witnessed a great human tragedy unfolding in Manipur. The unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people in your state and uprooted thousands has left a deep wound in the conscience of our nation," she said in her message.

"It is heartbreaking to witness our brothers and sisters who have coexisted peacefully turn against each other," she also said.

Gandhi said the history of Manipur stands testament to its ability to embrace people of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds, and the myriad possibilities of a diverse society.

"It takes tremendous trust and goodwill to nurture the spirit of brotherhood, and a single misstep to fan the flames of hate and divisiveness," she noted.

"Today, we are at vital crossroads. Our choice to embark on the path of healing will shape the kind of future that our children will inherit. I appeal to the people of Manipur, especially my brave sisters, to lead the way in bringing peace and harmony to this beautiful land," Gandhi said.

The former Congress chief said that as a mother, she understands their pain and appealed to their good conscience to lead the way.

"It is my sincere hope that over the coming weeks and months, we will set out on the long journey of rebuilding trust and emerge stronger from this trial. I have immense hope and faith in the people of Manipur and I know that together we will overcome this ordeal," Sonia Gandhi said in her 2.5-minute video message.

The Congress has been accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of playing "divisive politics" in Manipur and alleged that the governments in the state and at the Centre have failed in their duty to maintain law and order in the northeastern state.

More than 100 people have lost their lives in the violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur that broke out over a month ago.

Clashes first broke out in Manipur 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.
Naval ships deployed in the Indian Ocean region are visiting ports of friendly foreign countries and spreading the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam on International Day of Yoga forming an 'Ocean Ring of Yoga', the Indian Navy said on Wednesday.

Yoga day events and activities are being conducted on Indian naval ships, including Kiltan, Chennai, Shivalik, Sunayna, Trishul, Tarkash, Vagir, Sumitra and Brahmaputra -- all of which are deployed in the Indian Ocean Region.

Port calls by Indian naval ships include those at Chattogram in Bangladesh, Safaga in Egypt, Jakarta in Indonesia, Mombasa in Kenya, Toamasina in Madagascar, Muscat in Oman, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Phuket in Thailand and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where yoga sessions are being organised in accordance with the common yoga protocol.

Nearly 3,500 naval personnel on board 19 Indian Navy ships have travelled more than 35,000 kilometres as ambassadors of yoga in both national and international waters, the Indian Navy has said.

This includes more than 2,400 personnel on 11 naval ships at foreign ports or international waters.

Yoga day celebrations are also being conducted on board ships of several foreign navies in concert with India's overseas missions, involving more than 1,200 foreign navy personnel.

All photographs: ANI Photo

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
With the Congress remembering India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution in popularising yoga, senior party leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said 'we should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government', for internationalising the International Day of Yoga through the United Nations.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while flagging off the Thiruvananthapuram Central-Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express train from Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also present. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a tweet, the Congress said, 'On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pt Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising yoga and even made it a part of national policy.'

'Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art and philosophy in our physical and mental wellbeing and take steps to incorporate it in our lives,' the party said.

The Congress also shared a photograph of Nehru performing yoga and doing a headstand.

Tagging the Congress' tweet, Tharoor said, 'Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government, @PMOIndia & @MEAIndia, for internationalising International Yoga Day through the @UN.'

'As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world and it's great to see it recognised,' he said.

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
As soon as you enter the White House you get a sense of the frenzied pace of preparation for Prime Minister Modi's visit, Rediff.com US Contributor Abhijit J Masih discovers on a visit to 1600, Pennsylvania Avenue on Tuesday morning.

IMAGE: The White House in preparation for Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's State visit. Photograph: All photographs: Abhijit J Masih

Surprisingly, no enthusiastic Indian Americans are spotted outside the White House waving flags or holding signs that are a common sight these last couple of days on the Indian news channels and on Twitter.

Outside the White House visitor's center, there is the usual congregation of regular tourists, a few Indians among them.

The long lines trudging its way through two security check points patiently wait outside the White House on a pleasant and cloudy Tuesday morning.

As soon as you enter the White House campus, you get a sense of the frenzied pace of preparation for Prime Minister Modi's visit.

Even before you enter the gates of the White House, you hear the gunners practicing the 21 gun salute, to be accorded to the Indian leader, for the official welcome ceremony at the White House on Thursday morning.

IMAGE: Lamp posts adorned with the Indian flag, ensconced between the US and DC flags.

IMAGE: You could hear the military band on the grounds obscured by the trees surrounding the field.

As you walk through the gates after the security and ID checks and walking past canine units of the Secret Service, you hear the military band on the grounds obscured by the trees surrounding the field.

IMAGE: A portrait of Nancy Reagan at the White House.

IMAGE: Photographs of Nancy Reagan when she welcomed Indira Gandhi on the then prime minister's visit to the White House in 1982.

As you enter the building, you are greeted by a portrait of Nancy Reagan, who in her time as First Lady, had welcomed Indira Gandhi when she visited the White House in 1982.

IMAGE: The Marine Band, also called the President's Own, dressed in red and white uniforms, provide the music at the full dress rehearsal.

The South Lawn has been cordoned off and teems with military personnel readying themselves for the State visit.

The Marine Band, also called the President's Own, dressed in red and white uniforms, will provide the music for the full dress rehearsal for the official arrival ceremony on Thursday morning.

The President, the First Lady, the Vice President, and the Second Gentleman will greet Prime Minister Modi on Thursday morning.

Before the official ceremony, the First Lady and Prime Minister Modi will visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday, June 21.

The First Lady will highlight career-connected learning and workforce training programmes and partnerships between high schools, community colleges and universities with employers.

During the visit, the First Lady and the prime minister will meet with students from the US and India and participate in a moderated conversation.

IMAGE: Security personnel rehearse for the occasion.

Back at the White House, you have had a front row preview of the grand reception that is planned for the prime minister's first State visit to the US and only the third extended by the Biden administration.

Like the South Lawn, the Diplomatic Reception Room, which is used to receive dignitaries and is usually open to visitors, is blocked off.

The State Dining Room, located on the State Floor (first) that can seat 130 guests at a time, is not blocked off yet.

Though much of the room is cordoned off by a rope, much like the other rooms, the preparation party had not moved in to the venue of the State dinner yet.

The First Lady will host a media preview on Wednesday in advance of Thursday evening's State Dinner that will include the presentation of the menu from White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison and guest Chef Nina Curtis.

IMAGE: The half rolled red carpet out on the floor of the adjoining hallway in the White House.

Much of the preparation on Tuesday morning seems to be centered outdoors and perhaps will move inside the White House later.

There is a red carpet half rolled out on the floor of the adjoining hallway.

The White House, though not yet ready yet, is gearing up to welcome Prime Minister Modi with all the bells and whistles.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Henri Poupart-Lafarge, the CEO of the France-based multinational rail transport giant Alstom, discussed in a meeting on Wednesday in Paris opportunities for the company to expand its operations in Egypt.

President El-Sisi stressed to Poupart-Lafarge stressed the countrys keenness on increasing the rates of localization of manufacturing and advanced technology in Egypt in cooperation with major international companies, according to a statement released by Presidential Spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy.

Egypt is also keen on establishing new training centres to develop local expertise in the rail transport field which would benefit from Alstom experience in this sector, El-Sisi told Poupart-Lafarge, according Fahmy.

Alstom has been operating in Egypt for more than 30 years, providing valuable services in rail transport sector.

For his side, Poupart-Lafarge assured the Egyptian president that his company is interested in expanding its business operations in Egypt, saying the Egyptian public transport sector offers "promising investment opportunities.

President El-Sisi had arrived in Paris on Wednesday to attend the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, scheduled for 22-23 June.

After Alexandria





President Sisi during his meeting CMA, CGM representatives in Paris.

In a separate meeting, President El-Sisi discussed with Rodolphe Saade, the CEO of French global shipping giant CMA CGM, similar opportunities for the company to expand its operations in the country, read a separate statement released by Fahmy.

Last week, President El-Sisi met with Saade on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Tahya Misr Maritime Terminal in Alexandria, which will be managed and operated by the French giant.

The Tahya Misr maritime terminal will serve as a logistical station for the Port of Alexandria port, handling 12-15 million tons of goods annually.

During the meeting, Saade praised the business climate in Egypt during the meeting with the president, describing it as positive and rapidly developing, according to Fahmy.

Saade conveyed to the president his companys aspiration to expand cooperation with the Egyptian side in managing additional ports as well as operating other logistic areas and terminals in light of the massive development projects being implemented in Egypt, according to Fahmy.

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Heather Buck is one of about 760 "households" who lost eligibility for the states COVID-era general assistance motel program in the first round of evictions starting June 1.
The Ministry of Environment has contracted an international marine life expert to conduct an in-depth study of movement and behavioural patterns of sharks on the coasts of the Red Sea in order to reduce fatal encounters between swimmers and the fish as well as preserve environmental balance in the habitat.

The first-of-its-kind study would focus on three types of sharks which were involved in fatal or near fatal incidents with humans in the Red Sea in recent years, according to a statement released by the ministry on Wednesday.

The environment ministry announcement of studying shark behaviour along the 1,500-kilometres-long coast comes two weeks after a Russian national was killed in a Tiger shark attack - a rare one - in the waters near the popular tourist city of Hurghada.

The study will be conducted in three stages over a period of 18 months using latest scientific tools.

The first stage comprises collecting and analyzing data on previous incidents of shark attack.

In the second stage, workers in nature preserves will be trained on installing sensors to monitor and collect data on shark movement.

Finally, the third stage will focus on analyzing all data collected to better understand shark movement and behavioural patterns.

Sensing dangers



The environment ministry said in its statement that installing these sensors would help authorities understand various types and sizes of sharks in the Red Sea in order to implement safeguards for their health and safety as a species.

Sensors would help the authorities take pre-emptive measures against overfishing in order to preserve environmental balance as well as reduce incidents of shark attacks on humans, added the statement.

Rare, but deadly



A report issued in 2022 on shark attacks, which was jointly issued by specialists on Red Sea protectorates and Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association, cautioned the public and authorities that shark attacks usually take place during their mating and egg-laying season, which runs from mid-April to the end of July.

The deadly encounter between the shark and the Russian national earlier this month was the latest in a string of rare fatal encounters between the fish and humans in recent years.

In July 2022, two women lost their lives in a shark attack off the coast of Hurghada.

A Ukrainian boy lost an arm and an Egyptian tour guide lost a leg to shark attacks in 2020.

In 2018, a shark killed a Czech tourist off another Red Sea beach.

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Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Wednesday expressed confidence his government will secure a debt restructuring plan at talks with official creditors in Paris this week.

The African nation in 2020 became the first on the continent to default on its foreign debt, officially standing at $18.6 billion, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zambia has since sought help to restructure its debt through a G20 mechanism, which is co-chaired by Paris and Beijing, but implementation has been slow.

Hichilema, who was on his way to France for an international finance summit, told a news conference during a visit to the Rwandan capital Kigali that an agreement was expected.

"The framework that we should agree on in the next few days, and the presence of others (leaders) show our urgency to conclude," he said.

He hoped his presence in France, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and the Chinese Premier Li Qiang, would help speed up the process.

"The three of us should stand side by side," he said.

"It is our desire to conclude the Zambia debt restructuring, ...to see closure," said Hichilema. It's been hanging on for too long".

He described the debt as a "python crippling us in the neck, the ribs and the legs."

The United States has accused Zambia's biggest creditor China, of dragging its feet.

A senior US Treasury official welcomed "progress made on Zambia and hope an agreement on official bilateral creditors is imminent".

Of Zambia's total debt, China is owed a third.

In April, International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva said that she had been given fresh assurances during a trip to Beijing that China supported a debt restructuring programme for Zambia.

Negotiations on restructuring Zambia's debt -- a key step towards unblocking the IMF's aid plan for the country -- have been under way for two years.

The Paris Club, an informal group of official creditors whose role is to find solutions for countries having trouble repaying their debt, began meeting Wednesday, ahead of the summit in Paris which aims to find ways to reform global financing for a new era shaped by climate change.

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday announced $1.3 billion in fresh US economic assistance for Ukraine, and vowed that Russia would eventually pay financially for its invasion.

"As Russia continues to destroy, we are here to help Ukraine rebuild -- rebuild lives, rebuild its country, rebuild its future," Blinken told a reconstruction conference in London.

"Let's be clear -- Russia is causing Ukraine's destruction, and Russia will eventually bear the cost of Ukraine's reconstruction," he said to applause, echoing remarks by leaders from Britain and the European Union.

The new funding -- which comes from money already approved by the US Congress -- is in addition to $63 billion provided by the United States to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Some $40 billion of the assistance has come in weapons and other security support.

Of the new aid, some $657 million will go to upgrading Ukraine's rail lines, ports, border crossings and other infrastructure to help the country expand trade with Europe, Blinken said.

Another $520 million of the aid will help Ukraine overhaul its energy grid, much of which has been destroyed by Russian attacks, including through market reforms, Blinken said.

Among the rest of the aid, $100 million will support upgrades to Ukraine's customs services, including by transitioning to digital technology to improve transparency in trade.

Blinken made clear that Washington would keep an eye on corruption -- which could sap congressional support for helping Ukraine -- and called on Ukraine's parliament to approve a law against monopolies.

Blinken said the United States would expand assistance to bolster anti-corruption bodies and civil society as well as free media.

Such institutions are "crucial to ensuring the unprecedented resources that all of us are providing are managed responsibly".

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Indian budget carrier Akasa Air has placed an order for four Boeing 737 Max jets, both companies said on Wednesday, the latest in a spate of orders by the country's airlines.

Reuters reported the order, citing a source with direct knowledge, earlier on Wednesday.

Akasa, the newest entrant in the world's fastest-growing aviation market, said in a statement that it was on course to announce another significant three-digit aircraft order by the end of 2023.

Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube told Reuters earlier this year that it would place a "substantially" large order for new narrowbody jets this year.

Earlier on Wednesday, Luxembourgs flag carrier Luxair said it had placed orders for four 737 MAX jets from Boeing, the first purchase of the MAX 7 model by a European airline.

The Paris airshow has been dominated by India, as two of its biggest airlines finalised huge orders on the first two days of the event.

On Tuesday, Air India finalised a huge order for 470 planes from Airbus and Boeing.

The agreement, when sketched out in February, was the largest ever plane deal by number of aircraft. But it was surpassed on day one of the Paris show by Indian rival IndiGo's order for 500 Airbus narrowbody jets.
A powerful senatorial committee on Wednesday is set to consider a bipartisan resolution to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, pushing back against China's military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the resolution for discussion on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the city on a three-day official US state visit.

The resolution condemns additional Chinese provocations, including Beijing's use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

It slams China for the construction of villages in contested areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and expansion of Beijings territorial claims in Bhutan.

Bipartisan Resolution to make Arunachal Pradesh as integral part of India

The bipartisan resolution was introduced in February this year by Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, and Bill Hagerty, a Republican. Senator John Cornyn, Co-Chair of the India Caucus, has co-sponsored the resolution.

Observing that India has taken steps to defend itself from aggression and security threats from China, including by securing its telecommunications infrastructure and conducting investment screening, the resolution unequivocally recognises the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the Republic of India and supports the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It condemns Chinas use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, as well as additional provocations including the construction of villages in contested areas, expansion of territorial claims in Bhutan, and publication of maps assigning Mandarin-language names to cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan. Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, a claim firmly rejected by the External Affairs Ministry which has asserted that the state is an inseparable part of India.

Beijing routinely protests visits of top Indian leaders and officials to Arunachal Pradesh to reaffirm its claim.

The resolution commends India for taking steps to defend itself against aggression and security threats from China, including securing its telecommunications infrastructure, examining its procurement processes and supply chains, implementing investment screening standards, and expanding its cooperation with Taiwan in public health and other sectors.

It supports Indias continued defence modernisation, including its diversification away from countries that fail to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations.

It applauds India for increasing its development efforts in Arunachal Pradesh, including improving border infrastructure, connectivity, and energy security, including renewable energy production.

The bipartisan resolution commits to deepening US assistance to the region through the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development using funding mechanisms such as the Countering Chinese Influence Fund.

It also encourages like-minded international partners and donors to bolster their assistance efforts to Arunachal Pradesh.

The resolution supports further strengthening the US-India bilateral partnership, including through enhanced defence interoperability and information-sharing especially for early warning systems, the United States-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, further economic cooperation, and our broad and long-standing people-to-people ties.
West Bengal Foundation Day was celebrated in several states on Tuesday despite strong opposition by the home states Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, who termed it a political move by the saffron camp. While West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose organised the state's 'Foundation Day' programme at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, his Bihar counterpart Rajendra Arlekar took part in a function in Patna where he said people of various states were like brothers and sisters as they had "the same mother - Bharat Mata".

Arlekar paid rich tributes to the contributions of Bengal in the country's freedom struggle and social and cultural reforms, and recalled the famous saying "what Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow".

He added, "in spite of the diversity, the whole of India was one and the spirit of unity must always be kept alive".

Senior officials and eminent Bengali citizens living in Bihar were present on the occasion, which was marked by a function showcasing the rich culture of the eastern state.

In Ranchi, Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan termed West Bengal as the cradle of art and tradition.

He said while the contribution of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the freedom struggle has been unique, the land has produced many great thinkers, writers, poets and revolutionaries.

He said, "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" is a visionary initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the West Bengal Foundation Day was organised under this initiative at the Raj Bhavan.

He said West Bengal has produced many writers of international repute including Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Mahasweta Devi, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Ashapurna Devi, among others.

He said people of West Bengal celebrate their festivals with great devotion, passion and grandeur and the Bengali community is not only rooted in their traditions, but they are also known for their modern and progressive outlook.

Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan emphasized the historical significance of Bengal and its journey as a torchbearer of renaissance, socio-cultural awakening, and nationalistic development, despite enduring oppressive conditions during British rule.

Addressing a gathering at the Raj Bhavan in Shillong, the Governor highlighted how West Bengal, despite enduring the painful consequences of religious divisions, emerged as an integral part of India.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik urged the state's people to celebrate the vibrant, bold and multicultural spirit of West Bengal, which has been the harbinger of modernisation in fine arts, textiles and traditional cuisines.

Participating at the West Bengal Foundation Day function at the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar, the Governor greeted the people of the eastern state and conveyed the best wishes of the people of his state.

Parnaik recalled the contribution of socio-cultural reformists such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Swami Vivekananda, cultural exponents - Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nurul Islam and Satyajit Ray and freedom fighters - Subhas Chandra Bose and Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

The Governor said there is much for the people to learn and imbibe from West Bengal, the cultural capital of India.

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said the Bengal region stood against its purported assimilation into East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), during India's Independence.

"Amidst the tumultuous era of India's independence, when our great nation faced the agonizing division, the steadfast region of Bengal stood against its purported assimilation into East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh, he said in Guwahati.

He said Bengalis have long been revered as stalwarts of literature, art, music and theatre, with a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries.
China and Cuba have entered discussions regarding the establishment of a joint military training facility located a mere 100 miles from the American mainland, raising alarm bells in Washington DC. While the extent and progress of the talks remain unclear, the revelations, reported first by Wall Street Journal, have prompted senior US officials to engage in discussions with their Chinese and Cuban counterparts, as they closely monitor the situation.

According to a senior US official, the ongoing discussions between Beijing and Havana primarily focus on delineating the nature of the training that would be conducted at the proposed facility and determining its leadership structure. The Biden administration has reportedly conveyed its concerns about these talks, given the potential security implications.

Senior official says US will attempt to disrupt China's activities in the region

When Politico approached a US administration official for a comment, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the classified nature of the issue, the official refrained from confirming the specifics or offering a detailed response. However, the official did express continued apprehension about China's activities in Cuba and its relentless pursuit to expand its presence on the island. The United States remains committed to actively disrupting any activities that could compromise its interests, claimed the official.

Revelation comes on the heels of Blinken's visit to Beijing

This latest development comes in the wake of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent trip to China, during which he held discussions with Xi Jinping. While both parties characterised the talks as fruitful, they failed to reach concrete agreements. Notably, China refused the U.S.'s request to restore military-to-military communications.

During a joint press conference with Britain's foreign secretary in London, Blinken addressed the reported talks concerning the Cuba training base, underscoring the United States' deep-seated apprehensions. He emphasised the necessity of maintaining open lines of communication between the military forces of both countries, particularly in light of recent incidents in the air and at sea that underscored the imperative of robust engagement.

Here is what else you need to know

Just 10 days ago, the Biden administration acknowledged the existence of a Chinese spy base in Cuba dating back to at least 2019. This admission followed initial dismissals and assertions of inaccuracy by administration officials. Former Defence Secretary Mark Esper, in a recent interview on CNN, acknowledged the potential for such actions by China, suggesting that he "would not be surprised" by their activities. Notably, the previous administration claimed it was unaware of intelligence regarding the spy base during its tenure.

The recent revelation has highlighted the fact that China not only has a spy base in Cuba, but is planning to set up a military training facility. During the Cold War, US and USSR came on the brink of a kinetic conflict due to Moscow's decision to set up missile launch sites in Cuba, in response to US' missile deployments in Turkey.

Analysts are concerned that the Biden administration isn't doing enough

Some analysts were presenting Blinken's visit to Beijing as the begining of a thaw. It appears that a thaw isn't in sight. Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official, who the Indian PM met today in New York, commenting on this recent development wrote "Is this part of the thaw?"

It was an exceptional personal honor to be able to speak with Prime Minister @narendramodi here in New York. https://t.co/RV4SmCgVlJ  Elbridge Colby (@ElbridgeColby) June 21, 2023

Colby also criticised Biden's views on China directly. On June 20th, the American President, whilst speaking at a campaign reception in Kentfield, California said "dont worry about China. I mean, worry about China, but dont worry about China. (Laughter.) No, but I really mean it. China...has real economic difficulties." Colby responsed by writing "deeply worrying from @POTUS about China. We need to take China seriously, not be blase."

As the discussions between China and Cuba regarding a joint military training facility progress, concerns are mounting about potential implications for regional security and the expanding Chinese presence in proximity to the United States.
But critics see it as a waste of money and suspect he will use the project to pump up image ahead of July vote.

Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen, wearing a military uniform with five stars on his shoulder, speaks at a ceremony marking the overthrow of Pol Pots regime on June 20, 2023.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said he will establish a park in every province to honor a policy that he says brought the remaining Khmer Rouge holdouts under government control in the 1990s, ending Cambodias decades-long civil war.

Dressed in military uniform, with five stars on his shoulder, Hun Sen told those gathered at the Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday that he was pleased with Defense Minister Tea Banhs idea to build Techo Peace Parks in each of the countrys 24 provinces.

Techo, which means powerful or strong, and references an ancient Khmer warrior, is one of Hun Sens leadership honorifics.

Each province should build it because it is a place of recreation for the people and it is not too expensive, he said.

But critics said his idea is a waste of national money. The parks would be used for Hun Sens personal political gain just before the national election on July 23, said Chea You Horn, the president of the Khmer Association of Victoria in Australia.

Now Hun Sen uses the word peace to arrest and put people in prison, he said.

Cambodias Defense Minister Tea Banh sits during the ASEAN Japan Defense Ministers Informal Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 22, 2022. Credit: Heng Sinith/Associated Press





Bloody history

Hun Sen said he first introduced the win-win policy to co-opt the Khmer Rouge in 1987. The initiative allowed defecting Khmer Rouge cadres to keep their land and to join the governments armed forces in return.

Other factors contributed to the end of Khmer Rouge, including the 1991 Paris Peace Accord which led to the 1993 U.N.-sponsored election.

The ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, killing some 1.7 million Cambodians through starvation, overwork or execution in a bid to create an agrarian utopia. They were finally removed from power by Vietnam, which invaded Cambodia in 1979.

Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge fighter who fled to Vietnam in 1977, took part in the invasion and first took office as prime minister in 1985.

The Khmer Rouge continued fighting from camps along the Thai border during the 1980s. They again took up arms in 1992, the year after the peace accord was signed. But by 1999, all members and leaders had surrendered or been captured.

The national budget

Tea Banh, the defense minister, said the parks will help Cambodian people remember and appreciate Hun Sens work to end the fighting.

Chea You Horn noted, however, that many other political parties participated in the 1993 elections and also helped bring peace to the country.

If the government wants to use the national budget to build such a large project, it should be widely debated in the National Assembly, Candlelight Party Vice President Rong Chhun said.

Recent large government spending plans havent gone through debate because the Assembly is controlled by one-party, he said.

If we look at the law, we have to go through a debate to find a consensus, he said.

He added the country already has an Independence Monument in Phnom Penh  built in 1958 to commemorate independence from the French  and doesnt need another monument.

The Victory Monument, built in 2018 to mark the end of the civil war, cost $12 million on an 8-hectare site in Chroy Changvar district near Phnom Penh. Hun Sens government has also built monuments in the provinces to commemorate the Vietnamese soldiers who helped defeat the Khmer Rouge.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Just days after the Secretary of State's first visit to Beijing relations take another turn for the worse.

U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and China's President Xi Jinping (L) meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 14, 2022.

China has called U.S. President Joe Bidens use of the word dictator to describe Chinese leader Xi Jinping extremely absurd and irresponsible.

The latest war of words comes just two days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a diplomatic mission that sought to ease tensions between the two superpowers.

Diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. are broadly agreed to have reached their lowest point since they formally recognized each other nearly five decades ago.

Totally against facts

On Wednesday Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing that Bidens remarks at a fundraiser in California go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on Chinas political dignity.

It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition, Mao said.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there, Biden told a fundraiser Tuesday in support of his bid for a second presidential term at the 2024 elections.

A fighter jet flies near the remnants of a suspected Chinese spy balloon after it was struck by a missile over the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina near Myrtle Beach, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Credit: Chad Fish via AP

Biden uttered similar words ahead of Blinkens visit to Beijing in what was interpreted at the time as a peace offering to pave the ground for a meeting between Xi and Blinken, which took place on Monday.

On this occasion in Kentfield, California, Biden apparently decided to elaborate.

That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened. That wasnt supposed to be going where it was, he added.

Biden also said that China has real economic difficulties, a comment that is also sure to aggravate Chinas leadership, which is in general very bad-news averse.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao once again defended the Chinese position that the balloon, which was shot down over U.S. coastal waters in February this year, was for meteorological research and had been blown off-course.

The U.S. should have handled it in a calm and professional manner, she said. However, the U.S. distorted facts and used forces to hype up the incident, fully revealing its nature of bullying and hegemony.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, exits a vehicle to attend a meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, not in photo, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, Monday, June 19, 2023. Credit: Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP

Blinkens trip to Beijing yielded no major breakthroughs, but Xi appeared to agree that it was the right time to stabilize rivalry between China and the U.S. that has threatened to veer into outright conflict on at least two occasions this year.

They also agreed to further diplomatic engagement and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang verbally agreed to visit the U.S. some time later this year at Blinkens invitation.

Biden, prior to calling Xi a dictator, said he thought relations between the two countries were on the right path, suggesting that Blinkens trip had resulted in progress.

We're in a situation now where he wants to have a relationship again, Biden said of Xi separately on Tuesday. Antony Blinken just went over there ... did a good job and it's going to take time.

Edited by Mike Firn.
Shows and episodes with political and satirical content are being taken down from an online podcast platform.

Logos of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) are seen outside its building in Hong Kong in 2020.

Hong Kong's government broadcaster has removed thousands of episodes of old shows from its podcast platform in recent months, amid an ongoing purge of dissent in the city under a draconian national security law.

Episodes of several shows that were canceled but their archive retained on Radio Television Hong Kong's Podcast One website have now disappeared entirely, a survey of the site on Wednesday revealed.

The move has been likened to  and is possibly coordinated with  the removal of "politically sensitive" books and other content from Hong Kong's public libraries for fear of running afoul of the law, which bans public criticism of the authorities, according to an industry insider.

The deleted content includes the whole of the 30-year-old satirical news show "Headliner," axed in May 2020 after being criticized by top police officers for poking fun at their denials of violence against pro-democracy protesters during the 2019 protest movement.

Actors perform in the television show "Headliner" at a studio in Hong Kong, June 17, 2020. Radio Television Hong Kong's Podcast One has removed 30 years of episodes of the show, which was axed in 2020. Credit: Kin Cheung/Associated Press

A keyword search for the show, which prompted the government's Communications Authority to warn RTHK for "denigrating and insulting" the police, on the Podcast One website turned up the response "No results."

Similar results appeared after a search for "City Forum," a former live show that featured voices from across the political spectrum debating current affairs and ran for more than four decades until 2021.

Selected episodes of other shows dealing with topics viewed as "sensitive" by the ruling Chinese Communist Party -- including the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, police violence, the political cartoonist Zunzi and the national security law itself -- had also been removed from the platform.

'Political pressure'

Last month, the Chinese-language Ming Pao newspaper axed Zunzi's satirical cartoon after what he described as "political pressure'."

According to an in-depth investigation of the Podcast One site by independent Cantonese news site The Collective, several other shows have been removed from the site entirely in recent months, including "Left, Right, Red, Blue, Green," "Police Report" and "This Week."

Talk-show host Tsang Chi Ho, who anchored the last-ever episode of "Headline News," said all trace of the show now appears to have been removed from the public domain, and said it was similar to the recent purge of pro-democracy content from Hong Kong's public libraries.

"Now, future generations will think that there wasn't any satire in the media, if they don't know everything that happened in the past 10 or 20 years," Tsang said. "It's a similar effect to removing books from public libraries in Hong Kong."

"Even if the general public can hold onto their copies of these banned books, and are able to read them, they are denied as a part of official history," he said. "I think this will lead to historical errors."

Cartoonist Huang Jijun, who uses the pen name Zunzi, poses for photos after his comic strip has been scrapped from the local newspaper Ming Pao in Hong Kong, May 15, 2023. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

A former high-ranking executive at Radio Television Hong Kong who gave only the pseudonym Mary said the removal of RTHK's podcast episodes is part of the responsibility of the station's "new media" department, and has been timed to coincide with the culling of politically sensitive books from public libraries.

"Only people on the inside know who is giving these orders, and which content is being selected [for deletion]," she said. "But these orders don't need to come down [the chain] -- everyone in middle-management knows what the criteria are, and they are interpreting them in the safest way possible."

"It seems that everyone knows they can't [interview] anyone from the 'yellow camp' -- pro-democracy supporters -- or anyone whose speech is fairly outspoken, free and straightforward," she said.

Government control

The government took steps in March 2021 to strengthen editorial control over its official broadcaster, bringing in career bureaucrat Patrick Li and reforming its editorial structure to "ensure it complies" with government directives.

The move, which came after repeated criticism of RTHK from senior figures including police commissioner Chris Tang, was lambasted by journalists as a further attack on press freedom in the city. The government then ordered the station to rebroadcast more "patriotic" content produced by the ruling Chinese Communist Party-backed China Media Group, to build "a sense of Chinese identity" among listeners.

Mary described Patrick Li's appointment as a turning point for the broadcaster.

"It's pretty clear what's allowed now ... He's been in office for [two years] and everyone knows where the lines are drawn," she said. "It's not just a question of who the director is -- it's the overall atmosphere and various external events like what happened to Zunzi, which means everyone would understand that he is a target for deletion."

She described the deletion of content as an "erasure" that would leave the public with a blank slate when it came to understanding their citys recent history.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Paul Eckert.
The women of the 1989 democracy movement on Tiananmen Square blazed a trail for the activists who came after.

Queshi [holding bullhorn], a student from China and member of the U.K.-based protest group China Deviants, demonstrates in early June in Londons Trafalgar Square to mark the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

It's June, and a young woman is standing on a public square in a major world capital shouting: "Free China! This is still our responsibility! June 4th isn't our history  it's our current political reality!"

Her nickname is Queshi, a student from China who has come to London's Trafalgar Square to mark the 34th anniversary of the bloody crackdown on weeks of student-led protests in Tiananmen Square and across China by handing out leaflets and educating passers-by about a seismic event in her country's recent history.

Now a member of the U.K.-based protest group China Deviants, the kinship and sense of shared purpose that Queshi believes she shares with the cohort of 1989 protesters, now in their 50s, is palpable.

But where does it come from?

It comes, at least in part, from the fact that many of those who stood up on Tiananmen Square, the seat of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, to demand democracy and the rule of law were young women like her.

What do I hope to achieve by coming out onto the street? I want to shout at the top of my voice, Queshi told Radio Free Asia.

In addition to events commemorating Tiananmen Square, Queshi holds activities related to women's issues. (Provided by China Deviants)

It has always been so much easier for men to grab the podium  why? Because women are told to behave well, and to keep quiet, so we always get men's voices taking power, not women's.

As soon as I realized this, Queshi said, I stopped being a good little girl, and started speaking out very loudly.

Historical erasure

Growing up in China, Queshi had scant idea of what happened on the night that fell between June 3 and 4, 1989, when the People's Liberation Army fired machine guns at unarmed civilians and drove tanks over protesters on the orders of supreme leader Deng Xiaoping to put an end to weeks of "counterrevolutionary turmoil" in Beijing.

She didn't get the whole story until she arrived in the United Kingdom.

I realized then that women's rights can't be separated from mainstream politics, Queshi said. We need a certain amount of political influence and political power to achieve those rights.

"The Communist Party isn't just a totalitarian regime; it's a highly patriarchal system ... in which women and ethnic minorities are just there for decoration," she said.

When Queshi looks at historical footage and photos of the 1989 student movement, she sees that women were still very much confined to support roles, with their contributions overlooked ever since.

"When I started to learn feminist theory, like power structures, inequality and the invisible exploitation of women, I learned that women are always erased in historical accounts," she says.

"This is actually relevant to the 1989 movement, where women worked incredibly hard, but the photos taken and the documents handed down are mostly about the men," she says.

You're the first to ask

Former 1989 student leader Wang Chaohua agrees with Queshi.

Her observations are pretty sharp, Wang, who led the Peking University graduate student federation, or Gaozi.

Former 1989 student leader Wang Chaohua was one of only two women to appear on the Beijing police department's wanted list after the 1989 crackdown. (Provided by Wang Chaohua)

Wang and fellow activist Chai Ling were the only two women to appear on the Beijing police department's wanted list after the crackdown. She remembers being taken to the men's dorm at Peking University by Chai, who introduced her to prominent leader Feng Congde.

The problem was that all the student leaders' meetings were held in male college dorms, in crowded rooms packed full of young men, with the women relegated to helping from the sidelines.

"When we would go to visit other universities to see how the movement was progressing, I learned that it was the male dorm we needed to visit in each school," Wang says. "The women activists were treated like the male activists' secretaries."

At 37, Wang was much older than most of her fellow activists in 1989, and her age gave her more of a platform among the undergraduates.

My role was that I was older than everyone else, whereas Chai Ling was in a weaker position, yet she was full of passion, and had this image of someone pure and idealistic," Wang said.

That image was strongly appealing [to the media] all the way through the hunger strike, she said.

But Wang doesn't often get asked about the role of gender in 1989.

In more than 30 years, you're the first to ask, she said. The issue of gender roles has been erased from history, or at least marginalized.

Womens rights not mentioned

Lu Jinghua was part of an emerging breed of Beijing businesswomen in 1989. When the protests started, she shut up her clothing store and pitched in collecting donations and gathering supplies for the students.

I saw a group of students carrying donation boxes  [saying that] some students were on hunger strike Lu recalled, adding that many had arrived from places far from Beijing. "A lot of the protesters had come from elsewhere in China and had nothing to eat or drink."

"We thought we local people could help them out, these young people who came from out of town," she said. "Everyone got together to give them supplies, like cans of pop and home-made steamed buns."

A Beijing businesswoman in 1989, Lu Jinghua closed her clothing store when the protests started and pitched in collecting donations and supplies for the students. (Provided by Lu Jinghua)

Lu moved in very different circles to Wang and Chai, and joined the Beijing Workers' Autonomous Federation that organized workers to take part in the protests. She worked as an announcer, broadcasting updates on the movement over a tannoy in Tiananmen Square.

We had all been traditionally educated, so we weren't likely to have any of the more radical ideas, Lu said, adding that she had little awareness of feminism at the time. Maybe I had some, but its voice was very weak, and nobody made a point of bringing up the topic.

That chimes in with Wang's memory of the movement. She noted that women's rights weren't mentioned when students gathered to discuss which topics they wanted to raise with Chinese leaders.

In fact, she remembers women having more power and agency during the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976. Their rights once more took a back seat when Deng Xiaoping began his economic reforms in 1979, she said, but have since gotten worse.

"Over the past 20-30 years of economic reform, the bureaucrats have become rich and powerful. We often heard during the anti-corruption campaign about them having so many young women, Wang said, adding that women had been increasingly relegated to the position of providing sexual services in the middle of political power struggles.

"It has become normalized  a matter of course, she said.

A mockery

Lu agreed, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan never uttered a word in public when a woman was found chained by the neck in an outhouse in the eastern province of Jiangxi in 2022.

What contribution has Peng Liyuan made to [empower] Chinese women? Lu said. Has she visited them at a grassroots level? Does she understand their pain?

The Jiangxi chained woman scandal broke in March 2022 and Peng Liyuan represented Chinese women as special envoy for women and children at UNESCO, she said. That made a mockery of the role.

For Queshi, women are much more front-and-center in Chinese activism today, taking a prominent role in the wave of white paper protests that swept the country in November.

Yet they have also paid a heavy price, with four young women  Cao Zhixin, Zhai Dengrui, Li Yuanjing and Li Siqi  detained in Beijing for taking part in the protest now being seen as symbols of the movement, including for the considerable personal cost they sustained.

Queshi said she won't stop at commemorating the 1989 massacre, but will always include women's rights as part of her political activism.

Maybe letting everyone know about feminism will awaken some civic awareness in some people, and gradually lead them to criticize the entire political system, Queshi mused. Feminism could actually have a much bigger impact [than other approaches] in mainland China.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
US bomber jets have landed in Sweden for the first time in modern history for training exercises with the NATO invitee, the military said Wednesday.

Sweden, which abandoned two centuries of military non-alignment to seek NATO membership last year, announced earlier this month that it was ready to host NATO troops and materiel on its soil even before it becomes a member of the alliance.

Two American B-1B Lancers landed at Lulea-Kallax airport in northern Sweden on Monday June 19, the military said.

"We are carrying out a joint exercise, both the air force and the army, with the Bomber Task Force," air force spokeswoman Louise Levin told AFP.

She did not say how long the exercises would last.

The military said in a statement that "for the first time in modern times US bomber planes have landed in Sweden."

"In these uncertain times and while waiting for NATO membership it is important to have strong partners."

Sweden has been a NATO "invitee" since June 2022, but its membership bid, which must be ratified by all 31 member states, has been blocked by Turkey and Hungary.

Only full members are covered by NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

Announcing the decision to host NATO troops and materiel before joining, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said their presence would serve as a deterrent against any possible Russian actions from across the Baltic Sea.

"The decision sends a clear signal to Russia and strengthens Sweden's defence."

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People take part in an event marking the 34th anniversary of China's 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, in Taipei, Taiwan, June 4, 2023. Taiwan authorities are warning their citizens traveling to Hong Kong to avoid carrying electronic tealights and wearing T-shirts referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

Taiwanese authorities have warned their nationals planning to travel to Hong Kong to avoid carrying electronic tealights, wearing T-shirts referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre or possessing news materials relating to the city's 2019 mass protest movement.

To avoid running afoul of a national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party to clamp down on several waves of popular protest in recent years, Taiwanese traveling to Hong Kong are also warned to avoid "seditious" publications referencing the protests, banned slogans and even songs linked to the movement.

The national security law  imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020  ushered in a citywide crackdown on public dissent and criticism of the authorities that has seen senior journalists, pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai and 47 former lawmakers and democracy activists charged with offenses from "collusion with a foreign power" to "subversion."

It applies to speech and acts committed anywhere in the world, and has been used to issue the leaders of a London-based rights group with a takedown order for its website.

Shouting or displaying protest slogans in a public place, including the banned "Free Hong Kong! Revolution Now!" playing the British national anthem in public or appearing to mourn any protesters who died were also on the list of actions to avoid published by Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council.

Social post leads to charges

As if to illustrate the point, police in Hong Kong last week charged a young woman with "carrying out one or more acts with seditious intent" after she posted one of the banned protest slogans to a Hong Kong forum while she was studying in Japan.

Yuen King-ting, 23, was charged on June 15 following her arrest in March with "arousing hatred or contempt" for the authorities, unlawful attempts to change "legally enacted matters" and inciting others to break the law.

The case against her is based on her posting of "inflammatory remarks" to social media platforms, including the slogan "Free Hong Kong! Revolution now!" while she was studying in Japan, including posts she made before the national security law took effect.

Yuen was granted bail on condition that she delete all of her social media and hand over the data to police.

A protester holds a slogan reading "Liberate Hong Kong" during a march in Taipei, Taiwan, Oct. 25, 2020. Shouting or displaying Hong Kong protest slogans is also to be avoided, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council says. Credit: Chiang Ying-ying/Associated Press





A Taiwanese resident who gave only the surname Wang said he had no plans to travel to Hong Kong any time soon.

"They can just do whatever they want, because it's not free or democratic enough [to stop them]," he said.

People asking questions

Mainland Affairs Council spokesman Chan Chi-hung said his department, which is in charge of relations with China, has received a large number of queries from members of the public worried about traveling to Hong Kong and inadvertently getting arrested.

"Some people call us up and ask if they could get into trouble for singing a song, or having a particular song [on their devices]," Chan said. "They even ask if it's risky to wear black."

"There are some ways in which this makes life harder, but we don't want to demonize them, and make it even harder for there to be peaceful exchanges between the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan," he said.

However, Chan's department's new guidelines detail a litany of potential traps for the unwary, particularly now that the Hong Kong government has applied for a High Court injunction banning recordings of the now-banned protest anthem "Glory to Hong Kong."

Local downloads of the song from iTunes and Spotify spiked after the news, which came amid an ongoing crackdown on public expression that has seen hundreds of titles removed from public libraries and bookshops, as well as bans on the screening of some movies in the city.

The Council has a section of its website dedicated to the impact of the national security law in Hong Kong, and Chan said Taiwanese can leave their personal details with the Taiwan government before they travel in case they later need assistance.

International Schools

The growing worries about running afoul of the law come as Hong Kong schools -- including English-medium and international schools -- are being told to take steps to ensure they are monitoring the actions of students and staff for potential breaches, in a further indication of the Communist Partys encroachment on civil liberties in Hong Kong.

"International schools as well as other private primary schools, secondary schools and kindergartens solely offering non-local curricula also have the responsibility to help their students (regardless of their ethnicity and nationality) acquire a correct and objective understanding and apprehension of the concept of national security and the National Security Law, as well as the duty to cultivate a law-abiding spirit among their students," the Education Bureau said in fresh guidelines published this month.

Publicly funded schools are also required to set up a working group and find a national security "coordinator" to ensure the law isn't being broken by students or staff, it said.

That includes monitoring all books and teaching materials, the political credentials of anyone hiring school facilities for events, and attempts to spread "political propaganda" in schools, the guidelines said.

Police should be contacted "if suspected illegal acts are involved," it said.

Last month, Hong Kong police called for surveillance cameras to be installed in school and university classrooms and public spaces, prompting fears among teachers and students that the "security" measures would be used to listen in on everything said by students and staff alike.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Jailed Burmese leader often appeared in public with flowers in her hair

Across Myanmar, more than 130 people were arrested  and others were beaten  on Monday for wearing flowers, residents told Radio Free Asia.

The display of solidarity with jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi  who often wore flowers in her hair  on her 78th birthday was organized by activists as a protest against the junta, which overthrew Suu Kyi and her democratically elected government in February 2021.

And the military clearly saw the flower demonstration campaign as a sign of rebellion, arresting dozens who participated.

The subdued protest is the latest creative show of defiance engineered by opponents of the regime. Over the past two-plus years, activists have organized a silence strike, a doll campaign and womens sarang campaign.

Suu Kyi had been the face of Myanmars democracy movement and lived under house arrest imposed by previous military rulers for 15 of 21 years between 1989 and 2010.

Although her global reputation has been tarnished by her defense of the Myanmar militarys rape, murder and possible genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017, at home she is still widely admired as the Lady.

In the National League for Democracy-led government, she held the title state counselor and was the de facto leader of the government. After the 2021 coup, she was arrested by the junta and sentenced to 33 years in prison on corruption and other charges.

Quiet defiance

The arrests happened in various locations around the country.

They started mid-morning on Monday, a resident of Mawlamyinegyun township in the southeastern Ayeyarwady region told RFAs Burmese Service on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

At around 10 oclock, they started abducting people and arrested about 80, he said. There is a market on that main street. The people in the shops, including people who offered flowers to Buddha images, were arrested. At about 8 oclock in the evening, all were released on bail.

Residents in Sagaings Khin-U township hold a prayer service and mark jailed Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyis 78th birthday on Monday, June 19, 2023. Credit: Ko Lu Chaw





He said some of the people were arrested for writing and sharing posts on social media about the flowers.

RFA attempted to interview some of the people after they were released on bail, but they declined to talk due to security concerns.

Roses in their hair

In the northern Sagaing region, nearly 20 women with roses in their hair were arrested in the town of Kale, a town resident said.

Women wearing jasmine and star flowers were released. They [soldiers] mainly targeted the ones who were wearing roses, a resident of Kale said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, 29 people  mostly women  were arrested in Yangon, the countrys biggest city, including 15 women from Kamaryut township.

In the central city of Mandalay, a resident who did not want to be named due to security reasons, told RFA that some women wearing flowers were beaten up by soldiers on the street Monday.

One woman wearing flowers who was riding a motorcycle with her husband and child was pulled over by police in front of a bank on 26th Street and beaten by them in front of her family, one Mandalay resident said.

She was reeling in pain, the resident said. There were soldiers, not traffic police.

Also among those arrested in Mandalay for wearing flowers were two family members of political prisoners and a former political prisoner who returned from a local prison after delivering packages to inmates.

The two facing charges are Thura Maung Maung, a former political prisoner who was released under amnesty on Jan. 4, 2023, and Sanda Myint, who sent a package to her husband, a political prisoner serving a 12-year jail term.

The soldiers actions are meant to instill fear, said Zu Padonmar, an official of the Myanmar Womens Union.

From a human rights point of view, it is a restriction of the freedom of expression in different ways, she said. Another thing is that it is a violation of an individuals freedom  another example of oppression.

The junta has not made any statements on these issues and RFAs calls to junta spokespersons for the Ayeyarwady, Mandalay and Sagaing regions went unanswered.

RFA attempted to contact the junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on Tuesday, but he did not answer phone calls.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
They were arrested in connection with the killing of a hospital director.

Bloodstains on the floor of Dr. Tin Cho Cho Kos office following her killing at the Myitnge Railway Factory Hospital on May 15, 2023.

Junta forces have arrested 12 men and boys from Mandalay regions Sintgaing township, accusing them of murder, residents told RFA on Wednesday.

Around 40 troops rounded up the farmers  aged between 12 and 24  on Saturday, according to a Sintgaing resident.

The 12 youths who were arrested were not captured in one place.The troops raided two mango farms, said the local who didnt want to be named for security reasons.

They dont even go out and sit in the tea shop. They only stay on the mango farms. I heard they are being held at the military base inside the Mandalay Palace. But I also heard they are being interrogated at the Sintgaing police station.

Residents said that 12 were accused of being involved in the May 15 shooting death of Dr. Tin Cho Cho Ko, who runs the Myitnge Railway Factory Hospital.

RFA has not been able to confirm the claims and the junta has not commented on the incident.

Calls to the Mandalay region junta spokesperson, Thein Htay, went unanswered Wednesday.

Locals named five of the farmers as Myo Ko Ko; Kyaw Swar Win; Wai Pyoe Aung; Min Tun Zaw; and Aye Min Tun.

Family members went to the local police station on Sunday to ask about them but were not given any information.

A total of 23,377 people have been arrested since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Residents from Yay Lei Kyun fled their homes due to Myanmar army raids in Yesagyo township, Magway region, May 26, 2023.

The civilian death toll in Myanmars civil war continues to rise.

In the month through June 15, 123 civilians were killed by the military in the most fiercely contested conflict areas  in the northern region of Sagaing, central Magway and the eastern states of Shan and Kayah, according to tallies by Radio Free Asia.

Some of the people were shot dead or hit with heavy weapons during clashes between junta troops and rebel fighters, who have put up stiff resistance to junta troops throughout the country.

In other cases, such as in Kawlin township in Sagaing, residents were massacred after the military detained and used them as human shields, residents told RFA.

Since they had to enter a minefield, [the soldiers] forced the detained people to walk ahead of them [carrying supplies] and clear the path, said a resident of Khan Thar village, who like others interviewed by RFA Burmese, spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.

The villagers had to do everything they were assigned, he said. Then, [the soldiers] interrogated the villagers. In some cases, they killed them.

Over the four-week period, junta troops killed 43 civilians in Sagaing, seven in Magway, 37 in Shan and Kayah states, and 28 in areas controlled by the Karen National Union ethnic rebel group, including Bago and Tanintharyi regions and Kayin and Mon states. Another eight were killed in Mandalay region and Kachin and Chin states.

No one dares return

In another mass killing, junta troops killed six civilians during a series of clearance raids on villages in Magways Yesagyo township from May 26-29.

A resident of Yesagyos Yay Lei Kyun area told RFA that the six  a 40-year-old woman and five men in their 30s and 40s  were hit by shelling, arrested and killed while fleeing the raids, or killed when returning to their village to put out fires started by junta troops.

The soldiers killed men accused of being members of the Peoples Defense Force, the resident said, adding that the lone woman  a mother of two children named Ma Khin Mar Po  was killed by artillery fire as troops entered Mi Hpa Yar village on May 26.

Between May 26 and 29, the troops burned 671 houses in our Yay Lei Kyun area, he said.

The resident said that three columns of 250 junta troops took part in the raids on 27 villages in Yay Lei Kyun, which left more than 3,000 people homeless.

From May 25 to June 12, junta troops killed at least 35 civilians in southern Shan states Moebye township, according to the Karenni Human Rights Group. Among the dead were 10 women and three minors between the ages of eight and 17.

A resident of Moebye told RFA nearly all of the towns inhabitants fled into the jungle to escape the fierce fighting and that no one dares return.

When the soldiers knock on the door, they dont open it, he said. If you do so, you would be shot dead.

The resident said that prior to the latest clashes in Moebye, junta troops had entered the township, arrested women, and raped and killed them.

Thats why no one dares to return to their homes, he said.

Attempts by RFA to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tin for comment on the killings went unanswered Wednesday. Previously, he denied reports of soldiers targeting civilians, saying the military only attacks members of the armed resistance.

Ruling through fear

Banya, the founder of the Karenni Human Rights Group, told RFA that the military is committing war crimes with impunity and ruling the people through fear to maintain its grip on power that it seized in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup detat.

Whenever it becomes difficult for [the military] to crush any armed organization, they kill the people in that region, he said. They do such things to instill fear among the people, to ensure there are no ethnic armed troops in the region. They let the people know that if there are ethnic troops in the area, well kill you.

Banya said the military seeks to drive a wedge between the people and anti-junta forces through its acts of terror.

Political analyst Than Soe Naing said the opposition in Myanmar is growing stronger and expects that the junta will respond with even more atrocities.

As the peoples resistance increases, the juntas violence will become more severe, and the number of civilian deaths will increase, he said. Since the junta is increasingly using airstrikes, I think the number of civilian casualties and loss of villages and houses will inevitably grow.

In the more than two years since the military coup, authorities in Myanmar have killed at least 8,640 civilians, including more than 2,400 amid armed conflict, according to independent research group the Institute for Strategy and Policy (Myanmar).

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Samoa has severed ties with a Hong Kong tour company contracted to market the Pacific island country in China after criticism of a cabinet ministers links to the business  the latest transparency scandal for the government of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

Fiame acknowledged in Samoas parliament on Tuesday that Samoa Royal Tours, which has been operating as the local agent for Travel Focus Hong Kong Ltd. despite lack of experience in the tourism industry, is owned by children of agriculture and fisheries minister Laauli Leuatea Schmidt (also known as Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi).

It was evident from a statement released by Travel Focus Hong Kong Limited that Minister Laauli Leuatea Schmidt was involved with this company, she said, calling for cabinet ministers to abide by principles of good governance and transparency.

In May, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo was criticized for attempting to get customs clearance for a relatives vessel that arrived in Samoa from neighboring American Samoa without the necessary approvals. Samoas media association said he had attempted to intimidate a reporter who investigated the issue.

Separately, Samoas government last week released a statement denying any endorsement of a reportedly Hong Kong-based initiative to launch a Samoa stock exchange, a Samoa cryptocurrency exchange and a special economic zone.

The tourism industry in Samoa, home to some 200,000 people, has mainly relied on visitors from Australia and New Zealand and the countrys tourism authority has been keen to tap the vast China market.

Samoa Tourism Authority said in March that it had appointed Travel Focus Hong Kong to market Samoa as a destination in mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong, according to travel industry trade journal TTG Asia.

The Hong Kong company organized weekly direct charter flights to Samoas capital Apia from Haikou in Chinas Hainan province, starting last month, bringing dozens of Chinese tourists to the island country. However the attempt to boost the number of Chinese visitors was beset by problems.

Established tour agents in Samoa complained that Royal Samoa Tours, as a new company, lacked the capacity to carry out tours.

Fiame told parliament that the venture also appeared ignorant of aviation rules. Charter flights from China were postponed because necessary permits werent secured far enough in advance including for a return flight to China, she said.

A passenger ferry service between Samoas two largest islands also was disrupted, Fiame said, with passengers forced to wait four hours until a Chinese tour group arrived.

Samoas Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa attends the 79th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at the U.N. regional office in Bangkok, Thailand on May 15, 2023. Credit: Sakchai Lalit/AP

Fiame became Samoas first female prime minister in 2021 after voters narrowly rejected a ruling party in power for nearly three decades. She is the only woman head of government in the Pacific.

The statement issued by Fiames office last week about Samoa Stock Exchange, a Samoa Digital Asset Exchange and an Oceania Special Economic Zone said the government had received proposals and was reviewing them but has not given any endorsement or approval despite speculation on social media to the contrary.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported that the three ventures have been registered as private companies with Samoas business registry.

The government said it welcomed new investments that would improve Samoas economy and benefit its people but it must ensure such initiatives are safe, sound and feasible.

Proposals of this nature require proper frameworks to regulate the exchange platform and protect market users and investors, the statement said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news organization.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering says it is the quality of the rule that matters most to Tibetans.

Tibetans would willingly accept Chinese rule if granted true autonomy by Beijing, the leader of Tibets government-in-exile said Wednesday.

If those kinds of autonomies are granted to the Tibetans, they will be happy to live under the framework of the Peoples Republic of Chinas constitution, said Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the head of the Central Tibetan Administration, referring to the status of Scotland and South Tyrol within the context of British and Italian rule.

It is not a matter of who rules; it is the quality of the rule, he said, speaking to the Australian National Press Club in Canberra on resolving Sino-Tibet conflict and securing peace in the region.

Penpa Tsering reiterated the Central Tibetan Administrations commitment to resolving the Sino-Tibet conflict through the Middle Way Approach formulated by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. The strategy promotes true autonomy for Tibetans under Chinese rule, as written in Chinas constitution.

But he highlighted the historically independent status of Tibet and said that unless that status is recognized, China would have no reason to negotiate with the CTA.

Embassy lobbying efforts

Penpa Tserings hour-long address, which also touched on the Chinese governments attempts to control the reincarnation process of the Dalai Lama, surveil Buddhist monasteries and restrict the movement of Tibetans, took place despite Beijings best efforts.

Earlier this month, Chinese Embassy representatives met with press club chief Maurice Reily and voiced their opposition to Penpa Tserings appearance at Wednesdays event, requesting that his invitation be revoked.

China has controlled Tibet since it invaded the region in 1949, and rejects any notion of a Tibetan government-in-exile, particularly the legitimacy of the Dalai Lama, who lives in Dharamsala, India. Beijing has also stepped up efforts to erode Tibetan culture, language and religion.

Speeches given at the National Press Club are broadcast on Australian TV and attended by prominent members of the press, and observers suggested Beijing may have lobbied Reily because it was worried about the wider exposure Penpa Tsering would get.

I want to thank the Chinese government for always being the best publicity agent," Penpa Tsering said at Wednesdays event, implying that Beijings efforts did more harm than good.

Visit to parliament

Earlier on Wednesday, Penpa Tsering delivered a speech on the geopolitical significance of Tibet at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

On Tuesday, the Sikyong observed proceedings at the Australian parliament, where lawmakers Sophie Scamps and Susan Templeman detailed the situation inside Tibet under Chinese rule. He also met with several Australian MPs.

Speaking to RFA Tibetan, Kalsang Tsering, the president of the Australian Tibetan Community Association, welcomed Penpa Tserings visit on behalf of the estimated 2,500 Tibetans living in Australia.

The honor that Sikyong Penpa Tsering has received here in Australia and in the Australian parliament has been overwhelming and it is evident that there is so much support from the parliamentarians for the Tibetan cause, he said.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Detained since 2013, the brothers face threat of deportation to China, lawyer says

Three Uyghur brothers who escaped from Chinas far western Xinjiang province a decade ago  and have been detained in India ever since  are aiming to seek asylum in Canada, their lawyer said.

After 10 years of being detained in India and unsuccessfully seeking asylum there, they face the growing prospect of being deported to China, said their lawyer, Muhammed Shafi Lassu.

This (Indian) government feels threatened by China, which is why they are hesitant to release these individuals and grant them political asylum, which they are actively avoiding, Lassu told Radio Free Asia in an interview last week. In a way, they prefer to keep them detained.

Since their arrest in 2013 in the northern India-administered region of Jammu & Kashmir, the brothers  Adil, Abduhaliq and Abdusalam Tursun  have been moved around to various detention centers in Kashmir. They are now being held in a prison in Jammu city, Lassu said.

Lassu said that if any country were to offer the three Tursun brothers political asylum, he would petition the Supreme Court of India to seek their release.

In February, Canada offered to resettle 10,000 Uyghur refugees, giving them new hope.

To help people apply for asylum, a humanitarian group called the Canadian Uyghur Rights Advocate Project has set up an online application that Lassu said he plans to use on the brothers' behalf.

Hopefully that will bring better results than his previous attempts to write the Canadian government to request asylum, which have not elicited any response, he said.

Lassu said he also wrote to several Arab countries on behalf of the brothers, but said officials there showed no concern for the violation of human rights.

The United States and the United Nations have urged against the repatriation of Uyghur refugees to China, where there is a growing body of evidence documenting the detention of up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and others in re-education camps, torture, sexual abuse and forced labor.

Crossing mountains

Facing persecution from the Chinese government in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the three Tursun brothers in 2013  aged 16, 18 and 20 at the time  trekked through the rugged Karakoram Mountain Range and crossed into India in the Ladakh region of Kashmir.

They were apprehended by the Indo-Tibetan Armed Police Force, a division of the local Indian Border Guard Forces, and detained for about two months.

The brothers admitted to crossing the border and were transferred to a police station in Leh in Jammu, Kashmir, Lassu said. In July 2014, they were charged with illegal entry and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

But Indian authorities later re-indicted the brothers under a special security law in Kashmir and have extended their detention every six months for the last 10 years, Lassu said.

This law is exceptionally stringent, allowing the government to detain individuals without trial, he said.

The brothers have managed to maintain their religious worship and have learned Urdu, Hindi and English during their time in captivity, Lassu said.

They pray five times a day in prison and read the Quran, he said. They fast during Ramadan. They have always maintained their religious dedication.

Risk of deportation

They are in danger of being sent back to China, according to Akash Hassan, an independent Kashmiri journalist who has written several articles about their case.

Hassan said the Indian government has instructed relevant authorities to initiate the repatriation process. Therefore, there is a possibility that these individuals will be sent back to China at any moment.

Lassu said he has also reached out to the UN refugee agency, or UNHCR, for help with the asylum request.

They emphasized that if the government officially recognizes these individuals as refugees, the UNHCR will provide them with all kinds of support and assistance, he told RFA.

But UNHCR doesnt have those same requirements for other refugees in India, including Rohingya refugees who began fleeing Myanmar in 2012.

RFA sent a list of questions to Rama Dwivedi of UNHCRs office in India about the brothers case on June 13 but has not received a response.

Even if Lassu or another lawyer is able to bring the brothers case to the Supreme Court of India, it is very unlikely that the court will rule in their favor, said Hassan, the journalist.

Double standard?

India has a double standard when it comes to treatment of Uyghur and Tibetan refugees, he said.

On one hand, India welcomes thousands of Tibetan refugees who have fled from the Chinese-controlled Tibet region, and a significant number of Tibetan refugees reside in India, he said.

However, the treatment of Uyghurs differs. I believe this discriminatory and disparate treatment is associated with the Muslim identity of the Uyghurs, he said. It appears that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, is increasingly embracing right-wing Hindu nationalism.

The Indian government should cease returning Uyghur individuals to China and refrain from treating them as criminals, Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said to RFA in a June 13 interview.

Even though India hasnt signed the U.N. Refugee Convention, it still has an obligation to abide by international law in cases concerning Uyghurs, she said.

Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Russia on July 20 launched a third consecutive round of air strikes on southern Ukraine, targeting port installations and grain storage facilities as well as civilian infrastructure and wounding several civilians, regional officials said.

The attacks came after Russia refused to extend a UN-sponsored deal that had allowed shipments of Ukrainian grain abroad, and warned that it would consider cargo ships on the Black Sea destined for Ukraine as potential military targets.

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.



In Mykolayiv, one person was killed and at least 18 civilians, including children, were wounded in an attack on a three-story residential building in the city center, regional Governor Vitaliy Kim said.

"The Russians hit the city center. A garage and a three-story residential building caught fire.... A total of 18 people were injured. Nine of them were hospitalized, including five children, while two people were rescued from under the rubble. It's a miracle that we managed to save them," Kim said.

In Odesa, grain and oil terminals were hit, and there was also destruction in the city center, Odesa regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported.

"A fire broke out on an area of 300 square meters. Relevant services work on site. It is known about two hospitalized victims...detailed information later," Kiper said on Telegram.

The Ukrainian Energy Ministry said grain terminals and port infrastructure in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk were targeted. In Chornomorsk, 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed, the ministry said.

Ukraine's air defense said in an update on July 20 that during the attack, Russia fired 19 cruise missiles and 19 kamikaze drones. It said it shot down 13 Iranian-made drones, two Kalibr cruise missiles, and three Iskander-K missiles.

IN PHOTOS: At least 20 people reportedly were wounded as Moscow launched air strikes on July 20, targeting the Black Sea port cities of Odesa and Mykolayiv. It was the third consecutive round of air strikes that targeted Odesa.

Russia's Defense Ministry has said strikes on Odesa and Mykolayiv were retaliation against facilities where it claimed Ukraine was building seaborne drones of the type that Moscow says damaged a bridge in the annexed region of Crimea.



But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on his Telegram channel late on July 19 the Russian strikes had "deliberately" targeted sites in the Odesa region that are used to export grain after Russia refused to extend the grain deal.

"About 1 million tons of food is stored in the ports that were attacked today. Exactly the volume that should have been delivered to consumer countries in Africa and Asia a long time ago," Zelenskiy said in a video message. "Everyone in the world should be interested in holding Russia accountable for terror," he added.

After Ukraine said it would continue to export grain despite Moscow's pullout from the deal, Russia announced that starting from July 20, it would consider international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea "temporarily dangerous" for shipping and warned that it will consider any incoming vessel as a legitimate target.

The Russian statement prompted the White House to issue a warning that Moscow is preparing for possible attacks on civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea.

"Our information indicates that Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports," White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said in a statement.

"We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks."



On July 19, Washington announced a $1.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine that includes advanced antiaircraft missile systems and other equipment.

The aid package is part of U.S. efforts to meet "Ukraine's pressing requirements" although it will not be part of a drawdown from U.S. stocks and will therefore not arrive soon on the battlefield.

Zelenskiy said the new aid "will help save Ukrainian lives and move closer to our common victory," and expressed gratitude for "the unwavering support of the friendly American people."

The aid includes four additional national advanced antiaircraft missile systems (NASAMS) that Ukraine has used to defend its cities and infrastructure against Russian missile attacks.

In Russian-annexed Crimea, Moscow-installed Governor Sergei Aksyonov said on Telegram early on July 20 that a settlement in the northwestern part of the region was hit by Ukrainian drones overnight, and a teenage girl was killed in the attack.

"As a result of an attack by an enemy UAV, four administrative buildings were damaged in one settlement in northwestern Crimea...Unfortunately, it was not without victims -- a teenage girl died,"Aksyonov wrote.

The information could not be independently confirmed.

Aksyonov's claim came a day after he reported an explosion and fire at an ammunition depot in a Russian military facility in Crimea that he said prompted the evacuation of 2,000 civilians and partially closed the nearby Tavrida Highway.

With reporting by AP and Reuters
David Bramlette is a former U.S. Army Ranger and Green Beret who commanded a team in Ukraine's Foreign Legion for 10 months last year. He currently works for the Romulus T. Weatherman Foundation, an NGO that leads operations in Ukraine to identify, recover, and repatriate Americans killed in action.

In an interview from Kyiv recently with RFE/RL Georgian Service's Vazha Tavberidze, Bramlette said the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a classic case of "good versus evil," gives high marks to the Ukrainian military but isn't impressed with their Russian counterparts, and chides the West for overrating Russian forces. Bramlette also likes the chances of the Ukrainian military as it is now beginning a long-anticipated counteroffensive, explaining that Ukraine's fighting capabilities are on an upward trajectory while Russia's military is heading in the opposite direction.



RFE/RL: As an Army Ranger, you fought in Iraq and in Afghanistan. Apparently, that wasn't enough. You came back to fight more, to fight for Ukraine. Why do you think this war is your war?



David Bramlette: First off, I think this is probably the most righteous war that my generation will see. In my mind, this is good versus evil. I was sitting in grad school at Johns Hopkins [University] in my last semester, and we were talking about whether Russia would invade conventionally. And, I'll be honest, I didn't think they're going to do it. I didn't think they could be that dumb, honestly, and they did. I served in Ranger Regiment and Special Forces Group and, you know, 10th Special Forces Group and special forces more generally, our motto is De Oppreso Liber, which stands for: to free the oppressed. So, you know, what a Green Beret does, essentially, is to enable a partner force to resist an invasion or to overthrow a corrupt, authoritarian government, essentially.

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.

When this kicked off, I was like, I have the knowledge, I have the skills, I have the ability to help. I basically took a leave of absence from school and came on over. It's a totally different war than anything I've experienced before. My worst day in Iraq or Afghanistan, the worst possible day when we felt like things were totally out of control, doesn't even compare to a normal day here. I think there's a lot of lessons that need to be learned that aren't being learned [by] Western militaries.



RFE/RL: What are some of the major takeaways that need to be learned from this war?



Bramlette: Green Berets, more generally, especially special operations leaders, officers, they need to become very, very comfortable with being uncomfortable and not having communications with the guys who are out in the field. That's because of direction finding, EW (electronic warfare), etc., etc. From March until October [2022], when I would send a four-man reconnaissance element out, I wouldn't know that they were OK until I could pretty much throw a rock and hit them.



RFE/RL: So, you need to rely on decision-making of your men on basically every level.



Bramlette: Yeah. The American military has a very hard time with that. It's become a very difficult issue with empowering junior NCOs (noncommissioned officers) and even junior officers to certain respects. They need to learn to trust their guys. And part of that comes with focusing on the basics of just basic soldiering.



I went down to Fort Bragg (recently renamed Fort Liberty) and talked to the officers going through the Green Beret course. And the things I harped on the most were basics, basics, basics. I asked all of them, "When's the last time any of you dug a fighting position? Went out in the woods and dug a fighting position?" None of them raised their hands. They've never done it. "When was the last time you went out in the woods and did a squad attack?" -- which is a battle drill that is one of those things that should just happen automatically. Years ago, probably if they went through ranger school, if they went through ranger school.



So, those are some of the lessons. I think there are a lot of hang-ups, leftovers from the global war on terror, where everybody wants to be a cool guy, seek up-close quarters battle kind of stuff, because it's fun and it's cool. But you're not going to do that out here [in Ukraine]. I mean, if you go into a building when there's artillery and tanks around, you're pretty likely to get blown up. And there are a lot of really hard lessons. I think Ukrainians have learned those lessons now, but I think at the beginning of the war there were a lot of hard lessons like that they learned.



RFE/RL: Ukrainians have learned those lessons through sheer practice. Every now and then, when I interview Western commanders, one line that I hear is that they say Ukraine today has one of the most powerful, well-trained, and effective armies in the world. Considering you fought alongside them for 10 months, what do you think?



Bramlette: I wouldn't say that's a fair assessment. That sounds like a talking point that somebody wrote up and they're repeating. It's more complicated than that, because, you know, you have professional Ukrainian Army units, who had been working together, serving together since 2015, served out in the Donbas together, and then you have units that are new brigades that are newly formed full of volunteers.



So you have a huge discrepancy in the level of experience and training, essentially. But I stopped combat operations December 1, [2022]. So, I don't have a window in terms of what result all that Western training that's been going has had. I can promise you it is a huge, huge help. And that's something that's kind of hard to quantify and measure, but I guarantee you, the guys who are doing that training are seeing massive improvements.



RFE/RL: How would you personally rate the effectiveness of the Ukrainian military?



Bramlette: I would say they are pretty damn effective. You don't have to be super proficient to be effective, right? Let's take the Kraken detachment (a Ukrainian special forces unit), for example. We worked with them in the spring, at the time, not super proficient, but they were effective. And that's what matters, you know, and I'm sure those guys have become more proficient over time.



I would say what makes Ukrainians so effective on the battlefield is that they're so motivated. You know, these guys are retaking the towns they grew up in, they're retaking homes that they grew up in, where they had their first kiss. Imagine if you were in their shoes. I think you would be pretty motivated even if it's very dangerous. Their level of acceptable risk is much higher. And it should be, it's appropriate.



RFE/RL: I think it would be unfair if we left out the Russians you fought against for 10 months. How effective are they?



Bramlette: Most of the time we were based out of Kharkiv. And up until the counteroffensive in September [2022] we were mostly facing [fighters from] LPR, DPR (Russia-backed separatist areas in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions) and then the big Russian military unit we were facing was the 200th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, coming out of the Kola Peninsula (where it is based). The 200th, the Russian unit, got really banged up. There's a bunch of public reporting on the unit, but they were basically decimated in the initial days of the invasion and then they continued to be decimated over and over again.



I can only talk about my [own experience], but from what I saw they are not proficient at all. I still think we overestimate the capabilities of the Russian military, especially in the West.



RFE/RL: Even after all this big myth-busting that the Russian Army, in fact, is not the second-most powerful army in the world, we still overestimate the Russians?



Bramlette: Yeah, I think so. Honestly, because if you look at the trajectory of the Russian military, it's either flat, or it's going down, because they're taking so many casualties and they've also decimated all of their cadres who train soldiers. In a Russian unit, you have basically a lot of line units, and then you have a training battalion essentially, who are like the cadre, they're the most experienced guys and those cadre, those experienced guys, have also been sent to the front and sent to the meat grinder.



Not only have you lost your most experienced fighting units, but you've also lost the people who are supposed to be training the fighting units. And so, the trajectory is down and the Ukrainian trajectory is shooting up. I mean, we're seriously talking about F-16 [fighter jets] now, they might get [those] next.



RFE/RL: You were there when Ukraine launched its counteroffensive last year. What do you expect the current one to achieve?



Bramlette: I'm bullish on Ukraine, obviously. I think Ukraine will achieve a lot. I'm not going to speculate ontheir counteroffensive or how they're going to do it. But from what I've seen of the Russians, and from what I've seen of the Ukrainians, I think it's going to go really well.



When I was talking about trajectories, I think Russia is flat or going worse. If they're getting worse, then it's in Ukraine's interest to wait until the perfect moment, even if it's flat. It's in their interest to wait until the perfect moment to attack. I think that shows a high degree of professionalism. The general staff or whoever's doing it, [Valeriy] Zaluzhniy (commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces) and so on, are pretty good at what they do, I think.



RFE/RL: Speaking of Western military assistance, what do you think Ukraine needs to make this counteroffensive a success?



Bramlette: As [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskiy told Congress, they need more of everything. We've not given them enough tanks to accomplish the mission. I think what the U.S. has been banking on is that Ukraine can do more with less. We have this combined-arms ideology that, if you can effectively use tanks, artillery, air support, infantry support, and use them all together, you kind of have this synergistic effect, right.



That's all well and good. But you have to keep in mind that the Ukrainian military has gone from 196,000 people in uniform pre-February 24, 2022, to 700,000 people in uniform. That's not counting all the guys who are in reserve. If we look at the number of Ukrainians who have been trained by Western militaries, it needs to be way more. I would say tanks and artillery are the biggest things and long-range missiles -- and props to the Brits for taking the lead on that. France needs to step up to the plate and deliver those missiles as soon as possible. Then there is the TAURUS [air-launched cruise] missile from Germany.



Prior to HIMARS (light multiple-rocket launchers) showing up last year, we were taking artillery and mortar fire all the time and a lot of it in close. HIMARS started showing up, and over the course of that month, I would say, we noticed like a 50 percent decrease in the amount of artillery being fired at us because the Russian supply depots were getting blown out; they were getting targeted.



When you introduce a longer-range missile, you're pushing those supply hubs back and this is important: You're increasing the survivability of the Ukrainian units, especially the newly formed brigades, who don't have a ton of training. You're increasing the survivability of those guys who are right up against the Russian lines.



No masterful stroke from the [Ukrainian] General Staff or Zaluzhniy is going to win this war. It's literally going to be the grunts in the field carrying the AK (Russian-made automatic weapon) and just banging up against trenches, banging up against fortified positions. I mean, that is the Ukrainian soldier, and that's who is going to win the war. If [we can do] whatever we can do to increase the survivability of those guys, I think it's going to end this war way quicker.



RFE/RL: In your first answer, you said, "This is the most righteous war I have ever fought." You've fought in two other wars; why do you think of them as less righteous?



Bramlette: Iraq and Afghanistan, I have sort of bittersweet or mixed feelings about, because they were also some of the best times in my life. But, you know, I did not agree with the way we went about those wars. Especially Afghanistan. I was a Green Beret and that [war] would have been a perfect operation for purely Green Berets, with just close air support. When you start introducing conventional armed military forces, the U.S. Army, Marines, whatever, they don't have the. If you take a kid who's 18 years old and you put a rifle in his hand and send them through basic training, and then expect him to go and do counterinsurgency, he does not have the maturity to handle that. So that's why I have mixed feelings about it.

I'm very passionate about freeing the oppressed. That's what the Green Berets do. I think it would have been a prime opportunity for Green Berets to take control of that. Iraqthe fact that I don't have a good answer for you, this should tell you pretty much everything you need to know about it. And compared to Ukraine. Ukraine is a European country that has a democratically elected government.



I'm sitting in Kyiv right now, and it's like being in New York City or Washington, D.C., or just a regular American city, you know. It's righteous because when Russia invaded, it felt like, August, September 1939, like if we don't stop this thing here, it could get way worse. Because if you look at it in hindsight, if you look at the trajectory of what Russia has done since the fall of the Soviet Union, I mean, you have Transdniester (Moldovan pro-Moscow breakaway region), you have Chechnya, you have Georgia, you have 2014's Crimea and Donbas, the dawning of MH17 (the 2014 shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine). You have all the polonium and Novichok poisonings, you have Czech ammo depots blowing up like they're out of control. I compare them to a rabid dog. If we don't -- if you look at that trajectory -- if we don't stop them here, the next stop on that trajectory is a NATO country.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Human rights groups say Hayman Mostafaei, a Kurdish prisoner, was executed in the early hours of June 21 at the Sanandaj Central Prison in western Iran.

The execution was reported by the human rights group Hengaw and the Free Workers' Union of Iran on their respective social media accounts. The judiciary of the Islamic republic has yet to release any official statement regarding this matter.



According to the reports, a large crowd gathered outside the Sanandaj Prison late on June 20 in a bid to prevent the execution of the 34-year-old inmate, who had been transferred to solitary confinement a day earlier. The gathering reportedly continued into the early hours of June 21.



"The people of Sanandaj and a large crowd that had travelled from Marivan to Sanandaj gathered in front of Citys Central Prison and did everything they could until the last moment to save Hayman Mostafaei from execution," The Free Workers' Union of Iran said.



"But once again, the agents of death did their job and took another person's life."



Mostafaei was accused of killing a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in 2012. He appeared to be tortured into giving a "confession" before being sentenced to death the following year.



Iran has seen a surge in executions in recent months, a trend that has drawn widespread domestic and international condemnation with critics saying that judgements are rushed through the judiciary while "sham" trials and forced confessions are routine.



Authorities have warned for months since unrest broke out following Mahsa Amini's death in September that they would react harshly to any dissent.

Lawmakers have pushed the judiciary to render the death penalty in trials for those arrested during the protests, which are seen as one of the biggest threats to the Islamic leadership since it took power in 1979.



On June 19, the UN's high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, expressed disquiet about the increase in executions in Iran. At the opening of the new session of the Human Rights Council, he stated: "I am concerned about the widespread increase in executions and also the continued discrimination against women and girls in Iran."



Human rights advocacy organizations say that hundreds of people have been executed in Iran in the past six months. Depending on the sources, the number of executions ranges from 290 to over 310, an increase of more than 75 percent compared to the same period last year.



Amnesty International also announced in an annual report on May 16 that the number of drug-related executions in Iran this year has tripled compared to 2022, calling this statistic "shameful."



Human rights activists say authorities in Iran are using the executions to try to "instill fear" in society rather than to combat crime.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda
Two Palestinian attackers opened fire at a restaurant and gas station near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on Tuesday, killing four Israelis and wounding several other people before they were shot dead, as violence roiled the occupied territory the day after a deadly Israeli military raid against the Palestinians.

Israeli settlers attempted to carry out revenge attacks across the northern West Bank, raising fears of a repeat of a rampage last February that resulted in damage to dozens of Palestinian homes and vehicles and the killing of a Palestinian man.

Carloads of Israeli settlers drove to the northern Palestinian towns of Hawara, Beit Furik, Burin and surrounding villages, setting dozens of cars on fire, hurling stones and trying to set homes ablaze, said Nablus official Ghassan Daghlas. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

Moreover, Israeli settlers attacked, at dawn on Wednesday, the homes of Palestinians in the town of Kufr al-Dik, west of the northern West Bank city of Salfit, and closed the roads to passers-by, according to the towns mayor Mohammad Naji, , reported the palestinian news agency WAFA.

On Wednesday, a large Israeli army unit this morning raided the village of Orif, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, broke into several homes and detained five people, WAFA said.

The recent violence underscored the fragility of the situation in the West Bank, where on Monday an Israeli military raid into the northern Jenin refugee camp killed six Palestinians and wounding scores more. In retalliation, Palestinian targeted Israeli military vehicles with roadside bombs and Israeli forces deployed helicopter gunships to evacuate stranded troops.

In the Balata refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus late Tuesday, two Palestinian teenagers were killed when homemade explosives they were handling went off accidentally, the local Islamic Jihad branch said in a statement of condolences. The militant group named the two Palestinians killed as 17-year-old Mohammed Hashah and 18-year-old Alaa Hafnawi. Palestinian media reported that a third was wounded by the blast.

A surge in violence in recent months has killed at least 130 Palestinians and 24 people on the Israeli side so far this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press, prompting many on either side of the conflict to fear a possible greater conflagration.

The Israeli occupation military said it was sending reinforcements to the West Bank and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to settle the score with the murderers.

The Israeli military said all of the dead were Israeli civilians, and local media described three of them as residents of West Bank settlements while the fourth came from central Israel.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the two Palestinian gunmen, both affiliated with the Hamas group, drove to the shooting scene from the Palestinian village of Urif in the northern West Bank.

An Israeli civilian bystander shot one of the gunmen repeatedly, killing him. Hamas identified him as 26-year-old Mohannad Faleh. The second gunmen fled the gas station in a stolen Toyota.

After an hourslong manhunt, Israeli security forces caught him in the West Bank town of Tubas, shooting and killing him when he tried to run out of his car. Palestinian health officials identified the man as 24-year-old Khaled Sabah.

The Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the attack as a response to Monday's deadly Israeli military raid.

Revolutionaries in the West Bank are striking everywhere, and specifically where Israel does not expect it, said Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, describing the shooting as a reaction to the crimes of the occupation in the Jenin camp.

Hours after the attack, Israeli settlers streamed through Palestinian towns, trying to torch property and smashing cars with stones. Settlers opened fire at Palestinians who had ventured out of their homes to confront them.

Dozens of Palestinians were attacked and wounded by rocks throughout the Nablus governorate, including a Palestinian journalist struck in the face. Videos shared online showed giant fires tearing through the countryside.

Although the scale of damage remained unclear, photos circulated overnight showing charred cars and smashed windshields across the Nablus governorate. In the northern village of Luban e-Sharkiyaa, footage showed a partly scorched gas station and a trashed convenience store.

The northern town of Hawara was the scene of a deadly rampage earlier this year in which Israeli settlers set dozens of homes and cars on fire and left one Palestinian dead.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was convening with the country's army chief and other top security officials to discuss a response to the shooting. Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners have ramped up pressure on the government to crack down harshly on the wave of Palestinian attacks.

Now is the time for a military operation in Judea and Samaria, said far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, using the biblical term for the West Bank. From the scene of the attack, he demanded that the government launch targeted assassinations from the air, take down buildings, deport Palestinian attackers and impose the death penalty on whom he called terrorists.

Shlomo Neeman the head of the Yesha Council, the Israeli settlers umbrella organization, echoed calls for a broad military operation.

Tuesday's shooting followed fighting in the northern Jenin refugee camp that killed six Palestinians, including a 15-year-old boy, and wounded over 90 others. On Tuesday, the death toll from the raid rose to six when 48-year-old Amjad Abu Jaas succumbed to wounds sustained in the gunbattle, Palestinian health officials said. A dozen Palestinians remain in critical condition.

After the deadly raid, Palestinians rushed to checkpoints to throw stones at Israeli military vehicles in protest. In the Palestinian town of Husan, west of Bethlehem, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man who allegedly threw a firebomb at troops along a West Bank highway late Monday. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the man killed as 21-year-old Zakaria al-Zaoul.

Israel and the Palestinian territories have been gripped by months of violence, fueled by the new far-right government's hard-line stance against the Palestinians and an escalating Israeli military crackdown on the West Bank and in Jeruslaem against worshippers in Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Israel occupied the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state.

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In a recently liberated Ukrainian village, skeletons lie amid the ruined buildings. RFE/RL reporter Roman Pahulych visited Vremivka and Neskuchne days after they were recaptured by Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he expects to secure almost $7 billion in aid for reconstruction, while President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv needs concrete commitments for projects that will help post-war development and further modernization.



Shmyhal told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21 that the war meant Kyiv faces the largest reconstruction project in Europe since World War II. He said the price tag for reconstruction would be more than $6 billion over the next 12 months, then later on Telegram he said he expects to secure almost $7 billion.



"The key objective is to mobilize resources to finance rapid recovery," he said.

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.

At the conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would give Ukraine 50 billion euros ($54.6 billion) for 2024-27, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered $1.3 billion in additional aid. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled measures including $3 billion of additional guarantees to unlock World Bank lending for Ukraine.



The London conference is being attended by more than 1,000 public and private sector decision-makers.



Addressing the event via video link, Zelenskiy welcomed the pledges but called for a transition to concrete proposals that could not only help Ukraine recover from the devastating conflict but also put it on the right track to becoming a strong member of the Western community.



"At this conference, we must move from vision to agreements, and from agreements to real projects. There is a Ukrainian delegation in London that will present concrete things that we propose to do together," he said.



Speaking in an interview on June 21, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for recovery said the main source of funds for the recovery should be the seized assets of the Russian Federation.



Oleksandr Kubrakov, who is also minister of community development, territories and infrastructure, said seized assets held in countries that have provided Ukraine with military support should be used to help rebuild Ukraine.



"For me, this is a logical step. They may be cautious in these steps now. and these are the kind of tools they would probably like to keep somewhere near the end of the war, but no one knows how long it will last. In order to return the country to normal life, we need these funds now," Kubrakov said in an interview with Ukrainian public broadcasting.



He also noted that "ideally" the timing of the recovery process will coincide with Ukraine's accession to the European Union, noting that many Eastern European countries before joining the EU received "quite a lot of funding" for things like infrastructure.



"They rebuilt their countries precisely with the help of EU funds. But I still believe that our main source is the funds of the Russian Federation," he said.



The London gathering came hot on the heels of a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on several Ukrainian regions and the capital overnight.

In the eastern Donetsk region -- the focal point of the war in the east over the past several months -- two civilians were killed over the past day by Russian shelling in Kostyantynivka, the regional head of the military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, said on Telegram early on June 21.

WATCH: Ukrainian soldiers are advancing around Bakhmut atop captured Russian tanks. The fighting vehicles were seized by Ukrainian troops during counteroffensive operations in the Kharkiv region last year. The tanks were taken for repairs before being sent to attack Russian positions in Ukraine's embattled Donetsk region.

Russia targeted the Kyiv, Khmelnitskiy, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, and Zaporizhzhya regions, and the Ukrainian air defense said it shot down 32 out of 35 Iranian-made drones -- 20 of them above the capital.



Zelenskiy was quoted as saying that progress in Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces was "slower than desired," but that Kyiv would not be pressured into speeding it up.



"Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not," he told the BBC in an interview. "What's at stake is people's lives."

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have made some gains in their advance on the Zaporizhzhya towns of Melitopol and Berdyansk, Andriy Kovalev, a spokesman for the General Staff, said early on June 21 in a post on Ukraine's Military Media Center's Telegram channel.



Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the advance of Russian forces in the east of the country.



"Especially heavy fighting" is under way near Lyman in Donetsk, he added.



Fighting also continued in the Bakhmut, Kupyansk, Avdiyiyvka, and Maryinka areas of Donetsk, where 40 close-quarter battles were fought over the last day, the military said in a separate report early on June 21.

RFE/RL cannot confirm reports of battlefield developments by either side in areas where the heaviest fighting is taking place.

With reporting by Reuters
Israeli forces arrested three Palestinians Wednesday in Orif village, north West Bank, which the occupation army said was home to attackers who killed four Israelis near a settlement in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli army said that its forces had entered Orif to "map the homes" of the shooters, a precursor to their demolition.

Two Palestinian attackers opened fire at a restaurant and gas station near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on Tuesday, killing four Israelis and wounding several other people before they were shot dead, in response to Israeli military raid in the occupied territory that killed seven Palestinians, including a girl and a 15-year-old boy, and wounded over 90 others.

Israeli settlers carried out attacks across the northern West Bank, raising fears of a repeat of a rampage last February that resulted in damage to dozens of Palestinian homes and vehicles and the killing of a Palestinian man.

Carloads of Israeli settlers drove to the northern Palestinian towns of Hawara, Beit Furik, Burin and surrounding villages, setting dozens of cars on fire, hurling stones and trying to set homes ablaze, said Nablus official Ghassan Daghlas. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

Tuesdays violence underscored the fragility of the situation in the West Bank, where on Monday an Israeli military raid into the northern Jenin refugee camp ignited some of the fiercest Israeli-Palestinian fighting in years, killing six Palestinians and wounding scores more. Palestinian militants, in response, targeted Israeli military vehicles with powerful roadside bombs and Israeli forces deployed helicopter gunships to evacuate stranded troops.

A surge in violence in recent months has killed at least 130 Palestinians and 24 people on the Israeli side so far this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press, prompting many on either side of the conflict to fear a possible greater conflagration.

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Iraqi authorities announced on Wednesday plans to prosecute police and civil servants accused of torturing detainees under the administration of former prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi.

The 14 alleged perpetrators, including nine police officers, were part of a cell known as Committee 29 which had a free rein in 2020 to interrogate senior officials suspected of having a hand in Iraq's endemic corruption.

The now-disbanded committee was headed by influential police general Ahmed Taha Hashem, known as Abu Ragheef.

The government had decided to charge the police and civil servants after an enquiry found the committee had used "torture" and "extortion", according to an internal report seen by AFP.

The probe was launched in December by the current government of Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani after The Washington Post reported allegations of Committee 29 using torture to extract confessions.

In addition to the detained police general, eight officers, including one on the run, a sergeant and four civil servants, have been the subject of the government investigation, according to the document.

"The probe committee recommended sending the file and all investigation papers to the judiciary, as there have been proven shortcomings" incriminating the accused, according to a statement published Wednesday by the prime minister's office.

Authorities must look into "cases of enrichment" among the accused or their relatives, according to the statement.

Among the high-profile arrests by Committee 29 were the former director of the Iraqi pension fund, the former president of the Baghdad Investment Commission and the former director of the electronic payment company Qi Card.

Oil-rich Iraq has for years suffered from rampant corruption which has infiltrated all levels of the state. In the rare instances graft is addressed, Iraq's powerful most often do not get implicated.

Sudani, who took office in 2022 after more than two years of Kadhemi's rule, has repeatedly stated that fighting corruption and protecting public funds are his top priorities.

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Kazakhstan abruptly said on Wednesday it will stop hosting talks aimed at resolving the Syrian conflict that erupted 12 years ago.

The decision was a surprise to Russia and other participants at the wrapping up of the 20th round of talks held in the capital, Astana

Since 2017, the former Soviet nation has provided a venue for talks to representatives of Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iran on ways to resolve the Syrian conflict.

Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry said that the talks have fulfilled their mission and the initial goals, including the creation of de-escalation zones, ending the bloodshed and reducing the number of casualties have been fully implemented.

The foreign ministry spokesman, Aibek Smadiyarov, cited Syria's recent return to the Arab League and the efforts to restore ties with Turkey as proof that the Astana talks have achieved their purpose.

But Alexander Lavrentyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy to Syria, who led Moscow's delegation at the talks, said that Kazakhstan's decision came as a complete surprise.

The Kazakh foreign ministry's move was unexpected, he told reporters after the talks wrapped up.

Lavrentyev said that no decision has been made regarding the venue for future talks, but added that they could be held in Moscow, Ankara, Tehran, or even Damascus in the second half of the year.

This week's round of talks followed an ongoing improvement in ties between Syria and some Arab countries that once backed opposition groups fighting inside the country and called for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Lavrentyev hailed Syrias reinstatement to the Arab League in May during its summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as an important step towards ending the conflict.

Representatives from the UN and Syrias neighboring countries Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq attended the Astana talks as observers. They expressed hope to see a swift end to the conflict and the return of millions of refugees living in their countries.

A statement by Turkey, Russia, and Iran noted that the latest round of talks in Astana was constructive and discussed "progress in preparing the roadmap for the restoration of relations between Turkey and Syria.

Moscow has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to help Assad's government reclaim control over most of the country.

While the bulk of Russias armed forces has been busy fighting in Ukraine, Moscow has maintained its military foothold in Syria and has also made persistent efforts to help Assad rebuild fractured ties with Turkey and other countries in the region.

Turkey has had troops in northwestern Syria backing opposition fighters in an opposition-held enclave there.

Syrian Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan said on Tuesday that Turkey should produce a clear timeline for the withdrawal of its forces from Syria.

In May, Turkey and Syrias foreign ministers agreed to set up a roadmap to improve strained ties following talks in Moscow, days after the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League. It marked the highest-level contact between the two countries since the start of the uprising turned-civil war over a decade ago.

The Syrian conflict killed nearly 500,000 people and displaced half of the countrys prewar population of 23 million.

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AN 86-TONNE bridge  inspired by the world famous design by Rotherhams Donald Bailey  is lifted into place at Forge Island.

The 46-metre pedestrian walkway will link the 47 million cinema and leisure development with Corporation Street.

It took two days to set up the crane which lifted the bridge into position in what officials called a military precision operation, taking about an hour.

Andrew Fairest, project director at developers Muse, said: Rotherhams engineering heritage was a wonderful starting point for the Muse team, offering a rich seam of inspiration and shaping our thinking around Forge Island.

The bridge is a key part of this exciting new chapter in Rotherhams story, linking the past with the present and future.

The bridge was manufactured and installed by steel specialists SH Structures after design work from FaulknerBrowne Architects.

Eastwood-born engineer Baileys portable steel truss crossings helped the Allied forces cross the Rhine  shortening the the Second World War.

The bridge will be illuminated at night to create a visual feature of the key gateway onto Forge Island, which will also include a hotel and restaurants when it opens next year.

Cllr Denise Lelliott, RMBC cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, said: This major milestone not only shows that the Forge Island development scheme is forging ahead, is it also showcases a symbolic connection between Forge Island and the heart of the town centre.

A podium is now being built on the island to elevate the development above the River Don floodplain.

Construction work is being led by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, working alongside the wider project team which also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and Re-form Landscape Architecture.
Punjab News

Renewed Recognition & Empowerment: Sirkad Sabha Punjab Affirms the Identity and Contributions of the Sirkiband Caste

CHANDIGARH: The Sirkiband Caste, a caste that was identified in the 1961 population survey, has been a part of Punjab since 1950, according to the discussions held during a special meeting of the Sirkad Sabha Punjab in Ferozepur on Tuesday. President Pritam Singh addressed various issues during the meeting, shedding light on the presence of the Sirkiband caste in Punjab and other neighboring regions.

The Sirkiband caste is predominantly found in districts such as Patiala, Sangrur, Ropar, Ferozepur, Muktsar, and Bathinda, contributing to a significant population across the state. Furthermore, the Sirkiband community also extends its presence beyond Punjab, encompassing regions like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Chandigarh.

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Many Sirkiband individuals have settled in villages such as Khowala, Vihari, Rekha, Megha, among others, located in Ferozepur district. It is worth noting that the Sirkiband caste has not been classified as a scheduled caste in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Contrary to erroneous claims suggesting the absence of Sirkiband caste people in Punjab, the reality stands in stark contrast.

The recent meeting aimed to shed light on the history, presence, and significance of the Sirkiband community in Punjab and other regions. President Pritam Singh and members of the Sirkad Sabha Punjab emphasized the need for accurate recognition and representation of the Sirkiband caste, debunking any misinformation surrounding their existence in the state.

The discussions held during the meeting revealed the long-standing presence of the Sirkiband caste, which has contributed to the diverse cultural fabric of Punjab and other areas. The Sabha intends to raise awareness about the Sirkad community's heritage, traditions, and socio-economic challenges they face, with the ultimate goal of fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities for all castes.

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Elon Musk with PM Modi

Elon Musk commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership & vision

NEW YORK: Renowned entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York, where he expressed his admiration for the Prime Minister and his genuine concern for the development of India. Musk further revealed his desire to contribute to the country's growth by making substantial investments through Tesla. Elon Musk also affirmed his extreme desire to visit India.

During their meeting, Elon Musk commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership and vision, emphasizing his dedication to promoting progress in India. "I am a fan of Modi ji," Musk stated, highlighting the Prime Minister's commitment to taking the right steps for the benefit of the nation.

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Speaking to the media following the meeting, Musk disclosed that the Indian Prime Minister's enthusiasm for India's advancement had inspired Tesla to explore significant investment opportunities within the country. The billionaire entrepreneur expressed his eagerness to contribute to India's clean energy sector and technological innovation.

Prime Minister Modi, recognizing the potential partnership with Tesla, affirmed the government's commitment to facilitating a conducive business environment for foreign investors. He lauded Elon Musk's visionary approach and welcomed Tesla's proposed investments in India.

Elon Musk's visit and his expressed interest in India hold great significance for the country's economy and technology sector. The potential collaboration with Tesla could pave the way for advancements in sustainable transportation, renewable energy infrastructure, and other cutting-edge technologies.

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Tesla's investments in India would not only create job opportunities but also bolster the country's efforts towards achieving its renewable energy goals and reducing carbon emissions. Furthermore, it would contribute to the overall development of the Indian automotive industry and strengthen the nation's position as a global technology hub.

As discussions progress, both Tesla and the Indian government will work towards finalizing the modalities of potential investments and collaborations, aiming to forge a long-term partnership that benefits India's technological and economic progress.
Renewed artillery exchanges rocked greater Khartoum early Wednesday as Sudan's warring generals resumed fighting just minutes after the latest US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire expired.

Already on Tuesday evening, an immense fire had engulfed the intelligence service's headquarters in the capital Khartoum with each side accusing the other of attacking it in violation of the 72-hour truce.

A source within the regular army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accused rival paramilitaries loyal to his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo of shelling the building.

A source within the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said an "army drone bombed the building where RSF fighters had gathered, sparking a fire and the partial destruction of the intelligence headquarters".

On Wednesday morning, residents of Omdurman, just across the Nile from Khartoum, reported heavy artillery exchanges within minutes of the ceasefire expiring at 6:00 am (0400 GMT).

Army warplanes flew low over several adjacent districts, the residents said.

The ceasefire, which coincided with an international donors' conference in Geneva on Monday, brought a brief respite to the millions of civilians who have been trapped by the fighting in greater Khartoum but an exodus of refugees continued to pour of the war's other main battleground Darfur.

Nationwide, more than 2,000 people have been killed since the power struggle between Burhan and Daglo erupted into fighting on April 15, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project said.

More than 2.5 million people have fled their homes, of whom around 550,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, fled abroad, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Bodies on city streets

According to the US State Department, up to 1,100 people have been killed in the West Darfur state capital El Geneina alone.

Bodies have remained on the streets of the city, where months of unrest have left shops either vacant or gutted by looters.

One lay covered on the asphalt, in front of an armoured vehicle. A dead man was partially curled up outside a house. Several others appeared to be lying face down together on a dirt road.

Residents have fled en masse, grabbing whatever they could to escape to the border with Chad. At least 150,000 people have fled Darfur into Chad since the start of fighting, according to the UN.

Some described being shot at by fighters and subject to searches during the perilous journey.

The United Nations has spoken of possible "crimes against humanity" in Darfur as the conflict has "taken an ethnic dimension" in a region still reeling from a 2003 rebellion among non-Arab minorities that prompted then-strongman Omar al-Bashir to recruit the Arab Janjaweed militia, whose actions led to charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Washington has said the RSF, which traces its origins to the Janjaweed, is "primarily" responsible for recent "atrocities" in Darfur, which is home to a quarter of Sudan's population.

'Fleeing for their lives'

Monday's donors' conference raised close to $1.5 billion in aid pledges for Sudan and neighbouring countries, but organisers said that amounted to only half of the estimated needs.

A record 25 million people -- more than half Sudan's population -- are in need of aid and protection, the United Nations says.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned "the scale and speed of Sudan's descent into death and destruction is unprecedented."

"Without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region," he said.

In an interview with AFP Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi urged neighbouring countries to keep their borders open to Sudanese refugees despite concerns the violence and lawlessness could spill over.

"My appeal to all the neighbouring countries is to say I understand your security concerns, but please keep your borders open because these people are really fleeing for their lives," he said.

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[L-R] Dr Richardson Addai-Mununkum (Senior Lecturer of Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba in Ghana); Ms Orla Quinlan (Director of Internationalisation); Dr Ememobong Udoh (Department of Linguistics & Nigerian Languages, University of Uyo, Nigeria)

Rhodes University is currently hosting fellows from the last African Humanities Programme (AHP) cohort. Since 2009, the AHP has awarded fellowships to more than 450 early career scholars in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, with the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY). The programme that began in 2008-09 was due to conclude in 2020-21 but was extended due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Victoria Gbadegesin, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria, recently completed her second visit to Rhodes University. "When I came for my first residency in 2018, I had a very productive stay because of the well-resourced library, the conducive office space I was provided, and the rich network of scholars I met. It was not difficult to choose Rhodes University again for my more recent visit," explained Dr Gbadegesin.

Dr Ememobong Udoh from the Department of Linguistics & Nigerian Languages, University of Uyo, Nigeria, specialises in Phenology  particularly the morphological process of Anaang and Efik, two of the 500 languages of Nigeria. Dr Udoh signed up for the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) newsletter, saw the AHP advertised and applied. "I put Rhodes University as my first and second choice and a university in Ghana as my third," explained Udoh. "CCNY previously funded me to attend a school on African Linguistics hosted by the Department of Linguistics at Rhodes University. I first met Professor Ron Simango there and wanted to return."

Dr Richardson Addai-Mununkum, a Senior Lecturer of Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba in Ghana, became aware of the AHP through alumni briefings. "Dr Eric Debra returned from Rhodes University very excited and with great things to say about his experience," explained Dr Addai-Mununkum. "This prompted me to apply to Rhodes University."

Dr Addai-Mununkum's research pertains to the intersection between social linguistics and the formal education system. "I am focusing on Pidgin English, which is a street language, and its first-time acquisition in a formal school setting in Ghana," explained Dr Addai-Mununkum.

When asked about the overall experience, Dr Gbadegesin said: "I enjoyed every moment I spent in Makhanda. I particularly love that I could walk everywhere, and it was not difficult to get around to where I needed to be. I also met wonderful people who made the stay a beautiful one."

Dr Addai-Mununkum and Dr Udoh praised their landlady, who preempted their every need and whose hospitality far exceeded their expectations. "It was great that everything we needed to do was within walking distance of where we were staying," added Dr Udoh.

All three fellows appreciated their academic mentoring experience. Dr Gbadegesin, mentored by Professor Aretha Phiri, said: "The Department of Literary Studies in English was very supportive, and I benefited from the robust exchange with scholars, especially when I had my seminar on "Male Victimhood and Intersectionality in Aisha Onekata's His Royal Highness. "

"The mentoring from and engagement with Professor Simango has been fantastic and has added another dimension to my work. I am rethinking everything," said Udoh. "I like the culture in the Department. There is a tea break every morning at 10:30, and staff engage with each other. Every fortnight a staff member must prepare a seminar, which keeps everyone active and engaged in scholarship," concurred Dr Addai-Mununkum, who was hosted by the same department.

Dr Addai-Mununkum had the added benefit of engaging with colleagues in the Faculty of Education. "Colleagues were not only open to sharing ideas but were also receptive to learning from me. They invited me to do seminars with their postgraduate students to introduce them to software that I was using for my own work, he said.

While the AHP is ending in 2023, there are plans to build a vibrant humanities community on the continent through the African Humanities Association (AHA). Dr Gbadegesin plans to present a paper at the AHA inaugural conference from 27 to 29 November 2023. "I also intend to keep engaging with the scholars I met at Rhodes University for future collaboration," he stated.

Dr Addai-Mununkum has discussed staff and student exchanges with colleagues in the Institute of the Study of Englishes in Africa (ISEA), subject to funding. The Director of Internationalisation, Ms Orla Quinlan, suggested exploring Collaborative Online International Programmes (COIL) and has offered to share materials on setting up COIL programmes.

Dr Udoh is hoping to continue his relationship with the Department of Linguistics. "Dr Addai-Mununkum and I are also planning on collaborating in the West African corridor," he added.

Rhodes University Emeritus Professor Fred Hendricks, who was a driving force behind the AHP, is now on the steering committee for the AHA, founded at an AHP Regional Assembly in Abuja in February 2020. "We are embarking on an ambitious programme of mobilising communities of scholars through a Clarion Call for an Engaged and Transformative Humanities," Professor Hendricks concluded.
Out of the seven English shades Hyundai Venue gets in Taiwan, Oxford Green and London Red seems to be the only ones to get Britains coat of arms badging

Venue sub 4m SUV is a global model from Hyundai and is very popular in quite a few markets. In Taiwan, Hyundai Venue gets vibrant new colours that will definitely set them apart from rivals. These colours play quite a role in customer purchase decisions and are likely to be an attempt of bringing British style to Taiwanese customers.

We say this because these new colours lean towards classic British shades. Hyundai Taiwan calls them Oxford Green and London Red. These new colours join other English-named shades namely Grey Grey, Tiffany Blue, Jennifer Wong, Super Circle Powder and White Black. If youre scratching your head, Jennifer Wong is Yellow and Super Circle Powder is Pink.

Hyundai Venue Gets Vibrant New Colour Range

The South Korean brand is emphasizing British style for Taiwanese customers by offering a 3D Britains coat of arms (flag) on the tailgate. Britains coat of arms is present on the inside too. Especially on the seats where it is debossed. Speaking of seats, they are part leather and part checkered wool fabric.

I can only imagine the number of triboelectric shocks that friction with this wool material will generate. Materials like wool give away electrons very easily. This fabric has a classic British checkered pattern, though. Similar checkered pattern is on a British-style storage box in the boot too.

Oxford Green colourway gets a glossy dark moss-green shade that wouldnt fly in India though. There is a contrasting white roof and white inserts in the lower bumper. Hyundai has given it white rear parking sensors which look very neat. Same cant be said about Black door handles and ORVMs. Those should have been White too as they are in London Red.

Speaking of London Red, it gets a vibrant and lustrous cherry red shade with contrasting White colour. This colourway takes inspiration from Londons iconic red telephone booths. Grey Grey has base grey shade and contrasting red colour, which looks unique and is definitely personal preference.

Taiwan gets a larger 1.6L petrol motor

In Taiwan, Venue is still in the pre-facelift design while India gets the newer facelifted design. Taiwan-spec model gets the older steering wheel and it lacks India-spec models fully digital instrument screen as well. But in Taiwan Venue gets Hyundai Smartsense ADAS tech, which the Indian model doesnt.

Along with that Hyundai Venue features a 1.6L 4-cylinder NA petrol engine (120 bhp, 154 Nm, 8-step IVT) in Taiwan. Venue Taiwan-spec features 17 alloy wheels, an inch larger than in India and also get 6 drive modes too. Would we like these English shades with India-spec Venue? Probably not Oxford Green and Super Circle Powder.
While Toyota Alphard and Vellfire share the 2.5L hybrid powertrain, Alphard lacks the 2.4L turbo petrol option and Vellfire lacks the 2.5L NA option

Toyota has lifted the veil off its new VIP mobiles  Alphard and Vellfire. The JPY 4,720,000 (Rs. 27.23 lakh) starting price for Toyota Alphard and Vellfire is for Welcab assisted mobility vehicles on offer only with Alphard. Regular Alphard costs between JPY 5.4 million (Rs. 31.17 lakh) to JPY 8.72 million (Rs. 50.34 lakh).

Vellfire costs between JPY 6.55 million (Rs. 37.81 lakh) and JPY 8.92 million (Rs. 51.48 lakh). We hope Toyota soon launches the new Vellfire in India. In India, prices are likely to be more than twice the Japanese price. With this update, Toyota has made both its VIP mobiles a lot more premium and luxurious on the inside.

Toyota Alphard and Vellfire Launched

Both Toyota Alphard and Vellfire get GA-K variant of global TNGA platform. Toyota has taken a lot of effort in making this more luxurious. 50% more chassis rigidity with better adhesives, adaptive suspensions, rubber bushings in seat frames, memory foam seats, reduced wind noise, low-noise tyres, sound-absorbing interior materials add to the sense of luxury and refinement.

Toyota has made both Alphard and Vellfire comply with Japanese automatic parking systems in Japan. So, length is 4,995 mm, width is 1,850 mm and wheelbase is 3,000 mm. Design takes the Forceful X Impact Luxury theme and is reminiscent of Lexus LM. Alphard and Vellfire take a slightly different front and rear design to establish visual differences.

Alphard has a parametric-effect grille and a similar LED DRL signature, while Vellfire features a similar theme to Land Cruiser LC300. Vellfire reminds me of the recently-debuted MG Maxus. Side profile is identical, sans different design wheels. Rear has different tail lights. Vellfire features a wide LED bar signature that looks sharp and new age.

More luxurious on the inside

There is a modern dashboard that is a lot more minimal than before. It features wood inlays, a large central touchscreen infotainment screen and a digital instrument console. Even though there are two knobs for music control, AC control is all on the screen now. In the 2+2+2 or 2+2+3 seating arrangement, the middle row individual seats are the most prominent.

Calling them thrones will seem more befitting of the amount of creature comforts they offer. Like electrical seat adjustment, electric ottoman function, seat heating and ventilation, retractable table and even pull-down window shades. Getting in these seats is quite elegant too. They have automatic sliding doors and auto-retracting side steps that offer the first step at 220 mm off the ground.

There is a long overhead console that offers ambient lighting. Either second-row passengers can choose to open their side of the sunroof, which is a neat touch. Both seats get a detachable display to control various functions.

Engine options

Powertrains for Alphard include 2AR-FE 2.5L NA petrol (180 bhp, 235 Nm, CVT, FWD, AWD) and a hybrid version of this engine (total 247 bhp, FWD, AWD, 5 Ah battery). Vellfire only shares the hybrid engine with Alphard and gets an additional 2.4L turbo petrol engine (275 bhp, 430 Nm, 8AT, FWD, AWD). Toyotas Safety Sense ADAS suite and Advance Park and Advanced Drive are on board too.
The matching helmet with Vespa Mickey Mouse Edition is likely to be a paid option, rather than being part of the bundle

The Italian Scooter manufacturer recently launched Vespa Dual in India. In global markets, the Iconic Italian scooter manufacturer Vespa is collaborating with Disney to launch Mickey Mouse Edition. This collaboration is to signify Disneys 100th anniversary. This collaboration further signifies the relationship and ethos sharing between Disney and Vespa.

In Disneys latest movie Luca, the lead characters default choice of scooter for adventure is a Vespa. For Disneys 100th anniversary, two iconic brands have come together to launch the Vespa Mickey Mouse edition. Before you ask, Vespa didnt put the face of Mickey Mouse on a scooter. Instead, execution is rather tasteful and subtle. Lets take a look.

Vespa Mickey Mouse Edition

The way Disney and Vespa have executed the Mickey Mouse edition is really subtle. Primary colours are yellow, red, black and white, all of which make iconic Mickey Mouse characters. Yellow wheels and front fenders represent Mickey Mouses shoes, black mirrors represent its round ears, red shade shows its trousers and black base coat is the colour of Mickeys black fur.

There is a Mickey Mouse cartoon on the red floorboard. Black shade features a white graphic pattern made of multiple Mickey Mouse characters and it is present on either side of Vespa Primaveras side body panels and the front apron as well. If you missed any of these subtle elements, there are Mickey Mouse signatures on the seat and front apron.

Launched only with Primavera scooter

As of now, Vespa is only offering this Mickey Mouse edition with its Primavera scooter across the range including 50cc, 125cc and 150cc models. Vespa Primavera is not on sale in India. So, were not going to see this Mickey Mouse edition on Indian roads any time soon. Vespa also mentioned a matching Mickey Mouse helmet as well. Likely to be an add-on that standard offering.

Michele Colaninno, Chief Executive of global strategy, product, marketing, and innovation of the Piaggio Group, commented on this collaboration as follows: Dreams allow us to look to the future with optimism, even in complex times such as these. A timeless icon like Vespa could not fail to celebrate, on this very special occasion of Disneys 100th Anniversary, an equally everlasting icon like Mickey Mouse, with a tribute to creativity, imagination, light-heartedness, and fun  the very values that have always anchored Vespa. Today, as then. This collaboration between Vespa and Disney represents the celebration of two historic companies that have a common dream: to allow everyone to express their imagination freely.

Claire Terry, Senior Vice President, Disney Consumer Products, Games & Publishing EMEA said, Just like Mickey Mouse, Vespa is a cultural icon, evoking a sense of fun and adventure and together they form a wonderful combination, truly extending our timeless storytelling. We are incredibly excited to bring this version of the iconic scooter to our fans in our centenary year and bring all of Mickeys charm and personality to road trips wherever people want to go!
Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrived in Paris, France, on Wednesday to attend the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, scheduled for 22-23 June, said Presidential Spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy.

El-Sisis participation in the event reflects the growing strategic relations between Egypt and France and Egypts active role as an emerging economy, he added.

This role contributes to strengthening international initiatives that support developing countries and facilitate their access to financial liquidity, Fahmy added.

This will allow them to face the economic repercussions of the many successive global challenges such as climate change, the coronavirus pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, and the subsequent energy, food, and supply chain crises, he continued.

In Paris, Egypts president will focus on developing countries concerns, mainly facilitating access to needed financial flows for countries struggling from global crises, Fahmy added.

El-Sisi will also push for the provision of effective support for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 as well as the commitments made by developed countries within the framework of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Overall, the summit aims to strengthen international cooperation to formulate mechanisms that provide financing to achieve sustainable development in emerging economies, the spokesperson affirmed.

Summit for a New Global Financing Pact

The summit will take place on 22-23 June as per the desires of French President Emmanuel Macron originally expressed following Egypts hosting of the 27th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) on 22 November.

It is organized by France, Barbados, and India to set the foundations for a new global financing architecture to address climate change, biodiversity crisis, and development challenges. The summit also aims to extend beyond the Bretton Woods financial system.

It is meant to build a "new consensus" to tackle poverty, curb planet-heating emissions, and protect nature, the French president said.

The summit also aims to restore fiscal space to countries facing short-term difficulties, particularly the most indebted countries, and promote private sector development in low-income countries.

Finally, it will focus on encouraging investment in green infrastructure for the energy transition in emerging and developing countries and mobilizing innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change.

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Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, called upon Austrian companies to explore investment opportunities in Egypt, as stated in a ministry release on Wednesday.

The minister emphasized the investment potential in transformative projects situated in Egypt's Economic Zone of the Suez Canal, the golden triangle, the new administrative capital, and new cities.

The minister delivered her persuasive message while speaking at a conference hosted by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in Vienna.

Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt's potential to serve as a gateway for Austrian companies to access a market of over 1.5 billion people in Africa.

Egypt aims to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and increase the private sector's contribution to the GDP.

In April, Egypt's Trade Minister, Ahmed Samir, stated that Austrian investors have participated in 173 projects spanning various sectors in Egypt, such as industry, services, tourism, construction, finance, agriculture, telecommunications, and information technology.

Last year, trade between the two countries increased by 20 percent to approximately $339.5 million.

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MTN Ghana Foundation has opened applications for its Bright Scholarships 2023 to Ghanaian students. Here's how you may apply for the MTN Ghana Bright Scholarship.

The MTN Ghana Foundation has started a scholarship program to assist 100 bright and deserving Ghanaians complete their college studies.

Over a three-year period, 100 scholarships will be awarded, with recipients chosen from Ghana's 16 districts. This scholarship will pay for tuition, housing, and a stipend for books and other related reading materials.

MTN Ghana Foundation has assisted 1000s of Ghanaian students for over two decades to study various courses at various levels of education in Ghana through its Scholarship scheme.





Eligibility for MTN Ghana Bright Scholarships

1. Be a first-year or continuing student at any Ghanaian public tertiary institution seeking a first degree or vocational and technical skills training.

2. Must be a Ghanaian who is intelligent yet in need.





3. Be of strong moral character, industrious, and have excellent academic performance. As a continuing student, being active in extracurricular activities is advantageous.

4. Have no academic disciplinary difficulties and must not be serving a bond to be of good conduct.



MTN Ghana Bright Scholarship Application Process Apply online through their web portal: scholarship.mtn.com.gh

Send a one-page motivation letter outlining your educational and career ambitions.

Submit the application together with your contact information (phone number/e-mail address).

Applicants who have been shortlisted will be contacted and asked to meet with the scholarship panel.



PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLYING IS COMPLETELY FREE!

A candidate who is currently receiving another type of educational aid should not apply.

Those studying ICT, computer science, engineering, artificial intelligence, and data analytics would be given priority.

Women and people with disabilities are urged to apply in particular.

Applicants that lived and attended school in Bono East, Ahafo area, Savannah region, North East region, Western North region, and Oti region would be given preference.




Acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah is to receive Golden Pyramid Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 45th (CIFF) scheduled for November 2023.

Nasrallah's decades-long career and numerous awards have earned him this recognition. Recently, he was named the head of the short film competition jury at the fifth edition of MedFest Egypt, a festival that combines filmmaking and health-related social issues, taking place in September 2023.

The 45th edition of CIFF, taking place from 15-24 November 2023, will have Hussein Fahmy as its president and Amir Ramses as the director. Fahmy previously held the same position between 1998 and 2001, while Ramses returns to the festival in the same role as last year (2022).

President Fahmy praised Nasrallah's selection for the festival's top award, describing him as a "unique director and his works are unforgettable, and extremely important in the history of Egyptian cinema. I also cherish him as a friend and colleague."

Ramses highlighted that many of Nasrallah's works have achieved international success and had a profound impact on young directors. Ramses also shared that Nasrallah's films have contributed to his own cinematic development, "just as he has influenced many of my generation."

The Golden Pyramid Award for Lifetime Achievement is the highest honour at the Cairo International Film Festival, presented to exceptional Egyptian and international cinematic figures. Previous recipients include actress Lebleba, actress Nelly, screenwriter Wahid Hamed, and Hungarian director Bela Tarr, among others.

As one of the oldest film festivals in Egypt and the Arab region, the CIFF is registered under Category A at the International Federation of Producers in Paris (FIAPF).

Yousry Nasrallah is an internationally acclaimed director and screen writer. He studied at the Higher Institute for Cinema in Cairo and launched his career in the field as a film critic for Al-Safeer newspaper and as an assistant director in Lebanon.

He then worked as an assistant director with the late Youssef Chahine in a number of films starting with Wadaan Bonaparte (Adieu Bonaparte, 1985).

His first feature film, Summer Thefts (1988), screened the same year at Cannes in the Directors Fortnight selection. A few years later, Mercedes (1993) was selected at the Locarno Film Festival. His other works include Sobian W-Banat (On Boys, Girls and the Veil, 1995) and Al-Madina (The City, 1999), which was awarded Locarnos Special Jury Prize.

His eponymous book-to-screen adaptation of Elias Khourys novel The Gate of Sun was in the Festival de Cannes Official Selection in 2004.

He then directed Genenet Al-Asmak (The Aquarium, 2008) and Ehky Ya Sharhazad (Tell Me a Story, Scheherazade, 2009), which was screened at the Venice Film Festival.

His film Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces was presented in the Official Competition at the Locarno Film Festival in 2016.

In 2023, the Locarno Film Festival announced that it has started restoring The Gate of Sun.

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According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom welcomed over 1.3 million pilgrims on Monday in light of the Hajj Season throughout Saudi Arabias international ports by air, land, and sea.

The airline stated that the total number of pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia through its airports has reached 1,280,240 individuals. whereas, the number of arrivals through land ports was 57,463 pilgrims, while the number count of pilgrims entering through sea ports currently reached 4,648 individuals.

Read More: Here Are the Reasons Why You Should Fast on Arafah Day

Hajj, which will begin on June 26th, is a yearly pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This years pilgrimage is expected to witness around 2.6 million pilgrims performing the Islamic ritual, Hajj, for the first time since COVID-19.

The security agencies in the Kingdom have been actively involved in the preparations and efforts to ensure a secure and smooth pilgrimage experience.

Saudi Arabia has implemented its largest operational plan for the Hajj, which involves the deployment of thousands of staff members and volunteers to provide assistance to the millions of pilgrims on the ground.
As the Sudanese conflict enters its third month, Cairo is assessing its options vis-a-vis its strategically crucial neighbour.

In a series of high-level meetings this week, senior Egyptian officials examined different scenarios for the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The meetings, says an informed source speaking on condition of anonymity, had one focus: to determine the most likely scenarios for the war, and to assess Egypts options.

According to the source, it is likely that the conflict will get worse despite the repeated, and fragile, ceasefires secured through joint Saudi-US mediation. On Tuesday morning, the SAF said the RSF had violated the most recent three-day ceasefire before it expired.

For now, it does not seem either side has been weakened enough to succumb to the other. Nor do regional and international players have any answers to the future of Sudan when the battle does come to an end  especially if it ends in an SAF defeat, said the source.

Two Cairo-based foreign diplomats told Al-Ahram Weeky that the chances of SAF leaders, including army chief Abdel-Fattah Al-Borhan, of undermining the RSF and forcing its leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo into exile or surrender, are vanishingly slim. The balance of power, they say, especially in Khartoum, does not favour an SAF victory anytime soon.

Acknowledging the challenging situation the SAF is facing, compounded by the intervention of regional players supporting the RSF, the Egyptian source said a visit to Cairo this week by a senior aide to Al-Borhan had discussed the situation on the ground and the advances that RSF has been making with external help.

On Sunday, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi received Malik Agar, deputy chairman of Sudans Sovereign Council. Agar was appointed by Al-Borhan last month to the post that Dagalo had held before the conflict. Agar also met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit.

According to the source, Agar explained the situation on the ground, reviewed the state of political mediations and requested help. He declined to specify the nature of assistance requested, saying only that Sudan requires all types of help.

In statements made ahead of his Egypt visit, Agar said Khartoum is all but destroyed and acknowledged that the RSF now controls large parts of the Sudanese capital.

This week, Sudanese Minister of Health Haitham Ibrahim said that around 3,000 people had been killed since the beginning of the conflict and 6,000 wounded, and warned that Sudans health system is on the brink of collapse. Earlier in the month, WHO said that two thirds of the Sudaneses health had been compromised by the ongoing conflict.

UN agencies, including the WHO and FAO, have warned of the catastrophic situation in Sudan where 25 million people need immediate health and nutrition assistance.

In remarks this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the scale and speed of Sudans descent into death and destruction is unprecedented and that without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region.

A Saudi-chaired donors conference met on Monday in Geneva to discuss aid for Sudan. International donors made pledges of close to $1.5 billion for Sudan and the surrounding region. According to UN estimates, half a million people have fled Sudan into neighbouring countries, and two million people have been forced from their homes.

Egypt has sent several consignments of aid to Sudan. In the early days of the conflict Egyptian authorities also allowed emergency entry to Sudanese in need of healthcare and issued entry-upon-request visas for those Sudanese who flocked to the Argeen border crossing. Two weeks ago, however, Egypt introduced a stricter visa regime for Sudanese coming from Egypt. A government official said that the decision was taken following abuse of the flexibility of the earlier, more liberal visa system.

The visa policy for Sudanese escaping the war is subject to continuous reassessment, added the official.

In addition to providing humanitarian aid and entry visas, Egypt has been carefully examining what it can do to help promote stability in Sudan. According to the government official, the view in Cairo is that stability can only prevail in Sudan if its armed forces remain united, stable and strong. But while it highly values the role of the army, Egypt does not want to be seen siding too closely to one side of the conflict.

To do so, says the official, would hamper any possible political or diplomatic intervention. So far, such intervention has been confined to two tracks: the Saudi-American one which has brokered a series of on-and-off ceasefires, and the track pursued by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is trying to get Al-Borhan and Dagalo to meet in an African capital, possibly Addis Ababa, the venue of the headquarters of the African Union, to agree on a power-sharing policy.

Since the beginning of the conflict, in agreement with international partners, Egypt has upscaled security on its western and southern borders to abort any possible trafficking of arms or militants from Libya into Sudan.

Egyptian sources this week reported that Cairo is examining the possibilities of playing a mediatory role and of working with regional and international players to help ensure that Sudan does not fragment along tribal lines. They added, however, that no decision has been taken on either front. One thing, though, is clear, insist the sources: Cairo has no plans for direct military intervention in Sudan. Yes, it has issues with the flow of assistance some Arab and African countries have extended to Dagalo, but it is not willing to become directly involved in the conflict.

What Egypt wants to do, according to the same sources, is to work with partners, in and out of the region, on a possible extended truce monitored by peacekeeping forces under the umbrella of the African Union.

A diplomatic source close to Agars talks in Cairo said senior Sudanese officials had told their interlocutors that Al-Borhan is open to compromise.

Al-Borhan does not want to be too weakened prior to possible indirect negotiations. He wants to improve his position by having direct support from Egypt, he said.



* A version of this article appears in print in the 22 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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In the age of dinosaurs, many marine reptiles had extremely long necks compared to reptiles today. While it was clearly a successful evolutionary strategy, paleontologists have long suspected that their long-necked bodies made them vulnerable to predators. Now, after almost 200 years of continued research, direct fossil evidence confirms this scenario for the first time in the most graphic way imaginable.

Researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on June 19 studied the unusual necks of two Triassic species of Tanystropheus, a type of reptile distantly related to crocodiles, birds, and dinosaurs. The species had unique necks composed of 13 extremely elongated vertebrae and strut-like ribs. Consequently, these marine reptiles likely possessed stiffened necks and waited to ambush their prey. But Tanystropheus's predators apparently also took advantage of the long neck for their own gain.

Careful examination of their fossilized bones now shows that the necks of two existing specimens representing different species with severed necks have clear bite marks on them, in one case right where the neck was broken. The findings offer gruesome and exceedingly rare evidence for predator-prey interactions in the fossil record going back over 240 million years ago, the researchers say.

"Paleontologists speculated that these long necks formed an obvious weak spot for predation, as was already vividly depicted almost 200 years ago in a famous painting by Henry de la Beche from 1830," said Stephan Spiekman of the Staatliches Museum fur Naturkunde Stuttgart, Germany. "Nevertheless, there was no evidence of decapitation -- or any other sort of attack targeting the neck -- known from the abundant fossil record of long-necked marine reptiles until our present study on these two specimens of Tanystropheus."

Spiekman had studied these reptiles as the main subject of his doctoral work at the Paleontological Museum of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, where the specimens are housed. He recognized that two species of Tanystropheus lived in the same environment, one small species, about a meter and a half in length, likely feeding on soft-shelled animals like shrimp, and a much larger species of up to six meters long that fed on fish and squid. He also found clear evidence in the shape of the skull that Tanystropheus likely spent most of its time in the water.

It had been well known that two specimens of these species had well-preserved heads and necks that abruptly ended. It had been speculated that these necks were bitten off, but no one had studied this in detail. In the new study, Spiekman teamed up with Eudald Mujal, also of the Stuttgart Museum, and a research associate at the Institut Catala de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Spain, who is an expert on fossil preservation and predatory interactions in the fossil record based on bite traces on bones. After an afternoon spent examining the two specimens in Zurich, they concluded that the necks had clearly been bitten off.

"Something that caught our attention is that the skull and portion of the neck preserved are undisturbed, only showing some disarticulation due to the typical decay of a carcass in a quiet environment," Mujal said. "Only the neck and head are preserved; there is no evidence whatsoever of the rest of the animals. The necks end abruptly, indicating they were completely severed by another animal during a particularly violent event, as the presence of tooth traces evinces."

"The fact that the head and neck are so undisturbed suggests that when they reached the place of their final burial, the bones were still covered by soft tissues like muscle and skin," Mujal continued. "They were clearly not fed on by the predator. Although this is speculative, it would make sense that the predators were less interested in the skinny neck and small head, and instead focused on the much meatier parts of the body. Taken together, these factors make it most likely that both individuals were decapitated during the hunt and not scavenged, although scavenging can never be fully excluded in fossils that are this old."

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"Interestingly, the same scenario -- although certainly executed by different predators -- played out for both specimens, which remember, represent individuals of two different Tanystropheus species, which are very different in size and possibly lifestyle," Spiekman says.

The findings confirm earlier interpretations that the ancient reptiles' necks represent a completely unique evolutionary structure that was much narrower and stiffer than those of long-necked plesiosaurs, according to the researchers. They also show that evolving a long neck as a sea reptile came with potential downsides. Nevertheless, they note, elongated necks were clearly a highly successful evolutionary strategy, found in many different marine reptiles over a time span of 175 million years.

"In a very broad sense, our research once again shows that evolution is a game of trade-offs," Spiekman says. "The advantage of having a long neck clearly outweighed the risk of being targeted by a predator for a very long time. Even Tanystropheus itself was quite successful in evolutionary terms, living for at least 10 million years and occurring in what is now Europe, the Middle East, China, North America, and possibly South America."

This work was supported by the Fundacion Espanola para la Ciencia y la Tecnologia -- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Generalitat de Catalunya.
In the face of the biodiversity crisis, and alarming data showing a 69% decline in global animal populations since 1970, researchers are banking on a cool solution to help save species from extinction. Much like egg-freezing is used to preserve human fertility options for a later date, the cryo-freezing of genetic samples taken from animals may play an essential role in curbing species extinctions.

A new study published in Zoo Biology, titled 'Maximizing the potential for living cell banks to contribute to global conservation priorities,' sheds light on the immense potential of living cell banks, also known as cryobanks, to contribute to global conservation priorities.

These living cell banks preserve genetic materials from animals, such as DNA, embryos, semen, and live tissue, at ultra-low temperatures. These cells can be cultured and used for various applications, including genetic analysis, assisted reproductive techniques, ensuring genetic diversity in animal populations, and even potentially reintroducing species back into their natural habitats.

For the study, researchers analysed the contents of the Frozen Zoo at the San Diego Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) -- the world's largest and most diverse collection of living genetic samples -- to develop a framework for the prioritization of species for future sampling. Researchers also used aggregated data from the world's largest database of knowledge on species -- the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) -- to identify opportunities for future genetic sample collection.

The study shows that 965 different species, including 5% of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List are currently stored in the SDZWA Frozen Zoo and that further sampling from zoos and aquariums could significantly increase that representation to 16.6%, by providing access to an additional 707 threatened species.

Additionally, genetic samples of 50% of the species currently listed as extinct in the wild are already represented within the SDZWA Frozen Zoo, but sampling from the zoological community can increase this number to 91% -- potentially providing a critical lifeline for these species on the brink of extinction.

Lead study author, Dr Andrew Mooney, Dublin Zoo and Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences, emphasises the significance of the study, saying.

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"This study not only highlights the incredible work done by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to date, but also the collective potential of the global zoo and aquarium community in further contributing to global cryobanking initiatives and conservation priorities. As wildlife populations continue to decline around the globe, there has never been a more critical time to collect and preserve genetic samples from threatened species. Cryobanked samples provide unparalleled conservation opportunities, however we must make a concerted effort to work together and collect samples now, before it is too late."

Yvonne Buckley, Professor of Zoology in Trinity's School of Natural Sciences, says:

"We are in a biodiversity extinction crisis with over a million species likely to be threatened with extinction over the coming decades. While our first priority is to prevent species from declining in the wild, cryobanking provides a means to safeguard crucial genetic diversity and reintroduce it back into populations to increase their adaptability and resilience."

Co-author Johanna Staerk, Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, says:

"This study highlights the immense potential of cryobanking in safeguarding endangered species as well as the role of zoos and aquariums in conservation. Given how difficult it is to obtain genetic samples from wild species, zoos and aquariums provide the ideal resource from which to collect genetic samples to ensure the future survival of species."

Oliver A. Ryder, Kleberg Endowed Director of Conservation Genetics, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, says:

"Over forty years of cryobanking viable cells in the Frozen Zoo has produced a substantive and impactful resource for genomics-based biodiversity discovery and demonstrated possibilities for cellular-based genetic rescue. Urgently needed are expanded efforts in nations across the globe to establish a distributed network of biobanks to make cell-based genetic resources available in an equitable manner and provide future generations with conservation options."

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Marlys Houck, Curator of the Frozen Zoo, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and co-author on the study remarked:

"Dr Kurt Benirschke started the Frozen Zoo in 1975 and hundreds of samples continue to be added each year. Due to his foresight, we have cell lines from species and individuals banked decades ago, some that had not reproduced. Their genetic diversity is not represented in current populations but is available for future genetic rescue through the samples in the Frozen Zoo."

In addition to the framework suggesting which species need to be prioritised for genetic sampling, the study authors also encourage the formation of a global cryobanking database, facilitating collaborative efforts in preserving genetic diversity.

The study was the result of a workshop held at the IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) meeting in 2016 held by Species360 Conservation Science Alliance in collaboration with Oliver Ryder from the Frozen Zoo.

The Role of Cryobanking in Saving Species from Extinction -- A Case Study

The powerful role of cryobanking in conservation is exemplified through ongoing efforts to save the now functionally extinct northern white rhino. With only two surviving females, scientists are working to save the subspecies from disappearing forever through assisted reproductive techniques using samples from the Frozen Zoo.

While the example of the northern white rhino is an eleventh-hour attempt to save the subspecies, study authors stress the importance of proactively prioritizing species and establishing a global cryobanking database to ensure conservation actions can be taken much sooner.

Cryobanking may be the only lifeline to save species on the brink of extinction, such as the northern white rhino rhino and the vaquita, due to the availability of living cell cultures for these species. Regrettably, these possibilities will never be realized for the recently extinct Yangtze river dolphin and the Christmas Island pipistrelle -- for which no living biological samples exist.

However, sampling opportunities still exist for most species. Considering that 71% of species listed as 'least concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are at risk of extinction due to the impacts of climate change, the storage of genetic samples taken now could help conserve those species in the future.
Daytime napping may help to preserve brain health by slowing the rate at which our brains shrink as we age, suggests a new study led by researchers at UCL and the University of the Republic in Uruguay.

The study, published in the journal Sleep Health, analysed data from people aged 40 to 69 and found a causal link between habitual napping and larger total brain volume -- a marker of good brain health linked to a lower risk of dementia and other diseases.

Senior author Dr Victoria Garfield (MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL) said: "Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older."

Previous research has shown that napping has cognitive benefits, with people who have had a short nap performing better in cognitive tests in the hours afterwards than counterparts who did not nap.

The new study aimed to establish if there was a causal relationship between daytime napping and brain health.

Using a technique called Mendelian randomisation, they looked at 97 snippets of DNA thought to determine people's likelihood of habitual napping. They compared measures of brain health and cognition of people who are more genetically "programmed" to nap with counterparts who did not have these genetic variants, using data from 378,932 people from the UK Biobank study, and found that, overall, people predetermined to nap had a larger total brain volume.

The research team estimated that the average difference in brain volume between people programmed to be habitual nappers and those who were not was equivalent to 2.6 to 6.5 years of ageing.

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But the researchers did not find a difference in how well those programmed to be habitual nappers performed on three other measures of brain health and cognitive function -- hippocampal volume, reaction time and visual processing.

Lead author and PhD candidate Valentina Paz (University of the Republic (Uruguay) and MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL) said: "This is the first study to attempt to untangle the causal relationship between habitual daytime napping and cognitive and structural brain outcomes. By looking at genes set at birth, Mendelian randomisation avoids confounding factors occurring throughout life that may influence associations between napping and health outcomes. Our study points to a causal link between habitual napping and larger total brain volume."

Dr Garfield added: "I hope studies such as this one showing the health benefits of short naps can help to reduce any stigma that still exists around daytime napping."

The genetic variants influencing our likelihood to nap were identified in an earlier study looking at data from 452,633 UK Biobank participants. The study, led by Dr Hassan Dashti (Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital), also an author on the new study, identified the variants on the basis of self-reported napping, and this was supported by objective measurements of physical activity recorded by a wrist-worn accelerometer.

In the new study, researchers analysed health and cognition outcomes for people with these genetic variants as well as several different subsets of these variants, adjusted to avoid potential bias, for instance avoiding variants linked to excessive daytime sleepiness.

Genetic data and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain were available for 35,080 individuals drawn from the larger UK Biobank sample.

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In terms of study limitations, the authors noted that all of the participants were of white European ancestry, so the findings might not be immediately generalisable to other ethnicities.

While the researchers did not have information on nap duration, earlier studies suggest that naps of 30 minutes or less provide the best short-term cognitive benefits, and napping earlier in the day is less likely to disrupt night-time sleep.

Previous research looking at the UK and the Netherlands found that nearly a third of adults aged 65 or over had a regular nap.

The study was supported by Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation and the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation. In Uruguay it was supported by Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Basicas (PEDECIBA, MEC-UdelaR), Agencia Nacional de Investigacion e Innovacion (ANII), Comision Sectorial de Investigacion Cientifica (CSIC, UdelaR), and Comision Academica de Posgrados (CAP, UdelaR). In the United States it was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
A new study analysing data from the landmark ASPREE trial has found that prolonged daily aspirin use increases the risk of anaemia by 20 per cent in people mostly aged 70 and over.

The results have prompted researchers to suggest that regular monitoring for anaemia be considered for older adults who take low-dose aspirin, and if older adults have concerns about their health or medications they should discuss them with their GP.

The results have prompted researchers to suggest that regular monitoring for anaemia be considered for older adults who take low-dose aspirin and to discuss any concerns about their health or medications with their GP.

The Monash University-led study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, followed 18,153 initially healthy older adults in Australia and the USA and recorded incidents of anaemia over an average 4.7 years.

The risk of developing anaemia was found to be 20 per cent higher in the aspirin group compared to those in the placebo group.

It was the largest study to investigate anaemia in older people as part of a randomised controlled trial, ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) -- with half the participants taking a placebo and the other half a daily low dose (100mg) of aspirin.

Anaemia is commonly experienced by older adults, potentially affecting overall function and increasing fatigue, disabilities, depressive symptoms and cognitive problems.

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In addition to a higher risk of anaemia, blood tests revealed a faster decline of haemoglobin and reduced ferritin (a protein that carries iron) levels in the aspirin group compared to the placebo group.

Lead author, Associate Professor Zoe McQuilten from Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said while bleeding was a known side-effect of aspirin, few previous studies had looked at the effect of prolonged aspirin use on the progressive development of anaemia in older adults.

"This study gives a clearer picture of the additional risk of becoming anaemic with aspirin use and the impact is likely to be greater in older adults with underlying diseases, such as kidney disease," Associate Professor McQuilten said.

Associate Professor McQuilten said the new data gave doctors insight into the risk of anaemia from prolonged aspirin use by their older patients. "Older adults are more likely to become anaemic generally and now doctors can potentially identify patients at higher risk of developing anaemia," she said.

Associate Professor McQuilten urged patients to follow the advice of their doctor about their daily use of aspirin. She cautioned that for some older adults, aspirin was recommended as a valuable therapy to prevent recurring heart attacks or stroke. "Patients should not change their aspirin regimen without speaking to their GP," she said.
Self-driving electric vehicles still face steep hills on the road to reliability. Researchers from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Western Michigan University are working together to drive solutions from outside the car: sensors and processing embedded in road infrastructure.

Working with partners, ORNL engineers are placing low-powered sensors in the reflective raised pavement markers that are already used to help drivers identify lanes. According to a paper in IEEE Sensors by ORNL researcher Ali Ekti with lead author Sachin Sharma of WMU, microchips inside the markers transmit information to passing cars about the road shape. They are effective even when vehicle cameras or remote laser sensing called LiDAR are unreliable because of fog, snow, glare or other obstructions.

"We are working to make autonomous driving features accurate and safe in more remote areas," Ekti said. "And we are doing it by converting a dummy piece of infrastructure into something with many more uses."

Not only does the technology provide more accurate information about the driving environment, but it also shifts some of the processing load from the car's software onto infrastructure. This saves electric vehicle battery power, extending driving range to promote wider EV adoption. Compared with a leading camera and LiDAR-based autonomous driving technology, the chip-enabled pavement markers can reduce navigational power consumption by up to 90%, the authors reported in a technical paper.

The technology has potential for use with not only tomorrow's self-driving vehicles, but also today's common autonomous driving features, such as lane assist.

The effort is part of a larger project led by WMU, which is teaming with research and industry partners to develop related sensor and autonomous driving technologies such as radar retro-reflectors, high-definition mapping, computational offloading and weather sensing. WMU researchers are also using a vehicle driving on a closed course to measure the reduction in vehicle energy use that is enabled by these technologies, said Zachary Asher, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director of the WMU Energy Efficient and Autonomous Vehicles Lab.

ORNL researchers experimented to find the best combination of transceiver, battery and antenna for the sensor package inside standard road markers, as well as those that are designed to withstand snowplows. They then utilized a communications protocol that involves hopping across a particular radio frequency spectrum up to 50 times a second. "It's hard to detect, works well against interference, is low cost and doesn't consume a lot of power," Ekti said. Adjustments to the equipment could ensure its battery would last for the same replacement cycle as the pavement markers, typically a year.

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Ekti's team created algorithms that triangulate among the GPS coordinates of lane markers to reconstruct an image of the drivable area. One algorithm is embedded in a microchip inside the pavement marker, while a decoding algorithm is incorporated into the car's software.

ORNL researchers field-tested the sensor platform in a variety of weather conditions and in a remote national park in Montana with no wireless access. They found that it transmits more than five times beyond the original 100-meter goal.

"It's amazing how far it can transmit -- over hills, in snow. It's a big deal," Asher said. "Every step of the way, we're surprised at how well this technology is working, and we're finding some really cool ways it could be integrated."

The sensors could also signal temporary lane shifts or closures in construction zones when high-definition maps might be out of date. Marker sensors could eventually convey information about temperature, humidity and traffic volume, Ekti said. The project team plans to work with students to build a smaller microchip for the markers as a substitute for more expensive off-the-shelf products.

Asher is planning road demonstrations for stakeholders including the Tennessee and Michigan departments of transportation, the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and the City of Chattanooga. These government agencies decide which technologies are implemented in infrastructure, so their involvement in the development process is critical, Asher said.

Venture capitalists and Silicon Valley have typically regarded self-driving vehicles as a software problem, Asher said. "With the hindsight of 10 years of highly- funded development, we now know that software and cameras alone don't provide an easy solution," he said. "Perhaps a more patient approach, using infrastructure-based hardware in coordination with government transportation agencies, is the way to achieve zero-accident vehicles which actually use energy sustainably."

Part of the ORNL research was conducted at DOE's National Transportation Research Center. The Vehicle Technologies Office under DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provided funding. Contributing ORNL researchers include Ross Wang, Jason Richards, Elizabeth Piersall, David Pesin, Ozgur Alaca and Shean Huff.
Pakistan and China signed a $4.8 billion deal Tuesday to build what would be the seventh Chinese nuclear power plant in the South Asian nation.

The 1,200-megawatt project will be installed in the central Pakistani city of Chashma, where Beijing already has built four nuclear power generation units with a collective output of nearly 1,230 megawatts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif oversaw Tuesday's signing of the memorandum of understanding between China National Nuclear Cooperation and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

According to the agreement, the Chinese company will employ its HPR 1000 technology, known as HPR1000 or Hualong One, to construct the nuclear power unit. It will be the third facility in Pakistan to feature the HPR 1000, or pressurized water reactor technology.

"Investment from China in this project to the tune of $4.8 billion sends a loud and clear message that Pakistan is a place where Chinese companies and investors continue to show their trust and faith," Sharif said.

He thanked Beijing for offering a more than $100 million discount for what is named the Chashma 5 power plant. The work on the project was initially planned to start a couple of years ago, but Sharif said the Chinese partners had not rescheduled costs despite the long delay.

"This project is part of our energy security plan to diversify the energy mix with a focus on ensuring the provision of cheap electricity to the industry & relief to the common man," the Pakistani prime minister wrote on Twitter after the ceremony.
President Yoon Suk-yeol met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday and they agreed to cooperate closely on the international stage.

"Our two countries have developed a close partnership in various fields, sharing the universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law," they said in a joint press statement.

They pledged to promote "practical economic cooperation and build a stable supply chain."

South Korea, "as a next nonpermanent member of the Security Council, will deal with North Korea's unlawful provocations that are in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, in close cooperation with France, a permanent member," Yoon told reporters after their meeting.

Macron also condemned North Korea's human rights violations and added that South Korea's presence on the UNSC will offer a chance for France to cooperate closely on North Korean issues.
A growing number of Korean students are heading overseas to study medicine as competition intensifies in their home country, and Hungary has emerged as the most popular destination.

According to the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute, 409 people took the Korean medical license exam from 2001 to 2023 after studying abroad. Of the 247 or 60.4 percent who passed, 119 of them had studied in Hungary, followed by 106 in the Philippines, 38 in Uzbekistan, 23 in the U.K. and 22 in Germany.

As recently as the early 2000s, the preferred overseas destination for aspiring Korean doctors was the Philippines, where English is a lingua franca, but the preference shifted to Hungary from 2015.
Hyundai on Tuesday unveiled detailed plans to boost sales of electric vehicles with an investment of more than W100 trillion by 2030 (US$1=W1,288).

At an investor blitz in Seoul, the automaker pledged to boost global sales of EVs from 220,000 last year to 330,000 this year and 2 million in 2030, while increasing their share of operating profit to 10 percent. The overall goal for 2030 is to sell 5.8 million cars, so one-third will be EVs.

Hyundai wants to build an integrated system for more efficient production of both internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs, investing a total of W109.4 trillion over the next decade.
Lucia Rios at the WMPRSA PRoof Awards ceremony with The Lakeshore's ME Shandra Martinez, DAKC Development Director Peggy Helsel, IMG Co-Founder Paul Schutt and Rapid Growth's Publisher Tommy Allen.

When Lucia Rios studied journalism in college, a professor pulled her aside to give her some career advice. He told her not to let herself be assigned to the disability beat."I'm so glad I didn't listen to him, because I think that stories about individuals with disabilities and their family members are very important. And I think that the way that we report them and share them is equally important," Rios said.She shared that story in accepting the Media Person of the Year award from the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America on June 8. Rios was honored for her work as co-editor of the Disability Inclusion series, a multi-year series that runs in The Lakeshore WM Rapid Growth and Second Wave Southwest Michigan . The three West Michigan publications are part of Issue Media Group, a national network of online media outlets leveraging the power of solutions-based journalism to report on community change."One of the things I've learned and one of the things I've lived is that I'm not going to be a feel-good story. And in many stories, we see people who are extra, extra inspirational or very defeated. What we are able to do with the Disability Inclusion series is to humanize that perspective, but also share dignity. We look at language and look at the way the reporter is writing the story. I think that helps as far as to bring a lot of education."Rios hopes the series serves as a model for better and more accurate coverage of the disability community in other publications.The series is made possible through a partnership with Centers for Independent Living organizations across West Michigan. The goal is to expand the series to more publications across Michigan, says IMG co-founder Paul Schutt."Lucia Rios has provided unique leadership for the Disability Inclusion series," Schutt says. "Lucia brings her lived experience in the disability community to help us ensure that we get the stories right. She reviews each story helping us avoid stereotypes, outdated and outright offensive language for folks in the disability community. This has allowed us to make sure each story rings true and encourages those covered to share the stories with their networks."Peggy Helsel, director of development for Disability Advocates of Kent County, attended the award ceremony to support Rios.We were delighted to join others in honoring Lucia as she received the 2023 Media Person of the Year award, Helsel says. We thank her for her leadership in the Disability Inclusion series. The series has provided an opportunity for Disability Advocates of Kent County and our sister organizations across the state to focus attention on the many barriers that prevent people with disabilities living their life as they choose.Tommy Allen, publisher of Rapid Growth, agrees."Under Rios' leadership, our Disability Inclusion series paints a refreshing portrait of West Michigan that demystifies stigma with knowledge and removes barriers of access, Allen says. This ensures those who identify with the disability community, and who live, work, or are seeking to visit our region of the state, are seen and centered so they feel like they belong. Rios' voice is vital in helping people discover the best places to live, work, and enjoy themselves in Michigan."Rios removes barriers and creates access through her presence, voice and activism, which includes her current work with the office of accessibility for Salesforce Inc.As a journalist, Rios writing has been instrumental in focusing attention on disability issues, including living with her own lifelong disability. She is a mentor to the next generation of advocates and serves on several boards, including the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland area and the Family Hope Foundation. She is also the co-founder of Women of Color Give In April, Rios received the Ability Award from the Disability Network Lakeshore for her efforts to increase accessibility for everyone.This article is a part of the multi-year series Disability Inclusion , exploring the state of West Michigans growing disability community. The series is made possible through a partnership with Centers for Independent Living organizations across West Michigan.
The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) inaugurated the highly anticipated first international tender of natural pearls on Tuesday, in collaboration with the renowned Rapaport Group, a leading organiser of such prestigious tenders worldwide.

This remarkable event garnered significant attention from specialised companies engaged in the acquisition and trade of natural pearls. Recognised as one of nature's most exceptional treasures, these pearls, particularly those extracted from Bahraini waters, were the centerpiece of the tender.

Bahrain's unique environment has fostered the perfect conditions for the growth of these extraordinary natural pearls.

Danat Institute, equipped with state-of-the-art testing facilities at its groundbreaking laboratory, is dedicated to the meticulous examination and classification of pearls listed for tender. Utilising its esteemed grading system, which establishes a comprehensive framework for assessing natural pearls based on their colour, shape, and luster, the institute ensures the highest standards of precision and accuracy, said a statement.

Noora Jamsheer, the CEO of Danat Institute, expressed her delight in hosting this groundbreaking tender, emphasising its significance in reaffirming the kingdom's esteemed global reputation in the pearl trade and in testing pearls. This remarkable event serves as a testament to the Kingdom of Bahrain's unwavering commitment to achieving the goals of The National Plan to Revive the Pearl Sector, she said.

Jamsheer highlighted the pivotal role this tender plays in advancing Danats contributions to the development of the natural pearl market, particularly through its collaboration with the renowned Rapaport Group. Additionally, she emphasised the initiative's invaluable role in providing a platform for licensed pearl divers to engage with the international pearl markets, thus fostering fruitful communication and exchange.

Bahrain hosted the natural pearl tender after it was inaugurated by the Rapaport Group on June 7, 2023 in the US. Since its launch, the tender has journeyed across various cities within and beyond the US, rendering the kingdom's inclusion even more significant and noteworthy, the statement said. -TradeArabia News Service
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. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors 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

Binance is the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange platform. Coinbase is the largest cryptocurrency exchange platform in the United States. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sued both for illegal trading on the stock market. As Bloomberg columnist Matt Levine says, there are two ways to be illegal in this business: one is technical, and the other is stealing.

All crypto trades have been technically illegal in the U.S. since the SEC decided that most crypto assets are not commodities, which are tangible consumer goods such as oil or grain. Instead, they are securities: financial products that represent an interest in a company such as bills, bonds or stocks. Under U.S. law, securities are subject to certain obligations and regulations that commodities are not. For example, they must be registered and authorized by the SEC.

When it announced this resolution two weeks ago, the Commission noted at least 12 cryptocurrencies that were operating in the U.S. without a license. These are the kinds of securities handled by exchange platforms such as Binance and Coinbase. In addition, exchanges have their own cryptocurrencies, which are also securities. This double technical illegality is remedied by paying fines and going through the same annoying and limiting bureaucratic process as the rest of the securities. It is bad for business, but it is not an existential crisis. Then there was the kind of illegality that sank FTX last year. Its CEO and founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was taking client money without permission and moving it to Alameda Research to conduct financial transactions. That is stealing.

Coinbase deals in unauthorized securities but is unlikely to steal. In addition to being registered in the U.S., it has been listed on the stock exchange since spring 2021. That means it files regular financial reports, is subject to independent audits and other checks designed to ensure investors have access to relevant and accurate information. Binance, meanwhile, is registered unaccounted for, is not publicly traded, and has been moving money to places like the Seychelles, Kazakhstan and Lithuania through two crypto-favored banks that have just failed: Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank. With all this, the SEC has filed 13 charges against Binance. Catherine Collay, CEO of Binance in the U.S. until two years ago, has contributed to the research.

According to the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission complaints, Changpeng Zhao (better known as CZ) has moved billions of dollars of customer funds through an opaque corporate network to two of his companies. Money has been moved to Merit Peak, registered in the Virgin Islands, for speculation, money laundering and to buy an $11 million yacht. Cash has also been redirected to a market maker called Sigma Chain, registered in Switzerland. Market makers are businesses that manipulate the market by buying and selling a financial asset to generate liquidity. Alameda Research was a market maker and FTX was only the fourth-largest exchange in the market. The question is: if the SEC ultimately proves that Binance steals from users of its platform in the U.S., is it possible for it to be an honest business in the global marketplace?

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The United Nations called on countries in the Middle East and Europe on Monday to ramp up aid efforts in Sudan to address the deepening humanitarian crisis.

Sudan has been rocked by fighting for more than two months as the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces battle for control of the country. Sudans Health Ministry said Saturday that more than 3,000 have been killed in the conflict, which has decimated the countrys fragile infrastructure and sparked ethnic violence in the western Darfur region.

The scale and speed of Sudans descent into death and destruction is unprecedented, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening of a U.N.-sponsored meeting co-hosted by Egypt, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the African Union in the Swiss city of Geneva.

Guterres said the organizations emergency aid program launched after the war broke out on April 15 has received less than 17% of the required $3 billion in aid.

As the meeting progressed, numerous state representatives pledged further contributions. Qatars foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said that the Gulf kingdom would be giving $50 million to the program.

Katja Keul, minister of state at Germanys Federal Foreign Office, said that Berlin would pledge 200 million euros (nearly $219 million) of humanitarian assistance to Sudan and the region.

Speaking by a web link, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power said that Washington would be donating an additional $171 million in aid to Sudan.

The U.N.s top humanitarian official, Martin Griffiths, said that the United Nations would inject a further $22 million into the program.

It remained unclear if Saudi Arabia and Egypt, two of the conflicts key mediators, would provide further financial contributions to the humanitarian initiative.

Around 24.7 million people, more than half of Sudans population, are in need of humanitarian assistance, the U.N. says. More than 2.2 million people have fled their homes to safer areas elsewhere in Sudan or crossed into neighboring countries, according to the latest U.N. figures.

On Sunday morning, the countrys warring forces began a three-day cease-fire, brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Its the ninth truce since the conflict began, although most have foundered.

The conflict has turned the capital, Khartoum, and other urban areas into battlefields. The paramilitary force, commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has occupied peoples houses and other civilian properties, according to residents and activists. The army, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has staged repeated airstrikes in densely populated civilian areas.

The province of West Darfur has experienced some of the worst violence. With tens of thousands of residents fleeing to neighboring Chad. The Rapid Support Forces and affiliated Arab militias have repeatedly attacked the provinces capital, Genena, targeting the non-Arab Masalit community, rights groups say.

The provinces former governor, Khamis Abdalla Abkar, a Masalit, was abducted and killed last week after he appeared in a televised interview and accused the Arab militias and the paramilitary force of attacking Genena. The U.N. and Sudans military blamed the Rapid Support Forces for the killing. It has denied that.

Last week, Griffiths described the situation in West Darfur as a humanitarian calamity.

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Submersible pilot Randy Holt, right, communicates with the support boat as he and Stockton Rush, left, CEO and Co-Founder of OceanGate, dive in the company's submersible in 2013.

A renowned Titanic expert, a world-record holding adventurer, two members of one of Pakistans wealthiest families and the CEO of the company leading an expedition to the worlds most famous shipwreck are facing critical danger aboard a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean.

The submersible Titan was reported overdue Sunday night about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland, according to Canadas Joint Rescue Coordination Center, spurring a desperate international rescue effort. Rescuers were racing against the clock because the oxygen supply could run out by approximately 6 a.m. Thursday.

The expedition was led by OceanGate, making its third voyage to the Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew.

The five people on the vessel are:

Stockton Rush: Although his background is in aerospace and technology, Rush founded OceanGate Inc. in 2009 to provide crewed submersibles for undersea researchers and explorers, according to the companys website.

The private company based in Washington started bringing tourists to the Titanic in 2021 as part of its effort to chronicle the slow deterioration of the wreck. The ocean is taking this thing, and we need to document it before it all disappears or becomes unrecognizable, he told The Associated Press in 2021.

A spokesperson for OceanGate confirmed via email that Rush was on board the Titan.

In an interview with CBS News last year, Rush defended the safety of his submersible but said nothing is without risk.

What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface  overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazard, he said, adding that a good pilot can avoid such perils.

Rush became the youngest jet transport rated pilot in the world at age 19 in 1981, and flew commercial jets in college, according to his company biography. He joined the McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1984 as a flight test engineer and, over the past 20 years, has overseen the development of multiple successful IP ventures.

Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist and a friend of Rush, called him a real pioneer in the innovation of submersibles.

Stockton was a risk-taker. He was smart. He was, he had a vision, he wanted to push things forward, Stone said Tuesday.

Hamish Harding: A British businessman, Harding lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Action Aviation, an aircraft brokering company for which Harding serves as chairman, said he was one of the mission specialists, who paid to go on the expedition.

Harding is a billionaire adventurer who holds three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. In March 2021, he and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo dived to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench. In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origins New Shepard rocket.

Both the Harding family and the team at Action Aviation are very grateful for all the kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues, the company said in a statement.

In a Facebook post Saturday, Harding said he was proud to be part of the mission given that the weather might make another trip to the wreck unlikely this year.

Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023, he posted. A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive (Sunday).

Harding was looking forward to conducting research at the Titanic site, said Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club, a group to which Harding belonged.

We all join in the fervent hope that the submersible is located as quickly as possible, he said in a statement.

Shahzanda and Suleman Dawood: Father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood are members of one of Pakistans most prominent families. Their family said in a statement that they were both aboard the vessel. We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety while granting the family privacy at this time, the statement said. The family is well looked after and are praying to Allah for the safe return of their family members.

Their firm, Dawood Hercules Corp., based in Karachi, is involved in agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunication infrastructure

Shahzada Dawood also is on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Dawoods live in the UK, according to SETI. He is also a member of the Global Advisory Board at the Princes Trust International, founded by Britains King Charles III to address youth unemployment. He has degrees from the University from Buckingham in the United Kingdon and Philadelphia University in the U.S.

Paul-Henry Nargeolet: He is a former French navy officer who is considered a Titanic expert after making multiple trips to the wreckage over several decades. David Gallo, a senior adviser for strategic initiatives and special projects at RMS Titanic, said in an interview with CNN that Nargeolet was on board.

He is director of underwater research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc., has completed 37 dives to the wreck and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artifacts, according to his company profile. He was expedition leader on the most technologically advanced dive to Titanic in 2010, which used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the bow and stern sections as well as the debris field.

While with the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of Sea, he led the first recovery expedition to the Titanic in 1987.

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Nadav Tamir, former chief advisor to late Israeli President Simon Peres, speaks of him with reverence in his voice. Peres, the last of Israels founding fathers, served as president from 2007-2014 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his role in the Oslo Accords. Tamir is currently a senior advisor for governmental and international affairs with the Peres Center for Peace, a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to world peace and preserving Peres legacy. He traveled to Madrid on June 19 for the Sefarad-Israel Centers commemoration of Peres 100th birthday. In an interview with EL PAIS, Tamir said Israel is experiencing an awakening of sorts, a hopeful period inspired by the liberal majoritys massive demonstrations against the Netanyahu administrations unpopular judicial reforms.

Question. Simon Peres defended peace and a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem. But before that, he helped create the Israeli military apparatus and authorized, as Minister of Defense, the first Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

Answer. Peres was active in politics for many years, and he evolved as did Israeli politics. I asked him once, When did your focus shift from defense to diplomacy and peace? He said it was when he realized that Israel is strong and when our neighbors realized that were here to stay. He believed that the best way to make Israel safe is to have peace with our neighbors. As for the settlements, it was a political compromise. If he were alive now, he would probably regret that decision, but he would also look to the future and not the past.

Q. On June 19, five Palestinians, including a teenager, died during an Israeli army raid in Jenin [West Bank]. What remains of the Oslo Accords legacy?

A. Terrorism was still happening even as those peace agreements were being forged. But Peres would not allow terrorism to destroy the goal of the accords and the two-state solution.

Q. Do you believe that all the Palestinians who are dying in this conflict are terrorists?

A. Of course not. Many innocent Palestinians have suffered, just like many non-combatant Israelis. And this is precisely why its paramount that we put an end to this conflict. Unfortunately, there are those who believe no peace talks are possible while there is still terrorism. As believers in peace, it is our duty to strive for it tirelessly, despite the threat of terrorism.

Q. Has settlement expansion made the two-state solution unattainable?

A. It is not only possible, but also inevitable. The pressing question is: how much bloodshed and anguish must we endure before we have resolution? There are viable solutions in the peace accords regarding the settlements, yet we lack the political will to pursue them.

Q. Where will this political will come from when Israel has its most far-right government in history and the Palestinian leadership is facing a legitimacy crisis?

A. Perhaps because of the current government, Israel is experiencing a liberal awakening of the majority. It has been slumbering for years, waiting to implement start-up exit strategies and enjoying the Tel Aviv foodie scene. But now the ideological vote has taken to the streets. Thats why I believe this is one of the most hopeful times in Israels history. Sometimes you need a government like this to wake everyone up. Not only do we have to reverse this administrations legal coup detat, we must also seize the moment and understand that, after 75 years of independence and 56 years of occupation, its time to change course. The international community must aid Palestine in conducting democratic elections so it can establish a representative leadership that serves the population in Gaza and the West Bank.

Q. By legal coup detat, do you mean Netanyahus reforms aimed at weakening the judicial branchs position in government, which has triggered a wave of protests?

A. What you call a judicial reform is a legal coup detat to the protestors. I dont think it will be successful because most Israelis are liberal and want to live in a democracy. They wont allow it to happen. So even if the bill moves forward, I think it would lead to a constitutional crisis in which the Supreme Court and the attorney general will declare the legislation unconstitutional. Most of the country will side with the law and not with the government.

Q. What do you think will be the political cost of that judicial reform?

A. I dont think the current ruling coalition will last long. I believe that in the next elections, Israel will choose the center-left. That reform has hurt our economy since the day it was first proposed. The leaders of our very productive high-tech sector said we cannot be a start-up nation without democracy. The most important reserve units of the Israel Defense Forces have claimed their patriotism lies in putting their lives on the line for their country, but not for a dictatorship.

Q. U.S. President Joe Biden has yet to meet with Netanyahu, a first for an Israeli prime minister after winning election.

A. That Netanyahu wasnt invited to the White House shows he paid a price for it [the judicial reform]. We see that his party and its partners are dropping in the polls, while the liberal camp is growing. This moment will likely go down in history as a critical turning point for Israel. Civil war should never be our path, unlike the Americans who needed one to fight for their rights and free themselves from slavery. Thats why its so encouraging to see how Jews all over the world have supported the protests. Simon Peres once taught me that optimism is the greatest force for change, for making our world a better place. I am very optimistic about a future where Israel is a homeland for Jews, yet also a democracy where every citizen, Jew or non-Jew, is equal.
Rwandan genocide suspect Fulgence Kayishema appears at the Cape Town Magistrates' Court where 54 new charges were added against him, in Cape Town, South Africa June 9, 2023.

One of the last remaining suspects accused of orchestrating the brutal massacres of the Rwandan genocide nearly 30 years ago plans to apply for political asylum in South Africa, his lawyer said Tuesday.

The U.N. tribunal charged Kayishema in 2001 with being a central figure in the slaughter of more than 2,000 people seeking refuge at a church.

Now 62 years old, he was arrested last month in the small town of Paarl near Cape Town, South Africa, having been on the run for half his life.

More than 800,000 people were killed when militias made up mainly of members of Rwandas Hutu ethnic group turned on their Tutsi neighbors. The killings, an attempt to wipe out the minority Tutsis, were triggered on April 6, 1994, when a plane carrying Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down, killing him.

Kayishema is accused of being one of the leaders of a Hutu mob that killed Tutsi men, women and children who were hiding in the Catholic church to escape the sudden eruption of violence. Kayishema and others tried to burn down the church and, when that failed, they used a bulldozer to smash it down, crushing to death the Tutsis inside, according to the charges against him.

Ultimately, more than 2,000 people were killed in and around the church, the genocide indictment against Kayishema says.

The U.N. tribunal wants Kayishema to be sent to one of the seats of the tribunal in Arusha, Tanzania, and then to Rwanda for trial, but its unclear how long it would take for South Africa to extradite him.

Following his May 24 arrest, Kayishema also was charged in South Africa with 54 counts of immigration offenses and fraud. He allegedly used fake names and other falsified information to acquire documents to enter and live in South Africa, where he had been for at least 20 years, according to the charges filed by prosecutors.

He appeared in court Tuesday for that case. The proceedings could have delayed his extradition even if Kayishema did not intend to seek asylum, a move that requires further proceedings.

His lawyer, Juan Smuts, told reporters Tuesday that Kayishema left Rwanda in 1994 out of fear for his life.

He hid in at least three other African countries  Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania  before arriving in South Africa sometime between 2000 and 2002, Smuts said, adding that Kayishema was 62 years old and not 61, as South African police previously stated.

Smuts said the immigration and fraud case against Kayishema would have to be put on hold while his application for asylum was considered. South African prosecuting authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila disputed that and said the asylum claim had no bearing on Kayishemas criminal case.

However, any extradition will likely be delayed for at least two months after the judge postponed Kayishemas South African court case until Aug. 18. He has not entered a plea on any of the charges and remains jailed.

The massacre at the Nyange church in western Rwanda was one of many horrific episodes in the 1994 genocide. A memorial to the victims now stands in place of the church.

Aloys Rwamasirabo, who lived in the Nyange area and knew Kayishema, survived the massacre but said nine of his children were killed. Rwamasirabo said Kayishema, who held the rank of police inspector at the time, ordered many of the killings.

My wish is that he is brought back to Rwanda (to) face justice in the presence of survivors whom he committed crimes against, Rwamasirabo said. He carried a lot of power, and his orders were obeyed.

Kayishema didnt speak during his latest court hearing and stood and faced the judge through most of it while surrounded by seven armed police officers. But he smiled, waved and gave a thumbs-up to some of his family members sitting in the courtroom.

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A serviceman pays his last respects at the coffin of a volunteer soldier killed in a battle with the Russian troops near Bakhmut, during a farewell ceremony in Independence Square in Kyiv, on June 20, 2023.

Ukrainian air defenses downed 32 of 35 Shahed exploding drones launched by Russia early Tuesday, most of them in the Kyiv region, officials said, in a bombardment that exposed gaps in the countrys air protection after almost 16 months of war.

Russian forces mostly targeted the region around the Ukrainian capital in a nighttime drone attack lasting around three hours, officials said, but Ukrainian air defenses in the area shot down about two dozen of them. The attack was part of a wider bombardment of Ukrainian regions that extended as far as the Lviv region in the west of the country, near Poland.

The Shahed drones made it all the way to Lviv because of the inability of air defense assets to cover such a broad area, Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said.

Air defense systems are mostly dedicated to protecting major cities, key infrastructure facilities, including nuclear power plants, and the front line, he said. There is a general lack of air defense assets to cover a country like Ukraine with a dome like Israel has, he said, in a reference to Israels Iron Dome aerial defense system.

In the Lviv region, the Russian strike hit a critical infrastructure facility, starting a fire, according to Lviv Gov. Maksym Kozytskyi.

Russia also struck the southern Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine with ballistic missiles.

Ukraines air defenses have been reinforced with sophisticated weapons from its Western allies, allowing it a higher success rate recently against incoming drones and missiles.

Previously, a winter bombardment by Russia damaged Ukraines power supply, though speedy repairs blunted that Kremlin effort.

The latest aerial assaults behind Ukraines front line coincided with the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, as it aims to dislodge the Kremlins forces from territory occupied since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The counteroffensive has come up against heavily mined terrain and reinforced defensive fortifications, according to Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces.

Russia has also mustered a large number of reserves, he said in a post accompanying a video of him visiting front-line positions with other senior officers.

Heavy battles are taking place in eastern Ukraine, around Bakhmut, Lyman, Avdiivka and Marinka, the Ukrainian armed forces said. Russia shelled 15 cities and villages in the eastern Donetsk region, wounding five civilians, including three in Chasiv Yar near Bakhmut, according to Ukraines presidential office.

Despite the fierce resistance of the occupiers, our soldiers are doing everything possible to liberate Ukrainian territory. The operation continues as planned, Zaluzhnyis post said.

Russia has relocated about 20,000 troops from the areas in the Kherson region after flooding from the recent Kakhovka Dam collapse made it impossible for Ukraine to conduct an offensive there, Ukrainian military analyst Roman Svitan said.

The flooding removed the need for the Kremlins forces to protect about 300 kilometers (180 miles) of the more than 1,000-kilometer (680-mile) front line, according to Svitan, and allowed Moscow to increase its military density in the Zaporizhzhia and the Donetsk regions where intensive fighting is occurring.

Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to breach the dam earlier this month while under Russian control, according to information obtained by The Associated Press.

Svitan said the Zaporizhzhia region appears to be the focus of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, seeking to smash through Russias land corridor with the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

In other developments, Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, known by its acronym SVR, invited Ukrainian diplomats stationed abroad to come to Russia with their families to avoid returning to Ukraine. It claimed many Ukrainian diplomats are unwilling to return home after their tours and want refugee status in the European Union and Asian countries where they worked.

Also, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu alleged that Ukraine plans to use U.S.-made HIMARS and U.K.-provided Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian territory, including Crimea. He warned that using those missiles on targets outside the current war zone would trigger immediate strikes on the decision-making centers on the territory of Ukraine. He didnt elaborate and didnt provide any evidence to support his claim.

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Indian telecom equipment manufacturers may soon get an opportunity to team up with businesses in the United States, with the Centre planning pitches during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit. The move comes months after Washington stopped the sale of network equipment from large Chinese companies due to security concerns.

According to sources, the consortium of TCS-Tejas-CDoT, Shyam Vihaan Network, Niral Networks, Lekha Wireless, Signaltron, Resonous, Amantya Technologies, WiSig Wireless, and Galore Networks are the companies that pitched to the government by Indian industry body VOICE which is a grouping of local makers.

The telecom department had received the names of the companies from VOICE as potential candidates for 4G upgrades and 5G pilot projects in the US. Companies working on 5G core, mobile edge cloud solutions, base stations, IoT sensors, and 5G handsets are included on the list.

"The government wants to position the Indian companies for 4G and 5G telecom work in the US, especially promoting them as 'trusted sources', amid moves across the world to find new suppliers, instead of just relying on Chinese vendors, such as Huawei and ZTE, for mobile telephony business," source said.

Communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and minister of state for IT and electronics Rajeev Chandrasekhar have already said that solutions made in India are not only highly cost-competitive, but carry the hallmark of being trusted solutions.
NETGEAR, the leading provider of award-winning connected products designed to simplify and improve people's lives; successfully organized NETGEAR CONNECT event in Lucknow. The partner event brought together an exceptional gathering of industry leaders, visionaries, and professionals, representing a diverse range of expertise and backgrounds, under one roof. The event witnessed a massive response with attendees joining from various parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The event served as a dynamic platform for showcasing NETGEARs cutting-edge products, unveiling groundbreaking technologies, and exchanging valuable insights. This convergence of brilliant minds had also provided a platform for unprecedented collaboration, innovation, and growth in the networking and connectivity domain.

Speaking on the occasion, Marthesh Nagendra, Country Manager India, ME & SAARC, NETGEAR, We are very thankful to our valuable partners for their unwavering support, enthusiasm, and commitment that have helped us over the years to take NETGEAR to new heights. We are hopeful that with this collaborative spirit, we can collectively shape the future of networking solutions and deliver exceptional value to our customers.

NETGEAR organizes such events on a regular basis to form a connection with the partners, understand and resolve their queries. And at the same time share information about how the best and unique offerings in Switches, Wireless, and Mesh from the brand can fit in their solutions and help them optimize it.
Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops Cardinal Mario Grech, right, delivers his speech during a presentation of the new guidelines for the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, on June 20, 2023.

An unprecedented global canvassing of Catholics has called for the church to take concrete steps to promote women to decision-making roles, for a radical inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community and for new accountability measures to check how bishops exercise authority.

The Vatican on Tuesday released the synthesis of a two-year consultation process, publishing a working document that will form the basis of discussion for a big meeting of bishops and laypeople in October. The synod, as it is known, is a key priority of Pope Francis, reflecting his vision of a church that is more about the faithful rank-and-file than its priests.

Already Francis has made his mark on the synod, letting lay people and in particular women have a vote alongside bishops. That reform is a concrete step toward what he calls synodality, a new way of being a church that envisions more co-responsibility in governance and the key mission of spreading the Catholic faith.

The document highlights key concerns that emerged during the consultation process, which began at the local parish level and concluded with seven continent-wide assemblies. It flagged in particular the devastating impact that the clergy sexual abuse crisis has had on the faithful, costing the hierarchy its credibility and sparking calls for structural changes to remove their near-absolute power.

The synthesis found a unanimous and crucial call for women to be allowed to access positions of responsibility and governance. Without raising the prospect of womens ordination to the priesthood, it asked whether new ministries could be created, including the diaconate  a reflection of a years-long call by some women to be ordained deacons in the church.

The document noted that most of the continent-wide assemblies and several bishops conferences called for the diaconate question to be considered by the synod.

The document also asked what concrete steps the church can take to better welcome LGBTQ+ people and others who have felt marginalized and unrecognized by the church so that they dont feel judged: the poor, migrants, the elderly and disabled, as well as those who by tribal or caste feel excluded.

Perhaps most significantly, the document used the terminology LGBTQ+ persons rather than the Vaticans traditional persons with homosexual tendencies, suggesting a level of acceptance that Francis ushered in a decade ago with his famous Who am I to judge comment.

Even the seating arrangements for the synod are designed to be inclusive. Delegates are to be seated at round tables, with around a dozen laity and clergy mixed together in the Vaticans big auditorium.

Previously, synods took place in the Vaticans theater-like synod hall, where cardinals and bishops would take the front rows and priests, nuns and finally lay people getting seated in the back rows, far from the stage.

Unlike past working documents, the synthesis doesnt stake out firm points, proposals or conclusions, but rather poses a series of questions for further discussion during the October assembly. The synod process continues in 2024 with the second phase, after which Francis is expected to issue a concluding document considering the proposals that have been put to him by the delegates.

The working document re-proposed a call for debate on whether married priests could be considered to relieve the clergy shortage in some parts of the world. Amazonian bishops had proposed allowing married priests to minister to their faithful, who sometimes go months at a time without Mass, but Francis shot down the proposal after an Amazonian synod in 2019.

It called for more meaningful and concrete steps to offer justice to survivors of sexual abuse. It noted that the faithful have also been victims of other types of abuse: spiritual, economic, power and conscience abuse that have eroded the credibility of the Church and compromised the effectiveness of its mission.

It suggested that the church must reevaluate the way authority is exercised by the hierarchy, suggesting structural, canonical and institutional reforms to eradicate the clericalism, or privilege that is afforded to clergy.

It acknowledged the fear and opposition that the synodal process has sparked among some bishops who see it as undermining their authority and power, but said transparency and accountability were absolutely necessary and that bishops should even be evaluated as a way to rebuild trust.

The synodal process asks them (bishops) to live a radical trust in the action of the spirit in the life of their communities, without fear that the participation of everyone need be a threat to their ministry of community leadership, it says.

Even before the synod began, the document and the consultative process that preceded it were already having an effect.

Sister Nadia Coppa, who heads the umbrella group of womens religious orders, said anyone who exercises governance in religious orders was being called to develop a new way of exercising authority.

It will be important for us to propose a style of governance that develops structures and participatory procedures in which members can together discern a new vision for the church, Coppa told a press conference.

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The Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister granted the appointment of Swaminathan Janakiraman as a deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is for the first time in more than 20 years that a State Bank of India managing director (MD) is appointed as a RBI deputy governor. Vepa Kamesam was the last SBI MD to be appointed as a RBI deputy governor, who served from July 1, 2001, to September 23, 2003.

Fifty-nine-year-old Swaminathan will replace M K Jain, the deputy governor in-charge of supervision, who will complete his second term on June 21. Jain was first appointed in June 2018 for three years. He was reappointed for another two years. Swaminathan will have a three-year tenure as the deputy governor, from the date from which he takes charge. The Financial Services Regulatory Appointments Search Committee, headed by Cabinet secretary, interviewed candidates for the RBI deputy governors post on June 1.

In a career spanning over 33 years with SBI, Swaminathan held various assignments across corporate and international banking, retail, digital, finance among others. He served the countrys largest lender in various capacities, including deputy managing director and chief digital officer. He also served SBIs New York branch as head of trade. The RBI has four deputy governors. While two of them are promoted from within the ranks, one is an economist, and the other is a commercial banker. The outgoing deputy governor, Jain, was a commercial banker who was MD & chief executive officer of IDBI Bank and Indian Bank.
The Indian government's recent efforts to boost the country's semiconductor ecosystem have given a boost to several startups in the fabless sector. One among such startups is Silizium Circuits. The company heads explained that their ambitious plan is to dominate the space by the end of this decade. "We want to become the largest analog, RF, mixed signal IP exporter from India by 2030 and evolve to be the most sought-after global brand in this segment by 2035," said Rijin John, co-founder & CEO of Silizium. "This is an ambitious goal, and we are open to partner with anyone who see the same or better dream through us."

To drive this growth, the company bets on their customer-driven approach. All IPs and SoCs are based on potential customer inputs. Any OEM in deep tech will need custom solutions in future. "We have established collaboration with GaAs/GaN/CMOS/SOI foundries across the globe. These foundries can provide 28 nm to 180 nm technologies," John continued. "We also have association with various design houses will provide easy access to ASIC tapeout MPW and mass manufacturing. DLI Schemes can catalyze commercial volume production."

Silizium is also closely associated with leading companies like HCL Technologies, Tessolve, Calibre, CDAC and with educational institutions like IIT Hyderabad, IIM Visakhapatnam, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, and Cochin University of Science and Technology. Silizium Circuits is a pioneering fabless research and development venture, specialized in the creation of analog, radio frequency, and mixed signal semiconductor intellectual property (IP). Their mission is to address the ever-evolving needs of the global semiconductor industry.

"Our focus is primarily on the analog, RF and mixed signal wireless domain with IPs lining up for applications in emerging technologies like aerospace, 5G, GNSS, wearables and hearables, IoT, automotive, and strategic sector," explained Arun Ashok, co-founder & CTO.

With a team spread across India, Silizium has successfully taped out their first chip, SC2391, which is now open for customer evaluation. This innovative front-end module supports all navigation bands, including India's latest NaviC bands. Uniquely offering L1, L2, L5, and S bands on a single chip, SC2391 significantly cuts down the bill of materials (BOM) cost. Additionally, it supports the 5G band 41 with a remarkably low noise figure.

"While we initially focused solely on IP development in the wireless domain, our activities have evolved and diversified over the past few years," Ashok added. "Although analog RF IP design and development remains our primary activity, accompanied by successful tapeouts of front end modules for NaVIC/GPS and 5G, we are now also engaged in system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for a high-volume product."

Ashok indicated that the IPs they have designed are naturally incorporated into their SoC designs. They also collaborate with partners for complementary modules. He explained that their primary focus, which was previously largely on analog with a smaller emphasis on digital, has evolved. Now they are incorporating increasingly more digital elements to meet the growing digital engineering requirements for current and upcoming SoC designs.

Silizium intends to capitalize on the potential of selling hardened ASIC IPs in global e-commerce semiconductor marketplaces, such as Design Reuse, Chip Estimate, and Any Silicon. "Our primary target customers are OEMs offering wireless products catering to EVs, drones, satellites, location and positioning of IoT devices in energy meters, agri-tech, defence tech, GNSS, 5G, IoT products, hearables, wearables, AI ML and strategic applications," John said. "We already have a paying customer operating in B2B2C and B2B2G, with a confirmed demand of 2 lakhs IPs per quarter for different commercial applications."

The usage of semiconductor-based ICs and Circuits in almost all modern devices is the primary driving factor, and the adoption of IoT and 5G based products and services in both enterprise and end customers level has catalyzed this growth. This trend is set to grow as the new generations prove to be more tech-savvy than the previous.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- NYPD detective Dominick Libretti, who was shot in the leg while executing a narcotics search warrant in New Springville in January 2022, was recently presented with the Winter Family Cop of the Year Award.

The award ceremony -- the New York City Police Foundations Annual Gala -- was held on June 8, 2023 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan. Libretti accepted the award alongside his wife, Destiny.

Dominick Libretti and his wife, Destiny, attend the New York City Police Foundations Annual Gala on June 8, 2023. (Courtesy of Andrew Kelly)

On Jan. 20, 2022, The officer, a decorated 10-year veteran of the department, was entering a home  82 Rockne St.  at around 6 a.m. as part of a long-term investigation when authorities allege shots were fired through a bedroom door by suspect Nelson Pizarro, 39.

Despite being shot in the leg by the armed suspect, Libretti held up a ballistics shield to protect his fellow officers from being shot, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported.

JANUARY SEARCH WARRANT LED TO SHOOTING

Police said members of the Narcotics Bureau were executing a search warrant at the home for Anthony Marshall, who was the subject of the departments raid.

After entering the two-story building, officers outfitted with NYPD tactical vests moved into the second floor of the residence, where there was a narrow hallway that connected three bedrooms and a bathroom, police officials said at the time.

When the team of officers made it to the first bedroom, members were fired at by Pizarro, who was in a bedroom down the hallway, police said. A 9 mm Beretta handgun allegedly used by the suspect was recovered from the scene, police said.

Pizarro was shot in the leg and taken to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. Pizarro has been charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.

Pizarro has an extensive criminal record that includes his arrest about 15 years ago in connection with a major NYPD bust in which cops seized $350,000 in cash, 4.3 pounds of cocaine, and nabbed 23 people who comprised a drug ring that stretched from Staten Island to Pennsylvania, according to authorities.

Prosecutors allege Marshall sold drugs to undercover cops on seven occasions at locations on Staten Island, including once on school grounds.

The drug deals involved cocaine and occurred in November and December 2021 and January 2022, an indictment alleges.

On one occasion Marshall allegedly sold narcotics to an undercover police officer upon school grounds at Curtis High School in St. George, according to the indictment.

Marshall faces seven counts of criminal sale of a control substance and one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance near school grounds. He is not charged in connection with the shooting.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in locating a man sought for questioning in connection with a New Springville grand larceny.

Police said a vehicle belonging to a 43-year-old female victim was left parked and unlocked in front of a home on the 100 block of Park Drive North. An unknown individual entered her vehicle and removed a purse before fleeing the location in an unknown direction, according to a written statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The stolen purse contained approximately $1,100, identification documents, a cellphone, headphones and assorted credit cards, the police statement said.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Later that same day, an individual was seen using the victims stolen credit cards at various stores on Staten Island and in Brooklyn. The individual made approximately $700 in charges.

At this time, the individual is only being sought for questioning in connection with the use of the stolen credit cards, police said.

The NYPD provided surveillance images of the individual obtained from store security cameras.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport stopped a Staten Island traveler from allegedly bringing a loaded handgun onto a flight Wednesday morning, according to a statement from the TSA.

After a TSA officer spotted a .38-caliber handgun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, Port Authority Police were alerted and confiscated the gun  which was loaded with seven bullets  before the traveler was interviewed, the statement said.

Summer travel season is in full swing and the airport is extremely busy, said Thomas Carter, the TSAs federal security director for New Jersey. Carrying prohibited or illegal items to security checkpoints slows down the security lines for everyone.

The Port Authority Police declined to press charges against the traveler, the TSA said.

However, according to the statement, the penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can cost as much as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.

The incident comes just four days after the TSA found another man concealing a loaded firearm in a carry-on bag in a Philadelphia airport on Saturday, June 17. In that instance, police confiscated the gun and arrested the traveler.

According to the TSA, Wednesday mornings gun discovery marked the 10th gun caught at the airport so far this year.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - A bookmobile is touring New York City, including Staten Island, and it will be distributing over 5,000 free books related to Black studies this summer.

The Black Studies: An Education for Me + You Bookmobile is an initiative run by the Education Equity Action Plan Coalition (EEAPC), which is charged with developing a Black studies curriculum in New York City public schools for pre-K to grade 12 that acknowledges the history and contributions of Black people, beginning before slavery and continuing through the present.

The city Department of Education (DOE) has said there are plans to include Staten Islands Sandy Ground among the lessons  introducing students to the nations oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by descendants of the original settlers.

The bookmobile will be at Bay Street and Victory Boulevard in Tompkinsville on Friday, June 23, from 3 to 5 p.m.

The bookmobile brings Black studies to the people, literally meeting them where they live. It embodies EEAPCs commitment to engaging with local residents to ensure that Black studies curriculum is an immersive learning opportunity for all, said Dr. Shango A. Blake, CEO of TRU SK Consultants and a thought leader on urban education.

The bookmobile will give students access to age-appropriate books to foster identity, highlight the Black experience, and encourage reading and learning.

Visitors to the bookmobile will receive free books geared toward students in pre-K to eighth grade. (Photo courtesy of Mychal Watts)

Guests will have an opportunity to interact with a series of vignettes related to the Black experience and engage in interactive activities on an actual school bus. Visitors will receive free books geared toward students in pre-K to eighth grade.

New York Citys Black studies curriculum will demonstrate the contribution of ancient Black societies and civilizations and their impact on the modern world, according to EEAPC. The core partners charged with developing and launching the curriculum in collaboration with the DOE are: the United Way of New York City; the Black Education Research Collective; the Eagle Academy Foundation; the Association of Black Educators of New York; Black Edfluencers United; the City Councils Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.

For more information about the bookmobile and EEAPC visit www.eeapcoalition.org.
Federal health investigators will probe samples of an influenza variant spreading among pigs that led to the death of a 42-year-old woman in Brazil, said the World Health Organization (WHO).

The woman, who had underlying medical conditions, lived near a pig farm and developed a fever, headache, sore throat and abdominal pain on May 1, 2023, the WHO said in a summary of the case. She was hospitalized two days later and then died on May 5, 2023.

While she lived close to the farm, authorities said she did not have any direct contact with pigs. Two of her close contacts, however, worked at the swine farm. Both of those individuals did not develop any respiratory disease and tested negative for influenza.

The WHO said it considers the death a sporadic case, adding, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of this event. The chance of community-level spread among people is considered low, according to the agency.

A center that collaborates with global disease surveillance efforts, operated by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was sent the patients samples to learn more about the virus. Earlier testing found the strain was closely related to samples collected from pigs in Brazil in 2015.

Limited, non-sustained human-to-human transmission of variant influenza viruses has been described, although ongoing community transmission has not been identified, the WHO said in a statement. Current evidence suggests that these viruses have not acquired the ability of sustained transmission among humans.

Authorities are in the process of continuing the epidemiological investigation and monitoring other respiratory illnesses in the region. The WHO said it is also reinforcing its campaign for seasonal vaccination against influenza.

Spillover cases that transfer viruses from animals to humans sometimes occur, and the CDC tracked a handful of swine flu cases last year. Most cases result in mild illness, though some can progress to hospitalization, severe disease and death.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New Yorkers will have their first opportunity to comment on the MTAs proposed fare and toll increases during two Thursday hearings.

The MTA will host two of its four planned public hearings to solicit feedback on the agencys proposed fare and toll hikes on Thursday, June 22.

The hybrid hearings will be held both virtually and in-person at the MTA Headquarters, located at 2 Broadway in Manhattan on the 20th Floor in the William J. Ronan Board Room.

The first hearing will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the second hearing set for 6 to 9 p.m.

The remaining two hearings will take place at the following dates and times:

To comment on the proposed fare and toll increases at the hearings, residents must preregister online via the MTA website, or by calling the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777.

Registration to speak will close at the start of each respective hearing.

Each speaker will be given a maximum of two minutes.

Residents who are unable to attend the public hearings, but still wish to comment, can do so online, by email, mail, or phone.

Customers can submit written or video comments online via the MTA website.

Residents can comment by phone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. by calling (646) 252-6777.

All mailed comments should be addressed to:

MTA Government & Community Relations

Attn: Fare Hearings, 2 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004

ABOUT PROPOSED CHANGES

During Mays MTA Board Finance Committee meeting, agency officials outlined the proposed fare and toll increases that are designed to increase the agencys fare revenue by 4%, while increasing toll revenue by 5.5%.

The MTA had initially planned to increase fare revenue by 5.5%, but additional funding allocated in the new state budget has allowed the agency to bring that number down to 4%, which was the standard biennial increase prior to the onset of the pandemic.

Under the proposal, the base fare for buses, subways and paratransit would increase from $2.75 to $2.90, a 5% increase.

The price of seven-day MetroCards would increase 3%, from $33 to $34, while the price of 30-day MetroCards would jump 4%, from $127 to $132.

For express bus riders, the base fare would go up 4%, from $6.75 to $7, while seven-day express bus MetroCards would increase 3%, from $62 to $64.

Additionally, the agency has proposed adjusting its OMNY fare capping pilot program to operate on a rolling basis.

Currently, OMNY users are charged $2.75 per ride for their first 12 trips of the week, starting every Monday.

Once the rider has paid for 12 trips throughout the week, all subsequent trips are free through the following Sunday.

Under the proposed changes, the rides would be counted on a rolling basis, meaning riders would receive free rides any time they pay for 12 trips within a seven-day span, regardless of the day of the week.

For bridge and tunnel tolls, the MTA outlined two potential scenarios, one of which would implement higher increases for those without E-ZPass.

The first scenario would increase tolls by 7% for both E-ZPass and Tolls-By-Mail users, while the second scenario would raise E-ZPass rates by 6% and Tolls-By-Mail rates by 10%.

Under Scenario A, E-ZPass tolls on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel would increase 7%, from $6.55 to $7.01. Tolls-By-Mail would also increase 7%, from $10.17 to $10.88.

On the Henry Hudson Bridge, E-ZPass tolls would go from $3 to $3.21, while Tolls-By-Mail would increase from $7.50 to $8.03.

On the Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridge, E-ZPass rates would go from $2.45 to $2.62, with Tolls-By-Mail rates jumping from $5.09 to $5.45.

Under Scenario B, E-ZPass tolls on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel would increase 6%, from $6.55 to $6.96. Tolls-By-Mail would increase 10%, from $10.17 to $11.19.

On the Henry Hudson Bridge, E-ZPass tolls would go from $3 to $3.19, while Tolls-By-Mail would increase from $7.50 to $8.25.

On the Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridge, E-ZPass rates would go from $2.45 to $2.60, with Tolls-By-Mail rates jumping from $5.09 to $5.60.

Once the public comments are reviewed, the MTA Board will vote on the proposed fare and toll increases at the agencys July Board Meeting. If approved, the changes are expected to be implemented no later than Labor Day.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  It was shortly after 8 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 29, 1980 when one of the worst accidents in the history of the Staten Island Railway took place.

An SIRT worker inspects the damage done after train crashed into wall at the St. George terminal on Dec. 29, 1980. (Advance file photo)

A rush-hour train carrying 850 passengers plowed into a wall in foggy weather conditions at the St. George Ferry Terminal, injuring 76 people, eight of them seriously.

EVERYONE WENT FLYING ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER

The four-car train was due at the terminal at 8:03 a.m., in time for commuters to catch the 8:10 boat to Manhattan.

Personnel on what was then called the Staten Island Rapid Transit line told the Advance at the time that the train brakes apparently failed and the train skidded on wet tracks as it approached the platform.

Everyone went flying on top of one another, Eltingville resident Julia Barbaccia, who was in the second train car, told the Advance at the time. There was flying glass and everyone was on top of one another.

A partition lies shattered against the floor of the SIRT car following crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Tony Carannante/Staten Island Advance)

The trains front cab came to rest flush against the brick wall, its window cracked.

Plexiglass window panes, thrown from their frames, lay shattered in the trains third car, drops of dried blood beside them. Molded orange train seats hung loose from their mountings.

SOMETHING BURNING

Alexander Pasterick said hed smelled something burning when he boarded the train at his home station of Eltingville. He and another unidentified passenger speculated that it smelled like burning insulation.

Injured SIRT passengers make use of neck braces and ice packs as they wait for the bus to the hospital following crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Barry Schwartz/Staten Island Advance)

Emergency crews from the NYPD, FDNY and EMS swarmed the crippled train in the wake of the accident.

There were 76 injuries, with at least eight persons injured seriously, including broken bones and back and neck injuries.

A firefighter helps a woman who was on the SIRT train that crashed on Dec. 29, 1980. (Barry Schwartz/Staten Island Advance)

At least one commuter was injured when the force of the impact knocked a train seat from its moorings, sending the commuter crashing to the floor of the train.

SIRT passengers wait in the St. George terminal for transportation to hospital following crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Barry Schwartz/Staten Island Advance)

More than 10 people were rushed to then-St. Vincents Medical Center in West Brighton while dozens others were treated with neck braces and ice pakcs on benches and the ferry terminal floor by EMTs from Staten Island and Brooklyn.

IT SHOOTS OUT LIKE A BULLET

One SIRT conductor said, The problem here is that the fog makes everything gooey or sticky. Look at this weather. If the train skids, it shoots out like a bullet.

Nurse Donna McCabe adjusts Robert Oddo's sling following SIRT crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Barry Schwartz/Staten Island Advance)

Conductor William Chase, who was dazed after suffering a cut forehead, said the train was apparently making its normal approach to the platform.

I have no idea what happened, he said. I was waiting for us to make our stop. We were going slow and normal, like it is all of the time. And suddenly, everyone was on the floor.

Benjamin Myron of Eltingville rests his injured leg while waiting for the bus to the hospital after train crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Advance file photo)

An SIRT electrician said a snow brake would normally be in use during winter weather, but the brake wasnt engaged at the time of the crash. Nine separate brakes, seven automatic and two manual, all failed to stop the train.

Two days after the crash, the Advance reported that two federal investigators had said that they found no equipment problems on the on the train that crashed.

A conductor calms an SIRT passenger after train crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Advance file photo)

The train motorman, who suffered a hand injury in the crash, told the Advance that he did everything possible to avoid the crash, including pulling the emergency brake and attempting to throw the train into reverse.

He said he felt terrible about the accident, but it was no fault of my own.

UNLUCKY DAYS FOR SIRT

The crash led to service disruptions along the train line the whole day, with free shuttle buses ferrying passengers from St. George to Tompkinsville.

Passenger Michael Tannucicci of Annadale is comforted by emergency medical technicians after SIRT crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Barry Schwartz/Staten Island Advance)

Meanwhile, a second, out-of-service train derailed on the line at 5:24 p.m. on the day of the crash, just 750 feet from the first crash site.

Officials said the derailment was unrelated to the rush-hour crash. A fracture on a piece of switching mechanism was blamed.

Vincent Ensana of Oakwood is lifted into an ambulance following SIRT crash on Dec. 29, 1980. (Advance file photo)

Normal service was restored along the whole line by 2 a.m. the next morning, even though a chunk of concrete, 25 feet by 5 feet, fell through the Giffords Lane overpass in Great Kills at around that same time. There were no injuries and the tracks were not obstructed.

INVESTIGATIONS

The city Transit Authority, the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) all probed the rush-hour crash.

Derailed train sits in the St. George terminal after separate accident on Dec. 29, 1980. (Tony Carannante/Staten Island Advance)

The Advance later reported that SIRT officials said that the emergency air brake should not have been used before the crash.

The Advance reported SIRT officials as saying that a running brake, with built-in electronic safety features, should have been used instead.

Track crews repair rails as new signal switch assemblies are installed just outside the SIRT tunnel in St. George, where a train derailed following an earlier crash at the station. (Advance file photo)

But no final report about the cause of the crash was ever released by the NTSB, according to an agency spokesman and a search of the NTSBs accident-report archive.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Get ready for sharks to take over the summer TV schedule when Shark Week 2023 starts in July.

The summer tradition airs every year on the Discovery Channel  typically running for eight days. Discovery recently announced the dates for Shark Week 2023. This years series will start on Sunday, July 23, and will wrap up on Sunday, July 30.

If you are a cord-cutter you can watch Shark Week on fuboTV, which is currently offering a free trial.

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.

As the host of Shark Week, I am beyond excited to take you along on this journey, said Momoa in a media release. This project means more to me than a week of talking about sharks. Its a chance for me to learn and share my connection to these amazing creatures. My love of sharks came long before my time as Aquaman  it began several generations before me.

He will be the prelude to new thrilling specials throughout the week, guiding millions across the world through exciting, shark-filled adventures each night.

Who better than Jason Momoa to orchestrate this fintastic party? #SharkWeek is back Sunday, July 23rd on @Discovery. pic.twitter.com/VJomZCrj9W  Shark Week (@SharkWeek) June 20, 2023

A full programming schedule for Shark Week will be distributed in the coming weeks.

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.

WATCH SHARK WEEK ON FUBOTV

Shark Week will also be available to stream on Max.

The Shark Week experience will be brought to viewers across digital and social media platforms. You can follow Discovery on TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on programming and fun shark facts.

SHARKFEST

National Geographics eleventh annual SharkFest also starts in July. The must-see summer event starts on Sunday, July 2, featuring 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  all available on National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney+ and Hulu.

There will be four weeks of shark programming, as 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.

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.

A full schedule of new programming for SharkFest was recently released.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
Just hours before the start of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C., the government of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is keeping diplomatic and political tempers high due to proposed corrections to a statement critical of the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo in Nicaragua.

The Brazilian delegation made substantive changes to a document prepared by the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Antigua and Barbuda on the escalation of repression, the closure of civic space and human rights violations in Nicaragua. Despite the conclusive reports by the United Nations group of experts and the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), the Brazilian delegation questioned the commission of crimes against humanity by the Sandinista administration. The Brazilian diplomats eliminated the words alarming conclusion and replaced it with there are elements.

Moreover, the Brazilian diplomats added the word alleged to the passage about infringement of property and social security rights through the confiscation of property and assets and the denial of pensions for individuals deprived of their nationality by the Nicaraguan government, and which the promoters of the original declaration had emphasized.

Brazil also completely removed the mention of the dramatic levels of migration by Nicaraguans who have fled due to political persecution and the socio-political crisis raging since 2018, the year of massive social protests against the regime. On Tuesday, the Human Rights Collective Nicaragua Never Again denounced that this is the largest exodus in the history of Nicaragua, greater even than that of the 1980s, when the country fought a civil war that left tens of thousands dead: At least 605,043 Nicaraguans have left their country in the last 62 months, nine percent of the total population, due to state repression against opponents, religious leaders and critics of the government of Daniel Ortega, they remarked.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and Vice-President Rosario Murillo attend a ceremony to mark the 199th Independence Day anniversary, in Managua, on September 15, 2020. NICARAGUA'S PRESIDENCY (Reuters)

The observations made by Brazil in an official document circulating in the OAS system refrain from urging the Ortega regime to cease its arbitrary detentions. In this document, references to the repressive acts documented by national and international organizations are described not as have but as may have occurred, such as stripping opponents, journalists and religious leaders of Nicaraguan nationality.

The proposals presented by Brazil seek to cast doubt on the unprecedented brutality applied by the Ortega and Murillo dictatorship against thousands of citizens, and they offend the relatives of those who were murdered as well as all the victims of the repression of Ortega and Murillos totalitarian state, says a statement issued by a group of the 94 denationalized opponents.

We support the original declaration proposal, presented by the five member countries of the Follow-up Group on the Nicaraguan crisis  which we have been suffering since 2018  and which must be approved by the OAS General Assembly. Likewise, we reject the attempts of the Brazilian diplomatic delegation seeking to soften the terms with which the declaration had been drafted, they insist, while asking the countries in the region to declare the Sandinista government illegitimate.

Morally and ideologically indebted to Ortega

The former Sandinista ambassador to the OAS until March 2022, Arturo Mcfields, has two theories about this change in Brazils position. Lula is in some way morally and ideologically indebted to Ortega, because when he was a simple trade unionist in the 1980s, he came to Nicaragua and managed to meet Fidel Castro. Lula always saw Fidel as a mentor, says the ex-diplomat, who was stripped of his nationality.

The other scenario that Mcfields considers is that Lula, after winning a new term in office, is trying to assume the leadership of the Latin American left in light of the failure of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in this regard. Lula believes that this leadership will not be complete until the complete integration of the dictatorships of Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba takes place. So he is trying to perform this image washing and change of narrative with Ortega, just as he did with Maduro, he argues.

A source with ties to Brasilia said that in Brazilian diplomacy there are several currents of thought regarding Nicaragua and that the position of Lulas government has been changing. For now, it is not clear whether the other countries have accepted the changes proposed by the Brazilian delegation to the declaration against Nicaragua, a country that will leave the organization next November on Ortegas decision. The regime in Managua refuses to build bridges with the international community, not even with the Latin American left led by Chilean President Gabriel Boric. Instead, it has stepped up internal repression.

The OAS General Assembly will begin on June 21 with several challenging points on the agenda, especially regarding Nicaragua. In the OAS, there is a negative correlation of forces for democracy, says McFields. The OAS is made up of 35 nations, but since the three dictatorships are relatively excluded from the OAS, there are 32. That is, nine democracies and 23 countries that are either authoritarian or sympathetic to authoritarianism.
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Image Seven, the PR firm of choice for Scots College in Bellevue Hill, has been getting a workout of late.

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In April, the college had to deny asking if boys running for school captain were gay or having premarital sex. Months earlier, Scots had to hose down inquiries about whether students had fleeced a Double Bay newsagent with fake $50 bills. Then there was the prospect of a court battle with mutimillionaire neighbour Ian Joye, aborted after the school scrapped its expansion plans this year.

The latest drama, which triggered an apology from principal Ian Lambert, began when the $40,000-a-year school invited Reverend David Maher, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in NSW, to speak at an assembly on June 13.

Maher used the phrase love is love, cat food is cat food, according to parents of numerous boys present at the assembly, unimpressed by what they saw as homophobic and misogynistic overtones of the speech. Teachers walked out and students have subsequently complained.
The starting-point is the 2011 Rugby World Cup, specifically the well-remembered match between France and Tonga that was played in Wellington  and, more specifically still, the brass band that supplied the pre-match entertainment , made up of members of the Tongan community from the local Wesley Methodist Church.

When a movie is billed as a feelgood true story, theres an implied promise it contains nothing to worry about. Certainly, you can safely take the whole family to see the upbeat, brightly lit, thankfully brief Red, White and Brass, which boasts Taika Waititi as executive producer and combines eagerness to please with a typically New Zealand sense of the mundane.

Given that co-writer Halaifonua (Nua) Finau was drum major in this band, we can assume many details of the setting are true to life  and theres no doubting the films authenticity as an expression of Tongan national pride (the youthful cast consists largely of Tongan New Zealanders, although the director Damon Fepuleai is of Samoan and European heritage).

The plot, on the other hand, is pure Hollywood. In this version of events, the whole scheme of starting a brass band is cooked up by the buffoonish hero Maka (John-Paul Foliaki) as a last-ditch way of scoring tickets to the big game, with his down-to-earth mate Veni (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) reluctantly going along.

Maka (John-Paul Foliaki) prepares to lead the band onto the field at before the France v Tonga match in Wellington.

Challenges are many, from locating instruments and uniforms to deciding what kind of performance will best represent Tonga on the world stage. But where some underdog comedies dwell on the failures preceding the final success, the setbacks here feel relatively minor, with the hastily recruited band members transforming from beginners to skilled musicians all but overnight.

The trouble with Red, White and Brass is that its a bit too slick to be charmingly amateurish and much too amateurish to be truly slick. On the whole, it works better the closer it gets to being a literal home movie  as in the scenes with Makas sceptical but staunch mum and dad, played by Valeti and Tevita Finau, Nua Finaus parents in real life.
A constitutional reform that sought to legalize the recreational cannabis market for adult use failed to pass the Senate in Colombia. The measure, led by liberal lawmaker Juan Carlos Losada, reached the eighth and last debate, but did not obtain enough votes to be approved in the upper chamber. While 47 senators voted in favor, compared to 43 against, an absolute majority of 54 votes was needed  a requirement for reforms to the Constitution.

The outcome means that Colombias failed model to combat drugs remains changed. There were hopes that the country was going to follow a new path to address drug crime, beyond prohibition, but Wednesdays decision means has stalled efforts to move towards a regulation model.

Senator Maria Jose Pizarro, a member of the ruling Historic Pact for Colombia coalition, who backed the project, thanked her party for its support and lamented the result of the Senate vote.

We have come to the debate feeling exhausted, but with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we have done everything possible for this country to imagine different paths to face a problem that deeply afflicts it, said Pizarro.

According to the senator, the failure of the reform is a win for illegality and a loss for health. The communities of Cauca are the losers, and the children especially because they will continue to be at the mercy of the drug traffickers, she said, in reference to the fact that the money collected in taxes from the sale of cannabis would have gone directly to areas, such as Cauca, where there is the highest level of illegal drug cultivation. That money could have played a very important for the economies of neglected rural regions. According to Losada, the income derived from the commercialization of cannabis was to be earmarked for health, education and agriculture.

More information Is it time to legalize cocaine in Colombia?

The failure of the reform on Tuesday was compounded by other blows to the administration of President Gustavo Petro. The governments labor reform also failed to pass, while the opposition held mass marches in several cities across Colombia. With no labor and no prospect of legalizing recreational cannabis, the government is in a difficult position. The defeats also come as the government struggles with a sweeping political crisis over wiretapped conversations. Whats more, the governments two other major reforms  on pension and healthcare  also lack clear majorities. Petro  the leader of the Humane Colombia party  governs as part of a coalition of several different groups, which do not always agree with one another, making it difficult for the government to reach majorities.

The proposal to legalize the recreational cannabis market was opposed by the Colombian Conservative Party, some senators of Unity Party for the People and even lawmaker Jota Pe Hernandez, from the officially pro-government Green Alliance. In the lead-up to the Senate vote, Hernandez loudly denounced the bill, criticizing it for moral and religious reasons.

The bill that sought to legalize the marijuana business has just been tanked. We did it. The Senate says NO to legalizing the sale and distribution of marijuana!!! the senator wrote on his Twitter account.

In a recent interview with EL PAIS, Losada explained the most important features of the proposal. This constitutional reform seeks to allow Colombia to have a legal cannabis market, he explained. Since 1986, it has been legal to carry and consume a personal dose, which is up to 20 grams, and it is also legal to grow up to 20 plants per person. How does it make sense that in a country where it is legal to consume, carry and grow cannabis, it is illegal to sell and buy it? It is an absurdity that has pushed consumers to buy from criminal networks.

At the end of the vote, Losada thanked the lawmakers who supported him. We are sad, but convinced that we gave it our all until the end. We never thought we would get this far, he said. Today we have majorities, we were short seven votes. We have been in this fight for four years and we shall not falter in our effort to write a new chapter in the fight against drugs.

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Then I sat down with it and honestly, within three pages, I just felt like I was in the world, I couldnt wait to see what happened next. And I just forgot everything else. Waller-Bridge had worked with the films executive producer, Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy, on the Star Wars film, Solo, in which she had voiced the droid, L3-37. The pair then met for dinner  Waller-Bridges last night out before the COVID-19 lockdown, so that was quite an event, Waller-Bridge says  and Kennedy offered her the role. I didnt know what the dinner was going to be about, I was happy to see her. Waller-Bridge says. I knew that Jim [the films director, James Mangold] had seen Fleabag. And the thing that really blows my mind is that these bigwigs are sitting around watching BBC3 comedies. As a girl, growing up in Hammersmith in west London, Waller-Bridge had seen the Indiana Jones films and loved them. I was so young, I wasnt probably thinking about him in a particularly gendered way, he was just a hero and a legend and someone that went on these incredible adventures, she says. Ive always really identified with adventure/action hero-led stories.

I was just looking at the stuff he was doing and the places he was going to and just idealising being in that situation, Waller-Bridge says, adding that she was also impressed as a kid by Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indianas love-interest. She was such an equal match for him, its that first punch that she throws at the beginning, and you know shes not your regular heroine. At the time, though Indiana Jones was a dominating presence, Waller-Bridges attention was also drawn to what was in many ways the first wave of female movie action heroines, such as Sigourney Weavers Ellen Ripley in the Alien movies, and Linda Hamiltons Sarah Connor in The Terminator movies. Sigourney in Alien was a kind of awakening in some ways because she wasnt a female lead in the way that she had all the attributes and qualities and complexities of the male action heroes that Id seen before. I came to Terminator a little bit later, but I had the same experience, Waller-Bridge says. I was a tomboy as well, and that may have been part of it. It seems like such an archaic word now, but I was a really committed tomboy, so I immediately put myself in the position of those male characters because it looked to me like they were having just more fun. I get excited when theres a blend of masculine and femininity in any character. And theres certainly that element in Sigourneys performance. Its so fundamentally female, and yet shes so gloriously in touch with her feminine and her masculine. The same can be said of Indiana Jones. Hes frightened of things, like snakes, which you wouldnt necessarily say is a feminine quality, but you would associate that kind of behaviour with screaming damsels. I think thats why he was so successful and appealed to people all over the place.

Meeting the 80-year-old screen legend who also played Star Wars iconic stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking, Nerf-herding space-smuggler Han Solo, was, for Waller-Bridge, a genuine pinch-me moment. A role can be a a kaleidoscope of joy or torment really, depending on who youre partnered with, Waller-Bridge says. I had a voicemail from Harrison a couple of weeks before rehearsals. I listened to his voice, I was like, oh my God, so I got my weird moment out of the way. Waller-Bridge in the Emmy-winning series, Fleabag. Credit: Amazon Prime Video And then I spoke to him, and we talked about the process, or at least, we talked about how he didnt want to talk about the process, which I was very happy to do. He said, Im so happy its you and Im so happy with this script. I was quite nervous but when I met him [in person], he was so warm and lovely and he made me feel like we were great mates from day one and that we were equals.

The role of Helena Shaw seems writ large from the tapestry of Indiana Jones stories, where quick-witted women match the films hero step for step. Mangold did not give Waller-Bridge complex notes, though he did say that he saw in Helena an echo of Barbara Stanwycks conwoman, Jean Harrington, in the Preston Sturges film, The Lady Eve. I love Barbara Stanwyck, I love that movie, and I love her performance in it, Waller-Bridge says. So when he said that, and Id been thinking so much about that era and the style of acting and how she was so natural anyway, and the 1940s, I was doing a deep dive into those movies anyway. What I got from [the note] is that he wanted her to be light on her feet and witty, and her to feel like she was a step ahead of the audience. She has an ease, and there is a sexuality about her, but shes not pushing her sensuality. The Dial of Destiny is the final Indiana Jones film, at least for Ford, but Waller-Bridge says she cant imagine the role with another actor. Credit: Lucasfilm

The film itself hews closely to the Indiana Jones canon, a period action-adventure set in the pre-modern world, where Zeppelin airships and mystical relics like the Holy Grail, the Cross of Coronado and the Ark of the Covenant are woven into Biggles-grade, white-knuckle moments. Theyre caper movies which send the heroes in pursuit of an arcane MacGuffin. The Dial of Destiny, however, is a little different. Some of its story elements, the way it plays with time, the fact that it features a younger version of Indiana Jones and the way it leans into the inescapable qualities of fate, seem to serve as metaphors for the larger piece itself. The fact that it is the final movie seems to weigh heavily around the story. In some respects, Waller-Bridge says, that overwhelming sentiment comes from the audience more that Ford himself. We were all with him, being like, how do you feel, this is the end and are you going to miss him? And hes always like, f... off, no, hes a character, hes not real. We were projecting a lot of that onto him. Loading There was an openness in Fords performance though, that he hadnt afforded Indy before, she says.

And I felt he was so determined to make this movie and to make it about growing old and about looking back at your life as much as at history, and actually really explore the impact that has on the character rather than it just be the adventure, that once we saw those moments happen, when Harrison through Indy opened that heart or that window, thats when we all felt it powerfully. Its easy to forget when were all just floundering, jumping off a ship or out of a plane or doing some fun stuff, but there were those real moments of poignancy when wed all go like, oh my God. And then you look around at those sets, and you go, will there ever be sets built specifically for this world again like this? And then everything suddenly becomes very, very precious. On the last day of filming, in 2022, Waller-Bridge says she was a wreck. Wed been filming for just under a year, there was such hype going into it and such nerves. And then I think, from that first moment with Harrison, it became a place to have fun and really go on this adventure together, the most fun, beautiful, hilarious, challenging, but really positive experience, she says. It was an exhausting, impossible job, and everyone put everything into it. And then the joy and the celebration of it at the end, with Harrison, and saying goodbye to everyone was really, really emotional. Saying goodbye to Harrison was unbelievably emotional. I almost couldnt do it, I was just crying so much. It was a lot. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens on June 28.
After a grubby fortnight in Canberra, the inmates of Parliament House had a chance to let loose at Wednesday nights Midwinter Ball.

But controversy is never far away. With journalists and politicians incensed by ABC managements decision to axe political editor Andrew Probyn and his producer Brihony Speed, Press Gallery president Jane Norman gave a shoutout to her departed colleagues. Were sure that went down well with the broadcasters top brass in the room.

Former ABC political editor Andrew Probyn. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

After financial support from fossil fuel giants Woodside and Shell threatened to derail the vibes at last years do, the Press Gallery decided to pull corporate sponsorship altogether this year.

Which must be a relief for the Greens. Last year, the party spent hours debating whether to attend. In the end, some boycotted, Lidia Thorpe held a brief, underwhelming protest in the marble foyer, while Adam Bandts wife Claudia Perkins and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young both wore their feelings on their frocks.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has stepped up his attack on the Voice to parliament, denouncing the governments efforts to explain it as a con job and saying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should call off the referendum rather than risk an unsuccessful vote.

Speaking on Sydneys 2GB radio station, Dutton said people were enduring a cost of living crisis and cant afford their mortgages, and youve got the government running off on this frolic on the Voice and these other agendas that arent producing national unity.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton launched an attack on the Voice to parliament today. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Theyre dividing us ... I think the Prime Ministers at a point where, if he realises that the Voice is going down  and thats what all the polling is indicating at the moment  then he should make a decision thats in our countrys best interests and say, Look, you know, Im going to call it off because its just going to divide the country down the middle, its not going to achieve the outcome that were talking about, and there are other ways that we can provide practical support and consideration to Indigenous Australians, Dutton said in the interview.

The Liberal leader criticised Indigenous Australian Minister Linda Burneys performance in the House of Representatives this week, where the opposition has hammered her for detail over how the Voice will work and how far its remit to advise on policy will stretch.

This is what Dutton told the program, edited for length:

The con job thats going on here is unbelievable. I cant believe that a minister like Linda Burney ... can just stand in the chamber and essentially either not have a clue what shes talking about, or misrepresent what the Voice is about. Theyre setting up a situation here where the Voice will be able to have an influence into every area of public administration. They can advise the tax commissioner on tax policy, they can advise the treasurer on any element of the budget, they can advise the defence minister, or the chief of the defence force, about defence acquisitions or where a defence base should be located. It goes into every area of government responsibility. Itll grind the whole system of government to a halt and the impact will be felt by everyday Australians, whether they live in an Indigenous community, out in the suburbs, or in a regional town or in a capital city.

Yesterday, Burney denounced the Coalitions attacks as a fear campaign aimed at fuelling culture wars and said the Voice would focus on serious issues that would close the gaps in poor life expectancy outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Australian authorities have used their world-first legal powers to demand Twitter explain what its doing to prevent online hate after a major spike in complaints since the platform was acquired by billionaire Elon Musk.

Almost a third of reports about online hate to the e-Safety Commission now relate to Twitter, compared with less than 10 per cent in the lead-up to Musks takeover of the social media site in October last year.

Australias internet watchdog has noticed a huge spike in online hate complaints since Elon Musk took over Twitter. Credit: AP

Academics say the Twitter case will test Australias new online safety powers, warning that the increasingly rogue social media company might ignore both the legal orders and the fines of almost $700,000 a day if they refuse to comply.

Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in an interview that the online hate spike was driven by several factors, such as the reactivation of banned accounts, a slashing of the companys workforce, and possible changes to the sites algorithm to amplify subscribers.
After Melma successfully sold Metalicus in 2008, she redirected her energy to produce and sell bold coloured artworks, while continuing to passionately mentor women who wanted to be in fashion. She loved nothing more than to network and to connect with like-minded people and had an impact on the creativity of many aspiring entrepreneurs.

Five years ago at 75, Melma was doing head stands. Always moving on with fearless excitement, it felt incomprehensible that at this time, which she described as the creative autumn of her life, she was told she had MND. Ever a trailblazer, Melma had been espousing the virtues of yoga, making wheatgrass juice and wholefoods for health in the 70s and had continued this throughout her life, so that even when MND robbed her of the ability to walk, her yoga and exercise teachers were still doing home visits, stretching her limbs and guiding her breath and meditation work.

Melma cared about fashion and colour until the end. When her youngest son Leonard returned from a business trip to Milan, she told him she had something to say. Melma was losing her ability to speak and Leonard, thinking he was going to hear some final words of wisdom, leaned in closely to hear her ask: What were the new colours and design directions? Melma was a progressive, a trailblazer. Her sophistication in dress and food and style was intoxicating. A female icon in an era where it was not as easy.

She thought globally. She opened eyes to a different way of living life. She lived in colour. Her children continue to emulate her way of thinking and approach to life. She inspired a business dynasty within her family, all infused with her vitality, all running successful businesses and her final protege, a grandchild starting a jewellery business this year.

Melma had a plan for assisted dying  an option she never used, but for which she was grateful. Till the last day, she expressed that she had no regrets and saw her life lived as fabulous. She died in her St Kilda home, full circle, overlooking the Palais Theatre and Luna Park surrounded by all her family, colour and love.
In light of what we know from evidence given at the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants, in any prosecution of current or former members of Victoria Police, a likely defence case theory is clear, Judd wrote to Nettle. The accused will in all likelihood say that if, with the benefit of hindsight, any wrong or improper decisions were made, they were made in good faith in an effort to solve and prevent serious criminality. No member of Victoria Police has been prosecuted or formally disciplined since the exposure of the states worst legal scandal five years ago. Nettle was a member of a full bench of the High Court that in 2018 found the use of Gobbo as a registered police informant debased fundamental premises of the criminal justice system. The court found police had engaged in reprehensible conduct and atrocious breaches of duty.

Under laws drafted by the Andrews government, the special investigator was not given power to lay charges. Instead, the OSI was required to refer any prosecutions to the DPP for consideration. Douglas Drummond, a former special prosecutor whose investigations led to the jailing of former Queensland police chief Terry Lewis and other corrupt police exposed by the Fitzgerald royal commission, said this had resulted in a predictable outcome. I was appointed special prosecutor and given full discretion to investigate and decide whether or not to prosecute. It is difficult to see why the special investigator was not trusted with the power to prosecute, Drummond said. Shadow attorney-general Michael OBrien said the OSI needed greater discretion over whether to bring cases to court but Attorney-General Symes, when questioned in parliament about Nettles report, ruled out any legislative changes.

The DPP has a role. She has performed that role and I give no commentary in relation to her view versus the Office of the Special Investigator, Symes said. They have important roles, and I thank them both for their work, but I will not be retrospectively legislating to ... get a different outcome to what the independent DPP has determined. Premier Daniel Andrews backed the independence of the DPP. Gobbo, pictured in an interview in 2019, was a barrister used by police to inform on her clients. Credit: ABC People are free to have their views, theyre free to have opinions about the future of their role, he said. What is really clear and important is that we have independent prosecutorial decision-making in this state. It doesnt mean everybody necessarily agrees with the decisions that the director makes. When Nettle was appointed to the OSI, the Andrews government said the retired judges extensive experience at the top of Australias legal system would ensure a comprehensive, independent and fair investigation is completed into these matters.

Loading The Police Association of Victoria said the dispute was a matter between the OSI and the DPP. Justice Margaret McMurdo, whose royal commission into the use of police informants recommended the establishment of the OSI, declined to be drawn back into the scandal. Nettle met with Symes on Wednesday to discuss the impasse. When contacted, the retired judge said he could not comment beyond the contents of his special report to parliament until a decision had been made on whether to wind up or continue the OSI. Nettle described Operation Spey, an investigation into an episode that took place inside the St Kilda Road offices of the Purana taskforce in 2006, as a powerful case and his strongest prospect of securing convictions. That episode involved Gobbo convincing one of her clients to turn Crown witness against drug lord Tony Mokbel without disclosing to him that she was already working for police. The brief of evidence compiled by the OSI included statements from 22 witnesses and 5000 pages of admissible documentary evidence.

As part of Operation Spey, Gobbo had accepted her criminal responsibility for what happened to her client, a Mokbel drug cook who became infatuated with her, and that she was prepared to plead guilty to perverting the course of justice in exchange for a recommendation that she receive a non-custodial sentence. This masthead revealed earlier this year that Gobbo had provided detailed can say statements to the OSI setting out what she would be prepared to testify to if called as a witness against police. Nettle, in a letter to Judd earlier his year, conceded that while Gobbos credibility and reliability would be an issue at trial, her statements implicating police were corroborated by Victoria Police records and audio recordings. These include records of a meeting she had with one of her police handlers two days before the drug cook was arrested. During the meeting, Gobbo and her handler discussed the ethical and legal implications of her providing information against the interests of her client. Whats the big deal? Gobbo asked. Youre not going to tell him? Police handler: No were not.

Loading Another brief of evidence compiled by the OSI, dubbed Operation Charlie, accused a senior police officer of failing to report and investigate attempts to pervert the course of justice by colleagues. Nettle said the willingness of police to turn a blind eye to these alleged crimes damaged the fundamental integrity of the criminal justice system. When the McMurdo royal commission handed down its finding in November 2020, Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton described the use of Gobbo as a human source as profound failure in his organisation. I want to be abundantly clear that I do not believe, and nor has it ever been submitted by Victoria Police, that the ends justified the means, Patton said. That is not my position. Nettle last year complained about the lack of co-operation his office had received in obtaining documents held by Victoria Police.
In February, The Age revealed YourPlay was reaching only a tiny number of punters and failing to stem soaring losses. YourPlay is voluntary for players to use but it is mandatory for operators to make YourPlay available in every gaming venue across Victoria. In an exclusive interview with The Age, Thorn said the take-up of YourPlay was terribly low. We think there could be considerably more use of YourPlay, just by much stronger monitoring of whether or not YourPlay is available, she said. Thorn said when inspectors had conducted random checks at three or four venues, it was nigh on impossible to register for YourPlay.

Loading As a result of that, weve been doing much more intrusive checking of YourPlay, to the point where now were prosecuting one operator for a significant number of breaches. Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group is facing 62 charges for operating machines which didnt have YourPlay installed, which could attract a maximum fine of about $1.35 million. A plea hearing will be held at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 24. Last November, Crown Resorts was fined $120 million, including for failing to intervene to prevent gambling harm by allowing customers to gamble for long periods without a break, sometimes for more than 24 hours straight. Crown casino in Melbourne. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Thorn said the commission had recently conducted a blitz on venues across regional Victoria to ensure YourPlay was working on all gaming machines, a responsible gaming officer was on the floor at all times and no minors were allowed to gamble. Last month, it charged Tabcorp and the Preston Hotel with allowing a minor to gamble, and investigations were ongoing into other venues. Theres a whole range of prosecutions that were doing which cumulatively within a short period of time are sending a very strong message ... to the industry, Thorn said. And therefore we thought it was time for us to be very blunt to the industry about how we as a commission think about harm. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission began operating in July 2022 with a new regulatory mandate to minimise gambling harm and problem gambling.

Loading New conditions have been imposed to improve harm minimisation measures at venues seeking to increase the number of gaming machines on site. We would expect them to be coming forward with some very tangible things that theyre doing around protecting those customers ... who are gambling too much for too long, Thorn said. We would be looking for evidence that theyre actually training their staff or their Responsible Gambling officer with the capacity to intervene in a way that is respectful, but also firm. Thorn said protecting patrons, their families and the community from gambling harm was now at the centre of everything the regulator did. It must also be top of mind for all gambling operators.

Community Clubs Victoria, which represents pubs, clubs and RSLs, questioned why the commission was issuing position statements on gambling harm rather than focusing on its role as a regulator. Its a little bit confusing. Surely, they are supposed to be focusing on their core role of regulation of the sector, said CEO Andrew Lloyd. Its all very well to have a policy but whats that actually doing? Lloyd said Community Clubs Victoria was committed to a sustainable industry and was happy to work with all stakeholders on the best way to protect gamblers. But he said what was desperately needed was for the government to provide gambling education in primary schools.

Weve heard reports of school children using grandpas ID and getting online gambling accounts, he said. That cant happen in-venue because we are supervising the room. The Alliance for Gambling Reform chief executive, Carol Bennett, said the new position on gambling harm sent a strong message. Loading It talks about gambling from a public health impact point of view, Bennett said. Its well beyond just financial harm, it goes to the heart of domestic violence, family breakdown, anxiety, depression and suicide. And this is talking about reducing those harms. I think the industry will get that message. Bennett said the position statement was backed up by genuine changes in the way that the regulator operated. Weve got some concrete examples of that, particularly with the levels of fines that have been applied in recent times.
Five sharpened stone tools recovered by divers off the north coast of Western Australia amount to the oldest underwater archaeological discovery in Australia, the researchers who led the expedition believe.

Contending with milky visibility and fast currents, divers scoured the edge of a pit on the ocean floor near Karratha that was once an above-ground freshwater spring. Their search was difficult because the stones were encrusted with algae, concealing the slicing edges of tools made by humans at least 9000 years ago.

Local elders said the tools were used to cut and skin animals such as possums. Credit: NITV/Network 10

Yindjibarndi law man Vince Adams is the deputy chairperson of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, the body that gave permission for the expedition, and was present for the discovery of one of the tools.

Once we were given the artefact by the diver and held it in our hand we knew straight away that this belonged to our old people, said Adams. We recognised it as something we still use today.
A Perth man has admitted murdering his partner inside their Kewdale home before attempting to steal cigarettes from a petrol station and crashing his car into a tree.

Emmerich Lasakar, 35, died in April after being attacked by her partner Steven Dean, 37, while their two children were in the house.

Steven Dean, 37, is under police guard in hospital following the death of his partner and a subsequent car crash.

On Wednesday, during his second court appearance, Dean confessed to the murder, as well as attempting to steal cigarettes and a lighter from an East Victoria Park service station and threatening to kill one of its employees. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to steal a knife from a residence in nearby St James after he crashed his car.

The father-of-two had his head in his hands and was distressed and crying as he entered his pleas.
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney has urged Australians not to be side-tracked by culture wars about the Voices ability to influence the date of Australia Day, insisting the body will focus on serious issues such as disadvantage in an impassioned appeal from the floor of the parliament.

The opposition trained its question time attack on Burney for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding clarity on how the Voice would operate and whether its remit would extend to advising the government to abolish Australia Day.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney urged Australians not to be side-tracked by culture wars. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Voice architect Megan Davis, a constitutional law professor at UNSW, said the Voice would have more urgent priorities, and the political debate subsumed by gotcha games between politicians proved why the body was needed.

Our lives continue to be a political football, Davis said.
It was a clear, windless dawn, and the sea was as smooth as glass. The Rekon, a 122-meter Maltese-flagged tanker, was going about its route to the port of Haifa in Israel. Then the radio announced a distress call: Ship sinking. Large number of people. Vessels in the vicinity are asked to proceed with search and rescue operations. The officer immediately alerted the captain. It was June 14 at 2:12 a.m. local Greek time.

Captain Sait Bektasoglu, a 63-year-old Turk with four decades of experience at sea, ran to the bridge. We changed our course immediately to the wreck site, we adjusted our radars for sensitivity, and I mobilized the crew, he recalls. His account of 11 hours of fruitless searching is harrowing and rich in heretofore unknown details.

It took the Rekon an hour and 15 minutes to reach the coordinates it received, an area some 50 miles off the Greek coast. When it arrived, the luxury yacht Mayan Queen IV and two other cargo ships were already searching the water for survivors. The tanker then slowed down, turned on its search lights and its crew of 14 sailors began scanning the vast stretch of black water with binoculars. They didnt see or hear anything. It was as if nothing had happened, recalls the captain. There were no life jackets, no floats, no trace of oil, no trash, no floating material from the ship, nothing, he recounts.

The Adriana, a ramshackle fishing boat of about 25 meters, had set sail for Italy with some 750 occupants on board. Women and children were crammed into the hold and many of the men were on deck. They were Syrian and Afghan refugees, Egyptians, Pakistanis and Palestinians. The Greek authorities had been aware of the ships presence since 11 a.m. on June 13 and, in addition to keeping it under surveillance, ordered two ships in the area to deliver food and water to those onboard. They never activated a rescue operation, despite the conditions in which the ship was sailing, not even when the ships engine broke down at 1:40 a.m. Between 2:04 a.m. and 2:19 a.m., the old metal fishing trawler jolted violently and then disappeared right before the eyes of the Greek coastguard. It is still not clear what happened, but the sea swallowed everything up.

Greeces official version of events claims that the castaways refused any help and continued on their way to Italy. But navigation data contradicts that assertion. The coordinates of the distress call place the trawler just over a mile from its location at 7.30 p.m. when a first vessel approached it to supply it with food. In other words, in the seven hours between the delivery of supplies and when it sank, the Adriana was not approaching Italy as the Greek authorities claim; the ship made practically no progress and moved just over a mile away towards its presumed destination.

Captain Sait Bektasoglu participated in the search for survivors of the wrecked fishing boat in Greek waters, on June 13.

While Bektasoglu was scanning the sea from the deck, between 3:00 and 4:00, a Greek patrol boat arrived and took command of the operation. The radio continued to instruct nearby vessels to approach the area. One passenger cruise ship, the Celebrity Beyond, asked if it could lower its rescue boat and join the search, but was told no, Bektasoglu explains. There were already too many ships searching without detecting anything, the captain theorizes. As many as eight large ships participated in the search for survivors. EL PAIS unsuccessfully tried to contact them all.

The radio was constantly broadcasting messages to all the ships involved in the rescue. The Mayan Queen IV, a luxury yacht owned by a multimillionaire Mexican family, reported that it had already pulled a hundred or so castaways out of the water alive. I dont know how it sank at a depth of 4,500 meters, but I am sure that if this superyacht had not been there, the freighters could not have rescued more than two people each. The survivors were lucky to come across a ship that could rescue them and reunite over 100 people. A superyacht is much better equipped than the coast guard boats, Bektasoglu explains.

I couldnt stand it, Bektasoglu recounts. I suggested that [the Turkish bulk carrier] ask the cruiser for help, but he was ordered to wait. [The Rusander] kept asking for medical assistance for more than an hour, and again I recommended that he approach the cruiser for help. They ignored me in both Turkish and English, the veteran sailor maintains.

The helicopter finally appeared as dawn was breaking. It picked up the living and the lifeless bodies that were transferred to the Greek ship, Bektasoglu explains. A new Greek patrol boat joined the operation. In all, 81 bodies were recovered.

The veteran captain, who had gone 11 hours without rescuing anyone, eating or sleeping, began to lose hope. We did not experience a chaotic situation because there was nothing to be seen, there was no dramatic scene. The water was still like a mirror and after a few hours we lost morale, he explains.

At 7:00 a.m. he asked for permission to continue his trip but was denied. A half an hour later, a military frigate arrived, took over command and gave the ships new coordinates to continue the search. They sent me to two different places, I increased speed, arrived and searched, he recounts. Again, the search was unsuccessful. Over the radio, he heard a freighter being ordered to raise your boat, pick up the body and bring it to the Greek ship. Other ships also used their lifeboats, while two helicopters flew overhead, he says.

The Turkish captain appreciates the measures the Greeks deployed, even though they only activated the search and rescue operation when the trawler was already sinking. For several hours they deployed a plane, a patrol boat, two coast guard frigates, a rescue ship, three helicopters and a navy frigate; its a great effort, he says.

At 8:30 a.m., Bektasoglu tried to leave again. He was in a hurry because he had to unload 5,200 tons of methyl tertiary butyl ether (a liquid that increases fuel efficiency) in Israel and then arrive in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, by June 20. He was not cleared to leave the operation until 11:45. As he left, he heard other ships being radioed to join the search. I was tired, went to the bridge at 2.20 and couldnt stop for lunch until after 12:00 the next day. I spent 11 hours on the search, he recalls.

The captain learned what happened next from the press. He is frustrated that he didnt find anyone to save. He also curses the human traffickers who do business this way and buried hundreds of people at a depth of 4,500 meters. He muses that in a few centuries, when they find these bodies, they will serve as evidence for historians.

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Qantas has dropped dramatically from the top five in an annual ranking of the worlds best airlines, falling all the way to 17th.

The World Airline Awards, announced at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, named Singapore Airlines as the worlds best for 2023, taking the top spot from Qatar Airways after the Middle Eastern carrier had kept Singapore to No.2 for the previous three awards.

First class on board a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380.

The last time Singapore Airlines took the top slot was 2018. The airlines first-class cabin was highlighted as one of the features that put it above its competitors.

Singapore Airlines chief executive, Goh Choon Phong, said the carrier had emerged stronger and fitter from the pandemic. Last month the airline announced a record profit of $2.42 billion, buoyed by the reopening of China and other countries across Asia.
We were launched from a crane at the back of a bespoke vessel designed for the submersible. Then you just drop, for an hour and a half, until you get to the seabed. Most of the time you are floating through complete darkness, with a few fluorescent things in the water. Loading Then at the bottom they switch on the lights, and here you are in this surreal world. There is this mythical ship that youve heard so much about, and there it actually is. Theres not much life down there. Its a peaceful place. Among those on board with Kentley was the veteran French submarine explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. He fell completely under the spell of the Titanic, as so many people do, Kentley says. You fall in love with this bizarre story. But love affairs can sour.

Nargolet is thought to be one of those on board Titan, with the British billionaire Hamish Harding, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, and OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush. Now the thought of their tiny craft, sitting as it may be in total darkness, at the bottom of the ocean, alone, arouses horror not wonder. More than any other onlooker perhaps, Gareth Russell, a Northern Irish historian and author of The Ship of Dreams, a book about the Titanic, has weighed the worth of such risk. I was offered a place on that submarine a couple of years ago, he says. An artists rendering of the Titanic on the ocean floor. I did really consider it, because I wondered how I could justify being the historian who turned down the chance to see the Titanic. More than that, he felt personally connected to the ship, because his great-grandfather had seen the ship in Belfast. But in the end he said no.

Im not great with enclosed spaces, and this was my worst nightmare. Its a treacherous dive. Repeated successful trips may have dulled the peril, he suggests. Loading So many have happened that people have got to the stage where they think the risk isnt as great. He says he can understand why people want to see the wreckage, even though no other ship has been more comprehensively documented. Part of it is the same rationale, to some degree, behind pilgrimages, and this idea that there is a link between physical and emotional proximity. Some people want to say I saw the Titanic, rather than seeing it in photographs or on screen.

No wonder then that the missing sub, as well as OceanGate and the US Coastguards co-ordinated efforts to find it, have cemented the extraordinary grip the worlds most famous wreck retains on the worldwide imagination. Now, 111 years after the sinking, the Titanic is a global industry, with enthusiasts travelling the world and paying a fortune for their interest. As with going into space or climbing Mount Everest, these visitors to the bottom of the sea face a hefty price  $US250,000 ($368,000), in this case  for privileged access to a place few on Earth will ever see. The Titanic leaves Southampton, England, on her maiden voyage in 1912. Such dives to the depths lie at the elite end of a Titanic industry that encompasses seven permanent museums worldwide, including ones in Belfast, Cobh, Southampton, Missouri and Tennessee, as well as sundry books, documentaries and exhibitions.

It spawned the then-highest-grossing feature film of all time, which has made more than $US2.26 billion. The Wallace Hartley violin, famously played by the ships bandleader as it sank, sold at auction for 1.1 million. Loading A hand-drawn plan of the ship, used during the enquiry into the sinking, sold for 195,000. A Facebook group, RMS Titanic Official, has more than 65,000 members, with a stated aim to keep its history unsinkable. The reasons for this popularity are elusive. Other peacetime shipwrecks have had more casualties than the 1517 who went down with the Titanic. The MV Dona Paz, a passenger ferry, sank in 1987 with the loss of an estimated 4385 souls. When the SS Sultana exploded on the Mississippi in 1865, it was with around 1800 lives.

Nor was the Titanic the most politically significant disaster: the sinking of the Lusitania changed the course of the 20th century by bringing the US into the First World War. Evidently something about the Titanic chimes with audiences worldwide. Perhaps it is down to the circumstances of its sinking. It took two hours and 40 minutes to sink, which is long compared to most other wrecks, says Russell. That time enabled people onboard to go through the process of dealing with death. You start with life, then theres the assumption everything will be fine, then theres the moment when everyone has to decide how theyll respond to the challenge of dying. It plays out like a morality play, and gives people the opportunity to wonder how they would behave in similar circumstances.

The Titanic Belfast museum agrees. The Titanic story continues to touch hearts and minds across the world 111 years after her tragic sinking, it says in a statement. Having welcomed over seven million visitors to Titanic Belfast since opening in 2012, an enduring appeal of RMS Titanic is the human stories of those connected to the ship. Kentley adds that the sinking of the Titanic was an early global media event, after the invention of the radio. Map showing where the Titanic sank in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Credit: Wikipedia
Kyiv: Ukraines military intelligence chief accused Russia on Tuesday of mining the cooling pond used to keep the reactors cool at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraines south.

The six-reactor complex, Europes biggest nuclear plant, has been under occupation since shortly after Moscows forces invaded in February last year.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Credit: AP

Most terrifying is that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was additionally mined during that time ... namely the cooling pond was mined, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR agency, said on television, without providing evidence for his assertion.

Reuters requested comment from the Russian defence ministry.
~Top student in Public Education~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Marie Genevieve De Weever Primary School (MGDW) hosted its School Leaving Ceremony 2023 on Wednesday morning on the school campus.

Under the theme, "Lift me up," 32 students will leave primary education and embark on their journey in secondary education for the new school year 2023-2024.

Present at the ceremony was the Honorable Minister of VROMI Egbert Doran, Chief of Staff of the Minister of ECYS Glenderlin Holiday, a former student of MGDW Pilot Captain Aaron Leerdam, and another distinguished guest along with proud parents/guardians.

"We are extremely proud of our students as we continue to encourage them to reach their maximum God-given potential," remarked Stuart Johnson School Manager of MGDW.

Johnson said in his address, "We have a collective responsibility to ensure we lift up our students if there is a moment of weakness. We must also lift up our students and recognize their achievements. In the end, we need them to take up their rightful positions in our country in the near future."

"Today is just the start of the educational journey of our students, and we must do our utmost to support them at every step," Johnson added.

Also addressing the graduates was Minister Doran, the keynote speaker Pilot Captain Aaron Leerdam and Ms. Holiday.

The top performing student in public education for the Foundation Based Exit Exams 2023 and the valedictorian was Chenoa Kuiper, who also made a special address. In addition, Kuiper received an award for her outstanding performance in Dutch Language.

Other special awards were given, such as the Mathematics Award received by

Kristina Singh, the English language award received by Kenza Libier and

Clarra Cassamajor received the General Knowledge Award.

Johnson expressed his appreciation to all sponsors, especially Telem, Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion, Nilda Arduin, Dr. Anand Raghosing, and Robert Budike.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, June 12, 2023, Customs officers at the Cargo building of the Princess Juliana International Airport, inspected cargo coming in from Anguilla. On the screen of the X-Ray equipment, the officers noticed an image that gave them a reason to do further investigation. During the physical inspection of the package, they found USD 15000.00 hidden in the same. The final destination of the package was the United States. The Public prosecutor was informed. The package and its contents including the money were confiscated. No arrests were made.

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the lawyer from DISOSA Brand Protection Services, inspected cargo from a 40' (foot) container that Customs confiscated on Friday, March 24, 2023. The container was imported with no cargo manifest and thus all its contents were confiscated. Upon inspection of the contents of the container, Customs officers encountered items from several high-end brands including Louis Vuitton, Nike, and others. Customs suspected these items to be counterfeit and proceeded to inform DISOSA.

The items were inspected by the expert from DISOSA and confirmed to be counterfeit and were consequently seized by DISOSA. The owner of the container agreed to and will pay the brand owners an undisclosed amount of money in compensation to settle this case out of court. It is not excluded that the rest of the cargo in the container will be destroyed.

On Friday, June 16, 2023, Customs officers operating at the cargo facilities of the Princess Juliana International Airport inspected a shipment that came on that same day from Miami. With the use of modern cargo inspecting equipment Customs officers managed to intercept 10.208 kg of Marijuana. The contraband was hidden among other items in a box. The box and its contents including the contraband were confiscated. No arrests were made, however, Customs does not exclude the possibility of arrests as the investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, Customs officers operating at the arrival hall of the Princess Juliana International Airport, checked the incoming flight of the Caribbean Airlines from Jamaica. While screening the luggage of the passengers from that flight with X-Ray equipment the officers noticed an abnormal image on the screen. During the physical inspection of the luggage, the officers encountered four metal objects. The officers drilled a hole in one of the metal objects and found that it was filled with a white substance which they recognized as pure cocaine. All four objects were subsequently cut opened and found to contain cocaine, for a total of 1.631 KG. The contraband and the luggage of the suspect were confiscated. A 30-year-old Nigerian-born male suspect, with the Initials G.E.E, bearer of St Kitts and Nevis nationality/passport, was arrested and questioned by Customs officers. The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Customs will continue with the intensified controls at the borders.
The highly anticipated Offshore Support Vessels Conference, which took place recently at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, attracted industry leaders, experts, and key stakeholders.

This premier event served as a platform to showcase the latest offshore oil and gas exploration and production projects, while shedding light on innovative commercial trends that would shape the future of the offshore support vessel industry.

The Offshore Support Vessels Conference provided an unparalleled opportunity for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among industry professionals. With over 200 attendees and experts in attendance, the conference promised to be a vital gathering for decision-makers in the marine services, technical services, marine logistics, quality assurance, project management, and marine operations sectors.

The event came at a pivotal time for the offshore support vessel industry, driven by various market factors and significant growth opportunities. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global OSV market is projected to grow from $14.46 billion in 2021 to $23.60 billion by 2028. Additionally, as reported by Mordor Intelligence, the Middle East OSV market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 5 per cent over the next five years.

Several key projects and developments further underscored the increasing demand for offshore support vessels in the region.

Saudi Aramco, for example, announced plans for a 50 per cent increase in the size of its offshore support vessels, raising the total number of crafts to approximately 450.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) had recently awarded a $548 million (AED2.01 billion) contract for the construction of a new main gas line at its Lower Zakum field, driving the need for offshore support vessels.

The initiation of 13 new offshore LNG projects by Qatar Energy and the launch of a $594 million (KD 181 million) offshore drilling operation by Kuwait Oil Company has also contributed to the surge in demand for offshore support vessels.

The conference served as an ideal platform for Fueltrax and the Saudi National Maritime Academy to enter into an agreement to jointly investigate offshore vessel optimisation and sustainability technology training for the upcoming generation of professional mariners.

Recognising the significance of crew involvement in the successful implementation of sustainable practices at sea, the initiative aims to begin with cadets who are preparing to embark on their careers as deck and engineering officers.

The objective is to introduce these cadets to fuel optimisation tools that they will encounter during their offshore operations, thus equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to actively contribute to sustainability and fuel optimisation initiatives on board.

Another significant MOU was signed between Ascenz Marorka and Greenfield Marine Technologies. The objective of the MOU is to provide, to the offshore industry, a comprehensive digital Sustainability / ESG package combining Ascenz Marorka's vessel performance optimisation solutions to reduce vessels' emissions through automatic sensor data collection and artificial intelligence and Greenfield Marine Technologies' digital platform which looks at Safety of Offshore personnel and the Environment through Data Analytics using Engagement, Training & Motivation of people as a tool.

Both partners agree that tackling the environmental challenges in the maritime industry requires both modern technology and engaged crews.

Organised by GM events, the Offshore Support Vessels Conference boasted the presence of esteemed participants, including The Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries, Adnoc, participating as the "Gold Sponsor" of the event, Ascenz Maroroca and the National Maritime Academy (NMA) as the main conference sponsors.

The conference served as a crucial platform for industry professionals, shipbuilders, charterers, technology providers, and regulatory organisations to exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and explore the potential for a successful and sustainable future in the offshore support vessel industry. -TradeArabia News Service
For some tourists, travel options do not end with the Earths surface. Trips up to space and down to the depths of the ocean are a growing trend in so-called elite tourism. They are reserved for the few who can afford themprices for such adventures can range from $55,000 to $60 million  and are willing to accept some risks, as evidenced by last Sundays disappearance of a submarine carrying four tourists to explore the wreckage of the Titanic, located 3,800 meters down in the Atlantic Ocean. These are trips are at the pinnacle of exclusivity, the creme de la creme of the growing  and increasingly trendy  experience tourism industry where sensations prevail.

Observing the remains of the emblematic Titanic firsthand costs $250,000, according to OceanGate, the company that organized the excursions. The trip lasts seven days, but the key moment is the dive, which takes about eight hours (two and a half hours of descent, three hours on the seabed and another two and a half hours of ascent). As the company advertises on its website, the trip is made in a carbon fiber submersible that has space for five people, and it offers the opportunity to get away from everyday life and discover something truly extraordinary.

Since being discovered over 372 miles (600 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, in 1985, the wreckage of the Titanic has attracted historians, archaeologists and curious people. Thanks to technology, the possibility of navigating a small submarine at shallow depths has attracted the interest of tourists. OceanGate (which also does dives to see other sunken ships) began offering this package in 2021. It is striking that the Titanic continues to fascinate and create so much mystery, says Jose Serrano, a professor at the European University of the Canary Islands in Spain and an expert on tourism. The traveler doesnt seek experiences just to pursue adventures or personal challenges but also to achieve a goal and brag about it, to show what they have accomplished, Serrano adds. Thus, trips depend on the travelers budget: Travel is a staple where the average person can choose from a few alternatives and people with a lot of money enjoy an increasingly unlimited catalog of options, he adds.

Underwater tourism is emerging as a new category of experience. One of the projects presented in recent years has been Proteus, a version of the underwater International Space Station conceived by the French oceanographer Fabien Cousteau, popular oceanographer Jacques Cousteaus grandson. The excursion is intended for researching the seabed, but there could also be tourist visits. Although no official rates are set, it is estimated that the starting price of a stay (between seven and 10 days and up to three months) could cost around 54,500.

Space travel

Such rates are not within everyones reach, but they are nowhere near as expensive as the prices that some millionaires pay to visit space. One of the best-known cases is that of 18-year-old Oliver Daemen, a Dutch student who, in July 2021, became the youngest person in history to travel into space. He flew alongside Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on the first manned flight of Blue Origins New Shepard spacecraft. His father paid an undisclosed amount for Oliver to experience weightlessness and gaze at the Earths curved horizon for a few minutes. He replaced an anonymous billionaire who bought the ticket for $28 million at a charity auction but later bowed out, citing scheduling problems.

Young Oliver Daemen and aviator Wally Funk float with millionaire Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark on Blue Origin's 'New Shepard' spacecraft in July 2021. BLUE ORIGIN (Reuters)

A few months later, still in 2021, Russia launched Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and his assistant Yozo Hirano to the International Space Station, in a trip that marked Moscows return to the space tourism market for the first time in 12 years. I believe that in a few years [spaceflight] will become more accessible, and our task now is to prove that all the obstacles can be overcome, Maezawa explained before the flight.

Many companies are currently battling each other to see who can get the biggest slice of this new market, and the process is mostly in the experimental stage. World View is the most affordable option: it charges $50,000 for a balloon flight in the stratosphere. A few days ago, billionaire Richard Bransons company Virgin Galactic announced that it will begin commercial operations in a few weeks, after 19 years of tests, accidents and technical challenges. Trips will cost between $450,000 and $600,000.

Founded by Bezos, Blue Origin began operating commercially in 2021. However, after seven flights, it had to suspend launches in September, following an unmanned rocket crash.

Elon Musks SpaceX has the most expensive prices on the market: in 2021, the companys first private charter flight left Earth, bound for the International Space Station. Each of the three travelers paid $55 million for the ride and accommodation, including all meals.

In many cases, experience tourism sells authenticity, something unique or local; it can be for people with more or less money, and part of that is for the elite. It is a growing trend, although I dont think it has developed as much as expected yet, says Pablo Diaz, a professor of Economics and Business Studies at the Universitat Oberta Catalunya (UOC) in Spain. Diaz gives the examples of helicopter tours to discover Andalusian gastronomy and people who book a room to stay in a former prison. Its a new form of disconnection. The reasons for traveling have been changing, adds Serrano. Since travel has been democratized, theres the matter of status, differentiating [oneself] from what the majority is doing.

People with a lot of money at their disposal are not satisfied with merely picking up a guidebook and choosing a couple of routes. Rather, they are seeking unique experiences selected by specialists who are familiar with the latest trends. Before starting their vacations, the wealthiest people can pay between $50,000 and $100,000 for someone to draw up luxurious travel plans, which might include rugged excursions in a desert followed by an air-conditioned luxury oasis. There are travel possibilities for all budgets. For example, an Everest expedition can cost between 80,000 and 100,000 for a person who doesnt need to be a professional mountaineer and can get all the help they need during the expedition.
The Nazi eagle from the German cruiser 'Graf Spee' in Montevideo, Uruguay. MARCELO HERNANDEZ (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A bronze eagle that once adorned the bow of the Nazi cruiser Admiral Graf Spee, which was scuttled off the coast of Uruguay in 1939, will not be transformed into a dove. On the contrary, the sculpture will maintain its original appearance  a bird of prey clutching a swastika between its claws  just as it was found at the bottom of the bay of Montevideo in 2006 by a local treasure hunter. Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou on Sunday moved to quell the controversy generated by the announcement at a press conference less than 48 hours earlier of a plan to melt and recast the bronze as a symbol of peace.

Over three years ago, before the electoral process, It occurred to us that this symbol of war could undergo a transformation into a symbol of peace or union, like a dove, Lacalle Pou said on Friday. By his side was Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry, the artist chosen by the president to carry out the work. Atchugarry said he was honored by the responsibility and the challenge of transforming hate, war and destruction into a symbol of peace.

Photograph taken on December 19, 1939, of the German battleship 'Admiral Graf Spee' as it is sunk by its crew. AP

The project was scheduled to be completed by November, they said, with the new sculpture of a dove of peace to be installed on a promenade somewhere along the Uruguayan coast. The plan, however, was unraveled in a matter of hours after sparking the anger of art and history experts and creating a political furor.

Amid the worst of the water crisis and his shameful absence at the act of recognition to victims of state terrorism, Luis Lacalle Pou has us talking about the eagle of the Graf Spee, Gustavo Olmos, a deputy of the center-left opposition Frente Amplio party, wrote on Twitter. Olmos was referring to the Lacalle Pou not attending an event held a day earlier in parliament to acknowledge the responsibility of the state in crimes committed during the dictatorship (1973-1985).

The Nazi eagle dominated social discourse over the weekend, with the internet hosting a debate between those in favor of preserving it or transforming it. A petition was started on change.org in favor of preserving the original eagle, which is over two meters high and weighs 350 kilograms (770 pounds). It should be kept in a museum. History must be remembered so that the same mistakes are not made again. New generations are prone to forgetfulness and recidivism. Remembering evil and the symbols that represent it is a huge responsibility to society the petition, which has garnered over 20,000 signatures, read.

Some of the presidents inner circle defended the initiative but they were in a clear minority, as Lacalle Pou later acknowledged. The Vice Minister of Education and Culture and president of the Heritage Commission, Ana Ribeiro, said she had learned about the project from the press. Ribeiro, a renowned Uruguayan historian, is in favor of preserving the eagle. I would keep it [...] I would find it much more educational to make a good museum of the Battle of the River Plate, she told Radio Sarandi.

A photo dated February 11, 2006 showing the bronze eagle from the German battleship 'Graf Spee' on display in Montevideo, Uruguay. Ivan Franco (EFE)

Legal dispute

Like Ribeiro, several historians have pointed to the significance of the confrontation in the early stages of World War II between the Graf Spee and British Royal Navy ships in the waters of the River Plate. The first naval battle of the war, fought in December 1939, resulted in over a hundred deaths and nearly 90 casualties and the subsequent scuttling of the German ship on the orders of its captain, Hans Langsdorff.

The bronze eagle was salvaged by a team of experts in 2006, giving rise to a legal dispute between the treasure hunters and the Uruguayan authorities. Eventually, Uruguays Supreme Court ruled in December 2022 that the eagle was state property.

The proposal meant that in just 48 hours a debate took place in Uruguay that was positive, and also allowed the president to reverse his decision, says Emma Sanguinetti, an art critic and cultural manager. The eagle embodies one of the most fateful moments in human history, she adds. History cannot be the object of metamorphosis. Historical objects have the value of leaving the abstract event and passing it to the real. They are an indispensable instrument. In this sense, Sanguinetti points out that the eagle of the Graf Spee is not a celebratory object and that if transformed it would become something that it never was: a symbol of peace.

In line with her colleagues, Sanguinetti believes it would be best to exhibit the eagle and give it appropriate historical context. It would be a great opportunity to tell the story of that event, to remind people that this horror reached our shores and that is why the eagle and the swastika are here. The more time goes by, the more the facts become blurred; that is why more history is needed and these objects have greater value.

Following the controversy generated by his announcement, Lacalle Pou backtracked and acknowledged the proposal went against consensus. " In the few hours that have passed, an overwhelming majority of people has come forward who dont share the decision. When you aim for peace, the first thing you need to do is create unity and this clearly didnt, he said on Sunday. For now, the eagle of the Graf Spee will remain covered up in a Uruguayan Navy facility. A symbol of peace and union cannot be born of discord, added Atchugarry.

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Guest Commentary

By Ian Madsen

The discussion surrounding global warming, now labelled as climate change because there is no warming, has become a contentious topic driving public policy and garnering significant attention from governments and corporations worldwide.

However, it is crucial to approach proposals for urgent action on climate change with skepticism. The recommendations and proposals put forth in response to climate change have the potential to impact trillions of dollars and millions of lives.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), assigned by the United Nations to study global warming, has issued yet another dire warning  one, unsurprisingly, of imminent doom and apocalypse caused by human activity, particularly of Western countries consumers.

Its latest report, known as the Synthesis Report, is nakedly biased. According to critics, this report lacks the evenhandedness and precision required in a comprehensive climate synthesis report.

Prominent U.S.-based energy analyst Alex Epstein says, A proper climate synthesis report must cover two key issues. One, an evenhanded (covering minuses and pluses) and precise account of our climate impacts. Two, an account of our ability to master climate danger, including the use of fossil fuel[s] to neutralize its negative climate impacts. The Synthesis Report, he added, fails on both counts.

Even worse, the report veers into bias and advocacy of specific remedies while ignoring contrary ideas. Its emphasis on rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) as the sole contributor to dangerous future temperatures disregards the documented benefits of CO2 in nurturing plant life and the subsequent greening of the planet.

On cue, green alarmists and politicians cited numerous and large wildfires in Canada as proof of global warming, although the longer-term trend is for fewer fires and burnt land. Currently, sea levels are up just a few centimetres, despite the Synthesis Report forecasts of a rise of an easily-adapted metre or so by 2100.

The report also tends to overlook counterevidences, such as the variability of temperature and precipitation patterns and exaggerates the impact of anecdotal episodes of extreme weather events.

Furthermore, the report reveals a clear agenda by condemning fossil fuel use based on the belief that CO2 is pollution. It advocates for the complete adoption of intermittent and unreliable solar and wind energy technologies as the only solution to avert a catastrophic climate crisis.

Epstein highlights the reports failure to acknowledge the concept of climate mastery and recursive learning, which involves adapting to observed evidence and increasing resilience. Fossil fuel benefits, particularly in lifting developing nations economic growth and living standards through essential transportation and fertilizer, are ignored.

Lastly, the reports endorsement of solar and wind energy raises concerns about collusion with the powerful and subsidy-hungry green industry, which has gained significant influence over political and regulatory bodies.

In conclusion, the IPCCs Synthesis Report on climate change has generated controversy due to its biased approach, failure to present a comprehensive assessment of climate impacts and mitigation strategies and its promotion of a narrow set of solutions. It is essential to engage in open and balanced discussions that consider a range of perspectives if we are to effectively address the complex challenges posed by climate change.

Ian Madsen is the Senior Policy Analyst at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
Commentary

By Jagdeesh Mann

In our current culture wars climate, where clashes over social issues are commonplace, its easy to dismiss a recent incident involving an Edmonton teacher as yet another case of discrimination deserving immediate pushback.

As you may have heard, a so-far publicly unidentified teacher was secretly recorded ranting at Muslim students for not participating in school Pride-related events, claiming that if they didnt believe in LGBTQ+ rights, they didnt really belong in Canada.

On the surface, it appears to be a clear case of Islamophobic and exclusionary rhetoric.

Indeed, the shortest path to getting cancelled these days in Canada may be to tell a fellow citizen that they dont belong in this country and imply that they should go back to where they came from.

It goes two ways, the teacher is recorded in a furious two-minute clip. If you want to be respected for who you are, if you dont want to suffer prejudice for your religion, your colour of skin or whatever, then you better give it back to people who are different from you. Thats how it works, seethed the teacher in a furious two-minute clip.

She punctuated her diatribe by saying that if the student didnt believe in LBGTQ+ rights then you cant be Canadian. You dont belong here.

In this era of social media, anyone uttering those words would most likely  and in most cases justifiably  be tarred and feathered as a bigot; sentenced to forever searchable infamy on the Internet.

And if there is a smoking gun in the form of a hot mic broadcast or in this case a secret smartphone recording  then merely being cancelled can easily escalate to being canned.

The teacher was aggrieved by what she saw as a lack of reciprocation from the Muslim students given how recent Ramadan-related activities were broadly supported by classmates.

In the superficial social media world of short attention spans and Karens-Gone-Wild, its hard not to see this as yet-more discrimination deserving intense and immediate pushback.

However, if we take a moment to step back and filter out the exclusionary overtones, we might find a more nuanced perspective in what the teacher was attempting to express, albeit very poorly.

From a secular viewpoint, Pride celebrations and religious events like Ramadan dont necessarily have a strong connection. Many organized religions, in general, have not been allied with the LGBTQ+ community, and parents from various faiths often express reservations about their children being exposed to LGBTQ+-related events.

For example, this past week in London, Ontario, while this audio was being recorded in Edmonton, parents of various religious backgrounds were again resisting participating in Pride Week events. One Christian-based organization, the Canada Life Coalition, even called for a national walkout day.

It also must be noted that people of colour, including those from the Muslim community, do not always find safe and welcoming spaces in the LGBTQ+ community.

Finding a middle ground between religious groups and Pride celebrations is undoubtedly a challenging task. It requires each of us, as modern-day Canadians in a pluralistic society, to support and show up for one another, even when there are marked differences. Its about embracing the idea that social cohesion relies on finding common ground outside of our immediate circles, even when there is little in common.

That is the message that got lost in all the noise and in its clumsy delivery: our social cohesion depends on all of us, including members of faith groups, to find a middle ground with those outside of our immediate circles and outside our comfort zones.

The need to find common ground is not a controversial message. Nor is it one many of us would disagree with. Yet in our current culture wars climate, it can be difficult to communicate amidst all the clashes.

Tolerance, by its very nature, is fragile. But its something we have attained as a country through the struggles of past immigrants who overcame similar messages telling them to go back to their own countries. If each of us wants to continue enjoying tolerance and inclusion then we must find ways to accommodate others unlike ourselves.

This is not a repayment back, unlike what could be interpreted from the audio clip. Its not a matter of a minority being thankful for facing less discrimination and therefore needing to express gratitude by showing up for Pride (or other) events.

Tolerance, rather, is an act of paying it forward. Its an act of appreciating what we all enjoy so others will also be able to share in the benefits of living in an inclusive society.

Its not a complicated message but in these complicated times, its one that easily gets lost.

This was the teachable moment. Despite the teachers intolerant approach, we would be wise to filter out the rancour and recognize the underlying lesson.

Jagdeesh Mann is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur and a founding partner of the Asian Pacific Post, a Jack Webster Awardwinning publication.
By Kaitlyn Smith

New Canadian Media

International students who were scammed by an immigration consultant in India and told to face deportation will now be allowed to stay in Canada according to immigration minister Sean Fraser

International students who are genuine applicants that came to Canada to study and were victimized by fraudsters will be given permission to remain in Canada, Fraser said in a press conference.

The announcement follows weeks of protests and calls from both Conservative and NDP members of parliament to stay these deportation orders.

The ministry has appointed a task force to work with the Canada Border Services Agency to identify victims of fraud from overseas, the immigration consultants who issue them, and other foreign nationals using forged admissions letters to take advantage of Canadas immigration system.

The Government of Canadas focus is on identifying those who are responsible for the fraudulent activity and not on penalizing those who may have been affected by fraud, the minister said in his statement.

Those who are found by the task force to have been genuine victims of fraud will be issued temporary resident permits and will not be subject to a five-year ban from re-entering Canada.

Fraser also said the federal government is working with designated learning institutions  colleges and universities authorized to accept international students  provinces and organizations to better detect fraud.

For over two weeks, international students have been joined by hundreds of supporters occupying the doorstep of CBSA offices in Mississauga, demanding Canada stop the deportations.

In March, New Canadian Media (NCM) reported on dozens of international students in B.C. fighting removal orders because of fake school admissions letters forged by an immigration consultant in India that went unnoticed for years.

Last week, two female international students in Ontario facing deportation told NCM they had spent thousands of dollars studying in Canada and had been issued several work permits over the years. It wasnt until they applied for permanent residency that the offer letter became grounds to deport them.

Frasers announcement comes a day after an international student scheduled to be deported on June 13 was issued a stay to reassess his deportation.
Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe made the most accurate celestial observations of his time and challenged the prevailing belief in how the universe was organized. And while most people may think of scientists as stodgy academic types, Brahe's flamboyant lifestyle and ignominious death would have made some of today's wild celebrities look like choirboys.

Born in Denmark in 1546, Brahe's parents were members of the nobility. He was raised by his wealthy uncle and attended universities in Copenhagen and Leipzig. Though he studied arts subjects with the intention of becoming a lawyer, Brahe chose instead to pursue astronomy.

In 1566, 20-year-old Brahe fought a fellow student in a duel over who was the better mathematician. As a result, he lost a large chunk of his nose. "It's the least desirable dueling scar. A dueling scar is a mark of aristocratic courage, but that's if you have a little line on your cheek or a little scratch on your forehead," John Robert Christianson, a Professor Emeritus of History at Luther College and the author of On Tycho's Island (Cambridge University Press, 2000) and Tycho Brahe and the Measure of the Heavens (Reaktion Books, 2020), told our sister publication All About History magazine. "Having half of your nose whacked off is not very appealing so he had to wear a prosthesis his whole life long. That was a source of ridicule on the part of his astronomical opponents."

Related: Famous astronomers: How these scientists shaped astronomy

John Robert Christianson Professor Emeritus of History at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. John Robert Christianson is Professor Emeritus of History at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. He is the author of On Tychos Island (Cambridge University Press, 2000) and Tycho Brahe and the Measure of the Heavens (Reaktion Books, 2020).

Tycho Brahe pronunciation

When Brahe was born, his Danish name was Tyge Otteson Brahe. However, he adopted a Latinized form, Tycho Brahe, when he was about 15 years old. There is not much consensus about how the name is pronounced in English. Some say his first name is "tee-ko"; others say "tie-ko." His last name is pronounced either "brah," "bra-hay" or "bra-hee." He is sometimes referred to only by his first name, as in Tycho Crater on the moon , the Tycho Deep Space capsule and Tycho's Supernova Remnant.

Contribution to astronomy

Despite his colorful life, Brahe contributed a great deal to the field of astronomy . At the time, astronomers held to the idea that the heavens were composed of separate individual spheres, with everything revolving around Earth.

In 1572, Brahe observed a supernova in the constellation of Cassiopeia. Brighter than Venus , the new star remained visible for a year and a half. In 1577, he observed a comet . Current theory taught that both were disturbances in the atmosphere. However, Brahe's precise measurements revealed differently. He proved that the supernova never changed with regard to the surrounding stars and that the comet orbited beyond the path of the moon, contradicting the idea that the heavens never changed.

"Upon learning that Tycho intended to leave Denmark [in 1575] in order to pursue his interests in studying the universe , King Frederick granted him the island of Hven, and helped finance the building of his observatory there," Associate Professor of History at Swansea University and author of Bearing the Heavens: Tycho Brahe and the Astronomical Community of the Late Sixteenth Century (Cambridge University Press, 2007) Dr Adam Mosley told All About History magazine in an interview. "Tycho served as a kind of consultant to the royal court, commenting on and explaining unusual natural phenomena, such as the great comet of 1577, and he produced horoscopes for the royal family."

Dr Adam Mosley Associate Professor of History at Swansea University Dr Adam Mosley is an Associate Professor of History at Swansea University. He is the author of Bearing the Heavens: Tycho Brahe and the Astronomical Community of the Late Sixteenth Century (Cambridge University Press, 2007).

At his observatory, Brahe kept meticulous observations of the heavens. While most astronomers only focused on observing heavenly bodies at specific, unusual points in their orbits, Brahe intently tracked them in their entire visible orbit across the sky, creating the most precise observations made at the time. Some of his measurements were accurate to half an arc minute, which is especially admirable given that they were all made before the advent of the telescope.

Although Brahe's observations revealed the flaws of the current system, he did not embrace Nicolaus Copernicus' newly proposed sun-centered model. Instead, he offered a model that combined the two, setting the moon and sun in orbit around Earth even as the other five known planets circled the sun . The model became popular among those who wanted to leave the older view behind but weren't ready to embrace the idea of the sun at the center of the solar system .

Related: Geocentric model: The Earth-centered view of the universe

A comparison of the systems of the universe according to the theories of Nicolaus Copernicus (February 19, 1473 - May 24, 1543), Rene' Descartes (March 31, 1596 - February 11, 1650) and Tycho Brahe (December 14, 1546 - October 24, 1601). (Image credit: Fototeca Gilardi/Getty Images)

"In Tycho Brahe's geo heliocentric system, the planets moved around the sun, and the stars, sun, and moon moved around Earth, with Earth at the center of the universe," explained Mosley. "This geo heliocentric system was thought by Tycho Brahe, and by some astronomers and philosophers in the seventeenth century, to overcome some of the problems with the two alternative systems."

According to Rice University's Galileo Project, "Tycho Brahe's contributions to astronomy were enormous." In addition to his observations, he also designed and built instruments, periodically calibrating them and checking their accuracy. "He thus revolutionized astronomical instrumentation."

Another of Tycho's most impressive accomplishments was his use of statistical information. "This was his great contribution  he basically invented the concept of data. He was the first person to repeat an observation or experiment in order to verify it," stated Christianson. The vast body of data collected by Tycho not only helped him in his work but also served the astronomers who followed him.

Tycho's Observatory

The Tycho Brahe Star Castle observatory on the island of Hven in Oresund. (Image credit: myLoupe/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

On the island of Hven, Tycho's scientific sanctuary was built and named Uraniborg. "You can still look out the window of the king's apartment at Kronborg Castle and you're looking right at that island," Christianson told All About History. "That was how the king chose that island. He gave it to Tycho Brahe and said: "I want you to continue to pursue your studies because you will bring fame to the Kingdom of Denmark. I want you to do it on that island within sight of the new castle that I'm building here. That will be the showplace of the realm and I want your little island to be part of that showplace." When monarchs built palaces at that time, you had to have a chamber of wonders  a display of marvelous things that are exemplars of your royal power and King Frederick II wanted Tycho Brahe to build that little island of wonders."

The elaborate Renaissance villa on Hven had towers on the outer sides which were part of his observatory and housed his large scientific instruments. Panels in the roofs of these towers could be removed to reveal the sky to those inside. At Uraniborg, Tycho carried out his observations for around 20 years. He made a variety of new instruments to help him in his work, ran his own printing press and educated and trained upcoming astronomers from around Europe. The island of Hven now has a Tycho Brahe museum where visitors can also see the ruins of his famous observatory.

How Kepler got his start

Brahe's precise measurements laid the foundation for a new understanding of the motion of the planets. German astronomer Johannes Kepler contacted him at the end of the 16th century in an effort to obtain copies of the Danish astronomer's research. Brahe countered with a suggestion that Kepler could work as his assistant, helping him to compile his data.

By this time, Brahe was based in Prague at the court of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II and worked as the Imperial Mathematician assisted by Kepler. Their relationship was often a fraught one, with Kepler wanting to use Brahe's data to support Copernicus' theory of heliocentrism , rather than help Brahe refine his own model of the universe. However, the two men continued to collaborate despite their differences.

Brahe suggested that Kepler work on solving the Mars dilemma that plagued astronomers. Because of its orbit, Mars appears to occasionally move backward across the sky, causing many astronomers to suggest epicycles, tiny circles within their orbit. Even Copernicus' suggestion that the planets orbited the sun in circles could not account for the red planet's strange motion.

After his death, the body of data that Brahe had accumulated during his lifetime proved to be particularly valuable, both intellectually, and importantly for his children, financially. "The Emperor offered to buy all of Tycho's instruments and his data but he was short on cash and so he made a down payment. For the rest of the lives of Tycho Brahe's children he continued, annually, to pay them the amount of the purchase," said Christianson. As the succeeding Imperial Mathematician, Kepler used the data purchased by the Emperor to further his own career and make a name for himself.

Kepler, using Brahe's detailed observations, realized that the planets moved around the sun not in circles but in stretched-out circles known as ellipses. However, the problem took him almost a decade to solve, and Kepler didn't publish it until well after Brahe's death.

A mysterious death

Brahe died in 1601 at the age of 54. While attending a banquet, societal customs did not allow him to excuse himself before his host. Brahe had drunk excessively but refused to leave to use the bathroom. It is thought that this exacerbated some kind of bladder infection the astronomer was suffering from and as a result, he developed uremia. According to Kepler in his account of his mentor's death, Brahe died five days after the banquet.

However, scientists who opened Brahe's grave in 1901 to mark the 300th anniversary of his death claimed to find mercury in his remains, fueling rumors that the astronomer was poisoned. Some even accused a jealous Johannes Kepler of the crime.

Brahe's body was exhumed again in 2010. Tests on his bones and beard hairs showed that mercury concentrations in his body were not high enough to have killed him.

"In fact, chemical analyses of the bones indicate that Tycho Brahe was not exposed to an abnormally high mercury load in the last five to ten years of his life," researcher Kaare Lund Rasmussen, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Southern Denmark who analyzed mercury levels in Brahe's beard and bones, said in a statement.

However, further research revealed that the astronomer was exposed to high levels of gold in his lifetime. "We found traces of gold in Tycho Brahe's hair, and we can establish that he was exposed to gold while these hairs were still on his body," Rasmussen said in a 2016 statement.

"It may have been the cutlery and plates of gold, or maybe the wine he drank contained gold leaf. It's also possible that he concocted and consumed elixirs containing gold, or that he worked with alchemy,"

Researchers also found that greenish stains around the nasal areas of Brahe's corpse contained traces of copper and zinc, indicating that his fake nose was made of brass and not silver or gold, as many had believed.

"When we exhumed the body in 2010, we took a small bone sample from the nose so that we could examine its chemical composition," project leader Jens Vellev, an archaeologist at Aarhus University in Denmark, said the same statement. "Surprisingly, our analyses revealed that the prosthesis was not made of precious metals, as was previously supposed ... So Tycho Brahe's famous 'silver nose' wasn't made of silver after all."

Additional resources

To learn more about Tycho Brahes supernova, NASA has some useful resources . you Or, if you want to take a trip to Brahes observatory on the island of Hven, information can be found about the Tycho Brahe museum there on their official website .

Bibliography

Christianson, J. R. (2000). On Tychos Island . Cambridge University Press.

Christianson, J. R. (2020). Tycho Brahe and the Measure of the Heavens . Reaktion Books.

Mosley, A. (2007). Bearing the Heavens: Tycho Brahe and the Astronomical Community of the Late Sixteenth Century . Cambridge University Press.

O'Connor, J.J. and Robertson, E.F. (2003). Tycho Brahe. Retrieved from https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Brahe/

Smith, Y. (2019, Oct 23). The Tycho Supernova: Death of a Star. NASA. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/the-tycho-supernova-death-of-a-star

Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) (1995). Retrieved from http://galileo.rice.edu/sci/brahe.html
Earlier this year, tens of thousands of Mexicans took to the streets to protest newly enacted legislation gutting the countrys highly-regarded National Electoral Institute (INE) in advance of state elections this year and presidential elections in 2024. In response, the U.S. State Department observed: Today, in Mexico, we see a great debate on electoral reforms on the independence of electoral and judicial institutions that illustrates Mexicos vibrant democracy. The facts, however, suggest that unless the Mexican Supreme Court steps in to save the day, Mexicos democracy may not be so vibrant after all.

The new legislation, known in Mexico as Plan B and backed by President Lopez Obrador and his ruling Morena party, came after their Plan A  a constitutional amendment targeting INE  narrowly failed to muster the required two-thirds majority in Congress. Passed by a simple majority, Plan B eliminates INEs professional personnel by over 80%, severely limits its ability to monitor elections, and allows the executive branch to interfere with INEs budget items, structure, internal decisions, as well as the electoral roll. Given INEs key role in ensuring Mexicos transition from seven decades of one-party rule to a country with credible elections, these changes strike at the heart of Mexicos democracy.

On May 8, Mexicos Supreme Court found unconstitutional one legislative decree of the package (which limited INEs ability to police political advertising) on the grounds that it violated legislative procedure, particularly the principle of informed and democratic deliberation. The president responded by hurling insults at the court and announcing a constitutional reform proposal to have judges elected by popular vote. These attacks on the court follow other attempts to undermine judicial independence, which, together with the presidents constant attacks on political opponents, independent media, and civil society groups, are serious early warnings of democratic decline in the country.

The courts judgement on the rest of Plan B is pending. The Mexican Bar Association, through Stanford Law Schools Rule of Law Impact Lab, submitted an amicus curiae brief in INEs challenge to the constitutionality of the remaining legislation. Under international standards, Mexico has an obligation to protect citizens right to vote and participate in free and fair elections. These rights are also provided for under domestic law. The Supreme Court has an opportunity  and a critical role to play  to protect Mexican democracy.

Even if the court does the right thing and finds the remaining legislation unconstitutional, the battle for Mexicos democracy is not over yet. In addition to his proposal to amend the constitution to require Supreme Court judges to be elected, the president announced a Plan C he wants to ensure Morena and its allies win a super-majority in both houses of parliament so that they can amend the constitution. He appears to have no plans to stop, and the Spanish alphabet has 27 letters.

The presidents attacks on INE and the Supreme Court are not isolated attacks on democratic institutions. He has also called for eliminating the historically independent National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Protection of Personal Data (INAI). He has systematically shifted control of civilian functions  running ports, airports, and customs  to the military, which is implicated in abusive immigration policies and public security strategies. He attempted to transfer the National Guard to military control, but the Supreme Court deemed it unconstitutional.

Despite these ongoing efforts to undercut democracy, President Lopez Obrador continues to have high approval ratings, in part because many people in Mexico are willing to sacrifice individual freedoms in the face of his promise to quell drug-related violence and inequality. Both remain serious concerns.

In this context, it is critically important to support  before it is too late  the Supreme Courts efforts to put the brakes on Mexicos democratic backslide.

Although the United States influence in Latin America is declining, it still has a critical role to play in certain countries, and undoubtedly, Mexico is one of them. Yet the U.S. governments foreign policy towards Mexico is narrowly driven by domestic considerations and the Biden administrations outsourcing of immigration enforcement to Mexico. Concerns about Mexicos democracy have fallen by the wayside.

True, the United States has its own problem of democratic decline. Especially after the January 6 attack on the Capitol, it is hardly a role model for other democracies. But keeping quiet or issuing equivocal messages about the state of democracy in Mexico does not help the U.S.s international legitimacy nor its objective of improving country conditions and addressing the root causes of migration.

Some may argue that the Biden administration is waiting to see what happens with the presidential elections next year, hoping damage between now and then will be limited, and that a new Mexican president would help undo the current mess. Thats a big gamble. The U.S. needs to shift gears and offer open and unequivocal support to independent electoral and judicial institutions in Mexico that act as a check on executive power, including through its embassy in Mexico City. And it should do it soon, before all the vibrancy has been drained from Mexicos democracy.

Amrit Singh is executive director of the Stanford Law School Rule of Law Impact Lab. Tamara Taraciuk Broner is director of the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program at the Inter-American Dialogue.

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Science is full of serendipity. Coincidences, valuable findings that are made by chance. From Archimedes, who is said to have discovered his famous principle when soaking in the bathtub, to Viagra, which was the result of a failed experiment that set out to find potential cardiovascular effects in sildenafil. Paleoclimatologist Ellen Thomas also had something like this happen to her on one of her scientific expeditions to Antarctica in the 1980s, while studying sediment samples in search of benthic foraminifera, microscopic organisms that live on the seafloor. We are in a warming period, and we were actively trying to look for a cooling of the Antarctic continent, not a warming episode. Its something we came across by chance, she admits.

If the sediments deposited on the seafloor are a kind of chronological history book, the deepest layers are the oldest. In the one corresponding to the Paleocene and Eocene, more than 50 million years ago, Thomas found, against all odds, substantial changes in microorganisms. There had been an unexpected mass extinction and an intense global warming associated with this phenomenon. Together with studies by scientist James Zachos, the paleoclimatologist described an anomalous episode in the planets history: a kind of greenhouse effect 56 million years ago in which massive CO emissions occurred and the global temperature rose by five to six degrees. This phenomenon still serves today as a reference for the scientific community to predict the destructive impacts of current global warming.

Thomas, who is a researcher in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Yale University and Professor Emeritus of Integrated Sciences at Wesleyan University, has been awarded the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change for the transcendental contribution to the discovery of an important natural event in the fossil record together with Zachos. This is, the jury noted, a powerful analogy of the current climate change. The paleoclimatologist spoke to EL PAIS in Bilbao, whe she received the award.

Question: What does it feel like when you make an unexpected find?

Answer: It is not a single moment at all. Authors like Isaac Asimov, who wrote science fiction, said that the important thing in science is not the Eureka! moment, but to say, How strange, because there is something you dont understand, and it takes you some time to understand what it means.

I study microscopic organisms that live in the deep ocean, which is the largest ecosystem on the planet, since there is more sea than land and most of the sea is deep ocean. Most of the worlds habitats are in the deep sea and if you see something happening in the deep sea, it means its global. I thought that the organisms I studied would never show a major extinction event because there are known types of extinctions on Earth, for example the dinosaurs, and in that period the organisms I study did not go extinct. I thought that in the deep ocean they would always have a place to live. And then I was on this mission where we were drilling and what I found  that I didnt expect  was that between two samples there was a big difference in terms of the organisms that I was studying: they had different shapes, they were different species. This difference meant that there was a great extinction and I could not explain it.

Q. How is this extinction related to climate change?

A. Thats where my work with the other award winner [James Zachos] begins. My organisms make shells, like snails. The shells are made of calcium carbonate and by analyzing it chemically, we get all kinds of information about the environment in which the shell was formed. It tells us the temperature at which that shell was formed, and what we saw is that some species had gone from colder to warmer, a difference of five to eight degrees Celsius. In addition, calcium carbonate contains calcium, carbon and oxygen: the oxygen tells you what the temperature is and the carbon tells you that at the time the temperature was rising there were greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere. And we deduce that this warming is due to greenhouse gases. At that time of warming and greenhouse gas emissions, millions of years ago, there was also an acidification of the oceans.

Paleoclimatologist Ellen Thomas, at the BBVA Foundation headquarters in Bilbao, this Monday during the interview. Fundacion BBVA

Q. What does something that happened 56 million years ago have to do with what is happening now?

A. We are also emitting greenhouse gases and the planet is getting warmer. What is interesting, if a bit depressing, is that so far we are trying to predict the future, but we have seen climate predictions of 20, 30 or 40 years, although there is a much, much longer history behind it. By analyzing history, we can see an example of global warming and what effects it has on ecosystems: they do not do well where it is warmer and migrate northward. Plants do not move, but may die where they are and start to grow further north.

Q. What is our past telling us about our future? Can such a mass extinction be repeated?

A. The problem we have here is the pace at which things happen; how fast things happen. Humans are emitting greenhouse gases faster than they were produced 56 million years ago. If we make these emissions faster, we have more environmental problems. Because you can say that the Earth has suffered episodes of warming in the past and not to worry, however, it is not the Earth that has to worry, it is humans. As I said before about the migration of plants: we have agriculture, in Spain there are specific crops, but if the climate warms up, we will no longer be able to grow them. Maybe they can be grown in the Netherlands, but not in Spain anymore. We have a huge adaptation ahead of us because our farmers grow crops in specific soils, but if the climate is not suitable, there will be a problem.

We are emitting greenhouse gases at a rate that will overload the system.





Q. What happened 56 million years ago has been associated with volcanic activity and the current global warming is due to human action. Are we more devastating than nature itself?

A. In the global warming episode 56 million years ago, the emission of these greenhouse gases occurred over 1,500 years (according to the best estimates), and the effects on the world were not as devastating as those of 66 million years ago, which were immediate. The asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs 10 million years earlier was instantaneous, and the effects of this rapid process were devastating to life on Earth. Humans have been emitting greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution, just a few hundred years ago. Some of us argue that what counts is the rate at which we emit: we are emitting greenhouse gases at a rate that is somewhere between an asteroid impact and several thousand years, and the effects are going to be somewhere in the middle of the two.

The world has seen these greenhouse gas emissions on several occasions and has been able to reduce them, but they were much slower. What is important is the speed at which we are emitting things: if we emit greenhouse gases too fast we are going to overload the system, and nature is not going to be able to capture that CO.

Q. You have said that the danger is for human beings, not for the planet.

A. Yes, the danger is for human beings. We cannot save the planet. The planet has been surviving for millions of years, it does not care if the entire surface of the Earth or the oceans are destroyed. The problem is for us. In the Netherlands we dont like the idea of sea level rising by 20 meters. Its our infrastructure: I live in Connecticut, and we have a historical record of the sea level going up and down, the marshes coming in and going out, but now we have big cities, roads, etc., in the area. If the sea comes back in, theres going to be a problem  not for the sea, which has already moved in and out of the land many times, but for us, who have roads, railroads, sewage, and so on. The problem is going to be for us.

Q. If what happened 56 million years ago serves as an analogy to the current situation, where are we now in that phenomenon?

A. It is not so easy because it is an analogy, it is not exact. To begin with, 56 million years ago, the climate was already warmer than it is now. There were no ice caps at the poles, for example. One of the most difficult things in science is trying to figure out time on the human time scale, so there is a lot of debate about whether this period of warming in the past occurred over 2,000 or 10,000 years. However, it is clear that the most comprehensive thing is to compare the temperature increase: we are now at a level of global warming of one and a half degrees, we are between a quarter and a third of the global warming we saw in that period.

I dont think these technological fixes are going to help us in the future: were going to have to start adapting.

Q. Can we really do anything to stop this process?

A. That is not my field of study. Despite the agreements we have reached, despite the pandemic, which made us stop, CO has continued to rise. That is not a scientific question. It is a question that has to be asked of people, of humanity, because it has to do with the way people react to processes. From the scientific point of view, we already know what this is all about; but what we do about it is no longer my job. It is disheartening that we do not stop burning fossil fuels, but this is a societal decision and society does not [want to] take that step.

Q. Are you very pessimistic?

A. I am more pessimistic than the other award winner, who is more optimistic and believes that technological changes may help. But I dont think these technological fixes are going to help us in the future. Not only do we have to try to stop [using fossil fuels], but we have to try to adapt. Now we are talking about resilience, about how to deal with these consequences. I think that, as a society, we are going to have to start adapting to this warming.

Q. Is there a point of no return?

A. We do not know. There may be. This is very interesting from a scientific point of view, but it is very depressing from a social point of view. We may have a turning point. There may come a time (and it may not be too far away) when we start a process that we can no longer stop. I think there are two processes that we will not be able to stop: the Antarctic ice shelf is below sea level, so if the water warms up so much that it destabilizes this shelf, it will fall apart in a short time, end up floating and reach lower latitudes and this could mean a sea level rise of 11 meters. Another potential tipping point is that the permafrost, the frozen soil of the Arctic, has several layers with a lot of organic life, and they have started to thaw, and the peat will be decomposing with this reaction [the release of greenhouse gases].

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Summer has arrived in the northern hemisphere, temperatures are rising and the mosquitoes are back. In addition to being annoying, these insects are also dangerous, as they can transmit numerous diseases. Raimundo Outerelo, professor emeritus of zoology at the Complutense University of Madrid, says that there are some 3,500 different species of mosquitoes in the world. The most common are the common mosquito (Culex pipiens), which transmits West Nile fever, and the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which can transmit malaria, yellow fever, dengue and Zika. Although this insect is native to Asia, in recent years it has invaded Europe and the Mediterranean.

In 2020, the WHO warned that mosquitoes are responsible more than 700,000 deaths per year worldwide. In Europe, they do not pose a great risk  the main harm they cause is discomfort from their bites  but the continent is not exempt from danger either. Several experts tell EL PAIS what makes some people more attractive to mosquitoes than others, and how best to avoid being bitten.

What attracts mosquitoes?

Females only bite because they need the blood to reproduce, not to feed. There are several factors that lead them to their victim, and each species has its own preferences. First, they detect the carbon dioxide exhaled by their prey, which tells them where it is, says Maria Jose Ruiz, a researcher at the Estacion Biologica de Donana (EBD) in Spain. They also use body temperature to locate their target, but it is the sweat that makes them choose one person or anothers blood to suck.

When we sweat, we secrete a series of chemical substances, such as lactic acid and octanol, which attract these insects, says Ruben Bueno, entomologist and head of Vector Control for Europe at Rentokil Initial in Spain. Because these compounds vary in each individual, there may be people who are more attractive and those who are less so, he continues. Most of these elements are produced by bacteria on our skin, so age, sex and being sick can play a role, Ruiz explains, adding that pregnant women are more attractive to mosquitoes.

More information Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?

In some species, the color of clothing has been found to have an influence on becoming a desirable target. For example, the tiger mosquito has been found to be attracted to dark colors, according to Roger Eritja, head of entomology at Mosquito Alert and researcher at the Center for Advanced Studies in Blanes (CEAB). They are also attracted to tight-fitting clothing, adds EBDs Ruiz.

No two mosquitoes are alike and they have enormous differences in behavior, habits, reactions and appetites Roger Eritja, head of entomology at Mosquito Alert and researcher at the Center for Advanced Studies in Blanes

Last May, the journal Cell published the results of an experiment in which the authors tested four commercial soaps on different subjects to see if their components changed the volunteers odor fingerprint to attract or repel these insects. Although washing with the soaps significantly modified human body odors, the attraction or repellency of the subjects depended on the interaction between the changes produced by the soap and the specific scent composition of each host.

Other research has pointed to the victims blood type and even beer consumption as factors of attraction. However, Eritja points out that these studies are usually done with a single mosquito species and it is difficult to extrapolate the results to other species. No two mosquitoes are alike and they have enormous differences in behavior, habits, reactions and appetites, says the CEAB researcher.

How to avoid them?

Experts agree that the best weapon for those who are persecuted by these insects is a good repellent. It is best to buy them in specialized stores or pharmacies and follow the advice on the label to the letter, says Rentokil Initials Bueno. Their effectiveness depends on personal odor, which must be taken into account. Therefore, we must identify how much we attract mosquitoes and use a higher or lower grade product, says Ruiz.

The lotion should be applied all over the skin. If you dont, mosquitoes will find where you havent put the repellent and will bite you there, Eritja says. In addition to these products, it is also advisable to wear long sleeves if leaving home early or late in the day or going to an area where there is likely to be a concentration of these insects. For example, if you go for a walk in the countryside, says Jordi Figuerola, research professor at the EBD. Ruiz adds other tips such as wearing loose-fitting clothing and setting up mosquito nets at home.

When a mosquito bites us at home, most of the time it was born in our house or in our neighbors house, says Figuerola. The entomologist explains that the main thing is to avoid having places in the home where they can reproduce. These insects need water to lay their eggs and develop, so it is advisable to keep an eye on any container where water may accumulate. For example, dishes under flower pots, birdbaths, buckets, and air conditioning drain pans.

Eritja, from CEAB, warns of certain products that are sold as measures to repel these pests and avoid their bites, but that do not really work or whose effectiveness is limited. The researcher states categorically that ultrasound mosquito repellent devices are completely ineffective, a placebo. Their efficacy has never been proven.

Candles and citronella bracelets are also not the best option, the researcher adds. Although the substance can act as a natural repellent, the amount needed for it to work is very high, he points out. Eritja suggests eucalyptus oil for those who prefer a more natural product as opposed to commercial repellents.

Mosquitoes and climate change

Climate change may pose a dilemma for mosquitoes. On the one hand, the planets increasingly higher temperatures make it easier for them to proliferate. The increasingly warmer winters make their activity period longer and when spring arrives there are more mosquitoes to reproduce, says Figuerola. If cold does not control populations, the likelihood of pathogen transmission increases, he continues. However, a climate that is too hot also does them harm, because they are not able to regulate their body temperature, Eritja says.

Drought, on the other hand, reduces the amount of water available, which is necessary for reproduction and for their larvae to develop. This would make breeding very difficult for some species that need large amounts of standing water in which to lay their eggs. The phenomenon will be less noticeable for urban mosquitoes, which are highly adaptable. If it doesnt rain, there will be fewer containers with water in them and fewer mosquitoes, but if we refill them, we mitigate the effects of the drought by providing water manually, says the CEAB researcher.

Technology as an ally: Mosquito Alert

One of the most serious problems for these insects, in addition to climate change, is the arrival of invasive species. One of them is the tiger mosquito. Their arrival in Spain meant the transmission of diseases that had not been present in the country until then, according to Figuerola.

The Mosquito Alert application was created almost 10 years ago with the objective of detecting these invasive species. It is an application (a public science project) that allows users to post photos of mosquitoes, bites, or possible breeding sites, which entomologists analyze to recognize and locate the species, says Eritja, a member of this team.

In addition to the tiger mosquito, they also look for the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), the Korean mosquito (Aedes koreicus), the common mosquito (Culex pipiens), and the Japanese mosquito (Aedes japonicus). The last species was found for the first time in 2018 thanks to a citizen from Asturias, northern Spain. In early June, the Mosquito Alert team launched a joint campaign with the Ministry of Health that aims to raise awareness of the application. They also work with the administrations of other countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and the United States.

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T he CEO of payments firm Volt has called time on the industry dominance of Visa and Mastercard as it raised $60 million (47 million) in a fresh funding round.

Tom Greenwood, who founded Volt in 2019, said: Visa and Mastercard have historically been the backbone of the economic system.

Those systems were first implemented in the 1950s and 60s and the tech that underpins it is 70 years oldits antiquated.

With any delay between transactions is a real cost associated with that. They recognise both the opportunity and the threat that real-time payments present.

The series-B round was led by Silicon Valley stalwart IVP, alongside EQT Ventures, Augmentum Fintech and Fuel Ventures. Volt refused to disclose a valuation for the round.

The company, which was founded in the UK, hopes to establish itself as a leading global real-time payments provider and has already forged partnerships with payments giant WorldPay and e-commerce business Shopify.

Volt said the funding would be used to fuel its expansion to Australia, the US and Asia-Pacific countries. The firm said it had $15 million of annualised revenue.

Tom Mendoza, Partner at EQT Ventures, said: Its no secret that fundraising in 2023 has been challenging for many, but Volt demonstrates that emerging category leaders in large and growing markets will thrive irrespective of the macroeconomic environment. The EQT Ventures team are delighted to see another British fintech take on APAC, Australia, and the US, with the backing of a globally renowned cohort of investors.
W elcome to our new video series Art After Dark where we look at cool things to see and do in London. Over the next 5 months we'll be heading into art galleries, talking about theatre and cover places where you can shop, eat and drink - basically plan your perfect itinerary for an evening out.

In this episode, Evening Standard's Culture Editor Nancy Durrant is joined by multi-disciplinary artist, poet and BBC London DJ LionHeart. Together they explore the work of Albert Irvin in 3812 Gallery before heading to Burlington Arcade for some shoe inspiration and end up at the swanky bar 8 at The Londoner in Leicester Square.

For more inspiration on what to see and do in London, check out www.artoflondon.co.uk/artafterdark
I n this episode of Art After Dark, Nancy Durrant is joined by visual artist and Royal Academician Rana Begum.

Together they admire the contemporary (and quirky) interiors at The Den in St Martin's Lane Hotel, try exquisitely crafted shoes at Manolo Blahniks, then head off to the Royal Academy where Rana's work is on display.

They end their evening at the Cristea Roberts Gallery in St James' where Rana shared some of the inspiration behind her work plus what it's like to be on display with other powerful female artists.

For more ideas on what to see and do in London, visit www.artoflondon.co.uk
T he cruel and unusual punishment that the poor old National Portrait Gallery has suffered over its lifetime amounts to a sort of architectural torture. When it opened in 1896, architect Ewan Christian presented London with a great Florentine palazzo (with a Byzantine chapel-like staircase attached) to tell the story of a nation in its imperial pomp. Yet its rooms were soon divided and divided again, ceilings were lowered, floors raised, their decorative mosaics hidden.

Worse was what happened to the galleries lighting. Originally open only in the daytime with no artificial lights, the NPG was full of windows and skylights. Pragmatics, infills, changing fashion, and the threat of wartime bombing saw skylights painted over, windows permanently shuttered or entirely bricked up and their architraves removed. To add injury to insult, it was bombed nonetheless.

While the Tudors were resplendent in their year 2000 upper gallery, by architects Dixon Jones, the rest of the building was a dingy gentlemans club by the millennium, where has-beens peered out from the walls through the gloom. Lifts stopped short and steps were everywhere  an unwelcoming access nightmare. The national story it told was a stuffy one  the hang and artwork captioning providing half-truths in Coles Notes form.

That world of hurt and pain has lifted with an extraordinary remodelling by a team led by architect Jamie Fobert, which sheds light into dark places. Only by head-scratching examination of Christians original drawings could the team begin to hazard what was hidden behind old layers. Now, along with the magic touch of heritage architects Purcell and bold engineering, windows have been unblocked, skylights freed, broken architraves mended and scarred terrazzo healed.

It doesnt quite let the sunshine in but technically clever scrim veils over openings, combined with clever cabinetry by exhibition designers Nissen Richards, allow more delicate works to brave the rediscovered daylight amid a rehanging that leads you gently on through the colourful upper galleries, where the previous cruciform plan has been reinstated.

The new exterior entrance / Handout

The NPG had a difficult start in life, sited where the Victorians deliberately drove Charing Cross Road through the slums north of the National Gallery. This governed the strange placement of its entrance. Not wanting to face the demi-monde but instead flag its connections to the salubrious south, the too-small entryway was placed awkwardly on the side, where Charing Cross Road kinks.

And this is where Jamie Fobert Architects has literally turned things around. A new northside entrance facing up CXR has been created leading from a municipal triangle of leftover land. The reorientated granite square now bridges a deep lightwell to a new entrance formed by dropping three of Christians windows to form a titanic threshold. The bronze doors themselves are finished with Tracey Emin drawings of women, countering the honour previously given only to male artists in the buildings decoration.

Inside, massive walls and mezzanines have been removed and temporary galleries relocated to allow a flow past Nissen Richards stylish monochrome display of busts into the retained but enlarged escalator hall that remains the central circulation space. 950 sq m of new public space has been carved out. CXRs curves, the NPGs monogram, and Christians characteristic chamfered corners have each informed details including gallery benches and balustrades.

It is the renewed connection to the city outside, however, that is transformative. Instead of fatigue-inducing hermetic gallery boxes, there are paintings in animated dialogue with each other and views out to London planes, leaves shifting in the breeze. With one bound, the NPG has been freed.

The National Portrait Gallery opens to the public on June 22; npg.org.uk
T he family of Julian Sands say they continue to keep the British actor in our hearts with bright memories, as searches in southern California continue.

In a statement put out by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, the family again thanked all those who were working tirelessly to find him.

The 65-year-old actor has now been missing for more than five months, after failing to return from a hike in the Mounty Baldy area of the San Gabriel mountains on January 13.

Sands  known for his roles in films A Room With A View, Leaving Las Vegas and Warlock, as well as TV appearances on 24, Smallville and Banshee  was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area.

We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, a family statement on Wednesday read.

We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer.

The sheriffs department added although Sands had not been found during recent searches on June 17, that the case remained active.

Previous searches have been hampered by poor conditions in the area, and halted in March due to the risk of avalanches.

The sheriffs department said that Saturdays search had included over 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff, with their efforts supported by two helicopters, and drone crews.

Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions. Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet of ice and snow, the department said in a previous statement.

Since January, the Sheriffs Department has conducted eight searches (ground and air) specific to Mr Sands, with volunteer searcher hours exceeding 500 hours.

Additionally, eight unrelated search and rescue operations have been conducted in the Mount Baldy area.

Mr Sands missing person case remains active and search efforts will continue in a limited capacity.

A spokesperson for the sheriffs department previously said its goal was to bring closure to Sands family.
S hared accommodation for care leavers; straw bale self-build proposal to tackle rural homelessness; and a new set of design codes for temporary housing were among the finalists for a major architecture prize awarded last night in London.

The overall winner of this years Davidson Prize was Helping Hands, which aims to address the urgent need for temporary homeless accommodation and support services in Bootle, Liverpool, with a particular focus on the needs of young people leaving the care system.

Using leftover space from a typical urban block in Liverpool, Helping Hands has created shared accommodation for care leavers as well as individual homes for greater degrees of independence.

It has also opened and connected the backs of three organisations which are already based in the space, and which offer support to homeless and vulnerable people.

In doing so, the project proposes a nurturing communal landscape for people facing homelessness, which has been co-created by residents, neighbours and specialist support organisations.

Helping Hands is led by architects Studio Mutt and development company Neighbourhood. It was designed in collaboration with The Independence Initiative, a homeless services provider; Hugh Baird College, an education and training institution; Islington Hostel Outreach; filmmaker Amber Akaunu and poetry society and event organisers Dead Good Poets Society.

Helping Hands aims to create a nurturing communal landscape for people facing homelessness / Studio Mutt and Neighbourhood

Established in memory of architect and visualisation pioneer Alan Davidson, the Davidson Prize is an annual design ideas competition which seeks to promote the wellbeing of people through excellent design and communication.

This years theme was Somewhere to Call Home, with teams asked to imagine better solutions for temporary homelessness accommodation at a location in the UK or Ireland.

The competition received applications from 47 teams, whittled down to a longlist of 16 projects. Three finalists were selected by the jury at a preliminary judging stage, with each awarded 5,000 to develop their initial proposals and create a two-minute film. These were presented to the jury panel in London last week.

Helping Hands was announced as the 2023 Davidson Prize winner on Tuesday, June 20 and will be awarded 10,000. The ceremony was held at Istituto Marangoni in Shoreditch as part of the London Festival of Architecture.

Choosing an outright winner was tough; what tipped it for Helping Hands was the sense of people working together on the ground, building on existing community infrastructure, and taking collective responsibility for a better future, said Sadie Morgan, chair of the prize.

The level and quality of engagement with service users and providers was extremely impressive, and the judges applaud the idea of a project deeply rooted in place. The solution applies design intelligence to tap into and join up local support networks  with tangible and visible results.

What tipped it for Helping Hands was the sense of people working together on the ground, building on existing community infrastructure, and taking collective responsibility for a better future, said Sadie Morgan / Studio Mutt and Helping Hands

The two runners-up for this years prize were More Not Less, run by Re-group, and Home Building, run by Wild & SNaB.

More Not Less is a proposal for national design codes to improve the quality of life in temporary housing, focusing on a site on Kingsland Road in Hackney which currently has planning approval for a temporary accommodation scheme that Re-Group believe is not fit for purpose.

Home Building, is a straw-bale, self-build solution which aims to address homelessness in rural areas. It aims to provide a 12-month design and construction course for care leavers, people leaving the armed forces, ex-prisoners and asylum seekers, with beneficiaries creating 12 homes for a community of 50.

A Peoples Choice Prize, decided by public vote, was also announced at Tuesdays event, with Rifugio announced as the winners. Their project, Switch, proposed transforming a disused station in Highgate into a sanctuary for asylum seekers to aid their onward journey.

Once again the Alan Davidson Foundation has been amazed and delighted by the energy, ideas and design solutions generated through our annual competition, said Marie Chamillard, Davidson Prize director.

What united all the submissions was an overwhelming sense of care, with the entries demonstrating that there could and should be far better solutions to the growing crisis of temporary homelessness in our cities, towns and countryside.

The longlisted, finalist and winning entries are on The Davidson Prize website. The theme for 2024s award will be announced later this year.
A s the summer days stretch to their longest point of the year, its easy to fantasise about alternate lifestyles. Perhaps a cabin in the woods? A mountaintop bothy? Or, popular amongst Londoners, a home by the sea.

For those looking to make those seaside dreams a reality, new data from Rightmove has revealed the UKs best value coastal locations for buyers and renters alike.

For buyers, Saltcoats, Ayrshire, is the cheapest place to purchase a property. At the Scottish holiday resort, the average asking price for a home is 113,395  six times less than the average property in London (685,241).

Behind Saltcoats is nearby Girvan, also in Ayrshire, where properties cost an average of 121,269. In Blackpool, the average asking price is 147,244.

For renters, on the other hand, Skegness represents the best value for money, with properties having an average asking rent of 659 per month. In Greater London, this is 2,501pcm.

Fleetwood, Lancashire, is the second-cheapest seaside location for renters, with the average asking rent at 685. Property prices are also among the lowest in Fleetwood, at 154,560.

Best value seaside locations for buyers

Town Average asking price Saltcoats, Ayrshire 113,395 Girvan, Ayrshire 121,269 Blackpool, Lancashire 147,244 Fleetwood, Lancashire 154,560 South Shields, Tyne And Wear 162,261

Best value seaside locations for renters

Town Average asking rent (pcm) Skegness, Lincolnshire 659 Fleetwood, Lancashire 685 South Shields, Tyne And Wear 702 Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire 713 Whitehaven, Cumbria 719

The UKs most expensive seaside towns

There is a significant disparity between Britains seaside towns, some of which represent the most deprived areas in the UK, and others of which are among the most affluent.

The most expensive towns for buyers and renters alike are all concentrated on the south coast of England, particularly Dorset and Hampshire.

Sandbanks in Dorset is the most expensive coastal town in the UK, with an average asking price of 2,028,948. Canford Cliffs, also in Dorset, is the second most expensive (1,219,804), followed by Milford-on-Sea in Hampshire (764,859), Barton-on-sea, Hampshire (617,793) and Padstow in Cornwall (616,578).

Sandbanks and Canford Cliffs are also the most expensive locations for renters, with average asking rents of 2,732pcm and 2,568pcm respectively. Shoreham-by-sea, West Sussex, is third (1,871), followed by Brighton, East Sussex (1,870) and Poole, Dorset (1,678).

Most in-demand areas

Freed from the constraints of office-based work, more people are considering a move to the coast. As Rightmoves Tim Bannister puts it: The significant increase in interest for coastal areas during the pandemic continues to influence many buyer and renter choices for where to live today, particularly with flexible working further away from traditional cities now more of an option for many people.

The UKs best value locations are not necessarily the cheapest, however. Rightmoves data shows that the south coast is most popular for people moving home, with Bournemouth most in-demand for buyers, and Southampton favoured by renters.

Areas like Sandown in the Isle of Wight are rising in popularity amongst buyers, with searches for homes for sale up by 34 per cent on last year. In Preston, Devon, searches also jumped by 20 per cent, as well as Gourock, Renfrewshire, where searches increased by 13 per cent.

For renters, on the other hand, Scarborough in North Yorkshire has seen a surge of interest, with searches for homes for rent up by 39% on last year. Saltburn-by-the-sea in Cleveland is second, with searches up by 33%, and Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex is third, up by 30 per cent.
Lynne Telfer was just 17 when she attended the first ever Pilton Pop, Blues and Folk Festival in September 1970. There was only one stage and it felt a bit ramshackle, the retiree from Bristol recalls. Most people just slept where they sat but if you were really organised you had a bit of polythene to put over the top of you in case it rained. Tickets were 1, and you got a free pint of milk as you walked through the door.

Its fair to say things have changed at Glastonbury Festival, and not just the name. This week, 210,000 people will be making their way to Somerset, to a 1,100-acre site bigger than Monaco and the Vatican City combined. Tickets this year cost 340, but thats a drop in a muddy field for some festival-goers, who will be staying at one of a rising number of uber-luxurious accommodation options and chartering a helicopter to take them to and from the site. Its Worthy Farm, but not as most of us know it.

Glastonbury has become a must-do event in the social calendar for a lot of my clients who wouldnt be seen dead in a tent and wellies, says a PA for celebrities, who asked not to be named. Its become like St Moritz in the winter or Lake Como in the summer  a place to see and be seen. There are now so many luxury accommodation options and they all sell out very fast. Camp Kerala is where everyone wants to stay, there are lots of VIPs there. Pennard Orchard and Pennard Hill Farm are popular, too.

At Camp Kerala, you can have breakfast brought to you in bed by tent service  including a Bloody Mary served in a Campbells soup can  have your make-up done in a Charlotte Tilbury beauty tent and get massages and IV drips to ease that festival hangover. We reached out to Camp Kerala for a comment but they declined, cryptically saying we have so many restrictions about what can be said about CK.

Glastonburys Pop-Up Hotel / The Pop-Up Hotel

Clearly, its not a side of the festival which Glastonburys organisers want to promote, and they dont need to. At Pennard Hill Farm, the yurts, bell tents and airstreamers sold out within 24 hours last July. We dont want to disclose our prices because the press are always very negative about it, explains Pippa Chambers, who has been running this family business for 10 years.

Chambers insists its not all tech bros and banker types. Its a real mix of people  most of them are the older generation who want to enjoy the festival in comfort, she says. Some of them have saved up all year for this, like its their big summer holiday.

But if youre looking for ridiculous levels of opulence  and a fair few celebrity sightings  its hard to beat the Pop-Up Hotel. In previous years, Steve Coogan, Aidan Turner and Millie Mackintosh have all stayed in one of its 250 rooms, complete with a full restaurant and spa, wood-fired hot tubs and even a swimming pool. A five-bed ranch here will set you back 25,000 (festival ticket not included).

Mark Sorrill started the business in 2011 with 17 tents in the back of his local pub in Pilton. Glastonbury is enjoyed by people of all ages and budgets and were catering to more premium guests, he says. Yes, its a different festival to the one I grew up with, but the modern world is very different now.

Every year, hardcore Glastonbury-goers lament that the festival is too commercial. When music festivals started in the late Sixties they were informal, poorly organised, ramshackle affairs run by idealistic hippies with little notion of profit, explains John Ashbrook, from digital marketing agency CMA. They were a rallying point for the dreamers, the druggies and the disenfranchised. Now going to festivals has progressively become the province of well-off people with a significant chunk of disposable income.

Going to festivals has progressively become the province of well-off people with a significant chunk of disposable income

Glastonbury turned over a reported 32 million in 2022. We like to portray Glasto as this cottage industry, very British in its eccentricity, but Glastonbury Festival Events Ltd is an impressive and professional organisation, which punches way above its weight in the music industry, says Ashbrook.

The festival also donates some of its profits to charity and provides a significant boost to the local economy. According to Mendip District Council, Glastonbury creates more than 1,000 jobs for the wider South West, and has an overall economic impact of 93m on the surrounding area. After cancelling the festival in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, the company recorded a 3.1 million loss and received 900,000 from the Governments Cultural Recovery Fund.

We have to sell out to break even, because the event costs so much to put on  about 40m, says Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the festival and daughter of its founder, Michael Eavis.

Glastonburys VIP will enjoy top notch food / Glastonbury

Our other goal is to be able to give the charities we support about 2m a year. Glastonbury employs about 50 people full-time. But the thing about Glastonbury is that it has never had a very long-term plan  we project five years into the future, but not beyond that. It takes away from the spirit of the event to be planning too far ahead.

Eavis says the company had turned down most requests to licence the Glastonbury name for other events. You wont be seeing a Glastonbury America, she says.

For Mark Borkowski, the PR consultant, putting up a fence in 2002 was a turning point for the festivals scale and momentum, and its profits, as it removed the mass break-ins which had led to seriously safety concerns and helped thwart the criminal gangs which had dogged the festival.

A tent at the Pop-Up Hotel / The Pop-Up Hotel - Glastonbury

If this made it more professional, more commercially viable and therefore a place where the upper echelons of society wish to tread, many would say safety offset any complaints about selling out.

For a long time the organisers have wrestled with the demands of putting on and clearing up a festival of this size  which is one hell of a bill  but also staying true to the spirit of Glastonbury, he explains.

Ive worked with lots of booze and telecoms brands who would love to reach the Glastonbury audience but Michael Eavis is still an old hippy farmer and its just not in his make-up.

Their biggest branding opportunities are still for charities  Oxfam, WaterAid, Greenpeace and Amnesty International have all been partners  and being on the BBC limits what they can show commercially.

I think everyone realises that no one wants to be sold capitalist messages while theyre at Glastonbury.

Unlike smaller festivals, Glastonbury is so vast that it can afford to have a couple of low-key sponsors and not kill the vibe. This years partners are Vodafone and Brooklyn Brewery. Its a hedonistic weekend and a rite of passage, adds Borkowski. Look at the Brit Awards, it feels like a night for corporate sponsors 

Borkowski says the luxury accommodation is just a natural progression of how live music events have evolved. Festivals have matured, as have the audiences  theyre not just for a bunch of hippies any more.

Ive been to Glastonbury many times, in many different forms  from a skint 18-year-old staying in a leaky tent and wearing childs size wellies that didnt fit (they were cheaper than the adult version), to blagging a hospitality ticket as a guest of one of the sponsors.

A boujie airstreamer at Pennard Hill Farm / Glastonbury

Of course Glastonbury has changed. Yes, its still overwhelmingly white, but its getting more diverse. You see more influencers now, more people who look like they wanted to go to Glyndebourne and took a wrong turn.

But the beauty of Glastonbury is that it somehow contains multitudes. The site is so infinite that theres space for all comers to find their version of fun, whether thats posing at the Stone Circle for the Gram with halloumi fries and an ice-cold Pimms, or slumped in a k-hole somewhere near The Other Stage, with a flagon of warm cider. At least you hope its cider.

And for anyone heading to Glastonbury today with just a two-person tent, take heart in the knowledge that youre embodying the spirit of the original festival. The toilets were very grim, very early on in the weekend, recalls Lynne Telfer, of her experience 53 years ago. They were filthy right from the start. At least some things never change.
T wo people have been stabbed after an attacker went on a mad rampage with a pickaxe at a major north London hospital, with one man critically injured.

Armed police swooped on Central Middlesex Hospital shortly after 1pm to reports of a double stabbing.

A man, who had suspected self-inflicted injuries, was arrested outside the hospital. He is in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

Officers said the first victim has wounds that are being treated as life-threatening.

The second victims injuries are not being treated as life-threatening.

One of the people attacked is believed to be a staff member.

Witnesses have described how a suspect went on a mad rampage with a pickaxe attacking the two.

Gareth Browne, a steeplejack contracted to the repair the chimney at Central Middlesex Hospital, said he saw the alleged attacker chase two men who managed to escape.

Mr Browne said: He came out of the side of the building waving a pickaxe, chasing two lads about.

I approached him and asked if hes OK and he said get out of my f****** way  its none of your business.

So I stepped out of his way and he went back into the hospital waving that pickaxe around.

Another maintenance boy came along and said hes just stabbed somebody  get away from this place.

He was just going on a mad rampage.

Gareth Browne speaks to the media outside Central Middlesex Hospital / James Manning/PA Wire

Journalist Amie Ferris-Rotman was with her father who was receiving dialysis treatment when they were suddenly placed on lockdown.

She told Sky News: We were under lockdown in the dialysis unit. My fathers appointment was at 1.30pm and shortly after we checked in for his appointment we heard scuffles and saw movements.

Lots of armed police were suddenly running around and all the nurses were really scared and panicked. The police said we had to leave immediately but the nurses said no as we have people on dialysis machines so that will be possible to do.

Police then did a brief check of the dialysis and renal unit, then locked us down. Armed police were put at the entrance and my father, me and two other patients were placed in a small nurses room with a locked door.

Police at Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London / James Manning/PA Wire

Ms Ferris-Rotman said they were kept there for about 45 minutes before being told they could leave.

Speaking to LBC Radio, she added: I used to live in Afghanistan as a reporter, so I went into automatic crisis mode.

We didnt hear shooting or anything. There were lots of police and theyre still here because the whole hospitals been evacuated and everyones standing outside.

Mark Thewlis said on Twitter his partner was also trapped at the hospital in a lockdown situation.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: Officers will remain in the hospital as further searches are conducted but at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought.

Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Footage of the scene showed staff outside the hospital having been evacuated.

Officers said the hospital was temporarily locked down but has now re-opened and will be operating services as normal.

Patients are being warned of a heightened police presence.

A spokesperson for London North West University Healthcare Trust, which runs the hospital, said: We can confirm an incident took place at Central Middlesex Hospital this afternoon.

Police are on site and the hospital was temporarily locked down for a short period of time as a precautionary measure.

Working closely with the Metropolitan Police, we have now reopened the hospital and services will continue as normal.

Brent MP Dawn Butler said she was sorry to hear about the incidents in Central Middlesex Hospital, and that the police have acted quickly.

The hospital is in the centre of the Park Royal business estate in north-west London.
Attorney John Eastman, a lead architect of some of former President Donald Trumps efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election, faces possible disbarment in disciplinary proceedings that began Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Eastman faces 11 disciplinary charges stemming from his development of a dubious legal strategy aimed at helping Trump overturn the election by disrupting the counting of state electoral votes.

The State Bar Court of California will hear testimony, including from Eastman, in a proceeding that could result in him losing his license to practice law in the state. Others who will testify include Greg Jacob, a former attorney for then-Vice President Mike Pence. Jacob had pushed back against Eastmans plan to have Pence stop the certification of Joe Bidens victory. Pence didnt have the power to overturn the election and has said so.

In a memo critics have likened to instructions for staging a coup, Eastman argued that Pence could keep Trump in power by overturning the results of the election during a joint session of Congress convened to count electoral votes.

The proceedings are expected to last at least eight days. If the State Bar Court finds Eastman culpable of the alleged violations it can recommend a punishment such as suspending or revoking his law license. The California Supreme Court makes the final decision.

Eastman is scheduled to testify in his own defense Tuesday.

The State Bar alleges that Eastman violated Californias business and professions code by making false and misleading statements that constitute acts of moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption, and in doing so he violated this duty in furtherance of an attempt to usurp the will of the American people and overturn election results for the highest office in the land  an egregious and unprecedented attack on our democracy.

Eastmans attorney previously said his client disputes every aspect of the allegations.

The State Bars action is part of a nationwide effort to use the bar discipline process to penalize attorneys who opposed the current administration in the last presidential election. Americans of both political parties should be troubled by this politicization of our nations state bars, Eastmans attorney, Randall A. Miller, said in a statement when the charges were announced in January.

Eastman has been a member of the California Bar since 1997, according to its website. He was a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and a founding director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, a law firm affiliated with the Claremont Institute. He ran for California attorney general in 2010, finishing second in the Republican primary.

Eastman retired as dean of the Chapman University law school in Southern California last year after more than 160 faculty members signed a letter calling for the university to take action against him.

The California State Bar is a regulatory agency and the only court system in the U.S. that is dedicated to attorney discipline.

Eastmans disciplinary hearing comes as special counsel Jack Smith continues his investigation into efforts by Trump and his Republican allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

A federal grand jury in Washington has been meeting behind closed doors for months to hear testimony from witnesses, including Pence, who has publicly described a pressure campaign by Trump aimed at getting him to halt Congress certification of the election results and the win by Biden, a Democrat.

Federal agents seized Eastmans cellphone last summer as he was leaving a restaurant, he said in a court filing. That day, law enforcement officials conducted similar activity around the country as part of their probe.

Since Smiths appointment in November, he has cast a broad net in demanding interviews and testimony related to fundraising, Trumps rally that preceded the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and communications between Trump associates and election officials in battleground states. Eastman spoke at the rally.

In December, Smith subpoenaed local election officials in Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Pennsylvania, asking for communications with or involving Trump, his 2020 campaign aides and a list of allies  including Eastman  who were involved in his efforts to try to overturn the results of the election.

The investigation is separate from another probe by Smith into classified documents found at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, that led this month to felony charges against Trump. Trump pleaded not guilty last week to 37 felony counts, including conspiracy to obstruct justice.

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A Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted of assaulting a serial robber by pepper-spraying him while he was clinging to a drainpipe on a 15-storey building.

PC Luke Wenham, 31, used completely disproportionate force against Carl Cumberbatch during an arrest in Elephant and Castle, south London on August 17 last year.

Fugitive Cumberbatch scaled the side of the Albert Barnes House on New Kent Road in an attempt to evade arrest for robbery.

Wenham, attached to the Central South Basic Command Unit, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he was found guilty following a one-day trial of two counts of common assault.

He is due to be sentenced on July 26 and will face a misconduct hearing.

Entry was forced to Cumberbatchs flat, but he climbed out of a window and began to scale down a drainpipe which ran the length of the building.

As he did so, Wenham leant out of an open window and discharged PAVA spray at the suspect  who continued to climb down.

Together with other officers, Wenham located the man on the balcony of another flat.

When Cumberbatch continued attempts to escape, Wenham, who lives in Dartford, deployed PAVA on him.

Cumberbatch was brought to safety, arrested and later convicted of 11 counts of robbery, two of criminal damage and two counts of racially aggravated public order.

Albert Barnes House in New Kent Road / Google Maps

Scotland Yard policy dictates that any time an officer uses PAVA spray the circumstances will be subject to review, which in this case was carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Wenham has been on restricted duties since the investigation started.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, in charge of policing Southwark and Lambeth, said: Officers know that their actions will be held to account and where any use of force is deployed, must always consider whether it was necessary and proportionate to the circumstances.

It is clear in this case that not only was PC Wenhams response completely disproportionate to the situation he faced but also, by doing what he did, he put a member of public at risk of harm.

PC Wenham has let down not only himself but many hardworking police colleagues who strive to improve trust and confidence with our communities.

I am pleased that this matter was put before a jury to make a decision following a careful consideration of all the facts.

IOPC director Steve Noonan said: At the time he was sprayed, the man was not posing an immediate risk to the officers or anyone else.

It is clear that in spraying the man twice at considerable heights, PC Wenham exposed him to the genuine risk he may have lost his grip on the pipe and fallen, which would have likely had fatal consequences.
A crunch vote on a further six months of nursing strikes is likely to be a close call, the head of the nursing union has warned.

Pat Cullen, General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said that nurses had felt the emotional and financial pain of seven months of industrial action as union members continued to vote on whether to stage action over pay and staffing until Christmas.

The ballot will end on Friday and over 50 per cent of members will need to vote in favour of a new mandate in order to pass the threshold.

Speaking to the Standard outside the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead, Ms Cullen admitted that previous industrial action had taken its toll on RCN members and they felt a burden of responsibility to carry the NHS.

Nurses are concerned for their patients and the impact of industrial action but they are also losing a day's pay from their meagre salary.

Nurses have taken strike action three times since December, alongside paramedics and junior doctors.

While the RCNs previous strike ballot was disaggregated by individual NHS Trust, the current ballot is national. This means that nurses would walk out of every hospital in England during a potential strike  but also requires the union to mobilise a large number of members to vote. Members cannot vote online and can only do so via postal ballot.

Ms Cullen said there were no future meetings scheduled with Health Secretary Steve Barclay to resolve the deadlock.

I am making a direct plea to the Prime Minister: stop pushing these nurses to take industrial action. They want to be inside hospital looking after patients.

Whatever way this ballot goes, it remains the Governments responsibility to sort this out.

NHS workers on the picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital, London / PA

It comes just days after the British Medical Association (BMA) said it would ballot training doctors to extend its strike mandate for a further six months, raising the prospect of widespread disruption to NHS services until the New Year.

But Ms Cullen ruled out any possibility of a joint strike by nurses and junior doctors, saying she would keep patients at the centre of our decision making.

We have no plans in place to coordinate strikes on the same day as junior doctors. That isnt to say we dont support them  they are the backbone of the health service.

Just over half (54 per cent) of RCN members voted against the Governments offer of a 5 per cent pay rise and one-off lump sum last month, on a 61 per cent turnout. This is despite the RCN recommending the deal to its members.

The offer was accepted by Unison, the GMB and Royal College of Midwives  but rejected by Unite and the RCN.

Ms Cullen indicated she would continue to fight hard for a pay increase for nurses, even if the union does not secure a new mandate.

If our members decide not to vote for industrial action, thats not the end of the story... we will campaign hard for our nurses to be treated decently and with respect.

One in eight NHS nursing posts are vacant in London, according to analysis of the latest NHS Digital figures by the Standard.

The total number of unfilled posts in the capital has surged by 17.7 per cent in two years.

Ms Cullen said that nurses in the capital were struggling with the extortionate cost of rent and transport, leading many to desert the profession.

Nursing staff that work within central London have no opportunity to live close to their place of work. Many are getting up at 5am to travel to hospital, so its a very long day after a relentless 12-hour shift. Some are also spending up to 500 per month on travel.
S ome 160,000 Londoners are falling behind on their rent payments, a new analysis by City Hall has found.

The figures reveal that 24 per cent of private renters in the capital (about 650,000 people) are struggling to meet rent payments and six per cent (about 160,000) say they have fallen behind in the last six months.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said the new data strengthened his argument to the Government that they should give him the power to introduce rent controls across the city.

The Government said rent controls do not work, but added that new legislation it is passing will improve renters lives.

The new statistics, drawn from a YouGov poll commissioned by City Hall, also show that some 3,630 households were assessed as being threatened with homelessness in London after receiving a Section 21 no-fault eviction notice last year.

A Section 21 allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. After receiving the notice, tenants have two months before their landlord can apply for a court order to evict them.

Average advertised rents in London had meanwhile reached 2,501 a month by the end of March 2023, according to Rightmove data.

With astronomical rents, bills, and the cost of household essentials rising, many London renters are only just about managing  and the situation is getting worse, said Mr Khan.

More and more people are now at risk of being evicted. Thats why it has never been more urgent for the Government to implement an immediate two-year rent freeze in the capital and give me the power to introduce a system of rent controls that works for London.

While the publication of the Governments long-overdue Renters Reform Bill is a positive step forward, my message to ministers is that they must also take action now to make rents more affordable as a matter of urgency.

Responding, a spokesperson from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: We recognise people are facing pressures in the private rented sector, which is why we introduced the Renters Reform Bill in May, delivering a fairer deal for renters and empowering them to challenge unjustified rent increases and banning Section 21 no fault evictions.

Evidence shows that rent controls in the private sector do not work, as they lead to declining standards, a lack of investment and may encourage illegal subletting.

The topic of rent controls was discussed at a meeting of the London Assembly earlier this month, where Labour member Sakina Sheikh told the chambers Conservative group: The escalating cost of rent is causing a mental health crisis, its increasing homelessness, and actually we need to intervene in a housing crisis that your party created through consecutive failed housing policies from this Government.

Sakina Sheikh, Labour London Assembly Member / London Assembly

Emma Best, the Conservative groups deputy leader, countered by listing several international examples where she said rent controls had been tried and failed, adding: The research by our very own GLA [Greater London Authority] showed that if we were to bring in rent controls in London, then the number of homes available to rent in London in some cases fell by 62 per cent by 2025.

Ms Best was referring to a 2015 report authored by the University of Cambridges Centre for Housing and Planning Research, which was commissioned by the GLAs housing committee.

Emma Best, Conservative London Assembly member / London Assembly

The research modelled six different scenarios, each with a different type and level of rent control applied. In only one of the six scenarios did the size of the private rental sector shrink in absolute terms. The uppermost projection of that scenario, quoted by Ms Best, showed the supply of homes being 61.8 per cent smaller by 2025 than it would otherwise have been if rent controls had not been applied.

The other five scenarios showed the size of the rental sector continuing to grow, but with supply being somewhere between 0 and 8.8 per cent smaller in 2025, compared with a situation in which no rent controls were applied.

The report concluded that in that in those other five scenarios, there was an average fall in affected rents of between 0 and 15 per cent.

This leads to an aggregate loss of rental income to the sector of between 0 and 10 percent (as not all tenancies are affected at all times), the report said.

This is a relatively small loss of income and not, in itself likely to cause a substantial change to the size of the sector.
A London father who ended up homeless because he could not prove his right to work in the UK has described his lengthy experience with the Windrush compensation scheme as "worse than hell".

Fitzroy Maynard , who lives in Hackney, said he had been unable to get work for around a decade after losing his job as a residential caretaker in 2007.

Having come from Antigua as a child in 1980 and later worked in the UK for years, he found himself sofa-surfing after being unable to prove to prospective employers that he had the right to work in the UK as he lacked the relevant documentation.

Becoming tearful as he recalled his desperate situation, the 57-year-old said: "It's been worse than hell. Just imagine you have no money, you have no food, you have nowhere to sleep, you're freezing, you're in the same clothes for weeks, you don't know what's going to happen."

He said he had been offered some compensation by the Home Office but none to cover his loss of access to employment "because they can't see a reason why it was their fault".

He said: "I'm not claiming for losing my job, I'm claiming for loss of access to employment after I lost my job. They really think either people can't read or we are stupid. I'm fed up with the behaviour because they know exactly what they're doing."

He said he is determined to fight for what he is entitled to and insisted anyone using the scheme needs the support of a legal professional.

He said: "They keep on saying people do not need a lawyer to do this (but) people need a lawyer."

Mr Maynard. who now works as a part-time handyman while he is a full-time carer for his eight-year-old daughter, said he feels celebrations being held this year to mark the Windrush 75th anniversary are only happening because of the "misery" that has been caused to people".

He said: "This celebration has only come because of misery to people. They (the Government) are only starting to recognise it because they have done lots of bad and they're trying to make it right."

Human rights charity Praxis, which has helped Mr Maynard and others, said the compensation scheme "only adds serious insult to serious injury" for victims of the scandal, and called on it to be made independent from the Home Office.

Praxis chief executive Sally Daghlian said: "Perhaps unsurprisingly, the department that shredded thousands of lives is now failing at compensating its victims for the hardship they had to endure.

"The compensation scheme should be removed from the hands of the Home Office and managed by an independent body working closely with the communities affected, providing a simplified and speedy process with expert, independent representation available for claimants."

Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie, who has helped people claim compensation through the scheme, said "people don't have faith in the system" due to their poor experiences with the Home Office.

She said: "They're saying 'we're being re-traumatised, the process of actually making a claim is re-traumatising us'."

The Home Office said it continues to listen and respond to feedback to ensure the scheme is operating effectively for all.

A spokesperson said: "We continue to make improvements so people receive the maximum award as quickly as possible.

"This includes establishing a review process for those dissatisfied with their compensation offer.

"However, we know there is more to do, and will work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated."
A Windrush campaigner has called on the Government to categorically rule out closing the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal, as an anniversary tribute service was held in London.

Caribbean high commissioners to the UK joined British politicians for the commemorative event held at Windrush Square in Brixton, south London.

Wednesdays event in memory of Caribbean men and women who served the UK in past conflicts, came a day ahead of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush to England.

Campaigner Patrick Vernon said the anniversary was bittersweet, and that those whose lives had been devastated by the scandal were being re-traumatised.

The scandal, which erupted in 2018, saw many British citizens, mostly from the Caribbean, denied access to healthcare and benefits and threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in the UK.

The HMT Empire Windrush first docked in England on June 22 1948 at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing people from the Caribbean who had answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

Mr Vernon, who spoke at Wednesdays event, previously voiced concerns that the compensation scheme set up in the wake of the scandal could be wound down within a year, saying thousands would miss out.

Rishi (Sunak) could press the button and sort out the compensation scheme and make it easier for everyone, right now. I believe that

It has been reported that the Home Office unit set up with responsibility for reforming the department in the wake of the scandal  which saw many people lose their homes, jobs and face the threat of deportation  was to be disbanded.

The Home Office has said the scheme  available to people of all ages and nationalities, including those from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who had suffered due to being unable to prove their legal right to live in the UK  would stay open as long as needed.

But Mr Vernon insisted that more clarity from the Government was needed.

He told the PA news agency after the service: Rishi (Sunak) could press the button and sort out the compensation scheme and make it easier for everyone, right now. I believe that.

We shouldn't call it the Windrush scandal anymore, I think we should call it the Home Office scandal, because the Windrush generation played their part, made their sacrifices and are now being re-traumatised as a result of failure of Government

Asked about uncertainty around the scheme, Mr Vernon said: It would be great for the Government to give a categorical no, but it all feels bit by bit.

These indicators make you question whether they are serious about this.

The scheme has faced criticism for being slow and inefficient, and the latest figures show hundreds of cases have been in the system for at least a year.

Addressing those gathered at the event, Mr Vernon said: We shouldnt call it the Windrush scandal anymore, I think we should call it the Home Office scandal, because the Windrush generation played their part, made their sacrifices and are now being re-traumatised as a result of failure of Government.

(It is) another chapter of racial discrimination in Britain, and unfortunately Windrush Day will always be bittersweet.

Its going to be bitter because of the injustice thats still ongoing and were still fighting for, but it has to be sweet to recognise those pioneers.

Deputy Mayor of London Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard was among those giving speeches during the event, as well as Mayor of Lambeth Sarbaz Barznji.

Mr Barznji said: The Windrush generation brought talent, knowledge and determination, that shaped our cultural fabric.

He stressed that the anniversary should be a catalyst for change, adding: Your resilience and unwavering determination have enriched future generations. We owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be paid fully.

Artist Alexander D Great performed several songs describing the struggles of the Windrush generation and remembering those who had served in the world wars.

Wreaths of flowers were laid by the respective high commissioners on the African Caribbean War Memorial, which was built on the 50th anniversary in 1998.

John Agards poem Windrush Child was read out during the event to a crowd that included dignitaries, passers-by and a group of local schoolchildren.
S ir Keir Starmer is reportedly planning to appoint dozens of peers to the House of Lords, to make running a Labour government easier, as reported by the Guardian.

Labour peers only make up 22 per cent of the House of Lords, which could make passing Labour laws through the House difficult, should Sir Keir be elected at the next general election.

The Labour leader previously discussed abolishing the House of Lords and replacing it with an elected chamber.

At the time, he called the Lords indefensible, telling BBC Breakfast: Anybody who looks at the House of Lords would struggle to say that it should be kept.

How does the House of Lords work?

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It is made up of around 800 peers.

It is independent from, and complements the work of, the elected House of Commons. The Lords shares the task of making and shaping laws, and checking and challenging the work of the Government.

The Lords has three main roles:

Making laws

In-depth consideration of public policy

Holding government to account

Why is the House of Lords so controversial?

Accusations of corruption and cronyism have blighted the House of Lords for years.

Last year, the Conservative Party was accused of abusing the honours system by systematically offering seats in the House of Lords to a select group of multimillionaire donors who would pay more than 3 million to the party.

An investigation by the Sunday Times and Open Democracy revealed that wealthy benefactors appeared to be guaranteed a peerage if they took on the temporary role as the party treasurer and increased their own donations beyond 3 million.

David Cameron was also accused of cronyism when he nominated almost 50 close aides, political allies, and Conservative donors for honours as part of his resignation honours list.

In 2006, Tony Blair became the first prime minister to be questioned by police as part of a political corruption inquiry that would drag on for 16 months.

An investigation was launched after SNP MP Angus MacNeil complained that four wealthy businessmen were nominated by Blair for peerages after lending the party a total of 5m.

All four of the peerages were blocked by the House of Lords appointments commission, and MacNeils complaint launched a police investigation into whether laws banning the sale of honours had been broken.

What is the Salisbury Convention?

The Salisbury Convention is commonly understood to mean the House of Lords does not block government bills that seek to implement manifesto commitments. This means the Lords gives manifesto bills a second reading, does not subject them to wrecking amendments, and returns them to the Commons in reasonable time.

It was developed during the Labour government of 1945 to 1951.

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At that time, Labour had a majority in the House of Commons but the Conservatives had a majority in the House of Lords. In his response to the Kings Speech of 1945, Viscount Cranborne argued the election result gave the Labour government a mandate for the proposals on which the electorate had voted. He said it would therefore be constitutionally wrong for the Lords to oppose their proposals.

He later recalled that, during this period, the opposition in the Lords passed Labours manifesto bills at second reading although we cordially disliked them and did its best to improve them and make them more workable at committee stage.

Could the House of Lords be abolished?

Last year, Keir Starmer set out plans to abolish the indefensible House of Lords and replace it with a new elected chamber, as part of plans to restore trust in politics.

The Labour leader has not committed to a timeframe for the move, but has said it would happen as quickly as possible and ideally within the first term of a Labour government.

The sweeping constitutional overhaul is part of a 40-point plan written by former prime minister Gordon Brown for a New Britain under the Labour Party.

Sir Keir hailed the proposals for political and economic devolution as the biggest ever transfer of power from Westminster to the British people at a joint press conference in Leeds on Monday.

He told BBC Breakfast: I think the House of Lords is indefensible. Anybody who looks at the House of Lords would struggle to say that it should be kept.

So we want to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber that has a really strong mission.

Asked how much of a priority this would be for Labour, Sir Keir replied: Im very keen that all of the recommendations in the report are carried out as quickly as possible. So we will now have after today a process of consultation testing the ideas... with a view to how do we implement them?

He said all the recommendations in the report, including the proposal to abolish the House of Lords, are deliberately written in a way that means they can be implemented within the first five years of a Labour government.

Starmer said last month that the publics faith in the political system had been undermined by successive Tory leaders handing peerages to lackeys and donors.
F ormer chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has been given the green light to take up a second job as a director of a centre-right think tank, on the condition that he refrains from lobbying ministers.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), the anti-corruption watchdog, said it did not consider Mr Zahawis employment by the Adam Smith Institute to raise any particular proprietary concerns under UK Government rules.

It said there was a low risk that the appointment could be perceived as a reward for decisions taken while he was in office, due to a lack of contractual relationship between the think tank and the departments Mr Zahawi, who was sacked from the Cabinet for breaching ministerial rules earlier this year, had been involved in running.

But committee chairman Lord Pickles, in an advisory published by Acoba, said there was a need to put in place mitigations due to the inherent risks associated with his time in office.

The risk that this appointment could reasonably be perceived as a reward for decisions or actions taken in office is low

The Conservative peer said there was a possibility for Mr Zahawi to draw on privileged information and use his contacts within Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks administration to the unfair advantage of his new employer, which works to promote free market economic ideas.

The restrictions imposed include banning the Tory MP from lobbying the Government or its associated bodies on behalf of the institute for two years from his last day in ministerial office.

Similarly, he must not undertake work for the think tank that involves providing advice on government contracts while in his new co-president/director role, which Mr Zahawi has declared will amount to four days of work per year.

He is also prohibited from drawing on government information that is not publicly available.

The Prime Minister sacked Mr Zahawi as Conservative Party chairman in January following an investigation into his tax affairs.

He was found to have breached the ministerial code after it emerged he had failed to declare that he had settled an estimated 4.7 million bill with HM Revenue and Customs while he was chancellor.

A former vaccines minister during the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Zahawi has also served as education secretary and was briefly head of the Treasury at the end of Boris Johnsons time in Downing Street, serving between July and September last year.

Acobas advice on Mr Zahawis work outside Parliament comes a week after it ruled that Mr Johnsons appointment as a Daily Mail columnist was a clear breach of ministerial rules.

Lord Pickles said the former prime minister had given only 30 minutes notice before his new newspaper work was made public.

Mr Johnson landed the job a day after he became the first former prime minister to be found to have lied to the Commons, in the publication of the damning report into his partygate denials.

Questions around lobbying and sleaze in Westminster have reared their head in recent years, along with the question of paid work for MPs outside Parliament.

Conservative former minister Owen Paterson resigned from the Commons in 2021 following a row over his lobbying for two companies that employed him as a consultant.
T here will be no exemption from electronic travel authorisations for tourists visiting Northern Ireland via Ireland, a minister has confirmed.

Tory former minister Tim Loughton raised concerns about the potential ramifications of granting an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) exemption for tourists, arguing that it would undermine the integrity of the whole ETA scheme.

The scheme, which is similar to the visa waiver system used in the US, will see short-term non-visa visitors to the UK applying for an ETA and providing biometric data.

I hope that we will be able to work together to ensure that there is a consistent and coherent communication strategy to ensure that tourists know that they must register for an ETA, that they must continue to comply with the UK's immigration requirements

Responding to Mr Loughton, Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker made clear the Government does not intend to grant such an exemption and expressed his hope for developing a consistent and coherent communication strategy to ensure tourists know about their obligations.

Speaking during Northern Ireland questions in the Commons, Mr Loughton said: Does he acknowledge that if an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) exemption was granted for tourists, or indeed people claiming to be tourists, travelling from the Republic of Ireland, it would undermine the integrity of the whole scheme?

Mr Baker replied: He is right, and that is the Governments policy. However, we have engaged closely with not only the tourism sector, but also our friends in the Irish Government on this issue.

And I hope that we will be able to work together to ensure that there is a consistent and coherent communication strategy to ensure that tourists know that they must register for an ETA, that they must continue to comply with the UKs immigration requirements.

The exchange comes after Irish premier Leo Varadkar raised concerns in March about the implications of the new ETA on the tourist trade.

Irish citizens will not need an ETA to travel to Northern Ireland as they already have guaranteed free movement under the terms of the Common Travel Area.

The scheme as originally set out would have meant non-Irish EU citizens and other international passport holders, including those living permanently south of the border, would have had to apply for the visa waiver.

Earlier this year, the UK Government updated its plans and confirmed that non-Irish citizens living legally in the state will not need a waiver.
V olodymyr Zelensky sought on Wednesday to mobilise an army of top bosses to rebuild Ukraine in the biggest reconstruction effort since the Second World War.

The Ukrainian president opened the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London which aims to drive forward the blueprint to put his country firmly back on its feet at an estimated cost of $411 billion (321 billion) to $1 trillion (780 million).

But with Vladimir Putins forces still wreaking destruction in cities, towns and villages across Ukraine, Mr Zelensky stressed: When we build Ukraine, we build freedom for the country, region, continent, world.

Appealing to company bosses, he added: We must move from agreement to real projects.

Britain and Ukraine are co-hosting the conference and Rishi Sunak responded: I know I speak for everyone here when I say we are with you.

Its not just morally right that Ukraine wins this fight for freedom and democracy, but it is in everyones interests that you do so as well, and that your economy truely thrives and we are going to help make that a reality.

He hailed Ukraines defiance in the face of Putins vast army and announced three billion US dollars (2.35 billion) in bank loan guarantees to bolster Kyivs rebuilding plan for the country.

The conference aims to:

Drum up desperately-needed support in the short-term, with a lack of funding so far towards a $14 billion (11 billion) total which is needed this year according to a World Bank report.

Put in place key enablers to allow businesses to invest in the war-ravaged country such as special insurance.

Longer-term to seek to build back better once the conflict is over, including in the green energy and tech sectors.

Given the immense scale of the rebuilding effort, the private sector and its capital investment is seen as vital for its success.

More than 400 companies from 38 countries have already signed the Ukraine Business Compact as a mark of long-term commitment to the country, while at this stage not necessarily getting cheque books out to fund projects.

They include business giants, such as BT and Rolls Royce.

Reforms, including tackling corruption, are also seen as a driver of business investment as talks progress on Ukraines accession to the European Union.

The conference, being held in the City, also aims to send a powerful message to Putin that the West and other countries are backing Kyiv in the long-term in his conflict launched in February 2022.

The UK has led the way in supplying weapons to Ukraine and its armed forces are being rapidly modernised with western equipment and training, including for pilots of F-16 fighter jets.

The rebuilding masterplan envisages similar action for key sectors of Ukraines economy.

In the short-term, billions are needed including to ensure power supplies and other infrastructure to fuel economic activity.

While there is no set target of donations to Ukraine at the conference, pledges and commitments from a number of countries were expected towards the $14 billion goal.

The rebuilding bill also keeps on rising, with the blowing up of the giant Soviet-era Nova Kakhovka dam estimated to have added around $1 billion.

Progress is set to be made on war risk insurance, with a framework for doing so in this highly technical area.

Some limited World Bank and European Bank of Reconstruction and Development schemes already exist, and more funding is expected for them, but the aim is to offer broader and longer-term insurance arrangements.

More than 1,000 participants have confirmed attendance at the conference including a small number of heads of state, many foreign ministers, heads of internaitonal organisations, chief executives, and civil society representatives.

More than 100 Ukrainian businesses were at the conference.

The Ukraine Business Compact offers international businesses a platform to show their support for Ukraines recovery and its drive to modernise, build a resilient and agile economy, and emerge from conflict as a stronger and more prosperous state.
L abours plan to bring back the Governments ditched flagship animal welfare legislation has been voted down by MPs.

It was thought that some Tory members would back the oppositions effort to enact the Kept Animals Bill  a 2019 Tory manifesto pledge  which has been dropped. The bill aimed to crack down on dog thefts and ban the live exports of farm animals.

But it was voted down on Wednesday night by 256 votes to 183, a majority of 73, meaning that it is now back to the drawing board for the bills proponents.

Top Tories including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Dame Andrea Jenkyns expressed their disappointment that the bill has been dropped.

"We shouldn't really, I think, have found ourselves in a situation where this bill had to be dumped, Sir Iain said. And we have to start all over again."

DEFRA has been approached by the Evening Standard for comment.

What is the animal welfare bill?

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill would have looked at addressing several significant animal health and welfare issues that are not covered by the law at present.

Under the bill, issues such as puppy smuggling, dog thefts, prohibiting the import of dogs with cropped ears, and a review of zoo standards across the UK would all have been addressed.

Why is it important?

There are currently no laws to protect animals to the level these powers would. Under the bill, five areas were set to be looked at specifically.

The Government would have had new powers to tackle the unethical trade of puppy smuggling by reducing the number of pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) that can travel under pet travel rules. It would also make stealing a pet illegal. At the moment, your pet is considered an item of property.

It would also put bans on exporting live animals for slaughter, and will become the first European country to end the practice, seen as unnecessary cruelty.

Primates will also be banned from being kept as pets and more protection will be given to farmed animals, with police given extra powers to combat dangerous and out-of-control dogs.

What has been the delay?

The Kept Animals Bill was first introduced in the House of Commons on June 2, 2021, and carried over into the 2021-22 Parliamentary session, with its remaining stages scheduled for September 19, 2022.

The date was cancelled after the death of the Queen.

In May 2023, the Government announced that it was dropping the Bill.

Who else supports the animal welfare bill?

As well as Battersea, a whole host of animal-rights campaigners support the introduction of the Bill. The Dogs Trust and the RSPCA have encouraged the move, while one of the loudest supporters, the British Veterinary Association, labelled it as a golden opportunity to improve the health and welfare of billions of animals.

A spokesman said: We are urging the Government not to let this important piece of legislation slip through the net.

What animals are covered by the welfare bill?

The new Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill will improve welfare standards for a wide range of animals. It will help pets, farmed animals, and kept wild animals.
A member of the U.S. Coast Guard, this Tuesday at the base of the corps in Boston. JOSEPH PREZIOSO (AFP)

In 2018, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush was warned by around 30 representatives of the submersible vehicle sector that the current experimental approach of the company could result in problems ranging from minor to catastrophic, according to the newspaper The New York Times, which had access to the letter.

Rush is one of the five passengers on board the Titan, the submersible that went missing on Sunday during a dive to the Titanic wreckage. The submersible lost communication less than two hours after it began its dive to the wreckage, which is located at a depth of 4,000 meters in North Atlantic waters. It is not known whether OceanGate, which has organized several deep-sea dives and two to the Titanic, responded to the letter from the industry, which made no secret of its unanimous concern about the ships design and certification procedures, according to The New York Times.

The race is on to find the 6.5-meter submersible and its five passengers  Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a renowned Titanic expert; Hamish Harding, a world-record holding adventurer; Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, two members of one of Pakistans wealthiest families, and Rush. On Tuesday afternoon, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said the submersible had 40 hours of breathable air left. This means that the air will run out at 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Canada and France are collaborating with the United States in the search. A Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises early on Wednesday. A statement from the U.S. Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be, though it offered a glimmer of hope for those lost aboard the Titan as estimates suggest as little as a days worth of oxygen could be left if the vessel is still functioning.

Carl Schuster, a retired U.S. Navy captain, told The Wall Street Journal that many of the private submersible crews are ex-military officers trained in emergency response, including how to release a ballast to refloat the vessel. Under normal emergency protocols, the crew would attempt to communicate with boats on the surface and, failing that, would release a ballast until the sub surfaced. Experts believe there are four possible explanations for what happened: a fire, a blackout or a flood, or that the sub may have become entangled in something.

More information A search is underway for missing submarine that takes people to see Titanic

Schuster explained that some submersibles have a transmitting buoy. In an emergency, the crew would release the buoy to surface and signal rescuers. The former Navy captain added that the sonar used by the Coast Guard would not be able to detect the submarine if it is at the bottom of the ocean. If the submarine is unable to surface on its own, getting anything out of that depth is a challenge for rescue teams, who will likely need an unmanned underwater vehicle with highly-skilled operators, such as the one France has sent. The U.S. Army has a bathyscaphe for such an eventuality, but its range is significantly shorter than the depth at which the Titan would be.

OceanGate  which was founded by Rush in 2009  is an example of the growing interest in extreme tourism. The Washington-based company owns three submersibles, including the Titan, which have completed more than 200 deep-sea dives, according to its website. OceanGate made two trips to the remains of the Titanic in 2021 and 2022. The company describes the dive to the Titanic as an extreme scientific excursion. The transatlantic liner sank in 1912 when it collided with an iceberg during its maiden voyage between Southampton and New York, More than 2,200 people were on board, 1,500 of whom drowned. It was one of the biggest transportation disasters of the 20th century. Its remains were located in 1985.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that Polar Prince, the mother ship that towed the submersible from the port of Saint John in Newfoundland (Canada), some 434 miles (700 kilometers) away, to the dive area, lost contact with the Titan approximately one hour and 45 minutes after it began its descent. The U.S. Coast Guard  one of the branches of the armed forces  then sent two C-130 aircraft to the area, about 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) east of Cape Cod. A third C-130 joined the search on Tuesday. The Canadian Coast Guard has mobilized a plane and a ship, while France has provided Atalante, a vessel equipped with an underwater robot capable of deep exploration. The U.S. Navy could be mobilized if necessary, according to the White House National Security Council spokesman.

Rush, who had previous experience as an aviation pilot, was the commander of the Titan. In 2021, on the occasion of the subs first dive to the Titanic, he told the AP news agency that the trip was a scientific mission intended to document the slow deterioration of the wreck. The ocean is taking this thing, and we need to document it before it all disappears or becomes unrecognizable, he said. In another interview last year with the New York Times, the businessman stated that the high-resolution images obtained on guided tours of the Titanic could benefit researchers. He also defended the safety of the submersible, although, he stressed, nothing is without risk. What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface  overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazard, he told CBS News last year, adding that a good captain can avoid those dangers.

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P andemic lockdowns damaged an entire generation of young people, a former health chief has said in an emotional hearing at the Covid Inquiry.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, the former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England was close to tears as she said sorry to the relatives who lost loved ones during the Covid outbreak.

I mean its clear that no one thought about lockdown, she told the inquiry.

I still think we should have locked down the first time or a week earlier. But during that, we should have thought further. The damage I now see to children and students from Covid and the educational impact tells me that education has a terrific amount of work to do.

We have damaged a generation and it is awful, as head of a college in Cambridge, watching these young people struggle, and I know, in pre-school, they havent learned how to socialise and play properly, they havent learned how to read at school, we must have plans for those.

The inquiry was told that Dame Sally, who was Englands CMO between 2010 and 2019, had total independence of thought and ability to advise.

Now Master at Trinity College Cambridge, she explained that, in her role as CMO, she tried to help policy teams know what the latest stance was.

Dame Sally also spoke about Exercise Cygnus  a cross-government exercise to test the UKs response to a serious influenza pandemic that took place over three days in October 2016 and involved more than 950 people.

She explained that the conclusion from the exercise was that the UKs plans and response were not sufficient to cope with severe demands of a pandemic.

BBC

However, she also said that she believed the UKs plans for a flu pandemic could pivot effectively to combat other pathogens.

Dame Sally told the inquiry: I believe that if we prepared well for flu, we should be able to pivot pretty effectively. And we cant prepare for everything. Meanwhile, we did a lot of learning as we went.

Asked whether there was a bias towards preparing for a flu pandemic, she said there was a groupthink about influenza, adding: It wasnt just us, this was the whole global north, the western world thought that flu was the thing to focus on.

She said that there had been four flu pandemics in the past century, adding: We will have more, its only a question of when.

She continued: So for me the issue is not should we not prepare for flu, we must prepare for flu.

The question is what else we do over and above that?

Clearly we could have done more thinking.

Dame Sally also told the inquiry she instigated Alice, an exercise modelling the impact of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers), which is caused by a coronavirus outbreak, four years before the Covid-19 pandemic.

When asked whether the recommendations from the exercise were put into place, she responded: I would have expected them to be, but it appears they werent.

During her questioning, she said: Maybe this is the moment to say how sorry I am to the relatives who lost their families.

It wasnt just the deaths, it was the way they died. It was horrible.

She told lead counsel Hugo Keith KC: I heard a lot about it from my daughter on the front line as a young doctor in Scotland.

It was harrowing and it remains horrible.

It comes after former prime minister David Cameron told the inquiry on Monday that it was a mistake for his Government to focus too heavily on preparing for a flu pandemic.

His chancellor George Osborne rejected claims his austerity programme depleted the NHS as he suggested his cuts better prepared Britain to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

He told the inquiry: If we had not had a clear plan to put the public finances on a sustainable path then Britain might have experienced a fiscal crisis, we would not have had the fiscal space to deal with the coronavirus pandemic when it hit.
T he northern hemisphere has its longest day of the year on Wednesday and the Summer Solstice is set to provide stargazers with a rare opportunity.

The Sun will be at its highest position over the UK and there is scope to see the Moon, Venus, and Mars.

Looking up at the right time (and in the right direction) on Wednesday, it should be possible to catch a glimpse of a crescent moon. This will form a line in the sky that will illuminate Mars and Venus.

Mars might be difficult to spot with the naked eye but can, even with just binoculars, be visible. But Venus and the Moon will be easily identifiable, the latter will appear in a thin shape with just 12 per cent of its surface visible.

The best chance to see the effect should be by looking west at around 10pm. Venus will appear as a bright speck of white but it will take some further examination to see Mars.

Space.com said: About four degrees to its upper left, appearing to shine rather feebly, will be Mars. Youll likely need binoculars to see it at all in the bright twilight even after Venus becomes obvious.

If you miss it on Wednesday, there is a chance to look up on Thursday night as well, when the planets should still be in alignment.

Space experts have pointed out that this is not an official meeting of the two planets, however, and is instead considered a quasi-conjunction. This means they do not quite meet but come within five degrees of each other.

The Royal Museums Greenwich said: Most people consider the summer solstice to be a day, it is in reality an exact moment in time that falls upon that day.

This moment comes when whichever hemisphere youre in is most tilted towards the Sun.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate the occasion in London, from swimming to meditation. Find out more in our guide here.
P rofessor Sir Chris Whitty is set to appear at the Governments Covid inquiry on Thursday to answer questions about Britains response to the pandemic.

Englands chief medical officer became a household name when he regularly provided televised bulletins about the virus. The Governments former chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, who also gave regular briefings (often alongside Prof Sir Chris), will appear at the inquiry later on Thursday.

Prof Sir Chris is one of the biggest names set to appear at the inquiry, which is being held in Dorland House in London. Former prime minister David Cameron and ex-chancellor George Osborne have previously appeared.

What does Professor Sir Chris Whitty do?

Becoming Englands chief medical officer in 2019, Prof Sir Chris could never have expected such a challenge as a pandemic occurring when he was only a few months into the job.

Prof Sir Chris is also the Governments chief medical adviser and head of the public health profession. The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own chief medical officers.

Prof Sir Chris would often give gloomy readings at the Covid briefings when discussing the latest cases and deaths from the virus.

Ultimately, more than 200,000 people in the UK died after testing positive for Covid-19.

What did he do before?

Although most Brits probably became aware of him in only 2000, Prof Sir Chris, 57, has had a high-flying career in medicine and scientific research.

Before becoming chief medical officer, he was chief scientific adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and head of the National Institute for Health Research, the UKs healthcare research body, from 2016-2019.

He was also a deputy chief scientific adviser and interim chief scientific adviser  the role that Sir Patrick fulfilled between 2018 to 2023  from 2017-2018.

His time in the job coincided with the Salisbury Novichok poisoning of two Russian citizens, which led to an international crisis.

Before this, he was chief scientific adviser to the Department for International Development from 2009-2015.

During this time, which coincided with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, he co-wrote a paper on the UKs response to the disease.

The paper, entitled Infectious disease: Tough choices to reduce Ebola transmission, focused on the Governments decision to fund isolation centres in hard-hit Sierra Leone to help stop the spread of Ebola.

He has also been Professor of Public and International Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a consultant in acute medicine and infectious diseases at University College London Hospitals and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Prof Sir Chris Whitty at one of the UKs regular briefings during the pandemic / PA Wire

What has Professor Sir Chris Whitty been doing since the Covid pandemic?

Prof Sir Chris has remained in post since the pandemic has calmed down but has broadened his focus to health beyond Covid-19. He plays a key role in advising the Government on health trends and developments.

He also lends his expertise to health journals and newspaper columns, writing recently in the Times that marketing vapes to children is utterly unacceptable. He also uses his portfolio to promote good health practices such as getting vaccinated.

He told the University of Plymouth: You have to accept that you will continue to learn throughout your career and the point at which you obtain your degree is still a very early part of your learning journey.

Youll be learning, hopefully, to the very last day you stop practising. And then if you transition over to be a doctor or a nurse or another discipline, you learn a great deal doing it. Its a continual and interesting journey.
S ir Patrick Vallance is set to appear at the Covid inquiry tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, June 22) to give evidence.

The inquiry is currently examining the UKs preparedness ahead of Covid.

The Governments former chief scientific adviser gave regular bulletins on the pandemic, alongside former chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.

Before the March 16, 2020 press conference, Vallance chaired a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) in which experts, including Prof Whitty, had advised that the first lockdown should begin immediately.

However, the PM at the time, Boris Johnson, did not announce the national lockdown until a week later, on March 23.

Sir Patrick is now due to give evidence about the facts at the inquiry.

But who is Sir Patrick and what is his role?

Former chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty (L), and former chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, arrive at Downing Street on September 21, 2020 / Leon Neal / Getty Images

What does Sir Patrick do now?

Sir Patrick was the Government's chief scientific adviser. That means he advised the Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers on issues relating to science and technology.

He held the role from April 2018 to March 2023.

Before that, current chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty held the role on an interim basis.

PA

Sir Patricks links to the pharmaceutical industry

Before becoming chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick worked for GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, for 12 years.

He rose to head of research and development after first taking on more junior roles in medicine discovery.

Sir Patricks medical career

Sir Patrick was head of medicine at University College London's medical school from 2002-2006 and professor of medicine between 1995 and 2002.

Prior to this, he was a professor at St Georges Hospital medical school in south London. He researched links between blood pressure and veins.

What has Sir Patrick been doing since the Covid pandemic?

Sir Patrick Vallance is now the National Technology Adviser, advising the Prime Minister and National Security Council on matters of technology and strategic advantage.

Last month, he told MPs that artificial intelligence (AI) could have as big an impact on jobs as the industrial revolution.

The former government chief scientific adviser told the Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee that the starting point for AI should be thinking about the benefits it can bring, such as in the field of medicine.

But he warned that the Government needs to be considering the wider impact of AI on society, including how people in some jobs may need to be retrained for other roles.
C ontroversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan appeared at a Romanian court on Wednesday to face charges of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

The self-proclaimed misogynist, his sibling and two Romanian female suspects were earlier charged by Romanian authorities and will face trial.

The accused are all under house arrest pending a criminal investigation for abuses committed against seven women. The Tate brothers have denied the accusations.

Prosecutors claim the female victims included some who were misled by false claims of marriage and love.

Andrew Tate has also been charged with raping one of the victims, while his brother Tristan has been charged with instigating others to violence.

Tristan Tate, escorted by bodyguards, arrives at court in Bucharest / Inquam Photos/Sabin Cirstoveanu

Asked by reporters: How much money have you made from trafficking women?" outside court ahead of Wednesday's hearing, Tate replied: Zero."

Tate's spokesperson said on Tuesday that the brothers were prepared to "demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation.

She said: Tate's legal team are prepared to cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities, presenting all necessary evidence to exonerate the brothers and expose any misinterpretations or false accusations."

Under Romanian law, a judge has 60 days to inspect the case files to ensure legality. Trafficking of adults carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Tate, 36, has repeatedly claimed Romanian prosecutors have no evidence and claims the case is politically motivated.

The brothers were first arrested in Bucharest in December last year and held in custody until March before being released under house arrest.

Romania's anti-organised crime agency said the seven alleged victims were recruited with false declarations of love and taken to Romania's Ilfov county, where they were forced to take part in pornography.

The women were allegedly controlled by intimidation, constant surveillance" and claims they were in debt, prosecutors claim.

Prosecutors ordered the confiscation of the Tate brothers' assets, including 15 luxury cars, designer watches and about three million dollars (2.3 million) in cryptocurrency, the agency said in a statement.

Andrew Tate is an American-British kickboxer born in Chicago, Illinois but raised in Luton, England. He is a son of the late chess player Emory Tate.

Tate worked as a TV producer while training as a kickboxer, before going on to fight professionally.

His appearance on Big Brother in 2016 kick-started his life in the public eye. Since then, Tate has gained notoriety for making offensive, misogynistic comments on social media.

Videos of Tate have amassed millions of views attracting widespread criticism and leading to calls from womens charities to have him removed from social media.
U S PresidentJoe Biden has called Chinese president Xi Jinping a dictator the day after talks to ease tensions between the two superpowers.

Mr Biden also said it was a great embarrassment for Mr Xi when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was blown off course over US airspace early this year,

His remarks came after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met the Chinese leader for talks in Beijing on Tuesday in the first visit by a top US diplomat in almost five years.

Mr Blinken had earlier said the chapter on the spy balloon should be closed and the trip to Beijing marked an important start in stabilising US relations with China.

It was feared Mr Bidens comments had jeopardised those efforts.

Chinas foreign ministry responded saying the comments go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China's political dignity.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: The US remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible."

Mr Biden, speaking at a fundraiser in California, said: The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didnt know it was there,

Thats a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didnt know what happened. That wasnt supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course, Mr Biden added.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday / AP

The US leader also said China has real economic difficulties.

Both Mr Biden and Mr Xi had earlier hailed the Beijing talks as a welcome development after relations have especially deteriorated in the past year.

Washington and Beijing have clashed over an array of issues including spying, trade, human rights, and Taiwan.

Mr Biden also said he was proud of his son Hunter who reached a plea deal with the Department of Justice following a five-year criminal investigation.

Hunter, 53, who has acknowledged struggling with addiction following the 2015 death of his brother, Beau, is expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanour tax crimes and admit to illegally possessing a gun while a drug user.

The terms of the agreement, announced on Wednesday, are likely to keep him out of jail.

Top Republicans have criticised the deal as evidence of a two-tiered system of justice amid former president Donald Trumps indictment and arraignment related to alleged mishandling of top secret documents.
E mergency teams looking for the OceanScape submarine that vanished on a voyage to the sunken Titanic have heard more noises in the search area but the US Coast Guard said it was unclear what they are.

Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard told a press conference in Boston search teams dont know what they are.

Carl Hartsfield, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said the ocean was a very complex place and it is very difficult to discern what the sources of those noises are.

He added: There have been multiple reports of noises and every one of those noises is being analysed, tracked, looked for patterns and reported upon.

Mr Hartsfield said they had been described as banging noises.

Search efforts were relocated after a Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises during a search for the submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck.

Captain Frederick also told reporters the area of the ocean surface being searched is now about 10,000 square miles.

He said: The surface search is now approximately two times the size of Connecticut, and the sub-surface search is up to 2.5 miles deep, exponentially expanding the size of the search area.

He said the operation to find the missing deep-sea vessel is still being treated as a search and rescue rather than recovery.

He told a press conference in Boston: Oh this is a search and rescue mission 100%, we are smack dab in the middle of search and rescue and will continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members.

The search continues as the family of a London businessman and his son stuck in the submarine said their sole focus is the rescue of those on board.

Shahzada Dawood, 48, a Pakistani-born global board member of the Princes Trust charity, and his son Suleman, 19, from Surbiton, are with British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding and two others on the tiny vessel that set off on Sunday to see the famous wreck at a depth of 12,500 feet in the Atlantic.

Mr Dawoods sister and Sulemans aunt Sabrina Dawood she wanted her family returned safe and sound.

DAWOOD HERCULES CORPORATION/AFP

Speaking to Sky News she said: We are deeply grateful for the efforts of news agencies during this difficult time; your constant coverage of the missing Titan submersible is undoubtedly playing a large role in the worlds ability to access relevant updates on the matter.

At this time, the Dawood familys sole focus is the rescue of our beloved Shahzada and Suleman Dawood and we are unable to address any questions or comments at the moment.

We trust that the family will be granted privacy as we deal with this crisis.

May Shahzada and Suleman return to us safe and sound.

We are sure they would be as moved as we are by the support of the global community during this period of difficulty.

A spokesman for the mothership which launched the missing submersible has defended OceanGate - the firm behind it - saying it runs an extremely safe operation.

Questions were raised about the safety of the vessel, called Titan and run by OceanGate, during a press conference on Wednesday.

Sean Leet, co-founder and chairman of Horizon Maritime Services, which owns the Polar Prince mothership from which Titan launched, said: OceanGate runs an extremely safe operation.

Our full focus right now is getting that submersible located and getting those people brought back safely.

Mr Leet praised how quickly specialist marine craft have been scrambled to help in the search for the missing vessel.

He said: Ive been in the marine industry since a very young age and Ive never seen equipment of that nature move that quickly.

The response from the US Coast Guard, the US military, the folks at the airport, the people here  various companies were involved in the mobilisation, it was done flawlessly.

Rescuers have been racing against the clock because the vessel could run out of oxygen by Thursday morning.

In addition to an international array of ships and planes, an underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.

Three C-17 transport planes from the US military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from New York to Newfoundland to aid in the search, a spokesperson for US Air Mobility Command said.

The Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specialises in dive medicine. It also dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds from the Titan.

OceanGate Expeditions to the Titanic: Titan submarine 1 / 36 OceanGate Expeditions to the Titanic: Titan submarine ES Composite The ship Deep Energy sails in the search area for OceanGates Titan submersible US Coast Guard/AFP via Getty Ima The pilot of a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora maritime surveillance aircraft of 14 Wing flies a search pattern for the missing OceanGate submersible, which had been carrying five people to explore the wreck of the sunken SS Titanic, in the Atlantic Ocean off Newfoundland, Canada via REUTERS Ssubmersible Titan preparing to dive into the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic AP A view shows the ROV (Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle) Victor 6000 via REUTERS Cargo being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic at the harbour in St Johns, bound for the search area Joe Chase for DailyMail.com Last sighting of the Titan submarine Facebook Search equipment arriving at St Johns airport in Newfoundland aboard US Air Force C-17 cargo planes that is bound for the search area near the Titanic wreckage Joe Chase for DailyMail.com OceanGate Expeditions/AFP via Ge OceanGate Expeditions showing staff at work inside their submersible vessel named Titan, which is used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic PA Cargo being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic at the harbour in St Johns, bound for the search area Joe Chase for DailyMail.com Facebook Cargo being loaded onto the Horizon Arctic at the harbour in St Johns, bound for the search area Joe Chase for DailyMail.com US Coast Gurad Captain Jamie Frederick speaks during a press conference about the search efforts for the submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, at Coast Guard Base in Boston, Massachusetts AFP via Getty Images A view shows the ROV (Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle) Victor 6000 via REUTERS PA Search equipment arriving at St Johns airport in Newfoundland aboard US Air Force C-17 cargo planes that is bound for the search area near the Titanic wreckage Joe Chase for DailyMail.com Members of the Coast Guard watch as US Coast Gurad Captain Jamie Frederick speaks during a press conference about the search efforts for the submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, at Coast Guard Base in Boston, Massachusett AFP via Getty Images Hamish Harding Facebook Stockton Rush OceanGate Suleman and Shahzada Dawood DAWOOD HERCULES CORPORATION/AFP Paul-Henri Nargeolet . AP Titanic tourist submarine Facebook U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, speaks to the media AP A US Coast Guard vessel sits in port in Boston Harbor across from the US Coast Guard Station Boston in Boston, Massachusetts AFP via Getty Images Titan submersible vessel testing in 2018 Oceangate Expeditions

Authorities reported the carbon-fiber vessel overdue on Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland. At the helm was pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it went to sea about 6am on Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

CBS News journalist David Pogue, who travelled to the Titanic aboard the Titan last year, said the vehicle uses two communication systems: text messages that go back and forth to a surface ship and safety pings that are emitted every 15 minutes to indicate that the sub is still working.

Both of those systems stopped about an hour and 45 minutes after the Titan submerged.

"There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless," Pogue told the Canadian CBC network on Tuesday.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. One system is designed to work even if everyone aboard is unconscious, Pogue said.
U kraine said on Monday, July 3 that its forces had gained more ground along eastern and southern fronts in the past week, following heavy fighting with Russian troops.

The latest conflict has resulted in Ukraine reclaiming 14 square miles of territory.

This came as President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Russias navy that it was not safe from Ukraines fleet of drones in annexed Crimea.

President Zelensky tweeted: Last week was difficult on the frontline. But we are making progress.

We are moving forward, step by step! I thank everyone who is defending Ukraine, everyone who is leading this war to Ukraines victory!

How much land has Ukraine taken back since the war began?

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated on June 21 that Ukrainian forces had liberated eight settlements and more than 113 square kilometres of territory since starting counteroffensive operations on June 4. This was according to the Institute for the Study of War.

As of November 2022, Ukraine had reclaimed 54 per cent of land captured by Russia according to the New York Times .

Ukrainian forces were advancing in the Bakhmut direction in the east of the country, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Monday.

Ukraine had reclaimed nine square kilometres (3.5 square miles) over the past week along the eastern front as a result of improving the operational (tactical) position and aligning the front line, she added.

In the south, Ukraine has regained 28.4km (11 square miles) of territory, bringing the total area of recaptured territory along that front to 158.4km (61 square miles), Ms Maliar said.

Heres a breakdown of other regions and territories where Ukraine has taken back land.

Donetsk

Ukrainian officials said on July 1 they had taken seven settlements in the eastern Donetsk region, according to the BBC .

Zaporizhzhia

Ukraine reportedly captured Piatykhatky, a village on the western edge of the Zaporizhzhia front, according to a Russian official, as reported by the Guardian on June 18.

Kherson

In January 2023, Ukrainian soldiers reclaimed Kherson, which had been under Russian occupation for nearly nine months.

Kharkiv

Ukraine liberated several villages in the Kharkiv region last year, as reported by Reuters . However, the Russian military has since launched several attacks that have destroyed infrastructure and resulted in fatalities.

Ukraine War | One Year Anniversary - pictures 1 / 33 Ukraine War | One Year Anniversary - pictures Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a commemorative event on the occasion of the Russia Ukraine war one year anniversary AP The Prime Minister observes a minutes silence for Ukraine Simon Walker/No10 Downing Street Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, holds the flag of a military unit as an officer kisses it, during commemorative event on the occasion of the Russia Ukraine war one year anniversary in Kyiv AP Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko and his wife Inna lighting some of the 52 candles - one for each week of the war - during an ecumenical prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine PA Ukrainian teenager, Alisa Bushuieva, who was forced to flee her country with her mother, Svitlana, in February last year, after playing piano to the crowd following a minutes silence at Peters Lane in Liverpool ONE, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine PA Britains Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, Ukrainian Ambassador to UK Vadym Prystaiko and wife Inna Prystaiko observe a minutes silence to mark the one year anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine, REUTERS A Ukrainian themed Wreath to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine sits on the door of 10 Downing Street. Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Street Former prime minister Boris Johnson lights one of 52 candles - one for each week of the war - during an ecumenical prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine PA Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a ceremony dedicated to the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv via REUTERS Ukrainian volunteer recruits leave the parade ground after taking part in prayers, blessings and a one minute silence to mark the first anniversary of the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine, on February 24, 2023 in South East England Getty Images President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attends wreath-laying ceremony at the War of Independence Victory Column during Independence Day celebrations in Tallinn, Estonia REUTERS Children hold candles at the start of the ecumenical prayer service at Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, in London AFP via Getty Images Denmarks Crown Princess Mary attends the Danish Parliaments service to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Holmen Church in Copenhagen via REUTERS 52 candles, one for each week of the war, beneath 461 paper angels, one for each child that has died in the past year according to the official statistics, as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (right) speaks during an ecumenical prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine PA Ukrainian soldiers line up during a commemorative event on the occasion of the Russia Ukraine war one year anniversary in Kyiv AP People lay flowers at a monument of Ukrainian poet, writer, artist, public and political figure Taras Shevchenko in a show of support to Ukraine, one year after Russia launched a military invasion on the country, in Almaty AFP via Getty Images The Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine on the wall of the Mykhailivsky Golden-Domed Monastery along Trohsvyatitelska Street near Mykhailivska Square, Kyiv, ahead of the first anniversary on Friday of the Russian invasion of Ukraine PA An elderly woman stands next to Ukrainian flags commemorating Ukrainian soldiers killed during the war with Russia, at Independence Square Getty Images People gather to watch the sails of the Sydney Opera House illuminate with the colours of the Ukrainian Flag to mark one year since Russias invasion of Ukraine began, in Sydney, Australia, REUTERS A Ukrainian themed Wreath to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine sits on the door of 10 Downing Street. Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Street Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty outside 10 Downing Street, London, ahead of a minutes silence to mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine PA Ukrainians living in Japan hold anti-war placards and take part in the candlelight vigil for peace at the Osaka Museum of History site Getty Images Members of northeast Ukrainian community groups gather at Greys Monument to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on February 24, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Getty Images A giant banner showing the Ukrainian flag with the words Free Ukraine is displayed in the main square in Pristina on February 24, 2023 to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine AFP via Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) awarding a serviceman during a ceremony in the St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER

What territories has Russia taken control of since the war began?

Russia has taken control of much of the south-eastern border of Ukraine since the invasion over one year ago. This was in an attempt to fully occupy the Donbas region and surrounding areas.

In October 2022, Russia signed annexation treaties recognising Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as part of the Russian Federation, according to the UK Government . However, this was achieved by rigged referendums and the annexation was not internationally recognised. In addition, those regions were not totally under Russian control, as outlined above.

Mariupol

Russia has held Mariupol since May 2022, as reported by AP .

The United Nations reported that between February and April last year, Mariupol was likely the deadliest place in the country.

More than 1,300 people had, at the time of writing, been killed in the region and more than 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers been taken as prisoners of war.

Up to 90 per cent of residential buildings were destroyed, with 350,000 residents forced to flee the city.

In March 2022, Russia bombed the Mariupol drama theatre  which Amnesty International declared as a war crime.

Luhansk

Russia said that it had taken full control of Luhansk in July 2022. However, since then, Ukraines forces have regained control of some of the occupied territory. This region, alongside Kherson, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, was later annexed by Russia, though this remains unrecognised by most other countries.

The Ukrainian government website says that tens of thousands of Luhansk residents are waiting for their hometown, which has effectively been under Russian control since 2014, to be returned to Ukraine.
U krainian forces are gaining ground towards Melitopol and Berdiansk in the south east of the country, military sources said on Wednesday.

Andriy Kovalev, a spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told early on Wednesday of the partial success in the the Zaporizhzhia region.

They are gaining ground, Mr Kovalev was quoted as saying in a post on the Ukraine Military Media Centers Telegram channel, adding that the gains were near the settlements of Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne, among others.

Ukraine continues to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the east of the country, with especially heavy fighting taking place along near Lyman in the Donetsk region, he added.

However, overall the Kyivs counter-offensive has so far been slow as Ukrainian troops try to make their way through lines of Russian defences.

In London, the Ministry of Defence stressed that Russian military chiefs were preparing for the possibility of an attempt by Kyiv to seize back parts of Crimea which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.

In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said: Intense fighting continues in sectors of southern Ukraine. However, over recent weeks, Russia has continued to expend significant effort building defensive lines deep in rear areas, especially on the approaches to occupied Crimea.

This includes an extensive zone of defences of 9 km in length, 3.5 km north of the town Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson region.

The briefing added: These elaborate defences highlight the Russian commands assessment that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting Crimea.

Russia continues to see maintaining control of the peninsula as a top political priority.

Ukraine has reported recapturing eight villages in the south in the last two weeks. Though small, the advances are the biggest by the Ukrainian military since November as they push into heavily fortified and mined Russian-held areas.

Kyiv's forces were continuing offensive operations towards the city of Melitopol, a Russian stronghold deep in occupied territory, and towards Berdiansk on the Sea of Azov.

Ukraine has prepared for months for the counter-offensive seen as a crucial juncture in Russia's war, but has imposed a communications blackout and independent reporting is scarce.

Military analysts say it is too early to draw conclusions about the success or otherwise of the two weeks of operations.

They say Kyiv is yet to commit the bulk of its forces, a chunk of which were trained and equipped by the West, but that Ukraine's forward positions remain some distance from Russia's main defensive line.

Russia and Ukraine have both reported inflicting heavy casualties on the other in the latest clashes.

In a statement on the Telegram messaging platform, Ukraines deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar reported heavy fighting in the east, especially near the town of Lyman which Kyiv recaptured from Russian forces in October.

"In the east, the defenders continue to hold back a large-scale assault by Russian forces in the Lyman and Bakhmut directions," she said.

She added that the east remained the main focus of Russia's offensive actions and that Moscow still aimed to reach the boundaries of the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk provinces which make up the industrial Donbas region.

Russia said its air defences had downed three drones in the Moscow region on Wednesday in what it called an attempted Ukrainian attack.

This could not be independently verified.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2023 - 16:49 | All, Japan

Jiro Ushio, a former head of Japan's major business lobby and the founder of lighting equipment maker Ushio Inc., has died, the company said Wednesday. He was 92.

Ushio, a former chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, or Keizai Doyukai, was a heavyweight in Japanese economic circles. He is known for his strong ties with the Japanese government for being a member of an economic policy panel.

Ushio, a native of Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, died of aspiration pneumonia on June 13, the company said.

He was chairman of the association for four years from April 1995 and served in the government's Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy from 2001 to 2006.

He also maintained close relations with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated by a gunman last year.

Ushio founded the company and became president in 1964 and chairman in 1979. He stepped down as chairman in 2020 after leading the company for more than half a century.
A t least 41 people have been killed in a riot at a womens prison in Honduras, with many of them burned to death, officials said.

The countrys president blamed the violence on the mara street gangs that often wield broad power inside jails in the central American country.

Yuri Mora, spokesman for Honduras national police investigation agency, said the riot broke out at the womens prison in the town of Tamara, about 30 miles northwest of the capital Tegucigalpa.

Most victims were burned, but there also were reports of inmates shot at the prison.

At least seven female inmates were being treated at a hospital in Tegucigalpa for gunshot and knife wounds, staff said.

The forensic teams that are removing bodies confirm they have counted 41, said Mr Mora.

Local media interviewed one injured inmate outside the hospital who said prisoners belonging to the feared Barrio 18 gang burst into a cell block and shot other inmates or set them on fire.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro said the riot was planned by maras with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities.

I am going to take drastic measures! Ms Castro wrote in her social media accounts.

Julissa Villanueva, head of the countrys prison system, suggested the riot started because of recent attempts by authorities to crack down on illicit activity inside prisons and called Tuesdays violence a reaction to moves we are taking against organised crime.

We will not back down, Ms Villanueva said in a televised address after the riot.

Gangs often wield broad control inside the countrys prisons, where inmates often set their own rules and sell prohibited goods.

The riot appears to be the worst tragedy at a female detention centre in the region since 2017, when girls at a shelter for troubled youths in Guatemala set fire to mattresses in protest at rapes and other mistreatment at the badly overcrowded institution.

The ensuing smoke and fire killed 41 girls.

The worst prison disaster in a century also occurred in Honduras, in 2012 at the Comayagua prison, where 361 inmates died in a fire possibly caused by a match, cigarette or some other open flame.
I t is Friday at noon and Crystal Palace is stifling in the June sunshine. Outside a bakery, a queue stretches for almost half a mile towards Anerley. But thats nothing here: one customer drove down from Leicester to try it; another couple took a flight in from New York. Welcome to Chatsworth Bakehouse.

In real life, Chatsworth is a diminutive hub of focaccia-based creativity, almost unassuming, but online it is a giant. It operates a weekly changing menu, serving sandwiches between Wednesdays and Fridays, and each Monday, as soon as a new 10 sandwich is announced on Instagram, the bakery sells out in under a minute  more than 150 every day. Competition is fierce: TikTok foodie @overfilteredovereaten set five alarms, took a day off work, delayed her house move and travelled three hours on six trains to grab one.

It is hype that has been building, gradually, since 2020, when Croydon-born founders Tom Mathews and Sian Evans were left twiddling their thumbs in the belligerent humdrum of lockdown. Mathews, a chef at a loose end, and Evans, in the music industry and working remotely with much less to do, started baking bread and filling slices with all manner of culinary finery.

Baked: Tom and Sian serve hundreds of customers every week / Chatsworth Bakehouse

Orders were delivered first by foot, then by bike, and later by a team of drivers, such was the immediate popularity. Soon, a website had to be built and Evans was left managing multiple spreadsheets as demand surged to a near insurmountable degree.

It really did get out of control quite quickly, Evans tells the Standard. We started out with all these leftover ingredients from Tom, and then suddenly we had a serious business on our hands.

Since then, Chatsworth has only ploughed on. It is the power of social media, no doubt  Evans is skilled with hype building  but also the elaborate combinations of flavours dreamt up by Mathews.

One TikToker set five alarms, took a day off work and delayed her house move just to grab one

On that Friday afternoon, customers enjoyed a tuna sandwich, one well beyond its name. Sustainable, line-caught fish is mixed with basil and garlic aioli, smashed artichokes delirious with Calabrian chilli, wild rocket and pickled shallots. It is inspired and extraordinary; it puts all other versions to shame. The focaccia? There may be none finer in the city.

Elsewhere, cured meats and pickles, hot sauces and cheeses are meticulously combined. The Anerley Hill Hot is perhaps the most coveted. Inside is an eclectic mix that reads excessively, but my god, works: Fennel salami, Napoli salami, prosciutto crudo, chilli pepper spread, garlic sauce, provolone, pickled fennel, bitter leaves, and a hot honey dressing are lavished inside that oil-drenched, mattress-like bread.

Status queue: the line for Chatsworth often extends for half a mile or more / Chatsworth Bakehouse

What do the pair make of all the drama? What about the guy doing a six-hour trip from Leicester? He drove down, said hello, ate his sandwich, and drove home, shrugs Evans. Weve had some people tell us theyve waited around four months to successfully land one [of our sandwiches]. Our online store crashes with the amount of people trying to order and were always left with a waiting list.

We have queues every day, but lots of walk-ins, too. We dont just want to be a frenzy and driven by social media, as great as that is. Were a community bakery and we love to see locals come in, and regulars. Were a small team and we sell freshly baked loaves of bread, cookies, and we encourage people to come in for a chat and have a drink.

And if those people arent all crashing the website and spilling down the road? Evans smiles. We love that were popular, obviously. Its great and we do have some grand(ish) ideas. But were also happy just making sandwiches and just grateful that so many people think theyre delicious.

120a Anerley Road, SE19 2AN, chatsworthbakehouse.com
P op queen Beyonce has donated 8,000 to the Nigerian tapas restaurant Chukus in Tottenham as part of her $1m pledge to support businesses around the world.

Chukus, founded by the brother-and-sister duo Ifeyinwa and Emeka Frederick, last year launched a six-week campaign to increase bookings, with the restaurant facing closure due to challenges blighting the industry.

The restaurant was one of 10 winners to receive a grant from Beyonce, who, through her BeyGOOD foundation, promised to donate $1 million (806,000) to businesses in cities around the world as part of her Renaissance world tour.

Ifeyinwa said: I still cant quite believe that Beyonce has backed our restaurant  it feels a bit surreal.

Wed already felt her impact when she was in town and concertgoers chose Chukus for their pre-gig meal, but this is a whole other level.

Chukus founders Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederick / Matt Writtle

Late last year, the Chukus team was successful in its drive to get more bookings. After launching a challenge to get 600 in six weeks, the restaurant managed 801, and Emeka said Beyonces help is another much-needed boost.

This grant couldnt be more welcome, he said. Chukus, like other restaurants that dont have a financial reserve, has been battered by lockdowns and the cost of living crisis.

Every day, were fighting to stay open to make it to our fourth birthday. This money will make that fight a little easier and allow us to continue celebrating Nigerian culture on Tottenhams High Road for the time being.

Chukus, 274 High Rd, N15 4AJ, chukuslondon.co.uk
K im Kardashian says she still has imposter syndrome, despite the global success of her multi-million dollar shapewear business Skims.

The reality star, 42, said the brand, which was founded in 2019, had exceeded everything that I ever imagined.

Kardashian stars on the cover of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 issue.

Speaking to the US publication, she discussed her business, which she co-founded with its chief executive Jens Grede and his wife.

Skims says it made 500 million dollars in 2022 (392 million), 25 per cent more than projected and 80 per cent more than it made in 2021.

Obviously you have big hopes, but this definitely exceeded everything that I ever imagined, Kardashian told Time.

I still have, like, impostor syndrome or whatever, but I think thats part of what keeps me going.

Known for starring in campaigns with her children, Kardashian said she had not yet figured out how to incorporate them into her own business.

A recent get-together between Ice Spice and her nine-year-old daughter North led to the US rapper starring in a Skims campaign, but also a complaint from Kardashians former husband Kanye West after the pair appeared in a TikTok video together singing explicit rap lyrics.

As soon as I saw the words, I was like, Oh no, were taking this down, said Kardashian.

I saw on the internet, (saying) Kanye was right, and maybe he was in that instance.

But (North) loves making slime videos and doing her little hair tutorials, and I will fight for her to be creative.

The full interview with Kim Kardashian can be found online and in Times 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 issue, which is published on Wednesday.
D ame Joanna Lumley and Sir Patrick Stewart are among the famous faces who have signed a letter calling for more kindness and compassion towards refugees.

The open letter, addressed to the British public, says the group feels it is more important than ever for society to have empathy and understanding towards those who have been forced to flee their home given the humanitarian crisis around the world.

The celebrities, who also include actor Stephen Fry, comedian Mel Giedroyc and Spooks star David Oyelowo, have teamed up with humanitarian aid organisation International Rescue Committee to mark World Refugee Day on Tuesday.

Vera actor Kingsley Ben-Adir, Luther actress Indira Varma, Hamilton stage star Jamael Westman, YouTuber Amelia Dimoldenberg and British chef and TV personality Delia Smith are also among the signatories to the letter.

It reads: This World Refugee Day we are standing together with the International Rescue Committee to call for more kindness and compassion towards those who seek sanctuary in the UK.

With record levels of humanitarian need around the world, it is more important than ever for us to have empathy and understanding towards those who have been forced to flee their homes.

It also refers to the recent unrest in Sudan which they say is a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue, with the United Nations reporting on Saturday that one million children have been displaced.

We must remember that these are human beings, not dissimilar to you and me, who through no fault of their own have been forced to flee their homes under unimaginable circumstances

The letter continues: We must remember that these are human beings, not dissimilar to you and me, who through no fault of their own have been forced to flee their homes under unimaginable circumstances.

They have experienced profound loss  leaving behind homes, families, communities, and careers  and are in desperate need of protection and support.

Refugees are people who bring great potential and diverse strengths, who can enrich and make great contributions to our economy and society, especially when offered welcome and the right support.

If we shut the door to refugees, we are not only turning our backs on people in need, but we are depriving our society of the resilience, skills, innovation and unique perspectives that they offer.

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe.

The International Rescue Committee helps people affected by humanitarian crises, including the climate crisis, to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.
T he Blue Book Of Nebo is the first-ever translated book to win a Yoto Carnegie medal for writing in the almost 90-year history of the awards.

Celebrating childrens authors and novelists who write young adult fiction, the award is unique in that it is judged solely by librarians.

The Blue Book Of Nebo explores Welsh identity and culture and is told through the lens of a mother and son who live in the post-apocalyptic world of Nebo.

Manon Steffan Ros, who wrote and translated the book, said that growing up with the Welsh language was a privilege and something that had always brought her joy.

Discussing what it was like to win the award, she said: I used to see the word Carnegie on the covers of my favourite books as a child and the fact that The Blue Book Of Nebo now has that honour bestowed upon it means more than I can say  and to be the first book in translation to win the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing is a source of great delight.

One of the greatest privileges of my life has been the fact that I was raised through the medium of the Welsh language, and having to access two languages has brought me so much joy and opportunity.

Theres a huge, lively, thriving Welsh language and cultural scene that Im honoured to be a part of.

Each language offers a unique and enriching perspective on the world, and so literature in translation has the potential to enhance our lives greatly.

Your favourite book might not yet be translated into a language that you understand.

The Yoto Carnegie Awards also include a medal for illustration, which was won by Saving Sorya: Chang And The Sun Bear by Jeet Zdung.

Zdung dreamed of drawing cartoons as a child growing up in Vietnam and said that the process of creating the book was a journey to satisfy the childs longing he had to create an immersive movie on paper using influences of comics and manga.

Talking about what it was like to win the award, he said: Together with Trang Nguyen, we hope these books will contribute to the conservation of wildlife by sharing with the readers what we know, what we love and care about.

For me, this is a long and enduring journey.

Winning the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration is a great honour.

We hope that the impact of the prize will be felt widely and draw attention to the plight of the Sun Bears and other wildlife.

The Blue Book Of Nebo and Saving Sorya: Chang And The Sun Bear were selected from a shortlist of several titles and were praised by judges for providing an immersive experience for readers.

The original Welsh publication of The Blue Book Of Nebo, Llyfr Glas Nebo, has won multiple awards including the 2019 Wales Book Of The Year.
E milia Clarke has branded meeting Snoop Dogg at his recent London gig as the greatest night of my life.

The British star recalled how the Californian rapper told her he would protect her eggs in reference to her Games of Thrones character, Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, when they meet backstage before his concert in March.

In the very first of the HBO fantasy series, Daenerys is given three rare dragon eggs, which eventually hatch and grow into fully-fledged dragons.

In a new interview, Clarke was visibly giddy as she was asked to rank the experience on the surreal moment scale.

When asked where meeting the hitmaker sat on that scale, she enthusiastically replied: 10. 10 out of 10 out of 10 out of 10!

The 36-year-old continued: My guy Snoop Dogg is in the house with me he said hes gonna protect my dragon. He wants to do an acting thing with me.

I was cooking up. I mean hell ... I got high by proxy just being in his presence and it was beautiful.

Clarke then went on to tease that fans could expect to see them working together in the future on a cinematic project.

She told Canadas ETalk: And we came up with this idea, were going to do a movie together, were going to take over the world.

The Me Before You star then concluded with a broad smile: It was the greatest night of my life. Im such a fan. It was amazing. Love me some Snoop Dogg.

Clarke, who played Daenerys from 2011 to 2019, previously shared a video of their meeting on her Instagram on March 21.

In the clip, taken backstage at his gig at Londons O2, the hitmaker told her: Youre an amazing actress, beautiful spirit. Youre so believable. I would protect your eggs any day.

To which she excitedly responded: Yes! Can I get that in writing?

Captioning the post, she penned at the time: SNOOP. DOGGY. DOGG. The man, the myth, the legend. When he calls, you (I) come running.
H olly Willoughby had a subtle pop at Eamonn Holmes after he accused her of not knowing the names of crew members working with her on ITV programme This Morning.

Holmes, who was axed as a presenter on the show in 2020 after 15 years, has launched a series of scathing attacks on the mum-of-three over the last couple of weeks.

The Northern Irish-born star didnt mince his words when discussing both her and her former co-host Phillip Schofield after he sensationally quit ITV after admitting to secretly having an affair with a younger male colleague which he lied about for years.

Speaking on GB News, Holmes said: Holly doesnt know peoples names, either.

Holly Willoughby appeared to deliberately namedrop a cameraman on This Morning / ITV

This is legendary within the production teams, that how distant they are and how they just dont care.

On Wednesdays episode of the show however, Willough went out of her way to namedrop a cameraman on set.

Its after he was almost whacked in the face by a prosecco cork released by celebrity chef Gino DAcampo.

Willoughby said: Oh my god you almost got Steve in the eye!

Steve on camera four gave everyone at home a wave / ITV

Adding: Jeez, Louise. He needs those eyes, hes on camera four.

DAcampo then joked: Camera four is down.

Meanwhile, Willoughbys co-host Dermot OLeary added: We value Steve. Steve is like the poster boy for cameramen. No one injure Steve, for gods sake.
S amuel L Jackson has thrown his support behind Marvel co-star Brie Larson after the Captain Marvel actress was the victim of an online abuse campaign.

The Hollywood icon has starred alongside Larson, 33, in films such as Kong: Skull Island, Unicorn Store and most notably, 2019s Captain Marvel.

It was in the latter film that Larson, who played lead Carol Danvers in the MCU spin-off, experienced vile online abuse after her casting as the superhero was announced.

Years later, Jackson has condemned the abuse levelled at the Oscar-winning star, who he bonded with while filming Kong: Skull Island, claiming she was targeted by incel dudes who hate strong women.

He told Rolling Stone: Bries a stronger person than people give her credit for. We had done Kong together, which was not the most wonderful experience for either of us.

We became great friends during that particular experience because we were having such a hard time.

Larson pictured in 2019s Captain Marvel / MARVEL STUDIOS

After discussing their friendship, Jackson went on share the advice he gave Larson in a bid to overcome the outpouring of negativity directed towards her.

He recalled: She was broken and I was like, Dont let em break you. You have to be strong now. Then, when she got Captain Marvel, she called me and was like, They want me in the Marvel Universe. Should I do it? And I was like, Hell yeah! Lets do it!

But shes not going to let any of that stuff [online abuse] destroy her. These incel dudes who hate strong women, or the fact that shes a feminist who has an opinion and expressed it? Everybody wants people to be who they want them to be. She is who she is, and shes genuinely that.

Jackson has played the character of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for more than a decade, appearing in 13 films.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2023 - 11:50 | Japan, Travel/Tourism, All

As the climbing season for Mt. Fuji approaches, local governments in surrounding areas are warning against "bullet climbing," the practice of ascending to the peak of one of Japan's most iconic landmarks without taking a sleep break at night.

This year's climbing season, scheduled to run from July 1 through Sept. 10, will be the first since the lifting of COVID-related movement restrictions, and most of the mountain huts en route to the summit are already reserved.

That has led to growing concern that climbers unable to book accommodation will try to press on in the middle of the night, placing themselves in danger.



At one mountain lodge, the phone rang off the hook when it started accepting reservations from the beginning of May and its website's server also crashed due to heavy traffic.

To counter infection, the lodge is limiting capacity to 60 to 70 percent of the level prior to the coronavirus pandemic and it is almost fully booked.



This year marks the 10th anniversary of Mt. Fuji's registration as a World Heritage site and many people from both Japan and abroad are expected to flock to see the sunrise from the top.

Most people try to time their ascent so they can see the sunrise from the summit, arriving at a hut and sleeping for a few hours before continuing to the top.

Bullet climbing in a shorter time increases the risks of altitude sickness and slipping. People lingering near the summit could also suffer from hypothermia.

To prevent such incidents, Yamanashi Prefecture has decided to shorten the night hours of the Fuji Subaru Line toll road that connects the 5th station of the Yoshida entrance and the foot of the mountain during the climbing season.

Local governments on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of Mt. Fuji have submitted a request to the prefecture to limit the number of climbers.

However, that seems unlikely to be accepted as the prefectural government's position is that it "cannot impose restrictions."

Osamu Nakamura, head of a group of mountain hut owners, said, "I'm happy that so many people want to climb the mountain, but if an accident happens it would be a total loss. We want people to have fun within reason."

The Yamanashi prefectural police stressed that climbing Mt. Fuji should not be seen as simply an extension of sightseeing and urged people to prepare carefully.

Related coverage:

Record 3,506 people stranded on Japan mountains in 2022

Japan mountain groups ask climbers to stay away amid virus threat
KYODO NEWS - Jun 22, 2023 - 02:20 | All, World, Japan

Japan will push ahead with support for Ukraine and plans to host a meeting to encourage companies to participate in the economic recovery of the nation torn by Russia's invasion, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Wednesday.

The Japanese government plans the gathering for sometime late this year or early next year, Hayashi said in a speech at a two-day conference on Ukraine's reconstruction in London through Thursday, attended by over 60 nations.

"The Japanese public and private sectors can strongly support the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine" through the meeting dubbed "the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction," Hayashi added. Hayashi invited Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to the envisaged meeting when the two met later in the day in London, and the offer was immediately accepted, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The new conference underscores Tokyo's commitment to taking part in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts aggressively through the public and private sectors.

As this year's chair of the Group of Seven major countries, Japan, along with other members, vowed "unwavering unity" in supporting Kyiv at the summit in Hiroshima last month.

Tokyo has been discussing how to urge more Japanese companies to invest in Ukraine amid Moscow's war against its former Soviet neighbor since February 2022 which shows no signs of ending.

The Japanese government held its first meeting of a cross-ministry council on Ukraine's recovery in May. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to promote public-private cooperation on projects such as clearing mines and infrastructure rebuilding.

On Monday, Japan agreed with Ukraine to establish a liaison system to help the Eastern European country reconstruct areas severely damaged during the ongoing Russian invasion.

Referring to Japan's past experiences of recovery from its defeat in World War II and natural disasters, including a massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Hayashi vowed to "vigorously implement a uniquely Japanese form of reconstruction assistance."

Hayashi also said that Japan will deliver about 160 water purifiers, around 530 generators and some 30 construction machines to areas devastated by flooding caused by the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam in the Russian-controlled Kherson region on June 6.

In phone talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy days after the dam destruction, Kishida vowed to extend $5 million in humanitarian support.

As part of his five-day trip to Europe through Saturday, Hayashi met his G-7 counterparts in London and affirmed that the major industrialized democracies will work together closely to restore peace and prosperity in Ukraine, according to the ministry.

The G-7 top diplomats also exchanged views on China, whose military has been increasingly assertive in the Indo-Pacific region, after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken talked about his visit to Beijing from Sunday to Monday, the ministry said.

Hayashi plans to visit Paris during his trip for an international meeting focusing on financial measures to achieve U.N. sustainable development goals by 2030.
Ciuca: Romania will become energy independent, will ensure energy security in the region.

National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman Nicolae Ciuca says that Romania will soon become energy independent, saying that when the exploitation of the Neptun Deep perimeter becomes fully operational, domestic production will double compared to the current moment, and Romania will become the largest gas producer in the European Union, told Agerpres.

"As a result of the measures adopted by the executive in the last year and a half, Romania will gain its energy independence in a very short time: Romgaz and OMV-Petrom have decided to develop the Neptun Deep perimetre, the largest natural gas project in the Romanian Black Sea area. When the exploitation becomes operational, Romania's domestic production will double compared to the current moment, and our country will become the largest gas producer in the European Union," Ciuca wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

He says that this project is the fruit of the work of the liberal government and of former Energy Minister Virgil Popescu.

Ciuca says that, by opening the exploitation, the state budget gains from royalties, from the tax on additional income, from the companies' profit tax and from the number of jobs created, which will generate taxes.

"Much more important is the fact that Romania will become energy independent, and as a net exporter of natural gas, we will ensure energy security in the region," concludes the former Prime Minister.
Tilvar: Romanian battlegroup, important contribution to NATO deterrence, defense posture in the Black Sea.

The NATO battlegroup in Romania for which France is the framework nation, is an "important contribution to strengthening the credibility and efficiency of the NATO deterrence and defence posture in the Black Sea region and proof of solidity and enhanced NATO commitment in the region," Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tilvar told his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu at a meeting in Paris, told Agerpres.

According to the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), the agenda of talks between the two ministers also included co-operation, especially in the area of army acquisitions.

Regarding co-operation inside NATO, mention was made of the substantial contribution of France to strengthening NATO presence on the eastern flank of the Alliance, especially in the Black Sea region, with the importance of the region to the entire Euro-Atlantic security and stability being emphasised.

Also highlighted was the importance of the European Union's support for the countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood affected by the security situation in the region, mentioning to the point the vulnerability of Moldova.

Tilvar and Lecornu also discussed collaboration between the two countries under European capability development initiatives.
With a resurgence in international traffic and domestic air travel back to pre-pandemic levels, Boeing has projected global demand for 42,595 new commercial jets by 2042, valued at $8 trillion.

Boeing released its 2023 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the company's forecast of 20-year demand for commercial airplanes and services, in advance of the Paris Air Show.

The new CMO comes three years after the pandemic grounded most of the global fleet. Key findings include:

 Passenger traffic continuing to outpace global economic growth of 2.6%.

 The global fleet nearly doubling to 48,600 jets, expanding 3.5% per year.

 Airlines replacing about half of the global fleet with new, more fuel-efficient models.

"The aviation industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability after unprecedented disruption, with airlines responding to challenges, simplifying their fleets, improving efficiency and capitalizing on resurgent demand," said Brad McMullen, Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing.

"Looking to the future of air travel, our 2023 CMO reflects further evolution of passenger traffic tied to global growth of the middle class, investments in sustainability, continued growth for low-cost carriers, and air cargo demand to serve evolving supply chains and express cargo delivery."

Boeing's projections for regional demand and key trends through 2042 include:

*Asia-Pacific markets to represent more than 40% of global demand with half of that total in China.

 South Asia's fleet will expand more than 7% annually, the world's fastest rate, with India accounting for more than 90% of the region's passenger traffic.

 North America and Europe each will account for about 20% of global demand.

 Low-cost carriers will operate more than 40% of the single-aisle fleet in 2042, up from 10% 20 years ago.

 After omitting demand for Russia and Central Asia in last year's CMO due to uncertainty in the region, this year's forecast covers Russia and Central Asia in the Eurasia region, which comprises about 3% of the global fleet by 2042.

 Commercial Services forecasts a total served market worth $3.8 trillion, including digital solutions that increase efficiency and reduce cost; robust demand for parts and supply chain solutions; growing maintenance and modification options; and effective training to enhance safety and support the pilot and technician pipeline.

Also in the 20-year forecast period, Boeing anticipates demand for these models:

 New single-aisle airplanes will account for more than 75% of all new deliveries, up slightly from the 2022 outlook, and totaling more than 32,000 airplanes.

 New widebody jets will be nearly 20% of deliveries, with more than 7,400 airplanes enabling airlines to open new markets and serve existing routes more efficiently.

 Air cargo will continue to outpace global trade growth, with carriers requiring 2,800 dedicated freighters. This includes more than 900 new widebodies as well as converted narrow-body and widebody models
KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2023 - 15:19 | All, Japan

A Ground Self-Defense Force recruit who has been initially charged with shooting one of three instructors during a training exercise at a firing range in central Japan has told investigators his plan was to get hold of GSDF ammunition, investigative sources said Wednesday.

The 18-year-old made the remarks shortly after the attack, which occurred during a live-fire training session at an indoor range in Gifu Prefecture on June 14, resulting in the deaths of Yasuchika Kikumatsu, 52, and Kosuke Yashiro, 25. Another instructor, Yusuke Hara, 25, was also seriously injured.

The recruit has not responded to questioning since he was referred to prosecutors on charges of murdering Yashiro on Thursday, the sources said.

Kikumatsu and Hara were in charge of handing out ammunition to the GSDF recruits during the exercise, the sources said. The recruit appears to have targeted Kikumatsu, but also shot Yashiro in the process after he tried to stop him from firing, according to the sources.

The recruit told police that he knew Yashiro before the incident and did not intend to kill him, the sources said.

Authorities are considering subjecting the recruit, who has claimed no personal animosity toward the victims nor dissatisfaction with the GSDF, to a mental evaluation, according to the sources.

Related coverage:

SDF recruit likely to undergo mental evaluation after fatal shooting

SDF recruit sent to prosecutors over shooting that left 2 dead

Recruit fatally shoots 2 SDF instructors, hurts 1 at Japan gun range
The minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, visited the Le Bourget Air Show, one of the most representative events in the field worldwide, on which occasion he emphasized the importance of capitalizing on Romanian relevant industry "to the maximum extent possible".

"I am glad that the official visit to France gave me the opportunity to visit the aeronautical show at Le Bourget, together with specialists in the field, to be able to have an overview of what the Defense industry means in the world today. I saw state-of-the-art technology. That's why, in the design of all the endowment programs, we seek to capitalize as much as possible on the Defense industry in Romania, through the transfer of technology and expertise, including on the maintenance and exploitation component," said the minister, according to the Defense Ministry (MApN).

Tilvar met in Paria with representatives of the Romanian industry such as AEROSTAR, AERO CARE, AEROSPACE SERVICES, GM&T INTERNATIONAL 2000, AEROFINA, STRAERO.

He also had a series of meetings with representatives of the defense industry from Europe, the United States of America, the Middle East, but also from the Asia-Pacific region.

The minister emphasized "Romania's commitment to increasing its strategic credibility, based on compliance with the parameters established at NATO level for defense financing, the development of national defense capacity and the level of reaction".

According to Tilvar, in the current security context, the defense industry in Romania can play an important role regarding the increased requirements of military capabilities.

"The modernization of this sector is more necessary than ever, so meetings of this type can help to identify concrete ways through which top companies in the global defense industry can collaborate with economic operators of the same profile in Romania", explained the minister in the discussions with industry representatives from our country.

The Romanian official also visited French production and maintenance facilities in the field of Naval Forces, MApN adds.AGERPRES
Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, the interim Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfred Simonis, and the leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) deputies, Ciprian Serban, lodged on Wednesday in the Senate a bill that provides for the Romanian state to grant 2 million euros annually to the Metropolitan of Bessarabia of the Republic of Moldova.

"Annually, an amount in RON, the equivalent to 2 million euros will be allocated from the state budget, through the budget of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs to the Metropolitan of Bessarabia, Republic of Moldova, part of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The amount allocated according to Article 1 shall be provided for separately in the budget of the General Secretariat of the Government, respectively the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs and shall be granted as financial support to the Metropolitan of Bessarabia, Republic of Moldova," stipulates the draft, whose initiators have asked for its debate in Parliament under the urgent procedure.

The normative act stipulates that the destination of these funds will be established by the Patriarchal Administration and the Metropolitan of Bessarabia through the Archdiocese of Chisinau.

The amounts allocated from the state budget are intended to cover the expenses necessary for the restoration and conservation of movable heritage, to supplement the funds needed for the maintenance and operation of diocesan centres and worship units with low or no income, for the development and maintenance of cultural-religious museums, and for the construction and repair of places of worship, the purchase of buildings necessary for the activities of the religious units, as well as for the social and medical assistance activities supported by the religious units, the support of social and medical assistance activities organized by the Metropolitan of Bessarabia in hospitals, foster homes, homes for the elderly, the support of cultural-religious events.

The provisions of this law will enter into force on 1 January 2024.AGERPRES
Greenpeace Romania: Offshore gas exploitation threatens the Black Sea and its shores.

Greenpeace Romania activists claim that an offshore gas exploitation unveiled on Wednesday by OMV Petrom and Romgaz is "a new threat to the Black Sea and its shores."

"Life in the Black Sea is in danger! OMV Petrom and Romgaz have just announced that they are starting deep exploitation of fossil gas in the territorial waters of Romania. The decision is a catastrophic one for biodiversity, the environment and the Romanian Black Sea coast, as shown by dozens of similar exploitations. The pressure that the Neptun Deep project will have on marine habitats adds to the ecological problems the Black Sea already faces. Black Sea scientific collaboration projects and programmes such as EMBLAS, Connect Black Sea and MISIS Black Sea Marine Atlas have demonstrated that toxic and micro-plastic pollution, overfishing and invasive species are major challenges to life in the Black Sea. In addition, the Russian invasion of Ukraine poses serious threats to marine habitat due to war destruction, exploding sea mines, increased exposure to noise pollution, oil spills and other devastation caused by the conflict. Reports of the decimation of dolphins in the Black Sea and their migration south show a much greater impact on the marine environment than initially thought. Moreover, the recent destruction of the Kakhovka dam exposes the Black Sea to a new ecological disaster," reads a press statement released by the organisation on Wednesday, told Agerpres.

The proposed site for the construction of the onshore facilities of the Neptun Deep project is located south of the small town of Tuzla, Constanta County, in the immediate vicinity of the Costinesti tourist resort, where the nearest houses are located approximately 100 metres from the border of the area proposed for pipeline installation.

Greenpeace adds that, on the other hand, the development area of the Neptun Deep block is located in the western Black Sea, in the exclusive economic zone of Romania, 160 kilometres from the facilities on land.

"The sea infrastructure crosses several different and unique geomorphological units, including the Black Sea coast, platform and continental slope. The project intersects two Natura 2000 protected areas located on the Black Sea coast: the Natura Site 2000 Black Sea (ROSPA 0076), which will be under-crossed by the pipeline route on almost 2.5 km, and the Natura 2000 Marine Area Site at Capul Tuzla (ROSCI 0273), also under-crossed by the pipeline route on about 600 m. The execution plans of the tunnel and the pipeline near the shore will include the use of ships anchored within the Natura 2000 protected natural areas, with a negative impact due to damage to the habitat areas characteristic of the hard substrate (reefs)."
There are no victims as a result of the fire that occurred on Wednesday at Petromidia refinery, all the employees of the installation, as well as from the other sections of the refinery, have been evacuated, the representatives of Rompetrol Rafinare stated in a press release.

"During this day, a fire occurred in the Mild Hydrocracking (MHC) facility, at the end of specific maintenance work. Immediately, the facility's employees reported the incident to the internal emergency service and to the refinery's dispatcher, who, in turn informed the authorities, according to the procedures in force. There are no victims, all the employees of the facility, as well as from the other sections of the refinery, were evacuated," the company's press release states.

Until the arrival of the Emergency Situations Inspectorate special vehicles, the first interventions were carried out by the firefighters of the Petromidia refinery, who managed to limit the impact.

"In collaboration with the authorities, we are making every effort to put out the fire and remedy the situation," emphasize the representatives of the company that operates the Petromidia refinery.

Previously, Mihai Dragan, director of Communication in the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Forests stated to private TV broadcaster Digi24 that the wind direction in the Petromidia refinery area will be East-South-East, which means that the smoke from the fire there points towards the sea and so far there are no excesses of particles in the air quality. The representative of the Ministry of Environment added that specialists from the National Environmental Guard will go to the refinery to analyze the situation.

This is the second fire at Petromidia in the last two years. On July 2, 2021, an explosion followed by a fire occurred at a refinery facility, and as a result of this accident three people lost their lives.

Petromidia Navodari is the largest refinery in Romania and one of the most modern in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea area.

Rompetrol Rafinare, a member of KMG International, operates the Petromidia refinery of Navodari, which includes the Petrochemical Division, and Vega refinery of Ploiesti.AGERPRES
Over 40pct of COVID cases in past week, in Bucharest and Timis, Suceava, Dolj, Iasi counties.

The National Public Health Institute (INSP) informed that, in the week 12 - 18 June, 42.1% of COVID-19 cases were registered in Bucharest and in the counties of Timis, Suceava, Dolj and Iasi, told Agerpres.

During the reporting period, 730 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were registered and 7 deaths were reported in patients with COVID-19.

According to the weekly surveillance report, 46.5% of confirmed cases were in people who had not been vaccinated against COVID.

Of those vaccinated who became ill, 46.3% were either immediately after vaccination or more than six months after the last dose.

According to the INSP, 50% of deaths occurred in unvaccinated people.

From the beginning of the pandemic to date, 86.6% of all deaths have been in people over 60 years old and 54.7% in men.

Of those who have died, 93.8% had at least one associated co-morbidity.
PM Ciolacu and Senate President Ciuca, on a working visit to Chisinau.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Senate President Nicolae Ciuca will be on Wednesday in Chisinau, on a working visit, told Agerpres.

According to the schedules announced by the Government and the Senate, at 15:00hrs, the two officials will be welcomed by President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu.

Later, at different hours, Marcel Ciolacu and Nicolae Ciuca will meet in turn with Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean and President of Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu.

"Romania's Government will remain the guarantor of security and stability of the Republic of Moldova and will further endorse with all force its path toward the accession to the European Union," prime minister Ciolacu stated, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES.

In the context of the visit, the Romanian prime minister and the President of the Senate in Bucharest will attend a working lunch provided by the prime minister of the Republic of Moldova.

This is the first foreign visit of prime minister Ciolacu after his investiture.
PM Ciolacu: Current leadership in Chisinau, only guarantee that Moldova will continue its pro-European path.

Romanian prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said that the government he is leading and the Social Democratic Party (PSD) unconditionally support the current political leadership in Chisinau as the only guarantee that Moldova will continue its pro-European path, and assured that Romania will continue to support this approach, told Agerpres.

"You know very well, the political support, because, apart from being the Prime Minister of Romania, I am also the leader of the largest party in Romania, which supports, unconditionally, the current leadership of President Maia Sandu, yours, personally. You are the only guarantee that the Republic of Moldova will continue its pro-European path. There is currently no political force in the Republic of Moldova that can guarantee this path and I congratulate you and I say it without any hesitation: your future is in the European Union and we will support this approach together, taking into account all the challenges we have to overcome. I often say: the simple things are within everyone's reach; the complicated things make the difference between statesmen. And I am firmly convinced that together the two of us will make that difference," said Marcel Ciolacu, on Wednesday, in Chisinau, during joint statements with the Moldovan prime minister Dorin Recean.

He added that the current challenges must be tackled jointly.

He stressed that particular emphasis should be placed on the further development of bilateral economic relations.

The Romanian prime minister added that the governments in Bucharest and Chisinau must face together the challenges generated by the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine, announcing that funds for the development of infrastructure projects in the Republic of Moldova will be unblocked at a future government meeting.

"Moreover, we have the obligation, although the totally unfair and unjust war started by a dictator, Vladimir Putin, against a sovereign state will continue, to face these challenges together. And to find the best solutions together so that the citizens we represent see an increase in living standards, an increase in infrastructure, an increase in daily living. I am immensely glad that we have managed to complete and you have managed to come up with projects especially for the local authorities. I guarantee you, not tomorrow in the first government meeting, but in the next government meeting, money will be unbocked for projects concerning drinking water, sewage, specific projects to support the village of the Republic of Moldova to be a European village. Romania has gone through this stage and still has investments to make through the operational programmes, through the POIM," said Ciolacu.

Along the same lines, he stressed the need to develop a common mechanism that will lead to an increase in the dynamics of the implementation of these projects.
President Klaus Iohannis had a meeting on Wednesday with the ambassadors of the European Union member states accredited in Bucharest, in which context the topic of Schengen was also addressed, expressing hope that a positive decision will be adopted during this year for Romania's accession to the free movement area.

"President Klaus Iohannis also addressed the topic of Romania's accession to the Schengen area, which continues to be a priority objective for our country, reaffirming that Romania is a principled and reliable partner of the European Union, which acts constantly and with dedication to protect and strengthen the external borders of the EU, including for the efficient management of illegal migration. Thanking the European partners for the broad support for our country's accession to Schengen, the President of Romania expressed hope that a positive decision in this regard could be adopted during this year, with the support of the future Spanish Presidency of the Council", informs the Presidential Administration.

During the meeting, current topics on the European agenda were discussed, including in view of the European Council on June 29-30.

The head of state thanked the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council for the efforts undertaken in advancing the European agenda in a difficult context, marked by the continuation of the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its complex consequences at the regional and global level.

He emphasized that Romania would continue to act for a strong and resilient European Union and for the protection of common European values and interests. Iohannis also highlighted the need to maintain the EU's ability to offer pragmatic and united responses to current challenges, showing that European unity represents an extremely strong signal both for partners and for those interested in dividing the Union, the Presidential Administration stated.

In this context, the president referred to the recent Summit of the European Political Community successfully organized by the Republic of Moldova on June 1, evoking the unitary message of support for Chisinau, as well as for Ukraine, sent on this occasion, but also the reconfirmation of the strategic relevance of the Eastern Neighborhood and of the Black Sea region.

In the perspective of the discussions that will take place during the European Council meeting regarding Ukraine, the head of state highlighted the need to maintain strong support from the EU for this country, as long as it will be necessary. President Iohannis recalled that our country strongly condemned the attack by Russian forces on the Nova Kakhovka dam. The head of state also emphasized the importance of the 11th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, welcoming the agreement on it reached on Wednesday in Brussels, at the level of the ambassadors of the member states.

Klaus Iohannis also referred to the importance of continuing the process of expanding the European Union, pleading, in this sense, for the opening of accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine this year.

"Considering the multiple crises of recent years and their effects, the President of Romania voiced the revitalization of discussions at the European level on the topic of civil protection, indicating that he will raise this topic at the European Council at the end of this month, as a unified European response is necessary and coordinated in the case of large-scale disasters, based on a long-term commitment, a better use of financial resources and an extended approach at the level of the entire society", says the Presidential Administration.

With regard to the complex challenges at the economic level, President Iohannis spoke for strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of the EU economy, taking into account the national specificities and the different degrees of development of the member states, in the process of transforming the European economy towards a future green.

The head of state conveyed to the future Spanish Presidency of the EU Council, which will start on July 1, success in fulfilling the established objectives, reaffirming Romania's openness to cooperate closely for a strong Union, prepared to face current and future challenges.

During the discussions, topics of immediate relevance were also addressed, such as the progress of Ukraine's accession to NATO, which Romania fully and actively supports, and the consolidation of the Eastern Flank, in the context of the preparations for the Allied Summit in Vilnius, the reconstruction of Ukraine , the future of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Romania's support for the transit of Ukrainian products, the situation of the European economy, the future of the European defense industry, as well as the EU-China relations being highly appreciated. The meeting with the ambassadors of the EU member states was organized on the occasion of the conclusion, at end-June, of the mandate of the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council. AGERPRES
Republic of Moldova must benefit from opening of negotiations in accession process (Senate chair Ciuca).

The president of the Romanian Senate, Nicolae Ciuca, said on Wednesday in Chisinau that he hopes that the Republic of Moldova will receive a decision to start the accession negotiations to the European Union, describing the approach of the neighbouring country as "a beautiful dream, which will become reality as soon as possible".

Nicolae Ciuca is in Chisinau, together with prime minister Marcel Ciolacu. Nicolae Ciuca held a joint press statement with the president of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu, told Agerpres.

"It is absolutely necessary for the Republic of Moldova to benefit from this decision, because, practically, it represents nothing other than the entry into a coherence of the accession process," Ciuca pointed out.

He also mentioned Romania's support in this endeavour of the neighboring country.

"I very much hope that through the measures, through the support that was granted, everything that the Republic of Moldova documented at the Commission will lead to a positive decision for the opening of negotiations in the accession process," Ciuca said.

He stressed the scenario in which from December there will be a political decision at the level of the European Council for the opening of the EU accession negotiation process of the Republic of Moldova.

The official spoke, from Romania's perspective, about the benefits of being an EU country.

"Starting from 2007, throughout this period of time, Romania has benefited from financial support consisting of approximately 54 billion euros," said he.

Moreover, Ciuca showed that last year the degree of absorption of European funds was 11.3 billion euros.

"Because we know what are the problems created by the grain transit from Ukraine, in order to ensure export (...) it was possible to ensure stability and take measures through measures, at the level of the European Commission and at the governmental level, so that the farmers in the border countries do not suffer from these effects," he added, mentioning the regional security situation.

In the field of agriculture, added Ciuca, "annually, in Romania, the support from European funds for Romanian farmers amounts to approximately 2.2 billion euros".

For his part, Igor Grosu spoke of "the unconditional support of Romania" in his country's European path.

"The moment will come very soon when the two Romanian states will find themselves in the European Union, let me be sure of this," Grosu pointed out.
The Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM) said on Wednesday that the Romanian judiciary agrees that the maximum pension in the system should not exceed the salary of an active magistrate.

"Following the publication of several news reports that erroneously present the position of the judiciary on the necessity to reform the pension system, the following clarifications are required: the judiciary agrees that the proposed legislative solution should provide for a maximum pension which should not exceed the salary of an active magistrate," the CSM release said.

Also, the Council shows that the judiciary considers that a seniority in magistracy of at least 25 years, of which 20 years as a judge or prosecutor, should be set for collecting service pension.

The CSM considers that the legislative solution should provide for an early retirement mechanism, with penalties for the pension amount as laid down in the current legislation on the public pension system.

"It is fair that such a possibility is also provided for magistrates, especially as, according to the bill, the retirement age limit will be considerably increased," the Supreme Council of Magistrates affirms. AGERPRES
KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2023 - 17:45 | All, Japan

SoftBank Group Corp. CEO Masayoshi Son said Wednesday the company will "mount a counteroffensive" after posting a massive net loss for the second straight year in fiscal 2022, vowing to pursue growth that utilizes the rising popularity of artificial intelligence.

Son said the Japanese investment and technology giant is now ready to tap into 5 trillion yen ($35 billion) of cash reserves after cutting back on new investment in recent years to cope with worsening market conditions.

"An artificial intelligence revolution is about to explode," Son said at the company's annual shareholders' meeting in Tokyo, citing the recent popularity of ChatGPT, a generative AI chatbot developed by U.S.-based OpenAI.

Son said Arm Ltd., SoftBank's British subsidiary that designs chips for various products from smartphones to cars worldwide, will play a key role in "the AI revolution" that is about to occur. In the revolution, everything will be connected to AI, which will solve social problems and other issues in place of human beings, he said.

"Arm is a core company that accelerates the evolution of AI," Son said. "Arm is now standing at the starting line for explosive growth."

Son said he is currently focusing on coming up with various business ideas for utilizing AI, although he did not reveal specific details regarding how to achieve the planned growth.

Asked by a shareholder if he has any plan for his successor, Son said he does not want to retire soon because he is "so excited" at the prospect of AI. The succession will be "a little bit further down the road," he said.

Son had been keeping a low profile in recent months, after declaring at a press conference in November last year that he would focus on Arm, which he plans to list in the United States.

In his stead, Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto has hosted recent earnings press conferences, allowing Son more time to increase the corporate value of the British company.

The Japanese conglomerate, known for its Vision Fund investment unit, said in May it will consider investing more aggressively after posting a smaller net loss in fiscal 2022 compared with a year earlier.

In the year ended March, the company cut its net loss to 970.14 billion yen, compared with 1.71 trillion yen in the previous year.

Related coverage:

SoftBank eyes generative AI investments despite mounting losses
Thirty-five tonnes of oil spill into Danube in Serbia.

The Romanian Waters National Administration (ANAR) has reported that 35 tonnes of oil has leaked into the Danube from a ship under the Bulgarian flag, told Agerpres.

"Thirty-five tonnes of oil products leaked from a ship under the Bulgarian flag on the main course of the Danube, near Celarevo (Serbia), altitude 1,287 meters. The information was received by the Ministry of the Environment, Waters and Forestry and the Romanian Waters National Administration - Emergency Management Department, via the Secretary for Border Waters under the Romania-Serbia Bilateral Agreement, in the afternoon of June 20 this year," reads an ANAR press statement.

According to ANAR, the times estimated by specialists for the propagation of pollution are about 24 - 30 hours until entering the country.

"Taking into account the said amount of pollutant, the length of the pollution wave will be about 70-100 km in the non-intervention conditions, downstream from where the event originated. At this moment, Serbia is acting through the Vode Vojvodine teams (provincial water inspection, accredited laboratory, etc.) together with the Serbian army in order to protect Belgrade fromany effects of the accidental pollution. Thus, a suitable location was identified where a floating protection dam was installed, at this time, with the oil spill being contained. At the request of the ANAR Director General Sorin Lucaci, teams of the Banat Water Basin Administration (ABA) started the (visual) monitoring of the Danube waters, in the Bazias section, just last night," according to ANAR.

The response team from the Romanian Waters (ABA) Banat- Caras-Severin Water Management System (SGA) is prepared to act with spill sorb type of material that will be spread from motor boats, since the width of the Danube in the area where it is estimated that the wave of pollution will enter does not allow deploying an absorbent floating dam.

The depollution response, as well as the collection of water samples, will be carried out by the ANAR teams only in the event that the pollution wave reaches Romania, namely if oil iridescence is observed.
RICHMOND HEIGHTS  Workers at the Apple store in the St. Louis Galleria Mall have filed to unionize, a move that, if successful, would make them among the first in the nation to organize at one of the tech giants retail shops.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers filed the petition on Wednesday to represent the workers. Their main concerns were wages, short-staffing and pressure to achieve sales metrics.

As an employee of Apple for over five years, I have unfortunately had to watch as the culture of this company has shifted from truly embodying a people-first mentality, Galleria worker Daniel Bertilson said in a union release. I look forward to voting yes on my ballot.

The St. Louis workers are joining a wave of unionization efforts that, amid a historically tight labor market, has gained traction nationwide even against corporate behemoths like Starbucks and Amazon. Workers at a single Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, voted not a year ago to unionize. And now employees at 258 Starbucks locations are represented by the Starbucks Workers United. Five of the St. Louis locations have voted to unionize since June.

Attempts to bring a union to Amazon warehouses have been well publicized but less successful. Citing an injury rate higher than its competitors, an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York, voted in April to be represented by the fledgling Amazon Labor Union. But that location is the only one so far to vote in favor of a union. Two others have voted against joining since then. One warehouse in Albany, New York, voted by a 2-1 margin against it.

Some workers are trying to collectively bargain without a union. Employees at the Amazon warehouse in St. Peters have not filed for a union election, but in September they petitioned management for higher wages and better working conditions.

But Apple retail shops are a newer frontier: Apple store workers in Towson, Maryland, became the first to unionize in June, also under the Machinists and Aerospace Workers, whose membership today extends into other industries.

In October, workers at an Apple store in Oklahoma City voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. The CWA had also filed for a union election for an Apple store in Atlanta, but withdrew the petition in May, according to Reuters.

The St. Louis Galleria Apple store employs about 80 people. The National Labor Relations Board requires 30% of the potential bargaining unit to sign a petition in order to file for an election, though some unions require a higher threshold.

Bertilson, the store employee, said the companys metrics can make workers feel like they have to be pushy with customers.

It can feel that we are invited, at times, to put pressure on customers to obtain products or services that they may not want, Bertilson said.

Bertilson, 27, of St. Louis, has worked at the Galleria Apple store for four years as a product zone specialist, and worked at a store in the Nashville area for one year before that.

We are just looking forward to the opportunity to partner with Apple, Bertilson said, to create an environment where we feel like we, as employees, can flourish while creating lasting and positive experiences for our customers.

In May, Apple raised starting pay for hourly workers to $22 an hour, according to news reports.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers also filed an unfair labor practice charge against the company on Wednesday, alleging that Apple held a so-called captive audience meeting on Monday in which management said it would be futile to organize, and implied that benefits would improve if workers chose not to.

Billy Anderson, grand lodge representative in the IAMs organizing department, said the union, the labor board and the company will work together to set a date for workers to vote.

An Apple spokesperson said the company offers strong compensation and exceptional benefits, and has an open, direct and collaborative relationship with employees.
ST. LOUIS  Electric utility Ameren Corp. on Tuesday said it will close its Rush Island power plant in Jefferson County by 2024  15 years early  rather than install expensive pollution controls.

Amerens announcement comes a decade after the U.S. filed suit against the regions power supplier and more than four years after a federal judge found the utility had violated the Clean Air Act by boosting Rush Islands power output through major modifications while failing to obtain the necessary permits and install pollution controls.

But the company was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Legal alternatives had dwindled. Experts were urging Ameren to close the plant. And installing the equipment, called scrubbers, to clean up Rush Islands pollution, were estimated to cost up to $1 billion.

The decision to accelerate the retirement of the Rush Island Energy Center comes after carefully considering our legal, operational, and regulatory alternatives, as well as the impact on customer costs and system reliability, Ameren Missouri Chairman and President Marty Lyons said on Tuesday in a statement.

The utility, heavily reliant on coal, promised last year that it would invest $8 billion in renewable energy over the next two decades, accelerate plans to reduce carbon emissions and retire coal-fired power plants early  reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Its decision to retire Rush Island could now push the power company further down that path. The coal plant, the newest among Amerens four, wasnt scheduled to shut down until 2039.

The U.S. Justice Department filed suit against Ameren on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency over a decade ago. The government accused Ameren of installing new equipment in 2007 and 2010 that allowed the 1970s-era plant to burn more coal and thus emit more sulfur dioxide  a pollutant that contributes to the formation of fine particles blamed for tens of thousands of premature deaths annually in the U.S.

Two years ago, federal Judge Rodney Sippel ordered Ameren to install technology to reduce pollution. Four months ago, a three-judge panel on a federal appeals court largely upheld the judges ruling. And on Nov. 30, Ameren lost its bid for a review by the entire 8th U.S. Court of Appeals.

Cheaper power

In opting to close Rush Island, Ameren in court filings cited the likelihood of future regulation of carbon emissions through a carbon price along with an increased emphasis on environmental, social, and governance considerations by a wide range of stakeholders.

Retirement of Rush Island also will be in the best interest of the general public, as it will reduce emissions of all pollutants, including carbon emissions, and reduce (sulfur dioxide) emissions to a much greater extent and sooner than would (pollution control) installation and continued operations, resulting in greater environmental benefit than additional decades of operating Rush Island, Ameren wrote in a court filing Tuesday.

The utility also cited a new Missouri law  known as securitization  meant to cushion the state-regulated utility from losses associated with closing the plant by allowing it to reinvest any stranded costs into other forms of electricity generation  like wind or solar, which would be cheaper for customers and create savings for the company.

The company said in regulatory and court filings it now aims to close Rush Island before the March 2024 compliance date set by the court.

An exact date for the closure wasnt disclosed. In federal court in St. Louis last week, lawyers for Ameren unsuccessfully tried to block the release of filings in which specifics were discussed. Those filings wont be fully unsealed until next week.

Immense harm

The issue is now, at least in part, in the hands of the nonprofit that operates the power grid in 15 U.S. states and Canada. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, known as MISO, is assessing the impact of the loss of Rush Island on electric reliability for the region. The assessment should be released in January, Ameren said. Based on the results of that study, the plant could shutter earlier than 2024.

The Sierra Club, which intervened in the original suit, urged Ameren to close the plant speedily.

Given the immense public health harms that Ameren Missouri chose to inflict on the region by operating Rush Island out of compliance with the Clean Air Act, CEO Marty Lyons and utility executives should work with the grid operator to retire the coal plant as soon as possible, Andy Knott of the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal Campaign said in a statement.

Ameren had already planned to shutter next year its oldest coal plant, Meramec, in far south St. Louis County. The utility said the closure of both plants could cause some reliability issues with its system that might require the installation of new equipment, estimated to cost about $90 million, to protect against storms and lightning strikes that disrupt local power distribution.

Ameren also said the grid operator could determine that Rush Island is needed for a while longer to keep generation levels up during peak loads in hot summer months when air conditioners spike electricity usage. Or MISO could ask for the plant to continue running until new power sources better insulate the grid from severe winter events, such as the winter storms that thrust Texas into blackouts last winter.

The court still must approve Amerens plan to shutter the plant and the date at which it happens, given that the plant would continue to be in violation of the Clean Air Act.
CREVE COEUR  Agribusiness giant Bayer is marketing a portion of its longtime mid-St. Louis County campus for sale as the company weighs how much office space it needs in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bayer occupies several buildings on the west and east sides of Lindbergh Boulevard in Creve Coeur, just south of Olive Boulevard. The company, known as Monsanto before Bayers 2018 acquisition, said it does not believe it will need as much office space with employees choosing to work some days from home.

The pandemic has affected how corporate America works as employees have transitioned to work from home. Bayer is the latest major St. Louis-area company to market its campus for sale. Last year, shoe company Caleres put its Clayton headquarters on the market. Caleres has not yet found a buyer, according to the companys latest quarterly report.

Bayer is seeking offers for its buildings west of Lindbergh. Its property on the east side  as well as its research facility in Chesterfield  are not included, spokeswoman Susan Luke said in a statement.

We envision a future that will allow us to collaborate in different ways and will ultimately require less physical office space than before, Luke said in the statement.

The St. Louis area will remain the companys global headquarters for Bayers crop science division.
ST. LOUIS  Leaders of the agency that runs MetroLink and the area bus system decided Friday to also operate the Loop Trolley, which has been dormant since shutting down at the end of 2019.

The Bi-State Development Agency boards decision to run the trolley on a contract basis came at the request of its CEO, Taulby Roach, and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who since December has chaired the trolleys sales tax district.

A date to restart service has yet to be determined, an agency spokeswoman said. But it could be as soon as June 1, the date requested by a regional official with the Federal Transit Administration.

The decision Friday, on a voice vote, was a reversal from the Bi-State boards decision in January 2020 to turn down a plea to take over operations of the trolley.

Im not going to say that it is a super-sound project, Roach said Friday of the trolley, which had ridership far below expectations in its lone year of operation. Look, its track record speaks for itself.

But he said defaulting on the tens of millions of dollars in federal grants used to help build the $51 million line could hurt efforts by the metro area and Bi-State itself to get other federal money in the future.

Most of the grants went to the trolley district. Mokhtee Ahmad, a regional Federal Transit Administration official, in December warned that his agency might demand repayment of some of the $37 million in federal money used on the project if its trolley cars and tracks remain unused.

The only negative vote at Fridays teleconference meeting was from Derrick Cox, Madison Countys lone representative on the 10-member Bi-State board.

Cox said he was concerned that Bi-States own employees would be tapped to work on the trolley at a time when bus service has been reduced because of a shortage of drivers and mechanics.

These are the passengers that dont have a car. ... They depend on the system, Cox said of bus users. These are the folks that were there to serve the most.

Roach said Cox made a legitimate point but that its outweighed by the importance of our capacity to get federal funding as we move forward.

The problem is, that will devastate service for those same customers, Roach said, referring to the long-term impact of a trolley default on the regions ability to get federal money for new buses and other items.

Roach indicated at the meeting that he expected Bi-State would train members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 788, which represents the agencys bus drivers and MetroLink operators, to run the trolley cars.

Later Friday, the agencys spokeswoman, Patti Beck, clarified in an email that Roach was referring to retired Local 788 members and that some already had expressed interest.

Current plans call for the trolley to run only Thursdays through Sundays.

Roach, who was given authority Friday to negotiate details, told the board that none of Bi-States money would be used to run the 2.2-mile trolley line. Bi-State also would have no liability, he said.

The line would be run using accrued and ongoing revenue from the trolley districts sales tax collected along and near the trolley route.

A $1.26 million federal grant sought from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, another regional body, also is essential to the lines long-term financial viability, Roach said.

A decision on that isnt expected until August; Gateways board turned down a similar request in October.

Cox tried unsuccessfully to get the board to delay a decision until Ahmad, the federal official, could be asked to appear before the panel to answer questions. Coxs motion to hold off a vote until then died for lack of a second.

Other Bi-State board members such as Nate Johnson of St. Louis supported Roachs reasoning.

He said the plan has very limited risk for Bi-State and a default certainly could shine a bad light on us regarding future federal aid.

We can do more than one thing at once, he added.

Roach said the current plan differs from the version rejected by Bi-States board in 2020. That proposal called for covering trolley shortfalls by using $1.9 million in unused federal grants to Bi-State itself.

Financial problems forced the trolley to shut down after only about a year in operation. The line, which had been operated by the nonprofit Loop Trolley Co., also was plagued by mechanical difficulties and delays in getting trolley cars renovated. There also were construction delays over the years.

Trolley backers contend that with the new federal grant, the trolley eventually could stand on its own as sales tax revenue recovered to pre-pandemic levels or exceeded them.

Current plans call for the trolley to offer rides for free when service resumes as a way of building ridership. Fares were charged during most of the trolleys previous run.

Critics from the start questioned the lines viability, arguing that there was no real demand for customers to ride the trolley along its route from the west end of the Delmar Loop in University City to the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Supporters said it would boost development along the route.

Roach, in a statement Friday, said the next steps for Bi-State include negotiating with federal officials on a timetable for resuming service and assessing the trolley operations three cars and its other assets.

They have to be assessed within the standards of Metro Transit and that means our equipment works and does not break down, he said. We will need to do a really rigorous assessment and our team will need time to do that.

Among board members voting in favor of Bi-State's operating the trolley were board chairwoman Rose Windmiller, who also is associate vice chancellor of Washington University.

The university has donated $250,000 to the effort to build the trolley line, according to a list released by a Loop Trolley Co. official in 2019.

Tom Sullivan of University City, a longtime trolley critic, said Friday he regarded Windmiller's vote as a conflict of interest.

Bi-State's general counsel, Barbara Enneking, said in a statement that there was no conflict because Bi-State's agreement to provide compensated services to the Loop Trolley tax district "cannot be contemplated to result in a financial gain" for Windmiller.

Enneking said the board's conflict of interest policy bars its members from participating in decisions that may result in a commissioner receiving a direct or indirect financial gain.

Updated at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19.
ST. LOUIS  A biotechnology company, flush with new funding, is expanding its office and laboratory space at the Cortex innovation district.

St. Louis-based Wugen Inc., which develops off-the-shelf cell therapies for cancer, will occupy the entire first floor of 4260 Forest Park Avenue. Wugen is taking over some of the space Block Inc., formerly known as Square, left when the financial services firm moved from Cortex to the former Post-Dispatch building in downtown St. Louis.

Wugen is currently based at BioGenerator Labs, which offers lab space to growing companies, inside the BioSTL Building at 4340 Duncan Avenue, also in the Cortex district.

The expansion will allow the company to double its workforce to 100 employees, according to a new release.

We are proud to be part of St. Louis vibrant biotech community and are pleased to continue to grow locally, Dan Kemp, Wugens CEO and president, said in a statement.

The companys expansion comes as Cortex released a new five-year plan that aims, in part, to grow new jobs.

Wugens move follows the $172 million in Series B financing Wugen raised from United Kingdom-based investment firm Abingworth, Hong Kong-based Tybourne Capital Management and other investors. Wugen said the Series B raise was oversubscribed, meaning the company raised more money than it expected.

Wugen was founded in 2018.

Cortex, facing unprecedented challenges, plots new course. This is an evolution, says chief. Cortex officials say they have a new five-year strategic plan that will provide a roadmap to recruit more companies and build a pipeline of diverse talent.
CLAYTON  Centene Corp. said on Tuesday that revenues and profits steadily grew last quarter. But at the same time, the new CEO of the Clayton-based insurance giant promised a more integrated, streamlined company  with a smaller real estate footprint.

The company has said for months it intends to increase hybrid and remote work options. Its new CEO, Sarah London, reiterated that during a call with investors on Tuesday, saying she anticipates a significant downsizing of our current leased space.

London did not say whether the company is considering cutting back any of its St. Louis-area real estate. In an email following the call, a company spokesperson said during the first quarter Centene has made meaningful progress in evaluating its real estate portfolio.

Like many other large employers, we continue to evaluate our workplace and facility requirements, including our Clayton headquarters, as we activate new hybrid working styles, the spokesperson said.

London is a resident of St. Louis and works out of the Clayton headquarters, a company spokesperson said earlier this month.

Tuesday marks the companys first quarterly earnings since London became CEO.

Michael Neidorff served as Centenes CEO since 1996 and had intended to retire by the end of 2022. He took a medical leave of absence in late February, and on March 22, London was appointed as the new CEO. Neidorff passed away on April 7 at the age of 79.

London said on Tuesday that Centene has grown its office of the chief executive  a group formed last year as a step toward succession planning  to include Chief Financial Officer Drew Asher, Chief Transformation Officer Jim Murray and Magellan Health CEO Ken Fasola. Chief Operating Officer Brent Layton and London are also members.

The company is also beginning to consolidate its IT structure, London said. Much of Centenes growth has come through acquiring other companies, but that has left it with a variety of software, London said. Before becoming CEO, London led the companys technology and digital strategy.

As we look ahead, consistency of results and operational excellence will remain top priorities for this management team as we drive towards sustainable and profitable long-term growth, London said in a statement.

Revenues for the quarter ended on March 31 rose 24% to $37.2 billion, from $30 billion for the same period last year. Earnings totaled $849 million, up 21% from $699 million last year. Adjusted earnings per share rose to $1.83 from $1.63.

Managed care membership rose 8%, to 26.2 million.

Centenes health benefits ratio  which reflects medical claim costs over income from premiums  rose to 87.3%, from 86.8%.

Medicaid services  the largest segment of Centenes membership  have returned to pre-pandemic levels, Asher said. Pediatric checkups and preventive screenings have snapped back. Adult visits and non-urgent emergency department visits are still lagging.

Were largely back to pre-pandemic levels, Asher said.
NOTE: On Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) changed how it reports COVID-19 cases and deaths. The department began counting reinfections as new cases, and added epidemiologically linked cases to its counts.

On April 17, 2021, DHSS adjusted a database error that was causing individuals with both a positive PCR and antigen result to be counted as both a probable and confirmed case. This correction removed 11,454 cases that were counted twice in previous probable antigen cases, according the notation. That date's data has been removed from this display.

Beginning March 8, 2021, DHSS began posting county-level data showing "probable" COVID-19 cases detected by antigen testing. Using the historical data from the DHSS dashboard, we reconfigured this graph to include that number in the total.

Missouri updated its data dashboard on Sept. 28. 2020, to delete duplicate cases. This resulted in a decrease of total cases which caused the daily count to reflect a negative number. That date's data has been removed from this display.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2023 - 12:54 | All, Japan, World

Japan ranked 125th of 146 countries on the gender gap rankings in 2023, the country's worst recorded result and the lowest in the East Asia and Pacific region, the World Economic Forum said Wednesday.

Equality campaigners criticized the outcome as a result of the Japanese government's inaction while the government said it takes the situation seriously and vowed to address the issue.

"The government as a whole will aggressively push forward efforts" to address the gender gap, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at a regular news conference.

The annual report by the Swiss-based think tank showed Japan falling from 116th place last year, as women's participation in politics and the economy continues to lag severely. The country also remained in last place among the Group of Seven industrialized countries.

Falling below its previous low of 121st among 153 countries recorded in the December 2019 report, Japan nevertheless attained almost full parity in educational attainment and health, the report showed.

Japan's overall performance was slightly worse than last year with a general score of 0.647 against 0.650 in 2022. The benchmark used in the study varies between 0 and 1, with 1 being full parity between men and women.

The report, which tracks progress toward gender equality in the fields of the economy, politics, education and health, noted only 10 percent of Japan's parliamentarians and just 8.3 percent of ministerial positions were held by women. It also noted the country has never had a female prime minister.

The overall gender gap ranking was topped by Iceland, with Norway second and Finland third. New Zealand was the best-performing country in the East Asia and Pacific region at fourth, followed by the Philippines at 16th.

The organization estimates it will take 131 years to fully close the global gender gap, marking a slight improvement compared with the 2022 estimate of 132 years.

Among G-7 members, Japan ranked last behind Italy, which placed 79th. Germany placed sixth as the highest among the grouping of advanced economies.

Japan also fell behind its neighbors South Korea and China, which were placed 105th and 107th, respectively.

The nation is ranked 138th in political empowerment, below Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which ranked 131st and 137th, respectively.

Japan's ranking was also badly hurt by its economic participation and opportunity rating, with the nation coming in 123rd place.

The trend is evident in Cabinet Office data, which showed 18.7 percent of firms listed on the top-tier Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange had no female board members as of the end of July 2022, while the proportion of the companies with over 30 percent of executive roles filled by women stood at just 2.2 percent.

"Japan is paying for its failure to increase the number of female lawmakers," said Mari Hamada, head of Stand by Women, which supports and promotes the participation of female lawmakers.

"In a homogeneous, male-dominant parliament, it is difficult to raise social issues regarding women such as sexual violence and emergency contraception, as well as the voices of minorities," she added. "Political parties need to set a target for female candidates and follow through on it."

Momoko Nojo, who heads No Youth No Japan, an organization that encourages young people to engage with politics, called the latest ranking a "manifestation of the current situation."

Gender roles are still strongly ingrained in the psyche, which has been reflected in the government's unfocused efforts to counter the country's low birthrate, she said.

"There are people who want to leave Japan because nothing changes even when you raise your voice," Nojo added. "I want (the government) to realize that the lack of improvement now will affect younger generations."

The gender gap report has been released by the think tank basically every year since 2006. This year marks the 17th edition.

Related coverage:

Japan seeks over 30% of female executives in key firms by 2030

Japan ranks lowest for ratio of women in nuclear workplace at 15%: OECD
MARYLAND HEIGHTS  A state appeals court on Tuesday declined to revive a proposed tax increment financing district that would have helped spur development of a levee-protected flood plain north of Creve Coeur Lake Park.

A three-judge panel of the Missouri Court of Appeals in St. Louis affirmed a March 2021 trial court ruling in a lawsuit the city of Maryland Heights filed after its TIF Commission voted against the use of as much as $151 million in subsidies for the development.

The commissions vote, which took place in January 2020, effectively killed the areas TIF, which allows increases in sales and property taxes to be used for development costs. Even though the Maryland Heights City Council could still form the TIF, new state laws greatly limit what the subsidies can be used for after a negative vote by a TIF commission.

New provisions also gave St. Louis County the ability to appoint half of the commissions members, an effort to make the commissions take a more regional approach after years of sales tax-hungry St. Louis County municipalities using subsidies to poach shopping centers from each other. In the Maryland Heights case, all of St. Louis County Executive Sam Pages appointees voted against the TIF, marking the first time the county had effectively blocked one of the districts.

Maryland Heights sued, arguing the provisions giving St. Louis County the ability to appoint half of a TIF Commission were based on a statute for a county with more than 1 million residents, a threshold St. Louis County had fallen below. The countys population dropped to 998,954 in the 2010 Census; it climbed to 1,004,125 in 2020. The latest census estimate for 2021 shows it has slipped below 1 million again.

The appeals court concurred with St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Albus that once a county triggers a population-based provision in state law, it does not fall out of that laws applicability if its population subsequently falls below the threshold.

Its unclear if the city will appeal. Peter Bruntrager, a lawyer for Maryland Heights, said the city is reviewing its options.

Originally posted at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 12.
ST. LOUIS  The hunt for the next director of the St. Louis Department of Personnel  a powerful city government job that few mayors ever get the chance to fill  is being financed by a business group.

At the request of Mayor Tishaura O. Jones administration, the Regional Business Council is paying up to $60,000 to St. Louis County-based Collaborative Strategies Inc. to find a pool of candidates to lead the Personnel Department after the position opened following the sudden retirement of Richard Frank in December.

Frank, who left for health reasons, held the position since 2004. His retirement gave Jones a rare opportunity within City Halls diffused power structure. He was only the fourth person to lead the department since voters approved the creation of the citys civil service system in 1941.

Its a significant position in the city, and we felt when they said they wanted to do a national search, that they had never done one before, that it was in the best interests of the city just to look around and get the best talent that they could, said Kathy Osborn, president and CEO of the Regional Business Council.

Osborn said she received a call from Jared Boyd, Jones chief of staff, asking if the group, made up of some 100 CEOs from some of the regions largest companies, would consider paying for a search firm. She could not immediately recall exactly when Boyd asked.

My understanding is it was the first time in a long time theyd had a search and they wanted to do a national search, she said. It made sense to us.

The RBC is also paying the Boulware Group up to $60,000 for an ongoing search for police chief. The two requests were completely unrelated and came at different times, Osborn said. The Regional Business Council stipulated it would play no role in the actual selection of either job, she said.

Interim directors contract extended

The city personnel director holds considerable sway over hiring and promotions in the citys civil service system, which 1940s reformers hoped would curb machine politics and reduce the turnover of patronage jobs in City Hall when a new mayor took power.

Unlike other department heads, the citys personnel director can only be removed after formal charges of malfeasance. Jones will get to choose a permanent replacement from a list of three finalists forwarded to her from the Civil Service Commission.

Some city officials and former mayor Francis Slay, the last mayor to appoint a personnel director, have complained the Personnel Department holds too much behind-the-scenes power. Even a member of the Civil Service Commission, which oversees the system and works closely with the personnel director, has said the department can make it difficult for a mayoral administration to implement its agenda. Jones last year criticized the departments police chief search process, which initially produced only two internal candidates as finalists, both white men.

The personnel job opening has prompted its own intrigue. Some employees of the personnel department who were close to Frank were briefly locked out of their offices on Dec. 6, the Monday after the Civil Service Commission named Sylvia Donaldson as interim director. Sources said it was related to an internal investigation.

The Civil Service Commission in February approved a Jones-backed change to the Personnel Department rules allowing the mayor to pick an interim personnel director. Jones replaced Donaldson with her own pick, John Moten.

The personnel director serves as chief negotiator with employee unions, and the influential firefighters union quickly sued over the interim director appointment, arguing that allowing Jones to select a personnel director violated the city charters attempt to insulate the department from political influence.

Moten said when he was appointed he would serve only six months, per city rules. But he is now nearing seven. The civil service commission quietly extended his tenure by three months during a closed meeting in August. Moten confirmed his term had been extended by three months to KSDK (Channel 5) last week, saying he would stay on to finish the police chief search. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Frank seeks his old job

Even as the national search is underway, Frank is asking for his old job back, according to a copy of a May letter he sent and obtained by the Post-Dispatch. Frank said in the letter to Donaldson he reapplied for his position in January and asked whether he had been added to a reemployment list for director of personnel.

He said civil service rules only allow his removal from a reemployment list if its in the best interest of the city service.

Which I would find very perplexing since I will stand on my record of many years as director and a clean audit by the state of Missouri, Frank wrote. If in fact my name has been removed, I would like to know who removed my name from the reemployment list for director of personnel, when, and why.

Franks letter said he had received inquiries about whether he would return to the job. Both the influential police and firefighter unions sent him letters asking him to reconsider his retirement, according to copies reviewed by the Post-Dispatch.

It is not hyperbole to say that the citys future is at stake at this very moment and we are profoundly concerned that without the check-and-balances you have brought to bear on the citys elected officials and bureaucracy over the years, the scale will tip toward the abuse of power and the gross mismanagement of this municipality, said a letter to Frank from Jay Schroeder, president of the St. Louis Police Officers Association.

Schroeder said Tuesday his organization was worried about the loss of continuity from Franks retirement and is still concerned about who might become personnel director. An official with the firefighters union did not respond to a request for comment.

Former city employees have the right to request reemployment if they retired in good standing. The personnel director also has the right to cancel reemployment lists. Donaldson, who was interim director in January, did not respond to a request for comment.

The departments policy is to produce reemployment lists for public inspection. When the Post-Dispatch requested one for personnel director in May, it said it did not have one.

Frank, reached last week, declined to comment on the letters.
ST. LOUIS  Organizations across the region, from groceries to schools to courthouses, were left on Monday to grapple with changing mask requirements, as COVID-19 rates here continued to decline.

The region faces a new mix of rules: Mask mandates in St. Louis County and Illinois lifted on Monday. St. Louis citys mask rule isnt set to end until Sunday. Yet face coverings are still required in airports and on public transportation.

Were not out of the woods yet, but were in a much better place, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said during a briefing Monday morning.

St. Louis health director Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis told an aldermanic committee on Monday that the mandate may be allowed to expire then given the decreasing level of community risk as long as those numbers are upheld.

The changes come three days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined a new approach to mask guidance. Under the new recommendations, the agency is classifying counties as low, medium or high COVID-19 risk, based on the rates of new hospital admissions, the portion of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and the rate of new cases. For counties in the high category, the CDC recommends wearing well-fitting masks when in public, indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. The federal government also continues to require masks on all public transportation at least through March 18.

As of Monday afternoon, St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County are all in the medium category, in which individuals who are at high risk for severe illness should talk to their health care providers about whether they should wear a mask and take other precautions.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 admissions at area hospitals was still over 40 on Monday, a benchmark the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force has referred to as a level of concern. But it has fallen dramatically in recent weeks, to 42 on Monday, compared with 219 in mid-January.

Some people may still want to continue wearing masks in the county, Page said during Mondays briefing, and he encouraged them to do so. The county still recommends face coverings in indoor public settings, the health department said in an advisory Monday.

Hlatshwayo Davis, the city health director, said restrictions such as mask mandates could be reinstated in the future if the city returns to high-risk levels as defined by the CDC. Still, she said were in a way better place than we were during the surge of omicron infections. Currently the city is averaging fewer than 20 new cases a day, down from a peak of 517 on Jan. 8.

Under state law, the Board of Aldermen must vote to extend such mandates every 21 days; it will meet again Friday. In the past, the board has followed the guidance of city health officials.

But Hlatshwayo Davis said she continues to strongly recommend masking indoors.

That recommendation will stay in place with or without the support of a mask mandate, she said.

She also said she remains concerned about the citys relatively low COVID vaccination rate. According to CDC data, 57% of city residents are fully vaccinated, compared with 63% in St. Louis County, and 55% statewide.

She added that she has concerns about immunocompromised folks who absolutely feel theyve been left behind here.

Schnuck Markets Inc. on Monday said it would no longer require masks in a majority of its stores, including those in St. Louis County, citing new guidance from the federal government.

The Maryland Heights-based grocer said customers, employees and vendors will still have to mask up inside stores in the city of St. Louis. Employees and vendors will also have to wear masks in stores in areas that are high risk under the CDC categories, including a store in Carbondale, Illinois, and six in Indiana.

At the federal courthouse in St. Louis, Chief U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel said court officials are working on new mask guidelines consistent with the CDC recommendations.

In federal court in the southern district of Illinois, masks had been required for those either not fully vaccinated or those who declined to disclose their vaccination status. A Feb. 18 administrative order makes masks highly recommended, and judges also have discretion to make their own rules.

Some school districts had already dropped mandates. Others said they were waiting: Maplewood-Richmond Heights, for example, sent a note to parents on Sunday saying it was aware of the new federal guidance but would continue masking at least until a school board meeting in March.

St. Louis University professor Enbal Shacham applauded the location-specific CDC guidelines as a tool to help residents know when to mask. She said they will be useful for other infectious diseases, too.

Shacham said she is worried about people taking off their masks right before schools go on spring break. Still, overall, shes hopeful.

Robert Patrick and Austin Huguelet of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  St. Louis County Councilwoman Shalonda Webb has introduced plans to spend $6 million to demolish the vacant and blighted Jamestown Mall in her North County district.

The proposal would see the county commit funding to tearing down the 145-acre site, near Missouri Highways 67 and 367, which officials have struggled to redevelop since it closed in 2014.

The Port Authority, which owns the site, last year reached a deal with a Kansas City developer that wanted to turn it into an industrial park. But those plans were scrapped in June under opposition by Webb and residents who said they preferred a community center or mixed retail site. Officials have since struggled to identify funding to clear the site.

In a public letter to the County Council, Webb said she would introduce a bill Tuesday to use $6 million to tear down the mall, citing a financial cushion from millions in federal pandemic aid to the county through the American Rescue Plan Act. The letter was attached to the council agenda for this week.

Federal regulations restrict uses for the money so that they cant be used for general infrastructure, but Webb said she wants to use a revenue replacement maneuver in which the county would appropriate federal funds to its budget and free up existing revenues to be appropriated.

Webb did not return requests for comment Monday. The 4th District Democrat joined the council in 2021 after making redevelopment of the mall site a top issue in her election campaign.

County Executive Sam Page spokesman Doug Moore said demolition of the mall is a priority but that the funding may have to come from other sources. That could include state-matched grants or federal funding to the county from the recent $1 trillion federal infrastructure law, he said.

We agree that Jamestown Mall needs to be demolished and we support ways we can leverage federal funds to make that happen, Moore said. We want to work with the council to get that building down and make sure we have the right funding source to do it.

Port Authority Chairman John Maupin said he had been in discussion with Webb over the year but was first hearing of the new proposal from a reporter.

I certainly hope this comes to fruition; it would make demolition and moving forward on this much more feasible, Maupin said.

Maupin has said the agency doesnt have funding to pay for full demolition. The previous plan to turn the mall into an industrial park would have seen the developer pay at least $4 million to tear down much of the site and rework other parts, Maupin said. Estimates in July projected at least $5 million to clear the site.

The port authority, which is largely funded by rents paid by the River City Casino in Lemay, receives about $4 million a year meant for grants for community organizations and economic development projects.

At least $1 million a year is encumbered for debt service on past projects, Maupin said, and another $2.5 million committed under a deal announced last year landing the St. Louis regions first international passenger flights to Europe in years. Then there are the agencys operational costs, Maupin said.

The agency has however budged about $2 million for contracts to remediate and abate Jamestown Mall, a necessary step to study contaminants and health hazards before tearing it down, and to launch a community study on what should replace it, Maupin said. That work is underway, he said.

The council is expected to vote on plans for some of the $85 million in federal pandemic aid to spend after weighing input from a recent public engagement campaign.

Moore said Monday that the results are expected to be released in time for a council hearing April 19. He said respondents, including at public town halls, have said one their priorities was to tear down vacant buildings like Jamestown Mall.

Photos: Former Jamestown Mall called 'a significant maintenance problem' Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem" Jamestown Mall "a significant maintenance problem"
ST. LOUIS  Michael Foster of Kansas City thawed out during a cold Saturday of sight-seeing last month with a stop at Teatopia on Cherokee Street.

The college freshman was visiting his girlfriend while on winter break. The couple studied chalkboards listing dozens of choices before Foster settled on honey orchid oolong  $14.50 for an ounce of loose leaves.

Teatopia owner Reginald Quarles topped off the bag with an extra scoop to accommodate any margin of error in brewing, and slipped Foster a business card so he could email with any questions.

One of the great things about tea, Quarles told Foster, is that you could never know everything about tea.

The beverage  the second most consumed in the world, behind water  is following an upscale trajectory similar to craft beer, coffee and artisanal cheese. High-end tea drinkers are consuming 20% more tea than they did two years ago, according to the Tea Association of the United States. And theyre not supermarket teas: Theyre blends like maple walnut sencha, jade cloud and peppery purple tulsi.

In the past few years, St. Louis-area tea sellers have been expanding their shops and commandeering space on retail shelves and in coffee houses. Changing consumer tastes have fed the growth, business owners say, but so has a preference for natural, sustainable ingredients and an appreciation for the deliberate, unhurried brewing-and-sipping experience.

For Quarles, making tea is meditative.

I cant reach that moment of clarity just sitting still, he said.

The calm settles in while he is weighing out the dried leaves, spooning them into an infuser, waiting for the water to heat and keeping time as the tea steeps.

Quarles earned a degree in psychology and was working in managed care when he opened Teatopia five years ago  as a different means of promoting mental health, he says. The store, a few doors down from his current location, was so small he could touch both side walls at the same time.

He moved into a space twice as big a year later and expanded his menu, which includes tea-infused smoothies. In early 2020, he upgraded his website to accommodate the demand for online sales, which had spiked even prior to the pandemic.

Tea can be calming or invigorating, social or solitary. Studies have found its antioxidants and polyphenols reduce inflammation and cell damage and improve blood pressure. Tea drinking has been linked to a lowered risk of certain cancers.

Tea is a lifestyle

Lisa Govro wanted to promote food as medicine when she started selling Big Heart Tea a decade ago from a trailer she would park at farmers markets.

Her first flavor, Cup of Sunshine, like all herbal teas, isnt technically a tea at all. Teas  black, white, green and oolong  are brewed with leaves from the camellia sinensis plant, a native of East Asia. Herbal drinks, made of edible flowers, barks and spices, get lumped in because they are also infused. Cup of Sunshine includes turmeric, ginger, peppercorn and cinnamon.

We use simple blends, said Govro. Most of Big Hearts products have no more than five ingredients.

In 2018, Big Heart won a $50,000 Arch Grant, for St. Louis startups, to help source directly from growers. By then, the company had ditched the trailer in favor of a permanent home in the Gravois Park neighborhood. They make eight signature teas, like minty blue Royal Treatment and chamomile Cozy Night, plus about a dozen specialty flavors.

The pandemic flipped their business model, from selling loose blends to restaurants to targeting consumers directly through grocery and online sales. Bagged tea  free of plastic and sporting heart-shaped you are awesome tags  became their main vehicle.

In December, the company was awarded a $100,000 follow-on Arch Grant, which Govro says will help with supply-chain issues and rising material costs as Big Heart extends its reach and introduces new products, like mix-your-own matcha sticks.

People are looking for alternative drinks, Govro said. Tea is a lifestyle.

Steve Findley of Maplewood dropped coffee in favor of tea about a decade ago, then upgraded to loose leaf after receiving some as a gift. He lives just a couple blocks from Traveling Tea on Sutton Boulevard and gets his fix there.

Irish breakfast, a robust black tea with a reddish tint, is his go-to, but lately hes been unwinding in the afternoon with green teas.

I have expanded my horizons a little bit, said Findley. In the same way I learned about wines, Im learning a whole lot about geography with tea.

Traveling introduced Kateri Meyer to teas possibilities back in the early 2000s. It was when she was home in St. Louis that she felt hemmed in by her choices.

There was nowhere to really get tea, she said.

When she would complain about it, her friends urged her to do something. So in 2009, Meyer set up Traveling Tea as a stand at Tower Grove Farmers Market, offering a dozen varieties. By 2013, she had squirreled away enough money to open the Maplewood storefront. She now stocks more than a hundred types of tea.

Even when she switched to online and curbside ordering during the pandemic  the 500-square-foot shop just reopened in December  her sales kept increasing.

People are becoming more conscious about where their food comes from across the board, Meyer said.

The Naughty Vicar

Sarah Hirsch of Kirkwood likes tea for the connection it creates between her and her third child, 12-year-old Lucas. The mother of four tries to carve out time for a special activity with each of her kids, and Lucas took to tea early.

It pairs really well with the whole being present in the moment thing, Hirsch said.

Lucas likes to fix mugs for the two of them, and hes not too fussy about the procedure.

I just use our fridge water, he said. I make it in the microwave, not on the stove.

Hirsch took the sixth grader to the London Tea Room last year to sample something a little more gourmet. The outing was a hit.

I want to expand my tea tastes, said Lucas.

The London Tea Room boasts owners who brought their tea expertise here from England. Jackie James parents opened the cafe in 2007 as an adjunct to their imported furniture store on Washington Avenue. Five years later, they stopped selling furniture and, in 2014, the tea room relocated to Tower Grove South.

Their bestseller  by a 2-to-1 margin  is a black tea blend, the Naughty Vicar.

I think its partly the name, said James, with a laugh.

Sally Kent, who drives over from Belleville once a month to stock up, prefers an oolong with hints of apricot, buckwheat, toasted rice and dandelion. Its called Iron Goddess of Mercy.

Doesnt that sound impressive? Kent said.

The Tea Room hosts classes for sampling, scone-making and social history. Sometimes, James encounters a doubter.

People will say, We dont like tea. I ask them, What have you had? James said. And most of the time, its Lipton.

That was John Wolbers experience as a kid when he would try his dads tea.

I thought it was disgusting, he said. In retrospect, I think my father was just buying terrible tea.

During college, Wolbers embraced coffee. But when he began courting his wife a dozen years ago, they would meet up at the London Tea Room. Now, they take their 3-year-old daughter with them.

We go through a pot a day, Wolbers said. Its just nice to curl up with tea.

Photos: Tea's popularity is growing in St. Louis The London Tea Room The London Tea Room The London Tea Room The London Tea Room The London Tea Room The London Tea Room Tea rises in popularity Tea rises in popularity Tea rises in popularity Tea rises in popularity Tea rises in popularity
ST. LOUIS  Anheuser-Busch InBev said Friday it would forfeit "all financial benefit" from its joint venture in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

The world's largest brewer, which has its North American headquarters in St. Louis, said it had also asked the controlling partner in the venture to suspend the production and sale of Budweiser in Russia.

"We are focused on supporting our employees, their families and the humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine while wishing for peace," the company said in a statement.

The decision follows similar decisions from other international brewers earlier this week. Dutch brewer Heineken NV and Danish brewer Carlsberg both said they would stop advertising, producing and selling their namesake brands there. They join a long list of Western companies pausing Russian operations, including Apple, Boeing and McDonalds.

A-B InBev said joint venture employees in Ukraine and Russia will continue to be paid. It also said it was providing housing for its Ukranian employees and their families and working with other organizations to provide food, water, blankets and medical supplies to the besieged country and refugees.
FRANKFURTBayer is facing demands from activist investor Bluebell Capital Partners to break up, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters, pushing shares in the diversified health and agriculture group to a five-week high.

The source said Bluebell had invested in Bayer a few months ago and is pushing for a sale of the company's consumer health unit and, at a later stage, for a separation of Bayer's pharmaceuticals and agriculture businesses.

Bluebell is also seeking to have supervisory board Chairman Norbert Winkeljohann and Chief Executive Werner Baumann replaced, the person said.

Bluebell did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The size of Bluebell's holding was not immediately clear.

On Monday, another activist investment fund, hedge fund veteran Jeffrey Ubben's Inclusive Capital Partners, said it had also acquired a stake in Bayer.

The German industrial icon has seen its market value slide in the wake of its 2018 takeover of Monsanto.

Bayer's stock was up 3% at 1016 GMT, for a sixth consecutive trading session of gains. Bluebell's investment was first reported by Bloomberg late on Tuesday.

A Bayer spokesperson said the company was open in general for constructive dialogue with stakeholders and declined to comment further.

Bluebell, launched three years ago, has a history of challenging the policies and executives of some of the world's biggest companies, including GSK, Glencore and Vivendi, while owning very small stakes.

It was instrumental in the ouster of the boss of French food giant Danone in 2021 and recently has been campaigning for BlackRock CEO Larry Fink to quit, in part because of the fund giant's environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts.

Bayer CEO Werner Baumann, who shortly after his promotion in 2016 started pursuing the troubled Monsanto deal, was given a new contract in 2020 and said at the time he would leave the company when that term expires in 2024.

Markus Manns, a portfolio manager at top-10 Bayer shareholder Union Investment, said it would be the responsibility of a new chief executive to review the company structure.

"It's too early for a break-up but the separation of consumer health would be an obvious way to create additional value," said Manns, adding that Union Investment was not in contact with Bluebell.

The upswing in Bayer shares this week, fueled by the prospect of billions in additional sales from its drug development pipeline, has done little to change the bigger picture of years of market underperformance.

The stock has been weighed down by litigation over weed killer Roundup and over environmental pollution with chemicals known as PCBs, which are legacy issues from the takeover of Monsanto for more than $60 billion in 2018.

Despite strong demand for its farming products, improved prospects of its pharmaceuticals business and a number of recent courtroom victories for the German group, the company is valued at $57 billion on the stock market, well below the price tag for Monsanto.
Boeing shares fell as much as 7% on Friday after the planemaker halted deliveries of some 737 MAX jets due to quality-related problems with certain components made by one of its main suppliers.

Boeing is under tough regulatory scrutiny following the deadly crashes of its MAX planes in 2018 and 2019, and the pause in deliveries may delay plans for production ramp-up as it needs to undertake inspections of affected jets, some analysts said.

Any delay in deliveries is likely to upset airlines that have been counting on the company for a timely supply of planes to boost their fleets.

Boeing was poised to raise the production of its bestselling family of jets to 38 in June and 42 by January 2024 from 31 per month currently, Reuters reported earlier this week.

The problem, disclosed by Boeing on Thursday, involves the installation of two fittings that join the aft fuselage made by Spirit AeroSystems to the vertical tail, which were not attached correctly to the structure of the fuselage before it was sent to the planemaker.

The latest quality issue is the second such problem to plague the planemaker this year, after it was briefly forced to halt deliveries of 767 freighters.

The recent discoveries can be attributed to two main factors: less experienced workers and more rigorous inspections of aircraft before delivery, Melius Research Vice President Scott Mikus said.

Boeing, together with Spirit, will have to undertake inspections of the affected MAX 7, MAX 8 and MAX 8200 airplanes and fuselages.

Unlike the recent 787 delivery pause in Q1 ... this issue relates to actual non-conforming parts, which will need to be inspected (at minimum) or reworked. This likely points to a longer pause this time ([Boeing] resumed 787 deliveries after about 2 weeks), Wells Fargo analyst Matthew Akers said.

Akers, however, added that the impact could be short term in nature and that Boeing may push its 2023 cash flow goal of $3 billion to $5 billion toward the lower end.

Shares of Spirit were down more than 20% on Friday.

We see more negative financial exposure to this news at Spirit than at Boeing, Seifman added.

The issue could weigh on the fleet-expansion plans of the airlines.

Southwest Airlines expects the issue to impact its current delivery schedule, while American Airlines said it was working with Boeing to understand the effect.

Europes Ryanair, which was scheduled to receive 24 737 aircraft over the next 2 months, said it was working with Boeing on the possible impact.
LIBERTY, Mo.  A man who runs a little-known, low-budget radio station in suburban Kansas City says he is standing up for free speech and alternative viewpoints when he airs Russian state-sponsored programming in the midst of the Ukrainian war.

Radio Sputnik, funded by the Russian government, pays broadcast companies in the U.S. to air its programs. Only two do so: One is Peter Schartel's KCXL in Liberty and one is in Washington, D.C.

Schartel started airing the Russian programming in January 2020, but criticism intensified after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Schartel said people accuse him and his wife of being traitors to the U.S. and occasionally issue threats. Some critics say he is promoting propaganda and misinformation, but Schartel maintains most people who call to complain haven't listened to the program.

Some will talk to me, but others will still call me a piece of whatever," he said. "What I am thankful for is we are still living in a country where they can call me up. Even if they arent thinking about free speech theyre exercising that right.

Radio Sputnik is produced by the U.S.-based branch of Rossiya Segodnya, a media group operated by the Russian government.

Its content prompted the National Association of Broadcasters to issue an unusual statement on March 1 calling on broadcasters to stop carrying state-sponsored programming with ties to Russia or its agents.

The statement from NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said the organization is a fierce defender" of free speech but that given Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, we believe that our nation must stand fully united against misinformation and for freedom and democracy across the globe."

During one recent broadcast of The Critical Hour that aired on Schartel's station, the hosts and their guests echoed false and unsupported claims about Ukraines government.

They repeated Russian state media lies about the Russian militarys attacks on civilian targets and its destruction of entire neighborhoods, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putins baseless claim that his enemies in Ukraine are Nazis.

The Kansas City Star said in an editorial that Schartel is putting his financial needs above ethics by spreading Russian propaganda.

Much like the National Association of Broadcasters, we advise KCXL to drop all programming that paints Putin in a positive light. The Russian president is no victim; he is for sure no war hero, The Star wrote.

Schartel acknowledged that he initially accepted the Radio Sputnik contract because he was struggling to keep KCXL afloat. The station operates out of a dilapidated, cluttered building. He said he stopped taking a salary months ago, though he does nearly all the work.

Schartel's Alpine Broadcasting Corp. is paid $5,000 a month to air Radio Sputnik in two three-hour blocks each day, according to a U.S. Justice Department Foreign Agent Registration Act filing in December 2021.

KCXL's other programming includes shows that are heavily religious, offer opinions across the political spectrum and promote conspiracy theories. One program, TruNews, has been criticized by the Anti-Defamation League for spreading antisemitic, Islamaphobic and anti-LGBTQ messages.

Schartel said he airs programs that are not commercially viable and don't depend on advertising, which he contends influences news reporting. He said he is promoting free speech by providing a platform for people who otherwise aren't heard.

Roy Gutterman, director of the Tully Center for Free Speech at Syracuse University, said all radio station owners in the U.S. have a right to air whatever content they want.

It this station thinks its going to make a mark in Missouri by playing Radio Sputnik, they have the right to do so, Gutterman said.

The Federal Communications Commission, which regulates licensing of radio and television broadcasts, does not censor content unless it intentionally endangers public safety or is found to be obscene, indecent or profane.

Radio Sputnik listeners hear discussions not only about Russia but also current issues in the U.S. and other countries. The theme throughout the broadcast is that U.S. policies intentionally damage the U.S. and other countries while benefiting other corrupt governments, the rich and big business.

The deal that brought Radio Sputnik to the small Missouri station was brokered by RM Broadcasting, based in Florida, which is run by Anthony Ferolito. He signed a similar deal in 2017 with Way Broadcasting, which agreed to lease WZHF-AM's airtime in Washington, D.C., to RM Broadcasting.

Because of his contracts with Rossiya Segodnya, the Justice Department required Ferolito to register as a foreign government agent in 2018, citing a 1938 law for people lobbying for or acting on behalf of a foreign government. Ferolito lost a lawsuit over the registration.

Ferolito did not return messages from The Associated Press, but RM Broadcasting said in a statement that the company stands with Ukraine and all victims of oppression and aggression. It said RM Broadcasting is dedicated to freedom of speech.

The public is explicitly notified throughout the broadcast day of the source of the material, so that people can make an informed decision on whether to listen or turn the dial  and that freedom of choice is the ultimate underpinning of our republic, the statement said.

Gutterman, of Syracuse University, noted that state-produced content from countries not friendly with the U.S., including Russia and China, is already available on some cable stations and online, although some providers have dropped Russian content since the war began.

Modern media has changed the radio landscape we grew up with, he said. Even if stations drop it, people can find this content.

For his part, Schartel doesnt think the uproar over the Radio Sputnik broadcasts will last.

Russian state-controlled RT America, the television counterpart to Radio Sputnik, closed its U.S. branch this month and laid off most of its staff. Schartel said that likely means his contract won't be renewed when it ends in December.
Australian coal miner Coronado Global Resources confirmed on Wednesday it was in confidential discussions with Peabody Energy Corp regarding a potential "combination transaction."

The Australian, citing sources, reported on Tuesday that discussions were happening in New York, but said there was no clarity on the nature of these talks.

As of Tuesday's close, Coronado had a market capitalization of A$3.26 billion ($2.05 billion), while U.S.-based Peabody was valued at $3.80 billion.

Stocks of both coal miners have sharply rallied this year, as customers from Europe to Asia scramble for alternative sources of fuel in the aftermath of the European Union's sanctions on gas-rich Russia.

Coronado had held merger talks with U.S.-based peer Arch Resources Inc. earlier this year, but that didn't materialize into a deal.

Coronado, which owns coal mining facilities in Virginia and West Virginia state, said no agreement had been reached with Peabody and it did not divulge any details on a potential deal.

Peabody told the Post-Dispatch late Wednesday that it had no comment, while acknowledging that "the company considers business opportunities from time to time."

Bryce Gray from the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2023 - 19:45 | All, Japan, Coronavirus, Travel/Tourism

Japan saw a continued recovery in foreign arrivals in May to an estimated 1,898,900, equivalent to 68.5 percent of the May 2019 figure prior to the coronavirus outbreak, government data showed Wednesday.

The figure surpassed April's recovery level of 66.6 percent, marking the highest number since February 2020, when arrivals began to plummet due to the pandemic.

May is considered an off-season following Japan's cherry blossom season, but the month saw favorable results as arrivals from countries such as South Korea and Canada increased from April, the Japan National Tourism Organization said.

Arrivals from areas including Singapore and the United States surpassed levels seen in May 2019, it said.

Compared to May 2022, the number of foreign visitors this year increased 12.9-fold.

Excluding visitors from China, which continues to restrict overseas group travel for its citizens, Japan had 1,764,500 foreign arrivals, with a recovery rate equivalent to 87.5 percent of 2019 levels.

By country or region, the most arrivals came from South Korea at 515,700, followed by Taiwan at 303,300, the United States at 183,400 and Hong Kong at 154,400.

Visitors from China numbered 134,400. The figure was an 82.2 percent decrease compared to May 2019, but was an increase of 24.1 percent from April, believed to be due to Japan easing its border restrictions and an increase in the number of flights between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the number of Japanese who went overseas numbered 675,700, a five-fold increase from May last year, but still 53.0 percent less than the same month in 2019.

The number of departures increased by about 116,000 compared to April, as the Japan Tourism Agency and Japan Association of Travel Agents has promoted overseas travel.
Last summer, Jerry Ahrens visited the emergency room with a stomach ache, which turned out to be a mass on his right kidney. He needed surgery.

When it came time for the operation, Dr. Naveen Pokala at University of Missouri Health Care got some help from an assistant he often depends on: a robot.

Six incisions later, the mass was out, Ahrens kidney saved.

Ive got six small holes, or incisions in various places on the belly where they went in to do that, Ahrens said. No major cuts, openings or stitches or anything like that.

Pokala frequently uses robotic surgery to help his urology patients. Its part of a growing trend  not just in the United States but in Pokalas native India. Medical experts say robotic surgery is surging in many parts of the world because it offers many benefits, such as reduced recovery time, less blood loss than a traditional surgery and fewer complications.

Dr. Daniel Hafez, a neurosurgeon at Washington University in St. Louis, said they have had two robots there for about five years.

The benefit of the robot right now is to improve the surgical accuracy and guide the placement of our instrumentation  what we call navigation,he said. So like GPS tells you where to go when you're driving, the robot tells us where we are placing our screws and other instruments.

The most popular robotic system for some surgeries in both countries is the da Vinci, made by the company Intuitive  which reported 1.1 million procedures in the U.S. in 2021, up from 876,000 in 2020. Robotic surgery was on the rise for many years before that, too. A 2020 study looking at nearly 170,000 patients in 73 hospitals found the use of robotic surgery rose from 1.8% of all general surgery procedures in 2012 to 15.1% in 2018.

Over the past 12 years in India, meanwhile, there have been 128,000 successful robotic surgeries, according to Apollo Hospitals.

Doctors from various specialties use robotics for surgeries involving the spine, heart, joints and other parts of the body. Traditional surgery is still an option, but many patients favor robot-assisted operations, said Robert J. Webster III, a professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University.

The same is true in India, where Dr. Balasubramaniam Ramana is a senior surgeon in the bustling eastern city of Kolkata. Ramana specializes in general surgery and bariatric surgery and began studying robot-assisted surgery in 2018 when he became interested in treating hernias.

Robotic surgery is making a huge difference in the management of complex patients in multiple specialties, he said.

A bevy of benefits

Pokala, director of robotics at MU Health, said that robot-assisted surgeries can actually make his work in urology easier. The robotic device allows him to make smaller holes in a patients belly for surgery, leading to less blood loss and a faster recovery.

The robot actually makes it easier to work well in a confined space, he said. With minimal invasive surgery youre set to sort of putting small holes, which are like a centimeter at the most and some of them are eight millimeters or even smaller. Through those you do the whole operation, so the pain is a lot less Because you fill the belly up with air, it also tends to bleed a lot less patients have a lot less pain and they tend to recover a lot faster.

After Pokala performed the robot-assisted surgery on Ahrens, he said he got better and better each day.

After about two to three weeks I would go into town, get out of the house, Ahrens said.

Patients in India expressed similar sentiments. The Vattikuti Foundation, a Michigan-based nonprofit founded by the Indian-born entrepreneur and philanthropist Raj Vattikuti, provides education to patients, training to surgeons and funding for surgical technology.

The foundation releases videos about the experiences of patients and surgeons with robot-assisted surgical technology. In one, a patient explains how quickly she recovered after a kidney transplant.

I started feeling well and moving better. My hospital staff allowed me to leave my bed the very next day, Suman Thapar from Kotkapura, Punjab, said in the video.

When asked if she was worried about the robot-assisted surgery, she said she felt confident in the doctors abilities. I was not afraid at all, and even after the transplant, I didnt feel that I had undergone any surgery.

Mahendra Bhandari, CEO of Vattikuti Foundation and director of robotic research and education at Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, allayed the fears around robotic surgery.

The robot is totally under the control of the surgeon and does not do anything on its own, said Bhandari, who along with Indian-American physicians Raj Vattikuti and Mani Menon have featured in Many Voices, One Nation exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for their contribution to the world of Robotic Surgery through the Vattikuti Foundation.

Bhandari said the decision to use robotic surgery versus traditional surgery should be based on the patients individual needs, medical history, and the experience of the surgical team.

Pokala said newer surgeons and medical students are in some cases learning more about robotic medicine than traditional forms of surgery.

The newer surgeons probably dont know how to do an open prostatectomy at all because we dont do those anymore, Pokala said of the prostate procedure. It bleeds a lot less, you know, and when you did them before people would bleed almost two liters to three liters.

Jason Davis, senior staff surgeon at Henry Ford hospital in metropolitan Detroit, is a total joint replacement surgeon with a specialty in robot-assisted hip replacement. He said one benefit from the surgeons standpoint is that it reduces the physical and mental fatigue doctors can feel during surgeries.

That allows doctors to focus on their work, and stay less fatigued throughout their workdays. In a 2020 study in The Journal of Surgical Case Reports, researchers found that surgeons practicing laparoscopic surgery had significantly higher physical fatigue than doctors who performed the same surgery using robot-assisted devices. But the study also said the fatigue laparoscopic surgeons experienced doesnt reduce the dexterity and overall performance of the surgeon.

The question of cost

For patients, the cost difference between traditional, or open, surgery and robot-assisted surgery depends on the type of procedure the doctor performs and the persons insurance coverage. In most health care systems, the price is similar regardless of the way in which the surgeon chooses to perform the procedure.

The main cost factor for this is the capital acquisition of the robot itself, Hafez said. In spine surgery, the hospital already owns the majority of the equipment, and the patient is paying for the implants used during the surgery. Similarly, for robotic surgery, the hospital must purchase the robot and its associated instruments. It is an expensive investment the hospital is making to improve patient safety and surgical outcomes.

But the benefits are worth the cost, Hafez said.

Once you purchase it, then you start getting the benefit of improved accuracy, reduction in OR times, reduction in X-ray exposure to the patient, and reduction in blood loss, Hafez said. So you start saving costs per use over time, but there's definitely a capital acquisition cost up front that is much higher.

In India, meanwhile, Ramana said there is no uniformity with costs or what insurance covers for robotic surgery. For example, somebody has a kidney tumor and that needs to be done robotically, it is possible that the insurance company may accept that compared to some other surgery, Ramana said.

At teaching hospitals, surgical residents are trained on the robotic systems and how to perform procedures on them. Patients who go to training hospitals could get such surgeries for free. There are also programs at government hospitals where qualified patients can get robotic surgery at lower costs.

According to the Vattikuti Foundation, robotic surgery costs can be reduced in India because of large volumes of patients.

Although the initial investment in robotic surgical equipment can be expensive, robotic surgery may ultimately result in lower overall healthcare costs due to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and potentially fewer complications, Bhandari said.

However, the cost-effectiveness of robotic surgery depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, the patient's medical history, and the availability of skilled robotic surgeons.

Potential risks

But as with any surgery, there are potential risks.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, complications from surgery in general include hemorrhaging, shock, and reactions to medicine and anesthesia. The success of a surgery, and the rate of complications, also depend on the skill of the doctors.

Davis said its important for patients to do research about potential doctors before choosing one.

Primarily look at a surgeon and their team and experience rather than shop around for a specific robotic surgeon versus non-robotic surgeonBecause the robot is really just a tool, Davis said. If you put in wrong settings or make wrong inputs into it, you can also do some harm.

Ramana explained that some of the potential risks of robot-assisted surgeries are similar to laparoscopic surgery. For example, there are risks from anesthesia.

The other things are robot-specific, Ramana said. So robot specific complications would include something like the robotic arm may actually injure the patients head or the eye, if it is not taken care of while positioning the robot against the patient.

But Ramana said harmful complications with the robotic system are rare.

A robotic future

As robot-assisted surgeries expand in different places around the world, some people worry the trend could affect the employment outlook for surgeons.

But Ramana said unless we have a pure robotic evolution, humans will still have jobs. This is not like AI taking over the function of normal professionals, he said. Robotic surgery is in that sense a misnomer.

Ramana said that you still need someone who is a trained professional to handle the robot since it does not have the ability to work independently.

There is a very important feature of robotic surgery for people to understand that the robot is not going to do the surgery for you, Ramana said. Its the surgeon who does the surgery. So the robot is basically an interface between the patient and the surgeon.

Patients also have the option in many cases to choose between traditional forms of surgery and robot-assisted surgery. Walter Dixon was given the choice between radiation treatment and removing his prostate after finding out that he had a mass growing. He decided to allow doctors to use robot-assisted technology to take out the cancer.

I was out, woke back up and it was done! Dixon said. It was very comfortable, as far as something that major, I was very, very impressed with it..

Experts said robot-assisted surgery is only going to continue to grow. In a recent earnings conference call for Intuitive Surgical Inc., CEO Gary Guthart said the company saw an 18% increase in procedures using da Vinci systems in the quarter and full year of 2022. Overall, da Vinci systems were used in a total of 11 million procedures since the commercialization of the machinery within the past year.

He said the U.S. and India were among the countries that stood out.

Webster said he believes that robot-assisted surgery will begin to be integrated into resident and fellowship curricula.

Typically, exposure starts during residency and really accelerates during a clinical fellowship. During residency, a doctor does rotations, hopping around the hospital to get broad perspectives, Webster says, If they find that they like robotic surgery, then they often choose a specialization that uses robotics and sign on to a fellowship program that makes them a true expert in robotic surgery.

As they join the medical profession, experts say, they will help shape its future.

It's going to continue to rise across all surgical specialties. I think all humans are prone to error, no matter how great they are or how technically skilled they are as a surgeon, Hafez said. So as tech gets better, and as AI gets better, there is going to be a continued increase in the use and the role of robotics.

Each year, students in a University of Missouri business journalism class taught by Professor Randall Smith work with students from India on joint story projects that link their two countries. The project is overseen by Smith along with Laura Ungar, a reporter on the global health team at The Associated Press, and roving journalist Sujoy Dhar, founder of the Indian news agency India Blooms News Service.

Related stories:
St. Louis-area librarians are confident their childrens sections dont include  and never have  obscene materials, but they are spending hours examining policies to make sure they are in compliance with a new state rule.

We have never made child pornography available to anyone at any time, said Waller McGuire, director of the St. Louis Public Library. In fact, there is no obscene material in any library location, he says.

And the library has had collection policies, which explain how a library chooses books and other materials, in place since the 1800s, he said.

The state rule introduced by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft would block state funding for libraries if they allow minors to access books that are pornographic or labeled as obscene under state statutes. It requires written collection policies and a way for a parent or guardian to challenge the age appropriateness of materials or a program.

The rule, which went into effect May 30, is a solution in search of a problem, McGuire said. Kids are lucky to be in libraries rather than in danger from them.

McGuires viewpoint was echoed by several local library directors, who also expressed confusion over the need to assure Ashcrofts office by July 31 that they are doing what their jobs typically entail: offering childrens materials, sorted by ages, and allowing parents control over what their offspring check out.

But because most libraries already do what Ashcroft demands, directors dont discount a connection to recent censorship efforts centered on LGBTQ materials, worrying that culture warriors now have a new weapon.

The State Library administers Missouri funds to public libraries. That money typically is a small percentage of large libraries budgets but can be essential for rural libraries. Now Ashcrofts rule says the states 160 library systems have to submit forms showing they keep materials in age-appropriate areas and label events by age level.

For the St. Louis County Library system, whose budget of $60 million is the biggest in the area, state funds contribute less than 1%. Most of the librarys revenue comes from county residents property taxes.

Last year, Ashcroft, who is running for governor in 2024, sought public feedback on his proposal to refuse state money to libraries that dont have policies protecting children from so-called obscene material. Any libraries that dont already have written policies are likely to be rural locations with small staffs.

About 20,000 residents provided feedback to the proposal, with the majority criticizing it. But Ashcroft enacted a softened version of the first proposal and on June 2 posted on Twitter: Parents should know their children are in a safe environment in our public libraries. These new rules will make sure kids arent exposed to obscene materials.

The St. Louis County system, like others, is still working on tweaking some policies and getting approval from its board of trustees. But director Kristen Sorth said, I think that libraries have policies in place that give parents the ability to make decisions about their childrens reading habits.

When asked whether the county system, made up of 21 locations, contains any obscene material, she said, Oh my gosh no. She said the library has no books that fall under the official legal definition of obscenity. The library also has no plans to move any childrens books from their current locations.

But like other libraries, she doesnt want to give up any state aid. We are working toward compliance, Sorth said.

There are several sources for state aid and grants, including general revenue; a good amount is also generated in St. Louis through an athletes and entertainers tax. McGuire said that because St. Louisans pass that money on to the state, I think some should come back here.

Card crunch

The big challenge to libraries regards library cards and how libraries will ensure that every person younger than 18 has permission from parents or guardians to check out materials.

The new rule, ironically, may mean fewer juveniles have library cards  a result that is the opposite of what libraries want.

The county library currently requires parental signatures when children younger than 13 apply for a library card. The city system seeks parents signatures for those younger than 18.

At the time of sign-up, city parents could check boxes saying their children do not have permission to check out adult materials or to use computers. McGuire estimates that less than 5% of children have cards limiting their access to computers or adult materials. The county and city libraries now share a catalog, so they are collaborating on any new policies.

But other systems have no way to monitor or limit access for cardholders younger than 18. Its all or nothing access, says Tony Benningfield, director of the Jefferson County Library.

Our integrated library system cant handle what Ashcroft is asking for regarding limiting checkouts by age or title. The Jefferson County system has four libraries, with administrative offices in High Ridge. Its budget of about $5.5 million includes about $250,000 from the state.

When questioned, most library directors werent ready to say how they will handle the library card authorizations. Benningfield expects that Jefferson County will have to expire all of the childrens cards and have parents and guardians give new permission for every user younger than 18.

The hassles with puzzling out the secretary of states requirements and tweaking policies has already cost the Jefferson County Library more than the $500 Ashcrofts office estimated for the new rule, Benningfield said. This despite the fact that the library already has 18 pages of collection development policies on its website among more than three dozen other explanations of procedures and guidelines.

The policies, like many other libraries, already make it clear libraries dont want to overrule parents: Many libraries note they cannot act in loco parentis, or stand in for a parent. Rather than urging children to browse unattended, libraries are more likely to have policies requiring supervision for children. All library directors queried also already have a process for patrons to challenge books.

The Ashcroft rule is confusing and is causing headaches, Benningfield admits: There are so many more productive things I could be doing.

Another new requirement for libraries is to attach age levels even to meeting room bookings made by private patrons. Libraries already label their own programs by age.

Benningfield does want to make sure the library remains in compliance and that we dont get dinged for one little misstep.

Facing challenges

Scott Bonner, director of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library, is afraid that even if books dont meet the Supreme Court definition of obscene that the library will see more challenges because of the Ashcroft rule.

In recent years, book challenges have targeted mostly childrens books containing information about LGBTQ life or characters. Still, libraries traditionally face only a few official challenges a year to collections, and an oversight committee typically decides the book is appropriate for where it is shelved. The St. Louis County system had only four challenges last year.

Yet Bonner now sees more risks. A parent of a juvenile may not agree with professional librarians regarding what is appropriate.

Bonner said that even if librarians and a library board confirm a book is appropriate, the Ashcroft rule might give them a path to appeal to the Secretary of States office or use the language of the SoS rule to sue in court.

He said: The rule is not about making libraries shelve materials in appropriate areas. Libraries already do that. Theyve been exceedingly conscientious about this issue since before I was born. No library Ive ever worked at or used has what a reasonable person would call pornography in any kids area, or what the Supreme Court has determined would be obscene. This rule corrects a problem that only exists in propaganda.

The rule is about forcing librarians to conform to the views of a subset of the community instead of trying to serve the whole community, by increasing the leverage of that subset and by making librarians fearful of angering that subset.

He also has told his board that there is no way to be safe from challenge and still be a library, referring to library goals to offer books with various viewpoints and to serve diverse patrons.

He said libraries have gotten challenges claiming obscenity in books that dont even mention sex, but because a character happens to have two dads. Removing such a book means libraries would fail to serve all patrons, he said.

I think there is no way to have a juvenile card without risk of complaints or lawsuits, Bonner said. As a result, its likely that fewer children in some libraries will have their own library cards, he predicts.

Across the river, Illinois is the first state to pass legislation protecting libraries against such censorship efforts. The law, House Bill 2789, is designed to prevent book banning; it awaits the governors signature.

Ashcrofts action surprised some Missouri librarians. Steve Campbell, director of the Scenic Regional Library with headquarters in Union, said he had considered Ashcroft usually generous toward libraries regarding funding. We know hes a social conservative, but he was always a great advocate for funding.

But he doesnt like the secretary of state telling local libraries what to do. We believe in intellectual freedom. He cites that about 95% of book challenges involve LGBTQ themes.

Some people think such books are inappropriate for any minor, no matter their age. Libraries cant help that, Campbell said.

Campbell suspects Ashcroft would argue hes not trying to limit their freedom: But its quite clear to me that is what he is doing. The Scenic Regional Library already has policies regarding book challenges and doesnt expect those to change.

With Ashcroft claiming that libraries offer obscene books, Campbell says, hes created a false battle and made himself the hero of the battle.
Flying isn't always the most enjoyable part of a vacation and some of the biggest airports in America can challenge even the most patient traveler.

But not every airport has to cause frustration. There are a lot of smaller airports, even ones near big cities like Los Angeles or major vacation destinations such as Yellowstone National Park, that offer a charming experience.

On the latest episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona talks with Sally French of NerdWallet about her article: 9 of Americas Most Charming Airports

French's list highlights airports that offer unbeatable views, unique amenities and a great atmosphere. To qualify for this list, airports also had to have fewer than 1.5 million arriving passengers in 2022. By comparison, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International had more than 37 million arriving passengers in 2022.

Before you book your next trip, give these airports your consideration.

About this program

Nat Cardona is host of PennyWise as well as Lee Enterprise's true-crime podcast Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles. Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.
BELLEVILLE  A bombshell 696-page report on sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, released Tuesday by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, said archbishops and bishops throughout Illinois accepted the transfer of known abusers from other dioceses and that the information was kept from the Catholic community and the public.

In the Diocese of Belleville, which covers southern Illinois counties, bishops turned their backs on children to protect priests, the report says. Forty-three Catholic clerics and religious brothers who sexually abused children while ministering there are named.

Raymond Kownacki was high on the list. According to the report, Kownacki was ordained in 1960 and served in 12 churches (not including a five-year stint in Guatemala) before he was removed from ministry in 1995. The report notes that nine people reported being abused by him and that the diocese claimed the first complaint was made in 1972. The report said diocese leadership, including multiple bishops, knew of, and participated in, the transfer of Kownacki from parish to parish, over a course of decades.

Kownacki, the subject of prior litigation, was defrocked in 2013 and died in 2022.

At a press conference outside the Belleville Diocese administrative offices on Tuesday, David Clohessy, an organizer with a victims advocacy group, said the new report fell short because it didnt result in criminal charges against church leaders.

Its not necessarily a surprise, but its terribly disappointing, too, Clohessy said. Thats what we believe will make the difference.

Clohessy is the former national director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Belleville Bishop Michael McGovern wasnt at his office Tuesday to comment. An assistant referred questions to Monsignor John Myler, a spokesman for the diocese.

Asked about the Kownacki case, he said by email that the Diocese acknowledges that  several decades ago  certain of its priests engaged in inexcusable sexual misconduct which caused serious harm to children. And the diocese apologizes for any inadequate response it may have made then.

Myler pointed out part of the report in which the attorney general mentioned that the Diocese of Belleville has made strides forward in child protection procedures, investigating child sex abuse allegations, and publicly disclosing clerics who ministered within the diocese and are substantiated child sex abusers.

Statewide, the attorney general noted in the report that there are still 160 substantiated Illinois Catholic clerics and religious brother child sex abusers still not disclosed on diocesan websites in Illinois. But the attorney general said in the report that the four-year investigation resulted in more transparency.

At the start of the investigation, the report said 103 substantiated Catholic cleric child sex abusers were disclosed by Illinois dioceses. Over the course of the investigation, dioceses published an additional 231 names as a result, the attorney general said, of the investigation.

At the Belleville news conference, Lena Woltering, 75, said SNAP has been trying to bring attention to problem clergy for years.

Maybe the attorney general will have more sway, she said.

To download the entire report, go to https://clergyreport.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/download/report.pdf
CARBONDALE, Ill.  Anti-abortion activists filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging the constitutionality of Carbondale ordinance that prohibits protestors from approaching people within 100 feet of a medical clinic.

Though courts have struck down similar legal challenges in the past, the activists say that this time their case could make it to the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court.

We feel very confident that at the end of the day we can get this case up to a place where it will be heard and we will be able to get justice for not just the folks in Carbondale, for their free speech rights to be upheld, but for folks around the country, said Peter Breen, executive vice president of the Thomas More Society, a Catholic-led, conservative nonprofit law firm based in Chicago.

Thomas More Society filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on behalf of Coalition Life, which places volunteer sidewalk counselors outside of four clinics in Illinois in an effort to dissuade those going in from having an abortion. It was founded 12 years ago in St. Louis.

In January, the Carbondale City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that created a 100-foot buffer zone around health care facility entrances where people are prohibited from coming within 8 feet of another to give educational materials, display a sign to or engage in oral protest, education, or counseling, unless they are given permission.

The ordinance also prohibits anyone from obstructing or intimidating others entering or leaving a health care facility.

The lawsuit seeks an immediate pause to the ordinance while the judge decides whether it violates Coalition Lifes rights protected by the First Amendment.

This is an unconstitutional and overzealous attempt to show favor to abortion vendors, at the expense of the free speech rights of folks in Carbondale and neighboring communities, Breen said.

The city council passed the ordinance in response to reports by clinic staff and patients of frequent acts of intimidation, threats and interference from individuals protesting abortion access and services.

Dozens of cities and states have enforced similar buffer zones around clinics. A 1994 federal law  the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act  prohibits threatening and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with those seeking an abortion.

Many states in the South have passed laws that that effectively ban abortions since the federal right to abortion was overturned in June of last year, while Illinois on the other hand has expanded access.

Carbondale, about an hour from the states southern border, has become one of the closest destinations for many patients traveling to get an abortion. The city, home to 22,000 people and a major university, is less than 20 miles from Interstate 57 and has an Amtrak station. It also has, since fall of last year, two abortion clinics. Planned Parenthood of Illinois also plans to open a third clinic, though officials have not yet said when.

Brian Westbrook, executive director of Coalition Life, countered claims that the organizations counselors are intimidating or threatening staff and patients.

This City Council would have you believe that we here at Coalition Life are nothing but a nuisance, yet we provide a much-needed service on the sidewalks outside these abortion facilities, Westbrook said at a news conference Tuesday outside Carbondale City Hall announcing the lawsuit.

Volunteers share information about free pregnancy tests they offer along with help paying for things such as housing, car payments, diapers and maternity clothes, he said.

About 1 out of every 100 patients they approach outside a clinic, Westbrook said, will change their decision to have abortion.

We are entitled to have our voices heard, and the women and their pre-born children are entitled to know their options, Westbrook said.

However, Andrea Gallegos, executive administrator of Alamo Womens Clinic, said protesters harass patients daily by jumping in front of their cars, posing as clinic staff in order to confuse patients and wearing body cameras.

The ordinance is needed, Gallegos said. It does not prevent protests from happening, but it does grant some peace and privacy for patients as they walk in to their health care appointments which everyone should be entitled to.

Jennifer Pepper, president of CHOICES, which opened in Carbondale after its abortion services were restricted in Tennessee, said protesters confuse and intimidate patients.

It is imperative that every individual, regardless of their personal beliefs, can access accurate information, compassionate care, and support when making decisions about their reproductive health, Pepper said.

Westbrook claims the city ordinance was passed over the objections of area residents, and the lawsuit is pushing back against this over-broad power grab by a radical city council.

Officials with the city of Carbondale declined to respond, saying they cannot comment on pending litigation.

The Thomas More Society was part of a similar federal lawsuit filed in 2016 against the city of Chicago over the citys ordinance preventing protesters from getting with 8-feet of people entering health care facilities.

The Chicago ordinance was kept in place by federal and appeals courts, which cited a 2000 Supreme Court decision upholding a similar buffer zone around clinics in Colorado.

In July 2020, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

However, Breen argued that the June 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning the right to an abortion gave hints that laws creating buffer zones around health clinics are now open to challenge.

This suit right here is one we believe will get the attention of the highest court in the land, he said.
On Feb. 18, 2003, KMOX news woman Nan Wyatt was murdered in her home in Twin Oaks. Her husband pleaded guilty. He is in prison serving a life sentence.

Two days after Wyatt's death, Bill McClellan interviewed her husband about what had happened that night. Here is his column that followed.

Tom Erbland looked at me for only a moment, and then he put his head down. "I'm very sorry," he said. He started to cry. "I had the best wife, the best family. . . ."

A few minutes earlier, he had been arraigned in a St. Louis County courtroom for the murder of his wife, Nan Wyatt. He had sat in the prisoners' docket with his head buried in his hands. I had been unable to catch his eye, but after the arraignment, I asked an official at the county jail to see if Erbland would be willing to talk to me. Erbland agreed to do so. I was friends with his wife, and he and I had been together on several occasions.

"Were you drunk?" I asked him.

No, I had not been drinking, he said. Then he asked me to apologize for him to the journalists who worked with Wyatt on "Donnybrook," a discussion show on KETC. In fact, the last time I had seen Erbland was at a Christmas dinner with the other "Donnybrook" cast members.

"I stole Nan from everybody," he said. He was crying. "I stole her from Drake. She loved him so much." Drake is their only child. He turned 7 last week. "I stole Drake from her. She didn't deserve this."

I told Erbland that the police say the murder was premeditated. I asked if it was.

Yes, he said. I planned it, he said.

He said he bought the weapon - a .357-caliber Magnum handgun - in Maine in 1987. He was living in New Hampshire at the time. He told me he bought the gun intending to commit suicide, and went so far as to put the gun in his mouth. But he couldn't bring himself to pull the trigger, he said. That was almost 16 years ago, and he simply put the gun away. He never even fired it. It sat there for almost 16 years with that lone round in the cylinder. Then he said he decided to kill his wife, and Tuesday afterno on, about an hour before the murder, he put five more rounds in the cylinder.

"I tucked the gun in my jeans," he said, and he stood up and indicated that he had tucked the gun into the small of his back. He concealed it with his sweater, which he described as a Christmas present from his mother-in-law.

I asked if Wyatt knew he had a gun in the house. He nodded.

He told me that he had decided Tuesday morning to kill his wife, but that the plan had its beginnings about a week earlier. He said he had found Wyatt's private journal. It was in her purse on the floor.

"The house was really cluttery," he said. "That's my fault. I'm the one who's home all the time."

Erbland, who describes himself as a computer consultant, said he has not worked since July. Wyatt, of course, was a broadcaster for KMOX. She was also active in civic affairs.

"I decided I should read it," Erbland said. "There were things in there," he said, and his voice trailed off. "The marriage I thought I had. In my mind, in my heart. I don't know."

Wyatt had told friends that her marriage was crumbling. Erbland said he knew the marriage was failing, even before he read the journal. But there it was, somehow more official in written form.

Monday night, the night before the murder, he sought out the journal again. He knew where she kept it. He read the most recent entries. He said he had become enraged that his marriage was irretrievably broken. The next morning, he said, he decided to murder his wife.

He did not want his son home when he killed the boy's mother - the two were devoted to each other, Erbland said - so he sent the boy to a friend's house. But the friend and his parents left, and the boy came home. Then Wyatt came home. She and the boy came upstairs where Erbland was waiting. He sent the boy downstairs, he said, and asked Wyatt if he could talk to her.

"You know that Nan doesn't suffer fools," he said, "and she didn't suffer me. But she was willing to give me a few minutes to talk. I apologized to her. I said I was sorry for being so weak, such a weak man. And a fool. Had I not been a fool, I would have realized about the marriage, and I would have been the one to say, 'I want out.'

"She just nodded. She was sitting on the bed. I was standing up. She just nodded, and then, in Nan-style, she said something like, 'I've got stuff to do.'

I asked if Wyatt had seen the gun before he shot.

"Yes, she did. She was sitting on that bed facing me, and I pulled the gun out. She stood up and put her hand out. She said, 'You give me that gun!' She was strong. That's one thing I always loved about her. She was strong and forceful. Then she took a step toward me, and you know, it was this strong woman coming at me. I shot her."

I asked him how many times he shot her.

"Don't make me remember that," he said. He was crying again. He said that people don't realize what happens when you fire a gun into a person.

"She was a good person, a good wife. She didn't deserve this," he said. "She'd get up at 3:15 in the morning, and she was always out doing things in the community. She just wanted to be happy, and I stole that from her, and I stole that from her son. I deserve the death penalty for this."

I asked him why he didn't shoot himself.

"I wanted to kill myself," he said. "You know why I didn't? I'm a coward."

He said he wanted to apologize to everybody, especially to his son. He said he was haunted by the sense that the boy knew what had happened. The boy heard the shots, Erbland said, and came running up the stairs, wanting to know what had happened. Erbland told him that some furniture had fallen, and that they were going to go to the boy's grandmother's house. The boy wanted to know where his mother was, and Erbland told him she was cleaning up the broken furniture. Why would she do that? the boy asked.

"I dropped him off at his grandmother's house, and I forgot to hug him," Erbland said. He was crying again. "Maybe when I'm done, I can ask for God's forgiveness."
Anheuser-Busch, in an effort to soften the blow from a more than two-month boycott of Bud Light, on Thursday announced it would provide financial assistance to its distributors, wholesalers and other partners.

In a securities filing, the company said it would offer sales incentives, boost marketing and help cover the costs of fuel and freight.

We recognize that over the last two months, the discussion surrounding our company and Bud Light has moved away from beer, CEO Brendan Whitworth wrote in a letter posted on the companys website. And this has impacted our consumers, our business partners, and our employees.

In April, Bud Light partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who also received a promotional can of the beer with her face on it. Some people were offended by the brand using a transgender person in its marketing, and the ire of many was raised further when its vice president of marketing said that the branding of Bud Light has been kind of a fratty, kind of out-of-touch humor.

National retail sales of Bud Light have been down more than 25% since the controversy began. In May, the brand lost its long-held spot as the top-selling beer in America, for that month  though it still has sold the most beer by far in both volume and dollars to date this year, said Bump Williams of Bump Williams Consulting, which specializes in alcoholic beverages.

Whitworths letter promises to make investments that will protect the jobs of their frontline employees and to provide financial assistance to independent wholesalers.

A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday briefly detailed some of the ways the company will provide assistance.

Where it is legal, the filing states, the company will provide sales incentive payments to wholesalers for beer sold throughout 2023. The company will also extend extra credit to wholesalers for the rest of the year, where legal, and will additionally reimburse wholesalers for freight and fuel surcharges for the rest of the year.

Breweries and distributors typically split the cost of fuel and freight evenly between them. As the cost of shipping rose significantly in the past few years, so did the amount of these surcharges. This move will roll back the cost of those surcharges for the year.

The filing also pledges to incrementally increase investments promoting its brands in local markets.

Benj Steinman, president of Beer Marketers Insights, said A-Bs moves will help.

Its an important step, Steinman said. You could argue it could have been more. But clearly theyre addressing a need that was arising loud and clear from their wholesaler community. They needed help, and this is significant.

Anheuser-Busch products including Bud Light are distributed by Grey Eagle Distributors in all or part of 14 counties in the St. Louis area, but not St. Louis itself or Jefferson County.

Grey Eagle President and CEO David Stokes said, I am pleased with the substantial commitment to our partnership. This support will go a long way towards helping our employees and our company as we work together to restore our collective business in our home town.

Part of A-B CEO Whitworths letter is directed toward Bud Light consumers who were unhappy about the marketing effort that included Mulvaney.

We hear you. Our summer advertising launches next week, and you can look forward to Bud Light reinforcing what youve always loved about our brand  that its easy to drink and easy to enjoy, it says.

The current Bud Light marketing slogan is Easy to drink. Easy to enjoy.
After a 22-year reign as the bestselling beer in America, Bud Light slipped to No. 2 in the month of May.

The drop in sales was part of the fallout after the Anheuser-Busch InBev brand partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April. People who were offended by the brand marketing the beer with a transgender person began an informal boycott.

The brand took further heat when its vice president of marketing, Alissa Gordon Heinerscheid, attempted to explain the move by saying, Bud Light has been kind of a brand of fratty, kind of out-of-touch humor that she hoped to change by reaching out to Mulvaney.

Also contributing to Bud Lights slide has been a rapid increase in popularity of Modelo Especial beer, which overtook Bud Light in May. Modelo Especials sales have been rising for months, but have increased particularly since the Bud Light controversy began.

What sometimes does get lost is the fact that, year-to-date, Bud Light is still the No. 1 ranked beer in America on all fronts. Bud Light still has the edge when it comes to sheer volume sales year-to-date and the month of May, said Dave Williams, vice president of analytics and insight at Bump Williams Consulting, which analyzes the alcoholic beverage industry.

Since the controversy began, Bud Light sales have been down from about 25% to about 30% each week compared with the same week the year before, Williams said. Modelo Especial sales have been up around 9% for each week of the year.

If the trend continues, Modelo will replace Bud Light as the top selling beer in America by the years end, he said.

In some cities including Chicago, LGBTQ groups have called for a counter-protest against Anheuser-Busch products, arguing that the companys CEO, Michel Doukeris, offered only weak support of Mulvaney. In an earnings call to investors, Doukeris twice said that a can of Bud Light with Mulvaneys face on it, which was given to Mulvaney in honor of 365 days of girlhood, is not a formal campaign or advertisement.

Jerry Dallape, owner of Deans Liquor in Collinsville, said he saw no difference in Bud Light sales for the first couple of weeks of the controversy. But for the last few weeks, the drop in Bud Light sales has been notable.

This past week we had the (International) Horseradish Festival and we saw probably a quarter of the sales we usually do, he said. The festival was held June 2 and 3 in Collinsville.

With inventory left over from the festival, he said he ordered only about half the amount of Bud Light last week that he usually does. Meanwhile, Mexican beers such as Modelo and Corona are selling particularly well.

And so are other Anheuser-Busch products.

Bud Select is still selling. Budweiser is selling about the same as it did. But Bud Light isnt selling, and I know why. Youd think people wouldnt buy the other products, but they do. Its funny to me, he said.

Modelo Especial is brewed and distributed in the United States by Constellation Brands. In the rest of the world, it is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev.

According to published reports, grocery, convenience store and liquor store sales of Bud Light fell 23% to $297.3 million in May, or 7.3% of all beer sales in those stores. Modelo Especial sales in those locations jumped 15% to $333.1 million for the month, totaling 8.4% of U.S. retail beer sales for the month.

Anheuser-Busch stock closed at $56.67 Wednesday, up 1.89%. The stock has dropped 15% since partnering with Mulvaney on April 1.
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS  Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. will add 200 jobs at its site at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia Heights.

Gulfstream, which designs business aircraft, plans to invest $28.5 million in the facility. The expansion will add capacity for aircraft painting, and installation of furniture and electronics.

The company received state tax incentives. Under the terms of the agreement, Gulfstream will add 200 new full-time employees, and retain the 498 people it already employs there. The expansion will bring Gulfstream's total footprint at the airport to nearly 643,000 square feet.

"Gulfstream's expansion creates hundreds of jobs in Metro East region and equally important, strengthens the aviation and aerospace workforce pipeline through training partnerships," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards said in a statement.

The company said it has workforce development programs with East St. Louis Senior High School, Cahokia High School, and the Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence in Belleville.

Gulfstream's parent company is Reston, Virginia-based General Dynamics.
While farmers in Missouri scramble for quality hay to feed their livestock during an unusually dry spring, scammers are capitalizing on the desperate conditions by posing as hay sellers on social media. They collect payment but never deliver.

Reports of hay scams began spiking early last week, leading the Missouri Department of Agriculture to send out a warning urging livestock producers to be wary. The false ads, primarily posted on Facebook, do not appear to be targeted to Missouri but have led to at least a dozen complaints as Missouri farmers struggle to keep their animals fed at a time when pastures should be supplying much of the necessary feed.

Its been tough, said Charles Henke, owner of Henke Angus Farms in Salisbury, Missouri. Theres no water, theres no feed. Were having to feed hay 10 to 11 months out of the year, and theres just no hay available.

Henke estimates that his own farms hay production has been at about a quarter of what it would be in a typical year, as the dry spring and cold weather prevented much grass from growing. Hes had to buy hay from a seller hes used before.

Its definitely the worst year Ive ever seen, Henke said. His land in north-central Missouri is in a severe drought, while the middle of the state is listed as extreme drought. The St. Louis region is abnormally dry or in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said that its normally not until November that farmers have to rely on hay for feed. Because we dont have a lot of grass right now in our pastures, were feeding hay in June, and thats unheard of, she said.

Like Henke, Chinn says many farmers in Missouri bale their own hay, but the lack of growth has forced many to seek hay from outside sources.

The increased demand and low availability has also resulted in a spike in hay prices, tempting scammers to take advantage of producers in need. When farmers respond to a fake ad, theyre told to wire money into a bank account  with the promise of delivery once funds are received.

Weve had some farmers who got scared and backed out at that point in time, Chinn said. But there were some other farmers weve heard of who were so desperate for the hay, they paid, and did not get the hay. It never arrived.

Chinn estimates that the current rate for a large round bale of hay is between $100 and $125, and, with most farmers looking for hundreds of bales at a time, order costs can quickly reach into the thousands.

We started getting phone calls here at the Department of Agriculture because (farmers) had been scammed, and they didnt know where to turn, Chinn said. And it was at a time when they really couldnt afford to be scammed because they have higher feed costs and hay is a lot higher this year than its ever been.

She recommends that farmers looking to buy hay do so from someone they know or make use of the Missouri Department of Agricultures hay directory. On June 13, Gov. Mike Parson announced emergency water and hay access for farmers in response to the worsening drought conditions.

The majority of people who are advertising have hay to sale, Chinn said. Theyre legitimate. Theyre good people. But we just want to make people more cautious.

Davin Althoff, director of marketing and commodities for the Missouri Farm Bureau, said the drought is not only causing problems now, but will also impact the availability of forage and hay stocks going into the wintertime.

As a result, many farmers have already started making tough choices regarding the fate of their herds  especially those in central Missouri, where the drought conditions are worst.

Livestock producers really have two choices when it comes to drought: buy hay or sell cattle, Althoff said. Were seeing a lot of cows sold at market right now, a lot of good cows being sold at market across the central part of the state. Were seeing it now, and we will continue to see that happen if this drought persists.

Choosing to sell cattle is a difficult decision, he said. Many farmers have spent their lives building herds with strong genetics and taking care of the animals.

And, with the lack of available hay and grass, farmers are having to sell calves even earlier than normal, effectively taking in less income per animal. Henke sold about 90 cows last week, and he estimates that, had he been able to wait until November to sell, he would have made about $1,000 more per animal.

Youve kinda gotta do what you gotta do in order to survive, he said.

Even still, farmers remain hopeful for enough rain to allow for some hay collection in the fall.

Farmings always a gamble. Im not sure whats going to happen, Henke said. Everybody, pray for rain  and lots of it.
By Peter Masheter, KYODO NEWS - Jun 21, 2023 - 11:15 | All, Japan

Japan enacted a law to promote LGBT understanding last Friday after months of debate, but for some activists, the discussions did as much to entrench existing discrimination as encourage more open attitudes.

And while pushback against the legislation has mostly come from conservative circles raising concerns over threats to the family unit, the debate also fomented culture war arguments over entry by transgender people into sex-segregated spaces such as bathrooms and the traditional public baths frequented by much of the population.

For many activists and supporters, the issue over bathhouse entry, with critics raising the specter of men posing as transgender entering women's baths, was a mostly manufactured concern that saw the debate over the law become increasingly charged and contributed to it being watered down in critical respects.

Perhaps most problematic was that the version of the law that finally passed includes a clause, added at a late stage, pledging to "take heed that all citizens can live with peace of mind."

The clause's inclusion has been interpreted as a show of deference to the feelings of the majority in a law originally conceived to promote the understanding of sexual minorities.

Condemnation came from the Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation, which said the clause is "capable of doing huge damage to the LGBT community" due to its potential for overriding progressive local legislation to ban discrimination.

Minori Tokieda, a transgender woman and representative of activist group Rainbow Tokyo Kita Ward, said the new law "really narrows understanding, and propagates a one-sided idea of acceptance."

"It seems to be saying, the government will allow certain kinds of understanding, but not others, and that they could be at odds with the kind sought by groups meant to represent minorities," she said.

While there may have been isolated cases of people pretending to be transgender to commit sexual crimes, "groups calling for the safety of women and children use those cases to exclude transgender people and oppose LGBT legislation," she argued.

Among the groups to welcome the clause is Save Women's Space jp, an organization that has voiced concerns that the promotion of transgender rights could compromise the rights of women.

The group says it has compiled 53 cases from 2004 through March 2023 of incidents caused by men posing as women in gendered spaces including bathrooms and bathhouses.

In its statement, the group, which is calling for the LGBT understanding law to be scrapped and a law passed to protect women's spaces instead, also praised legal provisions accompanying the clause that it said were "equivalent to stating women and children's safety is also important."

But for Tokieda, the issue of transgender people using bathhouses "isn't really in keeping with reality" in the first place.

"I can't go to a women's or a men's bath, so I've given up on going to those kinds of public baths," she said, arguing that many transgender people are unlikely to want to show their bodies in such public spaces because they "may feel uncomfortable in some ways."

But regardless of the number of actual cases of transgender women using public baths, debate over the law has already had an effect on the Japanese bathing industry.

Onsen hot springs and sento bathhouses are a mainstay of Japanese culture, and though historically mixed-sex bathing was not uncommon, the vast majority now segregate the sexes.

Among those feeling compelled to respond is the southwestern Japan city of Beppu, which boasts the largest number of onsen hot springs in the country with a 2014 estimate showing it had 2,217 within city limits.

In early June, Mayor Yasuhiro Nagano revealed the city government has started a working group to discuss sexual minorities entering baths in response to the law's debate and passage through parliament.

Its onsen section includes one local transgender person, two university students who represent groups supporting sexual minorities, the tourism association and local onsen.

A city official said the government hopes to reduce anxiety through its findings. "We decided to start the group after receiving about 50 messages across different departments from people telling us they were concerned about transgender people entering the baths or bathrooms."

The industry body Japan Onsen Association said it, too, has received "many opinions asking us to oppose the LGBT understanding law" over what it described as "concerns that people with men's bodies who identify as women could enter the women's bathing area."

And while it conceded that it had investigated whether to draw up a response, the association ultimately chose not to, noting that it is not a political organization.

"A conclusion was reached that we will not put forward views on support or opposition to the formulation of specific laws," said Yutaka Seki, an association official.

Changing one's gender in Japan is not simple and comes with five conditions. Anyone wishing to do so must be over 18, unmarried, have no children below the age of majority, have no reproductive system or the inability to reproduce, and ensure their outer organs resemble those of the sex they intend to change to.

Fulfilling the final two conditions requires expensive surgeries. With the exception of the United States, where rules differ by state, other G-7 countries do not require surgery to change gender.

But while voices in Japan's transgender community maintain that public bathing facilities are effectively inaccessible to them, rising acceptance of transgender people in other countries and Japan's gradual lifting of coronavirus border rules to inbound tourism and other foreign nationals could yet complicate matters.

A mid-April incident at a Tokyo bathhouse underlined the risks. There, a Japanese woman in her 30s complained to staff that a foreign pre-operative transgender woman had entered the same outdoor bath as her with two other women.

The bathhouse then called the police, a measure it said it takes as a matter of process when problems arise. The transgender woman was taken to a police station, where police eventually decided not to arrest her because her ID showed she was female and she had come with two others, according to the Japanese woman who complained.

While the transgender woman at the center of the case could not be reached for comment, the woman who reported her said she had never been interested in gender issues before the incident. She also blamed both the bathhouse's approach and the government's lack of clarity on gender issues for allowing the situation to arise.

"If this is okay in the future, then there could be more women like me who have to see things they don't want to...I love going to bathhouses but this incident has made it so that I don't want to go to any at all," she said.

The bathhouse, whose rules do not allow customers to wear bathing suits in its facilities, said it was "sorry to everyone involved in the case" and that if the government were to set down "clear rules or laws on transgender people, then we would formulate our response based on those."

Related coverage:

Japan's Diet enacts legislation to promote LGBT understanding

Japan's lack of same-sex marriage "in unconstitutional state": court
The 15-story apartment building at 701 Westgate Avenue, just north of University Citys Delmar Loop, exists because of William S. Seltzer. He was born in 1903. His father was a tailor. Despite being Jewish, the family lived in Kerry Patch, a mostly Irish neighborhood on the near north side.

Seltzer became successful in the real-estate business. He recognized the need for subsidized housing for elderly people. He spearheaded the effort to provide it. The building on Westgate was the result. The Seltzer Building, it was called. When it opened its doors in 1970, the Globe-Democrat wrote that Seltzer had helped lift hundreds of the elderly  into clean, bright, affordable housing.

Seltzer died in October 1984. He left behind a legacy of philanthropy, some of which continues even now. He started a fund for people who need cab rides to come to the synagogue, said Jeffrey Stiffman, a close friend of Selzers and now the rabbi emeritus of Congregation Share Emeth.

Seltzers legacy on Westgate is more complicated. The building is in a state of general disrepair.

With government help  state and federal  it was rehabbed in 2006 to provide subsidized housing for the disabled as well as the elderly. It was renamed Parkview Place Apartments. For many years, it had a fine reputation.

There was a waiting list to get in, said Gregory Franzen. He is 56. He moved into the building in 2008. As a result of a diving accident when he was 16, he is a quadriplegic and requires a ventilator. He also needs skilled care to help with daily life. He graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia with a degree in design. He lived in a special dorm and was in a state-funded vocational rehabilitation program. When he was unable to find work after graduation, he started his own drafting and design business, but it did not work out.

He had been living with his parents before he moved to Westgate. It was a worrisome time. His parents were getting older. Independent living seemed a challenge. He needed to get in a program for medically fragile adults. That does not seem like it should have been difficult, but Franzen assured me that things are always more complicated than one would think. Government programs can be difficult to navigate.

Almost a year after he applied, he was certified as a medically fragile adult. And almost immediately, he got a coveted spot at the building on Westgate.

It was a miracle, Franzen said.

He is a devout Christian. He told me his faith is what got him through the very tough times after his accident. He gives witness to people who dont necessarily share his precise faith. While in Columbia, he had long conversations with Jewish people and Chinese people. Those heartfelt conversations are cherished memories of college.

What happened when Franzen arrived at Westgate?

A Jewish man opened the door for him. He immediately saw a notice on the billboard in Chinese.

I felt led by the Lord to be there, he said.

So that is how one tenant found his way to the building. Others I spoke with did not want to be identified in this story. They prefer to complain anonymously. And who can blame them? Conditions are not good, but it is still home. For old people and people with disabilities, and especially people who need subsidized housing, moving is a frightening prospect.

These other people directed me to Franzen. He has already moved. He left in January. My family said I should get out, he told me. They said the place has become a dump. His family is paying for his new apartment on Brentwood Boulevard.

Things were going downhill for a while in the building, Franzen said, but problems escalated in December 2021 when a water main broke and the boiler went out. University City condemned the building until water was restored about a month later. The residents were sent to hotels, and when they returned, they were issued space heaters. More than a year later, the new heating system is not yet up and running.

Most of the complaints are much more mundane. The elevators break down. Electrical outlets dont always work. The trash chutes get jammed.

If you have ever worked or lived in an old building, you know how it is. Things break down. Parts arent always readily available. Things that are broken tend to stay broken.

One woman complained to the Better Business Bureau last September. She said water had been leaking from her ceiling for weeks and she had to put towels and pots under the leak.

We do not have a manager. I dont know who to ask for help. There is no handyman or anyone working in the building. Im an elderly woman living alone. Help!

Actually, there is a manager, but she is not always there. I stopped in to visit last week, and there were construction workers in her office. They said they didnt have a number for her.

University City is aware of the problems. John Wagner, director of planning, is in charge of the inspectors. He told me that Fairway Management, which manages the property for JES Holdings, is generally responsive. Supply-chain issues have caused the delay in getting a new heating system installed, but the new one should be online any day, and will be a big improvement, he said.

We try to work with them, Wagner said. The alternative would be to levy heavy fines on them, but what would that accomplish? What if they shut down?

That would devastate the tenants with whom I have spoken. They dont want to have to move. They recall the old days fondly. They want to turn the clock back to the days before deferred maintenance. For instance, inspectors noted in November that the foyer and common areas on the first floor have been in disrepair since the water main break of December 2021. Two months ago, pipes burst and caused another flood.

The residents wonder, and worry, that the deferred maintenance is a sign that the building will be sold. The shadow of Washington University looms.

I spoke with the regional manager of Fairway on Tuesday. She asked me to mail her my questions. I did. I also explained that I used to work in an old building and I live in an old house. I understand problems with old things. Wednesday evening, my email from the previous day bounced back to me. The recipient server did not accept our request to connect, it said.

I did not take offense. My computer is old. Maybe hers is, too.

I had better luck with Washington University. A spokeswoman responded to an email. The university has no plans to purchase 701 Westgate, she wrote.

Apparently, there is no longer a waiting list for the apartments. According to University City, 132 of the 156 units are occupied.

Fairway Management is owned by JES Holdings.

Their website says, We develop, build, manage and invest in quality housing where our families would be proud to live.

That sounds like something William Seltzer might have said.
If you think the national image of St. Louis is bad now, just wait. Missouris unelected attorney general, who is white, is trying to throw out the citys twice-elected circuit attorney, who is Black. Were going to be made to look like Selma in the 1950s. Missouri will be the new Alabama.

We know better, right? Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners tenure has been a disaster. The criminal justice system is broken. The city has dozens of murder cases pending. Crimes that dont rise to that level get tossed on the circular file. The chief trial assistant has recently announced his resignation.

Do you think the national media will pick up on those nuances? If so, think again. Theyll send correspondents to Jefferson City, and theyll find legislators who will say we want to be Alabama in the 1950s. Its a goal.

Goodbye, new businesses.

To ensure that the effort to remove her receives national attention, Gardner has hired Ronald Sullivan, Harvey Weinsteins former lawyer. Sullivan is the attorney Gardner once hired to prosecute former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens. It seemed a strange hire at the time because she had a staff of prosecutors on hand. We will never know if Sullivan would have had more luck prosecuting Greitens than he did defending Weinstein because the Greitens case got sidetracked before trial when the investigator Gardner hired got charged with perjury. That hire had seemed odd, too, because Gardner had a staff of investigators on hand.

At any rate, we are headed toward a trainwreck.

There is a way out.

Let me tell you about a beer I had with Eric Schmitt shortly before the pandemic shut everything down. Schmitt had contacted me with some exciting news. He was going to start a cold case unit in the attorney generals office. To handle old murder cases from across the state, he was bringing in a couple of seasoned prosecutors  Tom Dittmeier and Dean Hoag.

Old cases, old prosecutors. It was music to an old reporters ears. But COVID put the brakes on everything, and then Roy Blunt retired and Schmitt ran for Senate.

During that same conversation, Schmitt had suggested a special unit in the AGs office to handle homicides in the city. That wouldnt work, I said. The city has an elected prosecutor. State intervention would disenfranchise city residents.

I still believe that. But what if it werent state intervention? What if the city itself declared an emergency and established a temporary office to assist the circuit attorney? The office would handle serious cases. Mostly homicides.

It would be a two-year fix. Just long enough to get things back on track.

Race is a big part of Gardners argument. Shes the first Black prosecutor. She points that out repeatedly. Wed court disaster taking some of her power away and giving it to a white person.

Fortunately, there are many well-qualified Black candidates. I might go with a judge. We would ask the judge to take a two-year leave to run the new office. Circuit Court Judge Paula Bryant would be good. She started as a prosecutor. Or we could ask U.S. District Court Judge Henry Autrey to be in charge. I remember going into his chambers long ago to talk about a case and he was eating yogurt and smoking a cigarette. An ideal judge, I thought. He sees both sides of an issue. He used to be a prosecutor, too.

Or we might seek a younger person. Reggie Harris of Bryan Cave or Gabriel Gore of Dowd Bennett would be great choices. In fact, they were the two names most frequently mentioned back when people thought President Joe Biden might actually appoint a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

At any rate, there is no shortage of candidates to run the new office.

We need to get on this quickly. Motions are already being filed in the states effort to remove Gardner.

If I were the mayor, Id put Mike Wolff, former Missouri Supreme Court judge and former dean of St. Louis University Law School, in charge of setting this up. He could ask the U.S. attorney to lend the office a few prosecutors. He could make the same request of the attorney general. (Lets see if Andrew Bailey really wants to help or if hes just looking for headlines.) Wolff could ask local law firms for lawyers. All the big firms have former prosecutors on staff. So do most of the smaller firms that specialize in criminal defense. The private firms would continue paying the salaries of the lawyers they lend to the program.

Its asking a lot of the lawyers to put their careers on hold for two years, but hey, people used to get drafted into the Army and run the risk of getting killed.

This is an emergency, Wolff could explain. If were going to fix a broken criminal justice system, we need the help of the legal community. Meanwhile, former prosecutors might want to enlist.

The business community will need to help, too. The mayor could call Jason Hall, head of Greater St. Louis Inc. We need downtown office space suitable for a small law firm, shed say. Maybe 40 lawyers and support staff. We want the space donated. If we dont fix the criminal justice system, the space wont be worth anything, anyway. In addition to space, were going to need IT help. Bookkeeping, too. And a couple of spokespeople.

Hall and the business community have been outspoken about problems with the criminal justice system. Time to do something.

Winston Churchill didnt rent boats to get the army off of the beaches of Dunkirk. We have to look at this with the same sense of urgency. We must do something, and we must do it quickly.

Of course, everything wont be donated. Some small law firms may not be able to subsidize their employees who take leave to work in this new venture. And investigators, of course. Presumably, well be hiring retired cops. Theyll have to be paid.

Happily, the city is flush at the moment and a two-year commitment to repair the criminal justice system is a good investment. Nobody thinks our New Normal is working.

While the new auxiliary office will be autonomous, it should work with the circuit attorneys office. For instance, inexperienced prosecutors at the circuit attorneys office could assist and second-chair the more experienced prosecutors in the auxiliary office. That way, when the emergency situation abates and the auxiliary office shuts down, the circuit attorneys staff will be more prepared to handle things.

Hopefully, the citys leaders  business and political  will be able to convince the citizenry that competency is required in the criminal justice system. In the end, the only people who can save St. Louis are St. Louisans.

But that comes later. Right now, were at the Last Chance Cafe. We can dare to do something and be an example to the country  were not alone in this red, blue, black, white mess  or we can drift along and see what happens. That sound you hear is a waterfall.
The tenure of Kimberly M. Gardner has been a failed experiment from the very beginning.

After getting elected St. Louis circuit attorney in 2016, she began chasing experienced prosecutors out of the office. It was more ideological than personal. Prosecutors, like cops, are mostly conservative. They believe in law and order. Gardner saw things from the other side.

Her aunt had been married to Sam Petty, this citys most notorious heroin dealer. He grew up poor in north St. Louis. When he was 14, he killed a man and was sent to a juvenile institution. He became a Muslim and then a revolutionary. He founded the Black Liberators, a paramilitary organization loosely affiliated with the Black Panthers.

H. Rap Brown of Atlanta was a good friend.

In 1971, Petty and Brown were arrested in New York after a shoot-out with police. It was a high-profile trial. Supporters in the courtroom raised clenched fists and chanted, Black Power! Petty and Brown were convicted.

The government took the Black radicals much more seriously than it has the white radicals of today. By the time Petty got out of prison in 1976, most of his revolutionary cohorts were dead or locked up. Petty got into narcotics.

In 1985, the cops finally caught him. He had been on their radar for years. Busted with him was his second wife, Gardners aunt. (His first wife had been shot dead on the morning she was scheduled to testify to the grand jury. The case was never solved.) Cops confiscated two ounces of cocaine, weapons, 10,000 rounds of ammunition and manuals on guerrilla warfare. Although the drugs and guns almost certainly belonged to her husband, Gardners aunt had sold cocaine to an undercover narcotics detective. Despite having no criminal record, she got eight years.

Gardner was a child at the time. Her family was in the funeral home business. She eventually went to law school and then worked for a short time as a prosecutor in the circuit attorneys office. She then won a seat in the Legislature.

Just about the time Jennifer Joyce decided not to run for reelection as circuit attorney, liberal money was looking for a cause. Urban education had proved too hard, the potential results too far down the stream. The criminal justice system seemed like a better option. You could change things in an instant. Gardner was a beneficiary of this newfound interest in criminal justice.

To an old-school liberal like me, Gardners election seemed like a promising way to look at old problems through a new lens. Here was a person who understood the complexities of life. Perhaps she could see the humanity in us all.

But when I asked if her aunts experience colored her thinking, she called my question reckless, and through a spokesperson said, I continue to be disappointed with some in the St. Louis media, and their efforts to continually discredit me, my family and my work.

Perhaps her distrust was understandable. I was friendly with many of the experienced prosecutors she had chased out, and I am good friends with the former narcotics detective who made the buys from her aunt. He is now retired from the police department. He is a regular visitor to juvenile institutions where he plays chess with the young offenders.

In a functioning criminal-justice system, there is always friction between police and prosecutors. Police figure they have enough evidence to arrest somebody, but the prosecutors figure they need more evidence to convict. It is a constant push-pull.

There was no give in Gardners game. She made it clear that she did not trust the police. At all.

It is a problem when prosecutors are too trusting, but it is a disaster when they consistently take the side of the accused. With Gardner at the helm, the system broke down.

The most famous breakdown occurred when she indicted then-Gov. Eric Greitens. Asked why she hired a private investigator from out of state, she said the city police wouldnt handle the case because it involved public corruption. The police chief and the director of public safety denied that she had ever approached them about the case.

Eventually, she dropped the charges against the governor, and her investigator was charged with six counts of perjury. He pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence. Gardner was reprimanded by the Missouri Supreme Court and fined for violating professional misconduct rules.

But the case that really stuck with me was the shooting death of 7-year-old Xavier Usanga in 2019. The shooting occurred when Malik Ross, wearing a bulletproof vest and caring a Glock, fired at two teens across the street. An errant round killed Xavier.

Ross then stole money from his employer so he could get out of town. Thats what he told police. He knew what he had done, and he had to leave. He also said he fired in self-defense, although audio from a nearby security camera recorded only one weapon being shot and the shell casings recovered were from only one weapon.

Gardner refused to prosecute. As was her custom, she did not explain her reasoning. Fortunately, the stealing case went to federal court, Ross pleaded guilty. The federal prosecutor asked the judge  a Bill Clinton appointee  to sentence above the guidelines because the underlying cause of the stealing was the shooting death of a child. Ross attorney argued that the judge should not take into account a crime for which her client had not even been charged.

But the judge did. The guidelines called for 14 months and the judge gave Ross 10 years.

That is not the way the system is supposed to work, but what is it supposed to do when a prosecutor refuses to do her job?

Gardner has continually denounced all criticism against her as racist. She easily won reelection in 2020. The once-great television show 60 Minutes came here and did a flattering piece on the embattled prosecutor who stands up to her racist critics. Ive talked with Black friends in the criminal justice system and the political world and they shrug. Her followers are passionate. It seemed eerily similar to Republican officials and Donald Trump.

I have longed for the bad old days when powerful bosses ran the political parties. A group of such bosses would have had a sit-down with Gardner long ago. We understand that crime is a complicated matter and the root causes are well beyond your control, but the dysfunction in your office has come to represent the problem.

She would have resigned to explore the ever-alluring new opportunities.

But I did not think it would happen. More likely the hostile Republican-led Legislature would establish a new office to handle serious crimes and appoint a new prosecutor. Gardners followers would take to the streets. It would be one hot mess.

But in the wake of the horrific crash in downtown last weekend, after which Gardner first blamed the judges and then issued a rebuke against finger-pointing, the mayor spoke up. Gardner has lost the faith of the community, the mayor said. Then others spoke up.

We cant undo what happened to the innocent teenager who was so terribly injured by a young man who should not have been on the streets, but maybe we can fix ourselves. An honest, competent prosecutor will not make crime disappear, but things will feel better, as they always do in a society with a functioning criminal-justice system. An imperfect system, to be sure, but a working one.
Things are bad today, but they have been bad for a very long time.

Way back in the Reagan Era, crime in our cities was out of control. If you visited New York in those days, you would have seen signs on windshields of parked cars  No Radio.

A rash of car break-ins to steal radios led some New Yorkers to give up. Some carried them inside and re-installed them in the morning. Others lived radio-free.

The signs werent completely effective. Thieves still broke into cars and would leave signs of their own. Just checking, or Get one!

I never understood the economics of car-radio theft. Where was the market? Most cars came with factory-installed radios. When I bought a bare-bones Honda Civic in 1983, it was an oddity because it had no radio. Even more astounding, it had no cigarette lighter. Why would anybody buy a new car without those things?

I was being frugal. I had called several car dealers. Give me your lowest price for a new car. I do not want to bargain.

The winner was Huey Honda. The car had no extras.

I should not say that. It had a spare tire. In those days, though, that was not considered an extra. It was like getting a lime in a gin and tonic. You didnt have to ask. Of course, you got a spare tire with a new car.

As you might know, that is no longer the case. Two years ago, I went to the same Honda dealer. I am looking for an Accord, I said, no longer so concerned about frugality. We have an Accord hybrid on the lot, the salesman said, looking pleased with himself.

Back in the Reagan Era, all car dealers had cars on the lot.

The salesman led me out to a dazzling white Accord hybrid.

Ill be back shortly, I said. I drove home to quickly browse reviews about Accord hybrids. Great cars, said the first review, but you dont get a spare tire, which, the reviewer said, could be off-putting to some people.

I was definitely off-put.

I called the dealer and spoke to the salesman. Is it true I wouldnt get a spare tire with that car? You get a patch kit, he said. A patch kit. I imagined myself on a lonely highway on a cold night with a shredded tire and a patch kit.

I decided not to get a new car. My 2013 Accord  a grandfathers car  has a few miles and a few scrapes on it. But everything works well  except for the key. The key battery died. Replacing the battery seems like a lot of work and for what gain? So I can push a button on the key and lock and unlock the car without having to put the key in the lock? I am not particularly handy, but I can use a key. How hard is it to lock and unlock a car manually?

Still, there are times when I dont make the effort. Yes, I sometimes leave my car unlocked.

Thats not smart. Thieves dont break into cars to steal radios these days. Theyre looking for electronics or guns or purses. Also, they often dont smash the window to get into the car. They check to see if the car is unlocked.

This has become such a problem that the St. Louis County Council voted last year to criminalize repeatedly lifting door handles. That is what juveniles allegedly do. In the early morning hours, they walk along the street and lift door handles to see if a car is unlocked. If it is, they rummage through it. They look under the seats. They go through the glove box. They check compartments. Sometimes they pop the trunk and check that.

The county council vote to criminalize handle-flipping was nearly unanimous. Only Lisa Clancy was against it. Shes my council member. Thank you, Lisa!

Perhaps I am being unfair. Frankly, I thought the new law was silly. Why have a law that will not be enforced? Just a couple of weeks ago, juveniles were leaning out of car windows shooting up the parking lot at the Foundry. They were released to their parents. Yes, that was in the city, but does anybody think that handle-flippers are going to get even a slap on the wrist?

You can see where this is going. I went out to my car the other day, and the first thing I noticed was my glove compartment was open and the papers therein were strewn around. I had been handle-flipped.

Go ahead. Blame the victim. I should have locked my car. Parked right in front of me, and unscathed, was my wifes car. Naturally, her car was locked.

On the other hand, I park under a street light. You might think that would have afforded me some safety. It did not. These handle-lifters are brazen.

Normally I keep nothing of value in my car. The other day was an exception. I had been to see an old friend in Tonica, Illinois. Thats almost a four-hour drive. So I had taken with me some CDs. I am not going to say they are irreplaceable  you can get almost anything on eBay  but I have never been on eBay and dont want to start now. I dont want another password. Im sick of passwords.

Then I took a closer look at the papers strewn around the front seat, and I noticed something. My CDs were still there.

That seemed insulting. I thought young people were supposed to be into music.

I had four CDs in the car. Louis Armstrongs 16 Most Requested Songs, The Beatles Revolver, Rogers and Hammersteins Oklahoma! and Frank Sinatras Super Hits.

Not exactly chopped liver.

Admittedly, not everybody shares the same taste in music.

I remember being in federal court years ago when a man was being sentenced for something fraud-related. He asked the judge if he could delay his reporting date to prison so he could attend an upcoming concert of the band Chicago. My wife and I went to one of their concerts on our first date, he told the judge.

The judge, who seemed to believe he was the reincarnation of an Old Testament prophet  angry and righteous  shot a glowering look toward the mans lawyer, who was known to be a hard-core Dead Head.

Its not a big ask, Your Honor, the lawyer said. Its not even good music.

The judge took a moment to sort it out and then agreed to delay the reporting date.

The defendant murmured his thanks, and then turned around to look at his wife. She seemed ready to cry, but she smiled at her husband.

That is the power of music.

I worry about young people today. They left some very good CDs untouched.
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There are people you write about who leave a lasting impression.

Areli Munoz-Reyes is one of those people.

I met her in 2015 shortly after she had graduated from University City High School. She was a very good student, preparing for college and having secured two years worth of tuition through Missouris A-plus program, which rewards students for good grades and community service.

We met at the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, a nonprofit that helps first-generation students and others who lack financial resources to fulfill their higher education dreams. At the time, the Missouri Legislature was in the process of making it more difficult for people like Reyes to go to college.

Say her name, I wrote at the time. Areli Munoz-Reyes qualified for her college aid the same way your children did. Say her name before you take away that which she already earned.

Reyes took a risk talking to me, becoming an advocate for people who wanted a path to citizenship, to continue their studies, to work, to pay taxes, to stay with families that have complicated histories. Reyes father was seeking asylum; her mother was undocumented; her little sister is a citizen. American policy, at least under the law, is to tear them apart.

Im really worried, she told me then. But somebody has to speak up. They need to know how real people are affected. I feel like what they are trying to do to me is take away my hope. I think Ive done all the right things.

When Reyes was 8, she was brought to St. Louis by parents from Mexico who were not citizens of this country. There are more than 1 million young people like her  children brought to this country, raised here and educated as Americans, only to find out when they try to get a drivers license or go to college that they are different.

They are DREAMers, the subjects of the long-stalled DREAM Act first introduced in 2001 but never passed by Congress despite bipartisan support. The act would give these young people a path to citizenship. In 2012, then-President Barack Obama issued a memo protecting the students by creating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The DACA program, which former President Donald Trump tried to rescind and President Joe Biden has strengthened, turned 11 years old last week. Thats when I saw a video of Areli.

Shes married now and has a new last name, but she was one of four DREAMers highlighted by the White House to celebrate the resilience of DACA and the people it protects.

In the video, Reyes, now Garner, recalled first learning of the DACA protections when she was a teenager in St. Louis.

We were actually having a barbecue and we turned on the news and saw that the president was announcing this program, she says. We were really happy, but at the same time we were kind of scared because we didnt know what that meant for us.

Indeed, since that day, her life has been a whirlwind, spending two years at St. Louis Community CollegeForest Park and finishing her undergraduate degree out of state. She came back to St. Louis to graduate this spring with a masters degree in social work from Washington University. All along, she has advocated for other immigrants and watched the various DACA court decisions, wondering what might be in store for her.

No matter what country she was born in, Areli Munoz-Reyes Garner is an American success story  and an example of the dichotomy in our broken immigration system. Shes fulfilling her dreams to contribute to the only country shes ever known, while also looking over her shoulder and wondering when a court or president might try to send her away.

Im speechless. I never thought Id be in this position, she said in her moment in the sun, videotaped on the White House grounds. We are here. Were going to keep fighting and were not going to stop until we have a permanent solution for us.
UPDATED at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday with name of one victim, additional details

ST. LOUIS  Two of the three people shot Tuesday in the Kingsway East neighborhood have died, police say.

Two shootings were in a five-hour span and about a half-mile apart.

A double shooting about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday killed 26-year-old Terrell Johnson. He was shot in the head in the 1900 block of Marcus Avenue, near Leduc Street. He died later at a hospital.

The second victim in that shooting, a 23-year-old man, was shot several times in the arms. He was stable and being treated at a hospital.

At 9 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to another shooting about a half-mile away from the first homicide scene. A 23-year-old man was found dead on the front porch of a home in the 4700 block of Labadie Avenue, near Marcus Avenue. He had been shot in the head.

His name hasn't been released.

Police have not made any arrests in either shooting. Police also said they have no suspects.

With the two killings Tuesday, St. Louis has had 80 homicides so far this year. This time last year, the city had 81 homicides, according to the St. Louis Homicide Division.
ST. LOUIS  A University City man who defrauded Missouri Medicaid out of more than $1.2 million and fraudulently received $135,000 in pandemic aid was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison.

Authorities said Deandre D. Horne falsely claimed over a four-year period that he provided home health care services and used fake visitor information to cover it up. On some occasions, he was vacationing in Paris, Chile, Japan, Brussels, Punta Cana, Portugal and Jamaica when he claimed to be on the job in Missouri, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In addition, Horne received a $135,707 loan through the federal Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic by inflating the number of employees who worked for his business, Budget Towing & Recovery LLC.

Horne pleaded guilty in February to one count of health care fraud and one count of wire fraud. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to repay $1,474,388.

"This individual took valuable resources away from their intended recipients during a time when many Americans were hurting and needed that support," said Curt L. Muller, the special agent in charge at the Department of Health and Human Services, in a news release.
A 10-year-old boy from Festus died Sunday in an all-terrain vehicle crash in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, police said.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said the boy was a passenger on a 2009 Polaris Ranger ATV driven in a field by an older boy.

The vehicle crashed about 12:15 p.m. Sunday in the 10300 block of Avon Road.

Police did not release the name of the boy who died. The Ste. Genevieve County coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.

The crash site is about 75 miles south of St. Louis.

A 12-year-old boy from Valles Mines, Missouri, was driving the ATV in a field when he tried to make a U-turn and the vehicle overturned, police said. The unidentified driver was not injured, according to the patrol's report.
ST. LOUIS  A Georgia man was charged Thursday in the July 2022 death of a 21-year-old man outside a fish and chicken restaurant.

Darius T. Griffin, 32, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Vernell Julion.

Court documents said surveillance video from Pop's Fish & Chicken Market in the 1100 block of North Kingshighway Boulevard showed a man peeking around the corner of the building multiple times, looking for something.

When Julion walked into the camera's view, the man behind the building chased Julion around trash dumpsters and eventually shot him with an AK-style pistol multiple times, according to court documents.

Authorities later identified Griffin as the shooter. He was indicted in federal court in September with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
ST. LOUIS  Someone used a keycard to gain access to a Washington Avenue office building and then propped the door open for others before Sundays shooting that killed one teenager and wounded 10 others, a city official said Wednesday.

A police captain said investigators are still trying to pin down how the throngs of revelers got inside the building for a party, but St. Louis Building Commissioner Frank Oswald offered the keycard explanation at a police briefing with reporters.

Somehow, somebody got a keycard to get the front door open and they propped the door open to allow these people in, and unfortunately it went downhill from there, Oswald said.

Oswald said the building is supposed to be closed on weekends. He didnt know if a card was stolen or if a tenant gave the keycard to one of the young people who organized the party.

We really have no idea, Oswald said.

And he didnt know which tenants keycard was used, he said.

Oswald said some of the suites in that part of the building are part of an incubator  a business that functions as a springboard for startups, providing particular resources the startup needs to grow.

He said he didnt know if any cards were lost or stolen.

Police said no keycard had been reported stolen, and they couldnt confirm one had been used to get in.

Several tenants on Monday said theyve had security concerns in recent months, including because of doors left propped open at night.

Terry McDonald, the building owner, could not be reached for comment.

Makao Moore, 17, a junior at Sumner High School, was killed in the shooting on the fifth floor of the building about 1 a.m. Sunday. Ten other teens were shot, including two who were shot in the back and three who suffered graze wounds. The shooting victims ranged in age from 15 to 19. One girl, 17, wasnt shot but she suffered a possible spinal injury when she was trampled trying to escape.

No one has been charged in the shooting yet. Police are still searching for at least three gunmen. They released surveillance images Tuesday showing youths carrying AK-15-style pistols. One of the boys was wearing a mask.

Sgt. Charles Wall said one 17-year-old boy with a gun was arrested Sunday by plainclothes detectives. They took him into custody near the shooting scene and turned him over to the Family Courts.

But the boy has since been released to a parent, and has not been charged with a crime.

Wall said he wasnt sure if evidence definitively tied the boy to the shooting.

We were dealing with a very chaotic scene involving numerous shell casings fired from numerous firearms, and the evidence we were able to present to the juvenile courts in the immediate aftermath was not sufficient in their estimation, Wall said.

Detectives have been asked to do more investigative work, and Wall said the juvenile who was released could still be charged once they do that.

Wall said the juvenile authorities moved forward with a status offense against the boy, known as behavior injurious because it is dangerous for a juvenile to have a firearm. But again thats not a criminal offense, it is a status offense, Wall said, and that status offense alone wasnt enough to hold the boy in juvenile court.

Police are still trying to determine the motive for the shooting. Investigators havent said if Moore was a target of the shooter. Wall said investigators have no reason to believe that Moore had a firearm at the party.

Others who attended the party, Wall said, could face trespassing charges.
UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged the parties to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres also called on the parties to accelerate operations, pointing to the reduction in the movement of vessels coming in and out of Ukrainian sea ports, and a drop in the supply of essential foodstuffs to global markets.

Food exports via the Black Sea have fallen from a peak of 4.2 million metric tonnes in October 2022 to 1.3 million metric tonnes in May, the lowest volume since the grain deal came into operation, according to the statement.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed separately by Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul with Turkiye and the United Nations in July 2022.

The initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days, till May 18, 2023. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.

The UN chief's statement said that the United Nations is fully committed to supporting the implementation of both the initiative and the memorandum of understanding, so that exports of food and fertilizers, including ammonia, from Russia and Ukraine reach markets around the world safely and predictably.

"This is especially critical now as the new grain harvest begins in both Ukraine and the Russian Federation," said the statement. 
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis man was charged with murder Friday after authorities say he and another man tried to rob two people in north St. Louis last month, and the man's accomplice wound up dead.

Izel Nash, 29, is charged with second-degree murder and several other felonies after authorities say he and Alonzo Jones, 35, attempted to rob two people May 6 in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood.

One of the would-be victims pulled a gun and exchanged gunfire with the suspects. Jones was killed in the exchange, and he was found dead just after 8 p.m. in the 1500 block of Destrehan Street.

In all, Nash is charged with murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree assault and three counts of criminal action. He was in police custody Friday evening.

Jones lived on Harris Avenue in the city's O'Fallon neighborhood.
Children injured or killed by gunfire in the St. Louis area in 2023

Below is the St. Louis Post-Dispatch coverage of children who have been injured or killed by gunfire across the St. Louis metropolitan area in 2023. The children are 17 years old or younger.

Through July 17, at least 41 children were injured or killed by gunshots. Fourteen people 17 or younger were killed in shootings.

These are not all the homicides involving children. For more details on local homicides, check the homicide tracker.
JEFFERSON CITY  While drought conditions have triggered a scramble to ensure farming and ranching businesses have adequate water and feed for their livestock, the lack of rain across much of Missouri has not yet begun affecting drinking water supplies.

But, the director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources said the agency is actively monitoring the situation.

DNR chief Dru Buntin told members of the Missouri Development Finance Board during a brief report Tuesday that drinking water supplies could begin to be affected if the state does not receive more precipitation in certain areas.

We dont see that yet but were concerned, Buntin told the board.

Much of Missouris mid-section is experiencing extreme drought. Areas affected include Cole County, home to Jefferson City, which pumps its drinking water out of the Missouri River.

Large portions of four counties in northeast Missouri, near the Iowa border, also are listed in extreme drought.

St. Louis, which draws its drinking water supply from the Mississippi River, is listed as abnormally dry, while neighboring counties are listed in moderate to severe drought.

In all, the U.S. Drought Monitors latest weekly report shows 3.7 million Missourians  about 60% of the states population  are affected by the lack of rain.

During the drought of 2018, three northwest Missouri communities faced the possibility of drinking water supplies drying up due to low levels in their reservoirs.

In the western Missouri city of Cameron, for example, the city council adopted a resolution in July 2018 to pump water from Pony Express Lake through an emergency aboveground transmission line.

By the time the pipe was functional in October of that year, rains had restored the reservoir to full pool, according to a DNR report.

The city of Hamilton in Caldwell County northeast of Kansas City imposed water restrictions on residents in 2018 when its water supply reservoir began dipping into dangerous territory. At one point water levels were two feet above the intake pipe, but rains that fall refilled the lake.

In north central Missouri, water commissioners urged conservation after a reservoir that also serves as a source of water for a Smithfield Fresh Meats processing facility dropped 109 inches below full pool.

A major reservoir named after former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is being built in the region to address future water concerns.

Last year, during a long stretch of dry weather, officials said municipal drinking water systems along the Mississippi River had generally not been jeopardized by the drought conditions, which limited barge and cruise traffic.

Some complications arose, however.

In Cape Girardeau, the citys water supply was interrupted by a water main break caused when a pipe was ruptured by the shift of dried-up dirt.

For now, the drought response has been largely limited to helping farmers. Gov. Mike Parson, who raises cattle at his home in Bolivar, announced last week that water for farming operations could be pumped out of DNR lakes or at boat ramps at 36 Missouri Department of Conservation areas.

The state also opened up hay mowing opportunities on state-owned land to help feed cattle on farms that havent been able to grow enough for livestock.

Hay season is in full swing around the state and yields have been far from spectacular. Drought conditions continue to get worse, said a Monday market report by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Special hay hauling permits also can be requested through the Missouri Department of Transportation.

With the current water deficit, we know it will take a lot of rain for our state and its agricultural community to recover from the drought. While our prayers for rain to continue, state government will do its part to assist wherever and whenever it can, Parson said in announcing the assistance.
JEFFERSON CITY  Despite facing the same staffing issues plaguing state government and some local law enforcement agencies, Missouris state police force is again helping to enforce traffic laws on St. Louis-area highways.

While the city has historically patrolled interstates within its jurisdiction, a Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman said Wednesday that state troopers have been deployed to interstates in the city in recent weeks as part of an operation with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments traffic unit.

The efforts are part of our continued periodic enforcement assistance to the City of St. Louis, said Capt. John Hotz.

Earlier this month, during a saturation patrol on Interstate 70, troopers made numerous arrests and issued tickets on the busy roadway.

The patrols are part of the states on-again, off-again involvement in the urban area, an effort first launched by Gov. Mike Parson in 2019 to combat violent crime.

Along with dedicating some patrol officers to various task forces, four to six troopers periodically conduct patrol surges on I-70.

The surges are intended to apprehend violent criminals, remove them from the interstates, and free up local officers to patrol other high-crime areas, Parson said in 2019.

The surges come as the highway patrol, like other state agencies, has faced staffing issues in recent years.

In the upcoming state budget, lawmakers are giving troopers a 20% pay increase in hopes of boosting recruiting. Parson is expected to sign the spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1 later this month.

Staffing levels continue to be an issue, Hotz said.

The patrol has 146 trooper and 126  civilian vacancies statewide, and 27 trooper and 55 civilian vacancies in the patrols St. Louis area division.

Hotz said troopers are paid overtime when on city duty to minimize the impact on other parts of the agency.

The enforcement projects are not set for a certain number of hours per day. They occur as funding and staffing levels allow, he added.

In 2017, the highway patrol issued more than 1,000 tickets after former Gov. Eric Greitens called for an increase in policing in the city.

At the time, former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners office said it could not handle the increased workload. Gardner has since left the job and was replaced by attorney Gabe Gore, who is working to rebuild the depleted office.

In March, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed legislation assigning more than $40 million in federal pandemic aid for street improvements across the city, including efforts to reduce speeding and reduce deadly collisions.

A total of 78 people were ultimately killed by traffic violence in the city last year, making it the second-deadliest year on record.
JEFFERSON CITY  A Cole County judge Tuesday rejected an attempt by Missouris top lawyer to stop a constitutional amendment to restore abortion rights, and ordered him to approve the fiscal note summary within 24 hours of the ruling.

In a 28-page ruling, Circuit Judge Jon Beetem said Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who has refused to sign off on the amendments potential cost estimate, has only a ministerial duty to approve the cost figure of a proposed ballot measure.

(T)he attorney general has no authority to substitute his own judgment for that of the auditor regarding the estimated cost of a proposed measure, Beetem wrote.

Beetem said Baileys maneuvering put state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick in an absurd and preposterous legal position.

The decision was part of a face-off between Bailey and Fitzpatrick, two Republicans who were elevated to statewide office by Gov. Mike Parson.

A spokeswoman for Bailey said Tuesday that the decision will be appealed.

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought by the Missouri ACLU, which is representing a client seeking to restore abortion rights in the state after the procedure was banned last June.

During arguments before Beetem on June 7, ACLU attorney Anthony Rothert said the stand-off has left his client unable to move forward with the collection of signatures needed to place the amendment on the November 2024 ballot.

Beetem acknowledged that Baileys delay tactics had impacted the groups ability to collect signatures, saying his involvement deprived the process of 50 days.

Supporters need signatures from 8% of voters in six of the states eight congressional districts in order to get the abortion-rights measure on the 2024 ballot.

But before they can begin, the ballot question needs to go through a process involving Fitzpatrick, Bailey and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

In March, Fitzpatrick determined that passage of the amendment would have an estimated cost to state and local governments of at least $51,000 annually. In response, Bailey said the price tag could be $51 billion, including the possibility of losing all federal Medicaid health insurance funding, which is about $12 billion per year.

Fitzpatrick rejected the claim, arguing that submitting an inaccurate fiscal note would violate his duty as state auditor.

Beetem agreed.

The Attorney General has no authority to return a fiscal note and fiscal note summary to the auditor if it complies with (state law,) Beetem wrote.

Beetem said Baileys actions were unprecedented.

The process for providing attorney general approval of the legal content and form of a fiscal note summary has worked consistently for over twenty-five years, the judge said.

ACLU officials said Baileys actions were illegal.

In recent months, the Attorney General has unveiled a reckless desire to impose his will on Missourians access to health care by violating the constitutional bounds the people of the state have granted the office to which he was appointed, Rothert said in a statement released Tuesday.

Fitzpatrick said he appreciated Beetems decision to keep the current process intact.

As someone who is steadfastly pro-life, I am personally opposed to these ballot initiatives and the taking of innocent lives, Fitzpatrick said. However, I firmly believe my personal stance cannot and should not impact the duty my office has to provide voters with an unbiased assessment of each measures fiscal impact.

I appreciate the decision of the court to uphold the process that has been in place for decades so my office can continue to create fiscal notes that are as fair and accurate as possible, Fitzpatrick added.
CLAYTON  It was mid-May. The St. Louis County Council was considering a bill that would largely ban people from standing or walking in county roadways.

And the issue was causing a fuss: People with disabilities were worried. Residents complained it could make their jogs illegal. Some suspected the council was looking to keep panhandlers from approaching drivers.

The bills sponsor, Councilman Ernie Trakas, insisted it wasnt aimed at any one activity. He was just trying to keep residents safe.

The simple fact of the matter is we have dangerous conditions that are existing on our roadways, Trakas, a Republican from South County, said at a council meeting then. We have a responsibility as a legislative body to do everything we can to address it. The idea that it is targeting against panhandling is just not accurate. Theyre not singled out in any way, shape or form.

But emails recently obtained by the Post-Dispatch through an open records request show that Trakas and other council members indeed had panhandling in mind when they worked on the bill.

Thank you for contacting me regarding vagrancy and panhandling on roads in south St. Louis County, Trakas wrote in reply to a constituent in April. The county had an ordinance to address the issue, Trakas said in the email, but it was shut down by a federal judge, who said the law violated First Amendment rights to free speech.

I have been working with the St. Louis County Counselors office to craft legislation creating a new ordinance that will survive any court challenge, Trakas continued. I will be introducing this legislation on April 25, 2023.

And he did.

Trakas now says that those emails do not show that the bill was targeting panhandling. It was designed to cure all infirmities of the prior ordinance, he said.

Why would I want to draft something that a court would find fault with? I wanted something drafted that I had reasonable confidence would be fair and neutral, Trakas said in an interview. But the panhandling was tertiary at best.

Still, he wasnt the only council member to discuss the bill with constituents.

A losing legal battle

Roadway panhandling has been a thorn in the side of county officials for years. But the issue came to a head four years ago.

In June 2019, Robert Fernandez, a homeless man, filed a federal suit against St. Louis County alleging police had cited him more than 30 times and arrested him four times for begging in roadways, violating his right to free speech. That October, U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. granted a preliminary injunction against the county from enforcing its vagrancy and solicitation ordinances.

The council scrambled to update the laws. County attorneys recommended it repeal at least one, banning vagrancy. Trakas suggested a new ordinance, empowering police to ticket aggressive panhandlers who could cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm. The council voted 4-3 against it, and tabled the issue.

Then, in 2021, Limbaugh ruled in favor of Fernandez, struck down three county ordinances, awarded Fernandez $150,000 and his attorneys another $139,000.

The fight, however, continued. Last year, officials from several suburban cities said street begging was surging, as were resident complaints. They began to change their own municipal ordinances in hopes of keeping panhandlers off streets.

By December, Fernandez was back in front of a judge. This time, the West County suburb of Des Peres had cited him for seeking donations near the West County Center mall.

He does what he does, Fernandez attorney, Bevis Schock, told municipal Judge Chuck H. Billings at the hearing. Im here today to defend his right to do so.

Des Peres City Administrator Douglas Harms said then that the city had long banned soliciting on roadways, both for charities and for people asking for cash.

Its purely a matter of public safety, Harms said then. We get a lot of phone calls from people with safety concerns about them in the medians.

In April of this year, a county resident contacted Trakas. He said panhandling was getting worse at Interstate 55 and Bayless Avenue. Several people were often congregating there, asking for money and occasionally harassing passersby, he said.

This is creating a number of issues for the community, including increased traffic congestion, inordinate amounts of garbage strewn around the area, and the potential for accidents as people are walking in and out of traffic, he wrote.

It needs to be addressed, he said.

It makes our city appear dirty, unsafe, and unwelcoming.

Bill 86 is not what you think it is

A few days later, on April 21, Republican Councilman Mark Harder of Ballwin emailed Trakas and Councilman Dennis Hancock, a Republican from Fenton, about a conversation he had with Manchesters chief of police about how well the citys laws work to curb people in the roadways soliciting.

Chief Scott Will told Harder that officers require panhandlers to solicit from the sidewalk and if they want to collect a donation, they must tell the driver to meet them at a nearby parking lot.

So far, no one has chosen to work under those guidelines, Will wrote. Instead, they have just relocated.

Guys. FYI, Harder wrote to Trakas and Hancock. They are having good outcomes.

Trakas introduced Bill 86 on April 25. It barred being in the roadway on any street in the county, with a few exceptions, including streets without sidewalks.

At the next council meeting a week later, Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, a Democrat from Maplewood, said the bill unfairly targeted homeless people. Within a few days, joggers, walkers, people with disabilities and pedestrian safety groups said the bill would unfairly target them, too. It represented a step backward, they said, in developing safe streets for people who arent in a car.

And emails from residents started flowing into council members inboxes. Both sides seemed to think it was about panhandling.

While I understand the goal is related to panhandlers, this bill needs to be re-thought, wrote a Wildwood resident. It is supposed to improve pedestrian safety, but instead it prohibits very broad activity.

I hope you all see the benefits of passing this bill, wrote an Affton resident, not only for those looking for a handout but for the drivers who have to sometimes drive around to miss hitting them.

Daily, I have to cross Old State (Road) when I walk my dog because there is no sidewalk or crosswalk, wrote an Ellisville resident. This bill will put an undue burden upon our community for residents such as myself.

But to the last note, at least, Harder responded:

Bill 86 is not what you think it is or what you have been told, he wrote. This bill is about loitering and walking on medians and in the traffic lanes of major roads and intersections.

Trakas delayed the bill a week to work with county attorneys on possible tweaks. But he ultimately moved forward with the original bill because any changes would put the county at risk of a discrimination lawsuit, he said.

The bill passed the seven-member council with four votes on May 17.

By the end, however, multiple advocacy groups stepped in. The local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, among others, lobbied County Executive Sam Page to veto the bill. It was, the ACLU said, a clear attempt to target already marginalized groups, namely, the unhoused.

Trakas and Harder both maintained the bill had nothing to do with panhandling.

Still, on May 30, Page vetoed it. It would have unfairly affected people with disabilities, among others, he said.

He didnt mention roadside panhandling.
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Endorsements for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce are getting even closer to the home of his main opponent so far, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell.

On Thursday, the Kunce camp noted that its candidate has secured the backing of St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Heard Days, D-1st District.

In a press release, Days said, "I have met many candidates, but I rarely meet someone who shares Lucas Kunce's tenacity, authenticity and dedication."

Both Kunce and Bell, along with Columbia activist December Harmon, are set to meet in the August 2024 primary. The winner will all but certainly face incumbent GOP U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley in the November general election.

Days' endorsement comes on the heels Kunce announcing other nods he has picked up from a variety of St. Louis area political figures  including retired U.S. Rep. William "Bill" Clay Sr. and St. Louis Aldermanic President Megan Green.

Also, Days' blessing on the Kunce effort underscores her position as the continuing opposition to the current St. Louis County administration.

Days has at times been at odds with County Executive Sam Page, as well as with Page's main council comrade, Lisa Clancy, D-3rd District.

In 2021, Days won a court fight that stemmed from an effort led by Clancy to prevent Days from taking over as the council's chair.

Bell's campaign, officially dubbed "Bell For Missouri," has yet to release any endorsements, though it has filed its initial paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

A statement of organization filed June 7 lists Caroline C. Miller of Webster Groves as its campaign manager.

Miller declined to talk with the Post-Dispatch and referred calls to GPS Impact, a consulting group headed by longtime political operative Roy Temple. A spokesperson for GPS said Miller was occupied with setting up the campaign and was unavailable for comment.

The first quarterly report of campaign finances from Bell, as well as other candidates for U.S. Congress are due on July 15, covering the quarter that will end on June 30.

As to the growing list of endorsements, Kunce earlier this week announced that along with Clay, Green and numerous organized labor groups, he also has been endorsed by two St. Louis aldermen, Rasheen Aldridge of Old North St. Louis and Shameem Clark Hubbard of the West End; two state representatives, Chantelle Nickson-Clark, D-Florissant, and Kimberly-Ann Collins, D-St. Louis; and Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery.

Kunce, who lives in Independence, first sought a U.S. Senate seat in 2022. He lost the Democratic primary to Trudy Busch Valentine, who then went on to lose to Attorney General Eric Schmitt in the general election.

Lucas Kunce boasts endorsements from prominent St. Louis politicians for his Senate run Democratic U.S. Senate candidate gets backing from former U.S. Rep. William Clay Sr., aldermanic President Megan Green and Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery

State AFL-CIO reaffirms its endorsement of Lucas Kunce in 2024 US Senate race Candidacy of St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell dashed initial notion that Kunce would remain relatively unopposed in 2024 Democratic primary.

Holleman: Veteran political operatives weigh in on Bell-Kunce Senate matchup Democratic political advisers view Wesley Bell US Senate candidacy in varying ways, with one hinting Bell is looking ahead to possible run at Cori Bush.

Holleman: Kunce secures major labor endorsement in Missouri race for US Senate Missouri AFL-CIO support looms larger, coming on same day St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell Jr. joins Democratic primary race in August 2024

St. Louis County prosecutor announces US Senate run Wesley Bell joins Lucas Kunce in the August 2024 Democratic primary. The nominee will face U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.

Missouri Democrat Lucas Kunce filling coffers for second US Senate run Kunces camp says candidate set state record for funds raised, $350K, in first week of campaign. Kunce wants to face Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley in 2024
Many Missourians are confused about the legality of birth control in the state and worried about future access, according to results released Tuesday of a survey of more than 1,000 residents.

One in four Missourians do not believe or know that birth control pills are legal in the state, the survey found. More than half  53%  do not believe or do not know that emergency contraception is legal; and 40% do not believe or know that intrauterine devices (IUDs) are legal.

The survey was conducted as part of the The Right Time initiative, which involves a network of health centers across the state that provide free and low-cost birth control.

The polling released today makes clear that correcting misperceptions about the legality of birth control is both important and urgent, said Kathleen Holmes, vice president of strategic initiatives at Missouri Foundation for Health.

The foundation launched The Right Time in 2019 with the Missouri Family Health Council, a nonprofit that for more than 40 years has administered the states Title X family planning funds for low-income individuals.

Michelle Trupiano, the councils executive director, blames the confusion over birth control on the fallout from the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling a year ago that removed the federally protected right to an abortion, setting off a wave of states banning or greatly restricting access to the procedure.

Missouri banned abortion except in cases of medical emergencies that affect the life of a pregnant woman.

Emergency contraceptives known as morning-after pills have often been confused with abortion and were mistakenly questioned after Missouris abortion ban went into effect.

The one-dose pill, commonly known as the brand name Plan B, prevents pregnancy mainly by delaying ovulation, so an egg is not released until the sperm is no longer viable after unprotected sex.

The new survey also found that residents worry birth control will become increasingly harder to get. Half of the respondents said they are concerned Missouri legislators will enact laws to restrict people in their choice of birth control.

Before the abortion ban went into effect in Missouri, abortions had already become nearly non-existent in the state after years of misinformation about safety and a slew of restrictions passed by legislators that chipped away at access.

Some fear access to contraception could follow the same path.

A recent study by the University of Delaware found misinformation about the safety of birth control is often disguised as wellness content. Researchers analyzed 50 YouTube videos by lifestyle influencers and found nearly 75% talked about stopping their birth control and included inaccurate or incomplete information.

The Missouri survey of also found:

 72% of respondents  including 74% of Republicans, 85% of Democrats and 87% of Independents  think the Missouri legislature should pass policies that make birth control more affordable and accessible.

 84% of respondents  including 82% of Republicans, 90% of Democrats, and 85% of Independents  support people aged 18-35 having access to all methods of birth control.

 More say they do not know how to get birth control online (48%) than those who say they are aware of online ordering (39%).

The survey was conducted between April 27 and May 3 by independent research organization AYTM, and has a margin of error 3.6%.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is returning to St. Louis to mark the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Becerra on Friday will visit Planned Parenthoods Fairview Heights clinic, and Central West End clinic in St. Louis. Becerra had spoken at a roundtable at the St. Louis site a year ago moments before news of the ruling broke.

Becerra, appointed by President Joe Biden, is expected to slam Missouris abortion restrictions, contrasting the state with Illinois, which has protected abortion access in the wake of the Dobbs decision.

The visits are scheduled the day before the one-year anniversary of the landmark decision, which has left abortion restrictions up to states.

Moments after the courts conservative majority issued its Dobbs ruling, Missouri became the first state to enact a near-total ban on abortion, with a previously approved trigger law that was set to take effect if Roe was overturned.
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ST. LOUIS  The most important sentence Thomas Abt spoke at the St. Louis Regional Crime Summit on Wednesday was also the one most likely to make a lot of tough-on-crime folks upset.

There is no city that has had success by arresting its way out of the problem, Abt said.

The alternative is also true: Anti-violence, anti-poverty and social justice programs dont work by themselves.

The research says you must have both, Abt told a packed auditorium of political and civic leaders, police chiefs and medical professionals on the Washington University Medical Center campus.

The crowd included St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who originally conceived of the crime summit, and St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. Police Chief Troy Doyle from Ferguson was there, along with law enforcement officials from both sides of the Mississippi River. There were health care professionals, such as Dr. LJ Punch; and defense attorneys, such as James Wyrsch.

The starting point of the summit, organized by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, was easy: St. Louis has a homicide problem. But how to solve it? Thats the $60,000 question.

Actually, make that a $6 billion question. Abt says thats potentially how much revenue St. Louis homicide rate costs the region annually in direct costs, like hospital and first-responder resources, and in indirect costs, like lost job revenue.

St. Louis historically has one the highest homicide rates in the country, and Abt was here for a tryout of sorts  a job interview to see what he can do for us. How that interview went is an open question.

Jim Wild, executive director of East-West Gateway, said the community leaders reached a consensus to invite Abt to return so he can organize a longer crime summit and help develop a crime plan.

The organizers of the event kicked the media out after the first couple of speakers, though, so reporters werent there to watch that consensus be reached. We werent there to listen to elected officials share their thoughts on how to reduce violence, or how open they are to regional cooperation on a gun violence problem that is most prominent in some city neighborhoods.

Its a part of the story of St. Louis that gets repeated over and over again. Remember Better Together, the failed merger of the city and county that was conceived in part to deal with the homicide problem? It collapsed by producing its so-called solutions in secret and then foisting them on an unsuspecting public.

But the need to cooperate regionally underlies the discussion of violence. And, Abt suggests, it is a key to reducing homicides in the region long-term.

Its complicated work that is very partnership intense, he says.

A good example is a homicide-reducing strategy that Abt says has had the most success: focused deterrence. The concept is that police officers, prosecutors and social service agencies work hand-in-hand to identify the key drivers of gun violence in a community. Most homicides in a city are committed by a small percentage of folks, and often those people are known to law enforcement. Under the focused deterrence model, public officials try to work with those folks to keep them out of prison, try to address the trauma that leads to violence and stop homicides before they happen.

It takes cops and social workers and nurses and prosecutors working together to treat a public health crisis. In St. Louis, it also will take agencies cooperating across city and county boundaries.

The day before Abt came to St. Louis, we saw first-hand how difficult that process can be, with St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell trying to quietly help the transition in the city of St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office as Kim Gardner prepared to resign. But a county councilman questioned whether county taxpayers should be paying for such a thing, and the transition collapsed anyway as Gardner left before a deal could be completed.

Such is life in St. Louis, where our fragmentation is a daily obstacle to progress.

Focused deterrence isnt a panacea, Abt says, but it has worked in multiple cities to reduce homicides.

It takes a lifetime of trauma to become a shooter, Abt told the crime summit crowd.

Reversing that process wont happen overnight, and it isnt sustainable without serious cooperation from government and civic leaders over a long period of time.

Jones, for one, is glad regional leaders are focused on crime in St. Louis. She hopes the next step is to better involve residents of the city sharing their views on how to tackle the homicide problem.

Trust, Jones said after the summit, only moves at the speed of our community being involved in the solution.
UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has allocated 20 million U.S. dollars for an urgent food security and nutrition campaign for hunger-hit northeast Nigeria, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

With 9 million dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund and 11 million dollars from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, "we will support the government-led response efforts across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states," said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Haq said the assistance includes food, ready-to-eat meals, access to clean water, health care and agriculture support.

Almost 700,000 children under five are likely to suffer from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition this year in this region and more than 500,000 people may face emergency levels of food insecurity during the lean season from June to August, he said, citing reports from humanitarian partners.

"The emergency funding will help jumpstart the response, but humanitarian partners need more to prevent widespread hunger and malnutrition," he said.

The spokesman also said the 1.3 billion dollar humanitarian response plan for Nigeria this year is only 26 percent funded.

Humanitarians blamed violence from armed groups and the effects of climate change for the food crisis in northeast Nigeria. 
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Theres a section in a recently settled racial discrimination lawsuit against St. Louis County that tells an important story. The lawsuit was filed by Millicent Williams, a 64-year-old Black woman who, driving home after visiting her son in the hospital, was pulled over near Westport Plaza in 2019 for Driving While Black. Without cause, a police officer treated her harshly, searched her vehicle and purse while she was terrified and handcuffed on the side of the road. Williams, the wife of a retired police officer, was eventually let go with no charges.

Represented by attorneys Mark Pedroli and Dan Kolde, Williams recently settled her federal civil rights lawsuit against the county for $305,000. Heres what she mentioned in her petition that should still send shivers down the backs of Missourians:

In 2017, the Missouri NAACP issued a travel advisory warning African-American motorists to be careful while in Missouri because of the danger that their civil rights would not be respected during traffic stops.

I called Rod Chapel, the president of the Missouri NAACP, this week to ask him if that travel advisory is still in effect. It is. Chapel first announced the advisory during an Urban League gathering in St. Louis; and while it didnt get quite the national attention the recent NAACP travel advisory for Florida received, its based on much of the same background, from the consistent racial profiling in traffic stops, to disparate searches like the one that happened to Williams, to legislation that makes it easier to discriminate, and high-profile deaths of Black men in some suspicious rural incidents.

Just last week, the annual traffic stops report produced by the Missouri Attorney General hit with the same thud it normally does, like an old phone book landing on the doorstep and the resident of the house looking outside confused, and wondering: Whats that?

For 23 years now, the report has shown the same thing, the thing Williams experienced in St. Louis, the thing every Black adult I know has experienced at one point in their lives: Black people are significantly more likely to be pulled over by police in Missouri than white people. Worse, they are more likely to be searched even though the statistics say white drivers, as a percentage, are more likely to be carrying illegal contraband.

There was a time when police departments would respond to the report with suggestions that more study was needed. Some of them even promised to look more closely at the numbers. So it was in St. Louis County, where former police Chief Jon Belmar promised the formation of a Bias and Policing Committee to break down the racial profiling numbers and study whether any individual officers had an issue pulling over too many Black drivers.

There were at least two problems, Pedroli found in the process of obtaining evidence in Williams lawsuit: For years, the committee never met. And to the extent that the department reviewed the underlying racial profiling numbers, they ignored the vast majority of officers with disparities, Pedroli said. The system, he said, was rigged so that an officer who was pulling over a disparate number of Black drivers would not likely be flagged. In fact, the only two officers ever counseled under the policy were singled out for pulling over too many white drivers.

Ms. Williams and so many others have a constitutional right to be left alone and certainly not to be humiliated by those in a position of power and authority, Pedroli says. With power comes great responsibility. In this case, the St. Louis County Police Department was ignoring its own responsibility to the U.S. Constitution, and to abide by state law. Ms. Williams always respected and supported the police department. Now, shes helping to make it better.

Chapel reads the statewide racial profiling report every year, and while hes never shocked by its findings, the fact that some things never change reinforces the idea that the travel advisory needs to stay in effect. Black people need to know that they drive in some jurisdictions in Missouri  maybe most of them  at their own risk.

These latest attorney general statistics show that Blacks endure more traffic stops, with awful results, Chapel says.

Among the most recent numbers:

 Black drivers are stopped at a rate 60% higher than they should be based on their percentage of population.

 Black drivers receive citations in about 58% of their stops; compared to 40% for white drivers.

 With the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the numbers are even worse, with 89% of Black drivers receiving a citation after a stop; compared to 60% for white drivers. Twice as many Black drivers as white drivers are arrested after such traffic stops.

Stopping Black drivers is a practice anticipated by law enforcement in a way reminiscent of when Blacks were forced to carry papers to travel  before cars were even invented, Chapel says. A white person can expect to walk away from a traffic stop with little more than a slight delay in their day. Black people know they have to follow the letter of every traffic law and then some or risk death for resisting.

The annual vehicle stops report is a sign that Missouri is still broken, Chapel says. Its why the NAACP travel advisory is still in effect, and will be, until lawmakers and police departments do more than pretend to care about the fact that for 23 years Driving While Black has been documented in black and white, and nobody, other than Millicent Williams, perhaps, has done a damn thing about it.
JEFFERSON CITY  About 1 in 5 Missouri school districts have accepted an offer to install an app designed to protect students and school employees during an active shooter event.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety said Wednesday that 114 districts and charter schools representing 652 school buildings in the state have launched or are preparing to launch the alert system purchased by Gov. Mike Parsons administration earlier this year.

The app by Texas-based Raptor Technologies already had been in use by six other school districts, meaning a total of 707 schools are equipped with the mobile phone-based system.

Public Safety spokesman Mike OConnell said some schools were already using similar alert systems provided by other companies, meaning the number of districts covered may be larger.

Were encouraged by the initial response. This is an important tool that is being made available to school districts at no cost. When it comes to school safety and emergency response, every second counts, OConnell said.

The use of the app comes as St. Louis school and police officials received high marks for their response to an active shooter in October 2022 at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School and Collegiate School of Medicine and Biosciences in St. Louis, which resulted in the death of a CVPA student and a teacher.

Rapid response times allowed police to be on the scene and kill the shooter within 14 minutes of the first alert going out.

The push to get the app comes as mass killings have skyrocketed this year, averaging about one per week, according to an analysis by the Associated Press and USA Today.

The app, which will cost the state up to $3.4 million, is seen as an alternative to a statewide crackdown on the availability of firearms, which has run into roadblocks in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

A push this year to enact red flag laws and other limits on gun ownership, including barring minors from openly carrying weapons on St. Louis streets, went nowhere during the spring legislative session.

Instead, the governor, also a Republican, has pushed for the app and for more than $50 million to help schools fortify their campuses to make it harder for a shooter to penetrate.

The money will help school districts upgrade safety features in their buildings, ranging from door locks, bleeding control kits and automatic external defibrillators.

We want all students across Missouri to have the opportunity to learn in safe and secure schools, Parson said when he unveiled the free app in May.

In addition to calling 911, the app also notifies a separate network of first responders that a shooting or armed intrusion has occurred at a specific location, enabling the nearest law enforcement officer to get to the scene as quickly as possible.

OConnell said schools that contact Raptor by June 30 will be able to put the system in place for the start of the new school term in the fall. Districts that sign up by Sept. 11 will be able to launch in November.

We will continue to advance school safety and the ability to quickly respond to threats to Missouris students and educators, Parson added.

In its bid, Raptor said it is a trusted school safety partner to more than 37,000 schools nationwide, including some that have been the scenes of mass killings.

With state lawmakers unlikely to impose stricter firearms laws, a new nonprofit, Sensible Missouri, hopes to launch a petition drive to put a question on the 2024 statewide ballot that would allow Missouri counties, and also the city of St. Louis, to enact gun restrictions tougher than those in state law.
ST. LOUIS  Plans call for the Loop Trolley to restart service in the summer unless its new operator, the Bi-State Development Agency, needs more time to ensure that the trolley cars and other equipment meet the agencys safety and other standards.

Thats part of a letter Mayor Tishaura O. Jones plans to send Friday to Mokhtee Ahmad, who heads the Federal Transit Administrations regional office.

The letter by Jones, who chairs the trolleys transportation development district, was approved Thursday by the districts board.

The board, which levies a sales tax collected in and near the 2.2-mile trolley route, also agreed to the memorandum worked out with Bi-State to take over trolley operations. The same document was endorsed last week by the board of Bi-State, which also oversees Metro Transit.

Jones repeated that while she had opposed the trolleys creation, it needs to resume service to avoid having to repay federal money that helped construct the $51 million line. The trolley shut down at the end of 2019 amid financial and operational problems.

Our region is coming together to fix this problem to make sure that were not on the hook for tens of millions of federal dollars, she said.

Ahmad had given local officials until Tuesday to submit a plan to resume trolley service beginning June 1 or face efforts to reclaim as much as $37 million.

Jones said the district is confident that the reopening goal of summer, which begins in late June, can be met with Bi-States technical expertise.

But she said state Department of Transportation oversight and certification will be the determining factor for a prudent opening date.

The letter says the district will pay Bi-State to hire full- and part-time staff to run and maintain the trolley. Bi-State also will provide contracted services for landscaping, security and communications support.

Also taking part in Thursdays videoconference meeting were the four other members of the district board  St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, University City Mayor Terry Crow, Delmar Loop businessman Joe Edwards and Bi-State CEO Taulby Roach.

Roach, however, abstained on the voice votes regarding the districts agreement with Bi-State, citing a conflict of interest.

Jones said the district estimates it will collect $773,787 in sales tax this year, which is 90% of the 2019 pre-pandemic total. The district also will use previously collected tax revenue to run the trolley; it had $881,321 as of January.

The district also has applied to the East-West Gateway Council of Governments for a $1.26 million federal grant; a decision on that isnt expected until August.

The councils board rejected a similar request in October. The Bi-State boards decision to take over the trolley for three years was a reversal of its previous position taken in 2020.

Jones said in her letter that the district has met with partners in the trolley service area, such as the Missouri Historical Society and Forest Park Forever, to try to collaborate on event partnerships.

Originally posted at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.

Bi-State board agrees to take over, restart Loop Trolley The date for resuming service has yet to be determined; a Federal Transit Administration official wants that to happen in June.

New effort underway to get Bi-State to run a revived Loop Trolley The agency, which runs Metro Transit, turned down the idea in 2020.
ST. LOUIS  A crime summit attended Wednesday by local political leaders, top police brass, business executives and academics could lead to a regional partnership with a University of Maryland program focused on reducing urban violence and the high murder rate.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who has said violence is the top issue facing the city, called for the summit late last year. Organized by regional planning arm East-West Gateway Council of Governments, it was another nod by much of the areas political and business leadership to a growing consensus that the top issue facing the region is violent crime.

The gathering, held at the Washington University Medical Campus, was an audition of sorts for Thomas Abt, a criminologist and author who leads the Violence Reduction Center at the University of Maryland.

Abts center has worked with cities including Boston and Knoxville, Tennessee, where two very different political environments existed. In Knoxville, the challenge was convincing conservative county and state leaders to fund and support social service programs to stabilize living conditions for those likely to commit violence. In Boston, the challenge was convincing progressive leaders that police intervention was still an essential component to violence reduction.

In a speech to dozens of area leaders and experts Wednesday morning, Abt implored them to stop the either/or conversation on public safety, in which some on the Left want only social service programs deemphasizing police and some conservatives focus only on more police and tougher sentences. Both carrot and stick are necessary. No city has programmed away violence, Abt said, and no city has arrested and incarcerated its way out.

The research says you must have both, Abt said.

An approach called focused deterrence, which targets those at high-risk of committing violence with a choice between social services and community support or swift and certain sanctions from police, has among the strongest evidence behind its effectiveness, Abt said. But other approaches such as hot spot policing and behavioral therapy to prevent recidivism can be combined with focused deterrence or community development and place-making cleaning and greening investments to drive down violence.

Im a big fan of focused deterrence, I just dont want the message to be, hey, no problem, just do focused deterrence, Abt said. Its not that simple.

East-West Gateway Executive Director Jim Wild said the group could vote at its next monthly meeting to begin working with the Violence Reduction Center.

As long as political leaders truly are open to the process, Abt said his organization provides a short, intense planning process for no charge to help cities develop a strategy and connect with the leading experts in the field.

Thats a collaboration both Jones and the citys new police chief, Robert Tracy, welcome. As the jurisdiction with the vast majority of the regions homicides, St. Louis will be at the center of any comprehensive crime reduction strategy.

What weve learned through the Office of Violence Prevention is that one strategy isnt what we hang our hats on, Jones told reporters after the summit. One approach isnt always the right approach. We have to have multiple approaches.

Tracy, who began in January, said the mayors launch of the Office of Violence Prevention, led by Wilford Pinkney, is an essential first step for his job. It has already been using focused deterrence, sometimes called community violence intervention, along with other strategies such as CURE Violence, a health department program that uses community members to intervene and prevent violent altercations.

Tracy has experience with focused deterrence and said he is all about the group violence intervention approach.

We want to keep those with the highest propensity from going back to crime, but weve got to give them options out of crime, Tracy said. If they want to continue to cause carnage or harm to people in the community, then comes incarceration and arresting through cases. Because its a very small amount, very very small amount, committing most of the violent crime. And if we concentrate on those individuals, well bring crime down overall together.

In order to expand that policing strategy, Tracy said he would like to get budgeted strength in a department down about 200 officers from budgeted positions. But he said he knew the departments realities when he took the job, and I have to get the job done with the amount of officers I have.

With the right resources and focus, reducing homicide by 10% a year is very doable, Abt said. That can have a transformative effect in just a few years. But it is up to St. Louis leaders to commit to the violence reduction effort for the long-term and avoid letting it morph into an anti-poverty program or an anti-crime-in-general program that loses its focus on the people most likely to commit violence.

And, in a nod to St. Louis fractured political environment, he warned that the places that havent succeeded tend to have one thing in common.

The key issue is that they cannot seem to work together, Abt said.
ALTON  Police released a photo of a car Monday that investigators said could be connected to a homicide last week in Alton.

Officers want the public's help finding the driver of the Chevrolet Malibu with an Illinois seven-day temporary permit attached to the back. Police don't know the model year but said it could be 2019 or newer.

Tyrone Marty Lo Williams, 20, of Alton, was gunned down last Wednesday night in the 1600 block of Rock Spring Drive.

Anyone with information about the crime or the car is asked to call 618-463-3505 ext. 637, or email stewart@altonpolice.com.
ST. LOUIS  Shelia Wilson traces many of her sons problems back to the day he was robbed at gunpoint as a child.

They put a gun up to his head, Wilson said of her then-13-year-old. He came home and said, Mama, somebody took my shoes and took my door key.

She tried to reassure him that no one would use their key, that they were safe in their home, which at the time was in Preservation Square just north of downtown St. Louis. But he couldnt sleep. She remembers him staying up for a long time that night, looking out the window.

He was different after that trauma. Wilson thought he was depressed. She brought him to Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital for evaluation.

But he was never diagnosed with anything. Instead, he was in and out of juvenile detention, and when he was older, jail. He did prison time for drug trafficking and car theft.

When he was in prison, Wilson would tell the social workers that her son needed mental health treatment.

When he was out, she helped pay for clothes, food and a cellphone. She brought him to the CHIPS Health and Wellness Center on North Grand Boulevard to see a psychiatrist.

She got him a job washing dishes at Chris at the Docket diner downtown. He quit one day. Just walked out. Told her people were watching him. He was paranoid.

I tried to get him help over and over again, Wilson said. Only way I get some rest is when he locked up. I worry about him being in the street all the time.

Earlier this month, her son, Deshawn King Wilson, 35, was charged with murdering LaTatia Stewart in a downtown parking garage. He had been released from prison on another charge a few months before and faced charges for another shooting in St. Louis but was out on bond.

His own mother and Stewarts family all are asking the same question: Why was Deshawn Wilson on the street?

Why did the system let him go? LaTatia Stewarts son, Paul Stewart Jr., asked last week. Its wrong. They should have kept him incarcerated.

For nearly a week, Wilson is accused of terrorizing people who came through the garage on Ninth Street across Washington Avenue from the downtown convention center.

On May 4, the day after Stewart was killed, two other people were shot and injured in the same garage, seemingly for no reason, they told police. The father of one of the men told the Post-Dispatch he still had a long way to go in his recovery.

On the following day, a man flourished a weapon at a couple walking through the garage.

Police caught Wilson after the third incident in the garage. Wilson told them he was homeless and living there. He admitted to being the man on surveillance footage and that a gun police recovered was his, the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office said. Prosecutors charged him in all three incidents, including first-degree murder for Stewarts death.

Im so hurt by my son, especially about that lady, Shelia Wilson said. He just got out of prison. Where did he get a gun from?

Over states objection

Shelia Wilson had known for a long time her son was dangerous. She was scared of him.

A little over a year ago, he was out and living with her in her home in public housing north of downtown. On April 16, 2022, he was acting strange. She was just walking out the door to head to Target and remembers telling Deshawn, who she calls Nick, that when she returned, she was taking him to the hospital.

On her way back, she got a call from a neighbor: There were gunshots in the Wilson home. Shelia Wilson called the police.

It took officers a long time to get there. Police told her they were busy responding to five other shooting calls.

She met them a block away on Hogan Street. Her son walked out of the front door with no shoes, looking crazed. He didnt even try to run, she remembers, as police finally arrived to arrest him.

He had shot her boyfriend, Lloyd Jones, who was home at the time. Jones managed to escape out the back door and flee to Cass Avenue. Witnesses told officers Deshawn Wilson had mental health issues, according to the police report.

Deshawn Wilson ran up on Jones as he was lying in the grass, suffering from gunshot wounds to his legs, Shelia Wilson said. But he didnt shoot him again. Thank God, she said.

After that, Shelia Wilson filed a restraining order against her son.

The circuit attorneys office at first only charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Initially, the courts held Wilson without bond on the charge. But in May 2022, Circuit Judge Craig Higgins, ruling in a case that technically contained no violent charges related to the shooting, allowed Deshawn Wilson to be released on a personal recognizance bond. He was to report to Places for People, a nonprofit mental health clinic, for evaluation, according to court records.

Still, the circuit attorneys office, which has faced withering criticism in recent months for its bond practices under former Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner, opposed the personal recognizance bond. Higgins order notes the bond reduction to a promise to appear was made over (the) states objection.

But Wilson didnt go free. He was transferred to the Missouri Department of Corrections Bonne Terre prison. Its unclear exactly why, but it appears related to parole violations for 2017 convictions of tampering with a motor vehicle and drugs, for which he was sentenced to six years.

While he was in state prison, the circuit attorneys office in June obtained a grand jury indictment against Wilson for more serious charges related to the Lloyd Jones shooting: felony assault and armed criminal action.

Those new charges triggered a new bond hearing. Circuit Judge Michael Mullen in June affirmed the personal recognizance bond on those upgraded charges.

Its unclear if Higgins or Mullen made their bond decisions based on the fact that Wilson was in, or headed to, state prison. Mullen, now in private practice, couldnt be reached. A spokesman for the St. Louis Circuit Court said judges cant comment on specific cases but released a general statement:

St. Louis judges make extremely difficult decisions every day in accordance with Missouri Supreme Court rules on whether to release defendants awaiting trial on bond. While the court can detain defendants before trial, detention is only appropriate where a court makes a finding by clear and convincing evidence that there is no less restrictive alternative to detention that can ensure the safety of the community and ones appearance in court.

In late February, Wilson was released from the maximum security state prison in Charleston, Missouri. He does not appear to have reported to Places for People in St. Louis, a condition of his bond for the 2022 shooting. Despite the violation, he remained at large.

The courts are so messed up down there, Shelia Wilson said. We dont even know how he got out.

Then, in late March, the circuit attorneys office sought to upgrade the charges related to the April 2022 Jones shooting. A grand jury indicted Wilson on a more severe felony assault charge that carries additional prison time, along with a new charge for possession of methamphetamine.

A warrant was issued for Deshawn Wilsons arrest. But LaTatia Stewart ran into him before the police did.

Why did the system let him go?

For 20 years, Cahokia Heights resident LaTatia Stewart had worked without incident downtown at the Marriott St. Louis Grand hotel, according to her son. That is, until the evening of May 3, a Wednesday, when she was shot just a little after 6 p.m. as she walked to her car in the parking garage at Ninth Street and Washington Avenue.

Stewart was buried in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia, on Mothers Day weekend.

Three days later, her son, Paul Stewart Jr., was back in Downtown St. Louis to watch a bond hearing for the man accused of killing his mother. He wanted to make sure the courts and prison system didnt let him out again.

Nothing was taken from his mother, he said. Not her jewelry. Not her wallet. Even if Wilson had wanted something from her, all he would have had to do is ask.

She would have given it to him, he said.

As Stewart sat in the back of the courtroom, Deshawn Wilson, shackled and in an orange St. Louis Corrections Division jumpsuit, was called to sit with his public defender before the judge. The prosecutor read a statement from LaTatia Stewarts sister: My family has been severely traumatized as a result of this unprovoked killing.

Wilsons public defender, Brian Horneyer, noted in court that Wilson had yet to be convicted of a violent felony. Wilson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After the hearing, Horneyer said he is awaiting discovery from the circuit attorneys office and declined to comment beyond what was said in court. Wilson, currently in the St. Louis Justice Center, was unavailable for an interview, Horneyer said.

Shaniecea Dunham, a prosecutor with the circuit attorneys office, read other victim statements suggesting Wilson was attacking random citizens. The two people who were threatened but not shot in the Friday, May 5, incident that led to Wilsons arrest said in their statement they believed Wilson had already been released once on bond.

Paul Stewart keeps thinking his mother would still be alive if Wilson had remained in jail after being charged with the Jones shooting last year.

Why was he released? Stewart asked outside of the courtroom Tuesday. If the system knew he had a mental health issue like that, why did they release him? He wouldnt have been downtown, homeless.

This time, Associate Circuit Judge Lynne Perkins ordered Wilson detained without bond.

Thats for the best, Wilsons mother said Thursday.

He just never got the help he needed, Shelia Wilson said. Only way some of these people gonna live is if they locked up.
HARTFORD  Human remains were found Thursday at a former Metro East copper smelting plant, the Madison County Coroner's office said Friday.

The skeletal remains were found at the former Chemetco Industrial Plant at 3754 Chemetco Lane in Hartford. Authorities are still working to identify them, Coroner Stephen P. Nonn said.

The remains, along with clothing and other property, were discovered by a person creating an aerial map of the property, Nonn said. The person immediately reported the findings, and Nonn's office confirmed the remains were human.

Nonn said investigators believe the remains may be a man reported missing last year from Wood River. Vernon Law, of Randolph County, was last seen July 21.

Illinois State Police and Hartford and Wood River police are assisting in the investigation. Authorities did not release more details Friday, pending forensic tests.

The Chemetco Industrial Plant has been abandoned since it shut down in 2001 after 32 years of operation after the operators were convicted of multiple environmental violations. The 41-acre site was later declared a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site.
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U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski gets most attention around these parts for representing urban areas in Madison and St. Clair counties.

But the Springfield Democrats district covers a lot of ground, of the unpaved kind, in south-central Illinois. That fact has prompted her to push a bill aimed at keeping family farms in the family.

Budzinski is co-sponsoring the Increasing Land Access, Security and Opportunities Act, which would provide financial assistance to young and new farmers. Two other congressmen are with her: Republican Zack Nunn of Iowa and Democrat Joe Courtney of Connecticut.

The act would boost funding for a federal agriculture program by $500 million over five years. The money would be paid directly to farmers and ranchers to help acquire land, make site improvements and get training and technical help.

With the average age of American family farmers approaching 60 years old, its critical that we provide support to help bring the next generation into agriculture, Budzinski said.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  Speaking at a business industry conference in April, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch joked that his title should be listener of the House, citing the 11 different caucuses among his 78 members.

Most of my time is on caucus management, he said. I have an open-door policy and they take advantage of it.

The difficulty in building consensus among the many competing interests among Democrats who control both the House and Senate was on clear display in the waning days of the spring legislative session, as the General Assembly blew a self-imposed adjournment date and once again went into overtime to pass a budget.

The session didnt end until about 3 a.m. Saturday, shortly after the House voted 73-38 along party lines to approve a $50.6 billion spending plan that now goes to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

In presenting the plan, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria, who this year became the chief budget negotiator for the House Democrats, nodded to the challenges in getting all party members behind the budget. It isnt easy to come together when we have a diverse body, but it certainly becomes the strength that moves us forward, she said.

Gordon-Booth also acknowledged during the early morning debate that not everyone would be completely satisfied with the final product, but argued that the spending plan seeks to ensure the state can keep its promises.

The reality of this budget is that no one in here, no one in communities is going to get everything that they asked for because we simply dont have the resources to do everything that everyone is asking, Gordon-Booth said. The things that we are engaging in we believe that we can sustain over time.

The fits and starts that marked the end of the legislative session belied the huge gains Democrats made in November, when Pritzker consolidated his power within the party while Democrats retained their supermajority in the Senate and expanded it to a record high in the House.

It also pointed to growing pains under the leadership of Welch. The Democrat from Hillside in 2021 replaced longtime Speaker Michael Madigan, who lost his job after becoming ensnared in a wider ranging corruption investigation and now stands indicted and awaiting trial on racketeering charges.

Welchs election to the speakers post promised a transformational and transparent House operation after years of Madigans tightfisted control over his members.

But the delay in approving a state budget showed Welchs leadership remains in a transitional phase. Welch was first forced to push back a self-set adjournment deadline of May 19 because a budget deal could not be brokered, then had to hold off again after standing with Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon on Wednesday to announce a budget deal had been reached, which quickly became clear was not the case.

Giving more power to racial and ethnic caucuses and their priorities while the state faces a contraction in tax revenues and confronting a progressive-moderate split, Welch had difficulty navigating the budget lines to try to preserve unity among his members. It didnt help that Greg Harris, the former House point man on spending and a longtime architect of legislative budgets, had retired, stepping down in January after not seeking reelection.

Hours before the Senate passed the budget late Thursday in a 34-22 vote, House Democrats gathered privately in a committee room on the first floor of the State Capitol to discuss the budget and other bills they were preparing for floor action. Outside the room, state Rep. Fred Crespo, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates whos been in the House since 2007, acknowledged that there were a lot of new players involved that havent done this before.

Greg Harris was the one running the show for a long time, said Crespo, a member of both the moderate and Latino caucuses in the House. We have new people running the show. We have a lot of new members in the House. And because of that, youre going to have to go through some growing pains. And weve been through some growing pains.

A key point of contention during budget negotiations was how to manage a state-funded health care program for noncitizens who dont qualify for traditional federal Medicaid. The state-funding program is geared toward immigrants who are in the country without legal permission or who have green cards but havent completed a five-year waiting period.

The program was created for people 65 and older in 2020 but has since been expanded to cover those 42 and older. Advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have been pushing to cover people 19 and older. Pritzkers February spending plan pegged the cost of the program at $220 million. But subsequent projections pegged the cost at closer to $1.1 billion, according to the administration, though some Democratic lawmakers and advocates questioned that projection.

Democratic lawmakers refused to cut funding in other programs or enact the governors recommended cost controls, such as copays or income limitations, resulting in a deal that allocated about $550 million for the program while, according to the governors office, giving the administration tools to control costs. In effect, Pritzker agreed to assume any political liabilities that come with controlling future costs.

Shortly before the Senate adjourned early Friday for the final time this spring, the tension and emotional nature of the issue burst into the open when state Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Chicago Democrat, slammed critics, including those in the GOP, whove questioned the funding for the health care program.

She talked about how her mother, before she died of cancer, was sick and needed to have surgery.

My mother said, Mija, I have you but what about everyone else here who doesnt speak the language or doesnt have the status that we have to be able to handle things, that doesnt have the health insurance that we have to be able to cover the cost of this? Villanueva said.

Dont use my communities as political scapegoats and whatever games youre trying to play as a political ploy, and that is for anybody that is continuing to try to insinuate that undocumented people deserve any less, she said. They pay taxes. And they  contribute to our economy.

During the House debate early Saturday, Republicans voiced their perennial objections about being excluded from budget talks.

Rep. Norine Hammond of McComb, the House GOPs chief budget negotiator, characterized the Democrats plan as another partisan, one-sided budget and suggested there was a lack of interest by the majority party to work with Republicans.

This is not a balanced budget, Hammond said. The revenues that are needed for this budget, they are not my money, it is not your money, it is not Republican money, it is not Democratic money. This money belongs to the taxpayers of the state of Illinois and they deserve better.

In the Senate, however, there was less public friction between Republicans and Democrats than in the past. Moments before the budget passed through the chamber, Republican leader John Curran acknowledged how the Democrats included his caucus in budget talks, something he described as a step forward in our working relationships.

But he indicated that the final product of the budget does not reflect the entire state of Illinois. He criticized the budget for ignoring the overwhelming call for relief from tax and utility costs that he believes are crushing families and small- and medium-sized businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic. And he said the budget is not friendly to big business, noting companies like Caterpillar and Boeing have relocated offices out of state.

The budget presented here today undoubtedly represents a further expansion and growth of state government at a time when Illinois itself is contracted, Curran said.

In addition to Curran and all 18 other Senate Republicans voting against the budget, so did three Democrats, Sens. Patrick Joyce of Reddick, Suzy Glowiak Hilton of Western Springs and Doris Turner of Springfield.

Confronted by reporters after the Senate adjournment early Friday morning, Turner and Glowiak Hilton, who represent districts with a lot of moderate Democratic and Republican voters, each indicated they were unhappy with the budgets proposed 5.5% pay raises for rank-and-file lawmakers, which would bring their annual pay from $85,000 to $89,675.

Those raises would come after a separate raise given to lawmakers in January that boosted the annual salaries of rank-and-file lawmakers to $85,000 from $72,906, a nearly 17% increase.

On Thursday, state Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat and the Senates chief budget negotiator, insisted the Democrats are not trying to hide anything or do anything nefarious with the new raises, saying theyre merely part of a cost-of-living adjustment.

Harmon said on the Senate floor he was disappointed that Curran didnt support the budget. This is a budget that invests in our shared priorities. We are investing in schools in red districts and in blue districts. Were investing in hospitals in red districts and blue districts, and health care workers across the state, Harmon said.

Hours before the House took the floor on Friday, House Republican leader Tony McCombie criticized not only the costs of the immigrant health care program, but the absence of tax breaks on gas, groceries and school supplies that were in place during 2022s reelection year for Pritzker, the pay raises for lawmakers and uncertainty over anticipated costs related to contract negotiations with the states largest public employee union.

We cannot trust the majority party with more money when all they offer is so little in return to tangible benefits for Illinois families all around 102 counties that we represent, McCombie, of Savanna, said during a news conference at the Capitol. We do not want new spending. Now is not the time. We dont know what is happening with the (anticipated) upcoming recession. We dont know how bad its going to be.

Aside from the contention over the funding for the immigrant health care program, there were also differences over whether to extend a $75 million tax credit program for private school scholarship donors, which was left out of the final budget package.

During the Senate floor debate, Curran lamented the children whose lives have been forever changed by scholarships to schools being excluded from the budget. Talking to reporters after the budgets passage, Sims downplayed Currans remarks, and also appeared to leave the door open on the program, saying we will have until the fall to take this up.

In his remarks closing the session for the House, Welch confronted Republicans over their votes against the budget, and bet them that theyd soon be talking up the gains it provided for their districts.

When you go home and brag about all the money going in your schools, your community colleges, your park districts, your universities that are in your districts, Welch said, gesturing to the Republican side as he spoke. The 7% increase to every university thats in districts you represent that you voted no against. You should be proud and tomorrow I guarantee you will be bragging about it.

The Pritzker administration has highlighted elements of the budget that boost education, including an additional $100 million for Monetary Award Program grant funding.

Other areas of the budget highlighted by the governors office include an increase of $85 million to support homelessness prevention, affordable housing and other programs related to a vision of ending homelessness in the state. The budget proposal also includes an additional $200 million to the states underfunded pension plans on top of the $9.8 billion required under state law.

Pritzkers staff also highlighted a $20 million investment in a new program to expand grocery access to urban neighborhoods and rural towns. The initiative comes after the governor suspended the states grocery tax for 12 months in the current budget that expires at the end of June.

The more-than-3,400-page budget that kicks in July 1 also includes $15 million for the states violent crime witness protection program, which is half of the $30 million that Pritzker proposed for the program in February. Also in the budget was a $30 million appropriation for a fund that distributes money to police departments for body cameras and squad car dashboard camera systems.

Another $15 million was also set aside for grants associated with a youth summer jobs program, geared toward especially benefiting young people in Chicago and other urban areas. And the budget includes a roughly $112 million increase in the share of state income tax revenue distributed to local governments, partially satisfying a request from some suburban mayors, as well as new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

In response to another request from Johnson, the budget would provide $42.5 million to aid migrants arriving from the countrys southern border. The rejiggered plan that came out Thursday, however, would make that money available to counties and towns statewide rather than just Chicago and other parts of Cook County.

In the end, it may have been appropriate that one of the major budget implementation bills was shoehorned into legislation that began as an effort to make the soybean the official state bean. Illinois legislators wound up writing their own version of the old saw that people should never see how sausage and the law is made, replacing it with tofu.

Petrella and Pearson reported from Chicago.
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (1st L) meets with the new government of Finland led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the presidential palace in Helsinki, Finland, June 20, 2023. The new government of Finland, led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, took office on Tuesday.

The government consists of the prime minister and 18 ministers from the National Coalition Party, the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

HELSINKI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The new government of Finland, led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, took office on Tuesday.

The government consists of the prime minister and 18 ministers from the National Coalition Party, the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats.

Orpo said in his speech during the government's welcome visit to the presidential palace that the Finnish people have "voted for change." The government parties are united in their view of the state of public finances, he said, adding: "We must tighten our belts."

Born in November 1969, Orpo was first elected as a member of Parliament in 2007. Before serving as prime minister, he held three different positions as a member of two governments, including minister of Agriculture and Forestry, minister of the Interior, and minister of Finance. He was elected leader of the National Coalition Party at the party conference in the summer of 2016.

In its first plenary session on Tuesday, the new government decided on the division of responsibilities among ministers, the composition of ministerial committees and working groups, and deputizing arrangements for ministers. The Orpo government also outlined the government program to Parliament. 

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (L) shakes hands with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the presidential palace in Helsinki, Finland, June 20, 2023. The new government of Finland, led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, took office on Tuesday.

The government consists of the prime minister and 18 ministers from the National Coalition Party, the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (1st L) meets with the new government of Finland led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the presidential palace in Helsinki, Finland, June 20, 2023. The new government of Finland, led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, took office on Tuesday.

The government consists of the prime minister and 18 ministers from the National Coalition Party, the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)
CHICAGO  Illinois bills that would update existing laws to be more gender inclusive and add protections for LGBTQ marriages are ready for action by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he will sign them.

The trio of state bills passed last week are meant to move the state in the opposite direction of those restricting LGBTQ youth, said Sen. Mike Simmons, the bills sponsor and the first and only current out LGBTQ lawmaker in the Illinois Senate.

Illinois is one of several U.S. states that have moved to counteract a surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation in mostly Republican-led states.

On the same day just a few hours away, Indianas governor signed a bill that will require schools to notify a parent if a student requests a name or pronoun change at school, one of several bills this legislative session targeting LGBTQ people in the state.

Illinois neighbors to the west, Missouri and Iowa, have gone in a similar direction by restricting gender-affirming care and the bathrooms transgender students can use.

The Illinois Democratic supermajority passed the bills out of the Senate on Thursday, and the measures now await Pritzkers signature.

The Governor is proud to support legislation that creates a more welcoming, affirming, and inclusive Illinois, said spokesperson Alex Gough on Friday.

In the face of rising violence and bigotry toward the trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming community, providing support and recognition for those who identify as LGBTQ+ has never been more important, Gough said.

One bill would replace certain pronouns with the nouns to which the pronouns refer, such as minor instead of he or she, and person who gives birth in place of mother in some existing laws concerning children in the states care.

Before her no vote, Republican Caucus Whip Sen. Jil Tracy said: I gave birth to two boys that weighed over 10 pounds. I think I deserve more dignity that just a person who gave birth. Im a mother.

The Illinois Family Institute, a Christian nonprofit, opposes all three bills.

David Curtin, the institutes lobbyist, said the bill on pronouns is tinkering with terms that are legally important, and theres only two genders, and its male and female and him and her. So why not just stay with the program?

Changing the language of laws doesnt change reality, Curtin said.

Simmons said that the bill is primarily intended to affirm LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system, which a 2021 audit found that Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has failed to do.

Young people in DCFS care have repeatedly relayed to ACLU Illinois lobbyist Nora Collins-Mandeville the challenges that they have with folks identifying their family members correctly or their own identities correctly, she said.

Language matters, said Collins-Mandeville, who worked with Simmons on the bill. Contrary to some of the opposition ... it actually includes more people and allows people to identify themselves.

Another bill would require state agencies to track employees who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming to help achieve workforce diversity, and a third bill would make it easier for LGBTQ couples who resided in other states to marry in Illinois.

When the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion in June, the ruling included a concurring opinion from Justice Clarence Thomas that suggested the high court should review other precedent-setting rulings, including the 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

The marriage bill is meant to serve as fail-safe in case that decision is reversed, Simmons said.

What were trying to do is get ahead of any actions that might be taken to invalidate Obergefell or any of those other cases that would have a direct and disastrous impact on LGBTQ households in the country, he said, referring to the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

The Respect for Marriage Act, signed by President Joe Biden in December, enshrines the right to same-sex and interracial marriages in federal law.

For Chicago lawmaker Simmons, the three Illinois bills are personal. There are so many other state legislatures right now that are making a sport of targeting my community, he said.

So many people fought so hard for me to even have the right to exist, to be able to be an out and proud, Black, LGBTQ+ state senator, he said. But the current political climate is dispiriting at times, Simmons said.

Theres several states that are going light years back on LGBTQ and civil rights, he said. Everything is going backwards.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  The Illinois Senate late Thursday approved a $50.6 billion state budget as Democrats finally found common ground after missing an initial self-imposed deadline and engaging in several extra days of deliberations.

The measure now goes to the House, which is expected to vote on it this weekend.

The Democratic-controlled Senate approved the budget by a 34-22 vote without any Republican support, although members of the minority party largely toned down their perennial criticisms about being excluded from negotiations.

Still, they accused Democrats of ignoring their priorities.

Three Democrats  Sens. Suzy Glowiak Hilton of Western Springs, Patrick Joyce of Reddick and Doris Turner of Springfield  joined Republicans in opposing the spending plan.

The process for approving the budget has been slowed as Democrats, who control the governors office and both chambers of the legislature, face economic uncertainty after a couple of years of record revenues thanks to a strong job market and spending stimulated in part by pandemic relief money.

In the past two years weve had money, like, coming out of our ears, Rep. Margaret Croke, a Chicago Democrat who is part of the Houses moderate caucus, said earlier Thursday. Weve been very flush with cash, and this is the first year weve had to take a hard look at the budget and make some tough decisions where there are both winners and losers, and unfortunately there are always going to be some people who dont get what they need.

Late Thursday afternoon, Senate Democrats introduced a tweaked version of the spending plan Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders presented as a done deal the previous day. The Senate adjourned late Wednesday night without taking an expected vote on that plan.

Lawmakers in the House met privately Thursday afternoon to discuss the initial plan, which had not been shared with rank-and-file lawmakers in full before Pritzker stood before reporters with Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park and House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch of Hillside to announce theyd reached an agreement. They indicated that they expected the budget to pass through both chambers without significant changes.

Having already blown a self-imposed deadline to pass a budget last week, Senate Democrats moved the vote to Thursday, setting up a potential final vote in the House in the early morning hours Saturday.

Pritkzer praised the Senates late night vote in a statement, saying the plan makes transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois while building on our record of fiscal responsibility.

I look forward to the House taking up this budget that will make child care and education more accessible, health care more affordable, and our states business and economic position even stronger, Pritzker said.

Moments before the budget passed through the Senate, Republican Leader John Curran said the Democrats inclusion of his caucus in budget talks was a step forward in our working relationships. But he indicated that the final product of the budget does not reflect the entire state of Illinois.

He criticized the budget for ignoring the overwhelming call for relief from tax and utility costs that he believes are crushing families and small- and medium-sized businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic. And he said the budget is not friendly to big business, reflecting why companies like Caterpillar and Boeing have relocated offices out of state.

The budget presented here today undoubtedly represents a further expansion and growth of state government at a time when Illinois itself is contracted, Curran said.

Before the plan began to move forward Thursday, House Democrats acknowledged the challenge of balancing requests from the various caucuses within their record 78-member supermajority with the need to stay within the overall spending level agreed upon by Pritzker, Welch and Harmon.

Democrats had to grapple with skyrocketing costs in a program that provides Medicaid-style health benefits for immigrants who are in the country without legal permission or otherwise dont qualify for the traditional insurance program for the poor.

While Croke said dissension within the Democratic ranks has eased over the last week, other party members privately acknowledged a lively debate over competing budget priorities, particularly after the announced budget deal increased spending for the immigrant health care program by more than $300 million from Pritzkers initial budget proposal, which had pegged the price tag at $220 million. Projected spending on the program had spiraled to $1.1 billion, but Pritzkers office said the proposal gives the administration tools to control the costs.

There also have been differences over whether to extend a $75 million tax credit program for private school scholarship donors, which was left out of the budget package approved by the Senate and now going to the House.

On Wednesday, the Pritzker administration highlighted elements of the budget including an additional $100 million for Monetary Award Program grant funding for college students; an increase of $100 million in higher education funding; and an increase of $85 million to support homelessness prevention, affordable housing and other programs related to a vision of ending homelessness in the state.

The proposal also includes an additional $200 million to the states underfunded pension plans on top of the $9.8 billion required under state law.

The governors office also emphasized a $20 million investment in a new Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand grocery access to urban neighborhoods and rural towns.

The more-than-3,400-page budget plan, filed by Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago, the Senates chief budget negotiator, also included $15 million for the states violent crime witness protection program, which is half of the $30 million that Pritzker proposed for the program in February.

The program is the result of 2013 legislation that called for the state to provide aid to law enforcement agencies to relocate witnesses of violent crimes if they are at risk of danger, but it didnt get funded until Pritzker allocated $30 million for it last year.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, which administers the fund, said the program was still being organized.

Also in the budget was a $30 million appropriation for a fund that distributes money to police departments for body cameras and squad car dashboard camera systems. Another $10 million goes to departments to hire and retain police officers, and $4 million was set aside for their firearm ballistics technology.

Another $15 million was also set aside for grants associated with a youth summer jobs program, geared toward especially benefiting young people in Chicago and other urban areas.

The budget also includes a roughly $112 million increase in the share of state income tax revenue distributed to local governments, partially satisfying a request from municipal leaders, including new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

In response to another request from Johnson, the budget would provide $42.5 million to aid migrants arriving from the countrys southern border. The rejiggered plan that came out Thursday, however, would make that money available to counties and towns statewide rather than just Chicago and other parts of Cook County.

A day after the Senate failed to vote on the budget as anticipated on Wednesday, Sims sought to downplay any disconnect between Democrats in the Senate and the House.

Just like with any budget, its 3,000-page document, so everybody wants to go through to make sure that the terms of the agreement are actually on the paper, Sims said.

But during a committee hearing Thursday morning, GOP Sen. Chapin Rose of Mahomet raised concerns about the lack of wiggle room within the Democrats plan, which calls for spending nearly all of the $50.7 billion in revenue the state expects to collect for its general fund for the budget year that begins July 1.

Youve only got about $100 million in give between revenue and spend, Rose said, questioning whether state agencies would come back to the legislature looking for more money later in the year.

Republican Sen. Jil Tracy of Quincy said it was perhaps ... a tactical error for Pritzker and the Democratic leaders to announce a deal before it was finalized.

It should have been done after the budget was passed, Tracy said.

Also Thursday, lawmakers punted on another outstanding issue. The House voted 69-36, and the Senate followed with a 36-18 vote, to approve a measure extending their deadline for drawing district maps for Chicagos new elected school board to April 1, 2024.

The deadline had been July 1, but two draft maps were criticized in public forums for not being representative of the diverse student population of Chicago Public Schools.

The extension gives us more time to ensure that these last-minute submissions are given the thought and the analysis they deserve, said Democratic Sen. Robert Martwick, vice chair of the committee charged with crafting the map and a sponsor of the legislation creating an elected school board in Chicago.

Also, the House voted 69-35 to send Pritzker a measure that would require lawsuits challenging laws under the state constitution to be filed in either Cook County or Sangamon County, home to Springfield.

Democrats who supported the measure said it was necessary to prevent people who sue the state from trying to get their cases heard before judges who they believe will rule in the favor, while also conserving resources for the attorney generals office, which represents the state in court.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state has been hit with a barrage of legal challenges to Pritzkers executive orders as well as new state laws abolishing cash bail and banning certain high-powered semi-automatic weapons.

One attorney was charging people $200 to have their names added as plaintiffs to the lawsuit, said state Democratic Rep. Jay Hoffman of Swansea, a reference to the numerous lawsuits filed by failed Republican attorney general candidate Thomas DeVore.

Republicans, including Rep. Dan Caulkins of Decatur, who has sued the state over the sweeping gun ban approved in January, called the measure a power grab by the Democratic majority.

They pass unconstitutional laws to make law-abiding citizens criminals, and then they make those same citizens travel hundreds of miles to a kangaroo court that they control, said Caulkins, whose gun ban lawsuit is awaiting a ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court. Tyrants are always the same, whether kings or lawless Chicago politicians.

Hoffman, who is from the Metro East area outside St. Louis, noted that the circuit courts in Sangamon County are dominated by GOP judges.
O'FALLON, Ill.  A man fired at police and then shot himself Sunday afternoon after a brief foot chase outside of a strip mall here.

Officers with the O'Fallon and Fairview Heights police departments tried to stop the car just before 11:45 a.m. It had been associated with a warrant out of the city of St. Louis, and the person was considered armed and dangerous, police said.

The driver got out of the vehicle and ran, police said. As he fled, he fired at officers. They returned fire.

The driver continued running for about 100 yards until officers found him dead with "an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," police said. The man remained unidentified Monday.

No officers were injured during the incident. Illinois State Police officers are investigating.
EDWARDSVILLE  A jury on Thursday found a Metro East man guilty of murdering his fiancee on a Pontoon Beach highway, rejecting the mans claim that he accidentally ran her over when his foot got stuck on his trucks gas pedal.

The all-women jury found Richard Mayor, 60, guilty of first-degree murder after about 40 minutes of deliberation in the death of Lisa Dunnavent-Polach, 46. Mayor acted as his own attorney, resulting in a trial marked by constant objections and frustrated comments from Madison County Judge Kyle Napp, who had repeatedly advised Mayor against representing himself.

Prosecutors Luke Yager and Morgan Hudson showed the jury videos of Mayors white Ford F150 pickup truck tailing Dunnavent-Polach near Illinois Highway 111 for nearly 30 minutes on the afternoon of Feb. 21, including driving over a median to follow her across the road. One video from a nearby business captured the pickup hitting Dunnavent-Polach as she tried to enter the semitruck of a man who had slowed down to check on her.

Mayor fled in the F150 and ditched the broken-down truck about 4 miles away in Granite City. It had a shredded tire and was marked with Dunnavent-Polachs blood.

Well let Lisa tell you who did this, Yager said in his closing arguments Thursday before playing a 911 call reporting the crash. When the semitruck driver who stopped to help the woman called dispatchers, he asked Dunnavent-Polach who did this to her. She could be heard spelling Mayors last name.

Mayor told the jury the crash was an accident. He argued he was working as a forklift driver at an Anheuser-Busch warehouse and planned to marry Dunnavent-Polach the following month. He testified he was tailing her because he was worried she might harm herself, then his foot got stuck under the brake pedal and on the gas.

I hadnt had the truck but two months, he testified. Theres a lot to get used to.

He testified that after the crash he passed out but continued to drive another 4 miles before regaining consciousness when he heard the thumping of the pickups shredded tire in Granite City. He said when he came to he thought hed hit a deer.

Steven ODell, the semitruck driver who witnessed the crash and called 911, testified that his wife grew worried when she spotted a terrified Dunnavent-Polach on the side of the road, and he agreed to stop by and check on her. When he pulled up to the woman on Illinois Highway 11 near Bel Air Drive, she tried to get into ODells truck before the pickup rammed her, taking off the door of the semi and nearly severing one of Dunnaven-Polachs legs.

ODell, who spent three years in the Marine Corps, said the woman was losing blood. He searched for something to use as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, settling on the cord from his trucks CB radio.

She said: I have children. Im not ready to die yet, he told the jury.

Dunnavent-Polach died later at a St. Louis hospital.

Madison County Sheriffs deputies found Mayor walking through a Granite City neighborhood near where the truck was found.

Ashley Dunnavan, Dunnavent-Polachs daughter, testified that Mayor told her two weeks before her mothers death that he had kicked her out of their home and burned her clothes.

Dunnavan testified that Mayor then told her that if her mother returned, he would put her in a hospital where shed be unrecognizable.

Mayor called family and longtime friends who testified that he and Dunnavent-Polach never fought. He took the stand to testify in a quivering voice that he was not a violent person and never meant to hurt his fiancee.

His testimony allowed prosecutors to introduce to the jury that Mayor has a prior conviction for aggravated sexual assault from 1995 in Madison County.

Ive been a model citizen ever since I got out (of prison), Mayor argued.

Mayor struggled as his own attorney through the trial to present evidence and avoid objections.

Mr. Mayor, you made the decision to represent yourself, the judge, Napp, told him Tuesday. Simply because you watched something on TV doesnt mean you know how to be a lawyer.

Mayor is eligible for an extended sentence of up to 60 to 100 years in prison because of his prior conviction. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine in a statement Thursday commended the semitruck driver ODell and his wife for their attempts to save the womans life.

These Good Samaritans continued to do the right thing, by having the courage to come to court and tell the jury what the victim could not: that it was Richard Mayor who mowed her down, and that she did not want to die, the statement reads.
Almost a year after the mass shooting in Highland Park that left seven people dead and over 30 injured, Illinois lawmakers passed a bill that would allow law enforcement to operate a surveillance drone for security purposes during special events like the Fourth of July parade where the shooting took place.

It has been so clear to me that we need to give the police just this one additional tool to keep people safe, said Democratic state Sen. Julie Morrison of Deerfield, whose district includes Highland Park and who was at the parade with her family when the gunman took aim from a nearby rooftop.

The legislation, passed in the final hours of the General Assemblys spring session last week, amends the Freedom From Drone Surveillance Act by allowing law enforcement to use drones at routed or special events, which means planned gatherings like parades, walks, races, concerts and food festivals.

Under the measure, drones could be operated only by a law enforcement agency and could not be weaponized. The public would have to be notified when they were in use, and facial identity systems could be used only if necessary to prevent imminent harm to life.

Democratic state Sen. Rachel Ventura of Joliet was the lone no vote in the chamber.

When we pass legislation that allows law enforcement to potentially overstep privacy, I get a little wary about the slippery slope of what that could look like, she said. My heart goes out to everyone who was out at the Highland parade that day and I cant imagine the terror and trauma it is. But at the same point, we have to find that balance on the spectrum between freedom and safety.

In the House, Democratic Rep. Curtis Tarver of Chicago expressed similar concerns about an invasion of individual rights.

It seems very political in nature, quite honestly, he said in the House floor debate. It doesnt leave the average citizen  who may have had their rights violated  the ability to pursue justice.

He also noted that it took a mass shooting in a predominantly white suburb to get lawmakers moving on drones.

We have mass shootings unfortunately in the city of Chicago very, very often. And nobody here had the political fortitude or concern for people of color to bring a bill that related to drones in some other way to monitor these events, Tarver said. So, its frustrating.

Tarver was on the short end of an 84-7 vote in the House.

In addition to special events, drones could also be used to aid in search and rescue operations, which is not permissible at present.

This is not going to be just a drone that can be in anyones community for whatever reason, Rep. Barbara Hernandez of Aurora said on the House floor. This is a specific purpose.

Drones would not be allowed at events that are specifically political, such as rallies or protests.

There was concern from different stakeholders that facial recognition could be used against individuals, Morrison said in an interview.

She said she worked to bring the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois to a neutral position on the bill by specifying limited instances when facial recognition could be used, in part to assuage fears that drones could be used to track immigrants who are in the country without legal permission and have them turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Also under the measure, the footage must be erased after 24 hours except in specific cases, such as if the footage contains evidence of a crime. A report must be made by a law enforcement agency as to why, where and when a drone was used.

The 2024 budget lists $270,000 for Illinois police departments for capital improvements and purchase of equipment including drones, with Highland Parks department receiving $15,000.

Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office would not comment when asked whether he plans to sign the bill.
ST. LOUIS  At a downtown MetroLink station one recent morning, mental health worker Shane Spurgeon struck up a conversation with Daniel Wilson, who said he was homeless.

Wilson, 59, accepted the offer of a plastic bottle of water and a hygiene kit as Spurgeon told him about places where he could find help. You can get a shower, do your laundry, Spurgeon said of one facility, the St. Louis Empowerment Center.

An hour or so later, co-worker Amanda Vogler handed rider Jeffrey Brown a box of Narcan, a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses, and showed him how to use it if needed. She and Brown, 57, sat facing each other on a train headed for the North Hanley station.

Vogler had started talking with Brown, who said he was homeless, a few minutes earlier on the platform at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere station.

Spurgeon and Vogler are among small teams from Chestnut Health Systems, a Bloomington, Illinois-based nonprofit, assigned to regularly roam MetroLink trains and stations. Workers approach riders in a low-key way and offer referrals to shelters and services to people who are homeless, dealing with drug or alcohol problems or other issues.

The project is part of Metro Transits ongoing effort to improve MetroLink security. It aims to reduce loitering by all-day riders, also known as loop riders, and to address alcohol and drug use, panhandling, argumentativeness, sleeping on train cars and behaviors that can make other customers feel less safe. The agency is also improving and expanding surveillance cameras, adding police patrols and installing fare collection gates and related fencing at stations.

Not everybody we deal with needs police and security intervention, said Kevin Scott, general manager of security for the Bi-State Development Agency, which oversees Metro. The program began in 2021 on a pilot basis in St. Clair County and expanded last year to St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Having these clinicians and peer recovery folks on the system is a counterbalance and provides better options to bring services we couldnt otherwise provide, he said.

Making connections

Officials say the goal isnt to be punitive but to encourage people to find help. If a rider needs to be kicked off a train or issued a ticket for violating the rules, thats up to security personnel and police. The mental health teams will respond to emergency calls on MetroLink and Metro buses when security personnel ask for help defusing situations.

Emily Schwaegel, a substance abuse clinician with a psychology degree, administers the program. The ultimate goal is to minimize problematic behavior on the train and to create a positive experience for riders and staff, she said.

Some outreach workers, such as Vogler and Spurgeon, have been homeless and faced addiction themselves. This helps them relate to the people they encounter.

With our lived experience, its helped when theyre having a hard time, Vogler said.

Vogler and Spurgeon said what someone is wearing isnt necessarily a tipoff they need help.

He may have some nice clothes on but Ive learned to look past that, Spurgeon said. He could have been given that stuff.

Vogler said she says hello to just about everybody she sees on platforms and trains and has conversations with those who want to do so.

Two-member Chestnut teams often engage with people they come across for the first time. Other times they check on individuals they run into daily or several times a week.

Spurgeon began chatting with a woman, Michelle, 40, on a train headed southbound from North Hanley. Shes worried about violence at home and how her boyfriend treats her.

If you need a place to go, we can help you with a shelter, he told her. Its your choice.

At the Civic Center station, Spurgeon came upon Erin Wood, a 32-year-old homeless woman he had begun noticing there on and off about a week earlier. She asked him what shelters were available that night.

Theyve got some beds open but I cant make a referral right now, he told her as he checked for availability at one shelter via his smartphone. So check back with me in a little bit.

Offering help

Teams bring carts with them, packed with snacks, tents, rain ponchos and sleeping bags to give away.

Then there are backpacks for people who dont have much of anything, Schwaegel said. They include things such as T-shirts, sweat pants, flip flops, water, snacks and Narcan.

Overall, said Bi-States Scott, the unhoused footprint is relatively small on the MetroLink system and that dealing with it is just one part of Chestnuts effort.

Still, statistics for January through March of this year released by Chestnut said 551 of the 960 people  about 57%  its teams attempted to engage with were homeless.

Chestnut workers said many homeless people use trains and buses to get from place to place and arent just hanging out.

For instance, Brown, the man Vogler talked with, said he was using MetroLink to connect to a bus at the North Hanley station to go to a cousins home in Bellefontaine Neighbors to get something to eat.

Of the 960 people that Chestnut workers engaged with during the three-month period, 173 were sleeping on a train or platform, 102 appeared to be under the influence or otherwise affected by substance use and 40 were loop riding.

In addition, 33 people were symptomatic of mental illness, 23 were loitering and 13 were suspected of having an overdose. Two were panhandling and just one person was creating a disturbance.

During the same period, the teams handed out 173 hygiene kits, 175 winter supply kits, 53 backpacks and 517 cards referring people to community organizations. Chestnut said its workers directly connected 337 people to service providers.

Among those organizations is the Society of St. Vincent de Pauls Belleville Council, which operates an overnight shelter, soup kitchen and outreach ministry in East St. Louis.

Pat Hogrebe, the facilitys executive director, estimated that maybe 5% of the people referred there are through Chestnuts program with Metro. Its a good way to connect with people, she said.

The 2021 pilot project began after Ken Sharkey, the managing director of the St. Clair County Transit District, expressed concern about the people in distress hed see while riding MetroLink in his county.

Sharkey said a county mental health board official suggested he get in touch with Chestnut, which has three Metro East facilities.

The transit district, which contracts with Bi-State to run MetroLink and the countys bus lines, now spends $510,000 a year on the Illinois part of the Chestnut program. That will expand this summer to include a major bus route serving East St. Louis and Belleville.

Bi-State, meanwhile, currently has a $790,000, two-year contract with Chestnut for the Missouri side of the program.

For every single person you get into a shelter (or) into treatment and you dont see them again, theres always somebody new that pops up, Schwaegel said.

5 St. Louis County libraries will offer social workers, free for anyone The St. Louis County Library announced Wednesday that social workers in five branches will provide free assistance to connect people with resources and referrals regarding things like child care, health care and housing. People seeking assistance do not need to live in the county nor do they need a library card.

MetroLink to use metal detectors on pilot basis to try to keep guns off trains in St. Louis area The detectors will be rotated among MetroLink stations in a four-week pilot program, said Kevin Scott, general manager of security for the Bi-State Development Agency. Scott said he hopes the effort can start in a few weeks.

12 barred permanently from MetroLink, Metro buses due to assaults, other violations Since a new policy begun in July 2020, about 190 people have been barred from Metro Transit, including 12 permanently, for various violations of the system's code of conduct.
MASCOUTAH  The recent opening of a major expansion of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport's terminal was marked at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday attended by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other officials.

The project added more than 41,000 square feet to the terminal, almost doubling its size. The expansion area, which opened Friday, includes two new gates, increasing MidAmerica's total to five.

Other highlights include a new TSA screening area, new family rest rooms, a nursing room, a relief area for service animals, a larger departure lounge with additional concessions and a storm shelter.

The $34 million project, funded mainly by federal and state grants, also includes yet-to-be-completed work in the older part of the terminal  including baggage system improvements, a new gift shop and a community conference room. That's expected to be finished later this year.

MidAmerica's commercial carrier, Allegiant Air, now averages 70 inbound and outbound flights a week to 12 cities in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona.

Also under construction is a $37.7 million project to add new taxiway pavement and a new taxiway bridge to serve a new Boeing refueling drone plant set to open next year.
EDWARDSVILLE  Nothing about the deaths of Mike and Lois Ladd, found stabbed to death four years ago inside their home, made sense to their large families and circle of friends.

The Ladds were well known in Edwardsville. Lois, 68, owned a chiropractic practice and was an active member of the Edwardsville Rotary Club, raising money and volunteering for community projects. Mike, 79, still ran a crew as a general contractor, and he was always booked for weeks out on projects like painting decks and fixing plumbing on homes. The couple didnt have enemies, as far as their family knew, and they lived on a quiet, private road.

Their killings marked one of the most high-profile crimes in the Metro East suburbs in recent years. On Tuesday, a 27-year-old man pleaded guilty in their deaths. But his connection to the couple  and his motive  remains a mystery.

The hardest thing for me is we dont know why, said Mike Ladds sister, Dodie Ladd Levi, on Wednesday. We probably wont ever know.

Zachary Capers, 27, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to first-degree murder inside a courtroom packed with Mike and Lois Ladds family members. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison, where he will get access to mental health treatment as part of the plea. He will be required to serve the full term, according to Madison County States Attorney Thomas Haines office.

Capers was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial in the case last year, but that finding was overturned after another examination in November. Authorities believe he was homeless in the Edwardsville area at the time of the Ladds deaths. Hed had run-ins for years with police because of erratic behavior.

Mike Ladds sister, Ladd Levi, said shes always suspected there was planning behind their deaths.

Their house is out of the way, she said. Maybe my brother hired him for an odd job like he would sometimes do. Maybe they were targeted because they were very visible. We just dont know.

New details of the crime

An employee at Lois Ladds chiropractic office grew worried when she didnt come to work on March 18, 2019. She called Edwardsville police for a welfare check.

Officers arrived about 10:30 a.m. at the Ladds home, which sat on a private lane marked with an unofficial sign that read Lois Lane, in the 800 block of North Kansas Street. Though the stretch is less than a mile north of downtown Edwardsville, its wooded and sees little traffic.

Police found the couple dead in their bedroom. Mike Ladd had 29 stab wounds to his upper body. Lois had been stabbed in her head and neck, according to a new account of the evidence released by prosecutors this week. Investigators said they had been dead for more than a day.

Illinois State Police investigators swept the home and found pieces of latex gloves and two boot prints in Mike Ladds blood. They believe the killer forced his way through a bathroom window, breaking the frame. Police found the same boot print in the mud outside below the sill.

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis put 35 investigators from around the region on the case.

Mikes sister, Ladd Levi, lived just a few hundred yards down the road from her brother and sister-in-law, with whom shes been close friends since they were 14. She told police that on the morning of the killings, she noticed someone had recently hit a street sign, toppling the sign and leaving behind what looked like pieces of a silver car along the road.

That debris would eventually be one key connecting Capers to the killings.

Capers was arrested one day before the Ladds bodies were found because of outstanding warrants. He was driving a silver Kia with damage to its front bumper, and police eventually matched that Kia to the debris found near the street sign.

He was arrested after knocking on the door of a home in rural Madison County to ask for directions. The resident just happened to be a Madison County sheriffs deputy, and Capers had pending charges for possession of a stolen vehicle and forgery, according to court documents.

Capers fled the deputys home but was arrested later that day in the Kia. Detectives later found he was wearing boots that matched the bloody boot prints in the Ladds house. He had scratches on his face and hands. Police searched the car and found latex gloves similar to the pieces from the scene. Forensic analysis showed the glove found in the home had DNA from Capers along with fragments matching the Ladds.

Police also found surveillance video tracking Caperss Kia in the days before the killing, including footage of him purchasing bleach and gloves from a Cottage Hill Circle K two days before the Ladds bodies were found.

Capers made no statement about his plea at a packed sentencing Tuesday.

He had some family there, Ladd Levi said. I told his sister this was a catastrophe for us all. I believe he knew what he was doing and acted intentionally, but people who are of mental sound mind dont do things like this.

A sisters memories

Dodie Levi Ladd, Mikes sister, spoke at Capers sentencing about Mike and Lois Ladds legacy.

She and Mike were two of 10 kids in the family raised in Edwardsville. Their father, also a contractor, died when he was 59, leaving Mike with many of the responsibilities of raising the remaining six children still at home.

Levi Ladd became friends with Lois, her future sister-in-law, when they both had the same vocal teacher at 14. Lois was one of six kids raised on a cattle and chicken farm thats been run by her family in the Edwardsville area since the 1800s.

She was daring, Levi Ladd said. She wanted to experience the most out of life.

Lois Ladd went on to become a licensed chiropractor, eventually growing her own practice. She also traveled to China where she trained for weeks in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, Levi Ladd said.

Levi Ladd said she worked for years with Mike when he was a salesman for the gift manufacturing business she and her husband ran into the early 1990s.

He could sell anything, she said. He loved people. He had a great smile. He was a very good man.

Mike Ladd eventually switched careers and grew a successful general contractor business.

He was 79 when he died, but he was always working, Levi Ladd said. He would have worked seven days a week if Lois would have let him.

Levi Ladd said after the killings, her family tried to avoid publicity about what happened because they feared hurting the case.

The local rumor mill was going wild, she said. Everyone wanted to know how this happened in Edwardsville, where we feel safe  or at least used to.

Levi Ladd said so many of the unknowns remain, but she supports the guilty plea.

He will most likely die in prison, she said. The end result is the same.

A widow and cancer survivor, Levi Ladd said the deaths of two of her closest companions remain one of the greatest tragedies of her life.

You dont get over this. This never goes away, she said. You just go on.
EAST ST. LOUIS  Investigators with the Illinois State Police were searching Friday for a gunman after one person was shot and critically injured in a vehicle.

Trooper Jayme Bufford with the Illinois State Police would not say if the victim is a man or woman. Bufford also didn't release the victim's age.

The victim was discovered shot in a vehicle after 4 a.m. at State and 81st streets in East St. Louis. The person's injuries are life-threatening, Bufford said.

The State Police's Public Safety Enforcement Group is handling the investigation.

Learn about homicide victims and regional trends with this database Learn about homicide victims and regional trends with this database from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
CHICAGO  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the states $50.4 billion budget for the next fiscal year into law Wednesday, hailing it for being balanced and what he called its transformative investments in early childhood, K-12 and higher education.

Pritzker, flanked by fellow Democrats Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, signed the budget at Christopher House, a pre-K through eighth grade nonprofit school, to highlight state spending on early childhood development with an initial $250 million investment in a new program called Smart Start that aims to expand preschool access.

The budget also invests $350 million for K-12 education throughout the state as well as $100 million for college scholarships and to provide free access to community colleges.

It also has funding to hire and train 200 state police officers, contributes an additional $200 million to the states pension systems beyond whats required and makes ongoing contributions to the states budget stabilization fund, set to surpass $2 billion.

Our budgets have allowed thousands more students to stay in Illinois because they can afford a college degree. Balanced budgets have allowed us to modernize our infrastructure, build nation-leading clean energy production, attract industries of the future like quantum computing, and prioritize childcare for working families and our youngest children, Pritzker said in a statement.

Passing this budget, Harmon said, was an exercise in trust, working together to prioritize paying down debt, shoring up our Rainy Day Fund and ensuring a durable, balanced budget.

Welch said that with this budget were building a stronger economy and putting our state back on sound fiscal footing, while also making smart investments in priorities like education, health care, and local communities.

The budget reflects projected revenues of $50.6 billion and expenditures of $50.4 billion, resulting in a $183 million surplus.

No Republicans in either chamber of the General Assembly supported the budget.

The fiscal year 2024 budget takes effect July 1.
TEHRAN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Wednesday that the implementation of agreements signed between his country and Oman had made "good progress" over the past 18 months.

After meeting his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi in the Omani capital of Muscat earlier in the day, Amir-Abdollahian told reporters that he had "important and constructive" talks with the Omani minister, during which they had discussed the implementation of the agreements signed between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, particularly those inked after the latter's visit to Tehran in late May, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.

The two ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, transportation, energy, science, technology and tourism, IRNA quoted Amir-Abdollahian as saying, adding that the two countries agree to hold the next round of meeting for a joint economic commission in the near future.

The Omani foreign minister said he and his Iranian counterpart exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments, on which the two countries share similar views.

He stressed that Oman and Iran are expected to play a "positive" role in ensuring regional peace and security through expanding their cooperation.

The Omani minister noted that efforts were being made to implement the agreements between the two countries, adding that a number of other documents have been prepared and will be signed in the future.

Heading a diplomatic delegation, Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Muscat on Tuesday after wrapping up his visit to Qatar. On Wednesday, the Iranian minister left Oman for Kuwait, the third leg of his four-nation tour of the region's Arab states that also include the United Arab Emirates. 
EDWARDSVILLE  A semitruck-driving married couple took the stand Tuesday to recount their attempts to save a woman who prosecutors say was run down and killed by her boyfriend on a Pontoon Beach state highway earlier this year.

Stacy and Steven ODell testified that they saw Lisa Dunnavent-Polach, 46, stalked and struck by a pickup truck before Steven O'Dell tried to tie a tourniquet to stop her bleeding before she died.

Richard Mayor, 60, of East St. Louis, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in Dunnavent-Polachs death. He is acting as his own attorney in the jury trial that opened Tuesday in Madison County court.

Prosecutors argued that Mayor and his girlfriend were in a weekslong fight when the ODells spotted Dunnavent-Polach walking on the side of a busy road, Illinois Highway 111, near Bel Air Drive.

Stacy ODell told the jury the woman was being trailed by a white pickup truck that was driving erratically.

Her face was very distraught, she told the jury. She was looking for help.

ODell said she watched through her rearview mirror as the pickup truck drove over a median with no regard for traffic and the woman fell to the ground.

He was like a madman on her, she told the jury.

ODell said she called her husband, crying, and he said he would drive over to help the woman.

Steven ODell then took the stand Tuesday and said the white pickup truck was pulled to the side of the road when he arrived, and Dunnavent-Polach was hiding behind a tree. He slowed his semitruck, and the woman ran toward him and tried to get into its cabin.

She was terrified, he told the jury.

Steven ODell said the pickup then revved its engine and rammed the woman, taking off a door of the semi and nearly severing one of the womans legs. The truck then drove off.

Steven ODell, who spent three years in the Marine Corps, said the woman was losing blood, and he searched for something to use as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

I wasnt wearing a belt, he said. I didnt have a knife to cut the seatbelt.

He instead ripped the cord off his trucks CB radio.

She said: I have children. Im not ready to die yet, he told the jury.

Prosecutors played Steven ODells 911 call, where he asks Dunnavent-Polach who did this to her, then tells the dispatcher she said it was her boyfriend, Richard Mayor. She can be heard spelling Mayors last name.

Dunnavent-Polach died later at a St. Louis hospital.

Police spotted the broken-down white F150 nearby, and Madison County Sheriffs deputies found Mayor walking through a Granite City neighborhood near where the truck was found. Prosecutors said evidence will show that the pickup was registered to Mayor and was marked with blood matching Dunnavant-Polach.

Also in court Tuesday, video surveillance played for the jury showed a pedestrian being followed on the highway by a white Ford F150 that, as the ODells testified, ran over a highway median when the woman crossed the road before later ramming into the figure.

Ashley Dunnavan, Dunnavent-Polachs daughter, testified Tuesday that Mayor told her two weeks before her mothers death that he had kicked her out of their home and burned her clothes.

Dunnavan testified that Mayor then told her that if her mother returned, he would put her in a hospital where shed be unrecognizable.

Mayor, representing himself, did not introduce his defense, opting to wait until later in the trial, which is expected to continue Wednesday. He questioned witnesses on the accuracy of their memories but was struck down by Madison County Judge Kyle Napp when he violated the rules of introducing evidence into the case.

Napp cleared the all-women jury from the courtroom before admonishing Mayor for muttering, I can see how this is going to go, after she ruled against him.

Mr. Mayor, you made the decision to represent yourself, Napp said. I wont say beg, because judges dont beg, but I strongly recommended that you get an attorney.

Napp said she would hold Mayor in contempt if he continued to make extra comments.

Simply because you watched something on TV doesnt mean you know how to be a lawyer, Napp told Mayor.

Prosecutors are expected to continue their case at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Madison County Criminal Justice Center.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down a Second Amendment appeal from gun owners and let stand for now an Illinois law banning the sale of the rapid-fire assault weapons that have been used to carry out mass shootings across the country.

In an unsigned order with no dissents, the justices rejected an emergency appeal that asked them to block a local ordinance and the state ban from taking effect.

While the courts action is not a ruling on the broader constitutional issue, it is a good sign for nine other states that also ban the sale of assault weapons.

Usually, justices would block a new law from taking effect if they believe it is unconstitutional.

The case was National Association for Gun Rights v. Naperville.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago said it would hear arguments on the constitutional issue in late June, and the justices may have decided to wait for its ruling.

The high court has not ruled directly on whether an AR 15-style rifle is protected under the Second Amendment. In the past, it had turned away Second Amendment challenges to similar state and local laws.

But last year, gun-rights advocates were cheered when the more conservative court struck down the laws in New York and elsewhere that restricted many law-abiding gun owners from carrying a concealed weapon in public.

Writing for a 6-3 majority, Justice Clarence Thomas said gun restrictions can be upheld only if they are consistent with the nations historical tradition of firearms regulation.

Less than two weeks after that decision was announced, a shooter armed with a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle and 30-round magazines opened fire on an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Ill. The weapon allowed the shooter to fire 83 rounds in less than a minute, killing seven and wounding 48.

In response, the city of Naperville and the state of Illinois adopted new laws to forbid the sale and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Only the sale ban was due to take effect immediately, and a gun store owner and several gun-rights groups sued to block the measures as violations of the Second Amendment.

Gun rights advocates argued that millions of AR-15s have been sold in this country and that the Second Amendment has been understood to protect firearms that are in common use.

But todays lightweight, semiautomatic weapons are quite unlike the heavy and cumbersome muskets that were in use in 1791. In defense of the ban, states lawyers argued these rapid-fire rifles were developed and marketed as military-style offensive weapons rather than as a means for self-defense.

A federal judge agreed and allowed the Naperville ban to take effect.

The history of firearms regulation establishes that governments enjoy the ability to regulate highly dangerous arms, said U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall, and assault weapons and large-capacity magazines fall under this category.

The 7th Circuit Court refused to block both laws from taking effect while it considered an appeal from the gun owners.
JEFFERSON CITY  Cities and counties across Missouri are looking to cash in on the states recent vote to legalize recreational marijuana, before adult-use sales begin.

The voter-approved Amendment 3, which legalizes marijuana in Missouri, allows local governments to impose a 3% cannabis tax on sales, in addition to a 6% state marijuana tax and regular sales taxes. Recreational sales could begin in February.

Stephen Ables, assistant director of the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis, estimated that 30 to 40 of St. Louis Countys 88 municipalities are considering whether to place a marijuana sales tax question on the April 4 ballot.

In the city of St. Louis, Alderman Brandon Bosley, D-3rd Ward, has sponsored legislation putting a 3% marijuana sales tax on the April 4 ballot.

The aldermanic Ways and Means Committee advanced the legislation last week. Bosley said Monday how the money would be used isnt completely set in stone.

Those are conversations that we all can have, you know, when we get to the table, Bosley said.

The St. Louis County Council is also considering placing a 3% tax on the April 4 ballot. The levy would apply to marijuana sales in unincorporated parts of the county.

The county wouldnt be able to impose the tax on sales within municipalities, said John Payne, who managed the Legal Missouri 2022 campaign.

Florissant, a municipality with 52,500 residents in St. Louis County, is also weighing whether to place a 3% marijuana tax question before voters on April 4.

In St. Charles County, OFallon, with more than 90,000 residents, is considering its own ballot measure for a 3% tax, proposed by Mayor Bill Hennessy.

Farther west from St. Louis, the cities of Columbia and Jefferson City could also move to place the local marijuana sales tax on the April ballot, ABC 17 News reported Monday.

The 6% state tax on recreational marijuana is higher than the 4% levy on medical marijuana sales.

Unlike the state tax, there is nothing in the amendment legalizing recreational marijuana that directs local governments on how to spend the money from the 3% tax.

Revenue generated from the 6% state tax will first go toward running the program and then to processing expungements for past marijuana offenses.

State public defenders, nonprofits and agencies working on addiction treatment, as well as the Missouri Veterans Commission and allied state agencies, would receive the leftover money, according to the amendment.

A fiscal estimate that appeared on the Nov. 8 ballot said the state could generate at least $40.8 million annually from legalization, while local governments could see at least $13.8 million every year.

Legal sales to individuals 21 and older are set to first start at licensed medical marijuana dispensaries that applied to convert their business permits to comprehensive ones.

Despite the current lack of state-sanctioned sales, possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana is already allowed in Missouri after legalization officially took effect Dec. 8.
JEFFERSON CITY  Cannabis activists lined up Tuesday to urge Missouri lawmakers to move quickly to fully legalize marijuana and derail a competing ballot initiative backed by existing medical marijuana businesses.

The Cannabis Freedom Act, sponsored by Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, combines numerous marijuana-related bills into one but at its core legalizes possession and use of the drug for individuals 21 and older.

Supporters said Missouri lawmakers should blunt momentum for Legal Missouri 2022, a campaign currently collecting signatures for the Nov. 8 ballot. That plan would give current medical marijuana businesses the first shot at full recreational sales and keep in place the states ability to limit licenses.

Hicks, during a hearing of the House Public Safety Committee, cast his bill as the last best shot for lawmakers to weigh in on the topic before voters do so through a proposed change to the state constitution. Medical marijuana was approved in 2018 when Missouri voters approved a constitutional change.

Im sure that every single one of you sitting here has received some type of an email, Hicks said, or has heard from somebody in this state about the rollout of that program, whether it was dishonest or not fair to someone.

Hicks proposal doesnt limit marijuana business licenses. It would allow home cultivators to possess up to 12 flowering plants and would permit dispensary sales to be taxed at up to 12%.

It eliminates civil asset forfeiture for marijuana and places regulation of the adult-use program under the control of the Cannabis Enforcement Authority, which would be housed in the Department of Agriculture.

The medical program is currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Senior Services, and Hicks bill doesnt seek to alter the constitutionally approved system.

Hicks plan directs tax revenue to fund teacher salaries, first responder pensions and the Missouri Veterans Commission.

He said he was open to amendments. One possible change, Hicks said, involves some sort of license cap after speaking with a young man who was part of the industry. The business owner said the market already has enough marijuana, Hicks said.

He would like to see that they get first dibs, maybe up front  in front of the line, Hicks said. I can understand why they want that and I can actually even  Im in talks with that.

Speakers Tuesday morning railed against Legal Missouri 2022.

This initiative (Legal Missouri 2022) eliminates nearly all competition through constitutionally protected license caps, said Christina Thompson, with ShowMe Canna-Freedom, who spoke in favor of Hicks proposal. Recreational licenses created under the initiative will go straight to established businesses as well, meaning instead of opening up more business opportunities for others, money only goes to those who are already profiting.

The lack of competition and artificially inflated prices fuel the black market, she said. Millions in lost revenue for our state is instead funding drug cartels, human trafficking and more while desperate patients are victimized.

Adela Wisdom criticized the states current prohibition on adult-use cannabis.

Wisdom is facing criminal charges after she and her husband, Aaron, were arrested in 2020 following a law enforcement raid of their Callaway County property. Law enforcement reported marijuana plants on their land, with a sheriffs office lieutenant stating he saw Adela Wisdom rapidly uprooting the plants and Aaron Wisdom lighting them on fire, KRCG-TV reported. A jury trial in the case is scheduled for July.

At the time of her arrest, Adela Wisdom was running for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District; Aaron Wisdom was running for lieutenant governor.

She said Missouris current medical marijuana laws create two systems in which people without resources are still criminalized for the drug.

The people (of) this state who are unable to pay, who are too sick, too poor and too ill to comply with your rules and your laws and your regulations are criminals because they couldnt afford a license, Wisdom said. Thats a regulatory issue, not a felonious crime.

Trade group

Meanwhile, the group Real Legalization Missouri, posted a link to audio apparently recorded of Thomas Robbins, lobbyist for the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association and Legal Missouri 2022, strategizing with opponents of Hicks bill.

In the audio, Robbins compared proponents to a clown car and said opponents would come off as the adults in the room during the hearing. Robbins didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Tuesday.

Among those testifying against Hicks legalization bill was Joe Delia, chief operating officer of Root 66 Cannabis.

With about 38 grow operations, the current supply has outpaced the demand, Delia said. Thats without factoring in the roughly two dozen cultivators expected to come online sometime in the future.

Delia said, We really probably have, right now, about half the capacity that were going to have in the current medical market.

When this market first opened, pounds of marijuana were selling for about $4,000, he said. Now pounds of marijuana are selling for around $1,600, for medium- to lower-grade cannabis.

Were going to be at $800 a pound before this stops, and thats going to be very comparable to what you see on the West Coast, he said.

If you open that market up, Im not sure what youre going to have, other than what Oklahomas having right now, he said. (Opponents deride the states medical program as the Wild West.)

Supporters of the states medical marijuana program, such as MoCannTrade, have hailed it as a success, calling attention to more than 6,000 industry jobs.

The industry reported its eighth straight month of sales exceeding $20 million in February, according to DHSS data.

Missouris medical cannabis industry is delivering on its promise of not only providing safe, affordable and convenient access for patients but also helping to infuse the states economy with sizable investment and millions in new tax revenue, Andrew Mullins, executive director of MoCannTrade, said in a press release last month.

The Legal Missouri campaign has said that while current medical marijuana licensees would be able to convert their medical licenses into comprehensive ones, so-called microlicenses would be available to historically disadvantaged groups in the recreational programs first days.

All new licenses for the first 548 days will be microlicenses reserved for smaller operators and individuals and groups who have been adversely affected by our current, unjust laws prohibiting marijuana, said John Payne, campaign manager for Legal Missouri. As in most states, medical marijuana facilities will also start to convert their licenses to comprehensive licenses.

Hicks proposal had 21 co-sponsors as of Tuesday, including eight Republicans. House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-OFallon, and Reps. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, and Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, are backing the measure.

The legislation is House Bill 2704.

Originally posted at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, March 8. Updated at 2 p.m.
JEFFERSON CITY  One Republicans controversial amendment has caused turbulence for another lawmakers plan to fully legalize marijuana in Missouri.

Rep. Nick Schroer, of St. Charles County, amended the so-called Cannabis Freedom Act on Thursday to exclude transgender women from access to no-interest loans for women- and minority-owned cannabis businesses, drawing bipartisan scorn.

Schroer then voted no on the underlying legislation to legalize marijuana in Missouri, but the plan still passed the House Public Safety Committee on a 5-4 vote, with the committees three Democrats helping rescue it.

He literally either was showboating and needed his sound bites in the committee or he was deliberately trying to kill that piece of legislation, Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, the bills sponsor, said Thursday.

The amendment may not ultimately kill the bill, and Schroer said that was not his intent.

Im hopeful we will strip that language off on the floor, said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, one of the co-sponsors. It is frustrating that one member will take a bipartisan-supported bill and use it simply for campaign fodder.

Schroer, who is running for a state Senate seat, expressed concern about the constitutionality of the loan program altogether. He said he would like the entire provision stripped from the bill.

Schroer said he didnt vote for the underlying plan because of last-minute changes before the vote.

If I wanted to kill the bill, I think we could have, he said.

Schroer said he would rather have the Legislature legalize marijuana than have voters do it through a constitutional amendment. The Legal Missouri 2022 campaign is currently collecting signatures for such a ballot question.

Legalizing marijuana through a constitutional change would mean voters would have to amend the program through the constitution if the program encounters major issues, Schroer said.

Schroers amendment wasnt the only change to the plan last week.

Whether and how to cap the number of marijuana businesses has been the main point of contention in negotiations between the medical marijuana industry and lawmakers. Legislators want to open the market after hundreds of lawsuits were filed against the state following the medical programs rollout in 2020.

An amendment by Rep. Shane Roden, a Cedar Hill Republican and chair of the Public Safety Committee, would have allowed the state to limit the number of comprehensive cannabis business licenses to the number of current medical marijuana permits.

But Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, D-Kansas City, negotiated an amendment that would allow twice as many business licenses as are currently issued. Her amendment also did away with a so-called microlicense program Roden proposed Thursday morning.

Bland Manlove said during the hearing Thursday that Rodens amendment was clearly written by the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association, or MoCannTrade.

Im just grateful to the chair for not using the first draft of the amendment, which was clearly drafted by the MoCannTrade lobbyists who are pushing the IP (initiative petition), who also called some of the witnesses clowns, Bland Manlove said.

She was referring to recorded comments by Legal Missouri and MoCannTrade lobbyist Thomas Robbins comparing the bills proponents to a clown car.

Roden denied that MoCannTrade drafted his amendment but said he spoke to Robbins and one other stakeholder in an attempt to reach a compromise before the committee hearing.

I want some form of this being put into statute, said Roden, who was one of the five yes votes in committee Thursday. I would rather us do it than through the initiative petition process.

Robbins did not respond to a request for comment.

Jack Cardetti, spokesman for MoCannTrade, which has endorsed the Legal Missouri 2022 initiative, said the group still isnt fully on board with Hicks bill.

We have concerns about the current version of the bill, including a lack of automatic expungements for past nonviolent marijuana offenders, he said in a statement.

Hicks said he was disappointed that Schroers amendment was added to the bill and also that the amended bill includes limits on licenses.

Im still disappointed that we had to put caps on it to get it out of committee when Im more than willing to have a conversation on the House floor about caps, Hicks said.

He added he wanted to limit cultivation so there isnt a surplus.

I was trying to do everything for the people of Missouri, and now its starting to get swayed by politics, which is not a surprise to me, said Hicks, who is term-limited.

Its just when you work so hard on something and then youre in that last stage in a committee hearing and then the poison pill gets slammed on it ..., he said.

House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, has referred a second legalization measure to committee, evidence House leadership wants debate on legislation that could sideline Legal Missouri 2022.

Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, whose House Joint Resolution 83 would place legalization on the November ballot, said his Special Committee on Criminal Justice would hear the plan on Tuesday.

Its just good to have multiple options for the Legislature to take the lead on this issue, he said. The Legislature failed to do so on the issue of medical marijuana, and we got a ballot initiative that was not necessarily my first choice.

Dogan said he was open to negotiations on his proposed constitutional amendment.

Im not ruling anything out at this point, he said.

Youre going to have to make some compromises to get anything out of this body, much less the Senate, he said.

The legislation is House Bill 2704.

Originally posted at 12:32 p.m. Tuesday, April 5.
CLAYTON  A Berkeley man was found guilty Friday in the 2018 shooting deaths of two people  including a utility worker struck by a stray bullet on the job.

Lonnell Lewis-Jones, 30, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action and two counts of second-degree assault in a Feb. 22, 2018, shooting stemming from an argument over a car blocking a driveway in Berkeley.

One man involved in the argument, William Dortch, 27, of St. Ann, was killed. A utility worker, Frank Langston, 55, was struck in the hip by a stray bullet and killed as he stood nearby on a concrete mixers ladder. He had just delivered a load of concrete to a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District project for his employer, Raineri Ready Mix of St. Louis.

Assistant prosecutor Robert Steele said in court that both Lewis-Jones and his brother Mequall Mickey West-Jones pulled out guns and fired multiple shots.

There was no regard for life. None, Steele told the jury. It looked like Bonnie and Clyde over a parking space.

West-Jones was a co-defendant in the case and pleaded guilty in August 2021 to two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree assault and four counts of armed criminal action. He was sentenced to six concurrent life terms in prison plus 10 more years. A life sentence in Missouri is calculated at 30 years before someone is eligible for parole.

Lewis-Jones four-day trial last week included testimony from detectives and eyewitnesses to the shooting who identified Lewis-Jones, including a neighbor who was working from home at the time and saw the fight.

Lewis-Jones told police after the shooting that he arrived at a home in a residential area north of Airport Road and east of Interstate 170 in Berkeley where he found his girlfriend in a fight with several other women over the parking. He told officers he didnt hear any gunshots.

The shooting happened several blocks away in the 8200 block of Canyon Drive.

Lewis-Jones told detectives that after the shooting he went to the home of a friend named Babycakes but was never able to give police a name or address for the person.

Its nonsense, Steele told the jury. There is no Babycakes.

Public defender Steven Lewis said there was little connecting Lewis-Jones to the shooting. Lewis highlighted that lineups used by police for one witness to identify Lewis-Jones included photos of all people she knew except for him.

A trial in the case was initially set to begin in February, but St. Louis County prosecutors dismissed and refiled the charges when one eyewitness they subpoenaed could not appear for the trial. A second eyewitness to the crime died before the case came to trial, according to the office.

Langston, the utility worker, was an avid motorcyclist and a longtime member of the Kirkwood-based Royal Crown Motorcycle Club. His wife told the Post-Dispatch in 2018 that they were inseparable and had celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary at a steakhouse a couple of days before he was shot.

His wife, Sharon Langston, said her husband was my best friend when West-Jones was sentenced.

He was just an innocent victim, she said of her husband. And now my friend is gone, and I want to let (West-Jones) know I forgive him and ask the Lord to take that hate from me.

Lewis-Jones is set to be sentenced Aug. 11.
ST. LOUIS  Former Alderman Brandon Bosley, whose family represented a swath of north St. Louis for decades, became the latest local politician to be implicated in a sweeping bribery sting after a federal indictment unsealed Monday charged him with three counts of wire fraud.

Its the latest political bombshell in a years-long federal probe that has already sent one of the citys most powerful and well-known officials to prison. Though Bosley was no longer in office, his family name is among the most well-known in St. Louis politics. Bosley, 35, is the son of longtime former Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr. and brother of the citys first Black mayor, Freeman Bosley Jr. His sister, LaKeySha Bosley, is a Missouri state representative.

Unlike the three other aldermen who were charged a year ago with accepting bribes from a federal informant in exchange for tax breaks and other favors, the case against Bosley involves a car insurance scheme.

He is accused of inflating the repair bill in an insurance claim for a Toyota Prius. He had purchased the car from a convenience store owner in his ward for $500, well below its nearly $10,000 retail value.

The convenience store owner was a federal informant that helped the FBI bring cases against former Aldermanic President Lewis Reed and former Aldermen Jeffrey Boyd and John Collins-Muhammad. The informant, identified by the newspaper as north St. Louis gas station and convenience owner Mohammed Almuttan, offered bribes to the other aldermen in exchange for tax breaks and other City Hall favors.

Almuttan began cooperating with the government after being charged in 2017 for the sale of contraband cigarettes and synthetic drugs. He has appealed his four year prison sentence; a judge has sealed the case from the public.

The informant, identified in the Bosley indictment only as John Doe, owned an auto repair shop in Bridgeton. In February of 2022, Bosley offered the informant a bribe in exchange for helping inflate a repair bill in order to get the Prius, which had been in a collision, totaled by the insurance company so he could obtain a settlement check.

You know, mark that mother(expletive) all the way up, see what it is we can do, the indictment quotes Bosley telling the informant. Ill throw you a few thousand dollars, and (expletive) that insurance company.

But a few days later, the informant said the repair bill preparation was a favor.

You dont need to give me anything on this one, OK? This is all yours, alright? the informant is quoted as saying.

Bosley, who had not yet registered the car with the state, then used a false bill of sale to do so in April, according to the indictment, and the insurance company paid him nearly $8,000.

Three months prior, a bill Bosley sponsored lifting a liquor license moratorium in his ward was approved by the Board of Aldermen. It had been previously discussed between Bosley and John Doe relative to John Does convenience store in Bosleys 3rd Ward, the indictment said.

Almuttan owned a Shell gas station on North Florissant Avenue that faced years of complaints from neighbors in Old North St. Louis, who called it a hot spot for drug dealing and assaults and nicknamed it the Shoot em up Shell. The city late last year closed the station for nuisance violations, though a top St. Louis police official indicated to curious neighbors that the citys action against the gas station was delayed because of the pending federal investigation.

On Monday, Bosley turned himself in to federal authorities and appeared for an initial hearing where he pleaded not guilty. Judge Patricia L. Cohen released him on a personal recognizance bond.

Bosley and his attorney, Paul Sims, declined to comment after the hearing. Federal prosecutor Hal Goldsmith, who handles public corruption cases in the U.S. Attorneys Office, also declined to comment.

Bosley represented his fathers old ward covering Hyde Park, Jeff-Vander-Lou and other neighborhoods north of downtown from 2017 until this year, when he lost an election to former state Rep. Rasheen Aldridge to represent a larger, redrawn ward.

But he stayed in the news. In February, the Post-Dispatch reported that an FBI investigation included Bosley. A federal search warrant described a $2,000 payment from Almuttan to an unidentified public officials assistant in exchange for a support letter for a tax break. The newspaper identified the anonymous public official as Bosley, who in 2020 wrote a letter of support for tax abatement on the Shell gas station, though the tax break was never granted.

Bosley denied ever accepting cash from Almuttan despite the business owners multiple attempts to bribe him.

I never took nothing from him, never had any hand-to-hand exchange, nor hand-to-hand with assistants of mine, Bosley told the newspaper then. Period, point blank. Thats a flat-out lie.

And in December, Bosley was involved in a bizarre incident where he livestreamed a profanity-laden interaction with a woman lying on the street who he said tried to carjack him. In the video, he says he had just been approached by the woman who demanded his keys and threatened to pull a gun on him. He threatens to shoot her if she pulls a gun.

Police arrested the woman on suspicion of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action, and prosecutors charged her. But then police re-interviewed Bosley and prosecutors dropped the charges two weeks later.

KSDK (Channel 5) in February reported that that Bosley had actually struck the woman with his car. Police requested he be charged with filing a false police report, but former Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner declined to file charges.
ST. LOUIS  A group of prominent area attorneys are looking to turn a convenience store owners quest for a permit into a larger debate on aldermanic influence over the citys bureaucracy.

A new nonprofit named after former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Joseph Holy Joe Wingate Folk, who crusaded against the citys corrupt political machine at the turn of the 20th century and rode the progressive reform wave to the Missouri governors mansion, has taken up the plight of a Bevo Mill convenience store owner who claims he was denied a permit to reopen his Double AA Market based solely on the alderwomans opposition.

The Holy Joe Society is promising to lend financial and legal support to the lawsuit filed by the business owner seeking a city permit, a lawsuit that has been expanded from typical arguments made during zoning litigation to one alleging that aldermanic influence in executive branch functions breaches the constitutional separation of powers.

This case certainly has the classic St. Louis city fact pattern, that if you didnt have the blessing of the aldermen you were not going to get whatever it is you were seeking from the city, said Dan Emerson, the businesss attorney and a former lawyer in the city counselors office.

Its the latest swipe at the St. Louis tradition of aldermanic courtesy, where civil servants and regulatory boards defer to individual members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen on issues within their wards. Federal prosecutors put the practice in the spotlight last year when they sent several aldermen to prison for accepting bribes in exchange for letters supporting a business owners applications for tax breaks and purchase of city-owned property.

The Board of Adjustment, though it may have some discretion, is a quasi-judicial agency that is supposed to make decisions based on the evidence presented in the record. In his clients case, Emerson said Double AA Market presented evidence including witnesses and a petition, while the alderwoman didnt even testify at the hearing against the permit.

Thats exactly what aldermanic courtesy can do, is cause a board to act arbitrarily, Emerson said.

But Carol Howard, the former alderwoman who represented the Bevo Mill area and opposed the reopening of Double AA Market, said this case is about nothing more than a problem property opposed by her constituents.

Turning this particular instance into a debate about aldermanic courtesy is a stretch, she said. The business, across the street from the landmark Bevo Mill, drew persistent resident complaints about trash, single-sale cigarettes and underage liquor sales. The neighborhood association opposed the business reopening, she said, as did the area business association.

I followed my constituents wishes and tried to stand up for the neighborhood, Howard said Friday. If those people cannot be listened to and the neighborhood has no say as to who comes in and operates a business, then we have another nail in the coffin for the city.

Permit request and appeal denied

This case hinges on the St. Louis Board of Adjustments October denial of a conditional use permit for Double AA Market at 4743 Morganford Road. The business owner, Ahmed Awad, acquired the convenience store in 2020 but had his operating permit revoked by the city in June 2021.

He reapplied for a permit after enduring the required one-year closure. He complied with city requirements, including removing bars from the windows, and he pledged to properly dispose of trash.

But the citys Board of Public Service denied his request for a new conditional use permit in August. Awad appealed to the Board of Adjustment, presenting a petition with nearly 100 signatures of support (Howard contended most didnt live in the neighborhood) and bringing several witnesses who testified in support of Double AA Market reopening. The citys planning department found the permit would be consistent with the citys land use plan.

Awad testified at the Board of Adjustment in October that he has inventory he cannot sell and his next-door restaurant, City Fish and Chicken, has had no issues with the city. His lawyer at the time, Jay Kanzler, said the alderwoman, Howard, refused to even meet with them about reopening the business.

More businesses, more traffic is 1,000 times better than another vacant building, Kanzler told the Board of Adjustment in October.

Howard, along with the president of the neighborhood business association, the Bevo Community Improvement District, filed letters in opposition. The Board of Adjustment denied the permit, and Double AA Market sued a month later.

People have a right to make a living, but you have to follow the rules, Howard said Friday. Calling it aldermanic courtesy is a complete misrepresentation. I call it doing your job you were elected to do.

Yet thats not how several prominent area attorneys, including Bevis Schock and longtime former Circuit Judge and associate city counselor Robert Dierker, view it.

They are among the founding members of the Holy Joe Society. Schock, well-known for his successful lawsuit overturning the states red-light camera laws and an ongoing suit challenging the citys collection of its earnings tax during pandemic remote work, said this case is the nonprofits first, and it would likely tackle other issues it views as government malfeasance or overreach.

We intend on bringing many cases, Schock said. We have raised money. We will hire private attorneys.

As for aldermanic courtesy, Schock likened it to medieval feudalism and argued the city struggles economically because of such backward political practices.

Almost every project requires a variance of some kind, Schock said. And the alderman is in charge. If the alderman doesnt support, it it doesnt go forward.

The Post-Dispatch has documented issues at the Board of Adjustment where it declined to grant a variance before builders obtained letters of support from aldermen. But it wasnt that an alderman was opposed to the project  those developers said they simply couldnt get the elected official to return their calls or emails.

Some have since suggested that the recent halving of the number of wards and aldermanic seats may make it more difficult for aldermen to micromanage their wards as they used to, and thus lead to the natural decline of aldermanic courtesy.

Dont be Pollyannaish, Schock said. That wont last.
ST. LOUIS  Victims of a former Kirkwood family law attorney who falsified dozens of court documents confronted the lawyer on Monday and recounted the nightmare he imposed on clients.

Former colleagues described how one woman thought she was divorced for more than a year before realizing her lawyer, Andrew Gavin Wynne, had sent her a fake decree. In another case, Wynne faked an order compelling a man to pay hefty child support sums, then followed that up with fake emails from the judge purporting to explain delays in the case.

I dont think theres ever going to be a case quite like this one, said Assistant United States Attorney Derek Wiseman in court Monday, adding that Wynnes actions were catastrophic to the lives of his clients.

Wynne, now 35, pleaded guilty earlier this year to falsifying a flurry of court records in 2020. The forgeries affected at least 30 clients, according to his Feb. 23 guilty plea, though attorneys at the small firm where Wynne worked said the total number of people affected was closer to 60.

U.S. District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Wynne on Monday to two years and seven months in federal prison, matching a recommendation from federal prosecutors.

Wynne will also be required to pay about $351,000 in restitution to his former firm, Menees, Menees & Wynne  now Menees & Menees. The small firm said its still working to clean up the betrayal of Wynnes clients.

Wynne apologized in court Monday and took responsibility for his actions. He said he began faking documents in an effort to buy himself more time, but that only led to more lies.

These were acts of desperation. They were acts of deception, Wynne said. I felt like my personal life and my professional life were out of control.

In arguing for leniency, Wynnes defense attorney Beverly Beimdiek noted that Wynne was addicted to drugs and depressed at the time, making him act nonsensically.

Wynne added that only the mind of an addict could think: I could still fix this. I can still make it right.

Hardy Menees, an attorney at Menees & Menees, said Wynne caused the firm abject humiliation, financial distress, and months of devastating meetings with clients and judges. The firm returned the payments to all the affected clients and offered to fix their cases free of charge, he said. Some of the cases have still not been fully resolved, and the firm continues to face legal action from clients, he said.

Menees described the process of uncovering the forgeries, emails containing fake accounts of the progress of cases and false court orders as like bringing up bodies out of a mine shaft.

Wynne was hired by the firm in 2016 and fired in August 2021 after the extent of his deception was discovered, Menees said.

The Missouri Supreme Court suspended Wynnes law license in October 2021. A 98-page filing from Missouris Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel laid out a series of divorce and other family court cases not mentioned in the federal charges, including final divorce and custody orders.

In one case in St. Louis Circuit Court, Wynne faked an order compelling a husband to pay $20,000 within 15 days, then half his income plus $2,500 every month, the filing says. He followed that up with two faked emails from the judge explaining delays, one saying her staff had COVID and the other saying her father died, the filing says.

A court spokesman later told the Post-Dispatch that the judges father did not die.

Menees said Monday that the firm eventually discovered that Wynne had been forwarding all emails sent to the firm to himself before allowing them to get to the firms inbox to filter what the staff could see.

Wynnes sentence recommends that he undergo addiction and mental health treatment in federal prison. When he is released on probation, he will be compelled to pay either $300 a month or 10% of his salary, whichever is higher, in restitution to the firm.

One of Wynnes former clients, Joseph Craig, asked the judge on Monday to impose a stiffer penalty.

Craig said he hired Wynne in 2018 as his divorce attorney, and Wynne sent him a fake custody order for Craigs two daughters. Then, he said, Wynne lied and said Craig could not attend a hearing in the child custody case because Craig had hired an attorney to represent him. Wynne then explained to Craig the details of a hearing that never happened.

I was being lied to the whole time, Craig said.
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.
WELLINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Michael Wood has resigned as a minister of the New Zealand government over multiple conflicts of interest, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Wednesday.

Hipkins said he was alerted to "additional shareholdings" Wood held in the JM Fairey Family Trust of which he is both a trustee and a beneficiary. The fact was found after Wood's resignation as the transport minister earlier this month due to controversy of his Auckland airport shares.

These new shareholdings raise significant concerns about Wood "not identifying and managing potential and real conflicts of interest," Hipkins said, adding that in particular, the trust holds shares in telecommunications companies such as Chorus and Spark, as well as the National Australia Bank.

"As Minister of Immigration, Michael made the decision to include telecommunications technicians on the immigration Green List. This followed representations from the telecommunications industry, including Chorus, seeking those changes to the Green List," Hipkins said.

Wood also has a shareholding in the National Australia Bank, the parent company of the Bank of New Zealand. However, that was not disclosed in any of the conversations cabinet had around a market study into banking or other relevant cabinet conversations, the prime minister said.

On the Auckland airport shares, Wood did not declare his shares immediately when he became a Member of Parliament (MP) or when he became the transport minister.

Wood purchased the shares of the Auckland International Airport, worth about 13,000 NZ dollars (7,900 U.S. dollars) when he was a teenager in the 1990s.

He declared the shares to the Cabinet Office when he became a minister in 2020. However, he failed to declare them in the public register of MPs' assets and other interests until 2022, local media reported.

Wood said he did not disclose them as he thought the shares had been sold. 
MANCHESTER  A director of a Manchester day care was charged Wednesday after police say they found an open baggie of methamphetamine on the floor of the infant room at the center.

Nichole Doster, 36, of Festus, the now-former director at Kidsplay day care, 459 Lafayette Center, was charged Wednesday with possession of a controlled substance and eight felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Manchester police wrote in court documents that the day care called police June 16 after a baggie with a white crystal substance was found on the floor of a room where eight babies were being cared for.

Police spoke with Doster after finding the baggie. She allowed them to search her purse, where officers found another baggie holding white crystals. Doster admitted to officers that she was taking meth, according to court documents.

Lab analysis confirmed both baggies contained methamphetamines, court documents say.

An administrator at Kidsplay said over the phone Wednesday that Doster was immediately fired. The day care then contacted all families impacted and is cooperating with the police, the administrator said.

Doster was the licensing director tasked with managing all day-to-day operations at the business, which has been in operation for 20 years.

We pride ourselves in providing affordable child care to the area, the day care representative said. Weve never had anything like this happen.

Kidsplay has an active day care license with centers in both OFallon, Missouri, and Manchester. The Manchester location has the capacity to care for 85 children younger than 12, according to state records.

The day cares license was valid, but inspection records show there have been prior violations for not having background checks on file for some employees, among other violations.

The administrator said Doster had passed a full background check before she was hired. Missouri court records did not show any previous criminal charges against her.

Dosters bail was set at $75,000, cash only. Conditions include requirements that she stay away from both the day care and residences of victims in the case.
LADUE  When Margaret Gilleo placed a small sign in her Ladue yard opposing the first Persian Gulf War 33 years ago, she didnt expect that her modest act of protest would end up scoring a Constitutional victory for free speech and change her life.

But the saga of Gilleos sign is now taught in law and journalism classes after her lawsuit over Ladues attempt to bar it went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. She even met her husband along the way.

In the 1994 Supreme Court case, City of Ladue v. Gilleo, justices unanimously held that yard signs amounted to a distinct and important form of speech.

Though she was a principled woman, Gilleo maintained that it was Ladue that wouldnt back down. The city ended up owing close to $500,000 in legal bills after its final court loss.

I only filed it once, Gilleo told reporters outside the U.S. Supreme Court after her attorneys and those for Ladue argued their case in February 1994. Ladue kept appealing it. The city brought it all this way.

I wanted to express my views on the Gulf War in my own yard by means of one small sign and thats what I did, she added.

Margaret Gilleo died at her home in Ladue on Thursday, June 8. She was 84.

She was born in St. Louis on Jan. 23, 1939, to Francis Joseph Pfeffer and Ruth Gander Pfeffer. She attended Villa Duchesne and Maryville College and taught music here before moving to New Jersey with her family. In the 1980s, she went back to school and earned an MBA from Columbia University in New York, where she worked for a time in finance. She returned to St. Louis in 1989 and later earned a masters degree in theology from the Aquinas Institute and taught religion and ethics  most recently at Fontbonne University  before she retired.

Gilleo was active in environmental causes and was a member of the Sierra Club and a supporter of the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center. In the 1960s, she opposed the Vietnam War and supported anti-war senator Eugene McCarthy in his bid for the 1968 Democratic Party nomination for president.

She was always kind of rooting for a cause, said her daughter, Lyle Seddon.

It was that same anti-war stance that prompted her in December 1990 to place a 24- by 36-inch sign in her yard with the words: Say No to War in the Persian Gulf, Call Congress Now.

It disappeared. She put up another one. It was knocked to the ground.

She reported it to the Ladue Police, who told her such signs were not allowed unless she got a permit from the city. So she applied for one, but the Ladue City Council denied her petition for a variance.

The American Civil Liberties Union took up her case and Gilleo sued in St. Louis federal court and won. She then put an 8.5- by 11-inch sign in the second story window of her home stating, For Peace in the Gulf.

But Ladue passed a new ordinance with a general prohibition on signs that werent real estate for sale signs. Ladues longtime mayor at the time, Edith Spink, said the ordinance was needed to protect affluent Ladue from clutter.

I think aesthetics are extremely important, Spink testified in federal court.

Gilleo won in federal appeals court and Ladue asked for its case to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. To the surprise of Gilleos lawyer, it agreed to hear the case.

My jaw dropped, Gerry Greiman, whose firm represented Gilleo on behalf of the ACLU, said when a Post-Dispatch reporter informed him 30 years ago that the high court would hear the case.

Greiman, now a Spencer Fane attorney, said he and Gilleo remained lifelong friends after the case. She moved out of the house where the case began about a year ago, and Greiman said she invited him and others over for photographs in the front yard before the move. They posed with the original sign, which she still had.

While some people may have developed a mistaken image of Gilleo as a rabble-rouser, Greiman said she was a delight and a dutiful citizen.

Her sign went directly to the heart of what the First Amendment is all about, he said.

She stayed active in public life, running for the Democratic Party nomination for the Missouris Second Congressional District in 1994, attending anti-war rallies for the second Iraq War and writing frequent letters to the editor published in the Post-Dispatch.

Gilleo is survived by three children and her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to St. Louis Classical Guitar and Catholic Relief Services.
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WILDWOOD  Tom Downey is taking on City Hall.

Its not really a fight he wants to have. But 10 months after filing a request to put solar panels on his roof to decrease energy costs, he feels like he doesnt have a choice.

The city government, led by Mayor Jim Bowlin, has delayed approval and then denied it. And the city council has proposed a new ordinance that would make it nearly impossible to efficiently use solar energy in homes.

The entire process has been pretty frustrating, Downey says. It didnt seem like we were having a serious conversation.

So earlier this month, Downey took matters into his own hands. He sued the city in federal court, alleging a taking of his property rights.

Under the existing law, Downey has a right to install solar panels on his home in the city in the lawful manner that he proposes, the lawsuit reads, as is exemplified by others installing solar panels in a very similar manner under the existing law prior to Downeys permit application.

The dispute started last August, when Downey filed for a conditional use permit to install solar panels on the front of his roof, which faces west. There is not a house across the street from Downeys home in the Wynncrest subdivision; he faces a park. His solar experts, and those from Ameren Missouri, helped him devise the plan, to take advantage of the afternoon sun, and reduce his utility bill during peak times. He applied for a $6,200 incentive from Ameren to help pay for the installation. Those incentives expire in July.

There are other homes in Wildwood that have front-facing solar panels  two of them are in my neighborhood. Downey thought he took great care to make sure his installation was of high quality. He installed matching black shingles on his roof; made sure there were no aluminum brackets; so the black panels matched the roof. When he presented his plan to the planning and zoning commission, he thought most seemed to appreciate the work he put into it. The main opposition seemed to come from Bowlin, and some residents who suggest solar panels should always be on the backs of houses.

In Wildwood, the mayor has a vote on the planning and zoning commission. The commission eventually voted no on the permit; so did the council. Meanwhile, it proposed a highly restrictive new ordinance that would make it impossible for Downey and other homeowners to install any front-facing solar panels.

That got the attention of Frances Babb. She lives one town over, in Clarkson Valley. More than a decade ago, Babb and her husband sued the city in an eerily similar case, when they were denied the right to install solar. The Babbs won in court and became advocates for better policies in the state. Last year, with Babbs support, the Missouri Legislature passed a law that restricts homeowners associations from trying to deny solar installations. That law took effect in January.

Solar is a tremendous return on investment, Babb says. Shes urged the Wildwood City Council to back away from its proposed ordinance, which would be so restrictive that it would practically ban any efficient installation of solar, she says. Babb says Downeys proposal is as non-obtrusive as possible.

Downey got the solar bug around the time Babb was battling her city. He installed solar on a commercial building he owned in Chesterfield and recouped his costs through lower utility bills in less than a decade. He sold the building and the solar increased its value, he said. Indeed, the National Association of Realtors says thats the standard nationally, that residential solar increases home values.

So why is Wildwood fighting it? Thats not clear. After the ordinance ran into trouble, Bowlin said he planned to survey residents of the city to get their views on solar. Until that information is available, it would be premature for me to comment, Bowlin told me.

Downey doesnt understand why Wildwood would take a stand in direct opposition to the trend nationally. Ameren is investing in solar power, including large power producing solar farms along Interstate 70. The state Legislature and Public Utilities Commission have made increasing solar energy the official public policy of the state. But the policy in Wildwood, at the moment, seems to be that some people can have solar, and other people cant.

I feel that my rights are being violated, Downey says. I hope that Wildwood will change their minds and see the folly of their ways. I dont know why you would write an ordinance in 2023 that goes the opposite direction of everybody else.

Messenger: In Wildwood, civility pushed to the side as mayor and council do battle Two camps seem to be fighting about everything in West County suburb. Is it a sign of the political times?
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
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.
ST. LOUIS  About 25 people gathered in Grand Center on Saturday to urge the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to save a 19th century home slated to be flattened for a $100 million expansion of the orchestras Powell Hall.

They said they hoped the symphony could be more creative with its plans, given the history and artistry of the vacant house at 3514 Delmar Boulevard.

I am not really against the expansion of the symphony, said St. Louis architecture enthusiast Nathan Jackson, 25, who organized the event. They need to expand and update their building, but I want to see the house preserved in the process. This is a very significant house.

A police officer told Jackson that Powell Hall contacted authorities before the event to make sure they didnt go onto the property. The protest was peacefully held on the nearby sidewalk, and lasted about an hour.

Jackson said the house, right behind the symphony hall, is among the 100 most significant historic buildings left in the city. It was built around 1886 for Lucius L. Culver, a wrought iron stove company executive. Architect Jerome Bibb Legg designed the Queen Anne-style house around the same time that he helped create the famed St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall, a destination for national political party conventions that was eventually torn down to build downtowns Central Library.

There were hundreds and hundreds of houses that lined these streets, Jackson told the group about the area. Now we only have a couple dozen.

Jackson said he was baffled that the house is not on the National Register of Historic Places, while Powell Hall, built in 1925, is. The houses limestone block foundation supports an array of brick and stone work, including arched entryways and a turret. According to Landmarks Association of St. Louis, the interior contains a potpourri of exceptional finishes.

It was magnificent, Robert A. Powell, founder of Portfolio Gallery and Education Center, said by telephone of the building he rented and later owned from 1989 to 2015.

When his African American arts organization was starting out on the second floor, he said there was a small business on the first floor that fixed violin bows.

I would not like to see it torn down, but then who wants it? he said. Who wants to buy it and take care of it?

Last week, Steve Smith, who redeveloped much of the Grand Center area, offered to donate nearby land to relocate the building. So far, no one has publicly said they would pay for such a move.

At the protest, Vivian Gibson, author of the memoir, The Last Children of Mill Creek, said tearing the building down would be disrespectful to the neighborhood and those who grew up there.

Its a shame. There is so little left, she said. I grew up in the city, and I remember a lot of these beautiful buildings.

Richard Reilly, 63, agreed. He looked at all the open parking spaces around the house and Powell Hall.

To me, there is a lot of space around here to build an addition to Powell Hall, he said. Theres a lot of creative ways to use and be integrated into what Powell Hall has going on here.

Some suggested restoring the house into a residence for visiting musicians or a restaurant.

Its up to the symphony to not drop the ball after it being here so long, said Imran Hanafi, 49, holding a sign that read: Need Vision Not Demolition.

The Preservation Board on Monday evening gave preliminary approval for Powells 65,000-square-foot expansion, which would raze the historic home. The vote was 3-2. Michael Allen was one of the two who opposed it.

They still have a lot of hoops to jump through, he told the group Saturday.

He encouraged them to contact the citys Cultural Resources Office.

They are being lazy, he said of the symphonys expansion plans. I am glad to see everybody out here. Keep fighting. They are raising $100 million. They could do anything they want with this.

Photos: Historic Culver House next to Powell Hall faces demolition Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall. Culver House, a historic home next to Powell Hall.
ST. LOUIS  The FBI in 2018 opened an investigation into NorthSide Regeneration and its real estate deals involving a now-lapsed Missouri tax credit program that funneled more than $40 million in credits to the developer and companies associated with it, documents obtained by the Post-Dispatch confirm.

FBI agents focused on allegations that NorthSide and other companies were involved in fraud in the form of paper-only real estate transactions designed to manipulate Missouris tax credit system for profit, according to a March 2018 synopsis of the investigation.

The Post-Dispatch previously said that federal investigators appeared to be scrutinizing NorthSides use of the tax credit program, reporting an FBI agent attended a 2018 trial involving the developers real estate transactions and quoting a property owner who said agents asked him about a failed deal with NorthSide.

But the documents, released under a federal Freedom of Information Act request and then obtained by the Post-Dispatch late last year, provide a clearer understanding of the investigation and confirm one of the targets was NorthSide Regeneration, led by developer Paul McKee and represented by attorneys at Stone, Leyton and Gershman.

The report includes details on multiple interviews conducted by FBI agents, including one with a representative from the real estate arm of the Archdiocese of St. Louis that inked one of the final tax credit deals with NorthSide Regeneration.

Details on some of NorthSides paper-only transactions came out in a 2018 eminent domain trial for one of those properties, which was transferred to NorthSide to net the developer tax credits but was later deeded back to the original owner once the city needed to buy it to assemble a site for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

After those details emerged, St. Louis officials terminated their 2009 development agreement with NorthSide Regeneration. But members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen have continued to work with the developer. In 2019, they approved up to $6.4 million in city incentives for a 19-bed health center set to open this spring on the site of the former Pruitt-Igoe housing complex.

The Post-Dispatch has documented other instances of transactions in which NorthSide put no money down and used seller-financing to acquire real estate  essentially writing an IOU and transferring the ownership on paper  in order to collect millions of dollars worth of state tax credits under the former Distressed Area Land Assemblage program.

One of those deals involved a company partially owned by Steve Stone, NorthSides longtime attorney, who helped write the Distressed Area state tax credit legislation. Another involved fellow developers McKee had worked with in the past  Larry Chapman and Bob Clark, who owned the downtown Bottle District before transferring it to NorthSide and triggering $9 million in state tax credits. Another involved a north St. Louis factory that was later deeded back to the original owner after NorthSide collected $2.5 million in tax credits for the purported sale.

In all, at least a quarter of the $43 million in state tax credits provided to NorthSide under the program  nearly all of the $47 million the state ultimately awarded before the program ended in 2013  were disbursed through seller-financed transactions.

Statute of limitations

The release of the documents indicates the investigation is closed, said attorney Neil Bruntrager, who has handled dozens of criminal cases in federal court. The Justice Department can refuse to admit the existence of an ongoing investigation, he said, so if they are acknowledging the existence and providing reports, the reasonable conclusion is that the investigation is ended.

The documents do not include any FBI interviews after August 2018. An FBI spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

An assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Missouri was briefed in 2018 on the case and agreed to bring wire fraud charges if the evidence warranted, according to the documents.

The statute of limitations for wire fraud is five years unless it involves a financial institution. Most of the transactions in the FBI report occurred in 2012 or earlier  more than five years before the investigation was opened.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitts office already settled a state tax credit lawsuit brought by his predecessor against NorthSide, dropping all future claims in exchange for a $324,000 payment from NorthSide.

In response to questions about the federal investigation sent to McKee and Stone, attorney Paul Puricelli with Stone, Leyton and Gershman said they didnt know whether the federal investigation was still open and that they were surprised by the newspapers interest in these stale issues.

Puricelli said the FBI did not subpoena or interview McKee, NorthSide or other affiliated companies.

The FBI report, however, does indicate at least one grand jury subpoena was issued in March 2018, though the identity of the person or company is redacted. It says a lawyer for the entity requested a meeting after the subpoena was issued, which an FBI agent and an assistant U.S. attorney attended.

Among the deals included in the report was NorthSides acquisition of the Elkay manufacturing building on North 15th Street. NorthSide obtained nearly $2.5 million in tax credits from the state on a transaction valued at some $4.9 million  well above the $75,000 the prior owners paid for the building in the 80s. After obtaining the tax credits, NorthSide deeded the property back, prior owner Rick Pierce previously told the Post-Dispatch.

Another deal in the report appears to be the former Buster Brown building at Jefferson and Cass avenues, which the city had to acquire through eminent domain when its owner, Jim Osher, could not come to an agreement to sell. The city demolished the structure for the NGA project.

It was that 2018 eminent domain litigation that ultimately led to the discovery of the NorthSide real estate transactions under scrutiny. The city wanted to pay $810,000 for the building. Osher pointed to his 2011 transaction with NorthSide to argue for more. But that seller-financed transaction, for a paper value of $3.75 million without real money changing hands, was later unwound when the city wanted to buy the building for the NGA. The state later flagged the transaction and sought to claw back the tax credits.

Companies connected to Osher were also listed as targets in the investigation. One of the FBI interviews appears to be with Osher.

Reached by phone this week, Osher  who in 2017 ran for St. Louis mayor as a Republican  confirmed he met with the FBI.

I told them everything they wanted to know, he said.

Osher had split the proceeds of the tax credits with NorthSide on the transaction.

All the money I got from Paul McKee, all of it plus way, way, way more, was reinvested into the city, Osher said. All the moneys been reinvested into the city and thats exactly what the money was supposed to do, is to reinvest.

Asked if he thought the investigation was ongoing, Osher said no.

I think its done because of the statute of limitations, he said.

He said he heard that from an attorney but couldnt recall who the lawyer was working for.

There is no indication in the report that the FBI looked at the deal for the Bottle District  land that has recently been back in the news.

Though its owned by NorthSide Regeneration, Bob Clark of Clayco in September indicated he could donate the land to the city for a redesigned convention center. He made the comments during a last-minute lobbying campaign against the long-planned expansion of Americas Center.

The companies registered to Larry Chapman that transferred the Bottle District to NorthSide for no money down in a seller-financed deal  triggering hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax credits for brokerage fees and interest  still appear to hold liens on the property.

Chapman said this week that it wouldnt be a problem to transfer some Bottle District land if it was going to be part of a redesigned convention center.

We always did all that in partnership with Paul, Chapman said. Hes our partner in NorthPark, and we were going to help make that develop no matter what, so we could always do that.

Chapman said he was never contacted by federal investigators about the tax credit transactions.

Puricelli, the NorthSide lawyer, said NorthSide is under contract to sell the Bottle District and intends to do so.

Archdiocesan loan

Most of the FBI documents relate to NorthSide real estate deals the Post-Dispatch has already reported on. But there are some new details on one of the last transactions to trigger Distressed Area tax credits  a deal Northside made with the Archdiocese.

The transaction for the former St. Patrick Catholic Church on Cole Street was completed just weeks before the August 2013 sunset of the Distressed Area program. The sale of the church building, reported to the state as worth $995,000, triggered $497,500 in state tax credits for NorthSide.

The representative from the Archdiocese real estate company told the FBI that NorthSide put $200,000 as a down payment on the land and the church was not offered any portion of tax rebates.

The July 30, 2013, note NorthSide made out to the Archdiocese, though, says that once NorthSide received the state tax credits, it would pay $200,000 to the Archdiocese property company, St. Louis City Catholic Church Real Estate Corporation.

Much of the initial payment for the church was financed by one of Chapmans Bottle Works companies, which lent NorthSide $110,000 for the down payment.

In the 2018 interview with the FBI, the church real estate representative said the company agreed to the terms of the deal because it had been difficult to sell the building. NorthSide was supposed to pay off the building in 2016. It asked for a two-year extension, to August 2018.

Puricelli, NorthSides lawyer, said the Archdiocese has extended the note a few times and NorthSide is current on the loan. The developer owes just $311,000 from the original $885,000 note.

The church building is now leased to Grace Missionary Baptist Church, led by pastor Jonathan Davis.

A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese said it defers to buyers on whether to divulge details on transactions.

To our knowledge, she said, no Church representatives have been subpoenaed in relation to this investigation.

Originally posted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13.
ST. LOUIS  A runaway barge slammed into the historic Eads Bridge Wednesday morning in St. Louis, prompting MetroLink to suspend several hours of its passenger train service over the structure as a precaution, while teams checked on its safety.

After enlisting the help of a drone, climbing crews and several teams to inspect the bridge, officials said it remained in fine shape, and MetroLink operations resumed late in the afternoon, following a test run.

Unfortunately this happens and we have established procedures, said Taulby Roach, the CEO of Bi-State Development, the agency that oversees Metro Transit. Of course, we apologize to the public for the inconvenience. ... (But) we will always take extra precaution.

The collision happened around 11 a.m., after a barge came loose upstream and hit one of the bridges support piers on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River channel.

The loose barge was owned by Ingram Barge Co., and drifted about 2 miles downriver, according to a spokesman for the local division of the U.S. Coast Guard.

It was eventually corralled and then safely moored on the Illinois side of the river  but not before sustaining a one-foot gash in its collision with the bridge, Roach said. The barge was carrying fly ash, he added  a byproduct from sources such as coal-fired power plants and a commonly shipped commodity on the Mississippi.

Because the barge was laden with material, Roach said it sat low in the water and packed more of a punch.

The strike was a little heavier, he said. Often times its just a glancing blow.

Completed in 1874, the Eads Bridge is the oldest standing bridge on the Mississippi and was St. Louis first structure spanning the waterway. It is considered an engineering marvel, as the worlds first steel truss bridge.

Vehicle traffic over the bridge is managed by the city of St. Louis and was not disrupted Wednesday, Roach said.

Although the bridge passed its post-collision inspection, Roach said experts would take an additional look when the river level drops and reveals the point of impact with the barge, which happened below the waters surface.

Bridge collisions in St. Louis are not unheard of. Past major floods, for instance, have ripped boats from moorings and slammed them into bridges crossing the Mississippi. And tragedy struck at the Eads Bridge in 2015, when a towboat hit scaffolding on the structure and caused a worker to fall to his death.

It is not unusual for us to have at least one incident a year where we have to perform an inspection, Roach said. In this case, we took an extra step because of the severity of the impact.
JEFFERSON CITY  Motorists who tucked away their fuel receipts over the last year will soon be eligible for another refund from the state of Missouri.

Starting July 1, drivers may submit receipt information to earn 5 cents back on every gallon of fuel purchased between July 1, 2022, and June 30.

For someone who filled up a 12-gallon tank every week for a year, they would see about $30 this year  not a windfall, but annual rebates are poised to grow as the tax increases into 2025.

This year, to receive a rebate for the fiscal year ending June 30, forms must be completed and submitted to the Department of Revenue by Oct. 2.

Its the second round of refunds administered by the state since legislators approved an increase to the fuel tax in 2021 with a loophole allowing motorists to reclaim money paid.

Lawmakers phased in the 12.5-cent increase over five years, which will bring the total state fuel tax to 29.5 cents per gallon by July 2025.

The law requires taxpayers looking to claw back new taxes paid to retain their receipts for three years.

They must fill out a Form 4923-H. The state is able to process claims electronically through an online portal linked to on a state website.

The form asks for a vehicle identification number for each taxpayer vehicle, and information on each transaction, including date, seller name, seller address, and number of gallons purchased.

The form asks taxpayers to add up the total number of gallons purchased by vehicle and to calculate the amount paid that is eligible for a refund.

A motorist must calculate their refund amount by multiplying the total number of gallons purchased by .05.

Filling out the forms is a hassle the vast majority of motorists either didnt bother with or werent aware of for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022, when they were eligible to get back 2.5 cents for every gallon.

Following the end of that fiscal year, motorists were only refunded $434,000 of an estimated $82 million generated by the fuel tax increase, according to the Department of Revenue.

The department said it had paid out refunds to 15,590 entities over the last year, including an estimated 15,170 individuals and 418 business entities.

Funds generated are split between state and local governments, with the state receiving 73% of funds from the fuel tax while cities receive 15% and counties receive 12%. Funds go to road projects.

Patrick McKenna, chief of MoDOT, had been on the defense this past legislative session as lawmakers criticized a lawsuit the Highways and Transportation Commission filed in December 2021 in a dispute over whether the commission could increase pay outside the scope of the lawmaker-approved state budget.

Lawmakers expressed frustration with raises approved by the highway commission in the wake of lawmakers politically controversial votes to increase the fuel tax, but the roads chief said earlier this year that 80% of turnover at the department had been related to compensation.

Politicians such as state Sen. Bill Eigel, who has said he is running for governor, could use the gas tax issue to criticize Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the former state highways commissioner who is also running for governor.

Kehoe, like current Gov. Mike Parson, had supported an increase to the fuel tax even as a segment of Republicans had opposed it.

Legislation Eigel filed to repeal future fuel tax increases did not advance this year.

While the Missouri retail average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline reached $4.70 in June last year, prices have leveled off since, declining to less than $3.29 as of this month, according to an analysis by the national gasoline price-tracking website Gas Buddy.

As taxes are going up, lawmakers this year also approved roughly $1.4 billion in general revenue for upgrading and expanding Interstate 70 to three lanes in each direction.
UPDATED at 9 a.m. Monday with police now saying 11 people were shot

ST. LOUIS  Ten teens were injured and one killed in a shooting at a Washington Avenue office building early Sunday, authorities said, in what appeared to be a night of partying gone awry. Liquor bottles, cigar wrappers, gauze and bloodstains still littered the crime scene later that morning.

Police had arrested one teen, a 17-year-old boy, in the area and turned him over to juvenile authorities.

Shooting victims ranged in age from 15 to 19 years old, police said.

A 12th person was injured at the party, but she was not shot  a 17-year-old girl was trampled as she ran down the stairs to get away.

Makao Moore, a 17-year-old boy, was killed in the gunfire.

The incident once again turned the spotlight on a downtown district that has struggled in recent years with out-of-control parties in rented apartments, drag racing and violent arguments at night clubs.

St. Louis police Chief Robert Tracy said at a news conference that the department is working hard to concentrate patrols and crack down on downtown mayhem, but Sundays shooting was a setback.

This is another wake-up call for our region, said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.

Police are looking for other possible suspects and expect to release surveillance photographs on Monday.

The incident started just after 1 a.m. Sunday morning, police said. Dozens of teens, both adults and juveniles, had gotten into the fifth floor of 1409 Washington Avenue, a loft building that had been converted into glass-walled suites, used in the workday as offices for tutoring centers and home health care providers and salons by hair stylists, makeup artists and massage therapists, among others.

When the shooting broke out, police said, dozens of people surged out of the building onto an adjacent parking lot. Police entered the building and found the crime scene on the fifth floor. Officers recovered handguns, AR-style rifles and multiple types of shell casings.

Officials said Sunday the party had been advertised on social media, and attendees had to message the organizers to get in. Police didnt say how the teens gained access to the building.

The buildings owner and management company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

But downtown neighborhood advocates and business owners who worked at 1409 Washington said they were frustrated and upset.

Makeup artist Brie Jackson, 34, has rented a suite in the building for three years and said shed complained multiple times about the doors being unlocked after hours and homeless people getting into the buildings basement. She said it made her feel unsafe.

Im flabbergasted, she said. The building should not have been open.

The wreckage left behind on Sunday morning told a harrowing tale.

The building is a century-old, five-story office building with ground-floor retail space and glass-enclosed offices on the upper floors. Its a block from the popular City Museum and a block off busy North 14th Street.

The lock on the front door was broken Sunday morning, and no crime scene tape remained. Stepping off the elevator on the fifth floor, small offices containing desks, massage tables, salon chairs or couches lined winding hallways.

But the glass door to one office was shattered. Roughly a dozen paces away, a bloody handprint marked a trail toward an 18-by-12-foot conference room, one of its walls now piles of glass. At least five bullet holes pierced the drywall.

Office tables had been pushed to the side, and in the center of the room, bloodstains, gauze and paramedics' syringes remained. Nearby, a table had been overturned and broken.

In a kitchen area, cigar wrappers were scattered on a counter while spilled red wine left a sickly sweet smell. Another glass door was shattered. An empty tequila bottle was propped up on a drinking fountain.

At the end of the hallway, a large bloodstain marked the floor. Latex gloves, an oxygen mask, a backpack and two pairs of shoes were discarded nearby.

Bunnei Johnson, 21, arrived on the fifth floor just after 10 a.m., her mouth agape.

Oh my god, she said when she saw the shattered glass. She hadnt heard there was a shooting the night before.

Johnson walked all the way past the conference room and the kitchen to her suite, which had remained undisturbed. Johnson, a hair stylist, grabbed two curling irons and shook her head.

I actually want to leave as soon as possible, she said.

Dan Pistor, president of a downtown neighborhood association, said the incident was part of a broader issue downtown of teens hosting parties that get out of control. Many times, people rent out apartment units through rental sites like Airbnb or VRBO and parties get out of hand, often turning violent, he said.

But it can also happen in commercial buildings, too, he said.

Everybody needs to be aware of it and be proactive in securing their spaces, he said.

At noon Sunday, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat, joined Jones and other city leaders in calling for stricter gun control laws and for regional investment in safe late-night activities for youth.

Jones said the city planned to extend hours and programming at the Wohl and Marquette recreation centers on Friday and Saturday nights to 10 p.m. for youths 15 and younger and until 1 a.m. for those 16 and older.

But the entire region needed to focus on the solution, she said, noting that kids who come from surrounding counties have also been involved with problems downtown.

I need families to hear me loud and clear: Downtown is not a 1 a.m. destination for your 15-year-old, she said. It is not a place to drop children off unsupervised.

Editors note: This story was updated to correct the spelling of Makao Moore.
Bahrain and United States civil aviation authorities held discussions at a key industry event in Paris on ways to boost bilateral co-operation and also reviewed the ongoing preparations to operate direct commercial flights to US, reported BNA.

The Bahraini team led by Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi, the Transportation and Telecommunications Minister, met Polly Trottenberg, the Deputy US Transportation Secretary and Acting Head of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FFA), at the Le Bourget Air Show in the French capital.

Al Kaabi praised the FAA role in the aviation industry sector.

The two sides reviewed ways to enhance cooperation. They also discussed the ongoing preparations to operate direct commercial flights to the United States.

Also at the Paris Air show, Al Kaabi met Marco Perotti, Vice President of the Italian company Leonardo, and discussed the strong Bahraini-Italian ties.

The minister praised the company's prominent role in the aviation industry.
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The number of 5G base stations in China surged to 2.73 million by the end of April amid the country's efforts to build the world's largest and most advanced network infrastructure.

China has emerged as a thriving hub for 5G technology, boasting a user base of 634 million individuals with 5G-enabled mobile phones, according to a Wednesday press briefing for the Global Digital Economy Conference 2023, slated to be held in early July.

The integration of the industrial internet has reached 45 key sectors within the national economy, fostering an industrial scale surpassing 1.2 trillion yuan (about 166.9 billion U.S. dollars), the press briefing said.

In 2022, China's electronic information manufacturing industry generated an operational income of 15.4 trillion yuan. The software industry's income amounted to 10.8 trillion yuan, and the big data industry yielded 1.57 trillion yuan, laying a solid foundation for the integration of informatization and industrialization in China, according to the press briefing. 
Joe Holleman Follow Joe Holleman 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

If piling up international awards is a good way to grab a Nobel Prize, Washington University professor Dr. Jeffrey I. Gordon just might want to book a flexible-flight date to Sweden.

Once again, Gordon  aka the Father of the Gut Microbiome  has been honored internationally for his work in the field of medicine.

On Wednesday, Gordon won the Princess of Asturias Award in Spain for his contributions to research into the essential role of communities of microorganisms in life on earth.

Gordon, who is the director of the Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, has been a pioneer in the research of the role gut microbiomes play in causing obesity and childhood malnutrition.

Gut microbiomes, simply put, are the microorganisms that live in the intestinal tract and are key to the digestion of food and regulation of metabolism and immunity.

On the popular culture side, Gordon was featured in 2020 on 60 Minutes. The show tied Gordons work with the rising popularity of probiotics, which are marketed as aids to maintaining good digestive health.

This weeks award in Spain is just the latest laurel he has earned in the last seven years. Here is a list of Gordons awards, many of them bestowed on people who then go on to receive the Nobel Prize for Medicine:

 2021: Gordon won the International Balzan Award from Switzerland.

 2019: Gordon was awarded the Frontiers of Knowledge Award from the BBVA Foundation. Three previous winners have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.

 2018: The Royal Society awarded Gordon the Copley Medal, the most prestigious scientific award in the United Kingdom. The award has been given to 52 winners of the Nobel Prize.

 2017: Gordon scored a trio of triumphs: the Sanofi-Institut Pasteur International Award, the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize from Columbia University (43 Horwitz winners went on to Nobel Prizes), and the Massry Prize (12 went on to Nobels).

 2016: Gordon won the Steven C. Beering Award. Six past Beering winners eventually ended up with Nobels.
David Nicklaus Follow David Nicklaus 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

Missouri was once a leader in using taxpayer dollars to stimulate investment in innovative companies. Thanks to $94.9 million in federal money, it has a chance to make up for five years of lost momentum.

The state-funded Missouri Technology Corp. has invested $45 million in 140 companies over the past decade, but has been operating at a reduced level since former Gov. Eric Greitens slashed its budget almost 90% in 2017.

The new federal grant, from last years American Recovery Program Act, offers hope that MTC can once again be a catalyst for dozens of promising startups each year.

Gov. Mike Parson, in his budget, proposes directing the $94.9 million to the Department of Economic Development, and business groups say most or all of that should flow to MTC. In addition, the governor recommends $4 million in state funds for MTC, up from $3 million last year.

If the Legislature goes along, the money would beef up the agencys signature venture capital program, while also providing assistance to very small businesses and firms considered socially or economically disadvantaged.

The grant restarts a federal program called the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which began in 2011. Jason Hall, chief executive of Greater St. Louis Inc. and a former MTC chairman, said Missouri was the first state to match private venture-capital investments with the federal dollars.

When the Treasury reviewed SSBCI in 2017, Missouri was among the top five states in using the money to close venture capital deals. It was in the top 10 for leveraging private capital  which says a lot, given that venture capital activity is concentrated on the coasts.

Missouri is sort of the reason venture capital approaches became popular with these dollars, Hall said. We showed how it could be done in a thoughtful way, and obviously we did something right.

States are often criticized for using investment incentives to pick winners and losers, but Hall said thats not true of MTC. The public dollars merely match, and amplify, private investment decisions.

The opportunity for a new cash infusion comes as some of Missouris early investments are paying off. Benson Hill, an agricultural technology firm, was lured here from North Carolina in 2013 by MTC and other investors. It went public last year and employs more than 350 people.

A 2011 MTC investment helped keep Confluence Life Sciences, founded by former Pfizer researchers, in town. Its now part of a billion-dollar company called Aclaris Therapeutics.

The impact isnt confined to St. Louis. MTCs investments include Payit, a payment company in Kansas City, and Compatio, a Springfield e-commerce firm.

A recent MTC strategy report, though, mentions concern that Missouri is beginning to lose the deal flow and investment momentum it has built. TechStars, an international accelerator fund, pulled out of Kansas City in December after an eight-year run.

Ben Johnson, vice president for programs at industry group BioSTL, agrees that the infusion of new money is timely. Missouri has lagged behind other states in business formation, particularly in underserved rural and urban counties, he said.

MTC calculates that its $45 million of past investments were matched by $1.1 billion of private capital. If it achieves the same kind of success with the new federal money, $2 billion more would flow to Missouri businesses.

Such an infusion should help launch, at a minimum, several more companies the size of Benson Hill or Confluence. Missouri created a formula for success, and now it has an opportunity to fund it properly.
ST. LOUIS  Health officials on Friday reported the first Missouri case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, discovered in a St. Louis resident who had recently traveled domestically.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services of a sample presumed positive for the variant. The sample was sequenced by a commercial laboratory and awaits federal confirmation.

In response, local and state health officials renewed the call on Friday for vaccinations and vigilant protective measures.

Unfortunately, this continues to be the natural course of this pandemic, and we will continue to see variants, St. Louis Health Director Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis said in a news conference on Friday. Our goal globally needs to be herd immunity ... (or) variants will continue to rise.

She called for calm and asked the public for patience to give scientists time to learn more about the variant.

The omicron variant has been discovered in at least six states: Nebraska, Minnesota, Colorado, California, New York and Hawaii. It was first reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa on Nov. 24. At least three dozen countries have reported omicron infections.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on Monday warned that it was a matter of time before the omicron variant was detected in the region.

Local health officials on Friday said many unknowns surround the omicron variant, which has dozens of mutations compared with other strains. For instance, its unclear how easily it is transmitted compared with the delta variant, how effectively vaccines and boosters can protect against it, and whether it leads to the same, better or worse health outcomes, once someone gets infected, said Christopher Ave, the director of communications for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.

Theres some urgent questions out there, he said.

The emergence of a new variant like omicron provides yet another reason to do the things that weve been advising  like getting vaccinations and booster shots and wearing masks in public, Ave said.

All these things have been proven to reduce transmission, he said. There is no debate in any serious circle about the effectiveness of those steps.

Dr. Alex Garza, co-chief of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, on Friday called vaccination our No. 1 weapon. Ultimately, he said, vaccinations are the long-run solution needed to stop the treadmill of new variants that emerge after the virus is allowed to keep spreading and mutating.

The cycle keeps going with each new host in a chain of transmission, Garza explained  affording the virus new chances to mutate with each round of reproduction. Only massive vaccination efforts can end the pattern of trudging along with these different variants.

The delta variant is predominant in Missouri, representing more than 99% of the cases, Missouri health director Donald Kauerauf said on Friday.

But initial reports from South Africa suggest that the omicron variant is more transmissible than others, Garza said, leading to a common perception that omicron will most likely supplant delta as the dominant strain of the virus.

Its going to grow. Theres no way around that, he said. But how fast that occurs is still a question.

Doctors will likely learn in the next few weeks how well the current vaccines can help people withstand the new variant, Garza said. Though he noted that a bright spot of COVID vaccines is their ability to be adjusted to new variants.

But our understanding of omicrons growth will come with a lag, Garza said. Samples of COVID tests from around Missouri are sent to a state lab for genomic sequencing and analysis. And researchers who track new strains by examining wastewater are days behind on such analyses.

There are well-known strategies, such as masking and social distancing, that can keep businesses running and minimize social disruptions, said Elvin Geng, a professor of infectious diseases at Washington University. But that relies on politicians, and the public, getting on the same page, he said, instead of squabbling about whos allowed to order a mask mandate.

We have a lot of collective strife, Geng said.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force reported Friday that new hospital admissions increased from 54 to 64. The seven-day average of hospital admissions increased from 51 Thursday to 52 Friday, and the seven-day average for hospitalizations grew from 363 to 377. The figures lag by two days.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to include the byline of reporter Bryce Gray, of the Post-Dispatch.
A man from Troy, Missouri, was fatally injured in a head-on crash Saturday night in Lincoln County, police said.

The Missouri Highway Patrol identified the victim as 21-year-old Scott M. Weisheyer.

The crash was about 10:25 p.m. Saturday on Highway 47, east of Anna Avenue.

Weisheyer was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer west on Highway 47. His vehicle crossed the center line and hit an oncoming 2016 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck.

Weisheyer was not wearing a seatbelt, police said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead early Sunday.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 24-year-old man from Troy, suffered minor injuries, the patrol said. A 26-year-old woman from Hawk Point, who was a passenger in the pickup, also suffered minor injuries. They were not wearing seat belts, police said.
ST. PETERS  More than 350 people crowded into a St. Charles County library board meeting Tuesday night in the latest escalation in a fight over a library employees wardrobe.

The contentious meeting, which featured three hours of public comment, centered on a womans complaint that when she visited a branch of the St. Charles City-County Library, an unnamed worker was wearing makeup, nail polish and a goatee. LGBTQ supporters were swift to push back on the womans complaints, and they showed up in droves Tuesday night to counter complaints by the woman and her supporters.

This attire is really only publicly tolerated in adult settings such as nightclubs and strip joints, said Rachel Homolak, the mother who lodged the initial complaint in May. Descriptions of the library employees attire have escalated since then, and on Tuesday it was described by Homolak and others as a leather corset, fishnet stockings, and four-inch stilettos.

Tuesdays meeting was the latest example of culture wars brewing in the St. Louis area and across Missouri. Other recent points of contention have included access to gender-affirming care, school curricula, and books in school libraries.

More than 50 people spoke at Tuesdays meeting, and an additional 30-plus people signed up to speak, but the library board opted to end the public comment period after three hours. Others who want to file comments in writing can send emails to the board, according to library board president Staci Alvarez.

Sadie Anderson, who described themselves as being the partner of the library staff member, urged the library board to continue to support the employee.

My partner is having to do something that no person on earth should have to do, they are having to fight for their mere right to exist, Anderson said. My partner, myself, and every single person in this room should be able to express themselves and feel comfortable in the clothing they choose and wear those clothes without fear of ridicule. It is as simple as that.

The meeting, held at the St. Peters branch of the library, on Spencer Road, was packed long before it began. Among the attendees was Cate Epperson, a longtime county resident who came to the meeting to show support for the library employee.

It is unconscionable that people are wanting to silence another persons ability to express themselves through the clothes that they wear, Epperson said. She, along with others, said that if Homolak was offended by the library employees attire that she should simply choose to go to another of the library systems 10 branches.

Some other attendees said they were surprised by how the community has reacted to Homolaks concerns about the library employee.

I think (Homolak) was being a tempest in a teapot, said Virginia Baldwin, of St. Charles. Baldwin, who also spoke at the meeting, said she believed part of the reason that Homolaks criticisms against the library system have gained such notoriety is that libraries are in the crosshairs of our politicians, and this is another portal for them to achieve their objectivities of attacking them.

In the meeting, Homolaks comments were met with near-instant boos and complaints from supporters of the staff member, many of whom attended the meeting wearing Ally stickers and waving flags in support of the gay and transgender communities. The loudest cheers and jeers of the night came following comments from Francis Howell School Board member Jane Puszkar and Mark McCloskey, a conservative firebrand who first rose to prominence after waving guns at racial justice protestors in 2020 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate last year.

Puszkar questioned the motives of the library employee, accusing them of wanting to harm our children by exposing them to things they dont understand, and cant understand, until they are old enough to process. The response from the crowd was loud enough that board president Staci Alvarez had to pause the meeting.

You may not agree with what they have to say, but I would expect you to show respect to anybody who comes up to the podium, Alvarez said.

Puszkar also called for the librarys CEO Jason Kuhl to be fired and for County Executive Steve Ehlmanns ability to appoint library board members be terminated. Those calls were echoed by others at the meeting, including one woman who said that she was concerned that publicly identifying herself in a news story would result in her being labeled as hateful or bigoted because she opposes the LGBTQ community due to her religion.

Other contentious moments involved the usage of Bible verses. Both supporters and critics of Homolak quoted or referred to various passages from the Old Testament and New Testament throughout the night. One passage from Matthew 18:6 was cited repeatedly and thought to be especially controversial, because it represented a veiled death threat toward the employee, according to one audience member.

The verse suggests that anyone who causes a believer of Jesus Christ to fall into sin, should have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

When it came time for McCloskey to speak, a significant portion of the meeting room emptied as St. Charles County residents protested him being given the chance to speak even though he is a resident of St. Louis.

He accused the library of attempting to indoctrinate children. He also alleged that the library system had books that equated to child pornography that would land any adult in prison for reading. He did not mention any specific book titles in his remarks.

Several other speakers took aim at the LGBTQ-related books and materials included in the library systems collection. One man, who declined to give his name, said the LGBTQ-related books were smut being peddled to children and that such materials needed to have a sexually explicit sticker placed on the front cover. The books, he said, should then be regulated to a corner of the library, blocked off from the public, and have a staff member only allowing access to them by citizens that were 18 years old.

While he did not mention specific book titles in his comments, he did specifically mention the newly imposed rule from Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for public libraries that would block state funding for libraries if they allow minors to access books that are pornographic or labeled as obscene under state statutes. It also requires written collection policies and a way for a parent or guardian to challenge the books.

Please follow the rule as it is written, said the man, who also criticized Kuhl for having a woke agenda. He pledged that he along with every last parent and friend in St. Charles County would soon be in the libraries to ensure in search of these books and to file formal challenges with the library board over their age appropriateness.

Another woman, who spoke during the public comment period, said the inclusion of LGBTQ-related books and displays of LGBTQ-friendly materials were confusing for children.

Knowing too much about adult stuff can be paralyzing for a child, the woman said. She requested that the library board remove all displays related to Pride month for the LGBTQ community.

Others who attended the meeting defended the presence of the LGBTQ-books and materials, saying the books offered them insights into different peoples lives and perspectives. Some speakers equated the outcry of the LGBTQ books to the backlash that occurred in the 1960s over the inclusion of books by Black authors.

Some speakers alleged that critics of LGBTQ-related books were overblowing the impact these books would have on children.

My son has watched hours of PAW Patrol and he is yet to think that a dog is going to talk to him, said Harry Harris, who described the meetings public comment period as a three-ring circus.

I can tell you that Ive got 99 problems in my life and the work of a librarian is not one of them, Harris said.

Following the conclusion of the public comment period, fewer than 20 people stayed in the meeting room to witness the library board approve its multimillion-dollar budget and finalize the acquisition of property on Highway K in OFallon for $412,000.

Photos: Cultures clash over perceptions of gender and appearance of St. Charles library employees Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Hundreds attend St. Charles City-County Library Board meeting Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library Spencer Road Branch Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library Spencer Road Branch Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library Spencer Road Branch Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library Spencer Road Branch Protesters outside St. Charles county library oppose, support worker wearing goatee and makeup Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library Spencer Road Branch Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library Spencer Road Branch Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library Spencer Road Branch Protest over gender at St. Charles City-County Library
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  A St. Charles tow truck driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter Friday and accused of falling asleep at the wheel before a crash that killed an 82-year-old man.

Charges allege that on Oct. 18, 2022, Shawn D. Millfelt, 26, of St. Charles, had a tow truck loaded with two U.S. Postal Service mail trucks when he fell asleep while driving in West Alton.

Millfelt's 2020 Hino truck was traveling on northbound Highway 67 at Richard Drive when it ran a red light and hit a Ford F150 pickup driven by George D. Redenius, 82, of Staunton, Illinois.

Redenius was taken by a medical helicopter to a hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Court documents written by the Missouri Highway Patrol allege Millfelt was traveling 72 mph in a 55-mph speed zone at the time of the crash.

After the two vehicles collided, Redenius' pickup was pushed into another vehicle, a westbound 2007 Pontiac G6.

Two people in the Pontiac suffered minor injuries. Millfelt also had minor injuries.

Millfelt is charged in St. Charles County Circuit Court with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner in the case.
Unsurprisingly, a judge has ordered Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to end his absurd and preposterous scheme to block a pro-choice ballot referendum by using made-up cost estimates and wielding authority he doesnt have.

Bailey has vowed to appeal  confirming, yet again, his willingness to misuse his office for ideological crusades. Having never been elected to the office he is tainting, he has once again demonstrated why he never should be.

The ruling by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem comes in a lawsuit by the Missouri ACLU. It alleges Bailey is improperly blocking activists from gathering signatures to put a referendum on the November 2024 ballot asking Missouri voters to amend the state constitution to restore abortion rights.

Bailey and other anti-choice politicians in Missouri have reason to fear such a referendum, given polling that shows a majority of Missourians dont agree with the almost total ban on abortions that the state instituted last year with the fall of Roe v. Wade.

Bailey  who was appointed to finish U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitts term as attorney general, and has announced hes running for a full term next year  is entitled to his opinion on abortion rights and any other issue. But as the states lawyer, hes not entitled to overrule the states auditor on fiscal matters.

Yet Bailey has presumed to do just that, by refusing to sign off on an assessment by Auditor Scott Fitzpatricks office that says the proposed amendment would have a negligible effect on government finances.

That auditors assessment is a requirement for moving ahead with a ballot referendum. Bailey only role in signing off is to ensure the proposed ballot language isnt more than 50 words, and that it includes the auditors cost estimate. He has no authority to challenge that cost estimate.

Yet he is insisting, ludicrously, that the true cost to the taxpayers will be billions of dollars, in part from future taxes that wont be paid as the result of aborted pregnancies. Thats the mathematics of zealotry, based on nothing but Baileys determination to prevent Missourians from being allowed to vote on this important measure.

Even Fitzpatrick, a fellow anti-abortion Republican, has called Bailey out on it, stating in documents that to submit a fiscal note summary that I know contains inaccurate information would violate my duty as State Auditor.

Beetem, the judge, agreed on Tuesday in a blunt opinion that made clear how much Baileys scheme lacks in legal validity. There is an absolute absence of authority to conclude the Attorney General is permitted to send the auditors fiscal note summary back for revision simply because he disagrees with the auditors estimated cost or savings of a proposed measure, Beetem wrote.

Its notable that even as Bailey tries to take over the duties of another statewide office-holder, hes shirking his own duties. As weve discussed here before, Bailey has recused himself from litigation involving illegal gambling machines around Missouri, making the taxpayers fund outside lawyers instead  apparently because he has accepted tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions connected to the owners of the machines, creating a conflict of interest.

Bailey could have solved that problem by giving the contributions back. But he chose to keep the money and stick taxpayers with a private legal bill rather than do his job. And now, in order to advance his anti-choice agenda by ensuring the voters dont get a say, hes continuing a court fight claiming the power to do the auditors job.

Missouri voters should put Bailey out of both jobs in November 2024.
Mayor Tishaura Jones is right: St. Louis needs stricter firearms regulations to rein in gun violence in the city.

Luckily, there is a provision in Missouris otherwise ludicrously loose gun laws that gives the city the power to require permits for people to carry guns openly in public. And by state law, those permits generally arent available to anyone under 19. Its a potential tool to confront the increasingly common specter of openly armed teenagers in St. Louis.

Yet Jones and her allies havent yet endorsed a bill before the Board of Aldermen that would give the city that tool. Theyve offered various explanations for their hesitance.

Theyre not saying its because the sponsor is a Jones political foe, Alderwoman Cara Spencer. We certainly hope thats not the reason. If there was ever a time to set aside such differences for the sake of a crime-ravaged city, this is it.

The shooting that erupted at a party in a downtown office building early Sunday, killing one 17-year-old and injuring a dozen other teens, is only the latest example of how common it has become for kids in St. Louis to get their hands on weapons of war.

Police recovered numerous weapons, including AR-15-style rifles and handguns. They arrested a 17-year-old and were seeking others seen on security video wielding guns.

Other recent incidents havent resulted in such tragedies but have still highlighted the need for the city to get the kids-with-guns issue under control.

Police in February caught three armed teenage boys breaking into cars at City Foundry, then someone else shot at all of them. In late February, multiple young people were caught on camera drawing guns during an argument at a vigil for car-crash victims.

No one was shot in either incident, and no one was arrested. In fact, police in the City Foundry incident just took the kids home to their parents on the advice of juvenile court officials.

That sounds crazy (and is), but Missouri gun statutes are so loose that its unclear that teens are breaking any law by openly carrying guns. It was also in February that the Missouri House defeated a measure that would have specified that minors cant legally carry firearms in public.

Yet for all their determination to block reasonable gun restrictions, state lawmakers have left two provisions on the books that could help the city confront at least part of the problem.

Missouri generally allows both open and concealed carry in most public places, with no permit required, and cities are generally barred from imposing stricter standards. But the same 2014 state statute establishing those rights contains this caveat:

In any jurisdiction in which the open carrying of firearms is prohibited by ordinance [emphasis added], the open carrying of firearms shall not be prohibited [for]  Any person with a valid concealed carry endorsement or similar permit in his or her possession at all times.

Further: Any person open carrying a firearm in such jurisdiction shall display his or her concealed carry endorsement or permit upon demand of a law enforcement officer.

In other words, St. Louis cant ban open-carry in the city, but it can require that anyone who carries openly has a permit, and shows it to a police officer who asks.

And thats where the second loophole comes in: Though most Missourians can legally carry without a permit, those who choose for various reasons to obtain one have to be at least 19 years old (18 for military personnel).

Under Spencers bill, then, a cop who sees a teenager openly carrying a weapon in St. Louis would know for a fact that hes breaking the law and could respond accordingly.

Some of the mayors allies have suggested the proposal has a stop-and-frisk risk of being abused by police to harass young black men. Thats a stretch. Any law can be abused, but this one wouldnt be triggered (so to speak) unless the cop plainly sees a gun in public. Most people would agree thats a high enough bar to merit at least some questions.

Others, including Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, a Jones ally, have questioned whether state law would actually allow such an ordinance. Readers can answer that question by re-reading the section of statute above, which sounds pretty clear to us.

The mayors office says only that theyre looking at it.

It isnt unreasonable to thoroughly vet Spencers bill, especially as state statutes are written in such a way that they could complicate enforcement of it. For example, though St. Louis can require a permit for open-carry (as Kansas City has for years), its less clear that the city could confiscate guns from people without permits, make an arrest or charge more than a $35 fine.

But those are complications that should be a starting point for city leaders to come together and work on this idea, not the end of it.

A mayoral endorsement of at least the concept of Spencers bill, and active participation from the administration in getting it across the legal finish line, would signal that St. Louis leaders can work together when it counts.

Any open-carry permit requirement would be better than nothing, if only in allowing police to ask questions when they see guns.

That its unclear whether even that much is currently legal is a measure of how Jefferson Citys extremism has impacted St. Louis. Political in-fighting here cannot be allowed to prevent any potential remedy.
After recent cataract surgery, I now need reading glasses. My wife offered me a pair of hers but my granddaughter said they look feminine.

Is there such a thing as gender affirming/denying eyewear? Would there be legal ramifications in the Show-Me State? Just think what our Missouri elected officials might say. Attorney General Andrew Bailey might say it sounds lie a drag show. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft might ban them from libraries. Gov. Mike Parson might tell people to just wear the dang glasses if they want. Sen. Josh Hawley might wonder if you can run in them.
EQS-Ad-hoc: AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG: SUPERVISORY BOARD OF THE COMPANY RESOLVES UPON



21-Jun-2023 / 20:00 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG: SUPERVISORY BOARD OF THE COMPANY RESOLVES UPON PROLONGATION OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD MANDATE OF P. SPYROPOULOS, ENLARGEMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD AND AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING MANAGEMENT PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS OF THE SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSUMPTION OF THESE PROGRAMS BY AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG



Public disclosure of inside information according to article 17 MAR

Vienna, this 21 June 2023

The supervisory board of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG resolved in the supervisory board meeting held on 21 June 2023 to prolong the management board mandate of Panagiotis Spyropoulos, until 30 June 2027. The supervisory board also resolved to enlarge the management board of the company, currently consisting of Mr. Nikolaos Lykos, Executive Chairman of the Management Board and Panagiotis Spyropoulos, Vice-Chairman of the Management Board and Group CEO, by four additional members. Effective 1 July 2023, in addition to the existing two members of the management board, Emmanouil Kontos, Burak Bilge, Jon Neeraas and Markus Kirchmayr, are appointed as members of the management board.

Emmanouil Kontos, born 2 December 1971, is currently managing director of several legal entities of the group in the CEE region and former managing director of INFORM P. LYKOS HOLDINGS S.A. As Deputy Group CEO and Executive Vice President CEE region, he will be additionally responsible for M&A, marketing & communication and change management and will continue to drive the growth of the group's entire product portfolio in the CEE region. Emmanouil Kontos joined the group in 2018 and previously held leadership positions in markets including Europe, MEA and USA in general management, finance and business development for Colgate Palmolive, General Mills, Hellenic Bottling Company and Korres Natural Products.

Burak Bilge, born 23 May 1975, is managing director of the group company Austria Card Turkey kart Operasyonlari AS, Turkey. As Executive Vice President Turkey / Middle East and Africa, he will assume responsibility for these markets and further drive the growth of the group's entire product portfolio in the MEA region. Burak Bilge joined the group in 2013 and previously served as director of international business at Garanti Bank Payment Systems and global manager of payment systems and innovation at Erste Group based in Vienna.

Jon Neeraas, born 5 December 1966, has been heading the TAG Systems Brand within the AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG group. He will now assume the role of Executive Vice President, Western Europe, UK, Nordics and Americas and will drive the growth of the group's entire product portfolio in these regions. Jon Neeraas has been in the payment card and personalization business since 1991 and joined the group in 2019. Previously, Jon Neeraas was co-founder and CEO of TAG Systems Group.

Markus Kirchmayr, born 21 November 1980, who already holds the position as Group CFO of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG, will continue leading the finance, internal control and compliance divisions as a member of the management board of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG. Markus Kirchmayr has been working for the Group in various management positions since 2015 and was previously manager at KPMG and head of group consolidation at the listed company Conwert Immobilien Invest SE. Markus Kirchmayr is a qualified auditor, tax advisor and certified IFRS accountant.

From 1 July 2023, the management board of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG will thus consist of the following members:

Nikolaos Lykos, Executive Chairman of the Management Board

Panagiotis Spyropoulos, Vice Chairman & Group CEO

Emmanouil Kontos, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President CEE

Burak Bilge, Executive Vice President Turkey / Middle East and Africa

Jon Neeraas, Executive Vice President Western Europe, UK, Nordics and Americas

Markus Kirchmayr, Group CFO

The detailed CVs of all members of the management board will shortly be available on the website of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG.

Further, the supervisory board resolved that the management participation programs previously existing at the level of subsidiaries of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG, namely INFORM P. LYKOS HOLDINGS S.A. and AUSTRIA CARD-Plastikkarten und Ausweissysteme Gesellschaft m.b.H. - of which that of INFORM P. LYKOS HOLDINGS S.A. has already been transferred to AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG in the course of the merger of INFORM P. LYKOS HOLDINGS S.A. and AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG with effect as of 17 March 2023 - will now be adapted and taken over, by AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG, as resolved in the supervisory board meeting held on 21 September 2022 and as outlined in the prospectus on pages 119 et seq. In the course of the adaption, among other minor adjustments, the number of share options due upon target achievement will be reduced by 20% compared to the initial programs. Furthermore, according to the now cumulated and amended share option program, only the company - and no longer the respective beneficiaries - will have the right to make a cash settlement instead of issuing shares. The supervisory board has commissioned a corresponding adaption of the remuneration policy of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG.

The management board members Panagiotis Spyropoulos, Emmanouil Kontos, Jon Neeraas and Markus Kirchmayr are, as before, also beneficiaries of the adapted management participation program.

ABOUT AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG

AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG, headquartered in Vienna, with an international presence, is one of the leading providers of Secure Digital Technology Solutions in Europe.

AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG is the one of the leading B2B providers of smart cards, personalization and payment solutions, as well as secure data management and digitalization solutions, in Austria, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe and South Eastern Europe, while also having significant market share in many other European countries and Turkiye. The group is expanding fast in geographical areas outside Europe, such as the USA where it has established a new personalization center, and the Middle East & Africa where sales units have been developed that have already drawn significant new business. In addition, the company has become a payment products and solutions partner of choice for challenger banks/neo banks, a growing market segment world-wide.

The company has a very strong pan-European operational footprint, reaching from the United Kingdom to Greece and Turkiye, with seven production facilities and seven personalization centers in Europe, as well as an additional personalization center in USA, employing currently around 2,500 people. It also has sales offices in Norway, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Jordan, the UAE and a network of partners and selling agencies around the world. This footprint enables the provision of a high service level to our customers, confirmed by the very long-lasting business relationships. The groups international customer base benefits from a complementary product and services and solutions offering ranging from bill printing, direct mailing and document processing to payment, transit and ID cards increasingly bundled with online, mobile and digitalization transformation solutions.

Issuer: AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG

Lamezanstrae 4-8

1230 Vienna

Austria

Contact person: Dimitris Tzelepis

Tel.: +43 1 61065 - 357

E-Mail: d.tzelepis@austriacard.com

Website: www.austriacard.com

ISIN(s): AT0000A325L0

Stock Exchange(s): Vienna Stock Exchange (prime market), Athens Exchange (main market)
This photo taken on June 5, 2023 shows a night view of Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

SHENYANG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Emmanuel Loriot, consul general of France in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, visited the Shenyang Palace Museum on June 10 as part of the "Hello, Shenyang" Sino-French cultural exchange event.

First built in 1625, the museum is one of the two well-preserved ancient palace complexes in China.

"The Shenyang Palace Museum is magnificent. Walking through the palace and Shenyang Middle Street, I deeply feel that Shenyang is not only a famous historical and cultural city but also full of vitality, passion, openness, and tolerance," said Loriot.

A hub of heavy industry, Shenyang is also home to the ancient Xinle ruins dating back some 7,200 years and dozens of revolutionary sites, making it a place of unique culture and character.

"The value of the Shenyang Palace Museum is no longer limited to palaces and pavilions, it is also a witness of excellent traditional Chinese culture, which continues the historical context, carries the city's memory, and highlights the city's cultural strength," said Chu Guoqing, director of the Shenyang cultural heritage protection and research association.

In recent years, Shenyang has focused on improving the historical and cultural elements and features of buildings, protecting and repairing historic buildings, and fostering diversity.

After the renovation and upgrading of Shenyang Middle Street, which has a history of nearly 400 years, the antique plaques along the street and the large 3D LED screen complement each other, presenting urban vitality to visitors.

Wartime heroes such as Huang Jiguang and Qiu Shaoyun were buried in the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang.

"Remembering heroes is a tradition of this city for more than 70 years," said Wu Tao, director of the cemetery's management center.

Between 2014 and 2021, the remains of 825 CPV martyrs were brought back from the Republic of Korea and laid to rest in the cemetery.

Striving to create a city of innovation and technology, Shenyang also boasts a deep industrial culture.

"In the process of contributing many 'firsts' in the industrial history of the country, Shenyang has formed the industrial cultural characteristics of responsibility, dedication, and service," said Wang Rongwei, curator of the Industrial Museum of China.

Amid the city's transformation, hundreds of old factories were also reinvented into cultural and creative industry parks or culture parks, which have become good destinations for recreation.

At the former site of Shenyang Hongmei Monosodium Glutamate Factory, the remaining buildings of the factory have been recreated into a cultural park, becoming an incubator for young entrepreneurs.

"Back then, trains brought raw materials and transported monosodium glutamate products. Today, the old trains have become popular internet-famous restaurants, and the old factory area has been transformed into a museum," said Sun Mingjun, general manager of the Shenyang Hongmei cultural and creative park. 
Russia and Israel are both major developers of systems that disrupt satellite navigation systems like GPS or the Russian GLONASS. Both nations use their jamming and anti-jamming tech against each other because Russia maintains a naval base and airbase on the Syrian coast while Israel is constantly under attacks by Iranian UAVs and missiles launched from Syria. Israeli missiles regularly hit Iranian targets in Syria and Russia uses its GPS jamming systems to disrupt these attacks. Israel has responded with new tech installed in the missile guidance systems that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of the jamming. This GPS jamming and counter-jamming competition has been going on for over a decade and became particularly intense when Russian forces arrived in Syria. Before that Russia had provided their ally Syria with these jamming weapons while Israel and the United States cooperated in developing new jamming tech.

Details of the new jamming technologies are usually kept secret but those that are sold as commercial products must reveal some technical details. For example, in 2021 the Israeli military announced that it was the prime backer of the new Advanced Navigation Technology Center. This new division of state-owned IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) develops and manufactures new generations of INS (Inertial Navigation System) technology to complement or replace satellite (GPS) guidance. IAI did not provide any more details of the new INS technology, not even the name of the new system. IAI already develops and makes INS systems as unjammable backups for GPS systems but the future is seen as better INS.

The 21st century saw research in the U.S. and other industrialized countries developing new concepts and technologies that greatly improved INS accuracy and cost. By 2013 prototypes of new INS tech proved INS could be nearly as accurate as GPS and almost as small. Cost was still a factor, with the new INS still costing more than 10 times current GPS, but all this is a big improvement over what has been available before. The new INS tech can now be used to more effectively monitor GPS and alert the operator that their GPS has either developed a problem or is being jammed. The new INS systems are also useful for some fast missiles that often lose their GPS signal as they maneuver. Another urgent chore for INS is to more effectively deal with the growing use of GPS spoofing (misdirecting). This involves EW (electronic Warfare) equipment that can mislead) rather than jam without alerting the victim that their navigation system might not be reliable. Thus, even with the ability of GPS anti-jamming tech to keep up with jammer technology, there is still a demand for a new INS. That has led to smaller, cheaper and more accurate INS systems. Aside from airlines and commercial shipping, there is not much of a mass market for these new INS systems because for most users, GPS is reliable enough to keep the INS gear out of the more cost-sensitive markets. But the demand from the airlines, shipping companies and the military is huge. INS tech is becoming a popular feature for high-end smartphones and other consumer items, because some smartphone and smartwatch manufacturers seek to use INS to automatically fill in if the user temporarily loses the GPS signal.

Many defense specialists on navigation and electronics experts believe current anti-jamming efforts are sufficient to keep military GPS use viable for a while, but the improvements in GPS jamming and spoofing technology have been arriving faster than expected. Despite the secrecy about GPS disruption, since 2017 there has been growing evidence that Russia has been frequently jamming or spoofing GPS signals, mainly to hide the exact location equipment that allows GPS tracking. Developing equipment like this is easily within Russian capabilities. In early 2019 a report made the news revealing that there had recently been nearly 10,000 instances where someone, apparently Russia, had been jamming or spoofing satellite navigation signals. Not just the American GPS, but also signals from non-American satellite navigation systems (Chinese Beidou, EUs Galileo, Japans QZAA and even the Russian GLONASS). Much of this activity was not outright jamming but harder to detect spoofing. This was apparently done to conceal the true location of key Russian officials, like president Putin, and Russian military units. The spoofing was particularly common for Russian military forces in Ukraine and Syria. Spoofing replaced the actual satellite signal with a false one that rendered smart bombs or planned attacks on targets inaccurate. Spoofing can introduce the false signal gradually and sometimes delay a navigation system's realization that it is being deceived. Thats one function of INS, to act as a monitor for GPS as well as a backup.

Current INS tech relies on receiving an accurate GPS location initially and periodically thereafter to keep both GPS and INS location data in sync. GPS depends on continuous satellite signals to operate and the INS is used to step in and replace GPS when the satellite signal becomes temporarily too weak, or absent. When an accurate GPS signal is achieved, INS goes back into standby mode. Spoofing can now mimic these momentary disruptions and evade detection as a false signal by the INS, which is completely self-contained. This is sometimes a problem for American guided weapons sent to Ukraine that do not have the latest jamming tech installed.

Israeli INS researchers are not the only ones seeking an INS that is accurate and persistent enough to replace GPS for extended periods. INS has long suffered from the inability to provide as accurate a location as satellite navigation systems while also suffering from drift as the gyroscope and acceleration capabilities now performed by microelectronics of the chip-based INS cannot maintain as continuously precise location as the space satellite-based system can. This is no longer seen as an insurmountable problem, nor is the large cost-difference between GPS and INS tech. Israel apparently feels it is closer to a solution than anyone else.

Meanwhile, spoofing satellite navigation systems has become more popular and practical because it does not require expensive or high-tech equipment. While American weapons and military navigation systems have a backup in the form of unjammable INS systems, these are useless if the spoofing is not detected. American systems are supposed to detect spoofing and revert to INS but the Americans do not disclose details of how these systems work in order to make it difficult for spoofing systems to be modified to be less detectable. That is one reason why the U.S. has not released detailed information on spoofing incidents because some of them may have evaded the INS spoofing detection tech.

To further complicate the issue there have also been instances where mandatory AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponders that all large ships must carry are more frequently reporting instances of getting no GPS signal at all. Large ships usually carry two AIS units, in case one malfunctions so AIS failure can be ruled out as a cause. Something outside the ship is messing with the GPS signal. This demonstrates how it is possible to deceive the unjammable INS and new INS systems are sought that will eliminate that risk by replacing GPS most of the time.

The new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention in the military as backups are always appreciated because when equipment fails in combat, or for commercial users like aircraft or ships, its literally a matter of life or death. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller (as small as 200 kg/440 pounds) UAVs. This is part of a program to equip all American UAVs, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all UAVs can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his UAV is at all times, and sometimes the UAV is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails, the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the UAV back to where it can be seen and landed. Other UAVs have a failsafe system for the GPS. When it is no longer available the UAV turns around and heads back in the general direction of the operator. This is better than just allowing the GPS-less UAV keep flying until it runs out of fuel and crashes somewhere,

GPS reliability threats are coming from a few suppliers like Russia, China and North Korea. These nations have developed all manner of GPS jamming technology, and in 2019 it became public that the Russians were using GPS new spoofing technology to conceal the true location of senior leaders and some military units.

Developers and users of GPS jamming gear tend to keep quiet about what they do because this sort of thing is illegal in peacetime, especially when civilians experience GPS disruptions themselves. When the United States tests military GPS jamming it does so at sea or in remote areas and warns nearby civilians who might encounter GPS problems to be aware of the tests and act accordingly. This warning policy has been in use for decades because of the growing number of new electronic equipment designs that could cause problems for civilians if the disruptive effect extended farther than expected.

Other nations are not as secretive in complaining and often the culprit is Russia. In late 2018 Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but when Russia refused to admit any involvement Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment that might be useful to them.

In 2020 Iran was caught testing spoofing tech at a military facility in the capital Tehran and trying to keep it secret. It is not known if the Iranians developed the spoofing tech themselves or received it from Russia or China.

Until the appearance of the new spoofing tech, GPS jamming had little or no impact on the NATO military exercises and even commercial airliners operating in the area had INS backup in case GPS signals were not working properly. The potential victims were civilians with smaller aircraft or on the ground who depend on commercial navigation gear using GPS. Then again, that may have been the point because Russian firms have long been producing a wide variety of GPS jammers that are generally ineffective against military GPS users but would be useful for criminals, terrorists or anyone involved in irregular warfare, as Russia has been in Ukraine since 2014. As for the damage to diplomatic relations with Norway and Finland, these two nations need no reminders of what a bad neighbor Russia is and historically has been.

GPS spoofing equipment has also found a market among criminal gangs. This was first encountered during 2018 in Shanghai, China where local gangsters were found to be using technology for spoofing GPS signals. Shanghai was just the beginning because this spoofing tech was subsequently encountered in twenty other Chinese coastal cities where gangsters ran profitable smuggling operations. The Chinese GPS spoofing was implemented differently from the Russian method. The Russian spoofing would make all GPS devices in an area appear in the same position instead of the many different positions they actually were. In contrast, the Chinese spoofing, when active, would show individual ships each in a different location but always around the same central point that was apparently where the spoofing signals were broadcast. This produced what was called a crop circle pattern. This was first noted by crews of ships slowly entering the port of Shanghai. While doing so they would watch the location of other ships via their AIS transponders. International law requires all large seagoing ships to carry and use AIS equipment which constantly broadcasts the GPS position of the ship, but there were cases where ships suddenly saw the AIS positions of ships near them change. The bridge crew could see, often with/or without, the use of binoculars, where the other ships actually were while, at the same time, the AIS display was showing them somewhere else within a circular area. After a few minutes, AIS signals would accurately report location again. In situations like this, it was noted that no GPS receivers onboard were receiving a signal, nor were GPS devices ashore that were within the circle.

The Chinese government denied responsibility for this GPS spoofing and blamed it on smugglers who apparently used a spoofing device to avoid being caught by the police while a smuggler ship was carrying illegal cargo. In one case the smuggler was caught anyway, because of an accident caused by the spoofing, and the smuggler ship was found to be carrying sand illegally obtained nearby and being taken out of the port for sale elsewhere. Sand mining had been banned in this region because this valuable commodity was in great demand elsewhere and exporting more of it was damaging the environment.

GPS spoofing declined during 2020 but China revealed no details about what happened. In the past China has given local hackers a choice between going to prison or quietly working for the Chinese government. Russia uses similar tactics as do many other governments. One thing that was noted about the Shanghai Spoofer was that the spoofing often took place around oil terminals where ships smuggling oil for Iran or to North Korea often operated. The governments of Iran and North Korea also noticed this and could have received useful information on how the Shanghai spoofing gear worked. Thats one of the conspiracy theories popular with many Iranians and South Koreans.

Since 2022, many new spoofing and anti-spoofing technologies have shown up in Ukraine. While this battlefield is invisible, its impact is not. This is especially true when normally reliable guided systems suddenly become unreliable.
Iraq has two major problems, one external and the other internal. Neighboring Iran is ruled by a religious dictatorship that condones aggressive interference in neighboring countries. Iraq has long been the main recipient of this meddling. Iran has long sought more economic and political influence in Iraq. This is made easier by Iraqs internal problem with corruption. Historically what is now known as Iraq was seen as the most corrupt region in the Middle East, if not the world.

For the last 30 years Transparency International mas been monitoring corruption worldwide. This is done by measuring corruption on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The nations with the worst score are currently Syria (score of 14), South Sudan (12) and Somalia (12). The least corrupt nations are currently Denmark and New Zealand, each with a score of 88. Iraq had a score of 23 in 2022, up from 21 in 2020, 20 in 2019, 17 in 2017-18 and 16 in 2013.

Since Iraq became a democracy in 2004, reducing corruption has become more and more at the center of reform efforts. Iraq has long been infamous for its high levels of corruption. Before Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003, the corruption was somewhat controlled by Saddam and his government. Saddam used the corruption to raise money and reward friends and punish enemies. Eliminating Saddam did not eliminate the corruption but did mean you could openly protest the corruption without risking arrest or execution.

To deal with corruption and Iran the Iraqis rely on more reliable foreigners. Prominent among these foreigners are Americans. In addition to many American contractors, Iraq also hosts several thousand American troops. These are part of an effort to reduce growing Iranian influence in Iraq. Arabs see Iran as a major troublemaker in the region. The Turks, Americans and Israelis agree and are all doing something to keep the Iranians out. The Assads in neighboring Syria are somewhere in the middle when it comes to Iran. At the moment the Assads want closer relations with its fellow Arabs, have been readmitted to the Arab League, and are negotiating with Saudi Arabia for reconstruction assistance and commercial investments.

Keeping Iran out of Iraq is complicated by the fact that lots of Iraqis have been pro-Iranian for almost twenty years, and a growing number appear to be on the government payroll via the post-2014 deal that put all PMF (Popular Mobilization Force) militias on the army payroll. Technically this meant that the PMF units had to report to senior army commanders and obey orders issued by army generals. That was fine in theory but did not work in practice. The PMF units took the payroll cash but refused to obey army commands or requests. Each year the PMF units demanded more money from the government. This cash came out of the army budget. This year PMF wants nearly $3 billion. The PMF claims that this is what it needed to support about 200,000 PMF members and that number increases each year. The PMF leadership additionally contends that many of its troops will resort to violence if not paid. The PMF is composed of many groups with different and/or conflicting motives (some are even patriotic and lots more are pro-Iranian), but most are corruption scams (ghost soldiers). This is when large numbers of soldiers are claimed but do not exist and whoever controls the payroll and other expenses for these non-existent troops just steals the money. It is suspected that some of the ghost soldier cash going to the PMF is being diverted to Iran. This would not be the first time that cash from Iraqi corruption went to Iran, which is responsible for a lot of the corruption in Iraq. Iran also has problems with corruption but not to the extent of Iraq. To Iran, Iraqi corruption is an opportunity for them and a constant drag on Iraqi economic and social development. Iraqis are increasingly active in trying to reduce corruption but it is one of those situations where we have met the enemy and they are us applies. For Iraqis, reducing corruption is the ultimate form of self-improvement. Another problem is that while most Iraqis recognize corruption as a major problem, few are willing to take the lead in suppressing it. They want other Iraqis to go first. The corruption is so pervasive that eliminating it costs many Iraqis a lot of income. Reducing corruption is nice in theory but in practice is a painful adjustment for many and no one wants to make the first move.

June 17, 2023: In the north (Kirkuk) an ISIL roadside bomb attacked an army convoy but only one soldier was wounded. Over the last fifteen years Iraq has obtained over a thousand MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected), which are similar to armored trucks and greatly reduce the effectiveness of roadside bombs and anti-vehicle mines.

June 13, 2023: In the Kurdish north, Turkey claimed that one of their airstrikes killed three Yazidi militiamen and wounded three others. Yazidi officials insisted there were no casualties because the Turkish UAV had fired a missile at an abandoned village and the only one killed was a local shepherd. The Turks accuse the Yazidi of supporting PKK (Turkish Kurd separatist). The Yazidi are Kurds who practice a pre-Christian religion related to the pre-Islamic Zoroastrian religion once common in Iran before Islam and now only found in India. The Yazidis are considered pagans by ISIL and to Moslems pagans must either renounce their beliefs or die. The Kurds have always gotten along better with Yazidis, Christians and other minorities and many of those people fled to the Kurdish north. In 2015 it was the Kurds who recaptured Yazidi territory from ISIL.

June 12, 2023: Parliament approved a record high $153 billion budget which included a record high deficit of $49 billion. This was four times higher than the 2022 deficit. The heavy spending is meant to deal with reconstruction in the wake to more than two decades of fighting. There are also development projects, especially to increase oil production. Oil income pays for most of the federal budget and 99 percent of foreign exchange for imports. To keep the peace, money is needed to rebuild infrastructure, including water, sewage disposal and the health care system. Roads have to be maintained as well as irrigation systems that is a major reason for a 60 percent increase in wheat production to 3.5 million tons. Iraq consumes 4.6 million tons of wheat annually and what cant be produced internally has to be imported.

June 11, 2023: In the north (Kirkuk province) two soldiers were killed and three wounded by an ISIL attack.

June 8, 2023: Iraq confirmed that 3,000 Iraqi terrorists had been returned from Syria and prosecuted for their crimes. There are still over 10,000 Iraqi in al Hol prison camp. The Iraqis terrorists had been held in eastern Syria (Raqqa province) by the Kurdish SDF forces who operated al Hol. Kurdish security forces regularly search the al Hol for active Islamic terrorists and criminal gangs operating in the camp. Several suspects are arrested during each search. SDF has been maintaining the prison camps for captured ISIL fighters and their families since 2018. The SDF must divert troops and other resources to maintain camps This includes persistent problems with criminal activity taking place among the prisoners. The SDF has to keep complaining to their allies that without some help in dealing with the huge number of ISIL captives in al Hol, the situation would get out of control. In 2019 the SDF had over 50,000 refugees (most of them under 18) in the al Hol complex and various governments were asked to verify who was a citizen of where. The UN has been asked to take custody of those found to be stateless. Iraq agreed to take about 30 percent of the refugees and prosecute those who are suspected of ISIL crimes. That process was slower than expected. The SDF decided to try the known ISIL members, turning those convicted over to the UN and releasing the rest, along with their families. Most of the people in the camps are women and children.

Al Hol has existed since the 1991 Gulf War when the UN established it to handle refugees from the fighting. Al Hol kept expanding since then because there was more fighting in Syria and Iraq and more refugees. There are still about 50,000 people at the al Hol camp, most of them women and children that no one wanted to take back. Many of the ISIL wives are obviously still active ISIL members and many were caught smuggling weapons into the camp when they were searched before entering. These ISIL women are terrorizing other camp residents and seeking to intimidate the camp guards. There is a separate high-security area for known Islamic terrorists and other criminals. The Kurds needed help paying for the camp and wanted the nations these people came from, including Syria, to claim and take custody of them. Nearly all camp residents claim to be non-Syrian but for many of them it is unclear exactly where they come from. Some active ISIL terrorists are in the camps and are the source of much violence. Nearly a hundred prisoners are killed in al Hol some years and ISIL leadership keeps calling for members inside and outside the camps to cooperate to create a major uprising in the camps. Food and other aid from the United States and other donors is distributed by the UN to NGOs (Non-Government-Organizations) that do the actual work in al Hol distributing food and other supplies as well as providing medical care. The Kurds need to maintain good relations with the United States, which has been a major supplier of military and other assistance to the Kurds. Because of that the Kurds cant just walk away from al Hol.

June 7, 2023: In Baghdad, raids by soldiers and PMF militiamen killed four ISIL members.

June 2, 2023: In the northwest the IRGC used UAVs carrying explosives to attack Iranian Kurdish separatists based in northern Iraq.

June 1, 2023: During May, American forces carried out 21 attacks on ISIL in Iraq, leaving six ISIL members dead and eleven captured.

May 25, 2023: A legal dispute continues to block the flow of oil through the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline. The pipeline can carry about 450,000 barrels a day from northern Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The flow stopped March 25 after an arbitration court ruled that Turkey violated the 1973 pipeline transit agreement and now owes Iraq around $1.5 billion.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Golden Lake Exploration Inc. (CSE:GLM) ("GLM" or "Golden Lake") (GOLXF-OTCQB) is pleased to announce the commencement of a high-resolution drone magnetic survey in partnership with i-80 Gold Corp. (TSX:IAU) (NYSE: IAUX) ("I-80") and North Peak Resources Ltd., (TSXV:NPR)("North Peak") on their respective properties located in the South Eureka Gold Belt (SEGB), Eureka County, Nevada. Specifically, the joint-survey will provide geophysical coverage over Golden Lake's Jewel Ridge property, part of i-80's Ruby Hill property including its recently acquired FAD property, as well as North Peak's Prospect Mountain property. All properties are contiguous with one another.

High-Resolution Drone Magnetic Survey:

High-resolution magnetic data collected from a drone provides an excellent tool for mapping rock type and structure and when processed, produce maps of exceptional detail. Three-D inversions of data from such a survey will yield information related to depth to the source, dip of the body and its overall size and shape. Non-magnetic bodies reflect certain rock types, structural trends and hydrothermal alteration associated with mineralization, while magnetic highs in the SEGB may reflect the presence of intrusions, both near-surface and at depth.

It is anticipated that the survey will take 7 to 10 days to complete, with preliminary results following shortly thereafter.

Each partner will carry 1/3 of the survey cost and will share equally in the data generated by it.

South Eureka Gold Belt:

The Jewel Ridge property is located along structural and stratigraphic trend to the south, of i-80 Gold's Ruby Hill property. District-scale structures at Jewel Ridge (Jackson Fault & parallel faults) are part of a 10 kilometre-long, north-south trending structural corridor, intimately related with neighboring deposits to the north at Ruby Hill, including the FAD, historic Ruby Hill, Ruby Deeps, Hilltop, 426, Blackjack and Archimedes deposits. North Peak's Prospect Mountain property is situated on the same structural corridor to the immediate west of Jewel Ridge, at the Diamond mine.

At Jewel Ridge, shallow intercepts of CRD mineralization occur at the Hamburg zone, returning 10.72 g/t gold & 9.30 g/t silver over 8.56 metres as well at the Eureka Tunnel zone, yielding 9.16 g/t gold, 65.77 g/t silver, 1.03% lead & 1.90% zinc over 24.54 metres.

The distribution of precious and base-metal deposits within the SEGB district is controlled by structure, lithology and proximity to intrusive centres. The effect of each control varies from deposit to deposit, that include carbonate replacement deposits (CRD), skarns, Carlin-type disseminated gold deposits, as well as hybrid CRD-Carlin type styles of mineralization.

The high-resolution drone magnetic survey will assist in refining the role played by rock type, structure and proximity to intrusions and their relationship with mineralization at the district scale, as well as at the detailed property scale. Most importantly, the survey will assist in drill targeting, in efforts to extend known zones of mineralization and to discovering new deposits at Jewel Ridge, Ruby Hill and Prospect Mountain.

Qualified person:

Golden Lake Exploration's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Don Hoy, P.Geo., who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

About Golden Lake Exploration Inc:

Golden Lake Exploration is a junior public mining exploration company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to acquire, explore and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to aggressively advance its exploration program on the Jewel Ridge property.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Mike England"

Mike England, CEO & DIRECTOR

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Telephone: 1-604-683-3995

TollFree:1-888-945-4770

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains 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. Investors 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. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM).

SOURCE: Golden Lake Exploration Inc.

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JERSEY CITY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Golden Pear Funding (Golden Pear), a national leader in pre-settlement legal funding, announced the upsizing to $67.2 million of its existing corporate notes. The incremental capital raise was assigned a BBB rating by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (NRSRO) and follows the Company's successful corporate note issuance announced in January 2022. Proceeds from the upsize will be used to repay subordinated debt and support additional growth of the business.

Since inception, Golden Pear has funded nearly $1 billion in aggregate to more than 70,000 clients nationwide.

"Golden Pear continues to demonstrate significant momentum and has completed this transaction to further our ability to serve the consumer litigation marketplace," said Gary Amos, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Pear. "We greatly appreciate the continued support of our institutional investor base, which recognizes the resilience of our business and our strong financial position."

Daniel Amsellem, Chief Financial Officer of Golden Pear, added, "Our demonstrated access to institutional capital in a difficult credit environment is a strategic advantage, as we further pursue market opportunities in a disciplined and profitable manner. These notes complement our asset-backed debt to provide us with an efficient capital structure at a competitive cost of capital."

Brean Capital, LLC served as the Company's exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent in connection with the transaction.

About Golden Pear Funding

Founded in 2008, Golden Pear is one of the largest specialty finance companies in the United States funding legal matters and purchasing medical receivables from physicians and medical centers. The Company empowers its clients to navigate the legal system and provides them with financial solutions that work. Golden Pear is backed by a partnership of several private equity firms that allow for the stability and continued institutional growth of the firm. For additional information about the Company, visit https://goldenpearfunding.com.

Contact Information:

Gary Amos

CEO

[email protected]

SOURCE: Golden Pear Funding

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DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Solitario Zinc Corp. ("Solitario") (NYSE American:XPL)(TSX:SLR) announces results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders at which holders of 35,017,204 shares of common stock or 55.04% of the total outstanding shares eligible to vote as of the record date were present in person or by proxy. The five matters identified below were submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Each proposal is more fully described in Solitario's definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated April 28, 2023.

Chris Herald, President and CEO of Solitario, commented "We are pleased with the results of this year's Annual Meeting and thank our shareholders for their ongoing support as we strive to create value by moving our projects forward. We are pleased that our shareholders have approved the name change to Solitario Resources Corp., which more accurately reflects the scope of our exploration activities including the exploration success we have reported at our Golden Crest project in South Dakota as well as on-going activities at our Lik zinc project in Alaska operated by Teck and at our Florida Canyon zinc project in Peru, operated by Nexa. We look forward to reporting results on these activities in the coming months."

Report of Voting Results

Election of Directors. Seven directors were elected to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified, with each director receiving the votes (and percentage of shares voting, excluding broker non-votes) below:

Shares voted Name For (%) Withheld Broker Non-Votes Brian Labadie 24,822,040 (96.41) 924,093 9,271,071 John Labate 24,560,824 (95.40) 1,185,309 9,271,071 James Hesketh 23,214,159 (90.17) 2,531,974 9,271,071 Christopher E. Herald 24,973,112 (97.00) 773,021 9,271,071 Gil Atzmon 24,566,128 (95.42) 1,180,005 9,271,071 Joshua D. Crumb 24,481,067 (95.09) 1,265,066 9,271,071 Debbie Austin 25,559,729 (99.28) 186,404 9,271,071 1 Name change to Solitario Resources Corp.: The shareholders approved the name change to Solitario Resources Corp. with 34,835,576 shares voting for (99.48% of shares voting), 90,333 shares voting against, 91,294 shares abstaining, and 1 broker non-vote. 2. The 2023 Solitario Stock and Incentive Plan: The shareholders approved the 2023 Solitario Stock and Incentive Plan with 24,593,392 shares voting for (95.52% of shares voting), 897,470 shares voting against, 255,271 shares abstaining, and 9,271,022 broker non-votes. 3. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation: The shareholders approved the following resolution concerning the compensation of Solitario's named executive officers with 24,484,981 shares voting for (95.10% of shares voting), 1,045,514 shares voting against, 215, 637 shares abstaining, and 9,271,072 broker non-votes. "RESOLVED THAT: Solitario shareholders approve the compensation of Solitario's named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company's proxy statement, dated April 28, 2023, pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission set forth in Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including, but not limited to, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and any related material disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting." 4. Appointment of Auditors. The appointment of Plante Moran PLLC as Solitario's auditors for fiscal year 2023 was ratified with 34,441,784 shares voting for (98.36% of shares voting), 153,930 shares voting against, 421,490 shares voting to abstain, and no broker non-votes.

About Solitario

Solitario is a natural resource exploration and development company focused on high-quality Tier-1 gold and zinc projects. The Company is traded on the NYSE American ("XPL") and on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("SLR"). In addition to its Golden Crest project, Solitario holds 50% joint venture interest (Teck Resources 50%) in the high-grade, Lik zinc deposit in Alaska and a 39% joint venture interest (Nexa Resources holds the remaining 61% interest) on the high-grade Florida Canyon zinc project in Peru. Solitario is carried to production through its joint venture arrangement with Nexa. Solitario's Management and Directors hold approximately 9.2% (excluding options) of the Company's 64.8 million shares outstanding. Solitario's cash balance and marketable securities stand at approximately US$4.1 million. Additional information about Solitario is available online at www.solitariozinc.com.

Solitario has a long history of committed Environmental, Social and Responsible Governance ("ESG") of its business. We realize ESG issues are also important to investors, employees and all stakeholders, including communities in which we work. We are pledged to operate our business in a manner that supports environmental and social initiatives and responsible corporate governance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christopher E. Herald

President & CEO

(303) 534-1030, Ext. 14

SOURCE: Solitario Zinc Corp.

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Deutsche Bank analyst Bhavin Shah told investors in a note Wednesday that the firm's Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) expense analysis indicates "meaningful upside to profitability" for the company. Shah raised the firm's price target on the stock to $75 from $67, reiterating a Buy rating.

Shopify shares are up more than 1% premarket, trading close to the $65 mark.

"Given our analysis of the reduction in force impact along with the sale of Shopify Fulfillment (Logistics/Deliverr), we see the potential for meaningful upside to operating income in 2Q23 and beyond," wrote Shah.

"Based on the various scenario analyses we run, we see an upside case for FY23/FY24/FY25 op income of ~$700mn/$1.4bn/$1.9bn and a base case at ~$650/1.2bn/$1.5bn, respectively. Both scenarios compare to our current estimates of $436mn/$1.1bn/$1.5bn and Street $300mn/$650mn/$1.1bn."

He added that their conversations with investors suggest buy-side sentiment remains around $600 million in FY23 and $1.2 billion in FY24.

"With shares +85% YTD and investors struggling to see upside from current levels, we remain Buy rated and believe a better understanding of the near-term profitability potential along with longer-term earnings power could help catalyze the shares," the analyst concluded.

By Sam Boughedda
NEW YORK & SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Through a strategic expansion of their relationship, Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Google Cloud will help organizations reinvent their businesses with generative AI to unlock new growth opportunities, supported by substantial new investments by Accenture.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621196198/en/

Through a strategic expansion of their relationship, Accenture and Google Cloud will help organizations reinvent their businesses with generative AI to unlock new growth opportunities, supported by substantial new investments by Accenture.

Todays expansion builds on Accentures recently announced $3 billion investment in AI. Together, Accenture and Google Cloud will help organizations use generative AI to create new opportunities to drive next-level innovation, optimization and reinvention. Building on the combination of capabilities and talent within the Accenture Google Business Group and Google Clouds leading AI products (including Vertex AI, Generative AI App Builder and more), the companies will guide organizations on the optimal use of generative AI to address specific business needs securely, responsibly, and at scale.

Generative AI is already transforming how people work and access information and will dramatically amplify what humans can achieve, said Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture. Our expanded partnership with Google Cloud will help our clients across industries responsibly accelerate adoption of generative AI throughout their enterprises to maximize efficiency, drive competitive advantage, and reach new levels of performance.

Generative AI has the ability to help businesses fundamentally improve how they operate, whether it is optimizing supply chains to be more sustainable or mitigating cybersecurity threats based on information from billions of security events, said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud. Together with Accenture, we will provide businesses with the advanced technology and expertise they need to help transform their organizations and realize value from their generative AI deployments.

Under the expanded partnership, the companies will co-develop new solutions leveraging Accentures industry and functional experience and Google Clouds suite of generative AI technologies. The companies will focus on improving business processes across 19 industries and six business functions, with a strategic focus on sales and marketing, supply chain, healthcare, retail and consumer packaged goods, financial services, sustainability, security, and operational services. Examples include:

Tailored marketing and customer experiences : The two companies will use generative AI to help businesses create hyper-personalized advertisements and digital content, deliver customized dynamic pricing, and reinvent their interactions with their end consumers.

: The two companies will use generative AI to help businesses create hyper-personalized advertisements and digital content, deliver customized dynamic pricing, and reinvent their interactions with their end consumers. Supply chain optimization : Accenture and Google Cloud will use generative AI to help customers predict optimal inventory levels to minimize storage costs, improve shipping routes to reduce gas consumption, and anticipate delivery dates and delays to increase customer satisfaction. Additionally, Accenture will expand the supply chain functionality in its retail solution, which is now using Google Clouds large language models (LLMs) to help businesses optimize their customer, workforce, and storefront experiences.

: Accenture and Google Cloud will use generative AI to help customers predict optimal inventory levels to minimize storage costs, improve shipping routes to reduce gas consumption, and anticipate delivery dates and delays to increase customer satisfaction. Additionally, Accenture will expand the supply chain functionality in its retail solution, which is now using Google Clouds large language models (LLMs) to help businesses optimize their customer, workforce, and storefront experiences. Healthcare process improvement : Accenture will use a variety of Googles LLMs, tuned to health care, to develop solutions to help improve operational efficiency, caregiver support, patient engagement, and research and development. Accenture is also addressing critical healthcare challenges with Google Clouds technologies and using the AI-enabled Claims Acceleration Suite to streamline health insurance and prior authorization claims processing by transforming data, enabling clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions.

: Accenture will use a variety of Googles LLMs, tuned to health care, to develop solutions to help improve operational efficiency, caregiver support, patient engagement, and research and development. Accenture is also addressing critical healthcare challenges with Google Clouds technologies and using the AI-enabled Claims Acceleration Suite to streamline health insurance and prior authorization claims processing by transforming data, enabling clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions. Security risk mitigation : The Accenture Adaptive Detection and Response Service was the first to use Google Clouds specialized security LLM, Sec-PaLM, which is trained on billions of cybersecurity data signals and helps customers protect critical assets and stay ahead of cyber threats. The service also includes Google Clouds Chronicle Security Operations technology, enabling businesses to mitigate cybersecurity incidents in real-time, such as malware, phishing, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and trends that may indicate a security breach.

: The Accenture Adaptive Detection and Response Service was the first to use Google Clouds specialized security LLM, Sec-PaLM, which is trained on billions of cybersecurity data signals and helps customers protect critical assets and stay ahead of cyber threats. The service also includes Google Clouds Chronicle Security Operations technology, enabling businesses to mitigate cybersecurity incidents in real-time, such as malware, phishing, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and trends that may indicate a security breach. Software code generation: Accenture is working with Google Cloud's Foundational Model for code, Codey, to complement Accentures existing software engineering capabilities. Codey helps accelerate software development for code generation, code chat, and code completion.

To further extend its cybersecurity position, Lendlease, a global real estate group with core expertise in shaping cities and creating thriving communities, is using Accentures Adaptive Detection and Response service, built on Google Cloud technologies, to increase agility and allow it to simplify its security operations through greater transparency, flexibility and scale.

Having next-generation cybersecurity detection and response capabilities is critical for Lendlease to create connected communities and deliver workplaces of the future around the world, said William Ruh, CEO, Lendlease Digital. The Google Cloud generative AI technology within the Accenture service will allow us to optimize our security operations and infuse cyber resilience into the core of our business.

As part of the expanded partnership, a dedicated team of generative AI engineering experts from both companies will be aligned to Accenture Innovation Hubs in key locations around the world, including Bangalore, Dubai, Dublin, London, Melbourne, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Sydney. Leveraging the Accenture Center for Advanced AI, the hubs will host rapid experimentation and prototyping sessions to help clients unlock value from generative AI in days, rather than weeks or months.

Accenture and Google Cloud are investing in a new integrated training curriculum to accelerate generative AI expertise within Accenture, scaling the resources available to businesses on their digital transformation journeys. The companies are also launching a joint AI Ambassador certification program that will provide specialized training in LLMs and building disruptive solutions. Accenture and Google Cloud's responsible AI practices will be at the core of this collaboration to help address bias, data protection and appropriate data use in order to create a foundation for trust.

Beyond the partnership, Accenture is also using Google Cloud in its own enterprise architecture to enable its data-driven business. Accentures global IT organization partnered with Google Cloud to deploy a modern data platform for faster, more secure and scalable capabilities positioning Accenture for generative AI expansion.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the worlds leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen servicescreating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent and innovation led company with 738,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the worlds leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Accenture Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients succeed and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com/us-en.

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud accelerates every organizations ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Googles cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. 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.

Copyright  2023 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are trademarks of Accenture.

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Mylissa Tsai

Accenture

+1 617 488 7932

[email protected]

Ryan Styrk

Google Cloud

[email protected]

Source: Accenture
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of The Peoples Insurance Company of China (Hong Kong), Limited (PICC HK) (Hong Kong). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect PICC HKs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also reflect the strategic importance of the company to its parent, The Peoples Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited (PICC Group) (China), as the sole overseas insurance entity and a key component of PICC Groups overseas strategies.

PICC HKs very strong balance sheet is underpinned by its strongest risk-adjusted capitalisation level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The company maintains strong liquidity and holds a well-diversified investment portfolio, which mainly consists of investment-grade bonds, cash and cash equivalents, as well as preference shares, with the remainder allocated in listed equities and funds.

AM Best assesses PICC HKs operating performance to be adequate. The company has achieved a five-year average operating ratio of 95.0% (2018-2022), mainly supported by its robust net investment income from its diversified investment portfolio. In 2022, PICC HK maintained positive underwriting results; nonetheless, it is offset by realised losses from funds and shares amid unfavourable market conditions, resulting in a net loss for 2022. The five-year average return-on-equity ratio stays positive.

The companys business profile is assessed as limited. PICC HK underwrites direct onshore general insurance in Hong Kong and inward reinsurance from mainland China and other geographic regions. The companys underwriting portfolio is exposed to moderate concentration risk in terms of sourcing premium revenue from its affiliated company, PICC Property and Casualty Company Limited, despite the stable profit margin. While its presence in the Hong Kong local market remains modest, PICC HK has been actively expanding its inward reinsurance portfolio in recent years, which helps to diversify its client base. With the establishment of its Macau branch in 2022, PICC HK is eligible to provide one-stop motor insurance policy covering mainland Chinas greater bay area, Hong Kong and Macau.

PICC HK maintains its strategic importance to PICC Group, it being the sole overseas insurance entity within the group. PICC HK plays a key role in deploying the groups overseas strategies, and the company benefits from group support implicitly and explicitly. PICC HK gains from the overall operational synergies that are throughout the group, especially in the areas of underwriting, investment management and risk management. As a way of explicit support from the group, there is a track record of capital injections to PICC HK from PICC Group, since PICC HKs establishment in 2002; the latest being a capital injection of HKD 970 million in December 2020.

Positive rating actions could occur if PICC HK further enhances its market presence in the local insurance market, as well as further diversifies its reliance on affiliated companies and continues improving its business profile. Negative rating actions could occur if there is a decline in the companys operating performance to a level that no longer supports AM Bests adequate operating performance assessment, or if the support PICC HK receives from its parent weakens notably or the parents credit fundamentals deteriorates materially.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

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Lucie Huang

Senior Financial Analyst

+852 2827 3414

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

James Chan

Director, Analytics

+852 2827 3418

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
FEELMs two new ground-breaking advancements set to address major pain points for the vaping sector

FEELM Max has been commercialized and boosted customers business success

Industry top executive says we must continue to invest in new developments to help on the journey to a smoke-free future

DUBAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FEELM  part of leading atomization technology company SMOORE  exhibited two game-changing innovations, which have been developed to raise product performance across the disposable vape category, during a major industry event in the Middle East.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621395128/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Presented at this years World Vape Show in Dubai, the brands FEELM Maxs ceramic coil and TOPOWER battery technology were created as part of a targeted effort to level up the single-use sector and enhance consumer experience.

The pioneering advancements both earned attention from the industry and are already appearing in devices from globally recognised brands. FEELM says each was designed to address a pain point of the industry.

FEELM pioneers the disposable sector with two breakthroughs

In the UK, the capacity of vapes should meet the requirement of 2 ml according to TPD directive act. FEELM, as a responsible brand always compliant with laws and regulations, rolls out a groundbreaking technology with which 2 ml disposables showcase higher product performance.

FEELM Maxs ceramic coil has done away with super-absorbent cotton to reduce the amount of e-liquid that goes to waste and increase the puff count of TRPR and TPD compliant 2ml disposables in the UK by as much as 30% - a rise from 600 to at least 800 puffs. Thanks to this innovation, consumers can have an unprecedentedly better vaping experience while using compliant products.

It also reduces impurities by 78% during the heating process, produces air particles that are 55% smaller than mainstream solutions and uses a constant power engine that provides a vapour consistency of 95% and a 35% improvement in taste consistency.

The second notable innovation is FEELMs TOPOWER battery technology. This breakthrough increases the endurance of large e-liquid capacity vapes and can provide over 6,000 puffs without needing to recharge, which allows consumers to get rid of the hassle of charging.

Further, the compact power solution  which offers 30% more capacity  delivers a consistent output which FEELM says will counter the common issue of flavour reduction caused by voltage drop.

TOPOWER also promises a longer shelf life, with 1% power attenuation over six months and 3% power attenuation over a year. This advancement effectively avoids the burn taste and assures a strong consistency of taste, which means every puff consumers take is pleasant.

Speaking on the developments, Rex Zhang, the Assistant President at FEELM, said: We pride ourselves on being the brand behind the brands and believe our technology has become to vaping what Intel Core processors are to laptops. We aim to elevate the disposable category to a whole new level through innovation our ceramic coils and TOPOWER battery solution represent two significant successes on this front.

Rex added that technology will be a critical metric on which to measure the winners and losers of the industry moving forward. He said: The vape category is fuelled by the desire to help adult smokers switch away from cigarettes  but it is built on innovation.

FEELM Maxs commercialization and admiration from European customers

FEELM Max has helped customers boost business success and earned high praise at the World Vape Show Dubai expo, with some leading brands commenting on the new developments.

Since the launch of HEXA GO with FEELM Max solution in 2022, the sales of HEXA have steadily increased and HEXA GO has become dominant in the Belgian disposable market. Consumers generally give positive feedback on their products smooth taste, strong consistency, and higher puff counts.

Mattia Sparacino, CEO and founder of KIWI Vapor, said of the FEELM Max ceramic coil: Its an amazing technology and I hope it will be accessible to all people one day.

Commenting on the need for advancement in the vape category, John Dunne of the UK Vaping Industry Association said: Our sector has made significant progress since the first devices hit the market and provided adult smokers with a less harmful alternative to cigarettes.

We must continue to capitalise on the innovative spirit of our community and invest in new and exciting technologies that can help on the journey to a smoke-free future.

About FEELM

As a flagship tech brand belonging to SMOORE, FEELM is the worlds leading closed vape system solution provider. Based on the world's leading Ceramic Coil Heating Technology, FEELM combines authentic Flavor Reproduction Technology with innovative electronics technology, bringing ultimate sensation and premium vaping experience.

About SMOORE

Founded in 2009, SMOORE is a global leader in atomization technology solutions, covering reduced-risk products, medical, pharmaceutical, and beauty atomization technologies. With inter-disciplinary atomization research and a diverse product portfolio, SMOORE is committed to becoming an advanced platform, aspired to make life better.

With continuous R&D investment and leading manufacturing capacity, SMOORE has 14 technology research centers worldwide and products are available in more than 50 countries and regions. SMOORE announced IPO in Hong Kong on July 10, 2020.

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Claudia Liu

86 13974468623

[email protected]

Source: FEELM
Hosted by Bristol Investor Relations, presentation will address Blacklines business overview

CALGARY, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, today announced that it will host a webcast investor presentation on June 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET.

During the webcast, Cody Slater, Chief Executive Officer and Shane Grennan, Chief Financial Officer will conduct an introductory presentation that will cover key aspects of Blacklines business including corporate strategy, business model and industry-leading service offering. After the formal presentation, investors will have an opportunity to ask relevant questions through an interactive Q&A portal.

To listen to the webcast or to ask questions during the live event, please pre-register at the following link:

https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1619780&tp_key=8d4fb1fef1

An archived version of the webcast and presentation will be available on the Companys website, https://investors.blacklinesafety.com/.

About Blackline Safety: Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with coverage in more than 100 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 200 billion data-points and initiated over seven million emergency alerts. For more information, visit BlacklineSafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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INVESTOR AND ANALYST CONTACT

Blackline Safety

Shane Grennan, CFO

[email protected]

+1 403 630 8400

MEDIA CONTACT

Blackline Safety

Christine Gillies, CPMO

[email protected]

+1 403-629-9434

Source: Blackline Safety Corp.
TEHRAN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The CEO of Iran's National Post Company said postal cooperation with Saudi Arabia will resume following this year's Hajj pilgrimage, which will end on July 1.

Mahmoud Liaei made the remarks in an interview with the semi-official Tasnim news agency, which was published on Wednesday, commenting on the outcome of his negotiations with his Saudi counterpart in the Swiss city of Bern.

In his face-to-face talks with President of the Saudi Post Corporation Anef Bin Ahmed Abanomi in Bern, Liaei expressed Iran's readiness for the resumption of the bilateral postal cooperation, which was welcomed by the Saudi side, according to the report.

Iran suspended its postal cooperation with Saudi Arabia after the two countries severed diplomatic ties in 2016. After attending China-brokered talks, Iran and Saudi Arabia in April announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect. 
 Low discontinuation rate due to treatment emergent adverse events was observed in the study

Twelve-week monthly and bi-weekly treatment with BOS-580 resulted in statistically significant reductions in liver fat content and biomarkers of liver injury and fibrosis

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Boston Pharmaceuticals today announced positive Phase 2a results for BOS-580, its investigational, proprietary, long-acting fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analog for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The study suggested promising results for monthly and bi-weekly doses of BOS-580, which achieved statistically significant reduction in liver fat content, an exploratory endpoint in the trial of phenotypic NASH patients. Statistically significant reductions in additional exploratory endpoints, including biomarkers of liver injury and fibrosis, were also observed. In the trial, a low discontinuation rate due to treatment-emergent adverse events was observed. The most common adverse events in patients treated with BOS-580 were gastrointestinal in nature, mild to moderate, and transient. These and other results from the study were presented in a late-breaking poster at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2023) International Liver Congress in Vienna, Austria.

Todays findings strengthen our belief that BOS-580 has the potential to play an important role as a once monthly treatment available to physicians who treat patients suffering from NASH. We are looking forward to further accelerate the development of our molecule towards pivotal trials and ultimately registration, said Sophie Kornowski, PharmD, CEO of Boston Pharmaceuticals.

BOS-580 is a genetically engineered variant of FGF21 with an extended half-life enabling the potential for once-monthly dosing.

The need for safe and effective treatment options for NASH continues to be acute and may be heightened as its prevalence is expected to increase by 63% in the United States alone by 2030, said Rohit Loomba, MD, MHSc, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at University of California San Diego School of Medicine. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that FGF21 analogs can potentially increase NASH resolution and improve fibrosis.

Key Study Findings

The Phase 2a study was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and dose-response relationship of BOS-580 in phenotypic NASH patients. Participants (n=102) were randomized to receive once-monthly or bi-weekly subcutaneous doses of BOS-580 or placebo over 12 weeks, at 75mg, 150mg, or 300mg. Within each cohort, patients were randomized 4:1 (BOS-580 vs. placebo) to identify dose levels and regimens for further development.

Monthly and bi-weekly subcutaneous treatment with BOS-580 resulted in a statistically significant reduction from baseline of liver fat content and markers of liver injury and fibrosis, which were exploratory endpoints in the Phase 2a trial:

70% of patients treated with a 150mg total monthly dose of BOS-580 showed a reduction in liver fat by 50%, compared to only 3% of placebo-treated patients.

Patients treated with a 300mg total monthly dose of BOS-580 had a 45% reduction in alanine transaminase from baseline; similar reductions in aspartate aminotransferase were observed.

The soluble marker of fibrosis PRO-C3 was decreased by approximately 30% in patients treated with 300mg total monthly dose of BOS-580, compared to a 5% reduction among placebo-treated patients.

Suggestions of improvement in metabolic health was manifested by reductions in serum triglycerides.

Low discontinuation rate due to treatment emergent adverse events (4.6% in treated patients vs. 5.4% in the placebo group) was observed in the study. The most common adverse events in this Phase 2a trial were gastrointestinal, and included nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

About BOS-580

BOS-580 is an investigational, genetically engineered analog of human FGF21, stabilized through novel disulfide bonds, uniquely manufactured from a CHO cell line resulting in an extended half-life. BOS-580, in clinical development for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, has the potential to regulate various metabolic pathways to decrease liver fat and ameliorate liver inflammation and injury.

About Boston Pharmaceuticals

Boston Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that leverages an experienced drug development team to advance a portfolio of highly differentiated therapies that may address important unmet medical needs in serious liver diseases, with NASH as the focus of its lead asset. The Company acquired promising drug development candidates through partnerships with proven innovative biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Boston Pharmaceuticals applies rigorous decision making to advance programs to deliver differentiated medicines to patients in need of new options, while creating value for all parties involved in the journey. For more information, please visit www.bostonpharmaceuticals.com or follow on Twitter @BosPharma and LinkedIn.

About B-Flexion

Boston Pharmaceuticals is a portfolio company of B-Flexion, a private entrepreneurial investment firm that partners with sophisticated capital to deliver exceptional value over the generations, while also contributing positively to society. Chaired by Ernesto Bertarelli and with offices across Europe and the United States, B-Flexion seeds, acquires and builds investment partnerships, principally in the fields of Private Equity, Venture & Growth Capital, Real Assets, Hedge Funds, Credit, and Public Securities. As well as these partnerships, B-Flexion makes principal investments in operating businesses in transformative industries with a focus on Healthcare, Planet, Consumer and Technology.

For more information, please visit www.bflexion.com.

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Amelia Marosek

[email protected]

Source: Boston Pharmaceuticals
Minister also meets with former Global High Schools category winner and CEO of Mazi Mobility

Supported by the UAEs pioneering award, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, M-KOPA is on track to reach 4 million underbanked consumers in sub-Saharan Africa by this year

NAIROBI, Kenya--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- During a visit to M-KOPA, one of Africas leading fintech platforms, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in creating technologies that create lasting positive change in vulnerable and remote communities, while helping to meet our climate ambitions and keep 1.5C within reach.

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COP28 UAE President-Designate visits award-winning Kenyan fintech leader M-KOPA on the sidelines of Africa Energy Forum (Photo: AETOSWire)

M-KOPA, one of the fastest growing companies in Africa, is one of 106 past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's pioneering award that recognises groundbreaking contributions across the fields of health, food, energy, water and climate action.

During a tour of M-KOPAs facilities and a briefing by its Managing Director, David Damberger, Dr. Al Jaber, who helped establish the Prize and is its Director General, said: Prize winners continue to address some of the most pressing sustainable development challenges we face today. They are providing quality healthcare, nutritious food, essential energy, and access to safe waterin short, a better world for us all.

Dr Al Jaber is in Kenya for the Africa Energy Forum to prepare for the UAEs hosting of COP28, which will take place in Dubai at the end of the year and marks the next step in global cooperation on fighting climate change. The summit comes at the crucial halfway point between the landmark Paris Agreement of 2015 and the 2030 target for climate action, with the first global stocktake of emissions cuts providing a valuable opportunity to align global efforts.

This moment also shines a spotlight on the work of M-KOPA and other past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which have been addressing climate-related challenges in vulnerable countries around the world. In line with the UAE's own priorities, they have been taking important steps to reform land use, transform food systems and ensure a pragmatic energy transition.

Since its founding in 2010, M-KOPA has reduced more than 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, connected 400,000 first-time Internet users, and served over 3 million customers across sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, the company has built one of the worlds most advanced connected financing platforms, deploying US $1 billion in credit to the financially excluded. The company has also provided extensive training and employment, generating more than US $180 million in extra income for its sales agents.

M-KOPA's flexible credit model allows individuals to pay a small deposit and get instant access to everyday essentials, including electric motorcycles, solar power systems, smartphones and then graduate to digital financial services such as loans and health insurance. Most recently, the company successfully closed over $200m in sustainability-linked debt financing to drive womens financial inclusion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its East African markets by further developing its solar products offering, making a meaningful contribution to fighting climate change.

David Damberger, Managing Director of M-KOPA, said: It was a privilege to receive His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber today and showcasing the remarkable impact we have made through our sustainable solutions.

Receiving the Zayed Sustainability Prize, marked a pivotal moment in our journey, and we are deeply grateful for the recognition," he added. "At M-KOPA, we have been driven by a deep-rooted commitment to empower underbanked consumers whilst combating climate change through our flexible credit model and clean energy solutions. We sincerely hope that our success serves as an inspiration for other small businesses and entrepreneurs across Africa to apply for the Prize, as it has the power to drive transformative change. Moreover, it is a testament to the UAE's support of African small businesses and it's humanitarian legacy, which continues to empower and uplift communities worldwide.

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also met with former winner in the Prizes Global High Schools category and current CEO of Mazi Mobility, Jesse Forrester, who updated the COP President-Designate on his e-mobility company, which operates a fleet of electric motorbikes and tuk-tuks.

Dr. Al Jaber said: The Global High Schools category was launched to inspire youth to realise their potential and encourage them to pursue careers in the field of sustainability. To see this come to fruition through one of our previous winners speaks volumes on the transformative impact of the Prize. Seeing first-hand what Jesse has built is truly inspiring and should serve as a model for other young entrepreneurs who want to change the world.

Climate change poses a challenge across health, food, energy, and water, amongst other issues, and only by adopting an 'all of the above' approach can we hope to ensure a just transition that leaves nobody behind. SMEs represent 80% of global GDP but the vast majority have not even started their net-zero journeys. The Zayed Sustainability Prize is determined to empower those who strive to create value in the energy transition and demonstrate that climate action can lead to sustainable development. As we approach COP28, I am determined to empower the voices and perspectives of young entrepreneurs, like Jesse, and to ensure that we deliver practical solutions that can change the lives of millions more like him.

In its 15th year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has transformed the lives of over 378 million people around the world by empowering 106 past winners to make a difference. Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories receives US $600,000 to expand the scope and scale of their sustainability solutions. Six winners in the Global High Schools category each receive up to US $100,000. By empowering entrepreneurs to build their solutions, the Prize has to date awarded US $3.6 million.

About the Zayed Sustainability Prize

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Prize aims to drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognising and rewarding organisations and high schools that are delivering innovative sustainable solutions across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. For over 15 years, through its 106 winners, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of over 378 million people in 151 countries.

*Source: AETOSWire

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Stephen Worsley

[email protected]

Source: Zayed Sustainability Prize
Policyholders who partner with the Corvus Signal risk prevention solution receive a discount on their claim retention.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Corvus Insurance, the leading cyber underwriter powered by a proprietary AI-driven cyber risk platform, today launched a first of its kind endorsement to help make policyholders safer through proactive engagement with Corvus Signal, the cyber risk prevention solution shown to reduce the frequency and costs of cyber breaches by up to 20%. The Corvus Signal endorsement reduces the self-insured claim retention on a policy by 25%, subject to a maximum cap based on the program, for policyholders who engage with the security tools available in Corvus Signal.

Corvuss risk prevention solution, Corvus Signal, is a perfect complement to our goal at Alliant of being a proactive advisor for all of our clients, said John Loftus, Co-Cyber Product Leader at Alliant Insurance. The tailored alerts to at-risk clients and continuous threat monitoring provide a new layer to traditional risk transfer that has become essential for organizations looking to stay afloat in the current threat landscape.

When policyholders engage with Corvus Signal, they not only save money should they have a claim, but also receive immediate recommendations on how to prioritize and implement security controls. Corvus continuously monitors for emerging threats, 365 days a year, and is able to use policyholder-supplied information to drive tailored alerting capabilities. The company provides policyholders with the resources they need to improve their security posture.

Corvus is the trusted, long-term cyber risk partner for our policyholders. We are constantly monitoring emerging threats and using the signals and data we have to recommend actionable measures to prevent cyber attacks, said Lauren Winchester, Global Head of Risk Advisory at Corvus Insurance. This endorsement incentivizes meaningful engagement with Corvus, which in return allows for more tailored guidance and alerting, maximizing the ROI on current and future security investments.

In addition to driving down risk for individual organizations, Corvus Signal has been instrumental in Corvus achieving a U.S. industry-leading loss ratio of 36% in 2022, which the company announced last month.

To learn more about Corvus Signal and how to save money and improve security with the endorsement program, visit www.corvusinsurance.com/corvus-signal.

About Corvus Insurance

Corvus Insurance is building a safer world through insurance products and digital tools that reduce risk, increase transparency, and improve resilience for policyholders and program partners. Our market-leading specialty insurance products are enabled by advanced data science and include Smart Cyber Insurance and Smart Tech E+O. Our digital platforms and tools enable efficient quoting and binding and proactive risk mitigation. Corvus Insurance offers insurance products in the U.S., Middle East, Europe, Canada, and Australia. Current insurance program partners include Crum & Forster, Hudson Insurance Group, certain underwriters at Lloyds of London, R&Q Accredited, SiriusPoint, and The Travelers Companies, Inc. Corvus Insurance, Corvus London Markets, and Corvus Germany are the marketing names used to refer to Corvus Insurance Agency, LLC; Corvus Agency Limited; and Corvus Underwriting GmbH. All entities are subsidiaries of Corvus Insurance Holdings, Inc. Corvus Insurance was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with offices across the U.S., in the UK, and Germany. For more information, visit corvusinsurance.com.

Eligibility for the Corvus Signal endorsement is determined during the underwriting process. Policy quotes, terms and conditions, and premiums are based on the individual submission and in accordance with Corvus Insurances underwriting guidelines. The policy and endorsement will form the contract between the insured and our insurance carrier partners. Coverage or endorsement may not be applicable for all programs or available in all jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621105215/en/

Inkhouse PR, Jen Weber

[email protected]

Source: Corvus Insurance
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Devron, the leader in AI and machine learning for distributed and private data, today announced that it has been selected as the winner of the Best Machine Learning Company award in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program, which received more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 countries. The award program, conducted by AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization, recognizes today's top companies, technologies, and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market.

Devrons federated data science and machine learning platform enables companies to accelerate their AI and machine learning journeys, realize greater insight faster, and reduce the risk and overhead of data movementa significant headwind to data science efficacy. Instead of bringing mountains of data to the analytics, Devron brings the analytics to the datatraining algorithms where the data resides, including across multiple clouds and systems.

Analyst firm Gartner forecasts that by 2025, 75% of enterprise data will be created and processed outside a traditional centralized data center or cloud. In addition, by 2024, data privacy laws will cover 75% of the global population. These forecasts represent a growing need for companies to access more data in source jurisdictions and systems while safeguarding data privacy.

Devron streamlines the data science process by bypassing traditional, lengthy requirements to centralize data before developing advanced analytics, including models for generative AI. By putting data owners and providers in control of their datas privacy, Devron allows business units, regional teams, customers, and partners to share data securely and privately. Devrons proprietary algorithms, as well as privacy technologies and controls, overcome many jurisdictional, data sovereignty, regulatory, and general data-sharing issues.

The Devron platform addresses numerous growing challenges for customersmost falling into three scenarios: accessing private/immovable data, analyzing distributed datasets, and monetizing or sharing data between companies without exposing the raw information.

Devrons federated approach is vital to accelerating AI development and innovation and represents the future of data science and AI. Since data is spread across systems, clouds, data lakes, departments, companies, jurisdictions, and privacy tiers, it is becoming more and more challenging to analyze, said James Johnson, managing director of AI Breakthrough. Devron is our pick for Best Machine Learning Company as they radically alter the foundational approach for AI development, unlocking access to more data sources and alleviating one of the largest limiters to maximizing insightdata centralization.

With our solution, data science teams no longer need to expend significant time, effort, or money moving or gaining access to data. Weve established a new AI and data science paradigm to help companies better realize the full potential of their data while setting a new standard for data privacy, said David Murray, Chief Business Officer of Devron. Devron enables organizations to accelerate their data science efforts and realize better business outcomes with their data.

The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work, and success in a range of AI and machine learning-related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry-specific AI applications and many more.

About Devron

Devron is an advanced data science and machine learning technology company that unlocks trapped value and exposes hidden business insights without compromising data privacy. Its innovative federated machine learning platform enables data scientists to keep their datasets where they reside without duplicating and centralizing data. Backed by a consortium of institutional investors led by Tiger Global and including FinTech Collective, Afore Capital, and Essence Venture Capital, Devron is headquartered in New York City, NY, and is accelerating time to insight for private and public sector customers. www.devron.ai and LinkedIn.

About AI Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies, and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision, and more. For more information, visit: AIBreakthroughAwards.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621903886/en/

Press Contact:

Leslie Barthel

Director of Product Marketing, Devron

[email protected]

617-807-0114

Source: Devron
Mark ODonoghue joins as Chief Executive from the Inspired Education Group

Duncan Tatton-Brown appointed as incoming Chairman of the Board

Founder and Chief Executive, Mark Roden to continue as shareholder and Non-Executive Director

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ding, the largest international mobile top-up platform, today announced that Mark ODonoghue will join the company as Chief Executive. He will take over from Dings Founder and Chief Executive, Mark Roden, who is to step down after 17 years and will remain a director, shareholder, and advisor to the company.

In addition, the Company also announces the appointment of Duncan Tatton-Brown as Chairman, further strengthening the Ding leadership team. Duncan is currently Chairman of Oxford Nanopore Technologies and was previously the CFO of Ocado Group Plc. Duncan currently sits on the Board of New York Stock Exchange listed company, Cazoo Group and on the Board of Trainline plc, where he serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. He also chairs the online travel agent, Loveholidays.

In May 2023, Ding passed the significant milestone of having sent $5bn of top-ups, enabling people all over the world to stay connected with loved ones, and has grown to have topped-up more than 100m mobile phones.

Mark Roden commented; In 2006, we set out on a mission to address a real need - how people separated from their loved ones could stay connected to those back home. I am very proud to say that Ding is now trusted by millions of people worldwide and contributes significantly to the economic and social welfare of so many customers throughout emerging markets. I would like to thank our entire Ding team for making the company what it is today, and I am very confident that in Mark ODonoghue we have an outstanding leader who will take Ding to the next stage of its incredible growth. I also look forward to working alongside Duncan Tatton-Brown and the rest of the Board as Ding enters a new strategic phase.

Commenting on the appointments, Ian Gascoigne, Partner at Pollen Street Capital said; We would like to thank Mark for his leadership from his founding of Ding in 2006, through its rapid growth to become the global market leader that it is today, with millions of customers around the world. Mark has built a global platform that will stand the test of time. On behalf of the entire Board, we would like to wish him well and we are delighted that he will continue as an advisor and Non-Executive Director.

He continued; We are equally delighted to have found a proven successor in Mark ODonoghue. In an extensive career, Mark has demonstrated a proven track record in developing global consumer-focused propositions. We believe that this experience will prove hugely valuable as Ding continues to scale its high growth direct to consumer business which already serves 1.6m customers per annum via Ding.com and Dings popular mobile app. We are also delighted to welcome Duncan to the Board as Chairman of the Company. Duncan brings tremendous experience having served as a C-Suite Executive and Board Director on a number of listed technology and high growth companies.

The new Chief Executive, Mark ODonoghue, is joining Ding from the Inspired Education Group, where he served as Chief Executive leading the creation of its online division from scratch, through acquisitions and the execution of scale-up strategies which has led the division to an eightfold increase in profitability over 3 years. Prior to Inspired Education, ODonoghue served in various senior leadership roles including as COO at Travel Counsellors and CEO at AVADO Learning.

Mark ODonoghue, Chief Executive Designate; Ding is a company that has purpose at its heart and meets a real need in the world. I am delighted to take on this role and I look forward to working with the incredible team to bring Ding to the next phase of growth.

Alongside the new external appointments, Jonathan Rockett has been promoted to Managing Director and will continue his responsibilities for finance as Chief Financial Officer. He will also serve as Head of Partnerships. Jonathan joined Ding in 2013 as Head of Finance, before taking up the mantle of CFO in January 2018. Prior to joining Ding, Jonathan held senior positions at Paddy Power and PWC.

ENDS

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621483170/en/

Colm Woods

[email protected]

Source: Ding
SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exchange Bank (OTC: EXSR) announces the transition of EVP and Chief Financial Officer Shari DeMaris to a new role as EVP, chief operating officer. Still reporting to Troy Sanderson, president and chief executive officer, DeMaris will manage the daily business operations of the Bank, working closely with department heads to implement company strategies and oversee daily operations.

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Shari DeMaris, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Exchange Bank (Photo: Business Wire)

Ms. DeMaris joined Exchange Bank in October 2020, serving as EVP, chief financial officer. Her impressive executive management skills and her contributions in that capacity make her an excellent fit for this new role.

Shari has over 25 years of technical accounting and financial leadership experience and is a licensed CPA with bachelors degrees in both Accounting and Spanish from DePaul University and the University of Iowa, respectively.

Active in the community, Shari serves on the board of the Santa Rosa Symphony and was honored to receive the 2023 North Bay Business Journals Influential Women Award.

About Exchange Bank

Headquartered in Sonoma County and founded in 1890, Exchange Bank is a full-service community bank with assets of $3.36 billion. Exchange Bank provides a wide range of personal, commercial and trust and investment management services with 16 retail branches in Sonoma County, a commercial branch in Roseville and Trust & Investment Management offices in Santa Rosa, Roseville and Silicon Valley. The Banks legacy of financial leadership and community support is grounded in its core values of commitment, respect, integrity and teamwork. Exchange Bank is known for its people who care about their customers, their company and the communities where they live and work. Exchange Bank is a 17-year winner of the North Bay Business Journals Best Places to Work survey and the 2022 San Francisco Business Times Corporate Philanthropy Award. Exchange Bank was named Best Consumer Bank 2023 by the NorthBay biz Magazines Best of the North Bay readers poll. The Petaluma Argus Courier Peoples Choice Awards named Exchange Bank Best Local Bank 2023 and the Bohemian Magazines Best of the North Bay 2023 named Exchange Bank Best Business Bank and Best Consumer Bank. www.exchangebank.com

Member FDIC  Equal Housing Lender  Equal Opportunity Employer

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Carolyn Cole-Schweizer

Marketing Services Manager

Exchange Bank

PO Box 403

Santa Rosa, CA 95402

707.541.1250

[email protected]

Source: Exchange Bank
SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exchange Bank (OTC: EXSR) welcomes Charlotte Radmilovic, senior vice president and chief financial officer, reporting to Troy Sanderson, president and chief executive officer. Charlotte will work closely with all areas of the Bank, overseeing all financial activities and initiatives.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621987026/en/

Charlotte Radmilovic, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Exchange Bank (Photo: Business Wire)

Charlotte is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of experience in the banking and financial industries. She most recently served as executive vice president, chief financial officer for Pacific Valley Bank in Monterey County. Prior to this, she was the director of finance for Summit Funding Inc. in Sacramento, chief accounting officer for Rabobank, N.A. in Roseville, and held other key roles in the industry.

Charlotte attended Saint Marys College of California and holds a degree in Business Administration, Accountancy. She is passionate about community involvement and has served as a volunteer board member and held leadership roles for the Keatons Child Cancer Alliance, Blue Line Arts, the Monterey State Historic Parks Association, the Arts Council for Monterey County, and the Hospice Giving Foundation.

About Exchange Bank

Headquartered in Sonoma County and founded in 1890, Exchange Bank is a full-service community bank with assets of $3.36 billion. Exchange Bank provides a wide range of personal, commercial and trust and investment management services with 16 retail branches in Sonoma County, a commercial branch in Roseville and Trust & Investment Management offices in Santa Rosa, Roseville and Silicon Valley. The Banks legacy of financial leadership and community support is grounded in its core values of commitment, respect, integrity and teamwork. Exchange Bank is known for its people who care about their customers, their company and the communities where they live and work. Exchange Bank is a 17-year winner of the North Bay Business Journals Best Places to Work survey and the 2022 San Francisco Business Times Corporate Philanthropy Award. Exchange Bank was named Best Consumer Bank 2023 by the NorthBay biz Magazines Best of the North Bay readers poll. The Petaluma Argus Courier Peoples Choice Awards named Exchange Bank Best Local Bank 2023 and the Bohemian Magazines Best of the North Bay 2023 named Exchange Bank Best Business Bank and Best Consumer Bank. www.exchangebank.com

Member FDIC  Equal Housing Lender  Equal Opportunity Employer

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621987026/en/

Carolyn Cole-Schweizer

Marketing Services Manager

Exchange Bank

PO Box 403

Santa Rosa, CA 95402

707.541.1250

[email protected]

Source: Exchange Bank
WOKINGHAM, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ferguson plc (NYSE: FERG, LSE: FERG) (the Company) announces today that it purchased a total of 8,795 of its ordinary shares on June 16, 2023 in connection with its $3.0 billion share repurchase program.

Aggregated information about the purchases carried out during this period

Trading day Aggregate daily volume (in number of shares) Daily weighted average purchase price of the shares Trading venue June 16, 2023 8,795 116.800000 XLON

The Company intends to hold these shares in treasury. Following the purchase of these shares (including those purchased but not yet settled), the number of shares held by the Company in treasury will be 27,597,003.

Following the purchase of these shares, the remaining number of ordinary shares in issue will be 204,574,179. The figure of 204,574,179 may be used by shareholders (and others with notification obligations) as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation), as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, detailed information about the individual purchases can be found at Ferguson - Investors - Shareholder Center - Share Buy-Back Details - 2023 Share Buy-Back.

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For further information please contact:

Brian Lantz, Vice President IR and Communications +1 224 285 2410



Pete Kennedy, Director of Investor Relations +1 757 603 0111

Source: Ferguson plc
SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) (Genius Group or the Company), a leading entrepreneur edtech and education group, announces that it will host a virtual investor meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, with its Chief Executive Officer, Roger Hamilton.

The virtual meeting will be held as a YouTube Livestream, and will include:

Metaversity and partnership with Vatom

Further explanation on the delay of 20F release

Update on ERL spinoff

Update on legal actions

An opportunity to answer questions and respond to shareholder enquiries

As part of Genius Groups commitment to a high level of ongoing investor communications, the intention is for this Virtual Investor Meeting to be held on a monthly basis.

To ensure all enquiries are answered, except those related to legal proceedings that Counsel advises should not be answered, all shareholder questions need to be submitted in advance to the email address [email protected].

Webcast Information:

Time: Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. SGT

Webcast: We will livestream the investor call on YouTube on the following link.

An archived replay of the presentation will be available on Genius Groups Investor Relations website and on YouTube on the above link.

About Genius Group

Genius Group is a world leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, with a mission to disrupt the current education model with a student-centered, life-long learning curriculum that prepares students with the leadership, entrepreneurial and life skills to succeed in todays market. The group has a group user base of 4.5 million users in 200 countries, ranging from early age to 100.

Investor Notice

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on June 6, 2023. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release include 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. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will, plan, should, expect, anticipate, estimate, continue, or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Reports of a Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621993562/en/

Investors:

Flora Hewitt, Vice President of Investor Relations and Mergers and Acquisitions

Email: [email protected]

Media Contacts: Adia PR

Email: [email protected]

US Investors:

Dave Gentry

RedChip Companies Inc

1-800-RED-CHIP

[email protected]

Source: Genius Group Limited
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

TotalEnergies (Paris: TTE) (LSE: TTE) (NYSE: TTE) and VNG, a German natural gas distribution company, have signed an agreement to initiate the future supply of green hydrogen to the Leuna refinery operated by TotalEnergies. Under the agreement, green hydrogen will be produced from renewable electricity with a 30 MW electrolyzer in Bad Lauchstadt, built and operated by VNG with its partner Uniper.

This agreement contributes to the decarbonization of the Leuna refinery and will reduce the site's annual CO2 emissions by up to 80,000 tons by 2030.

Furthermore, the pipeline connection to the Bad Lauchstadt Energy Park1 will give the Leuna refinery access to the future European hydrogen infrastructure and the international markets for green hydrogen.

"This project is fully in line with TotalEnergies' ambition to decarbonize all hydrogen used in its European refineries by 2030. Our ambition is to replace the gray hydrogen with low carbon hydrogen, representing a reduction of 3 million tons of CO2 per year by 2030," said Jean-Marc Durand, Senior Vice President, TotalEnergies Refining Base Chemicals Europe.

About TotalEnergies and the decarbonization of its European refineries

TotalEnergies focuses on decarbonizing the hydrogen used in its European refineries, a move that should reduce CO2 emissions by 3 Mt per year by 2030. In addition to our partnership, launched in 2021 at the Normandy refinery, TotalEnergies and Air Liquide signed a partnership agreement in November 2022 to build an innovative, circular system at the Grandpuits biorefinery to produce and harness renewable hydrogen. At La Mede, the Masshylia project to produce hydrogen in partnership with Engie is moving forward.

***

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

About VNG

VNG is a group of over 20 companies active in the European energy industry, employing more than 1,500 people. As the third largest gas importer and gas storage operator in Germany and operating, through subsidiary ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, a pipeline network covering 7,700 km, the group, which is headquartered in Leipzig, is central to the secure supply of gas in Germany. VNG supplies gas to around 400 municipal utilities and industrial customers, meeting around 20 per cent of Germanys demand for gas. In addition, with the VNG 2030+ strategy, VNG is pursuing an ambitious path for its commitment in the field of renewable and decarbonised gases. VNG is already one of the leading producers of biogas in Germany and is actively involved in many projects to establish a CO2-free hydrogen economy. Building on its core expertise in gas and critical infrastructure, VNG is working along the entire gas value chain to ensure a sustainable, climate-neutral and secure energy supply for the future.

@TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note

The terms TotalEnergies, TotalEnergies company or Company in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words we, us and our may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

1 Energiepark Bad Lauchstadt (EBL) is a consortium to develop a green Hydrogen Hub composed of different subprojects such as renewable power generation (wind 50MWpower), H2 production, transportation H2 and storage H2.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621705482/en/

TotalEnergies

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99l [email protected] l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l [email protected]

Source: TOTALENERGIES SE
HONG KONG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Universities Summit was opened here Wednesday, gathering academic leaders from around the world to discuss the development and future of Asian universities.

The three-day summit, themed "The Asian University in 2050," was co-organized by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Times Higher Education.

Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer of the THE, said at the summit that Asian universities, especially those in the Chinese mainland, have made encouraging progress in the THE rankings in recent years, thanks to policy support and continued investment in education and research.

Baty said that university rankings have become a communication platform for universities in different parts of the world to cooperate with each other and enhance their understanding of each other.

Christine Choi, secretary for education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, said at the summit that in 2023, five of publicly funded universities in Hong Kong are among the top 100 universities in the world according to the THE rankings. This demonstrated the global influence of Hong Kong's higher education.

Choi said that to tie in with the national 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with universities in other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Rocky Tuan, CUHK's vice-chancellor and president, said universities have a unique convening power to bring together people from different cultures, countries, languages, systems and economies.

"I believe this Summit represents the very best of what we all stand for and who we aspire to be," Tuan said. 
Company begins production and prepares for launch with restaurateur Jose Andres

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of food technology company Eat Just, Inc., announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its first poultry product, cultivated chicken, to enter interstate commerce. This landmark clearance means the firms chicken, which is made directly from animal cells, can now be sold to American consumers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621583158/en/

GOOD Meat cultivated chicken (Photo: Eat Just, Inc.)

Todays watershed moment for the burgeoning cultivated meat, poultry and seafood sector, and for the global food industry, comes on the heels of the USDAs approval of GOOD Meats label  and four months after the company received its no questions letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The March milestone indicated the FDA accepted the companys conclusion that its cultivated chicken is safe to eat and allowed the USDA to begin its part of the regulatory process outlined in a 2019 agreement between the agencies.

This announcement that were now able to produce and sell cultivated meat in the United States is a major moment for our company, the industry and the food system. We have been the only company selling cultivated meat anywhere in the world since we launched in Singapore in 2020, and now it's approved to sell to consumers in the world's largest economy. We appreciate the rigor and thoughtfulness that both the FDA and USDA have applied during this historic two-agency regulatory process, said Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of GOOD Meat and Eat Just.

GOOD Meat won multiple regulatory approvals for its chicken in Singapore in 2020 and 2021, and in January 2023 received a key clearance that paves the way for greater scalability, lower manufacturing costs and a more sustainable product. Since its Singapore launch, the companys chicken has been featured on menus at fine dining establishments, popular hawker stalls, via the foodpanda delivery platform and most recently by reservation at Hubers Butchery, one of Singapores premier producers and suppliers of high-quality meats.

In the United States, under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), all meat and poultry sold commercially must pass inspection to ensure that it is safe, wholesome and properly labeled. To accomplish this, USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) places inspectors in slaughterhouses and processing plants -- and for the first time in history, will assign inspectors to GOOD Meat and other cultivated meat and poultry facilities that follow.

As part of the USDAs approval, GOOD Meat received a grant of inspection for its demonstration plant in Alameda, California, as has its contract manufacturing partner, JOINN Biologics. The comprehensive vetting includes facilities and equipment; standard operating procedure for sanitation; and the systematic approach to identification, evaluation and control of food safety hazards known as HACCP.

Immediately after receiving the grant of inspection, production started for the first batch of cultivated chicken that will be sold to celebrated restaurateur and humanitarian Chef Jose Andres. Andres, who is owner of Jose Andres Group, which operates more than 30 restaurants across the country, previously shared that a yet-to-be-disclosed restaurant in Washington, D.C. would be the first in the country to serve GOOD Meats cultivated chicken.

Additional Statements

Serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture afforded me the opportunity to work with countless individuals at the USDA who were committed to accelerating agricultural innovation and economic opportunity as well as promoting initiatives to better nourish Americans and feed people around the globe. I commend the agencys current leadership for working collaboratively with their FDA colleagues and the GOOD Meat team to reach this significant regulatory milestone. Todays approval demonstrates that the United States is a global leader in the promising alternative protein space while also continuing to support family farmers efforts to feed the world through conventional food and agriculture techniques.  Dan Glickman, GOOD Meat Advisory Board member; former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Today's groundbreaking announcement marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards building a safer, more efficient food system. GFI applauds U.S. regulatory agencies and GOOD Meat for their strong collaboration throughout this rigorous process. American consumers are now closer than ever to eating the real meat they love, that uses far less land and water than conventionally produced meat. By undergoing a comprehensive facility review process and meeting the highest regulatory standards, cultivated meat will provide consumers with a safe and trusted source of protein. As we navigate a future with increasing global demand for meat, it is crucial that governments worldwide prioritize cultivated meat as a solution that satisfies consumer preferences, supports climate goals, and ensures food security for generations to come.  Bruce Friedrich, President, The Good Food Institute

"GOOD Meats grant of inspection is a historic moment for the global food industry as we prepare for the first cell-cultured/cultivated chicken products to be sold in the United States, following rigorous and science-based evaluations by the FDA and USDA. AMPS Innovation members continue to make ground-breaking advancements that will, in partnership with the entire food and agriculture sector, help meet increased demand for protein as the worlds population continues to grow."  Robert Rankin, Executive Director, Association of Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation

About Eat Just, Inc.

Eat Just is a food technology company with a mission to build a healthier, safer and more sustainable food system in our lifetimes. The company's expertise, from functionalizing plant proteins to culturing animal cells, is powered by a world-class team of scientists and chefs spanning more than a dozen research disciplines. Eat Just created one of Americas fastest-growing egg brands, which is made entirely of plants, and the worlds first-to-market meat made from animal cells instead of slaughtered livestock. The company has been recognized as one of Fast Companys "Most Innovative Companies," Entrepreneurs "100 Brilliant Companies," CNBCs "Disruptor 50" and a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. JUST Egg has been named among Popular Sciences "100 Greatest Innovations" and Fast Companys "World Changing Ideas" and the history-making debut of GOOD Meat was heralded as one of 2020's top scientific breakthroughs by The Guardian, Vox and WIRED.

For more information on JUST Egg, visit https://ju.st/newsroom.

For more information on GOOD Meat, visit http://goodmeat.co/newsroom.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621583158/en/

Andrew Noyes

[email protected]

Source: Eat Just, Inc.
WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Granite (NYSE: GVA) has been awarded a $48 million contract by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to reconstruct a section of Highway 101: Montecito project in Santa Barbara County, California.

This project is the fourth mainline segment (4D North) awarded to Granite under its Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) contract to reconstruct 10.9 miles of Highway 101. In December 2018, Granite announced that it had been selected as the CMGC for the overall Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project. The estimated construction contract value for the remaining segments is approximately $195 million. The first mainline segment (4A) was completed last year through Carpinteria. Segments 4C and 4B are underway and scheduled to be completed in 2023 and 2024. Segment 4D North is another significant step toward improving the traffic flow through this critical corridor.

Our work will increase mobility for the community by adding a peak-hour HOV lane in each direction of travel and improve multiple elements of Highway 101 through Montecito, CA, said Granite Vice President of Regional Operations, Larry Camilleri. This project is another step to help alleviate the rush-hour traffic coming into and leaving Santa Barbara and we are excited to deliver this important project for Caltrans and the Santa Barbara County communities surrounding the project.

The project is planned to begin in June 2023 and is expected to be completed in June 2026.

For more information on the project, visit SBROADS.com.

About Granite

Granite is Americas Infrastructure Company. Incorporated since 1922, Granite (NYSE: GVA) is one of the largest diversified construction and construction materials companies in the United States as well as a full-suite civil construction provider. Granites Code of Conduct and strong Core Values guide the Company and its employees to uphold the highest ethical standards. Granite is an industry leader in safety and an award-winning firm in quality and sustainability. For more information, visit the Granite website, graniteconstruction.com, and connect with Granite on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621387428/en/

Media

Erin Kuhlman 831-768-4111

Investors

Wenjun Xu - 831-761-7861

Source: Granite
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The pilgrimage, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from 26 June to 1 July, is anticipated to draw two million participants1. It is expected that the number of pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia will resume to its pre-pandemic levels as restrictions on age and travel are lifted. The nation has established operational procedures to handle the increased number of travellers entering the Kingdom. As this years Hajj season occurs during the summer, pilgrims can expect to deal with the high summer temperatures and humidity. Therefore, International SOS recommends that organisations encourage their workforce to take the relevant precautions in order to have a safe and healthy Hajj.

Dr Marie Louise Van-Eck, Regional Medical Director at International SOS in Dubai, advises:

Our bodies are naturally designed to maintain a constant temperature of around 37C (98.6F). The body automatically balances heat gain and loss; however, if it is unable to effectively cool down, the inner core temperature can rise to dangerous levels. This leads to the breakdown of bodily systems. Anyone can be overcome by heat, even people who are fit and healthy. Certain individuals are at higher risk than others, such as young children/babies, pregnant/nursing mothers, the elderly and those with medical conditions, so keeping a close eye on these individuals is important.

The great news is that we can prevent heat-related illnesses. To combat the challenges of extreme heat during the hot season, it is important for pilgrims to maintain proper hydration by drinking plenty of water. It is advisable to avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and sugary drinks as they contribute to dehydration. Wearing suitable attire, such as loose-fitting, lightweight, and preferably light-coloured clothing enables the body to breathe and stay cool. Pilgrims should not forget to protect their head and face with a hat or an umbrella and reapply sunscreen frequently. It is advised to take regular breaks to rest in cool shaded areas and avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially during peak hours between 10 AM- 4 PM. Pilgrims should remember to listen to their bodies and to not overexert themselves. Lastly, it is essential for pilgrims to comply with all health regulations and be mindful of prevalent diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), by practising good hygiene.

Gulnaz Ukassova, Security Director at International SOS in Dubai, said:

Pilgrims undertaking Hajj should closely follow government directives and ensure they have obtained the correct approvals prior to departure. Utilise the services of a government-approved and trusted pilgrimage organiser that has the appropriate arrangements in place. Additionally, it is crucial for pilgrims to be aware of the challenges posed by being in crowded places during the Hajj and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Travellers visiting Saudi Arabia during this period and who are not participating in Hajj should be mindful of heightened cultural and religious sensitivities. Visitors should ensure adherence to all local legal, religious and cultural norms, comply with instructions issued by the authorities at all times and exercise caution in crowded areas. Visitors should also anticipate potential travel disruption, as well as increased demand for transport and accommodation during this period. Travellers should reconfirm their bookings and travel arrangements and allow additional time for journeys, especially if using King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah (Mecca), where most pilgrims arrive.

International SOS provides the following top advice for organisations and their workforce to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims during the hot season:

Encourage employees to stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke. It is important to select safer food and beverages, such as using bottled water, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, ensuring thorough cooking of meat and avoiding non-pasteurised dairy items.

to avoid heatstroke. It is important to select safer food and beverages, such as using bottled water, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, ensuring thorough cooking of meat and avoiding non-pasteurised dairy items. Emphasise the importance of dressing appropriately by wearing loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres such as cotton or linen, which are cooler than synthetic materials. Advise the use of light-coloured clothes that reflect heat and recommend the use of wide-brimmed hats or umbrellas to protect against the sun.

by wearing loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres such as cotton or linen, which are cooler than synthetic materials. Advise the use of light-coloured clothes that reflect heat and recommend the use of wide-brimmed hats or umbrellas to protect against the sun. Highlight the need for rest and frequent breaks in cool places. Encourage individuals to listen to their bodies and avoid overexertion in hot weather. Remind individuals to protect their skin by applying sunscreen and applying it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

in cool places. Encourage individuals to listen to their bodies and avoid overexertion in hot weather. by applying sunscreen and applying it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Educate your employees about the symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat syncope (heat collapse), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Emphasise the importance of taking these symptoms seriously and seeking medical attention if needed.

such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat syncope (heat collapse), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Emphasise the importance of taking these symptoms seriously and seeking medical attention if needed. Recommend the use of cool showers , baths, or sponging off with cool water to help lower body temperature and suggest the use of cool water sprays and fans to create a breeze and relieve the heat.

, baths, or sponging off with cool water to help lower body temperature and suggest the use of cool water sprays and fans to create a breeze and relieve the heat. Raise awareness about high-risk groups such as young children, elderly people, pregnant or nursing mothers, and those with underlying medical conditions or on medications who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Encourage extra precautions and monitor their well-being.

such as young children, elderly people, pregnant or nursing mothers, and those with underlying medical conditions or on medications who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Encourage extra precautions and monitor their well-being. If organisations are involved in conducting the pilgrimage, emphasise the importance of complying with instructions provided by Hajj operators . Inform individuals about the set times organised by Saudi Arabian authorities to minimise the potential for overcrowding. Advise pilgrims to be mindful of their belongings when moving through the crowds.

. Inform individuals about the set times organised by Saudi Arabian authorities to minimise the potential for overcrowding. Advise pilgrims to be mindful of their belongings when moving through the crowds. Remind individuals to pay attention to people who may appear sick , to maintain distance, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching their faces.

, to maintain distance, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching their faces. Instruct pilgrims to avoid direct contact with animals , including camels, due to the potential presence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in camels and their products.

, including camels, due to the potential presence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in camels and their products. Advise individuals to save emergency contacts on their mobile phones and ensure their phones are charged. Recommend including important contacts such as police, ambulance services, embassy, and local contacts.

on their mobile phones and ensure their phones are charged. Recommend including important contacts such as police, ambulance services, embassy, and local contacts. Encourage the workforce to monitor the situation and stay updated with the latest news and recommendations.

and stay updated with the latest news and recommendations. Encourage pilgrims and travellers to familiarise themselves with the surroundings, including designated exits and to remain alert whilst in crowds. Individuals should be mindful of the valuables that they carry with them whilst in crowds.

Individuals should be mindful of the valuables that they carry with them whilst in crowds. Stress the need for heightened caution regarding religious and cultural sensitivities, particularly on social media platforms. Remind employees to respect all local legal, religious, and cultural conventions at all times.

regarding religious and cultural sensitivities, particularly on social media platforms. Remind employees to respect all local legal, religious, and cultural conventions at all times. Forewarn about the likelihood of tighter security at transport hubs, increased traffic and congestion, as well as increased demand for various services, including transport and accommodation during the pilgrimage.

ENDS

About the International SOS Group of Companies

The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology, and medical, security and logistics expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organisation's reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity, and sustainability.

Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London & Singapore, is trusted by 9,500 organisations, including the majority of the Fortune Global 500 as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions, and NGOs. 13,000 multi-cultural security, medical, logistics experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.

To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips: www.internationalsos.com

1 World Health Organization | Ensuring Health and Well-being for Hajj Pilgrims Through Outreach

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Alexis Harding

Group Head of PR & Communications, London

[email protected]

Source: International SOS
Company unveils enhancements to its Flex and Groups products, shapes a new era for business travel

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Travel technology leader Hotel Engine today made two new product announcements  FlexPro and Groups  to give businesses unmatched flexibility and a more streamlined experience when managing their corporate lodging needs.

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FlexPro was the headline announcement at the companys first virtual customer event, Summer Update 2023. For just $200 a month, companies who opt-in to FlexPro get complete flexibility to cancel or modify any reservation, which can be done up to noon on the day of check-in. The subscription is a first-of-its-kind in the industry. FlexPro comes on the heels of Hotel Engine Flex for individual bookings, which has already saved members more than 55,000 in unused room nights since launched last year.

Companies lose millions every week from unused rooms because hotel cancellation policies have not adapted to todays business travel needs. At Hotel Engine, we believe businesses shouldnt lose money because plans change, said Elia Wallen, Hotel Engine Founder and CEO. FlexPro gives customers peace of mind that every reservation will have the flexibility their company needs without breaking the bank.

Amid todays macroeconomic backdrop, managing costs while staying nimble is paramount. Hotel Engine delivers on both fronts, providing flexibility and simplicity for our companys complex booking needs, said Michelle Ballard, Manager of Operations Services Support for Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores. With FlexPro, any non-refundable room is automatically a refundable room with no questions asked.

Hotel Engine also announced major enhancements to Groups, the platforms intelligent group booking solution. Through the platform, its now easier and more streamlined for member companies to save time and avoid hassle when booking large or complex reservations. Customers can request trips, view curated options and accept hotels through their personalized Groups dashboard. They can also manage modifications, cancellations and extensions through the platform.

Its cliche, but time is money, and with Hotel Engine, the savings on both are unmatched. Using the new Groups booking feature, were able to save several days worth of work, freeing up our team so they can focus on solving more complex business challenges, said Nancy Collins, Merchandising Onboarding Specialist at member company National Assemblers.

To learn more about FlexPro, Groups, or to view the full recording from the virtual customer event, visit: https://www.hotelengine.com/events/summer-2023/

About Hotel Engine

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Denver, Hotel Engine is one of the worlds fast-growing hotel booking engines. The company is on a mission to radically simplify trip management for businesses through rapid innovation and customer obsession. Its Double-sided marketplace connects ~40,000 member companies to a growing portfolio of 700,000+ global partner hotels to create a smarter and more rewarding business travel network. To learn more, visit www.hotelengine.com or follow Hotel Engine on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

Interested in using Hotel Engine to streamline your business lodging? Visit hotelengine.com/sign-up, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Hotel Engine Press:

[email protected]

Source: Hotel Engine
CX North America Event in Nashville, Awards Leaders Who Exemplify Action and Drive Customer Obsession

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- InMoment, the leading provider of Experience Improvement (XI) solutions, announced that its customer, Elizabeth Killinger, Executive Vice President, NRG, has been honored the inaugural Customer-Obsessed Leadership Award at this years CX North America Customer Experience Conference. The award recognizes senior leaders who exemplify actions that drive customer obsession by putting the customer at the center of their work every day. InMoment is pleased to have nominated Killinger for the award and attended Forresters CX North America event in Nashville, TN.

This award is a recognition of the importance our entire team places on improving customer experience and putting our customers at the center of everything we do, said Elizabeth Killinger, Executive Vice President, NRG. Im honored to receive this award on behalf of everyone at NRG. Were thankful for the role InMoment played in helping us get there.

In its nomination, InMoment recognized that Elizabeth and NRGs success has been outstanding. In 2021, NRGs Texas region, including its flagship brand Reliant, had the lowest customer attrition rate seen in recent years, and in 2022, they exceeded their annual or yearly NPS target by five points due to a strong performance across all brands and regions. In addition, Employee NPS (eNPS) increased by three points in one year (2021-2022) as the team at NRG has focused on individual employee development plans as part of their overall organizational objectives.

Elizabeth and the NRG team are a model of excellence and have identified a practice that inspires every employee to listen to and act on customer feedback, said Mehul Nagrani, Managing Director, InMoment. We were pleased to nominate Elizabeth; shes been the champion and driving force behind the companys customer-centric vision for years, highlighting the important role of CX in NRGs long-term success. They are a true partner in integrating CXby using customer data, insights, and analysis to make business decisions and take actionand are constantly working to improve employee and customer experiences throughout their organization.

About InMoment

Our mission at InMoment is to help our clients improve experiences at the intersection of valuewhere customer, employee, and business needs come together. The heart of what we do is connect our clients with what matters most through a unique combination of data, technology, and human expertise. With our hyper-modern technology platform, decades of domain authority, and global teams of experts, we uniquely deliver a focus on Experience Improvement (XI) to help our clients own the moments that matter. Take a moment and learn more at inmoment.com.

About NRG

NRG Energy is a leading energy and home services company powered by people and our passion for a smarter, cleaner, and more connected future. A Fortune 500 company operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions that help people, organizations, and businesses achieve their goals while also advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

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Kelley K. Johnson, InMoment, [email protected]

Pat Hammond, NRG, [email protected]

Source: InMoment
146 Agents and Teams Were Honored on the Prestigious Americas Best and The Thousand

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intero, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., is pleased to announce recognition of 119 individual agents and 27 teams who made the 2023 RealTrends rankings.

The annual reports are a state-by-state ranking of the top 1.5% of 1.6 million real estate professionals in the country (Americas Best) and a summary of the top 1,000 independent real estate agents and teams in the United States (RealTrends + Tom Ferry The Thousand).

For The Thousand, two teams from the brokerage made the top 250 Large Teams by Sales Volumethe Tse Group (#3) and the Troyer Group (#28), and the GAEA Team (franchise) made the top 250 Small Teams by Sales Volume (#16) and by Sides (#18).

I am immensely proud of our incredible agents and teams who were named to RealTrends Americas Best and The Thousand lists, said Brian Crane, CEO of Intero. From California to Nevada to Texas and Tennessee, all of our agents consistently demonstrate their commitment to excellence; in combination with Interos culture of collaboration, training and mentorship, their success is a reflection of their hard work and our support.

Americas Best Real Estate Professionals includes those named in The Thousand plus the next level of top producer. Top-producing agents must have closed at least 40 transaction sides or $16M in closed sales volume and teams must have closed 60 transaction sides or $24M in closed sales volume in 2022. The complete lists of Americas Best and The Thousand can be found on RealTrends website, www.realtrends.com.

Intero, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America Inc., serves Northern California and Nevada with 19 offices throughout the greater Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Western Nevada, and the Greater Lake Tahoe Region. The Intero Franchise network comprises 29 affiliates located in California, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. The company is headquartered in the heart of Californias Silicon Valley.

Find more information about Intero at www.intero.com. Find more information about HomeServices of America at www.homeservices.com.

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Derek Overbey  Intero  a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate

(408) 342-8650 - [email protected]

Source: Intero
QUEBEC CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kobo Resources Inc. ("Kobo or the "Company") (TSX.V: KRI) is pleased to announce that the nominees, namely Paul Sarjeant, Frank Riccciuti, Patrick Gagnon, Jeff Hussey, Charles R. Spector and Edouard Gosselin, presented in the Management Information Circular dated May 1, 2023 for the Companys Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) held on Monday, June 12, 2023 were elected as directors of the Company.

All other items of business set forth in the Circular and considered at the Meeting were passed by the shareholders of Kobo, including the appointment of BDO Canada LLP as auditors for the ensuing year. Kobos board would like to express its gratitude to its shareholders for their continued support.

Options Grant

The Company announces that it has granted a total of 2,075,000 stock options (Options) to purchase common shares of the Company to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants pursuant to the Companys 9.5% fixed stock option plan (the Companys Stock Option Plan). Such Options are exercisable into common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.30 per common share for a period of 10 years from the date of grant as per the Companys Stock Option Plan. Twenty-five per cent (25%) of the Options vest every 3 months following their grant date.

CEO Interview with Crux Investor

Mr. Edouard Gosselin, CEO and Director of Kobo, participated in a sit-down interview with Matthew Gordon from Crux Investor to discuss the Company's exciting new gold discovery at its Kossou Gold Project in Cote d'Ivoire. As part of his presentation, Mr. Gosselin also provided an update on the Company's future plans in 2023, including its fully funded maiden drill program as well as an overview of future plans during the remainder of the year.

Watch the full interview here.

Investor Relations Consultant

The Company announces that it has retained the services of Renmark Financial Communications Inc. (Renmark) to handle its investor relations activities. Renmark was engaged to heighten market and investor awareness for the Company and broaden the Companys reach within the investment community.

Renmark has been engaged for an initial 7-month period (the Initial Term) which will commence on July 1, 2023. The term will automatically continue after the Initial Term monthly, unless terminated in accordance with the investor relations agreement among the parties. As consideration for the services rendered by Renmark, the Company will pay Renmark a monthly fee of CAD$7,000 during the Initial Term. The Company and Renmark act at arms length, and Renmark has no present interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or present intent to acquire such an interest.

Renmark is a full-service investor relations firm representing small, medium, and large cap public companies trading on all major North American exchanges. Renmark facilitates connections between their clients and key stakeholders in order to assist their clients in efficiently achieving their milestones. Renmark has offices in Toronto, Montreal, New York, and Atlanta.

About Kobo Resources Inc.

Kobo Resources is a growth-focused gold exploration company with a compelling new gold discovery in Cote dIvoire, one of West Africas most prolific and developing gold districts, hosting several multi-million-ounce gold mines. The Companys 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project is located approximately 20 km northwest of the capital city of Yamoussoukro and is directly adjacent to one of the regions largest gold mines with established processing facilities.

The Company is drilling to unlock the potential size and scale of Kossou within 9+ km strike length of highly prospective gold in soil geochemical anomalies with excellent rock and trench sampling results. The Companys 2023 exploration plan calls for over 8,000 meters of reverse circulation drilling with an immediate goal of defining significant near surface zones of gold mineralisation. Kobo offers investors the exciting combination of high-quality gold prospects led by an experienced leadership team with in-country experience.

Kobos common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KRI. For more information, please visit www.koboresources.com.

Twitter: @KoboResources | LinkedIn: Kobo Resources Inc.

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.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information:

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. 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 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 which 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 board, shareholder 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 news release. Except as required by law, Kobo assumes no obligation and/or liability to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

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Edward Gosselin

Chief Executive Officer and Director

1-418-609-3587

[email protected]

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Steve Hosein

1-416-644-2020 or 1-212-812-7680

[email protected]

Source: Kobo Resources Inc.
John Brittain, William Robinson, and Kristen Clarke were honored during the anniversary celebration. Lloyd Cutler and Ernest N. Morial also were lauded posthumously for their transformative contributions to the fight for racial justice.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law celebrates 60 years of action using legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of democracy real. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization mobilizes the private bars leadership and resources in combating racial discrimination and the resulting inequality of opportunity.

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L-R William Robinson, Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of the District of Columbia and former president of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Marc H. Morial, son of Ernest N. Morial, president of the National Urban League and former mayor of New Orleans; Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice and former president of the Lawyers Committee; Beverly Cutler, daughter of Lloyd Cutler and the first woman to sit on the state Superior Court in Alaska; and John Brittain, former chief counsel for the Lawyers Committee and Olie W. Rauh Professor of Law at the University of the District of Columbia receive Luminary Awards from Damon T. Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law during the organizations 60th Anniversary celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on June 20, 2023. (Eric Kayne/AP Images).

Founded on June 21, 1963, at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers Committee has spent six decades fighting for issues including voting rights, affirmative action, and digital justice. The Lawyers Committee stands on the front lines of the most pressing and complex civil rights problems, using litigation, public education, and other advocacy tools to address discrimination, advance the law and take defensive action when necessary to safeguard fragile gains.

"As we commemorate our 60th anniversary, we look back with pride on a history marked by resilience and triumph in the face of adversity. The Lawyers' Committee was created to confront and conquer the profound injustices facing Black people and other people of color," said Damon Hewitt, President, and Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee. As we look to the future, we draw strength from our foundation with unshaken resolve. We persist in our pursuit of a society where the ideals of democracy are not just abstract concepts but lived realities for the communities we serve. Together, we can build a future we deserve  a future illuminated by justice, equality, and enduring opportunity."

On Tuesday, June 20, the Lawyers' Committee marked its 60th anniversary with a signature event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This special evening honored the organizations founding and victories achieved over the years while also reaffirming its commitment to realizing The Future We Deserve.

During the event, the Lawyers' Committee honored five giants of Civil Rights  John C. Brittain, the Olie W. Rauh Professor of Law at the University at District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law; Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice; and William Robinson, Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of the District of Columbia. Lloyd Cutler, White House Counsel during the administrations of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and Ernest N. Morial, leading civil rights advocate and first Black mayor of New Orleans, were honored posthumously.

The honorees have deep ties to the Lawyers Committee. Brittain is a former Chief Counsel and Senior Deputy Director of the organization and was among the early attorney volunteers the organization sent to work in Mississippi in the 1960s. Robinson and Clarke are former executive directors of the organization. And both Cutler and Morial were among the attorneys who participated in the founding meeting of the Lawyers Committee convened by President Kennedy in 1963.

Special guest speakers included Marc H. Morial, President of the National Urban League and former mayor of New Orleans, and Beverly Cutler, the first woman to sit on the state Superior Court in Alaska. Both accepted the awards on behalf of their late fathers. Other speakers included Ron Machen, litigation chair at WilmerHale and former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, and Laura Murphy, veteran civil rights and civil liberties leader.

Among other key initiatives, the Lawyers Committee leads efforts nationwide for unfettered access to the ballot, equal representation, and the assurance that every vote will be counted; promotes racial and ethnic diversity and integration in PK-12 and higher education, defending affirmative action before the Supreme Court; advances racial equity in the digital world through creating safeguards against algorithmic bias and other forms of digital discrimination; challenges laws and policies that criminalize poverty; and promotes access to justice and the right to counsel.

In addition to this weeks 60th Anniversary event at the Kennedy Center, the Lawyers Committee will host its annual Higginbotham Leadership Awards Gala on October 4 at Cipriani Wall Street. To learn more about upcoming events and the organization, visit TheFutureWeDeserve.org.

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Kerry-Ann Hamilton

[email protected]

Source: Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
New Venture to Develop more than $1 Billion in Multifamily Projects in Florida over Next 5 Years

First Project in Miamis Brickell District to Feature 500 High-End Apartments, Valued at $500 Million

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leste Group (Leste), a global independent alternative investment manager, and Opportunity Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario (Opportunity), a private investment firm based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today announced they have formed a new real estate development company, LORE Development Group (LORE). The new venture will focus on developing primarily multifamily residential units and condo developments in South Florida.

LORE adds multifamily development to Lestes diverse real estate strategies, which currently include equity investment and lending in the multifamily, single-family, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial asset classes. LORE will source and acquire properties, and work with third-party construction teams to build its projects. In Florida, LORE plans to develop more than $1 billion in multifamily projects over the next five years. 1

We are excited to expand Lestes real estate practice by adding a development capability to our existing real estate portfolio, said Stephan de Sabrit, Managing Partner at Leste. We have known and collaborated with Opportunity for many years and look forward to using our boots on the ground to establish a vibrant partnership in a location we know very well. Miami is enjoying exponential growth, and we believe LORE is well-positioned to create desirable residences for both current residents and new arrivals.

The first property being developed by LORE is a 442,000-square-foot, 500-unit multifamily building located at 1015 SW 1st Avenue in Miamis trendy Brickell district. The $500 million project 1 will feature state-of-the-art amenities, 2,000 square feet of ground floor retail, and ample parking in a prime location near Brickell City Center with easy access to public transportation.

Brickell is the ideal neighborhood for our first multifamily development in South Florida. The thriving area has become one of the most desirable places to live, work and play in Miami, which is continuing to benefit from strong domestic and international migration, low unemployment, and a favorable tax environment, said de Sabrit. This property will set a new standard in luxury living for the area with its exclusive amenities, prime location, and breathtaking design.

Opportunity is one of the largest independent asset management companies in Brazil, and today it operates one of the largest real estate investment funds in the country. Over the past 25 years, Opportunity has developed more than 6.5 million square feet of real estate.

Lestes broad investment expertise, combined with our strong real estate development background, will enable LORE to identify and capitalize on the best multifamily investment opportunities in South Florida, said Jomar Monnerat de Carvalho, Director at Opportunity.

Based on Lestes internal projections and combination of existing projects and pipeline. Estimates subject to change.

About Leste Group

Leste Group is a leading independent alternative investment manager with a steadfast commitment to delivering consistent risk-adjusted returns. The firm offers investors a diverse range of strategies across real estate equity and credit, private equity, and special situations. Lestes investment teams leverage institutional-grade processes, a nimble and entrepreneurial approach, strong capital markets expertise, and exclusive networks to source unique opportunities and capitalize on global opportunities. To learn more about Leste Group, please visit leste.com.

About Opportunity

Opportunity Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario is one of the largest independent asset management companies in Brazil, and operates one of the largest real estate investment funds in the country. Over the past 25 years, Opportunity has developed more than 6.5 million square feet of real estate. For more information, visit opportunity.com.br.

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MEDIA

Joshua Greenwald

Stanton

1-646-504-7306

[email protected]

Source: Leste Group
Appointments to the Board of Directors and Executive team, to align with the Companys long-term vision and goals: Karim Dabbagh as Chairman and Nadia Kamal as Director, both independent. Pr. Gervais Tougas, acting Chief Medical Officer and Philippe Moyen, Chief Operating Officer.

Appointment of Guilhaume Debroas as Head of Investor Relations.

All resolutions presented during the annual general meeting were adopted in line with the Board recommendations.

LYON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT  the Company), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, today announced new appointments to its Board and Executive team.

Board of Directors

Karim Dabbagh, PhD, is appointed as Chairman and independent Director, succeeding Jean-Marie Lefevre who will continue to serve as a Board member. Based in the U.S., Karim Dabbagh, president and CEO of Second Genome Inc., is renowned for his innovative work in microbiome science. As former executive at Pfizer and Roche, he brings extensive experience in pharmaceutical development.

Nadia Kamal, PhD, Director of the Technology, Health, and Innovation Divisions at Harmonie Mutuelle has been appointed as independent director and Chair of the ESG committee. Nadia Kamal has a wealth of experience in Corporate Social Responsibility and a strong background in serving patients and fostering innovation.

All other Directors and Observers have been reelected to serve for an additional one-year term. Further details can be found on the Companys website.

I express gratitude to Jean-Marie Lefevre for his remarkable 5-year tenure as Chairman, who was instrumental in achieving key milestones and has been a true partner for me. As we embark on the next phase of growth post-IPO, our governance evolves, therefore, I warmly welcome Karim Dabbagh to the team and am eager to continue building a successful microbiome company together, said Herve Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma. "Our expanding Early Access program and ongoing trials address the growing interest from the medical community and patients. The potential for microbiome therapies as valid therapeutic options for patients is demonstrated by the successful commercialization of recently approved products in the U.S. for C. difficile infection and the 2023 ASCO spotlight.

Jean-Marie Lefevre, former chairman of MaaT Pharma, said It has been an honor to serve alongside Herve and his dedicated and passionate team. As I pass the baton to Karim Dabbagh, I carry with me a deep sense of fulfillment for what we have accomplished and look forward to continuing to serve on the Board. 

Karim Dabbagh, new Chairman of the Board, stated I am thrilled to join one of the companies at the forefront of the global microbiome field. The groundbreaking advancements and pioneering research undertaken by MaaT Pharma have truly set them apart. I look forward to contributing to their continued success as we strive to make a lasting impact on the future of microbiome innovation for patients, while delivering value to our shareholders.

Appointments to the Executive team and key leaders

Appointment of Professor Gervais Tougas as Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO): supported by Dr. Emilie Plantamura, Head of Clinical Development, Prof. Tougas will lead medical strategies for MaaT Pharma's registration pathway in onco-hematology and clinical phase in Immuno-oncology. Prior to joining MaaT Pharma, Gervais was the Head, Chief Medical Officer and Patient Safety at Novartis for almost 20 years.

Appointment of Philippe Moyen, as Chief Operating Officer (COO): former Vice-President of technical and business operations for PTC Therapeutics Inc., Philippe Moyen has more than 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, including proven operational excellence and business acumen in small molecules and Biologics that will enable him to effectively contribute to the Companys future milestones.

Guilhaume Debroas, PhD, joins the Company as Head of Investor Relations. Guilhaume brings instrumental biotech insight and a strong network to enhance communication with the investment community.

With these changes the Company is confident in its ability to accelerate growth, deliver innovative microbiome drugs to patients, and create value for shareholders.

Annual General Meeting

All resolutions presented during the annual general meeting were adopted in line with Board recommendations, including the resolutions (14 to 19) relating to the compensation policy for corporate officers in respect of the 2023 financial year as described in the Company's Universal Registration Document and on the website.

The Company also announces, as per approval of resolution 20 and 21, that the Board of Directors, during its meeting on June 20, 2023, decided to maintain the liquidity agreement signed with Kepler Cheuvreux for the trading of the Company's shares on Euronext Paris. Information regarding this agreement is available in the Company's Universal Registration Document published by the Company.

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma has launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single arm Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD, following the achievement of its proof of concept in a Phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, enables the identification of novel disease targets, evaluation of drug candidates, and identification of biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The companys Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT).

Forward-looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Companys control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as target, believe, expect, aim, intend, may, anticipate, estimate, plan, project, will, can have, likely, should, would, could and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Companys control that could cause the Companys actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

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MaaT Pharma  Investor Relations

Guilhaume Debroas, Ph.D.

Head of Investor Relations

+33 4 28 29 14 00

[email protected]



MaaT Pharma  Media Relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR & Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

[email protected]



Trophic Communications  Corporate Communications

Charlotte SPITZ or

Stephanie MAY

+49 171 351 2733

[email protected]

Source: MaaT Pharma
JERUSALEM, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Jewish settlers, including a lawmaker, re-occupied the illegal outpost of Evyatar in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, amid escalating tension between Israelis and the Palestinians.

The settlers, including families with children, arrived at the hilltop outpost located in the lands of the Palestinian town of Beita to the south of Nablus in the early hours of Wednesday. In a statement, they declared that they had regained control over the site, which had previously been evacuated by Israeli security forces.

"We returned to Evyatar, this time for good, " tweeted Zvi Sukkot, a settler and lawmaker with Religious Zionism, an ultranationalist party and a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition government.

Nachala, a pro-settlement movement, stated in a press release that the outpost was re-occupied "in response to" a fatal shooting attack on Tuesday afternoon. In the attack, two Palestinian gunmen killed four Israelis and injured four others before a civilian passerby and soldiers shot and killed them.

Evyatar was first established in 2013 but was soon evacuated and demolished by the Israeli military. Since then, the outpost has been rebuilt and subsequently evacuated several times by Israeli security forces.

The outpost is considered illegal under international law, which deems all Israeli settlements illegal since they have been constructed on lands where Palestinians aspire to establish their future state and were captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war.

Netanyahu and Cabinet ministers in the hard-right Israeli government, who were sworn in late December, have pledged to retroactively legalize Evyatar and other outposts. However, this action has not been formally implemented thus far. 
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Newrez LLC (Newrez), a leading mortgage lending and servicing organization, today announced a strategic partnership with Homebot, a home finance education portal that empowers consumers to make smart home finance decisions. This partnership taps the power of Homebot to solidify customer intelligence in empowering decisions.

As one of the largest lenders in the country, Newrez continually seeks innovative solutions to support loan officers, their clients and partners, and homeowners from their existing MSR portfolio. Homebot empowers homeowners and buyers with personalized home finance insights, market intelligence, and property search experiences, while keeping them connected with their trusted home advisor every step of the way.

"At Newrez, our mission is to reimagine the homeownership experience by empowering our clients to make the best financial decisions every step of the way. By incorporating Homebots rich content and technology in our servicing portfolio, it will allow our loan officers to provide clients support based upon their needs during their homeownership journey, said Baron Silverstein, President of Newrez. "Newrez is also one of the first companies to offer Homebot to our servicing portfolio, a strategic initiative to drive enhanced engagement and recapture efforts.

The partnership with Homebot will enable loan officers to deliver powerful, highly-personalized insights to homeowners and buyers, ultimately creating more connected client relationships and increasing engagement. Plus, Homebots rich behavioral engagement insights give loan officers an opportunity to connect with clients and prospects at the right time, the moment they start showing signals of intent.

Were incredibly excited about the relationship weve developed with Newrez and the opportunity we have to fuel retail growth and servicing recapture efforts, all by empowering and educating millions of clients, said Charlie Pratt, CEO of Homebot.

ABOUT NEWREZ

Based in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, Newrez is a leading mortgage company, dedicated to reimagining the homeownership journey. Combining mortgage origination and servicing, we are uniquely positioned to offer a streamlined, customer-centric experience, catering to our clients when and where they need us most. Our customer-first strategy empowers homeowners to optimize their investment, guiding them towards the most beneficial financial decisions every step of the way. Founded in 2008, Newrez is a member of the Rithm Capital Family of Companies.

 2023 Newrez LLC, 1100 Virginia Dr., Ste. 125, Fort Washington, PA 19034. 1-888-673-5521. NMLS #3013 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Doing business as Newrez Mortgage LLC in the state of Texas. Alaska Mortgage Lender License #AK3013. Arizona Mortgage Banker License #919777. Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license. Massachusetts Lender #ML-3013. Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance. Licensed Mortgage Banker-NYS Banking Department. Additional licenses available at www.newrez.com.

ABOUT HOMEBOT

Homebot, an ASG company, is a home education portal that keeps people connected to their home advisors (loan officers and real estate agents).

The award winning portal delivers personalized, actionable intelligence throughout the entire homeownership lifecycle. And with an average 50% monthly engagement rate, Homebot ensures lenders and agents remain the trusted advisors that consumers rely on to make informed decisions about the largest asset they may ever own, their home. For more information on Homebot, please visit: homebot.ai

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621863485/en/

Newrez

1-888-673-5521

Source: Newrez LLC
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SMOORE, a global leader in atomization technology, displayed its groundbreaking disposable solution, Power Alpha, at the World Vape Show 2023 in Dubai (June 21st  23rd). Just a few months ago, Power Alpha debuted at the TPE 2023 in Las Vegas, where it garnered widespread attention and praise for its unprecedented features and advanced technology. This time in Dubai, Power Alpha again overwhelmed company leaders, distributors, and dealers in the vaping industry with its four transformative features: no charge, no burn, no fade, and super convenience.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621918352/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

Power Alpha is charge-free solution for large-puff disposable devices that solves issues faced by disposable vape users, including a short battery life, charging inconvenience, and fading flavor and burn taste after recharging. These unique features of Power Alpha have fueled the market success of some major players in the vaping industry in North America, as it allows these companies to receive a flood of positive consumer feedback. A vaper from California said: Disposables incorporating Power Alpha freed me from the hassle of charging vapes. It's super convenient, it has a consistent flavor, and it has no burn taste. Another consumer, who had been vaping for over 7 years, commented on Power Alpha that You get all the 6000 puffs and the flavor stays the same and I dont need to worry about charging when I was on a trip.

What makes Power Alpha a game changer are two patented technologies  TOPOWER battery and COREX atomizer.

Common charge-free vapes usually offer 2500~3000 puffs with a battery capacity of 950 mAh. But disposables employing TOPOWER deliver twice as many puffs and have a large capacity of 2000 mAh, with the battery sizes remaining almost unchanged. The large 2000 mAh capacity supports an uninterrupted 6000-puff vaping experience, which means consumers do not need to recharge and look for their charging cables midway through the vaping. In addition, this battery technology also ensures stable output throughout its life. Thus, flavor fading and burn tastes can be avoided since these issues, which have long been complained about by vapers, are rooted in voltage variation.

COREX atomizer technology takes the vaping experience to a whole new level with its upgraded mesh coil. Eco-Mesh, which is eco-processed and pollution-free, brings a consistent and mouthful taste due to the 200% increase in the precision of mesh structure and the 50% faster heating speed. Furthermore, Corexs patented cotton design increases the e-liquid conductivity by 15.8% and improves the e-liquid absorption by 23.5%, making the atomization more powerful and efficient. Another notable design is the F1 airflow, which brings consumers a clean vaping experience by improving the smoothness by 30% and eliminating the condensation by 100%.

Power Alpha, a groundbreaking solution that has been developed by SMOORE for two years, not only retains the convenience of non-rechargeable disposables but also increases the number of puffs to 6000, which offers an exceptionally cost-effective option to consumers. It has received lots of positive feedback for its unique features which bring along an unprecedentedly convenient vaping experience6000 puffs with no need to charge. Later this year, Power Alpha will keep bringing the ultimate vaping experience to consumers in the US and Middle East, where another grand success is about to be achieved.

About SMOORE

Founded in 2009, SMOORE is a global leader in atomization technology solutions, covering reduced-risk products, medical, pharmaceutical, and beauty atomization technologies. With inter-disciplinary atomization research and a diverse product portfolio, SMOORE is committed to becoming an advanced platform, aspired to make life better.

With continuous R&D investment and leading manufacturing capacity, SMOORE has 14 technology research centers worldwide and products are available in more than 50 countries and regions. SMOORE announced IPO in Hong Kong on July 10, 2020.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621918352/en/

Ruiqi Wang

0044 7502 009458

[email protected]

Source: SMOORE
*Tsuruha suffers from lack of effective, independent outside directors to hold management accountable for their performance

*Oasis calls for Tsuruha to improve governance and build a best-in-class business for all stakeholders

*Oasis nominates five highly qualified, independent, and diverse director candidates

*Oasis calls for Tsuruha shareholders to vote FOR Oasiss proposals and AGAINST the re-election of the Companys current outside directors

More information available at www.TsururhaCorpGov.com

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oasis Management Company Ltd. (Oasis) is the manager to funds that beneficially own over 12.8% of drugstore operator Tsuruha Holdings Inc. (3391 JT) (Tsuruha or the Company). Oasis has adopted the Japan FSAs Principles of Responsible Ownership (a/k/a the Japan Stewardship Code) and in line with those principles, Oasis monitors and engages with its investee companies.

Oasis, a long-term shareholder of Tsuruha, urges its fellow shareholders to vote FOR the Oasis shareholder proposals at the Companys AGM:

Election of five outside director candidates (Mr. Gohara, Mr. Nakamura, Ms. Nakahata, Mr. Tamagami, and Ms. Ikeda)

Dismissal of Mr. Fujii as a director

Introduction of a new compensation plan for the outside directors

Abolition of the Director-Chair position

Selection of Board Chair from among outside directors

Background  Corporate Governance Failures at Tsuruha

Tsuruha has been plagued by multiple, long-running corporate governance failures. These failures, including issues of board independence, oversight effectiveness, and the undue influence of the three founding families, raise concerns about Tsuruhas governance practices.

Several examples highlight these concerns:

Despite collectively owning less than 10% of Tsuruhas shares, the three founding families have taken four out of the five non-audit committee member director seats, raising questions about the fairness of their selection process.

The undue control exerted by the founding families over their respective Company subsidiaries has hindered synergy realization and resulted in poor governance.

The return of Mr. Hisaya Ogawa to his role as CEO of subsidiary Kusuri no Fukutaro after a serious incident involving a failure in medical recordkeeping has raised doubts about accountability and proper management. Mr. Ogawa and his relatives own and rent the headquarters of the subsidiary to Tsuruha, as well as additional stores.

The Company has appointed outside directors who do not appear to be truly independent, including some with relationships with the Tsuruha family that can be traced back for nearly 10 years, raising concerns over their ability to provide effective oversight.

Further, in a concerning trend, Tsuruha has proactively worsened its governance, replacing outside directors with relevant retail experience with individuals whose primary asset appears to be their allegiance to the Company.

It is evident that Tsuruha lacks effective and independent outside directors capable of holding management accountable for their performance. Without significant improvements in corporate governance, the Companys overall performance and the interests of all stakeholders are at risk. Shareholders must act now to improve corporate governance at Tsuruha.

Oasiss Proposals

Oasis therefore proposes the following measures to pave the way for Tsuruhas success as a leading player in the drugstore industry:

Dismissal of outside director Mr. Fumiyo Fujii, whom Oasis believes lacks true independence. Appointment of an entirely new slate of high-quality, independent, and diverse outside directors who can provide unbiased oversight and strategic guidance. Implementation of a new compensation plan that aligns directors incentives more closely with those of shareholders. Important changes to the Companys Articles of Incorporation to establish a clear structure for management oversight.

Seth Fischer, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Oasis, said:

The drugstore market needs integration. This integration will benefit all stakeholders, including customers, employees, creditors, and shareholders. Tsuruha -- with the right partner, the right strategy, and the right governance framework  has the potential to become Japans largest drugstore and significantly enhance its corporate value. To achieve this, it is crucial to ensure that Tsuruhas management prioritize the interests of all stakeholders, rather than just the founding families. The time is now for better corporate governance for Tsuruha.

We call on all shareholders to VOTE FOR Oasiss proposals and to VOTE AGAINST the re-election of the Companys current outside directors.

To learn more about Oasiss proposals, please visit www.TsuruhaCorpGov.com. We welcome all stakeholders to contact Oasis at [email protected] to help improve Tsuruhas Corporate Governance.

Oasis Management Company Ltd. manages private investment funds focused on opportunities in a wide array of asset classes across countries and sectors. Oasis was founded in 2002 by Seth H. Fischer, who leads the firm as its Chief Investment Officer. More information about Oasis is available at https://oasiscm.com. Oasis has adopted the Japan FSAs Principles of Responsible Institutional Investors (a/k/a Japan Stewardship Code) and in line with those principles, Oasis monitors and engages with our investee companies.

The information contained in this press release (referred to as the "Document") is an information resource for shareholders in Tsuruha offered by Oasis, the investment manager to funds that are shareholders of Tsuruha (the "Oasis Funds"). The Document is not intended to solicit or seek shareholders' agreements to jointly exercise any voting rights with Oasis. Shareholders that have an agreement to jointly exercise their voting rights are regarded as Joint Holders under the Japanese large shareholding disclosure rules and they must file notification of their aggregate share ownership with the relevant Japanese authority for public disclosure under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Oasis does not intend to be subjected to such notification requirement. The Document exclusively represents the opinions, interpretations, and estimates of Oasis.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621380173/en/

Media

For all inquiries, please contact:

Taylor Hall

[email protected]

Source: Oasis Management Company Ltd.
Military Sealift Command Awards Time Charter to Overseas Mykonos

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- REISSUED/REVISED Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (OSG), a publicly traded energy transportation company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, today announced that the Military Sealift Command (MSC) has awarded the Overseas Mykonos, a vessel in OSGs fleet, a time charter contract to provide ongoing fuel transportation services to MSC in support of our nation's defense. The contract was awarded in a competitive bidding process.

"OSGs fleet has supported the critical mission of the MSC for many years. We are honored that MSC has chosen to award one of these contracts to the Overseas Mykonos. This ship and its crew have the capability to provide maritime transportation services using equipment and communication technologies that are in sync with the needs of the Department of Defense and Navy," said OSG's CEO and President, Sam Norton. This award highlights the benefits of cooperation between the merchant marine industry and the military. By working together, we are providing loyal and experienced U.S. citizen mariners, reliable vessels, and advanced equipment for our nations benefit. The Overseas Mykonos support to MSC will bolster our involvement in deepening and broadening the pool of domestic merchant mariners supporting a U.S.- flagged tanker presence in international waters," added Mr. Norton.

The time charter awarded is for a 1-year base period with the MSC holding additional option periods to extend the contract out to a maximum period of five and one half years. The Overseas Mykonos will be delivered to MSC at Pearl Harbor in August. The Overseas Mykonos, built in 2010, is a medium range product tanker with 12 cargo tanks and a cargo capacity of 333,000 barrels. The ship has the ability to perform consolidated cargo replenishment at sea operations (CONSOL), providing flexibility and options for refueling the U.S. military fleet while underway. The Overseas Mykonos has also made other militarily useful modifications, including those to meet TRANSCOM requirements.

About Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc

Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (NYSE: OSG) is a publicly traded company providing liquid bulk transportation services in the energy industry for crude oil and petroleum products in the U.S. Flag markets. OSG is a major operator in the Jones Act industry and in the Tanker Security Program. OSGs U.S. Flag fleet consists of Suezmax crude oil tankers doing business in Alaska, conventional and lightering ATBs, shuttle and conventional MR tankers, and non-Jones Act MR tankers that participate in the U.S. Tanker Security Program.

OSG is committed to setting high standards of excellence for its quality, safety and environmental programs. OSG is recognized as one of the worlds most customer-focused marine transportation companies and is headquartered in Tampa, FL. More information is available at www.osg.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621638345/en/

Investor Relations & Media Contact:

Susan Allan, Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc.

(813) 209-0620

[email protected]

Source: Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc.
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Peachtree Group ("Peachtree") has further strengthened its leadership team within its broker-dealer affiliate, Peachtree PC Investors ("PPCI"), with the appointment of industry veteran Brian Cho as president of PPCI. In addition, Daniel Savage and Kyle Freda have joined PPCI as senior leaders. These appointments support Peachtree's strategic objectives to scale up its capital markets, investor relations and sales efforts as well as strengthen its financial and compliance operations.

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Peachtree Group ("Peachtree") has further strengthened its leadership team within its broker-dealer affiliate, Peachtree PC Investors ("PPCI"), with the appointment of industry veteran Brian Cho (pictured) as president of PPCI. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Brian brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization," said Brent LeBlanc, Peachtree's executive vice president of capital markets. With a 15-year distinguished career in the financial industry, he has a proven track record of driving growth, managing complex capital markets and implementing compliance strategies. Brian's deep understanding of market dynamics, regulatory frameworks and operations will be instrumental in advancing Peachtree's financial objectives."

Cho as president, will be responsible for PPCI's operations and supporting the firm's investment objectives.

I am privileged to be entrusted with guiding our capital markets team as we embark on the next phase of growth. We have a unique investment philosophy, tremendous culture and a proven record of accomplishment. I am confident that Peachtree is well positioned to support the needs of our investor, said Cho.

Before joining PPCI, Cho served as senior vice president of operations for Overlay Capital, a vertical-focused fund manager investing in venture capital and private investment opportunities. Prior experiences include senior leadership positions in operations and compliance with Preferred Capital Securities, FIS and Lighthouse Investment Partners.

"We are also pleased to welcome Daniel and Kyle to Peachtree," LeBlanc said. Both are accomplished, results-driven and performance-focused professionals that will support and elevate Peachtrees value proposition to the investment community.

Daniel Savage

Savage, as vice president of investments and strategy, will be responsible for capital formation strategies and investor communications and liaise with internal and external investment sales and Peachtree's investment teams in this newly created role. Prior to joining the company, he served as vice president, investor relations for Cohen Investment Group, responsible for raising private equity from high-net-worth investors, institutions and family offices for their direct real estate investment offerings. Prior to that, Savage worked for Glenview Capital Management, LLC, an alternative asset hedge fund.

Kyle Freda

As director of external wholesaling for the Southeast region, Freda will be responsible for developing relationships with financial advisors and strategic partners to raise capital for Peachtree's various investment offerings. Before Peachtree, Freda was vice president, external wholesale, South Atlantic, for CION Investments. Prior to CION, he held investment sales positions with PGIM Investments, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.

About Peachtree Group

Peachtree Group is an investment firm driving growth with a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets and other ventures. The company has executed hundreds of investments since its inception, focusing on real estate acquisition, development and lending valued at almost $9.0 billion in total market capitalization. Today, Peachtree manages over $2.5 billion in equity, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621766534/en/

Charles Talbert

678-823-7683

[email protected]

Source: Peachtree Group
Influence, Integrity, and Innovation in PR will be recognized at the annual Big Apple Awards Gala in November

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PRSA-NY is accepting submissions for the 36th Annual PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards. Through June 30, organizations and independent PR professionals can take advantage of reduced early-entry fees for 2023 Big Apple Awards, which represent the highest level of recognition by the New York areas communications leaders. The extended deadline for all entries is August 4th. Enter at http://bit.ly/BigApple2023.

The annual awards gala will be held in-person on November 15, along with a live stream. This years program will focus on themes of influence, integrity, and innovation, recognizing the public relations professions powerful position at the intersection of authentic purpose-driven communication with the use of new high-impact intelligent technologies, and the role of practitioners in sharing ideas and knowledge responsibly. In addition, the PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Awards, recognizing young leaders in the profession, will be celebrated at the Big Apple Awards gala.

The 2023 Big Apple Awards will be a referendum on the rising role  and responsibility -- of public relations leaders as rapidly evolving technologies including AI are shaping a new media landscape and redefining how news and information are shaped and delivered, said Carmella Glover, president of PRSA-NY. This powerful networking event will recognize todays influential public relations professionals and identify rising stars in the industry.

2023 BIG APPLE AWARDS DETAILS

Including PR Campaign Awards, In-House Communications Awards, and Media Group Awards.

http://bit.ly/BigApple2023

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America established the Big Apple Awards program in 1988 to encourage excellence in public relations. The program has evolved to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry and continues to celebrate the exciting and innovative successes of talented professionals working in the heart of the communications universe. Today, a Big Apple Award is known as one of the highest honors bestowed in public relations, and in recognition, submissions will be open to the work of PR practitioners across the US from this year forward.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES AND PRICING

Public relations organizations and individual practitioners can submit their campaigns in up to three categories and save additional costs on the overall awards. The early bird deadline and pricing, and the regular deadline and pricing, are:

Early Bird Deadline  Closing June 30 at 11:59 PM

Early Bird Deadline  Closing June 30 at 11:59 PM

Early Bird Member  1 Category Entry $475

Early Bird Member  2 Category Entries $825

Early Bird Member  3 Category Entries $1,125

Early Bird Non-Member  1 Category Entry $525

Early Bird Non-Member  2 Category Entries $875

Early Bird Non-Member  3 Category Entries $1,175

Extended Deadline  Closing August 4 at 11:59 PM

Member  1 Category Entry $575

Member  2 Category Entries $925

Member  3 Category Entries $1,225

Non-Member  1 Category Entry $625

Non-Member  2 Category Entries $975

Non-Member  3 Category Entries $1,275

More than just about any other profession, the public relations industry holds the power to reach consumers, investors, business leaders, government and media -- and New York PR professionals are at the epicenter of media and commerce, said Fay Shapiro, vice president of the PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards. The Big Apple Awards reflect the accomplishments and potential of the most influential public relations professionals. Its fitting that the Big Apple gala caps the years awards season for the communications industry. Our sponsors and participants reach professionals at the heart of the public relations business.

To learn more about Big Apple Awards sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer for the event please contact Fay Shapiro at [email protected].

To submit your work, campaigns, and other related materials for the Early Bird deadline and maximize cost savings with early submissions, please visit http://bit.ly/BigApple2023.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is the best-established, most substantial, and most influential group of public relations professionals in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, PRSANY offers to its members top-level career development and education, networking, mentoring, and award programs. PRSA-NY serves communications decision-makers at agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public and private institutions. For more information about PRSA-NYs upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621013106/en/

Judith Czelusniak

Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations Society of America New York Chapter (PRSA-NY)

[email protected]

+1 917 655 3217

Source: PRSA-NY
SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Qraft Technologies (Qraft), a leading Seoul-based invest-tech company developing artificial intelligence investing solutions, is proud to announce it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BNP Paribas Global Markets Asia Pacific to develop innovative investment solutions based on Qrafts AI-powered investment platforms for BNP Paribass Global Markets clients in the region. QRAFT and BNP Paribas Global Markets Asia Pacific will explore the possibility of cooperation using artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data and/or other latest techniques.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230620518372/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Backed by SoftBank, Qraft has served as a leading provider for AI-driven investment solutions since 2016 and is turned to by major financial institutions across Asia, Europe and the US. From AI-powered security selection and asset allocation engine to AI-powered electronic trading execution solutions, Qraft leverages the power of AI to offer a competitive edge in generating alpha and managing risk in the financial market. Further details of Qraft and BNPPs partnership will be unveiled as new solutions come to market.

Qraft's expertise in AI-driven investment solutions, combined with BNP Paribas Global Markets extensive market reach and client base, sets the stage for a powerful partnership that showcases the potential of AI to support institutional growth at a global scale, says Marcus Kim, Founder and CEO of Qraft. Were thrilled that the team at BNP Paribas Global Markets Asia Pacific has decided to leverage our AI investment capabilities and look forward to building incredible tools for their clients.

About Qraft

Qraft is a fintech company aiming to drive growth in the asset management industry through its innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and investing. Qraft offers a variety of AI-powered investment solutions, including a security selection engine, asset allocation engine, robo-advisory solution and an AI order-execution system. From data processing to alpha research and portfolio execution, Qraft has an established track record in developing cutting-edge AI solutions that have been adopted by over 20 financial institutions worldwide. In 2022, Qraft received a US$146 million investment from SoftBank Group, entering into a strategic partnership to accelerate AI in the asset management industry.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230620518372/en/

Media:

Klaudia Wierzbowska

Gregory FCA for Qraft

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 570-856-1360

Source: Qraft Technologies
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

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Galerie des Champs-Elysees - SFL - perspective  DPA

SFL (Paris: FLY), the leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, announced today that it has signed a seven-year, non-cancellable turnkey lease with German sportswear manufacturer adidas for retail premises in the Galerie des Champs-Elysees, 88 avenue des Champs-Elysees. Adidas is basing itself in the heart of the Champs-Elysees, on the even-numbered side where visitor traffic is highest. It will fit out the some 2,800 sq.m. of retail space previously leased by H&M, with opening scheduled for first-half 2024.

The transaction reflects the extensive work undertaken by SFL with the Dominique Perrault Architecture agency to refurbish the buildings lower levels and give them a fresh retail identity.

"This new lease attests to the undisputed appeal of the Champs-Elysees. The areas prime commercial properties, particularly the large retail spaces capable of housing international flagship stores, are also keeping pace with the evolving trends along the avenue, which is now home to some of the worlds leading sporting and luxury goods retailers, notes Pierre-Yves Bonnaud, SFL Asset Management and Client Management Director.

The arrival of adidas and the forthcoming opening of a gym in the Galerie des Champs-Elysees will increase its EPRA occupancy rate to 93%.

The transaction was carried out by CBRE, with SFL advised by Baker & McKenzie.

About SFL

Leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at 8.2 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (#cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.), and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies in the consulting, media, digital, luxury, finance and insurance sectors. As Frances oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties.

Stock market: Euronext Paris Compartment A  Euronext Paris ISIN FR0000033409  Bloomberg: FLY FP  Reuters: FLYP PA

S&P rating: BBB+ stable outlook

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621281599/en/

SFL  Thomas Fareng  T +33 (0)1 42 97 27 00  [email protected]

www.fonciere-lyonnaise.com

Source: Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise
The lab to offer hands-on and virtual learning for Starbucks partners, students, researchers and industry leaders to innovate and scale solutions for some of the worlds most challenging social and environmental issues

Starbucks and Arizona State University partner to create programming this fall; the lab is expected to physically open within the next three years

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Starbucks announced plans today to develop a new sustainability learning and innovation lab at Hacienda Alsacia  the companys global agronomy headquarters for research and development, located in Costa Rica. The lab will serve as a hub for hands-on and virtual learning opportunities for Starbucks partners (employees), students, researchers and industry leaders to innovate and scale sustainable solutions for some of the worlds most challenging environmental and social issues, including climate adaption and agricultural economics.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621594072/en/

Starbucks to open sustainability learning and innovation lab in Costa Rica (Graphic: Business Wire)

Starting this fall, the lab will offer the first wave of educational programming to select Arizona State University (ASU) students and Starbucks partners. The first wave will leverage ASUs leading educational technology and world-class faculty to enrich the student experience, including study abroad opportunities tied to existing ASU degree programs, such as Sustainability, Sustainable Food Systems, Global Agribusiness, Environmental and Resource Management, among others. Starbucks lab is expected to physically open within the next three years.

For more than a decade Hacienda Alsacia, the companys first and only company-owned and operated coffee farm, has focused on the sustainability of coffee. The farm is dedicated exclusively to research and development, where the Starbucks team is creating new coffee varieties, testing disease-resistant coffee trees and developing and sharing agricultural practices to produce a higher yield and ensure the future of coffee. While the research and development at Hacienda Alsacia will continue, the lab will expand the capabilities and collaboration needed to cultivate positive social and environmental change beyond coffee.

This is an opportunity for us to advance Starbucks environmental promise to give more than we take and our farmer promise to ensure the future of coffee for all, said Laxman Narasimhan, Starbucks chief executive officer. We know we cannot do this important work alone, and the possibilities in front of us to scale solutions, partner with thought leaders and serve as a global hub for innovation are limitless."

Starbucks mission extends well beyond its customers, partners and cafes. As a company that buys 3% of the worlds highest quality and ethically sourced arabica coffee from more than 400,000 farmers in more than 30 countries, Starbucks understands its future is inextricably tied to social and environmental challenges. The company has a long-standing commitment to work alongside communities to become a resource positive company, including cutting its carbon, water and waste footprints in half by 2030. In partnership with others, Starbucks is committed to identifying new ways to give more than it takes with the belief that the company can build a great business that scales for good and has a positive impact on the future.

Starbucks and ASU have a long-standing partnership of working together to build educational and innovative programming. Most recently, Starbucks and ASU reached a milestone of graduating more 10,000 partners through the Starbucks College Achievement Program.

This is an exciting new chapter in our nearly decade-long partnership with Starbucks, said Arizona State University President Michael Crow. The new sustainability learning and innovation lab will expand on our collaboration together, working closely to tackle critical challenges with a collective commitment to seek new and sustainable approaches that impact global communities.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with over 35,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at stories.starbucks.com or starbucks.com.

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621594072/en/

[email protected]

206-318-7100

Source: Starbucks
US VC investment reinforces confidence in the UKs fintech sector by supporting Volts product development and international expansion beyond Europe

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Volt, the company building the global infrastructure for real-time payments, today announces that it has raised a $60 million Series B to fund expansion into new international markets such as APAC and the Americas - and support product development in existing markets across Europe, the UK and Brazil. Following London Tech Week, this investment from IVP, one of Silicon Valleys leading investors, signals a vote of confidence in the UKs fintech sector.

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Tom Greenwood, CEO of Volt (Photo: Business Wire)

The investment round was led by IVP, a Silicon Valley based firm that has a 40+ year track record backing companies like Coinbase, Slack and Supercell. New investor, CommerzVentures, is also participating in this Series B round along with existing funds, including EQT Ventures, Augmentum Fintech PLC and Fuel Ventures.

Volt, which is currently available across the UK, Europe and Brazil, plans to bring its pioneering real-time payments technology to APAC with an Australian market entry planned for later in 2023, and also has its sights set on the US market. In an effort to continue innovating for customers, the company plans to use this Series B investment to build out its network of acceptance and global reach and to enhance its product suite to include cash management, while also significantly bolstering its product and engineering teams.

Tom Greenwood, CEO of Volt, comments: Testament to our progress and our vision for real-time payments everywhere, we're thrilled to be working with our new partners at IVP, joining their portfolio of leading global brands. We're staying focused, and humble, as we embark on this next chapter.

Founded in 2019, Volt has established itself as a leading global real-time payments provider, and is forging the path by bringing together new generation account-to-account (A2A) payments infrastructure to a single point of access. This investment builds on Volts momentum, with recent wins including a global partnership for real-time payments with the worlds largest merchant acquirer, Worldpay from FIS, and teaming up with Shopify to become the commerce platforms first open banking provider.

True to its name, Volt is creating an electrifying global network for instantaneous, secure and cost-effective A2A payments. The wisdom and experience of the founders accrued at transformative payments companies, coupled with the talented employees at the company, strongly position Volt to give merchants and payment partners the lightning-fast, best-in-class payment solution theyve wanted and needed, said Eric Liaw, General Partner at IVP.

Angela Zhu, Partner at IVP, adds: As over 70 countries, including the U.S., transition to RTP systems, merchants are experiencing the immense benefits of instant, secure, and cost-effective A2A payments. With the value of A2A payments in e-commerce transactions set to reach $757 billion by 2026, Volt is well-positioned to redefine the future of payments on a global scale.

Tom Mendoza, Partner at EQT Ventures, adds: Its no secret that fundraising in 2023 has been challenging for many, but Volt demonstrates that emerging category leaders in large and growing markets will thrive irrespective of the macroeconomic environment. The EQT Ventures team are delighted to see another British fintech take on APAC, Australia, and the US, with the backing of a globally renowned cohort of investors.

Perry Blacher, Augmentum Partner, adds: We are excited to continue to back the Volt team. The new capital and the addition of another leading investor, IVP, serve as further reinforcement for the companys accelerating growth trajectory, as they continue to deliver their world-class service to global merchants.

Stefan Tirtey, Managing Partner at CommerzVentures, adds: Were excited by Volts progress to date in its mission to deliver the first global real-time payment network. With its strong leadership team, technical expertise and commercial prowess, we believe its well positioned to deliver on the potential of A2A payments. We look forward to seeing what the future holds.

About Volt

Founded in 2019, Volt is building the infrastructure for global instant payments. Today, its open payments gateway allows merchants and PSPs to process transactions securely between accounts held at more than 5,000 banks in the UK, the EU and Brazil. Volts unique aggregation model provides unrivalled open payments reach and maximises the speed, security and resilience of transactions. For further information, please visit: https://www.volt.io/

About IVP

IVP helps breakout companies grow into enduring market leaders. With a 40-year record of driving growth and 130+ IPOs, weve partnered with over 400 companies including Amplitude, Brex, Coinbase, Crowdstrike, Datadog, Discord, Klarna, Slack, Snap, and Twitter. As trusted allies, IVP helps founders and CEOs meet the challenge of leading a rapidly growing company. We are selective, proven, pragmatic, and genuine. We accompany the undaunted on the path to extraordinary outcomes.

About EQT Ventures

EQT Ventures is a multi-stage VC fund that partners with the most ambitious and boldest founders in Europe and the US. The fund is based in Luxembourg and has investment advisors stationed in Stockholm, Amsterdam, London, San Francisco, Berlin and Paris. Fuelled by some of Europes most experienced company builders and scalers, EQT Ventures helps the next generation of entrepreneurs with the capital and hands-on support needed to build global winners. For further information, please visit https://eqtventures.com/

About Augmentum Fintech

Augmentum invests in fast growing fintech businesses that are disrupting the financial services sector. Augmentum is the UK's only publicly listed investment company focusing on the fintech sector in the UK and wider Europe, having launched on the main market of the London Stock Exchange in 2018, giving businesses access to patient capital and support, unrestricted by conventional fund timelines and giving public markets investors access to a largely privately held investment sector during its main period of growth.

About CommerzVentures

Founded in 2014, CommerzVentures is a specialist fintech investor with 550m under management. CommerzVentures backs early and growth-stage companies in the fintech, insurtech and Climate FinTech sectors. A returns-driven Europe-first investor, CommerzVentures global strategy includes Israel, the USA, and Africa.

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Tara Rapley

[email protected]

Source: Volt
Marks the nations first commercial-scale advanced microreactor production factory.

Vibrant manufacturing environment and workforce availability key factors in nationwide search.

State-of-the art advanced manufacturing facility will create 250 direct professional, technical and skilled manufacturing jobs.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), the U.S.-based global leader in the deployment of fourth-generation gas-cooled microreactors, today announced their selection of Gadsden, Alabama as the location of the companys MMR Assembly Plant (MAP). The highly automated facility will manufacture, assemble, test, and inspect the non-radiological modules needed to construct USNCs industry leading Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR). The company emphasized that no radioactive material is to be used or stored at this facility.

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Design layout of the USNC Gadsden MMR Assembly Plant. (Photo: Business Wire)

The decision to locate in Gadsden resulted from a year-long search spanning 16 states and hundreds of potential sites. Primary factors evaluated included site suitability and infrastructure, skilled workforce availability, and overall project economics. USNC and the State of Alabama formalized the deal through a Project Agreement executed by Governor Kay Ivey and the company.

News of the agreement came during a keynote address by USNCs Chief Nuclear Officer, Dan Stout, at the 10th Advanced Reactors Summit and Technology Trailblazers Showcase.

We appreciate the interest and support for this effort from the City of Gadsden, Etowah County, the Alabama Department of Commerce and so many others including Governor Ivey and her talented team, said Stout. We especially appreciate the guidance and efforts of April Gray at the Department of Commerce and David Hooks of the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority in making this project a reality.

The non-nuclear production facility represents a $232 million investment in advanced nuclear infrastructure, benefitting the community, the Southeast region, and the nation. When operational, MAP will employ 250 professional and technical workers. USNC representatives note significant potential for expansion and export as demand for the MMR high-temperature gas reactor gains global interest and traction. There is also high potential for USNC suppliers to establish a local presence, thereby creating even more growth and opportunity in and around Gadsden.

"Alabama is home to an impressive array of highly innovative companies, so our state is an ideal place for Ultra Safe Nuclears new advanced microreactor assembly plant, Governor Kay Ivey said. This unique facility will benefit the Gadsden community through a significant investment and the creation of good jobs while also reinforcing Alabamas reputation for cutting-edge manufacturing operations.

USNCs microreactors will be produced at the state-of-the-art facility in Gadsden and shipped as modules to sites around the world, allowing for the generation of reliable energy anywhere, said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. This is safe and amazing technology, and Im pleased that it will be Made in Alabama.

The 578,000 square foot factory features state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing processes and equipment and will be capable of producing up to ten (10) complete MMR nuclear units per year. The MAP project establishes an advanced nuclear manufacturing hub in Gadsden and the surrounding region.

"This is a game-changer for Gadsden," said Mayor Craig Ford. "Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation's selection of Gadsden proves what I've known all my life about the unmatched grit and capability of our workforce. When I took office less than eight months ago, this was one of the first industrial project requests to cross my desk and working toward today's announcement has been my top priority since. With this plant being focused on manufacturing and assembly, our workforce is built for exactly this type of industry. We look forward to filling the hundreds of innovative, technology-driven jobs once this new assembly plant becomes operational in 2027. Gadsden and USNC are excited to grow together."

We are attracted to Gadsden by their skilled workforce and the outstanding training programs and support they are bringing to the table, said Ted Coulter, Plant Director for the MMR factory at USNC. In Gadsden, I have confidence we can hire local talent and operate with both safety and efficiency. We are looking forward to becoming a member of the community.

MAP is a significant investment in U.S. Advanced nuclear infrastructure needed to support the Energy Transition. Construction is slated to begin in 2024 with the facility operational in 2027.

About Ultra Safe Nuclear

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), a U.S. company headquartered in Seattle (WA), is a global leader and strong vertical integrator of nuclear technologies and services, on Earth and in Space. The company produces the Micro-Modular reactor (MMR), TRISO-based Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM) nuclear fuel, and develops nuclear power and propulsion technologies for space exploration.

The company has active micro reactor deployment projects in Canada at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, and in the United States at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Additional units are in development in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

USNC is committed to opening new markets around the world for safe, commercially competitive, power and heat from nuclear energy. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation is Reliable Zero-Carbon Energy. Anywhere.

www.usnc.com

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Brian Meeley

[email protected]

703.282.0691

Source: Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation
Rapid, On-the-Go Disinfection - Kills C. difficile Spores in Only 20 Seconds

VALENCIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UltraViolet Devices, Inc. (UVDI), a leading manufacturer of advanced UV-C air and surface disinfection technology, will introduce the new UVDI-GO UV LED Surface Sanitizer, designed for rapid, on-the-go disinfection of high-touch, shared surfaces and equipment, at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) 2023 Annual Conference & Exposition in Orlando, Florida, June 26-28. The UVDI-GO provides 99.99% inactivation of common healthcare microorganisms in 20 seconds or less, portability and surface safety, enabling healthcare professionals to quickly disinfect shared surfaces as they work.

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Independently proven 99.99% inactivation of high-risk microorganisms in 20 seconds at four inches distance. (Photo: Business Wire)

There is clear evidence regarding the presence of high-risk microorganisms, such as C. difficile spores and MRSA, on high-touch, shared surfaces and equipment in the healthcare environment,1 stated Dr. Ashish Mathur, Vice President of Innovation and Technology, UVDI. The UVDI-GO UV LED Surface Sanitizer can help prevent the spread of microorganisms with fast, sporicidal disinfection that is efficient in use and safe for surfaces.

Fast, Independently Proven Surface Disinfection

The UVDI-GO features patented, high-performance UV-C LED technology which has been independently proven to provide 99.99% inactivation of C. difficile spores in just 20 seconds and 99.999% inactivation of MRSA in only 10 seconds at four inches distance. This enables healthcare professionals to quickly disinfect surfaces and equipment between uses.

Portable, On-the-Go Use

The UVDI-GO is designed for durable, portable use, featuring cordless, battery-powered operation and lightweight compact design. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 90 minutes of run time per charge for efficient, point-of-use surface disinfection.

Surface-Safe Disinfection

The UVDI-GO is safe for use on common healthcare surfaces and equipment - including tablets, smartphones, keyboards, workstations on wheels, remote controls, patient call buttons, and employee badges - enabling broad use throughout healthcare facilities.

Designed for User Safety

The UVDI-GO is equipped with an easy-to-attach protective cone, which shields users from UV exposure during operation. This allows healthcare professionals to safely operate the handheld UVDI-GO while wearing protective goggles and gloves.

UVDI is committed to helping healthcare professionals reach their goal of better patient outcomes with innovative UV-C technology that pioneers new levels of performance, added Peter Veloz, CEO, UVDI. We believe the UVDI-GO advances this goal by making the disinfection of commonly shared surfaces faster, easier and safer.

UVDI is a proud 2023 APIC Strategic Partner and attendees at this years conference can visit the UVDI booth (#951) to demo both the UVDI-GO UV LED Surface Sanitizer and the UVDI-360 Room Sanitizer with UV Smart Connect.

The UVDI-GO UV LED Surface Sanitizer is available for pre-order at www.uvdi.com and will begin shipping in early Fall 2023.

About UVDI

UltraViolet Devices, Inc. (UVDI) designs and manufactures advanced Ultraviolet (UV) technology to clean the air and surfaces where we live, work and play. UVDI UV-C surface disinfection and Indoor Air Quality products are made in the U.S.A. and globally trusted in over 1,100 hospitals and 10,000 commercial sites. Its quality management systems and environmental management systems are certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Valencia, California, UVDI is a proud family-owned company and Minority Business Enterprise. Learn more at www.uvdi.com.

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1 Ide N, Frogner BK, LeRouge CM, Vigil P, Thompson M. What's on your keyboard? A systematic review of the contamination of peripheral computer devices in healthcare settings. BMJ Open. 2019 Mar 8;9(3):e026437.

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Will Gerard, Director of Global Marketing and Product Strategy

[email protected]

661.289.2741

Source: UltraViolet Devices, Inc.
CORK, Ireland & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vaultree, a global leader and trusted partner in cybersecurity, today proudly announces its recognition as a 2023 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This prestigious recognition is not only a testament to Vaultree's relentless innovation with Fully Functional Data-In-Use Encryption (FFDUE) and its mission to transform data protection and access in the digital realm, but also signifies its acceptance into a community of global leaders who are driving change and innovation.

Vaultree now joins the exclusive community of game-changers and tech pioneers like Airbnb, Kickstarter, Google and Twitter, who have previously been granted the Technology Pioneer title. This distinguished acknowledgement is bestowed upon companies ready to make a substantial and lasting impact on society and business through groundbreaking technology.

Vaultree's two-year membership in this prestigious cohort, spanning from June 21, 2023, to June 30, 2025, will see the company actively participating in WEF's initiatives, activities, and events. Vaultree will engage with the Forum's Cyber Security Centre, contributing to critical global discussions on key technological challenges and opportunities.

Born in the fall of 2020 on a dairy farm in Ireland, Vaultree is the embodiment of a decade-long commitment to research, development, and fine-tuning complex algorithms in the field of cybersecurity. The founders spent eight years diligently building an enterprise-scale solution before launching, fueled by the belief that data security should be a democratic principle, not a privilege.

Today, operating from dual headquarters in Cork, Ireland, and San Francisco, California, Vaultree stands at the forefront of cybersecurity, trusted by global leaders. Vaultree's revolutionary Fully Functional Data-In-Use Encryption (FFDUE) is a testament to their commitment. By solving the long-standing issue of plaintext exposure during data breaches and leaks, Vaultree brings groundbreaking innovation to the market and showcases the power of persistence and dedication.

This new chapter begins with an invitation to the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2023, taking place from June 27-29 in Tianjin, China. Vaultree CEO, Ryan Lasmaili, will represent the company at this global congregation.

"Being named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum is an honour that brings with it a deep sense of gratitude and humility," said Ryan Lasmaili, CEO of Vaultree. "We are not just a tech company; we are a force for change. Our recognition is not just about our groundbreaking innovation in cybersecurity but also about the potential our technology has to reshape the world. We are excited about the milestones we have reached and the future we are helping to create. Here's to a safer, more secure digital future for everyone.

Vaultree to Date:

Vaultree is revolutionising cybersecurity with its Fully Functional Data-In-Use Encryption (FFDUE) coupled with its simple-to-integrate, easy-to-use SDK, enabling enterprises to securely process, search, and compute on structured and unstructured encrypted data. This approach powers AI and ML applications, and simultaneously ensures data protection and access, even in the face of potential leaks. Vaultree's innovation is transforming business challenges into opportunities across industries worldwide, notably streamlining regulatory compliance and facilitating secure, collaborative cross-border data sharing.

Over the past year, Vaultree has achieved significant milestones, reinforcing its commitment to advancing global data security. These include a successful $12.8 million Series A funding round, a strategic partnership with Google AlloyDB, and recognition as the sole Irish recipient of the European Innovation Council (EIC) grant. Vaultree has also been honoured with three Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, the Editors Choice Encryption Expert award at the 2023 Global Infosec Awards, inclusion in the 2023 CyberTech 100 list, and a place on The Fast Company's World Changing Ideas List. Vaultree's technology has been integrated into Google's AlloyDB for PostgreSQL and the Quantum security company, Qrypt's Secure Proxy solution. These strategic collaborations, significant financial backing, and industry accolades underline Vaultree's innovative approach and its position as a market leader in Fully Functional Data-In-Use Encryption.

As Vaultree steps into this prestigious community, it is committed to making data privacy a human right and contributing to a safer, more secure digital future for companies and individuals worldwide.

About Vaultree:

Vaultree, a leader in cybersecurity, has redefined sensitive data protection and access with our Fully Functional Data-In-Use Encryption (FFDUE). Our solution enables enterprises to securely process, search, and compute structured and unstructured encrypted data, driving AI and ML applications. Our technology resolves traditional encryption hurdles and also provides an enterprise blend of performance, speed, and scalabilitymaking it an ideal match for data-intensive sectors. Moreover, our technology guarantees persistent encryption, even during a data leak. Under specific GDPR provisions, companies are exempt from disclosing a breach if the data was encrypted using Vaultreea testament to the trustworthiness of our system. With a seamless integration process that doesn't demand any major platform or technology changes, Vaultree is trusted by Google and numerous other data-focused organisations worldwide to safeguard their sensitive information. Our commitment is to always keep your data encrypted, accessible, and secure, while driving innovation and mitigating cybersecurity risks. Vaultree is a privately held company based in Ireland and the U.S. For more information, please visit www.vaultree.com.

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Media Contact

Matt Culbertson

[email protected]

Source: Vaultree
FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 24, 2016. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

By Stephanie Kelly and Nia Williams

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub have risen to their highest in two years, as outages at Midwestern refiners crimp demand and higher flows from Canada add to supply.

Stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery point for U.S. crude oil futures, have climbed for eight consecutive weeks after falling earlier this year. Overseas demand for U.S. crude and an end to refinery outages should reverse the build, said analysts.

"We're going to be sending more (oil exported) abroad," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. "The supply side continues to remain tight if you look at the big picture."

A spate of unexpected refinery outages in the Midwest have added to the inventories, which rose to 42.1 million barrels in the week to June 9, the highest since June 2021, Energy Information Administration data showed.

IIR Energy was tracking 579,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil offline in May in the central U.S., double the 256,000 bpd offline the same month a year ago, said Hillary Stevenson, a senior director at the company.

Outages at BP Plc's and Cenovus Energy Inc's 160,000-bpd Toledo, Ohio refinery and Phillips 66's 149,000-bpd Borger, Texas refinery likely have contributed to higher Cushing stockpiles, Stevenson added.

Slightly higher flows from Canada also added to the supplies, with Enbridge Inc's 702,000-bpd Flanagan South pipeline showing elevated flows in May and so far in June, said John Trischan, senior research manager of oil transportation at Wood Mackenzie.

Canadian crude may have been sent toward Cushing as feedstock for a restart of the Toledo refinery, which had a fire last year, said Matt Smith, lead oil analyst for the Americas at Kpler.

(This story has been corrected to fix attribution in paragraph 7)

(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly, Nia Williams and Arathy Somasekhar; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Intel Corporation today announced that it has agreed to sell an approximately 20% stake in its IMS Nanofabrication GmbH (IMS) business to Bain Capital Special Situations (Bain Capital), in a transaction that values IMS at approximately $4.3 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023. IMS will operate as a standalone subsidiary and will continue to be led by CEO Dr. Elmar Platzgummer.

Since inventing multi e-beam technology and introducing the first commercial multi-beam mask writer in 2015, Vienna, Austria-based IMS has been an industry leader in multi-beam mask writing for advanced technology nodes. Intel initially invested in IMS in 2009 and ultimately acquired the business in 2015. Since the acquisition, IMS has delivered a significant return on investment to Intel while growing its workforce and production capacity by four times and delivering three additional product generations.

Today, as EUV technology becomes broadly adopted in leading-edge technologies, the multi-beam mask writing tools required to create advanced EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography) masks are increasingly critical components to the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. This investment will position IMS to capture the significant market opportunity for multi-beam mask writing tools by accelerating innovation and enabling deeper cross-industry collaboration.

The advancement of lithography is critical to driving continued progress in the semiconductor industry, and mask writing plays a central role in the industrys transition to new patterning technologies, such as high-NA EUV, said Matt Poirier, senior vice president of Corporate Development at Intel. Bain Capitals investment and partnership will provide IMS with increased independence and bring strategic perspective to help accelerate the next phase of lithography technology innovation, ultimately benefitting the ecosystem as a whole.

Platzgummer said, We are pleased to gain a valuable partner in Bain Capital, which has a long history of partnering with companies to drive growth and value creation. They share our conviction in the meaningful opportunity ahead for IMS as EUV becomes more pervasive and high-NA EUV moves from development into high-volume manufacturing in the second half of the decade. We look forward to expanding our ability to support the worlds largest chip producers, who rely on our technology to produce current and next generations of semiconductor products.

Marvin Larbi-Yeboa, a partner at Bain Capital, said, As the global leader and innovator of emerging technologies in the semiconductor fabrication and nanotech industries, we believe IMS is well-positioned to capitalize on attractive secular tailwinds as additional chip production capacity comes online and build on its leading competitive position, tech differentiation and cutting-edge product capabilities.

Will Tetler, a managing director at Bain Capital, added, We look forward to partnering with IMS exceptional management team and Intel to employ our deep industry experience and value-creation capabilities to support the business long-term growth strategy through further investment in its leading-edge tech and product portfolio to enable IMS to extend its competitive market position.
Mazda Motor revealed Wednesday that the Japanese automaker is getting ready to start talks with the energy unit of Panasonic Holdings with a goal of setting up a battery supply partnership for electric vehicles (EVs). Mazda is hoping the partnership will carry the company towards a ramp in EV production.

According to a statement issued by the companies, Panasonic Energy will collaborate with Mazda in providing automotive cylindrical lithium-ion batteries manufactured in Japan and North America. These batteries are intended for use in Mazda electric vehicles, which are anticipated to be introduced during the latter half of this decade.

When asked about the specific battery cells that Mazda plans to use in its electric vehicles (EVs), a spokesperson from the company declined to provide details. However, they mentioned that Mazda would engage in discussions to ensure a stable supply of batteries starting from 2025-2027 or potentially even later.

Mazda has outlined a three-phase plan, and the aforementioned years are identified as the second phase. In November, Mazda had previously announced its intention to introduce battery EV models during the latter half of that particular phase.

Toyota (NYSE: TM), the leading automaker globally, with a stake of 5.1% in Mazda, revealed their extensive strategy last week aimed at enhancing the driving range and reducing costs of future EVs by embracing solid-state batteries and other advanced technologies.

In line with this development, Japan declared on Friday its intention to amplify assistance for domestic battery manufacturing, allocating funds of up to $2.2 billion. This initiative demonstrates Japan's commitment to bolstering economic supply chain security and extending support to Toyota and other manufacturers in the pursuit of this goal.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
By Ross Kerber

(Reuters) - Tesla Inc has returned to the S&P 500 ESG index, the sustainable investing-focused market index, after the electric car maker added environmental disclosures. Tesla was cut from the index last year because of issues including claims of racial discrimination and crashes linked to its autopilot vehicles. The removal prompted Chief Executive Elon Musk to responds with tweets such as "ESG is a scam". The re-inclusion of Tesla is largely symbolic because only about $8 billion in assets track the S&P 500 ESG index, a tiny fraction of the $15.6 trillion in assets that track the S&P 500 index, according to its provider, part of S&P Global. "It is more a soft benefit so people will have more confidence that the company is indeed relatively ESG friendly," said Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at financial research firm VettaFi. Tesla was among 39 companies added to the S&P 500 ESG index effective May 1 as part of an annual rebalancing. Other companies added included Chevron and Fox, while 23 companies were removed including Exxon and Oracle. Tesla, Chevron and Oracle did not respond to requests for comment. Exxon and Fox declined to comment. An S&P spokesperson said Tesla fared better this year, "especially on environmental factors, which are material for a company in the automobiles industry." Tesla gave information about its assessment of physical climate risks and of ESG considerations in its supply chain management strategy, the spokesperson added. Recent ESG-related matters at Tesla include a $3.2 million discrimination verdict against the company. S&P said it has a review underway that "relates to racial discrimination in Tesla factories," which could impact future scores.

(Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne will develop an advanced propulsion solution for the Long Range Maneuverable Fires (LRMF) missile that Lockheed Martin is developing for the U.S. Army.



The LRMF missile is a precision fires missile that will launch from existing U.S. Army launchers, like HIMARS, to engage targets at ranges that significantly exceed those of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) baseline.

Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion has powered U.S. Army systems for decades, and we look forward to leveraging that experience and our talented workforce to develop next-generation missiles with significantly extended range, said Eileen P. Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president. In addition to providing Soldiers the edge in offensive operations, this extended range missile will serve as a powerful deterrent, promising effective strike capabilities from long ranges.

The LRMF program is using a multi-phased development approach; the current phase focuses on design and risk-reduction activities.

About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers. For more information, visit www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com . Follow Aerojet Rocketdyne and CEO Eileen Drake on Twitter at @AerojetRdyne and @DrakeEileen .

Media Contact:

Eileen Lainez, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 571-239-7839

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/663e1174-4de7-4625-b1d1-75e8d0cd7467
SAN FRANCISCO, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optery, the first company to offer a free service for finding your personal data on hundreds of data broker websites, announced today that it has launched Optery for Business - the only fully self-service employee data removal offering for businesses.

Optery for Business enables IT teams and cybersecurity staff to close a significant gap by removing employee and executive personal identifiable information (PII) from data broker websites. The unchecked availability and exploitation of this data makes businesses more vulnerable to online and offline attacks.

According to Verizons 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report, 82 percent of data breaches involve a human element, including phishing, social engineering or the use of stolen credentials. Reducing the likelihood of physical attacks is also a significant concern for businesses - many utilize Optery with the primary motive being the scrubbing of executives home addresses from the web.

Opterys automated opt out software removes personal information from the internet to reduce the attack surface area for phishing, social engineering, harassment, fraud and doxxing. Optery was awarded "Editors' Choice" by PCMag.com as the most outstanding product in its category for two years running in 2022 and 2023.

One company using Optery for Business is executive protection company GS1 Security. Ernie Garcia, President at GS1 Security said, Our team looks critically at closing every potential security gap possible for our clients both in the online world and in the physical world. Optery is a critical component of our holistic approach allowing us to quickly scan and remove personal identifiable information from the web for our clients. GS1 Group chose Optery for its breadth of coverage and ease of deployment and for the before and after screenshots proving the information has been taken down.

Optery is the only company to offer a free report with dozens of screenshots showing where a persons personal information is being posted online, and for paying customers Optery provides before and after screenshots and deep links documenting where profiles have been removed. In addition to serving businesses, the company also offers the service to individuals and families; tens of thousands of users rely on Optery to prevent attacks and keep their personal data off the internet.

Business exposure to physical and digital attacks is growing rapidly, and much of it stems from the free flow of personal information on the internet, said Lawrence Gentilello, CEO and founder of Optery. Optery makes its customers personal information much harder to come by, frustrating attackers and making a business a less attractive target than unprotected businesses whose employee personal information flows unchecked on the web. Were excited to introduce this industry-leading solution to businesses concerned with removing employee personal information from the internet.

Optery has completed its AICPA SOC 2 security audit and offers Single Sign On (SSO) and System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM) integration and account provisioning options to businesses. Business plans can be purchased month to month, or on yearly subscriptions, and range from $3.99 per person, per month to $249 per person, per year. Businesses can create a free Optery for Business account in seconds, and after adding a credit card can run up to 5 free Exposure Reports to assess team members exposures at https://business.optery.com/signup.

About OpteryOptery is the first company to offer a free report with dozens of screenshots showing where your personal information is being posted by hundreds of data brokers online, and the first to offer IT teams a completely self-service platform for finding and removing employee personal information from the web. Optery can also automatically remove you from these sites, clearing your home address, phone number, email and other personal information from the Internet at scale. The service is used to prevent threats like phishing, social engineering, identity theft, harassment and physical violence. Tens of thousands of users rely on Optery to prevent attacks and keep their personal information off the Internet. Learn more at http://optery.com.

Media contact:Michelle FaulknerBig Swing617-510-6998[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e33f7c1-ff15-4d92-bcd6-4fe34294203f

Optery for Business is the only fully self-service employee data removal offering for businesses Opterys automated opt out software removes personal information from the internet to reduce the attack surface area for phishing, social engineering, harassment, fraud and doxxing.

Source: Optery
Minneapolis, MN, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), the eighth largest accounting firm in the United States, launched its innovative and ground-breaking high school internship program by welcoming 60 students to 15 of its offices across the country. This first-of-its-kind program is designed to not only provide the students with a glimpse into the world of accounting and professional services but guide CLA in ways to recruit the next generation of business leaders.

CLA received more than 400 applications in less than two weeks for this inaugural program. The 8-week paid summer internship program welcomes four interns in each of the 15 participating CLA locations. More than a summer job, the interns will receive tangible, hands-on experience in the world of accounting, audit, wealth management, digital engagement and more.

High school students have more career options available to them than ever before and we believe it is vital to provide them with a glimpse into the professional services world at CLA, explained Jen Leary, CEO of CLA. This program is designed to show the students not only what we do, but how an entrepreneur or small business owner operates. And we expect to learn as much from this group of students as they will learn from us. Our CLA family is excited to welcome them into our offices.

The number of young people choosing careers in accounting is declining and CLA is leading the charge to reach students even earlier as they contemplate future careers. The goal of the internship program is not only to provide an exceptional experience for the students, but also seek to inspire more high school students to better understand all the opportunities the profession has to offer.

The overwhelming response to this internship program and flood of applications tells us that young people are interested in a more meaningful summer experience, said Pat Bowes, CLAs managing director of people solutions. This early exposure to the profession could spark passion in our interns that stays with them as they start to explore their future career paths.

The students will participate in engaging learning opportunities, including a hands-on case study, a personality assessment, college preparatory sessions, and connections with other high school interns around the country. Theyll also have the chance to research and nominate a local community organization for a CLA Foundation award and enjoy some fun activities along the way.

CLA will also be offering a one-day learning event called Pathway to the Profession later this summer for students not selected for the internship.

About CLA

CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. With more than 8,500 people, nearly 130 U.S. locations, and a global vision, we promise to know you and help you. For more information, visit CLAconnect.com. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.

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Jackie Kruger CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) 612-376-4623 [email protected]

Source: CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
LHASA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Sichung Drolma, a saleswoman of a cashmere product company in Ngari Prefecture in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, was introducing her products to customers at the 5th China Xizang Tourism and Culture Expo.

The expo, held from June 16 to 18, is one of the most important events on Tibet's cultural calendar.

Nearly 1,500 km from Lhasa, the Ngari Prefecture is often dubbed the "roof" of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "roof of the world." With the continuous improvement of transportation facilities in Tibet, the once-remote place has also been integrated into the domestic and international markets.

In recent years, Sichung Drolma and her colleagues have traveled to Beijing, Shanghai, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and other places many times to reach out for business and investigate the market.

Since the beginning of this year, Sichung Drolma has sold her products at different trade fairs across the country. She said that at the Canton Fair in south China's Guangdong Province, the cashmere products from Ngari were welcomed by consumers at home and abroad, which helped boost the company's confidence in exploring domestic and foreign markets, and expand income channels for farmers and herdsmen.

"Ngari's cashmere sweaters and shawls are sold all over the country, and our wool has also been exported to South Asia," she said.

Highland barley is an essential staple for the Tibetan people. In 2018, Losang Tsering founded a brewery with highland barley craft beer as its main product.

At this year's expo, he brought six products developed in recent years to the exhibition hall. He said that Western countries are very interested in highland barley growing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and his dream of selling highland barley malt around the world is being realized step by step.

For a long time, farmers and herdsmen in Tibet had been affected by inconvenient transportation due to the remote location. They found it difficult to buy necessities and sell their local specialties. In recent years, the region has improved the supply and marketing cooperative system and has further helped farmers and herdsmen to explore the market.

Fifty supply and marketing cooperative organizations from Tibet's agricultural and pastoral areas brought about 300 kinds of distinctive local products, such as wooden bowls and handicrafts, to the expo.

The region has made great efforts to upgrade infrastructure in border areas, continuously expand border trade, and deepen cooperation with neighboring countries and regions.

This year's expo was held online and offline, and the number of foreign exhibitors increased. Sixty enterprises from 16 countries, including Nepal, India, Vietnam, Iran, Italy, and Australia, brought 630 kinds of goods to the expo. Deals on 60 projects with a total value of over 53 billion yuan (about 7.44 billion U.S. dollars) were signed on Saturday at the expo. 
SAN DIEGO and TORONTO, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued under the headline "StateHouse Confirms extension of Series A debt obligations to July 1st, 2023" earlier today, please note that the extension date should be July 3rd, and not July 1st as previously stated. The corrected release follows:

StateHouse Confirms extension of Series A debt obligations to July 3rd, 2023

StateHouse Holdings Inc. ("StateHouse" or the "Company") (CSE: STHZ) (OTCQX: STHZF), a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, today announced that as previously disclosed on December 30, 2022, the Company continues to engage in discussions related to potential future financing options. In addition, the Company's Series A debtholders (the Series A Debtholders) have granted StateHouse a further extension to July 3, 2023 (the Extension Date), on repayment of the Company's outstanding debt obligations owing to the Series A Debtholders (the Series A Indebtedness).

About StateHouse Holdings Inc.StateHouse, a vertically integrated enterprise with cannabis licenses covering retail, major brands, distribution, cultivation, nursery and manufacturing, is one of the oldest and most respected cannabis companies in California. Founded in 2006, its predecessor company Harborside was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States. Today, the Company operates 14 dispensaries covering Northern and Southern California and one in Oregon, distribution facilities in San Jose and Los Angeles, California and integrated cultivation/production facilities in Salinas and Greenfield, California. StateHouse is a publicly listed company, currently trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the ticker symbol "STHZ" and the OTCQX under the ticker symbol "STHZF". The Company continues to play an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California and Oregon consumers.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements'' (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. To the extent any forward-looking information in this news release constitutes "financial outlooks" or "future-oriented financial information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. 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 news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to the Companys potential future financing options and the Companys ability to repay the Series A Indebtedness by the Extension Date.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion and acquisitions; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the Company's listing statement dated May 30, 2019, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is directly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The Company's securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For the latest news, activities, and media coverage, please visit https://www.statehouseholdings.com, https://shopharborside.com and https://urbnleaf.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

For further information:

StateHouse Holdings Inc., Ed Schmults, CEO, orAngela PihHead of Marketing800-892-4209

Investor Contact: MATTIO CommunicationsRob Kelly [email protected]

Source: StateHouse Holdings Inc.
Washington, D.C., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) issued the following statement from Executive Director Allen Schaeffer regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) renewable fuel volume determinations, known as the Set Rule.

The EPAs announcement establishes disappointing future volumes for the Renewable Fuel Standard, well below all expectations. It will delay the important opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the use of low carbon biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels.

Biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel deliver significant carbon reductions in every application right now. These fuels can be used in any new, or existing, diesel engine. Theyre endorsed by engine and equipment makers. Trucking fleets, farmers, contractors, and others use these fuels as an affordable way to help reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions by up to 80%. Thats immediately and without investments in new infrastructure, vehicles, or equipment.

The EPAs volume set for 2023 is misaligned with current conditions. Compared to the same period in 2022, qualifying biomass-based diesel production increased by more than 30%, or 400 million gallons, in the first five months of this year already. The Energy Information Administrations Short Term Energy Outlook for June 2023 projects increases in U.S. production of biodiesel and renewable diesel of more than 800 million gallons this year and 900 million gallons next year.

The EPAs small nudge in biofuel volumes at this time of otherwise progressive climate policies is as confusing as it is inconsistent. The agency states that Low-carbon fuels are an important part of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector, and the RFS program is a key federal policy that supports the development, production, and use of low-carbon, domestically produced renewable fuels. (Page 7, pre-publication Final Rule).

Yet rather than issuing a robust and growth-oriented future volume set rule that expands the use of renewable diesel and biodiesel fuels to drive faster and deeper reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA touts it primarily as an energy security strategy to reduce 140,000 barrels of foreign oil imports.

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About the Diesel Technology Forum

The Diesel Technology Forum is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the current and future role of diesel engines, equipment, and fuels. Forum members are leaders in advanced diesel technology, emissions controls, as well as petroleum-based and renewable biofuels. For more information visit http://www.dieselforum.org.

Connect with Us

For the latest insights and information from the leaders in clean diesel technology, join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube. To get a weekly wrap-up of clean diesel news, policy analysis and more sent straight to your inbox please subscribe to our Diesel Direct newsletter.

Jessica Puchala Diesel Technology Forum 202-480-6441 [email protected]

Source: Diesel Technology Forum
BOCA RATON, Fla., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equivu Capital Holdings, Salvatore C. Calvinos private investment firm, today launched NextGen Deicing, a full-service aircraft deicing company, headed up by aviation industry veteran Jon Savage. With more than 20 years experience leading aircraft deicing companies, Savage will manage NextGen Deicing operations as president. Leveraging the latest technology, NextGen Deicing is focused on decreasing the Airlines winter operations costs and flight delays, while helping the environment by using less deicing fluid.

Prior to joining NextGen Deicing, Savage was an executive in the deicing industry, overseeing station startups. He has also served as General Manager for locations at Milwaukee (MKE), Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL), and Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) airports. As General Manager at DFW in the 2020-2021 deicing season, Savage was responsible for deicing more than 800 daily departures, managing 50 deice trucks and 275 employees, including overseeing deicing operations for the harshest winter storm on record at DFW in 100 years, that lasted six consecutive days.

In addition, Equivu Capitals founder and CEO Salvatore C. Calvino has deep expertise in deicing operations, including owning Integrated Deicing Services (IDS), whose state-of-the-art deicing equipment helped it become an industry leader with more than 4,200 employees when he sold it in 2015.

NextGen Deicing will quickly become the go-to partner for airports nationwide to effectively manage their deicing challenges, leveraging our deep expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, said Salvatore C. Calvino, Chairman of NextGen Deicing and CEO of Equivu Capital. With Jons dedication, knowledge and strong track record running highly successful deicing operations, he is the ideal executive to head up NextGen Deicing.

NextGen Deicing has a fleet of Deicing Trucks that are equipped with the latest technology available to the industry. The Deicing Trucks can be used in single operator mode that cuts labor cost in half, compared to the traditional model truck commonly used in the industry.

About NextGen Deicing

NextGen Deicing LLC utilizes the latest proven aircraft deicing technology that focuses on both safety and environmental efficiencies. It strives to be innovative in its approach while ensuring that all treated aircraft take off safely. For more information, contact [email protected] or 704-845-8930.

For more media information, contact:

Lisa Hendrickson/LCH Communications for NextGen Deicing

516-643-1642

[email protected]

Source: NextGen Deicing
Indianapolis, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Financial Services Holdings, LLC, parent company of broker dealer Thurston Springer Financial and RIA Thurston Springer Advisors (together Thurston Springer), announced it has acquired T.S. Phillips Investments and Phillips Capital Advisors as of April 1, 2023.

T.S. Phillips is an independent broker-dealer headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and along with its RIA firm, Phillips Capital Advisors oversees $1 billion in assets. With this acquisition, Thurston Springer continues its national expansion and enters the southwest U.S. marketplace.

Thurston Springer is merging the newly acquired T.S. Philips and Phillips Capital Advisors with their existing broker dealer and RIA. We are pleased to acquire this high-quality firm and welcome over twenty experienced Financial Advisors across six branch locations throughout Oklahoma and New Mexico. Our firms hold a similar philosophy of providing comprehensive, holistic financial planning services to individuals and their families, said Rick Parker, CEO of Thurston Springer. We believe our robust product platform, enhanced technology, dedicated fixed income trading desk and service expertise will benefit T.S. Phillips Advisors and their clients.

We are thrilled to join the Thurston Springer family and share in their national expansion, said Thompson S. Phillips, President. We are impressed with Thurstons technology capabilities and the comprehensive services and product suite available to our long-standing clients. We view our association with Thurston Springer as a tremendous opportunity for both our Advisors and the clients they serve nationwide.

About Financial Services Holdings, LLC

Financial Services Holdings, LLC, is a financial service organization that operates as Thurston Springer. Through its subsidiaries broker dealer Thurston Springer Financial, RIA Thurston Springer Advisors, tax and consulting business Bristal Lane Group and Insurance agency Thurston Springer Insurance. Thurston Springer has provided comprehensive wealth management and financial planning nationally to individuals, institutions, and family offices since 1981.
WALTHAM, Mass., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3DGaNTM (Gallium Nitride) innovator Finwave Semiconductor, Inc. today announced that Dr. Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre has joined the company as its chief executive officer. In his new role, Dr. Lesaicherre will be instrumental in driving the adoption of Finwaves disruptive technology and bringing it to the broader market. Dr. Lesaicherre is a seasoned semiconductor industry veteran with decades of experience leading technology companies into accelerated growth and increased profitability.

Finwave co-founder and former CEO, Dr. Bin Lu, is now taking on the role of chief technology officer. In this position, Dr. Lu will maintain his unwavering commitment to driving technology development and innovation within the company.

With his extensive leadership experience in the semiconductor industry, profound expertise in technology, science and global business, and a remarkable track record of transforming businesses into resounding successes, Pierre-Yves is ideally positioned to guide the company forward as we continue to push the boundaries of GaN semiconductor technology, stated Dr. Lu. I eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will undoubtedly make, as we strive to revolutionize energy-efficient 5G/6G communications, data centers, automotive power, the IOT and more.

Finwave, an early-stage semiconductor company that emerged from MIT, is actively enhancing its disruptive GaN technology. The crown jewel of the companys innovation lies in its revolutionary 3DGaN FinFET technology, which delivers remarkable advancements in linearity and power efficiency for 5G communications. Moreover, Finwaves pioneering enhancement-mode (Emode) RF technology opens up a world of possibilities for high-performance power amplifiers in mobile handsets. By capitalizing on high-volume 8" Si CMOS manufacturing, Finwave's GaN-on-Si platform enables substantial cost reductions compared to traditional 6" GaN-on-SiC and GaAs technologies, while embracing the scalability principles akin to "Moore's Law" for GaN. This multiprong approach positions the company as a leader in driving industry transformation and staying at the forefront of technological innovation.

Finwave has introduced a new era of innovation and progress and is on the cusp of bringing the true potential of GaN to some of todays most important enabling markets  including 5G, AI, and the IoT, said Dr. Lesaicherre. The companys technology has already demonstrated its ability to deliver extremely high performance in higher frequency applications, and the implications of that are very exciting.

Before joining the Finwave team, Dr. Lesaicherre was the president, CEO and a director of Nanometrics Incorporated, a leading provider of advanced process control metrology and software analytics. He also held the CEO position for Lumileds, an integrated manufacturer of LED components and automotive lighting lamps, from 2012 to 2017. Dr. Lesaicherre previously held senior executive positions at NXP and Philips Semiconductors, and served as chairman of the board of Silvaco Group, Inc., a leading supplier of TCAD, EDA software and design IP. Dr. Lesaicherre currently serves on the board of InterDigital, a technology company that develops and licenses mobile and video technologies that are at the core of devices, networks and services worldwide.

Dr. Lesaicherre holds an MBA with a focus on International Business and Strategy from INSEAD, and has an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree in Material Science from the Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble INP). He is a board leadership fellow, governance fellow and director certified for NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and an active member of NACD and SVDX (Silicon Valley Directors Exchange).

More information can be found at www.finwavesemi.com.

About Finwave Semiconductor, Inc.Founded in 2012, Finwave Semiconductor is shaping the future through a new generation of RF and power chips based on a breakthrough Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistor architecture. Finwaves advanced 3DGaNTM technology is the discovery of prominent MIT innovators who are focused on bringing the true potential of GaN to key industries including 5G, AI, cloud computing, and EV and autonomous vehicles.

Finwave is the creator of the worlds first 8 GaN insulating gate FinFET processed in a Si CMOS fab. The companys proven, award-winning, breakthrough GaN FinFET technology, and its 3D fin transistor structure, is the result of more than 100 years of combined cutting-edge research. Finwave has offices in Massachusetts and California, as well as partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.finwavesemi.com.

Media Contact: Stephanie Olsen Lages & Associates(949) 453-8080[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4721e85-7e11-4810-a317-0190a204fd7a

Dr. Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre Finwave Semiconductor has appointed Dr. Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre as its new CEO. Dr. Lesaicherre will be instrumental in driving the adoption of Finwaves disruptive technology and bringing it to the broader market.

Source: Finwave Semiconductor
LONDON and NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZRG Partners, a leading global talent firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, today announced the promotion of London-based executive James Absalom to the position of Chief Commercial Officer  International.



Absalom became part of ZRG when his previous firm that he founded as CEO in 2015, Walter James, was acquired in December 2021. In that time, revenues with the Walter James division have increased 23%. He has worked across numerous client verticals, including Consumer & Retail, Life Science, Industrial, Financial Services, Sustainability and Technology. His client portfolio includes global entities like Colgate-Palmolive, Gruppo Campari, SC Johnson, Unilever, Haleon, and Imperial Brands as well as numerous private equity and privately owned high growth organizations.

James will be responsible for maximizing growth across all our business lines, including executive search, DEI, interim management, leadership & assessment consulting, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and showcase our truly collaborative, end-to-end talent advisory firm, said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. We are confident he will help us grow our business practices all across the globe.

In his new role, Absalom will oversee growth of ZRGs international footprint in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Australia. In keeping with ZRGs M&A focused growth strategy, he will also work closely with the board to identify, acquire, and integrate M&A targets internationally.

I am excited to take on this newly created leadership role at ZRG Partners to grow our global client base, Absalom said. I am working with practice leaders, senior partners, and others throughout our worldwide network to provide best in class functional, geographical and sector expertise to ensure we can offer clients both a global footprint but also local partnership. My plan is to ensure we build long lasting, impactful, and value-driven business results where we focus on matching the right executives to the unique culture of our clients.

Absalom will also continue to fulfil his senior partner role by originating and leading large searches across the C-Suite, managing his own clients, and bringing people in to grow the firms client base and business lines.

ZRGs new Chief Commercial Officers experience includes working with complex global organizations in senior leadership positions that require both change and transformation.

Founded in 1999, ZRG, is one of the fastest growing global executive search firms in the search industry. With the financial backing of private equity investor RFE Investment Partners, ZRG provides a full suite of executive, middle-management, and customized search solutions through its offices in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The firm finds leaders across a broad spectrum of business markets, including aerospace, consumer, education, healthcare services and solutions, industrial, life sciences, non-profit, private equity and venture capital, and technology.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. (Marimaca Copper, Marimaca or the Company) (TSX: MARI) is pleased to announce a C$20 million equity investment by Mitsubishi Corporation (Mitsubishi) by way of non-brokered private placement (the Strategic Investment). Proceeds from the Strategic Investment will be used to advance and accelerate the development of the Companys flagship Marimaca Copper Project located in the Antofagasta region, Chile.

Mitsubishi will subscribe for an aggregate 4,640,371 units (Units) consisting of one common share (a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a Warrant) at a price of C$4.31 per Unit. Each Warrant will entitle Mitsubishi to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$5.60 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Strategic Investment. Following completion of the Strategic Investment, Mitsubishi will own approximately 5.0% of Marimacas issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis.

The Unit subscription price represents an 11% premium to the 20-day volume weighted average price of the Companys common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) as of June 19, 2023.

Mitsubishi is a major investor in the Latin American copper industry with a portfolio of existing investments including Escondida, Los Pelambres, Antamina, Los Bronces and Quellaveco.

Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented:

We are pleased to welcome Mitsubishi Corporation as a partner and shareholder in Marimaca. This investment is a strong endorsement of the quality of the Marimaca Project from an exceptionally well-respected and established stakeholder in the Chilean copper industry.

We are pleased that Mitsubishi shares our view that the Marimaca Copper Project is a unique, very high quality, development stage project. Its location affords it several advantages including an expectation that it will be among the lowest carbon intensity copper producers in the industry. It is one of very few new copper projects that has the potential to deliver near term production of meaningful scale.

Mitsubishis investment significantly de-risks our next phase of development and provides funding to accelerate progress toward the Definitive Feasibility Study and permitting, while minimizing dilution to our existing shareholders.

Taro Abe, General Manager, Base Metals Dept., Mitsubishi Corporation, commented:

We are excited to be involved in the Marimaca project, which has the potential to deliver a meaningful new supply of copper in the near term. Of particular importance to us are the sustainability credentials of the project, which we believe will be a source of very low carbon intensity copper.

We look forward to working together with the Marimaca team as it moves into the next phase of studies and permitting with the hope we can fully utilise our deep experience in the Chilean copper industry to further enhance this project.

Marimaca intends to use the proceeds of the Strategic Investment to progress the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and permitting workstreams on the Company's Marimaca Copper Project, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Strategic Investment is expected to close on or before July 11, 2023 and is subject to the approval of the TSX. The securities issued pursuant to the Strategic Investment will be subject to a statutory 4-month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. No finder's fee is payable in connection with the Strategic Investment.

In connection with the Strategic Investment, Mitsubishi will be granted certain rights including:

For so long as Mitsubishi maintains an ownership interest of at least 2.5%, Mitsubishi will be granted participation and top-up rights that enable it to maintain its pro rata ownership interest in the Company.

The right to nominate one member for election to the Companys Board of Directors should Mitsubishis ownership interest increase to 7.5% or greater.

The right to appoint two members to an Environmental and Technical Committee that will be formed.

In connection with the Strategic Investment, Greenstone Resources L.P. and certain of its affiliates and affiliates of Tembo Capital Mining GP Limited, including Ndovu Capital XIV B.V., have agreed to waive their respective pre-existing rights to participate on a pro rata basis in equity financings by the Company.

RBC Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Strategic Investment.

About MarimacaMarimaca Copper is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on developing the Marimaca Project, an oxide, open-pit, heap leach copper project located in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile. The Companys shares trade on the TSX under the symbol MARI and on the OTCQX under the symbol MARIF.

Contact InformationFor further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact:

Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150Emily Moss / Adam Baynes[email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements related to the Strategic Investment and the terms thereof, the anticipated closing date, the intended use of proceeds and the receipt of regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2023 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Statements regarding the Companys planned DFS on the Project are forward-looking information and may not be realized. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Marimaca Copper Corp.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FRANKFURT: 89N) (MAX Power or the Company) is pleased to report the commencement of a high resolution heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey over the Corvette Lake North and Corvette Lake South properties to help identify prospective lithium hosting pegmatite targets.

Prospectair Geosurveys of Gatineau, Quebec, is carrying out the airborne surveys. Prospectair's operations are not currently impacted by forest fire access restrictions that are currently in the area.

The heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey will acquire detailed information over the properties, using 50-metre line spacing covering a total of 2,257-line kilometres. The tight line spacing is an important factor in interpreting structures and rock formations, especially where rocks are not outcropping.

The data will be analyzed and interpreted by GroundTruth Explorations geophysics experts. Areas with prospective targets will have 3D inversion modelled to better define the local structure.

MAX Power has also entered into a contract with Axiom Exploration Group Ltd. for its 2023 field summer exploration program that will consist of prospecting for LCT-type (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) mineralized pegmatites and soil sampling over identified magnetic and radiometric targets/anomalies with limited outcrop exposure. The Company will update investors when the summer field exploration has officially commenced.

Geology

The Corvette North Property is situated in an intriguing structural setting between two major intrusive complexes highlighted by the Langelier and Moyen plutons, as described in Quebec report RG 2020-01 (Geologie de la region du lac de la Corvette, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James). One part of the Corvette North claims is found in structural Domain IV (as described in the report) while some of the remaining claims are situated in Domain III, the same structural domain that hosts the areas CV5 and CV8 pegmatite discoveries.

The immediate region between the Langelier and Moyen plutons could produce interesting exploration potential due to the focusing of stresses and possible pegmatite intrusion emplacements. Virginia Mines worked in the Corvette North claims area for several years and conducted gold exploration campaigns discovering numerous gold occurrences in the Corvette Greenstone Belt situated in Domain V. Domain V is where the majority of the historic Virginia Mines Corvette and Eade gold showings occur. There are lithium pegmatite occurrences in this area that will be investigated during MAX Powers upcoming field program.

Location Map

Management cautions that mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of the presence of similar mineralization or geology on the Company's properties.

Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) Listing in Germany

The Companys shares are now trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("FSE") under the symbol "89N".

The Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) is one of the world's largest international trading centers for securities. Operated by the Deutsche Boerse AG, FSE, is the largest of Germany's seven stock exchanges, and is responsible for approximately 90 percent of all securities traded in Germany. The FSE facilitates advanced electronic trading, settlement and information systems and enables cross-border trading for international investors.

Rav Mlait, CEO, commented, "We are excited to be listed on the Frankfurt Exchange, which is a big step in accelerating the growth of MAX Power by allowing retail and institutional European investors to trade our public equity shares."

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Lauder, P.Geo., Member of the Order of Geologists of Quebec and Senior Geologist and Exploration Manager for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Lauder is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

About MAX Power

MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance North Americas renewable energy prospects.

Contact: [email protected]

MarketSmart Communications at 877-261-4466.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling, mineralization and historical results on the Properties; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the initiation of and the results thereby of any future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Properties and the James Bay region, generally; the potential for lithium within the Properties; commentary as it related to the opportune timing to explore lithium exploration and any anticipated increasing demand for lithium; future press releases by the Company; funding of any future drilling program; regulatory approval, including but not limited to the CSE. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," interpreted, "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," suggests, often, target, future, likely, pending, "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Managements Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7865bc05-b5a5-4278-8a12-c40e052bf1c1

MAX Power Mining Corp. MAX Power Mining claims location map at James Bay Lithium Camp, Quebec, Canada

Source: Max Power Mining Corp
New York, NY, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On June 21, the NFT project Open Foodie announced a seed funding round of $500,000. Open Foodie is a Web3 creative-based cartoon food manufacturing lab, aiming to combine Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 technologies to drive the future development of the food industry. With the slogan "Feed the Hungry with Creativity," the company is creating a new Web3-based gourmet food brand IP.

Open Foodie, a groundbreaking Web3 NFT project focusing on the fusion of art, food, and technology, is set to bring innovative, community-driven art and culinary carnivals to ten global cities. Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, Shanghai, Bangkok, Toronto, New York, and London will play host to these unique events that celebrate the endless possibilities in the culinary landscape.

At present, Open Foodie has released its first Genesis series - Bitcoin Foodie, with a total supply of 256 NFTs. Users who hold Bitcoin Foodie will receive airdrops of all subsequent Open Foodie BTC ecosystem assets, including the soon-to-be-issued BRC-20 Meme Token $f00d. Moreover, Open Foodie plans to launch its first game called "Foodie Drop" on the BRC-20 platform, with participating players having a chance to obtain $f00d and unlock various rewards within the Bitcoin ecosystem. More potential fun and engaging BTC games are currently in the works.

Crucial to Open Foodie's vision is its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation across various domains, including animation, art, gaming, consumer activities, lifestyles, and communities. This dedication is set to perpetuate the development of a cutting-edge, creative-centric Web3 ecosystem, fostering new possibilities and explorations.

Notably, potential collaborations to explore future partnerships in the Web3 realm have recently emerged, highlighting the growing intrigue surrounding Open Foodie as a new pre-sale platform for its unreleased main series collection. As the project unfolds, Open Foodie is set to captivate a global audience with its unique blend of creative culinary experiences, visual arts, and blockchain technology, revolutionizing the culinary industry in an unprecedented manner.

The Open Foodie family is a multinational collaborative team from Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, and Australia. The team possessed a wealth of experience in brand planning, food technology, financial technology, and Web3 NFT project operations before initiating the Open Foodie project, and held significant roles in NFT Marketplaces and several renowned NFT projects. The team confidently said, "We are extremely confident in finding the entry point between Web2 and Web3, breaking conventions and bringing unprecedented industry innovations!"

https://openfoodie.io/

Joey Zhu Open Foodie info-at-openfoodie.io https://openfoodie.io/

Source: Open Foodie
Reston, Va., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noblis, Inc., a leading provider of science, technology and strategy services to the federal government, announced that it has been awarded a five-year, $78 million Learning Management and Support Services contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

Under this contract, Noblis will integrate stakeholder learning needs and design, develop and maintain learning solutions that help promulgate geospatial intelligence doctrine, concepts and other agency workforce development needs for NGAs National Geospatial-Intelligence College.

This contract with NGA is an opportunity to leverage our deep experience in instructional design advancing intelligence tradecraft and critical workforce proficiencies, said Mile Corrigan, Noblis president and CEO. We are excited to contribute to the College's mission of developing a workforce with knowledge and capabilities at the cutting edge.

As an organization centered around continuous learning and professional growth, Noblis is thrilled to provide our learning services expertise and offer the College the highest caliber of instructional strategy, design and development, said Rich Jacques, vice president of Noblis Intelligence and Law Enforcement mission area. Were looking forward to helping the College advance learning solutions that enable upskilling and reskilling of NGAs workforce with evolving tradecraft to address the unprecedented challenges of the future.

The Noblis team has extensive experience developing innovative solutions across a wide range of defense, intelligence, law enforcement and homeland security agencies. Together, the team brings deep expertise in designing effective learning strategies, developing and maintaining advanced learning solutions and establishing accurate measures of program success.

About Noblis

For more than 25 years, Noblis has been an innovator within the federal government, committed to enriching lives and making our nation safer while investing in the missions of tomorrow. As a nonprofit, Noblis works for the public good, providing independent and objective science, technology and engineering solutions. We work with a wide range of government clients in the defense, homeland security, intelligence, law enforcement and federal civil sectors.

Source: Noblis, Inc.
NEW DELHI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Day of Yoga was celebrated across India on Wednesday, with senior leaders and federal ministers leading yoga sessions.

Thousands of people congregated at the yoga sessions in the morning hours across the country, indulging in physical exercises and practicing different yoga poses.

Starting in 2015, this is the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrated across the globe. Proposed by India, it was adopted by the United Nations in the form of a resolution in December 2014.

Emphasizing the importance of yoga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video message that it created a healthy and powerful society where the collective energy was much more. 
CALGARY, Alberta, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NXT Energy Solutions Inc. ("NXT" or the "Company") (TSX: SFD; OTCQB: NSFDF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bruce G. Wilcox as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Wilcox has been a member of the Companys board of directors since 2015, and brings extensive capital markets and energy investment experience to NXTS executive team.

Mr. Wilcox holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors), in Modern Chinese from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix.

Mr. Wilcox has had a long career as an investment company CEO, analyst and portfolio manager. He spent most of his career with Cumberland Associates, LLC, a New York equity fund, from 1986 through retirement in 2010, progressing from analyst / portfolio manager to partner (1989), and Chairman of the Management Committee (1997). Mr. Wilcox specialized in Cumberland's investments in the energy industry (exploration and production and service companies), with an emphasis on value and long-term holdings. During his tenure, the fund's assets under management ranged from US$0.7 billion to $1.5 billion.

From 1984 to 1986, Mr. Wilcox was with Central National-Gottesman, Inc. as an analyst and portfolio manager on a team responsible for a $500 million listed equity portfolio. Mr. Wilcox was CEO of E Street Management, LLC from 2016 through 2020 which managed a long/short equity fund of funds. From January 2011 to present he has also been one of three managing members of Xiling Fund III, LLC, part of a series of private equity funds (US$100+ million) which specialize in investing in museum-quality Imperial Chinese porcelains, archaic bronzes and ink paintings.

Mr. Wilcox is a member of several boards, including the Teachers College of Colombia University, acting as the Chair of the Investment Committee since 2003; the University of California Santa Barbara Foundation, including as former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Investment and Finance Committees; and was a Trustee (2001 to May, 2023) of the Manhattan Institute For Policy Research, a leading urban, state, and national policy institution, which works on matters such as energy policy.

Mr. Wilcox will continue to serve on the NXTs board of directors.

Together with our board of directors, I am delighted to have Mr. Wilcox appointed as our Interim CEO, says Charles Selby, Lead Director. Over the past eight years, Mr. Wilcox has provided leadership to our organization as a member of the board of directors. His experience has been and will continue to be invaluable as we execute on future business opportunities. I am grateful we have someone of his character, experience and caliber to contribute to critical steps in NXTs growth.

With the appointment of Mr. Wilcox as the Interim CEO, the committee of the board of directors that assumed the CEOs duties in January will immediately cease to have a governing role, but may continue as an advisory body. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Charles Selby, Mr. Gerry Sheehan, and Mr. Bruce G. Wilcox for the senior management expertise and leadership they provided as a committee over the last six months.

About NXT Energy Solutions Inc.

NXT Energy Solutions Inc. is a Calgary-based technology company whose proprietary SFD survey system utilizes quantum-scale sensors to detect gravity field perturbations in an airborne survey method which can be used both onshore and offshore to remotely identify traps and reservoirs with hydrocarbon and geothermal exploration potential. The SFD survey system enables our clients to focus their exploration decisions concerning land commitments, data acquisition expenditures and prospect prioritization on areas with the greatest potential. SFD is environmentally friendly and unaffected by ground security issues or difficult terrain and is the registered trademark of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. NXT Energy Solutions Inc. provides its clients with an effective and reliable method to reduce time, costs, and risks related to exploration.

Contact Information

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Eugene Woychyshyn Michael Baker Vice President of Finance & CFO Investor Relations 302, 3320  17th AVE SW 302, 3320  17th AVE SW Calgary, AB, T3E 0B4 Calgary, AB, T3E 0B4 +1 403 206 0805 +1 403 264 7020 [email protected] [email protected] www.nxtenergy.com www.nxtenergy.com

Source: NXT Energy Solutions Inc.
The annual general meeting of shareholders of AS Trigon Property Development (registry code: 10106774; hereinafter the Company) was held on 21 June 2023 in Tallinn, Parnu mnt 18.



The annual general meeting started at 10:00. 2,569,152 votes represented by the shares of the Company, i.e. 57,10% of all the votes represented by the shares of the Company, participated at the meeting. Therefore, the annual general meeting was competent to pass resolutions regarding the items on the agenda.

Resolutions of the annual general meeting:

1. Approval of the annual report of the Company for the financial year 2022





To approve the annual report of the Company for the financial year 2022, in accordance with which the balance sheet value of the Company as at 31 December 2022 was 1,738,576 Euros and the net profit for the financial year was 74,251 Euros.

In favour 2,569,152 votes i.e. 100% of all votes in the meeting thus the resolution was adopted.

2. Allocation of profits for the financial year 2022





To approve the profit allocation proposal made by the Management Board to add the net profit in the amount of 74,251 euros to accumulated profit.

In favour 2,569,152 votes i.e. 100% of all votes in the meeting thus the resolution was adopted.

3. Appointment of the auditor for the financial year 2023 and determining the remuneration policy for the auditor





To appoint AS PricewaterhouseCoopers (registry code 10142876, address Tatar 1, 10116 Tallinn) as the auditor of the Company for the financial year 2023. The auditing services will be paid for in accordance with the contract to be drawn up with the auditor.

In favour 2,569,152 votes i.e. 100% of all votes in the meeting thus the resolution was adopted.

4. Changes in the Supervisory Board





To elect Aivar Kempi as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Company instead of Alo Lepp (deceased) for the next five (5) years from the adoption of the decision by the general meeting.

In favour 2,569,152 votes i.e. 100% of all votes in the meeting thus the resolution was adopted.

The minutes of the general meeting of shareholders are available on Companys web-page, at http://www.trigonproperty.com/.

Rando Tomingas

Member of the Management Board

+372 66 79 200

[email protected]
BOULDER, Colo., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earable Neuroscience announces the completion of the investment process in its bridge round by Samsung Ventures at an undisclosed amount. This financial investment underscores Samsung Ventures' commitment to advancing healthcare technology for the future and recognizes the potential of Earable's FRENZ Brainband as a consumer sleep tech wearable. Prior to this bridge round, Earable was funded by Founders Fund, Smilegate Investment, 500 Global

Earable Neuroscience has developed FRENZ Brainband, which incorporates cutting-edge neuroscience technology into a consumer wearable to enhance sleep quality, improve focus, and promote relaxation.

The AI-powered FRENZ tracks and stimulates brain activity by delivering real-time personalized audio content through integrated bone-conduction speakers. The core technology was developed by scientists at the University of Colorado (USA) and Oxford University (UK), with 15 global patents. Earable has positioned itself as a global leader in the field, with most recent recognitions from CES Innovation Awards 2023 and Red Dot Design Awards 2023.

FRENZ is poised to pioneer the unobtrusive sleep-aid products, in a fast-growing market valued at $64B in 2021 (Source: Polaris Market Research). FRENZ was featured in BBC, Bloomberg, Mashable, and Reviewed.com as the sleep tech trend to watch in 2023.

Samsung Ventures plans to forge alliances within its global network to support Earables global market expansion. Samsung Ventures' investment team expressed their enthusiasm, "We recognized the immense potential of FRENZ, with its exceptional core technologies and pioneering status in the sleep tech industry and potential in other cognitive areas.

Earable Neuroscience's CEO, Tam Vu, stated, "Since day one, our vision has been to make the everyday advantages of neuroscience accessible to everyone. FRENZ holds the key to unleashing human potential, starting with the sleep experience. With Samsung Ventures' extensive ecosystem support, we look forward to providing the best experience to consumers worldwide."

Earable shipped the first batch of product to its customers in May 2023. The company has plans to initiate a Series A fundraising round in Q4 2023 to expand its operation, scale up product delivery and expand product portfolio.

About Earable NeuroscienceEarable is a deep tech company building a neuroscience ecosystem for everyday life. Earables FRENZ Brainband is the world's first AI-powered consumer wearable that can track and stimulate brain activities for better sleep, focus, and relaxation. Pre-order at www.frenzband.comContact: [email protected]

Source: Earable Neuroscience
HAMILTON, Ontario, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new study sheds light on the potential advantages of short sea shipping services between southern Ontario and the US Great Lakes region. The study is authored by Fluid Intelligence, a data-analysis partnership of HOPA Ports and the McMaster Institute for Transportation & Logistics, with support from Transport Canada. It highlights the numerous trade flows that could benefit from integrating marine transportation alongside trucking services.

Currently, over 12,000 trucks per week make cross-border trips between Southern Ontario and US Great Lakes port areas, carrying non-perishable commodities that are ideal candidates for a marine service to handle the long-haul 'middle mile'.

By exploring short sea shipping services on the Great Lakes, the study envisions a future with reduced highway and border congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improved supply chain resilience.

Short sea shipping, a widely adopted approach in Europe and Asia, is an increasingly appealing alternative to road transportation in the Great Lakes region. Factors such as population growth, highway congestion, driver shortages, and rising fuel costs have contributed to a growing interest in marine transportation. Importantly, short sea shipping offers a significant environmental advantage, as one marine vessel can carry the same cargo capacity as 963 transport trucks, while emitting just 15% of the CO2 per metric tonne/km.

As Canadas busiest economic region, southern Ontarios critical infrastructure struggles to keep up with the demand on its highways. Issues such as highway congestion, border delays, lack of transportation redundancy, and truck driver shortages have been exacerbated by population growth and density. The economic cost of congestion in the GTHA alone is estimated to be up to $6 billion per year.

The Fluid Intelligence study's key findings highlight the immense volume of cross-border goods movement within the Great Lakes region and the complex supply chains involved. The Great Lakes Region accounts for more than 50% of all U.S./Canadian bilateral border trade. If it were a single country, it would have a GDP of US$6 trillion, making it the third biggest economy in the world.

Approximately 28.5 million tonnes of cargo per year originating in Ontario are transported by truck to the US, with 70% destined for a Great Lakes State. Conversely, at least 24 million tonnes of cargo per year originate in the US and move by truck into Ontario, with 55% originating in a Great Lakes State.

The study focuses on specific routes and commodity flows that are excellent candidates for new marine services. These include the potential for marine services between southern Ontario and ports on Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. Chicago and Milwaukee, with their concentration of economic activity and strong connections to the GTHA, stand out as promising origin/destinations.

Overall, there are approximately 5,000 (within a 50km radius) and 12,000 (within a 100km radius) truck trips per week between five US Great Lakes ports and southern Ontario, all of which present excellent opportunities for modal alternatives.

By diverting just 10% of the existing cargo currently moved by truck between southern Ontario and the Port of Chicago, for example, the transportation system could save 220 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per week.

This study marks a significant step forward in unlocking the potential of short sea shipping on the Great Lakes. With its promising benefits for reducing congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing supply chain resilience, the findings underscore the importance of embracing innovative transportation solutions to meet the region's evolving needs.

QUOTES

Short sea shipping is an idea whose time has come. This study gives us the real data we need to identify the most promising commodities and routes, where marine transportation can help address our mounting goods movement challenges. It is urgent that we find ways to reduce the GHG impact of the transportation sector. Meanwhile, population growth and highway congestion, driver shortages and fuel costs are all part of the perfect storm hitting North American supply chains. Short sea shipping helps tackle all these problems.  Ian Hamilton, President & CEO, HOPA Ports

A competitive and resilient goods movement sector is vital to the industries and supply chains that underpin Ontarios economy and connect Ontario to export markets  and its changing. This study, which draws on information from different jurisdictions and levels of government, and insights from the marine sector, provides insights into market opportunities for marine and its implications for public policy in this evolving ecosystem. - Dr. Mark Ferguson, Senior Research Associate, McMaster Institute for Transportation & Logistics

"Foundational Study on Cross-Border Short Sea Shipping Opportunities" is available for download at https://www.fluidintelligence.ca/.

About Fluid Intelligence

Fluid Intelligence is a data analysis resource that creates insight and solutions in goods movement. A partnership between HOPA Ports and the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics (MITL), we help businesses and policymakers make better supply chain, transportation and infrastructure planning decisions.

About HOPA Ports

As an integrated port network, the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) offers port and marine assets in Hamilton, Oshawa and Niagara. An efficient, multimodal network on the Great Lakes, it supports Ontario industries and facilitates trade. By investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability, HOPA helps build prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities. Overseeing more than 1,000 acres and more than 140 tenant companies, 40,000 Ontario jobs are connected to the cargo that passes through HOPAs integrated ports.

About McMaster Institute for Transportation & Logistics (MITL)

Working with a wide range of partners and stakeholders from all levels of government and industry to help enable the safe, smart and clean mobility of goods and people, MITL conducts world-class, multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral, collaborative research in transportation and logistics.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Larissa FennHOPA PortsTel: 905-518-7632 | Email: [email protected]

Ken AlbrightMcMaster University Tel: 905-515-7038 | Email: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7249086a-7100-4b36-bd5f-1f445a5808f0

Aerial Hamilton Harbour A vessel enters Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario

Source: HOPA Ports
SAN DIEGO and TORONTO, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StateHouse Holdings Inc. ("StateHouse" or the "Company") (CSE: STHZ) (OTCQX: STHZF), a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, today announced that as previously disclosed on December 30, 2022, the Company continues to engage in discussions related to potential future financing options. In addition, the Company's Series A debtholders (the Series A Debtholders) have granted StateHouse a further extension to July 3, 2023 (the Extension Date), on repayment of the Company's outstanding debt obligations owing to the Series A Debtholders (the Series A Indebtedness).

About StateHouse Holdings Inc.StateHouse, a vertically integrated enterprise with cannabis licenses covering retail, major brands, distribution, cultivation, nursery and manufacturing, is one of the oldest and most respected cannabis companies in California. Founded in 2006, its predecessor company Harborside was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States. Today, the Company operates 14 dispensaries covering Northern and Southern California and one in Oregon, distribution facilities in San Jose and Los Angeles, California and integrated cultivation/production facilities in Salinas and Greenfield, California. StateHouse is a publicly listed company, currently trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the ticker symbol "STHZ" and the OTCQX under the ticker symbol "STHZF". The Company continues to play an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California and Oregon consumers.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements'' (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. To the extent any forward-looking information in this news release constitutes "financial outlooks" or "future-oriented financial information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. 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 news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to the Companys potential future financing options and the Companys ability to repay the Series A Indebtedness by the Extension Date.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion and acquisitions; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the Company's listing statement dated May 30, 2019, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is directly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The Company's securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For the latest news, activities, and media coverage, please visit https://www.statehouseholdings.com, https://shopharborside.com and https://urbnleaf.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

For further information:

StateHouse Holdings Inc., Ed Schmults, CEO, orAngela PihHead of Marketing800-892-4209

Investor Contact: MATTIO CommunicationsRob Kelly [email protected]

Source: StateHouse Holdings Inc.
TORONTO, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TerrAscend Corp. (TerrAscend or the Company) (CSE: TER) (OTCQX: TRSSF), a leading North American cannabis operator, today announced that it has received conditional approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) to list its common shares (the Common Shares) on the TSX (the TSX Listing).

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the teams at the TSX, TerrAscend and Cassels for working so hard to get us to this point. I speak for everyone at TerrAscend when I say we are honored to be in the position to blaze this trail for the industry, stated Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend. We have an exciting future ahead of us and we cant wait to share the TerrAscend story with the larger audience of participants that this listing brings.

Final approval of the TSX Listing is subject to the Company meeting certain customary conditions required by the exchange. The Company will issue a press release once the TSX confirms the date that trading will commence on the exchange.

In connection with the TSX Listing, the Company has submitted a request to voluntarily delist (the CSE Delisting) its Common Shares from the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE). The CSE Delisting is expected to be effective on or shortly after the date the Common Shares commence trading on the TSX.

About TerrAscend Corp.

TerrAscend is a leading North American cannabis operator with vertically integrated operations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan and California and retail operations in Canada. TerrAscend operates The Apothecarium and Gage dispensary retail locations as well as scaled cultivation, processing, and manufacturing facilities in its core markets. TerrAscend's cultivation and manufacturing practices yield consistent, high-quality cannabis, providing industry-leading product selection to both the medical and legal adult-use markets. The Company owns or licenses several synergistic businesses and brands including Gage Cannabis, The Apothecarium, Cookies, Lemonnade, Ilera Healthcare, Kind Tree, Legend, State Flower, and Valhalla Confections. For more information visit www.terrascend.com.

Caution Regarding Cannabis Operations in the United States

Investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable US federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with medical or adult-use cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve TerrAscend of liability under U.S. federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against TerrAscend. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of TerrAscend and any proceedings brought against TerrAscend thereunder may adversely affect TerrAscends operations and financial performance.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as, may, would, could, will, likely, expect, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors relevant in the circumstances, including assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions, the current and future regulatory environment, and the availability of licenses, approvals and permits. Examples of forward-looking information contained in this press release include statements regarding completion of the TSX Listing and the CSE Delisting, and the anticipated timing thereof; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, current and future market conditions; risks related to federal, state, provincial, territorial, local and foreign government laws, rules and regulations, including federal and state laws in the United States relating to cannabis operations in the United States; and the risk factors set out in the Companys most recently filed MD&A, filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the section titled Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on March 16, 2023, the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on May 4, 2023 and its subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. TerrAscend disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

For more information regarding TerrAscend:

Keith Stauffer Chief Financial Officer 717-343-5386 [email protected]

Briana Chester MATTIO Communications 424-465-4419 [email protected]

Source: TerrAscend
NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VidMob, the leading creative effectiveness platform, today announced the company was named a winner of a Public Sector Award for the 2023 Drum Awards for Marketing EMEA for their work with HIV Ireland. HIV Ireland has been a leading organization in addressing community health and needs related to HIV and AIDS in Ireland since 1987. VidMob worked with HIV Ireland to create a campaign that ensured people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the country were aware of and could easily access their Peer Support Programme and community support services.



The success of this campaign was made possible by VidMob Gives, which engages freelance creative professionals on the VidMob platform. Its talented creators generously donate their time and skills to support charitable causes in need of creative work.

HIV Ireland's collaboration with VidMob resulted in a highly successful campaign that exceeded their goals for increasing participation in the Peer Support Program and engagement with community support services. The campaign's impact extended beyond the organization's immediate objectives, with increased awareness, website traffic, and donations. With the valuable insights gained, HIV Ireland is well-positioned to continue creating impactful campaigns to improve the lives of people living with HIV in Ireland.

Our partnership with VidMob Gives provided HIV Ireland with a level of expertise and creativity that is not readily available to charitable organizations. It has helped us maximize connections with people living with HIV in need of support and enhanced our overall community engagement, said Executive Director of HIV Ireland Stephen OHare. VidMobs approach was both sensitive and skillful, and we are delighted with the recognition our collaborative efforts have received in winning this award.

We are honored that HIV Ireland is being recognized for their campaign to provide support for people living with HIV. VidMob Gives was created to harness our creative effectiveness capabilities for good, providing pro bono capabilities to incredible organizations like HIV Ireland. Winning the award from The Drum highlights the value of this work and how we can do more good when we work together, said VidMob Gives Executive Director Burr Purnell.

About VidMob

VidMob is the leading creative effectiveness platform, trusted by the biggest global brands to drive ROI through AI-driven creative data. With unmatched AI & ML technology and the most connections to the worlds leading digital channels like Google, Meta, Amazon Ads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snap, Pinterest, Hulu & Reddit, VidMob delivers powerful creative insights that result in meaningful business impact. Clients can effectively measure creative quality, and learn their brands best practices in an end-to-end platform to get the most out of every media dollar they invest. VidMob is a mission-driven organization, donating over 1% annually to fund pro bono creative projects for nonprofits. Learn more about VidMob at www.vidmob.com and VidMob Gives at www.vidmob.com/vidmob-gives.

Media Contact

[email protected]
Washington, D.C., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organizations representing pharmacists and pharmacies are applauding the Protect Patient Access to Pharmacies Act (S. 2052) introduced today in the U.S. Senate.

The bill provides long-sought reform of abusive business practices that have permitted the monstrous growth of pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees that are resulting in pharmacy closures throughout neighborhoods. The bill helps to secure Medicare patients freedom to receive medications and care from the pharmacy of their choice by improving enforcement of the any willing pharmacy law intended to prevent the exclusion of pharmacies from Part D plan networks. The legislation is an important component of comprehensive pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform.

The National Community Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy, the National Grocers Association, FMI  The Food Industry Association, and the American Pharmacists Association issued the following joint statement:

We appreciate the strong bipartisan commitment and leadership of U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Shelley Moore-Capito (R-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and James Lankford (R-OK) to advance this solution to address devastating pharmacy DIR fees and tactics that exclude pharmacies from Part D plan networks and eliminate seniors freedom to keep or even choose their pharmacy.

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and payers continue to use pharmacy DIR and other fees to manipulate the Medicare program. For more than a decade, these tactics have fueled their profits while inflating seniors out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, threatening the viability of pharmacies of all sizes and types, and undermining the Medicare program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that between 2010 and 2020 pharmacy DIR fees grew by more than a staggering 107,400%. These fees  which are imposed on pharmacies indiscriminately and retroactively  would be impossible to bear for any business. They put pharmacy access in peril in rural, urban, and all areas. We applaud the bipartisan bill sponsors for taking action to uphold and enforce the any willing pharmacy law to prevent these behaviors that have the ultimate effect of limiting pharmacy access for seniors.

We appreciate the bipartisan recognition that it is now time to deal with enforcement of the any willing pharmacy law and to reform pharmacy DIR fees as one very important aspect of the larger issue of PBM reform. We appreciate the attention that Congressional leaders have brought to the issue of pharmacy DIR fees, which led to initial action in 2022 by CMS. By finalizing a rule that is set to take effect in 2024, CMS took a step forward toward addressing pharmacy DIR fees, but this did not complete the job as pharmacy DIR fee claw backs continue and protections to ensure patient access to pharmacies have not been addressed. We will work with leaders in Congress to enact this legislation this year, achieving comprehensive PBM reform. We need to ensure this job gets done, and gets done completely, for the American people.

More information about the pharmacy organizations is available online:

National Community Pharmacists AssociationNational Association of Chain Drug StoresNational Association of Specialty PharmacyNational Grocers AssociationFMI  The Food Industry AssociationAmerican Pharmacists Association

# # #

Sheila M. Arquette, RPh National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) (703) 842-0122 [email protected]

Source: National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)
Toyota is getting ready to unveil an electric car that mimics a manual gearbox, complete with a false clutch, stick shift and rev-matching sounds. A manual electric automobile would only be a spectacle since electric vehicles do not have gearshifts. However, Toyota is forging ahead with efforts to provide an amazing experience while gunning for enthusiasts who love gasoline-powered vehicles.

According to Takero Kato, president of BEV Facility, Toyota will offer its consumers a genuinely amazing experience as well as

Read More>>

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - (NewMediaWire) - June 21, 2023 - Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV) (Splash or the Company), a portfolio company of leading beverage brands, today announced it has entered a distribution agreement with North Carolina based Coastal Beverage Company for three Splash Beverage brands, Copa di Vino, Pulpoloco and TapouT.

Coastal Beverage Company, headquartered in Wilmington, NC, was founded in 1960 with just six employees serving less than two hundred customers. Through organic growth and acquisition, Coastal Beverage now covers most of the North Carolina coastline, reaching 22,000 retailers in its territory with a broad spectrum of popular brands as wholesaler for Miller Coors.

We are very pleased to join the Coastal Beverage network, said Robert Nistico, Chief Executive Officer of Splash Beverage Group. This territory has previously been uncovered for us, so it introduces a whole new population to Splash products. The North Carolina coast includes some of the fastest growing population centers in the state and were excited to introduce our brands to these potential new customers.

About Splash Beverage Group, Inc.:

Splash Beverage Group, an innovator in the beverage industry, owns a growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands including Copa di Vino wines by the glass, SALT flavored tequilas, Pulpoloco sangrias, and TapouT performance hydration and recovery drinks. Splashs strategy is to rapidly develop early-stage brands already in its portfolio as well as acquire and then accelerate brands that have high visibility or are innovators in their categories. Led by a management team that has built and managed some of the top brands in the beverage industry and led sales from product launch into the billions, Splash is rapidly expanding its brand portfolio and global distribution.

For more information, visit:

www.SplashBeverageGroup.com

www.copadivino.com

www.drinksalttequila.com

www.pulpo-loco.com

www.tapoutdrinks.com

Forward-Looking Statement:

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. 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 and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, the risks disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2021, and in the Companys other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

RETAIL AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES

Splashbeveragegroup.com

[email protected]

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Elev8 New Media

[email protected]

View the original release on www.newmediawire.com
Israeli security forces deploy to disperse a protest by members of the local community near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the north of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, June 20, 2023. Thousands of Druze clashed with Israeli police in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday during a demonstration against the construction of a wind farm in the area. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Druze clashed with Israeli police in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday during a demonstration against the construction of a wind farm in the area.

At least two protesters were critically injured, according to a statement released by Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service. The Israeli police said in a statement that about a dozen police officers were lightly injured during the clashes and at least five protesters have been arrested.

The protesters threw stones, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails at the police, and some of them shot live bullets towards police posts, the Israeli police said, adding they had responded by using stun grenades, tear gas, and a water cannon to disperse the protesters.

Several roads in the area were blocked due to the protest, and the police urged drivers to avoid the area.

The Hebrew-language Ha'aretz newspaper reported that an Israeli police spokesperson had called on the leaders of the Druze community "to calm tensions."

The rare and intense demonstration was held in the Golan Heights to protest against an Israeli government plan to build wind turbines on private lands in the area as part of a green energy project.

Sheikh Ramez Rabah, a resident of the Druze town of Majdal Shams, said in an interview with Kan public radio that the landowners who initially agreed to sign deals to allow the government to utilize their lands for the project later changed their minds, expressing concerns about the turbines' potential damage.

"There is damage. We have conducted research, and it affects our health as well as the bees in the area. They should not be permitted to be built there," Rabah was quoted as saying.

The Druze community is part of Israel's Arab minority, who comprises approximately 20 percent of the country's population. The Golan Heights was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war and subsequently annexed, although the move has not been recognized by most of the international community. 
Boston, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Akeneo, the Product Experience company, announces today that Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Kristin Naragon, secured the Gold TITAN Women in Business Award for the Female Executive of the Year - Marketing category.

The TITAN Women in Business Awards honors and celebrates all who are making a significant impact in various industries and professions, while recognizing the outstanding achievements of women, from accomplished executives to rising entrepreneurs, who demonstrate exceptional innovation, excellence and leadership in their respective fields.

"Throughout my career, I've always sought out challenges, relished in navigating them and invested time in sharing my experiences with both women and men alike; because it's important for us all to learn how to be successful, and to learn what extra hurdles I might have had to overcome as a woman in business," said Naragon. "I'm honored to be listed alongside these incredible women who are also creating innovative solutions, leading successful teams and paving the way for creating a future working environment where everyone has an equal chance at success."

Naragon secured the distinguished recognition for being a customer-obsessed, outcome-oriented business leader in enterprise software. Naragon's extensive career consists of experience in developing go-to-market strategies, leading a consistently high-growth business and building and maintaining strategic partnerships. At Akeneo, Naragon sets the strategy for the company, leads the global marketing team and manages the global technology partnerships that drive business value, accelerate product strategy and that ultimately provide customers with engaging product experiences. Recently, Naragon directed the launch of Akeneo Product Cloud, which was announced with enhanced PIM capabilities, a new syndication offering and an App Store with new apps in a variety of areas, including AI, e-commerce, data enrichment and product catalog publishing.

Equipped with an MBA from Harvard Business School, Naragon is not only passionate about optimizing solutions for players in today's dynamic and complex retail industry but also dedicated to advocating for female business and technology leaders. In September 2022, she spoke in Madrid for the first Women in MACH event to discuss the importance of uplifting women leading the business world and holding technology companies accountable for advancing gender equality. Since Naragon joined Akeneo, she's helped the company surpass its 2020-2023 growth objectives, including +67% YoY products managed in the platform, +106% YoY total managed assets in the platform and +85% YoY of active business users in the platform.

The International Awards Associate (IAA) and the TITAN Women in Business Awards have made a resounding impact on the global business landscape as they wrap up the first season for 2023. This esteemed competition has captured the attention of the international community with hundreds of exceptional entries from more than 25 countries worldwide, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Canada, China, and many others.

"IAA takes great pride in providing a platform for outstanding entrepreneurs and businesses to showcase their exceptional work and be recognized for their excellence in the industry," said Thomas Brandt, spokesperson of IAA. "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners and commend them for demonstrating the highest standards of business excellence even when in the presence of our respected jurors."

Grand Jury Panel

In recognition of the importance of impartiality and diverse perspectives in the evaluation process, the competition prioritizes excellence and has assembled a jury panel of accomplished professionals. These jurors hail from esteemed organizations, including Krithika Chandramouli (Meta), Pranjali Ganoo (Google), Deepa Venkatrao (IQVIA), Niculut Violeta (Anchor Grup), Sherilyn Kamga (Talend), and several other outstanding individuals.

By bringing together such a distinguished panel of experts, the competition ensures that only the most deserving submissions are recognized for their excellence, under the implementation of blind judging.

"These TITANs today have shown that their success stories are a testament to the power of perseverance and the drive to achieve excellence," noted Thomas. "Their contributions have been invaluable in propelling their respective organizations forward and serving as a driving force in their industries, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps."

Naragon's winning entry for 2023 TITAN Women in Business Awards can be viewed here: https://thewomenbusinessawards.com/winner-info.php?id=188.

About Akeneo

Akeneo brings a complete and composable SaaS-based solution for managing, orchestrating, activating, and optimizing the entire product record in order to drive compelling and consistent product experiences supporting any route-to-market and the entire customer lifecycle. With its open platform, a leading PIM for product data and asset management, and extensive connected ecosystem with Akeneo App Store, Akeneo Product Cloud empowers commerce businesses to deliver world-class product experiences that unlock growth.

Leading global brands, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, including BASF Group, Canon USA, Chico's FAS and Forever 21 trust Akeneo to scale and customize their omnichannel commerce initiatives. Using Akeneo Product Cloud, companies can activate product experiences in any channel, therefore driving improved customer experiences, increased sales, reduced returns, faster time to market, and increased team productivity.

About TITAN Women in Business Awards

The TITAN Women in Business Awards program honors exceptional females who have made remarkable strides in the ever-evolving business landscape, making a substantial impact with their unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions. The program serves as a beacon of inspiration, recognizing and celebrating their monumental impacts on the business world.

Website: TITAN Women In Business Awards

Facebook: TITAN Awards

Twitter: TITAN Awards

Instagram: TITAN Awards

Media Partner: Muse.World

Contact Details

Akeneo

North 6th Agency for Akeneo

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170161
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Barksdale Resources Corp. (TSXV: BRO) (OTCQX: BRKCF) ("Barksdale" or the "Company") has been informed that an action has been filed in the United States District Court against the United States Forest Service ("USFS") by various non-profit and environmental groups seeking to set aside the USFS' recently issued Environmental Assessment, Decision Memorandum and Finding of No Significant Impact related to the Company's proposed Sunnyside copper-lead-zinc-silver exploration program in Arizona. Barksdale is not a party to the lawsuit but will endeavor to assist the USFS as much as possible as they move forward.

Rick Trotman, President and CEO of Barksdale, states, "The Company stands by the USFS' decision, which is the culmination of almost five years of extensive environmental review, public scoping and process. The Company is proud of its thorough and conscientious approach to the protection of the natural environment and looks forward to a speedy resolution of this matter. In the meantime, the USFS continues to process the Company's Plan of Operation for Sunnyside as the Company prepares to commence its planned drilling program as soon as we're given the green light."

Barksdale Resources Corp., a 2023 OTCQX BEST 50 Company, is a base metal exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., that is focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of highly prospective base metal projects in North America. Barksdale is currently advancing the Sunnyside copper-zinc-lead-silver and San Antonio copper projects, both of which are in the Patagonia mining district of southern Arizona, as well as the San Javier copper-gold project in central Sonora, Mexico.

ON BEHALF OF BARKSDALE RESOURCES CORP.

Rick Trotman

President, CEO and Director

[email protected]

Terri Anne Welyki

Vice President of Communications

778-238-2333

[email protected]

For more information please phone 778-558-7145, Email [email protected], or visit www.BarksdaleResources.com .

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, the receipt and timing for formal approval of the Company's plan of operations ("PoO") for the Sunnyside copper-lead-zinc-silver project; the proposed nature, size, timing, targets and impact of the Company's planned drilling program on the Sunnyside project following approval of the PoO and the ability of the Company to obtain the requisite staffing, bonding and financing therefor; and the potential impact of seasonal drilling restrictions on the ability of the Company to effectively carry out such program. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to 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. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base metals, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, environmental challenges, and other risks in the mining industry. There is uncertainty regarding the outcome of the above-noted challenge to the validity, in whole or in part, of the USFS' Environmental Assessment, Decision Memorandum and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Company's proposed Sunnyside copper-lead-zinc-silver exploration program and the timing for when such matter will be finally resolved. A successful challenge to the USFS' approvals for the Sunnyside project would result in additional delays and costs (which could be substantial) to the Company in seeking to redress any additional environmental issues and obtain new approvals from the USFS, which approvals would not be guaranteed. Further, there are no assurances that the Company's PoO for the Sunnyside property will be approved by the USFS on the basis currently contemplated or at all. In addition, the Company's proposed drilling program at Sunnyside is an exploratory search for commercial quantities of ore, the discovery of which cannot be assured. There are currently no NI 43-101 resources or reserves on the Sunnyside property. There is also uncertainty about the continued spread and severity of COVID-19, the ongoing war in Ukraine and high inflation and interest rates and the impact they will have on the Company's operations, supply chains, ability to access mining projects or procure equipment, supplies, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all and economic activity in general. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 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 law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170811
Reports Quarterly Revenue of US$7.3 Million & Highlights Recent Developments

Las Vegas, Nevada and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Body and Mind Inc. (CSE: BAMM) (OTCQB: BMMJ) (the "Company" or "BaM"), a multi-state operations-focused cannabis company, is pleased to announce financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended April 30, 2023 and to provide shareholders with an operational update. All financial information is provided in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Q3 FY 2023 Summary & Comparison to Q2 FY 2023 (in Millions of US$)



















Q3 FY 2023



Q2 FY 2023

Revenue $ 7.3

$ 7.7

Net Income/(Loss)

($3.6 )

($2.7 ) Adjusted EBITDA*

($0.7 )

($1.3 )

Q3 FY 2023 (ended April 30, 2023) and Subsequent Highlights:

Completed construction, approvals and opened the Markham, Illinois dispensary. This is the first of two dispensary projects in the Illinois market. The Markham dispensary is located within the largest retail mall in Markham, Illinois, which has average daily traffic counts of more than 400,000 cars per day within a mile of the project location and held a Grand Opening with local and state politicians on May 27, 2023.

Advanced New Jersey state license application in conjunction with BaM Body and Mind Dispensary NJ, Inc. f/k/a CraftedPlants NJ, Inc. Received formal planning committee approval on the site plan, commenced design and architectural plans for the New Jersey location and working with state and local authorities to complete the state license.

Divested the Michigan BaM Body and Mind dispensary to focus time and energy on the Illinois and New Jersey markets.

Commenced product sales of Pretzel Bites, Turbo and vaporization cartridge products in Ohio from the Ohio processing operation.

Management Commentary

"Our most recent quarter reflects a 46% improvement in adjusted EBITDA over last quarter as we continue to streamline our operations and expand into new markets. During the quarter, our team has focused on cost reductions and development of the new Illinois and New Jersey dispensaries," stated Michael Mills, CEO of Body and Mind Inc. "We believe the Chicagoland market remains underserved by dispensaries and the Grand Opening of the Markham, Illinois dispensary was a significant milestone for the Company. We continue to work with state and local licensing authorities to advance current projects and also to apply for licenses in new jurisdictions."

Q2 FY 2023 Financial Highlights:

Revenues for Q3 FY 2023 were $7.3 million, a slight decrease from Q2 FY 2023 revenues of $7.7 million.

Gross profit of $2.07 million for Q3 FY 2023 as compared to $2.26 million for Q2 FY 2023.

Q3 FY 2023 net operating loss was $1.6 million as compared to net operating loss of $1.8 million in Q2 FY 2023. Net operating income was primarily impacted by continued business development expenses related to Illinois and New Jersey, new license applications and new operation startup expenses.

Q3 FY 2023 net loss was $3.6 million (or basic and diluted loss per share of $0.02) as compared to Q2 FY 2023 with a net loss of $2.7 million (or basic and diluted loss per share of $0.02). Net loss in Q3 FY 2023 included non-cash charges of $0.9 million for loss on impairment and $0.2 million for stock based compensation.

Adjusted EBITDA* loss of $0.7 million for Q3 FY 2023 compared with a $1.3 million loss for Q2 FY 2023, an adjusted EBITDA improvement of 46 % over the prior quarter.

Total Current Assets were $7.2 million, Total Assets were $32.6 million, Total Current Liabilities were $10.8 million and Total Liabilities were $31 million at April 30, 2023.

The Company had 146,636,974 common shares outstanding as of April 30, 2023.

For further details, please see the Company's recent Form 10-Q filing on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar/search, and the interim financial statements filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

*Adjusted EBITDA is a Non-GAAP metric used by management that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Management defines the Adjusted EBITDA as the Income (loss) from operations, as reported, before interest, taxes, and adjusted for removing other non-cash items, including stock-based compensation expense, gain on settlement, loss on impairment, depreciation, and further adjustments to remove acquisition related costs or gains. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial metric to assess its operating performance on a cash adjusted basis before the impact of non-cash items and acquisition activities. The most comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP is net income (loss), which was presented above prior to the Adjusted EBITDA figure.

Net Loss -3,608,770 Interest Income -18,000 Interest Expense 484,522 Tax 939,028 Depreciation/Amortization 351,247 EBITDA -1,851,973



EBITDA -1,851,973 Gain on settlement 0 Loss on impairment 944,015 Stock-based compensation 177,642 Adjusted EBITDA -730,316

About Body and Mind Inc.

BaM is an operations-focused cannabis company with active retail operations in Ohio, Arkansas, Illinois and California, pending retail operations in Illinois and New Jersey, and craft cultivation and/or processing operations in Nevada, Ohio and Arkansas. We work daily to increase our market share through delighting customers while also continuing to hone our operational efficiencies to drive profits. We are primarily guided by the metric of return on investment. Currently, we believe the most significant return on investment projects in front of us are successful retail cannabis store launches in Illinois and New Jersey, which augment our existing retail footprint. We also believe that our team's core operational skillsets will create significant future shareholder value as the cannabis industry matures.

Please visit www.bodyandmind.com for more information.

Instagram: @bodyandmindBaM

Twitter: @bodyandmindBaM

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Jonathan Paterson

+1 203 862 0492

[email protected]

Company Contact:

Michael Mills

CEO

Tel: 800-361-6312

[email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation of activities, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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 contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170787
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Today, CAP has issued a letter to the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, expressing concerns over the exclusion of the inclusive Indigenous community in the tabling of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) Action Plan in Parliament on the eve of National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The letter highlights that the UNDA Action Plan, released on June 20th, completely disregards the content provided by CAP and perpetuates the government's political distinctions-based approach, as well as its colonial and assimilationist policies that undermine the objectives of UNDRIP.

Additionally, the letter asserts that this exclusion is an "attempt to further colonize and assimilate our communities, who represent all Aboriginal distinctions, including off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Mtis, and Southern Inuit Indigenous peoples." It urges the government to:

Uphold the rights of CAP's communities and ensure equitable access to the measures outlined in the UNDA Action Plan.

Take action on all measures provided by CAP and its communities that were not included in the final UNDA Action Plan.

Ensure the inclusion of off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Metis, and Southern Inuit Indigenous peoples in the establishment of independent mechanisms for Indigenous rights monitoring, oversight, recourse, or remedy.

Furthermore, CAP calls on the Minister to include the group in the establishment of the Action Plan Advisory Committee (APAC), which will be responsible for implementing the shared priorities of the action plan. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding a repetition of systemic discrimination, as witnessed during the proceedings of Bill C-29 and the creation of the National Council for Reconciliation.

-30-

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples represents the interests of Metis, status and non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve. Currently, over 70% of Indigenous people reside off-reserve.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Dawson, CAP Executive Manager and Communications

Mobile: 613-806-8669

Email: [email protected]

Hana Sabah

[email protected] | 514-843-8841

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170872
Saguenay, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - First Phosphate Corp. (CSE: PHOS) (FSE:KD0) ("First Phosphate" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to the Company's press release dated May 11, 2023, members of its management team and board of directors have acquired 50% of the common shares of First Phosphate (the "Common Shares") owned by Glen Eagle Resources Inc. ("Glen Eagle") under a share purchase agreement (the "Share Purchase Agreement") dated May 10, 2023, between the parties (the "Transaction").

The Share Purchase Agreement involves the acquisition of 2,700,000 Common Shares by the Purchasers, which are set to be released from escrow in 2023 and 2024. Glen Eagle will retain 2,700,000 Common Shares scheduled for release from escrow in 2025 and 2026. Glen Eagle originally received Common Shares for the sale of the Lac  l'Orignal flagship property to the Company on September 12, 2022.

Early Warning Reports

Shpirtrat Trust, of which John Passalacqua is a trustee and established under the laws of the Province of Ontario, will file an early warning report in accordance with National Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids ("NI 62-104") and National Instrument 62-103 The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103"). Shpirtrat Trust acquired 1,212,712 Common Shares at a price of $0.2185 per Common Share for the total price of $265,000 pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement pursuant to the Transaction.

Since the last report filed by Mr. Passalacqua, Shpirtrat Trust acquired 130,000 units (comprised of 130,000 Common Shares and 65,000 Common Share purchase warrants ("Warrants") at a price of $0.70 per unit for the total price of $91,000 on April 26, 2023. Shpirtrat Trust acquired 32,500 Common Shares through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange, at a price of $0.40 per share for the total price of $13,000 on May 12, 2023. Shpirtrat Trust acquired 50,000 Common Shares through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange, at a price of $0.47 per share for the total price of $23,500 on June 5, 2023.

As a result of the acquisitions, Shpirtrat Trust together with ExpoWorld Ltd., a private company owned and controlled by John Passalacqua, now owns and controls a total of 9,798,607 Common Shares, 122,500 Warrants, and 1,200,000 options to purchase Common Shares ("Options"), representing approximately 18.95% of the outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and 20.97% on a partially diluted basis, assuming the exercise of the 122,500 Warrants and 1,200,000 Options held by the Shpirtrat Trust.

Prior to the Transaction, Shpirtrat Trust together with ExpoWorld Ltd. ("ExpoWorld"), a private company owned and controlled by John Passalacqua and incorporated in the Province of Ontario, owned and controlled a total of 8,585,895 Shares, 122,500 Warrants and 1,200,000 Options which represented approximately 17.23% of the then outstanding Shares on an undiluted basis and 16.60% on a partially diluted basis, assuming the exercise of the 122,500 Warrants and 1,200,000 Options held by Shpirtrat Trust. ExpoWorld and Shpirtrat Trust may be considered joint actors with John Passalacqua.

Z Six Financial Corporation ("Z Six"), a company owned and controlled by Laurence W. Zeifman and incorporated in the Province of Ontario acquired 1,212,712 Shares at a price of $0.2185 per Common Share for the total price of $265,000 pursuant to the Transaction. Subsequent to the Transaction, Z Six and Mr. Zeifman now owns and controls a total of 3,476,826 Common Shares, 235,057 Warrants, and 600,000 Options in the Company representing approximately 6.72% of the outstanding Common Shares. Since the last report filed by Mr. Zeifman, Z Six and Mr. Zeifman owned a total of 2,264,114 Common Shares, which represented approximately 4.38% of the then outstanding shares of the Company, 235,057 Warrants and 600,000 Options, which represented approximately 4.38% and 5.90% of the then outstanding shares on a diluted basis, respectively.

Garry Siskos, an individual residing in the province of Ontario, acquired 183,051 Shares at a price of $0.2185 per Common Share for the total price of $40,000 pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement. Subsequent to the Transaction, Mr. Siskos now owns and controls a total of 411,622 Common Shares, 114,285 Warrants, and 732,000 Options in the Company representing approximately .80% of the outstanding Common Shares. Since the last report filed by Mr. Siskos, Mr. Siskos owned a total of 228,571 Common Shares, which represented approximately .44% of the then outstanding shares of the Company, 114,285 Warrants and 732,000 Options, which represented approximately .44% and 2.05% of the then outstanding shares on a diluted basis, respectively.

POF Capital Corp. ("POF Capital"), a company owned and controlled by Bennett Kurtz and incorporated in the Province of Ontario, acquired 22,881 Shares at a price of $0.2185 per Common Share for the total price of $5,000 pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement. Subsequent to the Transaction, POF Capital and 582284 Ontario Ltd., a company owned and controlled by Mr. Kurtz now owns and controls a total of 3,058,776 Common Shares, 76,500 Warrants, and 600,000 Options in the Company representing approximately 5.91% of the outstanding Common Shares. Since the last report filed by Mr. Kurtz, POF Capital and 582284 Ontario Limited, Mr. Kurtz owned a total of 3,035,895 Common Shares, which represented approximately 5.87% of the then outstanding shares of the Company, 76,500 Warrants and 600,000 Options, which represented approximately 5.87% and 7.09% of the then outstanding shares on a diluted basis, respectively.

Capwest Investment Corp. ("Capwest"), a company owned and controlled by Marc Branson, and incorporated in the Province of British Columbia, acquired 22,881 Shares at a price of $0.2185 per Common Share for the total price of $5,000 pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement. Subsequent to the Transaction, Capwest and Mr. Branson now owns and controls a total of 702,381 Common Shares, 58,250 Warrants, and 600,000 Options in the Company representing approximately 1.36% of the outstanding Common Shares. Since the last report filed by Mr. Branson, Capwest and Mr. Branson owned a total of 679,500 Common Shares, which represented approximately 1.31% of the then outstanding shares of the Company, 58,250 Warrants and 600,000 Options, which represented approximately 1.31% and 2.55% of the then outstanding shares on a diluted basis, respectively.

Peter Kent Investments Inc. ("Peter Kent Inc."), a company owned and controlled by James Peter Kent and incorporated in the Province of Ontario, acquired 22,881 Shares at a price of $0.2185 per Common Share for the total price of $5,000 pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement. Subsequent to the Transaction, Peter Kent Inc. and Mr. Kent now owns and controls a total of 155,506 Common Shares, 52,312 Warrants, and 600,000 Options in the Company representing approximately .30% of the outstanding Common Shares. Since the last report filed by Mr. Kent, Peter Kent Inc. and Mr. Kent owned a total of 132,625 Common Shares, which represented approximately .26% of the then outstanding shares of the Company, 52,312 Warrants and 600,000 Options, which represented approximately .26% and 1.50% of the then outstanding shares on a diluted basis, respectively.

Gilles Laverdiere, an individual residing in the province of Quebec, acquired 22,881 Shares at a price of $0.2185 per Common Share for the total price of $5,000 pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement. Subsequent to the Transaction, Mr. Laverdiere now owns and controls a total of 307,881 Common Shares, 145,000 Warrants, and 300,000 Options in the Company representing approximately .60% of the outstanding Common Shares. Since the last report filed by Mr. Laverdiere, Mr. Laverdiere owned a total of 285,000 Common Shares, which represented approximately .55% of the then outstanding shares of the Company, 145,000 Warrants and 300,000 Options, which represented approximately .55% and 1.40% of the then outstanding shares on a diluted basis, respectively.

The Insiders' participation in the Transaction was completed for investment purposes and all Common Shares remain subject to escrow time-based release schedules, as more particularly described in the Company's listing statement dated February 15, 2023 and filed on SEDAR on February 22, 2023. In the future, the Insiders will evaluate their investment in the Company from time to time and may, based on such evaluation, market conditions and other circumstances, increase or decrease their shareholdings as circumstances require through market transactions, private agreements, or otherwise.

The Transaction was conducted in reliance on the "private agreement exemption" in section 4.2 of National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids ("NI 62-104") and as a result was exempt from the take-over bid requirements in Part 2 of NI 62-104. The Common Shares purchased under the Transaction were purchased from not more than five sellers and at a price less than 115% of the market price of the Common Shares, in each case as calculated in accordance with NI 62-104.



This news release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which also requires a report to be filed with the applicable securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada, which report will contain additional information with respect to the foregoing matters (the "Early Warning Reports"). Copies of the respective Early Warning Reports may be obtained on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile or by contacting the Company at (416) 200-0657.

For additional information, please contact:

Peter Kent, President

[email protected]

Tel: +1 (647) 707-1943

Investor Relations: [email protected]

Media Relations: [email protected]

Website: www.FirstPhosphate.com

Follow First Phosphate:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FirstPhosphate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-phosphate

About First Phosphate Corp.

First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate ("LFP") battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, at full ESG standard and with low anticipated carbon footprint. First Phosphate plans to vertically integrate from mine source directly into the supply chains of major North American LFP battery producers that require battery grade LFP cathode active material emanating from a consistent and secure supply source. First Phosphate holds over 1,500 sq. km of royalty-free district-scale land claims in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec, Canada that it is actively developing. First Phosphate properties consist of rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock that generally yields high purity phosphate material devoid of high concentrations of harmful elements.

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: the Company's commitment to producing high purity phosphate materials at full ESG standard under a low carbon footprint; the Company's plans to integrate directly into the functions of certain major North American LFP Battery producers; and the Company's proposed development of its land claims in the region of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec.

Forward-looking information in this press release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to producing high purity phosphate materials at full ESG standard under a low carbon footprint; the Company's ability to integrate directly into the functions of certain major North American LFP Battery producers; and the Company's ability to develop its land claims in the region of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to produce high purity phosphate materials at full ESG standard under a low carbon footprint; the Company's inability to integrate directly into the functions of certain major North American LFP Battery producers; and the Company's inability to develop its land claims in the region of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170805
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Floshin, a project for decentralised applications, has announced that the upcoming version of Coinage will feature US stock market quotes and a cryptocurrency liquidity aggregator.

Since Floshin's launch in November 2021, the Floshin team have released several decentralised apps, created a number of staking pools and performed multiple airdrops for both holders and non-holders. They have been strongly supported by a passionate community whose ideas have contributed to shaping the ecosystem and product development. The team have been working consistently on the new Floshin ecosystem products, which will be released in stages over the coming year.

Coinage is a decentralised exchange with a wide range of premium features. These include a crypto liquidity aggregator, real-time global stock market quotes, real-time cryptocurrency prices, a market cap comparison calculator, live market sentiment analysis feeds, plus virtual trading competitions.

Coinage will provide a live view of the markets with real-time, dynamic price data from over 60 decentralised exchanges and 72 global stock exchanges. Users can search through 13,000+ crypto tokens and 125,000+ stocks. Crypto investors with any level of experience can trade over 8 different chains, send funds from one chain to another, and use the liquidity aggregator to show the best price for their swaps, auto slippage function and stop-loss/take-profit levels.

Furthermore, the latest financial news and information will be streamed in real-time via the integrated feed ensuring Coinage users stay updated with the current market sentiments.

The Floshin team have announced plans to release four additional products in 2023. These products will include blockchain indexing APIs, a decentralised launchpad, an escrow trading and payment merchant and a mobile superapp that will conveniently consolidate all of its tools in one application.

CoinMarketCap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/floshin-token/

Whitepaper: https://www.floshin.com/whitepaper

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FloshinX

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/B3hcWZYdzf

Media Details

Company Name: Floshin

Contact Name: Floshin

Location: London, UK

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://floshin.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170851
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) ("Forum" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for proceeds of $2,999,923 through the issuance of 22,221,649 flow through shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.135 per FT Share (see news release dated May 24, 2023). Forum holds a 100% interest in 95,000 hectares of ground that Cameco Corporation extensively drilled from 2008 to 2012 adjacent to Orano's 133 million pound Kiggavik uranium deposit in the Thelon Basin. A 2,000 metre drill program will commence in July, 2023 (Figure1).

Dr. Rebecca Hunter, Forum's VP, Exploration stated, "Forum's Nunavut Uranium Project in the Thelon Basin is a geologic analogue to the prolific Athabasca Basin for high grade, unconformity style uranium deposits. Our ground includes two uranium deposits, in addition to over 20 highly prospective targets. I am excited for the opportunity to continue delineating these deposits and explore for new discoveries on our 100% owned property."

Proceeds raised from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used by Forum to incur Canadian Exploration Expenses on its Canadian uranium and critical mineral properties in Nunavut and Saskatchewan and will be used for qualifying expenses for the critical mineral tax credit (CMETC). In addition, to the extent any expenditures are incurred in the Province of Saskatchewan, they will also qualify for the Saskatchewan mineral exploration tax credit. The FT Shares are subject to a four month hold period expiring October 22, 2023.





Figure 1 The Thelon Basin is geologically comparable to the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, a major producer of uranium.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/170840_4f960d1c045a7ae2_003full.jpg.

About Forum Energy Metals

Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is a diversified energy metal company with uranium, copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan, Canada's Number One Rated mining province for exploration and development, a strategic uranium land position in Nunavut and a strategic cobalt land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt.

For further information: https://www.forumenergymetals.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Forum's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the historical data, the work expenditure commitments; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund future exploration or development programs; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; changes commodity prices, litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or an inability to obtain permits required in connection with maintaining or advancing its exploration projects.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo.

President & 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.

For further information contact:

Rick Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO

[email protected]

Tel: 604-630-1585

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/170840
Global broker FXGT.com launches trading platform, MetaTrader 4 (MT4).

Victoria, Seychelles--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - FXGT.com, a leading online forex and CFD broker, has announced the addition of the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform to its trading platform offering.

Available on desktop, mobile and tablet devices, MT4 is one of the most popular trading platforms in the world, with a user-friendly interface that is suited to traders of all experience levels.

The official launch of MT4 on FXGT.com serves as the latest addition to its platform suite alongside MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and provides traders with even more flexibility and choice.

It represents another key milestone for FXGT.com, following on from the recent refresh of the company's brand, which saw the successful introduction of an updated logo, tagline, and website.

"MT4 is one of the most popular forex trading platforms amongst traders, and we are excited to be able to offer it to our clients," said Constantinos Pavlides, CMO at FXGT.com.

"It will sufficiently complement our MT5 offering, which allows us to welcome all types of traders and expert advisors and deliver on our promise to empower a range of different trading choices and strategies. Ultimately, we are committed to providing traders with the best possible trading experience," said Pavlides.

MT4 is very popular in certain market segments and strategies. The inclusion of MT4 as part of its platform selection, therefore, fulfils FXGT.com's "Any Trade, Any Strategy" tagline, whilst cementing its status as a truly global broker.

For more information about the suite of trading platforms available on FXGT.com, please click here.

About FXGT.com

FXGT.com is an established, fully regulated, and licensed online broker. It operates in markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a growing presence in other regions, serving clients worldwide.

It is fully authorized and regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).

It offers choice to traders through a wide range of tradable asset classes and instruments, with reliable and fast execution, across a broad selection of account types on the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms.

Moreover, FXGT.com presents an array of trading tools, market insights, and technical analysis to clients.

Lastly, the brand has a reputation for ensuring the strong protection and security of funds by keeping clients' funds separate. FXGT.com is a regulated broker that is licensed by the FSA and FSCA and is trusted by traders worldwide for its robust risk management policies and procedures, which includes allowing anytime withdrawals from clients' accounts.

Media Contact: [email protected]

Company Name: 360 Degrees Markets Ltd

Contact Person: Hristo Hristov

Email: [email protected]

Website: fxgt.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170868
Bangkok, Thailand--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - In the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand, preparations are already underway for a grand event that promises to reshape the landscape of global finance. Some of the industry's key Fintech companies have announced their participation in the upcoming iFXExpo Bangkok 2023, to be held from June 20th to June 22nd. This three-day event is set to bring together thousands of industry experts, professionals, and key stakeholders in the forex industry for a comprehensive platform to exchange knowledge, network, and explore the latest trends and innovations.

As one of the largest financial events in Asia, the iFXExpo Bangkok is not merely a conference; it serves as an essential gathering for professionals in the forex industry. It offers a unique opportunity for participants to connect with peers, learn from industry leaders, and gain insights into the ever-evolving world of global finance. It's a perfect melting pot of talent, vision, and innovation.

Akin to a global showcase, the event will feature a wide range of exhibitors, with representation from leading brokers, technology providers, liquidity providers, and other key players in the financial services sector. Attendees will have the chance to delve into an expansive universe of the latest products and services, discover cutting-edge technologies that are driving change in the industry, and forge meaningful partnerships with industry-leading organizations that could pave the way for revolutionary collaborations in the future.

David Bily, the CEO & Founder of the Forex broker, Moneta Markets, expressed his enthusiasm about the event. "We are excited to be attending iFXExpo Bangkok 2023," he said. His company, a pioneer in the forex industry, is set to present its innovative trading solutions to attendees. Bily believes that the expo serves as a crucial platform for industry professionals to stay at the forefront of the rapidly changing forex landscape. "We look forward to networking with peers, engaging in insightful discussions on industry trends, and showcasing our latest innovations," he added.

The expo will feature a comprehensive agenda, designed to cater to a diverse audience. The schedule is set to include keynote speeches delivered by top leaders in the field, thought-provoking panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and interactive sessions conducted by renowned industry experts. Topics that will be covered include the impact of technology on the forex industry, regulatory developments that are shaping the future of the sector, effective risk management strategies, and the future of trading in the digital era.

"By attending this event, professionals in the forex industry can gain valuable insights, explore the latest market trends, and establish valuable connections that can propel their careers and businesses forward", said David, underscoring the significance of the event.

The iFXExpo Bangkok 2023 is not just for seasoned professionals. It also welcomes industry enthusiasts, Introducing Brokers, Affiliates, and anyone else interested in the world of forex trading.

Contact:

Austen Plummer

[email protected]

https://www.monetamarkets.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170671
Management to Host Conference Call at 8:00 Am Eastern Time on Thursday, June 22, 2023

Toronto, Ontario and Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Medexus Pharmaceuticals (TSX: MDP) (OTCQX: MEDXF) today announced its operating and financial results and provided a business update for the company's fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 (the company's fiscal Q4 2023 and fiscal year 2023). All dollar amounts in this press release are in United States dollars unless specified otherwise.

Financial highlights

Record total revenue of $108.1 million in fiscal year 2023, a year-over-year increase of 41%. This represents the strongest annual revenue in Medexus's history. A continuing positive trend in sales of IXINITY, continuing strong Rupall demand growth and Rasuvo performance, and the inclusion of Gleolan net sales in total revenue were the primary contributors to this substantial year-over-year improvement.





Total revenue of $28.6 million in fiscal Q4 2023, a year-over-year increase of 41%. The substantial improvement over the same quarter in the previous year was primarily attributable to an increase in net sales of IXINITY during the quarter as pharmacy and wholesale customers return to buying patterns better aligned with patient unit demand.





Record Adjusted EBITDA* of $16.1 million in fiscal year 2023, a year-over-year increase of $20.0 million. This represents the strongest annual Adjusted EBITDA in Medexus's history. The increases in net sales mentioned above, a reduction in research and development costs, and an increase in gross margin were the primary contributors to this substantial year-over-year improvement.





Adjusted EBITDA* of $4.8 million in fiscal Q4 2023, a year-over-year increase of $3.7 million. The substantial improvement over the same quarter in the previous year was primarily attributable to increases in net sales of IXINITY and Rasuvo and a decrease in research and development costs, partially offset by an increase in selling and administrative expense.





Operating profit of $7.6 million in fiscal year 2023 and $2.7 million in fiscal Q4 2023, compared to $(15.0) million in fiscal year 2022 and $(2.5) million in fiscal Q4 2022.





Net income of $1.2 million in fiscal year 2023 and $6.9 million in fiscal Q4 2023, compared to $(2.9) million in fiscal year 2022 and $(5.3) million in fiscal Q4 2022.





Adjusted Net Income* of $(1.3) million in fiscal year 2023 and $6.0 million in fiscal Q4 2023, compared to $(24.0) million in fiscal year 2022 and $(4.6) million in fiscal Q4 2022.





Cash and cash equivalents (and total available liquidity) of $13.1 million at March 31, 2023.

* Refer to "Non-GAAP measures" at the end of this press release for information about Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss).

Ken d'Entremont, Chief Executive Officer of Medexus, commented, "We are very pleased with the performance we have seen in our base business, which has demonstrated continued growth. We have continued to see strong sales for IXINITY, Rupall, and Rasuvo. Revenues have been further propelled this fiscal year by the addition of Gleolan sales in the United States. We are proud to note that this has translated into positive net income, an increase in cash, and record positive Adjusted EBITDA* for fiscal year 2023."

Marcel Konrad, Chief Financial Officer of Medexus, further noted, "Our cash position has improved this quarter, increasing from $9.3 million at December 31, 2022 to $13.1 million at March 31, 2023. We see our cash balance continuing to increase and expect to have approximately $20 million of total cash at September 30, not including any additional amounts that may become available under the $20 million uncommitted accordion facility that was put in place at the time of the non-dilutive debt financing we completed with BMO in March. We are pleased that diligent pursuit of our business objectives together with careful monitoring of our capital structure has put the company in a strong yearend position, with four consecutive quarters of positive operating income and six consecutive quarters of positive Adjusted EBITDA*."

Mr d'Entremont concluded, "We are excited about several products in our pipeline that we continue to advance. We recently secured the Canadian rights for terbinafine hydrochloride, a dermatology product, which is an excellent strategic fit with our market leading product Rupall. We remain optimistic about treosulfan's prospects in the United States as our licensing partner works toward a resubmission to the US Food and Drug Administration. Princess Margaret Hospital's retrospective analysis found a 30% improvement (83.2% vs 53.2%) in one-year overall survival for patients treated with treosulfan, which we find extremely encouraging and relevant to the US population as well."

Operational highlights

IXINITY (US) : Unit demand in the United States remained strong during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2023, with the fourth financial quarter 2023 reflecting the best quarter of financial year 2023 for new patient conversions, on top of a stable, existing base of patients. (Source: customer-reported dispensing data.) Medexus's sales and marketing initiatives also benefited from resumption of in-person selling earlier in financial year 2023. Medexus has also continued to invest moderately in its IXINITY manufacturing process improvement initiative, which has had a positive impact on manufacturing costs, expected to be offset by increases in direct costs of Medexus's third-party contract manufacturing arrangements.





: Unit demand in the United States remained strong during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2023, with the fourth financial quarter 2023 reflecting the best quarter of financial year 2023 for new patient conversions, on top of a stable, existing base of patients. (Source: customer-reported dispensing data.) Medexus's sales and marketing initiatives also benefited from resumption of in-person selling earlier in financial year 2023. Medexus has also continued to invest moderately in its IXINITY manufacturing process improvement initiative, which has had a positive impact on manufacturing costs, expected to be offset by increases in direct costs of Medexus's third-party contract manufacturing arrangements. Rasuvo (US) : Medexus maintained its market leading position during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2023, with an estimated >80% unit share, as unit demand for Rasuvo remained strong in the moderately-growing and competitive US branded methotrexate market with a highly efficient allocation of sales force resources. (Source: Symphony Sub National 3/31/2023 Data & Chargebacks, PAP). Medexus implemented effective unit-level price reductions to defend and grow its strong market position.





: Medexus maintained its market leading position during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2023, with an estimated >80% unit share, as unit demand for Rasuvo remained strong in the moderately-growing and competitive US branded methotrexate market with a highly efficient allocation of sales force resources. (Source: Symphony Sub National 3/31/2023 Data & Chargebacks, PAP). Medexus implemented effective unit-level price reductions to defend and grow its strong market position. Rupall (Canada) : Unit demand in Canada remained strong during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2023, which was reflected in the unit demand growth of 25% over that period. (Source: IQVIA CDH units - Drugstores and hospitals purchases, MAT March 2023.) This strong performance reflects successful execution of the company's sales and marketing initiatives to sustain the product's strong performance over the six years since launch.





: Unit demand in Canada remained strong during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2023, which was reflected in the unit demand growth of 25% over that period. (Source: IQVIA CDH units - Drugstores and hospitals purchases, MAT March 2023.) This strong performance reflects successful execution of the company's sales and marketing initiatives to sustain the product's strong performance over the six years since launch. Gleolan (US) : Unit demand in the United States continues to be in line with expectations, with the fourth financial quarter 2023 having included the best month of US unit sales of financial year 2023. (Source: customer-reported dispensing data.) This strong performance reflects successful execution of the company's post-transition commercial plan including new sales and marketing initiatives. The company began shipping Medexus-labeled product to customers across the United States in August 2022, meaning that September 2022 was the first full month, and the three-month period ended December 31, 2022 was the first full fiscal quarter, in which Medexus recognized 100% of Gleolan net sales in the company's total revenue.





: Unit demand in the United States continues to be in line with expectations, with the fourth financial quarter 2023 having included the best month of US unit sales of financial year 2023. (Source: customer-reported dispensing data.) This strong performance reflects successful execution of the company's post-transition commercial plan including new sales and marketing initiatives. The company began shipping Medexus-labeled product to customers across the United States in August 2022, meaning that September 2022 was the first full month, and the three-month period ended December 31, 2022 was the first full fiscal quarter, in which Medexus recognized 100% of Gleolan net sales in the company's total revenue. Metoject (Canada): Unit demand increased by 10% in the trailing 12-month period ended March 31, 2023 in spite of direct generic competition. (Source: IQVIA - TSA database.) Medexus implemented effective unit-level price reductions to defend and grow its strong market position. The trial in Medexus's defense of the Canadian patent for Metoject in Canada's Federal Court concluded in January 2023. Medexus anticipates that the court will issue its decision later in calendar year 2023.

Product pipeline highlights

Treosulfan (United States) : medac, licensor of Medexus's commercialization rights to treosulfan and the party responsible for regulatory matters, continues to work toward resubmission of the new drug application (NDA) for treosulfan. Based on Medexus's assessment of the FDA's feedback and discussions with medac, Medexus expects that it will take medac up to a year to collect and submit the information requested by the FDA. In light of the ongoing delay in medac's response to the FDA's requests in respect of the treosulfan NDA, the FDA's review of the treosulfan NDA has now continued beyond the agreed outside date for FDA approval set out in the treosulfan license agreement, which provides that milestone payment amounts are subject to renegotiation and adjustment during an agreed negotiation period.





: medac, licensor of Medexus's commercialization rights to treosulfan and the party responsible for regulatory matters, continues to work toward resubmission of the new drug application (NDA) for treosulfan. Based on Medexus's assessment of the FDA's feedback and discussions with medac, Medexus expects that it will take medac up to a year to collect and submit the information requested by the FDA. In light of the ongoing delay in medac's response to the FDA's requests in respect of the treosulfan NDA, the FDA's review of the treosulfan NDA has now continued beyond the agreed outside date for FDA approval set out in the treosulfan license agreement, which provides that milestone payment amounts are subject to renegotiation and adjustment during an agreed negotiation period. Topical Terbinafine (Canada): In March 2023, Medexus secured exclusive Canadian rights to commercialize terbinafine hydrochloride nail lacquer supplied by Polichem, an Almirall group company focused on medical dermatological treatments for skin health. The product, which Medexus will submit for Health Canada approval later in calendar year 2023, has been widely used in other markets to treat fungal nail infections. Medexus estimates the total value of the Canadian fungicides market to be C$88 million annually. Management views this product as a strategic fit with Rupall and expects that it will both contribute to the company's Canadian revenues and engage the commercial infrastructure previously put in place to support Rupall, one of Medexus's current leading products.

Additional information

Medexus's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 are available on Medexus's corporate website at www.medexus.com and in the company's corporate filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Conference call details

Medexus will host a conference call at 8:00 AM Eastern time on Thursday, June 22, 2023, to discuss the company's operating and financial results and corporate updates for fiscal Q4 2023 and fiscal year 2023.

To participate in the call, please dial the following numbers:

888-506-0062 (toll-free) for Canadian and U.S. callers

+1 973-528-0011 for international callers

Access code: 199383

A live webcast of the call will be available on the Investors section of Medexus's corporate website or at the following link:

https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2010/48579

A replay of the call will be available approximately one hour following the end of the call through Thursday, June 29, 2023. To access the replay, please dial the following numbers:

877-481-4010 for Canadian and U.S. callers

+1 919-882-2331 for international callers

Conference ID: 48579

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investors section of Medexus's corporate website until Saturday, June 22, 2024.

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: [email protected]

Marcel Konrad | CFO, Medexus Pharmaceuticals

Tel: 312-548-3139 | Email: [email protected]

Victoria Rutherford | Adelaide Capital

Tel: 480-625-5772 | Email: [email protected]

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 in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Medexus's business strategy or outlook and future growth plans; expectations regarding future financial or operating performance; expectations regarding availability of funds from operations, cash flow generation, and capital allocation (including anticipated cash needs, capital requirements, and needs for and ability to secure additional financing, and the potential availability of the uncommitted accordion facility under the BMO credit agreement discussed in this news release); the occurrence, timing, and expected outcome of the FDA review process for treosulfan and any related collection and submission of information by medac; the timing of a trial court decision in respect of, and any outcome of, the Metoject litigation matter; and competitive position of and anticipated trends and challenges in the company's business and the markets in which it operates. 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. 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. Given these risks, 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.

Trademarks and trade names

This news release contains references to trademarks and other protected names and marks, including those belonging to other companies, persons, or entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and other protected names and marks referred to in this document may appear without the "" or """ 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, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to these trademarks and other protected names and marks.

Non-GAAP measures

Company management uses, and this news release refers to, financial measures that are not recognized under IFRS and do not have a standard meaning prescribed by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in accordance with IFRS or other financial or accounting authorities (non-GAAP measures). These non-GAAP measures may include "non-GAAP financial measures" and "non-GAAP ratios" (each defined in National Instrument 52-112, Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure). Medexus's method for calculating these measures may differ from methods used by other companies and therefore these measures are unlikely to be comparable to similarly-designated measures used or presented by other companies.

In particular, management uses Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA as measures of Medexus's performance. Adjusted Net Income (Loss), EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) may be presented on a per share basis.

An explanation and discussion of each of these non-GAAP measures, including their limitations, is set out under the heading "Preliminary Notes-Non-GAAP measures" in Medexus's most recent management's discussion and analysis. A reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure can be found under the heading "Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss)" below.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss)

The following tables are derived from and should be read together with Medexus's consolidated statement of operations for the three- and 12-month periods ended March 31, 2023. This supplementary disclosure is intended to more fully explain disclosures related to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA and provides additional information related to Medexus's operating performance. However, Medexus's non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of Medexus's financial information as reported under IFRS.

(Amounts in $ '000s)



Quarter ended

March 31,



Financial year ended

March 31,



2023



2022



2023



2022 Net income (loss) $ 6,856

$ (5,287)

$ 1,221

$ (2,879) Add back:













Unrealized loss (gain) on fair value of derivatives

(827)



668



(2,533)



(21,097) Adjusted Net Income (Loss) $ 6,029

$ (4,619)

$ (1,312)

$ (23,976)

(Amounts in $ '000s)













Quarter ended

March 31,



Financial year ended

March 31,



2023



2022



2023



2022 Net income (loss) $ 6,856

$ (5,287)

$ 1,221

$ (2,879) Add back:













Depreciation and amortization (property, equipment, intangible assets)

1,487



1,517



6,081



6,145 Interest expense

3,612



3,107



13,606



12,223 Income tax expense (recovery)

(6,844)



1,678



(6,262)



(941) EBITDA

5,111



1,015



14,646



14,548 Add back:













Share-based compensation

509



265



1,579



2,300 Transaction fees

93



53



265



86 Termination benefits

-



-



610



784 Foreign exchange loss (gain)

44



(214)



1,689



154 Unrealized loss (gain) on fair value of derivatives

(827)



668



(2,533)



(21,079) Unrealized gain on fair value of business combination payables

(107)



(2,456)



(107)



(2,456) Impairment loss

-



1,750



-



1,750 Adjusted EBITDA

4,823



1,081



16,149



(3,931)

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170870
This aerial photo taken on June 16, 2023 shows a lantern performance in Hule Town of Ningguo City, east China's Anhui Province. Hule Town, an ancient town in east China's Anhui Province, has a tradition of lantern performance to celebrate festivals.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, villagers perform lantern dance with lanterns in the shape of fish and dragon, and place lotus-shaped water lanterns in the river.

A series of activities including the long-table banquet and the lantern fair have been held to attract tourists from home and abroad. (Photo by Li Xiaohong/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on June 16, 2023 shows a lantern performance in Hule Town of Ningguo City, east China's Anhui Province. Hule Town, an ancient town in east China's Anhui Province, has a tradition of lantern performance to celebrate festivals.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, villagers perform lantern dance with lanterns in the shape of fish and dragon, and place lotus-shaped water lanterns in the river.

A series of activities including the long-table banquet and the lantern fair have been held to attract tourists from home and abroad. (Photo by Li Xiaohong/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on June 16, 2023 shows a lantern performance in Hule Town of Ningguo City, east China's Anhui Province. Hule Town, an ancient town in east China's Anhui Province, has a tradition of lantern performance to celebrate festivals.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, villagers perform lantern dance with lanterns in the shape of fish and dragon, and place lotus-shaped water lanterns in the river.

A series of activities including the long-table banquet and the lantern fair have been held to attract tourists from home and abroad. (Photo by Li Xiaohong/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on June 16, 2023 shows a lantern performance by the long-table banquet in Hule Town of Ningguo City, east China's Anhui Province. Hule Town, an ancient town in east China's Anhui Province, has a tradition of lantern performance to celebrate festivals.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, villagers perform lantern dance with lanterns in the shape of fish and dragon, and place lotus-shaped water lanterns in the river.

A series of activities including the long-table banquet and the lantern fair have been held to attract tourists from home and abroad. (Photo by Li Xiaohong/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on June 16, 2023 shows a lantern performance by the long-table banquet in Hule Town of Ningguo City, east China's Anhui Province. Hule Town, an ancient town in east China's Anhui Province, has a tradition of lantern performance to celebrate festivals.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, villagers perform lantern dance with lanterns in the shape of fish and dragon, and place lotus-shaped water lanterns in the river.

A series of activities including the long-table banquet and the lantern fair have been held to attract tourists from home and abroad. (Photo by Li Xiaohong/Xinhua)

Villagers make Zongzi, a pyramid-shaped glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, as the Dragon Boat Festival approaches in Hule Town of Ningguo City, east China's Anhui Province, June 17, 2023. Hule Town, an ancient town in east China's Anhui Province, has a tradition of lantern performance to celebrate festivals.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, villagers perform lantern dance with lanterns in the shape of fish and dragon, and place lotus-shaped water lanterns in the river.

A series of activities including the long-table banquet and the lantern fair have been held to attract tourists from home and abroad. (Photo by Li Xiaohong/Xinhua)
Annual award honors novel application of wireless instrumentation

Durham, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) announced today that OMV Petrom has won the 2022 ISA100 Wireless Excellence in Automation award for their novel application of wireless instrumentation at a key operating site. OMV Petrom is the first global end user to utilize ISA100 Wireless for real-time oil field monitoring and joins a distinguished list of end users who have received this award over the past 10 years.





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ISA100 Wireless is an international, standards-based technology that delivers reliable, secure, and interoperable networks for industrial environments. Each year, the ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) presents the ISA100 Wireless Excellence in Automation Award to a global end-user company that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation with ISA100 Wireless technology.

This year's award is presented to OMV Petrom for leadership in digitalization and innovation while implementing real-time oil field monitoring applications.

Members of the OMV Petrom engineering team will present the case study on their award-winning operation on 28 June 2023; register to attend the free webinar.

The award will be presented in person during the ISA Automation and Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on 4-6 October 2023.

"OMV Petrom's use of ISA100 Wireless exemplifies the novel application of wireless technology that we seek to recognize with the annual Excellence in Automation award. It gives us great pleasure to recognize their leadership efforts with ISA100 Wireless technology," stated Andre Ristaino (Managing Director, ISAGCA, Consortia, & Conformity Assessment).

The Award-Winning Implementation

OMV Petrom chose ISA100 Wireless over other industrial IoT technologies and solutions because it met and exceeded OMV Petrom's requirements for real-time oil field monitoring. ISA100 Wireless is the only Industrial IoT standards-based solution that can cover a large geographic area using a single IPv6 wireless mesh network.

ISA100 Wireless certified field instruments were installed at 8 oil wells spread over an area of 1.5 x 1.0 kilometers. Together with the wireless backbone infrastructure, they form a plant-wide wireless network. Information from oil field instrumentation is now available in real time throughout the site-wide network.

The oil field data is being reported from the ISA100 Wireless network manager to a DCS via MODBUS TCP (ISA Level 3). Data is also being extracted and reported at ISA Level 4 via an OPC-UA interface to anOSI PI historian. The OPC-UA interface uses the OPC-UA approved ISA100 Wireless data model standardized by the WCI in cooperation with the OCP foundation. This is the world's first wireless field deployment that utilizes OPC-UA data modeling based on the approved ISA100 Wireless information model.

The real-time data is being used to pro-actively detect potential disruptions and avoid costly and disruptive oil well collapse. General oil well operations are also monitored in real time, allowing the crude to be extracted and transported in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Join us for our live webinar where we will discuss the project parameters, the challenges and solutions, and the realized benefits. Register here.

About the project

OMV Petrom's strategy for 2030 is Transforming for a lower carbon future, where innovation and digitalization are some of the key enablers and through the DigitUP Program, the Company envisions to become a digital frontrunner in the industry. Real-Time Digital Energy Operations (RTDO) is a lighthouse of the DigitUP program, and its ambition is: "Assets run autonomously 24/7 backed by an adaptive digital workforce."

OMV Petrom Operation Technology (OT) engineering team successfully finished this pilot project proving interoperability of multi-vendor certified devices (Centero, Honeywell, EvinSys, Kentech) and good team effort with leading contractor (Master Group Resources) and IT Service Provider (OMV Petrom Global Solution) for OT/IT cybersecure inter-connection.

"This award-winning pilot project is part of our efforts to implement best-in-the- class, cost-effective OT solutions in order to achieve our goals," stated Mr. Cristian Todea, Head of Domestic Production and RTDO project owner.

"It gives us a true real-time OT infrastructure with high availability in the field providing accurate data to L4 Apps (O PI, AspenTech APC and Seeq)," stated Mr. Florin Preda, Head of Automation & OT department.

About OMV Petrom

OMV Petrom is the largest integrated energy company in Southeastern Europe, activating on every aspect of the energy value chain: from wells producing oil and gas, to fuels marketing and power generation. The Group's core market is Romania but is has operations in the neighboring countries as well (Moldova, Serbia, Bulgaria, Georgia). Learn more here.

About ISA100 Wireless

ISA100 Wireless is a plant-wide wireless infrastructure technology that improves plant performance, simplifies wireless operations, and reduces costs. It was developed through a multi-stakeholder process to meet the specific needs of industrial wireless communication. ISA100 Wireless certification assures interoperability between vendors - delivering end users the choice of best-of-breed wireless solutions that are standards-based, resilient, and secure. ISA100 Wireless is a non-profit industrial consortium under the umbrella of the International Society of Automation (ISA). Learn more at www.isa100wci.org.

About the International Society of Automation (ISA)

The International Society of Automation (ISA) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1945 to create a better world through automation. ISA advances technical competence by connecting the automation community to achieve operational excellence and is the trusted provider of standards-based foundational technical resources, driving the advancement of individual careers and the overall profession. ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its members and customers around the world. Learn more at http://www.isa.org/.

Media contact:

Morgan Foor, [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/169911
Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group", "PTM" or the "Company") reports that Lion Battery Technologies Inc. ("Lion") has engaged The Battery Innovation Center ("BIC") in Newberry, Indiana to help drive commercialization of its next generation platinum and palladium based battery chemistries. Lion is advancing both proprietary lithium-sulfur and enhanced lithium-ion (NMC) technology using the unique catalytic properties of platinum and palladium.

The BIC is a collaborative initiative designed to partner with commercial enterprises, renowned universities, government agencies, and industry leaders to focus on the rapid development, testing, and commercialization of safe, reliable, and lightweight energy storage systems for commercial and defense customers. The BIC's mission is to accelerate innovation in the field of battery technology by providing access to the entire spectrum of R&D to commercialization, including low volume production, in a single 40,000 square foot facility. The BIC reports working with a wide array of clients including Solid Power, BrightVolt, Fisker, Rolls Royce, DuPont, Valvoline, LG Chem, UL Solutions, GE Global Research, Cummins, Semplastics, and Alkegen.

Under an agreed scope of work, the BIC is to conduct independent small scale and large scale trials to validate Lion's proprietary platinum and palladium based electrode composition, slurry, and films in both lithium-sulfur and lithium-ion (NMC811) coin and pouch cells. Collaboration with BIC will also include additional research and development focused on improving performance and scale-up with the goal of creating prototypes for commercialization consideration in 2024. Lion's target is to develop batteries with specific energies that are 20% to 100% higher than current technologies while meeting or exceeding their present cycle lives.

Research at Lion is led by Dr. Bilal El-Zahab, who completed his post-doctoral work at MIT, along with a team that includes battery and materials science specialist and postdoctoral fellows at Florida International University ("FIU"). Dr. El-Zahab stated, "After an exhaustive search for a commercialization partner we are excited to engage with The Battery Innovation Center. The resources and team at the BIC will assist in validating several years of internal research and development and will help to lay the foundation for commercialization efforts going forward."

"At The Battery Innovation Center, we are excited to collaborate with Dr. El-Zahab and support the endeavor for next generation lithium-related battery chemistries toward higher technology readiness levels," says Dr. Wan Si Tang, the Advanced Battery Manufacturing Team Leader at the BIC. She continues, "We expect this valuable relationship with Lion will continue to fortify through our collaboration to combine Lion's technologies with BIC's scale-up expertise. This intent will ensure the proper development of prototype cells for the next stage of pilot manufacturing."

Lion was jointly formed in 2019 by Platinum Group and Anglo American Platinum to accelerate the development of next-generation battery technology using platinum and palladium. Since inception the Lion team has focused on the development of proprietary lithium sulfur technology and enhancing the performance of existing commercial lithium-ion (NMC) chemistries. Lion has a sponsored research agreement with FIU including exclusive rights to all intellectual property developed and will lead commercialization efforts. To date the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted FIU five patents. For more details about Lion please see the Company's most recent Form 40-F annual report, AIF and other filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators.

About Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground platinum group metals deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with joint venture partners Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd., Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and Hanwa Co., Ltd.

On behalf of the Board of

Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Frank R. Hallam

President, CEO and Director

For further information contact:

Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development

Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver

Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450

www.platinumgroupmetals.net

Disclosure

The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management.

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "may", "plans", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the development of new battery technologies and the potential benefits of utilizing the unique catalytic properties of platinum and palladium therein, the creation of battery prototypes for commercialization consideration, the development of batteries with specific energies higher than current technologies while at least matching their cycle lives, the validation of internal research and development, laying the foundation for commercialization efforts and the potential benefits of Lion engaging BIC. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including possible adverse impacts due the global outbreak of COVID-19, the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise additional capital, and to comply with the terms of any new indebtedness; additional financing requirements; and any new indebtedness may be secured, which potentially could result in the loss of any assets pledged by the Company; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Co.; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co.; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 40-F annual report, AIF and other filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. 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, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

The technical and scientific information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which differs from the standards adopted by the SEC. Accordingly, the technical and scientific information contained herein, including any estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to the disclosure requirements of the SEC.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170706
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Prophecy DeFi Inc. (CSE: PDFI) ("Prophecy DeFi" or the "Company"), announces that it has agreed to settle an aggregate of $105,000 of indebtedness owed to certain creditors through the issuance of an aggregate of 700,000 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement").

The Debt Settlement remains subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. All Common Shares issued in connection with the Debt Settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

About Prophecy DeFi

Prophecy DeFi (CSE: PDFI) provides retail and institutional investors with access to the decentralized finance sector by bridging the gap between DeFi and traditional finance. Prophecy DeFi invests in diverse DeFi and Web 3.0 startups to create new business opportunities in a coherent ecosystem.

www.prophecydefi.com

For further information, please contact:

John McMahon, CEO

Tel: (416) 764-0314

Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, and dependence upon regulatory approvals and the possibility that the completion of the transaction may not occur. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. The parties undertake no obligation to update forward-looking information except as otherwise may be required by applicable securities law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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/170885
Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQX: RYES) (the "Company" or "Rise Gold") reports that Nevada County announced that the Board of Supervisors hearing for the Idaho-Maryland Mine Project (the "IMM Project") will take place on October 2nd and October 3rd, 2023. The Board of Supervisors hearing is the last major milestone remaining towards approval or denial of the Company's Use Permit application to reopen the historic past-producing Idaho-Maryland gold mine.

About Rise Gold Corp.

Rise Gold is an exploration-stage mining company incorporated in Nevada, USA. The Company's principal asset is the historic past-producing Idaho-Maryland gold mine located in Nevada County, California, USA. To learn more about the company, visit www.risegoldcorp.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Benjamin Mossman

President, CEO and Director

Rise Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact:

RISE GOLD CORP.

Suite 215, 333 Crown Point Circle

Grass Valley, CA 95945

T: 530.433.0188

[email protected]

www.risegoldcorp.com

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, obtaining all necessary approvals, meeting expenditure and financing requirements, compliance with environmental regulations, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this release. Rise undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170803
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Rome Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RMR) (FSE: 33R) ("Rome" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Serge Nawej Tshitembu has been appointed to the Company's board of directors.

Mr Nawej is a qualified lawyer, a Congolese national who grew up in Belgium and is based in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"). He is currently a professional business consultant, and has significant experience advising mining construction and infrastructure companies operating in Africa, particularly the DRC, in respect of strategic development, finance, legal matters and government relations and geopolitical challenges. Mr Nawej has an extensive network of contacts across Asia, the Middle East and Africa and assists companies with their fundraising activities. Mr Nawej is regularly invited as a speaker or moderator to global and African business events.

Mr Nawej completed his legal qualifications (and remains registered as a lawyer) in Belgium. He previously practiced law in Belgium and the DRC, and was a key contributor in the development of a successful law firm based in the DRC involved in major cross border transactions in Africa. Mr Nawej is a director and shareholder of one of the Company's joint venture partners.

Mark Gasson, President and CEO of the Company, states that "Serge Nawej's significant business experience in Africa, especially in the mining sector in the DRC, and his extensive network of professional investor and government contacts will be of great assistance to the Company and its plans to explore and develop the exciting Bisie North Tin Project in eastern DRC."

The Company also announces that Mr Patrick Flint has resigned as a director of the Company. The Board thanks Mr Flint for his contributions during the period he served as a director.

About Rome Resources

Rome Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that has entered into two option agreements and a binding term sheet to acquire direct and indirect interests in two contiguous properties situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, which are collectively referred to as the "Bisie North Tin Project". Rome intends to fund exploration on the project up to the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

Contacts

Investors / Shareholders

Mark Gasson

President, CEO & Director

P: (604) 687-6140

Media

E: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Rome Resources Ltd believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Rome Resources Ltd disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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/170842
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will commence Environmental Review process for proposed underground mine, rail loading facility and water treatment plant in central Minnesota

Tamarack, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTC Pink: TLOFF) through its subsidiary Talon Nickel (USA) LLC ("Talon" or the "Company"), today submitted its Environmental Assessment Worksheet ("EAW") to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to begin the State's Environmental Impact Statement scoping process for the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project (the "Tamarack Nickel Project"), a proposed small-footprint, high-grade underground nickel mine that would be located near the City of Tamarack in Aitkin County, Minnesota.

"Our team in Tamarack is excited to have reached the milestone of submitting the initial worksheet form to begin Minnesota's Environmental Review process, the starting point for any project seeking a permit in the state," said Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon. He continued, "We have worked very hard and invested millions of dollars to understand the environment and cultural resources in the area where we are proposing the Tamarack Nickel Project outside the City of Tamarack. Environmental data collection started in 2006 and today includes data from the deep bedrock where the high-grade nickel deposit is found, to the surface water in the glacial till layer that contains wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes and homestead wells. This baseline data has helped the team to design the proposed project to safeguard the environment."

The submittal covers several key conceptual aspects of the Tamarack Nickel Project for scoping:

A smaller above ground mine operation campus than previously planned, now down to approximately 60 acres (not including rail spur).

No crushing or processing of ore at the mine site in Aitkin County.

Ore will be extracted from the orebody in the underground mine and transported to the surface and loaded onto covered and enclosed railcars inside a building to control for dust and water.

Talon proposes to use an innovative approach to mine development, using a Tunnel Boring Machine (" TBM ") that will create a sealed cement tunnel as it makes its way through the glacial till zone to the deep bedrock. Talon plans for the TBM to create a tunnel loop that will ensure dual means of safe access from the underground mineworks.

") that will create a sealed cement tunnel as it makes its way through the glacial till zone to the deep bedrock. Talon plans for the TBM to create a tunnel loop that will ensure dual means of safe access from the underground mineworks. Water that seeps from the bedrock into the underground mine will be collected and pumped to the surface for processing. Talon is exploring the highest level of membrane-based water treatment technology appropriate for the site with both private sector and state and federal research institutions.

Over 300 new union jobs to be created (in addition to the nearly 100 people currently working at the Tamarack Nickel Project).

Information about the Environmental Review process is available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website: Home | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)

"The project has had an open-door policy for over 15 years and as plans have been developed, our team has held quarterly community meetings to listen to interests and concerns. This feedback has been incorporated into our design plans. Our decision to move the mineral processing operations and tailings storage to an existing industrial site in the drier area of Mercer County, North Dakota is an outcome of this process. In the mine planning process, we have been incorporating feedback into project design and utilizing innovative approaches and technology," said Chris Wallace, VP Environmental and Permitting.

"Our community has been actively engaged as we have developed the plans that are outlined in the EAW submitted today for scoping," said Jess Johnson, Community Outreach and Government Relations Manager. She added, "Our neighbors want to understand how we will contribute to the local economy, create good paying union jobs that can keep our kids in the region, protect the environment and cultural resources, as well as addressing America's current dependence on China and Russia for the minerals required in the domestic battery supply chain. It's a complex set of issues and we will continue to seek feedback. The Environmental Review process provides a broad forum for all views to be considered and we encourage everyone to participate. Public comment will inform the next stages of the process, including deciding on the scope and issues to be addressed, development of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a final EIS."

"The world is moving from a fossil fuel centered energy system to a mineral centered energy system and there is bipartisan consensus among elected leaders in the United States that security of supply for the inputs required for clean energy systems is a national priority," said Todd Malan, Chief External Affairs Officer and Head of Climate Strategy. "Minnesota is leading the way in clean energy with its '100 % clean energy by 2040' commitment, and it can lead the way in providing the raw materials required for those energy systems like iron, cobalt, copper and nickel."

Malan continued,"We are committed to producing the necessary ingredients like nickel for the US battery supply chain while also protecting the environment and cultural resources where we operate. We know that people have concerns about mining sulfide ores in a water rich environment. Our team shares these concerns which is why we have worked over the last two years to enhance the project design, make changes such as moving processing and waste storage to a dry, industrial location and are committed to using technology to protect the natural environment and cultural resources such as wild rice."

CEO van Rooyen concluded: "We do not believe that addressing climate change should come at the expense of the natural environment. We can move to a clean energy system, protect the environment, respect tribal culture resources and self determination, involve front line communities and working people in project approvals and create good paying union jobs. It doesn't have to be a choice. We are looking forward to participating in the rigorous, science based public consultation and review embodied in Minnesota's Environmental Review process."

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon's Battery Minerals Processing Facility to be located in Mercer County, North Dakota was selected by the Department of Energy on October 19, 2022 for $114m in grant funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com or contact:

Media Contact:

Todd Malan

1 (202) 714-8187

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1 (416) 361-9636 x102

[email protected]

QUALIFIED PERSON

Mr. Mark Groulx (P.Eng), Vice President, Project Development and Innovation of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Mr. Groulx has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the size of the above ground mine operation campus; the use of a TBM for mine development; the expected job creation; the project design; the timing and outcome of the environmental review process, including the EIS. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the 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 which risks includes (and is not limited to) the Company's ability to secure all necessary permits relating to the proposed operations. Other risks related to the Company and the Tamarack Nickel Project are set out in the Company's financial statements and Annual Information Form.

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, 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. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170827
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2023) - Ynvisible Interactive Inc. (TSXV: YNV) (FSE: 1XNA) (OTCQB: YNVYF), a leading provider of printed low-power e-paper display products, is thrilled to unveil its groundbreaking set of interactive Indicator solutions, as part of its strategic market expansion plan.

Since Q4 2022, Ynvisible has been collaborating with renowned brand owners to integrate its e-paper displays as visual indicators in various devices. Notably, in partnership with a leading European manufacturer of compressed air solutions and industrial equipment, Ynvisible has successfully developed a complete Maintenance Time Indicator solution. This comprehensive solution, comprising the e-paper display, power source, and control electronics, was designed to be used in air filters. Product validation is expected to conclude by Q4 2023, and, upon successful validation, the customer has committed to launching the product in the market by the end of 2023. The projected annual demand for the Indicator device is 30,000 units.

Furthermore, Ynvisible has formed a collaboration with a global player in the biometric solutions space to develop a device that activates biometric sensors on smart cards. This innovative product anticipates an annual volume of at least 100,000 units, starting as early as 2024. Ynvisible's dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology is also evident in its partnerships with one of the world leaders in health and fitness wearables, integrating e-paper displays into wearable devices, and a European provider of time/temperature monitoring solutions, incorporating displays into time/temperature data loggers.

The estimated near-term market potential for Ynvisible's Indicator solutions is significant, serving a wide range of industries that demand simple and energy-efficient visual indicators. These industries include Logistics & Transport, Industrial, and Medical & Pharma. With its continuous technological advancements, Ynvisible remains at the forefront of the evolving Indicator space.

Keith Morton, Ynvisible's VP of Sales and Marketing, emphasized, "Ynvisible's low-power flexible displays provide the optimal interface for monitoring, controlling, or measuring specific processes, products, or devices across various applications. Our commitment to meeting market needs is validated by the numerous customer partnerships we have developed in this space over the past 6 to 9 months."

About Ynvisible

Ynvisible is disrupting the low-cost and low-power display industry thanks to the latest advantages in sustainable electronics and roll-to-roll printing production. Ynvisible's printed e-paper displays are ideal for low-power and cost-sensitive applications, such as digital signage, smart monitoring labels, authenticity and security, and retail labels and signage. Ynvisible has the experience, know-how, and intellectual property in electrochromic materials, inks, and systems and offers a mix of services, materials, and technology to brand owners developing smart objects and IoT products. Additional information on Ynvisible is available at www.ynvisible.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ramin Heydarpour

CEO and Executive Chairman

Ynvisible Interactive Inc.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

+1 778-683-4324

[email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Ynvisible Interactive Inc. 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 may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Ynvisible Interactive Inc. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Ynvisible Interactive Inc. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170767
Paid press release content from Send2Press. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., June 21, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (Dovenmuehle), a leading mortgage subservicing company, announced that it has hired Patricia McCarthy to be the companys new vice president of insurance administration. In this role, McCarthy will oversee Dovenmuehles insurance department with responsibility for hazard and flood insurance administration, loss drafts, research and the insurance department call center.

Insurance is a critical component of the mortgage servicing process, requiring keen attention to detail and a firm grasp of the regulations governing it across all levels, said Dovenmuehle Senior Vice President Glen Braun. Patricia brings a wealth of experience in managing the complex, highly regulated financial aspects of mortgage operations, making her an idea choice to oversee these critical escrow functions.

An industry veteran, McCarthy has worked with every aspect of the mortgage process during her career. Prior to joining Dovenmuehle, McCarthy held the position as vice president of mortgage warehouse lending at Hinsdale Bank for more than 10 years. While at Hinsdale Bank, she managed two divisions within the department, over $1 billion in warehouse lines of credit and 25 clients, moving upwards of $40 million per day. Throughout her more than 30-year career, McCarthy has managed compliance, mortgage operations, loan processing and customer service departments.

As one of the longest-standing mortgage subservicers, Dovenmuehles reputation for stability, compliance and excellence is well known, McCarthy said. I welcome the opportunity to join such an outstanding organization and contribute to its on-going success and growth.

About Dovenmuehle:

Founded in 1844, Dovenmuehle (Lake Zurich, Illinois) is a mortgage subservicer for commercial banks, credit unions, independent mortgage lenders, MSR investors and state housing finance agencies nationwide. The company subservices portfolio loans, as well as loans sold to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Bank with servicing retained.

Using a combination of best-in-class and proprietary technology, Dovenmuehle helps lenders reduce servicing costs and deliver consistently high levels of service to homeowners while maintaining compliance with investor and regulatory requirements.

Learn more at https://dovenmuehle.com/.

NEWS SOURCE: Dovenmuehle



This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Dovenmuehle), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/dovenmuehle-appoints-patricia-mccarthy-as-vice-president-of-insurance-administration/

Copr.  2023 Send2Press Newswire, a service of NEOTROPE, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: 91491SI.04
TOKYO (PRWEB) June 20, 2023

transcosmos inc. hereby announces that the company, in partnership with Adalo, Inc. (Founder & CEO: David Adkin; Adalo), will begin offering Adalo Full Support Package, a comprehensive solution for users to overcome challenges they face in using no-code tools in Japan.

Many companies are interested in no-code app development, and are keen on applying the approach. Yet, in reality, it is still difficult for their internal members to utilize no-code tools by themselves. In addition, data storage location becomes another major challenge in using overseas tools. With one of the largest engineering teams in Japan, transcosmos has been developing websites and apps in various programming languages for businesses. Now, building on its abundant experience and successes in development projects, transcosmos will offer Adalo Full Support Package, a comprehensive solution for businesses to address such challenges. The package covers app development and custom app development services using Adalo - a no-code tool from the U.S. - as well as user training and development support services. With this package, clients can use all the latest features of Adalo 2.0, which just launched in April 2023, including all responsive features ahead of others.

Another distinctive feature of this package is a data storage service in Japan. transcosmos will prepare and offer clients an environment specifically designed for building apps using Adalo in data centers located in Japan. This allows clients to build apps making the most of all features Adalo provides without the risk of data leakage associated with cross-border data transfer.

transcosmos app developers with a proven record in app development for leading companies will consult with clients, listening to their needs and requirements, and present the optimum plan for each development project. *Pricing and timeframe are subject to change based on each development project.

David Adkin, Co-Founder & CEO of Adalo commented on the Adalo Full Support Package release as follows:

"We're so excited to be partnering with transcosmos to help spread Adalo throughout Japan. Our mission has always been to empower software creation throughout the world. As a result we've got a pretty international community of makers -- so collaborating with transcosmos was the perfect next step for our mission."

To help the no-code market grow in Japan, transcosmos will deepen its partnership with Adalo and deliver Adalo's new features and use cases in the country, getting ahead of others. In addition, leveraging its immense development capabilities, transcosmos will fully assist clients in diversifying and accelerating their digital marketing initiatives from a technical perspective, thereby providing comprehensive support for clients to solve various challenges they face in app development processes.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About Adalo, Inc.

Adalo is a revolutionary new no-code platform that empowers anyone to bring their app ideas to life. They launched in 2018 and allow you to create fully custom no-code web & mobile applications with their easy-to-use drag and drop platform. Best of all, you only need to design one app and that same app can be published directly to the App Store, Google Play, and your website. It's the perfect solution for any business that's looking to foster better interactions and automate workflows between their customers, community, and employees. Join over 500,000 businesses and individuals that have built apps on Adalo.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 170 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/in_partnership_with_adalo_inc_transcosmos_releases_adalo_full_support_package_a_solution_to_overcome_all_kinds_of_challenges_in_using_no_code_tools/prweb19399765.htm
KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 21, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - - Wilstech Sdn Bhd ("Wilstech" or the "Company"), a leading one-stop Information Technology ("IT") solutions provider in Malaysia, today launched eMOBIQ(R), a leading no-code rapid mobile application development platform (RMAD). The launch of the platform, in conjunction with the Company's 5-year Anniversary, aims to accelerate the rapid adoption and immersion of local talent and businesses, particularly, entrepreneurs, micro small-to-medium sized enterprises ("MSMEs"), and small-to-medium sized ("SMEs") in developing applications on the no-code platform. By doing so, these enterprises will be able to fast-track their digitalisation process to catalyse business growth in a faster, smarter, affordable and secure manner.

The launch was officiated by Yang Berhormat ("YB") Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development ("MECD"), and witnessed by co-organiser Givemetext ("GMT") and IT partner OrangeKloud Ptd. Ltd.

The launch of eMOBIQ(R) and the eMOBIQ(R) Challenge is in line with the Government of Malaysia's goal to be a digitally inclusive nation. For the nation to succeed, cross-industry collaboration and government policies, from the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, MyDIGITAL, to Industry4WRD, amongst others, would need to go hand in hand to facilitate growth, development, and creating a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Malaysia. From public-private partnerships, industry and education initiatives, such as eMOBIQ(R) Challenge, to cross-industry collaborations with entrepreneurs, MSMEs to SMEs, a collaborative will be part of the nation's strong foundations for a digitally resilient and proficient Malaysia. Talent development is and will continue to be the backbone of the nation and economy, and creating this pathway that bridges higher education to a high-technology workforce will benefit our local businesses and rakyat.

Wilson Low, Chief Executive Officer of Wilstech said, "Malaysia has made significant progress in digitalising our economy, education, business and infrastructure. There is an urgent need for businesses and communities to accelerate their digitalisation to be competitive and capture opportunities in an increasingly volatile and challenging business environment. Against this backdrop, the launch of eMOBIQ(R) is timely as we look to collaborate with stakeholders in government, businesses and communities to encourage Malaysia's business ecosystem, especially entrepreneurs, MSMEs and SMEs, to take action and embark on their digital transformation now. Through this platform, we hope to support the nation's goal of offering greater digital inclusivity and access by equipping Malaysians and our local businesses with the digital knowledge, tools, and platform to fuel future growth."

Ernie Tan, Chief Operating Officer of Wilstech added, "Technology is dynamic and rapidly evolving. Access to curated and cutting-edge technologies and platforms will enable our current and future workforce to prepare, adapt and cater to the digitalisation needs of businesses. The launch of eMOBIQ(R) and the eMOBIQ(R) Challenge 2023 today is the testament to our commitment to provide access to new and affordable tools, platforms and technologies for individuals grow their potential, upskill, and improve their proficiencies."

The world is changing swiftly, driven by shocks and uncertainty surrounding trade tensions, economic growth, health, regulations, and geopolitical fractures. At the same time, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), empowered by technology, has brought about change that impacts everything from efficiency, speed, diversification of products, to job opportunities - transforming and overhauling the way businesses and communities operate in general. Given the context, accelerating the digital economy will be key to enabling society to participate in and capitalise on opportunities in this advanced and ever-evolving environment. IT will enable seamless connectivity, which will generate new scientific research and breakthroughs, job opportunities, economic growth, and improve lives. Together, technology and digitalisation will help solve intricate and sophisticated problems, whilst big data will assist us in complex decision-making[1].

The digital economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Malaysia, contributing 22.6% to Malaysia's GDP and is expected to rise to 25.5% by 2025[2]. The key digital technologies include robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud technology, blockchain, financial technology, and cybersecurity. Through high-tech end-to-end solutions such as eMOBIQ(R), Wilstech will leverage its experience, expertise, network and technology to guide and assist enterprises and individuals to accelerate digitalisation to remain competitive and capitalise on opportunities brought about by the digital economy.

In conjunction with the launch of eMOBIQ(R) and the Company's 5-Year anniversary milestone, Wilstech also launched the eMOBIQ(R) Challenge 2023, the country's inaugural and largest no-coding app development competition. The first of its kind in Malaysia, the competition is open to all higher learning institutions nationwide, with the goal of catalysing a faster and wider adoption of digital adoption by building and uplifting the overall digital talent pipeline.

[1] World Economic Forum: Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils

[2] International Trade Administration - Malaysia Digital Economy

The eMOBIQ(R) Challenge has seen the sign-up and participation of 127 teams across 24 local universities, where they were put through the challenge of developing the most practical, innovative, and impactful mobile application via the eMOBIQ(R) platform. With a prize money of a total of RM300,000 prize pool, contestants were given two (2) months to complete their application designs which would be evaluated by a panel of judges consisting of industry professionals and entrepreneurs. The competition will be assessed based on creativity, practicality, impact on business, and presentation; as well as by popularity vote count on social media.

The eMOBIQ(R) Challenge has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for three (3) categories: The most participating teams in a no-code app-building competition in Malaysia; the most higher learning institutions participating in a no-code app-building competition in Malaysia; and the highest prize money in a no-code app-building competition.

About Wilstech

Established in 2018, Wilstech specialises in business digitalisation services providing a complete spectrum of offerings aimed at empowering local businesses and SMEs to digitalise effectively and cost-efficiently - particularly during the current market environment. Wilstech's core services include software and mobile app development; web solutions; infrastructure and workstation solutions; HR, accounting and CRM solutions as well as a series of other added services. For more information please visit: https://wilstech.com/ and https://emobiq.io/

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
With the commencement of the Hajj season and upcoming Eid Al Adha celebrations, Dubai carrier Emirates is layering on additional flights to key regional destinations to meet the significant travel demand during this special period.

As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lifts all Hajj travel restrictions for the first time in three years, Emirates has deployed additional flights for pilgrims to embark on their journey to and from Makkah. Also 10 flights have been added to and from Jeddah.

All flights will be operated on Boeing 777 aircraft dedicated for Hajj pilgrims until July 7, said Emiratyes in its report.

The Hajj flights to Jeddah will run in parallel to Emirates existing schedule to the Kingdom and are open to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa and, if above the age of 12, have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Medina will also be served with daily flights during this time.

According to Emirates, this year, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah anticipates 2.6 million pilgrims, reaching pre-pandemic numbers and the additional flights aim to help seamlessly carry pilgrims.

The Dubai carrier is already witnessing strong bookings for Hajj travel from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Mauritius and South Africa.

On board, Emirates provides a pilgrim-centric experience that upholds the values and traditions of the travellers faith, said a spokesman for the airline.

"Extra provisions have been made to accommodate those performing ablutions and cleansing rituals, while unperfumed towels and additional blankets will be provided. Special PAs will advise passengers when they have entered Al Miqat zones (state of sanctity) and indicate the changing of Ihram robes," he stated.

Gearing up for a busy travel period for Eid Al Adha, Emirates has deployed an additional 34 flights to popular destinations across the region.

With an estimated 78,000 people from across the region expected to travel with Emirates during the Eid Al Adha six-day break, the additional flights will facilitate passengers traveling home to celebrate with their family and friends, he added.

For passengers traveling to the Levant, Emirates has added ten flights to Amman from 21 to 30 June, and ten additional flights to Beirut from June 20 to 29. Within the GCC, the airline has added five flights to Dammam from 21 to 25 June and nine flights to Kuwait from June 22 to July 2.-TradeArabia News Service




"The Chinese system with its emphasis on critical freedom, long-term stability and unwavering investment in itself has demonstrated its ability to provide a more holistic approach to societal wellbeing. The Chinese system provides greater overall stability, prosperity and even freedom," Bertrand emphasized.

BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese system, a product of China's unique history, fits China's specific reality and is better at offering stability, prosperity and freedom to its people, French entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand has said.

During a heated online debate titled "Is the Chinese System Better than the American System?" Bertrand stressed that the Chinese model "plays uniquely to China" and is a product of the country's very long and unique history.

"It also fits the very particular context that China is in today," said the Frenchman who had lived in China.

The debate, organized by American nonprofit educational organization the Intercollegiate Studies Institute eariler in April, has drawn nearly 1,200 comments on YouTube, mostly supporting Bertrand.

"As a Singaporean, I welcome China's growth any day over Americans' gunboat diplomacy," said a netizen named bummers.

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 25, 2023 shows the container terminal at Qinzhou Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

While the West and its values have done a lot to provide freedom, prosperity and stability for people over many decades, Bertrand said "there are little doubts that it's increasingly losing its way."

In comparison, "the Chinese system has become better in many ways at providing stability, prosperity and even freedom for its people," he said.



The entrepreneur also mentioned China's remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation, saying that led to the largest and fastest reduction of poverty in the world and provided personal freedom for many as a result.

In 2021, China declared the elimination of absolute poverty, having lifted nearly 100 million rural poor out of poverty over the previous eight years.

Citing statistics of the U.S. Census Bureau, Bertrand pointed out that 6 percent of U.S. citizens live in deep poverty, adding that a survey found 25 percent of the U.S. population are worried about money for buying food.

Those people are not really free, as poverty is the antithesis of freedom, according to the entrepreneur.

He also quoted a 13-year study by Harvard University, which showed 93 percent of Chinese are satisfied with the central government, while in contrast, only 20 precent of the U.S. respondents trust their government.

A worker makes bearing products at a bearing industry park near Wangcheng community in Dushan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 10, 2023. The local government of Dushan County has been striving to develop its bearing industry in recent years. A bearing industry park was set up near the poverty-relief relocation site and Dushan has drawn up policies involving employment and training to improve the resettled people's livelihood. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Between 2014 and 2021, China invested 14 trillion yuan (about 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars) into lifting people out of poverty, while the United States spent that amount on wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan, Bertrand said.

"The Chinese system with its emphasis on critical freedom, long-term stability and unwavering investment in itself has demonstrated its ability to provide a more holistic approach to societal wellbeing. The Chinese system provides greater overall stability, prosperity and even freedom," he emphasized.

Bertrand also rebutted accusations about human rights violations in Xinjiang as untrue, saying the U.S. ban on exports from the region only hurts Uygur people more.

Not a single Muslim-majority country has backed the West's claim against China over Xinjiang, he said. In fact, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation made a statement after visiting Xinjiang that praised China's care for its Muslim citizens. 
Grocery Doppio, FMI, and Wynshop launch "The Impact of AI on Grocery" research as part of a new insights program to help grocers navigate industry disruption.

MIAMI , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grocery Doppio, an independent source of grocery insights and data designed by Incisiv and Wynshop to help grocers jumpstart, accelerate, and sustain digital growth, today unveiled " The Impact of AI in Grocery ," the debut report of a strategic new research partnership with FMIThe Food Industry Association. The report is a part of a multi-year program of quarterly insights and community engagement to help grocers navigate new technologies and meet evolving shopper expectations.

The Impact of AI in Grocery

The first report in the research program reveals the expectations, challenges, and use-cases of AI that grocers are focused on over the next 24 months, according to 152 grocery executives surveyed. Key insights include:

AI adoption will deliver $113 billion in operational efficiency and new revenue opportunities by 2025

in operational efficiency and new revenue opportunities by 2025 73% of grocery technology executives expect AI capabilities to be embedded in most or all of their technology software by 2025

of grocery technology executives expect AI capabilities to be embedded in by 2025 Grocers expect to increase their AI spending by 400% before 2025

before 2025 18% of store associates, 73% of store tasks, and 53% of shopper queries could be eliminated or resolved through AI

Many more insights about the impact of AI on Grocery can be found in the report.

About the Grocery Doppio + FMI research program

The insights program will consist of quarterly research reports about business issues shortlisted by grocery executives. Each report will provide key insights from FMI members as well as recommendations for executives around the major bets that can keep their businesses competitive. In addition to the scheduled reports, the program will also conduct agile research on emerging topics that FMI members care about.

The other scheduled reports in the program are:

Understanding the Omnichannel Grocery Shopper (Q3, 2023)

Achieving Digital Profitability in Grocery (Q1, 2024)

Improving Sustainability Through Technology in Grocery (Q4, 2024)

"Shoppers today are redefining value and finding it goes beyond just price to include quality, relevance, experience and convenience," said Doug Baker , Vice President of Industry Relations at FMI. "This research program is designed to give custom insights to food retailers that they can implement and weave into their technology, e-commerce, and omnichannel business strategies."

"This program marks a strengthening of our relationship with FMI. As Grocery Doppio broadens its focus on digital, our partnership creates a formidable team to help the industry," stated Gaurav Pant , Chief Insights Officer, Incisiv.

"We're excited to be founding partners in this initiative with FMI and Incisiv and look forward to contributing to the digital maturity of our industry and making it even easier for grocery retailers to be successful online," said Charlie Kaplan , Chief Revenue Officer at Wynshop.

Today also marks the kickoff of Grocery Doppio's "AI in Grocery" virtual event taking place today and tomorrow featuring speakers from FMI, Giant Eagle, Mars, Wakefern, Good Food, Microsoft, Toshiba, Incisiv, and Wynshop. It will also profile the first cohort of Doppio Disruptors firms that are using AI to transform the Grocery industry. The first class of Doppio Disruptors includes Halla, Verneek, Bungee Tech, and Focal Systems.

To download Grocery Doppio's "AI in Grocery Report" click here

To register and attend the "AI in Grocery" event, click here .

About Incisiv

Incisiv is a peer-to-peer executive network and industry insights firm for consumer industry executives navigating digital disruption. Incisiv offers curated executive learning, digital maturity benchmarks, and prescriptive transformation insights to clients across the consumer and technology industry spectrum. www.incisiv.com

About Wynshop

Wynshop is an ambitious team of digital innovators obsessed with a solitary missionhelping grocers and other local store-based retailers grow wildly successful online businesses. Its refreshingly easy-to-use digital commerce platform enables efficient in-house picking, reduces fulfillment costs, and gives retailers the ability to control every facet of their customers' digital shopping experience. This results in a more personalized customer journey and amplified shopper loyalty.

About FMIThe Food Industry Association

FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier, and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain - from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services - to amplify the collective work of the industry. www.fmi.org

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SOURCE Wynshop
VANCOUVER, BC , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: ASM) (NYSE American: ASM) (FSE: GV6) ("Avino" or the "Company") announces that it has filed a new short form base shelf prospectus dated April 11, 2023 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus") and prospectus supplement dated June 20, 2023 (the "Prospectus Supplement") in Canada , pursuant to which Avino may distribute common shares (the "Offered Shares") from time to time pursuant to a sales agreement dated June 20, 2023 (the "Sales Agreement") with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (the "Designated Agent"), H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, Roth Capital Partners, LLC, and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (collectively, with the Designated Agent, the "Agents"), as agents or as principals, for the distribution of the Offered Shares in the United States up to the aggregate sales amount of US$25.0 million (the "Maximum Amount"), in accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement (the "Offering"). The Offering is being made in the United States under the terms of a registration statement on Form F-10 (the "Registration Statement") filed with, and declared effective on April 21, 2023 by, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in the United States , and the Base Shelf Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement filed in each Province of Canada , except Quebec ; the Registration Statement, Base Shelf Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement being collectively, the "Prospectus").

"We have re-established an ATM Share Offering after the previous offering expired on February 23, 2023 , and it will be used strategically from time to time, at the Company's discretion and subject to regulatory requirements," said David Wolfin , Avino's President and CEO. "The ATM provides Avino with an additional source of financial flexibility if required."

The sales of the Offered Shares will be made directly on the NYSE American and will be deemed sales of Offered Shares under the Prospectus in transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market distributions" as defined in National Instrument 44-102, Shelf Distributions ("NI 44-102"). The Offered Shares will be distributed at the market prices prevailing at the time of sale. As a result, prices may vary as between purchasers and during the period of distribution. The period of distribution will be until the Maximum Amount has been achieved, unless terminated earlier under the terms of the Sales Agreement.

The Company has agreed to pay the Agents a cash commission up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering.

The Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offering, together with the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement (collectively, the "Offering Documents") will be filed with the securities commissions in all of the Provinces of Canada , except Quebec , and the Registration Statement previously filed with the SEC. The Offering Documents will contain important detailed information about the securities being offered. Before you invest, you should read the Offering Documents and the other documents the Company has filed for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. Copies of the Sales Agreement and the Offering Documents will be available for free by visiting the Company's profiles on the SEDAR website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, as applicable.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Avino:

Avino is a silver producer from its wholly owned Avino Mine near Durango, Mexico . The Company's silver and gold production remains unhedged. The Company's mission and strategy is to create shareholder value through its focus on profitable organic growth at the historic Avino Property and the strategic acquisition of the La Preciosa property. Avino currently controls mineral resources, as per NI 43-101, that total 368 million silver equivalent ounces, within our district-scale land package. We are committed to managing all business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner, while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

On Behalf of the Board

"David Wolfin"

________________________________

David Wolfin

President & CEO

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

Safe Harbor Statement - This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (together, the "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including our belief as to the expected closing of the Offering and the use of proceeds from the Offering. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the dates of technical reports, as applicable. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such factors and assumptions include, among others, our ability to use the proceeds from the Offering as expected, the effects of general economic conditions, the price of gold, silver and copper, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking information. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers, directors or promoters of with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; tax consequences to U.S. investors; and other risks and uncertainties. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.
BOSTON , June 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- bioSeedin, a global transaction and consultation platform, attended as an exhibitor at the world's largest biotech trade event BIO international convention, held in Boston from June 5th to June 8th, 2023 .

During the four-day event, to better connect promising therapeutic with global partners and resources, bioSeedin deployed its professional business development (BD) teams based in the United States to engage in fruitful discussions with potential partners and industry stakeholders. Pharmaceutical companies from the United States , Europe , Japan , Korea , Australia , and other countries held in-depth conversations about bioSeedin's highlighted asset projects and partnership modes.

With an extensive cooperation network in the Chinese market and a well-established events management system, bioSeedin emerged as a powerful bridge and an ideal connection platform for enhancing the participation of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the global market. At bioseedin's booth, more than 50 selected assets were presented, which including small molecule, protein drug, ADC/PDC and GCT, covering neurological disease, metabolic disease, oncology/cancer, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, immunological disease, infectious and parasitic diseases and etc.

"The global pharmaceutical market has witnessed a surge in new companies entering the scene, bringing forth the unique characteristics and advantages of different countries and regions in the biotechnology industry. This trend has created a fertile ground for multinational collaboration and cooperation. The escalating activity in global pharmaceutical transactions brings significant impacts for newcomers entering this market. Without a profound understanding of market trends and a precise analysis of their own strengths, companies may risk losing the competitive edge or investing excessive time in searching for reliable partners," said Jenny Zhao , the CEO of bioSeedin. "This is where bioSeedin's expertise comes into play."

As a rising service provider in this field, bioSeedin has developed a multi-dimensional business model to cater to the diverse needs of its clients. Leveraging a connection network of over 7,000 biotech and pharma companies from more than 70 countries, along with a strong database and experience managing over 60 global assets, bioSeedin's global BD teams offer optimal solutions for various licensing-related requests. Moreover, as a powerful media platform, bioSeedin owns 90,000+ followers from different channels and holds events like webinars, seminars and two annual conferences for breaking research sharing and companies partnering. The weekly webinar of bioSeedin gathers 50,000+ global audiences with 200-600 attendees each time, while the two annual meetings attract thousands of attendees for Company Roadshow and One-on-One Partnering.

About bioSeedin

bioSeedin is a global transaction and consultation platform that specializes in asset management and public relations services. The company offers a comprehensive range of service, including licensing in and out, co-developmental partner sourcing, project implementation, public relation management advisory, emerging market entry strategies, investment strategies, mergers and acquisitions, and capital raising. By facilitating increased R&D efficiency, optimizing research resources and funding, and providing access to emerging markets, bioSeedin is committed to accelerating the delivery of therapeutics worldwide, ultimately benefiting patients on a global scale.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bioseedin-attended-2023-bio-international-convention-for-international-licensing-and-partnership-301856191.html

SOURCE bioSeedin
PAMI-TC Award Recipients Recognized

VANCOUVER, BC , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the 2023 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) Conference Awards Committee announced the winners of its prestigious Best Paper Awards, which annually recognize top research in computer vision, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), deep learning, and much more.

This year, from more than 9,000 paper submissions, the CVPR 2023 Awards Committee selected 12 candidates for the honor of Best Paper, and named the following as this year's winners:

"To realize that these recipients were selected from more than 9,000 potential candidates makes them all the more impactful," said IEEE Computer Society (CS) President Nita Patel , co-sponsor of CVPR 2023. "Clearly, these awards recognize and honor the groundbreaking work being done in the field of computer vision and pattern recognition, and it's the developments showcased in research like this that will continue to advance and transform our industry."

"We congratulate the 2023 award winners as well as everyone who was considered for this year's prizes," said Ramin Zabih , founder and president, Computer Vision Foundation (CVF), co-sponsor of CVPR 2023. "These awards reflect one of the highest achievements in the field of computer vision. Apart from their clear importance on an individual and organizational level, they also serve the global community by recognizing the best of what computer vision currently has to offer and providing an indication of the exciting advances the future holds."

Additionally, IEEE CS announced the Technical Community on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (TCPAMI) Awards at this year's conference. The following were recognized for their achievements:

Longuet-Higgins Prize  Awarded to a paper that has withstood the test of time, the 2023 Longuet-Higgins Prize recognizes the CVPR paper from 2013 with the most impact.

2023 Recipient: Online Object Tracking: A Benchmark

Authors: Yi Wu , Jongwoo Lim , Ming-Hsuan Yang



Young Researcher Award  This award recognizes one or two researchers within seven years of receiving their Ph.D. who have made distinguished research contributions to computer vision.

2023 Recipients: Christoph Feichtenhofer and Judy Hoffman



Thomas Huang Memorial Prize  Established in 2020, in honor of Thomas S. Huang , one of the foremost figures in computer vision, pattern recognition and human computer interaction, of his time, the prize recognizes and honors distinguished individuals with long-standing service, research, and mentoring within the computer vision community.

2023 Recipient: Alyosha Efros



"These awards demonstrate the longevity and impact of CVPR research," shared Patel. "We are proud to recognize these achievements and the continued advancements of the computer vision community."

About CVPR 2023

The Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference (CVPR) is the preeminent computer vision event for new research in support of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), deep learning, and much more. Sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society (CS) and the Computer Vision Foundation (CVF), CVPR delivers the important advances in all areas of computer vision and pattern recognition and the various fields and industries they impact. With first-in-class technical content, a main program, tutorials, workshops, a leading-edge expo, and attended by more than 10,000 people annually, CVPR creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for networking, recruiting, inspiration, and motivation.

CVPR 2023 is taking place now through 22 June at the Vancouver Convention Center in Vancouver , Canada , and virtually. For more information about CVPR 2023, the program, and how to participate, visit https://cvpr2023.thecvf.com/ .

About the Computer Vision Foundation

The Computer Vision Foundation is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to foster and support research on all aspects of computer vision. Together with the IEEE Computer Society, it co-sponsors the two largest computer vision conferences, CVPR and the International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV). Visit https://www.thecvf.com/ for more information.

About the IEEE Computer Society

Engaging computer engineers, scientists, academia, and industry professionals from all areas of computing, the IEEE Computer Society (CS) sets the standard for the education and engagement that fuels continued global technological advancement. Through conferences, publications, and programs, and by bringing together computer science and engineering leaders at every phase of their career for dialogue, debate, and collaboration, IEEE CS empowers, shapes, and guides the future of not only its members, but the greater industry, enabling new opportunities to better serve our world. Visit computer.org for more information.

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SOURCE IEEE Computer Society
MBE-certified HVAC service provider amplifies commitment to transparency and superior client satisfaction through strategic expansion plan

DALLAS , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elevated Solutions Team (EST), a leading HVAC service provider specializing in residential, light commercial, and government projects, announced the launch of its newly rebranded website. In addition, the company's commitment to superior service quality and client education is reflected not only in its tireless dedication to its current customers, but also in its recent prestigious certification achievements. Among other accolades, Elevated Solutions Team is now recognized as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and a Texas HUB-certified business.

Celebrating its second anniversary this year, EST has quickly emerged as a reliable and distinguished provider of HVAC solutions in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex . Of its trajectory and growth, CEO and Owner Alonzo Hill Jr . said: "Though we are expanding rapidly, our mission has always been clear: to deliver honesty, quality, and value in every job we do. That will never change."

The new website outlines the company's expansive services, spanning from split-system air conditioner installations to energy audits. Clients can also expect quick and reliable assistance for emergency HVAC repairs and honest evaluations of system performance as well. Each of these offerings are part of the core competencies that sets Elevated Solutions Team apart from the competition:

With over a decade of industry leadership, EST actually prioritizes reliability and service quality as a core business objective, rather than just a slogan.

As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), EST ensures seamless project execution with exceptional HVAC managers and technicians who provide top-tier and transparent service.

Full Schedule Performance Index (SPI) tracking for consistent standards of excellence.

And a competitive pricing strategy for the best service at the most reasonable price.

Recent Client Jobs Include:

Implementing specialized repairs and enhancements on screw compressor chillers, significantly prolonging service life and optimizing energy efficiency. Spearheaded a comprehensive upgrade of a building's HVAC system, resulting in a remarkable 20% reduction in annual operational costs.

Ensured optimal performance of HVACR systems by conducting regular maintenance and preventative procedures. Employed rigorous quality control measures for thorough inspections and provided swift emergency installation services, ensuring no downtime at critical facilities.

Successful Installation of a wide variety of HVAC systems such as split-systems, VRF units, Packaged units, and Two-Pipe Air Handler Units, adhering to ASHRAE installation guidelines.

EST's strategic growth plan includes developing the team's capabilities, expanding in the Dallas HVAC market and growing their team size. For regular updates on company plans and promotions, follow them on social media: Twitter, LinkedIn.

About Elevated Solutions Team LLC

Based in Dallas , Elevated Solutions Team is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) that offers exceptional HVAC solutions through a team of expert professionals and strategic alliances. With a proven track record in commercial sectors and partnerships with reputable Associations like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA), we provide services HVAC contracting services to residential, commercial and government clients. Learn more at: www.ElevatedSolutionsTeamLLC.com.

Media Contact:

Alonzo Hill Jr ., Owner and CEO

1-972-850-8544

[email protected]

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SOURCE Elevated Solutions Team
CHICAGO , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EZ Blockchain, a leading Bitcoin mining infrastructure company, has partnered with Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol (SBP) to advance environmentally friendly Bitcoin mining practices. SBP is a global protocol that incentivizes Bitcoin miners to use verified clean energy sources and utilize data and transparency to demonstrate Bitcoin's positive environmental impacts. EZ Blockchain's mission aligns with SBP's goals, and through this collaboration, they will work together to drive innovation, share best practices, and promote responsible energy consumption in mining.

SBP aims to create a more ecologically responsible future for Bitcoin mining and drive institutional adoption of Bitcoin by reducing carbon emissions and promoting the use of clean energy sources within the industry.

EZ Blockchain has emerged as a leader in the field of environmentally friendly Bitcoin mining. The company's innovative approach revolves around harnessing wasted energy, both through curtailed renewables as well as through the use of waste methane gas.

"We are thrilled to be a part of the Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol," said Sergii Gerasymovych, CEO and co-founder of EZ Blockchain. "At EZ Blockchain, we have always been committed to minimizing the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining. By joining forces with SBP, we can leverage our expertise and collaborate with like-minded organizations to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices throughout the industry. As a user of SBP, EZ Blockchain's sustainable energy use will be verified by a third party, and they will receive Sustainable Bitcoin Certificates (SBC) for each bitcoin mined with clean energy.

Bradford Van Voorhees , CEO and Co-Founder of SBP, welcomed EZ Blockchain to the protocol and highlighted the alignment between their dedication to repurposing wasted energy and SBP's mission. The partnership aims to drive positive change within the industry and make Bitcoin mining more sustainable. EZ Blockchain's expertise will play a crucial role in achieving these goals.

By raising awareness about the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining and demonstrating the successful integration of sustainable practices, EZ Blockchain aims to contribute to the long-term viability and legitimacy of Bitcoin as a digital asset.

About EZ Blockchain:

EZ Blockchain, based in Chicago, Illinois , started in 2017 and specializes in utilizing wasted energy sources for Bitcoin mining. The company builds and operates physical infrastructures for blockchain-based mining, generating valuable digital assets while reducing environmental impact. For more information about EZ Blockchain and its projects, visit their website at https://ezblockchain.net/

About Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol:

The Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol (SBP) is committed to unlocking Bitcoin's potential as a sustainable and transparent asset class while accelerating investment in renewable energy. SBP incentivizes miners to verify their use of renewable and clean energy sources and issues them Sustainable Bitcoin Certificates (SBC). These certificates can be sold to investors, creating a transparency layer in the Bitcoin mining ecosystem. SBP's investors include BitDeer, Hawksburn Capital, New Layer Capital, BlackPine, Verda Ventures, Bitcoin Frontier Fund, and institutional finance angels. To learn more about SBP or become a partner, visit their website at https://www.sustainablebtc.org .

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SOURCE EZ Blockchain
VANCOUVER, BC , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to report exploration results from the Swain and Sol d'Or properties in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project ("BUGB Project" or the "Project") located in northwestern Ontario, Canada , near the Company's Springpole Gold Project (the "Springpole Project"). Results from field and drilling programs on these two properties have identified new gold mineralization in favourable geologic settings with a potential for unlocking new discoveries. Work completed in 2022 and work planned for 2023 include components of soil geochemistry, prospecting and mapping, airborne geophysics, and diamond drilling programs.

Highlights of the Exploration Advancements:

Identification of key exploration elements in the Grace Deformation Zone over a structural strike length of 6.5 km

over a structural strike length of 6.5 km Discovery of a new gold-in-soil anomaly, including a gold assay of 724 ppb Au, with open opportunity for expansion and infill

Return of rock grab samples from the Sol d'Or property, including a high-grade sample of 34.7 g/t Au, confirming potential for a high-grade host environment, and additional samples from the Swain property, including one at 9.3 g/t Au

Completion of a 150-line km airborne geophysical survey with advanced processing and modelling supporting forward targeting

Identification of six discrete electromagnetic conductive plate models from geophysical modelling favourable for further targeting and resolution advancement

Drilling of five priority holes at the Swain property validating a geologic setting of favourable host rocks including notable alteration and mineralization, and including drill intersects of up to 0.64 g/t Au over 5.6 m, and 0.34 g/t Au over 14.9 m

"We continue to be encouraged by the results of our initial exploration phases," stated Dan Wilton , CEO of First Mining. "Building key datasets and evaluating regional host settings in our consolidated district has supported the growth of an important prospectivity pipeline which includes over 80 current targets. The additional targets and potential mineral discovery in our district-scale Birch-Uchi land package provides tremendous upside to our already robust Springpole Project."

Swain  Sol d'Or Targeting

The Swain and Sol d'Or property areas are located approximately 7 km southwest of First Mining's western-most property boundary at the Springpole Project. Exploration targeting is focused along the northwest-southeast striking Grace Deformation Zone ("GDZ"), and the north-south striking Uchi Deformation Zone ("UDZ"), targeting iron carbonate alteration assemblages, and anomalous arsenic and copper values generated from recent field exercises are planned for immediate follow up. The 2022 field campaign by First Mining returned a high gold-in-soil assay of 724 ppb which is associated with mapped shearing and quartz veining within 300 m of the GDZ, an area that has historically produced numerous exploration targets within the Birch-Uchi Greenstone belt, including the historic Sol d'Or mine operated in the 1930's. Prospecting by First Mining in the vicinity of the historic mine returned grab samples with anomalous gold, including one sample at 34.7 g/t Au, further supporting the targeted areas' gold endowment. Mineralization is associated with increased silica and carbonate-altered mafic to intermediate volcanic units and banded iron formations that are host to brecciated and discrete quartz veining, and sulphides. The dominant sulphide mineralization is fine grained, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite, averaging an abundance of 1-5%. Most mineralization found across the property is associated with, or found within, the GDZ.

2022 Swain Diamond Drilling

The 2022 Swain diamond drilling campaign comprised 5 drill holes totalling 1,557 metres and was completed as scout-level drill testing along and proximal to the GDZ, in areas prospective for gold mineralization based on geology, grab sampling, geophysics, and structural architecture (see Figure 1). Recent and historical field work identifies grab samples at Swain that returned gold grades of 2.93 g/t Au and 1.59g /t Au, indicative of notable gold endowment with an opportunity to advance and vector within a mineralization system over a meaningful strike length. Mineralization potential has been modelled in 3D with a focus on outward growth and vectoring to areas of higher grade and width (see Figure 2). Select assay results from the Swain drill program are reported below in Table 1, and drill locations are provided in Table 2.

The exploration drilling campaign carried out on the Swain property has been successful in advancing base datasets and target vectoring with exploration validation through the identification of favourable host rock lithologies over zones of meaningful width with increased alteration, veining and mineralization. Results have delineated an area of interest over one kilometre of strike length coincident with the influence of the GDZ structure, which includes drill intercepts of 0.64 g/t Au over 5.6 m, and 0.34 g/t Au over 14.9 m (hole SWL22-001). Initial work has identified important indicators that support further vectoring down strike of the GDZ where additional target work-ups will focus on anomalous soil geochemical values (including 724 ppb Au) at the Hogwarts target and rock grab sample values including 34.7 g/t Au at the Sol d'Or target.

Table 1: Assay Highlights from the 2022 Drill Program, Swain Property

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au Grade (g/t) SWL22-001 63.46 78.33 14.87 0.34 including 65.68 66.07 0.39 2.51 and 118.86 124.5 5.64 0.64 including 124 124.5 0.5 4.59 SWL22-002 116.1 118.3 2.2 0.69 and 126.3 134.9 8.6 0.26 and 326 329 3 0.23 and 414.7 417 2.3 0.27 SWL22-003 163.97 165.2 1.23 1.18 SWL22-004 208 215.3 7.3 0.09 and 245.65 249.2 3.55 0.27 SWL22-005 16 18.33 2.33 0.15 and 42 43.06 1.06 0.43 and 54 57 3 0.13 and 62 66 4 0.14 and 75 89 14 0.16 and 94 104 10 0.23

*Reported lengths are drilled core lengths, true widths of all intercepts have not yet been determined; all assay values are uncut



Table 2: 2022 Drill Locations, Swain Property

Hole ID Easting (UTM) Northing (UTM) Depth (m) Azimuth  Dip  SWL22-001 529295 5683550 383 180 -45 SWL22-002 529439 5683504 437 150 -50 SWL22-003 529848 5683192 256.2 180 -50 SWL22-004 530253 5683432 305 210 -50 SWL22-005 530243 5683064 176 220 -45

Note: Collar coordinates in UTM NAD 83 z15



2022 Exploration Field Campaign

Soil Survey Program

A soil survey was designed across the properties to infill any soil sampling gaps from historical data across the GDZ and UDZ. A soil grid targeting the GDZ was designed at 300 m line spacing and 100 m station spacing, and a soil grid targeting the UDZ was designed at 200 m line and station spacing. A total of 159 soil samples were collected across the Swain property. This soil survey was successful in delineating new high priority targets for additional follow-up work and testing. This is highlighted by the 724 ppb Au soil sample which was collected at the newly found Hogwarts target. Infill soil sampling and mapping programs have been designed for follow up in 2023. This survey was also successful in further enhancing the understanding of structures across the property from elevated gold pathfinder elements found along the GDZ and UDZ. A total of 26 soil samples reported below detection limits of 5 ppb Au.

Mapping and Prospecting Program

A total of 129 grab samples were collected during the 2022 field campaign across the properties. Highlights from the grab sample results include gold values of 34.7 g/t, 9.3 g/t, 2.9 g/t, and 1.6 g/t (see Table 3). Each highlighted sample was taken from a different target across the properties, demonstrating the potential gold endowment across multiple structures along strike.

Bullseye Target  sheared mineralized mafic volcanics with chalcopyrite and pyrite grab sample towards the southeast portion of the SDZ returning 9.3 g/t Au; the mineralized structure was mapped in the 2022 field campaigns and strikes continuously for 200 m towards the northeast.

 sheared mineralized mafic volcanics with chalcopyrite and pyrite grab sample towards the southeast portion of the SDZ returning 9.3 g/t Au; the mineralized structure was mapped in the 2022 field campaigns and strikes continuously for 200 m towards the northeast. Snake Target  samples returned gold values including 1.6 g/t and 34.7 g/t, which were collected from sulphide mineralized quartz veining proximal to the historic Sol d'Or areas of development

 samples returned gold values including 1.6 g/t and 34.7 g/t, which were collected from sulphide mineralized quartz veining proximal to the historic Sol d'Or areas of development Mystical Target  shear-hosted intermediate volcanics returned 2.9 g/t Au in a mapped mineralized structure along the GDZ

Table 3: Significant Grades from 2022 Grab Sampling

Property Sample ID Gold Grade (g/t) Sample Type Target Area Sol d'Or B1055352 34.7 Muck Snake Swain B1055051 9.3 Grab Bullseye Swain B1055032 2.9 Grab Mystical Sol d'Or B1055381 1.6 Muck Snake



2022 Airborne Geophysics Campaign

In partnership with SkyTEM, a total of 150-line km of airborne magnetics and electromagnetics ("EM") surveying was completed across the Swain & Sol d'Or properties. The survey was successful in confirmation and refinement of major structures and lithologies as well as identifying new key focal points of interest. The magnetics survey well supported high resolution delineation of the GDZ and UDZ structures, and further identifies key stratigraphic units of iron formation and ultramafic intrusive bodies. These units were then confirmed and supported in interpretation with mapping and soil geochemical data collected in 2022. Additional processing work with Mira Geosciences identified six key EM conductive plates as favourable follow-up targets for advancement in 2023. The EM conductor modelling is highlighted by two plates modelled within the Hogwarts target area. These EM targets will be further enhanced with increased mapping and soil geochemical resolution, followed by a detailed 3D geological model and drill targeting program.

Priority Swain Targets

In 2021, First Mining commenced field campaigns targeting initial field validation and assessment of historical showings. Two of the historical showings returned elevated gold; Swain Lake North , which is characterized as foliation parallel, quartz vein-hosted mineralization, returned 6.6 g/t Au; and Hodgson , characterized as quartz vein and felsic volcanic host units, returned samples with elevated Au over a 30 m long exposure. Multi-element assay results indicate a strong association between gold and arsenic anomalies at the Hodgson target as well as the Bobarris West target, a signature that has been identified further along the GDZ.

The Mystical target is hosted within a sheared intermediate volcanic unit with notable chalcopyrite mineralization, returning a 2.9 g/t Au grab sample with results aligned to prospectivity elements of the exploration model. Additional resolution of the area has been further established in drilling of hole SWL22-002 specifically testing the target further at depth.

The Hogwarts target was discovered through a significant gold-arsenic soil anomaly returned from the 2022 field campaign and was further prioritized through the 2022 airborne geophysics survey and modelling. This is a priority and prospective target for the 2023 field season, with infill mapping and soil sampling further planned to expand the geological potential and scalability of this target while understanding the regional association with known prospective targets like the Sol d'Or mine trend.

The Snake target was discovered through historic Sol d'Or mine development review, which demonstrated the potential for increased gold grades within areas of the favourable targets trend. The 2023 field season will focus on advancing the structural controls of the vein system along the Sol d'Or trend, attempting to unlock the understanding of higher-grade settings.

2023 Swain Target Outlook

For 2023, field campaigns on the Swain and Sol d'Or property areas will focus on follow-up and infill sampling, with additional detailed mapping to be focused on deformation zones and projections for the extension of alteration halos, structure and mineralization. Findings will further support integrated exploration models followed by proposed drilling campaigns in the fall of 2023.

Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project

The Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt Project represents regional scale exploration opportunities that have been consolidated by First Mining surrounding the Springpole Project. This land tenure coupled with the Springpole Project, also located in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt, consists of >70,000 hectares and presents a strong opportunity for new discoveries in an area that is historically underexplored and has only seen a fraction of the exploration work that has been done in the neighbouring Red Lake and Pickle Lake greenstone belts that have been subject to earlier consolidation and discovery cycles.

First Mining has initiated district-scale screening of the Birch-Uchi Project area through a multi-phase commitment to explore and enhance mineral potential within the region.

Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures

All sampling completed by First Mining within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials and a level of duplicate analysis. Samples from the 2022 exploration programs were sent to Activation Laboratories located in Thunder Bay, Ontario where they were processed for gold analysis by 50 gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish, and multi-element analysis (including silver) by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method with an aqua regia digest for soil samples or four acid digest for core and grab samples. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meet assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101.

Qualified Person

Hazel Mullin , P.Geo ., Director, Data Management and Technical Services of First Mining, is a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and she has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in Canada , the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario , where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities are on-going with a draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project published in June 2022 , and the Duparquet , Pitt Gold , Duquesne and Porcupine East Gold Project in Quebec , a collection of advanced-stage development assets located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the prolific Abitibi region. First Mining also owns the Cameron Gold Project in Ontario and a portfolio of gold project interests including the Pickle Crow Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), the Hope Brook Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.), and a large equity interest in Treasury Metals Inc.

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer , founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp .

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com , and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

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SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp.
PARIS , June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 World Airline Awards, the Oscars of the aviation industry, was held in Paris on June 20, 2023 . Hainan Airlines, a prominent globalplayer in the aviation sector, garnered multiple prestigious awards from the world's top airport and airline service quality organization SKYTRAX, which are Best Airline in China , Best Airlines Staff Service in China , Best Business Class Comfort Amenities and so on. Besides, Hainan Airlines also ranks No 3 in Best Business Class Airline Onboard Catering, ranks No.5 in The World's Best Airline Cabin Crew and The World's Cleanest Airline. For other 5 world and asian awardsHainan Airlines is also listed Top 10. The World Airline Awards are wholly independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners.

"Congratulations to Hainan Airlines on their outstanding achievement at this year's World Airline Awards. The recognition is a testament to the airline's exceptional service quality recognized and appreciated by passengers worldwide," said SKYTRAX chairman Edward Plaisted . "The airline is a global leader in aviation services and we look forward to seeing more of their innovative efforts to enhance service quality, delivering an unparalleled air travel experience to passengers worldwide."

"We are honored to have received the multiple accolades at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards and deeply appreciate the recognition from our passengers worldwide," stated Hainan Airlines chairman Ding Yongzheng. "Hainan Airlines, under the guidance of its controlling shareholder Liaoning Fangda Group, has undergone a transformative journey, continuously upgrading its services quality and standards to establish an international brand prestige embodied with oriental beauty. With an unwavering dedication to providing a warm and comfortable travel experience, Hainan Airlines invite travellers from all corners of the globe to experience the captivating allure of oriental culture."

Based on its long-term commitment to offering exceptional travel experiences, Hainan Airlines took an innovative approach when expanding its Dream Series and Hai Series services. A notable example is the introduction of the Rosy Clouds uniform for its ground service staff at Beijing Capital and Haikou Meilan international airports in April. This uniform, inspired by the integration of Eastern cultural traditions, enhances the overall passenger experience. The firm has also undertaken a comprehensive brand revamp by incorporating visual elements such as the Dream Feather, enriching the service experience for passengers across various visual touchpoints.

To bolster the portfolio's competitiveness, Hainan Airlines has recently rolled out Premium Express, aimed at optimizing the travel experience for passengers. The program offers more convenient flight departure times, upgraded air and ground services, and integrated travel benefits. Furthermore, the airline launched Flying Express, a novel ticket package specially tailored for business travelers. The package provides triple value benefits and enhanced flexibility in travel options, catering to the unique needs of this passenger segment.

In addition, Hainan Airlines has elevated its in-flight services by introducing cabin-wide internet access on 28 Boeing 787-9 aircrafts, enabling passengers to experience seamless wireless internet connectivity throughout the flight. The airline has forged a partnership with the Michelin-starred restaurant Huaiyang Fu , ensuring passengers are treated to an exceptional culinary journey while on board. The collaboration brings a high-standard dining experience on par with renowned restaurants around the world, further enhancing the in-flight dining experience for passengers.

Hainan Airlines continues to uphold the core principles of the Chinese civil aviation industry, which emphasize the provision of genuine air services. The airline remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a safe, convenient, and comfortable air travel experience that reflects the service quality expected of a five-star airline.

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SOURCE Hainan Airlines
SHENZHEN, China, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of international excellent e-cigarette companies, ICCPP Group, the parent company of VOOPOO, DRAGBAR and Bdranded ODM+, will be invited to participate in the 2023Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN2023) from 21st of Jun. to 24th of Jun.

GFN2023 is themed around "Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) - The Next Decade", inviting nearly 500 global tobacco experts, WHO representatives, industry leaders, e-cigarette consumers, tobacco organization representatives, health research scientists and media journalists to gather in Warsaw to provide global technical and governance solutions on the important topic of THR, and to jointly explore and promote the future development and expansion of THR direction.

ICCPP and GFN: Like-minded, Different Paths

ICCPP Group, is a globalization and full industry chain layout electronic atomization ecological group, integrating electronic atomization technology research and development, product design, intelligent manufacturing, brand operation and supply chain management. It has become a key influencer in electronic atomization industry with three major businesses that deeply run though B-sides and C-sides in less than a decade. For example, VOOPOO, the global well-known open system e-cigarette brand, DRAGBAR, the quickly rising disposable brand star, and Branded ODM+, the first branded e-cigarette business aiming at providing a user-centered, comprehensive and precise empowerment for B-size customers. At present, ICCPP's products and solutions are used and enjoyed by more than 36 million consumers in over 70 countries around the world.

Although this is the first time for ICCPP Group to participate in GFN2023 and to expose as a new face at the global summit specializing in THR, there is a long history of connection between what ICCPP and GFN has been doing. ICCPP not only has the same long history as GFN, founded in 2014, but also shares the same operation philosophy: to make people's lives happier and better through their self own efforts. The difference is that GFN has chosen to provide a fair stage for dialogue and exchange of opinions among different nicotine industry stakeholders, while ICCPP, playing the role of athlete, is focusing on research and application of electronic atomization technology, and bringing more abundant electronic cigarette substitutes for adult smokers through its continuous innovation in technology and products. Even though they choose different paths, all roads lead to Rome .

ICCPP's New tobacco Research: Pressure and Motivation

In addition, years of scientific research and user studies have made ICCPP to realize that the real challenges on the nicotine market are enormous. On one hand, there is a relative lack of empirical evidence on the harm reduction effects of new tobacco products, and the current scientific research results cannot clarify the clear effect of new tobacco products on the human body, or at least there is no way to make the government and the public dispel the concerns of the harmfulness of using new tobacco products. On the other hand, the public's awareness of the harm-reducing effects of new tobacco products is inadequate, and many people equate new tobacco products, such as vapes and HNB products with traditional tobacco, and talk about them in the same way. Research institutions, social organizations, industry teams, and industry stakeholders have very limited publicity about the harm-reducing research and effects of new tobacco products. All of this has caused tremendous pressure on new tobacco harm reduction research of ICCPP, but pressure often means motivation.

As one of the few invited representatives of global e-cigarette companies, ICCPP Group, in a responsible corporate sentiment, is very willing to share its latest research results on nicotine, THR and environmental protection with industry experts at GFN2023 and showcase its newest tobacco harm reduction technology achievements and eco-friendly products. ICCPP firmly believes that actively promoting the relative harm reduction effects of new nicotine products on human body is the right thing to do and also what ICCPP is continuously doing for the sustainable and benign development of the tobacco industry in the future. E-cigarettes were naturally created as an alternative to cigarettes, and ICCPP's researches has continued to confirm that e-cigarettes perform better in terms of harm reduction compared to traditional cigarettes. To be a world-leading and respected health technology company, ICCPP has the responsibility and great willingness to actively promote the public to break the misconceptions about nicotine and new tobacco products and realize the superiority of new tobacco products by committing to scientific research and innovation and speaking with more research and facts.

As we all know, temperature control plays an important role in the effect of new tobacco harm reduction. It is understood that ICCPP will invite its expert in electronic atomization to give an in-depth explanation of the research at GFN2023 and even to expose for the first time its creative and more harm-reducing new e-liquid research results that have been tested and validated for many times. Moreover, considering the public's concern about the environmental pollution caused by the prevalent disposable e-cigarettes, ICCPP will carefully introduce its new double eco-friendly disposable product solutions, providing adult smokers with a eco-friendly, healthier and safer choice.

ICCPP's Belief: Sustainable Development through Internal and External dedication

The invitation and participation of ICCPP in GFN2023, on behalf of fast- development new tobacco industry is a recognition and support from GFN, one of professional international organizations for ICCPP's continued technology research and innovation achievements in tobacco harm reduction, as well as a great expectation for its continuous progress and development.

In addition, in the face of the complex and rapidly changing nicotine market and the tightening situation of global regulations and compliance, ICCPP, as a comprehensive health ecology enterprise with the identity of C-sides brands and B-sides manufacturer in the industry, needs to cultivate itself both internally and externally. On one hand, ICCPP should "cultivate internal strength", aiming at harm reduction, green and environmental protectionand with the user-centered philosophy to continue to make achievements in research and technology innovations. On the other hand, we need to be deeply open, actively participate in the external international stage, make open and equal dialogues with international stakeholders, gain a keen insight into international trends to feed the research of technology and product applications, thus seeking good opportunities in challenges for sustainable development.

In the future, ICCPP Group will continue to strengthen its technology research and innovation to provide more feasible and popular cigarette alternatives for adult smokers, and aspire to become a technology pioneer in the e-cigarette industry and an application leader in ecological tobacco harm reduction technology, actively applying technology and product innovation to truly create a better future for users.

About ICCPP ODM+:

ICCPP ODM+ is an innovative ODM strategic cooperation model created by ICCPP Group in 2022, which puts forward the business proposition of "branding first, product integrating technology and marketing". Through all-round innovations and breakthroughs in technology+, product+, flavor+, quality+, compliance+ and marketing+, ICCPP ODM+ provides more premium vape solutions and services for customers' brands, so as to bring a healthier and happier electronic atomization life to global consumers and to achieve long-term development of both customers' brands and ICCPP ODM.

About ICCPP Group:

ICCPP Group, the parent company of VOOPOO, is a comprehensive electronic atomization ecological group with the whole industrial chain layout. It is rapidly developing with a new business model of matrix, internationalization and platform, integrating technology R&D, product design, intelligent manufacturing, brand operation and supply chain management.

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SOURCE ICCPP
Leading vape brand INNOKIN is positioned for major growth in the Middle East market

DUBAI, UAE , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- INNOKIN, a leading global vaping brand, is unveiling a wave of new product launches at the highly anticipated World Vape Show Dubai , taking place 21-23 June 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (Booth #4221). With a strategic focus on capitalizing on the rapidly growing Middle East vaping market, INNOKIN aims to introduce a range of innovative products specifically tailored to local tastes.

INNOKIN is showcasing several groundbreaking products designed to meet the diverse preferences of the Middle Eastern vaping community. INNOKIN's INNOBAR 6000 and INNOBAR V7000 are rechargeable, high-capacity disposable options, designed to provide a streamlined, user-friendly experience for vapers who require single-use devices, with flavours specifically tailored to the Middle East market.

For users of refillable vaping devices, INNOKIN is unveiling the Klypse Zip, an updated version of the global best-selling Klypse pod device. The Klypse Zip features a smaller form factor, and new 1.2Ohm refillable pod, designed for longer vaping sessions and intense flavour production. New pre-filled Klypse C1 pods are also showcased, allowing vapers to experience award-winning Klypse performance, without needing to learn how to refill a vaping device. All new pods are cross-compatible with the original Klypse device, giving existing customers a whole new range of options.

INNOKIN has invested extensive research and development efforts into understanding local tastes. Commenting on this research, INNOKIN Co-founder, George Xia , stated: "In April, we adjusted all our flavours to suit the Middle Eastern market. First, we selected more single fruit and mixed fruit flavours, such as dragon fruit, grape, apple peach, and strawberry watermelon. Secondly, we adjusted the sweetness and cooling effects of each profile to match local tastes. Already, our new formulations are receiving high praise and have surpassed similar products from other brands."

"We are thrilled to unveil our latest range of products at World Vape Show Dubai ," said George Xia . "The Middle Eastern market is experiencing exponential growth, and we are confident that our tailored offerings and industry-leading support will allow INNOKIN to thrive. Our team has worked tirelessly to create exceptional vaping experiences, and we are looking forward to building relationships with distributors and retailers to serve vapers in the Middle East ."

To learn more about INNOKIN, please visit their website or contact [email protected]

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SOURCE Innokin Technology
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- China will see a boom in railway trips during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. said Wednesday.

Around 71 million railway trips will be made from Wednesday to Sunday, with the average daily railway trips reaching 14.2 million, the group said.

The passenger flow will peak on Thursday, with about 16 million railway trips expected to be made.

China's railways are maximizing their transportation potential and increasing capacity to satisfy people's travel needs, while improving service quality to ensure that passengers have better experiences, the group said.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. 
Lead candidate demonstrates specificity, biologic activity and a favorable safety profile in extensive mouse and non-human primate models

Upcoming company presentations at Cellicon Valley '23 and In Vivo Engineering of Therapeutic Cells Summit

PHILADELPHIA , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Interius BioTherapeutics , a leading developer of in vivo cell-specific genetic medicine therapeutics, today announced the presentation of compelling preclinical data at the Cellicon Valley 2023 Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. The data demonstrates the potential of Interius Bio's lead program (INT2104) to generate biologically active CAR cells directly in vivo for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. The company will also be unveiling non-human primate data from multiple studies at the In Vivo Engineering of Therapeutic Cells Summit in Boston, MA on July 10-12, 2023 .

In mouse models of systemic lymphoma, complete tumor clearance occurs across a wide dose range after a single intravenous infusion of Interius Bio's targeted cell-specific lentiviral vector. The proprietary vector mediates direct in vivo creation of CAR T and NK cells that specifically kill malignant B cells. In non-human primates treated with a single vector infusion in the absence of conditioning chemotherapy, significant B cell depletion is observed with no toxicity and has been sustained in one animal for over 6 months.

Interius President and CEO Phil Johnson , MD states "The company's preclinical data address three critical questions: Does it work? Can you make it? Is it safe? We are thrilled that the answer to each of these questions is yes based on extensive animal model work, including dosing of over 20 cynomolgus macaques, with a vector dose equivalent or exceeding the highest proposed human dose. In all models we have observed no signs of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or neurotoxicity, no clinical symptoms, and no laboratory abnormalities."

"The compelling preclinical findings of specificity, biologic effect, tolerability and pharmacologic profile in multiple animal models following intravenous administration support the advancement of INT2104 to the clinic as a promising treatment option for B-cell malignancies," says Tim Culp , PhD, VP of Research and Development. "We continue to maintain our timeline to IND with initial human data expected in 2024."

About Interius BioTherapeutics

Interius BioTherapeutics is a preclinical stage biotechnology company utilizing our proprietary in vivo cell-specific gene delivery platform to develop breakthrough products in oncology and autoimmune disease. We have created a differentiated novel off-the-shelf biologic therapeutic modality, which could be available to patients without delays, without preconditioning chemotherapy, and in expanded care settings. The first application of the platform is to treat B cell lymphomas by generating disease-fighting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cells inside each patient's body. Interius BioTherapeutics' headquarters and laboratories are located in Philadelphia, PA.

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SOURCE Interius BioTherapeutics, Inc.
KERRVILLE, Texas , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- James Avery Artisan Jewelry, a family-owned jewelry retailer based in Texas , is pleased to announce the opening of its new store in Weslaco . It will be located at 702 E Interstate 2 , Ste. 101  directly off the Interstate at the intersection of Frontage Rd. and N Bridge Ave. in the Shops at North Bridge .

"We are excited to open a new store in the Rio Grande Valley , where we have a loyal customer base that continues to shop our designs," said James Avery CEO John McCullough . "Our Weslaco store is conveniently located in this growing area, giving customers access to an in-store shopping experience closer to their homes. We are happy to bring a storefront to this welcoming community known for its natural beauty in our state."

The downtown and surrounding areas of Weslaco contain a mixture of historical buildings, new restaurants and shops which preserve its heritage and charming atmosphere. James Avery Artisan Jewelry hopes to add to the city's distinct character and retail landscape.

"We invite everyone in the community to come visit our new store," said Store Manager Candace De La Cruz . "We are committed to providing customers with an exceptional shopping experience and offering complimentary services like jewelry polishing and cleaning, charm soldering and interactive areas within the store where customers can try on their favorite designs."

The new store opens today, and visitors are invited to register for a gift card giveaway. During the grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 1 , there will be drawings for 30 James Avery gift cards valued at $50 , $100 and $500 . Additionally, the first 100 guests will receive a gift with purchase.

The store's hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. , and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. Store Manager Candance De La Cruz and her team are ready to welcome customers to shop in the new store or use the Curbside Pickup or Buy Online, Pickup in Store options at JamesAvery.com.

About James Avery Artisan Jewelry James Avery is a vertically integrated, family-owned company located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. We offer finely crafted jewelry designs for men and women in sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold, bronze and gemstones. James Avery jewelry is designed in the Texas Hill Country, with more than 90 percent of our pieces crafted in Kerrville , Comfort , Hondo and Corpus Christi, Texas using the finest materials sourced worldwide. We are a multi-channel retailer with over 120 James Avery stores in four states. Our jewelry is also available at JamesAvery.com, over 250 Dillard's locations and at Dillards.com and at 38 Von Maur locations and VonMaur.com. You can also find our designs at airport stores in Austin , Houston and Nashville , as well as select Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) locations.

Follow us @jamesavery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as @jamesaveryjewelry on TikTok for new releases, trends and behind the scenes.

Drawing Details

Odds of winning depend on total number of entries received. Thirty James Avery gift cards will be awarded: 24 $50 gift cards, three $100 gift cards, and three $500 gift cards. Entries accepted June 21 through July 1 . Hourly drawings on July 1 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the grand opening celebration at the Weslaco James Avery Artisan Jewelry store. No purchase necessary. Must be at least 13 years old to enter. Only one entry per person, per day. Winners not eligible to win a subsequent gift card in the same promotion. Winners need not be present to win; however, if prize is not claimed within 14 days of drawing, prize will be awarded to an alternate winner. Associates and immediate family members not eligible for this gift promotion

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SOURCE James Avery Artisan Jewelry
The telecoms leader enters the Canadian market following the acquisition of three data centers in Toronto

TOKYO , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecommunications leader, together with its data center brand Telehouse, has announced the latest expansion of its global footprint in North America by reaching an agreement with Allied Properties REIT to acquire three data centers and its accompanying assets in Toronto, Canada . This investment of CAD 1.35 billion comes as a result of increased demand in the market for reliable interconnectivity services and is an important milestone for KDDI's expansion plans which will see the company establish a new legal entity, KDDI Canada, Inc.

Starting with the first Telehouse data center in New York in 1989, KDDI has been continuously expanding Telehouse's presence in new markets for over 30 years, with this recent acquisition bringing the total portfolio of data centers to 12 countries. The new carrier-neutral data centers are located in the city center of Toronto , and when fully operational, will provide over 30MW of IT load.

KDDI's new data centers will provide both shared and dedicated space to fulfill customer needs, especially those expanding internationally, who require a highly trusted partner to establish their IT environment. Businesses wishing to colocate from the new locations will gain unrivalled access to a variety of connectivity partners, including carriers, ISPs, ASPs, and the world's largest private and public cloud service providers, to extend network reach, reduce latency and costs, and improve performance.

Yasuaki Kuwahara , Member of the Board, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of Business Solution at KDDI, commented: "This is another milestone achievement for KDDI, and an exciting investment which will enhance connectivity capabilities for Canadian businesses. With many North American organizations accelerating their digital transformation and innovation initiatives, we're delighted to be able to play a part in their success, offering reliable, scalable, flexible and secure services to modernize and future-proof IT environments."

Michael Emory , Founder and Executive Chair, Allied Properties REIT, said: "With global data center operating capability, KDDI is an ideal successor owner for our data center assets. Canadian cities continue to grow dramatically and successfully. The growth is driven in large part by knowledge-based organizations that require sophisticated and wide-ranging connectivity solutions. KDDI is extremely well positioned to provide these solutions and, in doing so, contribute meaningfully to the many and varied businesses operating in our cities."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About KDDI Corporation

Created in 1953 at the initiative of the Japanese government to develop the international network from Japan , KDDI Group operates at various levels in the field of telecommunications and is now present in more than 60 cities and 100 locations around the world. KDDI deployed major international infrastructures, including its Global Network, a digitized proprietary network including optic-fibre and linking Europe , North America , Asia and Australia . With a customer portfolio of over 50 million subscribers in Japan , KDDI offers cell phone services, network services and IT solutions to its global customers. For more information visit: https://www.kddi.com/english/

About Telehouse

Telehouse is a leading global data center service provider under KDDI group, bringing together more than 3,000 business partners including carriers, mobile and content providers, enterprises, cloud providers and financial services companies. Established in 1989, Telehouse provides reliable, secure, and flexible colocation, enabling organisations to accelerate speed to market and create business opportunities through fast, efficient and secure interconnections. For more information visit: https://www.telehouse.net/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2106799/KDDI_expands_in_North_America.jpg

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SOURCE KDDI Corporation
Celebrating Pride Month by financially empowering the LGBTQ+ community

CHICAGO , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Lakeshore Financial Group is proud to announce the launch of a new brand under their umbrella: Empowered+, a financial services company specializing in serving the LGBTQ+ community.

In a time where 1 out 3 LGBTQ+ adults reported they had experienced some discrimination(1), it became clear to LGBTQ+ financial advisor Mark Joslyn that it was essential to create a space where they could receive the financial planning support they needed without fear of prejudice or judgment.

This is where Empowered+ came to be, a financial planning and advising firm that seeks to empower the LGBTQ+ community to grow financially and pursue the goals that most matter to them by providing them with the understanding, empathy, and non-judgmental attitude required to serve their unique wants and needs.

With the support of Lakeshore Financial Group, Empowered+ is now ready to start bringing Lakeshore's mission and values of putting the client first, building trust, high professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and excellence to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

In celebration of this launch, Empowered+ has committed to:

Becoming a corporate partner of Out In Finance

Making donations to LAMBDA Legal and Equality Illinois to assist their pursuit of achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people

Contribute ongoing support to provide free resources to the LGBTQ+ community through workshops and seminars

About Lakeshore Financial Group: Lakeshore Financial Group LLC is a financial services company based in Chicago, IL. Founded in 2016, Lakeshore is made up of a body of advisors with over 150 years of experience serving clients' needs, ranging from the first-time investor to legacy distribution.

(1) Discrimination and Barriers to Well-Being: The State of the LGBTQI+ Community in 2022, Center for American Progress

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SOURCE Lakeshore Financial Group
Cuyes West Drilling Highlights:

CU23-27  287.0 metres grading 1.21 g/t Au Eq, including 2.0 metres grading 34.78 g/t Au Eq intersected in the breccia pipe

CU23-28  24.0 metres grading 2.47 g/t Au Eq intersected in the Cuyes West structure

CU23-29  30.0 metres grading 2.83 g/t Au Eq intersected in the Cuyes West structure; including 6.0 metres of 6.72 g/t Au Eq

VANCOUVER, BC , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV: LR) (OTCQX: LUMIF) (the "Company" or "Luminex") is pleased to announce drill results from three holes that targeted the Cuyes West structure (CU23-27 to CU23-29), while simultaneously targeting the adjacent Breccia Pipe target. Luminex is also announcing the results from its initial seven-hole campaign at Prometedor.

Hole CU23-27 intersected multiple high-grade structures in the breccia pipe, notably 2.0 metres from 229.0 metres grading 33.30 g/t gold and 123.5 g/t silver (34.78 g/t Au Eq), within a wider intercept of 287.0 metres from 99.0 metres, which graded 1.10 g/t gold and 8.8 g/t silver (1.21 g/t Au Eq).

Hole CU23-29 confirmed that Cuyes West extends at least 500 metres down from surface, while remaining open to depth. The hole cut a 30.0 metre interval grading 2.81 g/t gold and 1.66 g/t silver (2.83 g/t Au Eq) from 475.0 metres, including 6.0 metres grading 6.69g/t gold and 3.0g/t silver (6.72g/t Au Eq) from 487.0 metres. This hole stepped out approximately 210 metres vertically below hole CU23-22, which intercepted 15.0 metres of 6.18 g/t gold and 41.8 g/t silver (6.68 g/t Au Eq) from 308.0 metres.

Hole CU23-28 intersected multiple high-grade intercepts, including 24.0 metres returning 2.31 g/t gold and 13.08 g/t silver (2.47 g/t Au Eq) from 313.0 metres, within a broader 50.0 metre zone of 1.70 g/t gold and 9.51 g/t silver (1.82 g/t Au Eq) from 293.0 metres.

Other intervals are present in additional structures in holes CU23-27, CU23-28 and CU23-29 and are detailed in Table 1.

The style of mineralization at Cuyes West structure is identical to that at the Camp deposit, 600 metres to the west. At a property scale, these mineralized structures are interpreted to be hosted in ring and radial fractures around the Los Cuyes caldera (See Figure 1).

Table 1. Drill intercepts for the Cuyes West structure and breccia pipe.

Hole Azimuth / Dip / Length From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au Eq (g/t) CU23-27 6 / - 48 /

441.45m 24.0 26.0 2.0* 0.41 0.8 0.42 And 80.0 84.0 4.0* 0.73 0.8 0.74 And 99.0 386.0 287.0* 1.10 8.8 1.21 Incl 166.0 168.0 2.0 6.82 25.8 7.13 Incl 182.0 183.0 1.0 5.26 68.1 6.08 And 199.0 218.0 19.0 1.34 9.3 1.45 And 229.0 231.0 2.0 33.30 123.5 34.78 And 345.0 375.0 30.0 2.11 21.9 2.38















CU23-28

78.0 82.0 4.0* 0.41 3.0 0.45 And 94.0 162.0 68.0* 0.52 3.3 0.56 And 178.0 184.0 6.0* 0.88 14.1 1.05 And 196.0 206.0 10.0* 0.91 15.9 1.10 And 234.0 235.0 1.0 1.70 9.2 1.81 And 277.0 279.0 2.0 1.63 7.3 1.72 And 293.0 343.0 50.0 1.70 9.5 1.82 Incl 313.0 337.0 24.0 2.31 13.1 2.47















CU23-29 0 / -75 / 593.45m 10.0 14.0 4.0* 0.40 4.1 0.45 And 30.0 34.0 4.0* 0.56 6.5 0.64 And 46.0 84.0 38.0* 0.36 5.6 0.43 And 122.0 316.0 194.0* 0.96 3.4 1.00 Incl 203.0 234.0 31.0 2.06 4.7 2.12 Incl 241.0 265.0 24.0 1.79 5.3 1.85 Incl 313.0 314.0 1.0 6.34 5.1 6.40 And 330.0 445.0 115.0* 0.74 3.2 0.78 Incl 339.0 340.0 1.0 2.93 0.5 2.93 Incl 348.0 351.0 3.0 1.83 2.1 1.86 Incl 361.0 363.0 2.0 2.37 2.4 2.40 Incl 422.0 440.0 18.0 1.66 5.1 1.72 And 475.0 505.0 30.0 2.81 1.7 2.83 Incl 487.0 493.0 6.0 6.69 3.0 6.72

Asterisked (*) intervals are "Shallower" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 0.20 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of ten continuous metres below cut-off occurring within the stated intercept and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 9.94 g/t Au. Remaining intervals not marked with an asterisk are for "Deeper" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 1.0 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of up to six continuous metres below cut-off and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 48.60 g/t Au. Au Eq values assume $1,500 gold and $18.00 silver (Au Eq= Au g/t + (Ag g/t *0.012)).



Prometedor

Seven exploration holes were drilled at the Prometedor target (PR23-01 to PR23-05 and EB23-01 to EB23-02), located three kilometres south-east of the Soledad deposit. This target comprises a one kilometre by 250 metre rock and soil anomaly at surface with creek bed samples returning up to 38.97 g/t gold. The maiden drilling consisted of five drill holes spaced 100 to 250 metres apart. Holes EB23-01 and EB23-02 were drilled 430 metres south of the main Prometedor surface anomaly. All holes encountered various mineralized intercepts and provided important geologic data. Hole PR23-01 intercepted a 1.79 metre interval grading 1.21 g/t gold and 22.99g/t silver (1.48 g/t Au Eq) from 27.5 metres within a broader interval of 8.34 metres grading 0.59 g/t gold and 7.34 g/t silver (0.68 g/t Au Eq) from 21.0 metres. Hole PR23-03 intercepted 48.9 metres grading 0.36 g/t gold and 7.48 g/t silver (0.45 g/t Au Eq) from surface. See Table 2 for additional intervals in all of the holes drilled on this target.

Mineralization from parts of the Prometedor area is of the same style as discovered at Camp and Cuyes deposits and is associated with rhyolite dikes. Strong quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration is present in the drill core with mineralized intercepts including pyrite, marcasite and sphalerite as the dominant sulphide minerals. Drilling has been paused in this area, but given the possibility of discovering mineralogically similar material to Camp and Cuyes, surface geological and geochemical work at Prometedor continues.

Table 2. Drill intercepts for Prometedor and Esperanza drill holes.

Hole Azimuth / Dip / Length From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au Eq (g/t) PR23-01 240 / -60 / 147.45m 21.0 29.3 8.3 0.59 7.3 0.68 Incl 27.5 29.3 1.8 1.21 23.0 1.48 And 47.0 58.0 11.0 0.20 2.0 0.22 And 75.0 76.0 1.0 0.32 1.6 0.34 And 79.0 80.0 1.0 0.34 1.1 0.35 And 84.0 85.0 1.0 0.29 4.6 0.34 And 92.0 120.0 28.0 0.30 3.5 0.35















PR23-02 230 / -60 / 182.50m 25.0 41.0 16.0 0.20 1.6 0.22 And 68.0 75.0 7.0 0.63 14.2 0.80 And 89.0 96.0 7.0 0.73 16.9 0.93 Incl 89.0 92.0 3.0 1.26 29.8 1.61















PR23-03 230 / -50 / 181.35m 0.0 48.9 48.9 0.36 7.5 0.45 And 67.0 92.0 25.0 0.28 3.6 0.32 And 103.0 115.0 12.0 0.32 3.3 0.36















PR23-04 270 / -60 / 105.05m 18.0 20.0 2.0 0.34 1.9 0.37 And 48.0 53.0 5.0 0.20 0.6 0.21 And 73.0 74.6 1.6 0.40 6.1 0.47 And 97.0 98.3 1.3 0.42 4.5 0.47 And 103.0 105.0 2.0 0.28 18.3 0.50















PR23-05 202 / -60 / 163.15m 70.3 77.0 6.7 0.44 4.0 0.48 And 136.0 137.0 1.0 0.67 39.9 1.15















EB23-01 225 / -60 / 124.65m 27.0 69.4 42.4 0.27 4.1 0.32 And 95.0 96.0 1.0 0.64 1.1 0.65 And 111.0 114.0 3.0 0.26 5.1 0.32















EB23-02 260 / -60 / 125.20m 4.0 11.0 7.0 0.29 3.1 0.32 And 17.0 21.0 4.0 0.24 0.9 0.25 And 32.4 34.0 1.6 0.23 0.7 0.24 And 38.0 40.0 2.0 0.25 0.9 0.26

Interval calculated using a lower limit of 0.20 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of ten continuous metres below cut-off occurring within the stated intercept and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 2.88 g/t Au. Au Eq values assume $1,500 gold and $18.00 silver (Au Eq= Au g/t + (Ag g/t *0.012)).

Quality Assurance

All Luminex sample assay results have been independently monitored through a quality control / quality assurance ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standards, blanks as well as pulp and reject duplicate samples. Logging and sampling are completed at Luminex's core handling facility located at the Condor property. Drill core is diamond sawn on site and half drill-core samples are securely transported to ALS Laboratories' ("ALS") or Bureau Veritas Minerals' ("BMV") sample preparation facility in Quito, Ecuador . The ALS lab's sample pulps are sent to Lima, Peru for analysis where gold content is determined by fire assay of a 50-gram charge with ICP finish. The BMV lab's samples are analyzed for gold by a 50-gram charge fire assay in Quito and the remainder of the sample is sent to Lima, Peru for a 44 element - ICP finish.

Silver and other elements are also determined by ICP methods. Over-limit samples assaying greater than 10 g/t gold and 100 g/t silver are re-analyzed by both labs using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Luminex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. ALS Laboratories and BMV are independent of Luminex.

Qualified Persons

Leo Hathaway , P. Geo , Senior Vice President Exploration of Luminex and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, verified and approved the scientific and technical information concerning the Condor Project in this news release and has verified the data underlying that scientific and technical information.

About Luminex Resources

Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV:LR, OTCQX: LUMIF) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador . Luminex's inferred and indicated mineral resources are located at the Condor Gold-Copper project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province , southeast Ecuador . Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador , including the Pegasus and Orquideas projects, which are being co-developed with Anglo American and JOGMEC respectively.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminexresources.com/.

To receive news releases please sign up at https://www.luminexresources.com/contact/contact-us/.

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LUMINEX RESOURCES CORP.

Signed: "Marshall Koval"

Marshall Koval , CEO and 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 news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future drilling and work programs at Condor. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE Luminex Resources Corp.
New Initiative Optimizes Mattress Firm's Continued Commitment to Giving Back by Partnering with Good360, the Global Leader in Product Philanthropy

HOUSTON , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mattress Firm, the nation's largest mattress specialty retailer, announced today their donation of nearly 2,300 mattresses, bedding products and accessories valued at $2.3 million to Good360, the global leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving. This initiative supports Mattress Firm's mission of making better sleep possible for all.

In partnership with Good360, this extensive program distributes mattresses, bedding products and accessories from 50 of Mattress Firm's warehouses across the country to non-profits and communities in need, helping to close the sleep deficit gap and extend the life of these critically needed products.

"At Mattress Firm, we believe it's fundamentally important to give back to the many local communities that we serve and often donate product to those in need. While our individual stores are involved on a local level, we began to search for a way to optimize how we donate beds to communities across the nation," said Katie Clark , Vice President of Communications at Mattress Firm. "To do so, we turned to our friends at Good360 who came up with a unique program to distribute our inventory. We're appreciative of our partnership with them and their support in our ongoing mission."

Since the start of the year, Mattress Firm's efforts with Good360 directly benefited 42 non-profit organizations across the United States , including allocation and delivery to disaster relief organizations, foster care agencies, churches and community resource centers.

180 Disaster Relief, a non-profit organization based out of Tulsa, Okla. that focuses on bringing relief aid to families in crisis, was the largest of the donation recipients through Good360. They received product in nine cities across the country, including Silver City, Miss. , after tornadoes tore through the town last year. As residents are welcomed into new homes on June 30 , they'll receive mattresses and bedding from Mattress Firm. Similar efforts are underway in Shawnee, Okla. , where hundreds of families were impacted by recent storms.

"These mattress donations have made a tremendous impact on families who have lost everything, allowing good rest and sleep, some for the first time since the disaster struck their lives," said Angela Henshaw , Director of Operations at 180 Disaster Relief. "We are all so thankful for the partnership of Good360 and Mattress Firm, helping serve families in the midst of crisis."

"Too often, individuals and families in our communities go without basic needs, and those gaps act as significant barriers to the opportunities they deserve," said Romaine Seguin , CEO of Good360. "Few donations make a more meaningful impact than a mattress. Mattress Firm's generosity is transforming the lives of disaster survivors, those coming out of homelessness, veterans and refugees displaced by war and other challenging life circumstances. We're grateful for their ongoing generosity and commitment to making donations to those who may otherwise go without."

This initiative marks the beginning of Mattress Firm's relationship with Good360. Mattress Firm plans to sustain their partnership by continuing to donate mattresses and bedding accessories to Good360, extending their positive impact to communities in need.

For more information about Mattress Firm's commitment to improving lives through better sleep and philanthropic mission, visit mattressfirm.com/impact.

About Mattress Firm

Mattress Firm, the nation's largest omni-channel mattress specialty retailer, has been helping solve America's sleep problems for more than 90 years through our family of brands. Every one of our more than 6,500 passionate Sleep Experts are driven by a common purpose: to change people's lives through better sleep. Whether browsing online or in one of our 2,300+ stores, our highly trained team provides personalized service and advice to help customers choose the right mattress and bedding products based on their unique needs. Our expertly curated selection of products include leading brands such as Beautyrest, Nectar, Sealy, Serta, Simmons, Sleepy's Stearns & Foster, Tempur-Pedic, Tuft & Needle, tulo, and Purple. Mattress Firm supports local and national charities through product and monetary donations and offers employee volunteering opportunities to serve their communities. No matter the time of night, Mattress Firm wants to help people get the sleep they deserve. Our Sleep.com website provides expert advice and helps people explore the health benefits of quality sleep, and the Sleep.com app provides free sleep tracking and personalized insights to improve sleep.

Achieve your best sleep by visiting MattressFirm.com, and learn more on the Mattress Firm Newsroom and by following @MattressFirm on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About Good360

Good360's mission is to close the need gap by partnering with socially responsible companies to source highly needed donated goods and distribute them through its diverse network of more than 100,000 vetted nonprofits. In doing so, Good360 opens opportunity for those in need, for the nonprofits that support them, and for companies that donate the goods, all while keeping usable items out of landfills. Good360 has distributed more than $14 billion in donated goods thanks to corporate donors such as Advance Auto Parts, Amazon, American Eagle Outfitters, CVS Health, Gap Inc., Levi Strauss & Company, Mattel, and UPS. Good360 is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at https://www.good360.org.

Mattress Firm Public Relations

Media Contacts:

Katie Clark

[email protected]

Amanda Yodice

[email protected]

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SOURCE Mattress Firm
SAN FRANCISCO , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minerva University, known for its innovative, global approach to higher education, is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with EARTH University in Costa Rica . Minerva's global rotation already provides students with the perspective needed to solve the world's most pressing challenges. This initiative is the latest in a series of partnerships that offer students hands-on experience in research projects focused on key areas including sustainability, artificial intelligence, psychology, and global leadership and diplomacy.

Minerva students will work with the EARTH University team to develop programs focused on agriculture and conservation.

EARTH University has been recognized for its focus on agricultural sciences, sustainable food systems, and ethical entrepreneurship. At the university's more than 8,000-acre campus, students have access to labs, farms, a commercial banana plantation, reforested areas, and a large, protected rainforest reserve.

"The partnership with EARTH University aligns perfectly with Minerva's commitment to provide students with a deep understanding of today's biggest issues and equip them with the skills to address these challenges effectively," said Minerva President Mike Magee .

This summer, Minerva faculty and students will work closely with the EARTH University team to develop new programs focused on agriculture, conservation, and natural resource management. Minerva Natural Sciences Professor Andy Dosmann will lead the collaborative effort.

"I've been inspired to see Minerva students use their education to start companies, publish research, and obtain jobs in the sustainability sector," said Dosmann. "Combining Minerva's existing programs with EARTH University's focus on ethical entrepreneurship will benefit students from both universities."

"EARTH University is committed to empowering and preparing a global movement of leaders to transform our food systems, and we look forward to engaging with the creativity and ingenuity of the Minerva community," said EARTH University President Arturo Condo .

UWC Costa Rica, one of the United World Colleges schools, will also participate in the exploratory design project. One Minerva alumna, who attended secondary school at UWC Mahindra College, is already bringing a positive impact to climate challenges through her start-up Seabound, a company that captures CO2 emissions from ships. By designing opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in sustainability, Minerva strives to develop more problem solvers and entrepreneurs to address global challenges.

About Minerva University:

Minerva University offers a reinvented university experience for the brightest, most motivated students from around the world. Minerva's undergraduate offering combines a pathbreaking cross-contextual interdisciplinary curriculum, the highest academic standards, an accomplished faculty versed in the science of learning, a global, immersive residential experience that traverses seven countries, and a cutting-edge digital learning environment that produces deep and long-lasting learning. Minerva University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

About EARTH University:

The mission of EARTH University is to prepare leaders with ethical values to contribute to sustainable development and to achieve a prosperous and just society. EARTH offers a world-class scientific and technological education in agricultural sciences that emphasizes ethical entrepreneurship and a strong socio-environmental commitment.

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SOURCE Minerva University
Publication by UCI researchers highlights potential for hair growth stimulation with Amplifica's AMP-203

SAN DIEGO , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amplifica Holdings Group, Inc. ("Amplifica"), a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company announced that research into a naturally occurring process for hair growth that may lead to the treatment of hair loss was published in the journal Nature. Nature is an international journal publishing original peer-reviewed research that is of broad significance in all fields of science and technology. Work on the research paper entitled "Signaling by senescent melanocytes hyperactivates hair growth" was led by Amplifica's co-founder Maksim Plikus , Ph.D.

"The extensive research completed by Dr. Plikus and his international team of colleagues to potentially identify a pathway towards new hair growth is groundbreaking," commented Frank Fazio , President and CEO. "The publication of these original findings in the leading interdisciplinary journal Nature further validates Amplifica's pipeline compounds and its plans to develop novel solutions to treat hair loss."

The publication describes the research efforts by the team as they developed specialized mouse models with the same genetic alterations seen in human pigmented skin nevi more commonly referred to as moles. Researchers tracked the activity of hair follicle stem cells in mole skin over time and found that the excessive hair growth in these mice was driven by a shorter than typical time frame between consecutive hair growth cycles. By analyzing the signals released by the mole's pigmented cells, known as senescent melanocytes, the researchers identified one specific signaling molecule, called osteopontin, that is produced by these mole's cells at a high level and that potently stimulates hair follicle stem cells for robust hair growth. The team also found that like the mouse model, samples of human hairy skin moles had increased levels of osteopontin when compared to adjacent normal skin. To further test the hair growth effects of osteopontin, collaborators at Amplifica administered a dose of osteopontin to human hair follicles in skin grafts. In doing so, the researchers were able to induce new growth by human hair follicles in a robust pre-clinical model.

"This publication is the result of nearly 10 years of research completed by the international team of scientists, and we are delighted to have Nature recognize the strength of our results," stated Maksim Plikus , Ph.D., Amplifica's Chief Scientific Officer, and professor of Developmental and Cell Biology at the University of California, Irvine. "Of the signals released by senescent melanocytes, osteopontin appears to have the greatest effect on hair growth. The team plans to study other candidate molecules to fully understand this system and I am eager to see what other potential pathways to hair regrowth are revealed."

Results from this extensive research validate the potential for hair growth stimulation with compounds that are under development by Amplifica. Amplifica recognized the value of the research being conducted under Dr. Plikus' leadership and entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with The Regents of the University of California in 2019, covering the inventions described in the Nature publication. The compound highlighted in the Nature publication is referenced as AMP-203 at Amplifica.

About Amplifica Holdings Group, Inc.

Amplifica is a rapidly emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments to address androgenic alopecia (hair loss), a condition estimated to affect over 50 million men and over 30 million women in the United States alone. The Company is taking a nature-inspired scientific approach using a molecular mechanism that regrows natural hair. The Company has identified and isolated unique signaling molecules that stimulate hair follicles to regrow hair. Amplifica will be initiating clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its core technology as well as obtaining all applicable regulatory approvals.

For more information, please visit https://amplificabio.com.

Contact(s)

Company

[email protected]

Media

EvolveMKD  [email protected]

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SOURCE Amplifica
Clean Energy Infrastructure Project Will Connect Offshore Wind From Long Island to New York City , Westchester County

NEW YORK , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New York Transco, an electric transmission developer owned by Con Edison Transmission, National Grid Ventures, Avangrid and Central Hudson Electric Transmission, applauds its team members and its collaborator, the New York Power Authority, on the selection of their Propel NY Energy project in the New York Independent System Operator's (NYISO) Long Island Offshore Wind Export Public Policy Transmission Need solicitation. The partners thank the NYISO for its detailed review of many solutions offered by several developers leading up to the selection of this project.

Propel NY Energy will help deliver renewable offshore wind power from Long Island's electric grid to New York City and Westchester County, adding approximately 90 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines running underground and underwater. The project will strengthen the backbone of Long Island's electric system, improving grid resilience for current and future generations of New Yorkers, and help deliver clean energy throughout the State and region.

"We thank the NYISO for recognizing the many benefits of the Propel NY Energy solution, and, through New York Transco and NYPA, we look forward to the community collaboration across Long Island , New York City and Westchester to build this important clean energy infrastructure project," said Stuart Nachmias , President and CEO of Con Edison Transmission. "By boosting energy transfers between Long Island and the rest of the State, Propel NY Energy will add flexibility and resilience to the electric grid while supporting the continued development of New York's offshore wind industry. The project advances Con Edison's Clean Energy Commitment, enabling large amounts of renewable power to be integrated into the electric grid while supporting green job creation."

"National Grid has both global and local transmission experience, combined with a history of serving New York that will help us make Propel NY Energy a success," said Will Hazelip , President of National Grid Ventures, US Northeast. "Expanded, upgraded transmission is paramount to helping New York meet its ambitious climate targets and delivering clean energy from offshore wind to New Yorkers. National Grid Ventures is fortunate to be in a position where we are developing offshore wind infrastructure in the New York Bight under Community Offshore Wind and then helping deliver that clean energy through Propel NY Energy. We look forward to working with our partners to strengthen the backbone of the electric grid."

"A clean energy future is not possible without large-scale transmission, which is why projects like Propel NY Energy and partnerships like New York Transco are so important," said Pedro Azagra , Avangrid CEO. "Avangrid is very proud to be helping lead the United States' clean energy transition as the country's third largest wind operator and by developing the infrastructure needed to deliver that renewable energy to customers. We applaud NYISO for recognizing the critical importance of Propel NY Energy and all the benefits it will bring to New York state , including new jobs and the opportunity for local communities to participate in the clean energy transition. We look forward to collaborating with our partners at New York Transco and NYPA to bring clean, local energy to all New Yorkers."

"The Propel NY Energy project will play a critical role in reducing New York State carbon emissions by bringing clean off-shore wind-generated electricity to an area where it is greatly needed," said Central Hudson Electric Transmission's President Christopher Capone . "The Propel Project demonstrates our full corporate support for the State's nation leading climate goals. All of New York's utilities are fully committed to helping the State reach its clean energy goals; this project serves as the latest example of what we are capable of when we work together."

New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act mandates the procurement of 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035, which is among the nation's most ambitious targets. A significant portion of that offshore wind generation will connect to Long Island's electric grid, but additional grid connections to the rest of the state are needed to provide reliability and to allow that clean power to reach consumers.

New York Transco is the owner and developer of several bulk power transmission projects in New York State , including projects that enabled the retirement of the Indian Point power plant, and the New York Energy Solution, a transmission upgrade that will help deliver clean renewable power from upstate generators to downstate consumers. The New York Energy Solution is nearing completion of construction, with many transmission segments already in service.

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SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc.
Flexible Cybersecure Radio (FlexCSR) contract will replace hundreds of legacy radios used by Navy EOD robots with MPU5 mobile ad hoc networking radios, plus NSA-certified Type 1 encryption

NEW YORK , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Persistent Systems, LLC ("Persistent"), a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology, announced today that it will support Tomahawk Robotics, a Florida -based developer of common control systems for unmanned systems, on a $55 million contract as it moves to production to upgrade U.S. Navy explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) robots.

The Flexible Cybersecure Radio (FlexCSR) contract, awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, will have Tomahawk Robotics replace hundreds of legacy radios used to control and communicate with Navy unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with Persistent Systems MPU5 MANET radios that have been incorporated by Tomahawk Robotics into a solution that includes NSA Type 1 encryption.

"We are very excited to be supporting Tomahawk Robotics on this Navy contract," said Ryan Kowalske, VP Business Development for Persistent Systems. "FlexCSR will provide Navy EOD robots with more capable and secure radios. Plus, it shows how other military robots with our MANET systems can be upgraded with Type 1 encryption, when deemed appropriate."

In addition to being the prime contractor on FlexCSR, Tomahawk Robotics is also a member of the Wave Relay Ecosystem, an expanding industry alliance of unmanned system, sensor and controller companies all using the Persistent Systems MANET as their default communications network.

"With the growth of the Ecosystem and contract awards like FlexCSR, we are seeing a transition to the long-envisioned networked battlefield, where people, platforms and payloads are all interconnected," says Kowalske. "Persistent Systems is proud to be making that happen."

About Tomahawk Robotics

Tomahawk Robotics is the leading innovator of common control solutions that transform how humans and unmanned systems work together to make the world more safe and secure. Our products and technology safeguard users working under the most extreme and stressful conditions. Designed from the ground up with the user in mind, Kinesis is the only multi-domain, cross-architecture, AI-enabled control system that unlocks intuitive interaction with remote environments from across the room or around the world.

About Persistent Systems, LLC

Headquartered in New York City since 2007, Persistent Systems, LLC is a global communications technology company that develops and manufactures a patented and secure Mobile Ad hoc Networking (MANET) system: Wave Relay. Wave Relay transmits and receives data, video, voice and other applications under the most difficult conditions. Their suite of products is utilized in Commercial, Military, Government, Industrial, Agriculture, Robotics, and Unmanned Systems markets.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/persistent-systems-to-support-tomahawk-robotics-on-55-million-upgrade-of-navy-robots-301856183.html

SOURCE Persistent Systems, LLC
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese system, a product of China's unique history, fits China's specific reality and is better at offering stability, prosperity and freedom to its people, French entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand has said.

During a heated online debate titled "Is the Chinese System Better than the American System?" Bertrand stressed that the Chinese model "plays uniquely to China" and is a product of the country's very long and unique history.

"It also fits the very particular context that China is in today," said the Frenchman who had lived in China.

The debate, organized by American nonprofit educational organization the Intercollegiate Studies Institute earlier in April, has drawn nearly 1,200 comments on YouTube, mostly supporting Bertrand.

"As a Singaporean, I welcome China's growth any day over Americans' gunboat diplomacy," said a netizen named bummers.

While the West and its values have done a lot to provide freedom, prosperity and stability for people over many decades, Bertrand said "there are little doubts that it's increasingly losing its way."

In comparison, "the Chinese system has become better in many ways at providing stability, prosperity and even freedom for its people," he said.

The entrepreneur also mentioned China's remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation, saying that led to the largest and fastest reduction of poverty in the world and provided personal freedom for many as a result.

In 2021, China declared the elimination of absolute poverty, having lifted nearly 100 million rural poor out of poverty over the previous eight years.

Citing statistics of the U.S. Census Bureau, Bertrand pointed out that 6 percent of U.S. citizens live in deep poverty, adding that a survey found 25 percent of the U.S. population are worried about money for buying food.

Those people are not really free, as poverty is the antithesis of freedom, according to the entrepreneur.

He also quoted a 13-year study by Harvard University, which showed 93 percent of Chinese are satisfied with the central government, while in contrast, only 20 precent of the U.S. respondents trust their government.

Between 2014 and 2021, China invested 14 trillion yuan (about 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars) into lifting people out of poverty, while the United States spent that amount on wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan, Bertrand said.

"The Chinese system with its emphasis on critical freedom, long-term stability and unwavering investment in itself has demonstrated its ability to provide a more holistic approach to societal wellbeing. The Chinese system provides greater overall stability, prosperity and even freedom," he emphasized.

Bertrand also rebutted accusations about human rights violations in Xinjiang as untrue, saying the U.S. ban on exports from the region only hurts Uygur people more.

Not a single Muslim-majority country has backed the West's claim against China over Xinjiang, he said. In fact, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation made a statement after visiting Xinjiang that praised China's care for its Muslim citizens. 
Chewy's Event Runs from June 20  June 26

AUSTIN, Texas , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet Honesty announces its participation in Chewy's limited time only event, in which all Chewy customers can benefit from the deal to help stock up on Pet Honesty's pet health essentials. Customers who spend $100 will receive a $30 eGift card from Chewy. This offer with the promo code MYBESTIE runs from June 20  June 26 .

While Pet Honesty is known as a leading natural pet health supplement brand with its most popular supplements sold in over 5,000 pet stores nationwide, the brand's extended line of vet-recommended health products made with natural and other active ingredients are available on Chewy. Among Chewy customers alone, Pet Honesty has earned over 22,000 five-star ratings across its portfolio.

Health Essentials for Dogs

Multivitamin soft chews for Puppy, Adult and Senior are specially formulated for each life stage's unique nutritional needs.

soft chews for Puppy, Adult and Senior are specially formulated for each life stage's unique nutritional needs. Health Supplement soft chews formulated for dogs' popular nutritional support needs, such as Digestion, Calming, Hip + Joint, Skin + Coat, and Allergy.

soft chews formulated for dogs' popular nutritional support needs, such as Digestion, Calming, Hip + Joint, Skin + Coat, and Allergy. Dental health products such as Dental Sticks and Oral Hygiene dental water.

health products such as Dental Sticks and Oral Hygiene dental water. Outdoor protection including Flea and Tick Defense, and Grass Green, a unique lawn protection supplement that helps to keep grass green while also providing digestive and intestinal health support for dogs.

Health Essentials for Cats

Pet Honesty has been launching new innovations for cats' health over the past year and now offer:

Dual Texture Supplements that are award-winning for its dual-texture and chicken flavor chews formulated for cats with finicky tastes, including Hairball Support, Hip and Joint, Calming, and Immune Support.

that are award-winning for its dual-texture and chicken flavor chews formulated for cats with finicky tastes, including Hairball Support, Hip and Joint, Calming, and Immune Support. Powder Supplements includes Immune Health Lysine and Digestive Probiotics, both made with delicious chicken and fish flavoring and catnip.

Health Essentials for Dogs and Cats

Pet Honesty also offers health essentials that are made with natural and active ingredients that are beneficial for both dogs and cats, including:

Grooming products such as Chlorhexidine Shampoo, Allergy Anti-Itch Shampoo, and Otic Ear Cleaner.

products such as Chlorhexidine Shampoo, Allergy Anti-Itch Shampoo, and Otic Ear Cleaner. Liquid Fish Oil food supplement options that provide joint, heart, skin, coat, brain, and overall health support, including Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil and Omega-3s Fish Oil.

About Pet Honesty

Pet Honesty, a trusted leader in premium, natural pet health products, is on a mission to help pet parents elevate their pet's vitality for more joyful moments together. Founded originally as an innovative e-commerce brand in 2018 and headquartered in Austin, TX, the company specializes in vet-approved pet supplements providing functional pet health benefits backed by science and certified by the NASC. Pet Honesty pledges to use natural base ingredients and premium active ingredients, and no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors and formulated without wheat, soy or corn. All Pet Honesty products are made in an FDA-registered facility in the U.S.A. and are available for purchase online at Pethonesty.com, Amazon, and Chewy. They can also be found at national retailers such as Petco, Tractor Supply Company, Pet Supplies Plus, as well as at local specialty pet retailers. For personalized guidance and education about Pet Honesty products, visit Pethonesty.com and follow @PetHonesty on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Contact

Max Bartee , [email protected]

Denise Paleothodoros , [email protected]

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SOURCE Pet Honesty
Market leader SAMBAZON expands to new airport location

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) now have more options to experience healthy, fresh, plant-based dining while on-the-go. CLT welcomed SAMBAZON Acai Bowls last month to Concourse D  marking the arrival of the southern California -based company's newest airport location.

SAMBAZON's quick-service Acai Bowls concept puts the needs of the health-conscious traveler first. Visually appealing, the brand's signature front counter displays an abundance of fresh fruit toppings  strawberries, banana, blueberries, mango, and pineapple  in addition to nutrient-dense nuts and seeds, and Acai Bowl staples such a granola & coconut.

As the world's leading purveyor of certified fair trade and organic acai, the menu features SAMBAZON's Berry Acai Bowl, the Protein Acai Bowl, Chocolate PB Acai Bowl, Strawberry Sunrise Acai Bowl and the Dragon Fruit Bowl. The Bowl shop also offers acai and other fruit-focused smoothies, warm oatmeal bowls, and beverages like Amazon Energy drinks.

"Opening in a world-renowned airport like CLT is a milestone for our company," said Ryan Black , SAMBAZON's Chief Executive Officer. "SAMBAZON was founded to share the Delicious Powers of Acai with the world, and this expansion helps us further this mission." He adds, "Travelers know and love SAMBAZON's organic and fair trade certified Acai products at supermarkets and restaurants across the southeast, and we've received a very warm welcome."

SAMBAZON at CLT is operated by global restaurateur HMSHost. HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Stephen Douglas shares Black's sentiments, remarking on the immediate enthusiasm for SAMBAZON Acai Bowls from both travelers and airport employees, "HMSHost has built its reputation on delivering a portfolio of restaurants that provide travelers with the power of choice when it comes to their dining experiences. Customers have embraced SAMBAZON as a delicious new addition to the concourse that's perfect for any time of day."

SAMBAZON Acai Bowls is located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Concourse D near Gate D2. Map to location here. Hours are 6 a.m.  10:30 p.m.

To learn more about SAMBAZON, please visit www.sambazon.com or follow along on Instagram @sambazon .

ABOUT SAMBAZON

Founded in 2000, SAMBAZON, an acronym for Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon, was the first company to introduce "certified Acai" to the world, supplying organic and Fair Trade certified Acai products from a proprietary supply chain to ensure transparency from the "palm of the tree to the palm of your hand." SAMBAZON recently launched Seeding Change , a documentary highlighting mission-driven brands operating on triple-bottom-line business models and using commerce as a vehicle to create a more prosperous future for the people and the planet, similarly to how SAMBAZON uses the Delicious Powers of Acai. All SAMBAZON products, including Smoothie Packs, Ready to Eat Acai Bowls, Juices, Energy drinks and Acai Bites are made from USDA Organic, Non-GMO, vegan, and Fair For Life Fair Trade Certified Acai. SAMBAZON's Fair Trade certification has helped to protect the Amazon Rainforest and its rich biodiversity and has helped to positively impact thousands of local growers. With the commitment to invest a percentage of local Acai purchases back into the community, SAMBAZON has contributed over $1 million to build healthcare centers, community centers and schools. For more information about Seeding Change and SAMBAZON's mission and products, visit www.sambazon.com .

ABOUT HMSHOST

Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates locations all over North America , and is part of Dufry Group (SIX: DUFN  www.dufry.com ), the leading travel experience player worldwide that uniquely combines retail, food & beverage and digital. The group serves 2.3 billion passengers in more than 75 countries in 5,500 outlets across 1,200 airports, motorways, cruise lines, seaports, railway stations and other locations across six continents. Visit HMSHost.com for more information and connect with HMSHost on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

ABOUT CLT

Charlotte Douglas International Airport , a City of Charlotte department, is ranked the 7th busiest airport in the U.S. and world for arriving and departing aircraft and among the top 10 nationwide for passengers, according to 2022 preliminary Airports Council International (ACI) rankings. Last year, CLT welcomed nearly 48 million passengers and handled more than 505,000 arrivals and departures. CLT averages 1,400 daily arrivals and departures and 4 million passengers traveling to, from and through CLT a month.* CLT is served by eight major carriers, 15 regional carriers and three foreign flag carriers with nonstop service to 178 destinations, including 36 international locations and three U.S. territories. An enterprise fund, the Airport is self-sustaining and does not collect tax dollars. Airport revenue funds all capital and operating costs.

(*Numbers reflect CLT's Monthly Activity Report and data from Airports Council International.)

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SOURCE SAMBAZON
HOUSTON , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After winning a high profile prisoner's rights case in St. Louis in 2022, Shook, Hardy & Bacon is dedicating much of the fee award recovery to the expansion of the firm's civil rights and racial justice pro bono efforts. Initially, the practice will focus primarily on prisoners' civil rights and abuse-of-force litigation, but the firm anticipates that the scope could expand in the years to come.

Shook Bolsters Civil Rights and Racial Justice Practice

Spearheading the program will be Michael Harrison , a civil rights division prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Houston , who will join Shook as senior counsel. Harrison will work closely with Shook Partner Charles Eblen to transform the firm's current work in this space into a nationally recognized practice.

"We are excited about what the future holds and the lives we will change by doubling down on our civil rights and racial justice efforts," said Shook Partner and Pro Bono Director Scot Fishman , who moved to the firm in 2021 to help nationalize Shook's pro bono mission. "Michael is an incredibly gifted trial lawyer, and he will complement the pro bono program that we are building at Shook."

Under Eblen's leadership, Shook obtained an $8.5 million award for the firm's client as the representative of her late brother, a federal detainee at the Phelps County Jail in Rolla, Missouri . The jury returned a verdict against a doctor, nurse and Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.the largest health care provider for jails in the U.S.for a Section 1983 deliberate indifference claim and medical negligence.

"We made the strategic decision to do something monumental with this fee award," said Shook Chair Madeleine McDonough , who noted that the firm already has a team of attorneys and support staff who focus full time on pro bono matters. "This decision is a commitment to the future and will harness the firm's trial strength to help those who do not have a voice. With both Scot and Michael now on board, Shook can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who seek relief from injustice."

For the past eight years, Harrison has served the community as a civil rights division prosecutor where he investigated and prosecuted law enforcement excessive force and corruption cases.

"I am excited to join Shook and continue working in this important area of law alongside the firm's experienced team of attorneys and support staff," said Harrison.

Harrison is also an adjunct professor of law at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He earned his law degree from the Florida A & M University College of Law.

"Michael is looking forward to joining a firm with a national trial reputation and getting right to work, helping us build something special," Fishman said. "With Michael's leadership, we will be able to strengthen our advocacy for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society."

To speak to a Shook attorney on this new initiative, contact Shook Director of Communications Heather McMichael , 816.389.0419, or [email protected].

About Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 18 offices in the United States and London , with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security, and regulatory counseling.

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SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
CHICAGO , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a milestone development, STAMOD Engineering today announced the deployment of 300 expert engineers across all disciplines of engineering to meet the growing demands of the Plastic Injection Mold Industry and Progressive Dies Industry. This decisive move aims to ensure superior quality, precise on-time delivery, and highly competitive pricing.

The cornerstone of this initiative is STAMOD's Global Center of Excellence located in Pune, India , where these skilled engineers, trained in the United States , will be stationed. The center's offshore manufacturing operation adheres to stringent quality controls while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality parts.

To make this logistical feat possible, STAMOD has introduced 'fast ship' delivery, a revolutionary service that ensures tools and parts reach the United States within three weeks from India . This expedited service provides a unique advantage to US companies, significantly reducing lead times and enhancing operational efficiency.

In the last two quarters, STAMOD's innovative practices have already resulted in significant savings for US companies, with cost reductions estimated at $147 million . "Our objective is to pass on tangible benefits to our customers. These savings are a testament to our value-driven approach," said a spokesperson for STAMOD.

STAMOD's pioneering efforts are anchored in its unique hybrid Just-In-Time (JIT) model that efficiently balances offshore and onshore operations. This model, combined with STAMOD's globally competitive rates, establishes the company as the preferred partner for businesses seeking to optimize their manufacturing processes.

STAMOD's expansion is more than just an increase in capacity; it's a promise of unparalleled quality, swifter delivery, and competitive pricing in the Plastic Injection Mold and Progressive Dies industries. US companies stand to gain immensely from this game-changing initiative.

Join us in this journey towards a future of engineering excellence. STAMOD Engineering - 'Creating Value through Excellence'.

About STAMOD Engineering:

STAMOD Engineering is a leader in the Plastic Injection Mold and Sheet Metal industries, offering comprehensive solutions that cover all engineering disciplines. With a focus on high-quality offshore manufacturing, the company strives to deliver on time, every time, ensuring maximum value for its clients. STAMOD is a portfolio of ALCOR.

For more information, please visit www.stamod.com

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SOURCE STAMOD Engineering
BEIJING , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The retail environment in China is undergoing a significant transformation in 2023, with domestic brands experiencing exponential growth on the market.

WUDASHU, found by Wu Nan , has been recognized as a leader at the China Industry Impact Brand Summit, where the recent developments in Chinese branding were discussed.

Wu Nan points out that with the polarization of Chinese consumers, many Chinese retailers are increasingly excelling in this area. 5-10 years ago, there weren't many players in the domestic brand market, and no one anticipated that these brands would become the key to winning consumer favor.

Regarding the current Chinese domestic brand market, Wu Nan suggests that we can analyze it from three aspects: retailers, consumers, and suppliers. Past Chinese retailers often made mistakes when developing their own brands, such as inconsistent product quality or unclear product positioning, causing consumers to distrust these brands.

Nowadays, as the business scale expands and the level of specialization increases, the Chinese retail market has begun to reevaluate and launch domestic brand projects. As consumers mature, rational consumption behavior leads to the emergence of many high-quality, cost-effective products. Retailers now hold more initiative by developing domestic brands in cooperation with suppliers, benefitting from direct procurement and lower marketing costs, they manage to offer competitive products.

In addition, Chinese consumers are demanding more. They seek more personalized and trendy products to meet their needs, making domestic brands comparatively flexible. In the past, suppliers led the development of domestic brands, but now retailers are closing the distance with consumers by gaining a deeper understanding of them and reducing product development time.

At the supplier level, with the rapid industrial development, many small suppliers are becoming more specialized. These suppliers have strong production and research capabilities and can effectively control costs. However, they urgently need suitable retailers to provide channels to address overcapacity. This kind of beneficial cooperation can achieve a win-win situation.

WUDASHU is a brand that has evolved with the development of e-commerce platforms and content platforms. The company has gone from the traditional e-commerce model, where it communicated with consumers through pure text, to the era of graphics and images as internet technology matured, and now to the era of short online videos. After more than a decade of evolution, WUDASHU continues to grow and improve communication efficiency with consumers.

In 2020, WUDASHU invested a significant amount of time researching short video content and quickly opened communication channels with consumers through unique content on the Kuaishou platform. With the growth of the Douyin platform, and the optimization of traffic and algorithm mechanisms, WUDASHU shifted to Douyin to further reach a large user base.

Short video content, as an important bridge between WUDASHU and consumers, is not only limited to platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, but also applied to Taobao, Pinduoduo, and other channels, always synchronizing with consumer reading habits. Traditional e-commerce platforms are gradually integrating short videos, with globally popular TikTok leading the charge.

In 2022, Douyin e-commerce upgraded from "interest-based e-commerce" to "pan-interest e-commerce", and WUDASHU continued to strive to provide e-commerce services from both expert and brand perspectives. The brand's partners are becoming more diverse, and collaboration is deepening.

From 2023 onwards, WUDASHU has further strengthened its operations and promotion in the Douyin Mall , and its operational activities are becoming more detailed. As of January 2023 , WUDASHU has repeatedly topped the sales rankings in the women's shoe stores across Douyin Mall , achieving a single-store monthly sales volume of approximately 5 million.

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SOURCE WUDASHU
FILE PHOTO: A view of the Twitter logo at its corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 18, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

By Byron Kaye

SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian cyber regulator on Thursday said it has demanded Twitter explain its handling of online hate as the microblog has become the country's most complained-about platform since new owner Elon Musk lifted bans on a reported 62,000 accounts.

The demand builds on a campaign by the eSafety Commissioner to make the website more accountable after Musk, one of the world's richest people, bought it for $44 billion in October with a promise to restore its commitment to free speech.

The regulator has already called on Twitter to detail its handling of online child abuse material which it said has picked up on the website since Musk's takeover and subsequent job losses, including content moderation roles.

Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she has sent a legal notice to Twitter demanding an explanation after one-third of all complaints she received about online hate concerned Twitter, even though the platform has far fewer users than TikTok or Meta's Facebook and Instagram.

"Twitter appears to have dropped the ball on tackling hate," Inman Grant said in a statement, which noted that the platform had reportedly reinstated 62,000 banned accounts since Musk's takeover, including high-profile accounts of individuals who espouse Nazi rhetoric.

"We need accountability from these platforms and action to protect their users, and you cannot have accountability without transparency and that's what legal notices like this one are designed to achieve," she said.

Twitter must respond to the eSafety Commissioner within 28 days or face a fine of nearly A$700,000 ($473,480) per day. It declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

The demand comes as Australia approaches a referendum this year on whether to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution, prompting an increasingly intense debate about race.

Prominent indigenous television host Stan Grant had cited targeted abuse on Twitter when he announced a break from the media last month, the commissioner noted.

Specialist broadcaster National Indigenous Television also said it was taking a break from Twitter due to "the racism and hate that we experience every day on this platform", it said in a tweet last month.

Inman Grant said her letter called for Twitter to explain its impact assessments when reinstating banned accounts, how it engaged with communities who were subject to online hate, and how it was enforcing its own policies which ban hateful conduct.

($1 = 1.4784 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
(Reuters) - Armenia's armed forces shelled the positions of the Azerbaijani army in the border area of the Sadarak district, Azerbaijan's defence ministry said late on Tuesday.

"Units of the Armenian armed forces fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani army from various small arms," the defence ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

Armenian armed formations also fired at the Azeri army positions near Susha in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the ministry said.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. There was no immediate comment from Armenia.

Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have been locked in conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region for three decades, regularly exchange fire across their shared border.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne)
FILE PHOTO: Maria de Almeida 61, daughter of Gertrudes Freire, walks next the cattle at their property in Ouro Preto do Oeste, Rondonia state, Brazil, August 11, 2021. Picture taken August 11, 2021. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo

By Ana Mano

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Nearly 3,000 head of cattle died from hypothermia in Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul state in recent days, according to a statement posted on the website of local veterinary services on Wednesday.

The deceased animals represent a tiny fraction of Brazil's cattle herd of about 224 million head and their deaths and are unlikely to compromise beef production at meatpackers like JBS, which operate in the state.

But they drew attention as they are uncommon. Temperatures in the most affected areas ranged from 6 to 9 degrees Celsius (43 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit), according to local press reports.

Alcides Torres, owner of agribusiness consultancy Scot Consultoria, said local cattle breeds can withstand the low temperatures of the country's winter, which started today.

"Brazil exports live cattle for slaughtering in Turkey below snow," Torres said. "It was the cold but there was something else."

Mato Grosso do Sul veterinary services did not reply to requests for comment beyond a statement in which it updated the cold-related cow deaths tally 2,725.

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below normal, and can be classified in cattle as mild, moderate and severe, the statement said. The animal's nutritional state, the low availability and quality of pastures, as well as the absence of shelters to protect animals against sudden climate change, rainfall and winds, all may contribute to cases of mortality due to hypothermia, authorities said.

"Previous episodes of mortality due to weather conditions in the state have already been described as prone to occur in a cyclical way," the statement noted.

In Brazil, the world's biggest beef exporter, cattle mainly graze freely.

During winter, dry weather and lower food availability tend to tighten supplies, raising cattle prices.

The opposite is true in the first half of the year, when pastures thrive on abundant rain and sunshine, helping animals gain weight and boosting supplies available to meat processors, Torres said.

"With this cold, with the threat of frost, people thought there would be an oversupply of cattle," Torres said. "There wasn't, which suggests that supply is adjusting to demand."

(Reporting by Ana Mano; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talks with appointed Substitute for General Affairs of the Vatican's Secretariat of State Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, during this meeting with Pope Francis, at the Vatican, June 21, 2023. Vatican Media/Hando

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis met Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday and discussed a range of common concerns including peace, poverty, inequality and the environment, the Vatican said.

Although the Vatican did not specifically mention Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lula made clear before the meeting that seeking an end to the war was a priority.

"There was a positive exchange of views on ... topics of common interest, such as the promotion of peace and reconciliation," the brief statement said.

Underscoring this sentiment, the pope gave Lula a bronze sculpture with the inscription: "Peace is a fragile flower."

Pope Francis and Lula have both repeatedly called for a halt to the fighting and pitched their respective offices as potential peace brokers.

"Both (Russia and Ukraine) believe they can win militarily. I do not agree. I think too few people are talking of peace," Lula told Corriere della Sera newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday.

The Vatican said the two men had also discussed respect for indigenous peoples and protection of the environment.

Lula took office on Jan. 1 promising to ramp up efforts to end deforestation in the Amazon after years of surging destruction under his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

Earlier this month, his government outlined plans to eliminate illegal deforestation in the rainforest by 2030.

Lula met a number of Italian leaders during his brief visit to Rome, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella. He is due to fly to Paris on Thursday to attend a global financial summit.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Cameroon's government is seeking to block France's LGBT+ rights ambassador from travelling to the country to hold a conference on gender and sexual identity, saying the discussion topics breach anti-homosexuality legislation.

Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon is scheduled to visit the central African nation from June 27 to July 1 for the event, which would be hosted by the French institute in the capital Yaounde.

The government sent a diplomatic notice to the French ambassador in Cameroon to signal its opposition to Berthon's visit, according to an internal letter seen by Reuters.

The notice, sent on Monday, informs the French embassy that the government is opposed to all of Berthon's planned activities, including the proposed conference.

The French embassy did not respond to several requests for comment on Wednesday.

Only 22 out of 54 African countries allow homosexuality. In Cameroon, same-sex relations can lead to jail terms of up to five years.

Abuse towards the country's LGBT+ community is on the rise, including violent attacks and arbitrary arrests, according to Human Rights Watch.

Berthon's planned trip to Cameroon comes weeks after Uganda enacted one of the world's strictest anti-LGBTQ bills, including provision for long jail terms and the death penalty.

(Reporting by Amindeh Blaise Atabong; Editing by Sofia Christensen and Mark Potter)
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu met with Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), on Wednesday in Beijing.

Li said the Chinese side is willing to join hands with the South African military in deepening strategic communication, improve the construction of mechanisms, and jointly address common security challenges to advance deeper and more solid exchanges and cooperation between the militaries.

Maphwanya said the SANDF is willing to continue to deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation in various fields with the Chinese side, improve the relationship between the militaries, and jointly contribute to building a fairer, safer and better world. 
FILE PHOTO: A representation of the cryptocurrency is seen in front of Coinbase logo in this illustration taken, March 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo

By Jody Godoy

(Reuters) - Months before cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase became the biggest target of the U.S. crackdown on digital assets, the company launched an unusual legal offensive, recruiting top lawyers to try to shape court rulings in other cases.

Before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Coinbase on June 6, the company had weighed in on two other crypto-related lawsuits brought by the regulator and urged judges to adopt views on open legal questions that are now at the heart of its own case.

In each case, Coinbase filed briefs as an "amicus," or friend of the court.

While common at the U.S. Supreme Court, amicus briefs are filed in just 0.1% of cases in federal trial courts, according to law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, although crypto industry groups have been filing an increasing number in SEC cases in support of defendants.

A ruling favoring another crypto defendant at the trial court level would not be binding on Coinbase's own case, but the company could potentially point to it in its defense, legal experts said. The few judges who have previously ruled in similar cases have endorsed the SEC's approach.

Filing amicus briefs in the trial court is about starting "the ball rolling in the right direction" on legal issues that the amicus cares about, said Akiva Shapiro, one of the authors of the Gibson Dunn study.

Gibson Dunn represents Coinbase as an amicus in one of the cases.

Spokespeople for the SEC and Coinbase both declined to comment.

For years, the regulator had pursued developers for selling digital tokens without registering them. But it has recently shifted focus to the bigger players like exchanges as it tries to corral what SEC Chairman Gary Gensler called "the Wild West."

The SEC's biggest U.S. target is now Coinbase, which it sued in Manhattan federal court. It accused the company of operating an unregistered exchange, broker and clearinghouse, saying at least 13 of the crypto assets it made available to U.S. investors, including Solana, Cardano and Polygon, were securities.

Paul Grewal, Coinbase's general counsel, told Reuters the day the case was filed that the company is "absolutely committed to defending itself in court."

LEGAL TEST

Coinbase began its broader legal push last year, after the SEC started investigating it, tapping major corporate defense law firms Gibson Dunn and Cahill Gordon & Reindel to file papers in the two cases.

In one instance, the company urged U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Seattle to dismiss an insider trading case brought by the SEC against former Coinbase product manager Ishan Wahi.

Coinbase itself was not a defendant in the case.

Wahi and his brother settled with the SEC after pleading guilty to related criminal charges, so Lin never ruled.

The exchange's main argument in its amicus brief, which could preview its defense in its own case, is that the SEC lacks authority to police the space because many digital assets are not securities.

The company argued the SEC has misapplied a legal test that says "an investment of money in a common enterprise with profits to come solely from the efforts of others," is a kind of security called an investment contract.

Coinbase argued the digital assets on its platform do not pass that test, in part because they lack contractual agreements.

The SEC has argued that the test -- which has been applied to investments in everything from whiskey casks to chinchillas -- depends on the economic realities of transactions, not the labels applied to them.

The regulator has urged judges to focus on the way digital assets are marketed, pointing to promises by crypto developers that investors will profit if their projects succeed.

'FAIR NOTICE'

Coinbase also argued in its brief that the SEC has not set clear guidelines that would give cryptocurrency industry participants "fair notice" that a particular digital asset is a security before suing, violating their right to due process under the U.S. Constitution.

Gensler has been dismissive of the argument, saying many companies in the space had made a "calculated economic decision" to flout the rules.

In its other amicus brief, Coinbase urged a federal judge in Manhattan to allow the fair notice defense in the SEC case against Ripple Labs, which was the industry's highest-profile battle with the regulator prior to the Coinbase case.

The regulator sued in 2020, accusing the San Francisco-based blockchain company and its current and former chief executives of conducting a $1.3 billion unregistered securities offering by selling the crypto XRP, which Ripple's founders created in 2012.

Coinbase argued to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres that denying the Ripple defendants the fair notice defense "would jeopardize the validity of the defense in future cases."

More than a dozen other cryptocurrency industry groups and market participants have also filed amicus briefs to persuade Torres that XRP is not a security.

A ruling is expected this year.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; editing by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware, editing by Deepa Babington)
People demonstrate in front of the Colombian Congress, in favor of the regulation of marijuana for adult use in Bogota, Colombia June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Senate voted down a measure to approve the sale of recreational cannabis to adults late on Tuesday, although supporters including the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro said they would continue to pursue legalization.

The South American country already allows some cannabis derived products, such as oils and creams, to be made and sold for medicinal uses, while legislation passed in the 1980s and 1990s allows consumption and the cultivation of up to 20 plants.

But sales of the drug for recreational purposes are illegal and opponents of legalization celebrated the bill's defeat as ensuring the protection of children and families.

Uruguay, Canada and some states in the U.S. allow the sale of recreational marijuana. Despite the legality of medicinal cannabis, investors have long complained about what they say is Colombia's tortuous export approval process.

The bill would have restricted the use and sale of cannabis and its derived products in schools and universities and placed limits on public consumption.

Backers including Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco said recreational marijuana's continued illegality only benefits criminals.

"From the government we will insist on this issue," Velasco said in quotes shared by the Senate on Twitter.

Liberal Party representative Juan Carlos Losada had said the proposed law would save lives, protecting consumers from interactions with criminals.

"We didn't know we'd get so far. We have majorities, we lacked seven votes," he tweeted after the vote on the bill, which needed 54 votes in favor and won 47, with 43 against.

Meanwhile, an ambitious health reform which caused the breakdown of Petro's once-broad congressional coalition will carry over to the new legislative session in July, on the back of a May approval by a committee in the lower house.

A pension reform proposal also won committee approval, while a labor reform will need to be proposed from scratch after its first debate in the lower house did not reach quorum.

(Reporting by Oliver Griffin and Carlos Vargas; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Alexander Smith)
(Reuters) - Russia's military intercepted two drones on their approach to military warehouses in the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the area, said on Wednesday.

"Debris was found, no damage or casualties," Vorobyov said, adding that the drones fell near the village of Kalininets.

Russia's TASS news agency reported, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, that another drone was shot down near Lukino village in Moscow region.

TASS also reported two of the drones were intercepted on their way to the Taman Division of Russia's Ground Forces. The division is based in Kalininets, some 60km (37 miles) from the Kremlin.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. It was not immediately known who launched the drones.

In May, drones struck wealthy districts of Moscow on Tuesday, in what Russia said was a Ukrainian attack and one politician called the most dangerous attack on the capital since World War Two.

Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Lincoln Feast.)
BUQATA, Golan Heights (Reuters) -Hundreds of men from Druze Arab villages on the occupied Golan Heights protested on Wednesday against Israeli plans to set up a wind farm, some facing off with riot police in an unusually violent confrontation that injured several people.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in a 1967 war and later annexed it, a move not recognised by most world powers. Ties between the Israeli state and the plateau's Druze community, whose members profess loyalty to Damascus, are generally placid.

Yet the Druze have complained of bureaucratic neglect by Israel. The erection of several wind turbines is viewed by the Golan villagers as an encroachment.

Saying he was monitoring events "with gravity and concern", Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned Druze leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif for talks, according to the premier's office.

Earlier, as protesters burned tyres on a road in Buqata village and, in a nearby orchard, threw rocks at police from behind makeshift shields, Tarif had told Ynet news agency: "The writing was on the wall."

Video distributed by police showed them firing tear gas and using a high-pressure water hose against the Druze protesters.

Police said protests shut down roads in northern Israel as well as the Golan. That suggested some of Israel's Druze citizens - who make up 1.5% of the population and have representation in its military and public office - were among the demonstrators.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the government was moving ahead on a "major plan" to redress Druze complaints. But, he added in a statement, there was no justifying violence against a wind farm being lawfully built.

Medics said two people were evacuated for treatment in the confrontations. Police said several officers were injured.

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Alex Richardson)
FILE PHOTO: The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

By Jody Godoy

(Reuters) - A former Goldman Sachs banker was convicted of insider trading by a New York jury on Wednesday, after prosecutors said he passed tips about potential mergers to a friend.

At the trial that began in Manhattan on June 12, prosecutors said Brijesh Goel, a former Goldman Sachs vice president, tipped his friend Akshay Niranjan to deals the bank was considering funding in 2017 and 2018. He was convicted on four counts of securities fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Goel, flanked by his lawyers, looked down as the verdict was read.

Prosecutors said Goel gleaned the information on six companies targeted for deals - including Spirit Airlines and drugmaker Patheon - from internal Goldman emails, and then tipped Niranjan over games of squash.

Goel took the stand in his own defense during the trial and denied that he shared confidential information about the transactions. His attorneys said Niranjan had framed Goel to cover his own trades.

Niranjan, who cooperated with prosecutors as part of a non-prosecution agreement, testified at the trial that he traded on information he received from Goel and agreed to split around $280,000 in profits.

Prosecutors agreed not to charge him in exchange for his cooperation in the case, which included secretly recording conversations where Goel urged him to delete text messages.

The case was one of several U.S. Attorney Damien Williams announced last summer as part of an insider trading crackdown.

Goel is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 19. His attorneys declined to comment on the verdict.

Any sentence would be imposed by the judge based on several factors.

The fraud and obstruction charges carry maximum sentences of 20 years. The average sentence in federal fraud, theft and embezzlement cases in the U.S. last year was 22 months in prison.

The case is U.S. v. Goel, No. 22-00396, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Jamie Freed)
By Pratima Desai

LONDON (Reuters) - Gerald Group, one of the world's largest metals traders, bought cargoes in Brazil that were meant to contain at least 1,250 metric tonnes of tin concentrate that turned out to be sand, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The sources said Gerald has shipped at least 50 containers of sand to smelters in Asia over the last few weeks. Gerald is investigating what happened in Brazil with the shipments in question, the sources added, asking not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the media.

Reuters could not establish where London-based Gerald bought the material from in Brazil or from which suppliers.

Gerald did not respond to three emailed requests for comment over the last week and did not answer repeated calls from Reuters.

The trader supplies tin concentrate to the Thai smelter Thaisarco, which does not price or pay for the material until after it has arrived and been authenticated.

The sources could not say exactly how much sand was sent to Thaisarco from Brazil.

"We have confidentiality agreements and a long-term relationship with Gerald," Thaisarco's Managing Director Andrew Davies said in response to a request for comment. "We are unable to disclose any specifics of our relationship."

Fifty containers would hold 1,250 metric tonnes of tin concentrate and Brazilian concentrate would yield 875 tonnes of metal. At current prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME), 875 tonnes of tin would be valued at around $24 million.

Documents that accompany metal shipments should include bills of lading, which detail the type, quality and destination of the goods carried, as well as certificates of origin and of content analysis.

The sources said they could not specify what kind of documents were attached to the cargoes in question.

In addition to selling tin to Thaisarco, Gerald typically sends tin concentrate to Malaysia Smelting Corp to turn into metal in a process known as tolling. Tolling is used by traders that do not have smelting facilities but want to retain ownership of the metal, rather than sell it to a smelter.

"Malaysia Smelting Corp did not receive any containers with sand," MSC said in an emailed response.

Brazil accounted for 18,000 tonnes, or 6%, of last year's global tin production of 310,000 tonnes, U.S. Geological Survey figures show.

Tin concentrate from Brazil typically contains about 70% metal. With regional variations, tin concentrate also contains byproducts or impurities such as iron, antimony, bismuth, lead and silver.

(Reporting by Pratima Desai; editing by Veronica Brown, Barbara Lewis and Catherine Evans)
FILE PHOTO: Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks at the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. June 9, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake/File Photo

By Aram Roston and Joseph Tanfani

BOCA RATON, Florida (Reuters) - Ukrainian-American businessman Lev Parnas and his business partner were arrested in 2019, accused by the U.S. government of funneling a Russian oligarchs money into American political campaigns. One recipient of Parnas donations -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis -- has said he was barely an acquaintance.

The governor does not have a relationship with these individuals, DeSantis spokesperson at the time, Helen Aguirre Ferre, said in a statement on Oct. 10, 2019. Six days later, DeSantis told reporters that Parnas "was just like any other donor, nothing more than that.

But DeSantis and Parnas worked more closely together than the Republican governor has disclosed, according to a detailed account of their relationship Parnas provided to Reuters and 63 previously unreported text messages from DeSantis to Parnas between May and October 2018, as DeSantis campaigned for governor. A jury later found Parnas guilty of campaign finance crimes and other charges.

As DeSantis prepares to take a widely anticipated leap into the 2024 presidential campaign this week, the disclosures from Parnas cast new light on the Florida governors relationship with the businessman and the role Parnas played in helping DeSantis gain entree to the circle of former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis spokesman Dave Abrams did not respond to specific questions on the existence of the texts and Parnas account of their relationship. This is another recycled narrative that has been proven wrong many times over," he said. DeSantis gave back the contribution after Parnas ran into legal trouble.

The text messages reviewed by Reuters show that DeSantis frequently  in more than 20 texts  appealed to fellow Floridian Parnas for introductions, advice and other fundraising help during his hotly contested campaign for governor. Two sources close to DeSantis during his 2018 campaign confirmed the texters number belonged to DeSantis at that time.

The texts also reveal that Parnas served as an intermediary between DeSantis and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who at the time was the personal attorney of then-President Trump. In one case, 10 days before the 2018 election, DeSantis sent Parnas a text with suggested wording for a Giuliani tweet in support of his candidacy, the messages show.

Giuliani did not respond to questions sent through his attorney and his spokesman. Ferre, DeSantis former spokesperson, did not respond to requests for comment.

WE BECAME VERY FRIENDLY

Parnas, now 51, shot to prominence in 2019. He was a key figure in the events leading to Trumps first impeachment, working with Giuliani to gather damaging information on Democrat Joe Bidens son Hunter in Ukraine. Accused of withholding aid to Ukraine unless Kyiv investigated Biden, Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House of Representatives and charged with abuse of power. He was acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate.

A federal judge sentenced Parnas last year to 20 months in prison on a separate matter, defrauding investors in a sham company and illegally making donations to U.S. political candidates on behalf of Russian oligarch Andrey Muraviev. Muraviev has been charged in the case but is a fugitive. He declined to comment.

Even before his criminal case, Parnas had an unusual resume for a political rainmaker. After moving to Florida from New York in 1995, he worked for penny stock companies that ran into regulatory problems, according to public records. In 2016, a federal court in New York issued a $508,734 judgment against him for defrauding an individual whose family trust lent Parnas money for a movie, called Anatomy of an Assassin, according to the judges ruling. Parnas says he did nothing wrong in that case.

Parnas is serving out his sentence under house arrest. Wearing shorts and an ankle bracelet, he spoke with Reuters for several hours at his home in Boca Raton. Parnas says he now regrets his alliance with Giuliani and Trump, believing he was used. He said he shared the texts with Reuters because he feels betrayed by DeSantis, who he says stopped returning texts or calls once he won the governors race.

Parnas once considered DeSantis a close confidant, he said. We became very friendly.

In 2018, Parnas was a well-known figure in Trumps orbit, often seen with Giuliani. Parnas and his business partner, another Ukrainian American named Igor Fruman, would later pay Giuliani $500,000 for consultant work, Reuters has reported.

Parnas said he first met DeSantis on May 9, 2018, about three months before Republican primary elections in Florida. DeSantis, then a three-term U.S. Representative, was locked in a tight primary race for governor with Adam Putnam, Floridas then-commissioner of agriculture.

Ron DeSantis approached me at the Trump International Hotel and introduced himself, telling me that he was told to come meet me because I was very close with Donald Trump, Parnas said. Reuters could not establish who told DeSantis to meet with Parnas at the Washington D.C. hotel.

While Trump had already tweeted support for DeSantis the prior December, DeSantis wanted a formal endorsement by Trump ahead of the August primary. He told me he heard I was the guy to speak to because of my relationship with Trump, thats how he worded it, Parnas said.

Theres no evidence Parnas had any direct influence with Trump. A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.

But Parnas conferred frequently with Giuliani. At 9:49 p.m. that day in May 2018, DeSantis texted his cell phone and email addresses to Parnas, according to the messages reviewed by Reuters. Parnas replied by sending his own email address to DeSantis.

At their first meeting at the hotel, Parnas described himself as a bit standoffish with DeSantis because he hoped to launch a cannabis business and considered DeSantis hostile to legalized marijuana. In another meeting several days later, also at Trumps hotel, DeSantis told him he was not opposed to expanding medical marijuana use in Florida, Parnas said.

Reuters could not independently corroborate the hotel meetings. One frequent hotel patron, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he remembered seeing DeSantis and Parnas speaking together in the lobby that May or June. The hotel has since been sold.

Parnas said Dana Rohrabacher, a former Republican congressman from California, was present at the second meeting where Parnas said DeSantis discussed medical marijuana use. Rohrabacher told Reuters he does not recall the meeting or hearing DeSantis talk about marijuana. What do I remember from five years ago?

Parnas says after their second meeting, he told DeSantis that he would try to secure a formal Trump endorsement by promoting DeSantis with Giuliani. Parnas spoke with Giuliani the next day, recommending that he talk with DeSantis and back him, he said.

In July 2018, DeSantis publicly expressed support for medical marijuana.

MAKE SURE HE GIVES A LOT.

Within a week of their second meeting, DeSantis and Parnas began exchanging ideas and gossip about potential donors, the texts show. On May 29, 2018, DeSantis sent Parnas a text introducing his fundraising aide, Heather Barker, and enlisting Parnas help in lining up donors for events in Boca Raton and on Star Island, an exclusive community in Miami.

Let me know a good time this week to chat about logistics and date ideas, Barker texted Parnas.

Barker requested that Reuters email her questions for this report, but did not respond to the questions.

The next month, the texts show, DeSantis asked Parnas for advice on how to handle a potential major donor.

Would it be reasonable to ask him to donate $50K? DeSantis asked. I think he did six figures for Trump.

DeSantis had done his homework: The donor, South Florida roofing contractor Michael Trussell, had contributed $100,000 to a joint Trump-Republican Party fundraising committee in 2016, campaign records show.

Parnas replied by text that he would call DeSantis. On the phone, he told DeSantis that Trussell was an acquaintance and would indeed be good for about $50,000, Parnas said.

Ten days after that exchange, campaign finance records show, Trussells roofing firm donated $10,000 to DeSantis, and added another $13,000 before the 2018 election. The firm has contributed another $143,000 since, campaign finance records show.

Trussell said he met Parnas once at a Trump fundraiser but had no relationship with him, adding that DeSantis did not mention Parnas when he called seeking a campaign donation.

On the evening of June 5, DeSantis reached out to Parnas. Ill swing by Trump Hotel tonight, he said, before I go on Laura Ingraham  is that ok? Ingraham is a host on Fox News, the rightwing news and opinion channel. DeSantis appeared on her show that evening.

Perfect, Parnas texted back. Parnas said the two met at the hotel and discussed Giulianis support of DeSantis.

On June 21, 2018, Parnas company, Global Energy Producers, donated $50,000 to DeSantis campaign for governor. The company was unusual. Although incorporated in early 2018 as an energy investor, it never completed a single deal, according to the U.S. charges against Parnas.

After thanking Parnas for the contribution, DeSantis pushed him again to help land a big donor: Robert Pereira, president of construction firm Middlesex Corp. Parnas knew the businessman from past fundraisers in Florida.

Now lets bring Robert home! DeSantis wrote. Three weeks later, DeSantis added, Make sure he gives a lot.

Pereira later co-hosted a fundraiser for DeSantis with Parnas and his company donated $115,000 to DeSantis 2018 campaign, campaign finance records show. He declined to discuss Parnas with Reuters and did not respond to detailed questions.

IM GOING TO HAVE RUDY DO A TWEET

Political donations from Parnas company later emerged as part of the criminal case against Parnas and Muraviev, the Russian oligarch who federal authorities indicted for making illegal campaign contributions to boost a planned marijuana business.

Justice Department officials said Muraviev tried to influence the 2018 U.S. elections by plotting to send $1 million to candidates and campaigns, hoping to win favor for a cannabis business venture. It is illegal for foreign nationals to donate to American political campaigns.

Parnas said DeSantis had agreed to meet Muraviev and knew of the tycoon's ambitions to enter the cannabis business in Florida. The meeting, however, never happened.

Prosecutors did not specifically mention the $50,000 donation by Parnas company to DeSantis in their federal case.

But they said Parnass donations were part of a scheme that included circumventing campaign finance laws and soliciting money from a foreign national to win influence in Florida. There is no evidence that DeSantis knew of wrongdoing.

Parnas defrauded the American public with the foreign donor scheme and lied about the source of funds for political contributions, said a Justice Department statement after Parnas sentencing last year.

On June 22, 2018, Trump tweeted a strong formal endorsement for DeSantis. Ron is strong on Borders, tough on Crime & big on Cutting Taxes - Loves our Military & our Vets. He will be a Great Governor & has my full Endorsement!

Promoting Trumps support in his mail and TV ads, DeSantis opened a wide lead. On Aug. 28, he won the Republican primary.

But going into the general election, DeSantis was the underdog, trailing Democratic opponent Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, the first Black nominee for Florida governor. As a federal corruption investigation into Tallahassees government made headlines, threatening to torpedo Gillums prospects, Parnas sent DeSantis a text on Oct. 26, telling him, Im going to have Rudy do a tweet on Gillum.

He needs to hit him on his scandal, DeSantis texted back to Parnas. Can say as a prosecutor this would be an indictable case etc.

Parnas texted back a thumbs up emoji and wrote, Tomorrow.

The next day, Parnas texted DeSantis a picture of Giulianis tweet. It wasnt exactly what DeSantis suggested but did use the phrasing: As a former prosecutor and Mayor, I ask the people of my adopted State Florida to reject a Mayor with highest murder and crime rates in State

During the general election, Parnas attended rallies with DeSantis, taking Giulianis plane from one event to the next.

Big day my brother!!! We will win!!! Parnas texted on election day.

With Gillum weighed down by the corruption investigation, DeSantis eked out a narrow victory. Parnas was photographed hugging DeSantis that night at the victory party. A jury this month acquitted Gillum of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and failed to reach a verdict on charges that he pocketed campaign contributions. The remaining charges were dismissed last week.

Had the FBI not leaked their investigation, which ultimately  and correctly  ended up in an acquittal, there is no question that Andrew Gillum would be the Governor of Florida today, Gillums lawyers said in a statement. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment.

After the election, DeSantis quit responding to Parnas texts. By then, Parnas and his business partner, Fruman, were facing federal scrutiny over their political donations. After Parnas was indicted in October 2019, DeSantis returned his $50,000 donation to the U.S. government. Fruman pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges in 2021 and was sentenced last year to a year in prison.

A jury convicted Parnas of campaign finance crimes. He pleaded guilty to fraud related to his "Fraud Guarantee" business, which boasted it could insure people against fraud while defrauding its investors of more than $2 million, according to federal prosecutors.

Infuriated at being frozen out, Parnas claims that DeSantis reneged on a promise to give him a place on a gubernatorial transition committee. Finally, he said, DeSantis agreed to a private meeting in January 2019 at a jet terminal at West Palm Beach International Airport. He said DeSantis assured him that Im still his boy, even if he had to avoid associating with him in public.

Parnas said he subsequently spoke several times with DeSantis by phone, but they never resumed their close relationship. He says he remains angry at DeSantis.

Remember, he was my friend, Parnas said. I didnt just look at him as the governor - he was my friend.

(Reported by Aram Roston in Boca Raton, Florida, and Joseph Tanfani in Washington. Additional reporting by Maria Tsvetkova in New York. Editing by Jason Szep)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of FTX is seen at the entrance of the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida, U.S., November 12, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello/ File Photo

By Andrew Goudsward

(Reuters) - Law firm Fenwick & West has hired its own outside legal team as it faces scrutiny over its role advising now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, including from the company's indicted founder Sam Bankman-Fried.

Silicon Valley-founded Fenwick has turned to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as its advice becomes a focus of Bankman-Frieds criminal defense, according to court documents and sources familiar with the situation.

Nancy Hart and Kevin Rosen, leaders in Gibson Dunn's prominent law firm defense practice, are representing Fenwick on issues related to FTX, including in the Bankman-Fried criminal case and a federal class action lawsuit, sources said.

Spokespersons for Fenwick and Gibson Dunn declined to comment.

Fenwick, known for representing startups and technology clients, was a primary outside law firm advising FTX as it grew into one of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchanges before imploding in a rapid collapse last November. The firm also counseled Bankman-Frieds hedge fund Alameda Research, which is at the center of the criminal case against him.

Bankman-Fried is facing fraud, campaign finance and other charges after U.S. prosecutors said he stole billions in FTX customer funds to prop up the fledging Alameda hedge fund. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty and asked a judge to toss much of the indictment against him.

Bankman-Fried has sought a judges permission to subpoena documents from Fenwick that he claims will show he received legal advice on issues related to charges in the indictment, including the use of disappearing messaging apps and the need to register one of his entities with regulators.

The documents could bolster Bankman-Frieds defense by showing that he followed guidance from lawyers on certain issues and did not intend to break the law, Bankman-Frieds attorneys argued in a court filing.

Prosecutors have opposed the effort, arguing that the proposed subpoena does not identify specific evidence that could be used in court. Fenwick has not weighed in on the request.

Fenwick has also received subpoenas from federal law enforcement, according to a filing by FTX lawyers in its bankruptcy case, which noted that bankruptcy lawyers in January discussed the subpoenas with Fenwicks general counsel.

The contents of the government subpoenas are not public, but prosecutors have said in court filings that the documents Fenwick turned over do not relate to issues Bankman-Fried has raised in the criminal case.

Fenwick, one of at least four major law firms to advise FTX, is not the only firm to be targeted by Bankman-Fried. The one-time crypto billionaire has publicly clashed with New York firm Sullivan & Cromwell for its role steering the exchange into bankruptcy.

Fenwick is also named in a proposed class action lawsuit brought by an FTX customer alleging the firm helped set up entities Bankman-Fried used to commit fraud and advised on transactions that allowed FTX to skirt regulatory scrutiny.

Fenwick has not yet responded to the complaint. The case was transferred on Wednesday to a federal judge in Florida overseeing other lawsuits tied to the FTX collapse.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward)
By Louise Dalmasso

PARIS (Reuters) -A French robot that can dive to 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) underwater is on its way to help find a tourist submersible that vanished as it descended to the Titanic wreck and it could help free the sub if it is trapped, its operator said on Wednesday.

The unmanned robot, called Victor 6000, can dive deeper than other equipment now at the site in the North Atlantic and has arms that can be remotely controlled to cut cables or perform other manoeuvres to release a stuck vessel, the operator said.

The robot, which is aboard a French research vessel, is expected to arrive late on Wednesday, giving it a limited window to provide assistance before the Thursday morning deadline when the missing submersible's air supply is expected to run out.

"Victor is not capable of lifting the submarine up on its own," said Olivier Lefort, the head of naval operations at Ifremer, the state-run French ocean research institute which operates the robot.

But he told Reuters the robot could help hook the 10-tonne submersible called Titan to a ship with the capacity to lift it to the surface.

Titan went missing with five people on board shortly after starting its descent on Sunday to the Titanic, the British ocean liner that sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg. The wreck lies at a depth of about 12,500 feet (3,810 metres).

"Victor is able to do visual exploration with all the video equipment it has. It is also equipped with manipulating arms which could be used to extricate the sub, such as by sectioning cables or things that would be blocking it at the bottom," he said.

Ifremer was part of the team that located the wreck of the Titanic in 1985 with American underwater archaeologist Robert Ballard.

French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, who is reported to be among the five people inside the missing submersible, previously worked at Ifremer and piloted its flagship Nautile submarine that was used to examine the Titanic wreck.

Ifremer sent the Atalante ship with its robot at the request of the U.S. Navy. "This is the logic of seafarers. Our attitude was: We are close, we have to go," Lefort said.

The robot is operated by a 25-strong crew. "We can work non-stop for up to 72 hours, we don't need to stop at night," he said.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Canadian aircraft equipped to find submarines had detected noises in the area. U.S. media reported that those sounds included banging at 30-minute intervals.

"We don't know what happened. The noises that were heard give us hope the submarine is on the seabed and that people are still alive, but other scenarios are possible," Lefort said. "Even if hope is slim, we'll go all the way."

(Writing by Michel Rose; Editing by Edmund Blair)
By Sarah Marsh

BERLIN (Reuters) - The far-right Alternative for Germany said on Wednesday it intended to nominate a chancellor candidate for the first time for the 2025 election as it soars in the polls, a day after the domestic spy agency cautioned voters about backing the party.

Founded a decade ago, the AfD has surged to second place in opinion polls due to voter worries about recession, migration and the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, political analysts say.

The anti-establishment party is also benefiting from voter distrust in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's awkward three-party coalition that has spent much of the past few months fighting publicly over how to deal with these crises.

Support for the AfD is running at a record 19-20%, behind the opposition conservatives on 27-28% but ahead or on a par with Scholz's Social Democrats and well ahead of the two junior partners in his coalition.

Asked by broadcaster ntv if the AfD would name a chancellor candidate, party co-chief Alice Weidel said "of course, we would also nominate (one) without these polling numbers", side-stepping a question about whether she would present herself.

The likelihood of an AfD candidate becoming Germany's chancellor is very low currently given the party would need to be able to form a government and currently all other parties have ruled out working with it.

Still, the gesture of nominating a candidate would denote the ambition of the most successful far-right party in Germany since the Nazis, which is increasingly shaking up the political landscape of Europe's most populous country and largest economy.

That authorities are worried about the situation was highlighted on Tuesday, when the head of the domestic spy agency Thomas Haldenwang warned citizens that far-right extremism posed the biggest threat to German democracy and voters should bear this in mind before casting their ballot for the AfD.

Haldenwang said parts of the AfD membership had spread hate against minorities as well as disseminated anti-Semitic sentiment and pro-Russian narratives.

The AfD did not response to a request for comment on his statement. The party, which is under domestic spy agency surveillance, denies accusations of extremism.

Even if the AfD is unable to get into power, political analysts say, it is already forcing other parties more frequently into unwieldy coalitions by eating away at their popular support.

That is especially the case for the former Communist east of Germany which remains poorer than the rest of the country and where trust in democratic institutions is weaker.

The AfD is currently on track to winning the vote in all three east German states holding elections next year.

The party has in particular benefited from fierce infighting in Scholz's coalition, most lately over a new law on phasing out oil and gas heating systems that critics said would over-burden household finances.

"The stronger the crisis mood, the bigger the AfD's success," said Hans Vorlaender, director of a political research centre in Dresden. "And when you also have a population that doesn't trust the government anymore, it is easy game for the only really big opposition group that argues in a populist way."

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh; additional Reporting by Friederike Heine; editing by Mark Heinrich)
People carry the body of Khaled Sabah during his funeral in the West Bank city of Tubas, on June 20, 2023. Two Palestinian gunmen were shot and killed on Tuesday evening after launching a shooting attack that killed four Israelis near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. They were identified as Muhand Shada and Khaled Sabah, both from the village of Urif south of Nablus, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinian gunmen were shot and killed on Tuesday evening after launching a shooting attack that killed four Israelis near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

They were identified as Muhand Shada and Khaled Sabah, both from the village of Urif south of Nablus, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

In the afternoon, the two Palestinians armed with M16 rifles drove from Urif to a gas station outside the Jewish settlement of Eli, north of the West Bank city of Ramallah, and opened fire on Israelis in a restaurant there.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that four people were killed at the scene, while four others were injured, including one in critical condition.

The Palestinian Islamist Resistance Movement (Hamas) that rules the Gaza Strip said in a statement that the two gunmen were members of its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Tension between Israelis and the Palestinians has been flaring in the West Bank since January, following daily Israeli army raids on Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps to arrest Palestinians wanted by Israeli security forces.

On Monday, five Palestinians were killed and 91 others injured, including 23 in serious condition, after Israeli soldiers, backed by bulldozers and a helicopter, stormed the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

An Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that seven of its soldiers were lightly or moderately injured during the operation in Jenin. 
FILE PHOTO: Visitors cast their shadows past the logo of Google at the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, June 15, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

(Reuters) -Technology trade groups as well as Alphabet's Google have griped to the Federal Trade Commission about allegedly unfair business practices in the cloud, including by the industry's No. 2 by market share Microsoft.

The comments, which were due Wednesday, respond to a March request from the U.S. agency for information on security issues and competition in the lucrative market for data storage and computing power in the so-called cloud.

They also follow scrutiny worldwide, including a recent probe by Europe's antitrust authority into Microsoft's licensing agreements that allegedly discouraged rival cloud usage. Fees to take data out of various providers' clouds have also drawn industry criticism.

In one example of the public comments Tuesday, trade group NetChoice took aim at Microsoft and Oracle.

"Despite vibrant competition in the cloud industry, a few vendors use anticompetitive practices in order to entrench their position, most often by preventing customers from switching providers in search of lower costs, stronger service offerings, and more innovative solutions for their businesses," said NetChoice, whose members include market leader Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, Google and other smaller tech players.

Google echoed the sentiment in its own filing, saying that "licensing terms enforced by Microsoft, Oracle, and other legacy on-premises software providers distort competition in the cloud."

For instance, businesses that bought software from Microsoft for their own data centers face restrictions and surcharges when migrating those licenses to Microsoft's top cloud competitors, Google said, in line with comments it made previously. Amazon has made similar criticism.

Microsoft and Oracle did not immediately return Reuters requests for comment. Microsoft has updated some terms in response to the criticism and has said, for instance, that it is committed to a broader cloud community success, but rivals have called its changes insufficient.

The FTC declined to comment. The Information earlier reported Google's filing.

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar and Samrhitha Arunasalam in Bengaluru and by Jeffrey Dastin in Palo Alto, Calif.; Additional Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Christopher Cushing)
Friends and family mourn Harel Masood who was killed in a Palestinian shooting attack along with three other Israelis near the Jewish settlement of Eli, at his funeral in Yesodot, Israel June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

By Rami Amichay

SHILO SETTLEMENT, West Bank (Reuters) - Hundreds of mourners on Wednesday laid to rest an Israeli teenager shot dead a day earlier by Palestinian gunmen near a Jewish settlement, as months of tensions in the occupied West Bank again exploded into violence.

The family of Nachman Shmuel Mordoff described the 17-year-old as an energetic, smiling youth who loved animals and working the land. "God gave and God has taken away. Nachman, we love you," his father Haim said.

At a roadside restaurant where Tuesday's attack occurred, workers lit a memorial candle for the dead and placed it on a table draped with the Israeli flag. Four more people were wounded in the incident claimed by Islamist Hamas militants.

The death of Mordoff and three other Israelis in Tuesday's attacks brought the number of Israelis and foreigners killed by Palestinians since the beginning of 2023 to at least 25, amid a wave of violence over the past 15 months.

The funerals of two of the other Israeli victims, Harel Masood and Elisha Antman, were held late on Tuesday.

"He was here at the farm, he was here two days ago and three days ago he danced at a wedding," said Ariel Greenglick, from Kedar, a rural settlement in the West Bank, who attended Masood's funeral.

"And someone asked him if he would come back again today and he said that it would be his last time, that he wouldn't come. He didn't know what he was saying."

Around half a million Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, which is home to some 3 million Palestinians, in enclaves that most countries deem illegal. Israel disputes this, saying there are cultural, historical and religious ties to the land, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

In what appeared to be retaliation for the attack, groups of armed Jewish settlers went on a violent rampage in Palestinian towns in the West Bank, torching dozens of cars and buildings, residents and local officials said.

A statement from Achiya, the settlement outpost where Mordoff's family lives, urged the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to protect them.

"At this difficult time, we expect and demand the government take responsibility for our safety and act in order to defeat the enemy trying to hurt us every day, every hour," it said.

As the bloodshed has escalated over the past year, the Israeli military has mounted regular sweeps in flashpoint cities like Jenin and Nablus, making hundreds of arrests and clashing frequently with militant fighters.

At least 174 Palestinians, most of them militants though several of them civilians, have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year.

U.S.-brokered peace talks aimed at establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza - all taken by Israel in the 1967 war - broke down in 2014 and no revival is on the horizon.

(Reporting by Nir Elias, Rami Amichay, Maayan Lubell and Emily Rose; Editing by James Mackenzie and Mark Heinrich)
Relatives of a victim of the deadly prison riot at the Centro Femenino de Adaptacion Social (CEFAS) women's prison carry her casket at a morgue in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez

By Gustavo Palencia

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - On Sunday, in their final telephone conversation, Paola Yamileth told her cousin she feared for her life: "I feel death here and I am afraid they are going to kill me."

Two days after that call, Paola, 26, and her mother, Belinda, 46, were among the at least 46 women killed in a violent clash between gangs at the Honduran prison where they were both incarcerated.

Marlene Hernandez, Paola's cousin, recalled the phone call as she stood outside an overrun morgue in Honduras' capital city, Tegucigalpa, on Wednesday.

Aida Portillo, Belinda's aunt, identified their bodies at the morgue.

Both had been shot, she said.

Portillo and Hernandez were among dozens of distraught relatives who gathered in the street in front of the morgue seeking information on loved ones, hoping their worst fears would not be confirmed.

"I did not think it could be true," Portillo said. "This situation is hard for the whole family."

Some families will have to wait longer for closure. A spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office said DNA tests needed to identify bodies burned in the prison could take three weeks.

Police said Tuesday's deadly incident began when inmates belonging to the notorious Barrio 18 gang opened fire on members of rival gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13).

Portillo did not say whether her loved ones were gang-affiliated, but told Reuters they had both been convicted on drug dealing charges.

Mother Belinda was about one year in to a seven-year sentence, while daughter Paola was just a few months into a six-year sentence.

Before their arrests, the two lived separately in El Reparto, a poor neighborhood on the hilly outskirts of Tegucigalpa where gangs like Barrio 18 and MS-13 command more power than authorities.

Tuesday's explosion of violence came six months into a security crackdown in Honduras in which the government has suspended some constitutional rights and allowed security forces to detain people who they consider are associated with crime.

The Central American nation has a history of deadly prison incidents, with 18 inmates reportedly killed in a gang fight in a penitentiary in 2019, and more than 350 dying in a fire in 2012.

"We knew that prisons in Honduras are dangerous, but I never thought that they would die serving their sentences and in that way," said Portillo.

(Reporting by Gustavo Palencia; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by David Gregorio)
FILE PHOTO: A man walks past the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, U.S., May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund is encouraged by the progress in discussions between Zambia and its official creditors, and an agreement could be reached "within a few days," the fund said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We are very encouraged by the significant progress being made in discussions between official creditors and Zambia on a potential debt treatment," a spokesperson for the fund wrote.

"We expect an agreement could be reached within a few days, which would allow the Executive Board consider the first review of the Fund-supported program within a few weeks."

The IMF said in early April that the next $188 million payout from a $1.3 billion support loan to Zambia was contingent on the government's reaching an agreement with its creditors.

Zambia's hopes of restructuring about $12.8 billion of external debt have been hampered by the concerns of its main creditors about the required scale of relief.

(Reporting by Rodrigo Campos and Rachel Savage; Editing by Leslie Adler)
FILE PHOTO: People hold a sign as they gather to show their support to Burkina Faso's new military leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador at the Place de la Nation in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Vi

By John Irish, Elizabeth Pineau and Bate Felix

PARIS/DAKAR (Reuters) - After armed men killed nine Chinese nationals at a gold mine in Central African Republic in March, a video circulated on the internet saying France had secretly ordered the attack and planned to discredit Russian mercenary group Wagner in the country.

In the video, a Central African Republic rebel fighter says "the French want to drive Wagner out of Africa".

The clip rang alarm bells in Paris at a media monitoring unit within the foreign ministry created last year as part of a broad diplomatic strategy to revive ties in France's former African colonies after years of waning influence.

The foreign ministry said the unit quickly traced the video to a cluster of Facebook and Twitter accounts with links to Russian disinformation, including from Wagner - an outfit close to the Kremlin that has troops in Ukraine and has fought on the side of several governments in Africa.

The video was an example of a growing Russian influence campaign that amplifies criticisms of France and presents Moscow as an ally in Central and West Africa, two diplomats at France's foreign ministry said. The ministry denied any French role in the mine attack.

Wagner, the Kremlin and the government of Central African Republic did not respond to requests for comment for this story. The perpetrators of the attack have not been caught and Reuters was not able to determine who was behind it.

Russian propaganda has found fertile ground in Africa among grievances over France's decades-old track record of military intervention and heavy-handed diplomacy, officials said.

Reuters spoke to more than a dozen French officials who described France's increasingly urgent efforts to counter Moscow's influence, which Paris believes undermines a long-term diplomatic effort aimed at overcoming the past and how it is perceived in Africa.

Operating from the ornate 19th century halls of the foreign ministry in the Quai D'Orsay in Paris, a team of 20 diplomats, ex-journalists, data analysts and media watchers typed away at their computers with televisions in the background when Reuters visited the unit in April.

In coordination with the French state's service for Vigilance and Protection against Foreign Digital Interference (Viginum), the unit has mapped about 100 Russian- or Wagner-linked accounts putting out anti-French content, according to the two diplomats, who are involved in the initiative and requested anonymity to speak freely. Reuters was not able to independently confirm details of the accounts.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told parliament this month that anti-French sentiment in Africa could partly be blamed on "hostile actors, coming notably from Russia".

Russia and Wagner have a track record of media manipulation and disinformation, which Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has admitted to. The European Union sanctioned Wagner in February for alleged rights abuses and spreading disinformation, including in Africa.

However, not all anti-French feeling in Africa can be blamed on Moscow. French military campaigns have caused civilian deaths, and many critical social media accounts reflect genuine concerns over France's outsized role in African affairs.

Some criticisms "are true", French President Emmanuel Macron told Reuters in Kinshasa at the end of a four-day central African tour in March, referring to the allegation France had continued to carry colonial attitudes even after independence in West Africa.

"We are no longer there to be the substitute for a coup d'etat or a failing political process," Macron said.

In May, Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said France had been interfering in African nations' internal affairs for decades, toppling leaders it objected to and building "a neo-colonial system of influence". In contrast, she said, Russia did not interfere in other countries' affairs.

The new media monitoring unit differs from a previous French effort, revealed by Facebook-owner Meta in 2020, that fought back online against Wagner-linked networks with fake accounts of its own.

The foreign ministry unit doesnt promote or generate fake news, the two diplomats said.

WITHDRAWAL

The media monitoring unit emerged last July, the same month that France withdrew thousands of troops from Mali, a former colony in West Africa. A similar pull-out followed in neighbouring Burkina Faso at the start of this year - steps prompted in part by military coups and the presence of Wagner mercenaries in the region.

The military pullback was a significant failure for Macron and strengthened Moscow's presence at a time the West was seeking to contain Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. It also dealt a setback to Western efforts to counter Islamist insurgents in the Sahel region.

After the withdrawals, the onslaught of anti-French content on social media and messenger apps continued: amplifying pro-Russian videos, animation and memes, and often spreading distorted or untrue stories, according to the two diplomats and four others.

This trend coincided with the expulsion of French news networks by the new military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso and local media tie-ups with Russia Today and other Russian state media ejected from Europe in the wake of the invasion in Ukraine. The war has reopened diplomatic fault lines between the West and Russia present in Africa since the Cold War.

"FAKE NEWS"

The video following the murder of the Chinese nationals was one of about 50 since November that have kept the unit busy identifying the source of material, fact-checking and responding when needed.

Highlighting the scale of the problem, on June 13, France said it had uncovered a mass Russian-linked disinformation campaign targeting the foreign ministry and French media, involving some of the same accounts and actors seen in its Africa monitoring activities. Russia did not publicly respond to the allegation.

The new team shares its information with embassies, other French ministries, intelligence agencies and France's media regulator.

In many cases, including the Central African Republic video, the unit advises against responding directly, especially when the content does not appear to be gaining much traction.

Other times, it identifies which users are most active and takes the information to social media companies including Facebook and Twitter, alerting them to trolls and fake accounts, two of the diplomats said.

Sometimes, its work helps the French state respond. When a video titled "French humiliation" emerged in December 2022 showing a man falsely portrayed as a French envoy being expelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the unit prepared a point-by-point response showing that the man was not a French diplomat.

Days later, the French embassy in Kinshasa issued the response in a series of statements to local and foreign media. Anne-Sophie Ave, then ambassador for French public diplomacy in Africa, reacted on Twitter, calling it "fake news": "the gentleman in the video is not our ambassador to the DRC".

PRIGOZHIN

The Central African Republic video bore the hallmarks of activities carried out by Project Lakhta, a Russian influence operation financed by Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, two of the French officials said.

Prigozhin said in February he created the Internet Research Agency, a Project Lakhta troll farm, to fight back against what he called the West's anti-Russian propaganda.

The video alleging French involvement in the murder of Chinese citizens first emerged on the Facebook page Sango Ti Be-Afrika, the officials said.

Sango Ti Be-Afrika had previously been identified by Viginum as a conduit for Project Lakhta disinformation targeting France, the officials said. The video was then posted on Twitter by two military analysts who the officials described as proxies for Project Lakhta and who frequently post pro-Wagner content, they said.

U.S. military intelligence documents leaked online earlier this year and reviewed by Reuters allege that a Prigozhin employee who also works for Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadera had in February proposed an anti-West influence campaign in the country, where Russia now has nearly 2,000 military trainers.

Reuters could not determine if that campaign was carried out. The Central African government and Prigozhin did not respond to questions about the allegations in the U.S. documents.

Meta removed the Sango ti Be-Africa after Reuters questions about the page. Meta said the page was taken down under its rules against recidivism because the owner had previously been removed from its platforms. Reuters was not able to identify representatives of Sango ti Be-Africa for comment. Twitter did not respond to a request for comment.

Meta publishes reports on its actions against networks that show government interference. This year it has removed such networks in Burkina Faso and Togo. In 2020, it suspended networks connected to individuals associated with past activity by the Internet Research Agency, ahead of an election in Central African Republic, according to a statement on its website.

CLUMSINESS

Since completing the withdrawal from Mali in 2022 and Burkina Faso in 2023, and as part of its new diplomatic push, France says it has been reshaping its military presence in the region to adopt a more collaborative approach.

It has also pushed an economic, cultural and social action plan first promoted by Macron when he came to power in 2017, and has been vocal about the scale of the support, which dwarfs Russian aid.

However, the foreign ministry unit, and the broader strategy, will face an uphill battle to convince people in Africa that France has changed, seven analysts and diplomats said.

"They basically lost the communication war" because of the degree of cynicism and mistrust about France's intentions, said Michael Shurkin, Director of Global Programs at 14 North Strategies, a business consultancy focused on Africa.

An ongoing sense that France backs its preferred candidates still rankles with some politicians.

"I'm not saying Macron is arrogant towards Africa, but there's a lot of clumsiness", Jean Gaspard Ntoutoume Ayi, vice president of National Union, an opposition Gabonese party, said in Libreville.

Elections in Senegal in 2024 and Ivory Coast in 2025, will test the effectiveness of the new initiatives, with anti-French media content expected to increase, foreign ministry officials said.

"If people don't agree they must be able to express themselves," said a French official involved in the Africa strategy.

"You have to distinguish what is in the public debate and what is manipulation. Then you need to explain, explain, explain".

(Reporting by John Irish and Elizabeth Pineau in Paris, Bate Felix in Dakar; Additional reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
FILE PHOTO: The company logo is seen on the Micron Technology Inc. offices in Shanghai, China May 25, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

By Aftab Ahmed, Trevor Hunnicutt and Aditya Kalra

NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -India's cabinet has approved U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology's $2.7 billion plan for a new semiconductor testing and packaging unit, a senior government source said on Tuesday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the U.S.

The government agreed production-linked incentives worth 110 billion rupees ($1.34 billion) for the plant, which is set to be built in Modi's home state of Gujarat, the Indian official added. He declined to be identified ahead of a planned announcement during Modi's visit.

Cabinet approval was required due to the size of the incentive package, the source added. Micron's plan had been previously reported but not the approval by cabinet.

Spokespeople for Micron and the Indian government, including its technology ministry, did not respond to requests for comment.

During his visit, which starts on Tuesday, Modi will meet the chief executives of a number of top American companies, including FedEx and MasterCard, and will be hosted at a state dinner in the White House on June 22.

Micron Technology's plans come as the White House presses U.S. chip companies to invest in India with talks ongoing about possible further investments, U.S. administration officials told Reuters.

Biden wants domestic companies to decrease the risks of doing business in China while better integrating the U.S. economy with that of the world's largest democracy, one U.S. official said.

A senior Biden administration official said the White House was "encouraged" by the number of U.S. firms considering India investments.

China in May said Micron had failed a security review and barred operators of key domestic infrastructure from purchasing products from the United State's biggest memory chipmaker, angering the Biden administration. The U.S. Commerce Department declined to comment.

An Indian industry source familiar with Micron's approvals said the so-called Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging will be built in the city of Sanand.

Such units test and pack semiconductor chips, but do not manufacture them. Micron could procure and package chip for clients at the plant, or other companies could send their chips for testing before shipping.

The source added that Micron's India plant would boost Modi's vision of making India a semiconductor base but true success would require actual manufacturing.

Reuters reported this month that three big companies, including a Foxconn joint venture, that bid for Indian semiconductor incentives were struggling due to the lack of a technology partner.

The Micron deal "helps the vision but not in a phenomenal way because still the major part of puzzle lies in setting India as a semiconductor base," said the industry source.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra, Aftab Ahmed and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Conor Humphries and David Goodman)
FILE PHOTO: A private security guard stands at the exit gate of the headquarters of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Mumbai, India October 13, 2016. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade/File Photo

BENGALURU (Reuters) -India's top IT services provider Tata Consultancy Services said on Wednesday that it has signed a new contract worth 840 million pounds ($1.1 billion) with British pension scheme Nest for an initial tenure of 10 years.

The contract, to help Nest transform its administration services, if extended to the entirety of its 18-year tenure would be worth 1.5 billion pounds, TCS said in a statement.

The deal comes at a time when Indian IT services companies are facing demand challenges in their key markets, the United States and Europe, where clients have cut spends amid worries about recession.

TCS and Nest have been working together since 2011.

Last week, TCS mutually terminated a $2 billion contract with insurance provider Transamerica, citing reasons that include a challenging macro environment.

Investors now await an updated view from India's IT companies which are due to report their quarterly results next month after they flagged uncertain demand environment in April.

In response to the slowdown, the companies are slashing hiring and getting projects done with existing workers, a rare pullback that could weigh on the country's economy.

TCS shares are up 2.1% so far this year, underperforming nearly 4% gains in broader Nifty 50 index.

($1 = 0.7844 pounds)

(Reporting by Sethuraman NR in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
FILE PHOTO: The Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organisation's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, June 5, 2023. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran met in Qatar with European Union mediator Enrique Mora as part of efforts to revive its 2015 nuclear pact with world powers, as Tehran and Washington seek to cool tensions with a mutual "understanding" to help end the deadlock.

Having failed to revive the deal in indirect talks that have stalled since September, Iranian and Western officials have met repeatedly in recent weeks to sketch out steps that could curb Iran's fast advancing nuclear work, free some U.S. and European detainees held in Iran and unfreeze some Iranian assets abroad.

"(I) had a serious and constructive meeting with Mora in Doha. We exchanged views and discussed a range of issues including negotiations on sanctions lifting," Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani said on Twitter, without elaborating.

Mora tweeted that the Doha talks were "intense" and had touched on "a range of difficult bilateral, regional and international issues, including the way forward on the JCPOA" - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the nuclear deal is officially called.

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said the bloc was "keeping diplomatic channels open, including through this meeting in Doha, to address all issues of concern with Iran".

Bagheri Kani said last week that he had met his British, German and French counterparts in the United Arab Emirates to discuss "a range of issues and mutual concerns".

The 2015 agreement limited Irans disputed uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for Tehran to develop the means to produce nuclear weapons, in return for a lifting of international sanctions against Tehran.

But then-U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the pact in 2018, calling it too lenient on Iran, and reimposed sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

Tehran responded by gradually moving well beyond the pact's restrictions on enrichment, rekindling U.S., European and Israeli fears that it might be seeking an atomic bomb.

The Islamic Republic has long denied seeking to weaponise the enrichment process, saying it seeks nuclear energy only for civilian uses.

The meeting between Bagheri and Mora in Qatar's capital Doha came days after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last say on all state matters such as the nuclear dossier, said a new nuclear deal with the West was possible.

(Additional reporting by Sabine Siebold in Berlin; writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by Jon Boyle and Mark Heinrich)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel plans 1,000 new homes for Eli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday, calling this a response to a Palestinian gun attack there that killed four people.

Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich "agreed to move ahead immediately" with the planning, the statement said, without giving further details on the timetable. The United States has cautioned Israel against new settlement projects.

(Writing by Dan Williams)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Israeli military killed three Palestinians on Wednesday, Palestinian officials said, in what the military said was a drone strike on a vehicle carrying a militant squad that was suspected of committing attacks.

The rare use of a drone by the military in the occupied West Bank occurred a day after four Israelis were killed in a deadly shooting in what was apparent retaliation for a military raid on Monday when Israeli security forces killed seven Palestinians.

"IDF soldiers identified a terrorist cell inside a suspicious vehicle, after the cell carried out a shooting adjacent to the town of Jalamah," a statement from the Israeli military said. "Following the identification of the terrorist cell, an IDF UAV fired toward the cell and thwarted them."

In an apparent shift in tactic, Monday's raid also included the rare use of a helicopter to push back militant fighters on the ground as military vehicles came under fire and needed to be extracted. Drones and aerial devices are integrated in Israeli military activity in the West Bank but are generally used for intelligence and surveillance.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said what he called the "assassination crime" would not go unpunished.

"The use of planes by the Zionist army to assassinate our people is a grave escalation," said by telephone.

An Israeli military spokesman said 2006 was the last time "this kind of thwarting" was used involving a drone.

A statement from the Jenin Brigades, which includes militants from different Palestinian factions, said two of the men killed belonged to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group and one was from the Fatah group.

The Islamic Jihad said Israel must now await "punishment" after its "foolish act to target three of our fighters by drones and detaining their bodies," in a statement.

(Reporting by Emily Rose, Ali Sawafta, Nidal Al-Mughrabi; Editing by Grant McCool and Alistair Bell)
A Palestinian looks at the burnt-down cars in a village near the West Bank city of Nablus, June 21, 2023. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and their properties in the northern West Bank on Tuesday night to retaliate for a Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis hours earlier, in another move that might fuel the simmering Israeli-Palestinian tensions. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and their properties in the northern West Bank on Tuesday night to retaliate for a Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis hours earlier, in another move that might fuel the simmering Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

In the northern West Bank town of Huwara, several cars and olive trees owned by Palestinians were torched by Jewish settlers, and gunshots were heard in the area, the Hebrew-language Channel 13 TV news reported.

Around 50 settlers rallied near the Tapuah junction, north of the settlement of Eli, where two Palestinian gunmen shot and killed four Israelis at a gas station hours earlier. Another group of settlers hurled stones at a Palestinian truck driver and sprayed him with tear gas, reported the Israeli media.

Video footage on social media platforms showed black smoke rising from several locations in Huwara.

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed to Xinhua that settlers gathered at the entrance to the town of Beit Furik near Huwara in an attempt to enter the town. Israeli soldiers were dispatched to the scene to disperse the gathering.

About four months ago, hundreds of Israeli settlers raided Huwara and other Palestinian villages nearby in a late-night rampage, setting the town ablaze, leaving one Palestinian civilian dead and about 100 others injured. The incident marked the most severe spasm of settler violence in the West Bank in decades.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the scene of the shooting attack, urging the government to launch a large-scale military campaign in the West Bank.

"Another shooting and yet another one. We're like a sitting duck," Ben-Gvir said in a statement. He called on the Israeli Cabinet to "go on a wide military operation and resume the policy of targeted assassinations in the West Bank."

Ben-Gvir, a settler and the leader of the ultranationalist party Jewish Power, urged the Israeli army to take down Palestinian attackers' buildings and impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of attacking Israelis.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich and Minister of National Missions Orit Strook, both from the far-right Religious Zionism party, also visited the site of the attack and called for a wide-scale offensive.

The military said it has sent three more battalions to the West Bank due to the recent escalation of tensions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant convened a security assessment in the Central Command headquarters in Tel Aviv with the army's chief-of-staff, the director of the Shin Bet internal security service, and other senior officials.

"I would like to remind all those who seek to harm us: All options are open," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

On Tuesday afternoon, two Palestinians armed with M16 rifles drove from the Palestinian village of Urif in the northern West Bank to a gas station outside the Jewish settlement of Eli, north of the Palestinian city of Ramallah. They first stormed a hummus restaurant, shooting and killing three people, before returning to the gas station, where they killed another person, according to a statement released by the Israeli army.

One gunman was shot dead by an Israeli passerby at the gas station and the other was killed in a pursuit. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari told the press that the two gunmen were members of Hamas, an armed Palestinian movement and political party that rules the Gaza Strip.

The attack came a day after Israeli forces, supported by a rare use of an attack helicopter, killed six Palestinians and injured at least 90 others, in an hours-long gunbattle in Jenin in the northern West Bank.

The West Bank was seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Despite international criticism, Israel has maintained control over the territory, where the Palestinians wish to establish their future state. 

This photo taken on June 21, 2023 shows the burnt-down cars in a village near the West Bank city of Nablus. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and their properties in the northern West Bank on Tuesday night to retaliate for a Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis hours earlier, in another move that might fuel the simmering Israeli-Palestinian tensions. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 21, 2023 shows the burnt-down cars in a village near the West Bank city of Nablus. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and their properties in the northern West Bank on Tuesday night to retaliate for a Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis hours earlier, in another move that might fuel the simmering Israeli-Palestinian tensions. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

A Palestinian checks his damaged shop in a village near the West Bank city of Nablus, June 21, 2023. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and their properties in the northern West Bank on Tuesday night to retaliate for a Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis hours earlier, in another move that might fuel the simmering Israeli-Palestinian tensions. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
An aerial view shows burned vehicles after an attack by Israeli settlers near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

By Ali Sawafta

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - An Israeli drone killed three militant gunmen in the West Bank on Wednesday, in a rare strike that came hours after settlers attacked Palestinian towns, torching cars and buildings in retaliation for an attack by Hamas gunmen a day earlier.

The strike near the flashpoint city of Jenin came amid a surge in violence over recent days in the occupied West Bank, where for over a year the military has been conducting regular sweeps leading to repeated clashes with Palestinian fighters.

The Israeli military (IDF) said a squad of militants was identified in a vehicle after they carried out a shooting attack near the town of Jalamah.

A statement by the Islamic Jihad militant group said two of the men were Islamic Jihad fighters while the third was from the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades armed wing of the Fatah movement.

Although surveillance drones are commonplace, the strike by an Elbit Hermes drone, which followed a rare use of helicopter gunships in the operation in Jenin, was the first by the Israeli military in the West Bank since 2006, the IDF said.

"This is about removing a threat - we identified a vehicle shooting at the crossing and removed the threat," IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a tweet.

Hours earlier, Israeli settlers rampaged through Palestinian towns in the West Bank in retaliation for the killing of four Israelis by Hamas gunmen who opened fire on a roadside restaurant near the settlement of Eli.

In Turmus Ayya, a prosperous town near Ramallah, footage showed cars ablaze with thick clouds of black smoke swirling above and people carrying an injured person to an ambulance.

"They tried to enter the courtyard, they set the cars on fire, they started shooting towards the house using live bullets and stones and they broke the balconies," said resident Noman Shalab.

The IDF said troops had entered Turmus Ayya to put out fires and prevent clashes and it said the Israeli civilians had left the town.

"We will not accept any provocations to the police or the security forces in these places or anywhere else," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

One Palestinian was shot dead during the attack while at least one other was critically injured, Palestinian health officials said.

Residents of a number of other Palestinian towns reported settler attacks after the killings and senior ministers in Netanyahu's government called for a full-scale military operation across the West Bank.

Yaqoub Oweis, chairman of the village council of Al-Lubban Al-Sharqeya near Ramallah, said Israeli soldiers and police stood by as a large group of settlers burned a petrol station, orchards, a cement factory and dozens of cars.

"The attack was unprecedented and abnormal," he said. "There was heavy gunfire but we couldn't distinguish whether it came from settlers or the soldiers because of the darkness."

'WE NEED TO FLATTEN BUILDINGS'

The U.S. condemned the settler violence and called "for Israeli authorities to immediately stop the violence, protect U.S. and Palestinian civilians, and prosecute those responsible."

Both Egypt and Jordan, which have diplomatic relations with Israel, condemned the attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned all acts of violence against civilians, "including acts of terror," deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.

"It is crucial to reduce tensions and to prevent further escalation. Israel, as the Occupying Power, must ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence, and that perpetrators are held to account," Haq said.

Even as the settler attacks took place, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, from one of the hard-right parties in Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition, led calls for tougher action against Palestinian militants.

"We need a military operation, we need to flatten buildings, we need targeted killings," he told parliament on Wednesday. "That's how you act against terrorism."

Some other ministers played down the demand for additional measures. "There's no need for any new decisions, only adaptation of existing ones," Energy Minister Israel Katz, a member of the government Security Cabinet, told Army Radio.

Netanyahu's office said Israel planned to add 1,000 new homes to the Eli settlement, defying international calls for a halt to new settlement projects.

Palestinians have complained repeatedly of attacks by settlers in the West Bank, an issue that has also drawn mounting international concern.

There has been no sign of any new effort to find a political solution, however. U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, aimed at establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, collapsed in 2014.

Netanyahu's government includes members who rule out a Palestinian state while Hamas, which advocates armed resistance against Israel, has been steadily expanding its operations in the West Bank.

Monday's military arrest raid in Jenin, the apparent trigger for the killing of the four Israelis, touched off hours of fighting with heavily armed Palestinian militants. Seven Palestinians died, more than 90 were wounded and seven Israeli personnel were wounded.

So far this year, 174 Palestinians, most of them militants but several of them civilians, have been killed by Israeli forces. At the same time, 24 Israelis and one foreigner have been killed in attacks by Palestinians in the West Bank, around Jerusalem and in some Israeli cities.

(Writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie; editing by Mark Heinrich, Philippa Fletcher and Lincoln Feast)
By Giulio Piovaccari

MILAN (Reuters) - Pirelli investor Brembo is worried about strains between the tyremaker's Italian and Chinese shareholders and is likely to steer clear of any plan to build an Italian majority in the company, two sources told Reuters.

Last week, the Italian government intervened in a shareholder governance agreement at Pirelli, using so-called "golden power" legislation designed to protect key national assets.

Rome's move will limit the influence of its largest investor, China's Sinochem which has a 37% stake.

Brembo, which has a 6% stake in the Formula One tyremaker has its own shareholder agreement with fellow investor Camfin, the investment vehicle of Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera, who has led the company since 1992.

The brake maker had been seen by analysts as a building block in an alternative group of Italian shareholders for the company.

But concerns over the potential impact on its business in China could mean it keeps out of the fray.

"Brembo has zero interest to get involved in a fight against Sinochem," said one source, who declined to be named as the matter is confidential.

China is the third-largest market for Bergamo-based Brembo, after the United States and Germany. Its operations there include four production sites and a joint venture with local partner Gold Phoenix to make brake pads.

Although Camfin owns only 14.1% of the company, its grip has tightened as a result of the measures imposed by the Rome government.

Another source said Brembo's management has followed recent developments at Pirelli with great attention and wanted to have a "very cautious stance on it".

"If China should somehow retaliate, it wouldn't be just Brembo to suffer, but the whole Italian economy," the source said, referring to the extensive business interests of Italian companies in China.

Carlo Alberto Carnevale Maffe, a strategy professor at Bocconi University's School of Management said Italian businesses can no longer do without China, which has become one of the world's largest markets, including in automotive.

"Avoid waking up the dragon and protect your IP: that's the very first thing to do for Italian companies operating in China," he said.

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON

Analysts have speculated about a possible long-term plan to merge Brembo and Pirelli, two of Italy's largest components suppliers in the automotive industry.

Pirelli has a market cap of around 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion), broadly in line with 4.8 billion euros for Brembo.

Brembo on Tuesday announced plans to move its legal headquarters to the Netherlands to strengthen its loyalty share scheme in a move aimed at increasing M&A opportunities.

The timing of that announcement and the current turmoil at Pirelli sparked market fears that Brembo could get more deeply involved with the tyremaker, sending its shares down 6.5%.

However, a third source said Brembo's management was worried by Tronchetti Provera's strategy to take on Sinochem head on.

"They've got much to lose in case of a Chinese retaliation," the source said. "I doubt they will buy more Pirelli shares, at least not in the short term."

($1 = 0.9161 euros)

(This story has been refiled to correct the CEO's name in paragraph 18)

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; editing by Keith Weir and Sharon Singleton)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019. New York State Division of Criminal Justice

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase said the U.S. Virgin Islands gave Jeffrey Epstein more than $300 million in tax incentives and waived sex offender monitoring requirements, shielding the disgraced late financier as he gave cash and gifts to top officials.

In a Tuesday night court filing, the largest U.S. bank also described how Epstein allegedly paid law enforcement entities such as the Virgin Islands Police Department.

The newly unredacted filing is part of JPMorgan's effort to show that the U.S. Virgin Islands, including former first lady Cecile de Jongh, "actively facilitated" Epstein's sexual abuse of young women and teenage girls.

JPMorgan is defending in Manhattan federal court against the territory's lawsuit filed in December over its relationship with Epstein, a client from 1998 to 2013.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two neighboring islands, has accused JPMorgan of facilitating Epstein's crimes by providing banking services, and enabling him to pay victims.

"JPMorgan Chase is the only party to this lawsuit that had real-time knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's human trafficking operation," Venetia Velazquez, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general, said in a statement.

"The evidence disclosed so far suggests the bank chose to prioritize its profits over protecting victims."

U.S. Virgin Islands police "never received a single complaint" about Epstein's sex trafficking and would have investigated complaints, a person familiar with the territory's law enforcement practices said. The person lacked authority to discuss those practices publicly.

Neither the police department nor de Jongh immediately responded to requests for comment.

JPMorgan agreed last week to pay $290 million to settle a lawsuit by dozens of Epstein's accusers, pending court approval.

Epstein died by suicide at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

EPSTEIN'S 'BONA FIDE' RESIDENCY

JPMorgan had described a "quid pro quo" relationship between Epstein and U.S. Virgin Islands officials such as de Jongh, whose husband, John, served as governor from 2007 to 2015.

The bank has said Cecile de Jongh managed Epstein's local companies for eight years and helped arrange visas for some victims, in exchange for Epstein providing a salary, bonuses and tuition for her children's schools.

Tuesday's filing described Epstein's Financial Trust Co, also known as Southern Trust Co, receiving $219.8 million in tax benefits from the U.S. Virgin Islands between 1999 and 2012, and $80.6 million between 2013 and 2018.

In connection with some benefits, the bank said Cecile de Jongh certified in 2009 that Epstein was a "bona fide resident," despite his then serving a 13-month sentence following his 2008 guilty plea to a Florida prostitution charge.

JPMorgan also said the territory waived restrictions on Epstein's ability to travel, despite his sex offender status.

It said the territory's Department of Justice on multiple occasions did not make timely notifications of Epstein's status under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, "something Epstein even personally brought up with USVI DOJ."

The bank also said "Epstein was often not present" when the territory checked up on him at his home.

JPMorgan's latest disclosures followed Monday's release by the U.S. Virgin Islands of a 22-page document prepared by the bank in late 2019 after Epstein's death.

The document described Epstein's ties to former JPMorgan private banking chief Jes Staley, including dozens of personal messages between them, and messages involving other bank officials.

JPMorgan has sued Staley, and wants him liable for damages it might owe in the accusers' and U.S. Virgin Islands' lawsuits.

Staley left JPMorgan in 2013, and later spent six years as Barclays' chief executive.

He has expressed regret for his friendship with Epstein and repeatedly denied knowing about his crimes.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler, Gerry Doyle and Deepa Babington)
LONDON (Reuters) -A man has been arrested after two people were stabbed at a London hospital on Wednesday in an incident which is not currently being treated as terror-related, British police said.

Armed police responded to the incident at Central Middlesex Hospital after being called at 13.18pm (1218 GMT) and found two people with stab injuries. Police said one of those had life-threatening injuries.

"Police arrested a man outside the hospital," London's Metropolitan police said in a statement, adding he was also being treated for life-threatening injuries which they believed to be self-inflicted.

"Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related."

The hospital was temporarily locked down but has now reopened, police said, adding that officers would remain in the hospital while further searches are carried out but they were satisfied they were not seeking any further suspects.

The London Ambulance Service said it had sent several resources to the scene including an incident response officer, ambulance crew and air ambulance.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by William James)
FILE PHOTO: Elvira Nabiullina, Governor of Russian Central Bank, attends a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

By Alexander Marrow

(Reuters) -Russia's Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said on Wednesday there were no reasons for Russia to be added to the global financial crime watchdog's blacklist.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) suspended Russia's membership in February, saying Moscow's war in Ukraine had violated its principles, a step Russia denounced as dangerous.

Ukraine, which is not a member, has urged the FATF to go further and blacklist Russia at its meetings in Paris this week.

"I believe that there are no objective, technical reasons for adding us to the blacklist," Nabiullina told members of Russia's upper house of parliament, adding that Moscow had implemented an effective system to counter money laundering.

"The decision, if taken, would be politically motivated, but if such a decision is taken, it will of course have negative consequences for us," she said.

"This would above all negatively impact international settlements... It would lengthen compliance procedures even further, it could block some payments."

The FATF has said that Russia's actions in Ukraine run counter to its core principles aiming to promote security, safety and the integrity of the global financial system.

"They also represent a gross violation of the commitment to international cooperation and mutual respect upon which FATF members have agreed to implement and support the FATF standards," the FATF has said.

The Paris-based FATF is a 39-nation group that works to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism and weapons proliferation.

It lists countries as "high-risk" if they have "significant strategic deficiencies" on these issues.

Russia is the first country to be suspended by FATF, though it remains a member. Suspension means it is barred from attending meetings and accessing documents, FATF has said.

(Reporting Alexander Marrow; additional reporting by Felix Light;Editing by Christina Fincher and Gareth Jones)
FILE PHOTO: An undated picture shows Jack Douglas Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the U.S. Air National Guard, who was arrested by the FBI, over his alleged involvement in leaks online of classified documents, posing for a selfie at an unidentified loca

(Reuters) -An Air National Guardsman accused of leaking U.S. military secrets pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to six federal counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information relating to national defense, a court filing showed.

Jack Douglas Teixeira, 21, appeared in a federal court in Worcester, Massachusetts, for an arraignment after his arrest in April over the disclosure of U.S. documents related to the Ukraine war and numerous other sensitive issues.

Teixeira has been held in federal prison in Plymouth County, south of Boston, while waiting trial. No trial date has been set.

In a statement released after the arraignment, Teixeira's family said they "are hopeful Jack will be getting the fair and just treatment he deserves."

Prosecutors say Teixeira leaked classified documents to a group of gamers on the messaging app Discord. The leak is considered the most serious U.S. national security breach since more than 700,000 documents, videos and diplomatic cables appeared on the WikiLeaks website in 2010.

The leaked documents on Discord held highly classified information on allies and adversaries, with details ranging from Ukraine's air defenses to Israel's Mossad spy agency. President Joe Biden has ordered an investigation into why the alleged leaker had access to the sensitive information.

Each charge of unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, the Justice Department had said.

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Kanishka Singh; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell)
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech as he visits the North River Terminal, locally known as Rechnoy Vokzal, to launch a new electric passenger ship route in Moscow, Russia, June 20, 2023. Sputnik/Yegor Aleev/Pool via REUTERS/Fil

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said in remarks shown on Russian state television on Wednesday that Moscow had seen a "lull" in Ukraine's counteroffensive, and that Kyiv had suffered heavy losses in attacks in the south.

His comments came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his army's progress was "slower than desired" but that Kyiv would not be pressured into rushing it.

Putin has begun speaking with increasing frequency about the battlefield situation, perhaps reflecting the fact that the 16-month-old war has reached a critical moment with the launch of Ukraine's long-expected push.

"Oddly enough, at the moment we are seeing a certain lull. This is due to the fact that the enemy is suffering serious losses, both in personnel and equipment," he said.

But he said that Ukraine's offensive potential "has not yet been exhausted, there are also reserves that the enemy is thinking about where and how to introduce".

For the second time in less than a week, he said that the Ukrainian forces had "no chance".

The BBC quoted Zelenskiy as saying in an interview that the military push was not going easily because 200,000 square km (77,220 sq miles) of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces.

"Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best," he added.

Ukraine says it has reclaimed eight villages so far in its counteroffensive, though only one of these was in the past week.

Contradicting Putin's statement about a lull on the battlefield, British defence intelligence said on Twitter on Wednesday that "intense fighting continues in sectors of southern Ukraine".

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Gareth Jones)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Wednesday designated the local chapter of environmental group WWF as an "undesirable organisation", equivalent to a ban on its activities.

In a statement, Russia's prosecutor-general accused the group's Russia arm of presenting "security threats in the economic sphere".

It said that the WWF had waged "tendentious" campaigns against the energy, oil and natural gas industries, which it said were aimed at "shackling" Russia's economic development.

It is the latest legal move against Russia's environmental movement, after Greenpeace was banned as "undesirable" in May.

The WWF, which has operated in Russia since 1994, was labelled a "foreign agent" in March, a designation that carries connotations of spying and that Russia has widely applied to journalists, activists and others.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris listens during a roundtable discussion at the NAACP National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S., July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/ File Photo

By Andrew Goudsward

(Reuters) - Vice President Kamala Harris broke a deadlock in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday to secure confirmation for a civil rights lawyer nominated to be a federal judge in New York.

Natasha Merle, who works on litigation for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, was confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, which is based in Brooklyn.

The final vote was 50-49, but Harris was needed to break a 50-50 tie in an earlier procedural vote on the nomination.

Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia, joined all Republicans in opposing Merle. The vote marked the fourth time in recent weeks that Manchin has opposed one of President Joe Bidens judicial picks.

Merle is the 100th district court nominee selected by Biden to secure Senate confirmation and is the latest in a string of civil rights lawyers to be confirmed to the federal bench this month.

Ahead of the vote, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat who recommended Merle, called her a deeply experienced litigator who would bring a crucial and unique perspective to the federal bench.

Merle faced opposition from Republicans for remarks she made on a podcast in 2017 during which she said it was inconsistent for politicians to denounce white supremacy while supporting Republican-backed policies such as state laws imposing stricter voter identification requirements.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized Merle on the Senate floor on Tuesday as an activist lawyer with a penchant for staking out extreme and inflammatory positions. McConnell cited Merle's comments on voter ID laws, which he called "common sense election integrity measures," but which have faced criticism for disproportionately impacting minority voters.

Merle has worked at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund since 2016. She previously served as a federal public defender in New York and worked on a fellowship for a New York law firm.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward)
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Over the first half of this year, Chinese authorities have confiscated 4.74 tonnes of drugs of various kinds in their anti-narcotics enforcement at border ports, arresting 528 criminal suspects, according to an official statement Wednesday.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said in the statement that as of Tuesday, relevant operations had solved 361 border cases, among which there were 102 drugs weighing more than 10,000 grams in each case.

A total of 528 suspects of drug-related crimes have been arrested, and the law enforcers have also dealt with 192 individual drug dealers, the statement said, adding that 31 transnational or interprovincial drug-trafficking rings have been busted.

The authorities also confiscated more than 703 tonnes of materials for drug manufacturing.

These operations have effectively curbed the cross-border transport of drugs and relevant materials to and from the country, according to the statement.

The statement said the NIA will further implement arrangements for an anti-drug special campaign, strengthen control at border ports, intensify the investigation of relevant violations, target drug-trafficking rings and networks as well as their leaders, and enhance law enforcement cooperation among different countries and regions. 
FILE PHOTO: Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom and his Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau (not pictured) attend the press conference after their meeting in Warsaw, June 12, 2023. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/FILE PHOTO

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Turkey's parliament should begin to ratify Sweden's bid to join NATO because Stockholm has now met its obligations under an accord with Ankara on joining the Western military alliance, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday.

Last year Sweden and Finland both reversed decades of military non-alignment and applied to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Finland joined NATO in April but Turkey continues to block Sweden's membership citing security concerns. This month Ankara said Sweden must crack down on anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm before it can receive the green light to join NATO.

"Our judgement is that we have done what was expected of us, now it is time for the Turkish parliament to start the ratification process," Billstrom told Reuters on the sidelines of a meeting in parliament.

Billstrom said Sweden remains hopeful that it will be able to join by the time of NATO's summit in Vilnius in mid-July, adding that it had no "Plan B".

Turkey says Sweden harbours members of militant groups it considers to be terrorists. Sweden recently introduced a new law to make it harder to finance or support terrorist groups, which the government says completes its commitments under an agreement with Turkey signed in Madrid.

Ankara remains unconvinced.

In recent months, demonstrators in Stockholm have hung an effigy of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan from a lamp-post in Stockholm. At other events, demonstrators have waved flags showing support for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is deemed a terrorist group by Turkey and its Western allies.

Billstrom said the freedom to demonstrate was "enshrined in the constitution". "But we have also said that something that is legal is not always proper," he added.

Hungary has also still to ratify Sweden's NATO bid.

(Reporting by Niklas Pollard and Simon JohnsonEditing by Gareth Jones)
By Mark Trevelyan

LONDON (Reuters) - Russia's constitutional court has rejected an attempt by rights groups to seek the repeal of a law that bans people from speaking out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a lengthy ruling, the court rejected the bid to strike down Article 20.3.3 of the code of administrative offences, which bans "public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces".

Campaigners including legal defence group OVD-Info and the banned human rights organisation Memorial had filed the case in April, saying it violated articles of Russia's constitution including on free speech and freedom of conscience.

One of the plaintiffs was Ilya Yashin, an opposition politician who was three times fined for anti-war statements under Article 20.3.3 and later sentenced to eight and a half years in prison last December on charges of spreading "false information" about the army.

In a lengthy ruling on Yashin's complaint, the Constitutional Court said decisions taken by state bodies to "defend the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens and support international peace and security" could not be arbitrarily questioned on the basis of subjective opinions.

To do so, it said, would mean to deny "the legal character of the Russian Federation, the supremacy of its constitution and the duty to comply with its prescriptions, which by virtue of the constitution of the Russian Federation is inadmissible."

Violetta Fitsner, a lawyer with OVD-Info, described the ruling as a disgrace.

Another of the complainants, Maria Nemova, said the ruling confirmed that the point of the law was to suppress dissent: "Only people who support the war can speak out, and those who don't agree must remain silent."

Authorities have launched more than 6,500 cases under Article 20.3.3, OVD-Info said, including against people who staged solo anti-war demonstrations, posted their opinions online or wore anti-war symbols on their clothes.

Individuals face an initial fine of up to 50,000 roubles ($595). If they repeat the offence, they can face criminal charges of "discrediting the armed forces", which carries a prison term of up to five years, while spreading "false information" about the army is punishable by up to 15 years.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
FILE PHOTO: A keyboard is placed in front of a displayed Twitter logo in this illustration taken February 21, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Sheila Dang

(Reuters) -Twitter has resumed paying Alphabet's Google Cloud for its services, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Bloomberg News reported the news earlier on Wednesday.

A report from Platformer earlier this month said Twitter had refused to pay its Google Cloud bills as its contract came up for renewal.

Linda Yaccarino, the social media network's new CEO, helped restore Twitter's relationship with Google, and the two companies will explore a deeper partnership that involves Google's advertising spending on Twitter and its use of the social media company's data access tool, the source said.

After Elon Musk bought Twitter in October, the company cut costs aggressively and has faced lawsuits from landlords, vendors and consultants over unpaid bills.

Twitter did not respond to request for comment, while a Google spokesperson declined to comment.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Sandra Maler)
FILE PHOTO: US President Joe Biden addresses the nation on averting default and the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, June 2, 2023. JIM WATSON/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -At least two hardline Republicans plan to try to force the U.S. House to vote on whether to impeach Democratic President Joe Biden and members of his administration, over the objections of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who fears that such moves risk undermining congressional investigations.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is due to vote this week on a resolution to impeach Biden for allegedly violating his oath by failing to enforce immigration laws and to secure the U.S.-Mexico border against the synthetic opioid drug, fentanyl.

"Republicans need to stick together and get this man out office for his dereliction of duty on the Southern Border," the author of the resolution, Representative Lauren Boebert, tweeted on Wednesday.

The efforts stand little chance of advancing in the House, which Republicans control by a narrow 222-212 margin and where multiple Republicans predicted opponents would have the votes to stop the measure from coming to the floor.

Some hardline Republicans have been eager to impeach Biden as an act of retribution after his predecessor, Republican Donald Trump, was twice impeached by the then-Democratic-controlled House, once over Ukraine and once for his actions ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Senate Republicans in both cases acquitted Trump.

A privileged resolution to censure Democratic Representative Adam Schiff over his leading role in Trump's Ukraine impeachment came before the House for a second time on Wednesday.

Last week, 20 Republicans opposed to the inclusion of a $16 million fine of Schiff joined Democrats in tabling the measure, which was brought by hardline Representative Anna Paulina Luna. But the fine was dropped and a Democratic effort to derail it again failed on Wednesday, setting up an evening vote on passage.

Another hardliner, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, said she is planning resolutions to impeach Biden, two members of his Cabinet, FBI Director Christopher Wray and a U.S. attorney who is prosecuting participants in the Capitol attack.

The development means new headaches for McCarthy, two weeks after about a dozen hardliners shut down the House floor to protest his compromise debt-ceiling deal with Biden.

McCarthy said he opposed a one-off vote to impeach Biden while committee investigations into the president's family business dealings and his administration are still under way.

"Throwing something on the floor actually harms the investigation that we're doing right now," McCarthy told reporters. "(It) isn't fair to the American public without making the case and making the argument."

White House spokesperson Ian Sams on Twitter dismissed the proposals as "baseless political stunts."

Greene, who has already introduced formal articles of impeachment against Biden and the other officials, told reporters that internal division is preventing Republicans from approving impeachment bills in the House Judiciary Committee.

Boebert introduced her proposal as a so-called privileged resolution, subject to a vote within two legislative days, and Greene said she would consider a similar move.

"I'm converting them to privileged to use when I feel it's necessary," Greene said of her impeachment bills against Biden, Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves.

Greene was one of the few Republicans who voiced open support for Boebert's impeachment resolution.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends through video link as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks on during the Ukraine Recovery Conference at the Intercontinental O2 Hotel in London, Britain, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/Pool

KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was quoted on Wednesday as saying progress in Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces was "slower than desired", but Kyiv would not be pressured into speeding it up.

"Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not," Britain's BBC quoted him as saying in an interview. "What's at stake is people's lives."

His adversary, Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Moscow had observed a "lull" in Ukraine's counteroffensive, which began early this month. Although Ukraine still had some offensive potential, Kyiv understood it had "no chance", Putin said in televised remarks.

Zelenskiy made a point in a separate video address of highlighting Ukraine's successes. He said troops were advancing on the southern front and holding defence lines in the east, long the focus of Russia's nearly 16-month-old campaign.

He specifically mentioned the Kupiansk area in the northeast, where military officials say Russian troops have been applying increasing pressure.

"In the Kupiansk sector, whatever the Russian terrorists might be planning, we are destroying the enemy. In the south, we are moving forward ... In the east, we are holding our defences," Zelenskiy said.

Ukraine says it has reclaimed eight villages in its long-awaited counteroffensive, its first substantial gains on the battlefield for seven months.

But Ukrainian forces have yet to push to the main defensive lines that Russia has had months to prepare. Kyiv is believed to have set aside 12 brigades of thousands of troops each, most of which have yet to join the fight.

Despite slow progress on the ground, Washington, one of Ukraine's most important allies, was reported to be campaigning for greater international support for Kyiv among countries that have so far not condemned Russia's invasion.

The Financial Times said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Denmark this weekend to meet with officials from India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey and possibly China in a bid to broaden support for Ukraine.

ROCKET ATTACK

In the Ukrainian-held eastern town of Pokrovsk, west of the main front lines in Donetsk region, a Reuters correspondent on Wednesday heard a whistling sound followed by a powerful explosion that shook walls.

"The rocket flew right past us. The windows were blown out. A woman was wounded," said Serhiy, an elderly resident living close to a wide crater left by the blast.

Visibly shaken, gasping for air and with a quivering voice, he picked through debris in his badly damaged home. Neighbours stood outside. Some sobbed, others tried to calm frightened children.

Throughout the eastern half of Ukraine, air raid alerts sounded in the early hours of Thursday for more than an hour, and the military issued warnings of possible missile and drone attacks.

Officials and the military reported explosions in several places including Kriviy Rih and Kremenchug in central Ukraine and Kharkiv in the east, but there were no immediate reports of strikes or casualties.

Ukraine's armed forces general staff earlier noted enemy offensive action in the Lyman sector in the east, where officials say Russian forces have become more active. There was Russian shelling throughout the east and in Zaporizhzhia region.

The BBC quoted Zelenskiy as saying the military push was difficult because 200,000 square km (77,220 square miles) of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces.

After a flurry of early gains, Kyiv has claimed to have captured only one additional village over the past week, the hamlet of Pyatikhatky.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have stepped up longer range attacks with missiles and drones in preparation the fighting at the front. Russia said on Wednesday it shot down drones that had reached the region surrounding Moscow. Kyiv never comments on reports of attacks inside Russia.

DONOR CONFERENCE

Zelenskiy's interview with Britain's public broadcaster coincided with a conference in London where allies were due to pledge billions of dollars in economic and reconstruction aid.

Washington offered $1.3 billion. Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Kyiv was hoping for almost $7 billion from the event.

The West has already given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment, including hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles that form the core of the force available for its counteroffensive.

Some of Ukraine's supporters worry that Kyiv will have to show impressive results on the battlefield in coming weeks or risk political support waning in the West.

Nevertheless, Ukraine expects NATO to extend an invitation to join the military alliance with an "open date" at a July 11-12 summit in Vilnius, the Ukrainian president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said.

"This can create a signal" and encourage Ukrainians, he told a webinar.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Peter Graff and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by David Gregorio and Stephen Coates)
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said battlefield progress in Kyiv's counteroffensive against Russian forces had been "slower than desired", the BBC reported on Wednesday.

"Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not," it quoted Zelenskiy as saying in an interview.

Ukraine has reported recapturing eight villages in the south in the last two weeks. Though small, the advances are the biggest by its forces since November as they push into heavily fortified and mined Russian-held areas.

The BBC quoted Zelenskiy as saying the military push was not going easily as 200,000 square km (77,220 square miles) of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces.

"Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best," Zelenskiy told the BBC.

Russia has had months to prepare its defences. Ukrainian troops have yet to reach the heaviest Russian defensive fortifications, which are set back from the 1,000-km (600-mile) long front line.

Kyiv's forces have had "partial success" in the last day and are digging in and attacking on the southern front, while weathering a big Russian assault in the east, a senior Ukrainian defence official said on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. Leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries are in London for a two-day conference to se

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department on Wednesday announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign government officials and agents who assist fugitives in evading the U.S. justice system.

The Fallon Smart policy is named after a 15-year-old who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Oregon in 2016, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the statement, adding that the foreign national accused of causing Smart's death fled the United States to avoid being tried for manslaughter.

"The Department of State is committed to deterring and promoting accountability for extraordinary foreign government involvement in aiding fugitives to evade the U.S. justice system," Blinken said in the statement.

The Oregonian newspaper reported in 2018 that the man accused in Smart's death, a Saudi Arabian national, likely fled the country with the assistance of the Saudi government.

A State Department spokesperson said in a statement that because visa records are confidential under U.S. law "we cannot disclose the identities of individuals who are or may be subject to this policy."

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon in March said he would lift his hold on the nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, after commitments from the State Department on revoking visas of foreign nationals assisting those evading prosecution or fleeing the U.S. justice system.

"Todays announcement of the Fallon Smart Policy' enshrines in U.S. policy the principle that there can be no room in America for foreign officials who help criminal suspects dodge the law," Wyden said on Wednesday.

"The loss of Fallon to her family and loved ones can never be erased, but this new State Department policy named for this young Portlander killed by a foreign national establishes genuine accountability for any foreign official who assists fugitives fleeing U.S. justice."

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Costas Pitas; Editing by Alistair Bell and Stephen Coates)
By Michael Erman and Raghav Mahobe

(Reuters) -A panel of advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday recommended that new vaccines from Pfizer and GSK to prevent severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections be available to older adults in the U.S. but stopped short of saying all of them should get the shots.

In two separate votes, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) said that people aged 60 and older may receive the RSV shots after consulting with a health care provider.

It was not the strongest recommendation that the ACIP could have made for the shots. Some of the committee members wanted a broader recommendation, but others had concerns that there was not enough data about how effective the vaccines are in people over the age of 75 and other high-risk groups.

"Those who are at high risk for disease and for high risk for hospitalizations and death were actually not included in the trials," said committee member Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot. "The patient population that participated in the study were younger and healthier and had fewer comorbid conditions, were not immunocompromised and were not living in nursing homes."

The CDC's director needs to sign off on the recommendation before the vaccines can be made available. Both drugmakers have said they expect to be able to supply the shots ahead of the RSV season later this year.

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can also lead to serious illness and hospitalization. It is estimated to be responsible for 14,000 deaths in adults aged 65 and older in the United States annually, according to government data.

During the meeting, the companies presented data on whether one inoculation could remain effective over the course of two RSV seasons compared with protection seen with an annual shot.

The efficacy of Pfizer's vaccine in preventing lower respiratory tract disease with three or more symptoms fell to 78.6% through the middle of a second RSV season from 88.9% at the end of the first season in older adults. Efficacy fell to 48.9% from about 65% for less severe forms of the disease in that age group.

With the GSK vaccine, efficacy in preventing severe disease defined by three or more symptoms fell to 84.6% through the middle of the second RSV season, from about 94% at the end of first in older adults. Efficacy of the vaccine in preventing lower respiratory tract disease fell to 77.3% from 82.6% at the end of the first season in older adults.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month approved the first RSV vaccine from GSK, branded as Arexvy, and later Pfizer's Abrysvo for people aged 60 and older to protect them from lower respiratory tract disease caused by the virus.

Pfizer and GSK have said they expect RSV vaccines to eventually become multibillion-dollar sellers.

For this year, GSK has said it expects the U.S. market to be in the range of 10 million to 15 million people, a fraction of the size of the expected flu or COVID-19 market for 2023.

At the meeting, GSK said it expects to price its shot between $200 and $295 a dose. Pfizer provided the CDC with a price range of $180 to $270 per dose but would not guarantee that its final price would fall within that range, saying it was in the middle of competitive price negotiations on the shots.

(Reporting by Michael Erman in New Jersey and Raghav Mahobe in Bengaluru, Additional reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Lisa Shumaker)
FILE PHOTO: A sale sign is seen at car dealer Serramonte Subaru in Colma, California, U.S., October 3, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File Photo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of 17 Democratic U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday urged the Federal Trade Commission to finalize new consumer protections for car buyers despite objections from auto dealers who argue the rules would actually raise the cost of buying a car.

The FTC in June 2022 proposed banning fees and bait-and-switch advertising tactics and requiring dealers to make key disclosures to consumers, including providing a true "offering price" and making disclosures about optional add-on fees. The FTC said the rules "would save consumers time and money and help ensure a level playing field for honest dealers.

Senators Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal and Representative Pramila Jayapal, among others, in a previously unreported letter seen by Reuters, called on the FTC to "adopt strong regulatory protections for car buyers." They argued that "unfair and deceptive practices involving motor vehicle dealers have widespread consequences."

The lawmakers said the FTC should require dealers to provide a legally enforceable "Offering Price" "that includes all pre-installed and mandatory add-on products" and finalize regulations prohibiting specific misrepresentations, among other reforms.

The FTC wants to ban fees for add-on products and services that provide no consumer benefits like "nitrogen-filled" tires that contain no more nitrogen than normal air.

"Dealers also pack vehicle sales with mandatory and price-inflated add-ons, increasing the cost and creating further confusion and uncertainty about a vehicles ultimate price," the lawmakers wrote.

The National Automobile Dealers Association said the FTC proposal would "upend the sales process for tens of millions of consumers annually and thousands of small businesses." The trade group called it "premature, legally deficient, factually inaccurate, and exceedingly confusing for consumers and dealers."

The group commissioned a study from the Center for Automotive Research that said compliance costs could be significant.

The FTC estimated the proposed rule would generate $29.7 billion in net consumer benefits over a 10-year period while CAR's analysis found it would cost consumers $38.1 billion over the period and in fact lead to lengthier sales transactions.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing General Motors, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and other major automakers, raised concerns about the FTC plan and warned that "excessive regulation and micromanagement of the sales experience can do more harm than good for both consumers and the industry."

In September, six Republican senators said the FTC proposal "would confuse customers, lengthen the transaction time to purchase a vehicle, limit consumer choice, increase paperwork, and mandate burdensome new recordkeeping requirements."

(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Chris Reese, David Gregorio and Leslie Adler)
FILE PHOTO: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (R) speaks during a meeting with Japan's Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki at the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Niigata on May 13, 2023. KAZUHIRO NOGI/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will press world leaders to take concrete actions at a summit this week on easing the debt burdens of low-income nations, a senior Treasury Department official said on Wednesday.

Yellen will lead the U.S. delegation to the Paris meeting on Thursday and Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron also wants delegates to commit to freeing up funds for climate financing.

"(She) will rally world leaders to take concrete actions to partner with developing and emerging economies to serve inclusive growth and address challenges that threaten all of us, like climate change, pandemics, and fragility," the official told reporters on a conference call.

Achieving these goals requires sound public policies as well as mobilizing more money from the private sector, the official added.

Governments are looking at ways to allow the World Bank to use leverage to lend more to poor countries without putting its top AAA credit rating a risk.

Yellen will also press for additional steps to improve the debt restructuring process through the global sovereign debt roundtable, which includes representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the G20 major economies.

When in Paris, Yellen plans a number of bilateral meetings, putting a priority on representatives from "countries, emerging markets that she doesn't necessarily always meet with," said the official, who did not give details.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
NANJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Most people in China have heard of Marco Polo, an Italian merchant and explorer who traveled to China along the ancient Silk Road more than 700 years ago, establishing the bond between the two countries.

However, not many people know that Marco Polo, who lived in China for around 17 years, was appointed as a local official during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in the city of Yangzhou, a large commercial hub in east China's Jiangsu Province.

The Italian made a detailed record of the scenery and customs of Yangzhou in his renowned travelogue, which has served as a cultural bridge between the East and the West ever since.

In 2010, Yangzhou began building the Marco Polo Memorial Hall in the city's downtown area, to showcase the friendship and cultural exchanges between China and Italy, and to preserve this fascinating man's enduring legacy in the city.

Last year, the municipal government collaborated with the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai to launch a project to upgrade the memorial hall, which was also an important part of the celebrations of the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism.

The renovated memorial hall, which was completed through cooperation between many Chinese experts and Italian institutions, has now opened to the public, with an exhibition area of about 500 square meters.

"Yangzhou is a canal city, and Marco Polo left China along the Maritime Silk Road, so the design of the wave-like facade of the memorial hall highlights the common element of the canal and the sea," said Bu Minfei, director of the memorial hall's management office.

"We also use multimedia, scene creation and other display methods to make the exhibition more interesting and interactive," Bu said.

The upgraded memorial hall shows many scenes from Marco Polo's life in Yangzhou. For example, there is a display that uses high-tech sound and light to reproduce the ancient bustling Dongguan Pier, where the explorer first landed in the city.

The memorial hall has also added some new historical facts and cultural relics related to Marco Polo. Several Italian institutions donated a number of historical exhibits to the memorial hall recently, including a replica of Marco Polo's will.

Yin Zehua, a Chinese tourist who visited the memorial hall with his family, said they were impressed with the experience.

"We learned about many of the things that Marco Polo accomplished in China, and about the cultural exchange facilitated by this Italian who lived here," said Yin. "Living in Yangzhou, we can feel the openness and inclusiveness here."

Alessandro Prosperi, an Italian engineer who has worked and lived in Yangzhou for nearly nine years, also visited the memorial.

"I am proud to live in China where Marco Polo visited," said Prosperi. "Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo, I have spared no effort to introduce Yangzhou to more people, and it has gradually become an important mission in my life."

To date, Yangzhou has established sister-city relationships with three cities in Italy, and it is home to multiple Italian-invested companies. In March this year, the city set up a business liaison office in Italy's northern city of Milan.

Tiziana D'Angelo, consul general of Italy in Shanghai, said that although Yangzhou and Italy are far apart, they have a deep relationship due to Marco Polo, and the updated memorial hall will act as a bond to consolidate and deepen the friendship between the two sides.

Wang Jinjian, Party chief of Yangzhou, said that 2024 marks the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death, and Yangzhou plans to join hands with the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai to build the Marco Polo research and exchange center and hold more cultural exchange activities.

"China and Italy are both ancient civilizations, and have a long tradition of friendship and exchanges. I believe more and more people would like to follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo to encourage cultural exchange and enhance mutual understanding," said Bu. 
WASHINGTON  The Air Force has had to move service members and families more than a dozen times in the past two years because they faced discrimination and harassment related to racism and LGBTQ+ issues, the service said Wednesday.

Since 2021, the Department of the Air Force has granted 15 relocation exceptions to policy for members experiencing a range of racial- and LGBTQ+-related discrimination, an Air Force spokesperson said. [Exceptions to policy] are requests to move prior to the end of a standard tour, and are typically made as a result of a personal hardship significantly greater than what others encounter in similar circumstances.

The Air Force didnt detail the reasons for the moves, citing risks to the families, though the service has previously expressed concern for the well-being of military families who might be susceptible to harassment, according to the spokesperson.

Alex Wagner, the Air Force assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs, said earlier this month during a panel discussion on national security that he has heard stories of families  including children  that have faced racism and anti-LGBTQ+ behavior in their communities.

Im worried about kids  because if folks, [service members] are thinking and concerned about the experience their kids are having, they are not going to be focused on their jobs, Wagner told the panel hosted by the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank. When I am forced to move families from installations because their school will do nothing when their LGBT kid is being bullied, that worries me. Because that's distracting from the mission, that's detracting from our readiness.

Since Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took office in 2021, he has attempted to promote a culture of inclusion within the military. Earlier this month, he commemorated June as Pride Month and honored LGBTQ+ troops who have volunteered to serve their country and protect the rights of all Americans.

Their contributions to our national security are powerful, he said. The story of America should be one of widening freedom, not deepening discrimination. In 2021, I was honored to implement President [Joe] Bidens directive to ensure that transgender Americans who wish to serve and meet department standards are able to do so  openly and free from discrimination.

Military families serving in some states have recently faced increasing obstacles when it comes to gay-rights issues. Republican lawmakers and GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, for example, championed last year the passing of the Parental Rights in Education law, which bars teachers from speaking about sexual orientation and gender identity issues in public schools. Critics called it the Dont Say Gay Law. There are numerous military bases in Florida, including Eglin Air Force Base in the panhandle, which is one of the services largest bases. DeSantis is a Republican candidate for president.

In 2023, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in various state legislatures  a record, according to Human Rights Watch, a nongovernmental organization focused on human rights based in New York. Dozens have been signed into law in states, including Florida, Tennessee, Nebraska and Montana, the group said.

Many of these laws directly affect children, teenagers, parents, families, schools and educators, according to the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish international nongovernmental organization based in the United States specializing in civil rights law. These laws ultimately affect society by perpetuating a culture of hate and injustice with less equity, more harm, more hate and more divisiveness.
Two Air Force B-1B Lancers landed in Sweden for the first time, strengthening U.S. ties with the Nordic country and boosting the collective defense of Europe, the service said.

The landings come as Sweden continues its push to join NATO following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year and concerns of Russian aggression potentially spreading to other parts of the Continent.

The supersonic strategic bombers, belonging to the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, landed at Lulea Kallax Air Base on Monday, an Air Force statement released the following day said.

The base is in Swedens northernmost county near the border with Finland.

The aircraft were participating in an exercise with the Swedish military, Swedens Goteborgs-Posten newspaper reported.

In these troubled times and in anticipation of Swedish NATO membership, it is important to have strong partners, Tommy Petersson, the deputy chief of the Swedish air force, told the Gotesborg-Posten.

The bombers arrival marks the next step in developing collaboration with the alliance, Petersson said.

Following Moscows invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO to ensure their security after decades of military nonalignment. Despite their official status, both have a long history of exercises and operations with the Western alliance.

Finland, which shares a more than 800-mile border with Russia, was admitted in April after existing members gave unanimous approval.

But Turkey and Hungary have stalled Swedens admission. Turkey says Sweden is providing sanctuary to people linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party, which Turkey considers a terrorist group.

Although Sweden denies harboring terrorists, Turkey has demanded the extradition of dozens of people as a step toward ratifying Swedish membership.

U.S. officials have expressed hope that a unanimous decision to admit Sweden will come next month during a NATO summit in Lithuania.

In the meantime, Sweden continues to cooperate with the bloc.

For more than a week last month, a large swath of the country was used during a Finnish-led air exercise with NATO partners called Arctic Challenge, which included 3,000 service members and 150 aircraft.

The B-1B Lancers, which are four-engine long-range bombers with an intercontinental range, arrived in Sweden as part of separate training.

The more we can integrate forces and equipment to maneuver across Europe, the more ready we are to face security challenges, now and in the future, Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, the deputy director for strategic plans and policy at U.S. European Command, said in Tuesdays statement.
YOMITAN, Okinawa  U.S. soldiers met with their Japanese neighbors this week at a coffee shop near an Army base on Okinawa for a State Department program designed to bring the communities together.

The monthly language exchange  called Asakatsu, meaning morning activity  was started by the U.S. Consulate General Naha a dozen years ago and has since spread to 10th Support Group soldiers from Torii Station, group spokesman Brian Lamar said Tuesday. The forum is held at Segafredo, a coffee shop approximately 2 miles east of the base.

The event on Tuesday drew more than 20 soldiers and Okinawans, from a Starbucks barista to a staffer from Japans Ministry of Defense.

It encourages our folks to get involved in the community, said Lt. Col. Edward Camacho, the support groups executive officer. The Saipan native came to his second meeting to improve his Japanese and meet interesting people.

We can learn a lot from each other, he said. This months event was themed road trips in America."

The U.S. military has 32 installations in Okinawa prefecture, a series of islands roughly the size of Tokyo city. A sizable protest movement on Okinawa has tried for years to reduce the military footprint on the island.

At Tuesdays event, Master Sgt. John Ross Valino, an Army mission planner, sat first with Takako Kikuchi, of Nagasaki, before circulating around the room. The conversation included food, sports, anime, travel, America and its best cross-country routes.

Valino credited his conversation partners for coming to meet and chat with strangers from a foreign land. It showed a real hunger for learning, he said.

I always come to try and speak English for practice, said Rio Yamauchi, of Yomitan. She enjoyed stories of the American homeland and its beauty.

Mao Yohena, who moved to Okinawa three years ago from Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido, said she came to make new friends and ended up learning about Alabama and Route 66, which runs from Chicago through the American Midwest and Southwest to Santa Monica, Calif.

U.S. consulate staff organized the first Asakatsu event in 2011 at the Starbucks near Barclay Court in Urasoe, consulate spokeswoman Nicole Lima Nucelli wrote in an email Tuesday. That exchange  held on the first two Wednesdays of each month from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  pairs English-speaking volunteers with Japanese residents to strengthen their English skills.

The Army-sponsored event started in 2016 and is held the third Tuesday of each month from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Segafredo on Route 58, Lamar said. The consulate is working with the Navy to start a third chapter in Chatan.

"These interactions strengthen the bond between the local community and Americans living in Okinawa," Nucelli said. The Army event typically averages about 40 people, Lamar said.

Participants on Tuesday overwhelmingly said they enjoyed the coffee and conversation.

I had a good time, said Shin Moriyama, of Okinawa City. I will come back.
U.S. Southern Command is set to gain the services of the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit, along with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Detachment 11, according to a Navy news release.

The primary mission of the USS Detroit, which got underway Wednesday, will be to support counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The deployment also will include practical exercises and exchanges with partner nation maritime services to support U.S. 4th Fleet interoperability, according to the release.

Cmdr. Kyle Hickman, the Detroits commanding officer, said the crew of more than 100 sailors has been extremely dedicated in its preparation and is looking forward to building upon the successes of the USS Milwaukee and USS Little Rock.

Among the crew is a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment and an aviation detachment, which will operate an MH-60 helicopter, the release said.

The crew executed a very difficult training cycle, said Cmdr. Bruce Hallett, executive officer of the Detroit. They exceeded all expectations.

USS Detroit was commissioned in October 2016 at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, where it is homeported. Three years later, it embarked on its first deployment to the 4th Fleet area of operations, also in support of counter-illicit trafficking operations. That lasted more than seven months.

Its second deployment to the region began in September 2020 and ended just over two months later.
NEW YORK  Take no prisoners  peacefully, Carlos Santana sometimes tells his bandmates before taking the stage.

I dont like to coast. I dont like to rope-a-dope, Santana says. I want to get in the middle of the ring and knock the sucker out. That way the referee cant steal the fight from me.

Santana, 75, can still whip a crowd into a frenzy like few others. He's been doing it since he stormed onto the San Francisco scene in the late '60s. He left the Woodstock audience dazed and stunned before the first Santana record came out.

A new documentary by Rudy Valdez, Carlos, which is premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival and will be released this fall in theaters by Sony Pictures Classics, chronicles the meteoric rise of one of the most singular guitar players in rock history. The critic Robert Christgau once wrote: He is less a man of style than of sound, a clear, loud, fluent sound that cleanses with the same motion no matter how often that motion is repeated."

Santana, who launches the nationwide 1001 Rainbows Tour in Newark, N.J., on June 21, recently spoke by Zoom from his Bay Area home in California. He's been in San Francisco since his family (his father played the violin in a mariachi band) moved from Mexico in the 1960s.

The Bay Area definitely attracts characters, you know? Santana said. Like Minnesota Fats or Les Paul. Rascals. I call them Divine Rascals.

Santana, speaking with a panoramic photograph of the Woodstock performance hanging on the wall behind him, reflected on his journey, his sound and some of the demons he's faced along the way.

I have nothing but good memories, Santana said. I have developed selective celestial amnesia.

Associated Press: How is it to watch a movie of your life?

Santana: Its strange. Its interesting to watch this person constantly strive and believe that he belongs. Ha ha! That he belongs on stage with these incredible musicians. Who would have thunk it that one minute Im washing dishes at Tic Tock (Drive-In) and the next Im on stage with Jerry Garcia and Eric Clapton and theyre looking at me like I definitely got something they want to learn from? Theyd all go, Where did you get that? And Id say, Well, when you were listening to this, I was listening to a Hungarian gypsy musician named Gabor Szabo. And also drummers. I learned a lot from African drummers. So I learned how to scramble the eggs differently. The guys from Creedence Clearwater used to say: What is it you call that music youre playing? And I go, African rhythms with blues guitar.

What was San Francisco like when you first arrived there in the '60s?

It was a, it was a shock coming from Tijuana. In Tijuana, the people that I hung up, hung around with were playing John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed and Lightnin Hopkins. We thought that B.B. King was sophisticated. Down and dirty, murky, simple but deadly, I think they call it cut and shoot crowd. Because if they didnt like you, they'd cut and shoot you. They didn't want you to get all clever or sophisticated. They wanted you to just play the guts. So when I got here, it was a challenge. I basically thought that everybody knew John Lee Hooker. And then I got here and they were like, Who? I had to start all over again. Fortunately when I got here, the Rolling Stones were coming out and they were listening to the same things I was listening to. Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. That's what saved me from getting frustrated and going back to Tijuana.

Still, you were just 19 when you first performed at the Fillmore West.

Since I was a child, I got a reputation in Tijuana for playing the violin and winning most of the radio contests. When I came to the United States, I started winning a radio contest with a thousand bands. We were in the top three. Everything that Ive done by grace, it gave me confidence that I can be on stage with Jerry Garcia or Michael Bloomfield or Peter Green, and later on Tito Puente and later on Miles Davis.

Was there a spiritual element to music for you early on?

Everybody in this world needs a heartfelt hug to be reassured that were not going to be doomed hitting a brick wall, that we will go to the wall and we will succeed at becoming architects creating heaven on Earth. From Bob Marley to Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Same Cooke, they all talk about the same thing. One Love. All You Need is Love. What a Wonderful World. I make it a point to listen to certain songs that are like the new anthems of no church, but the new anthems of a galactic cathedral that transcends corrupt corporations and governments. If you and I get a chance to hitchhike a ride with Bezos or Elon Musk, and we take the space shuttle and go up there outside of the stratosphere and you look at the planet, theres no flags up there. Theres no walls up there. Theres no time up there. When you say, What time is it? you just say, It's now. And so thats how I try to play my music: Outside of time and outside of gravity. Maya Angelou said, The only thing people are going to remember is how you make them feel. And I was like, Oh. So why dont, why dont I make them feel their totality, their absoluteness? I'm making somebody feel like they're from Kansas and they just put their toe in the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii for the first time. Bam! In one note.

There are many enduring relationships you have in Carlos but how would you characterize your relationship to the guitar?

My guitar is my best lover, ever. Lovers come and go, but your relationship with the guitar  any brand or anything  stays. But it's your relationship with that sound. When you put your fingers on that note, you get chills. That's the best lover. You discover the sensation of getting the first French kiss. I'll stop there because this should be PG. But it all deals with the same thing. It all deals with Oh my God. The big G-spot, which is God. When you hit that, they all go, Oh my God. When you play music like that, it's more than just clever notes. It becomes emotion, feelings, passion. That's music to me. Music without emotion, passion or feelings is just clever noise. This is what's missing from the planet right now. People forgot how to feel. Stop, take a deep breath and feel what your feeling.

You have always had a distinct, instantly recognizable guitar sound, like a voice. Where did your tone come from?

I got it from my dad and I got it from my mom. I got it from my dad because he taught me how to play the violin and make one note with the bow, you know? And my mom, her tenacity and conviction. Her courage spilled on me. I used to lock myself in a closet in the dark and try to play like B.B. or Otis Rush, all the people that I love. And it used to frustrate me that I couldn't sound like that. Then one day I woke up and I go, Hey, stupid. Youre not supposed to sound like them. They sound like them. You're supposed to sound like you. Then you realized: How do I play like me?" Just shut up and play. It's a real blessing and a gift that in one note you can be recognized out of thousands and thousands of guitar players around the world. It's like that with the people I love. John McLaughlin. T-Bone Walker. In one note, I can tell you who they are. There's a difference between Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and Grant Green. But the one I listen to the most is still Otis Rush. There's something very raw and honest about the way he plays. Right now, I'm only listening to three things: Nina Simone, Etta James and Tina Turner. I want that sound that those women get in my guitar. I want my guitar to sound like a woman.

In the film, you recount how Jerry Garcia gave you mescaline shortly before you took the stage at Woodstock, thinking you had hours before you performed. In arguably the most celebrated set of Woodstock, you were tripping and praying...

God, please let me stay on tune and in time. I could have laid a big egg in front of everybody. It was scary to look at the audience. But what came through was my mother's confidence: God is by your side. How can you go wrong?

Were you accustomed to reaching different mental planes through the music, with or without drugs?

Outside of your mind is the best part is. There's not gravity there. There's no time. There's no criticizing. There's just pure manifestation. It goes from God through you to them. So I'm able to adapt myself, like with Supernatural, whether I'm playing with Lauren Hill, Rob Thomas or Eric Clapton. Whoever gets in front of me, you must listen and complement. I look forward to doing more things with Willie Nelson. I want to learn how to complement and simplify music with honesty.

You said that your guitar neck then appeared like a snake to you. Did that ever happen to you again?

Eric Clapton and I talk about that because he used to do that as well. You could tell who visited that dimension. The Doors. The Beatles with Sgt. Pepper's. You could tell who went there because you can't play that music unless you go there. There's a part that's outside the realm of do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do. I guess you become like a mothership that can go anywhere in the universe and be relevant. Check out what I'm saying, man. To be 75 years old and to be relevant  because a lot of people invite me to play on their albums  is something to be grateful about. I feel that this is the best part of my life because it seems like now I know what Im doing and why Im doing it and for who Im doing it. I am an architect of the highest order by Coltrane and Bob Marley. And with the gift of music, I'm able to create something that religion people cannot do and the United Nations cannot do and the United States government cannot do. Which is to bring to unity, harmony, oneness on Earth. Sound, resonance, vibration, frequency  those are my tools.

In the film you talk about being molested from the ages of 10 to 12. Did music bring some measure of healing from that experience?

All I can say with certainty and clarity is: I am not what happened to me. I still am, as God created me, with purity and innocence. I have a habit of sending people to the light instead of the hell. I used to say, Eat s- and die. But I don't say that anymore. Now I go: You know what? Im going to look at you like youre 7 years old. And I'm going to send you into the light that is behind you. If I send you to hell, then I'm going to go there with you. And I don't want to go to hell. By doing that, I'm able to not be stuck with the victim mentality. I'm Santana and I was a victim of child molestation"  I don't want to do that. I don't want to think like that. I'm Carlos Santana and by grace I can create blessings and miracles.

Which, for many, you've done.

I like to offer people a way into your own divinity. That is the secret. The more we listen to Sesame Street or Mister Rogers," the more we bring in that frequency that you are on divine. The opposite of that is that you're a wretched sinner. I tell people: Dont sing that song when I die. Dont sing Amazing Grace. Sing La Cucaracha or La Bamba or Tequila or Who Let the Dogs Out. Sing any fing thing but don't sing Amazing Grace" at my funeral because there's nothing wretched about me.
(Tribune News Service)  China and Cuba are discussing building a joint military training facility, according to The Wall Street Journal, a report that comes after the White House earlier said Beijing has a spy base on the island about 90 miles from the United States.

The two countries were holding advanced talks about opening the facility in northern Cuba, the newspaper on Tuesday cited U.S. officials as saying, adding that it could pave the way for Beijing to station troops there permanently and expand espionage activities.

The United States was in contact with Cuban officials about preventing the plans from going forward, the Journal reported, citing U.S. officials.

China Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Tuesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing that she wasnt aware of the matter. The U.S. and Cuban embassies in Beijing didnt reply to requests for comment.

Earlier this month, a senior U.S. official said in a statement issued on the condition of anonymity because of the matters sensitivity that intelligence indicated China has long maintained espionage facilities in Cuba and that they were expanded in 2019.

The White House had pushed back days earlier on a report in the Journal that China and Cuba had reached a secret agreement to establish a spy facility on the island. The administrations position is theres been no new deal, and the facilities have been in place for years.

The bases would allow Chinese intelligence services to eavesdrop on electronic communications throughout the southeastern U.S., where many military bases are located, and monitor ship traffic, according to the report.

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A Pittsburgh native and seasoned submariner is the new commander of the U.S. submarine force in the Pacific.

Rear Adm. Richard Seif relieved his predecessor, Rear Adm. Jeff Jablon, during a June 15 ceremony aboard the USS Missouri, a Virginia-class attack submarine, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

As commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, Seif has charge of two submarine tenders and 35 submarines, more than half the Navys submarines, according to a Navy news release.

The strong undersea presence in the Indo-Pacific indicates the areas strategic importance, according to the Navy.

During his tenure, Jablon, a native of Frostburg, Md., among his accomplishments deployed all Pacific submarines at or above minimum manning levels, oversaw the transition of Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Squadron One to a major command and overhauled the fleets deployment process to ensure its submarines are prepared to conduct high-end combat missions, according to the Navy.

Under Jablon, Pacific attack and guided-missile submarines deployed 27 times and strategic ballistic missile vessels deployed 31 times.

Our standard has been to create combat readiness in every submarine that pulls away from the pier, and I can assure you that each and every commanding officer on the waterfront thinks about that each time they get underway, Jablon said during the handover ceremony.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, Pacific Fleet commander, presided over the command change, according to the release.

Our Submarine Force is the best in the world and under Jeffs inspirational leadership, perseverance, keen foresight, and superb judgement, the Pacific Submarine Force has tremendously improved in the material, operational and war-fighting readiness, Paparo said during the ceremony.

Seif has logged significant career milestones in the Pacific, including a stint as commander of the attack submarine USS Buffalo, chief of staff to the Pacific submarine fleet commander and as commander of Submarine Group 7, headquartered at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.

In May, Seif went to sea aboard the USS Maine, another ballistic-missile submarine, for a tour along with Japans Vice Adm. Tateki Tawara and South Koreas Rear Adm. Su Youl Lee, the commanders of their respective countries submarine fleets, according to a Navy release. The tour was the first aboard a ballistic-missile submarine involving senior commanders of the three nations submarine fleets.
SHENYANG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Song Xibin, a former senior legislator in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Wednesday stood trial for bribery and misappropriation of public funds at a court in the northeastern province of Liaoning.

Song, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People's Congress, was charged with accepting over 35.3 million yuan (about 4.9 million U.S. dollars) worth of money and valuables between 2005 and 2021.

Song allegedly took advantage of his various positions in Heilongjiang to seek profits for others in business operations, project contracting, and job promotions, according to the prosecutors of Shenyang City, where the trial occurred.

The indictment also accused Song of misappropriating 50 million yuan in the city's special funds to personal gains in 2014 when he worked in Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang.

During hearings at the Intermediate People's Court of Shenyang, prosecutors presented their evidence, which the defendant and his lawyers cross-examined.

Song pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement.

The verdict will be announced in due course. 
(Tribune News Service)  The crowd that streamed onto the campus of St. Anselm College Tuesday night to hear Robert F. Kennedy Jr. give a speech on foreign policy was so large the line into Dana Center-Koonz Theatre stretched all the way to the top of campus.

And the political policy Kennedy offered to address the international challenges of Russia and China has a progressive legacy that stretches all the way back to the 1960s: Peace, not provocation.

Attendance at Kennedy's event was so large  an estimated 700 people, according to campus sources  his speech had to be delayed for 30 minutes to find overflow space to accommodate the crowd.

What they got for their patience was an unvarnished, old-school progressive view of American foreign policy, replete with references to the "military-industrial complex." (And a huge cheer from the crowd when he declared, "It's time to reverse that!")

Perhaps the most provocative statement of the night was Kennedy's own allegation of provocation: Suggesting the U.S. helped provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine.

"I abhor Russia's brutal and bloody invasion of that nation," Kennedy said. "But we must understand that our government has also contributed to its circumstances with repeated, deliberate provocations of Russia going back to the 1990s.

"Democratic and Republican administrations have pushed NATO to Russia's borders, violated our own solemn promise in the early nineties when we pledged that if Russia made this terrible concession of moving 400,000 troops out of East Germany and allowing the unification of Germany under a possible NATO army. And we would commit that after that not move NATO one inch to the east," Kennedy said.

"Instead, we have moved it  not one inch, but a thousand miles and 14 nations. We have surrounded Russia with missiles and military bases, something that we would never tolerate if the Russians did that to us."

Kennedy, who is running as a progressive populist and political outsider, has embraced unorthodox views on many issues, from anti-vaccine advocacy to the alleged health risks of cellphone technology to conspiracy theories about the assassinations of his father and uncle. Many mainstream Democrats have denounced his candidacy and its message, but political observers note there is a rich strain of these left-of-center populists in New Hampshire, as evidenced by the success of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Like Kennedy, Sanders has also urged warm relations between the U.S. and Russia extending back to when it was still the center of a Communist police state. And while populist foreign policy may be isolationist in the sense of extending U.S. military power abroad, Kennedy rejected the West's current policy of isolating Vladimir Putin.

"Today, America has broken off practically all diplomatic contact with Russia, so the communication has indeed become a little more than an exchange of threats and insults," Kennedy warned. "FDR met with Stalin. JFK met with Khrushchev Nixon met with Brezhnev. Reagan met with Gorbachev.

"Can't Biden meet with Putin?"

Mike Sweeney from Albany, N.H., liked what he heard from Kennedy.

"He speaks a lot of truth, and he's a very personable human being."

Asked if he thinks Kennedy can beat Biden, Sweeney said, "One hundred percent. We wouldn't be here otherwise. People have eyes, and things are so far off the rails that I think just being real is going to be the thing that gets through."

Like Sweeney, Matt Burgess from Massachusetts said he has no interest in voting for Biden and is leaning toward Kennedy. He agreed that RFK Jr. can defeat Biden and offered some campaign strategy tips.

"I think he should stick to doing podcasts. Don't go on any mainstream networks....I think he should keep with the strategy he's going with," Burgess said. "I think he can win."

Jeffrey Parker and his wife, Liz, came up from Concord, Mass., to hear Kennedy speak. They said they also believe Biden can be beaten.

"I'm not voting for Biden," said Jeffrey Parker. "If it was a real vote, if it's a fair election, Biden has no hope. Even Democrats are sick of Biden now. No one wants Biden."

Liz Parker said that while Ukraine is a high priority, "I also have issues with all the COVID lockdowns and vax and all that. That's really important to me because I have kids."

As for RFK Jr.'s Ukraine policy, she noted, "No one in government right now is saying the word' peace,' and I think that says it all."

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KHARKIV, Ukraine  Hopes for reconstruction run high in this once grand regional capital devastated by Russian bombing. Many here dream that after the war, Kharkiv will not only be rebuilt but reimagined for the 21st century, to shake off the last shackles of the Soviet Union.

There is just one painful and inescapable reality: The war is not over, and neither is the destruction.

Cities like Kharkiv, which sits just 25 miles from the border with Russia and is still regularly hit by attacks, must convince investors not only that the war will end soon, but that another will not follow. A return to economic growth will need a definitive end to the war, not a stalemate.

"What is a peace agreement?" asked Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv. "We need a win and the security behind it."

Nearly 16 months after the start of Russia's invasion, Ukraine and its supporters are eager to start rebuilding, especially in areas like Kharkiv that seem safely out of Moscow's reach. Nowhere is this impatience more evident than at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, a major gathering of potential financial backers taking place in London this week.

But the war could drag on  increasing costs, repelling investment and further delaying even a temporary recovery. Even if Ukraine survives militarily, some officials fear that it could end up starved economically. After shrinking by 30 percent last year, the economy, remarkably, has stabilized. But Kyiv's debt is piling up, and its deficit continues to widen: The government estimates it is spending about $3.1 billion it doesn't have each month, just on routine costs.

Reconstruction, whenever it begins, will be expensive.

The World Bank estimated in March that Ukraine needs $411 billion over a decade to recover from the war. That's a gargantuan sum for a country already receiving $42 billion in outside funding for basic spending this year.

That estimate was a snapshot in time. The World Bank recently completed another analysis of the destruction wrought by the collapse of the Kakhovka dam in June that it will send to Ukrainian officials. Even before that, the estimate was effectively out of date.

"It's changing every day, this number," Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said in an interview. "Russia launches missile attacks, drone attacks. They are trying to destroy our economy, our way of life."

"We'll only know the total cost once the war is finished," said Nadiya Bigun, a deputy minister of the economy.

This week's conference in London, a sequel to a similar event last year in Lugano, Switzerland, will wrestle with some of the steep challenges  including demands by Ukraine and its supporters to force Russia to pay some or all of the reconstruction costs, potentially by seizing assets that have been frozen by Western sanctions.

But even if a legal mechanism could be found to seize those funds, it is virtually unheard of for reconstruction to start before there is a durable peace.

"In most conflict countries I've worked on, the war takes place, the war ends, then you rebuild," said Gavin Gray, Ukraine mission chief for the International Monetary Fund. "But in Ukraine, the war is ongoing, and the authorities are  understandably  rebuilding in real time."

One immediate ambition for Kyiv is to fill the $6 billion hole in a $14.1 billion budget being set up for what officials call "rapid-needs" reconstruction this year.

Marchenko said Ukraine is confident it can fill that gap. Doing so will probably require taking on more debt, however. Despite grand talk of the need for a Marshall Plan for Ukraine or of seizing the billions in Russian assets, much of the money now flowing to Ukraine is in the form of long-term loans.

While the United States has provided billions of dollars in nonrepayable grants, almost 95 percent of the money coming from the European Union and other partners is in the forms of loans, Marchenko said  meaning they must be repaid with interest.

By the end of last year, Ukraine's public and publicly guaranteed debt amounted to 78.5 percent of its gross domestic product, almost double what it was the year before because of an increase in loans and a decrease in economic output.

The debt is likely to spike again this year. Roksolana Pidlasa, chair of the budget committee of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, said that while foreign debt was a politically divisive issue before the war, there is little opposition to it now. "We just don't have other options," Pidlasa said.

Perhaps more than any other city, Kharkiv, located in the northeast just south of the border with Russia, shows just how difficult Ukraine's recovery will be.

Under a "masterplan" spearheaded by a charitable foundation run by Norman Foster, a British architect famed for his high-profile modernist designs, officials in Kharkiv are drawing up plans to make it the "ideal city of the future," according to its mayor.

Kharkiv would get new areas for innovative technology and scientific research, Terekhov said in an interview, as well as more green spaces and carbon-neutral transportation. The mayor has compared the proposals for reconstruction to the 1943 plan to rebuild London, capital of Foster's native Britain, a plan that was developed during wartime.

"We need to maintain the city's significance," Terekhov said when asked to justify the scale of the plans. "Kharkiv was always an ambitious city."

Kharkiv, never fully occupied by Russian forces, was under siege until a Ukrainian counteroffensive retook the surrounding region in the fall. But even now, months later, it remains devastated  heavily scarred and underpopulated. Officials say that 1.1 million people now live in Kharkiv, a loss of 300,000 from before the invasion.

When Terekhov, a 56-year-old career bureaucrat with silver hair and stylish clothes, spoke about the city's fantastic plans for rebuilding in May, he did so from an office in a makeshift bunker under an out-of-the-way municipal building. It is one of several rotating hideouts.

"They had the coordinates," he said of the City Council office in Kharkiv's center.

Dozens of construction sites dot the city, but many are inactive. The situation is particularly stark in Saltivskyi, a district in the city's northwest known for its sprawling Soviet-era housing blocks.

The suburb, which was renamed from Moskovskyi after the invasion, was the site of fierce fighting last year, with Russian troops advancing right into the neighborhood.

Almost all residential towers in Saltivskyi suffered damage, ranging from smashed windows to total destruction. Some buildings are uninhabitable because of structural damage or gaping holes.

Little reconstruction seemed to be happening during a visit in May. Andrey Lushpigan, a 44-year-old IT specialist visiting his apartment in Saltivskyi, said renovation work on his building had stopped unexpectedly a few days before.

"Maybe there is some problem with the finances," he said. "I just don't know when I can get back to my flat."

Shelling hinders repair work. The city has had to replace the same windows as many as four times, Terekhov said, because they keep getting smashed by blast waves. Funding is another challenge. Officials estimate that there has been $9.9 billion in damage, a sum far too high for the national budget to cover, let alone the city's.

"We're trying to raise money to get the roof fixed ourselves," said Tetiana, 67, a retiree who was returning from a rented room with her husband, Leonid Zhuk, 76, to pick up clothes from her shrapnel-filled apartment.

A group of neighbors wrote to the mayor asking for funding, Tetiana added, but they were told there was no money.

The slow patch-up work has left some urban development advocates worried that an opportunity will be missed. "War gave people the opportunity to rethink what kind of context or environment they were living in," said Maksym Muratov, an architect with local firm Ego House.

Muratov submitted a plan to replace Saltivskyi's Soviet-style architecture  which was designed, he said, to "humiliate people"  with something more modern. It was rejected.

Muratov said he did not think that Foster's plan would be implemented in the end, either, because of the problem of finding money.

"It's like an advertising campaign, nothing related to reality," said Oleg Drozdov, founder of the Kharkiv School of Architecture, now based in the western city of Lviv. He added that the prominent influence of a foreign architect over the city's future seemed like a kind of "colonialism."

Neither Kharkiv city nor Foster's office has made any announcements about the rebuilding plan since December. Terekhov said he hoped there would be progress to announce after the London conference.

"Between the cities, there will be huge competition for getting investors," the mayor said.
A federal judge has struck down a 2021 Arkansas law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youths, forbidding the enforcement of the nations first law blocking medical treatment for transitioning young people.

U.S. District Judge James Moody of the Eastern District of Arkansas ruled the law unconstitutional, saying it violated the rights of doctors and discriminated against transgender people. Gender-affirming medical care includes such treatments as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. The law also prohibited doctors from referring trans youths to other providers for gender-affirming care.

Moodys closely watched ruling marks the first time a federal court has decided the legality of such bans, which have been taken up by a growing number of state legislatures in recent years. As of June 20, at least 20 additional states have enacted restrictions or bans on gender-affirming care, according to data compiled by the ACLU. Floridas effort to limit such care for trans youths has also severely restricted access to transition-related care for adults.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement posted on Twitter that in his ruling Judge Moody misses what is widely known: There is no scientific evidence that any child will benefit from these procedures, while the consequences are harmful and often permanent. We will appeal to the Eighth Circuit.

A handful of medical organizations have raised concerns about gender-affirming care, but leading medical associations, including the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society, all recommend transgender youths be able to access this kind of health care.

For now, the ruling only affects Arkansas. But its impact is expected to extend further, particularly once it is appealed, said Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas. Certainly, it should be illustrative to not just the courts, but to lawmakers around the country who are thinking about these bans and whether they should implement them, Dickson said.

This is the first federal court ruling on a categorical ban on gender-affirming care and follows rulings in Florida, Alabama and Indiana blocking enforcement of those bans while challenges against them proceed.

Moody already had temporarily blocked the law from taking effect. In his decision Tuesday, he wrote: Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that, by prohibiting it, the state undermined the interests it claims to be advancing.

The trial had been closely watched by many activists, lawmakers, legal advocates and trans people around the country. Shortly after the complaint was filed in May 2021, the Department of Justice submitted a statement of interest in support of the plaintiffs, saying the case implicates important federal interests.

Before 2020, not a single state had introduced legislation to ban gender-affirming care, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonpartisan think tank that tracks LGBTQ policy. When Arkansas passed its ban in 2021, it was considered the strictest anti-trans law in the country. Called the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, the ban was intended to stop physicians from providing gender transition treatments, including hormones, puberty blockers and surgeries, to those under 18. It was originally vetoed by former governor Asa Hutchinson (R), who called it vast government overreach (a Republican supermajority successfully overrode his veto).

But these bans, as well as other restrictions on transition care, have gained steam since. Two states, Arizona and Alabama, passed similar bans last year. In the first six months of 2023, roughly 34 states have introduced more than 100 different gender-affirming care restrictions in their legislatures, according to the ACLU. In some states, like Texas and Florida, state officials have also tried to bar access to gender-affirming care through executive action and state medical boards.

Conservative lawmakers and activists have argued that these bans are necessary to protect minors, with many calling gender-affirming treatments experimental and irreversible. In court documents, Arkansas questioned whether children can ever truly consent to such procedures. But in the last year, some states have proposed moving the age threshold for receiving gender-affirming higher: In Oklahoma, a bill would make providing this care to trans people under 26 a felony.

These bills note that these procedures remain legal  including genital surgeries and breast augmentation for minors  as long as they are not used to treat gender dysmorphia. In its challenge to the Arkansas ban, the ACLU argued that this selective prohibition was discriminatory.

In response to increasing efforts to make such care illegal, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement in August 2022 pushing back against rampant disinformation fueled by extremists.

There is strong consensus among the most prominent medical organizations worldwide that evidence-based, gender-affirming care for transgender children and adolescents is medically necessary and appropriate. It can even be lifesaving, wrote the groups president. Pediatricians will not stay silent as these lies are waged against our patients and peers.

The plaintiffs in the Arkansas lawsuit include a doctor who provided gender-affirming care in the state, as well as four transgender youths and their families. Dylan Brandt, 17, and his mother Joanna Brandt of Greenwood, Ark., were among them.

Their battle against the law began when it was still a bill in committee, the Brandts told The Washington Post in an interview before the ruling came down. In legal filings, Dylan, who came out as trans when he was in middle school, described a long, considered process that included a consultations with a therapist, psychiatrist, social worker and a chaplain.

But when the Brandts testified before lawmakers, they didnt seem interested in what they had to say: It was really defeating, honestly, Dylan said.

They joined the ACLU lawsuit in part in part because they didnt feel the same pressures other families did to lay low, said Joanna Brandt. She owns her own business, and she chose to believe her participation in the legal challenge would not affect it. But, if for some reason it did, it was still a worthwhile cause.

I just mostly and generally am not a fan of being told what to do, and this was the epitome of being told what to do, Joanna Brandt said.

Plaintiffs who spoke to The Post noted that the lawsuit wasnt their only concern when it came to trans rights.

Sabrina Jennens parents said they were disappointed in how much misinformation about gender-affirming care had proliferated over the last two years, as well as the rash of similar bans that have been introduced since Arkansas passed its own. Even more than the landmark ruling, they are worried that the Arkansas legislature will continue to set new standards for restricting trans rights this year.

Regardless, they know that the ruling will continue to shape their family for years  and that they are in this fight for the long haul, said Sabrinas father, Aaron Jennen.

Were not blind to the fact that whatever the ruling is, it will be appealed, and that this will continue on for some time, Jennen said. It is just one step in a process.
WASHINGTON  Leaders for the Army and Air National Guard said Wednesday that they hope to get closer to their recruiting goals in 2023 than they did last year, but they are battling tough competition from private companies such as FedEx, Microsoft and Wendys in attracting recruits to the military.

This is the most challenging recruiting environment the Department of Defense has ever faced, Col. Anthony Pasquale, division chief of Air National Guard recruiting and retention, told reporters Wednesday during a panel discussion.

Pasquale said he expects the Air National Guard to be between 3,000 to 4,000 recruits short of this years goal, though he is hopeful the service will do a little better than that. He said the Air National Guard is now at 97% of its end-strength target for this year of 108,000 airmen, which includes new and existing members.

Army National Guard leaders said they are on track to beat their recruiting performance last year, when it was 9,000 new members short. Col. Andrew Bishop, chief of the Army National Guard Strength Maintenance Division, said the Army Guard has so far signed up about 25,000 new members and expects to hit at least 95% of its total goal of 30,880 recruits.

There are still a few months remaining before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. Pasquale said he expects July, August and September to be big recruiting months for the Air National Guard.

The military has faced increased recruiting challenges for the past few years, and officials said the problem was made worse by the coronavirus pandemic because it took recruiters out of the field. Other challenges include a smaller candidate pool and less interest in serving among young Americans between the ages of 17 and 24, according to Pentagon data. Additional difficulties, recruiters on the panel said, include finding a toehold in the digital space and competing with private companies, and more flexibility in the post-pandemic job market.

What we have seen in the last few years [is]  people want remote positions, said Senior Master Sgt. Chris Perez, senior enlisted adviser of recruiting and retention for the Washington Air National Guard. Its not like we can just allow a person to move on from one organization and jump jobs like in the private sector. But we do offer great incentives, great benefits.

To be honest with you, its Wendys, its Carls Jr., its every single job that a young person can go up against because now they are offering the same incentives that we are offering, said Command Sgt. Maj. Marco Irenze, a longtime recruiter in the Recruiting and Retention Battalion of the Nevada Army National Guard. Thats our competition right now.

The recruiters on the panel said an extra hurdle with the National Guard is people often dont know they could take a private job and join the National Guard part-time.

A lot of [people] dont actually know what we truly do as guardsmen, said Staff Sgt. Yoon Kim, a recruiter with the Illinois Army National Guards Woodstock Recruit Sustainment Program. Once they hear what we have to say, they also kind of realize that it can all work together with their civilian factors, as well.

Kim said companies such as FedEx and UPS Inc. are offering very similar benefits as the National Guard, and others pointed out that competition for cyber talent has been particularly tough with companies such as Microsoft and Amazon.

The Army, Navy and Air Force are also struggling again with recruiting this year. For 2022, the Army was 15,000 soldiers short of its target and its already said meeting the goal of 65,000 this year will be a challenge. The Air Force said a few weeks ago it expects to be 10% short of its recruiting goal and the Navy projects to be a few thousand sailors shy of its target of 38,000. The Marine Corps, meanwhile, said it will meet its goal this year, as it did last year.

They do a phenomenal job, Pasquale said of the Marine Corps. Some of the stuff they do, which I think is a great technique and were trying to emulate that a little bit here, is when a certain geographic area is not making mission, they will deploy assistance to that location.

Retention, though, is a different story. The number of troops choosing to remain in the military across the board is high, according to each of the services.

Our retention is extremely high. At our last count, we were at 95.8% retention, Pasquale said, adding the figure is about 2% higher than normal for this time of year. Most of our struggles have come on the recruiting end.
SAN LUIS OPISPO, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  When retired U.S. Marine Trey Gonzales hears the sound of helicopters, it still causes him pain.

It reminds Gonzales of one of the worst experiences he had while in the military: the death of one of his fellow recruits at the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry during a training exercise.

The sound of the arriving airlift helicopter is still associated in his mind with the incident, and causes him to "go black," a form of hyper-focused tunnel vision.

To help him as he works through the trauma he experienced, Gonzales is taking part in a new Nipomo equine therapy program created by nonprofit Elite Vocations, which specializes in caring for veterans and first responders suffering from mental and physical wounds.

Gonzales still "goes black" when he hears the sound of a helicopter  which can happen in Elite Vocations' rural setting not far from Legacy Village Wellness Center when nearby farmers use helicopters to distribute fertilizer  but now, he's not going through it alone.

"I went black in the arena with the horse, but Simon, the instructor, was able to talk me out of it  the only thing he said was, 'Breathe,'" Gonzales said. "Instantly, I was able to come out of it, and me and the horse worked through it together. The horse was just as scared as I was."

Elite Vocations' rehabilitation and training center gives participating veterans the opportunity to transfer the horsemanship skills they learn into careers on ranches as horse grooms, founder Yvette d'Unienville told The Tribune.

"It's so great working with our veterans and first responders," d'Unienville said. "Compared to the general population, they're so quick to learn."

South African couple relocate to Central Coast, found equine therapy program

D'Unienville and her husband, Simon, are both from South Africa and only came to horse training in recent years when Simon had a "not-quite midlife crisis," after which the couple moved to Solvang to study under Monty Roberts, a world-renowned horse trainer, d'Unienville said.

While completing an internship with Roberts, the d'Unienvilles volunteered at equine therapy programs, where Yvette d'Unienville said they saw the difference horses could make in people's lives.

D'Unienville said while volunteering, she and Simon realized there were few ways for veteran clients who were interested in the horse grooming profession to move into a career, which prompted them to launch Elite Vocations in early June 2023.

At the program, veteran clients attend three days a week, eight hours a day, for a total of ten weeks  walking out the other side as a certified horse groom.

"It's 100% free to (the veterans), because we know that's often the biggest obstacle to changing your career," d'Unienville said. "For a lot of these guys, its already a stretch for them to take time out of working to come here."

D'Unienville said the program sources its horses from racetracks, where injured or retired horses often live out unhappy, unfulfilled lives.

Many racehorses only grew up with race training and are not used to recreational training, making them a blank slate for the veterans' training, d'Unienville said.

'I love the idea of this program,' veteran says

Navy veteran Lucas Winter, one of the program's starting batch of six students, said equine therapy is a great fit with both his background as a professional rodeo rider and future aspirations.

Winter said he grew up in Colorado, where he learned to ride and groom horses prior to his military career.

However, after the death of his father around seven years ago, he gave up on riding and spiraled into drug use, culminating in a July 2022 arrest in Santa Maria.

He said his reunion with the animals through the program brought emotions to the surface that he hadn't felt in years.

"When I felt the horse's breath on the back of my neck, I lost it  I broke down into tears, because I knew what I had been lacking in my life," Winter said.

Now, as Winter approaches a year of sobriety, he said he wants to focus on getting back in the saddle and passing on his knowledge of horse care to other veterans as an instructor with Elite Vocations.

"I love the idea of this program," Winter said. "The percentage of veteran homelessness is astronomical, but through this program, (the veterans) are going to have an opportunity to find a great job, because most ranches offer that as well."

Santa Maria veteran support group partners with equine therapy program

Winter said he wouldn't have known about Elite Vocations without his involvement in ECHO Group Band of Brothers, a Santa Maria-based veteran support group founded by Marine veteran Steve Baird.

When he was in jail, Winter said Baird got him out of jail, starting him on the path to sobriety.

Baird said his organization first tried equine therapy in 2022, after the death of one of ECHO Group's members. The experience of burying one of their brothers left the veterans "depleted," Baird said.

Dr. Cherylynn Lee, manager of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office's Behavioral Sciences Unit recommended Baird and the ECHO Group veterans try equine therapy in Santa Ynez, and to their surprise, it was an "absolutely wonderful" experience, Baird said.

"For us, it's a no-brainer  it's another opportunity to merge veterans with not only a good, healthy environment, but possibly the workforce and other members of the community that maybe didn't serve, but absolutely support and love their vets," Baird said.

ECHO Group doesn't have set meetings, instead opting to integrate veterans into the community through shared experiences such as bowling, softball or even skydiving, Baird said.

Baird said veterans already know how to be stoic adults, so reintroducing them to simple, fun activities can help bring them out of their shells.

Having seen the positive effect of equine therapy on ECHO Group's members, Baird said he hopes to direct more veterans to Elite Vocations in the future.

"It's just kind of natural for us, I think, to put therapy in anything we do," Baird said.

Elite Vocations offers its services to veterans for free, with the hope of eventually proving the program's effectiveness to the Veteran's Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System to attain referrals and funding to continue providing equine therapy to veterans, d'Unienville said.

"The ultimate goal is to have veterans teaching veterans," d'Unienville said. "You need the professional oversight, but that's our idea  as we move forward, we'll have these guys teaching a lot of the stuff."

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Some 50,000 medically retired veterans would receive increased service-related payments under a bill advanced Wednesday for a House vote by the chambers Armed Services Committee.

The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans medically retired from the military for combat-related injuries before serving 20 years to receive full retirement pay and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The measure was passed by the House Armed Services Committee by unanimous voice vote just before the committee took up the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that sets Congress' policy and spending priorities for the Pentagon.

Under current law, veterans who are medically retired for service-related injuries before 20 years and received a less than 50% disability rating from the VA are forced to forfeit a portion of their benefits. The Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit advocacy group, estimated those dollar-for-dollar offsets between military retirement pay and VA disability payments could cost a veteran at least hundreds of dollars every month.

The Major Richard Star Act would allow all medically retired service members who receive Combat Related Special Compensation  VA benefits for those specifically injured in combat  to collect their full disability benefits and retirement pay.

But lawmakers warned new budget caps passed as part of a debt limit deal enacted this month could keep the bill from being passed. Because of the spending caps imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, some $8 billion must be removed from spending plans for the Star Act to be approved, said Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the committee, said he would work with the other committee members on finding such a spending offset.

Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., said the bills advancement was a step closer to rectifying an injustice that keeps combat disabled veterans from receiving full military benefits. Bilirakis earlier this year introduced the bill, which he said had 324 co-sponsors.

The brave men and women who return from serving our country should be able to receive the benefits promised to them, Bilirakis said. Military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation are two completely different benefits. One does not diminish the merits of the other.

The bill is named for Maj. Richard Star, an Army veteran, father and husband who was medically retired after suffering combat injuries, according to Bilirakis office. Star died in 2021 of cancer linked to toxic exposure from burn pits on deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Wounded Warrior Project and other veterans organizations have championed the bill for more than two years. The bill also has been introduced in the Senate, where it has 66 co-sponsors. It was not clear Wednesday, however, when or if the bill would be considered by the upper chamber.

Wounded Warrior Project strongly believes that collecting both benefits should never be considered double dipping, and no retiree should be subject to the offset, according to the organizations fact sheet on the bill. For this reason, WWP will continue to support legislation to eliminate the offset for all retirees and considers the Major Richard Star Act one step towards achieving that goal.
JERUSALEM, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced on Wednesday that the construction of 1,000 new settler homes will be "immediately advanced" in the West Bank, where two Palestinian gunmen killed four Israelis on Tuesday.

The office said in a statement that new housing units will be built in the Jewish settlement of Eli, where the shooting attack occurred. The move was described as "a response" to the shooting attack, in which a pair of Palestinian gunmen killed four Israelis and injured four others in a gas station outside Eli.

The controversial decision, which is expected to trigger condemnations by the Palestinians, was made by Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich. "Our answer to terrorism is to strike it forcefully and build up our country," the ministers said in the statement.

Late on Tuesday, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian properties, including cars and olive trees, in the West Bank towns of Beit Furiq and Huwara and threw stones at Palestinian drivers.

Tuesday's shooting attack came a day after Israeli forces, supported by a rare use of an attack helicopter, killed six Palestinians and injured at least 90 others, in an hours-long gunbattle in Jenin in the northern West Bank.

It was the latest violence amid escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. According to official figures, at least 170 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis while 24 individuals have been killed on the Israeli side since January.

The West Bank was seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Despite international criticism, Israel has maintained control over the territory, where the Palestinians wish to establish their future state. 
Two key senators said they will introduce a bipartisan bill Tuesday to clamp down on the secretive practice of retired U.S. service members who cash in their military expertise by working as consultants and contractors for foreign governments.

The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, would impose an array of new restrictions, including a prohibition on troops negotiating post-retirement jobs with foreign powers while still on active duty; a ban on military intelligence personnel working for any countries except for close allies such as Britain, Canada and Australia; and stiffer financial penalties for those who violate the law.

The proposed legislation would also require the federal government to publicly disclose the names, job duties and salary details for all retired service members who receive compensation from foreign governments  something the Pentagon and State Department have long resisted.

The senators said they were acting in response to investigations by The Washington Post and the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight (POGO), which found that more than 500 retired U.S. military personnel  including scores of generals and admirals  have gone to work for foreign governments since 2015, mostly in countries known for political repression.

Under federal law, retired troops are permitted to work for foreign governments if they first obtain approval from their branch of the armed forces and the State Department. But federal agencies have fought to keep virtually all details about the arrangements a secret. The Post had to sue the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps and the State Department under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain more than 4,000 pages of documents that shed light on the matter.

The Department of Defense is letting too many retired military officers trade their military service and experience to foreign governments for cash  creating serious risks to our national security, said Warren, who leads the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on personnel. This system needs serious transparency and accountability.

Its no surprise that foreign governments would wish to capitalize on the knowledge and expertise of retired U.S. military members, but its critical to our national security that we be judicious in how we allow other countries to leverage their skills and experience, added Grassley, the senior Republican on the Senate Budget Committee. Unfortunately, weve seen that the current safeguards arent sufficient.

Among the other findings of The Post investigation: almost two-thirds of the foreign jobs taken by U.S. veterans have been in the Middle East and North Africa. The governments approval for such posts is almost automatic, with the Pentagon and State Department granting authorization about 95 percent of the time.

Warren and other lawmakers have said they are especially bothered by the high approval rate. That percentage strikes me as really troubling, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said in April during a Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing on the issue. It just seems to me like that is a symptom of something that is wrong.

Officials at the Pentagon and State Department have said that they jointly conduct a thorough review of all foreign employment requests and have wide latitude to deny any applications that would adversely affect the foreign relations of the United States.

At the hearing in April, however, lawyers representing the Defense Department and each branch of the armed forces said they were revisiting their policies and would report their findings to Congress in July. We think we can improve, said Sean Coffey, general counsel for the Navy. We are looking at that.
Social media users reacted angrily to the news announced on Tuesday by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Facial recognition used on pedestrians on a New York Street.

There has been backlash from the public following the announcement a standalone bill allowing the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by gardai will be brought forward by the end of 2023.

The use of FRT will be provided for in a new Garda Siochana (Digital Management and Facial Recognition Technology) Bill 2023.

Ministers have given the green light for gardai to immediately begin the procurement of bodycams which include FRT software to ensure they can be used once the legislation comes into force.

Justice minister Helen McEntee said on Tuesday: Todays government decision allows An Garda Siochana to immediately begin the process of procuring bodyworn cameras, vital and modern policing equipment, which will better protect frontline gardai and strengthen their ability to deliver on their duty to deter, detect and investigate crime.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee

This modern technology is a key tool for frontline gardai and represents a practical expression of our commitment to build stronger, safer communities. I believe it is essential to delivering on governments aim to ensure An Garda Siochana is a leading edge, modern police service fit for the digital age.

Under the forthcoming bill, FRT would be used retrospectively to search images which are in the possession of authorities.

Ms McEntee said: I firmly believe that bodycams and FRT are required to ensure that An Garda Siochana is a fully equipped, modern police service operating in a digital age, but I also acknowledge that some people hold legitimate concerns around the use of such technology.

Thats why we will introduce a number of safeguards  such as banning mass surveillance and profiling  and ensuring the code of practice for the use of FRT will be subject to approval by government and the Houses of the Oireachtas. Live FRT will not be permitted under this bill, Ms McEntee said.

CCTV

Social media users have reacted angrily to the post today on Twitter by the Justice Minister.

This is pure China style, we will not stand for it, wrote one.

There is a danger that the use of FRT will have significant chilling effects, altering how people use public and online spaces, wrote another.

Im glad I left Ireland before all these draconian measures were introduced, said one man.

More surveillance systems, said another, and I think youve lost the room, Helen.

Can someone make Orwell fiction again? asked another. Erosion of rights.

However, there was some support, with one commenter saying Good news, and shouldve been done long ago, amid an onslaught of negativity.

Kris Shrishak of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties recently stated: If the minister for justice wants to allow facial recognition, it is mass surveillance. Every person is a licence plate. There is a push for facial recognition in public which the ICCL is opposed to.

Facial recognition technology in public spaces is an attack on freedom, Mr Shrishak said.
Judge Kelly heard the schoolboy had gone out on Tuesday night and did not return home.

Videos of the Ballyfermot incident were shared widely on social media

A schoolboy who pleaded guilty to travelling in stolen cars which rammed a garda vehicle carrying two female officers in Ballyfermot in Dublin skipped his sentence hearing today.

District Court President Judge Paul Kelly issued a bench warrant for gardai to arrest the boy, 15, who faces a litany of charges at the Dublin Children's Court.

Judge Kelly heard the teen had gone out on Tuesday night and did not return home.

His solicitor Niall Walsh said he had spoken to the parents, who were not in court. He said the boy largely abided by his bail terms, but the judge noted he had also missed Junior Cert exams.

He said the teen's prosecution needed "a lot of management" and recommended gardai assign a case manager to the boy "to get a grip on it".

The teen had been missing from court previously by "refusing to get out of bed" for a previous appearance on May 30, but he turned up two days later accompanied to the proceedings by his mother and father.

The solicitor then said the Junior Cert student pleaded guilty to 19 charges.

They involved six separate prosecutions for incidents over nine months in Dublin last year when he was 14.

Two of them were for allowing himself to be a passenger in two stolen cars on September 19, 2022, when the patrol car was rammed three times after the gardai responded to a report about joyriders.

Two were for criminal damage to a CCTV system and a fire extinguisher at a residential building in Reuben Square, Dublin 8.

An incident on August 19 led to charges for unlawfully driving a stolen vehicle, having no licence or insurance, failing to produce documents and seven counts of dangerous driving in the Tallaght area.

There were also guilty pleas to being a passenger in a stolen vehicle in the Drimnagh area on May 9, attempted unlawful entry to a motor vehicle in Citywest on April 16, and criminal damage to a car passenger window on June 6 in Tallaght.

Mr Walsh then asked the court to note the guilty pleas and adjourn the case until today to allow the boy to sit his exams. He said that would "go into the mix as mitigation".

The solicitor said Judge Kelly had already been supervising the teen, was "extensively involved" in the proceedings and was familiar with the background.

He has yet to say how he will plead to two other charges: being a passenger in a stolen car in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, on April 24 this year and unlawful interference with a car in Dublin on February 4, 2022.

Videos of the Ballyfermot incident were shared widely on social media, with the clips showing collisions with the patrol vehicle cheered by on-lookers at Cherry Orchard Avenue and Cedarbrook Avenue.

Earlier, Detective Garda Michael McNulty said that after responding to a report of joyriders, the two female gardai were "rammed" by two Toyota Aquas.

The cars had been stolen within the previous 48 hours and were driven dangerously on the date of the incident,

"They proceeded to ram the patrol cars three times," Detective McNulty had alleged, adding that the boy was a back-seat passenger.

His case is to remain in the Children's Court.

However, it has yet to rule on the trial venue of two co-defendants who face a preliminary hearing in July on more serious charges.

They are accused of dangerous driving and endangerment of life by driving aggressively and colliding with the patrol car. It is alleged they intentionally or recklessly created a risk of death or serious harm.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has recommended that those two co-defendants face trial in the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

The three boys must attend school or bail supervision programmes and remain contactable by mobile phone, and two must stay out of the Ballyfermot area.

In addition, the court has restricted them from contacting each other and warned them to be of good behaviour and not be in control of any motor vehicles.

Breaking bail terms risk them being held in custody. Until age 18, the law classes the defendants as children with a right to anonymity.

Two other boys avoided court prosecution by acceptance into the Garda juvenile youth diversion programme earlier.
Zachary Purcell was committing offences to feed his severe drug addiction, his solicitor claimed.

A burglar who caused nearly 2,000 worth of damage as he smashed doors and broke into a caretakers office in an apartment complex car park has been jailed for six months.

Zachary Purcell had 179 previous convictions and was committing crime to feed a drug habit at the time. Judge Bryan Smyth sentenced him when he appeared in Dublin District Court

Purcell (34), of no fixed address, admitted burglary and criminal damage.

The court heard the accused got in the underground car park at an apartment complex at Kings Inn Street, Dublin on June 5, 2021.

He attempted to open a number of locked internal doors before breaking open the caretakers office and taking an angle grinder. The total value of the damage was 1,906.

Separately, he damaged a window frame getting into an address at Granby Lane on July 10, 2021. He wandered around corridors there and was arrested and detained.

Purcell had 179 previous convictions for offences including burglary and criminal damage.

He was serving a 16-month sentence when he appeared in court.

Purcell was committing offences to feed his severe drug addiction, although he accepted this did not excuse his behaviour, his solicitor John Quinn said.

He was off all drugs since he went into custody and is taking steps to continue this on release. Judge Smyth said the accused had a significant number of previous convictions and had caused a considerable amount of damage.

He made the six months consecutive to the prison term Purcell is already serving.
William Walker told one of them he would take her virginity

A former DUP councillor who posed as a younger man then asked two 'children' to send him pictures in their school uniforms has avoided jail.

William Walker was handed an enhanced combination order consisting of 100 hours' community service and three years' probation after he admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.

Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard the 60-year-old contacted two teenage girls posing as a 24-year-old man.

The girls - who stated they were teenagers in their conversations with Walker - were actually members of a paedophile hunters group acting as decoys.

In the course of the conversations he had with 'Sammy Jo' and 'Daisy May', Walker told one of them he would take her virginity whilst he asked the other if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend.

William Walker

As he sentenced Walker, Judge Geoffrey Miller KC said that whilst there was no actual contact between Walker and the 'girls', his claim that he had no sexual interest in children "has to be viewed with scepticism."

The judge said: "There can be little doubt that the defendant was motivated by perverse sexual desires in engaging in what was deliberate sexual grooming."

Walker - formerly from Killyleagh but with a current address at Palentine Road in Blackpool - set up a fake profile in the name of Peter Patterson and initially contacted 'Sammy Jo' on February 11 2022 when he sent her a Facebook friends request.

Aware that 'Sammy Jo' was 14, Walker began exchanging messages with her and asked to be his girlfriend.

He discussed teaching her how to kiss, talking about having sex with her and taking her virginity and asked if they could meet.

The former Mourne and Down District councillor also sent 'Sammy Jo' a picture of a topless man claiming it was him, suggested giving her 100 and told her 'I bet you look stunning in your school uniform.'

The contact ended when Walker asked 'Sammy Jo' for a picture of herself in her school uniform.

Around the same time, Walker made contact with a second decoy posing as a teenager called 'Daisy May.'

He sent her a friend request using the fake profile, told her she was stunning and on February 16, 2022 he sent her a message asking if she had a boyfriend. She replied, said she didn't and said it was her 14th birthday that day.

Walker gave her his phone number and the chat moved to WhatsApp. He called her on February 17 and 18 and during these conversations, Walker said he would treat her and told her he would buy her a new phone which she should hide from her mother.

Walker also suggested meeting up the following month, told her he would teach her how to kiss and asked if she had learned sex education in school.

'Daisy May' was asked by Walker to send pictures to him of her in her school uniform - and the contact continued until February 22 when he told her he would spoil her.

The matter was reported to police and when Walker was arrested, he admitted he had set up a fake profile.

When asked about 'Sammy Jo', Walker accepted they had communicated but claimed he believed she was over 18.

Regarding 'Daisy May', Walker admitted contacting her but said he had little recollection of what he had done and said he had been drinking 'big time' over the relevant period.

Walker told police he had no intention of meeting either of the girls - and subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child on dates between February 10 and 23, 2022.

Noting Walker has amassed 34 previous convictions - a majority of which are linked to politically motivated protests - Judge Miller accepted there were no prior sexual offences on his record.

He also spoke of a character reference supplied by a DUP councillor and said "he obviously doesn't know" Walker very well "or he wouldn't describe him as a man of good character."

The judge said he had also considered defence submissions which set out Walker's health problems and the impact his offending has had on him.

Addressing Walker in the dock, Judge Miller told him to stand then revealed he had considered imposing a 12-month sentence.

The judge then imposed the enhanced combination order as a "direct alternative to custody" and warned Walker than any further offending or breach of the order would result in a return to court and the possibility of jail.

Walker was also made the subject of a five-year sexual offences prevention order and will be on the sex offenders' register for the same period.
The BMW 3 Series had its lights off and was on the wrong side of the road, apparently in an attempt to evade pursuing gardai.

The scene of the crash on the N7 in July 2021, and inset, Dean Maguire, Karl Freeman and Graham Taylor, who were all killed.

The High Court has directed the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) to disclose the insurance details of a vehicle that drove the wrong way down Dublin's N7 and crashed head-on with an articulated lorry two years ago.

The vehicles occupants Dean Maguire (29), Karl Freeman (26) and Graham Taylor (31) died when it burst into flames following the collision on July 7th, 2021. The three deceased men, with addresses in Tallaght, Dublin, had a litany of previous convictions.

The BMW 3 Series had its lights off and was on the wrong side of the road, apparently in an attempt to evade pursuing gardai.

The driver of the oncoming truck, who was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the collision, this week secured High Court orders directing Gsoc to provide him with the names and addresses of the owner and driver of the car.

Gsoc must also disclose, by the end of this month, the vehicles insurance details and its make, model and registration number, Mr Justice Brian OMoore ordered.

As the application came while only the plaintiff was represented in court, the judge gave Gsoc liberty to apply for a change to the orders.

The court heard the plaintiff wants the information to assist with his application to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board

The truck drivers counsel, David Kent, said it might transpire that the deceased driver, once he is identified, might not have an estate.

A Garda member has been served with summonses by Gsoc relating to two charges he faces over the alleged manner of his driving before the fatal crash.

In a statement last week, Gsoc said the Director of Public Prosecutions has instituted criminal proceedings against a member of An Garda Siochana in relation to the incident.
Students are pictured with freshly made Zongzi in Dangjiu Village, Gandong Township of Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 20, 2023. A series of public events in celebration of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival were held for students here on Tuesday to help them better understand the charms of traditional Chinese culture. Zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, is always a popular food on this occasion. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Students walk with freshly made Zongzi in Dangjiu Village, Gandong Township of Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 20, 2023. A series of public events in celebration of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival were held for students here on Tuesday to help them better understand the charms of traditional Chinese culture. Zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, is always a popular food on this occasion. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Students learn from the elders to make Zongzi in Dangjiu Village, Gandong Township of Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 20, 2023. A series of public events in celebration of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival were held for students here on Tuesday to help them better understand the charms of traditional Chinese culture. Zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, is always a popular food on this occasion. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
Mr Gilligan faces up to four years' imprisonment if convicted.

Darren Gilligan, son of notorious convicted drug dealer John Gilligan, has volunteered to be surrendered to Spain where he is wanted for allegedly trafficking cannabis and sleeping pills as part of an international crime network, the High Court has heard.

Mr Gilligan (47) is wanted for three alleged offences in the region of Murcia in southern Spain after a judge there issued a European Arrest Warrant for him on October 10 of last year. Mr Gilligan faces up to four years' imprisonment if convicted. When arrested by gardai, he denied the charges, saying he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

At an extradition hearing at the High Court today, Simon Matthews BL, for the Minister for Justice, said Mr Gilligan is accused of trafficking in illicit drugs and psychotropic substances, participating in a criminal organisation and an offence against public health referring to medicines.

The charge regarding public health relates to postal packages of the medicines Datolan, Zoplicone and Limovan, which are all sleeping tablets that under Spanish law cannot be placed on a market without authority.

The maximum length of imprisonment under Spanish law is four years for the alleged public health offence, two years for the alleged drug trafficking, and 10 months for the alleged participation in a criminal organisation.

The European Arrest Warrant states that the Murcia National Police Force was investigating "a network of people dedicated to the distribution of narcotic substances in the Alicante area" and carried out surveillance, monitoring operations and phone tapping of suspects between July 2019 and February 2021.

John and Darren Gilligan

The warrant alleges that one of people who made up the network was Mr Gilligan, who, it claims, took part in the shipment of hashish and cannabis, as well as medicines without authority, posting them through a parcel company to Ireland.

The warrant alleges that telephone tapping and surveillance revealed that on September 29, 2020, Mr Gilligan and another defendant went to Los Dolores and Catral post offices to send packages of cannabis worth 3,468 to Ireland.

It further alleges that on October 1 and 2 that Mr Gilligan attempted to send three packages from post offices at Pilar de la Horadada, San Pedro del Pinatar and Santiago de la Ribera that contained the sleeping pills.

The warrant also claims that after being intercepted at a petrol station at Torrevieja by police, two packages containing 3,582 worth of marijuana buds were seized. That seizure led to a search of a Spanish address attributed to Mr Gilligan where 23 Zoplicone pills and a vacuum-packaging machine were seized, the warrant states.

At the High Court today, Mr Gilligan confirmed to his barrister, Mark Lynam BL, that he was surrendering to Spanish authorities after taking legal advice and that it was his own decision to do so.

Mr Gilligan confirmed to Mr Lynam that he had a flight booked to go to Spain to attend court when he was arrested here by gardai in April on foot of a European alert through the Schengen Information System.

The accused told Mr Lynam that he was aware of the consequences of surrendering to the Spanish authorities.

Mr Gilligan asked Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo "when am I going?" and was told by the judge that his extradition would be inside 20 days and that he would remain on bail until surrendered.

"Thank you, judge," said Mr Gilligan.

Mr Lynam made an application for his client to remain on bail which was not opposed by Mr Matthews who said that there had been no issues with Mr Gilligan while on bail.

Last month, Mr Gilligan was granted bail by the High Court despite Garda objections.

The High Court previously heard that Detective Sergeant Adrian Murray arrested Mr Gilligan in west Dublin on April 12. When asked if he knew what the Spanish allegations were about, the 47-year-old replied "yes" and that it came "from being in the wrong place at the wrong time over nothing I done."
Criminal Assets Bureau seek orders to seize cash, cars and designer goods

Xiao Zia Zheng outside the High Court in Dublin this afternoon.

Xiao Zia Zheng outside the High Court in Dublin this afternoon.

Jian Fei Zheng outside the High Court in Dublin this afternoon.

A KINAHAN Cartel-linked criminal used a Chinese organised crime gang in Ireland to launder drugs cash who then made the money available to gangsters outside of the country.

The Criminal Assets Bureau said the leader of the Chinese gang, Peng Fei He, had meetings with an old associate of Christy Kinahan senior and were paid a fee for the service.

Xiao Zia Zheng outside the High Court in Dublin this afternoon.

Details of the highly sophisticated scheme emerged during a hearing at the High Court today in which cash was held in a safety deposit box and expensive designer goods bought with cash were then exported.

The Criminal Assets Bureau is targeting 13 individuals involved in what is described as a criminal operation that included buying Prada, Gucci and Burberry bags in Brown Thomas for re-export.

Fei He was described in CAB evidence as the leader of the gang and the head of what is known as an International Controller Network in Ireland.

He had previously served time in Ireland for drug offences and was connected with a convicted Irish criminal named in court as Ciaran OSullivan.

CAB alleges OSullivan is an old associate of Christy Kinahan senior and has been convicted of drug offences in Spain and the Netherlands.

Two junior members of the alleged criminal gang were in court today where details of their involvement was laid out by CAB in affidavits and put before Judge Alex Owens.

During searches on 30 June 2020, as a result of intelligence, gardai seized huge sums of cash including 235,000 in bundles found in a safety deposit box at the Merrion Vaults.

Xiao Xia Zheng who worked as a nursing assistant and in a chipper said in court the cash had been sent to buy PPE while cash in her home was from Fei He whose family she had given cash to while he was in prison.

Her partner, Jian Fei Zheng, also appeared at the hearing, who she said knows nothing about this  he just goes to work and comes home.

They had claimed the money was from savings having worked for cash  as well as from money sent from Chinese for a shopping system known as deiguo.

'Dapper Don' Christy Kinahan Sr

Louis Vuitton bags had been left at her house by people involved in the shopping for people in China and that she had bought bags because the stores limit how many can be bought by an individual.

In his ruling granting CABs application to seize the cash, designer goods and two cars Judge Owens said the respondent resources simply do not match the colossal sums of money going through their accounts.

He said explanations in given in garda interviews were frankly unbelievable and the sums involved all represent one way or another the proceeds of crime.

According to the CAB chief Officer Michael Gubbins the gang was laundering cash from Irish drugs gangs and explanations for the cash and transaction were found to be inconsistent.

Xiao Zia Zheng outside the High Court in Dublin this afternoon.

He said the cash at the Merrion Vaults was the gangs reserve which effectively allows them work as an underworld banking system.

The case against other people named in the High Court action by CAB has been listed to go ahead at future dates.

The case stems from a series of CAB raids on 30 June 2020 which the court were heard were carried out in various locations including in Bray and Tallaght.

It was stated by the gardai at the time the raids were part of an ongoing intelligence led operation targeting foreign nationals involved in the laundering of the proceeds of crime, accumulated by Irish-based organised crime groups.

A total of thirteen locations were searched including five business premises and eight residential addresses resulting in the seizure of cash and assets worth 1,035,093.

Cash totalling 733.499 was seized, a further 301,594 funds were frozen in Irish bank accounts and four cars were seized along with other high value items.

At the time seven people were arrested for money laundering offences contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act, 2010
Father-of-11 Chilimbar Vasile has a previous conviction for stealing money from charity collection boxes in Cork and Waterford churches

A father-of-11 who received 455 a week in disability allowance as well as over 164,000 in rent allowance was jailed for three years for money laundering.

Cork Circuit Criminal Court was told that Chilimbar Vasile (57), who has a previous conviction for stealing money from charity collection boxes in Cork and Waterford churches, had an AIB bank card in the name of another individual - with Gardai discovering that over 228,000 had passed through the account.

Vasile of 13A Eagle Valley, Sarsfield Road, Wilton, Cork pleaded guilty before Judge Colin Daly to a money-laundering charge.

He pleaded guilty that, on September 24 2019, the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely a quantity of cash, was credited to an AIB account in the name of another person, knowing or being reckless as to whether the cash involved was the proceeds of crime.

Judge Daly was told by Detective Garda David Kelleher that Gardai began an investigation over two years ago.

In January 2021, Vasile was found with an AIB card and lodgement slips in the name of another person.

Garda investigations determined that, over a four year period, over 228,000 had passed through the account.

An analysis of Vasile's phone revealed CCTV footage from a property in his native Romania.

This large house was shown with three luxury cars parked in front of it.

It was located on a large plot of land, has a large annex and an attached shed/garage.

There was also CCTV footage of a large quantity of both cash and coins in various denominations being counted on a kitchen table within the property.

Gardai made overseas inquiries, with the assistance of Interpol, and discovered that the property was owned by Vasile.

No mortgage or loan was found to exist on the property.

Garda investigations focused on the fact that Vasile had no visible or traceable source of income.

When questioned by detectives about the precise source of the monies involved, Vasile said the money had been derived from begging and from selling copies of The Big Issue.

The court was told that Vasile was receiving 455 a week in disability allowance.

Over a number of years, while resident in Cork, he had received more than 164,000 in State rent allowance.

Judge Daly heard that Vasile has a total of nine previous convictions including for stealing from charity and church collection boxes.

In one case, he used a special hook to fish cash-filled envelopes out of the locked collection box - and had targeted churches in Dungarvan, Cloyne and Carrigtwohill in 2021.

Det Garda Daly said garda investigations had determined that a total of 228,274 had passed through the AIB account involved.

This was over a four year period starting in 2017.

Defence counsel, Siobhan Lankford SC, previously argued that her client had cooperated with the garda investigation and had significantly aided the State with a plea of guilty which saved both the time and expense of a potentially lengthy trial.

She also submitted that the property cited in Romania was in fact a home which had a long family background.

The court was told that Vasile had learned "a salutary lesson" and had not come to garda notice since his 2021 arrest.

"If given an opportunity to prove himself he would never engage in activity like this again, she said.

Judge Daly said an aggravating factor was that Vasile claimed social welfare payments for the duration of his offending.

Vasile had registered with the Revenue Commissioners in 2005 but was without any employment history in this country.

The judge said another aggravating factor was that Vasile had a number of previous convictions including for theft, deception and handling stolen property.

But he noted Vasile's guilty plea, which was entered at an early stage, and said this was a mitigating factor.

Judge Daly also noted the defendant has a number of medical conditions including diabetes and epilepsy.

He (Vasile) was also operating the (AIB) account for a substantial period of time. I cannot ignore the fact that as substantial amounts were going into the account, he was claiming social welfare payments, he said.

Judge Daly imposed a four year prison sentence but agreed to suspend the final year on the basis of Vasile's plea and co-operation with Gardai.

All funds in the bank account involved were seized.
The 55-year-old Rangers FC fanatic thought he was exchanging explicit sex messages with an underage boy but in reality he was conversing with a decoy

Neill Hunter talks to our man Steven Moore at his front door this week

A pervert farmer who told a 15-year-old boy to wear his mums underwear when they met has told this paper hes an idiot.

Ironically named Neill Hunter walked free from court this week after it emerged, hed been snared by a group of hunters himself  paedophile hunters.

The 55-year-old Rangers FC fanatic thought he was exchanging explicit sex messages with an underage teenage boy but in reality he was conversing with a decoy from the hunters group.

Over the course of a week last April Hunter send sex messages, including the sex acts hed perform on him when they met.

And when a meeting was arranged at Larne Train Station Hunter told the supposed to teenager to arrive wearing his mums underwear.

When we called at his home in Larne this week he confirmed his identity but politely declined to explain what possessed him to commit such a crime.

I have nothing to say about that, I dont want to talk about it, its over, he said.

And when pushed about his shocking behaviour he said, Look mate, I was an idiot, a complete idiot, simple as that.

Neill Hunter

On Tuesday at Antrim Magistrates Court Hunter was sentenced to four months in prison but District Judge Francis Rafferty suspended the sentence for two years.

Sentencing the balding creep and also imposing a five year Sexual Offences Prevention Order, the judge told him he had, failed to recognise that your actions were child sexual abuse.

Lets be clear, thats precisely what they are and the fact that you are in a degree of denial about your behaviour gives me concern that a probation order is of little import, said DJ Rafferty.

At an earlier hearing Hunter, from McCareys Loanen in Larne, entered guilty pleas to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, attempting to engage a child in sexual communication and possessing extreme pornography on dates between 23-30 April last year.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court that on 30 April last year, a man from a so-called paedophile hunter group told police how he had been exchanging messages with Hunter over the course of the preceding week.

Posing as a 15-year-old boy called Lee, the decoy told Hunter his age and the defendant told him thats fine and the messages quickly became sexual with the defendant sending sexually explicit images, asking to meet the boy and encouraged him to wear his mothers underwear when they met.

Hunter also detailed the sexual acts he would perform on him when they met and there was an arrangement for them to meet at Larne train station on 30 April.

At around 8pm that day, Hunter pulled his car into the carpark and was confronted by the decoy who recorded the incident and broadcast it online, but the pervert drove off.

The PPS lawyer said the decoy gave all the materials, footage and his phone to the police but in the meantime, Hunter himself also made a report to police himself that he was at the train station when he was approached by an unknown male who said that he was making a citizens arrest as he was meeting a 15-year-old boy for sex.

Officers seized his phone as well and when all the devices were examined, the evidence gathered corroborated the account provided by the witness.

Hunters phone was also found to contain three pornography images of an extreme nature but when he was questioned, he claimed that as a farmer the images had been sent to him as a joke.

He also denied having any sexual interest in children and denied that he didnt intend anything sexual to take place when he met Lee.

Lodging a plea in mitigation, defence counsel Neil Moore highlighted that father-of-two Hunter had a clear record whose health difficulties meant he couldnt work on the family farm and that lead to him going online more and more and resulted in the wholly bizarre offences.

In addition to the suspended jail sentence and SOPO, DJ Rafferty also ordered Hunter to sign the police sex offenders register.

The Sunday World asked the PSNI and the PPS if they kept figures on how many successful prosecutions against child predators had been brought.

The PPS said they didnt keep such figures while the PSNI told us to make a Freedom of Information Request (FOI).

But in a previous FOI case the PSNI said it would cost too much money in resources providing such a request.

Paedophile hunter groups have faced heavy criticism by the PSNI in the past with senior officers publicly warning them to cease targeting alleged child perverts.

In 2018 after a number of high profile cases where such groups targeted innocent people by mistake a senior cop went public telling the paedo-hunting groups to back off.

Detective Chief Inspector David McBurney from the PSNI's Public Protection Branch at the time said, "Those involved in this type of vigilante behaviour aren't in a position to ensure safeguarding issues are addressed and their actions could not only harm innocent people but could also have a detrimental impact on the criminal justice process.

"We would again ask that if these groups are motivated to help safeguard children, they need to bring any information they have about the identity of any person engaged in sexual offences against children to the PSNI immediately.

But in recent years there have been dozens of cases bought before the courts off the back of such amateur investigations.

Harold Burke

Perverts like Harold Burke from Coleraine and Beast of Broughshane Peter Clyde were caught in so-called stings by hunter groups using adult decoys posing as children to catch them exchanging filthy, illegal chats and pictures.

Clyde was convicted of attempted sexual communication with a child after the creepy 42-year-old mummys boy sent seedy messages to what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy called Stevie but who was in fact a decoy.

Burke thought he was having sexually explicit chats with three young teenagers but was communicating with members of a paedophile hunters group.

The 63-year-old made legal history by being the first pervert snared by a paedophile hunter gang to have his case sent to the crown court.

Both perverts were successfully prosecuted and placed on the sex offenders register.

Peter Clyde

In 2021 the Sunday World confronted another child pervert caught by paedophile hunters when we called at the home of Mark Wolfe.

The 33-year-old Strabane man had thought he was meeting a young boy for sex in 2017 but in actual fact the child he had been sending explicit sex messages to was in reality an adult working for controversial group Predator Catchers NI.

Wolfe had been exchanging highly explicit and graphic texts and photos with a young boy and had set up a meeting.

A judge told Wolfe he should thank Predator Catchers Northern Ireland for not being sent straight to jail.

Judge Michael Ranaghan said the manner in which they detained and humiliated Wolfe, while live-streaming the incident, and the fact it had been seen by thousands of people meant he gave him a suspended sentence.
Nadia was just a child, say heartbroken family in emotional tribute

This is the husband and wife sentenced over the merciless murder of a five-year-old child in Co Antrim.

Abdul Wahab and Aleksandra Wahab were jailed at Belfast Crown Court today for the "brutal, merciless and outrageous" killing of Nadia Zofia Kalinowska.

Nadia was fatally assaulted in her Fernagh Drive in Newtownabbey in December 2019.

Abdul Wahab, the childs stepfather, was told he must serve a minimum of 22 years in prison for Nadias murder.

Police release footage of Nadia Zofia Kalinowska dancing at family wedding

Nadias mother Aleksandra Wahab (29) was handed an 11-year sentence for a lesser charge of causing or allowing the death of her daughter.

The childs family released an emotional statement after sentencing.

They said: Nadia was just a child. A child who had her young and innocent life cruelly taken away.

Our little one was loved and treasured by her family here in Poland.

We have supported the police investigation over the last traumatic three and a half years, and are truly grateful to everyone for their support.

Were still, however, trying to come to terms with what happened to Nadia. And Im not sure that we ever will. To be honest, our worlds have been shattered.

Nadia will always remain in the heart of her loving grandmother and her closest family in Poland.

The Wahabs, of Fernagh Drive, were both originally charged with murder.

Earlier this year, Abdul Wahab pleaded guilty to the murder of Nadia as well as two charges of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Aleksandra Wahab pleaded guilty to the charges she was sentenced for.

At the time of their initial arrests, the Wahabs both claimed Nadia's death was accidental.

Police scans show the wounds inflicted by Nadia Zofia Kalinowska

As he imposed the tariff on Abdul Wahab, Mr Justice O'Hara spoke of the "brutality" inflicted on the child which resulted in a "horrific collection of injuries".

Jailing Aleksandra Wahab for causing or allowing the death of her daughter, the senior judge said she must have been aware of the "violent beatings" her husband was inflicting on her daughter - but "completely failed" to protect her.

He said: "I don't accept for a second that she did not know that Nadia was being repeatedly beaten and attacked by her husband."

Afterwards, a senior PSNI detective said Nadia was a young and innocent child who had suffered dreadfully.

Detective Inspector Gina Quinn, from the Major Investigation Team, said: Nadia died from head and abdominal injuries, however, she also sustained multiple fractures to her skull, ribs, pelvis and collarbone and serious injuries to her brain and liver.

"At the time of her death, she had over 70 surface injuries on her body which had been inflicted on various occasions over a six-month period.

Nadia Zofia Kalinowska

Nadia, who was a young and innocent child, had been subjected to a campaign of violence by her stepfather, while her mother ignored the very obvious attacks being carried out on her young daughter.

"They failed to ever seek medical treatment for any of her injuries. This was the ultimate betrayal of trust by the two people who should have protected, loved and cared for Nadia.

This has been a lengthy investigation and from the start we have worked closely with specialist prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Service to get justice for Nadia.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of colleagues in the Ambulance Service and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, who fought so hard to save Nadias life.

My thoughts today are with Nadias grandmother and extended family in Poland, who have suffered unimaginable heartache and pain.

Ciaran McQuillan, the assistant director of the Public Prosecution Service and Head of the Serious Crime Unit, said the case was deeply distressing and difficult to comprehend.

"Her injuries included multiple fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, a fractured forearm and extensive bruising and abrasions, he said.

The violence eventually resulted in her tragic death in hospital from a fractured skull and severe internal injuries. The medical evidence paints a picture of a shocking catalogue of abuse that culminated in her brutal murder.

We in the PPS hope the conclusion of this case brings some comfort to Nadias wider family circle and all those who loved her as they try to cope with her death.

More follows
The review into the home, where a resident was sexually assaulted, found other residents allegations against the same culprit were not properly handled.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has pledged to increase safeguard laws as soon as possible following a damning report on sex abuses at a HSE-run nursing home.

The review into the home, where a resident was sexually assaulted, found other residents allegations against the same culprit were not properly handled.

In June 2020, a healthcare assistant working at the home was jailed for 11 years for the rape of a female resident known only by the pseudonym Emily.

Today the findings of very critical review by the National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) was raised in the Dail by Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

The Taoiseach said the NIRP report was very distressing for everyone.

It strikes terror into the hearts of anyone living in a nursing home and anyone who has loved ones in a nursing home, Mr Varadkar said.

He added that in the coming days an overseas safeguarding expert will be appointed to assist the Government and the HSE to fully understand what happened. Mr Varadkar also said that safeguarding laws will be strengthened as soon as possible, with other issues like staff training also being addressed.

"There isn't any time to waste here," he said. The Taoiseach added that it was a devastating incident, and Emily and the other residents who came forward to report abuse, had been let down irrespective of the level of deception by the abusing staff member.

Ms McDonald called on the Government to introduce legislation to ensure residents are properly protected.

She pledged her partys cooperation with the Government to address the problem as soon as possible.

Earlier today, Justice Minister Helen McEntee described as hugely distressing further allegations of sexual assault at the HSE-run nursing home.

The allegations were made against the same worker who raped the elderly resident, but according to the governance review by the NIRP, none of the incidents were followed up in accordance with HSE safeguarding policy, RTE reports. Mr Z's behaviour only came to light as a result of the cognitive clarity, emotional strength and bravery of Emily, who died in 2021.

It said: "Emilys actions and sacrifice undoubtedly helped convict her rapist and saved other vulnerable women from his predatory behaviour.

"His behaviour as a sexual offender was thwarted by Emily and staff members who heard and loved her and who acted appropriately in securing his conviction. May she rest in peace."

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster has apologised unreservedly to the family of Emily and the other residents affected and said he would appoint a safeguarding expert from another jurisdiction to assist the HSE.

Reacting to revelations of the nursing home assaults, Minister McEntee said: This is hugely distressing, not just to people listening, but above all those who are involved and the victims here.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Photo: Gareth Chaney

"What we need to ensure is that firstly, this never happens again and the only way that you ensure that is by identifying and understanding where the problems are and how they can be rectified.

"Certainly, if somebody has not fulfilled their duty and has not adhered to very clear guidelines and rules that are set out, then that needs to be followed up on, in terms of prosecutions.

"As is the case with any allegation of sexual assault or rape, the gardai will absolutely do their job and make sure that they follow up on all of the allegations and make sure that they ensure that the victims who have come forward, and their families as well, that they are treated with utmost respect and supported through this time.

Asked when adult safeguarding legislation will be in place, Ms McEntee said she did not have an exact timeline but agreed it was needed for older and vulnerable people.

"I think that's what's distressing for people who have loved ones in assessing the vast majority of people are safe but in these instances where somebody abuses their power, we need to make sure that the safeguards are in place, that the right structures are there and that people adhere to them.
Tadgh Finley (23) pleaded guilty

An Irish man has been jailed for three years for his role in a string of 16 burglaries across the UK last year.

Tadgh Finley (23), who lives in Ireland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary dwellings with intent to steal at Guildford Crown Court this week.

His accomplice, 22-year-old Martin Kawley of Heathervale Way, New Haw, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to the same offence.

The pair have been linked to burglaries in the English towns and villages of Addlestone, Ashford, Cobham, Sunbury-Upon-Thames, Staines-Upon-Thames, and Woking.

They were arrested last December after Proactive Investigation teams across Surrey joined forces with local police to track them down.

Kawley was charged with 19 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary between 6 October and 19 December 2022.

These related to 16 offences in Surrey - two in Hertfordshire and one in Warwickshire.

Finlay was charged with seven counts of conspiracy to commit burglary between 17 and 19 December 2022.

Sergeant Dean Rogers of the Proactive Investigation Team said: We know burglaries can have a huge impact on victims. Tackling this crime type is one of our Force priorities and we work closely with our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams, intelligence teams and cross border resources to investigate burglaries across the county.
Every evening, Id have to drop my kids back to my ex-husband so they could sleep in beds and I would sleep in the van

Deborah Donnelly now makes a living as an artist and hopes to build her own home in Connemara

She runs a successful business as an artist from her studio in Dublins Marlay Park and is often on Ireland AM demonstrating her abilities. But Deborah Donnelly found herself homeless and living in a van just five years ago.

I find it hard to even talk about it now, says the 45-year-old from Stillorgan in Dublin. I woke up one morning and there was a For Sale sign outside my house. Myself and my family had 48 hours to leave.

The mother of three children  Evin (21), Franky (16) and Casey (15)  had lived for 13 years in a three-bedroom cottage in Dun Laoghaire that she and her then-husband, who worked as a butcher, bought together in 2007. It was only worth about 250,000 or 350,000, but we paid over 500,0000 for it at the height of the boom, says Deborah.

After the financial crash in 2008, they struggled to make the repayments. In fact, they were only paying interest on the loan at that time. To make matters worse, the bank sold the debt to a vulture fund. The repayments increased and they kept on increasing, accumulating compound interest at an alarming rate.

Deborah in the van she once called home

Wed make a deal with the bank to pay bullet payments and then wed get a letter to say theyd sold the debt on to another bank and wed have to start the process all over again. It was a living nightmare, she recalls.

This is not an isolated incident. According to misselling.ie, a company that represents people whose houses or pensions have been mis-sold, there are approximately 60,000 who have found themselves in similar situatons in Ireland. It would have been a different story if wed been with a state bank, explains Deborah. But it happens and theres no way out.

It was very traumatic for my kids too. I remember one day being late to collect my daughter from school and she ran back to the old house. I arrived to hear another child shout at her, Casey, you dont live there anymore. I just ran to my daughter, put my arms around her and we both burst into tears.

At the same time, her marriage fell apart. Forced to sleep in a camper van because of the rental crisis, she was separated from her three children, who stayed with her ex-husband, while she searched for new accommodation without success.

I felt deep shame at being homeless, she says. Every evening, Id have to drop my kids back to my ex-husband so they could sleep in beds and I would sleep in the van, parked near the pier in Dun Laoghaire.

After weeks of living out of a van, she eventually found an apartment to rent and was able to move her children in. But the memories still haunt her.

I mean what is rock bottom? muses Deborah. Ive had a number of times in my life when I thought Id reached it.

Deborah now makes a living as an artist

The artist is no stranger to trauma. Her own mother, Clare OFarrell, was also an artist and gave birth to her in Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork and toyed with giving her up, but kept her in the end.

She went on to have two other children, who she raised on her own. But it wasnt easy, and she remembers times when the family had little money because her mum hadnt sold a painting.

Deborah herself became pregnant as a single mother at the age of 22. She had gone to the US after completing a degree in textiles at NCAD and was living in New York and soon returned home. I nearly went to a mother and baby home too, she tells. In the end, I opted not to, but I understand the shame that was attached to being a single mother in Ireland.

She also struggled to bring up her little boy on her own, but her mother was a great support and she managed make a basic living from selling her paintings.

In 2004, she exhibited for the first time on Dublins Merrion Square. One of the paintings was a 12x12ft cow head which I hung along the railings in Stephens Green, and four 8x8ft pictures, she recalls. All the cars stopped and people were beeping and asking how much? Nothing sold at first and by that evening, I had a queue of people waiting to buy my paintings.

Little by little, galleries around Ireland started to take notice of her work and in the meantime, she married and had two more children. These days, shes no longer homeless, having managed to buy a plot of land in Connemara, and plans eventually to build a house there.

In addition, she makes a steady living from her art. She ships paintings to buyers abroad and sells to wholesalers, as well as producing prints, canvas bags and notebooks with her images. She also teaches workshops and does painting demonstrations on TV.

Art is all I ever wanted to do and it brings me great joy, she smiles. Its been the only constant through all stages of my life.
The plane came down in a field five kilometres from Abbeyshrule Airfield in Co Longford at around 10am

A pilot miraculously walked away unscathed when his light aircraft burst into flames seconds after being forced into an emergency landing along the Longford-Westmeath border yesterday.

The plane, which burst into flames following the emergency manoeuvre, came down in a field five kilometres from Abbeyshrule Airfield in Co Longford at around 10am

The pilot, multi-time Irish Aerobatic champion Dave Bruton, astonishingly escaped serious injury after it is believed the light aircraft's engine seized in mid-flight.

Speaking about his ordeal barely 24 hours later, Dave put his lucky escape down to experience and know-how which has seen the Dublin native clock up over 5,000 flying hours over the course of 25 years of unlimited aerobatics.

"This event would have been only possible to survive with the knowledge and expertise of the pilot," he said.

Images of the smouldering wreckage were the subject of a thorough site examination yesterday as the the Department of Transports Air Accident Investigation Unit confirmed an investigation was now underway.

On Tuesday 20th June 2023, the AAIU was notified of an accident involving a light aircraft that had conducted a forced landing in a field approximately five kilometres southeast of Abbeyshrule Airfield, Co. Longford," said a Department of Transport spokesperson.

"Four AAIU inspectors deployed to the accident location near Paddinstown Lower Co. Westmeath to commence an Investigation.

"This entailed an initial inspection of the aircraft and a survey of the accident site."

The spokesperson confirmed a statement had since been taken from the pilot with the remains of the light aircraft now the subject of more rigorous technical inspection at an AAIU facility in Co Meath.

"The Investigation also interviewed the pilot of the aircraft," added the spokesperson.

"The aircraft wreckage has now been removed from the accident site and has been transported to the AAIU Wreckage Examination Facility in Gormanston, Co. Meath for further detailed examination.

"The Investigation is ongoing, and a final report will be published in due course.
New figures released by the Department of Justice show Mr Ward got 178,729.72 from the State over the last three years

A Fine Gael senator who described free legal aid fees paid to barristers as embarrassing has received more than 175,000 under the scheme over the last three years.

Senator Barry Ward, who is also a junior barrister, has publicly condemned the State fees paid to the legal profession and called for an increase in the rates for providing legal help to those who cannot afford it.

Mr Ward also raised the issue at a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, where he said it was embarrassing and damaging that the party failed to reverse cuts imposed during the post Celtic Tiger recession.

However, new figures released by the Department of Justice show Mr Ward got 178,729.72 from the State over the last three years through the free legal aid scheme.

The payments to the Fine Gael senator were among the almost 200m bill for free legal aid fees paid to lawyers over the last three years.

Mr Ward earns 75,000 as a senator and is entitled to an additional 5,250 in travel and accommodation allowances.

Last month, while speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Ward said it was embarrassing that professionals who have spent a lot of time and money training, and are providing a service to the State, have to come with a begging bowl.

Its different from almost any other sector, insofar as legal aid fees were cut over a decade ago and in terms of criminal solicitors and barristers, they have never been restored, he said.

Mr Ward said it was a common misconception that all barristers were well-paid and noted some were being paid as low as 25 for attending hearings.

Criminal solicitors and barristers are worst-paid lawyers in the State, he said.

If you listen to the rates that theyre paid, a junior barrister who goes to the district court for a case would be paid 25 for their trouble to do that.

That results in delays for prosecution, and it results in the non-availability of barristers.

Mr Ward said fewer and fewer lawyers were taking up criminal law and many of those in the field were leaving due to the fees. Barristers and solicitors who represented the defence and the prosecution were paid the same rates.

The Fine Gael senator said entering the legal profession was often a second career move for barristers and solicitors.

They may have been doctors or guards or in the defence forces, he said. If youre that person, you cant practise in criminal law because you might have a mortgage or children or something like that, and theres no possibility to pay for that.

At a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting last month, Mr Wards call for free legal aid fees to be increased was supported by former justice minister and solicitor Charlie Flanagan, Junior Minister Josepha Madigan, a family lawyer, and Cork North-Central TD Colm Burke, who is also a solicitor.

Senator Martin Conway, Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell and Kildare North TD Bernard Durkan were also supportive of Mr Wards comments.

Mr Ward said he did not wish to comment when contacted by the Irish Independent.
NAIROBI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday appealed to warring parties in Sudan to allow humanitarian agencies to operate freely.

The humanitarian agencies are ramping up aid operations in Sudan to alleviate the suffering caused by the two-month conflict and their work should proceed unimpeded, Ruto said in a statement. He made the remarks in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, when he met UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi who briefed him on the humanitarian and refugee crisis in Sudan.

The aid operations remain hampered by looting, violence and bureaucratic impediments amid insecurity, according to the United Nations.

Grandi told the president of Kenya, which is the chair of the Quartet Group of countries on the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development roadmap to peace in Sudan, that the situation has escalated and the number of refugees fleeing the war is expected to hit the two million mark.

"The saddest part is that the humanitarian staff are not respected and the UNHCR office in Khartoum has been destroyed. The huge number of refugees at the borders of Egypt and Chad have led to a lot of suffering," Grandi said. 
The UFC star was in Times Square with his daughter.

UFC star Conor McGregor has posted a photograph on social media of himself and his daughter enjoying a showing of The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway in New York.

The family snap comes days after the Crumlin man posted more photos of himself and his family enjoying the five star service of the Peninsula Hotel on 5th Avenue.

Thog me mo Croia go dti an Lion King Broadway Show anocht i Nua-Eabhrac, Times Square, Conor captioned the sweet snap.

Balcony grub

On fathers day, the MMA champ posted images of himself and his clan enjoying a balcony meal overlooking the Big Apple, whilst tucking into coffees, chips and a variety of delicious grub.

The family also enjoyed the indoor pool in the hotel where prices start at 900 per night approximately.

Conor has been in the eye of the storm recently with a woman making a number of sexual assault allegations against the grappler.

5 star service

Last Friday, McGregors lawyer, Barbara R. Llanes, of Gelber Schacter & Greenberg, issued a statement regarding the allegations against McGregor, saying that the woman involved wants money.

McGregors attorney says that footage from the night shows the allegations are false, which McGregor had claimed all along.

Indoor pool

After the video was released by TMZ, the claimants lawyer now has changed her story, the firm said.

Mr McGregor welcomes the investigation, which he firmly believes will show the claims against him are false.

The Peninsula NYC

After not responding to the demand for money made by claimants counsel, she turned to the media to apply pressure. This is no more than a shakedown.

There have been no charges filed at this time.

UFC veteran, Matt Brown had some advice for the Dublin fighter recently.

Dee and Conor

My big question  is Conor putting himself in these positions where people have the opportunity to make these types of allegations? Brown said of McGregor on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. In my opinion, not that Im one to tell anyone how to live their life, but I would lay low if I was him, he said.

If someone is making these allegations, that means at minimum, there are people around that had the opportunity to make these allegations. At least in the same room that he was speaking to, or hanging out with, or something. It has to be a minimum at that.

If hes not in the vicinity, they cant make these allegations. But if theyre even in the vicinity, then that potential exists, Brown added.
For immigrant Lalangi Deniya, volunteering in her new hometown has turned into a new career.

In her native Sri Lanka, Lalangi was a quantity surveyor in construction working in a high-pressure environment when she and her husband decided to try a different country and culture.

New Zealand seemed like the ideal place, quiet and calmer than Sri Lanka.

They arrived in 2015 and lived in Auckland for several years, focused on finding her husband a job in IT.

Lalangi concentrated on setting up their home while taking a break after her busy working life in Sri Lanka, and visiting to help and support two of her Sri Lankan friends with their children, cooking and company.

Her husband then got a job in Tauranga and Lalangi discovered volunteering - an activity that isn't recognised in the same way in her home country where neighbourhoods and communities just come together to support each other.

'I started to hear the name volunteer, and that people of all ages in New Zealand do it.

"I knew a group of people and we went to the beach in Mount Maunganui to plant the sand dunes, and that was my first experience of volunteering, which I really enjoyed and felt good.

'I got motivated and a friend told me about Waipuna Hospice which helps life-limiting patients and their families, and I was really interested. I like to help people and feel we have a responsibility to give back to the community in any way we can.

She walked into a Waipuna Hospice charity shop and asked to volunteer there.

'Everyone was so nice and as a migrant it was a great way to meet people, be part of the community, learn about New Zealand culture and lifestyle.

"It gave me confidence to go out and talk to people, so I looked for more opportunities to volunteer.

Then she found VolBOP - now Volunteering Services, a division of SociaLink - online and looked for anything else she could do since she now felt comfortable with the place and was looking for work as well.

'VolBOP had volunteer opportunities for office work and it was a chance to gain work experience and work in a place that encouraged other volunteers. I started knowing nothing about the working environment in New Zealand but received great support from the team for me to grow.

After a month as a volunteer she was offered a paid part-time job looking after the database, also continued volunteering another year for VolBOP on Fridays, and she still volunteers at the hospice charity shop on Wednesdays.

'Volunteering got me out of my comfort zone, made me a different person, and it's been a big part of my settling down in New Zealand.

"I've learnt lots of new skills, like working with systems, and found an area inside me I didn't know I had.

Te Wiki Tuao a-Motu  National Volunteer Week honours the collective energies and mana of volunteers in New Zealand. They grow our people, open minds, open hearts and create joy.

Running from June 18-24, National Volunteer Week is a great way to get out there and volunteer your time to a plethora of great causes.

The theme this year is he wa piataata  time to shine'.

Tuao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand is encouraging people to celebrate how our communities are stronger when we all work together. Post your volunteer celebrations and activities to social media with the hashtag #NVW2023 to share!

For more information about National Volunteer Week and additional resources, visit: nationalvolunteerweek.nz

To find a volunteer role in the Bay of Plenty go to the Volunteering Services website to find a role that suits you.
The weather cleared as the sun rose and people began to gather for the 159th annual commemoration of the Battle of Te Ranga at its historic landmark in Pyes Pa this morning.

It was a successful turnout, with more than 100 attendees including Maori, Pakeha and tamariki from local primary and high schools.

The Battle of Te Ranga occurred on June 21, 1864, and has been described as one of the bloodiest of the New Zealand campaigns.

More than 100 Maori, including the chivalrous Henare Taratoa, were killed or mortally wounded at Te Ranga, as were 13 British troops. The visiting iwi also suffered heavy casualties, which contributed to their subsequent enthusiasm for the Pai Marire insurgency.

The ceremony began at 7.30am this morning, opening with waiata performed by whanau and tamariki followed by a karakia.

Des Tata then proceeded with kaikorero expressing the importance of gathering in remembrance of what happened on this day and place 159 years ago.

Des expressed his gratitude for the number of attendees that had gathered to commemorate the battle, extending an invitation to join next year's commemoration gathering.

'We would like neighboring hapu to come and also speak next year at this commemoration, so they can also speak their story.

Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor James Denyer was attending the commemoration for the first time.

'Today we remember the tragic events of the battle, the courage, the bravery and the sacrifice and the many who fell.

'It's good to learn the history, and understand, and be with the people as they commemorate the fallen and what happened."

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is involved with funding the restoration for this historic landmark, with concept plans currently being discussed.

'It is encouraging with this new development that it will see more Maori and Pakeha visiting the battle site, and encourage the community to visit and learn more about the history of the Battle of Te Ranga," says Mayor Denyer.

Development of the area includes making the historic site more accessible to the public, with trees and a car park to encourage Maori and Pakeha to spend more time learning about the importance of the battle.
This week in the Bay of Plenty residents have spotted two suns rolling over the horizon, which WeatherWatch.co.nz calls "an awesome and very rare" optical illusion.

'Mirages appear when particles in the atmosphere refract, or bend light  and this often occurs as the sun is rising or setting through a thicker' atmosphere, says WeatherWatch.co.nz head forecaster Philip Duncan.

'In 16+ years of running WeatherWatch.co.nz we have never had a photo of a double-sun like this one, it's very cool."

Angel Townend, who took the picture earlier this week, says the photos don't "capture the symmetry or separation of the two [suns]" which they could see with the naked eye.

The Katikati resident took the photo on Tuesday, June 20, from rural town looking out over the Pacific Ocean at about 7.32am.

'Optical illusions are most common in the mornings and evening as the sun shines through a thicker layer of earth's atmosphere," says Phillip.

'The dust, gases and particles can twist light in ways that don't always make immediate sense  but many of us have seen the sun kissing' the sea at sunrise/sunset (where it does a bit of a figure-8 shape)  this is basically another version of that.
Pride in Competa Pride is celebrated every June across Spain in big and small towns. Last year, Competa, a town in Axarquia with a population of around 4,000 people, held its first pride celebration, and this year's events have established it as a successful tradition

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Pride events are aimed towards anyone who feels their sexual identity falls outside the mainstream, with straight people who want to support the community also being welcome. The first Pride in Competa was an important step for LGBTQ+ representation in smaller towns and rural areas in Malaga province. It provides a more relaxed experience away from the noisy crowds, bright lights and loud music.

We want to honour unity, inclusivity and sexual and gender diversity, and to create a sense of community and safe space in Competa, organising events for LGBTQ+ people and their families, Inez Leniere Lopez, one of the organisers, said.

Inez Leniere Lopez and Kate Dakers; Competa at Pride, Ellie, a baker. A.M.S.

Several gatherings for gay residents and visitors were organised in Competa from Wednesday to Sunday. Events started at the restaurant Cortijo Paco, which hosted an Ibizan white-themed dinner, with live local music. On Thursday, Pride moved to Hierbabuena, a cafe in the centre of Competa. Here an afternoon summer party was held, which included a buffet, a welcome drink and rainbow cakes. Colourful cupcakes were baked by Ellie, who is originally from the UK and now lives in Competa. The young baker told SUR in English that it was a pleasure to join in with Pride events.

Ampliar At the Drag bingo. A.M.S.

On Friday night La Carpinteria bar opened its doors for Drag bingo. This gay friendly venue in Competa welcomed everyone. The drag queen, Sugar Royal, travelled from Torremolinos to host the bingo and entertain the audience.

At La Carpenteria. A.M.S.

English was the common language of Competa pride, as the event united people of different nationalities who live in this picturesque white town. Its foreign residents have been active in arranging events for and celebrating Pride, leading to more connections between local inhabitants and foreign newcomers.

Competa foreign residents have been active in arranging events for and celebrating Pride, leading to more connections between local inhabitants and foreign newcomers

Competa Pride 2023 is being held with the support of the local council. The recently elected councellor, Maurice Jonker, is the Chairman of Pride. He explains why the small town needs Pride. June is Pride month and many ask why we still need a month dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. 2020 saw the highest number of violent and fatal incidents against transgender and non-gender-conforming people since transphobic hate crimes started being logged. Unfortunately, discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals are still prevalent in our society, and we need to make sure to celebrate our identities and the rights that we have fought so hard for. Visibility is a vital component of the wider fight for equality.

Maurice Jonker, 'love' installation, Steve. A.M.S.

There wasn't enough Pride visibility in the town, Andreas, a German who came to Pride Competa from Torremolinos, told SUR in English. When we celebrated Pride in Torremolinos a couple of weeks ago the town looked like a huge rainbow, full of flags and decorations. Here you don't see flags hanging from balconies and cafes. Hopefully things will change and soon Competa will even be ready to have a Pride parade.

Birgit, a Swede living in Torrox, thinks that having Pride in a small town like Competa helps LGBTQ+ people feel heard. Keith, originally from London, said that after settling in Competa he is living his happiest years. He enjoys the atmosphere in the town during Pride. Bruno, from Denmark and a new resident in Competa, feels the event is a good opportunity to know more about lifestyle of the town and to show its diversity. Steve, who recently moved to Competa from USA, always has lots of fun at Pride.

A board group with the mayor of Competa and DJ Worzel, at the Ibizan white themed dinner, finishing the High Heel Shoe race. SUR

There was lots of laughter in the town centre on Sunday, when one of the headline events - a High Heel Shoe race - made both men and women attempt to not fall over whilst running to the main square in high footwear. A Barcelona Drag show was held on Almijara Square followed with comedy and music by Kira Shimai. The event ended with DJ Worzel playing some tunes.
UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The impacts of the Sudan crisis are unfurling along multiple fronts in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, the top UN envoy in South Sudan, said on Tuesday.

Since mid-April when the conflict erupted in Sudan, over 117,000 people have crossed over to South Sudan from Sudan, 93 percent of them are South Sudanese returnees, he told a UN Security Council briefing.

South Sudan's absorption capacity is under strain, and the economic impact of the conflict has cast a shadow on an already fragile situation in the country, said Haysom, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN mission in South Sudan.

The sudden interruption of imports from Sudan has resulted in essential commodities being "out of reach" for the ordinary people in South Sudan, he said.

On the political side, the conflict in Sudan reduces the much-needed bandwidth, both domestic and international, to focus attention on South Sudan, which is in its critical phase of transition, warned the envoy.

"Now is not the time to take our eyes off the ball in South Sudan. What we can learn from Sudan is how quickly hard-won peace gains can unravel," Haysom said.

He noted that the crisis in Sudan has implications for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan.

"As it stands today, South Sudan is not ready to roll out an electoral process," Haysom said, adding that all stakeholders recognize the urgent need to address the issue. "We also believe that with a united effort amongst all parties, it may be possible for South Sudan to make up the gap."

He expressed the hope that with cooperation, partnership and sustained leadership, "a positive change in the lives of the South Sudanese people can be achieved." 
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by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani

JAKARTA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia will keep pushing ahead with its newest policy banning bauxite ore export although it sparks national controversy and may face international lawsuits, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Wednesday.

Indonesia, the world's sixth largest bauxite producer, has banned the export of bauxite raw ore since June 10. Bauxite is an important commodity used in various industrial products, including aluminum and cement.

Widodo said Wednesday in an event in Bogor, West Java province that he was fully aware that the ban would spark disappointment from many other countries, but Indonesia had to start aggressively moving ahead to develop its downstream industry.

The bauxite ore export ban is part of Indonesia's goal to process its raw mineral materials at home, push its mineral downstream industry and invite investments for building smelters and manufacturing factories so that the country can get added value for their mineral productions.

Since January 2020, Indonesia has banned exports of unprocessed nickel ore, the main component for making steel and electric-vehicle batteries. The policy has successfully driven foreign buyers of Indonesian nickel to invest in establishing nickel-producing factories for higher value-added industrial activities in Indonesia, the country with the world's largest nickel reserves.

The nickel export ban was sued by the European Union (EU) to the WTO as the ban could harm the EU's stainless-steel industry.

"When we stopped nickel ore exports, the EU sued us, and we lost. And then we filed an appeal. That's why stopping raw mineral exports requires courage from our government," Widodo said.

The bauxite export ban, instead, has sparked controversy among bauxite miners across the country, mainly because many claimed that the policy was enacted when Indonesia has not yet had enough smelters to accommodate the mounting production capacity of bauxite, which then forced many companies to reduce their production for a while.

Data from Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources shows that of 12 bauxite smelters the country targets to have, only four smelters have been established and are operating.

Executive Chairman of the Indonesian Bauxite and Iron Ore Companies Association Ronald Sulistyanto said that a number of bauxite miners needed to reduce, or even stop, their production because the four smelters could only accommodate 13.9 million tons of bauxite ore per year, while the total nationwide production had reached 30 million tons per year.

"This export ban, thus, will pose negative impacts to hundreds of thousands of mining workers," Sulistyanto said last Saturday.

Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif said earlier that the export ban might indeed cause no less than 1,019 workers in the bauxite mining sector to lose their jobs because the ban was estimated to decrease export volume up to 8.09 million tons, or 288.52 million U.S. dollars in value, in 2023.

However, Tasrif ensured that the export ban would give the bauxite ore an added value of 1.9 billion dollars from the current operational refining facilities.

An economic expert from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Fahmy Radhi, said he believed that this policy, just like the nickel ore ban, would attract investors to invest in the construction of the required bauxite smelters. 
Syracuse, N.Y. - Shaundeese Jones said her son was wounded by 15 bullets in three shootings before he was shot dead a year ago.

The Syracuse mother shared her sons story at a town hall on gun violence organized by the 100 Black Men of Syracuse organization.

What are police doing to stop this? she asked.

Syracuse police, government officials and community members gathered Tuesday night in the Southwest Community Center at 401 South Ave. for a discussion on gun violence.

One of the panelists, Sgt. Colin Hillman, an officer in the criminal intelligence division of the Syracuse Police Department, said he remembered Jones son. Hillman said he knew her son Josh Williams as a human and it hurt him a lot when he was killed.

Josh Williams and 14 other people died from gunshot wounds last year; there were 18 homicides all together. Six months into 2023, there have been 10 homicides, seven firearms related, Hillman told the crowd.

Shots fired in the city of Syracuse are down approximately 13% over last year, while shootings with injuries are down, roughly, 32%, according to Hillman. Homicides, however, are up over last year, he said.

Hillman said gun violence hot spots in Syracuse are split into three districts. The North District, and the South Side  split into two districts  the Southwest and Southeast. The Southwest side makes up the majority of gun violence, he said.

Another panelist, Timothy Noble Jennings-Bey, CEO of Street Addiction Institute Inc., said his organizations research found that post-traumatic stress is higher and more prevalent in Syracuse community members than in veterans.

The community fights where they live, Jennings-Bey said. Post-traumatic stress disorders; post means something has stopped, with us its ongoing and concurrent.

Lateef Johnson-Kinsey, who was also on the panel, said he believes his program Syracuse Safer Streets Community Violence Intervention would help reduce it. The program would work to try and reduce gun violence by providing cognitive behavioral therapy, conflict and case management, and assist with job trainings or educational opportunities, he said Tuesday.

Johnson-Kinsey, a pastor and educator, was appointed the citys the new director of the Office to Reduce Gun Violence in April 2022.

Johnson-Kinsey said the most important aspect of the program will be the cognitive behavioral therapy. He said the program wants to focus on providing therapy to traumatized victims, those involved in the violence and community members.

A study Johnson-Kinsey shared done by Pablo Uribe, a Bloomberg Harvard City Fellow, found that the violence in Syracuses poorest neighborhoods stems from personal conflicts and decades-old beefs. Uribe told The Post-Standard | Syracuse.com that there are endless cycles of retaliation.

The anti-gun czar said the citys goal is to have organizations that can deal with high risk individuals known as the drivers of gun violence.

The mayors office wants to implement a program that would utilize gang members to reduce the citys gun violence. They would pay gang members a weekly stipend to stay out of trouble, Johnson-Kinsey said.

The Community Violence Interruption Policy, a pilot program proposed by Mayor Ben Walshs Office to Reduce Gun Violence, wants to pay between $100 and $200 a week to gang members who agree to participate.

Johnson-Kinsey said you have to go to these young people with something.

Johnson-Kinsey said the community has to begin to see value in those who are deeply entrenched in violence.

Theyre not gonna stop shooting if you dont see them as valuable, Johnson Kinsey said.

The Syracuse Police Department, the Crime Analysis Center and other Central Bureau of Investigation organizations would work with program leaders to identify the top 50 high risk individuals in Syracuse, Johnson-Kinsey said. The program would try to work with individuals around violence and firearms to generate a shift in community violence.

Elise Baker, the co-owner of Floral Essence and a former Syracuse City School District employee, said all the organizations have good ideas, but none have collectively come together as a unified front.

Baker said organizations need to stop meeting and make change. Its time to come up with something that is gonna to stay great and gonna stand tall, she said.

Johnson-Kinsey, however, said organizations cant do it alone and the community needs to be more involved. He said its time to be neighbors in their neighborhoods again. Talking to children and guiding them they way adult figures used to, is also a vital part of community change, he said.

Jones said her son wasnt perfect.

He survived three shootings, but none of his cases were solved by Syracuse police, Jones said. That made Williams feel as though he needed to protect himself, she said.

He was scared, Jones said. His counselor said it was like he was serving in Iraq to be shot that many times.

Williams case is among four homicides that were unsolved in 2022.

Jones said she just wants answers for why her child died.

***

The town hall panelist were:

Timothy Jennings-Bey, CEO of Street Addiction Institute Inc.

Lateef Johnson-Kinsey, director of the Syracuse Mayors office to reduce gun violence

Bennie McDonald, owner, BMD Armed Security, Inc.

Jawwaad Rasheed, Chief Accountability Officer for the Syracuse Police Department

Sgt. Colin Hillman, an officer in the criminal intelligence division of the Syracuse Police Department

The 100 Black Men of Syracuse group asks people who attended the town hall to weigh in on the topic of reducing gun violence by completing an online survey. The survey will be open until July 4.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
Syracuse, N.Y. - Authorities have charged a third person who they say was a part of a multi-state gun trafficking plot that included bringing guns from Georgia to Syracuse.

Raeneisha Evans, 30, of Macon, Georgia, was charged in a 50-count indictment Tuesday, Syracuse police spokesman Lt. Matthew Malinowski said Wednesday.

Evans legally purchased 52 guns in Macon, Georgia, authorities said.

Evans reported the firearms stolen from a home in Georgia, Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile has said. Police knew the guns hadnt been stolen because at the time he made the report the guns were already in Syracuse, he said.

In all, 16 guns were recovered in Syracuse. Four were used during crimes, Cecile said.

One gun was used in a murder-suicide, Cecile said. Some of the guns were used by gang members and three guns were used in more than one crime, he said.

Law enforcement in Syracuse was first notified of the Georgia buyer in August 2021. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, in Georgia notified the ATF in Syracuse that someone with ties to the Syracuse area had purchased many handguns. The ATF branch in Georgia flagged the buyer for buying so many weapons.

After the tip, Syracuse law enforcement was looking for guns connected that could be traced back to the Georgia buyer.

Police were able to determine that the guns were being trafficked to Syracuse between May 25, 2021 and Sept. 2, 2021. Sixteen guns were recovered between Sept. 28, 2021, and Feb. 26, 2023, Cecile said.

Syracuse police were also able to find connections between the three suspects, according to Sgt. Collin Hillman, an investigator with Syracuse police.

Alongside Evans, two Syracuse residents -- Julius Anderson, 32, and Veronica Williams, 35, -- were arrested and accused of gun trafficking.

Both Anderson and Williams were charged with first-degree criminal sale of a firearm, 14 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 16 counts of third-degree criminal sale of a firearm, 16 counts of criminal possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree criminal sale of a firearm and fourth-degree conspiracy.

As of Wednesday, Evans, Anderson and Williams are held at the Onondaga County Justice Center jail.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
When Michael Casacci received a cannabis growing license for his Buffalo cultivation company, he was under the impression that small farmers businesses would have a significant head-start ahead of the large multistate companies on New Yorks medical market.

But as the states Cannabis Control Board considers proposed regulations that will control New Yorks legal weed market, some growers are realizing that they may soon have to start competing with these medical operators for shelf space.



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New York has 10 operational medical Registered Organizations, all of which are vertically integrated companies that are well capitalized and have years of experience cultivating large-scale harvests. (Regulators approved Hudson Health Extracts as the states 11th RO in January, but that company hasnt begun operating.)

This stands in contrast with conditionally licensed farms which are, for the most part, small businesses. In addition to these built-in advantages, ROs can run large indoor grow operations, while proposed regulations severely limit the number of indoor grow lights that conditionally licensed cultivators may use.

A worker tends to marijuana plants at the Acreage Holdings grow facility in the former New Venture Gear factory in DeWitt. (Courtesy of Acreage Holdings)Acreage Holdings

And since most conditionally licensed growers havent been able to sell any of last years crop, most wont have any head-start.

While Casacci said hes confident in the business model hes established for New York Seed Lab, and the companys House of Sacci brand, he thinks the combination of advantages ROs enjoy over AUCCs could be disastrous for the small farmers.

Am I afraid of them for on specific reason? No, Im afraid of them for every reason, Casacci said of the ROs. They have more money, more marketing, more distribution, the potential for great quality  everything.

As of today, the only people licensed to grow marijuana for New Yorks adult-use market hold Adult-Use Conditional Cultivator licenses. State legislators and Gov. Kathy Hochul passed legislation at the beginning of 2022 to create these licenses  alongside the Adult-Use Conditional Processor license  ostensibly to jumpstart the Empire States adult-use market, while giving local hemp farmers first-movers advantage.

Hochul made this aspiration explicit when she signed the bill into law.

I am proud to sign this bill, which positions New Yorks farmers to be the first to grow cannabis and jumpstart the safe, equitable and inclusive new industry we are building, Hochul said at the time.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul visits the Post-Standard newsroom and talks with Advance Media New York president Tim Kennedy Monday, February 6, 2023. N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com

But the law places severe limits on the AUCCs ability to grow indoors  a method many cultivators prefer, because indoor growing largely eliminates weather as a variable. AUCCs may use only 20 artificial grow lights. Theyre allowed an outdoor canopy of up to 43,560 square feet outdoors, or 25,000 square feet in a greenhouse.

On the other hand, the Office of Cannabis Managements proposed regulations for an ROs wholesale operation (Registered Organization Non-Dispensing, or ROND) are much more permissive. RONDs may have up to 100,000 feet of canopy space, all of which can be indoor operations. Proposed regulations dont mention any limits on artificial light arrays for RONDs indoor cultivation.

As things stand now, ROs will be able to transition to adult-use and start competing with AUCCs as soon as the Cannabis Control Board gives final approval to proposed regulations.

While its true that the state has now allowed AUCCs to grow adult-use weed for more than a year while barring ROs from doing the same, those AUCCs have been unable to sell most of the weed they grew during that period because of the states slow rollout of cannabis retail.

State regulators and elected officials have, at times, chafed at people who criticize the pace of New Yorks rollout, saying these complaints ignore the tasks complexity. But this ignores that things are moving slow by state officials own standards: Gov. Hochul herself promised at least 20 dispensaries would open by the end of 2022. And amid that slow execution, many AUCCs are in the worst possible position: having invested a great deal of time and money to grow a harvest they now cannot sell  partly due to limited shelf space.

The current paradigm provides notable advantages to the ROs, said Brittany Carbone, co-founder of AUCC company Tricolla Farms, and a board member of the Cannabis Association of New York. Its not a surprise that ROs will compete against AUCCs, but uneven limitations on indoor cultivation present a huge competitive disadvantage, Carbone said.

Brittany Carbone, founder and CEO of TONIC and co-founder of Tricolla Farms, speaks at a Cannabis Association of New York press conference at the Capitol Building on March 28, 2023.

The retailers want to be able to sell indoor flower, and thats really the pain point for the AUCCs: were competing with a completely different product form thats in higher demand, Carbone said. I think for the AUCCs to feel like we can actually compete, wed have to have indoor canopy.

Carbone and AUCCs arent alone in saying dispensaries prefer indoor-quality weed. Retailers are saying that themselves.

Britni Tantalo and her husband, Jayson, run Flower City Dispensary  for which they are seeking a CAURD license  and are both co-founders of the NY CAURD Coalition, which advocates for conditionally licensed marijuana retailers. While both support AUCC farmers, the hard truth is that indoor-grown weed is more consistently high-quality.

Ideally, we would love to have local farmers, solely, on our shelves, but realistically, I dont think thats going to be feasible, Britni said. I think farmers need more canopy, I think they need the ability to potentially grow indoors.

Britni Tantalo is the CEO of the CAURD Coalition.

Jayson agrees with Britni, saying their heart and soul is with our local farmers. But when Flower City Dispensary opens, it will have to compete against grey market operations selling indoor-grown weed. And like it or not, Jayson said, customers prefer indoor-grown to outdoor-grown.

The grey market is dominating because of the quality of the product and how cheap it is, Jayson said. You can grow a mass quantity of flower in a greenhouse on an acre of land, but the elements will deteriorate and depreciate the value of the product.

ROs will need time to get up and running

While there is a disparity between AUCCs and ROs in their ability to grow indoors, Jeremy Unruh, the senior vice president of public and regulatory affairs at PharmaCann, said small farmers are well positioned on New Yorks adult-use market. He also said ROs arent necessarily going to be pumping out weed to dispensaries right away.

After regulators approve ROs to transition to adult-use, most will likely take a while to get their adult-use products on shelves  months, not weeks  Unruh said. Additionally, Unruh said that in the early days of most legal state markets, customers tend to try a lot of different brands.

I dont think anyones going to have a problem moving their cannabis products, Unruh said. Its not a zero-sum game, there is plenty of market.

Proposed regulations also would require RO dispensaries  each RO may have up to four  to dedicate at least half their shelf space to non-RO brands when they first open, Unruh said.

In an email responding to questions by NY Cannabis Insider, Etain  an RO that intends to sell on New Yorks adult-use market  noted the shelf space requirement, and also pointed out that ROs will be held to more rigorous testing standards than AUCCs.

Etain also said AUCCs have been able to form partnerships with dispensaries and start moving product while theyre still waiting.

Etain said they plan on growing entirely indoors, and to wholesale products to dispensaries  including CAURDs. However, Etain also plans to carry other brands in their retail shops, they said.

Etain has always planned to provide a diverse product offering and looks forward to participating in New Yorks adult-use market alongside the AUCCs, Etain said.

Those assurances dont do much for Marv Morales, who holds an AUCC license for his Mount Morris cultivation company, Morales Family Farms. Indoor growing ability provides a significant advantage to ROs, he said, because variables like weather and pests are harder to control outdoors.

Morales said its nice that proposed rules would require ROs to stock half their shelf space with local brands at first, but thinks regulators shouldnt let them sell onto the adult-use market for three years.

The farmers are not being allowed to compete on a level playing field, Morales said. If I had a vote, Id say make them wait, make them wait so that we can get prepared and be at somewhat of an even playing field to compete.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said the last contested race for mayor of Liverpool was 20 years ago. The last contested race was 14 years ago. The last time the Republican Party and the Democratic Party ran mayoral candidates against each other was more than 20 years ago in 2001.

***

Liverpool, N.Y.  A first-time candidate for political office has won Liverpools mayor race.

Stacy Finney, a Democrat, beat Republican Christina Fadden 381-299 in Tuesdays election. The race was the first contested election for the villages top office in 14 years.

Finney, who grew up in Syracuse, is an 8th-grade art teacher at Strough Middle School in Rome and has also been a substitute in Liverpool schools. She is on the villages Zoning Board of Appeals.

I think what were most excited about is bringing more people together, really getting them involved in government, Finney said Tuesday night. Transparency is huge. We are hoping to really work on the website. That is one of the biggest issues.

Finney had previously told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that other concerns for the village is safety as well as traffic, especially with Amazon and Micron pressing at our borders.

My goal is to work with all aspects of local government to help promote our village as a safe, business-friendly district and breathe new life into some of our vacant buildings and lots, she said. This will bring additional funds into our village and allow us to better support and pay our police and DPW without raising taxes.

Finneys term begins July 3.

Other races

Democrats Rachel Ciotti and Melissa Cassidy have won seats in villages Board of Trustees. They were the top vote-getters in the four-person field.

Rachel Ciotti (D) 460

Melissa Cassidy (D) 415

Dennis Hebert (R) 265

Ryan Miller (R) 239

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950.
The air inside the missing Titanic submersible vessel will run out by Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The submersible vessel, called the Titan, went missing on Sunday after officials said contact was lost with the five people on board about 1 hour and 45 minutes into the vessels dive. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified after the vessel didnt resurface at its planned time of 6:10 p.m. Sunday.

The Coast Guard in Boston joined efforts on Monday to search for the 21-foot submersible, which came from the Canadian research vessel, Polar Prince via OceanGate Expeditions. More reinforcements from several jurisdictions, including the Canadian Coast Guard, arrived Wednesday morning to aid the search.

As of approximately 11 a.m. on June 21, BBC reported the U.S. Coast Guard stated the passengers onboard will run out of oxygen by Thursday morning, as there is about 20 hours left of air in the vessel.

Five people were aboard the vessel when it went missing, including a pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Their names are Hamish Harding, the owner and chairman of Action Aviation, ex-Navy officer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush.

There was initially about 96 hours of oxygen onboard when the vessel disconnected, and as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the five people on board had about 40 hours of oxygen left, according to First U.S. Coast Guard District Captain Jamie Frederick.

However, Rear Admiral John Mauger, the commander of the Coast Guard district leading the search, told the outlet it is difficult to predict exactly how much oxygen is onboard.

One of the factors that makes it hard to predict how much oxygen is left is that we do not know the rate of the consumption of oxygen per occupant on the sub, Mauger told BBC.

Mauger told the outlet the search team is now operating under the assumption they have about 20 hours left to find and rescue the submersible, meaning by Thursday morning.

During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Frederick stated thered been a search by sight and by radar with sub surface efforts, and that monitoring sonar buoys had been dropped on Tuesday, but that those efforts had not yielded any results in the search.

Additionally, the U.S. Navy... is working with U.S. transportation command to bring additional assets to the search area, Frederick had said. There are also several private vessel research vessels, RV capabilities, that are making preparations to join the efforts.

Preparations for the 13,000-foot underwater voyage began Friday at Newfoundland Island off Canadas Atlantic coast. The expedition, headed by OceanGate Expeditions, was intended to be an eight-day research tour of the Titanic remains, according to the expedition groups website.

OceanGate held successful expeditions of the Titanic remains in 2021 and 2022. The group looks to return to the Titanic wreck site annually to document the historic ship and its rate of decay, according to OceanGates website.

The company said at the time that in addition to archaeologists and marine biologists, the expeditions also would include about 40 paid tourists who would take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the five-person submersible.

The initial group of tourists would pay around $100,000 to $150,000 each to join the expedition.
MOSCOW, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Russian economy continues to pick up, although challenges remain, head of the country's central bank Elvira Nabiullina said on Tuesday.

"Now our economy is already very close to returning to the level of economic activity at the end of 2021," Nabiullina said at the All-Russian Congress of Financial Education Volunteers.

"Although the worst forecasts did not materialize, this does not mean that the tests are over," she added.

Nevertheless, the recovery has allowed the financial regulator to devote more time to its long-term priorities, including financial education for citizens, rather than to prompt response to challenges, Nabiullina noted.

Russia's GDP declined by 2.1 percent in 2022, a better performance than previous estimates, official data showed.

The central bank has predicted that Russia's GDP would grow by 0.5 percent to 2.5 percent in 2024 and by 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent in 2025. 
Mechanical Weed Control Demonstration in Field Vegetables at Oak Park

There is a growing need for non-chemical weed management tools for sustainable crop production. Significant developments have been taking place in the technology of weed control systems amongst some of the leading manufacturers internationally. This event at Oak Park provides an opportunity to see first-hand, live demonstrations on vegetable crops, being run at the Teagasc Crops Open day in collaboration with the Irish Farmers Journal.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett officially opened the Mechanical Weed Control Demonstration in Field Vegetables at the Crops and Cultivations event at Teagasc Oak Park. Pictured with Minister Hackett were John Spink, Head of Crops & Environment Teagasc, Frank OMara, Director of Teagasc, Liam Herlihy, Chairman Teagasc.

As well as the more conventional hoes and tine weeders, SMART weeding technology is advancing rapidly and robotic and camera-guided systems will be featured, which will be of particular interest to vegetable producers operating conventional and organic production systems. Specialised manufacturers demonstrating at the event include Stekette, Farm Droid, Garford, Treffler, Einbock, Terrateck, Pottinger and Ferrari.

Speaking at the Crops Open Day, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett said; The vision in our recently launched National Strategy for Horticulture is to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability. A key action in the Strategy is Research and Development for the horticulture industry and this mechanical weed control demonstration shows the potential for increased productivity and enhanced competitiveness, whilst also improving our environmental credentials. Irish growers are committed to fostering innovation and recognise the role of integrated pest management in Irish vegetable production.

Eoin Sweetman, Teagasc Specialised Vegetable Adviser said; We are very fortunate and appreciative to have specialist machinery companies join us in Oak Park from across Europe, and it is a great opportunity to see these machines working in Irish conditions. Field vegetable growers are already adopting modern mechanical weed control technology in the drive towards sustainable vegetable crop production. I am very excited that we can see some of the latest solutions in full operation here today.

Stephen Robb, Irish Farmers Journal, said; The increasing demands placed on Irish producers to address the growing need for efficient and nutritious food production, while also minimising dependence on chemical inputs, are significant. This year, as part of the Crops and Cover Crops Cultivations event in Oak Park, we are thrilled to present a unique field vegetable weed control demonstration that provides specialist vegetable growers with an opportunity to see the latest advancements in cultural weed control methods. The Irish Farmers Journal is delighted to collaborate with the Teagasc Horticulture Team for this innovative demonstration.

John Spink, Head of the Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use programme said; This mechanical weed control demonstration in vegetable crops compliments very well the Crops and Cover Crop Cultivation open day in Oak Park. Supporting the vegetable sector has never been more important. This event builds on the recent appointment of an additional Teagasc Specialised Vegetable advisor who will provide specialised technical advisory support to vegetable producers operating conventional and organic production systems.
speed79 BHPian

Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 105 Thanked: 615 Times

Re: Thieves stealing from cars right after an accident! In April 2022, while on my way to Delhi from Bangalore, I either slept at wheels or due to highway hypnosis 200 km 3 hours from Bangalore, I rear-ended an unladen cement truck and went down the highway into the fields. The front of the car was badly damaged, and the right side was sheared off till the C-pillar of my Safari Storme. Me and my wife were unconscious for a few minutes after the accident. My 14-year-old son was unharmed and woke up at the first impact, but was clueless about what to do. He was helped by one Mr. Syed who called our parents up north and also my friends in Bangalore. An ambulance was called and he along with others kept all our luggage and most of our belongings in the ambulance with us. We were also going to attend the marriage of my wife's cousin, so had a lot of jewellery and a good amount of cash. Everything was there with us. When we were at the trauma centre of Kims Savera Hospital in Ananthpur, another ambulance driver kept all our stuff in his ambulance. Nothing went missing from what people had collected from our car and loaded in the ambulance.



Two hours later my friends arrived at the accident site and collected the dashcam. By that time the shoes which my daughter had been wearing and were left behind in Storme, were picked up by someone. As I was stable for 2 hours at Kims Savera, we decided to leave for Manipal Bangalore in an ambulance. My father-in-law who reached Bangalore from Bhopal, was kept updated by Mr Syed in the meantime.



While I underwent surgeries at Manipal, the Storme was standing there in a field, open to all elements for 4 days till my father could reach there and get custody of the car after paying money. The police did not allow any local contacts to get the car towed to Bangalore as they insisted that either I or a blood relative has to get custody of the car. The things that went missing from Storme during these 4 days were:

1. Battery

2. Spare tyre

3. Harman Kardon music system along with the speakers and USB pen drive (my song collection)

4. A clutch lock (without its keys)

5. Someone broke the hatch glass

6. Floor mats

7. Multi-tool with glass hammer

8. Tools and jack

9. Power adapter of dashcam

10. A box containing medicines



Things I could retrieve from the Storme when it reached Bangalore were a wash mitt and the drying towel.



Then the Tata service centre flicked the full door panel of the front passenger door.



Mr. Syed, whom I contacted later, had hesitation in meeting me as i wanted to thank for all the help. From his hesitation to meet me, I think he was driver of the truck which I had read ended. It was a company truck and he was just a driver. He had also told my FIL that he had seen me sleep-driving, which is possible only for the driver of that truck as it was an empty highway at 7 AM in the morning.



I was lucky to survive the accident with unharmed family members, and fortunate to be helped by good people on that day and have good memories rather than the bad ones.



The Storme was scrapped and has been replaced by Hexa. Attached Thumbnails



Last edited by Aditya : 21st June 2023 at 19:10 . Reason: Spelling, grammar
ABHI_1512 BHPian



Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Calcutta Posts: 824 Thanked: 9,650 Times

re: Dalma weekender - Calcutta Team-BHP Meet



















The below picture is special, why do I say that? That's because we all are basically looking at a shoe and smiling away. Yes, cdibya had a Eureka moment and he placed his phone on a shoe pointing the camera towards us. Such ideas can come from him only. The resultant picture is thus, a memorable moment.







Also, the fresh lime soda made its appearance and the special guest Thumps Up showed up just for boniver's eyes. Yes, chips and cola are his best friends when he is not riding his bikes !!







Sumptuous dinner over and it was already 3 in the morning. Leisurely started our drive again and soon enough we were near the Jharkhand-Bengal border. The scorching pace that Neversaygbye and his Vista 90 set on the tarmac is something that we always enjoy seeing. It's hard to believe but Vista 90 is a pocket dynamite and in the hands of a capable driver, the combination becomes more potent. We all were just following the Vista for major part of the journey. So much so that after we stopped for a tea break, the Vista was no where to be found when we all stopped for a morning photo op.







Some really cool photographers at work. I hope the respective members post their outcomes here.















The early morning pictures came out real good. Missed some members here though.













We reached Jamshedpur around seven in the morning. We had so much time on our hands that we stopped around for tea breaks every now and then. The last tea stop was quite eventful. BHPian cdibya replicating his Mandarmoni moment again to mark the occasion in the picture below.







We stopped just after crossing Asanbani and saw a makeshift tea shop just beside the highway. Problem was, there was another car nearby the tea stop and the occupants were little intoxicated. In fact, little too intoxicated for the time of the day. We had a little altercation so as to say but it was soon diffused with composed people driving through the night have had enough of them.







The tea was almost a sugar syrup and jolted us from the slumber of early morning vibes. Such was the impact of the tea that the Vista 90 almost flew to our next destination







It was decided earlier that we would visit some places nearby Asanbani before checking in to the hotel. So with that in mind, we decided to have our first stop at the Sun Temple or the Surya Mandir which is around 40 kilometers before Ranchi.

















The Surya Mandir is a newly built temple (1991) dedicated to Sun or Surya and while the construction is simple, the views from the top of the hillock is not that bad.

















Since it was early in the morning, we found the place near empty and we spent some time clicking pictures and went around the temple complex. Nothing spectacular but the temple complex was one of a kind for sure. It was primarily my idea to visit the Sun Temple. After having a look at the temple, the members were certainly not amused. I am glad, no one killed me !! We reached Kolaghat at just around 1.30 after starting at midnight from the respective places of Calcutta. Sher-E-Punjab was chock a block at those unearthly hours as well. We got down to our business just as we could. First up were the succulent chicken kebabs and after devouring those, we had the flatbreads or butter nans and chicken bharta to whet our appetite at 2 in the morning !!The below picture is special, why do I say that? That's because we all are basically looking at a shoe and smiling away. Yes,had a Eureka moment and he placed his phone on a shoe pointing the camera towards us. Such ideas can come from him only. The resultant picture is thus, a memorable moment.Also, the fresh lime soda made its appearance and the special guest Thumps Up showed up just foreyes. Yes, chips and cola are his best friends when he is not riding his bikes !!Sumptuous dinner over and it was already 3 in the morning. Leisurely started our drive again and soon enough we were near the Jharkhand-Bengal border. The scorching pace thatand his Vista 90 set on the tarmac is something that we always enjoy seeing. It's hard to believe but Vista 90 is a pocket dynamite and in the hands of a capable driver, the combination becomes more potent. We all were just following the Vista for major part of the journey. So much so that after we stopped for a tea break, the Vista was no where to be found when we all stopped for a morning photo op.Some really cool photographers at work. I hope the respective members post their outcomes here.The early morning pictures came out real good. Missed some members here though.We reached Jamshedpur around seven in the morning. We had so much time on our hands that we stopped around for tea breaks every now and then. The last tea stop was quite eventful. BHPian cdibya replicating his Mandarmoni moment again to mark the occasion in the picture below.We stopped just after crossing Asanbani and saw a makeshift tea shop just beside the highway. Problem was, there was another car nearby the tea stop and the occupants were little intoxicated. In fact, little too intoxicated for the time of the day. We had a little altercation so as to say but it was soon diffused with composed people driving through the night have had enough of them.The tea was almost a sugar syrup and jolted us from the slumber of early morning vibes. Such was the impact of the tea that the Vista 90 almost flew to our next destinationIt was decided earlier that we would visit some places nearby Asanbani before checking in to the hotel. So with that in mind, we decided to have our first stop at the Sun Temple or the Surya Mandir which is around 40 kilometers before Ranchi.The Surya Mandir is a newly built temple (1991) dedicated to Sun or Surya and while the construction is simple, the views from the top of the hillock is not that bad.Since it was early in the morning, we found the place near empty and we spent some time clicking pictures and went around the temple complex. Nothing spectacular but the temple complex was one of a kind for sure. It was primarily my idea to visit the Sun Temple. After having a look at the temple, the members were certainly not amused. I am glad, no one killed me !! Last edited by ABHI_1512 : 21st June 2023 at 00:12 .
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Recent research has shown that 68% of high-revenue growth companies have embraced a hybrid working model worldwide making cyber security awareness more important than ever before.

With this in mind, Indusface has discovered the most secure countries for businesses to allow their employees to work from, by creating an index score based on cybersecurity data including DDOS attacks, phishing sites, Malware hosting sites and compromised computers.

Key Findings:

Finland and Belgium are named the most cyber-secure European countries for business to allow their employees to work from, with the cyber security index score of 82.45 out of 100.

UK only ranked 12th most cyber secure country in Europe and 40th in the world, with a cyber security score of just 71.19.

The least cyber-secure country is Bulgaria with an index score of 51.92/100.

UK ranked 12th as the most cyber-secure European country

Indusface found out that the United Kingdom only ranked 12th most cyber secure European countries and the 40th in the global ranking, with an overall cyber security index score of 71.19/100. The UK has an average of 680 phishing sites and 750 malware hosting sites per 100,000 urls, meaning that the chances of sites being fake or containing malware could be high.

Top 10 most cyber secure European countries to work from

Rank Country DDOS attacks per 100,000 Internet Users Phishing sites per 100,000 urls Malware hosting sites per 100,000 urls Compromised computers per 100,000 internet users Cyber security index score (/100) = 1 Finland 79 320 430 47 82.45 = 1 Belgium 314 280 390 11 82.45 3 Austria 175 260 340 137 80.59 4 Switzerland 203 460 470 17 78.09 = 5 Sweden 94 410 390 736 76.31 = 5 Greece 386 370 440 25 76.31 7 Norway 475 340 490 14 75.51 8 France 50 610 850 31 74.92 = 9 Germany 177 480 570 75 73.89 = 9 Estonia 698 540 440 14 73.89

* Total DDOS Attacks were counted between 2015 to 2021.

**Compromised computers = have been infected with the Gamarue botnetPlease see full methodology below

Indusface found out that Finland and Belgium share the title of the most secure European countries for businesses to allow employees to remotely work from, each with a cyber security score of 82.45 out of 100.

Finland received the second lowest number of DDOS attacks (79) during 2015 to 2021, only 29 attacks higher than France which has the lowest among the top 10 European countries. This is an important factor for businesses to consider as successful DDOS attacks could block your business sites and bring down all servers and connections you depend on.

Contributing to Belgiums top ranking is that it has the lowest number of compromised computers per 100,000 internet users (11) in the country. Computers that have been infected with the Gamarue botnet open doors to hackers and make it easier for them to take control of your business data and devices. Belgium also has the joint second-lowest malware-hosting sites among all top 10 European countries, with an average of 390 sites per 100,000 urls.

Ranking third as the most cyber-secure European country is Austria with an overall cyber security index score of 80.59/100. Boasting the lowest number of both malware hosting sites (34) and phishing sites (260) per 100,000 urls, the country owns less sites that could trick you or contain malware, making businesses less worried about sensitive information being stolen.

In fourth place is Switzerland with a cyber secure index score of 78.09/100. Sweden and Greece rank joint fifth place with a score of 76.31/100.

5 least cyber secure European countries to work from

Rank Country DDOS attacks per 100,000 Internet Users Phishing sites per 100,000 urls Malware hosting sites per 100,000 urls Compromised computers per 100,000 internet users Cyber security score (/100) 1 Bulgaria 167.40 1220 1,170 430 51.82 2 Serbia 173.61 780 790 1,467 53.83 3 Lithuania 560.74 1010 840 38 55.77 4 Romania 118.00 1040 720 1,435 56.01 5 Croatia 724.60 750 340 2,105 56.57

Bulgaria ranks the least secure European countries for businesses to allow employees to remotely work from, with a total cybersecurity score of only 51.82 out of 100. With 1,220 phishing sites and 1,170 malware hosting sites per 100,000 urls, businesses in the country will need to be extra careful when identifying whether a website is genuine.

Serbia owns one of the highest number of compromised computers per 100,000 internet users (1,467) which leads to its low cyber security score of 53.83  ranking as the second least cybersecure European country.

Says Venky Sundar, Founder and President of Indusface comments on working remotely across the world:

Attracting top talent through remote work can revolutionise your business. However, it also leaves your sensitive data and assets vulnerable to hackers. Therefore, it is important to be prepared to address remote work security risks.

6 top tips for businesses using remote or hybrid working:

There is no one way to secure remote working but instead you should make remote work access security an integral part of your employees ongoing training and workplace culture. Here are eight best practices for secure remote working within your business:

Create strong authentication

It starts by identifying the remote worker before a worker can access corporate data and assets. From this, you can build audit trails of the actions against the identity.

Update your systems and encrypt your devices

Outdated technology could open doors to hackers with credential information like credit cards being stolen. Cases like this will have a fatal hit on your businesss reputation as well as cyber security. It is highly recommended that all your devices be updated and encrypted with SSL certificates.

Conquer internal security risks

Working habits could lead to malware or ransomware attacks that could put your company and your clients at risk. We really recommend hosting full employee training on cyber security and making it fun. You could get your team engaged in the training by setting up phishing email simulators so they could see the potential dangers in action.

Avoid weak or duplicate passwords

Many businesses share duplicate passwords for multiple accounts. Research shows hackers rely on weak passwords when brute forcing PoS terminals. Use an automatic password generator to create safe and secure passwords companywide.

Only upload files to secure systems

Hackers could upload their own files with malicious code that can be executed directly on your server. Therefore, it is important to avoid storing data in unencrypted storage, leaving data on devices without password protection, and attaching sensitive information directly into an email.

Secure web application security

Using a combination of open-source CMS and cloud-based apps increases your remote work risks. It should be considered as part of your security policy to approve web app purchases and free downloads.

Please find the full data including all countries here.

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At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Fantastic detail

Great color and contrast

Upscales 4K and lower-res content

One Connect breakout box

Very thin profile Cons Wonky backlight artifacts with some test material

Audio lacks thump Our Verdict Samsungs latest 8K TV isnt cheap, but it delivers fantastic image quality, whether its upscaling the 4K content youre most likely to encounter in the real world to the amazing native 8K content that will blow you mind with its detail.

Best Prices Today: Samsung QN900C 8K TV

Why would you go for a pricey 8K TV such as Samsungs QN900C when great 4K TVs cost so much less? Detail, my friends, detail. While true 8K content remains rare, it looks spectacular on this TV. And the lower-resolution content youre more likely to encounter on a daily basis appears more detailed because of this Samsungs intelligent upscaling. Yes, the QN900C is expensive, but products at technologys bleeding edge always are.

This review is part of TechHives in-depth coverage of the best smart TVs.

Samsung QN900C image quality

The rendering of fine detail is the Samsung QN900Cs most salient strength by far. And its not just with 8K content, which looks awesome, but also when upscaling content in 4K and lower resolutions, which youll encounter far more often.

Theres a noticeable uptick in sharpness in both patterns and the edges of upscaled objects. Four times the pixels helps with that, but it takes algorithmic expertise as wellnot to mention the more than 2000 nits of peak brightness the QN900C is capable of.

Note: If you want to check out 8K UHD in the store, dont rely on YouTubemuch of the 8K content on that service is compressed to the point that the extra detail 8K UHD can provide is lost. Allow me to suggest that you download a couple of 8K files, put them on a USB stick and ask a salesperson play them for you.

Sunrise over mountain in upscaled 4K UHD on the Samsung QN900C.

Beyond the superior detail, the color is greataccurate and saturated thanks to the layer of quantum dots filtering the full-array backlighting. Contrast is also excellent for an LED-backlit LCD TV, due to the highly granular mini-LEDs in the backlight. Where the QN900C runs into issues is with some of its formulas for said backlighting. Artifacts didnt rear their head very often with normal material, but there was a noticeable lag in adjusting brightness with some transitions between differently lit scenes. The scene would start off darker and grow brighter after a second or two.

We also noticed some pulsing of gray blocks on lighter backgrounds in the Spears & Munsil tests. Additionally, the brightness adjustment was all over the place when switching levels with a 15 percent coverage white block on a black background.

Additionally, the cascading star field in the same test suite looked as if it was being consumed from the center by a black nebula. That is not the norm.

Note that these are not one-offs for the QN900Cweve seen them before with Samsung TVs; however, as I said, they very rarely impact real-world material. Extremely rarely, in fact.

While the backlighting suffered issues under stress tests, its granularity also minimized the blooming and flaring of bright objects on a black or dark background. Indeed, the QN900C rendered Sonys Las Vegas night sky contrast video as well as any non-OLED TV Ive testedbetter than anything but its Samsung 8K predecessors.

Additionally, real-world material was rendered with a stunning lack of shimmer, moire, and judder. Kudos to Samsung on those fronts. The only TVs Ive seen with image processing this pristine are Sonys and LGs high-end 4K OLEDs.

Viewing angles are exceptionally wide, glare is minimal, and screen uniformity is also excellent. By most metrics, the QN900C delivers a fantastic image.

Samsung QN900C design, features, and specifications

For this review, Samsung sent the rather massive 75-inch version of the QN900C, which weighs in at nearly 70 pounds. Youll need a heavy-duty mounting bracket (VESA 400 x 400) for this puppy and make sure the mount is anchored to studs. There are smaller, lighter and larger, heavier configurations available as well. The 65-inch QN900 weighs 49.4 pounds and is priced at $4,999.99; the $85-inch QN900 weighs 96.3 pounds and costs $7,999).

Youll need a second person to handle this TV, even if you dont mount it on the wall. The stand adds another 26 pounds to the 75-inch model, and I neglected to grab a buddy. Sorry, Samsung.

Most of the TVs weight can be attributed to the glass in its expansive panel. The TVs power supply, most of its electronics, and all but one of its ports are housed in Samsungs One Connect breakout box, which allows the QN900C to to be extremely thin at 0.6 inches. The only port on the TV itself is the flush-mounted jack for the single cable that goes to the One Connect box.

The display itself is a 10-bit, 8K UHD (7680 x 4320 pixels) panel with a 120Hz refresh rate (up to 144Hz for games), featuring quantum dots and full-array mini-LED backlighting. Using a zone counter we counted just south of 2,000 zones. Thats a lot.

The QN900Cs One Connect breakout box sitting on our test bench. It can be easily mounted on the back of the TV or otherwise hidden away. The clear cable is the One Connect wire, which carries all signals as well as power to the panel.

The One Connect breakout boxs ports consist of four HDMI 2.1, coax for the TVs ATSC 3.0 tuners or a cable/satellite TV connection, hardwired ethernet, three USB ports, optical S/PDIF audio out, and an EX-Link (RS-232C) port for system integration. Theres a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) adapter onboard, and a Bluetooth 5.2 radio.

The QN900C supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG high dynamic range content, but Samsung still omits dynamic metadata Dolby Vision support. HDR10+ is the equivalent, so thats not a serious mattermost HDR material streams include both protocols. Also, Dolby Atmos and Samsungs own OTS Pro (Object Tracking Sound) audio are supported along with older Dolby audio standards.

Folks who own a Samsung soundbar that supports the companys Q-Symphony technology will appreciate that this TV supports the same. Q-Symphony blends the TVs own speakers with those inside the soundbar to deliver a better audio experience than either product can deliver on its own.

Audio is clear and bright, and the QN900C supports Bluetooth headsets (with delay compensation). Considering the presence of eight impellers on the back of the unit and 90 watts RMS of amplifier power, I was expecting more thump. Theres a modicum of bass, but its basically all the less-impactful frequencies above 150Hz. A 100Hz slider is available on the graphic EQ, but increasing it had no effect.

You wont necessarily want to augment the QN900Cs audio off the bat, but I can see most users eventually desiring an upgrade to something with more low end.

Buyers also get Samsungs usual Samsung software perks, including the Ambient mode that displays an image of the wall surrounding the TV that allows it to virtually disappear; Art mode, which allows you to display artworks on the TV when youre not otherwise using it; and Samsungs Gaming Hub, which allows you to stream videogames to the TV.

You can control the TV with voice commands (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsungs own Bixby are supported), and the TV can operate as a full-featured smart home hub using the SmartThings platform. FreeSync Premium Pro, auto-low latency mode, and variable refresh rate are all available for gaming, as is a special ultra-wide gaming mode.

A easily navigable channel guide with favorites, scheduling, and recording/time-shift (using USB storage) is provided. And, as with nearly all TV vendors these days, theres a wide variety of free curated content to be had with Samsung TV Plus.

Samsung QN900C user interface and remote control

If youve read any of my previous reviews of the Samsungs TVs, youve probably gathered that Im not a huge fan of the Smart Hub interface. It presents content well enough, but its scatter-shot in design, as well as inefficient and somewhat intrusive compared to the competition.

Samsung has made some improvements to SmartHub in 2023. After clicking twice to get to the settings, you can now change some of them directly from the bottom row icons, although some lead to other dialogs. Alas, the descriptions of some of the settings were truncated in the pop-up bubbles.

The Samsung TM2360E remote with its new number/color/settings button.

Samsungs rechargeable voice remote, on the other hand, remains one of my favorites in terms of the way it feels in my hand and its basic ergonomics. The former number/color button is now a number/color/settings button on the latest TM2360E model. That means you can finally get to the TVs settings without needing to wade through two other menus.

The lack of dedicated transport controls is still a bit of a bummer, and it would be great if Samsung were to replace one of the advertisement shortcut buttons with a dedicated settings button, but this is progress.

Using voice commands lets you skip most button presses, but thats not my preferred method of TV control. When I go into passive mode watching TV, I prefer to listen versus orate.

end.

The QN900C is a great TV with uber-detailed image quality

In terms of image quality, the QN900C deliversand then some. The detail is spectacular with 8K content, and the upscaling adds to both the 4K UHD and 1080p experiences. Theres tons of peak brightness, the color is marvelous, the contrast as good as it gets for LED TVs, and the image processing is top-notch. High praise aside, Id like to see Samsung tweak the backlighting intelligence to eliminate the lag and other issues I encountered.

As to the remote and interface, a lot of satisfied Samsung users wonder what Im on about. Some agree with me, but picayune interface gripes shouldnt steer you away from what is a top-five TV. I simply think Samsung could do better.
MOSCOW, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia has imposed sanctions against 48 Australian citizens, who will be barred from entering the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The decision was made in response to the "politically motivated" sanctions imposed by Australian authorities against Russian individuals and entities, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the 48 Australians, among whom are military contractors, journalists, and municipal deputies, were responsible for promoting an anti-Russian agenda.

It added that Moscow would continue updating its entry ban list, taking into account Canberra's anti-Russian course.

Australia imposed a new round of financial sanctions against 21 Russian entities and three individuals on May 19, 2023. 
Despite the need for strong passwords, many users fail to follow best practices due to overwhelming account diversity and a lack of cybersecurity awareness.

Despite the need for strong passwords, many users fail to follow best practices due to overwhelming account diversity and a lack of cybersecurity awareness.

Three out of four online users in the United States and Europe are putting themselves at risk of being hacked due to poor password practices, according to a study released Tuesday by a password management solutions provider.

The study by Keeper Security, based on a survey of 8,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, found that 75% of the respondents admitted they dont adhere to password best practices, while nearly two-thirds (64%) acknowledged theyre using weak passwords or repeat variations of passwords to protect their online accounts.

In order to analyze peoples personal cybersecurity hygiene, we asked which animal they would identify with in regard to their cybersecurity behaviors, Darren Guccione, CEO and co-founder of Chicago-based Keeper, explained in a statement.

With over one in four people describing themselves either as an ostrich burying their head in the sand, careless as a bull in a china shop, or a possum paralyzed with fear, the industry clearly still has much work to do to get more people comfortable with cybersecurity and better protected as a result, he added.

At first glance, the Keeper report noted, these results may come as a shock, especially to those in the cybersecurity industry who have been touting these simple best practices for years.

However, the report continued, when considering more than one in three people (35%) globally admit to feeling overwhelmed when it comes to taking action to improve their cybersecurity, and one in 10 admit to neglecting password management altogether, the results are much less of a surprise.

Diverse Accounts, Ignorance Yield Poor Password Hygiene

According to information security professionals, various reasons contribute to the low rate of compliance with principles of good password hygiene. In general, password behaviors are terrible, maintained John Gilmore, head of research at DeleteMe, a privacy service in Boston that helps users remove their personal information from data broker websites.

Report after report has shown that less than half of the general public follows every rule for password safety properly, he told TechNewsWorld.

The simple answer to why they dont is the diversity of accounts that have to be maintained in the modern world, he said. Twenty years ago, most people had three of four online accounts. Now they have to manage social media, work, conferencing, learning, and others. Ever since the pandemic hit, the number of accounts people have has exploded.

Ignorance is also a reason for sloppy hygiene. There is a lack of cybersecurity awareness, with many individuals unaware of the importance of strong passwords and the risks of weak ones, Marcus Scharra, Co-CEO and co-founder of Senhasegura, a provider of privileged access solutions in Sao Paulo, Brazil, told TechNewsWorld.

Despite all of the information out there on the importance of strong passwords and enabling MFA [multifactor authentication], the average user doesnt understand why, added Guy Bauman, CMO and co-Founder of IronVest, an account and identity security company, in New York City.

They arent necessarily aware of the fraud industry, how it works, and how their compromised account logins are being sold for peanuts on the dark web, he added.

Password Overload

Inconvenience is another factor influencing password management behavior, noted James E. Lee, chief operating officer of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization devoted to minimizing risk and mitigating the impact of identity compromise and crime, in San Diego, Calif.

People have, in many cases, nearly 100 different passwords theyre trying to keep track of, he told TechNewsWorld. Theres just no way an individual can remember all of them.

Robert Hughes, chief information security officer at RSA, a cybersecurity company in Bedford, Mass., pointed out that the framing of the compliance question to the respondents could have made the situation seem bleaker than the actual reality.

People have dozens of passwords, so whether they can say they use unique passwords on all accounts might have impacted how some people answered that question, he told TechNewsWorld.

But generally, he continued, its difficult for users to keep track of their passwords when theyre expected to have a different password for every application they use. 

Without using a password manager, he added. Id say that I cant believe that anyone really has unique, strong passwords everywhere.

Using a password manager is an ideal way for users to protect themselves, maintained Keeper CTO and co-founder Craig Lurey.

Along with creating and storing strong and unique passwords for all digital accounts, a password manager can offer protection against phishing attacks and malicious links because it will not fill credentials if the URL doesnt match whats in the users vault, he said in a statement.

A password manager can also be paired with dark web monitoring so users can stay abreast of all account information and act immediately if credentials are compromised, he added.

Password Practices Need Work

Keeper also found that more than a third of the respondents (36%) believed all their passwords were well-managed. But of those who thought their passwords were well-managed, only one in three followed best practice advice to use strong and unique passwords for all their accounts.

This gap suggests those surveyed are still unaware of what good password practices are or are overconfident when it comes to their cybersecurity, the report deduced. Most likely, its a mix of both, it added.

Scharra suggested two factors contributing to the disconnect between perceived and actual secure password management. Users may lack visibility into password security practices, he said. They may not have access to tools or feedback on the risks of password reuse. This leads them to assume their current practices are sufficient.

Some users may also overestimate their password management abilities, believing that reusing passwords or making slight variations is secure enough, he added.

Theres no shortage of advice when it comes to cybersecurity, but our survey shows the onslaught of information available has become overwhelming for more than a third of people around the globe, the report noted.

While respondents tell us they believe strong passwords are the single best way to achieve personal cybersecurity, the majority fail to implement industry-recommended password protection practices in their daily lives, it continued.

And despite our findings, Keeper added, that three in four people do not adhere to password best practices, most believe cybersecurity is easy to understand.

Now is the time to bridge that gap, it declared.
The big picture: The TP-Link Archer AX21 (AX1800) Wi-Fi router is once again being targeted by cyber-criminals trying to build an army of bots with DDoS capabilities. But Condi isn't just another malicious network as its creators are clearly trying to turn the malware into a real (albeit illegal) business.

Security enterprise FortiGuard Labs recently found samples of a "DDoS-as-a-service" botnet that calls itself Condi, a threat designed to spread via insecure TP-Link Archer AX21 (AX1800) routers. AX1800 is a Linux-based device which was recently found to be vulnerable to CVE-2023-1389, a high-severity flaw that could be exploited to remotely execute malicious code through the API of the router's web-based interface.

The CVE-2023-1389 vulnerability was discovered in March, and it has been actively exploited by cyber-criminals to abuse vulnerable TP-Link AX1800 routers and build botnets like Mirai. Condi, however, shows its own remarkable capabilities. The new botnet can be hired to launch DDoS attacks against internet servers and websites, but the gang behind this malicious operation is exploring other "business" opportunities as well.

Interested parties can also purchase both standard and "private" source code of the Condi botnet, a pretty aggressive monetization tactic which will likely lead to a proliferation of custom Condi specimens in the coming weeks and months.

The "standard" (binary) edition of the Condi botnet contains a scanning component which search the internet (on ports 80 or 8080) for vulnerable TP-Link routers, then sends a hard-coded exploitation code that downloads and execute a remote shell script to infect a vulnerable device. Like Mirai, Condi isn't equipped with persistence mechanisms to stay "alive" between reboots, so after infection the malware tries to prevent restarts or shutdown by erasing Linux files used in reboot operations and stored under the /usr/sbin/ and /usr/bin/ directories.

Condi is also programmed to "seek and destroy" competing malicious processes running in memory, thanks to a string-based processID scanner. According to FortiGuard, this mechanism is flawed and doesn't work as intended. The researchers have also found new samples with different capabilities and features, which is likely the direct result of competing criminals purchasing the Condi source code and adapting it to their own needs.

Condi clearly is yet another dangerous threat against TP-Link networking devices, but affected users and organizations really have no excuses here. The Chinese company fixed the CVE-2023-1389 vulnerability in March, and updated firmware versions can be download from TP-Link's own download center.
It was hardly surprising that one of the biggest announcements from HPE's Discover event had to do with generative AI. What may catch people off guard, however, is the manner with which the company is entering the GenAI market.

HPE announced a new as-a-service offering called HPE GreenLake for Large Language Models (LLMs). Expected to be available later this year in the US and early next year in Europe, the latest HPE GreenLake offering is designed to let customers tap into a multi-language LLM model called Luminous, developed by German company Aleph Alpha.

HPE emphasized that the primary goal of this service is to enable companies to use their own data to train the versatile generative AI model and customize it according to their specific needs.

What makes the news particularly intriguing is how the company is marketing the service and the technologies underpinning it. HPE describes it as a public cloud specifically tailored to let companies access it as and when required, with the precise resources they need. In other words, it's a classic public cloud service  not necessarily what you'd expect HPE to offer in a burgeoning field like generative AI.

Essentially, HPE has developed a supercomputing-as-a-service solution  an interesting feat in itself  and then equipped it with a specific application. HPE says that generative AI is only the first of numerous applications to be made available through their new architecture.

Even more surprising is that the service is powered by HPE's supercomputing assets. Essentially, HPE has developed a supercomputing-as-a-service solution  an interesting feat in itself  and then equipped it with a specific application. Importantly, HPE emphasized that generative AI is only the first of numerous applications to be made available through their new architecture. Future applications will encompass areas such as climate modeling, healthcare and life sciences, financial services, manufacturing, and transportation.

Given HPE's heritage in supercomputing  remember, it bought Cray Supercomputers in 2019  the move makes sense, especially with the company's even longer efforts to create HPE GreenLake as-a-service compute offerings (those started in 2018). Nevertheless, it's still interesting to think about the implications of the move and the potential benefits it offers compared to the many other competitive generative AI service offerings.

HPE laid out a number of reasons why it chose to enter the Generative AI market in this way. First, from a hardware perspective, the company believes that the unique architecture of the Cray supercomputers along with HPE AI software stack that the service will run on will give it an edge when it comes to model performance and training reliability.

The company discussed how the faster interconnect speeds found in supercomputing architectures will allow the GPUs to be fed data at a rate that's up to 16x faster than traditional server architectures. This, in turn, should keep the GPUs functioning at a more consistent rate and that should translate into better performance and price/performance ratios.

In addition, the company said it found that for companies building large-scale GenAI models, success rates of running these models could be as low as 15% on traditional server architectures versus closer to 100% on supercomputers. It will take real-world benchmarks to see if these theoretical benefits convert into real-world ones, but it will certainly be interesting to watch.

Another interesting strategy the company is employing involves allocating each AI workload its own computing instance. In contrast to most traditional public cloud workloads, where multiple applications run on a single node, HPE asserts that each workload utilizing the service will have its dedicated compute infrastructure. This is partially due to the nature of supercomputing architectures, but it also provides a privacy advantage that some customers will undoubtedly appreciate.

The decision to incorporate Aleph Alpha's Luminous model into its service is interesting, considering that the German-based company has minimal recognition, particularly in the US market. Some companies may be apprehensive about its relatively small size and its newness to the market. However, with HPE's significant presence in Europe and the Luminous model natively supporting five languages from the outset, it is well-equipped to serve European customers. Moreover, the CEO of Aleph Alpha stated that the company has a novel way of addressing the explainability of the model's results. This claim needs more real-world testing to validate, but it adds another intriguing consideration.

From a software standpoint, HPE plans to utilize some of its supercomputing-specific software to facilitate the process. Specifically, the company's Machine Learning Development Environment is designed to simplify model creation, while the HPE Machine Learning Data Management Software aims to streamline the process of preparing data needed to train AI models. These tools, working in tandem with Luminous, provide enterprise developers with the capabilities they need to customize the general-purpose model to meet their unique requirements.

The last notable technological element is HPE's decision to run this service in co-location facilities that utilize nearly 100% renewable energy. Given the extensive energy often required for GPU-intensive computing infrastructure to operate generative AI models, this is a noteworthy and valuable initiative. The first location is in Quebec, Canada, with others expected to follow.

As the market for generative AI grows increasingly crowded and noisy each day, standing out from the competition becomes more challenging. In light of these hurdles, HPE will need to robustly promote its offering and the narratives surrounding it to avoid fading into the background. The supercomputing angle certainly presents a unique and interesting aspect, but its ultimate influence will heavily rely on the actual price-performance benefits. If these capabilities live up to their promise and if the company can effectively scale the offering to meet potential demand, this could indeed be a thrilling opportunity for HPE moving forward.

Bob O'Donnell is the founder and chief analyst of TECHnalysis Research, LLC a technology consulting firm that provides strategic consulting and market research services to the technology industry and professional financial community. You can follow him on Twitter @bobodtech
A year has passed since Joe Rogan received massive backlash from Spotify artists surrounding COVID-19 misinformation on his popular podcast.

But after Spotify's lack of moderation on Rogan's misinformation after a podcast episode with guest Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., not only the host of the "Joe Rogan Experience" show was facing a backlash, but also the streaming platform.

Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, is among those who are criticizing Rogan and Spotify.

During the episode, Rogan and Kennedy discussed different pandemic-related issues, including conspiracy theories about vaccines and ivermectin. But despite the backlash against Rogan, many netizens still support him, including tech billionaire Elon Musk who urged Hotez to accept an invite made by Rogan for a debate with anti-vaxxer Kennedy.

Joe Rogan Remains Unmoderated on Spotify Podcast, Claims Peter Hotez

A tweet from the vaccine expert Dr. Peter Hotez has sparked one of the most trending topics on the internet today. Hotez posted a Motherboard article titled, "Spotify has stopped even sort of trying to stem Joe Rogan's vaccine misinformation."

Spotify Has Stopped Even Sort of Trying to Stem Joe Rogans Vaccine Misinformation. Its really true @annamerlan just awful. And from all the online attacks Im receiving after this absurd podcast, its clear many actually believe this nonsense https://t.co/GwIFsOODC2  Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) June 17, 2023

Hotez then said he is getting harassed and receiving online attacks, likely from followers, believers, and fans of Rogan. After seeing his tweets, Rogan challenged him to debate Kennedy and even proposed a $100,000 donation to a charity of Hotez's choosing if he agreed.

Again, Im going to ask you very clearly, are you willing to debate @RobertKennedyJr on my podcast? https://t.co/vFkzW9CCBq  Joe Rogan (@joerogan) June 18, 2023

This issue gained massive traction as Elon Musk, and others have urged Hotez to accept the debate. Musk even accused the vaccine expert of "hating charity" by not accepting the invite.

After hours of Musk and Rogan taunting Hotez, the doctor tweeted, "I was just was stalked in front of my home by a couple of antivaxers taunting me to debate RFKJr."

Read Also: Spotify, Joe Rogan Deal Reportedly Costs DOUBLE Than Previously Expected

Spotify Remains Not Touching COVID-19 Misinformation, 'Anti-Vaxxer' Content

The Verge reported that Motherboard quoted a Spotify spokesperson who said that Joe Rogan and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. never said anything about the vaccine killing people. Thus, the episode was not in violation of the platform's rules.

Rogan's podcast continues to feature more about COVID-19 misinformation, which Spotify reportedly allows to stream on the platform without any moderation.

Spotify and the Joe Rogan Scrutiny

Since 2021, Joe Rogan has a track record of airing false claims about the COVID-19 pandemic, unproven treatments, and vaccines. He relentlessly commented about not needing any vaccines for COVID-19.

In the podcaster's words, he talked about how healthy people should not be subjected to or urged to take the COVID vaccine, particularly those in the 21-year-old range. Rogan insisted that if individuals are healthy, they should continue to care for themselves.

There was also a significant issue in 2022 when music artist Neil Young left Spotify after issuing an ultimatum to the company, boycotting the platform should Rogan continue his podcast. It was reported that Spotify chose Rogan over Young, having done nothing regarding his show and even saying he does not violate any rules.

Related Article: Spotify Ends Lucrative Podcast Deal with Harry and Meghan: What Went Wrong?

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In a race against time, rescuers are scouring the remote area of the Atlantic Ocean for a missing submersible that was on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic.



The submersible, named the Titan, was carrying five individuals, including a pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two members of a well-known Pakistani business family, and another passenger, reported first by AP.



The vessel was reported overdue by authorities on Sunday night, approximately 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland, as confirmed by Canada's Joint Rescue Coordination Center.

Race Against Time

The urgency of the situation lies in the limited oxygen supply on board the Titan. The submersible embarked on its journey at around 6 a.m. on Sunday with a 96-hour oxygen reserve, according to David Concannon, an advisor to OceanGate, the company behind the mission.



Rescue efforts are facing challenges due to the remote location of the area. Rear Adm. John Mauger, a commander for the US Coast Guard, acknowledged the difficulties, stating, "It is a remote areaand it is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area. But we are deploying all available assets to make sure we can locate the craft and rescue the people on board."



Shortly after the submersible went on its way, the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was providing assistance to the Titan, lost communication with the vessel.



Despite this setback, the Polar Prince and other search assets persisted in conducting surface searches throughout the night.

Additionally, a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft and two US Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft have been engaged in aerial surveillance and will continue their search efforts.



Utilizing satellite data from MarineTraffic.com, the location of the Polar Prince was identified, along with the presence of the nearby Bahamas-flagged cable layer Deep Energy, which is likely aiding in the ongoing surface search operations, according to AP's report.

Read Also: [WATCH] An Expedition Team Captures the Highest Quality Footage of Titanic - Detailing Shipwreck in Stunning 8K!

Documenting Titanic

OceanGate's expeditions to the Titanic wreck site typically involve a team of professionals, including archaeologists, marine biologists, and individuals known as "mission specialists," who willingly contribute financially to participate in the mission.



These specialists take turns operating sonar equipment and carrying out various tasks inside the five-person submersible.



As the third annual voyage of OceanGate's mission, the expedition aimed to document the deterioration of the Titanic, which sank in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg. Over time, the wreckage has been deteriorating due to metal-eating bacteria, leading to concerns about its future existence.



The search and rescue mission highlights the risks and challenges associated with deep-sea exploration. As the operation continues, the fate of the missing submersible and its crew remains uncertain.

Related Article: [WATCH] This Rare, Unseen Footage Features the Haunting Wreckage of the Titanic

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Technology giant Oracle has announced the introduction of sovereign cloud regions specifically tailored for its customers in the European Union (EU).

In response to the growing need to protect sensitive data and comply with national regulations, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) will establish these new regions to meet the demand for secure and controlled data storage within EU borders.

Cloud Regions for European Customers

Oracle is known for providing secure cloud regions for customers with regulated workloads. With established government regions in the UK and North America, as well as the pioneering OCI Dedicated Region, Oracle caters to highly-regulated companies and governments worldwide.



Now, Oracle is extending its services to European customers by introducing new sovereign cloud regions dedicated to the EU in 2023.



Private enterprises and governmental bodies across the EU will be able to use of the sovereign cloud regions to host critical data and applications that require sensitivity, regulation, or strategic importance.



The introduction of these sovereign cloud regions will result in OCI imposing stricter limitations on operations and customer support, specifically catering to EU residents, thereby ensuring compliance with applicable EU regulations.



Oracle intends to transfer customers who are presently utilizing Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications in the EU Restricted Access cloud service to the forthcoming OCI sovereign cloud regions.



This transition will grant these customers access to advanced operational functionalities and complete native access to OCI's extensive array of cloud services.

Read Also: Apple's iPhone Battery Replacement May Get Easier Thanks to the EU

First Two Sovereign Cloud Regions

Germany and Spain have been designated as the initial sites for the first two sovereign cloud regions within the EU.

These regions will be distinctly separated in both a logical and physical sense from OCI's current public regions in the EU, which encompass locations such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Marseille, Milan, and Stockholm.



The sovereign cloud regions will provide an identical suite of over 100 OCI services that are presently available in Oracle's public cloud regions. Moreover, customers will also have access to European Union Restricted Access (EURA) application services.



Pricing for OCI services will remain consistent with the existing regions, while EURA pricing will remain unchanged. These offerings will be accompanied by the same levels of support and service level agreements (SLAs) that are financially backed.



Customers will retain the option to utilize Oracle Universal Credits for procuring services and participate in OCI programs, including Support Rewards.

By integrating the sovereign cloud regions into OCI's distributed cloud model, Oracle can deliver cloud services to various locations while accommodating specific performance, security, compliance, and operational requirements.



Oracle's announcement of the sovereign cloud regions has garnered support from various customers and partners. Accenture, through its Sovereign Cloud Practice, sees this as an opportunity to facilitate compliance with EU data privacy regulations for their clients.



Atos, on the other hand, views Oracle's offering as a way to provide customers with enhanced control over their data through localized services and cybersecurity measures.



Public sector enterprises, such as DICTU, also express interest in leveraging the EU sovereign cloud regions to ensure compliance and data security.

Related Article: EU Mandates Removable Batteries in Cell Phones

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In a captivating and ethereal display, NASA has released an awe-inspiring image that showcases the intricate beauty of the Milky Way galaxy.



Titled "The Nandu in the Milky Way," this mesmerizing photograph not only reveals a mesmerizing segment of our galaxy but also highlights the cultural significance and legends associated with celestial objects.



Tales and Lore Amidst the Milky Way

Beneath the man on the Moon lies a celestial canvas brimming with captivating tales and lore. Throughout history, diverse cultures have projected their most enduring legends onto the stars and cosmic dust above. Passed down through generations, these celestial icons continue to inspire and fascinate.



The photograph captures a section of the central band of the Milky Way, which stretches across the night sky like a gossamer veil of stardust. However, it holds a deeper significance, as it aligns with the ancient folklore of several native peoples of Uruguay.



According to their legends, the formation of stars in this particular region outlines the shape of a majestic bird known as Nandu.



Nandu, a mythical creature deeply ingrained in the cultural heritage of Uruguay, takes flight within the cosmic tapestry. This legendary bird's form emerges as the stars effortlessly weave together, evoking a sense of wonder and enchantment.



The Nandu's majestic presence in the Milky Way resonates with the rich oral traditions and stories passed down by indigenous communities.



Furthermore, the footprint of the Nandu is intricately linked to the Southern Cross, a prominent asterism that has guided navigators and captivated observers for centuries.

Read Also: Starry Pair: NASA's Hubble Captures Stunning Portrait of Spiral Galaxies Resembling Milky Way

Ancient Myths and the Cosmos

The alignment of these celestial wonders creates a harmonious fusion of nature and the cosmos, offering a glimpse into the interconnectedness of ancient myths and the vastness of the universe.



In the foreground of this extraordinary composition stands a silhouette of Maria Micaela Guyunusa, a revered figure in the indigenous Charrua community.



Maria Micaela Guyunusa, an indigenous woman who lived during the 19th century, symbolizes the resilience and spirit of colonial resistance. Her statue serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of indigenous cultures and their connection to the land and sky.



The breathtaking image was captured in mid-April in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay, where the Atlantic Ocean serves as a majestic backdrop. The juxtaposition of the cosmic bird and the statue of Maria Micaela Guyunusa against the vast expanse of the night sky and the rhythmic crashing of ocean waves imbues the photograph with a profound sense of harmony and timelessness.



This remarkable display of celestial artistry not only showcases the sheer beauty of our universe but also reminds us of the profound influence that ancient legends and cultural heritage hold.

NASA's release of this captivating image invites us to gaze into the heavens, ponder the stories etched among the stars, and cherish the interconnectedness of humanity and the cosmos.

Related Article: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures 'Butterfly Nebula' In Stunning Motion | Fun Facts About This Beautiful Space Butterfly

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
According to a recent report from cyber intelligence firm Group-IB, over 101,000 user accounts on ChatGPT, the popular AI-powered chatbot platform, have been compromised by information-stealing malware over the past year.

The findings were obtained from data gathered on various underground websites in the dark web marketplace.

Info-Stealing Malware Targets ChatGPT Accounts

Group-IB's analysis unveiled a staggering number of info-stealer logs that contained ChatGPT account credentials, BleepingComputer reports.

The peak in compromised accounts was observed in May 2023, with threat actors posting a concerning 26,800 new ChatGPT credential pairs.

The report also highlighted the geographical distribution of the compromised accounts.

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for nearly 41,000 compromised accounts between June 2022 and May 2023, followed by Europe with almost 17,000. Surprisingly, North America ranked fifth, with approximately 4,700 affected accounts.

A Look at Info-Stealing Malware

Information stealers are malware designed to target and extract account data from various applications, including email clients, web browsers, instant messengers, gaming services, and cryptocurrency wallets.

These malicious programs aim to steal credentials stored within web browsers by extracting them from the program's SQLite database and exploiting encryption reversal techniques.

Read Also: Consumer Groups Urge EU to Launch Investigations Into Risks of Generative AI

The stolen credentials and other pilfered data are packaged into archives called logs, which are then sent back to the attackers' servers for further exploitation.

In related news, we reported in April that ChatGPT may be used to create sophisticated malware capable of collecting data from Windows computers.

According to reports, Forcepoint security researcher Aaron Mulgrew stated that he could construct the malware in a matter of hours using prompts generated by ChatGPT.

The Threat Against AI-Powered Tools

The compromise of ChatGPT accounts, email accounts, credit card data, and cryptocurrency wallet information demonstrates the growing significance of AI-powered tools for individuals and businesses.

ChatGPT's ability to store conversations means that unauthorized access to an account can expose proprietary information, internal business strategies, personal communications, software code, and more.

"Many enterprises are integrating ChatGPT into their operational flow," explains Dmitry Shestakov, an expert from Group-IB.

"Given that ChatGPT's standard configuration retains all conversations, this could inadvertently offer a trove of sensitive intelligence to threat actors if they obtain account credentials," Shestakov added.

A similar scenario happened at Samsung when employees unintentionally released classified information while using ChatGPT.

According to reports, Samsung's semiconductor division permitted engineers to use the service to assist them in resolving issues with their source code.

Concerns regarding the potential risks associated with ChatGPT have led tech giants like Samsung to implement strict policies prohibiting using the platform on work computers. Employees who fail to comply with this policy face the possibility of employment termination.

Mitigating Risks

Group-IB's data reveals a steady growth in stolen ChatGPT logs over time. Among the various information stealers identified, Raccoon steals the spotlight, accounting for nearly 80% of all records. Vidar and Redline follow with 13% and 7%, respectively.

To mitigate the risks associated with ChatGPT, users are advised to disable the chat saving feature in the platform's settings menu.

Alternatively, manually deleting conversations immediately after use can also help safeguard sensitive information.

However, it is important to note that many information stealers employ tactics such as taking screenshots or keylogging, which can compromise data even if chat conversations are not saved.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: China Announces Approved Deep Fake Technology Suppliers, List Includes Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba-but Why?

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Having the best VPNs is required, especially if you're in dire need of accessing streaming service platforms like Netflix.

For watchers who want to access the Japanese version of Netflix, you will be required to acquire a Japanese IP address that matches the site.

The best options for aspiring viewers who want to jump on this trend boil down to choosing an ideal VPN optimized for streaming.

Best VPN to Use For Japanese Netflix

Last year, we already tackled the best working VPNs for Netflix. This time around, we will share the best options for Netflix, particularly for its Japanese version.

For those who don't know about VPN, it is an acronym for Virtual Private Network. When you have VPN, you can protect yourself from cyberhackers who might access your internet. It makes your IP address anonymous, making it more difficult to track your server.

Of course, not all apps/services from other parts of the world are accessible, that's why it's recommended to get a trusted and reliable VPN.

For this article, we only have three options to discuss. These are ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, and NordVPN. They are all proven to be effective in unblocking the Japanese Netflix library, not to mention other streaming services across the country.

Related Article: Brave Firewall + VPN Rolls Out! Price, How It Works, and Other Details

Pros

15 free Japan servers

Available Fire TV Stick & Android TV apps

Impressive speeds for US-Japan

No data cap for a free version

Private logging policy

Cons

Needs a premium version to unblock Japanese Netflix

No browser extensions

Very expensive

DAZN Japan blocked

If you have no budget, you can opt for its free version, but if you aim to unblock Japanese Netflix, you might want to buy its premium version. It's very expensive for a VPN, but what you're paying is worth it a hundredfold.

Pros

Consistent streaming to Netflix Japan

More than 80 Japanese VPN servers

Fast speed

Good Fire TV Stick & Android TV app

It can be used for Fuji TV, TV Tokyo, Prime Video Japan

Cons

Tokyo-exclusive servers

Smart DNS not working for Japan

Unblocking DAZN Japan is not possible

No dedicated router app

This is a cheap VPN that is a big value for your money. NordVPN apps are easy to use. However, its worst downside is its servers that only work in Tokyo.

Effectively unblocks Japanese Netflix

Excellent speeds across Japan

Have Tokyo, Shibuya & Yokohama servers

Impressive Fire TV Stick application

Free trial & money-back guarantee

Most ideal for Hulu Japan and Prime Video Japan

Cons

DAZN Japan is inaccessible

Above-average subscription price

Not all Japanese servers unlock Netflix Japan

This is the most basic VPN you can get in Japan for Japanese Netflix. It's affordable and has big server coverage in the region.

Read Also: Netflix Prepares its First Live-Streamed Sports Event Coming this Fall

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Clop ransomware group claimed that they do not have the data of significant UK firms that were reported to have been hacked.

Sensitive payroll data was stolen during the incident last week, prompting organizations, including the BBC, British Airways, and Boots, to have already informed their personnel. Due to a police investigation, the UK payroll service Zellis, which the hackers attacked, has not commented.

The hackers, known as Clop, spoke through email and clarified that "we don't have that data." Since June 14, Clop has been forcing firms to pay a ransom by publishing their identities as victims of the breach.

Notably, their "leak site" has not yet included any information on any of the big UK organizations. Nearly 50 victims, including banks, colleges, tourism businesses, and software organizations from several countries, have been added by Clop.

Read Also: William Fitzgerald: The Google Employee Who Helped Protect Snowden Revelations That Shook The Internet

Hacker Group Denies Zellis' Allegations

Some firms identified by Clop have acknowledged the loss of their data. However, the hackers threaten to expose it unless victims pay a hefty Bitcoin ransom, perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Ransomware gang maintained their denial of having data from Zellis in an email conversation with the BBC. They said they alerted Zellis about their lack of data access and never misled anybody. Zellis, on the other hand, reiterated its prior statement, noting that a limited number of its clients were affected by the hack and highlighting their active assistance.

Tonight, sources tell @cbsnews senior government officials are racing to limit impact - of what one cyber expert calls - potentially the largest theft + extortion event in recent history. USG official says no evidence to date US MIL or INTEL compromised. pic.twitter.com/R4f6naFqFx  Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) June 15, 2023

MOVEit, a popular file transfer program, has a weakness the hackers exploited to carry out their evil deeds. Recently, this issue has been used to launch a widespread cyberattack on many firms and organizations, per NBC News.

The MOVEit intrusions seized data from federal institutions, according to Charles Carmakal, the Chief Technology Officer of cybersecurity company Mandiant.

The US government has offered a prize of up to $10 million in response to the growing danger presented by the Clop Ransomware Gang and other threat actors targeting vital US infrastructure.

This prize, funded by the Rewards for Justice program of the US State Department, attempts to collect data connecting these threat actors to foreign governments, per Security Affairs.

Related Article: Biden Administration Picks Google Chair for Next-Generation Chip Development

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BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- As the world moves toward multipolarity, the "superiority of the Western system" is increasingly being questioned, and fewer people believe it's universally better for all countries.

In a recent debate comparing the Chinese and American systems, French entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand -- with facts and logic, fresh perspectives and the courage to correct Western biases and misconceptions -- made a solid case that the Chinese model fits the very particular economic and geopolitical context that China is in today, and the Chinese system is suitable for promoting the wellbeing of its people.

In a spirited online debate titled "Is the Chinese System Better than the American System," organized on April 5 by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a nonprofit American educational organization, it turns out that relatively unknown Bertrand emerged victorious over Adrian Zenz, an anti-China German academic based in Washington D.C., who was heavily promoted by part of the American political sphere and mainstream media.

The exchange drew nearly 1,200 comments on YouTube, most of which praising Bertrand. People are curious about what led to Bertrand's victory and how he received so many positive responses from netizens.

First and foremost, Bertrand relied on facts and logic.

As a new-generation China observer, Bertrand has lived in China for seven years and has a deep understanding of the country and its people. Currently, he has over 100,000 followers on Twitter, where he frequently shares insightful comments on China-related topics.

At the start of the debate, Bertrand made a statement acknowledging that while the debate aimed at comparing the Chinese system and the American one, he believed that political systems cannot be compared because each grows out of a country's unique history, economy, and geopolitical context, and is applicable only to its own people. However, within the framework of the debate, he proceeded to make comparisons in different areas.

By citing abundant international research data and his personal experiences, Bertrand provided detailed explanations of China's performance in terms of freedom, stability, and prosperity.

The entrepreneur mentioned China's remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation, saying that led to the largest and fastest reduction of poverty in the world and provided personal freedom for many as a result. In 2021, China declared the elimination of absolute poverty, having lifted nearly 100 million rural poor out of poverty in eight years.

Citing statistics of the U.S. Census Bureau, Bertrand pointed out that 6 percent of U.S. citizens live in deep poverty, adding that a survey found 25 percent of the U.S. population worried about money for buying food.

On the other hand, his opponent Zenz, who was initially expected to provide a strong defense of the superiority of the American governance system and values, spent the whole time criticizing communism and disparaging the Chinese government, completely deviating from the topic.

"He spent all his time complaining about China, citing only the reports he himself wrote or the fabricated reports he published in Western media. The whole time, it was just a series of 'China is bad because ...' content, but that's not the topic of the debate," remarked a viewer who had watched the debate.

Secondly, Bertrand won with his fresh perspectives and thoughts.

Bertrand argued that poverty is the antithesis of freedom. When people live in extreme poverty, they lose the freedom of choice in most aspects of life. He also raised a simple question about "freedom from fear:" Can a person freely walk outside late at night in the United States? These arguments offered a refreshing perspective for Western viewers, enabling them to engage in deep reflection.

Bertrand subsequently presented a deeper line of thinking: collective freedom. He pointed out that former French President Charles de Gaulle had once proposed that the biggest form of freedom should be independence as a sovereign nation, which is a prerequisite for all other forms of freedom. It is difficult to consider the people of a country to be free when the country is in a situation of being a "vassal state" or within the sphere of influence of a major power.

"China is unarguably the freest country in the world in this regard, as it cannot be even remotely considered as being any country's vassal state and it just doesn't do military alliances -- it doesn't have any ... This high level of sovereignty allows China to focus on internal development and to maintain its freedom of action on the international stage," said Bertrand.

Lastly, Bertrand dared to correct the biases and misconceptions about China in the so-called mainstream narratives.

From freedom to stability, and then to prosperity, Bertrand made thorough comparisons, powerfully demonstrating that China's development has not only benefited its own people, but also made positive contributions to global peace and development. In contrast, Zenz spent the entire time repeating the debunked lies about China, failing to articulate his position in the debate, which was to argue for the superiority of the American system. Offline voting in the debate showed that Bertrand emerged as the clear winner.

The debate between the two sides has been hailed as a public lecture on comparing the Chinese and American systems. While a single debate may not help much find the path to truth, it has opened a window for those, who have come to realize the biases in some U.S. perceptions of China, and believe in the power of facts over rhetoric. 
US Senate becomes the latest government sector to look into Amazon's warehouse safety practices. A letter was sent to Amazon Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy, urged by the committee to address health and safety issues at the company's warehouses.

(Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: An Amazon signage is seen a the entrance of the LDJ5 Amazon Sort Center on April 25, 2022 in New York City.

Facing Probe from US Senate

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Senator Bernie Sanders launched a probe this week against Amazon and its working conditions in its warehouses. According to a report from Engadget, Sanders demanded the company address health and safety issues and requested additional information about its response.

Sander believes that Amazon's operations have led to unsafe physical environments, intense pressure to work at unsustainable rates, and inadequate medical attention from tens of thousands of employees from the company every year. Sanders accused Amazon of making decisions that actively harm workers in the name of its bottom line.

Employees have been struggling with what Amazon is practicing in the workplace, including the design and setup of the warehouse and workstation, the pace of work requirements, the medical care for injuries, and subsequent pressure to return the work. Sanders wrote in his letter sent to CEO Andy Jassy that the company expired nearly 39,000 injuries, 95% of which were serious.

"Amazon's rate of serious injuries at its warehouses. And despite constituting only a little more than a third of the warehouse workers in the country, Amazon workers suffered more serious injuries than all of the other warehouse workers in the United States combined," Sander noted.

Along with the demands of the senator is information about the company's systematically underreported injury rates, employee turnover, productivity targets, and adherence to federal and safety recommendations. Amazon has been always present in the senator's speeches as an example of practicing income inequality and corporate greed in the country.

Also Read: OSHA and Federal Prosecutors are Investigating Amazon Warehouses Over Workplace Safety Issues

Amazon's Response

Amazon Spokesperson Steve Kelly responded to this move from the Senate and said, "We've reviewed the letter and strongly disagree with Senator Sanders' assertions. He added that it has extended an invitation for the Senator to tour one of its facilities, ensuring the company's operations are not "uniquely dangerous."

This investigation marks the latest he had launched since assuming his role as chairman of the Senate HELP Committee in January. The Washington Post reported that Sanders received this position with vast authority to direct national attention to the practices of several companies in the country, including Starbucks and Moderna, to interrogate corporate leaders.

The company recorded a 23% reduction in injuries since 2019, pointing to a previous company statement. The company invested more than $1 billion into safety initiatives, projects, and programs. "We'll continue investing and inventing in this area because nothing is more important than our employees' safety," Kelly added.

Related Article: Safety Agency Claims that Amazon Failed to Record Work-related Injuries at Warehouses

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A famous audio technology company known for its iconic headphones, speakers, and more, Senheisser, is now venturing towards health tech developments with its 'All Clear' lineup. These new audio wearables are hearing aids that are meant to assist those who have trouble with their sound perception, ones that no longer require prescriptions to buy.

The company aims to make its new set of hearing aids available over the counter, giving its eligible users a readily-available device that would help them understand and interpret more sounds.

Sennheiser's All Clear Hearing Aids is Coming Soon

(Photo : Sennheiser)

Sennheiser introduced its 'All Clear' lineup via a news release that details the latest tech to its audio wearables, now venturing towards health tech. These new hearing aids would help bring the sense back to those with hearing impairments, meant to be an over-the-counter set of devices for mild and moderate cases.

The new All Clear devices bring two variants to the public, with the first being the All Clear base version which is available for $1,400, and the other is the All Clear Slim, available for $1,500, coming this mid-July.

Sennheiser partnered with Sonova, a company best known for providing hearing aids, with its technology powering the devices from the audio technology company.

Read Also: Hearing Aid Accessory Inspired by Former Miss Universe Catriona Gray's Ear Cuff

No Prescriptions Needed for Eligible Users

"The over-the-counter legislation allows us to bridge a sizeable gap in the hearing devices market by enhancing ready-to-wear solutions with our extensive acoustics and speech enhancement expertise," said Clara Beck, Sennheiser Hearing Category Director.

As mentioned before, these hearing aids are for mild and moderate cases only which means that it is available to purchase without a prescription from their respective doctors. However, it is available for eligible users only.

Hearing Aids for Mild, Moderate Cases

Last year saw the first hearing aids available over the counter, and this means that any eligible adult that needs to wear the tool to enhance hearing or help perceive the sounds may do so whenever required. This opens up access to those who need a hearing aid but do not have prescriptions, allowing them to buy one at any time.

It was a massive breakthrough for the medical community last year, especially as it was previously required to have it prescribed by doctors whenever ordering one.

With the FDA's approval, hearing aids for mild to moderate cases are now available to purchase at any pharmacies or stores that offer them to the public. However, for those who have severe cases of hearing loss, a doctor's prescription is still required before it is made available.

Many are looking to bring their breakthroughs in hearing technology, and among those is a familiar brand in the audio technology industry, Senheisser. The All Clear's two variant release is coming this mid-July with a premium price tag, and knowing Senheisser's career track, these devices are worth checking out if they are the right fit for you.

Related Article: Hearing Aids May Help Decrease Dementia Risks, New Study Finds

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Twitter is facing a lawsuit filed by its employees, who claimed that the company refuses to pay their 2022 bonuses. Employees were promised to be paid 50% of their equity from the company's cash performance bonus plan, which is supposed to be paid out every year.

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 26: The Twitter logo is displayed on the exterior of Twitter headquarters on October 26, 2022 in San Francisco, California.

Filing Lawsuit Against Twitter

Employees from Twitter filed a lawsuit against the company for refusing to pay 2022 bonuses despite promises that employees would be paid 50% of their target amount.

According to Bloomberg, former Senior Director of Compensation Mark Shobinger filed the proposed class-action complaint on behalf of current and former employees. Twitter's cash performance bonus plan, which is supposed to be paid out annually, was halted when Elon Musk acquired the company in October.

The employee stated in the lawsuit, "Both before and after Musk's acquisition, Twitter's management continuously promised the company's employees that their annual bonus for 2022 would be paid under the Bonus Plan."

Shobinger was tasked with overseeing executive and incentive pay while working for the company. But his position expanded in November when his responsibilities scoped the employee compensation globally.

Because it reneged on various promises to its employees and refused to pay for the bonuses, Shobinger decided to quit the job and lead the lawsuit against Twitter for breach of contract.

Fortune reported that among the affected employees and executives promised to be paid for their bonuses was former Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal.

Read Also: Elon Musk Says Twitter Will Pay Verified Content Creators for Ads in Replies

Twitter Employees Frustrations

Prior to the lawsuit, employees feared that no rewards might come as bonuses might be scrapped, benefits may be cut, and stock grants would not appear.

According to Business Insider, Elon Musk promised to reward employees for excellent performance, including in the form of restricted stock units. But instead of rewards, employees received further cuts to benefits and failed promises.

Employees received letters of "intent to grant" a certain amount in Twitter's stock priced at "fair market value" without further information on the price or when it would be issued.

It was followed by Musk telling its employees that Twitter is now rebranding as X Corp., currently valued at $40 billion or less than half of Musk's $44 billion acquired amount.

Aside from this, Twitter also told employees that the company would no longer be giving cash bonuses to anyone in the future. It might be connected to the company's struggle to send a payout for bonuses earned last year, as none of the employees have been funded until now.

As the company continues to provide any financial reward, Musk has been cutting benefits at Twitter. That includes the paid parental leave, which decreased to two weeks and was down from a previously paid leave policy of 20 weeks.

Outside of that period, employees can take unpaid leave up to the amount mandated by state law. In this case filed in California, where the company's headquarters is still based, workers are entitled to 12 weeks of protected parental leave but unpaid.

Related Article: Twitter Employee Annual Bonus is Likely Getting Slashed by Half! Here's Why

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A Tesla software hacker discovered a hidden feature named "Elon Mode", which might be Tesla CEO Elon Musk's very own supersecret driver mode. This enables hands-free driving in vehicles and will not require any attention while using the FSD Software.

(Photo : PETTER BERNTSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Tesla owner Philip Benassi drives his car in Jessheim, southeast Norway on January 17, 2023.

Discovering "Elon Mode"

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk might have his own secret driver mode as a software hacker known online as @greentheonly discovered a hidden feature named "Elon Mode." According to a report from The Verge, the hacker ventured out to test the system, posting some rough footage of the actual usage.

The hacker found that the feature will not require drivers to monitor their vehicle while using Tesla's Full Self-Driving software, which is the company's vision-based advanced driver-assist system that is currently in beta. The newly-obtained feature solves the problem for owners who often complain about the frequency of the system's checks, leading to "nagging."

Tesla's first-generation driver-assist system for highways called Autopilot System requires a certain driver to nudge the steering wheel to confirm their attentiveness during use. FSD users are also required to have enough force as they are subject to frequent nudging. However, this could inadvertently shut off the whole system.

Exclusive for Company-Owned Vehicles Only?

GreentheOnly clarified that the test for Elon Mode' was conducted using a company-owned vehicle as they could not get a non-Tesla vehicle to try it on. "Unless you work at Tesla, or otherwise have access to relevant databases at the company," the hacker stated. Based on the video posted by the hacker, it seems like the early Model X was used for the test.

As the hacker tests the Elon Mode for 600 miles, nagging was not found. The system also still seems to change lanes randomly and ends up driving slowly on the highway. No confirmation from the company on whether this version will be available to regular owners.

Also Read: Tesla Conducts Cybertruck's Final Winter Testing in New Zealand

In December, Musk hinted to release a nag-free driving soon. Months later after that tweet, Musk was asked for an update regarding this and said that the company is gradually reducing it, proportionate to a much-improved safety of the vehicle and the drivers.

Reported Incidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a Safety Recall Report for the FSD Beta system, saying that it could cause crashes as it allows a vehicle to travel straight in a turn-only lane, enter a stop sign-controlled intersection without stopping, and proceed to the intersection during steady yellow traffic signals.

Tesla already reported 19 incidents to the agency, resulting in at least one fatality. CNBC reported that the driver assistance systems were in use within 30 seconds of the collision. Meanwhile, 21 total incidents were reported by the company that resulted in fatalities where the vehicles were equipped with driver assistance systems.

Related Article: Explosive Tesla Leak Contains 100GB of Data of Autopilot Complaints

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Microsoft has long been pushing the use of Windows 11 instead of Windows 10. The company's time and attention are being spent on Windows 11 and not Windows 10.

Recently, Microsoft expanded the list of hardware supported by Windows 11. The company added support for many CPUs from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm.

Microsoft Releases Details for Windows 11 Operating System-Supported Processors

According to Beta News, Microsoft has reportedly released details regarding the updated list of hardware supported by the Windows 11 operating system. It was reported that Microsoft had already updated the list of processors supported by Windows 11 months ago.

However, the main changes this time mean that hardware released more recently has been added. The list of Intel processors now supported by the Windows 11 update is lengthy than Qualcomm, but the same for AMD.

New Unites Supported by Intel and Qualcomm Include the Snapdragon 850 and Intel Celeron J4005

Specific processors from Intel and Qualcomm were highlighted, including the Snapdragon 850 and the Intel Celeron J4005. These two processors were only examples of the broad list of now-supported CPUs.

Microsoft further noted that devices with the CPUs can not be manufactured with a pre-installed Windows 11. The only way consumers could get the new operating system for these processors would be to upgrade their computers themselves.

Microsoft Continues to Grow Its List of Processors that Can Support the Windows 11 Operating System

It was also reported that Microsoft has been doing this for many months, making the list of Windows 11-supported processors longer. Microsoft also commented on its decision to expand the number of CPUs capable of running the latest Windows 11 operating system.

The company noted that the processors listed "meet the minimum floor for the supported processor generations and up through the latest processors at the time of publication."

Minimum System Requirements Needed to Run the Windows 11 Operating System

Microsoft also said that "these processors meet the design principles around security, reliability, and the minimum system requirements for Windows 11."

The company further noted that "subsequently released and future generations" of processors that meet the same principles will be considered as supported, even if not explicitly listed.

"It is expected that the processor list will not reflect the most current offerings from processor manufacturers between updates. Updates to the processor lists will occur at each subsequent general availability of Windows," Microsoft added.

Read Also: [Warning] ASUS Patch Needed: Router Owners Urged to Update Firmware to Address Critical Security Flaws

List of AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm Processors That Now Support Microsoft's Windows 11

The Betanews article also provided a link to the list of AMD processors that are now Windows 11 supported. Consumers can also check the Intel processors that can run Windows 11 version 22H2 on this link.

They can also click this link for the list of Qualcomm processors supported by Windows 11 version 22H2.

Related Article: New Open-Source Software Promises to Accelerate Quantum Technology Research

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Rescuers are engaged in a frantic search for the missing submersible named the Titan, which was on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic in the vast Atlantic Ocean.

The submersible was carrying five individuals, including a skilled pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two prominent Pakistani business family members, and another passenger. Concerns have escalated due to the limited oxygen supply available on board the Titan.

The submersible embarked on its expedition on Sunday morning, equipped with a 96-hour reserve of oxygen, according to David Concannon, an advisor to OceanGate, the company responsible for the mission. The urgency lies in the fact that time is running out for the passengers and crew.

Inside the Submersible Titan

The missing submersible relies on a combination of "off-the-shelf parts," including a video game controller for navigation. But it also features various mechanisms designed to bring it safely back to the surface in case of an emergency.

According to NPR, a former passenger described the interior as resembling a "minivan without seats," equipped with computer screens and a 21-inch round window through which occupants take turns observing the Titanic wreckage.

The Titan's design incorporates a game controller operated by one of the pilots, Stockton Rush, who also serves as the sub's designer and CEO. Despite its seemingly ordinary appearance, Rush emphasized its reliability and effectiveness in maneuvering the submersible.

The carbon fiber tube, a crucial component, was developed in collaboration with NASA and the University of Washington to ensure maximum safety. The international search and rescue operation to locate the missing submersible and its occupants is still ongoing as of Tuesday evening.

Read Also: [WATCH] This Rare, Unseen Footage Features the Haunting Wreckage of the Titanic

Preparation Process

CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue, who previously traveled on the Titan, shared insights into the preparation process and the potential challenges the current passengers face.

Pogue recounted the comprehensive tours he received of the Titan, both inside and outside, familiarizing himself with its components. He highlighted the multiple safety measures implemented, such as various means of resurfacing.

The submersible employs redundancy systems, including dropping sandbags and lead pipes, inflating a balloon, utilizing thrusters, and even getting rid of its own legs to shed weight.

Some of these mechanisms continue to function even in the absence of power or if the occupants are incapacitated, providing an added layer of safety.

Regarding the ongoing search efforts, Pogue expressed the difficulty of locating the missing vessel amidst six-foot-high waves and rough seas. The white submersible blending with the surroundings further complicates the search, making it challenging for airplanes to spot it within a vast area.

Pogue speculated that the possibility exists that the submersible is floating on the surface, which presents its own set of distressing circumstances. Due to the exterior bolts sealing the occupants inside, they would require external assistance to escape, potentially leaving them trapped despite being alive.

Reflecting on his own experience, Pogue revealed that his trip encountered complications when a mechanical issue arose, forcing the dive to be aborted at a depth of only 37 feet. He described his disappointment and surprise but acknowledged that such dives often face unforeseen challenges.

He explained that during OceanGate's expeditions to the Titanic wreckage, they typically manage to descend once or twice out of the scheduled five days, and this season has seen no successful dives thus far.

As the search continues for the missing Titan, hopes remain for the safe retrieval of the submersible and the well-being of its passengers and crew.

Related Article: Remembering RMS Titanic: Looking Back on the Real Sinking of the Ship and its Tragedy

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Rescue teams engaged in a desperate search for a missing submersible that was documenting the wreckage of the Titanic made a significant discovery as Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises in the remote North Atlantic, according to a report by AP.



The noises, yet to be identified, provided hope for the five individuals aboard the Titan, as time, is of the essence, with only a day's worth of oxygen estimated to be remaining.

Underwater Sounds Detected

Details regarding the nature of the underwater noises were not divulged in the US Coast Guard's statement, leaving room for speculation. However, the mere detection of these sounds raised optimism among the search and rescue teams working to locate the missing submersible.



The vessel's depth, believed to be around 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) near the historical ocean liner's resting place, posed a significant challenge to rescue efforts.

As the search intensified, concerns emerged regarding the accessibility of the submerged submersible. Newly revealed allegations suggested that safety concerns had been raised by a former employee of OceanGate, the company behind the submersible, during its development.



This adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing rescue operation. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard deployed an underwater robot to the area where the noises were detected, although the initial searches did not yield any positive results.



The Canadian P-3 Orion aircraft, responsible for detecting the underwater noises, shared its data with US Navy experts for further analysis. The findings will play a crucial role in shaping future search plans.



Rolling Stone cited internal emails from the US Department of Homeland Security and reported that teams had heard "banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes," shedding light on the challenging conditions faced by the missing submersible.

Read Also: [WATCH] An Expedition Team Captures the Highest Quality Footage of Titanic - Detailing Shipwreck in Stunning 8K!

Race Against Time

In the race against time, multiple international ships, planes, and an underwater robot were deployed to search the vicinity of the Titanic wreckage. Salvage equipment is also being prepared in case the submersible is found.



The Canadian military contributed a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one specializing in dive medicine, while sonar buoys were deployed to assist in locating the Titan.



The urgency of the situation stems from the limited oxygen supply aboard the vessel, which could be depleted by Thursday morning.



The submersible set off on its expedition on Sunday, carrying a skilled pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two prominent members of a Pakistani business family, and another passenger. David Concannon, an advisor to OceanGate, confirmed that the submersible had a 96-hour reserve of oxygen.



As search teams tirelessly comb the depths of the North Atlantic, the fate of those aboard the Titan hangs in the balance. The global effort to locate and rescue the missing submersible is a race against time, with hopes pinned on the discovery of the vessel before its oxygen supply dwindles further.

Related Article: [WATCH] This Rare, Unseen Footage Features the Haunting Wreckage of the Titanic

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President Joe Biden held a significant meeting with technology leaders on Tuesday to engage in a comprehensive discussion surrounding the potential risks and promises associated with artificial intelligence (AI).

Recognizing the need for effective regulation and governance in the rapidly evolving field of AI, the Biden administration aims to strike a balance between nurturing its economic growth and bolstering national security, while safeguarding against its potential dangers.

The Rise of AI

The rise of AI technologies, such as the ChatGPT chatbot and other advanced tools, has sparked a surge in investment within the field.



These AI tools have the ability to generate human-like text, images, computer code, and many more. While this automation holds the potential to enhance workers' productivity, experts caution against the numerous risks involved such as displacing people from their jobs and potential biases in algorithms.



In May, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden convened a meeting with CEOs of prominent American companies involved in AI development.



The purpose was to emphasize the responsibility of these companies in ensuring the safe use of their products before their public release. Similarly, in the current gathering, President Biden sought to directly hear from experts who possess a diverse range of perspectives on the enormous potential and risks of AI in the intersection of technology and society.



President Biden stressed that the next decade will witness an unprecedented technological transformation, surpassing the progress made in the previous 50 years.



The Biden administration said that it is committed to safeguard the rights and safety of the American people. Initiatives have been undertaken to address privacy concerns, combat bias and disinformation, and ensure the safety of AI systems before their deployment.

Read Also: Singapore Takes Wait-and-See Approach: No Immediate Plans for AI Regulation Despite Global Efforts

Proposed Measures

Proposed measures include an AI Bill of Rights introduced last October, which seeks to incorporate essential protections into AI systems from their inception.



Earlier this year, President Biden signed an executive order directing his Cabinet to eliminate bias in AI design and utilization.



Additionally, a new strategy was announced in May to fund responsible AI development, empowering Americans to lead advancements in crucial domains such as cybersecurity, public health, agriculture, and education.



President Biden has called upon Congress to pass bipartisan privacy legislation that restricts personal data collection, prohibits targeted advertising towards children, and prioritizes health and safety.



The Vice President will also convene civil rights leaders, consumer protection groups, and civil society next month to further engage in the ongoing dialogue on AI.

"But in seizing this moment, we need to manage the risks to our society, to our economy, and our national security. My administration is committed - is committed to safeguarding America's rights and safety, from protecting privacy, to addressing bias and disinformation, to making sure AI systems are safe before they are released," Biden said in a statement.

Related Article: AI Safety: New Research Explores Machine Learning Safety Without Conducting Countless Trials

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Google has announced that its Album Archive, a storage destination for older media shared on Google services, will be shutting down on July 19.

If you have any photos or videos stored in the Album Archive, it is crucial to take action now to save your files before they are deleted. In this article, we will guide you through preserving your precious memories and important files.

Save Files from Google Album Archive

To safeguard your media before the shutdown, Google recommends using Google Takeout, a data export tool provided by the company. Follow these steps first shared by CNET to initiate the backup process:

Access the customized Google Takeout link that will be provided to you.

In Step 1, ensure that the checkbox next to "AlbumArchive" is selected and proceed to Step 2.

Choose your preferred option for storing the files: receiving a ZIP or TGZ file via email or uploading directly to a storage service like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Box.

Click the "Create export" button to initiate the download.

You will receive a verification message informing you that the export process has started.

Note that the duration can range from hours to days, depending on the size of your data. You will receive an email notification once the export is complete.

Read Also: Google 'Grogu' Tracking Device Coming in Late 2023? Here's What it Might Offer

It is important to note that the Google Takeout link for downloading your data will be active for only seven days.

If you miss this window, you must restart the Takeout process. Therefore, it is advisable to act promptly to avoid any potential loss of files.

Managing Files, Future Accessibility

While Google's email communication to users may have varied slightly from the information on the Album Archive page, it is crucial to review the files stored in your Album Archive and download anything you wish to keep before the shutdown date.

After July 19, 2023, the Album Archive will no longer be accessible.

Alternative Google Platforms to Manage Your Content

Blogger: You can view and manage your image content.

Google Account: Access and manage your past and current profile photos.

Google Photos: View and manage your photo albums.

Google Chat (formerly Hangouts): Utilize Google Takeout to download your Hangouts attachments.

If you are a Google Workspace account user, please note that your organization's administrator may control the availability of Google Takeout. It is recommended to consult with them regarding the usage of this tool.

Preserve Your Memories

As technology and online services evolve, staying proactive in safeguarding our digital memories is crucial.

Google's decision to shut down Album Archive highlights the importance of regularly backing up and organizing our files.

By taking immediate action to save your media using Google Takeout, you can ensure that your photos and videos remain safely stored and easily accessible beyond the Album Archive shutdown.

Remember, the clock is ticking, and the July 19 deadline is approaching fast. Take your time securing your files; act now and preserve your precious memories for years to come.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Google System Launches Updates for June 2023: UI Optimization for Foldables, Find My Device Expansion, and More

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An expert claimed a connection between the rise in teen depression and the increased use of social media platforms, according to a report by Fox News.



Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and professor at San Diego State University, highlighted the correlation between the surge in social media usage and the spike in depressive symptoms among teenagers in her book titled "Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents - and What They Mean for America's Future."

Students Say They Don't Enjoy Their Life

The University of Michigan has been conducting polls since 1991, surveying 50,000 students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades about their agreement with specific questions related to depression.



Results from these polls revealed a concerning trend, showing a steady increase in the number of students expressing agreement with statements indicating low enjoyment of life. Since 2012, the number of students agreeing with such statements has more than doubled.

In a recent national survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children's Mental Health, it was found that 50% of parents with children under 18 believe their child's mental health has been negatively affected by social media use over the past year.

This survey has raised concerns about the impact of social media platforms on the mental well-being of children and adolescents.



The On Our Sleeves Movement advocates for regular conversations between parents and children regarding the effects of social media on mental health. While platforms like TikTok have implemented new security measures, Dr. Ariana Hoet, the clinical director of On Our Sleeves, cautions that these measures may not be sufficient.



Dr. Hoet warns about the potential triggers of anxiety and depression in children through exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and other negative effects of social media.



However, she acknowledges that not all social media experiences are negative and that these platforms can also promote social connections, relationships, and self-discovery.



According to the survey, the belief that social media has a positive influence on children's mental health has decreased from 43% in 2022 to only 35% among Americans.

Read Also: Fake Rich Social Media Trend: Here's Why You Should Not Fall For It

APA Issues Health Advisory for Social Media

These findings have led to the American Psychology Association (APA) issuing a comprehensive health advisory in response to the growing concerns about social media's impact on adolescent well-being.



The APA advisory emphasizes the importance of understanding both the potential benefits and risks associated with social media use among young people.



It highlights that the effects of social media are highly dependent on individual characteristics, social circumstances, and the specific features and content available on different platforms.



The advisory presents a collection of evidence-based recommendations to various stakeholders, including parents, caregivers, educators, policymakers, practitioners, and members of the tech industry. These recommendations aim to foster the well-being of adolescents in the digital age.



They include encouraging healthy socialization, tailoring social media designs to suit developmental capabilities, adult monitoring, and involvement, reducing exposure to harmful content, addressing cyberhate and bullying, monitoring for problematic social media use, balancing media use with sleep and physical activity, minimizing social comparison, promoting social media literacy, and supporting continued research on the impacts of social media on adolescent development.



By following these recommendations, it is hoped that the negative impact of social media on the mental health of adolescents can be mitigated while also maximizing its potential for positive social interactions and self-expression.

Related Article: Bored With Instagram? Try These 5 Alternatives [2023]

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First targets Asia, including Vietnam and Cambodia, with its B2B Fintech solutions, and later advances into the Western markets.

WABOOKS, WeMBA & morningmate, to be launched in the global market.

Aims to invest KRW 10 billion for overseas expansion, targeting 2,000+ overseas customers and annual recurring fee revenue of KRW 10 billion within 3 years.

Highly competitive B2B Fintech Solutions to be expanded into global markets.

SEOUL, South Korea, June 20, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Webcash Group, a company specializing in B2B Fintech, announced its plan to expand into global markets with its B2B Fintech SaaS a software. Webcash Group says it will employ a differentiated strategy in its expansion into each overseas market, more focusing on B2B Fintech solutions in the Asian markets and initiating a tech-based SaaS business in Western markets such as the Americas and Europe.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230602005148/en/

Webcash Group, a B2B Fintech Solution provider, targets global markets with its B2B Fintech SaaS software (Graphic: Webcash Group)

Webcash Group launched 'WABOOKS', the Vietnamese version of 'AI KYUNGRI NARA', last April. AI KYUNGRI NARA is an accounting solution used by 60,000 business customers in the Korean market, being highly recognized for its excellent functionality and efficiency.

WABOOKS has innovated the manual expense management process of Vietnamese corporate customers with its diverse functions such as mobile expense management, connection with the National Tax Service, easy payment, and real-time integration of bank account transaction details and balances. In addition, WABOOKS is serviced in multi-languages; English, Vietnamese and Korean. This multilingual functionality has contributed to mitigating difficulties in communication between employees who speak different languages.

WABOOKS is currently used by AJ Total, DORCO VINA CO., LTD. and SAM WOON IND CO., LTD. in Vietnam, and just recently, Bornga Vietnam, the Vietnamese branch of the Born Group, a successful dining franchise brand in Korea, has newly signed up. WABOOKS aims at 500+ total customers in the Vietnam market by the end of the year. WABOOKS is also scheduled to be newly released in the Thailand and Indonesia market in 2024.

Following the launch of WABOOKS, other Webcash Group B2B Fintech products are also set to be introduced in the global markets one by one. Those are WeBILL365, a billing & receipt solution, WeTAX, an electronic tax invoice issuance solution, WeMBA, a solution for integrating bank accounts for medium/large-sized enterprises, and WeGMBA, a solution for integrating global bank accounts.

Furthermore, Webcash Group has a plan to tap the Western markets such as the Americas and Europe with a team-working tool morningmate, a global version of Flow. Flow is a team-working solution that has been adopted by more than 5,000 business customers in Korea. morningmate has already begun its business in the Japanese, British, Vietnamese, and Cambodian markets during the year of 2023, currently providing services to corporate customers in 20 countries around the globe, including Latin America. Starting from 2024, companies in the US and some European countries are also expected to try morningmate to streamline the team-working process of their employees.

Webcash Group plans to invest an additional KRW 10 billion in its global business over the next two years. The short-term target of Webcash Group is to secure 2,000+ global customers by 2024, aiming to achieve annual recurring fee revenue of KRW 10 billion within three years from now.

Webcash Group also has the intention of opening more overseas branches to support its global expansion. Currently, it has global branches in Beijing of China, Tokyo of Japan, London of England, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and Phnom Penh of Cambodia. Another Vietnamese office is coming soon in Hanoi during the second half of the year. More overseas offices are expected in Thailand, Indonesia, the US and part of Central/South America starting from year of 2024.

Seok Chang-gyu, Chairman of Webcash Group said, "Webcash Group will never stop pioneering global markets based on its successful business models in the Korean B2B Fintech. We regard it as our mission to share the value of K-B2B Fintech with global market participants including Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan and the UK."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230602005148/en/

Contacts

[English, Vietnamese]

Webcash Group

Ms. Oanh Manager

+84-028-7300-1660

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Webcash Group

Eunji Kim Manager

+84-028-7300-1661

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When COVID-19, formerly known as Sars-CoV-2, struck the city of Wuhan in China in 2019, healthcare experts knew what was coming next to the whole world.

Right before their years, a highly contagious virus emerged and it took some years to slow down its spread across several countries globally. Now, researchers think that the pandemic can repeat, but this time with another virus dubbed "Disease X."

This pathogen is not new anymore to the public, but experts have not yet formulated any vaccine for this type of virus.

What is 'Disease X'

"Disease X" remains an unidentified disease agent at the moment, but it has the potential to spark the next pandemic, as researchers noted.

While its nature remains unknown, experts believe it lacks effective treatments or vaccines. By highlighting "Disease X," the WHO aims to emphasize the need for constant vigilance and preparedness in the face of new infectious threats.

"You cannot prevent an unknown pathogen from evolving into one that could lead to a pandemic," Dr. Sandra Adams, a biology professor and virologist at Montclair State University, said in an interview with NJ Advance Media.

Related Article: Disease X: Unknown Pathogen Could Cause Epidemic That Can Kill Millions Worldwide

Where Can You Get Disease X?

Most researchers believe that "Disease X" will likely emerge from animals and eventually cross over to infect humans. Specifically, zoonotic RNA viruses are seen as potential sources.

Furthermore, just like other viruses discovered in the past and present, the RNA virus can live inside a living host such as an animal and can mutate accordingly. This paves the way to infect humans upon making contact.

The researchers said that other possibilities for where RNA viruses come from are not yet ruled out, including accidents in laboratories and bioterrorism experiments.

While some information about Disease X remains a mystery, the researchers said that their knowledge about vaccines could be used to formulate solutions against future pandemics.

It was first discovered in China in 2018 for those unfamiliar with Disease X. It carries the original name of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Won't Be the Last Pandemic

The authors of the 2021 article posted on the National Library of Medicine said that the COVID-19 pandemic will not be the last pandemic that will strike the Earth sometime. They wrote in the journal that it "won't be the last."

The arrival of the COVID-19 crisis has left an important lesson to all humans: be prepared always and improve one's knowledge when it comes to handling an outbreak.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to collaborate with vaccine makers to come up with the most effective treatment for the deadly diseases. Paired with its mitigation practices, the agency looks forward to decreasing the rising cases of COVID-19-positive individuals.

To know more about the latest trends in COVID-19, Monkeypox, malaria, and other health-related topics, visit WHO's official website for more information.

Read Also: Boost Eye Health With These Expert-Backed Tips to Combat Digital Eye Strain

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that his firm is actively seeking investment in India.

After visiting Narendra Modi in New York on Tuesday, Musk said Tesla plans to invest in India "as soon as humanly possible."

During a press interaction, Elon Musk acknowledged Modi's commitment to convince Tesla to "make significant investments" in India soon. The Tech mogul said that, while the company aims to enter the country, they are determining "the right timing," according to CNN.

Musk also revealed his ad hoc plans to go to India in 2019, highlighting his excitement for the nation's potential. He emphasized his enthusiasm for India's future and praised his "fantastic" encounter with Prime Minister Modi.

Tesla-India Partnership Highly Probable

The decision by Tesla to enter the Indian market has long been anticipated. Elon Musk announced the company's plans to sell automobiles in India as early as 2017. Tesla's plans seem to progress due to recent events and meetings with Indian authorities and politicians.

Reuters reported last month that Tesla has suggested setting up an electric car production facility in India. The business indicated an interest in producing batteries for electric vehicles nationwide. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a federal minister, affirmed Tesla's serious consideration of India as a manufacturing and innovation center.

Read Also: Rescuers Scour Atlantic Ocean for Missing 5-Person Submersible Mission Documenting Titanic

However, when the Indian government required that Tesla produce vehicles locally, the first intentions to establish a facility there were put on hold last year, per the BBC. Before starting local manufacturing, Tesla was willing to sell products to India to gauge market demand.

Tesla Looking For Investments Outside US

Tesla's Shanghai gigafactory is its most oversized automobile production operation outside the US. Over half of Tesla's worldwide deliveries in 2022 were primarily a result of production at the Shanghai facility.

Looking forward, Elon Musk said at a recent event that Tesla would choose a new plant site by the end of this year, with India being an intriguing possibility. Tesla's commitment to accessing the Indian domestic market has been bolstered by conversations with Indian authorities and the most recent meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

With India's thriving market and Prime Minister Modi's desire to entice investment, it is predicted that Tesla's arrival would fundamentally alter the nation's sustainable transportation scene.

Elon Musk's recent meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron show his interest in investing outside electric automobiles, according to France 24. This move demonstrates his continued dedication to growing Tesla's worldwide presence and funding innovative endeavors.

Related Article: Mark Cuban Encourages Small Companies: Embrace AI or Fall Behind

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The e-cigarette industry has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, with vaping becoming a multi-billion dollar market.

However, concerns are mounting over the alarming rise of teen vaping and the potential health risks associated with it.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has faced criticism for failing to regulate flavored vapes that appeal to children effectively.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and Australia are taking decisive actions to address the issue.

The Regulatory Conundrum in the US

When the FDA first asserted its authority to regulate e-cigarettes in 2016, many expected swift action to eliminate kid-friendly flavors like cotton candy and Froot Loops.

However, NBC News tells us that the FDA allowed existing e-cigarettes to remain on the market while manufacturers applied for marketing authorization.

This decision has allowed the industry to flourish, resulting in a flood of products, some of which are sold illegally without FDA approval.

The nicotine concentrations in today's vapes are significantly higher than in Canada and Europe, posing potential health risks that remain largely unknown.

Read Also: Australia Nicotine-Free Vape Ban to Require Prescriptions Before Using E-Cigarettes!

The Impact on US Youth

The rise of teenage vaping is a cause for concern, with more than 2.5 million youths using e-cigarettes in the US alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nicotine addiction can occur within days due to the increased nicotine content in modern e-cigarettes. Health experts warn of potential long-term implications on the heart, lungs, and cognitive function.

Studies have shown that most teen vapers begin puffing within an hour of waking up, indicating a worrisome level of dependence.

Regulatory Challenges and Lax Enforcement

The FDA has been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of e-cigarette marketing applications, with approximately 26 million applications received. This has made it challenging for the agency to regulate the industry effectively.

Manufacturers who continue selling vapes despite FDA rejections, those who have not applied for authorization, and counterfeiters further complicate the situation.

The FDA's delay in reviewing applications has been a subject of litigation, highlighting the risks posed to children during this regulatory lag.

The UK's Battle Against Teen Vaping

In the United Kingdom, concerns over teenage vaping have prompted calls for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes.

The BBC reports that doctors and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) argue these devices may harm young people's lungs and exacerbate environmental issues.

Recent surveys have shown a rise in vaping experimentation among 11 to 17-year-olds, with flavored disposable vapes being the most popular choice.

The UK government is contemplating stricter regulations on the marketing and promoting of vaping products to curb this worrying trend.

Australia's Strict Crackdown

Australia has announced its most extensive crackdown on the tobacco industry in over a decade, aiming to combat the rise in teenage vaping.

The government plans to ban all disposable vapes, restrict nicotine levels, and prohibit the importation of non-prescription vaping products. The focus will shift towards positioning vapes as a cessation tool for smokers rather than a recreational product.

By implementing these measures, Australia seeks to address both the health concerns of vaping and the environmental impact of disposable devices.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Juul Settles Youth-vaping Case for $1.2 Billion

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has sued Microsoft with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for leveraging its business software monopoly to force consumers onto its cloud services.

According to a report by The Information cited by Reuters, Google asserts that Microsoft utilized license clauses in its Office 365 productivity software to tie consumers to separate contracts with its Azure cloud services company.



Google complains that Microsoft's stranglehold over Windows Server and Microsoft Office products makes it difficult for customers to choose any cloud infrastructure other than Microsoft's Azure. Google claims that such limitations create a "complex web" that prevents companies from diversifying their enterprise software providers.

The multinational tech company also points to Microsoft's past hacks, such as the SolarWinds compromise, as a national security and cybersecurity issue. Google and Microsoft both actively practice cybersecurity to thwart and examine online dangers.



Due to the dominance of a small number of significant firms and the expanding significance of cloud services for enterprises, the cloud computing industry has lately come under heightened regulatory scrutiny in the United States and Great Britain, according to a report published by CNA.

The FTC said earlier this year that it would seek public input on business practices of cloud computing businesses, concentrating on elements including market strength, rivalry, and possible security concerns.

Read Also: Ransomware Gang Clop Denies Holding Data from UK Orgs in Massive MOVEit Hack

Rundown of The Legal Issues of The Two Rival Tech Giants

Google has been in antitrust trouble before. The Justice Department sued Google for antitrust violations in January, concentrating on the company's advertising division. In October 2020, Google was sued for using exclusionary agreements to limit internet search competition, per CNBC. September is the tentative date for the case's future trial.

The technology firm is also being sued by three state attorneys general for antitrust violations, including one by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that targets its advertising business.



In March, Google Cloud accused Microsoft of using anti-competitive cloud computing tactics. The tech firm also questioned Microsoft's upcoming contracts with many European cloud suppliers, claiming that these contracts need to address more general issues with license conditions.



Microsoft has a history of being involved in antitrust actions, most notably in the 1990s, when it was subjected to one of the most well-known antitrust lawsuits in American history. The business was accused of using its desktop software supremacy to push its internet browser, which killed Netscape. The US government won the lawsuit, forcing Microsoft to let PC makers use alternative browsers.

Related Article: Amazon Faces Probe from US Senate Over Warehouse Safety Practices

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Bolt, an Estonian ride-hailing and food delivery business, has partnered with Starship Technologies to employ autonomous robots to revolutionize food delivery. Starting this year, the cooperation plans to use thousands of robots to transport food in several nations.

With its fleet of over 2,000 robots in Estonia, the UK, and the US, Starship Technologies has successfully made 5 million commercial deliveries. Starship obtains access to Bolt's 100 million customers in 45 countries and 500 cities by partnering with Bolt, according to Reuters.

Bolt anticipates that incorporating robot delivery into its business would increase profitability for each delivery while providing a more effective and affordable option. The agreement represents a significant turning point in the wide-scale commercial use of robotic technologies.

Starship Technologies, founded in 2014 by former Skype co-founders, first tested its self-driving delivery robots in London. Since then, over 50 service locations have used their six-wheel robots to transport meals, groceries, and small goods.

We're thrilled to share Starship and Bolt have partnered up!



This year, thousands of Starship Robots will deliver @Boltapp food orders across multiple countries - offering greener, more efficient deliveries to millions of new users across the globe.https://t.co/0RJKXiRn4L pic.twitter.com/G16RCeqYZD  Starship Technologies (@StarshipRobots) June 21, 2023

How Does Robot Food Delivery Service Work?

Customers will have a smooth delivery experience akin to placing a restaurant order using a smartphone app. The Bolt-Starship collaboration lets consumers press a button to order food or supplies from robots. When you get there, you may access the stuff by pressing a button on the robot.

Read Also: Biden Administration Picks Google Chair John Hennessy for Next-Generation Chip Development

In the following months, Bolt intends to start making robot deliveries in Tallinn, with ambitions to expand into other markets later, according to CNBC.

Starship Technologies, with headquarters in San Francisco, already has a presence in the US and works with meal delivery service Grubhub to target predominantly college students. The British grocery chain Co-op has also partnered with the firm.

Starship is one of several businesses aggressively examining the possibilities of robots for food and product delivery, having attracted around $200 million in investment.

7-Eleven Tries Robot Delivery in South Korea

In another development, 7-Eleven has begun a robot delivery service test in South Korea.

7-Eleven is working with the South Korean firm Neubility to evaluate the efficacy of robotic delivery in practical situations, UPI reported. The pilot will continue through October at two Seoul convenience shops, allowing consumers to order from local restaurants and retailers for home delivery.

The robots used by 7-Eleven and Neubility have self-driving capabilities and cutting-edge sensors, enabling them to traverse urban surroundings and get around obstructions effectively. When the robot gets close to the location, customers will get alerts on their smart devices, enabling them to pick up their orders quickly.

Related Article: Domino's Pizza Launches Pinpoint Delivery with GPS-Based Service

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
I should begin with the fact that the castle isnt really in my backyard, but it definitely feels like that. Just a short seven-minute drive from my home, a 30-minute drive from Ramstein and a less than 20-minute drive (or just under an hour on public transportation) from Baumholder is Burg Lichtenberg.

Burg Lichtenberg is the largest castle in Rheinland-Pfalz and one of the largest castle complexes in Germany. The castle is over 800 years old and offers plenty to do for the entire family.

The castle began as two separate castle complexes that expanded so much that they simply combined the structures. The castle has never been captured by enemy forces. Today, you benefit from the preservation. You can climb up the winding medieval steps and look out onto the hills, which during these summer months are covered in beautiful rapeseed. There are plenty of open areas to explore the stone ruins and gorgeous photo ops. I even had my graduation photos taken there.

There are two museums onsite that make the castle a great place to visit even on a rainy day. The Pfalzer Musikantenland-Museum is a hands-on museum: It features exhibits, instruments, mosaics and infographics about the musical scene in the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Prehistoric Museum Geoscope takes visitors back to the age of the dinosaurs in the Pfalz. The museum features rotating exhibits so you can see something new throughout the year. They also have adorable axolotls onsite.

An axolotl in a tank | Photo by Tamala Malerk

An axolotl in a tank | Photo by Tamala Malerk

After all that exploring and learning, you will work up an appetite. Fear not; not only is there a restaurant onsite with indoor and outdoor seating, but the food there is delicious!!! Last week, we went to the castle simply just to have lunch. I had the fried goat cheese with vegetables and my spouse had the gnocchi and vegetables in white sauce. Both were amazing!!! When I say my spouse had the gnocchi, I mean I had my goat cheese dish because I wasnt that hungryand then helped eat a quarter of the gnocchi because it is just that tasty. The restaurant also features a daily cake special, and the berry cake was just as fantastic as everything else. Prepare to leave full.

The castle hosts various events throughout the year and its worth your time to check them out. They recently hosted a spring market. Coming up on June 24 and 25 is their summer medieval market. I attended last years and there were tasty treats, animal exhibits and, of course, medieval wares vendors. This year I am getting a tiara. They are also home to a medieval Christmas market in the wintertime. This is a great opportunity to warm up with gluhwein, shop for presents and buy a tiara for yourself.

For those interested in an extended stay at the castle, there is a youth hostel on-site as well as camper van parking. The youth hostel is family-friendly, and they offer opportunities for family vacations and childrens birthday parties. There is also a small coffee shop for a quick fuel up.

The museums are open every day but Monday. The restaurant is open seven days a week and I recommend calling ahead and getting a reservation. The castle grounds are accessible 24/7.
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Too revealing swimsuits are not allowed, etc. Permission conditions Applies to all prefectural pools Saitama

The debate to 3 achieves 4.1 million viewers: the debate between candidates less watched and with the worst share in history

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The Iraqi authorities informed Sweden of their intention to break off relations with the re-burning of the Koran

Political drama in Thailand: "In their eyes, we, the Thai people, are slaves. We are their slaves."

The Luxembourg Foreign Ministry said that they "do not see the light at the end of the tunnel" in the situation with the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

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Roskomnadzor verifies information about the leakage of personal data of clients of the Helix medical laboratory

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Description

Marking 20 years of bringing yoga to the masses, Bryant Parks wildly popular wellness series returns. Bryant Park Yoga presented by Essential Costa Rica makes it easy for New York residents and visitors alike to incorporate yoga into their lives by offering twice-weekly classes on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings from May 31 through September 27.

Todays Instructor: ANGELICA WILSON

Registration is required and can be booked at bryantpark.org. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and arrive early in order to reserve their spot (mats are not provided). Bryant Park is located at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue. For more information, including the full yoga schedule, please visit bryantpark.org.
Investors with a knack for dividends often target the utilities, finance, or consumer staples sectors. Companies within these three sectors often generate stable cash flows and deliver consistent earnings growth, helping vault them to the top of all income investors watchlists.

Still, a fair number of technology companies also reward their investors handsomely.

The technology sector is generally not targeted by income investors, as its common for companies within the sector to utilize their cash to fuel growth and future opportunities.

However, three exciting large-cap technology companies  NVIDIA NVDA, NetEase NTES, and Roper Technologies ROP  all provide investors with dividend payouts.

In addition, all three sport a favorable Zacks Rank, indicating near-term optimism among analysts. Lets take a closer look at each.

NVIDIA

NVIDIA gripped the entire market following its latest blowout quarter, with the company posting results well above expectations and providing significant bullish revenue guidance. The stock presently sports the highly-coveted Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Zacks Investment Research



Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NVDAs annual dividend presently yields a small 0.04%, lower than the Zacks Computer and Technology sector average. Still, the companys remarkable growth trajectory helps pick up the slack, with earnings forecasted to soar 130% in FY24 and a further 33% in FY25.

Its no secret that NVDA shares are pricey, currently trading at a 55.9X forward earnings multiple. Still, investors have had little issue forking up the premium thanks to the companys remarkable growth profile.

Zacks Investment Research



Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NetEase

NetEase is an Internet technology company engaged in the development of applications, services, and other technologies for the Internet in China. Analysts have taken a bullish stance on the companys earnings outlook, pushing the stock into a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Zacks Investment Research



Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NTES shares currently yield 1.9% annually, more than double that of the Zacks Computer and Technology sector average. The company has had little issue increasingly rewarding shareholders, boasting a 32% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.

Zacks Investment Research



Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company posted results well above expectations in its latest release, delivering a 30% EPS beat. Quarterly revenue totaled $3.6 billion, ahead of expectations and slightly lower than the year-ago figure.

Roper Technologies

Roper Technologies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes engineered products and solutions and software. Currently, the stock is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

ROP shares yield 0.6% annually currently, a tick below the Zacks sector average. Still, the companys 10.6% five-year annualized dividend growth rate helps pick up the slack in a big way.

Zacks Investment Research



Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For those looking for a potential entry point into ROP shares, the 50-day moving average could be considered. As we can see in the chart below, shares have recently bounced nicely off the level in the last two instances.

Zacks Investment Research



Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bottom Line

While many income-focused investors target sectors such as utilities, finance, or consumer staples, the technology sector shouldnt be forgotten.

Many technology stocks, including  NVIDIA NVDA, NetEase NTES, and Roper Technologies ROP  all provide a passive income stream.

In addition, all three boast strong growth profiles paired with favorable Zacks Ranks, undoubtedly a strong pairing.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

NetEase, Inc. (NTES) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research
The Lafayette Police Department is asking the public to report any sightings or information on the whereabouts of Milford Cumberland III, 55, of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Justin Lee Webber, 40, of Gulfport, Mississippi, from Thursday, June 15 to Tuesday, June 20 in the hopes of finding the remains of a man Webber is accused of killing. Webber is accused of killing 65-year-old Randall Duplechin of Lafayette. Duplechin is Webber's stepfather.
Leaders for Ochsner Lafayette General and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette shake hands during Wednesdays press conference on the UL campus to announce the creation of an Accelerated BSN degree program, the result of a partnership between the University and the health system.
LIKE HE / Getty Images/iStockphoto

If you want to relocate to the keepers dwelling of a giant cylindrical structure that guided ships to safety in pre-GPS times on some barren stretch of rocky coastline, you can make that dream a reality. Most of Americas lighthouses are no longer necessary but are too impressive and important to knock down, so the government will sell you one if you can be a good steward.

If you can maintain a lighthouse, you can live in one for less than you might think.

Housing Market 2023: Prices Are Now So High That Banks Are Losing Money on Mortgages

See More: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

The Government Has More Lighthouses Than It Can Handle

The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 (NHLPA) facilitates the transfer of historic lighthouses to qualified stewards to preserve their condition and legacy. So far, the NHLPA program has transferred around 150 lighthouses to new owners, giving away about 80 and auctioning off another 70.

In 2023, the General Services Administration is transferring a record-high 10 lighthouses. Six will be given away to federal agencies, local governments and nonprofits.

The other four will be sold at auction to the general public throughout the summer, with bidding starting on June 20.

If you assume you cant afford beachfront property, consider that opening bids start at just $10,000  winning bidders have become lighthouse keepers for that little in the past  with required deposits starting at just $2,000.

If youre looking to own a piece of history on the water  and the coolest house in town  place a bid on one of these lighthouses on RealEstateSales.gov.

Floridas Retirees Are Fleeing: Heres Where Theyre Going Instead

Fairfield, Connecticut: Penfield Reef Lighthouse

Starting time: June 20 at 11 a.m. CT

Minimum bid: $50,000

Required bid deposit: $10,000

Located in the Long Island Sound, the Penfield Reef Lighthouse stands 51 feet tall. Its octagonal tower sits atop a two-story, 1,568-square-foot keepers quarters. The historic structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in the Second Empire style and went into service in 1874. In 2015, workers restored the propertys exterior to reflect its 19th-century appearance.

Located in the Sounds most treacherous passage, several boats run aground on the reef and rocks there every year even today.

Stratford, Connecticut: Stratford Shoal Lighthouse

Starting time: June 20 at 11 a.m. CT

Current bid: $50,556 as of June 21

Required bid deposit: $2,000

The Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Lighthouse Station is situated on a horseshoe-shaped pile of large anti-erosion stones called riprap. It marks the dangerous gravel Stratford Shoal in the middle of Long Island Sound, halfway between the Connecticut and New York coasts. If you place the winning bid, your new home will be a gray granite, three-story dwelling with a 35-light tower protruding from the south facade. The building has a basement and two floors.

The 28-foot x 28-foot dwelling originally contained a living room, kitchen, supply room, sitting room and five bedrooms, but it is currently in deteriorated condition due to deferred maintenance.

Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light

Starting time: Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. CT

Minimum bid: $25,000

Required bid deposit: $10,000

Accessible only by boat, the Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light marks the entrance to the Cleveland Harbor with help from a small metal beacon on the east breakwater.

The harbors breakwaters were built between 1904 and 1909 to protect the channel from prevailing westerly winds. At the same time, in 1908, officials allocated $45,000 for two light-stations to mark the channels entrance into the harbor, enabling the construction of the West Pierhead Light. A watch room with a circular lantern sits atop a four-story structure with a basement, a first-floor galley, second-floor living quarters and unoccupied third and fourth floors.

Chassell, Michigan: Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light

Starting time: Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. CT

Minimum bid: $10,000

Required bid deposit: $5,000

Located at the end of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers breakwater in Michigans Houghton County, the Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light was built a little over a century ago in 1919. Marking the southern end of the Portage River and the entrance to Keweenaw Bay, the lighthouse  which earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014  towers 68 feet above the sea and contains roughly 1,000 square feet of interior space.

Also known as the Portage Entry Light, the property is up for auction because the previous steward could not comply with NHLPA requirements.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Historic Lighthouses You Could Buy Cheap
I think by now almost all of us are agreed that, to reduce climate change, well have to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. But thats a very tall order, involving much change to existing industries  many of which will continue seeking to delay the inevitable  and change in the way you and I use energy. So, how on earth is it going to come about?

We see the Albanese government and the state governments setting targets and beavering away on various parts of the puzzle, but if the feds have a grand plan for how it all comes together theyre doing a good job of keeping it to themselves.

Illustration: Simon Letch. Credit:

So let me have a stab at detecting the method in our leaders madness. Ill be leaning heavily on the work of the one person who is thinking out loud about how we can get to the 2050 objective, Tony Wood of the Grattan Institute.

First, let me acknowledge the truth the climate change deniers and foot-draggers make so much of: nothing we Australians do will stop the globe warming unless the other major emitting countries  America, China and those in the European Union  also achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
We need to have a serious talk about brioche.

I say serious, but its impossible to be serious about brioche. Its flim-flam. Its fairy floss. Its flatulence masquerading as bread.

Its hard to find a burger that doesnt come on a brioche bun.

The serious part, the worrying part, is that these days you can barely buy a burger without a brioche bun prancing about on top.

Hamburgers are  should be  the king of takeaway meals. The salt and fat of the meat, the crunch of the salad and the crisp of the bacon, the melty cheese, tomato sauce, beetroot if you must. Wrapping it all up, topping it off with a bit of chew, is  or should be  a proper white bread roll made of proper white bread (preferably topped by sesame seeds and lightly toasted).
Joe never received payslips from the restaurant  which The Age is not naming for legal reasons  but he kept a record of his shifts. The University of Melbourne Student Union legal service helped Joe, now 21, with his claim for $1500 in unpaid wages and superannuation. While the restaurants management denied he was underpaid, emails between Joes lawyer and the restaurant show them agreeing to pay. Former international student Dani while sightseeing in Victoria. The restaurants management denied the underpayment allegations, and of failing to provide payslips, saying it paid employees pursuant to the rates set out by the Fair Work ombudsmans pay guide and the awards. The Fair Work ombudsman confirmed it was investigating the restaurant but would not comment further because an investigation was ongoing.

University of Melbourne Student Union legal service lawyer Isabelle Butler said Joes experience was mirrored by many international students working in hospitality  although it was unusual that he had received backpay. Many workers did not have sufficient records to substantiate a claim, former employers refused to negotiate with them, or the business was wound up before a claim could be made against it. This is assuming, of course, that [international students] are aware of their entitlements and feel comfortable seeking help in the first place, Butler said. The Footscray rooming house where international student Dani lived in while in Melbourne. Another international student, Dani  who asked that his last name not be used so he could speak freely  said he was paid as little as $10 an hour, cash-in-hand, to work at a Vietnamese coffee shop. He came from Vietnam in 2016 to study accounting at Swinburne University. With little hospitality experience, he took a cash-in-hand job. He lived with five others in a sharing room in Footscray, where his rent and utilities cost $170 a week, struggled to pay for food and his mental health suffered. I know it was illegal [to take a cash-in-hand job], but I had to do it because I didnt have any money, he said. My parents spent $100,000 on two degrees. I dont want to go [home] a failure.

He was also offered work at a Vietnamese restaurant in the CBD for $9 an hour, and up to $12 an hour at other restaurants. He eventually got a $15-an-hour cash-in-hand job at an Indian restaurant in Docklands. Loading Migrant workers made up 4 per cent of the workforce in 2022 but were involved in 26 per cent of enforcement proceedings against employers undertaken by the Fair Work ombudsman. The ombudsmans data also shows migrant workers accounted for 18 per cent of all anonymous reports it received. The fast food, restaurants and cafe sector remains one of the FWOs key compliance and enforcement priorities due to persistent high levels of non-compliance and the fact that the sector employs a large number of vulnerable workers, a spokeswoman for the ombudsman said. Research by the Migrant Workers Centre found that one in five people on any form of temporary visa, including a student visa, always felt unsafe in their workplace. That is a very startling figure that demands attention, said Matt Kunkel, the centres chief executive.

The Support Network for International Students organiser Ness Gavanzo said the work cap did not prevent student visa holders from working, it simply excludes them from reliable part-time or full-time work, and forces them to take up casual and insecure jobs. The work cap means that employers of international students know they can get away with underpayment and mistreatment because students will not risk drawing attention to their work for fear of visa cancellation. The recent report by former Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Martin Parkinson found that the cap on working hours for international students was being brought back to ensure students focus on their education rather than using the student visa as a backdoor into the lower-paid labour market. But the cap was also found to create vulnerabilities for students who wish to work longer hours and fear their employer may report them to the Department of Home Affairs. Advocates for the student work cap said that when it was removed during the pandemic, many people came to Australia to work using an education visa as a de facto unskilled migrant visa.

Labor MP Julian Hill last year told an education conference that uncapping work hours during the pandemic had distorted student choice and corrupted the market by giving education agents offshore a low-skill work visa to market to those considering international study in Australia. The Age reported in early June that a leaked federal government memo revealed international students were exploiting a loophole in Australias visa system to abandon university courses for cheaper private colleges and then go on to work instead of study. Loading Grattan Institute economic policy program director Brendan Coates said that on the rare occasions that employers got caught underpaying migrant workers, the penalties were too small. He said the Fair Work Ombudsman hit employers who underpaid their workers with just $4 million in penalties in 2021-2022. By contrast, the Australian Tax Office collected $3 billion in penalties. A report by the institute calls for a raft of changes, including boosting funding to the Fair Work Ombudsman by $60 million. Education Minister Jason Clare said international students had the same workplace rights and protections as Australian citizens and need not fear their visa being cancelled if they contacted the ombudsman about a workplace issues.
Good policy will survive

Your correspondent (Letters, 21/6) argues the Coalition wants to abolish it [the Voice] altogether, and this is the very reason the Voice needs to be enshrined in the Constitution. Yet, if the Voice was simply legislated and accepted as good policy, it is doubtful the Coalition would dare repeal it.

Peter Drum, Coburg A simple expression

I was glad to see Pat Dodsons opinion piece on the Voice (A decision for the people, not politicians, 20/6). Senator Dodson, in my opinion, has long stood out as Australias true statesman. He got me thinking once again about the Voice and its straightforward importance: its decency, its value, its necessity. To those people who have not followed the discussion of pros and cons on the Voice, consider this shortcut: Peter Dutton, Scott Morrison, Tony Abbott and Pauline Hanson have spoken against it. That this querulous quartet oppose the Voice is your assurance of its goodness.

John Cameron, Bellbrae THE FORUM Olympic achievement

What a lovely good-news story about Alex Park and his dedicated teachers at Werribee Secondary College (No sport required for Alexs Olympic feat, 21/6). Thank you for highlighting the enthusiasm and hard work of all concerned, particularly at a time when so much of our news is negative and despairing. And a star sticker for state schools.

Anne Sgro, Coburg North

More than enough money

The Frank Dando Academy cries poor over the need to pay payroll tax (Boys school fears hard knock from payroll tax, 21/6) like every public school and most businesses. The academy, whose parents pay $12,000 in fees each year, receives over $45,000 from federal funding and over $8000 from state funding per student. The school has recently spent over $2.3million on capital works. It does not participate in NAPLAN. Assuming the three full-time teachers are paid according to the relevant award, that would account for approximately $300,000 per annum. The school receives $1.5 million in recurrent funding. One has to ask where the other $1.2 million is being spent.

Dr David Zyngier, Associate Professor (Adj), School of Education, Southern Cross University Variety is essential

Adam Careys report on Frank Dando Academy makes a good case for a variety of school contexts to support the learning needs of all children. We know not all children respond well to the structured classroom dominant in most of our schools. It is in the interests of the children who fail to prosper in the dominant model, and of society more generally, that opportunities are available to support their education and equip them in the long term. This case is not an argument against removing payroll tax exemptions for high-fee private schools. It is an argument for recognising the need for our education system to provide opportunities reflecting a range of educational needs  not to subsidise a system that further exacerbates social inequality.

Jenny Macmillan, Clifton Hill Learn free

Bravo Professor Duncan Maskell for your thoughts and personal experience about free higher education (Uni head backs switch for free education, 21/6). Indeed, most of todays senior ministers are beneficiaries of Whitlams policy of free education for domestic students.

It is a waste of human resources that many potential students are deterred by exorbitant fees and choose alternative career paths. Free education can be advantageous to society. Costs can be reimbursed though taxation later when the students are happily and gainfully employed.

Maria Liew, Woodend Boomer benefits

Christopher Banticks attempt to defend the rights of Baby Boomers (Sledging Boomers denies our achievements, 21/6) fails miserably. Yes we have had all the benefits thanks to Gough Whitlam and free education and housing prices that allowed us to actually live in a house and pay it off over a lifetime. But it didnt stop there. Now in retirement we continue to be advantaged by government actions. John Howard ensured that anyone with financial advice could organise their affairs to avoid tax altogether and in many cases still get a part pension and the very valuable healthcare card. For many there are even more perks in terms of a property portfolio, negative gearing and capital gains relief. Whichever way you look at it, these incentives are disadvantageous to younger Australians and it is time for the balance to be changed.

Pam Sandon, Sandhurst

Boat tragedy

The probable death of the five people in the submersible seeking to view the wreck of the Titanic is horrible. It is also getting an enormous amount of media coverage. I cannot help comparing the effort to find them and the coverage of the very different rescue efforts and attention accorded to the hundreds of women and children effectively locked into the dangerous lower deck of the boat that sunk in the Mediterranean just a few days earlier. I hope for the sake of their families and friends that these unfortunate people are also brought back to land.

Juliet Flesch, Kew Loading Laws worth enforcing

I commend The Age editorial re measures to reduce the road toll (We can save more lives on our roads, 21/6). However, I question what effect reducing speed limits can have when the current limits, such as 40km/h in suburban streets, are not enforced and constantly flouted.

Kay Howden, Northcote Too powerful

The increased road toll across Australia is disappointing and depressing. How can this be with modern cars that have the latest safety technology including improved braking, lane and obstruction tracking and all-round air bags?

Maybe the answer is that these super-comfortable vehicles disconnect the driver from external realities. Cars virtually drive themselves and drivers hardly notice the high speeds they travel at.

Certainly we dont want to return to the cars that were unsafe at any speed, such as my first Beetle, but I remember being conscious of every bump and curve in the road and knew I had to be extremely careful in wet weather.

Graeme Lechte, Brunswick West The other road toll

The Age rightly requests an urgent review of road safety: 11,800 people killed over the past decade is 11,800 too many. The road toll, however, is dwarfed by the public health impact of traffic pollution. Researchers from the University of Melbourne estimate that vehicle exhaust pollution is responsible for a staggering 11,000 premature deaths, 19,000 hospitalisations for cardiovascular and respiratory issues and 66,000 cases of asthma every year. Its high time the government implemented fuel efficiency standards. Slower speeds coupled with clean electric vehicles will result in safer and healthier communities for all Australians.

Amy Hiller, Kew Housing Band-Aid

Your correspondents who denounce the Greens out of concern for the housing crisis (Letters, 20/6) should look more closely at what the government is proposing. The promised $10billion is to be invested in the sharemarket and revenue gained from this investment is to go to housing in 2024-25. In a weakening sharemarket, such profits would be uncertain at best. The housing crisis is deepening, and the need is urgent. We cannot wait a year or two. And why should social policy be funded through the speculative investment of taxation revenue? The amount offered to the states as a compromise would result in approximately $486 million coming to Victoria  a piffling amount in relation to the need.

Jill Sanguinetti, Brunswick East Quick fix

My fervent hope is that the newly allocated $2 billion will be spent in part to refurbish and/or renovate substandard and abandoned social housing. Such action, aimed at existing housing stock which is presently underutilised, is a practical way to get roofs over vulnerable folks heads.

Joyce Wilkinson, Essendon

Forgetting Bobs flaws

Georgina Downer (Letters, 21/6) lists the many achievements of the Menzies government but omits the many negatives. Menzies did not implement the recommendations of the Vernon report on the economy. High tariffs continued on in Australia until the Whitlam government took power. He didnt act on the White Australia Policy, that was tackled by his Liberal successors. I cant recall that he did anything for First Nations people. And he committed Australian troops to Vietnam.

David Fry, Moonee Ponds Frankstons potential

It was surprising to see an article in The Saturday Age (Frankston braced for battle of the Great Wall, 17/6) indicating strong community resistance to major development in Frankstons central district. The hundreds of comments on Frankstons social media groups, the positive support at local businesses and community group meetings, and Frankston City Councils two years of extensive community engagement suggest a different view. A view that recognises the benefits that tens of thousands of new residents will bring by living, working and playing in the city centre. More foot traffic, increased trade, more vibrancy, safer streets and more housing choice for our community.

Its time to get on with fulfilling Frankstons potential.

Nathan Conroy, Mayor, Frankston City Council Bad breeding

It may be fun to break a world record (Strength in numbers: dachshunds pull off big feat, 19/6) but the pain the dogs suffer is no joke. Dachshunds suffer high levels of intervertebral disc disease, a result of breeding them to have long backs. We must reform breed standards which emphasise appearance rather than health.

Debbie Lustig, Elsternwick Sweet and savoury

Thank you, Michael Bachelard, brioche does not belong in the same sentence as hamburger (Comment, 21/6) and Im a Francophile. It was the cake that Marie Antoinette suggested the peasants could eat. Its not a trendy French bread roll, its a sweet treat.

Noelene Deveson, Ashburton

A soft bite

I had a giggle when I read Michael Bachelards article about hamburgers with brioche buns. I love brioche buns with my hamburgers. When I bite into them I can taste everything rather than working my way through the crusty bread before I taste the hamburger itself. It is a matter of personal taste, but I am raising the flag for all brioche lovers out there.

Julie Ottobre, Sorrento AND ANOTHER THING Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding Brioche

I couldnt agree more, Michael Bachelard. Brioche buns ruin what would be otherwise a perfectly good hamburger (Comment, 21/6).

Cynthia Logan, Kensington Two brilliant commentaries on subjects dear to my heart: Brioche fails the pub test and Sledging Boomers denies our achievements. The oldies are fighting back!

Rick Whitelaw, Anglesea

The Voice

All politicians opposing the Voice should be required to present a forensic plan on how to improve the lives of disadvantaged First Nations people. Insincere apologies 15 years later are useless.

Tim Douglas, Blairgowrie Re the Voice: Its quite simple really. If you dont think First Nations people have suffered enough since colonialism, vote No.

Russell Patterson, Heathmont MP salaries

The independent committee that gave Victorian MPs a pay rise of 3.5per cent ought to be set up in a country pub, with locals as committee members.

George Houlder, Cambrian Hill Another easy pay rise for politicians: no strikes, no negotiations, no wage theft.

Anne Flanagan, Box Hill North The Ashes

A dream come true. A five-day Test decided in the last few overs with the result possibly going either way. Bring on the next one. Counting the sleep (less nights).

Rob Willis, Eagle Point
enviromantic / iStock.com

Summer travel is coming in hot. The Vacationers Summer Travel Survey & Trends 2023 report found that nearly 85% of respondents plan to travel this summer and approximately 54% are going to fly.

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In fact, demand for summer air travel is expected to be higher than last year. Higher demand for airline tickets means elevated fares, which will cause many cost-conscious travelers to seek out the cheapest airline tickets they can find.

The good news is that ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, can help you save money on airfare. Here are four ways to use ChatGPT to find the cheapest airline tickets.

ChatGPT vs. ChatGPT Plus

Before you start using ChatGPT to find cheap airline tickets, its important to understand that youll get the most comprehensive results with ChatGPT Plus. ChatGPT Plus requires a subscription and costs $20 per month.

Once youve subscribed to ChatGPT Plus, youll need to follow these steps to install travel plugins, such as Expedia, Kayak or Travel.com:

Log in to the platform and click on your name, which is located on the bottom left of the screen. Click on Beta Features and make sure the Plugins option is toggled on. Click on the GTP-4 option at the top of the screen to access a dropdown menu. Click on Plugins. You will receive a message stating, No plugins enabled. Click on Plugins Store and search and add the plugins you want by clicking Install. Exit the store and return to the GTP-4 tab where youll find the icons for the installed plugins.

Its also important to understand that this is experimental technology and results might not always be accurate. For example, the Expedia Group said this in a press release about its ChatGPT travel plugin: Its also important to remember that while many measures have been taken to limit inaccurate results and inappropriate responses, at times the experience may not work exactly as expected. Feedback from both our employees and all those using the experience will be continually looked at to make sure responses meet our standards.

Related: Dont Buy Airline Tickets on This Day of the Week

Use the Kayak Plugin on ChatGPT Plus

The Kayak plugin will handle your request to find the cheapest airline tickets. You can post specific questions, such as, What are the cheapest round-trip flights from Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX from July 11 to July 18?

The Kayak plugin will post results with links so you can book the flights immediately.

Use the Expedia Plugin on ChatGPT Plus

The Expedia plugin for ChatGPT Plus works in a similar way to the Kayak plugin. Users can post their request to the chatbot and receive results with links that will allow them to book their flights on Expedia.

Feel free to add specific details to your query such as, I prefer a long layover to get more personalized results.

Use the Trip.com Plugin on ChatGPT Plus

Trip.com offers a plugin for ChatGPT Plus that can help you find cheap flights. Simply type in your query and wait for the results. Click on the corresponding link for the flight you want, and youll be able to book it right away.

Find Cheap Flights Using Regular ChatGPT

If you dont have ChatGPT Plus, you might be able to use ChatGPT to find the cheapest airline tickets. However, youll have to do more of the legwork than you would when using the Kayak plugin.

First, enter details about your travel dates and destination. For example, Find the cheapest airline tickets for a roundtrip from Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX from July 11 to July 18. Here are the options received from ChatGPT using that prompt:

Option 1:

Airline: Spirit Airlines

Departure: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on July 11, 2023

Return: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on July 18, 2023

Price: Approximately $180 per ticket

Option 2:

Airline: Frontier Airlines

Departure: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on July 11, 2023

Return: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on July 18, 2023

Price: Approximately $190 per ticket

Option 3:

Airline: American Airlines

Departure: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on July 11, 2023

Return: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on July 18, 2023

Price: Approximately $220 per ticket

Note that there are no links like youll find when you use the integrated travel plugins in ChatGPT plus. Instead, it gives you an idea of what airlines are offering the cheapest fares for your chosen itinerary. Youll then have to look up the airfares and book the tickets yourself.

ChatGPT also stated that the prices are subject to change and additional fees may apply. It suggested visiting the respective airlines website or using a trusted travel booking platform to secure tickets at the best price. It also recommended comparing options and factoring in baggage allowances and flight times to allow you to make an informed decision based on your preferences and budget.

Note that on a second attempt to use ChatGPT to get cheap airfare suggestions, it stated that it didnt have access to real-time flight data or the ability to browse the internet and could not give specific information for the cheapest airline tickets from Los Angeles to Dallas on July 11-18. So, it seems that the best way to use ChatGPT to find cheap airline tickets is to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus and install the travel plugins of your choice.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Ways To Use ChatGPT To Find the Cheapest Airline Tickets
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Former cabinet minister Stuart Robert met consulting firm Accenture to discuss a federal project worth $111 million after his close friend David Milo had been trying to help the firm win lucrative government contracts. The meeting triggered probity concerns over Roberts decision to discuss the sweeping visa processing deal at a sensitive point before the winning bidder was announced, raising new questions about his links to people who had helped Accenture in the past. A cache of leaked emails reveals Milo and his consulting company, Synergy 360, sought a series of deals with Accenture in the years before the major federal project. The meeting triggered probity concerns over Stuart Roberts decision to discuss the sweeping visa processing deal at a sensitive point before the winning bidder was announced. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen At one point, Synergy 360 asked Accenture for at least $15,000 a month and a success fee of 5 per cent of the total contract value from any federal deals they won. The new details add to a series of revelations about Roberts help for Milo and Synergy 360 over several years when he was a backbencher and a senior minister, including meetings with tech giants Unisys and Infosys while they gained major deals in Canberra. The Australian National Audit Office highlighted the meeting between Robert and Accenture in a highly critical report on June 7 into the governments decision to choose the consulting firm to build a new visa system for the Department of Home Affairs that was ultimately cancelled at a cost to taxpayers.

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Robert met Accenture with Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo and a probity adviser from law firm Maddocks on July 13, 2021, before the final negotiations with leading bidders and before a deal was announced on September 6 that year. The federal auditor found the meeting was contrary to the probity protocols, but the department disputed that conclusion by claiming it was only an administrative oversight that the meeting was not recorded in the register. Robert told this masthead it was ridiculous to ask him about Milos relationship with Accenture and that the July 2021 meeting had been cleared by probity advisers. But he declined to answer a question about whether he had disclosed his relationship with Milo. Loading As it turned out, for this project I did sit with the probity adviser and they presented me a list of everyone ever connected with any of these Home Affairs projects and their investors, directors and advisers. I indicated who I knew and in what capacity, said Robert, who resigned from parliament last month. Asked whether he spoke to Milo about the project and discussed Accenture with his friend, Robert said: I reject all of your insinuations. Milo did not respond to an email asking him about his proposal for a marketing agreement with Accenture and any work he did with the firm, but he has previously denied being a lobbyist.

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Our relationships with government officials or ministers are definitively intermittent. It is always incidental to the work that we do for clients, he told a parliamentary inquiry on April 14 that questioned him about the assistance he sought from Robert. Robert has denied receiving any payment for his help to Milo and others, telling this masthead: I have never assisted any companies to win any contracts. If my advice is sought, I provide it freely. The confidential emails show that Synergy 360 sought the government marketing agreement with Accenture in March 2018 with no expiry date on the deal. It said Synergy 360 would provide political and/or government marketing services to assist Accenture business activities within the Australian federal government and this included finding new tenders or business opportunities. The leaked emails also show Milo was in contact with senior Accenture executives including Mike Kerrigan and Josh Kennedy-White about business opportunities in defence and other sectors. In one email in 2017, Milo contacted Kerrigan and Kennedy-White and said: As I mentioned to Mike, Ive been working with Accenture for the last six months on proposals in defence and have a couple of other opportunities ... in DHS [Department of Human Services] and Home Affairs.

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Accenture said Kerrigan and Kennedy-White left the firm in the middle of 2019. The Department of Home Affairs began the procurement process for the permissions capability in October 2020. Accenture said its records did not show any payment to Milo, Milo Consulting or Synergy 360. We have looked into this matter and found no record of any business relationship between Accenture and Synergy 360 or David Milo, a spokeswoman said. Loading We did not engage the services of Synergy 360 in relation to the request for proposals for the permissions capability or for any work done on that project. We have searched our financial systems including our contracts, procurement system and our payment system, and have not found any evidence that we have ever engaged the services of Synergy 360, nor made any payment to them. Milo and Synergy 360 sought a share of the work on the precursor to the permissions capability system when Home Affairs wanted to overhaul the visa system in 2017 and manage $2 billion in annual revenue from visa fees.

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Bidders for the project included Scott Briggs, a close friend of former prime minister Scott Morrison who set up a new firm, Australian Visa Processing, in the hope of outsourcing the visa system with a consortium that also included PwC Australia, Oracle and Ellerston Capital. Milos consulting firm invested $200,000 in Australian Visa Processing in return for 9946 shares, according to emails obtained by this masthead, but the bid ultimately failed. Morrison recused himself from any decision on the deal given his friendship with Briggs. When Home Affairs attempted a different project with the permissions capability in October 2020, it was meant to start with visa processing and extend to citizenship, customs and personnel security clearances in the hope of creating a system that could be used by other departments. The project began when the home affairs portfolio was led by Peter Dutton as minister, but Robert also had oversight after he was put in charge of the Digital Transformation Agency. Documents released under freedom of information show that Morrison decided in April 2021 to transfer the key digital agency, which has a broad remit over federal tech projects, from then-government services minister Linda Reynolds to Robert. Accenture delivered one element of the major project  the digital passenger declaration  in March last year, but key elements were delayed. The digital passenger declaration online system was switched off in July and people reverted to the incoming passenger cards that have been used for decades.

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The highly anticipated report into the conduct of former premier Gladys Berejiklian will be released on June 29, ending a wait of more than two-and-a-half years since her first bombshell evidence about her disgraced relationship with ex-Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will furnish its Operation Keppel investigation report, concerning the then member of Parliament for Wagga Wagga, the then premier, and others, to the Presiding Officers at the NSW Parliament on Thursday, 29 June 2023 at 9am, the commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

Premier Chris Minns has publicly conceded that ICAC had taken too long to deliver its report while Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has said the government was committed towards introducing an independent funding model for the ICAC which may enable them to deliver faster reports.

Berejiklian resigned abruptly as premier in October 2021 after the ICAC confirmed it had expanded its investigation into Maguire to include Berejiklian. A year earlier, Berejiklian sensationally revealed at an ICAC hearing that the pair had been in a five-year close personal relationship.
Theres no denying that geopolitical disputes are spilling over to impact economic exchanges with increasing frequency. But the informed question is around how significant these spill-overs are compared with unfolding trends in the fundamental drivers of trade, which are economic, not political. Politicians and bureaucrats dont trade. Business and households do. Burgeoning Australia-China trade since the mid-2000s has never been about a political meeting of the minds. Similarly, shared values was never the driver of Australias trade with Japan after World War II.

Loading More prosaic factors have led the way, like what China and Japan need and what Australia can competitively supply. Theres good reason to think that prosaic factors will continue to dominate  and China will only become more important as Australias trading partner of choice. Aside from buoyant commodity prices, two factors underpin the strength of the latest bilateral trade numbers. First, the disruptive trade measures that Beijing imposed in 2020 are now being removed.

After a long absence, in January this year $A24 million of Australia coal made its way through Chinese ports. By April, this had exploded to $A844 million. Trade Minister Don Farrell has also declared the blockages affecting cotton and copper to be over, while last month Chinas ambassador, Xiao Qian, delivered the news that Australian timber was once again welcome in the Chinese market. Trade Minister Don Farrell and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing in May. Credit: DFAT Visiting Beijing in May, Farrell was further assured that the Chinese sides review into tariffs placed on barley was well underway and a decision can be expected in the next few weeks. Second, the complementarities between the Australian and Chinese economies keep expanding, while shrinking vis-a-vis other trading partners.

As the world moves away from a reliance on fossil fuels, businesses and households on both sides have quickly recognised the potential for mutual benefit in clean energy supply chains. In 2022-23, the value of Australias raw lithium exports is expected to reach $18.3 billion, up from just $1 billion two years ago. In 2021-22, China bought 96 per cent of the total. China is reliant on Australian lithium. Credit: Bloomberg This is not a one-way dependence vulnerable to political spats. Chinese researchers recently put the countrys reliance on raw lithium imports at 87 per cent of its total demand, and with nearly 90 per cent of this coming from Australia.

On the import side of the equation, Australia has long relied on international markets for passenger vehicles and last year this hit a new record high, at $27.7 billion. This was the second-largest category of goods imports, following only petroleum. Historically, Japan has long been the supplier of choice, meeting more than 40 per cent of Australian demand, while China has been a bit player at less than 3 per cent. But now that Australian consumer preferences are shifting to electric vehicles (EVs), the two countries shares are changing rapidly. An EV assembly line at a factory in China. Credit: Getty Thats because when it comes to EVs, the global leader is China. Companies like Tesla evaluate Shanghai to be preferable to Nagoya as a value-for-money production base. And thats not just because of cheaper labour costs. China also leads Japan in many of the technologies that EVs embody, such as those found in batteries.

The new Toyota isnt to be found in Korea, Germany or the US either. Rather, the companys name is BYD, and its headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Loading Consumers are giving the ticket of approval not just to BYD. In fact, in the first quarter of 2023, the top 6 EVs sold in Australia were Made in China. This explains why Chinas share of Australias imported passenger vehicle market has shot up to 17 per cent, while Japans slumped to 31 per cent. If we accept that trade goods like lithium and EVs are on the up, while fossil fuels and cars with internal combustion engines are on the way down, the already large gap between China and Japan as Australias largest and second-largest trading partners is about to become a chasm.
France will launch a campaign to persuade foreigners to favour lesser-known landmarks over top destinations in a plan to tackle rampant over-tourism in the worlds most visited country.

Foreign social media influencers will be used to push visitors away from Mont-Saint-Michel or the cliffs of Etretat in Normandy that shot to fame in the wake of the hit Netflix series Lupin.

People walk around Le Mont-Saint-Michel in north-western France. Credit: AP

The streaming services series Emily in Paris has also been blamed for fans flocking to her favourite venues.

Frances network of embassies and consulates will also relay the new message as part of measures unveiled as part of a government plan to manage tourism flows, with officials warning that overcrowding has become a threat to the environment, quality of life of residents and the tourist experience.
Madrid: Former prime minister Scott Morrison has admitted he kept the AUKUS submarine deal a secret from Emmanuel Macron because he feared the United States and Britain could pull out before it was signed to appease an angry French president.

Morrisons plan to hide the $368 billion nuclear submarine deal between the three nations was revealed in leaked extracts of an upcoming book reported by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.

Scott Morrison, Emmanuel Macron. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen, Bloomberg

The defence technology sharing pact resulted in Australia cancelling a $90 billion contract with France to build 12 conventionally powered submarines, which Paris later described as a stab in the back, withdrawing its ambassador from Australia in protest.

On the eve of the AUKUS announcement in September 2021, Morrison finally contacted Macron informing him they were terminating the submarine contract. This came despite the pair having dined together at the Elysee Palace months earlier, where Morrison said he was pretty clear about his concerns over the submarine deal.
The Seattle-based OceanGate Expeditions took its first dive to the Titanic wreck in the Titan submersible in July 2021.

That trip was also piloted by the companys chief executive Stockton Rush and longtime French Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Both men are among the passengers on board the missing submersible, which is believed to have less than 24 hours of oxygen left.

This recent dive in Titan to the Titanic wreck site is one of the most memorable dives I have ever done, Nargeolet said at the time of the first dive in 2021.

The 22,000-pound Titan can travel at a speed of three knots and can support a crew of five for 96 hours, according to an OceanGate document.

Rush founded OceanGate in 2009 to further deep-sea exploration. Less than 10 percent of the global ocean is mapped using modern sonar, according to the National Ocean Service.

In a statement on Monday, OceanGate said every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely. We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible.

- Washington Post
AIADA and Autos Drive Americas Annual Economic Impact Report Shows International Automakers Have Boosted U.S. Manufacturing Jobs, Increased Investments in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: US Government Chooses China As Favorite Car Makers

Data shows international automakers directly employ more than 156,000 American workersInternational automakers have invested $107 billion in U.S. operations, supporting more than 2.3 million American jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Autos Drive America and the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today released their 2023 Economic Impact Report, highlighting the ongoing commitment and contributions international automakers and nameplate dealers are making across the U.S.

According to the report, international automakers and dealers have significantly expanded their footprint in the U.S. auto industry, with $107 billion invested in U.S. operations and 156,000 Americans directly employed an increase of 16,000 from 2021.

Additional key findings from the 2023 report include:

 International automakers boosted their U.S. manufacturing jobs to 103,600, up more than 13,000 from 2021.

 International automakers contributed $37.5 billion in state and local tax revenues, up more than $9 billion from 2021.

 International automakers produced 4.4 million vehicles last year, accounting for 45% of all U.S. light vehicle production in 2022.

 International automakers exported 695,000 U.S.-built vehicles to more than 130 countries and territories around the world.

 International automakers have committed $22.5 billion in electrification investments since 2020.

As our Economic Impact Report shows, international automakers have proven their commitment to the American manufacturing economy, with $107 billion invested in communities across the country, said Jennifer Safavian, President and CEO of Autos Drive America. Last year, Autos Drive Americas members saw a tremendous increase in direct employment, providing good-paying careers for more than 156,000 Americans  including 103,600 careers in manufacturing. The data is clear: international automakers are driving the U.S. auto industry forward.

According to the 2023 Economic Impact Report, international automakers have increased their U.S. production volume by more than 85% over the past 25 years, with their share of total U.S. production growing from 1% in 1979 to 45% in 2022. International automakers have over 500 facilities across 36 states, with 31 manufacturing facilities in 12 states and 75 research and development facilities in 15 states, while international nameplate dealers operate more than 9,400 dealer franchises across all 50 states.

International automakers are leading the way in green vehicle manufacturing, R&D, and sales in the U.S., according to the latest data. International automakers accounted for nearly 1.1 million new green vehicles sold in 2022, accounting for 58% of the overall green vehicle market and leading in green vehicle sales in 49 states and Washington, D.C.

International nameplate dealerships are economic engines for their communities, said Cody Lusk, AIADA President and CEO. They generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and significant tax revenue, all while providing essential services to Americans in every corner of our country. We look forward to publishing this report every year, both as a celebration of the numbers and the people behind them, and as a reminder of the critical role international brands and dealers play in the health of our national economy.

The annual Economic Impact Report aims to educate policymakers and the public on todays U.S. auto industry and the growing economic footprint international automakers and dealers have across the country. The automobile manufacturers participating in the 2023 Autos Drive America and AIADA Economic Impact Survey were BMW Group, Honda, Hyundai, KIA, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen Group of America, and Volvo Cars. Sales data represents new vehicle registrations in the United States in 2022 for Acura, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Ferrari, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Genesis, INFINITI, Jaguar, KIA, Karma, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo Cars.

###

About Autos Drive America

Autos Drive America represents the U.S. operations of international motor vehicle manufacturers integral to Americas workforce, communities, and economy. As the voice of international automakers in the United States, Autos Drive America works closely with policymakers at all levels of government to advance policies that promote jobs, trade, and growth in the U.S. automotive industry. Learn more at www.autosdriveamerica.org.

About AIADA

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) serves as an advocate for international nameplate new automobile dealership franchises before Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. Visit AIADA online at www.aiada.org.
$400B in Stimulus Money Was Stolen or Wasted  How Much of That Was Yours?

LPETTET / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The trio of pandemic-relief stimulus packages authorized the transfer of more than $5 trillion from the federal government to individuals, businesses, nonprofits and state and local governments.

Check Out: 7 States Considering More Stimulus Checks in 2023

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With that kind of money changing hands so quickly, some of it was bound to get lost in the shuffle. In this case, some turned out to be about $403 billion, give or take a few hundred million.

Thats roughly 10% of the $4.2 trillion distributed so far lost to waste, mismanagement and outright theft. Thats just south of a half-trillion taxpayer dollars squandered  and most of it is unrecoverable.

Heres where it went.

How America Bought Its Way Out of the Pandemic

According to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, the federal government authorized $5.1 trillion in emergency aid measures  about $3.2 trillion during President Trumps term and $1.9 trillion during President Bidens time in office.

About one-fifth of that sum is yet to be paid out.

The four biggest categories, which account for the bulk of the spending:

Individuals: $1.1 trillion

Unemployment: $1 trillion

Paycheck Protection Program: $778 billion

State, local and tribal governments: $674.3 billion

One of the more comparatively modest spending categories was federal program administration and oversight, which received $92.1 billion. If the program planners had known just how badly oversight would be needed, they might have budgeted a little more for that.

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Even Historically Massive Fraud Can Get Lost in Numbers That Big

The pandemic relief bills represented the largest rescue package in American history, and their sheer size was able to obscure an epic level of fraud that the Associated Press called unprecedented.

For example, the IRSs effort to get stimulus checks to the right people was 99% successful. But 1% of an $837 billion program is $8 billion, which is how much the agency erroneously doled out to ineligible individuals.

When youre dealing with hundreds of billions, 1% here and there adds up; and, according to an Associated Press analysis, it added up to $123 billion wasted or misspent. But more than twice that amount  $280 billion  was stolen.

Haste Made Waste  and Invited Fraudsters To Loot the System

To date, the U.S. government has charged more than 2,230 people with fraud-related crimes involving the massive plunder of pandemic-relief funds, and it is investigating thousands more.

Among the culprits are criminals and organized gangs that used stolen identities to secure loans and claim stimulus checks. But the list also includes a former Missouri state lawmaker, a U.S. soldier, a roofing contractor, church pastors and many other run-of-the-mill people who likely wouldnt have risked stealing if regulators hadnt made it so tempting to try.

The urgency of the moment and the enormous volume of claims compelled policymakers to remove guardrails designed to protect against precisely the kind of fraud that occurred on such a massive scale.

For example, to process cases faster, a Treasury Department database that would have raised warnings about shady borrowers wasnt used to screen federal loan applicants.

To expedite what would have been 100 years worth of application processing, the overburdened Small Business Administration (SBA) allowed applicants to self-certify that the information they provided was true.

Those are just two examples of safeguards removed for the sake of expediency. While these actions enabled agencies to quickly get funds to the people who needed them, they also rang the dinner bell for those who would exploit the system in what the AP report called the greatest grift in U.S. history.

How the Grift Played Out

According to NBC News, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), in particular, was structured in a way that invited fraud, allowing thieves to rob the program of $80 billion, or roughly 10% of its funds.

The program authorized banks to issue forgivable government-backed loans to businesses that could be converted to grants if the money was used for qualifying business expenses. Millions of borrowers are believed to have overstated their numbers of employees or created imaginary businesses outright.

Congress required the SBA to get the money out fast by advising lenders that they wouldnt be responsible for borrowers who didnt comply with the programs criteria. Many people simply took the names of existing businesses found on state websites or registered fake new ones to receive PPP support for nonexistent employees.

Then there was the $900 billion unemployment relief program, which a different NBC News report found to have lost between $87 billion and $400 billion to fraud  at least half stolen by foreign criminals.

Nigerian scammers, Chinese hackers and Russian mobsters reportedly used stolen identities to file false unemployment claims. Some individual fraud rings plundered millions of dollars each from dozens of states  and American taxpayers footed the entire bill.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: $400B in Stimulus Money Was Stolen or Wasted  How Much of That Was Yours?
Ronald E Grafe / Getty Images/iStockphoto

You want to invest in real estate, but youre not interested in buying a single-family home. However, youre not sure what other options you have.

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While buying  and subsequently renting out  a single-family home might be the most common investment, its far from the only one. GOBankingRates spoke with several real estate experts to get their take on alternative real estate investment options. Heres what they said.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Want to invest in real estate without directly owning properties? Denis Smykalov, a real estate broker at Wolsen Real Estate based in Miami, said this type of investment vehicle could be an option.

REITs are traded on stock exchanges, and they pool funds from multiple investors to invest in various real estate assets, he said. Investing in REITs provides diversification, liquidity and the potential for income through dividends.

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Mobile Home Parks

Mobile homes provide affordable housing, and the demand for affordable housing is often stable, Smykalov said. Mobile home parks can generate consistent cash flow through lot rentals, and there is potential for additional income from amenities and services offered within the park.

Storage Units

It might sound a bit non-traditional, but Smykalov said investing in self-storage facilities can be profitable.

The demand for storage space continues to grow, and these facilities offer relatively low operating costs, he said. Additionally, storage units provide a recession-resistant investment, as people often downsize or require temporary storage during economic downturns.

Farmland

One of the reasons why farmland investing generates such strong returns is consistent year-after-year increases in the value of farmland, said Dutch Mendenhall, founder of RAD Diversified REIT. He said investors can also enjoy the added benefit of crop yield and cash rental payments.

Rental payments function like residential or commercial estate, in that an owner purchases the property and rents it out to a tenant, who pays monthly for the ability to use the land, he said. However, farming real estate investors have an additional opportunity  becoming an owner-operator and profiting from the crop yield itself.

He said the most obvious way to invest is to purchase the land directly. However, this can be costly.

Investing in farmland involves a significant upfront investment, since farms require a large amount of acreage  the average farm size being 446 acres, he said. Because the average price of farmland per acre is $3,800, that equates to over $1.5 million to invest upfront, which is simply out of reach for most investors.

Instead, he recommended seeking out REITs that specialize in farmland investing. Some REITs have minimum investment requirements as low as $1,000, meaning they are within reach of almost anyone who wants to invest, he said.

Vacant Residential Lots

Investing in vacant residential lots offers many benefits over renting out single-family homes, according Danny Johnson, CEO at Danny Buys Houses, based in San Antonio, Texas.

He said that there are lower prices, lower property taxes, no need for property insurance, no concern for vandalism and no surprise repairs. You can either hold on to the land and sell it many years later for a profit or find developers to buy the lot for more than you paid, he said.

Commercial Real Estate

Investing in commercial real estate can be a game-changer for your portfolio, offering diverse benefits that go beyond traditional residential properties, said Filippo Incorvaia, CEO and broker at FI Real Estate, based in Miami. He said commercial properties should be on your radar because they offer stable cash flow, triple net leases and appreciation potential.

Commercial properties, like office buildings, retail spaces, and industrial complexes, often attract long-term leases, three-to-five year terms, he said. This generates a steady cash flow stream for investors, providing financial stability and consistent returns.

He also noted triple net leases as a standout feature with commercial real estate. These leases transfer the property expenses such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance, to the tenants, he said. By minimizing your financial obligations, you can maximize profitability as a landlord.

Additionally, he said commercial properties in the right location have the potential to earn significant appreciation over time. Investing in areas experiencing economic growth or high demand can lead to substantial capital gains, he said. When you invest strategically, you position yourself for long-term financial success.

Condo Investments/Airbnb Properties

Diversifying your real estate portfolio with condo investments or Airbnb properties offers exciting opportunities and alternative income streams, Incorvaia said. He added that this is due to rental income potential, reduced maintenance responsibilities and personal use flexibility.

Condos and properties suitable for short-term rentals, like Airbnb, can generate impressive rental income, he said. High-demand vacation destinations or bustling urban areas can provide attractive rental rates and occupancy levels, ensuring a healthy cash flow.

Beyond that, he noted HOAs  homeowners associations  often handle the upkeep of common areas and amenities on these properties, leaving you responsible for minimal maintenance. This allows you to focus on the financial aspects of your investment and enjoy a hassle-free experience, he said.

Additionally, when you invest in an Airbnb property, you get the flexibility to use the property when its not rented out. This feature provides you with a vacation home or a convenient place to stay during business trips, adding a personal touch to your investment strategy, he said.

Multi-Family

Purchasing a multi-family building could allow you to benefit from rent hacking, where you live in one unit and rent out the other(s), said Jennifer Carey, director of sales at REAL New York, based in New York City.

Multifamily properties with commercial spaces can be very advantageous and offer investors more stability and options, she said. In fact, shes currently privy to this type of opportunity.

For example, I have a sponsor right now who is offering a special on bulk purchases of apartments in a building in Queens, she said. These kinds of deals are unusual, but could make interesting financial sense for the right buyer.

As you can see, single-family homes are just one of many types of real estate investment options. If youre ready to make the leap, take the time to conduct research to find the right fit for you.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Alternative Real Estate Investment Options That are Not Single-Family Houses
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To the casual observer, Costco means two things: bulk buying and rotisserie chicken. Members know that when it comes to cost-cutting, few companies provide like Costco. But even some of Costcos 119 million members will be surprised to learn about some of the little-known perks available to them.

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Take a few minutes to explore Costcos website. Youll find membership bonuses on routine eye exams and eyeglasses, premium gas, affordable office furniture, pharmacy prescriptions, extended warranties on appliances and tech, hearing aids and tests and so much more. Here are 8 other Costco memberships benefits that could save you time and money.

1. Travel

Starting with one the most well-known of Costcos services, Costco Travel offers members the ability to book destinations, hotels, rental cars and cruises through the club. And as Real Simple stated: More importantly, the wholesale giant uses its substantial purchasing power to negotiate serious deals that it passes along to members.

2. Author Signings

Did you know that Costco locations across the country host author signings? Its true. Not only a great place to buy a new book cheap, but everyone from Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump Jr. has plugged books with signing events at Costco. Signed copies usually cost a great deal more, so saving by heading to Costco for a signing could help your pocketbook.

3. Life, Home, Auto (and Pet!) Insurance

There is a lot to admire about Costcos business model. Costco can discount so many items and services because it establishes exclusive partnerships with its providers, giving it the ability to negotiate inexpensive group rates and pass the savings on to its customers. Through CONNECT  powered by American Family Insurance (home and auto), and Protective (life insurance)  Costco is a one-stop-shop for any insurance you need. It even offers members pet insurance through one of the best insurance companies in the business, Figo.

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4. Garage Door Installation

A service few do by themselves, installation is part and parcel of buying a garage door and opener package from dealers. Costco has teamed up with Amarr and LiftMaster to provide garage door and opener installation. To receive a free in-home consultation quote, call 1-877-258-9608  or request one online. Qualifying Amarr garage door purchases can get you a 15% Costco Shop Card and 2% cash back (if youre an Executive Member).

5. Membership and Gift Card Deals

Americans and their families are trying to come up with ways to stretch their budgets further. If you can take advantage of one of Costcos membership deals, all the better. Additionally, bulk deals on gift cards happen frequently there, too  like two $50 gift cards for $79.99 or four $15 gift cards for $44.99. These deals make it affordable to stock up on gift cards to movie theaters, theme parks, restaurants and performances.

6. Bottled Water Delivery

Purified, distilled and artesian water are all available for delivery to your home or office. Exclusive pricing is available for members, starting at $6.99 per bottle. Fashionable dispensers can be bought or rented at discounted prices, as well.

7. Home Solar Panels

With an increasing number of Americans choose to power their daily lives with the suns energy, the cost of going solar goes down every year. However, there is low then there is lower at Costco. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Costco deals with the largest solar panel provider in the U.S., Sunrun, to provide solar energy to its members. A 10% Costco Shop Card can be yours in exchange for the purchase of Sunrun solar equipment. Call 1-800-776-0260 for a free virtual or in-home consultation, or request a consultation here.

8. Personal and Business Checks

Although the majority of Americans switched over to online banking and apps long ago, many people still use checks for personal transactions and for business dealings. You can avoid being overcharged at a bank and get discounted, customized checks with security features through Costcos check provider, Harland Clarke.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Little-Known Costco Services That Could Save You Time and Money
(Bloomberg) -- Over the past year, the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi has explored a string of ambitious acquisitions in the international banking sector in an attempt to become a global financial powerhouse. None have panned out so far.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Abu Dhabi wealth fund ADQ held preliminary talks to acquire boutique investment bank Lazard Ltd. at the start of the year, according to people familiar with the matter. The discussions quickly fell apart over differences about the future independence of the 175-year old Wall Street firm, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private.

Around the same time, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC was said to weigh an offer of as much as $35 billion for Britains Standard Chartered Plc. It had tried to buy Egypts biggest investment bank in 2022. Neither of those deals materialized.

Royal Group, chaired by United Arab Emirates National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, considered a possible takeover of the UK arm of Silicon Valley Bank following its collapse, people familiar with the matter said in March. The unit was ultimately purchased by HSBC Holdings Plc for 1 ($1.3).

Abu Dhabi has succeeded in pulling off some niche deals in the financial industry, but theres no sense that it is likely to stop looking for a big deal. The emirate manages about $1.5 trillion of sovereign wealth and is also home to funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala Investment Co. The expansion is being driven by the ambition of the ruling Al Nahyan family  and in particular Sheikh Tahnoon  to win more global heft for the emirate, as well as the need to find new avenues for its banking sector to grow.

The commercial banking sector in Abu Dhabi remains to a large extent localized despite the sheer size of the balance sheets of its mega banks, said Karim Souaid, managing partner of Gulf-based private investment company Growthgate Capital. The sector is poised to go global in order to follow the diversification policy, recycle its petro-dollars, and capture new opportunities.

The UAEs government media office referred questions to the Abu Dhabi media office, which didnt respond to a request for comment.

Limited Expansion

The UAE has a relatively small population with a little more than 9 million people. A large number of regional and foreign banks already operate there. With limited expansion opportunities left in their home market, some of its financial institutions are looking overseas.

FAB - as the Abu Dhabi bank is known  has long jockeyed with Qatar National Bank for the status of the Middle Easts biggest lender. Both banks have outlined their intentions to grow internationally, but such expansion has so far been confined to regional countries such as Turkey and Egypt.

The series of takeover attempts by Abu Dhabi offer a window into the outsized ambitions of the wealthiest Middle Eastern institutions to assume a greater role in global finance, as well as the difficulties they face in achieving them.

FAB bought Bank Audis Egyptian unit in 2021. A year later it withdrew a $1.2 billion bid for Egyptian investment bank EFG-Hermes after facing lengthy regulatory delays, Bloomberg has reported. In the case of Standard Chartered, getting a deal done was complicated and ambitious given the hurdles and the differences in the scale of the two banks. Regulatory approvals and compliance were among the obstacles to a successful acquisition, people familiar with the matter said earlier this year.

Not all discussions have been unsuccessful. In May, Mubadala bought a majority stake in Fortress Investment Group by teaming up with the US asset managers management team, in a deal that valued Fortress at more than $2 billion.

Abu Dhabis growing ambitions come at a time when a string of banks have failed globally. Flush with cash after oils recent surge, the region remains home to a handful of financial institutions with the ability to raise substantial cash to pull off rescue packages or large deals. In 2008, the Gulfs richest monarchies also stepped in to buy stakes in western lenders such as Citigroup Inc.

Earlier this year, ADQ and International Holding Co.  both chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon  set up a new investment group with the backing of US private equity firm General Atlantic. The entity is seeking to become the largest asset manager in the region. A deal for Lazard, which manages about $235 billion of assets, would have significantly boosted ADQs capabilities, according to a person with knowledge of ADQs investment strategy. A representative for ADQ declined to comment.

A successful deal for Standard Chartered with a balance sheet twice its size would have catapulted FAB into an emerging markets banking giant with more than $1 trillion in assets  about a third of the size of HSBC. At the time, FAB confirmed it had explored a bid, but said it was no longer considering an offer.

Shabbir Malik, a banking analyst at EFG Hermes, expects FAB to continue looking for deals.

For FAB to continue growing at the same pace of recent years, it needs to look for expansion outside the UAE, he said. The short- and near-term outlook for their stock and financial performance will be shaped by the quality of M&A it does.

--With assistance from Abeer Abu Omar.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) -The chair of an Australian senate committee looking into PricewaterhouseCoopers' leak of a confidential government tax plan has called for an international investigation into the matter.

Committee chair Senator Richard Colbeck presented a 33-page report on the leak to parliament on Wednesday and said information released to date showed the scandal "extended internationally" and said other countries should begin their own investigations.

"This was something that was being worked on, negotiated, globally," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that other jurisdictions should be looking at this matter... it would be in their interests to do so."

Australian tax authorities have found that a former partner in the firm who was advising the federal government on laws to prevent corporate tax avoidance shared confidential information with colleagues which was then used to pitch to multinational companies for work.

Earlier this month, PwC Australia listed in an unpublished letter to the senate committee at least 67 current and former staff who may have known of the 2015 leak of confidential government tax plans.

But the report, titled "PwC: A calculated breach of trust", said the onus was on the firm to go public with the full details of those involved and accused the firm of a years-long deliberate cover-up.

"Is PwC's internal culture so poor that its senior leadership does not recognise right from wrong, and lacks the capacity to act in an honest, open, and straightforward manner?" the report said.

PwC, one of the world's "big four" audit and advisory firms, will consider the report's content and await the government's response, a spokesperson said.

Acting CEO Kristin Stubbins apologised for the leak on behalf of the firm in an open letter last month.

In response to the scandal, four major Australian pension funds that collectively manage around A$750 billion ($510 billion) froze new work this month and a number of government agencies, including the central bank, have said they will pause or review contracts with the firm.

The report also called on PwC to cooperate fully with a current Australian Federal Police investigation.

($1 = 1.4778 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
The Wyoming Department of Transportations Driver Services program has a new way for residents to save time at select locations.

Clients can virtually save their spot in line through an easy-to-use website, and the system will give an estimated wait time to help users plan ahead.

It does not reserve an appointment, but is a way to get in line without having to make an extra trip to Driver Services, said Renee Kocina, Driver Services deputy program manager. The customer will receive a text message or email when it is time to go to the office, which helps reduce time away from work, school or other daily tasks.

Cheyenne and Casper are the initial locations to be activated in the system, which launched earlier this month.

Other locations will become available in the system after a quick training with staff, which in some cases requires a short office closure. The schedule is as follows, but please check for updates on WYDOTs website:

Gillette  June 14, 8-9 a.m.

Sheridan  June 14 (no closure required)

Cody  Jul 12, 8-9 a.m.

Riverton  July 14, 8-9 a.m.

Rock Springs  August 8, 8-9 a.m.

Those needing to conduct Driver Services business at the select locations can use this link to get in line virtually: https://webapp.dot.state.wy.us/ao/f?p=146:1.

Locations will not be available in the system until after the dates above. Users can only get in line on the day they plan to conduct business; the system does not allow for scheduling any further in advance.

Not every Driver Services location will be included in the system.

Locations were chosen based on a number of factors, including number of transactions per day, said Kocina.

Some Driver Services locations will see short closures this summer for general training only:

Torrington  June 13, 8-9 a.m.

Newcastle  June 13, 4-5 p.m.

Casper  July 11, 8-9 a.m.

Worland  July 13, 8-9 a.m.

Jackson  August 9, 8-9 a.m.

Thayne  August 10, 8-9 a.m.

Any technical difficulties with the virtual lobby can be reported to Driver Services at drivercustomerservice@wyo.gov or by calling 307-777-4800
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Mostly sunny early then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Biden Met With AI Experts on Safeguarding Economy and More  What Are the Financial Risks?

Laurence Kesterston/UPI/Shutterstock / Laurence Kesterston/UPI/Shutterstock

President Joe Biden met with artificial intelligence experts on June 20 to discuss the technologys enormous promise and its risks.

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In seizing this moment, we need to manage the risks to our society, to our economy, and our national security. My administration is committed  is committed to safeguarding Americas rights and safety, from protecting privacy, to addressing bias and disinformation, to making sure AI systems are safe before they are released, Biden said, according to a transcript of his remarks.

The meeting included Sal Khan, the CEO of Khan Academy Inc.; Common Sense Media CEO Jim Steyer; Tristan Harris, executive director of the Center for Humane Technology; Oren Etzioni, former CEO of the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence; Fei-Fei Li, co-director of Stanford Universitys Human-Centered AI Institute; Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League; Jennifer Doudna, a professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley; and Stanford political science professor Rob Reich, according to Bloomberg.

As Ive said before, were  well see more technological change in the next 10 years than weve seen in the last 50 years and maybe even beyond that. And AI is already driving that change in every part of the American life, often in ways we dont notice, Biden added in his remarks.

Last October, the White House released a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, as well as issued an executive order that directs federal agencies to root out bias in their design and use of new technologies, including AI, and to protect the public from algorithmic discrimination.

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The rapid surge of AI has prompted several experts to raise the alarm about the technologys potential risks. A few such risks include the possibility of advanced AI attacks on financial institutions, the insertion of bias or a lack of privacy when dealing with massive amounts of client data  and an overall lack of human care and empathy when dealing with those facing problems or hardship, per Cointelegraph.

Expert CEOs Warn About AIs Potential for Economic Damage

Earlier this month, a group of industry leaders  including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei  joined forces to sound the alarm, issuing a one-sentence stark warning.

Mitigating the risk of extinction from A.I. should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks, such as pandemics and nuclear war, read a one-sentence statement released by the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit organization. The open letter was signed by more than 350 executives, researchers and engineers working in AI.

Another much-talked-about effect of AIs rapid surge is the toll its taking on jobs. And earlier this month, a new Challenger, Gray & Christmas report found that nearly 4,000 jobs were lost due to AI in May, as GOBankingRates previously reported.

This was the first time AI was cited as a reason for layoffs in the report, a Challenger, Gray & Christmas spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Asked whether this development was surprising, the spokesperson said that, With the speed at which AI is evolving and being adapted, we knew it was coming, but we are surprised at how quickly.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Biden Met With AI Experts on Safeguarding Economy and More  What Are the Financial Risks?
Billionaire Ken Griffin Says the Chinese Equity Market Is Incredibly Attractive  Here Are 3 Stocks to Take Advantage

The post zero-Covid rebound in China has been something of a disappointment so far. Many thought that the removal of the stringent lockdown policies at the back end of 2022 would lead to an economic revival, but the uptick has been rather muted.

Despite some decent economic data, other issues have come to the fore, such as elevated rates of unemployment among the younger population, a deceleration in manufacturing operations, a challenging housing market, and ongoing geopolitical tensions with the US.

These concerns have seen investors shy away from Chinese stocks, but billionaire Ken Griffin is not in that camp. Theres a general level of uncertainty as to the level of growth in China today, Griffin recently noted, were actually more constructive on growth.

In fact, the founder of the Citadel hedge fund  a firm overseeing around $57 billion in assets  goes on to add that the scale and scope of the Chinese equity market is incredibly attractive.

Griffin, who pocketed $4.1 billion in earnings last year, is obviously worth listening to on investing matters, and with this in mind, we delved into the TipRanks platform and pulled up 3 stocks that are primed to take advantage of Chinese growth. The Streets experts agree these are names to own right now  all are currently rated as Strong Buys by the analyst consensus. Lets check the details.

JD.com, Inc. (JD)

At the top of our list is JD.com, a prominent e-commerce giant and one of Chinas largest companies. JD.com takes pride in its extensive infrastructure, featuring an impressive network of over 1,500 warehouses, covering a staggering 31 million square meters, all dedicated to bolstering its online retail operations. With a market capitalization surpassing US$59 billion, JD.com generated a remarkable net revenue of over US$151 billion in the previous year.

JD.com operates mainly in the B2C realm, and its retail site offers a wide range of products to the Chinese market. Product lines include everything from apparel to cosmetics to electronics, and even groceries, and the company includes both same-day and next-day delivery services. The companys logistics division is known as an industry leader for online retail and delivery in China.

In its most recent quarterly report, for 1Q23, JD.com showed a top line of $34.98 billion, for a modest 1.4% increase year-over-year and beating the forecast by $116.84 million. The bottom-line figure, adj. EPADS (earnings per American Depositary Share) of $0.69 beat expectations by 19 cents per share.

Investors were generally pleased with the results but offered only temporary respite from a downbeat performance this year  all in, the shares are down 34% in 2023. That, however, opens up an opportunity for investors, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Eddy Wang.

JDs share price has significantly underperformed its e-commerce peers YTD, and it is now trading at 6.7x 2023e ex-cash non-GAAP P/E  a historical trough level, Wang writes. We believe the current valuation reflects the markets in our view excessively pessimistic expectations relating to Chinas consumption recovery and JDs GMV growth recovery. We expect JDs GMV growth to reaccelerate from 2Q23, and to have a more meaningful growth pick-up in 2024. This therefore makes JDs current share price and valuation levels very attractive for long-term investors, in our view.

Wang sums up his stance on JD shares with an Overweight (i.e. Buy) rating and a $60 price target that implies ~63% gains over the next 12 months. (To watch Wangs track record, click here)

Overall, Wall Street is with the bulls on JD; the stock has 14 recent analyst reviews, and these include 11 to Buy and 3 to Hold, for a Strong Buy consensus rating. The stocks average price target of $60.14 matches almost perfectly with the Morgan Stanley outlook. (See JD stock forecast)

Trip.com Group (TCOM)

Sticking with the world of online business, well narrow our focus  to the travel industry. Trip.com is a leading travel platform, offering users a one-stop shop for world travel. Users on the companys brands can explore travel options, find inspiration for destinations, make informed decisions on the most cost-effective bookings, share their travel experiences, and find hassle-free support even while they are en route.

As a holding company, Trip.com operates four distinct brands: Trip.com itself, bolstered by Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Collectively, these brands have established themselves as Chinas foremost online travel site. Impressively, the company achieved nearly $3 billion in revenues last year, and its first-quarter results indicate that it is poised to surpass that figure in the current year.

Trip.com delivered a stellar performance in the first quarter of 2023, reporting impressive top-line revenue of US$1.3 billion. This exceeded analysts expectations by nearly $140 million and showcased a remarkable 124% growth compared to the first quarter of 2022. It is worth noting that this result even surpassed the companys pre-COVID first quarter of 2019. On the bottom line, the companys adj. EPADS reached $0.45, beating expectations by a solid margin of 19 cents. This robust profitability demonstrates a significant improvement from the break-even level recorded in the prior-year quarter.

On the balance sheet, Trip.com finished 1Q23 with $9.9 billion in cash, short-term investments, and other liquid assets. The companys results came as China began scaling back COVID restrictions and reopening both ordinary commerce and travel activity.

All of this has caught the eye of Benchmarks 5-star analyst Fawne Jiang, who sees growth as the key point for investors here. She writes, Looking ahead, we continue to view TCOM one of the best consumer plays in China in FY23/24 considering: 1) travel remains the sweet spot for consumption growth; 2) earlier investment will continue to bear fruits driving outsized growth thanks to higher online penetration and increasing market consolidation, and 3) sustainable and improving operating leverage.

Quantifying her stance, Jiang gives TCOM shares a Buy rating with a $55 price target to indicate her confidence in a 56.5% upside on the one-year time horizon. (To watch Jiangs track record, click here)

Overall, of the 13 recent analyst reviews on file for TCOM shares, 12 are to Buy against a single Hold  giving the stock its Strong Buy consensus rating. TCOM is currently priced at $35.17 and its $45.93 average price target suggests it will gain 31% in the year ahead. (See TCOM stock forecast)

Baidu, Inc. (BIDU)

Well wrap up our list of Chinese stocks with Baidu, a major name whose size and scale has gained it exposure outside of China. Baidu is the Chinese answer to Google, the largest search engine operating on the Chinese-language internet. The company was founded back in 2000, and, like its English-language counterpart, it has since diversified its business lines. The smaller of Baidus two main divisions, iQiyi, is the leading online TV streaming service in Asia, with more than 500 million monthly active users. The larger segment, Baidu Core, is the main driver of the companys revenue, accounting for some 70% of the top line.

Baidu Core is the companys provider of online marketing services, including internet search, as well as non-marketing value-added services and a number AI-powered initiatives. These latter include the Mobile Ecosystem, which includes a dozen or so sophisticated apps; the AI Cloud, a set of software services and solutions; and Intelligent Driving & Other Growth Initiatives, which includes multiple mobility-related AI ventures.

Baidu is now one of Chinas largest AI companies, and in recent months has moved to consolidate that position through the introduction of its ERNIE bot, a generative AI product based on the knowledge-enhanced large language model. The bot will be used to draw in more users and customers, improving the base, and will also become the base for a new AI ecosystem.

All of this has translated into impressive results for Baidu in in 1Q23. The companys top line revenue, reported at $4.54 billion, was up a modest 1.3% y/y  but it beat the estimates by $230 million. The company delivered adj. EPADS of $2.34, $0.50 above Street expectations. Baidu also finished the quarter with deep pockets. The companys total cash and liquid assets came to $28.25 billion.

Checking in again with Benchmark analyst Fawne Jiang, we find her noting cash generation and ERNIE as the main attractors to this stock. Jiang says of Baidu, We view BIDU shares as uniquely positioned and a top pick in our space, considering 1) its strong net cash balance (1/3 of its current market cap), 2) strong cash generation, 3) a fundamental ad beneficiary on reopening and 4) margin upside/earning upward revision potential. While ERNIEs adoption may turn out to be slower than expected, the optionality of a technological breakthrough remains on the table.

These comments back up Jiangs Buy rating on BIDU shares, while her $210 price target implies a one-year upside potential of ~49%.

The Strong Buy consensus rating on BIDU is unanimous, based on 12 positive reviews on file. The stock is selling for $141.45, and its $190.64 average price target suggests it will appreciate ~35% by this time next year. (See Baidu stock forecast)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
2 Military Members Found Dead After RCAF Helicopter Crash Near Ottawa

Canadian Armed Forces members search around a series of islands on the Ottawa River near Fort William in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality, Que. on June 20, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

Minister of National Defence Anita Anand has confirmed that two crew members aboard a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) helicopter that crashed on June 20 near a town northwest of Ottawa have been found dead after hours of searching.

Anand told reporters in Ottawa on the morning of June 21 that the Department of National Defence (DND) will not be releasing the names of the two deceased members out of respect for their families.

Two other military memberswhom DND has not identifiedwere also on board the RCAF CH-147F Chinook that crashed in the Ottawa River just after midnight on June 20 near Petawawa, Ont. They were found by Garrison Petawawa firefighters shortly after and taken to hospital with minor injuries in the city of Pembroke about 16 kilometres away.

The helicopter crew members were carrying out a routine night exercise with the objective of training two of the members as pilots and the other two as supporting crew, Major-General Sylvain Menard, the RCAFs chief fighter capability, told reporters during Anands press conference.

Neither officials nor Anand would confirm if the two deceased crew members were the pilots.

Anand said flight-safety investigators are looking into the cause of the crash and that the federal government will continue to update Canadians as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

The news follows a brief comment by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on June 20 in which he mentioned that some crew members aboard the helicopter were killed but did not specify how many.

DND also did not provide any information about the deceased crew members prior to Anands press conference.

Investigation

Asked about the disjointed release of information on the matter, both Anand and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre, said the situation was evolving very rapidly and they were receiving information quickly.

When asked by reporters how Eyre felt about the prime minister announcing the deaths before the military, he said people should not be focused on creating any more controversy.

Were all focused on doing the right thing, he said. The right thing for the families, the right thing to determine the cause.

Menard confirmed to reporters that there was a camera flight recordera black boxaboard the helicopter, but said search crews have not yet recovered it.

Once the thorough investigation is ongoing, well have more information to communicate, he said.

Parts of the crash area have been partitioned off from the public to contain spilled helicopter fuel in order to prevent it from spreading, Anand said.

The Town of Petawawa has also announced a temporary ban on all non-essential watering and stopped the intake of water from the Ottawa River to its water treatment plant as a precautionary measure in response to potentially hazardous materials in the area from the crash.
Strong Explosion Rocks Paris, at Least 24 Injured

Police look at gas leak as possible cause

PARISA strong explosion rocked a building in Paris Left Bank on Wednesday, injuring at least 24 people, igniting a fire that sent smoke soaring over the French capitals monuments and prompting an evacuation of other properties, authorities said. Police were investigating suspicions that a gas leak caused the blast.

The facade of the building in the 5th arrondissement collapsed, and officials said rescuers were searching for two people who might be trapped inside. The explosion happened near the historic Val de Grace military hospital, in one of the most upscale neighborhoods of the French capital.

Some 270 firefighters were involved in putting out the flames and 70 emergency vehicles were sent to the scene. The fire was contained but not yet extinguished Wednesday evening, as Paris bars and restaurants celebrated the summer solstice with a citywide annual music festival.

Sirens wailed as ambulances passed through the neighborhood and police initially cordoned off the street, rue Saint-Jacques. By evening, smoke had stopped pouring out of the building where the explosion occurred.

Firemen use a water canon as they fight a blaze in Paris on June 21, 2023. (Christophe Ena/AP Photo)

It is possible that overnight we will find bodies or people alive, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said from the scene.

District Mayor Florence Berthout said on French TV channel BFM that firefighters were searching for two people believed to have been inside the building at the time of the blast. The explosion was extremely violent, she said, describing pieces of glass still falling from buildings.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said the building housed a private school, the Paris American Academy. The school was founded in 1965 and offers teaching in fashion design, interior design, fine arts, and creative writing.

A Paris police official told the Associated Press that 24 people were injured, including four in critical condition and 20 with less severe injuries. The injuries were sustained mainly when people were blown off their feet by the blast, the official said.

Jema Halbert, who owns a butchers shop close to the explosion site, said she went upstairs to fetch something, and I heard a boom.  So then I went downstairs, where I found my husband in shock, dust by the till and I thought, wait, theres a problem. So I stepped outside and I saw big flames and I said, its impossible. I called my daughter. She was crying. She was shocked.

Edouard Civel, deputy mayor of the 5th arrondissement, attributed the explosion to a gas leak, but other officials were more cautious. A judicial official said a gas explosion was one of the possible causes under investigation.

Police officers and rescue workers work at the site of a fire in Paris on June 21, 2023. (Christophe Ena/AP Photo)

Renowned Greek-French filmmaker Costa-Gavras was among the witnesses at the scene .

A huge noise and the house was shaken like this, the 90-year-old told the AP, visibly rattled. We thought, what is going on? We thought it could be the sky [a storm].  Its not something to laugh about.

The Paris prosecutor said an investigation was opened into aggravated involuntary injury and the probe would examine whether the explosion stemmed from a suspected violation of safety rules. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said investigators would seek to determine whether or not there was failure to respect a rule or individual imprudence that led to the explosion.

Firefighters prevented the fire from igniting two neighboring buildings that were seriously destabilized by the explosion and had to be evacuated, Nunez said. The explosion blew out several windows in the area, witnesses and the police chief said.

Firemen use a water canon as they fight a blaze in Paris on June 21, 2023. (Christophe Ena/AP Photo)

With more than 2 million people densely packed within the city limits and historic, sometimes ageing, infrastructure, Paris is not a stranger to gas explosions. A January 2019 blast in the 9th district killed four people and left dozens injured.

After Wednesdays blast, a student at the private school said he was in a building about 100 meters (yards) away when the explosion hit.

I was sitting on the windowsill, and we moved 2 meters away from the window, carried by a small blast (from the explosion) and huge fear, Achille, whose last name was not given, told BFM television.

We came down (from the building) and saw the flames, he said. The police gave us great support and we evacuated quickly.

By Angela Charlton and Alex Turnbull
3 Men Convicted in NY Trial of Harassing, Intimidating Chinese Dissidents in US on Behalf of CCP

Three defendants convicted in the Operation Fox Hunt related case: (L-R) Zhu Yong, Zheng Congying, and former New York Police Department officer Michael McMahon. (Cai Rong, Getty Images/The Epoch Times)

Three men were convicted in Brooklyn federal court on June 20 for stalking a family in New Jersey and pressuring them to return to China on behalf of Chinas communist regime.

The case is related to the regimes Operation Fox Hunt, an effort to coerce expatriates and dissidents to return to China for trial.

Retired New York Police Department sergeant turned private investigator Michael McMahon and two Chinese citizens holding U.S. permanent residencyZheng Congying and Zhu Yongwere accused of harassing, threatening, intimidating, and monitoring Xu Jin, a former Chinese official living in the suburbs of New Jersey, and his wife, for three years from 2016 to 2019, according to a Justice Department statement. The operation was directed and funded by Beijing.

The conviction of these three defendantsincluding a retired NYPD sergeantis yet another powerful reminder of the Chinese governments ongoing, pervasive, and illegal behavior here in the United States, said Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division.

McMahon, 55, of Mahwah, New Jersey, was convicted of acting as an illegal foreign agent and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking; Zheng, 27, of Brooklyn, was convicted of interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking; and Zhu Yong, also known as Jason Zhu, 66, of Queens, New York, was convicted of stalking, acting as an illegal foreign agent, and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and act as an illegal foreign agent, according to the statement.

FBI Director Christopher Wray attends a virtual news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington on Oct. 28, 2020. Eight people have been arrested as part of Operation Fox Hunt, an effort by Chinese authorities to threaten people to return to China. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

According to the court file, Zhu hired McMahon and gave his contact information to Sun Hui, a public security official in Wuhan, China. McMahon played a key role in locating Xus address in the United States. Zheng went to Xus house and left a threatening note: If you are willing to go back to the mainland and spend ten years in prison, your wife and children will be fine. This is the end of this matter!

Prosecutors said the Chinese officials bypassed U.S. officials and operated illegally on U.S. soil. Ji Hu, a public security officer in Wuhan, and Lan Tu, a prosecutor in Wuhan, both flew directly to the United States in an attempt to track Xu and coerce him to return to China.

Moreover, Ji and Lan transported Xus frail 82-year-old father to the United States to persuade Xu to return to China for trial, according to the court file.

In addition to the three defendants, eight others have also been charged in the case. Three of them have pleaded guilty, and five others are in China.

All three defendants denied knowingly working for the Chinese regime and claimed that they were all innocent victims deceived and used by Beijing. Prosecutors countered their claims with multiple pieces of evidence.

McMahon faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the charges, Zhu faces up to 25 years, and Zheng faces up to 10 years, according to the prosecutors office. No sentencing dates have been set for the three.

Beijing launched Operation Fox Hunt in July 2014 as part of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claimed that the operation aimed to track down and bring back corrupt officials who had fled abroad for trial in China.

However, human rights group Safeguard Defenders found that many Fox Hunt operations have targeted Chinese dissidents. It estimated in its 2022 report that 10,000 individuals had been captured from abroad, which has created fear in Chinese diaspora communities and is a serious human rights violation.

Violating Foreign Agents Registration Act

The ZhuZhengMcMahon case is an example of the Justice Departments strengthening of the enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in recent years.

When FARA was first enacted in 1938, it was originally intended to prevent Nazi German propaganda from spreading in the United States.

In recent years, it has been used by the U.S. government to combat foreign influence and infiltration, especially from the CCP.

Heng He, a U.S.-based current affairs commentator, told The Epoch Times that the CCP has many overseas intelligence-gathering agencies. This kind of intelligence-gathering by nonprofessional spies belongs to the mass movement of the intelligence community. Some Chinese-Americans and Chinese expats in the United States are unaware that they have violated U.S. laws [by helping the CCP] and unaware of the serious consequences they may face, he said.

In recent years, in addition to Operation Fox Hunt, the CCP has set up overseas covert police stations in local Chinese communities to coerce dissidents to return to China.

A balloon is held at a press conference and rally in front of the America ChangLe Association to highlight Beijings transnational repression, in New York City, on Feb. 25, 2023. A now-closed overseas Chinese police station is located inside the association building. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

In a report, Safeguard Defenders Director Laura Harth pointed out: In its so-called persuasion to return operations, the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] uses clandestine means to coerce individuals overseas to return to China for persecution. The methods range from going after family members back home, to direct threats and harassment of targets overseas by consular or embassy personnel; proxies, such as individuals linked to the stations; private investigators; or even through the deployment of covert agents abroad. In the most extreme cases, the methods include the luring, or entrapment, of an individual in a third country, or even kidnappings on foreign soil.

The United States has recently arrested several CCP agents in Chinese communitiesincluding New York City Chinese community leaders Lu Jianwang and Chen Jinping, Boston Chinese community leader Liang Litang, and Los Angeles Chinese community leaders Chen Jun and Lin Fengaccusing them of violating FARA. Liang provided the CCP with a list of personal information about Chinese dissidents living in the United States; Lu and Chen operated a secret Chinese police station in New York to target overseas Chinese dissidents.
70 Percent of Balloons Contain Carcinogens Exceeding the EU Standard: Report

The Consumer Council suggests inflating balloons with an air pump and avoiding mouth-blowing

On June 15, the Hong Kong Consumer Council released a test report on 35 balloon samples from 19 brands, revealing that 70% of the products contained suspected carcinogens exceeding EU limits. (Sung Pi-Lung/The Epoch Times)

Colorful balloons at festive parties can bring a lively atmosphere, but behind the joy lies hidden dangers. On June 15, the Hong Kong Consumer Council announced that it had tested 35 samples from 19 latex balloon products. It found that more than 90 percent, or 32 samples, contained different types of suspected carcinogenic substances called nitrosamines.

Thirteen samples exceeded the total migration limit of nitrosamines set by European standards, with one Chinese package DUILE yellow balloon sample exceeding the limit by up to 6.8 times.

The Consumer Council recommends that consumers:

Use an air pump to inflate balloons; avoid blowing them directly with their mouth

Wash hands before handling food after touching the balloons

Prevent young children from biting or chewing on balloons to reduce the chance of exposure to harmful substances.

The supplier of DUILE (#19) said that after receiving the Consumer Councils test report, they had immediately stopped selling related balloon products. June 15, 2023. (Sung Pi-Lung/The Epoch Times)

Products Tested

The 19 brands tested are shown in numerical order from 1 to 10 on the top line and 11 to 19 on the lower line. On June 15, 2023. (Courtesy of the Consumer Council)

The Consumer Council referred to European toy safety standard EN71-12:2016 (ETSS). It used artificial saliva test solutions to extract nitrosamines and nitrites that may be dissolved out of the samples through saliva as a simulation. Then it tested the content of 13 nitrosamine compounds in the test solution to evaluate the degree to which each balloon sample released related substances. The test results showed that nearly 70 percent of models did not meet relevant ETSS and needed improvement urgently.

According to ETSS, the total migration limit of nitrosamines in elastic materials used in balloon products should not exceed 0.05mg/kg. The European Union Toy Safety Directive also stipulates that for any toy (including balloons) intended for oral use, the upper limit for total migration of nitrosamines is also set at 0.05mg/kg.

The test results showed that only samples from Everts (1), Miracle Atelier (2), and amscan gold balloons (3) did not have the 13 nitrosamine compounds and performed ideally. The other 32 samples have nitrosamine compounds like NDELA, NDMA, NDBA, NDBzA, NMPhA, or NEPhA detected.

Thirteen samples, including Balloons pink-purple balloon (8), MY LITTLE DAY (10), Simon Elvin (11), QUARTER POUNDER (12), Sempertex (14), Qualatex (15 and 18), Disney (16) and DUILE (19) detected total migration of nitrosamines ranging from 0.058mg/kg to 0.39mg/kg, exceeding the total migration limit set by ETSS and failing to comply with the EU Directive. Among them, numbers 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 19 had relatively higher total migration levels ranging from 0.106mg/kg to 0.39mg/kg, exceeding the limit between 1.1 and 6.8 times.

Latex Balloons May Release Nitrosamines

Latex balloons are commonly made from latex natural rubber. They may contain nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances if certain accelerators, such as carbamates and thiurams, are used in production.

Some preservatives used in the latex material may also be a source of nitrosamines.

All Samples Tested Positive for Nitrosatable Substances

The Consumer Council found that all samples tested positive for another suspected carcinogen, nitrosatable substances, with over half of the samples exceeding European standards and limits set by the EU.

Nitrosatable substances released from balloon samples can be converted into nitrosamines in the human body, posing a similar risk. Therefore, hydrochloric acid was added to the test solution of extracted balloon samples to simulate gastric digestion and convert nitrosatable substances into nitrosamines before testing for 13 nitrosamine compounds. According to ETSS, the total migration limit of nitrosatable substances in elastic materials used in balloon products should not exceed 1mg/kg. The EU Directive also sets a limit of 1mg/kg for the total migration of nitrosatable substances in toys intended for oral use.

Results showed that all samples tested positive for varying concentrations of nitrosatable substances.

Among them, 19 samples, including numbers 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 19, released total amounts of nitrosatable substances ranging from 1.114mg/kg to 6.502mg/kg, exceeding European standards and failing to meet EU Directive requirements. The red balloon sample with simplified Chinese characters DUILE detected the highest excess amount and is a cause for concern.

Nitrosamine Compounds and Nitrosatable Substances

Nitrosamine compounds (collectively known as nitrosamines) have a chemical structure containing a nitroso group (N-nitroso) with over 300 known types. Although some have lower carcinogenic risks (such as NDPhA), some are suspected carcinogens with higher risks.

If balloons release excessive amounts of nitrosamines, children inflating balloons with their mouths or handling them with their hands will increase the chance of ingesting these substances.

At the same time, nitrosatable substances are precursors to nitrosamines, which can be converted into nitrosamines in the human body after oral ingestion. Therefore, nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances released from balloon samples are important safety indicators.

Animal studies have shown that ingesting these substances orally may affect essential organs such as the liver, kidneys, bladder, esophagus, and respiratory tract.

Nitrosamine compounds such as NDMA, NDBA, and NDEA can cause tumors in almost all test animals, leading researchers to believe these compounds may pose a carcinogenic risk to humans.

In recent years, many European countries have reported cases of recalled latex balloons due to excessive amounts of suspected carcinogens such as nitrosamines and related substances being detected in the products.

NDELA Can be Absorbed Through the Skin

Of the 35 samples tested, 24 released NDELA, with Balloons purple balloons (8), Qualatex Superagate (15), and DUILE (19) having relatively higher migration levels, reaching 0.05mg/kg or more. The migration levels of a single type of nitrosamine compound reached or exceeded the total migration limit for related items. Many overseas studies have indicated that balloon products may release NDELA, but there is not enough data to show which accelerators are involved. Based on current knowledge, it is estimated that NDELA detected in balloons may come from anti-tack solutions used on balloon surfaces.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies NDELA as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B). This substance can be easily absorbed through the skin and inhaled through skin contact and breathing. Animal studies have shown that ingestion by mouth may cause liver tumors in rats and may also cause nasal gland cancer (adenocarcinomas) in animals.

However, there is not enough research to prove its carcinogenicity in humans. Over 20 percent of the samples had higher NDMA or NDBA migration levels, including numbers 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 18, releasing higher levels of NDMA or NDBA. The migration levels of a single type of nitrosamine compound have already exceeded 0.05mg/kg. IARC classifies NDMA and NDBA as possible human carcinogens (Group 2A) and possible human carcinogens (Group 2B). Animal studies have shown that both substances are carcinogenic to different species of test animals and may affect their livers.

BANDAI and Disney Distributors Claim Products Meet US Standards

According to the distributor of BANDAI (7), the supplier had commissioned a third-party laboratory to conduct tests on toy safety standards such as the U.S. ASTMF963-17 and Taiwan CNS4797 for physical properties, flammability, total lead content, specific chemical element migration levels, and plasticizer content before supplying related products. The test results showed that the products met the relevant standard requirements, and the distributor submitted its test report to the Hong Kong Consumer Council for verification.

The related companies believe that the European standards referenced in this test by the Hong Kong Consumer Council are only one of the toy safety standards applicable under Hong Kong law. Considering that U.S. toy standards also apply under Hong Kong law, they emphasized that the test results showed that their products met both U.S. and Hong Kong legal requirements.

The supplier of Hung Fai (9) stated that after receiving the Consumer Councils test report, they had forwarded the results to relevant manufacturers for follow-up research. They have now arranged to stop selling models of balloon products immediately and have suspended importing any balloon products 0f this brand from applicable manufacturers. In addition, they are arranging for follow-up testing on related model products.

The authorized agent of Disney (16) stated that this tested balloon product was produced according to U.S. toy safety standard ASTMF963-17 and relevant specifications and also referred to U.S. CPSC16CFR methods to test product plasticizer content. They also submitted relevant reports to the Hong Kong Consumer Council for verification. The company believes that although its products meet current safety regulations in both the U.S. and Hong Kong, it will also consider EU regulations on nitrosamines and related substance migration levels.

The supplier of DUILE (19) stated that after receiving the Consumer Councils test report, they had immediately stopped selling related models of balloon products and would pay attention to the requirements of relevant toy safety standards in the future to ensure that their supplied balloon products meet safety regulations. The company also stated that it would consider amending the information on its product labels.
(Reuters) - Bitcoin rallied for a third straight day after hitting its highest level since mid-April, boosted by BlackRock's plan to create a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) even as the sector faces U.S. regulatory scrutiny.

BlackRock, the world's biggest asset manager, filed last week for the exchange which would allow investors to get stakes in the asset class. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that EDX Markets, a crypto exchange backed by Citadel Securities, Fidelity and Schwab had started operations.

The global cryptocurrency industry has been caught in the crosshairs of the U.S. securities regulator on alleged violations of securities laws. Earlier this month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued major crypto exchanges including Coinbase and Binance.

Bitcoin, the world's biggest and best-known cryptocurrency, was last up 5.5% on Wednesday at 29,881.00 after hitting a high of $30,755.00. It is up roughly 81% for the year-to-date.

"It started with BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF filing and now others are following," said Edward Moya, a senior market analyst at OANDA. "Who needs regulatory clarity if you see BlackRock making a move?"

But he cautioned that while "Bitcoin momentum may last a little longer" the sector needs to "hear good news from the SEC to see a sustained rally target in the mid-$30,000 region."

Ether, the coin linked to the ethereum blockchain network, rose 4.8% to $1,877.70.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Bengaluru, Megan Davies and Sinead Carew in New York; Additional reporting by Hannah Lang; Editing by Chris Reese and Richard Chang)
Alberta NDP Demands RCMP Investigation Into Premier, Citing Concluded Ethics Investigation

EDMONTONThe day the newly elected cabinet of the Alberta government was sworn in, New Democrat Party (NDP) leader Rachel Notley and one of her Calgary MLAs sent a letter to the RCMP demanding an investigation into Premier Danielle Smith.

The letter, dated June 20, is addressed to RCMP K Division and uses a report from Alberta Ethics Commissioner Margaret Trussler as the basis for suggesting that the newly reelected premier made an improper attempt to influence the independence of the legal system.

The NDP letter suggests that the ethics commissioner has done significant work in investigating this serious matter, but states her report and the scope of her investigation are limited to the Conflict of Interest Act.

In short, its clearly shown by Commissioner Trussler[s] report that Premier Danielle Smith in fact attempted to interfere with the administration of justice to help [Artur] Pawlowski with his criminal charges, said the letter.

We also know that she threatened journalists over coverage of this matter and even served legal notice to sue one news outlet, says the NDP letter, signed by Notley and Calgary MLA Irfan Sabir.

The RCMP did not respond by press time to an inquiry by The Epoch Times as to whether they will launch an investigation.

Premier Apologizes

During the June 20 first sitting of the Legislatures 31st Session, the first one held since the May 29 election, and just before the premier put forward a nomination for deputy speaker, Smith said she wanted to address the ethics commissioners May report.

Although I had no ill intent, the Ethics Commissioner found it was improper for me to contact the Minister of Justice in the way I did, and I apologize to all members of the Assembly and to all Albertans for the error, said Smith, according to the Hansard transcript.

The premier said she had asked the minister of justice to develop guidelines for an appropriate way to receive his legal advice on various legal matters, and I look forward to receiving that advice.

Further, in her report the Ethics Commissioner provided recommendations, which I accept, including that of mandatory training for MLAs regarding the structure of Canadian government and the roles of the three branches of government. I have directed our governments Justice minister to organize this training for MLAs as well, said Smith.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith meets with members of the military in Edmonton who are on standby to help with the wildfires before she gives an update on the situation in Alberta on May 8, 2023. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

On May 18, the ethics commissioner found that the premier had contravened the Conflicts of Interest Act in her conversation with Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro, in relation to criminal charges faced by Calgary street pastor Artur Pawlowski following a speech he gave at the Coutts border protest in 2022.

The report, released with less than 12 days until the election where Smith was reelected with a majority government, also found there was no evidence that Smith or any staff in the premiers office contacted prosecutors, or tried to influence Coutts and COVID-related criminal prosecutions, as the NDP and CBC News had alleged in a series of articles earlier this year.

Trussler stated that it was her opinion that Smith inappropriately talked to then-Justice Minister Tyler Shandro about criminal charges laid against Pawlowski, which the commissioner said was an improper attempt to influence the independence of the legal system.

The ethics commissioner said Smiths conversation with Shandro was problematic, based on Shandros version of events. According to Shandro, who was not reelected, the premier asked him if there was anything he could do with regard to Pawlowskis case, as she promised during her UCP leadership campaign.

The commissioner noted that Smith did not direct him to do so.

At the time the report was released, Smith made a statement saying she had always made it clear she wanted to find a path of amnesty for those charged with non-violent COVID-related offences and violations during the pandemic. She acknowledged that it is the commissioners opinion that the discussion was inappropriate.

Smith said at the time, and reiterated again in the legislature on June 20, that she will be seeking legal advice on creating specific formal guidelines as to when and how a Premier may speak with a Minister of Justice in the future about policy issues and other sensitive matters.

After Smith made the apology in the Legislature, Notley, now leader of the Official Opposition, told reporters the apology was profoundly underwhelming and completely irrelevant.

On June 18, the NDP called for a special prosecutor to investigate Smith, writing a letter to newly appointed Justice Minister Mickey Amery, a lawyer. The NDP demanded that a prosecutor from out of province be assigned to undertake an investigation into the premier. Sabir alleged on social media on June 16 that Smith cant be trusted.

This matter has been investigated by the ethics commissioner. She has released her report indicating the NDP, including Mr. Sabir, lied to Albertans for months regarding their accusations of contact with Crown Prosecutors, Amery told The Epoch Times in a statement on June 21.

The report also provided recommendations that the Premier is implementing. This matter is closed.

Editors note: This article has been updated to include comments from Justice Minister Micky Amery.
All Chinese Asylum Applications in May Rejected in Australia

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canberra, Australia, on April 1, 2022. (Rebecca Zhu/The Epoch Times)

Refugee applications in Australia saw a surge in May, with Chinese applicants coming in second, the latest figures from Australias Department of Home Affairs revealed.

According to the latest figures released, 1,896 people living in Australia have applied for onshore asylum visas, the highest number since February 2020.

Among the nearly 2,000 asylum applications, only 26 visa applications processed in May were determined to show a genuine need of protection, and only seven asylum seekers were deported in the same month after their applications failed.

Of all the asylum applications received in May, the highest number received were from Indian passport holders (262), followed by Chinese (182), Pakistanis and Vietnamese (114 each), Malaysians (95), Thais (73), and Iranians (67).

Despite the high number of applicants, China had the highest rejection rate during the period, with none deemed to be in need of asylum.

The surge of Chinese refugee seekers to Australia started before COVID-19.

According to figures from the Department of Home Affairs, the number of people arriving from China and applying for onshore protection visas rose from 2,269 in 2016-17 to 9,315 in 2017-18, a massive increase of 311 percent.

In stark contrast, the protection visa approval rate for Chinese nationals is at the bottom, with approval rate in 2017-2018 at 10 percent.

Chinese Asylum Seeker: Working Illegally Here Better Than Life in China

According to one Chinese asylum seeker based in Sydney, the high number of Chinese seeking asylum is due to Chinas deteriorating economy.

The fake ones are much more than real ones, myriads more than real Falun Gong [practitioners] or religious people [being persecuted], than [those who have] political [reasons]. Zhang told The Epoch Times on June 20.

Falun Dafa practitioners commemorate lives lost and 20 years of persecution by the Chinese communist regime in Sydney, Australia, on July 19, 2019. (The Epoch Times)

Most came here because they could not make a living there [in China].

They prefer working illegally here. Even if they are only paid $20 (US$13.58) or $15 per hour, its still better than staying in China.

Chinas economy stumbled in May, with metrics deteriorating across the board, from youth unemployment to retail sales, real estate prices, and capital investments.

Asylum Seekers Taking Advantage of Waiting Time

Zhang said many of these fake Chinese asylum seekers, who were usually not well-educated and did not have better alternatives in China, do not care if their asylum applications can be granted in the end.

They dont care if they can be granted [asylums] Even if they are denied, they can stay here They can work [here] for several years and they can enjoy the Medicare.

What Zhang said was corroborated by the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)s document to the government in January, which warned that the backlog of applications has created a circumstance where it is possible to lodge asylum applications even when they may not have meritorious claims for protection as they can stay in Australia while their application slowly passes through the system.

John Sweeney, an asylum seeker advocate and Case Officer with a local law firm, referred to these Chinese asylum seekers who escaped China due to economic reasons as economic migrants, different from political refugees.

The reality of the matter is that those two areas overlap extraordinarily. People who are very poor [are] much more vulnerable to the sorts of repressive repression and threatening and persecuting activities of those who are in power in many countries, Sweeney said.

The reality of the situation means that when they come to work, when those poor people come to us to seek protection from a very inhuman life, they are forced to exaggerate the political work. Theres a lot of pressure on them to exaggerate, to blow up the political aspects of what they have suffered.

So when we say, Are they fake? Yes, a lot are fakes There may be considerable exaggeration in what they say But on the other hand, theyre facing a system that is aggressively against them, and in many cases, prejudicial and biased.

Refugee Community Calls for Government Action

In June, the Council further called the Albanese Government to act on Labors pledge to increase Australias Refugee and Humanitarian Program as global displacement reaches a new high.

Around the world, communities in low and middle-income countries are playing the largest role in welcoming and supporting refugees, collectively hosting 76 percent of those with refugee status, RCOA chief executive officer Paul Power said in a statement on June 14.

Power accused the Australian government of leading the world in policies designed to turn refugees away.

Australias policy is to subject any refugee who seeks asylum on arrival at our national border to indefinite detentionsending them to Nauru if they arrive by boat or to onshore detention centres if they arrive by plane.

The offshore detention policy is now being copied by the United Kingdom. If every other nation followed suit, the international refugee protection system would collapse, and millions of people would be at grave risk of persecution and death.

Asylum seekers gesture to protesters holding a pro-refugee rights rally from their hotel room where they have been detained in Melbourne on June 13, 2020, after they were evacuated to Australia for medical reasons from offshore detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island. (Photo by William West/AFP via Getty Images)

The Home Affairs Department said Australia provides protection consistent with its international obligations.

The criteria for a protection visa, and the relevant tests, are set out in the statutory protection framework provisions of Australias Migration Act 1958 (the Act) and Migration Regulations 1994, a spokesperson of the Department told The Epoch Times in an email on June 20.

Migrants and Refugees Could Boost Economy: Report

Meanwhile, a new report found that Australias economy could benefit up to over $1 billion if the skills of migrants and refugees can be better used.

The report, Billion Dollar Benefit, by non-profit Settlement Services International (SSI), was released in Canberra as the nation marks World Refugee Day on June 20.

It lists barriers that limit the potential of the migrant and refugee workforce and recommends five solutions to unlock their skills by 2025:

* Australia has 350,000 job vacancies, including 80,000 in regional areas

* About 290 occupations face shortages

* There are more than 7.6 million migrants, including 60,000 refugees and 80,000 people seeking asylum

* Refugees are twice as likely to start a business than the wider Australian population, and one-in-four work below their skill level

* 80 percent of migrants are of working age, compared with 65 percent of the broader population

* The report found $1.25 billion in lost wages across five years from the underuse of skilled migrants

* Easing occupational licensing would deliver a potential economic benefit of $5 billion a year

* 57 percent of people seeking asylum in Australia are not allowed to work

* Only 33 percent of permanent arrivals have their post-school qualifications recognised in Australia

SOLUTIONS

* Fix the skills and qualifications recognition system

* Strengthen protections for migrant workers

* Review the right to work for people on temporary visas

* Partnerships between organisations

* Reform English language requirements
Any One of Us Could Be Next: Judiciary Chairman Jordan Warns of Feds Assault on Civil Liberties

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) presides over a hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 09, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Americans constitutional civil liberties are being violated with increasingly dangerous frequency by irresponsible government officials who then deprive whistleblowing colleagues of their pay and positions, according to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

Seven years of attacking Trump is scary enough, but whats more frightening is any one of us could be next. In fact, its already started. Parents at school board meetings are terrorists; pro-life Catholics are extremists, and even journalists arent safe, Jordan warned in his opening statement to the committees June 21 hearing to question special counsel John Durham on his report on the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane investigation arising from the 2016 presidential campaign.

Durhams exhaustively detailed 306-page report described how FBI officials rushed, without justification, to investigate allegations that employees of former President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign colluded with Russian intelligence to defeat his Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Durham also described how FBI officials declined to investigate significant evidence that Clinton used her office to assist the international fundraising efforts of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, on behalf of the Clinton Foundation.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 13 letters. One of those letters to Twitter said who are the journalists you are talking to? Think about that, they named four people personally. Two of them come and testify before this committee, Jordan said, referring to multiple letters from the FTC to Twitter in which federal officials demanded to know the names of journalists with whom the social media outlet was dealing.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) engaged in a heated discussion with Twitter Files journalist Matt Taibbi as she tried to get him to reveal a source during a congressional hearing in Washington on March 9, 2023. (House Judiciary Committee/Screenshot via NTD)

While they are in front of this committee, Democrats are asking them to reveal their sources in violation of First Amendment principles. One of them, Matt Taibi, while he sat at that table testifying before this judiciary committee, the IRS is knocking on his door, Jordan said.

Parents, Catholics, journalists, but guess who gets it the worst. Whistleblowers. If you dare come forward and tell Congress what is going on, look out! They will come for you, they will take your security clearance, they will take your pay, they will even take your kids clothes. Just ask Garrett OBoyle, who testified in front of this committee as well.

OBoyle was one of three FBI agents who testified on May 18 before the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government with details of how Department of Justice officials retaliated against them for sharing critical information with Congress. Numerous laws bar officials from punishing federal employees who provide information to Congress.

Civil liberties attorneys and advocates interviewed by The Epoch Times agreed with Jordans assessment, with some pointing to President Joe Biden and officials in his administration as the primary culprits and others to the immense and often unaccountable deep state power and influence of numerous federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Kristen Waggoner, CEO, general counsel, and president of the Phoenix-based Alliance Defending Freedom, told The Epoch Times that her public interest law foundation is receiving a record number of requests for legal assistance.

The volume, velocity, and ferocity of attacks on free speech by the Biden administration and its allies at all levels of government is alarming and unprecedented, she said. Average citizens are being systematically censored and coerced, not only by an increasingly powerful state, but by hostile corporations, who are colluding in this clamp-down on liberty.

Waggoner praised Jordan for pointing out that the ideological left is barely even attempting to keep the curtain closed on its authoritarian intentions.

In some sense, the opponents of freedom are doing us a favor by declaring themselves. We must remain vigilant and act boldly to preserve the precious freedoms promised in our First Amendment, she said.

Kelly Shackleford, president of First Liberty Institute in Plano, Texas, contended: [The Biden administration] unfortunately operates with two sets of laws, depending on peoples beliefs or politics. That is not America. The good news is that, at the same time, we are winning back precious freedoms in the courts. We won two landmark Supreme Court religious freedom decisions 11 months ago and we are hopeful to win another in the next two weeks.

Kelly Shackleford, president, First Liberty Institute. (Courtesy of First Liberty Institute)

The left is attacking the courts daily in the media, since they dont control the courts, but our polling shows it is not working. The American people treasure their freedoms and the rule of law. They will not stand for or approve lawlessness and one set of laws for one person that is different from the rest.

Liberty Counsel founder and Chairman Mat Staver agreed with Jordan, saying: I dont think hes exaggerating, I think there is a real assault against our civil liberties and a clear erosion of the fundament right of freedom of speech. The Biden administration, and Obama did this, too, in weaponizing government to target peoples views that they disagree with. I think its very dangerous. Liberty Counsel is based in Orlando, Florida.

From Charlottesville, Virginia, Rutherford Institute President John Whitehead told The Epoch Times the threat to constitutional civil liberties isnt limited to particular politicians or political parties.

Anyone who suggests that threats to our freedoms are partisan in nature or the result of any particular politician have not been paying attention. For years now, we the people have suffered the injustices, cruelties, corruption and abuse of an entrenched government bureaucracy that has no regard for the Constitution or the rights of the citizenry, he said.

By government, Im not referring to the highly partisan, two-party bureaucracy of the Republicans and Democrats. Rather, Im referring to Government with a capital G, the entrenched deep state that is unaffected by elections, unaltered by populist movements, and has set itself beyond the reach of the law. We are overdue for a systemic check on the governments overreaches and power grabs.

A spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union didnt respond to The Epoch Times request for comment on Jordans statement.
Arkansas to Fight Ruling Against Ban on Gender Transition Procedures for Minors

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, speaks during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 2, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday that Arkansas will fight a federal judges ruling that struck down the states ban on gender transition procedures for minors.

U.S. District Judge Jay Moody, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, issued a permanent injunction against the Arkansas law on Tuesday, declaring the states ban on gender transition procedures unconstitutional.

The procedures, also known as gender-affirming care, include cross-sex hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and irreversible surgeries to remove sex organs. Arkansass law aimed to prohibit doctors from providing such treatments to anyone under the age of 18.

Arkansass Republican governor expressed her view that the states ban was about protecting children and declared her intention to challenge the permanent injunction.

This is not careits activists pushing a political agenda at the expense of our kids and subjecting them to permanent and harmful procedures, Sanders wrote on Twitter following the ruling.

Only in the far-Lefts woke vision of America is it not appropriate to protect children. We will fight this and the Attorney General plans to appeal Judge Moodys decision to the Eighth Circuit.

The state will appeal Moodys ruling to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin argued that gender transition procedures are experimentation, which Moody noted in his ruling was not aligned with decades of clinical experience and scientific research. However, Griffin disputed the judges ruling in a statement, arguing that the opposite is true.

I am disappointed in the decision that prevents our state from protecting our children against dangerous medical experimentation under the moniker of gender transition,' Griffin said in a statement.

Unfortunately, Judge Moody misses what is widely understood across the United States and in the United Kingdom and European countries: There is no scientific evidence that any child will benefit from these procedures, while the consequences are harmful and often permanent. I will continue fighting as long as it takes to stop providers from sterilizing children.

Moodys ruling is the only one to overturn measures that have similarly been enacted in around 19 Republican-led states to ban gender transition procedures for minors, most of which have faced legal challenges.

He determined that the ban violated the due process and equal protection rights of transgender youth and families. He also ruled that the law infringed upon the First Amendment rights of medical providers.

Moodys ruling aligned with comments made by judges in other cases that temporarily halted similar bans in Alabama and Indiana.

Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that, by prohibiting it, the state undermined the interests it claims to be advancing, Moody wrote in his ruling.

The ban was first enacted in 2021 by the states GOP-led legislature after overriding a veto by former Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who did not support the ban. He believed the ban would deprive minors already undergoing certain treatments.

The ruling impacts only the Arkansas ban, but may have implications for similar prohibitions in other states.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which believes gender transition procedures are necessary care for minors, challenged the law on behalf of four transgender youth and their families, as well as two doctors. A spokesperson for the organization said the ruling sends a clear message.

Louisiana lawmakers are progressing with a similar ban on gender transition procedures for minors, which will likely withstand a veto by the states Democratic governor who has stated his intention to do so. North Carolina and Ohio have similar measures being considered in their legislatures.

Floridas ban goes a step further and includes prohibiting the use of state funds for adults seeking gender transition procedures. A federal judge has prevented Florida from enforcing its ban on three children who have challenged the law.

Additionally, three other states enacted restrictions through regulations or administrative orders.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Australian Energy Giant Approves $10.6 Billion Oil Project Offshore Mexico

The photo shows North Rankin Complex of the North West Shelf Project owned by Woodside Energy in Western Australia on Feb. 21, 2023. (Courtesy of Woodside Energy)

Australias largest oil producer will proceed with a US$7.2 billion (AU$10.6 billion) project offshore Mexico that will deliver hundreds of millions of oil barrels in the next decade.

On June 20, Woodside Energy announced that it would invest in the Trion project, a joint venture with Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex.

The project is located at a depth of 2,500 metres, approximately 30 kilometres south of the Mexico/US maritime border, and will be among Mexicos first deepwater developments.

Mining giant BHP acquired a 60 percent stake in the project in 2017, which subsequently became part of Woodsides portfolio in 2022 following its acquisition of BHPs petroleum business.

This means the company will have to contribute around US$4.8 billion in capital expenditure.

Woodside CEO Meg ONeill said Trion would add to the companys portfolio of high-quality producing assets in the Gulf of Mexico.

Trion is a valuable resource with a mature development concept. Our strong balance sheet and disciplined approach enable us to invest in opportunities such as Trion, expanding our global portfolio and delivering long-term value, she said in a statement.

The investment is aligned with Woodsides strategy, exceeds Woodsides capital allocation framework targets and will be a strong contributor to Woodsides cash flows, shareholder returns and the funding of future developments in oil, gas and new energy.

Details of the Trion Project

Woodside estimated that Trion could produce up to 479 million barrels of oil, with two-thirds to be delivered within the decade after the project commenced operation.

The company said the projects internal rate of return would be over 16 percent, with a payback period of fewer than four years if oil prices increased about two percent a year from the 2022 average price of US$70 a barrel.

In the initial phase of the project, the joint venture is expected to drill 18 sub-sea wells above the oil reserve. Nine of these would be for oil production, seven for water injection, and two for gas injection.

The remaining six sub-sea wells would be developed in the later phase.

A floating production unit with a capacity of 100,000 barrels a day will connect to the wells, as well as a huge floating storage and offloading vessel capable of storing 950,000 barrels of oil.

The photo shows North Rankin Complex of the North West Shelf Project owned by Woodside Energy in Western Australia on Feb. 21, 2023.

(Courtesy of Woodside Energy)

While outlining the promising outlook of the project, ONeill said Trion would release fewer carbon emissions than an average global deepwater oil project and would be subject to the companys emissions reduction targets.

She also noted that oil would continue to play an important role in the transition to net zero emissions.

Demand for oil is expected to continue across a range of climate pathways to 2050, including the net zero emissions scenario, she told analysts.

Under these pathways, global oil supply will not meet future demand without additional investment.

For the project to kickstart, it still needs approval from Pemexs board and Mexicos National Hydrocarbons Commission, or CNH.

However, the CEO said the joint venture had been working closely with CNH and was confident that the project would be given the green light to commence.

Harsh Criticism from Environmental Groups

Following Woodsides announcement, several environmental groups have voiced their fierce objection.

Alex Hillman, the lead analyst at the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, said Trion would lift Woodsides emissions by 14 percent and eventually become a carbon emissions bomb.

The approval to proceed with Trion is glaring evidence that the board of Woodside has no credible transition strategy and is failing to comprehend the economic risks of the energy transition by throwing billions of investor dollars into a flawed oil project, he said.

Hillman also argued that Trion was not as profitable as Woodside claimed and had a lot of risks.

Analysts have quite rightly been wary of Trion. Our analysis shows its a low-margin project, with a constellation of risks, several of which are new to Woodsides portfolio, he said.

Today, Woodside has pulled a rabbit out of the hat by claiming the project has value. However, its plan is based on risky assumptions that will undoubtedly leave investors uneasy.

Police charged a protester with one count of criminal damage after she spray-painted the Woodside Energy logo on the front doors of the Western Australia parliament in Perth, Australia, on Feb. 22, 21. (Courtesy of Disrupt Burrup Hub)

Meanwhile, activist group Market Forces said Woodsides decision went against the International Energy Agencys warning that no new oil fields should be developed beyond those approved as of 2021 to limit global warming to 1.5C.

Woodside is showing a complete disregard for investor demands to align with global climate goals, and investors must respond by withdrawing capital from this climate-wrecking company, Market Forces acting CEO Will van de Pol said in comments obtained by AAP.

The activist group also called on Woodsides investors to withdraw funds from the company to derail its climate-wrecking oil and gas expansion plans.

It is worth noting that in recent years, Woodside has been subject to protests and even acts of vandalism from different environmental groups for its role in the energy market.
Biden Calls Xi a Dictator After US-China Talks

Presidents comments come a day after US State Secretary Antony Blinken concluded talks in Beijing

President Joe Biden delivers remarks following a briefing on Interstate-95 highway emergency repair and reconstruction efforts, in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 17, 2023. (Julia Nikhinson/AFP via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden called Chinese leader Xi Jinping a dictator on Tuesday while recalling the spy balloon incident after State Secretary Antony Blinken concluded his visit to Beijing to stabilize U.S.-China ties.

Biden said the recent incident with the Chinese spy balloon, which was shot down by the U.S. military after being blown off course over the United States, had caused great embarrassment for Xi.

The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it was he didnt know it was there, Biden said at a fundraiser event in California.

Thats a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didnt know what happened. That wasnt supposed to be going where it was. It was blown off course, he added.

Beijing Talks

His comments came just a day after Blinken and Xi had a robust conversation in Beijing on June 19, during which both sides agreed on the need to stabilize the tense relations between the two powers.

Xi pronounced himself satisfied with the progress made during the two days of talks between the top U.S. and Chinese diplomats, but Blinken said the Chinese communist regime refused to resume bilateral exchanges at the military level.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Chinas leader Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/AFP via Getty Images)

Blinken told NBC News ahead of his visit that his meetings in Beijing would be an important start toward restoring stability in U.S.-China relations and that it was time to move past the spy balloon incident.

That chapter should be closed, he told the news outlet on June 19. Blinken is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Beijing since Biden took office in 2021.

Blinken was supposed to visit Beijing in February but the visit was postponed after a suspected Chinese spy balloon was detected flying over the continental United States.

The balloon was sighted over Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Venezuela. Beijing had claimed that balloon and the one the United States shot down off the South Carolina coast on Feb. 4 were non-military assets that deviated from their original courses.

U.S. officials have described the balloons as spying tools aiding the Chinese regimes global surveillance program, which they said has spanned across five continents.

Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 5, 2023. (U.S. Navy via AP)

China Rejects Resuming Military Hotline

Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime has refused to resume direct military communication with the United States despite Blinkens repeated efforts to raise the issue during his two-day trip.

Blinken told reporters at a press conference that at this moment, China has not agreed to move forward with that.

I think thats an issue that we have to keep working on, the U.S. diplomat said on June 19. It is very important that we restore those channels.

As bilateral tensions keep rising, Beijing has resisted a consistent U.S. push to open up lines of communication to mitigate the risk of a potential flare-up.

Since 2021, Chinas leaders have declined or ignored more than a dozen requests to talk with the Pentagon and about 10 working-level engagement invitations from the U.S. side, Reuters reported, citing an unnamed senior U.S. defense official.

That includes in February after a U.S. military jet shot down the Chinese surveillance balloon traversing the United States.

Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Spalding, now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said the CCP may use the military communication channel as a bargaining chip to get more concessions from the Biden administration.

Were the ones that are asking for it, and quite frankly, the only one thats going to make any kind of military decision is Xi Jinping himself, he told Epoch Times sister outlet NTD.

Essentially, I think were going for something that the Chinese dont really care about, and so therefore, theyre holding it out as a bargaining chip for something they do care about.

Eva Fu contributed to this report.
Bill Aimed at Preventing Future COVID Vaccine Mandates Begins Second Reading

A Conservative-led bill that aims to prevent the introduction of future COVID-19 vaccine mandates began its second reading in Parliament on June 20.

For those who made different personal medical choices, the government made them outcasts in their own communities, firing them from jobs, banning them from travelling, and ostracizing them from their friends, said Conservative MP Dean Allison, who sponsored the private members bill.

Canadians should have the freedom to make personal health decisions for themselves, without social and economic threats from the government. They have the freedom to do so, a freedom that should never, ever be cast aside again.

Bill C-278, or An Act to prevent the imposition by the federal government of vaccination mandates for employment and travel, proposes amendments to the Financial Administration Act, Canadian Labour Code, Aeronautics Act, Railway Safety Act, and Canadian Shipping Act 2001 to ensure that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine cannot be a condition of employment in federal sectors.

The bill also prohibits Canadians from being denied travel on aircraft, trains, or vessels solely based on COVID-19 vaccination status.

Bill C-278 was originally introduced by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in June 2o22 when he was running for leadership of the party, and subsequently taken up by Allison. Poilievre said at that time that COVID-19 vaccine mandates were nothing more than a cruel attempt to demonize a small minority and that the legislation was being tabled to give Canadians back control of their lives.

Liberals and NDP Signal Opposition

Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen said the government would be opposed to the bill, saying it does not respect the will of Canadians. The MP said that many courts have struck down challenges to vaccine mandates on the basis of charter rights, and said it would be wise for Allison to note that the courts were not in favour of what this member would probably like to have seen.

Gerretsen also said COVID-19 vaccine mandates were some of the most influential policies the government created and that they led to Canadas success against COVID-19 compared to other countries.

NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo said the party supports public health decisions and laws that are grounded in scientific research and data rather than being influenced by political rhetoric or ideology. She said that Bill C-278 would only target COVID-19-related vaccine requirements.

The potential ramifications of this legislation have not been duly investigated, and at a time when health organizations and experts have already called for an end to the vaccination exemption, this bill is not aligned with reality, she said.

Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu said in the House of Commons on June 20 that the bill is a chance to take a sober second look at the outcome and aftermath of the pandemic.

While it can be argued that the vaccines helped many, the way that the government mandated their use in certain areas cannot be repeated, she said.
IN-DEPTH: Blinkens China Visit a Great Propaganda Coup for CCP, Analysts Say

China made use of meeting to 'show its contempt for America'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C) walks as he arrives to meet with China's top diplomat Wang Yi (not in photo) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP)

Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to China gave Beijing the perfect opportunity to stage a propaganda coup while bringing little benefit to the United States, according to analysts.

The two-day tripmarking the first such visit by a U.S. top diplomat in five yearsended on June 19 with Blinken holding talks with Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, Beijings top-ranking diplomat Wang Yi, and for a little more than half an hour, regime leader Xi Jinping.

Washington has cast these meetings in a positive light. Blinken, who has raised issues from Taiwan to human rights to the Chinese spy base in Cuba, has described the conversations as robust and constructive, and a chance to inject greater stability into an increasingly unstable relationship.

But for longtime China watchers and those who have been advocating for a stronger stance on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the meetings seem far from fruitful.

Only those who equate dialogue with accomplishment could believe that Blinkens visit was a success, June Teufel Dreyer, a political science professor at the University of Miami, told The Epoch Times. The chief takeaway, if one can call it that, from the meeting was the decision to hold more meetings.

More Symbolic Than Substantial

China has rejected repeated calls from Blinken to resume bilateral military exchanges, which was one of the key objectives the United States had. Regarding the fentanyl precursor outflow from China, the arbitrary detention of Americans such as Texas businessman Mark Swidan, who is now on death row, and other issues Blinken has flagged, few tangible commitments appeared to have come out of the roughly 11 hours of talks.

Were not going to have success on every issue between us on any given day, but in a whole variety of areason the terms that we set for this tripwe have made progress and we are moving forward, Blinken told reporters after meeting with Xi, arguing that resolving issues with China is a process.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/AFP via Getty Images)

Several Republican lawmakers and former Trump administration officials dont see it this way.

This trip is more symbolic than substantial, Miles Yu, principal China policy adviser to Blinkens predecessor, Mike Pompeo, told The Epoch Times.

China always wants to have a process, and in the process, China will impose onto the United States the terms of the cooperation in their favor, he said.

The same holds true for creating bilateral military communication lines, Yu said.

Basically, China wants to extract as much concession from the U.S. as possible by delaying this, while behaving cantankerously and dangerously provocative in the meantime to raise the tension, he said, noting that just hours after Blinken left China, Beijing had stepped up its now near daily military harassment of Taiwan, the democratic island it has sought to seize as its own.

This is almost like slow-move blackmailing.

Propaganda Coup

Blinkens reception in Beijing was fairly muted. Greeting him at the airport was a lone Chinese foreign ministry official, with no red carpet nor welcoming, flower-carrying crowds. Curious spectators also drew attention to a red line drawn on the runway, musing on social media whether it was a signal from the regime on the red line issuesincluding Taiwanit has warned Washington not to cross.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) walks after arriving in Beijing, on June 18, 2023. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP)

Despite that Xi called it very good that the two sides have also made progress and reached agreement on some specific issues, he held off confirming the expected meeting until the very last moment: an hour before it started.

Its successful for the Chinese because China used this opportunity to show its contempt for America, Yu said. He also said he saw Beijings greeting for Blinken as a deliberate snub.

Even the seating arrangement appeared to denote a subtle power play. Xi, during the June 19 meeting, presided as the head of the table while having Blinken sit to his right. It was a departure from Xis meeting with Pompeo in June 2018, at which the two sat side by side with a table in between, which put them more on equal footing.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (4th L) attends a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (R) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/AFP via Getty Images)

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) speaks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 14, 2018. (Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images)

According to Yu, it was as if Xi was presenting himself as an emperor lecturing Americans, imposing his image on the secretary of state.

Its all for optics for the Chinese, he said. They believe the Biden team is kind of weak and eager to get Chinas cooperation, so they exploited that.

The fact that Blinken had accepted it without complaint showed the weakness of Biden administration policy, according to Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China.

While Westerners might not think much of the optics, for the regime and its neighbors in Taiwan, these hidden meanings arent lost, he said.

It says that China basically believes the U.S. was no longer a force in global affairs, Chang said in an interview on EpochTVs Crossroads program.

The view is the same from Peter Navarro, who served as a trade adviser in the Trump administration.

It was a great propaganda coup for the dictator Xi Jinping, he told The Epoch Times. Its puzzling to understand why Blinken even went, because other than paving the way for more face-to-face meetings between Biden and Xi, which will do nothing, theres nothing there.

Dialogue Is a Trap

Lawmakers such as Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), who believes in the need for a tougher China stance, also take a dim view of the prospect of engaging with China.

PRC [Peoples Republic of China] diplomats told Secretary Blinken that the US must choose between cooperation with China and conflict, Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, told The Epoch Times. The CCP seeks to paint any competitive action that does not further its authoritarian vision as a provocation. The Biden Administration must push back against this insidious framing, and not-so-veiled threat.

Only one party seeks to upend the peaceful status quo in the Taiwan Strait, only one party is committing genocide, only one party is militarizing islands in the South China Seathe Chinese Communist Party.

From the perspective of Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), who sits on the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, the U.S. posture was no different from kowtowing to the Chinese leadership.

While Biden officials have often said they are engaging with China from a position of strength, Tiffany said he thinks it certainly appears that were weaker coming out of the meeting.

A China Central Television (CCTV) news broadcast shows footage of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, on a giant screen outside a shopping mall in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Such an approach doesnt deter Chinese aggression; it rewards and encourages it, he told The Epoch Times.

Chang noted that in March, bidding farewell to Russias Vladimir Putin, Xi had told the latter that they are the two driving forward the change which hasnt happened in 100 years.

That says that Xi Jinping thinks hes already boss of the world, Chang said. That mentality can be dangerous, he said, because the Chinese leadership appears to believe that they can get away with anything they want.

Xi had spoken slowly during the brief talk with Blinken. He told Blinken that Bejing wont challenge and displace the United States and hopes to see a sound and steady ChinaU.S. relationship.

Navarro, though, cautioned that such language is a trap, serving only to advance the regimes interests.

Thats their strategy. Theyve been saying that for decades, thats what they do, he said. They want to draw you into endless negotiations that give them time to continue having their way with the American economy and the global geopolitical environment.

Dialogue to the Chinese is a weapon, he said. Theres nothing to negotiate, but we should stop talking to these people and simply take actions, and that will be the only thing that leads to meaningful change.
Californias Stable Affordable Housing Act One Step Closer to Becoming Law

A proposal that would change the way California approaches affordable housing is receiving broad support from Democratic lawmakers and is now closer to reaching the governors desk after passing the Senate.

Introduced by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward), Senate Bill 555, also known as the Stable Affordable Housing Act of 2023, proposes a 10-year goal of creating 1.2 million units of social housing through a combination of acquisition and new development, with half of the units created within 5 years and at least one-third of those affordable for what are described as extremely and very low-income households.

We need a multi-faceted approach to the ongoing housing affordability and homelessness crises, and SB 555 is just that, Wahab told The Epoch Times in an email June 19. With the overall impact being an increase in the number of permanently affordable units available to lower-income residents.

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 31-8, with the sole Democratic vote in dissent coming from Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson), and is now under consideration by the Assembly, with a hearing scheduled with the Committee on Housing and Community Development.

If approved, SB 555 would establish the California Social Housing Fund to accomplish its goals and would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop, adopt, and submit to the Legislature a plan to do so by January 1, 2025.

The California State Capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., on April 18, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Annual updates would be required from the department, starting January 1, 2026, due to the Legislature and the governor.

Supporters include a list of more than a dozen nonprofits focused on homelessness and affordable housing, including the Council of Community Housing Organizations and the California Community Land Trust Network.

The private housing market has failed to meet the needs of millions of California residents for homes they can afford, said a joint press release issued by supporting nonprofits Tenants Together, Housing Now! California, and Public Advocates. The solution is to create housing sheltered from these market forces.

The groups are calling for below-market rents that are affordable for all income levels and avoid traditional housing markets that some say are influenced by speculative investors.

Statistics provided in the proposed legislation indicate that more than one-quarter of the renters in California spend more than one-half of their income on rent.

Owning a home is a mathematical impossibility for many workers in the state, according to economists, who point to a disconnect between the amount of income families bring in and a median home price in California of $728,000, as reported by Zillowan online real estate listing firm.

Republican lawmakers broadly opposed the legislation and warned that if passed, it will contribute to the housing problem instead of addressing it, as the bill would require the state to buy homes as part of the program to provide affordable social housing units, effectively increasing competition for available houses.

SB 555 pushes the dream of home ownership even further out of reach for everyday Californians, Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) told The Epoch Times by email. Under this over-reaching bill, the state would purchase thousands of existing homes and reduce our already strained housing supply, driving up prices even more.

A for sale sign is posted in front of a property in Monterey Park, Calif. on Aug. 16, 2022. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Critics say the issue lies in a lack of supply and new development, with not enough focus on the latter in the proposal to solve the problem.

The solution to the housing shortage is the construction of new homes, not the state competing with its own citizens looking for an affordable place to live, Jones said. I stand in strong opposition to this bill.

Increasing the supply of housing has been a persistent problem in the Golden State, with developers pointing to strict environmental regulations combined with costly, lengthy permitting processes as primary factors inhibiting new development.

After World War II, California was still relatively a new state, so the 40s were a period of building, working together to build something, Tony Hall, former San Francisco supervisor, said in Epoch TVs Leaving California documentary. People in California were harmoniously working together in a new state, new way of life, single family homes in single family neighborhoods. You had opportunity.

The subsequent decades saw significant growth in population and housing development, with expansions in all major metropolitan areas. Statistics show migration from other parts of the country continuing at a steady pace during the 20th century, with families flocking to the state.

Things were relatively easy to build in California in the 60s and 70s  and thats where we got the reputation as the land of opportunity, Larry G. Salzman, director of litigation for the Pacific Legal Foundation said in the film. The California dream, people could move here and make a great life, but thats hard to find today because of the cost of housing.

A foreclosure sign is posted in front of a home for sale in Stockton, Calif. on April 29, 2008. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Environmental laws including the California Environmental Quality Act, better known as CEQA, are often cited as obstacles to construction, according to experts.

Every year since 1970, whether its the environmental laws like CEQA, or whether its local laws like zoning laws, theyve gotten more complicated, more dense, more expensive to comply with, and they allow less and less building, Salzman said.

Developers report similar concerns and note the complications associated with the process are driving some from the business.

The number one reason why I stopped developing housing in California was that in order to get projects approved, it was so long and so expensive that a small developer like myself doesnt have the capital to buy property and hold it for two or three years and see if it will get approved, Jim Righeimer, developer and former mayor of Costa Mesa, said in the documentary.

As critics and supporters discuss the possible consequences and benefits of the bill, lawmakers in the Assembly await the opportunity to debate the proposal.

SB 555 was referred to the Assemblys housing committee on June 15, and the group is scheduled to discuss the proposal June 28. If passed, the Assembly will vote on the bill later this summer, and the legislation would require approval by the governor before becoming law.
Canada Bread Agrees to Pay $50 Million for Role in Bread Price Fixing

Canada Bread Co. will pay a fine of $50 million after pleading guilty to its role in a criminal price-fixing arrangement that raised the wholesale price of fresh commercial bread. A worker restocks shelves in the bakery and bread aisle at an Atlantic Superstore grocery in Halifax, Jan. 28, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Kelly Clark)

Canada Bread has agreed to pay $50 million after admitting to colluding with competitors in Canadas bakery industry to fix bread prices.

Fixing the price of breada food staple of Canadian householdswas a serious criminal offence, said Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell in a June 21 release. Our continuing investigation remains a top priority. We are doing everything in our power to pursue those who engage in price-fixing.

Canada Bread revealed in an Ontario court on June 21 that an executive at the company discussed the prices of bread products with senior executives at Weston Foods, at that time a subsidiary of George Weston Ltd., the parent company of grocery chain Loblaws.

The company has pleaded guilty to four counts under Section 45 of Canadas Competition Act, each of which comes with a maximum penalty of $10 million for the first two and $25 million for the next two. The Competition Bureau recommended to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada that Canada Bread receive leniency in sentencing in return for its cooperation with the investigation, bringing the total amount due to $50 million.

In June 2007, Canada Bread and Weston Foods executives agreed to engage in two price increases, one in 2007 and one in 2011, according to the Competition Bureau. At the time of the price-fixing scandal, Canada Bread was under the ownership of Maple Leaf Foods. The senior leadership of Canada Bread that engaged in the price-fixing is no longer with the company.

The Competition Bureau launched an investigation into the price-fixing scandal in 2017 after receiving information from an anonymous source about the scandal.

The watchdog then executed search warrants against companies such as Loblaws, Metro Inc., Walmart Canada, Sobeys Inc., Giant Tiger Stores Ltd., and Canada Bread. Weston and Loblaws were granted immunity from prosecution for cooperating in the matter, including alerting the bureau about the scandal in 2015.

In a statement, Canada Bread noted that the price-fixing scandal took place when the company was owned and controlled by Maple Leaf Foods, and was not occurring when it was acquired by Grupo Bimbo in 2014.

It was only in 2017 that Grupo Bimbo learned about the matter. Since then, under Grupo Bimbos ownership, Canada Bread has provided full and consistent cooperation with the Competition Bureau, they said.

Grupo Bimbo said they are considering all legal options against those responsible for the price-fixing scandal. Canada Bread is committed to delivering high-quality products and maintaining the trust of our customers. We take great pride that our products are made by Canadians, for Canadians.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Bitcoin held by illiquid entities is at an all-time high as demand for the token climbs

NurPhoto / Contributor

The total held by illiquid entities, or those with little-to-no spending history, hit a record high 15,207,843 tokens.

Bitcoin climbed 9% Wednesday, and the illiquid supply change data suggests high demand.

Earlier this week, BlackRock submitted an application for a spot bitcoin ETF.

The total amount of bitcoin held by illiquid entities, or those with little-to-no spending history, is at an all-time high, according to Glassnode data cited by CoinDesk.

The total amount held by these illiquid entities is now at a record 15,207,843 tokens. In the last four weeks, it jumped by 215,000, per CoinDesk, which suggests surging demand for the world's largest cryptocurrency.

The volume of flows into illiquid entities is "supporting the case for a gradual and steady accumulation taking place," Glassnode analyst James Check wrote in a note Monday, adding that the data points to an "undercurrent of demand."

One reason behind the renewed investor enthusiasm is the prospect of greater institutional adoption.

Earlier this week, BlackRock submitted an application for a spot bitcoin ETF, which would allow investors to gain exposure to the token without owning the asset. WisdomTree and others, too, have filed applications for bitcoin ETFs recently.

Still, the digital asset market has seen it's share of turmoil. Earlier in June, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed lawsuits against both Coinbase and Binance, accusing each of listing cryptocurrencies as unregistered securities.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is expected to hike rates further later this year, potentially adding more pressure on crypto prices.

Bitcoin jumped 9% Wednesday to climb back above $30,000, reaching the highest level in more than a month. It's up more than 80% in 2023.

Read the original article on Business Insider
China Retreats From Southeast Asia

Others eclipse Chinas former preeminence in the region

Commentary

In yet another sign of Chinas economic and financial troubles, Beijing has dramatically diminished its financial presence in Southeast Asia. Once preeminent, China finds itself today eclipsed by others. If Xi Jinping and his colleagues in Beijing still dream of global dominance, it must look further away than ever as China retreats from its own backyard.

A recent report by the prestigious, Sydney-based Lowy Institute documents Chinas diminished position in the region. Beijings official development finance (ODF) to Southeast Asia fell in 2021, the most recent year for which data are available, to the equivalent of $3.9 billion, well down from the $7.6 billion registered at the 2015 peak.

Development investment by other nations and international bodies has filled the gap left by Chinas withdrawal. In 2015, at the height of Chinas effort in Southeast Asia, the Middle Kingdom was the regions largest single investor, constituting 25 percent of the total. By 2021, Chinas share has dropped to only 14 percent. Indeed, Chinas effort has fallen so steeply from its highs that now it has ceded top spots to the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. Japans continued effort has brought its cumulative total almost up to Chinas. The Chinese figure for the entire period comes to the equivalent of $37.9 billion, mostly earlier in this stretch of time. Japans persistence has brought up its cumulative investment total to $28 billion. South Korea is not far behind, with a cumulative investment total of just over $20 billion. Germany, the United States, Australia, and France, in that order, take up the bulk of the balance, investing between $8.5 billion and $5.4 billion.

A man works at a construction site of a residential skyscraper in Shanghai on Nov. 29, 2016. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijings dramatic turn is unlikely to reflect a shift in its overseas priorities. Southeast Asia has always held pride of place in Chinas international endeavors, and understandably so, given its geographic proximity to China and its importance to trade routes as well as Chinas national defense. Nor is it likely that these nations have turned away from Chinese money wholesale, though some, such as Malaysia, have shown a reluctance to get involved in Beijings Belt and Road initiative. Instead, Chinas pullback testifies in yet another way to the Middle Kingdoms pressing economic and financial problems, a fact that makes it highly unlikely that matters have shifted back since Lowy concluded its analysis.

Readers in the space should well know the roots of Chinas economic and financial troubles. More recent news adds to the mounting evidence. An analysis from the prominent investment bank Goldman Sachs recently highlights the long shadow cast by the failures in Chinas property development sector, most notably of Evergrande, a huge developer. Goldmans analysts conclude that this sectoronce fully 30 percent of Chinas economywill remain depressed for the foreseeable future.

In just the last few weeks, it has come to light that other aspects of the Chinese economy, after a surprisingly fast start in 2023, have slowed markedly. In May, the most recent period for which data are available, Chinese exports stood some 7.5 percent below year-ago levels. Importsa reliable indicator of domestic economic activitywere 4.5 percent below year-ago levels. Imports from South Korea, a close trading partner, were down 20.8 percent during that same time. Imports of semiconductors, a crucial input in much of what China sells domestically and to the world, were 15.5 percent below year-ago levels. Enlarging on this picture of economic slack are reports indicating a drop in imports of raw materials. Shipments of coal, still critical to Chinese electricity production, have fallen precipitously from the highs of last March.

With signs that Europe may already have tipped into recession and with slowing in the American economy, also perhaps on the brink of recession, Chinas all-important export sector can hardly be expected to improve any time soon. Indeed, many now expect that amid this global economic slack, China will have a hard time coming up to its already reduced 5 percent real growth target for the year. Facing such economic constraints, it is also unlikely that China will recover its former prominence in Southeast Asia any time soon.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinese Automakers Start EV Price War in Australia

MG electric car is displayed at Indonesia International Motor Show exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images)

Two Chinese car manufacturers have sparked an electric vehicle (EV) price war in Australia with their plans to roll out the most affordable electric car on the market this week.

On June 19, MG Motor, which Chinese automaker SAIC Motor owns, announced the release of an entry-level model for its MG4 electric SUV at $38,990 (US$26,500), a drop of $6,000 compared to the previous price.

This will be the first EV to be sold in Australia for under $40,000.

In comparison, the prices of EV models from other manufacturers often stay above $50,000, with the most popular EV, Tesla Model Y, costing over $68,000.

MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao said his companys move was to facilitate the adoption of EVs among Australians under current challenging economic conditions.

I know they are feeling those rising pressures at supermarkets when theyre buying fuel when theyre paying their energy bills, he said in comments obtained by AAP.

There is no doubt that the cost of living is the number one issue right now for Australians, and were trying our best to help by making EV affordable with the release of MG4 at under $38,990 plus on-road costs.

Due to the price cut, the MG4 base model has a reduced battery capacity, with a range of 350 kilometres, which is comparable to low-end EV models from other manufacturers.

In addition, MG Motor will stop the production of ZS EV Excite, an entry-level electric SUV, to pave the way for MG4 in Australia.

BYDs Dolphin Launch

Meanwhile, MGs rival BYD is preparing to launch what the company calls Australias most affordable, high-quality EV on the Gold Coast on June 22.

The Chinese automaker will release BYD Dolphin, an electric hatchback with an estimated range of over 420 kilometres.

While BYD Dolphin was sold in New Zealand earlier this month with an entry price of around $45,000, car experts have expected the Australian model to fall somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000.

Fan Jihan, Deputy Director of Exterior design of BYD Global Design Centre, gives a speech during the presentation of BYDs new cars in Shanghai, China, on April 18, 2023. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Australian Electric Vehicle Association president Chris Jones believed Australian consumers would benefit from the competition between the two EV manufacturers.

This means that BYD will have to sharpen their pencil, he said.

These companies know that Australian demand for EVs is not going away.

He also noted that it was not coincident that Chinese automakers were leading the price trend in Australia.

The Chinese manufacturers have the volume on their side, Jones said.

The vast majority of products they make get sold locally into the Chinese market, and thats enormous. So theyve got numbers to make low-margin vehicles viable.

Meanwhile, Chris King, the CEO of rideshare subscription firm Splend, said Australia had not seen much drop in EV prices and that the country had missed out on the mass-market models and growing competition compared to other nations.

The way the EV space has developedtheyve started with the more premium segment, and theyre moving down to more cost-effective segments as production costs come down and they reach scale, he said.

Weve seen (cheaper EVs) in London for more than three years now, and theyre the same kind of cars that well see in Australia.

Huge Batter Waste Problem

MG Motors announcement comes as EV experts have forecasted that Australia will face a considerable battery waste problem in the next decade.

According to the Battery Stewardship Council, the volume of EV waste could reach 30,000 tonnes by 2030 before soaring to 1.6 million tonnes by 2050 as Australia seeks to achieve net zero emissions.

However, the country does not have the necessary industrial capacity, standards and regulations to recycle battery waste properly.

As such, many experts have called on the Australian government to establish a stewardship program where consumers must pay extra costs for the safe disposal of EV batteries.
Conservative Parental Rights Activists Vow to Never Give Up After Cyberattack

A sign in a hallway during the inaugural Moms For Liberty Summit in Tampa, Fla., on July 15, 2022. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

Cyberattacks on businesses, governments, and other organizations are happening at an accelerating rate, a former FBI executive and security expert told The Epoch Times.

The attacks allow anonymous criminals to quickly, cheaply, and easily crash websites, according to James Turgal, a former executive assistant director for the FBI Information and Technology Branch (CIO).

Recently, conservative activists have fallen victim to these cyberattacks.

Turgal now serves as vice president of cyber risk, strategy, and board relations for Optiv Security, a cybersecurity consulting company.

Hiring a cyber villain is easy, if you go to the right places online, he said, and one can buy a month of attacks for as little as $3,000.

Theyll just go ahead and attack [a website] for me if I pay them, he said.

Moms for Liberty founders Tiffany Justice (L) and Tina Descovich (R) give the opening remarks before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the inaugural Moms For Liberty Summit in Tampa, Fla, on July 15, 2022. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

Parental rights group Moms for Liberty faced a very sophisticated and massive attack that shut down its website for two hours, group co-founder Tina Descovich told The Epoch Times.

Also hit recently was the Leadership Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to training mostly conservative activists, leaders, and students, the organization disclosed in an email to people affiliated with the group.

Both organizations have operational websites again.

But if not for solid cyber defenses, Moms for Liberty would have faced severe setbacks from the May 24 attack, Descovich said.

Cyberterrorism on Rise

In the case of Moms for Liberty, no data was compromised, at all, Descovich said.

But we had extensive cyberterrorists come after us at a global level. So it was intense, and it was sustained over many days.

Attackers used a massive network of computers to send millions of requests to the Moms for Liberty website, she said. The many requests overloaded the websites servers, causing it to crash.

The attack knocked down Moms for Libertys website for two hours at first, then for several other smaller intervals over the next few days, said Descovich.

Without Moms for Libertys excellent security team, the attack could have put their website down for far longer, she said.

The hacker network known as Anonymous claimed credit for the attack.

Like many terrorist networks, Anonymous is made up of loosely connected cells. Its targets in the past have included the Russian government, PayPal, the U.S. government, and other groups, according to the groups website.

A man types on a computer keyboard on Feb. 28, 2013. (Kacper Pempel/Reuters)

The group posted on Twitter on June 6 that members have been targeting and speaking out against Moms for Liberty for awhile [sic] as a hate group.

The post continued, We are proud to say The Southern Poverty Law Center agrees and is for the first time labeling Florida-headquartered Moms for Liberty a hate group! This is a huge win.

Indeed, the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled Moms for Liberty members as extremists.

Four days earlier, Leadership Institute issued a press release that said the criminal gang Anonymous waged an all-out war on the organizations website.

They briefly took down LIs website and brought to a temporary standstill the important work you and I are doing to create conservative leaders, wrote Leadership Institute external affairs director Carol Wehe Cocks in the statement.

The Leadership Institute didnt respond to requests for comment.

But Moms for Liberty wont be stopped by cybercriminals, Descovich vowed. The group is far too dedicated to promoting parental rights and parental control of education to back down, she said.

We will never give up. You can come after us. You can attack us. You can call us names. But a mothers love for her child is stronger than any of this nonsense, and we will not give up.

Digital Defense

For anyone with a website, stopping cyberattacks should be a top priority, Turgal said.

Ive worked cases where its small businesses, brand new startups. Ive worked cases of companies and banks that are 100 years old, he said.

Compared to other methods of disrupting businesses, an online offensive gives an attacker many advantages, Turgal said. Its hard to catch attackers who only appear online, and its relatively cheap to mount a cyberattack, he said.

It is a relatively low-level effort by the threat actor, Turgal said. It is a high level of effort to defend these things.

Yet the damage can be extremely consequential. Cyberattackers can cut off a websites connection to its audience, depriving it of sales, attention, or organizing ability.

Other forms of attacks can capture private information, disrupt functions, or steal money.

A protester wears a mask of Anonymous the loosely associated hacking group during a march by thousands of people in Madrid on Feb. 23, 2013. (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Attackers motivations vary, he said.

They want to wreak havoc, create chaos, Turgal said.

They want to disrupt the operations of whatever the victim does. Some do it to make political statements.

Shortage of Cyber Defenders

Cyberattack networks can run without human direction, searching the internet for any websites with vulnerabilities, Turgal said.

Research in 2018 by the business mentoring group SCORE suggested 43 percent of cyberattacks target small businesses.

Yet despite increasing numbers of cyberattacks, there arent nearly enough cyberattack experts, Turgal said.

Theres somewhere in the neighborhood of close to a million or 2 million empty IT [information technology] positions out there in the world, he said. Theres just such a need for them, and theres a lack of those resources.

Hiring a cybersecurity analyst can cost around $90,000 yearly, according to jobs website GlassDoor. Companies also can hire a cybersecurity company to provide services. Costs vary widely.

A hacker uses his computer at his office in Dongguan, Guangdong province, China, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Every company can do a few things right away to improve cybersecurity, Turgal said.

Its important to train employees to practice good cyber hygiene, insisting on their use of strong passwords and multi-step processes to log in to sensitive online systems. They should back up files regularly, encrypt information, and have a plan for what to do when things go wrong, he said.

Its also a good idea to hire a cybersecurity company to perform a risk assessment, he said.

The threats not going away, its only getting worse, Turgal said.

The Hate Group That Welcomes All

Though hackers and others have labeled the organization a hate group, Moms for Liberty is nonpartisan and members include parents, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, non-heterosexuals, and others.

We have members of the LGBT community that are leading chapters and even on our national team, Descovich said.

Moms for Liberty members gather while waiting to attend a Hernando County School Board meeting in Brooksville, Fla., on May 30, 2023. (Patricia Tolson/The Epoch Times)

The attacks against Moms for Liberty come at a time when the Department of Justice has labeled parents as potential violent extremists.

And the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) created threat tags to investigate parents who protest the actions of local school boards.

The opposition to Moms for Liberty puzzles Descovich.

This is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of moms trying to voice their opinions about their children and claim their seat at the table in their childrens public education, she said. There is no reason to have this level of attacks coming our way.

After the initial cyberattack, several follow-up attacks shut down the Moms for Liberty website for a few minutes at a time, Descovich said.

Supporters sounded the alarm with messages reporting website trouble. Moms for Liberty computer gurus got right to work.

Thankfully, the organization was prepared, Descovich said. After hits almost a year ago, the organization hired a cybersecurity team to create solid infrastructure, she said.

Fighting Back On Cyberattacks

Descovich warns that anyone can face online threats at any time, and its best to get security before an attack.

It can completely debilitate your work and the mission, she said. When somebody attacks you like that, it completely silences you in the cyber-arena.

Many activist groups reach their audiences online, so cyberattacks can be devastating for the unprepared who become targets, she said.

A screenshot of a video that Anonymous posted on its TikTok page after it attacked the website of parental rights group Moms for Liberty on May 24, 2023. (Patricia Tolson/The Epoch Times)

Under federal law, an attack like the one Moms for Liberty experienced could result in a 10-year prison sentence for those responsible.

With the recent cyberattack resolved, Moms for Liberty leaders plan to strengthen the organization and move forward, Descovich said.

You have to have determination, grit, and the will to continue on when the hits come.

The Moms for Liberty national summit will take place in Philadelphia from June 29 to July 2. Scheduled speakers include five hopefuls in the 2024 race for president.

Four are Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Also scheduled to speak is Democratic candidate and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Consumer Groups Call on Washington and Brussels to Regulate AI Tech

President Joe Biden (L) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom takes part in an event discussing the opportunities and risks of Artificial Intelligence at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on June 20, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

A coalition of consumer advocacy groups in the European Union and the United States called on their governments to develop regulations for generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

These groups are concerned about AI tech that power tools like ChatGPT are developing so quickly that consumers rights may be grievously harmed if state regulators fail to get involved.

The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD), a coalition of consumer groups in the EU and North America, sent letters on June 21, to government leaders, out of concern that the rapid development and adoption of generative AI is rapidly outpacing legislative and regulatory action and could leave leave consumers unprotected in the meantime.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) raises serious concerns for consumers rights and safety, said the coalition. The use of this technology creates consumer challenges related to privacy, manipulation, personal integrity, scams, disinformation, and more. These services are also very resource-demanding, which has serious repercussions for the climate and environment.

AI Safety Advocates Call for Immediate Protection for Consumers

TACD called for strengthened consumer protections to make AI technology safe, reliable, and fair so that consumers are not used as laboratory animals by Big Tech for new technologies.

They also called for a broad-based AI strategy that takes into account recent developments in tech, is centered on basic consumer rights, and provides strict guidelines for the use of generative AI in the public sector.

The coalition also demands suitable future-proof regulations in instances where existing laws fall short.

Privacy is one of the biggest concerns with generative AI since user data is often stored for model training.

Italy banned ChatGPT after announcing that OpenAI was not legally authorized to gather user data.

In addition to compromised user confidentiality, there is a risk of stored information falling into the wrong hands in the case of a security breach.

AI technology can also create human-level works at a mass scale, including fake and misleading articles, essays, papers and videos.

This is leading to fears over the wider dissemination of misinformation to levels never before seen.

There are also similar worries over deepfakes, which use generative AI to create fake videos, photos, and voice recordings, that use the image and likeness of a particular individual.

They have already been used to attack celebrities and politicians to spread defamatory information.

White House And Congress To Act On AI Tech Legislation

Generative artificial intelligence systems are now widely used by consumers in the U.S. and beyond, the coalition wrote in its letter to President Joe Biden.

Although these systems are presented as helpful, saving time, costs, and labor, we are worried about serious downsides and harms they may bring about.

The group wrote that generative AI systems are incentivized to suck up as much data as possible to train the AI models, leading to the inclusion of personal data that may be irremovable once the sets have been established and the tools trained.

TACD warned that content that is biased, discriminatory, or false could be used to train an AI system, making it more ingrained and disseminated widely.

They also raised concerns over large companies gaining monopolistic control of the AI space and noted that using tools like ChatGPT requires enormous amounts of water and electricity, leading to heightened carbon emissions.

TACD called on the White House to both enforce existing laws that are applicable to the generative AI space and implement new regulations that force companies and firms developing AI tools, to adhere to transparent and reviewable obligations.

So far, the Biden administration has only done a few things to address the issue, such as investments in AI research and proposing an AI bill of rights.

This week, both the White House and Congress said they were ready to start writing legislation to regulate artificial intelligence after officials warned about the dangers of AI technology.

We need to manage the risks, Biden said at a June 20 event to address AI concerns in San Francisco and promised there will be stronger actions to come.

A White House official told Yahoo News that the administration will develop a process to rapidly develop decisive actions we can take over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) unveiled new details of the his AI-related legislation, which is heavily focused on the national security implications of the technology.

Schumer said that the Senate is seeing a mix of urgency and humility; urgency because AI is developing so damn fast, and humility because AI is stupendously complex.

EU Negotiating Terms on AI Rules in Europe

Across the Atlantic, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), a coalition of consumer organizations from thirteen EU countries, wrote a separate letter on June 20, following the release of a report by the Norwegian Consumer Council one of the member groups in the alliance.

The report raised similar concerns to those raised by the TACD, as well as warnings over the potential use of AI to manipulate or mislead consumers, misuse their data to violate privacy, automate human tasks, and exploit labor.

The EU is in the process of considering legislation to enact new AI regulations.

On June 14, the European Parliament agreed on a draft proposal for regulating artificial intelligence, called the AI Act.

Details of the AI regulations are now being discussed between the European Commission and the Council of the EU to eventually develop final legislation.

However, that process may take two years before a final compromise is reached, and the rules for AI take effect.
The interruption of education during COVID-19 lockdowns damaged a generation, Englands former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dame Sally Davies has said.

Giving evidence to the COVID-19 Inquiry on Tuesday, Davies, who is now the master of Trinity College, Cambridge, said education has a terrific amount of work to do to mitigate the impact on children and students.

Davis was Englands CMO between March 2011 and September 2019, months before SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spread worldwide.

Answering questions on pandemic resilience and preparedness, the first module of the COVID-19 Inquiry thats expected to last three years, Davis said it was clear no one had thought about lockdowns.

Since March 2020, British schools, nurseries, and universities were closed for months during national and regional lockdowns. After schools reopened, students and pupils also had to stay at home when they or their classmates tested positive for COVID-19.

Studies later found a range of negative impacts on children such as the rise of eating disorders and self-harm in teens, and retardation of early development in babies and toddlers.

Speaking of the impact, Davis said: The damage I now see to children and students from COVID, and the educational impact, tells me that education has a terrific amount of work to do.

We have damaged a generation and it is awful as head of a college in Cambridge watching these young people struggle, she said.

I know in pre-schools they havent learned how to socialise and play properly, they havent learned how to read at school. We must have plans for them.

Davis said she still believes the first lockdown should have happened and should have been imposed a week earlier, but thoughts should have been given on whether further lockdowns should have happened.

Pressed on whether it was a failure that the possibility of a lockdown itself was neither foreseen nor planned for, she said: Alright, Im sorry. We didnt plan for that.

She said her team preferred to make plans to not get us to that stage, but didnt recognise  something could get to that stage. She also said they only planned for flu, which would peak within 12 to 16 weeks, not something that was unremitting for a couple of years.

Emotional Apology

Government ministers have previously said that they had prepared for the wrong pandemic. Former Prime Minister David Cameron also told the inquiry on Monday that it was a mistake that his government had spent much more time on a flu pandemic rather than looking more at the range of different types of pandemic.

Asked why the long standing bias had occurred and was allowed to continue, Davies said the whole global north thought flu was the thing to focus on.

But she defended preparing for flu, saying there will be more flu pandemics, its only a question of when.

So for me the issue is not should we not prepare for flu, we must prepare for flu. The question is what else we do over and above that, she said.

Davis said she did suggest a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) review, but was told the disease wont come here, and had asked for a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) practice.

So I did put some challenge into it, she said, before becoming emotional.

But maybe this is the moment to say how sorry I am to the relatives who lost their families, she said, fighting back tears.

It wasnt just the deaths, it was the way they died. It was horrible. And I heard a lot about it from my daughter on the front line as a young doctor in Scotland. It was harrowing, and it remains horrible, she said.

Closing Borders

There was no discussion on how to prevent diseases from getting to the UK, partly because of World Health Organisation (WHO) rules, Davis told the inquiry.

We worked on response and I do not remember a conversation about, so how do we stop it getting here, she said, in part because the international health regulations of the WHO, to which almost every country is signed up to, say that when a pandemic kicks off, you do not close the borders, she said.

She also said Public Health England had said border closure was not cost effective when Cameron wanted to consider the move during an Ebola outbreak, adding, and what I learned was, there are times when you have to do things that may not look cost effective, because the nation needs them.

During the hearing, Davis also spoke of the lack of resilience in the UKs health care system and in public health in general.

Compared to similar countries, the UK was at the bottom of the table on number of doctors, number of nurses, number of beds, number of ICUs, number of respirators, ventilators per 100,000 population, she said.

Regarding public health, 25 percent of children in year six are obese, 60 percent of adults are obese or overweight, [and] we have high levels of diabetes, she said.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Durham: FBI Shouldnt Have Launched Full Investigation Into Trump Campaign

Special Counsel John Durham testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on June 21, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The FBI shouldnt have launched a full investigation into then-presidential candidate Donald Trumps campaign based on unverified intelligence, special counsel John Durham said on June 21.

Within three days of receiving word from Australian officials in July 2016 that Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos said Trumps team had received a suggestion from Russia that it could help release information damaging to Democrats, the FBI opted to open a full investigation, rather than take a smaller step.

Based on our investigation, it is not a legitimate basis to open a full investigation, Durham said on June 21, speaking for the first time publicly about a report his team compiled.

The FBI made the move despite not checking its own databases or the databases of other intelligence agencies or carrying out other actions that are typical before launching a full investigation. Agents also didnt interview the Australian diplomats.

Had the FBI done so, it would have learned that their own experienced Russia analysts had no information about Trump being involved with Russian leadership officials, nor were others in sensitive positions at the CIA, the NSA [National Security Agency], and the Department of State aware of such evidence concerning the subject, Durham said in his report.

They just immediately went to a full investigation, he told members of Congress during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

The FBI, when asked for comment, pointed to a previous statement that said the missteps identified by Durham were the reason that current FBI leadership already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time.

Durham found that the FBI had an obligation to assess the information conveyed from Australia but said the bureau should have taken the smaller step of opening a preliminary investigation or starting an assessment.

FBI rules allow the opening of an assessment to examine claims, while a preliminary investigation can be opened on information that a federal crime or threat to national security may be occurring. Only after a preliminary investigation is undertaken can a full investigation be opened, provided theres an articulable factual basis for the investigation that indicates the crime or threat may be occurring and that an investigation may obtain information relating to the activity.

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok testifies in Washington on July 12, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

On July 31, 2016, just three days after receiving the information from Australia, then-FBI official Peter Strzok opened a full investigation known as Crossfire Hurricane into Papadopoulos. Strzok has said that then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, later fired for lying, directed him to open the probe. Strzok has expressed animus against Trump on multiple occasions, including saying in a text message that well stop Trump from becoming president.

Crossfire Hurricane was opened to see whether people associated with the campaign were witting of and/or coordinating activities with the government of Russia. Just days after the investigation was launched, the FBI also started investigating three other Trump campaign officials, including Carter Page.

FBI officials have defended quickly opening the full probe by pointing to how Russia was possibly connected to materials made public by WikiLeaks and Russias attempts to interfere with the 2016 election, as well as Trump saying during a campaign event that he hoped Russia was able to find missing emails.

Durhams office obtained evidence showing that McCabe and other officials at the FBI headquarters in Washington unanimously supported opening the probe and that there was no sign that they considered opening an assessment or preliminary investigation.

Opening a full investigation makes available certain tools, including the ability to spy on Americans. The FBI soon tried to get spy warrants for Papadopoulos and Page. They failed to get permission to spy on Papadopoulos. They succeeded with Page after including allegations from Christopher Steeles dossier, which was funded by Hillary Clintons campaign, in the application.

Durham told Congress that the FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and coordinated opposition research, such as the Steele dossier and that the bureau relied on the dossier despite knowing there was likely material supported by Trumps political opponent, even after then-President Barack Obama and others were briefed on intelligence that the Clinton campaign was working to stir up a scandal tying Trump to Russia.

Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justices inspector general, said in 2019 that the FBI was justified in opening a full investigation.

Then-Attorney General William Barr, who later appointed Durham, disagreed.

The inspector generals report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken, Barr said at the time.

Unlike several similar cases involving Clinton, the FBI chose to not give Trumps team a briefing before opening the investigation. William Priestap, who approved the opening of the case, said the briefing would have been a risk.

If someone on the campaign was engaged with the Russians, he/she would very likely change his/her tactics and/or otherwise seek to cover-up his/her activities, thereby preventing us from finding the truth, Priestap said.
Elon Musk Confirms This Word Is Now Considered a Slur on Twitter

Elon Musk speaks at the 2020 Satellite Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., on March 9, 2020. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Twitter owner Elon Musk said the words cisgender and cis are now considered slurs on Twitter after a user said they were harassed online by transgender activists.

The user wrote that he rejected the word cis and cisgender, which are often used by transgender individuals to describe heterosexual people.

Yesterday, after posting a Tweet saying that I reject the word cis and dont wish to be called it, I receive a slew of messages from trans activists calling me cissy and telling me that I am cis whether or not I like it. Just imagine if the roles were reversed, the user, James Esses, wrote on the platform.

Musk, who purchased the platform last year, wrote in response Wednesday that repeated, targeted harassment against any account will cause the harassing accounts to receive, at minimum, temporary suspensions. He added, The words cis or cisgender are considered slurs on this platform.

The Tesla CEO also commented on a Twitter poll asking if cis is a slur. About 78 percent of respondents voted yes, it shows.

People overwhelmingly reject this obvious slur that bigots are trying to impose, Musk wrote in response.

Its not clear, however, if the plans to penalize accounts that use the two words will be enforced. Musk also said that people can call themselves anything you want in response to a question about people who want to call themselves cisgender.

Some claim the term cisgender was created by a controversial German sociologist, Volkmar Sigusch, who notably, was the director of the Institut fur Sexualwissenschaft, or Institute for Sexual Science, at Goethe University in Frankfurtsometimes known as the Frankfurt School that has been associated with the Karl Marx-inspired critical theory. Before becoming director of the institute, he studied under noted 20th-century Marxists such as Max Horkheimer and Theodor W. Adorno, pioneers in critical theory.

A 1991 publication by Sigusch, titled Die Transsexuellen und unser nosomorpher Blick (Transsexuals and our Nosomorphic View), is sometimes credited as having the first instance of the term. He used it to describe the opposite of transgender.

Later, the term cis was used as a meme of sorts about a decade ago, popularized by the die cis scum catchphrase that was used by some transgender individuals.

More controversially, during an interview with Der Spiegel in 2011, Sigusch appeared to defend pedophilia as a natural sexual orientation.

In another tweet, Musk wrote Wednesday: The contemptible creep that manufactured the term cis has serious problems. Ignore him.

It comes weeks after a top Twitter executive responsible for safety and content moderation has left the company, her departure coming soon after Musk said the platform didnt handle certain posts about transgender topics well. Musk sounded the alarm after Twitter appeared to restrict Matt Walshs What Is a Woman? documentary.

This was a mistake by many people at Twitter. It is definitely allowed, Musk wrote in response to Walsh and other employees of the Daily Wire. Whether or not you agree with using someones preferred pronouns, not doing so is at most rude and certainly breaks no laws.

Ella Irwin, Twitters head of trust and safety, confirmed her resignation in a pair of posts last week. She did not say in the message why she was leaving, but her departure came shortly after Musk targeted his companys handling of tweets about the documentary that questions the medical industrys handling of transgender cases.

Irwin wrote: In all seriousness, I did resign but this has been a once in a lifetime experience and Im so thankful to have worked with this amazing team of passionate, creative and hardworking people. Will be cheering you all and Twitter as you go!

The Epoch Times reached out to the company for comment and received an automated email that features an emoji.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Des Ekin has uncovered an American who deserves to be celebrated among the many heroes (and anti-heroes) of early America. Ekin, the author of the new book The Lionkeeper of Algiers, joins the podcast to discuss the battles fought by the United States against the Barbary Pirates during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as the subject of his book, James Cathcarta young sailor who could easily have served as the inspiration for the character of Rick in the film Casablanca.
Ex-US Attorney Sounds Alarm on DOJ Violating Its Own Internal Policies

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (L) and F.B.I. Director Christopher Wray hold a press conference at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington on Oct. 24, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

A former U.S. attorney accused the Department of Justice of violating its own internal policies when it came to an agreement with Hunter Biden to reach a plea deal on tax crime and gun charges.

The DOJ is violating its own internal policies on this case, former U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman wrote. The Ashcroft Memo requires they charge the highest provable offense and seek consistent sentences with other cases brought by DOJ, he said, referring to a directive handed down by former Attorney General John Ashcroft that requires federal prosecutors to charge and pursue the readily provable and most serious offenses supported by evidence and facts of a case.

This prosecution is an absolute laughable joke, Tolman wrote, adding that officials are ignoring decades of policy and precedent to seek felonies not misdemeanors and seek sentences within the guideline range. The diversion agreement on the felony is offensive to everyone not politically connected who sought diversions and were literally laughed at by DOJ.

He added that under federal rules, thousands of people have been prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods by DOJ prosecutors. They brag about getting nearly 5 years of prison time on average for their gun cases, he stated. If they followed policy, Hunter would be looking at a minimum of 5 years in federal prison. But hes a Biden.

Going a step further, Tolman wrote that the move is shocking and tantamount to the most blatant hypocrisy that screams to the level of injustice many have suffered at the hand of DOJ pounding Average Joe defendants, he said. Everyone can now see what so many have observed growing, the politics of prosecuting. When absolute power is given with no accountability or transparency, then consistency and fairness become obsolete.

The Epoch Times has contacted the DOJ for comment.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland was asked about the contours of the case and he appeared to distance himself from the investigation. As I said from the moment of my appointment as attorney general, I would leave this matter in the hands of the United States attorney serving Delaware, Garland told reporters, referring to David Weiss.

It was confirmed that Hunter Biden, 53, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement that was made public Tuesday. The agreement will also avert prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions agreed to in court.

President Biden, asked about the development at a meeting on another subject in California, said simply, Im very proud of my son. The White House counsels office said in a statement that the president and First Lady Jill Biden love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life.

He is to plead guilty to failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes on over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018, charges that carry a maximum possible penalty of a year in prison. The back taxes have since been paid, unconfirmed reports said.

The gun charge states that Hunter Biden possessed a handgun, a Colt Cobra .38 Special, for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user. The rarely filed count carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department said Hunter Biden had reached a pretrial agreement. This likely means as long as he adheres to the conditions, the case will be wiped from his record.

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)

Christopher Clark, a lawyer for Hunter Biden, said in a statement that it was his understanding that the five-year investigation had now been resolved. I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life, Clark said. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.

Clark, when reached for comment, declined to issue a statement to The Epoch Times about the agreement.

Republicans largely said that the plea deal was designed to give the younger Biden a sweetheart deal that suggests there is a two-tiered system of justice in the United States, coming in light of recent charges against former President Donald Trump. They also pointed to a public statement issued by Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware, in which he said there is still an ongoing investigation.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters Tuesday that he believes Weisss statement about an ongoing investigation means federal officials are trying to avoid releasing information about Bidens family to Congress that could potentially politically damage him.

This does nothing to our investigation, McCarthy told reporters Tuesday, referring to House Oversight probes targeting Biden family deals overseas. It actually should enhance our investigation because the DOJ should not be able to withhold any information now saying that theres a pending investigation. They should be able to provide Chairman [James] Comer with any information that he requires.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Federal Agency to Track Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation of Research Doctorate Recipients

Pro-transgender protesters outside of Boston Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sept. 18, 2022. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

A pilot project announced by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to track the sexual orientation and gender identity of research doctorate recipientsa move raising concerns about the potential invasion of privacy and enforcement of LGBT quotas.

The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), conducted annually by the NSF, aims to collect personal and demographic data of individuals who have earned research doctorates from an accredited U.S. institution in the past year. The survey already collects data related to sex. However, the NSFs new pilot project, announced in May, seeks to collect information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity as well. The gender identity question experiment plan (pdf) asks, What sex were you assigned at birth on your original birth certificate, providing two optionsmale or female.

It then asks about the degree recipients gender identitywhether they describe themselves as male, female, transgender, or by a different term. Another question asks whether they see themselves as a man, woman, transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, genderfluid, or genderqueer.

In the sexual orientation category, the recipients are asked if theyre straight or heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or have another orientation.

In a May 29 Wall Street Journal op-ed, theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss criticized the NSFs decision to survey peoples gender and sexual orientation. Asking about sexual preferences is a violation of privacy, he wrote. Such personal matters are irrelevant to science and essentially invisible.

Krauss raised concerns about whether the sexual and gender identity surveys will be used to determine which groups are underrepresented in STEM fields and eventually require diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices to set aside quotas for people identifying with such categories. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math.

He argued that if the NSF is going to ask about gender and sex identities, it should also consider asking about other private issues like religion or politics that would yield skewed results.

Atheists and Jews are surely overrepresented among scientists; conservatives and evangelical Christians [are] underrepresented. I wonder what the DEI officers would make of that, Krauss noted.

By pandering to the loudest new minorities so that DEI bureaucrats can expand their definitions of inclusion, the NSF is erecting yet another barrier to scientific collegiality and integrity.

LGBT Quotas

Back in August 2018, a letter signed by several scientists and institutions called on the NSF to include questions about sexual and gender identity on its SED as well as other surveys like the Survey of Doctorate Recipients and the National Survey of College Graduates. The letter (pdf) argued that LGBT people face disadvantages and disparities in STEM fields.

In November 2018, the NSF decided to test the feasibility of adding questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity in the SED.

There are concerns the surveys may end up enforcing LGBT quotas in science funding and research. This is already happening in some institutions.

In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) pledged in October to include non-binary researchers in its attempt to ensure equality of investigator grants.

In the United States, 18 Democrat senators wrote a letter (pdf) to the NSF on Feb. 1, asking that it adopt voluntary gender identity and sexual orientation questions on its national workforce surveys.

The survey data provided by these questions is critical to implementing federal policy, including competitive awards in the CHIPS and Science Act to increase the participation of underrepresented communities in STEM studies and careers, it said.

There Are Two Sexes

In his op-ed, Krauss pointed out that terms like gender non-conforming, nonbinary, transgender, genderqueer, and genderfluid are patently ridiculous as they are subjective categories.

Most scientists, like ordinary people, couldnt even define most of these terms, let alone use them as a basis for discrimination, he pointed out. The percentage of the population that espouses these labels is so small that any data the NSF gathers will be statistically useless.

Other prominent scientists have also pushed back against the idea of multiple genders. In an interview with Piers Morgans TalkTV show in March, British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins said that there are two sexes. And thats all there is to it.

Dawkins went on to criticize radical gender ideologues, stating that its very upsetting the way this tiny minority of people has managed to capture the discourse to really talk errant nonsense.

In an interview with EMMA, a German feminist magazine, in August last year, Nobel laureate Christiane Nusslein-Volhard called the idea of there being more than two genders nonsense and wishful thinking.

There are people who want to change their gender, but they cant do it. You remain XY or XX, she said. Intersexuality is caused by rare deviations, for example, in the chromosome set. But intersex people also have the characteristics of both genders; they are not a third gender.
(Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin climbed to $30,000 for the first time since April, buoyed by crypto initiatives involving major players from the traditional financial sector.

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The largest digital asset rose as much as 6.5% and traded at $29,927 as of 12:12 p.m. in New York on Wednesday, lifting the tokens rebound this year to around 80%. Smaller coins such as Ether, Cardano and Solana also posted gains.

Crypto investors have drawn succor from the start of a digital-asset exchange, EDX Markets, backed by firms including Citadel Securities, Fidelity Digital Assets and Charles Schwab Corp. Separately, BlackRock Inc. and WisdomTree Inc. have applied in quick succession to launch spot US Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

Bitcoin has been the standout outperformer in this move higher and feels to be dragging the rest of the crypto complex with it, said Spencer Hallarn, derivatives trader at crypto investment firm GSR.

Those moves dissipated some of the gloom caused by a US Securities and Exchange Commission crypto crackdown that includes lawsuits against exchange operators Binance Holdings Ltd. and Coinbase Global Inc. The agency in the process designated a raft of digital tokens as unregistered securities.

The rally is backed by institutional demand, said Hayden Hughes, co-founder of social-trading platform Alpha Impact. The BlackRock announcement on a Bitcoin ETF, plus EDX Markets, gave Bitcoin a boost on hopes that traditional institutions will add depth to the crypto market.

SEC Hurdle

WisdomTree is trying again for permission to start a spot US Bitcoin ETF after being rebuffed in the past. BlackRock made its filing on June 15. The SEC has resisted allowing such spot funds but BlackRocks attempt carries the heft of the worlds largest asset manager and its track record of winning approvals.

The BlackRock filing changed everything, that reignited the race, said Eric Balchunas, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

BlackRocks application landed amid Grayscale Investments LLCs legal battle with the SEC to convert the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into a physically backed ETF. The trusts discount to net asset value has narrowed sharply on speculation BlackRocks step could end up bolstering Grayscales case.

Meanwhile in Europe, Deutsche Bank AG has applied for regulatory permission to operate a custody service for digital assets.

It is extremely unlikely it would go through the cost of doing this unless it had received sufficient expressions of interest from its large clients, wrote Noelle Acheson, author of the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter.

Markets are also being shaped by macro forces, including the outlook for further US monetary tightening after the Federal Reserve paused interest-rate hikes this month. Some onlookers expect a hawkish tone from Fed Chair Jerome Powell in an upcoming report to Congress.

Traders are waiting for more clarity too on the scale of expected economic stimulus in China, where the central bank recently cut borrowing costs. The potential China stimulus impact on Bitcoin isnt getting enough airplay, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG Australia Pty.

A rout in crypto last year erased $1.5 trillion and contributed to blowups such as the bankruptcy of the FTX exchange. Bitcoin remains far below its pandemic-era, liquidity-fueled 2021 peak of almost $69,000.

--With assistance from Olga Kharif and Muyao Shen.

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While the Aperol spritz might have been the hot cocktail of recent summers past, this year is all about the Hugo. This lesser-known Italian cocktail features prosecco, elderflower syrup, and soda water. Its just as bright and bubbly as an Aperol spritz, and arguably even more refreshing, thanks to muddled mint leaves and a lime wheel garnish.

The History of the Hugo

It wasnt until my last trip to Italy this past summer that I saw the Hugo on cocktail menus all over the boot. Thats likely because its a fairly new addition to the roster of classic Italian cocktails. It was invented in 2005 by Roland Gruder in a bar in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige, also known as South Tyrol. This area of Northern Italy, which borders Austria, contains part of the Italian alps, where elderflowers bloom abundantly in the spring and early summer.

Combining elderflower cordial or syrup with prosecco, soda water, and mint makes for a light and floral cocktail that feels right at home this time of year. While elderflower cordial or syrup is tradition (Belvoir Farms is a popular brand), if you have trouble finding it, St. Germain or another brand of elderflower liqueur can be used instead.

If you do pick up a bottle of elderflower cordial or syrup, its a wonderful ingredient to play around with in both other cocktails and beyond. Try brushing it on cakes, tossing a bit with fruit salad, or combining it with seltzer for an easy mocktail.

Hugo Cocktail

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 sprigs fresh mint, divided

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) elderflower cordial or syrup

4 ounces (8 tablespoons) chilled prosecco or other dry sparkling wine

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) chilled club soda, seltzer, or sparkling water

Ice

1 lime wheel

Directions

1. Pick the leaves from 1 fresh mint sprig and place in a wine glass. Add 1/2 ounce elderflower cordial or syrup and muddle gently with a muddler or wooden spoon to lightly bruise the mint leaves and release their oils.

2. Add 4 ounces prosecco and 2 ounces club soda. Top with ice. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with 1 lime wheel and the remaining mint sprig.

Recipe note: You can substitute 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germain, in place of the elderflower cordial or syrup.
Former CNN Producer John Griffin Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Child Sex Charges

A federal judge has sentenced former CNN television producer John Griffin to 19 years in prison for his involvement in luring a 9-year-old girl into illegal sexual acts in Vermont.

Griffin, a resident of Stamford, Connecticut, had previously pleaded not guilty in 2021 but changed his plea to guilty in December of last year.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Vermont charged Griffin with three counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. As part of his plea deal, two counts of enticement of a minor were dropped by the government.

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge imposed 15 years of supervised release for Griffin.

The indictment revealed that from April to July 2020, Griffin used messaging applications such as Kik and Google Hangouts to communicate with people purporting to be parents of minor daughters. He attempted to persuade these parents to allow him to train their daughters to be sexually submissive.

During this period, Griffin successfully convinced a woman to travel with her daughter from Nevada to Massachusetts, where he picked them up in his Tesla and transported them to a ski house in Ludlow. It was there that he engaged in sexual activities with both the woman and her 9-year-old daughter.

Griffin made additional attempts to entice two other children. In April 2020, he tried to engage a mother and her 14-year-old daughter in a video chat, instructing them to engage in sexual activity. In June 2020, he also attempted to have a purported mother bring her 16-year-old daughter to his Ludlow ski house for similar purposes.

Prior to his arraignment in federal court in Vermont, prosecutors described Griffin as a troubled individual who should be held without bail, citing his drug abuse and statements made during his arrest.

When Griffin was arrested, he made statements that were deemed indicative of his volatility and dangerousness. According to a court filing, he purportedly said to authorities: Without incriminating myself, I just want to let you guys know that Im ashamed you even know my name at all, and added, In the time Im with you guys, in the event I do anything inappropriate, I just want you to know that Id feel the same way you guys would if I were in your situation. Thank you.

When asked by Magistrate Judge Robert Spector, Griffin admitted to using drugs and alcohol in the 24 hours before his first court appearance after his arrest, where he appeared via Zoom, Fox News reported.

Yes, Your Honor, he replied. I am confident it was long enough ago that I am bone-dry sober at this point.

At the hearing, Griffin consented to be extradited to Vermont.

Fired Following Allegations

Griffin, who had been a longtime producer for CNNs New Day, was fired in December 2021 following the allegations.

Subsequently, he faced a $15 million civil lawsuit filed on behalf of the 9-year-old victim referred to as Jane Doe.

The lawsuit claimed that between April and July 2020, Griffin invited three women and their underage daughters for the purpose of sexual training. It also alleged that Griffin filmed drone footage showing a completely naked 9-year-old girl standing next to him while he was in his underwear. During an interview with FBI agents, Griffin initially suggested he was not looking at the naked girl, despite their close proximity.

When confronted with this video during an interview by FBI agents, Griffins first response was merely to suggest he was not looking at the naked girl, despite that she was standing so close to him to be touching, the prosecutors pretrial detention memo stated.

The woman who brought the 9-year-old to Griffins residence in Vermont, identified as the girls adopted mother in court documents, was charged in 2020 with child abuse and other counts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ghosn alleged that the charges were in fact aimed at derailing his plans for a merger between Nissan and Renault.

The multilingual international former executive made world headlines by fleeing Japan in a daring escape after he was smuggled out in an audio-equipment box and onto a private jet while awaiting trial in Tokyo.

Once an international car industry titan, whose name was celebrated in boardrooms around the world, he is now wanted on criminal charges in three countries.

Former Car Titan Sues Those He Blames for His Downfall

The lawsuit, which was filed in Lebanon in May, accuses Nissan, two other firms, and 12 individuals of defamation and criminal libel, reported Bloomberg and Reuters.

Ghosn is seeking damages equivalent to more than 5 percent of the Japanese automakers roughly $16 billion market value.

We have a long battle in front of us. We are going to fight it to the end, Ghosn told Reuters during an interview in Beirut.

The lawsuit seeks $588 million in lost remuneration and another $500 million in moral damage.

What I am asking for is only a little compensation compared to what theyve done to me, he said.

According to Judge Sabbouh Suleiman, of the Beiruts prosecutors office, the Associated Press was told that a hearing date has been scheduled for Sept. 18.

Lebanese court officials said that Nissan and the accused individuals, who are employees at the car firm, were expected to send representatives to Beirut or appoint a local attorney to represent them.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture can enhance facial brightness and reduce sagging and fine lines caused by skin aging by needling the faces meridians and acupoints. This method can also regulate face muscles and fascia to enhance qi and blood circulation.

Interestingly, advanced TCM acupuncture practice considers the patients birth time. This is called chrono-acupuncture. Dr. Yu Ya-wen, a TCM practitioner at the Royal Jade TCM Clinic in Taiwan, explained how chrono-acupuncture can help shape and lift the face.

According to TCMs Five Elements theory, everything in the universe comprises five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The development and changes of various events and phenomena in nature result from these five elements continuous movement and interaction. These elements also maintain a state of harmony and balance through their endless cycles of mutual generation and restriction.

A Glimpse of Acupunctures History

The Five Elements theory has deeply influenced the development of TCM over the past 5,000 years. According to the theory, a persons birth time, known as sheng chen, determines their innate destiny and characteristics, including the strength of their internal organs. The functioning of these internal organs can affect ones appearance and physical health. A shichen is a traditional Chinese time unit that divides a day into 12 equal parts, and each shichen is equivalent to two modern hours.

Acupuncture targets the meridians and acupoints of the human body. As the internal organs in the body are interconnected through the meridians, stimulating the meridians with acupuncture can bring the bodys energy of the five elements into balance. Acupuncture points, also known as acupoints, are specific sites through which the qi and blood of the organs and meridians flow in and out, and they serve as the primary treatment sites for acupuncture.

Acupuncture is one of the most unique therapeutic techniques in TCM. It enhances physical function, boosts the immune system, and has significant sedative and pain relief effects. In 1979, the World Health Organization (WHO) held a symposium on acupuncture and recommended it to treat 43 diseases. In 1995, the organization issued Guidelines for Clinical Research on Acupuncture to encourage clinical research on acupuncture and provide instructions on research methods (pdf). In 2010, acupuncture was recognized and included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Yu said that chrono-acupuncture has the potential to not only enhance facial beauty and rejuvenate the skin but also strengthen congenitally weak organs, leading to long-lasting beauty that is more than surface-deep.

Addressing Congenital Deficiencies With Chrono-Acupuncture

While discussing chrono-acupuncture, Yu used individuals deficient in fire or wood elements as examples. According to the TCM Five Elements theory, fire is associated with the heart meridian, and wood is associated with the liver meridian. A deficiency in fire indicates poor blood circulation in the heart, as manifested in symptoms such as cold hands and feet during winter. Acupoints such as Zusanli and Shenmen can be used to promote blood circulation.

On the other hand, a deficiency in the wood element can affect the endocrine and the autonomic nervous systems, both governed by the liver meridian. This may result in symptoms such as painful menstrual periods, liver spots, and disrupted sleep patterns. Additionally, TCM associates the liver with the eyes, so the eyes may feel tired and dry. Acupoints such as Taichong in the liver meridian and Hegu in the large intestine meridian can be used to treat facial features.

The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine says that the qi of the internal organs all ascend and gather in the eyes to form the essence, which means that organ health can be reflected on the face through the eyes. Yu explained that the key point of chrono-acupuncture is to simultaneously regulate the internal organs and facial appearance, ensuring the continuous flow of qi and blood to the face.

Effective Face Lifting Through the Use of Needle Scalpel

Yu stated that acupuncture is often used to loosen scalp acupoints to promote facial muscle lifting. Acupuncture is performed on acupoints located near the masseter muscle, including Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), and Xiaguan (ST7), for facial lifting. Yingxiang (LI20) is needled to eliminate nasolabial folds, while Zanzhu (BL2) and Taiyang (EX-HN5) are needled to relieve eye fatigue.

TCM uses needles as thin as hair and needle scalpels similar to those used in Western surgical procedures. In addition to general acupuncture treatments, needle scalpels address soft tissue adhesions, spasms, obstructions, and scars, relieve nerve and vascular compression in problematic areas, and promote microcirculation. Additionally, they can trigger a tissue regeneration mechanism through the bodys natural self-repair mechanism after injury, similar to the principle of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in Western regenerative medicine.

So what is adhesion? Adhesion happens when metabolic waste builds up in the fascia layer due to continuous physical activity and pressure. If the waste cannot be eliminated, it can cause the fascia to fuse, forming something similar to its own connective tissue.

According to Yu, we make numerous facial expressions daily, involving activities such as eating or speaking. As a result, adhesions may form between the buccal fascia and other facial fascia, causing wrinkles or sagging muscles. Using needle scalpels to loosen adhesions near the orbicularis oris muscle can significantly enhance facial lifting and tightening effects.

3 Tips for Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatment

Yu mentioned three things to be mindful of when getting cosmetic acupuncture treatment.

Avoid staying up late two days before receiving acupuncture treatment: Try to go to bed before 11 p.m., as staying up late can accelerate blood circulation, leading to bleeding and bruises during the treatment. Keep skin moisturized: There may be minor wounds after acupuncture treatment. Utilize the bodys self-repair mechanism by applying hydrating face masks frequently, as they are absorbed more efficiently during this period. Increase collagen intake: Consuming foods such as birds nests (nests formed by swiftlets saliva containing sialic acid), black fungus, white fungus, lily, and soy milk can help nourish the lung meridian. According to TCM, the lung meridian is connected to the skin and hair, and the color white nourishes the lungs. This suggests that the skins condition is related to the lung meridian, and eating white foods can nourish it.

Three tips for cosmetic acupuncture treatment. (The Epoch Times)

Consuming dark-colored foods such as blueberries, black beans, and black-boned chicken (Ayam cemani chickens) is also recommended. TCM holds that the kidney regulates internal secretion and that the color black nourishes the kidney. This suggests that consuming black or nearly black foods can help the kidney meridian better regulate internal secretion and improve the faces moisture level.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Florida Town Quarantined to Eradicate Giant Invasive Snails

A community in Broward County, Florida, is under quarantine by state officials in a bid to eradicate a species of invasive giant African land snail that can transmit a parasite and also do massive amounts of agricultural damage.

The giant snails, which can grow up to 8 inches in length, were found in Miramar earlier in June, officials said. On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ordered the community to be placed under quarantine.

The agency says the snail species, Lissachatina fulica, doesnt only transmit the parasite, but it poses a significant threat to local agriculture, wildlife, and even property. The agency noted the species is one of the most damaging snails in the world, consuming at least 500 different types of plants and can reportedly eat plastic, street signs, stucco, and other inorganic material. Their shells are reportedly able to puncture car tires.

Under the quarantine, it is unlawful to move a giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but not limited to, plants, plant parts, plants in soil, soil, yard waste, debris, compost or building materials, within, through or from the defined quarantine area without a compliance agreement, the news release said.

To deal with the snails that were found in Miramar, the agriculture department said it will continue to use the same treatment methodology for this pest which is a metaldehyde-based molluscicide (snail bait) and is approved for residential use.

Florida state officials set up two treatment areas within the Miramar quarantine zone, showing a map (pdf) released by the agency.

Lifespan of a Giant African Land Snail.

(Courtesy, Florida Agriculture Commission)

These snails could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas as they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments, according to the news release. The snails also pose a serious health risk to humans by carrying parasite rat lungworm, known to cause meningitis in humans. Giant African land snails are illegal to import or possess in the United States without a permit.

Do Not Eat Them

Rat lungworm, a parasitic nematode, is primarily transmitted through snails and is considered the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean Basin.

Parasitic meningitis can infect the eyes and can lead to coma, paralysis, and death in certain cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no treatment for the condition.

If you see one of these snails, do not touch it, former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said last year in a news conference. Most importantly, do not eat them. This is not a snail to be put on butter and oil and garlic.

A rout of giant African snails gather, in a corner in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 28, 2019. (Ismael Francisco/AP Photo, File)

Floridas agriculture agency did not say where it suspects the Broward County snails, which are native to East Africa, had originated. Previously, authorities have tied the African giant species to the wildlife and pet trade.

Tuesdays quarantine marks yet another time the species has been found in Florida in recent years, according to the Washington Post.

In 2022, more than 1,000 invasive giant African land snails were detected in Florida, north of Tampa. In 2011, the snails were found in Miami-Dade County in 2011, and it took officials 10 years and $23 million to eradicate the animals.

And in the 1960s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it took officials 10 years and $1 million to eradicate the snail after it was found in South Florida.

There are currently three quarantine areas throughout Florida, says an update posted on the Florida Department of Agricultures website. These quarantines are in Broward, Lee and Pasco counties. It is unlawful to move the giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but not limited to, plants, plant parts, plants in soil, soil, yard waste, debris, compost or building materials, within, through or from a quarantine area without a compliance agreement.

In previous infestations, according to Smithsonian Magazine, Florida used specially-trained dogs to hunt the giant snails.

Giant African land snails are seen as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announces it has positively identified a population of the invasive species in Miami-Dade County in Miami, Fla., on Sep. 15, 2011. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The giant African land snail  is one of the most invasive pests on the planet, causing agricultural and environmental damage wherever it is found, the USDA says on its website about the species. This snail is a federally prohibited organism that cannot be legally sold or possessed in the USA, the notice says.

Smugglers often bring the snails into the United States as pets or as a delicacy. Earlier this year, a man in Detroit was caught with six living giant African snails in his briefcase, according to reports.
Honey not only adds sweetness to food and drinks but also offers a wide range of health benefits. In particular, Manuka honey stands out due to its potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Manuka honey is predominantly found in New Zealand and Australia, where bees gather nectar from the Manuka tree to produce this distinctive honey. The indigenous populations in these regions have traditionally used the Manuka tree for its pain-relieving, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory, and disinfectant properties. Subsequently, with early European settlers introduction of European honeybees, Manuka became a significant source of nectar for honey production.

What Sets Manuka Honey Apart From Other Types of Honey?

Theres a huge problem at the moment with antimicrobial resistance. Many of these bacteria develop really extreme resistance. However, theres no resistance to honey, said Dee Carter, a professor from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney, in an interview with The Epoch Times.

Notably, Manuka honey exhibits a higher level of antibacterial properties compared to other types of honey.

The main reasons why honey exhibits antimicrobial properties are as follows:

High osmotic pressure, which can kill bacteria Low pH level, unfavorable for the survival of most bacteria Presence of hydrogen peroxide, which can inhibit the growth of bacteria

Hydrogen peroxide can disrupt bacterial cell membranes and DNA, making it highly effective at reducing bacterial growth.

The enzyme glucose oxidase, naturally found in bees, plays a crucial role in hydrogen peroxide production in honey. Honey also contains another enzyme called catalase, which is derived from plants. Catalase can break down hydrogen peroxide, thereby reducing the antibacterial effect of honey. The antimicrobial properties of honey primarily depend on the quantity and ratio of these two enzymes.

Additionally, honeys antimicrobial activity can be influenced by several factors, such as geographical and climatic conditions, floral sources, colony conditions, and honey processing and storage conditions. Additionally, activating its antibacterial properties requires adding water, which facilitates the production of hydrogen peroxide.

Unlike most honey varieties that rely on hydrogen peroxide for their antibacterial properties, Manuka honey possesses a unique compound derived from the Manuka tree called methylglyoxal (MGO). This compound exerts antibacterial properties independently and is unaffected by the digestive process.

MGO seems to be specific to Manuka honey, said Nural Cokcetin, a research fellow at the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection in the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology Sydney, in an interview with The Epoch Times.

Storing honey in high-temperature environments or exposing it to sunlight can lead to the degradation of enzymes, reducing the honeys ability to produce hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, MGO is more stable and less vulnerable to the detrimental effects of light and heat.

And thats the reason why people think that Manuka honey is the best, said Cokcetin.

Manuka honey is a type of honey that is collected and produced from the flowers of a plant called the Manuka tree. (M Rutherford/Shutterstock)

Manuka Honeys Antimicrobial Potency: 100 Times Stronger Than Other Honey Varieties

A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry in 2018 indicated that, due to its high content of MGO, Manuka honey might exhibit antimicrobial activity that is 100 times stronger than that of regular honey.

MGO exhibits strong antibacterial effects even at very low concentrations. It interrupts cell division, arrests growth, and specifically causes the degradation of bacterial DNA.

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is a parameter used to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of honey, indicating the lowest concentration required to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Manuka honey has a meager MIC value of only 1 percent against specific bacteria, demonstrating significantly stronger inhibitory effects than other varieties, such as clover honey or acacia honey, with MIC values ranging from 25 to 50 percent.

A 2016 review study published in the Frontiers in Microbiology indicated that Manuka honey demonstrates significant inhibitory effects against all tested bacterial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant bacteria, commonly known as superbugs, in in vitro experiments.

In addition to inhibiting harmful bacteria, it can effectively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Its really interesting because methylglyoxal was quite toxic to any cell, but when its present in honey, it doesnt seem to be toxic to human cells. It just seems to kill the bacterial cells without hurting the human cells, said Carter.

Improving Wound Healing, Gastric Ulcers, and Sore Throats

Manuka honey is now widely used to produce dressings and ointments for treating various conditions, including diabetic wounds, venous ulcers, burns, acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Additionally, Manuka honey can inhibit H. pylori, the bacterium responsible for gastric ulcers, and it is utilized in treating bacterial gastroenteritis. Furthermore, Manuka honey demonstrates antibacterial properties against a range of oral bacteria, offering bactericidal effects comparable to those of antimicrobial mouthwashes.

If youre using Manuka honey because youve got a bit of a sore throat  mix the honey in some warm waternot boiling water, warm waterand you very slowly drink it or even use it as a gargle for your throat, Cokcetin suggested. This allows the antibacterial components in honey to come into contact with the infected area, thereby killing the bacteria.

Potent Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Manuka Honey

The color of honey is indicative of its compositional differences. Manuka honey, a dark-colored honey, contains more phenolic compounds contributing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

The phenolic content of Manuka honey reaches 900 mg/kg, considered one of the highest among the various types of honey included in one of the aforementioned studies.

During instances of a severe cough, when the throat becomes inflamed and causes itchiness, pain, and swelling, Manuka honey seems to be a little bit more effective than other honeys, said Cokcetin.

In addition, animal studies have demonstrated that Manuka honey can prevent and treat ulcerative colitis, a condition characterized by high levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress.

Other studies are currently investigating the efficacy of combining Manuka honey with chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment.

Tips for Choosing Manuka Honey

Its important to bear in mind that not all Manuka honey is the same, warned Carter. Only honey derived from certain species of Manuka trees possesses the desired properties, and some Manuka honey products available on the market may not necessarily contain authentic MGO.

Carter explained that certain species of Manuka trees produce exceptionally high levels of chemical compounds that can convert into MGO.

The MGO content in Manuka honey can be assessed by checking the label on its packaging.

The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) is widely recognized as a grading system for Manuka honey produced in New Zealand. It provides a comprehensive assessment of MGO and other active compounds, as well as the overall quality of the honey. Carter recommends choosing a product with a UMF rating of 10 or higher to harness the full range of active benefits offered by Manuka honey.

Cokcetin suggests using Manuka honey with MGO content greater than 250 mg/kg to alleviate a sore throat, indicating a higher level of bioactivity. One may consider products with MGO content below 250 mg/kg for nutritional supplementation.

Because we dont want to introduce such a high number of sugar that reduces any of the benefits that we want to see, said Cokcetin. According to her, the daily intake of honey should not exceed 15 to 20 grams, roughly equivalent to one tablespoon. For individuals concerned about blood sugar levels or who have diabetes and intend to use honey as a substitute for added sugar, it is recommended to consult a doctor to determine the appropriate amount.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Hong Kongs Freedom of the Press Eroded After Enactment of National Security Law: Report

Survey shows three local pro-communist mouthpieces win the league of 'the most distrusted'

On June 14, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford released its Digital News Report 2023.

The report pointed out that after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), Hong Kongs press freedom continued to be eroded, and the ranking of press freedom dropped significantly.

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism conducted an online survey on the credibility of 15 Hong Kong media outlets from January to February in 2023 based on results from British polling agency YouGov.

Three pro-Communist media, TVB News, Bastille News, and Dot Dot News, word the most distrusted media.

In terms of credibility

Now News ranks top at 65 percent;

Radio Hong Kong on 58 percent;

Commercial Radio, Cable News, Ming Pao, and Yahoo! News all squared on 57 percent;

Dot Dot News fares the worst, with only 36 percent.

In terms of distrust

TVB News, Bastille News, and Dot Dot News have the highest rating, at 26, 25, and 23 percent, respectively.

Now News, Cable News, and Yahoo! News had the lowest distrust score, at only 10, 12, and 12 percent, respectively,

AM730 and Commercial Radio followed closely behind, with both on 13 percent.

3 Hong Kong Media have CCP Background

Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd., the parent company of TVB News, is pro-communist. Its non-executive director and former vice chairperson of the board of directors, Li Ruigang, is a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He was the Director of the Shanghai Media Group (SMG). Li also founded CMC Holdings, currently the majority shareholder of TVB.

Bastille News is an online media established in 2013 and is affiliated with Sing Tao News Group, with a similar pro-communist stance.

Dot Dot News is an online media established in 2016, affiliated under the Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group.

Report Criticizes Press Freedom Continues to be Eroded after NSL Enactment

The report has a two-page chapter on Hong Kong, with one page of commentary written by Professor Francis Lee Lap-fung, Associate Professors Chan Chi-man, and Chen Hsuan-ting of the School of Journalism and Communication of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), who have been working with the Reuters Institute of Journalism since 2017.

In their report, the trio describes the continued erosion of press freedom in Hong Kong following the promulgation of the controversial National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, which continues to influence Hong Kongs news media and journalists politically. These and other developments, such as direct criticisms by high-ranking government officials towards mainstream newspapers that published content portraying the local and Chinese governments negatively, have contributed to a precipitous decline in press freedom in Hong Kong.

The three CUHK academics cited the 2023 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where Hong Kongs ranking dropped drastically from 80th in 2021 to 140th. In 2002, Hong Kong ranked 18th in the world and was once the freest media market in Asia.

The article mentioned that the investigative news agency FactWire has become the fourth news organization to be shut down since the promulgation of the NSL. Before that, there were Apple Daily, Stand News, and Citizen News with the same fate.

The article mentioned that FactWire was established in 2015 through crowdfunding. It is famed for its investigative journalism exposing political and social affairs in Hong Kong and China. The suspension notice in June 2022 did not mention any particular reasons (for its closure).

In addition, the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) in Hong Kong announced in 2022 that it will cancel the Human Rights Press Awards, an award granted since 1996. In April last year (2022), FCC Chairperson Keith Richburg explained to members that there remain significant areas of uncertainty, and we do not wish unintentionally to violate the law.

The Hong Kong government now requires licensed free TV and radio channels to broadcast at least 30 minutes of programs per week on National Education, National Identity, and National Security Law.

The article also mentions that although Hong Kong media is facing all the difficulties mentioned above, there are still some former journalists from the defunct media who established a series of news websites during the past few years. This includes The Witness and HK Court News, reflecting the publics concern and interest in some legal cases.

There is also The Collective, a news website that aims to report people and events, monitor the authority, and pursue truth in a professional and impartial manner. Others, such as Channel C, Mill Milk, and the like, are alternative new video channels for soft news content production.

TV Still an Important News Source

Television remains a vital news source in Hong Kong, but commercial broadcasters continue to lose money. And the easing of pandemic restrictions is unlikely to improve their financial viability, the three academics noted. Cable TV, one of two pay-TV operators, forfeited its license six years earlier to focus on the free-to-air market.

TVBs response to the slump in advertising revenue has been to focus on e-commerce and expand into the mainland market. In 2023, TVB will work with Alibabas online shopping platform to allow its artists to appear in live broadcast sales channels to promote various Hong Kong products to generate additional sales revenue. Investors greeted The move enthusiastically, with TVBs shares soaring 85 percent lately.
How Dogs Are Revolutionizing Mental Health in an Ohio Jail

Once the overdose capital of the United States, Ohios Montgomery County is now championing novel treatments for mental healthspecifically of the four-legged, furry varietyand the results are nothing short of dramatic.

Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck said bringing therapy dogs into the jail had a positive response right away.

Inmates are fighting less, detoxing is slightly less painful, and stress is lifted.

Further, inmates who previously wouldnt speak come out and interact with the dogs, Streck said. That interaction is often the catalyst to seeking additional help.

The biggest thing we took away from it was it really helped with our use-of-force rates. That number drops significantly, almost 60 percent, when the therapy dogs are around, Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck told The Epoch Times.

And then theres the dog handler there that knows how to deal with issues. So, it helped [inmates] open up and deal with some anxiety.

A therapy dog visits inmates at Montgomery County jail in Ohio. (Courtesy of Christine Bevins)

Streck said when someone is booked into his jail, theyre often angry and not necessarily willing to talk with staff. Additionally, inmates are often forced into detoxing from a drug habit.

That, plus other factors inherent to incarceration, can lead to a volatile situation for inmates and jail staff and result in situations in which staff must use force to stop an altercation.

Streck said his staff brought him the idea of therapy dogs and he was happy to try it.

Were obviously looking for innovative ways to try to help with these situations, he said.

Hope and Healing

If you talk to somebody whos detoxing from these horrible, strong drugs that we have out there right now, theyre willing to risk additional years on a sentence just to try to sneak drugs in because the fear of detox is so high, Streck said.

Its just a miserable process they have to go through. But we see individuals who may have been lying in bed for two or three days that havent moved, other than to run to the restroom or do other things they need to do, that will actually get up and engage with the dogs.

Streck explained that research shows that dogs have a calming effect, which helps people struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, and PTSD, because dogs decrease the stress-related hormone cortisol. That, in turn, helps lower blood pressure and reduce feelings of loneliness.

We get inmates that may not want to associate with our corrections officers, mental health staff, or medical staff, Streck said. But all of a sudden, we start bringing the dog around, and then [inmates] feel more accepting or engaging, and the next thing you know, theyre looking at services or talking to our mental health people  The dogs really help people with mental health issues.

Teresa Russell, the director of criminal justice outreach in Dayton, Ohio, agreed.

The dogs just kind of the trigger that gets them to engage. This program was brought in to offset some of the [other] mental services that were already occurring in the jail, she told The Epoch Times.

The inmates learn about the dogs that come to visit because a lot of these dogs are rescue dogs, and theyve had a lot of trauma, or they had a lot of abuse, so then they can relate. Trauma knows trauma.

A therapy dog visits inmates at Montgomery County jail in Ohio. (Courtesy of Christine Bevins)

By simply bringing the dogs around to visit inmates, Russell and Streck say theyve positively impacted inmates lives. Streck said that if a psychiatrist or someone working in the jail notices someone is having a difficult time, they can request the inmate receive a one-on-one visit from a dog.

Having the dogs around helps inmates remember their pets at home, and their home life, and recognize that, for most inmates, their time in incarceration is temporary, Russell said.

If mental health isnt treated, if inmates arent offered any resources or intervention, anxiety kicks in, anger kicks in, concern about Whats going to happen in my case, whats happening at home? thats when people start getting antsy. Thats when fighting starts to occur, and we see those action responses and that use-of-force. she said.

Looking for Solutions

In 2017, Montgomery County, Ohio, was named the overdose capital of the United States. That year, there were 566 overdose deaths in the countya significant increase from 130 in 2011, according to Montgomery Countys Community Overdose Action Team.

Today, however, Montgomery officials and the community exemplify what can happen when they come together to address mental health and drug addiction.

After receiving the unwanted moniker of overdose capital, officials and the community implemented a plan of attack that included outpatient addiction services and mental health programs in partnership with private physicians and hospital networks. They also increased funding for treatment facilities and programs.

The initiatives proved successful, and during the first year of implementation, overdose deaths decreased by half, Russell said.

The success also spurred Streck to look for and embrace novel ways to help inmates struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues while in his custody.

You know, the jail has these large populations of individuals with mental health addiction issues, Streck said. They struggle with all kinds of emotions, especially anxiety and shame. Depression is huge. And theyre sitting there just waiting on their court cases, which unfortunately can continue going for a long timethe legal system sometimes can be very long to get through.

A Novel Approach

Built in 1965 out of steel and concrete, Streck describes the Montgomery County jail as by no means therapeutic.

Theres some blue scattered about, but you know, its just one of those places that look like you would imagine a jail looks like. Its not designed with open spaces and therapeutic areas with murals, and things that modern jails are designed with, he said.

Russell concurred. We have a lot of barriers and struggles with facility design, so we have to try to think outside the box on how to offset the mental health services and the programming that we currently have.

In 2019, Streck and his staff partnered with the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association and launched the jail initiative.

Volunteers with specialized training donate their time and bring their dogs to the jail at least twice a month, Streck said. Its a voluntary program, so it costs the taxpayers nothing.

Once at the jail, the handlers are escorted throughout the facility and inmates are welcome to approach the dogs, pet them, and ask the handler questions.

A therapy dog visits inmates at Montgomery County jail in Ohio. (Courtesy of Christine Bevins)

Healing for All

Inmates arent the only ones who have benefited from the therapy dogs. Jail staff and dispatchers are impacted, too, Streck said.

Dispatchers really love having the dogs in there, he said.

You know, my dispatchers are down there taking a call where somebodys mad about a neighbor parking in front of their house, hanging up within seconds. Now theyre taking a baby not breathing, or a homicide call. So, dispatch is one of the most stressful places we have.

The therapy dogs are so popular among dispatchers that theyve started asking for their own, which Streck said hes looking into.

When asked if he thought other jails should add a therapy dog program, Streck responded, You know, each sheriffs going to make up his own mind. I tell my staff, Im open to anything, if we believe that it will help the staff, or the inmates, or the community.

I have sent information to numerous sheriffs throughout Ohio who have heard us discuss this at trainingwe all get together several times a year for trainingso, there are sheriffs out there in Ohio that are on board with this. I mean, we believe it helps.

One of our big things is promoting emotional wellnessfor all of our inmates, for all my staff, Streck said. Were trying to get true therapeutic programs with correctional, medical, and psychological help.
Hunter Bidens Attorney Defends Plea Deal, Says Investigation Was Thorough

Chris Clark, an attorney who represented Hunter Biden in a recent criminal investigation, is insisting that prosecutors were thorough and that the case against the Democratic presidents son didnt end with an overly lenient plea deal.

On Tuesday, Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss notified the U.S. District Court that Biden intended to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts for willful failure to pay his taxes for two years. Weiss said Biden also agreed to enter a pretrial diversion agreement for obtaining a firearm at a time that he was actively using or addicted to a controlled substance, which is illegal.

The tax charges each carry a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison. The firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, but the pretrial diversion agreement could allow him to avoid a criminal conviction and a related criminal punishment.

Clark joined MSNBC host Katy Tur on Tuesday to discuss the plea agreement. Tur asked Clark to address criticisms from Republican critics, like House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who said the charges Biden was allowed to plead guilty to were minimal and the deal he was allowed to take amounted to a slap on the wrist.

This was a five-year, very diligent investigation pursued by incredibly professional prosecutors, some of whom have been career prosecutors, one of whom at least was appointed by [Republican President Donald Trump], Clark replied. No one has ever said that theyre not competent, good, or diligent. I havent heard anyone say that. It would be false to say that.

Weiss became the U.S. Attorney for Delaware in February of 2018 and was appointed to the position by Trump.

NBC reports at times this was a counterintelligence investigation, that this was an investigation into [Foreign Agents Registration Act] violations, which is how you register to work with a foreign government if youre a foreign citizen, money laundering, Tur said. Again, five years, and what they came up with is two misdemeanor tax counts.

Thats the resolution we have, is that Mr. Bidens going to take responsibility for failing to timely pay his taxes for those two years, and theres going to be a diversion with regard to this 10-day period that he possessed a gun, Clark replied.

Republicans Decry Two-Tier Justice System

In a Tuesday press statement, the Republican House speaker compared the plea deal Hunter Biden received with the recent 37-count federal indictment against Trump. The former president, who was President Joe Bidens 2020 general election opponent, is accused of taking national defense information with him after leaving the White House in 2021 and obstructing efforts by federal officials to recover those documents.

If you are the presidents leading political opponent, the DOJ [Department of Justice] tries to literally put you in jail and give you prison time, McCarthy said. If you are the presidents son, you get a sweetheart deal.

Trump, who is the current frontrunner in 2024 Republican presidential primary polling, has also condemned the Hunter Biden plea deal.

Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN! Trump wrote in a post on his Truth social media account on Tuesday.

Trump previously predicted the DOJ would hit Hunter with something small to make their strike on me look fair.'

Fairness For Hunter Biden

During the interview, Tur said some reports indicate that Weiss would not seek Hunter Bidens imprisonment after the plea deal. She asked Clark whether he thinks a federal judge may impose a harsher sentence.

There are documents that havent been publicly released yet. I think people have reported what the prosecutors are asking for, Clark replied. We have to wait until the court proceeding happens to know, but I think the judge is going to do whats fair, and whats fair is my client gets on with his life.

As the interview continued, Tur again asked Bidens lawyer to address McCarthys claim that the plea agreement amounted to a sweetheart deal.

You know, Ive heard Speaker McCarthy say stuff I dont agree with, there was no basis for what he said, and hes not right, Clark replied.

The MSNBC host then asked Clark whether he thought his client was treated fairly. Clark said thats a really complicated question because his client went through a period of his life that was troubled.

I think its a very hard question whether I would have been prosecuted for that or not, Clark added. And I think I could have been, but I think thats a hard question, and its one I cant answer.

Tur then asked Clark whether he thought the investigation into Biden was more intensive because of his connection to the president. Clark replied that he believed the prosecutors tried to be thorough and fair.

Investigation Ongoing

In a press statement after notifying the Delaware federal district court of the plea deal on Tuesday, Weiss said investigative efforts related to the Biden case are ongoing.

The Epoch Times reached out to Clarks offices for further details about what aspects of the investigation may remain active, but he did not respond by the time this article was published.

The Epoch Times also reached out to Weisss office but did not receive any additional comment about the ongoing investigation.

At least one Republican critic of Bidens plea deal, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), has also said Republican lawmakers would continue to investigate the Biden family.

Comer has been leading efforts in the Republican-controlled House to investigate claims of corruption and influence peddling tied to the Biden family. Last month, Comer described a possible money laundering scheme in which $10 million flowed from private clients, corporations, and foreign governments, to dozens of limited liability companies controlled by members of the Biden family. Comers investigative efforts have also unearthed allegations Joe Biden was involved in a foreign bribery scheme.

The Joe Biden bribery allegation could be a possible area of focus for Weisss office. Earlier this month, former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr refuted claims he had terminated an investigation into the bribery allegations against the president, saying, On the contrary, it was sent to Delaware for further investigation.

From NTD News
No longer a Bitcoin-only company, today Bitcoin wallet provider Casa released Ethereum vaults, aimed at giving ETH holders a more secure way of take control of their funds.

As the common refrain in crypto goes, "Not your keys, not your coins." Casa tries to make it easier and more secure for users to store their own funds via self-custody, rather than trust a third-party exchange with their funds.

Now theyre allowing users to store Ethereum too, partly because so many Bitcoin owners also own ETH. Casa pointed to a 2021 survey from Grayscale Investments, which found that 87 percent of Bitcoin investors own at least one other cryptocurrency. The firm first announced plans to expand to Ethereum last November.

 Your ethereum multi-key vault has arrived!  Now, you can secure your $ETH without worrying about single points of failure like thefts, hacks, and accidents.  The new $ETH vault lives alongside your existing and secured $BTC. Learn morehttps://t.co/KzgrH5hVU8 pic.twitter.com/uFjvHGf2Xg  Casa (@CasaHODL) June 21, 2023

Third-parties in crypto fail regularly, as shown most recently and prominently by last Novembers downfall of exchange FTX. The once highly-regarded exchange ended up tapping user funds for other purposes, but then had a shortfalland users still don't know if they'll get it all back amid the exchanges bankruptcy process.

"Self-custody places the control and responsibility back into the hands of the users, eliminating the risk that peoples assets will be frozen, misused, or stolen when things go wrong at an exchange, Casa CEO Nick Neuman told Decrypt.

We believe that reducing reliance on third-parties by taking self-custody and holding your private keys is the future of money management, he added.

Normally, a user has one private key securing their ETH or BTC. If a user loses this key, or a bad actor snoops and is able to find the key and exploit it, then the user's funds are gone forever. But Casa uses multi-signature technology, in which more than one key is used to secure the funds.

Casa typically uses a two-of-three multi-signature setup, where two of the three keys need to be used to send funds. This means that if a hacker finds just one of the keys, they can't send the funds anywhere. This requirement also adds more of a buffer for absent-minded users, because two of the keys need to be lost to lose their ETH or BTC.

Bitcoin Security Firm Casa Embraces Ethereum

With today's update, Ethereum holders can use Casa's technology to secure their funds as well, joining a few other ETH multi-sig products in the spacesuch as Safe.

Self-custody can be intimidating to users who worry about having the knowhow to secure their own funds. Neuman argued that Casa makes self-custody "surprisingly simple," because Casa guides users through the process of protecting their ETH or Bitcoin.

"Our app gives Casa members a clear view of their key health, and guides them through replacing a key if it is lost or stolen, Neuman said. Its no more complicated than interfacing with any regular banking app, and were here to offer support and guidance at every step.

For users who want to secure "significant holdings, Casa also offers a plan with even beefier security, boasting a five-key vault with video verification and emergency support.
I Will Carry Out My Duties: Texas Sen. Angela Paxton on Husbands Pending Impeachment Trial

Republican Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, wife of impeached state Attorney General Ken Paxton, arrives to the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton said she was elected to uphold the laws of the state constitution when the Texas Senate meets for the impeachment trial of her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The senator said in a statement on June 19 that she will do her duty in the historic impeachment trial of her husband, but she did not specify whether she plans to recuse herself on a vote to remove the attorney general from office.

I have twice been elected to represent the nearly one million Texans who reside in Senate District 8, and it is a tremendous honor and privilege to be their voice in the Texas Legislature. Each time I was elected, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of this great state, and Texas law compels each member of the Senate to attend when the Senate meets as a court of impeachment, Paxton wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.

As a member of the Senate, I hold these obligations sacred, and I will carry out my duties, not because it is easy, but because the Constitution demands it and my constituents deserve it.

It was the Republican senators first public statement since the GOP-led House voted on the impeachment articles against her husband on May 27, when 60 of the 85 House Republicans voted with Democrats in a final vote of 12123 to adopt the articles of impeachment.

Whether Angela Paxton will cast a vote with her husbands job on the line has raised ethical questions ahead of the looming trial in the Senate, which is set to begin no later than August. State law compels all senators to attend but is silent on whether she must participate.

A spokesperson in the senators office declined to comment when The Epoch Times asked whether the senator planned to vote at her husbands impeachment trial.

Angela Paxton released the statement the evening before the trial rules were expected to be finalized by the Texas Senate.

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate, has declined to comment on Angela Paxtons potential participation in the trial. The Senate consists of 31 members: 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats.

In late May, John Scott was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to serve as interim attorney general of Texas. Scott previously served as deputy attorney general for civil litigation when Abbott was the attorney general.

Politically Motivated?

Ken Paxton is temporarily suspended from office pending the outcome of the trial. The staunch conservative is accused of bribery, obstruction of justice, and abuse of public trust.

He has denied any wrongdoing, calling the impeachment politically motivated and based on inaccuracies, falsehoods, and misstatements provided in testimony to the Texas House General Investigating Committee.

RINOS and far-left radicals have established a kangaroo court in the TX Lege. to eliminate Americas most conservative Attorney General. Help me fight back! Would you donate $1, $5, $50, $100 today to show Austin you are in this fight w/me? Ken Paxton wrote on Twitter.

On May 29, the final day of the regular legislative session, senators selected a committee to develop the rules of procedure.

We have to write the rules for the trial. Theres some precedent, some law, but its 100 years old, Patrick told conservative talk show host Mark Davis on June 19.

Patrick said some have called on the Senate to dismiss the impeachment, but he said the Senate must take up the issue according to state law.

We are required in the [Texas] Constitution to have a trial, Patrick said. There will be total transparency, and it will be handled properly.

The committee was granted permission to meet privately and was expected to present its rules the morning of June 20 to the full Senate. The rules were not presented during the morning sessions before the members adjourned. The Senate was scheduled to reconvene later in the day.

Republicans Condemn the Impeachment

Some GOP activists have decried the impeachment of Ken Paxton.

The Republican Party of Texas issued a resolution condemning the move as illegal and politically motivated, citing a lack of due process and opportunity for Ken Paxton to rebut the accusations.

Be it resolved that the Republican Party of Texas condemns the politically motivated impeachment of Attorney General Paxton by the Texas House of Representatives and hereby implores Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and members of the Texas Senate to uphold Constitutionally guaranteed due process, fairness, precedent, and the rule of law by rendering judgment as a matter of law in the Texas Senate on the ground that the House of Representatives filled to satisfy due process, to comply with applicable law and to adhere to the precedent; that the articles of impeachment be dismissed with prejudice; and that Ken Paxton be allowed to promptly resume his duties as the duly elected Attorney General, the resolution reads.

Local Republican Party officials have passed resolutions opposing Ken Paxtons impeachment in several counties, including Atascosa, Gillespie, Parker, Comal, and Williamson counties, as well as Collin County, where the Paxtons reside.

Texas Impeachments

Only two other officials have been impeached and removed from office in the state of Texas.

Gov. James E. Ferguson, a Democrat, is the only statewide official to be impeached and removed from office. He took office in 1915 and was later found guilty of five charges relating to the mishandling of public funds and abuse of power. On Sept. 24, 1917, Ferguson filed his resignation, effective immediately. The following day, the Senate rendered its judgment, removing the popular governor from office.

In 1975, state District Judge O.P. Carillo was impeached and removed from office after being found guilty on 11 of 12 charges of misconduct. He spent three years in jail following his impeachment.

Ken Paxtons impeachment trial will begin no later than Aug. 28.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Indias PM Modi Arrives in US for Landmark State Visit to Deepen Ties

U.S. President Joe Biden, (L), talks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 15, 2022. (Bay Ismoyo/Pool Photo via AP)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York on Tuesday for his first state visit to the United States as the two nations seek to deepen relations amid Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but his visit this week, which will run until Saturday, will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.

The White House stated that Modis state visit would affirm the close partnership between the United States and India. Modi will meet President Joe Biden on Wednesday and attend a state dinner.

Modi kicked off his trip by addressing the International Day of Yoga and meeting with U.S. business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who expressed interest in making significant investments in India.

I am confident that my visit to the U.S. will reinforce our ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity, and freedom. Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges, Modi said ahead of his visit.

Modis visit came amid an ongoing rivalry between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific. India recently surpassed China as the worlds most populous country, indicating a potential shift in their global status.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Modis visit to the United States was not intended to counter Chinas influence, but rather to boost bilateral relations with India.

Its not about forcing or coercing or trying to convince Prime Minister Modi or the Indian government to do something different. Its about focusing on where we are in this relationship and making it more important, more robust, more cooperative going forward, he said.

Defense Cooperation

Kirby said the visit will enhance the U.S.India shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific and elevate their strategic technology partnership, including in defense, clean energy, and space.

India will be a critical strategic partner for the United States in the coming decades, he told reporters.

A senior U.S. Defense official stated that both countries will rapidly expand their military and defense cooperation, including co-producing and co-developing major systems together.

We now have working groups on everything ranging from cyberspace and critical technologies to maritime security, and India is leading in those forums together with the U.S. and like-minded partners, the official said.

U.S. congressional leaders have also invited Modi to address a joint meeting, which they said would allow Modi to share his vision for Indias future and speak to the global challenges our countries both face.

This would be Modis second address to a joint session of the U.S. legislature, following his 2016 address, a rare honor for a leader once denied a visa to enter the United States over human rights concerns.

Human Rights Concerns

Over 70 U.S. lawmakersled by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.)urged Biden to raise human rights violations and democratic values in India during his meeting with Modi.

In a bicameral letter, the lawmakers said that a series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access.

We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political partythat is the decision of the people of Indiabut we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy, they said.

And we ask that, during your meeting with Prime Minister Modi, you discuss the full range of issues important to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship between our two great countries, they added.

During a press briefing in Washington, Kirby declined to comment on whether Biden would raise the issue, but noted that it is commonplace and consistent for Biden to raise concerns about human rights.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Judge Dismisses Case Against Mexican Woman Caught With 93 Pounds of Cocaine at Border

Mexican national Denisse Ahumada-Martinez was arrested at an immigration checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas, after border patrol agents found 93 pounds of cocaine in her vehicle on June 10, 2023. (Hidalgo County Jail Records)

A federal judge dismissed a drug trafficking case against a city councilwoman from Reynosa, Mexico, who was arrested at the Texas border when U.S. Border Patrol agents said they found about 93 pounds of cocaine in her vehicle.

Denisse Ahumada-Martinez was arrested on June 10 at the inland security checkpoint in Falfurrias, Texas, after the white Mazda SUV she was driving was referred for a secondary inspection, according to the criminal complaint. During the X-ray of her vehicle, agents noticed anomalies inside the seats, according to the criminal complaint (pdf).

A physical search revealed bundles wrapped with duct tape and foil, consistent with the packing of narcotics, the complaint reads. Approximately forty-two (42) kilograms of suspected cocaine were discovered in multiple locations within the vehicle, including the seats and door panels.

However, U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis dismissed the case, saying prosecutors did not meet the burden of proof (pdf).

Ahumada-Martinez is still listed as one of the council members on the Reynosa City Council website.

Reynosa is a violent border city in the state of Tamaulipas in Mexico that has long been dominated by factions of the Gulf Cartel. The city sits across the Rio Grande from McAllen, Texas, in Hidalgo County.

Why Was the Case Dismissed?

During a hearing on June 15, an agenct from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) who handled Ahumada-Martinezs case said Ahumada-Martinez knew she was doing something wrong but that she claimed she did not know, Progress Times reported.

Ahumada-Martinezs attorney, Samuel Reyes of Mission, Texas, told Progress Times the government did not prove intent and that there was no evidence that Ahumada-Martinez intended to traffic narcotics into the United States.

In this case, the government did not do that, and the judge made the right decision, Reyes said.

According to Reyes, a Mexican drug cartel had threatened his client if she did not cooperate with their request.

Its easy for somebody to say, Well, you know, theyre still guilty. They could have gone to the police,' he said, but he added that its a different situation when your life is threatened by a criminal organization and you know what can happen if you refuse.

Ahumada-Martinezs children, ages 2 and 7, were in the vehicle when she was stopped by Border Patrol.

Her life had been threatened, and her childrens lives were threatened by this trafficking organization, Reyes told the local news outlet.

After the drugs were discovered, Border Patrol agents contacted the DEA, which sent two agents to question Ahumada-Martinez about the narcotics.

Martinez admitted she drove the white Mazda SUV from Mexico into the United States through Hidalgo Port of Entry. She stated she was to transport the narcotics concealed in the vehicle to San Antonio, Texas, according to the complaint. Martinez also stated she has transported narcotics in the past as well.

Ahumada-Martinez had three phones on her when she was arrested, Landsman reportedly told the judge, adding that a Mexican phone number had been deleted.

She just knew she was doing something illegal, the agent said.

Other than the drugs found in the vehicle, Landsman said there was no further proof of the crime.

Reyes told the judge there was a lot of stretching and speculating.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Marie Garcia said it was reasonable to assume that the suspect knew the vehicle contained something illegal and that the government had established probable cause based on the evidence.

The judge disagreed with Garcia and dismissed the charges.

As of June 21, Ahumada-Martinez remains in custody in the Hidalgo County Jail on a fugitive warrant without bond while she awaits extradition by Mexican authorities.
An Australian photographer struck gold when she was able to capture an entire pod of dolphins surfing a wave together in Manly, north of Sydney.

The incredible resulting shots were taken one early morning in May, when Jessica Blacklow, 46, was strolling along the beach, snapping photos of the surf. Spotting movement in an oncoming wave, she kept shooting as a large group of dolphins appeared in a lineup, surfing in sync.

It all happened so fast and then they were gone, Blacklow told The Epoch Times. Its rare to see so many dolphins in one wave like that. I just got lucky that day and captured an amazing moment.

For Blacklow, who lives in Newcastle, New South Wales, the images encapsulate the joyful freedom of Australias beach lifestyle.

Im always inspired by the beauty of the Australian coastline, she said. Every day there is something different.

Blacklow, who showcases her work on her Instagram page, @wiltliving, said that as soon as her social media audience saw the set of shots and started sharing them online, they got widespread attention.

People love dolphins and are always intrigued by them, Blacklow said. It just went crazy.

An experienced aerial photographer, Blacklow says her discovery of drones took her interest in the art to new levels. She bought her first drone five years ago as a present for her partner, who wasnt that keen on it at the time.

With a background in graphic and textile design, it was Blacklows excitement at exploring the possibilities of drone photography that led her to obtain a remote pilot license. However, she soon became frustrated with being dependent on the right flying conditions, so got to grips with a decent land camera, too.

This opened up her world; she could take pictures all the time, focusing on active surf culture, and offering limited-edition art prints.

Being by the water is her happy placea feeling she surely shares with the pod of dolphins she encountered on that beautifully mellow morning.

While it appears the dolphins were simply having a rip-roaring good time playing in the surf, there are many possible reasons for their behavior. Some biologists believe dolphins use the force of waves to help dislodge parasites from their skin, according to Surfer Today. Others speculate that the splashing sounds they make while surfing are a way of communicating with other dolphins in the area, strengthening social bonds.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge said that even ancient Greeks had documented dolphins riding the waves created by boats. Theyve been doing it for ages. They might just be having fun. They are deeply intelligent creatures, so why not just have some fun and hang out, the scientists said, according to the surfing news outlet.

Whatever their motivation, it was a moment Blacklow will remember her whole life.

I was not expecting there to be so many dolphins and to be catching the wave together like that, it really was one in a million, she said.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at: https://www.theepochtimes.com/newsletter
Kershaw Deals, and Dodgers Get 2 Big Breaks in 20 Win Over Angels

Brandon Drury (23) of the Los Angeles Angels is tagged out at home-plate by Will Smith (16) of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif., on June 20, 2023. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, Calif.Miguel Rojas doubled and scored on Michael Buschs high-bouncing single in the eighth after Clayton Kershaw and Reid Detmers dueled through seven scoreless innings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers opened the Freeway Series with a 20 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night, June 20.

Will Smith added an RBI single in the eighth for the Dodgers, who snapped their three-game skid with two fortunate breaks for a team that hasnt had many lately.

Four innings after the Angels Brandon Drury was ruled out at the plate on a call overturned by video review, Buschs chopper off Chris Devenski (32) inexplicably leaped high over new Angels first baseman Kevin Padlo.

Kershaw (94) had another memorable night at Angel Stadium, where he has thrown 22 consecutive scoreless innings. The 35-year-old lefty yielded five hits, but escaped every jam and recorded five strikeouts.

Clayton Kershaw (22) of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the second inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif., on June 20, 2023. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Dodgers beleaguered bullpen then came through. Caleb Ferguson struck out Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout in the eighth, and Evan Phillips pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Hunter Renfroe had two doubles for the Angels, who lost for only the fourth time in 15 games and were shut out for only the second time all season. The Halos have lost seven straight to the Dodgers in this rivalry series.

Ohtanis 15-game hitting streak ended with an 0-for-4 performance that included two flyouts that left his bat at 102 mph. Trout also went 0 for 4.

Fans of both teams sold out Angel Stadium to watch the latest meeting of the clubs separated by 30 miles on the I-5 freeway. The Angels had a better record than the Dodgers at the start of the Freeway Series for the first time since 2014, but the rivalry went right back to its recent form.

Detmers yielded two hits and struck out eight in his third straight outstanding start for the Angels. Among the many highlights, he fanned Mookie Betts three times for the Dodgers stars first three-strikeout game since April 15.

Kershaw retired the Angels first eight batters, but gave up back-to-back hits in the fourth. Drury singled and was initially ruled safe when he attempted to score from first on Renfroes double with a headfirst slide, but the call was overturned by a lengthy review.

The Angels then got two more runners in scoring position in the seventh with leadoff hits by Drury and Renfroe, but Kershaw eventually escaped a bases-loaded jam on a grounder by Andrew Velazquez.

Trainers Room

Dodgers: Chris Taylor flew out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth after having a cortisone injection in his right knee last weekend and missing two games.  Urias (hamstring) threw a three-inning simulated game. He will make a minor league rehab start this week, and if it goes well, he will return June 30 at Kansas City. Urias has been out since May 18.  Slugger Max Muncy participated in Urias simulated game and felt no discomfort in his injured hamstring. He is expected to return Friday at Dodger Stadium against Houston.

Angels: Gio Urshela is still in significant pain after fracturing his pelvis last week, manager Phil Nevin said. Urshela will see a second specialist Wednesday.  Anthony Rendon went on the 10-day injured list Monday with a bruised left wrist that remained sore longer than he expected. The club initially thought its $245 million third baseman wouldnt need yet another stint on the IL. Rendon is eligible to return Monday.

By Greg Beacham
Special counsel John Durham testified before Congress twice over the last couple of days. He held a closed-door meeting with the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, and then an open meeting with the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

This all focused on the FBI and how political bias within the agency allowed a group of people to use their powers to spread lies about American citizens, launch investigations without evidence, carry out surveillance, and interfere with three elections in 2016, 2018, and 2020.

In this episode of Crossroads, well speak about Durhams testimony and what the findings mean for the country.
Laguna Niguels 2nd Vacant City Council Seat Filled by Former Deputy Sheriff

Former Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Foster Gene Johns is appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Laguna Niguel City Council during a council meeting in Laguna Niguel, Calif., on June 14, 2023. (Courtesy of City of Laguna Niguel)

Former Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Foster Gene Johns was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Laguna Niguel City Councilthe second vacancy this yearduring a June 14 council meeting.

Johns will be sworn in on June 20. He worked with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department for over 31 years and has lived in Laguna Beach since his retirement seven years ago.

Johns said he believes the three most important issues facing the city are maintaining its place as the 6th safest city in Californiaaccording to the 2022 Safest Cities Report by SafeWise, a website that provides information on home security and safetymaintaining fiscal responsibility, and supporting small businesses.

Laguna Niguel is a great place to live because it is a safe, healthy place and I intend to keep it that way, Johns wrote in his application for the position. The city deserves a strong and dedicated City Council that will continue to protect and preserve the public safety, fiscal health, pro local business climates, and natural beauty of Laguna Niguel while promoting smart vision for future growth.

According to his biography on the citys website, during Johnss time as a deputy, he served for 24 years on a drug task force that received national recognition for helping to disrupt and dismantle cartel operations.

Johns brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement to City Council, Mayor Kelly Jennings told The Epoch Times in an email. Genes kindness and compassion shines through in all his endeavors, and I am genuinely delighted to have the opportunity to serve alongside him.

The citys strategic plana set of goals to guide the citys policies over the next 30 yearscites public safety as its number one priority, of which Johns brings a wealth of experience to the council, Jennings said.

According to his application, Johns has served as the citys traffic and transposition commissioner since 2021 and is in numerous civic and community organizationsincluding the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, Niguel Botanical Preserve, and the Laguna Niguel Lions Club.

According to Jennings, Johns also regularly attends city council meetings, which, she said, has given him a profound understanding of the issues facing the council.

Johns will fill the seat of Sandy Rains, who stepped down as the citys mayor in February after two of her colleagues asked her to resign from the largely ceremonial position after she asked the council for a discussion about possibly firing Laguna Niguels city manager. The move meant Rains remained a councilor. However, she resigned from that position as well in May.

Mayor Pro Tem Rischi Paul Sharma also resigned from the council in April for unknown reasons.

Estate Planning Attorney Stephanie Winsteadwho was the runner-up in the November 2022 election was appointed as Sharmas replacement on May 10.

Some residents, however, called for business owner Jeff von Waldburg, who received the third highest votes in the recent election, instead of Johns, to replace Rains.

Our appointment processes focused on the qualifications of the candidates who applied and their involvement with the city, Jennings said in the email. Both of the selected candidates are exceptionally well qualified to serve, and I remain thankful for the many residents who submitted applications.

According to Jennings, appointing the two seats, instead of holding a special election, saved time and an estimated $658,000 for the city.
Legalization of Marijuana in US States Linked to Rise in Fatal Car Accidents

People handle the aftermath of a car accident in Irvine, Calif., on March 30, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Several U.S. states which legalized marijuana use have seen a spike in car accidents and traffic-related deaths, according to a recent study.

Researchers have linked an increase of 22 percent in fatal road crashes in certain states to the legalization of cannabis, according to a new study by the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health.

The UIC team led by Samantha Marinello reviewed death certificate data to compare mortality rates in states that had legalized cannabis for recreational use to those which had longstanding medical cannabis programs, while looking at similar trends in death rates prior to authorization of the drug in those markets.

We didnt want to compare states with very different mortality trends or social ideology, so we looked at each state and outcome and identified comparison states with existing medical cannabis programs and with similar pre-trends to conduct our analysis, Marinello said.

They found that fatal road accidents had escalated dramatically in four of those states that allowed recreational marijuana.

Recreational markets were associated, on average, with a 10 percent increase in fatal motor vehicle accidents.

The report The impact of recreational cannabis markets on motor vehicle accident, suicide, and opioid overdose fatalities was published in March in the ScienceDirect journal of Social Science & Medicine, while another study published in 2022 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found similar results.

Cannabis Causes Increase in Traffic Accidents

The data covered the period from 2009 to 2019, focusing on three fatal categories previously associated with cannabis use, but required further research, such as motor vehicle accidents, suicide, and opioid overdoses.

To see a 10 percent increase in motor vehicle accident deaths associated with recreational markets is concerning, said Marinello, a postdoctoral research associate with the Division of Health Policy and Administration at the UIC School of Public Health, in a March 2023 press statement.

Previous studies have found cannabis impairs driving ability and that driving while high is fairly common among regular cannabis users, she said.

The seven states investigated in the study were Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

The data showed a significant spike in crash fatalities in Colorado (16 percent), Oregon (22 percent), Alaska (20 percent), and California (14 percent).

The results suggest that a potential unintended consequence of recreational markets is increased cannabis-intoxicated driving and crash deaths, and, hence, a potential need for policies focused on reducing driving under the influence of cannabis, noted Marinello.

However, states that legalized recreational cannabis saw an 11 percent average reduction in fatalities due to opioid overdoses in comparison, but the decline varied from three to 28 percent across those seven states.

Marinello added that the reduction in opioid overdose fatalities due to marijuana legalization is something that should be seriously reviewed in states considering legalization.

This study provides evidence of both potential benefits and harms that policymakers should consider when legalizing recreational cannabis markets, she continued.

Surprisingly, the researchers found no evidence that marijuana legalization had an impact on suicides rates, which is interesting, as cannabis use is long associated with the development of depressive disorders and suicidal thoughts.

The UIC team concluded that it would be a good idea for states that fully legalized cannabis use to promote policies and public health programs that would help curb the potential harm caused by these substances, as well as inform the public that driving under the influence of marijuana can be deadly.

Other Marijuana Studies Confirm Results

Meanwhile, the 2022 study also found strong evidence that marijuana legalization in the United States led to upticks in severe car crashes.

The team collected data on traffic crashes and the amount of traffic in 11 U.S. states and from the Federal Highway Administration between 2009 and 2019.

Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada had all legalized recreational marijuana during the period, while Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming did not.

The report found that the number of crashes, which led to injury, surged by about six percent in states with legalized marijuana, while the number of fatal crashes jumped by four percent in five states that permitted recreational use.

Nonetheless, the researchers did not see a spike in a comparison group of six states that have not legalized the drug.

The number of fatal crashes rose by around two percent after cannabis was legalized and again by the same amount when shops started selling the drug.

Crashes leading to injury rose overall, by 6.5 percent after legalization, but fell slightly once marijuana sales were legalized in stores.

Researchers from the University of California-San Francisco in 2019, reviewed over 28 million hospital records from before and after recreational cannabis was legalized in Colorado in December 2012.

The UCSF team reported that hospital admissions related to cannabis use had jumped 10 percent post-legalization in Colorado compared to other states, but found that there was not a significant increase when taking all admissions and time spent in hospitals into account.

The results also showed a 5 percent jump in alcohol abuse and overdoses that resulted in injury or death and 5 percent fewer hospitalizations for chronic pain after marijuana legalization.
Man Killed in Shooting at San Diego Juneteenth Celebration IDd

SAN DIEGOAuthorities on June 20 publicly identified the 20-year-old man who was fatally shot during a Juneteenth celebration at NTC Park in Liberty Station.

Patrol officers responding to reports of a shooting about 6:45 p.m. on June 17 arrived at the park to find numerous people fleeing and Jonathan Shields-Pullum of San Diego suffering from gunshot trauma to his upper body, according to police.

Paramedics took Shields-Pullum to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

During this time, it was discovered there was a second [man] who also had been shot, San Diego Police Department Lt. Steve Shebloski said. This [victim] left in a vehicle and was driven a short distance away before an ambulance was called to treat [him] for his injuries. [He] was transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg.

The second victim, also 20, was expected to survive. His name has not been released.

Investigators have determined that the shooting took place following a scuffle that broke out near the scheduled end of the event, according to police.

Moments after the fight, [the shooter] took out a handgun and shot both victims before fleeing the scene, Shebloski said Tuesday. It is still being determined if the victims were participants in the fight, were targeted  for an unknown reason, or were innocent bystanders who were struck by gunfire.

Police have no detailed description of the gunman, who appeared to be in his mid-20s.

Detectives are currently in the process of interviewing  witnesses, gathering physical evidence from the crime scene, and checking the area for any surveillance video footage, Shebloski said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or contact the agency online. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Membership in Asian Infrastructure Bank Has No Tangible Benefit for Canada, Says Former Executive

The former director general of global communications for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) said Canadas membership in the AIIB is inconsistent with its values and does not benefit the country.

I didnt find a single tangible benefit to communicate back home here to Canada of what this bank does that is consistent with our values in a way that would benefit Canadians, Bob Pickard told CBC host David Cochrane in an interview on June 19.

All were doing with our membership in this bank is were making China look good as a country able to do multilateralism. We are effectively supporting the Chinese image campaign to show that they are ready to assume world leadership and, frankly, I dont think thats the country that we should support, especially in the current political environment.

Pickard, who joined the organization in March 2022, announced his resignation from the AIIB on June 14, saying the bank is dominated by [Chinese] Communist Party members, and had one of the most toxic cultures imaginable. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada would cease all activity with the AIIB and launch a review of Pickards allegations.

The AIIB, Chinas multilateral development bank rivalling the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, was created to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia through the financing of key infrastructure. Canada became a member of the AIIB back in 2017, allocating $256 million to purchase shares in the bank.

The AIIB said in a press release on June 14 that Pickards comments about its leadership were baseless and disappointing, and that it was proud of its multilateral mission alongside 106 member countries.

I Increasingly Felt Clammy

During his interview with CBC News, Pickard said there had been a real violation of governance expectations in the AIIB, and he had become increasingly alarmed as he found the messages he was communicating to stakeholders were not the correct ones that match the reality of the organization.

Pickard said while his role was to help improve the banks image as a genuine multinational and multilateral institution, he soon found that it had more in common with being a Chinese bank than I had hoped for.

I felt increasingly clammy. I thought I was going to Beijing to fix an image problem and create an accurate impression. But it turns out that the reality is [not] the impression that I was going to try to create. So this, for a public relations guy, is an unconscionable and unsustainable situation, he said.

Pickard said that shortly after joining the AIIB, he became aware that the presidents office was made up of Chinese Communist Party members with the goal of ensuring the banks priorities aligned with that of the regime. He referred to it as a subterranean collection of influential insiders that exercise control over the organizations decisions. He said this should not happen with an independent, multilateral organization.

Anybody whos worked there for more than a few months knows who the [Chinese Communist] Party people are. And when I joined the bank, I was told This is a Party person, thats a Party person, and dont cross the Party.'

Pickard also said that during a conversation with AIIB president Jin Liqun about his decision not to visit Canada while on his way to the United States for the World Bank Group meeting, the president expressed indifference to Canadas role in AIIB.

He said, Itd be very disappointing if Canada doesnt join, but its a small country, we can move on,' he said. That did not impress me at this time. It was just something that we should be aware of. China has a habit of letting people know where those countries stand in the hierarchy of the world.
Bitcoin surged over 5% in Wednesday morning trading in Asia to breach the US$28,000 resistance level, leading a rally of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies except XRP. Bitcoins jump followed the Tuesday evening launch of EDX Markets, a cryptocurrency exchange backed by major Wall Street players such as Citadel Securities, Fidelity and Charles Schwab. Meanwhile, the U.S. equity futures edged lower as investors waited for the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powells Wednesday testimony to Congress, with economic data on Tuesday pointing to a recovery in the U.S. housing market.

Bitcoin leads crypto rally

Bitcoin jumped 5.65% over the last 24 hours to US$28,285 at 07:30 a.m. in Hong Kong, moving up 9.36% for the past seven days, according to data from CoinMarketCap. The worlds largest cryptocurrency breached the US$28,000 mark early Wednesday for the first time since May 30.

Ether also gained 2.94% to US$1,788 and added 3% for the week. Most top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded higher in the past 24 hours as Bitcoin spearheaded the rally, with the exception of XRP, which dipped 0.34% over the same period.

EDX Markets, a New Jersey-based crypto exchange, officially launched on Tuesday. Its investors include Fidelity Investment, an asset manager overseeing more than US$4 trillion in assets, and will offer Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Litecoin trading services.

The launch of EDX Markets echoes BlackRocks Bitcoin exchange-traded fund filing last week, which indicates institutional interest in cryptocurrencies despite the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions crackdown on the industry.

The SECs probability of approving the Blackrock Bitcoin ETF is high, said Markus Thielen, head of crypto research at digital asset service platform Matrixport, in an email. The ETF might be approved by September/October 2023 and will attract US$10 billion within three months and US$20 billion within six months  materially supporting Bitcoin prices.

Adding to the signals of institutional adoption, German investment bank Deutsche Bank has reportedly applied for a license from German regulators to offer custody services for digital assets including cryptocurrencies, according to Bloomberg on Tuesday.

On the regulatory front, the U.K.s Financial Services and Markets Bill, which proposes cryptocurrency regulation in the country, was approved by the Parliaments upper house on Sunday, signaling that the bill is now in its final stage before being enacted into law.

[The bill] could essentially recognize cryptocurrencies as a regulated activity and stablecoins as a means of payment, said investment fund Ark36 Chief Executive Officer Anto Paroian in an email. If the bill is accepted and put into law, this could propel the cryptocurrency industry as a whole into a more mature and respected position within the global financial landscape while putting Britain on the map as a potential global hub for crypto.

The total cryptocurrency market cap rose 3.70% to US$1.11 trillion in the last 24 hours, while crypto trading volume rose 47.78% to US$38.63 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data.

NFT transactions rise across markets

The indexes are proxy measures of the performance of the global NFT market. They are managed by CryptoSlam, a sister company of Forkast.News under the Forkast.Labs umbrella.

In the non-fungible token (NFT) market, the Forkast 500 NFT index rose 1.34% in the 24 hours to 10:00 a.m. in Hong Kong but was still down 1.10% for the week.

NFT transactions on Ethereum dipped 0.81% in the past 24 hours to US$13.84 million, according to CryptoSlam data. Transactions on the Bitcoin, Solana and Polygon blockchains also logged gains for the past 24 hours.

Azuki topped the 24-hour transactions on the Ethereum blockchain, which rose 3.33% to 1.21 million, while Bored Ape Yacht Clubs (BAYC) transactions gained 37.05% to US$1.15 million.

[The launch of EDX markets and Deutsche Bank applying for digital asset custody service license indicate] the future of crypto is beginning to take shape. This has implications for the NFT markets, though in the short term, not enough to reverse the recent market trends, said Yehudah Petscher, NFT strategist at Forkast Labs, the parent company of Forkast.News.

The collaboration between Nikes Web3 platform .SWOOSH and the online video game Fortnite was unveiled on Tuesday. The partnership introduced Airphoria, a Nike-themed game world, into Fortnite, where players can play to earn digital sneakers and outfits as in-game accessories. However, the collaboration did not introduce NFTs to Fortnite as some had expected.

While many were hopeful that NFTs would arrive in Fortnite directly, there are some NFT tie-ins, as gamers who link their Nike account to their Fortnite account will receive an NFT that provides access to a future .SWOOSH NFT drop, along with an achievement on Nikes .SWOOSH platform, said Petscher.

A secondary market for these digital collectible shoes still isnt live, but its expected to launch at any time, and well get to see how sales compare to other web2 facing mediums like Reddit Avatars, Petscher added.

Yuga Labs, the developer of BAYC, announced on Wednesday that HV-MTL Forge, a game based on the BAYC-related HV-MTL NFT collection, would be launched on June 29, triggering a surge of HV-MTL transactions, which rose 287.07% in the past 24 hours to US$360,129, according to CryptoSlam data.

Meanwhile, in Asia, a group of Rohingya photographers issued an NFT collection Rohingyatographer on the Ethereum blockchain on Tuesday. The collection features 50 photographs of Rohingya peoples life to commemorate Refugee Week, which will be open for auction on OpenSea from June 20 to June 27.

U.S. futures flat

U.S. stock futures traded flat to lower as of 11:15 a.m. in Hong Kong. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures and the S&P 500 futures both inched 0.01% lower, while Nasdaq futures dipped 0.03%.

The three major U.S. stock indexes closed lower on Tuesday as investors wait for the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powells semi-annual report to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, which will provide further insights into the Feds next move on interest rates.

Although the Fed paused the interest rate hikes on June 14, it projects the interest rate to reach 5.6% in 2023, indicating two more rate hikes within the year.

Adding to investors caution, the U.S. transportation giant FedEx Corp. provided a worse-than-expected outlook in its fourth quarter report released Tuesday, citing continued demand weakness, according to Bloomberg.

On the economic data front, the U.S. housing starts  which measures new home constructions  reached 1.63 million in May, an increase of over 20% from April, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The data is well beyond the analysts expectation of a 0.1% decrease, according to CNN on Tuesday, and points to strong demand in the U.S. housing market.

U.S. interest rates are now between 5% and 5.25%, the highest since 2006. The Federal Reserves next meeting on rates is July 26. The CME FedWatch Tool predicts a 23.1% chance the Fed will keep rates unchanged in July, and a 76.9% chance for another 25-basis-point rate hike, up from 74.4% on Tuesday.

(Updates with NFT and Equities section.)
Missing Hikers Body Found Underwater at Three Sisters Falls

Three Sisters Falls in Descanso, Calif., in September 2022. (Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)

A volunteer search team looking for a 27-year-old man who went missing last week while swimming in a natural pool at a popular hiking spot near Julian in San Diego found a submerged body on June 19.

Divers made the discovery shortly before 1:30 p.m. in a pool underneath Three Sisters Falls in Descanso, in the area where the missing hiker had last been seen, according to the San Diego County Sheriffs Department.

The county Medical Examiners Office took custody of the body for identification and autopsy purposes, sheriffs Lt. William Amavisca said.

The man went missing at around 5 p.m. Friday. Searchers, including personnel in a sheriffs helicopter, scoured the area over the next three days in hopes of finding him alive.

During the effort, authorities closed the waterfall area and adjacent trails. The area has been reopened, Amavisca said.

Authorities advise hikers to exercise extreme caution when visiting the scenic area, which has been the site of many serious accidents, including a womans fatal fall from a footpath alongside the waterfalls on June 8.

This trail is extremely strenuous, and it is not for beginners, Amavisca said.
Montana Firearms Dealer Sticks to His Guns, Reopens Business After IRS Raid

20 'heavily armed' agents seized thousands of documents containing personal information on his customers

Various firearms are on display at Highwood Creek Outfitters in Grand Falls, Mont., on June 20, 2023. IRS Criminal Division agents raided the gun shop on June 14, seizing boxes filled with private gun owner information. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

GREAT FALLS, Mont.A gun shop in Great Falls, Montana, is back up and running after 20 heavily armed IRS agents raided and searched the business on June 14, seizing thousands of documents containing private customer information.

Highwood Creek Outfitters owner Tom Van Hoose said agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) showed up carrying semi-automatic rifles and dressed in full tactical gear when he arrived to open the store at 7:30 a.m.

Van Hoose said he was just as perplexed by the federal search warrant stating he was under financial investigation by the IRS-CI.

They somehow think a small mom-and-pop gun shop makes enough money to justify 20 heavily armed agents, Van Hoose said.

There is no justification for what happened.

During the 10-hour search, Van Hoose said the agents confiscated documents, including financial records and over 12,000 individual firearms transactions representing 13 years in business.

He said those records filled more than 20 boxes at 600 records in each box and comprised 90 percent of the documents seized.

Whenever a person purchases a firearm, they must fill out a Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473, which contains the buyers name, address, vital information, and photo ID.

Unlike box store gun retailers, small firearms dealers like Highwood Creek Outfitters maintain custody of the 4473 forms on paper for the life of the business, Van Hoose said.

The IRS has no reason to have those records. Theyre not financial records, Van Hoose told The Epoch Times.

Nobody else can look at that information. They dont see the light of day unless something criminal happens with the firearm. Thats the only time we must disclose who owns that firearm.

Highwood Creek Outfitters owner Tom Van Hoose on June 20, 2023, nearly a week after the IRS raided his business on June 14. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Under Surveillance

Van Hoose said two years ago, an FBI agent began surveilling his gun store, taking photographs outside, although he didnt know who it was then.

We thought somebody was casing our shop to rob it, he said.

Van Hoose called local police, who instructed the agent to show his identification or go downtown.

Nobody knew this guy, said Van Hoose, who found out later his business was on a Department of Homeland Security domestic terrorism watchlist.

We dont know why, he said. The level of harassment just continues to grow.

We sell guns most of your box stores wont sell. We have an indoor range. So, I guess because we sell the scary guns from the liberal perspective, we got on the radar.

If you want a legal gun, we will procure it for you. We do everything legally. We record everything legally.

Gun Owners of America (GOA) said the organization remains incredibly concerned about any effort by agents of the federal government to seize firearm transaction records given the nearly 1 billion records already in possession of the ATF that are being digitally transferred into a searchable database in direct contradiction to existing statute.

Weaponized Federal Government

In a June 19 statement, GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt said the raid was an incredibly alarming incident to hear aboutespecially given the checkered past of the IRS targeting conservatives.

This continued weaponization by the Biden Administration of federal agencies to go after their political opponents once again underscores the dire need for Congress to act, including defunding the ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms] and demanding answers from the IRS.

U.S. Congressman Matthew Rosendale (R-Mont.) condemned the IRS action in a June 16 letter to ATF Director Steven Dettlebach and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel.

Although the ATF is a useful resource in crime prevention and firearms theft cases, this event is another example of President Biden weaponizing federal agencies to target and harass hard-working Americans for exercising their constitutional rights, Rosendale wrote.

Tom Van Hoose, owner of Highwood Creek Outfitters in Great Falls, Mont., shows a pair of semi-automatic handguns on June 20, 2023. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

While we wait to hear more details and rationale behind this raid, given the positions of the Biden Administration, this raid appears to be an attempt to intimidate firearms dealers and owners.

This is particularly worrying given that it comes just weeks [after] the ATF closed a gun store in Cobb County, Georgia, without any warning.

Van Hoose believes the search for financial information linking him with a crime was just a ruse by the IRS-CI to seize private information on firearms purchases at his store.

Are they creating an alternative gun registry? Im just asking. Does it get scanned into some database? Thats how it seems, Van Hoose said.

Van Hoose said the number of heavily armed IRS agents could have ended in tragedy if cooler heads did not prevail.

The danger they presented to this small community with 20 heavily armed IRS agents is if somebody started pulling the trigger on their side, he said.

Community at Risk

Its very scary. The danger they put people in the community. This is the third busiest street in Great Falls. If for any reason gunfire started, any passerby would have been in jeopardy.

I kept my cool. They kept their cool. They didnt trash my place like other alphabet places. I thank them for being professional. I dont thank them for the job theyre doing.

The Great Falls Police Department said a uniformed officer was present at the gun shop on the morning of the raid by request of the IRS-CI.

This type of assistance by the GFPD is common with any requesting law enforcement agency, according to a statement from the department.

At this time, the GFPD has no further information to provide as the matter is under the purview of the IRS-CI.

IRS-CI Public Information Officer Karen Gurgel did not return a phone call from The Epoch Times requesting comment.

Van Hoose said he plans to take legal action against the IRS and is seeking an attorney.

A GiveSendGo campaign by Amanda Overton hopes to raise $200,000 to help Van Hoose defend against the overreach of the federal government.

So far, the campaign has raised $11,432.

Van Hoose said losing a day of business from the raid on his store is the least of his worries.

Hes more concerned about the ultimate fate of small gun store owners like himself due to increasing federal pressure and legal fees.

Theyre trying to put mom-and-pop gun shops out of business all across America. They will try to bankrupt me if they cant find a legal or regulatory reason to put me out of business.

Correction: A previous version of this story stated the incorrect name for the Great Falls Police Department. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
MPs Will Investigate House of Lords Membership, Size, Effectiveness

The new lord speaker, Lord Norman Fowler, speaks in the House of Lords chamber during his first sitting in Parliament, in London, on Sept. 5, 2016. (Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

A cross-party group of MPs has launched an inquiry into the membership of the House of Lords, its size, and the role of peers.

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will look into how the appointments of peers are carried out and whether the system as a whole can be more effective. In an inquiry, launched on Wednesday, MPs also aim to understand the role and the power of the independent vetting body, the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC).

The relationship between the two chambers of Parliament will be examined to scrutinize the effectiveness of the House of Lords as a revising chamber.

It comes after the controversy that ensued following the appointments of peers by the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned as an MP on June 9 after an investigation into the Partygate scandal found he misled Parliament.

When he resigned as prime minister in September last year, Johnson appointment a number of MPs in his resignation honours list. Among them were Nadine Dorries, Nigel Adams, and Alok Sharma, whose nominations were not approved by HOLAC.

Dorries subsequently accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of blocking her peerage, a statement rejected by Sunaks spokesperson.

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, the spokesperson said.

Dorries, who resigned following the publication of the peerage list, then delayed her resignation and requested all correspondence around her removal.

In a Twitter thread, the MP said she had requested copies of WhatsApp messages, texts, emails, and meeting minutes relating to the process of her nomination for the House of Lords.

I am awaiting responses to my Subject Access Requests submitted to HOLAC, Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Office. where I will then take the time to properly consider the information I am provided, Dorries said.

She added that it was her intention to resign but this process is now sadly necessary.

Dorries has been criticised by Labour MP Jess Phillips for placing focus on the nonsense about honours and who got peerage instead of prioritising the needs of her constituents.

What I think is really unseemly about the Nadine Dorries thing is that it has got absolutely nothing to do with the people she serves, Phillips told ITVs Peston programme.

Immediate Questions

The House of Lords consists of about 800 members, the majority of whom are life peers. The chambers role is to examine bills, question government action, and investigate public policy.

Chair of PACAC William Wragg has suggested that there has long been concern about the size of the House of Lords, its membership, and the appointments process.

Previous inquiries from parliamentary committees concluded with clear recommendations to reduce the size of the chamber and reform the appointments process to maintain confidence in the Lords. The government committed to review the matter, yet five years on we have seen no sign of reform, and large numbers of new members continue to be appointed, Wragg said.

He added that the current inquiry seeks to consider immediate questions that cannot wait until a wholesale reform takes place.

The PACAC inquiry will seek evidence on whether there should be a term limit for the House of Lords membership and whether it is effective in its current size.

The committee reported that in 2018 the government was advised to reduce and cap the number of lords to 600 and ensure greater diversity of representation.

The predecessor committee, said PACAC, called on the prime minister and leaders of the opposition to commit to the principle of two-out one-in as a way to reduce the overall size of the House of Lords.

PACAC has welcomed submissions addressing the listed themes and will produce a report upon the competition of the inquiry.
Muslim Mayor Who Apologised For Raising Pride Flag Steps Down

Keighley town councillor Mohammed Nazam also resigned from the Conservative party with 'immediate effect'

A Muslim mayor who apologised for attending a Pride event as it contradicted his religious beliefs, has stood down.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Keighley councillor Mohammed Nazam said he had also resigned from the Conservative party with immediate effect.

Writing on Facebook, Nazam said: A few days ago I attended the flag raising for the LGBTQ community.

This did not conform to my religious beliefs and hence I offered an apology to my constituents. By my apology, I did not mean any harm to any member of my constituency.

My religion teaches respect and tolerance for all and the law of the land.

Nazam, who had been facing an internal disciplinary investigation by the Tory party until his resignation, said Muslim representatives are in the same position surrounding LGBTQ events.

He added: Here in the UK we are proud to have our freedom of expression. People should have the freedom to express their beliefs and live their lives as they wish to.

This should apply to all communities and religious beliefs.

Thanking those who offered support, the councillor described the controversy as a truly humbling experience from which he had learnt a great deal.

He said he will continue his role as an independent representative on Keighley Town Council, which said it would meet to elect a new mayor in due course.

Personally Repented

Nazam faced a social media backlash after describing his part in the Yorkshire towns Pride flag-raising ceremony as a lapse of judgement.

The Tory councillor was pictured holding the emblem with other representatives including fellow Conservative and MP for the area Robbie Moore last week.

In a statement posted to the Keighley Pakistanis Facebook group, Nazam said he had not carried out due diligence for duties that he was expected to carry out as mayorincluding the Pride flag-raising ceremonyand wholeheartedly apologised for any harm caused.

He said he had since personally repented for this error, adding: Looking back, I realise that I should have respectfully declined the request at the time.

His comments were condemned by LGBT activists, Keighley representatives and Tory party colleague Moore, who called for the mayor to apologise and stand down.

In a statement released on Sunday, Moore said: Ive seen comments made by Keighleys Town Mayor, Cllr Mohammed Nazam, stating that he feels the need to apologise for his part in the flag raising ceremony and the need for him to personally repent for his error because of religious beliefs.

I disagree and reject the mayors comments.

Moore added: The mayor needs to apologise and consider his position. An employment disciplinary process will also now follow.

Undated handout photo issued by UK Parliament of MP Robbie Moore responding after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gives a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, London, following his attendance of the G-20 Summit in Indonesia. (PA Media)

LGBT Rights

Keighley Town Council confirmed Tuesday it had received Nazams resignation.

The town council has a long record of supporting and celebrating all sections of the amazingly diverse Keighley community, a spokesperson said.

The Pride flag will continue to fly proudly in the Town Hall Square for the remainder of Pride Month as planned.

The council said it will continue to do whatever it can to support similar groups and the wider LGBTQ community.

After announcing his resignation, fellow Muslims rushed to congratulate Nazam on social media.

One wrote: Respect for acknowledging your mistake and now sticking to the teachings of our deen.

Another said: Well done to you brother for doing the right thing. May Allah reward you and forgive the lapse of error. This proves that one cannot be part of British politics unless one is willing to compromise on beliefs.

However, one Keighley constituent said: Problem is LGBTQ+ rights are human rights and what you did was offend many people.

Would you have done the same statement Id if was for a Jewish event or for an event for disabled people?
New Brunswicks Fight Over Parental Rights, Gender Identity in Schools Recalls Albertas Experience

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs delivers the State of the Province address in Fredericton, N.B., on Feb. 9, 2023. (Stephen MacGillivray/The Canadian Press)

In 2019, Albertas United Conservative Party (UCP) under Jason Kenney repealed a policy prohibiting teachers from informing parents when their children joined LGBTQ clubs or transitioned genders. Now, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is making a similar move, with policy changes effective July 1 that say parents should be informed if their children are changing genders at school.

The fight over the issue has been so intense that Higgs has faced revolt from some members of his cabinet and there has been talk of a leadership review or even a snap election.

The only thing we seem to be having a debate on is whether parents should have a role in a childs lifeand especially in the developing years, the very early developing years, and were kind of dismissing that as not necessary, Higgs said during a debate on the changes to Policy 713 in the legislature on June 15.

I just cant accept that.  What were saying here is dont exclude parents.

Lawmakers and groups on both sides had the same debate in Alberta from 2017, when the NDPs Bill 24 passed, to 2019, when the UCP repealed it.

Parents Seen as Dangerous

In Alberta, as in New Brunswick, some argued that informing parents could cause harm if the parents dont affirm the childs gender identity or sexual orientation.

Its really a false notion of parents being dangerous, John Carpay, president of the Alberta-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, told The Epoch Times. The Justice Centre led a court challenge against Bill 24 in 2018, which became moot when the UCP reversed the policy the following year.

Parents, as a general rule, care more deeply about the well-being of their children than anyone else does, Carpay said.

Its this false dichotomy where its presented that parents are evil, and teachers, social workers, political activists, and bureaucrats are good, he said. Only a very small minority of parents are dangerous and abusive, he said, and the same minority exists among teachers and others.

The New Brunswick Association of School Psychologists (NBASP) said in a June 13 statement that violence, psychological distress, and homelessness can result from parents reacting negatively to their childs gender transitioning.

Safe and affirming environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ students are critical for their mental health and well-being, said the statement. NBASP understands the importance of parental support and involvement in the lives of children, it said, but we also recognize the realities and potential for harm.

The association is against Higgss changes to Policy 713.

The changes to the provinces policy on gender identity mandate that students under 16 have parental consent to change their names officially within the school system. If parents do not wish to give consent, the new policy says the student should be referred to a psychologist or school counsellor to discuss how to speak with their parents.

NBASP said requiring students to see a mental health professional pathologizes gender identity and may result in mistrust of mental health professionals.

Albertas Gay-Straight Alliances

Carpay said a mistrust of parents can also be damaging, and he gave an example.

In Alberta, there was a girlat that time, in 2017, she was about 12and the gay-straight alliance at school encouraged her to start using a boys name, start wearing boys clothing, telling her that she could easily transition to becoming a boy, he said.

The parents only found out after the girl tried to commit suicide.

The girl, who is autistic, had become alienated from her parents and had been told that her parents did not have her best interests at heart, Carpay said.

At the time it was against the law under Albertas Bill 24 to inform parents of their childs involvement in a gay-straight alliance (GSA) club.

During the Justice Centres court challenge to Bill 24, lawyer Jay Cameron presented several specific cases to Albertas Court of Appeal in Calgary on Dec. 3, 2018. The Calgary Herald reported the evidence Cameron gave in court.

In multiple cases, children in the GSAs were taken off school grounds for meetings in other locations without parental permission. In one case, an adult facilitator who was not a school staff member or connected with the school in any other way, took children to his home in his personal vehicle as well as to other schools.

In another case, a 13-year-old was taken off school grounds to a GSA conference. The boy said he watched a demonstration of a condom being put on a banana. He was allegedly given many condoms and a 50-page flip book with step-by-step instructions on how to have sex, with what appears to be an older individual, Cameron said.

The Justice Centre also detailed the explicit sexual nature of resource materials provided on the Alberta GSA Network website. The resources were also documented by blogger and mother Theresa Ng, who published screenshots of many of the resources.

With a couple of clicks, students could access videos of adults performing sexual acts as well as ads for sex toys or group meetups for sexual purposes.

At the Dec. 3, 2018, hearing, lawyer Brendan MacArthur-Stevens was one of the intervenors in favour of Bill 24.

Many students will have joined GSAs over the past year in reliance on the enhanced privacy protections the legislation provides, he said on behalf of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, according to the Herald.

Pulling the rug out from under these students and temporarily stripping these enhanced privacy protections away  would be grossly unfair to this vulnerable population.

Challenge

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized Higgs for revising Policy 713 when he spoke at a fundraiser for the LGBTQ charity Rainbow Railroad in Toronto on June 8.

Far-right political actors are trying to outdo themselves with the types of cruelty and isolation they can inflict on these already vulnerable people, Trudeau said. Right now, trans kids in New Brunswick are being told they dont have the right to be their true selves, that they need to ask permission.

Higgs responded with a June 10 tweet saying Trudeau doesnt believe parents need be involved in such critical discussions as gender identity, even in children as young as 4.

He continued, In New Brunswick, well have a safe learning environment & better mental health supports, while still respecting the parents role.

New Brunswicks Progressive Conservative social development minister Dorothy Shephard resigned on June 15 after cabinet debated the proposed changes to the policy. She told reporters it was only partly about Policy 713, as she had long disagreed with Higgss leadership style.

The week before, eight Progressive Conservative dissidentsincluding six ministerssat out question period in protest of the changes.

On June 15, six members of Higgss party voted with the opposition to require the provinces child and youth advocate to review the changes made to Policy 713. The motion passed 2620.

More than 20 Progressive Conservative constituency presidents and 50 members have signed letters calling for a review of Higgss leadership, meeting the threshold requirements for the partys governing party to consider the matter. Whether a review will occur is yet to be decided.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
NS Mayor Calls for Change After Volunteer Firefighters Called to Help Hospitalized Patient

The patient suffered a fatal cardiac arrest despite efforts to save him

The mayor of Middleton, Nova Scotia, is calling for changes to the provinces health-care system after a patient admitted to the local hospital died during a cardiac arrest, and volunteer firefighters were called in to help because there was no doctor available on site.

Mayor Sylvester Atkinson wrote a letter on June 19 to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston saying it was frightening that the fire department had to respond and provide care to help save patients in our hospital.

The mayor noted that fire services are a municipal responsibility, while heath care is the provinces concern. The town of Middleton is situated around 150 kilometres northwest of Halifax, on the north bank of the Annapolis River.

As a municipal body with so much responsibility on our shoulders, we are not okay with this. This is wrong on so many levels, wrote Atkinson. He requested a meeting to address the incident with either the premier or the Minister of Health and called on the province to step up and take accountability for this and take action to prevent it in the future.

Inpatient Emergency

The mayor wrote that on June 15, at approximately 9 p.m. local time, the Middleton Fire Department and Emergency Health Services were called regarding a cardiac arrest at Soldiers Memorial Hospital (SMH).

Since the ER was closed at this time, our Fire Department assumed that someone arrived at the hospital with chest pain and Emergency Services were called, Atkinson wrote.

When volunteer firefighters arrived on the scene they were taken upstairs to a medical floor with a patient in cardiac arrestan admitted inpatient at the hospital, said Atkinson.

Our Fire Department was informed that there was no doctor on site, nor was there one on-call, according to the mayor. They were told a doctor was coming from Kentville, more than 30 minutes away. Firefighters assisted emergency responders with chest compressions and life-saving measures until the doctor arrived, said the mayor. The patient did not survive.

Atkinson said the Middleton Fire Department, which is a volunteer municipal service, should not be called to a hospital to provide medical aid to an admitted inpatient. A hospital is where people go to receive medical treatment from health care professionals that work there  not volunteer firefighters.

His letter said that firefighters are on call to provide emergency aid to the public, which should not extend to a hospital where inpatients should already have access to a doctor.

According to Atkinson, he had previously contacted the premier on April 6 to discuss what the mayor described as issues stemming from the consistent ER closures at SMH in Middleton.

Regrettably we did not receive a response back, said the mayor. Instead, he said, Nova Scotia Health official Tanya Nixon met with six municipal regions within the Annapolis Valley. While Atkinson said the discussion was healthy, he said there are concerns that the province and Nova Scotia Health do not have a site-specific strategic plan for restoring the hospital ER to a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service.

According to the mayor, Nova Scotia Health told municipal leaders it would require five to seven physicians to re-open the emergency room to run 24 hours a day.

Atkinson and the premiers office did not immediately respond to inquiries by press time.

Shortage of Doctors, Nurses

Nova Scotia health spokesman Brendan Elliott told The Epoch Times on June 21, that like many jurisdictions in Canada, Nova Scotia has challenges with attracting physicians to rural parts of our province.

Elliott said that there are a handful of rural hospitals in N.S., that are forced to temporarily close their ER departments periodically due to either a physician or nurse shortage. The province publishes a list of temporary closures, which on June 21 listed dozens of hospitals closed, announcing future closures, or operating on limited hours throughout regions of the province.

At press time, Soldiers Memorial Hospital emergency room was scheduled to be open Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., then closed the remainder of each day, as well as closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The hospital was also scheduled to be closed on June 22.

According to Elliott, even if one hospital is closed, each zone has large regional hospitals that never close their emergency departments. Our pressure points are along the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, as well as the South Shore, he said.

Elliot said the patient death had nothing to do with an emergency department closure, saying there is always a doctor on call for inpatient care at Soldiers Memorial Hospital. That doctor can be on-site or nearby, can be called on to provide advice or consultation, and can provide services remotely or in person, according to Elliot, contradicting the mayors assertion that there was no doctor on call.

Should an inpatient require immediate care beyond what in-hospital staff can provide, as was the case in this situation, there are specific protocols staff will follow. When additional immediate assistance is required and a physician is in transit, protocols include calling 911. In the meantime, staff will do everything possible, including commencing CPR, if necessary, said Elliott.

He said that senior administrative staff in the Western Zone of Nova Scotia Health have conducted a thorough review of the details surrounding the situation, and that the process followed by the hospital is consistent with how other N.S. Health sites handle the situation without after-hours, hospital-based physicians.

There is no doubt the outcome was not what anyone wanted. However, staff performed admirably given the circumstances and protocols, he said, adding that the health department extends its deepest condolences to the patients family and friends.
Special Counsel John Durham testified before Congress on June 21. Durham recently released a report about the Justice Department allegedly targeting former President Donald Trump. While Republicans said the report proves Trump was right, Democrats say the report shows the opposite.

After Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax crimes and struck a special deal to dismiss a charge of owning a gun while using illegal drugs, NTD spoke to former prosecutor and retired FBI Special Agent Mark Ruskin to break down the implications of the case.

California teenager Layla Jane was just 13 years old when her breasts were removed in a cross-sex procedure. Now shes suing the doctors and medical provider who performed and approved the surgery. NTD spoke with attorney Mark Trammell on the lawsuit.

Topics in this episode include:

1. Special Counsel John Durham Testifies

2. Hunter Charges Timed to Benefit Biden: Ruskin

3. Titan Submersible Rescue Mission Continues

4. 13-Year-Old Girls Breasts Removed, Now Suing

5. Musk Eyes Significant Investment in India

6. Car Industry Still Short of Chips: Car Expert

7. Fox Reveals 1st GOP Primary Debate Moderators

8. SCOTUS Denies Transgender Housing Appeal

9. Ex-CNN Producer Sentenced to 19 Years in Jail

10. Report Shows Rise in School Sex Abuse

11. Lawsuit: Bear with Camera Used for Spying

12. Biden Calls Chinese Leader Xi a Dictator

13. GermanyChina Trade Ties Draw Critics in EU

14. Taiwanese Students Train for All-Out Defense

15. Ukrainian Prime Minister Seeks $6B Aid

16. France Urges to Develop European Air Defense

17. Andrew Tate Appears in Court to Face Charges

18. Honduras Prison Riot Leaves 41 Women Dead

19. Largest Illegal Shark Fin Bust in Brazil

20. London Pigment: The Art of Making Color

21. Thousands Welcome Solstice at Stonehenge

22. Queens Private Rooms Reopen in Versailles

23. Indians Exercise on International Yoga Day

24. Heart Health for Women Differs from Men
NY Sen. James Skoufis Sums Up 2023 Legislative Session

New York Sen. James Skoufis at his district office in Cornwall, N.Y., on June 19, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Looking back on the 2023 legislative session, New York Democratic Sen. James Skoufis told The Epoch Times that he pushed several high-priority bills with statewide impacts through both houses.

He also worked with Republican colleagues in the Assembly in passing local laws that allow a number of towns and villages in Orange County to levy hotel and motel taxes.

This year, 75 out of around 300 bills sponsored by Skoufis passed the state Senate, and at least 41 also passed the Assembly.

Skoufis represents the 42nd state Senate district, which covers most of Orange County, except for the northeastern section that contains the Montgomery and Newburgh areas.

A top priority bill of his that passed both chambers involves moving certain local elections from odd years to even years to coincide with the state and national elections.

The legislation impacts most races at the town and county levels outside New York City, except town justices, county judges, sheriffs, county clerks, district attorneys, and offices of three-year terms.

Skoufis said the bill had been around for almost 10 years, and he became its prime sponsor about three years ago; he reintroduced it along with Democratic state Sen. Julia Salazar early this year.

Another of his statewide bills that passed both houses will increase the minimum number of residents required for new village formation from 500 to 2,000; it also eliminates an old rule that permits landowners of large parcels in the proposed village to petition for such a formation.

A new housing unit (L) is under construction in Kiryas Joel, N.Y., on July 1, 2014. (Mike Groll/AP)

If signed into law, the bill will deal a direct blow to the proposed village of Seven Springs just west of Kiryas Joel; petitioners of the new village have been involved in a legal battle against the Town of Monroe for years.

Skoufis has worked on amending the decades-old village incorporation law since 2019.

Many of these bills have been around for a long time, and Ive spent many years on them, Skoufis said. Hopefully, Governor Hochul signs them, and that will free up some bandwidth and allow me to do more work on other bills and some of the new bills we are looking at.

Local Laws

Since Democrats hold supermajorities in both state chambers, they dominate the legislative agenda and are sponsors of most of the bills passeda reality readily acknowledged by Skoufis.

Though limited, Republicans play a role in the legislative process, one being good critics of the technicalities of bill drafting, he said.

There are plenty of instances where Republicans pointed out that this bill didnt work because of the way this language was drafted, and we went and fixed the problem, he said. No one wants to pass bills that cant work.

The New York State Capitol in Albany, N.Y., on March 17, 2021. (Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

At other times, on local laws that have no bearing on other parts of the state, he and Republican colleagues in the lower chamber find room to work together.

For example, Skoufis passed several bills in the state Senate that authorized several towns and villages in Orange County to levy hotel and motel taxes; their equivalent bills in the Assembly are sponsored by Republican Minority Whip Karl Brabenec and Assemblyman Brian Maher.

As a Democrat lawmaker representing a Republican-leaning district, he said he was able to offer more complete perspectives during legislative talks at the state level.

Most of my colleagues are either Democrats in very Democratic seats or Republicans in very Republican seats, he said. No one can say that I operate within a bubble. Im able to speak to how just regular people of all stripes are going to respond to bills that we are considering.

Off-session Work

Even though the state Senates legislative session is over, the legislative work continues in his office to build support for bills that failed to pass and take on new bills that come to his attention.

One such bill is reversing the name of the bridge across the Hudson Riverwhich connects Rockland and Westchester countiesfrom the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge back to the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The old name refers to the Native Americans who once lived in the area.

A view of the Tappan Zee Bridge, in N.Y., on July 28, 2012. (Catherine Yang/The Epoch Times)

Skoufis picked up the bill after its old sponsor, former Republican state Sen. Mike Martucci, left the Senate; it passed the Senate this year but got stuck in the Assembly.

Another bill that failed to advance out of the Assembly this year is allowing school districts in Orange County to elect a ward-based system for school board elections.

Skoufis plans to warm up a key interest group, the teachers union, during the off-session time and get its leadership from being neutral to supporting the bill.

Maybe that will make a difference in the Assembly, he said.

His office is also looking at new bills to add to the roster, one example being to amend the current law to make reentry resources available for people wrongfully convicted upon release.

As the chairman of the state Senates Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, Skoufis is about to release an investigation report into Orange County Industrial Development Agency in weeks.

However, Skoufis said his top priority during the off-session is to meet with constituents in his district.

His office is planning five town hall meetings across the county.
Over 50 Percent of New FBI Form on Biden Bribe Allegations Redacted: Rep. Comer

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on June 20, 2023, in a still from video released by NTD. (NTD)

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said over 50 percent of a new form regarding allegations about President Joe Bidens family business dealings and potential bribes was redacted.

The FD-1023 form is a type of document used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recording allegations about potential criminal activity from the FBIs confidential human sources.

Evidence unearthed through an earlier FD-1023 submitted by a trusted FBI informant alleges that the president accepted at least $5 million as a bribe from a foreign national. Still, more recent allegations put that figure to at least $10 million, partly through the use of shell companies.

Republicans are investigating the matter amid concerns that Biden may have used his influence while vice president to assist his familys business dealings, primarily those of his son Hunter Biden.

Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden attend the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 10, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

On June 20, Comer announced that he would go to the House sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF)a portion of the House complex set aside for the protection of classified documents and materials, despite the FD-1023 form purportedly having been unclassifiedto see another FD-1023 form relating to the allegations against Biden and his family.

Have you got any questions over the documents you saw today? a reporter asked Comer as he emerged from the SCIF.

Well, I would say over 50 percent of the documents were redacted, Comer replied. So there really wasnt anything to talk about. Over 50 percent redacted. All I know is it mentioned Hunter Biden, Burisma. And there was some type of investigation with respect to fraud taking place, but there was so much redacted, you really couldnt tell anything from the 1023.

Comer expressed concerns that federal law enforcement was still holding back information from Republicans, noting that the earlier FD-1023 form referenced others dated 2018. But the document he saw today, Comer said, was dated 2017, meaning other FD-1023s related to the allegations remain hidden.

So the only question that I asked was, Where was the one in 2018? And they ask, What are you talking about?'

The FBI reportedly told Comer that there were no forms from 2018 but said they would look into the matter.

He added that while he and the top Democrat on the panel, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), were given a briefing on the first document, We didnt get a briefing today  And the two documents were so heavily redacted, I had nothing really to say. Ill answer a few questions, but theres nothing to say because they were so redacted.

FD-1023 forms have been at the forefront of a continuing feud between Comer and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Initially, Wray refused to let Congress see the documentdiscovered through a whistleblower report made to Comer and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

According to the lawmakers, the unclassified form describes an alleged criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money-for-policy decisions.

(Left) House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) holds a news conference to present preliminary findings into their investigation into President Joe Bidens family, in Washington on May 10, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images); (Right) FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the presidents 2024 budget request for the agency in Washington on May 10, 2023. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

After Wray failed to meet deadline after deadline to turn over the document, Comer seemed poised to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against the FBI chief. Facing this threat, Wray acceded, allowing Comer and Raskin to view the document in the House SCIF. Later, the full Oversight panel was given access to the document.

Comer was asked by The Epoch Times if he would consider re-initiating contempt proceedings over the 2018 document if it were not produced.

Were waiting to hear back on the 1023 form dated 2018, Comer said noncommittally about restarting contempt proceedings, which he had dropped after being given access to the original FD-1023.

The two that we looked at today were so heavily redacted, and look, theyre gonna have to do better than that, he said.

Im going in the SCIF to look at an unclassified document thats over 50 percent redacted, so it really doesnt matter. What part is redacted? Is it about Joe Biden  is that the part thats redacted? I dont know.

Raskin Dismisses Document, Claims Political Motives

Raskin, Comers Democratic analog on the panel who on June 20 viewed the updated document with Comer, dismissed the contents of the document as non-relevant and repeated his position that the investigation is political.

Raskin said that rather than being a serious investigation, Republicans were using the allegations to shield President Donald Trump, who is currently facing criminal charges in both Manhattan and at the federal level.

Raskin said that in the original FD-1023, the agentwho Republicans say is one of the FBIs most trusted confidential informantsquoted double hearsay from a Ukrainian oligarch, who told him [the agent] that there was some kind of corruption scheme involving the Bidens.

House Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on June 20, 2023, in a still from a video released by NTD. (NTD)

Much of the allegations surrounding the Bidens have concentrated on the role Hunter Biden played in business dealings with a Ukrainian energy firm called Burisma. Biden has publicly admitted to using his influence as vice president to have a Ukrainian prosecutor looking into the firm fired, at risk of the United States withholding a $1 billion loan guarantee.

But Raskin reiterated the contention that Attorney General Bill Barr placed U.S. Attorney Scott Brady in charge of the investigation. Raskin says that Brady determined that the charges were un-substantive, and the case was dropped.

However, this conflicts with the account given by Barr, who told The Epoch Times that the investigation was ongoing when he left office.

Nevertheless, Raskin has insisted that this is not the case, saying Theres nothing in there that even remotely touches on the corruption allegations.

Raskin said, These are even further afield [than the earlier FD-1023]. They dont relate to the corruption allegations.

Theres one mention of the Bidens in which the confidential human source says that there was a brief non-relevant mention of Hunter Biden as a member of the Board of Burisma and identifying him as the son of Joe Biden.

But Raskin said this comment was [not] relevant to what these documents were about.

Comer replied to this comment: The focus of our investigation is Joe Biden and trying to determine what role he played in the millions of dollars that his family took from foreign nationals that was laundered through shell companies into various Biden family accounts. Thats what we want to know. What role did he play? And is our president compromised because of the millions of billions of dollars that his family received from foreign nationals?

The documents contents remain unknown to the public, except through public reporting from panel members like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.).
Pentagon Admits $6.2 Billion Accounting Error in Military Aid for Ukraine

Servicemen of Ukrainian Military Forces move U.S.-made FIM-92 Stinger missiles and the other military assistance shipped from Lithuania to Boryspil Airport in Kyiv on Feb. 13, 2022. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Defense on June 20 said it has overcounted the value of the weapons it sent to Ukraine over the past two years by $6.2 billion.

This error occurred because U.S. military officials didnt count the actual value of what was pulled from the Pentagons weapons stockpile and sent to Ukraine but instead used the value of replacing those weapons, according to deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh. Newly produced weapons usually cost more than the excess old ones they replace.

In a significant number of cases, services used replacement costs rather than net book value, thereby overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from U.S. stocks and provided to Ukraine, the spokeswoman said.

Artillery shells (155 mm) ready to be shipped are stored at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pa., on April 12, 2023. (Hannah Beier/Getty Images)

Specifically, there was an error of $2.6 billion in the 2022 fiscal year and $3.6 billion in the current fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30.

We have confirmed that for FY23, the final calculation is $3.6 billion, and for FY22 it is $2.6 billion, for a combined total of $6.2 billion, Singh added. These valuation errors in no way limit or restricted the size of any of our PDAs or impacted the provision of support to Ukraine.

Presidential drawdown authority, or PDA, is a mechanism the Biden administration is using to expedite the transfer of weapons and other equipment to Ukraine.

This final calculation of the accounting error is almost twice as much as what was estimated in May. The Pentagon at that time said it might have overcounted the value of weapons by about $3 billion.

Ukrainian Counteroffensive

The June 20 announcement is convenient for Kyiv, which is fighting a counteroffensive and continues to ask for more military and economic help from Washington on top of the multi-billion-dollar aid packages it has already received.

A Ukrainian serviceman walks inside a heavily damaged cultural center in the recently liberated village of Blagodatne, in the Donetsk region, on June 16, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images)

In a recent interview with NBC News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the counteroffensive had been met with a tough Russian response, especially when U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets werent delivered promptly because of bureaucratic issues.

I understand that there is bureaucracy, Zelenskyy said. But we are losing time, we are losing people, and the most important thing, we are losing our advantage.

Russia is controlling the air. Ukraine wants to be able to compete in the airlet us do it today.

Zelenskyy also pushed back on comments from Republican presidential contenders who expressed skepticism about continuing to arm Ukraine at the present rate.

During the interview, Zelenskyy was asked about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss characterization of the UkraineRussia conflict as a territorial dispute and former President Donald Trumps vow to negotiate a peace deal between the two countries as soon as possible.

If any candidate thinks supporting Ukraine is too costly, are they ready to go to war? Are they ready to fight? Send their children? Die? Zelenskyy told NBCs Richard Engel.

They will have to do it anyway if NATO enters this war, and if Ukraine fails and Russia occupies us, they will move on to the Baltics or Poland or some other NATO country. And then the U.S. will have to choose between keeping NATO or entering the war.

When asked whether he was worried about any candidate in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, Zelenskyy said: The American people will choose the most worthy president, and we will support this choice.

Of course, some statements from representatives of specific groups and politicians calling for diminished support of Ukraine, yes, that does worry us. I think thats a big risk for Ukraine. Its not the person at the top; its the change of policy we want to avoid. I believe that wont happen.
LONDON  BlackRocks BRIC ETF will change its name to BIC after index provider FTSE Russell deleted Russian equities from the index.

It comes as FTSE Russell, which removed all Russian securities from its equity indices on 7 March last year, updated the name of the FTSE BRIC 50 Net of Tax index to the FTSE BIC 50 Net of Tax index to reflect the changes.

As a result, the iShares BRIC 50 UCITS ETF (BRIC) will be renamed the iShares BIC 50 UCITS ETF.

The term BRIC stands for Brazil, Russia, India and China and is a term first coined by Goldman Sachs former head of global economics research Baron Jim ONeill in 2001 as an attempt to bunch together the Big Four of emerging markets.

Despite this, BRIC is now the only ETF left tracking the investment thesis, one of six products that have survived the last decade due to underperformance, high fees and Russian securities becoming inaccessible last year.

Russias invasion of Ukraine brought the onset of financial sanctions, making it difficult to access Russian equities or Global Depository Receipts (GDR)  previously used by the FTSE BRIC 50 Net of Tax index  targeting them.

BRIC, which houses $125m assets under management (AUM), currently has an 84.4% weighting to China, a 13.3% weighting to Brazil and just a 1.4% allocation to India.

The ETF has returned -35.3% over the past five years, as at the end of May, and -3.7% since its inception in 2007.

[This article originally appeared on ETF Stream.]





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Pentagon Leak Suspect Jack Teixeira Pleads Not Guilty

The suspect, national guardsman Jack Teixeira, reflected in an image of the Pentagon in Washington on April 13, 2023. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Accused Pentagon top secret document leaker Jack Teixeira has pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges that a conviction on could send the former Air National Guard member to prison for many years.

Teixeira, 21, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to national defense.

His family said in a statement to media outlets on Wednesday that they continue to stand behind him and hope for a fair trial.

We remain as committed as ever and our entire family continues to share complete and unwavering support of Jack, Teixeiras family said.

Jack will now have his day in court. And as we move through this process, we are hopeful that Jack will be getting the fair and just treatment he deserves, the family continued, while asking for continued respect for our privacy during this difficult ordeal.

Each of the six charges of unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years behind bars, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Teixeira was taken into custody in April and has remained jailed since his arrest.

Jack Douglas Teixeira poses for a selfie at an unidentified location in a file photo. (Social Media Website via Reuters)

Indictment

Teixeira joined the U.S. Air National Guard in September 2019 and, since 2021, he has held a top-secret security clearance. Its believed that at some point in early 2022, he started mishandling sensitive information.

Teixeiras indictment, released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on June 15, accuses the Massachusetts native of committing one of the most serious security breaches since the infamous WikiLeaks fiasco in which hundreds of thousands of documents, videos, and diplomatic cables were leaked to the public.

Jack Teixeira was entrusted by the United States government with access to classified national defense informationincluding information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if shared, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.

He is accused of inappropriately retaining and distributing national defense information that was classified as either top secret or secret. Teixeira allegedly shared this information on social media while aware that its disclosure could potentially harm the United States or benefit a foreign adversary.

Teixeira is charged with sharing information with users on a social media platform he knew were not entitled to receive it. In doing so, he is alleged to have violated U.S. law and endangered our national security, Garland added.

Teixeira was arrested in April after allegedly posting the highly classified materials on the messaging app Discord.

The documents allegedly leaked by Teixeira contained top-secret details about both allies and foes, covering topics from Ukraines air defenses amidst the Russian invasion to Israels Mossad spy agency.

The case has sparked concerns about how a low-level airman could have access to Pentagon secrets.

President Joe Biden has ordered an investigation into why he was privy to such sensitive information, while two commanders in Teixeiras unit were later suspended pending a probe.

Individuals granted security clearances are entrusted to protect classified information and safeguard our nations secrets. The allegations in todays indictment reveal a serious violation of that trust, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

Jack Teixeira, in T-shirt and shorts, being taken into custody by armed tactical agents in Dighton, Mass., on April 13, 2023. (WCVB-TV via AP)

Top Secret

Teixeira is accused of divulging this sensitive data on the Discord platform in two ways. First, after accessing sensitive from a classified workstation at the Otis U.S. Air National Guard Base, he wrote it down and shared it with other users on the platform. The second way was by posting pictures of classified documents directly onto Discord. The unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified information jeopardizes our nations security, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement. Last month, a judge ordered Teixeira to remain jailed as he awaits trial, saying that he was at flight risk or might seek to obstruct justice. His lawyers had pressed the judge to release him to his father, arguing that he has no criminal history.

Jack Teixeira, a U.S. Air Force National Guard airman accused of leaking highly classified military intelligence records online, appears in court in Boston, Mass., on April 19, 2023. (Margaret Small/Reuters)

The leak Teixeira is accused of carrying out led to a large number of images circulating online.

One document, supposedly leaked from the Defense Intelligence Agency, seemed to detail potential scenarios involving the Israeli government supplying weapons to Ukrainian forces. It suggested several situations, ranked from most plausible to least plausible.

Another document claimed to display the number of Russian and Ukrainian casualties as of early March 2023. This document alleged that the conflict had resulted in the deaths of between 16,000 and 17,500 Russian soldiers and up to 71,500 Ukrainian forces since the outbreak of the conflict the previous year.

However, officials from both the United States and Ukraine have said that the leaked documents related to the war in Ukraine might have been altered or manipulated.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the chief of Ukraines presidential office, said in a statement following news of the leak that the posts looked like a Russian disinformation operation to sow doubts about Ukraines predicted counter-offensive.

The Epoch Times cannot confirm the authenticity of the documents.
Police Arrest 45, Seize 440 Weapons in Canada-Wide Raids Targeting 3D-printed Guns

Some of the 3D-printed ghost guns seized in Operation Centaure are displayed during a news conference in Montreal, June 21, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz)

Police said Wednesday they arrested 45 people and seized 440 weapons in simultaneous raids across eight provinces, targeting manufacturers of 3D-printed or ghost guns, which are increasingly showing up at crime scenes in Canada.

Authorities held a news conference in Montreal to announce the results of Tuesdays operation, dubbed Reproduction, led by the Quebec provincial police and involving about 20 other forces, including the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police.

I dont know if out of this investigation that weve seen specifics on where these firearms are headed; however, we know that theyre crime guns, said OPP chief superintendent Paul McKay, adding that there is a growing concern across Canada about untraceable ghost guns, which are 3D-printed without serial numbers or assembled at home from parts collected from various sources.

We know that theyre created for a specific purposeand you know theyre not intended for sport shooters or anything like thatits a criminal intent and theyre made for a specific purpose to be put in the hands of criminal organizations.

Tuesdays cross-country raids were co-ordinated by a Quebec police unitLEquipe integree de lutte au trafic darmesthat was formed in 2021 to fight gun crime, and includes officers from the provincial police, Montreal police, the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency.

Quebec provincial police Chief Insp. Benoit Dube called the operation one of the largest hes taken part in involving weapons seizures. On Tuesday, police executed 64 search warrants across Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. They seized 440 guns, including 3D-printed handguns, long guns and silencers, as well as other guns and 3D printers.

Dube said ghost guns are becoming increasingly prevalent during weapons seizures, accounting for up to 25 percent of guns seized during police operations so far this year. He said those arrested Tuesday ranged in age from 16 to 77 years old with some having links to organized crime networks.

The investigation began with a Canada Border Services Agency probe triggered in April 2021 after intelligence officers followed up on the importation of a set of weapon railsbrackets used to mount accessories on guns. These rails were allegedly made for 3D-printed weapons that came in from a U.S.-based exporter previously identified by the agency, Adriano Giannini, a CBSA official, told reporters Wednesday.

In September 2021, the importer was identified as a resident of the Montreal area who authorities said had a criminal record and was subject to a weapons prohibition order. Quebec provincial police got involved in November 2022, their main target being a Montreal man who was sending gun parts across Canada that were procured from Asia.

And when we saw that our main target was sending those rails all over Canada, we got into contact with  our community of police officers, Dube said.

Those arrested could face charges of production, possession and distribution of firearms.
Prayers for Rain to Put Out Wildfires Were Answered in Alberta, but Next Came Floods

A bear also took out phone lines in the town of Edson

Alberta firefighters, farmers, and others may have wished for rain to help the firefighters battle raging wildfires that started at the end of April, but now the rain just wont stop, causing evacuations, shelter-in-place orders, river advisories, and flood warnings throughout the Prairie province.

Just a few days after more than 8,000 homeowners in Yellowhead County and the Edson area were told they could go homeafter being forced out twice already due to wildfiresheavy rain has led to flooding and fresh evacuation orders in some areas.

In some regions, residents were advised to be prepared to evacuate with one hours notice and told to gather their pets, important documents, and medication.

Yellowhead County had a flash flood warning issued at 5:42 p.m. local time, with residents being warned that they had to evacuate due to heavy rainfall.

Yellowhead County has received heavy rainfall resulting in overland flooding, snow accumulation, fallen powerlines, and in some areas, power outages. Please take action to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, including livestock, the warning said.

We Asked for Rain

We asked for rain and boy did we get itand way too much, said Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara in a video update. He also posted a video on social media on June 19, showing that water levels in the area were close to rising above Highway 16. The town declared a state of emergency.

The town office also lost phone lines on June 19, the mayor said in an update on June 20, which he said were not caused by rain.

And Im not making this up folks, it was caused by a bear that ran up a pole and took down some lines. So if you think that anything could get weirder in this whole scheme of events, I dont think we can make up any weirder stories than that, said Zahara.

The Town of Edson issued a statement on social media on June 20, stating: This rainfall is not normal. This is considered a major storm event, at a level seen only once every 25 to 50 years. Over the past week, Edson has been hit by more than 135mm of rain.

Yellowhead County Mayor Wade Williams provided an online video update on June 20 that said while residents about 250 kilometres west of Edmonton had originally prayed for rain to help put out fires, now the community wants the water to stop.

It has quit raining and there [are] little bits of sunshine  so hopefully the water levels wont continue to rise much more than they have, Williams said.

Its been a real rodeo herefrom the fires to the rain, and then to the snow up there that took out a power line to one of the hamlets, Cadomin, on the west end.

The mayor said the fires are still burning. Just a couple of nights ago, we had a significant amount of rain and two of them fires flared up at night when the wind came up, he said.

Late on the same day, residents in Lower Robb, an area 250 kilometres west of Edmonton, were told to leave their homes following heavy rainfall and overland flooding. The county declared a state of emergency and reported roads in the county were covered in water.

Snow, Rain, Power Outages

Parks Canada reported that Jasper National Park received 55 centimetres of snow and more than 100 millimetres of rain in some regions, causing the closure of Maligne and Miette Roads. Parks staff were helping visitors on tour buses, hikers, and some boaters who had been stranded by the heavy downpours.

Parks Canada is working on assessing the safety of roads, including the risk of avalanches or mudslides. We recognize this situation may cause delays and impact visitor travel plans, said the department.

Some small towns had power outages, such as the Cadomin region, where snow knocked out electric power lines, expecting to keep the power out for several days. Transmission lines were damaged, and south of the area, Highway 40 was closed.

The residents of Peer were told to shelter in place after the rain caused high water levels that washed out a bridge. A notice on Facebook from the county told residents in the hamlet that emergency responders would be assisting residents in leaving the area.

Woodlands County also issued a flood alert for an area along the McLeod River, and warned that rising waters on that river were causing overland flooding near Whitecourt.

Whitecourt, about 100 kilometres northeast of Edson, meanwhile, declared a state of local emergency due to flooding, with rapidly rising water levels triggering road closures, evacuation orders, and threatening homes and buildings.

Water levels on McLeod and Athabasca Rivers are expected to continue to rise for at least another 24 hours or possibly longer.

Major Cities

Edmonton has received more than 125 mm of heavy rain in just six days this month, after two weeks of dry, hot weather, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Some areas recorded between 50 and 104 millimetres of rain from June 18 to June 19 due to a significant low-pressure weather system over the region.

A typical average for the entire month of June in Edmonton is 77 mm.

On June 20, the city of Edmonton issued an announcement warning that continuous rain and rising river waters were creating dangerous conditions.

Due to the continuous rain, the river, as well as shorelines and trails directly near the river, may be unsafe. Edmontonians may expect high water levels and increased current flow in the coming days, said the city.

The North Saskatchewan River was under a high stream flow advisory as of June 20, having risen to a height of 5.2 metres. City officials were advising that trails may be closed within the next 12-hour period due to rising water levels. City residents were being warned to exercise extreme caution around the river running through the city and its tributaries. Mill Creek Ravine trail system had been closed in some areas due to flooded trails.

Alberta Environment said a high streamflow advisory remained in effect for the tributaries of the North Saskatchewan River from Nordegg to Edmonton.

Calgary was also seeing significant rainfall on June 20, with more rain forecast for another 48 hours, a brief three-day reprieve, and then another five days of scattered thunderstorms and rain expected.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden is pleading guilty to federal charges. Whats in his plea deal with the Justice Department, and how is the White House reacting?

Special counsel John Durham meets with the House Intelligence Committee. Find out what lawmakers have to say about how the FBI handled the Trump-Russia investigation.

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) reacts to Hunter Bidens latest plea deal. He says he hopes the House committee can get to the bottom of their investigations into the Biden family.

This week marks one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Opinions might seem very dividedbut a congresswoman uses the occasion to highlight abortion views most Americans share.

An attorney explores with us why the medical industry is supporting the transgender movement. Hes representing a young de-transitioner in a lawsuit against the hospital that conducted the surgery.

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is fired up about being censored by YouTube. The company cited vaccination misinformation for pulling down his interview with Jordan Peterson, and he likened the censorship to election interference.
Public Servants Worked to Avoid Directly Answering MPs Order Paper Questions: Internal Emails

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner rises during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2020. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Federal public servants worked to avoid giving direct answers to a Conservative MPs written questions posed in order papers, according to internal emails, prompting outrage from opposition MPs.

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner raised the issue in the House of Commons on June 15, saying she had obtained evidence through an Access to Information request showing that public servants deliberately withheld information she had sought from Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson in an order paper question filed in November 2022.

In the question, Rempel Garner asked Natural Resources Canada (NRC) for details about the U.S. military funding Canadian mining projects, to which Wilkinson gave an oral response in the House on Jan. 30.

However, internal emails distributed within NRC showed that, in preparing an answer to the question, public servants recommended using limitation language to answer written questions by Conservative and NDP MPs, according to the Globe and Mail.

An NRC official who was responsible for approving the governments response to Rempel Garners order paper question also said in an email that the response does not answer questions directly, but provides a response to the spirit of the questions.

Kyle Harrietha, the deputy chief of staff to Wilkinson, also addressed the prospect of House Speaker Anthony Rota ruling that NRC provided an incomplete response to Rempel Garner.

However, Harrietha said in an email that he expected Rota to tut tut and then say it is not for him to judge the quality of a response.

The Epoch Times has not independently verified the internal emails.

Rempel Garner said the emails display a deliberate attempt to deny me an answer.

Instead of providing the House with accurate information  the information was based on the communication needs of the minister, she said, claiming that NRCs response violated her parliamentary privilege.

Very Troubling

Rota ruled on Rempel Garners question of privilege on June 20, saying that ministers and their staff are expected to provide members with the most accurate answers possible to written questions.

Written questions and the responses to them are essential parts of the process of accountability, he said. Consequently, they are central to our parliamentary system.

However, the speaker said that since he was asked to rule on departments internal processes for preparing responses to written questions rather than the quality of their answers, he said there was prima facie question of privilege in Rempel Garners case.

But he also noted that certain remarks by public servants in the internal emails were very troubling.

I am especially troubled by the comments from the public servants to the effect that the Chair could not intervene in case of a point of order and that this could justify an incomplete response, he said.

Conservative MPs Shannon Stubbs and Brad Redekopp also rose in the House on June 20 to deliver complaints about government departments trying to avoid answering their previous written questions.

Unfortunately, it is a pattern, really, of blocking the legitimate right of MPs to ask questions of the government on behalf of the Canadians we represent and to whom we must be accountable, Stubbs said.

Assistant Deputy Speaker Alexandra Mendes said both of their questions of privilege would be taken into account.
Putins Nuclear Threat Against the US Is Terrorism

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on Feb. 17, 2023. (Vladimir Astapkovich/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

In Vladimir Putins latest act of desperation, he has again threatened the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and by extension, the United States as its lead member, with nuclear weapons. The U.S. nuclear umbrella covers all NATO nations, so a nuclear threat against NATO is a nuclear threat against the United States.

On June 16, Putin noted that NATO countries supply Ukraine with heavy weaponry, such as U.S., British, and German tanks. He implicitly threatened NATO by musing, in this context, about Russias right to use nuclear weapons when the existence of the Russian state is threatened. Putin noted that Russia has more nuclear weapons than NATO countries and that there is a serious danger of NATO supplying additional heavy weaponry to Ukraine, such as fighter jets, and then being drawn into direct conflict with Russia.

Putin went further than mere threats, claiming he had already moved nuclear weapons closer to NATO countries.

The first nuclear warheads have been delivered to Belarus, but just the first ones, he told the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Putin made his threats as the United States and allies were gathering in neighboring Lithuania, a NATO member, for their annual meeting.

The Belarussian dictator, a near vassal of Putin, said that the new nuclear weapons on his territory are three times more powerful than the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. While the United States and allies have shown remarkable restraint in moving nuclear weapons out of Europe after the Cold War, and attempting to decrease Western nuclear arsenals, Moscow and Beijing have moved in the opposite direction.

Putin said that Russias use of nuclear weapons is possible if there is a threat to our territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty, to the existence of the Russian state.

He said NATO countries know that Russia has more nuclear weapons than they do, and they keep telling us to start negotiations on reductions. Well, you know what? They can shove it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin oversees the training of the strategic deterrence forces, troops responsible for responding to threats of nuclear war, via a video link in Moscow on Oct. 26, 2022. (Alexei Babushkin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

This choice of language and failure to lower the nuclear temperature shows remarkable irresponsibility given the human lives at stake.

As of January 2021, according to the Arms Control Association, Russia had a total of 6,250 nuclear warheads. The United States had over 5,500, Britain 220, and France 290. After the Cold War, the United States removed all but 100 of its nuclear weapons from Europe.

Putin singled out plans by some NATO countries to send U.S. fighter jets to Ukraine. The Biden administration has finally green-lighted that request. Other countries called for fast-tracking Ukraines NATO application, which Biden is resisting, in another show of U.S. restraint.

Russian state media followed up on Putins threats by emphasizing that nuclear weapons should be used against NATO countries directly.

Loose talk of nuclear weapons by Putin and his state media normalizes this most destructive weaponry. In the context of Russias invasion of Ukraine and the unconscionable threat of their use by a dictator against a neighboring democracy, such brinkmanship amounts to nuclear terrorism.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded to Putins threats by attempting to calm the waters, saying there is no indication of an imminent use of nuclear weapons by Moscow and, therefore, no need for the United States to change its nuclear posture.

Former CIA Chief of Russia Operations Steve Hall told CNN that Putin skillfully uses his nuclear weapons for psychological and propaganda purposes. He knows we get worried in the West when he starts  nuclear saber-rattling.

Putin desperately wants NATO to stop its expansion, for example, by rejecting Ukraine and Georgia as members. His nuclear threats and invasion of both countries make it more difficult to admit them, since admission requires a lack of territorial disputes by the applicant.

However, Putin is shooting himself in the foot. His aggression also increases the incentives for Ukraine, Georgia, and many other countries, including in Asia, to join NATO and strengthen the organization.

Putin is why NATO will raise its target for military spending; why itll lock arms with its newest member, Finland; why itll embrace Sweden as the aspiring 32nd; and why itll discuss whether and how to embrace Ukraine into its fold, writes Andreas Kluth in Bloomberg.

Kluth said that the movement of Russian nuclear weapons so close to NATO borders in Belarus is a form of psychological terrorism.

In the 1980s, NATO stationed US missiles in West Germany, not to escalate, but to get Moscow to stop doing so, Kluth wrote. If Putin now places nukes in Belarus, America should move some of its warheads to the eastern NATO countries that feel most threatenedthat is, Poland and the Baltic states.

Putins nuclear threats against the West are not the only egregious wrongs of Russia recently.

New reports of Russian soldiers castrating Ukrainian soldiers are shocking the public.

In occupied parts of Georgia, a former Soviet Republic south of Russia, Russian soldiers are gradually increasing their territory by first placing markers, then digging ditches in the fields of neighboring Georgian farmers, posting signs, and finally stretching barbed wire and building fences or walls through entire towns.

They follow the salami-slicing playbook of incrementalism, used successfully by the Chinese Communist Party, for example, in mainland China, Tibet, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea, since the 1930s.

Russias actions in Ukraine, Georgia, and elsewhere are unconscionable forms of aggression under a veil of propaganda about Moscows defense in the face of NATOs peaceful expansion. Putin and his supporters must be held to account as terrorists and international war criminals. Anything less fails to impose accountability for some of the most heinous of criminal acts, thus incentivizing their further commission.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Australia has opened the doors to a vaccine skin patch manufacturing facility in hopes to reduce the complexities and costs associated with existing vaccines and be better position the country for future pandemics.

Situated in Brisbanes riverside suburb of Hamilton, biotechnology company Vaxxas expects to manufacture and distribute the first commercially available vaccine patches within three to five years.

The skin patches increase accessibility by allowing vaccines to be administered in remote areas without access to trained medical staff and refrigeration, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.

This world-renowned technology has the potential to play a vital role in pandemic preparedness because it allows vaccines to be deployed quickly and easily to our communities, he said at the facility opening on June 19.

The patches can potentially be self-administered to deposit a vaccine through the surface of the skin in just seconds. They can also remain stable at room temperature.

Vaxxas chief executive officer David Hoey (Marc Grimwade Photography)

The facility will operate as a global headquarters and biomedical facility in a custom-built, 5,500 square meter (60,000 square feet) state government backed-building.

Vaxxas vaccine patch technology platform has completed several human clinical trials involving more than 500 participants and is advancing rapidly towards commercialisation, Chief Executive Officer David Hoey said.

The facilitys opening marks a significant milestone for Vaxxas, which was founded in 2011 on research from The University of Queensland (UQ), Hoey said.

Vaxxas was established to develop the high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) vaccine technology at UQ.

In addition, Vaxxas also has ongoing Australian Phase I clinical studies for COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, and other vaccine studies targeting pandemic influenza funded by the United States Government and a measles-rubella study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation expected to start in 2024.

Photograph showing the stickiness between the wearable concept and human skin. (University of Missouri)

Economic Development

Miles said the facility, in its early stage, would create up to 200 local well-paid jobs.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting homegrown biomedical start-ups to scale up successfully and ensure we keep this innovation and our best and brightest researchers on home soil, he said.

Vaxxas is a terrific example of a local success story that will create highly-skilled jobs in a fast-growing global industry and supercharge the states economy.

Queensland recently announced a partnership between UQ and Emory University in Atlanta at a global biotech conference in the U.S. on June 7 in hopes to become a major international vaccine hub.

The focus will be on rapid progression to the clinical trial of a scaled-up number of vaccine candidates for the treatment of Asia-Pacific region viruses and infectious diseases, along with pandemic preparedness, UQs Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said.

Biotech companies from around the world will be able to come to Brisbane to take advantage of the facilities already established and work with the 300-plus researchers associated with the Emory and UQ partnership.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Rates of eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm substantially increased among teenage girls in the UK during the first two years of COVID-19 lockdowns, according to a new study.

Social isolation, anxiety resulting from changing routines, and school shutdowns contributed to increases in eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm in young girls, but the affected number could be even higher than researchers observed.

The new study, published in the Lancet Child And Adolescent Health journal, looked at nine million records belonging to patients aged 10-24 years, from around 2,000 GP practices across the UK.

In summary, the incidence of primary care-recorded eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm episodes have substantially increased among teenage girls in the UK in the two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report authors wrote.

The report has come in as a former chief medical officer has told an official probe into COVID-19 that lockdowns damaged, and still continue to damage a generation of children.

A sign asking people to stay at home stands on the seafront in Southend, England on Jan. 8, 2021. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Teenage Girls

Since March 2020, when the first COVID-19 lockdown was implemented, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia were 42 percent higher than would be expected for teenage girls aged 13-16, and 32 percent higher for those aged 17-19, they found.

The number of cases of self-harm was 38 percent higher than expected among girls aged 13 to 16.

No increase in self-harm was observed among boys or girls of other ages.

The researchers said they did not identify a rise in reported eating disorders among boys

Lead author Dr Pearl Mok, from the University of Manchester, said: The reasons for the increase in eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm episodes amongst teenage girls during the pandemic are likely to be complex and could be due to a mixture of issues such as social isolation, anxiety resulting from changing routines, disruption in education, unhealthy social media influences, and increased clinical awareness.

Our study is large but episodes of self-harm that were not treated by health services were not captured in our data, so the rise in self-harm incidence might have been even greater than we observed. However, it is also possible that cases of self-harm not coming to the attention of services may have exhibited a different pattern.

The study also found that the increase in eating disorders and self-harm was greater in less deprived than in more deprived areas.

This may reflect differences in service provision and challenges in accessing clinical care, rather than greater increases in risks for self-harm and eating disorders during the pandemic amongst those living in the least than in the most deprived communities, said Mok.

Commenting on the study, Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at eating disorder charity Beat, said, These figures are shocking but sadly not surprising; during the height of the pandemic we saw demand for our helpline services spike by 300 percent and it is still remaining high.

Childrens play swings remained locked and chained, due to the CCP virus pandemic, in Leicester, England, before non-essential shops closed for the localised lockdown on June 30, 2020. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Damning Piece Of Evidence

Molly Kingsley, co-founder of UsForThem, the parent campaign group formed in May 2020 to advocate against school closures told The Epoch Times by email that the study was yet another damning piece of evidence highlighting harms flowing from the catastrophic policy errors of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Inquiry, the UKs probe into the handling of the government response to COVID-19, commenced last week, however, the probe is not specifically looking at the impact of school closures until 2025.

What did ministers think would happen to childrens mental and physical health when they locked them behind closed doors and advocated them to replace friends, with screens? said Kingsley.

With such a huge amount of data now available on the impacts of lockdown and school closures on children those impacts should have been the first subject under investigation by the COVID-19 Inquiry, she added.

In response to comments about why the impact on children wasnt being looked into first, a spokesperson for the inquiry told The Epoch Times by email: The inquiry is being delivered through modules. In the first modules it will build a picture of the pandemiclooking at how prepared the UK was for a pandemic and why certain decisions were made.

The inquiry is structured in this way to ensure each issue is investigated with sufficient depth whilst allowing the Inquiry to make progress.

Inquiry Chair Baroness Heather Hallett is committed to investigating the impacts on children and young people, including health, well-being and social care, and will do so as soon as possible. It is one of a number of topics which the inquiry must investigate that are set out in our terms of reference, he added.

Giving evidence relating to the pandemic planning and preparedness on Tuesday to the COVID-19 Inquiry lead counsel, Hugo Keith, former Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies said lockdowns damaged a generation.

The damage I now see to children and students from COVID-19, and the educational impact, tells me that education has a terrific amount of work to do, she said.

We have damaged a generation and it is awful as head of a college in Cambridge watching these young people struggle, Davies said.

I know in pre-schools they havent learned how to socialise and play properly, they havent learned how to read at school. We must have plans for them, she added.

UK COVID-19 Inquiry handout photo of a general view of the room where the public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic is taking place dated June 6, 2023. (UK COVID-19 Inquiry/PA Wire)

Serious Mental Health Problems

In January, NHS data showed that more than a million children needed treatment for serious mental health problems, including eating disorders, in the time since lockdowns were imposed in England.

From 2020 to early 2022 the UK government imposed multiple COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

The England-wide data include children who are suicidal, self-harming, suffering serious depression or anxiety, and those with eating disorders.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We recognise the devastating impact eating disorders can have on an individual and familys life, which is why were investing an additional 2.3 billion a year in NHS mental health services by March 2024, so more adults, children and young people in England can receive appropriate treatment.

Capacity at children and young peoples community eating disorder services is also being increased across the country thanks to an additional government investment of up to 54 million a year by March 2024.

PA Media contributed to this report.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
San Diego City Council Bans Homeless Encampments

A woman prepares her new bunk in the Temporary Bridge Shelter for the homeless in San Diego on Dec. 1, 2018. (Gregory Bull/AP Photo)

A controversial homeless encampment ban, which would prohibit unhoused people from camping in public spaces to protect public health and safety, narrowly passed on a 5 to 4 vote after nearly 10 hours of discussion between San Diego City councilors during a special meeting June 13.

According to the ordinance, such a ban near schools, transit hubs, shelters and in parks and waterways will go into effect 30 days after the opening of a new safe sleeping sitedesignated for the homeless to camp in safely with access to resources.

Two such sites are in the making: one on 20th & B Street with 136 spaces opening by July, and another in a parking lot near Balboa Park with space for 400 tents by the fall.

According to city officials, the goal is to protect the homeless from violence and drug overdoses, and the publics health from diseasessuch as Hepatitis Adrug exposure, violence, indecent exposure, and fires which can erupt in encampments.

Existing city laws bans the homeless from encroaching on public rights of waysuch as sidewalks with their belongings, which can result in an arrest and up to six hours in jail if they refuse to relocate.

A homeless man rolls over to look at a flyer with pictures of a suspect in recent assaults on the homeless, as a San Diego Homeless Outreach Team officer canvasses several areas in San Diego on July 6, 2016. (Peggy Peattie/U-T San Diego)

The ban was approved by councilors Stephen Whitburn, Joe LaCava, Marni von Wilpert, Raul Campillo, and Jennifer Campbell.

This is a win-win ordinance because our homeless living on unsafe sidewalks and unhealthy conditions will be able to live in a clean healthier location with 24-hour a day services while being helped to find permanent housing, said Campbell. Families living, walking to school, and working will no longer have to navigate through items blocking the sidewalk and health hazards.

Whitburnwho proposed the ordinancesaid he believes the city can look after the wellbeing of the homeless, while still protecting the safety of the public.

We can work to get people on their feet, and we can have reasonable regulations on the use and locations of encampments, he said.

According to the new ban, homeless persons will be given three opportunities to accept shelter. If they refuse a second time, they will be issued a misdemeanor citation, then arrested and jailed if they refuse a third time.

Non-perishable belongings of those arrested which do not contain biohazards will be impounded at police headquarters.

Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, President Pro Tem Monica Montgomery Steppe, and councilors Kent Lee and Vivian Moreno voted against the ordinance for a variety of concerns regarding enforcement, and shelter availability.

Moreno said the ordinances plan was not thorough and the city was without resources to enforce it.

With the proliferation of encampments and public spaces, San Diegans have essentially lost their rights to those public spaces because of unregulated camping, Moreno said in the meeting. However, passing a new law without plans to enforce it will achieve very little.

A police official walks near a crime scene in San Diego on July 15, 2016. (Gregory Bull/AP Photo)

Lees position was similar. He shared concerns with how the ban may create confusion and push encampments into further remote spaces where outreach services have a more difficult time reaching. He said he believes the city should be focusing on creating more shelter spaces and housing.

Fundamentally, this ordinance makes a promise to the public that we will never be able to deliver, he said. The data clearly shows us that we have far more people seeking shelter than we have shelter available.

There are currently 10,264 homeless people in San Diego Countyof which 5,093 are in transitional housing or an emergency shelteraccording to the 2023 point-in-time count by the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, which was released earlier this month.

The San Diego Police Departments Neighboring Policing Division will oversee enforcing the ordinance with 58 officers currently on staff.

One caveat of the ordinance is that encampments within two miles of shelters can only be removed if there is a shelter bed available.

According to officials, the city plans to spend over $200 million in 2024 on homeless shelters, programs, services, and preventionincluding more safe sleeping sites.
(Bloomberg) -- The founder of Chiles surging right-wing party bashed President Gabriel Borics plan for government control of lithium production, saying it would set the country back in competing for investment.

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Jose Antonio Kast, who lost to Boric in the 2021 presidential election and aims to run again in 2025, said state-owned companies dont have the expertise to extract lithium and ensure that Chileans get the maximum value for their natural resources. If we delay, the most likely scenario is that Argentina, Bolivia and Australia are the biggest lithium producers, he said.

Were going to lose an important position and show up late to submit this product that is part of our national wealth for trade, he said in an interview at the headquarters of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas in New York.

Kast resurfaced as a major force in Chilean politics last month as his party secured the most votes in elections for a council charged with drafting a new constitution. The rise in support for his Partido Republicano compounded the challenges for Borics leftist administration, which swept into power with promises for reforms of the pension system and greater protection for indigenous rights but has been stymied by a divided legislature.

Read more: Why Chiles Draft Constitution Has Come Under Attack

In April, Boric announced a new national lithium strategy that put the state in a central role to develop the industry, as demand from producers of electric vehicle batteries soars. The government plans to submit a bill to Congress later this year to create a national lithium company that would own a stake in all new projects and at least 51% of all operations in areas deemed strategic. In the meantime, it has assigned state copper producer Codelco the task of negotiating new contracts with Soc. Quimica & Minera de Chile SA, or SQM, and Albemarle Corp., to give the state majority stakes of their current projects.

We dont believe in the entrepreneurial state, Kast said. We do recognize the added value that Codelco has given to Chile, and we have always stated that, but we would not create a national lithium company, or a national company for wind energy or green hydrogen, because the state has to fulfill other roles first.

Boric has said that the government will respect existing contracts with SQM and Albemarle to extract lithium from the Atacama salt flats. SQMs contract expires in 2030 and Albemarles in 2043. SQMs shares have dropped since Borics announcement, though some analysts have suggested the new public-private participation model could be reversed by the next administration.

Borics administration has said the strategy will attract more investors. The government is in talks with more than 40 interested companies from more than a dozen countries, Claudia Sanhueza, deputy trade minister, said last month.

Read more: Chile Sees Lithium Plan Expanding Trade Ties, Foreign Investment

While Kast opposes Borics plan, he said it wouldnt be necessary to change the constitution to preserve private investment. The current constitution does establish that natural resources are for all Chileans, but that they can be granted through a legal and qualified process to concessionaires, he said. That is something that we believe has permitted Chiles mining industrial development.

Kast, 57, said he hopes to be Republicanos presidential candidate in 2025, but that the decision will play out in the coming months through local elections and political developments. Polling firm Criteria said this month that Kast led the list of preferred presidential candidates for the 2025 election, with 21% of respondents mentioning his name. Boric is barred from running for reelection.

Yes, I have a real chance of being a candidate, in part because of name recognition, he said. But in politics, two years indeed is a long time.

--With assistance from Carolina Gonzalez and Matthew Malinowski.

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Censure Resolution for Adam Schiff Finally Succeeds

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) listens during the third hearing by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington on June 16, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Commentary

Does a resolution to censure or an actual censure of a sitting House member have any teeth? In 2019, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) authored a resolution to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Schiff had grossly mischaracterized a phone call between Donald Trump and the President of Ukraine and helped initiate an impeachment inquiry.

This was just one of the frivolous investigations that Schiff has led or participated in regarding Trump while he was a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence. Indeed, Schiff already knew that there was nothing illegal about the phone call, but he persisted in wasting taxpayers money and time. However, the resolution to censure didnt pass in the House.

Fast forward to June 2023, and another motion to censure Schiff was put forth by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.). This censure effort revolved around an impeachment attempt based on the fraudulent Steele dossier. The Democrats knew that their Russia/Trump collusion narrative to interfere in the 2016 election was based on disinformation, yet they plowed ahead.

On Twitter, Schiff pompously played the victim and stated, MAGA Republicans are going after me because I dared to hold Donald Trump accountable. These efforts to intimidate me will not succeed. I will always defend our democracy. He didnt mention the objective evidence that was suppressed and the witnesses who were censored while he sat on partisan panels that kept churning out a one-sided narrative.

Luna countered with this about Schiff. Adam Schiff literally used his position on House Intelligence, read a cooked-up dossier into a congressional record and honestly helped with the illegal spying and violation of the American citizens civil liberties, and yet people are still trying to defend this guy, she said, reported the Los Angeles Daily News.

The House initially voted 225-196 to table the resolution on June 14. It was notable for Californians because five of the twenty Republicans who voted to table were from this state. Why did they seem to let Schiff off the hook again by voting with the Democrats to end the formal rebuke? One could understand the Democrats desire to circle the wagons around Schiff regardless of his behavior.

But on June 21, the House advanced the resolution and voted 213 to 209 to censure Schiff. He now faces the consequences of a formal admonition. Its common knowledge that Schiff has often targeted conservatives based on flimsy or non-existent evidence and misled Americans regarding events on Jan. 6, 2021, so censuring him seems appropriate.

However, some House members still clearly believe that morality cant be legislated, and censures are minimally effective. On the other hand, they might think passing censure reprimands only sets up a pattern of left and right (no pun intended) vendettas down the road. One wonders what voters think about the guidelines surrounding congressional censures and expulsions.

Along with Eric Early (R), Barbara Lee (D), Katie Porter (D), and Lexi Reese (D), Schiff has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in 2024. Will the voters want to elect a dishonest Schiff to become one of the two senators in this state? Will they vote for members of Congress who took steps to protect corrupt behavior within Democratic ranks?

Republicans shouldnt escape scrutiny either. Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) wildly inflated his career resume and was involved in prior illegal activities. Shouldnt he have been censured or perhaps even expelled from the House? However, it may be best for both sides of the aisle to police their own members instead of unleashing the politics of personal destruction.

The role of Congress is to write up laws that defend liberty, strengthen equal justice under the law, and enhance national security. Members are supposed to represent the will of their constituents by adhering to fiscal accountability, constitutional principles, and transparency. They are elected to uphold the national interest instead of eroding the rule of law.

Finally, censures have been utilized in both private and public sector organizations as a means to curb conflicts of interest, corruption, and other forms of moral turpitude. Even the threat of censure equally applied ought to give any politician a cause for reflection. Will a successful censure resolution alter the behavior of a defiant Adam Schiff? Time will tell, but dont hold your breath as it might take a miracle.

This article has been updated to reflect the latest vote on the resolution.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Senators Spent a Collective Total of $500,000 for Office Art Rentals Since 2016: Taxpayers Group

Senators have a $240,000 annual budget that includes art rental from approved suppliers

Senators sit physically distanced as they listen to Gov. Gen Julie Payette deliver the Speech from the Throne at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa, on Sept. 23, 2020. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Canadas senators spent a collective $500,000 on art for their offices since 2016, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF).

Some say art is priceless, but in the Canadian Senate, its more like a blank cheque, stated a June 16 news release from the non-profit advocacy group.

Senators have racked up more than half-a-million dollars in art rentals and related expenses since 2016, while forcing Canadian taxpayers to pick up the tab.

The CTF said it had reviewed all disclosed Senate expenses since July 2016, when stricter spending rules were implemented, and concluded that 52 senators had filed art-related expenses for a total cost of $514,616.

That means taxpayers are being forced to shell out $6,600 per month so senators can hang art on the walls of their offices. The base salary for a Canadian senator is $169,600, states the CTF.

Senate expense rules allow public servants to rent art from approved suppliers, with the annual cost of rental, delivery, installation, removal, and insurance covered by their office budget. Most senators rented from the Canadian Council for the Arts, which the CTF said also received $510 million in federal funding, which constitutes roughly 90 percent of its revenue.

Mary Coyle, an independent senator from Nova Scotia, billed the Senate for $28,535 in art expenses between 2018 and 2022, it said.

Coyle told The Epoch Times on June 20 that she is honoured to be able to display art by talented Canadian artists in my Senate office.

The senator said she has a combination of art she owns and some she rents from the Art Bank. Visitors to my Parliament Hill office appreciate seeing this beautiful art and I am proud to share it with them. Art is an important expression of our Canadian culture and identity, she said.

The Senate of Canada building and Senate Chamber are pictured in Ottawa on Feb. 18, 2019. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Independent New Brunswick Sen. David Adams Richards had seven art expenses from 2017 to 2021, with the third highest spending on the list at $25,230, according to the CTF.

Richards, an award-winning novelist and screenwriter, told The Epoch Times on June 20 that he used art in his office that was warehoused and unseen by artists who were no longer in the public eye or at least those particular paintings werent.

I chose to display them in tribute to artists who deserved more than a space in a warehouse box or sitting hidden along some aisle, he said.

The senator said, however, that he had decided to remove the art and return the pieces to the warehouse, replacing them with the art of friends.

It will be no difficulty and I have known many painters who I will be honoured to display. So I hope will they, he added.

Of all the senators, CTF said Denise Batters had the highest art expense since 2016, with annual bills of approximately $5,000 per year.

On three separate occasions, she billed taxpayers $10,320 for two-year art rentals, said the CTF. In total, Batters has filed four art expenses since 2017, for a cost of $32,047.

Batters did not respond to The Epoch Times by press time, but in a written statement to the CTF, she said she had the highest regard for taxpayers dollars.

I believe promoting Saskatchewans art and culture publicly is important; thus, I spend a small amount of my budget to rent these regional artworks for display in my office in lieu of other office expenditures, Batters said.

According to data obtained by the CTF, since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been in power, the expenses of the Canadian Senate have jumped by 70 percent.

In 201516, Senate expenditures were $74.5 million. By 202324, the Senates budget had jumped to $126.7 million, said CTF. Staff numbers had also increased 30 percent, from 372 full-time staff in 2017, to 493 full-time staff in 2022.

This year, each Senator will receive a budget of approximately $240,000 for office-related expenses, which includes art, states the CTF.
Southern California School District Considers Policy Notifying Parents of Students Trans Status

Chino Valley Unified School Board officials hold a press conference in support of a parental rights policy proposal in Chino, Calif., on June 15, 2023. (Screenshot via Facebook/California Family Council)

Should schools notify parents if their child wants to identify as transgender or non-binary?

The questionwhich has recently been the subject of heated debate nationwideis now being discussed by the Chino Valley Unified School Board in San Bernardino County, California.

The board is currently considering a proposalintroduced on June 15 by Board President Sonja Shawthat would require school staff to notify parents if their child expresses a desire to identify as transgender or non-binary. Its set to vote on the issue in July.

If approved, the policy would conflict with the state Department of Educations current guidance, which directs school districts to consult with the student before disclosing their gender status to parents and guardians and instructs them to keep records with the students new gender status filed separately from other documents.

Shaw said, during a June 15 press conference, she introduced the policy because she believes parents should be informed of all aspects of their childs education.

Im trying to give parents a voice and an opportunity to make sure that theyre part of their childs education and anything else that schools want to exit [parents] out of, Shaw said.

In April, the board supported Assemblyman Bill Essaylis (R-Riverside) Assembly Bill 1314, which would require school staff to notify parents within three days if their child identifies as transgender or non-binary.

The same month, the bill failed after Assembly Education Committee chairman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) refused to consider it.

When that bill failed, Shaw said she decided to act.

Essayli, along with several parent rights advocacy groups, showed support for the Chino Valley boards policy in the same press conference.

I believe the policies were proposing are common sense, and theyre supported by the overwhelming majority of the public and parents, Essayli said.

The assemblyman said the purpose of the proposed policies is not to out anyone.

That narrative is completely false, he said. All the policy says is that if the school is going to actively participate in the transitioning of your child, by changing their name, their pronouns, and the facilities they use, that the parent has the right to know whats happening with their kids.

Karen England, president of the nonprofit advocacy group Capitol Resource Institute, which promotes traditional family values by fighting what it calls indoctrination in public schools, also noted at the press conference the states guidance is not official policy.

There is nothing in current law that says this policy is illegal, England said. The California Department of Education refers to it as guidance  there is nowhere where they are citing a specific law.

England called out the state education department, saying, stop being disingenuous and trying to bully the school districts. Own up to what the law really says and let [the] local level decide local level policies.

Board Votes to Keep Pride Flags Out of Classroom

Also at the June 15 board meeting, the Chino Valley School Board voted 41 to block the LGBT pride flag from being displayed in classrooms, with board member Donald Bridge dissenting.

Shaw said teachers shouldnt have to fly a flag in order for students to feel safe.

Teachers classrooms [should be safe] whether they fly [a flag] or not for any child, she said.

Gesturing to the American flag, she continued, This is why were here. This flag unites us all. it stands for all of us  the United States stands for all of us. A teacher who has to display sexuality in their classroom is a problem for me as a parent and board member.

The board meeting drew nearly 300 parents, teachers, and community members.

Some who spoke during public comment thanked the board for standing up for parents and students.

A parent knows their child best and should be notified immediately of any issues so they can seek the help and support that they believe is best for their children, one parent said. Just as health care is not one-size-fits-all, neither is gender support. Only the parent truly cares enough to navigate such a time with their child and seek out personalized care that suits them best.

Others said theyre concerned that the proposed policy would make LGBT students unsafe.

This policy will be detrimental to the safety of students  teachers, administrators, and staff have no way of knowing what a students home life is like, or how their families will respond to information regarding a students gender identity or sexual orientation, said one parent.
Special Counsel John Durham Testifies to CongressWhat to Expect From the Hearing

After four years of working out of the public eye, Special Counsel John Durham arrived to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on the morning of June 21 about the findings of his long-anticipated report.

Republicans applauded the report, released to the public on May 15, as a vindication of former President Donald Trumps claim that he had been unfairly targeted by the FBI and others in the federal government as part of its investigation into allegations that Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 election.

Durhams report marked the end of a seven-year saga of probes, investigations, and allegations against Trump and his allies that began in 2016 following the WikiLeaks release of thousands of emails from then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

The FBI investigation into Trump and his associates began on July 31, 2016 with a probe into the potential role Trump associate George Papadopoulos played in the WikiLeaks document dump. This probe, codenamed Crossfire Hurricane by the FBI, sought to establish whether the Trump campaign had played any role in the leak, and stemmed from a conversation Papadopoulos had had with an Australian official in a London bar on May 6 of that year.

Eventually, the FBI probe was transferred to special counsel Robert Mueller, a former director of the FBI. On April 18, 2019 Muellers report was released to the public, but it did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.

After Muellers report was released, then-Attorney General William Barr placed Durham in charge of another investigation to look into the origins of Crossfire Hurricane and the investigation of Trumps associates.

Durhams report concluded that no collusion with Russia took place, vindicating Trumps long repeated claims that the Russia investigation was a hoax.

The claim that Trump colluded with Russia was found to have originated with Clinton amid the fallout of her email scandal as part of an effort to shield her campaign from that scandal, where Clinton was found to have held classified government information on a private server.

Durham highlighted the distinct approach the FBI took to intelligence it received from a trusted foreign source indicating that the Clinton campaign planned to smear Trump by tying him to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Clinton campaigns goal, the intelligence said, was to divert attention from the scandal concerning Clintons use of an unauthorized private server to transmit top-secret government emails.

Despite ultimately being proven to have had no basis in fact, the claims from the Clinton campaign cost taxpayers around $32 million.

Durham found that the FBI probe was seriously deficient and undertaken without any evidentiary basis, and he ruled that the agency was blinded by confirmation bias in its efforts to investigate Trump and his associates.

However, while the report left many Republicans feeling vindicated, lawmakers have also expressed concerns.

Here are some key points and questions that might be raised at Durhams hearing.

Major Players Not Interviewed

A key Republican contention with Durham may be the lack of interviews of several key players in the collusion narrative.

Among others, Durham did not interview former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former FBI Director James Comey, or DNC operative Charles Dolan.

As some of the top federal law enforcement officials, Lynch and Comey played key roles in the investigation into Trump.

Former FBI Director James Comey speaks about his book A Higher Loyalty during a discussion at the Brookings Institution in Washington on May 11, 2018. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

Dolan was directly responsible for many of the claims that ended up in the Steele dossier, a discredited Clinton-funded tract written by Christopher Steele. The dossier served as a basis for later efforts to receive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants against several of Trumps associates, including Michael T. Flynn, Paul Manafort, Carter Page, and George Papadopoulos.

The warrant against Page was ultimately executed, and was found in a later investigation to have been riddled with 17 omissions of fact and errors.

Comey has commented on the probe, saying that while it shows the FBI made mistakes, his FBI handled the 2016 investigation the right way.

Republicans will likely seek clarity from Durham on why these key players were not interviewed as part of the probe.

As a corollary, Republicans will likely also look into Durhams relatively light investigation into an August 2016 memo by then-CIA Director John Brennan.

That memo, sent to former President Barack Obama, Lynch, and Comey revealed that the CIA had received credible foreign information that there was no substance to the collusion allegations, and that they were instead the result of an effort by Clinton to distract from her email scandal.

However, these allegations were not passed to several key Crossfire Hurricane investigators, who told Durham that had they known about the memo, they likely would not have pursued the investigation.

Few Prosecutions

Republicans may also press Durham on the lack of substantive prosecutions related to his probe.

In total, despite his harsh condemnation of the process by which the FBI directed the investigation, Durham only indicted three men in connection to his investigation.

Of those, only one was ultimately convicted: Kevin Clinesmith, a former FBI lawyer who pled guilty to altering an email to receive a FISA warrant against a Trump associate. Though Durham recommended several years in prison, the lawyer ultimately received only probation.

Another, Igor Danchenko, the primary source of the Steele dossier, was charged but ultimately acquitted.

Many consider these prosecutions insufficient to the magnitude of the misconduct alleged by Durham.

In the report, Durham headed off this criticism, giving an insight into how he will likely address the questions at his hearing.

The law does not always make a persons bad judgment, even horribly bad judgment, standing alone, a crime, Durham wrote in the report.

He also expressed concerns that some convictions could appear partisan.

Even when prosecutors believe that they can obtain a conviction, there are some instances in which it may not be advisable to expend government time and resources on a criminal prosecution, particularly where it would create the appearanceeven if unfoundedthat the government is seeking to criminalize the behavior of political opponents or punish the activities of a specific political party or campaign, he wrote.

Still, Republicans will likely want answers on why many key players in the investigation were not tried.

Reforms

The lack of proposed reforms from the Durham report appears poised to be a point of contention.

Durham concluded that the FBI failed to uphold its important mission of strict fidelity to the law.

The special counsel ultimately did not recommend any wholesale changes in the guidelines and policies that the Department and the FBI now have in place.

The answer is not the creation of new rules but a renewed fidelity to the old, the report reads.

The promulgation of additional rules and regulations to be learned in yet more training sessions would likely prove to be a fruitless exercise if the FBIs guiding principles of Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity arent engrained in the hearts and minds of those sworn to meet the FBIs mission of Protecting the American People and Upholding the Constitution of the United States.

The FBI stated to The Epoch Times: The conduct in 2016 and 2017 that special counsel Durham examined was the reason that current FBI leadership already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time.

Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented. This report reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect.

The FBI seal is pictured in Omaha, Neb., on Aug. 10, 2022. (Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)

Likewise, FBI Counsel Jason Jones has said that if the reforms made in the wake of the 2016 and 2017 misconduct had been in place prior to Crossfire Hurricane, the investigation would not have gone forward.

The report and testimony comes amid stark Republican dissatisfaction with the FBI and DOJ, which they say have been weaponized against conservatives. The Durham report, for many Republicans, is only a further vindication of this position.

At the same time, the House is set to consider a renewal of the FISA program later this year. Given its significance to Crossfire Hurricane, Republicans will likely press Durham on potential reforms to the system that were lacking in his report.

Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.
Supreme Court to Decide If US Is Immune From Lawsuits

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that will decide whether the United States government can be sued for monetary damages.

The high court agreed on June 20 to review an appeals court ruling that Reginald Kirtz could sue the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for wrongly stating on his credit report that some of his loans were overdue, damaging his credit score.

At issue is whether Congress waived the United States sovereign immunity from lawsuits when it modified consumer protection laws nearly 30 years ago.

Kirtz sued the USDA in 2020, alleging that the agency violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which Congress amended decades ago to impose new requirements on lenders.

A district court sided with the USDA and dismissed Kirtzs complaint on the premise that Congress did not intend to waive the federal governments immunity from lawsuits.

Kirtz appealed and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled in his favor, prompting the USDA to file a petition (pdf) with the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the lower courts decision is incorrect.

After considering the matter, the Supreme Court justices announced on Tuesday in an order list (pdf) that they would hear the case, which will likely happen within several months.

The question presented before the high court is whether the civil-liability provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act unequivocally and unambiguously waive the sovereign immunity of the United States.

More Details

Kirtzs attorneys filed a petition (pdf) with the Supreme Court in May that argued that the Third Circuit was correct in ruling that the Fair Credit Reporting Act waives the sovereign immunity of the federal government by authorizing consumers to sue federal agencies for violations of the act.

The alleged violation was that the USDA failed to correct an inaccurate statement that wrongly reported that Kirtzs account was 120 days past due on a loan made to him by the USDA, damaging his credit score.

When Kirtz first went to federal court in 2020, he accused the USDA of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act, but the USDA asked the district court to dismiss the case.

The USDA argued that the Fair Credit Reporting Act did not clearly indicate that Congress meant to waive the federal governments immunity from lawsuits.

The district court sided with the USDA but that decision was later reversed on appeal.

Kirtzs team argued that the USDA incorrectly suggested that Congress must enact an explicit statutory waiver of sovereign immunity for a waiver to be effective.

In siding with Kirtz, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals pointed to the definition of person in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which includes any government or governmental subdivision or agency.

Further, the appeals court said that, because the federal government is the largest employer and creditor in the United States, allowing lawsuits against it would be in line with Congresss aim of ensuring fair and accurate credit reporting.

The USDA disagreed and asked the Supreme Court to review the case. The agency argued in a petition (pdf) that waivers of federal sovereign immunity must be unequivocally and unambiguously expressed but that the Fair Credit Reporting Act does not contain the kind of unambiguous and unequivocal waiver of sovereign immunity that is required by law.

The USDA argued that the Supreme Court should weigh in because, if the appeals courts ruling in favor of Kirtz is allowed to stand, it would allow the government to routinely be threatened with substantial monetary liability for its everyday employment and lending activities. remove

The agency said that the question presented before the Supreme Court concerns a matter of great importance because even if the government were to prevail in lawsuits, an ultimate victory on the merits would not vindicate the interests protected by sovereign immunity.

Sovereign immunity, the USDA argued, is an immunity from lawsuits, not just being immune to liability.

The foundational principle of sovereign immunity also is an important issue in its own right, irrespective of dollars and cents, Elizabeth Prelogar, an attorney on behalf of the USDA, wrote in the petition.

Immunity from suit protects the nation from unanticipated intervention in the processes of government,' Prelogar continued.

She argued that Congress is the body charged by the Constitution with striking the balance between creating federal rights and duties and establishing private remedies to vindicate and enforce them.

Judicial decisions allowing private suits for money damages against the sovereign absent its consent would upset that balance and place unwarranted strain on the [governments] ability to govern in accordance with the will of [its] citizens,' she continued, asking the Supreme Court to reverse the appeals courts decision.
Teachers Registration Cancelled for Refusing to Call Student by Preferred Pronouns

A New Zealand high school maths teacher has had his teaching license cancelled for refusing to call his Year 10 student by her preferred name and pronouns.

The New Zealand teaching councils Complaints Assessment Committee charged the teacher with serious misconduct for not calling the student by a male name and he/him pronouns, a charge the teacher denies.

I have been accused of serious misconduct and deny this charge, he wrote in his submission to the Teachers Tribunal (pdf).

On the contrary, I believe I would be guilty of serious misconduct and child abuse if I was to call the girl in my year-10 class by a boys name as I was compelled to do.

In February 2021, the teacher arranged a meeting with his student and stated that transitioning went against his beliefs and values as a Christian and refused to agree to the students suggestion to use her preferred name while continue using she/her pronouns.

He told his student, who was 14 years old at the time, that he did not want her to walk down the path of sin and continued to use her given name.

The teacher stated that compelling him to call a girl student by a boys name was asking me to go against my core Christian belief.

He also expressed concern that children and young people were particularly vulnerable to outside influences that suggested their sex was a personal choice.

Schools should in no way suggest gender is a choice or in any way encourage or condone pursuing gender changes, he said.

The teacher added that allowing students to identify themselves as the opposite gender led to a slippery slope where people would be able to identify as anything that is not their actual identity.

He gave examples that included young people identifying as elderly, a student of European descent identifying as Maori or African, or a student wanting to use the pronoun Your Honour.

Although these examples may seem absurd, they are the same logic as calling a girl a boy, or a boy a girl, and may lead to abuse of teachers (and others), he said.

Additionally, he said the legal age to change names in New Zealand was 18 and argued the school should not compel him to call a student by a name that was not presented as a legal name change.

Tribunal Decision

The three-person tribunal, headed by Deputy Chair Tim MacKenzie, had no hesitation when concluding that the teacher had behaved with serious misconduct.

They noted the adverse effect it had on the student, who said, It hurt my feelings though, and I was uncomfortable with him.

For a trusted teacher to not only ignore the students wishes (and instruction of the school) but also to isolate them and advise them it was wrong, risked quite significant harm in our view, MacKenzie said.

The tribunal also labelled the teachers argumentswhich, in addition to gender dysphoria, discussed the harms of homosexuality and abortion and associated such behaviour with the devilas disgraceful.

The balance of Mr [redacted]s arguments are borne from unrealistic hysteria, and we need not go into them further, MacKenzie wrote.

We note that even without the submissions of Mr [redacted], we would have found the charge proven on the pure conduct alone.

MacKenzie said the teacher was entitled to his views and beliefs, but the tribunal had considered whether he had rehabilitative prospects, which they concluded to be none.

In our view, there is a real and appreciable risk that such conduct, or similar conduct, will be repeated by Mr [redacted] if he was to be in that position again, they said.

As a result of the review, the teachers registration was cancelled.

In response, the teacher said he had no further submissions to make.

The decision also revealed that the teacher had resigned after the complaint had been made.

Punished for Beliefs

The case in New Zealand follows a similar instance in April, where a federal appeals court in the U.S. state of Indiana upheld a lower courts ruling that it was lawful for a school district to fire a teacher who refused to call students by their preferred pronouns.

John Kluge, a former music theory and orchestra teacher at Brownsburg High School, was ordered in 2017 to use students names and pronouns based on their new gender identity registered in the schools database.

Citing his Christian beliefs, Kluge requested a religious accommodation by referring to all students only by their surnames, to which the school district officials initially agreed.

However, following complaints by several teachers and students about the last-names-only compromise, the school district decided no exceptions to its transgender affirmation policies were allowed beginning the 2018-2019 school year, revoking Kluges religious accommodation.

He was forced to resign in order to live by his beliefs.

Bill Pan contributed to this report.
Texas Requires State Charging Stations to Include Teslas Plug in Another Victory for Musk

A Tesla Model S sedan is plugged into a Tesla Supercharger electrical vehicle charging station in Falls Church, Va., on Feb. 13, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Tesla won a contract with the state of Texas among a series of victories that will likely pave the way in making the electric vehicle (EV) makers charging technology the dominant standard for powering electric vehicles in the United States.

Texas announced on June 20 that it would require EV charging companies to include both Teslas North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the federally recognized Combined Charging System (CCS) if they choose to participate in a state program to electrify its highways using federal subsidies, reported Reuters in an exclusive.

The Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) said that that it would require fast chargers for EVs to have at least one CCS and one NACS connection port.

Reuters reported the same day that electric pickup truck manufacturer Rivian was backing Tesla and that privately owned charger maker BTC Power would also support its standard.

This follows recent announcements by General Motors and Ford to use Tesla charging technology in its EVs.

Automakers are increasingly ignoring efforts by the Biden administration to make CCS the nationwide charging standard.

The government is offering $7.5 billion in taxpayers dollars to speed the deployment of EV chargers across the country.

Teslas Charging Standard Quickly Becoming Dominant in North America

Since the decisions by GM and Ford, the top U.S. charging companies like ChargePoint and EVgo said they would add the same standard to their chargers in North America.

Rivian, like GM and Ford, said that its customers will be able to access 12,000 Tesla Superchargers with adapters in North America as early as spring 2024.

The company will make a Tesla-style charging port standard on its vehicles starting in 2025.

We prefer the Tesla connector, which is more compact, and we also see it as an opportunity to leverage the charging infrastructure that they built, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told Reuters in an interview.

Texas, which is home to Teslas headquarters and its latest EV manufacturing complex, is the first state to make the companys charging technology the state standard.

As one of the largest states in the country, this win will give a boost to CEO Elon Musks vision of making his plug the national charging standard.

The decision by Ford, GM, and now Rivian to adopt NACS changed requirements for Phase 1 of the rollout, the Texas DOT told Reuters in an email.

Texass mandate will put massive pressure on other states to adopt Teslas NACS, Lew Cox, director of Business Development at MD7, a firm which helps companies deploy chargers, told Reuters.

Itll effectively make an NACS the new charging standard, Cox said.

Tesla has approximately 2,000 Supercharger locations and more than 21,000 Supercharger stalls across the nation.

Teslas Superchargers already account for about 60 percent of the total fast chargers available in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Its great to see the industry coming together to adopt the North American Charging Standard, said Rebecca Tinucci, Teslas senior director of charging infrastructure, in a press statement.

Biden Administrations Efforts to Mandate Its Own Charging Standards Fall Flat

In February, the U.S. Department of Transportation mandated that American charging companies provide support for the government-sponsored CCS.

The firms would then become eligible for up to $7.5 billion in federal funding as part of the Biden administrations plan to install new, high-speed chargers on 7,500 miles of Americas busiest highways.

The win by Tesla led the Federal Highway Administration to admit the EV sector was rapidly evolving and that the growth of the industry in the United States is a sign that public investments are paying dividends.

However, the agency said that its policies are always under review, a Federal Highway Administration spokesperson told Reuters.

Our technical experts are having active conversations with automakers, charger manufacturers, and standards-setting bodies to ensure federal investment continues to support a reliable, convenient, and user-friendly charging experience for all drivers, the spokesperson said.

States which are accept subsidies from Washington to build charging stations have the right to form their own guidelines as long as they meet minimum federal standards.

Local state governments are expected to award the first round of funding for EV stations to companies through the end of 2023.

Others states like California, Iowa, and Michigan said they would review the shifting market, after the decision by Texas.

Another state is considering giving applicants bonus points if they include the Tesla charging ports, reported Reuters.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Top Australian Military Officers Referred to Hague Over Afghan Leadership

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 7, 2019. (Peter Dejong/AP Photo)

Top Australian military officers have been referred to the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICC) over their leadership during the Afghan war campaign after allegations that Australian soldiers committed war crimes.

Speaking in the Australian Senate on June 20, Tasmanian Senator Jacquie Lambie said that there was a culture of covering up incidents that went right to the top and that she had filed an Article 15 communication with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

The communication asked the Prosecutor to look into the commanders of the Afghan campaign through the lens of command responsibility.

Article 15 of the Rome Statute allows any individual, group, or organization to send information on alleged or potential ICC crimes to the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC. The prosecutor then determines if the situation meets the legal criteria for prosecution.

Senator Jacqui Lambie following a television appearance in the media gallery at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Mar. 18, 2021. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

There is a culture of cover-up at the highest levels of the Australian Defence Force, Senator Lambie said.

Today, I say enough is enough. There will be no more marking your own homework. There will be no more throwing our diggers [soldiers] under the bus. When the war crimes investigation was formed, Major General Brereton ruled out investigating senior commanders, and the previous government said: Yes, sir. No worries.

This government is following suit. Lets be quite clear here: the senior commanders have not been examined through the hard-core legal lens that they have put our diggers through.

Private Ethan Wright, from 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, plays with Afghanistan evacuees at a temporary camp in Australias main operating base in the Middle East. (LACW Jacqueline Forrester/ADF)

Government Allegedly Stonewalling Calls to Investigate Top Brass

Lambie, who is a former soldier in the Australian Army and a former corporal in Australias Military Police, alleged the Albanese government had been stonewalling her call to investigate the senior commanders.

The Chief of the Defence Force and the top brass, the government are, no doubt, hoping this will all just go away. Theyre hoping that Australians will forget that when alleged war crimes in Afghanistan were investigated, our senior commanders got a free pass while the diggers got thrown under the bus. Well, we dont forget. I wont forget, she said.

However, both the government and the Coalition expressed their willingness to support the ICC communication in the Senate.

The senator also said there was evidence from multiple sourcesindependent of the governments Brereton inquirythat indicated that commanders of the SAS, the special forces unit of the Australian army, had allegedly been aware of the unlawful behaviour for years.

The leadership knew. This went beyond the patrols. This was known up the chain, Lambie said, quoting a witness testimony.

The comments from Lambie come after an ex-Australian SAS soldier who served in Afghanistan was arrested and charged with a war crime in March.

Chief of the Australian Defence Force General Angus Campbell delivers the findings from the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry on November 19, 2020 in Canberra, Australia (Mick Tsikas Pool/Getty Images).

The AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) said in a joint statement the 41-year-old had been charged with one count of a war crimemurder, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

This follows the Brereton inquiry 2016-2020 into the allegations relating to possible breaches of the law by members of the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan.

The Inquiry found there was evidence up to 25 Australian soldiers while serving in Afghanistan, were involved in the alleged murders of at least 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners.

The Inquiry recommended formal charges be laid against 19 defence personnel.
Transgender Treatments Cause Irreversible Harm to Children, Warns UK Writer

Experimental transgender medication and surgeries are causing irreversible harm to children, a British writer has warned.

James Esses, a commentator and co-founder of Thoughtful Therapists, said the impact of such interventions on childrens wellbeing are immeasurable.

Esses, a former barrister, began raising concerns about the gender ideology and the medicalisation of children when he was studying towards a masters degree in psychotherapy.

He was subsequently expelled from his programme for speaking out, and is now taking legal action against the university.

Speaking to NTDs British Thought Leaders programme, Esses said completely healthy parts of young peoples bodies are being removed in gender reassignment surgeries.

He also warned that puberty-blocking medication impacts brain development and bone growth, and have untold social effects on children.

Nothing Natural

Theres nothing natural about disrupting somebodys puberty, Esses said.

Pro-transgender activists claim that puberty blockers are reversible, but Esses said that is utter nonsense.

Studies show that they have an impact on brain development and bone growth, he said, adding that there is also untold social effects.

Cross-sex hormones can have irreversible physical impacts, he said. One of the most concerning things is, if a child starts puberty blockers before commencing puberty, and then goes on to take cross-sex hormones straight after that, they can be left permanently infertile.

It can also lead to increased risk of other illnesses such as heart problems, particularly in young girls taking testosterone, said Esses.

When it comes to surgical procedures, he said, were literally removing completely healthy parts of young peoples bodies that they can never get back again.

Esses said he finds some of the rhetoric from transgender activists sickening.

Ive read online trans activists saying: it doesnt matter if a young woman has a double mastectomy, because at a later point, if she regrets it, she can always get breast implants put back in. I mean, its sick, its ludicrous.

Crazy Medicalisation

There has been a significant uplift in children saying that they are trapped in the wrong body, and a dramatic increase in young people wanting to medically transition, Esses observed.

I will always start from the position that it is a mental health condition, and so it should be treated as we treat all mental health conditions, usually through explorative therapy, sometimes through types of medication.

But the message were constantly being bombarded with is this: This isnt a mental health conditionits just an identity. Everyones got a gender identity, theres nothing to pathologise.

Esses said the message is seeping down into the medical professions and the therapeutic professions.

I just find it crazy that were medicalising children for a mental health condition, he said.

Its not uncommon for anyone, particularly children going through adolescence, to be uncomfortable in their bodies and dislike parts of themselves. But the answer ideally is to get people to be comfortable with who they are rather than trying to fundamentally change themselves.

I thought that was kind of psychology 101. Not anymore.

Concerning Education Materials

Esses expresses concerns over the pro-transgender message contained in education materials which are sometimes outside parents control.

I often have parents contact me, who are absolutely terrified because of what their children are being taught at school, where theyre not able to monitor it. And often they have a real difficult time even getting hold of the materials that children are being taught at schools.

Much of these materials are coming from LGBT educational trusts, he said.

On the face of it, they would say that theyre teaching about inclusion and diversity. Thats all very vague and ambiguous and sounds lovely and positive. And actually, when you drill down at the materials, its quite concerning.

Esses said he has come across cartoon-style books for primary school students telling them that the doctor took a guess at the sex when they were born and might have made a mistake.

There are also materials suggesting to young boys that liking the colour pink could be symptomatic of being trans, he said.

Gender ideology has snuck in behind the back door in modules where its completely irrelevant, he said.

Ive seen this in computing and maths lesson planssomehow they managed to get the concept of binary versus non-binary gender into a computer coding class.

Women in Jeopardy

Esses said he fears the gender ideology will have serious negative repercussions if unchallenged.

Were hearing stories time and time again of people being cancelled from education from their jobs, because they dare to say that they believe that men cant become women, and vice versa.

Were hearing stories of womens spaces being encroached upon, he said, citing the case of Isla Bryson, a transgender double rapistborn Adam Grahamwho was sent to an all-female prison in Scotland after being convicted of serious sexual assaults.

Im concerned that if this goes on, were going to see serious negative repercussions, said Esses.

Its only a matter of time until a woman gets terribly injured or possibly even killed in a sport, because governing bodies are too afraid to say that men shouldnt be competing against them.

And Im worried its only a matter of time before we see something horrific taking place in a safe space that should be for women only.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA at the company's headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil

By Gabriel Araujo

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian planemaker Embraer is returning to China with a deal to convert passenger jets into freight aircraft with a local partner in the northwestern city of Lanzhou, the company said on Wednesday.

Anticipation of new business in China has been high since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's trip to China in April. At the time, he publicly backed Embraer's efforts to return to a market where it has struggled to find new business since the 2016 closure of a joint venture in Harbin.

Some had expected a deal for aircraft sales to a Chinese airline. Instead, Embraer announced during the Paris Air Show that it had signed a letter of agreement with Lanzhou Aviation Industry Development Group for 20 E190F and E195F passenger-to-freight conversions.

"It is a market with increasing demand for cargo aircraft to accommodate the tremendous growth of e-commerce trade and the consequent evolution of the logistics industry," said Embraer's commercial aviation chief executive, Arjan Meijer.

A day earlier, Embraer announced fresh orders from American Airlines and Spanish carrier Binter for commercial aircraft totaling about $1 billion at list prices.

Financial details of the Lanzhou deal were not disclosed.

Embraer said in a statement that the companies intend to cooperate on establishing conversion capability in Lanzhou to boost the introduction of first-generation E-Jet freighters to the Chinese market.

Embraer forecasts demand for such jets to reach 700 aircraft over the next 20 years, with China responsible for 240 of them, and said the deal with Lanzhou was a "strong indicator" of such demand.

The Brazilian firm, the world's third-largest planemaker after Airbus and Boeing, currently has 85 E-Jets flying in China with carriers Tianjin, Hebei, Beibu Gulf and Colorful Guizhou.

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo in Sao Paulo; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Trump Expresses No Regrets Over COVID Policies, Jan. 6 Speech

Former President Donald Trump says he has no regrets for his response to two major crises: the COVID-19 pandemic in 202021 and the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump also said he is unsure whether America is ready to impose the death penalty on drug dealers, although that drastic step would eradicate the nations drug problem.

In an interview that aired June 20, Fox News Bret Baier noted that some of Trumps opponents are running video loops showing him talking about shutting down the United States as the coronavirus pandemic was spreading in 2020. But Trump responded: I gave the governors the option  I told all governors: You do what you want. You can shut it down or not.'

The segment, which lasted about 25 minutes, was the second and final part of an exclusive interview that Baier conducted with Trump on June 19; the first portion, which explored Trumps legal woes relating to his handling of classified documents, aired the same night it was shot.

The former president faces 37 federal charges in Florida and 34 state charges in New York. All involve Trumps handling of documents; the two-time Republican nominee for the presidency says he is a victim of political persecution, driven by Democrat foes bent on disrupting his 2024 election campaign.

During the June 20 broadcast, Trump noted that the governors of South Carolina, Tennessee, and South Dakota all decided to keep their states open while the virus was raging across the nation and world. Georgia shut it down for a little while but not much, Trump said, before taking a shot at his main GOP opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In Florida, by the way, he shut it down tight. No highways, no beaches, Trump said.

Baier questioned whether it was fair to criticize DeSantiss COVID response, considering that the Florida governor was later praised for reopening the state while others remained locked down. But Trump replied, Other governors did a better job.

President Donald Trump speaks with news anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum during a Virtual Town Hall inside of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on May 3, 2020. (Oliver Contreras-Pool/Getty Images)

Vaccines a Tough Topic

Then Baier asked Trump a pointed question: Does he think the COVID-19 vaccines worked?

Its just such an interesting question, Trump said. He noted that he tried to push alternative therapies to combat the virus, such as Regeneron. We did a tremendous job on that, Trump said.

However, Trump acknowledged that he shies away from discussing his Operation Warp Speed initiative, which got COVID-19 shots into production quickly. Trump said he has a Democrat friend whos very smart, and that friend applauds him for his efforts that may have saved 100 million lives worldwide.

But Trump said he doesnt talk about the vaccines. Many people now blame the shots for serious side effects. Republicans tend to dislike the shots, Trump said, so discussing them is difficult.

As a Republican, its not a great thing to do, he said, adding, people love the vaccines, and people hate the vaccines  and I understand both sides of it.

A display shows items that will be provided with COVID-19 vaccines at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington on Nov. 13, 2020. (EJ Hersom/Department of Defense)

No Mandates

Trump pointed out that he never mandated anyone to get a COVID shot. He said DeSantis loved Dr. Anthony Fauci, a strong advocate of vaccines and mandatory mask-wearing.

Baier agreed that DeSantis had praised Fauci. But Baier pointed out that Trump didnt fire Fauci, despite discontent with Faucis strict masking and vaccine policies. Trump retorted that because Fauci was a civil servant, he was unable to fire him.

I never spent a lot of time with Fauci, Trump said, but Democrat President Joe Biden did, causing Fauci to become very powerful.

Remember, Fauci was the one that said, Dont close it to China,' Trump said, reminding Baier that Trump stopped China-to-U.S.-travel at the outset of the pandemic in early 2020, against Faucis advice. Trump claims that Fauci, believe it or not, was originally totally anti-mask, and then he became a radical masker.

I was always against the mandates, Trump said.

NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci listens to President Joe Biden (out of frame) speak during a visit to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., on Feb. 11, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

About Jan. 6

Noting that Trump remains under investigation for his actions surrounding the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Baier asked Trump whether he was worried about anything he said or did that day coming back to haunt him.

Trump said that he spoke to his largest-ever audience that day, with some estimates setting the crowd size at 1 million people. Yet video footage of that peaceful audience is never shown, he said.

My speech was an elegant speech, Trump said, emphasizing that he told supporters to march peacefully and patriotically from The Ellipse to the Capitol, to show their opposition to the 2020 election results. Trump has maintained that the election was rigged or stolen, leading to Biden being declared the winner of the presidency.

Trump is standing by his decision to pardon some of the defendants who were charged in connection with the events of Jan. 6.

Many of those people are very innocent people  many of them, soldiers, and policemen and firemen and doctors, Trump said. Yet many of the defendants are being treated horribly, remaining jailed without bond for more than two yearssomething that might happen in a Third-World country, Trump said.

People wait on the National Mall for a rally of supporters of President Donald Trump challenging the results of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election on the Ellipse in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Death Penaltyor Not?

Baier said that some Republicans came down hard on Trump for being soft on crime when he signed The First Step Act, which reduced penalties for some nonviolent drug offenders.

DeSantis is among those who criticized Trump for signing that bipartisan legislation into law.

In the best-known example of how the act works, Trump commuted the life prison term of Alice Marie Johnson, who served 21 years in prison for her role in a Tennessee cocaine-trafficking operation.

Trump said his idea for considering imposing the death penalty on drug dealers came from conversations with Chinas leader, Xi Jinping. The Chinese leader said his nation doesnt have a drug problem because drug dealers know they will be executed if caught.

Each drug dealer will kill approximately 500 people during the course of his or her life, Trump said, offering that as justification for the death penalty. But, he conceded, I dont know if this country is ready for it.

Baier then pointed out Johnson and said, Shed be killed under your plan.

But Trump said Johnson would not have been involved in drug activity if the death penalty had been in place. He also said, She wasnt much of a dealer,' and the system treated her very unfairly.

Alice Marie Johnson, who had her sentence commuted by President Donald Trump after she served 21 years in prison for cocaine trafficking, speaks during a celebration of the First Step Act in the East Room of the White House on April 1, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Saving Debate for Biden

Baier wrapped up the interview by asking Trump if he still intended to skip the debates with a crowded field of GOP presidential hopefuls. Baier and fellow Fox News host Martha MacCallum will serve as moderators for the first debate, which is set for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsina battleground state where the partys nominating convention will be held in 2024.

I like to debate, Trump said. But he sees no advantage to participating in such a contest if he remains the clear frontrunner for his partys presidential nomination.

Why would I let these people take shots at me? Trump said. Some of the candidates are trailing so far behind, theyre wasting everyones time, and they know it, Trump said.

However, assuming that Biden is the Democrat Partys nominee, He and I definitely have to debate. The Democratic National Committee has planned no primary election debates for Biden and his challengers.

Trump asserted that his wife, Melania, is supportive of his efforts to seek the presidency. She wants him to do whatever he needs to do to fight the various investigations and charges he has been facing, Trump said.

She is a woman of great dignity and beauty and style, Trump said, noting that people at his massive rallies often carry placards supporting Melania. Shes a very confident person, and she feels Im being very badly mistreated.
Trumps Documents and the Bob Kerrey Precedent

Commentary

For the better part of a decade, I worked as a cryptanalyst for the National Security Agency (NSA). In that position, I handled highly classified documents on a daily basis. All of the people I worked with took the responsibility of dealing with classified information seriously, and if they hadnt, the consequences would have been severe.

For example, in one case, a retired former employee decided to write a book about the Cuban Missile Crisis. In his draft book, he mentioned some information that he had learned through his work in the intelligence community and, apparently, he assumed that it had been declassified.

This persons home was raided, his computer confiscated, and he was charged with a crime, in spite of the fact that any classified information that he might have revealed would have been almost four decades old at the time.

On the other hand, politicians have rarely, if ever, had anything to fear from revealing highly classified information. But before we get to an example of that, we need a little bit of background.

A classification applies to a document, while a person has a clearance. The U.S. government has four levels of classification; namely, Top Secret (TS), Secret, Confidential, and Unclassified. There is also the designation For Official Use Only, which, confusingly, is technically equivalent to Unclassified.

A person with a Top Secret clearance can see documents at any level, while a person with a Secret clearance can only see documents at the Secret, Confidential, and (of course) Unclassified levels, and so on. Regardless of their clearance, people are only supposed to be able to access information that they need to know in order to do their jobs.

To enforce this need to know principle, classified information can be further compartmentalizedso-called Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). The most sensitive information involves sources and methods and is invariably classified as Top Secret and is held in compartments that severely restrict access, even among those with the highest level TS/SCI clearances. TS/SCI is the type of information that could do grave harmup to and including getting people killedif it is released.

U.S. senators and many congressmen have regular access to classified information. Its no secret that politicians and their staff are a major source of leaks, and that such leaks are often designed to gain political advantage. Occasionally, some feeble attempt is made to try to stopor at least reducethese leaks, but such efforts are not serious, at least in comparison to the consequences that non-politicians face for similar actions.

This brings me to one of my least favorite examples of a politician mishandling classified information. Bob Kerrey was a Navy SEAL and is a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran. He was governor of Nebraska in the 1980s and a U.S. senator from Nebraska from 1989 to 2001. In 1992 he was on Bill Clintons short list of vice presidential candidates. In 2003, Kerrey was selected as a member of the 9/11 Commission, which was to investigate all aspects of the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.

In April 2004, at a public meeting of the 9/11 Commission, Kerrey said, Were in the mood to declassify stuff, and proceeded to read from a classified memo that had circulated in the early days of the Bush Administration. This memo discussed a strategy for supposedly mitigating the threat posed by Al Qaeda.

Kerrey then added, In the spirit of further declassification, and read from another highly classified document, which stated that the FBI had detected patterns of suspicious activity in the United States consistent with preparations for hijacking.

A New York Times article of April 10, 2004 on this topic states, Mr. Kerrey does not have the authority to declassify information, but no one has suggested that he violated any rules. This same article quotes President Bushs press secretary as saying that the information revealed by Kerrey came from the presidents daily briefing, which, in his opinion, was the most highly sensitized classified document in the government.

Interestingly, the article goes on to suggest that Kerreys unilateral decision to declassify this information was no big deal, and it further claims that information held by the government is overclassified anyway, leaving the distinct impression that the more that is declassified (by any means), the better.

Im no lawyer, and I dont even play one on TV, but I have a hard time seeing how Trump can be convicted of a crime that any number of politicianseven retired politicians such as Bob Kerreyhave also committed. For example, how can it be that Trump waving a classified document in front of a reporters nose is worse than Kerrey reading from, arguably, the most highly sensitized classified document in the government at a public session of the 9/11 Commission?

I have serious doubts that Trump had any compartmented (SCI) information in his possession. But if so, the raid to recover the information may have been justified. However, even if such is the case, I find it hard to believe that Trump could be convicted of a crime, given the Bob Kerrey precedent (among many, many others).

Finally, I want to emphasize that Im not condoning Trumps actions or the action of any politician who reveals classified information. Personally, I find it appalling that there is one set of rules for ordinary people and an entirely different set of rules for the political class, at least when it comes to handling the nations most sensitive information.

Nevertheless, this unequal application of the law has always prevailed, and likely always will. This suggests to me that the case against Trump is more about keeping him in the spotlight than any newfound seriousness concerning politicians mishandling classified information.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Underwater Noises and Banging Sounds Heard in Search for Missing Titanic Tourist Submarine

Crews searching for the tourist submarine that went missing on June 18 while exploring the Titanic shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean have detected underwater noises in the search area on June 20.

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Twitter late at night that the noises were picked up by a Canadian P-3 aircraft, prompting remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to be relocated to explore the origin of the sounds.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue, the agency said.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans, the agency added.

According to internal email updates sent by the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHSs) National Operations Center and obtained by Rolling Stone, the Canadian aircraft deployed to search for the missing Titan submersible detected banging noises coming from the search area every 30 minutes.

RCC Halifax launched a P8, Poseidon, which has underwater detection capabilities from the air, the DHS emails read, according to the publication. The P8 deployed sonobuoys, which reported a contact in a position close to the distress position. The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.

The email added that the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre is working to find an underwater remote-operated vehicle through partner organizations to possibly assist, according to the publication.

The Epoch Times has not been able to independently verify the emails.

The submersible Titan is prepared for a dive into a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic on June 18, 2023. (Action Aviation via AP)

Missing Passengers Identified

Elsewhere, Richard Garriot de Cayeux, president of travel and research group The Explorers Clubof which one of the passengers aboard the missing submersible, billionaire Hamish Harding, is a membersaid in a statement posted to Twitter on June 21 that there is cause for hope, based on data from the field.

We understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site, the club president wrote.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Boston Coast Guard, which is leading the rescue efforts, for further comment.

The 21-foot tourist submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, was reported missing on Sunday about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland after it failed to return to the Polar Prince, the Canadian research ship from which it was launched.

Officials said the submersible lost contact with the crew of the Polar Prince approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the vessels dive.

A search and rescue mission has been ongoing since but experts have warned that the oxygen supply onboard is fast running out.

The latest update comes after the five people on board the missing tourist submarine have been identified as billionaire Harding, who is the current chairman of Dubai-based Action Aviation, a global sales company in business aviation, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, and French diver and Titanic expert, Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

In a statement late Tuesday, RMS Titanic President Jessica Sanders said that Nargeolets knowledge of the wreck site is unparalleled and that we trust and have faith his experience will help navigate this critical situation.

We are devastated with the news but remain steadfast in our hope for a safe rescue for all, Sanders said.

The bow of the Titanic is seen during a dive at the resting place of the ships wreck, in July 1986. (WHOI Archives/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Handout via Reuters)

OceanGate Employee Filed Lawsuit

As recovery efforts continue, OceanGate Expeditions is facing increased scrutiny after reports emerged that the company was previously the subject of a 2018 lawsuit filed by an employee who claimed to have been fired after raising safety concerns over how deep the vessel could descend.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, claimed in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle that the craft needed more testing and that passengers might be at risk if it reached extreme depths.

He was reportedly sued by OceanGate that same year for breaching his non-disclosure agreement. In a counterclaim, Lochridge alleged that he was wrongfully fired for raising questions about testing and safety. The case was eventually settled on undisclosed terms several months after it was filed.

According to OceanGate, the submersible is a Cyclops-class vehicle designed to take five people to a maximum depth of 13,100 feet (4,000 meters) to survey the site of the Titanic shipwreck.

A tour guide typically accompanies the pilot and three passengers in the 22-foot (6.7-meter) carbon-fiber vessel, which is lighter in weight and more cost-efficient to mobilize than any other deep diving submersible.

The vessel is also equipped with Real Time Hull Health Monitoring systems that provide an unparalleled safety feature and early warning detection for the pilot with enough time to arrest the descent and safely return to surface, according to OceanGate.

In an emailed statement to The Associated Press, a spokesman for the company said the missing sub was completed in 20202021, and is not the same one that Lochridge was referring to in his lawsuit against the company.

The Epoch Times has contacted OceanGate Expeditions for further comment.
US and China Drifting Into War: Former Joint Chiefs Chairman

Fishermen in a harbor on Pingtan island, opposite Taiwan, in China's southeast Fujian Province on April 9, 2023. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States is drifting into a war with Chinas communist regime that could upend the global order and shatter economies around the world, according to two former military leaders.

A potential conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan would result in global catastrophe but is nevertheless becoming an increasingly likely scenario, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mike Mullen says.

Im worried that were just drifting into war, Mullen said during a June 20 talk with the Council on Foreign Relations think tank. [Taiwan] is an island that is at the center of four of the five top economies in the world.

Mullen said that U.S. efforts to deter an escalation toward conflict in the Taiwan Strait has been failing over many years.

Moreover, he said, given that Taiwan manufactures 90 percent of the worlds advanced semiconductors, which are used in everything from pickup trucks to hypersonic missiles, a conflict for the island would devastate the globe.

CCP Building Military to Confront the US

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state, claims that Taiwan is part of its territory and must be united with the mainland by any means necessary.

While the regime has never controlled any part of the island, which is governed by a democratically elected government, CCP officials have threatened to start a war to prevent Taiwans de facto independence from being recognized internationally.

The CCP has increased its aggression against Taiwan and also the United States in recent years, frequently sending fighter jets and military vessels to harass U.S. and Taiwanese forces in the region.

Ensuring Taiwans continued security is a vital interest for the United States, Mullen said. Deterring a CCP invasion of the island, however, will require the United States to take bold actions against the regime sooner rather than later.

Clearly, China is much more aggressive, much more coercive on the military side, on the diplomatic side, on the economic side, and the political side, Mullen said. Rebalancing that means were going to have to take pretty aggressive steps which, at a time of high tensions, could be read the wrong way.

Such a state of affairs is made more volatile, given that U.S. military leadership has reported that the CCP is developing its military to overtake U.S. defenses in the region.

Retired Adm. Harry Harris, who previously served as commander of the U.S. IndoPacific Command, acknowledged as much during the Council on Foreign Relations event.

Theyre building a military to confront the United States, our military, and those of our friends, allies, and partners, he said.

With that in mind, Harris said that preventing powers such as the CCP from devouring smaller, democratic governments is vital to preventing the subversion of order throughout the globe.

If we allow an autocratic, big country to have its way with smaller democratic countries, for example, Ukraine and Taiwan, the global world order as we know it is finished. Might will make right, Harris said.

There are 24 million Taiwanese who want to live their lives just like you and I do. They dont want to live in a communist system governed by a country that is committing genocide against their own people and brutalizing Hong Kong to bring them under Chinese rule.

Still, Harris said, defending Taiwan from CCP invasion would incur losses in life and treasure at a level unseen since World War II. With that in mind, Americans ought to consider to what extent they are willing to sacrifice to preserve democracy, he said.

The most important constituent is the American people, because its your sons and daughters who are going to fight and die for Taiwan if we go to war against China, Harris said.

Air Force soldiers clear the ground in front of an armed F-16V fighter jet during a drill at Hualien air base in Hualien County, Taiwan, on Aug. 17, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Admin Seeks Peace With CCP



The comments from Mullen and Harris follow a new attempt by the Biden administration to stabilize relations with an increasingly belligerent CCP.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing, where he met with CCP leader Xi Jinping, over the weekend.

No breakthroughs were reached during Blinkens two days in China, but Xi claimed progress from the meeting and the two reportedly agreed that open conflict between the nations would be catastrophic.

Blinken is the highest-level U.S. official to set foot in China since President Joe Biden took office in 2021 and the first secretary of state to visit since 2018, when his predecessor, Mike Pompeo, visited China for one day.

Blinken had previously said that a goal of his China trip was to build on Biden and Xis productive discussion in November 2022, when the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

However, the visit, which originally had been scheduled for February, was postponed in response to the discovery of a Chinese surveillance balloon flying over several U.S. states before it was shot down by the U.S. military.

At the time, Blinken said the incident created the conditions that undermine the purpose of the trip.

Yang Tao, a senior official from Chinas foreign ministry, said following the talks that China would continue its military communications blackout as long as U.S. sanctions on critical technologies and CCP personages continue.

When asked what progress the two sides had made, Yang said that China and the United States had agreed to prevent a further downward spiral in relations. Chinas foreign minister, he added, would visit the United States in the future.

Biden said later on June 19 he thinks relations between the two countries are on the right path and indicated that progress was made during Blinkens trip.

After the meeting, the CCPs top diplomat, Wang Yi, said that China has no room for compromise or concessions on the Taiwan issue.
First Coast Guard District Captain Jamie Frederick holds a news conference at 1:00 p.m. ET on June 21 to give updates on the search and rescue efforts for the submersible with five people aboard that has been missing in deep waters off the coast of Canada since Sunday.
Utah School District Reverses Bible Ban After Appeals and Protests

A school district in Utah has reversed an earlier committee-based decision that removed the King James Version of the Bible from bookshelves of elementary and middle school libraries.

The Davis School Districta public system with about 72,000 studentslargely pulled the Bible from elementary and middle school bookshelves on May 22 after a frustrated parent convinced a review committee the book contained vulgar or violent content for younger children.

At a board meeting on June 20, committee officials said the district had determined the sacred text was age-appropriate for all district libraries. In allowing the Bible to be accessible to students regardless of their grade level, the board sided with 70 people who filed appeals after it was banned last month.

The appeal committee reviewed all relevant information pertaining to the original committees determination, as well as all information pertaining to appeal requests and public comments. The appeal committee determined that the Bible does not contain material which violates bright line rule,' the school district said in a statement.

It then considered [the] age appropriateness of the Bible using the standards outlined in law/policy. Based on its assessment of community standards, the appeal committee determined that the Bible has significant, serious value for minors which outweighs the violent or vulgar content it contains, it continued. Therefore, the appeal committee considers the Bible to be age appropriate and recommended that it be retained in school libraries at all levels.

Members of the school board voted unanimously in a public meeting on Tuesday to return the Good Book to libraries in the northern Utah school district, the statement reads.

The reversal is the latest development in the debate over a Utah lawknown as HB 374 or the sensitive material lawwhich allows parents to challenge sensitive materials available to children in public schools. The purpose of the bill was to remove pornographic, inappropriate material from K12 libraries and classrooms.

How It Started

Chris Williams, the communication director for the Davis School District, told The Epoch Times that a parent sent a request on Dec. 11, 2022, that the Bible should face the same review process under the same districts policy as all other books.

The parentwhose identity is redactedsent an eight-page list of sexual references in various chapters and verses of the Bible containing such things as incest, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, and rape.

Williams believes the parents frustration was a protest against the sensitive material bill passed in 2021 that is now being enforced in all of the school districts in Utah. Some people are calling HB374 a book-banning bill.

I thank the Utah Legislature and Utah Parents United for making this bad faith process so much easier and way more efficient, the parent wrote in a complaint reviewed by NBC News. Now we can all ban books, and you dont even need to read them or be accurate about it. Heck, you dont even need to see the book!

Utah state Rep. Ken Ivory, a Republican who sponsored and authored the bill, told The Epoch Times: HB374 is not a book-banning bill. It merely addresses age appropriateness, requiring that all instructional materials in all school settings be age appropriate and not contain obscene and indecent materials.

Williams said the parents Dec. 11, 2022, request to ban the Bible was sent to one of the review committees. The committee examined the selected passages mentioned in the parents complaint, and after several months of deliberation, the committee made its decision and banned the Bible from all libraries and classrooms in elementary and middle schools in the Davis County district.

However, the committee members did not believe it qualified as obscene or pornographic under the sensitive materials law or state obscenity laws, so at their own discretion, they allowed it to stay in high school libraries and classrooms. As per the Utah State Code, indecent content includes explicit sexual arousal, stimulation, masturbation, intercourse, sodomy, or fondling, according to Justia.

Community Responds

Williams said that there was an appeal on May 31 by a parent (who also wants to remain anonymous) who would like the Bible retained at all levels. The school district also revealed in Tuesdays statement that there were a number of appeals filed within days after the committee decided to ban the Bible.

Additionally, over 100 people held a rally at the Utah State Capitol on June 7 to protest the committees decision. People at the rally and elsewhere expressed disapproval of the banning of the Bible.

Brad Probst, a former candidate for the Utah State Senate and a resident of Salt Lake City, told The Epoch Times, This country is in big trouble when a school district would ban the Bible but allow all sorts of other perverse books into the classroom that are so detrimental to our young people.

Jacey Davis, a mother of five and a local resident of Farmington in Davis County, told The Epoch Times that she wonders if this problem could be settled better by enforcing local obscenity laws that each community already has in place, which make it illegal for anyone to create or view obscene or pornographic material on school property.

The Bible is far from the category of obscene. While the Bible does have some stories telling of inappropriate things happening, they are a warning and lesson for us not to do such things, whereas true indecent, obscene, or pornographic materials are promoting those things, Davis said. I am disappointed by attempts to censor the Bible by people, especially in the state of Utah, which was founded on the principles of religious liberty.

In statehouses from Florida to Arkansas, Republicans have enacted laws that expand parents power to challenge what is available in schools and libraries and, in some places, subject librarians to criminal penalties for providing materials deemed harmful to minors. The legislative effort is one prong of a growing push to ban certain titles; the number of attempts to ban or restrict books across the United States in 2022 was the highest in 20 years, according to the American Library Association.

The Associated Press and Orlean Koehle contributed to this report.

From NTD News
The upper bounds of damages against Pfizer would be $3.6 trillion dollars. And obviously, Pfizers not worth $3.6 trillion dollars. That company would have to be seized in bankruptcy, its assets distributed and sold off, and I think thats an appropriate end for that company. So Im doing everything I can to get there.

After witnessing fraud and abuse among his colleagues in local government in the early 1990s, Warner Mendenhall decided to go to law school. He has now spent over two decades bringing lawsuits against the government for overreach and abuse of power.

Government is treating us like children, as if we cant make decisions that are appropriate for our friends, families, communities, on our own, says Mendenhall.

Today, he is representing Brook Jackson in a landmark case against Pfizer, alleging fraud in their clinical trials for the COVID-19 genetic vaccines.

She went to work for a subcontractor of Pfizer, a clinical trial site, and what she saw there was absolutely appalling, says Mendenhall. And it was completely unblinded. I think thats the key point, is they knew who had gotten the shot and who had not.

We dive into the details of the case, and look at Pfizers contract with the Department of the Defense to manufacture and distribute mRNA vaccines.

There is no requirement in that contract for good manufacturing, claims Mendenhall. So if safety signals come up, or we know the manufacturing is bastardized, it doesnt matter. They cant stop paying on that contract.



FULL TRANSCRIPT

Jan Jekielek:

Warner Mendenhall, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.

Warner Mendenhall:

Thank you, Jan.

Mr. Jekielek:

From the very beginning of the pandemic, youve been involved in a great number of lawsuits and a variety of legal activity around shelter-in-place policies, masking, and the mandates. The case that Im most familiar with is Brooke Jackson in her fraud case against Pfizer. Why dont we start with how you got into doing all of these things?

Mr. Mendenhall:

I have always sued local, state, and federal government for acting outside the limits of those governments, and Ive been doing that for 25 years. I also sue under the Federal False Claims Act to try to recover from fraud on the American taxpayer. Those two streams of litigation kind of came together. As a small firm of six attorneys, you could see how that would get us ready to go when the shutdowns started.

Mr. Jekielek:

You immediately saw something when these shelter-in-place policies were put in place?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Yes. My reaction to the government coming to people and saying, We know whats good for you, or, Were going to help make you safe, is usually a signal that the governments going to step out of bounds. When I hear that signal, my antenna goes up and Im looking for whats the authority for the action to take place that the government wants to do.

Mr. Jekielek:

For 25 years, youve had your antenna up and watching for these moments.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Yes. I actually served in local government in the early 1990s. I saw a lot of abuse there, and I saw fraud in federal programs there. Thats what drove me to go to law school in the first place. Thats why it was a natural segue into fighting this overreach.

Mr. Jekielek:

But this was happening at a scale you hadnt seen before, correct?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Of course. This is an unprecedented scale. From a lawyers standpoint, in a sense, Ive always done constitutional litigation. This is one of the greatest periods of constitutional litigation Ive ever seen. You couldnt imagine it, but I like constitutional law, and I like constitutional litigation. I actually like the work Im doing, but I hate the reason that Im doing it.

Mr. Jekielek:

Ive been tracking a lot of these types of abuses without necessarily thinking of them as abuses. You have cases about every stage of the development of the pandemic and the policy responses to the pandemic. Its kind of unbelievable, and its almost like a roadmap.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Thats exactly right. As government policies came forth, we reacted to it and immediately had clients who were at our door asking for help.

Mr. Jekielek:

Tell me about your first case. How did that come about?

Mr. Mendenhall:

I hate to say this, but the very first case was a bar owner who I happened to know. He got shut down by Liquor Control for operating after the time that Liquor Control said they had to shut down. The point in that case was actually fairly simple. The state legislature set up a late licensing process. They had a license to stay open till 2:00 AM. Liquor Control, even though thats their name, does not have authority to supersede what the state legislature said was the scope of the license. So, it was a very simple theory.

We lost at the district court, we lost at the appellate court, and we are now at the Ohio Supreme Court three years later. That case is still pending, but it is the limits of administrative authority. Even though its a bar, even though its Liquor Control, you can see how the limits of administrative authority is an important issue to deal with, whether its a bar, whether its a health department, or whatever entity youre dealing with.

Mr. Jekielek:

Prior to the last few years, this was not something that was on my mind. Today its really on my mind, and I can see why you would take that case extremely seriously, because it sets a precedent for behavior. What happened to the bar?

Mr. Mendenhall:

The bar got shut down. There was tremendous damage to this family, and people dont realize that sometimes. A lot of bars are just local businesses run by local families, and essentially theyve lost their income for the time period that weve been in litigation. Now, the bar owner could have caved and followed the rules exactly like the Liquor Control said he should, and hed probably be open today. Instead, like many millions of Americans, he stood up and said no.

Mr. Jekielek:

You started with this case, and I imagine you probably have a great number of cases still in litigation?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Yes, many, many cases. I dont know exactly how many right now.

Mr. Jekielek:

Lets follow this roadmap. We started with some reactions to these shelter-in-place policies closing down businesses. Whats next?

Mr. Mendenhall:

The next thing was a criminal case. A young woman had taken her son to school, and she had to go to work. The school had said, Your son got exposed to Coronavirus, you have to keep him home. She said, No, Ive got to go to work. She brought him to school, and then, she ended up getting arrested for violating quarantine. It was the school acting administratively to quarantine her child.

She gets charged criminally, and they said the health department had issued a quarantine order. There was no such order issued. A fax had gone over to the school, after the school told the health department the kid had been exposed. Then, the health department sent over a fax saying, Hey, quarantine this kid. But thats not a proper order under state law in Ohio. You have to know that somebodys had close contact with somebody whos verified to be ill, and only then can a quarantine order be issued.

It has to be signed by the head of the health department. None of that had happened. We went to court a couple of times, but the judge threw it out. It was very scary for this mother, but again, she stood up. She wasnt willing to quarantine her child. At that time, there were all these issues with the schools, and masking, and quarantining. We got calls from all over the state of Ohio about the masking and quarantining policies.

In fact, it was interesting, because there were a lot of cases that never got filed. What happened is we would start to pay attention to a school board or school district, look at their policies, and determine why they were illegal. A lot of times those policies would just be dropped. We did end up suing three school districts.

I can tell you that those three school districts that we sued, every one of those cases is on appeal right now. The school districts eventually dropped the mandates, the quarantining, and the mask wearing. The judges at the local level said, Well, its moot now.

Theres a new mootness standard that came out of the U.S. Supreme Court a couple years ago from West Virginia v. EPA. You may be aware of that case. It says that unless the activity absolutely will not be repeated, its no longer moot. Thats a fantastic case. A lot of people didnt understand that that applies in this context. Thats what were arguing in all of these appeals right now.

Mr. Jekielek:

This reminds me of the Bobbie Anne Coxs quarantine camps case, where there are no longer the conditions where such camps would be necessary. However, the intention is to make sure they can never happen again.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Thats right. They squeezed, everybody pushed back, and then they let go. But they are not disclaiming that they have the authority and power to do what they did. We have to get them to literally cry uncle and say, Never again. Im not going to be satisfied until that happens, and neither is Bobbie Ann, I know that.

Mr. Jekielek:

Im going to mention that she won that case against all odds. At the last moment, the New York state government decided to appeal.

Mr. Mendenhall:

This shows that the government is treating us like children, as if we cant make decisions that are appropriate for our friends, families, and communities. Our population in the United States needs to be trusted to be adults and to hear the governments information. The government does have that roleto give us information as to whats happening. But it cannot violate our constitutional rights and our charter rights. It cant do that.

Mr. Jekielek:

Are you going to pursue all these cases to the bitter end?

Mr. Mendenhall:

To the bitter end, absolutely. You have to be able to hang on to the fight the whole way. Weve got to force the courts to do what theyre supposed to do. The case with the bar is at the Ohio Supreme Court. The case with the school districts, those are all on appeal. Now, we have to hold on and push this as far as we can.

Mr. Jekielek:

Lets discuss the Brooke Jackson case. This case has profound significance if it were to be found in favor of the plaintiff, because youre alleging fraud by Pfizer, the vaccine company.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Yes. This is a keystone case for everybody in this crisis, because fraud vitiates literally everything. It vitiates the contract, it takes away the Prep Act protections, and Pfizer would then be open to lawsuit. So, we need to do that.

Ive calculated that the upper bounds of damages against Pfizer would be $3.6 trillion dollars. Obviously, Pfizer is not worth $3.6 trillion dollars. That company would have to be seized in bankruptcy, its assets distributed and sold off, and thats an appropriate end for that company. Im doing everything I can to get there.

Mr. Jekielek:

Please explain to me how this case happened, and what is the substance of this case.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Brooke Jackson has told her story many times. She went to work for a subcontractor of Pfizer, a clinical trial site, and what she saw there was absolutely appalling. She saw that there was unblinding, there were personnel that were not qualified, and there were trial subjects that should not have been trial subjects. There were many conflicts of interest. Some of them were family members, and some of them were friends. Thats not how you run a trial site. It was completely unblinded.

Thats the key point. They knew who had gotten the shot and who had not. When you have that knowledge, you treat those people differently, and the data comes in and is handled differently. You can see that overall with the massaging of the data that was submitted to the FDA [U.S. Food & Drug Administration] for the EUA [Emergency Use Authorization]. But even before the EUA , whats interesting is Pfizer signed a contract before the trials with the Department of Defense [DOD].

The only requirement in that contract was that they achieve an emergency use authorization from the FDA. That was the only requirement. Once they got that through, then literally they got paid for every shot in every arm, and the U.S. government had no authority to withhold that payment. Its an astounding contract.

Its under the transactions authority system in the military, which provides for prototypes to be developed for countermeasures and for military products, and its supposed to be for military readiness. Its very twisted because it raises certain questions. Why are we funding a prototype and claiming that it is for military readiness, and were putting it in hundreds of millions of arms?

The other thing is that the military owns the substance thats put in peoples arms. They own it from point A until it is injected into somebodys body. There is no requirement in that contract for good manufacturing or for safety and effectiveness. There is no requirement. If safety signals come up or we know the manufacturing is bastardized, it doesnt matter. They cant stop paying on that contract. Nothing will stop them except for the FDA pulling back on the EUA.

Mr. Jekielek:

Who signed this contract?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Well, the Department of Defense signed it. I dont know specifically whether it was General Austin or not, but the Department of Defense signed a contract.

Mr. Jekielek:

This is astounding, new information. Weve had a number of guests that have looked at this question of the response being a military or public safety response, as opposed to a health and human services response. You mentioned that manufacturing doesnt need to be as stringent under this contract. You mentioned that harms dont need to be considered as seriously under this contract. These are astounding realizations and play into everything were experiencing right now.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Right. I am very concerned about the use of the word vaccine, when this is actually a countermeasure. Thats what it says in the contract. The other thing is its a prototype. If you know what a prototype is, it is something thats unfinished. Its a model for something else to come. No prototype is meant to be injected into people. A prototype car is just a lump of clay that they shape into a car. Thats what this is.

Its something thats been cobbled together, and we see that in the manufacturing. We see variation in any given vial from one to 100. We see contamination in the vials. We see contamination in the manufacturing process. Its utterly ridiculous the way this is being handled.

Additionally, the mRNA strands themselves, even though you can produce them in small batches very carefully, have no ability to be scaled up the way they scaled it up. When you scale it up, youve destroyed the integrity of the mRNA. Its just not possible to do it.

Thats why there are websites out there asking, How bad is my batch? How hot is my lot? People are right. You could get a very, very bad batch that will really have much higher likelihood of injury. The basic reason for the FDA to exist is to have consistency in product and also consistency in outcome.

David Gortler has been great on this issue, that there is no consistency of product. Because of the nature of what it was and what it is, even if it were consistent, even if each vial were exactly the same, we have no idea of how an individuals body is going to react to it, because its a biological process that it sets off.

We are looking community by community right now in terms of what the injury and death rates have been, because we think that every hospital in this country has ignored its legal obligation to submit injury reports to VAERS [Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System].

Mr. Jekielek:

I wasnt aware until recently that if a death happens in a hospital it requires reporting. Youre saying it in many cases it didnt happen.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Yes. The hospitals all are what are called vaccine program providers, and they sign a program provider certification, and that certification makes it mandatory and material that any injury post vaccine that is moderate to severe is reported to the VAERS system. Theyre simply not doing it.

Right now, I represent clients who were told they had to stop reporting to VAERS. These were nurses in these hospitals that were just trying to do their job. They came under attack and were fired. We are looking at that issue so that we can hold those hospitals in particular to account.

Mr. Jekielek:

Lets jump back to the Brooke Jackson case. The substance of the case is that this emergency use authorization, the EUA, was obtained under false pretenses.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Correct.

Mr. Jekielek:

But as I understand it, the case has been thrown out.

Mr. Mendenhall:

The case is still alive. The judge has ordered dismissal of the case. In fact, yesterday I was working on a Rule 59(e) motion to actually call out the judge a little bit and say, We think that your judgment was improperly grounded, and there are some other considerations here. We filed a brief yesterday asking him to take those other considerations into account.

The main one that we want him to recognize, that weve made much more explicit, is something called fraud in the inducement. That means that there was fraud in the inducement of getting the DOD to contract for this. The fraud in the inducement was the basic problem with the clinical trial data.

This is another thing many people dont realize, this entire program is based on 170 trial participant endpoints. Thats it170 people. Eight of them were in the vaccine arm that got coronavirus, and 162 of them were in the placebo arm that got coronavirus.

But if you look more deeply at the data, and if we take the overall data of the roughly 22,000 in each arm of the study, you see that in the overall data the rate of Covid-19 was roughly the same. The way they got down to this 170, with eight versus the 162, which gave them their 90 percent effectiveness rate, was they called those people out of that data. They eliminated people to get down to those numbers, and then called it 90 percent effective. People just need to step back, look at the overall data, and you can see there was no effectiveness at all, but thats a requirement to get the EUA.

Mr. Jekielek:

You think that the data was manipulated by removing people.

Mr. Mendenhall:

I know it was manipulated. Yes. The other thing that we see is, statistically, theres a threshold. Im not a statistician, but they had a requirement to have in excess of 164 data points. If you dont get past the 164, you dont have a valid dataset. You cant draw statistical conclusions from it.

If you look at the 170 people who formed the final data points, and you look more closely at them, many of them should not have been included. The trial site where Brooke was at, which we know for sure it was unblinded. The trial site that Augusta Rue was at, we know there were problems and they didnt report adverse reactions. If you take those two sites, you knock out about 45 of those people in the 170. Theres sites throughout the world.

Our argument in court is that they didnt even meet the statistical threshold to submit anything to the FDA. If they cant meet the statistical threshold, theres no basis for an emergency use authorization. Were trying to basically take apart their argument to the FDA.

Mr. Jekielek:

What do you mean when you say you know it was manipulated?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Brooke Jackson was a witness to the manipulation. Brookes case was under seal at the time. But she was so anxious to save lives and let people know what had gone wrong, that this was not safe and effective, and that the benefits did not outweigh the risk. She got to Peter Doshi at the BMJ, turned over data and information, and they decided to publish it. They decided that she was so important a witness, and so important an informant about the problem, that they would put it in their journal.

Mr. Jekielek:

I had never heard of this motion to get the judge to reconsider. Then again, every day I learn about different aspects of the law.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Let me explain. Technically, its not a motion to reconsider. Normally, when a case is dismissed you have an opportunity to amend. Thats the normal procedure. We are asking him to apply the normal procedure. We are arguing with him saying that by dismissing us with prejudice without any right to amend, or to address the deficiencies that he claims that are in the complaint, that is outside the norm.

We have a right to file an amended complaint to attempt to address the deficiencies that he pointed out. We actually drafted an amended complaint, which we presented along with the motion, to show him what we can do with the additional information thats come out since this case was filed way back in January of 2021.

Theres a lot more information that we can include. It has been very clear in the last couple of years, in fact, it has been amazing. The grassroots research and analysis of the statistics and data has been absolutely phenomenal. We are able to use that grassroots effort by many hundreds of people around the world. Were able to use what theyve learned and actually incorporate that in our complaint.

We think that it is very clear, subsequent to Brookes case, that there certainly was fraud in the trials and there certainly is fraud in the follow-up, longitudinal studies. The worst thing that Pfizer did was destroy the control arm. They vaccinated the controls.

Mr. Jekielek:

Please explain that to me.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Initially, there were roughly 44,000 people in the overall trial; 22,000 in the control arm, and 22,000 in the shot arm. Normally, you want to have long term studies to see if there is a difference in outcome between those that took the shot and those that didnt take the shot. That is the traditional way all medical trials take place, because you have to know, long term, is there any difference in all cause mortality? Are there other diseases that come up more often in the arm that got the medication? What Pfizer did was destroy that by allowing the control arm to get the shot if they wanted to. We dont have any control on this now.

Mr. Jekielek:

Because its such a serious disease it would be unethical to not let them do that. Thats the argument, correct?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Im laughing, but yes, thats the excuse. But we now know that especially for younger people, and frankly those in the trial tended to be more young, there is absolutely no basis and no argument to take the shot. Statistically, none whatsoever. Its nonsense.

Mr. Jekielek:

It started with the breaking of the control group. You have all this additional data based on the research thats been done from the grassroots. I want to talk more about that at some point, because thats a fascinating phenomenon thats happened in multiple areas, not just with Covid. Thats helped us immensely at Epoch Times as well. Whats the time frame on figuring out the progress of this case?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Our motion was filed yesterday. We imagine the judge will deny the motion and Pfizer will respond to the motion. We have several months before the actual appeal will take place. I predict that well have to go on appeal. But were going to be able to go on appeal having submitted additional information to the court, and information that we want to be able to refer to in our appeal that we think makes it much stronger.

Mr. Jekielek:

Going back to this original contract with the DOD, this emergency use authorization is so critical to the cascade of events that follow. You can imagine a great resistance from many sectors of society, government, and industry to make sure that the validity of that is not touched.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Yes, of course. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being earned, and theres hundreds of billions in profit for these pharmaceutical companies. But as time goes on, every day that I buy to keep this case alive increases Brookes chance for success. Every day that we keep it alive, it keeps the conversation going and saves more and more people from taking boosters or additional shots.

It wakes people up to the fact that this is not anything in our prior experience, that its a military contract, that we need to understand that, deal with that, and question that. There are the absolutely insane mandates at the workplace and at hospitals that came out of this as well. It made no sense. If you had coronavirus, you were still mandated. There was no testing to see whether somebody was immune or not, and then, you lost your job. You were coerced, which has never been part of American law in my life.

Mr. Jekielek:

A lot of people were caught in a groupthink. I dont know what else to call it. Ive encountered very well-meaning people, in some cases doctors, who are just blind to the possibility that this could be vaccine injury. If they could see it, they could treat it. There are all sorts of protocols, but they are simply just blind to this as a possibility, presumably because of the information warfare in our society.

Mr. Mendenhall:

The doctors are really in a tough spot. Doctors in general, not the doctors here at FLCCC [Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance], recommended that their patients get the shots. They recommended their wives get the shots, and they recommended their children get the shot. The process of waking up to what is actually happening is just horrific.

Mr. Jekielek:

When anyone has to face this, thats often the thing that changes them. Ive had many discussions with people who were completely blind to this until something serious happened. A tragic thing has to happen for somebody to say, Oh, this is real.

Mr. Mendenhall:

We really need to pay attention, because there are very effective ways to mitigate some of the damage thats been done. Thats the importance of the doctors that have stepped up to date, because theyre now onto the next stage here. How do people recover? How do we help mitigate the damage that the spike protein did? Even more than the spike protein, how do we mitigate the damage of that toxic concoction of lipid nanoparticles and other things that are in the vials?

This is an adulterated product. How do we deal with the fact that everybody took this adulterated product? What do they need? How do we clean their systems up? All of that is in place and is working right now. That is actually a proper role of the governmentto set up treatment centers and study how spike has damaged the population, how lipid nanoparticles have damaged the population, and help people recover from that.

Mr. Jekielek:

You mentioned all these different researchers forming a community and developing a whole body of data thats been very extremely useful. You recently had a conference that you organized for lawyers involved in this whole realm. Im very interested in the development of community around helping people in a variety of ways.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Its stunning the amount of work people have done. Its incalculable. In my wildest dreams, in my prior life as an attorney before the pandemic, I could never have counted on the kind of detailed, intelligent, incisive, insightful work and research that people are doing. Were using it in the lawsuits, its helping us become way more effective.

A big firm with thousands of attorneys might have been able to accomplish what all these grassroots volunteers have done. The crowdsourcing of information and the information that they are deriving is so incredibly good. Were not talking about average stuff. This is such refined research, and its PhD-level research. Im not going to go to court and present them with research that I cant back up. When I look at the writing, when I look at whats going on, when I look at whos doing the work, these are some of the brightest people and the brightest minds in the world.

Even on the legal side. I read people who are criticizing what were doing legally in our cases, including the Brooke Jackson case. I dont take any offense to that at all. Weve got some great people who are trying to think through what all this means, and it all goes in the hopper. I appreciate being challenged, and thats what were about. Were actually about having the argument, and having the adversarial process go on. I invite that adversarial process, and I appreciate that adversarial process.

Mr. Jekielek:

It helps you hone your argument, doesnt it?

Mr. Mendenhall:

It helps me hone my argument. It helps me think about things I might not have thought about before. Im not perfect, and none of us on the team are perfect. Even as a team, we arent going to come up with the perfect answers. But those grassroots people, challenging us, challenging the system, and making observations helps us immeasurably. This is just a big thank you to everybody whos out there, because youre helping save the world.

Mr. Jekielek:

What was the impact of the Covid legal conference that you organized?

Mr. Mendenhall:

We had been doing all this different litigation on the education mandates, the workplace mandates, and the fraud cases. On the one hand, theres so many more of these cases that need to be brought, and I wanted to teach what I knew. On the other hand, theres all these other attorneys that have done such great work out there, like with the military mandates, for example, and Bobbie Anne Cox with the quarantine camps. I wanted to bring us all together so that we could meet each other and exchange ideas.

Steve Kirsch finally took me up on my offer and helped to organize the conference with his team. Between the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation and the Mendenhall Law Group, we got about 250 people together down in Atlanta about a month ago. There were about 200 lawyers, but we also had about 30 doctors and other people who just wanted to come to the conference.

It was really a crucible where everyone was so excited to meet each other. We covered about nine major areas of law. My count right now is that theres really about 20 major subject areas, but we covered nine of them over a two-day period. Out of that conference, a discussion has emerged. We have our back channels and our list-serves, and you just can see it. The speed of the discussion is really increasing. People are getting excited. By having the materials available, we collated materials in all these areas.

If you are an attorney who hasnt done this work, you can come in and at least have a general outline of what needs to happen in your case. Many of these attorneys are from small firms, and many of them were working in other areas, not constitutional law. We heard that story over and over again. These are people who were willing to retrain themselves and go after governments, go after the companies, and go after the educational institutions that are violating our civil rights.

Mr. Jekielek:

Have you personally faced any blow back?

Mr. Mendenhall:

Yes. I faced some blow back in my legal community. I was always a little bit of an outsider who was known as being pretty unafraid to sue anybody for these kinds of violations. In fact, over the years, we sued many, many governments and had many, many issues like that. But because of the framing of this, initially, I had some lawyers who I considered to be friends tell me that they were never going to talk to me again.

The other thing that happened, when people were getting laid off we couldnt handle everything that came in our door. I would reach out to my friends and people in the various areas of law, like the employment side, to say, Ive got a great client for you. Perfect work history, perfect work record, no discipline, and just got fired because they wanted a religious exemption from the shot.

I had a civil rights attorney, someone who I had dealt with for years, and this is unbelievable, who said, I dont take cases for those kinds of people. That is just a sad reflection, because thats exactly who we are. We take cases for the people who are under attack. Thats what we do as civil rights attorneys. We do take cases for those kinds of people. I was very, very saddened by that.

Mr. Jekielek:

Over time, has anyone apologized for blowing you off?

Mr. Mendenhall:

I had a friend of mine whos a judge, and we were always friendly. We would always discuss, even though we were on opposite sides on this. He was working to get people the vaccines, and was celebrated in the newspaper for all of his efforts. He saw me in court fairly recently, and came up to me and said, Warner, you were right. Thats really the only one I can think of so far.

Mr. Jekielek:

I want to touch on this, because youre dealing with evidence all the time. How often have you found the situation where the judge or the attorney on the other side just simply arent open to accepting that?

Mr. Mendenhall:

The beauty of the courtroom is that the whole battle is about evidence. We have the Daubert standard, we have the relevant standard, we have reliability, and those are words that we use. In the courtrooms themselves, as you notice in a criminal trial, you test the jury, and you voir dire the jury to make sure they werent corrupted by the information they were hearing in the media. We create this space that takes out those biases as best as it can, but not 100 percent.

Then, we go to war in the courtroom over information, over relevancy, and over reliability of data. That is a very different environment than the media environment that were constantly in thats overwhelming and bombards us with messages that are false. That environment is the adversarial system. In that environment, even though I may have a firm of thousands of attorneys on the other side, and maybe its me and a handful of people helping me on my side, now Ive also got all those grassroots people behind me as well.

In that environment, they have to put one lawyer at the podium arguing that evidence over a period of time, and we have to put one lawyer at the podium arguing the evidence over a period of time. Our evidence right now, because of everything thats happening, matches their evidence piece by piece, and were able to go to war. We level that playing field for all of those reasons. I feel very confident of our ability to argue anything about these shots in a court of law.

Mr. Jekielek:

What else is out there that we should know about?

Mr. Mendenhall:

I hate to put it in these terms, but lawyers make their money suing people. One of the things that Im trying to do and tried to show at that conference was that this is going to be an incredibly lucrative field to litigate in. This is going to exceed the recoveries under asbestos, tobacco, and opioids combined. All those mass tort cases that youve heard of put them all in a big pile. This is bigger. Its one kind of case and its bigger. I think that we will break through.

Mr. Jekielek:

Thats the vaccine injury cases, basically.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Thats the vaccine injury cases. I would also say the death by hospital cases, the Remdesivir cases, and the way the hospital protocols were applied to people. Those are two big categories right now, and theyre huge.

Mr. Jekielek:

As we finish up, please explain that category. We have some ideas, but give us a little more detail.

Mr. Mendenhall:

The other area is the Remdesivir cases, and other hospital protocols that kill people. There are many, many of those cases out there, and the statutes of limitations are running on some of those. It is very clear that the protocol that was put in place in this pandemic killed people in hospitals. Remdesivir itself is a deadly drug. Fauci was involved in the development and approval of Remdesivir. At one point it had an EUA, and then it was actually approved.

But it is killing maybe 30 percent of the people who get it, maybe more. There are hospitals with as high as a 70 percent death rate for their Remdesivir patients. On the other hand, theres hospitals as low as 10 percent. Weve literally rank-ordered the hospitals in the United States, and we are looking at those high levels; the 70, the 60, and the 50 percent death rates with Remdesivir. What was going on in those hospitals? I literally have hundreds and hundreds of inquiries from people whove lost family members due to this protocol.

In one of our cases, somebody came into the hospital, and they didnt even have Covid, but they put them on the Covid protocol and killed him. You come into the hospital, you get the Remdesivir, and you go on the ventilator. Youre given Precedex, youre given Fentanyl, and youre given morphine. They are all vasopressors. You cant breathe, and youre dead after a number of days. That is the protocol.

You see it over, and over, and over in the hospital records, and there are cases like this. I was trying to tell the attorneys, people come into the hospital, they dont even have Covid, yet they go on that protocol. Obviously, thats a very good case. Thats just a straight-up medical malpractice case worth many hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Im asking for attorneys to look for those cases and hold them responsible.

Mr. Jekielek:

Because theres no argument for them to say, We know we did our best, but the disease took the person.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Theres no argument, they didnt have the disease in the first place. They had bacterial pneumonia or something else. The other thing is this, the Remdesivir itself, theres a criteria for its use. If youve had a preexisting liver or kidney damage issue, which we can see in the medical record, its contraindicated to give Remdesivir, so you dont give it.

If youve given that drug to that patient, who its contraindicated for, its called unnecessary medication of the patient. That would be a false claim to Medicare or Medicaid if they did that, and the attorneys can recover that money. Were looking at some of the hospitals now. Again, we havent got that rank-ordered yet on the Remdesivir in terms of the usages.

But we predict right now, based on what we know, that maybe 25 to 30 percent of the administration of Remdesivir to patients was contraindicated based on the prior patient record. This is a little bit preliminary right now. Thats going to be a huge area of litigation for the attorneys, both for the patient who was contraindicated for and they malpracticed on, and for us who are in the False Claims Act space, who want to recover for the fraud against the American taxpayer for the use of that drug.

Mr. Jekielek:

Thats unbelievable. These are the two main areas that you see as bigger than anything so far.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Thats right. Theres another area that is very important. When a hospital fails to report injury from the shot to the VAERS system, that is a violation of federal law. Its a criminal violation under 18 USC 1001. Its also a false claim for payment as well, for whatever they got paid to administer the shot. They all signed these program participation agreements, and they have this requirement to do it. I dont think any hospital in the United States met their legal obligation in terms of VAERS reporting.

Mr. Jekielek:

Its fascinating to me to listen to it from the perspective of a lawyer that sues people or governments for a living.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Were the cleanup crew. The doctors have done such a great job of identifying whats happened with the shots and the damage to the population, but weve got to come in and recover for them. Weve got to vindicate the injured parties, weve got to recover for the American taxpayer, and we have to disrupt these companies that have done this damage. Actually, we have to disrupt our own government.

We have to get our government back in line. We have to put those guardrails back up that we talked about earlier. Right now at this point, if greed will motivate the attorneys to get moving, I want them to know where they can make a lot of money. Ill help them do that, because this is going to be one of the most lucrative areas of law going forward over the next couple of decades. We need lawyers to get activated and go get that money back for themselves and for the people they represent.

Mr. Jekielek:

Warner Mendenhall, its such a pleasure to have you on the show.

Mr. Mendenhall:

Thank you.

Mr. Jekielek:

Thank you all for joining Warner Mendenhall and me on this episode of American Thought Leaders. Im your host, Jan Jekielek.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
What Is a Community?

Commentary

I was given cause recently to reflect on the meaning of community. What is community? Most people would reflexively answer that it is where you live, your locality, and that would not be entirely incorrect. But, what is a community really? Must you have a home in your community? Can you be in more than one community at once? Is it possible for some communities to be warm and supportive, while other communities remain cold and unforgiving?

Community

Merriam-Webster defines community as a unified body of individuals. But that is just the start, because it adds Such as: followed by a plethora of possibilities for the meaning of community. A community could be the people with common interests living in a particular area broadly, or it could be a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society. Another possibility is a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society. Still more possibilities are a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests, or a group linked by a common policy. A community could be an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (such as species) in a common location.

Our questions have been answered, but is there any significance to those answers? Where we live is most definitely our community, but if personal or professional interests are held in common with others, we belong to that community as well. We could belong to a community even if they live far away and scattered, such as an online community. It is even possible to leave communities and join others, if we so chose.

A woman uses a laptop in a file photo. (Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images)

Focus

My recent reflection though, focused on the cold and unforgiving vs. the warm and supportive. I was a member of a community for 27 years that told me they were warm and supportive at every opportunity. They were not. That particular community turned out to be cold and unforgiving, and had always been of that character. The realization came as soon as I uttered a word against the accepted narrative. Word to the wise: If someone has to tell you what they are, it probably isnt true.

I kind of knew the community was cold and unforgiving, but I chose to ignore it. Why? Because I felt I was stuck there for a set number of years. Naturally, I would be in and out of other communities that were based on interests, as we all tend to. But, the cold and unforgiving community (with a few exceptions) remained prevalent because it was my profession, where I spent most of my time. The profession was public education in California, which became unsafe for me once I publicly stood up against the transgender, critical race theory, and diversity-equity-inclusion activism (and COVID-19 policies before that) in the public schools, thus forcing an early retirement.

New Community

So, I was ostracized from my community, by the very people I spent nearly three decades with, for not agreeing with them. For telling them that they lived in an echo chamber that reinforced their predilections and were probably suffering from cognitive dissonance. But then an amazing thing happened: A new community, one that had coalesced around the brave, courageous, free, and critical thinkers that also spoke out, celebrated my ostracizing.

My new community threw me a party, complete with a band and the most amazing cake. It was a surprise to me. I may have teared up a bit. Okay, I did tear up. I realized how much my new community cared. I also realized that the community was bigger, much bigger, than those present at the celebration. Space was limited, people had other commitments, and all the other usual limitations.

Mary Mazzuco of Weeki Wachi (left) stands with her fellow Moms for Liberty members while waiting to attend the Hernando County School Board meeting in Brooksville, Fla., on May 30, 2023. (Patricia Tolson/The Epoch Times)

What really floored me, however, was when I realized just how big, loving, and supportive my new community is. I received the nicest letter from a Moms For Liberty chapter inwait for itPennsylvania. Keep in mind, I am the furthest thing from a social influencer youve ever seen. Sure, I have social media, but my largest following is on Truth Social where I have (checks notes) 90 followers. It isnt like Im famous or well known. My words on social media mostly find their way to the internet void, just kind of floating around in digital land.

The Letter

The letter from Cumberland County, Pa., somewhere I have never been to, from someone I never met, was full of encouraging words. Such as courage being contagious, and that when others in education reach their time to be challenged on their beliefs, that I had set an example for them to follow. The letter recognized that the nation needs more teachers to hold the line to stop indoctrination, and that the road is not for the faintest of hearts. Standing up for what is right, just, and true is rarely easy, and never as easy as parroting the narrative. Boy, thats true.

After reading that letter, I realized just how large my new community was. But more importantly, I realized that had I not overcome my fear of being canceled and stood up to begin with, I would not have found them. In other words, we will never find that community we deserve and need unless we get off our butts and do what we know is to be right and true. Community will provide us with love and support, but also with an outlet to return the samewhich will really recharge your human spirit. Giving really is better than receiving.

Now, if you havent already, go find your community. They need you.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
What the Homeless Owe Us

Commentary

We often hear about what wei.e., societyowe the homeless. But we rarely discuss what the unhoused owe us. Its time for that to change.

This is a matter of great urgency. Some of our (once) most prosperous and beautiful citiesSan Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, etc.are imploding under the pressure of squalid homeless squatter camps, populated largely by openly drug-addled or mentally ill people who befoul the sidewalks with human waste, litter the streets with needles used to shoot up drugs, and generally create such a threatening atmosphere that once thriving downtown centers are becoming no go zones.

The homelessness crisis has many individual causes: untreated mental illness, drug addiction, domestic violence, economic hard times. But bad public policies, particularly a misguided approach to helping the homeless known as Housing First, must take a large share of the blame.

Housing First has a nice-sounding name. After all, what do homeless people need foremost? A roof over their heads. But that isnt all they need. Alas, Housing First should be renamed Housing Only as it was designed in a way that almost guarantees to make the crisis worse instead of better.

Heres the heart of the problem. Housing First approaches homelessness as exclusively an issue of providing shelter. Throw enough money into taxpayer-subsidized housing vouchers, the theory goes, and people will quickly grab the offered help and get back on their feet. Never mind that the crisis is largely caused by anti-social and dysfunctional personal behaviors. The fix is merely a matter of giving people a free place to live.

Furthering the crisis, Housing First requires nothing in return from the people who are being helped. Worse, thanks to federal rule changes by President Barack Obama in 2013, any homelessness assistance program that receives federal money can only apply the Housing First formula that forbids requiring any conditions in return for housing assistance. Recipients of such aid, for example, cant be required to attend drug rehabilitation programs, look for work, or even take their mental health medicines as directed by a doctor.

Supporters of Housing First promised that the program would solve the homelessness crisis by 2023in other words, right now. Alas, not only has homelessness not been alleviated, but also the crisis has grown much worse.

The time has come finally for those who truly care about the homeless to admit Housing First is not only an abject failure, but also an astonishingly expensive one. How expensive? A story in the Los Angeles Times last year revealed that each unit of homeless housing in the city funded by a passed bond issue cost up to $837,000 per small single-apartment unit. To say the least, this isnt affordable housing, at least not for the taxpayers.

If we genuinely care about those living on the streets, we will pursue a different policy that doesnt only help homeless people find proper shelter but also places a concomitant duty on them to participate in programs aimed at improving their own lives, which can be the key to regaining self-respect. And make no mistake, self-respect is whats required to cure the underlying causes of homelessness. It takes excruciating self-loathing for a person to defecate on public sidewalks, shoot up with poisonous drugs, engage in rampant criminality, or otherwise live irresponsibly because of mental illness or dissipation that leaves these poor people literally dying on the streets. Providing housing vouchers alone is clearly inadequate for the gargantuan task at hand.

Thankfully, theres a new bill in the House of Representatives sponsored by Andy Barr (R-Ky.)called Housing PLUSthat would promote personal responsibility among homeless people as theyre being helped to get off the streets. In contrast to Housing First, Housing PLUS would allow programs receiving government funds to condition their assistance on recipients working to help themselves as theyre being helped. Indeed, the bill would prohibit the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from refusing federal grants to housing providers that require recipients to participate in programs to overcome the behavioral causes of their own homelessness, such as addiction treatment, mental health care, and job counseling. Nor could the government forbid programs from requiring sobriety among participants.

Perhaps just as importantly, Housing PLUS would eliminate the current discriminatory policy that forbids providing homelessness program grants to faith-based organizations. This would mean that service programs with a proven track record of success in helping the homeless turn their own lives aroundsuch as the Salvation Armywill be able to qualify for federal grants, thereby allowing greater mobilization of those committed to helping ease the crisis among the unhousedand greater competition among providers based on results.

The bill also puts its money where its directives are by requiring the HUD Secretary to allocate no less than 30 percent of funding to recipients that provide, or facilitate access to, such wraparound services. In other words, unhoused people would still receive housing assistance, but, perhaps equally importantly, they would also be able to more easily obtain help transforming their own lives in ways in which they can take pride.

Its crucial for the country that Housing PLUS replace Housing First not only because it will materially help those who are currently unhoused, which is an urgent task, but also as a means of saving our cities that are drowning in the muck generated by tens of thousands of homeless individuals huddled in tents, parks, alleyways, and subway stations.

The question thus becomes: Do we love our homeless countrymen and -women enough to insist that as we provide roofs over their heads, they also diligently engage in programs to restore themselves to lives of dignity and personal self-respect?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
When Your Home Security System Turns the Camera on You

Users are startled to find that smart home systems are sometimes controlled by someone else

Consumers around the world are installing smart home systems for the convenience and control it gives them, but many are unaware of who or what may actually be controlling these systems and for what purpose.

Users of smart home technology are sometimes startled to find that someone else is operating their systems. In 2019, a Milwaukee couple said they felt violated when smart cameras in their house began talking to them, and their thermostat began setting itself to 90 degrees in late summer. While that experience was attributed to a hacker, other customers are finding that the company that made or installed the smart systems was the one taking control.

In August 2022, thousands of Colorado residents who installed smart thermostats to get a $100 credit from Xcel, the local electric utility, were shocked to discover that the utility company had locked them out of their own thermostats, allowing temperatures in their homes to reach as high as 88 degrees in order to reduce power usage during a heat wave.

And last week, a Baltimore resident claimed that Amazon had shut down his smart home security system without warning because of allegations, which turned out to be false, that he had uttered a racial slur to an Amazon delivery person. The resident, Brandon Jackson, who happens to be black, gave evidence from video cameras posted outside his residence that nobody was home when the alleged incident occurred.

Jackson speculated that an auto response from his smart doorbell that said, Excuse me, can I help you? might have caused the delivery person to believe he had heard a slur.

The driver, who was walking away and wearing headphones, must have misinterpreted the message, Jackson said. Nevertheless, by the following day, my Amazon account was locked, and all my Echo devices were logged out.

And then there are numerous creepy tales of hackers taking over baby monitors to observe the families that installed them. In one case in 2018, parents reported a voice coming through the monitor that said, Im in your babys room.

Added to this are the many stories that people tell of private conversations they have with a spouse or friend in their home in the presence of a smart phone, after which an advertisement for whatever they were discussing coincidentally appears on their computer or phone.

Currently, about 60 million American households have installed home smart systems and that number is projected to increase by 50 percent to more than 90 million households by 2027. Worldwide, more than 300 million households are estimated to have smart technology in their homes.

The Risks of the Internet-of-Things

In March 2023, academics from several European universities published a study titled, The Digital Harms of Smart Home Devices, which detailed a number of risks that consumers take when these systems are installed in their homes. The Internet-of-Things (IoT), which refers to physical mechanisms that connect into larger systems via the internet, includes smart security systems, appliances, thermostats, pet or baby monitors, air quality monitors, TVs, speakers, lights, and health and fitness trackers.

The harms they identified from their research included privacy invasion, hacking, malware, stalking and denial-of-service attacks.

Initially, the authors hoped the study would produce comprehensive data on how many privacy and security incidents and harms are taking place because of the use of these devices, co-author David Buil-Gil, a criminologist and lecturer at the University of Manchester, told The Epoch Times. The first thing we realized is that it was impossible because the police are not recording the data out there, and private companies are not sharing any sort of data with researchers or with government.

Instead, they collected published research from around the world to try to get a better picture of the situation. The authors, most of whom are based in the UK, are currently working with the government there to build a public-private initiative to generate aggregate case data.

The main conclusion of the project was that theres a huge lack of awareness and a huge lack of understanding of what may be happening in our households when we go with those devices, Buil-Gil said. Like with any technology, you have two types of users; you have the tech-savvy people that know they are exposing themselves to certain risks  But then you also have other types of users that are not aware of that at all, and thats the worrying part.

And the Internet-of-Things extends beyond the home. Another product that is increasingly being absorbed into the IoT is cars.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in January, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said that the car is becoming a connected computer on wheels. Like cellphones, he said, everything around us is becoming connected intelligence.

According to Amon, the automotive industry is becoming part of the industrial to digital transformation, and increasingly, carmakers are partnering with tech companies such as Qualcomm and IBM. Tech visionaries say that computerized cars will be integrated into the cloud, where they can be monitored and controlled by a centralized network that can prevent collisions and manage traffic, but also do things like disable your car or even drive it away on its own if youre overdue on payments.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are particularly internet-dependent for things like charging and location mapping to coordinate longer trips with charging stations. An IoT system for EV charging would integrate charging stations with mobile apps and a management platform that allows for the monitoring and tracking of EVs to help manage the electric grid in terms of supply and demand.

In addition, apps like Uber can track users location constantly, whether or not you are riding with an Uber driver. According to one Uber driver, the app routinely collects data on how many users are traveling on a given airplane and uses this data to alert drivers in the area when possible customers will be arriving at the airport.

FBI, CIA, NSA Use Data Brokers to Surveil Americans

While corporations have taken a great interest in monitoring peoples behavior for advertising or sales, federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have also become increasingly fixated on tracking the behavior of everyday Americans.

An internal January report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to National Intelligence Director Avril Haines, which was just declassified last week at the insistence of GOP House Representatives, detailed the routine purchasing of commercially available intelligence (CAI) on American citizens by Americas intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The report defines CAI as information that is available commercially, through a commercial transaction with another party. The acquisition may occur on a one-time or subscription basis.

Following a principle called the third-party doctrine, the Supreme Court set a precedent in the 1970s that, despite the Fourth Amendments prohibitions against searches by the government without probable cause of a crime and a search warrant, there is no expectation of privacy in information voluntarily provided to others. This includes information a person shares with a bank, phone company, internet service provider, and more recently the IoT.

The ODNI report states that the government has been buying CAI from data brokers, who maintain large, sophisticated databases with consumer information that can include credit histories, insurance claims, criminal records, employment histories, incomes, ethnicities, purchase histories, and interests.

The report notes the potential for comparable abuse of CAI held by the IC [intelligence community]. In the wrong hands, sensitive insights gained through CAI could facilitate blackmail, stalking, harassment, and public shaming.

Despite this, the ODNI report states, CAI clearly provides intelligence value, whether considered in isolation and/or in combination with other information, and whether reviewed by humans and/or by machines. The IC currently acquires a significant amount of CAI for mission-related purposes, including in some cases social media data, [redacted], and many other types of information.

The release of this information comes at a time when the FBI, the Justice Department, and American intelligence agencies are facing increasing criticism for allegedly abusing authority granted to them to surveil foreign terrorist suspects under the PATRIOT Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), in order to spy on U.S. citizens.

The violations that weve seen have not just been epic in scale, but theyve also been persistent, over and over again, Jake Laperruque, a deputy director at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), stated at a Cato conference on government surveillance.

What were talking about is not just random typos or wrong clicks; were looking at things like pulling up batches of thousands of political donors in one go, without any suspicion of wrongdoing, Laperruque said. Weve had reports of journalists, political commentators, a domestic political party; these compliance violations are the most worrisome type of politically focused surveillance.

This has led some legal experts to call for new laws to protect Americans privacy, particularly regarding data collection.

Neil Richards, a Koch Distinguished Professor in Law at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, said its shameful that we have not had meaningful privacy legislation to this point when  every other democracy and advanced economy in the world has something like this and the United States doesnt.

I think its the responsibility of governments to inform citizens what theyre doing with our data, Buil-Gil said. We should be working toward a general understanding of data about ourselves, about our everyday activities, who is collecting that data, who owns that data. And legally, and also from an ethical standpoint, how its being used.
(Bloomberg) -- Brevan Howard Asset Management co-founder Trifon Natsis has relocated to Abu Dhabi as part of the companys plans to expand in the United Arab Emirates, which is fast becoming a major hub for hedge funds.

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The Jersey, Channel Islands-based investment firm, best known for macro trading and a recent push into digital assets, has also moved portfolio manager Mitesh Gupta to its new outpost in the UAE capital, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The firm is sounding out other employees from trading, risk, sales and marketing about moving to the region where it eventually plans to have about 100 people, the people said, asking not to be identified because the details are private.

A spokesman for Brevan Howard declined to comment.

The move follows efforts by Abu Dhabi, whose sovereign wealth funds oversee some $1.5 trillion, to draw in more international foreign money and financial firms. Ray Dalio is setting up a branch of his family office in Abu Dhabi Global Market, the emirates international financial free zone, which has wooed a cadre of big hedge funds, venture capital firms and crypto companies this past year. In May, Abu Dhabi said it plans to expand ADGM tenfold to make it one of the worlds largest financial districts.

The UAE is already home to a number of alternative investors. Izzy Englanders Millennium Management has more than two dozen people working for him in Dubai, while Michael Gelbands ExodusPoint, one of the largest multi-strategy hedge funds, is expanding in the city. Michael Platts private investment firm BlueCrest Capital Management is also building a presence.

With double-digit gains in its two main hedge funds in 2022, Brevan Howard is on its strongest footing in years as Chief Executive Officer Aron Landy cements his leadership after taking over the role from co-founder Alan Howard in 2019.

Assets have risen to more than $30 billion, or about five times the lows seen in late 2018, while headcount has grown to about 1,000. The $11.5 billion Brevan Howard Master Fund was down 5.8% through May this year, according to an investor document seen by Bloomberg.

Howard started his investment firm in 2002 with four other traders from Credit Suisse Group AGs proprietary fixed-income trading desk. The Brevan part of its name comes from the initials of founding partners  Jean-Philippe Blochet, Chris Rokos, James Vernon and Natsis.

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Yorba Linda Man Helps Struggling Student Veterans at Cal State Fullerton

Students walk under the entry to the California State UniversityFullerton campus in Fullerton, Calif., on Aug. 28, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Every May for the last six years, a local man and his family have helped over 90 student veterans and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets struggling with financial hardship at California State UniversityFullerton with scholarships started through the Vets and Cadets Endowed Scholarship Award.

The vet scholarship program was established in late 2017 by Gregory Wirzbicki and his family after a friend, Marine veteran Frank Greer, passed away that year. Wirzbicki said he wanted to find a way to honor his late friend by helping other troops and veterans in need.

[Americans] wouldnt have the kind of freedom we have, the kind of life we have, without our veterans, Wirzbicki told The Epoch Times. We could never repay what [veterans] have done for us.

(L) Lieutenant Colonel Scott Sparrow delivers a Peace Dollar to newly commissioned Lieutenant Mark J Cuozzo. (Courtesy of Cal State Fullerton Vets and Cadets Endowed Scholarship Award)

Wirzbicki started the scholarship endowment with $10,000 of his own money, which has now grown to awarding over $70,000 in scholarships to 91 student veterans and outstanding cadets in total since the start of the program.

He has matched most of the donations given by others to the scholarship endowment each year since its inception in 2017. Last year he donated $40,000, and this year just under $30,000.

The Yorba Linda resident matches each donation given to the program up to $5,000 each year during the schools annual Day of Giving in mid-March.

Cal State Fullertons annual Day of Giving. (Courtesy of California State UniversityFullerton)

This year marked another milestone for the scholarship fund, in which $15,000the most ever in the programs historywas distributed to six ROTC cadets and six veteran students at the college. According to a June 1 letter from Wirzbicki to his donors, all six ROTC cadets who were awarded scholarships this year were women.

The scholarship helped me to pay my rent as I did summer training. While each of us will use the funds differently, the scholarship makes a huge difference, ROTC scholarship winner Sara Berlinger said in a recent statement after winning the award. Personally, it takes stress and worry away and allows me to focus on both ROTC and my classes.

Wirzbicki praised the ROTC women who were granted the scholarships.

I stressed that over the years the women really have done well in competing for our scholarships, he wrote in his letter. And this year it was a grand slam  these scholarships are based on merit, to the best our committee can fairly make the awards.

Students donate at Cal State Fullertons annual Day of Giving. (Courtesy of California State UniversityFullerton)

Wirzbicki was also responsible for helping attain more affordable tuition for out-of-state student vets and cadets attending Cal State Fullerton in early 2020. At the time, Wirzbicki petitioned the schools president, Framroze Virjee, to grant California-based tuitionwhich costs a third of the price annually compared to out-of-state tuitionto student veterans and ROTC cadets.

Such changes have greatly reduced the cost of education to veterans and cadets attending Cal State Fullerton who came from outside of California since 2020. The price change for such students remains in place today.

For more information about the program, visit http://hhd.fullerton.edu/scholarships/vetsfund.php.
Peace and tranquillity in border areas essential for normal ties with China





NEW DELHI :

ASSERTING that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential for normal bilateral ties with China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India has a core belief in respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity and was fully prepared and committed to protecting its sovereignty and dignity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said ties between India and the US are stronger and deeper than ever, and asserted that there is an unprecedented trust between the leaders of the two countries. He said ties between New Delhi and Washington are stronger and deeper than ever. There is an unprecedented trust between the leaders of the US and India, Modi said. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal ahead of his first State visit to the US, Modi also talked about the Ukraine conflict, saying some people say that India is neutral but it is on the side of peace. Disputes should be resolved with diplomacy and dialogue, not war, the Prime Minister said and added that some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace.

All countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries, he said. Referring to the criticism of Indias stance on Russia over that countrys conflict with Ukraine, Modi said, I dont think this type of perception is widespread in the US. I think Indias position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that Indias topmost priority is peace, he said.
Amit Shah in Durg on 22nd





Staff Reporter

DURG,

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be on Durg visit on June 22,2023 i.e. on Thursday. During the visit, he will stay in Durg Chhattisgarh for about two-and-half hours. After leaving Delhi, Shah will reach Raipur Airport at 12:40 pm and after having his lunch in Raipur itself, he will reach Jayanti Stadium Bhilai helipad by BSF helicopter at 1:35 pm.

Later, by-road from Jayanti Stadium helipad, he will reach the residence of Padma Shri Usha Barle, Sector-1, Bhilai. After meeting Padma Shri Usha Barle for about 20 minutes, he will reach Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Stadium, Durg by-road at around 2:10 pm, the meeting place of BJP Durg Divisional Conference. Union Minister Shah will be present at the venue for about 50 minutes.

He will address the party workers who have arrived from 20 Vidhansabha of Durg Division. At 3:00 pm, leaving the venue of the meeting Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Stadium, he will return the helipad at Jayanti Stadium Bhilai by-road, after which he will leave for Balaghat by BSF helicopter at 3.10 pm.
ELIMINATION





WITH the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar by unknown assailants outside a Gurudwara in Canada, one most-wanted terrorist has been eliminated. This will, no doubt, weaken the Khalistan movement to some extent. Nijjar was considered a mastermind of pro-Khalistan terrorism and carried a reward of Rs. 10 lakh on his head. However, it is likely that those who eliminated Nijjar did not do so for the fascination of the reward. There is every possibility that Nijjar was targeted by some of his rivals in the crime circles for whatever reasons. But it is beyond doubt that his elimination would be treated as a major development in Indias fight against pro-Khalistan terrorism in the past few years. It may not be a matter of just coincidence that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was eliminated in Canada just a day ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to the neighbouring United States.

Some forces must have kept him under scanner for a long time and eliminated Nijjar when the America continent was reverberating with welcome of Mr. Narendra Modi on a state visit to the US. It may be recalled that just a few days ago, pro-Khalistan rallies had shocked Canada. That demonstration of Khalistani intent was done purposely using the pictures of the killers of Mrs. Indira Gandhi in those rallies, was clear to all. Upset by that event, India lodged its protest with the Canadian Government, and cautioned against any repetition of such activity aimed against India on the Canadian soil. The elimination of Nijjar needs to be seen against the backdrop of all these developments. It must be noted that the pro-Khalistan movement has picked up momentum in the past few years after the advent of Mr. Narendra Modi as Prime Minister nine years ago. The intent is obvious -- to keep the Modi regime eternally disturbed. The beginning of the fresh wave of disturbance came through the so-called farmers agitation that lasted several months. Clear indications were available that pro-Khalistan masterminds were running and funding the farmers protests. Later on, the involvement of pro-Khalistan elements was established by the Intelligence agencies in India during Delhis Shaheen Bagh agitation as well. Substantial info, thus, made the Government wary of the Khalistan methodology in India. For, even as the farmers agitation and Shaheen Bagh protests died, the whole of Punjab region found itself boiling with the pro-Khalistan activities that included even a mob attack on a Police Station.

So emboldened did the pro-Khalistan elements feel that they picked up courage to paste pro-Khalistan slogans just outside the Punjab legislature as well. The administration reacted with tough handling, and ensured that many pro-Khalistani elements were arrested in right time without giving them a chance to regroup. Most important of the Governments step was to let Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann know of the Centres displeasure about his rule that turned a blind eye to the pro-Khalistan agitation. Despite those steps, the agitation refused to die, funded it has been by various international operators and agencies that vowed to create a state of Khalistan. Canada formed a good ground for that activity, which was the reason of Hardeep Singh Nijjars staying there. Now that he stands eliminated by whichever forces, the Khalistan Tiger Force now faces still greater challenges. There is no reason to believe that Khalistan agitation will die with the elimination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. But there is no doubt that the movement would have to find another leader so as to keep its activities going. That may not be an easy task, however.
GIPE report highlights key barriers in expansion of urban nano enterprises





Staff Reporter

Lack of formalisation and delayed payments affecting cash flow management, difficulty in hiring and retaining skilled labourers, compliance-related issues with complex regulations, and a disconnect between implementing agencies and the target segment are some of the key barriers in business expansion of urban nano enterprises. This has been highlighted in the latest report of The deAsra Centre of Excellence in Nano Entrepreneurship at Centre for Excellence in Entrepreneurship & Development (CEED) at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE). Though the report highlights the struggles and challenges faced by service sector nano businesses in Pune, the challenges are more or less the same in case of nano enterprises in other major cities. Although not officially defined in India, nano enterprises are identified as a segment within micro business segment of Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with annual turnover ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs One crore. According to NSSO 73rd round, nano enterprises form more than 60 per cent of micro enterprises. As far as Udyam registration is concerned, of total MSME sector employment, 76 per cent is in micro businesses. Within micro enterprises, 89 per cent is generated by nano businesses with turnover less than Rs One crore.

The GIPE survey covered registered and unregistered nano enterprises, including grocery shops, boutiques, tutors, catering and food stalls, bakeries, salons, pharmacies, auto repair shops, retail outlets, trading outlets, and small restaurants. The report findings indicate that nano enterprises, despite being located in Tier-1 metropolitan cities like Pune, encounter significant obstacles hindering their growth and progress, read an official statement regarding the report. The highlighted key barriers in business expansion of urban nano enterprises include lack of formalisation and delayed payments affecting cash flow management, difficulty in hiring and retaining skilled labourers, compliance-related issues with complex regulations and a disconnect between implementing agencies and the target segment. Marketing challenges due to lack of cohesion in entrepreneurial ecosystem and fragmented voluntary associations, limited technology adoption due to lack of training, lack of cohesion in entrepreneurial ecosystem leading to a disconnect between nano entrepreneurs and enablers of growth are some other factors affecting the growth and expansion of nano enterprises. These findings underscore the importance of addressing them to support their growth and success, read the official statement.
Mishaps rise, but fatalities reduce in city





By Dheeraj Fartode

Nagpur has witnessed a concerning rise in road accidents during the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year. However, there is a glimmer of hope as fatalities resulting from these accidents have decreased, indicating an increasing awareness among road users about safety measures, particularly use of helmets. According to the data received from the City police, a total of 476 road accidents were reported in Nagpur from January to May 2023. Tragically, these accidents claimed the lives of 107 individuals and left 495 persons injured. In comparison, during the corresponding months in 2022, the city recorded 435 road accidents, leading to 131 fatalities and 443 injuries.

The statistics highlight a 8.61 per cent increase in the number of accidents and a worrying 11.75 per cent rise in injuries. However, there is a significant improvement in terms of road fatalities, with a decrease of 24 deaths (18.32%) during the same period. This indicates a growing consciousness among road users about the importance of safety gear, such as helmets, as over 70% of the fatalities were attributed to head injuries in Nagpur. A police official closely involved in traffic management pointed out several key causes of road accidents. These include overspeeding, drunken driving, driver distractions, red light violations, non-adherence to safety gear like seat belts and helmets, as well as improper lane driving and reckless overtaking.The rise in accidents suggests a violation of for traffic rules, particularly the issue of overspeeding, he said.

The decrease in road fatalities alongside the increase in accidents indicates that a larger proportion of vehicle users are acknowledging the significance of wearing safety gear, including helmets. However, the data also suggested the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and greater adherence to speed limits to reduce the occurrence of accidents, he said. A retired police official stated that the data serves as a wake-up call for the traffic police. The growing congestion on the city road is a also one of the reason for sudden jump in the road accident cases. The police must intensify the efforts to reduce rampent congestion at important juctions and give much awaited relief, he opined.
NIT wakes up to violations on its land after 6 years

Staff Reporter

Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), which had been allegedly turning a blind eye to the violations in the Transport Plaza project for the past six years, has suddenly woken up to the irregularities and has taken action against two businesses housed in the Plaza. NIT has terminated the contract of Regenta Central Hotel and Convention Centre, and issued show cause notice to Seven Star Hospital, both operating in the Plaza that is located at Jagnade Square. The Trust has also taken possession of 47.91% of the total area (4854.612 sq metres) of the hotel. The land was reserved for Transport Plaza. However, a hotel and a hospital were constructed on the land. It was almost 9 years ago that the project at Jagnade Square got approval. It came into existence in 2017. In these six years, NIT did not make any effort to identify the irregularities by the Plaza occupants.

According to sources, the hospital purchased parking space in the Plaza, and built its laboratories there. Surprisingly, NIT failed to notice this in the past six years. Similarly, after huge constructions of hospital and hotels came up in this space, NIT now says that the land was reserved for MSRTC Bus Stand in the Development Plan (DP) and should have been utilised solely for that purpose. It even goes on to call the deviation a serious issue and talks of conducting an inquiry into it. MLA Krishna Khopde has alleged an assumed ignorance by the authority in this matter. The earlier Chairmen of NIT kept ignoring although I informed them about the developments from time to time. I am going to demand action against those chairmen. I will lodge a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, and, will even approach the High Court if required, he said while talking to The Hitavada.

NIT had signed an agreement with M/s Lata Kisan Construction Private Limited to develop a Bus Terminal and ancillary facilities on Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (BFOT) basis on the land bearing Khasara No. 576, 324/1(P) Mouza at Jagnade Square, on an area admeasuring approximately 10,132.775 square metres in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the concession agreement. As per schedule-B of the agreement, wherein the scope of the project was elaborated, provides for operation and maintenance of bus terminal and ancillary facilities. An ancillary facility includes office area, shopping area, hospital, budged hotel, food court and restaurant area etc. No Objection Certificate for sub-lease in favour of M/s Latakisan Construction Pvt. Ltd was granted on January 23, 2015. Sub-lease in favour of Nagpur Institute of Surgical Science Pvt Ltd (for hospital) was executed by M/S Latakisan Construction Pvt Ltd on January 28, 2015 for 30.630% area of the total area. The NOC for sub-lease in favour of M/s Latakisan Infra Pvt Ltd for Hotel portion was granted on March 23, 2017, (for hotel) for 47.91% of total area of plot 4,854.612 square meters.
PM Modi arrives in US to rousing welcome





Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by members of the Indian community upon his arrival in New York on Tuesday. (ANI)

NEW YORK :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome as he arrived here on Tuesday on the first leg of his maiden state visit to the US during which he will lead the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters and hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden in Washington. Landed in New York City. Looking forward to the programmes here including interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day programme tomorrow, 21st June, Modi tweeted. The Prime Minister was received at the airport by Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj. Prime Minister Modi received a rousing welcome upon his arrival here with Indian-American community members cheering him and raising slogans in his favour. Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a state dinner on June 22.

The visit includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22. In his departure statement, Modi had said this special invitation from President Biden and the First Lady for a state visit is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies. I will commence my visit in New York, where I will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community, the Prime Minister said. I look forward to this special celebration at the very location that supported Indias proposal in December 2014 to recognise an International Day of Yoga, he said. Nine years after Prime Minister Modi first proposed from the United Nations General Assembly podium to mark International Yoga Day as an annual commemoration, the Indian leader will for the first time be at the UN Headquarters to lead the yoga session in a historic commemoration of the day. From New York, Modi will travel to Washington D.C. Where he will hold talks with President Biden. The Prime Minister noted that President Biden and he have had the opportunity to meet several times since his last official visit to the US in September 2021.

This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership, Modi said. Modi said his discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity). The Prime Minister said he will also join President Biden and the First Lady for the state banquet along with a number of dignitaries. Noting that the US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties, Modi said that during his visit, he will address a joint session of the US Congress at the invitation of the Congressional leadership. Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries. I look forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies, he said. I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains, Modi said. Modi will also meet business leaders, interact with the Indian community and meet thought leaders from different walks of life.

We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas, he said. The US is Indias largest trade partner in goods and services, and the two countries collaborate closely in the fields of science and technology, education, health, defence and security, the prime minister said. The initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration in defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, artificial intelligence and biotech sectors, he added. Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, he said. Modi expressed confidence that his visit to the US will reinforce ties between the two countries based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom. Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges, Modi said in his statement. From the US, Modi will travel to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
(Bloomberg) -- Warren Buffetts favorite stocks among Japanese trading companies may be ready to take a breather after they surged to records amid a flurry of analyst upgrades, if technical market patterns are any guide.

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Read: Buffett-Favored Japan Trading Firms Zoom Above Stock Targets

Here are three charts showing the momentum could slow:

The Relative Strength Index (RSI), which some traders monitor for signs of excessive moves, reached its highest since January 2018. The Topix Wholesale Trading Index is the top performer on the benchmark this year, gaining 42%.

Trading houses, which were once considered to be relatively cheap, are now trading at a price-to-book ratio (PBR) of about 1.3 times, the highest in 15 years. The ratio for the Topix Wholesale Index P/B relative to that of the broader Topix is also on the rise as trading houses announce share buybacks.

The surge has pushed Japans trading firms to a record relative to the broader Topix. The firms pulled ahead of tech companies last week as the best performing sector in the nations stock market this year.

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PM Modi to lead unique Yoga session at UN Headquarters today





By Yoshita Singh

UNITED NATIONS,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi will lead a unique yoga session on Wednesday in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters here that will see participation from top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals. Modi will be in New York on the first leg of his US visit at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Nine years after Prime Minister Modi first proposed from the United Nations General Assembly podium to mark International Yoga Day as an annual commemoration, the Indian leader will for the first time be at the UN Headquarters to lead the yoga session in a historic commemoration of the day.

Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told PTI in an interview that the yoga celebration this year will be a very unique occasion because it was Prime Minister Modi who had given this vision and it was his leadership that ensured that June 21 every year is celebrated as International Yoga Day. Modis visit will further boost ties, says Renjen: INDIA and the US are natural allies and Modis visit is going to further strengthen the relationship between the two nations, a top Indian-American corporate leader said, noting that ties have been on an upward trajectory. The US is welcoming the Prime Minister of India with open arms and this State Visit is very significant, Deloitte Global CEO Emeritus Punit Renjen told PTI in an interview. Renjen, who had served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Deloitte Global from 2015 to 2022, and retired on December 31 last year, also said all components of the visit, from Modis address to the Joint Session of the US Congress to the State Dinner are remarkable.

Thanedar to escort PM to his historic joint address to US Congress: INDIAN-AMERICAN Congressman Shri Thanedar would be escorting Modi to his historic joint address to the US Congress on June 22. The first-time Democratic Congressman, who represents the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, has also been invited by President Joe Biden for the White House State Dinner hosted in honour of PM Modi on the same day. It is the second time that Modi is addressing the joint session of the US Congress, a first for any Indian Prime Minister.
SC okays Central forces for WB Panchayat polls





NEW DELHI :

HOLDING elections cannot be a licence for violence, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday as it dismissed the petitions of the West Bengal Government and the State Election Commission (SEC) challenging the Calcutta High Court order directing the State poll panel to deploy Central forces across West Bengal for the July 8 Panchayat elections. The apex court observed the tenor of the High Court order was to ensure free and fair election in the State. West Bengal invariably turns into a cauldron of political violence during elections, and over 20 people were killed and scores others injured in the last Panchayat polls in 2018. Several people have been reported killed in clashes in the run up to the July 8 polls, including some on June 15, the last day for filing nominations, prompting the Calcutta High Court to order deployment of Central forces across the State. Polling will be held in over 61,000 booths, many in sensitive areas. In a setback to the States TMC Government, a vacation bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Manoj Misra rejected the two petitions, observing Holding election cannot be a licence for violence. Elections cannot be accompanied by violence.

The fact remains that the tenor of the order of the High Court is ultimately to ensure that there is free and fair election conducted in the entire State of West Bengal since the State is conducting the said elections for the local bodies on a single date and having regard to the number of seats which are going to the polls... the bench said. It said the order of the High Court does not call for any interference, and the top court is not inclined to interfere with any other directions issued by the High Court with regard to holding elections to the three-tier Panchayati raj institutions. The bench said, West Bengal is one of those States where democratic set up exists even at the lowest level and it is at the grassroots level that the elections are taking place. But, at the same time, elections cannot be accompanied by violence. If persons are not able to go and file their nominations or those who have filed their nominations are ultimately finished off, or there are group clashes, where is free and fair election? it said.

The counsel for the State Government said sometimes facts and figures are different from the impressions. Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the SEC, said the poll panel is aggrieved by two directions of the high court, including the one which says it will requisition Central forces and deploy them across the State. She said it is not within the jurisdiction of the SEC to requisition and deploy Central forces for the conduct of elections.
Their silence an eloquent testimony of appeasement politics: Chaturvedi





By Bhavana Aparajita

Shukla

As the matter of forceful religious conversions is surfacing in the State, Bharatiya Janata Party State unit has intensified verbal attack on Opposition Congress. Accusing Congress over the incident of tying a leash around youths neck and asking him to bark like a dog by culprits at the State Capital, BJP State Unit Spokesperson, Pankaj Chaturvedi has said, Why Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh silent are? Their silence is an eloquent testimony to the forceful religious conversion practices by some people. Chaturvedi has thanked the State Government for taking action against the youths who were using coercion to the Hindu youth for conversion. Police arrested three persons and the local administration in Bhopal has demolished portions of their accuseds homes.

He said that when the inhuman incident of forceful religious conversion came to the fore, the Shivraj government acted promptly and took strict action against the culprits along with imposing Rasuka, the encroachments of their houses were destroyed. The action taken by the government is being appreciated across the country, on the other hand, Kamal Nath, Digvijay Singh and the entire Congress have failed to speak a single word over this incident. Asking questions to the Congress leaders, Chaturvedi said that why Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh and the Congress are silent on the incident of Bhopal, who misrepresented the Governments action on the Ganga Jamna School in Damoh? it is an evidence of Congress politics of appeasement. Pankaj Chaturvedi said that it is a matter of great shame that the Congress is opposing the NSA action on the culprits on this incident, opposing the action taken on their houses and terming the criminals as innocent, calling this act as ignorance.

While we all have seen how a Hindu youth was abused like animals by putting animal leash around his neck and that youth was forced to convert and eat beef. He said that the state government took immediate effective action within 4 hours after getting information about the incident. Those anti-national forces who do not like the honour, respect, self-respect and pride of Maa Bharti, do not want to see India become a world guru. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and says that minorities are not safe in India. Rahul Gandhi who sees Muslim League as a secular party, similarly Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh stand in favour of conversion for appeasement politics, he added.
China is not so tough after all, geopolitical strategist says

Geopolitical strategist George Friedman says China is less fearsome as a global threat than it projects. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

CLEVELAND  China is far less the globally threatening bogeyman it projects as its 40-year economic boom cycle ebbs, geopolitical strategist George Friedman says.

And all the saber-rattling about China invading Taiwan needs to be taken with a grain of salt as well.

The United States has done something really cool that very few people have noticed, Friedman told FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller in a fireside chat on the opening day of the two-day Future of Supply Chain event. In the past month, we signed a treaty with the Philippines that gives us four bases right off the Chinese coast.

Separate deals with New Guinea and Fiji provided missile bases. Together, those arrangements that effectively give the U.S. control of China from the Aleutian Islands to Australia.

And thats changed the balance of power dramatically. Chinas basic fear has always been that the United States would blockade their ports and make it impossible for them to trade, Friedman said. Now that fear is really a fear.

Friedman is an internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster and strategist on international affairs. He is founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures, an online publication that analyzes and predicts the international system.

Friedman is a New York Times bestselling author. His 2009 book The Next 100 Years remains relevant because his geopolitical predictions are unfolding in many countries.

Evidence of a fast thaw in U.S.-Sino relations

Friedman said the recent very pleasant meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China Premier Xi Jinping is evidence of a fast thaw in the U.S.-Sino relations.

The U.S. and China need each other as trading partners, not engaged in brinkmanship over Taiwan, which China has considered to be a rebel region since the unofficial end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.

Despite its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, if China could successfully invade the island nation without attracting an American military response, it would have, Friedman said. After policy missteps over COVID and a declining economy, Xi cannot afford a military failure.

Whats happening here is that American power is asserting itself. And most of the players, including India, are shading to a pro-American stance. This has China extremely worried. If the United States chooses to freeze China out, theres a chance they could do it.

The U.S. is also cozying up to India. Premier Narendra Modi wants to supplant China as a U.S. trading partner. Air India on Tuesday firmed an order for 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft with a list price of $70 billion.

Theyre very hostile to China, Friedman said. If we also had India in the American relationship, now Chinas really worried. India very much wants to take Chinas place in the U.S. markets. Taiwan just doesnt reach that level.

The post China is not so tough after all, geopolitical strategist says appeared first on FreightWaves.
Minister also meets with former Global High Schools category winner and CEO of Mazi Mobility

Supported by the UAEs pioneering award, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, M-KOPA is on track to reach 4 million underbanked consumers in sub-Saharan Africa by this year

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During a visit to M-KOPA, one of Africas leading fintech platforms, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in creating technologies that create lasting positive change in vulnerable and remote communities, while helping to meet our climate ambitions and keep 1.5C within reach.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622235262/en/

COP28 UAE President-Designate visits award-winning Kenyan fintech leader M-KOPA on the sidelines of Africa Energy Forum (Photo: AETOSWire)

M-KOPA, one of the fastest growing companies in Africa, is one of 106 past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's pioneering award that recognises groundbreaking contributions across the fields of health, food, energy, water and climate action.

During a tour of M-KOPAs facilities and a briefing by its Managing Director, David Damberger, Dr. Al Jaber, who helped establish the Prize and is its Director General, said: "Prize winners continue to address some of the most pressing sustainable development challenges we face today. They are providing quality healthcare, nutritious food, essential energy, and access to safe waterin short, a better world for us all."

Dr Al Jaber is in Kenya for the Africa Energy Forum to prepare for the UAEs hosting of COP28, which will take place in Dubai at the end of the year and marks the next step in global cooperation on fighting climate change. The summit comes at the crucial halfway point between the landmark Paris Agreement of 2015 and the 2030 target for climate action, with the first global stocktake of emissions cuts providing a valuable opportunity to align global efforts.

This moment also shines a spotlight on the work of M-KOPA and other past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which have been addressing climate-related challenges in vulnerable countries around the world. In line with the UAE's own priorities, they have been taking important steps to reform land use, transform food systems and ensure a pragmatic energy transition.

Since its founding in 2010, M-KOPA has reduced more than 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, connected 400,000 first-time Internet users, and served over 3 million customers across sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, the company has built one of the worlds most advanced connected financing platforms, deploying US $1 billion in credit to the financially excluded. The company has also provided extensive training and employment, generating more than US $180 million in extra income for its sales agents.

M-KOPA's flexible credit model allows individuals to pay a small deposit and get instant access to everyday essentials, including electric motorcycles, solar power systems, smartphones and then graduate to digital financial services such as loans and health insurance. Most recently, the company successfully closed over $200m in sustainability-linked debt financing to drive womens financial inclusion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its East African markets by further developing its solar products offering, making a meaningful contribution to fighting climate change.

David Damberger, Managing Director of M-KOPA, said: "It was a privilege to receive His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber today and showcasing the remarkable impact we have made through our sustainable solutions."

"Receiving the Zayed Sustainability Prize, marked a pivotal moment in our journey, and we are deeply grateful for the recognition," he added. "At M-KOPA, we have been driven by a deep-rooted commitment to empower underbanked consumers whilst combating climate change through our flexible credit model and clean energy solutions. We sincerely hope that our success serves as an inspiration for other small businesses and entrepreneurs across Africa to apply for the Prize, as it has the power to drive transformative change. Moreover, it is a testament to the UAE's support of African small businesses and it's humanitarian legacy, which continues to empower and uplift communities worldwide."

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also met with former winner in the Prizes Global High Schools category and current CEO of Mazi Mobility, Jesse Forrester, who updated the COP President-Designate on his e-mobility company, which operates a fleet of electric motorbikes and tuk-tuks.

Dr. Al Jaber said: "The Global High Schools category was launched to inspire youth to realise their potential and encourage them to pursue careers in the field of sustainability. To see this come to fruition through one of our previous winners speaks volumes on the transformative impact of the Prize. Seeing first-hand what Jesse has built is truly inspiring and should serve as a model for other young entrepreneurs who want to change the world.

"Climate change poses a challenge across health, food, energy, and water, amongst other issues, and only by adopting an 'all of the above' approach can we hope to ensure a just transition that leaves nobody behind. SMEs represent 80% of global GDP but the vast majority have not even started their net-zero journeys. The Zayed Sustainability Prize is determined to empower those who strive to create value in the energy transition and demonstrate that climate action can lead to sustainable development. As we approach COP28, I am determined to empower the voices and perspectives of young entrepreneurs, like Jesse, and to ensure that we deliver practical solutions that can change the lives of millions more like him."

In its 15th year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has transformed the lives of over 378 million people around the world by empowering 106 past winners to make a difference. Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories receives US $600,000 to expand the scope and scale of their sustainability solutions. Six winners in the Global High Schools category each receive up to US $100,000. By empowering entrepreneurs to build their solutions, the Prize has to date awarded US $3.6 million.

About the Zayed Sustainability Prize

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Prize aims to drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognising and rewarding organisations and high schools that are delivering innovative sustainable solutions across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. For over 15 years, through its 106 winners, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of over 378 million people in 151 countries.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622235262/en/

Contacts

Stephen Worsley

Stephen.worsley@bcw-global.com
Australia-Based Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Qatar Cancer Society, Initiate Discussion of Strategic Collaborative Partnership

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and Qatar Cancer Society are pleased to announce the start of discussions of a strategic collaborative partnership that will play a vital role in progressing cancer research, advancements, and treatments globally.

Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Press release picture

"Qatar is leading the way in philanthropic impact investing, in particular its support for biotechnology companies in cancer treatment," said Lance Kawaguchi, Chief Executive Officer of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation. "With both organizations supporting research globally to fast-track more treatments in adult and pediatric cancers, our synergies are aligned and will benefit progress in crucial cancer research and treatment."

This partnership has received support from respected and influential leaders around the world, including the esteemed founder and Chairperson of Qatar Cancer Society, His Excellency, Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Jabor Al Thani.

Qatar Cancer Society is optimistic about what this future strategic collaborative partnership will bring.

"Lance has lifted a small, little-known Australian-based charity into a major player in brain cancer globally in only two years," said Sheikh Dr. Khalid. "His passion, vision, and relentless drive has powered Cure Brain Cancer Foundation to the world stage, and we at Qatar Cancer Society echo his vision and passion for a cancer-free world."

Qatar Cancer Society is the country's primary non-profit organization promoting cancer awareness and prevention. Cure Brain Cancer Foundation's future strategic collaborative partnership with it could significantly increase cancer research, new drug development, and clinical trial funding and capabilities.

###

Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is the leading organisation for brain cancer research, advocacy and awareness in Australia, with a mission to rapidly improve brain cancer survival and vision to ultimately find a cure for brain cancer.

Contact Information

Melinda Koski

MK Public Relations

melinda@mkpublicrelations.co

3174763293

SOURCE: Cure Brain Cancer Foundation

.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/762897/Cure-Brain-Cancer-Foundation-Qatar-Cancer-Society-Initiate-Discussion-of-Strategic-Collaborative-Partnership




Join the Manhattan Workers Circle School this fall for Jewish culture, Yiddish, and social justice learning!

Is your family interested in exploring Jewish cultural identity, social justice, and Yiddish?

Join us this school year at the Manhattan Workers Circle School, a secular Jewish education program for children ages toddler-13 held Sundays 10:30 AM-1:00 PM at the Manny Cantor Center, 197 East Broadway.

Well be hosting an open house on Sunday September 10, which is also the first day of school.

Reach out to school director Sabina Brukner for more information sbrukner@circle.org

Visit us online to register: www.circle.org/manhattan

Our shule (Yiddish for school) invites families to build a contemporary Jewish identity rooted in an exploration of cultural heritage and a search for justice. Led by dynamic educators who are also acclaimed artists, musicians, Yiddishists and activists, our learning program digs deep into cultural roots, values children as change makers and cultural creators, and centers voices often marginalized in Jewish life.

Based on the Lower East Side, we are a welcoming community of multifaith, multiracial families with diverse gender identities, family structures, and Jewish journeys, from across the greater NYC area.

Program includes:

Classes for children ages 2-13

Bnei Mitsve

Yiddish language and culture

Parent programs

Family field trips

Holiday celebrations

*This is a paid advertisement.
Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Get Rating) by 2.1% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 91,084 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 1,890 shares during the quarter. Danaher comprises about 0.9% of Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADVs portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADVs holdings in Danaher were worth $22,957,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in DHR. My Legacy Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Danaher by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. My Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 4,505 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,124,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. Norway Savings Bank raised its stake in shares of Danaher by 69.8% during the 1st quarter. Norway Savings Bank now owns 2,128 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $536,000 after purchasing an additional 875 shares in the last quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA boosted its holdings in shares of Danaher by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA now owns 13,655 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,442,000 after buying an additional 709 shares during the last quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. grew its stake in shares of Danaher by 16.9% in the first quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 595 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $146,000 after buying an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dfpg Investments LLC increased its holdings in Danaher by 21.4% during the first quarter. Dfpg Investments LLC now owns 2,103 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $530,000 after buying an additional 370 shares during the last quarter. 75.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Danaher

In related news, SVP Jose-Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.19, for a total transaction of $121,095.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 7,529 shares in the company, valued at $1,823,448.51. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, SVP Jose-Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.19, for a total transaction of $121,095.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 7,529 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,823,448.51. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 695 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $245.27, for a total transaction of $170,462.65. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 1,565 shares of the companys stock, valued at $383,847.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 34,466 shares of company stock valued at $8,103,781 over the last three months. 11.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Danaher Stock Down 2.8 %

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on DHR shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of Danaher from $310.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on Danaher in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Bank of America cut Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the company from $310.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Danaher in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Danaher from $289.00 to $260.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $294.06.

Shares of DHR stock traded down $6.69 on Tuesday, reaching $235.11. 2,315,968 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,940,701. The company has a 50-day moving average of $238.05 and a 200-day moving average of $251.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.51. Danaher Co. has a one year low of $221.22 and a one year high of $303.82. The company has a market cap of $173.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.06, a PEG ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.80.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.26 by $0.10. Danaher had a net margin of 22.40% and a return on equity of 16.70%. The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.06 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.76 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 9.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 11.64%.

Danaher Profile

(Get Rating)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DHR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Get Rating).

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Airtel Africa Plc (LON:AAF  Get Rating) declared a dividend on Thursday, May 11th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.03 per share on Wednesday, July 26th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 22nd. This is an increase from Airtel Africas previous dividend of $0.02. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

Airtel Africa Price Performance

Shares of LON:AAF opened at GBX 120.20 ($1.54) on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 110.95. Airtel Africa has a twelve month low of GBX 104.09 ($1.33) and a twelve month high of GBX 173.10 ($2.21). The stocks 50 day moving average is GBX 118.45 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 116.52. The firm has a market capitalization of 4.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 854.29, a PEG ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.14.

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About Airtel Africa

(Get Rating)

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Airtel Africa Plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications and mobile money services to customers in Nigeria, East Africa, and Francophone Africa. It offers prepaid and postpaid wireless voice, international roaming, and fixed line telephone services; data communication services, including 2G, 3G, and 4G; and mobile money services, such as digital wallet payments systems, microloans, savings, and international money transfers.

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CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the data center market will grow at a CAGR of 5.03% during 2022-2028.

Data Center Market Report by Arizton

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3893

Browse In-Depth TOC of the Data Center Market

192 - Tables

550 - Charts

1234  Pages

The data center market is attractive, with data centers offering higher returns on investment (ROI) than other commercial and industrial properties. In 2022, owing to increased digitalization because of the pandemic, several initiatives taken by different countries in that direction, the deployment of technology such as IoT, big data, 5G, and edge, and increased investments by cloud service providers across various geographies, the colocation market witnessed significant growth.

The market also witnessed supply chain-related challenges in 2022 for IT and support infrastructure providers. This recovered to an extent in the latter half of 2022; however, raw materials prices have since risen, leading to higher costs for data center investors. The market growth in 2022 was aided by previously announced projects and expansions of facilities in a few locations where data centers were deemed essential services. Most of the demand for colocation data center services is contributed by cloud-based service providers.

The data center market in the Americas is a developed market with an increasing presence of local and global data center operators, especially in countries such as the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. Other emerging markets in 2022 included Argentina, Peru, and others. The demand for data centers grew significantly due to the pandemic, with the major workforce shifting to remote working.

Global Data Center Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 289.66 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 215.73 Billion CAGR By Revenue (2022-2028) 5.03 % Market Size - Area (2028) 58.15 Million Square Feet Power Capacity (2028) 9,778.6 Mw Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 MARKET Segmentation Facility, Infrastructure, Electrical Infrastructure, Mechanical Infrastructure, Cooling Systems, Cooling Technique, General Construction, Tier Standards, And Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Nordics, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Apac, And Southeast Asia Market Dynamics Growth in Submarine & Inland Connectivity

Increasing M&As and JVs Across the Industry

Big Data & IoT Fueling Data Center Investments

Government Support for Data Center Investments

Increasing Demand for Cloud-Based Services

Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3893

Key Insights

In data centers, the top of rack switches comprising 10/25 GbE ports will continue to grow, and the growing network traffic will increase the penetration of 25/40/100 GbE ports in the aggregation layer and 100/200/400 GbE in hyperscale facilities.

Hyperconverged platforms will overcome the complexity of data center operations and enable faster deployment of infrastructure compared to traditional integration of independent infrastructure silo.

The cost of Lithium-ion batteries is almost 3X more than VRLA UPS. However, lithium-ion batteries will provide more efficiency over five years compared to VRLA battery-based UPS systems.

Mega data center projects are facing difficult-to-get approvals for the use of water to cool down facilities. This prompts operators and vendors to collaborate and develop systems that can save up to 50% of water consumption in data centers.

Free cooling techniques will continue to dominate the market for evaporative coolers, free cooling chillers, air-side economizers, and water-side economizers in North America, Europe, Japan, and Northern China. The adoption of these systems is also growing in Australia and New Zealand.

The government's interest in promoting data center investments through land for development, reducing electricity tariffs, and renewable energy procurement will drive the market during the forecast period.

Data center construction in terms of investment, square feet area, and power (MW) continues to grow in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Almost all European countries will facilitate free cooling for over 5,000 hours a year, whereas Asia Pacific countries will still depend on water-based cooling.

The Nordic region will attract more hyperscale projects over the next three years. However, colocation investments in hyperscale facilities will mostly depend on service demand. Iceland will be a sought-after location for bitcoin mining operations and is likely to have a major impact on other Nordic regions in the upcoming years.

In Central & Eastern Europe, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Russia are dominant countries attracting data center investments.

Buy the Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/global-data-center-market-report-2025

Post-Purchase Benefit

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Sustainable Innovations in Data Center Power Technology Leveraging the Market Growth

The scalability of a data center is related to its power system capability to support the required additional loads. If the utility power is readily available, operators can maintain scalability to suit increasing demand while operating efficiency can be improved and maintained at a lower cost.

As digital transformation, technological innovation, and remote working continue to grow, data centers are integral in supporting businesses and organizations across all industries. With investment in power forming a significant portion of the CAPEX and OPEX for data center operators, innovations in power infrastructure will continue.

In January 2022, Microsoft announced its plan to invest around $50 million in LanzaJet's sustainable fuel plant in Georgia. The fuel company will provide sustainable renewable diesel to Microsoft made of ethanol. The fuel will be a replacement for the diesel fuel that can be used by the operator for its data center generator sets and for some other uses that require fuel.

Mitsubishi Electric offers the Mitsubishi Power SOFC system that can provide electricity and heat in a single system. Hydrogen, natural gas, biofuel, or a mixture of any hydrogen ratio can power the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC).

General Electric's gas generators also run on natural or other gases such as biogas, landfill, sewage, and combustible industrial waste gases.

Bloom Energy, a major provider of fuel cells, has also installed natural gas-powered fuel cells in data centers worldwide.

In September 2022, Equinix, in partnership with the National University of Singapore, announced its plan to test hydrogen-powered fuel cells as a power source for its data centers in Singapore.

In September 2022, Nxtra (Airtel) announced its plan to deploy hydrogen fuel cells, which will be provided by Bloom Energy, in one of its data center facilities in Karnataka, India.

In August 2022, the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) worked with Toyota to evaluate and install a 1 MW fuel-cell power generation system, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell at NREL's Flatirons Campus.

The UK data center service provider Kao Data has partnered with Crown Oil to replace its diesel backup generator with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel generators. The company plans to replace the 45,000 liters of diesel with more than 750,000 liters of HVO fuel in its Harlow data center campus on full build.

In addition, Ark Data Centers is replacing the diesel in the fuel tanks of their generators with HVO. The company believes using HVO will reduce fossil emissions by 90%, particulate emissions by >25%, and NOx emissions by >15. In addition, the company believes that the use of natural gas generators provides significant reductions in NOx and SOx emissions than the equivalent diesel generators running on HVO.

Adoption of AI-Based Infrastructure Driving Liquid Immersion & Direct-to-Chip Cooling Booming the Market Growth

The data center market is witnessing substantial growth in advanced technology adoption, such as AI & ML. Countries across the globe have substantially started adopting AI for several operations. In January 2019, the US Federal government launched the American AI initiative to encourage investments in AI in the country, which was later codified under the National AI Initiative Act of 2020. The act includes increasing investment in AI research, implementing Federal AI computing and data resources, setting AI technical standards, upskilling Americans on skills in AI, and reinforcing international cooperation on AI.

Liquid cooling is the most popular cooling technology used in High-Performance Computing (HPC) in data centers to support AI and ML workloads. These technologies require powerful computing capabilities for TPU, where the heat generated exceeds the cooling limit and thus demands superior efficiency to keep the chips working optimally.

The report includes the investment in the following areas:

Facility Type

Hyperscale Data Centers

Colocation Data Centers

Enterprise Data Centers

Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

IT Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers, & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Cooling Technique

Air-based Cooling

Liquid-based Cooling

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Fire Detection & Suppression

Physical Security

DCIM/BMS Solutions

Tier Standards

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

Geography

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Nordics

Central & Eastern Europe

Middle East

Africa

APAC

Southeast Asia

Vendor Landscape

Key Data Center IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

Other Data Center IT Infrastructure Providers

DataDirect Networks (DDN

Extreme Networks

Fujitsu

Hitachi Vantara

Infortrend Technology

Inspur

Intel

Micron Technology

MiTAC Holdings

NEC

Nimbus Data

Oracle

Pure Storage

Seagate Technology

Silk (Kaminario)

Supermicro

Synology

Toshiba

StorCentric

QNAP Systems

Quanta Cloud Technology

Quantum (Pivot3)

Western Digital

Wistron (Wiwynn)

Key Data Center Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Legrand

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv

Other Data Center Support Infrastructure Providers

3M

Airedale

Alfa Laval

Asetek

Assa Abloy

Bloom Energy

Carrier

Condair

Cormant

Cyber Power Systems

Daikin Applied

Data Aire

Enlogic

FNT Software

Generac Power Systems

Green Revolution Cooling (GRC)

HITEC Power Protection

Honeywell

Johnson Controls

KOHLER

KyotoCooling

Mitsubishi Electric

Munters

Natron Energy

NetZoom

Nlyte Software

Panduit

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Siemens

Trane (Ingersoll Rand)

Tripp Lite

Yanmar (HIMOINSA)

ZincFive

Key Data Center Contractors

AECOM

Arup

Corgan

DPR Construction

Fortis Construction

Holder Construction

Jacobs

Mercury

Red Engineering

Rogers-O'Brien Construction

Syska Hennessy Group

Turner Construction

Turner & Townsend

Key Data Center Operators

21Vianet Group (VNET)

Amazon Web Services

Apple

China Telecom

Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS)

Compass Datacenters

CyrusOne

Digital Realty

EdgeConneX (EQT Infrastructure)

Equinix

GDS Services

Global Switch

Google

Iron Mountain

Meta (Facebook)

Microsoft

NTT Global Data Centers

QTS Realty Trust

STACK Infrastructure

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

Vantage Data Centers

Other Data Center Operators

3data

Africa Data Centres

AirTrunk

Aligned

American Tower

AQ Compute

Aruba

AtlasEdge

atNorth

AT TOKYO

BDx (Big Data Exchange)

Bulk Infrastructure

Bridge Data Centres

CDC Data Centres

Chayora

China Mobile

Chindata

CloudHQ

Cologix

COPT Data Center Solutions

CtrlS Datacenters

Cyxtera Technologies

Data4

DataBank

DC BLOX

Digital Edge

Digital Parks Africa

Element Critical

ePLDT

eStruxture Data Centers

fifteenfortyseven Critical Systems Realty (1547)

Flexential

Green Mountain

Gulf Data Hub

H5 Data Centers

HostDime

KDDI

Keppel Data Centres

Khazna Data Centers (G42 & Etisalat)

LG Uplus

Lumen Technologies

maincubes one

MainOne (Equinix)

MEEZA

Millicom (Tigo)

Mobily

Moro Hub

NEXTDC

Nxtra by Airtel

ODATA

Orange Business Services

Ooredoo

Prime Data Centers

Princeton Digital Group (PDG)

Proximity Data Centres

Rack Centre

Raxio Group

Rostelecom Data Centers

Sabey Data Centers

Saudi Telecom Company (stc)

Scala Data Centers

Sify Technologies

Skybox Datacenters

Stream Data Centers

SUNeVision (iAdvantage)

Switch

T5 Data Centers

Tenglong Holdings Group

Teraco (Digital Realty)

TierPoint

Turkcell

Urbacon Data Centre Solutions

Wingu

Yondr

Yotta Infrastructure (Hiranandani Group)

New Entrants

AdaniConneX

AUBix

Cloudoon

ClusterPower

Corscale Data Centers

Damac Data Centres (EDGNEX)

Data Center First

DHAmericas

Edge Centres

Evolution Data Centres

Global Technical Realty

Hickory

iMCritical

Infinity

Kasi Cloud

MettaDC

Open Access Data Centres

PowerHouse Data Centers

Pure Data Centres Group

Quantum Loophole

Quantum Switch Tamasuk (QST)

Stratus DC Management

YCO Cloud

YTL Data Center

ZeroPoint DC

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How big is the global data center market?

What is the growth rate of the global data center market?

What is the estimated market size in terms of area in the global data center market by 2028?

What are the key trends in the data center market?

How many MW of power capacity is expected to reach the global data center market by 2028?

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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.

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AmerisourceBergen Co. (NYSE:ABC  Get Rating) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,920,000 shares, a decrease of 5.0% from the May 15th total of 5,180,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,220,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.0 days. Approximately 2.9% of the companys shares are short sold.

AmerisourceBergen Stock Up 0.8 %

NYSE ABC opened at $184.49 on Wednesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $171.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $164.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.13. The company has a market capitalization of $37.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.71 and a beta of 0.53. AmerisourceBergen has a 52 week low of $135.14 and a 52 week high of $185.04.

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AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $3.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.29 by $0.21. AmerisourceBergen had a net margin of 0.65% and a return on equity of 809.53%. The firm had revenue of $63.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $60.40 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.22 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that AmerisourceBergen will post 11.87 earnings per share for the current year.

AmerisourceBergen Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a $0.485 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. AmerisourceBergens dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.94%.

ABC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com started coverage on AmerisourceBergen in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Bank of America boosted their target price on AmerisourceBergen from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of AmerisourceBergen in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Mizuho raised their price objective on AmerisourceBergen from $170.00 to $174.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of AmerisourceBergen from a c rating to a b+ rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AmerisourceBergen currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $184.00.

Insider Transactions at AmerisourceBergen

In other AmerisourceBergen news, major shareholder Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 292,792 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.77, for a total value of $50,000,089.84. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 33,366,388 shares in the company, valued at $5,697,978,078.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, major shareholder Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 292,792 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.77, for a total value of $50,000,089.84. Following the sale, the insider now owns 33,366,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,697,978,078.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.52, for a total value of $1,779,790.48. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 257,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,730,565.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 600,273 shares of company stock worth $105,410,246 over the last three months. 20.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AmerisourceBergen

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. United Bank grew its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 16.6% in the first quarter. United Bank now owns 3,632 shares of the companys stock worth $562,000 after purchasing an additional 518 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in AmerisourceBergen by 29.9% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,193 shares of the companys stock valued at $803,000 after buying an additional 1,194 shares during the period. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its position in AmerisourceBergen by 123.4% during the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 6,301 shares of the companys stock worth $975,000 after purchasing an additional 3,480 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its holdings in AmerisourceBergen by 22.5% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 2,767 shares of the companys stock worth $430,000 after acquiring an additional 508 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL lifted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 12.4% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 8,124 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,257,000 after buying an additional 899 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock.

AmerisourceBergen Company Profile

(Get Rating)

AmerisourceBergen Corp. engages in the provision of pharmaceutical products and business solutions that improve access to care. It operates through the Pharmaceutical Distribution Services and Other segments. The Pharmaceutical Distribution Services segment distributes an offering of brand-name, specialty brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to healthcare providers, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, and long-term care and alternate site pharmacies.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Rating) has been assigned an average recommendation of Reduce from the nine ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have issued a hold rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $28.45.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on FMS. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research note on Friday, June 9th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 13th. HSBC cut shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. They issued a market perform rating for the company.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,903,000. Toroso Investments LLC bought a new position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 1st quarter worth approximately $239,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 12.0% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 20,801 shares of the companys stock worth $442,000 after purchasing an additional 2,232 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 83.4% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,293 shares of the companys stock worth $133,000 after purchasing an additional 2,861 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quilter Plc bought a new position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,824,421,000. Institutional investors own 6.66% of the companys stock.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Price Performance

Shares of FMS opened at $23.45 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.76 billion, a PE ratio of 22.12 and a beta of 1.02. The companys 50-day moving average is $22.91 and its 200-day moving average is $20.13. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a fifty-two week low of $12.78 and a fifty-two week high of $26.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 0.96.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.10. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a net margin of 3.06% and a return on equity of 5.44%. The company had revenue of $5.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.98 billion. Equities analysts forecast that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.17 EPS for the current year.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were issued a dividend of $0.7086 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a yield of 2.1%. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAs payout ratio is 39.62%.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Company Profile

(Get Rating

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co KgaA engages in the provision of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which regularly undergo dialysis treatment. It operates through the Care Enablement and Care Delivery segments. The Care Enablement segment is involved in the healthcare products business including research and development, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial operations as well as supporting functions, such as regulatory and quality management.

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Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG  Get Rating) had its price target lifted by investment analysts at Barclays from $27.00 to $28.00 in a report released on Wednesday, The Fly reports. Barclayss price target would indicate a potential upside of 32.86% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on KRG. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Monday, April 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $23.00 target price for the company. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from $26.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. They set an underweight rating and a $20.00 price target on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $24.89.

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Kite Realty Group Trust Trading Down 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE:KRG opened at $21.08 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $20.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $20.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 702.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.37. Kite Realty Group Trust has a 12-month low of $16.42 and a 12-month high of $23.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Kite Realty Group Trust Company Profile

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Kite Realty Group Trust in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust during the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 107.8% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,631 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 846 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its holdings in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 91.4% during the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,675 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the period. Finally, WealthPLAN Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors own 94.48% of the companys stock.

(Get Rating)

Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The Company's primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets.

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Barclays ETN+ FI Enhanced Europe 50 ETN Series C (NYSEARCA:FFEU  Get Rating)s stock price rose 0.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $90.85 and last traded at $90.85. Approximately 300 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 2,403 shares. The stock had previously closed at $90.42.

Barclays ETN+ FI Enhanced Europe 50 ETN Series C Stock Up 0.5 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $90.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $90.85.

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Bath Savings Trust Co decreased its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Get Rating) by 6.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 230 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 15 shares during the quarter. Bath Savings Trust Cos holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $352,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. CVA Family Office LLC raised its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 53.3% in the 3rd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 23 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares in the last quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 43.8% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 23 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 84.6% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 24 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 11 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.89% of the companys stock.

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Mettler-Toledo International Trading Down 0.9 %

MTD traded down $11.30 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $1,272.50. 4,259 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 100,350. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a one year low of $1,065.55 and a one year high of $1,615.97. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 76.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.02 billion, a PE ratio of 32.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.18. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $1,407.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,462.29.

Insider Transactions at Mettler-Toledo International

Mettler-Toledo International ( NYSE:MTD Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $8.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.61 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $928.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $921.19 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 22.45% and a negative return on equity of 4,833.51%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $7.87 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 43.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total value of $1,197,336.80. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,666,989. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total transaction of $1,197,336.80. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,666,989. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Gerry Keller sold 449 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,400.00, for a total transaction of $628,600.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,417 shares of company stock worth $4,731,561. Company insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on MTD shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,675.00 to $1,660.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,700.00 to $1,650.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,650.00 to $1,525.00 in a report on Sunday, May 7th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,513.00 to $1,454.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $1,469.50.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.

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Box, Inc. (NYSE:BOX  Get Rating) Director Jack R. Lazar sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.95, for a total transaction of $149,750.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 21,555 shares in the company, valued at $645,572.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

BOX Stock Down 2.2 %

Shares of BOX traded down $0.67 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $29.17. 1,381,436 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,532,407. Box, Inc. has a twelve month low of $23.68 and a twelve month high of $34.98. The stock has a market cap of $4.22 billion, a PE ratio of 229.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 14.51 and a beta of 1.00. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.14.

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BOX (NYSE:BOX  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 30th. The software maker reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.05. BOX had a net margin of 3.97% and a negative return on equity of 4.75%. The business had revenue of $251.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $249.58 million. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.10) earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Box, Inc. will post 0.1 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of BOX from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of BOX from $24.00 to $21.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of BOX from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $32.00 target price on shares of BOX in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $36.00 target price on shares of BOX in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $33.44.

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Macquarie Group Ltd. grew its holdings in BOX by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 3,221,241 shares of the software makers stock worth $100,277,000 after acquiring an additional 87,347 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in BOX in the 4th quarter valued at $619,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. purchased a new stake in BOX in the 4th quarter valued at $206,000. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in BOX in the 4th quarter valued at $2,133,000. Finally, Kennedy Lewis Management LP acquired a new position in BOX in the 4th quarter valued at $9,339,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.62% of the companys stock.

About BOX

(Get Rating)

Box, Inc engages in the provision of an enterprise content platform that enables organizations to securely manage enterprise content while allowing easy, secure access and sharing of this content from anywhere, on any device. Its products include cloud content management, IT and admin controls, Box Governance, Box Zones, Box Relay, Box Shuttle, and Box KeySafe.

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Shares of ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CHPT  Get Rating) saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 4,338,087 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 55% from the previous sessions volume of 9,719,512 shares.The stock last traded at $7.94 and had previously closed at $8.20.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on ChargePoint from $25.00 to $17.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of ChargePoint in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. They set a neutral rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of ChargePoint from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. DA Davidson cut their target price on ChargePoint from $18.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on ChargePoint from $13.00 to $10.80 in a research report on Tuesday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $16.60.

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ChargePoint Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $2.80 billion, a P/E ratio of -8.27 and a beta of 1.68. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $8.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 1.97 and a current ratio of 2.37.

Insider Transactions at ChargePoint

ChargePoint ( NYSE:CHPT Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported ($0.15) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by $0.04. The company had revenue of $130.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $128.27 million. ChargePoint had a negative return on equity of 88.36% and a negative net margin of 64.78%. The firms revenue was up 59.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted ($0.26) EPS. On average, research analysts predict that ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. will post -0.7 EPS for the current year.

In related news, CEO Pasquale Romano sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.51, for a total transaction of $170,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 4,148,054 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,299,939.54. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Pasquale Romano sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.51, for a total transaction of $170,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 4,148,054 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,299,939.54. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Michael D. Hughes sold 94,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.34, for a total value of $783,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 897,894 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,488,435.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 894,639 shares of company stock worth $7,834,775. 12.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of ChargePoint

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. American International Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of ChargePoint by 30.0% in the 2nd quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 3,101 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 716 shares in the last quarter. Biltmore Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of ChargePoint in the 4th quarter worth approximately $230,588,000. Blair William & Co. IL raised its holdings in shares of ChargePoint by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 12,338 shares of the companys stock worth $118,000 after buying an additional 900 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank increased its holdings in ChargePoint by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 57,786 shares of the companys stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flputnam Investment Management Co. increased its holdings in ChargePoint by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 43,692 shares of the companys stock valued at $416,000 after purchasing an additional 972 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 35.23% of the companys stock.

ChargePoint Company Profile

(Get Rating)

ChargePoint Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides electric vehicle (EV) charging networks and charging solutions in the United States and internationally. It offers a portfolio of hardware, software, and services for commercial, fleet, and residential customers. ChargePoint Holdings, Inc was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Campbell, California.

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Shares of China Everbright Environment Group Limited (OTCMKTS:CHFFF  Get Rating) reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $0.39 and last traded at $0.39, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $0.39.

China Everbright Environment Group Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $0.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.41.

About China Everbright Environment Group

(Get Rating)

China Everbright Environment Group Limited provides environmental solutions worldwide. The company's Environmental Energy Project Construction and Operation segment constructs and operates food and kitchen waste treatment, leachate treatment, sludge treatment and disposal, methane-to-energy, fecal treatment, fly ash landfill, medical waste treatment, and solid waste treatment projects, as well as waste-to-energy plants.

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Aareal Bank (OTCMKTS:AAALF  Get Rating) is one of 208 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Aareal Bank to similar businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, risk and earnings.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

40.3% of Aareal Bank shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.4% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 14.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Dividends

Aareal Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Aareal Bank pays out 10.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 11.6% and pay out 15.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Aareal Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Aareal Bank Competitors 976 3001 3044 34 2.30

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Aareal Bank and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 507.94%. Given Aareal Banks rivals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Aareal Bank has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Profitability

This table compares Aareal Bank and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Aareal Bank N/A N/A N/A Aareal Bank Competitors 35.43% 9.58% 0.78%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Aareal Bank and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Aareal Bank N/A N/A 6.22 Aareal Bank Competitors $3.30 billion $790.24 million 364.48

Aareal Banks rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Aareal Bank. Aareal Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Summary

Aareal Bank rivals beat Aareal Bank on 8 of the 10 factors compared.

About Aareal Bank

(Get Rating)

Aareal Bank AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides financing, software products, digital solutions, and payment transaction applications for the property sector and related industries in Germany, North America, Asia Pacific, and rest of Europe. It operates through three segments: Structured Property Financing, Banking & Digital solutions, and Aareon. The Structured Property Financing segment offers property financing and refinancing solutions for office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers, as well as retail, logistics, residential properties, and student housing. This segment also provides deposits, registered and bearer Pfandbriefe, promissory note loans, medium-term notes, debt securities, private placements, other bonds and subordinated issues, mortgage Pfandbriefe, and public sector Pfandbriefe. The Banking & Digital solutions segment offers various services and products for the residential and commercial property, and energy and waste disposal industries. Its services include specialized banking, payment systems, and optimized business processes. The Aareon segment provides IT systems consultancy and related advisory services, enterprise resource planning systems, software solutions, hosting and software as a service, and in-house services. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Rating) announced a dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 29th will be given a dividend of 0.3452 per share on Monday, August 14th. This represents a yield of 2.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 28th. This is a boost from Great Wall Motors previous dividend of $0.09.

Great Wall Motor Stock Performance

Shares of GWLLY opened at $12.05 on Wednesday. Great Wall Motor has a one year low of $9.06 and a one year high of $22.86. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $11.63 and a 200-day moving average of $12.60.

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Great Wall Motor (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Rating) last issued 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.

About Great Wall Motor

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.

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CANNES, France  As political polarization puts pressure on US corporations and their marketing campaigns, Delta Air Lines (DAL) is focused on staying true to its values.

"I think it's hard for the industry," Delta Air Lines chief marketing and communications officer Tim Mapes told Yahoo Finance at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity (video above). "It's frankly easy for me because [Delta CEO Ed Bastian] is so clear that our values as Delta are not for sale and that he's willing to step into situations and issues that are not always popular, certainly by among a 100 percent of our constituents."

But as the US braces for another presidential election in 2024, marketing execs at Delta and elsewhere are preparing to walk an even narrower tightrope when it comes to corporate messaging.

"It would be naive to think that 24 is not gonna be the most divisive kind of vitriolic narrative that we've seen," Mapes said. "But I always think that the beautiful thing about communication, and what we do as marketing, is the answer to all of that is more communication, right? Getting out and sharing what is it that you believe in  what do you stand for? And let the chips fall where they may, but you've gotta be true to yourself."

Delta chief marketing officer speaks with Brad Smith and Brian Sozzi at Cannes, France. (Yahoo Finance)

It's 'much easier' to stand firm on corporate values

Under Bastian's leadership, Delta has not made a point of being outspoken, but it also hasn't shied away from certain hot-button issues.

In 2021, for instance, Georgia's House of Representatives threatened to remove some of Delta's tax breaks after Bastian spoke out against the state's new voting restrictions. The airline has also made efforts to celebrate its LGBTQ employees, such as hosting an Atlanta Pride festival event in October 2022, and has made strides toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in its operations.

At the same time, companies such as Disney (DIS), Target (TGT), and Bud Light maker ABInBev (BUD) have been seen as fumbling in their attempts to expand customer bases and communicate with their audiences.

Bud Light has faced declining sales after some US consumers boycotted the brand after transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney endorsed the light beer on Instagram in April. Target also came under fire after it pulled LGBTQ-themed merchandise, prompting a wider backlash among those who saw the move as wavering on Target's commitment to underrepresented groups.

"I think some of the instances we've seen recently are people who go out with one thing and then backtrack and flip and flop, and then they, frankly, alienate both sides," Mapes said. "It's much easier to be really clear what you stand for."

"And to the extent others aren't for that, that's just gonna have to be OK because strategy is as much what you're not going to do as what you are going to do or be," Mapes added. "And so, 90,000 Delta people are quite clear about where we are, what we stand for, and it accelerates decision-making throughout the company."



Brad Smith is an anchor at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @thebradsmith.

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iShares Gold Strategy ETF (BATS:IAUF  Get Rating) shares fell 0.8% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $57.82 and last traded at $57.82. 1,339 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at $58.31.

iShares Gold Strategy ETF Trading Down 0.8 %

The firm has a market cap of $34.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.04 and a beta of 0.15. The stocks 50 day moving average is $59.47 and its 200 day moving average is $57.52.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Strategy ETF by 176.7% during the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 833 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 532 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in iShares Gold Strategy ETF by 242.4% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 51,835 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,614,000 after buying an additional 36,696 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in shares of iShares Gold Strategy ETF by 22.7% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 11,127 shares of the companys stock valued at $609,000 after buying an additional 2,056 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Gold Strategy ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $258,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Gold Strategy ETF by 32.6% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 8,617 shares of the companys stock worth $472,000 after acquiring an additional 2,117 shares in the last quarter.

About iShares Gold Strategy ETF

The iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Bloomberg Gold index. The fund follows an index that provides exposure to the price performance of gold by holding gold futures and gold ETPs. IAUF was launched on Jun 6, 2018 and is managed by BlackRock.

Further Reading

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MBL Wealth LLC decreased its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF  Get Rating) by 4.2% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,542 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 111 shares during the period. MBL Wealth LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $621,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IWF. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P boosted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 34.1% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 26,203 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $7,275,000 after purchasing an additional 6,665 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $42,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 6,211 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,724,000 after purchasing an additional 644 shares during the period. West Michigan Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 7,595 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,109,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the period. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,422,000.

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iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance

Shares of IWF stock opened at $271.78 on Wednesday. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $202.05 and a 1 year high of $275.91. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $253.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $237.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.13 billion, a PE ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08.

About iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth.

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Meyer Handelman Co. lowered its stake in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Get Rating) by 6.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 36,423 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 2,500 shares during the quarter. Meyer Handelman Co.s holdings in Danaher were worth $9,180,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its holdings in Danaher by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 4,176 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,108,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 9.7% in the 3rd quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 428 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $111,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Madison Wealth Partners Inc grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Madison Wealth Partners Inc now owns 5,284 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,402,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC now owns 5,540 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,431,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Donaldson Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Donaldson Capital Management LLC now owns 1,260 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $334,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.68% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

DHR has been the subject of several analyst reports. Bank of America cut Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $310.00 to $250.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Danaher in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. SVB Leerink restated an outperform rating on shares of Danaher in a report on Monday, May 1st. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Danaher from $289.00 to $260.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Danaher from $270.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $294.06.

Danaher Trading Down 2.2 %

Shares of DHR stock opened at $236.60 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $237.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $250.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $174.59 billion, a PE ratio of 25.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.80. Danaher Co. has a 12-month low of $221.22 and a 12-month high of $303.82.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by $0.10. Danaher had a net margin of 22.40% and a return on equity of 16.70%. The company had revenue of $7.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.76 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Danaher Co. will post 9.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Danahers payout ratio is 11.64%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Walter G. Lohr sold 3,490 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.88, for a total value of $840,671.20. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 12,115 shares in the company, valued at $2,918,261.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Walter G. Lohr sold 3,490 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.88, for a total value of $840,671.20. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 12,115 shares in the company, valued at $2,918,261.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 19,847 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.50, for a total transaction of $4,535,039.50. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 38,673 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,836,780.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 34,466 shares of company stock worth $8,103,781. Corporate insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

Danaher Profile

(Get Rating)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Rating) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, June 23rd, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be paid a dividend of 1.02 per share by the financial services provider on Tuesday, August 1st. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 23rd. This is a positive change from National Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.97.

National Bank of Canada Stock Performance

Shares of NA stock opened at C$98.16 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of C$33.17 billion, a PE ratio of 10.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.10. National Bank of Canada has a 1 year low of C$82.16 and a 1 year high of C$104.83. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of C$99.37 and a 200 day moving average price of C$97.86.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 31st. The financial services provider reported C$2.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$2.40 by C($0.02). The business had revenue of C$2.48 billion for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.30% and a net margin of 34.69%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that National Bank of Canada will post 9.7188119 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

National Bank of Canada Company Profile

A number of analysts recently issued reports on NA shares. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$93.00 to C$92.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. CSFB reduced their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$116.00 to C$111.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$111.00 to C$108.00 in a report on Monday, March 27th. Veritas Investment Research reissued a buy rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$102.00 to C$104.50 in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$105.77.

(Get Rating)

National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International.

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Paradigm Financial Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Get Rating) by 3.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,798 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,022 shares during the quarter. Paradigm Financial Partners LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $2,548,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 11.4% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,181 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,081,000 after purchasing an additional 941 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 34.7% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,738 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $204,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 18.2% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,223 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $144,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 53.5% in the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 7,182 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $846,000 after acquiring an additional 2,503 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 3.1% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 655,567 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $77,173,000 after acquiring an additional 19,798 shares in the last quarter. 79.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on EW. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $80.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. UBS Group began coverage on Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. They issued a neutral rating and a $84.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. They issued an overweight rating and a $102.00 price target for the company. Barclays boosted their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $94.00 to $102.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $75.00 to $87.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $90.00.

Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance

Edwards Lifesciences stock opened at $91.91 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $86.72 and a 200-day moving average price of $81.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 2.17 and a current ratio of 3.01. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a fifty-two week low of $67.13 and a fifty-two week high of $107.92. The company has a market capitalization of $55.72 billion, a PE ratio of 38.14, a P/E/G ratio of 5.22 and a beta of 1.01.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.39 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 27.07% and a return on equity of 25.81%. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Michael A. Mussallem sold 19,875 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.20, for a total value of $1,673,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 60,948 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,131,821.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,660 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.15, for a total transaction of $780,699.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 213,794 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,273,529.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael A. Mussallem sold 19,875 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.20, for a total value of $1,673,475.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,948 shares in the company, valued at $5,131,821.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 201,151 shares of company stock valued at $17,523,816 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Get Rating)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease, and critical care and surgical monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of heart valves; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases.

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Shenzhou International Group (OTCMKTS:SHZHY  Get Rating) and Albany International (NYSE:AIN  Get Rating) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Shenzhou International Group and Albany Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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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%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Shenzhou International Group and Albany Internationals gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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 2.72 $95.76 million $3.03 29.77

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Albany International has higher revenue and earnings than Shenzhou International Group.

98.5% of Albany International shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Albany International shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary 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 target price of $105.33, suggesting a potential upside of 16.78%. Given Albany Internationals higher possible 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, manufactures, processes, and sells knitwear products in Mainland China, European Union, the United States, Japan, and internationally. It produces and sells sportswear, casual wear, and lingerie wear. The company is also involved in the import and export of commodities; print and sale of knitwear products; aircraft leasing; and property management activities. Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited was founded in 2000 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.

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Spirit of America Management Corp NY boosted its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC  Get Rating) by 15.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,650 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,550 shares during the quarter. Spirit of America Management Corp NYs holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $1,104,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of WEC. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in WEC Energy Group during the 1st quarter worth about $64,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 19.9% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 6,272 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $626,000 after purchasing an additional 1,040 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in WEC Energy Group by 8.3% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 848,405 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $84,682,000 after purchasing an additional 65,287 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 10.2% during the first 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 923 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.68% of the companys stock.

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WEC Energy Group Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of WEC Energy Group stock opened at $90.02 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $28.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.03, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.41. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $92.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $93.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.75. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a one year low of $80.82 and a one year high of $108.20.

WEC Energy Group Dividend Announcement

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, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.03. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 14.10% and a return on equity of 11.60%. The firm had revenue of $2.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.79 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.6 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.47%. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on WEC. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $106.00 to $103.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on WEC Energy Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of WEC Energy Group from $98.00 to $91.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Mizuho upgraded 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. Finally, 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. 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, WEC Energy Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $99.27.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other WEC Energy Group news, Director Ulice Payne, Jr. sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.36, for a total value of $141,540.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 21,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,029,023.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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Stewardship Advisors LLC reduced its position in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (BATS:NULV  Get Rating) by 17.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 191,692 shares of the companys stock after selling 39,905 shares during the quarter. Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF comprises 2.5% of Stewardship Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Stewardship Advisors LLCs holdings in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF were worth $6,531,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 27.5% during the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 39,553 shares of the companys stock worth $1,354,000 after acquiring an additional 8,534 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 127.1% in the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 127,111 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,170,000 after buying an additional 71,137 shares during the period. Financial Architects Inc increased its position in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Financial Architects Inc now owns 27,890 shares of the companys stock valued at $955,000 after buying an additional 777 shares in the last quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 50,333 shares of the companys stock worth $1,723,000 after buying an additional 3,463 shares during the period. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 19.7% during the third quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 202,309 shares of the companys stock worth $6,245,000 after acquiring an additional 33,361 shares in the last quarter.

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Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF Stock Performance

BATS:NULV traded down $0.35 on Wednesday, reaching $34.12. The companys stock had a trading volume of 121,224 shares. Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF has a 1-year low of $25.49 and a 1-year high of $30.70. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $33.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.25. The firm has a market cap of $1.53 billion, a PE ratio of 13.72 and a beta of 0.92.

About Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF

The Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap value stocks that score highly on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The fund is weighted using a multi-factor optimizer.

Further Reading

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE:WCP  Get Rating)  Equities researchers at Stifel Firstegy dropped their FY2023 earnings estimates for shares of Whitecap Resources in a note issued to investors on Thursday, June 15th. Stifel Firstegy analyst C. Kwong now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $1.13 for the year, down from their previous forecast of $1.15. The consensus estimate for Whitecap Resources current full-year earnings is $1.27 per share. Stifel Firstegy also issued estimates for Whitecap Resources FY2024 earnings at $0.86 EPS.

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Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. National Bankshares lifted their price objective on Whitecap Resources from C$15.50 to C$16.50 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$13.50 to C$14.00 in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$15.00 to C$14.50 in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, ATB Capital dropped their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a report on Monday, April 17th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Whitecap Resources presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$15.10.

Whitecap Resources Stock Down 1.3 %

TSE:WCP opened at C$9.23 on Monday. Whitecap Resources has a 1 year low of C$7.70 and a 1 year high of C$11.52. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$10.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$10.30. The stock has a market cap of C$5.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.37, a PEG ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.28.

Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.33 by C$0.10. Whitecap Resources had a net margin of 33.46% and a return on equity of 26.68%. The company had revenue of C$952.60 million for the quarter.

Whitecap Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.048 per share. This represents a $0.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Whitecap Resourcess payout ratio is 27.49%.

About Whitecap Resources

(Get Rating)

Whitecap Resources Inc, oil and gas company, acquires and develops petroleum and natural gas properties in Canada. Its principal properties are located in West Central Alberta, British Columbia, Southeast Saskatchewan, West Central Saskatchewan, and Southwest Saskatchewan. As of February 14, 2022, it had a total proved plus probable reserves of 701,829 thousand barrels of oil equivalent.

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Analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Rating) in a note issued to investors on Monday. The firm set a hold rating on the oil and gas companys stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Bank of America lowered Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $21.50 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Core Laboratories from $24.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their target price on Core Laboratories from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st.

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Core Laboratories Trading Down 1.2 %

NYSE CLB opened at $22.35 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.70, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 2.67. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $22.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $22.44. Core Laboratories has a 12 month low of $13.19 and a 12 month high of $26.80. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Core Laboratories ( NYSE:CLB Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The oil and gas company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $128.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $126.26 million. Core Laboratories had a net margin of 4.72% and a return on equity of 15.23%. On average, analysts predict that Core Laboratories will post 0.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in Core Laboratories by 328.1% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,858 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,424 shares during the period. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Core Laboratories by 171.6% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,200 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 2,022 shares during the period. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC bought a new position in Core Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $49,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its stake in Core Laboratories by 213.1% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,805 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 1,909 shares during the period. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 184.9% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,934 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 1,904 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.63% of the companys stock.

Core Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

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Green Thumb Industries incredibles Brand Launches the Perfect Summertime Delight, Limited-Edition Strawberry Lemahhhnade Gummies

incredibles Strawberry Lemahhhnade

A taste of summer is here with new incredibles Strawberry Lemahhhnade gummies

CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- incredibles , an award-winning cannabis brand from Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), today announced the launch of its new, limited-edition Strawberry Lemahhhnade gummies in Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Rhode Island, with sales debuting in Nevada on Wednesday, July 12th.



Were excited to introduce to our customers the delightful flavors of summer with incredibles' latest creation, Strawberry Lemahhhnade gummies, said Eli Weiner, brand manager for incredibles. Our first-ever multi-state limited gummy launch presents a flawless fusion of sweet and tangy, expertly infused into potent and consistently dosed gummies, available just in time for the summer solstice.

incredibles Strawberry Lemahhhnade





As the global cannabis-infused edibles market continues to grow, with an estimated value of $5.14 billion in 2023, increasing to $9.28 billion by 2028 , incredibles remains at the forefront of delivering innovative and enjoyable cannabis experiences to consumers.

Available for a limited time only, Strawberry Lemahhhnade gummies are crafted with a precise blend of flavors and cannabinoids to create an enticing and refreshing taste that transports you back to summer memories filled with poolside splashes and ice-cold glasses of strawberry lemonade. Whether you're lounging by the pool, embarking on outdoor adventures, or simply enjoying the sunshine, incredibles' Strawberry Lemahhhnade gummies complement your summer journey. Made with 100% pure cannabis oil, the gummies feature a cannabinoid ratio of 100 mg THC / 100 mg CBD per pack and 10 mg THC / 10 mg CBD per gummy (and 5 mg THC / 5 mg CBD per gummy in Massachusetts).

Known as the credible edible, incredibles has been developing consistently dosed cannabis confections since 2010, providing predictable effects for worry-free enjoyment.

For more information on where to find incredibles, please visit iloveincredibles.com .

About Green Thumb Industries

Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, promotes well-being through the power of cannabis while giving back to the communities in which it serves. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including &Shine, Beboe, Dogwalkers, Doctor Solomons, Good Green, incredibles and RYTHM. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called RISE. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb has 18 manufacturing facilities, 82 open retail locations and operations across 15 U.S. markets. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs approximately 4,000 people and serves millions of patients and customers each year. The company was named to Crains Chicago Business Fast 50 list in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and a Best Workplace by MG Retailer magazine in 2018, 2019 and 2021. More information is available at www.gtigrows.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, or similar expressions and include information regarding the filing of the Documents and the timing thereof. The forward-looking information in this news release is based upon the expectations of future events which management believes to be reasonable. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, Green Thumb does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this news release is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied. When considering these forward-looking statements, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Green Thumbs public filings with the applicable securities regulatory authorities, including with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on its website at www.sec.gov and with Canadas System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com, as well as on Green Thumbs website at https://investors.gtigrows.com, including in the Risk Factors section of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Investor Contact:

Andy Grossman

EVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations

InvestorRelations@gtigrows.com

310-622-8257

Media Contact:

MATTIO Communications

GTI@mattio.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17453183-2b42-44da-b691-63c778999cc9




Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:TPZ  Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, June 13th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 23rd will be paid a dividend of 0.105 per share by the investment management company on Friday, June 30th. This represents a $1.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.77%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 22nd.

Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 6.8% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 2 consecutive years.

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Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Performance

NYSE TPZ opened at $12.90 on Wednesday. Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund has a 1 year low of $11.91 and a 1 year high of $14.38. The company has a fifty day moving average of $12.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $13.01.

Institutional Trading of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of TPZ. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. now owns 202,063 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,597,000 after acquiring an additional 6,857 shares during the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. raised its position in Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund by 1.2% in the first quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 147,192 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,891,000 after acquiring an additional 1,775 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund by 8.6% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 72,043 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $926,000 after acquiring an additional 5,706 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 62,895 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $787,000 after buying an additional 3,353 shares during the period. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund during the 1st quarter worth about $641,000.

Separately, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund from $30.00 to $28.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st.

Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income and public equity markets of the United States. It invests in securities of companies operating in the power and energy infrastructure sectors.

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Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC  Get Rating)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $210.74 and last traded at $210.52, with a volume of 33996 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $208.68.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on VMC shares. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Vulcan Materials from $191.00 to $186.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 20th. 92 Resources reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Friday, May 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Vulcan Materials from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $188.00 to $212.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. DA Davidson upped their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $212.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $200.00 to $215.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Vulcan Materials presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $208.08.

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Vulcan Materials Stock Up 1.4 %

The stock has a market cap of $28.15 billion, a PE ratio of 46.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $190.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $181.86.

Vulcan Materials Announces Dividend

Vulcan Materials ( NYSE:VMC Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The construction company reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.31. Vulcan Materials had a return on equity of 10.36% and a net margin of 8.14%. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.73 EPS. The firms revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Vulcan Materials will post 6.52 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Investors of record on Friday, May 26th were paid a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 25th. Vulcan Materialss dividend payout ratio is currently 38.05%.

Insider Activity at Vulcan Materials

In other Vulcan Materials news, VP Randy L. Pigg sold 560 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $202.44, for a total value of $113,366.40. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 1,707 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $345,565.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Vulcan Materials news, VP Randy L. Pigg sold 560 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $202.44, for a total value of $113,366.40. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 1,707 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $345,565.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP David P. Clement sold 2,389 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $196.00, for a total value of $468,244.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,887 shares of the companys stock, valued at $565,852. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 7,644 shares of company stock valued at $1,529,014. 0.57% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Vulcan Materials

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 39.6% during the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 194 shares of the construction companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,853 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $318,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Rather & Kittrell Inc. boosted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Rather & Kittrell Inc. now owns 2,849 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $499,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. Gilbert & Cook Inc. boosted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 3,165 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $543,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. Finally, Lincoln National Corp boosted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 1,434 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $251,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the period. 89.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Vulcan Materials

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Vulcan Materials Co engages in the production of construction aggregates. Its products include crushed stone, sand, and gravel. It operates through the following business segments: Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete, and Calcium. The Aggregates segment produces and sells asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete primarily in its mid-Atlantic, Georgia, Southwestern, Tennessee, and Western markets.

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WPP (NYSE:WPP  Get Rating) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Monday.

Separately, Credit Suisse Group upgraded shares of WPP from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,001.29.

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WPP Stock Performance

NYSE WPP opened at $54.76 on Monday. WPP has a 52-week low of $39.67 and a 52-week high of $64.07. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $55.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $57.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

WPP Company Profile

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WPP. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its position in WPP by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 27,982 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,832,000 after purchasing an additional 963 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of WPP by 67.6% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 14,658 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $960,000 after buying an additional 5,913 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of WPP by 12.4% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 6,060 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $397,000 after buying an additional 668 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in shares of WPP by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 3,811 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $250,000 after buying an additional 340 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mariner LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WPP by 12.3% during the 1st quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 17,421 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,140,000 after buying an additional 1,909 shares in the last quarter. 3.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.

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Zurich Insurance Group AG (OTCMKTS:ZFSVF  Get Rating) fell 0.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $473.90 and last traded at $477.37. 90 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 82% from the average session volume of 510 shares. The stock had previously closed at $477.95.

Zurich Insurance Group Stock Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $474.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $474.79.

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Institutional Trading of Zurich Insurance Group

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Zurich Insurance Group stock. Sierra Capital LLC lifted its stake in Zurich Insurance Group AG (OTCMKTS:ZFSVF  Get Rating) by 19.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 453 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 73 shares during the quarter. Sierra Capital LLCs holdings in Zurich Insurance Group were worth $217,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors own 30.81% of the companys stock.

Zurich Insurance Group Company Profile

Zurich Insurance Group AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance products and related services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through Property & Casualty Regions, Life Regions, Farmers, Group Functions and Operations, and Non-Core Businesses segments.

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(Bloomberg) -- Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia may face the most severe haze in at least five years due to the likelihood of a strong El Nino that will bring hotter and drier weather, according to a new report.

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The Singapore Institute of International Affairs assigned a rating of red in its Haze Outlook 2023 released on Wednesday. Thats the highest of three color-coded risk categories and the first time the red rating has been given since the independent think tank started producing the annual report five years ago.

For the past three years skies across ASEAN have remained relatively haze-free, Simon Tay, the institutes chairman, said in the report. However, there is a real risk in the year ahead that the situation will change, and for the worse.

El Ninos usually result in less rainfall in Southeast Asia, and can exacerbate the spread of natural or man-made blazes that are often used to clear land for growing palm oil and rubber in Indonesia and Malaysia. The impact of the weather pattern could worsen an upsurge in climate change-driven forest fires in recent years that have broken out everywhere from Australia to Spain and Canada.

There remain questions about how severe this El Nino will be, the institute said in the report. The US National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration predicts an 84% chance it will be a strong event, with a 25% possibility of a super El Nino, it said.

Read More: First El Nino in Four Years Adds to Risks of Global Stagflation

Its not just the El Nino driving haze risk, however. The prices of key agricultural commodities remain elevated, which may spur more slash-and-burn techniques to clear land, the institute said. So far, these price shifts have not resulted in a surge in deforestation, but there is some evidence that planting and replanting are on the rise.

The last time Southeast Asia experienced severe trans-boundary haze was in 2015, when the smoggy conditions created tensions between governments. Singapore warned residents last month that they should ensure they have sufficient face masks and air purifiers.

Part of the reason skies have remained fairly clear over the last three years was due to effective action by major plantation companies and the Indonesian and Malaysian governments, as well as unusually wet weather, the institute said.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Elevator manufacturer Fujitec Co. is becoming an unlikely test case of corporate governance in Japan, where founders families continue to wield substantial influence at many companies.

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Fujitec shareholders rejected a raft of proposals from ousted chairman Takakazu Uchiyama to overhaul the board during the annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, a Fujitec spokesperson said. That marks another win for activist shareholders, who are capitalizing on a decades worth of incremental steps that are now transforming boardrooms in Japan.

Wednesdays vote represents the culmination of a months-long revolt by shareholders against the family of Fujitecs late founder Shotaro Uchiyama. It also marks a shift in a country that long held activist investors in suspicion, with opponents arguing they pushed for short-term gains at the expense of long-term growth.

Hong Kong-based hedge fund Oasis Management Co., a significant shareholder in Fujitec, previously called out the younger Uchiyama for abuse of power and enriching himself at the expense of the company and other shareholders  claims the executive has denied. Last year, Uchiyama provoked backlash after the company named him chairman despite public opposition from shareholders.

In February, Fujitec shareholders voted to replace three of the companys outside directors with four people nominated by Oasis. The next month, the newly reconfigured board unseated Uchiyama.

Activist investors are poised to make record shareholder proposals in Japan this year. Bourse operator Japan Exchange Group Inc. is also prodding companies that trade below book value to work toward boosting their share price, while Japans financial regulator is urging independent directors and asset managers to be more active in challenging management.

The country may see more proxy fights ahead, said Daniel Lee, head of Japan research at Fujitec shareholder Asset Value Investors Ltd. AVI voted against candidates proposed by Uchiyama, while voting for all of Fujitecs nominations, he said.

In May, US-based ValueAct Capital Management LP called for the ouster of President Ryuichi Isaka at Seven & i Holdings Co.s AGM in a bid to install four new directors. That motion was rejected, but more shareholder proposals are in the works, including AVIs plan to propose two candidates to conveyor belt and parking systems developer NC Holdings Co. later this month.

If we can hold management accountable so they step down when they fail to deliver results, results should follow, said Nao Makino, head of research at Fujitec investor Kaname Capital LP, which also voted to support Fujitecs proposals and opposed Uchiyamas.

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The number of dogs or cats you can keep in your house in the state of Massachusetts is regulated by the city or town in which you reside. In other words, the Bay State technically doesn't have a law limiting the number of pets a resident can own.





If you are considering adding more dogs or cats to your household in Massachusetts, it is important to check if your municipality has a limit. Most municipalities in Massachusetts allow up to 4 dogs and an unlimited number of cats per household. In this article, I have listed some Massachusetts municipalities and the maximum number of dogs and cats allowed per household therein.





Boston, MA

The city of Boston allows up to 4 dogs per household. A personal kennel permit is required to own more than 4 dogs in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston residents can own as many cats as they can properly care for and so long as the felines do not become a nuisance. In Boston, MA, it is required by law that all dogs be licensed. You may be subject to fines if you fail to license your dog in Boston. Cats are not required to be licensed in Boston.





The City Code prohibits dog owners from allowing their canines to run at large in streets or public places within the City. In addition, Boston requires that pet dogs be effectively restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding ten feet in length when in streets or public places.





A dog is deemed to be a nuisance in Boston Massachusetts if it, by excessive barking or other disturbance, causes annoyance to people residing in the vicinity, or if it threatens or attacks livestock, a domestic animal or a person without provocation.





Lastly, you are required by law to remove and dispose of any solid waste deposited by your dog on sidewalks, streets and parks, and neighbors yards in Boston. If you still have questions, you can contact Boston Animal Care and Control at 617-635-5348.





Worcester, MA

In the City of Worcester, residents are allowed no more than 2 dogs or 2 cats or a combination of one dog and one cat per household. However, you may obtain a kennel license from the city clerk to own more dogs and cats in Worcester, MA. Before a license is issued, an applicant must be 18 years of age and not reside in a single dwelling unit or multi-family dwelling.





All dogs living within Worcester City must be vaccinated and licensed. Furthermore, Worcester has a leash law that requires all dogs to be on a leash whenever off of their owner's or handler's property. A dog is deemed dangerous in Worcester if attacks a person or domestic animal without provocation, causing physical injury or death.





Springfield, MA

Residents in Springfield, Hampden County, MA, may own up to 4 dogs, provided all the canines are surgically altered, otherwise, the city allows no more than three dogs per household. However, Springfield pet owners may obtain a kennel license to own more than 4 dogs in the city. The City Code does place a limit on the number of cats a resident can own, meaning you can own as many cats as you can care for if you reside in Springfield, MA.





All household pets, except sterilized cats, in Springfield must be kept on a leash not more than six feet long when in public.





Cambridge, MA

Technically, Cambridge's animal ordinance does not place a limit on the number of dogs or cats a resident can own. However, the City Code does state that dog owners may not have more than three dogs at one time in off-leash dog areas within the city.





Cambridge law prohibits pet owners from permitting their dog to excessively bark, howl or behave in any other manner that can disturb the quiet of any person. In addition, it is the responsibility of all Cambridge pet owners to remove and dispose of any feces left by their dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street or other public areas within the city.

Lowell, MA In the City of Lowell, you need to obtain a kennel license before keeping more than 4 dogs in your house. There is no limit to the number of cats you can own in Lowell, as long as they are not allowed to run at large, thereby constituting a nuisance. Lowell pet owners shall be held accountable for any damage done by their dog to livestock or fowls. All dogs are required by law to be kept on a leash not more than 6 feet long and under the control of its owner or a competent person when in public areas within the city limits of Lowell.

Brockton, MA The city of Brockton permits no more than three dogs per household. However, you may obtain a kennel license to own more than 3 dogs in Brockton, Massachusetts. The City Code does not regulate the number of cats residents can own, meaning you can own as many cats as you can properly care for if you reside in the city of Brockton. All dogs three months of age living within the city of Brockton must be licensed.

A dog is deemed a nuisance in Brockton if it molests passersby or passing vehicles, including bicycles, or if it barks, whines or howls excessively, trespasses on school grounds, or bites or attacks a human being or other animals without provocation.

Lynn, MA If you live in the City of Lynn, you need to obtain a kennel license from the city clerk before keeping more than three dogs in your house. Lynn City Code does not place a limit on the number of cats a resident can keep in their house.



Other Massachusetts Municipalities
Officials, operators concede to new illegal pork abattoir

PHUKET: Officials and operators of Phukets two legally operating pork slaughterhouses have conceded to allow a privately owned abattoir on Army-controlled land in Phuket to open  on the condition that it operates in accordance with legal standards.



By The Phuket News

Wednesday 21 June 2023 01:31 PM

The issue came to the fore with protesters gathering in front of Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday (June 19), holding placards bearing slogans such as Pork vendors want fresh pork and Please dont give benefit to capitalists.

The protesters were soon asked to join a meeting to hear their grievances, followed by another meeting held at Phuket City Municipality yesterday (June 20).

Phuket City Deputy Mayor Supachok Laongkphet explained that the Phuket City Municipality slaughterhouse closed in November 2020. The municipality requested a budget of B60-70 million in order to overhaul the facility so it could reopen, but the budget request was denied.

There are currently only two legal slaughterhouses in Phuket that are legally registered and operating to legal standards: one operated by SuperCheap Co Ltd, the other operated by Bundit Pig Slaughterhouse

Both of which have insufficient production capacity to meet the demand, he said.

Representing the protesters, and existing legal slaughterhouses in operation, Watchanachai Tubcleaw called for provincial officials to take action against the Thaweephan Slaughterhouse under construction in Wichit.

Without action, there will be no legal standards regarding slaughterhouses being enforced on the island, he said.

If you cant find a solution, it will become a never-ending cumulative problem, he said.

According to Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, who attended the meeting on Monday, the entrepreneur submitted only one claim, that the Thaweephan Slaughterhouse in Wichit was a legitimate slaughterhouse.

Wichit Deputy Mayor Somyos Wijakkanawut disagreed.

The area where Thaweephan Slaughterhouse is located is under the administration of Royal Thai Army Area 5, which cannot be issued a permit, and if it is allowed to operate will cause trouble, he said.

Suthat Niyomthai of the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office concurred. The Phuket Livestock Office has always helped entrepreneurs, but now its stuck with the law. [Similar] Claims in other provinces have resulted in legal action, she said.

However, central to the arguments presented at the meeting yesterday was that without the new slaughterhouse, despite being on Army-controlled land, local providers would continue to be unable to meet local demand for pork.

Representing the Thaweephan Slaughterhouse, Wutthichai Boonkua urged the Provincial Livestock Office to allow the new slaughterhouse to operate. He also called for an inspection of the facility before it is allowed to begin production.

According to government reports of the meeting yesterday, The outcome of the meeting was satisfactory to all parties.

Phuket City Deputy Mayor Mr Supachok noted that all relevant agencies are to provide the operator (of the Thaweephan Slaughterhouse) guidelines  and the rules and regulations  that must be met in order for the new slaughterhouse to open.

The aim of allowing the new slaughterhouse to open was to alleviate suffering in the short term, he said.
Phuket airport limo co-op fined B180k for tour shop stops

PHUKET: An airport limousine co-operative has been fined about B180,000 for its drivers stopping at tour shops before delivering passengers to their hotels or other destinations, in breach of the terms of its concession to serve tourists at Phuket International Airport, Tourist Police have announced.

tourismtransportcrime

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 21 June 2023 05:43 PM

Action against the taxi co-operative was confirmed during a visit to Phuket by Maj Gen Krit Warit, Commander of Tourist Police Region 3, yesterday (June 20).

The offending operator was named as Phuket Airport Limousine and Business Service Co-Operative Ltd ( ), which has an office just south of the airport as the base of its operations.

Tourist Police have also asked for the drivers licences of the van and taxi drivers involved to be suspended, reported the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).

The fines and call to suspend the drivers licences followed officers conducting inspections at 19 sites on the island, including van and taxi kiosks, the report noted.

The practice of passenger vans and taxis stopping at roadside tour shops in the hope of selling tours or even have tourists change their place of accommodation has plagued Phukets tourism image for decades.

It is common knowledge that the tour shop and the driver both receive commissions on any sales made.

While in Phuket yesterday, Maj Gen Krit joined meetings with several relevant agencies to find measures to rebuild confidence in safety for tourists, PR Phuket reported.

At Phuket airport yesterday morning Maj Gen Krit led a meeting joined by Phuket Tourist Police Chief, the Chief of Immigration at Phuket airport, the Sakhu Police Chief and Monchai Tanode, General Manager of Phuket International Airport (under Airports of Thailand  AoT).

The aim of the meeting was described as to integrate and find a solution to the problem of tourists being taken advantage of and not providing convenient service when using tour counter services and the use of public transport vehicles at Phuket International Airport.

Maj Gen Krit later yesterday also met with officials from the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phuket branch of the Office of Tourism Business and Guide Registration and from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) to discuss the same problems.
Phuket fails bid to host Specialised Expo

PHUKET: Thailand has not won its bid for Phuket to host the World Specialised Expo 2027/28 following the final voting held at the 172nd general assembly of the event organiser, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), in Paris today (June 21).



By The Phuket News

Wednesday 21 June 2023 06:54 PM

The winner is Belgrade, Serbia. Image: BIE

BIE announced the winner, Belgrade, in Serbia, at 6:24pm Phuket time.

Phuket was up against four cities to host the event: Minnesota, in the United States; Belgrade, in Serbia; Malaga, in Spain; and San Carlos de Bariloche, in Argentina.

Thailand secured just 16 votes in the first round of voting, compared with 54 for Serbia, 42 for Spain, 19 for the United States and eight for Argentina.

The second round of voting saw Thailand secure 15 votes, compared with 21 for the US, 69 for Serbia and 48 for Spain.

In the final round of voting, between Serbia and Spain, Serbia won by securing 81 votes compared with 70 for Spain.

The theme proposed by Thailand for the expo was Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity, to be held from Mar 21 to June 20, 2028.

In the run-up to the final presentation and vote today, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew in Paris on Friday said, It is an honour to be able to present the potential of Phuket as a viable candidate city to host the Specialised Expo 2028, Governor Narong said, adding that Phuket is very much regarded as a world-class tourist destination with over 120 flights arriving on the island from 63 cities each day.

Phuket has become a second home for many people around the world, such is its allure and popularity, Governor Narong added.

High hopes had been piled on Phuket winning the bid to host the expo.

The government set aside a B4.18 billion budget to host the event, which was to be organised by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Public Health Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and related sectors.

TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya late last week said the expo would be a core part of Thailands plan to promote its health, wellness and medical tourism in Southeast Asia.

Phuket hosting the expo was expected to generate up to B50bn in economic value and attract about 5 million visitors, he added.

Phuket hosting the expo was also forecast to create 113,439 jobs on the island and help promote tourism in nearby provinces, he said.

Phuket had prepared a 141-rai site at the northern tip of the island to host the Specialised Expo 2028. The future of that site has yet to be determined.
Phuket tourism sees rebound amid influx of foreign visitors

BANGKOK: Phuket province is witnessing a surge in international tourists, with Chinese travelers leading the way, followed by those from Russia and Australia, reports state news agency NNT

tourismeconomicsRussianChinese

By National News Bureau of Thailand

Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:04 AM

Photo: NNT

Thanawat Oncharoen, Vice President of the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), noted that most Chinese tourists are independent travelers, while the number of tour groups from the country remains relatively low, the state news agency reported yesterday (June 20).

Despite international arrivals standing at 70% of pre-pandemic levels, representing a significant improvement from last year, NNT noted.

Phuket authorities are actively seeking to welcome tourists from Kazakhstan and Israel this year to diversify their visitor base.

Additionally, the Middle East is expected to contribute to an influx of tourists during Phukets rainy season.

Officials said figures for Indian and Australian visitors have already returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, Suksit Suvunditkul, President of the Southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, disclosed that hotel occupancy in Phuket held steady at a promising 70% between January and May.

The island boasts some 3,000 hotels offering around 200,000 rooms, providing ample accommodation options for travelers, he said.

Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailands (TAT) Phuket office, reported that Phuket has already welcomed over 6 million domestic and international tourists in the first five months of this year, resulting in a B196 billion boost to the local economy.

The TAT now expects to welcome a total of 12mn tourists to Phuket this year, the NNT report concluded.
The connection between Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Wanxiang Blockchain Labs, although its been public for years, is suddenly a very big deal. Thats because as the industry pores over Prometheum, now the SECs poster child for regulatory compliance, Crypto Twitter has realized that the startup is partly owned by Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain.

Crypto Twitter is in shock that Vitalik Buterin was the Chief Scientist for Wanxiang. I don't think they realize yet that it was Wanxiang that setup and funded the wallets for both the Ethereum Foundation, & Vitalik Buterin. Yes CT, it goes much much Deeper. https://t.co/PzG45UE7Ys  TruthLabs  (@BoringSleuth) June 16, 2023

Eyebrows were raised among the digital assets community following testimony from Prometheum co-CEO Aaron Kaplan on Capitol Hill, where his sentiments on regulatory compliance contrasted talking points from countless crypto firms and mirrored statements made by the SEC.

Prometheum touts that it's the first crypto firm ordained by the SEC and a member of FINRA, the finance-focused self-regulatory organization. Upheld by Gary Gensler as an example of how regulatory compliance for crypto companies is indeed possible, the firms' connection to Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain drew scrutiny.

Wanxiang Blockchain Labs is a non-profit organization and China-based research institution started in 2015 by China Wanxiang Holding. The Labs resources were integrated into Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain, a firm established in 2017.

Why Vitalik Buterin is Known as the 'V God' in China

Buterins connection to the nonprofit can be traced back to Ethereums early days. In 2015, then-CEO of Wanxiang Blockchain Labs Feng Xiao formed a relationship with Buterin and purchased $500,000 worth of Ethereum. The funds helped Buterin pay developers, according to a report from Global Coin Research.

Buterin was one of several guest speakers at Blockchain Week 2016, a conference co-hosted by the Ethereum Foundation and Wanxiang Blockchain Labs, which also featured talks from Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire and Ripple Labs co-founder Jed McCaleb, according to the events website.

At the time Buterin was described on the events website as Wanxiang Blockchain Labss chief scientist. That assertion is backed by a description of Buterins role on the non-profits website now. Separately, Buterin is described as a co-founder of the non-profit on Facebook.

Ethereum co-founder @VitalikButerin is listed as a co-founder of @WXblockchain, a part owner of @PrometheumInc which was recently given rights to operate a #crypto exchange in the U.S. Other filings show Buterin is also Chief Scientist at Wanxiang Blockchain Labs. pic.twitter.com/ywdl4u97RM  Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) June 21, 2023

Neither Wanxiang Blockchain Labs nor the Ethereum Foundation immediately responded to a request for comment from Decrypt.

Prometheum established a strategic partnership and joint development agreement with Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain years later in 2018, according to an SEC filing. The deal gave Prometheum access to Wanxiangs technology resources, industry contacts, [and] intellectual capital, adding that the organizations are committed to sharing resources.

Prometheum eventually terminated its agreement with Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain in October 2021, Kaplan of Prometheum wrote in written testimony prepared for the House Financial Services Committee last week. After a year, it was apparent that joint development was not viable, according to Kaplan.

Wanxiang and its affiliates have no access to any Prometheum code, technology, software, or to the Prometheum ecosystem, he wrote, adding the companys code has been developed internally. Prometheum is proud to be an American-born, bred, and controlled company.
In this article, we take a look at food production per capita by country. You can skip our detailed analysis of increasing population projections and the demand for food and go directly to the Top 5 Countries in Food Production Per Capita.

Food is not only a basic necessity for survival but also a driving force behind a nation's economic prosperity. It holds the key to unlocking a country's economic potential, influencing factors such as GDP growth, agricultural sector contribution, and trade opportunities.

The fascinating truth is that a high level of food production per capita paints a picture of a vibrant agricultural sector, brimming with possibilities and paving the way for numerous positive economic implications.

During 2020, Bloomberg reported that the global food production stood at approximately 4 billion metric tons annually at that time. When it comes to the question of which country is the largest food producer in absolute terms, it is, of course, China, with a total production of 682.3 million tons in 2021. However, high per capita food production by countries shows which countries are producing relatively high quantity of food relative to their population sizes.

Food Production Per Capita by Country: A Driving Force Behind Economic Growth

Countries' food production per capita plays a pivotal role in shaping its economic landscape, directly influencing both GDP growth and the overall contribution of the agricultural sector.

Some of the key benefits of high agricultural yield per capita include enhanced food security, improved standard of living, employment and income generation and rural development.

High food production per capita ensures stable supply, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing food security, especially given the fact that 40% of the global agricultural land has become too degraded for good yield. The UN also notes that 90% of the global topsoil is further at risk in the next 30 years.

If that wasn't enough, the global population is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, increasing the demand for food by an average of 78.5%. To feed 10 billion people by 2050, food production will have to increase by 50% by 2050.

Expanding Export Potential: High Food Production per Capita and Trade Opportunities

High food production can stimulate increased export potential and trade opportunities for a country. Surplus food production allows for exports, boosting foreign exchange earnings and improving the balance of trade.

Commodities like grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat contribute significantly to export revenues. Moreover, countries with ample food production become attractive trade partners, able to supply nations with lower production capabilities. This can foster trade agreements, partnerships, and economic cooperation. Additionally, a strong agricultural sector attracts foreign direct investment, facilitating technological transfer and enhancing global competitiveness.

According to the FAO report, many countries experience varying levels of net imports in their food supply. In several instances, the net imports range from 0 to 20% of the domestic food supply. Notably, Argentina, Australia, and the United States of America stand out with net exports surpassing 50% of their domestic food supply.

On the other hand, the Near East/North Africa region heavily relies on importing over 50% of its food supply. Additionally, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and China also fall into the category of net importers, as they depend on external sources to meet their food requirements.

When it comes to the food trading industry, certain names stand out prominently. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR), and Bunge Limited (NYSE:BG) are three such noteworthy companies. With their extensive experience and expertise, these companies have established themselves as key players in the global food market.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) excels in agricultural sourcing, processing, and distribution, while Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR) specializes in sustainable food ingredients and recycling solutions. Bunge Limited (NYSE:BG), on the other hand, is a leading agribusiness and food ingredient company. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR), and Bunge Limited (NYSE:BG) demonstrate their commitment to meeting the world's food trade demands and driving innovation in the food trading sector.

Lets now move to our list of food production per capita by country:

Food Production Per Capita by Country: Top 20 Countries

Nejron Photo/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

For our list, we sourced data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the year 2021, as it represents the most recent information available regarding food production per capita worldwide. Weve defined top countries as ones that have produced the highest food per capita in 2021 and ranked them in ascending order from low to high production. For our research, we selected all kinds of food, including grains, dairy and meat, among other items. Our analysis involved calculating the amount of food available per person by dividing a country's total food production by its population.

Without further ado, here are the top 20 when it comes to food production per capita by country:

20. India

Food production per capita in 2021: 1.09 metric tons

India, despite its efforts in achieving food sufficiency in production, faces a significant challenge. It is home to a quarter of the world's hungry population, with over 190 million people experiencing undernourishment. With a food production per capita of 1.09 metric tons in 2021, there is a pressing need to address food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food for its vast population.

19. Myanmar

Food production per capita in 2021: 1.17 metric tons

Myanmar, with a food production per capita of 1.17 metric tons in 2021, showcases its agricultural strengths. The country excels in rice cultivation, pulses, oilseeds, and timber production. Notably, Myanmar holds a significant position as a major exporter of rice.

18. Italy

Food production per capita in 2021: 1.18 metric tons

Italy has its esteemed agriculture with a food production per capita of 1.18 in the fiscal year of 2021. Italy is known for its high-quality products and is a top producer of wine, olive oil, cheese, and other fresh produce. With over 1.7 million farms, Italy's agriculture remains a vital sector, contributing 2% of the country's GDP and employing 3.8% of the workforce.

17. Germany

Food production per capita in 2021: 1.84 metric tons

Germany produced 1.84 metric tons of food per capita in 2021. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, the country boasts over 1.6 million farms, covering around 53% of its land area. Agriculture plays a vital role in Germany's economy, employing 2.5% of the workforce and generating billions of euros in revenue. The agricultural sector is diverse, with a focus on crop cultivation (wheat, barley, sugar beets) and livestock production (pork, dairy, poultry).

16. China

Food production per capita in 2021: 1.92 metric tons

China stands out for its immense agricultural output. It produced 1.92 metric tons of food per capita in 2021. The country is a leading producer of staple crops such as rice, wheat, and corn, ensuring food security for its massive population. Additionally, China's agricultural sector excels in the production of fruits, vegetables, pork, and aquaculture.

15. Indonesia

Food production per capita in 2021: 2.12 metric tons

In Indonesia, agriculture plays a vital role in sustaining the nation's population. It produced food per capita of 2.12 metric tons in 2021. The country's fertile lands and favorable climate support a diverse agricultural sector. Indonesia is known for its extensive cultivation of rice, corn, palm oil, spices, and tropical fruits.

14. Russia

Food production per capita in 2021: 2.22 metric tons

Russia is the largest country in the world. It produced food of 2.22 metric tons per capita in 2021. The nation's vast lands and diverse climate support a wide range of agricultural activities. Russia is a significant producer of various crops, including wheat, barley, potatoes, and sunflower seeds.

13. Kazakhstan

Food production per capita in 2021: 2.35 metric tons

Kazakhstan produced 2.35 metric tons of food per capita in 2021. The country's vast landscapes and favorable climate contribute to its agricultural productivity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kazakhstan produced around 18.7 million metric tons of cereals in 2021, including wheat, barley, and maize.

12. Poland

Food production per capita in 2021: 2.39 metric tons

Poland, with a food production per capita of 2.39 metric tons, demonstrates its significant agricultural output. According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland, the country's agricultural sector is thriving, contributing 3.8% to the national GDP. It is a major producer of various crops, including cereals (such as wheat, rye, and barley), potatoes, and sugar beets.

11. France

Food production per capita in 2021: 2.40 metric tons

France is one of the leading agricultural nations in Europe. It is known for its diverse culinary traditions and high-quality food products. In 2021, France produced 2.4 metric tons of food per person. The country's fertile soils and favorable climate support the cultivation of various crops, including wheat, barley, corn, and grapes for winemaking.

10. Thailand

Food production per capita in 2021: 2.75 metric tons

Thailand is known for its rich culinary heritage. It exports various food products including rice, canned tuna, sugar, meat, cassava products, and canned pineapple. According to the National Food Institute, Thai food exports reached a value of $34.6 billion in 2021, marking an impressive 11.8 percent increase from the previous year. With a food production per capita of 2.75 metric tons in 2021, Thailand's agricultural sector contributes significantly to the country's economy and ensures an ample food supply for its population.

9. Canada

Food production per capita 2021: 2.84 metric tons

Canada is a vast and diverse country in North America. It produced 2.84 metric tons of food per person in 2021. Blessed with fertile farmlands and abundant natural resources, Canada is known for its agricultural diversity. The country cultivates a wide range of crops, including wheat, barley, canola, corn, and soybeans.

8. United States

Food production per capita in 2021: 3.03 metric tons

The United States boasts an impressive agricultural landscape. It encompasses approximately 89 million acres of farmland. In 2021, the country produced 3.03 metric tons of total food per capita. On average, farms in the U.S. cover around 445 acres in size. The diverse climate and fertile soils allow for the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton. The U.S. is also a major producer of livestock products, such as beef, poultry, and dairy.

7. Lithuania

Food production per capita 2021: 3.40 metric tons

Lithuania, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich agricultural heritage, boasted a food production per capita of 3.4 metric tons per person in 2021. Lithuania is renowned for its diverse range of crops, including cereals, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits.

6. Belarus

Food production per capita in 2021: 3.51 metric tons

Belarus' agricultural sector thrives due to its favorable climate and fertile lands. In 2021 alone, it produced 3.51 metric tons of food per capita. Belarus is known for its cultivation of various crops, including potatoes, wheat, barley, and flax.

Click to continue reading and see Food Production Per Capita By Country: Top 5 Countries.

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Disclosure: none. Food Production Per Capita by Country: Top 20 Countries is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Meeting held

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IMPHAL, Jun 21 : A meeting was held today between the leaders of Federation of Haomee (FOH) and representatives of Kom Union at the office premises of FOH to discuss the present condition of Kom villages in the State.

A release issued by FOH informed that the meeting deliberated on the difficulties faced by the people of Kom community residing in both the valley and hill areas due to the ongoing conflict.

In the meeting, it was resolved that the Kom villages would maintain peaceful and harmonious relations with nearby villages.

It was observed that the present unrest has also impacted the Kom communities due to some fractions not accepting the fact that the Koms are indigenous people of Manipur following the clan (Yek Salai) system like the Meiteis.

The meeting further decided to take steps to prevent innocent Kom people from becoming victims of the ongoing conflict.


Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

A mainly sunny sky. High 89F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Foreign companies are shifting investment out of China as confidence wanes, business group says

FILE - Commuters walk along a path in the central business district during the morning rush hour in Beijing, on April 18, 2023. Foreign companies are shifting investments and their Asian headquarters out of China as confidence plunges following the expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges, a business group said Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BEIJING (AP)  Foreign companies are shifting investments and their Asian headquarters out of China as confidence plunges following the expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges, a business group said Wednesday.

The report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China adds is one of many signs of growing pessimism despite the ruling Communist Partys efforts to revive interest in the worlds No. 2 economy following the end of anti-virus controls.

Companies are uneasy about security controls, government protection of their Chinese rivals and a lack of action on reform promises, according to the European Chamber. They also are being squeezed by slowing Chinese economic growth and rising costs.

Business confidence in China is pretty much the lowest we have on record, the European Chamber president, Jens Eskelund, told reporters ahead of the reports release.

Theres no expectation that the regulatory environment is really going to improve over the next five years, Eskelund said.

President Xi Jinpings government, trying to shore up economic growth that sank to 3% last year, is trying to encourage foreign companies to invest and bring in technology. But they are uneasy about security rules and plans to create competitors to global suppliers of computer chips, commercial jetliners and other technology. That often involves subsidies and market barriers that Washington and the European Union say violate Beijings free-trade commitments.

Two-thirds of the 570 companies that responded to the European Chambers survey said doing business in China has become more difficult, up from less than half before the pandemic. Three out of five said the business environment is more political, up from half the previous year.

Companies are on edge after police raided offices of two consultancies, Bain & Co. and Capvision, and a due diligence firm, Mintz Group, without public explanation. Authorities say companies are obliged to obey the law but have given no indication of possible violations.

Companies also are uneasy about Beijings promotion of national self-reliance. Xis government is pressing manufacturers, hospitals and others to use Chinese suppliers even if that raises their costs. Foreign companies worry they might be shut out of their markets.

Last month, the government banned using products from the biggest U.S. maker of memory chips, Micron Technology Inc., in computers that handle sensitive information. It said Micron had unspecified security flaws but gave no explanation.

One in 10 companies in the European Chamber survey said they have shifted investments out of China. Another 1 in 5 are delaying or considering shifting investments. In aviation and aerospace, 1 in 5 companies plan no future investment in China.

China has long been a top investment destination due to its huge and growing consumer market, but companies complain about market access restrictions, pressure to hand over technology and other irritants. The ruling party has tightened control since Xi took power in 2012, pressing foreign companies to give the party board seats and a direct say in hiring and other decisions.

The European Chamber noted it wasnt just foreign companies that are moving: 2 out of 5 in its survey reported Chinese customers or suppliers are shifting investments out of the country.

A separate group, the British Chamber of Commerce in China, said last month its members were waiting for greater clarity about anti-spying, data security and other rules before making new investments.

The biggest concern is the ruling partys sweeping expansion of its definition of national security to include the economy, food, energy and politics, Eskelund said.

What does qualify as a state secret? Where does politics begin and the commercial world stop? Eskelund said. That creates uncertainty about where we can operate as normal businesses.

In the European Chamber survey, the top destination for companies moving their Asian headquarters out of China was Singapore, with 43% of companies that moved, followed by Malaysia. Only 9% went or plan to go to Hong Kong.

Leaders including Premier Li Qiang, Chinas top economic official, have promised to improve operating conditions, but businesses say they see few concrete changes.

Our members are not really convinced that we are going to see tangible results, Eskelund said.
By Victoria Waldersee and Jan Schwartz

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's top carmakers were challenged by a Berlin-based rights group on Wednesday over the extent of their due diligence to prevent forced labour in their supply chain, as Volkswagen said it would conduct an audit at its plant in Xinjiang.

Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were accused of providing insufficient proof that their efforts to track their suppliers in Xinjiang, China, complied with Germany's new supply chain law, according to the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR).

Volkswagen said it was surprised by the allegations and was examining the complaint, filed by ECCHR with Germany's export control office BAFA.

The carmaker has a plant in Xinjiang's capital which does not produce vehicles but runs quality checks on cars for sale in the region.

Its China chief visited the plant earlier this year and said he saw no signs of forced labour, but the company has come under heavy pressure from investors and activists to do further due diligence.

At its Capital Markets Day on Wednesday, Chief Executive Oliver Blume said the company would commission an external independent audit of the plant this year.

SUPPLY CHAIN LAW

Since January 1, 2023, companies in Germany above a certain size must establish due diligence procedures, including an annual risk analysis, that prevent human rights and environmental abuses within their global supply chains.

UN experts and rights groups estimate over a million people, mainly Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, have been detained in recent years in a vast system of camps in Chinas western Xinjiang region. Researchers and rights groups say the camps have been used as a source for low paid and coercive labour.

China denies all accusations of abuse.

While BMW and Mercedes-Benz do not have their own plants in Xinjiang, researchers at Sheffield Hallam University and others have documented links between the carmakers' suppliers and companies with operations in or near the region.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW said they had not received the ECCHR complaint.

"We are in contact with our suppliers and whenever concerns are raised, we push suppliers for clarification," Mercedes-Benz added.

BMW said it holds suppliers to social and environmental standards which include requiring they take preventative measures as required by law.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Jan Schwartz; editing by Jason Neely and Elaine Hardcastle)
Global Craft Beer Market Report 2023: Sector is Expected to Reach $154.74 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 2.3%

DUBLIN, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Craft Beer Market: Global Market Size, Forecast, Insights, and Competitive Landscape" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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The global Craft beer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 2.3% to reach $154.74 billion by 2030 from $133.68 billion in 2023.

Companies Mentioned

Anheuser-Busch InBev

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited (Beijing Yanjing Brewery Co., Ltd.)

Carlsberg Group

Diageo PLC

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Inc.

Heineken Holding NV.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Squatters Pub and Beers

The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

United Breweries Limited

This report on global Craft beer market report provides holistic understanding of the market along with market sizing, forecast, drivers, challenges, and competitive landscape. The report presents a clear picture of the global Craft beer market by categorising the market based on various segments including detailed regional segmentation.

Also, detailed profiles of companies operating in the global Craft beer market are provided in this report, which includes company description, business overview, product portfolio, and financial details.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of overall market and its segments. The historic numbers and forecasts are provided for each of the segments and for the countries covered in the report. This report also includes a detailed impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the global Craft beer market.

Apart from the quantitative analysis, the report also provides qualitative analysis, including SWOT analysis, porter's five forces, and value chain of the industry. It also includes descriptive market drivers, opportunities, on-going & future trends, and challenges.

We believe that this report will aid the professionals and industry stakeholders in making informed decision.



Historical & Forecast Period

Base Year: 2022

Historical Period: 2018-2022

Forecast Period: 2023-2030

Market

by Type

Ales

Pale Ale

Brown Ale

Strong Ale

Scottish Style Ale

Porters

Stouts

Lagers

Pale Lagers

Dark Lagers

Pilsners

Other Types

by Distribution Channel

On-trade Channels

Off-trade Channels

Key Highlights of Report

Overview of global Craft beer market.

Analysis of global market trends, historical data, market estimates for the base year, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through the forecast period

Profiles of the key companies

SWOT analysis, Porter's five forces, and value chain analysis of Craft beer market.

Key Questions Answered in the Report

What will be the global Craft beer market size and the growth rate in the coming year?

What are the main key factors driving the market?

What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the market?

What are the market opportunities and threats in the market?

What industrial trends, drivers and challenges are manipulating its growth?

Which are trending factors influencing the market shares of the top regions across the globe?

Who are the key market players in the industry?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

What is the impact of Covid19 on the current industry?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d4bqkd

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.

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(Bloomberg) -- A heat-tolerant coffee strain, lost to commercial production for more than 50 years, has been successfully grown in a Sierra Leone pilot project backed by trader Sucafina SA, the West African countrys government said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The variety, Coffea Stenophylla, yields a bean with a taste similar to Arabica, the benchmark for quality coffee, at temperatures 7C warmer, according to earlier statements from Sucafina.

The variety is seen as a potential answer to protecting the worlds coffee industry from global warming, the government said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The strain was rediscovered in the wild in 2018 after commercial production was disrupted by decades of neglect and a civil war. Beans from the variety were sold under the brand Sierra Leone Highland Coffee before World War I.

The results are so positive that we believe everything is in place to potentially rejuvenate Stenophylla, a coffee that was once drunk in Paris and London but has not been sold commercially for decades, Daniel Sarmu, a development specialist who found the plant growing wild and is running the pilot, said in the statement.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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An irked boss who owed an employee $915 paid with 91,500 dirty, oily pennies. That cost him.

A disgruntled Georgia auto repair shop owner who retaliated against a former employee by paying him nearly $1,000 in "dirty, oily pennies" now owes even more money to the man, a federal judge ruled.

A consent judgment from the Northern District of Georgia shows Miles Walker and his company A OK Luxury Autoworks in Peachtree City were recently ordered to pay Andreas Flaten and more than a half-dozen co-workers nearly $40,000 for back wages and liquidated damages.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal agency's Wage and Hour Division department found Walker retaliated against Flaten who contacted the division after Walker failed to give him his final paycheck.

A Georgia repair shop owner who retaliated against a former employee by paying him close to $1,000 in dirty oily pennies, now owes the man much more.

Gannett CEO Here's why we are suing Google for deceptive business practices

Pennies, a pay stub and violated provisions

Investigators also learned Walker paid Flaten's final wages of $915 in "91,500 oil-covered pennies" with a pay stub "marked with an expletive to the workers home," the release says.

In addition, they said, Walker also published defamatory statements about Flaten on the companys website.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Batten, who handed the case, also determined Walker violated Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions by paying Flaten and eight co-workers "straight-time rates for all hours worked, including for hours over 40 in a workweek when an overtime rate-of-pay was legally required."

The Daily Money The markets woke up on the wrong side of a three-day weekend. Here's why.

Nearly 40K in back wages and liquidated damage

On June 13, Batten ordered Walker and his business to pay $39,934 to Flaten and the other eight employees. The consent judgment for all nine workers included $19,967 in back wages and $19,697 in liquidated damages.

In addition, the judge told Walker to remove photographs and references to Flaten from the company's website and social media pages and to post the judgment in "conspicuous places" at the repair shop.

Following the judgment, Atlanta-based Wage and Hour Regional Administrator Juan Coria said people are entitled to obtain wages they earn "without fear of harassment or intimidation."

The court has sent a clear message to employers such as Miles Walker who subject employees to unfair wage practices and outright intimidation and retaliation," said U.S. Department of Labor Regional Solicitor Tremelle Howard. "By law, worker engagement with the U.S. Department of Labor is a protected activity."

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: Georgia auto shop worker paid with 91,500 dirty pennies by employer
Japan sees 1.9 million visitors in May, down from cherry blossom rush

FILE PHOTO: Visitors ride boats next to blooming cherry blossoms at Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan saw a slight decline in visitors in May from the previous month, when a rush of tourists came to see the nation's famous cherry blossoms without COVID-19 restrictions, official data showed on Wednesday.

The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure came in just below 1.9 million last month from a post-pandemic high of 1.95 million in April, the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) said.

Arrivals were down 31.5% from the level in May 2019, before the coronavirus outbreak.

Travellers from China, previously Japan's biggest tourist segment and the lifeblood of many retailers, grew 24% to 134,400 in June, though still far below 2019 levels.

Tourism to Japan all but halted for more than two years during the pandemic, but the numbers have risen steadily since the government resumed visa-free travel for many countries in October. It scrapped remaining infection controls on May 8.

Meanwhile, the yen has weakened sharply against other major currencies, making trips to Japan the cheapest in many years. Consumer-focused businesses are starting to feel the benefits.

Mid-June sales figures at major department stores indicated strong demand from Chinese visitors, particularly in the western tourist destinations of Osaka and Kyoto, according to Jefferies analyst Mitsuko Miyasako.

Cosmetics sales at Takashimaya and J.Front Retailing rebounded to just under 70% of 2019 levels, she wrote in a report.

Occupancy for Air Canada's flights to Japan was 95% in May, even higher than in pre-COVID times, said Kiyo Weiss, senior director of sales for the Asia-Pacific region.

"Japan has been viewed for a long time as a bucket list country by North American leisure travellers," she said. "Now that Japan has reopened to tourists and the current exchange rate makes leisure trips less expensive, we think this trend will continue to grow."

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Varun H K and Gerry Doyle)
One more suspect has been apprehended in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old Delhi University student three days ago, a police official said.

The suspect was identified as Talib, who is a student of DUs School of Open Learning.

The official on Tuesday said that the suspect was apprehended after several raids in the national capital.

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However, the suspect has claimed that he was not involved in stabbing Talib.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi court sent two accused arrested for the murder of a Delhi University student to five-day police custody.

After the police sought their remand to recover the murder weapon and to arrest the other accused persons, Duty Metropolitan Magistrate Anamika of the Patiala House Courts sent the accused duo to five-day police custody.

Police produced both the accused  Rahul and Haroon  before the court and after hearing the submissions of the Investigation Officer (IO), the court said: In view of the submissions of the IO and for the purpose of fair and proper investigation, five days police custodial remand is allowed. Both the accused persons are sent to five-day police custody. They should be produced before the concerned court on June 25.

While granting the remand, the court also perused the disclosure statement of the accused wherein they have submitted that they can aid in further investigation.

The offence alleged is serious in nature as it has been stated that the accused persons were involved in the murder of the victim/deceased and some of the co-accused are yet to be apprehended, the court observed.

The court also directed the IO to get the accused persons medically examined, as per the rules.

Nikhil Chauhan, a 19-year-old first-year student of political science in the School of Open Learning at Delhi University, was stabbed to death by three individuals outside the Aryabhatta College on June 18.

Accused Rahul (19) is a resident of Bindapur, while Haroon (19) is a resident of Janakpuri. Rahul is a B.A. first-year student, while Haroon, a school dropout, is a friend of Rahul.
Jeffrey Epstein got $300 million tax breaks, paid US Virgin Islands police, JPMorgan says

FILE PHOTO: Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photo taken for the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase said the U.S. Virgin Islands gave Jeffrey Epstein more than $300 million in tax incentives and waived sex offender monitoring requirements, shielding the disgraced late financier as he gave cash and gifts to top officials.

In a Tuesday night court filing, the largest U.S. bank also described how Epstein allegedly paid law enforcement entities such as the Virgin Islands Police Department.

The newly unredacted filing is part of JPMorgan's effort to show that the U.S. Virgin Islands, including former first lady Cecile de Jongh, "actively facilitated" Epstein's sexual abuse of young women and teenage girls.

JPMorgan is defending in Manhattan federal court against the territory's lawsuit filed in December over its relationship with Epstein, a client from 1998 to 2013.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two neighboring islands, has accused JPMorgan of facilitating Epstein's crimes by providing banking services, and enabling him to pay victims.

"JPMorgan Chase is the only party to this lawsuit that had real-time knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's human trafficking operation," Venetia Velazquez, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general, said in a statement.

"The evidence disclosed so far suggests the bank chose to prioritize its profits over protecting victims."

U.S. Virgin Islands police "never received a single complaint" about Epstein's sex trafficking and would have investigated complaints, a person familiar with the territory's law enforcement practices said. The person lacked authority to discuss those practices publicly.

Neither the police department nor de Jongh immediately responded to requests for comment.

JPMorgan agreed last week to pay $290 million to settle a lawsuit by dozens of Epstein's accusers, pending court approval.

Epstein died by suicide at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

EPSTEIN'S 'BONA FIDE' RESIDENCY

JPMorgan had described a "quid pro quo" relationship between Epstein and U.S. Virgin Islands officials such as de Jongh, whose husband, John, served as governor from 2007 to 2015.

The bank has said Cecile de Jongh managed Epstein's local companies for eight years and helped arrange visas for some victims, in exchange for Epstein providing a salary, bonuses and tuition for her children's schools.

Tuesday's filing described Epstein's Financial Trust Co, also known as Southern Trust Co, receiving $219.8 million in tax benefits from the U.S. Virgin Islands between 1999 and 2012, and $80.6 million between 2013 and 2018.

In connection with some benefits, the bank said Cecile de Jongh certified in 2009 that Epstein was a "bona fide resident," despite his then serving a 13-month sentence following his 2008 guilty plea to a Florida prostitution charge.

JPMorgan also said the territory waived restrictions on Epstein's ability to travel, despite his sex offender status.

It said the territory's Department of Justice on multiple occasions did not make timely notifications of Epstein's status under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, "something Epstein even personally brought up with USVI DOJ."

The bank also said "Epstein was often not present" when the territory checked up on him at his home.

JPMorgan's latest disclosures followed Monday's release by the U.S. Virgin Islands of a 22-page document prepared by the bank in late 2019 after Epstein's death.

The document described Epstein's ties to former JPMorgan private banking chief Jes Staley, including dozens of personal messages between them, and messages involving other bank officials.

JPMorgan has sued Staley, and wants him liable for damages it might owe in the accusers' and U.S. Virgin Islands' lawsuits.

Staley left JPMorgan in 2013, and later spent six years as Barclays' chief executive.

He has expressed regret for his friendship with Epstein and repeatedly denied knowing about his crimes.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler, Gerry Doyle and Deepa Babington)
IQALUIT, NT, June 21, 2023 /CNW/ - The Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) has submitted its 2023 Recommended Nunavut Land Use Plan for the territory. It's an enormous plan that sets out requirements for how 3.3 million square kilometres of Nunavut's land and marine areas will be used.

The Nunavut Planning Commission logo (CNW Group/Nunavut Planning Commission)

Following the fifth and final comprehensive round of public hearings last fall, the Commissioners and staff carefully considered substantive issues and options to determine balanced and appropriate revisions to the 2021 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan. Key issues in the deliberations included the treatment of Inuit Owned Lands, caribou habitat, the balance of land use designations, existing rights, roads, and marine shipping.

Nunavut Planning Commission Chair Andrew Nakashuk says "we are confident the NPC has submitted a balanced, responsible and approvable 2023 Land Use Plan that reflects the vision of Inuit." The final plan now goes before the Federal and Nunavut governments and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, for approval. (NTI represents Inuit in the territory)

NPC Director of Policy and Planning Jonathan Savoy says the process has been incredibly inclusive. "This plan would not be possible without the active and informed participation of all our planning partners. The Commission has been the beneficiary of the expertise of Inuit traditional knowledge, of best-available scientific research, along with views of government, Inuit organizations, transboundary Indigenous peoples, industry, and non-governmental groups."

"Balancing diverse and competing interests has been the overarching challenge " says NPC Executive Director Sharon Ehaloak. She says this marks the end of one process and, once approved, the beginning of another, namely shared responsibilities for implementation. Ehaloak stresses "the really hard work lies ahead, and it's crucial everyone understands the Plan is a living document that will be monitored, reviewed and amended to reflect changing needs, circumstances and opportunities.

An approved Land Use Plan would help further advance Inuit self-determination, provide certainty for all land users, and could significantly contribute to Canada's conservation targets.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Parliament's passing of the Nunavut Agreement. The Land Use Plan is a legal requirement under the deal between the Nunavut /Inuit and the Crown.

https://youtu.be/4Xn_TX3TFsU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOCT0pPfY-k

SOURCE Nunavut Planning Commission

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2023/21/c9843.html
NED BRISTOL is a retired editor of The Sun Chronicle who writes occasional columns for the newspaper. Drop him a line at news@thesunchronicle.com .
Our View: What would the Founding Fathers say?
French publicly funded investment bank Bpifrance entered the crypto space in 2014 with an investment in hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger.

Now its exploring new opportunities in the Web3 landscape, including Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofsand funding investment in AI.

Ivan de Lastours, Blockchain & Crypto Lead at Bpifrance, told Decrypt that ZK proofs have piqued the firms interest. "They may be key to the future of the internet, he said. If AI-generated deep fakes become more prevalent, ZK proofs could be a great solution to verify the authenticity of digital content.

A zero-knowledge proof is a cryptographic technique used to prove that something is known without directly revealing the known information.

What are Zero Knowledge Proofs?

Bpifrance is continuing to explore new opportunities in crypto. We've invested 50,000 in LF tokens, a French project that conducted an ICO, said De Lastours. Our aim was to test token acquisition in the open market, and we're pleased with the results."

AI is also an area of interest for the bank, which recently announced a fund of 50 million dedicated solely to pre-seed and seed investments in AI. The firm aims to support all tech ecosystems, including FoodTech.

A publicly funded crypto advocate

Bpifrances first crypto investment in Ledger was a signal of our confidence in French innovation within the global blockchain sphere," De Lastours told Decrypt.

With a public mandateyet operating under a private credit licenseBpifrance has a unique role. In the last year, the institution funneled 80 billion into the French economy through various means, including grants, loans, equity buyouts, fund investments, and incubator financing.

We strive to allocate a portion of these funds to the burgeoning crypto and blockchain ecosystem in France, which comprises around 450 startups, said De Lastours.

Bpifrance's role, however, extends beyond the provision of public funds. It promotes French blockchain and crypto businesses, guiding them through the country's unique legislative and economic landscapes.

"We're more than fund providers, De Lastours said. We act as publicly funded advocates for the French crypto ecosystem."

With Bpifrance's assistance, over 170 blockchain startupsincluding digital assets data provider Kaiko and Bitcoin Lightning Network technology pioneer Acinqhave benefited.

France Moves Ahead With Tighter Crypto Rules for New Entrants

We wish we could do more, but we're pleased to have the opportunity to support the French ecosystem," said de Lastours.

The bank is also instrumental in shaping crypto-friendly legislation in France. By working closely with legislators, Bpifrance has helped create a regulatory environment that encourages crypto innovation.

"Each investment we make, backed by public funds, is a testament to our belief in the project's potential to shape both the French and global crypto markets," de Lastours said.

When Brigitte Macron Came to NFT Paris

Bpifrance's strategy remains steadfast despite market fluctuations. "Periods of a bear market are tests of resilience. As a public entity, we offer strategic guidance and continuous support, recognizing the unique dynamics of the French market," De Lastours explained.

Frances crypto strengths

When discussing the strengths of France, Bpifrance's De Lastours highlights two specific areas: DeFi and NFTs. In his view, France excels in these fields due to its robust creative culture and the presence of thriving industries such as gaming and luxury goods.

But in this type of market, the dynamics can evolve quickly. The recent announcement of an investigation targeting Binance France for offenses including aggravated money laundering, is a cause for concernand one that could potentially have an impact on the local crypto ecosystem.

French Authorities Investigating Binance for Aggravated Money Laundering

Investing in Web3 remains a high-risk activity, De Lastours said. As an example, he said that he considers himself lucky to not have invested in FTX.

"It's indeed a timely and fortunate reminder for us to double-check, even triple-check everything, said De Lastours, noting that in the crypto sector, We are aware of the risks, and part of my job is to identify potential scams."
Electric vehicles are shaping up to be the future of global transportation. The exponential growth of the EV sector has been well rewarded in the stock market, with Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) emerging as the most valuable automaker stock in the world.

In addition to automakers, several other types of companies play a key role in this global transition, key among them lithium producers. Livent Corp. (NYSE:LTHM), one of the leading lithium producers in the world, is thus at the center of the EV growth story, but the market has not been as kind to the stock. Livent's shares have gained a modest 15% in the last 12 months and have been highly volatile because of the company's strong correlation to lithium prices. Aided by favorable macroeconomic developments that are reshaping the transportation industry, I believe Livent is well-positioned to grow in the long run.





Livent Offers More Upside Potential

Lithium prices are recovering

The price of lithium carbonate reached record highs last year, only to shed most of those gains between November 2022 and April 2023. One of the major reasons for the sharp decline in prices during this period was the lower demand for EVs in China. The Asian economic powerhouse experienced an unusual decline in the demand for new EVs during this period as consumers were forced to stay indoors because of the governments zero-Covid policy. China discontinued the subsidies offered to EVs in January as well, which was another big blow to demand.

After suffering from these setbacks, the demand for new EVs has gradually picked up in recent months, which has led to a strong recovery in lithium prices since the beginning of May. Lithium prices have almost doubled from April lows, and many analysts believe there is more upside in the foreseeable future. For example, commenting on the outlook for lithium, Sequoia Wealth senior wealth adviser Shane Langham said:



"I dont see lithium as a one-off flash in the pan. The demand for lithium carbonate, or battery-grade lithium, is increasing at a rapid rate because of the rate of EV production increases. That doesnt even touch on the big batteries used to support electricity grids or to store renewable electricity generated by solar or wind or the like. When the supply and demand equation is so lopsided, where demand is multiples the size of the supply, the price can do only one thing, and that is rise."





Rising lithium prices should help Livent expand its profit margins in the future. The company has come a long way in the last five years to improve its profitability. Back in 2017, Livents operating margin hovered just over 22%, but in 2022, the company reported an operating margin of close to 49%. This notable improvement came on the back of higher lithium prices, efficiency gains and scale advantages. With analysts projecting lithium supply to substantially fall short of demand at least through 2030, Livent is likely to see a meaningful improvement in its operating margins in the coming years.

EV sales set to continue growing

As investors, it is important to focus on the long term. Although the demand for EVs may not grow as expected in 2023 due to the threat of a recession, global supply-chain challenges and geopolitical tensions, the long-term outlook for the EV sector is bright. According to the International Energy Agency, more than 10 million EVs were sold in 2022 across the world, and sales are expected to grow 35% this year to 14 million. In the new global energy economy, EVs play a significant role as governments are laser-focused on achieving ambitious net-zero emission targets by 2030.

Today, technological advancements are addressing some of the key concerns faced by potential EV buyers. For example, advanced battery technologies are allowing for higher driving ranges, alleviating some of the concerns faced by drivers. In addition, the rise of independent charging solution providers is expanding the global EV charging network. The cost of designing and developing EV batteries is also on the decline, which paves the way for automakers to charge lower prices from customers for new vehicles with better driving technology and capabilities.

Livent enjoys cost advantages

Livent has access to one of the lowest-cost lithium carbonate production facilities in Argentina, which positions the company to enjoy cost advantages that could potentially lead to long-lasting competitive advantages.

The companys planned merger with Alkem could also lead to cost advantages resulting from the scale of the combined entity. This business combination will create the fourth-largest producer of lithium globally, which should help the new business attract high-value clients. Livent is on track to grow its production capacity from 20,000 metric tons to 100,000 metric tons by 2030, and this planned merger is a step forward in the right direction to achieving this objective.

Takeaway

Livent is poised to benefit from the increasing adoption of EVs as the company plays a key role in the global EV supply chain. Building on its cost advantages, I believe Livent is likely to grow exponentially along with the EV industry, and since the market appears to be underestimating the stock, it is available for a cheap forward price-earnings ratio of 13.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Maoists in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh executed one of their own senior members after a 'jan adalat' (peoples court) for allegedly trying to escape after raping a village girl.



The body of the Maoist, Manu Dugga, with his throat slit, was found near Kesokodi village under Koyalibeda police station of Kanker district of Bastar division on Wednesday.



Dugga, a member of platoon number 17 of the Peoples Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA)  the armed wing of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh, Kanker police said.



An official statement issued by Kanker police said Dugga, a resident of Bharanda in Narayanpur was killed by his associates, and his body, clad in Maoist uniform, was dumped near the village. Dugga was also a member of the Kiskodo area committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoists).



The police note said a leaflet found near the body of Dugga mentioned that he was killed due to indecent behaviour with females of the organisation. Further probe was on, police said.



However, the handwritten Maoist leaflet that THE WEEK accessed, mentions that Dugga was caught while trying to escape after raping a village girl and given death sentence by organising a jan adalat (peoples court) as per the opinion of the people.



The leaflet in Hindi, issued by the North Bastar Division Committee of the CPI (Maoist), said Manu Dugga, a resident of village Tumrinar in Bharanda of Narayanpur district had enrolled in the PLGA troop in 2006. However, his behaviour was indecent and anarchical right from the beginning and he attempted to harass women several times. Because of this, there was an atmosphere of insecurity among women and Dugga was admonished politically several times as per the partys policy, and also disciplinary action was taken. However, there was no change in his behaviour, the note said before mentioning the attempt to escape after rape and the death sentence at jan adalat.



Sources told THE WEEK that of late, Maoists have started taking serious note of atrocities/sexual harassment of women within and outside the cadre. They initiate strict action against the accused. They also intervene in sexual harassment/exploitation cases among civilians and make the accused marry the victim or face some form of penalty.



BJP leader killed in Bijapur



In another incident, a man, reported to be a BJP leader, was allegedly killed by the Maoists in Bijapur district of Bastar division. The deceased has been identified as Kaka Arjun and the incident occurred at Ilmidi village in Usur tehsil of Bijapur district.



Arjun was killed late on Tuesday night and the body was found on Wednesday on a road near the village. Sources said leaflets were left at the spot of the incident, and Madded Area Committee of the CPI (Maoist) took responsibility for the murder. The leaflet also reportedly warned political leaders against working with the BJP, sources added.



More details awaited.




Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began his state visit to the United States on Tuesday, has a busy day of engagements in New York and Washington on the second day of his visit on Wednesday.



The PM will lead the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations, with the theme 'Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, at the United Nations headquarters in New York city on Wednesday. President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, actor Richard Gere, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, digital evangelist Vala Afshar, and award-winning storyteller Jay Shetty among others are expected to attend the programme.



The prime minister will then depart for Washington DC. He is expected to attend a briefing by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu in the US capital.



He will also attend 'Skilling for Future Event' at National Science Foundation.



US First Lady Jill Biden and Modi will visit the National Science Foundation.



The prime minister also has a series of business meetings scheduled for the day.



US First Lady Jill Biden to host media preview for state dinner.



US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will receive PM Modi at the White House.



Modi will have a private engagement at the White House.



President Biden and First Lady Jill will host Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House.



With PTI inputs
(Bloomberg) -- Two years ago, US lawmakers created a $14.2 billion fund to help low-income families across America pay for internet service they would otherwise struggle to afford.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Since then, nearly 19 million households have come to rely on the subsidy  which provides $30 or more in monthly bill aid, helping to narrow the long-standing digital divide that has placed low-income families at a disadvantage for everything from educational services to employment opportunities. Broadband providers, including Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications Inc., have come to count on the program as a fresh source of income at a time when their customer growth rates are slowing.

But the program is on track to be exhausted by early next year. While both Republicans and Democrats agree that connecting more people to broadband is a worthy cause, intense partisan fights over debt and spending suggest the program could fail to win renewal from Congress.

Theres a real chance it wont get re-upped, said Greg Guice, director of government affairs for the policy group Public Knowledge, which works to expand internet access, in an interview. Thats why were pushing, and pushing hard.

The top six internet service providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program have raked in more than $2 billion since its inception, according to data from the Federal Communications Commission. Charter is the biggest beneficiary, receiving $910 million from early last year through the end of February, implying its cleared more than $1 billion by now.

Verizon Communications Inc.s wireless unit TracFone took in $250 million from the program, and Comcast and mobile company T-Mobile US Inc. each collected more than $200 million, according to the FCC.

In addition to the government subsidies, the internet service providers also get revenue from the households that sign up for additional services, suggesting that the total benefit from the ACP is much higher.

As a result, Charter and the other providers have formed an unlikely partnership with consumer advocacy and civil rights groups to fight for the programs future.

Weve been a big proponent, of the ACP, Charter Chief Financial Officer Jessica Fischer told investors May 24. Weve done a lot of work to try to sign up a lot of our subscribers for that program. Its really valuable to consumers.

Enrollees include those who at times have had to drop broadband for lack of ability to pay, Fischer said.

Customers are able to be consistently subscribed to our product, Fischer said. Its good for us in terms of a consistent subscription revenue. Its also good for the customers who maintain connections.

If the subsidy isnt renewed, it could also jeopardize other federal initiatives that are aimed at helping close the digital divide, because many of them require internet service providers to participate in the ACP, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. It would also leave providers the difficult choice of keeping or cutting customers who suddenly cant pay their bills.

Failure to extend the ACP with new funding could result in the biggest loss of internet connectivity ever, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said in a May 10 letter to lawmakers that also was signed by 165 groups and cities including Chicago and Philadelphia. Without adequate and sustained funding, millions of vulnerable Americans currently relying on the program would see their internet bill jump or be disconnected entirely.

The subsidy is provided to households with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level, or participants in programs such as food stamps and subsidized school lunches. About 25% of households taking part in the program are new to broadband, according to research by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.

The program could run out of money in May 2024, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said last month. Its a terrific program. I want to see it continue. I want to work with Congress to make sure that happens, said Rosenworcel, a Democrat.

Some members of Congress have bristled at renewing funding, saying aid may have been abused or mismanaged.

I have serious questions, said Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee that oversees communications issues, in an email. I expect that my colleagues and I will take a hard look at the programs future. Any extension of this program  if it should occur at all  must only happen after theres a thorough review.

In a May 8 letter to Sharon Diskin, the acting inspector general of the FCC, which helps run the program, Cruz cited data that he said suggests that the vast majority of tax dollars have gone to those who already subscribed to broadband plans, and the funding is poorly targeted to the stated goal of reducing the digital divide.

The FCC has said about a dozen companies that receive payment from the government have claimed reimbursement for fraudulently enrolled individuals. One provider collected nearly $230,000 for providing service to 997 households enrolled based on the eligibility of the same 18-year old Medicaid recipient.

Despite the advantages, only about 36% of eligible households have enrolled in the ACP, according the Benton Institute. Some states like Michigan are pushing for increased visibility for the program to get more people to sign up and not lose support.

The program has been backed by conservative voices as well as progressive groups.

Given the enormous benefits that broadband brings to American families, I believe there is a very fair chance that ACP can and will get additional short term federal funding, even in these fiscally-conscious times, Michael ORielly, a former Republican FCC commissioner, said in an email.

--With assistance from Jesse Levine.

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Former Students' Federation of India leader from Kerala K. Vidya, who is facing charges of forgery was arrested by Kerala police from Kozhikode on Wednesday.

A senior police officer said Vidya K. Maniyodi, who had been absconding since the case surfaced two weeks ago, was arrested from a village in Kozhikode district. She will be produced before the court tomorrow. Her arrest was made even as her plea seeking anticipatory bail is pending before the Kerala High Court.

The Left government had come under attack from the opposition Congress and the BJP for the delay in arresting the accused, who was allegedly a former activist of SFI, the student wing of the ruling CPI(M). She was booked by the police under sections 465 (forgery), 471 (using forged documents as genuine), and 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

In her plea filed before the high court, Vidya claimed that the case against her has been "initiated for political reasons" and at any rate "the allegations on the face of it do not attract the offences alleged". The FIR against her was registered on the complaint of Government colleges in Ernakulam and Palakkad. According to the complaints, the woman claimed in the 'fake certificate' that she was a guest lecturer at Maharajas College in 2018-19.
A Gujarati couple, whose American dream turned into a nightmare after being abducted in Iran, have been freed and are set to return to Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Pankaj Patel and his wife Nisha ended up in Iran after planning to enter the US illegally.

In mid-June, the couple were taken to Hyderabad by smuggling agents. From there, they were escorted to Dubai. They were told by the agents helping them that they would go to the US from Iran.



However, Nisha called up Sanket, her brother-in-law and Pankajs brother, saying they have been abducted and badly needed help. While earlier reports indicated that the abductors were Pakistanis, their identities are yet to be confirmed.



The release happened after the abductors were paid nearly Rs 15 lakh.



Four days ago, the video of Pankaj being tortured had gone viral after which Pankaj and Nishas family approached the police. Nisha is believed to be pregnant.



Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against two agents Pintubhai Goswami and Abhaybhai Raval. They are reported to have helped the couple to get in touch with Hyderabad-based Shakeel, who reportedly arranged their transit from Hyderabad to Iran. A team of the Crime Branch have left for Hyderabad.



Sources said that once the couple settles down from the trauma that they have undergone, the police would also speak to them. The Gujarat Police and the Gujarat Government officials had reportedly spoken to the Iranian Embassy for help.


Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to opposition leaders, asking them to discuss the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital at the June 23 meeting of non-BJP parties and clear their stand on the matter.



Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, asked the opposition leaders not to think of it as a "Delhi-centric problem" and claimed that if not resisted the BJP-led Centre may bring similar ordinances for other states too.



The Friday meeting of opposition parties has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar in Patna to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Kejriwal is also slated to attend the meeting.



In his letter, Kejriwal stressed the first thing to be discussed in the meeting should revolve around defeating the bill related to the Centre's ordinance in the Rajya Sabha.



"The Centre has carried out an experiment in Delhi by bringing this ordinance. If it is successful, it will bring similar ordinances in non-BJP states and snatch away the powers with respect to subjects in the concurrent list," he said in the letter dated June 20.



"The day is not far when the prime minister will run 33 states through lieutenant governors and governors," Kejriwal said, adding, "I request all parties to clear their stand on the ordinance in the meeting and also discuss the strategy to defeat this in parliament."



The AAP national convener asked the opposition parties to look at the issue in a holistic manner and not think of it as a "Delhi-centric" problem. Kejriwal claimed that the ordinance was "very dangerous for democracy".



"I have studied this matter thoroughly. It would be wrong to assume that such an order can only be imposed in the context of Delhi because it is a half-state. Through a similar order, the Central government can strip the rights of any full-fledged state mentioned in the concurrent list.



"Hence, it becomes extremely crucial for all parties and individuals to come together and ensure that it is not passed in Parliament under any circumstances," he wrote.



Kejriwal asserted that if a Bill related to the ordinance is introduced in Parliament, the opposition parties need to come together and defeat it.



"If this Bill gets passed in Parliament, it will be the end of democracy in Delhi. The people of Delhi will have no power to choose the government they desire. The central government will directly govern Delhi through the Lieutenant Governor. Regardless of which party the people elect, they will have no power. After Delhi, democracy will be abolished in all states one by one," he added.



The AAP national convener thanked all opposition parties for standing in solidarity with the citizens of Delhi and firmly opposing the "unconstitutional" ordinance promulgated by the Centre.



The Centre had on May 19 promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, with the AAP government calling the move a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services.



The ordinance came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government. It has set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against IAS and DANICS officers.



Transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor before the May 11 verdict of the apex court.



Following the ordinance, Kejriwal has been reaching out to leaders of non-BJP parties to garner their support against the ordinance so that the Centre's bid to replace it through a Bill is defeated when it is brought in Parliament.
India on Thursday strongly criticised China's move of blocking bid to blacklist Pakistan-based LeT terrorist and 26/11 accused Sajid Mir. India said that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture.

Jointly India and US had moved the proposal at United Nations (UN) to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject to an assets freeze, a travel ban and an arms embargo.

"We have righteous reasons to believe that something is genuinely wrong with the global counter-terrorism architecture," said India in a statement.

"If we cannot get established terrorists who have been banned across global landscapes proscribed by the United Nations-for petty geopolitical interests-then we really do NOT have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism," said the statement.

While attaching a clip with the statement, India urged the members to listen to the audio, where Mir is giving orders hunt down foreigners. Please listen to this sound file recorded even as the terror attacks were unfolding. This is Sajid Mir-directing the terrorists-on the phone- to hunt down foreigners at the Taj Hotel and them indiscriminately."

"Representing a pluralistic and diverse democracy, which is home to all religions of the world, it is our considered submission that the United Nations Global counter terrorism architecture must treat all religions equally and avoid any selective singling out that tends to elevate one religion over another," said the statement.

Speaking at the United Nations' counter terror meeting, Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary, UN Political at MEA said the proposal was blocked by China for "petty geopolitical interests".

Who is Sajid Mir

Mir is a senior member of the Pakistan-based LeT and is one of India's most wanted terrorists. He was involved in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

"Mir was LeT's operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution, the US State Department has said.

However, Beijing had repeatedly put on hold listings to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists under the sanctions committee of the UN Security Council.

For his role in the Mumbai attacks, Mir, believed in his mid 40s, was indicted in the United States in April 2011.

The US State Department had said that Mir has been a senior member of LeT since approximately 2001. From 2006 to 2011, Mir was in charge of LeT's external operations and planned and directed various terrorist attacks on behalf of the group.

In August 2012, the US Department of the Treasury designated Mir as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. As a result of this designation, among other consequences, all property and interests in property of Mir that are subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Mir.

In June last year, Mir was jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.
The Vice President, Home Minister and Defence Minister are visiting Jammu from June 21 to June 26.



Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar will arrive in Jammu on June 22 on his maiden visit followed by a visit by Home Minister Amit Shah on June 23 and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 26.

Dhankar is scheduled to attend the Special Convocation of the University of Jammu. Arrangements for the visit have already been completed. The Vice President will address the Jammu University convocation and hand over gold medals to the top 10 students. His itinerary also includes a visit to Mata Vaishno Devi temple and a meeting with J&K LG Manoj Sinha.



Shah will address a rally in Jammu on June 23 to mark the martyrdom day of BJP ideologue Syama Prasad Mukherjee and chair a review meeting about the security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra starting July 1. The BJP in Jammu is making preparations for visits by Shah and Rajnath.

According to reports, Yudhvir Sethi, J&K BJP vice president visited the rally site to take stock of the arrangements being done. Sethi said Shah's visit will further invigorate the party cadre, making the BJP a formidable force in the Union Territory

Meanwhile, the security forces have completed the security plan for the Amarnath Yatra, which will continue for 62 days, the longest ever. The Centre has rushed additional para-military personnel to Kashmir, who will also provide security to the grassroots elections in September.
Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged cash-for-job scam, underwent a bypass surgery at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai on Wednesday. The surgery, according to sources, lasted for three hours.



According to the medical bulletin from Kauvery Hospital, the minister underwent a beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery. Four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularisation procedures that restore blood flow to areas of the heart were established, the bulletin said.



The surgery was performed by Dr A.R. Raghuram, senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, and his team. He is hemodynamically stable and being monitored in the postoperative cardiothoracic intensive care unit by the multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses, the medical bulletin said. Balaji had undergone a coronary angiogram on June 14hours after his arrestas he complained of chest discomfort at the time of arrest by ED.



In the meantime, the Supreme Court, on Wednesday, refused to interfere in EDs petition in Balajis case. The apex court adjourned the case filed by the ED against the Madras High Court entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed by Balajis wife Meghala against the arrest of her husband and allowing him to be shifted to a private hospital for treatment.



A vacation bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Suryakant adjourned the case, as the Madras High Court is set to hear the case on June 22. The Supreme Court said it will wait for the decision of the High Court on June 22 and then take a call. EDs plea has been listed for further hearing on July 4.



The Supreme Court refrained from passing any orders despite Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta arguing that the habeas corpus petition is not maintainable against arrest by an authority in accordance with the law. He contended that the argument by the petitioner was illegal as notice under Section 41A CrPC was not served. Citing the Vijay Madanlal Choudary case in the Supreme Court, Tushar Mehta said Section 41A CrPC is not applicable to proceedings under the PMLA.



Meanwhile, the Income Tax department said it had stumbled upon evidence during the searches conducted at the places connected to Senthil Balaji. Sources in the Income Tax say that the sleuths recovered Rs 1 crore in cash during the search and that there is no evidence for the source of income.
Swiss voters are going to the polls on Sunday to decide on a bill aimed at introducing new climate measures to sharply curb the rich Alpine nation's greenhouse gas emissions.

The referendum was sparked by a campaign by scientists and environmentalists to save Switzerland's iconic glaciers, which are melting away at an alarming rate.

Campaigners initially proposed even more ambitious measures but later backed a government plan that requires Switzerland to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

It also sets aside more than 3 billion Swiss francs (USD 3.357 billion) to help wean companies and homeowners off fossil fuels.

The nationalist Swiss People's Party, which demanded a popular vote on the bill, claims the proposed measures will cause electricity prices to rise.

Backers of the plan argue that Switzerland will be hard-hit by global warming and is already seeing the effects of rising temperatures on its famous glaciers.

Swiss glaciers experienced record melting last year, losing more than 6 per cent of their volume and alarming scientists who say a loss of 2 per cent would once have been considered extreme.

Experts such as Matthias Huss, a glaciologist at the Swiss Institute for Technology in Zurich, have taken to posting dramatic snapshots of retreating glaciers and rockslides from melting permafrost on social media to highlight the changes taking place in the Alps.

Let's act as long as we can still prevent the worst, he recently wrote on Twitter.

(AP)

Meta Data
A day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a high-stakes visit to China aimed at easing soaring tensions between the countries, US President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator.

Blinken, while in China, had met President Jinping, a meeting, which was confirmed just an hour beforehand. In earlier meetings between Blinken and senior Chinese officials, the two sides expressed willingness to talk but showed little inclination to bend on hardened positions.



Blinken is the highest-level U.S. official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office, and the first secretary of state to make the trip in five years. His visit is expected to usher in a new round of visits by senior U.S. and Chinese officials, possibly including a meeting between Xi and Biden in the coming months.

Biden, at a fundraiser event in Kentfield, California, in support of his bid for a second term said, The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didnt know it was there.



That was the great embarrassment for dictators when they didnt know what happened. That wasnt supposed to be going where it was, he added, CNBC reported.

Relations between the two superpowers have long been under strain over trade, the human rights of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region, Taiwan and many other issues. Blinken and Xi, in their meeting, agreed they would take steps to stabilize the intense rivalry between Washington and Beijing to prevent conflict.
Rescuers continued their frantic search for the missing tourist submersible Titan on Wednesday as oxygen supply dwindled for the five men onboard the vessel which was on a mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. There has been no sight of the submersible yet though a Canadian search aircraft reportedly detected "banging" in 30-minute intervals from the area where the vessel disappeared.

Earlier reports had claimed that the search crew heard banging at 30-minute intervals, and a Canadian P3 aircraft also located a white rectangular object in the water. But the US Coast Guard later tweeted that the subsequent searches "yielded negative results."



"Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue," the Coast Guard said in a tweet.



"Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans."



Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue. 1/2  USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 21, 2023

The 21-foot-long vessel is equipped with four days (96 hours) of emergency capability, which means there would be an oxygen supply only until Thursday. Onboard Titan is renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, a French diving expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet and OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush.



Meanwhile, the search continues. U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick said the U.S. and Canadian aircraft have searched more than 7,600 square miles of open sea, an area larger than the state of Connecticut. "The Canadian military has dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds that might come from the Titan, and a commercial vessel with a remote-controlled deepwater submersible was also searching near the site," Frederick said.



More rescue teams have joined the search, including deep sea mapping company Magellan, known for its one-of-a-kind deep sea imagery of the Titanic. Magellan crew joined the rescue operations after it was contacted by OceanGate early on Monday. Besides US Navy experts and a 'Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System' that can lift small vessels, a French research ship with expertise in deep-sea diving robots has also been dispatched to the search area.



The Titan submersible lost contact with the research vessel Polar Prince approximately 1,450km east and 643km south of Newfoundland's capital, St John's, in Canada. The communication was lost within one hour and 45 minutes into its two-hour dive down to the Titanic wreck site which lies at a depth of 3,800m. There was reportedly an 8-hour delay in notifying the Coast Guard about the issue.



Meanwhile, oceanographers said that the rescuers faced multiple challenges, both in finding the Titan and rescuing the people. "If the submersible experienced a mid-dive emergency, the pilot would likely have released weights to float back to the surface," Alistair Greig, a marine engineering professor at University College London, told Reuters.



"But absent communication, locating a van-sized submersible in the vast Atlantic could prove challenging," he added.

Even if the submersible manages to surface, the occupants can't let themselves out as the submersible is sealed with bolts from the outside. If Titan is stuck on the ocean floor or tangled in the wreck of Titanic, it would be even more challenging to excavate the vessel due to the extreme conditions more than 2 miles beneath the surface.



The Titanic lies 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater, where no sunlight penetrates and the technology to reach that depth is limited as the water pressure is too high. "It's really a bit like being an astronaut going into space," said Tim Matlin, a Titanic expert. "I think if it's on the seabed, there are so few submarines that are capable of going that deep. And so, therefore, I think it was going to be almost impossible to effect a sub-to-sub rescue."


Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in the US on Tuesday, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora who gathered in front of the Hotel Lotte in New York, chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai", and waving Indian flags.

Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, then met prominent US personalities from different walks of life, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The meeting comes amid talks about Tesla's plans to enter the Indian market.



Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters as he arrives in New York | Reuters

Musk, who spoke to the media after the meeting, said his talks with the prime minister were excellent. He added that he was a fan of Modi and stated that Modi "really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment in India."



On Tesla's entry into the market, Musk said he is planning to visit the country next year. "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," he said. "I would like to thank the prime minister for his support and hopefully we will be able to announce something in the not-so-distant future," Musk said.



"We do not want to jump the gun on an announcement but I think it is quite likely that it will be a significant investment in our relationship with India," the Tesla CEO said.



On Twitter's former owner Jack Dorsey's recent allegations against the Indian government, Elon Musk said Twitter does not have a choice but to follow the local government. "Or it will get shut down," Musk, Twitter's current owner, added.



"The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," he said, adding that it is impossible for "us to do more than that". "There are different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law", Musk said.



Besides Musk, Modi also met include astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, author Nicholas Nassim Taleb, investor Ray Dalio and author Robert AF Thurman. The Prime Minister would also meet over two dozen thought leaders from various walks of life, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians and health sector experts.



Taleb after meeting Modi said, "I commended India for its response to Covid and how India has very efficiently dealt with it. Discussed risk-taking and anti-fragility with the prime minister."



Dalio said "Modi is a man whose time has come when India's time has come". "Potential of India is enormous and you have now have a reformer who has the ability to transform. India and Prime Minister Modi are at a juncture in which lot of opportunities will be created," he said.



In a video statement, Tyson also praised Modi, saying the sky is not the limit for him and describing the prime minister as "scientifically thoughtful". "Priorities might be out of balance for many world leaders but Prime Minister Modi cares for many things, including solutions. I am not alone when I say that potential what India can accomplish knows no limit," the astrophysicist said.



Modi is also scheduled to observe the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations headquarters here with the UN leadership and members of the international community. Representatives of over 188 countries are expected to attend the exercise.


Michigan's new distracted driving law is now in effect. Here's what to know.

Michigan's distracted driving laws will change beginning Friday, June 30. Here's what you need to know about new rules aimed at reducing crashes and fatalities on the state's roadways:

What is Michigan's new distracted driving law?

Beginning June 30, it will be prohibited in Michigan to use a cellphone while driving, unless it's being used via a hands-free program or device, like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or a physical phone mount for those driving vehicles without connectivity features.

This means drivers cannot text, scroll through social media apps, hold their phones up to make calls (with some exceptions, more on that later) or do anything else that requires them to physically hold the device while driving. This includes while being stopped at a red light or stop sign.

Lisa Lunsford board chair, MICHauto, co-founder and CCEO of GS3 Global, left, Steve Kiefer, founder and chairman, Kiefer Foundation, former president, GM International, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, state Rep. Matt Koleszar, the bill's sponsor, and Brad Wieferich, MDOT director, as Whitmer joined state officials and anti-distracted driving leaders to sign three bills aimed at reducing distracted driving and saving lives by ensuring that drivers have their full attention on the road with the use of hands-free technology.

How is this different from before?

The new distracted driving law expands on Michigan's existing ban on texting and driving. Advocates for the new law say it brings the state's policy closer to modern technology standards.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes  there are exceptions for making emergency calls or reporting a crime taking place. Emergency responders, like police officers and ambulance drivers, are also excluded from the new law, so long as any device use pertains to their actual work responsibilities. Additionally, utility workers are also excluded from the distracted driving law with the same caveat.

Your voice - Michigan's new cell phone law goes after distracted drivers: How residents feel about it

What are the penalties for distracted driving?

Drivers cited for violating the new distracted driving law will have to pay a fine  a $100 civil fine for first-time offenders and/or 16 hours of community service, followed by $250 fines for each subsequent violation, and/or 24 hours of community service.

Fines would be doubled if the penalty occurs during a car crash.

Fines are also greater for school bus and commercial vehicle drivers.

Anyone who commits three violations of the distracted driving law in a three-year span would have to take a basic driving instruction course to avoid having their license revoked.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan cell phone law: What to know on distracted driving
In a race against time, search teams are frantically searching for a missing submersible that failed to return from a dive to the Titanic wreck. The tourist sub, named the Titan, had five people on board when contact was lost approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the dive on Sunday.

Despite extensive international rescue efforts, which have covered a vast area of 26,000 square kilometers, no signs of the lost sub have been found so far, according to US Coast Guard officials. The search is being conducted in waters approximately 700 kilometers south of St. John's, Newfoundland.

The rescue operation has expanded its search into deeper waters in the mid-Atlantic, but as of now, no significant findings have been reported. The complexity of the search, combined with the vast area to cover, presents significant challenges for the search teams.

The submersible, equipped with a 96-hour oxygen supply, set off on its journey on Sunday morning. However, concerns are mounting as the oxygen supply could run out by Thursday morning.

David Pogue, a CBS News journalist, expressed grim possibilities, stating, "There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless."

The submersible boasted seven backup systems designed to facilitate a safe return to the surface, including sandbags, lead pipes, and an inflatable balloon. Remarkably, one system is capable of functioning even if everyone on board is unconscious.

Experts have outlined the challenging nature of the rescue operation. Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, explained that submersibles typically have a drop weight to initiate an emergency ascent to the surface. However, in the case of a power and communication failure, the submersible may be floating on the surface awaiting discovery.

Alternatively, if a leak in the pressure hull occurred, the situation becomes dire. Greig emphasized that if the submersible has descended to the seabed and is unable to return under its own power, the available options are extremely limited. Accessing depths beyond the continental shelf is highly challenging, and attaching to the submersible poses further complications.

As the search efforts continue, the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, accompanied by a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, is conducting surface searches. Additionally, two US Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft have been conducting overflights. Sonar buoys have been deployed by the Canadian military to listen for any possible sounds from the missing sub.

Efforts are underway to deploy a remotely operated vehicle capable of diving to a depth of 6 kilometers to aid in the search. OceanGate Expeditions, overseeing the mission, is working diligently to facilitate this deployment.

OceanGate's expeditions to the Titanic wreck site involve archaeologists, marine biologists, and mission specialists, who are paying customers that take part in operating sonar equipment and performing various tasks within the submersible.

While authorities have yet to officially identify those on board the Titan, several names have been confirmed, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessmen Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

State-of-the-art features

OceanGate, founded in 2009 by its visionary leader Rush, has been at the forefront of submersible technology. Designed with cutting-edge technology and operated by a video game controller, OceanGate's state-of-the-art submersible, the Titan, has been making waves. The Titan was specifically designed to reach depths of 13,123 feet required to explore the Titanic wreck, resting at approximately 12,500 feet below the surface.

OceanGate CEO and co-founder Stockton Rush | AP

The Titan, described as a cutting-edge submersible, was developed with the assistance of NASA and aerospace manufacturers. Rush praised its technology, highlighting that it is the largest carbon fiber structure known, boasting 5-inch-thick carbon fiber and 3.25-inch-thick titanium.

Equipped with a 96-hour oxygen supply, this 12-foot carbon-fiber vessel iensures the safety and endurance of its crew during their deep-sea expeditions. The submersible incorporates a real-time hull monitoring system, which analyses the effects of changing pressure on the vessel's structure. This feature allows for continuous assessment of the sub's integrity while navigating the immense pressure at great depths.

During expeditions to the Titanic wreck site, located approximately 370 miles from St. John's, Newfoundland, the Titan carries a pilot and four mission specialists. These highly skilled individuals embark on eight-day trips, with each dive to the wreck and ascent taking around eight hours. The price tag for passengers wishing to join these extraordinary journeys stands at approximately $250,000, reflecting the exclusivity and uniqueness of the experience.

To facilitate communication, the Titan utilises two systems: text messages exchanged with a surface ship and safety pings emitted every 15 minutes to indicate the sub's operational status. Additionally, the vessel relies on SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system, ensuring reliable connectivity while at sea.

However, the Titan's capabilities and resilience were tested during a previous expedition when communications with the submersible momentarily failed. CBS correspondent David Pogue recounted the nerve-wracking experience of being lost at sea for over two hours before communications were restored. These incidents emphasise the risks and challenges associated with deep-sea exploration but also underscore the importance of continuous advancements in safety measures.
In the wake of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, United States Senators had written to President Joe Biden to raise issues including political concerns, human rights, press freedoms and religious intolerance.

75 US Senators and members of the House of Representatives signed the letter sent to the White House. The letter was sent to the White House before the arrival of Modi for the state visit.

Modi left for Washington on Tuesday for a visit aiming to further strengthen the India-US ties with major talks in pipeline including in areas of development, and defence.

"We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party-that is the decision of the people of India-but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign police," said the letter led by Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Pramila Jayapal.

"And we ask that, during your meeting with Prime Minister Modi, you discuss the full range of issues important to a successful, strong and long-term relationship between our two great countries," the letter said.

Unlike others visits, this is Modi's first state visit to the US. A state dinner is being hosted on June 22, to mark the occasion. The PM's itinerary also includes an address to the Joint Session of the US Congress. The visit is the highest level in terms of honour.

Meanwhile, several US rights groups plan protests during Modi's visit.

The letter refers to India as a "crucial partner for stability" in the Indo-Pacific.

"We trust and expect that these important dimensions of the US-India partnership-strategic, economic and cultural-will be part of your discussion when you meet directly with Prime Minister Modi."

The US State Department's annual report on human rights practices released in March listed "significant human rights issues" and abuses in India, reported Reuters.

Modi is set to address a joint meeting of the House and Senate on Thursday.

"A series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India towards the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious tolerance, the targeting of civil society organisations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access," the lawmakers said in the letter.

Highlighting the India-US relations, the letter said that "friends can and should discuss their differences in an honest and forthright way."

"That is why we respectfully request that- in addition to the many areas of shared interests between India and the US-you also raise directly with Prime Minister Modi areas of concern," the letter said.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country has united European Union like never before. Addressing the Ukraine recovery conference in London virtually, Zelenskyy urged Western countries to extend support for the reconstruction of the war-torn nation.

Addressing the summit, The Guardian quoted Zelenskyy as saying, When we are talking about recovery we are talking about millions of jobs, billions in corporate profits and GDP. And not only for Ukraine but for all our countries mine and yours. Countries that want, and will, live freely.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of committing the largest crime of ecocide in Europe, referring to the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. Zelenskyy said, Ukraine has succeeded in making the EU as united as it has never been before. This is truly a unity of values, which is reflected in many political, economic, sanction and humanitarian decisions.

Ukraine is developing strong alliances with nations like the UK, the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and all the EU members, Zelenskyy said. He added that Ukraine can be a key supplier of green hydrogen and clean electricity and the sector alone has potential of about $400 billion.

Zelenskyy made a case for full membership of the military alliance North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) saying that Ukraine is already a key part of European defence.

"By building Ukraine, we are building much more than one country: we are building the world, and it will [last] during the lifetime of our generation and after ours. Will it be peaceful? Will it be stable? Will it be democratic? It depends on each and every one of us," said Zelenskyy.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak opened the Summit here and said Russia must pay for the destruction inflicted on its European neighbour as he announced UK government loan guarantees worth $3 billion.

Sunak praised Ukraine's "ingenuity and defiance" and attacked Russia for trying to destroy the country's energy grid, which he said is back online and even exporting energy.

The two-day summit is being jointly hosted with Ukraine in London as part of efforts to mobilise international support in favour of the country in its ongoing conflict with Russia. It's clear that Russia must pay for the destruction that they've inflicted. So, we're working with allies to explore lawful routes to use Russian assets, said Sunak in his opening address.

The British government will continue to play its full part and I'm proud that today we're announcing a multi-year commitment to support Ukraine's economy. Over three years, we will provide loan guarantees worth $3 billion, he said.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga welcomed the UK government's generous guarantees to support the people of Ukraine at a critical moment. The UK's support is backed by a major signal of intent from world-leading businesses, with more than 400 companies, from 38 countries, with a combined annual revenue of over $1.6 trillion, pledging to back Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion, said the Indian-origin World Bank chief.

The World Bank Group is designed to do hard things like helping people rebuild their lives after the devastation. With this support, we will keep delivering on that mission and help Ukrainians imagine a life after the war, he said.

Sunak also announced the launch of a new UK-Ukraine TechBridge to foster investment and talent along with support for green energy as part of a collective effort with global allies and revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is putting $15 billion into Ukraine over four years, as part of a $115 billion commitment by the G7.

This is a vibrant, dynamic, creative, European country that refuses to be subdued. So, together with our allies, we will maintain our support for Ukraine's defence and for the counter-offensive. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes as they continue to win this war, added Sunak.

(With PTI inputs.)
The announcement that federal prosecutors have reached a plea deal with President Joe Biden's son Hunter over tax and gun charges marks the likely end of a five-year Justice Department investigation that has dogged the Biden family.



It doesn't, however, mean that congressional Republicans are done with their own wide-ranging probe into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

Some of the Republican candidates hoping to face off against President Biden in the 2024 election are decrying the deal as evidence of an unfair justice system, particularly in light of the recent federal indictment of GOP front-runner Donald Trump, though there are obvious differences between the two cases.

Here's what to know about the charges, plea agreement, other probes involving the president's son and the politics:

What are the charges?

According to a letter filed in US District Court in Delaware, Hunter Biden has been charged with misdemeanour charges of failing to pay federal income tax. Court documents allege that he failed to pay more than USD 200,000 in federal income taxes for 2017 and 2018.

The federal probe into Hunter Biden began in 2018, bursting into public view in December 2020 one month after the presidential election when he revealed that he had received a subpoena as part of the Justice Department's scrutiny of his taxes.

That subpoena sought information on the younger Biden's business dealings with a number of entities, including Burisma, a Ukraine gas company whose board he joined in 2014.

That move sparked concerns about the perceptions of a conflict of interest, given the elder Biden was deeply involved in US policy toward Ukraine.

An investigation by the then-Republican-controlled Senate did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter Biden's work.

At the time of that subpoena, Hunter Biden said that he was confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors.

The younger Biden has also reached an agreement with the Justice Department on a charge that he illegally possessed a firearm while being a drug user.

Federal law prohibits people who use drugs from possessing firearms or ammunition, although a federal judge challenged the legality earlier this year. According to the Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, between 1998 and 2014, nearly 100,000 prospective gun purchasers went home empty-handed because they were flagged as using illegal drugs.

What does the plea agreement mean?

By entering a plea, Hunter Biden avoids a trial, and it's unlikely that he will spend time in jail, although penalties are ultimately up to a judge.

Biden was charged under an information, a formal document that lays out the charges against him but doesn't require a vote by a grand jury, which would be an indictment.

A person familiar with the investigation said the Justice Department would recommend probation for the tax charges. But the decision to go along with any deal is up to a judge. The person was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The gun charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department says Hunter Biden has reached a pretrial agreement on that charge, too.

It is somewhat unusual to resolve a federal criminal case at the same time the charges are filed in court, though it is not totally unheard of.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The agreement essentially means the case is over, unless Hunter Biden fails to abide by it.

A deferred prosecution is an agreement offered by prosecutors in which a defendant must adhere to strict conditions, which will be known after he appears in court. A date for that appearance hasn't been set.

Usually a judge sets regular check-ins for the defendant to appear to ensure they are playing by the rules. If they don't, their deal is revoked and the criminal charges reinstated, which in Hunter Biden's case carry a maximum of a decade in prison. But if he does adhere to the rules, the case will be wiped from his record.

Isn't there another probe?

Yes. Congressional Republicans have been pursuing their own investigations into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

The misdemeanour tax crimes that the younger Biden is set to plead guilty to are far more limited in scope than the allegations that have been pursued for years by congressional Republicans.

On Tuesday, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, said that the charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on" his panel's probe.

Even before he ran for president in 2020, Joe Biden has faced questions about his son's business dealings and drug addiction.

And there have been other controversies. While his father was vice president, Hunter joined the Naval Reserve and was discharged after testing positive for cocaine in his system, later revealing a yearslong struggle with addiction.

In the weeks before the 2020 election, Trump supporters used the existence of a laptop they said was connected to Hunter Biden and the emergence of someone who maintains he had business discussions with him to raise questions about Joe Biden's knowledge of his son's activities in Ukraine and China.

President Biden has said he did not discuss his son's international business dealings with him and has denied having ever taken money from a foreign country.

What are the politics?

News of the plea agreement comes days after Trump appeared in federal court on charges related to his retention of classified documents.

In the wake of those 37 charges, Republicans across the country have levied criticism against the Biden administration, accusing the Justice Department of politicisation and assailing Hunter Biden's business dealings.

The Trump charges came from a special counsel, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an independent investigation to avoid any potential conflict of interest in the Justice Department. The Hunter Biden charges, meanwhile, were filed by the US attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss.

Some of the Republicans competing to potentially face off with Biden in the 2024 general election wasted no time taking their critique of the plea agreement public.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump on Tuesday said the corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket."

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy tweeted Tuesday that it's no accident that the farcical Hunter Biden plea deal' comes right after the Trump indictment, calling it the perfect fig leaf to pretend that no one is above the law,' while absolutely putting certain people above the law.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a tweet, also decried the sweetheart deal and said that, were Biden not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India has always nurtured traditions that unite, adopt and embrace and made a fervent appeal to eliminate contradictions, hurdles and resistances through Yoga.

In a video message on the occasion of International Day of Yoga, Modi said Indians have welcomed new ideas and conserved them and celebrated the country's rich diversity.



Yoga strengthens such feelings, expands the inner vision, and connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being giving a basis of love for the living being, the prime minister said.



The prime minister is on an official visit to the US and will lead the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.



"We have to eliminate our contradictions, blockages and resistances through Yoga. We have to present the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' as an example to the world, Modi said.



Modi said the International Day of Yoga was special this year as researchers at India's research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica too were participating in the celebrations.



The prime minister said the idea of the 'Ocean Ring of Yoga' makes Yoga Day even more special as it is based on the mutual relation between the idea of Yoga and the expanse of the ocean.



He emphasised that the participation of crores of people from all over the country and the world in this unique celebration in such a spontaneous manner shows the vastness and fame of Yoga.



The Prime Minister will also lead a unique yoga session in New York on Wednesday to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga. The event will see participation from top UN officials, envoys from across the world and prominent individuals.


New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Food regulator FSSAI has issued a stern warning to nutraceutical firms in Himachal Pradesh to strictly follow the regulations as part of its efforts to curb the menace of spurious products.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a surveillance drive to curb the menace of spurious drugs manufactured by nutraceutical companies operating across the country, it said in a statement.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of reports claiming that an industrial area in Himachal Pradesh has become a hub for producing spurious vitamins, syrups, and drugs in the name of food supplements, and sent notices to the Health Ministry and the Drug Controller General of India.

The FSSAI has initiated its first set of drives in Himachal Pradesh. It has directed its Regional Office, North, to take immediate action against the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in the production of spurious drugs.

"As part of this drive, 21 facilities operating in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh were inspected and 111 samples have been lifted during 7th to 9th June, 2023," the statement said.

Further, 25-30 per cent of the nutraceuticals manufacturing facilities in Himachal Pradesh will be inspected by the end of June 2023.

To address this issue, FSSAI's CEO convened a meeting with major manufacturers of health supplements and nutraceuticals of Baddi, Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday here.

During the meeting, the CEO issued a "stern warning, emphasizing the absolute necessity for strict compliance with nutraceutical regulations."

Non-compliance will have severe consequences, including the possibility of license suspension or cancellation, as well as the initiation of criminal cases, the regulator warned.

The FSSAI has directed the Commissioner of Food Safety, Himachal Pradesh, to provide full support in carrying out the surveillance drive effectively.

"FBOs found to be in violation may be prosecuted under Section 59 of FSS Act 2006 where punishment like lifetime imprisonment or a fine of not less than Rs 10 lakhs will be imposed," the FSSAI said.
Kolkata, Jun 21 (PTI) The Tea Board has initiated a study to determine the price sharing formula in the plantation districts of the country for which it has engaged a consultant, an official of the state agency said.

The study will be conducted in all the tea-growing districts of the country except the Gudalur-Pandalur region of Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad district in Kerala. According to the official, Tea Board has given a timeline of six months to the consultant to finish the study.

The consultant, BDO India LLP, will carry out field visits to gather data relevant to the study from farmers (small tea growers) and factories-bought leaf factories (BLFs).

The team of the consultant firm will physically visit the states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Tripura where the concentration of STGs is high. For other tea-growing states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, the study will be carried out virtually, the official said.

Secretary-General of Indian Tea Association Arijit Raha said that the proposed price-sharing formula will determine the price that the BLFs will pay for buying green leaf from the small tea growers. "This will help the STGs in getting fair and remunerative prices for green leaf", he said. This method of price determination for green leaf produced by the STGs already exists in Sri Lanka, he added.

In Sri Lanka, nearly 77 per cent of total tea production is by the STGs, while in India it is about 55 per cent.

President of Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations (CISTA) Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty said that the move to conduct the study "is a welcome move and we had been demanding this for long."
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) A three-day meeting of Labour 20 (L-20) began in Patna on Wednesday, the Ministry of Labour & Employment said. L20 is one of the engagement groups under G20. It comprises leaders and representatives of trade union centres of G20 countries who provide analysis and policy recommendations aimed at addressing labor-related issues.

The topics which will be discussed at the three-day meet are 'universal social security' and women and future of work,' the ministry said in a statement.

Union Minister for Labour Bhupendra Yadav along with Minister of State for Labour Rameshwar Teli and Labour Minister of Bihar Surendra Ram will also be present at the summit.

All-India president of workers' union Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) Hiranmay Pandya said that 173 delegates from 28 countries including India are participating in this conference.

Apart from the countries included in G-20, India has invited additional eight countries namely Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Nepal and United Arab Emirates for G-20 under its historic presidency this year.

Along with this, International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Asian Development Bank have also been invited this time, he said. The first Labour 20 (L20) meeting was held in Amritsar, Punjab from March 19 to 20, 2023.
Ahmedabad, Jun 21 (PTI) Uganda seeks to increase trade with India and invites businessmen with interest in Africa to consider exploring Uganda's various business and investment opportunities, a top official of the East African country said here Wednesday. The country invites businesses to explore investment in sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, real estate and oil and gas among others, the official said.

"We are extremely pleased with the continued cooperation between India and Uganda and are reaping the benefits of India's commitment towards the African continent with the 'Africa matters' policy," said High Commissioner of Uganda to India Joyce Kikafunda.

She said that Uganda is open to business, and there are business opportunities in all sectors.

"Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. 70 per cent of our exports are from the agriculture sector...But our problem is value addition. We want your investment in agri-business in value addition," she said, adding there are also opportunities in infrastructure, real estate, oil & gas, ICT and health and pharma, etc.

Kikafunda was speaking at the roadshow organised by Uganda here with the aim to increase the country's partnership with India in the field of commercial and economic growth.

"Our 2040 vision is to get out of poverty, or peasantry, and prosper and be in the upper or mid-upper by 2040. We are hard-working people, over 60 per cent of our people are 30 years or below," she said at the launch of the roadshow which will see deliberations on the business and investment opportunities in the different sectors in Uganda during the next three days.

The East African country has centred the road show with the themes of tourism, culture and trade, by pitching Uganda as the number of one destination for investments for the business community.

"The market is there. There are many opportunities. There is one industrial park in every corner in the country, running with all utilities and some which are awaiting investors," she said.

Uganda shares a century-old relationship with India, and has worked with India with the goodwill between the people of both countries serving as fertile grounds for conducting business, the Uganda High Commission in India said in a statement.

"Ugandan exports to India have surged over the past 26 years, and the road show aims at increasing trade between the two countries in the next 5-10 years," it said.

India's exports to Uganda has risen sharply over the last nearly two and a half decades, from USD 57.4 million in 1995 to USD 695 in 2021, and Uganda mainly exported coffee, cocoa beans and dried legumes to India during the same period, officials said.
Mumbai, Jun 21 (PTI) Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied to close at all-time highs on Wednesday following buying in index majors HDFC twins and Reliance Industries. Positive trends in European markets also added to the momentum in domestic equities.

Rising for a second straight day, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 195.45 points or 0.31 per cent to settle at a record high of 63,523.15. During the day, it jumped 260.61 points or 0.41 per cent to its all-time intra-day peak of 63,588.31. On December 1 last year, the Sensex hit its intra-day record peak of 63,583.07.

The NSE Nifty advanced 40.15 points or 0.21 per cent to end at its lifetime closing peak of 18,856.85. The stock touched an intra-day high of 18,875.90 following gains in financials, IT and power shares.

From the Sensex pack, Power Grid rose the most by 3.68 per cent. HDFC Bank rose by 1.71 per cent, HDFC by 1.66 per cent, Tech Mahindra by 1.13 per cent, and Tata Consultancy Services by 0.94 per cent. Wipro, Reliance Industries and Larsen & Toubro were among the gainers.

Mahindra & Mahindra fell the most by 1.59 per cent, followed by ITC, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finance and Maruti.

"It's a pleasure to see Sensex reaching a new all-time high in spite of several challenges from the global front. We are waiting for the June quarterly results to trickle in with hopes that it would be by and large in sync with expectations," said Rakeshh Mehta, Chairman, Mehta Equities Ltd.

"Sensex rallying to all-time-high is in tune with the global rally in stock markets. Most markets are at 52- week highs. Last year, global markets had corrected discounting a US recession early this year and its impact on global growth and corporate earnings," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services said.

In the broader market, the BSE midcap gauge climbed 0.68 per cent and smallcap index gained 0.24 per cent.

Among the indices, utilities jumped 1.19 per cent, services climbed 1.18 per cent, power (1.08 per cent), telecommunication (0.81 per cent), financial services (0.60 per cent) and oil & gas (0.57 per cent).

Commodities, industrials, auto, metal and realty were the laggards.

S Ranganathan, Head of Research at LKP Securities said that benchmark indices touched new highs on the back of sustained increase in capital expenditure by the government coupled with rising manufacturing PMI.

The return of FIIs to Indian markets since April has boosted sentiments even as domestic investors continue to repose confidence in Indian equities, Ranganathan said.

In Asian markets, Tokyo ended in the green, while Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong settled lower.

Equity markets in Europe were trading mostly in the green. The US markets ended lower on Tuesday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.03 per cent to USD 75.98 a barrel.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,942.62 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data.
(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and Activision Blizzard Inc. CEO Bobby Kotick will be in court this week to try to persuade a federal judge in California to reject the Federal Trade Commissions effort to block their $69 billion deal.

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US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley is presiding at a five-day hearing in San Francisco starting Thursday over the FTCs bid to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Activision while the agencys legal challenge to the deal is pending. Nadella and Kotick were listed as key witnesses in a joint court filing Tuesday.

Other top Microsoft executives, including Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood and Phil Spencer, who heads Microsoft Gaming, are expected to take the witness stand, as well as Activisions Chief Financial Officer Armin Zerza, according to the filing.

By appearing in court, the executives will defend the blockbuster deal, which would catapult Microsoft to the No. 3 position in the global games market after Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Sony Group Corp., and submit to tough questioning from FTC lawyers.

Its unclear when Corley may rule, but a decision could come as soon as right after the hearing, which is slated to last through June 29. The deadline for closing the deal is July 18.

Read More: Microsoft-Activision Deal Temporarily Blocked by Judge

FTC attorneys have argued in filings that the deal will hurt competition in the markets for console gaming and cloud gaming, which lets gamers stream games to PCs and consoles rather than downloading them. For example, Microsoft could exclude Activision games, specifically the popular shooter game Call of Duty, from rival Sony PlayStation devices, which dominate the console market, the regulator said.

Microsoft claims it wont limit Call of Duty to its Xbox console, according to court filings. It also argues the FTC cant establish that the nascent cloud-gaming market will develop or that Microsoft would be a dominant player in it.

Our most senior executives will testify in person to answer any questions about our business strategy, said David Cuddy, a Microsoft spokesman. This deal means more choice for gamers, a fact that only becomes clearer the more you look at the case.

Nadella and Kotick will both testify live for 45 minutes, according to the court filing. The Microsoft CEO will face questioning about the deal and his gaming unit strategy, while Kotick will discuss Activisions game business and future plans.

The companies didnt disclose what day or time the CEOs would testify, but the schedule may be discussed at a pre-evidentiary hearing on Wednesday.

US authorities are not the only ones who have challenged the deal. UK competition regulators vetoed the merger, though Microsoft is appealing that order.

The case is Federal Trade Commission v. Microsoft Corp., 3:23-cv-02880, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).

(Adds Microsoft comment, details on schedule)

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Washington, Jun 21 (PTI) American businesses are looking at India as a place where they can diversify their supply chains, an influential US lawmaker has said on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modis maiden state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden.

India and the US have an enormous ability to cooperate on technology and innovation, and this is partly because of the diaspora, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna said on Tuesday in his keynote address to the inaugural INDUS-X conference.

It used to be that being Indian-American was a challenge and rising up the corporate hierarchy, he said at the event organised by US-India Business Council in partnership with the Department of Defence and Indias Department of Defence Production.

Now, and I'm joking, you almost have to be Indian-American to run one of these tech companies. It's come a long way, but that provides a huge opportunity to cooperate on critical research, AI, on critical research, on climate, on critical cooperation, and helping foster a manufacturing renaissance in the US and making sure manufacturing is taking place in India as opposed to China for the Asia hub, Khanna said.

"I mean (Apples) Tim Cook in my (Congressional) district, I mean, he is talking about going to India. Everyone in the Valley and other parts of the business world are looking at India as a place where they can diversify their supply chains, said the Indian-American lawmaker who represents Silicon Valley in the US House of Representatives.

Khanna in his remarks noted the popularity of Prime Minister Modi in the US. "l will tell you what the mark of how far we came when the British Prime Minister came here post-Brexit, no one really cared. No one paid attention. And when the Indian Prime Minister is coming, the entire Congress is the hottest ticket in town. Now, if you had told my grandfather that the Indian Prime Minister is going to way outshine the British Prime Minister, that would not have been a likely story, he said.

Noting that both India and the US are imperfect democracies, he said no one would describe America these days as a perfect democracy. One just has to see the gun shootings, and voting rights and one has to look at the challenges the US faces, he added.

"Similarly, India is a growing democracy that has its own challenges to make sure that we respect pluralism and respect human rights. But the key thing to democracies is to be honest, unlike authoritarian regimes about our aspirations," he said.

"And our aspirations, I firmly believe, of both countries is to be liberal, pluralistic countries, nations that work together to see a more peaceful world," Khanna said.
Colombo, Jun 21 (PTI) The Indian High Commission on Wednesday commemorated the ninth edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY) with the participation of the Indian Navy's submarine Vagir which was opened to a limited number of people for visiting with an aim to connect them in a common pursuit of wellness.

The Indian Navy is participating in the 9th edition of IDY with the unique initiative of performing Yoga in selected ports across the world forming a Global Ocean Ring, the Indian High Commission here said in a statement.

The mission in coordination with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre organised a grand event with the participation of senior defence hierarchy and personnel from Indian and Sri Lanka Navies.

The IDY 2023 resonates with the theme of Indias ongoing presidency of the G20, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth, One Family, One Future.

The latest indigenous Kalvari-class submarine of the Indian Navy which docked at the port here on June 19 is on its four-day operational visit to Sri Lanka to commemorate the ninth edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY).

The special yoga programme was held at the Colombo harbour under the patronage of the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, said a release by Sri Lanka Navy.

The last time a submarine visited Colombo was in 2014 when Chinas Changzheng-2 docked. But no public viewing was allowed.

Earlier, Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Sukanya, Kiltan and Savitri had visited Colombo and Trincomalee during which Yoga sessions were organised with Sri Lanka Navy.

Recently, in June 2023, Sri Lankan Armed Forces participated in a three-day Yoga workshop across five cities in Sri Lanka, which was organised by Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre.

Visits by Indian Navy ships and submarines in Sri Lanka aim to foster brotherhood and togetherness between the two neighbouring navies in keeping with Indias vision of Neighbourhood First policy and Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR), the statement added.
Washington, Jun 21 (PTI) The US remains deeply confident in India's diversification of military equipment and believes that Washington's proposal for industrial cooperation will further integrate the defence industries of the two countries, the Pentagon has said.

Pentagons Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday that the US encourages all its partners and allies to avoid transactions with Russia.

We welcome Prime Minister Modi's visit to the United States this week. (Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin visited India just two weeks ago and was able to meet with his counterpart (Rajnath Singh) there. What we always will continue to urge our allies and partners around the world is to avoid transactions with Russia, she said, referring to the sanctions imposed on Moscow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

We remain deeply confident in India's diversification of equipment, and over the past decade, our proposal for industrial cooperation will further integrate the US and Indian defence industries. So, I think I'll just leave it at that, Singh said.

That's something that we've continued to reiterate with Turkey, with India, and with others. I think, there are very different and two different cases, and when it comes to India, we remain confident in their diversification of equipment and our ability to integrate with them as well, she said.

"I'm not going to get ahead of any announcements that might come out from the White House or any other agencies," Singh said when asked about the possible defence deals that could be signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit.

India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia in October 2018 for purchasing five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, despite a warning from the previous Donald Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions.

The S-400 is known as Russias most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. The Triumf interceptor-based missile system can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km.

Russia started delivery of the first regiment of the missile systems in December 2021 and it has been deployed to cover parts of the border with China in the northern sector, as well as the frontier with Pakistan.

In February this year, Russia said it will soon complete the supplies of the third regiment of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India as both sides are committed to the contract.

Russia has been a major supplier of military hardware to India. The two countries have been holding discussions on what kind of payment mechanisms can work between them in view of the Western sanctions on Moscow.
Islamabad, Jun 21 (PTI) Friends, well-wishers and colleagues of Shahzada Dawood have sent messages of support and hope for the British-Pakistani billionaire who went missing in the Atlantic Ocean aboard a tourist submersible on a mission to view the wreckage of the iconic ocean liner the Titanic.

Engro Corp Vice Chairman Dawood, 48, who was accompanied by his 19-year-old son Suleman, was among five people, including UAE-based British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding who collaborated with the Indian government to reintroduce eight wild cheetahs from Namibia to India, who went missing near the wreck of the Titanic.

The 2-feet vessel was taking the group on an eight-hour trip to the bottom of the Atlantic to see the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday morning.

On Tuesday, search parties raced against time to find the deep-diving submersible which as of Tuesday night had an estimated 40 hours of oxygen left, the Dawn newspaper reported.

In a statement to the media, Dawood's family described him as being a photography enthusiast. His 19-year-old university student son was a big fan of science fiction literature.

Social media was flooded with messages and prayers from friends, well-wishers and colleagues of Dawood for the two missing British-Pakistanis, who live in Surrey and had flown to Canada for the voyage.

His wife, Christine, and their daughter were on the mothership at the time of the submarines descent and await their safe return, the report said.

The Titanic site is about 1,450 km east of Cape Cod and 644 km south of St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Engro Corp put out a statement summarising the events surrounding the expedition, saying, We at Engro remain in prayer for their swift and safe return.

British billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGateCEO Stockton Rush are the other passengers on board the craft.

US and Canadian aircraft have searched about 7,600 square miles, larger than the state of Connecticut, Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

The search, initially restricted to the oceans surface, was expanded underwater on Tuesday.

The US Coast Guard said they had commenced a remotely operated vehicle dive at the last known location of the sub, the report said.

The wreck of the Titanic, the infamous ship that sank in April 1912, lies around 700km south of St. John's, Newfoundland, in Canada. The rescue mission for the missing sub is being run from Boston in Massachusetts and the US Coast Guard has said a research ship called the 'Polar Prince' had conducted a surface search for the sub on Monday evening.

It is used to transport submersibles to the wreckage site and was the support ship on Sunday's tourist expedition.
Boston, Jun 21 (AP) A renowned Titanic expert, a world-record holding adventurer, two members of one of Pakistan's wealthiest families and the CEO of the company leading an expedition to the world's most famous shipwreck are facing critical danger aboard a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean.

The submersible Titan was reported overdue on Sunday night about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland, according to Canada's Joint Rescue Coordination Center, spurring a desperate international rescue effort.

Rescuers were racing against the clock because the oxygen supply could run out by approximately 6 am on Thursday.

A Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises during the hunt for the Titan. The US Coast Guard said via Twitter early on Wednesday that as a result of the noises detected by the Canadian P-3 patrol aircraft, search efforts have been relocated and the data is being used to help guide the ongoing effort.

The expedition featuring the Titan was led by OceanGate, making its third voyage to the Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew.

A pilot and four other people are on the Titan. They are:

Stockton Rush

Although his background is in aerospace and technology, Rush founded OceanGate Inc. in 2009 to provide crewed submersibles for undersea researchers and explorers, according to the company's website. Rush is the Titan's pilot, said company spokesperson Andrew Von Kerens.

The private company based in Washington started bringing tourists to the Titanic in 2021 as part of its effort to chronicle the slow deterioration of the wreck.

The ocean is taking this thing, and we need to document it before it all disappears or becomes unrecognizable, Rush told The Associated Press in 2021.

In an interview with CBS News last year, Rush defended the safety of his submersible but said nothing is without risk.

What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface  overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazard,." he said, adding that a good pilot can avoid such perils.

Rush became the youngest jet transport rated pilot in the world at age 19 in 1981, and flew commercial jets in college, according to his company biography. He joined the McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1984 as a flight test engineer. Over the past 20 years, he has overseen the development of multiple successful IP ventures.

Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist and a friend of Rush, called him a real pioneer in the innovation of submersibles.

Stockton was a risk-taker. He was smart. He was, he had a vision, he wanted to push things forward, Stone said Tuesday.

Hamish Harding

A British businessman, Harding lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Action Aviation, an aircraft brokering company for which Harding serves as chairman, said he was one of the mission specialists, who paid to go on the expedition.

Harding is a billionaire adventurer who holds three Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. In March 2021, he and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo dived to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench. In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.

Both the Harding family and the team at Action Aviation are very grateful for all the kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues," the company said in a statement.

In a Facebook post Saturday, Harding said he was proud to be part of the mission.

Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023," he posted. A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive (Sunday).

Harding was looking forward to conducting research at the Titanic site, said Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club, a group to which Harding belonged.

We all join in the fervent hope that the submersible is located as quickly as possible, he said in a statement.

Shahzada and Suleman Dawood

Father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood are members of one of Pakistan's most prominent families. Their family said in a statement that they were both aboard the vessel.

We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety while granting the family privacy at this time, the statement said. The family is well looked after and are praying to Allah for the safe return of their family members.

Their firm, Dawood Hercules Corp., based in Karachi, is involved in agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunication infrastructure.

Shahzada Dawood also is on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Dawoods live in the UK, according to SETI.

Shahzada Dawood is also a member of the Global Advisory Board at the Prince's Trust International, founded by Britain's King Charles III to address youth unemployment.

He has degrees from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) in the U.S.

Paul-Henry Nargeolet

Nargeolet is a former French navy officer who is considered a Titanic expert after making multiple trips to the wreckage over several decades.

David Gallo, a senior adviser for strategic initiatives and special projects at RMS Titanic, said in an interview with CNN that Nargeolet was on board.

He is director of underwater research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc., has completed 37 dives to the wreck and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artifacts, according to his company profile.

He was expedition leader on the most technologically advanced dive to Titanic in 2010, which used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the bow and stern sections as well as the debris field.

While with the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of Sea, he led the first recovery expedition to the Titanic in 1987.(AP)



RUP

RUP
Washington, Jun 21 (PTI) A powerful senatorial committee on Wednesday is set to consider a bipartisan resolution to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, pushing back against China's military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the resolution for discussion on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the city on a three-day official US state visit.

The resolution condemns additional Chinese provocations, including Beijing's use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

It slams China for the construction of villages in contested areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and expansion of Beijings territorial claims in Bhutan.

The bipartisan resolution was introduced in February this year by Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, and Bill Hagerty, a Republican. Senator John Cornyn, Co-Chair of the India Caucus, has co-sponsored the resolution.

Observing that India has taken steps to defend itself from aggression and security threats from China, including by securing its telecommunications infrastructure and conducting investment screening, the resolution unequivocally recognises the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the Republic of India and supports the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It condemns Chinas use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, as well as additional provocations including the construction of villages in contested areas, expansion of territorial claims in Bhutan, and publication of maps assigning Mandarin-language names to cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan. Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, a claim firmly rejected by the External Affairs Ministry which has asserted that the state is an inseparable part of India.

Beijing routinely protests visits of top Indian leaders and officials to Arunachal Pradesh to reaffirm its claim.

The resolution commends India for taking steps to defend itself against aggression and security threats from China, including securing its telecommunications infrastructure, examining its procurement processes and supply chains, implementing investment screening standards, and expanding its cooperation with Taiwan in public health and other sectors.

It supports Indias continued defence modernisation, including its diversification away from countries that fail to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations.

It applauds India for increasing its development efforts in Arunachal Pradesh, including improving border infrastructure, connectivity, and energy security, including renewable energy production.

The bipartisan resolution commits to deepening US assistance to the region through the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development using funding mechanisms such as the Countering Chinese Influence Fund.

It also encourages like-minded international partners and donors to bolster their assistance efforts to Arunachal Pradesh.

The resolution supports further strengthening the US-India bilateral partnership, including through enhanced defence interoperability and information-sharing especially for early warning systems, the United States-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, further economic cooperation, and our broad and long-standing people-to-people ties.

Among other things, the resolution promotes enhancing our multilateral cooperation with India through the Quad, the East Asia Summit alongside our partners in the Association for Southeast Asian Nations, and other international for a.
Boston, Jun 21 (AP) A Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises as a massive search continued early on Wednesday in a remote part of the North Atlantic for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.

A statement from the US Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be, though it offered a glimmer of hope for those lost abroad the Titan as estimates suggest as little as a day's worth of oxygen could be left if the vessel is still functioning.

Meanwhile, questions remain about how teams could reach the lost submersible, which could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the surface near the watery tomb of the historic ocean liner.

Lost aboard the vessel are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition.

His passengers are a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

The Coast Guard wrote on Twitter that a Canadian P-3 Orion had detected underwater noises in the search area. Searchers then moved an underwater robot to that area to search. However, those searches have yielded negative results but continue.

The data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard statement came after Rolling Stone, citing what it described as internal US Department of Homeland Security emails on the search, said that teams heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes.

In underwater disasters, a crew unable to communicate with the surface relies on banging on their submersible's hull to be detected by sonar.

However, no official has publicly suggested that's the case and noises underwater can come from a variety of sources.

Yet the reports have sparked hope in some, including Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club.

He wrote an open letter to his club's adventurers, who include the missing British man and the Titanic expert aboard the Titan, that they had much greater confidence now after they spoke to officials in Congress, the US military and the White House about the search.

Three C-17 transport planes from the US military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. John's, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokesperson for US Air Mobility Command said.

The Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specialises in dive medicine.

It also dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds from the Titan.

Rescuers have been racing against the clock because even under the best of circumstances the vessel could run out of oxygen by Thursday morning.

In addition to an international array of ships and planes, an underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.

Authorities reported the carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 am Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

CBS News journalist David Pogue, who traveled to the Titanic aboard the Titan last year, said the vehicle uses two communication systems: text messages that go back and forth to a surface ship and safety pings that are emitted every 15 minutes to indicate that the sub is still working.

Both of those systems stopped about an hour and 45 minutes after the Titan submerged.

There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless, Pogue told the Canadian CBC network on Tuesday.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. One system is designed to work even if everyone aboard is unconscious, Pogue said.

The search for the missing vessel has drawn international attention. In Dubai, where the missing British adventurer Hamish Harding lives, Crown Prince Hamadan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum wrote: Dubai and its people pray for their safety and hopeful return home.

Also aboard are Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country, and French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet.(AP) RUP
United Nations, Jun 21 (PTI) India has hit out at China for blocking a move to designate Pakistan-based LeT leader Sajid Mir as a global terrorist by the UN, saying it shows a lack of genuine political will to fight the scourge of terrorism.

China on Tuesday blocked a proposal moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mir is wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In a strongly-worded statement, Joint Secretary at India's permanent mission in New York Prakash Gupta said on Tuesday if efforts to ban terrorists fail due to petty geopolitical interests, then we really do not have the genuine political will to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism.

"The first and most critical gap we feel addressing is avoiding double standards, and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists. Terror act is a terror act, plain and simple. Any justification of any kind being used should not be countenanced by anybody," he said at United Nations counter-terror meeting.

Gupta said in this day and age of accountability and transparency, can evidence-based listing proposals be blocked without giving any reason.

He said India has fought against terrorists in practically real-time on a daily basis.

"While the 9/11 terror bombings in this iconic city of New York had changed the landscape of the global counterterrorism architecture, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks shook the collective conscience of the world's largest democracy," he said.

Gupta also played an audio clip of Mir in which he can be heard instructing terrorists from Pakistan during the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks.

Ten fully armed assailants from across the borders well trained in conducting urban warfare, descended on the shores of Mumbai and wreaked havoc for three days. The carnage resulted in the killing of 166 innocents, including 26 foreigners.

"Justice still continues to elude the victims of the Mumbai terror attack," he said. Mir was listed as a proscribed terrorist under the national laws of India and under the laws of the United States and several other countries globally, he said.

"But when the proposal for listing him did not go through the Security Council sanctions regime, we had strong reasons to believe that something was genuinely wrong in the global sanctions regime, as manifested in the Security Council," Gupta said.

"If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes, listed under the Security Council architecture for petty geopolitical interests, then we really do not have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism," he added.

Gupta rued that 15 years after the Mumbai terror attacks, its masterminds in Pakistan have not yet been brought to justice.

Mir, believed to be in his mid-40s, is one of India's most wanted terrorists and has a bounty of USD 5 million placed on his head by the US for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In June last year, Mir was jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities had in the past claimed Mir had died, but Western countries remained unconvinced and demanded proof of his death. This issue became a major sticking point in FATF's assessment of Pakistan's progress on the action plan late last year.

Mir is a senior member of the Pakistan-based LeT and is wanted for his involvement in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
New York, Jun 21 (PTI) Twitter chief Elon Musk on Wednesday said the social media platform has no choice but to follow the local laws in any given country or risk being shut down.

Musk's comments came in response to questions regarding Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's allegations that the Indian government had threatened the social networking platform with raids if it did not take down critical content during the farmers protests against the three farm laws.

"Twitter doesn't have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws then we will get shut down," he told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York.

"The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," adding that it is impossible for "us to do more than that".

Musk said there were different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and "we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law".

"One cannot just apply America to the earth," Musk said.

In a recent interview, Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, claimed that during his tenure as CEO, Twitter received requests from the Indian government to block accounts covering the 2020-2021 farmers' protests and those 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; and this is India, a democratic country," Dorsey said.

Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar had termed Dorseys claims as an "outright lie".

Chandrasekhar said Dorsey's Twitter regime "had a problem accepting the sovereignty of Indian law".

"It (Twitter) behaved as if laws of India did not apply to it," Chandrasekhar said.
Bucharest, Jun 21 (AP) Andrew Tate, a social media personality known for expressing misogynistic views online, appeared on Wednesday at a court in Romania, where prosecutors have charged him with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to exploit women.

Tate and his brother, Tristan, who is also charged with the offenses, arrived Wednesday at a court in the capital Bucharest, flanked by six bodyguards.

Prosecutors have also filed charges against two Romanian women in the case. Romania's anti-organised crime agency alleged that the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania as well as the United States and Britain.

The agency alleged that seven female victims were misled and transported to Romania, where they were sexually exploited and subjected to physical violence by the gang. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the statement.

Tate, 36, has resided in Romania since 2017. The former professional kickboxer has repeatedly claimed Romanian prosecutors have no evidence and alleged the case is a political conspiracy to silence him.

Asked by reporters how much money have you made from trafficking women? outside court ahead of Wednesday's hearing, Tate snapped: Zero.

Tate's spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, said Tuesday that the brothers were prepared to demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation.

Tate's legal team are prepared to cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities, presenting all necessary evidence to exonerate the brothers and expose any misinterpretations or false accusations, Petrescu said.

The Tate brothers, who are dual British-US citizens, and the two Romanian suspects were detained in late December in Bucharest.

The brothers won an appeal on March 31 to be moved from police custody to house arrest.

Tate is a successful social media figure with more than 6 million Twitter followers, many of them young men and schoolchildren.

He previously was banned from TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for hate speech and his misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for getting sexually assaulted.

He returned to Twitter last year after the platform's new CEO, Elon Musk, reinstated Tate's account.

Hope Not Hate, a group campaigning against far-right extremism in the UK, has warned that Tate continues to attract a huge following among young men and teenage boys who are drawn to his misogynist, homophobic and racist content" by the luxurious lifestyle the influencer projects online.

Romania's anti-organised crime agency, known as DIICOT, said the seven alleged victims were recruited with false declarations of love and taken to Romania's Ilfov county, where they were forced to take part in pornography. The women were allegedly controlled by intimidation, constant surveillance and claims they were in debt, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors ordered the confiscation of the Tate brothers' assets, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches and about USD 3 million in cryptocurrency, the agency's statement said.

Several women in Britain also are pursuing civil claims to obtain damages from Tate, alleging they were victims of sexual violence. In a recent interview with the BBC, Tate denied spreading a culture of misogyny and accusations that he manipulated women for financial gain.(AP) RUP

RUP
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Singapore, Jun 21 (PTI) Singapore is considered a "prized target" by terrorists who have been increasingly targeting youths, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday, underlining the need to have strong community leaders to inoculate Singaporeans against extreme ideologies.

Speaking at the Religious Rehabilitation Group's (RRG) 18th annual retreat, Wong said that while terrorism may not be at the top of many Singaporeans' minds, the threat of radicalism and extremism remains high.

"This includes Singapore, which is considered a prized target by terrorists. There is a need to inoculate Singaporeans against extreme ideologies," Wong was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia.

The RRG was formed in 2003, after Singapore authorities arrested members of the Jemaah Islamiyah group.

Global terrorist groups like ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and Al-Qaeda continue to rebuild their strength and "remain determined to sow disorder and chaos" by conducting attacks in other countries, said Wong.

The groups have become more sophisticated at using digital platforms like social media to spread propaganda and incite followers to conduct attacks.

"This has not only made extremist material easier to access, but it has also accelerated the process of radicalisation to a matter of months, or even weeks, because all of this now takes place behind a computer screen and it is much harder to detect," he said.

He said that terrorist groups have been increasingly targeting youths who are more impressionable and susceptible to influence.

Apart from traditional social media channels, they have started to exploit online music streaming sites and gaming platforms that are popular with young people.

Since 2015, the Internal Security Department (ISD) has issued ISA orders to 11 self-radicalised Singaporeans below 21. Some of them started their process of radicalisation from as young as 14 years old, he noted.

Before 2015, there was only one case of youth radicalisation.

The threat has also gone beyond Islamic extremism because we have seen a broader range of radical extremist and violent groups active in spreading their ideologies online," said Wong.

For example, one of the 11 youths was a 16-year-old Protestant Christian who had planned to conduct attacks against Muslims at two mosques in Singapore, after he imbibed far-right extremist ideology, he pointed out.

"What all this means is that extreme and violent ideologies can radicalise any Singaporean, regardless of age, regardless of race or religion," said Wong.

"And this has serious implications for our society. The extremist and terror threat is far more insidious now, it can reside within our own communities. It will seek to exploit our racial and religious differences in attempts to divide us."

It will not be possible to "completely insulate" Singaporeans from everything online, said Wong.

"So, our approach must be to inoculate Singaporeans against extreme ideologies," he added.

"This is not something that the government or enforcement agencies can do alone. To succeed, we will need everyone to do their part. We need active and vigilant citizens who will all contribute to the safety and security of Singapore in their own ways."

People must be equipped with the knowledge to identify and challenge extremist ideas, and spot indicators of radicalisation so they can seek help for family members or friends, said Wong.

Singapore must also evolve its rehabilitation methods so that it can help detainees to rejoin society, he added.

Almost 90 per cent of about 140 Singaporeans who were dealt with for terrorism-related activities have been successfully reintegrated into society, including 53 of 58 ex-members of JI.
Islamabad, Jun 21 (PTI) Taking an exception to a Pakistani university celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi, the country's Higher Education Commission has voiced concern over the erosion of the countrys Islamic identity and asked them to prudently distance themselves from all such activities, a media report said on Wednesday.

While the letter from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Executive Director Shaista Sohail to the heads of educational institutions did not name the varsity in question, it comes days after Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad gained attention on social media for hosting an event for Holi, which took place on March 8.

In its letter issued on Tuesday, the HEC said that it had caused concern and disadvantageously affected the countrys image, reported the Dawn newspaper.

"Unfortunately, it is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our socio-cultural values and an erosion of the countrys Islamic identity," the letter read.

"One such instance that has caused concern was the fervour exhibited in marking [the] Hindu festival of HoliThis widely reported/publicised event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the countrys image," the letter said.

In one of the videos circulating on social media on the March 8 event, students can be seen dancing and throwing colours in the air as loud music plays in the background.

While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard.

The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm, the HEC letter read.

The letter advised higher education institutions (HEIs) to prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the countrys identity and societal values.

It said that HEIs had the ultimate responsibility to polish and nurture the exuberance of youth into learned, mature, and responsible citizens - ready to take on the reins of the country and play their role in nation building.

The HEC director said the notification was not a ban on such celebrations.

Meanwhile, the HEC's letter has drawn a lot of flak from netizens online including a Sindhi journalist who said that Islamabad needed to understand that Hindu festivals of Holi and Diwali were part of Sindhi culture.

Islamabad neither accepts our Sindhi language nor does it honour the Hindu festivals, she said.

Our universities are not even ranked in the top 1,000. Yet, HEC is more worried about students celebrating Holi. Such misplaced priorities are the reason for the intellectual/moral decay we see in society, said an Activist Ammar Ali Jan.

Lawyer Jahanzeb Sukhera termed the HEC directive illegal as it was well beyond the mandate of the HEC as contained in S.10 of the HEC Ordinance.
Washington, Jun 21 (PTI) India like the US is a vibrant democracy and the two nations are going to continue to work on their bilateral relationship, the White House said amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit.

Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a State Dinner on June 22. The visit also includes an address by the prime minister to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22. He is currently in New York.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told a news conference here on Tuesday that: "Democracy is tough. We know that. We have seen it firsthand here in this country. It is tough, you have got to work at it."

"India has a vibrant democracy, and they, too, work at it. No democracy at any given point in time reaches perfection," he said.

The idea of democracy is that "you try to become more perfect... So we are going to continue to work on this bilateral relationship between these two vibrant, relevant, strong, and influential democracies in the world to improve the relationship", Kirby said.

That means that in doing so, "we are also going to have conversations, we can have and we need to have somewhat uncomfortable conversations with our partners and our friends and our allies", he said.

"That is what you can do when you have, when you are partners and friends and allies, is have conversations about uncomfortable issues," Kirby said.

In response to a question, Kirby said President Biden raises concerns over human rights wherever he goes around the world and whatever leaders he is speaking to.

"Human rights are a foundational element of this (Biden) administration's foreign policy, and you can certainly expect that the president will, as he always does and as you can do with friends and partners like Prime Minister Modi in India, raise our concerns about that," he said.

Kirby said the US routinely raises human rights concerns with its friends, allies, partners and even nations that it is not so friendly with. "We are not bashful about raising those concerns, and we will continue to do that," he said.
Moscow, Jun 21 (AP) Two drones were brought down outside Moscow as they approached the warehouses of a local military unit, Moscow region Gov. Andrei Vorobyov said on Wednesday, in what could be the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia during the early stages of Kyiv's most recent counteroffensive.

They came down near the village of Lukino, administratively part of the city of Moscow, Russian media reported.

The wreckage of a third drone was reportedly found about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away. No damage or casualties were reported.

Russia's Defence Ministry claimed it was an unsuccessful attempt at a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime on its facilities in the Moscow region, adding in a statement that all three drones were brought down by electronic jamming.

Ukraine, which usually doesn't confirm attacks on Russian soil, made no immediate comment about the downed drones. Previously, Ukrainian officials have emphasised the country's right to strike any target in response to Russia's invasion and war that started in February 2022.

In December, Moscow claimed it had shot down drones that targeted military air bases in the Saratov and Ryazan regions in western Russia.

Other drones have reportedly flown deep into Russia multiple times. Since February, when a UJ-22 crashed 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Moscow, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly approached the Russian capital.

Last month, a drone attack jolted the Russian capital, though it caused only slight damage, in what appeared to be one of Kyiv's deepest and most daring strikes into Russia.

It was the second reported strike on Moscow that month after Russian authorities said two drones targeted the Kremlin.

At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow's air defence worked in a satisfactory way, but added it was clear what we need to do to plug the gaps in the system.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, confirming Wednesday's drone attack, said only that the means of combatting drones did their job.

Meanwhile, train traffic was disrupted on the Crimean Peninsula on Wednesday, according to its Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Aksyonov didn't say what caused the disruption, but some Russian media outlets reported that the rail lines were blown up overnight in apparent sabotage operations.

Rail lines through Crimea are crucial for supplying Russian forces at the front line in southern and eastern Ukraine

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considers illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his country aims to reclaim the peninsula in a counteroffensive that began in recent weeks.

In response to Ukraine's military threat using advanced weapons supplied by Western allies, Russia has in recent weeks expended significant effort on assembling elaborate defensive lines on the approaches to Crimea, according to the UK Defence Ministry.

For the Kremlin, ensuring control of Crimea is a top political priority, the ministry said in a tweet Wednesday.

There is intense fighting in parts of southern Ukraine where Kyiv's forces are testing Russian defences, it added. (AP) FZH
About nine years ago, right here at the UN, I had honour to propose celebrating International Day of Yoga on 21st June: PM Modi.
Islamabad, Jun 21 (PTI) Justice Qazi Faez Isa, considered an independent-minded judge, was appointed as the next chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court by President Arif Alvi.

He will assume office on September 17 after the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.

The president has appointed the chief justice under Article 175 of the Constitution. The president will administer the oath to Justice Qazi Faez Isa on September 17, according to a statement issued by the presidency.

The senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has said that on becoming the chief justice later this year, he would endeavour to make the system of formation of benches and fixation of cases transparent, reported The Express Tribune.

He has been a judge for the apex court since September 5, 2014. Previously he served as the chief justice of the Balochistan High Court from 2009 to 2014, it said.

Faez Isa, 63, is considered an independent-minded judge who earned the ire of the powerful establishment when he issued a scathing verdict against it in a case of a cleric staging protest in Islamabad to choke the city in 2017.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government also filed a case of tax evasion against him in May 2019 but he was later exonerated after a gruelling process.

Faez Isa, the senior most serving judge after Bandial, was born in Quetta on October 26, 1959.

His father late Qazi Mohammad Isa was a leader of the freedom movement and a close associate of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He was the first person from Balochistan to acquire a Bar-at-Law degree and helped establish the All India Muslim League in Balochistan after his return from London.

Faez isa finished his initial studies at the Karachi Grammar School and moved to London to study law and completed his degree from the Inns of Court School Law, London.

He enrolled as an Advocate of the Balochistan High Court on January 30, 1985, and as an Advocate Supreme Court in March 1998. He was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on September 5, 2014.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Pune, Jun 21 (PTI) BJP's Rajya Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale and his cousin - BJP MLA Shivendraraje Bhosale - confronted each other along with their respective supporters during a stone-laying ceremony of a new building in Satara district of Maharashtra on Wednesday, police said.

Although they belong to the same party, their relationship has soured in the past few years over local politics. The two descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had come face-to-face in the past as well.

The stone-laying ceremony of a new building on the land belonging to the market committee was planned on the outskirts of Satara city. Shivendraraje controls the local agriculture produce market committee (APMC).

However, before the ceremony, Udayanraje and his supporters reached the spot and crushed a container on the land using a JCB machine in a bid to stop the proposed stone-laying ceremony.

Some time later, Shivendraraje also came to the site with his followers. Both the groups confronted each other, after which the police had to intervene.

Udayanraje said the land belongs to him, and some locals were tenants and documents with the locals show that there is a stay order on the land dispute issue.

During the confrontation, Udayanraje is heard asking police to file a trespassing case against those who entered the land.

While argument over ownership of land was going on, Shivendraraje used a tiller and performed the ceremony even as Udayanraje and supporters were arguing and opposing the move. The two cousins and their supporters also came face-to-face.

Chairman of the APMC said the land, measuring 15-and-a-half acres, was acquired by the market committee and the 7/12 land extract was in its name. The tenants have already received compensation, he said.

The market yard building is planned on the land for farmers and traders, Shivendraraje said.

"Those who are challenging the ownership of the land should show anything from court to the police. We had held multiple meetings with the police over the land dispute, but no one (from the other group) had come.

"They do not have any legal standing and they are just trying to heckle and create pressure. But truth prevailed today as we performed the stone-laying ceremony as planned," he said.

On behalf of the market committee, I demanded that the police take action against those who tried to create obstacles during the event.

Talking about the episode, a police official said, "Udayanraje and his supporters expressed their displeasure over the ceremony. The two groups confronted each other. But the inauguration was carried out."
Jabalpur, Jun 21 (PTI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Wednesday called upon the countrymen and people across the globe to adopt yoga for unity in the world.

The national celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga 2023 was led by Dhankhar in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur city.

The vice president and other dignitaries took part in collective yoga programme on the theme 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbukam Ke Liye Yoga' held at the Garrison Ground here.

Yoga is not a one day event, but a daily exercise and we should take the resolve to follow it religiously as called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh governor and the chief minister," Dhankar said.



"This day is a day of global brotherhood and it reflects our cultural thinking of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam' (the world is one family)," he said and called upon the countrymen as well as people all over the globe to adopt yoga for unity in the world.

Dhankar said this year's theme of the International Day of Yoga is very important. It reflects the Indian culture's depth and combined aspirations.

It is 'Vasudhav Kutumbakam Ke Liye Yoga', which means one earth, one family and one future and this is the theme of the G20 also which the country is currently chairing, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis video message was also telecast on the occasion.

Modi said he will take part in the International Yoga Day at UN Headquarters in the evening and highlighted the benefits of Yoga.

The coming together of more than 180 countries on India's call is historic and unprecedented. What unites us is yoga, he said.

Earlier in the programme here, Union Minister for Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the purpose of the 'Samuhik Yoga Karyakram' (collective yoga programme).

He said it is a matter of pride that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform yoga at the UN Headquarters in New York where it was decided nine years ago that June 21 will be observed as the International Yoga Day.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union ministers Virendra Kumar, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Prahlad Patel and state BJP president and MP Vishnu Dutt Sharma among others participated in the yoga programme.

The dignitaries along with the people rolled out their mats and performed yoga on the occasion.

In the Garrison Ground event, a total of 15,000 selected participants performed yoga exercises and they were also joined by differently-abled people, transgenders, cancer and thalassemia patients, an official said.



The programme was telecast live in India and nearly 80 other countries of the world.

Besides, nearly 1.25 lakh people took part in the Yoga Day programmes across Jabalpur city. Students from schools and colleges also participated in the event in large numbers, the official said. PTI MAS















The programme is being telecast live in the entire country and about 80 countries of the world.
Thane, Jun 21 (PTI) Two engineers of the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation near Mumbai on Wednesday submitted a complaint to police against local MLA Geeta Jain, accusing her of assaulting them and obstructing the performance of official duty.

A video of Jain, an independent MLA, slapping junior engineer Shubham Patil and abusing him and his colleague Sanjay Soni in full public view on Tuesday for allegedly undertaking the demolition of an illegal shanty had gone viral.

In the complaint filed with Kashimira police, the two engineers said contrary to her allegation that the house was pulled down ahead of monsoon, no demolition has taken place yet.

The officials had planned to pull down the illegal shanty of Rajiv Kumar Singh in Penkar Pada area of Pandurang Wadi on June 14, but no action was taken following a phone call from MLA Jain, the complaint said.

On June 20, the MLA had asked Assistant Commissioner Sachin Bacchav to come for a site visit, and as he was busy he deputed the two engineers, it said.

The MLA, however, picked a quarrel with them, manhandled them and also slapped Patil, the complaint said, seeking action against her.

Singh's house had not been demolished, the complaint said, alleging that he and his mother were allotted alternative houses in 2018 which they rented out and were living in the illegal shanty.

No First Information Report has been registered in the case so far, police said.





The MLA, who is an independent legislator supporting the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra, had told a news channel on Tuesday evening that she did not regret her action.





In a letter written to the municipal commissioner, Jain demanded suspension of the two civic engineers, accusing them of pulling down Singh's house and throwing his children and wife out of the house on June 16.





They violated the government direction that such demolitions should not be undertaken during monsoon, she claimed.
(Bloomberg) -- Tesla Inc. is likely to make a significant investment in India, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said after meeting with Narendra Modi during the Indian Prime Ministers US visit to promote development in the worlds most populous country.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Im confident that Tesla will be in India and well do so as soon as humanly possible, Musk told reporters after the meeting. We dont want to jump the gun on an announcement, but I think its quite likely that there will be a significant investment, a relationship with India.

Tesla and India revived discussions in May following a year-long stand-off. While Tesla executives talked about the domestic sourcing of parts and incentives with government officials during a recent India visit, it didnt culminate in a proposal to set up a plant.

Musk, who has been the frequent target of pitches from Indian officials to make electric cars locally, said he plans to visit the South Asian country in 2024.

Leaders in Asias third-largest economy want to capitalize on the growing chill between Beijing and Washington by positioning it as an alternative destination for companies seeking to limit their exposure to China. Modis New York visit included gatherings with potentially more than 20 high-profile individuals, according to a person familiar with the plans who asked not to be identified discussing private matters.

Critical Collaboration

Collaboration on critical and emerging technologies between US and Indian companies, and reducing regulatory barriers standing in the way of trade in strategic areas, are key for Modi and US President Joe Bidens meeting scheduled for Thursday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at an industry event in New Delhi last week.

Musks ventures with India could extend beyond Tesla. In addition to electric vehicles, he told reporters he sees potential in the country for sustainable power generation through solar and wind, and energy storage in stationary batteries.

He intends to revive efforts to launch SpaceXs Starlink internet for remote Indian villages that dont have access to broadband. Musk last year said SpaceX was waiting for government approval to roll out services after setting up a wholly-owned unit in India in 2021.

Tesla didnt respond to an email sent to the press address on its website. Representatives for Indias ministries of external affairs and road transport and highways didnt respond to requests for comment.

Tesla Factory

Musk has been scouting for the location of Teslas next factory. Earlier this month, he met Emmanuel Macron, who said France would tout its attractiveness for hosting a possible plant, but its for the carmaker to review prospects for projects in Europe. Italy is another suitor.

Musk has engaged with other Asian nations about opening a plant. In November, he said he considers South Korea a top candidate, according to the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Musk said he would make a decision after a comprehensive review of investment conditions, including manpower and technology.

In January, Bloomberg News reported Tesla is close to a preliminary deal to set up a factory in Indonesia that would produce as many as 1 million cars a year.

--With assistance from Linda Lew.

(Updates with Musks comments on potential investment in the seventh paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Pune, June 21 (PTI) The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has informed a court here that it has made a woman Pakistani agent who apparently honey-trapped DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar a co-accused in the case.



Kurulkar was the director of one of the labs of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Pune when he was arrested by the ATS on May 3 on the charges of leaking confidential information to a woman Pakistani intelligence operative.

Sources said the woman operated under the name of Zara Dasgupta and was in touch with Kurulkar.

ATS added the name Zara Dasgupta to the first information report (FIR) after the agents IP address was traced to Pakistan, the sources said.

ATS has now added to the FIR Section 4 of the Official Secrets Act that deals with communications with foreign agents to be evidence of commission of certain offences, they said.

As per the ATS, the DRDO scientist was in touch with the Pakistani agent through WhatsApp and video calls.

The prosecution had earlier informed the court that the agency had seized a phone on which the Pakistani agent had messaged Kurulkar using an Indian number. Kurulkar had allegedly travelled to five to six countries on a diplomatic passport and the prosecution wanted to know whom he met during those trips.
Mumbai, Jun 21 (PTI) Mumbai Police on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against three people for allegedly framing up actor Chrisann Pereira in a drugs case.

Pereira (27) spent nearly a month in a prison in Sharjah, UAE, after a small quantity of a narcotic drug was found concealed in a memento given to her by the accused.



The accused had allegedly also targeted in the same way Mumbai-based DJ Clayton Rodrigues, who was sentenced to 25 years in jail by a court in Sharjah for alleged possession of drugs.

The 1,514-page chargesheet, filed before a magistrate's court here, named Anthony Paul, his friend Rajesh alias Ravi Bobhate and another person who had provided them drugs, a senior police official said.

Pereira, who acted in Mahesh Bhatt-directed Bollywood movie "Sadak 2", was apprehended at the Sharjah airport on April 1 after drugs were found inside a memento which the accused had asked her to hand over to someone in the United Arab Emirates.



After her arrest, Paul and Bobhate allegedly demanded Rs 80 lakh from her mother to arrange her release.

The actor was released after the Mumbai police sent case-related documents to the authorities in the UAE.
Indore, Jun 21 (PTI) Senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday alleged that Congress leaders cannot have any association with the holy system of yoga as the party indulges in corruption and unethical practices.

He was talking to reporters on the International Day of Yoga.

"Congress practices different types of yoga in the country and the state. They (Congress leaders) have had 'yog' (association) with corruption and other unethical things. So how can the Congress have any association with the holy system of yoga," the BJP general secretary said.

Vijayvargiya made this remark when the Congress remembered the contribution of the country's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in popularizing yoga.

The Congress on its official Twitter handle said, "On International Yoga Day, we express our gratitude to Pandit Nehru, who was instrumental in popularizing yoga and making it a part of the national policy."

The opposition party also released a photograph in which Nehru can be seen in the head posture.

Earlier, Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh said in a statement that Vijayvargiya is a big leader of the BJP, but Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made him "helpless".

When asked about the statement, Vijayvargiya termed Jaivardhan as being "immature in politics" and said he would respond to him after he becomes "mature".

Vijayvargiya refused to comment on the alleged split in the BJP over the recent police lathi-charge on some Bajrang Dal workers in Indore during a protest against drug mafia.

He, however, said that the state government has taken strict action over the lathi-charge.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and a station in-charge were removed from field deployment the very next day after the leaders of the ruling BJP and Vishva Hindu Parishad expressed their anger over the lathi-charge on Bajrang Dal workers.
Mumbai, Jun 21 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would have "shot himself in the head" if his revolt against the Shiv Sena leadership had failed last year, cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar has claimed.

Reacting to the sensational claim of Kesarkar, who was among the rebel MLAs led by Shinde, made on Tuesday, rival Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said the minister should be taken into custody for being aware of someone's suicide plans.

Kesarkar alleged Shinde, who was a minister in the Uddhav Thackeray cabinet, was insulted on the Shiv Sena foundation day (June 19) last year.

The school education minister, a key member of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said the chief minister is a true Shiv Sainik.

Shinde saheb is a genuine human being and a true Shiv Sainik. He (Shinde) had said 'if my revolt failed, I would have sent all the (rebel) MLAs back... I would have made a call (to Matoshree -- the private home of Thackeray family in suburban Bandra) and said I made a mistake, but the MLAs are not at fault and then I would have shot myself in the head', Kesarkar said.

The minister said a person who thinks on these lines is all together at a different level as he has the maturity to understand that not a single MLA's career should be politically ruined because of him, even at the cost of his own life.

Latching on the statements, Raut said police should take Kesarkar into custody.

Police should take Deepak Kesarkar into custody because someone is thinking about committing suicide and Kesarkar is aware of it. If tomorrow he (apparently referring to Shinde) commits suicide after the Assembly Speaker gives a decision (on disqualification of MLAs), then Kesarkar should be taken into custody immediately, the Rajya Sabha MP added.

On June 20 last year, 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, including Shinde, revolted against the leadership, leading to a split in the party and collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Days later, Shinde took over as new chief minister with the BJP's support.
Aizawl, Jun 21 (PTI) More than 1,500 children who have shifted along with their families from violence-hit Manipur have been enrolled in various schools across Mizoram, a senior official of the education department said.

Mizoram Education Director Lalsangliana told PTI that the displaced children were given free admission in government schools.

Considering their situation, the students were allowed to enrol in the schools even if they could not produce the required documents, he said.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Home Commissioner and Secretary H Lalengmawia expressed hope that the state government would receive monetary assistance from the Centre to provide relief to over 11,800 internally displaced people from Manipur.

Lalengmawia told the meeting of the executive committee on internally displaced people of Manipur on Tuesday that, he along with other officials had accompanied Tourism Minister Robert Romawia Royte to Delhi to pursue the assistance sought by the state government recently.

He said that the state government has sought Rs 10 crore from the Centre to provide relief to the displaced people.

The meeting was convened to review the current situation of the displaced people and relief.

With the monsoon approaching, the meeting decided that suitable government buildings should be emptied to shelter the displaced people instead of keeping them in temporary shelters.

The meeting further decided that funds be raised to provide relief to the displaced people and donations should also be collected from like-minded legislators and government employees.

Altogether, 11,870 people from neighbouring Manipur have taken refuge in all 11 districts of Mizoram as of Tuesday, it said.

North Mizoram's Kolasib district currently hosts the highest number of displaced people at 4,292, followed by Aizawl district (3,866) and Saitual district (2,905).

The remaining 816 people took shelter in Champhai, Lunglei, Mamit, Khawzawl, Hnahthial, Serchhip, Siaha and Lawngtlai districts.

The government and village authorities have set up at least 35 relief camps in Aizawl, Saitual and Kolasib districts.

The state government, NGOs, churches and villagers are providing food to the displaced people.
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it has issued eviction orders and taken "possession" of assets worth more than Rs 152 crore as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged illegal coal levy case.

These 91 properties, including movable and immovable assets, belonging to former Chhattisgarh government bureaucrat Saumya Chaurasia, IAS officer Sameer Vishnoi, coal trader and prime accused in the case Suryakant Tiwari and others were attached by the federal probe agency in December last year under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED investigation relates to allegations of "a massive scam in which an illegal levy of Rs 25 was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported in Chhattisgarh by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen", the agency had earlier said.

The Adjudicating Authority of the PMLA, after giving an opportunity to all the defendants and hearing arguments of both sides, confirmed the attachment order on June 1, the ED said in a statement.

"Accordingly, ED has taken possession of 81 immovable properties and issued eviction notices in respect of ten immovable properties in accordance with the PMLA (taking possession of attached or frozen properties confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013," it said.

These assets which include flats, jewellery, coal washeries and plots, are "beneficially owned" by Chaurasia, Vishnoi, Suryakant Tiwari and another coal trader Sunil Agarwal, it said.

Nine people, including Chaurasia, Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and Chhattisgarh-cadre Indian Administrative Service officer Sameer Vishnoi, have been arrested by the ED.
Gorakhpur/Kushinagar (UP), Jun 20 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday made a comparison between India and Pakistan, saying the whole world can today see the stark differences between the two countries.

While India is giving free ration to 80 crore people, the people of Pakistanis are yearning for two square meals, he said.

"Pakistan was formed a day before India became independent, but today the whole world is seeing the difference between India and Pakistan," he told a public meeting organised at the Mahant Digvijaynath Park in Gorakhpur.

"Today India has become the fifth largest economy in the world. Today's India gives free ration to 800 million people, whereas in Pakistan there is a scuffle over a kilo of flour. There is happiness and prosperity in India, whereas the people of Pakistan are yearning for two square meals."

He also inaugurated or laid the foundation stone of 727 development projects worth more than Rs 2,604 crore in Gorakhpur to mark nine years of the Modi government.

"The first condition of Ramrajya is service. We all should have the same feeling irrespective of religion, religion, sect, language area. Our work should be dedicated to Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat," he said.

"We should feel proud of our heritage. The country has got a new vision during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.
Lucknow, Jun 21 (PTI) BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday accused the BJP governments at the state and Centre of encouraging communal and religious disputes to divert people's attention from pressing issues of price rise and unemployment.

In her address to the party workers, she urged them to strengthen the party ahead of the general elections next year and work from booth level up.

"People in UP are battling problems of price rise, poverty, unemployment, lack of security for women and other exploitation," she said.

The former Uttar Chief Minister urged the BJP governments, wherever they are, must to understand that alleged instances of love jihad, land jihad, religious conversion, and hate speech have people under the grip of fear, and asked it to act sternly against forces which spread them.

"Manipur is burning today because of the promotion of narrow political interests," she said without taking any names.

BSP has already made it clear that it would not align with any party and go alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha.

The party, which historically has had a strong Dalit supporter base, had fought the last general election in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, and has 10 MPs in the Lok Sabha.

It has some MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttrakhand.

Mayawati has so far kept a distance from efforts of forging a grand alliance by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and others.
Chandigarh, Jun 21 (PTI) On the occasion of International Day of Yoga, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday asked people to make yoga an integral part of their lives by devoting at least half an hour every day to it.

"We can inspire others to do yoga only when we do it ourselves," said Khattar while addressing a gathering in Panipat on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga.

He along with people performed various yoga poses at the event.

"To stay healthy, we should make Yoga an integral part of our lives," Khattar said, adding that everybody should devote at least 30 to 40 minutes to yoga daily

The chief minister also said that his government was making several efforts to promote yoga.

Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala took part in yoga day celebrations in Panchkula and said yoga connects the world with India's culture.

The yoga day celebrations were also held in other parts of Haryana, with BJP president J P Nadda participating in an event in Gurugram. Haryana BJP chief Om Prakash Dhankar was also present.

In Faridabad, Union Minister of State and Faridabad MP Krishan Pal Gurjar along with the BJP's Haryana affairs in charge Biplab Kumar Deb took part in the yoga day celebrations while the state's Home and Health Minister Anil Vij was present at an event held in Ambala Cantonment.
Jammu, June 21 (PTI) Braving scorching heat wave conditions, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits are flocking to special camps established by the Jammu and Kashmir government here to obtain their voter IDs.

The initiative comes as a response to the longstanding demand of various Kashmiri Pandit organisations to issue Electors Photo Identification Cards (EPICs) to the displaced members of the community now residing in Jammu and other parts of the country.

The distribution of EPICs is being carried out for those Kashmiris who have migrated out of the 47 assembly constituencies in Kashmir division, but are registered to vote there.

Expressing gratitude towards the chief electoral officer and district election officers for providing EPICs to Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner K K Sidha said before even if forms were being sent to constituencies, the cards would often not reach the applicants.

"This time we are thankful to the chief electoral officer and district election officers, who have provided EPICs to Kashmiri migrants here," Sidha told PTI.

He also said the camps for distributing EPICs have already commenced and will continue for the next two weeks. The newly revised EPICs will be issued as per the April 2023 summary revision, he said.

Sidha acknowledged certain challenges such as corrections, duplication and the failure to generate EPICs but assured that such issues will be compiled for the smooth issuance of voter IDs.

For Kashmiri Pandits residing outside Jammu and Kashmir, their EPICs will be sent through their representatives via post, the commissioner said.

Several Kashmiri Pandits spoke to PTI and expressed happiness over receiving their voter IDs for the first time since they migrated out of Kashmir Valley.

Moti Lal Bhat who hails from Ashmuji village in Kulgam district said, "We are extremely happy to receive these cards. It's the first time since 1990, when we left our homes in Kashmir, that we have obtained these cards."

Rikit Bhat Sirhama who hails from village in South Kashmir said, "Most of our cards have arrived from Kashmir. These cards will ensure smooth voting this time."

However, some Kashmiri Pandits raised concerns about not receiving their cards at the camp and criticised the lack of communication from the chief electoral officer.

Ramesh Koul, a native of Ratnipora area in South Kashmir, urged the government not to deceive the people attending the camp.

Sheela from Habbakadal constituency in Srinagar also expressed disappointment as she returned home without any cards for her family.

"I came here in such hot weather. I am disappointed," she lamented.

The relief commissioner's office has established four special camps at Muthi, Jagti, Butanagar and Ploura for the distribution of EPICs in the city.

Several Kashmiri Pandit organisations, particularly the BJP, have been advocating for the issuance of EPICs to the displaced community where they currently reside rather than in the Kashmir Valley from where they were forced to leave.
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) The markets in the national capital will soon get a digital platform to reach out to customers across the country and worldwide with the launch of Dilli Bazaar e-portal which will feature 10,000 vendors in its initial phase, a statement said on Wednesday.

The Delhi Government is in the final stages of launching the platform, which will soon be available to Delhi sellers, the statement said, claiming it to be the first such portal in the country.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of the Dilli Bazaar Project on Wednesday. Industries Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and other senior officials were also present.

Within six months of its launch, the Delhi Government aims to bring over one lakh shops in Delhi to the Dilli Bazaar portal, offering them a 24x7 digital storefront.

The government plans to develop a unique virtual experience that allows users to explore Delhi's iconic as well as local markets and browse through the products on offer, the statement said.

The Dilli Bazaar portal will have a dedicated team responsible for complete branding solutions, including visiting the markets.

Emphasising the "Go Local" motto, customers on this platform will be able to search for products, markets, sellers, and geographical areas to discover the unique markets of Delhi, each with its distinctive branding, the statement added.

The portal will give a significant boost to the renowned local shops in various markets of Delhi, offering search options by market, shop name, and product category.

Regardless of whether they have GST numbers or not, all shopkeepers in Delhi will be allowed to register on the portal. Each shopkeeper will have a personalised digital storefront on the portal, listing all their products.

Dilli Bazaar plans to go beyond being just an e-commerce platform by introducing virtual market tours. Customers and visitors will be able to view market streets and shops, making their purchasing and itinerary planning more convenient.

The Dilli Bazaar portal shall also be Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) enabled. It will enable a similar kind of flexibility in e-commerce like UPI has in e-payments.

Under ONDC, one will be able to buy a product from the shop you want but choose the platform of your choice. For example, at present, if one logs on to Amazon or Flipkart they will only be able to buy from their sellers and their sellers will only be able to sell using their platform. On Dilli Bazaar, the sellers will be able to sell across platforms and give an explicit choice to the buyer to choose the platform.

The scheme's first phase will concentrate on involving product sellers on the platform. This platform will be connected to service providers in the second phase.

The Dilli Bazaar portal will also be extremely beneficial to start-ups. If a start-up is starting a new project, it can sell its products on this portal.
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) The Delhi government will soon bring a policy under which cloud kitchen licenses will be issued through a single-window system, officials said on Wednesday.

The policy will also incorporate suggestions from citizens and entrepreneurs. To facilitate transparency and public participation, the government intends to release a White Paper, inviting feedback from all stakeholders, an official statement said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Independent Food Outlets (Cloud Kitchen) Policy. The meeting was also attended by Industries Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.

Under the policy, independent food outlets will be allowed to operate round the clock and those smaller than 250 square feet will not require a license. A state-level banking committee will be established to provide financial assistance to businesses, the statement said.

According to the Delhi government, independent food outlets include cloud kitchens, ghost kitchens, dark kitchens, base kitchens, satellite kitchens and virtual kitchens.

The size of a typical independent food outlet ranges from 600 square feet to 2,000 square feet, according to the statement.

During the meeting, Kejriwal said a plan will be introduced for the regulation of independent food outlets to generate sufficient employment opportunities in this sector.

He said this policy will enhance Delhi's economy and create new employment opportunities.

Operators and entrepreneurs running these cloud kitchens will be able to apply for licences through a single-window portal, the statement said.

Cloud kitchen operators have to apply for licenses from various government organisations such as Municipal Corporation of Delhi, police, fire department and Delhi Development Authority, and this causes several difficulties for them, it said.

Due to the lack of a solid policy, many individuals are operating cloud kitchens without a proper licence, it added.

Currently, around 20,000 cloud kitchens and independent food outlets are operating in different parts of Delhi. Approximately 4 lakh people are working with or associated with these establishments in some way, according to the statement.
Shimla/Hamirpur, Jun 21 (PTI) Students were at the forefront of the yoga day celebrations on Wednesday in Himachal Pradesh, which witnessed several events being organised to marks the occasion.

People assembled at public places with their mats from early morning to perform yoga and mark the occasion.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who took part in an International Day of Yoga event in Hamirpur, said the day is being celebrated all over the world due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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 practising yoga.

Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, the senior-most member of the Himachal Cabinet, joined over 500 people to perform yoga in Solan.

Shandil (82) said yoga is the need of the hour. It helps in creating a balance between the mind and the body and helps to overcome stress.
Bengaluru, Jun 21 (PTI) The ninth International Yoga Day was celebrated with great fanfare in many parts of Karnataka on Wednesday.

Thousands of people took part in the event aimed at promoting good health with sound mind. The theme of Yoga Day this year is Yoga  Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

The main event took place on the grand steps of the imposing Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao took part.

Swami Vachanananda, who is famed as 'Shwasa Guru', guided the gathering to perform yoga. A large number of government employees, students and social activists took part in the morning programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Gehlot said yoga that originated in the country has been the part of Indian tradition for a very long time.

The popularity of yoga could be assessed from the fact that people across the globe are adopting it for better health.

Greeting people on the occasion of International Yoga Day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted: "Let's practice Yoga for mental and physical health, regardless of caste, religion, creed and ideologies. Happy International Yoga Day to all."

In his message, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said yoga is the union of body and mind.

"The combination of body and mind is Yoga. Our culture, heritage lies in Yoga. Practicing Yoga everyday is a healthy lifestyle habit. Happy International Yoga Day to everyone in the state, Shivakumar tweeted.

Yoga Day was celebrated in Mysuru on the premises of the famous Mysuru Palace. The event was celebrated in various district headquarters such as Koppal, Ballari, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, Udupi, Belagavi, Bidar, Raichur, Davangere and Hubballi-Dharwad.

The Karnataka unit of BJP marked International Yoga Day with a programme at its state headquarters 'Jagannath Bhavan' in Bengaluru, the party said in a statement.
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) A third suspect involved in the murder of a first-year Delhi University (DU) student here has been apprehended, officials said on Tuesday.

He was identified as Talib, a student of the School of Open Learning. Police said he was held after several raids in the national capital.

According to the police officials, Talib claimed he was not involved in the killing.

Earlier, two people were arrested in the case. They were identified as Rahul, a first-year student who lived in Delhi's Bindapur area, and his friend Haroon (19), a resident of Janakpuri who worked at a T-shirt factory.

Police said Haroon was Rahuls tenant.

Victim Nikhil Chauhan, a student of DU's School of Open Learning, was stabbed to death on Sunday outside the Aryabhatta College in the South Campus area after he objected to his girlfriend being allegedly harassed by another student.

After family members of Nikhil Chauhan alleged that his murder was pre-planned, police said the angle of conspiracy will be verified after the arrest of other persons involved in the case.
Thane, Jun 21 (PTI) The police have arrested four persons for allegedly killing a retired railway employee over money and burying his body in Maharashtras Thane district, an official said on Wednesday.

A resident of Kalyan, victim Gopal Rangayya Naidu (62) worked as a ticket checker with the railways before his retirement in July 2021.



According to the police, Naidu received Rs 26 lakh after his retirement of which he had given Rs 10 lakh to his friend Ramesh More.



In October 2022, Naidu sought his money back for his sons college fees but More was evasive. Naidu then mortgaged his house to raise funds for his sons studies, the official said.



Naidu got into a heated exchange with More in January 2023 after the latter did not repay the money, the official said.



On June 3, Naidu went missing. Ten days later, his family was informed by the police about the discovery of a highly decomposed body in a field in Shahpur.



As the family identified the body as Naidus on the basis of a ring and cloth on it, More went underground, the official said.



The police have so far arrested four persons, including the one in whose field the body was found, in connection with the case, though More remains still at large, he said.



Inspector Rajkumar Upase of Sahapur police station said they have registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder) and 201 (destruction of evidence).




A heinous terror attack was carried out on Tuesday near the city of Eli in the Binyamin region, when a pair of terrorists opened fire at a gas station before shooting at diners at a nearby restaurant. Both terrorists were eventually eliminated  one by a civilian and the second by the IDF  but tragically, four Jews had already been killed, and another four were injured.

Authorities have identified the niftarim as:

Elisha Antman HYD, 18

A resident of Neveh, Elisha was a student in the Bnei Akiva yeshiva in the town of Eli. He worked at Chummus Eliyahu, the restaurant at which the terrorists opened fire. His kevurah took place Tuesday night in his hometown.

Harel Masoud HYD, 21

Harel was a longtime resident of the Nachal Shurk community in Yad Binyamin, and more recently resided in Givat Ohavia. His community in Yad Binyamin said there are no words to express our shock and pain. His kevurah took place in the town of Yitzun.

Ofer Fairman HYD, 60

Ofer was a resident of Eli, where he resided in the Naot Ilan neighborhood. His levaya and kevurah will take place on Wednesday morning.

Nachman Shmuel Mordoff HYD, 17

The youngest of the victims, Nachman Shmuel lived in the town of Achya in the Binyamin region. Details of his levaya have not yet been announced.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The impact of social media on the mental health of teenagers has reached a concerning level, resembling what some are calling the new great depression. According to a recent poll conducted by the University of Michigan, nearly half of teens now agree with phrases such as I cant do anything right, I do not enjoy life, and My life is not useful. These figures have doubled in comparison to a decade ago, indicating a significant surge in depression and feelings of hopelessness among teenagers.

The annual University of Michigan poll, which has been conducted since 1991, involves 50,000 students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades nationwide. Participants are asked whether they agree with statements like I cant do anything right, I do not enjoy life, and My life is not useful. Until 2012, the numbers remained relatively steady, but they sharply increased in the following year. Previously, fewer than 20% of students agreed with the phrase I do not enjoy my life, whereas now, half of them do.

The rise of social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and now TikTok coincides with this alarming trend. Presently, teenagers spend up to nine hours a day engrossed in screens, with around half of them claiming to be online almost constantly. Consequently, screen time has replaced important developmental milestones, such as dating, obtaining a drivers license, and part-time jobs.

Earlier this year, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a warning about the rise of teen depression and suicide in the social media era. While both boys and girls are affected, girls seem to bear the brunt of the trend. Experts suggest that platforms like Instagram exacerbate girls inclination to compare themselves and compete for social status, now measured in followers and likes.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Cella was established in March 2022 as a strategic joint venture between Warburg Pincus-backed NWP Property, CRE Asia, and industry veteran Bonny Setiawan

With the two new projects, Cella currently has three high-quality logistics projects with a total of over 200,000 sqm of net leasable area under construction to meet the robust demand for logistics

The newly launched projects testify to the exceptional execution capabilities and position Cella as one of the fastest-growing logistics platforms in Indonesia

Leveraging NWP Property's strong new-economy consumer infrastructure platform in Indonesia, Cella is well-positioned to build the largest modern logistics portfolio in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cella Management Logistics ("Cella"), an Indonesia-focused pureplay logistics real estate platform, announced the groundbreakings of two modern logistics projects in Indonesia  a two-storey facility in Cakung, East Jakarta, with close to 100,000 sqm of net leasable area (NLA) and a single-storey facility in Cileungsi, Bogor, with a close to 65,000 sqm NLA.

Both projects are strategically located in urban infill areas, which are highly sought-after by major tenant groups such as third-party logistics (3PL) companies, last-mile providers, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Designed to provide tenants with maximum operational efficiency, the facilities will be built with high construction quality and sustainability standards targeting IFC's affiliated EDGE certification, including a 12 to 14-meter clear ceiling height, an up to 4 tons per sqm floor loading capacity, and sustainability features such as solar panels and energy-efficient equipment. Both projects have been partially pre-committed by leading customers, reflecting the strong underlying demand for high-grade modern logistics assets.

Apart from these two projects, Cella is also on track to complete its first logistics project in Q3, 2023. Strategically located in Cikarang, West Java, the project features a state-of-the-art facility spanning a 40,000 sqm NLA, built-to-suit for DHL Supply Chain, the global market leader in contract logistics solutions. With 14 meters in ceiling height and 4 tons per sqm of floor capacity, the facility will support DHL Supply Chain's expansion in Indonesia, amidst the rapidly increasing e-commerce penetration and logistics activities in the country.

Cella was established in March 2022 as a strategic joint venture between Warburg Pincus-backed NWP Property, CRE Asia, and Bonny Setiawan to build a pure-play logistics real estate platform to serve the severely under-penetrated logistics real estate sector in Indonesia. Under the leadership of Bonny Setiawan as CEO, the best-in-class management team has over 17 years of industry experience and a proven track record with over 500,000 sqm of land transactions and 3250,000 sqm of logistics developments. Cella has emerged as a fast-growing player in Indonesia's logistics real estate market as well as a trusted partner to its clients. With a strong local team of around 20 professionals, Cella has full in-house execution capabilities, ranging from land sourcing and development, to leasing, asset management, and property management. The team has built trusting relationship with key tenants across a wide range of industries and identified robust demand from the tenants.

Bonny Setiawan, CEO of Cella Management Logistics, said, "We are extremely pleased to break ground on the two projects. The ability to launch two projects within just a month is a testament to our exceptional execution capabilities as well as the significant market demand for high-grade modern logistics assets. With our highly experienced team and the strong backing of our blue-chip logistics real estate investors  CRE Asia and NWP Property, we are uniquely placed to deliver unparalleled warehousing solutions to meet the evolving demand of our clients."

Kevin Kow, NWP Property's CEO, said, "We are impressed by the strong business momentum and robust pipeline that Cella has built since its establishment and its commitment to excellence in its business pursuit. The three strategic projects under construction will cement Cella's position as a key player in Indonesia's logistics real estate market. Built on its vision to drive and redefine the industry and its deep experience in logistics real estate, we believe that Cella is poised to deliver continued growth and success in the years ahead. We are proud to see that together with Cella, NWP Property represents the largest consumer infrastructure business in Indonesia, giving us the scale to best serve our clients."

Tadahide Kameyama, CRE's President, commented that, "The modern logistics real estate market in Indonesia is severely underpenetrated, with its industrial peers China and Japan having 10 and 40 times the warehouse space per capita respectively, as compared to Indonesia. The significant growth driven by the expansion of demand from e-commerce, 3PLs, and FMCG tenants, will continue to bring tremendous growth opportunities to experienced and trusted players, like Cella. CRE is pleased to be partnering with Cella on this exciting journey."

Cakung Modern Logistic Warehouse Groundbreaking Ceremony

Narogong Modern Logistic Warehouse Groundbreaking Ceremony

About Cella Management Logistics:

Cella Management Logistics is a warehouse development company dedicated to creating exceptional logistics spaces. The company was established in March 2022 as a joint venture between NWP Property and CRE Asia. With a highly experienced team boasting over 10 years of expertise and a remarkable track record of successful projects, the company focuses on delivering state-of-the-art facilities that cater to the evolving needs of businesses. Cella Management Logistics is committed to driving growth and providing innovative solutions to support the expansion of the logistics industry.

About NWP Property:

PT Nirvana Wastu Pratama (NWP Property) is one of Indonesia's largest and fastest-growing new-economy consumer infrastructure platforms in Indonesia with exposure to community retail and logistics infrastructure. Since its inception in 2015 as a joint venture between Warburg Pincus and PT City Retail Developments, NWP Property has experienced rapid growth. As of June 2023, it manages 52 operating, under construction and under development projects across Indonesia, totaling ~1.24 million sqm of potential gross floor area.

About CRE Asia:

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up a closely watched visit to Beijing during which he and President Xi Jinping pledged to stabilize plunging U.S-China ties. But China refused the biggest U.S. request: restoring military-to-military contacts.

Blinken said he raised the issue of military communications repeatedly but was rebuffed by the Chinese. It is absolutely vital that we have these kinds of communications, he said, adding that it was something the United States will keep working on.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Joe Biden have called often over the past few months for China to reestablish military communication channels with the U.S.

WHY DID CHINA HALT MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS?

China suspended regular contacts with the U.S. military last August after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, challenging Beijings principle that other countries should refrain from official exchanges with self-governing Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

But the problem existed even before Pelosis visit. The U.S. says China has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for top-level dialogues since 2021.

WHY DOES THE U.S. WANT TO RESTORE MILITARY CONTACTS?

The U.S. and other nations fear a potential accident involving the U.S. and Chinese militaries that could spiral out of control. In recent months, as tensions between Washington and Beijing have accelerated over a range of issues, including a suspected Chinese spy balloon over U.S. territory, there were several near-collisions of Chinese and U.S. military vessels and aircraft.

In early June, a Chinese warship unexpectedly cut in front of a U.S. destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, forcing it to slow down to avoid impact. Days earlier, a Chinese fighter jet flew in front of a U.S. warplane over the South China Sea in a maneuver the U.S. described as unnecessarily aggressive.

Washington wants to avoid an incident like one in 2001, when a U.S. Navy aircraft and a Chinese interceptor jet collided in mid-air off the Chinese island of Hainan, leading to the Chinese pilots death and the U.S. aircraft forced to make an emergency landing in Hainan without Chinese approval.

The most important thing for the U.S. side is to avoid these accidents, said Li Nan, a visiting senior fellow who researches Chinas military policy at the National University of Singapore.

WHY IS CHINA PUSHING BACK?

China has attributed its refusal to restart military communications to sanctions imposed by Washington, a possible reference to sanctions on its defense minister, Li Shangfu. They were part of a broad package of measures against Russia, predating its invasion of Ukraine, imposed in 2018 over Lis involvement in Chinas purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow.

The U.S. side is surely aware of why there is difficulty in military-to-military exchanges, said Yang Tao, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official overseeing North American affairs, during a briefing Monday following Blinkens visit. One of the reasons is unilateral sanctions against the Chinese side. They first need to remove impediments and create conditions for military-to-military cooperation.

Li earlier this month declined an invitation to speak with Austin, his U.S. counterpart, on the sidelines of a defense forum in Singapore. The two officials did shake hands before sitting down at the same table during the forum, a gesture Austin said would not suffice. A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a substantive engagement, he said.

The U.S. says the sanctions dont prevent Li from holding talks with U.S. officials. But culturally, Chinese officials may expect a form of public remedy before agreeing to re-engage after sanctions, said Li Nan of the National University of Singapore.

You impose sanctions on the guy, and then you also want to have dialogue with the guy, he said. From the Chinese perspective, that doesnt make any sense.

China is also pushing back against NATOs increased collaboration with countries in the Asia-Pacific region - including Australia, Japan and New Zealand - which Beijing considers part of its own sphere of influence, said Willy Lam, an adjunct professor of China studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

WHATS DIFFERENT ABOUT HOW THE COUNTRIES SEE THEIR RELATIONSHIP?

Xi said after his meeting with Blinken on Monday that The competition among major countries is not in line with the trend of the times, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Beijing instead sees U.S. policies toward China, such as curbing its access to important technology, as attempts to contain its rise.

The United States and China are in a sense talking past each other, said Paul Haenle, a National Security Council official in the Bush and Obama administrations. At the highest level, there is still not agreement  in terms of how to two major powers should interact, and I think that will make it difficult for the two sides going forward.

(AP)




Afghanistans Taliban rulers Tuesday carried out what is believed to be the second confirmed public execution since the religious group took power in 2021, according to the countrys Supreme Court.

The court had sentenced to death a man identified only as Ajmal from the capital Kabul who was found guilty of murdering five people in two separate incidents last year.

The execution was carried out with an assault rifle by the son of Siad Wali, one of five men killed by Ajmal. It took place outside a mosque near the offices of the provincial governor in eastern Laghman province according to Islamic law, the high court said in a statement.

Relatives of the four other men who were killed by Ajmal witnessed the execution.

The latest public execution is likely to draw criticism from the international community. It comes just a month after the United Nations in a report strongly criticized the Taliban for carrying out public executions, lashings and stonings since seizing power, and called on the countrys rulers to halt such practices.

In May, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in the past six months alone, 274 men, 58 women and two boys were publicly flogged in Afghanistan.

The Taliban-run Supreme Court in Kabul said when the case against Ajmal was brought to the governments attention, it thoroughly examined and investigated and said three different courts eventually upheld the death sentence.

The court said the final approval for the execution was ordered by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada after supervising a separate probe into the murder case.

Akhundzada was named the Taliban leader in 2016 after a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan killed his predecessor, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour. It was the second known public execution since the Taliban takeover, even though rights groups and the international community have opposed such extreme punishments.

The first was in December last year, when Taliban authorities punished an Afghan convicted of murdering another man. The execution was carried out with an assault rifle by the victims father in western Farah province before hundreds of spectators and many top Taliban officials.

During the previous Taliban rule of the country in the late 1990s, the group regularly carried out public executions, floggings and stonings of people convicted of crimes in Taliban courts.

After they overran Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban initially promised to allow for womens and minority rights. Instead, they later restricted rights and freedoms, including imposing a ban on girls education beyond the sixth grade.

(AP)




Counter-terrorism experts said Tuesday that Africa is now the worlds terrorism hot spot, with half of the victims killed last year in sub-Saharan Africa, though al-Qaida and Islamic State affiliates remain widespread, persistent and active elsewhere around the globe.

Interpol, the international criminal police agency, also reported during a panel discussion at the U.N. that terrorism linked to extreme right-wing ideology increased an estimated 50-fold over the past decade, particularly in Europe, North America and parts of the Asia-Pacific.

The experts see other trends: Deteriorating global security is making the terrorism threat more complex and decentralized. Extremists are increasingly using sophisticated technology, and drones and artificial intelligence have opened new ways to plan and carry out attacks.

The United Nations this week is hosting its third high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies. Tuesdays panel on assessing current and emerging terrorist trends and threats brought together experts from the U.N., Interpol, Russia, the United States and Qatar, and Googles senior manager for strategic intelligence.

The overall theme for the week is addressing terrorism through reinvigorated international cooperation. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during Mondays opening session the key is to unite not only in foiling attacks but also critically to focus on preventing terrorism by tackling poverty, discrimination, poor infrastructure, gross human rights violations and other underlying drivers.

At Tuesdays session, it was Africa that took the spotlight.

Africa has emerged as the key battleground for terrorism, with a major increase in the number of active groups operating on the continent, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said, noting that local political, economic and social fractures, porous borders and identity-based mobilization had fueled the emergence of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS.

Several areas of the continent, from Burkina Faso and the Sahel and more broadly to Chad and Sudan, still face the consequences of the flow of weapons and foreign fighters from Libya, Khiari said.

Oil-rich Libya plunged into chaos following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. After the Islamic States self-styled caliphate was defeated in Iraq in 2017, many of its foreign fighters fled to the North African nation.

Col. Gen. Igor Sirotkin, deputy director of Russias Federal Security Service and head of its National Anti-Terrorism Committee, told the meeting that West Africa, especially the Maghreb and the Sahel, are becoming the epicenter of the Islamist terrorist threat, with the armed terrorist groups expanding their influence, and we see the danger of ISIS being reincarnated as an African caliphate.

Qatars special envoy for counter-terrorism, Mutiaq Al-Qahtani, who said half the victims of terrorist acts last year were in sub-Saharan Africa, called for counter-terrorism efforts to focus on the continent.

Justin Hustwitt, the coordinator of experts monitoring U.N. sanctions against the Islamic State and al-Qaida, said the situation in West Africa continues to deteriorate and IS seems to be trying to position itself as a political actor.

He said IS in the greater Sahara is taking advantage of the lack of counter-terrorism operations, especially in the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and there are growing concerns about IS and al-Qaida taking advantage of any opportunity in Congo.

Interpols counter-terrorism director, Gregory Hinds, said al-Qaida and IS-related groups continue to inspire and carry out attacks in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, North America, Europe and now across Africa and Asia at alarming pace.

Hinds said the 50-fold increase in terrorism linked to extreme right-wing ideology is being influenced by global events and global agenda.

Secretary-General Guterres also said neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements are fast becoming the primary internal security threats in a number of countries.

On the significant deterioration of global security in the last few years, the U.N.s Khiari said the number of conflicts globally is on the rise again after two decades of consistent decline, and their nature has changed.

Civil wars that start off locally are more likely to become internationalized, and conflict parties are increasingly fragmented, he said. Civil wars aggravate grievances and foment regional international instabilities creating a fertile ground for non-state armed groups, including terrorist groups, to proliferate.

On a more positive note, Gregory LoGerfo, the U.S. State Departments deputy coordinator for counter-terrorism, said IS has not only been defeated in Iraq and Syria but its leadership has been taken out or captured, large-scale attacks have been prevented, and billions have been invested in stabilizing the region.

But for all of our progress, were not done yet, he said.

The U.N.s Hustwitt echoed that Daeshs leadership has suffered serious attrition, adding that the groups resources are depleting, and they are very focused on revenue generation.

Tobias Peyeri, Googles senior manager for strategic intelligence who formerly worked for the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, said the company bans content produced by or supporting designated terrorist organizations, and is committed to fighting the hatred and extremism that leads to terrorist violence.

But he said bad actors, like extremist groups, continue to become more savvy in evading detection, citing as examples their use of coded communications, complex narratives and conspiracy theories, and their modifications of existing popular computer games.

To counter these efforts, he said Google relies on expertise in local markets, advanced AI-driven visual matching technologies, special detection technologies, and other measures.

Peyeri said artificial intelligence is already helping the world with challenges from disease to climate change, but if not developed and deployed responsibly, AI systems could amplify current societal issues such as misinformation, discrimination, and the misuse of tools by bad actors including terrorists.

(AP)




As Donald Trump faces a 37-count federal indictment and the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted, House Republicans are using a special counsels report to renew their argument that federal law enforcement is tainted by political bias.

John Durham, who recently completed his report on the FBIs investigation of Trumps 2016 campaign, will testify Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. Thats one day after Durham met behind closed doors with members of the House Intelligence Committee.

While Durham produced just three prosecutions  with two acquittals  in a four-year investigation, his report highlighted FBI agents withholding key information from judges and contended the bureau disregarded reasons not to investigate Trumps campaign.

Republicans who control the House say theyre still angry about the 2016 campaign probe, known as Crossfire Hurricane, and intend to push new curbs on the FBI in exchange for renewing surveillance powers known as Section 702 that U.S. intelligence considers critical and that expire at the end of this year. Many Democrats also want new rules on what access the FBI has to search foreign surveillance data for information about U.S. citizens and companies.

GOP animosity toward the Justice Department was further fueled by Tuesdays announcement that President Joe Bidens son Hunter will likely avoid jail time in a plea deal on tax and gun allegations. Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, tweeted, in all caps, that it was a double standard of justice.

Durham was appointed by former Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of the investigation into ties between Russia and Trumps 2016 campaign.

He concluded that the FBI acted too hastily and without sufficient justification to launch a full investigation and asserted the bureau showed more caution on allegations that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information on her private email server.

He also said the FBI cited the so-called Steele dossier before the primary U.S. surveillance court even after investigators failed to corroborate a single substantive allegation within it. The Clinton campaign partially funded creation of the dossier and agreed last year with the Democratic National Committee to pay a $113,000 fine for misreporting campaign spending on research.

The Durham report yielded only one conviction  a guilty plea from a little-known FBI employee  and the only two other cases that were brought both ended in acquittals at trial.

And though Durham accused the FBI of confirmation bias, he did not allege that political bias or partisanship were guiding factors for the FBIs actions.

The bureau also is facing bipartisan criticism of how it handles intelligence collected electronically under Section 702. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows spy agencies to collect foreign phone calls and e-mails for their investigations.

A newly declassified surveillance court opinion found that the FBI had run thousands of unsupported searches of Americans, including queries tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection and the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd.

Previewing Durhams meeting with the Intelligence Committee, Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the panels chairman, alleged last week that the FBI went off the rails and hurt the justice systems credibility.

Rules and laws need to be changed so that these mechanisms cannot be used again in this way to really harm the American public, he said.

Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the panels top Democrat, said after the committees meeting Tuesday that Durham did not recommend any changes to existing law but broadly discussed the issues in the report and the handling of politically sensitive investigations.

Our hearing was not political. Nobody was looking to score points, Himes said. People asked questions that indicated their political affiliation, but thats because they were doing due diligence around things that concern them.

FBI Director Chris Wray has acknowledged errors in how the bureau handled the Trump-Russia probe. In a statement Tuesday, the bureau said it had already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time.

The Durham report reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect, the statement said.

The House GOP push to highlight the Durham report comes as Trump  the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP primary  fights legal jeopardy never faced before by a former president.

Trump is under federal indictment accusing him of mishandling classified documents and indicted in New York over allegations that he knew about hush money payments made to a porn actress during his 2016 campaign.

Most Republicans have denigrated the New York indictment as tainted by politics, but they have split on the Justice Department case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.

Turner was asked last week if he was alarmed by the federal indictment.

He responded, The behavior that is described within the complaint, and the behavior that were aware of that President Biden as a senator or vice president did, are wrong and place the nation at risk.

(AP)




Democrats, already anxious about President Joe Bidens reelection prospects, are seeking to downplay  or ignore altogether  revelations that the presidents son has entered into a plea deal with federal prosecutors over tax offenses and a gun charge.

And as Democrats dodge, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies seized on the extraordinary legal development to tighten his grip on the GOP and deflect from his own legal shortcomings.

But in a nation deeply divided and with voters from both parties firmly entrenched in their political outlook, there were few signs immediately after Hunter Bidens plea deal was announced on Tuesday that the unprecedented prosecution of a presidents son had shifted the 2024 presidential election in any significant way.

In conversations with The Associated Press, some of the elected Democratic officials best positioned to challenge Biden for the partys presidential nomination reaffirmed their decisions not to run in 2024. And while party officials did not rush to support the president publicly, they privately described the development as a minor political distraction  at most  that could linger into next years general election.

The Biden campaign declined to comment. At a summit on artificial intelligence in San Francisco on Tuesday, Biden smiled when asked if hes spoken to Hunter. Im very proud of my son, he said.

For now, veteran Democratic strategist Stephanie Cutter suggested that Hunter Bidens prosecution is not on most Americans radar.

But to the extent it is, it shows that no one is above the law and what taking responsibility looks like, which in itself is a sharp contrast to the former president, Cutter said, referencing Trumps legal entanglements. The MAGA echo chamber will continue to obsess over Hunter as they have for years, but those arent President Bidens voters, and nothing changes in terms of his strategy for reelection.

Hunter Biden, 53, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday. Under the agreement, he will avoid prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions set by prosecutors.

The deal ends a long-running Justice Department investigation into Bidens younger son, who has acknowledged struggling with addiction following the 2015 death of his brother, Beau. It also averts a trial that would have generated distracting headlines for a first-term president just beginning to focus on the 2024 election.

Already, two high-profile Democrats with national ambitions have reaffirmed their support for the presidents reelection bid since the plea deal came to light.

Hunter changes nothing, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday. He told the AP over the weekend that not on Gods green earth would he run against Biden.

My decision has not changed, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said of his own decision not to primary Biden. He has been a frequent presence in recent months in early presidential primary states like New Hampshire and Nevada.

Thats not to say Democrats are excited about Bidens reelection bid.

Only about 1 in 3 Democrats want the 80-year-old president to seek a second term, according to a poll conducted in February by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Steve Shurtleff, a former state House speaker, said on Tuesday that he didnt know if he would vote for Biden in 2024, although Hunters legal problems have nothing to do with it.

I feel sorry for the president. I know he loves his children, said Shurtleff, who has been one of Bidens closest allies in the state for several years. He decided this spring that the Democratic Party would be better off with a new generation of leadership.

I may end up voting for him again, especially if hes running against Donald Trump or the governor of Florida (Ron DeSantis). If those are the options, I will vote for the president, Shurtleff said. But I really wish hed get out of the campaign.

For Republicans, who have been consumed by Trumps legal baggage for much of the year, the charges against Hunter Biden offered a much-needed opportunity to go on offense  at least temporarily. Republicans on Capitol Hill are vowing to continue investigating the presidents son no matter what happens with his current criminal case.

Even in the immediate aftermath of the younger Bidens plea deal, outraged conservatives addressed the revelation in the context of the latest federal indictment against Trump, who is charged with 37 felony counts related to mishandling classified documents and misleading investigators.

The former president is facing years in prison if convicted. Hes also fighting 34 felony charges in New York related to alleged hush money payments to a porn actor and a separate investigation by Georgia authorities probing his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

Hunter Biden will likely avoid jail time based on his plea deal with the Justice Department.

He is set to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes on over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018. The felony gun charge states that Hunter Biden possessed a handgun for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user.

Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere traffic ticket. Our system is BROKEN! Trump wrote on his social media site. People are going wild over the Hunter Biden Scam with the DOJ!

DeSantis, Trumps leading Republican rival, supported Trumps assessment.

Looks like Hunter received a sweetheart deal and is not facing any charges on the massive corruption allegations, DeSantis tweeted. If Hunter was not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago.

Experts consulted by the AP said that misdemeanor tax cases as well as gun possession charges not associated with another firearm crime are uncommon.

Republican operative Jim Merrill, a veteran of New Hampshires first-in-the-nation presidential primary, predicted that Hunter Bidens plea deal would likely help Trump dominate the Republican Partys nomination fight for the foreseeable future by highlighting the differences between the Trump and Biden cases.

That perceived contrast plays to Donald Trumps advantage in the short term, Merrill said. And it will allow him to continue dominating primary media coverage and voter attention.

Regardless, there was an underlying belief among many Republicans that Trumps legal entanglements would quickly return to the forefront of the 2024 conversation.

Democrats, meanwhile, acknowledged that Biden has serious political challenges ahead even without his sons legal problems.

I dont think that this will be a significant issue for voters either now or come November 2024, said Democratic strategist Lis Smith. This is Hunter Biden, not his father.

But taking a step back, theres no doubt that no matter who the Republican nominee is, this is going to be a dog fight, Smith added. President Biden has his work cut out for him.

(AP)




U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up a closely watched visit to Beijing during which he and President Xi Jinping pledged to stabilize plunging U.S-China ties. But China refused the biggest U.S. request: restoring military-to-military contacts.

Blinken said he raised the issue of military communications repeatedly but was rebuffed by the Chinese. It is absolutely vital that we have these kinds of communications, he said, adding that it was something the United States will keep working on.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Joe Biden have called often over the past few months for China to reestablish military communication channels with the U.S.

WHY DID CHINA HALT MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS?

China suspended regular contacts with the U.S. military last August after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, challenging Beijings principle that other countries should refrain from official exchanges with self-governing Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

But the problem existed even before Pelosis visit. The U.S. says China has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for top-level dialogues since 2021.

WHY DOES THE U.S. WANT TO RESTORE MILITARY CONTACTS?

The U.S. and other nations fear a potential accident involving the U.S. and Chinese militaries that could spiral out of control. In recent months, as tensions between Washington and Beijing have accelerated over a range of issues, including a suspected Chinese spy balloon over U.S. territory, there were several near-collisions of Chinese and U.S. military vessels and aircraft.

In early June, a Chinese warship unexpectedly cut in front of a U.S. destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, forcing it to slow down to avoid impact. Days earlier, a Chinese fighter jet flew in front of a U.S. warplane over the South China Sea in a maneuver the U.S. described as unnecessarily aggressive.

Washington wants to avoid an incident like one in 2001, when a U.S. Navy aircraft and a Chinese interceptor jet collided off the Chinese island of Hainan, leading to the Chinese pilots death and the U.S. aircraft forced to make an emergency landing in Hainan without Chinese approval.

The most important thing for the U.S. side is to avoid these accidents, said Li Nan, a visiting senior fellow who researches Chinas military policy at the National University of Singapore.

WHY IS CHINA PUSHING BACK?

China has attributed its refusal to restart military communications to sanctions imposed by Washington, a possible reference to sanctions on its defense minister, Li Shangfu. They were part of a broad package of measures against Russia, predating its invasion of Ukraine, imposed in 2018 over Lis involvement in Chinas purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow.

The U.S. side is surely aware of why there is difficulty in military-to-military exchanges, said Yang Tao, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official overseeing North American affairs, during a briefing Monday following Blinkens visit. One of the reasons is unilateral sanctions against the Chinese side. They first need to remove impediments and create conditions for military-to-military cooperation.

Li earlier this month declined an invitation to speak with Austin, his U.S. counterpart, on the sidelines of a defense forum in Singapore. The two officials did shake hands before sitting down at the same table during the forum, a gesture Austin said would not suffice. A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a substantive engagement, he said.

The U.S. says the sanctions dont prevent Li from holding talks with U.S. officials. But culturally, Chinese officials may expect a form of public remedy before agreeing to re-engage after sanctions, said Li Nan of the National University of Singapore.

You impose sanctions on the guy, and then you also want to have dialogue with the guy, he said. From the Chinese perspective, that doesnt make any sense.

China is also pushing back against NATOs increased collaboration with countries in the Asia-Pacific region - including Australia, Japan and New Zealand - which Beijing considers part of its own sphere of influence, said Willy Lam, an adjunct professor of China studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

WHATS DIFFERENT ABOUT HOW THE COUNTRIES SEE THEIR RELATIONSHIP?

Xi said after his meeting with Blinken on Monday that The competition among major countries is not in line with the trend of the times, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Beijing instead sees U.S. policies toward China, such as curbing its access to important technology, as attempts to contain its rise.

The United States and China are in a sense talking past each other, said Paul Haenle, a National Security Council official in the Bush and Obama administrations. At the highest level, there is still not agreement  in terms of how the two major powers should interact, and I think that will make it difficult for the two sides going forward.

(AP)




A Canadian surveillance vessel has detected more underwater noises in the area where rescuers are searching for a submersible that went missing in the North Atlantic while bringing five people down to the wreck of the Titanic, authorities said Wednesday.

Coast Guard officials were bringing in more ships and other vessels to search the more narrowly defined area, though the exact location and source of the sounds has not yet been determined. The full scope of the search was twice the size of Connecticut in waters 2 1/2 miles deep, said Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District.

This is a search and rescue mission, 100%, Frederick said. We are smack dab in the middle of search and rescue and well continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members.

Frederick said the noises were heard for a second day Wednesday, but we dont know what they are, to be frank.

Retired Navy Capt. Carl Hartsfield, now the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, told a news conference Wednesday that the sounds have been described as banging noises, but warned that search crews have to put the whole picture together in context and they have to eliminate potential manmade sources other than the Titan.

Even those who expressed some optimism warned that many obstacles remain: from pinpointing the vessels location, to reaching it with rescue equipment, to bringing it to the surface  assuming its still intact  before the passengers oxygen supply runs out.

The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan submersible went missing on Sunday is prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search-and-rescue mission, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol.

After a Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area, a robotic vessel was sent to scour the region but had so far yielded negative results, the Coast Guard wrote on Twitter.

The Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be. The vessel is estimated to have as little as a days worth of oxygen left if it is still functioning.

Three search vessels arrived on-scene Wednesday morning, including one that has side-scanning sonar capabilities. Authorities pushed to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the submersible is found.

The Coast Guard statement about detecting sounds underwater came after Rolling Stone reported that search teams heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes.

The report was encouraging to some experts because submarine crews unable to communicate with the surface are taught to bang on their submersibles hull to be detected by sonar.

It sends a message that youre probably using military techniques to find me and this is how Im saying it, said Frank Owen, a submarine search and rescue expert. So, thats really encouraging if thats the case.

Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club, wrote an open letter to his clubs adventurers, saying he had much greater confidence about the search after speaking to officials in Congress, the U.S. military and the White House.

However, no official has publicly suggested they know the source of the underwater noises.

Meanwhile, questions remain about how teams could reach the lost submersible, which could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the surface near the watery tomb of the historic ocean liner. Newly uncovered allegations also suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during its development.

Lost aboard the vessel are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers are a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Authorities reported the 22-foot carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

Owen said the estimated 96-hour oxygen supply is a useful target for searchers, but is only based on a nominal amount of consumption the average human might consume in doing certain things. Owen said the diver on board the Titan would likely be advising passengers to do anything to reduce your metabolic levels so that you can actually extend this 96 hours.

Chris Brown, a British adventurer who paid a deposit to go on the Titan voyage but later withdrew because of what he called safety concerns, said word that the searchers have heard sounds is both good news and bad news.

If the sounds are coming from below the water indicator then that indicates that they may be alive in the water, but now weve got time pressures in getting them up to the surface, Brown told ABCs Good Morning America Wednesday.

Brown has previously criticized the use of a simple commercially available video game controller to steer the Titan. But OceanGate has said that many of the vessels parts are off-the-shelf because they have proved to be dependable.

Its meant for a 16-year-old to throw it around, and is super durable, Rush told the CBC in an interview last year while he demonstrated by throwing the controller around the Titans tiny cabin. He said a couple of spares are kept on board just in case.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon.

Aaron Newman, who has been a passenger on the Titan, told NBCs Today show Wednesday that if the submersible is below a couple hundred meters and without power, the passengers are in complete darkness and its cold.

It was cold when we were at the bottom, he said. You had layered up. You had wool hats on and were doing everything to stay warm at the bottom.

Jeff Karson, a professor emeritus of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University, said the temperature is just above freezing, and the vessel is too deep for human divers to get to it. The best chance to reach the submersible could be to use a remotely operated robot on a fiber optic cable, he said.

I am sure it is horrible down there, Karson said. It is like being in a snow cave and hypothermia is a real danger.

Meanwhile, documents show that OceanGate had been warned there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way the experimental vessel was developed.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations, said in a 2018 lawsuit that the companys testing and certification was insufficient and would subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.

The company insisted that Lochridge was not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan. The firm also says the vessel under development was a prototype, not the now-missing Titan.

The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators, also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush, OceanGates chief executive. The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. The New York Times first reported on those documents.

The search for the missing vessel has drawn international attention. In Dubai, where the missing British adventurer Hamish Harding lives, Crown Prince Hamadan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum wrote: Dubai and its people pray for their safety and hopeful return home.

Others aboard include Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country. In Pakistans port city of Karachi, employees at his firms said they prayed for the twos safe return, as did government officials. French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet also was on the vessel.

Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, who is now deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University, said the disappearance of the submersible underscores the dangers associated with operating in deep water and the recreational exploration of the sea and space, two environments where in recent past weve seen people operate in hazardous, potentially lethal environments, Murrett said.

I think some people believe that because modern technology is so good, that you can do things like this and not have accidents, but thats just not the case, he said.

(AP)




An indictment was filed in recent days against the owner of a cafe in the Old City of Yafo for threatening a Chareidi man and chasing after him with a knife.

The story began when a Chareidi chasan and kallah, residents of the central city of Elad, went to Old Yafo to be photographed, Yisrael Hayom reported.

An owner of a nearby cafe decided he didnt like the fact that the couple was being photographed near his cafe and he began an argument with the chasan.

The cafe owner became more and more agitated, and at a certain point, he took out a knife and tried to attack the chasan. The chasan began running away and the cafe owner chased after him waving the knife and screaming: Parasites! You dont serve in the army. You deserve to die, yimach shimchem.

The Chareidi photographer, Yehuda Argaman, who served in the IDF and has a gun license, pulled out his gun, pointed it at the cafe owner, and ordered him to put down the knife. At the threat of gunpoint, the cafe owner finally calmed down.

Argaman later said: At first, when I saw him running after the chasan with a knife, I thought it was a terror attack. He put down the knife as soon as I aimed my gun at him and went into his cafe to hide it. Everyone was in shock, there were tourists sitting in his cafe, the kallah started crying.

Im just happy that it ended without me having to shoot.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Amid the furore over sexual harassment and drugs at the CBI, and alleged sexual assaults by hedge fund boss Crispin Odey, there has been a huge positive to take away.

The business world and the City no longer tolerates inappropriate behaviour in their orbit.

In rapid succession, the CBI was cast into the outer darkness by Government and by some of its most esteemed members such as Marks & Spencer.

Even more dramatically, it took only a week or so for Odey Asset Management, long regarded as a fixture in the private world of Mayfair hedge funds, to unravel as major clients severed relations or put future dealings on hold pending the outcomes of investigations and lawsuits.

Decisive action was also seen at Tesco where chairman John Allan, a former CBI president, was propelled rapidly out of the door pending investigations into his allegedly inappropriate behaviour.

Contacts: The financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) died in his prison cell four years ago

The boardroom, not before time, has become a zero-tolerance zone for improper relationships involving those holding power  even if they hold most of the equity as at Odey Asset Management  and those vulnerable to unwanted attentions.

A combination of meticulous investigation by the news media and the wake-up call of the #MeToo movement is cleaning the stables.

Yet not all justice involving sexual misbehaviour in the financial world is so easily resolved.

The convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein died in his prison cell four years ago and his high-profile procurer Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Yet many of the great and the good drawn into Epsteins financial and social web so far have eluded any reprimand or justice.

In Britain, initial allegations against former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley over the Epstein connection were glossed over by a bank board unwilling, at first, to lose him as a leader.

He was widely admired for transforming the finances of the groups investment banking arm.

Staley now finds himself at the centre of complex set of lawsuits and countersuits which have dragged in his former employer JP Morgan, the worlds most admired banker Jamie Dimon and the US Virgin Islands.

Barely a day passes without new court documents casting light on how deep Epstein and Staleys tentacles leaked into the Washington and London economic establishment.

But there appears to be no co-ordinated effort by regulators and prosecutors on either side of the Atlantic to bring about closure with a thorough investigation which lifts the mystery of what took place and who was involved.

Some of Epsteins contacts, notably Prince Andrew, have withdrawn from public life. Others, including former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, have somehow been able to slough off their Epstein connections as of no significance and seek to be taken seriously for their views.

The revelations that Lord Mandelson, the former Labour business secretary and European commissioner, was a frequent contact of Epstein, who knew him as Petie, may come as no surprise to those who followed his career in and out of government.

He had a fondness for dealings with rich businessmen which saw him set aside by New Labour not once but twice, only to be promoted by prime minister Gordon Brown to first secretary of state.

This was a title which led Epstein (from a prison cell) to suggest to Staley that Mandelson was now deputy prime minister.

Mandelson is not without skills. He did a good job as business secretary. But in many ways he would be the last person the former director of public prosecutions and Labour leader Kier Starmer would want anywhere near his squeaky clean enterprise.

Yet earlier this month, when Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves delayed plans for 28billion of green investment a year until by mid-way through the next parliamentary term, Mandelson was put forward, as a sometime Labour adviser, to explain why this was entirely sensible.

The old master was as silky as ever in convincing his BBC interrogator that less green investment was more because it allowed for a build-up of infrastructure.

Maybe. But after these recent disclosures, Mandelson, like other Epstein associates, should be quickly shuffled off the commercial stage.

His colleagues and clients at the consultancy Global Counsel, where he is chairman, need to act.
The Restaurant Groups boss has shaken up his senior team amid a battle to calm investors worries over its performance.

Andy Hornby is best known for taking Halifax owner HBOS to the brink of collapse in 2008, but despite this calamity he has held a number of high profile corporate positions.

He has been running TRG since 2019, just before the hospitality industry was blighted by Covid, and has been under pressure to turn the companys fortunes around.

Last month he announced plans to shutter 23 restaurants including Frankie and Bennys and Chiquito sites, which have not been as successful as the pan-Asian Wagamama brand.

High profile: Andy Hornby (pictured) is best known for taking Halifax owner HBOS to the brink of collapse in 2008, but despite this calamity he has held a number of high profile positions

And yesterday he went further, reshuffling TRGs board and announcing the departure of its chief financial officer.

Finance boss Kirk Davis will be standing down from his role after the firms interim results in September, and remain available to the company until October 31.

Hornby said: [Davis] was instrumental both in the acquisition and successful integration of Wagamama and in supporting the business as it successfully navigated the Covid pandemic.

Mark Chambers, who heads TRGs leisure and concessions arm, will take over Daviss role in September.

Chambers will help navigate the company through its next stage of evolution, investors were informed yesterday.

The company posted an 86.8million loss last year, its fourth annual loss in a row, and its shares have fallen 80 per cent since it bought Wagamama five years ago.

Analysts at Investec yesterday said the changes suggest the company is committed to a survival plan presented to investors in March.

Other updates yesterday included Jonathan Knight replacing Davis as the head of leisure and concessions while the leisure arms people director Jacqui McManus is taking on a dual role as group HR director.
Paul Hiffmeyer / Disneyland Resort

Booking is now open for Disneys latest luxury vacation experience, a 24-day private jet adventure that will take 75 superfans on an around-the-world trip to 12 Disney theme parks as well as the Taj Mahal, Pyramids of Giza and Eiffel Tower. But this one-of-a-kind experience doesnt come cheap  prices for the 2024 Adventures by Disney private jet trips start at $114,995.

Heres a closer look at whats included in the price.

Related: 6 Vacation Splurges Youll Almost Always Regret

Learn: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch

Luxury Accommodations

Guests will be traveling aboard a VIP-configured Boeing 757 complete with a dedicated flight crew, in-flight chef, dedicated staff members and a traveling physician. At each stop along the way, guests will stay in Disneys top-of-the-line hotels and resorts, including Disneys Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel Paris and Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Read More: Dont Buy Airline Tickets on This Day of the Week

Exclusive Experiences

The jet adventure will make stops in Anaheim, San Francisco, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Agra, Cairo, Paris and Orlando, and guests will be treated to extraordinary opportunities not available to the public at each stop along the way.

These experiences include a Lucasfilm campus tour, a behind-the-scenes tour of Tokyo DisneySea, private tours of the Taj Mahal, visits to the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx, a safari tour and a visit to the Flavor Lab, Disneys secret kitchen.

Insider Information

Aboard the jet and at each destination, guests will have access to adventure guides, Disney VIPs, Imagineers and cultural experts who can answer questions and provide facts that you might not otherwise have access to.

By the Numbers

For $114,995, guests will spend 24 days and 23 nights on this Adventures by Disney experience that spans six countries, nine locations and 31 sites, including 12 theme parks and three landmarks. The price of the trip includes a whopping 69 meals  23 breakfasts, 23 lunches and 23 dinners.

Each trip will accommodate 75 guests, and there are two planned trips for 2024: June 16 to July 9 and July 28 to August 20.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Would You Pay $114,995 for the Ultimate Disney Vacation?
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF) is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of nitrogen fertilizer and other nitrogen-based products. The company's mission is to provide farmers worldwide with the essential nutrients they need to grow crops and feed the world's growing population.

CF Industries produces a wide range of nitrogen products, including ammonia, urea, and nitrogen solutions, sold worldwide to agricultural and industrial customers. The company operates production facilities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and its products are distributed through a network of distributors and retailers.

CF Industries' primary customers are agricultural producers, including large-scale commercial farmers, distributors, and retailers serving smaller farmers. The company's products are essential for crop growth. The demand for CF Industries' products highly depends on global agricultural conditions, such as crop yields, weather patterns, and commodity prices.

CF Industries has achieved many significant milestones over the years, including the recent completion of a major expansion project at its Donaldsonville, Louisiana, facility. This expansion has increased the company's production capacity by more than 25% and positioned CF Industries as a leading supplier of nitrogen fertilizer in the United States.

Tony Will, President and Chief Executive Officer, joined CF Industries in 2007 as vice president, corporate development and has served as CEO since 2014. He has over 30 years of experience in the fertilizer industry, including senior leadership positions at PotashCorp and Agrium.

CF Industries has reported strong financial performance in recent years, with revenue and Net income rising. The company's profit margins have remained stable, with gross margin averaging 27% over the past several years. CF Industries has a strong balance sheet. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio lower than the industry average and indicates a conservative approach to financing. CF Industries' stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio and a price-to-book ratio lower than the industry averages. This suggests that CF Industries' stock is undervalued compared to its peers.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has had a strong stock performance over the past year compared to the overall market. The global agricultural markets have driven the company's stock, with rising demand for nitrogen fertilizer products leading to higher sales and profits.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. operates in the agricultural chemicals industry, which is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.7% from 2021 to 2026. The industry is highly competitive, with many global players vying for market share. However, the industry is also highly consolidated, with a few large players dominating the market.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. is one of the world's largest producers and distributors of nitrogen fertilizers, with a leading market position in North America. The company operates six nitrogen fertilizer production facilities in North America and one in the United Kingdom, giving it a strong competitive advantage in production capacity and distribution.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has several growth opportunities that could help drive future earnings and share price growth. The company is investing in expanding its production capacity to meet the rising demand for nitrogen fertilizer products. In addition, the company is exploring opportunities to expand into new markets, such as Asia and Latin America, where the need for nitrogen fertilizers is expected to grow strongly in the coming years.

The company also invests in research and development to develop new products to help farmers improve crop yields and reduce environmental impacts. This could help the company differentiate itself from competitors and capture a larger market share.

The company also faces regulatory risks, with governments worldwide increasingly focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities. This could lead to stricter environmental regulations that could increase costs and reduce profitability.
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The following companies are subsidiares of PPG Industries: AIPCF V Texstars Blocker Inc., AkzoNobel, Alpha Coating Technologies LLC, Alpha Coatings Inc., Broad Range Development Limited, CG Holdings Manufacturing Co., Centro de Investigacion en Polimeros S.A. de C.V., Chemfil Canada Limited, Chorlton Trade Paints Limited, Comercial Mexicana de Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Comex, Comex Industrial Coatings S.A. de C.V., Consorcio Comex S.A. de C.V., Cristacol S.A., Cuming Microwave Corporation, Deutek SA, Dexmet Corporation, Dexmet Holding Corporation, Distribuidora Kroma S.A. de C.V., EPIC Insurance Co. Ltd., Eberle Design Inc., Empresa Aga S.A. de C.V., Ennis Canadian Holding Company, Ennis Paint Canada ULC, Ennis Paint Netherlands Holdings LLC, Ennis Paint U.K. Holding Company Limited, Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions Pty Ltd, Ennis-Flint, Ennis-Flint Inc., Foshan Bairun Chemicals Co. Ltd., Fpu Industrial S.A. de C.V., Grupo Comex S.A. de C.V., Hemmelrath Automotive Coatings (Jilin) Co. Ltd., Hemmelrath International Trade (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hodij Coatings B.V., Homax Products, Industria Chimica Reggiana I.C.R. SPA, Johnstones Paints Limited, Kalon Investment Company Limited, Kalon South Africa Proprietary Limited, Karl Woerwag Lack-und Farbenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Masterwork Paint, MetoKote Corporation, MetoKote Mexico Holdings Inc., MetoKote UK Limited, MetoKote de Mexico S. de RL de CV, Milamar Coatings LLC, OOO Tikkurila, PPG A P Resinas S.A. de C.V., PPG AC - France SA, PPG ALESCO Automotive Finishes Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PPG Aerospace Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Architectural Coatings (Puerto Rico) Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Canada Inc./PPG Revetements Architecturaux Canada Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Ireland Limited, PPG Architectural Coatings Italy S.r.l, PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited, PPG Architectural Finishes Inc., PPG Asian Paints Private Ltd., PPG Business Services S.A. de C.V., PPG COATINGS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., PPG Canada Inc., PPG Cetelon Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Cieszyn S.A., PPG Coatings (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, PPG Coatings (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., PPG Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Thailand) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Wuhu) Company Ltd., PPG Coatings (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings B.V., PPG Coatings Belgium BV, PPG Coatings Danmark A/S, PPG Coatings Deutschland GmbH, PPG Coatings Europe B.V., PPG Coatings Nederland BV, PPG Coatings S.A., PPG Coatings South Africa (Pty) Ltd., PPG DYRUP S.A., PPG Deco Czech a.s., PPG Deco Polska sp. z.o.o., PPG Deco Slovakia s.r.o., PPG Deutschland Business Support GmbH, PPG Deutschland Sales & Services GmbH, PPG Distribution S.A.S., PPG Europe B.V., PPG Finance B.V., PPG Finland Oy, PPG France Business Support S.A.S., PPG France Manufacturing S.A.S., PPG Guadeloupe SAS, PPG Hemmelrath Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Holdco SAS, PPG Holdings (U.K.) Limited, PPG Holdings Argentina USA LLC, PPG Holdings Latin America USA LLC, PPG Iberica S.A., PPG Iberica Sales & Services S.L., PPG Industrial Coatings B.V., PPG Industrial do Brasil - Tintas E. Vernizes - Ltda., PPG Industries (Korea) Ltd., PPG Industries (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PPG Industries (UK) Ltd, PPG Industries Argentina S.R.L., PPG Industries Australia PTY Limited A.C.N. 055 500 939, PPG Industries Colombia Ltda., PPG Industries Delfzijl B.V., PPG Industries Europe Sarl, PPG Industries France S.A.S., PPG Industries International Inc., PPG Industries Italia S.r.l., PPG Industries Kimya a Sanayi VE Ticaret AS, PPG Industries LLC, PPG Industries Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Industries Lipetsk LLC, PPG Industries Middle East FZE, PPG Industries Netherlands B.V., PPG Industries New Zealand Limited, PPG Industries Ohio Inc., PPG Industries Poland Sp. Z.o.o., PPG Industries Securities LLC, PPG Industries de Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Investment (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PPG Italia Business Support S.r.l., PPG Italia Sales & Services S.r.l., PPG Japan Ltd., PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes Canada LP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.K. LLP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.S. LLC, PPG Luxembourg Finance S.aR.L., PPG Luxembourg Holdings S.aR.L., PPG Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Packaging Coatings (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Paints Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Performance Coatings (Hong Kong) Limited, PPG Powder Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Refinish Distribution Limited, PPG Romania S.A., PPG Reunion SAS, PPG SSC Co. Ltd., PPG Switzerland GmbH, PPG Trilak Korlatolt FelelosseguTarasasag (PPG Trilak Kft.), PPG Vietnam Co. Ltd., PRC-DeSoto Australia Pty Ltd., PRC-DeSoto International Inc., PT. PPG Coatings Indonesia, Painter's Supply, Paintzen, Peintures de Paris SAS, Plasticos Envolventes S.A. de C.V., Polymeric Systems Inc., ProCoatings B.V., ProCoatings BV, Protec Pty Ltd, Reno A&E LLC, Revocoat France SAS, Revocoat Holding SAS, Revocoat Iberica SLU, Revocoat S.A.S, Road Infrastructure Investment Holdings Inc., SEM Products Inc., Sealants Europe SAS, Sierracin Corporation, Sierracin/Sylmar Corporation, Sigma Marine & Protective Coatings Holding B.V., SigmaKalon (BC) UK Limited, SigmaKalon Group, Sikar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Spraylat International Ltd, Texstars LLC, The Crown Group Co., The Crown Group Inc, The Homax Group, Tikkurila Group, Tikkurila Oyj, Tikkurila Sverige AB, Traffic Safety Intermediate LLC, Traffic Safety Parent LLC, VF Specialty Products LLC, Vanex Inc., Vernisol S.p.A., VersaFlex Acquisition Corp., VersaFlex Inc., VersaFlex Intermediate Holdings LLC, Versaflex, Viasa S.A. de C.V., Whitford, Whitford B.V., Whitford Corporation, Whitford Jiangmen Ltd., Whitford Ltd. (HK), Whitford Ltd. (UK), Whitford Pte. Ltd., Whitford S.r.l., Whitford Worldwide Company LLC, and Worwag Coatings.

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The following companies are subsidiares of SK Telecom: ADT CAPS Co. Ltd., ADT Caps, Atlas Investment, CAPSTEC Co. Ltd., Cyworld, DongGuan Iriver Electronics Co. Ltd., Dreamus Company, Eleven Street Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Hungary) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Vietnam Company Limited, Hana Card, Hanaro Telecom, Happy Hanool Co. Ltd., Home & Service Co. Ltd., ID Quantique, Id Quantique LLC, Incross Co. Ltd., Infra Communications Co. Ltd., Iriver China Co. Ltd., Iriver Enterprise Ltd., K-net Culture and Contents Venture Fund, Korea Thrunet, LG HelloVision, Life & Security Holdings Co. Ltd., Life Design Company Inc., Mindknock Co. Ltd., Onestore Co. Ltd., PS&Marketing Co. Ltd., Panasia Semiconductor Materials LLC, Quantum Innovation Fund I, SK Broadband, SK Broadband Co. Ltd., SK Communications Co. Ltd., SK Global Healthcare Business Group Ltd., SK Infosec Co. Ltd., SK M&Service Co. Ltd., SK O&S Co. Ltd., SK Planet Co. Ltd., SK Planet Global Holdings Pte. Ltd., SK Planet Japan K. K., SK Telecom China Fund I L.P., SK Telecom China Holdings Co. Ltd., SK Telecom Innovation Fund L.P., SK Telecom TMT Investment Corp., SK Telink Co. Ltd., SK stoa Co. Ltd., SK telecom Japan Inc., SKP America LLC, SKT Americas Inc., SKinfosec Information Technology (wuxi) Co. Ltd., Service Ace Co. Ltd., Service Top Co. Ltd., Shopkick, Tbroad Nowon Broadcasting Co. Ltd., YTK Investment Ltd., iRiver Ltd, and id Quantique Ltd..

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for MUFG Bank, Ltd. that provides various financial services in Japan, the United States, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Digital Service Business Group; Retail & Commercial Banking Business Group; Japanese Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Asset Management & Investor Services Business Group; Global Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Global Commercial Banking Business Group; and Global Markets Business Group segments. The company offers commercial banking, trust banking, and securities products and services to retail, and small and medium-sized enterprise customers. It also provides M&As and real estate-related services; digital-based financial services; credit cards; and trust banking and securities products and services, as well as engages in the lending, fund settlement, and foreign exchange businesses. In addition, it offers corporate, investment, and transaction banking services for large corporate and financial institutions; asset management and administration services for corporations and pension funds; loans, deposits, fund transfers, and investments services for retail, small and medium-sized enterprise, as well as corporate customers; fixed income instruments, currencies, equities, and other investment products; originates and distributes of financial products; and provides treasury services. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. provides capital and services to the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainable infrastructure markets in the United States. The company's projects include building or facility that reduce energy usage or cost through the use of solar generation and energy storage or energy efficiency improvements, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC), as well as lighting, energy controls, roofs, windows, building shells, and/or combined heat and power systems. It also focuses in the areas of grid connected projects that deploy cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind to generate power; and sustainable infrastructure projects, including upgraded transmission or distribution systems, water and storm water infrastructures, transportation fleet enhancements, renewable natural gas plants, and other projects. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland.
Pratt & Whitney set to invest more than $200 million in Columbus, says Georgia Gov. Kemp

Pratt & Whitney, a business specializing in aircraft and helicopter engines, is investing $206 million in Muscogee County and bringing almost 400 jobs as it expands operations.

Governor Brian Kemp announced the new while in France attending the Paris Air Show.

Georgia is one of the top five exporters of aerospace products in the nation, Kemp said in a news release, with the industry bringing in $9.2 billion in 2022.

From the flights that go through the worlds most utilized airport to the engines in the very airplanes, the Peach State is crucial to the movement of goods and products, he said. Pratt & Whitneys decision to expand will only further that reputation.

The Pratt & Whitney Columbus facility opened in 1984 and includes the Columbus Engine Center and Columbus Forge. The Columbus Engine Center maintains engines for the Embraer E-Jets E2, Airbus A220 and the Airbus A320neo aircraft families, according to the release. It also maintains the F117 and F100 military engines.

The Columbus Forge produces compressor airfoils and other components for the companys commercial and military engines.

Pratt & Whitney has been doing business in Georgia for nearly 40 years, and in that time, our Columbus business has grown from a small manufacturing facility to a large, state-of-the-art manufacturing and overhaul center, where we employ approximately 2,000 employees, Shane Eddy, president of Pratt & Whitney, said in the release.

The companys expansion is expected to be completed by 2028 and it will be hiring engineers, mechanics and operators.

A business friendly environment

Columbus is striving to be a top location for businesses to locate and expand, Heath Schondelmayer, chair of the Board for the Development Authority of Columbus, said in the release.

State partnerships and a focus on workforce development make this possible, Schondelmayer said. The success of one of Columbus, Georgias largest employers is a major win in our efforts to grow quality jobs and attract new private investment.

The Pratt & Whitney expansion news comes a month after the California-based company Sierra Pacific Windows announced plans to expand its own operations in Phenix City  a move that will also bring hundreds of jobs to the Chattahoochee Valley area.

Improving the economy for residents and businesses in Columbus is among his top priorities, Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson said in the release.

This announcement of new jobs and new investment is an example of the economic growth that Columbus is poised to capture, he said. And we appreciate Pratt & Whitney, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Development Authority of Columbus for their efforts to make this a reality.
CCL Industries Inc. manufactures and sells labels, containers, consumer printable media products, technology driven label solutions, polymer bank note substrates, and specialty films. The company operates through four segments: CCL, Avery, Checkpoint, and Innovia. The CCL segment offers pressure sensitive and specialty extruded film materials for decorative, instructional, functional, and security applications in the consumer packaging, healthcare, chemicals, consumer electronic device, and automotive markets. This segment also provides extruded and laminated plastic tubes, aluminum aerosols and specialty bottles, folded instructional leaflets, precision decorated and die cut components, electronic displays, and other complementary products and services. The Avery segment offers printable media products, including address labels, shipping labels, marketing and product identification labels, business cards, and name badges supported by customized software solutions; and organizational products, such as binders, sheet protectors, indexes and dividers, and writing instruments. This segment also provides direct to consumer digitally imaged media products, such as labels, business cards, name badges, and family oriented identification labels supported by unique Web-enabled e-commerce URLs. The Checkpoint segment provides technology-driven, loss-prevention, inventory management, and labelling solutions, including radio frequency and radio-frequency identification solutions to retail and apparel industries. The Innovia segment offers specialty, high-performance, multi-layer, and surface engineered biaxially oriented polypropylene films for pressure sensitive label materials, flexible packaging, and consumer packaged goods industries. The company operates in Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and New Zealand. CCL Industries Inc. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a leading global biopharmaceutical company with a long and impressive history of innovating and developing medicines that improve the lives of patients around the world. Founded in 1887 when William McLaren Bristol and John Ripley Myers purchased the Clinton Pharmaceutical Company, the company was initially named Bristol, Myers and Company. Its first nationally recognized product, Sal Hepatica, was released in the 1890s.

Bristol Myers-Squibb offers chemically synthesized drugs and biologics administered through injections or infusions to patients. The company's pharmaceutical portfolio includes a large number of well-known products. BMS's primary research and development sites are in New Jersey, California, Spain, Massachusetts, New York, Belgium, Japan, India and Massachusetts. The company's products sell to wholesalers and distributors around the world.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has a robust pipeline of investigational medicines in its pipeline. In addition, the company has established strategic collaborations and partnerships with various companies, successfully launching new products. These partnerships and investments generate portions of the company's revenue.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has acquired several companies over the years, including Medarex in 2009, ZymoGenetics in 2010, Inhibitex Inc. in 2012, Amylin Pharmaceuticals in 2012, iPierian in 2014, Flexus Biosciences in 2015, Cardioxyl in 2015, Padlock Therapeutics in 2016, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals in 2017, IFM Therapeutics in 2017, Celgene in 2019, Otezla in 2019, Forbius in 2020, MyoKardia in 2020 and Turning Point Therapeutics in 2022.

In 2005, the company divested individual consumer products and its subsequent consumer products businesses. In December 2014, the company received FDA approval for its cancer drug, Opdivo, used to treat skin cancers that do not respond to drug therapies. In 2019, the company divested its consumer health business, UPSA, to Taisho.

The company has also faced several scandals, lawsuits and investigations over the years, the biggest of which is the ongoing $1 billion lawsuit from Guatemala for the company's role in a 1940s experiment that infected hundreds with syphilis. In 2001 BMS faced an accounting scandal that resulted in a restatement of revenues from 1999 to 2001. In 2002, BMS faced a lawsuit based on illegally maintaining a monopoly on Taxol, a chemotherapy medication. The former head of the pharma group and the ex-CFO were indicted for federal securities violations in 2005. In July of 2006, an FBI raid on the company's corporate offices revealed that the company took steps to delay the release of a generic version of one of its drugs.

BMS began a significant restructuring in 2009, focusing on the pharmaceutical business and biologic products, productivity initiatives and cost-cutting. The U.S. attorney forced the company into oversight and appointed a monitor as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. Lou Schmukler joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2010 as global product development and design president.

In 2013, Forbes magazine ranked the company as the drug company of the year. Dr. Giovanni Caforio took the reigns as CEO in 2015. In 2017, reports began to surface that activist investor Carl Icahn took a stake in the company, widely seen as a signal for a potential future takeover.

As Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to experience success and growth, the company is committed to delivering innovative treatments to patients and staying ahead of the curve in the biopharmaceutical industry. With its focus on research and development and a long and rich history of delivering innovative medicines, BMS offers an excellent long-term investment opportunity.
Pfizer Inc. is a US-based multinational biotech company. The company operates as a research-based pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, production and marketing of medicines and vaccines. It is the 2nd largest drugmaker globally by revenue and is ranked 64th on the Fortune 500 list. The companys avenues of research include Immunology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology.

Regarding its product line, the company has at least ten blockbuster drugs producing more than $1 billion in avenue revenue each. The company brought in over $81 billion in total revenue in 2021. The US is its main market and represents roughly 50% of all revenue. China and Japan make up roughly 12% of the business, while the rest come from the rest of the world. It employs roughly 79,000 people and is headquartered in New York state.

Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer Sr. and his cousin Charles Earhart. The two were German immigrants and chemists that set up shops outside New York City to make medicinal compounds. The first major success was an antiparasitic called santonin, and the commercialization of citric acid-making technologies quickly followed that up. Their success with citric acid led to the companys expansion and other major discoveries.

World War I caused a shortage of materials for making citric acid and forced the company to seek alternatives. The one they latched on to was the fermentation of certain fungi known to produce citric acid naturally. This led to the advancement of fermentation technology that was later used in the commercial production of penicillin and then the advancement of antibiotics in general.

Pfizer Inc was incorporated on June 2nd, 1942 in Delaware, and another period of expansion began. The postwar drop in demand for penicillin led to the discovery of newer, more marketable antibiotics and cemented the companys role in modern medicine. By the time he 80s rolled around, the company was trading on the New York Stock Exchange and on the path to developing todays blockbuster lineup.

The companys top seller in 2021 was Comirnaty, a COVID-19 vaccine. It generated nearly $37 billion in 2021 and was followed by Prevnar, Ibrance and Eliquis with just over $5 billion in sales each. Other blockbuster names on Pfizers list include Xeljanz and Enbrel, each bringing in $3.5 billion. Pfizer operates 39 research and production facilities worldwide and sells its products in 125 countries.

As of 2022, the company had a robust pipeline of potential treatments, with more than 220 in some stage of clinical trials. Among its leading candidates is a vaccine for RSV, a life-threatening respiratory disease affecting children. 2021 highlights include 8 FDA approvals, four new regulatory submissions and 13 new trial startups. Pfizer is also a well-known dividend payer and has returned more than $8.7 billion to shareholders since going public.
Merck & Co., Inc. is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company. It was officially founded in 1891 as the US arm of Merck Group, headquartered in Germany. Merck Group was founded in 1668 when Friedrick Jacob Merck purchased a pharmacy in Darmstadt, Germany. The company transformed from a pharmacy into a drug manufacturer in 1827 with the commercialization of morphine and the perfection of the manufacturing process. The company will later gain recognition for isolating and commercializing the manufacture of cocaine as well.

Merck Group sent Theodore Weicker to New York as its representative in 1889 and he quickly began to set up operations. The original investment of $200,000 resulted in a facility in lower Manhattan and the addition of Merck family member George Merck to the project. They began operations in 1891 and were in business as the US branch of Merck Group until 1917 and the onset of World War I.

World War I brought about the Trading With The Enemy Act of 1917 and the nationalization of Merck Groups US operations. Those operations were repurchased at a government auction only 2 years later with the help of Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, but the split was done. The company retained rights to the Merck name in the US but remained independent. One of many noteworthy achievements in the post-War period is the discovery of streptomycin, which was revolutionary in treating tuberculosis.

In 1953 the company merged with Sharp& Dohme to form the then 2nd largest US drug manufacturer. The merger brought smallpox vaccines to the portfolio and opened a new avenue of research for the business. Since then, advancements in vaccine technology include treatments for mumps and chickenpox. Other notable advancements include the discovery of statins as a cholesterol inhibitor and work in veterinary medicine.

Today, Merck & Co operates through 2 segments and under 2 different names with a headquarters in Kenilworth, NJ. The company operates as Merck & Co in the US and as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the US and Canada. The 2 segments are Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. Revenue topped $49 billion in 2022 and employed more than 68,000 people. The company has 8 research facilities near major university systems, including 7 in the US and 1 in the UK. As of 2022, the company had 82 pipeline products in Phase 2 trials, 30 in Phase 3 trials and 3 under review.

The Pharmaceutical segment researches discover and commercializes human health products in several areas of medicine. These include but are not limited to oncology, acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes. This segment has 6 blockbuster drugs as of late 2022, with each generating more than $1 billion in revenue. The leading treatments are Keytruda for treating cancer-related immune conditions, Gardisil which is a vaccine for HPV and Januvia for treating Type-II diabetes. The Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets veterinary healthcare products and services. Both segments sell to healthcare facilities and distributors.
The Princess of Wales wore clothing from the brand on numerous occasions, including a custom Christopher Kane blue coat during a visit to Dundee in 2015 - Danny Lawson/PA Wire

A Scottish clothing designer favoured by the Princess of Wales is on the brink of collapse.

Christopher Kane, whose dresses have been worn by the Princess to numerous public engagements over the years, filed notice to appoint administrators on Monday, court documents show.

The business is pinning its hopes on finding a buyer to rescue it and has lined up insolvency expert FTS Recovery to oversee the process.

North Lanarkshire-born designer Christopher Kane founded the eponymous label with his sister, Tammy Kane, in 2006 in London. His dresses, which can cost upwards of 1,000, have won many accolades over the years.

The Princess of Wales has had bespoke items of clothing made for her by the designer for special occasions. In 2015 she was pictured wearing a custom-made Scottish blue coat by Christopher Kane to visit the Dundee Repertory Theatre with her husband, the Prince of Wales.

However, the Princess is far from the only celebrity to have a penchant for the label. Other famous wearers have included Michelle Obama, actors such as Anne Hathaway and Cate Blanchett, as well as Rihanna, FKA Twigs and Florence Welch from Florence & The Machine.

Christopher and Tammy Kane founded the fashion brand in 2006 - Darren Gerrish/Royal Academy of Arts

The 40 year-old Mr Kane was also responsible for giving Crocs their catwalk debut in 2016 when he put an upmarket spin on the clogs at London Fashion Week, creating a pair adorned with rough mineral stones.

The Kane siblings sold a 51pc stake in the company to the 60 billion (51.6 billion) French luxury retail group Kering, which owns Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen in 2013. Shortly after this the first Christopher Kane store was opened in Londons Mayfair.

However, the siblings bought back the stake in 2018 when Kering began to focus more heavily on bigger brands.

Christopher Kanes most recent company accounts, for the year to December 31, 2021, reveal the business was forced to embark on an extensive cost-cutting campaign after its stores were shuttered during the pandemic.

A spokesman for Christopher Kane said: This difficult decision has been reached to give the company sufficient time to implement a rescue plan. Key stakeholders have been notified.

A period of accelerated marketing activity will now follow, with a view to locating potential interested parties to either refinance the companys existing debt, or alternatively locate a purchaser for the business and assets.

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.
Wells Fargo & Company is a multinational financial services company that has established itself as a prominent player in the global financial industry. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Wells Fargo operates in 35 countries and serves over 70 million customers worldwide. Its rich history and successful mergers and acquisitions have contributed to its significant global presence.

As a comprehensive financial services provider, Wells Fargo offers a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer financial services. The company's mission is to satisfy its customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo aims to achieve this by providing exceptional service, acting with integrity, fostering diversity and inclusion, and contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Wells Fargo's extensive product and service portfolio caters to various market segments. The company serves individual consumers, small businesses, corporations, and institutional investors. Its key customers encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from everyday banking customers to high-net-worth individuals and large corporations. Wells Fargo aims to meet the diverse financial needs of its customers through personalized solutions and innovative offerings.

The company has achieved several notable milestones and received recognition for its contributions to the financial industry. Wells Fargo has been ranked as one of the "Big Four Banks" in the United States, alongside JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. It is also recognized as one of the largest banks in the country by total assets, deposits, and market capitalization. Wells Fargo's commitment to delivering quality financial services has earned it a position among the most valuable bank brands.

Wells Fargo is led by an experienced and capable management team that guides the company's operations and strategic direction. The leadership team consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and extensive finance, banking, technology, risk management, and customer service expertise. The Chief Executive Officer and President of Wells Fargo is Charles W. Scharf, who brings a wealth of experience in the financial industry. The management team also includes key executives such as Michael J. Santomassimo as the Chief Financial Officer and Scott Powell as the Chief Operating Officer. Each management team member contributes their professional background, accomplishments, and expertise to ensure the company's success.

Wells Fargo has demonstrated consistent financial performance over the years, driven by its diverse business segments and strategic initiatives. The company has reported steady revenue growth, reflecting its ability to attract and retain a large customer base. Wells Fargo's revenue metrics indicate its success in generating income through its various financial services and product offerings.

Earnings metrics illustrate the company's profitability and stability. Wells Fargo's focus on prudent risk management practices and diversified revenue streams contributes to its ability to generate sustainable earnings. Profit margin metrics showcase the efficiency of Wells Fargo's operations. The company's ability to manage costs effectively while generating revenue is key to maintaining healthy profit margins. Debt levels play a significant role in evaluating the company's financial position. Wells Fargo's management strives to maintain a conservative approach to managing debt, ensuring a strong balance sheet and financial stability.

Wells Fargo's valuation metrics are influenced by a range of factors, including its market position, financial performance, growth prospects, risk profile, and investor sentiment. Factors driving Wells Fargo's valuation include its brand recognition, customer base, diversified business segments, and ability to generate consistent earnings. Changes in investor sentiment, market conditions, and regulatory developments can also impact the company's valuation over time.

Investors closely monitor Wells Fargo's stock performance, assessing its ability to deliver value over the long term. The stock has had issues in the past due to news or events that have affected the company's share price, such as regulatory actions, the global pandemic, and strategic initiatives. These factors should be considered in analyzing its market performance.

Wells Fargo operates in the highly competitive financial services industry, which is subject to evolving regulatory frameworks and technological advancements. Understanding the broader industry in which the company operates is crucial to assessing its competitive positioning.

Wells Fargo competes with other major banks and financial institutions domestically and internationally. The company leverages its brand recognition, extensive product and service offerings, customer relationships, and technological capabilities to gain a competitive advantage. However, it also faces challenges such as regulatory compliance, changing customer preferences, and disruptive market forces.

Wells Fargo has identified several growth opportunities within its diverse business segments. The company aims to deepen relationships with existing customers, attract new customers and expand its presence in key markets. In consumer banking, Wells Fargo focuses on enhancing digital capabilities, improving customer experience, and providing innovative solutions to meet evolving customer needs. The company seeks to leverage its strong brand and customer base to drive growth and increase customer loyalty. In wealth and investment management, Wells Fargo aims to capitalize on the growing demand for comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. The company's expertise in wealth management positions it well to capture opportunities in an increasingly complex investment landscape.

As with any financial institution, Wells Fargo faces various risks and challenges. It is important to comprehensively analyze potential risks and challenges to understand their potential impact on the company's performance. Factors such as regulatory changes, cybersecurity threats, economic downturns, and reputational risks pose challenges to Wells Fargo's operations. The company has implemented robust risk management strategies, invested in technology and security measures, and enhanced compliance frameworks to mitigate these risks. Ongoing efforts to prioritize ethical conduct, transparency, and stakeholder trust are integral to managing risks effectively.
The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V..

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EMCOR Group, Inc. provides electrical and mechanical construction, and facilities services primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. It offers design, integration, installation, start-up, operation, and maintenance services related to electrical power transmission, distribution, and generation systems; energy solutions; premises electrical and lighting systems; process instrumentation in the refining, chemical processing, and food processing industries; low-voltage systems, such as fire alarm, security, and process control systems; voice and data communications systems; roadway and transit lighting, signaling, and fiber optic lines; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and geothermal solutions; clean-room process ventilation systems; fire protection and suppression systems; plumbing, process, and high-purity piping systems; controls and filtration systems; water and wastewater treatment systems; central plant heating and cooling systems; crane and rigging services; millwright services; and steel fabrication, erection, and welding services. The company also provides building services that cover commercial and government site-based operations and maintenance; facility management, maintenance, and services; outage services to utilities and industrial plants; military base operations support services; mobile mechanical maintenance and services; services for indoor air quality; floor care and janitorial services; landscaping, lot sweeping, and snow removal services; vendor management and call center services; installation and support for building systems; program development, management, and maintenance for energy systems; technical consulting and diagnostic services; infrastructure and building projects; small modification and retrofit projects; and other building services. It offers industrial services to oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.
The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial.

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Mastercard Inc. is a leading technology company in the payments industry that provides payment processing solutions to businesses and consumers worldwide. Mastercard is one of the largest payment processors in the world by market cap and the number of payments processed.

Mastercard was founded in 1966 as Master Charge: The Interbank Card. The company was created to respond to the growing need for a secure and reliable payment processing system. In 1979, the company changed its name to Mastercard. Mastercard is in over 200 countries and territories and serves over 2.8 billion cardholders.

Mastercard operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model, providing payment processing services to financial institutions, merchants and governments. The company earns revenue primarily through transaction processing fees, cross-border fees and other value-added services. Mastercard's business is divided into four segments: domestic assessments, cross-border volume fees, transaction processing fees and additional revenue.

Mastercard's financial performance has been consistently strong in recent years, with revenue and earnings growth driven by increased transaction volumes and higher fees. Mastercard faces significant competition from other payment processing companies, including Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) and PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL). However, Mastercard has maintained its position as one of the largest payment processors in the world due to its strong brand recognition, global network and innovative technology solutions.

Mastercard has consistently invested in innovative technology to enhance its payment processing solutions. One of the company's most significant innovations in recent years is Mastercard's tokenization technology, which provides a secure way to process payments without exposing cardholder data. Mastercard has also invested heavily in contactless payment technology, which has become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mastercard has a solid commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon footprint, increase financial inclusion and promote gender equality. Mastercard is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts, including the Mastercard Foundation, which focuses on advancing financial inclusion in Africa.

As with any company, Mastercard faces several risk factors that could impact its financial performance. One of the most significant risks facing Mastercard is the potential for increased regulation of the payment processing industry. Mastercard is also vulnerable to changes in consumer behavior, such as a shift away from traditional payment methods toward mobile payments. Additionally, Mastercard's business depends on the overall health of the global economy, which could be impacted by factors such as inflation, geopolitical tensions and natural disasters.
The earliest precursor to U.S. Bancorp was founded in 1863 and is now headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company owns the 24th national charter, issued in 1863, and is the second oldest original charter holder still in existence. Today, the bank is the 5th largest financial institution in the U.S. and is considered to be systemically important by the FSB. The companys revenue in 2021 topped $22.7 billion, it listed more than $573 million in total assets and employed more than 68,700 people.

U.S. Bancorp Is now operating as a financial services holding company. The company provides various financial and banking-related services to individuals, businesses, institutions, and governments under the U.S. Bank, Elavon, and Elan Financial Services banners. Elavon is a payment processor for merchants while Elan Financial Services is a credit card issuer that works in conjunction with small banks and credit unions across the U.S.

The U.S. Bank's name got its start in 1891 as the United States National Bank of Portland. That bank was merged with several others over the years before the one resulting in US Bancorp of Oregon. That bank lasted until the late 1990s when it was merged with the First Bank System of Minnesota. That merger created the now-recognizable U.S. Bancorp but the mergers do not end there. A final takeover by Firstar, another bank with a long history of mergers, resulted in the bank being traded on the New York Stock Exchange today.

U.S. Bank operates in 5 segments that include Corporate and Commercial Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Investment Services, Payment Services and Treasury and Corporate Support segments. The companys long-term debt all carries AA or A+ ratings and are considered investment quality.

U.S. Bancorps financial services include deposits, checking, savings accounts, and CDs as well as a range of lending and investment services. Lending services include consumer and business loans, lines of credit and credit cards as well as personal loans, and others. Investment and insurance services include asset management, fund administration, IRA, and access to markets. Services are available through a network of 2,213 branch offices throughout the western and midwestern U.S. Accounts are also accessible through 4,052 ATMs, mobile, online, and telephone. U.S. Bancorp has operations in 26 states.
McDonald's Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational restaurant chain that serves hamburgers, fries, chicken sandwiches and drinks. The company is the largest restaurant chain by revenue and serves more than 69 million customers daily. Total revenue topped $23 billion in 2022, with most revenue coming from its franchisees. The company operates in 100 countries and is the world's second-largest private employer, with more than 200,000 executives, managers, cooks and front-line staff.

McDonald's most iconic food items include French fries and the Big Mac. McDonald's serves hot and crispy fries. Its Big Mac is a double-decker burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato and "secret sauce," a combination of thousand island and French dressing that evokes a sharper flavor.

Richard and Maurice McDonald founded McDonald's in 1940. Its first restaurant location was in San Bernardino, California, and it quickly rebranded into a hamburger stand. The new concept met colossal success, and soon, the two were franchising their brand to other operators. The key to the brother's success was the Speedee Service System introduced in 1948. This system modeled concepts established by earlier chains.

The company introduced the golden arches in 1953 in Arizona and reached a significant turning point in 1955 when Ray Kroc entered the picture. He came aboard as the company's franchising agent and bought the company while expanding it. His first restaurant was the company's ninth total, but many agree that Kroc created the modern McDonald's Corporation. During his tenure, McDonald's expanded its footprint, enhanced its menu and grew into international territories.

The fictional character Ronald McDonald came to life in 1963. He lives in McDonaldland with his pals Mayor McCheese, Grimace, Birdie the Early Bird, the Fry Kids and the Hamburglar. He was invented as a marketing ploy to attract children and has become one of the nation's most beloved characters. At the peak of his popularity, the company employed more than 300 full-time clowns to portray Ronald McDonald.



Today, McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises McDonald's restaurants globally. The company generates revenue via sales in company-owned stores and rents, fees and royalties from its franchisees. The company's business model is to aid franchisees with real estate purchases and buildings so that it can collect on rent and other fees and brand royalties. As of 2022, the company owns about 45% of the land its restaurants sit on and 70% of the buildings. This model not only generates additional revenue and earnings but helps to insulate it from ups and downs in the consumer cycle.

As of December 31, 2023, the company operated about 38,000 restaurants, which includes the closing or divestiture of business in Russia.
(Bloomberg) -- Rakuten Group Inc.s credit rating was cut by Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd., citing uncertainty about the outlook for profitability at the mobile phone business.

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The assessor downgraded its view by a notch to A- and said the outlook was negative for billionaire Hiroshi Mikitanis company, which has racked up four consecutive years of losses.

Several of Rakutens bonds have fallen to levels typically considered distressed, while its shares have dropped 17% this year, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.

Earnings improvement in the mobile business has been slow, and it will be difficult for this business on its own to move into the black in terms of operating income in a single month during 2023, the ratings agency said. The improvement in the performance of the mobile business is expected to take more time than JCR had previously assumed.

A spokesperson for the Tokyo-based company declined to comment on JCRs downgrade.

Founded in 1997 by Harvard Business School graduate Mikitani, Rakuten is a competitor to Amazon.com Inc. in Japan, with more than 40 million active customers in units ranging from online shopping to banking and insurance.

But its debt load increased after it decided in 2017 to enter Japans mobile carrier market  a year when its fortunes were flying high after starting a now-ended sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona.

The companys adjusted net debt has climbed 3.5 times to 2.1 trillion yen ($14.8 billion) in a little over five years as of the end of March, according to calculations by Bloomberg Intelligence.

Rakutens $5 billion pile of notes maturing in the next two years is the most of any Japanese corporate after SoftBank Group Corp, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

(Adds company reaction in fifth paragraph, background)

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The Charles Schwab Corporation is a financial services company that offers a wide range of investment services, including brokerage, banking, and financial advisory services. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Westlake, Texas, the company operates through two main segments: Investor Services and Advisor Services. The Investor Services segment offers individual investors retail brokerage and banking services, while the Advisor Services segment provides custodial, trading, and support services to independent investment advisors. In 2020, the company completed its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, further expanding its client base and offerings.

Charles Schwab Corporation's management team is led by Walt Bettinger, who has been the company's President and Chief Executive Officer since 2008. Mr. Bettinger joined the company in 1995 and has held various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Head of Schwab Institutional.

Over the past few years, Charles Schwab Corporation has experienced steady growth in its key financial metrics. It is reporting increased revenue and increased profit margin. Charles Schwab Corporation's valuation metrics are generally in line with industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings ratio is slightly lower than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also somewhat lower than the industry average. Charles Schwab Corporation's stock has generally performed well over the past few years, with some fluctuations in response to broader market conditions and regulatory changes. The company's stock price has outperformed the S&P 500 for several years. The company has also experienced increases in trading volume in response to changes in market conditions and regulatory changes.

Charles Schwab Corporation operates in the financial services industry, which has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past few years. The industry has been impacted by a range of factors, including advances in technology, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory changes. Charles Schwab Corporation competes with other financial services firms, including traditional brokerage firms, online investment platforms, and banks.

Charles Schwab Corporation has a range of potential growth opportunities, including expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients. The company has been investing in technology and digital platforms to improve its services and attract new clients. In addition, the company's acquisition of TD Ameritrade has provided new opportunities for growth and expansion. The company also focuses on expanding its international presence and exploring new markets.

Charles Schwab Corporation faces a range of potential risks and challenges, including changes in regulatory and political environments that may impact the company's operations and profitability. The financial services industry is subject to a wide range of regulations, and changes in these regulations could significantly impact the company's operations. In addition, the industry is subject to intense competition, which could affect the company's ability to attract and retain clients.

Another potential risk is the impact of market volatility on the company's operations. Charles Schwab Corporation generates a significant portion of its revenue from commissions and fees, which are impacted by changes in market conditions. In periods of market volatility, clients may reduce their trading activity, which could affect the company's revenue and profitability.

The company also faces risks related to data security and privacy. The company collects and stores sensitive financial and personal information on its clients. Any breach of this data could significantly impact the company's reputation and financial performance.

To address these risks and challenges, Charles Schwab Corporation is focused on maintaining a robust regulatory compliance program and investing in data security and privacy measures. The company is also focused on diversifying its revenue streams and expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients.
Valero Energy Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that operates as an independent petroleum refining and marketing company based in San Antonio, Texas. The company was founded in 1980 and has since grown into one of the largest oil refiners in the United States. Valero Energy Corporation operates 15 refineries with a combined refining capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels daily, making it the largest independent refiner in North America. Additionally, the company has an extensive network of over 7,000 retail and wholesale branded outlets across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

The leadership team at Valero Energy Corporation is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joseph W. Gorder, who has been with the company since 1981. Gorder has served in several leadership positions at Valero Energy Corporation, including President and Chief Operating Officer, before being appointed to his current role in 2014. The company's Chief Financial Officer is Jason Fraser, who has been with Valero since 1999. Before being appointed CFO, Mr. Fraser served as General Counsel and Senior Vice President, providing oversight of public policy, planning, government affairs, and investor relations.

Over the past few years, Valero Energy Corporation has consistently reported strong financial results. The company struggled in 2020 due to investors' concerns regarding the pandemic. However, the company still reported a net income of $1.1 billion for the year, down from $2.4 billion in 2019. Since then, the company has rebounded and reached all-time highs in its stock price. The company's profit margins have also remained strong, with gross profit margins of around 11% and an operating profit margin of about 5%.

Valero Energy Corporation has managed its debt levels well, with a total debt-to-equity ratio average of 0.36. The company's ownership structure has remained relatively stable, with no significant changes in ownership in recent years.

Valero Energy Corporation's valuation metrics include a price-to-earnings ratio and a price-to-book ratio that aligns with industry peers. The company's market capitalization is approximately $50 billion, making it one of the largest independent refiners in North America.

Valero Energy Corporation operates in a highly competitive industry, with significant competition from other independent refiners, integrated oil companies, and biofuel producers. The petroleum refining industry is subject to extensive regulatory oversight, and changes in regulations and political developments can significantly impact the industry's profitability. Additionally, the industry is subject to significant price volatility due to fluctuations in global oil prices.

Despite the industry's challenges, Valero Energy Corporation has several growth opportunities. The company has invested in renewable fuels and advanced technologies to improve its environmental performance, including developing renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Additionally, the company has announced plans to acquire several new renewable diesel plants, increasing its capacity to produce low-carbon fuels. Valero Energy Corporation is also expanding its retail and wholesale network, with plans to add new locations in strategic markets in the United States and Canada.

However, the company also faces several risks and challenges. Changes in consumer preferences towards electric vehicles and renewable energy could reduce demand for petroleum products, significantly impacting Valero Energy Corporation's revenue and profitability. Additionally, the company's business is subject to significant regulatory and environmental risks and geopolitical risks, such as the impact of international trade policies and sanctions.

Valero Energy Corporation has focused on improving its operational efficiency, reducing costs, and investing in new technologies to improve its environmental performance to mitigate these risks. The company has also maintained a strong balance sheet, focusing on managing its debt levels and maintaining a healthy cash position.
OVERLAND PARK, KS / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / With 250 million vehicles transported per year in the U.S. alone, the need for smarter auto delivery solutions has reached record heights. Draiver , the industry's most intelligent on-demand vehicle delivery service, moves an average of 6,000 vehicles a day, and recently expanded this expertise to international markets to meet the rising demand for elevated vehicle transport. In this article, Draiver Founder and CEO, Zarif Haque , a Kansas City native, explains how his company's pioneering business model and singular delivery solution warranted expansion to ten countries around the world.

Delivering Peace of Mind for Clients

Despite transporting hundreds of millions of vehicles per year, the U.S. vehicle delivery industry lacked transparency and efficiency. Having identified this market gap, Draiver focused on providing unprecedented visibility and control into the delivery process, enabling clients to easily scale their vehicle delivery needs, while guaranteeing safety, profitability, and faster delivery. The elevated efficiency helped improve customer bottom lines, reducing costs by 30%, and increased the company's client portfolio 94% last year.

"At Draiver, we are passionate about putting our customers and people first," says Haque . "Whether it's receiving a new car or moving vehicles in the "final mile" category, more emerging markets are in need of a reliable, white-glove approach to vehicle delivery."

Setting the Industry Standard for Speed

Since its founding in 2013, the company has employed a hybrid business model utilizing AI technology and a gig-ified approach to moving vehicles, creating a market solution with a built-in marketplace. With advanced tech that better navigates complex delivery logistics, Draiver knew their solution could address global challenges in the auto industry where customers were looking for safer and faster delivery. Having moved over a million vehicles for auto and truck dealers, vehicle service centers, fleet companies, rental agencies, and OEMs, expanding operations to international markets was a seamless process that generated immediate success for both the company as well as new partners in countries like Mexico and Brazil.

Creating an Elite Driver Network Overseas

Last year, Draiver tripled its driver pool to nearly 20,000 and emerged as a notable champion and partner for the gig economy in the U.S., providing a new way for gig drivers to make money with more professional driving opportunities. CEO Zarif Haque realized that synergy with gig economy drivers would be especially beneficial in emerging markets, and knew that expansion would create more job opportunities in these new markets while enabling safer delivery and driving experiences.

Perfecting a unique vehicle delivery model enabled the company to scale their full suite of services to cities throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil, while Draiver software currently solves advanced logistics needs for large auto companies in Peru, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Peru, Turkey and the GCC.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Maggie McDaniel

media@draiver.com

SOURCE: Draiver





View source version on accesswire.com:

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(Bloomberg) -- Fast fashion retailer Asos Plc and firms in the sought-after software sector are now the most likely takeover targets in Europe.

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Thats according to a quarterly M&A survey by Bloomberg News, which named the UK online-only firm, along with Switzerlands Temenos AG and French IT services provider Atos SE among top picks. A handful of the regions telecom companies were also mentioned in the informal poll of 24 M&A desks, analysts, brokers and fund managers.

Asos shares have slumped 83% since the start of 2022, and the company was the UKs worst performer last year as it struggled with soaring costs and rising debt. Deal speculation has been heating up recently after the Sunday Times reported Turkish online retailer Trendyol made a 1.4 billion ($1.79 billion) approach in December. Billionaire Mike Ashleys Frasers Group Plc also recently raised its stake in the company, which is undergoing a turnaround plan.

There are some good synergies available for Frasers, according to Liberum analyst Wayne Brown. Asos owns the Topshop/Topman brands which, if shown some love and improved design focus could do very well for Frasers, he said. The Asos platform could also sync well with Frasers websites including Missguided, he said.

While Asos is a new addition to the top picks in the survey, Temenos and Atos have featured before. Swedish private equity firm Nordic Capital is still pursuing the Swiss banking software maker after rival buyout firms dropped out, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. Atos is under the radar as it is due to split into two units this year, with BFM Business recently reporting that talks over a sale of the legacy business are ongoing with Czech entrepreneur Daniel Kretinsky.

The sector has been attracting significant interest from private equity firms. Silver Lake Management looks set to acquire Germanys Software AG after Bain dropped out of a bidding war, while Bain separately made an offer for Switzerlands SoftwareOne Holding AG last week.

Software companies are popular among buyout firms due to their attractive cashflows and the good visibility of subscription sales models, according to Goodbody analyst George OConnor. Software names like Software AG and Temenos have long-established customer bases and, with it, a great opportunity to drive improvements in cash, he said. Legacy tech names will also carry lower valuations as the market chases the new, like Nvidia.

The interest comes during a difficult year for dealmaking in Europe amid disparate price expectations and difficult financing markets. M&A in the region so far this year is down 51% from the same period last year, to about $333 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Telecom stocks were also popular picks in the survey, with Cellnex Telecom SA and Telecom Italia SpA both in the top six. Telecom Italia is close to entering into detailed negotiations with KKR & Co. over the sale of its network in a deal valued as much as 23 billion, Bloomberg reported this week.

The sector is heavily indebted and under-consolidated, particularly when compared to the US, said AlphaValues head of research, Pierre-Yves Gauthier. European regulators are now more open to the idea of reducing the number of national operators than they were a few years ago, he said.

Valuations for Europes telecom companies are close to all-time lows, while the sectors predictable earnings and reliable dividends may spur both strategic and private equity interest.

Representatives for Asos, Atos, Cellnex and Telecom Italia declined to comment. Temenos and Belgian shipping company Euronav NV, which rounded out the top six in the survey, didnt respond to requests for comment.

Other takeaways from the survey include:

Multiple mentions for French grocers Carrefour SA and Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA; telecom billionaire Xavier Niel and Daniel Kretinsky are among the big players circling Casino.

Luxury-goods firm Burberry Group Plc  among top picks in last quarters survey  got three mentions.

Gambling stocks Entain Plc, Playtech Plc and Kindred Group Plc also got multiple mentions this time.

See here for the full survey results.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son declared in an emotional meeting with investors that he will go back on the offensive in tech investing soon, seeking to establish his credentials in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence.

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The billionaire is ending years of dormancy after his Vision Fund, the worlds largest pool of tech capital, racked up billions of dollars of losses as a Covid-era internet boom withered and a global economic downturn sapped valuations.

Since October, Ive been asking myself how many years I have left, the 65-year-old chief executive told shareholders at an annual meeting. There were times when I felt so empty. Is this enough? Is this it? I cried and cried and couldnt stop crying for days.

Son, who made one of the most lucrative bets in startup investing history when he financed Jack Ma and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., seeks to leave a legacy comparable to that of Apple Inc.s Steve Jobs. The Vision Fund, launched in 2017, was a chance to do so, but high-profile misses such as WeWork Inc. sullied his reputation. Tapping the revolutionary potential of AI tech offers a chance for redemption.

I wanted to become an architect to build the future of humankind. I may not achieve everything  I myself as an individual may not be enough  but I want to play a role, to an extent, somehow, he said Wednesday. The time has come to shift to offense mode.

SoftBank hit the brakes on new investments and switched to playing defense last year - when Son handed operational duties to Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto. The CEO then said hed made mistakes by getting carried away with excitement about new technology and companies, ignoring good advice from within SoftBank.

On Wednesday, after five straight quarters of Vision Fund losses, the same feverish optimism was apparent in the way Son spoke of AI as the foundational element of future society.

When your grandkids are our age, I believe they will be living in a reality where the computer is 10,000 times smarter than the sum of all human wisdom, he said. Son said he intends to keep running SoftBank and has found no successor. Im having too much fun.

The Vision Funds return to the field is welcome news for a startup ecosystem whose largest players from Uber Technologies Inc. to Coupang Inc. scaled up thanks to steady financing from the Japanese firm. SoftBanks signature portfolio firm is now Arm Ltd., the British chip designer Son argues is central to AI. Arms now on track for one of the largest initial public offerings this year.

Thanks to its long hibernation, SoftBank now has enough cash on hand to invest again, Son said. Arm is at the beginning of an explosive period of growth, he said, adding that hes spent the last few years doubling the number of the units engineers.

SoftBanks shares closed up 3.7% after the meeting. The stock has gained more than 30% in the June quarter, heading for its best quarterly performance in three years.

SoftBank is arguably already the worlds largest AI investor, and the use of AI would help its Japan businesses in search, messaging and payments, said Richard Kaye, a portfolio manager at Comgest Asset Management, a long-time investor in SoftBank. People have just been looking out for buybacks...but the SoftBank story is so much more than that.

Prospects for Arms initial public offering have brightened recently, buoyed by hype around generative AI and talks with potential anchor investors including Intel Corp. Arm is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion, Bloomberg News reported, and brokerages are revising up their SoftBank stock price targets.

Shareholders approved the appointment of Arm CEO Rene Haas to SoftBanks board to replace outgoing director Kentaro Kawabe, chairman of SoftBanks Japanese search engine operator Z Holdings Corp.

One of Sons bigger missteps might be his decision to sell SoftBanks stake in US chipmaker Nvidia Corp. for $3.6 billion in early 2019. That roughly 5% stake would be worth more than $50 billion now. But the CEO, who survived the dot-com bust, jokes that even the Vision Funds losses are within the margin of error.

Of the roughly 500 companies SoftBank has invested in, several have the potential to hit valuations of a billion dollars or more, Son said. If you have one or two smash hits, they will make up for all the mistakes.

(Updates with CEO and investor comments)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- South Korean exports offered an early sign of improvement in global trade after their first year-on-year gain since last summer.

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Preliminary trade figures showed a 5.3% gain in exports in the first 20 days of June from a year ago for the first increase since August, a possible sign that a slowdown in world demand is starting to ease. The rise was largely driven by gains in car and shipping-related exports, while semiconductor exports continued to drop.

As a key provider of chips and smartphones for the global economy, South Koreas export data offer one of the earliest pulse checks on the strength of international trade and tech-sector demand.

While the figures were encouraging, its too early to gauge how fast any recovery might be, according to Krystal Tan, economist at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. But it does look like were nearing a bottom.

An improvement in the nations shipments can be a leading indicator for the wider trend, though economists warn against drawing concrete conclusions from an incomplete set of monthly figures.

The data indicates global trade may have bottomed out, but whether it is set for a full-on recovery will be something to be watched, said Moon Junghiu, economist at KB Kookmin Bank in Seoul.

Gains were led largely by shipments to the US, steady demand for automobiles and a jump in shipping-related demand. Exports to the EU and Hong Kong also advanced on a year-on-year basis, though shipments to China were down again.

The results fit in with a picture of a US economy showing resilience despite a string of rate hikes while Chinas recovery continues to disappoint even as policymakers there ramp up stimulus to try and restore momentum. A full recovery in global trade depends largely on China  a major engine of the world economy  and a resurgence in appetite for chips, which go into everything from cars to electronic devices.

The figures have to be taken with a grain of salt and can be seen as US exports stabilizing rather than a surge, Tan said.

Even with the gain, overall exports are still around 18% lower from their 20-day peak in March 2022. A measure of average daily exports, which removes potential distortions from changes in the number of working days, also showed that shipments werent as strong as the headline figure indicated. The average inched down 2%, though that was the smallest fall since exports began to drop last year.

The 20-day data showed exports of automobiles more than doubled. Shipping-related demand, a factor that sometimes skews monthly figures, was also up by more than 100%.

While semiconductor exports fell 23.5%, the drop eased compared with Mays full month figures. Overall imports declined 11.2%, resulting in a trade deficit of $1.61 billion.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has backed initiatives from the Biden administration seeking to reduce reliance reliance on China in global supply chains for crucial materials such as semiconductors.

--With assistance from Jon Herskovitz.

(Updates with economist comments)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a faster pace than laws can be drafted in response, an academic has warned.

Although the technology has been around in some form for some time, the rate at which it is changing and improving is the new, key challenge, senators and TDs were told.

The Oireachtas Enterprise Committee heard that AI can offer profound opportunities to help people, but can also be used to reduce white-collar employees salaries and even prompt diplomatic incidents.

#OireachtasTV  Watch LIVE as the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment meets with representatives from @irishcongress of Trade Unions, @TheBarofIreland & @tcddublin to discuss Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace #SeeForYourselfhttps://t.co/Lwis56a21B pic.twitter.com/4viveDrkig  Houses of the Oireachtas  Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) June 21, 2023

Professor of AI at Trinity College Dublin Gregory OHare cited cases including technology beating a world chess champion in 1997, as well as fake AI-generated images of Donald Trump being arrested and the Pope wearing a designer puffer jacket, as he outlined landmark moments in the development of the disruptive technology.

He said there have been many previous false dawns and unrealised promises about the technologys potential, and that ChatGPT has gathered 100 million users in two months and is the fastest-growing technology in history.

He said white-collar professions like the law, academia, marketing, architecture, engineering, journalism and the creative industries will all be profoundly affected, and cited a recent study which estimated that two-thirds of all US occupations will be affected by AI.

In terms of the point around wages, I think there is certainly an opportunity for employers to reduce salaries, he said.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) argued that unions should be involved at an early stage in any initiatives looking to address concerns around AI.

Dr Laura Bambrick, of the ICTU, said the EU AI Act is not suitable to regulate AI and is more than disappointing from workers point of view, stating that the amendments tabled offer some comfort but dont go far enough.

It only requires software providers to self-assess their own technology between low- and high-risk before putting it on the market, and did not include any rules on the use of AI in the workplace, she said.

Prof OHare said he believes the current legislative framework proposed to regulate AI is not in a position to be able to respond with the speed that we need.

He added: The velocity of AI technology is, alas, fast exceeding the rate at which the law around AI can be framed.

Cork East TD David Stanton said that statement is quite scary, and science fiction is actually becoming science fact.

He suggested the topic is so serious and developing at such a pace that it could warrant setting up a dedicated Oireachtas committee to discuss it.

During the session, committee chairman Maurice Quinlivan said he used ChatGPT to double-check that the three guests had not used ChatGPT to write their opening statements, with one TD remarking he was using AI to check for AI.

Prof OHare said it is difficult to assess how AI comes to a particular conclusion, even for experts.

Not only is there typically not a set of algorithmic steps that one, even with a trained eye, could scrutinise, AI, and in particular deep AI, does not have an algorithmic basis.

So, even were it to be the case that someone like myself, a professor of artificial intelligence, were I to look at a particular AI application that was using deep learning, I would have great difficulty in being able to establish, on the surface, how it actually arrived at its deduction and its recommendation or conclusion.

He added that, while it is crucial to engage with all stakeholders involved, it will take some considerable time, and the rate at which AI is developing does not afford us that level of time.

Responding to the suggestion that the use of AI should be slowed down or halted to allow for consultation, he said: Were talking about something that knows no boundaries.

It knows no political boundaries, it knows no geographic boundaries, no socio-economic boundaries. This is something that demands potentially a global position. So Ireland needs to find a way and a voice into that global discussion.

Ronan Lupton SC, of the Bar Council of Ireland, said that although AI has been around for some time, where were moving to now, at the moment, is a sphere in an environment of extreme pace, which is the key challenge.

He said AI could help people with speech disabilities to communicate, but also warned of the dangers of misinformation.

He said that newsrooms, instead of sending a draft article to a solicitor to check for defamation or other legal issues, are now using artificial intelligence technologies instead, which he said is an interesting development.

Prof OHare agreed with the potential of AI to help people with disabilities and said it is very important that we do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

This technology has profound opportunities, absolutely profound opportunities.

But he suggested that, because the technology has been put out into the wild, it could be used for sinister means which could have financial or political implications, such as boundary incursions  and even wars.

The question is will it always be used for good purpose, or is there a significant chance that it will be used for Machiavellian purposes? he said.
IN A SIGNIFICANT development, SIPTU representatives have announced that contract cleaners in hospitals across Ireland have finally received the long-awaited 1000 Pandemic Special Recognition Payment.

The payment comes after a series of public protests last week by the 'Forgotten Frontline Heroes Campaign,' which drew attention to the delayed compensation owed to these essential workers.

Last Thursday, contract cleaners organised protests outside Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, University Hospital Limerick, and Galway University Hospital. The demonstrations aimed to shed light on the plight of these workers who had not received the promised pandemic recognition payment.

Acknowledging the success of the protests, Teresa Hannick, the SIPTU Services Division Organiser, stated, "Following the successful day of action by our members in Dublin, Limerick, and Galway, we have received confirmation that the Pandemic Special Recognition Payment has been paid to the workers involved."

She further emphasised the power of effective protest, highlighting the prompt processing of the payment as a testament to the unity and strength demonstrated by the members over the past few months.

Ms Hannick pledged: "We will continue our campaign of actions across the country until every contract services worker in the health sector, who worked through the pandemic, get what they are entitled to."
[June 20, 2023] Torpedo Market Size, Trends, Industry Analysis and Research Report 2023: Aselsan, Atlas Elektronik, BAE, Bharat Dynamics, Honeywell, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, and Naval Group Dominate the Market Tweet

DUBLIN, June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Torpedo Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Product, By Weight Type, By Application, By Region, Segment Forecast, 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global torpedo market size is expected to reach USD 1.641 billion by 2032



Torpedoes are the most lethal underwater weapons widely used in submarines. The increase in ongoing disputes among countries such as Russia and Ukraine, China and India, China, Taiwan, and others has driven the growth of the torpedo market. The government of both developed and developing economies are investing in making strong submarine and navy forces. This factor is anticipated to enhance the overall demand for torpedoes in the coming years. AI-integrated smart and lightweight torpedoes are in high demand due to their cost-effectiveness and quick detection ability has improved the performance of torpedoes.



For instance, the Russian Navy has also developed a nuclear-enabled torpedo. The rest of the globe is expected to witness a high growth rate in the coming years. Rising maritime border conflicts in the South China Sea & anti-piracy operations. Besides, Brazil also developing new submarines is key development which led to a rise in the potential sales of the torpedo market during the forecast period.



Factors such as the upgradation of AI and IoT technologies in torpedo have escalated the torpedo market. Furthermore, defense organizations are focusing on strengthening advanced weapon solutions for submarine sectors. For instance, according to data revealed by Fortune India in December 2022, India's defense budget for 2022-23 was USD 70.6 Bn, & around 24% was allocated for weapons and equipment for modernization. This factor is projected to drive the torpedo market during the forecast period.



Moreover, the marine conflicts & disruptions in maritime trade activity have contributed to an increase in the adoption of anti-submarine weapons, mainly torpedoes. In addiion, AI-integrated and lightweight torpedoes are best suited in anti-submarine warfare due to their cost-effectiveness and efficiency have driven the market. These factors are enhancing the potential sales of the torpedo market, thus, offering the most lucrative opportunities for the future.







Torpedo Market Report Highlights Wake homing type segment is anticipated to hold largest revenue share over the forecast period, owing to the growing economy and demographic growth are the major key market trend for enhancing the defense industry.

Lightweight type segment accounted for largest revenue share which is accelerated by the emerging trends of adopting lightweight torpedo during the wars and anti-submarine activities.

Naval vessel segment is held substantial share over the study period due to the strong navy forces and government support and high spending on R&D activities have fuel the market growth.

North America is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the projected period. This is primarily due to presence of key companies in the region.

is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the projected period. This is primarily due to presence of key companies in the region. The global players Aselsan, Atlas Elektronik, BAE Systems, Bharat Dynamics, Honeywell International, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, and Naval Group. Torpedo Market Dynamics

Drivers and Opportunities Demand for the lightweight torpedo from aircraft in large quantities

Rise in the modernization events in the navy industry Restraints and Challenges Increasing cyber attacks Porter's Five Forces Analysis PESTEL Analysis Torpedo Market Weight Type Trends Value Chain Analysis COVID-19 Impact Analysis Company Profiles Aselsan

Atlas Elektronik GmbH

BAE Systems

Bharat Dynamics Limited

Honeywell International Inc

Leonardo SpA,

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Naval Group

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Raytheon Company

Rosoboronexport

Saab ABSechan Electronics Inc. Scope of the Report Torpedo, Product Type Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032) Acoustic Homing Torpedo

Wake Homing Torpedo International Torpedo, Weight Type Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032) Heavy weight

Lightweight Torpedo, Application Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032) Naval Vessel launched torpedo

Aerial platform-Launched Torpedo Torpedo, Regional Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032) North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

UK

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Netherlands

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Indonesia

Malaysia

Latin America

Argentina

Brazil

Mexico

Middle East & Africa

& UAE

Saudi Arabia

Israel

South Africa For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rvjrip 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

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[June 20, 2023]

MDT Launches TMR7303 High-bandwidth Board-mounted Current Sensors at Sensors Converge

TMR Technology Offers 10MHz Wideband Current Sensing Solutions for High-speed Power Electronics

SAN JOSE, Calif. and ZHANGJIAGANG, China, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd. (MDT), a leading manufacturer of magnetic sensors specializing in Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) technology, has accounted the TMR7303 board-mounted current sensors at Sensors Converge 2023. Designed to meet the growing market demand for high-frequency current detection in silicon-carbide (SiC) / gallium-nitride (GaN) power electronics devices in application systems including photovoltaic inverters, switching power supplies, DC motor drives, and variable frequency drives, the TMR7303-D/P1 series covers rated nominal current ranges from 10A to 120A at a high frequency response greater than 500kHz. The TMR7303-D/P2 series features an enhanced bandwidth at 10MHz, advancing the capability of MDT's TMR technology to the next level.

TMR7303's board-mounted form factor and pin definitions are fully compatible with mainstream products on the market, offering customers a fast track for streamlined adoption and upgrade. Its built-in TMR265x TMR linear sensor integrates high-precision TMR sensing elements with a high-speed, temperature calibrated, and programmable signal conditioning ASIC, providing high uniformity and temperature stability to ensure reliable current measurement across mass production quantities. The TMR265x magnetic sensor IC is recognized as one of the industry's most innovative products, nominated among the 2023 Best of Sensors Awards Finalists at Sensors Converge.

MDT fully owns its advanced magnetic sensor fab and automated current sensor assembly line that can support an annual production capacity in billions of magnetic sensor ICs and tens of millions of current sensor modules. MDT's highly consolidated and self-reliant supply chain provides its customers a strong guarantee of uninterrupted production and on-time delivery.

TMR7303 product selection guide









Model Number Primary Nominal

Current Primary Current

Measurement Range -3dB Bandwidth TMR7303-010D/P1 10A 25A 500kHz TMR7303-016D/P1 16A 40A 600kHz TMR7303-020D/P1 20A 50A 600kHz TMR7303-032D/P1 32A 80A 600kHz TMR7303-040D/P1 40A 100A 600kHz TMR7303-050D/P1 50A 125A 600kHz TMR7303-080D/P1 80A 200A 600kHz TMR7303-120D/P1 120A 300A 500kHz TMR7303-004D/P2 4A 10A 10MHz TMR7303-008D/P2 8A 20A 10MHz



Samples and pre-production quantities of TMR7303 current sensors and TMR265x magnetic sensor ICs are available to order from Digi-key. For volume pricing and delivery inquiries, please contact MDT or visit MDT at Sensors Converge 2023, booth 1049 in Santa Clara, California from June 21-22.

About MDT

MultiDimension Technology was founded in 2010 in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China, with branch offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Ningbo in China, Tokyo, Japan, and San Jose, Calif., USA. MDT has developed a unique intellectual property portfolio, and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities that can support volume production of high-performance, low-cost TMR magnetic sensors to satisfy the most demanding application needs. Led by its core management team of elite experts and veterans in magnetic sensor technology and engineering services, MDT is committed to creating added value for its customers and ensuring their success. For more information about MDT please visit http://www.multidimensiontech.com .

Media Contacts

Jinfeng Liu, jinfeng[email protected],

Tel: +1-650-275-2318 (US), +86-189-3612-1156 (China)

Jilie Wei, kevin[email protected],

Tel: +86-189-3612-1160 (China)

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/mdt-launches-tmr7303-high-bandwidth-board-mounted-current-sensors-at-sensors-converge-301854602.html

SOURCE MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
[June 20, 2023] Encora Earns Top Ranking in Great Place to Work India's 2023 Best Companies to Work Tweet

Encora's 4,500 Employees in India Recognized the Company as a Trusted Leader in Workplace Culture SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Encora , a global next-gen product engineering provider, today announced its offices in India have been recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in India by the esteemed Great Place to Work Institute. Encora ranked 33rd among the best workplaces in India and in the top 10 of Information Technology services firms. "We are proud for this recognition bestowed upon Encora by the Great Place to Work Institute. We want to thank and congratulate Encorians for creating and fostering a diverse and caring culture. This extraordinary honor is a reflection of the dedication, creativity, and passion displayed by Encorians in India and around the globe," says Anesh Korla, EVP & COO, Encora, India. "The unwavering commitment of every Encorian is truly inspiring and it is my great privilege to have such remarkable colleagues." The 33rd place achieved by Encora is the result of an anonymous comprehensive survey of employees who have worked at Encora for more than three months, as well as a culture audit in which the Great Place to Work Institute validates company culture, engagement, diversity, among other key topics. According to Great Place to Work Institute research, employees in certified companies are 93% more likely to be happy in their jobs, the chances of receiving fair pay and promotion opportunities are doubled, and there is a significant increase in the quality of leadership. "We are privileged to have a talented workforce that drives innovation for our clients while fostering an inclusive workplace environment," says Anand Birje, CEO, Encora. "The recognition as a top workplace inIndia demonstrates the power of putting people first. We will continue to focus on our employees' well-being and professional development because each Encorian's success is our shared success."



Encora proudly advocates for a culture that celebrates each Encorian's unique strengths and contributions. The company fosters open dialogue across all levels of the organization, providing transparency and responsive leadership. It has also invested in new tools, platforms, and processes to help improve employee experiences and the average working day, like flexible hours and remote work options. Encora, both in India and across offices worldwide, has fostered a culture deeply rooted in integrity, respect, and conscientiousness. The company remains committed to upholding its promises to employees, treating everyone with dignity, regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, national origin, or disability status. Encora is dedicated to using technology and innovation to create a world that is better for its clients, people, and communities. Through concerted efforts, Encora has successfully cultivated a global culture where individuals feel safe, valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.

For more information about Encora's commitment to creating a positive workplace culture and other recognitions from Great Place to Work across the company's global locations, visit https://www.encora.com/about. About Encora

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona and backed by renowned private equity firms Advent International and Warburg Pincus, Encora is the preferred innovation partner to some of the world's leading technology companies. It provides award-winning digital engineering services including data science & engineering, generative AI, software product engineering, cloud services, devsecops, digital experience, quality engineering and cybersecurity. Encora has deep cluster vertical capabilities in HealthTech, FinTech, HiTech, IAM & Cybersecurity, Digital Commerce, Travel & Hospitality, Supply Chain & Logistics, Telecom and other specialized industries. With over 9,000 associates in 50+ offices and innovation labs across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Latin America, India, and Asia Pacific, Encora's global talent pool, industry vertical expertise and proprietary agile engineering capabilities enable clients to deliver superior business outcomes through accelerated innovation cycles. For more information, please visit www.encora.com. About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, it has surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and has used this information to define that a great workplace is built on trust. The Trust Index employee survey provides leaders with the necessary feedback, results and reports that enable the company to make data-driven decisions. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work for everyone. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1223481/4098397/Encora_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/encora-earns-top-ranking-in-great-place-to-work-indias-2023-best-companies-to-work-301856129.html

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[June 20, 2023] Singapore Start-up, ONEVIEW, raises S$4 million seed funding to revolutionise billers' communication and customer experience Tweet

ADERA Global, Beyon Connect and Cumulo9 to invest S$4 million in Singapore -based startup, ONEVIEW

ONEVIEW is set to transform the way billing organizations interact, deliver documents, and provide exceptional customer service

OneView's cutting-edge digital postbox platform launched at the end of the year, will enable users to access all their important documents such as statements, receipts, important documents, in a single secure app

This digital postbox will first be launched in Singapore , and will act as a testbed and benchmark for Southeast Asia SINGAPORE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore-based start-up, OneView Pte Ltd ("ONEVIEW"), secured S$4 million in seed funding from ADERA Global, Beyon Connect, part of the Beyon Group, and Cumulo9 to transform the digital payments and communication landscape across Southeast Asia. ONEVIEW's innovative platform aims to revolutionise bill payments, simplifying everyday digital communications with a more convenient, sustainable, and spam-free experience. The digital post-box application is scheduled to be launched by the end of the year in Singapore, enabling users to easily access their documents and communications from multiple billers and senders within a single app. Using Singapore as a testbed for the Southeast Asian region, ONEVIEW aims to set the benchmark for a digital post-box that will greatly improve people's lives. Lead Investors in the Seed Funding Round ADERA Global, headquartered in Singapore, is a leader in data security and automation, serving global banks, telecommunications and government agencies around the world. Beyon Connect, part of the Beyon group based in Bahrain, is a provider of new technologies, and advanced IT solutions for both the public and private sectors in the MENA region. New Zealand-based Cumulo9 provides business services for the digital delivery of transactional documents throughout APAC. Accelerating Digitalisation and Singapore's Smart Nation Vision



Traditionally, billers have relied on physical mail and emails to communicate with their customers. However, these methods are often slow, inefficient, and lack the personalisation and convenience that customers now expect. With this, billers can receive more insights such as open rates on the documents that were sent, compared to physical mails. For end-users, imagine all your statements, appointments, e-receipts and important documents automatically archived and stored in a single, secured place where you can view, track, monitor and act on them. With features like personalised notifications for bill due dates and document updates, customers are empowered to stay on top of their finances and have better control over their billing processes.

Aligned with Singapore's vision to become a smart nation, ONEVIEW aims to enable effective and secure communications between government, agencies, business enterprises and individuals in Singapore. The platform is designed to simplify secure document transmission and management, thereby encouraging greater digitization. Offering unparalleled customer experience and enhancing sustainability ONEVIEW's digital postbox platform simplifies the bill payment process for both billers and customers. By eliminating the need for customers to visit multiple websites or make manual transactions, it saves time and reduces the likelihood of errors. By providing a frictionless bill payment experience, billers can improve cash flow and reduce payment delays. ONEVIEW is committed to going green and minimizing paper waste, aligning with Singapore's environmental initiatives. By providing documents such as digital billing statements, notices as well as easy payment options, more consumers will make the switch to paperless billing. With this digital postal solution, ONEVIEW will reduce the need for paper bills, contributing to the global sustainability agenda. "We are excited to introduce this cutting edge digital postbox solution to the billing industry," said LEE Kok How, CEO of ONEVIEW. "Our platform is designed to empower billers with advanced digital communication capabilities and elevate the customer experience. With OneView, billers can not only streamline their processes and reduce costs but also build stronger relationships with their customers." "We believe that ONEVIEW has the potential to set a benchmark in the region and transform the way people manage their bills and documents." said ADERA Global's Executive Director Marvin Tan. ONEVIEW's digital postbox solution is suitable for a wide range of billers, including banks, telcos, utilities, insurance companies, healthcare groups, town councils, hospitality providers and government entities. By adopting this solution, billers can stay ahead of the competition, offer unparalleled customer experience, and meet the evolving expectations of their tech-savvy customers. To learn more about ONEVIEW and how it can benefit billers, visit here or follow ONEVIEW on Linkedin About ONEVIEW: ONEVIEW is a company offering an innovative digital communication platform that empowers billers to enhance their communication processes and deliver exceptional customer experiences. With user-friendly interface, advanced security measures, and integrated bill payment functionalities, OneView revolutionizes the way billers interact with their customers. By embracing digital transformation, billers can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/singapore-start-up-oneview-raises-s4-million-seed-funding-to-revolutionise-billers-communication-and-customer-experience-301856086.html SOURCE ONEVIEW

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[June 20, 2023] CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. - CRL Tweet

NEW ORLEANS, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until July 18, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL), if they purchased the Companys securities between May 5, 2020 and February 21, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Get Help Charles River investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-crl/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Charles River and certain of its excutives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.



On February 22, 2023, pre-market, the Company disclosed that it had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice relating to an ongoing investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research, and that the Company voluntarily suspended shipments of primates from Cambodia, which would negatively impact its earnings for the year and would reduce revenue growth by 200 basis points to 400 basis points. On this news, shares of Charles River fell $24.51, or 10%, to close at $219.09 per share on February 22, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The case is Coleman v. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-11132. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.



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[June 20, 2023] Doo Wealth Signs MOU With Corpag To Signify Global Business Partnership Tweet

HONG KONG, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Doo Group's subsidiary company and a member of Doo Wealth, Doo Consulting Limited (Company Registration No. 2601567), is pleased to announce that it has successfully signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Corpag Services (Asia) Ltd. (Company Registration No. 2096447) to signify global business partnership. The global business partnership will focus on establishing future global collaborative efforts that are mutually beneficial to promote the competitiveness of Doo Consulting Limited and Corpag Services (Asia) Ltd. A Strong Partnership Between Two Outstanding Organizations Doo Consulting Limited Since its establishment, Doo Group has nurtured a robust team with over 750 industry experts working in over 10 offices worldwide. With the vision to extend its reach, Doo Group has been actively seeking opportunities to venture into different markets, and Doo Consulting Limited is a benchark of Doo Group in the trust sector.



Doo Consulting Limited is a trust company registered pursuant to the Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29 Laws of Hong Kong) with the authorization from the Hong Kong Companies Registry ("CR"). In addition, Doo Consulting Limited possesses a license to provide trust or company service business in Hong Kong ("TCSP license"). Under the supervision of the world-top regulator, Doo Consulting Limited is authorized to deliver comprehensive services, including but not limited to asset management, custody services and custody solutions. Corpag Services (Asia) Ltd.

Incorporated in 1972, the Corpag Group is an independently owned organization that provides trust, administrative and corporate secretarial services to its private wealth, corporate and funds clients worldwide. With more than 50 years of history, Corpag has a global network of offices across various regions and countries, including USA, United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand and Hong Kong and more. In Hong Kong, Corpag Services (Asia) Ltd. offers high quality integrated solutions to its clients, such as legal administrative services, tax representation services, trust setup and administration services. Empowering Trust Sector Through Global Collaborative Efforts The MOU signifies the shared commitment of the two visionary organizations to work together to leverage their collective expertise, resources and networks to elevate the trust sector to new heights. Through the global business partnership, Doo Consulting Limited and Corpag Services (Asia) Ltd. are determined to deliver exceptional value and drive the success of their global clients. Email: [email protected] Website: www.doogroup.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/doo-wealth-signs-mou-with-corpag-to-signify-global-business-partnership-301856196.html SOURCE Doo Group

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Jeep- and Chrysler-parent Stellantis and iPhone maker Foxconn have formed a joint venture to supply semiconductors to the auto industry.

Jeep-and Chrysler-parent Stellantis and iPhone maker Foxconn on Tuesday announced a 50/50 joint venture called SiliconAuto to produce semiconductors for the automotive industry.

The deal is the result of a memorandum of understanding the companies signed in late 2021 as a chip shortage was causing major headaches for automakers.

That picture of supply chain troubles has improved, but it highlighted the need for automakers to secure a reliable supply of semiconductors.

Demand for more capable chips will only be heightened by the industry switch to electric vehicles and the addition of increasingly sophisticated technology inside them.

Buying a car: Your car may be worth a lot less than you owe. Here's why trading it in could be harder.

Stellantis will benefit from a robust supply of essential components, which is critical to fueling the rapid, software-defined transformation of our products, Stellantis Chief Technology Officer Ned Curic said in a news release. Our goal is to build vehicles that seamlessly connect with our customers daily lives and deliver class-leading capabilities years after they leave the assembly line. With this joint venture, we can create purpose-built innovations with an efficient partnership.

The joint venture, which will begin supplying chips to the two companies and others in 2026, will be based in the Netherlands, just as Stellantis is, according to the release. SiliconAutos management team is to include executives from both Stellantis and Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Technology Group.

Financial details and the production location were not announced.

Stellantis, which also owns the Ram, Dodge, Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands, and Foxconn also have a joint venture called Mobile Drive focused on developing smart cockpits enabled by consumer electronics, human-machine interfaces and services, the release noted.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stellantis, Foxconn launch SiliconAuto to build chips for cars
[June 21, 2023] RTX's Collins Aerospace business signs MRO agreement with Envoy Airlines Tweet

PARIS, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PARIS AIR SHOW -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) today announced its Collins Aerospace business has signed a FlightSense flight-hour contract with Envoy Air. Under the multi-year agreement, Collins will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for a number of systems across Envoy's fleet of 128 Embraer E175 aircraft. Collins' products covered under the contract include electric power, fire protection and sensors, among others. "Our new agreement with Envoy builds on our existing support for the airline's Embraer fleet, further expanding Collins' relationship withone of America's largest regional carriers," said Cory May, vice president, Aftermarket Business Development for Collins Aerospace. "By providing Envoy with a maintenance program tailored to its unique operational requirements, we will help the airline reduce repair time and costs, while maximizing operational efficiency."



"We're pleased to reach an agreement with Collins Aerospace to enhance our maintenance program as we serve thousands of customers every day," said John Nicks, Envoy senior vice president, Corporate Services. "This multi-year agreement will help ensure that our aircraft are safe, compliant and ready to meet the demands of our airline operation for years to come." About Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace is a business of RTX, the largest aerospace and defense company in the world. Our global team of 73,000 employees dreams, designs and delivers smarter, more connected solutions for passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and operational efficiency and sustainability. We make the most powerful concepts in aerospace a reality.

About RTX

RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into space. Effective July 1, the company will complete its realignment into three customer-focused business units  Collins Aerospace, Raytheon and Pratt & Whitney. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. About Envoy Air Inc.

Envoy Air Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, operates more than 130 aircraft on 700 daily flights to over 160 destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and Caribbean. The company's 19,000 employees provide regional flight service to American Airlines under the American Eagle brand and ground handling services for many American Airlines Group flights. Media Contact

Al Killeffer

+1 980-322-5087

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-collins-aerospace-business-signs-mro-agreement-with-envoy-airlines-301856148.html SOURCE Raytheon Technologies

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[June 21, 2023] Leading Global NGOs Launch SCeNe Coalition to Deliver Nature-based Climate Solutions in Southeast Asia Tweet

The Coalition aims to accelerate investment in nature-based solutions to climate change, while ensuring benefits flow to local communities. HONG KONG, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight globally recognized environmental and conservation non-profit organizations launched the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solutions Coalition (SCeNe Coalition) during Ecosperity Week, taking place in Singapore 6-8 June 2023. The SCeNe Coalition is a partnership that aims to support the delivery of and investment in high-quality, triple-benefit Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across the region. Triple-benefit NbS are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems, that are designed to simultaneously combat climate change, conserve biodiversity and benefit local communities and Indigenous peoples whose lives are intertwined with these ecosystems. "The successful implementation of NbS is crucial in addressing the climate crisis we urgently face today. The SCeNe Coalition was set up with the aim to drive adoption of these solutions at speed and scale, and to foster collective action across the region. We invite like-minded partners from industry, government, academia, and the wider community to join us in this endeavor, as we work together to make a sustainable future a reality," said Will McGoldrick, Co-Chair of the SCeNe Coalition and the Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific of The Nature Conservancy. The members of SCeNe Coalition are Conservation International (CI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), IDH-the Sustainable Trade Initiative, Birdlife International, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Mandai Nature, World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, and WWF-Singapore (World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore), with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) providing strategic advice to SCeNe and its initiatives. Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, has provided US$1 million in foundational support to Mandai Nature to partner with the members of the SCeNE Coalition to develop the NbS Tool. "Investing in nature is key to combating the adverse effects of climate change and the time for action is now. We must come together to effctively collaborate, combining our expertise and resources to achieve impact," said Sonja Luz, SCeNe Coalition Steering Committee Member and CEO of Mandai Nature. "The launch of the SCeNe Coalition and our aim to build up regional capacity for NbS projects brings us one step closer to realizing positive outcomes for climate, nature, and people in Southeast Asia."?



The SCeNe Coalition will be demoing the MVP version of an NbS Tool on 8 June as part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) APAC Event 2023: Ambition, Action, Accountability, being held in partnership with Ecosperity Week. The NbS Tool aims to lower the barrier to entry for Frontline Organisations (FOs) to access climate finance from NbS projects, as well as to support investors to channel funds to FO-led projects. During the event, the SCeNe Coalition will demonstrate the NbS Tool's functionality and collect feedback from participants active in the region's carbon market ecosystem, to ensure it caters to the actual needs of FOs and investors as the targeted users of the tool.

"As demand for NbS for climate rises, a new challenge looms. Where will credible NbS come from? How will we ensure these solutions benefit climate as well as local communities and biodiversity?" said Martin Callow, Co-Chair of the SCeNe Coalition and Regional Director, Southeast Asian Archipelago of Wildlife Conservation Society. "The NbS Tool, as part of a suite of solutions, is designed specifically for both investors and FOs, to answer this twin challenge." Private investment into NbS is gradually increasing. This is necessary to address the climate crisis. To date, carbon markets are one of the most effective tools for leveraging private investment in the service of NbS. Therefore, there is an unparalleled opportunity to access and direct climate finance to NbS projects that deliver, not only climate outcomes, but also outcomes for biodiversity and people across Southeast Asia. In its next iteration, the NbS tool will also include NbS Portfolio, a feature to showcase high-integrity triple-benefit NbS projects, that will help inform market participants on NbS best-practices, as well as direct market demand and climate finance to additional triple-benefit NbS projects in Southeast Asia. The current MVP version of the NbS Tool is publicly available on scenecoalition.org. The Coalition is also developing an NbS Incubator program, which aims to ensure the delivery of scientific, regulatory, technical, technological, financial, and business development support to FOs at various stages of project development, from pre-feasibility through to carbon sales. More details on the NbS Incubator will be available toward the end of this year. SCeNe Coalition The Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solutions (SCeNe) Coalition is a collaboration between leading non-governmental organizations with an established presence in Southeast Asia aimed at accelerating and increasing implementation of and investment in high-quality, high-integrity, triple-benefit NbS across the region. About The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partnerswe use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit http://www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter. You can also follow TNC Hong Kong's social platforms for more environmental conservation information: Facebook: TNC HK ??????? Instagram: @tnc_hk Twitter: @TNC_HK #TNC #tnchk # SCeNe #SCeNeCoalition #naturebasedsolutions View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/leading-global-ngos-launch-scene-coalition-to-deliver-nature-based-climate-solutions-in-southeast-asia-301856232.html SOURCE The Nature Conservancy

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[June 21, 2023] dtcpay Announces USD16.5M in Pre-Series A Funding Round Led by Mr Kwee Liong Tek Tweet

SINGAPORE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- dtcpay, a Singapore-based digital payments platform, announced it has raised USD16.5M in a pre-Series A funding round. One of Singapore's most influential conglomerate family business owners, Mr Kwee Liong Tek, Chairman of Pontiac Land Group, led this round. The funding will further invest in product development, building more robust operations / infrastructure capabilities, and expanding dtcpay's global presence. Seamless payments for the digital economy dtcpay provides seamless conversion of fiat and digital currencies in a single platform by a regulated trusted provider. This enables merchant businesses to grow their customer base by accepting more payment types with a quick and easy settlement process. Consumers have gravitated towards the simplicity of QR code payments, enabling more choices for their preferred payment method to be used. dtcpay's vision is to streamline the payment experience making it easy for consumers to interact with digital currencies bridging the gap between traditional businesses to web3. Growth and Expansion Mr Kwee Liong Tek, Chairman of Pontiac Land Group, led dtcpay's pre-Series A funding round, highlighting the promising future of digital payments. Pontiac Land Group is a luxury real estate developer, owner and operator of properties including Capella Hotel Group and Millenia Singapore which includes the Ritz-Carlton and Conrad Hotels in Singapore. The Group's assets under management is in excess of SGD10 billion across hospitality, mixed-used, commercial and residential developments spanning across Singpore, New York, Sydney and the Maldives. The other investors in this funding round include David Tung, former Managing Director/ Partner of The Carlyle Group, Jean Marc Poullet Chairman Asia, BURGESS and ex Senior Partner, McKinsey & Co, Tham Sai Choy former KPMG Singapore and Asia Pacific Chairman.



"dtcpay has demonstrated remarkable growth prospects and aligns with our investment strategy" says John Tay, representing Mr Kwee's investment vehicle. "From the moment we met with the dtcpay team, we saw their commitment to the regulated financial markets as fully licensed payments provider that could integrate well with our international portfolio of leading hospitality brands bringing them into the web3 economy" In 2023, the company rebranded to dtcpay and appointed Kanny Lee as Group CEO with market expansion goals that tap into areas such as cross-border payments and to serve nascent web3 businesses.

"It's not often you see a generational shift into a global digital economy where businesses increasingly interact with their customers online or offline with use of digital currencies." says Kanny Lee. "At dtcpay, we are excited about the prospect of working with globally renowned hospitality brands to open the door to their customers for digital payments. With the support of Mr. Kwee and our other investors, we are well positioned to quickly access overseas markets with reputable partners providing us strong governance" dtcpay is a leading payment service provider headquartered in Singapore that offers reliable payment processing while transacting across both fiat and digital currencies. dtcpay was founded in 2019 by Alice Liu and her classmate who met while studying at the National University of Singapore. As a licensed Major Payment Institution (MPI) regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), dtcpay has become a trusted partner for businesses entering the digital economy. About Mr Kwee Liong Tek, Mr Kwee Liong Tek is the Chairman of Pontiac Land Group, a privately held luxury real estate developer, owner and operator in Singapore. The group's assets span hospitality, mixed-use, commercial and residential developments in Singapore, New York, Sydney and the Maldives, including the leading hospitality management company Capella Hotel Group as a wholly owned subsidiary. About dtcpay dtcpay is a regulated payment service provider that offers reliable solutions for merchants to grow revenues with increased acceptance rates across fiat and cryptocurrency. Our client's benefit from frictionless payment experiences, whether they are interacting with our POS+ terminal in-store or via ecommerce online. dtcpay was recognized as the best cryptocurrency payment company by APAC Insider and selected for the Mastercard Start Path program Founded in 2019 in Singapore, dtcpay is a licensed Major Payment Institution (MPI) under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) with services offered offered including Account Issuance, Domestic Money Transfer, Cross-Border Money Transfer, Merchant Acquisition, E-money Issuance and Digital Payment Token (DPT) services. Find out more at https://dtcpay.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dtcpay/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dtc_pay View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/dtcpay-announces-usd16-5m-in-pre-series-a-funding-round-led-by-mr-kwee-liong-tek-301854875.html SOURCE dtcpay

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[June 21, 2023] Prominent Marketplace Wingie Unveils Eid Al Adha Travel Activity in MENA Tweet

According to Wingie's Data, early international bookings increased by 100% before Eid Al Adha DUBAI,UAE and BERLIN, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eid Al Adha is one of the two most significant religious and public holidays Muslims celebrate with exquisite festivities. Thousands of Muslims opted to travel on this major holiday and flight searches increased dramatically. Leading travel marketplace Wingie.com presents a comprehensive analysis of travel activities preceding this eminent holiday. Early international bookings soared by 100% and the top origin countries were Saudi Arabia, the United Emirates, and Egypt. Most of the travelers opted to travel to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and Turkey. Likewise, the most popular route was between Riyadh and Cairo. 92% of Travelers booked round-trip international flights while 68% of bookings made by solo travelers International round-trip bookings skyrocketed by 92% meanwhile domestic round-trips were 8%. Otherwise, international one-way bookings wer 85% and 15% of bookings were domestic one-way flights. Overall, 52% of bookings were one-way flights and 48% were round-trips.



Precisely 88% of bookings were international, while 12% were domestic. Travelers acted early, with 60% of bookings made for travel prior to Eid. When it comes to costs, the average expenditure per person for a one-way ticket was USD 300. Round-trip tickets were more affordable, with an average price of USD 470 per passenger. Finally, the median age of passengers was 33,5 and 68% of travelers were solo, followed by 20% of passengers who traveled with infants or children. While 61% of travelers were men, 39% of them were women.

About Wingie Enuygun Group Wingie Enuygun Group is a popular travel marketplace in the MENA region focusing mainly on flights operating under wingie.com, sa.wingie.com, wingie.ae and enuygun.com domains. The company offers a range of products including flights, bus tickets, hotels, and rental cars. Wingie Enuygun Group has been one of the most innovative players in the MENA online travel space, with the aim of pioneering technological developments and leading the transformation of the travel industry with the approach of thinking digitally. Wingie.com is a leading flight booking platform with its inclusion in the development of virtual interlining for flights, offering a diverse range of airline tickets and other travel content to enhance the user experience by providing the best options. Wingie.com is available in 6 languages, employs over 300 people, and has around 165 million visitors to its platforms annually. Media Contact:



Wingie

[email protected]

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[June 21, 2023] Sensome and Asahi Intecc Forge Partnership to Develop Next-Generation Smart Guidewire and Transform Stroke Treatment Tweet

Pioneering smart medical device company, Sensome, and world-leading Japanese guidewire company, Asahi Intecc, are announcing today a collaboration to develop the next generation Clotild Smart Guidewire, with Asahi Intecc taking on the manufacturing role for this groundbreaking device destined for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Acute ischemic stroke is the leading cause of acquired long-term disability and can be treated through a procedure known as mechanical thrombectomy. This treatment involves the removal of a clot obstructing a blood vessel in the brain using a thrombectomy device guided over a wire from the wrist or groin to the site of the blockage. Swift clot removal with minimal attempts drastically enhances patient outcomes. With limited knowledge on clot characteristics, current success in removing the clot on the first attempt is only about 40%. The Clotild Smart Guidewire, incorporating Sensome's AI-powered tissue micro-sensor, aims to change this statistic. This innovative device will provide physicians with critical information about the clot features, enabling them to make more informed decisions during the procedure. With its extensive design and manufacturing competencies, Asahi Intecc is well-positioned for the creation and production of the next-generation Clotild Smart Guidewire. Franz Bozsak, CEO of Sensome, expresses his excitement about this new partnership: "We are thrilled about our alliance with Asahi Intecc. Marrying Sensome's unique sensor technology with Asahi Intecc's exceptional guidewire design, we are pushing the boundaries of medical technology, with the potential to profoundly impact patient outcomes worldwide. This collaboration underscores our dedication to pioneering smart medical devices designed to address the present shortcomigs of minimally invasive procedures in partnership with world-class medical device manufacturers."



Echoing this sentiment, Masahiko Miyata, CEO of Asahi Intecc, adds: "We believe that Sensome's innovative AI-powered sensing technology will generate significant positive impact on acute ischemic stroke procedures worldwide, and will contribute to better patient outcomes and Quality of Life. By combining Asahi's guidewire design and manufacturing technology and experience with Sensome's core competencies, the companies position themselves to create a new generation of smart guidewires at a high level of performance, reliability, and consequently, value to physicians and patients." RM Global Partners LLC served as advisor to Sensome.

ABOUT SENSOME

Sensome, a clinical stage Healthtech start-up, developed a breakthrough sensor technology that turns invasive medical devices into connected healthcare devices. This patented technology combines the world's smallest impedance-based micro-sensors with machine-learning algorithms to identify biological tissues in real-time. The flagship product of Sensome, the Clotild Smart Guidewire System, is a connected neurovascular guidewire designed to provide blood clot characterization during the endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke. Clotild is currently being evaluated in a clinical trial. Sensome's tissue sensing technology also holds significant potential for integration into minimally invasive medical devices used in other areas of treatment such as peripheral vascular disease and oncology.

www.sensome.com ABOUT ASAHI INTECC

Asahi Intecc is an R&D-oriented company that operates in both medical and industrial fields. In the medical device field, Asahi develops, manufactures, and sells various essential medical devices for interventional treatment in a wide range of applications, including neurovascular, peripheral vascular, abdominal vascular, and gastrointestinal, in addition to the cardiovascular field. With outstanding development capabilities and manufacturing technology, Asahi's flagship cardiovascular guidewire products are currently available in 118 countries and regions worldwide and hold the top share in the global market. In recent years, Asahi has endeavored to integrate advanced technologies with its own core technologies to create new business through innovation. Asahi continues to pursue development opportunities in next-generation medical devices in the field of interventional treatment, such as next-generation smart treatment and robotics.

http://www.asahi-intecc.co.jp/en/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621012710/en/

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[June 21, 2023] BTSE and BOA Alphaline Announce Strategic Partnership to Broaden Digital Asset Investment Opportunities for Institutional and High-Net-Worth Investors Tweet

ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BTSE, a leading digital asset exchange, and BOA Alphaline Group Limited, a distinguished consortium of cryptocurrency investment professionals catering to both institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and an affiliate of BOA Financial Group, today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU demonstrates a shared commitment to collaborate on offering enhanced opportunities for institutional and individual wealth investment in digital assets.

This MOU signing marks a significant milestone for both entities, laying a robust foundation for a potential strategic alliance. Leveraging its expertise in the realm of cryptocurrency investments, BOA Alphaline will synergize its strategies with BTSE to optimize and streamline the client onboarding process for both institutional investors and HNWIs onto the BTSE platform. The partnership between BTSE and BOA Alphaline emphasizes strategic initiatives designed to provide professional-grade services tailored to meet the needs of both institutional clients and HNWIs. Through BTSE's advanced digital asset exchange platform, BOA Alphaline will offer its diverse clientele a streamlined process for investing in digital assets. The collaboration seeks to bridge the traditional investment world with the innovative realm of digital assets, delivering a solution that caters to the evolving needs of contemporary investors. This collaboration is set to significantly expand the opportunities available to institutional investors and HNWIs in the digital asset space. By marrying BTSE's robust platform with BOA Alphaline's financial acuen, the partnership aims to provide a secure, efficient, and transparent pathway for diverse investment into cryptocurrencies.



"Institutional and individual interest in digital assets has been growing rapidly. Through this strategic alliance with BOA Alphaline, we aim to provide an intuitive gateway for all investors seeking to unlock the investment potential offered by digital assets. Our collaboration ensures that all types of investors are well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital assets," said Henry Liu, CEO of BTSE. "At BOA Alphaline, our unwavering commitment is to continually elevate the value we deliver to our clients. This alliance with BTSE marks a significant stride in this mission, enabling us to offer our diverse clientele, including HNWIs, a broader spectrum of investment opportunities within the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape, said Kewic Ng, COO of BOA Alphaline.

This partnership presents a promising advancement for both institutional investors and HNWIs in the cryptocurrency industry, addressing the unique challenges associated with digital asset investments and ensuring that a wider audience can access the benefits of the digital asset space with confidence. About BTSE

BTSE is a leading digital asset exchange that offers a simple and secure way to trade cryptocurrencies. BTSE has developed multiple trading technologies that have been adopted across the industry, setting new standards for excellence and innovation in the world of digital asset trading. Read more at btse.com . About BOA Alphaline

BOA Alphaline Group Limited, an affiliate of BOA Financial Group, is a highly esteemed team of professionals possessing extensive knowledge and experience in the cryptocurrency industry. The team, including licensed financial experts, legal professionals, and cryptocurrency specialists, has been at the forefront of the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, specializing in cryptocurrency trading and delivering consistent and sustainable results for their clients. Learn more at www.boaal.com . Contact details: BTSE PR

[email protected] Eleven International PR

[email protected]



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[June 21, 2023] Aporia Awarded as 2023 Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum Tweet

Aporia, the observability platform for machine learning, is named a winner.



This years cohort includes representation from 31 economies on six continents. SAN JOSE, Calif., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aporia, the leading ML observability platform, was selected among hundreds of candidates as one of the World Economic Forums Technology Pioneers. Aporia provides real-time monitoring, insights and transparency for artificial intelligence and machine learning models, highlighting the need for responsible and explainable production AI/ML. AI and ML models often operate as black boxes, making it difficult to monitor their behavior and ensure their reliability and accuracy over time. Data scientists and engineers face challenges in monitoring model performance, ensuring model explainability, conducting root cause analysis, and communicating insights to non-technical stakeholders. Aporia addresses these challenges by providing comprehensive solutions for monitoring, improving performance, and gaining deeper understanding into the outcomes of ML models. With Aporia, data scientists can proactively monitor anomalies, data drift and performance issues in real time, promoting transparency, fairness, and informed decision-making in AI systems. The companys mission to pinpoint misperformance in AI/ML models addresses the greater need for ethical and responsible AI across the globe as technological innovation continues. The World Economic Forums Technology Pioneers are early-stage companies that are at the forefront of new technologies and innovation and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society. Were excited to welcome Aporia to our 2023 cohort of Technology Pioneers, said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum. Aporia and its fellow pioneers are at the forefront ofinnovation and disruption needed to help us solve the world's most pressing issues. We look forward to their contribution to the Forum's content work that brings together public and private sector to tackle these global issues."



As a Technology Pioneer, Aporia CEO Liran Hason will be invited to engage with the World Economic Forum, working with global leaders to help address key industry and societal issues. Technology Pioneers will also be invited to join Forum events and discussions throughout the year, bringing together leading stakeholders from the public and private sector. "This prestigious award validates our commitment to revolutionizing responsible AI and ML and addressing critical challenges, said Hason. We are honored to be recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. Our team has put in tremendous effort to develop and bring innovation to our observability products, and it is rewarding to witness the global recognition of our endeavors."

This years Technology Pioneer cohort includes startups from 31 economies, with a third led by a woman chief executive. China has the second highest representation with 12 Technology Pioneers, behind the US with 29 companies. More information on this years Technology Pioneers can be found here . More information on past winners, information on the community and the application link can be found here . About Aporia

Aporia is the ML observability platform, trusted by Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders  such as Lemonade, Bosch, Munich RE, Sixt, and Armis  to monitor, visualize and maximize the value of machine learning models in minutes. Aporia empowers data science and ML teams to confidently monitor, explain and gain insights to improve models in production. ( www.aporia.com ) About the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. ( www.weforum.org ) About the Technology Pioneers

Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneer community is composed of early-stage companies from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations, and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society. The World Economic Forum provides the community with a platform to engage with public and private sector leaders and to contribute new solutions to overcome the current crisis and build future resiliency. The Technology Pioneers community is part of the Innovator Communities within the Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Innovator Communities convene the world's leading global startups across different growth stages from early-stage Technology Pioneers to growth-stage Global Innovators and unicorn companies valued at more than $1 billion.

Media Contact: Jay Smith [email protected]

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[June 21, 2023] Japanese Startup FLUX Raises $32M Series B for No-code AI Platform Tweet

TOKYO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- - New Funding Follows Rapid Growth of Enterprise-focused AI Tools, with 1,100+ Customers Using FLUX Products - FLUX Inc., Japan's leading AI platform developer, announced 4.4 billion JPY (approximately US$32 million) in Series B funding led by DNX Ventures, and including existing investor Archetype Ventures and new investors Japan Co-Investment, Aozora Corporate Investments, Salesforce Ventures, Sony Innovation Fund, SMBC Nikko Securities, and NTT Docomo Ventures. This additional funding brings FLUX's total funds raised to 5.6 billion JPY (approximately US$40 million), and accelerates FLUX's continued development of FLUX AI -- a no-coding AI platform. Image1:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107723/202306156380/_prw_PI1fl_818rvX69.png Market Overview FLUX AI allows businesses to easily leverage AI technologies such as predictive analytics, natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs), without requiring any prior coding skills or knowledge. In recent years, the business environment has been rapidly changing due to the emergence of AI technologies such as LLMs and generative AI. Despite these advancements, many companies in Japan struggle to adopt AI technologies into their businesses due to a lack of expertise and talent needed to understand and implement them. In order to tackle these challenges, FLUX has formed a team of experts to carry out in-depth research and service development within the AI technology field. Image2:

https://cdn.kyodoewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107723/202306156380/_prw_PI2fl_1irl0MN1.png



No-code AI platform FLUX AI FLUX AI is an AI platform that underpins several no-code solutions that allow businesses to easily incorporate AI technologies into their operations.

When developing solutions that include optimization or predictive analytics capabilities, it generally takes a significant amount of time and development cost to structure the available data in a way that the AI can use it. FLUX is able to efficiently develop AI-based solutions because every solution is built on the same FLUX AI architecture. Image3:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107723/202306156380/_prw_PI3fl_TMociK4n.png FLUX collects over 100TB of data each month across its services, which are stored in a common database. Those data are used to train its models to increase performance for each service, while maintaining compliance with data governance best practices and privacy regulations. Image4:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107723/202306156380/_prw_PI4fl_O3Oj1jhd.png Over 1,100 publishers and advertisers are using FLUX services, with enterprise customers making up the largest customer segment. Throughout the past few years of rapid growth, the churn rate across FLUX services has stayed low at 0.2%, indicating strong customer satisfaction. Growth strategy and use of funds FLUX will leverage the funds raised for three primary purposes to fuel its continued growth in the Japanese B2B software market. 1. Enhancement of current products FLUX AI's applications today focus on digital advertising and marketing, with solutions for optimizing ad revenue, ad operations, and online audiences. Development will continue on each of these services to further improve their effectiveness and maximize ROI to customers. New features in development include the use of generative AI for marketing applications such as generating ad creatives and content. FLUX will continue to provide a range of services that help to solve various challenges within the advertising and marketing industry. 2. Horizontal expansion FLUX aims to leverage the FLUX AI platform to bring the benefits of AI to functions beyond advertising and marketing. There are many other business functions which could be made simpler or more efficient through leveraging AI, and FLUX will continue to develop simple solutions for its clients to increase productivity and decrease operational costs. 3. AI research Since its founding, FLUX has conducted research on AI technologies ranging from predictive analytics to NLP and LLMs. The Series B funding will accelerate these research efforts as well as enabling hiring of more AI engineers. Series B participants - Existing investors : DNX Ventures, Archetype Ventures - New investors: Japan Co-Investment, Aozora Corporate Investments, Salesforce Ventures, Sony Innovation Fund, SMBC Nikko Securities, and NTT Docomo Ventures - Debt financing: Resona Bank, Shoko Chukin Bank About FLUX FLUX is a venture-backed startup which develops no-code AI platform FLUX AI. Several no-code solutions are based on FLUX AI, each of which enables businesses to leverage AI in their operations. FLUX's mission is to maximize ROI for its clients by simplifying technology. URL: https://flux.jp/en/ SOURCE FLUX Inc.

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[June 21, 2023] A Decade of Reforming the Japanese Health Care System: OmiGroup Unveils New Brand Identity and The Pioneer Mission for Japan Digital Healthcare Tweet

TOKYO, June 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OmiGroup, a prominent brand, has recently undergone a significant transformation, introducing a refreshed logo and redefined core values. However, amidst these changes, the company remains steadfast in preserving its original spirit and unwavering commitment to providing a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem. With a strong focus on integrating cutting-edge technology services and leveraging their exceptional medical capabilities, OmiGroup aims to establish itself as a leader in the industry. This strategic evolution not only sets them apart from competitors but also reinforces their dedication to delivering holistic healthcare solutions, ensuring the well-being of their customers for years to come. After 11 years of development, OmiGroup has grown into a conglomerate with over 600 employees and more than 300 healthcare and medical care systems deployed in over 10,000 hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies throughout Japan. In 2020, Ominext (a member unit of OmiGroup) was the sole Vietnamese organization to participate in the implementation and operation of the testing system supporting the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition, leveraging its proficiency and profound expertise in the digital healthcare domain, OmiGroup has effectively executed a project concerning the historical usage of pharmaceuticals in 4,000 drugstores nationwide in Japan. OmiGroup offers a comprehensive range of software testing services, with a specific emphasis on three crucial elements: simplicity, speed, and user satisfaction, catering to the welfare nursing systems that have been in operation for decades in the Japanese market. In Vietnam, OmiGroup has been recognized by the Information Technology Department of the Ministry of Health for its contributions to the development of healthcare information technology.



OmiGroup's founder's remarkable journey began 23 years ago when, as a university student, he aspired to become a doctor but found his passion in the field of Information Technology. Determined to bridge the gap between technology and healthcare, he pursued a Master's degree in Data Mining in Japan. In 2012, he founded Ominext (now OmiGroup), initially facing numerous rejections and challenges. Japan's healthcare system, with its low EMR adoption, unstandardized data, and limited telehealth utilization, presented an opportunity for OmiGroup to make a difference. Their focus on digital healthcare aims to address these issues and cater to the needs of Japan's aging population.

OmiGroup's workforce is committed to achieving the goal of having 10 engineers and experts accredited with the nationally recognized Medical Technologist degree in Japan and HL7 FHIR certification by the year 2025. As the year 2023 unfolds, OmiGroup sets its sights on significant expansion, with a strategic plan to augment the Japanese workforce by more than 1,000 skilled professionals in the Healthcare & Medical IT sector. This ambitious endeavor is poised to strengthen the company's capabilities and reinforce its position as a frontrunner in the industry. In addition to workforce expansion, OmiGroup recognizes the importance of diversifying its service offerings to better serve the evolving needs of the market. Therefore, the company is poised to expand its business scope by providing consulting solutions that assist Japanese enterprises in leveraging the Healthcare & Medical IT market in Vietnam. This strategic expansion will enable OmiGroup to support and guide Japanese companies in navigating the complexities of the Vietnamese market, fostering growth and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. About OmiGroup: OmiGroup is a leading provider of digital healthcare solutions, dedicated to bridging the gap between technology and healthcare. With a focus on revolutionizing the healthcare landscape in Japan, OmiGroup develops innovative platforms and technologies that enhance accessibility, streamline processes, and improve patient care. Their unwavering commitment to technological innovation and their passion for healthcare drive their mission to transform the healthcare industry and improve the lives of individuals across Japan. For media inquiries, please contact: Omi Group Co., Ltd.

Website: https://www.omigroup.vn

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +84 24 6664 4599 / +81 3 6231 0321 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/a-decade-of-reforming-the-japanese-health-care-system-omigroup-unveils-new-brand-identity-and-the-pioneer-mission-for-japan-digital-healthcare-301856376.html SOURCE Omigroup

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[June 21, 2023] Xebia Appoints Guido Bartels as Global Managing Director - Cloud Tweet

Responsible for leading global growth strategy and advancing hyperscaler partnerships NEW DELHI, June 21, 2023 /CNW/ -- Xebia, a renowned global IT consultancy and software development company, has appointed Guido Bartels as Global Managing Director - Cloud. Xebia has significantly strengthened its capabilities and client base in the last few years. To further grow its global market, the company has onboarded yet another industry veteran to its leadership team. Guido will be based in Connecticut, USA. Xebia's cloud service line works with organizations across industries to design and engineer their cloud-native transformation. Xebia helps first-time cloud adopters with everything they need to move to the cloud, and digital natives with optimizing their cloud platforms. From building a reliable and scalable infrastructure to deploying cloud-native solutions, assessing in-house knowledge, managing cloud spend, and training teams, Xebia provides comprehensive assistance. Xebia has established long-term relationships with the largest cloud providers, and Guido will be responsible for taking these partnerships to the next level. He will cover the full cloud spectrum, from multi-cloud consulting and architectural services to cloud cost management, training, and managed services. With his support, Xebia aims to assist every organization in becoming cloud-native and to enhance and expand its authority in cloud services across the globe. Guido has worked in many countries over the past 24 years. Before joining the team at Xebia, he worked at AWS, where he held the position f Managing Director for the Nordic and Baltic countries, among others. During his nearly four years in this regional role, he successfully launched AWS EMEA's 5th Infrastructure Region in Stockholm and significantly grew AWS's business, more than tripling its size.



Additionally, Guido has over 20 years of experience at IBM, where he served as General Manager for the global Energy & Utilities industry vertical and as Managing Director for the Nordic region. In his last nine years at IBM, he also held a position on the company's Senior Leadership Team. Guido's expertise in sustainability has made him an early thought leader in the field, and he has served on the boards of both non-profit and for-profit publicly listed organizations. Furthermore, he was appointed for two consecutive 2-year terms as a member of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Electricity Advisory Committee (EAC), upon direct invitation by the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Anand Sahay, Global CEO, Xebia, said, "We welcome Guido as a strategic leader to carve and execute the future direction for cloud at Xebia globally. His long association with the leading cloud service providers and experience as a transformation leader will help us create better solutions and align closely with our stakeholders. We partner with the leading cloud providers including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. With Guido as a part of our team, we anticipate strengthening our Cloud capabilities and grow the client base manifold."

Guido Bartels, Global Managing Director, Cloud, Xebia, said, "With a career long passion of driving customer value at the intersection of advanced technologies and deep business insights, I'm thrilled to join a team that embodies 'authority' in the domain of digital transformation as its mission. Xebia helps the world's top 250 companies and category leaders to overcome digital challenges, embrace innovation and implement new business models. I look forward to partnering with my new colleagues to ensure we unlock the full potential of cloud for our customers. I am honored to lead a team of Xebians that serves our customers with in-depth expertise based on an authentic, value-led, and high-quality way of working." ABOUT XEBIA Media contact: [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1883841/Xebia_Logo.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107337/Guido_Bartels.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xebia-appoints-guido-bartels-as-global-managing-director---cloud-301856401.html SOURCE Xebia

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IPO Edge hosted a fireside chat from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange with George Magrath, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Lexitas Pharma. Dr. Magrath, who continues to practice medicine part time, spoke to IPO Edge Editor-in-Chief John Jannarone about investments in pharma and life sciences companies, how ophthalmic startups are different than other pharma startups and provided advice about funding an ophthalmic company. Watch the full recording below:

About Lexitas Pharma

We are a 100%-ophthalmics focused product development partner dedicated to helping life sciences companies bring new ophthalmic cures to patients. From study design through close-out, our extensive capabilities, deep ophthalmology expertise and close connections with ophthalmic KOLs make the Lexitas difference.

About George Magrath

George Magrath, M.D., is Chief Executive Officer of Lexitas Pharma Services. He is a trained ocular oncologist, balancing his role as CEO with treating patients with rare eye conditions at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Magrath has both an extensive medical and business background. While learning his craft with an internship in general surgery, a residency in ophthalmology at the Medical University of South Carolina, and a fellowship in ocular oncology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, he also branched out into the business world with an MBA from The Citadel and Masters in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University. His dual role gives him a unique, 360-degree insight into the opportunities and challenges for ophthalmic drug development and the clinical trials industry. Hes a widely recognized expert in ophthalmic clinical trials, having published 30 peer reviewed articles and 2 textbook chapters, more than 50 national meeting posters or presentations, and has been involved with more than 100 ophthalmic clinical trials.

Contact:

IPO-Edge.com

Editor@ipo-edge.com
[June 21, 2023] USI Expands Manufacturing Capabilities with Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Second Factory in Poland Tweet

SHANGHAI, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 20th June, USI (SSE 601231), a leading electronic and SiP manufacturing company, marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for its second factory in Poland. The ceremony, attended by Agencja Rozwoju Przemyslu, Kobierzyce Mayor Office, Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), BOSCH, Demant, DIEHL Metering, Honeywell, LSEV Poland, ERBUD, JP Weber, 2MPM and Industrias Alegre Poland, took place in Kobierzyce and symbolizes the increasing demand of the European market for the company. "I would like to congratulate you for picking this place for the second factory," stated the Mayor of Kobierzyce, Mr. Ryszard Pacholik. "It is one of the best choices for you and investors. I can guarantee that the infrastructure here will be even more developed in the future because of you and future investors." Joining in the celebration, the Managing Director responsible for Direct Investments in PAIH, Mr. Marcin Fabianowicz, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We hope that the presence of such an important investor for the industry as USI, and its direct association with the Taiwanese holding company ASE Technology, will attract further investments to Poland and contribute to the development of the electronics and semiconductor industries, the key sectors for the Polish, European, and global economies." During the ceremony, the symbolic turning of the soil was performed by notable guests, including the Mayor of Koierzyce, Mr. Ryszard Pacholik, and the Managing Director responsible for Direct Investments, Mr. Marcin Fabianowicz, along with key representatives from USI, the Chairman of USI Poland and SVP of USI Inc., Mr. Brian Shih, shared his excitement, stating, "I am proud to be part of this groundbreaking ceremony, which signifies our dedication to providing high-quality products and services to our customers. The new factory will strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and enable us to meet the increasing demand for EV and green energy solutions in the European market."



Echoing these sentiments, Executive Director of USI Poland and EVP of Asteelflash, Mr. Felix Timmermann, added, "Today, we are proud to be creating a milestone for USI's / AFG's customer service, showing our commitment to providing even better support in Poland and Europe. We strengthen our readiness to support our customer's manufacturing and reshoring efforts and ensure we put our best foot forward for our customers. We are confident that this new business will unlock our potential here and will be the start of something great." The new factory is expected to create up to 1,000 job opportunities for the local community, contributing to the economic development of Kobierzyce. Equipped with advanced technology and machinery, the factory will bolster USI's manufacturing capabilities and enable the company to deliver high-quality products and services.

USI anticipates that the new factory will be fully operational by the first quarter of 2024. This expansion will significantly increase USI's production capacity in Poland, allowing the company to better serve its customers and meet the growing demand in the market. As USI embarks on this exciting journey, the company expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported them thus far, including dedicated employees, valued customers, stakeholders, and the local community. USI remains steadfast in its position as a leader in the electronic manufacturing industry and eagerly anticipates the positive impact this new factory will have on the company and the community at large. About USI (SSE: 601231) USI, Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., is a global leader in electronic design and manufacturing as well as a leader in the field of SiP (System-in-Package) modules. USI provides D(MS)2 product services: Design, Manufacturing, Miniaturization, Industrial software and hardware Solutions, and material procurement, logistics and maintenance Services. With Asteelflash, USI has 28 sales, production and service locations across four continents of Asia, Europe, Americas and Africa, and offers customer diversified products in the sectors of wireless communication, computer and storage, consumer, industrial, medical and automotive electronics worldwide. USI is a subsidiary of ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 3711, NYSE: ASX). To learn more, please visit www.usiglobal.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and YouTube. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/usi-expands-manufacturing-capabilities-with-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-the-second-factory-in-poland-301856398.html SOURCE UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD

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[June 21, 2023] NWP-backed Indonesian Logistics Platform Cella Management Logistics Breaks Ground on Two New Projects Tweet

Cella was established in March 2022 as a strategic joint venture between Warburg Pincus-backed NWP Property, CRE Asia, and industry veteran Bonny Setiawan

as a strategic joint venture between Warburg Pincus-backed NWP Property, CRE Asia, and industry veteran With the two new projects, Cella currently has three high-quality logistics projects with a total of over 200,000 sqm of net leasable area under construction to meet the robust demand for logistics

The newly launched projects testify to the exceptional execution capabilities and position Cella as one of the fastest-growing logistics platforms in Indonesia

Leveraging NWP Property's strong new-economy consumer infrastructure platform in Indonesia , Cella is well-positioned to build the largest modern logistics portfolio in Indonesia JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cella Management Logistics ("Cella"), an Indonesia-focused pureplay logistics real estate platform, announced the groundbreakings of two modern logistics projects in Indonesia  a two-storey facility in Cakung, East Jakarta, with close to 100,000 sqm of net leasable area (NLA) and a single-storey facility in Cileungsi, Bogor, with a close to 65,000 sqm NLA. Both projects are strategically located in urban infill areas, which are highly sought-after by major tenant groups such as third-party logistics (3PL) companies, last-mile providers, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Designed to provide tenants with maximum operational efficiency, the facilities will be built with high construction quality and sustainability standards targeting IFC's affiliated EDGE certification, including a 12 to 14-meter clear ceiling height, an up to 4 tons per sqm floor loading capacity, and sustainability features such as solar panels and energy-efficient equipment. Both projects have been partially pre-committed by leading customers, reflecting the strong underlying demand for high-grade modern logistics assets. Apart from these two projects, Cella is also on track to complete its first logistics project in Q3, 2023. Strategically located in Cikarang, West Java, the project features a state-of-the-art facility spanning a 40,000 sqm NLA, built-to-suit for DHL Supply Chain, the global market leader in contract logistics solutions. With 14 meters in ceiling height and 4 tons per sqm of floor capacity, the facility will support DHL Supply Chain's expansion in Indonesia, amidst the rapidly increasing e-commerce penetration and logistics activities in the country. Cella was established in March 2022 as a strategic joint venture between Warburg Pincus-backed NWP Property, CRE Asia, and Bonny Setiawan to build a pure-play logistics real estate platform to serve the severely under-penetrated logistics real estate sector in Indonesia. Underthe leadership of Bonny Setiawan as CEO, the best-in-class management team has over 17 years of industry experience and a proven track record with over 500,000 sqm of land transactions and 3250,000 sqm of logistics developments. Cella has emerged as a fast-growing player in Indonesia's logistics real estate market as well as a trusted partner to its clients. With a strong local team of around 20 professionals, Cella has full in-house execution capabilities, ranging from land sourcing and development, to leasing, asset management, and property management. The team has built trusting relationship with key tenants across a wide range of industries and identified robust demand from the tenants.



Bonny Setiawan, CEO of Cella Management Logistics, said, "We are extremely pleased to break ground on the two projects. The ability to launch two projects within just a month is a testament to our exceptional execution capabilities as well as the significant market demand for high-grade modern logistics assets. With our highly experienced team and the strong backing of our blue-chip logistics real estate investors  CRE Asia and NWP Property, we are uniquely placed to deliver unparalleled warehousing solutions to meet the evolving demand of our clients." Kevin Kow, NWP Property's CEO, said, "We are impressed by the strong business momentum and robust pipeline that Cella has built since its establishment and its commitment to excellence in its business pursuit. The three strategic projects under construction will cement Cella's position as a key player in Indonesia's logistics real estate market. Built on its vision to drive and redefine the industry and its deep experience in logistics real estate, we believe that Cella is poised to deliver continued growth and success in the years ahead. We are proud to see that together with Cella, NWP Property represents the largest consumer infrastructure business in Indonesia, giving us the scale to best serve our clients."

Tadahide Kameyama, CRE's President, commented that, "The modern logistics real estate market in Indonesia is severely underpenetrated, with its industrial peers China and Japan having 10 and 40 times the warehouse space per capita respectively, as compared to Indonesia. The significant growth driven by the expansion of demand from e-commerce, 3PLs, and FMCG tenants, will continue to bring tremendous growth opportunities to experienced and trusted players, like Cella. CRE is pleased to be partnering with Cella on this exciting journey." About Cella Management Logistics:

Cella Management Logistics is a warehouse development company dedicated to creating exceptional logistics spaces. The company was established in March 2022 as a joint venture between NWP Property and CRE Asia. With a highly experienced team boasting over 10 years of expertise and a remarkable track record of successful projects, the company focuses on delivering state-of-the-art facilities that cater to the evolving needs of businesses. Cella Management Logistics is committed to driving growth and providing innovative solutions to support the expansion of the logistics industry. About NWP Property:

PT Nirvana Wastu Pratama (NWP Property) is one of Indonesia's largest and fastest-growing new-economy consumer infrastructure platforms in Indonesia with exposure to community retail and logistics infrastructure. Since its inception in 2015 as a joint venture between Warburg Pincus and PT City Retail Developments, NWP Property has experienced rapid growth. As of June 2023, it manages 52 operating, under construction and under development projects across Indonesia, totaling ~1.24 million sqm of potential gross floor area. About CRE Asia:

CRE Asia is a subsidiary of CRE Inc. (CRE), an established and largest independent industrial developer based out of Japan. Founded in 2009, CRE has established a strong presence in Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. CRE has also formed CRE Logistics REIT, a J-REIT which has 21 assets in its portfolio with a valuation of approximately JPY159 Bn as of April 2023. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/nwp-backed-indonesian-logistics-platform-cella-management-logistics-breaks-ground-on-two-new-projects-301856482.html SOURCE NWP Property

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[June 21, 2023] New Investment to Support Green Finance for Micro, Small and Medium Businesses in India Tweet

IFU has invested DKK 200 million in UGRO Capital, which is a lending platform for small businesses in India. The investment will assist UGRO Capital in growing their business and increase focus on providing lending that supports the green transition. The investment is made on behalf of the Danish SDG Investment Fund, which is backed by large Danish pension funds and private investors. MUMBAI, India, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Micro, Small and Medium Businesses (MSME) are one of the strongest drivers of economic development, innovation and employment. Access to finance is frequently identified as a critical barrier to growth for MSMEs. UGRO capital is an Indian lending platform for small businesses that need funding to develop their businesses creating economic growth and new job opportunities for people. The company has close to 46,000 customers, a total loan portfolio of DKK 5.1 billion, more than 1,700 employees and 98 branches. "UGRO Capital was envisaged to be built as India's largest small business financing platform, combining the power of Data & Tech, and was uniquely created as India's first listed startup in 2018. This is our second equity capital raise since inception, and we intend to gain 1% market share with 1 million small businesses. It has been our endeavour to change the life of small businesses, and having a global development financial institution like IFU as a partner is helping us achieve our mission at an accelerated pace," said Mr. Shachindra Nath, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, UGRO Capital.



"We are very pleased to become investor in UGRO Capital, which we believe is a well driven and technologically advanced financial institution having a solid impact by providing business loans to smaller businesses in India," said Deepa Hingorani, Senior Vice President in IFU. Focus on climate financing

IFU is investing DKK 200 million in share capital assisting UGRO Capital in growing their business and increasing impacts that so far have supported more than 300,000 jobs. As part of the investment, it has been agreed to develop and implement a climate finance strategy framework as well as climate-related loan products that will support the green transition. "One of IFU's main strategic goals is to assist countries and companies in building green and inclusive societies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience towards climate change. By developing a climate finance strategy as part of our investment in UGRO Capital, we are introducing a new set of instruments that will improve the opportunities for smaller businesses in greening their operations and supporting the green transition in India," said Rohit Goyal, Investment Director in IFU. Invested in more than 100 companies in India The investment is also in line with the green strategic partnership between India and Denmark that was signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen two years ago. On that backdrop, IFU has received additional funds to invest in climate-related and green projects in India. "IFU has invested in more than 100 companies in India, and we have a prioritised sector approach towards renewable energy and green infrastructure, financial services, healthcare as well as sustainable food with current investments representing all sectors in India. India is expected to continue being a significant investment destination for IFU in the coming years," said Deepa Hingorani. The investment is made on behalf of the Danish SDG Investment Fund, which is a DKK 5 billion public-private partnership backed by large Danish pension funds and private investors. About IFU: Investment Fund for Developing Countries, is a Development Financial Institution owned by the Government of Denmark. IFU is a self-governing, state-owned fund, whose objective is to promote economic and social development in developing countries. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/new-investment-to-support-green-finance-for-micro-small-and-medium-businesses-in-india-301856486.html

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[June 21, 2023] Rancher Government Solutions Announces Fully Supported No-Code Deployment of Rancher on AWS GovCloud Tweet

Rancher Government Solutions (RGS), the leader in open source, cloud-native container management, announced today the launch of its highly available and fully supported deployment of Rancher Kubernetes Engine 2 (RKE2) and Rancher Manager on AWS GovCloud Marketplace, to help Federal customers accelerate their Kubernetes journey in the cloud. This offering is immediately available for procurement on AWS GovCloud. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621397276/en/ RKE2 and Rancher Manager for Production is a push button, no-code deployment of Rancher on AWS GovCloud which has been specifically configured to comply with the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) for SUSE Linux Enterprise 15, Rancher Manager and RKE2.



Rancher Manager and RKE2 are the only Kubernetes management platform and distribution with STIGs officially validated and published by DISA. "This alliance is designed to accelerate secure container adaption and brings together the breadth of functionality that AWS provides with Rancher's market leading Kubernetes platform, designed specifically for US Government customers," said Ben Zifrony, VP of Channels and Alliances at RGS. "We enable customers to bring the combined advantages across hybrid environments with the full backing and support of Rancher Government Solutions."

RGS recently released Rancher Manager-RKE2 Test Flight on AWS GovCloud, an unsupported, HA free trial of RKE2 and Rancher Manager for government customers. Both releases further strengthen the partnership between RGS and AWS, allowing customers to optimize their cloud-native strategies and accelerate digital transformation efforts. By combining Rancher's expertise in Kubernetes management and AWS's cloud services, organizations can achieve greater agility, security, scalability, and efficiency. Rancher Manager: Rancher Manager simplifies Kubernetes and lets government IT teams streamline cluster deployment on bare metal, private clouds, public clouds, vSphere and at the edge while securing them using global security policies. Rancher Kubernetes Engine 2 (RKE2): RKE2 is a certified Kubernetes distribution focused on security to adhere to the robust compliance requirements of the U.S. Government. Leveraging the best components of RKE and K3s, RKE2 is easy to install, secure by default, and built to run on mission critical infrastructure whether on prem, in the cloud, or at the edge. About Rancher Government Solutions (RGS): Rancher Government Solutions is specifically designed to address the unique security and operational needs of the U.S. Government and Military as it relates to application modernization, containers, and Kubernetes. Rancher is a complete open source software stack for teams adopting containers. RGS supports all Rancher products with U.S. based American citizens who are currently supporting programs across the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Civilian Agencies. To learn more, visit: www.ranchergovernment.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621397276/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Liquid Crystal Polymers Market Share, Size, Trends, Application, Overview, Outlook, Opportunities, Challenges, Business Strategies, Revenue, Region, Key Drivers, Competitive Landscape, Supply and Demand Side Analysis Tweet

New York, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Liquid Crystal Polymers Market research report offers a market overview along with current market dynamics, trends, and developments. It also provides market CAGR, revenue value, volume, and forecast. Furthermore, the research study categorizes the market by volume, revenue, and price history to the projected size and trend analysis by identifying the opportunities and gaps. Moreover, the report also offers a regional breakdown covering vital regions like North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. Some of the major players are Solvay, Celanese Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Company, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., UENO FINE CHEMICALS INDUSTRY, LTD., RTP Company, Zeus Company, Inc., Chang Chung Group, Polyplastics Co., and Daken Chem among others. Get Free Sample Report: https://www.delvens.com/get-free-sample/liquid-crystal-polymers-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 The Global Liquid Crystal Polymers Market is expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2030 from $1.9 billion in 2022, registering impressive expansion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2023-2030. The need for liquid crystal polymers is being driven by emerging technologies like 5G and 3D printing. The numerous uses for LCP, including those in the automotive, electrical & electronics, sports, leisure, consumer goods, and medical devices, are driving up demand. Due to its low water absorption and improved heat resistance, liquid crystal polymer is also finding more uses in solar cells, which is assisting the expansion of the LCP market nationwide. High LCP end-use ion costs are anticipated to be a restraint on the market's expansion. Because nylon, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and Polyphthalamide (PPA) are less expensive than LCP, the latter is less competitive in the market. Due to its intricate production process, producing LCP also requires greater capital. To manufacture LCP, a high level of technological know-how and end-users with high-temperature functionality are needed, which drives up the cost. Liquid Crystal Polymers Market Overview 2020 saw a decline in the market for LCP as a result of COVID-19 due to the lockdown in some nations and the closure of production facilities. However, it is currently believed that the market has reverted to its pre-pandemic levels. The market under consideration will grow over the next five to ten years mostly as a result of the increasing need for smaller, thinner electrical components that can withstand higher temperatures and wear. The high cost of producing liquid crystal polymers is expected to limit the industry's expansion. Due to the predicted expansion in the medical and household appliance industries, the market will undoubtedly increase. Seventy-eight percent or thereabouts of the market volume analyzed was in the Asia-Pacific area. Liquid Crystal Polymers Market Report Scope Report Feature Descriptions Growth Rate CAGR of 9.2% during the forecasting period, 2023-2030 Historical Data 2019-2021 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Base Year 2022 Units Considered Revenue in USD billion and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 Report Segmentation Types of Registry, Pricing model, End-User, and Region. Report Attribute Market Revenue Sizing (Global, Regional and Country Level) Company Share Analysis, Market Dynamics, Company Profiling Regional Level Scope North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa Country Level Scope U.S., Japan, Germany, U.K., China, India, Brazil, UAE, South Africa (50+ Countries Across the Globe) Companies Profiled Solvay; Celanese Corporation; Sumitomo Chemical Company; TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.; UENO FINE CHEMICALS INDUSTRY, LTD.; RTP Company; Zeus Company, Inc.; Chang Chung Group; Polyplastics Co.; and Daken Chem among others. Available Customization In addition to the market data for the Liquid Crystal Polymers Market, Delvens offers client-centric reports customized according to the companys specific demand and requirements. Inquire Before Buying: https://www.delvens.com/Inquire-before-buying/liquid-crystal-polymers-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Liquid Crystal Polymers Market Segmentation Analysis Application Insights With a market share of more than 25.1%, the automotive lighting application dominated the LCP market in terms of revenue in 2022. Connectors, lights, and sensors are just a few of the areas where LCP can function at high temperatures. LPCs are needed for solenoids, connections, and sensors as a result of the rising electrification of automobiles. End-use Insights With a market share of more than 26.2%, the end-use category for electrical and electronics dominated the LCP market in terms of revenue. Throughout the projection period, demand for electronic components is anticipated to be driven by their miniaturization and downsizing for use in novel, emerging applications. Regional Insights Due to the increased disposable income of the populace in emerging economies like China and India, Asia Pacific maintained the bulk of the market share across all regions at roughly 37%. With companies like Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn), Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., LG Electronics, and numerous others assembling electronic devices in the Asian market, the need for LCP in the region is rising. Liquid Crystal Polymers Market Outlook Driver: Emergence of new generation technologies The increased demand for liquid crystal polymers is being primarily driven by next-generation technologies like 5G and 3D printing. With a wide rane of applications, including electrical & electronics, automotive, consumer goods, sports, leisure, and medical equipment, the demand for liquid crystal polymers is expanding very quickly. Additionally, the market for liquid crystal polymers has a lot riding on the development of quickly evolving technologies like 5G communication and 3D printing. Liquid crystal polymers are seen widely as a revolutionary material with a promising future for mobile phone antennas in developing 5G communication.



Restraints: High manufacturing costs of liquid crystal polymers Liquid crystal polymers are more expensive than conventional high-performance polymers. Prices for generic nylon and ABS are roughly one-fifth that of liquid crystal polymers, providing a cost advantage in electrical and electronic applications that need high-performance polymers to fill walls as thin as 0.25 mm at most. Because of their high cost, liquid crystal polymers can only be used in high-end applications, which limits market expansion.

Opportunities: An emerging market for thermoplastic polymers The primary thermoplastics are utilized in many end-use industries, including electronics, medical, transportation, and others. The advantages thermoplastic polymers offer over traditional materials like aluminum, steel, and wood are what are causing them to become more and more popular. As a result, it is predicted that the thermoplastics market will expand quickly over the anticipated timeframe. Key Companies & Market Share Insights Some of the key players operating in the global Liquid Crystal Polymers market are Solvay; Celanese Corporation; Sumitomo Chemical Company; TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.; UENO FINE CHEMICALS INDUSTRY, LTD.; RTP Company; Zeus Company, Inc.; Chang Chung Group; Polyplastics Co.; and Daken Chem among others. Recent Developments To be used in more optical fiber applications, Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies has created SUMIKASUPER, a new long-fiber thermoplastic liquid crystal polymer.

Celanese Corp. inked a legally binding agreement to add DuPont's Mobility & Materials (M&M) business, which currently makes up the majority of the company, to its Engineering Materials (EM) division for the sum of USD 11.0 billion in cash. Celanese EM's size will effectively double as a result of this, and it will become the world leader in almost a dozen different polymers.

Celanese has sold all of its shares of Polyplastics Co. Ltd. to Polyplastics Co. Ltd.

To integrate LCP business with Polyplastics Co. Ltd. operations, Polyplastics Co. Ltd. concluded a merger with Wintech Polymer Ltd. Purchase This Report: https://www.delvens.com/checkout/liquid-crystal-polymers-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Global Liquid Crystal Polymers Market Table of Contents Application Outlook Electrical Connectors

Fiber Optics

Automotive Lamps

Vascular Catheters Reinforcement Brainding

Surgical Instruments

Cookware Coatings

Others End-User Outlook Electrical & Electronics

Automotive

Medical

Consumer Goods

Industrial Machinery

Others Regional Outlook

Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Sweden Austria Finland Belgium Turkey Russia Poland Hungary Czech Republic Switzerland Netherlands Rest of Europe

North America U.S. Canada Mexico

Asia-Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Vietnam New Zealand Philippines Thailand Malaysia Hong Kong Taiwan Singapore Indonesia Sri Lanka Rest of Asia-Pacific

South America Brazil Argentina Chile Colombia Rest of South America

Middle East And Africa South Africa U.A.E. Saudi Arabia Oman Qatar Iran Egypt Rest of Middle East and Africa

Browse More Chemicals & Materials Industry Reports: https://www.delvens.com/industry/chemicals-materials Explore Related Reports: Metal Nanoparticles Market: The global Metal Nanoparticles Market size is projected to reach a CAGR of 15.8% from 2023-2030. Medical Device Coating Market: The global Medical Device Coating Market size is projected to reach a CAGR of 19.4% from 2023-2030. Low Dielectric Materials Market: The global Low Dielectric Materials Market size is projected to reach a CAGR of 6.7% from 2023-2030. Graphene Nanocomposites Market : The global Graphene Nanocomposites Market size is projected to reach a CAGR of 30.2% from 2023-2030. Geochemical Services Market : The global Geochemical Services Market size is projected to reach a CAGR of 13.5% from 2023-2030. Fiberglass Market: The global Fiberglass Market size is projected to reach a CAGR of 6.50% from 2023-2030. 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

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[June 21, 2023] KDDI expands data center presence in North America Tweet

The telecoms leader enters the Canadian market following the acquisition of three data centers in Toronto TOKYO, June 21, 2023 /CNW/ -- KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecommunications leader, together with its data center brand Telehouse, has announced the latest expansion of its global footprint in North America by reaching an agreement with Allied Properties REIT to acquire three data centers and its accompanying assets in Toronto, Canada. This investment of CAD 1.35 billion comes as a result of increased demand in the market for reliable interconnectivity services and is an important milestone for KDDI's expansion plans which will see the company establish a new legal entity, KDDI Canada, Inc. Starting with the first Telehouse data center in New York in 1989, KDDI has been continuously expanding Telehouse's presence in new markets for over 30 years, with this recent acquisition bringing the total portfolio of data centers to 12 countries. The new carrier-neutral data centers are located in the city center of Toronto, and when fully operational, will provide over 30MW of IT load. KDDI's new data centers will provide both shared and dedicated space to fulfill customer needs, especially those expanding internationally, who require a higly trusted partner to establish their IT environment. Businesses wishing to colocate from the new locations will gain unrivalled access to a variety of connectivity partners, including carriers, ISPs, ASPs, and the world's largest private and public cloud service providers, to extend network reach, reduce latency and costs, and improve performance.



Yasuaki Kuwahara, Member of the Board, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of Business Solution at KDDI, commented: "This is another milestone achievement for KDDI, and an exciting investment which will enhance connectivity capabilities for Canadian businesses. With many North American organizations accelerating their digital transformation and innovation initiatives, we're delighted to be able to play a part in their success, offering reliable, scalable, flexible and secure services to modernize and future-proof IT environments." Michael Emory, Founder and Executive Chair, Allied Properties REIT, said: "With global data center operating capability, KDDI is an ideal successor owner for our data center assets. Canadian cities continue to grow dramatically and successfully. The growth is driven in large part by knowledge-based organizations that require sophisticated and wide-ranging connectivity solutions. KDDI is extremely well positioned to provide these solutions and, in doing so, contribute meaningfully to the many and varied businesses operating in our cities."

NOTES TO EDITORS About KDDI Corporation Created in 1953 at the initiative of the Japanese government to develop the international network from Japan, KDDI Group operates at various levels in the field of telecommunications and is now present in more than 60 cities and 100 locations around the world. KDDI deployed major international infrastructures, including its Global Network, a digitized proprietary network including optic-fibre and linking Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. With a customer portfolio of over 50 million subscribers in Japan, KDDI offers cell phone services, network services and IT solutions to its global customers. For more information visit: https://www.kddi.com/english/ About Telehouse Telehouse is a leading global data center service provider under KDDI group, bringing together more than 3,000 business partners including carriers, mobile and content providers, enterprises, cloud providers and financial services companies. Established in 1989, Telehouse provides reliable, secure, and flexible colocation, enabling organisations to accelerate speed to market and create business opportunities through fast, efficient and secure interconnections. For more information visit: https://www.telehouse.net/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2106799/KDDI_expands_in_North_America.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kddi-expands-data-center-presence-in-north-america-301856562.html SOURCE KDDI Corporation

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[June 21, 2023] Google Cloud Launches AI-Powered Anti Money Laundering Product for Financial Institutions Tweet

HSBC found AML AI identified 2-4x more suspicious activity, while reducing alert volumes by more than 60% SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Google Cloud today announced the launch of Anti Money Laundering AI (AML AI), an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered product designed to help global financial institutions more effectively and efficiently detect money laundering. Money laundering is a complex problem with a growing global impact. The amount of money laundered each year is estimated to be 2-5% of global GDP, or up to $2 trillion annually.1 Money laundering proceeds are connected to illegal activities, ranging from drug and human trafficking to terrorist financing. Today, anti-money laundering programs consume significant resources for financial institutions, many of which operate across a variety of global and regional regulatory bodies. In fact, large financial institutions report monitoring four billion2 transactions or more a year for increasingly sophisticated illicit behavior. Most legacy AML monitoring products are reliant on manually defined rules, which yield low rates of identifying suspicious activities. Even in the most advanced implementations of rules-based systems, money launderers can learn and work around these rules to avoid detection. In fact, more than 95% of system-generated alerts turn out to be "false positives" in the first phase of review, with approximately 98% never culminating in a suspicious activity report (SAR).3 High rates of false positives require manual reviews, which costs the industry billions of dollars in wasted investigation time each year and distract institutions from true suspicious activity.4 AML AI helps global financial institutions increase risk detection and lower operational cost Google Cloud's AML AI provides a consolidated machine learning (ML)-generated customer risk score as an alternative to rules-based transaction alerting. The risk score is based on the bank's data including transactional patterns, network behavior, and Know Your Customer (KYC) data to identify instances and groups of high-risk retail and commercial customers. The product can adapt to changes in underlying data, delivering more accurate results, which increases overall program effectiveness and improves operational efficiency. Google Cloud's AML AI is using proprietary ML technology as well as Google Cloud technologies, such as Vertex AI and BigQuery. The product handles the complexities of running ML at scale, while also providing enriched explanations of the outputs to enable financial institutions to expedite the investigation workflow and improve the customer experience. To date, the solution has been put in production across several geographical regulatory jurisdictions. "Google i a pioneer in AI, and now we're making our tools, technologies, and expertise available to solve one of the biggest and most costly challenges in the financial services industry," said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. "Building on our commitment to bring AI-powered innovation to the financial services industry, we are launching Google Cloud's AML AI to help financial institutions more accurately and efficiently identify AML risk while enhancing business operations and governance."



Google Cloud's AML AI product delivers the following benefits: Increased risk detection: AML AI can outperform current systems in detecting financial crime risk. Google Cloud customer HSBC found that they can now detect two to four times [5] more true positive risk, enhancing their ability to identify and prevent money laundering activities.

Lower operational costs: AML AI minimizes wasted investigator time by reducing alert volumes and providing explainable outputs that speed up individual investigations. In fact, HSBC saw alert volumes decrease by more than 60%.

Improved governance and defensibility: AML AI provides financial institutions with auditable and explainable outputs to support internal risk management. This approach is now in production in several geographies, each with their own regulatory requirements.

Improved customer experience: By increasing precision and significantly reducing false positives, AML AI minimizes the need to engage with customers for additional compliance verification checks. HSBC, Bradesco, and Lunar find significant value in an AI-based approach to AML

Using Google Cloud's AML AI as its core, HSBC adopted a cloud-based AI-first approach as its primary AML transaction monitoring system in its key markets. Google Cloud's AML AI helped HSBC improve detection capability, deliver more accurate results, and significantly reduce batch processing times for its large customer base. As a result, HSBC was awarded the Celent Model Risk Manager of the Year 2023. "Google Cloud's AML AI has significantly improved HSBC's AML detection capability. Google's models are already demonstrating the tremendous potential of machine learning to transform anti-financial crime efforts in the industry at large," said Jennifer Calvery, Group Head of Financial Crime Risk and Compliance at HSBC. "By enhancing our customer monitoring framework with Google Cloud's sophisticated AI-based product, we have been able to improve the precision of our financial crime detection and reduce alert volumes meaning less investigation time is spent chasing false leads. We have also reduced the processing time required to analyze billions of transactions across millions of accounts from several weeks to a few days." "As threats become more sophisticated globally and the challenges in fighting money laundering become increasingly complex, we believe in the combination of AI and decision science as the best strategy to detect suspicious activity with more accuracy and efficiency," said Rafael Cavalcanti, SVP Data & Analytics, Bradesco. "As one of the largest banks in Brazil with more than 70 million customers, we see the value of Google Cloud's AML AI product for the financial industry and have greatly enjoyed working with Google Cloud in advancing the industry's approach to anti-money laundering." "Transforming the traditional AML approach with AI technology can help the financial industry keep pace with rapidly evolving money laundering techniques and the increasing volume of financial transactions," said Jonas Leed, Group General Counsel & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), Lunar. "As a digital bank, Lunar prides itself on embracing transformational technology that creates efficiencies so we can focus on delivering the best banking experience to our customers. We are encouraged and inspired by Google Cloud's AML AI ability to more accurately detect money laundering." AML AI can help customers reduce their operational costs while simultaneously improving the strength of their AML program. In the future, Google Cloud plans to provide Generative AI foundations for the financial services industry with the goal of boosting employee productivity, for example, to reduce the time needed for an analyst to investigate potential suspicious activity. About Google Cloud

Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. 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. 1 https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/money-laundering/overview.html

2 "HSBC: Cloud-Based Financial Crime Detection At Scale: Celent Model Risk Manager of the Year 2023," Celent, May 2023

3 https://www.reuters.com/article/bc-finreg-laundering-detecting-idUSKCN1GP2NV?ref=thestack.technology

4 https://www.reuters.com/article/bc-finreg-laundering-detecting-idUSKCN1GP2NV?ref=thestack.technology

5 As measured by the number of Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR) filed with Google Cloud's AML AI vs. a similar period under rules-based transaction monitoring at HSBC View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/google-cloud-launches-ai-powered-anti-money-laundering-product-for-financial-institutions-301856403.html SOURCE Google Cloud

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[June 21, 2023] The MolinaCares Accord Donates $50,000 to United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg for the WomenRise Program Tweet

The MolinaCares Accord ("MolinaCares"), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Virginia ("Molina"), presented a $50,000 grant to help fund the WomenRise program of the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. The program provides childcare scholarships for single mothers returning to school to pursue a postsecondary education or career training in the Richmond area. People with higher levels of education are more likely to lead healthier and longer lives, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. However, only 30% of single mothers in the United States hold an associate degree or higher compared to over 50% of married mothers. Molina's grant will provide $50,000 in scholarships to support mothers enrolled in classes or training programs and cover the cost of childcare services while they further their education. "The expens of childcare can be a barrier for single mothers in our region to simultaneously raise a family and pursue higher education," said Darrin Johnson, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Virginia. "MolinaCares is proud to support our local United Way and their WomenRise program to help mothers in the Greater Richmond and Petersburg region make the dream of advancing their careers and improving the lives of their families a reality."



A WomenRise scholarship is paid directly to the childcare provider and the scholarship program includes access to mentorship, support, and encouragement from peers, as well as a set of partners and resources within the United Way network. While WomenRise scholarships are offered on an annual basis, participants are eligible to apply for renewal each year until they graduate. "WomenRise is a multi-generational approach - improving household incomes and outcomes for single mothers and their children," said Angela Otto, interim president and CEO for United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. "Thanks to support from MolinaCares, mothers in the WomenRise program will now have more time to focus on studying and class attendance while their children are taken care of in safe childcare facilities. This removes a huge barrier for single mothers looking to further their education."

According to United Way, the WomenRise program provided a total of $185,000 to 23 local single mothers in 2022, an approximate increase of 280% from the first year. This year's application period was open from May 1 through May 31. United Way will announce scholarship recipients this summer. To learn more about the WomenRise program, visit http://www.yourunitedway.org/program/womenrise/. Learn more about the community-based organizations in Virginia supported by The MolinaCares Accord here. About The MolinaCares Accord Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc. About Molina Healthcare of Virginia Since 2017, Molina Healthcare of Virginia, LLC, has been providing government-funded, quality health care to its members through Medicaid and Medicare programs including Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus and Medallion 4.0. Molina Healthcare of Virginia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Molina Healthcare, Inc. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 5.3 million members as of March 31, 2023. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Virginia, visit MolinaHealthcare.com. About United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg empowers individuals and addresses systemic problems to provide everyone with a clear path to success. They do this by conducting research, funding programs and organizations, driving systems-level change and engaging with individuals in 11 localities across the region. Learn more at www.YourUnitedWay.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621819681/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Positive Preclinical Data of ORY-4001 for the Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Disease Presented at the 2023 Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) Annual Meeting Tweet

Comprehensively reversed disease progression symptoms in a CMT mice model

Selected for an oral presentation

A highly selective and safe HDAC-6 inhibitor

To start IND-enabling studies soon MADRID, Spain and BOSTON, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with a strong unmet medical need, presented yesterday positive preclinical efficacy data of ORY-4001, a selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC-6) inhibitor, in an oral communication at the 2023 Peripheral Nerve Society annual meeting (PNS-2023) held in Copenhagen from 17-20 June 2023. ORY-4001 treatment was able to reverse disease progression symptoms in a Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) mice model. The presented results are the fruit of a collaboration agreement between Oryzon and the CMT Research Foundation (CMTRF), a U.S.-based patient-led, non-profit organization focused on delivering treatments and cures for CMT, which was entered in 2022 to explore the therapeutic potential of Oryzons HDAC-6 inhibitors. ORY-4001 was able to reverse in a dose-dependent manner the CMT1A phenotypes. Notably, ORY-4001 was able to improve myelination and restore axon integrity in the sciatic nerve, and improved compound muscle action potential and nerve conduction in comparison with untreated animals. Remarkably, ORY-4001-treated animals displayed a significant body weight recovery, suggesting an overall physiological improvement. The doses used in this study were safe and below the maximal tolerated dose, which allows room for dose increases in additional studies to further deepen the therapeutic benefit. ORY-4001 is an HDAC6 inhibitor with excellent pharmacology and very high selectivity against other HDAC classes, resulting in a remarkable safety profile avoiding hematotoxicity. The compound exhibits also strong anti-inflammatory properties and positive in-vivo data in inflammatory models. ORY-4001 will enter now into IND enabling studies to prepare the compound for clinical studies. ORY-4001 was recently nominated as a clinical development candidate for the treatment of certain neurological diseases such as CMT, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and others. HDAC6 inhibitors have been previously proposed as potentially effective treatments for CMT, ALS and other neurological disorders that lack effective treatments. Dr. Jordi Xaus, Oryzons CSO, said: We are honored to have been selected for an oral presentation. This highlights the interest of the scientific community in the study results, which strongly suggest a clear therapeutic potential in peripheral neuropathies such as CMT, where there is an enormous medical need. We are exploring with the CMT comunity how we can expedite this program to the clinic.



CMT is a progressive, degenerative disease involving the peripheral nerves. It affects 150,000 Americans and more than 3 million people around the world. It is one of the most prevalent conditions among rare diseases and currently lacks effective treatments or cures. CMT is caused by a variety of genetic mutations. CMT1A is the most prevalent form, accounting for approximately half of all people with CMT. About Oryzon

Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company and the European leader in epigenetics, with a strong focus on personalized medicine in CNS disorders and oncology. Oryzons team is composed of highly qualified professionals from the pharma industry located in Barcelona, Boston, NYC and San Diego. Oryzon has an advanced clinical portfolio with two LSD1 inhibitors, vafidemstat in CNS and iadademstat in oncology, in several Phase II clinical trials. The company has other pipeline assets directed against other epigenetic targets. In addition, Oryzon has a strong platform for biomarker identification and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzons securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzons securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements. IR, US IR & Media, Europe Spain Oryzon Ashley R. Robinson Sandya von der Weid Patricia Cobo/

Daniel Foley Emili Torrell LifeSci Advisors, LLC LifeSci Advisors, LLC Atrevia Chief Business Officer +1 617 430 7577 +41 78 680 05 38 +34 91 564 07 25

+34 672 447 094 +34 93 515 1313 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]



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[June 21, 2023] Ambassador Labs Doubles Down on Security and Docker Partnership Tweet

BOSTON, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ambassador Labs , the cloud native developer experience leader, today announced new capabilities available across the companys Kubernetes native solution offerings that simplify and secure developer workflows on-premises and in cloud environments. New Telepresence for Docker Compose extends the reach of Telepresence to empower Docker Compose users to collaborate and reduce complexities as they build, debug and route local-to-remote services for Kubernetes. New Web Application Firewall (WAF) protection and adherence to PCI DSS 6.6 compliance for the companys flagship API gateway, Edge Stack , give developers an extra layer of security to protect externally visible web applications from malicious HTTP/S threat vectors. We know that building apps on Kubernetes supports the developer ability to get software to market faster due to the sheer flexibility and scalability of the open source platform, but we also know its a maturing technology that comes with complexities, said Steve Rodda, CEO at Ambassador Labs. Since our inception, we have delivered solutions built on and for Kubernetes. We are committed to the developer experience and delivering innovative tools to market that support their ability to build, test and deploy software fast and efficiently. New WAF functionality for Edge Stack shows we take security very seriously and extending Telepresence to even more Docker users allows us to reach a wider developer audience with tools to address their Kubernetes app development challenges. Reducing Friction - Accelerating Kubernetes Development Workflows

Stack Overflow's 2023 Developer Survey reported that 63% of respondents spend more than 30 minutes a day fixing problems and looking for answers, leading to somewhere between 333-651 hours of lost time per week across a team of 50 developers. This reinforces a need for tools to improve the developer experience and remove friction to support their ability to deliver more value to the business through app development. This friction is coupled with increasing organizational adoption of Kubernetes, resulting in developers taking on full app lifecycle management and fueling the importance of developer productivity. For development teams working in dispersed locations across the organization, they require tools to better collaborate and streamline development stages so they can move faster. Telepresence fosters collaboration and productivity, allowing developers to ship their application into remote Kubernetes clusters with the power to make configuration changes that can be used by any developer within the team. Extending the reach of Telepresence to support Doker Compose follows the recent availability of Telepresence for Docker . Now, an existing multi-million (and growing) community of Docker Compose developers can easily integrate existing workflows into their local development processes and configure multi-container Docker applications in a productive Kubernetes development environment with ease. This streamlined approach fuels collaboration and productivity that result in faster interactions and accelerated development cycles.



Additional features and benefits of Telepresence for Docker Compose include: Intercepting services defined in existing and unmodified Docker Compose files allows for a seamless adoption of Telepresence within an existing project toolchain without breaking your entire teams workflow.

Hybrid development setup with local and remote dependencies. This gives developers the best of both worlds to pick and choose where to run their services dependencies.

Hot reload of Docker containers on code changes. Utilizing the watch functionality of Docker Compose to trigger automatic rebuilds results in even faster local iterations so developers don't need to manually rebuild containers and restart intercepts each time they make a code change.

Closing the Application Security Gap

As Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and API Gateways act as the front door to an organization's applications, they are at increasing risk to external security threats and Internet-based attacks. A State of Kubernetes security report 2023 shed light on common security challenges developers face in managing application workflows across Kubernetes with results showing vulnerabilities and misconfigurations as top security concerns with container and Kubernetes environments.

Ambassador Labs is addressing this developer concern with the new Web Application Firewall (WAF) for Edge Stack. Developers now have an added layer of protection to easily filter, monitor and block malicious HTTP/S traffic in real time to protect web applications from sophisticated threat vectors and deployment within mistrusted environments. Additionally, Edge Stack now enables teams to comply with the PCI DSS 6.6 requirement that new threats and vulnerabilities for Internet-facing web applications are constantly addressed and that applications are protected from known attacks. Additional features and benefits for developers of enhanced security for Edge Stack include: Out of the box web application protection against common threats with customizable rules and enforcement levels. This allows DevOps teams to fine tune configuration and limit the impact of enforcing policy changes on existing applications.

Rules based on the industry standard Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 to ensure developers satisfy security and compliance requirements while keeping the application stack simple and self-service.

Enhanced observability for malicious requests that allow operators to identify threat vectors and attacks in real time. Additional Resources Read our launch blog

Register for our Feature Friday webinar to learn more about the latest innovations and product updates

to learn more about the latest innovations and product updates Blog: Docker and Ambassador Labs Announce Telepresence for Docker, Improving the Kubernetes Development Experience

Learn more about Telepresence for Docker

Get started with Telepresence

Learn more and see a demo of Edge Stack About Ambassador Labs Ambassador Labs is revolutionizing the way development teams code, test, ship and run Kubernetes applications. Their flagship products, Edge Stack and Telepresence, are used by global enterprises to accelerate deployment and facilitate collaboration across the full lifecycle of cloud native software delivery. Ambassador Labs was an early Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) open source project contributor, and their Emissary-ingress and Telepresence projects are used by hundreds of thousands of developers worldwide. The company is backed by top investors, including Insight Partners and Matrix Partners. Learn more at www.getambassador.io or follow us on LinkedIn . Media Contact:

Lisa Williams

[email protected]

+1 339. 788. 0067



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FILE PHOTO: Power lines and storm clouds can be seen above the Bayswater coal-powered thermal power station located near the central New South Wales town of Muswellbrook

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's most populous state will be ready for 100% renewable energy within a decade under a A$16.5 billion ($11.20 billion) infrastructure investment plan announced by a major grid operator on Wednesday.

Transgrid, privatised in 2015, will invest in batteries and other energy storage, as well as 2,500 kilometers (1,553.4 miles) of new transmission lines across an area larger than Texas for "secure operation" of the grid at up to 100% instantaneous renewables.

The company owns and operates over 13,000 km of transmission lines across New South Wales (NSW) state and the Australian Capital Territory.

"There will be no transition without transmission," Chief Executive Brett Redman said in a statement.

"With over 80% of coal-fired capacity in NSW expected to retire and 28 gigawatt of new renewable and storage capacity coming online in the next 10 years, we must urgently accelerate the investment in all areas of the energy transition."

Wednesday's plan highlights the scale of investment required to reach the Labor government's pledge to cut carbon emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030 and how a sizable chunk of the spending falls outside building new wind, solar and hydro projects.

In a decade, 80% of today's coal-fired capacity, concentrated in a score of large plants, will close and billions will be needed to knit together a vast network of new energy to replace it. These will include hundreds of wind and solar projects and tens of millions of rooftop solar panels spread across the world's sixth-largest country.

The bulk of the funds, A$14 billion, will be spent on transmission lines to connect new clean energy projects to customers. Roughly A$2.2 billion will be spent on energy storage to secure the grid as coal plants close, including 10GW of batteries.

A final A$300 million will be spent on new staff and technology to operate the upgraded grid.

The project will be funded by a combination of private investment, government support and user charges, a spokesperson for Transgrid said.

While work has started on EnergyConnect, a 900km transmission line to connect grids across three states, most of the announced plan has not started.

($1 = 1.4732 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
[June 21, 2023] Hy-Tek Intralogistics Named Exotec's 2023 Global Integrator of the Year Tweet

The inaugural award recognizes integrators that continuously drive success, value, and return on investment for joint customers. ATLANTA, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Exotec, a global warehouse provider, announced that it selected Hy-Tek Intralogistics, a premier integrator of full-service automation technology for the supply chain, as the winner of the Exotec Global Integrator of the Year Award for 2023. Exotec presented the award at the company's inaugural ExoDay, held at the North American headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The Global Integrator of the Year Award is aimed at spotlighting integrators that embody Exotec's core principles by continuously offering superior customer service and maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellence. The criteria for the awards took the following categories into consideration: Quality of service provided to joint customers

Volume of joint business and the rate of growth

Engagement in cross-promotional efforts We are thrilled to have been announced Exotec's Global Integrator of the Year for 2023," said Zac Boehm, Vice President of Robotic Solutions for Hy-Tek Intralogistics. "We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with them throughout their launch and growth in North America and are excited abou the opportunities and projects to come.



"As one of our first integrators in North America, Hy-Tek has been pivotal to our rapid growth in the market," said Stanislas Normand, Managing Director of Exotec North America. "Today, we are thrilled to name them our Global Integrator of the Year for 2023 and we look forward to our continued partnership and shared success." About Hy-Tek Intralogistics

Headquartered in Columbus, OH, Hy-Tek Intralogistics is an automation technology integrator serving clients in diverse end markets and applications, including e-commerce, third-party logistics, and parcel. Hy-Tek is the premier single-source provider of material handling solutions for a wide range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, retail, construction, food, electronics, and automotive. Since 1963, Hy-Tek and its best-in-class industry partners have been providing customers large and small with turnkey solutions. From customized one-of-a-kind handling and storage systems to pre-assembled buildings and off-the-shelf productsHy-Tek's experienced team of engineering, sales, operations, and project management professionals' partner with customers to help enhance productivity, streamline processes, and boost profitability. With over 500 employees, Hy-Tek serves customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from offices in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. For more information, visit www.hy-tek.com . About Exotec Exotec builds elegant goods-to-person warehouse robotic solutions for the world's largest brands. The company combines the best of hardware and software to offer flexible warehouse systems that drive operational efficiency, add resiliency, and improve working conditions for warehouse operators. 30+ industry-leading brands including Carrefour, Decathlon, Gap, and Uniqlo trust Exotec to improve their operations and profitably navigate rapid shifts in business models and customer expectations. Learn more at Exotec.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hy-tek-intralogistics-named-exotecs-2023-global-integrator-of-the-year-301856596.html SOURCE Exotec

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[June 21, 2023] EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure Announces Appointment of Three Industry Specialists to Its Board Tweet

New members will apply their extensive experience working with hyperscale providers and wholesale data center operators to assist in driving strategic growth DENVER, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, a wholesale data center developer, owner and operator, today announced the appointment of three new Operating Directors to its board: Heather Dooley, a proven expert at scaling organizations and capacity worldwide; Mark Sokol, a widely respected thought leader in networking and IT infrastructure; and Brian Mattson, an accomplished leader of engineering and construction programs for global corporations. Additionally, Dooley steps in as Lead Operating Director to fill the role Lee Kestler vacated when he transitioned to CEO of EdgeCore in March. Kestler remains on the board in his role as CEO. In selecting its new board members, EdgeCore searched for industry experts with extensive, relevant experience. Each was chosen for their ability to contribute to the strategic growth of the company in a specific way and is expected to work closely with the management team on value creation initiatives. "EdgeCore is thrilled to welcome such highly qualified individuals to our board of directors," said Lee Kestler, CEO of EdgeCore. "We are confident their unique skillsets, professional experiences, and insights will provide valuable perspectives as we continue to execute our strategy to serve the world's largest cloud, internet and technology companies." About Heather Dooley Dooley has built her reputation as the go-to person for the creation of new capabilities for data center companies to scale. She is a PMO thought leader, directly supporting the growth of technology organizations across the world by providing guidance on tools and systems, learning and development programs, and business operations. Dooley has extensive experience identifying business needs, gaps, threats and weaknesses, and then building a caseto solve an organization's greatest problems.



Dooley currently operates her own consultancy, HDCManagement, which provides strategic consulting across ESG, leadership development and organizational design to companies in the mission critical industry, and serves as a non-executive board member for Linesight and Cirion (formerly Lumen LATAM). Prior to this, Dooley spent over 20 years in leadership roles at New Edge Networks, Microsoft and Google, where she was responsible for growing each company's data center and IT infrastructure programs. About Mark Sokol

Sokol has been at the forefront of networking and data center trends over the past two decades. He currently serves as a non-executive director on the board of FiberSense, and is the CTO of AtlasEdge, a data center provider focused on creating Europe's leading Edge platform. Sokol will continue to serve in these roles, in addition to joining EdgeCore's board. Prior to joining AtlasEdge, Sokol served as the Senior Director of Infrastructure for Google across various posts in North America, APAC, and EMEA. In that role, he was directly responsible for infrastructure strategy and development, undersea cables, edge strategy, as well as site selection. Additionally, Sokol served as Google's board member at CSquared, an African infrastructure investment. Earlier in his career, Sokol worked in leadership positions at Lumen Technologies, founded two successful start-up companies, and co-founded three others. About Brian Mattson Mattson has over 40 years' experience leading large-scale engineering and construction programs in the semiconductor and data center industries. In 2020, he formed Viking Program Services (VPS), a consultancy providing business strategy to data center and semiconductor companies, a role he continues to occupy. Prior to forming VPS, Mattson led two global data center organizations for Google, Infrastructure Supply Chain and Global Construction Program Controls. Before joining Google, Mattson served as Vice President of Construction for NTT Global Data Centers Americas (RagingWire), and as head of Global Data Center Construction and Infrastructure Supply Chain at Microsoft. In his early career, Mattson served as head of construction for Intel in Asia and the Americas, and was Chairman and President of a subsidiary of Micron Technology. Mattson began his career as a mechanical consulting engineer. About EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure serves the world's largest cloud, internet, and technology companies with both ready-for-occupancy and build-to-suit data center capacity supported by best-in-class service-delivery capabilities. Privately held and supported by committed equity to fund an initial aggregate amount of over USD $4 billion in development, EdgeCore supports customer requirements by proactively investing in land, power, and vertical development in key data center locations, with building designs that meet key performance specifications, safety metrics, and sustainability objectives. EdgeCore has four markets with power and shovel ready campuses, operational data center buildings, and the ability to expand investment into new markets. For more information, please visit edgecore.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edgecore-digital-infrastructure-announces-appointment-of-three-industry-specialists-to-its-board-301856186.html SOURCE EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure

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[June 21, 2023] FreeWheel Launches The Viewer Experience Lab in Partnership with MediaScience to Help the TV Industry Improve the Ad Environment for Users Across All Video Platforms Tweet

Today, FreeWheel, a global technology platform for the television advertising industry, announced that it is spearheading a new initiative, The Viewer Experience Lab, in partnership with MediaScience, a leader in media and advertising innovation, research and technology. The goal of the project is to help media companies ensure a quality experience for viewers across the growing array of traditional and emerging advertising channels that support their premium content. "Over the past few years, the ability for media companies to provide a uniform, quality experience across all of the diverse platforms into which they now serve advertising has grown exponentially harder," said Mark McKee, General Manager, FreeWheel. "Couple this with the reality that protecting their relationship with viewers has become paramount in an increasingly competitive ad marketplace, and you can see why we're committed to helping our clients solve this complex challenge." The added intricacy in dynamically serving advertising outside of the traditional linear ad environment, whether on AVOD, FAST or other streaming platforms, can result in problems such as latency, ad repetition, the showing of slate and other unwanted consequences. As a result, both the viewing experience and advertising effectiveness can suffer. To help address these issues, the goal of FreeWheel's Viewer Experience Lab is two-fold: Conduct quantifiable research to help advertising buyers and sellers understand the impact of different ad experiences on viewer experience and performance, including viewer response to new and evolving ad formats;

Develop solutions and interoperable technologies fueled by these new insights that allow video content providers to implement best practices and provide seamless ad viewing experiences in a multi-platform, premium video ecosystem. FreeWheel chose MediaScience as an inaugural research partner to provide bespoke esearch for The Viewer Experience Lab. MediaScience has one of the strongest track records in the industry for testing new media innovations.



"We have completed extensive research into viewing experience, especially as it relates to the impact on advertising performance, but as the media world changes, our research needs to keep on evolving," said Dr. Duane Varan, CEO, MediaScience. "We are thrilled that FreeWheel, with the support of its council of leading media companies, has chosen us to spearhead this important initiative." As its first output, The Viewer Experience Lab today released a new State of TV Advertising Viewer Experience Report, which is a comprehensive analysis of viewer experience today and an exploration of how our industry should define and approach this important subject.

FreeWheel today provides publishers with many capabilities to enhance the viewer experience, including a system for dynamically adjusting the ad load based on time spent viewing, a dynamic ad scheduler for connected TV (CTV) environments, and the ability to frequency cap across devices within the same household. Moving forward, as part of The Viewer Experience Lab, FreeWheel will use emerging insights and recommendations to enhance and build new products within its VX suite. Companies supporting the new initiative through their work with the FreeWheel Council for Video Excellence represent the full spectrum of viewing platforms and distribution channels, including A+E Networks, AMC, FOX, NBCUniversal, Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount. "Our viewer relationships are at the center of everything we do as a media company and the unique value we are able to deliver to our advertising clients. These relationships are rooted in a viewer-first strategy across a broad, ad-supported distribution ecosystem that spans linear networks, streaming services and emerging, connected TV/FAST platforms," said Evan Adlman, executive vice president of commercial sales and revenue operations for AMC Networks. "We are focused on offering the best data targeting capabilities across all of our inventories, so having insights into the consumer experience that allow us to deliver the best products is invaluable in this dynamic and changing environment. We are thrilled to partner with FreeWheel in this new and novel effort." In addition to launching the State of TV Advertising Viewer Experience Report, FreeWheel and MediaScience have begun work on a custom analysis into viewing experience that will analyze consumers' responses to viewer experience stimuli in a lab environment and provide best practices for the industry. Initial findings are expected to be released in January 2024. For additional VX information and access to all VX research, visit https://www.freewheel.com/viewerexperiencelab. About FreeWheel

FreeWheel empowers all segments of The New TV Ecosystem. We are structured to provide the full breadth of solutions the advertising industry needs to achieve their goals. We provide the technology, data enablement and convergent marketplaces required to ensure buyers and sellers can transact across all screens, across all data types, and all sales channels, in order to ensure the ultimate goal - results for marketers. With offices in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Paris, Beijing, and across the globe, FreeWheel, A Comcast Company, stands to advocate for the entire industry through the FreeWheel Council for Premium Video. For more information, please visit freewheel.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About MediaScience

MediaScience is the leading provider of lab-based audience research, incorporating a range of technology and tools to measure human emotion directly, through neurometrics, facial expression analysis, eye tracking, EEG, and more. With state-of-the-art labs in New York, Chicago, and Austin - MediaScience is discovering key insights in advertising, emerging digital technology, media, and consumer trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621382233/en/

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[June 21, 2023] PROTOSTAR Launches AI-Powered Consulting Services to Drive Sustainable and Equitable Energy Transition Tweet

PROTOSTAR, a first-of-its-kind strategic consulting company, officially launches today with a commitment to synergize and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, equitable, and cleaner energy future. The firm specializes in providing expert guidance and strategic advice to companies, executives, and founders dedicated to developing breakthrough solutions to the world's most pressing problems, including, in particular, climate change. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621019774/en/ The AI Advantage Built on the foundation of a unique AI-enabled approach, PROTOSTAR constructs three fundamental pillars: (1) intelligently connecting the dots to identify innovative solutions, (2) devising actionable plans with strategic foresight, and (3) delivering tangible, measurable results that translate into business growth and success. This artificial intelligence foundation fundamentally distinguishes PROTOSTAR's comprehensive consulting services suite, including strategic brand and performance marketing, public relations, sales enablement, and government engagement. By harnessing the power of advanced analytical and generative AI, the firm revolutionizes how these services are executed. The analytical AI, with its precise data-driven insights, serves as a powerful tool for comprehensive market and competitive analyses. It sifts through vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends that may not be immediately apparent to human analysts. PROTOSTAR then translates this complex data and insights into actionable intelligence. The generative AI fosters innovation and agility. It aids in rapid conceptualizing, allowing the firm to generate a multitude of strategies and ideas in a fraction of the time it would take traditionally. This iterative process helps in exploring a broad spectrum of solutions, optimizing the chances of identifying the most effective and efficient ones. Importantly, PROTOSTAR's AI-enabled capabilities allow the firm to create highly personalized strategies that closely mirror each client's unique needs, objectives, and business environment. This commitment to understanding and addressing client-specific goals enables the company to deliver insightful, forward-thinking strategies that foster sustainable business growth and success. Leveraging the potency of artificial intelligence, PROTOSTAR delivers tangible, measurable results that drive progress and champion positive change. The Founder PROTOSTAR was founded and is led by Daniel Alvarez, a renowned connection builder, and marketing and sales leader with extensive experience in senior management roles across technology, renewable energy, and specialty retail sectors. Alvarez has advised some of the world's most influential founders and consulted for Fortune 500 organizations.



"PROTOSTAR is dedicated to accelerating the world's transition to a low-carbon economy and a more sustainable future," said Daniel Alvarez, Founder and CEO, PROTOSTAR. "By joining forces with innovators and entrepreneurs - along with local communities and governments - we will catalyze the adoption of transformative solutions to tackle the world's most urgent challenges." Strategic Partnership with AJW

Building upon this foundation of innovation and commitment to sustainable change, PROTOSTAR is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with AJW, Inc., a leading energy transition policy firm, with offices in Washington D.C., Sacramento, CA, and New York City. This collaboration will enable PROTOSTAR to provide expanded government engagement, incentive optimization, and environmental market access to its customers, further enhancing its commitment to driving meaningful change and fostering innovation. By joining forces with AJW, PROTOSTAR will empower its clients to navigate complex policy and regulatory environments, access government funding, create compelling narratives for ESG investors, and, in short, accelerate their potential for success. "We are delighted to partner with PROTOSTAR, a company that shares our commitment to driving innovation and addressing global challenges through strategic collaboration," said Chris Hessler, Founding Partner, AJW. "Our combined expertise in government engagement, business strategy, and decarbonization solutions will empower PROTOSTAR's customers to navigate complex policy landscapes and market barriers to promote the adoption of breakthrough technologies. Together, we will accelerate a cleaner, more resilient, and equitable future for all." Support from an Industry Innovator and Leader "Idealab was founded to develop groundbreaking technology solutions that can solve big problems facing the world," said Bill Gross, Founder and Chairman, Idealab. "In a similar spirit, Daniel has created PROTOSTAR to leverage both technology and his own unique industry expertise to support entrepreneurs who are committed to solving major challenges and, in doing so, help create a sustainable future. Having worked closely with Daniel at various Idealab portfolio companies and seen how he brings together talented teams to execute complex initiatives in a way that generates real, impactful results, I'm convinced that his new endeavor will be a singular success. I'm excited to see what the future holds for PROTOSTAR." ABOUT PROTOSTAR PROTOSTAR is a first-of-its-kind strategic consulting company on a mission to catalyze the shift toward a more sustainable, equitable, and cleaner energy future. The firm uses a unique, AI-enabled approach to provide comprehensive services including strategic brand and performance marketing, public relations, sales enablement, and government engagement. PROTOSTAR collaborates with companies, executives, and founders dedicated to developing breakthrough solutions to the world's most pressing problems. PROTOSTAR proudly supports next-generation carbon removal by contributing 2.5% of its revenue to Stripe Climate, a coalition of businesses dedicated to accelerating carbon removal. For more information about PROTOSTAR and its services, please visit the company's website at protostar.energy or contact [email protected]. ABOUT AJW For two decades, AJW has helped cleantech leaders maximize the value of government policies and strengthen programs that support RD&D, deployment, and scale-up of groundbreaking climate solutions. The AJW team's deep and diverse expertise helps government implement the market mechanisms, then primes innovators to blow past market barriers and exceed their strategic and profitability goals. Learn more at ajw-inc.com. To start a conversation, contact [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621019774/en/

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[June 21, 2023] City of Nanaimo Expands its Unit4 Relationship to Accelerate its Business Transformation with the addition of ERP and Talent Management Tweet

NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unit4, a leader in enterprise cloud applications for people-centric organizations, today announced that City of Nanaimo has selected Unit4 ERP and Talent Management (TM) to shift the use of its ERP from an operational tool, to that of a core strategic application that can be adapted and optimized to help manage complexities. The company already uses Unit4 FP&A to reduce manual effort by the finance team for data preparation, and to improve efficiencies of budget development, management, and reporting processes. Founded in 1874, City of Nanaimo is a thriving community with a population of approximately 100,000 residents. Built on the Traditional Territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations, today the City's leading sectors are in healthcare, technology, and construction. Unit4's integrated ERP, TM, and FP&A solutions, along with powerful process automation and deep reporting, will allow the City of Nanaimo to modernize its business processes and better serve its residents. By implementing Unit4, City of Nanaimo will look to eliminate inefficiencies in current processes by reducing the need for duplicate data entry and manual manipulation. It will also benefit from accurate and reliable reporting to support decision making, as well as have a single authoritative source of financial and human resources data. Unit4 will also help City of Nanaimo to: Develop and enhance secure self-service capabilities such as reporting, employee requisitions, timesheets, expense claims, reimbursements, and reconciliations

Collect information from employees to enabe managers to define, measure and understand engagement levels throughout the organization

Support new business activities within the organization, such as monitoring and ensuring compliance of requirements and obligations imposed on data requestors

Benefit from a flexible solution that can grow with the organization's needs.



Agilyx, to implement and deploy the Unit4 solutions. "Our priority is to support our already thriving community by providing them with the services they need on a daily basis," said Kerry Ing, Director, IT / CIO, City of Nanaimo. "Working with Unit4 and Agilyx will allow us to effectively plan for the future by implementing the right IT infrastructure, which will support us as we evolve. Increased transparency, predictability, and accountability will not only make us more agile, but also strengthen our frontline services for our citizens."

"We're pleased to be working with the City of Nanaimo, which has a rich history and vibrant economy," said Johan Reventberg, Chief Revenue Officer, Unit4. "We have years of experience of working with public sector organizations across North America. We not only understand their priorities, but also the need to make better use of resources and respond to changing citizen requirements, now more than ever. About Unit4 Unit4's next-generation enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions power many of the world's mid-market organizations, bringing together the capabilities of Financials, Procurement, Project Management, HR, and FP&A to share real-time information, and deliver greater insights to help organizations become more effective. By combining our mid-market expertise with a relentless focus on people, we've built flexible solutions to meet customers' unique and changing needs. Unit4 serves more than 5,100 customers globally across a number of sectors including professional services, nonprofit and public sector, with customers including Southampton City Council, Metro Vancouver, Buro Happold, Devoteam, Save the Children International, Global Green Growth Institute and Oxfam America. For further information visit www.unit4.com. For more information, please visit https://www.unit4.com/, follow us on Twitter @Unit4global , Facebook: Unit4 Business Software, Instagram: @unit4global or visit our YouTube: Unit4 and LinkedIn page Media Contact: Lisa Stassoulli

Global Communications Manager, Unit4

Mobile: +44(0)7870 916827

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/city-of-nanaimo-expands-its-unit4-relationship-to-accelerate-its-business-transformation-with-the-addition-of-erp-and-talent-management-301854376.html SOURCE Unit4

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[June 21, 2023] ShadowDragon Named 2023 Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum Tweet

ShadowDragon, a provider of ethical open source intelligence (OSINT), unique datasets and APIs, was selected among hundreds of candidates as one of the World Economic Forum's 2023 "Technology Pioneers". This exclusive cohort represents global companies at the forefront of new technologies and innovation, and that are poised to make a significant impact on society. One of ShadowDragon's most important missions is making the world a safer place by developing easy-to-use digital investigation tools that simplify the complexities of modern online investigations. ShadowDragon tools, data and training courses are made available to vetted law enforcement, public servants and corporate organizations who provide protection to their communities - from building cases against organized crime, to managing public health crises or physical threats against employees. "Throughout my career, from earlier years as an ethical hacker, to being an investigator tasked with solving complex insider threat cases, OSINT was a place to turn in pursuit of more information to identify exactly who was behind those complex threats," said Daniel Clemens, CEO and Founder of ShadowDragon. "I believe that the lawful use of publicly available information can save lives, reduce crime and hold those who take advantage of the weak accountable. As a Technology Pioneer, ShadowDragon looks forward to contributing to both dialogue and action around new solutions that overcome global crises such as human trafficking and child exploitation." ShadowDragon has also partnered with nonprofits that share common goals, including stopping human traffickers, to empower investigators with the ShadowDragon tools and tested investigative methods. ShadowDragon delivers OSINT from over 200 networks, including social media platforms, chat rooms, forums, historical datasets and the dark web. By streamlining the collection of this publicly available information, analysts are able to work more quickly, and look for patterns and ask question about the data to learn more about the problem they're trying to solve.



"We're excited to welcome ShadowDragon to our 2023 cohort of Technology Pioneers," said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum. "ShadowDragon and its fellow pioneers are at the forefront of innovation and disruption needed to help us solve the world's most pressing issues. We look forward to their contribution to the Forum's content work that brings together the public and private sector to tackle these global issues." More information on this year's Technology Pioneers can be found here. For more information about the ShadowDragon suite of OSINT tools and capabilities, such as SocialNet, OIMonitor, MalNet, Spotter and Horizon, click here.

About ShadowDragon ShadowDragon provides comprehensive, cyber investigative resources and training for use by private companies, intelligence gathering professionals, law enforcement, and government. The U.S.-based company delivers open source intelligence (OSINT) from over 200 networks including social media platforms, chat rooms, forums, historical datasets, and the dark web. The company monitors malware history, data breach dumps, and other areas for active cyber threats. These data collection and analytic tools help defend against malicious acts in the digital and physical world. For more information, visit www.shadowdragon.io. Visit the ShadowDragon Trust Center for details about the company's approach to "OSINT for good". About World Economic Forum The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. (www.weforum.org). About the Technology Pioneers Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneer community is composed of early-stage companies from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations, and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society. The World Economic Forum provides the community with a platform to engage with public and private sector leaders and to contribute new solutions to overcome the current crisis and build future resiliency. The Technology Pioneers community is part of the Innovator Communities within the Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Innovator Communities convene the world's leading global startups across different growth stages from early-stage Technology Pioneers to growth-stage Global Innovators and unicorn companies valued at more than $1 billion. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621166483/en/

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[June 21, 2023] zSpace Announces Expansion of Computer Science and Cybersecurity Content on Inspire AR/VR Laptop Tweet

New CyberSecurity Application by SurfWisely Joins Mastery Coding and BlocksCAD3D to Provide a Comprehensive Computer Science Offering SAN JOSE, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- zSpace, a leading provider of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) solutions for education, is thrilled to announce the expansion of computer science and cybersecurity content on the Inspire AR/VR Laptop. As part of this exciting development, zSpace has partnered with SurfWisely, an innovative educational software company, to introduce a new application that will join the existing offerings by Mastery Coding and BlocksCAD3D. This collaboration aims to provide a comprehensive computer science offering to the existing and extensive range of K-12 STEM and CTElearning experiences already being used in over 3,700 schools and districts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 15 percent from 2021 to 2031, highlighting the increasing demand for technology skills in the workforce. Recognizing the importance of preparing students for future careers, zSpace is committed to equipping learners with comprehensive computer science and cybersecurity education through its Inspire AR/VR Laptop. The Inspire AR/VR Laptop, zSpace's flagship product, offers an immersive learning environment that combines the power of augmented and virtual reality with educational content. It enables students to explore complex concepts in a hands-on and interactive manner, fostering deeper engagement and understanding in STEM, CTE, and other areas. The addition of SurfWisely's application represents a significant milestone for zSpace and its commitment to empowering students with comprehensive computer science and cybersecurity education. SurfWisely brings its expertise in developing innovative educational software that promotes digital literacy, online safety, and responsible internet usag in a gamified environment. With SurfWisely's application, students will have access to a wide range of engaging activities, cybersecurity simulations, and lessons on ethical digital citizenship.



Mastery Coding, a trusted provider of coding education, and BlocksCAD3D, a leading platform for teaching 3D design and modeling, have been pivotal contributors to the Inspire AR/VR Laptop's success. Through their partnership with zSpace, these companies have expanded the laptop's content library, providing students with interactive coding experiences and the ability to design and build in a three-dimensional virtual environment. "We are excited to announce the expansion of computer science and cybersecurity content on our Inspire AR/VR Laptop," said Paul Kellenberger, CEO of zSpace. "By partnering with SurfWisely and integrating their application into our immersive learning platform, we are offering students a holistic and dynamic educational experience. The addition of SurfWisely's expertise in promoting digital literacy and online safety will further enhance the Inspire AR/VR Laptop's ability to prepare students for the digital world."

The collaborative efforts of zSpace, SurfWisely, Mastery Coding, and BlocksCAD3D will result in an even more robust offering of K-12 STEM activities, enabling educators to deliver comprehensive computer science, coding, and cybersecurity curricula. Through the Inspire AR/VR Laptop, millions of learners worldwide will have access to an engaging and effective learning tool that prepares them for the technological challenges of the future. zSpace representatives will be available to discuss its computer science products on the Inspire AR/VR Laptop at the International Society for Technology in Education conference (ISTE 2023) from June 26 to June 28 at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Test your skill at Castle Attack, a Unity-based game, and discover how students can do everything from basic coding to game development in Unity in zSpace Booth 2850. About zSpace zSpace, Inc. has been focused on immersive experiences since its inception and is a leading education company within the Metaverse. zSpace's evidence-based augmented/virtual reality platform provides innovative hands-on, experiential learning to improve achievement in science, math and career and technical education credentialing. Over 3,700 school districts, technical centers, community colleges and universities use zSpace to provide equitable access to instruction for millions of learners preparing for success in college and careers. Located in San Jose, California, it has more than 70 patents. zSpace was named "Cool Vendor" by Gartner, Inc., "Best in Show at ISTE" and "Awards of Excellence" by Tech & Learning Magazine for three consecutive years and ranked two years in a row on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies. Visit www.zspace.com, or follow @zSpace on Twitter. Media Contact:

Amanda Austin

zSpace, Inc.

(408) 638-9413

[email protected]com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zspace-announces-expansion-of-computer-science-and-cybersecurity-content-on-inspire-arvr-laptop-301855590.html SOURCE zSpace, Inc.

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[June 21, 2023] Aerobotix receives Outstanding Sales Growth Award from global robotics leader FANUC Tweet

Aerobotix, an AS9100-certified FANUC robotics integrator for the aerospace and defense industries, announces today that it recently received a special sales award from FANUC America, the global leader in CNCs, robotics and ROBOMACHINEs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621993553/en/ From left to right: Josh Tuttle (Aerobotix business development manager), Michael Wilman (FANUC America district sales manager - Alabama and Mississippi), and Nathan Hester (Aeobotix project engineer). (Photo: Business Wire)



Aerobotix was recognized with a 2022 Outstanding Sales Growth Award, which FANUC presents to an Authorized System Integrator whose calendar-year unit bookings increased by at least 50% year-over-year.

This is the fifth time since 2010 that Aerobotix has received the Outstanding Sales Growth Award, attesting to the company's sustained high growth over more than a decade. "With a focus on addressing the needs of their aerospace and defense customers, Aerobotix has successfully delivered a variety of high-value automation solutions that improve quality, productivity and employee safety," said Michael Wilman, FANUC America district sales manager - Alabama and Mississippi. Aerobotix is the premier supplier of robotic painting systems for unique high-performance coatings, and the company also offers solutions for sanding, inspections and mobile robotics. "FANUC has played a major role in the Aerobotix success story," said Josh Tuttle, Aerobotix business development manager. "Through our exclusive use of FANUC technology, we've been able to partner with the world leader in industrial robots, providing the most sophisticated, highest-reliability systems to our customers." Separate to the FANUC honor, Aerobotix Process Engineer Samantha Stejskal has been named to Business Alabama's Women in Tech: 23 for '23, which recognizes women across the state for excellence in the technology sector. A role model for young women considering a career in robotics, Stejskal joined Aerobotix in June 2021 after completing a degree in industrial engineering and mathematics from Olivet Nazarene University. Stejskal told Business Alabama, "I personally do not know many women who are also working in robotics but would love to see more in the near future." About Aerobotix Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Aerobotix is an innovative leader in robotic solutions for the aerospace and defense industries. The company specializes in the creation of cutting-edge automated robotic solutions for high-value, high-precision components, aircraft and vehicles. Aerobotix has more than 130 robotic systems installed in the U.S. and abroad, providing exceptional results and savings for our clients. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621993553/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Applied Industrial Technologies Ringing NYSE Closing Bell to Celebrate its 100-Year Anniversary Tweet

As part of the Company's 100-year anniversary being celebrated throughout 2023, representatives of Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) will ring The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange today, June 21, 2023, at 4 p.m. ET. President & Chief Executive Officer Neil Schrimsher will be joined on the podium by members of the Company's senior leadership team and Board of Directors. "We are honored to recognize the longevity and success of Applied with the ceremonial ringing of The Closing Bell at the NYSE," said Schrimsher. "This proud moment is dedicated to the more than 6,000 associates who represent the Company's continued progress and value proposition, as well as the valued supplier and business partners who support us every day in serving customers and advancing our leading technical capabilities. Applied's rich history and significant growth underscores our strong industry position and operational focus as a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider. We look forward to further building on this legacy and achieving our ext milestones by capitalizing on our strategy and local capabilities, and expanding our portfolio of emerging technologies and specialized engineering solutions."



Founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1923, Applied began as a bearings distributor and has grown to include power transmission, fluid power, process flow control, advanced automation, and more in its comprehensive product and solution portfolio. The Company started trading on the NYSE in 1965. Coverage of the ceremony will be livestreamed on the NYSE website at http://www.nyse.com/bell. Videos and photos will shared on the NYSE and Applied social media channels.

About Applied

Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO and OEM end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. For more information, visit www.applied.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621623304/en/

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[June 21, 2023]

Tension Packaging & Automation Joins MHI Industry Groups, SLAM and Solutions Community

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tension Packaging & Automation, a leader in packaging automation solutions for both eCommerce and pharmacy automation fulfillment operations, is proud to announce its acceptance into two of Material Handling Industry's (MHI) industry groups, SLAM (Scan, Label, Apply, Manifest) and Solutions Community Group.

MHI is the nation's largest material handling, logistics and supply chain association. Its SLAM group promotes the best and largest possible market for end-of-line technologies and systems, which aligns with Tension's conveyor systems, sorting machines and other related warehouse automation solutions. The Solutions Community Group is a network of thought leaders on automation, software, hardware, equipment and services that support a fully integrated supply chain.







"Our involvement in these industry groups further integrates our brand into the MHI community," says Jason Protzman, Director of Software and Controls Engineering at Tension Packaging & Automation. "It is well aligned with our mission to become a full integrated solutions provider for our customers, as the industry groups both foster knowledge sharing and the fruition of innovative ideas through future offerings."

James Herbert, Vice President and General Manager of Tension Packaging & Automation, adds that "the industry groups provide opportunities to showcase our brand as the world-class leader in packaging and automation innovation to the entire supply chain industry."

Tension Packaging & Automation looks forward to engaging with members of both groups to collaborate on ideas that will help shape the future of supply chain innovation. With its involvement in these two industry groups, Tension is better positioned to provide innovative automated packaging solutions for its customers.

About Tension Packaging & Automation:

Tension Packaging & Automation is a global leader in complete packaging and automation solutions. Specializing in a wide variety of results-driven processes, we offer customers expertise in project design, machine development and software integration. Our broad support for automation includes manufacturing, installation, equipment, consumables and robotics. We are known as automation solution specialists for eCommerce and pharmacy  helping customers optimize productivity.

Tension Packaging & Automation's parent company, Tension Corporation, was founded in 1886 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Erin Moloney, Senior Marketing Manager

Tension Packaging & Automation

(816) 283-1463

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tension-packaging--automation-joins-mhi-industry-groups-slam-and-solutions-community-301856250.html

SOURCE Tension Packaging & Automation
Twitter failed to pay out annual bonuses to staff after its acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk despite repeated assurances from executives in the lead-up to the deal closing that the company would do so, according to a new lawsuit filed on behalf of employees.

The lawsuit was filed in a San Francisco federal court on Tuesday by Mark Schobinger, who was a senior director of compensation at Twitter until he left the company late last month. The suit is seeking class action status for former and current Twitter employees who did not receive their 2022 bonus.

We estimate about a couple thousand employees would have been eligible for the bonuses, Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing Schobinger, said in a statement to CNN. While I dont have an exact number, we expect the amount owed is in the tens of millions.

Twitter, which has cut much of is public relations team, did not respond to CNNs request for comment.

The complaint states that after it was announced that Musk was acquiring the social media company last April, many employees raised concerns over the fate of their compensation and annual bonus if and when the deal closed.

In the months leading up to Musk completing his acquisition of Twitter, company executives repeatedly promised employees that 2022 bonuses would be paid out at 50% of the target, according to the complaint. The promise was repeated following Musks acquisition, the complaint said.

Despite the promises, however, Twitter has yet to pay out bonuses, the lawsuit says. Schobinger left the company last month following Twitters reneging on various promises it had made to employees, including its failure to pay promised bonuses, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal actions taken by former Twitter employees after Musks acquired the company and slashed 80% of the staff in an urgent bid to cut costs.

Liss-Riordan previously brought multiple proposed class action suits against Twitter, including on behalf of female employees and disabled employees. Another suit was filed by a group of former employees who accused Twitter of breach of contract because it allegedly failed to follow through on promises to allow remote work and provide consistent severance benefits after the acquisition.

Twitter has denied the breach of contract allegations in the lawsuit brought by former employees about remote work and severance. The proposed class action suits on behalf of female and disabled employees were dismissed by federal judges last month. The suits were later refiled.

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[June 21, 2023] Napatech and Jabil Collaborate on Innovative Server Platform for High-Bandwidth, Low-Latency Fintech Applications Tweet

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Napatech (OSLO: NAPA.OL), the leading provider of programmable Smart Network Interface Cards (SmartNICs) and Infrastructure Processing Units (IPU) used in cloud, enterprise and telecom datacenter networks, today announced a collaboration with Jabil, Inc. on a server platform for high-bandwidth, low-latency, financial technology (Fintech) applications. Enterprises that provide electronic banking and trading services rely on their data center server platforms to transmit, receive and store financial transactions at high data rates, with low networking latency and zero data packet loss. Jabil's new J322-S server addresses these challenges through pre-validated network adapter configurations that include the Napatech NT100 and NT200 SmartNICs, which perform low-latency lossless networking at 100Gbps and 200Gbps respectively. The SmartNICs also enable complete replay of transaction data with nanosecond precision, for use in analytics, testing and simulation. "Jabil's J322-S 2U rackmount server based on the high-performance 4th Gen Intel Xeon Dual Socket processor is optimized to meet the demanding needs of our Fintech customers," said Ed Bailey, vice president of technology, Jabil Cloud and Enterprise Communications. "Storage needs are addressed by offering NVMe, SAS and SATA drives for hot- pluggable hybrid storage, while the available programmable Napatech SmartNICs deliver the high-performance, low-latency networking features that are required for Fintech applicatins. We are pleased to team with Napatech on these platforms and look forward to future collaboration as our customers' needs and opportunities evolve."



"As Fintech applications become higher-performance and more complex, standard Network Interface Cards (NICs) are unable to handle the increased line speed while delivering data without packet loss," said Charlie Ashton, senior director of business development at Napatech. "Napatech's programmable SmartNICs, however, support line speeds up to 200Gbps with zero packet loss under all conditions, while also including large on-board buffers that absorb microbursts and ensure peak network performance at all times. We are delighted that Jabil has selected our SmartNICs to ensure the performance, reliability and data integrity delivered by their J322-S server in Fintech use cases." "The increasing sophistication of financial trading algorithms drives the need for more advanced networking subsystems within the data centers operated by Fintech companies," said Bob Laliberte, principal analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). "Programmable SmartNICs represent the optimum solution for delivering both the requisite data networking performance and the flexibility to perform software upgrades after deployment. The collaboration between Jabil and Napatech ensures organizations can deploy a high performance platform suitable for a wide range of demanding Fintech applications."

The Jabil J322-S server is available now in a configuration with either the Napatech NT100 or NT200 SmartNIC. About Napatech Napatech is the leading supplier of SmartNIC solutions used in cloud, enterprise, and telecom datacenters. Through commercial-grade software suites integrated with high-performance hardware, Napatech accelerates network infrastructure and security workloads to deliver best-in-class system-level performance while maximizing the availability of server compute resources for applications and services Additional information is available at www.napatech.com. No Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to, business conditions, trends in the industry and markets, global economic and geopolitical conditions, macro-economic factors, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in Napatech's reports. The matter discussed in this release is based on current expectations and maybe subject to change. Napatech will not necessarily update this information. For details, visit us at www.napatech.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/napatech-and-jabil-collaborate-on-innovative-server-platform-for-high-bandwidth-low-latency-fintech-applications-301856256.html SOURCE Napatech

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[June 21, 2023]

Global Technologies, Ltd. Signs Agreement to Acquire a Real Estate Holding Company

Parsippany, NJ, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Technologies Ltd. (OTC Pink: GTLL), an operating company focused on acquiring distressed properties in the real estate sector, proudly announces the signing of an agreement to acquire a real estate redevelopment company whose portfolio consists of a 250,000 square foot industrial facility situated on a 25-acre property in Georgia.



This acquisition represents a pivotal movement in Global Technologies bold new vision, as it forges ahead in acquiring and developing unique assets within the real estate sector.

We are focused on acquiring properties that we deem as undervalued or distressed, declared CEO Fredrick Cutcher. Amidst economic uncertainties, we recognize an immense opportunity in redeveloping underutilized commercial spaces by breathing new life into these facilities.

The acquisition of the real estate portfolio serves as theCompanys shift into the real estate sector, providing an expansive 250,000 square feet of commercial and industrial space, formerly utilized as a manufacturing plant. The Company will explore the highest and best use of the property, identifying revenue streams that will maximize its true potential and expand on shareholder value.







For more information on the transaction, please see the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K: https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000932021/000149315223021780/form8-k.htm.

About Global Technologies Ltd.:

Global Technologies Ltd. is a holding company currently in the midst of a diversification initiative from its traditional holdings in the e-commerce and live shopping industries to real estate redevelopment and property value creation.

Contact:

Global Technologies, Ltd

(973) 233-5151

[email protected]
[June 21, 2023] Wilson Sonsini Bolsters in Boulder: Matt Dubofsky Joins as a Corporate Partner Tweet

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, today announced that Matt Dubofsky has joined the firm as a corporate partner in the Boulder, Colorado, office. His addition bolsters the firm's transactional practice as Wilson Sonsini remains focused on representing technology and life sciences companies in the Mountain West region and the Denver-Boulder corridor. Dubofsky is the latest lateral partner to join the Boulder office since its launch in 2022. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621097814/en/ Matt Dubofsky, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (Photo: Business Wire) For more than 15 years, Dubofsky has focused his practice on representing public and private technology and healthcare companies through all stages of their growth-from incorporation and early-stage financings through strategic exits, such as IPOs and mergers and acquisitions. In addition to representing private companies in scores of venture financings, as well as venture capital funds, he has significant public company, capital markets, and M&A experience. "When we opened our office in Boulder last year, we mentioned that one of the key drivers was the concentration of institutional resources and invstors that, like our firm, are aimed at supporting technology and life sciences companies in the Mountain West region," said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. "Matt's Colorado roots and his connections throughout the Denver-Boulder corridor have helped him build a successful corporate and transactional practice-one that we saw as another chance to expand our team in the area. We're excited to welcome him to the firm."



With Dubofsky's addition, Wilson Sonsini's Boulder office has grown to more than a dozen attorneys. In June 2022, the firm added Brent Fassett as a corporate partner. Then, in July 2022, Wilson Sonsini added William Barrett as a partner in its patents and innovations practice. "As a Colorado native who has practiced in the Denver-Boulder corridor and seen first-hand how the Mountain West region is thriving and poised for even more growth and development, I'm really excited about joining Wilson Sonsini," said Dubofsky. "This is a firm that's not only focused on the market, but also has a brand that is synonymous with representing growing and established technology and life sciences clients. I look forward to contributing to the firm's success through my experience representing public and private companies and other entities across a range of complex transactions, and collaborating with the team in Boulder and across the firm to expand the firm's base of clients in the region."

Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Dubofsky was a partner at Cooley LLP in that firm's Denver office. Before joining Cooley in 2007, he was an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in New York. After graduating from law school, Dubofsky was a law clerk to Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Dubofsky earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2004 and a bachelor's degree in economics and history from Brown University in 2000. About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini's services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 950 attorneys and 19 offices in 17 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, China, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621097814/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Emplifi AI Composer Wins Top Honors as "Best Text Generative AI Solution" in 2023 Artificial Intelligence Breakthrough Awards Tweet

Emplifi, a leading unified customer engagement platform, today announced that its Emplifi AI Composer solution has been selected as the winner of the "Best Text Generative AI Solution" award in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program conducted by AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market today. Emplifi AI Composer is a solution that generates ready-to-publish social media copy. Brands can leverage AI conversational technology directly from the Emplifi Social Marketing Cloud to increase efficiency and improve their content velocity. The solution prompts social media teams to input their message instructions and select various customizations such as tone or emojis. It then modifies and enriches this content before using the OpenAI GPT-3 framework to generate the expected ready-to-publish social media copy. Real-time performance analytics including monitoring competitive content as well as market trends is also included. Analytics and insights from campaigns can be used for better decision-making to inform and improve social media strategy. "Managing an omnichannel approach to social media can be costly and resource intensive. Marketing teams are looking to increase efficiencies across their social platforms, so they can do ore with less," said Zarnaz Arlia, CMO, Emplifi. "For businesses seeking operational efficiency, Emplifi AI Composer saves on the resources associated with traditional content creation methods. We're honored that AI Breakthrough recognizes how our solution is delivering quality content while also helping marketing teams spend more time strategizing versus churning out repetitive content at speed."



The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work, and success in a range of AI and machine learning-related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry-specific AI applications and many more. This year's program attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries throughout the world. "We chose Emplifi AI Composer as the 'Best Text Generative AI Solution' because it helps brands keep up and stand out in a competitive and crowded marketplace. Consumers are digital and social-first, and constant social media content is in high demand, putting tremendous pressure on creators," said James Johnson, managing director, AI Breakthrough. "Emplifi AI Composer helps mitigate burnout experienced by social media marketing professionals due to these high content demands and the stress of the job. The end result is both easing the burden of creating multiple post variations and delivering relevant consumer-centric content."

About Emplifi Emplifi is a leading unified customer engagement platform that empowers businesses to reach and grow communities through digital- and social-first strategies. More than 20,000 brands like McDonald's, Ford Motor Company, and Delta Air Lines rely on Emplifi to enable connected, empathetic experiences for the modern consumer across marketing, commerce, and care. Headquartered in New York, Emplifi is a partner to the major social media networks and digital platforms, including Google, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Snapchat. About AI Breakthrough Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies, and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision, and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621029628/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Finwave Semiconductor Appoints Dr. Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre as New CEO Tweet

WALTHAM, Mass., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3DGaNTM (Gallium Nitride) innovator Finwave Semiconductor, Inc. today announced that Dr. Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre has joined the company as its chief executive officer. In his new role, Dr. Lesaicherre will be instrumental in driving the adoption of Finwaves disruptive technology and bringing it to the broader market. Dr. Lesaicherre is a seasoned semiconductor industry veteran with decades of experience leading technology companies into accelerated growth and increased profitability.

Finwave co-founder and former CEO, Dr. Bin Lu, is now taking on the role of chief technology officer. In this position, Dr. Lu will maintain his unwavering commitment to driving technology development and innovation within the company. With his extensive leadership experience in the semiconductor industry, profound expertise in technology, science and global business, and a remarkable track record of transforming businesses into resounding successes, Pierre-Yves is ideally positioned to guide the company forward as we continue to push the boundaries of GaN semiconductor technology, stated Dr. Lu. I eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will undoubtedly make, as we strive to revolutionize energy-efficient 5G/6G communications, data centers, automotive power, the IOT and more. Finwave, an early-stage semiconductor company that emerged from MIT, is actively enhancing its disruptive GaN technology. The crown jewel of the companys innovation lies in its revolutionary 3DGaN FinFET technology, which delivers remarkable advancements in linearity and power efficiency for 5G communications. Moreover, Finwaves pioneering enhancement-mode (Emode) RF technology opens up a world of possibilities for high-performance power amplifiers in mobile handsets. By capitalizing on high-volume 8" Si CMOS manufacturing, Finwave's GaN-on-Si platform enables substantial cost reductions compared to traditional 6" GaN-on-SiC and GaAstechnologies, while embracing the scalability principles akin to "Moore's Law" for GaN. This multiprong approach positions the company as a leader in driving industry transformation and staying at the forefront of technological innovation.



Finwave has introduced a new era of innovation and progress and is on the cusp of bringing the true potential of GaN to some of todays most important enabling markets  including 5G, AI, and the IoT, said Dr. Lesaicherre. The companys technology has already demonstrated its ability to deliver extremely high performance in higher frequency applications, and the implications of that are very exciting. Before joining the Finwave team, Dr. Lesaicherre was the president, CEO and a director of Nanometrics Incorporated, a leading provider of advanced process control metrology and software analytics. He also held the CEO position for Lumileds, an integrated manufacturer of LED components and automotive lighting lamps, from 2012 to 2017. Dr. Lesaicherre previously held senior executive positions at NXP and Philips Semiconductors, and served as chairman of the board of Silvaco Group, Inc., a leading supplier of TCAD, EDA software and design IP. Dr. Lesaicherre currently serves on the board of InterDigital, a technology company that develops and licenses mobile and video technologies that are at the core of devices, networks and services worldwide.

Dr. Lesaicherre holds an MBA with a focus on International Business and Strategy from INSEAD, and has an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree in Material Science from the Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble INP). He is a board leadership fellow, governance fellow and director certified for NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and an active member of NACD and SVDX (Silicon Valley Directors Exchange). More information can be found at www.finwavesemi.com. About Finwave Semiconductor, Inc.

Founded in 2012, Finwave Semiconductor is shaping the future through a new generation of RF and power chips based on a breakthrough Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistor architecture. Finwaves advanced 3DGaNTM technology is the discovery of prominent MIT innovators who are focused on bringing the true potential of GaN to key industries including 5G, AI, cloud computing, and EV and autonomous vehicles. Finwave is the creator of the worlds first 8 GaN insulating gate FinFET processed in a Si CMOS fab. The companys proven, award-winning, breakthrough GaN FinFET technology, and its 3D fin transistor structure, is the result of more than 100 years of combined cutting-edge research. Finwave has offices in Massachusetts and California, as well as partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.finwavesemi.com. Media Contact:

Stephanie Olsen

Lages & Associates

(949) 453-8080

[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4721e85-7e11-4810-a317-0190a204fd7a



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[June 21, 2023] Madrona Venture Labs Raises $11 Million to Power The Next Wave of AI Founders Tweet

Madrona Venture Labs (MVL), a Seattle-based startup studio, today announces $11 million for its fifth fund. The company will continue to partner with founders to create AI companies from the ground up, helping them to de-risk and fast-track their startup journey. Since its inception in 2014, MVL has raised $40 million and co-created and invested in 32 companies, which have collectively raised $261 million and hold a combined value of $629 million. Madrona led the financing round and was joined by a group of successful founders and operators. "MVL is the 'day one' in Madrona's continuum of supporting founders over the long run of their startup journey," said Hope Cochran, Managing Director of Madrona. "Founders building a company with MVL get the full support of the Madrona team and the experienced builders joining their fund." New investors joining the fund include Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub; Joe Beda, co-founder & former CTO of Heptio; Brent Frei, co-founder of Smartsheet & CEO of TerraClear; Michael Hilton, former CPO of Accolade & co-founder of Concur; and several others. Returning investors from previous funds include Elissa Fink, former CMO of Tableau; Spencer Rascoff, co-founder & former CEO of Zillow; and Mike McSherry, co-founder & CEO of Xealth. Investors in MVL funds are also co-builders and partners. This approach allows MVL founders the opportunity to collaborate with world-class operators as valuable advisers and at times as direct investors and co-founding board members. "Across industries, we're experiencing a wave of startups and entrepreneurs who are applying the power of AI to improve the human experience," said Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub. "This will ultimately change the fundamental way we work and live. I'm excited to partner with MVL to help inspire and guide their founders and companies to accelerate human progress across the world." The vast majority (84%) of MVL companies fall within their long-held, core theme of intelligent applications, where novel data sources create competitive advantage, advanced AI unlocks new and high-value product capabilities, and founders demonstrate deep technical and domain expertise. Companies in their portfolio that reflect this include: Uplevel, people first engineering intelligence; Xembly, an automatedchief of staff for every knowledge worker; Pendulum, the narrative-based intelligence platform; and Strike Graph, an automated security compliance solution.



"MVL has been a key enabler of our success from the start," said Mark Listes, co-founder & CEO of Pendulum. "From bringing the founding team together and partnering with us through fundraising, and continuing to support us as our business grows. For founders who are serious about taking big swings, I highly recommend working with this team." MVL will continue to build and invest against its core theme as it evolves from big data and intelligent applications into the generative AI movement. Recent companies in its portfolio include Charmed, AI-assisted game development; Augmend, collective intelligence for developers; Storia, AI-powered video production; and Finpilot, AI copilot for finance.

With this fund, MVL welcomes two new technology and AI partners to MVL. First, Larry Colagiovanni, an experienced technology and product leader, most recently the CTO & CPO of Limeade (LME). Previously Larry was the VP Engineering at Decide, a data and NLP-driven ecommerce company that was acquired by eBay. Second, Jay Bartot, a serial early-stage founding CTO and most recently the CEO of MVL spinout Zeitworks. Previously Jay was the co-founder and CTO of Farecast, an early 2000s vertical ML travel application that was sold to Microsoft. Jay has led the technical vision and execution of over a dozen AI startups over his career as a co-founder and prior member of MVL. Larry and Jay will help build on the team's unique 20+ year history of creating data-driven AI startups from the ground up. MVL is looking for founders with product and engineering backgrounds that have deep domain insight and expertise, a genuine passion for the problem they are solving, and uncommon drive and resilience. MVL values diversity, is committed to helping people break through barriers, and actively supports founders in prioritizing diversity as they build out their initial teams. To learn more about building a company with MVL visit their opportunities page. About Madrona Venture Labs Madrona Venture Labs (MVL) is a startup studio that co-builds and invests in AI companies. MVL partners with founders at the earliest stages to de-risk and fast-track the 0 to 1 startup journey. Learn more by visiting www.madronavl.com. About Madrona Madrona is a venture capital firm based in Seattle, Washington. With more than 25 years of investing in early-stage technology companies, the firm has worked with founders from Day One to help build their company for the long run. Madrona initially invests in seed and Series A rounds across the information technology spectrum and in acceleration stage (Series B and C) companies building intelligent applications. Madrona manages $3 billion and was an early investor in companies such as Amazon, Smartsheet, Snowflake, Apptio, Redfin, and UI Path. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621108738/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Oroville Hospital Expands Partnership with CliniComp to Advance Continuum of Care Tweet

Bringing Proven EHR Solution to Additional Inpatient Clinical Areas to Improve Care for California Community SAN DIEGO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CliniComp, the pioneer in high-performing, reliable electronic health record (EHR) solutions, announced that Oroville Hospital expanded its multi-year partnership beyond Perinatal areas to include Critical Care and high acuity Medical/Surgical units. The CliniComp system will provide Oroville Hospital with a reliable, adaptable, and scalable solution that presents data in meaningful ways, optimizes workflows, and improves coordinated care. "We have seen great success using CliniComp's reliable fetal surveillance solution," said Denise L. LeFevre, Oroville Hospital Chief Information Officer. "When it came time to implement additional EHR solutions that would improve our continuum of care, we knew CliniComp would provide us with the best solution for both staff and patients. In addition to being able to implement quickly and cost-effectively, CliniComp's medical device integration capabilities will provide a seamless workflow that will enable ou clinicians to focus more of their time on patient care. We are delighted to further our trusted partnership with a technology vendor whose actions match their words, allowing us to achieve our goals faster than ever before."



"CliniComp looks forward to growing our partnership with Oroville Hospital," said Sandra Johnson, CliniComp's Senior Vice President of Client Services. "Our solution is designed to optimize clinicians' workflows through automation and presentation of real-time data across disparate systems. This makes clinical decision-making more efficient, relieving clinicians of redundant, manual tasks. The underlying foundation of our modern architecture enables us to develop and implement complex solutions that are scalable to meet the ever-changing needs of Oroville Hospital's staff and patients." The CliniComp system leverages interoperability standards to break down barriers and bring together data from disparate systems in a healthcare system to create a more complete view of individual patients and patient populations across the enterprise. The system acquires and normalizes data from various sources across time and place to present a single integrated view with actionable alerts, allowing better management of patient populations and resources. All this data can be utilized to perform real-time analytics that will inform clinical decision support, improvements to quality of care, and benchmarking across the healthcare system.

Oroville Hospital originally selected CliniComp in 2021 for fetal surveillance and fetal mobile solutions for their Labor and Delivery unit. About CliniComp

CliniComp is an innovative technology pioneer serving customers globally for almost 40 years with continual advancement in delivering cutting-edge healthcare IT solutions. The CliniComp solution is an integrated web-based electronic health record (EHR) with an architectural framework conquering ever-evolving interoperability, scalability, adaptability, and real-time performance data challenges. Designed by clinicians for clinicians, CliniComp's EHR provides an intuitive and seamless user interface and has earned an unrivaled record of performance and reliability with no planned downtime for decades in the most complex high-acuity hospital environments. With 24/7 global customer service, CliniComp offers fast deployment, competitive cost of ownership, and all-inclusive support. For more information, please visit clinicomp.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Oroville Hospital

Oroville Hospital is a community hospital dedicated to providing the finest personalized health care to Oroville and the surrounding foothill and valley communities by offering a medical home with a wide range of integrated services from prevention through treatment to wellness. Oroville Hospital offers ambulatory, anesthesia, cancer care, cardiac rehabilitation, childbirth, diabetes, home health, pediatric, and robotic surgery services and is planning a five-story tower expansion that will double the square footage of the current hospital and increase hospital capacity and medical resources available to the community. Media Contact:

Katlyn Nesvold

Amendola Communications for CliniComp

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oroville-hospital-expands-partnership-with-clinicomp-to-advance-continuum-of-care-301856454.html SOURCE CliniComp

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[June 21, 2023]

HiBid Reports $43.2M GMV Sold Last Week, with Classic Cars, Vintage Bicycles, Rare Collectibles, and More in Upcoming Auctions

OCALA, Fla., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HiBid reports the sale of more than 650,000 lots in last week's 1,549 live and online auctions. In auctions held from June 12th through the 18th, the total sold exceeded $43.2 million in gross merchandise value and $78.1 million in total hammer value.

Lots currently open for bidding on HiBid.com include classic cars, mopeds, and bicycles as well as eclectic artwork, collectible metal toys, and trading cards. Noteworthy lots for sale include a 1931 Ford Model A car, a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda, a 1987 Honda moped, a collection of framed art prints, and exquisitely embroidered footstools.

HiBid.com brings buyers and sellers together every day with a wide-ranging selection of lots and categories that appeal to bidders worldwide. HiBid is fully integrated with Auction Flex 360, providing auctioneers with a comprehensive auction management solution that supports live auctions, timed auctions, and internet absetee bidding.







June 12-18, 2023, HiBid.com Highlights

Gross Merchandise Value: $43.2 million

Total Hammer Value: $78.1 million

Lots Sold Online: 652,091

Timed Auctions: 1,425

Live Auctions: 124

Bids Placed: 3.6+ Million

Bidding Sessions: 4.4+ Million

Current Auctions

The following list includes a small sample from the hundreds of auctions currently open for bidding on HiBid.com. Site visitors can click the Find Auctions menu at the top of the HiBid.com homepage for links to the Featured and Hot auctions, such as those listed below, or use the search box to find auctions nearby.

Classic Car Auction in Caledonia, Minnesota

Auction Type: Live

Dates: January 10-June 24

Seller: W. Yoder Auction LLC

View Auction Catalog

The Estate of Barbara and Norman Young

Auction Type: Timed

Dates: June 10-28

Seller: Century Estate Services

View Auction Catalog

Sportsman, Collectables, Currency Auction

Auction Type: Timed

Dates: May 24-June 24

Seller: Putney Auction Service

View Auction Catalog

If you're looking to sell through HiBid.com, click here to describe what you wish to sell, and a local HiBid auctioneer will help you get started. Interested in receiving updates from HiBid? Sign up to receive newsletter emails, and follow HiBid Auctions on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About HiBid and Auction Flex 360

HiBid is an online auction platform supporting live auctions, timed auctions, and internet absentee bidding. It is also available as a private-label solution. HiBid is integrated with Auction Flex 360, the market leader in auction software for live and timed auctions, with capabilities that include cataloging, clerking, cashiering, accounting, mailing list management, inventory management, and multi-parcel. HiBid and Auction Flex 360 were built from the ground up to function together seamlessly.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hibid-reports-43-2m-gmv-sold-last-week-with-classic-cars-vintage-bicycles-rare-collectibles-and-more-in-upcoming-auctions-301856885.html

SOURCE Hibid-AuctionFlex
[June 21, 2023] ABS Quality Evaluations Achieves Authorized CMMC Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) Status Tweet

ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. (ABS QE), a world-leading certification body and subsidiary of ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (ABS Group), announced today their certification as a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) third-party assessor organization (C3PAO). This authorization enables ABS QE to conduct audits for Defense Industrial Base (DIB) businesses operating within critical infrastructure to help them better ensure that their cybersecurity practices will adequately protect controlled unclassified information (CUI). "The clock is ticking for DIB contractors seeking CMMC 2.0 compliance, and it's increasingly clear that companies need to start now to stay competitive in the market," said Dominic Townsend, President of ABS Quality Evaluations. "We're here to provide that guidance from the initial readiness review to audit and certification. Our deep expertise in management systems, in addition to our cybersecurity competence, forms the base of our CMMC services, and our C3PAO status facilitates our efforts to help safeguard the nation's defense sector." The achievement comes at a significant time in the DIB's pursuit of more stringent, standardized cybersecurity protectins. Launched in 2021, CMMC 2.0's compliance deadline is pending completion of rulemaking, which is expected to be finalized in the very near term. Under CMMC's updated framework, Department of Defense (DOD) contracts will outline the required compliance level (Foundational, Advanced or Expert), and organizations that do not adhere to the program's standards will be deemed ineligible for the opportunity.



"Prompt and thoughtful CMMC 2.0 adoption will be critical to the ongoing success of the country's defense contractors and, by extension, the country's safety and security," said Ryan Moody, President and CEO of ABS Group. "As more contractors pursue compliance, C3PAOs will play a critical role, as it will be their job to assess and verify each organization's practices. We're honored to be among the first assessors supporting this effort." ABS QE's deep industry expertise-which is based on its 30-year legacy as a certification and auditing group-bolsters its CMMC services. As a C3PAO and recognized licensed training provider (LTP) by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber AB), it will be able to assist businesses throughout the entire CMMC ecosystem, managing digital risk for the DIB and beyond.

Visit ABS QE's website to learn more about the company and its CMMC services. About ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. (ABS QE) is a subsidiary of ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (www.abs-group.com). As a world-leading certification body, ABS QE works with companies to help them improve the performance of their business, systems, people and supply chains through management systems certification, verification, training and assessments, including supply chain and cybersecurity. ABS QE's global network of auditors plays a crucial role in helping organizations achieve business excellence and obtain the necessary certifications to get products and services to market. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621614706/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Portal Innovations Partners with Texas Medical Center to Expand National Footprint and Fuel Houston-Based Life Science Breakthroughs Tweet

Portal Innovations, a life sciences venture capital ?rm, today announced its expansion into Houston, Texas, partnering with the Texas Medical Center (TMC) to drive early-stage biotech and medtech startups. The company will operate 30,000 square feet of world-class lab and o?ce space in the TMC3 Collaborative Building within TMC's new Helix Park complex, a 37-acre mixed-use campus with a focus on therapeutic and diagnostic research. The expansion marks Portal's continued growth as a national life sciences VC and portfolio development company, expanding its capabilities with support from capital partners Beacon Capital and ZoE Life Sciences. "Houston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and home to one of the world's leading cancer research institutions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center," said Portal's Founder and CEO, John Flavin. "It's critical for us to open in Texas and leverage nearby pipelines from Rice University, UTHealth Houston, Texas A&M, University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, and others across Houston's innovative life sciences ecosystem. We're thrilled to work with TMC to help grow tomorrow's biotech and medtech leaders." Portal's Houston presence and TMC collaboration will drive innovation for startups in a state that already claims more than 4,800 biotech companies. In addition, Portal will gain access to TMC's expansive network of healthcare institutions, research organizations, and commercialization resources within a unique and robust infrastructure for startups. Together, the organizations will offer support such as leadership mentoring, life sciences events, venture capital pitch days, and career networking opportunities. "TMC has steadily been building an innovation ecosystem in Houston through initiatives like the TMC Veture Fund, our incubator programs, and our global BioBridge relationships," said Bill McKeon, CEO of Texas Medical Center. "In Portal, we have a partner with a proven track record of leveraging venture capital funding, expert partners, and strong programming to support dynamic, entrepreneurial businesses at pivotal moments of their growth. We look forward to building on our collective expertise and shared vision to further support the breakthroughs of early-stage life science ventures."



Designed to unite healthcare, life science, and business users, TMC Helix Park is anchored by research labs, large-scale commercial spaces, retail, a hotel and conference center, and public green space, all within approximately 6 million developed square feet. Portal will move into Helix Park's TMC3 Collaborative Building in Q2 2024, actively looking for investments and offering premier lab facilities and development resources to startups between seed and Series B rounds. "We're excited about expanding our partnership with Portal Innovations and TMC to support the life sciences ecosystem in Houston," said Fred Seigel, President and CEO of Beacon Capital Partners. "Portal has been at the forefront of breaking into emerging U.S. markets, and Houston represents a prime opportunity to expand our commitment to growing life sciences across the U.S."

Houston is poised to become the leading U.S. life sciences hub, with a ?ourishing infrastructure that includes major academic institutions, world-class research centers, and a large and diverse talent pool. With its strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, Houston is the ideal location for Portal Innovations to continue its mission of supporting and investing in the next generation of life science startups. Portal Innovations is a premier venture development engine with a presence in Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston, that bridges scienti?c ideation in life sciences through commercial proof of concept by delivering Crafted Capital, including seed funding, specialized equipment, lab space, and management expertise to high-potential early-stage companies. For more information about Portal Innovations and its portfolio companies, please visit https: /www.portalinnovations.com/. Texas Medical Center ("TMC") is the world's most comprehensive life science ecosystem at the forefront of advancing life sciences. TMC is on a mission to further accelerate the pace of healing by harnessing our collective expertise in innovation, research, development, production, and patient care within a single, centralized medical ecosystem. With over 70+ million square feet and 120,000+ employees, TMC is leveraging the collective power by pioneering a revolutionary life sciences initiative to house the entire treatment of life cycle from discovery to delivery, within a single, world-class medical complex, on a scale never before seen. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621980964/en/

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In talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Berlin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz renewed calls for China to use its influence over Russia to help end the war in Ukraine.

However, Scholz also doubled down on economic cooperation with Beijing - even as European Union officials have focused on creating new stricter rules for trade and investment.

"I have again appealed to the Chinese government to exert even greater influence on Russia in this war," Scholz told reporters after German-Chinese ministerial discussions, adding that Beijing has a "special responsibility" as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

China has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its close ties with Moscow have led to a cooling in ties with Europe. Scholz reiterated a plea for Li to not deliver weapons to Russia, and said they agreed to continue opposing the use of nuclear weapons.

Scholz speaking at the German-Chinese Forum for Economic and Technological Cooperation, part of the ministerial consultations. Photo: dpa alt=Scholz speaking at the German-Chinese Forum for Economic and Technological Cooperation, part of the ministerial consultations. Photo: dpa>

"During my trip to Beijing in November, President Xi and I also made it clear together that there must be no threats and certainly no use of nuclear weapons. This continues to apply unchanged and I am grateful for this common, clear position," Scholz said.

Li did not comment on Russia, and reporters were not granted questions at what was billed as a news event, after Berlin agreed to a request from the visitors from Beijing.

In an interview last week with the South China Morning Post in Brussels, Fu Cong, the Chinese ambassador to the European Union, said that Beijing's position on the war was "very clear" and that "we do believe that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries need to be respected".

Asked whether China would back a restoration of Ukraine's 1991 borders, which includes Crimea - illegally annexed by Russia since 2014 - Fu replied: "I don't see why not."

"There are historical issues that need to be resolved by the two sides. And that's what we stand for, we do believe on issues such as Crimea, the two sides need to resolve them through peaceful negotiations," he added.

Li's visit to Berlin marked his first overseas trip since being elevated to premier in March, and he was given the red-carpet treatment - complete with military pageantry - upon arriving with his delegation of ministers for talks on Tuesday.

For observers, it was difficult not to compare the scene to events in Brussels, where the European Union was pitching a new strategy to tackle what it sees as the confluence of economic and national security risks.

The European Commission has recommended screening European hi-tech investments going into third countries, including China.

By contrast in Berlin, both sides spoke of the need for deeper cooperation and dialogue. Chinese apparatchiks and German industry bosses posed for the cameras as they signed deals on climate dialogue, engineering, labour and investment.

As EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager in Brussels was calling China a "systemic rival" that would be in the cross hairs of its economic security strategy, Li urged his German hosts to pursue closer ties, rather than divisions.

"But if it's about using de-risking ... to carry out decoupling or carry out discriminatory measures against certain countries ... then it goes against market rules and principles of a level playing field," said Li, until recently the Communist Party chief of Shanghai.

"China is willing to work with Germany to push China-Germany relations to a new level, better serve the development of the two countries, and inject more positive energy and stability into the world," he said, according to an account published by state media CCTV.

Scholz, for his part, assured Li that Germany had "no interest in an economic decoupling from China," and instead would pursue a level playing field for German companies in the country.

"Direct dialogue, face-to-face talks, a real exchange - all this is even more important than usual in these extraordinary times full of global challenges and crises," the chancellor said.

The meeting came a week after Germany released its first-ever national security strategy which accused China of "trying in various ways to reshape the existing rules-based international order".

In around a fortnight, it will unveil its long-delayed China strategy, which is expected to promote a more hard-headed approach to the world's second largest economy.

Moritz Rudolf, an analyst at Yale University's Paul Tsai China Centre, said the talks were "by far the most political ever" between the two governments.

"Usually, expanding economic and cultural cooperation dominated. This time, both sides focused on their respective global responsibilities and how to coordinate here - this is new," Rudolf said.

The 10 agreements signed were modest compared to previous occasions, he said, and also included debt relief for developing countries and public health, so they "made sense".

"The question is whether the Chinese side is willing and able to deliver on Li's promises. They have a lot to lose in the bilateral relations with Germany, and they appear to acknowledge this," Rudolf added.

Yet for some analysts, the choreography represented a continuation of the close bilateral ties of the Angela Merkel era.

"Scholz steered clear of the controversial themes. There was no mention of Taiwan, Xinjiang or Hong Kong. And he did not mention de-risking, although he did dismiss the idea of decoupling," said Noah Barkin, an analyst of Sino-German relations at the Rhodium Group research house. "It was far softer than the remarks he made in Beijing back in November.

"It looked very much like a press conference Angela Merkel might have held years ago, when relations between Berlin and Beijing were in a better place.

"The only difference is that she always insisted that journalists be allowed to ask questions. Scholz bowed to Chinese demands on this."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
[June 21, 2023] InMoment Customer Elizabeth Killinger Awarded Inaugural Customer-Obsessed Leadership Award at CX North America Customer Experience Conference Tweet

InMoment, the leading provider of Experience Improvement (XI) solutions, announced that its customer, Elizabeth Killinger, Executive Vice President, NRG, has been honored the inaugural Customer-Obsessed Leadership Award at this year's CX North America Customer Experience Conference. The award recognizes senior leaders who exemplify actions that drive customer obsession by putting the customer at the center of their work every day. InMoment is pleased to have nominated Killinger for the award and attended Forrester's CX North America event in Nashville, TN. "This award is a recognition of the importance our entire team places on improving customer experience and putting our customers at the center of everything we do," said Elizabeth Killinger, Executive Vice President, NRG. "I'm honored to receive this award on behalf of everyone at NRG. We're thankful for the role InMoment played in helping us get there." In its nomination, InMoment recognized that Elizabeth and NRG's success has been outstanding. In 2021, NRG's Texas region, including its flagship brand Reliant, had the lowest customer attrition rate seen in recent years, and in 2022, they exceeded their annual or yearly NPS target by five points due to a strong performance across all brands and regions. In addition, Employee NPS (eNPS) increased by three points in one year (2021-2022) as the team at NRG has focused on individual employee development plans as part of their overall organizational objectives. "Elizabeth and the NRG team are a model of excellence and have ientified a practice that inspires every employee to listen to and act on customer feedback," said Mehul Nagrani, Managing Director, InMoment. "We were pleased to nominate Elizabeth; she's been the champion and driving force behind the company's customer-centric vision for years, highlighting the important role of CX in NRG's long-term success. They are a true partner in integrating CX-by using customer data, insights, and analysis to make business decisions and take action-and are constantly working to improve employee and customer experiences throughout their organization."



About InMoment Our mission at InMoment is to help our clients improve experiences at the intersection of value-where customer, employee, and business needs come together. The heart of what we do is connect our clients with what matters most through a unique combination of data, technology, and human expertise. With our hyper-modern technology platform, decades of domain authority, and global teams of experts, we uniquely deliver a focus on Experience Improvement (XI) to help our clients own the moments that matter. Take a moment and learn more at inmoment.com.

About NRG NRG Energy is a leading energy and home services company powered by people and our passion for a smarter, cleaner, and more connected future. A Fortune 500 company operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions that help people, organizations, and businesses achieve their goals while also advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621706553/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Curriculum Associates Recognized as a 2023 Best Place to Work by the Boston Business Journal Tweet

For the seventh time, the North Billerica edtech company was celebrated for its exceptional workplace and culture NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has been named a 2023 Best Place to Work by the Boston Business Journal. This list acknowledges companies that have built outstanding professional environments for their people, and this year marks the seventh time that Curriculum Associates has been named a Best Place to Work. In 2023, the 80 companies recognized range in size and industry, with winners from the technology sector, retail industry, health care space, commercial real estate and more. "We are honored to be recognized as a company that puts our people first," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "Our team members are the heart of Curriculum Associates, and we are proud to support them as they strive to make classroms better places for educators and students."



More than 215 businesses in Greater Boston participated in employee-engagement surveys distributed by Business Journal partner Quantum Workplace. Employees were asked to rate their work environment, worklife balance, job satisfaction, advancement opportunities, management, compensation, and benefits. Based on the results of those surveys, businesses were assigned a score out of 100 percent and ranked by Quantum. The top-rated companies are listed in five size categories  extra small (20 to 49 employees), small (50 to 99 employees), medium (100 to 249 employees), large (250 to 499 employees) and extra-large (500 or more).

"The companies that comprise this year's Best Places to Work are among the most diverse in the decades we've been doing this program," said Carolyn Jones, market president and publisher of the Boston Business Journal. "Their commitment to teamwork, employee engagement, flexibility, and trust are the model to which the region's businesses look for inspiration." Curriculum Associates was publicly recognized the evening of June 15 at the Westin Copley Place. The special publication will appear in the June 17th weekly edition of the Boston Business Journal. The Boston Business Journal is the region's premier business media organization, one of 45 markets owned by American City Business Journals. About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students. Media Contact

Nina Ng

Teak Media + Communication

Senior Account Executive

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/curriculum-associates-recognized-as-a-2023-best-place-to-work-by-the-boston-business-journal-301857008.html SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC

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[June 21, 2023] Micro Center's Expansion Defies Retail Industry Trends By Opening 3 New Stores By 2025 Tweet

Micro Center announces new Charlotte and Miami store locations to open by 2025. HILLIARD, Ohio, June 21, 2023 Despite the challenging retail landscape, Micro Center (microcenter.com) has announced its ambitious plans to open three new stores in Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Miami before 2025. This expansion marks a bold move for the electronics retailer as many other retailers are scaling back and closing stores due to the changing landscape of the industry. Micro Center's commitment to growth and innovation has set it apart from other retailers, and the company is determined to establish itself as an industry leader, by expanding in these markets, and more to come in the future. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, Micro Center has remained ahead of the curve by offering an unparalleled slection of laptops, desktops, monitors, Apple products, PC parts, 3D printing supplies, maker electronics, TVs, and accessories. This dedication to providing the latest and greatest in technology has allowed Micro Center to build a loyal customer base of tech-savvy individuals who are always on the lookout for the latest gadgets and gear.



"We are thrilled to be expanding and bringing our unique offering to new customers in Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Miami," said Micro Center's CEO, Rick Mershad. "Our goal is to provide the best selection of products, exceptional customer service, and knowledgeable associates who can help customers find exactly what they need." Micro Center's customers are diverse and encompass a wide range of tech enthusiasts, from gamers to makers to professionals and beyond. The store offers over 400 types of 3D printing filament and Raspberry Pi projects for makers, business workstations and servers for professionals, high-performance PC parts for power users, and studio equipment such as microphones, cameras, and powerful PCs for video editing.

Micro Center's expansion is a clear indication that the company is pushing forward with a bold plan to reach new markets and offer its unique brand of customer service and expertise to even more customers. By opening new stores in Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Miami, Micro Center is showing that it is not afraid to take risks and embrace change in a rapidly evolving industry. As a result, the company is positioning itself as a trailblazer in the tech retail space and setting an example for other retailers to follow. About Micro Center

Micro Center operates twenty-five large computer and electronics stores in major markets nationwide. Founded in 1979 in Columbus, Micro Center is designed to satisfy the dedicated computer and electronics user. Uniquely focused on computers and related products, Micro Center offers more computers and related items (more than 30,000 items in stock) than any other retailer. Micro Center is passionate about offering a high level of customer service, with a knowledgeable and tenured sales team. Customers can visit Micro Center's 25 stores (with 3 more locations coming soon) from coast-to-coast or microcenter.com for thousands of computer-related items, electronics, and other technology products. Micro Center stores are located in:

Atlanta (2), Baltimore, Boston, Chicago (2), Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York (5), Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington, D.C. (2), and 3 stores coming soon (Indianapolis, Charlotte, Miami). Media Contact Meg Adrion, Micro Center, 1 614-850-3000, [email protected]com SOURCE Micro Center

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[June 21, 2023] Connecting Durham to Software Engineering Training at Momentum through the NCCU Digital Equity Leadership Program Tweet

DURHAM, N.C., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has partnered with Momentum, a Durham-based tech to offer a job training program in software engineering as a part of NCCU's Digital Equity Leadership Program. This program aims to provide residents from eligible anchor communities in Durham with opportunities to bridge the digital divide. Participants in the program can gain coding skills for software engineering and software quality assurance and information systems development. This program is funded by the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. This collaboration reflects NCCU's commitment to "Truth and Service," and its dedication to addressing the challenges faced by those on the wrong side of the digital divide. As an institution rooted in ideals of equity and equality, NCCU has joined forces with Digital Durham, Kramden Institute, Durham Public Schools Foundation, Durham County Library, and the Triangle Nonprofit and Volunteer Leadership Center to create a connected community where all residents can access, afford, and effectively use digital technology. In pursuit of this mission, NCCU has chosen Momentum as its strategic partner to deliver a comprehensive software engineering program to local residents. Momentum's CEO Jessica Mitsch Homes expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, "NCCU's legacy aligns perfectly with the ideals supported by this program. We are thrilled to offer Momentum's services and support to further this mission and continue to establish NCCU as a center of digital equity, literacy, and equality in the region. As a Durham based company, we are thrilled to continue our efforts in preparing a robust and accessible tech industry locally." The program's coursework has been meticulously designed to meet the specific needs of top technology companies in the Triangle area.Participants will learn to build code and work with in-demand software and web applications such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Django, and Git, and gain exposure to the industries innovative tools in Artificial Intelligence (AI).



Dr. Jon P. Gant, Dean and Professor of the NCCU School of Library and Information Sciences, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: "Momentum is assisting NCCU in providing coding skills for software engineering that will help participants become job-ready to meet critical workforce needs in Durham, as well as our state and region. Students will learn from experienced instructors in a manner that makes coding accessible and enjoyable while fulfilling employers' requirements." Momentum's full-stack engineering program for NCCU will be offered on a part-time schedule and is scheduled to start on September 18, 2023 and will continue until March 22, 2024. This 24-week, part-time program offers interactive learning with experienced instructors, enabling career changers and beginners to acquire fundamental skills for meaningful careers in technology. Graduates of Momentum's training have gone on to secure positions with esteemed local companies such as Red Hat, Pendo, insightsoftware, and Spiffy.

In order to qualify for this opportunity, applicants must reside within a 15-mile radius of the NCCU campus. For individuals lacking internet access or a Mac laptop, necessary support will be provided by partners to accepted students on an as-needed basis. The software engineering program spans 24 weeks and accommodates part-time participants, with classes held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in a virtual environment. Transportation support is also available for participants traveling to NCCU's campus for training. For eligible candidates, please visit www.momentumlearn.com to submit an online application (referral code: NCCU). Applications will open on Wednesday, June 28th, and submissions must be made for consideration by August 4, 2023. Early applications are strongly encouraged. About NCCU

North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University and Best Regional University in the South by U.S. News & World Report, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing and the arts. About Momentum Learning

Momentum supports people and organizations with careers in technology through collaborative, relevant skills training with a focus on the growing technology needs in business and the modern workplace. Learn more at www.momentumlearn.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/connecting-durham-to-software-engineering-training-at-momentum-through-the-nccu-digital-equity-leadership-program-301857013.html SOURCE Momentum Learning

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[June 21, 2023] CloudBees Announces DevOps World 2023 Tweet

CloudBees, the leading software delivery platform for enterprises, today announces the return of DevOps World 2023. The five-event series of events will take place September through November 2023. At the largest global gathering of DevOps practitioners, CloudBees invites developers, managers, executives, and community members to explore the ever-evolving DevOps landscape in an event series that will span the United States, United Kingdom, and Asia. Registration is open now at devopsworld.com. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621909218/en/ This year, DevOps World will be a series of events to reach more community members, IT executives, software developers, and continuous delivery practitioners around the world. With expert-led sessions, panels, and workshops, DevOps World will provide unparalleled insights that drive innovation in the DevOps community. The conference and expo will explore modern software delivery, DevSecOps, and open source topics. CloudBees has assembled an inspiring lineup of speakers, industry thought leaders, ad experts for this year's event, with each featuring a keynote from the contributing authors of "Investments Unlimited: A Novel About DevOps, Security, Audit Compliance, and Thriving in the Digital Age." Speakers include:



John Willis, Founder, Botchagalupe Technologies

Andres Vega, Vice President of Operations, North America, ControlPlane

Helen Beal, Chief Ambassador, DevOps Institute

John Rzeszotarski, VP of Platform Engineering, Dexcom

Tapabrata "Topo" Pal, Vice President, Architecture, Fidelity Investments

Bill Bensing, Field CTO, Kosli In addition to the keynotes, attendees will hear from industry experts Autodesk, Veeam Software, vFunction, and more. Speakers will provide instruction and share insights on security and risk management, AI risks to the marketplace, managing cloud native applications, and much more. Each event will include use-case examples for DevOps in the financial, manufacturing and Industry 4.0, and software and technology industries, with key session topics including "AI Risks to the Marketplace," "Managing Cloud Native Applications," "Accelerating Digital Transformation in Finance," "Moving ahead with Industry 4.0;" and more. "With more than a decade of successful DevOps World events, CloudBees recognized the need to expand and accommodate global demand. We're delivering local expert-led presentations, workshops, and sessions for community members to advance their skills and get ahead of the competition," said CloudBees Chief Product Officer Shawn Ahmed. "In addition, CloudBees looks forward to introducing exciting innovations at this year's conference that will expand on our current offerings to improve software delivery."

DevOps World 2023 will include a tour in New York, Chicago, Silicon Valley, London, and Singapore beginning in September, with tour dates and locations as follows: New York/New Jersey area: September 13-14 at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City

Chicago: September 27 at the Museum of Science and Industry

Silicon Valley: October 18-19 at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara

Singapore: October 26 at Fairmont Singapore & SWISSOTEL The Stamford, Singapore

London: November 29 at etc.Venues St Pauls In addition to in-person events, select DevOps World sessions will be available online for virtual attendance. Register for DevOps World 2023 here. To learn more about CloudBees visit www.cloudbees.com. About CloudBees CloudBees provides the leading software delivery platform for enterprises, enabling them to continuously innovate in a world powered by the digital experience. CloudBees enables organizations with highly-complex environments to deliver scalable, compliant, governed, and secure software from the code a developer writes to the people who use it. The platform connects with other best of breed tools, improves the developer experience, and enables organizations to bring digital innovation to life continuously to unlock business outcomes that create market leaders and disruptors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621909218/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Espressive Wins 'Best Overall Bot Solution' Designation in 2023 Artificial Intelligence Breakthrough Awards Program Tweet

Espressive, the pioneer in automating digital workplace assistance, today announced that it has been recognized as the "Best Overall Bot Solution" in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program conducted by AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market today. Chosen by AI Breakthrough as a leading solution in the AI industry, Espressive automates enterprise-ready digital workplace assistance with Espressive Barista, its AI-based virtual support agent. "We are hyper-focused on delivering advanced AI for employee self-help. This space has been slow to adopt AI as enterprises continue to rely on solutions like IT portals which are unsuccessful and outdated," said Pat Calhoun, founder and CEO of Espressive. "We're proud to deliver a differentiated, elevated digital workplace offering to our customers. This recognition reinforces that Espressive is the industry standard for virtual agents with our unprecedented resolution rates, aggressive deployment timeline, drastic cost reduction, and top-notch employee experience, productivity, and satisfaction." The innovative AI-based Espressive Barista platform takes on the role of a service desk agent, engaging employees to understand issues and gain clarity before delivering resolutions. Barista automates resolutions by easily walking employees through complex workflows, autonomously solving Tier 2 tickets and beyond - enabling agents to focus on critical issues and high touch interactions. The continuously growing Employee Language Cloud, a secure domain-specific large language model (LLM), equips Barista with a high understanding of employee language and a layer dynamically tuned to an organization's lexicon. Unlike traditional LLMs, the Employee Language Cloud leverages a combination of automation, customer content, and learned content to deflect 55% to 67% of tickets on average going to the service desk. The Espressive Barista LLM Gateway deivers a safe and scalable path to ChatGPT, alleviating privacy concerns, giving customers a domain-specific LLM focused on automating resolution of employee issues combined with the knowledge and generative capabilities of a generalized LLM. Safeguards around verifying compliance, restricting questions to only those that are work-related, and disabling access for specific content areas are provided through the Barista LLM Gateway, ensuring that employee information is always secure.



Barista is powered by the Espressive Dynamic AI Core, blending the most advanced natural language processing, natural language understanding, and machine learning technologies. It uniquely adapts in real-time to predict, understand, and disambiguate requests. The Dynamic AI Core is enabled through a no-code administrative interface, the Barista Control Center, along with analytics to help enterprises identify where to focus efforts to increase automated resolutions. "Espressive brings the best of human experience with the best of artificial intelligence, lowering the amount of time, resources, and costs to automate repeated questions and tasks for the enterprise. Congratulations to Espressive for delivering a solution that significantly improves the employee experience," said James Johnson, managing director at AI Breakthrough. "Solutions for automating employee self-help are gaining traction and yet enhanced search solutions haven't achieved high adoption and toolkits are expensive. Espressive is an out-of-box solution built for enterprises to deliver ROI on day one."

The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work, and success in a range of AI and machine learning-related categories, including generative AI, computer vision, AIOps, deep learning, robotics, natural language processing, industry-specific AI applications, and many more. This year's program attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries throughout the world. For more information on Espressive Barista request a demo here. 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, 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%. 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 AI Breakthrough Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies, and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621419121/en/

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[June 21, 2023] SHAREHOLDER DEADLINE ALERT: Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Reminds Investors That a Securities Class Action Has Been Filed Against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) Lead Plaintiff Deadline is July 18, 2023 Tweet

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP ("Scott+Scott"), an international shareholder and consumer rights litigation firm, is reminding investors that the deadline to move for lead plaintiff in a securities class action lawsuit against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) ("Charles River" or the "Company") and certain other defendants (collectively, "Defendants") is July 18, 2023. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLASS ACTION The action, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts asserts claims under 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") on behalf of a Class consisting of all persons who purchased or otherwse acquired Charles River common stock between May 5, 2020 and February 21, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), and who were damaged thereby (the "Class").



Charles River provides research tools and support services for drug discovery and development. On February 22, 2023, Charles River revealed that it had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") relating to an ongoing investigation into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research. The Company noted that it was suspending shipments of primates from Cambodia, which would negatively impact its earnings for the year and would reduce revenue growth by 200 basis points to 400 basis points.

On this news, Charles River's stock price fell $24.51, or 10%, to close at $219.09 per share on February 22, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Charles River had engaged in illegal activity with respect to its importation of non-human primates for research; (2) that, as a result, Charles River was at a heightened risk of criminal and regulatory investigation by, inter alia, the U.S. Department of Justice; and (3) that, as a result, Charles River would be forced to suspend shipments of primates from Cambodia, among other things. Lead Plaintiff Deadline The Lead Plaintiff deadline in this action is July 18, 2023. Any member of the proposed Class may seek to serve as Lead Plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain a member of the proposed Class. What You Can Do If you purchased Charles River common stock during the Class Period, and suffered damages, realized or unrealized, you are encouraged to contact Scott+Scott attorney Jonathan Zimmerman at (888) 398-9312, or [email protected], for more information. About Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and employee retirement plan actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Connecticut, Virginia, California, and Ohio. Attorney Advertising View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621972732/en/

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[June 21, 2023] TUV Rheinland: 5 cybersecurity keys to maintain business continuity and customer confidence Tweet

25% of companies that experienced a cyberattack in 2022, had lost between 50 and 100 thousand dollars . On average, a company requires 280 days to identify and respond to a cyber-attack.

. On average, a company requires 280 days to identify and respond to a cyber-attack. Security assessments, adhering to established cybersecurity standards, encrypting data, incorporating secure authentication and access controls are crucial cybersecurity services for companies. LITTLETON, Mass., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent months, cyber-attacks received by hospitals in the United States have been publicized, placing the issue of cybersecurity under public scrutiny once again. These types of attacks and other breaches in data privacy represent a threat not only for the institutions that were attacked, but also for patients and staff working in these hospitals, because sensitive or personal data may be exposed. Approximately a quarter of the companies that had experienced a cyberattack in 2022 have lost between 50 thousand and 100 thousand dollars; another 22% of the companies reported that they had lost between 100 thousand and 500 thousand dollars. In addition, the costs of rescuing compromised information increase by 144% every year. These statistics and the rising risks, highlight the importance of strong cybersecurity practices to keep any organization protected. According to the World Economic Forum, a company requires 280 days to identify and respond to a cyber-attack, which would represent about nine months of actions to contain it, while at the same time it must act to protect the public image of the company and maintain the trust of users. "It is crucial for companies to invest in cybersecurity services to protect their digital assets, sensitive data, and critical infrastructure. A company facing a cyber-attack may experience severe economic losses due to disrupted operations, recovery costs, legal liabilities, and potential lawsuits. The company's reputation may suffer, leading to customer distrust, decreased sales, and diminished market value. Additionally, regulatory penalties and compliance issues can further compound the economic and legal consequences," said Sven Nowak, Head of Cybersecurity at TUV Rheinland North America. Therefore, TUV Rheinland presents 5 key cybersecurity practices to maintain business continuity and safeguard customer trust: 1. Identify industry risks: Knowing whether the company belongs to an industry that is highly prone to cyber-attacks will make it possible to establish an appropriate and effective action plan that facilitates responding to a situation. Industries that are most prone to cyber-attacks include healthcare, finance, government, energy, and manufacturing sectors. These industries handle sensitive data, possess critical infrastructure, and are attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking financial gain, disruption, or espionage. For instance, hackers have taken an interest in IoT medical devices due to the valuable patient data they hold, and the potential for disrupting critical healthcare services or exploit vulnerabilities in connected devices for financial gain or to cause harm. Medical devices often have security gaps and outdated software, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. "At TUV Rheinland we deliver quality services by implementing robust security measures throughout the development lifecycle. This includes conducting thorough security assessments, adhering to established cybersecurity standards, encrypting data, incorporating secure authentication and access controls, and fstering collaboration with cybersecurity experts to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities," emphasizes John McDonald, Practice Lead Cybersecurity at TUV Rheinland North America.



2. Recognize the main threats: The most common cyber-attacks faced by companies include phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, insider threats, and data breaches resulting from vulnerabilities in networks, applications, or human error. 3. Know the trends in cybersecurity: "It is essential for companies to stay informed about trends in cybersecurity to be prepared for any situation. In the coming years, organizations should have an increased focus on securing IoT devices, because the more connected devices there are, the more 'doors and windows' open for possible attacks. It is estimated that by the end of this year there will be more than 40 million IoT-connected devices in the world, which leaves us with a huge gap to secure," said McDonald.

Other trends that will emerge in the coming years include improved integration of security measures within control systems, advancements in AI and ML-driven threat detection and response, stricter regulations and compliance standards, and greater collaboration between cybersecurity professionals, manufacturers, and regulators to address emerging threats. 4. Invest in security measures: To ensure the safety of industrial IoT, companies should implement measures such as network segmentation, access controls, regular vulnerability assessments and patch management, strong encryption protocols, continuous monitoring, incident response plans, and regular audits of security controls. Global spending on cybersecurity services is expected to be more than $200 million in 2023, up 12% from 2022, driven by ongoing threats, cybersecurity requirements to maintain remote working, and the need to comply with international data protection regulations and standards. Therefore, it is critical to remember that while it is an investment for companies, having the peace of mind that it has the practices and actions in place to react appropriately is priceless, as companies without cybersecurity services are more vulnerable to breaches, leading to potential financial, operational, and reputational damages. 5. Train employees and involve Cyber leaders in business decisions: Keeping employees trained on the main threats and cyberattack alerts can prevent serious incidents that could lead the company to a crisis. For example, according to the Global Economic Forum, only 37% of companies surveyed for the Global Cybersecurity Outlook in 2022 stated that they had the people and skills they need today to respond to a cyberattack, so it is essential to increase that number within organizations. Likewise, cybersecurity leaders must be included in business decisions, to avoid having risks and threats, since they are an essential part of the organization. This will enable the implementation of cybersecurity resilience, which translates as the ability of an organization to anticipate, recover from, and adapt to any hazards and threats to its cyber resources. TUV Rheinland has a global portfolio of IT security services ranges from strategic consulting to conception and process optimization to implementation, and operation. To this end, the experts conduct, among other things, cybersecurity tests, industrial security audits, and data protection audits for the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud infrastructures. TUV Rheinland operates a global network of more than one hundred laboratories worldwide, in which all cybersecurity and data protection tests can be carried out for manufacturers from a single source. In this way, cybersecurity has become a priority for companies around the world, regardless of their sector, because without constant investment and commitment, organizations become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks of various kinds, and are therefore more likely to suffer reputational, financial, operational, and even business closure consequences. To help Medical Devices companies, TUV Rheinland designed a seminar to provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills related to the development, compliance, and safety aspects of electrical-based medical devices sold in the USA and the European Union (EU). Register here to join us: TUV Rheinland Seminar | July 11 & 13 Medical Device Lunch & Learn Seminar (tuv.com) To learn more, visit Cybersecurity  rethinking security, shaping the future | US | TUV Rheinland (tuv.com). About TUV Rheinland

TUV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in virtually all areas of business and life. The company has been operating for more than 150 years and ranks among the world's leading testing service providers. It has more than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries and generates annual revenues of around 2.3 billion euros. TUV Rheinland's highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com Contact us for press inquiries:

Joel Pekay

Phone: +1 224 318 4098

Email: [email protected] Mariana Taborda do Amaral

Telephone: +55 11 3514 5867

Email: [email protected] Michael Garcia Carbajal

Phone: +52 55 3488 2108

Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tuv-rheinland-5-cybersecurity-keys-to-maintain-business-continuity-and-customer-confidence-301857068.html SOURCE TUV Rheinland

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[June 21, 2023] IBM says AI is the only way to help organizations achieve more concrete sustainability targets Tweet

MANILA, Philippines, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ASEAN is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, with the Philippines among those that have suffered the greatest fatalities and economic losses because of climate-related disasters. Despite that, research has shown that the mitigation efforts by ASEAN countries have been insufficient to combat climate change. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that climate change could decrease Southeast Asia's overall GDP by over 11%. In a recent "Road to COP 28: ASEAN ESG in Action  Planet, Profit and Purpose" media roundtable, Agnes Heftberger, General Manager and Technology Leader, IBM ASEANZK, shared that "nearly half of CEOs globally and in ASEAN said sustainability was one of their highest priorities, but lack of insights from data is a top obstacle to achieving sustainability objectives." ESG goals are meaningless if they aren't tied to real performance data

7 in 10 CEOs today see ESG as a revenue driver rather than a cost center, according to Arun Biswas, Managing Partner, Strategic Sales & Sustainability Consulting, IBM Asia Pacific. The survey, however, found that while 95% of organizations have developed ESG propositions, only 10% have made significant progress toward their goals. CEOs cited a lack of insights from data as a top obstacle to achieving their sustainability objectives. "At the same time the trust that customers have in ESG data that is disclosed by companies is going down quite sharply," added Arun. Agnes highlighted that data is at the heart of solving sustainability challenges and "AI is the only way to process enormous amount of data and help organizations achieve more concrete sustainability targets." Why? AI allows companies to collect and analyze the vast amounts of sustainability data scattered across their business while automating feedback between operational endpoints and corporate sustainability initiatives more easily. This is echoed by two-thirds of more than 7,500 global IT leaders surveyed who said their company is currently or planning to apply AI to address sustainability goals in the near future - in particular, for managing the complexity of data and reporting.



How AI is playing a key role in bridging ESG and sustainability gap today

Globally, IBM is collaborating with NASA on new geospatial foundation model, which can potentially help provide information for estimating climate-related risks to crops, buildings, and other infrastructure, valuing and monitoring forests for carbon-offset programs, and develop predictive models to help enterprises create strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. As oceans are home to up to 80% of all life in the world, generate 50% of the oxygen we need and absorb 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions, The Reef Company and IBM Consulting have recently joined force to restore and revitalize the marine ecosystem before 90% of all coral reefs are extinct by 2050.

"Our big belief at IBM is that we need to use AI to go about achieving sustainability goals, but we are only going to achieve sustainability objectives as organisations if we look at the whole 360-degree of an organisation not just one point of its setup," added Agnes. For example, organizations will be required to consolidate more than 500 data types to supports internationally recognized ESG reporting frameworks, to consistently deliver transparent, verifiable, financial-grade information and report out on progress. A tool like IBM Envizi is required to assess progress towards sustainability benchmarks and help reduce the environmental impact of daily business operations. Predicting the next failure can help extend the life and improve the efficiency of physical assets such as building, machinery and critical infrastructure, which reduces waste and additional resources. Through IBM Maximo intelligent asset management technology, large companies across business sectors have seen 43% less downtime per year. How organizations in our region are progressing their sustainability agenda

Three of the biggest energy companies in Asia  in peninsular and east Malaysia and in Indonesia  are increasing the reliability of their power generation and distribution systems with AI-powered enterprise asset management (EAM) technology. The advanced analytic tools and IoT data today improve operational availability, extend asset lifecycles and optimize their performance, as part of the journey to reach their sustainability goals. A real estate investment trust Growthpoint Properties Australia recognized the significance of driving sustainability through ESG transparency and the need to give investors and stakeholders the most reliable and relevant information regarding our sustainability performance. With its framework spans four themesenvironment, economic, people and governance and 11 focus areas linked to 20 measurable targets, AI today helps Growthpoint automatically identify data anomalies and gaps, saving a lot of time and effort in having to manually look for errors and issues in hundreds of invoices we get every month. The Envizi tool also halves the time it takes to complete performance data uploading for the GRESB survey. COP28 will be a milestone moment when ASEAN and the world will take stock of its progress on the Paris Agreement. We only have another seven years to meet the 2030 goal, and leaders are searching for specific ways to achieve more concrete sustainability targets, extend their reach, and operationalize their sustainability projects. Media contact:

Paranee Reymondon

External relations leader, IBM Asia Pacific and ASEANZK

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ibm-says-ai-is-the-only-way-to-help-organizations-achieve-more-concrete-sustainability-targets-301857112.html SOURCE IBM Philippines

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[June 21, 2023] FLYR Labs Named Best AI-Based Solution for Transportation Tweet

LOS ANGELES, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FLYR Labs, the pioneer of the Commercial Operating System for travel and transportation, today announced that it has been recognized by AI Breakthrough as the Best AI-Based Solution for Transportation. AI Breakthrough is a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market.

"The travel industry continues to be plagued by outdated legacy systems," said Alex Mans, Founder and CEO, FLYR Labs. "Driven by AI and deep learning, FLYRs platform provides the modern revenue management, commercial intelligence, and retailing capabilities that the travel industry needs -- harnessing disparate data to deliver real-time accuracy that helps businesses grow. Being named the 'Best AI-Based Solution for Transportation' by AI Breakthrough is an honor and testament to the work FLYR is doing." Powered by AI and purpose-built for travel and transportation, FLYRs Commercial Operating System optimizes commercial decisions at many airlines around the world, helping them break free from legacy systems and drive business forward. FLYR unifies data, provides end-to-end intelligence in a single pane view, and enables smarter decisions  helping travel companies improve commercial outcomes and enhance customer experience. The AI Breakthrough Awards honor excellence and recognize innovation, hard work, and success in a range of AI and machine learning-related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry-specific AI applications, and many more. The AI Breakthrough Awards received more than 3,20 nominations, spanning 20 different countries.



Were pleased to recognize FLYR Labs in this years AI Breakthrough program. The company is breaking through entrenched legacy solutions in aviation with advanced deep learning, which uses AI to understand how every piece of data -- routes, flights, empty seats -- correlate to one another, and power dynamic, real-time forecasting and modeling, said James Johnson, managing director, AI Breakthrough. The aviation sector has been slow to adopt new tech, constrained by legacy systems that rely on historical data and analyst input. This has created inefficiencies with disruptive impacts on commercial success. FLYR enables airlines to make more confident decisions and exceed modern e-commerce expectations. About FLYR Labs

FLYR Labs, the pioneer of the Commercial Operating System for travel and transportation, is focused on the relentless application of AI technologies that help transportation leaders unlock their highest potential. Its clean sheet, vertically integrated platform, brings data, forecasting, pricing, reporting, and simulation capabilities into a single pane of glass that informs and automates commercial-wide functions. FLYRs end-to-end platform can enable or automate all commercial decisions and eCommerce experiences, including those through its internet booking engine (IBE), offer management, customer messaging, customer management, and content management capabilities, resulting in improved revenue performance and digital customer satisfaction. FLYR Labs is headquartered in California with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Krakow, and Amsterdam. To learn more about FLYR Labs, visit flyrlabs.com or follow @flyrlabs on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About AI Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, NLP, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com. Media Contact: Jeff Tieszen

[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a5b7346-80a9-4415-a49b-55659624eb9a



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US lawmakers urge FTC to finalize new consumer protections for car buyers

FILE PHOTO: A sale sign is seen at car dealer Serramonte Subaru in Colma, California

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of 17 Democratic U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday urged the Federal Trade Commission to finalize new consumer protections for car buyers despite objections from auto dealers who argue the rules would actually raise the cost of buying a car.

The FTC in June 2022 proposed banning fees and bait-and-switch advertising tactics and requiring dealers to make key disclosures to consumers, including providing a true "offering price" and making disclosures about optional add-on fees. The FTC said the rules "would save consumers time and money and help ensure a level playing field for honest dealers.

Senators Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal and Representative Pramila Jayapal, among others, in a previously unreported letter seen by Reuters, called on the FTC to "adopt strong regulatory protections for car buyers." They argued that "unfair and deceptive practices involving motor vehicle dealers have widespread consequences."

The lawmakers said the FTC should require dealers to provide a legally enforceable "Offering Price" "that includes all pre-installed and mandatory add-on products" and finalize regulations prohibiting specific misrepresentations, among other reforms.

The FTC wants to ban fees for add-on products and services that provide no consumer benefits like "nitrogen-filled" tires that contain no more nitrogen than normal air.

"Dealers also pack vehicle sales with mandatory and price-inflated add-ons, increasing the cost and creating further confusion and uncertainty about a vehicles ultimate price," the lawmakers wrote.

The National Automobile Dealers Association said the FTC proposal would "upend the sales process for tens of millions of consumers annually and thousands of small businesses." The trade group called it "premature, legally deficient, factually inaccurate, and exceedingly confusing for consumers and dealers."

The group commissioned a study from the Center for Automotive Research that said compliance costs could be significant.

The FTC estimated the proposed rule would generate $29.7 billion in net consumer benefits over a 10-year period while CAR's analysis found it would cost consumers $38.1 billion over the period and in fact lead to lengthier sales transactions.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing General Motors, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and other major automakers, raised concerns about the FTC plan and warned that "excessive regulation and micromanagement of the sales experience can do more harm than good for both consumers and the industry."

In September, six Republican senators said the FTC proposal "would confuse customers, lengthen the transaction time to purchase a vehicle, limit consumer choice, increase paperwork, and mandate burdensome new recordkeeping requirements."

(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Chris Reese, David Gregorio and Leslie Adler)
[June 21, 2023] Federal Area Median Income Limit Adjustment: More California Homeowners Eligible for COVID-19 Relief Grant of up to $80,000 Tweet

The California Mortgage Relief Program is urging California homeowners who are struggling with housing payments to visit www.CaMortgageRelief.org after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updated the Area Median Income (AMI) levels. This update means more California homeowners are now eligible for a grant of up to $80,000, providing essential relief from pandemic-related financial hardships. HUD annually updates income limits for a range of housing programs, including for the Homeowner Assistance Fund that supports the California Mortgage Relief Program. These income limits are defined as percentages of median family income and vary depending on the county of residence and number of people residing in a household. "With this update from the federal government, more homeowners will now be eligible for a free grant of up to $80,000 from the California Mortgage Relief Program," said Rebecca Franklin, President of the CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation. "We urge all homeowners to review their eligibility and consider applying to join the many thousands who have already taken advantage of the program to stay in their home. "Even now, too many homeowners are still struggling to recover from the financial toll of the pandemic. This adjustment could mean that more families will not only save their house, but their home. At the same time, they will also protect their greatest financial asset and build generational wealth that could extend beyond their lifetime." The maximum AMI for the California Mortgage Relief Program is set at 150%, a level that increased in nearly all California counties (see 150% AMI table by county) from the prior year. Combined household income for residents 18 and over must be at or below 150% AMI.



Interested California homeowners are encouraged to use the program's online calculator to check their eligibility. Homeowners who were previously denied due to their income level are encouraged to reapply if their income meets the 2023 adjusted levels. To interview a California Mortgage Relief Program representative about this update, email [email protected]. Please help us spread the word by sharing this important information with the community.

In February, the program expanded eligibility to provide up to $80,000 for homeowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-related assistance offers grants up to $80,000 that never have to be paid back and can be used for a range of housing costs, including: Catching eligible homeowners up on late mortgage payments (must have missed at least two payments as of March 1, 2023)

Covering missed property tax payments (must have missed at least one payment as of March 1, 2023)

Paying all or some of a partial claim or loan deferral taken during or after January 2020 (created by moving missed mortgage payments to be paid at the end of the mortgage)

Helping reverse mortgage holders who face an arrearage due to missed payments for property taxes or homeowners' insurance A detailed description of the terms for California's program, as approved by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, can be viewed here. It is fast and easy to apply online or via a mobile device by visiting CaMortgageRelief.org. The application can be completed in under 30 minutes once applicants have gathered all the required documents and information, which may include mortgage statements, bank statements, utility bills, and income documentation (i.e. paystubs, tax returns, or unemployment documents). Homeowners needing assistance can call the Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. They may also visit CaMortgageRelief.org/help to learn more about resources and assistance available to them. About the California Mortgage Relief Program: The CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation (CalHRC) is a special-purpose affiliate of the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA). CalHFA is a state agency that assists low to moderate income Californians by acting as the state's affordable housing lender. Through CalHRC, the agency is able to disburse The American Rescue Plan Act's Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) on behalf of the State of California given its extensive expertise in the mortgage assistance and homeownership space. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621628651/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Edison International Announces Lineworker Scholarship Winners Tweet

Twelve aspiring lineworkers will be awarded up to $25,000 each to pursue a chance to become a Southern California Edison lineworker. This is part of the 2023 Edison International Lineworker Scholarship Program, funded by Edison International shareholders and IBEW Local 47, designed to bring in lineworkers to help power the clean energy future. California has sizeable electrification needs to meet ambitious clean energy goals, and the electric industry will need highly skilled lineworkers to reach them. According to labor statistics, the demand for lineworkers is expected to rise by 8.5% by 2026. Edison's Lineworker Scholarship Program is designed to fill that need with skilled lineworkers, right here in Southern California. "SCE needs well-trained and energetic lineworkers more than ever as we work to assure a grid that is reliable, resilient and ready to meet our customers' demands in a clean energy future," said Heather Rivard, SCE's senior vice president of Transmission & Distribution. "The Lineworker Scholarship Program is already helping us meet those needs, and I look forward to meeting the new scholarship winners, including a former U.S. Marine and our second female recipient!" The recipients of the 2023 Edison International Lineworker Scholarship are:







Name City Angela Brulee Los Angeles Ivan Castaneda Norwalk Jesse Chhing Long Beach Lazarus Fuentes Bloomington Justin Johnston Pico Rivera Nisifolo Lolesio San Jacinto Daniel Maldonado Forest Falls Freddy McCutcheon Lakewood Israel Mendez South Gate Jermone Mitchell Lancaster Ubaldo Reyes Tapia Maywood Brandon Ross Moreno Valley

Launched in 2021, the Edison International Lineworker Scholarship Program initially focused on attracting Black participants. This year, the program expanded its focus to include candidates who self-identify as Asian Pacific Islander, Native American or female. The Lineworker Scholarship provides tuition, tools and support services, such as housing, transportation and childcare, needed to complete required training at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and to obtain a Class A driver's license. 2022 Lineworker Scholarship recipient Nicole Taylor said, "Three words that describe my journey since receiving the scholarship are resilience, strength and teamwork. There is a sense of camaraderie between the scholarship recipients, and the support we've received from the 2021 cohort has helped me along my journey." Recipients are eligible for an entry-level groundman/groundwoman position at SCE once they complete the Powerline Mechanic Certificate program, obtain a Class A driver's license and complete SCE pre-employment requirements. All jobs will be located within SCE's 50,000-square-mile service area, and the company may require graduates to relocate for their positions. To learn more about the Lineworker Scholarship winners, visit the 2023 Lineworker Scholarship Spotlight page. The next application period will start next spring. Applicants are encouraged to visit Edison International Lineworker Scholarship to stay up to date on next year's eligibility requirements. About Edison International Edison International (NYSE: EIX) is one of the nation's largest electric utility holding companies, providing clean and reliable energy and energy services through its independent companies. Headquartered in Rosemead, California, Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison Company, a utility that delivers electricity to 15 million people across Southern, Central and Coastal California. Edison International is also the parent company of Edison Energy LLC, a global energy advisory firm engaged in the business of providing integrated decarbonization and energy solutions to commercial, industrial and institutional customers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621943975/en/

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[June 21, 2023] Huntkey Participated in ICTCOMM 2023, Making Further Progress in Vietnam Market Tweet

SHENZHEN, China, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntkey has entered the Vietnamese market for more than 10 years. As a leading manufacturer of PC peripherals and power solutions provider of industrial power supplies, Huntkey was invited to participate in ICTCOMM 2023 held in Ho Chi Minh City. ICTCOMM is an important exhibition in the field of telecommunications, information technology and broadcasting in Vietnam, attracting technical experts and industry professionals from all over the world to visit. Founded in 1995, Huntkey has an independent R&D team and a complete production line. In the field of power supply, it is committed to providing high-quality PC peripherals and industrial power supplies for global users. Huntkey's products cover PC cases, power supplies, fans, radiators, industrial power supplies and other fields. The products displayed at the exhibition can be used in home, game, office, security and other application scenarios. PC Peripherals Huntkey's power supply technology is in the leading position in China. The exhibition showcased Huntkey's high-end flagship product MVP series power supply. For example, MVP P1200X white model has a rated power of 1200W, compatible with ATX3.0 and 80 Plus Platinum. It has white full modular cables and the domineering appearance of a 190MM long case. The most popular PC case among visitors is the S980 Tornado, which supports ATX motherboards, 360 water coolingon the top, and can be equipped with 10 GX120 arctic fans. There is also a new PC monitor, RRB2713V, with a large 27-inch screen and a refresh rate of 75Hz. The full HD resolution of 1920*1080 makes the picture texture better and the color brighter. The booth attracted many young people and students who love games. They received the brand peripherals prepared by Huntkey, such as mouse pads and notebooks.



Industrial Power Supplies Huntkey has provided a full range of solutions to 2 Fortune 500 companies in the security industry, helping to build Xi'an into a smart city. The industrial power supply that attracted the most attention from visitors is the 350W switching power supply (HK1350-120NB/HK1350-240NB), which is 30mm ultra-thin, with overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature, undervoltage, short circuit protection, and passed 100% aging test. This product is usually used in security industry, servers, ATM and CCTV etc. Visitors showed great interest in 120W/150W high-power adapters, which meet the energy efficiency requirements of DOE VI in the US, pass GB/EN/UL safety standards, and are suitable for mini PCs, all-in-one desktops, smart speakers, etc.

In summary, it was a successful brand display and promotion exhibition. During the exhibition, Huntkey communicated with industry professionals and users from all over the world to understand their needs and feedback, which will help Huntkey better optimize products and services and improve customer satisfaction. As an innovative company, Huntkey will continue to actively participate in various exhibitions and events, promote and publicize its brand and products, expand market influence and popularity, and provide users with better products and services. About Huntkey Founded in 1995, Huntkey is a leading provider of PC power supplies, power strips, surge protectors, laptop adapters, phone chargers, monitors and air purifiers. Huntkey is a member of Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) and China Power Supply Society (CPSS). Covering approximately 1,000,000 square meters added up from three industrial parks, Huntkey is one of the most famous brands and largest companies in mainland China. It is headquartered in Shenzhen. By 2022, Huntkey has been practicing low-carbon economy for more than ten years. Leading a low-carbon lifestyle with Huntkey. Website: http://www.huntkey.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntkeyGlobal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntkey_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/huntkey View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/huntkey-participated-in-ictcomm-2023-making-further-progress-in-vietnam-market-301857333.html SOURCE Huntkey

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[June 21, 2023] Exchange Bank Announces Charlotte Radmilovic, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Tweet

Exchange Bank (OTC: EXSR) welcomes Charlotte Radmilovic, senior vice president and chief financial officer, reporting to Troy Sanderson, president and chief executive officer. Charlotte will work closely with all areas of the Bank, overseeing all financial activities and initiatives. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621987026/en/ Charlotte Radmilovic, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Exchange Bank (Photo: Business Wire) Charlotte is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of experience in the banking and financial industries. She most recently served as executive vice president, chief financial officer for Pacific Valley Bank in Monterey County. Prior to this, she was te director of finance for Summit Funding Inc. in Sacramento, chief accounting officer for Rabobank, N.A. in Roseville, and held other key roles in the industry.



Charlotte attended Saint Mary's College of California and holds a degree in Business Administration, Accountancy. She is passionate about community involvement and has served as a volunteer board member and held leadership roles for the Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance, Blue Line Arts, the Monterey State Historic Parks Association, the Arts Council for Monterey County, and the Hospice Giving Foundation. About Exchange Bank

Headquartered in Sonoma County and founded in 1890, Exchange Bank is a full-service community bank with assets of $3.36 billion. Exchange Bank provides a wide range of personal, commercial and trust and investment management services with 16 retail branches in Sonoma County, a commercial branch in Roseville and Trust & Investment Management offices in Santa Rosa, Roseville and Silicon Valley. The Bank's legacy of financial leadership and community support is grounded in its core values of commitment, respect, integrity and teamwork. Exchange Bank is known for its people who care about their customers, their company and the communities where they live and work. Exchange Bank is a 17-year winner of the North Bay Business Journal's Best Places to Work survey and the 2022 San Francisco Business Times Corporate Philanthropy Award. Exchange Bank was named Best Consumer Bank 2023 by the NorthBay biz Magazine's Best of the North Bay readers' poll. The Petaluma Argus Courier People's Choice Awards named Exchange Bank Best Local Bank 2023 and the Bohemian Magazine's Best of the North Bay 2023 named Exchange Bank Best Business Bank and Best Consumer Bank. www.exchangebank.com Member FDIC - Equal Housing Lender - Equal Opportunity Employer View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621987026/en/

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[June 21, 2023] ESG integration across alternatives continues in spite of refocus on returns Tweet

Europe-based and private equity funds dominate ESG fundraising, while impact investing gains traction in North America SINGAPORE, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Preqin, the global leader in alternative assets data, tools, and insights, published its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) report: ESG in Alternatives 2023. The report provides the latest insights within the private markets covering developments on fundraising and fund size for ESG across geographies. The report shows that has been a three-fold increase in annual capital raised between 2020 and 2022, rising from $29bn to $92bn. Of this, Europe-based ESG funds are the most prominent, having secured over three quarters (79%) of aggregate capital, followed by 14% in North America and 7% in APAC. Recent years of fundraising growth have seen average ESG fund size dial up from $400mn in 2017 to closer to $600mn in 2022. Whether ESG helps drive longer-term returns remains a contentious issue. According to Preqin analysts, investors' views suggest there is no strong consensus either way. However, what is clear is that ESG does affect investors' willingness to do deals. In Preqin's most recent investor survey, conducted in November 2022, 29% of investors surveyed reported having turned down a deal over ESG concerns, while another 43% reported they would do so. While the upside benefits of ESG investing may take more years to observe, it seems investors consider ESG as a means to manage downside risk. Private equity funds lead the ESG charge, while infrastructure remains key asset class Despite private equity having dominated ESG fundraising since 2014, the strong growth in fundraising in 2021 and 2022 meant infrastructure funds secured nearly as much capital. $71bn was secured by infrastructure funds compared with $75bn secured in private equity. The infrastructure asset class is uniquely placed to deliver societal and environmental outcomes given its provision of essential services in support of economic development. Managers in this asset class exhibit the highest average levels of transparency reflecting their need to engage multiple stakeholders in the development of infrastructure projects. Impact strategies continue to gain traction in North America When it comes to the term ESG, a challenge is that some stratgies do not sit easily within it. Impact funds are a pertinent example. While financial returns remain a central consideration in ESG funds, impact investing consciously acknowledges a trade-off between financial returns and ambitions to help organizations to accomplish specific goals that are beneficial to wider society or the environment. Therefore, it places positive external outcomes at the heart of the investment decision.



There has been a sizeable growth in impact fundraising across alternatives in recent years, particularly following the pandemic. Aggregate capital raised increased from $2.6bn in 2019 to $33.6bn in 2022. However, the regional breakdown of impact fundraising differs significantly from broader generic ESG funds. Whereas Europe-based funds dominate ESG fundraising, North American funds lead in impact, taking 59% of aggregate capital raised since 2014 to May 2023, versus 37% for Europe and 2% for APAC funds. Preqin ESG in Alternatives 2023 key additional findings:

Increased impact funds for venture capital (VC): There is a prominence of impact funds in VC versus ESG integration funds, at 40% compared with 18% across the 2013  2023 vintages.

There is a prominence of impact funds in VC versus ESG integration funds, at 40% compared with 18% across the 2013  2023 vintages. ESG funds by industry exposures : Across all regions, ESG funds are often diversified across sectors in line with trends across alternatives. In Europe and North America , energy and utilities are the most common sector for ESG funds with 14% and 19%, respectively based on fund vintages between 2013 and May 2023 . Information technology (IT) is more prominent in North America -based ESG funds with 13% compared with 8% for Europe -based funds. Insights on the breakdown of ESG funds by industry exposures can provide a comparison on how the most relevant industry risks exposures differ between regions.

: Across all regions, ESG funds are often diversified across sectors in line with trends across alternatives. In and , energy and utilities are the most common sector for ESG funds with 14% and 19%, respectively based on fund vintages between 2013 and . Information technology (IT) is more prominent in -based ESG funds with 13% compared with 8% for -based funds. Insights on the breakdown of ESG funds by industry exposures can provide a comparison on how the most relevant industry risks exposures differ between regions. Opponents to ESG's rise: The Governor of Florida , as well as state representatives from Kentucky , North Carolina , and Texas , have threatened to divest from fund managers that commit capital under ESG-risk-management standards. The representatives have opposed public pension plans (PPPs) that have been divesting from traditional energy assets and fund managers with ESG policies, contending that they should not be excluding these assets. Despite this, most private capital investors across the asset classes either already have or intend to implement active ESG policies within the next 12 month, with 52% of Infrastructure investors already having active policies in place.

The Governor of , as well as state representatives from , , and , have threatened to divest from fund managers that commit capital under ESG-risk-management standards. The representatives have opposed public pension plans (PPPs) that have been divesting from traditional energy assets and fund managers with ESG policies, contending that they should not be excluding these assets. Despite this, most private capital investors across the asset classes either already have or intend to implement active ESG policies within the next 12 month, with 52% of Infrastructure investors already having active policies in place. ESG-related litigation increasingly relevant for more industries: There has been a marked increase in corporate ESG litigation in recent years, particularly towards companies involved in the extraction and sale of fossil fuels. This is mainly due to the risks involved, as highlighted in Preqin's ESG Risk Exposure Estimates which ranks the oil and gas industry the second highest risk exposure, closely followed by Chemicals. Alex Murray, VP, Head of Real Assets, Research Insights, at Preqin says, "This report comes at a time when ESG faces new challenges from increasingly vocal and politicized critics. Further, a re-focus on performance after a challenging 2022 may have encouraged some to de-prioritise ESG with fundraising so far in 2023 reflecting this. However, impact investing is emerging as its own distinct market. Rather than retrenching as many had anticipated, ESG in Alternatives is increasingly diverse and sophisticated in what it can offer investors." For more information, and to receive a full copy of the report contact Carmen Wong ([email protected]). To sign up to receive Preqin First Close, our newsletter, click here About Preqin Preqin, the Home of Alternatives, empowers financial professionals who invest in or allocate to alternatives with essential data and insight to make confident decisions. It supports them throughout the entire investment lifecycle with critical information and leading analytics solutions. The company has pioneered rigorous methods of collecting private data for almost 20 years, enabling more than 200,000 professionals globally to streamline how they raise capital, source deals and investments, understand performance, and stay informed. For more information visit www.preqin.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/esg-integration-across-alternatives-continues-in-spite-of-refocus-on-returns-301856890.html SOURCE Preqin

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No matter how often the topic comes up, the significance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Online territories are now battlegrounds, and email is one of the primary targets set by bad actors.

As per the reports from the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI, phishing stood out as the most prevalent form of cybercrime in the year 2020, and the frequency of phishing attacks has shown a consistent increase over time. It is worth noting that cybercriminals have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to breach even the most prestigious and secure domains.







Phishing tactics feed on trust, leveraging the perceived security associated with familiar domain names. Unsuspecting users may unquestioningly trust an email originating from a .gov, .edu or well-known .com domain. Regrettably, this trust can be exploited by malicious actors if proper domain security measures are not in place.

Stratus Security took a deeper dive into these phishing tactics with a focus on email security, specifically sender policy framework, SPF, and domain-based message authentication, reporting and conformance (DMARC), two critical email security measures.

Correct configuration of these measures prevents unauthorized parties from sending emails using a domain's identity.

However, the Stratus Security study uncovered widespread misconfigurations leaving domains open to exploitation. This included highly sensitive government and education domains and commercial entities. To put it into perspective, 68% of government websites and 83% of education sites can potentially be phished. This includes the likes of North Korea's sole domain in the study, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Stratus Security's researchers also found that misconfigurations potentially allows malicious actors to send emails appearing to come directly from these domains. The more worrying cases were domains tagged with '+all' in their SPF records, essentially inviting anyone to send emails as that domain, with no indications of phishing. One such domain was the Greek public employment service (dypa.gov.gr), making it possible for anyone to send an email posing as an official communication from this institution.

"Phishing attacks rely on trust. When an email appears to come from a reputable source, users and businesses are much more likely to engage with its content, said Stratus Security Chief Technology Officer Colin Watson. That's why these misconfigurations present such a risk. It's essentially rolling out a red carpet for threat actors to exploit."

Misconfigurations in SPF and DMARC records, particularly those that make a domain phishable, appear to be more common across a wide range of institutions and countries than most thought. That said, strategies are needed to address these security vulnerabilities:

Ensure correct SPF and DMARC records : The first step is to review and correct SPF and DMARC records. Special attention should be given to avoiding configurations that can make the domain vulnerable to phishing attempts. Configuration options such as "+all" or "?all" in SPF records, as well as invalid DMARC settings, should be avoided.



: The first step is to review and correct SPF and DMARC records. Special attention should be given to avoiding configurations that can make the domain vulnerable to phishing attempts. Configuration options such as "+all" or "?all" in SPF records, as well as invalid DMARC settings, should be avoided. Regular audits and testing : Regular audits of email security configurations are crucial to identify any misconfigurations or vulnerabilities. Employing reputable testing tools to regularly test SPF, DKIM, and DMARC functionality is necessary to ensure they are functioning as intended.



: Regular audits of email security configurations are crucial to identify any misconfigurations or vulnerabilities. Employing reputable testing tools to regularly test SPF, DKIM, and DMARC functionality is necessary to ensure they are functioning as intended. Training and awareness : It is important to educate the team about the significance of email security and the risks associated with misconfigured SPF and DMARC records. Raising awareness among team members enables them to be more vigilant in preventing such misconfigurations.



: It is important to educate the team about the significance of email security and the risks associated with misconfigured SPF and DMARC records. Raising awareness among team members enables them to be more vigilant in preventing such misconfigurations. Seek expert assistance: For individuals or organizations lacking technical expertise, it is beneficial to seek the assistance of cybersecurity experts or firms. Experts can provide guidance on configuring SPF and DMARC records or improving overall email security.

By taking proactive measures, organizations bolster their email security.

Edited by Alex Passett
As far back as 2018 our blog community feared that violence would shut down this Plaza hotspot.

And now . . .

TKC TOLD YOU SO!!! COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA DECLINE PERSISTS AS SHAKE SHACK SHUTS DOWN THANKS TO VIOLENT YOUNGSTERS!!!



Smarter denizens of the discourse saw this coming . . . Here's the deets . . .



"This month the crowds at times have become so raucous that Shake Shack posted a note over the weekend declaring that at 5 p.m. it would be shutting its doors to inside service. The restaurant told The Star that the dining room would be closed in the evening Fridays to Sundays."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Lots of items to consider this evening on the topic of crime reporting, police action and pending court cases . . .



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill under investigation by Miami-Dade Police Department Local 10 News in Miami reports Hill "got into some kind of disagreement" with an employee of the Haulover Marina.

Former Chiefs star Tyreek Hill under investigation for assault, battery Former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill is under investigation in Miami for assault and battery after he allegedly hit a man on Sunday.

Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department adds full-time LGBTQ+ liaison officer KCPD created its LGBTQ+ liaison officer position less than a year ago. It's one of very few full-time positions in the metro.

Kansas City man charged with manslaughter in West Bottoms crash that killed motorcyclist A Kansas City man suspected by authorities of driving impaired faces two felonies stemming from a head-on crash that left a motorcyclist dead.

3 arrests made in child exploitation investigation in Jackson County Three men have been arrested in relation to a child exploitation investigation that began in March 2023 in Jackson County, Missouri, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

KC man sentenced for string of armed robberies at dollar stores A Kansas City man has been sentenced for a string of at least seven armed robberies that happened at Kansas City dollar stores and a cell phone store in 2020 and 2021.

Video: Surveillance cameras capture Raytown gun store burglary Raytown gun store owner releases surveillance video showing three people breaking into Blue Steel Guns & Ammo and stealing 45 guns.

Sheriff: man sets fire to building, tazed by deputy after approaching with weapon JACKSON COUNTY (KSNT) - A man is in custody after allegedly setting fire to a building and approaching a deputy with a long knife in hand. Sheriff Tim Morse with the Jackson County Sheriff...

Developing . . .
As the results come in . . . We'll update this one until we do posts on the returns that captivate us.



Something we've noticed early on . . .



KANSAS CITY VOTER TURNOUT LOOKED PRETTY PATHETIC FROM OUR VANTAGE!!!



There are a few conflicting reports and a bit of election trickery amongst the last of the plebs who believe in representative government . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Small percentage of Kansas City, Missouri, voters will have major say on future leadership Kansas City Elections Director Lauri Ealom estimates just 10 to 13 percent of registered voters will cast a ballot in Tuesday's election

Live Blog: Latest updates on general election results across Kansas City Polls are closed following today's 2023 general election on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area.

Northeast residents turn out to vote By Erin William, Editorial Assistant Today, voters are gathering at polls across the city to vote for City Council [...]

Kansas City Municipal Election Results: Kansas City mayor's office and 6 council seats on the ballot Polls in Kansas City close at 7 p.m.

Developing . . .
Part of an insider quote . . .



Mayor Lucas marched into Election Day with more than $1.2M raised this cycle and an impressive $825k cash on hand in his re-election campaign alone.

He probably only needed about 800 bucks to beat Clay Chastain.

Meanwhile, the morning after . . .

HELP US CALL OUT WINNERS & LOSERS OF THE KANSAS CITY 2023 ELECTION!!!

More interested in your answers than mine . . . Until then we have a couple of suggestions . . .



WINNERS:



Hartzell . . . Broadcaster for KC Tenants

The politics of the group are silly and sometimes kinda hostile . . . However, playing an activist on the Internets is far more rewarding and we think this might be KC's latest & greatest "likeable" celebrity.

Twitter, Bots & Spam . . .



Again . . . We're kinda suspect about how much this REALLY moved the dial. But most of the election bullying came by way of social media and clearly . . . Paying tech moguls for local democracy is the way of the future for those with the cash & skill.



Dark Money

In the final days of the campaign KC Tenants spent more than $125K and NOBODY KNOWS WHERE IT CAME FROM . . . Moreover . . .

MANY PROGRESSIVES PROVE THEMSELVES HYPOCRITES FOR COMPLAINING ABOUT GOP DARK MONEY BUT REMAINING SILENT WHEN KC TENANTS SPREADS SECRET CASH!!!



If it's sketchy when Republicans do it . . . Those same standards should apply to progressives.



Snail Mail

Again . . . Darrell Curls proved that stuffing mail boxes is still a great way to get noticed and deliver messages DIRECTLY to voters. It's a pricey way of doing things but serves as one way to reach past the new social media paywall filter.



LOSERS:



CLAY CHASTAIN



Punchline . . . There's nothing wrong with losing for a good cause and without Mr. Chastain there was only a grad student and a salesman willing to spend the time talking about KC against impossible odds.

In fact . . .

Chastain hassled the media, brought up uncomfortable topics and provided an ALTERNATIVE discourse for Kansas City.

Clay Chastain was willing to take the loss for KC and that, like it or not, is an act of public service that social media bullies might not understand.

Credit where it's due . . . Clay performed a thankless job and did it with more flair & skill than so many local empty suits in downtown law offices.

Voter Turnout

Interesting find from preliminary results . . .

KANSAS CITY VOTER TURNOUT ACTUALLY DROPPED IN THE GENERAL ELECTION!!!

That rarely happens but offers a glimpse at how disengaged voters were with this election. KC Election Board reports 13.31% turnout which is down about 4 points from the primary.



Citizens Association & Neighborhood Forums

Citizens 2.0 was kinda silly but as the election went on their efforts were downright embarrassing.

At one of their "forums" there were, reportedly, more panelists than people in the audience.

This way of candidate screening was popular in the 90s but the pandemic and low turnout have simply taking their toll on this bygone way of meeting the candidates.



Campaign Consultants

Allow me to show my age . . . Not so long ago there were at least a half a dozen people who made their living from managing local candidates . . . Now, that job is kaput.

I know . . . Good riddance . . . Still . . . The death of the local campaign consultant is a notable development and this time around KC voters were confronted with a slew of "influencers" who took selfies but didn't now much about how local democracy works.

God bless you Steve Glorioso . . . Wherever you are!!!



And so . . .

More important than all of this . . . We ask readers . . .

WHO ARE THE REAL LOSERS IN THIS KANSAS CITY CONTEST???

We'll play back the best responses in another www.TonysKansasCity.com post but for now here are the relevant aftermath links . . .

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas cruises to re-election, defeating Clay Chastain by over 60 points As expected, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was re-elected to a second term on Tuesday.

KC Tenants' political arm celebrates wins on election night This election was a defining moment for a new movement spearheaded by the political arm of KC Tenants.

KCMO voters re-elect Mayor Quinton Lucas, 5 City Council members There will be seven new members of the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council, when the winners of Tuesday's municipal election are sworn into office in August.

Kansas City election results: Here's who will represent the city for the next 4 years All 12 seats on the city council were up for grabs in Tuesday's election. Current Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas easily won reelection.

Election results June 20, 2023 Today Kansas City voters chose their next City Council and Mayor. All 12 City Council seats were up for election, [...]

Developing . . .


A view of a brine pool of a lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to advance a tax treaty with Chile, paving the way for final approval of a pact seen as crucial for ensuring access for U.S. companies to lithium, a mineral essential for electric vehicle batteries.

The agreement cleared a Senate procedural hurdle by 97-2, comfortably over the two-thirds supermajority required to approve treaties in the 100-member chamber.

Business interests have been pushing for the tax agreement for years. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called it an urgent priority. Without it, taxes on U.S. companies with Chilean operations could climb to more than 44%, the business group said.

There was no immediate indication of when the Senate would have a final vote. Lawmakers are due to leave Washington later this week for a two-week Independence Day recess.

Final approval would send the treaty to the White House, where President Joe Biden must sign the papers necessary for ratification.

Chile's Congress approved the treaty in 2015.

U.S. companies have a strong presence in mining, finance and other industries in Chile. In urging approval, the Senate's Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer, said the treaty was crucial to ensuring continued U.S. access to lithium.

Chile announced a plan to expand lithium mining in the country in April in an attempt to regain its position as the world's top lithium producer.

Backers of the agreement also said its failure could hobble the U.S. transition to clean energy.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Alistair Bell)
We should all be eager to LEARN MORE about this allegation . . . For now here's the first taste of testimony . . .



I turned around and asked a member thats on the DNI team  which is the diversity and inclusion team  I said, What the heck? This isnt OK. And he just laughed, said Kim McCarthy who has worked at the plant for 9 years.

More context given that watermelon is delicious and its weaponization is one of the tragic legacies of early American media . . .

"For centuries, watermelon has been used alongside negative imagery of Black Americans. Watermelon was first seen as a demeaning symbol in the 19th century when freed Black Americans became merchants and sold the fruit. These stereotypes persisted into the 20th and 21st centuries."



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Employees angry after Toyota's KC office serves only watermelon for Juneteenth Toyota is under fire from some of its own Kansas City workers after they said the company served only watermelon to celebrate Juneteenth.

Again . . . Further reading . . .

How the watermelon stereotype came to be weaponized against Black Americans For centuries, Black Americans have had to endure painful watermelon stereotypes. That hasn't changed in recent years.

Developing . . .
Here is your morning roundup on transit, weather and road closures in Toronto.
UPDATE: Clean up work continues at scene of fiery crash on Hwy. 401 in Pickering

Damage to pavement and Brock Road overpass needs to be assessed before highway can open
Vancouver writers thirteenth novel is unputdownable and examines the lives of two women fighting for independence
Charlotte Tobierre looks out the window at her house in Essex, England, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Britain this week marks the 75th anniversary of the day the MV Windrush docked at the port of London. But even as the nation prepares to celebrate an event that reshaped modern Britain, thousands of those migrants, like Tobias Tobierre, are still waiting for compensation almost six years after the government acknowledged that they had been wrongly targeted by a crackdown on illegal immigration. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

LONDON (AP)  When Thomas Tobierres wife, Caroline, died in 2021, he didnt know how he was going to pay for her funeral.

That's because he had drained his savings while caught up in a U.K. immigration crackdown that improperly targeted legal residents largely from the Caribbean and other parts of the former British Empire. While a government compensation program eventually covered the cost of his wife's funeral, Tobierre is still fighting for reimbursement of the 14,000-pound pension ($17,891) he cashed in to make ends meet when no one would hire him because of his disputed right to work.

He isn't alone. Five years after the U.K. government apologized and promised to compensate those who were affected in what became known as the Windrush scandal, thousands of people who had their lives upended are still battling for what they consider fair settlements.

Theyve got no compassion, Tobierre told The Associated Press, referring to the slow-moving compensation claims process. They need to be aware that what theyre doing is utterly, grossly wrong.

The comments underscore the frustration of many people of Caribbean descent who complain the government is dragging its feet even as it prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day, the symbolic start of the mass migration that reshaped the U.K. after World War II. Events scheduled around the country will celebrate the contributions Caribbean immigrants have made to Britain since June 22, 1948.

Almost 500,000 people from Britains Caribbean outposts came to the U.K. between 1948 and 1971, invited by the government to help rebuild a nation ravaged by the war. As citizens of the British Empire, they had the right to live and work in the country. Few documents were required, especially for children, who often traveled on their parents passports.

The Windrush scandal first came to light in 2018, when Britains news media began reporting on the stories of long-term residents who had lost their jobs, homes and benefits, such as free medical care, because they couldnt produce paperwork proving their right to live in the U.K. Some were detained, and dozens were deported to countries they barely remembered.

While the government pledged that those wrongly targeted would be compensated swiftly, advocates for the victims say that promise has gone unfulfilled.

The most recent data from the Home Office, the government department that oversees immigration and the compensation program, shows that 46% of the 6,122 claims were "fully closed'' as of April, indicating that all appeals had been exhausted. But the number of outstanding victims may be far higher. The Home Office had estimated there were about 12,000 victims  though not all have come forward to make claims.

Part of the reason for a discrepancy may be because many of the affected residents are uncomfortable presenting claims to the Home Office, which was responsible for the original crackdown.

Almaz Teffera, a racism researcher at Human Rights Watch, argues that administration of the program should be turned over to an independent body.

How can a compensation scheme be held by the same agency that also committed the wrongs? Teffera said. There is a trust issue in the scheme from the very get-go.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman acknowledged there was more to do, but she insisted that the agency had made progress.

I and the whole of government remain absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of the Windrush scandal,'' Braverman said in a statement. Already we have paid or offered more than 72 million pounds ($91.7 million) in compensation to those affected, and we continue to make improvements so people receive the maximum award as quickly as possible. But we know there is more to do, and will work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated.''

After early complaints about the program, an independent review completed in 2020 recommended widespread changes to speed up claims processing.

But two years later, a follow-up report found that the Home Office had failed to implement some of the most important recommendations, including improved training on issues of race, hiring more senior staff members from minority ethnic communities and increasing outside scrutiny of the agency.

Lawyers working with Windrush victims say that little has changed despite the Home Offices commitment to honor the recommendations.

Nicola Burgess of the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit said if that anything, things are worse.

Many families were torn apart because of this, Burgess said. So it was always a political issue. Absolutely. And now five years on, I would say it is a political issue again, because they have rolled back on their commitment to right wrongs.

Victims also complain about the complexity of the process, which involves filling out a 44-page questionnaire and providing documents to verify where a claimant came from, how long theyve been in Britain and how they were affected.

Even those with legal help struggle to provide all the information required, and those without assistance are sometimes scared off, victim advocates said.

Imagine having to put together an application form that requires you to go back 30 years ... to substantiate that you have, in fact, incurred these losses, Teffera said. And so, its retraumatizing.

The Home Office acknowledged in December 2021 that it had made a slow start in compensating people, but said it had overhauled the program to make it simpler and faster.

Thomas Tobierre isnt convinced.

His story begins like that of many caught up in the Windrush scandal.

Born on the island of St. Lucia, Tobierre moved to Britain with his family in 1961 when he was 7. Like many young people at the time, he traveled on a family passport.

His troubles began in 2017, when the company he had worked at for almost three decades closed and he had to find a new job.

He soon discovered that rules designed to combat illegal immigration meant he had to show proof of his right to work before anyone would hire him. But without a British passport or immigration documents, he couldnt satisfy employers, even though he had worked and paid taxes in the U.K. since he was 15.

He eventually secured the right documents, but it took a year. In the meantime, he maxed out his credit card and cashed in his pension.

His wife Caroline, a cleaner, took on more work to help make ends meet. When she told her family she was very tired, they put it down to the extra hours. It was only later, when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer, that they understood it was something more serious.

With a new job and no seniority, Thomas struggled to get time off to accompany her to chemotherapy appointments, particularly since he had to take public transportation after selling his car.

It was about this time that newspapers started reporting on the broader Windrush scandal and Tobierre discovered others had similar issues. After much tangling with the bureaucracy and when it became clear Carolines cancer had spread, Tobierre finally accepted an offer of compensation from the Home Office, because he knew she didnt have much time left.

Carolines own claim for the impact on her as a family member wasnt processed before she died despite pleas from the family that she had but weeks to live. Desperate to pay for her funeral, Thomas and the couple's daughter Charlotte outlined their wish to give her a proper funeral on a national radio program.

Later that afternoon, the Home Office offered her a payment of 20,000 pounds, a sum ultimately increased to 40,000 pounds.

Charlotte continues to fight, protesting the Home Offices failure to reimburse her father for his lost pension and filing her own as a family member.

Fighting for everything, documenting everything and dealing with an anonymous bureaucracy that moves at a glacial pace has been very hard, she said. But she and her father keep telling their story since many claimants have no one.

Its a big trauma, Charlotte said of her dealings with the Home Office. They can compensate moneywise, but its definitely a lifelong scar that I think every Windrush claimant will bear.

___

Follow AP's coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has announced a new route connecting the United Arab Emirates to Sphinx International Airport in Cairo, Egypt.

Read More: Wizz Air Announces Holiday Flights Starting at AED129 for Eid Al Adha

The new flights will begin on November 1st, 2023, and they will operate on Wednesday and Sunday.

The new route aims at providing affordable, hassle-free travel experience for tourists and residents in both Egypt and the UAE.

Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air AD, said: "The new route between Abu Dhabi and Cairo will enable our customers to explore both countries through hassle-free travel experiences.

"We are proud to support both the UAE and Egypts long-term economic visions and to continue expanding our network and offerings in the Middle East region."

Meanwhile, Maureen Bannerman, Chief Commercial Officer of AD Airports, said: "We look forward to supporting Wizz Air Abu Dhabi towards further growth in the future."

On a separate note, the airline also added its 10th aircraft to the fleet.
UAF researchers discover complex ecosystem among Alaska seaweed debris

Photo by Brian Ulaski

A wrack line and outgoing tide wave action is seen at Bluff Point in Kachemak Bay.

University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers have discovered a thriving ecosystem among the decomposing seaweed debris that covers many Alaska beaches, including nearly 100 different types of invertebrates found in surveys at a handful of sites on the Kenai Peninsula.

Its the first Alaska-based survey of the marine algae that washes up on beaches, known as wrack, and comes at a time when global interest in the resource is booming. Wrack is being increasingly used for fertilizer and livestock feed, although harvests in Alaska remain limited.

Studies in the Lower 48, Europe and Australia have shown that wrack provides a unique and productive habitat, but no one had seriously examined it in Alaska before.

We didnt just want to generalize what we know from other regions, said Brian Ulaski, a postdoctoral fellow at UAFs College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. Things are a little different up here with seasonal light and temperature changes.

Ulaski led the project, which was funded by Alaska Sea Grant, while pursuing his Ph.D. at UAF. The study was published in the May issue of Marine Environmental Research.

Photo by Brian Ulaski

A pseudoscorpion was among the samples of invertebrates found at Kenai Peninsula sites.

Researchers focused on a dozen sites around Kachemak Bay near Homer in summer 2021, collecting sediment cores using a clam gun. After sieving the sediment through a fine mesh screen, thousands of samples were bagged and returned to the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory for identification and counting.

Ulaski and a team of undergraduate and graduate students found about 47,000 tiny invertebrates among those specimens. With help from Derek Sikes, the curator of insects at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, they identified 87 different taxa among the collection, including tiny coastal centipedes and pseudoscorpions.

Its like a whole little ecosystem we didnt know much about, said CFOS professor Brenda Konar, who helped secure grant funding for the project.

Researchers also collected samples from beaches without wrack. The difference was striking, with far fewer specimens and less diversity. The bare beach samples consisted almost entirely of worms.

The findings could be valuable for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which manages wrack use in the state but previously knew little about the resource.

Photo by Alice Bailey

Brian Ulaski and Jennifer Tusten collect cores from the wrack line at Camel Rock in Kachemak Bay in summer 2021.

Relatively small amounts of wrack are being harvested in Alaska, with personal use capped by ADFG at two buckets per day. Three or four commercial harvest permits have been written annually in lower Cook Inlet in recent years. However, interest in collecting seaweed is clearly on the upswing, resource managers said.

When you dont know much about something, and theres growing pressure to harvest it, obviously you want to know more, said Ted Otis, a Homer-based ADFG research biologist. Partnering with the university to do research in that area is a great match.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Brian Ulaski, 907-987-3201, bpulaski2@alaska.edu

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(Bloomberg) -- BlackRock Inc.s surprise filing for a US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund last week has led to a flurry of similar applications from rival issuers and speculation that the asset manager has key insights that will lead to approval of its application.

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Bitcoin has jumped more than 20% since the filing to more than $30,000. On Tuesday, Invesco Ltd. renewed its application for the physically-backed Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF within hours of WisdomTrees filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the WisdomTree Bitcoin Trust. Days earlier, Bitwise submitted plans for a similar vehicle.

The rush of applications comes in the wake of BlackRocks bid to launch the iShares Bitcoin Trust, which landed with US regulators last week. Given BlackRocks status as the worlds biggest money manager with roughly $9 trillion, the filing is being taken as a sign that the SEC might finally give the green light to a physically-backed Bitcoin ETF  a structure the regulator has repeatedly rejected, citing risks such as fraud and manipulation in the spot market for the token.

When the worlds largest asset manager makes a move like this, other issuers are going to take notice because the stakes are so high in the Bitcoin ETF race, Nate Geraci, president of advisory firm The ETF Store. There has been absolutely no indication that the SEC is ready to entertain a spot Bitcoin ETF. The likely assumption is that BlackRock may know something.

BlackRock declined to comment on the speculation Wednesday. At the time of the filing, a spokeswoman cited regulatory restrictions.

In addition to the rally in Bitcoin, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (ticker GBTC)s discount to its net-asset value has narrowed.

Industry proponents such as Gemini Trust Co.s Cameron Winklevoss have been quick to cite the rebound to champion the digital currency after whats been a rough spate that included scandals, bankruptcies and regulatory actions.

The renewed push for a spot Bitcoin ETF follows a long line of rejections. There have been about 30 attempts for such a product, according to a tally from Bloomberg Intelligence. Now, with BlackRock throwing its hat into the ring, theres likely more to come, in the eyes of Dabner Capital Partners Dave Abner.

Everyone who had a filing is going to resubmit and those who had been considering will also want to be filing soon as well, said Abner, principal at Dabner Capital Partners, an ETF and crypto advisory firm.

(Adds that BlackRock declined to comment in the fifth paragraph.)

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The night before, British Typhoon fighter jets took to the skies over Estonia to intercept Russian Tu-134s and two Su-27s that flew near NATO airspace.

This was reported by the Royal Air Force press service on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

This evening, RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and 2x Su-27 FLANKER Bs flying close to NATO airspace, the statement said.

It is emphasized that the Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control agencies.

As reported by Ukrinform, on June 14, British Typhoon fighter jets also took to the skies over Estonia to escort Russian Il-20s and two Su-27s that approached NATO airspace.
Ukraine is observing the activity of the Russian occupiers on the territory of the Crimean Titan plant and is recording the partial departure of the local population due to fears of a catastrophe.

In the case of an explosion, the Russian military, who are closest to the plant, will be the first to suffer, and the accident may also affect citizens of Turkey, Romania and Moldova, the head of the Joint Press Center of the Operational Command "South" Nataliia Humeniuk said at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine - Ukrinform.

"We do not observe organized evacuations, but there are cases of group departures of people, and they are obvious in the sense of their own safety and concern for their own safety. That is, at their own discretion, many of the local population, taught by experience, in particular in 2018, when there were chemical emissions from this enterprise, people are trying to get away from this danger zone as much as possible," the spokeswoman said, answering the question whether there is an evacuation of citizens from the adjacent territories of Crimean Titan, which is mined by the Russian occupiers.

Humeniuk emphasized that Ukraine is monitoring the activity of the occupiers in the area of the Crimean Titan, and noted that in case of its explosion, the Russian military will be the first to suffer.

"Yes, we are monitoring the situation regarding the delivery of explosives there, the activity of the occupation forces around, and it is likely that this will be another link in the chain of man-made blackmail used by the enemy. Therefore, we hope that the international community will be able to convince and influence the military and political leadership of the country to understand that the first and most affected will be the occupying country's own units, because they are closest," said Humeniuk.

In addition, she noted that unlike the explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, a terrorist attack on the Crimean enterprise will affect other countries.

"If we compare the blackmail and the triggering of a man-made disaster related to the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, it was a more local situation, but the one related to the Titan plant will have an international character. According to experts, the affected area may reach other countries, including Turkey, Romania, and Moldova, and this should worry the leadership of these countries and increase international pressure," Humeniuk said.

As Ukrinform reported, the day before, during the national telethon "United News", National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that Crimean Titan and Zaporizhzhia NPP are key facilities where Russian occupation forces can strike, but this will not stop the process of liberating Ukraine from the enemy.

Earlier it was reported that the invaders had taken valuable equipment from the Crimean Titan plant, and currently there is only one shop producing nitrogen fertilizers. Currently, 200 tons of ammonia are stored there.
Latvia has already provided Ukraine with military aid alone amounting to more than 1% of its GDP, including the transfer of all available Stinger MANPADS, and is going to complete the transfer of all its helicopters.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, this was announced by Prime Minister of Latvia Krisjanis Karins at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

At the beginning of his speech, he pointed out that Latvia never had any illusions about Russia, and therefore, against the background of Russia's build-up of troops near the Ukrainian border, in November-December 2021, a decision was made to send Stinger MANPADS to Ukraine. After receiving U.S. approval for the supply of these American weapons, the Stingers "arrived in Ukraine just one day before the full-scale invasion, and thankfully they became part of the solution of keeping the Russians from taking the airport which was part of their initial plan."

"Since that time, our government has spent over 1.3% of our GDP on all kinds of aid to Ukraine, over 1% is military [aid] alone. So all our Stinger missiles are now in Ukraine. We had a fleet of helicopters, all of those helicopters  the last ones are still being repainted so that they are usable and look good  are going to Ukraine," Karins said.

In addition, Latvia continues to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide ammunition and drones.

In addition, both the government and civil society provide prompt and effective humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine.

"So as a nation, we understand the Ukrainians. Because what are they fighting for? They are fighting for many things, but you can boil it down to three values: freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We all talk about these things all the time. We are all freedom fighters But, friends, Ukrainians are freedom fighters, and we are now freedom supporters," said the Prime Minister of Latvia.

He pointed out the need to increase support for Ukraine, as well as to fully integrate Ukraine into the EU and NATO.

Karins added that all frozen Russian assets must be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine, and he also emphasized the need to hold the Russian leadership accountable for all crimes committed.

"So, united we will stand. We will stand with and behind Ukraine. And in the end, we will prevail. Slava Ukraini!" the Head of Government of Latvia concluded his speech.

As reported, Ukraine Recovery Conference is taking place in London on June 21-22. The event is a continuation of the annual Ukraine reform conferences which have been held since 2017.
The United Kingdom will provide a major financial support package for Ukraine, including $3 billion of additional guarantees to unlock World Bank lending.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated this in his opening address at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Im proud that today were announcing a multiyear commitment to support Ukraines economy, and over the next three years, we will provide loan guarantees worth $3 billion, he said.

In addition, Sunak announced the launch of a new UK-Ukrainian tech bridge to foster investment and talent, along with support for green energy and more all part of a vast collective effort from allies and partners around the world.

According to him, in order to attract investments to Ukraine, the Ukraine Business Compact is being launched so that the private sector can pledge its support for Ukraines recovery and reconstruction". Over 400 businesses from 38 countries with a combined market cap of $4.9 trillion have already jointed this initiative.

In addition, the head of the British government announced the launch of the London Conference Framework for War Risk Insurance, which is a huge step forward towards helping insurers to underwrite the investments into Ukraine, removing one of the biggest barriers and giving investors the confidence they need to act.

Its clear Russia must pay for the destruction that theyve inflicted. So were working with allies to explore lawful routes to use Russian assets. And on Monday, we publish new legislation to allow us to keep sanctions in place until Russia pays up, Sunak said.

He noted that the examples of Maryinka and Mariupol make it clear that "what Russia cannot capture, it will try to destroy. What Russia cannot take, it will seek to destroy. They want to do the same to Ukraines economy. And the scale of the challenge is real. The war brought a 29% Fall in Ukraines GDP last year, Sunak said.

Also, the British Prime Minister stressed that despite the threat of attacks, Ukrainians continue to live and do business, and President Zelensky's government is determined to promote reforms to become more open, more transparent and ready for investment.

Before this terrible war Ukraines economy was becoming a huge investment opportunity. It was the breadbasket of Europe, exporting millions of tonnes of food and grain each month. Top five exporter of iron ore and steel, a leader in energy, pushing forward renewables hydrogen and electric vehicles, and the startup nation, which helped spark names like PayPal, WhatsApp and revolute with a thriving tech sector, Sunak said.

According to Sunak, the truth is that opportunity is still there today. In fact, the war has only proved how much Ukraine has to offer, he said.

According to the website of the British government, Great Britain has allocated 240 million of bilateral assistance to Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform, the international Ukraine Recovery Conference is held in London on June 21-22.
The World Bank and donors are providing Ukraine with an additional $1.75 billion in support of relief and recovery efforts.

This is said in a press release published on the website of the World Bank on June 21, Ukrinform reports.

The World Bank Group announced today $1.75 billion in additional support for Ukraine. The financing is composed of a $500 million World Bank loan guaranteed by the United Kingdom, a $1.25 billion grant from the United States, and a $15 million grant from the Government of Finland, the report says.

The support package is part of the World Banks Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE) Project, which helps Ukraine sustain critical service delivery capacity and core government functions at the national and regional levels.

This additional financing for the PEACE project builds on previous funding and will continue to provide support in key sectors such as health care, education, payment of pensions, social assistance programs, and wages for employees providing core government services.

This steady international support is essential to helping Ukraine meet its staggering financing needs in 2023, said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director.

Since its inception in June 2022, the PEACE project has enabled the Government of Ukraine to sustain support for an estimated 13 million beneficiaries, including 10 million pensioners, 500,000 school employees, 145,000 government employees, 56,000 first responders, and over three million social assistance beneficiaries and internally displaced persons.

As reported, the PEACE project combines loans and grants from the World Bank and other development partners, and currently totals $19.745 billion.

With todays announcement the World Bank Group has now mobilized nearly $35 billion in emergency financing in support of the people of Ukraine, including commitments and pledges from donors including: the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, and Belgium.
The German government will provide Ukraine with an extra 381 million in humanitarian aid in 2023.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock stated this in her opening address at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

She stressed that the German government is intensifying efforts to restore Ukraine. This recovery begins with humanitarian support.

Germany will provide Ukraine with an additional EUR 381 million for humanitarian assistance in 2023," Baerbock said.

According to her, this aid will go to "everything" - "from generators to food, and tents." Germany will also continue assistance in humanitarian demining of territories.

She noted that since the war began, Germany has provided Ukraine with EUR 16.8 billion of assistance, including military aid.

As reported by Ukrinform, the two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference started in London Wednesday, June 21.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal took part in the official reception hosted by King Charles III of the United Kingdom for the heads of foreign delegations.

"It is a great honour for me to attend the official reception hosted by His Majesty King Charles III for the heads of foreign delegations. I thanked Great Britain for organising the Recovery Conference and His Majesty for his personal engagement in the process, which underlines the importance of the reconstruction," Shmyhal posted on Telegram.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that it will be possible to attract the necessary resources for the recovery and development of Ukraine with the assistance and support of King Charles III.

"I thank the people of the United Kingdom for the comprehensive support for Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor for our common values and peace on the European continent," Shmyhal noted.

As reported, Shmyhal arrived in London to participate in Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Photo: Denys Shmyhal, Telegram
| By Emily Chappell

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, has announced the appointment of Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD 11, MS 05, BSN 04, CRNP-Neonatal, FNAP, FAAN, as the next Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON).

An experienced researcher at international and national levels, educator, clinician, and public servant, Ogbolu is an associate professor (tenured) and has served as chair of UMSONs Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice and co-director of its Center for Health Equity and Outcomes Research.

Ogbolus work in community health embodies the Universitys mission of improving the human condition, Jarrell said.

Through her research and scholarship focus on health equity, improving the social determinants of health, dissemination and implementation of health equity research and policy into clinical practice, and improving the lives of vulnerable newborns and their families, Dr. Ogbolu is the perfect choice to lead the School of Nursing into its next chapter, Jarrell said.

Ogbolu was chosen for dean position from a talented pool of candidates after a national search. The committee was chaired by Mark A. Reynolds, DDS 86, PhD 99, MA, dean of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and Lisa Rowen, DNSc, RN, CENP, FAAN, chief nurse executive for the University of Maryland Medical System and professor and alumna of UMSON.

Given the strong national and global reputation of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, we received applications from an impressive number of highly accomplished candidates, Reynolds said. Dr. Ogbolu is a standout, offering a distinguished record of academic achievement and health sciences leadership, demonstrated commitment to health equity, and unwavering dedication to the School of Nursing. She is ideally suited to lead the School of Nursing and to further advance excellence in education, research, clinical care, and service  helping chart the future of nursing and the transformation of health care.

We are thrilled to be able to collaborate with Dr. Ogbolu as she assumes the role of the next dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Dr. Ogbolu has an expansive vision for the future of the school, knows the health care needs of our community well, and has expressed a deep commitment to continuing the close partnership and innovation the University of Maryland Medical System has enjoyed with UMSON and Dean Jane Kirschling, Rowen said. We thank Dean Kirschling for her remarkable collaboration and dedication to our collective work on nursing practice, education, and research. UMMS nurses are fortunate to work closely with nursing leaders of such distinction as Dean Kirschling and Dr. Ogbolu.

Ogbolu was appointed to the UMSON faculty in 2010 as deputy director of the schools Office of Global Health and became its director in 2015. During her tenure, she developed and grew the global health program at UMSON and at UMB. She forged and maintained international partnerships; developed new global health education initiatives, including a Global Health Certificate program and service-learning opportunities; and created a culture of interprofessional collaboration across campus.

It is an honor to be named the next dean of the School of Nursing, and I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of Dean Kirschling and grateful for her many contributions to the school and to the nursing profession, Ogbolu said. I also have great hope and optimism for the future as we begin the next chapter in our history as a trailblazing school of nursing, building on the work of our predecessors and the schools 134-year legacy of excellence.

A Career Dedicated to Addressing Health Disparities

Ogbolu has dedicated her career to addressing health disparities in marginalized local and global communities.

Early in her career, she helped lead development of the Primary Care Health Specialist curriculum for advanced practice in Nigeria and later served as an expert reviewer for the World Health Organization on the implementation science curriculum for health professionals in low-resource settings. She also served as the principal investigator on a seven-year pioneering program to address the critical shortage of medical, nursing, and dental workers in Rwanda, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Global Fund (Ministry of Health Rwanda). This work developed curriculum and nurse educators to advance clinical nursing practice through development and implementation of evidence-based programs to improve health disparities in patient outcomes.

Most recently, Ogbolus efforts have been focused on addressing local health inequities, including improving the provision of care to culturally and linguistically diverse patients and addressing social determinants of health and social isolation.

Her passion for addressing global and local inequities resulted in her receiving a three-year, $950,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) as the principal investigator to develop the Global Learning for Health Equity Network, a program she co-directs with faculty in the UMB Center for Global Engagement. The national network is examining ways to learn from other countries to address health care inequities in local communities. It builds on Ogbolus work in applying lessons from Brazil to issues of family isolation in West Baltimore, utilizing a reciprocal innovation/global learning study model funded under a $683,000 grant also from RWJF. This earlier work was one of only six projects funded worldwide to address social isolation, a growing, global epidemic.

Drawing on her internationally recognized expertise in this area, she was invited to present The Global Movement Toward Health Equity plenary session at the 2021 Global Philanthropy Forum. The session focused on how health equity is imperative to advancing societal well-being and ensuring effective health systems as well as improving social determinants of health. It highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and discovering how global solutions can be applied to problems domestically.

She also serves as the principal investigator on a $2.4 million Pathways for Health Equity grant, awarded in 2022 by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, that has funded the development of the West Baltimore RICH (Reducing Isolation and Inequities in Cardiovascular Health) Collaborative, a partnership of 14 community- and faith-based, academic, and health care organizations in West Baltimore, including UMSON and two other UMB entities. The collaborative aims to address hypertension and social isolation in four ZIP codes, selected due to race-based disparities in the represented areas.

A Trailblazer in the Field of Nursing

Raised just two blocks from UMB, Ogbolu describes her commitment to UMB and Baltimore as unwavering, partly because this is the neighborhood where I grew up and in which I now have the capacity to lead change.

As chair of the Social Determinants of Health Taskforce of Baltimore City, formed in 2018 following legislation sponsored by former state Sen. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, MAS, BSN 80, RN, FAAN, who is also an UMSON alumna, Ogbolu leads a group charged with identifying and examining the negative social factors that cause hardship for Baltimore residents and for developing and implementing solutions.

Embracing my identity while understanding that each person has their own story has been essential to my leadership journey, Ogbolu said in her application for the position. My strong commitment to advancing equity is partly because I have experienced inequities similar to the disparities our University neighbors continue to face today.

Fifteen years after becoming a nurse and while continuing to practice as a board-certified neonatal nurse practitioner, Ogbolu returned to nursing school and became a three-time UMSON graduate, earning her BSN, MS, and PhD from the school.

While a graduate student, she received numerous honors, including being named a National Institutes of Health Fogarty Fellow. Her dissertation examined the impact of nurse work organization on newborn survival in 28 health care locations in Nigeria and illuminated the health challenges nurses and other health professionals face in attempting to address neonatal disparities in low-resource settings. At graduation, she was recognized with the Outstanding PhD Student: Research, Service, and Practice Award.

Ogbolus ability to apply research findings related to health equity to public policy was evident early in her academic career. Shortly after completing her PhD, she was awarded one of 12 highly competitive national Nurse Faculty Scholar Awards from RWJF.

With additional training through the National Institutes of Health in Dissemination and Implementation in Research in Health, her study (2013-17) on organizational cultural competency and its association with patient experiences in care examined organizational and contextual factors that drove or impeded adoption of cultural competency standards, evaluated the readiness of health care organizations to deliver culturally competent care, and assessed whether adoption of cultural competency standards was associated with improved patient reported experiences. This resulted in publications in major nursing journals derived from the study, and data from the study was subsequently used by the National Quality Forum (NQF) Disparities Standing Committees 2017 report A Roadmap for Promoting Health Equity and Eliminating Disparities: The Four Is for Health Equity. Ogbolu was appointed a member of the influential Health Disparities Standing Committee for NQF in recognition of her contribution and expertise.

Ogbolu has authored and co-authored a number of articles that have appeared in the Annals of Global Health; Journal of Addictions Nursing; Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing: JOGNN; Neonatal Network; Bulletin of the World Health Organization; and The Journal of Nursing Research and Practice, among others.

Recognized as a leader in nursing, she has been invited to participate in national-level committees with the American Nurses Association (ANA), the National League for Nursing, and the National Quality Forums Disparities Standing Committee, where she served as the only nurse. She also serves on the ANAs Subcommittee on Racism in Nursing Research.

Ogbolu has received numerous honors and awards, including as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, a fellow of the National Academies of Practice, and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholar. She also has received the Harriet Tubman Legacy in Maternal Child Health Nursing Award from the Minority Nurses Association of Maryland and a Governors Citation Award from former Gov. Martin OMalley. She was the 2022 UMB Founders Week Public Servant of the Year, recognized as a 2015 UMB Champion of Excellence, won the 2014 UMB Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Faculty Diversity Recognition Award, and was one of three faculty speakers at UMBs inaugural Convocation in 2022.

There is no question that the landscape of health care and nursing is changing rapidly and that the issues of today are complex and difficult, she said. But the School of Nursing is well prepared to address new challenges given our tradition of innovation in research and scholarship, education, practice, and policy, as well as our commitment to authentic collaboration.

As I dedicate the next phase of my 35-year nursing career to serving as dean, I am inspired and excited by the opportunity to work with our diverse and amazing students, our staff and faculty, our alumni and supporters, our University colleagues, and our many clinical, community, and academic partners. The opportunities for us to contribute to making a true difference in individual lives and in our communities are all around us, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

Ogbolu succeeds Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the inaugural Bill and Joanne Conway Dean, who announced last October her decision to retire at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. Ogbolu will officially begin her position in this new role July 17.

About the University of Maryland School of Nursing

The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral programs, the school develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

In the 2024 edition of U.S. News & World Reports Americas Best Graduate Schools, UMSON was ranked in the top 10 across the board for public schools of nursing out of 648 accredited nursing schools surveyed. Both its Master of Science in Nursing program and its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program are tied at No. 7 among public schools of nursing. Four specialties were ranked No. 1 and two others ranked in the top five among public schools of nursing. The schools Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is ranked third among all public nursing schools nationally in the 2022-23 edition of U.S. News & World Reports Best Colleges.

UMSON was the first nursing school in the nation and is the only one in Maryland with an Institute for Educators, which focuses on preparing future nurse educators throughout the state while offering ongoing education and professional development for UMSONs own faculty and other educators. It has long offered a graduate Teaching in Nursing and the Health Professions Certificate, which prepares nurses for educator roles, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to work effectively in academic and practice settings, whether in person or online. The school has a long history of early adoption of important advances in nursing education, including establishing the first nursing informatics masters and PhD programs in the world and the first online RN-to-BSN, Community/Public Health masters specialty, and civilian Doctor DNP Nurse Anesthesia specialty in the state.

UMSON proudly embraces its anti-oppression statement In UniSON: Together We Commit, Together We Act, which affirms the schools commitment to creating an environment where all are welcomed and supported to be successful. For the fifth consecutive year, UMSON was recognized with a Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine in 2022. UMSON is passionate about its longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

About the University of Maryland, Baltimore

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) was founded in 1807 as the Maryland College of Medicine, which now stands as the nations oldest public medical school. In response to growing social and cultural needs, UMBs mission has evolved and grown tremendously. Widely recognized as a preeminent institution, UMB serves as the academic health, law, and social work university of the University System of Maryland, and is guided by a mission of excellence in education, research, clinical care, and public service.

UMB is a thriving academic health center combining cutting-edge biomedical research, exceptional patient care, and nationally ranked academic programs. With extramural funding totaling $654 million in Fiscal Year 2022, each tenured/tenure-track faculty member generates an average of $1.5 million in research grants each year. More than 3,100 faculty members conduct leading-edge research and develop solutions and technologies that impact human health locally and around the world. World-class facilities and cores, as well as interprofessional centers and institutes, allow faculty to investigate pressing questions in a highly collaborative fashion. As a result, the more than 7,000 students, postdocs, and trainees directly benefit from working and learning alongside leading experts as they push the boundaries of their fields. For a listing of the organized research centers and institutes, visit www.umaryland.edu/research/umb- research-profile/research-centers-and-institutions/.

To watch Ogbolu speak about her work, visit:
(Bloomberg) -- Amancio Ortega, the billionaire founder of Inditex SA, acquired a warehouse in the Netherlands, marking his first move into European logistics after a buying spree in the United States last year.

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Ortegas investment vehicle, Pontegadea Inversiones SL, agreed to pay 105 million ($115.2 million) for a 103,000 square meter property located in Venlo, a logistics hub on the border with Germany, according to a company spokesperson. The facility is currently rented by Danish transport company DSV A/S.

While Ortegas portfolio has historically focused on premium commercial and residential real estate around the world, this deal comes on the back of a recent foray into the US logistics sector which saw the family office spend close to a billion dollars on warehouses across the country.

Ortegas real estate porfolio was valued at 15.3 billion as of 2021, the largest among Europes property family offices. This year, he is set to receive close to 2 billion in dividends through his 59% stake in Inditex.

In recent years, Pontegadea has also diversified its investments through stakes in infrastructure and energy.

The news was first reported by React News.

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The Culpeper County Planning Commission split its vote twice at a recent meeting in narrowly supporting a conditional use permit for a utility-scale solar project along State Route 3 in Stevensburg.

The commission on June 14 voted 43, affirming that the general location, character and extent of the application from North Ridge Culpeper Solar LLC was not in substantial accord with the comprehensive plan. Voting with the majority were Nate Clancy, Cindy Thornhill, Katie Reames and Keith Price.

The 2023 Culpeper County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designates the general area as agricultural and rural. A solar power plant is allowed through approval of a conditional use permit in the agricultural district.

The commission then voted 43 to recommend approval of the permit for the estimated $50 million project that will cover 252 acres with solar panels and equipment as part of a 355-acre site, part of family-owned Sherwood Farm.

Its slated for a location adjacent to the 1,000-acre Greenwood Solar project.

Commissioners Walter Burton, Raymond Zegley and Lance Kilby joined Price in recommending to the board of supervisors that the permit be approved, allowing the agricultural land for the industrial use, a continued contention among neighbors and preservation groups.

Clancy, Reames and Thornhill voted no.

Price stood by his first vote that the project is not in accord with the comprehensive plan, but said he thought the proposed solar facility worked at the site, recently timbered, while retaining a substantial tree buffer.

Its well-screened, the commissioner stated, saying the land has already been heavily impacted by the timber industry. Solar is not any worse.

The applicant, Kenneth Neimann of North Ridge Resources in Alexandria, reiterated the project would not be visible from the road, only from the sky.

Theres no prime farmland, he said, noting the site has 53 acres of wetlands and no sign of endangered species, including the Northern long-eared bat.

A newly enacted county ordinance limits total acreage for utility-scale solar in Culpeper to 2,400 acres and individual projects to no larger than 300 acres.

Price mentioned the county could see three to four more projects of this scope with minimal impact, and we can shut the door on solar.

The 2,400-limit includes NextEra Energys Greenwood Solar in Stevensburg, approved in 2018 by a split vote of the board, but not yet built.

According to Niemann, the two projects are not connected, development-wise.

Greenwood is required to be operational by the end of 2025, he said, adding they would break ground on Northridge, if approved, in 2025.

I think weve checked off all the boxes, Niemann said of the application.

He added the project conforms to the comprehensive plan as well as the county solar policy and the new solar ordinance. The project will be accessed via Sherwood Farm Road, off State Route 3.

Price asked about traffic impacts on Route 3 in Stevensburg if both projects commenced construction around the same time.

County Planning Director Sam McLearen said Route 3 is a major, four-lane divided highway that has a large carrying capacity for traffic. Both projects will require a traffic management plan, determining the need for flaggers and signs during construction, in coordination with VDOT, he continued.

Commission member Cindy Thornhill said its 45 miles per hour on Route 3 through Stevensburg, a primary access road for tourists and trucks.

I dont think this will be a simple thing, she stated.

Its a little helter-skelter for me at the moment, Thornhill added, saying the proposal would have a major impact on that portion of the four-lane corridor in Stevensburg, which is not industrially zoned land.

The village, dating to colonial times, is largely agricultural but has heavy industrial uses nearby, including Luckstone Quarry. The solar site for North Ridge is 2.5 miles from the countys oldest stone house at Salubria. It is less than two miles from the approved Amazon data center on farmland at Magnolia Equestrian Center.

Several members of the Kelsey family, owners of Sherwood Farm that has leased land agreements with the Greenwood and North Ridge solar projects, spoke at last weeks public hearing.

Were a family business, said David Kelsey. Its a huge asset split among the kids, but we have to make money. We should make it a resource that supports the family farm.

The solar project on blackjack soil will allow the family to keep the rest of the farm in agricultural, he said.

Neighbor Kerr Chase lives south of the proposed project and Greenwood on another side.

I might be the one guy that could see both of them, all day, every day, forever, he said at the public hearing.

Chase said a recent appraisal of his property reported a 25% decrease in value if located next to solar facilities.

That represents a big piece of my familys financial worth, he said.

Chase called for ample buffering and maintenance of the access road.

Laura Kelsey said installation of solar panels on non-prime soil is an excellent use. She said the power generated would go directly to the Culpeper substation and distributed locally and it was important to their family that they keep the farm.

Susan Ralston of Stevensburg, founder Citizens for Responsible Solar, said she could not support the project on farmland, stating such projects should be located on land that is marginal or contaminated, on industrial land, along highways and on rooftops, both commercial and residential.

Ralston said the project violates the spirit of the new ordinance. It makes the 1,000 acre project 1,300-acres, she said. It should be denied.

Paige Kelsey Russell quoted from the Piedmont Environmental Council website in stating the benefits of solar power are multi-fold, saying North Ridge would feed the local power grid with a renewable source. The proposed site will have easy access from Route 3, she said, surrounded by the family farm.

Family members live there, graze cows and grow crops, she said, but the land is question for the solar site is not suitable for either, Russell said. The solar project will help sustain the agricultural use of the farmable portion, she continued.

Tiffany Kelsey added, during the public hearing in asking the planning commission to approve, We love this farm. This is the one chance I can imagine where our kids and grandkids will get know the farm we have known.

Since the planning commissions deferral of the case back in April, the applicant worked diligently to provide missing and additional information related to analysis of floodplain at the site, stormwater, soil conditions, vegetation management and landscaping, reported McLearen. Panel height will be a maximum of 18 feet, in compliance with county rules, he said.

A view shed analysis at the site was conducted, helped by the fact that the project will not include a substation or other major infrastructure, McLearen stated. A large tree buffer remains around the clear cut land.

Blasting to install flood ponds will likely not be necessary at the site, according to the county and the applicant. In addition, the applicant provided communications with representatives from Williams Transco pipeline that runs through the property. The applicant noted it would comply with all Transco requirements for notifications and use of right of way, including potential payment.
Candidates who were endorsed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin won in all primary races Tuesday, including in the Fredericksburg-area 27th Senate District, where Del. Tara Durant beat restaurant owner Matt Strickland, who campaigned under the slogan Crush the Establishment.

For the Republicans, the primary contest was good news for Gov. Youngkin, said Stephen Farnsworth, professor at the University of Mary Washington and director of the universitys Center for Leadership and Media Studies. The candidates that he backed pretty consistently won their primaries around the Commonwealth and so the governors effort to secure a majority in the legislature was strengthened by Republican primary voter preferences.

Durant won the primary with 57% of the vote compared to Stricklands 42.9%, according to preliminary results posted by the Virginia Public Access Project.

The redrawn 27th Senate District includes all of Fredericksburg, 31 precincts in Stafford County and 12 precincts in Spotsylvania County.

Strickland did best in Spotsylvania, where his restaurant, Gourmeltz, is located and where he lost to Durant by only 12 votes, according to VPAP.

But he is not as well known in Stafford, which is Durants home base and where the lions share of the electorate in the district is located, Farnsworth said. When you have a financial advantage and youre an incumbent and you have the governors support, its a real uphill environment for a challenger.

Durant won almost 59% of the Republican primary votes in Stafford and 71% of those in Fredericksburg.

In a post on her campaign Facebook page, Durant said she is honored to be your Republican candidate and called for the party to unite so we can tear down the Democrats brick wall in the Senate and send a Republican majority to Richmond in November!

The Democrats also held a primary race in the 27th Senate District, and results bucked a statewide trend that favored more progressive candidates, Farnsworth said.

In Northern Virginia, several senior Democratic incumbents were defeated by challengers, redefining the party in a more liberal direction, Farnsworth said.

But in the Fredericksburg area, Joel Griffin  a moderate Democrat who came to the race relatively recently but with the backing of party officials  beat progressive candidate Ben Litchfield with 59.7% of the vote.

(Rep. Abigail) Spanberger and former delegate Cole in particular were key voices to help shape the preferences of a number of Democratic voters in the district, Farnsworth said. Neither Griffin nor Litchfield were all that well known, and so when a candidate doesnt have a lot of name recognition, endorsements can be more powerful.

The other area Senate primary, in the 29th district, which includes six Stafford County precincts as well as most of Prince William County, is headed for a recount on both sides.

Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Jeremy McPike is leading challenger Elizabeth Guzman by 46 votes and on the Republican side, Nikki Rattray Baldwin is ahead of Maria Martin by just 10 votes.

The 29th district leans blue, Farnsworth said, and neither Baldwin nor Martin were endorsed by Youngkin.

There was also a Republican primary for the 65th House District, which includes all of Fredericksburg, four precincts in Spotsylvania and 10 in Stafford.

Lee Peters, a captain in the Stafford Sheriffs Office, won that race by a wide margin over Michael Kasey, who endorsed Strickland and garnered just 23% of the vote.

Peters will face pastor and former delegate Joshua Cole in November.

Stafford County also held a primary for treasurer. According to preliminary results, deputy Commissioner of the Revenue Mike Sienkowski narrowly won with 50.9% of the vote to Heather Mitchells 49%.

Farnsworth said Fredericksburg-area voters should expect a really intense fall campaign season, as control of the state Senate could come down to the 27th District.

For Republicans, the key issue has been Democratic opposition to the governors agenda, he said. If Gov. Youngkin is able to secure Republican majorities in the legislature, his final two years will be a lot more successful than his first two.

For Democrats, were talking about the mirror image. Democrats are likely to run on, What would happen if the Republicans did control Virginia across the board?
The UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme reviews and enhances interregional practical cooperation and information exchange

On 23-24 May 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly with the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan organized in Baku, Azerbaijan the Eighth Annual Meeting of Heads and senior-level officials from Customs services and other competent authorities of the countries, participating in the UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme (CCP). Delegations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, as well as UNODC and WCO Headquarters, programme partners and donors reviewed the current progress, perspectives, challenges, and priorities in implementing the CCP and the MoU on the Inter-Regional Network of Customs Authorities and Port Control Units (IREN) in the region.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Shahin Baghirov, Chairperson of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan underlined the importance of the work performed by the CCP in terms of prevention and suppression of cross-border trafficking in illicit goods, customs control cooperation, and trade facilitation in the region, briefed on current accomplishments made and priority areas for further work under the Programme, and thanked UNODC and WCO for their continuous efforts and support in these matters.

Ms. Ashita Mittal, the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, extended the appreciation to the Government of Azerbaijan for hosting the event and to donors for their consistent and continuous support to the UNODCs initiatives in the region and mentioned in her welcoming remarks that The work that we do through the Container Control Programme is not only about preventing the illicit drug trafficking or its goods. It is really about also a trade promotion. This is a very unique partnership between the WCO and UNODC, developed with the perspective of supporting the participating Member States with all that we can bring. And what the UN can do is to bring to you good examples and good expertise, and most importantly  this platform to exchange the experiences and to look at the will to convert it into actionable goals that we can achieve together.

Mr. Bob Van Den Berghe, Deputy Head, Passenger and Cargo Border Team (PCBT), Border Management Branch (BMB) at UNODC Headquarters, reiterated in his opening remarks a unique role the PCBT plays in assisting the countries through bringing the expertise and international best practice to the region, as well as facilitating the strategic and practical cooperation. The fact that UNODCs contribution through CCP/PCBT is informing the policy and decisions by participating Governments and Customs administrations was commended. Successes achieved through a series of interregional operations with tangible results and improved teamwork were highlighted. It was stressed that the UNODC BMB also keeps pace with new developments and trends in the international trade and supply chains, as well as a clear nexus between various faces and manifestations of the transnational organized crime to accommodate the coverage and mandates of its border management programmes to better address the resultant challenges and modus operandi.

Mr. Robert Pazos, Regional Advisor, Export Control and Border Security Program (EXBS) commended the existing cooperation under the IREN and underlined that EXBS views these successes, created by CCP, such as IREN, as good examples of UNODC fostering cooperation and strengthening an enforcement in the region. Among the efforts to combat common threats and challenges, this meeting offers an opportunity to share best practices and experiences, and to gather knowledge on what participating countries are doing. I look forward to learning the IREN success stories and seeing what together we could foster in terms of common solutions to common challenges and priorities.

The major global and regional highlights of the CCP, as well as accomplishments and seizures from 2022 CCP Global Annual Report were provided in the UNODC and WCO joint presentation. The countries were briefed about the current integration of border-related programming under the BMB, including new dimensions of CCP mandate towards joining efforts with AIRCOP; concerted approaches with other regional border initiatives; and overall perspectives and targets under the CCPs 2022-2025 Strategy.

These were followed by countries statements and presentations on their efforts in the strategic and practical implementation of the Programme and IREN MoU at the national level, including the progress, achievements, international cooperation, joint seizures, challenges, priorities, and needs. As a result of discussions and joint work held, the participants have developed and adopted the list of meeting outcomes.

The CCP Interregional Anti-Corruption Workshop was held on 25 May 2023 for the participants as a back-to-back activity to the Annual Meeting to provide an insight to countries on anti-corruption and integrity in public and Customs systems. Vladimir Kozin, UNODC Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser in Central Asia and South Caucasus; Zhaidar Inkerbayev, the WCO Integrity Expert; and Vitalii Kasko, independent anti-corruption expert led the sessions and moderated the discussions on integrity in law-enforcement, public, and Customs systems globally; strategic response mechanisms, achievements, and challenges. Participants worked through the practical expert case studies and different scenarios of corruption in Customs and answered questions on ways and mechanisms to prevent and address them based on their legislature and enforcement practices.

The participants expressed their appreciation to UNODC for the longstanding and well-structured support provided within the framework of CCP based on countries national needs and priorities in terms of capacity-building and facilitating interregional practical cooperation and information exchange mechanisms and practices. The progress in the further improvement of the cooperation under the CCP IREN Network was reiterated as a crucial dedicated contribution of the Programme to countries efforts in preventing and suppressing illegal cross-border cargo movements and facilitating the legitimate trade.

The CCP Regional Segments for Central Asia, Southern Caucasus and Pakistan are funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS).

More about Global CCP at: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/ccp/index.html

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist

at UNODC ROCA

+996775987817 WhatsApp / Cell phone

vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org
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Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2023 ) :Scientists have used stem cells to create structures that resemble human embryos in the lab, in a first that has prompted calls for stricter regulation in the rapidly advancing field.

Several different labs around the world have released pre-print studies in the past seven days describing their research, which experts said should be treated with caution as the research has not yet been peer-reviewed.

The labs used different techniques to encourage human embryonic stem cells, which can become any type of cell, to self-assemble into a structure that resembles an embryo -- without needing sperm, an egg, or fertilization.

The aim is to give scientists a model with which to study human embryos in ways never before possible because of ethical concerns, in the hopes of gaining new insight into the causes of birth defects, genetic disorders, infertility, and other problems during pregnancy.

The first announcement was last Wednesday when Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of Cambridge University and the California Institute of Technology described her team's work at the International Society for Stem Cell Research's annual meeting in Boston.

Her presentation was first reported by The Guardian newspaper.

On Thursday, the team of Jacob Hanna at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel published a pre-print study detailing their own work on stem cell-based human embryo models.

The Zernicka-Goetz team then quickly published a pre-print of their own, giving more information. Other labs based in China and the United States followed suit, releasing pre-prints late last week.

Researchers have pushed back against media reports calling the clumps of cells "synthetic embryos," saying that they are neither strictly synthetic, having grown from stem cells, nor should they be considered embryos.
Afghanistan, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2023 ) :A zero energy cold storage with a capacity of keeping 500 tons of agricultural products has been built in Afghanistan's western Farah province, Mawlawi Nooruddin Anas, provincial director for agriculture, irrigation and livestock, said on Wednesday.

Built at a cost of 300,000 U.S.

Dollars, the cold storage would enable farmers in Farah province to well store products, the official said.

Farah's major agricultural products include watermelon, melon, tomato, potato, onion, cucumber, cauliflower and eggplant.

"It is really a matter of pleasure for me and for all the farmers in Farah province to take benefit from the cold storage this year," farmer Ismael Sultani told Xinhua.

The Ministry for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock plans to build more cold storages in the war-ravaged country, according to Anas.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2023 ) :Health experts on the World Yoga Day here Wednesday have stressed for creating public awareness about the benefits of Yoga exercise to promote mental, emotional, and spiritual equilibrium and emphasize balance in our busy and modern life.

A yoga expert Basit Amin talking to ptv news channel, explained that Yoga was essential for demonstrating the significance of physical and mental well-being in contemporary culture. The Day also encourages establishing a regular meditation practice to foster mental clarity and self-awareness, both essential for thriving in a stress-free atmosphere, he added.

He said that International Yoga Day was celebrated every year on 21 June worldwide including Pakistan to spread awareness about health and fitness. This year, the theme of the Day is 'Let's know more about International Yoga Day 2023', he said and added, Yoga is a powerful exercise method for combating stress and promoting overall well-being as through a combination of physical postures, controlled breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices.

The Yoga provides the chance to learn the fundamentals of yoga and benefit from its many rewards, he said.

Replying a question, he said mindfulness techniques like breath awareness and meditation help with stress management, improving focus and cultivating a calm state of mind.

These practices also improve sleep, improve immune function, and boost overall resilience," he added.

"Professionals can find balance, reduce burnout, and improve their overall well-being by incorporating yoga and mindfulness into their daily routines," he added.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the Summit as leading stakeholder of G-77 and head of the one of the largest developing countries most affected by climate change.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-June 21st, 2023) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has left for a two-day official visit to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

During his visit, he will participate in the New Global Financing Pact Summit being held in Paris.

The Summit will prove to be an opportunity for the leaders to discuss the contours of a new global architecture capable of meeting the challenges of financing sustainable development, environment, energy transition and climate change agenda.

The Prime Minister will address the Summit as leading stakeholder of G-77 and head of the one of the largest developing countries most affected by climate change.

He will present Pakistan's perspective and proposals for reform of International Financial Institutions, climate finance, green infrastructure, attainment of the SDGs and solutions related to debt.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders on the sidelines of theSummit.
The father and son aboard the missing Titanic tourist submersible hail from one of Pakistan's most prominent and wealthiest families, who are known for their philanthropic contributions to the country

Karachi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2023 ):The father and son aboard the missing Titanic tourist submersible hail from one of Pakistan's most prominent and wealthiest families, who are known for their philanthropic contributions to the country.

Dual British-Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman, 19 -- who together spent half a million dollars on an exclusive excursion -- are part of the Dawood empire, which has become one of the most profitable in Pakistan.

The patriarch at the top of the chain, Shahzada's father Hussain Dawood, is one of Pakistan's richest men, according to local media.

After Pakistan was founded in 1947, the Dawoods provided funding to the government and were behind the first wave of industrialisation, said Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, a business tycoon and stock trader in Karachi.

"They set up major industrial projects and thus provided employment to thousands of people in the newborn country," Dhedhi told AFP.

He described the family as being "one of the top philanthropic groups in Pakistan", adding: "They don't boast about any of it." The Dawood conglomerate includes Engro, of which Shahzada is the vice chairman. It boasts investments in energy, agriculture, petrochemical and telecommunications ventures and clocked a revenue of 350 billion rupees ($1.2 billion) in 2022.

Educated in the UK and the United States, Shahzada lives in Britain with his wife Christine, his son Suleman and his daughter Alina.

A family statement described Shahzada as a "loving father" with a keen interest in "photography, especially wildlife photography, and exploring different natural habitats".

Suleman enjoys Rubik's Cube puzzles, volleyball and "is a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things," it added.

Shahzada's interest in exploration extends to space and he is a trustee of the California-based Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI), which looks for evidence of alien life, according to its website.

Shahzada and his family are perhaps most revered for their philanthropic work -- particularly providing business and education opportunities for young people from low-income backgrounds.

Since the 1960s, the Dawood Foundation has focused on establishing education institutions across Pakistan -- particularly catering to the demand for engineers and technology experts.

Shahzada is also on the board of the Prince's Trust in Britain -- a charity that helps young people get jobs, education and training.

In February 2020, he was a keynote speaker on a panel at the United Nations on equality in agriculture.

"Women are under-represented in such an important fact, which is our food and our livelihood. We need to look at the perspective of women first," he said.

Both Shahzada and his father Hussain were named in the 2016 publication of the so-called Panama Papers -- a leak of more than 11.5 million financial and legal records exposing secretive offshore accounts of the world's rich and powerful.

Both were listed as having accounts in the British Virgin Islands between 2005 and 2009.

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Iran's top diplomat Wednesday held "constructive" talks with his Omani counterpart in Muscat, a day after Tehran held discussions in Doha on its nuclear programme with Qatari and EU officials

Muscat, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2023 ):Iran's top diplomat Wednesday held "constructive" talks with his Omani counterpart in Muscat, a day after Tehran held discussions in Doha on its nuclear programme with Qatari and EU officials.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is on a tour of the Gulf that will see the Iranian foreign minister also making stops later in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

On Wednesday, he met with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi who said they discussed "continued consultations and cooperation" on issues of bilateral concern.

"There is great consensus in the visions of the two states on a series of issues... that will contribute to stability, security and peace," he said, quoted by the official Oman News Agency.

Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, called the meeting "constructive" and praised the effective cooperation between the two sides, ONA said.

Iran said last week it had been engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States through Oman, with nuclear issues, US sanctions and detainees on the agenda.

The following day, Iran's nuclear negotiator said he had met with diplomats from three European countries in Abu Dhabi to discuss a number of issues including the country's nuclear programme.

A landmark deal reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers was designed to prevent Tehran from secretly developing a nuclear bomb, a goal the Islamic republic has always denied.

The United States under then-president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018, before Iran began backing away from its own commitments, including by stepping up its enrichment of uranium.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has sought to revive the deal, but the process has stalled in on-off talks since 2021.

In recent weeks, the two sworn enemies have denied media reports that they were close to reaching an interim deal to replace the 2015 accord.

In Doha on Tuesday, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, held talks with the European Union's Iran nuclear talks coordinator Enrique Mora.

"I had a serious and constructive meeting with Enrique Mora in Doha," he said on social media on Wednesday.

"We discussed and exchanged opinions on a range of issues, including negotiations to lift sanctions." EU spokesperson Peter Stano confirmed the meeting, saying the bloc was "keeping diplomatic channels open, including through this meeting in Doha, to address all issues of concern with Iran".

Amir-Abdollahian also discussed "developments in the nuclear agreement" with his Qatari counterpart, according to the official Qatar News Agency.

Amir-Abdollahian was expected to travel to Kuwait later on Wednesday.
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd June, 2023) A coalition of Western countries is considering Romania as a place to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets, the Politico newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing the current and former Pentagon officials.

The group is reportedly working on a contract for aircraft training at a site in Romania. The training will likely be conducted by specialists from Lockheed Martin, which produces F-16s.

A Dutch Defense Ministry spokesperson told the newspaper that the coalition was working to establish an F-16 training center in Eastern Europe, while European officials neither confirmed nor denied that the proposal to train Ukrainian pilots in Romania is being discussed, the report said.

On Monday, Frank St. John, the chief operating officer for Lockheed Martin, said that the company was ready to train Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16s, if NATO allies agreed to send the jets to Kiev.

On June 16, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the timing of the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would depend on progress in the training of Ukrainian pilots.

Earlier in the month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a European Political Community press conference in Chisinau that a number of countries were ready to provide Ukraine with F-16s, the fighter jet of its choice.

Russia has criticized the possible delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, warning that the jets will become a legitimate military target for Russian forces. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that the delivery of F-16 fighters to Ukraine will be a further escalation because the jets have a modification that makes them nuclear-capable.
A Virginia legislative primary season marked by hard-fought campaigns in both parties came to a close Tuesday.

Voters picked their party's nominee for dozens of seats around the state, including some swing districts that will help determine the balance of power in the General Assembly. This year marks the first cycle in which legislative candidates are running in districts created during the redistricting process that ended in late 2021. The new maps were drawn by outside experts without regard to incumbent protection. That's contributed to a wave of retirements by many of the General Assembly's veteran lawmakers and diminished the name-recognition advantage for incumbents, some of whom are running in almost entirely new districts.

Virginia is one of the few states that holds its legislative races in odd-numbered years. With its unusual calendar and quasi-swing state status, the state's results are often closely watched for hints of voter sentiment heading into the following years midterm or presidential cycle.

Tuesday's primary had 22 contested races for the state Senate and 25 contested races for the House of Delegates. Some GOP nominations had already been settled through party-run contests.

Here's how Fredericksburg-area candidates fared, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Public Access Project:

27th Senate District

Preliminary tallies showed Del. Tara Durant, RStafford, won a tense GOP primary faceoff for the new State Senate seat in the 27th District, which includes Fredericksburg and parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties. Democrat voters chose Stafford Marine veteran and business owner Joel Griffin as their nominee in the new district.

Durant, a former Catholic school teacher who won the 28th District House seat in November 2021, ran against Spotsylvania restaurateur and Army veteran Matt Strickland, who was spurred to run for office after he battled state government over COVID-19 mandates.

"Today, the citizens of Stafford, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania made their voices heard," Durant posted to Facebook on Tuesday night. "I am honored to be your Republican candidate for Senate in the 27th District!"

Griffin ran against Ben Litchfield, a former chairman of the Stafford Democratic Committee.

"I am so incredibly proud to have received the support of Democrats all across our community in my race for State Senate District 27," Griffin said in a statement declaring victory Tuesday evening. "I look forward to carrying the mantle of Democrats all across our region come November.

Durant and Griffin will compete in the general election against Stafford Supervisor Monica Gary, who is running as an independent.

65th House District

Lee Peters III, a captain in the Stafford County Sheriffs Office and 12-year veteran of the Marine Corps, won the Republican nomination for House of Delegates District 65, according to unofficial results.

The district 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.

Michael Kasey, vice president of the Fredericksburg-based company Housing Opportunities Made Economical, competed with Peters for the GOP nomination.

Peters will face pastor and former delegate Joshua Cole, a Democrat, in the November general election.

"To the voters across the 65th District who placed their trust in me, thank you! It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected your Republican nominee to serve our community in the House of Delegates," Peters posted to social media Tuesday night.

Stafford treasurer

Two Republican candidates ran in the primary for Stafford treasurer. Mike Sienkowski, who serves as the county's deputy Commissioner of the Revenue and was endorsed by his boss, Commissioner Scott Mayausky, appears to have won a tight race against chief deputy Treasurer Heather Mitchell, who was endorsed by current Treasurer Laura Rudy.

According to unofficial results from the Virginia Public Access Project on Tuesday night, Sienkowski brought in 4,991 votes, or about 51% of the vote. There were 4,804 ballots cast for Mitchell, or about 49% of the vote.
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st June, 2023) Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks on Wednesday with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the Russian cabinet said in a statement.

"On June 21, 2023, in Moscow, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani," the cabinet said.

The prime ministers will discuss urgent issues of Russian-Qatari trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Special attention will be paid to implementation of joint projects in energy, industry, agriculture and other areas.
US intelligence agencies tracked employees of the Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE at suspected Chinese spy facilities in Cuba, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st June, 2023) US intelligence agencies tracked employees of the Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE at suspected Chinese spy facilities in Cuba, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

During the presidency of Donald Trump, US officials received tracking data of Huawei and ZTE workers entering and leaving sites suspected of conducting Chinese eavesdropping operations from the island, according to the report.

The sources said the intelligence reports strengthened suspicions within the Trump administration that the tech giants can be instrumental in expanding China's ability to spy on the United States from Cuba. However, it is unknown whether such practice is continued under incumbent US President Joe Biden.

Huawei and ZTE do not necessarily produce devices that can be used for eavesdropping or gathering intelligence, but they both specialize in technologies that can facilitate data transmission to China, according to the sources.

Huawei rejected such accusations in a statement, while ZTE and the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to a WSJ's request for comment, the news outlet noted.

Earlier in June, WSJ reported, citing US officials familiar with classified information, that China had reached a deal with Cuba to establish its spy base in the island nation as a response to US military activities near the Chinese borders, including in Taiwan. Commenting on the article, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the report "is not accurate." Cuba's Embassy in Washington said the article was "totally mendacious and unfounded information," while the Chinese diplomatic mission had no comment.
USM Graduate Student Selected as a 2023 SMDP Biotech Scholar

Wed, 06/21/2023 - 12:52pm | By: Ivonne Kawas Prado

Damilola Oyebode, a native of Oyo State, Nigeria who is pursuing a masters degree in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Cell and Molecular Biology at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), was selected as a 2023 Biotech Scientist Mentoring and Diversity Program (SMDP) Scholar.

The one-year career mentoring program pairs ethnically diverse students (Baccalaureate, Master, or Ph.D.) and early career researchers with industry mentors who work at companies in the medical technology, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare industries. Oyebode has been matched with industry mentor, Dr. Jimmy Belotte, who holds the position of medical director at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) R&D Oncology Clinical Development.

Oyebode was initially inspired by the positive experiences shared with her by a friend and former SMDP scholar. After hearing about it, she set a personal goal for herself to become a part of this years program to get to experience its numerous benefits firsthand.

Being selected as a Biotech Scholar for the 2023 cohort holds tremendous meaning and value to me, expressedOyebode. Learning about the exceptional opportunities SMDP offers, including the chance to network with industry professionals and receive personalized mentorship from an accomplished industry expert, heightened my enthusiasm to want to be a part of the program.

Through the one-week SMDP Biotech orientation and training sessions held in Boston earlier this month, Oyebodewas privileged to network with fellow scholars and seasoned mentors from diverse biotechnology and biopharmaceutical backgrounds.

After participating in the intensive one-week orientation and training session, I can confidently say that SMDP has exceeded my expectations, said Oyebode. This experience exposed me to the fundamental aspects of the biotechnology industry, the intricacies of the drug discovery process, and the various career opportunities available.

Oyebode also got the chance to participate in the renowned BIO International Convention (BIO2023), an esteemed event that brought together more than 15,000 industry scientists and leaders in the field of biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals from around the globe.

Attending BIO2023 enabled me to network with influential figures in major biotech industries, explore new avenues, and seek valuable professional guidance for navigating my career path, said Oyebode. Overall, this opportunity offered by SMDP will undoubtedly enhance my education, research, and professional development, equipping me with the necessary skills and connections to thrive in the biotech field.

As for being matched with industry mentor, Dr. Jimmy Belotte, Oyebode enthusiastically stated that this year-long mentorship opportunity holds great promise for shaping her professional journey, as it represents a remarkable milestone in her career.

Dr. Belotte's extensive expertise and longstanding dedication to ovarian cancer research, spanning over a decade, perfectly align with my aspirations in the biotech industry, said Oyebode. Working alongside Dr. Belotte as my SMDP mentor will undoubtedly have a profound impact on my career trajectory. I am genuinely excited about the learning opportunities that lie ahead and the potential for personal and professional growth under Dr. Belotte's guidance.

USM, along with Oyebodes faculty advisor, Dr. Yanlin Guo, have also played a pivotal role in supporting and nurturing her research endeavors. Oyebodes research focuses on helping mitigate pregnancy complications caused by thefoodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, by unraveling the mechanisms by which Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) overcomes immunological challenges.

I am deeply passionate about exploring cutting-edge innovative approaches to studying and addressing gynecological and genitourinary disorders in women and men, respectively. By delving into this specific area, I aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of how ESCs interact with pathogens and identify potential avenues for therapeutic interventions. It is well-documented that a significant percentage of miscarriages result from unsuccessful implantation, which can be attributed to the immunological challenges encountered by the early embryo during embryogenesis.

Unfortunately, the immune properties of the blastocyst, the preimplantation stage embryo, remain poorly understood, posing challenges in assessing the fate of embryos at this critical developmental phase, said Oyebode, whose research aims to address this knowledge gap.

The outcomes of addressing this knowledge gap can hold significant implications, as Oyebodes research can provide crucial insights into the development of innate immunity during the embryonic phase.

Oyebode praises Dr. Guo for his mentorship and says it has been invaluable in fueling her passion for scientific exploration and fostering a deep interest in her field of study.

The University has provided me with a solid academic foundation, and Dr. Guo has been an exceptional mentor who has been invested in my scientific and professional growth, said Oyebode. Dr. Guo's expertise, guidance, and unwavering support have been crucial in my research journey and my quest to seek more professional development opportunities like the SMDP Biotech.

Learn more about the School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences
USM University Libraries Processes Sue Sojourner Collection

Wed, 06/21/2023 - 08:35am | By: Dawn Smith

Susan Hasalo Sojourner fought tirelessly for social justice throughout her life, through her work with civil rights in Mississippi, and for womens liberation and LGBTQ+ rights. In 2011, Sojourner donated a collection of her personal writings, publications, correspondence, and photographs to The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) University Libraries Special Collections.

Through the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) grant, Jaq Jefcoat, a graduate student in the USM College of Education and Human Sciences School of Library and Information Science, worked over the last year to preserve this important collection.

Sojourners activism began in 1964 in Holmes County, Mississippi, when she and her husband spent five years working with local African Americans in their struggle with voting rights and equality. The movement in Holmes County helped build one of the strongest chapters of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and started one of the nations first Head Start Programs. Sojourner served as a witness, documented meetings, took photographs, and recorded hours of meetings, saving everything she could. After concluding her work in Mississippi, Sojourner left the state and started to explore her own identity.

Settling in Washington D.C., Sojourner turned her energies toward the womens liberation movement and helped create resources for feminist readers and writers. She started the First Things First fe-mail order book company in 1971, as profiled in the New Woman's Survival Catalog. She became active in D.C.s lesbian community as a volunteer. During this time, Sojourner began to suffer from serious mental health issues. She wrote candidly about her condition and treatment in her creative writing and correspondence to friends and family. She likewise addressed such contemporarily taboo topics as toxic relationships, alcohol abuse, and sexuality in her writing. After her husband passed in 1982, while raising their son, she worked as a temp, then copy editor, and then associate editor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Washington Quarterly.

In 2013, the Mississippi Legislature honored Sojourner and her husband for their years working with African American Holmes County Mississippians. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson includes many of her photos of leaders and community members active in the Holmes County civil rights movement. In 2014, she was honored for her contributions to civil rights by Duluths Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, as described in the Duluth News Tribune.

The Susan Hasalo Sojourner collection was selected to be processed with support through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). The NHPRC is a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), whose mission is promotion of the preservation and use of the countrys documentary heritage essential to understanding the nations democracy, history, and culture.

Lorraine Stuart, head of Special Collections and curator of its Historical Manuscripts and Archives, is leading the two-year grant project. The purpose of the grant is to increase access to collections and will support processing, digitization, and development of finding aids for existing collections significant to the history and culture of Mississippi. The grant also provides for multiple opportunities for hands-on materials preservation and presentation experiences for the Universitys Library and Information Science and Humanities graduate students.

When Jefcoat saw the opportunity for the graduate assistantship and the types of collections available for processing, they knew they wanted to apply. Their similar passions and interests made Sojourners collection a perfect fit for Jefcoat. Their work on the collection consisted of condensing the collection and evaluating the different ways to arrange the materials. Jefcoat wanted to make sure that all aspects of Sojourners life and personality were portrayed well in the arrangement and descriptions, while also respecting parts of the collection that had to be restricted due to sensitive information.

Of their experience working in Special Collections, Jefcoat said, What I enjoyed most about working in Special Collections was how challenged I was working on the collection. I also learned more than I knew before about archives, and my efforts have only made me want to pursue LGBTQI+ archives more. I also felt thankful for the opportunity to process and arrange this collection in a way that showed who Sues authentic self was, and ensured that there was proper representation.

For information about USM Special Collections, visit the website; visit the USM School of Library and Information Science website for more information.
Self-measured blood pressure monitoring kits are now available for checkout at the Converse County Library in Douglas and Glenrock. The kits are offered through a collaborative pilot project involving the Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA) at the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Healths Chronic Disease Prevention Program and the Niobrara Library System.

The kits, available in both English and Spanish, include an automated home blood pressure cuff; blood pressure logbooks; educational materials from the American Heart Association; information on what blood pressure is; and ideas for healthy lifestyle changes. The kits also include a resource directory to local community-based organizations and referral resources to the Healthy U chronic disease self-management program and Cent$ible Nutrition Program.

The loan period is three weeks. Blood pressure kits can be renewed, up to two times, if there are no holds on the item. Failure to return a blood pressure cuff kit will result in a blocked account until the item is returned. This program also is currently available to residents in Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Crook, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Park, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Washakie and Weston counties, with plans to be in all 23 counties by the end of June.

Nearly half of adults in the United States -- 47 percent, or 116 million -- have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, or are taking medication for hypertension, and 24 percent with hypertension have their condition under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the Wyoming Department of Healths Chronic Disease Prevention Programs, nearly one in three (30.7 percent) Wyoming adults have been told that they have high blood pressure.

While self-measured blood pressure is not a substitute for regular visits to primary care physicians, it is a way for individuals to see and track their numbers, giving them more information that can be communicated to their doctors.

Information is power. The more information a patient and their doctor have, the better the treatment plan, says Kevin Franke, a project coordinator with WyCOA. Better treatment plans lead to better overall health. That is the goal of this project, to work to improve the health of our communities.

The Converse County Library is committed to building and supporting strong, healthy communities. This project provided a unique opportunity to offer the community more information about self-monitored blood pressure and its important role in health.

We are excited to partner with the Wyoming Department of Health and WyCOA to bring these much-needed resources to the community, says Becca Muncy, circulation manager at the Converse County Library.

To learn more about the programs offered by WyCOA, go to www.uwyo.edu/healthierwyo/.

To learn more about the Converse County Library, go to www.yourccl.org/.
If this is you or someone you love, you need to find out what needs to be done right now, or what can be put off until later. If someone plans to continue working and has work insurance or is on a working spouses insurance, you may not need Medicare right now.

Nobody wants a penalty, and that fear causes some people to enroll in Medicare before they really need it. Contrary to some beliefs  Medicare is not free. Medicare Part A (hospital) is free if youve contributed for 10 years, but Medicare Part B (doctors, outpatient and durable medical supplies) currently costs $164.90/month.

Learn what you need to know so you can make an informed decision for yourself by attending the welcome to Medicare informational meeting. This is a free and unbiased informational program and absolutely nothing will be marketed or sold.

The program will be given by Mary Loftis, long time SHIP/SMP Counselor through the Nebraska Department of Insurance. It will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 at the Oakland Auditorium Rosen Room, 401 North Oakland Ave., Oakland, Nebraska.

Topics to be discussed include:

 How and when to apply for Medicare

 Delaying Medicare if working and have health coverage

 Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D

 Medicare Advantage plans

 Medicare Medigap or supplemental insurance

 Scam and fraud information

Everyone from any county is welcome to attend, but space is limited. For adequate handouts to be prepared, please RSVP by noon Thursday, June 22 to the UNL Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929 or to Mary Loftiss Medicare phone at 402-380-9554.
The Digital Office Solutions Market in Vietnam: Opportunities for Foreign Players

Digital office solutions are becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam as businesses look to streamline processes and find efficiencies. In this overview, we look at where there might be opportunities for foreign digital office services.

Digital transformation, particularly the adoption of digital office solutions, has become an irreversible trend in todays business landscape. This trend is primarily driven by the need for increased efficiency, productivity, and streamlined operations.

However, in Vietnam, the market for digital office platforms is predominantly occupied by small-scale providers, with limited participation from major industry players.

That said, the Vietnam Association of Software and Information Technology Services (VINASA) says that a significant 40 percent of Vietnamese businesses have expressed an eagerness to adopt a dedicated business operating technology platform. These businesses acknowledge that such a platform serves as a powerful catalyst for both growth and economic advancement. Consequently, this situation presents a significant opportunity for foreign firms looking to enter the market.

For digital office solutions providers considering a market entry in Vietnam, here are some key points to keep in mind.

Industry overview

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), the information and communications technology (ICT) industry generated approximately US$148 billion in revenue in 2022. This reflects 8.7 percent growth compared to 2021. More to the point, the software and information technology services market in Vietnam reached US$1.9 billion (equivalent to VND 46,500 billion) in revenue in the same year.

Considering the pace and requirements of Vietnams digital transformation, Fitch Solutions has projected that the countrys IT market, encompassing both hardware equipment and software solutions, will reach approximately VND 208 trillion in 2022 (US$8.8 billion) and VND 370 trillion (US$15 billion) by 2026. This projection suggests a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15 percent. These numbers highlight the immense potential and favorable prospects within Vietnams IT sector.

Challenges

When it comes to supplying digital office solutions to Vietnamese businesses, foreign vendor firms should be aware of the below challenges.

Local firms need assistance choosing the right products

The inadequate identification of appropriate digital transformation goals and strategies often leads to firms engaging with the wrong software for their needs. This is a result of only 6.2 percent of businesses in Vietnam having successfully defined digital transformation objectives, with just 7.6 percent having developed comprehensive short and long-term digital transformation plans.

Foreign firms that wish to enter this market should make sure they have a way to clearly educate their prospective clients on what products they offer and how to use them. They should also be prepared to offer customized solutions that cater to the specific needs and requirements of the local market. This approach will not only help them establish a strong foothold in the industry but also enable them to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals.

Money can be an issue

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The Annual Report on Enterprise Digital Transformation 2022 released by the Ministry of Planning and Investment states that less than 40 percent of enterprises possess the necessary budget to fulfill the requirements of their digital transformation.

Conversely, a significant proportion, approximately 43.3 percent of enterprises, have an allocated investment budget for digital transformation, but it falls short of meeting their actual needs. Alarming as it may be, a staggering 20 percent of enterprises do not possess any budget whatsoever for digital transformation.

Indeed, the scarcity of financial resources for digital transformation is a widespread challenge faced by Vietnamese enterprises, particularly small and medium enterprises. This lack of investment can hinder their ability to compete in an increasingly digitized business landscape and may lead to missed opportunities for growth and innovation.

Foreign firms should be aware that the cost-effectiveness of a digital office solution will be a priority for Vietnamese firms.

Privacy may be a concern

Vietnamese employees often have well-placed concerns about using digital office solutions that can track their performance. Organizations may find it difficult to find the right balance between maintaining employee privacy and improving productivity.

To optimize data privacy and minimize potential risks, it is recommended to adopt a data collection approach that prioritizes minimalism, aiming to gather only essential information. Additionally, when feasible, implementing anonymization techniques can further enhance data protection. Furthermore, organizations should establish and uphold a transparent policy governing privacy and data collection, ensuring that stakeholders are fully aware of how their data is being handled.

Key opportunities

Accounting software

Accounting stands out as the field where the highest degree of digital transformation occurs, with over 40 percent of enterprises consistently utilizing digital accounting technology at an advanced level  as mentioned earlier, the majority of surveyed enterprises prioritize digital transformation in areas that directly impact their revenue and profitability.

Foreign firms that offer digital office solutions that include accounting software, may prove to be more popular than other options.

Logistics software

In the domain of vehicle management and goods transportation, a significant proportion of enterprises, amounting to more than 60 percent, employ digital software at a minimal level or rarely utilize it at all.

For foreign investors targeting this market to sell digital office platforms, this represents a significant opportunity. However, it is important to note that there may be challenges in terms of convincing these businesses of the benefits of digital software adoption with more well-established companies often less susceptible to change.

Warehousing and customer management

In addition, more than 40 percent of enterprises seldom employ digital software for warehouse management, order management, or customer management.

Only an estimated 40 percent of businesses in these sectors utilize digital technology extensively and regularly. This represents a significant opportunity for firms with technology that can assist in warehouse and customer management like customer retention management solutions or stock and inventory tracking software.

Regulations

One major concern with digital office apps is the potential for cyberattacks or data breaches. Vietnam takes these challenges seriously and has several laws governing cybersecurity and data management.

Law on Cyber Information Security

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To deal with this problem, the Law on Cyber Information Security outlines the regulations pertaining to cyberinformation security activities, as well as the rights and responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and individuals in safeguarding network information security.

It encompasses provisions on civil cryptography, standards, and technical regulations, as well as conducting business activities within the network information security domain, developing human resources for network information security, and state governance.

The primary focus of the Law on Cyber Information Security is to ensure three essential tenets of data protection: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It aims to prevent forgery, exploitation of vulnerabilities, and the propagation of malicious software that could potentially disrupt information systems and networks.

Decree on Personal Data Protection

The Decree on Personal Data Protection (PDPD) applies to all individuals and entities operating in Vietnam who engage in the provision, collection, or utilization of data for any purpose within the country.

Digital office software providers need to be aware that customers must be notified if their data is being collected and informed about the purpose and intended use. Collected data must be relevant to the purpose for which it is to be used. Personal data cannot be bought or sold, and it must be protected and kept confidential. Time limits must be adhered to, ensuring data is only stored for the necessary processing period.

See also: Personal Data Protection in Vietnam: A Quick Guide

Key players

There are two key major players in digital office software (though there is room for many more).

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT)

VNPT is a Vietnamese digital technology enterprise that focuses on providing digital services in Vietnam.

VNPT is building a solid foundation of infrastructure and human resources to provide high-quality services to 34.8 million mobile subscribers, 6.2 million fixed subscribers, and enterprise customers. VNPT is also developing its cloud computing ecosystem, becoming a core brand for domestic and regional cloud computing services.

VNPT is also supporting the government to digitize its processes and functions.

MISA AMIS

MISA is one of Vietnams prominent software entities, with a customer base of 250,000.

MISA AMIS Digital Office Solution suite covers a range of digital office software, including MISA AMIS Processes, MISA AMIS Work, MISA AMIS Recording, MISA AMIS Assets, MISA AMIS Social network, MISA AMIS Meeting Room, and MISA AMIS WeSign. These software solutions help streamline processes, manage meeting rooms, and sign digital documents and contracts, among a range of other functions.

Today, the company employs a workforce of over 2,000 individuals, comprising the Corporations office, the Manufacturing division, the Customer Support and Consulting Center, and with five representative offices nationwide.

Other players

However, the digital office market in Vietnam also comprises several smaller firms specializing in niche sub-sectors. These include but are not limited to:

ERPviet and Viindoo provide comprehensive enterprise management and business administration solutions.

SmartDOCS provides efficient document management and digital converter solutions for businesses seeking streamlined processes.

V2CAM aids in customer experience and omnichannel operations management.

Trace Traceability Trace AES ensures effective traceability management to track the origin of goods.

CoffeeHR and Smartlog Solutions help streamline supply chain operations.

Digital office software market outlook for Vietnam

The digital office market presents an exceptional opportunity for foreign investors seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced digital workplace solutions in Vietnam.

As the Vietnamese economy continues to thrive, investing in the digital office market promises significant returns and the ability to shape the future of work for businesses across various industries.

For support accessing Vietnams market for digital office software, contact the market entry experts at Dezan Shira and Associates.
Greece is under growing pressure to launch an independent investigation into the June 13 sinking of a vessel that was carrying up to 750 migrants, amid accusations from survivors that the actions of the Greek coast guard came too late and may have contributed to the shipwreck.

Greek authorities strongly deny the claim.

In one of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks in recent years, at least 82 people are confirmed to have died and hundreds are still missing, including many women and children. Most were from Egypt, Syria, and Pakistan.

Timeline

The fishing trawler set sail from Libya with up to 750 people on board. Footage taken from an aircraft belonging to Frontex, the European Unions border agency, showed the packed vessel moving off Greece on the morning of June 13.

Frontex said in statement: On 13 June before noon (09:47 UTC), a Frontex plane spotted the fishing vessel inside the Greek search and rescue region in international waters. The ship was heavily overcrowded and was navigating at slow speed (6 knots) direction north-east.

Frontex immediately informed the Greek and Italian authorities about the sighting, providing them with information about the condition of the vessel, speed, and photos. The plane kept monitoring the vessel, constantly providing updates to all relevant national authorities until it ran out of fuel and had to return to base.

Greek Coast Guard

The Greek coast guard said at first that the boat was on a steady course towards Italy, so it did not intervene. It later said it tried to aid the migrant boat by attaching a rope, but said the migrants untied it.

Additional footage has emerged taken from a ship that had diverted to help the migrants later on June 13. The crew offered water and food. In the video, the migrant boat appears to restart its engine.

The vessel sank later that night in Greek waters, around 80 kilometers south of the Greek port of Pylos. Many survivors say the boat had lost power for several hours before it sank.

UN response

The United Nations has called for an investigation.

The (U.N.) Secretary-General was horrified by the reports of a shipwreck that took place off the coast of Greece, claiming the lives of scores of women, men and children, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters June 14.

As he said before, that every person searching for a better life needs dignity and safety. This is yet another example of the need of member states to come together and create orderly, safe pathways for people forced to flee, and for comprehensive action to save lives at sea and reduce perilous journeys, Dujarric added.

Survivors

Human rights groups highlight that survivors testimonies contradict the coast guards version of events.

The survivors saying that the rope was given  and they understand that the cause of the incident was that rope tying (to) them, and then the ship taking the wrong turn and sinking, said Kondylia Gogou of Amnesty International, in an interview with VOA.

Greece continues to insist that the migrants did not ask for help and were not in danger until the boat sank. It has launched a judicial investigation into the incident. Gogou said that is not sufficient.

We think that its really essential that a proper and independent and effective investigation takes place. You can see from the aerial pictures that this is an unseaworthy vessel. So, you are obliged to intervene, this is your duty. And theres a failure, theres a delay, she said.

Arrests

Greek police have arrested nine Egyptian nationals who were believed to be on the boat. They deny charges of human trafficking and participating in a criminal enterprise.

Amnesty Internationals Kondylia Gogou said Europes migration policy is also to blame. As long as we dont have sufficient policies in the EU for safe and legal routes, these kinds of dangerous journeys will continue, she told VOA.

The survivors were taken to a migrant camp on the Greek mainland, close to the city of Kalamata. Amid the desperate grief there have been occasional moments of joy, as survivors are reunited with loved ones, many of whom have traveled from other countries in Europe and beyond.
As two Indian states that are reeling under a heat wave reported scores of deaths in recent days, the government said it will take steps to prevent casualties from heatstroke and mitigate the impact of the searing temperatures.

In recent years, heat waves fueled by climate change have become more intense across large parts of India, say experts.

In the last week, more than 100 deaths have been reported in two of Indias most populous states in the north and east, but it remains unclear if they are linked to scorching temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius.

In Uttar Pradesh, authorities said they are investigating whether the deaths of 68 people admitted to a government hospital in Ballia district were linked to heat. The deaths occurred during five days between Thursday and Monday.

In Bihar, officials said that the sweltering heat had taken a toll of nine lives while many had been admitted to hospitals due to heat-related illnesses.

Indias health minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, said Tuesday that "arrangements will be made at every level for the protection of common life. We want to ensure no one dies of a heat stroke."

He said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will develop long term and short term plans to minimize the adverse impact of heat waves. The ICMR is Indias leading clinical research agency.

Officials are also being sent to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to help the two states with public health response measures. Authorities in the two states have issued advisories asking elderly people and those suffering from various health conditions to stay indoors during the daytime.

Experts warn that the searing temperatures experienced across large swathes of India in the main summer months of April to May pose huge health hazards to millions of people in the country of 1.4 billion people.

Most of the population does not have access to air conditioning. In the countrys densely packed cities, concrete buildings and roads trap heat, exacerbating the impact of high temperatures.

The most vulnerable are millions of low-income people who work outdoors  construction labor, street vendors or rickshaw pullers in urban areas and agricultural labor in its vast rural areas. India has no laws restricting work in the afternoon hours.

Experts say heatwaves have a severe impact on human health. About 400 million people are at the bottom of the pyramid and their health and nutrition conditions are not appropriate to withstand another level of climatic conditions that is detrimental to health. These are vulnerable populations, points out Anjal Prakash, clinical associate professor and research director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy.

He points out that blaming heat for deaths is not always easy because scorching temperatures often impact people with existing health conditions.

There are question marks over the cause of the spike in deaths in recent days. While a local health official in Uttar Pradesh told reporters last Friday that heat may have been a factor in the deaths of 25 people, the states health minister, Brajesh Pathak, later called it a careless statement given without proper information and said authorities are probing the cause of the deaths. Officials said most of those who died were elderly people suffering from existing ailments.

In April, 11 people died from heatstroke after attending an outdoor ceremony under a blazing sun in Maharashtra state.

Experts say that the scorching heat could worsen in coming years as a warming planet drives an increase in disasters ranging from cyclones, heatwaves to floods.

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports have noted the rise in heatwave conditions in southern Asia and India has been one of the hotspot regions for heatwave conditions, says Prakash, who is an IPCC author. There has been an increase in both frequency and duration of heatwaves during the last 10 to 15 years and studies suggest that temperatures will continue to rise as combating global warming still remains a challenge.
The risks of artificial intelligence to national security and the economy need to be addressed, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday, adding he would seek expert advice.

"My administration is committed to safeguarding Americans' rights and safety while protecting privacy, to addressing bias and misinformation, to making sure AI systems are safe before they are released," Biden said at an event in San Francisco.

Biden met a group of civil society leaders and advocates who have previously criticized the influence of major tech companies, to discuss artificial intelligence.

"I wanted to hear directly from the experts," he said.

Several governments are considering how to mitigate the dangers of the emerging technology, which has experienced a boom in investment and consumer popularity in recent months after the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Biden's meeting on Tuesday included Tristan Harris, executive director of the Center for Humane Technology, Algorithmic Justice League founder Joy Buolamwini, and Stanford University Professor Rob Reich.

Regulators globally have been working to draw up rules governing the use of generative AI, which can create text and images, and whose impact has been compared to that of the internet.

Biden has also recently discussed the issue of AI with other world leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak whose government will later this year hold a first global summit on artificial intelligence safety. Biden is expected to discuss the topic with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ongoing U.S. visit.

European Union lawmakers agreed last week to changes in draft rules on artificial intelligence proposed by the European Commission in a bid to set a global standard for a technology used on everything from automated factories to self-driving cars to chatbots.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraged Ankara to support Sweden in its bid to join NATO in a meeting with new Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson said.

Turkey has objected to Sweden's bid to join the Western military alliance, citing security concerns, but members of the bloc have expressed hope that it will become a member in time for a mid-July summit in Vilnius.

In a meeting with Fidan on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Summit in London, Blinken stressed the importance of NATO unity at a critical time, spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

"[Blinken] also... encouraged Turkey's support for Sweden to join the NATO Alliance now," he said.

Blinken welcomed Ankara's support for Kyiv and its work on the grain deal, which allows Ukrainian exports from Black Sea ports, the spokesperson said.

Last month, Blinken urged Turkey to finalize immediately Sweden's accession to the bloc. Sweden and Finland both reversed decades of military non-alignment last year and applied to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Finland joined NATO in April but Turkey continues to block Sweden's membership. Last week President Tayyip Erdogan said it should not expect a green light from Ankara at the summit unless it prevents anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm.

Turkey says Sweden harbors members of militant groups it considers to be terrorists. Sweden recently introduced a new law to make it harder to finance or support terrorist groups.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday Turkey's parliament should begin to ratify Sweden's bid because Stockholm has now met its obligations under a deal with Ankara.

Blinken and Fidan were in London to attend the conference on Ukraine at which allies were due to pledge billions of dollars in economic and reconstruction aid. Fidan said he was there to demonstrate Turkey's support for Ukraine.
The U.S .Coast Guard says a Canadian aircraft has detected underwater noises during the search for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.

As a result of the noises detected by the Canadian P-3 aircraft, search efforts have been relocated. Those searches had not found anything but are continuing.

In addition to an international array of ships and planes, an underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.

Three C-17 transport planes from the U.S. military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. Johns, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokesperson for U.S. Air Mobility Command said. The Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specializes in dive medicine.

Authorities reported the carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns. At the helm was pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers were a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.
Chinese state media and nationalist netizens accused Western media of deliberately darkening Chinas image by dimming footage of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to Beijing. However, VOA Mandarin found the same gloomy tones in coverage published by Chinas official media outlets.

A collage started circulating on China's social media shortly after Blinken's arrival early Sunday. It compares three photos from the scene. The first was taken at a distance from Blinken's plane, showing a blue sky over Beijing with green trees in the distance. The second and third images were screenshots from video by BBC and The Washington Post showing Blinken descending from the jet with sky in the background that looks darker than that in the first photo.

Some nationalist netizens reposted the collage, saying it offered evidence of Western media bias.

"When Blinken visited China yesterday, the weather in Beijing was fine. As a result, the BBC's footage shows a gray sky, and Blinken looks like a black man in The Washington Post's shot," posted the blogger "Former HR at HW" on Weibo.

The post, which referred to "the underworld filter of the Western media," went on to say that western media "do whatever they can to use small tricks to spread rumors to vilify and slander China."

The post received thousands of likes.

Chinas state-owned Global Times tweeted,

"The Western media's usual grayish underworld filter on China has been applied to Blinken's China visit. With colored glasses, they tend to perceive everything as gray."

However, Chinese state media CGTN used the same footage in its news broadcast. In CGTNs YouTube video, the tone of the image of Blinken getting off the plane is almost the same as that in The Washington Post.

Phil Cunningham, China state media watcher, told VOA Mandarin that "China's state-affiliated media, while still rather clumsy, is increasingly conversant in the kind of news analysis that goes on in U.S. journalism seminars, with talk of narrative frames, memes, AI, photo manipulation, meta-narratives, etc."

"They don't necessary get it right," he said, "but in imitating Western critiques of China they inadvertently reveal A) hidden admiration B) Western critiques really bug them."

The BBC Chinese service refuted the netizens accusation on Twitter, pointing out that CGTN used the same footage.

"They don't necessary get it right," he said, "but in imitating Western critiques of China they inadvertently reveal A) hidden admiration B) Western critiques really bug them."

The BBC Chinese service refuted the netizens accusation on Twitter, pointing out that CGTN used the same footage.

VOA Mandarin found that the Chinese news outlet, The Paper, which criticized the tone of the clips released by the BBC and The Washington Post, also used the same dark footage in its own coverage.
A scorching heat wave in two of India's most populous states has overwhelmed hospitals, filled a morgue to capacity and disrupted power, prompting staff to use books to cool patients, as officials investigate a death toll that has reached nearly 170.

In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, 119 people have died from heat-related illnesses over the last several days while neighboring Bihar state reported 47 fatalities, according to local news reports and health officials.

"So many people are dying from the heat that we are not getting a minute's time to rest. On Sunday, I carried 26 dead bodies," Jitendra Kumar Yadav, a hearse driver in Deoria town, 110 kilometers from Ballia, told The Associated Press.

Other residents said they were afraid to go outside after midmorning.

The largest hospital in Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh is unable to accommodate more patients. Officials said the morgue was full after 54 people, all of whom were elderly suffering from various health issues, died during the heat wave. Some families were asked to take the bodies of their relatives home.

On Sunday, the state health minister, Brajesh Pathak, said a two-member team will look into what caused the large number of deaths and investigate how many of them are directly related to heat.

While northern regions of India are known for sweltering heat during the summer months, temperatures have been consistently above normal, according to the Indian Meteorological Department, with highs reaching 43.5 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit). A heat wave is declared in India if temperatures are at least 4.5 C above normal, or if the temperature is above 45 C (113 F).

"We have been issuing heat wave warnings for the past few days," said Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist at the IMD.

Despite the warnings, government officials did not ask people to brace for the heat until Sunday, when the death toll began to increase.

Adding to the heat stress are consistent power outages across the region, leaving people with no running water, fans or air conditioners.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the government was taking measures to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. He urged citizens to cooperate and use electricity judiciously.

"Every village and every city should receive adequate power supply during this scorching heat. If any faults occur, they should be promptly addressed," he said Friday night in a statement.

Inside the Ballia district hospital, the chaotic scenes were reminiscent of the coronavirus pandemic, with families and doctors scrambling as many patients required urgent attention.

"All our staff has been here for three days straight and are completely overworked," said Dr. Aditya Singh, an emergency medical officer.

The wards in the hospital had no functioning air conditioners, and cooling units that were installed were not working properly because of the power fluctuations. Attendants were fanning patients with books and wiping their sweat in an attempt to keep them cool.

Officials said more severe cases were being shifted to hospitals in bigger cities nearby such as Varanasi, and more doctors and medical resources were being sent to the district hospital to deal with the heat-induced crisis.

Climate experts say that heat waves will continue, and India needs to prepare better to deal with their consequences. A study by World Weather Attribution, an academic group that examines the source of extreme heat, found that a searing heat wave in April that struck parts of South Asia was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change.

"Plans for dealing with heatwaves are essential for minimizing their effects and preserving lives. These plans include all-inclusive approaches to dealing with high heat occurrences, such as public awareness campaigns, the provision of cooling centers, and healthcare assistance," said Aditya Valiathan Pillai, an associate fellow at a New Delhi-based think-tank, Centre for Policy Research.
It was a lesson in perseverance.

In 2021, teens in Girl Scout Troop 50509 noticed a couple of outdated fire pits at Camp Crossed Arrows near Nickerson. So the troop of eight girls set out on a mission to rebuild them.

Their work became a two-fold endeavor in which they not only rebuilt the pits, but taught fire safety to younger scouts. For their efforts, the older girls recently earned a Silver Award  the highest honor presented to Cadet-level Girl Scouts.

Teens said they enjoyed the endeavor, which required 50 hours per girl on the project.

But the project wasnt without its challenges.

Troop 50509 consists of eight girls, ages 13 and 14. After noticing the fire pits needed to be rebuilt, they reached out to the Girl Scout Spirit of Nebraska Council and to Jason Wallace, camp ranger, for permission.

As part of the project  called Retire the Fire  they also wanted to teach other girls about fire safety, said Troop Co-Leader Denise Moreno.

Troop members used money from cookie sales, a donation from Peter Jacobus at American Family Insurance and a Raising Canes fundraiser for the project.

More recently, they applied for and received a $1,000 Youth Philanthropy Grant from Fremont Area Community Foundation.

The girls and their leaders, who include Co-Leader Jill Hughson, set out to build the first fire pit in July 2022.

It was very hot that day, Moreno said, recalling the summer weather.

The new, 3-foot-wide pits would be built of retaining wall blocks, which each weigh about 17 pounds. Blocks were stacked in a circle with fire pit adhesive put in between each one, Moreno said.

Each round pit would consist of 52 bricks.

The first pit took a while to build.

It took about 17 hours over the course of two days, Hughson said. We were learning as we were doing it.

The group repeatedly tried to position the blocks, but couldnt get them to stack straightly.

It wasnt going right, so we took a few breaks, Moreno said. At one point, the girls were about to give up.

The troop took a break and went to the swimming pool in Arlington.

They returned to the campsite and re-read directions that came with the blocks. Thats when they noticed some fine print, indicating that a lip on each block should be removed before starting the building project.

Hughsons husband, Marshall, was called to bring a chisel and hammer so the lips could be removed.

The process produced a valuable lesson for the girls.

They learned you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it, Moreno said.

When it came to fire safety, the girls did their homework.

In November 2022, the troop went to the Fremont Rural Volunteer Fire Department, where Glen Koplin, public relations coordinator, and Gene Vyhlidal, fire prevention officer, taught them how to use a fire extinguisher. Each girl got to extinguish a little fire in a metal pan, Moreno said.

Troop members put their knowledge to use when they invited about 25 younger girls  Daisies, Brownies and Juniors scouts  to a sleepover at the camp. There, older girls taught their younger counterparts how to use a fire extinguisher, using an empty donated one from Fremont Rural, and how to plan an escape route.

They added a sweet touch to the lesson  directing younger girls in making an Edible Campfire with ingredients such as marshmallows, pretzels, chocolate chips and red licorice.

Troop members built the second fire pit in May. This time, it only took three hours. They removed the lips from the blocks before going to the camp.

The girls cooked potatoes as part of their dinner and smores on the new fire pit theyd built.

Moreno believes the girls learned much from their fire pit-building experiences.

They learned to work as a team, said Moreno, who enjoyed watching the girls work together and help each other out.

Troop member Emily Hughson noted the importance of persistence.

Keep persevering and youll get a good outcome, the teen said.

Their persistence paid off.

On June 1, the girls each received the Silver Award. The council presented girls with a silver pin, a patch and a certificate.

Morenos daughter, also named Emily, appreciated the award and opportunity.

Once I completed the Silver Award I felt accomplished and I felt good about the kids weve taught, Emily Moreno said. I know that they will be able to share the knowledge as they grow up.

She likes knowing that people will use the fire pits for a long time.

I get to know that it benefits people that go to camp for years to come and I also get to know that we put our hard work into it, she said.

Melissa Diers, executive director of the Fremont Area Community Foundation, expressed appreciation for the troop.

Once again, were impressed by the ingenuity of our area youth and pleased to be able to help these young ladies make a difference for future campers! Diers said.

For scouts like Emily Hughson, the fire pit project yielded its own special benefit when the girls got to eat smores they cooked on it.

It was like a victory treat, she said. A little reward.
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Ukraines allies pledge billions in non-military aid to rebuild its war-ravaged infrastructure. The massive cost of damage from the Kakhovka dam collapse. Among the estimated 8 million refugees fleeing the war, most are women and children. How aid groups are helping Ukraine's most vulnerable.
The White House is pulling out all the stops for a state visit for Indias leader, Narendra Modi, this week. He and President Joe Biden have a lot of ground to cover  including relations with China, the conflict in Ukraine and bilateral issues  but hopes are high in the White House that Washington and Delhi will forge ahead in important areas. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell reports from Washington. Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report.
Greece is under growing pressure to launch an investigation into the June 13 sinking of a vessel that was carrying up to 750 migrants. At least 82 people died and hundreds are still missing, including many women and children. Most were from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan. Henry Ridgwell reports.
President Joe Bidens son will plead guilty to tax charges; a look at a newly re-captured Ukrainian village. Secretary Blinken is in the U.K.; the search continues for the submersible that takes tourists to see the Titanic; plus we start a new series looking at the Uyghur minority in China.
Following the Supreme Court's decision to effectively kill Bidens earlier student debt forgiveness proposal, the White House is trying again to ease the burden on those carrying student loans using a different legal approach.

Biden's original plan would have canceled up to $20,000 in federal student loans for 43 million people. Of those, 20 million would have had their remaining student debt erased completely.

With repayments set to begin in October, many borrowers are wondering if they still have to pay. Here's what to know about where the new Biden plan stands.

What is the new plan and how is it different?

Under the proposed approach, the White House is now planning to use the Higher Education Act of 1965  a sweeping federal law that governs the student loan program  to bring about relief for student borrowers.

Biden said the authority of the act will provide the best path that remains to provide as many borrowers as possible with debt relief.

The law includes a provision giving the education secretary authority to compromise, waive or release student loans.

In its previous attempt to forgive student loans, Biden's White House appealed to a bipartisan 2003 law dealing with national emergencies, known as the HEROES Act, for the authority to cancel the debt. The court's 6-3 decision, with conservative justices in the majority, said the administration needed Congress endorsement before undertaking so costly a program.

Who will be eligible and how much debt will be canceled?

So far, it remains unclear which loan holders will qualify and how much of their debt will be forgiven. To figure it out, the Education Department will go through a process known as negotiated rulemaking.

Should borrowers still make loan payments?

Hours after the Supreme Court decision, President Joe Biden announced a 12-month grace period to help borrowers who struggle after payments restart. Biden said borrowers can and should make payments during the first 12 months after payments resume, but, if they dont, they wont be at risk of default and it wont hurt their credit scores. Interest will resume in September, however, and it will accrue whether borrowers make payments or not. Biden reiterated that it is not the same as the student loan pause, adding that if you can pay your monthly bills, you should.

Experts at the Student Borrower Protection Center and Institute of Student Loan Advisors encourage borrowers not to begin to make payments again until the fall, when interest starts up again and the pause lifts, since there is no penalty for not doing so during the freeze. Instead, any savings that would have gone to payments can earn interest in those remaining few months.

Finally, after the year-long grace period, if youre in a short-term financial bind, you may qualify for deferment or forbearance  allowing you to temporarily suspend payment.

To determine whether deferment or forbearance are good options for you, contact your loan servicer. One thing to note: Interest still accrues during deferment or forbearance. Both can also affect future loan forgiveness options. Depending on the conditions of your deferment or forbearance, it may make sense to continue paying the interest during the payment suspension.

Following the year-long on-ramp offered by the Biden administration, if you dont make student loan payments, youll risk delinquency and default, which will harm your credit score and potentially lock you out of other aid and benefits down the line.

What about declaring bankruptcy?

The Biden administration is also working to make a clearer path for borrowers considering bankruptcy.

In November, the Justice Department announced a process with new guidelines for students with federal loans who are unable to pay. Under the new guidance, debtors will fill out an attestation form, which the government will use to determine whether or not to recommend a discharge of debt. If borrowers expenses exceed their income and other criteria are met, the government will be more likely to recommend a full or partial discharge of loans.

How soon could the new plan happen?

Get ready to wait.

The overall idea is to create a new federal rule by gathering together lots of people with different views and hashing out the details. The goal is to reach a consensus, but the Education Department doesnt need it to move forward.

Its possible the Biden administration will go through the process, fail to reach a consensus but still proceed with whatever it decides is the best cancellation plan.

Still, this could take a long time. The absolute minimum for something like this would be about a year, according to Michael Brickman, who was part of multiple rounds of negotiated rulemaking as an education official for the Trump administration. Theres bureaucratic red tape to navigate, and the process is designed to slow things down and force a deliberate negotiation.

The process of negotiated rulemaking requires a period for written feedback from the public, a public hearing (a virtual hearing is scheduled for July 18) and negotiating sessions.

Given that the administration is just starting the process, Brickman said its possible it could take up to two years.

Asked why the Education Department didnt try this route from the start, Secretary Miguel Cardona acknowledged Friday that it does take longer.

Is this plan on firmer legal ground?

Thats up for debate.

In a 2021 memo, the former top education lawyer for the Obama administration cast doubt on the presidents authority to enact mass student loan cancellation. The memo, from Charlie Rose, first reported by The Wall Street Journal and obtained by the AP, warned that the more persuasive analyses tend to support the conclusion that the Executive Branch likely does not have the unilateral authority to engage in mass student debt cancellation. Instead, it found that the education secretarys authority is limited to case-by-case review and, in some cases, only to nonperforming loans."

Some advocates had been urging Biden go this route all along, and the White House says its confident the plan will work. But its almost certain to face legal challenges. The Education Department has used the Higher Education Act to cancel student loans before, but never at the scale being discussed now. Backers including Sen. Elizabeth Warren have said the legal authority is clear, but lawyers for the Trump administration concluded in 2021 that mass student loan forgiveness was illegal. It could wind up being a gray area that courts need to sort out.

Brickman, who is now an adjunct fellow at AEI, a conservative think tank, predicts a similar fate to Bidens previous plan. The Supreme Court has told them no, and yet theyre undeterred, he said. Im sure theres a population out there that really admires that. But at some point the Constitution is the Constitution, and you have to just kind of accept that.
Latest developments:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there was fierce fighting along the front lines but that his forces were advancing in southern Ukraine and holding defensive lines in the eastern part of the country.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said the safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is "extremely fragile" following the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam and he called on all sides in the conflict to act to adhere to principles to prevent a nuclear accident.

The European Union on Wednesday imposed new sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine, targeting countries where businesses have used loopholes in previous sanctions to continue to trade with Russia, effectively supporting President Vladimir Putins 16-month invasion.

The 27-nation EU had previously imposed 10 rounds of sanctions against Russian companies, while freezing assets and imposing travel bans on more than 1,000 officials.

The new sanctions are aimed at keeping key war-related materials and goods from reaching Russia via nations that trade with the EU but have also maintained a business-as-usual relationship with Moscow.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU's executive arm, said the new sanctions will "deal a further blow to Putin's war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin."

"Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods," she said.

Aside from sanctions against Iranians alleged to be supplying drones to Russia, it is the first time that the EU has targeted trade via other countries.

The new package will also target 71 individuals and 33 entities in relation with the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Also included is a prohibition to accessing ports in the EU by vessels engaged in ship-to-ship transfers when there is a suspicion that a boat is not respecting the ban on importing seaborne Russian crude oil and petroleum products into the bloc. In addition, the package extends the suspension of the broadcasting licenses in the EU of five Russian media outlets under state control.

NATO expansion

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday encouraged Turkey to support ratifying Swedens accession to NATO.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken expressed support for Sweden to be admitted at this time during talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of a Ukraine recovery conference in London.

Sweden and Finland applied for membership in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Finland officially joined in April, but Swedens accession has been held up by Turkeys objections to what it said was a lack of action by Sweden against groups that Turkey considers terrorists.

With three weeks until NATO leaders gather for a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sweden expressed hope that it will be able to join the alliance.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Reuters that Turkeys parliament should begin the process of ratifying Swedens NATO bid.

Sweden has carried out a number of reforms, including a new anti-terror law, as part of an agreement struck with Turkey last year to address security concerns.

"Our judgment is that we have done what was expected of us. Now it is time for the Turkish parliament to start the ratification process," Billstrom told Reuters on the sidelines of a meeting in parliament.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The daughter of a German Iranian citizen sentenced to death in Iran has asked authorities in Germany to open criminal proceedings against members of the Iranian judiciary.

The family of Jamshid Sharmahd says he was abducted by Iran while staying in Dubai three years ago. Iranian authorities accused him of planning a 2008 attack on a mosque that killed 14 people and wounded more than 200 others. He was sentenced to death earlier this year.

German and European diplomats have condemned the verdict, which comes amid an increase in executions by Iran.

Germany follows the principle of universal jurisdiction, under which authorities can investigate serious crimes committed elsewhere in the world.

Sharmahd's daughter, Gazelle Sharmahd , filed a criminal complaint with the German federal prosecutor's office against eight high-ranking members of Iran's judiciary and the intelligence service, alleging crimes against humanity.

The Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which is supporting her case, announced the filing Wednesday and said the complaint targets prominent Iranian judge Abolghassem Salavati and former Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi, among others.

"The kidnapping in Dubai, the unlawful detention, the torture while in detention and the imminent execution of my father as a result of a show trial exemplify the untold crimes of the Iranian regime," Gazelle Sharmahd said in a statement Wednesday.

"The regime in Tehran is responsible for the systematic torture, sexual violence, executions and 'disappearances' perpetrated against tens of thousands of people  most recently in the wake of the crackdown on the feminist revolution," ECCHR's secretary-general, Wolfgang Kaleck, said.

"Whether through criminal charges in Germany in the Sharmahd case, legal action in another country or before an international court, the goal is to bring high-ranking officials of the Iranian government, judiciary and security apparatus to justice for these crimes."

Earlier this year, Germany and Iran expelled each other's diplomats over the Sharmahd case. His hometown is Glendora, California.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said helping his country recover from a Russian invasion is about unity, stability and democracy, as well as the potential for creating jobs and profits for countries all over the world, as he spoke Wednesday to the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in London.

"By building Ukraine, we are building much more than one country, we are building the world," Zelenskyy said in his video remarks. "Will it be peaceful? Will it be stable? Will it be democratic? It depends on each and every one of us."

Ukraine and Britain are co-hosting the two-day conference, bringing together leaders from 60 nations as well as officials from the private sector.

"The international community is coming together today with a shared belief and confidence in Ukraines future," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley told the conference.

Cleverley said it is in the interest of the world that Ukraine be stronger than ever and that "Ukrainians are planning for a better future."

Britain said specific areas of focus included technology, logistics, green energy, agriculture, health and infrastructure.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced $3 billion in World Bank loan guarantees as part of a new financial support package for Ukraine that will help support public services such as hospitals and schools.

"The question for us today is what can we do to support this  to fast-track recovery and help Ukraine unleash its potential," Sunak told the conference. "We must bring to bear a partnership of governments, international financial institutions, and business leaders, all of us here today, to make this happen."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the United States will provide Ukraine with $1.3 billion in additional aid. He said the funding would go toward overhauling Ukraine's energy grid, modernizing the country's border crossings, rail lines and ports, digitizing its customs systems and helping businesses and entrepreneurs.

"Recovery is about more than just ensuring people have what they need to survive food to eat, water to drink, medicine to take, heat in the winter, electricity in all seasons," Blinken told the conference. "Recovery is about laying the foundation for Ukraine to thrive as a secure, independent country, fully integrated with Europe, connected to markets around the world. A democracy, rooted in the rule of law. A place where all Ukrainians have dignity, human rights, the opportunity to reach their full potential."

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Off the top of his head, Piotr Stasinski doesn't know how many lawsuits his newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza, has faced over the years.

After some thought, the longtime editor at the Polish daily told VOA the number is around 100 since the conservative Law and Justice Party came to power in 2015.

About one-third of those cases are still active, he estimates, adding that he believes they are designed to silence the newspaper and its critical coverage.

But Gazeta Wyborcza is not alone.

"There is an avalanche of lawsuits against independent media," Stasinski told VOA, as he spoke about the current state of press freedom in Poland. "They know that this is the way to tire us, to exhaust our resources."

The lawsuits that Gazeta Wyborcza is fighting underscore the broader use of legal action by ruling politicians in Poland to target critical journalists. It's a tactic that isn't unique to Poland.

The Polish Embassy in Washington did not reply to VOA's email requesting comment.

In recent years, the global news industry has been pummeled by an array of forces, ranging from lawsuits and democratic backsliding to corroded public trust and financial pressures.

But at least in the European Union, all hope is not lost, according to a new Freedom House report examining independent media on the continent.

Released on Wednesday, "Reviving News Media in an Embattled Europe" explores the pressures for journalists in Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Poland  and how they're overcoming those challenges in resilient ways.

"We see that newsrooms are finding new ways to sustain journalism and defend themselves against attacks," the report's author, Jessica White, told VOA.

Digital media start-ups in France and Italy are taking new approaches to building credibility. In Estonia, a public broadcaster launched a Russian-language service to better counter Moscow's propaganda. And support networks have been established across Poland and Hungary to support reporters facing lawsuits over their coverage, the report found.

"What's inspiring to see," White said, "is that when some of the stresses are greatest, some of the responses are more creative."

The six countries studied vary by a number of factors, including size, history and level of democracy. But financial insecurity is among the issues confronting newsrooms in all six countries studied in the report.

"Financial survival is at the heart of challenges facing many news media organizations in Europe," White said. "So, we find that news outlets are having to find new ways to fund independent reporting, but they're also facing cost cutting and job precarity that affects the diversity of news coverage."

Attacks on media in Europe parallel attacks on media around the world  all of which are a primary element of a 17-year decline in global freedom, according to Freedom House President Michael Abramowitz.

Watch related video by Veronica Balderas Iglesias:

"Free and independent media is a cornerstone of democracy," Abramowitz said in a statement about the new report. "Amid war and rising authoritarianism, leaders in Europe and beyond must work to ensure that news outlets play a continued, constructive role for democracy, and that media freedoms are defended and bolstered."

White agreed, telling VOA, "There are very broad and systemic issues that are facing media organizations around the world."

Financial difficulties present a particular challenge to Polish and Hungarian media, the report found, because public entities are directing the majority of state advertising to outlets that Freedom House says are perceived as friendly to the government. In turn, more critical outlets are shunned and lose out on state advertising.

Stasinski has witnessed that process firsthand. He said state-owned companies have removed nearly all of their advertising from Gazeta Wyborcza and other independent outlets.

The situation is similar in Hungary, according to Marton Karpati, co-founder of the independent Hungarian news outlet Telex.

"In the friendly press there are state advertisements, elsewhere there are essentially none," he told VOA.

"This is where fragilities can be exploited," White said. "These weaknesses are more actively being exploited by illiberal governments to skew landscapes in their favor and to make it more challenging for independent media to hold power to account."

Her report found that in Hungary and Poland, independent media does exist  but in an increasingly hostile and repressive environment.

The picture is particularly stark in Hungary, where about 80% of the country's media are considered pro-government.

Hungary's Washington embassy did not reply to VOA's email requesting comment.

Both Warsaw and Budapest have consolidated control over public media, turning such outlets into tools for pro-government propaganda as critics are targeted and state-owned companies take over press distribution networks and regional media, the report said.

"They're part of the propaganda machine of the ruling party," Stasinski said. "We don't call them journalists anymore. They're media workers, and they're functionaries of the party propaganda."

But there's still reason for optimism, White said.

"I think that it's not all bleak," she said, pointing to how Hungary's dwindling independent outlets are building new revenue models to survive.

Telex, for instance, turned to crowdfunding from its audience to help support its work. About 25,000 people contributed to its initial fundraising campaign in just five days when it first launched in 2020.

"At Telex, we try to do our best," Karpati said. "We ask questions, even if we know we won't get any answers. We are trying to be fair with all sides of a story."
Three men were convicted of various charges Tuesday in a trial showcasing U.S. claims that China has engineered pressure campaigns on American soil to bully expatriates into returning home, part of an effort called "Operation Fox Hunt."

American private investigator Michael McMahon and two Chinese citizens living in the U.S.  Zheng Congying and Zhu Yong  all were accused of taking part in scare tactics aimed at a former Chinese official. He was living quietly in New Jersey, and Beijing wanted him back.

Zhu was convicted of acting as an illegal foreign agent, stalking, interstate stalking conspiracy and conspiring to act as an illegal foreign agent. Zheng was convicted of stalking and stalking conspiracy but acquitted of the other charges.

McMahon was convicted of all except conspiracy to act as a foreign agent.

The Brooklyn federal court trial was the first to result from a spate of U.S. prosecutions scrutinizing China's Operation Fox Hunt, a nearly decade-old initiative that Beijing characterizes as a pursuit of fugitives from justice. U.S. authorities view it, at least sometimes, as an exercise in "transnational repression," or deploying government operatives to harass, threaten and silence critics living abroad.

China has denied trying to force repatriations through intimidation and says the U.S. is maligning an effort to fight crime.

Prosecutors say pressure from Beijing was brought to bear in suburban New Jersey, where former Wuhan city official Xu Jin and his family moved in 2010. China has accused him and wife, Liu Fang, of taking bribes; they deny it and say they were targeted because he got crosswise with China's Communist power structure.

According to prosecutors, Zhu, Zheng and McMahon took part in a yearslong, multipronged effort to goad Xu into going back to China. The country couldn't officially compel him to do so, as it has no extradition treaty with the U.S.

The defense acknowledged that Zhu, Zheng and McMahon took various actions but said the three had no idea that Beijing was allegedly behind it all.

McMahon said he was "devastated by the verdict," insisting that all he had done was his job as a private investigator.

Zheng and Zhu left court without speaking to reporters. Messages seeking comment were sent to their attorneys.

McMahon, a former New York City police sergeant, conducted surveillance and data searches to smoke out Xu's carefully guarded address and information about his loved ones. Zhu, a retiree who also goes by Jason Zhu and Yong Zhu, helped hire McMahon and equip him with details to get started.

Zheng later went to Xu's home and left an ominous note: "If you are willing to go back to the mainland and spend 10 years in prison, your wife and children will be all right. That's the end of this matter!"

"Before I saw this, I felt that the threats from the Chinese Communist Party was only a mental threat to me. However, when I saw that note, I realized that it had become a physical threat," Xu testified, through a court interpreter.

The defense said McMahon, Zheng and Zhu were told they were helping to collect a debt or achieve some other end for a company or individuals  not for China.

"They were used, cheated, misguided by a foreign government to work for them," Zhu's attorney, Kevin Tung, said in a closing argument.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Heeren said the three "agreed to participate in something that went way, way over the line ... a line that all three defendants knew they were crossing."

Prosecutors said the arm-twisting included derogatory Facebook messages to friends of Xu's adult daughter and an onslaught of letters to a relative in New Jersey.

At one point, a Chinese prosecutor even flew Xu's unwilling, octogenarian father to New Jersey to lean on his son to return to their homeland, according to prosecutors and trial testimony.

The trial unfolded at a fraught time in U.S.-China relations. The two powers have been at odds in recent years over a growing list of issues: trade, industrial espionage, human rights, Taiwan, the South China Sea, Russia's war against Ukraine, U.S. allegations of Chinese spying, and Washington's claims that Beijing is tracking and harassing dissidents overseas.

China announced Operation Fox Hunt in July 2014 as an effort to go after corrupt officials and criminals who had fled the country. However, Beijing's wanted list has included people whose political and cultural views conflicted with those of China's ruling Communist Party.

U.S. prosecutors have brought several criminal cases involving alleged Operation Fox Hunt endeavors. In one, a pregnant U.S. citizen was held in China for eight months and pressured to persuade her mother to return to the country, prosecutors said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration on Wednesday increased the amount of biofuels that must be blended into the nations fuel supplies over the next three years, but held production totals steady for corn-based ethanol, disappointing the biofuel industry and farm advocates.

A plan finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency sets biofuel blending volumes at 20.94 billion gallons in 2023, 21.54 billion gallons in 2024 and 22.33 billion gallons in 2025. The totals under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard are higher than levels set for 2022 and earlier years, but include just 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol in all three years.

Most gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10% ethanol, and the fuel is a key part of the economy in Iowa, Nebraska and other Midwest states.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the final rule would reduce reliance on foreign sources of oil by up to 140,000 barrels per day and support continued growth of biofuels that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gasoline or diesel.

Ethanol and other renewable fuels "play a critical role in diversifying our countrys energy mix and combatting climate change, all while providing good paying jobs and economic benefits to communities across the country, Regan said in a statement. Todays final rule reflects our efforts to ensure stability of the program for years to come, strengthen the rural economy ... and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions'' that contribute to global warming.

The final figures represent a decline from a proposal announced last year and drew immediate criticism from the biofuels industry.

EPAs decision to lower its ambitions for conventional biofuels runs counter to the direction set by Congress and will needlessly slow progress toward this administrations climate goals,'' said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, an ethanol industry group.

The bioethanol industry has more than adequate supply to meet'' an expected increase in demand, Skor added. Choosing not to put that supply to good use in decarbonizing the transportation sector runs counter to this administrations previously-stated commitments and undermines the goal of reaching net-zero (greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050.

Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, called the EPA plan a missed opportunity to invest in and expand the adoption of low-carbon advanced biofuels" such as algae, switchgrass, cellulosic ethanol or landfill waste.

By choosing not to reflect the available and growing supply of advanced biofuels in this three-year rule, the EPA is overlooking a chance to reduce 7 trillion pounds of CO2 from our atmosphere,'' McAdams said, referring to planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions. This rule reneges on the Biden administrations proclaimed vision for carbon reduction.''

Environmental groups also were disappointed, saying the EPAs continued push for ethanol and other biofuels push will hamper U.S. climate efforts rather than bolster them.

Our future will not be propelled by corn  though you might think otherwise based on the Renewable Fuel Standard set by the EPA,'' said Dan Lashof, U.S. director of the World Resources Institute, a global nonprofit.

Biofuels were long thought to be a climate solution, Lashof said, "but today we know that converting crops to fuel is a disaster for the planet. It increases emissions, raises food prices and is a terrible use of prime farmland.''

About 40% of corn produced in the U.S. is used to make ethanol, a figure Lashof called "an incredible waste.''

The federal government should be supporting farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices that produce food, store carbon and conserve biodiversity  not incentivize them to use their land to produce fuels that make the climate crisis worse,'' he said.

Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, another environmental group, called the renewable fuel program a colossal boondoggle in which "millions of acres (of farmland) are being pointlessly sacrificed just to grow corn to fuel gas-guzzling SUVs.''

Bipartisan support for ethanol in Congress and under successive presidential administrations "has given fodder to those who want to delay the transition to real climate and transportation solutions, including a rapid shift to electric vehicles,'' Hartl said.

The proposal announced Wednesday includes new incentives to encourage use of biogas from farms and landfills, and renewable biomass such as wood. Its the first time the EPA has set biofuel targets on its own instead of using numbers from Congress.

McAdams, of the biofuels association, said his group provided EPA with independent studies that found there are sufficient feedstocks available, accounting for food, to support a bigger increase in renewable volumes.

It is disappointing that the Biden administrations EPA chose not to recognize the projected growth of the biomass-based diesel pool in this rule, despite the groundbreaking carbon reductions being delivered by renewable diesel plants coming online today,'' he said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched his official state visit to the White House by acknowledging the one thing that, more than anything, ties the two nations together: their people.

Of the many things the two nations share  among them, the linguistic legacy of British rule, a democratic system, and an emphasis on higher education and research  Modi said people-to-people ties are a top priority, as analysts say the two leaders prepare to move the relationship to a new level.

I am extremely happy that today, immediately after arriving in Washington, D.C., I have the opportunity to meet with such young and creative minds, Modi said during the first White House event on his packed schedule, a visit to the National Science Foundation.

There, he and first lady Jill Biden met with students from the U.S. and India who described their cutting-edge scientific projects. A Virginia high schooler explained his work in semiconductor manufacturing to the first lady; a doctoral student from Mumbai showed her his underwater robot, which he said can be used in oyster fishing.

Some 2.7 million people of Indian origin live in the United States. Indian nationals make up nearly three-quarters of the United States' high-skilled guest worker program, and they hold a significant number of student visas at universities.

Indias population this year surpassed that of every other country, according to U.N. estimates, passing 1.4 billion people. Thats more than four times that of the third most populous nation, the United States.

Friends, today, India and America need a pipeline of talent to maintain the momentum of growth, Modi said. While America, on the one hand, has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies, India, on the other, has the world's biggest youth talent factory. And therefore, I am confident that the partnership between India and America will definitely prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth.

Defense, emerging technologies

Analysts say both nations are eager to deepen their relationship.

The Biden administration think[s] they've got a lot of serious, concrete deliverables that will move the relationship to a new level, Richard Rossow, an India-focused analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA, based on his conversations with White House staff ahead of the visit. He said many of those deliverables are focused on defense and critical and emerging technologies.

India is equally interested, Irfan Nooruddin, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils South Asia Center, told VOA.

At a time when the United States is really keen to diversify its supply chains away from China  to friend-shore, to use [Treasury] Secretary [Janet] Yellens phrase, he said, India would love to be part of the new supply chains that are being built, and these Indian-American corporate leaders and businesspeople are well-suited to see the opportunities in India as part of a greater U.S.-India economic cooperation.

But as U.S. Representative Ro Khanna told VOA, Washington wont avoid tough topics. Khanna is the first Indian American to head the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

Of course, we are going to talk about the importance of human rights, free press, of the nations commitment to liberal democracy, he told VOA. But the core of the meeting is going to be how do we strengthen the partnership.

Rossow noted that for now, the traffic is flowing in one direction. That, he told VOA, may change.

You have a lot of Indians who have come here to study and work. Few Americans have chosen India as a place to do studies or to take employment. So, I do think as well, as part of this visit, you might see some announcements that are looking to help balance that a little bit more and get more Americans a bit of exposure to India, he said.

That appeared to be Modis thinking, too, as he praised academic exchange programs between the two nations  and called for more.

I request all serving and retired people associated with education and research in the U.S. that they spend their vacations in India, the winter break in particular, he said. Thus, they can learn about India and also share their knowledge with the new generation.

That might be easier said than done. The U.S. State Department has assigned India a Level 2 travel advisory  the exercise increased caution category. Ethnic violence has heightened in the country over the past year.

Chris Casquejo contributed to this report.
Myanmars military lacks a strategic plan to end the conflict in the country and move the nation forward regionally and globally on a diplomatic level. Thats what experts are saying after Myanmars military leadership, officially the State Administrative Council, met Monday with senior Thai officials in Thailand.



Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe reportedly attended the meeting, which is taking place over two days in Pattaya, a holiday resort 60 miles from Bangkok.



Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the crisis in Myanmar is sending refugees across the Thai-Myanmar border, and trade between the two countries has been damaged. Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Laos and Vietnam reportedly are attending the meeting as well.



David Scott Mathieson, a Myanmar analyst, says the military has no long-term blueprint.



There is no way out internationally; the time for a post-coup exit plan was early in 2021 after the ASEAN plan, and they totally missed that opportunity. They're simply making up their strategy day to day, which means you have no chance of a coherent diplomatic plan. [Theyre] just reactive, thats all [General] Min Aung Hlaing can do, he told VOA.



ASEAN discontent



The meeting was unexpected because Myanmars leaders have been barred from participation in major gatherings of the 10-member ASEAN regional grouping. Some ASEAN members  including current chair Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore  declined to attend the Pattaya sessions.



Aung Thu Nyein, a Myanmar analyst, said the meeting has irked multiple ASEAN members.

Many ASEAN countries assume Thailand is a front-line country with Myanmar, and it can initiate some policies because of its significance. But for this meeting, many ASEAN members opposed [it] and say it seemed [to cross] the line of the organizational agreement, he told VOA.



Myanmars shadow government, the National Unity Government, said the talks wont stop the crisis, and more than 80 Myanmar activist groups condemned the meeting.



So far, international organizations have been unable to find a diplomatic solution in Myanmar.



The U.N. special envoy to Myanmar, Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, left her role last week after her contract ended on June 12 after 20 months in the role without achieving a diplomatic breakthrough.



I can't see any diplomatic progress [from] the military leadership. Until the [State Administrative Council] actually wants some genuine outside help, all these efforts are performative, empty of any substance, and actually serve to confuse some observers who think there is merit in reaching out, Mathieson said.



Thomas Kean, senior consultant at the International Crisis Group and editor-at-large of Frontier Myanmar, shared Mathiesons view about the juntas lack of an exit plan.



The election was the regime's exit strategy from day one, and it doesn't appear to have a backup plan. The current state of emergency will expire at the end of July. It's not clear what the military will do, but certainly it hasn't made much progress since then in quelling unrest, and there are no signs of preparations for an election, Kean said.



State of emergency



Myanmars ruling generals promised new elections after their February 2021 coup but, faced with widespread resistance to their rule, have repeatedly extended a state of emergency, with the latest extension set to expire on August 1.



Reports also emerged last week that the junta had visited jailed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss a peace deal. But military general spokesman Zaw Min Thu denied this to VOA Burmese.



Suu Kyi, who turned 78 on Monday, is serving a combination of prison sentences totaling 33 years after being convicted on several charges by a military-run court.



Pro-democracy activist Thinzar Shunlei Yu said it makes no difference whether the reported visit happened.



If the negotiation ever happened that [would be] merely a dialogue between [Aung San Suu Kyi] and her party. That won't represent the whole revolution or the key stakeholders of the resistance, she told VOA.



Myanmars military has upped its airstrikes against resistance forces in the last year and some commentators see that as an indication the military is struggling on the battlefield.



That change came midway through last year, when the Burma army [leaders] were starting to feel they werent winning this war. The shift went from bombing military targets, resistance camps, roads, vehicles, to clinics, schools, Dave Eubank, founder of the Free Burma Rangers, a Christian, multi-ethnic humanitarian group, told VOA earlier this year.



In the deadliest airstrike since the coup, the military killed at least 168 people in April, including dozens of children, in the Sagaing region in northwest Myanmar.



Kean said the airstrikes are part of the juntas brutal combat tactics.



This shouldn't necessarily be seen as a sign of weakness or that it is on its last legs, as some have argued. Brutal counterinsurgency tactics have long been part of its modus operandi, and it has only acquired this aerial capacity relatively recently."



Following the coup, the military has cracked down on nationwide resistance, killing thousands and jailing political leaders, which has fueled an armed resistance led by peoples defense forces and ethnic armed organizations.



According to a Thailand-based monitoring group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma, 3,672 people have been killed by the military since the coup.
Senegalese-born chef Serigne Mbaye knows the U.S. holiday Juneteenth honors the day when the last African American slaves were freed in 1865.

But, he said, to me, the most important thing about Juneteenth is community.

So Mbayes New Orleans restaurant Dakar NOLA organized the Afro Freedom/Afro Feast community celebration featuring food by more than a half-dozen of New Orleans most prominent Black chefs, music by a West African DJ and by premier African American jazz musicians and drinks from a local nonprofit that connects rising Black and other non-white hospitality workers to job opportunities.

To have all of these Black and brown brothers and sisters celebrating our freedom and sharing their talents with this city  its very special, Mbaye told VOA. But its also a way to have a conversation that needs to be had. Its a difficult conversation, but doing it over food, drink and music helps make people more open.

Story through food

Mbaye was an emerging finalist for this years James Beard Awards honoring the top U.S. chefs, restaurateurs and food writers. He is using that notoriety to address issues of concern in the New Orleans food industry. Among the discussions at this years Juneteenth event was how, in a city renowned for its food, African contributions to that cuisine are too often overlooked.

French food is held up as the sole standard, but I dont really get that, said Martha Wiggins, executive chef at Cafe Reconcile, a nonprofit restaurant in New Orleans providing food industry job training to at-risk youth.

African influence can be found throughout New Orleans food and throughout Americas food, she told VOA, and I think this country should give more credit to  and take more time to celebrate  this excellent, masterful and ingenious cuisine.

At Dakar NOLA, Mbaye helps guests make that connection by highlighting the West African influence on many of New Orleans signature dishes.

Gumbo is so important to New Orleans, but youll find that same characteristic okra and seafood stew over rice in African soupou kandja, he explained. And it doesnt end there. Louisianas tomato-based etouffee and doughy beignets also have origins in Africa. But those stories are often forgotten here.

When Haitian chef Charly Pierre moved to New Orleans, he worked at several high-profile restaurants before opening his own Haitian restaurant, something he was surprised to find lacking in the city.

After the Haitian revolution in the early 19th century, Haitian refugees doubled New Orleans population, Pierre told VOA. The effect was huge. So why isnt Haitian culture celebrated the same way French, Spanish and Italian contributions to this city are?

Celebration, but work to do

While the chefs at the Juneteenth event agreed African American influence on the citys culture should be more widely learned and celebrated, Pierre believes those traditions are even more notable given the circumstances through which they have endured.

Red beans and rice, root vegetables, chitlins, gumbo and so many other dishes survived hundreds of years of our people being enslaved, he said. That these dishes were able to survive from our forefathers centuries ago in Africa, and that they remain close to our hearts today after everything weve been through, its really amazing.

And its a testament to how good this food is, Pierre continued. Its like natural selection. How did it survive all this? Well, when you have your first bite of red beans, you get it. Of course, this food survived. Its that good.

More than 100 Afro Freedom/Afro Feast guests gathered at an urban farm just outside downtown New Orleans, dancing to music by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and loading up their plates with meats and vegetables cooked over an open flame by some of New Orleans brightest culinary stars.

It was a spirited Juneteenth celebration that participating chefs see as more of a beginning than an end.

When I first heard last year that Juneteenth was becoming a national holiday, I was kind of cynical and rolled my eyes, Wiggins of Cafe Reconcile said. Is this just going to be some performative way for Americans to say they support Black and brown people without really doing anything?

But after the event, I dont feel so cynical, she admitted. Its a celebration of community. I brought some of the students Im mentoring from Cafe Reconcile, and for them to see all of these Black chefs being elevated, and to see this traditional food being celebrated, I think its important for the next generation to understand how they fit in.

Mbaye hopes to see continued attention for Black chefs and African-influenced dishes in New Orleans.

There are so many extraordinary Black chefs in this city and their work should be acknowledged and their food should be tried, Mbaye said. I think we were able to do some of that this week, but this isnt only for Juneteenth. Africas influence on American culture is something we should be talking about every single day.
Parents of missing Pakistanis believed to have been on an over-crowded migrant boat that capsized in the Mediterranean are desperately trying to find out the fate of their loved ones. Since last week's accident authorities in Pakistan have intensified crackdown on human traffickers arresting at least 14 suspected human trafficking agents. VOAs Pakistan bureau chief Sarah Zaman met with some of the parents who are looking for answers.
Two Palestinian attackers opened fire at a restaurant and gas station near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on Tuesday, killing four Israelis and wounding several other people before they were shot dead, authorities said, as violence roiled the occupied territory the day after a deadly Israeli military raid.

Israeli settlers attempted to carry out revenge attacks across the northern West Bank, raising fears of a repeat of a rampage last February that resulted in damage to dozens of Palestinian homes and vehicles and the killing of a Palestinian man.

Carloads of Israeli settlers drove to the northern Palestinian towns of Hawara, Beit Furik, Burin and surrounding villages, setting dozens of cars on fire, hurling stones and trying to set homes ablaze, said Nablus official Ghassan Daghlas. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

Tuesdays violence underscored the fragility of the situation in the West Bank, where on Monday an Israeli military raid into the northern Jenin refugee camp ignited some of the fiercest Israeli-Palestinian fighting in years, killing six Palestinians and wounding scores more. Palestinian militants targeted Israeli military vehicles with powerful roadside bombs and Israeli forces deployed helicopter gunships to evacuate stranded troops.

In the Balata refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus late Tuesday, two Palestinian teenagers were killed when homemade explosives they were handling went off accidentally, the local Islamic Jihad branch said in a statement of condolences. The militant group named the two Palestinians killed as 17-year-old Mohammed Hashah and 18-year-old Alaa Hafnawi. Palestinian media reported that a third was wounded by the blast.

A surge in violence in recent months has killed at least 130 Palestinians and 24 people on the Israeli side so far this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press, prompting many on either side of the conflict to fear a possible greater conflagration.

The Israeli military said it was sending reinforcements to the West Bank and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to settle the score with the murderers.

I want to tell all those who seek to harm us  all options are open, he said in a video statement. We will continue to fight terror with all our might."

The Israeli military said all of the victims were Israeli citizens, and local media described three of the victims as residents of West Bank settlements while the fourth came from central Israel. They reportedly ranged in age from 17 to 60.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the two Palestinian gunmen, both affiliated with the Hamas militant group, drove to the shooting scene from the Palestinian village of Urif in the northern West Bank. The men went on a rampage at a gas station next to the Israeli settlement of Eli, the Israeli military said, north of the Palestinian city of Ramallah. They first burst into a hummus restaurant, shooting and killing three people, the army said, before heading out to the gas station and killing another person who was pumping gas into his car.

A civilian bystander shot one of the assailants repeatedly, killing him. Hamas identified him as 26-year-old Mohannad Faleh. The second assailant fled the gas station in a stolen Toyota.

After an hourslong manhunt, Israeli security forces caught him in the West Bank town of Tubas, shooting and killing him when he tried to run out of his car. Palestinian health officials identified the man as 24-year-old Khaled Sabah.

The Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the attack as a response to Monday's deadly military raid.

Revolutionaries in the West Bank are striking everywhere, and specifically where [Israel] does not expect it, said Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, describing the shooting as a reaction to the crimes of the occupation in the Jenin camp.

Hours after the attack, Israeli settlers streamed through Palestinian towns, trying to torch property and smashing cars with stones. A few settlers opened fire at Palestinians who had ventured out of their homes to confront them, said Daghlas. Dozens of Palestinians were attacked and wounded by rocks throughout the Nablus governorate, he said, including a Palestinian journalist struck in the face. Videos shared online showed giant fires tearing through the countryside.

Although the scale of damage remained unclear, photos circulated overnight showing charred cars and smashed windshields across the Nablus governorate. In the northern village of Luban e-Sharkiyaa, footage showed a partly scorched gas station and trashed convenience store.

The northern town of Hawara was the scene of a deadly rampage earlier this year in which Israeli settlers set dozens of homes and cars on fire and left one Palestinian dead after a Palestinian militant attack killed two Israeli brothers.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was convening with the country's army chief and other top security officials to discuss a response to the shooting. Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners have ramped up pressure on the government to crack down harshly on the wave of Palestinian violence.

Now is the time for a military operation in Judea and Samaria, said Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, using the biblical term for the West Bank. From the scene of the attack, he demanded that the government launch targeted assassinations from the air, take down buildings, deport Palestinian assailants and impose the death penalty on terrorists.

The head of the Yesha Council, the Israeli settlers umbrella organization, echoed calls for a broad [military] operation.

We cannot continue to absorb these blows and hope the wave of terrorism will just pass," said Shlomo Neeman.

The Israeli rescue service said that one person remained in serious condition, two people in moderate condition and another in light condition. Medics reported that they found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds in the hummus restaurant and the outside gas station.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides strongly condemned the senseless murder of four innocent Israelis and said he was deeply concerned about the civilian deaths" of the past two days.

Tuesday's shooting followed fighting in the northern Jenin refugee camp that killed six Palestinians, including a 15-year-old boy, and wounded over 90 others. On Tuesday, the death toll from the raid rose to six when 48-year-old Amjad Abu Jaas succumbed to wounds sustained in the gunbattle, Palestinian health officials said. A dozen Palestinians remain in critical condition. Eight Israeli soldiers were also wounded.

After the deadly raid, Palestinians rushed to checkpoints to throw stones at Israeli military vehicles in protest. In the Palestinian town of Husan, west of Bethlehem, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man who they alleged threw a firebomb at troops along a West Bank highway late Monday. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the man killed as 21-year-old Zakaria al-Zaoul.

Israel and the Palestinian territories have been gripped by months of violence, fueled by several factors. Rising militancy among a new generation of Palestinians, the new far-right government's hard-line stance against the Palestinians and an escalating Israeli military crackdown on the West Bank have all worked to fuel violence and undermine efforts to calm tensions.

Israel has been staging near-nightly raids in the West Bank in response to a spasm of Palestinian violence early last year. Israel says most of the 128 Palestinian dead this year were militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state.
Dozens of heads of state, along with leaders from business, multilateral institutions and civil society are set to gather in Paris Thursday to discuss ways to rehaul the global financial system, as climate change inflicts ever harsher consequences especially on debt-strapped developing countries.

The two-day Summit for a New Global Financial Pact is the latest in a raft of ambitious meetings French President Emmanuel Macron has hosted over the years with mixed results.

The goal of these latest talks, Frances presidency says, is to lay the groundwork for a financial system responsive to some of todays most daunting challenges: from fighting the fallout of rising greenhouse emissions and inequality to protecting biodiversity. Key to realizing them is giving poorer, frontline nations the funds to do so.

In a statement published Wednesday in France's Le Monde newspaper, President Biden joined 11 other heads of state, including Macron, in calling for a "just and inclusive" transition to help the most vulnerable countries address development needs and fight poverty and climate change.

"We are convinced that poverty reduction and the protection of the planet are converging objectives," the leaders wrote, calling among other things for $100 million in voluntary funds, faster debt relief and more multilateral and sustainable financing for the most vulnerable countries.

Fighting poverty and acting for the climate and biodiversity: we do not have to choose, Macron said in a recent tweet that called for building a fair transition.

African countries and the Global South more broadly are having to service debt obligations, increase their adaptive capacity and suffer climate loss and damage simultaneously, said Maria Nkhonjera, senior program officer for the African Climate Foundation, an African-based strategic grant-maker. Its about creating a financial system thats fair and responsive to their needs.

Those meeting in Paris include African leaders, Brazils president, Lula da Silva and Chinas premier Li Qiang. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is expected at the talks, along with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

The idea is not to have a clear initiative out of this or a clear outcome, but really to steer a process that in the coming months through other conferences, said Simone Tagliapietra, senior fellow at Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel. The only way to tackle this problem is through collaboration.

Still, of the 50 heads of state due to attend, very few hail from the richest, most powerful nations. Only two, host Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, represent G7 countries.

The Paris meeting seems to be big on lofty promises and light on actual commitments, wrote development media outlet Devex.



Strong steering needed

Tagliapietra agrees the low turnout of western leaders could be a handicap.

"You need strong political steering to tackle the summits ambitious goals, he said, and not having all the leaders in the room might weaken this effort.

Still, he added, it might still be a useful summit to steer a process that could lead to important decisions later on.

A group of developing countries led by Barbados prime minister, Mia Mottley, has set out a set of objectives in changing the way rich countries finance poorer ones on the frontlines of climate change  including meeting promises they made but never kept.

Among those set out by the group, known as the Bridgetown Initiative: a 2009 agreement for developed countries to mobilize $100 billion yearly in climate financing, and finding new ways for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to increase loans to developing countries and support private investments in green energy.

What we are seeing is that loans and development aid are simply being repackaged as climate finance, says Nkhonjera of the African Climate Foundation. So its not about a relocation of funds from one area to another, but about pumping more funds into the system.

Host France is additionally pushing for debt restructuring for especially strapped nations, starting with Zambia, and for slapping a carbon emissions tax on the shipping industry.

The International Monetary Fund has said a debt agreement between Zambia and its creditors could be achieved within days, Reuters reports.

The summits success will be measured by the financial flows the Global North is able to mobilize for the Global South when it comes to climate change, adaptation and mitigation, Bruegels Tagliapietra said.

Several non-governmental groups, including international charity Oxfam, have called on rich nations for even bigger commitments.

Countries from the South deserve better than breadcrumbs and debt, the NGOs said in a statement, which calls for writing off debts of the most vulnerable countries, taxing the biggest and richest polluters and fighting tax evasion and illicit financial flows.

Oxfam, for one, estimates that developing countries need trillions of dollars before 2030 to cope with climate change and meet their sustainable development goals.

China

Backdropping their demands are massive debts that many developing countries are struggling to repay. China has been especially singled out for its reluctance to forgive loans  with some exceptions  and its lack of transparency on its lending terms and sums.

But critics say Western countries have also fallen short.

Broken promises, missed opportunities and a failure to see the bigger picture; thats the story of the wests approach to developing nations in recent years, Larry Elliott, The Guardians economics editor, wrote in an opinion for the newspaper.

If the West wants to offer an alternative to Chinese influence, especially in Africa it needs to sharpen up its act fast, he added.

Still, Bruegel analyst Tagliapietra counts among others in saying Chinas presence at the Paris summit is a plus.

Not having China in the room would be missing an important part of the debate, he said, noting the recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to stabilize ties as another positive backdrop.

Having a constructive approach with the Chinese is whats needed at the end of the day, he added, if we are to achieve the sustainable development agenda.
More than a half-million refugees in Kenya will not receive assistance from the U.N. refugee agency, due to a lack of funding. Amid the tough conditions, a refugee-led organization in Nairobi  Youth Voices Community  is helping thousands of refugees through education in business and learning new skills to earn a living. Mohammed Yusuf reports.
At least seven people were killed Wednesday when two cars loaded with explosives detonated outside a military training camp in the southern Somali town of Bardhere.



The militants targeted regional military recruits with two car bombs. Seven recruits were killed and at least 18 injured, Osman Nuh Haji, the deputy Gedo region governor in charge of security, told VOA.

In an interview with VOA Somali, Bardhere District Commissioner Mohamed Wali Yusuf said regional security forces prevented the suicide car bombs from reaching the recruitment camp.

We had security tips about possible attacks, and that helped us foil the attacks and prevent the suicide vehicles from reaching their point, said Yusuf. They [the militants] were close to the base, but did not hit it exactly.

Al-Shabab extremists claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they targeted the camp "because Ethiopian and Somali officials were meeting there." Regional authorities denied the claim.

In March, a similar car bomb attack on the town's regional guesthouse killed several soldiers and injured 10 others.

Bardhere is a strategic agricultural town about 450 kilometers south of Mogadishu. It sits near the Middle Juba region, the only area in Somalia fully controlled by al-Shabab militants.

Wednesdays attack came a day after violence across Somalia that included heavy fighting in the semiautonomous state of Puntland and bomb explosions in the country's Lower Shabelle region that killed at least 36 people.
Nearly two-and-a-half months after deadly fighting between rival factions erupted in Sudan, ending tenuous moves toward democracy and shattering the hopes of millions for a brighter future, Sudan has descended into violence and chaos that threaten to engulf the entire region.

It is heartbreaking to see that hope decimated, said Volker Turk, U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

This is a human rights and humanitarian crisis that is unfolding at an alarming rate, on a devastating scale and with a complexity not seen before in the country, he said. This is a crisis reverberating across an entire region. It is a powder keg.

The high commissioner presented a grim assessment of the human rights situation in Sudan to participants of an interactive dialogue held at the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday.

In his oral update on conditions in Sudan, he painted a bleak picture of a country that has been plunged into chaos since conflict erupted April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The people of Sudan are suffering immeasurably, he said. The streets of Khartoum and its surrounding cities, of El Geneina and of El Obeid are stained with the blood of civilians.

And millions are still in need of vital humanitarian assistance, which, in many places, has been all but impossible to deliver, he said.

Sudans Federal Ministry of Health reports more than 958 civilians have been killed and 6,083 injured, though the actual casualty numbers are believed to be much higher. The U.N. refugee agency says 1.42 million people are internally displaced and more than half-a-million have taken refuge in neighboring countries.

Turk said children were bearing the harrowing consequences of the war, with more than 13 million across the country in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian support.

He said he was appalled by allegations of sexual violence, including rape, noting that his office had received credible reports of 18 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 53 women and girls.

In almost all cases, the RSF has been identified as the perpetrator, he said.

He called on authorities to conduct prompt, impartial investigations into alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

He noted that failure to pursue accountability for past grave violations has contributed to the current crisis.

To break the cycle of violence, impunity must end, he said.

Hassan Hamid Hassan, permanent representative of Sudan to the U.N. office in Geneva, blamed the rebel forces of breaching international human rights and humanitarian law.

He took umbrage at the United Nations, which he accused of holding the SAF and RSF equally responsible for the violence and widespread violations and abuse.

After two months and five days, United Nations entities are still speaking the same grainy language, referring to two warring parties, he said.

The United Nations was still not calling a spade a spade, he said. The perpetrators were documenting their atrocities on social media, he said, while some United Nations entities were hiding behind gray language, instead of calling out the rebel forces to stop their behavior.

Mohamed Belaiche, head of the African Union Liaison Office in Sudan, disagreed with the Sudanese ambassadors criticism of the United Nations, maintaining that the ongoing dialogue was a demonstration of support for Sudan.

He said, We are not here to judge; we are here to help.

However, he warned that the fratricidal clashes between two military entities, resulting in a tragic humanitarian situation and destruction of civilian infrastructure posed a real threat to peace and security throughout the Horn of Africa region.

The Sudanese Armed Forces overthrew Sudans long-ruling president, Omar al-Bashir, from power April 11, 2019, following popular protests for his removal.

Belaiche reminded the Sudanese ambassador of the pivotal role played by the African Union as the architect of the transition to democracy in August 2019.

As such, he said the AU firmly rejects the option of a military solution to this crisis, and advocates the search for a consensual political solution, through an inclusive and transparent political dialogue.

Enass Muzamel is a human rights defender from Sudan and co-founder of Mandaniva, a group that supports the active participation of women and youth in their communities and in policymaking.

She said the war raging in Sudan was not a civil war but a war between two factions fighting to further their own interests.

The war is a result of generals who put their interests over those of their citizens, she said. The Sudanese people have nothing to do with this war, except to pay the price. The Sudanese people have been standing up against the oppressive regime, she said, and now this bitter experience is what they have got.

She called on the international community to apply the strongest pressure, including sanctions on the war generals and to hold those accountable for their crimes against the Sudanese people.
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Turkeys LGBT+ movement is celebrating pride this week in Istanbul, but authorities are cracking down on any public displays as newly reelected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses the movement of posing a threat to Turkish society. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.
Microchip Technology, whose products are found in everything from coffee makers and cars to NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and Mars Rover vehicle, plans to spend $880 million to expand production at its Colorado Springs semiconductor manufacturing plant  an investment that local business leaders and government officials say will add more than 400 jobs and pump $1.4 billion into the area's economy over the next decade.

The global tech company, based in suburban Phoenix, made the announcement during a Friday news conference attended by several local and state officials, who praised Microchip's decision to invest in Colorado Springs and beamed over a string of recent economic development successes.

Well folks, it is yet another great day in Olympic City, USA, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers told about 50 people who attended Fridays news conference, referring to the citys moniker as home to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements. Ive been saying that a lot over the last several years and Im very excited to do it again today.

In December, Massachusetts-based Entegris said it will spend up to $600 million to build what it called a manufacturing center of excellence on the Springs northwest side that could add as many as 600 jobs over the next several years. That facility will make critical products used to manufacture semiconductors, company officials said.

Also, while not a semiconductor company, Zivaro, a Denver-based information and technology firm that works with government and national defense partners, said it will bring more than 300 new jobs to Colorado Springs.

Microchips expansion rivals those announcements.

The company operates a manufacturing plant on its nearly 50-acre campus west of Venetucci and Cheyenne Mountain boulevards on Colorado Springs south side. Mircochip, founded in 1989, took over the property when it purchased semiconductor manufacturer Atmel Corp. in 2016.

At its Colorado Springs plant, Microchip makes chips used in everyday consumer items and some of the worlds most sophisticated equipment, said Rich Simoncic, Microchip senior vice president of analog businesses.

When you woke up this morning and made coffee, you were probably using a Microchip device in that appliance, Simoncic said. When you step into your car and use your keyless entry, you were using a Microchip device to enter your car. Your anti-lock brakes, your seat heaters, your steering wheel heater  all driven by Microchip technology.

More than 100 chips from Microchip Technology were part of the Mars rover that drove around that planet, Simoncic said, while the Webb telescope was outfitted with the companys driver technology that enabled pictures to be taken and sent back to Earth.

The Atlas rocket that just circled the moon? Simoncic said. We had lots of engineers cheering at Microchip because literally hundreds and hundreds of devices from Microchip were on that Atlas rocket.

Microchips work, said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, affects our entire nation. That is why were so glad that they continue to call our region home and will continue to expand.

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In Colorado Springs, Microchip employs about 850 people and expects to add 418 more as part of its $880 million expansion, city officials and business leaders said.

Those jobs will pay an average of $72,000 a year and include production specialists, technical roles in equipment procurement and management, process control and test engineering. Theyll also have a spinoff effect and create an additional 779 indirect jobs at other businesses, Suthers said.

All told, Microchips investment will have an annual economic impact of $144 million or $1.4 billion over 10 years, Suthers said.

Microchips $880 million investment in its Colorado Springs operation, which will play out over the next several years, will include adding more high-tech equipment to develop the companys chips, Simoncic said.

The company currently produces products from 6-inch wafers or thin slices of semiconductors; new manufacturing technology to be installed will run on 8-inch wafers, which will significantly increase the number of chips produced at the Colorado Springs plant, according to a news release.

We already have a great deal of infrastructure, or buildings, but the insides are being removed, modernized and then new modern equipment is being brought in there, Simoncic said.

City and El Paso County officials, in conjunction with the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, said that Microchip was approved for state and local incentives of approximately $47 million to help fund its expansion.

Microchip, Simoncic said, also is seeking financial assistance through the federal CHIPS Act, which became law last year. The bipartisan legislation  which stands for Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science  was passed to encourage funding for the construction of microprocessor manufacturing facilities in the United States, among other initiatives.

This is Microchips second major upgrade in recent years to its Colorado Springs plant. A year ago, it announced plans to spend $40 million to upgrade the facility new technology and add 50 to 75 jobs.

Microchips announcement Friday conjures up images of Colorado Springs high-tech industrial past  when companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell, Ford Microelectronics, Ramtron and even Intel had a major presence in the city. Some business and civic leaders even began using the term Silicon Mountain to compare the Springs to northern Californias Silicon Valley.

But much of Colorado Springs' tech industry disappeared as overseas competition led to the closing of many local manufacturing operations.

Suthers, however, sought to use Microchips expansion announcement to reclaim the citys high-tech title.

As someone whos lived in Colorado Springs all my life, Ive got to tell you, I am particularly excited to see us return to our high-tech, industrial roots, he said. We are becoming Silicon Mountain once again.
The United Nation's top official in Afghanistan said Wednesday there have been no assurances from the Taliban that they will lift their "punishing restrictions" on the country's female population, placing a "question mark" over U.N. activities in the country.

"We have been given no explanations by the de facto authorities for this ban, and no assurance that it will be lifted," Roza Otunbayeva, head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

On April 5, the Taliban verbally informed the United Nations that an existing ban on women working for humanitarian organizations had been extended to include the United Nations. About 400 Afghan women work for the U.N. in the country.

Since then, the U.N. has ordered its female staff to work from home and for non-essential male staffers to also work remotely.

"We are steadfast  female national staff will not be replaced by male national staff as some de facto authorities have suggested," Otunbayeva said.

The Security Council condemned the Taliban's edict and called for its reversal in a resolution adopted unanimously on April 27.

The Taliban has been unmoved. Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada directed government spokespersons this month to emphasize the enforcement of Islamic law in their statements.

"The United States and the United Nations have held the entire world hostage, and nothing moves without their dictation," he told a meeting in the southern city of Kandahar, which is known as the birthplace of the Taliban. "The Islamic Emirate [Taliban] effectively controls all parts of Afghanistan, but non-Muslim and even Islamic countries refuse to recognize it."

Otunbayeva said the Taliban wants international recognition, but that means fulfilling responsibilities under the U.N. Charter, not working against its values.

"In my regular discussions with the de facto authorities, I am blunt about the obstacles they have created for themselves by the decrees and restrictions they have enacted, in particular against women and girls," she said. "We have conveyed to them that as long as these decrees are in place it is nearly impossible that their government will be recognized by members of the international community."

She said the bans, which include earlier ones preventing girls attending secondary schools and universities, visiting parks and gyms, and restricting their movements outside their homes, have taken a toll on women's mental and physical health.

Otunbayeva urged the Taliban to lift the restrictions so the U.N. can continue its full support to the Afghan people, more than 28 million of whom require some form of humanitarian assistance.

Ayaz Gul in Islamabad contributed to this report.
The top United Nations official in South Sudan on Tuesday urged leaders in that country to accelerate implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, including holding elections late next year.

"Now is not the time to take our eyes off the ball in South Sudan," Nicholas Haysom, head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan, told the U.N. Security Council. "What we can learn from Sudan is how quickly hard-won peace gains can unravel."

This is a critical year for the world's youngest country. A new constitution must be drafted and preparations completed for the first national elections scheduled for December 2024.

"In our estimation, the constitution-making process is 10 months behind schedule, election planning eight months behind, and several aspects of the transitional security arrangements are hanging," Haysom reported.

He said it is possible for South Sudan to close the gap on election preparations. He urged legislators to pass the National Elections Act in parliament and establish the National Elections Commission.

After independence from Sudan in July 2011, South Sudan slid into more than five years of civil war, with forces loyal to President Salva Kiir battling supporters of Vice President Riek Machar.

Thousands died in the war, and more than 2 million fled to neighboring countries, including Sudan. Since mid-April, when a rivalry between two Sudanese generals turned into open conflict, more than 117,000 people have crossed back into South Sudan seeking safety. Haysom told council members that 93% of them are South Sudanese returning home.

"I want to commend the government of South Sudan for its open border policy to all those who are fleeing the conflict, with or without travel documents," Haysom said. "The absorption capacity of the government and humanitarians, however, is under strain, with limited local resources and bottlenecks of arrivals in South Sudan's border towns, notably in Renk."

Before the conflict erupted in Sudan, at least 9.4 million people in South Sudan needed humanitarian assistance. That number is likely to rise with the returnees.

Haysom noted that the fighting in Sudan is also impacting South Sudan's economy, as many goods imported from its northern neighbor have been disrupted, driving up prices. South Sudan's economy is dependent on its oil exports, which Haysom noted go out via Port Sudan. Their interruption could have devastating effects on the economy.
The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, for the first time scaled back Tuesdays commemoration of World Refugee Day in Malawi after refugees called out the tough living conditions there. Malawi authorities have been forcibly relocating refugees into the Dzaleka refugee camp, where refugees say there is inadequate shelter, food, and clean water.

In previous years in Malawi, the day typically was marked by holding a special event with activities like dance presentations, displays from refugees and speeches from government and U.N. officials.

The theme for this years observance is hope away from home.

It comes at a time, however, when the Malawi government is forcibly relocating refugees who stay outside Dzaleka, the countrys only refugee camp.

UNHCR and several rights advocates, including Human Rights Watch, have requested that the government halt the forced relocations after refugees complained of the dehumanizing manner in which they were being evicted from their homes and businesses.

Niyibigira Goreth, the leader of refugees from Burundi at the Dzaleka refugee camp, told VOA the refugees community leaders have agreed that holding an event to observe World Refugee Day in Malawi would be an insult to refugees.

The situation now is bad, said Goreth. We dont have enough water. People are lacking water for everything because you know water is life. Many of us dont have a place to sleep, we dont have food. And now, for those children who are going to schools, we dont have hope that those children will go to school this coming year because we dont have enough classrooms.

Goreth said this years theme for the World Refugee Day, hope away from home, does not resonate amid the congestion at the Dzaleka camp and harsh conditions refugees are facing in Malawi.

The Malawi government so far has forcibly relocated nearly 2,000 refugees to the overcrowded camp that hosts upwards of 50,000 refugees against a recommended capacity of 12,000 people. Six thousand more are targeted for relocation.

Hilda Kausiwa, senior administration and operations officer for the Department of Refugees in Malawi, said the relocation exercise is in line with Malawi's legislation, which prohibits refugees from staying outside the refugee camp.

Kausiwa said it is wrong to say that refugees have no hope in Malawi.

Malawi has always been open to protecting and assisting refugees, but it can only do that in accordance with existing laws, Kausiwa said. So, if others feel that there is no hope, everyone has a choice to seek asylum where they desire, then they have power to actually decide. We are providing options for voluntary repatriations. The government will assist anyone who wants to leave, and they can always do so and seek it elsewhere.

Kenyi Emanuel Lukajo, the associate external relations and reporting officer for UNHCR in Malawi, said they observed the day in a low-key way in respect of the decision made by refugees.

I can say its a regret but also it [is the] best way to do it given the position of community leaders, Lukajo said. Their position is we are not doing it. Its something they feel is [the] right thing to do. We cannot impose that this should happen, but its their decision and also its being accountable to the affected people because we cannot do anything without their participation.

In a statement on the commemoration of the Word Refugee Day released Tuesday, UNHCR said the day was observed in a world that often prevents refugees from accessing services and jobs they need to be self-reliant.

The U.N.s refugee agency said no matter how long refugees remain in exile, they want to carry on with their lives.
Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is due to appear in court July 26 and formally strike a plea agreement on three federal tax and firearm charges.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday rebuffed sweeping claims by Republicans that Biden had been given a sweetheart deal when the Justice Department agreed to allow the younger Biden to plead guilty to three federal tax and firearm charges without the prospect of being imprisoned.

Representative James Comer, who has been investigating Biden family finances, said the deal with Hunter Biden was a slap on the wrist. In a social media post, former President Donald Trump called the no-prison deal a mere traffic ticket compared with the 37-count indictment the Justice Department filed against him two weeks ago for allegedly mishandling highly classified documents when his presidency ended in January 2021.

Trump and other Republicans said the disparate treatment of the two politically sensitive cases amounted to a dual system of justice in the U.S., with the Justice Department favoring leniency for Democrats while pursuing stiff criminal charges against the former Republican president. National polls show Trump is far and away the partys leading contender to take on Biden in the 2024 national election.

Garland, a Biden appointee as the countrys top law enforcement official, has often said that the Justice Department he heads operates independently of political considerations and said that was the case in deciding the outcome of the five-year Hunter Biden investigation.

As I said from the moment of my appointment as attorney general, Garland told reporters at a news conference while on a trip to Sweden, I would leave this matter in the hands of the United States attorney who was appointed by [Trump], and assigned to this matter by the previous administration, that he would be given full authority to decide the matter as he decided was appropriate. And thats what hes done.

David Weiss, the chief federal prosecutor in the eastern state of Delaware, where the Biden family lives when they are not in Washington, told House Judiciary Committee Chairman Representative Jim Jordan in a recent letter that he had full autonomy over any decision-making in the Hunter Biden case.

I have been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and [Justice] departmental regulations, Weiss wrote in the letter.

According to a court filing on Tuesday, the 53-year-old son of the president, long troubled by crack cocaine addiction and the focus of investigations of his overseas business transactions, will plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges for failing to pay his 2017 and 2018 taxes on time, and agree to probation.

In addition, the court filing said the Justice Department would charge Biden but agree not to prosecute him in connection with his purchase of a handgun in 2018 when he was using drugs, even though he claimed on a purchase document that he was not using drugs. The deal calls for Biden to remain drug-free for two years and agree to never again own a firearm.

The agreement was hashed out over several months between lawyers for Hunter Biden and Weiss, who was appointed by Trump and retained after Trumps reelection defeat to the elder Biden in 2020 to continue to handle the politically sensitive case.

In a statement Tuesday, Hunter Bidens lawyer, Christopher Clark, said, With the announcement of two agreements between my client, Hunter Biden, and the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Delaware, it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved.

Weiss later said the investigation was ongoing.

I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life, Clark said. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.

The agreement must still be approved by a federal judge. Hunter Biden is expected to appear soon in a federal court in Delaware and plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax charges. If there are no last-minute complications, he is unlikely to be sentenced to prison.

The president and first lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment, White House spokesman Ian Sams said in a statement.

Comer, leading a Republican-controlled panel of lawmakers investigating Biden family finances, assailed the plea deal.

Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery, he said.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, also running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, called the Hunter Biden plea agreement a sweetheart deal. Senator Tom Cotton said that if anyone without the Biden last name engaged in even a fraction of Hunters misconduct, theyd face real consequences.

Republicans have alleged that Hunter Biden was able to secure lucrative overseas business deals only by trading on the importance of his fathers vice presidency and ascension to the Oval Office.

Hunter Bidens work for the Ukrainian energy company Burisma from 2014 to 2019, for which U.S. media outlets say he was paid tens of thousands of dollars a month, played a role in the first impeachment case against then-President Trump.

In July 2019, with Biden looming as a possible Democratic presidential opponent, Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to look into the business and political activities of both Bidens in Ukraine. A week before the call, Trump had withheld millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine.

The U.S. House of Representatives impeached Trump over the phone call, but the Senate acquitted him.
A top U.S. military commander accused the Russian air force of encouraging its pilots to engage in "buffoonery in the air," raising the risk of accidents or even conflict in Syria.

Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, the combined forces air component commander for U.S. Central Command, told reporters Wednesday Russian jets continue to violate deconfliction protocols in Syria multiple times a day, putting U.S. forces at risk.

And despite previous warnings from the United States, Grynkewich said Russias aggressiveness seems to be worsening.

"We've had instances as recently as just earlier this morning, in Syria time, where a Russian aircraft came into our airspace," he told reporters during a virtual briefing.

"We had instances yesterday and we had instances the day before," Grynkewich added, saying U.S. forces in Syria have seen as many as three to four such incursions in a single day by Russian jets carrying a full complement of air-to-ground munitions and bombs.



This is not the first time that Grynkewich has warned about Russias risky maneuvers over Syria.

The CENTCOM air components commander told NBC News this past March that there had been a substantial increase in Russian flyovers of U.S. forces.

Grynkewich also echoed his concerns last week during a virtual summit, accusing Russia of seeking to pressure the U.S. in Syria despite CENTCOM efforts to deescalate tensions.

A VOA query to the Russian Embassy in Washington about the accusations was not immediately answered.

The U.S. last week deployed stealth fighter jets, F-22 Raptors from Langley Air Force Base in the U.S., to the Middle East to counter Russias actions.

In a statement, CENTCOM described the F-22 as the best fifth-generation fighter in the world, adding that the deployment was part of a multifaceted show of strength.

But Grynkewich on Wednesday warned he was bracing for Russias actions to become worse, pointing to how Russian leaders rewarded a fighter pilot who collided with a U.S. drone over the Black Sea in March.

Fighter pilots that are deployed now into Syria from Russia will see that they're rewarded for this kind of behavior, Grynkewich said.



The pilot didn't intend to do it. You can see from the video, he said. Anytime you have an air force that has fallen so low on the professional ladder, that they're giving medals for buffoonery in the air, you've really got to wonder what they're thinking.

The CENTCOM air forces commander also cautioned that Russias focus on trying to provoke the U.S., instead of maintaining its focus on counterterrorism, was benefiting the Islamic State terror group.

The terror group is down but not out, Grynkewich said, warning the groups fighters have a fair amount of freedom of action in areas under the control of the Russians or the Syrian regime.

They are running training camps and they're building up their capabilities because the Russians in the regime are either incapable or unwilling to put pressure on ISIS, he said, using an acronym for the group. They're letting the ISIS threat grow right under their nose."

The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria to combat the threat from IS.

Intelligence estimates by United Nations member states shared in a report earlier this year indicate the terror group has about 2,500 to 3,500 fighters across Syria and Iraq.
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Myanmar's defense ministry and two banks used by the ruling military junta to buy arms and other goods from foreign sources.

The U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement the military has relied on foreign sources, including Russian entities under sanctions, to purchase and import arms, equipment and raw materials to manufacture weapons to support its "brutal repression."

Washington accused the defense ministry of importing goods and materiel worth at least $1 billion since the 2021 coup in which the military leaders seized power.

State-owned Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB), were also hit with sanctions. The Treasury said they allowed revenue-generating state-owned enterprises, including Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), access to international markets.

The banks receive and transmit foreign currencies for Myanmar's government.

"Burmas military regime has leveraged state-run access to international markets to import weapons and materiel, including from sanctioned Russian entities, to continue its violence and oppression," the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.

The United States and other Western nations have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Myanmar's military leaders since they seized power in a coup in 2021, overthrowing the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and killing thousands of opponents in a crackdown.

A spokesman for Myanmar's military junta ahead of the announcement said it was not worried about any new sanctions.

Zaw Min Tun told the state media channel MWD on Tuesday the country has experienced sanctions before and they will not face losses if there are new ones on Myanmar state-owned banks.

He said the United States was "just doing this to cause difficulties in economics and politics."

"These kinds of things will cause unnecessary delays while we walk towards the multi-party democratic system."

The Bangkok Business News, cited Thai sources as saying the sanctions would hit Thailand and other countries in the region financially because of their connections with local banks.

The U.S. Embassy said it had regular conversations with the Thai government on Myanmar including how to mitigate the impact of any sanctions on Thailand or other countries.

Experts say the sanctions on the banks, while short of targeting gas projects that are a big source of revenue for the junta, could have an impact on the juntas ability to fund its war against ethnic groups and insurgencies.

A February report by campaign group EarthRights International said the two banks were the Myanmar governments "foreign currency treasuries" and were now under junta control.

It said the junta relied on foreign currency to buy jet fuel, parts for small arms production, and other supplies that could not be bought with the Myanmar kyat, EarthRights said.

"As a result, sanctions against MFTB and MICB could contribute substantially to cutting off the juntas access to foreign currency, especially if combined with strong enforcement," it said.
As Donald Trump faces a 37-count federal indictment and the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted, House Republicans are using a special counsel's report to renew their argument that federal law enforcement is tainted by political bias.

John Durham, who recently completed his report on the FBI's investigation of Trump's 2016 campaign, will testify Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. That's one day after Durham met behind closed doors with members of the House Intelligence Committee.

While Durham produced just three prosecutions  with two acquittals  in a four-year investigation, his report highlighted FBI agents withholding key information from judges and contended the bureau disregarded reasons not to investigate Trump's campaign.

Republicans who control the House say they're still angry about the 2016 campaign probe, known as "Crossfire Hurricane," and intend to push new curbs on the FBI in exchange for renewing surveillance powers known as Section 702 that U.S. intelligence considers critical and that expire at the end of this year. Many Democrats also want new rules on what access the FBI has to search foreign surveillance data for information about U.S. citizens and companies.

GOP animosity toward the Justice Department was further fueled by Tuesday's announcement that President Joe Biden's son Hunter will likely avoid jail time in a plea deal on tax and gun allegations. Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, tweeted, in all caps, that it was a "double standard of justice."

Durham was appointed by former Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign.

He concluded that the FBI acted too hastily and without sufficient justification to launch a full investigation and asserted the bureau showed more caution on allegations that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information on her private email server.

He also said the FBI cited the so-called Steele dossier before the primary U.S. surveillance court even after investigators failed to corroborate "a single substantive allegation" within it. The Clinton campaign partially funded creation of the dossier and agreed last year with the Democratic National Committee to pay a $113,000 fine for misreporting campaign spending on research.

The Durham report yielded only one conviction  a guilty plea from a little-known FBI employee  and the only two other cases that were brought both ended in acquittals at trial.

And though Durham accused the FBI of confirmation bias, he did not allege that political bias or partisanship were guiding factors for the FBI's actions.

The bureau also is facing bipartisan criticism of how it handles intelligence collected electronically under Section 702. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows spy agencies to collect foreign phone calls and e-mails for their investigations.

A newly declassified surveillance court opinion found that the FBI had run thousands of unsupported searches of Americans, including queries tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection and the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd.

Previewing Durham's meeting with the Intelligence Committee, Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the panel's chairman, alleged last week that the FBI "went off the rails" and hurt the justice system's credibility.

"Rules and laws need to be changed so that these mechanisms cannot be used again in this way to really harm the American public," he said.

Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the panel's top Democrat, said after the committee's meeting Tuesday that Durham did not recommend any changes to existing law but broadly discussed the issues in the report and the handling of politically sensitive investigations.

"Our hearing was not political. Nobody was looking to score points," Himes said. "People asked questions that indicated their political affiliation, but that's because they were doing due diligence around things that concern them."

FBI Director Chris Wray has acknowledged errors in how the bureau handled the Trump-Russia probe. In a statement Tuesday, the bureau said it had "already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time."

The Durham report "reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect," the statement said.

The House GOP push to highlight the Durham report comes as Trump  the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP primary  fights legal jeopardy never faced before by a former president.

Trump is under federal indictment accusing him of mishandling classified documents and indicted in New York over allegations that he knew about hush money payments made to a porn actress during his 2016 campaign.

Most Republicans have denigrated the New York indictment as tainted by politics, but they have split on the Justice Department case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.

Turner was asked last week if he was alarmed by the federal indictment.

He responded, "The behavior that is described within the complaint, and the behavior that we're aware of that President Biden as a senator or vice president did, are wrong and place the nation at risk."
Survivors and family members of those killed or injured in the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs say seven months after the violence erupted at the popular LGBTQ+ nightclub on North Academy Boulevard they are still "pleading" to receive funds that have been raised in their name.

About 10 of them gathered at City Hall on Tuesday, alongside representatives from nonprofit Bread and Roses Legal Center and people affected by other mass shootings. Most Club Q survivors and family members in attendance called on Colorado Healing Fund to directly release to victims about $1.1 million in additional funds it has raised but not dispersed in the wake of the tragedy.

"I shouldn't have to be out here today, having to explain myself and plead and ask for the money that they raised for us," said Adriana Vance, whose son, Raymond Green Vance, was one of the five people killed in the shooting. Around two dozen others were wounded in the violence.

Speakers said it has been a continuing fight with Colorado Healing Fund since November to receive donations they said they're rightfully entitled to.

Many haven't been able to properly grieve, cope with or heal from the tragedy because they have been trying to get the funds they need to pay rent and put food on the table, they said. Some were forced to go back to work to pay their bills and others lost their jobs because of their injuries or the mental trauma they endured in the shooting, survivors said.

"It's been seven months and I have not had time to cope. I can't cope because there's always another battle," Ashtin Gamblin said. She was working as "the front door girl" at Club Q on Nov. 19 and was shot nine times that night. "... We (survivors and family) didn't ask for any of this. We just want to feel safe and OK and be able to move on."

Colorado Healing Fund has received about $3.2 million to date in donations to Club Q shooting survivors and their families, the nonprofit's executive director, Jordan Finegan, said via email Tuesday. The fund has distributed about $2.09 million of that.

The organization made its most recent cash distribution of $1.3 million in February and has "continued to disburse money to our partners to support immediate needs" such as rent, hotel stays, moving costs, food, gas and house modifications, she said.

The Healing Fund is no longer actively fundraising for the Club Q shooting, she said.

Colorado Healing Fund does not issue payments directly to victims, their families or others impacted by a mass tragedy event. Rather, the organization issues payments to advocate organizations working directly with victims, who transfer the funds to recipients. Victims are reimbursed after they submit receipts from payments for approved expenses.

The organization typically takes a 10% administrative fee from donations. After Club Q survivors and supporters criticized that common practice, saying all the money should be funneled to victims and their families, the organization worked with underwriters to cover most expenses associated with administering the funds. All money received for Club Q shooting victims goes to the victims, Finegan said.

Finegan said Colorado Healing Fund was working with community partners to understand how the additional approximately $1.1 million it received for the Club Q tragedy "can have the greatest impact."

She said the organization expects to continue making regular distributions leading up to the anniversary of the shooting and beyond.

The nonprofit makes it clear to donors it will use funds to address survivors' and families' short-term, intermediate and long-term needs, because victims commonly experience additional trauma in the months and years following an event like a mass shooting, she said.

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"The long-term component is very important because we are still five months away from the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, and experts tell us to expect additional trauma to surface then," she said.

Survivors on Tuesday said they shouldn't have to wait to be reimbursed for their expenses, which they claimed could take weeks to see.

If one of them or their family members asks for help paying medical bills, rent or other expenses, "It should not be, 'Show me the receipts.' It should not be, 'Let me check with my board members,'" said Wyatt Kent, a drag performer whose partner Daniel Aston, a bartender at Club Q, was killed in the Nov. 19 shooting. "... We've been doing this for seven months. For what? For some nickels to be put into our pockets?"

Finegan said the typical turnaround period once the Healing Fund is aware of a funding request "is between one day and no more than a week."

The organization works with partners to get immediate needs "covered as quickly as possible" as advocates work with families and survivors to submit those requests, she said. There may be "extremely rare" instances where disbursement took just over a week, she said.

The victim advocate follows their organization's guidelines for processing requests, allowing them to verify it and make a direct payment for the need or reimburse someone who has already paid, Finegan said.

Ashtin previously told The Gazette, and repeated on Tuesday, she was not reimbursed for costs like replacing her lost wedding rings or replacing the ignition in her truck when her keys went missing during her six-day hospital stay.

Finegan said the Colorado Healing Fund has met and approved 99% of requests for immediate support, and through its partners "has not denied any recent requests that are connected to the tragedy."

Alleged Club Q shooter Anderson Aldrich is expected back in El Paso County district court on Monday for an arraignment hearing.

The Associated Press reported last week that Aldrich could accept a plea deal on Monday that would send Aldrich to prison for life.
Art: Courtesy of the artist, Foksal Gallery Foundation and Fortnight Institute, New York. Photo by Jason Mandella

The 28-year-old Polish artist Agata Slowak told the writer and curator Alison Gingeras, who prepared the press materials for Slowaks show at Fortnight Institute, that she wanted to queer Jesus. Her paintings are full of nails and stigmata  surreal, sadomasochistic images that depict male ruin and female power. Slowak wrote to me that she, a young woman in a Catholic country, occupies a rupturing position. She added, I find it difficult to function in communities in general.

From the Cycle, White Balls on the Wall gives us an icon of neurotic obsession. A womans hand holds a penis, exposing its underside. Nails are driven through each of her fingertips, affixing them to it like the savior to his cross and producing a trickle of blood. Around the wrist there is a bracelet with a cross as its clasp.

Slowaks technique is partly classical. We think of the early Renaissance and Romanticism and Cranach, but also the kitsch-modernism of Picabia and the hyperrealist images of masturbation by Christian Schad. Slowak is painting her love life, her fantasies, and the murky night world of her desire. Gingeras calls it auto-psychoanalysis.

Art: Courtesy of the artist, Foksal Gallery Foundation and Fortnight Institute, New York. Photo by Jason Mandella

In You Were Cold in My Shadow, a naked couple stands in front of a burning building. The man is missing an eye, which is located in the womans mouth. He licks at it, as if to say, This is mine. I want it back. He is balding, effeminate, long, narrow. She is in control, gazing at the viewer. Its a picture of dismemberment and defilement and decadence, though the couple exudes a strange sense of comfort.

In Self Portrait With Sperm and Blood Crossing, Slowak is seated, posed like some academic nude. A man ejaculates at her. She raises her right palm; an arc of blood spurts from it, forming a neat cross of red and white, a double stigmata. Here is both attraction and avoidance fused into one flesh. She is frozen in space, staring at us. Her ambivalence speaks to the ways all of us become caught in patterns driven by inner necessity and mad longing.

Sperm Flooded the Brain is a lurid indictment: a portrait of Slowak with the top of her skull open to reveal her brain covered in dripping sperm. Apparently, the mother of her ex-boyfriend would tell her, You have sperm on the brain. What a strange expression. Here, Slowak becomes a carnivorous flower, seductive, evil, a deaths head.

These days, artists often crawl into older styles of painting and inject them with new electrifying subject matter. Cecily Brown repurposes de Koonings Abstract Expressionist nudes by adding women and unfamiliar narratives; Lynette Yiadom-Boakye uses the work of the Eight, an early-20th-century movement, to produce extraordinary scenes of everyday Black life; Betty Tompkins brings Chuck Closes photorealism to scientific detail, zeroing in on dicks in vulvas. These interventions are coming from women, people of color, and other underrepresented artists.

Slowak stands out in this regard, and her use of old forms isnt just aesthetic. Bad Fetus shows a bloody head emerging from her vagina. An abortion, in other words, which can put you in jail in Poland. She seems to be saying that there is still medieval horror in the modern world.
His best films and TV shows rest on long, wordless sequences that challenge the audience to figure out his stories for themselves. Photo: Adult Swim

Animator Genndy Tartakovsky is one of our greatest living action directors  a student of Sergio Leone, Akira Kurosawa, and George Lucas who creates family-friendly, populist work that can be described as both terrifying and adorable. Take, for example, the finale of his 2018 movie Hotel Transylvania 3, a DJ battle to control the dance moves of an enormous kraken. As cartoonish as it is, the scene feels as immense as the climax of a live-action Star Wars or Marvel film, yet strangely more real, largely because Tartakovskys filmmaking keeps reminding the viewer of how small and fragile the characters are in comparison to the forces theyre struggling against. Theres this old battle in animation where youre told that things need to look more real for the audience to feel real emotions, Tartakovsky tells me. And its complete bullshit.

The 52-year-old son of Soviet Russian emigres was a filmmaking prodigy when he started working at Hanna-Barbera right out of college, serving as animation director on 2 Stupid Dogs. He then moved to the Cartoon Network, where he created Dexters Laboratory and worked as a director on The Powerpuff Girls, both cult favorites that defined 90s American TV animation. In 2001, his work took an epic turn with the time-traveling series Samurai Jack, which alternated bursts of apocalyptic mayhem with long, nearly silent scenes. Tartakovsky continued in that vein with two more Cartoon Network action series (Star Wars: Clone Wars and Sym-Bionic Titan), created a more adult-oriented fourth season of Samurai Jack in 2017 on Adult Swim, and then released the gorgeous and bloody Primal, a buddy-action extravaganza about a primitive man and a dinosaur struggling to survive the transition from reptilian to mammalian domination. Long sections of these later shows are told without dialogue, communicating important story information through scenes in which the characters look around and think, rather than explicitly state their concerns. It runs counter to post-millennium cinema and TV that rely on a zippy montage or characters who walk into rooms and verbally announce who they are and what they want, then list which phobias and flaws will impede their quests.

Unicorn: Warriors Eternal (an Adult Swim series streaming on Max) is the culmination of Tartakovskys aesthetic, blending the peppy, wide-eyed optimism of Dexters Laboratory and The Powerpuff Girls with the brooding majesty of Samurai Jack, Clone Wars, and Primal. It is technically about a monk, an elf, and a sorceress who have been battling ancient evil for centuries in different incarnations, and who find themselves being reawakened in a steampunk alternate-reality version of 1890s England in the bodies of teenagers, with a galumphing robot named Copernicus as their erstwhile guide and protector. But as is always the case in Tartakovskys projects, the exact nature of the characters and story dont come into focus for several episodes, and the audience is expected to pay attention to not just what the characters say and do, but how they move through the world. We spoke to Tartakovsky about the genesis of this project, the evolution of his style, and his thoughts on letting the audience find their way.

Youve wanted to do this show for a long time, right?

Its something that I had started in my last days at Cartoon Network. I think it was around 2003, finishing up Clone Wars. A restructuring was happening, executive-wise, when I was starting this project  a project where I really wanted to do something different. Id dealt with samurais, and space stuff through Star Wars, and I felt like Id done a lot of superhero stuff. So I thought maybe I should do some stuff with magic. I wanted a bigger story, a grander scale, to push myself.

I started doodling. I doodled this scene of somebody running from a train that was on fire and alive. And I was like, Yeah, this could be really cool. And from there it took almost 20 years to finally get it made. I sold it a couple of times, at a couple of different places. I cant explain why a project goes and why it doesnt.

Is that how you generate ideas, by doodling?

Yeah. Ill come up with a general concept or whatever in my head, and if I go, Oh, that seems like it could be interesting, then Ill start drawing. Sometimes the drawing could be of an image that suddenly popped into my head. Sometimes the process works great, other times not at all.

This series seems to me the culmination of everything youve done. The character renderings sometimes take me all the way back to Dexters Lab or The Powerpuff Girls. But the action is more in a Clone Wars, Samurai Jack, or Primal vein: mythic, beautiful. And at the center of the story you have this band of plucky outsiders reminiscent of your Hotel Transylvania movies.

Little did we know when we were all working on Dexters Lab that we were playing around with that balance between comedy, drama, and action. Focusing more so on the comedic, because that was the important part. And the relationship stuff. Remember, I was 25, so I didnt know anything. But it was all just kind of happening. It was what we liked, right? So we started doing sometimes more dramatic episodes later, but still with a lot of comedy. We also started feeding in more action, because we all liked doing action, especially myself. I like to do action thats a little more, I dont know  elevated? I dont know what the right word is. Caricatured. Melodramatic. Just more fun!

Too often in this business, we default to treating the audience like theyre stupid. The audience is actually really smart.

By elevated, do you mean like an audio engineer raising the volume on one of three available tracks: comedy, drama, and action?

Yeah. In Primal, whats really elevated is the action. In Dexters Lab, its the comedy thats elevated. For Unicorn, we elevated the drama; we wanted the emotions and the characterization elements to be heightened.

And yet you also have a lot of comedy in Unicorns, some of it big and basic, starting with the pilot. Emmas father is in tears over her impending wedding and claims its an allergic reaction to the flowers on his wifes hatband, and you show us the hat in close-up, and there are in fact a ridiculous number of flowers on it  and bees.

Yes! And everybody in the scene looks funny! Thats the golden ticket, I always felt: You know Snow White, the Disney feature? The dwarves, who all have these bulbous noses and are incredibly funny, gather around her and they cry. Its the most emotional thing. Everybody buys into it. But they look ridiculous.

Youre a fan of knucklehead humor and over-the-top sight gags, like the scene in Hotel Transylvania 3 where a chupacabra goes to a bar and the bartender gives him a martini with a full-grown goat sitting in it.

Thats Mel Brooks. My sense of humor is a combination of Mel Brooks, Blake Edwards, Abbott and Costello, Animal House, Stripes, Caddyshack, and the Marx Brothers, plus a little bit of Threes Company, because its what I grew up on; my family emigrated here, and there was just something so hilarious to us about their use of innuendo.

The characters on Threes Company were constantly eavesdropping on other people and making wrong assumptions.

Definitely! Theyre having sex? Oh, no, wait, theyre just cooking. Comedy is the hardest thing to do. Its all subjective, what people think is funny. You could do a scene thats the funniest thing in the world to you, and other people would see it and go, You think thats funny?

Even if you cant guarantee that something strikes everyone as funny, are there ways to at least make a gag more likely to connect?

Timing is so important. I used to teach a class in timing for a little while at CalArts. I took a Tex Avery cartoon  because, of all the Looney Tunes directors, he was the most impeccable with timing, along with Chuck Jones  and I reedited it. I took a hold on a shot that was supposed to be 6 frames and extended it to make it 12 frames, then I showed the students the difference and how those 6 frames ruined the gag.

The mix of cartoony draftsmanship and epic action creates a unique tension in your work. In the Unicorn pilot, you do it again: You have warm, goofy family stuff, followed by an epic battle sequence thats like something youd see in a dark live-action superhero movie. And, as you say, everyone is kinda funny-looking.

Theres this old battle in animation where youre told that things need to look more real for the audience to feel real emotions. And its complete bullshit. Everything in this series is really cartoony. The characters look like they just walked out of a cartoon by Tex Avery or Chuck Jones, or something Max Fleischer might have made.

That wedding sequence was my proof of concept, by the way. That was the sequence where I wanted to show how all the elements could work together. It takes place in this really old gothic church, and its sincere  these two kids really do love each other  and then all of a sudden thats broken by this robot, Copernicus, coming in. Its a mystery  you dont know whats what. And then Emma transforms, and shes not who she was anymore.

Copernicus, Emma, and Edred in Unicorn: Warriors Eternal. Photo: Adult Swim

And at that point, it shifts over to action mode. That moment when she flies up to the stained-glass window and kind of flexes her power and this storm of glass tumbles in midair through the church in super-slow motion reminded of Jackie Chan films that are basically comedies but that will sometimes shift into this serious, big mode in the action sequences, like the end of Police Story.

Yes! I also think of John Woo when were doing those kinds of scenes. John Woo is the kind of filmmaker who does a funeral sequence and makes it the most cinematic! Theres torrential rain and its all in slow motion, and there are all these dissolves. That kind of thing is part of the language that I love. Youre telling the story visually. Thats always the key.

Speaking of visual storytelling: Lets talk about exposition. Its a necessary evil, but you dont handle it in a perfunctory, hacky way: Hi, big sister, who I havent seen in the two weeks since our dads funeral! Did you sell the house?

Youre totally right. I hate overt explanations. Most modern-day movies and television shows, especially animated ones, start with [adopts kid voice] Hi! My name is This! And I live in this village! And this is my problem! And this is my dad, and I love him, but he doesnt love my hobby! Were five minutes into the movie, I know everything, and mentally I turn off.

It seems to me that in this show, and in most of your other work, the audience kinda doesnt know exactly what the relationships and rules are, or even whats going on, for a while. Merlin appears in the pilot of Unicorn and gives us maybe two sentences that are less of an explanation than a teaser for an explanation. Theres not a ton of lore being dumped. By the end, were half in the dark about the premise.

Too often in this business, we default to treating the audience like theyre stupid. The audience is actually really smart. From my point of view, you want to give them a little bit, then a little bit more, then a little bit more. Thats something I enjoy as an audience member too. Think about the original Star Wars. It all unravels slowly. You slowly start to understand whats happening in that world. Same thing with Raiders of the Lost Ark. You start with a mystery. Who is this guy? Whats he doing in the jungle? Whats that thing hes after?

All storytelling is mystery. Even when youre doing something thats mainly comedy or action, youre still telling a mystery, in a way. The audience will fit all the pieces of the story together. And you know, this could be a fault! I finished this show and I wondered if it was too much, especially coming off Primal, which is the ultimate in simplicity. This one is complex, with the storytelling and everything unfolding  and where it goes, it grows. There are plot twists and a lot of other stuff that I am generally not a fan of but that I felt needed to be there for this one. But I still want to try to give the audience the minimum amount of information thats needed to draw them in.

Thats storytelling. Youre drawn in. If you dont trust where the story is going, or if youre already bored, then Ive failed.

Most of your work is done in episodes that run 22 minutes, the length of a half-hour show on cable minus commercials. I wonder if you ever chafe at the time constraints and wish you could go for 40 minutes or a full hour.

Yeah, definitely. But Ive been working in that format for so long  30 years  that a lot of whatever I come up with fits naturally into that format. When I got into feature films, I had so much confidence, like, Yeah, Ive been telling stories for years  I can do this. Its a different beast. Even though you have so much more time to tell stories, you feel like the audience turns off much more quickly in a feature. In a feature film, if you dont have a proper set up in Act One, Act Two almost doesnt matter because the audience isnt locked in, and now everything is boring to them. It took me a while to realize, Oh, shit, this isnt working  I gotta re-pace things, make all of this different.

Usually, though, I feel like a 22-minute episode is enough time. Seven minutes, the length of a story in Dexter or Powerpuff? That was difficult.

Isnt seven minutes the standard length of a Looney Tunes short?

Yeah, exactly. Seven minutes is a length thats built for a chase cartoon. Seven minutes was perfect to do what they were doing. But we were trying to do story, gags, and some emotional stuff, and we couldnt fit it in. That was an epic struggle for us. Then we started doing 11-minute stories, and that opened us up and we started to learn. By the time I got to Samurai Jack, I thought, okay, Im done with all the snappy, quick stuff. I realized I needed to slow down, because I really needed to get the audience in, right? Ever since that, Ive been slowing down.

You also use silence a lot more often. And you dont score everything. Sometimes a scene will be just sound effects, and nobodys talking.

To me, thats just the most normal thing. Im a product of 70s filmmaking. In the 70s, things were just a little bit more avant-garde. They were experimenting. Sound was a big part of it. Movie storytelling in the 1940s and 50s was about grandeur, and there was a lot of musical underscoring. When you get to the 60s and 70s, the sound of the movies feels more independent  a little more raw, for lack of a better word. The beginning of Once Upon a Time in the West is just guys waiting for a train. Youve got these incredibly detailed faces. Minimum sound design. But if you watch it, especially on a big screen, youre sucked in like crazy.

Sergio Leones Once Upon a Time in the West and Genndy Tartakovskys Hotel Transylvania. From left: Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Sony Pictures Animation Sergio Leones Once Upon a Time in the West and Genndy Tartakovskys Hotel Transylvania. From top: Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Sony Pictures Anima... more Sergio Leones Once Upon a Time in the West and Genndy Tartakovskys Hotel Transylvania. From top: Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Sony Pictures Animation

Im big on pacing, including sound pacing. Whenever I spot something with my composer, Ill say, Okay, weve had music for five minutes now, my ears need a break. When I design or write stories, I keep that in mind: Its about contrast and rhythm. Were making a song. A good song has quiet parts and loud parts. Classical music, of course, is the best example of that. When I started on Dexter, there were no books about this. There was nobody who was talking about, This is where you should have music or not have music. It was the most frustrating thing. I had to rewatch all my favorite movies and pay attention to what they were doing with the music and sound.

What were some of the ones you watched and that maybe shaped your sense of how to use sound and music in a story?

Apocalypse Now is an incredible film. And all of Sergio Leones films. And of course, Akira Kurosawa  Leone borrowed from him; the gunfighters in his westerns are Kurosawas swordsmen. Theres a scene in Seven Samurai where theyre going to see this old lady, and the only sound is this: [vocalizes ominous didgeridoo-like noise] OhhhhUhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHH  And its supercool and builds tension and weirdness and feeling and mood. Tone. Tone is so important to me now. On Dexter and Powerpuff, I never talked about tone.

Your observations about sound make me remember the scene in Yojimbo where Toshiro Mifune confronts a bunch of guys and slices them all up in one wide shot that lasts maybe ten seconds, and theres no score, just whacks, grunts, and howling wind.

That scene is great, and its an example of how, once you minimize one element in a scene, everything thats left is heightened. I did things like that in Clone Wars, like in the episode where Anakin Skywalker is on this planet and it starts to rain. Theres no music after that because I wanted the dominant sound to be the sound of rain hitting the lightsabers and sizzling: TzzZZZT!!!!

That was a nice touch, one that I dont think Id seen in a Star Wars story before.

It also comes from the limitation of television. When we used to mix Dexter or Powerpuff, the mixers would keep the dialogue the loudest, then the sound effects, then the music. I would say, Why cant we have the music as loud as the dialogue? They said, Because then you cant hear the dialogue. I said, But this is an action scene and the dialogue is just grunts and stuff. I got so frustrated that I just started doing action scenes without even the grunts. I would have a whole fight in Samurai Jack with nothing but music and the sound of blades hitting stuff, and there was nothing for the mixer to turn down, because there was no dialogue. I didnt miss it at all.

So you did your first dialogue-free action scene to solve a persistent sound-mixing problem, and you got a whole aesthetic out of it?

Exactly! Later, I found some good mixers who could give me a better balance. But even on Unicorn, we had to make tough choices and simplify. We might have incredible music and incredible, big sound effects for an action scene, but they would be competing with each other, and wed have to decide which one to turn down. I decided to play down music in a lot of scenes with Copernicus because I love his sound effects so much.

You didnt give him facial expressions. I guess he didnt need them.

Its really interesting because as you start each new show, you have to learn how the character stands, how they pose, all those things. We did it with all of them, including Copernicus. It was like going through the struggle with Fang in Primal. Id never done a dinosaur character before. I had to sketch and sketch and sketch in order to find that language that would define her. Like how Max Fleischers Superman stands with his chest out.

Spear in Primal has a bit of that Fleischer Superman vibe.

He has the Charles Atlas body. There was no proper way to work out. Hes climbing mountains. Hes got this weird, bulky body that we would draw a little differently every time. He leans over a lot. Same thing with Copernicus. We figured it out. The silent characters are easier to find and define than the talky characters.

Max Fleischers Superman and Genndy Tartakovskys Spear. From left: Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Adult Swim Max Fleischers Superman and Genndy Tartakovskys Spear. From top: Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Adult Swim

To what degree does character design help dictate not just the movements of characters but the personality development, the action beats, and the rest? Like, do you get four episodes into a story and think, Oh, wow, I could do a perfect little slapstick gag here because of how this character is drawn?

It happens all the time. Steven DeStefano, who designed Unicorn, might design the right character but the wrong posture. I might say, Thats perfect, but I only want to see him like this  and he would go, Aha! and start adjusting. A good character designer like Steven will start by asking you, Well, who is this person? What are their traits? Character design informs posing, and it all works together.

One of my favorite bits of unique character posture is Dracula in the Hotel Transylvania films: When he gets embarrassed, his head sinks down between his shoulders.

We created a language very purposefully for Drac. When hes talking to his daughter, Mavis, hes the cowering dad  hes always hunched down. When hes talking to his friends or running the hotel, hes chest-out. Its all visual support of the character.

Even if the scene is about characters talking, there needs to be something visual that supports the language. All that stuff began in the old days, with theatrical acting on film. Like Yul Brynner as Ramses in The Ten Commandments. Hes posturing the whole time! Nobody would do it nowadays like that, in live action. It looks ridiculous to people now, but its great! Same thing with Kurosawas samurai characters. Its bold. In Seven Samurai, each one of the swordsmen has a very distinctive body language. Each character stood and walked a specific way. Thats great character development and great acting. Thats what were trying to do in animation.
Why dont you name a more horrifying way to lose $3,000? Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

One of the more elaborate stories John Mulaney shares in his recent Netflix special Baby J involves a harebrained scheme he concocted in 2020 to prevent himself from buying drugs, in which he instructed his accountant to forbid him from taking cash out from his savings. As Mulaney recounts in the special, while he was desperate for drug money, he realized his credit card still worked, so he purchased a brand new Rolex for $12,000, then sold it immediately for half its original price to a man in the Diamond District we may or may not have tracked down. Why dont you name a better way to make $6,000 in five minutes by only spending $12,000? he tells the audience. As it turns out, even $6,000 is an overestimation of the value Mulaney derived from that transaction, because as the comedian explained during a June 16 appearance on The Hollywood Reporters podcast Awards Chatter, he accidentally threw $3,000 of it  in the trash.

I put three grand in an Apple shopping bag, Mulaney says in the episode. I thought, I must have thrown that Apple bag away. I was in a 20-floor apartment building in the West Village back then, and I went through almost all the trash in the basement  Didnt find it. Minutes later, Mulaney affects a somber tone and does an impression of what the same story would sound like if he told it in the style of a confessional-comedy special. I did want to make this as laugh-heavy as possible, he says. I didnt want to tell that story of, you know, And there I was, selling a watch I had just bought, and I felt so small. I didnt want to have that tone, you know? I really wanted to present these stories almost as if I was proud of them. Because, at that moment, I was! I made six grand in cash by only spending twelve grand. Ill put it in this Apple bag  dont worry about that!

Elsewhere in the podcast, host Scott Feinberg and Mulaney talk through a retrospective of his career to this point, and Feinberg caps it off by asking Mulaney  in front of audience member Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences  whether hed ever consider hosting the Oscars. Sure, why not? Mulaney replies. It would be really fun. Its hosting the Academy Awards. Johnny Carson did that. Kimmels so great, though. Id probably rather watch Jimmy do it than do it. But imagine that: Me, hosting the Academy Awards! Me in a tux, right out there! So, if Mulaney winds up as the host of the 2024 Oscars, the world may have the Awards Chatter podcast to thank. Lets just hope the Academy doesnt pay its hosts via loose cash in retail bags.
Lipko stands onstage after a comedy show on June 3. After shows, he leads charity auctions for items he brought back from the front lines. This time, its an RPG grenade launcher from the Kharkiv counteroffensive in fall 2022. Photo: Oli Zitch

Serhii Lipko has a dark theory: What if, the Ukrainian stand-up comedian turned soldier says, he already died in Donbas, and everything hes experienced lately  a sold-out comedy show at the 1,700-seat Zhovtneviy palace in October 2022, meeting David Letterman backstage at his local Kyiv comedy club while filming his Netflix series  is nothing but an agony-induced hallucination? It all just seemed unreal to me. Is it really happening? Maybe I did die back in Donbas and its all just a glitch in the matrix? Lipko takes a pause, then quips, Wait, Letterman is still alive, right?

After a year and a half in an active war zone, Lipko seems a changed person, but the instinct to find the punchline remains. Thats only natural: Hes performed stand-up ever since the new wave of Ukrainian stand-up culture established itself after the 2014 Euromaidan protests and Russia started the war with Ukraine. Back in 2015, Lipko co-founded a comedy club in Kyiv, but shortly thereafter he was drafted in the army. In my mind, I was always preparing for the war, he says. Its funny to remember now, but my friends kept asking me, What kind of war can possibly start in the 21st century?

Since last speaking with Lipko after he enlisted in March 2022, the comedian was deployed to an infantry unit as a military medic, spent time stationed in the Donetsk region, joined an air-reconnaissance unit, and took part in the first Ukrainian counteroffensive near Kharkiv. As recently as March, he was also operating military drones in Bakhmut, the town that was wiped off the face of Earth by Russia and became the symbol of resistance for the armed forces of Ukraine. (He also got married to fellow comedian Nastia Zuhvala, though he says he hasnt really had a chance to feel that Im married in the last year.) While his military comrades know about his day job  his callsign is Stan, short for stand-up  his comedy career has understandably taken a backseat to fighting in the war. Theres this question Im often asked in interviews: Have you had any new ideas for comedy projects? And to me, that just shows that they have no idea whats going on. Like, I did come up with a couple of ideas. Mainly ideas how to survive at war, Lipko says. Still, in the short stints hes had back in Kyiv  where Ukrainians pushed back Russian forces against all odds last spring  hes managed to find time for comedy and record three stand-up specials. The third, Serhii Lipko Appears to Have Written a New Special, is slated to be released on YouTube in July.

Stand-up helps me to remember who I am. It also helps to remind people about me, Lipko explains. Im not going to lie: I do feel jealous of the Ukrainian comics who are still performing, because Im at war and they are touring. He pauses. Like, in the years Ill probably spend in the army, a whole new generation of comics will come through. They will gain a following, they will sell out their gigs. For me, it would be okay just to survive with my hands and legs intact. The specials I put out are making the point of reminding that Im still here.

Lipko is 29 now. Hes lean and sporting a short beard when we meet on a hot June day in a downtown Kyiv cafe. Ahead of the release of his newest special, he opened up about dark humor from the front lines and the first thing hes going to do after the war ends. (This interview has been translated from Ukrainian.)

Theres a surreal moment in your special when you assume that maybe its all a hallucination for you, that in reality you were killed in action long ago. I guess thats the only place we can start with.

I mean, thats how I felt at the moment. It just seemed like it all came together right then and there. I sold out Zhovtneviy palace, then there was the Letterman taping, and youre like, Is this really happening?

The thing is we just dont know how it is, what dying feels like. I remember these moments when our unit was being shelled, the bombs falling just behind us. And youre like, Whew, that was close! Maybe it wasnt just close, you know? Maybe I am dead.

Then theres this idea that we all die, sooner or later. You just have to come to terms with it. The difference is we feel it in Ukraine constantly these days  that death is always very, very close.

You filmed the first Ukrainian wartime comedy special back in April 2022, at the first stage of the full-scale Russian invasion, in an actual bomb shelter. And it plays like a time capsule of the period now.

I did not set out to document a time period, it just happened. I would never have imagined it then, but that taping is my favorite now. It just shows all the confusion and fear we felt at the time, the sheer scale of the unknown. And I just see myself there as this naive child: Look, hes just joined the Territorial Defense unit. He has no idea whats coming for him.

Since then you joined the infantry unit, serving in Donbas, then you changed gears and started training in air reconnaissance, operating military drones. Stand-up is obviously not a priority for you at the front lines, but a lot of material about that eventually found its way to your stand-up act.

Yeah, not a priority doesnt really do it justice. I just didnt think about it, period. Like, the stand-up act I worked on prior to February 24 was to be called Opportunity. It was named after the Mars rover; outer space was a big theme for me. The plan was to film a perfect stand-up special  and then the war comes, and all the producing plans go out of the window.

Why do we do comedy? I believe its the way to turn a problem into a joke. Thats even more relevant when youre at war, because your brain wants to turn your painful experience into a joke. The pain is there, and it will stay with you. It will keep hurting you, so the instinct is to devalue it. So I do stand-up now, basically, for self-preservation. Its kind of a survival instinct. Ive worked through some experience, turned it into a joke, performed it for the live audiences, and laughed, hopefully with the audience. And it makes me feel better, at least sometimes.

Theres like a unit in my brain that comes up with stand-up material. But when youre at war, the writers close that door, so theyre basically trapped there. But they still are there, and they still want to work.

So you do find that process therapeutic?

It does help. A stand-up gig is essentially just an opportunity to breathe out. You can make fun of some weird shit you went through for an hour. If I dont do it, the shit stays with me. So it gets tough.

Audience reaction helps too. Their support helps. You realize that someone else needs it. I mean, the shows are selling out, and not because they want to help a Ukrainian soldier. Look, I couldve lived the most boring life and wrote about it. I used to come up with all these superficial problems. But what is comedy if it isnt lived and thought through pain and suffering?

Yeah, but how do you turn war stories into comedy? How does that become a part of your act?

I guess the analogy of my process is this writers room that I have in my head. I call it The Stand-Up Committee. [Laughs.] So theres like a unit in my brain that comes up with stand-up material. But when youre at war, the writers close that door, so theyre basically trapped there. But they still are there, and they still want to work. Its like a millstone, ready to grind out the new material.

So the first show I did was me testing this writers room. I went back to Kyiv for five days, and I had some time to breathe out. Then I thought, Huh, let me open up that door. Are the guys there still at work? So I dropped them some ideas, and theyre like, Wow, so thats what working feels like! So they churned out these jokes. And Id go, Great, the millstone still works!

Its tough when you have to write new material and theres nothing there, but any comedian knows that when you have an interesting experience  especially when you have something as unique as a war-zone experience  that always works better. Here goes another analogy for you: Before the war, I had to carve a sculpture from this little stone. It was brittle, and the whole process was just boring. But now I feel that Im working with this huge granite stone. Its like, Wow, I can carve out anything I want here!

The unique experience comes with a price, though.

War is weird, man. Im not going to tell anything new about it. I remember watching these old war films when I was a kid, and theres always this scene where a soldier gets a medal and hes like, I just wish it all never happened. Id rather forget all the war stuff. Thats what I want now: just to forget it. Id rather keep churning out jokes about therapy and whatnot. But I cant  at least for now.

You must have these moments at war, like, Damn, thats a great set-up for a joke. Thats a line I could use.

There are. The lines are usually not mine, though.

Youve mentioned that your brothers in arms have had a chance to watch your act.

Yes, they do come to my shows. And they do heckle me. Its not heckling, per se  they just shout something out to me. They mostly feel that my act is too light. They got used to the really dark humor we have in the military. They dont necessarily know that I set out to perform for a live audience of civilians. So they just shout, because they want me to tell some other story. And if I did that, there would be a lot of crying in the audience. But the military guys would probably laugh.

We have these tours now, with stand-up comics joining musical acts at these concerts for soldiers. Would you do it?

I mean, I could. Its just that I dont think that soldiers on the front lines would want to listen to my act. That would be a tough gig, because they live through the material themselves.

You also told me that youre probably not the funniest guy in your unit.

Oh, man, the guys are so funny. I went through a lot with them, and people tend to open up to you after these tough shared experiences. Thats when the comedy really thrives. It does need some context, though. The jokes we tell amongst ourselves just wouldnt land here in Kyiv. And it would be tough for any soldier to replicate the act, like, in a podcast recording. You just had to be there, I guess.

Its not only jokes, though. For instance, we had a great story with this guy, his callsign is Troy. His unit got ambushed, and the Russians killed most of the team. Troy was presumed dead too; there was no contact with him for days. And then he just calls us: Hey, Im okay. I need an extraction. Thats fucking legendary stuff, man. Thats something you see in the movies; thats the story to tell for generations. But when you ask Troy to tell it, hes like, Yeah, so there was an ambush, we got in a firefight, then I got back. I mean, Troy, thats a book deal for you! But hes not interested in stuff like that.

That brings me to this question of your perspective. You are not the only Ukrainian comedian in the armed forces, but you are the most high-profile. That makes up for quite a big platform. You might have used it to tell the stories of the fellow soldiers, but in fact, you make the point of reminding the audience that youre not speaking for everyone in the army, that its only your experience that youre talking about in your act. Why is that?

Everyone experiences this war in a different way. There are different service branches, there are different tasks. How can I possibly speak for everyone? Like, Im not in the trenches now. How can I speak to the guys experience on the front lines? Im in the air-reconnaissance unit  I operate drones 800 meters away from the front lines. Yes, we are being shelled, we do have bullets flying over us, but its not the same as the infantry units fighting with the Russians 800 meters at the front.

One of the most poignant moments of the new special involves a case of rabies. Basically, you have a suspicion about contracting rabies from a dog that was sheltering with your unit, and the punchline is, It would be so dumb to die from rabies while youre in Bakhmut.

Yeah, I cant really take credit for that. The punchline was actually my friends. What I had to do was to tell the story just right, to convey my emotions at the moment.

When I come up with the acts structure, the thought process basically is, Okay, what stories can I tell the audience? Its a tough balancing act, because you want to be truthful, but at the same time you want people to laugh. You definitely dont want to traumatize them. And the thing about the front lines is that these light-hearted stories are hard to come by.

How did the Zhovtneviy show come about?

That gig was actually a huge gamble. The idea was to announce my stand-up concert at the biggest Kyiv comedy venue. In order to do that, you have to book a date well in advance and organize the whole thing. The problem was that I wasnt sure that I would be able to go to Kyiv. But it was just after the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, and the tactical situation was stable. So I remember making these last drone flights and thinking, Well, it would sure suck if Id get hit in the last hours and the concert gets canceled because I was killed or injured. [Laughs.]

And all you worried about was the concert.

Of course I was! 1,700 people bought tickets! I wouldnt want to let them down.

Anyway, thats why the first special was called Serhii Lipko Performs for an Hour and a Half, God Willing, If Everything Would Be Okay. Then the next act was Serhii Lipko Writes a New Special, and the latest is Serhii Lipko Appears to Have Written a New Special. Thats just me being honest.

This idea of finding balance between comedy and truthfully conveying your war-zone experience  how do you work with that?

I have this model in my head: I imagine myself sitting with the live audience and watching my act onstage. If I laugh at the jokes, they usually stay in my act. I have to be my harshest critic, so I criticize the jokes brutally. Sometimes Im my worst heckler.

Thats essential to my process  lately even more so, because I have this tendency to turn my act into this weird pessimistic speech, and the last thing I want to do is lecture the audience. So I tell Serhii on the stage, Hey mate, thank you for your service, good job. But I did pay money for the gig. And we, the civilians, do understand that our countrys at war. We have shellings every other day here in Kyiv. So please, do your job. Dont just share your grievances with us. So it helps me to edit the act, and hopefully it gets leaner and better.

It must help you that the people that go to your gigs are mostly your fans. I mean, you sell out the concerts in a matter of hours, so they must know what they are in for.

Yeah, but it still is a challenge. The first Zhovtneviy taping, I think I was just rude. The truth is I dont really know what people in the audience think. They might feel its too close to home; they might have a friend or relative currently serving in the military. Im so glad when my brothers in arms can go to my shows when they are on leave  it brings me joy to hear them laugh. But at the same time, there may be people in the audience that tend to forget that Ukraines still at war: Lets go and listen to whats funny in the army. And theres nothing funny. Not really.

So the way I tackled it was: Let me go out and tell some jokes, and then lets go hard. Thats where the Theres a chance Ive already died bit comes in. And there was audible crying in the audience. Thats the challenge for any comedian: How do you pull it off, tone-wise? Like, there are some jokes in the act, and then theres this dramatic moment. How do you pull this nosedive off and finish the gig on a positive note?

When the time comes and all these big streaming services would want to buy Ukrainian stand-up specials, Ill do it in Ukrainian. The Ukrainian language is great, and you can always turn subtitles on. Ive watched all the Netflix specials in English with Ukrainian subtitles for so long, so now its your turn!

Whats the air-reconnaissance analogy here?

Thats FPV drones for you. Thats the nosedive equivalent: They are most difficult to operate. But it feels great!

I keep going back to the talk we had after a show a couple of years back. You had all these plans: You just had your first open mics in English, and there was this idea to develop material in English and perform at comedy festivals in Europe. And now youre at war. I guess what Im trying to ask you is whether it feels like you were robbed of time, with Russia waging this war in Ukraine.

Yeah, I dont really think about it at all. It seems like a discussion for peaceful times. Was I robbed of the time? For me, the stakes are higher: The Russians are stealing the lives of our people, so its not the time we should be concerned with now. Every day people are losing their homes, theyre losing limbs. So I dont worry about the war ruining my stand-up career goals. Actually, being able to perform stand-up in those circumstances brings me a lot of joy. Im just glad that even in wartime, I found another way to be useful.

It seems almost trivial to ask how you have changed after this year and a half of full-scale war. Do you feel you are a completely different person now?

Im still the same, I just have more confidence. Im definitely willing to take more responsibility. Like, yeah, everyone who joined the military understands the risks involved, hence the death topic we discussed. But youre honest with yourself, and you stand strong. I dont have any skeletons in my closet. And when I have an opportunity, I can share my feelings and my experience with people onstage.

Thats another big shift for me: I have this longing to communicate with people. I want to perform  I do  but I also want to talk to people from the stage.

Have you put any thought into what you want to do after this war ends? Is your idea of a stand-up special in English still on the table for you?

No, I dont want to make a special in English. When the time comes and all these big streaming services would want to buy Ukrainian stand-up specials, Ill do it in Ukrainian. The Ukrainian language is great, and you can always turn subtitles on. Ive watched all the Netflix specials in English with Ukrainian subtitles for so long, so now its your turn!

So whats the first thing you will do after the war?

God willing, I will have all my limbs intact, and will probably go on a European tour. Make it a world tour! We have Ukrainians all over the world, they are helping the Ukrainian cause every single day, and they have the most generous donations. It would be great to put out some shows for them.

Were also cognizant of the fact that after the victory, we would still have a lot on our plate. The need for veteran reintegration and other social projects is already there, and I believe that stand-up could be of great help in supporting and highlighting these issues. I would be glad to perform at these events.

Another thing I keep coming back to is about the stand-up itself. For a long, long time, stand-up was the most important thing in my life  stand-up first, then everything else. Now that it all changed, I see that there are things that matter to me way, way more. Its great when my fellow army men thank me, when they tell me that my act helps them in some way. Im so glad to hear it. But in wartime, you understand that comedy can only go so far.

I guess what Im trying to say here is that I look at stand-up differently now. Its not the most important thing for me, but its a great way to help. So its not comedy for the sake of comedy, its comedy for a bigger cause. I basically treat it as an instrument that can make a difference.
Public safety experts convened Tuesday night with tips on how community members can make their neighborhoods safer by collaborating with law enforcement.

The meeting at Carmel Community School was the second of four planned town halls this year to address crime in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.

The first line of defense in battling crime is community engagement, panelists said.

You all have information we dont. When you see something suspicious, report it. Do not hesitate, El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal said. Dont worry about someone calling you a 'Karen.' I dont know what the male version is, um, I dont know if its Kyle, or Carl, whatever it is, dont hesitate to report that.

Anybody can report crimes anonymously to Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP or online at crimestop.net.

A small percentage of the community is responsible for a large percentage of crimes, according to Colorado Springs Police Department Deputy Chief Dave Edmondson. CSPD is using analytics to identify hotspot neighborhoods and prolific offenders to focus its attention in those areas, he said.

Those efforts have led to a 12% reduction in overall traffic accidents and anywhere from 8%-12% reductions in traffic injuries, Edmondson said. However, CSPD continues to see an increase in traffic-related fatalities due primarily to speeding.

Speed is just getting silly out there, Edmondson said.

While community members should do their part in reducing speed for the safety of their neighbors, Edmondson said he hopes the Police Departments targeted approach to traffic accidents will reduce the number of fatalities over time, just as it has reduced other traffic concerns.

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Edmondson noted that although some neighborhoods have cameras fixed to light poles to assist in monitoring crime, such measures are costly and difficult to implement on a wider scale.

He instead encouraged community enrollment in Together COS, a public safety program by which community members register their personal-surveillance cameras with CSPD to assist officers during investigations. In the event of a crime, officers or detectives would email everybody who is registered in their camera network and who is located within the vicinity where the crime took place, asking them to search their cameras for suspicious activity. They can then upload their video clips directly to CSPD.

Collaborative video sharing measures can make all the difference in some cases, according to 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen. He pointed to the recent conviction of Letecia Stauch, who in May was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her 11-year-old stepson Gannon. Jurors saw video footage collected from around the community that showed Gannon climbing into Stauchs truck shortly before his death, Allen said.

Please, if you see something, say something, said Harrison School District 2 Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel. We have 5-year-olds that are going to school having to deal with fallout from the community that they should not have to deal with. We as a community need to step up and say, enough is enough, and let our 5-year-olds be 5-year-olds.

Edmondson also addressed concerns exacerbated by CSPDs staffing shortage, including the departments delayed response times. The department has an authorized strength of 818 people, yet it has just 737 officers.

Were far from where we would really like to be from a safe-streets aspect, from a staffing standpoint, Edmondson said.

To address the issue, CSPD is changing its approach to police academies, among other initiatives. Rather than 9- to 13-month-long processes from registration forward, CSPD will begin in July to institute "constant hiring."

Every 15 weeks, CSPD will begin a new academy. Each class will be smaller, but the process will move at an accelerated rate and allow flexibility with deferrals to future academies.

CSPD hopes to see an impact on staffing in the street and reduced staff times within a year and a half of the new academy approach, Edmondson said.
Do you recognize this man?

The Colorado Springs Police Departments Domestic Violence and Adult Sexual Assault Unit is asking for the publics assistance in tracking down a suspect involved in a sexual assault last fall, according to a Wednesday morning department press release.

Police are seeking the individual as part of a Oct. 27, 2022, sexual assault that occurred near the 1400 block of Culebra Avenue on the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail.

The composite sketch was created based on the victims recollection of the attackers appearance.

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The suspect is described as a white male, 30 to 40 years old, about 6 feet tall with an average build, and short unkept, brown or blond facial hair. The victim also recalled a tattoo of a hummingbird on the back of the suspects left hand, between the thumb and index finger, according to the release.

Officials said investigators within the DVASA unit are actively pursuing information and leads that could help to identify the suspect.

Police are asking the public to bring any information that could lead to the identification of the suspect forward by calling CSPD at 719-444-7000, or the Pikes Peak Area Crimes Stoppers at 719-634-7867.
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At some point, the world might have too many planes again. But its a little early to worry about that too much. The Paris Air Show returned this week after a long Covid hiatus. The typically biennial confab brings together executives from across the aerospace and defense ecosystem and usually yields a slew of plane and engine deals and industry prognostications. Analysts were bracing for a particularly robust orders bonanza this year as airlines scramble to meet a resurgence in travel demand and lock up delivery slots that are becoming increasingly scarce at both Boeing Co. and Airbus SE for narrow-body and wide-body jets alike. But the flow of announcements was more like a trickle than a flood. The capstone was IndiGos order for 500 of Airbuss narrow-body jets. As the largest single order for aircraft on record, this is a big deal, but its also the only big, truly new deal to come out of the Air Show. The others were smaller or recycled. In a booming demand environment, we were also surprised by the lack of orders, Bank of America Corp. analysts led by Ron Epstein wrote in a June 20 report.

The relative dearth of fresh blockbuster announcements at the Air Show is in part a timing issue: Air India announced an order for 470 Airbus and Boeing jets in February that it firmed up this week in Paris with the addition of options for 70 more Boeing planes. Saudi Arabia signed a March deal for 78 Boeing Dreamliners split between two carriers, while Ryanair Holdings Plc agreed in May to buy as many as 300 of Boeings 737 Max jets. The commentary at least was flowing free and easy at Le Bourget airport, the home of the Paris Air Show. Executives alternated between complaining about stubborn supply chain constraints that are delaying deliveries and limiting the ability of manufacturers to ramp up production to meet all of this demand and cautioning about the risk of an eventual capacity glut once Boeing and Airbus can get around to filling order backlogs that now stretch well into the end of this decade. The worry among some longtime executives is that in their quest to get a place in line, airlines are overordering.

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Theres a shortage of capacity. There are no airplanes available, Akbar Al Baker, chief executive officer of Qatar Airways, told Bloomberg Television. We have other players that are also flooding the market with huge numbers of airplanes, and I just hope that what theyre doing is right, he said. Steve Udvar-Hazy, co-founder of Air Lease Corp., told Bloomberg News the industry is suffering from a herd mentality thats not justified by economics or reality. Both executives said they didnt feel a need to place fresh large orders for aircraft right now, but thats largely because they already have robust undelivered backlogs. Air Lease has about 400 jets on order and added two 787 Dreamliners at the Air Show. When Qatar Airways current fleet needs replacements, we will order more airplanes, Al Baker said. That time is not too distant. Both he and Udvar-Hazy also said that the strong demand that the industry is enjoying is sustainable for the foreseeable future. In other words, they dont think their companies arent about to get trapped in an aircraft bubble, but others just might.

Not all orders are created equal in the aerospace industry. Epstein of Bank of America expressed some reservation around the blockbuster bookings from Indian carriers. We remain cautious regarding these commitments given gaps within Indian infrastructure, availability of financing and concerns over Indias commitment to the Cape Town Convention, he wrote in a report this week. The Cape Town Convention established an international registry for aircraft as a means of helping companies assert their rights over planes. But aircraft orders arent written in stone and signed in blood, either, something that became abundantly clear during the pandemic and Boeings myriad production, regulatory and political issues in recent years. Many of them get deferred, or airlines will opt out of some of the aircraft or swap with other buyers, Udvar-Hazy told Bloomberg Television. Look at it as a dynamic order book. Its not a static order book with Airbus and Boeing.

At the last Paris Air Show in 2019, analysts started to speculate that the long-running boom in demand for air travel might be due for a breather and that the hefty order books at Boeing and Airbus might hold more planes than airlines actually need. That turned out to be the right question to ask, although no one predicted a global pandemic would be the reason. If there had been a Paris Air Show in 2021, it would have happened mere months after Covid vaccines started to be rolled out around the globe. Myriad restrictions on international travel meant many airlines had more seats than travelers on their larger jets, even as domestic demand rebounded. Now, airlines are having to trim their growth plans and lose out on some of the demand recovery because they cant get their hands on enough planes and fully functioning jet engines. Its possible that aerospace executives, like economists, arent very good at forecasting what the world will look like five years from now, or even a year from now. A lot can happen between now and the stretch between 2030 to 2035  when IndiGos 500 Airbus jets are set to be delivered.

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Boeing, for its part, predicts that even after accounting for reduced flying demand from climate concerns and productivity improvements, the world will need 42,595 airplane deliveries between now and 2042, roughly doubling the existing fleet. Almost half of those orders are expected to be earmarked for replacing older, less efficient jets.

The more pressing issue for the aerospace industry is whether it can build the planes on order for this decade. All our aircraft deliveries are delayed, Al Baker of Qatar Airways said. Particularly in the US, the industry thinned its ranks drastically during the pandemic and has since struggled to rebuild its labor force. While companies have been on a hiring spree, the new workers lack the experience of their laid-off predecessors, and that knowledge gap is feeding into quality issues up and down the supply chain. The problem is particularly acute among the smallest suppliers who lack the capital to compete for talent with manufacturers further up the food chain and in other industries. Almost three-quarters of respondents to a Bank of America survey on the aerospace supply chain dont believe the industrys issues will be resolved before 2025, and 40% said it was unclear where production levels would ultimately settle for 2023. The survey was conducted with Aviation Week Network, and the results were reported June 1. More than half of the respondents were lower-tier suppliers with annual revenues of less than $25 million.

Read more: Aerospace Suppliers Need to Be More Resilient

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When you pull the thread through almost everything, it almost invariably ends with labor: the ability to attract it, retain it, train it in time, Mike Kauffman, vice president of supply chain for General Electric Co.s aerospace division, said at the companys investor day presentation this week at the Paris Air Show. Were still being hampered by quality deviations  not safety of flight, but things that are caught inside as we begin to ramp which causes us to pause or in some cases go backwards. There are still material constraints. GE has a 200-person team focused on supplier recovery and readiness. The rate at which Honeywell International Inc.s aerospace suppliers back out of delivery commitments fell to about 15% in the first quarter, down from a peak of 20% to 25% in 2022. But normal is less than 10%, so theres still a way to go. A supplier for Raytheon Technologies Corp.s jet engines used incorrect materials to make one batch of parts, forcing it to pause production and delay some shipments. The error will cost Raytheon about $500 million in free cash flow in the current quarter, although it expects to make this up over the balance of the year.

Everybody is very excited. Both manufacturers want huge orders. But you can always get the orders. When will you supply them? That is the big question, Al Baker said.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Brooke Sutherland is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals and industrial companies. A former M&A reporter for Bloomberg News, she writes the Industrial Strength newsletter.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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Vodafone owner TPG Telecom has suffered a blow in its plan to expand its market share in regional Australia after a landmark $1.8 billion deal to share infrastructure with Telstra was blocked by competition authorities.

The Australian Competition Tribunal on Wednesday declined to authorise a deal that would have let TPG use Telstras towers in regional Australia, upholding a previous decision from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in December.

A planned infrastructure deal between Telstra and TPG has been rejected by the Australian Competition Tribunal. Credit: Pat Scala, Rob Homer

Optus, which had opposed the deal on the basis it would further bolster Telstras power, hailed the decision as a win for competition.

While Telstra shares were little changed, TPG shares plunged 5.4 per cent. The company must now decide whether to further appeal the ruling or consider a different strategy for lifting its market share in the regions.
He and McKendry, originally from Rockhampton, worked together as principal dancers at the Houston Ballet and moved to Melbourne in 1995, with their young family, where he became a principal dancer with the Australian Ballet. In July 2012, he took up the reins at Queensland Ballet, with Mary working alongside him. He leaves the company with an ensemble of 48 dancers  double what he came to  a world-class young artists program of 12 dancers and a newly redeveloped home, the Thomas Dixon Centre. The sixth of seven sons, he grew in a village in north-east China during Chairman Mao Zedongs Communist regime. One day, quite by chance  a chance in a billion  Lis life changed when, at the age of 11, he was chosen to join Madame Maos Central 5-7 Performing Arts University in Beijing. When he was spotted by an American choreographer, Li was invited to participate in a summer school with the Houston Ballet; he subsequently defected to the United States, where he would meet his first wife, Elizabeth Mackay, and spend the next 16 years.

In his book Maos Last Dancer, he writes about a story his father told him about a frog, which was trapped in a deep, dark well but could see the sky yet never reach it. Inspired by this as a young boy, he started sending messages to the gods on pieces of paper attached to his kite. First he wished for his mothers happiness, second for his fathers good health and third to get me out of the well so I could help my family. Id always lived with the harsh reality of not having enough food to fill our stomachs, of seeing my parents struggle, of witnessing people dying of starvation, of constantly being trapped in that same hopeless, vicious cycle as my forefathers, he writes. He told this masthead in 2003 that he always had big dreams. From a very young age, I held a deep-seated sadness that I wanted to do something and that has been achieved through hard, hard work and a lot of luck. The luck, he says, was firstly being chosen to join the Beijing academy as I had no dancing skills at all, only a body which looked flexible enough to train, and then being chosen to perform as a guest with the Houston Ballet in the US which gave me the first taste of true artistic freedom Id never dreamed possible. Mary McKendry and Li Cunxin performing with the Australian Ballet in 1990.

Though Li looked fondly upon his entire time at Queensland Ballet, he said he would dearly miss a few elements upon his departure, such as witnessing the collaboration between multiple creative energies on-stage. What I will miss most is working with talented, inspiring young people and helping them deliver and achieve the best in life, he said. And I will also miss ... the combination of the music and dance together, creating that powerful magic and grace. It really brings so much happiness to our audience. It was that happiness  the smiles on peoples faces as they enjoyed the powerful performances before them  that Li said would remain close to his heart well into retirement. Im thrilled that perhaps Ive played a small part in bringing more people into the audience or [making them] lovers of the ballet. Among those paying tribute were film director Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin. Li Cunxins impact on the creative landscape of Australia will be felt for years to come. His decade at the helm of Queensland Ballet exemplifies the world-class arts and culture that has transformed our region, Luhrmann said.
I sold a block of land and put money in a savings account in a bank that I had opened recently. The teller did not tell me that there were restrictions on how much I could withdraw in cash  he said a total amount of $10,000. I want to renovate my house and a project manager told me the cost would be $50,000. He pays all his suppliers in cash to avoid credit card charges. I would therefore have to pay him in cash, and he would use my money and not his. The bank has advised that to withdraw that amount, I would have to have a paper trail which was a ruling from the federal government. Can the government and the bank tell me where I can spend my money? This government ruling affects all Australians that have their money in a bank. It is my money, and so I should be able to withdraw any amount when I want and how I want. I am not a drug dealer or a money launderer.

As you say, its your money, and you can ask for it in cash. However, be aware that most banks only carry small stocks of cash these days, and you will need to make an appointment at a mutual time if a large amount of cash is required. My advice is to exercise extreme caution.

Australian banks are required to report cash transactions over $10,000 to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and a large transaction will certainly receive attention.

If you need to withdraw a significant sum of cash  such as to pay builders  do so with extreme caution. Credit: Simon Letch

Furthermore, youre dealing with a builder who by his own admission is dishonest. The Tax Office has very sophisticated tracking mechanisms these days and the last thing you would want to happen is your builder ending up in serious financial trouble halfway through the job.
King Soopers in southeast Colorado Springs is temporarily closed due to the discovery of asbestos in the building, according to a company press release.

In an email Tuesday morning, both King Soopers and the City Market corporate office released a statement, confirming the stores closure due to possible asbestos contamination.

King Soopers is proactively addressing this situation and has hired independent experts, officials said in the Tuesday press release, Additionally, King Soopers is working in full cooperation with the appropriate state agencies including the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment who are aiding in the evaluation and guiding future action.

The carcinogenic contamination at the store, located at 2910 S. Academy Blvd., was discovered amid testing during recent remodeling efforts.

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The store will remain closed until there is full confidence that all concerns have been addressed. At King Soopers the safety of associates and customers is a top priority. The company is committed to providing a safe shopping experience and will provide updated information as it becomes available.

In the meantime, store officials are encouraging patrons to utilize store locations at Uintah and 19th Street, Cheyenne Meadows and Colorado 115, or Constitution Avenue and Marksheffel Road.
Mostly, you follow the Betoota Advocate to laugh at other people. Australias leading satirical news site  and, allegedly, oldest newspaper  skewers politicians, real-estate agents, Millennials, country bumpkins, latte-sippers, tradies, Boomers and just about everyone else on the planet.

The only thing is, at some point that everyone else will almost certainly include you. The site just cant pump out that much satire day after day and not eventually turn its sights on people who seem uncomfortably similar to the person reading it.

I call it getting Betootad. And we all get Betootad sooner or later. The key is just to laugh at yourself  though thats not always easy. Check the comments on some of the posts and you will always see people getting upset. Big swing and a miss boys, theyll say. This aint it fellas. Etcetera.

The Menu is a brutal satire of foodie culture.

Which brings us to The Menu. That is, the movie called The Menu, starring Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy. It was released last year, and is streaming now in Australia.
Washington: The tour company whose submersible craft went missing during a Titanic wreckage expedition ignored calls to get its vessel independently checked and certified, believing this would stifle innovation.

As international rescuers raced to find the Titan and its five occupants before their oxygen runs out, documents have placed the expedition company, OceanGate, under fresh scrutiny over its refusal to have the vessel classed despite repeated warnings about the safety risks.

OceanGates Titan submersible. Credit: Instagram

Court filings and industry letters from 2018, along with OceanGates own website, reveal how the company was warned by employees and external experts that the Titan should undertake rigorous testing and assessments or run the risk of potentially catastrophic problems during its expeditions.
A National Workshop on Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Image Analysis was delivered by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Port Louis, Mauritius from 14 to 16 June 2023. The workshop was conducted with the financial assistance of the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF China) and was attended by 21 Customs officials from the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA).

During the first part of the event, the Workshop facilitators provided an overview of the WCO tools and initiatives pertaining to NII, such as the WCO Technical Experts Group on NII (TEG-NII) and its deliverables, including the Unified File Format (UFF) and the WCO Guidelines for the procurement and deployment of scanning/NII equipment (NII Guidelines), as well as the annual WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition. Moreover, the WCO experts provided best-practice examples of how to embed NII into Customs operations and how to perform NII based on risk analysis. In addition, the Workshop facilitators examined in depth topics such as image analysis skills, tools and functions, common mistakes in image analysis, material discrimination and automated threat recognition. Hands-on practical exercises were conducted during the second part of the workshop focusing on the discussion of case studies and lessons learnt.

The use of NII technologies is outlined in the Customs to Customs cooperation pillar (Pillar 1) of the SAFE Framework of Standards and serves one of the key objectives of SAFE - to promote the seamless movement of goods through secure international trade supply chains. As per standard 3 of Pillar 1 of the SAFE Framework of Standards, non-intrusive inspection equipment and radiation detection equipment should be available and used for conducting inspections, where available and in accordance with risk assessment. The standard also prescribes that the equipment is necessary to inspect high risk containers or cargo quickly, without disrupting the flow of legitimate trade.

During the workshop closing ceremony, the Director of Customs at the MRA, Vivekanand Ramburun, highlighted the importance of the sharing of experience, knowledge and intelligence for enhancing the effectiveness of NII, and thanked the WCO Secretariat and experts for the valuable support.
Today

A mix of sun and clouds; warm and humid with a t-storm possible late in the day, though much of the day remains dry.

Tonight

Becoming mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with a few showers and thunderstorms; a heavy downpour or two.

Tomorrow

Clouds mixing with some sun, warm, and humid. A shower or thunderstorm may linger early in the morning, and one or two may pop up during the day.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

A mix of sun and clouds; warm and humid with a t-storm possible late in the day, though much of the day remains dry. .

Tonight

Becoming mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with a few showers and thunderstorms; a heavy downpour or two.
BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union countries on Wednesday agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine aimed at countering sanctions circumvention through third countries and businesses.

The EU had previously imposed 10 rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Banks, companies and markets have been hit  even parts of the sensitive energy sector. More than 1,000 officials are subject to asset freezes and travel bans.

Much work in the latest batch of sanctions has involved closing loopholes so that goods vital to Putins war effort don't get through via nations that trade with the EU and have maintained a business-as-usual relationship with Moscow.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU's executive arm, said the new package will deal a further blow to Putins war machine with tightened export restrictions, targeting entities supporting the Kremlin.

Our anti-circumvention tool will prevent Russia from getting its hands on sanctioned goods, she added.

It is the first time that plans have been announced to target trade via other countries, apart from sanctions against Iranians alleged to be supplying drones to Russia.

It also prohibits the transit via Russia of products and technologies which might help boost its defense and security sector.

Under the latest package, if the EU sees for example that exports of a certain computer chip increase five-fold to one nation, and then sees that such exports from the country increase by about the same amount to Russia, the bloc would be able to take tougher action to end the practice.

The new package specifically allows the implementation of measures restricting the sale, or export of sensitive dual-use goods and technology to third countries who could then transfer them to Russia. Under the new rules, the EU could exert much more pressure to end the practice than before.

It does give a big stick with which the EU can say: please dont do it, and then, if it continues we go to restrictive measures, said an official from an EU nation on condition of anonymity because the rules had yet to be published in the EU's official journal.

The rules cannot be excessively rigid, since the EU does not want to immediately alienate nations.

We need to look for a balance with nations. When we address their bad behavior, we have to make sure we don't immediately drive them into the arms of Putin, the official said.

The new package will also target 71 extra persons and 33 entities in relation with the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Also included is the prohibition to access to ports in the EU by vessels engaged in ship-to-ship transfers when there is a suspicion that a boat is not respecting the ban on importing seaborne Russian crude oil and petroleum products into the bloc.

In addition, the package extends the suspension of the broadcasting licenses in the EU of five Russian media outlets under state control.

Past sanctions have been agreed on in just months  extremely quickly for the EU. But new measures are becoming increasingly hard to endorse as they inflict damage on the economic and political interests of some member countries even as they aim for the Kremlin.

Hungary, for instance, had said earlier this week it wouldn't allow EU measures targeting Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom, insisting on the importance of nuclear energy for Europes security and environmental goals.

Hungary signed new agreements in April to ensure its continued access to Russian energy, a sign of the countrys continuing diplomatic and trade ties with Moscow that have confounded some European leaders amid the war in Ukraine.

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - About two weeks after a fire from a crashed tanker truck led to the collapse of a stretch of I-95 in Philadelphia, Governor Josh Shapiro said traffic will be flowing again.

"We have moved with all possible speed and precision at every level of government," said Governor Shapiro.

Crews have been working around the clock, filling the gap temporarily with ultra-lightweight foamed glass aggregate. It has been used in other parts of the country before.

"I have 100 percent confidence in its ability to withstand the traffic that's on that facility once we open it," said Mike Carroll, PennDOT Secretary of Transportation.

"This is not easy work, but together we are making great progress thanks to a clear shared goal because we all know the impact that this collapse is having on workers, travelers and families," said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

Governor Shapiro said paving will need to be done, so depending on the progress of that is when officials will precisely be able to say which day this weekend it will open. He said crews will be paving three new lanes in both directions.

"This is what it looks like when we all work together," said Governor Shapiro.

Officials said 150,000 vehicles travel on this stretch each day.

A date has not been released on when the bridge will be permanently fixed. Governor Shapiro said there will not be any disruption to traffic during that process.
READING, Pa. - A Berks County attorney who worked for decades as solicitor and adviser for local municipalities, school boards and governmental agencies has passed away.

Attorney Michael Setley died last weekend at the age of 66. The firm of Georgeadis Setley Attorneys and Advisors confirmed his passing in a statement.

A native of Berks County, Setley was born in Reading and was a graduate of Gov. Mifflin High School, Lebanon Valley College and The Dickinson School of Law.

Setley specialized in municipal, real estate, land use and corporate law and served as longtime chairman of the Reading Regional Airport Authority, on the Crime Alert Berks advisory board and as a solicitor for multiple townships.

"We're heartbroken. Mike was a very prominent lawyer for many years and we will miss him. He was a consummate professional," said law partner Socrates Georgeadis, Esq. "We were friends for 35 years and practiced in different firms, but we decided to do something together in 2011."

"The firm will continue," Georgeadis added. "We are going to continue business as usual. We're allowing staff to grieve and take their time. He was one of a kind. We'll miss him."

Services will be held on Thursday, June 29 at Eplers United Church of Christ in Bern Township. The viewing is from 9 to 11 a.m. with funeral services to follow.
WINDSOR TWP., Pa. - Folks in the Hamburg area are learning more and sounding off about a potential solar farm.

The Windsor Township Planning Commission discussed the farm at a meeting at Hamburg Area Middle School.

A representative of Mountain Trail Solar says the farm would be more than 400 acres near Route 22 in Windsor Township.

The company says the farm would bring in tax revenue and construction could start in 2025.

Opponents expressed concerns about the project's impact on the area's charm.

The planning commission voted 3-1 not to recommend the plan.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A building owner in East Allentown has officially taken legal action to evict a business he says is causing problems in the neighborhood.

John "Buzzy" Labriola filed a landlord/tenant complaint in court Tuesday, with the hopes of evicting the Synergy Hookah Lounge at 1522 Union Blvd. as soon as possible.

The hookah lounge was the scene of a deadly stabbing early Sunday morning. Isiah Yeager, 23, is accused of stabbing 29-year-old Kevin Tarafa during a fight inside the lounge. Tarafa was found dead outside.

Labriola, the landlord, told 69 News on Monday that he had already given the lounge owners 90 days' notice before their lease was up May 18 that he was not planning to renew with them. When the lease expired in May, Labriola says the business owners hadn't paid the May rent, but promised to pay May and June if he let them stay until July 2.

The landlord had told 69 News that in light of the stabbing, he was planning to go to the magistrate on Tuesday to expedite the eviction.

A hearing is now set for June 29, according to online court records.

Neighborhood residents had previously told Allentown City Council that the lounge was causing problems. Police had several reports of gunfire in the area.
EASTON, Pa. - Carlos Kuilan, 32, was sentenced to 7-1/2 to 15 years in state prison for possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, possession of heroin and fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A jury found the defendant guilty of all charges in April.

Kuilan sold fentanyl to undercover agents with the state attorney general's office in November 2021, the DA said.

In December, the AG's office and Bethlehem police searched his home in the 1200 block of Linden Street, across from Liberty High School, and found cash, fentanyl and packaging materials, the DA said. He was taken into custody and charged with the drug offenses.
BETHLEHEM, Pa.  Bethlehem City Council on Tuesday heard input from citizens regarding the upcoming permit renewal for the city's wastewater treatment plant.

Citizens were concerned about the quality of the water and the leachate produced by the Bethlehem Landfill that, they say, impacts the Lehigh River.

"Obviously, we're not sympathetic to trash," said Mayor J. William Reynolds.

The mayor said the administration's legal team is working on the permit's language that will consider recommendations from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Environmental Protection.

"It's about what we are able to do," said Reynolds, noting that the permit will be worded with language that is as stringent as possible.

Lehigh University professor Dr. Bilal Khan urged the council to consider the impacts of leachate on the region.

"I urge you to do the right thing," said Khan. "The City of Bethlehem will be saddled with downstream litigation from the consequences of the decisions that you make."

"If you vote to renew the status quo, (it says) that everything that has happened so far is fine, let's do more of that," said Khan.

Also from Lehigh University, Dr. Breena Holland discussed leachate and the presence of PFAS or "forever chemicals" identified as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl. The chemicals' "forever" status refers to the slow rate at which the chemicals break down. These chemicals also build up in the human body over time and have been linked to decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, types of cancer, and hormone function.

Victoria Opthof-Cordaro spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, giving an update on the Bethlehem Landfill and also addressed leachate.

Opthof-Codaro runs a community organization opposing the Bethlehem Landfill's expansion called "Citizens for Responsible Development."

Most recently, the Bethlehem Landfill in Lower Saucon Township is appealing a judge's ruling that halted the landfill's expansion plan.

The appeal comes after a judge threw out a rezoning ordinance that would have allowed the landfill to grow.

The judge said the township didn't properly notify the public before it rezoned the landfill's property.

"It's only the beginning of a long, drawn-out process," said Opthof-Cordaro.

Opthof-Cordaro also asked the council to consider the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) testing recommendations and apply them to the city's wastewater treatment plant.

"There is still daily leachate," she said. "We don't know what is coming out of the landfill until we test for it."

"Let's do more for our generation and our future. Let's be proud of what we can do today," Opthof-Cordaro added.

The permit expires June 30th and will be extended until the new permit is approved.

Human trafficking measure

Also during Tuesday's meeting, council also voted on a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations that would allow for the creation of a task force officer position who would not be empowered to enforce immigration laws. The MOU is related to human sex and labor trafficking.

"The Bethlehem police department has done great work in this area and has helped a lot of people who have been in really desperate points in their lives," said Council member Hillary Kwiatek, but she was concerned about the "chilling effect" it may have on city residents who are worried about deportation.

Councilwoman Grace Crampsie-Smith spoke about the impact of such an agreement on already traumatized individuals, questioning whether the benefit outweighs the cost to residents.

According to Police Chief Michelle Kott, the partnership will help the police department.

"We need all the tools we can get. I know that partnership will provide additional resources, training, and help with communication," said Chief Kott.

Faced with questions about potential deportation or involvement with ICE, Kott felt safeguards related to the selection and oversight of the task force agent.

"We believe we have a great relationship with the community, wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that," Kott said.

Councilmember Rachel Leon asked for more time to consider the repercussions of such an agreement. "I don't feel confident enough to make a decision," she said, preferring more time to understand jurisdiction and legal rights associated with the measure.

Council president Michael Colon asked about the ability to participate in the MOU down the road, as the wording includes a 30-day option to opt-out.

"The benefits outweigh the hesitations. When we talk about Bethlehem Police Department, this is a department that values community engagement, "said Colon, who supported the resolution.

After a vote of 4-3, the resolution to accept the MOU failed, with Council Members Hillary Kwiatek, Paige Van Wirt, Keira Wilhelm, and Rachel Leon opposing the measure.

Other news

In other news, councilors approved in a final reading of the ordinance increase of roughly $2 million for necessary upgrades to the city's water and sewer system.

They also approved an ordinance allowing the city to use a $200,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resource grant to complete work at Saucon Park.

Michael Alkhal, the city's director of public works, previously stated the money allows flood damage repair to retaining walls, stabilize a creek bank, remove a damaged pavilion floor, and replace play equipment.

"A great investment for Saucon Park," commented Council President Michael Colon.

Council also voted to approve the retirement of Silver, a Labrador retriever who worked with the Bethlehem Police Department for five years to assist in fire investigations.

The resolution called for, among other things, "that Silver is extended every good wish for a long and happy retirement."

"Hope they have a great retirement," said Councilmember Leon.

Council also announced that the July 4th City Council Meeting would be postponed to July 5th for the Independence Day holiday.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A police officer was hurt in a crash in Allentown.

It happened Tuesday at 5:40 p.m. at the intersection of 31st and Capital streets.

Allentown police say it appears a pickup truck pulled out in front of the officer, causing the crash.

The truck ended up on its side against a utility pole. The police SUV had heavy front-end damage.

The officer was taken to the hospital, but is expected to be okay, police said.

The driver, 77-year-old male, of the truck sustained minor injuries.
E. ROCKHILL TWP., Pa. - The Pennridge community heard from the consulting firm hired to shape the district's social studies curriculum, a topic that has sparked controversy among the school board, parents and educators.

Vermilion Education founder Jordan Adams appeared via Zoom during Tuesday night's lengthy school board committee meetings.

Adams said the company was hired to assist the school district in reviewing its curriculum. He noted the district would decide what assistance Vermilion would provide and ultimately whether to take their recommendations.

Adams' presentation included an analysis of fiction and nonfiction criteria for seventh and eighth grade students. He noted there are opportunities to strengthen Pennridge's curriculum in five ways.

One way is by introducing additional works of fiction, poetry and nonfiction for students to read analyze, discuss and write about.

A second opportunity Adams cited was to "ensure that texts and topics will not disproportionately affect those who have experienced trauma or otherwise lead to disruptive behavior on the part of students."

The third chance to improve Pennridge's curriculum was predicated on the establishment of a district policy on whether mental health education and resources are to constitute English language arts lessons or non-curricular presentations.

He also recommended the district ensure that non-fiction articles include questions to help students identify the writer's perspective. By doing this, Adams noted, it would shield teachers from being unfairly accused of bias.

"The concern is that by not having additional context...I think there's a risk in opening teachers up to assertions or claims that they are trying to push a certain viewpoint or policy when in reality they are just teaching the non-fiction work," he said.

The final opportunity for improvement would be ensure that all texts are free of sexualized content that could be "best left to the home and to parent discretion." Adams cited two books and read excerpts as examples and later provided lists of recommended books which included novels and short stories.

During a public comment session, various speakers expressed concerns about the hiring of Vermilion. They included the allegation that the board had illegally hired Vermilion and in doing so, kept the public unaware of the proceedings.

Another speaker was concerned about the district's curriculum supervisors' role moving forward and how the consulting contract would alter the district's administration and teachers.

Finally, Adams faced allegations that his company is motivated to implement a political agenda. The allegations stemmed from his firm's affiliation with Hillsdale College. Adams has denied the allegations.

Earlier in the meeting the board reviewed various policies during the policy committee meeting.

The first policy reviewed involved changes to Policy 235.1 which governs district surveys. The edits would establish criteria for "controversial and third party" surveys. "Controversial issues" would be defined as topics related to personal beliefs such as "religion, social, political and geo-political matters, sexual orientation and gender identity." A "controversial survey" was defined as one that would "seek feedback from the participant through close and open-ended questions through questionnaires, surveys, or informal polls."

Another proposed addition required that at the beginning of each school year, parents and guardians would have the opportunity to identify their child's participation in all controversial and third-party surveys. Parents can give permission for their child to participate in controversial and third-party survey and request a survey review before offering consent for their child to participate.

The revision stipulated further that no controversial or third-party surveys other than those adopted by the board are to be distributed unless the survey is authorized.

Directors' review was on the policy's second reading and no changes were made Tuesday night.

A second policy revision involved the use of restrooms and locker rooms. The policy was adopted May 10 and is known officially as Policy 720. The changes centered around staff restroom access and the prohibition of student access -- no matter gender identity or sex -- to staff-only multi-user restroom facilities located in student-restricted areas, such as the faculty room.

The review was on the policy's first reading.

A third committee review involved Policy 109 which covers resource materials. In this case, resource materials involve reference books, classroom and school library collections, multimedia materials, maps, library books, software, periodicals and other instructional and professional development resource materials.

The review was for discussion purposes and directors wrestled with definitions of explicit and non-explicit materials among other topics. This included the reading outloud of a book with explicit material.

During a public comment session, some speakers questioned the policies, stating they violated or marginalized students' rights and in general undermined the district's educational agenda.

The meeting lasted more than six hours, ending around 1 a.m. The board is scheduled to meet again at 7 p.m. Wednesday night.
EAST ROCKHILL TWP., Pa. - A chaotic school board meeting with a lengthy agenda went late into the night in Bucks County.

It's not the first time the Pennridge School District has seen an hours-long meeting with a lot of fighting. The board members don't seem to agree on much, but they've still moved ahead with the curriculum consulting firm that has dozens of people still speaking out.

On Tuesday night, most of the fighting centered around that firm.

One after the other during public comment, teachers and parents made their position known.

"What are you doing to the curriculum, to our children's future, and tax payer's money?" one speaker said.

"You claim you're trying to get it out, but you've brought it right in front of all of us," said another.

They're saying no to the already-hired curriculum-based consulting firm, Vermilion Education.

"By a show of hands, who wants Vermilion to be part of our children's education? No one on the board is even raising their hand," said another speaker.

They say they're concerned because they believe Vermilion has a political agenda.

"You guys just have to admit this whole Vermilion thing is explicit bias," said a speaker.

At least 1,300 people oppose it.

For the first time, outraged parents and teachers got to hear from the CEO of that firm. CEO Jordan Adam joined the meeting via Zoom, and presented a PowerPoint of planned curriculum.

Another issue is a policy that one board member says violates the law.

Hours before, people opposed a policy regarding bathrooms which states there will be separate public restrooms on the basis of sex.

"I wish we had a little more compassion for our students and those that are struggling with this, and we would have had a much simpler solution to this that would be legal," a board member said.

Tuesday's meeting went well after 10 p.m.

Another meeting is set for Wednesday night, where the board is supposed to move forward with policies that were discussed Tuesday night.

No word from the board if they have any plans to rescind the consulting firm's contract.
A high school teacher in the Midwest says sticky notes are helping her students express themselves, and now her classroom is covered in them.

Sometimes it's just one word -- a color or a word that describes how they are feeling in that moment -- or sometimes it's a few words or an inspirational thought.

The sticky notes have been going up on the wall in Jennifer Doucette's classroom since 2016.

She is a high school English teacher near Madison, Wisconsin, and her wall is now covered in sticky notes. There are thousands of them.

Jennifer says it all started when she asked her students a question one day at the end of class. She had them write their answers on sticky notes and put them up on the wall.

Then in the days that followed, she just kept asking and the students kept writing.

Sometimes she'll ask "what color describes how you're feeling today?" or "what's your favorite smell?" or "how are you feeling?"

Sometimes the students are the ones who come up with the questions.

Some say it's a way for them to put their thoughts out there into the world.

"You can put out some of your more vulnerable thoughts and not worry about people seeing them, even though you're still putting it out to be seen, because everything's everywhere," said Devyn Beyhan, a junior at Waunakee Community High School.

"This was a student who really was struggling with her mental health, and came back after getting a lot of help, and left me a really neat note letting me know about that. This note I treasure, I will keep this note forever," Doucette said.

Jennifer says as much as the notes mean to her, she hopes it helps students know they matter and gives them the space to be themselves.
READING., Pa.  The chairman of the Reading Redevelopment Authority told city council Tuesday night that the new slate of board members on the authority are determined to bring action to the table when it comes to addressing blighted properties.

John H. Miller, Jr, chairman of the authority, was invited by council to speak at a committee-of-the-whole meeting before the next regular council meeting.

Council is scheduled to vote on a proposed ordinance next Monday to allocate $500,000 from American Rescue Plan funds to the Reading Redevelopment Authority to be used for the acquisition, remediation, and disposition of blighted properties in the city.

Earlier this month, council members said they wanted to hear about the authoritys plan prior to that vote.

One thing that has been mentioned over the last four or five weeks by multiple council members is they are tired of seeing plans and want to see action, Miller said. And I'm telling you that we are here to bring action to your table. It's going to take a little money to do it but consider this the opportunity to really move things forward and we are spending the necessary time and commitment and hashing out the details of how to move forward in a cohesive way that makes sense.

The proposed ordinance on the table states that the authority has a goal of fifty properties per year, as funding allows.

Miller cautioned council that even half-a-million-dollars will only go so far in dealing with the approximately 450 properties currently on the blighted property list.

I don't mean to belittle it (the allocation), but some original numbers were somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.5 million, perhaps three, Miller said.

We will move forward and create some action with this, but understand that if we are to tackle 50 properties with a half-million dollars, that's only $10,000 per property. Eminent domain costs approximately $5,000 and then we have to pay just compensation to each of those property owners for the fair market value at the time of acquisition. So, we really have to be diligent in rolling that money over and over and over again in order to make it stretch beyond what would otherwise be a three to five property rehab.

Miller said one of the challenges going forward is having an adequate staff to carry out action plans.

If we get funded and we are tackling a large number of properties per year, there's no way we can do that with the current staffing that's in place, Miller explained. The current arrangement with the city is that we pay for an executive director and for an asset manager / accountant, and that price tag is very cheap; a total of $30,000. If we were to hire one full time staffer, which I think is essential for us to move forward and to do what needs to be done here, obviously that number is going to increase quite a bit.

Because the redevelopment authority is a separate entity from the city, Miller said there would be questions going forward if new staff would be city employees, as opposed to ones who work exclusively for the authority.

Council president Donna Reed said she would like to see a significant portion of the $500,000 funding be dedicated to properties in the area of 9th and Douglass Streets, where the Reading School District is constructing a new school building.

I say this because I think that is going to be a real role model for how we can turn around neighborhoods and stabilize them, Reed said. But also keeping in mind (in the past) we had no strategic plan in mind, and we have nothing to show in terms of strengthening a neighborhood around a project.

Miller gave a different viewpoint.

I would see a restriction of focusing on this particular area as a hindrance to our ability to do our best work, Miller said. And I think also as you have six different council members representing six different districts here, the focus on just 9th and Douglas would concentrate those efforts into one or two council members areas and I think it's fair to say that every council member has an area of their district where they would prefer some attention to be going.

Miller added that blighted properties are constantly changing and require the authority to have some flexibility.

It's necessary that we put as few restrictions on this (allocation) as possible, Miller added. I realize it's a step of faith and trust, but I can tell you that you've got a board that is truly committed to moving this path forward. And, you know, I want to be sitting here a year from now bragging about what we've done as opposed to sort of hanging my head in shame and saying, well, we got three (properties).
TURMUS AYYA, West Bank (AP)  Hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed into a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, setting fire to dozens of cars and homes to avenge the deaths of four Israelis killed by Palestinian gunmen the previous day, residents said. Palestinians said one man was killed in the violence.

After nightfall, Israel carried out a rare airstrike on a car carrying suspected Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank. The drone strike, believed to be the first in the area in nearly 20 years, marked a major escalation by Israel in a more than year-long campaign against militants in the area. Palestinian media reported three were killed in the strike.

The fighting further raised tensions heightened this week by a daylong Israeli military raid that killed seven people, including a 15-year-old girl, in a militant stronghold, and Tuesday's mass shooting, whose victims included a 17-year-old Israeli boy.

Wednesday's settler rampage came as the Israeli military deployed additional forces in the occupied West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new settler homes in response to the deadly shooting.

Palestinian residents and human rights groups have long complained about Israel's inability or refusal to halt settler violence. Residents in Turmus Ayya said some 400 settlers marched down the town's main road, setting fire to cars, homes and trees.

Mayor Lafi Adeeb said some 30 houses and 60 cars were partly or totally burned. At least eight Palestinians were hurt during clashes, which the army tried to disperse by firing rubber bullets and tear gas.

Palestinian medical officials said one man  identified as 27-year-old Omar Qatin  was killed by army fire. Residents said Qatin was a father of two small children and worked as an electrician for the local municipality.

Israeli police said officers were attacked by residents with rocks and fireworks. One officer opened fire after believing his life was in danger, hitting a rioter, police said. But Palestinian residents disputed the account.

He was just standing there, innocent, he is such a kind-hearted kid. He had no stones, he was totally unarmed, he was at least half a mile (one kilometer) away from the military, said Khamis Jbara, his neighbor. He works from 6am to 6pm. He is a peaceful man.

The town's Palestinian residents, including many who are American citizens, were seething and in shock after the attack.

Streets were littered with broken pots, uprooted trees, charred yard furniture and skeletons of cars. At least one house was completely torched, the living room blackened, the furniture burned to ashes.

It was terrifying, we just saw mobs of people in the streets, masked, armed, said Mohammed Suleiman, a 56-year-old Palestinian-American who lives in Chicago and was visiting his hometown.

Suleiman blamed the Israeli military, saying the soldiers turned their guns on the Palestinian residents instead of the vandals marching into the town with guns and firebombs and setting alight everything in their path. The army was "literally clearing the way for them, he said.

Abdulkarim Abdulkarim, a 44-year-old resident of Ohio, said his familys four cars were burned and house damaged. They call us terrorists but here you have terrorism supported by the government, he said.

In the home of the Shalaby family, eight children hid on the third floor when they saw a mob of masked settlers slash tires and throw fuel on three cars. Within moments, their front yard erupted into a giant fireball. At least one of the armed settlers burst through the front door, trashing the sunroom and breaking windows.

I just kept thinking I was going to die, said 15-year-old Mohammed Awwad, an American citizen from northern California who was visiting his grandparents. He was removing pieces of glass from his foot as his family packed up their valuables to take to an aunts house in the hills, fearing the settlers return.

Turmus Ayya, a town of luxurious villas with gardens and views of rolling olive groves, is frequently a target of settler attacks. Tayem Abu Awwad, whose old car was torched in a separate attack last week, said his brand new Toyota was charred in Wednesday's rampage.

The Israeli military said it sent forces into the town to extinguish the fires, prevent clashes and to collect evidence.

The military condemned these serious incidents of violence and destruction of property," adding that settler violence prevents it from carrying out its main mission of protecting national security and battling militants.

But later Wednesday, further north in the town of Urif, an angry mob of some 100 settlers ran through the town, throwing rocks at Palestinian homes and hurling a firebomb at the local school, said local Palestinian official Ghassan Daghlas. Palestinian residents said Israeli security forces fired live bullets, stun grenades and tear gas at them as they tried to fend off the settlers.

Just as settlers were withdrawing from the town, the Israeli drone hit the Palestinian car near the militant stronghold of Jenin, turning the vehicle into a fireball.

The identities of the people on board were not immediately known. But the army said it had identified a terrorist cell inside a suspicious vehicle that had been responsible for a number of recent shooting attacks on Jewish settlements.

Ismail Radwan, a leader in the Hamas militant group, called the drone strike a dangerous development and called on the resistance in the West Bank to escalate the confrontation.

The settler attack brought back memories of a rampage last February in which dozens of cars and homes were torched in the town of Hawara following the killing of a pair of Israeli brothers by a Palestinian gunman.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh visited Turmus Ayya to inspect the damage. Local criticism of the Palestinian Authority has intensified over its weakness in the face of settler attacks.

As he spoke, expressing solidarity with the residents and appealing to the United States to intervene  given the high percentage of American citizens in the town  one resident shouted at him and demanded the authority do more to protect its people.

Egypt and Jordan, the first two Arab countries to make peace with Israel, both condemned the settler violence and called for an immediate end to the attacks.

Netanyahu criticized the settler violence, as well as unrelated protests by Druze Arabs in the Golan Heights that turned violent.

We will not accept any provocations to the police or the security forces in these places or anywhere else, he said. We are a nation of laws.

Tuesday's shooting in the settlement of Eli came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a battle against Israeli troops in Jenin. The worsening violence has created a test for Israels government and prompted calls for a widespread military operation in the West Bank.

As Israel deployed more forces to the area, Netanyahu said he had approved plans to build 1,000 new homes in Eli. Our answer to terror is to strike it hard and to build our country, he said.

The international community opposes settlements on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians for a future independent state. Netanyahu's far-right government is dominated by settler leaders and supporters.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state.
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP)  Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard member accused of leaking highly classified military documents on a social media platform, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal felony charges.

Teixeira, 21, entered the pleas during a hearing in Worcesters federal court days after he was indicted by a grand jury on six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Handcuffed and wearing orange jail garb, Teixeira smiled at family seated in the gallery at the start of the hearing. He stood at the defense table next to his lawyers and leaned over to say not guilty, your honor into the microphone after the judge read each count. The judge also denied a defense request to reconsider his detention order.

Teixeira, of North Dighton, has been behind bars since his April arrest on charges stemming from the most consequential intelligence leak in years. A magistrate judge ruled last month that Teixeira must remain in jail while the case plays out, saying that releasing him would pose a risk that he would attempt to flee the country or obstruct justice.

The leak left the Biden administration scrambling to assess and contain the damage among the international community and reassure allies that its secrets are safe with the U.S.

Teixeiras family said in a statement Wednesday that they remain committed as ever to supporting him. The important thing is Jack will now have his day in court, they said. We are hopeful that Jack will be getting the fair and just treatment he deserves.

Teixeiras attorney has said his client will answer the charges and will be judged by his fellow citizens. In pushing for his release, Teixeiras attorneys argued that the government isnt alleging Teixeira ever intended that the information be widely disseminated.

Teixeira is accused of sharing classified military documents about Russias war in Ukraine and other sensitive national security topics on Discord, a social media platform popular with people playing online games. Investigators believe he was the leader of an private chat group called Thug Shaker Central, where enthusiasts shared jokes, talked about their favorite types of guns and discussed wars, including Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Authorities say Teixeira, who enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2019, began around January sharing military secrets with other Discord users  first by typing out classified documents and then sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Teixeira worked as a a cyber transport systems specialist, essentially an IT specialist responsible for military communications networks.

Prosecutors say he continued to leak government secrets even after he was warned by superiors about mishandling and improper viewing of classified information. After being admonished by superiors last year, he was again seen in February viewing information not related to the intelligence field, not his primary duty, according to internal Air National Guard memos filed in court.

Justice Department lawyers revealed in earlier court filings that Teixeira had a history of disturbing online remarks. He wrote in November that he would kill a (expletive) ton of people if he had his way, because it would be culling the weak minded. He also used his government computer in July to look up mass shootings, searching terms such as Mandalay Bay shooting and Uvalde, prosecutors said.

Authorities have provided few details about an alleged possible motive, but accounts of those in the online private chat group where the documents were disclosed have depicted Teixeira as motivated more by bravado than ideology.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement last week that Teixeira was entrusted with information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if shared.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The special counsel who investigated the FBIs probe of ties between Russia and Donald Trumps 2016 campaign found himself at the center of a heated political fight as he appeared before a congressional committee Wednesday, with Democrats denouncing his inquiry and Republicans arguing that its findings helped prove an anti-Trump bias within law enforcement.

John Durham, the Justice Department special counsel who recently completed his report, testified before the House Judiciary Committee in a hearing that unfolded against the backdrop of a 37-count indictment of Trump on charges he illegally retained classified documents.

Despite roughly six hours of testimony, the hearing broke little new ground. Under questioning from Republicans, he repeated many of the strongest findings of condemnation in his 306-page report and also faced criticism from Democrats over a four-year investigation that produced just one conviction and fell short of Trump's claims that it would expose the crime of the century.

The hearing spotlighted well-established law enforcement errors during the years-old Trump-Russia investigation, but Durhams appearance took on more contemporary political resonance in light of the criminal case against Trump and efforts by the former president and some Republican allies to undermine public confidence in the FBI.

They're never going to stop. Seven years of attacking Trump is scary enough, but what's more frightening, any one of us could be next, said the committee chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, said Americans believe there's a two-tiered system of justice that, he said, was terrifying."

Here we are seven years later, still talking about President Trump and this Democrat-invented scandal, Hunt said.

Democrats, for their part, went after Durham and his investigation in personal terms  Rep. Ted Lieu of California derided him for behaving like a partisan hack. They accused Republicans of using Durham's appearance as a pretext to criticize the FBI for its continued scrutiny of Trump and to distract from the former president's current legal troubles.

Thats why youre here today, not because of anything that happened in 2016, New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the top Democrat on the committee, told Durham.

Durham, who was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of Trump-Russia investigation, tried to keep the focus of the hearing on his findings.

He noted that his review found that FBI investigators examining potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia ignored exculpatory evidence, used a largely discredited dossier of opposition research to obtain a surveillance warrant on a former Trump campaign aide, withheld key information from judges and lacked an adequate basis to open a full investigation in the first place.

He said the errors in the investigation were notable because the inquiry was not a run-of-the-mill investigation but instead concerned a presidential campaign."

He said current and former FBI agents had personally apologized to him for the way the Russia investigation was conducted.

Its so highly sensitive, it could affect the outcome of a presidential election and the future of the nation, Durham said. "You would expect that the discipline that would have been followed would have been higher than ever. And that didnt happen here. There's a sort of analytical rigor, the discipline in how we investigate criminal matters, that was just absent here in large measure.

Democrats repeatedly steered the hearing back to Durham's track record, the abrupt and publicly unexplained departure of his top deputy, and the fact that many of his more damning findings were already revealed years earlier in a Justice Department inspector general report. His investigation yielded just one guilty plea from a little-known FBI lawyer, a case referred to his office by the inspector general. And the two cases that Durham's team took to trial ended in swift jury acquittals.

In a tense exchange, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., tried to portray Durham as a prosecutor lacking legal standing and integrity who was attempting to protect Trump and his campaign for president.

You had a good reputation, thats why the two Democrats supported you, Cohen said, referring to the Democratic senators from Connecticut who had backed Durham's nomination for U.S. attorney. But the longer you hold on to Mr. Barr and this report that Mr. Barr gave you as special counsel, your reputation will be damaged as everybody's reputation who gets involved with Donald Trump will get damaged.

Durham responded: My concern about my reputation is with the people who I respect and my family and my Lord and Im perfectly comfortable with my reputation with them, sir.

GOP animosity toward the Justice Department was further fueled by Tuesdays announcement that President Joe Bidens son Hunter will likely avoid jail time in a plea deal on tax and gun allegations. Jordan tweeted that it was a DOUBLE STANDARD OF JUSTICE."

The bureau also is facing bipartisan criticism of how it handles intelligence collected electronically under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows spy agencies to collect foreign phone calls and e-mails for their investigations.

A newly declassified surveillance court opinion found that the FBI had run thousands of unsupported searches of Americans, including queries tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection and the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd.

Previewing Durham's private meeting Tuesday with the Intelligence Committee, Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the panel's chairman, alleged last week that the FBI went off the rails and hurt the justice system's credibility.

Rules and laws need to be changed so that these mechanisms cannot be used again in this way to really harm the American public, he said.

Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the panel's top Democrat, said after the committee's meeting that Durham didn't recommend any changes to existing law but broadly discussed the issues in the report and the handling of politically sensitive investigations.

Our hearing was not political. Nobody was looking to score points, Himes said. People asked questions that indicated their political affiliation, but thats because they were doing due diligence around things that concern them.

FBI Director Chris Wray has acknowledged errors in the Trump-Russia probe. In a statement Tuesday, the bureau said it had  already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time."

The Durham report "reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect, the statement said.
At its most recent school board meeting on June 14, the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education passed a resolution presented by School Board Vice President Jason Jorgenson titled Support for Economic Freedom and Impartial Classrooms.

D-11s resolution was a response to the Colorado Education Association, Colorados largest teachers union, who on April 22 passed a resolution condemning capitalism and saying in part that the CEA believes that capitalism inherently exploits children, public schools, land, labor, and resources.

That assertion is as false as it is strongly stated, and is radically to the left of even Colorados Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. Asked about it in an interview on Face the Nation, the governor referred to the CEAs position as bizarre and said that Its the great economic engine of capitalism that creates the prosperity that funds our schools.

Bizarre, indeed. History tells us that socialist countries scrape by (on the rare occasion that they do at all) only because they are supported by countries that uphold economic freedom like ours.

The United States is able to shield Europe under its nuclear umbrella against Russia only because we have the resources to do so. Every luxury we have, from our military to our public education system, is made possible only through our nations economic liberty.

Another issue with the CEAs statement is that it is not its responsibility to make and it harms political neutrality in the classroom. The CEAs website claims it represents 39,000 K-12 teachers, education support professionals, higher education staff, retired educators, and students preparing to become educators.

Given the direct impact that the CEAs resolution could have on the classroom, parents and community members began asking the D-11 school board what this resolution would mean for instruction in their childrens classrooms, and how it would impact political impartiality.

In response to their concerns, the D-11 board passed this resolution stating in part Therefore, be it resolved that the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education strongly rejects the CEA resolution, recognizes that capitalism has done immeasurably more than any other economic system in history to advance human prosperity and assures parents of the districts commitment to providing students neutral learning environments that prioritize academic achievement.

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School Board Directors Darleen Daniels and Julie Ott spoke against the D-11 resolution. By voting no, the two voted against political neutrality in classrooms. Daniels, who is up for reelection in November, took the CEAs claims even further saying countries are impoverished because they have been exploited. People are coming because their countries have been exploited of their resources and continuously today. I am almost sure that they would love to be in their country if they didnt have someone taking it and using it in another country for other peoples advantage.

That historically illiterate claim is certainly not shared by the people arriving on Floridas shores on floating trash as they attempt to escape socialist Venezuela. Its also not shared by School Board President Parth Melpakam, an Indian immigrant who received his bachelors degree in India and went on to receive his Ph.D. at the University of Wyoming, Laramie. In his comments on the resolution he said,

Personally, I am an immigrant that came to this country and I came here not because my country was exploited ... I came here because this country was the land of opportunity.

Director Jorgenson, who presented D-11s resolution, referred to the CEAs position as anti-American. Melpakam and Jorgenson are also up for reelection this November.

The Colorado Springs District 11 School Board was wise to distance itself from the radical and uneducated position of Daniels and the CEA.

It is ironic and deeply troubling that people who are in positions of authority in our education system need basic, elementary educations themselves.

The Gazette Editorial Board
Dfpg Investments LLC boosted its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Get Rating) by 28.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,038 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,771 shares during the quarter. Dfpg Investments LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $2,921,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Charles Schwab Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.7% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Trust Co now owns 4,253 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,546,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. CMH Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.4% during the first quarter. CMH Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,201 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $4,071,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Chemistry Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.7% during the first quarter. Chemistry Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,804 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,746,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Brown Miller Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 4.3% during the first quarter. Brown Miller Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,776 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,009,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northstar Advisory Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 33.0% during the first quarter. Northstar Advisory Group LLC now owns 2,267 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $824,000 after buying an additional 563 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.33% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MA has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Tigress Financial lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $472.00 to $476.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $414.00 to $442.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Mastercard from $405.00 to $400.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $390.00 to $400.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and nineteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $417.27.

Mastercard Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of MA stock opened at $376.53 on Tuesday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $276.87 and a 52-week high of $392.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $375.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $365.29. The company has a market capitalization of $356.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.62, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.11.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.09. Mastercard had a net margin of 42.33% and a return on equity of 169.12%. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.76 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mastercard news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Mastercard news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,164 shares in the company, valued at $4,166,851.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $381.85, for a total transaction of $48,042,839.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 99,808,197 shares in the company, valued at $38,111,760,024.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 547,243 shares of company stock valued at $209,102,122. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Mastercard, Inc is a technology company, which engages in the payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, and business. It offers payment solutions for the development and implementation of credit, debit, prepaid, commercial, and payment programs. The company was founded in November 1966 and is headquartered in Purchase, NY.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Get Rating).

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Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI  Get Rating) and Aedifica NV/SA (OTCMKTS:AEDFF  Get Rating) are both real estate companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

66.0% of Omega Healthcare Investors shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of Omega Healthcare Investors shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Omega Healthcare Investors and Aedifica NV/SAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Omega Healthcare Investors 32.26% 7.13% 2.90% Aedifica NV/SA N/A N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Omega Healthcare Investors $878.24 million 8.19 $426.93 million $1.15 26.67 Aedifica NV/SA N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

This table compares Omega Healthcare Investors and Aedifica NV/SAs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Omega Healthcare Investors has higher revenue and earnings than Aedifica NV/SA.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Omega Healthcare Investors and Aedifica NV/SA, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Omega Healthcare Investors 1 5 2 0 2.13 Aedifica NV/SA 0 1 1 0 2.50

Omega Healthcare Investors presently has a consensus price target of $30.40, indicating a potential downside of 0.90%. Aedifica NV/SA has a consensus price target of $74.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.96%. Given Aedifica NV/SAs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Aedifica NV/SA is more favorable than Omega Healthcare Investors.

Summary

Omega Healthcare Investors beats Aedifica NV/SA on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Omega Healthcare Investors

(Get Rating)

Omega is a REIT that invests in the long-term healthcare industry, primarily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Its portfolio of assets is operated by a diverse group of healthcare companies, predominantly in a triple-net lease structure. The assets span all regions within the U.S., as well as in the U. K.

About Aedifica NV/SA

(Get Rating)

Aedifica is a Regulated Real Estate Company under Belgian law specialised in European healthcare real estate, particularly in elderly care. Aedifica has developed a portfolio of more than 620 sites in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Ireland and Spain, worth more than 5.7 billion. Aedifica is listed on Euronext Brussels (2006) and Euronext Amsterdam (2019) and is identified by the following ticker symbols: AED; AED:BB (Bloomberg); AOO.BR (Reuters). Since 2020, Aedifica has been part of the BEL 20, Euronext Brussels' leading share index. Moreover, since 2023, Aedifica has been part of the BEL ESG, the index tracking companies that perform best on ESG criteria. Aedifica is also included in the EPRA, Stoxx Europe 600 and GPR indices. Aedifica's market capitalisation was approx. 3 billion as of 9 May 2023.

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Elk River Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI  Get Rating) by 26.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,877 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 4,418 shares during the quarter. Elk River Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Crown Castle were worth $2,794,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Oder Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Crown Castle by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Oder Investment Management LLC now owns 1,874 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $254,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the period. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Crown Castle by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,375 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $322,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Cox Capital Mgt LLC boosted its holdings in Crown Castle by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Cox Capital Mgt LLC now owns 6,696 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $908,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Trust Co. boosted its holdings in Crown Castle by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Fiduciary Trust Co. now owns 13,599 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,966,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Summit Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Crown Castle by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Summit Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,638 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $237,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.55% of the companys stock.

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Crown Castle Trading Down 0.9 %

NYSE CCI traded down $1.01 on Wednesday, reaching $111.44. The stock had a trading volume of 337,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,132,401. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.13 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98. Crown Castle Inc. has a 12-month low of $110.22 and a 12-month high of $184.92. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $118.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $130.92.

Crown Castle Dividend Announcement

Crown Castle ( NYSE:CCI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.85 by ($0.88). The business had revenue of $1.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.76 billion. Crown Castle had a return on equity of 22.12% and a net margin of 23.81%. The businesss revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.87 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Crown Castle Inc. will post 7.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a $1.565 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $6.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.62%. Crown Castles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 162.18%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on CCI shares. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Crown Castle from $159.00 to $151.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Crown Castle from $152.00 to $149.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Crown Castle from $143.00 to $136.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Crown Castle from $162.00 to $144.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Crown Castle from $153.00 to $145.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $155.56.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Crown Castle news, Director Kevin A. Stephens purchased 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $118.00 per share, for a total transaction of $118,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 15,416 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,819,088. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, Director Kevin A. Stephens bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $118.00 per share, for a total transaction of $118,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 15,416 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,819,088. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Laura B. Nichol sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.56, for a total transaction of $612,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 21,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,669,601.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 24,472 shares of company stock worth $3,012,757 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

About Crown Castle

(Get Rating)

Crown Castle owns, operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 85,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across every major U.S. market. This nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure connects cities and communities to essential data, technology and wireless service  bringing information, ideas and innovations to the people and businesses that need them.

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Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC increased its position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) by 5.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 19,432 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 1,049 shares during the quarter. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $1,018,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SCHW. Phocas Financial Corp. acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Exos TFP Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 14th. Redburn Partners downgraded shares of Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $99.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $67.19.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

In other Charles Schwab news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total transaction of $4,018,646.40. Following the transaction, 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 available at this link . In related news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown bought 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 9,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $533,844.48. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total transaction of $4,018,646.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at $3,093,761,349.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Shares of Charles Schwab stock traded down $0.44 on Wednesday, reaching $53.49. 1,056,256 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 20,005,283. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.00 and a 1-year high of $86.63. 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 business has a fifty day moving average price of $52.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $65.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.63 billion, a PE ratio of 14.74, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.88.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 34.82% and a return on equity of 27.83%. The business had revenue of $5.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.77 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.87%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 27.32%.

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.

Further Reading

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).

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Parking space questions

What excuse does the Colorado Springs parking meter czar have for not designating Juneteenth as a free parking day? An additional note to the Colorado Springs ADA Department: Colorado Springs is not restricted to minimum requirements for ADA parking, it can exceed ADA requirements. It has been explained to me (some years ago) that ADA parking requires a specific size for the parking space. These spaces are only available at the end of a block I was told.

However, this should not prevent Colorado Springs from exceeding the DOJ requirements for ADA parking spaces if the city meets those requirements per population. Many mobility disabled people do not require the full size legally required spaces located at the end of a block. Most mobility disabled persons would be quite happy with a normal size parking space in the middle of the block, closer to their destination with less pain e.g. peripheral neuropathy.

I was informed that an ADA parking space in the middle of a block necessitated DOJ size/space specifications, but that the parking czar would not allow it because it would cut down on the overall number of spaces and provide less income from parking meters. So, first of all, the parking czar is overcharging for parking spaces, and second, the city is not required to meet DOJ specifications if the number of ADA spaces meeting those specs exist.

Perhaps the new Colorado Springs mayor will take the czar to task and return parking meter rates to what they were before the parking meter czar came to Colorado Springs from California, and before that Bozeman, Mont. Im sure they thought highly of his ideas in Bozeman.

Marshall Griffith

Colorado Springs

Celebrate that we are all Americans

In the name of equity, I am waiting to have an Oriental Day to celebrate all the Oriental people in the country, Italian Day to celebrate all the Italians, Germanic Day, etc, a Straight Pride Month, etc.

Wait: Why dont we just have a day to celebrate that we are all Americans? But come to think about it, we do have a day to celebrate all nationalities  as Americans. That will be coming up soon.

It is called The Fourth of July. Lets celebrate with big parades, and flags flying as a nation of mixed breeds and peoples, all who came here at some point in their lives or the lives of their ancestors, to be a better nation than where they came from!

Isnt that why they left, because they didnt like the country they were living in, wanted something different, where all people could be celebrated as just that, people?

Marcena Springer

Colorado Springs

Extreme weather crime

I am worried about the recent extreme heat and wildfires raging across the country. I feel for people who lose their lives and livelihoods to extreme weather, and it has affected us here in Colorado. I live in Monument, which is near the Black Forest fire and was on high alert to evacuate during that crisis.

The main cause of these fires, fossil fuels, are often not linked to the fires by stories in the media.

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This is dangerous, because many people will continue to refuse to see that longer, hotter, and deadlier summers are caused and perpetuated by the fossil fuel industry.

The science is clear  the longer we allow fossil fuel companies to dig and burn, the worse the impacts of the climate crisis will be. But the fossil fuel industry continues to ignore these alerts and undermine our chances for a safer future. We know this is causing the climate crisis, and yet they keep burning and profiting, with zero accountability.

The media has an important role to play  and a moral obligation to tell the whole truth. Its time to make one thing about extreme weather very clear: its not a crisis that just happens to us  its a crime, and the fossil fuel industry is to blame. Media has an important job to do to turn the tide of public opinion, and help the world avoid the worst of the climate impacts.

Susan Permut

Monument

The team is we the people

What The Gazettes Viewpoint failed to state in its editorial opposing Gov. Jared Polis and Colorados Democrat legislators passing backdoor unionization was stated by an inspiring example in the Viewpoint two days later.

The Viewpoints criticism of unionization of public employees was financial: that it takes away the discretion of the elected officials who are supposed to keep a tight rein on public spending. The financial aspect of unionization is a detriment to public government, but there is a worse detriment. This is the authorizing of a self-interested private corporation  which is what a union is  to replace us, the people, in governing ourselves. This is the loss of the founding principle of our country.

In Bravo Nikola! Bravo Nuggets! the Viewpoint pointed to the special chemistry that the Nuggets have going. Some call it a team first culture in which the team rightly can take credit for the crown.

When a self-interested private corporation union is authorized to take over public government, team spirit on behalf of us the people is lost. Government by private corporation teachers unions is why our schools are failing our young people. Government by police and fire unions is why police and fire chiefs can not fire employees with bad records like the one who killed George Floyd.

The viewpoint states: For Jokic, and thus for the whole team, its all about working together. In public government, the team is not a private corporation union. The team is we the people.

James Sayler

Colorado Springs

Enormous property tax hike

Re: Jim Bewleys Sunday letter, One Simple Question about our enormous hike in property taxes, and what is their plan with all the windfall money? Simply put, Jim, this is legal theft of our money by our government. They play the finger-pointing game. The assessor says its not me, I just set property values not the mill levy. The county commissioners say, its not us, we just set the mill levy, we dont assess property values. Its just enough to confuse the average joe taxpayer to death. I lived in California in the 1970s when this went on, and the voters passed Proposition 13 to bring that insanity to an end. We might need something similar.

Bill Huffor Sr.

Woodland Park
PM CAPITAL Ltd cut its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Get Rating) by 13.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,219,008 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 193,600 shares during the quarter. Freeport-McMoRan makes up about 10.4% of PM CAPITAL Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. PM CAPITAL Ltd owned approximately 0.09% of Freeport-McMoRan worth $49,870,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FCX. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Synovus Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 15.2% during the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 11,101 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $553,000 after buying an additional 1,468 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 40.8% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 112,066 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $5,574,000 after buying an additional 32,474 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 73.6% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 132,043 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $6,624,000 after buying an additional 55,987 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 22.0% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 79,686 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $3,964,000 after buying an additional 14,388 shares during the last quarter. 79.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Scotiabank raised shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $41.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Raymond James decreased their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Sunday, April 23rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 9th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $32.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $38.42.

Insider Transactions at Freeport-McMoRan

Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance

In other news, Director Sara Grootwassink Lewis acquired 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $34.90 per share, with a total value of $139,600.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 17,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at $621,220. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Corporate insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE:FCX opened at $39.02 on Wednesday. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a twelve month low of $24.80 and a twelve month high of $46.73. The companys 50 day moving average is $37.56 and its 200 day moving average is $39.68. The company has a current ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market cap of $55.93 billion, a PE ratio of 22.01 and a beta of 2.00.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The natural resource company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.05. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 12.07% and a return on equity of 11.07%. The company had revenue of $5.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.25 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.07 EPS. Freeport-McMoRans quarterly revenue was down 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.79 EPS for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is 16.76%.

Freeport-McMoRan Profile

(Get Rating)

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc engages in the mining of copper, gold, and molybdenum. It operates through the following segments: North America Copper Mines, South America Mining, Indonesia Mining, Molybdenum Mines, Rod and Refining, Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining, and Corporate and Other. The North America Copper Mines segment operates open-pit copper mines in Morenci, Baghdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL  Get Rating) in a research note published on Sunday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Several other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. TheStreet downgraded shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from a c rating to a d+ rating in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. JMP Securities downgraded shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Greenhill & Co., Inc. currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.38.

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Greenhill & Co., Inc. Trading Up 0.2 %

GHL stock opened at $14.65 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a current ratio of 1.90. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $10.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.66. Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a 52 week low of $5.64 and a 52 week high of $14.97. The company has a market capitalization of $268.39 million, a PE ratio of -21.54 and a beta of 1.15.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

Greenhill & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:GHL Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 firm had revenue of $49.68 million for the quarter.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 7th will be paid 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 dividend yield of 2.73%. Greenhill & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is currently -58.82%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in GHL. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 334.7% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 452,252 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,170,000 after buying an additional 348,214 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,954,000. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 494.2% during the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 179,939 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 149,656 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 17.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 719,587 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,275,000 after acquiring an additional 107,540 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 406.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 120,876 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,114,000 after purchasing an additional 97,028 shares during the last quarter. 63.50% 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.

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Meyer Handelman Co. lowered its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Rating) by 10.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 216,544 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 26,250 shares during the period. Meyer Handelman Co.s holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise were worth $3,450,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HPE. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 60.0% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 21,641,979 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $345,406,000 after acquiring an additional 8,116,822 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 129,262,655 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,548,566,000 after acquiring an additional 4,029,860 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 52.5% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 9,586,843 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $152,047,000 after acquiring an additional 3,298,626 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 4th quarter valued at $41,433,000. Finally, Cowa LLC raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 14,778.9% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 2,594,739 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $434,000 after acquiring an additional 2,577,300 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.69% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

In related news, EVP John F. Schultz sold 226,078 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.01, for a total transaction of $3,619,508.78. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 224,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,594,100.91. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP John F. Schultz sold 226,078 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.01, for a total transaction of $3,619,508.78. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 224,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,594,100.91. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Neil B. Macdonald sold 5,668 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.00, for a total value of $96,356.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 67,744 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,151,648. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 433,504 shares of company stock valued at $6,954,746. Insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance

HPE has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Bank of America lifted their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $17.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays lowered their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $16.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hewlett Packard Enterprise presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.69.

Shares of HPE stock opened at $17.01 on Wednesday. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 1-year low of $11.90 and a 1-year high of $17.74. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The company has a market capitalization of $21.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $15.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.53.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 30th. The technology company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 5.05% and a net margin of 3.46%. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.30 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.19 earnings per share. Hewlett Packard Enterprises revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.82%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio is 61.54%.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Rating) major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,156 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $454.08, for a total value of $15,509,556.48. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 101,387,286 shares of the companys stock, valued at $46,037,938,826.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Lilly Endowment Inc also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, June 15th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 27,353 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $454.15, for a total transaction of $12,422,364.95.

On Friday, May 19th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 194,354 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $442.62, for a total transaction of $86,024,967.48.

On Friday, May 12th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 20,646 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $442.77, for a total transaction of $9,141,429.42.

On Wednesday, May 3rd, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total value of $76,027,972.80.

On Friday, April 28th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00.

On Wednesday, April 5th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 69,703 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $363.37, for a total value of $25,327,979.11.

On Monday, April 3rd, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.49, for a total transaction of $73,602,900.00.

On Friday, March 31st, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 205,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $342.01, for a total transaction of $70,112,050.00.

On Friday, March 24th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 200,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $335.82, for a total transaction of $67,164,000.00.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock traded up $1.05 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $453.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,345,607 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,099,136. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $296.32 and a 1-year high of $456.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $430.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 71.85, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.36. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $420.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $372.05.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The companys revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.62 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.79 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 71.86%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Berenberg Bank boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $375.00 to $500.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Bank of America raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $490.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, 3M restated a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, April 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $431.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth $25,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Bogart Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 193.3% during the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 88 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 97.8% in the 4th quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Laffer Tengler Investments acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Get Rating)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Leju (NYSE:LEJU  Get Rating) in a report released on Saturday morning. The firm issued a buy rating on the financial services providers stock.

Leju Price Performance

NYSE LEJU opened at $3.85 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $2.10 and a 200-day moving average of $1.61. Leju has a 52 week low of $1.03 and a 52 week high of $9.84.

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About Leju

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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.

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REV Group, Inc. (NYSE:REVG  Get Rating) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the four research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $13.90.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on REVG shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of REV Group in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group raised their price target on shares of REV Group from $11.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of REV Group from $14.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. DA Davidson raised their price target on shares of REV Group from $12.00 to $13.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of REV Group from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Friday.

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REV Group Price Performance

NYSE REVG traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $12.99. The companys stock had a trading volume of 229,360 shares, compared to its average volume of 172,822. The stock has a market cap of $772.78 million, a PE ratio of 40.60 and a beta of 1.92. REV Group has a fifty-two week low of $9.85 and a fifty-two week high of $16.38. The companys 50-day moving average is $11.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 1.73.

REV Group Announces Dividend

REV Group ( NYSE:REVG Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 8th. The company reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.15. REV Group had a net margin of 0.76% and a return on equity of 10.94%. The firm had revenue of $681.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $580.47 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.14 EPS. The firms revenue was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that REV Group will post 0.76 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. REV Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 62.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On REV Group

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in REVG. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its holdings in shares of REV Group by 2.7% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 41,265 shares of the companys stock worth $455,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in REV Group by 107.9% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 1,191 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in REV Group by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 77,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $978,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in REV Group by 63.8% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 3,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in shares of REV Group by 57.5% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 3,395 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 1,239 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.44% of the companys stock.

REV Group Company Profile

(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.

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Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 19,820,000 shares, a decrease of 6.3% from the May 15th total of 21,160,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,550,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 7.8 days. Approximately 10.5% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Cushman & Wakefield Trading Down 3.8 %

NYSE:CWK opened at $8.44 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.04. Cushman & Wakefield has a 12 month low of $7.16 and a 12 month high of $17.00. The company has a market cap of $1.92 billion, a PE ratio of 25.58 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $8.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.13.

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Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.23). Cushman & Wakefield had a return on equity of 20.99% and a net margin of 0.74%. The company had revenue of $2.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.48 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Cushman & Wakefield will post 1.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Insiders Place Their Bets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on CWK shares. UBS Group cut Cushman & Wakefield from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $19.00 to $10.00 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. TheStreet cut Cushman & Wakefield from a c rating to a d rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price objective on Cushman & Wakefield from $15.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Cushman & Wakefield from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $15.50 to $11.00 in a report on Monday, April 10th. Four analysts have rated the stock with 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, Cushman & Wakefield currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $14.40.

In related news, major shareholder Drone Holding Gp I. Ltd Pagac sold 3,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.62, for a total value of $25,860,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 22,717,475 shares in the company, valued at $195,824,634.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, major shareholder Drone Holding Gp I. Ltd Pagac sold 3,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.62, for a total value of $25,860,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 22,717,475 shares of the companys stock, valued at $195,824,634.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jodie W. Mclean sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.84, for a total value of $117,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 33,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $260,099.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.24% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cushman & Wakefield

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Keybank National Association OH grew its position in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 25,203 shares of the companys stock valued at $314,000 after acquiring an additional 795 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 23,221 shares of the companys stock valued at $289,000 after buying an additional 937 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 42,519 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,000 after buying an additional 1,127 shares in the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 108.3% during the 1st quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FourThought Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 58.0% during the 3rd quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 4,096 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 1,503 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.34% of the companys stock.

About Cushman & Wakefield

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Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments.

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TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,010,000 shares, an increase of 5.1% from the May 15th total of 960,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 223,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.5 days. Approximately 3.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

TopBuild Price Performance

Shares of BLD opened at $246.82 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 2.15 and a quick ratio of 1.58. TopBuild has a 12 month low of $140.66 and a 12 month high of $249.58. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $217.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $196.63. The company has a market cap of $7.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.74, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.50.

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TopBuild (NYSE:BLD  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The construction company reported $4.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.06 by $0.30. TopBuild had a return on equity of 30.52% and a net margin of 11.31%. The business had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.50 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that TopBuild will post 16.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Insider Activity at TopBuild

Several brokerages recently weighed in on BLD. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of TopBuild in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $225.00 target price on the stock. Loop Capital upped their target price on shares of TopBuild from $210.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of TopBuild in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Stephens lifted their price target on TopBuild from $230.00 to $250.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $226.00.

In related news, insider Steven P. Raia sold 6,223 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $213.00, for a total value of $1,325,499.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 14,670 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,124,710. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Tina Donikowski sold 1,480 shares of TopBuild stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.13, for a total transaction of $313,952.40. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $933,372. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Steven P. Raia sold 6,223 shares of TopBuild stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $213.00, for a total value of $1,325,499.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 14,670 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,124,710. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 16,876 shares of company stock valued at $3,722,427. 0.46% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in TopBuild by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 75,512 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $13,697,000 after purchasing an additional 1,891 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in TopBuild by 26.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 1,598 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in TopBuild by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 4,993 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $998,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in TopBuild by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,067 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,189,000 after purchasing an additional 1,151 shares during the period. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its position in shares of TopBuild by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 18,097 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,375,000 after acquiring an additional 1,503 shares during the period. 94.27% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About TopBuild

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TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building material products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, afterpaint products, fireproofing products, garage doors, fireplaces, closet shelving, roofing materials, and other products; and insulation installation services.

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Wealth Enhancement & Preservation of GA LLC increased its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP  Get Rating) by 583.7% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 79,050 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 67,488 shares during the quarter. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF comprises about 13.7% of Wealth Enhancement & Preservation of GA LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest holding. Wealth Enhancement & Preservation of GA LLCs holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF were worth $11,432,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of RSP. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 104,839.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,956,524 shares of the companys stock worth $1,123,859,000 after acquiring an additional 7,948,942 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 24.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 11,938,800 shares of the companys stock worth $1,686,355,000 after acquiring an additional 2,326,405 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 14,772,231 shares of the companys stock worth $2,086,578,000 after acquiring an additional 1,474,149 shares during the last quarter. Junto Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the 4th quarter worth $116,487,000. Finally, SPC Financial Inc. grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 1,680.2% during the 4th quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 785,583 shares of the companys stock worth $110,964,000 after acquiring an additional 741,453 shares during the last quarter.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of RSP stock opened at $146.80 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.13 and a beta of 1.05. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has a twelve month low of $124.92 and a twelve month high of $155.71. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $143.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $144.82.

About Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF

Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, formerly Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible, the daily performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index (the Index). The Index is a capitalization-weighted index covering 500 industrial, utility, transportation and financial companies of the United States markets (mostly NYSE Euronext issues).

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RSP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP  Get Rating).

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Members of the Colorado Supreme Court on Wednesday considered whether state law requires tribal nations to be contacted when a child in a welfare case potentially falls under the longstanding protections afforded to American Indian children, but the evidence of tribal lineage is still minimal.

Congress enacted the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) to prevent the further breakup of tribal nations and families. The law allows for tribal involvement in custody proceedings by requiring states to notify affected tribes when one of their members  an "Indian child"  is involved.

However, tribal nations are solely responsible for determining membership. The question the Supreme Court has agreed to resolve is whether, and how, counties must contact tribal nations that may have a stake in welfare cases, even if it is far from clear that a child actually has American Indian heritage.

"The tribes have the definitive answer," argued attorney Kristofr P. Morgan in advocating for a broad requirement to reach out to tribal nations.

Some members of the court appeared receptive to the idea that an investigation of a child's American Indian status should trigger the involvement of those tribal nations specifically identified as a source of possible heritage.

"Why is it so difficult, this notion of informal notification?" asked Justice Maria E. Berkenkotter. "You simply have somebody send out an email saying, 'This is the information we have.' Why is there resistance to that?"

The justices held oral arguments less than one week after a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Congress's authority to enact ICWA. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch outlined the "existential threat" federal and state policies long posed to American Indian families  forcing children into schools aimed at eradicating tribal culture and enabling unjustified adoptions of children into nontribal households.

"ICWA gives Tribes a voice," he wrote.

Under ICWA, protections kick in once a state judge knows or has "reason to know" a child is American Indian  including, crucially, the obligation to notify the child's tribe so that it may become involved in the case and have the opportunity to advocate for its culture.

Colorado law provides one additional requirement. If there is some information suggesting a child is American Indian, but not enough to have "reason to know," counties must conduct "due diligence" to find the answer. Lawmakers, however, did not define what due diligence is.

"I understand the argument that in all cases, good practice would be to notify the tribes," acknowledged Justice Richard L. Gabriel. "But why isnt that something better addressed to the Legislature? Put the tribes in the statute. Require that tribes be contacted."

In the underlying case, Adams County initiated a child neglect case and took custody of a newborn child based on the mother's alleged drug use. A judge ultimately terminated the mother's legal rights over the child.

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During the proceedings, the mother thought she had Cherokee or "Lakota Sioux" heritage, but it was not until the state's Court of Appeals reviewed the case that Adams County investigated the assertion. The appeals court did not direct the county to contact the Cherokee or Sioux nations, and there was no tribal notification. Nonetheless, the court ultimately agreed there was no reason to know the child was American Indian, so ICWA's protections did not apply.

On appeal to the Supreme Court, the mother, with the support of the two federally recognized tribal nations in Colorado, argued that tribes' exclusive authority to determine their membership means "due diligence" necessarily requires counties to go directly to the source when inquiring about a child's American Indian status.

"Put simply, when a juvenile court answers the question of whether a child is an Indian child without requiring contact with the Tribe, the juvenile court is  by definition  substituting its determination for the Tribes," argued Zaven T. Saroyan with the Office of Respondent Parents Counsel, which also supported the mother's position.

Adams County responded that bare-bones claims of tribal lineage cannot support tribal notification in every instance, as that would amount to "inundating" nations with meritless inquiries.

"There are some tribes who readily respond. There are some tribes that don't necessarily have the technology or respond when you call," said Assistant County Attorney Katherine Gregg.

But the justices questioned why an email or phone call to a tribe  short of the formal notification that must occur when ICWA fully applies  is an unrealistic means of getting an answer.

"Help me better understand why it is so difficult to say that whenever Cherokee, Sioux heritage is mentioned, something sort of vague like that," said Justice William W. Hood III, "that it doesn't give you enough to contact tribes informally and get information that would allow us to cut to the chase."

Some members of the court were also concerned that requiring tribal contact as part of due diligence would run contrary to their own recent ruling that unverified assertions of tribal lineage, without more, do not trigger ICWA and the obligation to notify tribes.

"Youre saying due diligence also requires notice?" Berkenkotter asked.

"Some type of tribal involvement. Because its the tribes that have the answer," responded Morgan, the mother's attorney.

Regardless of whether tribal contact was required, the justices wondered if Adams County had not performed its due diligence for another reason. The mother indicated the child's great-aunt had the most reliable information about tribal membership. Yet, the county apparently never talked to her.

"What happened to the great-aunt?" Gabriel demanded. "This bothers me. When somebody says, 'This is the person with the most information' and there is no effort to contact her, how can that be due diligence?"
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT TODAY... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri, including the following areas, in southern Illinois, Alexander, Franklin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry IL, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and Williamson. In western Kentucky, Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, Todd and Trigg. In southeast Missouri, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, Perry MO and Scott. * WHEN...Until Noon CDT today. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Any additional rainfall of significance may lead to renewed flooding in locations that experienced torrential rainfall this week and where the ground is already saturated. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding, and especially those who experienced flooding Tuesday night into Wednesday, should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
Three years after Colorado lawmakers repealed the death penalty, the state Supreme Court has clarified that defendants accused of crimes formerly subject to capital punishment are now eligible to be released on bail.

The Colorado Constitution generally grants criminal defendants the right to bail pending trial, but carves out an exception for "capital offenses" where there is substantial evidence of guilt. The question for the Supreme Court was whether the abolition of capital punishment necessarily meant there are no more "capital offenses" in Colorado and every crime is now bail eligible.

The answer, said the court, is yes.

"First and foremost, the phrase 'capital offenses' plainly and unambiguously refers to offenses for which the General Assembly has statutorily authorized the imposition of the death penalty," wrote Justice Richard L. Gabriel in the June 20 opinion. "Thus, if the death penalty is not statutorily authorized for an offense, then, by definition, the offense is not a capital offense."

Traditionally, the prohibition on bail for capital offenses was to ensure an accused person would appear for trial when the harshest punishment  their life  was at stake.

In the case before the court, Jerrelle Aireine Smith was allegedly involved in the murder of Ryan Dillard in October 2021 in connection with a payroll scam. Charged with first-degree murder, an Adams County judge denied bail to Smith on the grounds that the end of the death penalty did not end the prohibition on bail for "capital offenses."

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Adams County prosecutors, in arguing against recognizing a right to bail for the most serious criminal offenses, cited a 1972 decision in which the state Supreme Court, without elaboration, wrote that murder is within the "class of crimes" for which pretrial release is not an option.

On the other hand, the New Mexico Supreme Court in 2018 addressed its own legislature's abolition of the death penalty and rejected the Colorado court's logic as "ungrounded in principle."

Although the members of the current Supreme Court did not overrule the 1972 interpretation of "capital offense," Gabriel minimized its impact, noting the legislature's abolition of the death penalty was a game changer. He added that the death penalty still exists in limited scope, specifically for first-degree murder offenses charged before July 2020, when the repeal took effect.

Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. wrote separately to suggest the legislature review all of the provisions of state law that reference "capital offenses," as the court's decision may affect how the law is now applied to former death penalty-eligible crimes beyond the right to bail.

During oral arguments last month, the defense attorney for Smith conceded the effect of making first-degree murder eligible for bail may not bring about major changes after all. A high dollar figure for pretrial release, said Adrienne R. Teodorovic, may render bail out of reach for defendants.

"Its going to be difficult for many of the people we represent," said Teodorovic, "because they are considered indigent and below the poverty line."

The case is People v. Smith.
Left: Secretary of State Colin Powell knowingly lied about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction before the United Nations Security Council on Feb. 5, 2003 Right: A screenshot of the September 8, 2002 New York Times article by Michael Gordon falsely claiming Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

On Tuesday, Michael R. Gordon, who helped launch the Iraq war by promoting Bush administration allegations that Saddam Hussein was using aluminum tubes to build nuclear weapons, claimed, citing anonymous government sources, that world-renowned researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were among the first people to be infected with COVID-19.

Gordons article, published in the Wall Street Journal, serves to lend credibility to the conspiracy theory, invented by the fascist ideologue Stephen K. Bannon and his wealthy Chinese anti-communist associates, that scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology created COVID-19.

Like Gordons earlier reporting, this is, in the words of the late Consortium News journalist Robert Parry, a Michael Gordon Special, using alleged statements by anonymous government officials to promote completely false claims in line with US foreign policy.

Dr. Peter Daszak, right, and Dr. Shi Zhengli, are two leading scientists studying bat coronaviruses, pictured at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. [Photo by EcoHealth Alliance]

Gordon has perfected the technique of endowing what are essentially baseless claims, unsupported by established facts, with an aura of credibility. In his latest article, he writes:

A prominent scientist who worked on coronavirus projects funded by the U.S. government is one of three Chinese researchers who became sick with an unspecified illness during the initial outbreak of Covid-19, according to current and former U.S. officials.

What is the unspecified illness? Gordon does not answer this question. He writes that the nature of their illness hasnt been conclusively established. As for the nature of the unidentified illness, Gordon reports that its symptoms, according to unnamed American officials, were consistent with either Covid-19 or a seasonal illness.

In other words, even if one were to accept the unproven claim that any of the researchers were actually ill, they may have been suffering from nothing more serious than the common cold.

Gordons article strings together a host of unsubstantiated claims by unnamed government officials to lend credibility to a fictional narrative.

The claims by Gordon served to confirm the naming of the researchers by Substack writers Michael Shellenberger and Matt Taibbi, who called the researchers patients zero, that is, the patients who first contracted COVID. The reporting by Shellenberger and Taibbi built on claims made by Gordon in 2021 about researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology falling ill.

The researchers named by Gordon, Shellenberger, and Matt Taibbi were Ben Hu, Yu Ping, and Yan Zhu, all of whom were close collaborators with Shi Zhengli, the world-renowned scientist who discovered that bats are the natural reservoir of SARS-like coronaviruses.

Hu remains a leading figure at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, carrying on communication with his international scientific collaborators during the pandemic. Neither of the three researchers have ever publicly said that they had been sickened with COVID-19.

The reporting by Gordon, Taibbi, and Shellenberger serves to preemptively leak public statements expected to be made by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines this week, with the aim of presenting a mutually reinforcing narrative between the government and the media.

Taibbi, ironically, expertly described this process in his 2019 book, Hate Inc.

The war-makers left another clue lying out in the open, through a process muckraker Seymour Hersh called The Stovepipe. The idea of stovepiping involved top officials obtaining access to raw intelligence data submerged in bureaucracies, and withdrawing it before the various compliance officers could get hands on it. Their position, wrote Hersh, is that the professional bureaucracy is deliberately and maliciously keeping information from them. The stovepiping technique gave people like Dick Cheney access to nuggets like the idea Saddam had been purchasing aluminum tubes, without having to hear the objections of bureaucratic naysayers about whether or not that meant anything nefarious (or whether the information was even true). In this way, information somehow made it past internal controls to New York Times reporters Michael Gordon and Judith Miller, one of whom is still in the business, one of whom is not. On September 7, 2002, they wrote a crucial article, U.S. Says Hussein Intensifies Quest for A-Bomb Parts, that declared, Iraq has stepped up its quest for nuclear weapons. Cheney infamously went on Meet the Press that same day and cited the article, saying, it was public knowledge Hussein was trying to build a bomb.

In similar fashion, the scoops by Gordon, Taibbi, and Shellenberger are expected to prepare public opinion for the information to be released by the DNI Haines this week.

On March 1, Josh Hawley, the senator who raised his fist up in support of insurrectionists who attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, introduced the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023.

Senator Josh Hawley raises his fist in support of insurrectionists who attacked the US Capitol on January 6 [Photo: January 6 Committee]

The act asserted, contrary to established scientific consensus, that there is reason to believe the COVID-19 pandemic may have originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The fascist senators bill, basing itself on Gordons earlier reporting, declared that the Director of National Intelligence should declassify and make available to the public as much information as possible about the origin of COVID-19, specifically demanding to know the names of researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology who fell ill in autumn 2019... 

This implicit endorsement of Bannons conspiracy theory was approved unanimously by every single Democrat and Republican in Congress. It then made its way to the desk of President Joe Biden, who promptly signed it, declaring, Today, I am pleased to sign into law S. 619, the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023.

Joe Biden hails the passage of the "COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023."

The signing of this bill followed the open endorsement of the conspiracy theory by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). On February 28, FBI director Christopher Wray publicly asserted that the origins of the [COVID-19] pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan.

As with Gordons earlier discredited reporting about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, which helped pave the way to the US invasion, the aim of the present campaign is to justify the US military buildup against China, which threatens to erupt into a full-scale war.

All workers and young people must reject the racist lies being promoted by the Biden administration and US media to scapegoat China and leading scientists for the deaths of over 1 million Americans from COVID-19deaths that are attributable to the subordination of public health to private profit under both Trump and Biden.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka will hold a memorial meeting to pay tribute to Jerani Ratnayake, a lifelong member of the Trotskyist movement. She passed away on July 8 last year after a heart attack at a Colombo hospital, where she had been admitted several days earlier as a result of a COVID-19 infection.

Jerani Ratnayake

The meeting, to mark the first anniversary of her death, will be held at the Funeral Home of the Boralesgamuwa Cemetery, an outer suburb of Colombo, on Saturday, July 8 at 4.00 p.m.

Jerani was the wife and lifelong partner of Kamilasiri Ratnayake, the national editor in Sri Lanka of the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS).

Jerani was Tamil. Together with her parents and family members she went through the bitter experience of anti-Tamil communalism instigated by successive Sri Lankan governments over decades.

She worked at the Central Bank after her graduation, where she met members of the SEPs forerunner, the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL) and joined the party. From that time, she was deeply committed to the perspective of Trotskyism and an intransigent fighter for the principles of international socialism as a part of the RCLs faction within the Central Bank Employees Union (CBEU).

Jerani rejected the perspective of the various petty-bourgeois Tamil nationalist movements, such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). These emerged in the 1970s as a consequence of the betrayal by the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which abandoned the fight for socialist internationalism and entered the bourgeois coalition government of Sirima Bandaranaike in 1964.

When the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) unleashed its fascistic rampage in 198889, murdering three RCL comrades and threatening RCL members at the Central Bank, she fought back bravely with other comrades on the basis of Trotskyist principles.

Comrade Jeranis determined fight for Trotskyism, embodied today in the comrades of the ICFI, will inspire workers, toiling masses and youths amid the global capitalist crisis expressed in the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine as well as the explosive growth of class struggles around the world.

The SEP memorial meeting will discuss the political lessons of her decades-long struggle for Trotskyist principles that are vital for the current generation of workers and youths in their fight against capitalism. We urge workers, youths and WSWS readers to attend the event.

Date and time: Saturday, July 8, 4 p.m.

Venue: Funeral Home at Boralesgamuwa Cemetery
Last Thursday, 16-year-old worker, Hamiora Sharland, died at Royal Perth Hospital from injuries sustained in a horrific incident at a factory in Perth, Western Australia (WA).

Hamiora Sharland in 2021 [Photo: Hamiora Sharland]

The teenager was crushed while preparing a steel beam for painting at the TLC Surface Treatment factory in Welshpool early Thursday morning. The business specialises in industrial sandblasting and spray painting to protect equipment from rust at its Railway Place workshop. The factory was shut down on Thursday while WorkSafe WA and police began an investigation into the incident.

At 16, Sharland is among the youngest workers to be killed at work in a WA manufacturing plant in modern times. He was a newly employed painter at TLC, having only recently left school. It is unclear whether Sharland was involved in a formal apprenticeship or trainee program.

Sharlands family, friends and co-workers have spoken of their deep shock. One friend told the West Australian they remembered him as always smiling and laughing.

On social media, dozens of commenters lamented the tragic and untimely death. Very few details of the incident have been released, but numbers of comments pointed to the broader context of increasingly dangerous workplace conditions.

Some called for WorkSafe WA to perform more safety inspections. Others, however, described the pro-business government safety regulator as useless.

Another wrote, Too many workplace deaths. Its time for Worksafe to carry out random, no warning, inspections of all tradie workplaces. Complacency kills! Another Facebook user replied, worksafe, I wouldnt hold my breath.

Sharland was the fourth person to die in a workplace incident in WA or offshore in just two weeks.

Kieren McDowall, a 20-year-old father of two, died on June 14 at an iron ore mine in the Pilbara region in WAs north. He was working for AAA Asphalt Services as a contractor.

Michael Jurman, a rope access technician working as a contractor on Woodside Energys North Rankin offshore gas complex, about 135km northwest of Karratha, was killed in a working over the side activity on June 2.

A 62-year-old crane operator died in the south Perth suburb of Applecross on June 2, after falling while climbing the cranes ladder. Although he received CPR at the site, he could not be revived, despite the assistance of an ICU doctor who happened to be nearby.

According to Safe Work Australia, as of June 8, 57 Australian workers had been killed at work this year. With the addition of Sharland and McDowall, there have 14 workplace deaths this year in WA alone.

Asked to explain the states alarmingly high workplace fatality rate, WA WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh told ABC Radio, a lot more complexity in terms of our supply chains, climate related risks and labour shortages were to blame.

This essentially meaningless collection of buzzwords amounts to nothing more than an attempt to cover over the agencys failure to ensure safe conditions for workers.

Kavanagh said WorkSafe conducted both scheduled inspections of work sites and spot, or surprise, inspections thousands of times throughout the year. But the agency has just 130 inspectors to cover tens of thousands of businesses, many of which are scattered in remote areas throughout the vast state.

The reality is that WorkSafe, like its counterparts in other states, is a pro-business agency whose main role is to cover over the real cause of unsafe working conditions, the capitalist subordination of workers health and lives to the profit demands of big business.

Investigations conducted by these safety regulators invariably amount to nothing more than a whitewash, resulting in a slap on the wrist or minor fines that corporations consider a cost of doing business.

WA Labor Premier Roger Cook levelled minor criticism at employers, declaring, there is no excuse for placing productivity outcomes, outputs, ahead of safety.

Ultimately though, Cook said it was up to workers themselves: There is no substitute for a culture of safety and for everyone committing themselves to making sure that all our people get home at the end of the day.

Cook said he would take some advice from Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston on whether WAs workplace safety laws were working effectively enough.

In fact, Labor has no intention of cracking down on workplace safety, especially in the lucrative and dangerous mining sector, which, even with its highly favourable royalty and tax arrangements, contributes billions of dollars to the state budget each year.

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) WA Secretary Mick Buchan said, My message to employers out there is enough is enough. More emphasis needs to be placed on occupational health and safety, they need to set up properly structured safety committees, and safety representatives.

In other words, the unions response to four deaths in two weeks, and 14 in six months, is to politely ask employers to establish safety committees. But it is these company- and union-appointed safety representatives that have for decades presided over the serious injury and death of workers.

The union apparatus has blocked any organised opposition by workers to the ongoing dangerous conditions they confront, just as it has shut down any fight for real wage growth. Instead, the unions serve as an industrial police force, imposing the demands of management and governments.

The industrial carnage can only be stopped through the independent action of workers themselves. This means building rank-and-file safety committees in every workplace to fight cost-cutting, exhausting hours, workload increases, speed-ups, and other factors which endanger workers health and lives. These committees must fight for workers control of production speed and control over all aspects of health and safety, including protection against COVID-19.
Even though Mexicos judicial system acquitted a man for a murder he committed in Mesa County, there was no prohibition against Colorado prosecutors also charging him for the offense when he returned, the state Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.

A jury found Rafael Aguilar Garcia guilty of murder in 2017, nearly three decades after he killed Charles Porter in Palisade and five years after Mexican authorities acquitted him of the crime. Garcia initially fled to Mexico after the murder but returned to Colorado under the impression that the constitutional prohibition on double jeopardy would preclude a second prosecution in the United States.

He was wrong.

We reject these claims and conclude that, under both the United States Constitution and state law, Mesa County was entitled to prosecute Garcia despite his earlier prosecution and acquittal in Mexico, wrote Justice Melissa Hart in the June 20 opinion.

Double jeopardy prohibits the government from prosecuting someone twice for the same offense. There is an exception, however, under the dual sovereignty doctrine  the idea that a persons conduct can violate the laws of both federal and state governments, for example, and can be prosecuted under each.

Colorado has curtailed the dual sovereignty doctrine with a law that bars successive prosecutions involving other states, the federal government or municipalities. The Supreme Court has also acknowledged tribal governments fall into that category.

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Garcia argued the law should be read to also encompass the Mexican state where he was originally prosecuted. The justices were unconvinced, reasoning the legislature purposefully omitted foreign states and countries from the list.

And, while Mexico is made up of states, many other foreign countries are not  for example, Canada is made up of provinces, and France of regions and departments, Hart wrote.

Garcia also contended his first prosecution was a sham that Colorado authorities were actually controlling. Because Mexico would not extradite Garcia given the potential death penalty he would face for murder at the time, state prosecutors sent a casebook with evidence to Mexico so that Mexican authorities could prosecute him under Article IV of its federal penal code. Article IV applies to Mexican citizens in Mexico who have committed a crime in another country.

Garcia argued to the Supreme Court that the Mexican case against him was essentially a front for Colorado prosecutors given the level of assistance provided. Again, the Supreme Court disagreed.

Routine intergovernmental assistance between sovereigns, without more, does not rise to the level required, Hart wrote. No Colorado or United States authorities were involved in the courtroom proceedings. No Colorado or United States law was applied. Garcia was tried under Mexican law and acquitted in a Mexican court, and his acquittal was affirmed by a Mexican appellate court.

Last year, a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court, in a case that originated in Colorado, affirmed that an American Indian man was properly prosecuted in tribal court and then in federal court for the same conduct under the dual sovereignty doctrine. The dissenting justices questioned the validity of the theory, with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch warning that a prosecution in one jurisdiction can serve as a dress rehearsal for a prosecution in another.
Tanks on the banks of Pangong Tso lake region, in Ladakh along the India-China border on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. [AP Photo/India Army via AP]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a four-day visit to the United States Wednesday.

That this visit is being billed by Washington as a state visit and that Modiwho was long barred entry to the United States because of his role in instigating and facilitating the 2002 Gujarat anti-Muslim pogromwill be offered the rare honour of addressing a joint session of Congress underscores the importance that the US political and military establishment attaches to the Indo-US global strategic partnership.

Modis visit comes as the tense border stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops over their disputed 3,500 kilometre-long Himalayan border enters its fourth year.

Washington has worked throughout to inflame the dispute, with the aim of harnessing India still more tightly to its all-sided diplomatic, economic and military-strategic offensive against China. The Modi government, with the quasi-unanimous support of the Indian ruling class, has for its part used the border standoff to whip up popular hostility to Beijing and justify a vast expansion of bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral military-security ties with the US, and its principal Asia-Pacific allies, Japan and Australia.

Despite 18 rounds of de-escalation talks over the past three years among corps commanders and higher level diplomatic engagements, including at the ministerial and national security advisor level, both sides continue to have tens of thousands of troops, tanks, and warplanes forward deployed against each other on some of the worlds most inhospitable terrain.

In a development that attests to both how fraught the standoff is and Washingtons growing involvement, India has boasted that it repelled a Chinese troop incursion last December with the help of real-time US-provided intelligence.

The current standoff began in May 2020, when Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Indian troops clashed at multiple places over the location of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between Chinese-held Aksai Chin and Indian-held Ladakh in the western Himalayas. The following month it spiraled into the most serious conflict between Asias two most populous countries since the 1962 Sino-Indian border war. In the midst of implementing what was supposed to be a staged de-escalation process, Indian and Chinese soldiers fought each other with rocks and clubs for several hours on the night of June 15, 2020 on a narrow ridge in the Galwan Valley. At least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers died in the encounter.

Two-and-a-half months later, several thousand Indian troops captured several nearby Galwan Valley hilltops unopposed in a risky nighttime maneuver that Indian officials later conceded could well have resulted in a direct clash with Chinese troops and the outbreak of all-out war. Soon thereafter in September 2020, shots were fired along the LAC for the first time since 1975.

Over the past three years, the disputed border has become heavily fortified with both India and China carrying out crash military infrastructure-building drives. New fortifications, airstrips, roads, tunnels, bridges, and rail links to swiftly move troops and supplies are being continuously developed. To fund these projects, the acquisition of new fighter jets, warships, and drones, and the expansion of Indias nuclear triad, New Delhi increased its military spending by 13 percent to 5.94 trillion rupees ($72.6 billion) in the last budget.

Increased military-strategic cooperation will be at the centre of Modis talks with Biden, as will be removing what Washington and Wall Street perceive to be barriers to developing India as a rival global production-chain hub to China.

In preparation for Modis visit, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Bidens National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, made separate visits to New Delhi this month.

Washington has long worked to increase arms sales to India, with the double aim of boosting the US armaments industry and making India dependent on US arms and technology. With the outbreak of the US-NATO instigated war on Russia, Washington has become even more intent on diminishing and ultimately severing the longstanding strategic ties between New Delhi and Moscow.

With that in view, US officials have been talking up the possibility that this weeks Biden-Modi summit will see the announcement of next level joint military production and technology transfer agreements. During his June 4-5 visit, Defense Secretary Austin and his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, reportedly agreed to a new roadmap for US-India defense industrial collaboration that will expedite co-production and technological cooperation in fields like air combat and ground mobility systems, ammunition, and the undersea domain.

Anxious to show its readiness to further expand its US arms purchases, the Indian government announced last week that it has approved the acquisition of 31 American-made MQ-9B drones at a cost of more than $3 billion.

Since the turn of the century, US imperialism, under Democratic and Republican administrations alike, has been pursuing a military-strategic alliance with India as a key element in its plans to counter and thwart Chinas rise. But as Washington has become ever more perturbed and agitated by Chinas economic growth and expanding influence, leading to it publicly identifying Beijing as its principal strategic adversary, this has grown ever more reckless.

In a marked contrast with the position that it took in 2017 when Chinese and Indian troops faced off for ten weeks on the Doklam Plateau (territory claimed by both China and Bhutan), Washington abandoned any posture of neutrality at the very outset of the current Sino-Indian border conflict. It has routinely labelled China the aggressor and tied the ongoing Himalayan border dispute to the conflicts it has incited between China and its neighbours in the South China Sea.

Just weeks before the US reportedly provided India with actionable real-time satellite intelligence enabling it to repel an alleged Chinese PLA incursion, Indian and US troops held training exercises in mountain warfare less than a 100 kilometres from the contested Sino-Indian border.

The US has also greenlighted Indian surgical strikes on nuclear-armed Pakistan and supported the Modi governments constitutional coup in Indian-held Kashmir that transformed Indias lone Muslim-majority and legally semi-autonomous state into a central government-controlled Union territory.

At least since 2006, when the Congress Party-led United Progressive Alliance government negotiated the global strategic partnership agreement with the George W. Bush administration, the Indian bourgeoisie has made closer relations with US imperialism the cornerstone of its foreign policy and geopolitical strategy.

However, under the Modi-led far-right BJP government that came to power in 2014 and especially over the past three years India has dramatically accelerated its integration into the US military-strategic offensive against China, transforming India into a veritable frontline state in Washingtons war preparations.

While the border standoff has served as the pretext, this development has been driven by the immense socio-economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ruinous profits-before-lives response pursued by capitalist governments everywhere, and by the ensuing intensification of global geopolitical conflict.

The Modi governments COVID economic recovery program announced in May 2020 combined the embrace of a herd immunity, let-the-virus-rip speedy end to pandemic mitigation measures with a doubling down on the two polices that have been at the centre of the Indian bourgeoisies class strategy for the past three decades: pro-investor reform and enhanced ties with Washington.

Toward that end, New Delhi signed the last of the three agreements the Pentagon views as foundational for joint operations with foreign militaries in October 2020; welcomed Bidens decision to dramatically expand the US-India-Japan-Australia Quad quasi-military alliance, including by instituting regular heads of government Quad summits; transformed the annual Malabar naval exercise into a Quad event in all but name; and signed bilateral logistics agreements with Japan and Australia, allowing for mutual use of each others military bases for resupply and repair.

India is central to US war plans against China. Its size and location give it the potential to control navigation routes in the Indian Ocean while also threatening the soft underbelly of China in Tibet. Its nuclear-armed military has the second largest number of active duty troops in the world and is rapidly developing a blue-water navy.

Indias Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which lie at the eastern entrance to the Malacca Strait, are of strategic value with the worlds busiest shipping lanes close at hand, including those that bring oil to China and East Asia. The islands are perfectly situated to keep tabs on traffic through the Malacca Strait, which is a crucial choke point that could be used to cut off vital supplies and exports in a conflict with China.

A key element in Indias increased strategic relations with the US is economic. Despite the BJP governments boasts about Indias world-beating growth, much of its infrastructureas exemplified by the recent train disaster in Odishais dilapidated. By most measures, including per capita GNP, the country remains impoverished.

The Indian bourgeoisie is desperate to take advantage of the geopolitically-driven pullback of Western-based firms from China to transform India into a rival production chain hub, so as to increase its wealth and realize its great-power ambitions. But it also fears that it will otherwise reap the whirlwind of working-class anger over mass joblessness and poverty.

In its pandemic recovery strategy, the Modi government announced the ambition that India become a major arms exporter. It hopes to achieve this goal by developing Indias autonomous weapons production capability, but also by significantly expanding Indias role as a US weapons-manufacturing subcontractor.

In its push to further expand military-security ties with the US and its labeling of China rather than Pakistan as Indias principal strategic rival, the Modi government enjoys the overwhelming support of the Indian political establishment and capitalist elite. Insofar as the Congress Party and its leader Rahul Gandhi criticize Modis foreign policy, it is for being too soft on China.

For both strategic and economic reasons, the Modi government has thus far resisted US-NATO pressure that it label Moscow the aggressor in the war in Ukraine and impose economic sanctions against Russia. But this has everything to do with securing the predatory interests of the Indian ruling class.

It has provided pivotal support to Washington in its war drive against China, and to mollify Washington over its Ukraine war stance it is becoming still more accommodating to the Biden administrations demands it integrate itself still more fully into the US-led campaign against China. And it is doing so, as that campaign reaches a new intensity, with the US repudiating the one-China policy in all but name, and as Washington demonstrates by its reckless and relentless escalation of the conflict over Ukraine that it is willing to risk nuclear and world war in pursuit of its mercenary strategic objectives.

Indias confrontational stance, backed up and encouraged by the US, is investing the localized, relatively minor Sino-Indian border conflict with the massive explosive charge arising from the frenzied struggle among the great powers for profits, resources and strategic advantage amid an imperialist drive to repartition the world.

The workers, rural toilers and youth of India and China have nothing to gain and everything to lose from such a conflict, which could quickly escalate into a global conflagration. Rather, they must join together to stop the reckless acceleration towards war, oppose reactionary nationalism, and build a mass international anti-war movement of workers and youth based on socialist internationalism and in opposition to all rival capitalist governments and elites.
A puckered bullet wound on the underside of Ashtin Gamblins bicep leads to a tattoo on her wrist, which says, Im fine  a hideous ode to the physical and psychological injuries experienced in a mass shooting.

Gamblin hasnt worked since she was bombarded by a gun while minding the front door of Colorado Springs' Club Q Nov. 19.

The wife of a Fort Carson soldier  who was deployed when the shooting happened  said she's battled a fight of her own, struggling to get reimbursed by survivors' compensation nonprofit organizations for small things, such as vet bills for her therapy cat.

I have been through immeasurable hell the past three months, she said at a press conference on the west steps of the Colorado state Capitol on Valentines Day on Tuesday.

Though it was nerve-wracking to go public for the first time, Gamblin was buoyed by around 20 other victims of other Colorado mass killings who sat in chairs around her and shared stories of financial hardship.

The group gathered to call attention to what some say has become a sordid industry.

People are making money off of mass murder from Orlando to Colorado, said VictimsFirst Co-Founder Dr. Zachary Blair. We want to keep it from happening in the Club Q shooting.

Club Q employees complained that, though they've made some money from various fundraisers, they haven't seen a penny from a GoFundMe set up by the nightclub's owner.

"Matthew Haynes needs to release our money. We know what's best," said Gamblin.

This is not the first time victims of mass shootings in Colorado have said they're being denied funds meant for them. Some have criticized the way millions of dollars in funds given by donors have been distributed ever since the Aurora theater shooting.

After several privately-operated online appeals for victims relief money began popping up following the Nov. 19 mass shooting, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis asked that people donate to the Colorado Healing Fund as the official fundraiser to benefit victims.

Some people  including victims of other mass shootings  criticized the Colorado Healing Fund, the nonprofit organization created in 2018 as a secure way for the public to contribute to victims of mass casualty crimes statewide. But some are critical of the organization for using 10% of donations on expenses, such as an executive director salary and office-related spending.

In response, the healing fund sought and secured anonymous underwriters to pay for the administrative costs for the Club Q tragedy fundraising.

As of Friday, the Colorado Healing Fund has collected $2.2 million in donations and has distributed $1,923,500 to benefit victims, according to Executive Director Jordan Finegan.

The organizations model, which was created by leading experts in incident response to evaluate best practices, addresses short-term, intermediate and long-term needs of victims, she said.

The money is disbursed through the funds partner, the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, which releases cash to victims families, survivors of the incident and those immediately affected by the tragedies.

Several Club Q employees who showed up at the press conference expressed anger with longtime club owner Matthew Haynes. They said that Haynes has not made good on a promise to disperse money earmarked for them by well-meaning donors.

Everybody is struggling. Matthew said he was going to take care of us. Staff listened to him, but by the second month, we were drowning in bills, said Hysteria Brooks, who produced two shows a week at Club Q.

Brooks said that he and 15 other Club Q employees have not seen a penny from the official Club Q GoFundMe that Haynes set up days after the shooting.

But according to a fresh statement made by Haynes on the GoFundMe page, financial relief is just days away.

He announced Tuesday that he will distribute lost wages in a lump sum to former Club Q employees and third-party entertainer contractors from money donated to the GoFundMe and various other fundraisers.

In an interview Jan. 25, Haynes told the Denver Gazette that he will make payouts through a formula that takes an average of net earnings from what employees would have made in November, December and January while the club was closed.

Haynes said that at least one of the contractors who hadn't been performing there long made less than $200.

"What is the definition of a victim?" he asked.

He said he's also had problems with fraudulent people claiming to be collecting money for victims who had to be shut down.

Haynes noted that Club Q is on track to fully reopen by fall.

Our goal is to return the club back to the community as soon as possible, Haynes said.

Some patrons of Club Q, whom Haynes is counting on to return as regulars when it reopens, are speaking out in support of the employees.

Money from whatever sources should be released immediately," said Mason Camp.

Many victims and employees are struggling to pay bills, put gas in their car, keep their lights on, even eat each day, Camp said. I personally know multiple victims who are struggling to recover financially, as well as get through their day-to-day mentally.

Brooks questioned how much of Haynes GoFundMes $55,000 will go to former staff and how much will go toward rebuilding Club Q. He said he believes staff members and contractors should get at least 75% of the total, which at this point would be divvied up from around $41,000.

Without the people, Club Q is just a building with four walls and a roof, Brooks said. People should come before businesses.

Five people were killed and 19 were injured in the attack on Club Q.

VictimsFirst, announced Jan. 3 that it is forming a National Mass Shooting Victims Fund and promised to give 100% directly to victims with no administration fee. The group said the fund will assist with emergency financial needs for mass casualty crime victims.
Last January, we ran my article on visiting the graves of two popular music figures buried in Oregon.

In response, we received a tweet from @greyhoundude (Hi, Barry  sorry I dont know your last name, but I know you and your hounds), who apparently loves music as much as he loves greyhounds.

Did you know that the drummer for Procol Harum is buried here in Corvallis? @greyhoundude wrote. He said BJ Wilson had been Jimmy Pages original choice to drum with Led Zeppelin, but Wilson wouldnt leave Procol Harum, because the group had had an international smash with Whiter Shade of Pale.

You remember that song, right? Do you remember 1967? (If you do, its been said, you probably werent really there!)

That beautiful slice of soaring Hammond organ phrases based on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, a rousing chorus, psychedelic imagery  ah, the musical embodiment of the Summer of Love! The Beatles played that record over and over at a birthday party for Paul McCartney.

Procol Harum was an English rock band that struck gold with this song, its debut record. It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, lingering for six weeks. Without being promoted much, the single skipped the Atlantic and climbed to No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Whiter Shade of Pale has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide over the years, making it one of the most successful singles of all time. The song is considered a classic, recorded by more than 1,000 artists.

As for Barrie James Wilson, he was born in 1947 in Edmonton, Middlesex, England. In the early 1960s, he drummed for a group called the Paramounts, then went into session playing for such British stars as Cat Stevens and Lulu.

BJ went on to be a member of Procol Harum from 1967 to 1977, the larger part of its original career.

He went on to play in Joe Cockers touring band from 1979 to 1984; he was previously the drummer on Cockers cover of the Beatles With a Little Help from My Friends, recorded in 1968.

Other notable gigs included playing with AC/DC, on the soundtrack of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and with Supertramp Lou Reed. His last recorded work was on Gary Brookers 1985 album Echoes in the Night.

The obituary I found online looks to be from the Corvallis Gazette-Times. It notes that BJ moved to Kings Valley in 1979. In 1987, he lost consciousness after an intentional drug overdose. He was hospitalized for three years, all the while in a vegetative state.

In 1990, at age 43, he died of pneumonia at South Hills Nursing Home in Eugene (that happens to be where my mother died in 2004, at a much greater age). Wilsons funeral services took place at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. He left behind his wife and two daughters.

BJ is remembered as having a distinctive drumming style. He sat low behind his kit, looking like, it was said, an octopus in a bathtub. Though he wasnt as famous as some of the other drummers of his era, he was respected by his peers.

On Memorial Day, I finally made it to Oak Lawn Memorial Park to pay my respects to Barrie James Wilson. Despite having his graves coordinates, retrieved from that site that helps you locate anyones resting place, it was surprisingly hard to track down. At last my friend found it.

In loving memory is etched at the top of the gravestone. Under BJs name is engraved: To know you was to love you. Off to the side, an image of a drummer at his kit is carved.

There were no flowers for Barrie James Wilson on Memorial Day. I stood there wishing Id thought to bring some. I thought of the joy his playing had brought to others and certainly to himself, how his family obviously loves him, and how sad it is that he felt a need to leave this world at such a young age.

At least we have his recordings to remember him by.

Related stories:
Greater Albany Public Schools has named Kelsey Nava-Costales its new executive director of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Nava-Costales will begin the position on Monday, June 26. According to the district, she comes to the role with a breadth of knowledge of EDI work.

At the time, Superintendent Andy Gardner indicated the post would be refilled.

As a Mexican-American, Nava-Costales understands the lived experience of marginalized communities, according to a news release from GAPS.

This work is important to me because I know what barriers exist for some students that are out of their control, and the ways such barriers impact their attendance, comprehension and retention, she said in a statement.

The district's students are 23% Hispanic/Latino, according to the most recent Oregon Department of Education statistics with 7% described as multiracial.

Nava-Costales has lived in Oregon since 2005, and was raised overseas as her parents sought teaching roles in Thailand and India. This early exposure to diverse communities in the developing world led Nava-Costales to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in ethnic studies from the University of Oregon, where she also completed a certification in nonprofit administration from the School of Planning, Public Policy and Management.

While pursuing her undergraduate degree at UO, Nava-Costales worked for the Center of Multicultural Academic Excellence as an administrative assistant supporting several retention specialists, according to the news release.

As a first-generation college student, she found success through support systems like the CMAE that led her to understand the importance of safe spaces and equitable support for marginalized students on school campuses, according to the release.

Before receiving a masters degree in clinical Social Work from Portland State University, Nava-Costales worked with formerly incarcerated youth  most of whom were Native American, Black, and Latino  with the goal of reentry into their communities, as well as high school completion and development of prosocial behavior, according to the news release.

While completing her masters degree, she worked for Oregons second-largest food bank, FOOD for Lane County, helping provide food access to marginalized communities, and creating partnerships within the community.

In 2023, Nava-Costales joined the GAPS district as an ombudsperson working with students and school staff alike with the goal of building understanding and expanding equitable education for all students.

I look forward to joining the leadership team at GAPS, she said in a statement. As our community continues to diversify, we have such a unique and wonderful opportunity to lean in and grow. It is my goal to bridge gaps between communities and positively impact the ways in which our students feel when they sit down to learn each day.

Related stories:
At the top of MSNBCs All In With Chris Hayes on Tuesday, Hayes began with a look into the news that Hunter Biden, President Joe Bidens troubled son, has reached a plea deal with the Department of Justice, bringing an end to a federal investigation that has lasted more than 5 years.

But Hayes, who did express criticism of the younger Bidens conduct, was focused on the fact that Republicans have been obsessed with him for years, an obsession Hayes dismissed as sheer sadism and nothing more than an attempt to wield a sons addiction against the father for political purposes.

Watch the video here now, and read on if you arent able to watch.

.@chrislhayes: The ritual humiliation of Hunter Bidena mainstay of the right-wing mediais an attempt to wage a sort of psychological warfare upon the president. Joe Biden has no control over the actions of his adult sonhis sole surviving sonwho he obviously loves deeply. pic.twitter.com/7V9xpOohIG  All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) June 21, 2023

In case you need a refresher, Hunter Biden has been under investigation for a variety of alleged crimes since 2018, an investigation ordered under the Trump administration and continued under the Biden administration. Its convoluted but the gist is that in the mid-2010s, Hunter Biden relapsed in his drug and alcohol addiction while also working for foreign companies in positions that clearly traded on his closeness to American centers of power. His behavior during that period then became public because of leaked videos and other information documenting his struggle.

His father has never been implicated in any wrongdoing but Hunter Bidens problems became a fixation for conservatives attempting to draw equivalence between Biden and Donald Trump, and the whole thing has been the subject of speculation and baseless conspiracy theories involving Ukraine, alongside the real questions regarding wrongdoing or unethical behavior. He has reached a deal in which hell plead guilty to tax evasion, and will avoid being charged for unlawful purchase of a firearm. Read more about it here.

Kicking off his remarks, Hayes noted that President Biden has specifically not interfered in the investigation. Biden, Hayes explained, did what all other presidents have done  fired all the U.S. attorneys and replaced them, but he made exceptions for two of them conducting investigations ordered by Trump.

He kept John Durham. Remember that guy? Durham was allowed to stay on and complete what was essentially a Trump-ordered wild goose chase to bring the deep state to account, a goose chase which came up with basically nothing, Hayes said. And then there was David Weiss. David Weiss is the Delaware U.S. attorney, and he is the man who launched the probe into Hunter Biden in 2018. The new President Joe Biden left Weiss there in Delaware, so as not to interfere in any way in the ongoing investigation of his own son.

Hayes then explained where things stand with Hunter Biden, adding, its been a remarkable road to get to this point. I mean, the first time the Department of Justice has brought charges against the child of a sitting president. And it appears from what we know, and from the timeline, that federal prosecutors dealt with this case very similarly to their investigation into ex-President Trump. Which is to say at every point, up and down the chain of command, they went out of their way, bending over backwards so as not to appear partisan or biased or unfair.

Hayes noted the bombshell Washington Post story published Sunday that details how the FBI and Attorney General Merrick Garland apparently resisted even investigating Trump for his role fomenting the Jan. 6 insurrection. Supposedly due to a weariness about appearing partisan institutional caution and clashes over how much evidence was sufficient to investigate the actions of Trump and those around him all contributed to the slow pace.

This probe of Hunter Biden has dragged on for five years. Thats a long time, a sweeping investigation involving federal prosecutors, FBI agents, IRS officials, it has resulted in charges that experts say are rarely prosecuted. That gun charge in particular, prohibiting a drug addict from owning a weapon, a rarely used statute that is facing legal challenges has been used in high profile cases where the underlying conduct doesnt violate any obvious federal criminal statute. Notably Weiss did not bring any charges related to Hunter Bidens dealing with foreign entities, following years, years of accusations from Republicans about his ties to China and Ukraine, Hayes said.

And again, presumably they looked at that stuff in the five years they were going through it all, right? Of course, Republicans began moving the goalposts almost immediately after the news broke, Hayes continued, noting unhinged comments by Donald Trump and a Republican congressman complaining about the plea deal and accusing Joe Biden of being some kind of crime boss.

Now, the right wing attacks on the Bidens, particularly on Hunter Biden, have generally been in bad faith. I will say there has been some legitimate criticism, particularly of Hunter Bidens work for a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma. An appointment that certainly had the appearance and to my mind likely substance of a foreign entity clearly attempting to just purchase access to the then-Vice President United States or to curry favor. And Hunter Biden obviously should not accept to that role. But hes made a lot of bad judgment calls over the years. Its not just that one. And I think both Hunter Biden and his father would agree, largely related to his lifelong struggles with drug and alcohol use, Hayes said.

But, Hayes continued, all the attacks on Hunter Biden are of course, just a way to hurt his father.

If you watch right wing media, I dont know how much you do it, they are obsessed with Hunter Biden, just sort of engaged in a kind of ritual humiliation of him, a mainstay of their programming, and it is all frankly and clearly an attempt to wage a sort of psychological warfare upon the president, Hayes said. Joe Biden has no control over the the actions of his adult son. We all know that, I think the people pressing these ridiculous attacks know that. His sole surviving son we should note, who he obviously loves deeply.

As evidence Hayes played the leaked voicemail from 2018 in which Joe Biden can be heard expressing his love and support for Hunter Biden and urging him to get help, a recording, Hayes noted, that Republicans tried to use in attacks on Biden.

I would bet good money that the majority of people that just heard that right now, have heard it, has had someone they loved who was in a similar spot as Hunter Biden, dealing with substance issues, and can relate to that. Maybe even admire the way that Joe Biden spoke to his son. Hunter Biden thankfully did get help, and credits his family for never giving up on him, Hayes continued.

I think todays result of the long long investigation into Hunter Biden is ultimately good for the rule of law and for justice, even though I think honestly, they probably went out of their way to charge him. But no one  no one  should lose sight of what this was all about. The sheer sadism of an attempt to wield a sons addiction against the father for political purposes. Thats what has animated this entire enterprise from the beginning, Hayes concluded.
Daniel Rigbys anti-police play will leave audiences entertained and enraged (Faye Thomas)

A couple of months ago, the actor Daniel Rigby was questioned by the police about a murder. The Bafta-winning star of stage and screen was on the way to Italy to film a new project when five armed officers accosted him at Heathrow airport. Honestly, my body turned to jelly, he tells me, leaning forward across the table. They asked for all of my personal details, to see my phone, what I was doing in Italy, the plot of the film, the scene I was in... it was just so weird and terrifying.

The police had received a tip-off from the concerned driver who had dropped Rigby off, who had overheard him in the back of the car talking about a killing. Little did they know, the actor was simply going over his lines. But at least Rigby can see the funny side  he weeps with laughter as he relays the anecdote. I was very shaken up because they had guns! he says, still incredulous.

The timing of this encounter couldnt have been stranger. It was two days after Rigby had finished performing in Accidental Death of an Anarchist, a ferocious farce on the British police, at the Lyric Hammersmith. Tom Basdens revival of Italian playwright Dario Fos 1970 play  which has transferred to the West Ends Royal Haymarket after two sold-out runs in Sheffield and Hammersmith  gives the classic a contemporary twist, with its biting, bombastic takedown of the force.

It follows the story of an anarchist who plummets to his death from a police station window. As officers desperately scramble to avoid another scandal, a mysterious man  Rigbys Maniac  is brought in for questioning. He is an agent of chaos, leading the officers in an increasingly ludicrous reconstruction of their official account, exposing their corruption and incompetence along the way.

With his experience of playing lively eccentrics  think of his failed comedian in Black Mirrors The Waldo Moment, or his desperate inventor in Will Sharpes offbeat masterpiece Flowers, or his nerdy wifi whizz in that ever-present 2012 BT advert  its no surprise that Rigby has won rave reviews for his turn as the fast-talking Maniac. In Accidental Death of an Anarchist, he leaves the stage just once towards the end of the breakneck two-hour show, morphs into numerous different identities, and at one point wears roughly six layers of clothing.

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Rigby himself is a bit of a chameleon. At times during our interview, in the plays production offices near Leicester Square, the actor has a boyishness to him: he cackles, he cracks jokes, he swings back and forth in his chair. But there are also moments when he is completely still, his back ramrod straight, his posture almost regal, one leg crossed over the other.

While Rigby doesnt read reviews  because even in a good one, theres always something about how awful you look  he was shocked to hear that there was such glowing praise for Accidental Death of an Anarchist from across the political spectrum of the British press, with critics from left to right, from The Guardian to the Mail, rooting for the show to get a West End transfer.

When we meet, theres a fortnight to go before the 13-week run begins at the Haymarket. There is a chance that I might die, says Rigby, a booming laugh not hiding the anxious tremor in his voice. Rigby hopes people will come away from the show feeling entertained but with a kernel of anger. Dario Fo wrote that he wanted to create a play that inspired laughter, but also wanted to see the smile die on peoples faces as they realise what theyre laughing at, he says.

Theres no polite way of saying that the police in the play are portrayed as idiots. For them, taking selfies with murder victims is classic bants, and lying a requirement of the job. When a superintendent concedes: Of course, some officers will get a bit physical now and then. Some interrogations can get a bit, sure, tasty, Rigbys Maniac replies, Tasty! Theyre bloody delicious these days. Use of force has jumped nearly 80 per cent in the past five years!

But its not just about the bobbies in Basdens script; few sections of British society escape unscathed  whether its Suella Braverman and the Tories, the Catholic Church, or even, er, lefty, twentysomething journalists. Not to mention the endless inquiries. The initial inquiry is over, yes, but that wasnt inquisitive enough, so now theres an inquiry into that, says the Maniac in one of his tirades. Its the British way, of course. Inquiries into inquiries into inquiries for as long as it takes for everyone involved to destroy the evidence and change careers. If God were British, there wouldnt be a judgement day, thered be an eternal f***ing inquiry.

Rigby lets loose as the Maniac in Accidental Death of an Anarchist (Helen Murray)

Its a political piece, but at the core of it, its got an honest anger to it, says Rigby. People usually take their lanes in the culture war narrative, and so its just refreshing to see something that operates with a bit more nuance, isnt preciously left wing, and takes potshots at champagne socialism.

The Casey report, in which the Metropolitan Police was found to be institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic, came out in the middle of the Lyrics run in March. That was absolutely extraordinary timing, says Rigby. Part of what the play is saying is that this is an absurd carousel and nothing ever seems to change, no matter how many times new commissioners come in and say, Root and branch reform, root and branch reform, root and branch reform. But it feels like some sort of crunch time at the moment, because it just has to change somehow.

As part of rehearsals, the charity Inquest  which works with families whose relatives have died in custody  helped Rigby and the cast to navigate the issue of police brutality with humour. They said that laughter is a big part of dealing with these cases, Rigby says, because some of the contortions that the state can get itself into, in order to justify actions or evade proper scrutiny, can be really absurd.

The actor is yet to speak to any police about the play  but he wants to. He knows that, among the bad apples, there are many good officers who want to see positive change. But I imagine a lot of them wouldnt like it, he says.

Later, he tells me that performing the show is a real catharsis, and that it feels unusual to get to do something so overtly politically charged. Rigby is a comic actor after all, used to roles in less thorny projects, such as the Sky black comedy Sick Note and the National Theatres slapstick megahit One Man, Two Guvnors. In 2011, he was a surprise Bafta winner for his performance as Eric Morecambe in the BBC television film Eric and Ernie, beating both Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch for their roles, respectively, as The Doctor and Sherlock Holmes.

Unlikely housemates: Victoria Wood and Daniel Rigby (London News Pictures/Shutterstock)

Rigby was stunned. I remember my body went into a thing where all of my vision clouded and I just focused on Brenda Blethyns face in the crowd, he says. I was just approaching Brenda Blethyns face because thats all I could see. And then I got [to the stage] and turned to the microphone, and all I could see was what felt like a mass of faces, but then just Stephen Frys face. And I dont remember much. My body went into a similar biological process to what happens when youre in a minor car accident. I was, he says, pausing for dramatic effect, quite rattled.

Rattled though he was, he managed to give a special thank you to the late British comedy legend Victoria Wood, with whom he had worked on the biopic. He actually moved in with Wood for a while after filming; she knew hed given up his own flat to do stand-up at the Edinburgh Festival, so offered him a room in her home in Highgate.

I want people to come away from this play with a kernel of anger

I basically haunted Victoria Woods house, he says, because I was so shy that I would just lurk around and make her jump all the time. But she was so generous to me. She ended up being a very key friend, really, in my life. And I had aspirations to write, so having someone like that, of unparalleled ability, to talk to about the very thing that theyre incredible at, was just such a privilege. I got to see how she worked at home, as well. For the rest of my life, Ill never forget the example that she set. The most industrious person Ive ever come across.

Rigby says Wood liked to reward herself with a bit of reality TV at the end of a days writing. Sometimes wed watch MasterChef together, he says. A lot of heckling Gregg Wallace... It was a really special time. I miss her very much.

Im surprised that Rigby describes himself as shy. He is full of stories, all silliness and warmth. It depends on the context, really, he says. That context was an invading-the-home-of-a-national-treasure context. He puts on a faux-serious face. Give me half a chance and I can be very, very awkward.

Rigby as oddball Donald in Flowers (Channel 4)

When I ask if he has anything in common with Donald, the petulant son of Olivia Colmans Deborah, whom he played in the beautiful Channel 4 comedy Flowers, he quips, What, the weird, rage-filled freak? before thoughtfully adding: Underneath, Donald just really wants to be loved and wants to connect with somebody  thats why he lashes out all the time. Im certainly not as aggressive as Donald and I dont wear so many boiler suits, but I do like connection.

Rigby is starring in his first musical this autumn, in Lucy Kirkwoods new adaptation of Roald Dahls The Witches. He plays Stringer, the owner of the Hotel Magnificent where the witches hold their conference. But the show could be contentious: the childrens story was at the centre of a censorship row earlier this year, after it was rewritten to remove language deemed offensive.

Umm, yeah. Hmm. Having an opinion, says Rigby, chuckling nervously, when I ask him for his thoughts on the debate. Were in an age of certainty, but I feel so uncertain about most things... If the aim is to remove all cruel or violent language, that means a different thing to every person, he says, so I dont know where that stops. He says he will be singing a couple of numbers in the production. Ive asked to dance, he says, flashing an impish grin, but I dont know whether thats going to be permitted...

Accidental Death of an Anarchist is playing until 9 September at Theatre Royal Haymarket


It sounds like Donald Trump is on his own when it comes to running for president for the third time. His campaign stops wont be filled with sightings of his wife, Melania, their son Barron, 17, and his four adult children, Donald Jr., 45, Ivanka, 41, and Eric, 39, from his marriage to Ivana Trump, and Tiffany Trump, 29, from his second marriage to Marla Maples. They are allegedly done with Washington, D.C. for a reason that the former president relates to his first term in office.



I said, Thats enough for the family, he told Fox News. Its too painful for the family. My family has been through hell. Even though the former first lady sent out a statement supporting her husbands run for president, she reportedly has taken off on a European vacation with Barron this summer  no campaign stops for her. Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, who served as senior advisers the first time around, made it clear after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that their days in politics were over, too.

More from SheKnows

Melania Trump's absence from the campaign trail is definitely raising eyebrows. https://t.co/rbG7csYIHf  SheKnows (@SheKnows) June 20, 2023



That leaves Donald Jr., Eric, and Tiffany to pick up the slack, but if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election, its doubtful that any of them will serve in his second administration. They have all moved to Florida and while they remain in the political spectrum with TV appearances, they dont seem interested in serving out the day-to-day aspects of a White House job.



Three of his adult children, Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric are also still dealing with the New York civil case against them and the Trump Organization. While the family walked away much richer after their fathers four years in office, that notoriety came at a price and the law doesnt seem to be on Donald Trumps side right now. He doesnt want to back down from the political fight ahead, but his family may have firmly shut the door.

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The Queens reached deep into the royal vault for the best accessories

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands

Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked the part at a diplomatic dinner!

On Tuesday evening, Queen Mathilde, 50, and her husband King Philippe, 63, held a glamorous state banquet at Laeken Castle in Brussels in honor of Queen Maxima, 52, and her husband King Willem-Alexander, 56. The celebration was held on the first night of the Dutch royal couples three-day state visit to Belgium, a first in 17 years, according to local media.

Queen Mathilde and Queen Maxima were regal in pastel gowns with plenty of jewels. Mathilde wore an ice blue gown with a lace cape, completing the look with the Nine Provinces Tiara  a topper exclusively reserved for Belgian Queens, The Court Jeweller reported.

She further accessorized with the second setting of the Wolfers Tiara  styling it as a necklace!  plus diamond fringe earrings and bracelets.



Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands

Maxima sported a blush gown with ruffles and slipped on a smaller setting of the Stuart Tiara, The Court Jeweller said. While the headpiece can hold the 40-carat Stuart Diamond at its center, the Dutch Queen wore it with a smaller gem.

Earlier this month, Queen Maxima wore the Stuart tiara (in yet a smaller setting) at the Jordan royal wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa.

She reached into the royal vault for the rest of her accessories, glittering in Queen Wilhelminas Diamond Earrings with diamond bracelets.

RELATED: King Charles Shares Sweet Photo from Coronation Rehearsals to Celebrate Son Prince William's Birthday



Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Dutch State Visit to Belgium

The Queens' easy rapport has been on display since the start of the state visit, from their joint walkabout with their husbands to checking out the buffet at the dinner. In one storybook scene, Maxima and Mathilde even shared a whisper  and a giggle!

Both monarchs gave speeches at the banquet dinner, and guests toasted to the good relationship and historical links between the two countries, which share a border.



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Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands

The Royal House of the Netherlands first announced the trip in January and said the state visit would "reaffirm the excellent ties between the two neighbouring countries, which have strong historical, social and economic links."



Key common themes during the visit will be improving social and physical livability, combating climate change, maintaining and promoting a safe society and working towards a sustainable future in which energy is green and affordable. The visit will further deepen the close collaboration between the Netherlands and Belgium, as they both work towards a safer, cleaner and more sustainable future, a statement said.



Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Dutch State Visit to Belgium



RELATED: Kate Middleton Sports Her Favorite Tiara with Sparkling Pink Gown for Jordan Royal Wedding Banquet

Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander arrived by royal train Tuesday, attended a welcoming ceremony at the Royal Palace and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.



Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Dutch State Visit to Belgium

They moved to lunch at Parliament and met with Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, and reunited with Mathilde and Philippe to connect with Philippe Close, the mayor of Brussels. The outing was followed by a walkabout to greet well-wishers in Grand-Place Square, and the day capped with the banquet at Laeken Castle.

Wednesdays agenda includes a visit to the Climate Tech Forum, a stop at the Aerospacelab in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve for the two Kings and time at Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo for the two Queens to meet young musicians.

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JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE / Belga / AFP Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde

The couples will then attend a lunch at the Castle of Seneffe before visiting to BioPark Charleroi and the Institut Saint-Andre school.

Tonight, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will host a concert at the Flagey culture house in Brussels to thank the Belgian royals for their hospitality.



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Harding is one of the five passengers aboard OceanGate's missing Titan submersible

Victoria Sirakova/Getty

Following the disappearance of the Titan submersible, the United States Coast Guard is racing against time to search for and rescue the five passengers aboard the vessel.

On June 18, the submersible operated by OceanGate set out for an expedition to visit the site of the Titanic wreckage. However, nearly two hours into the dive, the crew of the Canadian expedition vessel Polar Prince lost contact with the submersible, per the United States Coast Guard. A search for the Titan began shortly after.

Though authorities have not officially released the names of those on the exploration vessel, PEOPLE has confirmed their identities. Among them include British billionaire Hamish Harding, who has been on several explorations over the years, including a trip to space.

In fact, just before embarking on the expedition, Harding had detailed some of the risks involved with the trip to retired NASA astronaut Colonel Terry Virts.

Virts shared the final text message he received from Harding during an appearance on ITVs Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, according to the New York Post.

Hey, were headed out tomorrow, it looks good, the weathers been bad so theyve been waiting for this, the 58-year-old billionaire wrote, according to Virts, who said his friend undoubtedly understood the risks of the dangerous adventure.

Read ahead for everything to know about Harding.

Hes based in the United Arab Emirates

Per a previous feature with Business Aviation Magazine, Harding grew up in Hong Kong with his parents but currently resides in the United Arab Emirates.

He studied at Cambridge University

Harding studied at Cambridge University, receiving degrees in natural sciences and chemical engineering, per Nasa Space Flight.

Hes a pilot

While studying at Cambridge University, Harding told Business Aviation Magazine, he received his private pilots license in 1985. He added that in the late 90s and early 2000s, he transitioned from piloting light aircraft to piloting jets.

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Hes the chairman of Action Aviation

Since 2004, Harding has been a chairman for Action Aviation, a global sales company that offers a wide range of services including aircraft brokerage, aircraft management and aircraft financing, per their website.

Hes been to space

Harding has been on several explorations over the years, including visiting the South Pole several times (once with Buzz Aldrin) and going to space as part of the suborbital Blue Origin NS-21 mission in June 2022.

Hes a father

Harding regularly posts photos with his tight-knit family on social media. In particular, he has gone on many adventures with his son Giles, who deems himself a teen explorer on Instagram.

Shortly after the Titan went missing, Hardings stepson Brian Szasz, from his wifes previous relationship, confirmed that Harding was aboard the vessel as he asked for thoughts and prayers in a since-deleted post captured by the New York Post.

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New York City fire inspectors dogged the HQ E-Bike Repair shop since at least 2021 over unsafe handling of lithium-ion batteries before the deadly blaze Tuesday that killed four people in Manhattans Chinatown, Fire Department officials said.

One inspection last August resulted in a $1,600 fine, said the officials.

But an undercover inspection in May did not result in any violations, as the inspector did not see any batteries being charged, a Fire Department official told the Daily News.

FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn told reporters that during the visit last month, the undercover inspector observed many, many batteries inside the store, which is a violation of the fire code.

But the Fire Department official who spoke to The News said whether a violation was issued in May would have depended on whether the batteries were charging.

Having batteries isnt a violation. Having them charge too close together is the violation. We didnt see any charging  so no violation was issued, the official explained.

During the August 2022 inspection, fire marshals found HQ E-bike Repair was charging batteries stacked next to each other and plugged into extension cords  violations that could undoubtedly spark and spread a blaze, FDNY officials said.

The marshals entered the repair shop on Madison St. near Catherine St. in Manhattan on Aug. 30 after getting a 311 tip about charging e-bikes plugged into extension cords, which is a violation of the fire code.

The marshals saw some e-bikes plugged directly into a wall socket, which is allowed, but many were being charged with extension cords.

The e-bike and scooter battery packs were also lined up next to each other  not separated three feet apart, as required by FDNY rules.

The shop itself did not have a designated charging area, an FDNY official said. The battery packs were also being charged for more than an hour, which is also a violation.

Marshals gave the owner of the building that housed the Chinatown store three FDNY summonses for using extension cords and failing to maintain a charging area in accordance with the fire code. The marshals also issued a summons for failing to have service tags on fire extinguishers.

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At an Environmental Control Board hearing, the building owner was found guilty of the violations and ordered to pay a $1,600 fine, Flynn said.

These (violations) were all related to the charging of the batteries and the number of batteries they had at this location, Flynn said at a press conference outside the bike repair shop Tuesday.

Similar violations were filed against the store in 2021, he said.

The 2021 inspection came about because a Fire Department company was in the area and observed lots of clutter and fire hazards and then conducted an inspection, a Fire Department official told The News.

The store was cited in that inspection, the official said, but details of the sanctions were not immediately available.

Its common for stores like HQ E-Bike to flagrantly violate the fire code, FDNY officials said.

In February, fire marshals and city sheriff officers searched a bicycle shop on Broome St. in Chinatown, where inspectors found hundreds of lithium-ion batteries being charged in racks along one wall next to dozens of e-bikes and scooters.

Everyones worst fear occurred Tuesday shortly after midnight when a fatal fire broke out in HQ E-Bike Repair and quickly spread through the building on Madison St.

Firefighters pulled seven people out of the fire. As of Tuesday afternoon four people were dead, including a 71-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman.

The batteries were being charged in a room where children slept at night, FDNY officials said.

So far this year, the FDNY has responded to about three lithium-ion battery fires a week, officials said. Factory-installed scooter batteries seem safe and adhere to industry standards, safety experts say. The batteries that tend to combust are aftermarket products e-bike users buy online or in scooter stores as replacements for the scooters original batteries, say FDNY officials.

As of Tuesday, 13 people have been killed in e-bike fires this year, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. This time last year, only two deaths were attributed to lithium-ion battery fires.
Doctors at Ukraine's leading trauma hospital are working around the clock to save the most badly wounded soldiers as the country continues its counteroffensive against Russian forces.

In the last year, a team of 100 surgeons has performed 2,000 trauma operations at the hospital, the hospital's director told ABC News' Ian Pannell. The facility's name and location are being withheld.

Nearly all the injuries treated there are shrapnel wounds from Russian shelling, missiles and exploded mines, the director said. Only 2% of the injuries are bullet wounds. Of the 2,000 trauma operations over the last year, around half were amputations performed on soldiers who lost limbs in battle.

The heavy toll has only increased in recent weeks, with the hospital seeing a 20% surge in patient admissions since the counteroffensive began two weeks ago, the director said.

PHOTO: Doctors perform surgery at Ukraine's leading trauma hospital. (ABC News)

MORE: Ukraine making 'steady progress' in counteroffensive, top US general says

Ukraine said Monday it had driven Russian forces from an eighth village.

"We are moving forward gradually, with small steps, but very confidently," Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Tuesday, adding that Ukrainian forces are "gnawing every meter of land from the enemy."

In some areas, Russia is advancing and Ukrainian forces are on the defensive, Maliar said. In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces fired more than 277,000 shells at Ukrainian forces in the last week, Maliar said.

As an ABC News crew visited the trauma hospital, surgeons were amputating the leg of a 30-year-old soldier who had stepped on a Russian mine. Another patient was an American veteran from Alaska who was hit by shrapnel from a tank round two days ago while volunteering to fight for Ukraine.

WATCH: Ukrainian forces claim to have retaken 8th village during counteroffensive

"It's a lot of artillery. It's a lot of tanks sitting at standoff distances," the American veteran told ABC News.

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After being stabilized, soldiers are taken for further medical care away from the hospital by a fleet of around 40 ambulances, with help from of a crew of international medics.

ABC News' Darren Price contributed to this report.

2,000 trauma operations in a year: Inside Ukraine's leading battlefield hospital originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Jacob Elordi transforms into the King of Rock and Roll in the first teaser trailer for Priscilla, Sofia Coppolas Priscilla Presley biopic.

Cailee Spaeny stars as Priscilla Presley in Coppolas project, based on Presleys memoir also by Sandra Harmon, Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N Roll. The story follows Priscilla Presley from when she met Elvis at 14 and was living in Germany, through their multiyear courtship.

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The film synopsis reads: When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a gentle best friend. Through Priscillas eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscillas long courtship and turbulent marriage, from a German army base to his dream-world estate at Graceland, in this deeply felt and ravishingly detailed portrait of love, fantasy, and fame.

After Elvis Presley died, Priscilla Presley ended up controlling his estate, eventually turning into the Graceland tourist attraction and creating Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Successions Dagmara Dominczyk also stars in the film, written and directed by Coppola.

Another Elvis Presley project recently became a bona fide hit, with Baz Luhrmanns Elvis crossing the $150 million domestic mark and racking up eight Oscar nominations, including best picture and best actor for Austin Butler.

In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the director opened up about Priscilla, saying he knows Coppola well and that another project about the Presleys shows just how important they are  even now.

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Elvis and Priscilla are a kind of American royalty, that were I wouldnt say banished, but I think it just shows that Elvis and Priscilla are back in the culture, not just popular culture, but, I think, in American industry, he said. I did the story of Elvis to explore America in the 50s, 60s and 70s. I think their lives are really woven into the fabric of the American story. And Im really looking forward to what part of the story is told.

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More than a year after their son's birth, Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney have started talking about expanding their family again.

"They're thinking about having another child," a source exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly.

According to the insider, the couple have been on the fence about having more kids. "At first they weren't sure if they wanted another one because it's so much work, but they're obsessed with Cy and love showing off videos to their friends and family," the source adds. "They've started warming up to the possibility of a second."

Cooke Maroney and Jennifer Lawrence JD Images/Shutterstock

Lawrence, 32, and Maroney, 38, started dating in 2018 after being introduced by a mutual friend. Us confirmed one year later that the duo were engaged.

"He's the greatest human being I've ever met. He really is, and he gets better," the actress gushed during a 2019 episode of the "Naked with Catt Sadler" podcast. "[In the beginning], I started with the basics, you know, 'How do I feel? Is he nice? Is he kind?' ... It's just this is The One, I know that sounds really stupid but ... We wanted to marry each other, we wanted to commit fully and he's my best friend and so I want to legally bind him to me forever."

Four months later, Us confirmed that the twosome exchanged vows during an intimate Rhode Island ceremony. Lawrence and Maroney welcomed their son in February 2022 after remaining largely tight-lipped about her pregnancy.

Since becoming a mother, the Hunger Games star has been open about the challenges.

"Every day of being a mom, I feel awful, she told Viola Davis during Varietys Actors on Actors series in December 2022. "I feel guilty. I'm playing with him and I'm like, 'Is this what he wants to be doing? Should we be outside? We're outside. What if he's cold? What if he's going to get sick? Should we be inside? Is this enough? Is this developing your brain enough?'"

Cooke Maroney and Jennifer Lawrence MEGA

At the time, Lawrence admitted that the scariest thing in the entire world was when she thought about starting a family. It was so interesting to make a movie where I'm feeling so scared and feeling this mirrored in [my role as] Lynsey, she added, referring to her 2022 film Causeway. "What if I fk up? What if I can't do it? And I was so scared that I would f--k it up.

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More recently, Lawrence praised her husband for supporting her as they raise their son together.

Fortunately, my husband is the greatest father in the entire world. So when Im working, I dont have any more guilt than the usual every day, all-day parent guilt," she said in a cover story for Interview Magazine, which was published on Wednesday, June 21. Theres no squeezing when you have a baby. It definitely helps weed out projects: Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Is this worth being away from my child for half the day?

The No Hard Feelings actress went on to share her thoughts about raising a child in the public eye.

Jennifer Lawrence Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Ive contemplated having a child thats being born into a lifestyle thats different from his friends. But kids have advantages and disadvantages when theyre born, all of them. The best thing I can do is just make sure he knows hes loved, and that hes our number one priority, and try to be a good example of kindness," she continued. "Im sure there will be challenges specifically from my choices and my lifestyle, and well both have to confront that and deal with it when that day comes.

For more details on Lawrence and Maroney's parenthood plans, watch the video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly  on newsstands now.
Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday she believes abortion rights will be secured for Americans via federal legislation put forth by the U.S. Congress. While appearing on MSNBCs The ReidOut for a discussion of abortion rights in America, Harris spoke of Congress ability to essentially undo that U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Ultimately, this is an issue that will be resolved by federal legislation that codifies, which means puts into law, the protections of Roe [v. Wade], Harris said. Watch the full video below:

.@VP Kamala Harris on reproductive rights: "Ultimately, this is an issue that will be resolved by federal legislation that codifies, which means puts into law, the protections of Roe." #TheReidOut pic.twitter.com/dgS2d7V1s5  The ReidOut (@thereidout) June 21, 2023

The interview took place as part of a special marking the one-year anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson, a Supreme Court decision that overturned the landmark 1973 abortion rights decision of Roe v. Wade. Harris told Reid and the shows other panelists the issue will be resolved federally, but cautioned voters to continue to focus on local and state elections as well.

Ultimately, the United States Congress can put back in place what the United States Supreme Court took, Harris continued. The United States Supreme Court took a constitutional right. The United States Congress has the power to put in place a protection of that individual privacy right that all Americans should be entitled to.

To mark the June 24 anniversary, Senate Democrats plan to push legislation centered on reproductive rights, according to NBC. The bills are extremely unlikely to pass, as they require the consent of all 100 senators, but are being pushed in an attempt to put pressure on Republican elected officials to speak on the issue.

A USA Today poll released Sunday found that support for legal abortion has risen in the past year following the overturning of Roe.
Luc Besson has been cleared of all rape charges from a 2018 case involving actress Sand Van Roy.

The Leon, the Professional director was accused of raping the Dutch-Belgian actress multiple times over the course of two years. The Van Roy case against Besson was dismissed in 2021 after an investigation, but the legal charges are now officially dropped by the highest court in France as of June 21, 2023.

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This decision confirms the dismissal in favor of Luc Besson and confirms all the decisions of the last five years which have found him not guilty, Bessons attorney Thierry Marambert said in a statement to IndieWire. It therefore puts a definitive end to this procedure initiated in 2018, during which Luc Besson was systematically cleared by all the magistrates who examined the case. As a lawyer, I welcome this exemplary procedure, which has allowed the manifestation of the truth which is that Luc Besson is innocent.

The Cour de Cassation, the countrys equivalent to the Supreme Court, formally dismissed all charges against Besson in the fourth and final judicial instruction for the case after first being dismissed in February 2019 following a nine-month investigation into Van Roys claims, citing a lack of evidence.

The actress later filed a civil complaint on the same charges in March 2019, and it was dismissed again after a wide-spanning investigation in December 2021 and involved hearings with witnesses, including Bessons ex-wife Maiwenn and his former partner Anne Parillaud. Besson shares a daughter with Maiwenn and two children with Parillaud.

Van Roy appealed for a second time, with the case now being closed. The ruling from the Cour de Cassation clears Besson of all charges and prevents Van Roy from suing him on the same charges in France or elsewhere in Europe (Van Roy previously attempted to file a lawsuit in Belgium to no avail).

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Van Roy, who starred in Bessons Valerian, alleged that she had an abusive relationship with the filmmaker; the actress accused Besson of raping her in a Paris hotel room on May 17, 2018. Since 2018, Besson has been accused of sexual assault by nine different women, including Van Roy, who is the only one to have filed charges.

Besson and his attorney have categorically denied all the accusations made against him over the course of the last five years since the first assault claims were made public. Bessons ex-wife Maiwenn, whose Jeanne du Barry recently opened the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, has further addressed the allegations against Besson.

Maiwenn married Besson in 1992 when she was 16 years old. Besson first met Maiwenn when she was 12, and the couple began dating when the actress was 15. Maiwenn said during the 1994 DVD extras for controversial film Leon, the Professional that the films central relationship was inspired by her and Bessons love story. The couple divorced in 1997.

In February 2023, Maiwenn was accused of assaulting French journalist Edwy Plenel, who is the Mediapart magazine editor-in-chief, the publication which first published many of the accusations against Besson. Mediapart published Maiwenns testimony to police regarding the allegations against Besson; Maiwenn confirmed that she felt morally violated by the article.

I dont blame Mediapart for their investigations into Luc Besson; I blame them for what they have done to me, she said, citing the assault against Plenel. Theres no justification for attacking a journalist, but theres no justification for violating a womans intimacy and trust.

Per Maiwenn, the filmmaker and actress met with a Mediapart journalist in late 2018 for an off-the-record conversation regarding Besson. Maiwenn additionally testified during Van Roys investigation in June 2020 on the order of the court. In early 2021, Paris Match and Mediapart published excerpts from Maiwenns testimony without notifying her, despite Mediapart previously promising to give her 48 hours notice for the sake of her daughter with Besson. Maiwenn filed a civil suit against Paris Match and lost; she opted to not file a claim against Mediapart.

Besson is set to produce upcoming action film Weekend Escape Project starring Luke Evans and Gwei Lun-mei, as also announced this week following the assault case being dismissed.

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Frances highest appeals court, the court of cassation, on Wednesday dismissed rape accusations leveled at director and producer Luc Besson (Lucy, The Fifth Element) by Belgian-Dutch actress Sand Van Roy.

The Paris court rejected an appeal lodged by Von Roy after her initial claimant alleging she had been sexually assaulted by Besson was dismissed in 2021. In May 2018, Van Roy alleged she had been raped by Besson at the Le Bristol luxury hotel in Paris. The Belgian-Dutch actress has had small roles in Bessons Taxi 5 and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, and had been in an intimate relationship with the director for two years.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

In a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter, Bessons lawyer, Thierry Marembert said the ruling confirms the dismissal in favor of Luc Besson and confirms all the decisions of the last five years which have found him not guilty. It therefore puts a definitive end to this procedure initiated in 2018, during which Luc Besson was systematically cleared by all the magistrates who examined the case. As a lawyer, I welcome this exemplary procedure, which has allowed the manifestation of the truth which is that Luc Besson is innocent.

Besson had always maintained his innocence. The director was questioned by police on Oct. 2 and Dec. 11 in 2018 in relation to the case, but prosecutors dropped their initial probe in February 2019 citing a lack of evidence. Following Van Roys initial complaint, eight additional women came forward saying they had been assaulted or harassed by the director over the years. In October 2019, a judge ordered a second investigation in the Van Roy case, but in 2021 the director was cleared of all charges.

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(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Frances highest appeals court dismissed rape allegations that had been made against Lucy and The Fifth Element director Luc Besson on Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Luc Bessons lawyer celebrates the decision

The court of cassation rejected an appeal by Belgian-Dutch actress Sand Van Roy on Wednesday, after her initial claim that she had been sexually assaulted by Besson was dismissed in 2021.

Roy first brought up her encounter with Besson in 2018, when she alleged that Besson had raped her at the Le Bristol luxury hotel in Paris.

Roy had featured in small roles in some of Bessons films, including Taxi 5, and had been in a relationship with the director for two years. Following Roys admission, eight additional women would also come forward with their own stories about having been assaulted or harassed in some form by the director.

In a statement to THR, Bessons lawyer Thierry Marembert said that the ruling confirms the dismissal in favor of Luc Besson and confirms all the decisions of the last five years which have found him not guilty. It therefore puts a definitive end to this procedure initiated in 2018, during which Luc Besson was systematically cleared by all the magistrates who examined the case. As a lawyer, I welcome this exemplary procedure, which has allowed the manifestation of the truth which is that Luc Besson is innocent.

The post Lucy Director Luc Bessons Rape Allegations Dismissed in French Court appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Machine Gun Kelly may have a tattooist on his hands. The rappers daughter, Casie, added fresh art to her dads extensive collection of ink.

My daughter said summer vacation, we ended up at Hellfest, the 33-year-old Home artist wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, June 20, alongside a carousel of photos. In the first snap, Casie could be seen going to work with a tattoo needle on Kellys arm. The musician was photographed smiling at his kids skills, holding up a camera to capture the moment.

Elsewhere in the slideshow, Kelly included photos from the music festival  which ran from June 15 to June 18 in France  as well as an image of himself and Casie holding hands on a tour bus.

While in Europe, the father-daughter duo also attended the spring/summer 2024 Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Mens Fashion Week in Italy. For the occasion, Kelly brought the edge in a leather moto jacket, which he styled with a corset and baggy trousers. The most standout aspect of his look, however, was the black net he wore over his face. Cassie, for her part, sported a strapless black dress and black lace-up boots. She wore her hair in stylish box braids.

Courtesy of Machine Gun Kelly/Instagram

Kelly has been overseas for several weeks now. On May 31, the Bad Things crooner was seen spotted hand in hand with fiancee Megan Fox after his sold-out show at Londons Royal Albert Hall. The couple donned coordinating dark looks with Fox stepping out in a gray mini dress and thigh-high boots. Kelly, meanwhile, rocked a textured tracksuit with a matching bucket hat.

The Midnight in the Switchgrass costars romance is seemingly back on track following months of split speculation. In February, Fox raised eyebrows when she removed all traces of Kelly from her Instagram page after they got into a fight at a Super Bowl party.

She shed some light on their issues and slammed rumors of infidelity in a February Instagram statement, writing: There has been no third party interference in this relationship of any kind. She added, That includes, but is not limited to  actual humans, DMs, AI bots or succubus demons.

In April, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that that the pair  who got engaged in January 2022  are back together but taking it slow. The insider continued: They have stalled wedding planning to work on their issues. They had a huge L.A. wedding ceremony planned that is now on hold.

Saying I do is still a priority, nonetheless. Earlier this month a different insider exclusive told Us that Kelly and Fox are currently hoping to wed in 2024.
Pierce Brosnan's Malibu guest home was broken into by an unnamed individual on Monday, reports Fox News Digital.

"The suspect entered a neighboring property  somebody else's property  entered their laundry room, used their water, fled the location, and then trespassed onto Mr. Brosnan's property," a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office told the outlet. From there, the individual reportedly "entered his guest house."

They noted that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office used a helicopter unit to help locate the trespasser before taking him into custody.

Pierce Brosnan

Karwai Tang/WireImage Pierce Brosnan

However, a representative for Brosnan told EW that "there was no break-in and the home was not burglarized," adding, "The man came onto the Brosnans' property from the beach and used the outdoor shower. He never gained access to the house or a laundry room and was escorted off the property by the staff."

Brosnan, 70, lives at the Malibu estate with his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, 59. Local authorities were unable to confirm if anyone had been present during the break-in.

EW reached out to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Information Bureau for further information, but did not immediately hear back.

TMZ was the first to report the incident on Wednesday, stating that law enforcement officials were called to the scene after receiving reports of a man on Brosnan and his neighbor's properties. The individual reportedly urinated and defecated on the neighbor's yard and went through their garbage before moving into the actor's yard.

The outlet went on to state that the man was later discovered via helicopter hiding in the nearby rocky coastline and arrested on burglary charges for stealing Brosnan's water.

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If you've been to a Taylor Swift Eras tour date in these past few weeks, you've probably noticed a nifty little pop-up shop selling some cool Taylor Swift-inspired merchandise with a packed crowd lined up to support. If you aren't already familiar, allow us to introduce you to The Girl Tribe Co., the place where you can find an array of graphic tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, and more, along with various other non-graphic designed clothing and apparel where you can purchase tops, pants, outerwear and more. Founded by Carrie Barker and Sarah Baucom, what started as a local boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina, has since progressed to a buzz-generating renowned brand that is beginning to capture attention globally.

RELATED: KidSuper's Colm Dillane Talks Paris Fashion Week, Meta and Working with Jordan Clarkson

Image credit: Girl Tribe Co.

This is thanks in part to the unprecedented success of their recent Eras-themed pop-up shops across the nation, where they have been partnering with like-minded businesses and brands to offer the ultimate Eras-pop up experience for Taylor Swift fans and concert goers. "The idea came from our social media manager Taryn who started just about 90 days ago," says a Girl Tribe Co. representative Rileigh Harnett. "She emailed saying she had a cool idea of doing a pop-up in L.A. for Taylor Swifts last five shows and sold our graphics. I thought it was a great idea, so we pitched it to our co-founder Sarah and Carrie, and they loved it! Instead of us just going to Los Angeles, they wanted us to go to all of them."

What has followed is massively successful dates in New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburghpop-ups so successful that it has almost been overwhelming. "We had an Uber driver who just didn't understand what we were doing," continues Rileigh. "We told him we were selling Taylor Swift graphic tees, and then we pulled up to the store there were almost 200 people in line. I told him that all those people were here for us, and he didn't believe it. When we got out of the car people started cheering, and he was like 'Wow!'"

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Image credit: Girl Tribe Co.

While the success seems overnight, the brand has been here rockin' and rollin' for a minute. I asked Rileigh what life was like for the company pre-Taylor Swift:

"Pre-Taylor Swift, we launched by having a Girl Tribe Co. pop-up that showcases women-owned vendors. We would pop at the Charlotte Convention Center and other venues, and that's really where we got started. From there we into Girl Tribe Co. and started making and selling graphic tees. Now we have three brick and mortars, and we typically design graphic based on your everyday Charlotte girl, the Panthers, Charlotte F.C., Queen City, etc., but we still dabbled into the pop culture world. To leverage ourselves and get out of just that Charlotte bubble to keep growing, we began doing a lot more pop culture and that's when we began taking off."

And while their Taylor Swift pop-up journey has been successful, it's still very much respectful and full of homage. "Yes and no," Rileigh responds when I ask her if Taylor is aware of the Girl Tribe Co. movement. "Taylor is very good at trademarking and we never want to step on her toes. We try to be very cautious about what we use and don't use as we don't want to use anything that she has copyrighted herself.

So what's next for Girl Tribe Co.?

Image credit: Girl Tribe Co.

"We keep saying that Beyonce is next! She's currently overseas at the moment, and then she comes to the U.S. July 12th," says Rileigh. "Who knows? I don't want to say we're scared, but we're apprehensive because we're trying to keep up as it is and it's all so exciting. I think we're going to see where we go from here when it comes to this idea of pop culture and following around these figures that people love. Taylor Swift was a really big home run for us because that's our demographic and she's crushing it! We hit something at the right time which is so difficult in this industry because trends come and go quickly, but we did it!"

You can visit the Girl Tribe Co. website here and keep up with all of their latest updates via Instagram.
A sub that went missing while carrying five people to the wreckage of the Titanic has less than 40 hours of breathable air left as of Tuesday evening, as the U.S. Coast Guard says search efforts continue. The sub had about 96 hours of oxygen at most onboard, officials said.

A Canadian research vessel lost contact with the submersible during a dive Sunday morning about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and U.S. and Canadian authorities have been searching for it.

Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick told reporters during a news conference Tuesday afternoon that "about 40 hours of breathable air left" was an estimate based off of the vessel's original 96 hours of available oxygen.

Chief Petty Officer Robert Simpson, a Coast Guard spokesman, said there wouldn't be a "hard-and-fast" transition from a search-and-rescue mission to a recovery operation when those hours are up, saying there were several factors that could extend the search.

Frederick said authorities were working around the clock on the search in the Atlantic for the missing sub, calling the effort "an incredibly complex operation."

"We will do everything in our power to effect a rescue," Frederick said. "...There is a full-court press effort to get equipment on scene as quickly as we can."

Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, British explorer Hamish Harding and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were on the sub, along with Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the U.S.-based company that planned the voyage.

If the sub is found in time, Frederick said it was difficult to describe what a deep-sea rescue would exactly entail.

"That's a question that then the experts need to look at what is the best course of action for recovering the sub, but I think it's going to depend on that particular situation," he said.

The Coast Guard said the last recorded communication from the sub was about an hour and 45 minutes into Sunday's dive.

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Since the sub went missing, the Coast Guard, Canadian coast guard, U.S. Navy and Air National Guard have searched a combined area of about 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut, Frederick said.

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. / Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP

Search efforts continued Monday night and into Tuesday, he said. A pipe-laying vessel arrived in the search area Tuesday and sent a remotely operated vehicle into the water to look for the sub at its last-known position.

With search flights scheduled to fly over the area throughout the day, a Canadian coast guard vessel was expected to arrive Tuesday evening, Frederick said. Several other Canadian vessels and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter were en route to the area.

The U.S. Navy was working on deploying military assets to aid the search, Frederick said.

Melting Himalayan glaciers pose serious dangers to humans, report finds

Titanic expedition leader discusses missing sub search

U.S. and China work to "stabilize" fraught relationship
Abby De La Rosa is honoring Nick Cannon, who is dad to her twins Zion and Zillion and daughter Beautiful Zeppelin, on Father's Day

Sandy Huffaker/LEGOLAND Nick Cannon and Abby De La Rosa with twins Zion and Zillion, daughter Beautiful

Nick Cannon and Abby De La Rosa continued a weekend of fun at LEGOLAND with their three kids on Father's Day!

The radio personality, 32, and the Wild N' Out host, 42, enjoyed an outing at LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, getting a sneak peek at the family theme parks newest show Go Xtreme! featuring extreme athletes that will compete daily doing stunts and tricks on skateboards, scooters, BMX bikes and more.

The continued fun came as the pair celebrated their twin sons' second birthday,

"Zion and Zillion were in full effect once again in the second part of their birthday extravaganza. We hit up LEGOLAND, one of my favorite places to go. Obviously the kid in me loves LEGOs, and we had a ball," said Cannon.



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Sandy Huffaker/LEGOLAND

Related: Abby De La Rosa Says Seeing Nick Cannon with Other Moms of His Children 'Turns Me On a Little Bit'

He continued, "We were all over the place. Well, they were all over the place and I was just chasing them."

The day prior, the family of five spent the day at Sesame Place in San Diego, to continue the twins' birthday week celebrations, which began when they turned 2 on June 14.

"Pulled up with the matching fits to @sesameplaceca to continue celebrating our little guys Zilly & Zion turning two!  #SesamePlaceSanDiego."



Sandy Huffaker/LEGOLAND

On an episode of The Daily Cannon, the actor's morning show on which De La Rosa serves as DJ, Cannon and De La Rosa spoke about their relationship.

"I got love for all the women," De La Rosa said of the moms of Cannon's other kids.

Asked if De La Rosa minds seeing Cannon with the other moms or if she feels a "little jealousy," the DJ replied, "For me, I think at times because I am so calm and chill, what it'll do for me is kinda turn me on a little bit."

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"Like, I'm a little jealous, but at the same time it's just kinda like, you know, this is my baby daddy."

De La Rosa has shared that she has nothing but love for her children's siblings  and their moms. When asked if she knows any of the other women Cannon has fathered children with, De La Rosa replied, "Yes, only one of them."

"We've had so much fun going out to dinners and coffee," she added. "She's a beautiful human being and I wish her nothing but the best in this forever journey we're apart[sic] of. The rest of the woman[sic] I don't know and never met but I wish them all the best as well."

In addition to De La Rosa, Cannon has welcomed nine children with five other women. The actor shares twins Monroe and Moroccan, 12, with ex Mariah Carey, whom he was married to from 2008 to 2016. He is also a father to sons Golden Sagon, 6, and Rise Messiah Cannon, 9 months, and daughter Powerful Queen, 2, with Brittany Bell.

Cannon also shares son Legendary Love, 11 months, with Bre Tiesi; and daughter Onyx Ice Cole, 9 months, with LaNisha Cole. Additionally, he's dad to two children with Alyssa Scott: son Zen  who died at 5 months old in December 2021 after being diagnosed with brain cancer  and daughter Halo Marie, 6 months.

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No Hard Feelings, Gene Stupnitskys satisfyingly funny summer comedy, opens with a tow truck and a desperate woman.

The morning after a one-night stand with an Italian stranger, Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) wakes to find her car being impounded by the county. Hard times have fallen on the Montauk local, who supplements her bartending income by driving for Uber. She owes thousands in property taxes, and it doesnt help that her ex, Gary (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), whom she ghosted after three months of dating, is the one seizing her vehicle. His bitterness about their lack of closure means he definitely wont do her a solid.

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Its under these terrible circumstances that Maddie finds a peculiar Craigslist advertisement. A rich couple (played by Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick), desperate for their son (Andrew Barth Feldman) to gain confidence before college, is looking for someone to casually date him. Love, lust and sexual experimentation will loosen up their anxious teen and catapult him into adulthood, they hope. Oh, and they will give the familys old Buick to whoever gets the job done.

This premise instigates the action in No Hard Feelings. The film, directed and co-written by Stupnitsky (Good Boys), is modeled after the raunchy comedies of the early aughts  the kind of mid-budget studio flicks that end up buried in the algorithmic madness of a streaming service these days. This airy and refreshingly low-stakes comedy will have you steadily chuckling, if not necessarily rolling on the floor laughing. But it also has a surprising amount of heart.

Lawrence is a big part of the reason No Hard Feelings works. Shes sharp and sassy as the hyper-independent, emotionally avoidant lover with a short fuse. Its fun to watch the actress embrace her sillier register, but her dramatic skills are a boon, too, lending depth to a character that could be one-note and making it easier to believe the more emotional turns the film takes later.

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After responding to the Craigslist ad, Maddie (still without a car) rollerblades to the home of the Beckers. That whole sequence, from Maddie struggling to skate up their hill to her interview with the parents, bursts with a wry, awkward humor that may remind viewers that Stupnitsky sharpened his skills as a writer on The Office.

Maddie manages to convince Allison (Benanti) and Laird (Broderick) that, although shes older than the requested age (early-to-mid 20s), shes the right person to help their son Percy (Feldman) out of his shell. As these things go, Maddie must keep the exchange with the parents a secret and stage a meet-cute with Percy. Their first encounter is, conveniently, at the animal shelter where Percy works during the summer. Hes not a local like Maddie; hes a summer person, a phrase Maddie scornfully uses to refer to the vacationers driving up the cost of living.

Maddie comes on strong and Percy, who prefers to be alone, rejects her initial advances. Feldmans chronically uncomfortable teen plays well against Lawrences energizer bunny-esque adult. The two represent a generational divide between Gen Z and elder millennials, a contrast that provides the substance for many of the films jokes. Maddie doesnt understand why Percy doesnt drink or know how to drive, or why he isnt constantly horny. Whats wrong with your generation? reactions become something of a refrain, which starts to feel tired by the end of the film. Percy, on the other hand, finds himself simultaneously attracted to and afraid of Maddie, who he, on more than one occasion, suggests embodies the Hall & Oates song Maneater.

Theres more to each of these characters than meets the eye. Stupnitsky dials down the intensity of the first act  with its sharp comedic timing and energetic slapstick  to make way for sweeter moments with Maddie and Percy. On a series of dates, the two realize that they have more in common than they initially thought. Maddie shares the reasons she never left Montauk with Percy, while Percy grows more confident, finding small moments to act on his bolder impulses.

In its commitment to a particular kind of sentimentalism, No Hard Feelings doesnt fully lean into the raunchiness some might expect from its trailer or early buzz. It also doesnt become a Licorice Pizza kind of story  Maddie is clear on her end goal and Percys awkwardness cant be overcome so easily. From its early moments, the film suggests that the bond between these two lonely souls is based on the strength of their friendship. The films shift into a more emotional gear isnt seamless  the narrative takes some clunky turns in order to keep itself moving  but it is ultimately endearing.

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The 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest kicked off its opening night celebration with a lineup of films showcasing silly grandmothers, a grieving flight attendant, an emotional focus group and Catholic nuns who apparently make the world go round.

Palm Springs International Film Society Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi called the 2023 iteration of the short film festival "nothing short of extraordinary" during Tuesday night's event. The festival received more than 6,000 submissions from 121 countries this year, he said, and a total of 299 films will be screened through 50 curated programs. ShortFest marked his first festival as chairman, having succeeded Harold Matzner, who announced his retirement in April after two decades in the position.

To kick off the annual celebration, the opening night program included "Help Me Understand," "Nai Nai & Wai Po" (Grandma & Grandma), "Parker," "The Old Young Crow," "AirHostess-737" and "Sisters of the Rotation." Filmmakers from all six shorts were in attendance at the Cultural Center, and participated in a Q&A following the screening where they shared the inspiration for their films and how they made movie magic happen with short runtimes.

Here's what filmmakers had to say about their short films during opening night.

Palm Springs International Film Festival and Film Awards Chairman Nachhattar Chandi, center, and his family members, David Chandi, Angelie Chandi, Susana Chandi, Aman Chandi and Gurvinder Chandi attend opening night of the 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

'Sisters of the Rotation' by Gaby and Michel Zarazir

Lebanese brothers Gaby and Michel Zarazir teamed up to direct and write a short film based on religion and which one reigns supreme. At the Sisters of the Rotation convent, set in a snowy landscape, the Earth doesnt spin by itself, and a group of Catholic nuns are tasked with literally keeping this planet turning. Sister Zeina (Zeina Sfeir) struggles with hearing the Lord's words, but an incident with an Orthodox bishop opens her eyes to what else is out there.

Michel Zarazir said they "don't have any idea how we got this idea" for the short film, but they suspect it has to do with the importance of religion in their native country.

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"Because we are living in this part of the world in the Middle East in Lebanon, religion is present in our daily life," he said. "We have maybe 18 religions in Lebanon, and every religion thinks it's moving the world forward, but in fact, they are moving the world in a circle."

Ultimately, the short film is about coexistence, not only with religion, but "between any community, any two countries, any two entities, genders, anything," he added.

'Nai Nai & Wai Po' by Sean Wang

If you thought your grandmothers were hilarious, just wait until you see the hijinks Sean Wang's get up to. In "Nai Nai & Wai Po," he showcases his maternal and paternal grandmothers who live together, share the same bed, dance like no one's watching and make fun of each other daily. Featuring both documentary and narrative elements, the film manages to find a balance between silly moments and moving, introspective views on death and love of one's family.

Wang, who wore director, editor and producer hats on the project, called the film a "love letter to my grandmas." It was filmed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when he was living with them.

Filmmakers Sean Wang, left, and Sam Davis attend opening night of the 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

"It was really organic," he said of the filming process. "It was one of those, it sounds cliche, but 'follow the feeling' type of movies."

The most exciting aspect for cinematographer Sam Davis was making a film about old age and reflecting on life while still having a "really vibrant, youthful spirit" throughout the process.

"They're in their 80s and 90s, but they still have their inner children," Davis said.

'Parker' by Catherine Hoffman and Sharon Liese

In "Parker," three generations of a Kansas City family can finally unify when they do something that countless African Americans before them could not do: choose their own last name.

Adolphus Parker's child and grandchildren had the last name "Harris" because, at the time of his son's birth, his wife was still legally married to her first husband. But after more than 30 years, the family decides it's time to reclaim their name.

Co-director Sharon Liese met Adolphus Parker more than 20 years ago, and he has been her house painter ever since. He always had "lots of stories to tell me," she said, and she always knew that one day she wanted to tell one of them. When she found out about the name change journey and how multiple generations would be participating, it was something she had to capture.

"It's got Black joy and reclamation and lots of things you can try to pack in 13 minutes," Liese said.

The Parker family saw the film at the Sundance Film Festival, and she said Adolphus Parker was very emotional watching it.

"It meant so much to him. They didn't know that their story meant anything," Liese said. "When we film people, they say, 'Why do you want to do that? I have no story to tell.' And then when they see the response, it's amazing."

Myhraliza Aala, writer and producer of "Oh Myh Dating Hell," attends the 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest opening night at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

'Help Me Understand' by Aemilia Scott

In "Help Me Understand" (which director Aemilia Scott revealed had the working title "Six Angry Women" as an homage to "12 Angry Men"), six women are selected to participate in a focus group to select a detergent brand's next scent. Five of them believe scent A is the best one, but one participant can't budge from scent B. While the other women believe scent B "smells like feet" or a "public restroom floor by the beach," the lone participant has a very moving and heartbreaking reason for choosing that fragrance. The short film stars Ken Marino ("The Other Two"), Rachael Harris ("The Hangover"), Kate Flannery ("The Office"), Dana Powell ("Bridesmaids"), Dierdre Friel ("New Amsterdam"), Nicole Michelle Haskins ("Chasing Normality)" and Kali Raquel ("Good").

Scott films focus groups when she's not making films, she explained, and had an idea for one of them to go awry in her short. She specifically wanted it to be about a smell "because in a film you can't smell the things, you have to trust the characters."

Scott also managed to tie in an emotional, personal component of her life  grieving from a miscarriage  into the comedic short.

"I had been trying to have children and had a miscarriage before this happened. When something like that happens, what you see is all of the women in your life who had miscarriages that you didn't know come out and tell you, and what you learn is that that's a thing that no one talks about because there's so much shame and sadness and isolation," Scott said. "I knew I wanted to tell that story, and I didn't know these two pieces would fit together in this way."

'The Old Young Crow' by Liam LoPinto

In Liam LoPinto's half-animated, half-realist film, he follows an artistic and imaginative Iranian boy who befriends an old Japanese woman at a graveyard in Tokyo.

The director said the idea for the story started when he found himself sketching in a graveyard in Tokyo, similar to what his main character does. He "forgot" about the project, but when he went to a retrospective series dedicated to Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami and met one of his translators, the two found interest in the short film. They worked on it together, but LoPinto admitted "I never finished editing or animating it" afterward. It wasn't until he was going through a personal crisis that pushed him to get it over the finish line.

Palm Springs International ShortFest Artistic Director Lili Rodriguez speaks on opening night of the 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

The short film was also a family affair, because his grandfather recorded the narration.

'AirHostess-737' by Thanasis Neofotistos

In "AirHostess-737," flight attendant Vanina (Lena Papaligoura) is visibly agitated. She blames her new braces, which she obsessively talks about to all her colleagues, but they know the plane is carrying her mothers dead body to her hometown, which she doesn't want to confront.

Producer Dimitris Tsakaleas said the short is a very personal story for director Thanasis Neofotistos, who conceived the film in a dream. As Vanina's character finds a way to reconnect and forgive her mother for her mistakes, Thanasis was able to go through a similar journey during filming.

The festival continues through June 26 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The schedule of daily screenings and ticket information can be found at www.psfilmfest.org/shortfest-2023.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs ShortFest: Opening night filmmakers share inspirations
MAURITANIA

On Fridays (June 16) episode of REVOLT Black News Weekly, global news anchor Mara S. Campo tackled a myriad of topics including an update on the case of Ajike AJ Owens, the indictment of Daniel Penny, reported slavery in the African nation of Mauritania, disparities in majority Black schools, and more.

Owens was laid to rest in Ocala, FL 10 days after her death. The mother of four was shot and killed by her neighbor, a 58-year-old white woman named Susan Louise Lorincz that many in the neighborhood called a Karen. On the evening of June 2, Lorincz got into an altercation with Owens children, allegedly becoming violent and taking one of their iPads way. When Owens knocked on Lorinczs home, the white woman shot through the closed door, striking and killing the mother. It took the police four days to arrest Lorincz due to her self-defense claim and Floridas Stand Your Ground laws.

We know this is a racist law, said activist Takema Robinson. We know it is applied in a racist way and disproportionately applied when there is a Black victim, and so, we really want the community behind us as we also call for change around Stand Your Ground.

Appearing in court with a bulletproof vest, Lorincz pleaded not guilty to a first-degree felony charge of manslaughter with a firearm as well as culpable negligence, battery and assault. A judge granted her a $154,000 bond.

The GoFundMe set up for Owens children offers a glimpse into the racial disparities still gripping the nation. Created to help Owens kids, over $300,000 has been raised. However, the donations for the legal defense fund of Daniel Penny, who killed a Black man, Jordan Neely, with a chokehold on a New York City train on May 1, is at almost $3 million. Penny was not immediately arrested and turned himself in after two weeks of public outrage and protest. A grand jury indicted him for second-degree murder.

I knew I had to act, and I acted in a way that would protect the other passengers, protect myself and protect Mr. Neely, said Penny in a previous interview. Some people said that this is about race, which is absolutely ridiculous. I didnt see a Black man threatening passengers; I saw a man threatening passengers.

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Moreover, Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day the last American slaves were made aware of their freedom, which was a full two years after President Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation. But while were celebrating over 160 years of freedom, the African country of Mauritania was the last to ban slavery in the world. Mauritania is in Northwest Africa, and slavery has been part of its culture for centuries, per an Equal Times-produced documentary. Like chattel slavery in the U.S., if you were born to an enslaved person, you were also a slave.

Working day and night, tending to domestic duties, the women were often raped with their children becoming another generation of enslaved people. Mauritania abolished slavery in 1981, but there were no legal repercussions, so the practice continued until 2007 when it was criminalized, but only after international pressure. However, only three enslavers were sentenced to jail time through 2018.

The law is there, it just has not been enforced by the government because of the lack of political will to enforce the law, said U.S.-based Mauritanian activist Abdoulaye Sow. In my mind, the reason for that is the people in charge in Mauritania are the ones who are protecting the slave masters. However, the government continues to deny any slavery. Nevertheless, in 2018 the Global Slavery Index estimated the number of enslaved Mauritanians at 90,000, and placed the country third behind North Korea and Eritrea on the list of countries with the highest prevalence of slaves. Mauritania abolitionists, like SOS Slaves, continue working to change things despite the circumstances.

More topics REVOLT Black News Weekly covered included the trend of Black children being left behind in school (which led to debates over school choice); the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi; and an interview with rapper and actor Abraham DaVinchi Juste of Starz series BMF, who discussed his success and struggles with mental health with correspondent Kennedy Rue.

Be sure to watch new episodes of REVOLT Black News Weekly every Friday at 5 p.m. ET via REVOLTs app. Plus, catch a quick clip from Fridays installment below.

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All about the money, honey! The Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Pippen has lived lavishly for years. Not only did she marry into NBA royalty after she wed now ex-husband Scottie Pippen in 1997, but she became a reality star years later and has been friends with A-listers. Larsa isnt shy to flaunt her fabulous life to her fans and online followers, leading them to question what her finances are like. Keep reading to find out her net worth!

What Is Larsa Pippens Net Worth?

The reality star has an estimated net worth of $10 million in 2023, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

How Does Larsa Pippen Make Money?

The Chicago, Illinois was a founding member of The Real Housewives of Miami during the season 1 premiere in 2011, but did not return for the following season. Larsa returned to the Bravo show during season 4 in 2021 and is still a main cast member as of publication.

larsa pippen net worth

It is unknown what her cast salary is, but the influencer hasnt shied away from sharing her NSFW main source of income.

During season 5 of RHOM, Larsa revealed she has an OnlyFans account, a subscription-based online platform where creators can post X-rated content. She later told Andy Cohen that she once made $200,000 from one person in a two-week span during a 2022 appearance on Watch What Happens Live. During the conversation, Larsa made it clear she doesnt post nudes, however, her OnlyFans account is filled with bikini, lingerie and feet photos.

When Did Larsa Pippen and Scottie Pippen Get Divorced?

Larsa and the Chicago Bulls legend split in 2016 after nearly 20 years of marriage, but quickly reconciled before officially parting ways in 2018. Us Weekly confirmed their divorce was finalized three years later.

I can confirm that Scottie and Larsa Pippen are now divorced, and that the divorce was finalized on December 15, 2021, attorney David J. Glass told the outlet in a January 2022 statement. All issues were resolved amicably. The parties are now focusing successfully coparenting their remaining minor children.

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In Touch later obtained court documents stating that Larsa was awarded half of the marital assets under balances titled The Plan, which was community property of their estate. Furthermore, Larsa is listed as an alternate payee in the trust, receiving half of the account as valued at the time of separation.

The document was ordered by Judge David Fields on June 16, 2023.

Following their divorce, Larsa is now dating Michael Jordans son, Marcus Jordan.
Sen. Louise Lucas defeated Sen. Lionell Spruill in Hampton Roads most fiercely contested primary Tuesday, securing the Democratic nomination in the race to represent District 18 in the Virginia Senate.

Lucas, who celebrated with a crowd of supporters at the Bide-A-Wee Pavilion in Portsmouth, entered the center dancing in a sparking blue dress.

You will never regret sending me back for another four years, she said, as the crowd cheered.

The Associated Press called the race at 8:43 p.m. Tuesday. Lucas had 9,464 votes, or 53% of the vote, compared to Spruills 8,370 votes with 96% of the votes counted.

Although the race was expected to be close, Lucas said she wasnt nervous and has been having fun throughout her campaign.

I just thank (my voters) for continuing to send me back time and time again, and I promise that I will continue to deliver for them, she said.

Linwood Williams, who volunteered for her campaign, was among those celebrating at the pavilion.

We are so excited, he said. Weve been out in the community, doing what we could do. She deserves to be back in office.

The race was the regions only incumbent vs. incumbent primary, after other lawmakers chose to retire or even move to other districts to avoid similar matchups.

The recently redrawn 18th District encompasses parts of Portsmouth and Chesapeake.

With two longtime legislators facing off, the race quickly became one of the most watched  and one of the most expensive  in the state. Lucas and Spruill had raised roughly $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, as of June 8, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

In the Democratic leaning district, Lucas will now face off against Republican candidate Tony Goodwin in the November General Election.

Lucas, 79, was first elected to the state Senate in 1992. Many longtime legislators opted not to seek reelection this year after redistricting placed some incumbents of the same party within the same boundary lines.

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Lucas, however, previously said she couldnt pass over the opportunity to lead the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, a powerful panel that spearheads the states budget negotiations. If reelected in November, Lucas would become the most senior committee member and take on the role of chair, which she said will be advantageous for Hampton Roads.

Lucas said shes looking forward to her new role on the committee.

I think a lot of people (in Hampton Roads) will be happy because theyll feel that Im looking out for their interest, she said.

About 100 people attended her election night party at the pavilion.

About 12 miles away in Chesapeake, Spruill gathered with about 100 of his supporters at the Greenbrier Country Club.

Someone had to win and someone had to lose, Spruill said.

The defeat marks the end of Spruills time in public office. He said Tuesday night he has no plans to run for office again, but he said he hopes to continue to support Democrats. He said Democrats need to take control of the House and Senate, and thats our job now.

Throughout her campaign, Lucas played up her image as a fighter who isnt afraid to push back against Republicans.

She vowed to fiercely defend reproductive rights and push for a constitutional amendment to protect abortion access. She identified focusing on schools and expanding opportunities for career technical education as other top priorities.

Spruill, 76, was first elected to the state Senate in 2016. He began his political career in 1988 when he was elected to the Chesapeake City Council. He later served in the House of Delegates from 1994 to 2016.

He said Tuesday night he attempted to call Lucas twice to congratulate her but she did not answer.

I feel like I let you down, Spruill said to his supporters, though this was met with nos and words of encouragement.

Like Lucas, Spruill previously said he never considered stepping aside. He explained the new district includes many of his current constituents or residents he represented during his time on the Chesapeake City Council. The new district includes about 71,000 voters from Spruills old district and 61,000 from Lucas former district, according to VPAP.

During his campaign, Spruill identified lowering taxes and protecting voting rights as some of his top priorities. The senator has been meeting with Gov. Glenn Youngkin in recent months to try and negotiate some changes to the governors new voting rights restoration policy, which has slowed down the restoration process.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com,

Kelsey Kendall, kelsey.kendall@virginiamedia.com
Images via Getty: Ocean Gate/Handout/Anadolu Agency, Shareif Ziyadat, and Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto

Brian Szasz, the stepson of British billionaire Hamish Harding, took time to respond to Cardi B for criticizing his attendance at a Blink-182 concert while his stepdad was lost at sea.

He also, as pointed out by TMZ, responded to a thirst trap that was posted by an OnlyFans model.

What a pos trashy celeb, Szasz wrote of Cardi. Cardi B trying to get clout off me and my families [sic] suffering. I went to a Blink 182 concert for coping rather than sitting at home and watching the news. Shame on you Cardi get some class!

He continued in another tweet, Cardi B we know all of your latest releases are trash but is your career this desperate for attention now??

To make matters worse, Szasz also quote-tweeted a thirst trap from an OnlyFans model, who shared a photo alongside the question, "Can I sit on u?"

In his response, which perhaps indicates he's forgotten his stepfather is currently lost at sea in a tin can, he wrote, "Yes please!"

Szasz faced criticism for sharing a post on Facebook about attending the Blink-182 concert in San Diego amid the search for his missing stepfather and four others.

"It might be distasteful being here but my family would want me to be at the Blink-182 show as it's my favorite band and music helps me in difficult times," he wrote on Facebook. Meanwhile, on Twitter, he made sure the members of the band were aware of who he was and that he was in attendance. Talk about priorities.

"Ay so one of the billionaires that's missing underwater, on the submarine shit... One of the billionaires, they stepson is at a concert, right, a Blink-182 concert" Cardi B said in her criticism of Szasz. "People was like, 'Uh what is he supposed to do, be sad at the house? Is he supposed to go look for him himself?' Yes. You supposed to be at the house sad. You supposed to be crying for me, you supposed to be right next to the phone waiting to hear any updates about me."

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The search for the OceanGate Expeditions submersible craft, which went missing less than two hours into its journey to the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday, June 17, is ongoing as of Wednesday.

The most recent update on efforts to locate the submarine indicated that underwater "banging" sounds were detected by an aircraft involved in the search and rescue operation. Szasz clearly has other banging on the brain, though.

More on this
Trevor Noah previously hosted "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central from 2015 to 2022. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)

Trevor Noah has had his own television series, has been in movies, done live shows and written books.

Now, the former "Daily Show" host is getting his own podcast on Spotify.

The podcast, which will begin streaming on the app later this year, will release episodes weekly and feature conversations between Noah and "some of the most influential and interesting figures around the world," Spotify said in a statement. Noah and the platform's executives announced the deal on Tuesday in France at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Read more: Podcasting giant Spotify cuts 200 more jobs amid industry struggles

"We are excited to collaborate with Trevor to create an original podcast that seamlessly combines his unique humor, insightful commentary, and consummate interview skills on a global scale," said Spotify's podcasting lead, Julie McNamara, in the statement.

The announcement arrives just a couple of weeks after Spotify laid of 200 employees, roughly 2% of its staff. Most of the layoffs were in the podcasting division, which is undergoing restructuring. In January, the Swedish-based tech giant trimmed its staff by 6%, or roughly 600 people.

The company, which said it commands a podcast audience of more than 100 million monthly listeners, heavily invested in podcasting over the years, buying several production companies, such as Gimlet and Parcast, but the cuts have come at a time when tech companies are attempting to boost profits in an uncertain economic environment.

Read more: Inside Trevor Noahs tearful goodbye to 'The Daily Show'

"We're launching a new podcast, and its going to be global, which means if you are in the world ... you can listen to this podcast," Noah said in a video posted to Spotify's TikTok account on Tuesday. "If you're in space, I believe they have internet there too, they just got Wi-Fi, you can also listen to the podcast."

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"Add me to your playlist," Noah said, "I don't sing though  unless you want me to."

During their appearance at the creative and marketing festival in Cannes, Noah and Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek said they would be "navigating different mediums" and leveraging "new technologies" to connect with audiences, according to the statement. Spotify did not, however, elaborate on what specific mediums or tech they were referring to.

Read more: Leslie Jones has fans wanting more, 'killing it' as she guest-hosts 'The Daily Show'

Noah's podcast gig gets underway about six months after Noah aired his final episode on the Comedy Central late-night show "The Daily Show," which he began hosting in 2015, replacing Jon Stewart. The satirical political talk show is still searching for a permanent replacement for Noah. Since his departure in December, the show has rotated among a range of temporary hosts  including Al Franken, Wanda Sykes, Leslie Jones, Hasan Minhaj, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, John Leguizamo, Marlon Wayans, Kal Penn and D.L. Hughley.

Noah has remained busy, booking a stand-up comedy tour and, in February, hosting the 2023 Grammys. In the lead-up to his departure, Noah went on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and teased that, after his longtime Comedy Central gig, he would do a bit of "everything."

Producing, you know? Like just working behind the camera, working on different ideas," Noah told Fallon. "Going back home, spending more time with family in South Africa. Everything is what Im going to be doing.

Times staff writer Wendy Lee contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Trevor Powers Announces New Album Mulberry Violence and Tour Dates

In 2016, Trevor Powers announced the end of Youth Lagoon: There is nothing left to say through Youth Lagoon. It will exist no more. He continued to make music under his given name, taking on an experimental approach for his self-releases, no longer restricted by trying to fit the projects electronic pop-slanted sound. After nearly seven years, Powers made an unexpected move: he brought the project back.

When I had killed it off, I felt so limited by that name because it had drawn me into an identity that I no longer related to. Because of that, the only way I felt [I could] find out where all these new parts of my brain [were going] and how far I can stretch things was to burn that whole thing to the ground, Powers says over the phone to SPIN from his Idaho home.

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A traumatic medical experience led him back to the project.

In October 2021, Powers had a severe drug reaction to over-the-counter medication that affected his larynx and vocal cords. He spent eight months unable to speak, much less sing. I would say the first six months were petrifying because I had no way of telling where it was pulling me and where it would end, he says.

Powers sought the opinion of numerous doctors, with none being able to help, and he relied on retaining an optimistic outlook to move forward. Though he was barely able to speak, Powers would force himself to try to sing while playing the piano. I had these moments where I could sing a little bit and I would sing a couple of words or lines, and that gave me this whole [mentality] of If I can put my mind into this space, he notes, with his thoughts trailing off.

The true form of self-love is accepting these pieces of ourselves that weve discarded. I learned that in a therapy session. I had a really good counselor whos asking me all the right questions, he recalls. Powers realized he didnt have to separate his multiple sonic interests into different projects; they all equally represent him.

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Not in a lagoon (Credit: Tyler T Williams)

Heaven Is a Junkyard, out now on Fat Possum Records, sounds like a combination of all facets that Powers has shown in his career through Youth Lagoon. It has the electronic elements from Wondrous Bughouse, the more guitar-forward sound from Savage Hills Ballroom, and the minimalist ethereal touches from The Year of Hibernation. But he uses those previous iterations of Youth Lagoon to create something fresh. This version of Youth Lagoon is loud and confident, while still having delicate moments, with rich storytelling about the characters from his hometown and a stunning reflection of perseverance amid adversity.

Powers notes that while some songs tackle his medical experience, namely Trapeze Artist, its not the focus of the album. Instead, he drew inspiration from his time off at home, finding beauty in the mundanity of life in Boise.

Theres so much to pull from here that I had never paid attention to [before], he says. It was like the numbing potion had worn off and I had finally been able to look around me and see whats going on, how fascinating all of it really is. He enjoys taking walks around his hometown, and having conversations with his neighbors, noting that hes constantly writing shit down from those chats.

Throughout Heaven Is a Junkyard, Powers combines elements from his encounters in his hometown with his own memories. Theres Idaho Alien, which pulls from Powers conversation with a junkie neighbor while also shedding light into his own private moments of despair; Prizefighter, which was inspired by a VHS viewing of the 1989 film Drugstore Cowboy; Rabbit, a romanticization of the grittiness of the town, including the eponymous junkyard.

Co-producing with Rodaidh McDonald, who has worked with major names like Adele and The xx, Powers felt that the Scottish producer was the right person to push him for this record. He recalls that at times, hed head into the studio while not feeling that his voice was in the best condition, chugging alkaline water to try to put out these fires. McDonald would have Powers sing certain songs on particularly difficult vocal days. It helped the musician tremendously.

My experiences and what I was going through on an emotional level, on a fear-based level, all of this became so intertwined with the music that even though the album isnt about that experience, its so inseparable from what the album is because of that, because of these ways of, Okay. How do we take this situation that would be so easy to deem bad and make it something beautiful?' he says.

Powers had tackled the theme of death in his music before, but now, hes no longer afraid of his mortality. His painful experience gave him a new lease on life, learning to appreciate being still standing while grieving his past self.

I love life so much. And my fear of death is actually gone now because I feel like Ive had so many mini-deaths. Even the term mini death almost feels like an understatement because there were a lot of days where Im like, I might fucking die,' he shares. Having all these endoscopies and colonoscopies and ER visits and people trying to figure out whats going on, it takes you to this place where, for the first time, and for me, truly for the first time in my life, control did not exist, and all that was left was acceptance. But what I ended up finding was in the acceptance is the control, that is the truest way to face something head-on.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post Trevor Powers Announces New Album <i>Mulberry Violence</i> and Tour Dates appeared first on SPIN.
Drama schools worldwide were able to achieve a degree of stability in the past academic year as productions and classes largely went on as scheduled (though, in some cases, programs still felt lingering effects from COVID-19). Coming out of the pandemic, schools are pushing forward with a greater emphasis on diversity within the classes, faculty and coursework. Students are learning how to create the best self-taped auditions and coming out of school with jobs booked. The Hollywood Reporter consulted with educators and industry execs to determine its annual ranking of the best schools for an acting degree. Tuition, when applicable, is listed on an annualized basis and pertains to the upcoming academic year, unless otherwise indicated. Most schools offer some form of financial assistance.

1. The Juilliard School

New York City

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At Juilliard, undergrad and graduate students study together in a conservatory-style program that trains them to work within the industry and to stretch their generative muscles and create work for themselves, says Evan Yionoulis, dean and director of the drama program. In the past academic year, the program hired a new head of physical acting, Orlando Pabotoy, and commissioned films from alumni playwright fellows, including writer-actress Enid Graham, who wrote specifically for students, giving them on-set training in addition to classroom study. The schools many illustrious alumni include Jessica Chastain, Danielle Brooks, Oscar Isaac and Corey Hawkins, all of whom were on Broadway last season, in addition to their screen work. Undergrad and graduate tuition for the upcoming academic year is $53,300. The MFA program is four years long  while most are three  but the final year is tuition-free, with a stipend. About 93 percent of students qualify for financial aid.

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2. Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale remains tuition-free for the 15 to 17 acting grad students who are accepted yearly, thanks to the $150 million gift bestowed on the school by the business magnate in June 2021. Not surprisingly, theres been a big increase in applications since the endowment was made, says school dean James Bundy. The schools numerous notable acting alumni include Brian Tyree Henry, Meryl Streep, Frances McDormand and Angela Bassett.

3. University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The undergraduate program at UNC School of the Arts, which provides conservatory-level training across five disciplines, has recently made a number of new hires and added courses such as playwriting and micro-budget producing for film and television. Under the leadership of dean Scott Zigler, UNCSA School of Drama has updated its performance repertoire to include more underrepresented voices and is emphasizing student-generated work and devised theater. A number of recent students have booked jobs shortly after graduation, and alumni include Tony-winning actor-director Joe Mantello, Isaac Powell (American Horror Story) and Mary-Louise Parker. Undergraduate out-of-state tuition is $24,231.

4. Brown/Trinity Rep

Providence, Rhode Island

The Ivy League school accepts 12 students a year into its drama grad program, which is affiliated with the regional Trinity Repertory Company theater. Students can take part in a production and earn their Actors Equity card. The program was one of the first to offer free tuition, and it gives students health and dental insurance while theyre enrolled.

5. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

London

Behind the scenes of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts production of Sweeney Todd.

RADA, which produced the likes of recent Oscar nominee Andrea Riseborough and Succession star Matthew Macfadyen, will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2024 as the conservatory continues to push its curriculum forward with classes on topics such as emerging technologies under newly appointed principal Niamh Dowling. The school offers a three-year undergraduate program, which welcomes 28 acting students a year, as well as a one-year MA Theatre Lab. Undergraduate and graduate tuition is about $30,000 for international students.

6. Guildhall

London

Guildhall accepts 28 students annually to its three-year undergraduate acting program, which has produced notable alumni such as Ewan McGregor, Michaela Coel and Daniel Craig. Jonathan Vaughan was recently appointed principal of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, after having led the music department, and has continued guiding the school in its interdisciplinary approach to study. Tuition for international students is about $30,000.

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

Known for its strong undergraduate musical theater and acting program, Carnegie Mellon made several faculty changes in the past year, including hiring former University of Texas at Austin alum Robert Ramirez as the new head of the School of Drama, with a goal of creating a more equitable and inclusive learning environment, and Kaja Dunn in the newly created position of associate professor of anti-racist and culturally competent practice.

Undergraduate tuition is $62,260.

8. London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

London

Founded in 1861, LAMDA is the oldest drama school on the British Isles. It offers three-year undergrad degrees in acting, as well as two-year graduate degrees, and has produced noteworthy alumni including Brian Cox, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Cumberbatch (who now heads the schools board of trustees). Tuition for undergrad international applicants is about $30,000, same for the graduate program.

9. UC San Diego

San Diego

The MFA program at UCSD provides graduate students with three years of free tuition and fees, plus the opportunity to perform in productions at the prestigious La Jolla Playhouse and earn their Actors Equity card. The school, which recently unveiled a new outdoor amphitheater, is known for its collaborative learning environment and has produced actors such as Zoe Chao (Party Down) and even award-winning playwrights, including Pulitzer Prize nominee Zora Howard (Stew).

10. The Old Globe and USD

San Diego

The two-year MFA program accepts seven students each year; they receive full-tuition scholarships and a monthly stipend from the Old Globe Theatre, which is partnered with the school and offers students work in its productions. Led by actor, director and choreographer Jesse Perez, the program offers a curriculum focused on performance skills for classical theater and has recently added movement courses in fight stunt work, clowning and more.

11. New York University

New York City

NYU offers a well-known undergraduate drama program that counts Miles Teller, Rachel Brosnahan and Elizabeth Olsen as alumni and places about 1,400 students in select professional training studios before they continue on to advanced study. The three-year graduate acting program, which accepts 16 students annually, counts Broadway stars such as T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown), and Miriam Silverman (The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window) as faculty. Both programs benefited from the opening this year of the 735,000-square-foot John A. Paulson Center, which features three theaters, eight rehearsal and dance studios and state-of-the-art design shops. The estimated undergraduate tuition for the upcoming academic year is $66,388, while graduate tuition is $73,698.

12. UCLA

Los Angeles

UCLA students performed in a production of Pippin in May 2022.

Undergraduate actors have a choice between drama or musical theater programs at this school that benefits from its proximity to the industry. The schools graduate program is on pause and not accepting applications for the 2023-24 year as faculty continues to review and update the curriculum. In-state tuition for undergrads living on campus is $39,000 and a bit more than $71,000 for out-of-state.

13. USC

Los Angeles

The faculty at USCs School of Dramatic Arts, which offers graduate and undergrad degrees, are all working professionals and include Alexandra Billings (The Peripheral), Kate Burton (Inventing Anna) and a new addition, Finola Hughes (General Hospital). The curriculum is meant to provide a 360-degree education that offers a focus on entrepreneurship and emerging technologies. Tuition for the MFA programs is $53,592, but the USC School of Dramatic Arts covers 85 percent. Undergraduate tuition is $66,640, with two-thirds of the class receiving some form of financial aid.

14. National Institute of Dramatic Art

Kensington, Australia

Cate Blanchett, Sarah Snook and Murray Bartlett graduated from the three-year undergraduate acting program offered at Australias finest drama conservatory. Ninety-five percent of graduates are employed in the performance industry within six months of leaving, with more than half working in the screen sector, locally and internationally. The annual tuition is about $21,000.

15. University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan

The school is known for having one of the worlds top musical theater programs, with alumni including Emily in Paris star Ashley Park and 2023 Tony nominee Lorna Courtney, the lead of the new musical & Juliet. In the past academic year, tuition for out-of-state students in the department was about $28,000.

16. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

UNCs Center for Dramatic Art offers a strong MFA program that works closely with the professional PlayMakers Repertory Company. Six to eight actors are accepted to each class and receive tuition waivers and stipends. Kathryn Hunter-Williams, a longtime PlayMakers company member, recently took over as chair of the Department of Dramatic Art.

17. Columbia University

New York City

Known for its MFA acting degree, this program emphasizes a variety of acting techniques that prepare students for work in theater, television and film. It also promotes experience outside the classroom, which the school facilitates through its connections to the industry, including both faculty members and the broader Columbia network. Tuition for the MFA program was about $70,000 in the past academic year.

18. Baldwin Wallace University

Berea, Ohio

Victoria Bussert directed the Baldwin Wallace University music theater programs production of Once in February 2019.

Its strong undergrad music theater program, helmed by director Victoria Bussert, has seen almost all graduating seniors from the past 14 years sign with representation following the schools New York showcase. Tuition is in the neighborhood of $40,000.

19. Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, Georgia

SCAD offers the only in-house university casting office in the country, with plans to open a second casting office in fall 2023 at its Atlanta campus, overseen by Alpha Tyler, former head of casting for Tyler Perry Studios. In the past year, students have been landed in Ava DuVernays Caste, the Apple TV+ series Manhunt, Norman Lears Clean Slate and Clint Eastwoods Juror No. 2. Tuition for the undergraduate program is $40,000.

20. Northwestern University

Chicago

Broadway star KO (In the Heights, West Side Story), previously known as Karen Olivo, took over as head of Northwesterns music theater program in fall 2022 and has since been making changes to the curriculum to make it more inclusive for music directors, composers and more. Kathryn Hahn, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and 2023 Tony nominee Brian dArcy James are among the alumni. Undergraduate tuition is $64,887.

21. Penn State University

State College, Pennsylvania

This schools musical theater program accepts 12 to 14 undergrad students a year and focuses on training individuals, rather than a uniform group. We work really hard to recruit a diverse student body, says Rick Lombardo, director of the School of Theatre, which also includes an acting major and prestigious grad program. Tuition for out-of-state undergrads cost about $38,000 last year. Musical theater grads include Talia Suskauer (Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway) and Caroline Bowman (Elsa in the national tour of Frozen).

22. Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Universitys production of Sweet Charity in 2022

With strong musical theater and acting programs that have produced the likes of Aaron Sorkin and Taye Diggs, undergraduate students at Syracuse spend the first year developing fundamental skills and later have the opportunity to audition for co-productions with the professional Syracuse Stage company as well as participate in an industry-immersive semester in New York City. Tuition is about $61,000.

23. University of Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Kenneth Martin, formerly of the University of Missouri Kansas City, took over as the new head of the department of theater in August 2022 and also helms the affiliated Clarence Brown Theatre as its artistic director. The school offers a BA in theater and an MFA in acting, with the latter provided tuition-free (undergrad cost $31,664 for out-of-state students in 2022-23).

24. Southern Methodist University

Dallas

Every other year, the Meadows School of the Arts accepts eight grad students, who receive free tuition plus a $12,500 stipend, as well as access to a travel fund for research and acting opportunities with the Dallas Theater Center. The school also offers an undergraduate acting program, with tuition at $64,460 in 2023, and has plans to expand. In April, SMU received a $15 million grant from philanthropist G. Marlyne Sexton to create a musical theater program. SMU will start building the program this year, with the first incoming class projected for fall 2026.

25. SUNY Purchase

Purchase, New York

The New York state school welcomed its 50th class of acting and theater design/technology BFA students this fall after serving as a training ground for actors such as Stanley Tucci, Abbott Elementarys Chris Perfetti and Edie Falco and Oona Roche, who are now appearing together on the Peacock series Bupkis. Tuition for the BFA program was about $17,000 last year, but New York residents under a certain income threshold might be able to attend for free.

This story first appeared in the June 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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The national Whataburger chain is set to expand further into South Carolina with four restaurants for Spartanburg County, according to planning department documents and city officials.

Two will be in the city of Spartanburg, one in Boiling Springs and one in Duncan.

A location in Anderson has been previously reported.

The chain is not related to the Midlands-based What-A-Burger, which is locally owned.

Whataburger is based in San Antonio, Texas, with 930 restaurants in 14 states and sales of more than $3 billion annually, according to its website.

The chain is on an ambitious growth path, opening 15 or more locations a year recently, including in areas outside its southern roots. A store opened recently in Colorado..

The company started in 1950  as did the Midlands location  as a roadside burger stand by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dobson died in a crash of a private plane in 1967, and his wife Grace took over the company. By the time she died in 2005 at age 80, the company had grown to 600 stores.

The family sold its majority interest in the company in 2019 to Chicago-based investment firm BDT Capital, which after a 20-year hiatus, is pushing for franchise operators.

The company website says to become a franchisee, a person needs $1.2 million cash, a minimum net worth of $12.5 million and commit to opening at least five locations in five years.

In Spartanburg County, a site plan was approved for a Wataburger on W.O. Ezell Boulevard is a former Wagreens drug store in an area with lots of restaurants and stores. The other city location is on East Main, but has not yet been approved by the city. Another location is in fast-growing Boiling Springs, across from a Quick Trip on Highway 8.

The fourth location is in Duncan in a former Bank of America building.

Town Administrator Cameron Fant said the data for the town  population 4,200  is a bit misleading when thinking about a national chain locating in your downtown. The town is located a quarter mile from a busy interchange off Interstate 85.

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In recent years, the town has attracted a Culvers, Wayback, Arbys and a Biscuitville under construction is soon to open.

The Whataburger is likely to begin construction in a couple of months with completion nine months away.

Fant said his family sampled the fare on vacation in Florida earlier this year and came away with this pronouncement: Were very excited.
Algie Rembert traveled 8,000 miles to attend his high school reunion.

The journey from Nairobi, Kenya, was all to spend a Saturday night in a school gymnasium in Clearwater. Worth it, Rembert said.

For Rembert and the more than 300 former Pinellas High School students, teachers and families in the gymnasium, the reunion symbolized a reclaiming of their high school and its history.

The all-Black school closed in 1968, just one year after Remberts graduation, when desegregation efforts transferred all the students to schools with their white peers, leaving no students at Pinellas High.

We were on the very cusp of integration, so this school just means so much to us socially, academically, in every aspect, Rembert said.

Even after he moved across the world and the school ceased to exist, Rembert relied on lessons learned at Pinellas High to navigate life. From preparing him to enter the newly desegregated world to inspiring a love of humanitarianism that led him to work at an orphanage in Kenya, Pinellas Highs influence lasted long after its final bell rang.

In the 55 years since it closed, the Pinellas High building has been home to a series of schools. Most recently, Clearwater Intermediate occupied it.

When Pinellas High alumni heard Clearwater Intermediate planned to expand to high school grades, they lobbied the school board to rename the school Pinellas High Innovation in honor of their alma mater.

As the Pinellas High name returned home to the building at 1220 Palmetto St. in Clearwater, so did the students.

Alumni dressed in suits and gowns poured into their old gymnasium for the Pinellas High School Reunion Gala on Saturday  many choosing to don their alma maters colors of maroon and gold. While the former students kept in close touch and hosted gatherings after the schools closure, they had rarely been able to plan events on school property.

Its time that we stopped having to go outside of the parameters into places like hotels to come together when we got a facility right in the community that was once our home, said Isay Gulley, a 1965 graduate and the chairperson of the gala. We lost our alma mater when the integration took place and that was hurtful when the name went away.

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Gulley said she had hoped integration would bring more students and resources to the school but, instead, all of its existing resources were divided up and sent to other communities.

Only thing we were asking for during the integration process was equality and equity. We never said to get rid of our schools to bring about justice, Gulley said. We wanted the teachers to have better pay. We wanted to have new books and things like the other schools and stop getting passed down books with kids names already in them, pages torn out. But we didnt need to lose our school.

For many, like 1963 graduate Lola Rutledge, Saturday marked their first time in the building since graduating. Rutledge was voted Miss Pinellas High School as part of homecoming festivities in 1963  but Saturday felt like her true homecoming.

We never thought wed ever be able to come together in this building, Rutledge said. This school made us feel like we had something, like we were important.

Throughout the night, alumni lamented the loss of the school marching band  a major point of pride and a cornerstone of Pinellas Highs identity. Over and over again they told the story of the time the band, normally one of the final acts, got moved to the front of a Clearwater parade. After the Marching Panthers passed, the story goes, nearly everyone went home.

Speeches made during the gala recognized former students, teachers and staff for their contribution to the schools history. Alumni lit candles in honor of the members of the Pinellas High family who died before seeing the building renamed.

A speech by 1967 graduate Joyce Russell celebrated Pinellas Highs history and highlighted prominent alumni, such as Tony-nominated choreographer Donald Byrd and Judge Joseph Hatchett, the first Black Florida Supreme Court justice. A federal courthouse in Tallahassee is being named after Hatchett on June 30.

Pinellas High Innovation Principal Ryan Green supported the renaming effort. He changed the marquee outside the school Saturday to read Welcome Home Pinellas High Families.

Green explained during a speech what the transition from Clearwater Intermediate to Pinellas High Innovation will entail. Over the next two years, it will add 11th and 12th grades, graduating its first class of seniors in 2026. The school will undergo renovations to accommodate more students, but Green said Pinellas High staples such as maroon and gold decor and the black panther mascot will remain.

What once was is now again, Green said.

After the speeches, chatter filled the room as guests sat at round tables covered in maroon cloths and dug into their dinners. A table to the right of the stage boasted a sign reading The Pioneers.

At the table sat Annette Faison, Kellis Glenn, Tommye Green and E.M. Montana  some of the first people to graduate inside the building. Pinellas High relocated to Palmetto Street in 1954 and graduated its first class of 35 students in 1955.

Faison, a 1956 graduate, said she came to celebrate the name change because she wants her grandchildren to understand what it means when she tells them she graduated from Pinellas High.

Glenn, a 1955 graduate, said she loved the school so much she walked through thunderstorms to get to class, never missing a day. She said the Pinellas High teachers taught valuable life lessons she still thinks of daily.

For instance, every time Glenn puts a card in the mail she thinks of English teacher Mrs. Jackson telling students they would not graduate if they put their graduation invitation in the envelope the wrong way.

We had beautiful, wonderful teachers here at this school, Glenn said. They just loved us.

Former Pinellas High teachers attended the gala, many having kept in touch with their students. Arlington Nunn, who taught business education at the school from 1961 until it closed, remembered parents knowing he was on a low salary as a young Black teacher and inviting him over for dinner.

At Pinellas High, we looked after each other, Nunn said.

Pinellas High alumni will continue to look after the students walking the halls of their alma mater by funding a Pinellas High School Alumni Clothes Closet, creating a Pinellas High historical display in the media center and mentoring students.

As alumni flocked from around the world just to dance one more Saturday night away in their high school gym, Rembert reflected on how judges and choreographers, car dealers and consultants, teachers and social workers could all call the same little Clearwater high school home  regardless of whether they lived down the street or, like him, 8,000 miles away.

Its like the school song says: Dear old Pinellas High School, you are the world to me, Rembert said. This is a microcosm of the greater world. From here, we all branched out and many of us made major achievements. This was the impetus, the driving force, for so many of us to go forth into the world and make our marks and do it with a great sense of humanitarianism.
A portion of a Florida county has been placed under quarantine as state officials work to get rid of the giant African land snail (GALS), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) said Tuesday.

The quarantine comes weeks after state officials found the snail in the Miramar area of Broward County, Florida, according to FDACS.

Giant African land snails are considered detrimental to agriculture, the FDACS said.

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The snail is known to eat at least 500 different plant species that are deemed economically important, including, "breadfruit, cassava, cocoa, papaya, peanut, rubber, most varieties of beans, peas, cucumbers, melons and plants of horticultural, cultural and medicinal value," according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

PHOTO: Mary Yong Cong, a Florida Dept. of Agriculture scientist, holds a Giant African Snail in her Miami lab on July 17, 2015. (Kerry Sheridan/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Under the quarantine rule, it is illegal for people to move the giant African land snail from the impacted area without an agreement in place, the FDACS said.

People are also not allowed to remove affected plants, soil, yard waste, debris, compost, or building materials from the quarantine area, according to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' rules.

PHOTO: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) shared a map indicating the Giant African Land Snail Program Quarantine Area. (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS))

State officials will use the pesticide metaldehyde to treat the area, as it's approved to be used in a selection of vegetables, crops, fruits and some plants in residential areas, the FDACS said.

People living in the designated treatment area will be notified by state officials at least one day in advance before the pesticide treatment takes place, officials said.

"Metaldehyde works by disrupting the mucus production ability of snails and slugs," the FDACS said on its website. "This reduces their digestion and mobility, and makes them susceptible to dehydration. Snails and slugs that have eaten metaldehyde often seek hiding places, become inactive and begin to die within days."

GALS were first introduced into Miami in 1966 and by 1973, over 18,000 snails, alongside their eggs, were discovered and destroyed, according to the USDA.

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The snails were declared eradicated twice in Florida, first in 1975 after being spotted in 1969, and a second time in 2021, after being seen in Miami-Dade County in 2011, according to state officials.

The giant African land snail isn't the only pest harmful to agriculture.

Scientists and various state agriculture departments urged people who came across the spotted lanternfly last year to squish it because of its harmful effect on agriculture.

MORE: What to know about the spotted lanternfly, the insect experts say to squish

The spotted lanternfly originated in Asia, but was first found in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014, and soon after in other states in the Northeast, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services didn't immediately respond to ABC News' request on how many miles of the area was placed under quarantine and how long it would last.

Giant African land snail spotted in Florida, section of county under quarantine: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Khadija Horton/Getty

Were not going to lie and say that abortion access in America is in great shape. But we can tell you not to despair. Thanks to the hard work of activists and community organizers who have been agitating tirelessly throughout the past year, weve seen reproductive justice victories both big and small across our country.

Hearst Owned

Six statesIndiana, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wyominghave blocked would-be abortion bans. Michigan, Minnesota, and several other states have enacted stronger abortion protections at the state level. Even in the 14 states where the procedure is now completely prohibited, abortion advocates havent given upand theyre seeing more people join the effort than ever before.

So to mark the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision on Dobbs, were checking in with some of the same defenders of reproductive justice we spoke to last year for the Its Not Over project. Here, a look at their biggest takeaways from this past year to help carry the fight forward.

#1: This isnt just about abortion.

There are so many nuances to reproductive justice that are rooted in social inequities and oppression. Abortion access does not exist in a vacuumthe decision to become a parent depends on our mental, physical, and socioeconomic well-being, and we must be ready, willing, and steadfast to keep fighting on all these fronts.

Kennedy Moore (she/they); manager of digital and youth organizing at Abortion Action Missouri (formerly known as Pro-Choice Missouri); Saint Louis, Missouri

Hearst Owned

The reproductive justice movement requires equity and intersectionality. We need to listen to the most marginalized among us. Indigenous people, people of color, and transgender people have always fought for reproductive justice. Yet white middle- to upper-class women have held the spotlight. The fact is, white women will never be able to truly understand the needs of marginalized communitiesand for justice to be made, their voices need to be at the center.

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Toni Miller (she/her); cofounder of the Justice Through Empowerment Network (JEN), an abortion fund and practical support network; Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Hearst Owned

A post-Roe society on the back end of COVID-19 has exacerbated the daily needs of Black women, pregnant-capable people, and our families around issues like housing, food, safe neighborhoods, and sustainable compensation. For Black women, girls, and pregnant-capable people, this moment is about so much more than abortion access. It always was and it always will be.

Cherrisse Scott (she/her); CEO and founder of SisterReach; Memphis, Tennessee

Hearst Owned

The reproductive justice movement requires expansiveness. Reproductive justice is the framework, but the desire or ability for reproduction is not required. In order to have safe and sustainable environments, we need solidarity and cross-pollination with all movements of care and liberation. Reproductive justice requires gender-affirming care, clean air, abolition, communities free from violence, and financial resources.

Aye Johnson (they/homie); blueprint manager for Apiary for Practical Support; Richmond, Virginia

Hearst Owned

The reproductive justice movement requires all of us. The increased attacks on trans communities is directly tied to the attacks on abortion rights. This was especially clear in the discriminatory legislative bill 574 in Nebraskas legislature that combined a gender-affirming care ban with a 10-week abortion ban. We all have a right to bodily autonomy, and being trans or pregnant doesnt change that. Our liberation is connective and collective.

Jo Giles (she/her); executive director, Womens Fund of Omaha; Omaha, Nebraska

Abby Silverman - Getty Images

#2: You need to be patient. This is gonna take a while.

Hearst Owned

I still remind people that although this might feel overwhelming, this is not the time to feel discouraged. This will be a long fight, and we need to remain stronger than ever. There are many tactics and opportunities for everyone to take meaningful action. Everything counts. From following your local organizations on social media to bringing your friends to community gatherings to contacting your representatives to either thank them for the work theyre doing or hold them accountable. Keep yourself informed, and always keep spreading the word that abortion is not a stigma, its health care.

Gabriela Fuentes (she/ella); advocacy manager, Planned Parenthood North Central States/Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa

Hearst Owned

If I didnt know it before, Ive learned that it takes time to see the fruits of our labor from all of this work. Patience is key, and the reproductive justice movement requires tenacity. Talking to so many of my mentors in the fight and hearing how some of their wildest dreams from five or more years ago are just coming true shows me why this is a lifelong battle for so many of us.

Kennedy Moore (she/they); manager of digital and youth organizing at Abortion Action Missouri (formerly known as Pro-Choice Missouri); Saint Louis, Missouri

Hearst Owned

Ive really focused on protecting my peace. This means knowing when to step up, step out, or step back. We also know that advocacy for bodily autonomy will continue to shift, so were focusing some of our organizational power in places where it will make the most impact and building more movement leaders and grassroots power for the work ahead.

Jo Giles (she/her); executive director, Womens Fund of Omaha; Omaha, Nebraska

#3: We cant always count on our leaders, but we can count on ourselves.

Hearst Owned

Anti-abortion activists are more focused on controlling people who are making reproductive health care decisions for themselves rather than focusing on improving conditions in the health care system itself. Their antics are not new, but without federal protections in place, we have become more vulnerable to their attacks and harm. Our path to reproductive freedom cannot rely on the opposition when we have each other. Across Ohio, we have come togetherwe are taking care of ourselves, expanding and implementing safety nets, and letting folks know they are not alone. We are here, and as long as we have each other, we will never be defeated in protecting abortion access.

Rhiannon Carnes (she/her); executive director of Ohio Womens Alliance; Pickerington, Ohio

Hearst Owned

We are still here and were still fighting. And we are NOT defeated. We know the community takes care of each other, and we are continuing to support our community in new and transformative ways. Instead of shrinking, we are growing and expanding the work we do so that we can build a sustainable organization and support people in the different parts of their reproductive lives. Currently, we are operating with 10 team members, our largest team yet.

Kamyon Conner (she/her); executive director at Texas Equal Access Fund; Denton, Texas

Hearst Owned

People will always leave folks out. With the overturning of Roe, a lot of folks shifted to assisting people who can go out of state. And so it was just kind of like, Okay, what about the people who arent going to go out of state? What are they going to do? What about undocumented people without licenses and all these other groups? That was disappointing. But Ive also realized that theres always a group of people who get it. They realize that we need this reproductive justice work here, even if were in a state without abortion access.

Jenice Fountain (she/her); executive director of the Yellowhammer Fund; Birmingham, Alabama, serving Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle

Hearst Owned

We know now, as weve always known, that our legislatures, the government, and policies arent designed for us. They arent designed to provide equitable care. In order to get the care that we deserve and need, its going to take collective community care. We dont ask people to tell us what they need help for. We trust our communities. Community care in the form of mutual aid is definitely something thats even more important now, especially as folks fall deeper within the gaps.

Krystal Redman, DrPH, MHA (they/she); executive director of Spark Reproductive Justice; Atlanta, Georgia

Hearst Owned

#4: There is power in rest.

Hearst Owned

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We deserve restit is our duty. I always want to show that I am human first and prioritize my own joy. I play rugby as an outlet physically, and having community is helpful too. I have had interns and volunteers check and monitor my social media to protect me from the worst trolls. I have gone on a lot of vacations. I celebrate the big wins hard, like joyfully crying with my old intern manager after the passage of the EACA, expanding abortion access to Medicaid recipients and state employees in Rhode Island. I dont ignore the terrible headlines, but I am grounded in the reality that more people care and are committed to abortion access and are funding that more than ever before.

Tiara Mack (she/her); state senator and board member of Womens Health and Education Fund (Rhode Islands only abortion fund); Providence, Rhode Island

Hearst Owned

I make sure to hold space for myself, my team, and our community. When Roe was overturned, our immediate call to action was to be in community with one another. We held a community discussion on what the impact meant to us in Ohio and for folks to share their feelings of anger, anxiousness, and sadness. You do not always have to be the one leading to be a valuable leader. There is power in rest and being still. It allows me to gain my strengthmentally, emotionally, physicallyfor the long fight ahead.

Rhiannon Carnes (she/her); executive director of Ohio Womens Alliance; Pickerington, Ohio

Hearst Owned

Protecting mental health is difficult when youre under attack, but I try my best to keep appointments with my therapist, travel when able, and just take time off to find my peace and joy.

Erin Smith (they/them); executive director of the Kentucky Health Justice; Louisville, Kentucky

#5: Anti-choicers are *not* the majority.

Hearst Owned

[Anti-choicers] overplayed their hand. We know that they attack abortion access to gain power and control. The antis let this small number take control of the movement, and their zealot-like behavior took the anti-abortion movement to its logical extremean extreme that the overwhelming number of people do not want. So now that they have shown everyone who they really are, we all believe them and are voting them out, taking back control, and shouting that we are pro-abortion from every bouncy tundra valley to glacial mountainside.

Rose OHara-Jolley (they/them); Alaska state director, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Anchorage, Alaska

Hearst Owned

Ive learned that our opposition is afraid of the voice of the people. Last year, KHJN [the Kentucky Health Justice Network] was part of a ballot measure campaign that defeated a constitutional amendment that would have denied abortions in the state constitution. The people answered and the measure was defeated. Despite the victory, Kentucky is still battling the courts for the ban to be lifted. The state attorney generalnow GOP gubernatorial candidate for 2024denied the voice of the people. This win shows that ballot measures do not work when used to try to restrict the rights and needs of the people.

Erin Smith (they/them); executive director of the Kentucky Health Justice Network; Louisville, Kentucky

Hearst Owned

The opposition, despite how strong they may seem, lacks the same level of joy and community that weve built with each other. Most of the attacks were seeing right now come from copied-and-pasted legislation written by right-wing think tanks, and that is no match for the work of true community building. When we organize effectively together, we have the power to defeat them. But it requires a true united front, which were still working to build.

Josie Pinto (she/they); cofounder and executive director of the Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire

Hearst Owned

Anti-abortion activists are extremely well funded and well organized, but they are the minority in this country. For most of American history, abortion was not an issue at the forefront of politics. When Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, the American right wing didnt really care about abortion, not even the evangelical Christians. The shift that led to abortion being a hot topic for the right actually had nothing to do with abortionit was sparked by desegregation. After the Supreme Court ordered schools in the South to desegregate, many white parents pulled their children from public schools and sent them to all-white private schools that eventually had their tax-exempt statuses revoked, which enraged evangelical Christians and helped to solidify their role as leaders on the political right. Because publicly opposing desegregation was no longer socially acceptable, the right needed to find a new tactic. Criticizing Roe v. Wade and pushing back against abortion rights became a way to talk about government overreach, states rights, and the need to protect the family without having to actively oppose civil rights or desegregation. The anti-abortion movement in America is inextricably linked to race and has far less to do with abortion than many of us would guess. The anti-choice movement positions themselves as the movement for babies, for mothers, and for life, when in reality, abortion is often an act of lovefor the pregnant person, the parents, the other children in the home, and the unborn fetus.

Simran Singh Jain (she/they); membership coordinator at SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective; Durham, North Carolina

Hearst Owned

#6: When people arent listening, we need to get louder.

Hearst Owned

The reproductive justice movement requires brazen advocacy because the majority of folks support freedom and autonomy in multiple forms. Unless we all unapologetically and actively move toward that world together, we wont ever get there.

Rose OHara-Jolley (they/them); Alaska state director, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Anchorage, Alaska

Hearst Owned

We cannot rely on the courts, because thats what got us into this horrible nightmare. Now the right wing is even trying to ban abortion medication such as mifepristone, and their ultimate goal is a nationwide abortion ban. We continue to protest in the streets, demanding Legal Abortion on Demand and Without Apology Nationwide, and we will not stop until this demand is met.

Liz Rees (she/her); activist with Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights; Honolulu, Hawaii

Hearst Owned

There is no compromise on our autonomy. There is no negotiating away our human rights. And sometimes folks arent going to want to take the big risks with you, but change doesnt happen when we remain small and continue advocating for replicas of what existed in the past.

Eloisa Lopez (she/her); executive director for Pro-Choice Arizona and the Abortion Fund of Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona

#7: Abortion is not a dirty word.

Hearst Owned

The grassroots energy fighting to protect abortion access feels infectious right now. We need to keep that up by speaking out and telling stories. Just saying the word abortion is vital in the fight. And VOTE, especially in local and regional elections.

Caitlin Shea; Chelseas Fund board member; Jackson, Wyoming

Hearst Owned

After Dobbs, all the people and community groups who didnt want to associate with our work and organization in the past were suddenly talking about abortion everywhere. Abortion rights and access and the concept of reproductive justice finally broke into every household and office and company across America. It was a conversation that could no longer be ignored. Moving into uncomfortable conversations is a first step in normalizing and destigmatizing abortion health care.

Eloisa Lopez (she/her); executive director for Pro-Choice Arizona and the Abortion Fund of Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona

Abby Silverman - Getty Images

#8: Little victories matter.

Hearst Owned

Chelseas Fundalong with several other plaintiffs including a Wyoming abortion clinic and two physicianshave filed suit against all three abortion bans that have been passed in the past two years in Wyoming. After winning a preliminary injunction against the first post-Dobbs ban, we won a temporary restraining order against the next ban, meaning abortion remains legal in Wyoming today. We will continue to fight these bans in court over the next year.

Caitlin Shea; Chelseas Fund board member; Jackson, Wyoming



We did a reproductive justice fellowship and taught everyone how to self-manage [an abortion] and also taught everyone how to teach their community to self-manage. Little strides like that do make me think, Okay, well, there are people who are ready to band together and do whatever it takes to keep people safe.

Hearst Owned

Jenice Fountain (she/her); executive director of the Yellowhammer Fund; Birmingham, Alabama, serving Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle

Hearst Owned

Our countrys political leaders, especially the U.S. Supreme Court majority, have betrayed us. But we are not giving up. I couldnt stop smiling in the days after the election last November when it became clear that the Reproductive Liberty Amendment won a majority in every single one of the 237 towns in Vermont.

Felicia Kornbluh, PhD (she/her); board vice president at Planned Parenthood of Vermont Action Fund; professor of history at University of Vermont; author of A Womans Life Is a Human Life: My Mother, Our Neighbor, and the Journey From Reproductive Rights to Reproductive Justice; Williston, Vermont

#9: We have to do a better job of amplifying the good stuff thats happening.

Hearst Owned

Amazingly, in the past year, Wyoming gained an abortion clinic that provides comprehensive reproductive health care and abortion up to 23 weeks, 6 days [of pregnancy]. Prior to this clinic, the entire state had only one clinic plus a telehealth medication abortion provider that provided medication abortions up to 10 weeks. This is truly a monumental achievement during a time when the state is trying to severely restrict abortion access.

Caitlin Shea; Chelseas Fund board member; Jackson, Wyoming

Hearst Owned

The unanimous decision by the Montana Supreme Court in Helen Weems v. State of Montana permanently struck down an unnecessary law that banned nurse practitioners and nurse midwives from providing abortion care in the state. The decision also reaffirmed the right to privacy and the fundamental right to seek abortion care under the Montana state constitution. Represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights and the Montana ACLU, this is a huge win for abortion access. The Montana State Constitution is a beautiful and visionary document. We have to fight like hell to maintain an impartial judiciary to protect it.

Helen Weems (she/her); nurse practitioner, founder, and sole clinician at All Families Healthcare; Whitefish, Montana

Hearst Owned

#10: There is hope for the future.

Hearst Owned

There is a reckoning happening in many health care spaces around how abortion seekers and abortion providers are viewed within medicine. Theres been a paradigm shift within the medical community on what needs to change going forward for abortion to be treated as the essential health care that it is. Although we have not won back reproductive freedom at the Idaho courts, we have educated and mobilized many in medicine to truly understand the impact of whats been lost post-Dobbs. In the next year, we will continue to break down the stigma around abortion that has kept it marginalized in medicine, especially since this is in direct contrast to how essential it is to the health, well-being, and safety of our communities.

Caitlin Gustafson, MD (she/her); rural family physician advocate and Physicians for Reproductive Health fellow; McCall, Idaho

Hearst Owned

I worked at abortion clinics in Fargo, North Dakota, for nearly 30 years, but when the Dobbs decision came out last year, a trigger ban went into effect and we were forced to leave. But that didnt stop us. We opened a new clinic in Moorhead, Minnesota, in August 2022in just 47 days. It was under duress and in a very short time, but I am so proud of that. Ive had time to breathe, to dream, and to think about how we can leverage the support and momentum that we have in Minnesota to further solidify and protect abortion rights in that state. We hope to be providing telehealth medication abortions within the next year and to have expanded our building, which has been getting remodeled, to ensure an even better patient experience. Since being in Minnesota, Ive listened to state legislatures passionately defend abortion and speak eloquently about how its a vital health care need. Its been such a refreshing change from the hateful rhetoric we were used to in North Dakota.

Tammi Kromenaker (she/her); clinic director at Red River Womens Clinic; Moorhead, Minnesota

If you need an abortion, check out the resources at INeedAnA.com or AbortionFinder.org. You can also dive into the Guttmacher Institutes resources for more detailed info on the policies in your state.

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This travel guide is straight out of a dream.

David Livingston/Getty Images

If there's anyone we're going to trust to show us some of the best eateries and must-visit locations in Milan, Italy, it's Giada De Laurentiis. She just launched her own Guide to Milan on Giadzy, and it's fair to say that our mouths are watering at the visuals from the 17 restaurants she recommended. And on her Instagram, De Laurentiis posted her ideal day in Milan, showcasing her favorite sightseeing activities and chocolaty treats to share from her guide.

Ready to book your flight? Here's the top seven places you should consider adding to your itinerary, according to Giada.

Related: 9 Places in Paris Everyone Should Visit at Least Once, According to Ina Garten

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Not only is the Galleria Italy's first shopping mall, but it is also the oldest mall in the world. It features the first Prada store, stunning architecture and high-end Italian designer brands. De Laurentiis describes it as "stunning" and "pretty" in person, so it's the perfect place for casual shopping while immersing yourself in Milanese history.

Caffe Camparino

For a classic cocktail, head on over to Caffe Camparino. De Laurentiis suggests ordering the Milano Torino cocktail, which is a classic negroni. Plus, the cafe offers delightful scenery with an historical ambience and the bartenders' sophisticated black-and-white attire.

Related: Here's How to Make the Viral Negroni Sbagliato At Home

Duomo di Milano

If you're traveling to Milan, you probably already had the Duomo in mind as a sight to visit. However, De Laurentiis shares the "best way to see it" that will really elevate your experience: taking the stairs up to the top! It will cost an extra fee to climb the 250 steps up, but the view will be worth the hike.

Milano Centrale

This stop won't be a hard find if you're using public transportation to get around Milan. Yes: De Laurentiis recommends visiting Milan's train station for the delicious food and unique atmosphere. She especially suggests the arancini stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella at the Mercato Centrale.

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Biancolatte

There's no such thing as "too full" when traveling in Italy, so stop by Biancolatte for a quick coffeeand perhaps a pastry, too! De Laurentiis loves sipping on a midday macchiato before she heads off to her next adventure.

Related: Giada De Laurentiis' 3-Ingredient Shakerato Brings Iced Coffee to the Next Level

Guido Gobino

De Laurentiis claims this stop as her "favorite chocolate shop in all of Italy," so you have to pay it a visit when you're in Milan.

"I've been eating their chocolate since I was a kid, and it is to die for," De Laurentiis raves in her Instagram video. "They also have a melted dark chocolate drink, like a really, really rich hot chocolate."

If you're looking to try the rave-worthy chocolate before your future Italian excursion, you can buy it on Giadzy!

Navigli District

The vibrant Navigli neighborhood is an ideal place for dinner and ending your day on a high note. It's right beside a historic canal for beautiful views and sparkling lights. In her official guide, De Laurentiis suggests Al Porto as a traditional restaurant nearby for a delicious seafood dinner.

Up next: The 4 Best Italian Cities for Food-Lovers, According to Giada De Laurentiis
Workplace safety concerns at Amazons warehouses have now gotten the attention of one of the companys most famous critics: Senator Bernie Sanders.

The Vermont Independent, who chairs the U.S. Senates Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), is launching an investigation into dangerous and illegal conditions at Amazon warehouses, according to 10-page letter the former presidential candidate issued to the Seattle companys CEO Andy Jassy on Tuesday.

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If Amazon can afford to spend $6 billion on stock buybacks last year, it can afford to make sure that its warehouses are safe places to work, Sanders wrote. If Amazon can afford to pay you [Jassy] $289 million in total compensation over the past two years, it can afford to treat all of its workers with dignity and respect, not contempt.

Sanders cited data that Amazon reports to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), noting the companys rate of 6.6 serious injuries per 100 workers. This total is more than double the rate of all non-Amazon warehouses, which tally 3.2 serious injuries per 100 workers.

The legislator called on Amazon to explain its higher injury and turnover rates compared to non-Amazon warehouses, and fork over data on its Amcare on-site medical clinics from 2019 to 2023, which he blasted for abysmal care.

Sanders also asked for data on how much it costs to implement safety measures across vacuum lifts, spring-platform carts, powered cart tuggers and moreas well as all communications related to the consideration or deployment of the safety measures since 2018.

The longtime political firebrand also asked Jassy to state whether Amazon has, internally or through a third party, examined the connection between the pace of work of its warehouse workers and the prevalence or cost of injuries at its warehouses.

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Sanders said Jassy has until July 5 to respond to the inquiry.

An Amazon rep said the company has a different opinion of Sanders findings.

Weve reviewed the letter and strongly disagree with Senator Sanders assertions, said Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly, adding that the company has an open invitation for Sanders to tour one of its facilities.

The e-commerce giant has faced considerable criticism of its labor safety violations in recent years. Last month, a second warehouse employee this year died on the job in an incident that Amazon described at the time as a non-work-related medical event. So far this year OSHAs federal branch has issued four citations across seven Amazon facilities for ignoring safety hazards.

One such coalition of labor unions, the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), has repeatedly taken the company to task in reports that compile the data Amazon submits to OSHA.

But Amazon has disputed the SOCs interpretation of the OSHA data, pointing to the reality that theres no regulatory metric measuring the serious injury rate.

We take the safety and health of our employees very seriously, Kelly told Sourcing Journal. There will always be ways to improve, but were proud of the progress weve made which includes a 23 percent reduction in recordable injuries across our U.S. operations since 2019. Weve invested more than $1 billion into safety initiatives, projects, and programs in the last four years, and well continue investing and inventing in this area because nothing is more important than our employees safety.

Workers are also speaking up about their experiences.

Most of the injuries in my job come from the speed of work that we are pushed to keep up with, said Khali Jama, an Amazon worker from St. Paul, Missouri, organizing with the Awood Center as one of the 50-plus groups forming the Athena Coalition. The problem is severe in my state: there is one injury on the job for every 9 Amazon warehouse workers every year; twice the rate of injury at non-Amazon Minnesota warehouses in Minnesota, and more than four times the rate at private industries.

Jama said Amazons culture of fear and surveillance is responsible for the higher-than-average injury rates. If you are not keeping up with their unreasonable standards of speed, a manager will come talk to you and tell you to speed up. If you are still not able to keep up for a second, or a third time, you will get fired through an app on your phone, Jama added. No one tells you that you have been fired. You find out because you come to work, and you cant get into the building because you have already been fired because your rate of work, or speed, was too low. This cycle of surveillance, management, and injury must end now.

Labor expert, Rebecca Dixon, executive director of the National Employment Law Project (NELP), similarly spoke out against Amazon when Sanders letter went public.

Amazon has all the tools needed to protect workers, and it actively chooses not to use them. The companys obsession with speed, enforced through a combination of intensive electronic surveillance and frequent discipline, leads directly to the high rates of serious injury at Amazon warehouses, Dixon said in a statement. Workers describe how Amazons system creates a climate of fear in which they must push their bodies to the brink and beyondor risk losing their jobs. It doesnt have to be this way.

The HELP committee is seeking testimonials from current and former Amazon employees about their experiences at the company.

Sanders isnt the only former presidential candidate who has railed against Amazon over its business practices. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), also an outspoken critic against Big Tech firms, previously called on Congress to break up Amazon in the wake of a Reuters report in 2021 that detailed the tech titans skirting of Indian e-commerce regulations.

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Fred Wright is hoping his first professional win comes in the shape of a British title this week as he takes on Wednesdays time trial and Sundays road race at the national championships.

The 24-year-old has made his name in the past couple of years with a series of plucky breakaway attempts, most notably at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, which brought podium finishes. But missing from the palmares is a victory.

If Wright can fix that this week it will be a significant marker, but also a hugely emotional moment for him personally just days after his Bahrain-Victorious team-mate Gino Mader died as a result of injuries suffered in a crash at the Tour de Suisse last week.

When asked about Mader, who was 26, Wright struggled for words.

Gino Mader died as a result of injuries suffered in a crash at the Tour de Suisse (Massimo Paolone/AP).

I dont know what to say about it, its so difficult, he said. Its been an awful few days, Ill just leave it at that. It puts so much into perspective. Just even being asked the question gets me emotional.

And when asked what a victory in Wednesdays time trial at the Croft Circuit near Darlington would mean to him, Wright again wrestled with his feeling

I dont really know at this point, he said. Id be really happy, but I think with everything thats happened it doesnt mean f*** all to be honest. Not that it doesnt mean f*** all, but I just really want to race my bike and enjoy racing my bike. You find a new appreciation for it, I think.

Wright finished a close second to Ben Swift when Lincoln hosted the nationals in 2021, a race which finished with the steep cobbled climb of Michaelgate.

Sundays race around Saltburn-by-the-Sea is an even more challenging one, defined by the 10 ascents of Saltburn Bank and its 22 per cent gradients, but with plenty of climbing in between too.

Geraint Thomas is on a star-studded start list and backed by several Ineos Grenadiers team-mates, while Lewis Askey, Jake Stewart, Simon Carr and Owain Doull will also line up.

Wright will be racing without any team-mates and must use his breakaway expertise if he is to make a mark, but he believes in his form.

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I think with how Im feeling on the bike at the moment I would say it suits me, he said. Im not really worried. In the Dauphine (earlier this month) on the shorter climbs I felt really comfortable so I should be all right, we shall see.

I think I just go into it knowing Ive got a target on my back. Jake, who is a good mate of mine, has already said hes just going to follow me. Hes got three team-mates in the race and theyre going to sit down and say, Just make sure youre with Fred.

But when the course is as hard as it is, on a flat road you can get followed and waste a lot of energy, but if you go for it uphill the person behind also has to work hard. I think the course being harder hopefully makes it easier to manage the fact Im more watched.

Fred Wright will be up against the likes of Geraint Thomas (Fabio Ferrari/AP).

Wrights decision to race the time trial was a late one. Encouraged by the fourth place he took in the time trial at the Dauphine, Wright spied an opportunity after two-time reigning champion Ethan Hayter, his former housemate, was forced to withdraw with a broken collarbone.

I think Ive got a good shot at winning it, he said. What happened to Ethan, as much as I love him, did influence my decision to ride.

I wasnt sure if I was going to do and then when I saw he wasnt going to do it I thought its good to have a hit out.
For the first time since it was founded in 2015, the Swedish custom tailoring brand Saman Amel will offer its ready-to-wear in a physical store. And that store just happens to be one of the worlds most beloved retail destinations.

The Stockholm-based outfit, co-founded by Saman Amel and Dag Granath, has teamed up with Londons Harrods on its first shop-in-store. The space, designed by the Swedish design studio Halleroed, hosts everything from formal tailoring, jackets cut from blends of cashmere and baby camel, silk and cashmere knitwear, and, looking ahead to the autumn, even outerwear. In other words, a complete selection of everything a guy might need for the next few months.

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The Harrods-exclusive capsule collection includes formal tailoring and casual knitwear and outerwear.

Being a custom clothier first and foremost, we have always been invested in helping clients curate their wardrobes in a way that feels elegant and relevant, Amel tells Robb Report in an email. For Harrods, we have created a small capsule in a similar manner that covers the entire wardrobe, from formal to casual.

Halleroed, which designed the shop, also conceived the look of Saman Amels atelier in Stockholm, and has previously created retail spaces for brands including Acne Studios and Axel Arigato. To link the London outpost to the brands Scandinavian headquarters, custom furniture was commissioned from craftsmen outside of Stockholm. The space is as discerning as the current moment in menswear.

Halleroed designed the space with custom furniture made just outside of Stockholm.

We are seeing somewhat of a return to elegance on a much broader scale now, Granath says. Young people and people that have never thought about tailoring or classic menswear as being relevant for them are now discovering it for the first time. At the same time, people that have a long habit of dressing smartly or elegantly are now repurposing their wardrobes to give them new relevance.

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No matter where you stand on the menswear spectrum, Granath says that Saman Amel aims to address many aspects of a clients lifegoing beyond the office and evening affairs. A well-cut trouser, the right knitwear piece or outerwear becomes super important in this context. It is not about forcing the client into our style like a fashion brand might strive to do, but rather serving the client to his needs while also making suggestions on how his taste and style can progress.

The new space is as refined as the current moment in menswear, which fans of Saman Amels sharp tailoring will no doubt appreciate.

Saman Amels new capsule collection is now available at Harrods. Youll find the exclusive shop-in-shop located in the Designer Collections 1 department on the second floor for menswear.

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In the year since the Supreme Court plunged reproductive rights into chaos with its decision on Dobbs, a lot has gone downmuch of it dismaying, dangerous, vile, problematic, anddare we sayshitty. Alongside the devastation, though, there have also been hopeful developments, which prove that when people are unwilling to give up the fight, there is room for light, possibility, and collective power.

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But who among us can stay on top of everything thats happened since SCOTUS overturned Roe?! Because keeping up with every bill, vote, and constitutional amendment pertaining to your bodily autonomy would probably require you to quit your job and read the news full-time, weve put together an easy-to-digest guide for you.

Here, you wont find every single thing thats happened in the past 365 daysotherwise, youd be reading this until June 2024. But we did aim to chronicle all the major stufflegislative and otherwiseso you can take stock of the reproductive rights landscape today. Read on to feel all the feelingsencouraged, mad, sad, need-to-smash-somethingand get fired up to add some achievements to the hopeful list for next year.

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June 2022

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California becomes a safe haven for folks seeking abortions from out of state, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing legislation intended to shield both providers and patients from being sued in states with abortion bans. Delaware and New Jersey take similar actions.

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Governors in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania sign executive orders attempting to shield patients and abortion providers from legal action. The specifics of each law vary, but in general, they work to restrict cooperation if another state tries to prosecute providers or patients in a state where the procedure is legal. The order in Massachusetts, for example, aims to protect abortion providers from disciplinary action and makes it so the state wouldnt have to comply with out-of-state abortion-care-related investigations.

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Trigger bans in several states, such as Utah, Kentucky, and Louisiana, begin to be blocked (at least temporarily) by the courts, which stops them from going into immediate effect and allows thousands more people to access abortion should they need it.

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Trigger laws that ban abortion snap into effect in several states (including Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota) immediately following the SCOTUS decision on Dobbs.

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A super-old law from the 1800s banning nearly all abortions is restored in Wisconsin after Roe falls, although there is some good news here (see April 2023).

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July 2022



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In Colorado, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, and Rhode Island, governors sign shield executive orders protecting patients and providers.

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Near-total bans in Mississippi and Texas go into effect.



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Floridas 15-week ban is enacted (despite attempts to block it, a court decides it will remain in effect as the case progresses)

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The story of a 10-year-old rape victim who was 6 weeks and 3 days pregnant and had to travel from her home state to Indiana for abortion care captures national attentionshowing people the true, grotesque impact of abortion bans.

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August 2022

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In a monumental and resounding victory, Kansas voters keep abortion legal by rejecting a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have explicitly said there was no right to abortion in the state. Had the constitutional amendment passed, it would have paved the way for GOP lawmakers to ban the procedure entirely. This is huge news in a red state that remains a bulwark for abortion rights in the region.

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President Joe Biden (although hes been known to be shy about saying the word abortion) issues an executive order to protect reproductive health care, although many say it doesnt go far enough. The executive order pushes the secretary of Health and Human Services to consider actions to expand access and health care coverage for those traveling out of state for abortions.

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Tennessees, Kentuckys, and Idahos abortion bans go into effect.

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September 2022

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The only British royal I acknowledge, Harry Styles, tells his audience at a concert in Texas,No one can tell you what to do with your own body.

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Ohios 6-week trigger ban is blocked by the courts, after being in effect for 10 weeks.

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Senator Lindsey Graham proposes a nationwide 15-week abortion ban, shocking even his Republican colleagues who would prefer to run away from the issue.

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West Virginias near-total abortion bannear-total thanks to a few so-calledexemptions for medical emergencies, rape, and incestis signed into law.

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October 2022

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Planned Parenthood announces it is opening its first mobile abortion clinic, which will travel and provide care near the borders of red states where the procedure is banned.



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The Pentagon says itll pay for service members who need to travel for abortions.

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November 2022

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Democrats prevent the expectedred wave during the midterms and hold on to the Senate. This is thanks to many voters motivated by the Dobbs decision, who saw Republicans as too extreme on the issue and brought their anger to the ballot box.

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Across the country, abortion is literally on the ballot and secures several decisive wins. In casting votes on repro-rights-related ballot measures in states as diverse as Kentucky, Montana, Michigan, California, and Vermont, folks affirm bodily autonomy and show their dislike for draconian bans.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmera staunch champion of reproductive rightsis reelected, and both chambers of the state legislature flip blue in the Great Lakes State, paving the way for the state to officially repeal an abortion ban passed in 1931.

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Minnesota Democrats unexpectedly take full control of their legislature and later use the power to support abortion and gender-affirming care.

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The House flips red in the midterm elections, meaning Democrats in Congress wont have the votes to pass national legislation protecting abortion.

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Donald Trump announces his 2024 presidential run. The twice-indicted, twice-impeached former president has implied hed consider signing a national ban on abortion at 15 weeks if elected president again.

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Georgias 6-week abortion ban is reinstated.

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December 2022

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An appeals court says that doctors in Arizona cannot be prosecuted under an old-as-hell ban (from 1864!!) that outlawed nearly all abortions.

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A 6-week abortion ban in Iowa will remain permanently blocked, a state judge says.

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An appeals court reinstates a craven Indiana law forcing providers to bury or cremate fetal remains.

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January 2023

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After Dems take control of both houses in the legislature, Minnesota becomes the first state to codify abortion rights via legislative action post-Roe, passing a bill that guarantees a fundamental right to access abortion. Slay.

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The House passes the inflammatory and unnecessary so-called Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act requiring doctors to provide care following an abortion attempta scenario that is exceedingly rare and already covered under existing law. Its yet another attempt to demonize abortion providers and hamstring evidence-based health care.

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February 2023

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Kentucky Republicans propose that abortion be prosecuted as homicide. Very cool time were living in.

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Surprising absolutely no one, former vice president and fly magnet Mike Pence is caught on tape saying we need to ban abortion pills nationally.

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March 2023

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Wyoming passes a law outlawing the use of abortion pills (but right now, the law is being challenged in the courts, and for now, abortion remains legal in the state until viability).

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The Supreme Court deals another blow to the abortion rights of minors when it quietly invalidates a lower court ruling that held a minor does not have to notify her parents before requesting permission from a court to have an abortion. The case involved a 17-year-old in Missouri. Its already extremely difficult for minors to access reproductive health care.

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April 2023

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Washington state Governor Jay Inslee signs unprecedented legislation that prevents our health data from being collectedby telehealth companies, period-tracking apps, and other entities.

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Wisconsin voters flip their state Supreme Court blue, meaning the court will likely reverse the states abortion ban next year. (Fingers crossed.)

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Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs uses badassery and veto power to block dozens of anti-choice bills from going into effect, specifically refusing to codify a bullshitfetal personhood bill into state law.

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North Dakotas governor signs a law banning nearly all abortions.

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Idaho passes a bogusabortion trafficking bill that essentially makes it illegal for an adult to help a minor find an abortion without parental consent.

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In an asinine and almost unbelievable (yet in 2023, somehow also totally believable) instance of saying the white supremacy part out loud, Nebraska State Senator Steve Erdman implies an abortion ban is needed to ensure white people continue to dominate state demographics: Our state population has not grown except by those foreigners who have moved here or refugees who have been placed here.

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In the middle of the night, presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs a new 6-week abortion ban into law (its not in effect yet, thanks to a court challenge).

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May 2023

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In a much-needed win for students: New York passes a law requiring the states public universities to help students access medication abortions.

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In a poignant and rare show of bipartisanship, theSister Senators block multiple near-total bans on abortions in South Carolina, even after being subjected to horrific harassment

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However, after three successful blocks, a 6-week ban finally passes in May despite a filibuster from the five women.

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Nevadas governor signs new abortion protections for out-of-state patients and in-state providers into law, becoming one of the first Republican governors to do so.

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Vermont becomes the first in the country to sign into law a shield bill explicitly including medication abortion (even more astounding because it was signed by a Republican governor!).

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In horrifying news out of Texas, a man reportedly murders his girlfriend because she had an abortion.

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In North Carolina, state Representative Tricia Cotham switches parties, becoming a Republican and giving the GOP supermajority in the legislature the ability to override Governor Roy Coopers vetoes. They use it almost immediately to ram through a 12-week abortion ban, which will go into effect in July.

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Alabama introduces a terrifying bill that would allow people to be charged for murder for having abortions. A Missouri Republican proposes something similar.

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Nebraska bans abortion after 12 weeks, despite intense and valiant filibustering efforts from Democrats including Omaha Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, who previously succeeded in defeating a proposed 6-week abortion ban.

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The doctor who spoke out about the 10-year-old rape survivor who had to travel to Indiana for abortion care is reprimanded by her states medical board

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Although shell keep her license.

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If you need an abortion, check out the resources at INeedAnA.com or AbortionFinder.org. You can also dive into the Guttmacher Institutes resources for more detailed info on the policies in your state.

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School's out for many  but lawmakers haven't stopped assessing legislation aimed at Delaware's teacher pipeline. Support for paraprofessionals, aspiring teachers and more may join a 9% raise coming for public school teachers.

In this roundup we'll look to catch you up on some Delaware education news you may have missed.

Did we miss another good story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.

Bill supporting paraprofessionals looking to become teachers advances

Paraprofessional at Cab Calloway School School of the Arts Keith Brown greets students as they go to lunch Tuesday, May 8, 2018.

Legislation aimed at both combating an ongoing teacher shortage and diversifying that pipeline itself passed in the Delaware Senate earlier this month.

Senate Bill 156 looks to help ease the path for experienced paraprofessionals to become full-time, certified teachers. These educators provide instructional, behavioral and other support to students in and out of the classroom, often one-on-one support in special education.

As primary sponsor and Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth Tizzy Lockman explained, many paraprofessionals  roughly 3,200 working in Delaware  would like to fill teaching vacancies, but the state's current teacher salary scale fails to account for their classroom experience.

"Which means that transition would likely result in a pay cut for our most experienced paras, the Democrat serving central and west Wilmington said in a statement. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for voting today to remove that hurdle and allow Delaware schools to draw from a more diverse pool of teaching candidates.

Sen. Tizzy Lockman, D-Wilmington West, sits on the Delaware Senate floor on Jan. 15, 2020.

Teachers previously employed as a Title 1 or instructional paraprofessional for at least four years would be able to count half of their prior experience toward the salary scale for teachers under this bill.

"They start at zero and don't take the jobs because they lose money just to start over as a teacher, which is just crazy to think about," said Shelley Meadowcroft, spokesperson for the Delaware State Education Association. "So this bill would help get rid of those financial barriers for paras to become teachers."

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There's hope that helping paraprofessionals become full-time certified teachers may also improve the racial diversity among states workforce.

The bill now heads to the House.

Deeper than numbers: Some Delaware students are suspended far more than others. How schools are addressing it

Lawmakers look to establish an educator apprenticeship program

Wilbur Elementary School fourth-graders pose for a picture with their teacher, Leanna Vitti in Bear, Thursday, May 18, 2023. The children shared their experience about a recent visit to legislative hall where they testified and shared their research on secondhand smoke, in support of a bill that will prohibit smoking in cars with children under 18.

Another bill passed in the House last week, seeking to set up a "Delaware Educator Apprenticeship Program." The program would place aspiring teachers in paid positions, as outlined in House Bill 138, while they complete their education and training.

"One of my top legislative priorities has been to support educators and grow our educator pipeline, particularly in light of the teacher shortage we are facing," said Rep. Kim Williams, primary sponsor and Democrat serving Delaware's 19th District, in a statement.

The bill would charge the Department of Education and the Department of Labor to create the program. A pilot would be created for next school year between one college or university and one district or charter school, according to bill details, promising expansion if interest and funding are available.

Too many kids, not enough childcare: Delaware families facing job woes amid shortages

Back in 2022, the General Assembly passed legislation to create full-time substitute teacher positions as well as pathways for those employees to become certified teachers. This came alongside $4 million to help public schools institute "Grow Your Own Educator" programs to provide financial assistance to college students who commit to teach at a given school for at least three years.

HB 138 now heads to the Senate's Education Committee.

Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Delaware efforts continue aim on bolstering the teacher pipeline
Jim Tweto (left) and Shane Reynolds (right) were good friends who had flown together before.

Famed Alaskan bush pilot Jim Tweto, 68, and Idaho hunting and fishing guide Shane Reynolds, 45, died in a plane crash in western Alaska on the morning of June 16. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

At least one witness reported the Cessna 180 had taken off but not gained elevation and crashed as a result, according to the ADPS. An InReach satellite device sent an SOS signal to Alaska State Troopers at 11:48 a.m. Troopers received the signal shortly after the aircraft crashed 35 miles northeast of Shaktoolik, a coastal town on Norton Sound near Nome. AST arrived at the scene and recovered the deceased from the crash site, transferring them to the State Medical Examiners Office in Anchorage. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

Tweto, of Unalakleet, Alaska, was piloting the aircraft at the time. He is most widely known for his show on the Discovery Channel, Flying Wild Alaska which followed his familys journey running a small regional airline that served rural communities around the western part of the state. The show ran for three seasons starting in 2011 and depicted Jim, his wife, Ferno, and their two daughters, Ariel and Ayla, tackling the day-to-day duties of operating aircraft in remote country with its unpredictable challenges.

Reynolds, of Orofino, Idaho, was the only passenger. He was a hunting guide and owner of Northwest Fishing Expeditions, a salmon, steelhead, walleye, and sturgeon outfitter on the Snake and Columbia rivers. He was a good friend of Twetos, and the two had flown together in the past. Reynolds leaves behind his wife Gina and daughter Juliette. A GoFundMe is collecting donations to support the Reynolds family.

KUIU took to social media on June 19 to offer its condolences to both families, regarding Reynolds and Tweto as great friends of the hunting apparel brand.

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Shane had been a part of the KUIU family since its beginning, leaving a lasting impression with anyone who was lucky enough to spend time with him in or out of the field, the Instagram post reads. He was a well-respected guide and accomplished hunter, but his most treasured titles were husband and father.

Read Next: Poachers Caught with 71 Fish Stuffed in Their Backpacks

Commenters on the post shared memories of successful hunting trips with Shane. One called him the best brown bear guide there ever was. Another called the crash a tragic loss for us here in Alaska.

We step out onto that ledge in our everyday lives here, the commenter continues. Sometimes it breaks away and takes our friends and family.

Ariel Tweto also shared news of her dads passing on Instagram through a series of posts, including one post that fell on Fathers Day, June 18. In the carousel of nine photos, Jim is only indoors once. The other photos show him ice fishing, hiking, and flying, and a video clip shows him maneuvering an ATV across a slushy field. In another post, Ariel wrote, "He died doing what he truly loved and is now ... up there soaring."
Getty Images / thianchai sitthikongsak

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer











An outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to two clinics in Matamoros, Mexico may have impacted as many as 200 Americans.

Fungal meningitis is not contagious; individuals are infected by inhaling fungal spores from their environment.

Experts agree that knowing your healthcare provider and environment is crucial for avoiding outbreaks like this.











An outbreak of fungal meningitis is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fungal meningitis is a potentially fatal infection and inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. It does not spread from person to person but is caught by inhaling fungal spores in ones environment.

The CDC estimates that the outbreak has impacted nearly 200 Americans who may have been exposed to the virus after receiving epidural anesthesia before undergoing cosmetic procedures at two clinics in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, a city just across the border from Brownsville, Texas.

The agency is advising that anyone who was seen at either River Side Surgical Center or Clinica K-3, both in Matamoros, between January 1 and May 13, 2023, should be evaluated for meningitis at their nearest emergency room, even if they dont currently have symptoms, and should tell their health care team that they had visited one of the clinics and are at risk.

That is really important because that is how they are going to intercept any cases that are brewing, Peter Pappas, MD, an infectious disease specialist at UAB Medicine in Alabama told Health.

Early symptoms of fungal meningitis related to this outbreak include redness and pain at the injection site, which, if caught early, can be treated before the infection seriously impacts the brain.

The more concerning thing is what is happening is these symptoms of more invasive disease are occurring weeks after the exposure. These include headache, stiff neck and low-grade fever on the mild side, and stroke and altered brain function on the extreme side, Dr. Pappas said, noting that the mortality rate for this specific outbreak is about 40%.

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Although the infections are serious and must be treated as soon as possible, experts say fungal meningitis is not contagious, and people who have not been to these clinics during that time frame are not at risk and do not have to protect themselves against infection.

Its not spread from person to person, so for this particular outbreak, as long as youre not one of the unlucky people who traveled to those clinics in Mexico between January 1 and May 13, theres no risk to you, said Stuart Levitz, MD, a professor of medicine at UMass Chan Medical School, whose research is focused on fungal infections.

Getty Images / thianchai sitthikongsak

How Is Fungal Meningitis Treated?

Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi can all cause meningitis, and any type of meningitis is concerning because any type of meningitis can have long-lasting effects on the brain and on brain function, said Dr. Levitz.

Fungal meningitis is particularly difficult to treat.

There arent as many antifungal drugs as there are antibacterial drugs and some of the antifungal drugs dont penetrate as well into the brain, he said.

It also takes longer for symptoms to form. Whereas bacterial meningitis symptoms typically show up within a week following exposure, fungal meningitis symptoms can take weeks to develop.

According to Dr. Levitz, the organism that caused this outbreak, Fusarium solani, is notoriously difficult to treat. The same fungus caused an outbreak traced back to a hospital in Durango, Mexico back in December, which killed 35 patients, mostly pregnant women who had received an epidural.

Its hard. There just are a few options. It becomes more established and invasive and harder to get on top of, Dr. Pappas said.

Related: These Are the 6 Main Types of Meningitis, According to Neurologists and Infectious Disease Doctors

How Does Fungal Meningitis Form?

According to Dr. Levitz, the most common way a person can get fungal meningitis is when a fungal infection spreads through the bloodstream and then makes its way into the brain, where it can cause meningitis

Most of these cases occur in people who are immunocompromised, including people with HIV/AIDS or those who have received an organ transplant and are on immunosuppressants.

Thats far and away the most common way of getting fungal meningitis. It spreads through the body and makes it to the brain, he said.

But thats not what happened with the most recent outbreak.

In the two clinics associated with the new outbreak, people were given anesthesia via an epidural. And although the exact cause is still unknown, Dr. Levitz said its likely that either the needle or the anesthesia drugs themselves were not sterile and were contaminated with fungi that were injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluida straight shot to the brain.

These types of outbreaks have occurred before with contaminated solutions and its unfortunate that a sterile technique was not used, Dr. Levitz said.

Outbreaks caused by contaminated medical equipment have also occurred in the U.S. In 2012, an outbreak was found among people who received steroid injections for pain at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Its not necessarily a specific issue with traveling to Mexico for medical tourism, but it happens sometimes when people are trying to save costs by using medications that are meant for single use and reusing them, Dr. Levitz said.

Sometimes equipment is contaminated before it even reaches the medical facility, unbeknownst to the medical professionals at that clinic.

According to Dr. Levitz, the recent outbreak may have also been caused by clinic employees mixing vials of anesthesia drugsanesthesia often does require multiple drugsin an unsterile environment.

It sounds like it was a serious break in the use of sterile techniques and thats what led to this outbreak and what has led to outbreaks in the past, Dr. Levitz explained.

The good news is, Like the outbreak that occurred in 2012, the source of this has been identified and we expect the number of new cases has dropped off tremendously, he said.

An understanding of your healthcare provider and environment is key to avoiding outbreaks like this, Dr. Pappas said. What it really underscores is: know your physician. Know your healthcare provider. Know the clinic you are visiting to have a procedure where theyre going to do an epidural.



Related: Viral Meningitis Is the Most Common Type of MeningitisWhat to Know About Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

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Read the original article on Health.
A comprehensive guide to achieving gorgeous locks

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In a world where there is a new haircare product craze every day, one timeless beauty secret stands stronghair oil. From ancient civilizations to modern-day hair care routines, using hair oil has prevailed as a nourishing and transformative way to care for our tresses. Today, hair oils continue to captivate the beauty industry, often trending on social media (such as a Tiktok famous rosemary oil and techniques such as hair slugging). While some people may think hair oil is just having its 15 minutes of fame, the truth is the benefits and significance of hair oil runs much deeper than current trends.

Hair oil has been a treasured beauty secret across ancient cultures. In ancient Egypt, castor oil was used to nourish and add shine to hair, symbolizing status and luxury. Similarly, people in India incorporated coconut, almond, and amla oil in hair oiling routines to promote hair growth and overall health. Hair oil rituals were not limited to these culturesancient Greeks used oils for hair styling, while Moroccans favored argan oil (derived from the nut of an argan tree) for moisturizing hair and scalp care. Today, as we embrace the wisdom of ancient cultures and combine it with modern expertise, hair oil remains a cherished open secret for achieving gorgeous, healthy hair.

In this comprehensive guide to hair oil, we will explore its benefits, discuss tips for choosing the right one for your hair concerns, and reveal the best techniques for maximizing its potential. Get ready to unlock the secrets to gorgeous, luscious locks with the power of hair oils.

Benefits of Hair Oil

Hair oil has a myriad of benefits that can change the health and appearance of your hair for the better. Let's take a closer look at some of the biggest things hair oil brings to the table.

Frizz Control and Shine

If you're looking for a hair warrior to fight frizz, a lightweight hair oil could be the answer, as oils generally lay on top of the hair to smooth out the cuticle, according to hairstylist Candace Witherspoon. Hair oil is great for adding shine to otherwise dull strands.

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Nourishment and Moisture

Besides providing your hair with shine, oil can be a crucial ingredient for nourishing and locking in moisture, says Witherspoonparticularly when applied to damp hair.

Promotes Hair Growth and Reduces Shedding

"Some hair oils can be used on the scalp to promote hair growth [and reduce shedding]," Witherspoon shares with SHAPE. For example, rosemary oil stimulates hair growth, while peppermint oil is excellent for an itchy scalp. Jojoba oil is good for stimulating the scalp and replacing natural oils. Additionally, if you're experiencing dry, brittle ends prone to breakage, applying an oil may do them some justice, according to Creative Director, Master Stylist, and Colorist, Paul Labrecque with Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa.

Improves Scalp Health

Promoting scalp health is another place the hair oils shine, says Labrecque. Oils can soothe a dry, itchy, or flaky scalp without necessarily clogging pores in the process.



Types of Hair Oil

When it comes to hair oils, many options exist, each with its unique set of benefits. Let's explore some of the popular types and their distinct advantages. Below are some of the most popular types of oils used for hair care.

Coconut oil is known for its ability to deeply penetrate the hair shaft, lock in moisture, and prevent damage during styling. It is suitable for all hair types but should be kept away from the scalp and hairline to avoid pore-clogging, stylist and Goldwell National Artist Steven Picciano previously told SHAPE. It's also important to note that coconut is very reactive to temperature and should be warmed up in your hands before applying it to your hair.

Argan oil is a popular lightweight oil that can work wonders for dry hair, says Labrecque. It is rich in linoleic and oleic acids and vitamin E, which protects the hair shaft from damage such as breakage. It also gives the hair impeccable shine, leaving it healthy and vibrant. While Labrecque prefers to apply to damp hair, using a few drops of argan oil as a final step in your styling routine for an extra shine boost is not uncommon.

Jojoba oil is a lightweight oil that closely resembles the natural oils produced by our scalp. It provides excellent hydration, helps balance sebum production, and stimulates the scalp. Additionally, jojoba oil has antifungal properties, which are essential for combating dandruff Aanand Geria, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Verona, New Jersey, previously shared with SHAPE.

Olive oil is a staple in your pantry but can also be a key player in your hair care routine as it offers softening and shine-enhancing benefits to the hair (specifically for those with thicker or coarser hair that can take the heavier weight of the oil). Although hair strands can benefit a ton from the use of olive oil which is rich in oleic acid, it's recommended to keep it away from the scalp because fungus (such as Malassezia) is known to thrive in the presence of olive oil Anar Mikailov, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Skintensive previously warned.

Rosemary oil is an oil known for its hair-enhancing abilities. It's an excellent choice for those looking to promote hair growth, says Witherspoon. Rosemary oil improves circulation and stimulates the hair follicles, comparable to 2% minoxidil. ICYDK, minoxidil is the active ingredient in hair growth products like Rogaine.

With its thick texture, castor oil (derived from the seeds of a castor plant) can make the hair appear thicker and is often relied upon for hair growth. Currently, there is scientific evidence for its actual impact on hair growth. However, it can still benefit those dealing with dry ends or tons of frizz. A key component of castor oil is a fatty acid, ricinoleic acid, often used in hair and skin products as an antistatic and softening agent.



Choosing the Right Hair Oil

Now that you're privy to hair oil's benefits, you're probably wondering how to choose the right one for your concerns. Consider the following factors when making your choice.

Related: The Best Hair Oils of 2023, According to Our Incredibly Detailed Tests and Ratings

Hair Type and Texture

Lightweight oils like jojoba, almond, rosemary, and grapeseed oils are recommended for all hair textures, says Witherspoon. Fine hair benefits from lighter-weight oils that won't weigh down the hair, while thicker or coarser hair can handle heavier oils from time to time. However, the safest bet is to stick with lighter-weight oils in general, suggests Witherspoon.

Porosity

Consider your hair's porosity, as it determines how well it absorbs and retains moisture. For low porosity hair (hair that has trouble absorbing product), lighter oils like jojoba or almond oil are recommended, says Witherspoon. On the other hand, high-porosity hair may benefit from heavier oils such as castor or avocado oil. It's also worth noting that when applying oil as a hair treatment, porous hair will retain what's necessary, and everything else will be shampooed away, says Labrecque.

Hair Thickness

Similarly, the thickness of your hair also plays a role in choosing the right oil. As you may have guessed, fine hair tends to do better with lightweight oils like grapeseed or argan oil, while thicker or coarser hair can handle heavier oils like castor oil.

Scalp Condition

If you have an itchy scalp, oils with soothing properties like peppermint oil can be beneficial. On the other hand, a dry, flaky scalp can benefit from the sebum-mimicking properties of jojoba oil.

Lifestyle Considerations

As with any beauty remedy, it's important to factor in your lifestyle and hair care routine. If you prefer multi-purpose products, look for hair oils that may also double as skincare. Also, opt for travel-friendly packaging if you're frequently on the go. The last thing you want to deal with while on vacation is a cosmetic bag oil spill.



Application Tips and Techniques

Oils are not one size fits all. To add another layer, there are also many ways to incorporate any given oil into your hair care routine. Below are some expert-recommended ways to use hair oil, plus tips and techniques to make the most of your hair oil.

Remember that experimentation may be necessary to find the perfect hair oil for you and the method that may work the best for your hair and scalp. Start with small amounts and observe how your hair responds. Don't be discouraged if one oil doesn't suit your hair well.

Pre-Wash Treatment

Apply the oil to dry hair section by section, focusing on the ends. Gently detangle hair with the oil applied as a pre-shampoo treatment, recommends Witherspoon. After 20 minutes of having the oil applied, you can move on to shampooing. "Add in shampoo, then slowly add in water. Your second shampoo will give you more suds", Labrecque adds as a friendly reminder.

After Washing Hair

Some people prefer to lock in shine and moisture with a post-wash oil application. "Always apply the product when your hair is damp if you want to do more of a treatment with it. If you're using heat to style your strands, be careful of how much you use", Labrecque recommends. Alternatively, you can apply an oil to your damp hair before adding a styler, such as a curl cream or gel to help with curl definition, Witherspoon adds.

Hot Oil Treatment

For a hot oil treatment, warm the oil slightly (by dropping the container in warm to heat up) and apply it to wet or damp hair after shampooing. Cover your hair with a shower cap or towel to trap heat and allow the oil to penetrate deeply, then rinse and condition your hair as usual.

Overnight Treatment

Apply oil to dry hair, focusing on the ends before bed. Cover your hair with a silk or satin bonnet or wrap it in a silk scarf to prevent transfer onto your bedding, Witherspoon urges. In the morning, rinse or shampoo your hair as you would normally.

Style Finisher

Oil can be a great way to complete your look. "As a finisher for seal and shine, a little oil can go on after your hair is blown out or otherwise dry and styled," says Labrecque. Hair oil as a finishing touch on dry hair can tame frizz, add shine, or revitalize curls. Apply a small amount to your palms, rub them together, and lightly glide your hands over your hair to distribute the oil evenly. This technique is also great for fluffing out curls, one of the best ways to incorporate oils into your hair routine, according to Witherspoon.



Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Hair Oil

To ensure you reap the full benefits of hair oil, avoid these common mistakes.

Excessive Use

When you read about the many benefits of hair oil, it's tempting to grab the oil nearest to you and begin slathering it on your hairhowever, that's strongly advised against by both Labrecque and Witherspoon. Avoid excessive amounts of hair oil, as it can weigh down your hair and leave it greasy without much movement. Additionally, a ton of oil at the scalp is a recipe for product build-up which can lead to significant scalp issues such as dandruff and flakes, Witherspoon adds. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed.

Improper Application

Take care not to over-saturate the ends of your hair with oil, as this can lead to build-up and weigh down your strands. Focus on applying oil a small amount to the mid-lengths and ends, where the hair is often drier and more prone to damage.

Quality of Oils

Choose high-quality, without additives, synthetic ingredients (such as fragrances), silicones, and alcohol is your best bet when choosing a hair oil. Using subpar oils may not yield the desired results and could even cause scalp irritation or other adverse effects.



Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about hair oil.

Can you use hair oil if you have oily hair?

It is generally not recommended to use hair oil if you have excessively oily hair, both Witherspoon and Labrecque explain. However, if your hair tends to dry at the ends while your scalp remains oily, you can apply only a tiny amount of oil to the ends, avoiding the scalp. "If you fall into this category, I would recommend a product that is more of a scalp stabilizer, like the Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 Capillaire, which gently purifies and moisturizes. For someone like this, I would only ever use oil on hair ends if they were over-processed. Oil on top of oil is a disaster to shampoo out correctly," Labecque elaborates.

How much hair oil do you need to use, and how often?

Using a drop or two of hair oil at a time is a great way to start, suggests Witherspoon. "If you do not have coarse, thick, or dry strands, you should generally use very small amounts of oil. Those with super thin strands should opt out of using added oils altogether unless your hair suffers from severe breakage", Labrecque explains further.

How do you properly cleanse your hair when using hair oils?

Both experts recommend regularly shampooing your hair to ensure you're not putting your scalp or hair at risk for product build-up when using oils. In some cases, you can use a clarifying shampoo and follow it with a moisturizing shampoo for the second wash. This two-step process ensures effective cleansing while maintaining moisture balance in the hair, according to Witherspoon.

What happens if I have an allergic reaction to hair oil?

If you have a confirmed allergy to the plant from which an oil is derived, steer clear (for example, avoid almond oil if you have a known allergy to nuts in general). Also, as with any hair product, patch-testing before applying all over may be the best course of action.

Hair oil is a versatile hair product that's more than worth stashing away in your hair care arsenal. It offers numerous benefits, from locking in moisture in your hair to promoting growth and reducing frizz. By understanding the different types of hair oils, choosing the right one for your hair type and concerns, and mastering proper application techniques, you can unlock the secrets to gorgeous, luscious locks that have been known for centuries. Remember to take the time to find what oils work best for you, and enjoy the process of transforming your hair.

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Read the original article on Shape.
On June 13, 2023, Amy Schumers comedy special Emergency Contact dropped on Netflix. She talked about getting liposuction (the laziest thing shes ever done) and made fun of herself for stuffing her face full of filler, but there were jokes about one person in particular that made headlines. Now, Hilaria Baldwin is calling out cruel people after Amy Schumers jabs.

Do you guys know who Hilaria Baldwin is? Schumer asked during her stand-up special. Im saying it wrong. Im sorry, she says, adopting a Spanish accent. Hilaria Baldwin. I just cant wrap my head around this story. Schumer recalled meeting Hilaria years ago, backstage at Saturday Night Live, claiming that Hilaria told Schumer she was from Espana, (with) a very thick Spanish accent.

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She continued to pull punches at Hilarias family. 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?

The bit concluded with Schumer declaring: 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! So how did Hilaria Baldwin respond to Amy Schumer?

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Has Hilaria Baldwin responded to Amy Schumer?

Click here to read the full article.

Hilaria Baldwin hasnt directly responded to Amy Schumer. However, in an article published in Romper on June 21, 2023  a week after Schumers comedy special  Baldwin called out the barrage of online (and sometimes IRL) bullying she faces frequently. It is a ridiculous thing to be cruel to another person, Hilaria said.

Schumers schtick is all in response to the controversy whipped up in late 2020. A viral Twitter thread from user @lenibriscoe collected Baldwins past interviews and TV appearances and claimed shed fabricated her accent and falsely identified as being born in Spain on numerous occasions. When fans learned that Hilaria was not Spanish but an American who was born and raised in Boston and who was known, at least until 2009, as Hillary. (She eventually chose Hilaria as her legal name before marrying Alec Baldwin.)

Image: Lexie Moreland for Variety.

Its very surreal, said Hilaria told the New York Times in October 2021, she had been called Hilaria by family members for most of her life. She is also bilingual. There is not something Im doing wrong, and I think there is a difference between hiding and creating a boundary. Turns out, Hola! magazine had repeatedly reported inaccurately that she was a Spaniard without her knowledge.

Initially, Hilaria clarified that there was a lot of back-and-forth my entire life, and Im really lucky that I grew up speaking two languages, she said, referring to her upbringing in Spain and the US and going on to explain that her accent shifts depending on which language shes speaking more recently. When I tried to work, I try to enunciate a little bit more, but when I get nervous or upset, then I start to mix the two.

In December following the controversy though, she issued a (since-deleted) apology via Instagram. Ive spent the last month listening, reflecting, and asking myself how I can learn and grow, she wrote. My parents raised my brother and me with two cultures, American and Spanish, and I feel a true sense of belonging to both.

She continued: The way Ive spoken about myself and my deep connection to two cultures could have been better explainedI should have been more clear and Im sorry. Im proud of the way I was raised, and were raising our children to share the same love and respect for both. Being vulnerable and pushing ourselves to learn and grow is what weve built our community on, and I hope to get back to the supportive and kind environment weve built together, she concluded.

As if the scandal couldnt get weirder, Hilaria and Alecs wedding had Spanish appropriation baked into its theme. Hilaria incorporated her self-proclaimed Spanish culture into her June 2012 wedding to the 30 Rock actor with readings in both Spanish and English, a flamenco hand fan, and a veil reminiscent of a Spanish mantilla. Oh, and instead of I do, the couple accepted their vows with si, according to The Daily Mail.

In addition to some of the aforementioned Spanish elements at her nuptials, Daily Mail reported that Hilaria also chose Contigo, a Spanish-language song by Puerto Rican legend Luis Miguel, as the music she walked down the aisle to. She reportedly told People at the time, I liked that I brought in a bit of my culture.

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 from the sale.

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Heres a look at the life of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines. Wife of the late Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years until he was ousted in 1986.

Personal

Birth date: July 2, 1929

Birth place: Manila, Philippines (some sources say Leyte Province)

Birth name: Imelda Remedios Visitacion Romualdez

Father: Vicente Orestes Romualdez

Mother: Remedios Trinidad

Marriage: Ferdinand Marcos (May 1, 1954-September 28, 1989, his death)

Children: Irene, Ferdinand Jr. Bongbong and Imee

Other Facts

Her nickname in the Philippines was the Iron Butterfly.

The Marcos family was accused of stealing billions of dollars from the Philippine people during Ferdinands presidency.

Famous for her lavish spending while first lady. At the time of her husbands ouster from office, she left over 1,000 pairs of shoes and more than 800 purses behind when fleeing to Hawaii.

Timeline

1954 - Imelda marries Ferdinand Marcos 11 days after meeting him.

December 30, 1965 - Becomes first lady of the Philippines at her husbands presidential inauguration.

September 21, 1972 - President Marcos signs a martial law decree, which he publicly declares two days later.

December 7, 1972 - Is stabbed in her arms and hands during an assassination attempt by Carlito Dimahilig.

1975-1986 - Appointed governor of Metropolitan Manila.

1978-1986 - Appointed Minister of Human Settlements.

January 17, 1981 - President Marcos lifts martial law.

February 1986 - The Marcos family flees to Hawaii after the Filipino people oust Marcos from office. Three years later, he dies in exile.

1990 - Marcos goes on trial in New York for racketeering. The charges allege she stole from the Philippines National Bank and invested the money in the United States. She is later acquitted of the charges.

November 4, 1991 - Marcos returns from exile to the Philippines and is arrested the next day for tax fraud and corruption. She is released on bail.

1992 - After returning to the Philippines, Marcos runs unsuccessfully for president.

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1993 - Goes on trial in the Philippines for corruption and is found guilty.

1995-1998 - Serves in the Philippines House of Representatives.

February 7, 1998 - Declares her intent to run for president.

April 29, 1998 - Withdraws from the presidential race.

October 6, 1998 - The Philippine Supreme Court overturns her 1993 corruption conviction.

November 2006 - Marcos launches a fashion line, The Imelda Collection.

July 2007 - The Philippine government loses its case claiming rights to $4.7 million in Marcos account after 10 years of prosecution against the Security Bank and Trust Co.

March 10, 2008 - A Philippine court acquits Marcos in a 17-year-old case of 32 counts of illegal transfer of wealth totaling $863 million in Swiss bank accounts.

May 11, 2010 - Marcos wins a seat representing Ilocos Norte province in the Philippine House of Representatives.

September 9, 2010 - A Philippine court orders Marcos to repay the government almost $280,000 for funds taken from the National Food Authority by Ferdinand Marcos in 1983.

February 2016 - The Philippine government approves the auction of Marcos jewelry collection  worth approximately $21 million in total.

November 9, 2018 - An arrest warrant is filed for Marcos after she fails to appear in court. It is announced in court that she has been found guilty of seven counts of graft. Marcos posts bail on November 16.

March 30, 2019 - President Rodrigo Duterte approves the auction of jewelry seized from the Marcos family.

May 25, 2022 - A joint session of the Philippine Congress declares Marcos son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the winner of the May presidential election and confirms he will become the countrys next president.

June 2023 - Previews for Here Lies Love, a musical written by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim about the life of Marcos, begin on Broadway. The show is set to open in July.

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If you build it, they will come, and they won't leave. Kevin Costner has found himself in a field of nightmares as his divorce from Christine Baumgartner gets more and more complicated. The latest twist? She won't leave their house.

Baumgartner has been married to the Yellowstone actor since 2004, though it's his name, not hers, that appears on the deeds to their three homes, per TMZ. According to the terms of the prenup she signed, Baumgartner was supposed to vacate the housea $145 million estate in Santa Barbaraon May 30, 30 days after she filed her divorce petition on May 1. Well, it's nearly the end of June, and she's still there. Look, packing is time-consuming!

Premiere Of 20th Century Fox's "The Art Of Racing In The Rain" - Red Carpet Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Costner apparently bought the property back in 1988, before he even met his soon-to-be-ex-wife, so it's definitely his. But, as in most divorce proceedings, it comes down to a matter of money. Costner's legal team filed a petition to remove her from the home, citing her various financial demands she's using as leverage. According to them, he's already fronted her nearly $1.5 million and is willing to add $30k/month to his child support payments so she could rent a place. Which seems like a lot of money, and it is, but remember, this is Southern California. Anything with a view costs a kidney.

Kevin Costner Marries In Aspen, Colorado Getty Images

Baumgartner is seeking just under a quarter-million per month in child support (plus private school tuition and healthcare and all that), per People. They share two sons and a daughter (Costner also has four older children from previous relationships).

Baumgartner should be aware, though, that her ex now has plenty of time on his hands to try and get her to leave, as he's exiting his hit Paramount show. Per USA Today, he's instead working on "his four-movie Western saga "Horizon" that he's co-writing, directing and starring in." Hmm, how would a cowboy get his land back from his former lady?

Originally Appeared on Glamour
MSG is a magic powder that makes everything taste more like itself, including that bag of Doritos

The Spruce Eats / Michela Buttignol

For as long as I can remember, since I was old enough to doodle on the backs of menus at my parents Chinese takeout restaurant after school, Ive been hearing emphatic requests for no MSG. Eventually my mom started leaving it out of her own home cooking, going along with the collective feeling that the tiny pinches used were somehow gunpowder in our growing bodies. Even she wasnt immune to the negative propaganda that created Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.

We have a funny history of demonizing food here in America, assigning virtues like good and evil to ingredients or even macronutrients. For instance, the artificial sweeteners people were so excited about a few decades ago currently sit in the doghouse with dairy milk, gluten, and carbohydrates, while the former enemy of the 80s and 90s, fat, is now the hottest macro on the market. Flip-flopped trends just go to show that all things are cyclical.

"Peter's Special Cheese" from "Succession" Is Actually Very Special

Despite the xenophobic and racist propaganda that has surrounded MSG, it is finally starting to get its due in Western culture. As MSG continues its resurgence, new and creative ways to use it have also emerged. For instance, the MSG Martini at Bonnies in Brooklyn has been a runaway hit, and is part responsible for the rising curiosity in this shelf-stable flavor bomb. And a MSG spiked Banana Margarita, at Baltimore's Coral Wig, confirms this isn't just a one-off trend.

What Is MSG?

MSG is an acronym for monosodium glutamate, the full chemical name for a combination of sodium and glutamic acid, the latter of which is a common amino acid, a building block of protein. Glutamic acid is the substance that our bodies interpret as umami in MSG, explains Christopher Koetke, Corporate Executive Chef for Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.

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Tastewise, Koetke says, The simplest way I would define [MSG] is that its the purest form of umami, which is the fifth taste. It gives food a deep savoriness that persists on the palate. This characteristic is what makes anything with it so addictingly delicious and crave-inducing. It helps awaken the pleasure in eating.

Asian sauce giant Lee Kum Kees Corporate Chef, Chris Kimura adds, [Glutamic acid] naturally occurs in foods such as eggs, tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and anchovies; also aged or fermented products like Parmesan cheese, prosciutto, soy sauce, and kimchi. The glutamate in foods like broccoli and in nuts like walnuts also explains why theyre so tasty when toasted up.





How Is MSG Even Made?



While certain foods share the glutamic acid compound with MSG, when it was first made (over a century ago in Japan), MSG was originally derived from kelp. Today, at Ajinomoto, we use an advanced fermentation technology that utilizes local sources of sugar. In the USA, Iowa corn is the starting material. In other countries, ingredients like sugar beets, tapioca, or sugar cane are used. Once the glutamate is extracted from these foods and added to sodium, its chemically indistinguishable from what we find naturally in animal and plant proteins.

How MSG Is Used Around The World

Contrary to popular belief, MSG is not an ingredient exclusive to Chinese food. Chef Kimura says, You may see it listed as an ingredient in things like dashi bases, curry sauces, chili sauces, and imported products. Its also an essential ingredient in the much-loved Kewpie Mayonnaise. It gives it a great depth of flavor.

Kim Pham, founder of proud and loud pan-Asian food brand Omsom, points out that MSG isnt exclusive to East Asian cuisines, either. Youll find it in seasonings like sazon blends, too, which are hallmarks for Hispanic, Latin, and Caribbean flavors.

As for myself, I learned of its widespread Western use early on. My mother was a diligent label-reader, so she was quick to recognize it in beloved American staples. Canned soups, boxed mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, broths, potato chip seasonings, Doritos, hot dogs, jerky, cured meats, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, spice blends and rubs, and frozen entrees the list goes on.  MSG is also a critical element of manufactured foods that boast low-sodium.











MSG By Any Other Name... Would Still Taste As Good

In ingredient lists, you may find MSG labeled as: sodium glutamate, glutamic acid, monosodium salt, monohydrate, L-Glutamic acid, autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, vegetable extract, or even the catch-all natural flavors.















Brands like KFC, Burger King, and Chick-fil-A are not above hedging bets for their menus success with MSG, either. These and other chains use it as a secret ingredient that gives everything savory an extra oomph. While MSG is not the bomb to our health we were all brainwashed to believe a couple of decades ago, it certainly is a flavor bomb.

How You Can Use MSG

Because of its ability to increase flavor perception, it can be looked at as a health aid if the goal is reducing salt intake while retaining flavor, Kimura remarks. Koetke advises, Try replacing salt in food with a mix of 2/3 salt and 1/3 MSG. It makes food taste amazing and reduces sodium by 25%.

Traditional uses for MSG include adding it to scrambled eggs, soups, cooking sauces for stir-fry, dipping or finishing sauces like chili crisp, or fried rice. Its also commonly used in meat blends for dumplings, wontons, or meatballs.

At this point, it might be easier to ask what wouldnt benefit from a little MSG ? As it finally starts to clear its undeserved bad press, it seems the only thing MSG doesnt pair well with is fear.











In Sauces and Seasoning

As a general rule, It works well in items that are already savory that have many complex flavors working together, Kimura says.



Gravies , chilis, vinaigrettes, and spice blends can all get a boost from the addition of MSG.

Phams favorite type of sauce to incorporate MSG into is pasta sauce . Sometimes you want to punch up the depth of a store-bought tomato sauce and MSG works wonders [with] just a pinch.

Im also loving MSG in salad dressings, Koetke says. Whether its a vinaigrette or cream base, it elevates the other spices in it and makes salad a lot more fun to eat.























In Cocktails

Kimura is excited about the prospect of MSG-ified cocktails catching on. Imagine, a bloody Mary with kimchi, sriracha, and MSG!



In addition to a sprinkle in your next dirty martini, as they do at Bonnies, Koetke recommends rimming your next spicy margarita with an MSG and Tajin blend.























In Snacks

Kimura is excited about the prospect of MSG dusted French fries . How about Blackened Chicken fries? French fries dusted in a mix of chicken [bouillon], blackening spice, and MSG?



Along those snacky lines, The Spruce Eats senior editor Kristin Stangl suggests, If you like parmesan popcorn, try MSG sprinkled on your buttered popcorn instead, something Pham calls a truly sensational experience.





















In Desserts

MSG plays well with sweets, too. Ive seen a lot of new chocolate chip cookies that have been incorporating miso or gochujang in their mixes. Adding MSG along with some flaky sea salt [to your regular cookie dough recipe] gives your taste buds sweet, salty, and umami all at once, Koetke observes.



Pham suggests, Try sprinkling MSG onto fresh fruit to toss into salads. It pairs very well with watermelon on a fresh summer salad  simultaneously sweet and savory.



















Read Next: Miso Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookie Sandos
THOM CANNELL

Jutting rockily from the Irish Sea lies a culturally unique island which has intertwined itself with motor racing for 117 years.



Le Mans and Nurburgring deliver challenges, but with 264 unpredictable corners, 37.73 miles of rough, derisive pavement, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy event confronts riders with whipsaw light-and-shadow straightaways, squelchy leaves camouflaged in gloom, seaborn monsoon winds, and oblivious wildlife. Theyve been racing motorcycles here since 1907.

THOM CANNELL

Visiting NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch described his experience on Twitter:Isle of Man! This is absolutely insane. Spectators can view the race from most corners or bends, a friends balcony, verdant hillsides, or a town square. Paddocks are unrestricted.

The Snaefell Mountain Course elevates danger in a smirking reminder of mortality. Pheasants and wild hares lunge into front wheels spinning at over 150 mph, and local birds crash into riders visors. Yet for the price of a pint, you may, at arms length, watch motorcycles and sidecars ripping by, and those living trackside serve tea a la moderacing fuel.



This years race, held this past weekend after more than a week of practice and qualifying runs, saw riders in four motorcycle classes (and one for sidecars) from England, Isle of Man, and Ireland, as well as Australia, Italy, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Japan, South Africa, Serbia, and Slovakia.

Perhaps hardest to understand from an American perspective is that riders may mount a Honda in one race and a BMW in anotherand with factory backing in each. Imagine a Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota NASCAR driver competing in another brand. Riders are tapped off individually at 10-second intervals to virtually eliminate starting line incidents, though favored heroes and rivalries dominate paddock chatter.

Atypically for Great Britain and the Isle of Man, sunshine prevailed this year and with a warm track, expectations mounted for record speeds. Peter Hickman appeared the man to beat in Superbike, Superstock, Supertwins, and the all-important Senior TT on Saturday as his lap record of 16:42.778, 135.452 mph was set during the 2018 Senior TT.

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Indeed, Hickman on Friday smashed the outright TT lap record with a speed of 136.358 mph in the second Superstock race, his 11th TT win ( BMW M1000RR) and later that afternoon narrowly defeated Michael Dunlop to capture his 12th win (Supertwin Race 2) on his Yamaha R7. This built anticipation for Saturdays Milwaukee Senior TT, the ultimate prize at the Isle of Man.

The Milwaukee Senior TT Race, which began this year with a sidecar parade lap commemorating 100 years, was a six-lap, 226.38-mile event that challenged Superbike riders from BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha, now with two races and multiple laps beneath their wheels.

THOM CANNELL

Hickman and Dunlop, who captured all seven prior races, were favored. Ultimately Hickman, riding the Monster Energy FHO Racing BMW 1000RR, took the checkered flag, finishing 19.9 seconds ahead of Dean Harrisons DAO Racing Kawasaki ZX-10RR with Dunlop trailing by 20.4.

Hickman demolished the Senior TT record at 135.507 mph on lap two. This puts Hickman, with 13, one win behind legendary Mike Hailwood. Connor Cummins in 4th was the highest place native rider.

Sidecars, completely dominated by brothers Tom and Ben Birchall, obliterated sidecar lap and race records with the first-ever 120-mph lap, then in the second sidecar race established a 120.65-mph benchmark, again winning. Note that top trap speed for these custom-built machines is barely 130 mph.

These purpose-built sidecars are more open-wheel race car than motorcycle, with the driver positioned over the engine and a passenger providing moveable ballast. TT sidecars are powered by 600cc 4-cylinder, 675cc 3-cylinder, and 900cc parallel-twin engines.



THOM CANNELL

Hondas dominance in Superbike, many based on MotoGP RC213V-S, delivered 11 of the top 20 riders including John McGuinness and Dunlop, while Hickman and Harrison remained committed to BMW and Kawasaki respectively. Superbike differs, where Yamaha is the choice for Dunlop and Harrison with Hickman switching to Triumph. Favored Supertwin machines include Paton, Yamaha, Aprila, and Kawasaki.

Although theres a long history of motorcycle racing on the Isle of Man, it wasnt until 1959 that an unknown Honda came, understanding the TT was the most important motorcycle race in the world. Honda won the team prize that year and by 1967 prevailed in every class.
Verywell / Mira Norian

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer

Its been a year since the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. Since then, theres been a growing divergence between states that are bolstering access to reproductive health care and those that are restricting it.

In states where abortion is banned or restricted, people seeking to terminate a pregnancy must travel far out of state or risk the potential illegality of performing a medication abortion at home. Meanwhile, providers in states where abortion is still legal are being overwhelmed with new appointments from people both in and out of the state.











About 22 million women and children of reproductive age now live in states where abortion access is heavily restricted or totally inaccessible.









For many people, being close to an abortion provider is important to get the services and support they may need to end a pregnancy, Suzanne Bell, PhD, assistant professor of population, family, and reproductive health at Johns Hopkins University, told Verywell.

When that provider disappears, there are just many more barriers that a pregnant person needs to overcome in order to access care, Bell said. While navigating the expenses and uncertainties of finding abortion care within or outside of a state with abortion restrictions, patients may wait weeks longer to get abortion care.

Heres what you need to know about where abortion care has become less accessible, where its been protected, and how the dynamics of that care have changed in the last year.

In 27 States, Most Women Have No Access to an Abortion Provider

Last spring, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. On May 2, a draft of the Courts decision was leaked. It indicated the justices would use the Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision which established the constitutional right to an abortion.



There was a quick reaction to the leak. In Oklahoma, for instance, legislators passed a new law to ban abortion. In the following two months, abortion providers had entirely vacated Oklahoma and South Dakota.



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Several states had laws on the books that would immediately prohibit abortion, should Roe ever be struck down. On June 24, the Court issued its final ruling, striking Roe. Once these so-called trigger laws went into effect, 11 statesincluding Oklahoma and South Dakotalacked any abortion providers. Now, 13 states outlaw abortion.



Related: What Are Trigger Laws and What Do They Mean For Abortion Rights?

Between July 2022 and March 2023, there were nearly 3,000 fewer monthly abortions on average, not including those that fall outside the medical system, according to a report from the Society of Family Planning.



In some states, new abortion restrictions have been litigated in court, resulting in week-by-week changes to the legal status of abortion, creating confusion and abortion care churn, the authors of the report wrote.

Today, in these 14 states, 100% of women of reproductive age live in a county with zero abortion providers:

Texas

Tennessee

Missouri

Wisconsin

Alabama

Louisiana

Kentucky

Oklahoma

Mississippi

Arkansas

Idaho

West Virginia

South Dakota

North Dakota











While Verywell data includes women aged 15 to 44 in order to define reproductive age, this does not represent all people in need of an abortion.









As we approach a year since Roe was overturned, its hard to fathom how severely abortion rights and access have been compromised in the past year, Herminia Palacio, Guttmacher Institute President and CEO said in a statement. Even when Roe was in place, many people struggled to access abortion careespecially those marginalized by systemic racism and economic insecurity. But since Roes fall, trigger bans and new bans have quickly decimated abortion rights and access across the country.



Related: A Verywell Report: Restricting Abortion Will Cost Women Their Lives

Where Has Abortion Access Improved?

As of now, 25 states and D.C. allow abortion past 22 weeks of pregnancy. In 20 of those states, new laws or court decisions have bolstered abortion rights. Some states have enshrined the right to abortion in their state constitution. Others passed laws to protect out-of-state abortion care seekers.



As a result, some states have seen more physician-provided abortions in the last year. Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Colorado, and California became so-called surge states, where tens and thousands of people flocked to get care after Dobbs. Even if those states had restrictions like required in-person counseling and waiting periods, they didnt stop people from seeking abortion care, according to the Society of Family Planning.



According to Bell, geography plays the biggest role in determining which states have the biggest influx in out-of-state abortion seekers.

Places in the Midwest, like Illinois, are seeing huge increases because much of the Midwest and the South have banned or severely restricted abortion, Bell said. In places that are proximate to other liberal states that have continued to provide abortion, you might not see as much of an increase. It really comes down to whats happening in those neighboring states.

Still, the increased abortion rates in some states havent compensated for the reductions seen in states where abortion was banned. That trend may hold as new laws further restrict pregnant peoples abortion options.

For most of the past year, Florida and North Carolina were holdouts in the South, Bell said. Then, in April 2023, Florida lawmakers enacted a six-week abortion ban, making it one of the most restrictive states in the country. North Carolina followed in May, with a 12-week ban.

As of May, Verywell research indicates that people living in Florida are already seeing a reduction in their access to abortion providers.



Related: 7 Things to Know About Your Reproductive Rights in a Post-Roe World

Abortion Bans Force More Out-of-State Travel

Abortion seekers in states with restrictions must now travel further to access care. A Guttmacher Institute survey from July 2022 found that about 12% of respondents traveled out of state to access abortion care.

This often introduces logistical complications, such as the expense of travel, taking time off work, finding childcare, and making an appointment at a clinic that could already be overwhelmed with patients. Overcoming those hurdles could delay a persons care, causing them to get an abortion much later than they wanted to.

Once you get beyond the second trimester, its just much more involved and there are even fewer providers that can provide later abortion care, Bell said. When people are unable to get first trimester abortions in their state or in a neighboring state, the longer they wait, the more expensive it can get, and the more involved the procedure can getit can become a multi-day procedure.

The Guttmacher study also found that people living in states with abortion care restrictions were more than twice as likely to have paid out of pocket for abortion and were more likely to say that financial barriers delayed their care.













Abortion Costs

According to data from KFF, the median cost of abortions for people paying out of pocket ranges from $568 to $775. A medicated abortion costs less than a procedure, and a first trimester abortion costs less than a second trimester abortion.

It's up to states to decide whether or not insurance covers abortions, even in private insurance plans. Post-Dobbs, 11 states restrict abortion coverage in private plans, while 26 ban abortion coverage in marketplace plans. Only seven states require private plans to cover abortion services.











These bans mean that medically complex patients would be forced to put their health and well-being at risk, and that many people who do not have resources may be forced to remain pregnant, Smita Carroll, MD, MBA, MPH, complex family planning fellow at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, told Verywell. People with resources and support, despite the Dobbs decision, have always and will always be able to access the abortion care that they need. People without resources are either forced to travel long distances or ultimately remain pregnant. This inequity in access to care should never exist.



Black and Hispanic populations and those living below the poverty line were already two to three times more likely to seek an abortion before Dobbs. These groups are also at greater risk of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes, such as maternal morbidity and mortality, preterm births, and late entry into prenatal care.



A Move Toward Telehealth

As brick-and-mortar services shutter, virtual clinics are becoming more popular. People seeking to terminate a pregnancy can arrange a telehealth visit with a clinician through sites like Hey Jane, Carafem, and Pills by Post. Patients typically receive the abortion medication through the mail and can self-administer it at home.



Most telehealth providers are restricted by state laws. Aid Access, a non-profit that ships medication abortion to the U.S. from abroad, will send prescriptions to all 50 states, regardless of abortion restrictions. An analysis from November 2022 found that requests for the abortion pill increased by more than 250% after Dobbs compared to before the draft leak. The largest increases were in states with total bans.



In December 2022, the Justice Department said that the U.S. Postal Service and other mail carriers are legally allowed to carry prescription abortion drugs, even to states with abortion restrictions.



The Next Year May Look Similar

As of June, a total of 40 legal cases have been filed challenging abortion bans, with 29 still pending, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.



I think the next year is going to look, unfortunately, a lot like this year in that were going to continue to see lots of cases in the courts challenging abortion bans, and on the other side, people challenging protections of abortion providers, mifepristone, etc., Bell said.

In May, the Senate failed to pass the Womens Health Protection Act, which would have re-established the federal right to abortion. Congress may continue to try to protect abortion in future bills. In the meantime, Bell said abortion providers are being pushed out or voluntarily leaving their professions, and medical education for reproductive health providers has become substandard in states with abortion bans.

The longer we live in this under post-Dobbs reality, the more likely it is that were going to have a lack of providers that are able and willing to provide this care, even if there is a federal law protecting the right to abortion, Bell said.

Besides, a return to the landscape under Roe likely wouldnt be sufficient to ensure people have adequate reproductive health care.



Even prior to the Dobbs decision, abortion access was still out of reach for many communities, Carroll said. We should always hope for and demand a future for abortion access that is better than even the conditions prior to Dobbs.













What This Means For You

Several organizations provide support for people seeking to terminate a pregnancy from states with abortion bans. For instance, Plan C provides information and options for getting abortion medication at home. The National Abortion Federation connects patients with reputable abortion providers and the National Network of Abortion Funds offers financial and logistical support for abortion-seekers.










Hundreds of visitors play in the water or lie on the grass at Barton Springs Pool on Monday seeking to cool off.

It's hot outside. Actually, that's an understatement. It's really hot outside, to the point that it's not safe to head outdoors without taking serious safety precautions to keep cool.

State infrastructure is also feeling the heat. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the agency that manages the state's power grid, on Tuesday asked people to voluntarily conserve energy due to "extreme heat and forecasted record demand." ERCOT made clear the grid was not in an emergency situation Tuesday.

Here's what we know about the latest forecast and extreme heat conditions in Austin:

More: As Texas swelters, ERCOT calls on residents to conserve energy amid record-demand

When will Austin's heat wave cool? 'No clear end in sight'

The National Weather Service extended its excessive heat warning through 9 p.m. Wednesday. Heat index values could reach anywhere from 105 to 118 degrees during this time, according to the weather service.

Temperatures were expected to reach 104 degrees Tuesday, with maximum heat index values at Camp Mabry forecast to hit a scorching 115 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday.

Since 1991, the normal temperature for June 20 in the Austin area is about 94 degrees, according to the weather service, or 10 degrees cooler than Austin's Tuesday and Wednesday forecast. The heat record for June 20 is 106 degrees, which Austin hit in 1925.

Theres a chance of cooler days ahead Thursday and Friday, albeit with temperatures that are expected to be above average. The weather service predicts that by the weekend the Austin heat wave will rally back into the triple digits and they will last through next week.

No clear end in sight to this oppressive heat, the weather service tweeted. Continue to do what you can to keep cool!

Although we'll get a couple of "cooler" days Thursday and Friday (still warmer than average), we anticipate this long-duration heat wave will re-strengthen over the weekend into next week. No clear end in sight to this oppressive heat. Continue to do what you can to keep cool! pic.twitter.com/HKMgvn1pxN  NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) June 20, 2023

Heat-related illness calls on the rise

Austin-Travis County EMS first responders have been called to several heat-related calls since temperatures began climbing last week. The agency had received 67 heat-related illness calls from June 11 through Tuesday morning. The week before, there were 25 such calls. Last year, for the week of June 11, there were 74 heat-related calls.

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Cpt. Christa Stedman, an agency public information officer, said there has "unquestionably" been more heat-related illness this year than what the data for calls show. Sometimes calls aren't logged as heat-related, she said, but medics learn upon arrival that heat is the reason for the call.

How to prepare for the heat

When dealing with scorching temperatures and high heat indexes, it's crucial to prepare before heading outdoors. Stedman said people should hydrate before leaving the house and drink 16 to 32 ounces of water for every hour they'll be outdoors.

Additionally, it is recommended to wear light, loose-fitting clothing, put on a wide-brimmed hat, apply sunscreen, take breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and avoid alcohol and caffeine.

This heat can literally kill you. Know the signs of heat illnesses.

It's so hot that just being outside is a strenuous activity, Stedman said, and this type of heat can quickly lead to heat-related illness.

There are three levels of heat illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat cramps will pop up and feel like regular cramps in the stomach, arms or chest. For those who notice this happening, it's recommended to take a break and slowly sip water in the shade or AC until they start to feel better. If the cramps persist, call 911.

More: A meteorologist's words for Austin's heat: 'bad' and 'oppressive.' But how can we beat it?

Untreated heat cramps can lead to the next stage, heat exhaustion, Stedman said. This can include profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting and intense thirst. It's treated similarly, by getting out of the heat and drinking water. Stedman suggests not chugging water, as it can cause vomiting and make people lose more fluids when that's the opposite of what their body needs.

Heat exhaustion can lead to a heat stroke, which Stedman said is a time-sensitive medical emergency. The symptoms include dizziness, confusion, lethargy, unconsciousness, elevated body temperature and hot, dry skin.

A heat stroke can lead to death. Those who think they or someone they know is experiencing a heat stroke should get out of the heat, wet their clothes to cool down, slowly drink water and call 911 as soon as possible. For those who have passed out, Stedman said not to force water in their mouths, but to still try to cool them down by wetting their clothes.

Are cooling centers open?

All parks and libraries across Austin are acting as cooling centers during their hours of operation for anyone needing to beat the heat, especially for people who are experiencing homelessness and dont have regular access to air conditioning. Travis County Community Centers are also acting as cooling centers.

Those needing a ride to a cooling center can get one for free through Capital Metro. They are asked to inform the bus operator that they're heading to a cooling center before taking their seat.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin EMS sees uptick in heat-related calls; hot weather ahead
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No French pharmacy product comes close to Goops exfoliating cleanser.

Goop Beauty

Its common to hear people talk about French pharmacies like theyre as glorious as the countrys museums; I certainly do. Thats because theyre filled with shelves upon shelves of derm-recommended products with effective formulas and unfussy packaging at drugstore prices. Not only that, but theyre stocked with everything you could wish for  like an acid that shrinks a pimple almost immediately (Hexomedine) or an OTC retinol arguably as potent as Tretinoin (A313). But theres one thing they dont have  a juicy, zesty, exfoliating cleanser. In other words, French pharmacies dont have anything that comes close to Goopglows Cloudberry Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser.

When I packed my bags to spend three months in France earlier this year, I didnt realize that my Goopglow cleanser was running low, or that Goop products arent available in France (Gwyneth Paltrow, if youre reading, whats the status on that?!). Upon arrival, I popped into French pharmacies in just about every arrondissement I visited, but none of them had an exfoliating cleanser that could compare to Goopglows. So I cut open the bottle of the one I had, rationed the small amount left for the next month, and waited for my boyfriend to fly in from the U.S. with a new one.

Credo

Shop now: $35; credobeauty.com and amazon.com

Why all the fuss, you ask? This cleanser has become as irreplaceable in my life as my morning cup of coffee. It serves up exactly what my dry, sensitive skin and I crave  an energizing scent, gentle exfoliation, and ample hydration. Goopglows cleanser is made with orange peel, which provides little exfoliating bits that whisk away dry, flaky skin, and packs a citrusy smell that helps wake me up. I use it in the shower every morning; after wetting my face, I apply it with my fingertips in circular motions, dunk my face under a cold water stream, and wash it all away. When I step out, my skin looks a little bit brighter, plumper, and just plain juicier. Thats thanks to the cleansers formula, which is packed with the skin-boosting nutrients youd find in a multivitamin, like omega-3s and omega-6s, which can aid a compromised skin barrier, as well as vitamins C and E, which tackle dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and can heal damaged skin. Plus, a dose of squalane helps with hydration.

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While I might be the only one importing Goopglows jelly cleanser to France, Im certainly not its only fan  shoppers across online retailers say its every bit as good as theyd hoped. My skin looks so dewy, youthful, and refreshed every time I use it, one customer wrote, while another raved that it leaves their skin extra soft and is non-drying. A final shopper said they can see a visible difference in their skin. Lately it's been looking so much smoother, brighter, and feels baby soft. I've even gotten comments from my family about how great my skin has been looking! they wrote.

Whether youre heading off to Europe or not, do your face a favor, and try the Goopglow Cloudberry Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser for $35 at Amazon or Credo.

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Read the original article on InStyle.
Commerce, Calif.-based Star Fades International (SFI) is expanding its footprint in the Americas.

The full-package development hub with production partners in the U.S. and Mexico opened a new office in Guatemala to support its growth efforts. SFI aims to expand its reach geographically and widen its product offering beyond denim to ready-to-wear knits and wovens.

More from Sourcing Journal

Alejandro Arias, SFIs vice president sourcing, Central America, is leading the operation in Guatemala City. The former Li & Fung and Gap Inc. executive brings over 20 years of supply chain and operations experience in Latin America.

SFIs nearshoring network offers clients sustainable materials, dyes and inputs, access to a transparent and traceable supply chain and certification by all international third-party monitoring systems. Fabric is sourced in the U.S., Mexico or Central America, which is especially valuable for companies looking to take advantage of the tariff savings under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (CAFTA-DR) trade agreements.

The global denim industry is exploring opportunities in Latin America. In January, Kingpins Show hosted an event with key denim suppliers in Medellin, Colombia to discuss its role as a networking platform and how the region can help its efforts to foster a more responsible denim industry.

There is extensive apparel production skill and experience across Central America, not just in denim, but also a wide range of garments, Arias said. The proximity to the U.S. and the opportunity to take advantage of existing trade agreements offers both time and cost savings for companies looking to move manufacturing closer to the point of sale. SFIs nearshoring network allows brands and retailers to make strategic sourcing decisions that maximize flexibility and minimize risk.

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SFI opened its doors in California in 2021 offering clients a local solution for turnkey and custom wash and finishing services. The factory and design development hub provides full-service washing, dyeing and finishing, as well as digital product creation, full-package production and design development services.

SFI

SFIs regional network of nearshoring sourcing solutions can shave six to seven weeks off transportation time compared to producing in Asia. Shorter lead times allows brands and manufacturers to react to trends in real time, better schedule in-store deliveries and avoid retail markdowns, the company stated. Additionally, SFIs digital product creation team and strategic partnerships with 3D design software companies Browzwear and CLO mean clients can develop and adjust samples digitally, accelerating the pattern-making process to move styles into production faster.

Having boots on the ground in Central America gives retailers and brands a flexible supply chain focused on speed, quality, trends and sustainability targets.

Speed, flexibility and service are increasingly important for our customers, said Sergio Turbay, SFI executive vice president of global sales and strategy. They need local expertise in the Western Hemisphere to facilitate sourcing in the region, which is why SFI has been investing in people and resources to build a design development and production network that works seamlessly across the U.S., Mexico and now, Central America.

Click here to read the full article.
Do you yearn for long days and short nights? Then this could be the best day of the year for you and fellow sunlight seekers.

The summer solstice is Wednesday, June 21. Its the longest day and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere. Its also the first official day of summer.

Our ancient ancestors certainly took note of the yearly occasion. Some of their monuments were aligned to precisely mark the summer solstice light (looking at you Stonehenge).

Pagan celebrations of the day carry on into modern times. Todays events include gatherings at Stonehenge in England, the Midsummer Eve celebration in Sweden and Ivan Kupala Night in parts of Eastern Europe.

The solstice is historically linked to fertility  both the plant and human variety  in destinations worldwide.

The science of the solstice and its traditions have fascinated people for millennia.

Summer solstice science

The sun sets behind the Oculus transit hub and One World Trade Center in New York City on the summer solstice in 2019. - Gary Hershorn/Corbis/Getty Images

Is summer solstice all over the world? No. Its only in the Northern Hemisphere, where almost 90% of the worlds population lives. People south of equator in places such as Chile, South Africa and Australia are having their winter solstice and the shortest day of the year there.

When is the 2023 summer solstice exactly? It will fall at 14:58 UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) on June 21. Your time zone in relation to UTC determines the time and even the date that the solstice happens for you. For instance, thats 7:58 a.m. in Los Angeles, 10:57 a.m. in New York City, 3:57 p.m. in London and 11:57 p.m. in Tokyo. Earthsky.org has a handy time zone conversion tool.

Who gets the most sunlight? The differences in how much daylight you get become very dramatic as you get closer to the poles and farther from the equator. In Ecuadors capital of Quito, barely north of the equator, people barely notice the difference. They get a measly extra six and a half minutes of daylight.

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A floating bonfire marks midsummer celebrations as people enjoy the water in the Oslo Fjord by Bjorvika on June 23, 2022. After their long, dark, cold winters, people in Norway like to make the most of their summer days. - Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB/AFP/Getty Images

But residents of northerly Helsinki, Finland, will get a 3:54 a.m. sunrise and almost 19 hours of daylight. Even the night doesnt get that dark. The denizens of Fairbanks in central interior Alaska can scoff at those 19 hours. Theyll get almost 22 hours of daylight, and blackout curtains might be in order.

Why dont we just get 12 hours of daylight all year? Folks all over the planet actually did get nearly equal doses of day and night back during the spring equinox. But the amount of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere has been increasing daily ever since. Thats because the Earth is aligned on an axis, an imaginary pole going through the center of our planet. But this axis tilts  at an angle of 23.5 degrees.

As Earth orbits the sun [once each year], its tilted axis always points in the same direction. So, throughout the year, different parts of Earth get the suns direct rays, explains NASA. When the sun reaches its apex in the Northern Hemisphere, thats the summer solstice.

Is this also the hottest time of year? Generally, its not. On average, the vast majority of the United States experiences its warmest temperatures in July or early August, says CNN Senior Weather Producer Taylor Ward.

Temperatures essentially continue to rise after the summer solstice because the amount of energy coming in from the sun continues to be greater than the amount of energy lost at night  so it is basically an accumulation of warmth until the daylight gets short enough that this changes, says Ward. The only area of the country that actually sees their warmest temperatures in June, coinciding with the longest daylight of the year, is portions of the Southwest because of the timing of the cloudy monsoon season there in July and August.

The same general temperature pattern holds true in places such as Japan and much of Europe.

How to celebrate summer solstice

What does Stonehenge have to do with the summer solstice? The ancient stones of the monument in Southwest England dating to around 2500 BC were aligned by its makers astronomically.

The central axis of Stonehenge was aligned with the sunrise at summer solstice and sunset at winter solstice so that the stones precisely frame the rising and setting sun when days were at their longest and shortest. And it still works like clockwork in modern times.

The English Heritage society organizes gatherings at Stonehenge for the summer solstice and produces a livestream of the sunrise.

People take part in a traditional Rasos midsummer celebration, which has pagan roots, in Lithuania on June 23, 2020. - Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images

What other cultural traditions surround the summer solstice? In Sweden, the Midsummer Eve celebration is tied to the solstice, always being held on the Friday that lands anywhere from June 19 to June 25. Maypoles, folk dancing and romantic rituals are the order of the day.

In Ukraine and some other places in Eastern Europe, the summer solstice is connected with Ivan Kupala Night  a holiday with romantic connotations for many Slavs. People dance, place flowered wreaths on the water and gather around bonfires.

In India, the birthplace of the ancient practice of yoga, the summer solstice is traditionally celebrated with mass yoga sessions throughout the nation. And the United Nations International Yoga Day falls each year on the summer solstice.

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Texas will require electric vehicle charging companies to include Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard in order to qualify for a state program to electrify highways through federal funds, Reuters reports.

The program begins early to mid-summer, which is when charging companies will be required to have NACS and CCS chargers available in order to qualify for funding, according to a spokesperson from Texas's Department of Transportation.

"The decision by Ford, GM, and now Rivian to adopt NACS changed requirements for Phase 1. Each Direct Current Fast Charge port will be required to have 1 CCS connector and 1 NACS connector," the Texas Department of Transportation said in an email to Reuters on Tuesday.

Late last month, Ford sparked an EV charging standards war by choosing to build future EVs with Tesla's NACS technology and charge ports. General Motors promptly announced its own adoption of Tesla's charging standard, causing a domino effect, with Rivian following Tuesday and talks of Hyundai soon to come.

A range of charging companies like FreeWire Technologies, Flo and EVgo, have also promised to include NACS connectors to their public charging stations. Tesla's charging standard is considered to be a better user experience. The cables are smaller, lighter and easier to use and contactless payment enabled by Tesla's technology is a huge convenience.

Tesla's Supercharging network in the U.S. is vast. There are 22,128 Tesla Superchargers compared to 22,262 CCS connectors, according to recent PlugShare data, and those CCS connectors span a variety of charging companies. Until recently, Supercharging stations were reserved for Tesla vehicles, which is why the Biden administration's federal subsidies were initially geared toward CCS connectors.

Last week, the White House said EV charging stations with NACS plugs would now be eligible for billions of dollars in federal subsidies, as long as they also included the CCS charging connector.

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It's not surprising to see Texas be the first state to require charging stations to have a NACS and CCS charger in order to get funding. In 2021, Tesla moved its headquarters to Austin and has since brought around 12,777 jobs to the region as of the end of 2022. The Elon Muskrun automaker has invested billions in a Texas gigafactory to produce EVs and batteries, as well as a new lithium refinery plant.

Other states will likely follow. California's Department of Transportation didn't respond in time to provide a comment to TechCrunch, but California would be the next state to watch. It's the birthplace of Tesla, the automaker's former HQ and current "engineering HQ," not to mention it leads the nation in both Tesla and EV sales.

This article has been updated with information from Texas DOT.
A few years ago, I was surprised when my mother-in-law informed me that I should get vaccinated for typhoid and yellow fever ahead of a family trip to the Caribbean. At the time, I didnt know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) often recommends that you protect yourself against certain illnesses when traveling abroad. (Sometimes countries even require proof of specific vaccinations.)

It was easy to get the shots I needed: I asked my doctor for her input; she said, Yep, go get them; and after a quick trip to my local pharmacy, I was ready for my trip. But I started thinking about all the places I had traveled to without being properly immunized, and, oh, how I spiraled. How did I not know? How did I not get sick! Or, waitwas not getting the hepatitis A shot actually why I got such bad abdominal pain in Egypt.

Anyway, I learned my lesson, and now Im here to tell you that if you live in the United States and have summer vacation planswhether to Mexico, across the pond to Europe, or in Asia or Africatheres a good chance youd benefit from at least one protective measure against illness. Below, well dive into what you should know about the most common vaccines recommended for travelers.

How to make an immunization plan before you travel

First, check out the CDCs destinations page, where you can look up countries and find the exact treatments they recommend you get. (It sincerely couldnt be simpler.) Do this way ahead of timesome vaccines take a couple weeks to fully kick in, and others require multiple doses spaced out in specific increments. If you put it off (it happens!), check out the CDCs guide for last-minute travelersyou can get vaccinated for some diseases on an hastened schedule, or at least learn the best preventive habits to lessen the risk of contracting anything.

No matter where youre going, you might want to talk to a travel medicine specialist who can whip up a preventative plan for you. Ask a primary care doctor for advice or check out the International Society of Travel Medicine, where you can find a global directory of clinics specializing in safe travel.

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If you cant find your immunization records and dont know which ones youve gotten, go ahead and get additional doses anyway. Theres no harm in getting an extra dose of most immunizations, Maura Sammon, MD, an associate professor of clinical emergency medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, tells SELF. As a rule of thumb: If youre not sure, get it, she says.

What diseases to be aware of and protect yourself against before your trip

Okay, on to the illnesses and preventive measures to have on your radar! Heres what to know about how to keep yourself safe during your exciting international travels.

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Recommended if youre traveling to: Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the western Pacific, and the Caribbean

When to get vaccinated: At least a month before your trip

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are two very different diseases, both of which can hurt the liver, but theres a combined hep A/hep B vaccine that you can get if you havent been immunized against either one (or just dont know what youve been vaxxed for in the past). You can get this on an expedited schedule too, if youre up against the clock: Typically this shot is given over the course of six months, but in a pinch, three doses can be administered in 21 days. There are also shots specifically for hep A and hep B, respectively, if you know youve been vaccinated for one, but not the other.

In terms of what these diseases are, lets start with hepatitis A. Its a very contagious liver infection thats transmitted through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person. The symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, and jaundice, can last up to two months (and, for some unlucky people, up to six months). Pretty much every country in the world recommends travelers get this shot (which, by the way, requires two doses given six months apart, but even one dose provides strong protection). It is the most recommended vaccine for travel, Dr. Sammon says.

Hepatitis B is a much more serious liver infection that can be deadly. Its spread through bodily fluids (like blood, semen, or vaginal fluids), most commonly through sexual contact with someone whos infected (there are an estimated 350 million hepatitis B carriers globally). It can also be transmitted through sharing personal care items (like a razor or toothbrush) or getting a tattoo or piercing from unsterilized equipment.

Hep B is not as common as hep A, but its much more serious. Though many people will get better in a few weeks, some will get chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to issues like liver failure or cancer. Its particularly important for people who expect to have any sexual contact or medical procedures abroad to get vaccinated for hep B first, Dr. Sammon adds, so talk to your doctor to gauge your riskbut no matter what, I would recommend that you get it if its on the CDC list for your destination, she says. The good news: Hepatitis B is entirely preventable by vaccines.

Typhoid fever

Recommended if youre traveling to: Eastern and southern Asia (especially Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh), Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Middle East

When to get vaccinated: At least two weeks before your trip

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that causes a sky-high fever along with weakness, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and constipation. If youre treated early, you can recover swiftly, but theres one issue: The infection is often not recognized quickly because it resembles other common illnesses, says Dr. Sammon, adding that it can be fatal.

Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water, and, according to Dr. Sammon, its very easy to get. You dont need to have direct contact with someone who has typhoidjust with the bacteria (which is ubiquitous in certain environments and can be spread through drinking or eating something thats carrying it). The risks of contracting typhoid are greater if you plan to eat in rural areas or in someones home, where there may not be strict handwashing guidelines, says Dr. Sammon.

Typhoid immunization comes in a pill form (a weakened version of the bacteria that provides protection for five years) or a shot (protection lasts for two to three years).

Tick-borne encephalitis

Recommended if youre traveling to: Western and northern Europe and northern and eastern Asia

When to get vaccinated: At least six months before your trip

If youre headed to western or central Europe (think: Scandinavia) between April and November, when ticks are the most active, theres a chance youll need this shotespecially if you have plans to hike, camp, or do outdoor activities in forested areas outside of major cities. If youre gonna stick to urban areas, you can probably skip it: If youre going to the city and youre not going to be out taking hikes in forested areas, it would not be recommended, says Dr. Sammon.

The majority of people who contract this infection, which affects the central nervous system, dont feel sick, but it can lead to fever, aches, and GI issues. In certain people, it can cause brain and spinal cord swelling and death. Unfortunately, unlike Lyme diseasein which it can take up to two days of a tick latching onto a human for the disease to be transmittedtick-borne encephalitis can spread immediately after a tick bites, making the shot all the more crucial.

Yellow fever

Recommended if youre traveling to: Africa and South America

When to get vaccinated: At least 10 days before travel

Yellow fever is a viral infection thats transmitted by mosquitoes predominantly in Africa and Central and South America. Dr. Sammons says yellow fever used to be much more common than it is today, but its still definitely worth getting the shot (one jab will give you lifelong protection) if youre headed to one of the places where its prevalent.

Most people who contract yellow fever wont get sick or, if they do, will have mild symptoms, such as fever or body aches. A small percentage of people (about 12%) will develop serious issues, including liver failure and kidney failure, says Dr. Sammon. We dont have an antiviral drug for yellow fever, and symptoms are mainly treated with supportive care, so your best bet is to avoid getting it in the first place.

Malaria

Recommended if youre traveling to: Many countries in Africa, the Americas, and Asia

When to start taking the medications: It varies for each drug, but some medication courses start as soon as a day before travel

If youre going to Mexico, Colombia, or any of the countries flagged here (which are predominantly tropical places), youll want to be protected against malaria. This disease isnt something to mess around with. Malaria is probably the most concerning [illness] that people who look at travel medicine worry about, says Dr. Sammon. People who get it typically get very sick, and in certain cases, it can be life-threatening. It takes just one quick mosquito bite to contract the disease. Fever, headache, and chills are the telltale symptoms. Some types of malaria can be severe (causing convulsions, impaired consciousness, and extreme fatigue) and rapidly fatal, particularly among people who dont live in an endemic country (a.k.a. travelers), she adds.

The malaria immunization comes in pill form, and youll have to take it before your trip, during your trip, and after your trip. There are a few different types of malaria protection drugs that all have varying dosing schedules (check out the risks and benefits of your options here). Go on the CDC website, see if where youre going requires malaria prophylaxis, and contact a travel medicine specialist, says Dr. Sammon.

Another big way to protect yourself from illness while traveling

Yes, this is a story about vaccines, but Dr. Sammon insists we include a blurb about mosquito protection. Why? Because mosquito-borne diseases like Zika, dengue, and West Nile virus are a major threat to your health, even in nearby locations like Puerto Rico. Mosquito-borne illnesses are a massive public health threat, yet theyre extremely preventable, Dr. Sammon says.

While yellow fever and malaria have safe, effective immunizations, many other mosquito-borne diseases dont. Your best bet for staying safe from mosquitos: DEET and picaridin. Dr. Sammon says people are often afraid of DEET because it smells chemical-y, but decades of research have shown that its incredibly safe and very effective. Picaridin is a newer alternative that, while not as extensively studied as DEET, is just as effective. These products essentially hide you so the insect cant smell you. Dr. Sammon recommends dousing yourself in these products when traveling to buggy places.

Another option is permethrin, an insecticide that repels mosquitoes. You can buy permethrin-treated clothing or soak your clothes in the liquid, wash them, and wear them knowing youre well-protected for six washes, says Dr. Sammon.

All told: There are plenty more diseases out there that you may want to be vaccinated or otherwise protect yourself against, depending on where youre going, which is why its worth setting up an appointment with a travel medicine doctor if youre not sure where to start. At the very least, check out what the CDC says and talk to a pharmacist. Just dont be like me, naively traveling without realizing the next meal, drink, or mosquito could very quickly derail my entire tripand my health even after I get home.

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Originally Appeared on SELF
Veja is hosting a book signing and discussion Wednesday night at its Mulberry Street store in New York, celebrating a new summer activism read.

The book titled, Young and Restless: The Girls Who Sparked Americas Revolutions by journalist Mattie Kahn recounts the untold, true story of teenage girls kicking off revolutionary acts. Activist and model Cameron Russell  a vocal advocate in the climate and sustainable fashion sphere  will join Kahn in conversation.

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Per the description by publisher Penguin Random House, the book explores young women who have been disenfranchised and discounted, recounting the true story behind major social movements in America that teenage girls have all but exclusively ignited.

Nine months before Rosa Parks kicked off the bus boycotts, Claudette Colvin was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, the excerpt read. She was fifteen. In 1912, womens rights activists organized a massive march in support of womens suffrage. Leading them up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan was not one of the mothers of the movement, but a teenage Chinese immigrant named Mabel Ping-Hua Lee. Half a century before the better-known movements for workers rights began, over 1,500 girls  some as young as ten  walked out of factories in Lowell, Massachusetts, demanding safer working conditions and higher wages in one of the nations first-ever labor strikes.

Kahns book follows a series of labor releases in the past few years, including Kim Kellys Fight Like Hell (2022), which covered fashion organizing efforts surrounding the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, and the modern prologue around Amazon Labor Union amid the pandemic.

The book signing is one of many in-store panels and events Veja hosted recently.

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Maybe it was the French. Watching this spring as they erupted in protestgrinding their own cities to a halt, disrupting mass transit, letting trash pile up, torching their president's favorite restaurantover the specter of pension reform made us feel a bit...sheepish.

Hearst Owned

Our own previous spring had brought the most devastating setback to American womens rights in half a century. The Supreme Courts decision on Dobbs leaked in early May of last year, then landed with a miserable but unsurprising thud in late June. People marched in front of government buildings in big cities and small towns across the country, crowds gathered in front of the Supreme Court, students staged walkouts, and activists yelled outside the private homes of Justices John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh.

But the backlash felt so modest compared to the gravity of the loss. The most dispiriting reaction came from our pro-choice elected leaders, who offered neither a roadmap to fix this nor an appropriate sense of outrage: President Biden issued an enraging statement the morning after the leak that simply suggested people vote for pro-choice leaders later that year. House Democrats rushed through several bills protecting abortion access, with the full knowledge theyd all fail in the Senate, which of course they did. And in July, Biden signed a lifeless executive order instructing the Health Department to give doctors legal advice and to look into that whole period-tracking-app data thing. He acknowledged that abortion access couldnt be enshrined without more pro-choice leaders in charge (likehimself?!) and again told folks to vote. Come fall, our initial ire felt like it was morphing into numb exhaustion.

Then came the drip-drip-drip of dystopian headlines, viral threads, and nightmarish anecdotes, which keep coming a year later: There was the Tennessee mother rendered infertile after she was denied treatment for an ectopic pregnancy; the woman in Texas who dug nail marks in her walls when she was sent home to bleed out her miscarriage; the Oklahoma mom withcancerous pockets all over her placenta instructed to sit in a parking lot until her symptoms got worse; the Christian reality star whose miscarriage (or was it an abortion?) was grotesquely debated in public detail.

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Khadija Horton/Getty

The stories are monstrous, downright depraved. And so the question rises again and again: Truly, how are we letting this happen? Why arent we burning buildings to the ground? How can we genuinely expect things to ever go back to the way they were? Automatic donations to Planned Parenthood and voting every few years have never seemed more futile.

Im definitely guilty of complacency. It makes me physically ill when I try to wrap my mind around it, says Lark, 36, of Pasadena, California. Abby, 38, of Chicago, Illinois, says, Because the anti-abortion movement spent decades fighting for something that always seemed impossible until it wasnt, it feels like it will take a similar length of time to undo it, even though I desperately hope thats not the case.

Some dont even see reproductive rights as a front-and-center issue anymore. It seems like abortion has gone back to what its always been, which is a rallying cry for political parties around elections, says Clarke, 25, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The young people I knowon both sides of the abortion debateseem to be focused on more pressing issues, like mass shootings.

The Supreme Court decision and subsequent abortion restrictions enacted across the country have already altered many young peoples family and career plans. Im a queer, disabled Southerner and I want to raise a family here, but Im so scared of the risks pregnancy presents for me these days, says Nina, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia. I personally feel like were expected to turn up and vote based on the loss of our rights, but the people we vote for dont show up for us. Aly, 35, of Brooklyn, New York, left her job in marketing to become a nurse in the hopes of providing abortions in the future. Despite making this huge change, I still feel personally helpless and scaredto the point that I am considering having my tubes tied, she says. Above all, my uterus has become a liability.

Experts and leaders in the repro rights space certainly get it. We are inheriting a world where the cards are sincerely stacked against us in every sense. There is this real threat of climate disaster, the normalization of mass shootings, the stripping away of our bodily autonomy, says Yaneth Flores, public policy director at Avow, an abortion advocacy nonprofit in Texas.Complacent is not the word but defeated, says Mattie Kahn, author of the new book Young and Restless: The Girls Who Sparked Americas Revolutions. Theres a sense of whack-a-mole as a socially engaged person, she says. The issues just pile up. Where should I possibly start? What can I possibly do that will be helpful?

Since Roe fell, 14 states have succeeded in banning abortion entirely, while many more have imposed nonsensical time restrictions that act as de facto bans. Yet its still possible to convince yourself that youll figure out a way to end an unwanted pregnancy if you need to. If youre in Florida or Texas, at least theres a way for you to go somewhere else. If anti-abortion folks succeed in changing those things, I do think wed see more of a backlash, says Mary Ziegler, a law professor at UC-Davis and the author of Abortion and the Law in America: Roe v. Wade to the Present. Now, theres a sense that whatever is out there can be circumvented.

Khadija Horton/Getty

And although a Texas judge suspended the FDAs approval of the abortion pill mifepristone in April 2023, its still available as of press time while the appeals court hears oral arguments. I think the fact that there are other ways to get an abortion today that didnt exist at the time of Roethats a factor in this complacency, says Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), who is, at 86, a lifelong feminist leader.

Then theres the regional disassociation, which is precisely what many anti-choice lobbyists have worked toward: a state-by-state erosion of abortion access that makes the problem seem far away. Unfortunately, there is a tendency some people have in the U.S. where if something dark happens in the South, they will just say, Well, thats the South, Ziegler observes.

So yes, many of us feel deflated and burned out from the barrage of horrors this decade has gifted us so far. But theres bad news for anti-abortion activists and politicians hoping to capitalize on that fatigue: It is certainly not universal among Gen Zers and millennials, many of whom have seized (and already impacted) the abortion fight in undeniably significant and notably new ways.

To start, Gen Z is action-oriented. They dont want to be people who raise money on campus and then send it off to an organizationthey want to be doing the work, notes Kahn, who points to the group Emergency Contraception for Every Campus, which helps students distribute Plan B to their peers. They really love knowing that theyre helping people immediately in a time of need whose dorm room they can see, who are part of their community.

Thats true of 17-year-old Eve in Utah, whos been organizing around reproductive rights since she was in eighth grade. I live in Salt Lake City, and Ive consistently seen that more conservative areas are underserved even by advocacy organizations and nonprofits, she says. While she co-organized and spoke at rallies last springattending alongside her 86-year-old grandmothershe saves the most energy for her classmates. At my high school, I have the ability to make the most change, and I try to make sure that my peers know their rights and how to access those rights.

Its possible that older folks are relying on outdated models of activismlike marches, political donations, or civil disobedienceto evaluate how engaged younger people are. A lot of those marches and rallies are organized by nonprofits. I dont know that thats where young people want to be. I think theyre finding other opportunities to engage, says Flores.

Then theres that constant exhortationvote! vote! vote!and young people are doing that too. Every anti-abortion ballot measure thats been put out there, every single one, has been defeated, especially in red states. They couldnt have done it without the young peoples vote, says Representative Judy Chu (CA-28), who was arrested with 100 others at a post-Dobbs protest last spring. The 2018 and 2022 midterm elections had the highest youth voter turnout in three decades, while half of all eligible people under 30 voted in the 2020 presidential election, a double-digit increase over 2016. Complacent, our asses.

If youre approaching the Dobbs anniversary with any amount of guilt or youre feeling ill after another week of unspeakable headlines or you just want to do moreand we could all do more, right?the experts and activists young and old with whom Cosmo spoke for this story have loads of ideas.



Remember that the abortion conversation is easier now than it was in the 60s and 70s.

Today, theres more consensus on the issue than there was 50 years ago. The majority of Americans have supported Roe v. Wade consistently, in poll after poll, for decades. A 2019 Pew Research Center poll found that only 28 percent of responders wanted to see Roe v. Wade overturned, and once it was, Pew found that 6 in 10 Americans disapproved of the Dobbs decision. American support for abortion access generally hovers between 53 percent and 70 percent. Simply put, abortion access is popular. You cant find 70 percent of Americans to agree on anything, Ziegler points out. Seventy percent of Americans dont like the weekend better than Monday!

Let other peoples work inspire you.

Yes, the process might seem Sisyphean, but someone a click away on the gram keeps fighting the good fight, and you can just follow their lead (and ask how to join their efforts). I get through the day because of my community of badass young and old and trans pro-abortion and pro-abolition Texans, says Flores, who offers the Buckle Bunnies of San Antonio and the Texas Equal Access Fund, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, as examples of groups with very young founders and staff who personally inspire her. There are days that I feel tired, for sure, says Connie Adler, MD, board chair of Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights (GRR!), whos been involved in the movement since the late 60s. But theres joy in working for justice together. That connection brings meaning to your life.

Find something tiny to do in your immediate area.

It can be as simple as googling abortion advocacy in my state, says Representative Chu. Identify groups already doing the work, then reach out to donate a few dollars or see how you can volunteer. The Abortion Care Network has information about indie clinics all around the country, says Adler. They need drivers to take people for abortions in states like Illinois, which is an island in the middle of abortion-free zones. They need daycare. There are also people who accompany folks [during the procedure], like abortion doulas. There are all kinds of ways to be directly involved. The lowest lift? Flores suggests buying stickers from INeedAnA.com, an awesome site that maintains up-to-date info about clinics, funds, pills, and local laws. Stick them all over your town, wherever you go, to ensure that information is accessible for folks, she says.

Khadija Horton/Getty

Lobby your congressperson to overturn the Comstock Act.

Named for the U.S. postal inspector who opposed immoral materials like anatomy textbooks, the 150-year-old Comstock Act prohibits sending obscene, lewd, or lascivious materials in the mail. The law is wildly broad and old-fashioned, yet it was the precedent used this spring in the abortion pill ruling. Ziegler thinks the law can and will be used by conservative politicians to create a nationwide abortion ban in the future and to keep any reproductive products from being distributed, period. Now that theyre winning, theyre coming for more stuff, she warns. Im here to tell you that it has been a lot worse and it could get a lot worse.

Learn how to weaponize your voice.

We have educational sessions training people on how to use medication abortion, so they can, in their own states, share that information with others and help guide people toward using mifepristone and misoprostol correctly, says Adler. Her organization, GRR!, also works with the WOC-founded group We Testify, which helps amplify peoples abortion stories, to visit college campuses and teach students the power of sharing their own stories. Recently, we were testifying on a bill in the legislature about extending abortion access, and a bunch of students testified for the first time in their lives, which was wonderful, says Adler.

Ask Republican legislators to go on record about total bans and criminalization of abortion.

Again, access to abortion is a broadly popular position in the U.S., and even staunch pro-lifers dont like the idea of banning it entirely or putting women in prison for getting the procedure, reminds Ziegler. Speak up in a local town hall, demand a response on social media, or ask when a candidate visits your college campusits a cultural wedge that reminds folks what page most Americans are still on and demands that political leaders stay in line with that stance.

Support ballot initiatives and note state supreme court elections.

Last year, ballot items in Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan were shockingly efficient at protecting abortion access (supported by 59 percent, 52 percent, and 55.7 percent of voters, respectively), becauseall together nowAmericans love reproductive freedom! Elections for state justices and judges are just as important, as seen in the battle in Ohio just this month. People want to look to the 60s for inspiration? Thats exactly what they did while fighting the longer game to Roe, says Ziegler. They were clawing for every single victory in the states.

Keep chatting with everyone in your life about abortion.

Dont let the topic drop or let stigma and polarization develop. We continue to make it a taboo by not talking about it, says Flores. The most powerful thing we can do is talk to our neighbors, our family, and our friends and have honest conversations about a health care procedure that they may or may not need at some point in their life.

If you need an abortion, check out the resources at INeedAnA.com or AbortionFinder.org. You can also dive into the Guttmacher Institutes resources for more detailed info on the policies in your state.

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If it's good enough for Massimo Bottura, Beyonce, and Jay-Z, it's good enough for us.

Brent Hofacker / Alamy Stock Photo

Dessert wines get a bad rap, thanks in part to our grandparents drinking habits, and also to the fact that the term itself is, well, totally misleading. It wasnt until I began working in the wine industry in my early twenties that I realized dessert wine didnt just refer to a wine you drank as dessert itself, but to a sweet wine that you could actually pair with a dessert to create a combination of flavors far superior to the sum of its parts. And frankly, thats just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the category  I consulted with the one and only Massimo Bottura, a die-hard Chateau dYquem fan (so much so that he serves the precious Sauternes by the glass at Osteria Francescana) for his thoughts on where dessert wines stand in society today.

You know, people really dont understand [it]  people think Chateau dYquem is for dessert and its like, what? This is crazy! he shares. In the midst of preparing for an intimate pop-up dinner at Deer Valleys Empire Canyon Lodge in Park City, Utah, Bottura indulged me with a story (hes got one for everything). He recalls his unforgettable dinner at the wedding of the son of LVMH chiefs Bernard Arnault in 2021: At Alexandre Arnaults wedding to Geraldine Guyot, we served tortellini cooked in a fresh daily-made cream with white truffle shaved on top and Chateau dYquem 2019, he tells me. People went crazy. You had to see it  I mean, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Monsieur [Bernard] Arnault, everyone in the kitchen shaving white truffles and eating tortellini [with Sauternes] at midnight.

If its good enough for Bottura and Beyonce, then its good enough for us, right? My point is this: dessert wines are just so much more than we give them credit for, and they shouldnt be written off just because you once tasted your friends moms dusty bottle of Marsala and it haunts you to this day. Heres everything the experts want you to know about sweet wines, including how they themselves like to drink them (when theyre not at billionaires sons weddings and whatnot).

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What are sweet wines?



Sweet or dessert wines are a category of wines that are characterized by their higher residual sugar content, says David Kong, founder of Somm.ai and Glasvin.. Unlike dry wines, which have minimal or no residual sugar, sweet or dessert wines have noticeable levels of sweetness. This sweetness is often balanced by acidity and other flavor components, resulting in a harmonious and complex taste profile.

Sweet wines, Kong adds, are also known for their higher alcohol content, another factor that makes them popular for after dinner, whether paired with desserts or enjoyed on their own. Within the wine world, where sweet wines do have somewhat of a cult following, theres the added appreciation for mouthfeel and richness, only adding to the complexity and uniqueness that sweeter-style wines can offer.

Related: 6 Common Myths About Sweet Wine

What do sweet wines taste like?

There are many different styles of sweet wines out there, and thus a wide spectrum of flavor profiles and characteristics depending on factors like provenance, grape variety, production style, age, and more. Youre likely already familiar with some of the sweet wine worlds big players  Port, sherry, and Madeira  but some of the classic notes youll find in sweet wines include fruits (fresh, candied, dried), flowers, vanilla, butterscotch, honey, caramel, cocoa, coffee, and nuts.

How are sweet wines made?

Technically, sweet wines can be made anywhere, but some of the most popular sweet wine making areas include Germany, Austria, Canada, Portugal (specifically Porto and the island of Madeira), the southwestern Spanish region of Jerez (home to sherry), and all throughout France, to name a few.

There are various ways in which sweet wines can be made, and they can also run the gamut from off-dry (meaning they have just a touch of sweetness) to quite sweet. Understanding what separates one style of sweet wine from the next can help to demystify the category as a whole  here are some of the various sweet wine production methods, according to Kong:

Late Harvest: Grapes are left on the vine for an extended period, allowing them to ripen further and accumulate more sugar. This leads to wines with a naturally higher sugar content.

Noble Rot (Botrytis): In certain regions, grapes are intentionally affected by the noble rot, a beneficial fungus called Botrytis Cinerea. This process causes the grapes to dehydrate, concentrating their sugars and flavors.

Ice Wine: Grapes are left on the vine until they freeze, usually in regions with cold climates. The frozen grapes are then harvested and pressed, resulting in a concentrated juice high in sugar and acidity.

Fortification: In some cases, a spirit (such as brandy) is added to the wine during fermentation, stopping the process and leaving residual sugar behind. This method is commonly used to produce fortified wines like Port or sherry.

Passito: I spoke with Sicilian winemaker Jose Rallo of Donnafugata about how her team produces their passito on the island of Pantelleria, where the only grape variety grown is Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) via a special UNESCO-recognized viticultural system developed to withstand the islands strong winds.

All the activities we carry out in the vineyards are done by hand, from the harvest to the destemming of the dried grapes destined for the production of our iconic Passito di Pantelleria Ben Rye, Rallo shares. Harvest, she notes, usually begins around mid-August, and the bunches are hand-selected and laid out on racks for natural drying in the sun and wind until they reach the desired sugar concentration levels (around three or four weeks). A second harvest takes place in September, and these fresh grapes are used to produce the must for fermentation in stainless steel vessels.

During the fermentation, dried grapes are added several times to the fresh must in the stainless vessels; the fermentation lasts for around four weeks until the Ben Rye reaches the perfect balance, Rallo adds, summing up the appassimento method. At the end of the process, to produce one bottle of Ben Rye, we use around four kilos of grapes. The final product strikes a balance between fresh and sweet with a bright, fruit-forward bouquet full of apricot, candied orange, and (according to Rallo), hints of Mediterranean scrub.

Related: Maximum Coziness Is an Evening Glass of Sweet Wine

What are some of the best ways to pair sweet wines with food?



Bottura is also a big fan of pairing young Chateau dYquem with finely-sliced Culatello, but if you dont happen to have either of those lying around, here are a few general pairing guidelines:

Desserts are, of course, the obvious pairing choice, but for good reason. Sweetness in food imparts a drying effect on wines, which means that whatever wine youre drinking with dessert is going to taste much more dry than it would on its own, thanks to the sugar in the dessert itself. So while its a natural urge to opt for a dry wine with dessert for balance, the balance you seek actually lies in a sweeter wine that will no longer taste so sweet between bites of creme brulee or raspberry pavlova.

Lean on your intuition when pairing sweet wines with dessertslook for complementary flavors and qualities in both the dish and the wine and use those as your North Star. For example, if youve got a nice sweet Riesling or Gewurztraminer (both white grape varieties), youll want to keep it light and fresh with a fruit-centric dessert rather than go heavy with, say, a flourless dark chocolate torte, which would be much more suitable for a big, luscious ruby Port.

Some sweet wines pair excellently with cheeses  Rallo recommends trying her Ben Rye passito with a nice, big blue, for example. Kong says that rich and creamy cheeses generally tend to balance sweetness in wine, while fresh and tangy cheeses (think goat or feta) can provide good contrast.

Dont be afraid to experiment and have fun with your sweet wine pairings! While you most likely wont want to drink sweet wines throughout an entire meal, you can still play around with pairing sweet wines and savory foods when the mood strikes  bright acidity and a bit of sugar can work wonders with salt, fat, and heat.

How should you serve a sweet wine?

When enjoying sweet wines on their own, it's important to consider the serving temperature  some sweet wines are best served slightly chilled, while others may benefit from being served at cellar temperature to fully express their aromas and flavors, says Kong.

In terms of glassware, there are a few classic styles that have historically been used to serve sweet wines depending on their style and provenance (think stout, wide glasses with short stems for sherries and Ports, for example). Kongs stemware brand Glasvin originally developed its dessert glass for renowned chef and chocolatier Gabriel Kreuther, and its quite possibly the best sweet wine glass out there, although its certainly an investment at $408 for a 12-pack. For more aromatic sweet wines (and aromatic wines in general), Kong also recommends Glasvins Aromatic glasses ($89 for a two-pack).

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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Two wolves howling

If youre planning a trip to Isle Royale National Park this summer, you can expect to feast your eyes on miles of pristine shoreline, explore secluded caves, wander the boardwalk through the swamp forests and stroll in the shade from the canopy of the boreal forests. Youll likely see wildlife like moose and beavers and if youre really lucky, you might glimpse a gray wolf just before it disappears into the trees.

A small island in vast Lake Superior positioned 15 miles from the mainland might seem an unlikely place to encounter such an animal, but wolves have existed on Isle Royale since the 1950s. Sarah Hoy, a researcher at Michigan Tech University, explains that wolves first arrived here thanks to the frigid winter conditions youd expect from an area thats closer to Ontario than it is Michigan.

Wolves had naturally come across to the island by crossing ice bridges between the island and the mainland.

Discovering a healthy moose population on the island to sustain them, wolves have endured here now for more than six decades, spawning the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Project in 1958 which is today the longest-running study of predator-prey populations in the world. Hoy joined the project seven years ago and co-leads it with two other researchers, spending between four and five weeks on the island each winter, when the National Park is closed to visitors, observing the wolf and moose populations. But back in 2008, her colleagues noticed something concerning, however  there were very strong indications that the wolf population was not doing very well.

As temperatures have increased over time due to global warming, those ice bridges that the wolves previously relied upon form less frequently. When they do form, they sometimes only last for a day or two, not leaving enough time for migration between mainland and island. Consequently, the wolf population on the island became so inbred over time that it became impossible for them to reproduce. By 2015, around the time that Hoy came on board, the wolf population on Isle Royale had dwindled to a meager two wolves.

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Sunrise at Isle Royale National Park

The National Parks Service decided to take action, and in the fall of 2018, 20 wolves were translocated from Minnesota, northern Michigan and other areas of the Lake Superior region to the island to try to re-establish a wolf population. Less than five years later, the wolf population here is up to more than 30, in line with previous populations, and there were three or four new litters born in 2022.

Theyre doing everything you expect wolves to do. They've got territories, theyre producing pups, they're killing moose, they're defending their territories, reports Hoy.

Isle Royale is only about 206 square miles and a single wolf can have a territory thats anywhere from seven to over 200 miles, roaming up to 30 miles a day in search of food, so the current population is about as big as the researchers expect it to become.

Having been here throughout the reintroduction, it's been really impressive to me just how resilient wolves can be, how quickly their populations can recover if you just let them and they're not being subject to high levels of human-caused mortality.

Returning from near-extinction to normal levels in under five years might seem surprising, but Isle Royales remote location  its only accessible by ferry and plane six months a year  might actually explain some of the programs success.

I think Isle Royale is probably one of a few places in the world where you could release wolves into the wild and there isn't the potential of the wolves to come into conflict with people. There's no farming on the islands, you're not worried about livestock predation, there's no hunting so there's no conflicts there, people don't have pets on the island so there's no risk that your dog's going to get killed by a wolf. It really is one of the few places in the world where they can just be wolves without any of those conflicts.

Close-up of young wolf

The reintroduction of wolves to Isle Royale isnt the first such project. The most famous example of such an initiative, of course, is in Yellowstone National Park which began returning wolves to the area in 1995. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission recently finalized plans to reintroduce gray wolves to the western slope by the end of 2023. For scientists and ecologists, the move towards restoring wolf populations is exciting, but for hikers and dog walkers, the prospect is often met with fear and resistance.

However, Hoy explains that the evidence shows there are some real benefits to their preservation, beyond the ethical implications of making up for some of the damage humans have inflicted upon wolves.

Research has been done here and in other parts of the world showing that wolves can have a really important influence on ecosystems, says Hoy, pointing to the report from this winters observations, which was published on June 14 . It reveals a drastic decline in the moose population, down by 379 over the previous year with surprisingly few calves born.

If youre a wildlife lover, this news is likely to cause you a little whiplash, but as Hoy takes the time to clarify, only 10 percent of this reduction is attributable to wolves  the remainder is largely down to food shortage created by such high levels of moose browsing in recent years  and the reduction may actually be a clear signal of a return to balance on the island.

The number of the moose on the island had been unusually high for a number of years and the moose were starting to have really strong impacts on forest vegetation.

Because an average adult moose can weigh over 800 lbs, they eat a lot. In the summertime, they can chow down on as much as 40 lbs of vegetation every day in an attempt to increase their body weight to help them survive the long winter when food is scarce. When there are a lot of moose on the island, that level of grazing can really start to take its toll on the forest.

Many saplings have died or they're just not being able to grow in the way that they should. Obviously that has long-term implications for how forests regenerate and how healthy they are.

Bull moose in field

Another argument for using wolves to help maintain the moose population is that wolf predation is actually crucial for helping to control the health of the moose as well as their numbers.

Wolves predominantly prey on either young individuals or old individuals, or those with diseases. Weve seen that wolves on the island will selectively prey on moose that get arthritis, and they can influence the prevalence of arthritis in the population just by being selective, says Hoy, adding that other work shows that wolves may be important in controlling infectious diseases like tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease.

So for the surrounding ecosystem, the benefits of a healthy wolf population seems clear, but how does it all alter things for those of us who like to get out on the trails in our hiking boots or pitch a tent for a night or two in the backcountry?

A lot of the evidence suggests that wolves are not a threat to human safety in most parts of North America in Europe. Even though the number of wolves has increased greatly in Europe, there arent loads of wolf attacks on people and if you're coming to Isle Royale youre likely to injure yourself slipping on a wet rock or the boardwalk or you're more likely to run into a disgruntled moose thats not happy that you're there, advises Hoy, who says that these days, visitors are usually excited to tell her that they heard or saw wolves during their visit to the island.

I would say if you are lucky enough to see a wolf then you are lucky. Treat them like any other wild animal. Give them space and respect and enjoy that fleeting opportunity because its probably going to disappear into the forest pretty quickly.
Apple is once again in trouble for its union-busting practices. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) judge ruled Apple interfered with employees' organizing efforts at its World Trade Center store in New York City after workers, Bloomberg reported. Managers were found to have taken away pro-union flyers in the break room and attempted to dissuade employees from joining unions, which prosecutors argued had led employees to end the organizing campaign. A judge ordered Apple "cease and desist from coercively interrogating employees regarding their protected concerning activities and Union sympathies."

The news broke in early 2022 that Apple store workers nationwide were quietly organizing in response to concerns that their wages didn't reflect the rising cost of living. However, Apple soon hired the anti-union law firm Littler Mendelson, which also represents Starbucks and McDonalds, among others. The company also instructed store managers to share anti-union sentiments, such as warning employees that joining a union could bring reduced pay, career opportunities and time off. That May, the Communications Workers of America filed Unfair Labor Practice charges for the Apple stores in the World Trade Center and Atlanta's Cumberland Mall.

Union efforts are slowly gaining ground at Apple stores across the country. The NLRB previously found Apple had violated federal law in Atlanta, including daily mandatory anti-union meetings for employees and interrogating workers. Last year, employees at an Apple store in Maryland and another in Oklahoma voted to unionize. Yet, other locations like the St. Louis branch abandoned plans to unionize, blaming similar tactics by Apple.
On Tuesday in Arkansas, a federal judge struck down the states first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for minors as unconstitutional.

The law struck down is similar to House Bill 1080, which passed in the South Dakota Legislature in February and takes effect July 1.

Arkansas ruling marks the first to overturn such a prohibition as a number of states have adopted similar bans, including Utah, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama and Arizona.

More: Across US, Republican state lawmakers are winning the battle to block transgender youth from getting medical care

Arguments against HB 1080 referring to Arkansas lawsuit on the matter were made during this past legislative session by lobbyists and opponents like Samantha Chapman, advocacy manager for the ACLU of South Dakota.

Chapman said the local ACLU chapter is carefully reviewing the Arkansas decision to see what implications it could have in South Dakota, but cautioned the ACLU cant offer an in-depth assessment at this time without that review. She said the court found the law violates the constitutional rights of transgender youth, their parents and their medical providers.

A protester holds a transgender pride flag in downtown Sioux Falls on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2022 in support of transgender rights.

Its not too late for the same legislators (who proposed HB 1080) to change their positions and use their power to undo the harm that HB 1080 will inevitably cause for their constituents, Chapman said in a statement Tuesday. We are ready and willing to work with any lawmaker to bring legislation to reverse the law in South Dakota.

More: Access to gender-affirming care has now been limited under law for South Dakota youth

Laws like these harm transgender youth, and the ACLU will continue to do all that it can to fight for rights and well-being in the face of government-sanctioned discrimination," Chapman said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Overturn of Arkansas ban on trans healthcare could affect South Dakota law
PANAMA CITY BEACH  A local man is behind bars after choosing to swim in the Gulf of Mexico under double red flags.

According to a press release from the Bay County Sheriff's Office, Garrison Creamer, a 38-year-old Bay County resident, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he refused multiple times to get out of the Gulf during double red flag conditions.

The incident occurred near Beach Access 85, which is located at 20711 Front Beach Road in the Panama City Beach area. Creamer was in the water with a boogie board when deputies arrived.

Garrison Creamer, a 38-year-old Bay County resident, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he refused multiple times to get out of the Gulf during double red flag conditions.

"As double red flags were posted, swimming conditions in the water were too dangerous for anyone, even with a boogie board," the release reads. "Only those tethered to a surfboard can enter the water during double red flags."

Sunday's drowning: Another tourist drowns in Panama City Beach; second local drowning in less than a week

Thursday's drowning: Former firefighter drowns in Panama City Beach attempting to help distressed swimmers

BCSO notes Creamer then refused to get out of the water both after deputies told him to do so, and while a helicopter hovered above him.

"After about 25 minutes, (Creamer) returned to shore, boogie board in hand, and tried to avoid deputies by running through the large crowd that had gathered to watch," the release reads. "Deputies quickly caught up, and though (Creamer) fought, he was taken into custody on the sand dunes."

He was charged with violation of double red flag ordinance, obstruction of justice and resisting and battery on a law enforcement officer.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Sheriff: Bay man arrested; was swimming in Gulf under double red flags
HAYNEVILLE  The capital murder trial of William Chase Johnson, charged in the November 2019 shooting death of Lowndes County Sheriff Big John Williams, will be moving out of Lowndes County.

Retired Escambia County Circuit Judge Bert Rice granted defense attorneys change of venue request in a Wednesday morning hearing. Rice said he will determine which county the case will go to at a later date.

Rice was appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court to preside in the case, after local judges recused themselves.

Johnson, 21, attended the hearing, dressed in blaze orange jail garb and restrained in leg irons, handcuffs and belly chains. He has been held in the Elmore County Jail, under no bond, since his arrest the night of the shooting. That is standard in a capital case.

He did not speak in the hearing, which was held in a courthouse that has since been named for the slain lawman.

The defense argued the naming of the courthouse for Williams and the fact the crime scene is a gas station across the street from the courthouse were factors that should be considered in changing venue.

The courtroom is on the second floor of the courthouse, and Rice acknowledged defense attorney Bill Whatleys argument about the location of the crime scene, a QV convenience store.

The court notices it can look right out this window and see the scene of the alleged crime easily, he said. It can be seen from the courthouse, a courthouse renamed for the victim.

Before making his decision, Rice heard arguments from the prosecution as to why change of venue was not necessary.

It is our position that the trial should be where the crime occurred, said Deputy Attorney General Kenneth Gibbs. Change of venue must meet a very heavy burden, and we dont feel the defense has met that burden.

Rice said from the bench that he was unaware of any case having similar circumstances as this one.

The court is not aware of a parallel, in the state or nationally, to this case, where the courthouse where the trial would occur has been named for the deceased victim, he said. The potential jurors would have to go through the front door under the sign bearing the name of the deceased.

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And just to the left is a memorial to the deceased, and a large picture of the deceased hanging on the wall.

Williams, 62, was killed the night of Nov. 23, 2019, while trying to disperse a large crowd in the parking lot of the QV convenience store in Hayneville.

Johnson has entered a plea of not guilty due to mental disease or defect. The defense has not elaborated on what mental disease of defect Johnson may have.

Rice had set a trial date in October in Hayneville. Since change of venue was granted, the date will have to be rescheduled.

Capital murder is the most severe charge the state can file. The only sentencing options in the event of a conviction are life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. The defense has filed a motion seeking that the death penalty be removed from consideration. Rice has not ruled on that request, records reflect.

Williams spent more than 40 years serving his community. He started out as a reserve deputy in 1978 under then-Sheriff John Hulett before spending three years with the Hayneville Police Department, then going back to the sheriffs office as a road deputy. He worked his way up to chief deputy and was elected sheriff in 2010.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: 'Big John' case moved from county where courthouse bears his name
Special counsel John Durham was both lionized and scrutinized by lawmakers as he appeared before the House Judiciary Committee to discuss his probe into the FBIs 2016 investigation into the Trump campaign.

Durham provided little new information in his May report but confirmed a series of FBI missteps previously documented by the news media, including that the FBI failed to provide a full picture of the evidence when seeking a wiretap of Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

In a rare public appearance Wednesday, Durham called his findings sobering.

The problems identified in the report are not susceptible to overnight fixes.  They cannot be addressed solely by enhancing training or additional policy requirements. Rather, what is required is accountability, both in terms of the standards to which our law enforcement personnel hold themselves and in the consequences they face for violation of laws and policies of relevance, he said.

More House coverage from The Hill

Over more than five hours of questioning, Republicans and Democrats zeroed in on the parts of the report most favorable to their positions.

To Republicans, Durhams scathing 305-page report supports their arguments about a Department of Justice and FBI that has been weaponized against former President Trump.

Democrats argued the report backed the FBIs initial decision to open a probe into the Trump campaign, something they view as significant, since Trump called for Durhams appointment with high expectations that hed find damaging material on the FBI.

Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a chief Trump defender who has cast the FBI as rotted to the core, said the report served as an example that the bureau requires serious reform, as any one of us could be next.

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There is [a double standard at the Department of Justice]. That has got to change, and I dont think more training, more rules is going to do it. I think we have to fundamentally change the FISA process, and we have to use the appropriations process to limit how American tax dollars are spent at the Department of Justice, he added, referring to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which has the power to authorize a wiretap.

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It was a tip from an Australian diplomat that ignited the FBIs interest. The diplomat had spoken with Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, who told him that Russia had damaging emails from then-competitor Hillary Clinton. It was that tip, not the later debunked Steele Dossier, that led the FBI to initiate the investigation.

We have many areas of disagreement across the aisle, but I am relieved that we have no disagreement about one of the fundamental conclusions of your report: that it was incumbent upon the FBI to open some form of investigation when presented with evidence that a presidential candidate and his associates are either coordinating campaign efforts with a hostile nation or being manipulated by such a hostile nation, said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.).

Several Democrats attacked Durhams work, criticizing the report for not offering any recommendations for the FBI and calling attention to its failure to lead to criminal convictions.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) noted that five Trump campaign associates were convicted of various crimes following the Mueller investigation.

In contrast to multiple Trump associates who were convicted, you brought two cases to a jury trial based on this investigation, and you lost both. So I dont actually know what were doing here, because the author of the Durham report concedes that the FBI had enough information to investigate, he said.

And thank goodness the FBI did, because vulnerable Trump associates who committed crimes were held accountable. And the best way to summarize what happened is: Thank you to the brave men and women of the FBI for doing their jobs.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) addresses reporters after a closed-door House Democratic Caucus meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Republicans pivoted between complaints over the Justice Department and the treatment of Trump to possible FISA reforms that would limit law enforcement authority for spying both in the U.S. and abroad.

You detail how FBI personnel working on FISA applications violated protocols. They were cavalier at best, as you said, in your own words, towards accuracy and completeness. Senior FBI personnel displayed a serious lack of analytical rigor towards information that they received, especially information received from politically affiliated persons or entities and  a significant reliance on investigative and leads provided or funded by Trumps political opponents were relied upon here, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) said.

Johnson went on to lament the involvement of Peter Strzok, previously deputy assistant director the FBIs Counterintelligence Division, who made negative comments about Trump in texts.

He said horrible things about President Trump, and all of his supporters by the way, how could we say he did not have political bias?

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.)

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) leaves a closed-door House Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) criticized the FISA application that allowed the FBI to wiretap Page.

A FISA application was pursued without disclosing some relevant information to prosecutors or the court, without following standard procedural rules, utilizing investigative techniques that were the most intrusive without first exhausting other techniques, and instead pursuing the most invasive method possible from the outset against Mr. Page, she said.

Durham was also at times berated for his work, including by those who said he did not do enough to probe FBI misdeeds after Trump said Durhams report would reveal the crime of the century. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) was also gifted time by other members to question the course of the investigation.

Schiff critiqued Durhams decision to issue a statement about an inspector generals report on the same topic and repeatedly asked why one of the top prosecutors on the investigation resigned, a question Durham refused to answer.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Durhams investigative trip to Italy was just looking for authentic pasta as he griped that the special counsels work was insufficient.

It seems like more than disappointment. It seems like you werent really trying to expose the true core of the corruption, Gaetz said.

Its not whats in your report that is telling, its the omission, its the lack of work you did.  You let the country down.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
[Source]

Two prima ballerinas, one from South Korea and one from China, were announced as joint winners of the prestigious best female dancer award at the Benois de la Danse.

Best of the best: South Koreas Kang Mi-sun and China's Qiu Yunting received the highly coveted award during the ceremony in Moscow on Tuesday.

Kang, 40, and Qiu, 27, achieved the remarkable feat by besting four other participants from international ballet companies.

About Benois de la Danse: Established in 1991 by the International Dance Association in Moscow, the Benois de la Danse awards were created to commemorate the exceptional French choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810).

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The recognitions, which acknowledge the outstanding contributions and achievements of talented dancers and choreographers from around the world, have become a symbol of distinction within the ballet community.

About Qui: Qiu, a graduate of the Beijing Dance School, has showcased her versatility through performances in various renowned ballets such as "Don Quixote," where she portrayed the roles of Kitri and Chief Bridesmaid, as well as leading roles in "Giselle," "White Snake," "The Nutcracker" (Chinese Version), "La Bayadere," and other notable productions like "Swan Lake," "The Crane Calling," among others.

Her talent has garnered numerous accolades, including the gold medal at the 4th Beijing International Ballet Invitation Competition and the gold medal of ballet group at the 10th China Taoli Cup Dance Competition. In 2022, Qiu was bestowed the title of prima ballerina, making her one of the youngest dancers in the National Ballet of China to achieve such a distinction.

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About Kang: Kang embarked on her ballet training at Sunhwa Arts High School, and she further honed her skills at Washington Kirov Academy of Ballet in the United States. Joining Universal Ballet as an apprentice in 2002, Kang displayed her unwavering determination as she progressed through the ranks, transitioning from a corps de ballet dancer to a demi-soloist, then a soloist, and ultimately a senior soloist.

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In 2012, her exceptional talent led to her promotion as a prima ballerina. Kang's portrayal of the lead role in "Mirinaegil," a captivating piece premiered by Universal Ballet at a theater in Seoul in March, earned her well-deserved recognition.

Kang, the fifth Korean dancer to receive a Benois de la Danse prize, shared her gratitude and excitement after her win.

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"Honestly, I had completely no expectations as I was emptying my mind," she told Yonhap News Agency. "I was truly surprised when my name was called, and I am grateful to receive this honorable award."

More from NextShark: Donnie Yen to Play a Chinese Mexican Drug Kingpin in 'Golden Empire'
A bald eagle sends out a warning, at a nest at a nest south of Gibsonburg. June 20 commemorates the anniversary of the bald eagle's selection as our national symbol on the Great Seal of the United States of America, in 1782.

Each year on June 20, National American Eagle Day honors our national symbol, raising awareness for protecting the bald eagle. The day also encourages the recovery of their natural environments while providing educational outreach.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates there are 806 eagle nests in the state. That is up from 2019, where there were 707 eagle nests in Ohio.

The ODNR's 2020 survey found eagle nests in 85 of Ohio's 88 counties, with 50 nests in Sandusky County and 90 in Ottawa County - the most among Ohio counties. There were 14 in Richland County, 9 in Ashland County, and 6 in Crawford County.

The bald eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of The United States of America and appears on its Seal.

In the latter 20th century, the bald eagle hovered on the brink of extinction in the continental United States. Eventually, populations recovered and on July 12, 1995, the species was removed from the U.S. Federal Governments List of Endangered Species and transferred to the List of Threatened Species.

In June of 2007, as the species continued to thrive, the American eagle was withdrawn from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States.

Although no longer considered endangered, bald eagles are protected under state and the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

A bald eagles stays close to her young eagles at a nest at a nest south of Gibsonburg. June 20 commemorates the anniversary of the bald eagle's selection as our national symbol on the Great Seal of the United States of America, in 1782.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: June 20 is American Eagle Day
A former CNN producer was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison after he plead guilty to a charge of coercing a 9-year-old minor into sexual acts.

John Griffin, who worked at CNN for eight years, including on the morning show New Day, also was sentenced to 15 years of supervised release and he was ordered to pay restitution. The sentence was handed down on Monday at a federal court hearing in Vermont.

More from Deadline

CNN fired Griffin after he was charged in the case in 2021.

According to prosecutors, Griffin allegedly used Kik and Google Hangouts to seek parents who would allow him to train their minor daughters to be sexually subservient. That included offering to host the mothers and their daughters at a ski house in Ludlow, VT for the purposes of sexual training. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop two other counts against him, and they were dismissed, according to court records.

The indictment claimed that Griffin, in 2020, paid to fly a mother and her 9-year-old daughter from Nevada to Boston. He brought then to the ski house, where the child was directed to engage in and did engage in illegal sexual activity.

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The United States returned a treasure trove of ancient coins to Greece as part of a program to repatriate cultural property, federal officials announced Wednesday.

The 51 coins represent the largest such collection repatriated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that handles cross-border crime.

Trafficking in antiquities is a multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise, but when traffickers steal these antiquities from a country, theyre robbing from the cultural heritage of a nation  solely for their potential to generate profit, said R. Sean Fitzgerald, HSI Chicago special agent in charge, in a statement.

The coins landed in HSIs control after Customs and Border Protection intercepted four shipments entering the United States without the proper paperwork.

HSI officials and Greek government officials, including Alexandra Papadopoulou, the Greek ambassador to the U.S., held a ceremony last week to formalize the return.

As these coins get back to Greece where they belong, Im sure it will make an exciting, powerful display as part of our culture, as part of our shared identity, and as part of our close relationship with the United States, Papadopoulou said.

According to ICE, the agency returned cultural artifacts to more than 15 countries on 20 occasions in 2022 as part of its Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Program.

The materials returned ranged from prehistoric fossils to artwork stolen from Jews during the Holocaust.

HSI possesses the unique skills and determination necessary to disrupt this concerning practice. At HSI Chicago, we have a dedicated unit with agents specially trained to track down lost and stolen pieces, ultimately contributing to approximately 20,000 artifacts that HSI has recovered and returned to over 40 countries since 2007, Fitzgerald said.

There are no clear estimates of the size of global antiquities trafficking, though repatriations like the one conducted by HSI are valued in the hundreds of millions per year.

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Yet the trade can be overestimated as well as underestimated in monetary terms, further complicating strategies to combat antiquities smuggling.

There is, for example, the vexatious claim that the illicit trade in cultural objects is valued at billions of dollars annually and ranks with drugs and arms as one of the three most serious illicit trades. The claim has been refuted many times but never seems to go away, wrote researchers in a 2021 Journal of Field Archaeology paper.

Still, the monetary value of antiquities often pales in comparison to the cultural value assigned by countries of origin.

It is often extremely difficult to put a specific monetary value on an ancient historical coin, Fitzgerald said. That notwithstanding, as tokens of the worlds oldest democracy, Greeces cultural property  in HSIs view  is considered priceless.

And according to a report published by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, 2022 could potentially offer a turning point in tackling crimes against cultural heritage.

That report found increased international cooperation, and high-profile cultural property returns exposing major players in the global trade.

Many returns have stemmed from multi-national operations that have ensnared prominent art collectors and dealers accused of looting and running trafficking rings in plain sight from luxury addresses in major capitals, wrote the researchers.

Investigations into cultural property trafficking, some spurred by large-scale leaks of financial documents including the FinCen files and Pandora Papers, have embroiled some of the art world elite and its foremost cultural institutions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ford Motor Company

To help with U.S.-based natural disasters, Ford is providing $2.5 million to Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization.

Team Rubicon will receive two Bronco Sasquatch SUVs and 15 pickup trucks: 10 F-150 Hybrids, three F-150 Lightning EV pickups, and two F-350s.

Ford previously gave Team Rubicon $1.5 million and donated $7 million for disaster relief efforts in the past few years.

Automakers often donate vehicles or financial resources to communities they are connected to after a disaster hits. Today, Ford is announcing a five-year, $2.5 million investment in Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization. Ford has previously donated $1.5 million to Team Rubicon and said the latest donation will allow the organization to assist communities facing damage from "the increasing number of natural disasters across the United States." Ford said it will make a total investment of $5.8 million in Team Rubicon.

Transportation, including passenger vehicles, is responsible for around 29 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, climate change scientists have warned that increasing global temperatures will lead to more intense weather disasters. According to NBC News, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identified 18 extreme weather events that each caused at least $1 billion in damage in 2022.

Ford Motor Company

A Fleet of Fords with Reflective Wraps



On top of the just-announced monetary donation, Ford will also hand over 17 electric vehicles and hybrids to Team Rubicon, including 15 pickup trucks and two four-door Broncos with a Sasquatch off-road package. That truck fleet will be made up of 10 F-150 XL PowerBoost Hybrid trucks, three F-150 Lightning Pro trucks, and two Super Duty F-350 XL trucks. Ford selected these models not only for their ability to carry heavy loadsof food or medical supplies, for examplebut also to provide power for rescue efforts or other needs, as all 15 trucks have some Pro Power Onboard capability. The 17-vehicle fleet will also have a co-branded wrap design that includes reflective elements so the vehicles are easier to see in the dark.

Ford is making the donation through its charitable arm, the Ford Motor Company Fund, which has donated $7 million to disaster relief efforts globally in the past few years, according to the group's website. Ford and the Ford Fund made over $64 million in charitable contributions in 2022.

Team Rubicon Started in Haiti

Team Rubicon was founded in 2010 after a massive earthquake in Haiti. The veteran-led organization now supports communities around the world "before, during, and after disasters and crises" with the help of over 150,000 volunteers. Team Rubicon operates across the United States.

Ford will encourage its employees to volunteer with Team Rubicon by providing paid time off when they do. Ford employees volunteered with Team Rubicon in Detroit earlier in 2023 to repair homes wrecked by floods in 2021. The first targets for Ford employees with this new donation are Detroit, again, and Houston.

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Worcester area legislators speak in favor of bill to overhaul hospital essential service closure law in light of proposed Leominster maternity closure. #mapoli #healthcare



Learn more: https://t.co/EASsOHUmgS pic.twitter.com/NFCSRwyWnw  MNA (@MassNurses) June 20, 2023

BOSTON - Blasting UMass Memorial Health's plans to shutter its Leominster maternity ward as "unconscionable," a bipartisan group of lawmakers urged their colleagues Tuesday to strengthen state oversight of health care consolidations and closures.

About half a dozen legislators from the greater Leominster area did not mince words during a committee hearing Tuesday, alleging that UMass Memorial Health is putting undue strain on Bay Staters with the closure plans its leaders announced last month.

If the birthing center shuts down in September as UMass Memorial plans, lawmakers said, residents in the area will need to travel to Gardner, Worcester or Concord for labor and delivery -- all 30 minutes away or longer.

"They manufactured this crisis because they don't want to sustain labor and delivery in Leominster, and we think that's unconscionable," Rep. Natalie Higgins, a Leominster Democrat, told the Health Care Financing Committee.

UMass Memorial Health has attributed its proposal to close the maternity inpatient unit, which is subject to review from the Department of Public Health, to staffing shortages and a "steadily declining number of births in North Central Massachusetts."

"What workforce challenges could not be overcome with an $80 million shot to the arm over the past two years?" asked Sen. John Cronin of Lunenburg, referring a series of public funding injections UMass Memorial has received.

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Mass. nurses union assails UMass Memorial plan to close Leominster maternity unit

UMass Memorial wants to close Leominster maternity ward; lawmakers vow to fight

Plan to close Leominster maternity ward will get Statehouse scrutiny. Here's what to know

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Lawmakers knock UMass Memorial's plan to close Leominster maternity ward
United States Marshals are searching for a man who is wanted for first-degree robbery and may be armed, according to CrimeStoppers.

Cavaria Latre Devon May, 25, has friends and family in Montgomery, according to a news release.

May is 5'11" and weighs about 160 pounds. He has a tattoo of a cross on the right side of his neck.

Cavaria Latre Devon May is wanted for first-degree robbery.

Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to May's arrest.

Anyone with information about May can call police or CrimeStoppers on the 24-hour tip line at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP. Those who wish to remain anonymous should call CrimeStoppers.

More: Five Weekend Shootings At least one dead, six injured in 5 separate weekend shootings in Montgomery

Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Do you know Cavaria May? The U.S. Marshals want to know where he is.
President Barack Obama presents Former Staff Sgt. Ryan M. Pitts with the Medal of Honor at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 21, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Cortez/ Released)

Staff Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts is a distinguished retired member of the United States Army honored with our nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor. His brave and courageous deeds in Afghanistan in 2008 earned him this prestigious recognition for his unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms.

Background

Staff Sergeant Pitts was born and raised in the farm country of New Hampshire. By the time his high school graduation rolled around, he was still unclear as to what he would do with his life. He considered college but believed the cost of tuition might put a strain on his family. In 2003, when Pitts was only 17, he enlisted in the Armys delayed entry program.

He spent much of his early military career stationed at Camp Ederle, Italy. Eventually, in 2007 he deployed to Afghanistan, where he engaged in the action that earned him his Medal of Honor.

MOH SSG (ret) Ryan Pitts visit 1st BN 40th Field Artillery. SSG Pitts completed basic training with 40th and came back to talk with the Cadre and Trainees. Pitts talked with the Trainees about the importance of the material that they learn in basic and how it helped him on his missions. He also signed the poster of him located in Vessey Hall, where trainees are received into basic training.

Medal of Honor Action

During a grueling 15-month deployment in Kunar Province, Staff Sergeant Pitts was assigned security detail at an observation post outside a vehicle patrol base. On July 13, 2008, an Anti-Afghan militia launched an attack against the base, firing rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns. Soon after, a grenade hit the observation post, setting it ablaze. Several service members died in the initial explosion, and Staff Sergeant Pitts sustained severe injuries. He lay on the ground bleeding from shrapnel wounds as the assault raged on.

Despite his condition, Staff Sergeant Pitts fearlessly defended the observation post. He fired on the enemy, hurling grenades at them until they retreated. Even though he could not stand, he succeeded in slowing enemy advancement.

Soon, a reinforcement team arrived to defend the observation post. Staff Sergeant Pitts gave them his rifles to fire on the enemy. Meanwhile, he crawled to the ammunition depot, got more grenades, and then launched them at the attackers. Next, watching as the assailants advanced, Staff Sergeant Pitts radioed to the main base, telling his comrades where the assailants were in the field. Thanks to this brave action, his fellow soldiers could fire on the enemy snipers from the high ground and prevent the main base from being overtaken.

Staff Sergeant Pitts courageous action saved not only the vehicle patrol base but the countless military personnel who had been working inside. He received a medical discharge from the Army in 2009.

On July 21, 2014, President Barack Obama presented (Ret) Staff Sergeant Pitts with his Medal of Honor during a special ceremony at the White House. Pitts now works in business development for a technology corporation.
Duke Energy gave the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources a more than $18,000 grant Monday that will buy wet and dry suits, flotation devices, rafts, helmets and other equipment for officers who serve at the new rapids in Great Falls.

Officers from the SCDNR Law Enforcement Division formally receive an $18,500 grant from Duke Energy during a presentation in Great Falls on June 19. Tyson Blanton, of Duke Energy (center, behind check), and state Sen. Mike Fanning were on hand.

A new swift water rescue unit formed when Catawba River water was routed back to Great Falls after more than a century. The water had been diverted to power mills in the area.

A new whitewater area opened in March for rapids enthusiasts.

After 117 years, Great Falls gets its water back. New whitewater rapids to boost SC town

The restoration of Great Falls came as part of Duke Energys federal hydroelectric relicensing. The company needs federal approval to manage the Catawba River and its reservoir as it generates power. The most recent relicensing project involved a host of public recreation improvements across Lake Wylie and other reservoirs, including the Great Falls addition.

According to SCDNR, the rapids in Great Falls, which is expected to be a regional draw, creates different safety needs compared to nearby Fishing Creek or Lake Wateree.

Tips for navigating the long bypass whitewater rapids in Great Falls, SC

Its really to help us have a uniform, safe approach to anything that requires swift water rescue equipment or personnel to be able to have a successful operation and outcome, said Lt. Brady Branham, head of the new SCDNR rescue unit.

Officers in that unit spent four days near Lake Wylie dam training on nighttime operations, rescue swimming, rescue boat operations and rope techniques in preparation of what they may face in Great Falls, according to Duke.

Kayakers headed to whitewater rapids in this South Carolina town will need some skill

Mondays grant was part of a $500,000 award to various groups as part of Dukes programs on emergency and storm preparations.

These grants will help provide fellow first responders with the tools and training to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way, said Mike Callahan, Dukes South Carolina state president.

State Sen. Mike Fanning said he expects the Great Falls whitewater to be a game changing amenity for the region.

It cant work if we dont have ways of keeping people safe, Fanning said. Allowing SCDNR to do their jobs with the resources they need is going to be critical to helping this go long term.
An Oklahoma City family was rescued from Lake Hefner after their boat sunk during Saturday night's intense storms.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, a caller notified officers that their family members, 48-year-old Nikki Ayers, 31-year-old Marquiest Ayers, and 57-year-old Ronney Broussard, were stranded on a boat in the middle of the lake during a weather event with strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning.

The family of three was fishing on their boat before the storms hit and their boat lost power, causing it to sink.

Officers drove around the lake and located the family hanging onto the tip of their boat, barely above the water, without life jackets. After getting to shore, they received treatment from firefighters and EMSA.

According to MSgt. Kendall Smith with the Oklahoma City Police Department, if boaters are caught in a severe storm with big waves, they should be familiar with maneuvering their boat in those conditions.

Boaters are also advised to check weather forecasts and wind conditions before heading onto the water.

The US Coast Guard also requires that everyone on a boat should have a life jacket in good working condition and fits them correctly.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma family rescued from sinking boat during storm on Lake Hefner
Members of a taskforce, meant to help find solutions when it comes to providing legal services for those who cannot afford a lawyer, believe one solution may lay in creating a statewide commission to assist certain cases.

The recommendation comes after a four-hour meeting Tuesday afternoon of the Indigent Defense Taskforce in Sioux Falls. Prior to the meeting, the state's Unified Judicial System held a series of listening sessions across South Dakota to gather input from defense attorneys, states attorney offices and county commissioners about issues theyve identified with the system such as inadequate funding and access to resources.

Only three counties, Minnehaha, Pennington and Lawrence, have public defenders offices. The rest of South Dakotas 66 counties rely on court appointed attorney lists or county contracts with criminal defense lawyers.

More: Funding, experience needed for court-appointed criminal defense services in South Dakota

We do all of this in a state with 66 counties that look at least 66 different ways and that trying to do something that advances those dual goals of efficacy and efficiency, something is going to have to give, said Neil Fulton, the Dean of the University of South Dakota Law School.

Centralize appeals and habeas corpus cases

While no final recommendation was reached, the group did agree upon the idea of the possibility of a centralized commission where lawyers would handle appeals and habeas corpus cases on the behalf of their client.

Brent Kemempa, the deputy Attorney General, explained the AGs office has an appellate division that focuses strictly on appeals. He said the office has at least 11 prosecutors focused on criminal appeals.

Courtroom 2B sits on the second floor of the Lincoln County Courthouse, across from the state's attorney office, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

Traci Smith, the Minnehaha County Public Defender, and Wendy Kloeppner, the Lake County States Attorney, both liked the idea and agreed that appeals and habeas cases required an experienced attorney.

Could certain cases also be included in the commission?

Maybe.

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Discussion primarily centered around the question of if there was a centralized commission of defender services and whether could the office help with serious felony cases.

Members spoke about the need to establish criteria that would determine if a lawyer was eligible to be considered and what could be considered a serious felony. There were also questions and multiple answers as to who would oversee such a commission, whether it be the state or several regional administrators, and who would fund it.

If youre wanting to take on some of these cases, theyre intense and theres a lot of information, said Eric Whitcher, the Pennington County Public Defender. I think there should be some trainings developed on how to handle it.

Fourth Circuit Court Judge Michael Day said in serious felony cases, such as murders or rapes, he wants to know the lawyer hes appointing to the case.

More: Arkansas ruling on gender-affirming care ban could have implications in South Dakota

Weve all had this discussion today about how important it is that they have the passion, the training and the experience, but who are they going to be? Day asked.

Some like Kloeppner took inspiration from Beadle County, where a group of defense lawyers share a contract with the county to provide defender services. The group decides which lawyers are assigned cases and the competency of the lawyer.

Kloeppner said by having a similar board who would create a list of competent and trained attorneys for the commission could answer a judges question about who would represent the defendant.

Sen. Jim Mehlhaff, R-Pierre, said there was merit to having a statewide defender service that could set standards and provide training.

More: Sioux Falls City Council to vote Tuesday on 4 years of utility rate hikes

As for funding the potential commission, Greg Sattizahn, the state court administrator for UJS, said it would make sense for the state and counties to both provide funding.

I think we should think of funding as coming in to support the overall structure to assist counties with a portion of their bills or the state picks up a portion, he said.

He added the commission could be administered by the UJS, with seven different administrators reflecting the seven state circuit courts.

But to create that structure seven times, I think could be challenging because some of them have to assume that administrative responsibility and so you would probably have at least seven of those folks, Sattizahn said.

The taskforce meets again at the end of July to discuss what other states have done in creating statewide defender services programs and what may work for South Dakota.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SD Indigent Defense Taskforce considers statewide service commission
On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: Search intensifies for Titanic tourist sub

The search intensifies for the Titanic tourist submersible. CBS News Correspondent David Pogue recounts his experience visiting the sub last year. Plus, former President Donald Trump's federal trial on classified documents charges has been scheduled, USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down Hunter Biden's agreement to plead guilty to multiple charges, a federal judge strikes down as unconstitutional Arkansas's ban on gender-affirming care for children, and nearly one third of all unhoused people in the United States live in California.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Taylor Wilson:

Good morning. I'm Taylor Wilson and this is 5 Things you need to know Wednesday, the 21st of June 2023. Today, the latest as a search continues for the missing submersible in the North Atlantic. Plus, we have a date for former President Donald Trump's documents trial, and Hunter Biden makes a plea agreement.



A Canadian aircraft heard underwater noises just after midnight last night in a part of the North Atlantic being searched for a submersible that vanished on Sunday in a dive to the Titanic wreckage site. US and Canadian ships and aircraft intensified their searches yesterday and they've already searched more than 10,000 square miles, according to the Coast Guard. As of this morning, the sub has an estimated 24 hours of oxygen remaining if it's still intact. Five people are on board, including the mission company Ocean Gate CEO, Stockton Rush. Few people have been inside the submersible designed to reach the wreckage of the Titanic, which sits nearly two and a half miles underneath the ocean. But one person who has is CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and fellow podcaster, David Pogue. He did a story on the sub for CBS last year. I spoke with David to learn more about his experience. David, thanks for hopping on 5 Things.

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David Pogue:

Sure.

Taylor Wilson:

You visited this Titanic Taurus sub. I'm wondering if you can just tell us a little bit about what your experience was like, not just inside the submersible but this entire experience getting out there to the North Atlantic.

David Pogue:

I was anticipating a once in a lifetime experience and I got it. Ocean Gate, the company, invited us from CBS Sunday Morning - cameraman, producer and me - to come aboard and, in theory, to document one of their dives to the Titanic, for which they were charging a quarter of a million dollars per person. We didn't pay that. We were there to do a story. I was very, very, very excited. And then I saw the actual submersible. It's a one of a kind. As Stockton Rush, the CEO and the inventor of the sub, puts it, "Every submersible is a prototype." In other words, there is no spare. There was no version 1.0 before a 2.0. This is it. It's a one of a kind. And as such, there were parts of it that seemed to me to be less sophisticated than I was guessing.

You drive it with a PlayStation video control, literally a Bluetooth wireless controller. Some of the ballasts are old rusty construction pipes. When they seal you in, and they do seal you in by the way, there are 18 bolts that seal you in from the outside and they only do 17 of them because the 18th one is way up high, so they don't bother with it. So there were certain things that looked like cut corners, but Stockton made me aware that the part that we care about, where the people are, the pressure capsule, is very high end, designed in conjunction with NASA, the University of Washington, carbon fiber five inches thick.

Taylor Wilson:

You signed a very fat waiver before getting inside this thing. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the items on that waiver?

David Pogue:

This is adventure travel. This is for adrenaline seekers, people who live on the edge, the kind of clientele that would take a Blue Origin rocket ride, for example. And so yeah, it is very dangerous. It's in international waters, so it's not supervised or regulated or inspected by any governmental body. The waiver, basically it's eight paragraphs of ways that you could get permanently disabled or killed. It outlines the fact that the ship you're on to carry you out to the site is not a consumer ship, a tourist ship. It is a working petroleum vessel. It's not designed for those who are dainty of foot. So there are big heavy doors and the decks are wet and it's dangerous. Then there are dangers involved with getting into the submersible. Then there are dangers involved with going down to see the Titanic or even going down at all. There are dangers involved with coming back up. So they make very clear, every paragraph ends with, "I understand that this may result in permanent disability or death."

Taylor Wilson:

And David, in your reporting, the watercraft actually went missing for several hours last year. Can you explain what happened there?

David Pogue:

It did not go missing. I tweeted at one point, there was a time last year when the sub was lost for three hours, but yeah, that could be taken two ways. And what I meant was the sub was lost. It couldn't find its way. It didn't know where it was. It was on the bottom of the sea. Could not find the Titanic. The ship above knew where they were. The ship on the surface never lost contact with them and was trying to guide them to the ship, but they never found it and after three hours, they gave up and rose to the surface without ever having seen the ship.

Taylor Wilson:

Got it. So in other words, completely different than what we're seeing or what we assumed to have happened here.

David Pogue:

Completely different. To my knowledge, in the three summers they've been doing this, they have never lost communication before.

Taylor Wilson:

And in speaking with Ocean Gate officials about what would be done in an emergency situation like this one, did they have a plan for this?

David Pogue:

I have to say it's a very safety conscious culture on that ship, in that outfit. There are checklists and inspections and twice daily mandatory briefings, and we all had to get into the sub and he showed us where the fire extinguisher was, we had to practice putting on the smoke masks in case there was smoke. Nobody ever said here's what you do if we lose communication and are trapped under the sea, because it just seems impossibly remote. This thing has so many ways to come back to the surface. Even if you're unconscious, this thing will come back to the surface on its own after 12, 14 hours in the sea. It has sandbags hanging from dissolving links that the seawater eats away and then the sandbags drop and you come up even if you've passed out.

Taylor Wilson:

All right. David Pogue with some great insight for us on the missing submarine. Thank you so much, David.

David Pogue:

My pleasure.

Taylor Wilson:

Ocean Gate, the company that operates the missing submersible, was previously warned that its approach to the enterprise could have a catastrophic outcome, according to a 2018 letter written by leaders of the submersible craft industry and obtained by the New York Times. They said they were worried about the company's experimental approach.



Former President Donald Trump's federal trial on charges related to the classified documents seized at his Florida estate has been scheduled for August 14th. US District Judge Aileen Cannon has also told DOJ prosecutors and Trump's lawyers to file all pre-trial motions by July 24th. Meanwhile, Trump continues to defend his decision to hoard the documents at his Mar-a-Lago home after leaving office. In a contentious interview with Fox News, Trump denied allegations of mishandling classified materials and promoted lies about the outcome of the 2020 election. When pressed by anchor Bret Baier on why Trump did not return the documents to the National Archives, Trump said the boxes were packed with personal items and that he was very busy.



Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of tax evasion and to resolve a federal gun violation. I spoke with USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen for more. Welcome back to the show, Bart.

Bart Jansen:

Thanks for having me.

Taylor Wilson:

First, Bart, what can you tell us about the charges on federal tax evasion?

Bart Jansen:

Yes, he agreed to plead guilty to two counts of willfully failing to pay his taxes. These are for the tax years of 2017 and 2018. Each of those years he received at least $1.5 million and didn't pay taxes on the money. Justice Department officials have told the Associated Press that they're expecting to recommend probation, so he is not expected to be jailed over those charges.

Taylor Wilson:

And he's also agreed to a pretrial program on this gun charge? Bart, can you tell us a little bit about this charge and what this program entails?

Bart Jansen:

Yeah. In order to buy a firearm, you sign a document that says that you're not a drug addict at the time. Well, he apparently bought a gun, a Colt revolver in 2018, at a time when he later acknowledged in a book that he wrote, in his own memoir, that he was heavily addicted to drugs. And so he essentially lied on a federal form about buying a gun. So he has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. So he has agreed to go into a pretrial diversion program that's basically to avoid an actual trial. And so if he completes the program, basically staying out of trouble during some period of time, that the charge could eventually be dismissed. So that could go away without any conviction at all.

Taylor Wilson:

And, Bart, what implications could this have for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign and in his dealings with Republicans?

Bart Jansen:

Well, at the presidential level, his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, has already begun attacking him over that Hunter Biden is getting let off with much too easy a penalty for these charges. And also that there's basically a two-tiered system of justice in the country, one for the politically favored, the insiders, and another for everybody else. Trump, of course, faces indictments in two jurisdictions. He's basically arguing that he's being treated unfairly while Hunter Biden is being let off the hook.

In addition, congressional Republicans plan to continue investigating Hunter Biden. The chairman of the House Oversight Committee, James Comer, a Republican of Kentucky, said that this amounts to just a slap on the wrist. He thinks that some of that money that Hunter Biden was piling up was actually the result of influence peddling from people in Ukraine or China or Romania trying to influence the Biden administration. And so Republicans are going to continue investigating that. So they'll be nagging at President Biden's heels probably at least all the way to the election.

Taylor Wilson:

USA Today Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen, thanks as always.

Bart Jansen:

Thanks for having me.



Taylor Wilson:

A federal judge yesterday struck down as unconstitutional Arkansas's first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for children. It's the first ruling to overturn such a ban as a growing number of Republican-led states adopt similar restrictions. US District Judge Jay Moody issued a permanent injunction against the law. It would've prohibited doctors from providing gender-affirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers, or surgery to anyone under 18. At least 19 other states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors following the Arkansas law, and nearly all of them have been challenged in court.



Nearly one third of all unhoused people in the United States live in California, according to a new study out yesterday. And the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness revealed that 50% of all unsheltered people in the country who may or may not have a car to sleep in live in California. The state is home to around 12% of the country's total population, so it has a disproportionate amount of unhoused people. In the study, about 90% reported that the cost of housing was the main reason they could not escape homelessness.

And before we go, today is the summer solstice. That means it's officially the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day of the year. Enjoy the sunlight.

Thanks for listening to 5 Things. If you like the show, please subscribe and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any comments, you can reach us at podcasts@usatoday.com. I'm back tomorrow with more of 5 Things from USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Titanic tourist sub search intensifies, Hunter Biden's plea: 5 Things podcast
The Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Julie Rikelman to a lifetime federal judgeship, overcoming opposition from conservatives and anti-abortion groups angry about her long record of advocating for womens reproductive rights.

Rikelman, 51, was confirmed 51 to 43 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, based in Boston. Every Democrat present voted for her, along with two Republicans: Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine), both of whom identify as pro-choice.

Rikelman has been the litigation director for the Center for Reproductive Rights since 2011, and is well known for representing abortion providers in federal court challenges. Most recently, she argued for a Mississippi clinic in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the landmark 2022 Supreme Court case that led to Roe v. Wade being overturned.

President Joe Biden nominated Rikelman for a judgeship one month after the Supreme Court ruled in the Dobbs case  a sign of his efforts to strengthen the federal bench with legal experts on reproductive rights at a time when more than half of the states in the country are banning or further restricting abortions.

Few lawyers have fought harder, smarter, and more effectively to protect womens rights in America than Ms. Rikelman, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday. On the bench, I am confident she will serve with excellence to uphold the Constitution.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) recommended Rikelman to the White House for a judgeship. They hailed her confirmation Tuesday night, saying her professional and personal background will contribute to her being an excellent judge.

Rikelman was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and fled to the U.S. in 1979. She went on to graduate from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

Rikelman has a deep and unwavering commitment to the rule of law and our Constitution, informed by her own personal experience fleeing religious persecution with her family and moving to the United States, the senators said in a joint statement. We were proud to recommend Rikelman as a candidate for the First Circuit, and we applaud President Biden for his commitment to building a federal judiciary with exceptional legal minds who bring diverse professional and personal experiences to the bench.

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Julie Rikelman, considered one of the best abortion rights lawyers in the country, will now serve in a lifetime seat on a U.S. appeals court in Massachusetts.

Julie Rikelman, considered one of the best abortion rights lawyers in the country, will now serve in a lifetime seat on a U.S. appeals court in Massachusetts.

Hard-line anti-abortion groups like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Family Research Council had been trying to tank Rikelmans nomination for months, as several GOP senators tried to cast her as an extremist.

During her Senate confirmation hearing in September, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called her support for radical pro-abortion laws  very, very troubling. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused her of being an extreme zealot advocating for abortion rights, and then bizarrely asked her if she knew who leaked the Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs case before it was official. (She said no.)

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) pressed Rikelman on whether she stood by her previous claim that the Supreme Courts decision to gut Roe v. Wade may signal the beginning of the biggest public health care crisis we have ever seen in decades.

Rikelman didnt shy away from her record during her hearing, standing by her years of advocacy for women to be able to make their own personal medical decisions. She told Lee that she made her previous comments on the Dobbs case in her role as an advocate, and that as a federal judge she would absolutely follow all precedents set by the Supreme Court  including in Dobbs.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who recommended Rikelman to the White House for a judgeship, greets Rikelman ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who recommended Rikelman to the White House for a judgeship, greets Rikelman ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing.

Abortion rights groups thanked Biden for nominating Rikelman in the first place.

Rikelmans confirmation is a step towards restoring some trust in our judicial system, Mini Timmaraju, the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said in a statement.

Julie Rikelman is a highly qualified, competent legal expert with a demonstrable record of protecting reproductive freedom and other fundamental rights, said Timmaraju. We look forward to continuing our work with the Senate and the Biden administration to advance reproductive freedom for all.

Rakim Brooks, president of Alliance for Justice, a progressive judicial advocacy group, noted the significance of the timing of Rikelmans confirmation: Almost exactly one year to the day the Supreme Court gutted Roe v. Wade.

As we mark a year since the devastating Dobbs decision, we continue fighting back with every tool at our disposal. Today, it was confirming an unapologetic defender of civil and human rights, particularly reproductive freedom, Brooks said in a statement. Julie Rikelman is precisely the kind of judge we need on the federal bench.

Rikelman is the latest in a series of recent judicial confirmations who have long been priorities for progressives. Two of Bidens other high-profile court picks, voting rights attorney Dale Ho and civil rights attorney Nusrat Choudhury, were confirmed last week.

Related...
Texas says it will require state-funded electric vehicle charging stations to have a connector for Teslas North American Charging Standard (NACS). The news comes as automakers such as Ford, GM and Rivian shift to adopting the NACS and away from the Combined Charging System (CCS).

The Texas Department of Transportation told Reuters that the automakers move to NACS prompted the requirement for EV charging companies to install NACS connectors if they want to be included in a state program that involves federal funding. DC fast chargers in the state will still need to have a CCS connector to obtain federal dollars through the program.

The US Department of Transportation has earmarked up to $7.5 billion in funding for high-speed charging stations along highways. It said EV charging companies would need to include a CCS connector, and now Texas is adding another requirement. States are free to add extra provisons as long as they abide by the federal rules.

Tesla said last year it would open source the NACS in the hopes of getting other automakers to adopt it. Tesla has the largest slice of EV charging infrastructure in the US  it claims its more than 21,000 Supercharger points account for around 60 percent of the countrys fast-charging stations.

In the last several weeks, GM and Ford announced they would offer owners of their vehicles (which currently use CCS) an NACS adapter before fully embracing that standard in future models. Rivian followed suit with a similar announcement this week . EV charging companies such as ChargePoint and EVgo have said theyre looking into adding NACS to their charging points.

As Reuters notes, Texas move may prompt other states to push EV charging companies to include an NACS connector. The report suggests that states including California, Michigan and Iowa are reviewing the state of the charging market, while at least one other is said to be considering an incentive for companies to include an NACS port.
A Ukrainian soldier in the newly liberated village of Blahodatne, June 17. (Serhii Nuzhnenko/Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Reuters)

Ukraine might be a victim of its own success.

Last year, Kyiv launched a surprise operation to recapture territory in Kharkiv Oblast from Russian forces, liberating territory roughly the size of Denmark in the space of five days. That campaign, a closely guarded secret, was unforeseen by just about everyone  especially the Russians. But it set high expectations for Ukraines long anticipated spring counteroffensive.

That spring has finally arrived, and Ukraine has gone on the march in the southeastern regions of Zaporizhzia and Donetsk. But so far, Ukraine has been tight-lipped about its slow but measurable gains.

Words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm, Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraines minister of defense tweeted on June 4, quoting Depeche Mode.

That same day, Ukraine liberated the village of Novodarivka, but waited eight days before publicly acknowledging the victory. As of Wednesday, the Ukrainian counteroffensive has liberated at least eight settlements, according to Deputy Defense Minister Hannah Malyar.

A Ukrainian serviceman of 28th brigade shoots a Maxim gun towards Russian positions at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Yet instead of the lightning fast advances seen last October, the fighting has been far more methodical. In this respect, the spring offensive is likely to resemble the months-long slog for Kherson, another region in the south, which took upward of three months for Ukraine to partially liberate.

One Estonian military analyst who goes by Karl, told Yahoo News that a slow grind was to be expected. The element of surprise as to where the Ukrainian counteroffensive would come from was not possible, he said. The Russians were waiting from all directions. Ukraine, Karl added, is far from having deployed all of its reserve units to the battle. At the moment, it is not a massive offensive.

Rather, it is a series of probing exercises in which Ukrainian forces find and exploit Russian weaknesses while moving carefully toward the main defensive line, the so-called Surovikin Line, named after the former commander of all Russian forces in Ukraine, which consists of snaking minefields, trenches and concrete anti-tank barriers.

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A map of Ukraine shows areas of the country where Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to battle. (Yahoo News)

The main body of Ukrainian offensive capability hasnt been committed yet, Sir Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at Kings College London, told Times Radio on June 17. It seems they are waiting to see if there are areas where they can make a breakthrough.

For months Ukraine has been stockpiling U.S.-sent artillery ammunition, especially for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which continue to strike Russian targets daily.

Also now in Ukraines arsenal are U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are capable of hitting any position in the country and have inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces.

On June 12, Maj. Gen. Sergei Goryachev was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike, the first Russian general taken out in Ukraine in months. Anatoliy Shariy, a popular pro-Russian blogger, claimed the Storm Shadow was responsible. On June 14, Shariy also said Ukraine had struck a formation of Russian troops near Kreminna, a city in Luhansk, that had assembled to be addressed by a commanding officer. At least 100 soldiers were killed, according to Russian bloggers, with another hundred wounded, making it one of the most devastating single strikes of the war in recent months.

But Kyiv faces its own difficulties, including superior Russian air power in the form of Sukhoi fighter jets and Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters, of which Russia has recently added 20 more to its base in occupied Berdyansk.

An M142 HIMARS launches a rocket on the Bakhmut direction on May 18, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Ukraine received the HIMARS as part of international military assistance programs to help defend itself against the ongoing Russian invasion. (Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Alligators played a major role in an early setback for Ukraines spring counteroffensive near Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia. An armored group of the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade was attempting to advance when it inadvertently entered a minefield. The vehicles were then struck by artillery fire, as well as antitank missiles launched from the Russian helicopters. At least five U.S.-provided Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and one German-made Leopard 2 tank were disabled and abandoned.

The Russian government has obsessively circulated imagery from that single incident to suggest Kyivs campaign has failed and Western military aid is a waste. I think the Russians have shown us the same five vehicles about a thousand times from 10 different angles, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at a press conference at the NATO summit on June 15. More importantly, the Western armor did exactly what it was meant to do. The majority of the Ukrainian crews survived unharmed, and the soldiers of the 47th Brigade were effusive in their praise of the donated vehicles that kept them alive. On June 13, the United States pledged an additional 15 Bradleys to Ukraine in its latest round of military aid.

Despite some difficulties, Ukraine has also begun to advance slowly around Orikhiv, the site of its early blunder.

Ukrainian soldiers repair a Leopard 2 tank in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, June 21. (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Among those who think Russia is performing miserably is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the serially sanctioned oligarch and financier of the mercenary Wagner Group. For months he has inveighed against the Russian Ministry of Defense and General Staff, possibly as a way to elevate himself politically inside Russia. In a four-minute rant released Wednesday, Prigozhin said: The Ukrainian counteroffensive is bringing us serious losses and problems, which are hushed up, which the Russian people dont know about.
Joseph DeMore was voted in as the new Volusia County corrections director Tuesday evening.

Volusia County Council members unanimously approved a new Corrections Division director on Tuesday.

Joseph DeMore, the warden for Butler County Prison in Pennsylvania, will take over the role on July 31. His salary will be $148,000, county spokesman Clayton Jackson said.

"It's been my wife and I's dream for the last 10 years to get down here," DeMore said. "We're beach people. It's very exciting to take this next step in my career."

Interim director Steven Smith will return to his position as Volusia County Jail Warden once DeMore begins, according to Jackson.

Work to be done

"It's a big job, and there's work that needs to be done," council chairman Jeff Brower said.

Smith took over as interim corrections director after former Corrections Director Mark Flowers was placed on administrative leave in August and ultimately fired. While the county said Flowers was fired over performance issues, his attorney Kelly Chanfrau said he was retaliated against for raising concerns about an alleged inmate beating.

An investigation into the allegations led to no charges against the corrections officers involved in the incident.

County jail use-of-force incident: No charges against Volusia guards

Flowers plans to file a lawsuit against the county but had not as of Tuesday, according to Chanfrau.

New leadership

DeMore has worked in the corrections field for over 22 years, according to county documents.

His previous roles include corrections officer, "sergeant, captain, major of the guard, and chief deputy warden with Allegheny County Corrections."

As warden in Butler County, DeMore is responsible for managing a $14 million budget, a 574-bed facility with an average daily population of 440 inmates, according to his resume.

From December 2014 to April 2015, he was chief deputy warden of operations for the Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections in Pittsburgh. He ran "daily operations of a 3,165-bed direct supervision facility with a daily average population of 2,600 inmates."

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Volusia County has an average daily inmate population of about 1,300 and a capacity of about 1,494, Smith said.

DeMore attended Tuesday's meeting with his family. Council members welcomed them to Volusia County and said they were looking forward to working with DeMore.

County Manager George Recktenwald said officials conducted a nationwide search for the position, and representatives from the sheriff's office, the state attorney's office, court administration, and the county's Public Protection Department helped in the process.

"We're very happy to attract a lot of good applicants, but Mr. DeMore clearly rose to the top," Recktenwald said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia Corrections Division to get new director in July
An undated photo shows a black bear in Yellowstone National Park. Dean Conger/Corbis via Getty Images

A TikToker says a 200-pound bear got trapped in her sister's car in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Later, the TikToker named Emma posted a now-viral video that shows the car's wrecked interior.

Emma said police released the bear from the car, and it ran away. She added that everyone was safe.

If you're visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, you should probably lock your car  unless you don't mind a black bear trashing your interior.

A TikToker named Emma (@intrusivethot03), whose last name is not listed on the platform, said that's exactly what happened to her sister.

Emma posted a video on May 24 purportedly showing the inside of her sister's vehicle after she said a bear got trapped inside. The now-viral video has 9 million views and 773,000 likes as of Wednesday, and shows the interior almost entirely wrecked.

In the video, a crumpled bag of popcorn  as well as the car's rearview mirror  can be seen on the floor, and the steering wheel appears to have been bitten into.

Emma was in the greater Great Smoky Mountains area when the bear opened her sister's car door and got inside, she said in a follow-up video from May 25 summarizing the encounter.

Emma said in the same video that she and her sister have been going to the resort in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area in Tennessee for 20 years, and that every year they've been warned about bears and asked to lock their doors and avoid leaving food inside. Emma didn't name the resort in her videos, and didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

During the first night of her vacation with her sister, Emma said in the video from May 25, she heard air horns outside at around 10 p.m. Emma said in the video that she and her sister went outside to check it out and guessed resort employees were trying to get a bear to go back into the woods but it was hard to see the animal in the dark.

Story continues

"So all of a sudden, we're watching and we hear this twig snap to our left," Emma said in the video. When she turned, she said, she saw a black bear climbing a fence. Emma shared an image purportedly showing the bear climbing the fence in another video posted to TikTok on May 24.

"We were all just sitting there, quiet," Emma told viewers. She added that the bear was just 10 feet away from them and near her sister's red Prius.

Seconds later, Emma said in the video, her sister told her: "My car door just opened."

Then, Emma said the bear got in the car which was parked on a hill, causing the door to shut behind the animal and trap him inside.

"It just starts freaking out," Emma told viewers of the bear's reaction. "He's shaking, he's turning on the headlights. We felt so horrible," she said, adding that the bear set off the horn at one point.

In the same video, Emma said resort employees called the police and told her that if the bear didn't calm down, they'd have to euthanize him.

"There is literally no way you're doing that," Emma said she told the resort employees, adding that she said she would "open the door myself."

When the police arrived, they opened the car door and then proceeded to run "like hell," Emma said, adding that "our little bear friend did the same," running up a hill. Emma posted another video on May 24 that appears to show police opening the car door to release the bear.

"Thankfully we're all safe and so is our bear friend," Emma said in the video summarizing the incident.

A large black bear walks through the forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. jared lloyd/ Getty Images

If you see a bear, you should avoid an encounter. But if a bear notices you, there are some strategies to stay safe.

According to the National Park Service's website, if you see a bear, you should avoid an encounter by keeping your distance and by "not surprising" the animal.

"Most bears will avoid humans if they hear them coming," the National Park Service website says. "Pay attention to your surroundings and make a special effort to be noticeable if you are in an area with known bear activity or a good food source, such as berry bushes."

If you do encounter a bear, the NPS has some general tips for staying safe, such as identifying yourself "by talking calmly" and standing your ground while "slowly" waving your arms to "help the bear recognize you as a human."

Other advice includes hiking and traveling in groups  which "are usually noisier and smellier than a single person"  and making yourself "look as large as possible" and moving to higher ground, though it's important to not climb a tree or run away. "Leave or take a detour," the NPS advises, while leaving the bear "an escape route," and if it's not possible to leave wait for the bear to move away.

The NPS advises that visitors check recommendations for the park they're going to, as these vary based on "local bear behavior."

Correction: June 22, 2023  An earlier version of this story misstated the year the photo of a black bear in Yellowstone National Park was taken; it's part of an undated historical photo archive.

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An official says that gang members inside a womens prison in Honduras slaughtered 46 other women inmates by spraying them with gunfire, hacking them with machetes and then locking survivors in their calls and dousing them with flammable liquid
Nick Brown, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, at a press conference June 7. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times)
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.
Un tanar din Alba, cu dosar PENAL, dupa ce ar fi intrat in curtea fostei iubite si i-ar fi distrus usa

Un tanar din Alba, cu dosar PENAL, dupa ce ar fi intrat in curtea fostei iubite si i-ar fi distrus usa Un tanar din Alba, cu dosar PENAL, dupa ce ar fi intrat in curtea fostei iubite si [citeste mai departe]
With a view to boosting energy security, an agreement has been signed on building a new oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia, and a regional JV natural gas trading company will be set by MVM and Srbijagas, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Palic, in northern Serbia.

The ministry cited Szijjarto telling a Hungary-Serbia strategic council meeting that the construction of the new pipeline to link Algyo with Novi Sad (Ujvidek) was perhaps the most important agreement between the two countries ever.



He added that the new regional natural gas trading company of MVM and Srbijagas would start operations in the autumn.



The more resources, the more routes and the more cooperation, the greater energy security, he said.



Hungarys energy security would be unimaginable today without Serbia, and the same is true the other way round, he said.



The majority of Hungarys natural gas supplies arrive through Serbia and we keep in storage over a hundred million cubic metres on behalf of Serbia, he added.



He told the strategic council that Europes most modern, largest and most gleaming border crossing will be established between Roszke and Horgos, adding that it would be one of the largest joint projects of all time.



Szijjarto said cooperation could also enter a new dimension in foreign policy, with Hungary signing an agreement on setting up a joint foreign representative office with another country for the first time, enabling the expansion of the diplomatic network for both countries.



Serbias embassy in Kinshasa in Congo will host the Hungarian representation and Hungarys embassy in Valletta in Malta will host Serbias mission, he said.



The programme will be continued in order to have representation most effectively in most places around the world, he added.



Szijjarto also said that economic cooperation had broken several records, citing investments by Hungarian companies in Serbia, trade reaching 6 billion euros last year, and an economic development programme for Vojvodina which supported 14,200 companies with a total of 171 billion forints (EUR 190m ) last year.



Several contracts are scheduled to be signed at the meeting, including a declaration of intent on building a new oil pipeline between the two countries, an agreement on the exchange and protection of certified data, a cooperation agreement on the policing of foreigners and an agreement on the opening of a joint representation office in Kinshasa.



Additionally, the agreements on border controls on public roads, railways and waterways will be amended.



President Novak: New Chapter Opens in Hungary-Serbia Relations



A new chapter has been reached in the golden age of Hungary-Serbia relations, President Katalin Novak said in Palic, in northern Serbia.



Novak told a press conference that the founding of a Hungary-Serbia Strategic Cooperation Council demonstrated that instead of making tactical decisions, Hungarian-Serbia friendship and cooperation are planned to be developed in the long-term.



Twelve working teams have been set up and their work is expected to bring some tangible results, she said. Among the topics discussed at the Councils Tuesday meeting, she highlighted the Russia-Ukraine war, the stability of the Western Balkans, the issue of Serbias EU accession and demographics. She said that Hungary-Serbia relations were characterised by the mutual respect between two freedom-loving and sovereign nations.



Commenting on the Ukraine war, she said the aim was to reach a ceasefire and peace agreement as soon as possible. She added that this must not distract attention from the Western Balkans, the stability of which is key to Europes stability. Peace and security are needed also in the Western Balkans, she added.



Commenting on Serbias EU accession, she said Serbia had submitted its membership application in 2009 and talks have been under way since 2014. Since then, Serbia has proven several times that it belongs to Europe, she added. Novak added that even before Serbia joined the Schengen Area, Hungary would like to simplify border crossing between the two countries.



She also said that cooperation between Serbia and Hungary was being increased in the fight against the demographic winter. Hungary is ready to offer its experiences to Serbia also in this area, she added.



In response to a question, Novak said that a demographic summit would be held in Budapest on September 14-15 and Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic had already confirmed his plan to participate.



Novak also expressed her sympathies in connection with recent shootings and floods in Serbia, and the events in Kosovo.



Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the 12 agreements signed by Hungary and Serbia would make life easier on both sides. Budapest-Belgrade ties are at a historic peak, he said, adding this was true of political and economic relations and interpersonal relationships.



Vucic highlighted new agreements on defence and security, adding that Hungarys membership of NATO and Serbias neutrality was not an obstacle to cooperation, which had reached the level where this is, and defence cooperation can still be successful.



Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic called Tuesdays agreements and the establishment of the Hungarian-Serbian Strategic Cooperation Council of historic importance for Serbia, adding that Serbia enjoys cooperation on such a high level only with Hungary.



The first joint Hungarian-Serbian government meeting was held in Belgrade in 2014, she noted, adding that bilateral relations had grown closer ever since.



Orban: Hungary-Serbia Ties Based On Common Values



Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in Palic that the good relations were rooted in common features of the two nations.



Serbs have freedom, sovereignty and independence in their DNA, the same way Hungarians do. That shared DNA is at the root of the respect Hungarians show towards Serbia, he added.



Orban praised his ties with Vucic, saying they had met for the 32th time on Tuesday.



Friendship and alliance in politics is only achievable with hard work, he said.



Meanwhile, the differences between the two nations are valuable assets in cooperation, he said: Serbia is not a NATO member like Hungary. Serbia is not an EU member like Hungary.



Serbia is an Orthodox Catholic country, Hungary is Roman Catholic. Serbia is situated on the Balkans, while Hungary is in central Europe. Strategic cooperation between them is expected to be hugely beneficial for both parties, he said.



The delegations of Hungary and Serbia signed 12 agreements during the meeting in Palic. The documents pertained to the foundation of the Hungarian-Serbian Strategic Cooperation Council, cooperation in foreign affairs, border protection, the construction of an oil pipeline between the two countries, European integration, the protection and exchange of confidential data, infrastructure, agriculture, defence and customs.



Orban Asks Vucic to Release Kosovans



Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Tuesday asked Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to consider releasing the three Kosovan policemen apprehended in Serbian territory last week.



Orban told a press conference after a meeting of Hungarian and Serbian heads of state and government in Palic, in northern Serbia, that Hungary was paying close attention to the situation in Kosovo, and sees the harm suffered by Serbs.



Orban called it unacceptable that the international community should recognise an election as legitimate with a mere 4% turnout.



At the same time, he said that releasing the policemen would help Serbias position in international politics. Vucic responded as saying that the issue was in the hands of Serbias judiciary system.



Regarding the two countries relations, Orban said: As soon as Hungary and Serbia realised that they cannot be held hostage by history, their relations started developing.



A defining topic worldwide today is who is not cooperating with whom and why. Decoupling and de-risking are the dominant words of international politics.



We are setting a good example by striving to cooperate with as many countries as possible, rather than talking about who we do not want to work with, Orban said.
Hungary has initialled an agreement to buy French Mistral air defence missiles, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

The declaration of intent was signed alongside Belgium, Estonia, Cyprus, France at a European defence show in Paris addressed by President Emmanuel Macron, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in a video uploaded to his Facebook page.



He noted that Macron highlighted the importance of air defence and the European defence industry. Hungary is doing well in this respect; were developing our defence industry. Peace requires strength, were working on this, he said.



Defmin in Paris: Hungary's Security Calls for 'The Most Modern Equipment'

Developing Hungarys military up to the requirements of the 21st century and ensuring the countrys security requires the most modern equipment, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said at the international 54th Le Bourget air show in Paris.



The defence ministry quoted Szalay-Bobrovniczky as saying that the government is constantly looking for new solutions and the best military technology such as the Airbus H225M multi-purpose helicopter to ensure the security of Hungary and the Hungarian people. Szalay-Bobrovniczky attended the show at the invitation of Sebastien Lecornu, his French counterpart.
The new Ningbo-Budapest flight operated by Shanghai Airlines is of extraordinary importance in view of the war in Ukraine, Tamas Menczer, state secretary at the foreign ministry, told a ceremony at Budapests international Liszt Ferenc Airport marking the departure of the first flight late on Monday.

Menczer noted the Hungarian government is among those supporting peace, and said China has a huge role in amplifying the voice of the peace camp  China wants peace and the Hungarian government supports Chinas peace plan concerning the war in Ukraine.



Regarding the economy, Menczer said the EUs harmful sanctions have separated the economies of Europe and Russia, which he said was debilitating for Europe.



There appear to be endeavours to isolate the European and Chinese economies which would be equal to decapitation, he added.



The Hungarian government does not support those endeavours  or the European Union or NATO becoming an anti-China bloc, he said. Rather than systemic competition and building blocs, the Hungarian government urges building connections, he said.



Menczer also pointed to the increasing role of eastern economies, and said eastern investments accounted for 70% of global development, while the share of western countries had been reduced to 30% from an earlier 80%.



He also said while in 2010 China accounted for 9% of the global GDP and the EU 22%, Chinas contribution has increased to 18% and the EUs has fallen to 17%.



The state secretary said he was proud of Hungary and China having a comprehensive strategic partnership, and Hungarys having become the number one destination of Chinese investors in central and eastern Europe.



Chinese investments in Hungary now total 8 billion dollars, Menczer said, adding that the highest FDI to Hungary arrived from China in 2020 and 2023.



Concerning the new flight, Menczer said it would operate twice a week. Scheduled direct flights now connect Budapest with four cities in China: Ningbo, Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai, he said.



From July on, ten direct flights between Hungary and China will operate, close to the 13 before the pandemic, he added.



MTI Photo: Noemi Bruzak
Running all summer until 23 September, the night train from Budapest to Split on the Croatian coast allows you to glide and snooze in comfort between the Hungarian capital and the Adriatic.

Setting off from Keleti station early evening on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arriving in Dalmatia before 10am the following morning, the service returns late afternoon in Split on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.



Top tips for Split

Split train terminal is alongside the bus station, a five-minute walk from the ferry port diagonally opposite.

From there, a 6 passenger ticket on the regular ferry takes you to idyllic Brac 50 minutes away, while the other island getaways of Hvar, Vis and Solta are equally easily accessible from Croatias main transport hub by land and sea.





Staying in Split means you can stroll around the marble-floored gutted Roman palace that forms the centre, an authentic Sphinx from Ancient Egypt watching over the main square of Peristil, with any number of bars and restaurants tucked down the myriad surrounding alleyways.

The city, de facto capital of Dalmatia, has its own beach, Bacvice, under ten minutes walk from the train station.



What to expect on board
Joan Ruskamp, and her husband Steve, operate J & S Feedlot near Dodge. With Dodge County under extreme or exceptional drought, the couple has had to adjust how they care for their cattle and the community is holding special masses to pray for rain.

After watching the dust trails follow the cows in his Herman pastures, Dan Braesch didnt hold back about the fraught conditions facing Nebraska ranchers, farmers and livestock producers this summer because of the ongoing drought.

Were in a world of hurt, he said.

Almost the whole state is experiencing drought, although conditions are easing some in the western part of the state.

Twenty percent of Nebraska is in extreme drought, according to the latest Drought Monitor report. Most of that falls in the eastern half of the state, where 10.9% of the land is under the even worse exceptional drought category. That can lead to widespread crop and pasture losses.

Braesch, who also grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa at the D&D Cattle Company (about 44 miles northeast of Omaha), said this is the driest hes ever seen his soil. Hes been in the business since his father started farming in 1975.

Last year, our corn crop was about half the year prior. It wasnt good, he said. The way this is happening, its going to be (worse) yet.

Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, said the next few weeks will determine the success of crops in the state.

She's hoping that innovations in the ag industry, such as drought-resistant corn, will help farmers and ranchers weather the dry conditions. She, like everyone else, is also hoping for rain.

Well know a lot more in July. Thats when decisions will have to be made for pastures. I cant imagine anyone putting in another crop. Its just going to be done, she said. Were OK now. But if this continues, harder choices will have to be made.

While the worries at a ranch in Herman or a corn and soybean operation in Wakefield may seem far away from Omaha, urban dwellers are affected just the same.

Cattle producers would need to reduce their herds if they dont have enough feed or it becomes too expensive to purchase, causing beef prices to climb. Ethanol production and its byproducts would be affected.

The bigger the area is that doesnt get any rain, prices are going to continue to go up, said Lisa Lunz, who raises corn and soybeans with her husband Jim near Wakefield in Dixon County.

Last year, they were able to raise only half a corn crop. The Lunzs, like many in the area, are dryland farmers who do not use irrigation.

We hope we have enough rain so the crop can continue to grow, and we have something to combine, Lisa Lunz said.

She recently got 2 inches of rain. Before that, she agreed with Braesch that this is the driest shes ever seen the soil.

There are two reasons. One is that the subsoil was already depleted of moisture from raising last years crops. The second is the type of rainfall the state is experiencing this year.

So far, there have been no large weather events that have swept across the state, dropping moisture in large swaths. Instead, rainfall has been hit and miss after a drier winter.

We call them popcorn showers. We just have to figure out where they are going to pop, said Clint Aegerter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Omaha. They rain themselves out pretty quick.

That pattern has left most areas several inches short of their usual rain totals. While long-term forecasts predict some greater chances of rain in the next few weeks, it would take more than that to carry Nebraska out of the drought.

Lindsay Johnson, a climatologist for the National Drought Mitigation Center, which is located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, said the state would need a very wet summer.

We could get a week of massive storms, but it wouldnt wipe out the drought, she said.

Nebraska is in long-term drought that started in June 2021, she said. It's been of longer duration than the 2012 drought, another exceptionally dry period that farmers often compare to this year.

While its been a summer of hit-and-miss rainfall, even a few of those showers can save someone's crops and ease conditions for producers.

Steve and Joan Ruskamp, who have 2,000 head of cattle on feed near Dodge, were one of the lucky ones recently who received more than an inch of rain. Joan Ruskamp compares each rainfall to a deposit in the bank, allowing their business to continue to move forward through inch by inch of rain.

She said the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest in years. As of Jan 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture put the number of beef cows that had calved in the U.S. at 28.9 million head, down 4% from the same time last year.

Thats compared to 29 million head on Jan. 1, 2014, following the 2012 drought cycle.

If feed prices go up, it will cost the Ruskamps more to finish the steers they are preparing for market. Its not only corn. The hay supply was the lowest in decades last year.

Our goal is to always maintain some level of profitability, so we can keep going in the years to come, she said.

Insurance will help many farmers if crops are lost. The Ruskamps say they are preparing for all types of contingencies if feed isnt readily available.

They have also turned to their faith.

The Rev. Matthew Gutowski has been holding special masses for rain at Catholic parishes in the area, which is under the exceptional drought category. They are as full as the Sunday congregations, he said.

I told my folks that it is certainly good and important for us to pray for rain. I also told them to pray for Our Lord to 'rain down' graces and strength into our souls to help us face the challenges of the drought and to ask for trust in Gods care to get us through whatever difficulties we encounter, he said. It is so beautiful to see the strong faith that our farmers have as they come to pray at Mass.

Vinton said watching a pasture not grow or a corn crop fail can take a toll on farmers and ranchers. She wants to remind them they can find support by going to farmhotline.com or the rural response hotline at 800-464-0258.

The USDA has drought disaster resources for livestock and crop producers, many of which are available through local Farm Service Agency offices. To learn more about these programs, visit farmers.gov/drought or contact a local USDA Service Center.

Joan Ruskamp said they were blessed with years of good moisture and crops. These last few haven't as easy, but she says that's the cycle of farming.

"We don't know what the rest of the summer is going to do," she said. "As farmers, you have faith when you put the seed in the ground you are going to have something to harvest that fall. Every year is different, and it's out of your control. It's hard, but that's how it is."
Remember last year's congestion at Delhi Airport when Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia made a surprise visit there and suggested a few measures to mitigate the chaos? Soon, your face will be your boarding pass. Thales, an Aerospace, Space, Defence to Security and Transportation company is working with Indian airport operators for a seamless journey from your home to the boarding without really contacting or looking at anyone in terms of checking your security at Airports.

At the ongoing week-long Paris Air Show, Thales has displayed 'Fly to Gate' biometric passenger journey solutions which will reduce the boarding time by an estimated 30 per cent. Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Head for India, Thales said that his company has developed such solutions that one's face will be their boarding passes at Airport.

"The DigiYatra app on your phone will allow you to register your boarding pass, scan your face, it authenticates the face with your biometrics in Aadhar and registers yourself as a passenger enabled by DigiYatra. Now once you are at the airport, your face is your boarding pass. So when you are at the airport, you can enter using your face because it's already authenticated with your Identity. You will see separate DigiYatra gates at our airports which already exist."



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"You go to the main gate security, there also your face is your boarding pass so it authenticates you. You go through security, and at the boarding you basically again will see the Thales face pod which will be installed there. It scans your face and you're in so effectively doing you a seamless journey from your home to the boarding without really contacting or looking at anyone in terms of checking your security etc.

It's actually using your biometrics to authenticate and giving you a seamless boarding experience all the way to boarding the aeroplane." Saraf clarified that the DigiYatra application, is, however, not mandatory to use this seamless facility.

"If you don't have the app, go to the airport, enrol yourself and you are registered. Then start your boarding process, but with app it's easy because you can do it from the comfort of your home, but if you're not, then you will find the Digi Yatra kiosk at the airport and you could go to boarding seamlessly," Saraf said.
Civil aviation fleet in India has risen 75 per cent since 2013-14 to about 700 and is likely to rise towards 1500-2000 in the next half a decade, said Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia a day after Indigo announced the 500 aircraft mega deal with Airbus. "Capability of the Indian civil aviation sector is immense," Scindia said speaking to ANI and noted the latest orders by the Indian airlines are way more than the total fleet size of 2013. Further, speaking about a number of operational airports, heliports, and aerodromes, he said they doubled under this current government -- 74 in 2014 to 148 in 2023 - and are projected to go up to 220 in the next 4-5 years.

"India should become a civil aviation hub," he said, adding the government is working on it. India's aviation industry has experienced significant growth in the past nine years under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. The government argues this growth can be attributed to the government's consistent efforts to improve overall airports and aviation infrastructure.

One such initiative is the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), under which 469 routes connecting 74 airports have been made operational, providing affordable air travel options for millions of Indians. The UDAN scheme has recently completed five years.



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The scheme was initiated in October 2016 with the objective of fulfilling the aspirations of the citizens, with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities. Meanwhile, Scindia also lashed out at opposition leaders who labelled allegations on the government that airfares in India were out of control.

In an apparent attack on Congress leader KC Venugopal and P Chidambaram, who recently raised questions on airfares, Scindia said "Those who want to do politics the public has shown them the mirror many times."

The airline operator Go First had in early May filed for voluntary insolvency and since then its operations were kept stalled, which led to the hike in airfare on some routes. Scindia said earlier that a portion of the routes that were served by GoFirst, which is under stress now, have already been allotted to other airlines.

Congress leader KC Venugopal in a long tweet recently slammed Scindia, saying the current government has been incapable of curbing this price rise and preventing predatory behaviour on the part of airlines.

According to Michael Jain, CEO, of Belair Travel, "I definitely think this is a short-term phenomenon especially because of certain airlines not operating at the moment and certain demand and supply mismatch. Jain reiterated the recent rise in airfare was purely due to demand and supply mismatch. (ANI)
Singapore: Grab Holdings, Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing and food delivery app, is slashing 1,000 jobs, about 11 per cent of its workforce.

According to Grab CEO Anthony Tan, the move is to manage costs and remain competitive in a challenging business environment, reports Nikkei Asia.

"I want to be clear that we are not doing this as a shortcut to profitability," CEO Anthony Tan wrote in a memo to employees.



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"Over the past couple of years we've been consistent in managing costs tightly in all areas of our operations and on improving platform efficiency," he added.

The company did not reveal which roles are being slashed.

The Singapore-based company had 9,942 employees at the end of 2022.

"While important, our profitability milestone is only a step in a longer journey. Our focus is on what comes after," said Tan.

"We must combine our scale with nimble execution and cost leadership, so that we can sustainably offer even more affordable services and deepen our penetration of the masses," Tan added.

This is Grab's first layoff since 2020, when the company cut about 360 jobs amid the pandemic.

Founded in 2012, Grab began as a ride-hailing service and expanded into food delivery and financial services.
New Delhi: Kailash Katkar was a lousy student who was never interested in studying. He was born into a regular Indian household in the little Maharashtrian village of Rahimatpur. Katkar's father, a machine setter, had aspirations for his son to become an engineer. After failing the ninth standard, Kailash Katkar gave up on his education after struggling through difficult circumstances.

That day, his father's hopes must have been dashed, but who knew this school dropout would one day become a prosperous entrepreneur in the antivirus industry and be the owner of what is now known as Quick Heal.

Kailash Katkar's First Job

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In order to help his family financially, Kailash Katkar, who came from humble beginnings, began fixing radios and tape recorders at a very young age. Later, Kailash found work as a calculator technician at a nearby radio and calculator repair shop, where he was paid Rs. 400 per month.

Kailash Katkar's First Increment

Impressed by his technical knowledge and skills, when he was only 19 years old, the owner sent him to his other shop in Mumbai for a two-month training period. He then started working with him in his Pune business for a salary of Rs 1,500 per month.

He gained a great deal of information and expertise about repairing calculators, radios, and businesses in general during the course of the following five years at this work.

Journey Of Kailash Katkar As An Entrepreneur

In 1990, Kailash believed he was prepared and that this was the ideal time to make the jump into entrepreneurship and open his own calculator repair business. Stated that Kailash began a one-man business in Pune by renting a small 100-square-foot office and funding it with Rs 15,000 from his savings.

The business earned a respectable Rs 45,000 (at the time) in its first year alone. But despite this courteous victory, Kailash was unsatisfied. He read more, started taking short computer classes, and began expanding his skill set in order to diversify his portfolio.

Journey Of Quick Heal

In 1993, while still operating his calculator repair business, he underwent another transformation and started a new company named CAT Computer Services. His office was located within a modest one-room electrical equipment repair shop.

These efforts paid off when he received his first break a few months later and two families agreed to pay Rs 2,000 annually for each family's personal computer maintenance. And by relying on these newfound customers, he started attracting more customers as well.

He also succeeded in breaking into the corporate world a few months later, in September, when he was awarded the annual maintenance contract for New India Insurance. A month later, another organisation quickly followed.

Moving on, the first Quick Heal anti-virus for DOS was ultimately published in 1994, and as you can probably predict, it helped to establish a new market. Then, in 1995 and 1996, respectively, came Win 3.1 and Windows 95 as their successors.

About Quick Heal

In the simplest terms, Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. is a 22-year-old anti-virus business founded and headquartered in India. With the help of its services, which include Quick Heal Total Security, Quick Heal Internet Security, Quick Heal PCTuner 3.0, etc. for Home Users and Quick Heal Total Security for Android, Quick Heal Mobile Security, Quick Heal Gadget Securance, Fonetastic Free, Fonetastic Pro, etc. for Mobile users.

The company is a master of cloud-based security and advanced machine learning-enabled solutions to stop threats, attacks, and malicious traffic before it strikes.
Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, SpaceX and owner of Twitter has again announced to enter India, a few months after he claimed to exit the Indian market without even starting domestic operations due to a heavy tax structure. The announcement was made after Elon Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United State and hearing PM Modi's "Make in India" pitch. The Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a change of plans and said that his electric vehicle and battery company will now come to India "as soon as it is humanly possible".

"He really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we intend to do and we're just trying to figure out the right timing," said Elon Musk. "Modi wants to make sure that the advantage from investments accrues to India's advantage, which is, you know, obviously, that's the job. He really wants to do the right thing for India," he added.

Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023

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It was a change of plans for the mercurial Musk, who had earlier refused to consider manufacturing in India unless India lowered tariffs for imported Teslas to be sold in India. India has more "promise than any large country in the world," he said. Musk gushed about his "fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister" and declared, "I am a fan of Modi."

Elon Musk and PM Modi met earlier at the former's Freemont Tesla facility and the talks of the largest EV brand to enter India is rife ever since. In 2022, Elon Musk led Tesla established an office in Bengaluru. While the initial plan was to import vehicles through the CBU route, the cost of vehicles was coming to be high due to import duty.

He urged the govt to reduce tax structure, but Nitin Gadkari said Elon Musk will not get and special priviledge and he has to make cars in India to enjoy lower tax slabs. After failed negotiations with the Indian govt, Elon Musk decided to wrap up India ops, without actually starting business in the country.

Now, after meeting PM Modi in the US, Elon Musk has once again announced to bring the EV brand Tesla to India, by next year. It will be interesting to see if the cars will come through the CBU route or Musk will locally assemble the vehicles in India.
New Delhi: Finally, the trailer of the much anticipated second edition of the International Emmy-nominated anthology 'Lust Stories 2' is out and fans are in love Lovebirds Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma's sultry chemistry is winning hearts as well as Neena Gupta's savage replies is worth whistles.

Taking to Instagram, Tamannaah Bhatia treated fans to a trailer. Sharing the trailer, she wrote, "How much lust is 2 much lust? Find out for yourself, because #LustStories2 is coming on 29th June, only on Netflix!#LustStories2OnNetflix."

It is helmed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, R Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Sujoy Ghosh. The show stars Kajol, Neena Gupta, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vijay Varma, Mrunal Thakur, Angad Bedi, Amruta Shubhash, Tillotama Shome and Kumud Mishra. Apart from the star cast what caught the attention was the chemistry between Tamannaah and Vijay.

The new season showcases multiple shades of lust across age groups and class, and their perspective towards the taboo subject. The trailer has Neena Gupta who is playing a role of a grandmother comparing one's body to Mount Fuji, where lust erupts like a volcano. She also suggests her granddaughter Mrunal Thakur sleep with her prospective husband as a 'test drive.'

The video also gives a glimpse of Kajol's intense avatar. The character played by Kajol believes her husband (Kumud Mishra) has feelings for their housekeeper. At the end of the trailer, Vijay Varma's character is seen breaking into the house of his former love played by Tamannah but she refuses to sleep with him because he's married.

Produced by RSVP and Flying Unicorn Ent, 'Lust Stories 2' is a collection of films that shed light on relationships from the female lens of woman, stringing them together thematically.

Speaking on the second anthology of Lust Stories R Balki said in a statement, "Lust is natural and most important in a relationship. It's critical for all to recognise it. I wanted to create a lust story that a family can watch together. Why should a story of lust always make for exciting solo viewing and be uncomfortable for family viewing when families are created by love and lust? Neena Gupta, Mrunal and Angad have brought to life this simple, hilarious tale in the most charming way possible. Having partners like Netflix, RSVP and Flying Unicorn trust me to create a film for this reputed anthology has been immensely gratifying. I hope it's a story that will resonate with people"

Konkona Sen Sharma also shared her thoughts, "There is something exhilarating about a woman getting her rightly deserved freedom and taking control of her life and this is exactly what I wanted to showcase in my anthology for Lust Stories 2. I was quite thrilled and excited when I was approached by RSVP, Flying Unicorn and Netlfix to do this project. Lust for me, like many, is a forbidden topic and I wanted to break away from the norm which was only possible because of my wonderful co-writer Pooja Tolani. I couldn't have asked for a better cast than Amruta and Tillotama, who worked so in sync with each other!"

Adding on to that, Sujoy Ghosh said, "This time lust stories are all about the different shades of Lust. I am so glad that RSVP, Flying Unicorn and Netflix brought this opportunity to me, and that our lust story will be watched by audiences in 190 countries. Tamannah and Vijay brought the film to life just as I had imagined it, and I am hoping audiences will enjoy seeing their chemistry on screen."

"When Netflix, Ronnie and Ashi approached me to be a part of their Emmy Nominated anthology Lust Stories, it was an immediate yes for me. It was truly an exceptional experience to work with actors like Kajol and Kumud Mishra to bring this complex and edgy vision of lust to the audiences. Lust has multiple shades and this film of mine depicts the lust for power and ambition," Amit Ravindernath Sharma said.

The official streaming date of 'Lust Stories 2' is still awaited.
New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day visit to the US, received a rousing welcome on Tuesday from the Indian diaspora at the Hotel Lotte where he will be staying during his trip to New York. "Bharat Mata ki Jai," slogans reverberated at the hotel as people from the Indian diaspora cheered and waved their flags seeing the Prime Minister.

As people from the Indian diaspora cheered and proudly waved their flags upon seeing the Prime Minister, there was a sense of excitement among the crowd, who were eager to catch a glimpse of and interact with PM Modi during his visit.

The Prime Minister also held a meeting with the Bora community in the hotel. An individual of Indian origin in the US expressed his profound joy at seeing and having the opportunity to meet PM Modi, stating, "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have met Prime Minister Modi here in the United States."



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Meanwhile, another Indian origin said, "The aura surrounding PM Modi is truly remarkable, and he warmly greeted us with such calmness and kindness. We are very thrilled." Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and received a grand reception.

Members of the Indian diaspora chanted 'Modi, Modi' slogans as they await PM Modi's arrival in New York.PM Modi also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and was seen shaking hands with them.

PM Modi is expected to meet CEOs, Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians, and health sector experts on Tuesday (local time). He will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters on June 21. PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening. The Prime Minister will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on the same day.

On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora.
New Delhi: The cyber cell of the Delhi Police on Wednesday claimed to have received a call from an unknown caller who threatened to kill Prime Minister Narendra Midi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. According to the news agency IANS, the threat call was received by the outer district unit of Delhi Police, which swung into action after receiving the threat cal.

Two calls were received by the Police Control Room, which were made by the same caller who is yet to be identified. "Promptly responding to the alarming calls, a team was swiftly deployed to trace the location of the anonymous caller," a senior police official was quoted as saying by the news agency IANS.

"The cyber cell of Outer district has also been engaged to analyse the digital footprints of the threatening messages, aiming to gather vital evidence that may aid in identifying the suspect," the official added.

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In view of the threat call, Delhi Police has launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter, leveraging advanced technological tools to trace the origin of the calls.

Caller Identified

However, Delhi Police soon identified the man who made the threatening call. He was identified as Sudheer Sharma, who works as a carpenter. A manhunt has been initiated to trace and nab him. Sharing more details, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Harendra K Singh said that a PCR call was received on Wednesday at 10:46 AM in which the caller threatened to kill Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar if not given Rs 10 crore. "Its location was found in the Nangloi area. Again at 10:54 AM, the same caller threatened to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah if not given Rs two crore.



"The location of the caller was in Paschim Vihar (East). The Station House Officer (SHO) Paschim Vihar (East) police station along with his four subordinates immediately moved to the location," said the DCP. Eventually, the caller`s address was traced. "It is Sudheer Sharma who lives in the Madhipur area. He was not available at his address but his 10-year-old son Ankit was found there," said the official.



On further inquiry, it has come out that the person is a habitual drinker and consumes alcohol during the day time also. "His son told the team that his father had been drinking since early this morning. When Ankit was asked to talk to him, he was responding very incoherently. Our team is constantly trying to trace the person," the DCP added.

However, this is not the first time that the Delhi Police has received calls threatening PM Modi and other top political leaders. Delhi Police last month apprehended a man for making a PCR call and allegedly issuing a threat to Prime Minister Modi.

The caller was identified as Hemant Kumar - a resident of Raigar Pura in Karol Bagh. "After receiving the PCR call, a police team was dispatched to the spot. Kumar was brought to the police station and a joint interrogation was conducted," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal told reporters, as per IANS.

Kumar was jobless for the last six years and was an alcoholic. During his interrogation, he admitted that he made the call under the influence of alcohol.
New York: Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day State visit to the US, on Tuesday and said that he is a huge fan of him and was honoured to meet him. Speaking on PM Modi's leadership role in making technology inclusive so that digital infrastructure can be created, he said, "I can say he really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies, obviously, but at the same time, make sure it accrues to India's advantage, which is obviously that's the job I'm saying. I am a fan of Modi," to ANI.

Musk also told reporters after meeting PM Modi that Twitter, the social media giant he owns, does not have a choice but to follow the local government. Or it will get shut down, he said when asked about the company's former owner and CEO Jack Dorsey's recent allegation against the Indian government. "The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," he said, adding that it is impossible for "us to do more than that". "There are different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law", Musk said.

In response to PM Modi's tweet regarding his meeting with business leaders in the US, Musk tweeted, "It was an honour to meet again." "In the USA, I will also get the opportunity to meet business leaders, interact with the Indian community and meet thought leaders from different walks of life. We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas," tweeted PM Modi.



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He also divulged plans to visit India anytime soon. On being questioned over did PM Modi extended an invitation to him, he said, "He did. And yes, I'm tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I'm looking forward."

Notably, this is the first meeting between PM Modi and Musk after he became the owner of Twitter. PM Modi earlier met Musk in 2015 during a visit to Tesla Motors factory in California. "Well, I'm actually incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world," told Musk to ANI.

WATCH: ELON MUSK MEETS PM MODI IN NEW YORK

Speaking about the takeaways from the meeting, Musk said that PM Modi really cares about India because he is pushing them to make significant investments in India, which is something that they intend to do and are just trying to figure out the right timing. Earlier, during an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Musk was asked if the automaker was interested in the Indian market. "Absolutely," he replied.

He added that Tesla will likely finalise a location to set up its India factory by the end of this year. "It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our Tesla Fremont Factory several years ago, and so we've now known each other for a while, said Musk after meeting PM Modi today.

Speaking about future plans and investment in India, he said, "Yeah, well, I think there's a tremendous amount of potential for all three pillars of the sustainable energy future. The three pillars are sustainable energy generation through solar and wind, primarily. And obviously, India is great for solar. And the amount of land area you actually need to generate enough electricity to power India is very small. I believe it'd be probably one or 2 per cent of the land area of India. So it's very doable. And then you need to pair that with stationary battery packs because the sun doesn't shine at night. And then you need electric vehicles, and then you have a sustainable energy future. And I think the interesting thing people will find is that this is a lower cost way to go as well."

Musk also said that he is looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well. "The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for sort of remote or rural villages where they perhaps either may have no access to the Internet or the Internet is very expensive and slow," he said.

Notably, his meeting comes days after former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey alleged that the BJP-led central government threatened to shut down Twitter in India and have its employees raided at the height of the farmers' protest in 2020.

PM Modi will be meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various fields after he lands in New York today. These leaders comprise Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academics and experts from the health sector.
SHEFFIELD -- A man who was shot and killed by a Franklin County Sheriff's deputy in Sheffield on Tuesday night after deputies responded to the scene of a domestic dispute.

According to a release from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, 30-year-old Matt Davis of Hampton was shot and killed. The release states Davis was arguing with family members who had locked themselves inside the home. When deputies ordered Davis to drop the gun he allegedly refused and walked toward deputies and pointed the gun at the deputies and passing vehicles.

Davis was shot once by a Franklin County deputy. It is unclear where he was hit. The weapon Davis pointed at deputies was later determined to be a pellet gun and the incident was captured on deputies' bodycams.

Deputies were called at 9:42 p.m., to 1124 W. Gilman St. on a report of a domestic dispute. Medical personnel responded, but the Davis died at the scene. No officers were injured.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Patrol are investigating the incident. Franklin County Sheriff Aaron Dodd confirmed the deputy is on leave pending investigation. The identity of the deputy has not been released.

Dodd said when there is a shooting involving one of his deputies the Department of Criminal Investigation is called in to investigate. He also said MercyOne North Iowa's Air Med helicopter landed in the football field to transport the wounded man, but he was dead before he could be airlifted.

The name of the deceased will be released at a later time after notification of relatives.

Other agencies that assisted on the scene were Sheffield EMS, Franklin General Hospital Ambulance, the Sheffield Fire Department and the Hampton Police Department.
New Delhi: India on Tuesday played a sound clip of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Sajid Mir telling the attackers to kill foreigners at the Taj hotel while speaking at a United Nation's counter-terrorism conference. India's strong responce comes after China on Tuesday blocked a proposal by India and the US at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, as a global terrorist. Ministry Of External Affair's Joint Secretary Prakash Gupta while addressing the UNSC Terror meet said, "Sajid Mir not getting through the Global Listings of UNSC despite several member states supporting the move shows that something is genuinely worng with global counter terrorism architecture."

He said India doesn't have the genuine political will to fight the challenge of terrorism if established terrorists like Mir don't make into UNSC's global listing due to "petty geopolitical interests".

As China blocks listing of 26/11 terror attack mastermind Sajid Mir, India plays audio of Pak National at UN counter terror meet; Indian Diplomat @PrakashMEA calls the action "petty politics", & that ''something genuinely wrong with the global counter terrorism architecture" https://t.co/R6CaMxAZVj pic.twitter.com/RaMGAZPMdv June 21, 2023

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Prakash Gupta said the masterminds were still free and enjoying state support. He said the first gap to address was avoiding double standards and good terrorists vs bad terrorists. He said terrorism is always wrong and India will not rest till it is uprooted.

The MEA joint secretary quoted PM Modi's words from last year and said India was firm in countering terrorism. He said Mir was India's most-wanted terrorist for his role in the Mumbai attacks. He was the main planner and controller of the attacks. India says China has blocked many attempts to list terrorists in Pakistan.

The US and India had jointly proposed to put Mir, a global terrorist and a leader of the Pakistan-based LeT, on the UN Security Councils 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee blacklist. This would have subjected him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. However, China vetoed the proposal on Tuesday, as it had done before in September last year.

Mir is in his mid 40s and has a USD 5 million reward on his head by the US for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He was also sentenced to over 15 years in prison by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court in June last year for a terror-financing case. Pakistan had previously claimed that Mir had died, but Western countries were not convinced and asked for proof.

This became a major issue in FATFs evaluation of Pakistans progress on the action plan last year. Mir has been with LeT since around 2001 and was the operations manager for the Mumbai attacks. He also planned a terrorist attack against a Danish newspaper and its employees between 2008 and 2009. The US indicted him in April 2011 and designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in August 2012. He is also on the FBIs Most Wanted Terrorists List.

China, which is a close ally of Pakistan, has repeatedly blocked the efforts to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN Security Council.
Renowned Hollywood actor Richard Gere expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood during a Yoga Day event in New York. Gere, along with other prominent personalities including Csaba Korosi, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, joined PM Modi for a yoga session at the UN headquarters to commemorate the International Day of Yoga.

"It is a lovely message. He (PM Modi) is a product of Indian culture and comes from a vast place like Indian culture does. This message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood is the one we want to hear again and again," Richard Gere said after Yoga Day event in New York.

The event saw the participation of notable figures such as New York Mayor Eric Adams, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, and musician Ricky Kej, among others. PM Modi's emphasis on inclusivity and cultural harmony resonated with Gere, who lauded the Prime Minister's commitment to these values.



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Hamish Harding, a UK businessman and chairman of Action Aviation, is one of five people who disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean while on a tourist submersible to see the Titanic wreck. He is also a famous adventurer who holds three Guinness World Records, such as the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. He dived to the deepest point of the Mariana Trench with ocean explorer Victor Vescovo in March 2021. He also flew to space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket in June 2022. He collaborated with the Indian government to bring eight wild cheetahs from Namibia to India in September 2020. He flew on one of his aircraft from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where the cheetahs were relocated.

His Role In Relocating Cheetahs

Harding is an aircraft company chairman and a renowned adventurer who has set three world records and travelled to space. He was part of a mission to relocate cheetahs from Namibia to India in September 2020. He flew on a Boeing 747-400 from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where the cheetahs were introduced.



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His Facebook said, "The Boeing 747 "Jumbo Jet" aircraft that is taking the eight cheetahs to India is a B747-400 passenger jet. The jet cabin has been modified to allow cages to be secured in the main cabin of the aircraft but will still allow vets to have full access to the cats during the flight. The aircraft is an ultra-long range jet capable of flying up to 16 hours and so can fly directly from Namibia to India without a refueling stop, an important consideration for the well-being of the cheetahs."

Also Read: 10 Things To Know About Ocean Gate's Missing Titanic-Bound Submarine

His Latest Adventure To The Titanic Wreck

Harding's trip to the Titanic wreck was his latest adventure. He has been to the South Pole several times, flown into space in 2022 on Blue Origin's fifth human-crewed flight, and set three world records - including the longest time spent at full ocean depth during a dive to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench.

He announced on social media over the weekend that he was on a ship that left St John's, Newfoundland, Canada, for the Titanic wreck site. He said he was proud to announce that he would be on a mission to the wreck of the Titanic. He said it was likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023 due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years. He said they had a weather window and they were going to attempt a dive on Sunday morning at around 04:00 local time.

Also Read: Missing Titanic Tourist Submarine With 5 Onboard Has Only 70 Hrs Of Oxygen Left: Report

Action Aviation said on Sunday that Harding was diving and the sub had a successful launch. Later, his stepson Brian Szasz deleted a post on Facebook that said Harding had gone missing on the submarine.

Patrick Woodhead, the founder of British tour operator White Desert Antarctica, said Harding was an incredible aviation explorer and a great advocate for making the world a better place. He said Harding had travelled with them to Antarctica several times, including with US astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

A spokesperson from the UK's Foreign Office said they were in contact with the family of a British man following reports of a missing submarine off the coast of North America.

The Titanic, which sank in April 1912, is about 700km south of St John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The rescue mission for the missing sub is being run from Boston in Massachusetts and the US Coast Guard said a research ship called the 'Polar Prince' had conducted a surface search for the sub on Monday evening. It is used to transport submersibles to the wreck site and was the support ship on Sunday's tourist expedition.
NEW DELHI: Ravi Jaipuria is a billionaire Indian businessman and promoter of two listed companies - Varun Beverages Ltd and Devyani International Ltd. Ravi Jaipuria, presides over RJ Corp. which is into everything from beverages and fast food to healthcare and education. Ravi Jaipuri is also known as the Cola King of India.

Background





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Born in 1953, Ravi Jaipuria completed his education in the country and later went to the US to pursue business management. The youngest of three brothers, Jaipuria returned home in 1985 to join the family business as a bottler for US soft drink maker Coca-Cola. Following a division of the family business in 1987, Jaipuria received one bottling plant as his share and subsequently switched to working with PepsiCo  Coca-Colas rival American soft drink maker. Ravi Jaipuria is married and has two children  son Varun Jaipuria, who is the Executive Director of RJ Corp, and daughter Devyani, who manages Devyani International Ltd.

Ravi Jaipurias Business Ventures

The business tycoon cemented his hold over the beverages market in India ever since he took over his brothers lucrative Pepsico Delhi franchise for an undisclosed amount. Jaipurias company - Varun Beverages, which he named after his son - is one of the American Beverages giant PepsiCos largest bottlers outside the United States. Devyani International Ltd is Yum Brands' largest franchisee in India and one of the country's biggest chains of quick service restaurants. It also operates brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee in India. Devyani International Ltf, which got listed in August 2021, has significantly contributed to his rising fortune. Several notable brands like Pepsi, Seven-up, Mirinda Orange, Mountain Dew, Tropicana Juices, and PepsiCo are manufactured and distributed by Jaipurias company RJ Corp. He also also holds minority stakes in listed budget hotel chain Lemon Tree and in healthcare firm Medanta.

Winner Of Several Prestigious Awards

He is the recipient of several prestigious awards. He was given PepsiCos award for International Bottler of the Year in 1997. The industrialist was also acknowledged at the PHD Annual Awards for Excellence 2018, where he received the Distinguished Entrepreneurship Award.

Net Worth

With over Rs 73000 crore net worth, Ravi Jaipuria is Indias 18th and the worlds 333rd richest person, according to Forbes. As of April 2023, Jaipurias net worth was estimated to be around USD 8.9 billion.
Mumbai: Tata AIA Life Insurance has declared Rs 1,183 crore in dividend payout to participating policyholders for the past financial year, which is 37 per cent higher than the preceding fiscal and the highest till date.

The Tata Group company has been paying bonuses to its policyholders over the years, and the FY23 bonus is 37 per cent higher than Rs 861 crore paid in FY22, the company said, adding 7,49,229 policyholders are eligible for the bonus, Samit Upadhyay, the president & chief financial officer said.

The company's participating (Par) products offer life cover, income, as well as lump-sum benefits in the form of bonuses.



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The higher payout is due to the company reporting a multi-fold increase in net income at Rs 506 crore in FY23, up from Rs 71 crore in the previous fiscal.

The income growth was led by the individual new business premium that rose 59 per cent to Rs 7,093 crore in the reporting year.

Total premium income for the fiscal grew 42 per cent to Rs 20,503 crore from Rs 14,445 crore, helping it book a 615 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 506 crore from Rs 71 crore in FY22.

The retail sum assured underwritten has grown from Rs 3,07,804 crore to Rs 4,43,479 crore, a growth of over 44 per cent on-year, helping it increase its market share to 27 per cent from 21 per cent in FY22.

Total renewal premium rose 32 per cent to Rs 11,964 crore on-year, and the asset under management grew by 21 per cent to Rs 71,006 crore.

Its individual death claims settlement ratio improved from 98.53 per cent in FY22 to 99.01 per cent in FY23. The company's total assets under management stood at Rs 71,006 crore.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a case of corruption, underwent a bypass surgery on Wednesday. The DMK minister was hemodynamically stable, the private hospital treating him said in a health bulletin. The minister underwent Beating Heart Coronary Artery Bypass surgery in the morning, a medical bulletin issued by Kauvery Hospital said. "Four bypass grafts were placed and coronary revascularization was established," the bulletin from Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, co-founder and executive director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said.

"He is currently hemodynamically stable and being monitored in the postoperative intensive care unit by the multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses," it said.

Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this month on money laundering charges, sparking a furious political row between Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK and its rivals - the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party.



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High Drama Over Senthil Balaji's Arrest

Balaji, 47, broke down after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following an 18-hour interrogation regarding a money laundering case. The minister's premises were raided by the central agency prior to his arrest.

Due to his lack of cooperation, refusal to sign the arrest memo, and his verbal outbursts directed at the agency officers, the ED informed the court of his non-compliance. As a result, he was remanded to judicial custody for a period of 14 days.

Following his arrest, Balaji complained of chest pain and he was rushed to a government hospital in Chennai, where he received a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. On the orders of the Madras High Court, he was transferred to the privately-run Kauvery Hospital.

Political Slugfest Over Balaji's Arrest

The arrest of Balaji sparked a bitter political controversy in Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a scathing attack on AIADMK and BJP. Several opposition parties slammed the ruling BJP for misusing the central investigative agencies such as the CBI and ED to target their political rivals.
NEW YORK: Responding to Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's allegations, Tesla CEO and the Twitter owner said that the micro-blogging platform has no choice but to comply with the local law in any given country. Musk told reporters after meeting PM Modi that Twitter, the social media giant he owns, does not have a choice but to follow the local government. Or it will get shut down, he said when asked about the company's former owner and CEO Jack Dorsey's recent allegation against the Indian government.

"The best we can do is to follow the laws in any given country," he said, adding that it is impossible for "us to do more than that". "There are different rules and regulations for different forms of governments, and we will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law", Musk said. Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey kicked up a storm recently by claiming that the social media firm faced shutdown threats in India from the Narendra Modi government.





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Elon Musk Meets PM Modi

Musk made these remarks after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York. The Tesla CEO said that he is a huge fan of PM Modi and was honoured to meet him. Speaking on PM Modi's leadership role in making technology inclusive so that digital infrastructure can be created, he said, "I can say he really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies, obviously, but at the same time, make sure it accrues to India's advantage, which is obviously that's the job I'm saying. I am a fan of Modi," to ANI.

In response to PM Modi's tweet regarding his meeting with business leaders in the US, Musk tweeted, "It was an honour to meet again." "In the USA, I will also get the opportunity to meet business leaders, interact with the Indian community and meet thought leaders from different walks of life. We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas," tweeted PM Modi.

Tesla Coming To India Soon: Musk

He also divulged plans to visit India anytime soon. On being questioned over did PM Modi extended an invitation to him, he said, "He did. And yes, I'm tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I'm looking forward."

Notably, this was the first meeting between PM Modi and Musk after he became the owner of Twitter. PM Modi earlier met Musk in 2015 during a visit to Tesla Motors factory in California. "Well, I'm actually incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world," told Musk to ANI.

WATCH: ELON MUSK MEETS PM MODI IN NEW YORK

Speaking about the takeaways from the meeting, Musk said that PM Modi really cares about India because he is pushing them to make significant investments in India, which is something that they intend to do and are just trying to figure out the right timing.

Earlier, during an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Musk was asked if the automaker was interested in the Indian market. "Absolutely," he replied. He added that Tesla will likely finalise a location to set up its India factory by the end of this year.

"It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our Tesla Fremont Factory several years ago, and so we've now known each other for a while, said Musk after meeting PM Modi today.

Speaking about future plans and investment in India, he said, "Yeah, well, I think there's a tremendous amount of potential for all three pillars of the sustainable energy future. The three pillars are sustainable energy generation through solar and wind, primarily. And obviously, India is great for solar. And the amount of land area you actually need to generate enough electricity to power India is very small. I believe it'd be probably one or 2 per cent of the land area of India. So it's very doable. And then you need to pair that with stationary battery packs because the sun doesn't shine at night. And then you need electric vehicles, and then you have a sustainable energy future. And I think the interesting thing people will find is that this is a lower cost way to go as well."

Musk also said that he is looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well. "The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for sort of remote or rural villages where they perhaps either may have no access to the Internet or the Internet is very expensive and slow," he said.

Notably, his meeting comes days after former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey alleged that the BJP-led central government threatened to shut down Twitter in India and have its employees raided at the height of the farmers' protest in 2020.

PM Modi will be meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various fields after he lands in New York today. These leaders comprise Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academics and experts from the health sector.
Delhi Metro trains have been witnessing multiple incidents condemned by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Recently, there have been numerous incidents of people shooting videos on metro trains, quarreling with each other, and couples getting intimate. Adding to the list is a new picture of a couple kissing on the train. The picture shared on social media is attracting much attention and has divided the internet's reaction. Many social media users condemn the act, while others are in its favour.

The image was shared on social media without many details and did not show the faces of the couple. However, many assumed that the couple was kissing. According to the caption, the incident took place on Delhi Metro's Yellow Line on a train going towards the HUDA City Center. The person who shared the image on social media tagged Delhi Metro, DMRC, Delhi Police, and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as well.

Also read: Delhi Metro: Girl Spotted Using Hair Straightener In Train, Video Goes Viral



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After the image went viral, Delhi Metro took cognizance of the situation and responded to the tweet, saying, "Hi. Any inconvenience is regretted. Checked at HUDA City Center, and no such passengers found." Many social media users criticised DMRC's response and also mentioned that they were late responding to the situation.

Hi. Any inconvenience is regretted. Checked at HUDA City Center and no such passengers found.  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) June 19, 2023

Meanwhile, one of the social media users supported the incident saying, "People in Dehli will literally walk past a man stabbing a woman to death like its not their business, but PDA is where they draw the line." Another user said, "Kiss more and kiss open. Kiss often. Make them jealous. Cheers, to love." At the same time, there were others who criticised the act.

It is to be noted that the Delhi Metro had previously issued an advisory criticizing such instances. As well as warning the commuters against filming videos on trains. In a statement, DMRC said, "Any such activity that may cause inconvenience to passengers is strictly prohibited inside the Delhi Metro."

They added, "Commuters should not indulge in any indecent/obscene activity that may cause discomfort or could offend the sensibilities of other fellow commuters. DMRC's Operations and Maintenance Act, in fact, lists out indecency as a punishable offence under Section 59."
Videos of stunts and public displays of affection are going viral on social media. Recently, multiple videos have shown youngsters performing stunts on public roads. Furthermore, many of these videos show stunts performed on motorcycles without any safety gear. Adding to the list of such videos, a clip has surfaced on the internet showing a couple seemingly kissing while riding on a high-speed motorcycle.

The video starts by showing a person recording the video inside a car. A few seconds a motorcycle can be seen overtaking the car at high speed. Upon closer look, a couple can be seen riding the motorcycle, while they hug each and seemingly are kissing. The female in the video can be sitting on the tank of the motorcycle facing backwards, while the boy rides the bike on a busy highway

Also read: Watch: Man Performs Push-ups On High Signboard In Viral Video, Internet Reacts



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As per the information shared in the captions, the incident was recorded on NH9 Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The person who shared the video tagged the police department as well. In the captions, he wrote, "After Lucknow now this picture has come out from the district #Ghaziabad, in the mood of love, the couple on the bike is neither concerned about any rules nor the society. Viral video Ghaziabad is being told of NH 9 Indirapuram. @ghaziabadpolice @DCPTHindonGZB." (English translation)

After the video was shared on Twitter, DCP Trans Hindon Commissionerate Ghaziabad took note of the situation and responded to the video, saying, "In connection with the said episode, Inspector Indirapuram has been directed to take necessary legal action while examining the video."

There have been previous such incidents in the past with couples in different parts of the country doing similar things. These videos originated from different cities, including Rajasthan. Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Such clips are often criticised for ignoring road safety measures and driving rashly on public roads. Furthermore, people performing such stunts endanger others along with themselves.
Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a controversial ban on the celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi in universities, sparking concerns over religious intolerance. The decision came after a video of students joyfully celebrating Holi at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad went viral, prompting the HEC to take action. The ban, justified as a means to protect the country's Islamic identity, has drawn criticism for stifling cultural diversity and promoting exclusionary policies. Critics argue that such measures undermine the principles of inclusivity and religious harmony, emphasizing the need for a more tolerant approach that respects and celebrates the multicultural fabric of Pakistan.

1. Holi Celebrations Curtailed in Pakistan

Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) has stirred controversy by imposing a ban on Holi celebrations in universities across the country.



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2. Video Triggers Ban

The HEC's decision came in response to a viral video showing students at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad celebrating Holi with great enthusiasm.

3. Concerns over Religious Intolerance

The ban raises concerns about religious intolerance and the erosion of cultural diversity, as Pakistan's Hindu minority feels marginalized and their traditions suppressed.

4. Preservation of Islamic Identity

The HEC's notification cites the need to protect Pakistan's Islamic identity, but critics argue that such measures undermine religious harmony and promote exclusivity.

5. Suppressing Cultural Values

The ban on Holi celebrations is seen by many as a suppression of cultural values, denying students the opportunity to embrace and appreciate the diverse traditions of their fellow citizens.

6. Tolerance and Inclusivity

Critics emphasize the importance of tolerance and inclusivity, highlighting that a multicultural society can thrive by respecting and celebrating different religious festivals.

7. Upholding Core Principles

While Pakistan seeks to preserve its Islamic identity, it should also strive to uphold its core principles of religious freedom, equality, and respect for all citizens.

8. Embracing Multiculturalism

Promoting multiculturalism and allowing celebrations like Holi can foster greater understanding, respect, and unity among Pakistan's diverse communities.

9. Challenges of Exclusionary Policies

Exclusionary policies, such as the ban on Holi, risk further dividing society and hindering the development of a harmonious and progressive nation.

10. A Call for Tolerance and Acceptance

Amidst the controversy, advocates urge Pakistan to embrace a more tolerant and accepting stance, recognizing the richness of its cultural mosaic and fostering an atmosphere of religious harmony.
State Auditor Rob Sand will continue his fifth 100 Town Hall tour with town hall appearances Thursday, June 22, in Algona, Garner, Forest City, Northwood, and Mason City.

Sand will deliver remarks and take questions on the work of the state auditors office and the condition of the states finances and governance.

Expected topics of discussion include the lack of accountability and transparency in the new school vouchers legislation that will take tax dollars away from public schools to pay for private school tuition, new legislation that allows state agencies to hide documents from the state auditor, and advancements in his Public Innovations and Efficiencies program for saving tax dollars.

It helps our office to hear from Iowans and helps Iowans to hear from someone who is willing to go after insiders corruption and waste in Iowas governments, said Sand in advance of the trip. Im proud to continue that work in all Iowas counties this year.

Thursday's events

Sand will hold Kossuth County town hall from 9010 a.m at Central Park, 801 E. McGregor St., Algona.

His Hancock County town hall will be from 10:45am-11:45 a.m. at Tourist Park, 420 W. 11th St., Garner.

His Winnebago County town hall will be from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at the Winnebago County Courthouse Gazebo, 126 S. Clark St., Forest City.

He'll be in Worth County from 1:45-2:45 p.m. at Central Park, 627 Central Ave., Northwood.

Sand will finish the day with a Cerro Gordo County Town Hall from 3:15-4:15 p.m. at Central Park, 10 First St, N.W., Mason City.
Every year on June 21, the world observes International Yoga Day as a reminder to live an active and healthy lifestyle. It is crucial to choose a healthy meal that will fuel your body, encourage awareness, and support your yoga practice. With these five delicious, invigorating, yet practical breakfast options, you can start your day off correctly and honour the advantages of yoga:



Yogi's Oats Powered Smoothie: Smoothies are a perfect and nutritious way to start your day. Blend a banana, spoonful of yoghurt, scoop of plant-based protein powder, almond milk and a dash of honey/ maple syrup. A spoonful of almond or peanut butter will give it an added twist. This protein-packed smoothie is also a great source of fibre and vitamins, and will give you the energy to embrace your yoga practice with vitality.



Nourishing Muesli Bowl: Indulge in a wholesome muesli bowl to energise your body for your daily workouts. Combine a generous serving of Yoga Bars' Classic Fruit & Nut Muesli with your choice of milk or yoghurt. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften. Enhance the flavours by adding sliced fresh fruits like bananas, berries, or diced apples. This nutrient-rich breakfast will provide a satisfying crunch while keeping you fuelled post your yoga sessions.



Wholesome Oats Pancakes: Select a nutrient-rich choco-almond oats variant and blend it into a fine powder. Mash a ripe banana until smooth in a bowl and add a scoop of blended oats, almond milk or any milk of choice. Stir well until you achieve the desired consistency, creating a thick rich pancake batter. Cook the pancakes and serve them with toppings, such as sliced fruits, a dollop of yoghurt, some honey/ maple syrup, or a sprinkle of nuts. The oats contribute to a satisfying texture, while the combination of flavours and toppings creates a delightful variety and indulgence to your meal.

Also Read: International Yoga Day 2023 - 4 Yoga Asanas To Improve Memory And Concentration



Energising Breakfast Bars: Energising Yoga Bars for breakfast bars provide a convenient and nourishing option for those busy mornings when time is of the essence. Else, look for high-protein and high-fibre options that are also soy-free and gluten-free, as they are readily available in the market. These bars are perfect as pre- and post-workout snacks and serve as healthy meal replacement options. Grab one on the go and experience the benefits of a wholesome and satisfying breakfast that supports your active lifestyle.



High Protein Milkshakes: Indulge in a healthy milkshake that provides a delightful and refreshing start to your day. Elevate your regular milkshake by adding chocolate brownie protein bars for an extra boost. Sip on this refreshing and indulgent milkshake while fuelling your body with protein to support your active lifestyle.

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New Delhi: Senior party leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said "we should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government", for internationalising the International Day of Yoga through the United Nations. This comes moments after the Congress put out a tweet calling India's first prime minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru instrumental in popularising yoga and making it a part of national policy.

In a tweet from its official Twitter handle, the Congress said, "On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pandit Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising Yoga and even made it a part of national policy. Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art and philosophy in our physical and mental wellbeing and take steps to incorporate it in our lives."

On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pt. Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising Yoga & even made it a part of national policy.



Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art & philosophy in our physical & mental wellbeing & take steps to incorporate it in our lives. pic.twitter.com/XqOyMwgock  Congress (@INCIndia) June 21, 2023

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Taking to Twitter, the Thiruvananthapuram MP by tagging the Congress' tweet wrote, "Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government, @PMOIndia & @MEAIndia, for internationalising International Yoga Day through the @UN. As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world and it's great to see it recognised."

Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived & popularised yoga, including our government, @PMOIndia & @MEAIndia, for internationalising #InternationalYogaDay through the @UN. As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world & https://t.co/WYZvcecl0Q  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 21, 2023

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga. Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. This year people worldwide are observing the 9th International Yoga Day with live celebrations.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spearhead the festivities at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, graced by delegates from over 180 nations. Notably, an estimated 250 million individuals are anticipated to participate in the event, centred around the theme `Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam`, meaning `One Earth One Future One Family`.
In a remarkable display of courage and determination, IPS officer Merin Joseph embarked on a mission to bring a child-rape accused to justice, transcending international borders. Her relentless pursuit of the fugitive showcased her unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of women and children. Let us delve into the extraordinary journey of IPS Merin Joseph, a beacon of hope and resilience.

1. A Childhood Dream:

From a young age, Merin Joseph nurtured the dream of becoming an IPS officer. Driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to protect the vulnerable, she dedicated herself to the pursuit of justice.



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2. Conquering Challenges:

With unwavering dedication and perseverance, Merin secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 188 in the UPSC 2012 examination. Her stellar performance granted her entry into the prestigious Indian Police Service, a platform that would amplify her impact on society.

3. A Trailblazing Career:

Merin Joseph swiftly gained recognition as an exceptional officer, earning the distinction of being the youngest person to lead the Indian delegation for the Y20 Summit. Her visionary leadership and ability to inspire change served as a guiding light for aspiring officers.

4. A Passion for Justice:

Merin's dedication to combating crimes against women and children became evident when she stumbled upon a two-year-old case of a child-rape accused who had escaped to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her sense of justice, combined with her expertise in tackling such cases, compelled her to take up the arduous task of extraditing the accused.

5. Breaking Barriers:

Undeterred by the absence of established extradition procedures for such cases, Merin Joseph fearlessly confronted the challenges that lay ahead. Her determination to ensure that the accused faced the consequences of his heinous actions propelled her forward, surpassing geographical boundaries.

6. A Powerful Partnership:

Throughout her journey, Merin found unwavering support in her life partner, Dr. Chris Abraham, a respected psychiatrist from Kerala. Their union symbolized a shared commitment to promoting justice, compassion, and empathy in society.

7. The Triumph of Justice:

Merin Joseph's relentless pursuit led to the successful apprehension of the child-rape accused in Saudi Arabia. The culmination of her efforts brought solace to the victim and renewed faith in the judicial system. Merin's unwavering dedication showcased the power of perseverance and the indomitable spirit of a true super-cop.

8. A Beacon of Inspiration:

Merin Joseph's extraordinary journey serves as an inspiration to countless individuals. Her story reminds us of the importance of upholding the rights of the vulnerable, combating injustice, and striving for a more compassionate society.

9. Legacy of Empowerment:

Through her remarkable achievements, Merin has empowered aspiring officers, especially women, to break barriers and pursue their dreams. Her legacy stands as a testament to the transformative power of passion, resilience, and a commitment to serve humanity.

10. A Call to Action:

As we reflect on the remarkable journey of IPS Merin Joseph, let us be inspired to take action in our own lives, championing the cause of justice, and advocating for the rights of the marginalized. Together, we can create a world where compassion triumphs over cruelty, and where the voices of the oppressed are heard and respected.

In the annals of law enforcement, IPS Merin Joseph's story will forever shine as a beacon of hope, reminding us that true heroes exist among us, working tirelessly to make our world a safer and more just place.
The Bharatmala formed from the eastern extremity of Dong, where the first rays of the Sun fall in India to the dunes of Longewala in Rajasthan, where the epic battle was fought in 1971, from the glacial heights of Siachen to the southern tip of Kanyakumari and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Ministry of defence said the troops, families, including children and defence civilians actively participated in the event. The local populace at all locations was also actively co-opted in the Yoga activities.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, was the Chief Guest at the mass Yoga event organised at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi.



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Continuing with the enhanced Indo-Africa partnership, outreach was also organised in African nations through Indian Army contingents deployed in United Nations (UN) Mission areas and other Training Teams abroad, the defence ministry official added.

The ministry said that profoundly imbued in the Indian culture and ethos over the ages, Yoga has found worldwide acceptance in its varied Avatars. The emancipating and healing effects of Yoga have been acknowledged by the scientific community as well.

The Indian Army has always been at the forefront in making Yoga protocols part of its daily schedule of activities, irrespective of the location of deployment of troops.

As part of the national effort, the Indian Army has been regularly engaging the local populace, particularly in the remote border areas to spread awareness as also to conduct workshops for the proliferation of Yoga, an Army official added.

The defence officials also informed that the National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrated the 9th International Yoga Day with full zeal and enthusiasm with the participation of 11 lahks NCC Cadets at different venues across India.

The Yoga sessions were conducted in parks, open grounds, schools and colleges throughout the length and breadth of the country from Leh in the North to Kanyakumari in the South and Dwarka in the West to Tezu in the East.

Director General NCC Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh, AVSM VSM, presided over an enthusiastic assembly of cadets from all three services in Delhi Cantt. He exhorted all to adopt the Yoga way of life while explaining the essence of the theme `Har Aangan Yoga` and `Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam`, the NCC said.
Mumbai: Actor Mukesh Khanna has slammed the makers of 'Adipurush' and questioned who has given them the right to insult our scriptures. In an exclusive interview with ANI, he strongly condemned the dialogues and costumes used in the film.

He told ANI, "I think this is a terrible joke with Ramayan. Who has given the right to anyone to insult our scriptures? I have even said that both of them have not even read Ramayan. Those who don't know which blessing Ravan had received. They pasted the blessing of Hiranyakashyap on Ravan."

The 'Shaktimaan' actor further added, "While Shiv ji had blessed Ravan, now those who do not have that much knowledge, then you are talking big things. It is absolutely rubbish. They should not be forgiven. Yesterday I said on my channel that this whole team should be burnt standing at fifty degrees Celsius."

When asked who should be blamed, he replied, "Firstly, Om Raut ji, who directed 'Tanhaji' and then Manoj Muntashir, never followed him, but I feel very bad after listening to his childish words."



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While criticising them further, he shared with ANI, "I thought that when all this has happened, they will hide their face, but they are coming forward and explaining this much. They are saying that we are making it for Sanatan Dharma. Hey, is your Sanatan Dharma different from ours? They said that there was the version of Valmiki ji, then there was the version of Tulsidas ji, this is our version."

"Are you above Valmiki ji that you will create your own version and tell the children to forget the old tradition? 'And we are saying Hanumanji used to talk like this, Arey tel tere baap ka, ghee tere baap ka'. Hanuman ji was seen wearing leather costumes. Now I have an objection, neither Lord Ram had a moustache, nor Lord Krishna nor Lord Vishnu can have a moustache, we have grown up seeing Them. Can you do this with any other religion? I have a bigger objection to making fun of the Hindu religion."

"The owners of T-Series, who were known for their bhajans on Devi, Lord Ram and made them popular. His son is making this Ramayan. Is he carrying forward his father's tradition or is he spoiling his father's name?," said Khanna while pointing towards Bhushan Kumar.

"The makers are demanding not to say against their movie but why as you are saying you have made this film for the youth."

"I want to say that if the people of the country do not stop this, then I would believe that our hundred crores Hindus have not yet woken up," he concluded.

Directed by Om Raut, 'Adipurush' stars Prabhas as Lord Ram, Kriti Sanon as Goddess Sita, Sunny Singh as Laxman and Saif Ali Khan as Ravan.
New Delhi: In a historic first, international award-winning model and Mr. India 2022, Kramik Yadav from Gujarat has been honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Indian Television Award. He received this award for his significant contributions to the Indian pageant industry.

Dadasaheb Phalke Indian Television Awards

The star-studded event took place at the Hyatt Centric Juhu Mumbai on June 11, 2023. The scintillating event was organized by Akhilesh Singh, who is also the founder and chairman of the awards show. It was a prominent event in the Indian pageant industry as this was the first time a Mr. India winner was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Indian Television Award. Kramik Yadav is also regarded as one of the most successful Mr. India winners of all time.



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Who is Kramik Yadav?

Kramik Yadav is a businessman and is based in Gujarat. He won two international awards for India last year and became an overnight sensation in the Indian pageant industry. His journey began after he won Mr. India 2022 title in Chennai and represented India at the biggest international modeling competition of Latin America  Caballero Universal.

He is one of the very few men in the world that have been part of two of the biggest competitions in the world  Rubaru Mr. India and Caballero Universal. Along with winning the title of Mr. India 2022, he was also conferred with the Best in Talent award at the 2022 Rubaru Mr. India competition.

On the work front

Kramik has a very long array of accomplishments following him. He is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the fashion world and possesses expertise in all types of Gujarati dance forms. He is also a dance choreographer and model. After winning the title of Mr. India 2022, he was chosen to represent India at the biggest international competition based in Latin America, Caballero Universal. On December 1, 2022, he created history once again when he won the 2nd runner-up title at the Caballero Universal competition. It was for the very first time that an Asian delegate entered the competitions top placers league.

Recently, he was awarded the Pride of India award and the Style Icon of the Year 2023 award in Goa and Gujarat respectively.
New Delhi: Rakul Preet Singh is one actress who has always ruled the hearts of the masses with her prettiness and elegance. Indeed her fitness is the reason behind her ever-glowing and enchanting presence and to maintain the same the actress puts her effort into fitness in which Yoga plays a very important role. Marking International Yoga Day, Rukul took a moment to accumulate all the glimpses of her Yoga journey while expressing the importance of Yoga to her fans.

On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Rakul shared some glimpses of her Yoga sessions on her social media with a voice-over narration in the background acknowledging the importance of Yoga in one's life. She further jotted down the caption, "Yoga is a balance of life .. a connection of mind , body and soul, a feeling of being one with the consciousness .. yoga is a way of life !! Wishing all of you a #happyinternationalyogaday and a big thankyouuuuuu always for @anshukayoga for guiding me through this path of enlightenment"

Moreover, Having left everyone stunned by her prettiness, Rakul is currently garnering love from all across for her brilliant performance in her recently released film, 'I Love You'. The actress has proved her mettle as an actor on the screen yet again in the film and is garnering praises for her amazing screen presence and stepping into the character with such ease.

On the work front, Rakul will be next seen in Indian 2 starring alongside Kamal Haasan.
Croatia, a country of beauty, rich history and friendly people is the destination for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 24 for a nine-day journey.

Rated one of the safest countries in Europe by the U.S. Department of States, Croatia is the latest trip in the chambers semi-annual sponsored series to interesting, affordable destinations. The itinerary includes the Dalmatian coastline, a mix of tranquil beaches, bustling medieval towns and dreamy outlying islands.

The trip, available to members and non-members of the chamber, stops for four nights in Dubrovnik, site of filming for televisions Game of Thrones and known as The Pearl of the Adriatic due to its exceptional beauty.

Travelers also will visit the country of Montenegro and spend three nights in the Croatian city of Split, a 1700-year-old city and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site.

Among sites on the tour are the Diocletians Palace, Franciscan Monastery, Mestrovic gallery, island of Korcula, city of Trogir and Plitvice Lakes for local cuisine, natural wonders, history and nightlife.

The trip combines natural wonders such as spectacular waterfalls and lakes complemented by cities with historic palaces, churches and fortresses.

The cost is $3,699 per person and includes round-trip airfare, seven nights in four-star hotels, 13 meals, sightseeing, taxes/fees, transfers, admissions and baggage handling. Optional tours can be added for additional charges.

The tour is arranged through CI Destinations, the chambers travel partner since 2015.

Full itinerary and information are available at https://bit.ly/CroatiaChamberTrip or by contacting Crystal Hairston at chamber@dpchamber.org.
Ahead of his 'special yoga session,' PM Modi posted a video message in which he stated that India has always cultivated traditions that unify, adopt, and embrace, and he made a passionate appeal to erase contradictions, barriers, and resistances via yoga. Through yoga, we must get rid of our paradoxes, obstacles, and resistances. The ethos of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" must be displayed as an example to the rest of the world, the PM remarked.

Annelies Richmond was up on stage leading the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations from the United Nations Headquarters, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21, 2023.

It is a great honour for me to be leading the Yoga session for PM Modi, says Richmond, who now teaches yoga at more than 108 universities across America, including Harvard, Stanford and Columbia. Stress and mental-health issues are the same for students in any part of the world, she says, adding, Its natural because there is a lot of pressure on them to excel and a lot is at stake. But we have seen that yoga and meditation help them," Annelies told Indian Express.



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The Indian Express stated that the 47-year-old dancer, who is also a yoga instructor and a professor at various esteemed colleges in the United States, Richmond, guided the yoga practice for 25 minutes outside the UN Headquarters. She was reported in the newspaper as saying, "I will be guiding a group of six American youngsters, in the age bracket of 8-12 years, who have been practising 'asanas'. It is a huge pleasure for me to be conducting the yoga session for PM Modi.

But who exactly is Annelies Richmond?

Annelies Richmond spent 15 years as a professional ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. When she was just 18 years old, she had her first experience with yoga, but she didn't like it since she thought it was simply stretching.

She established the SKY Campus Happiness programme, a well-being project for college students, after becoming inspired by the advantages of yoga. Students at more than 100 colleges in America use the programme.

In addition to lecturing at prestigious universities including Yale University, MIT, UPENN, and Columbia University, Richmond is a faculty member of the University of Southern Maine.

However, at the age of 23, she rediscovered yoga through Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living (AOL), and the love story started. According to Richmond, the yoga asanas first aided in her physical recovery from her ailments and discomfort.

Richmond, AOL and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Richmond's connection to yoga comes through Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living, and she credits the centre with inspiring her love of traditional Indian exercise.

Richmond visited the AOL campus in Bengaluru in 2006 to practise yoga, and even then she has cherished a connection to India. She has visited the nation on several occasions and has complimented both it and yoga for changing her attitude on life.

When asked how she was approached for the big yoga event, she informed The Indian Express that it came through Indian delegates at the UN and her local instructor in New York City.
New Delhi: Tech giant Google has introduced new features for Chrome on iOS, including built-in Lens support. In the coming months, users will be able to "use your camera to search with new pictures you take and existing images in your camera roll," the tech giant said in a blogpost on Tuesday.





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"You can already use Lens in Chrome on iOS by long-pressing an image you find while browsing." The tech giant also introduced better translations for Chrome on iOS.Users can now translate a specific portion of a page using Google Translate right within Chrome on their iOS device. Chrome now uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect addresses on webpages, the company added.Users will see the option to view detected addresses on a mini Google Maps right within Chrome, when they press and hold an address.The company further mentioned that Chrome on iOS users can now create Calendar events directly in the browser without having to switch apps or copy the information over manually.Meanwhile, last month, Chrome had gained the top spot in the world's most popular desktop browser, while Apple's Safari browser ranked second.
New Delhi: Realme, a well-known Chinese smartphone manufacturer, is getting ready to unveil its new Narzo 60 series. The smartphone's tagline, "Mission Narzo," was a company tease. Additionally, the business has stated that smartphones would be sold on Amazon. Some of the main details of the upcoming Narzo series are also hinted at on the home page on Amazon.

The Narzo 60 series will have the highest storage in the market and be able to store more than 2,50,000 pictures, according to the most current teaser video on Amazon.

Embark on #Missionnarzo to unlock infinite capacity. Get ready to break the bounds.



Stay tuned: https://t.co/p3S6CvsGUg pic.twitter.com/3PCHOKzDLc June 20, 2023

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Realme Narzo 60 5G: Launch Date

A launch date for the smartphone series has not yet been announced by Realme, however, the company did state that the device's features would be revealed on June 22. According to sources, the smartphone is expected to be introduced the following month.

Realme Narzo 60 5G: Series

How many smartphones will be released as a part of the Narzo 60 series is currently unknown. According to the source, the smartphone may debut as a rebranded version of the Realme 11 5G. The Realme Narzo 60 5G is reported to be powered by a MediaTek chipset, according to a Geekbench report.

Realme Narzo 60 5G: Rebranded Version Of Realme 11 5G?

Realme UI 4, which is based on Android 13, is anticipated to run on the future Realme Narzo 60 series. Because the phone is reportedly a rebranded version of the Realme 11 5G, the specifications may be identical.

Realme Narzo 60 5G: Specifications

A 6.3-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz is anticipated for the Realme Narzo 60 5G. It is anticipated that the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 SoC and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU would power it.

The smartphone will likely have a 5,000 mAh battery and support 33W fast charging in addition to up to 8 GB RAM and 256 GB of storage.

In terms of optics, the smartphone is anticipated to have a 64 MP main camera and a 2 MP portrait lens. The smartphone is believed to have an 8 MP front camera for selfies and video calls.
Illegal immigrants wait to depart at a deportation office in Tripoli, Libya, on June 20, 2023. The Libyan Illegal Immigration Control Department on Tuesday deported 165 female illegal immigrants to their home country of Nigeria. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

TRIPOLI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan Illegal Immigration Control Department on Tuesday deported 165 female illegal immigrants to their home country of Nigeria.

"Some of them were arrested as they were begging on the streets and others were arrested during raids on criminal hideouts," the department's spokesman Haitham Belgasem told Xinhua, adding that more deportation flights would be arranged in the future.

The International Organization for Migration has said that a total of 7,477 illegal immigrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far this year.

Due to the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, many immigrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores via Libya. 

A man distributes food to illegal immigrants at a deportation office in Tripoli, Libya, on June 20, 2023. The Libyan Illegal Immigration Control Department on Tuesday deported 165 female illegal immigrants to their home country of Nigeria. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

Illegal immigrants get on a bus outside a deportation office in Tripoli, Libya, on June 20, 2023. The Libyan Illegal Immigration Control Department on Tuesday deported 165 female illegal immigrants to their home country of Nigeria. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)
Building a new home in a post-pandemic world is anything but fast and easy.

But Danville-based Gods Pit Crew has it down to a science.

In fact, volunteers set out June 11 heading to Nunnelly, Tennessee, to construct a home for a family who lost everything in August 2021s disastrous flooding.

Come Friday, Gods Pit Crew plans to reveal the move-in ready house.

Our hearts were broken for everyone in Tennessee when they were affected by the devastating flooding two summers ago, Randy Johnson, president and founder of Gods Pit Crew, said in a statement. We want the people to know that they have not been forgotten, and that hope and help are still out there for them.

The Ellis family will receive a fully furnished home nearly two years after they lost their house, vehicles, tools and lawn equipment in the flooding.

Very little was salvaged, Vickie Ellis said in a news release recounting the impact the flood had on her family. We lost everything we have ever worked toward that day.

Crews with Gods Pit Crew deploy to areas hard hit by Mother Natures wrath to help survivors. They often take tractor-trailer loads of supplies including their trademark Blessing Buckets, a 5-gallon pail packed with non-perishable food, hygiene items, first-aid, a Bible and a handwritten and encouraging note.

After a flood, they help to clean out homes. If a tornado strikes, they are there to help residents clear away debris. The goal is to bring aid and relief amid utter devastation.

Sometimes they identify a family  with help of local organizations  and give the ultimate gift: a new house.

The most recent two-week home building blitz is possible because of the months of planning and thousands of volunteers who know how to get the job done.

The Ellis familys new home started in Gods Pit Crews warehouse in Danville. Thats where homes are fully framed, taken apart and put on haulers, Carly Brashears, a spokesperson for the organization, explained to the Register & Bee.

Each piece is numbered for quick reassembly on-site.

Materials are ordered at the earliest possible moment from local organizations near the build site, and then delivered to the build site once GPC teams are on ground, Brashears said when asked if construction delays hinder the groups efforts.

When it comes to permits, construction coordinator Warren Johnson oversees that process. As soon as Gods Pit Crew decides to build a home, he springs into action to start getting the needed permits.

Sometimes its as easy as walking into an office and coming out minutes later with all of the appropriate paperwork.

Other times its not as fast. But it still gets done.

Gods Pit Crew team members go to the build site months in advance to meet with inspectors and local officials to make sure that the project can progress as fast as possible, Brashears explained.

A small army  more than 1,000  of volunteers are skilled craftsmen in things like plumbing, electrical and painting. Thats how the final touches can go together in just a few hours.

These volunteers, they just amaze me on every single trip that we do, Warren Johnson said. They just do what it takes to make these projects happen.

It also goes without saying that a faith-based organization also relies heavily on the power of prayer to pull off the quick turnaround.

On June 11, the local crew pulled out of Danville with all of the needed supplies. In a matter of days, the foundation was laid and walls started going up.

A few days ago, the drywall was being applied.

This makes the second home the Danville disaster relief organization has built this year. Two more are planned later in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.

Thank you to everyone who helps us in providing hope, healing, and restoration to hurting people in their times of need, Johnson said. Projects like this wouldnt be possible if it werent for our wonderful volunteers, donors and supporters.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Jeb Burton, of nearby Halifax County, and his father, Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton, are scheduled to lend a helping hand this week ahead of weekend racing at Nashville Superspeedway.
GREENSBORO  In March, Gov. Roy Cooper came to Guilford County touting the benefits of K-12 education in his proposed state budget.

On Tuesday, Cooper was back  again at a local school  but with a message that shifted toward warning against what the state legislature may have in store for education.

Chief among his complaints was the inclusion by Republican lawmakers of a provision in the budget that would expand private school vouchers so wealthy families would be eligible for them, too.

Cooper expressed concern about what he called private school vouchers on steroids during his stop at Western Guilford Middle School on Tuesday. The Democratic governor expects the expansion of voucher eligibility  and taking the accompanying dollars away from public schools  will have a deep impact districts, especially in poor, rural counties.

To drive his message home, Cooper assembled a group of like-minded political leaders and educators from across the Piedmont who joined him for a panel discussion.

Alan Duncan, a Greensboro lawyer and vice chairman of the State Board of Education, said he found it ironic that the drive to expand private school vouchers is coinciding with politicians complaining that public schools are supposedly indoctrinating students.

Many private religious schools, he explained, are quite transparent and doing just that  literally explaining to parents that their children will be taught to know and believe the doctrine of the particular religion.

And thats fine, he said, if parents want to send their children to such a school  but its not anything the state should be subsidizing with tax dollars.

Superintendent Whitney Oakley emphasized that, unlike private schools, public school districts accept all students. She stressed that to have public education for all, and to invest in North Carolinas economic future, the state must better compensate public school teachers.

North Carolina cant be the best place for business and the last for education. It just doesnt add up, she said.

Deanna Kaplan, chair of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education, said members cant be silent when the state is funneling money to private and charter schools but not living up to the funding requirements spelled out by North Carolinas judicial system in relation to the Leandro decision. The 1997 decision by the N.C. Supreme Court ruled that the state had an obligation to providing every child with a basic education.

We just have to stand up, she said. And we have to make it known that this is not OK.
The Coast Guard said Wednesday it is bringing in more ships and underwater vessels to search for a submersible missing in the North Atlantic after detecting underwater sounds, including banging noises, that provided a glimmer of hope three days after the Titan disappeared while bringing five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.

The exact location and source of the sounds was not yet determined, but it allowed searchers to focus on a more narrowly defined area. The full scope of the search was twice the size of Connecticut and 2 1/2 miles deep, said Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District.

"This is a search and rescue mission, 100%," Frederick said. "When you're in the middle of a search and rescue case, you always have hope."

But even those who expressed some optimism warned that many obstacles remain: from pinpointing the vessel's location, to reaching it with rescue equipment, to bringing it to the surface  assuming it's still intact  before the passengers' oxygen supply runs out.

The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan submersible went missing on Sunday is prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search-and-rescue mission, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guard's International Ice Patrol.

After a Canadian military surveillance aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area, a robotic vessel was sent to scour the region but had so far "yielded negative results," the Coast Guard wrote on Twitter.

The Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be. The vessel is estimated to have as little as a day's worth of oxygen left if it is still functioning.

Three search vessels arrived on-scene Wednesday morning, including one that has side-scanning sonar capabilities. Authorities pushed to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the submersible is found.

The Coast Guard statement about detecting sounds underwater came after Rolling Stone reported that search teams heard "banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes."

The report was encouraging to some experts because submarine crews unable to communicate with the surface are taught to bang on their submersible's hull to be detected by sonar.

"It sends a message that you're probably using military techniques to find me and this is how I'm saying it," said Frank Owen, a submarine search and rescue expert. "So, that's really encouraging if that's the case."

Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the president of The Explorers Club, wrote an open letter to his club's adventurers, saying he had "much greater confidence" about the search after speaking to officials in Congress, the U.S. military and the White House.

However, no official has publicly suggested they know the source of the underwater noises.

Meanwhile, questions remain about how teams could reach the lost submersible, which could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the surface near the watery tomb of the historic ocean liner. Newly uncovered allegations also suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during its development.

Lost aboard the vessel are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company leading the expedition. His passengers are a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

Authorities reported the 22-foot carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's.

The submersible had a four-day oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

Owen said the estimated 96-hour oxygen supply is a useful "target" for searchers, but is only based on a "nominal amount of consumption the average human might consume in doing certain things." Owen said the diver on board the Titan would likely be advising passengers to "do anything to reduce your metabolic levels so that you can actually extend this 96 hours."

Chris Brown, a British adventurer who paid a deposit to go on the Titan voyage but later withdrew because of what he called safety concerns, said word that the searchers have heard sounds is both good news and bad news.

"If the sounds are coming from below the water indicator then that indicates that they may be alive in the water, but now we've got time pressures in getting them up to the surface," Brown told ABC's "Good Morning America" Wednesday.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon.

Aaron Newman, who has been a passenger on the Titan, told NBC's "Today" show Wednesday that if the submersible is below a couple hundred meters and without power, the passengers are in complete darkness and it's cold.

"It was cold when we were at the bottom," he said. "You had layered up. You had wool hats on and were doing everything to stay warm at the bottom."

Jeff Karson, a professor emeritus of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University, said the temperature is just above freezing, and the vessel is too deep for human divers to get to it. The best chance to reach the submersible could be to use a remotely operated robot on a fiber optic cable, he said.

"I am sure it is horrible down there," Karson said. "It is like being in a snow cave and hypothermia is a real danger."

Meanwhile, documents show that OceanGate had been warned there might be catastrophic safety problems posed by the way the experimental vessel was developed.

David Lochridge, OceanGate's director of marine operations, said in a 2018 lawsuit that the company's testing and certification was insufficient and would "subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible."

The company insisted that Lochridge was "not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan." The firm also says the vessel under development was a prototype, not the now-missing Titan.

The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as "a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators," also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush, OceanGate's chief executive. The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. The New York Times first reported on those documents.

The search for the missing vessel has drawn international attention. In Dubai, where the missing British adventurer Hamish Harding lives, Crown Prince Hamadan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum wrote: "Dubai and its people pray for their safety and hopeful return home."

Others aboard include Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country. In Pakistan's port city of Karachi, employees at his firms said they prayed for the two's safe return, as did government officials. French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet also was on the vessel.

Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, who is now deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University, said the disappearance of the submersible underscores the dangers associated with operating in deep water and the recreational exploration of the sea and space, "two environments where in recent past we've seen people operate in hazardous, potentially lethal environments," Murrett said.

"I think some people believe that because modern technology is so good, that you can do things like this and not have accidents, but that's just not the case," he said.
North Carolina's liquor sales system, which employs managers for each of the state's 171 governmental alcohol control boards, has been described as unwieldy and redundant by critics and beneficial to taxpayers by supporters.

An analysis of the salaries of the general manager running about 140 of the states 171 boards shows the average salary is about $70,000, the highest being $217,000 in Mecklenburg County. These managers handle liquor sales to the general public and to bars and restaurants in their coverage area. Most managers  about 100 of 171 boards  run a single store.

North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO Lynn Minges says the vast number of boards and government employees running the system are redundant and the system is difficult to maneuver for businesses.

Brantley Uzzell, vice president of the North Carolina Association of ABC Boards, said the system is self-funded and costs nothing to citizens who do not drink liquor.

Clunky and cumbersome

North Carolina is one of 17 states where liquor sales are controlled by the government. It is the only state where liquor sales are controlled by local boards, rather than the state.

In North Carolina, after the lifting of Prohibition in 1933, counties, cities and towns could vote to approve liquor sales in their area. If approved, those local governments appoint an Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which hires a manager to run liquor stores and sell liquor and spirits to local businesses like bars and restaurants. Because cities in counties without liquor sales could choose to create their own ABC boards, there are now 171 boards, nearly double the states 100 counties.

The boards report in some ways to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and profits are distributed to the local municipalities and counties in their area, but by law, each board is an independent political subdivision of the state, operating under their own policies and authority, said Hugh Stevens, a lawyer with Stevens, Martin, Vaughn & Tadych who specializes in public records and First Amendment law.

Minges, who advocates for the thousands of restaurants and lodges in North Carolina, said that separation between the ABC boards makes the system difficult to navigate and redundant.

There are 100 counties, and somehow we do good with 100 units of county government, but we have 171 local (ABC) boards, Minges said. So that system is clunky and cumbersome and expensive and we bump up against those challenges with the local boards on a daily basis.

One of the biggest difficulties bars and restaurants face is in buying liquor. In North Carolina, a state warehouse buys liquor from distributors, and ABC boards must order liquor from the state warehouse. Bars and restaurants must then purchase their liquor from their local ABC board.

If a bars ABC store or board is out of a product, or unable to get a product the bar ordered, the bar is not allowed to buy the product from a different board, even if the products are well in stock at another store nearby. A past investigation by Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team revealed some small ABC boards sometimes have difficulty getting the liquor customers want.

Because there are such a large number of small ABC boards, bars and restaurants also have to pick up liquor from stores, rather than get it delivered, as they might be able to do in a different system.

This is not rocket science. And it's time for government to try to figure out how to be more efficient in delivering products, Minges said. These are things the private sector does every day.

Uzzell, who manages two ABC boards, Lenoir County and Jones County, said the reasoning behind so many different boards is so that local purchases benefit local cities and counties. The profits from liquor sales go directly to the local cities and counties in the ABC boards coverage area. Those government leaders can decide how to use the majority of that money.

I cant speak for what's good for another county but I know what our county needs, he said. I think its better in the hands of the local leaders.

Maggie Barchine, director of communications for the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, said the revenue from the alcohol control model often leads to investment in infrastructure, education and substance abuse prevention and help.

I think, for states that do have the control model, the citizens in those states receive a lot of benefits, you know, the fact that the revenue that is made, goes back for the citizens of the state.

Each of the boards in North Carolina requires board members, many of whom are paid per meeting, and general managers and employees, all of whom are paid by the revenue made on liquor sales.

Managers salaries

General managers salaries range from $20,000 annually to $217,000, according to the salary information provided by about 140 ABC boards.

Minges believes having so many highly paid government employees selling liquor is wasteful.

They (the boards) each have infrastructure. They have staff. They have overhead costs. And they are all government employees. They're all on the government till, she said.

The salaries of ABC general managers are dictated by state law that says the general managers may not make more annually than the clerk of superior court in that county. There can be exceptions made by the leaders that appoint the ABC board, and there are several instances. In at least six instances, the ABC general manager makes more money than the clerk of court in that county. Those include Mecklenburg's manager, Wake County, Greensboro, Sanford, Chatham County and Boone.

There are also rules that apply to those who are appointed to the ABC boards. These members are appointed by the city or county leaders who create the ABC board. Some board members are not paid at all, while others receive the state maximum of $150 per meeting.

In some cases, the appointing authorities voted to make an exception and pay their ABC board members more than $150 per meeting. There are no laws guiding when exemptions to the state limits on general manager salaries and board pay can be made, only that the appointing authority  county or city leaders  must approve the exemptions.

In Mecklenburg County, the board chair is paid $600 per month, and the remaining four members are paid $500 per month, with typically 11 meetings held each year, according to information provided by the Mecklenburg County ABC board. Wake County pays its chairman $500 per meeting, and other members $400 per meeting, according to the ABC board.

Some members of boards that operate one store earn more than the $150 per meeting rate set by the state. West Jefferson ABC board members receive $500 per meeting, with 12 to 14 meetings per year, according to General Manager Tony Lyall. Mount Holly board members get $200 per month and the chairman gets $250 per month, according to the Mount Holly ABC Board. Waynesville ABC board members get $250 per meeting, with one meeting a month, according to the board.

The independence and lack of consistency between boards leads each board to have a monopoly in its area, Minges said.

Minges believes because of the way the system is set up, not allowing private liquor sales or wholesale purchases from other ABC boards, there isnt incentive for quality service either, she said.

I mean, if that local board realized that they were going to lose a sale to another neighboring board, they might be more inclined to procure their product and their customers demand, Minges said. Now, there's not a lot of incentive to provide good customer service.

Behind the data

About 30 ABC boards of North Carolinas 171 did not respond to public information requests for the compensation of their board members and general manager.

Some refused the request outright. The information is of public record, according to North Carolina law, Stevens, a specialist in public record law, said.

In response to the request from Lee Enterprises, the Highlands ABC Board manager Kevin Vinson said, I will not provide manager or any other employee salaries of the store as that is private information since we are employees of the store, not the state. The board operates one store.

The Mount Pleasant ABC Board asked their general manager, Amy Underwood, not to release the information, she said.

Stevens said as independent subdivisions of the state, ABC employee salaries are of public record.

There is no question that ABC boards are all public bodies and anyone who says otherwise or tries to stonewall a request is wrong, thats just not the case, Stevens said.

The Kings Mountain ABC Board said they needed more information to respond to the information request. Despite more information on the request being provided, the ABC board did not respond to further emails. By law, public bodies are not entitled to any information about who is requesting public information, Stevens said.

The Maxton County ABC Board would not release the information without state permission but as independent subdivisions, that permission is not required, according to NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Public Affairs Director Jeff Strickland.

ABC boards were given nearly two months to respond to the request and several reminder emails and phone calls.
A little piece of winged history has landed at the Helena Regional Airport for a few days.

A World War II B-17G aircraft, also known as a Flying Fortress, is on display on the south side of the airport at Morrison Park, 2430 Airport Road, courtesy of the nonprofit Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Its available not only for public viewing, but for taking a spin in the skies as well.

Col. Fulton Catfish Rivers said the aircraft will be in Helena through Sunday. The Commemorative Air Forces mission is to educate, inspire and honor through flight and living history experiences.

The aircraft, known as Sentimental Journey, features a picture of actress Betty Grable, who was the No. 1 pinup girl of World War II. The plane was delivered to the Army to be used in the Pacific Theater. This particular aircraft was built in November 1944 by Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California. It is one of less than 10 B-17Gs in the world still flying out of almost 13,000 made from 1935-1945. And 8,000 of them were lost in combat, the Commemorative Air Force Museum stated.

Hours for the Helena visit are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The public can tour the restored aircraft for $10 per person or $20 for a family of four.

Flights are also available. As for the more adventurous, a person can pay $850 to sit in the nose cone of the plane during a flight or sit in the gunner aerial area for $475.

The Flying Fortress is one of the most famous airplanes ever built, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force says on its website. The B-17 prototype first flew on July 28, 1935.

The 55,000-pound aircraft has a cruising speed of 160 mph, a top speed of 300 mph and a range of 1,850 miles.

Few B-17s were in service on Dec. 7, 1941, and production quickly accelerated after the U.S. entry into World War II. The aircraft is best known for the daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets. Production ended in May 1945 and totaled 12,726, the website states. The B-17G was the last production model of the B-17. It included a new chin turret for head-on attack, Britannica.com states.

On Wednesday, Wade Riordan, load master with the Commemorative Air Force Museum, which relies on volunteers, provided children with a history of the aircraft.

One young boy, wearing a faux coonskin cap, was asked what he thought of the B-17G.

Its a cool plane, he said.

For more on the visit, go to azcaf.org.
A longtime ranching family is hosting a virtual cooking class next week to fundraise for youth mental health care in rural Montana.

The DeBruycker Charolais Ranch, based in Dutton, will host the inaugural Charolais Cooking Classic. The event will be held online June 25 at 4 p.m., where participants will be able to follow Bozeman-based chef Daniel Coxs instructions and tips for cooking local beef.

The cost to participate in the class is $99, and people will be able to ask direct questions and learn from the world-class chef as he demonstrates how to cook the steaks.

The class will also be streamed on the Debruycker Ranch Facebook Page, so people can still watch the instruction even if they dont get a beef shipment to follow along.

All of the proceeds from the class will go to the Jody Alise Foundation, an organization supporting youth mental health in rural areas that Montanan Jody Dahl started last year.

Dahl, the daughter of Debruyckers  who started Debruycker Charolais in the 1960s  said this is the first time shes done a fundraiser like this. So far, about 20 people have signed up, Dahl said Wednesday, but since the class is online theres unlimited space.

Dahl founded the Jody Alise Foundation to help kids develop resilience and process past traumas so they can develop healthy coping skills for the rest of their lives.

There is definitely a need for more mental health support in rural areas, and especially for children, Dahl said. Her organization is focused on supporting her home, Roundup, as well as Dutton and Choteau.

Based on a study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over half of Montana children ages 12-17 with depression did not receive any care last year, Dahl said. Montanans are also seven times more likely to be forced out-of-network for mental health care compared to primary health care, the same study found.

Extremely rural areas lack resources, like a strong tax base for services, and school trauma and guidance counselors, to support children, Dahl said.

At the same time, kids are struggling with poverty, abusive home lives, and stigma associated with mental health care.

When youre seeing kids kind of fall through the cracks  it was starting to pull on my heartstrings, Dahl said. Theyve had some trauma in their life. But then you also see what can happen when that trauma is addressed. It just elevates them.

Since its start, the foundation has donated to the Roundup Mental Health and Addiction Services Center so they can host more youth and family events that offer positive activities for residents, Dahl said. They also have a grant program to fund mental health project ideas and have put money into providing counseling services for people who dont have insurance.

Money raised from the fundraiser will go to developing a youth ambassador program for mental health, Dahl said.

This summer, Dahl hired six youth ambassadors to work for the foundation. The goal is to hear directly from children on what the mental health needs are and what resources would be helpful in supporting them.

Its important to get youth involved directly with what matters to them. It empowers them and makes for better solutions, Dahl said.

Dahl said shes tried to organize a cooking class for their Charolais meat before, but it was the fundraiser for youth mental health that finally piqued the chefs interest.

Cox said hes excited to share cooking tips specific to Charolais beef, a breed of cattle known for its marbling in the meat and buttery flavor. The DeBruyckers have one of the largest Charolais herds in the country.

Overall, the hope for the event is to support a good cause, share knowledge and bring people together, Dahl said.

People can register and donate at https://buydcmeat.com/charolais-cooking-classic-1.
While professor and dean emeritus of Lewis & Clark Law School, James Huffman, is entitled to his personal opinions, his guest view in the June 18 edition of the Independent Record, titled Plaintiffs remedy lies in the messy democratic process, demonstrates a shocking misinterpretation of Montana constitutional history, substantive and interpretational principles of law.

The plaintiffs claims in the Held v. State case, presently being tried in Lewis & Clark Country District Court, are grounded in their fundamental right to a clean and healthful environment guaranteed in Article II, section 3 and in their rights under Article IX, section 1.

With respect to the latter, Dean Huffman conveniently omits reference to the plain language of that section which requires the state and each person to maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations and mandates the Legislature to provide for the administration, enforcement and adequate remedies of this duty.

The constitution mandates each of these with the word shall.

Any Montana lawyer knows that the use of the word shall in the constitution or in a statute imposes a mandatory duty, not an unenforceable aspirational goal.

Moreover, the sort of relief requested by plaintiffs finds precedent in prior Montana school funding cases grounded in Article X, section 1(3), which also imposes a mandatory educational obligation on the Legislature.

Ironically, the messy democratic process promoted by Dean Huffman, this session produced over two dozen laws trashing Montanas environment -- in abject violation of plaintiffs above-mentioned constitutional rights.
DECATUR  A serial Decatur smash-and-grab burglar hit six targets in a row over the weekend and was busy trying to steal from his seventh business late Sunday night when police say they caught him red-handed.

Literally, in this case, as the 24-year-old defendant had apparently cut himself in the early hours of Sunday while smashing his way inside a physical therapy clinic in the 3000 block of North Water Street.

Sworn affidavits from Decatur police accuse the Decatur man of beginning his burglary spree late Friday night or early Saturday. Aside from the physical therapist, police say he went on to hit a nail spa, hairdresser and a tax preparation office, all in the 3000 block of North Water Street.

He also targeted a restaurant in the 1500 block of East Pershing Road before striking at two retail businesses in the 100 block of North Merchant Street. His loot included thousands of dollars stolen from cash registers and police report that the damage bill he left behind with shattered glass doors and windows will likely cost far more to repair than the money stolen.

A sworn affidavit signed by Officer Brianna Renfro said the man was captured around 11 p.m. Sunday when police were alerted to a burglary in progress on Merchant Street.

Officers observed (the suspect) to be fleeing the area on a bicycle, Renfro added. He was secured in handcuffs after a brief foot chase.

She said the man was carrying a leather backpack he had just stolen. He was described as admitting what he had done and was also in possession of more than $1,700 in cash; police said they recovered more money from the hotel room where he had been staying.

The man was booked on seven preliminary charges of burglary and one charge of resisting arrest.

The man appeared at a bail hearing Tuesday in Macon County Circuit Court where Judge Lindsey Shelton went with the prosecution recommendation of setting bail at $15,000 for each of the charges.

Chief Public Defender, Michelle Sanders, had pleaded for as low a bail as possible.

(My client) doesnt think he will be able to afford more than like a $5,000 bond, she said. He is working two jobs and so were asking the court to take that into consideration when setting his bond. Bond is set at 10% of the total bail amount.

The man remained held in the Macon County Jail on Tuesday night. If he does make bond, he is ordered to stay away from each of the businesses he is accused of burglarizing.

All preliminary charges are subject to review by the office of the states attorney's office.
DECATUR  Nearly a dozen local business owners spoke out against proposed amendments to Decaturs alcoholic liquor code during a city council meeting on Tuesday.

The proposed amendments were intended to limit the expansion of video gaming in the city and, potentially, to reduce the number of video gaming establishments in the city over time, per a memo from City Manager Scot Wrighton to the mayor and city council.

The amendments followed results of a city survey conducted earlier this month, showing 85% of respondents saying they believe there are too many businesses with video gaming in Decatur.

But business owners and representatives of other area organizations on Tuesday said restrictions on gaming could end up harming the community and sending tax revenue elsewhere.

People are going to gamble whether they go to other places or not, said Allan Jackson, American Legion Post 105 commander. Stop trying to legalize morality. That is not the role of the city council.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, there were 89 establishments and 519 video gaming terminals in Decatur as of April, the second-highest of any city in the state. Those machines brought in nearly $46 million in revenue in 2022, $2.3 million of which ended up with the city.

Council members on Tuesday didnt take any action on the alcohol code; the amendments were listed on the agenda as a discussion only item so council members could receive feedback and prepare for an actual vote at the July 17 meeting.

Council members responses to fee increases were mixed, though most were in support of implementing caps on the number of video gaming licenses issued to local businesses.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said previous council members made a mistake in not taking extra precaution to avoid the proliferation of gaming parlors when legalizing video gaming in the city.

We were doing it to help the taverns and the restaurants that were struggling, not just with people not being able to smoke inside anymore. But we were coming out of a recession, there were a lot of things going on, Moore Wolfe said. But we were trying to help those businesses flourish. We didn't understand everything that was going to happen. We probably would have had different rules in the beginning not to allow the parlor type things to happen.

We made mistakes. We did. We screwed up.

Ultimately, Wolfe and council members agreed they wanted more time to discuss the issue. Multiple members expressed a desire to extend the six-month moratorium on the issuance of new video gaming licenses that the council passed in January. That moratorium is set to expire mid-July.

Because the moratorium extension was not on Tuesdays agenda, members could not vote on it. Councilwoman Lisa Gregory requested it be placed on the agenda for the July 17 regular meeting.

Photos: Naming ceremony of Preston Jackson Park
There had to be at least 200 people in the parking lot when Mariah Dixon arrived Saturday night for what has been billed as a Juneteenth celebration outside a strip mall in DuPage County, near Willowbrook.

People, young and old, danced and ate, while others brought clothes and shoes to sell to the crowd.

The whole idea of the celebration was a celebration of African American independence, said Dixon, 23, from Bolingbrook. I wasnt expecting it to go left at all.

Saturday was turning to Sunday as Dixon held her phone up to record her friend dancing.

Then, she remembered, the shooting started.

I felt a bullet rush past my face, she said. It felt like a bumblebee passing by.

Dixon was one of at least 23 people injured  one fatally  in the mass shooting at the strip mall parking lot along Illinois Route 83.

On Monday, DuPage County Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen identified the man killed in the shooting as Reginald Meadows, 31, of Willowbrook.

Residents in the apartments near the strip mall said they regularly saw Meadows with his kids at the apartment complex or at one of the stores in the strip mall.

A GoFundMe set up for Meadows said he was a father of two and a beacon of love and strength who fell victim to a devastating crossfire incident that shattered the peace and joy of what should have been a day of celebration.

Ten people were taken by ambulances to hospitals. Another seven people arrived at hospitals by private vehicle.

Four people were treated at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, said hospital spokeswoman Carol Eggers. Three were treated and released. The fourth remains hospitalized.

Another five people were treated and released from NorthShore-Edward-Elmhurst Health in Elmhurst, said spokesman Keith Hartenberger.

Both declined to provide additional information about the condition, ages and genders of the people who were treated.

There were still many unanswered questions Monday as investigators continued to scour the scene for clues that could lead them to the person or persons responsible.

No suspects were in custody, the DuPage County Sheriffs Office said.

Residents nearby said the strip mall has been the site of similar celebrations in years past, and that sheriffs deputies were there earlier in the night. Sheriff James Mendricks office previously said deputies were monitoring the gathering but left to respond to a 911 call about a fight when the shooting started.

Dixon said she dropped to the pavement when she heard the gunfire and scrambled on her stomach under a nearby car for cover.

There were other screams, she remembered, so I dont know if anybody actually heard me, and there were other shots.

She said her friend pulled her from under the car and sat her in the friends passenger seat. They sped away for a hospital but were stopped by police, who got an ambulance to take Dixon to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.

She said doctors told her a .45-caliber bullet pierced her knee, shattering her kneecap, and lodged in her femur, breaking the bone.

She went through one surgery Sunday and is expected to undergo a second surgery later in the week. Dixon said she hasnt slept, the images from that night replaying in her mind. Doctors told her she wont be able to walk for months, she said. A friend set up a GoFundMe to help with expenses while she recovers.

When she went out Saturday night, Dixon said she had hoped to take her mind off Fathers Day. Her dad, Marcus Heath Dixon, died of small cell lung cancer in January 2022.

Im sure that this is just going to be a hard recovery, she said by phone from her hospital bed. Its already very hard mentally and physically, and I think for me mentally more than physically right now.

Late Monday afternoon, there were still visible signs of the chaos from that previous night. Yellow police tape surrounded the strip mall parking lot littered with plastic bottles, aluminum food trays, single shoes.

People huddled in small groups, stopping their conversations to watch the television news cameras parked in a row on the street. A few said they wanted to move.

One woman walked up to a sheriffs deputy sitting in his car and told him about the blood stains  two of them  in the hallway of her daughters apartment building, directly behind the strip mall.

I want her to leave now, she later said, clutching her cellphone and shaking her head. Its not safe here.

Photos: Shooting at suburban Chicago strip mall parking lot Party Shooting Illinois Party Shooting Illinois Party Shooting Illinois Party Shooting Illinois Party Shooting Illinois Party Shooting Illinois Party Shooting Illinois Party Shooting Illinois
BRISTOL, Va.  Adjusted gaming revenues declined in May at the Bristol Casino, future home of Hard Rock.

Virginias first casino reported $12.92 million in gaming revenues  wagers minus winnings  its third lowest overall month since opening last July. It represents an 8% decline from the $14 million reported in April, according a report by the Virginia Lottery.

The Bristol Casino reported just over $11 million in adjusted revenues from slot machines and $1.91 million from table games  a 30% decline from the $2.74 million reported in April.

Since opening, the casino has averaged over $11.1 million per month from its slot machines and $2.46 million per month from table games, for a monthly average of $13.5 million.

The Bristol Casino has generated just under $150 million in adjusted gaming revenues over the past 11 months.

It has also generated more than $25.9 million in state gaming taxes, including $8.65 million for the Regional Improvement Commission, which is expected to evenly distribute those funds among 14 Southwest Virginia localities next month, after the new fiscal year begins.

Based on average monthly revenues, the fund will complete its first fiscal year with about $9.4 million in tax revenues, meaning each locality will likely receive about $670,000 which must be invested in education, public safety or infrastructure.

Bristol is the only Virginia locality required by statute to share those gaming tax revenues with its neighbors.

With three functioning casinos, Virginia reported its largest month thus far of adjusted gaming revenue with about $45.5 million, according to the lottery.

The new Caesars Virginia, which is operating 768 slot machines and 25 table gaming stations inside a tent on the future casino site, reported $11.92 million in total AGR in just its first two weeks of operation. That includes nearly $10.2 million from slots and $1.7 million from table games.

The Danville casino generated over $2.1 million in Virginia gaming tax, including over $715,000 for its host city.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened in late January, reported $20.6 million in adjusted gaming revenue, including $13.8 million from over 1.400 slot machines and $6.75 million from 81 table games, according to the lottery.

Portsmouth also declined slightly, compared to April, when it reported $21.3 million in AGR, including $13.8 million from slots and $7.5 million from table games.

Portsmouth has declined every month since opening. The Rivers Casino reported $24.6 million in total gaming revenues for February  its first full month of operation  and $23.6 million in March.

In March it reported $15.95 million in slots and $7.6 million in table games, while February figures were $17.1 million from slots and $7.5 million from tables.

The May totals represent a 16% overall decline since February.

The Portsmouth casino generated $3.7 million in state gaming taxes in May, including $1.2 million for its host city.
George Barker, Senate Democrats budget maven, lost his seat in Northern Virginia after 16 years because a lot of voters probably didnt know him. Joe Morrissey, Senate Democrats unreliable rogue on reproductive rights, lost his seat in the Richmond area after four years because a lot of voters probably know too much about him.

Both were casualties Tuesday in thinly attended primaries  there were more than 40 across the state  that not only framed the fight this fall for control of the General Assembly but also, to some degree, reshaped the parties that will wage that battle. It is one that could be decided in a handful of House of Delegates and Virginia Senate districts in the Richmond, Washington and Hampton Roads suburbs.

Among them: a Democratic-trending Henrico County Senate seat, held by Republican Siobhan Dunnavant, which Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg is threatening to flip by pressing Dunnavant on her opposition to abortion  an issue that resonates powerfully with moderate suburban voters, particularly women; also, a newly drawn, swing House seat in Henrico, where Democrat Susanna Gibson  a nurse practitioner nominated on her support for abortion rights and gun control  faces Republican David Owen.

At least eight incumbents in both parties were denied nominations, and final official vote counts could push that number to nine. The results, paired with announced retirements from a third of the seats in both chambers, augur a legislature  already national in its outlook  that more closely resembles a deeply riven Congress in tone and temperament.

With the defeats of such veterans as Barker and a fellow Fairfax senator, Chap Petersen  his loss to Saddam Salim, a Bangladeshi immigrant, was among Tuesdays surprises  the Democrats establishment wing was dealt a stunning setback by the increasingly diverse and younger progressive forces that have been steadily pulling the state party leftward since 2016, financed with millions from husband-wife, green-energy activists Michael Bills and Sonjia Smith.

Republicans shed some of their more shrill, MAGA-centric members  most notably, Sen. Amanda Chase of Chesterfield County, defeated by former Sen. Glen Sturtevant, and apparently Del. Dave LaRock, whod moved from Loudoun County to seek a Winchester-area Senate seat in an eight-candidate free-for-all. This perhaps will make it easier for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to present the GOP as he prefers to be seen: Trump-ian in his conservatism, courtly in his manners.

Democrats, whose Senate candidates and incumbents, alone, collected $31 million during this three-year campaign cycle, $12 million more than Republicans, fear Youngkins fundraising prowess and the difference it could make in the general election. His political action committee, having collected $10 million since 2021, has been running online advertising and is building out a voter-mobilization program. Youngkin can personally supplement spending, drawing from his giant fortune, as he did as a candidate.

The results of this nominating season  candidates were selected in state-run, open-to-anyone primaries and, in some Republican contests, party-controlled caucuses and members-only mini-primaries  suggest that the narrow divide in the General Assembly could endure, possibly putting out of reach the agendas of both parties. In this years General Assembly session, Democrats controlled the Senate, 22-18; Republicans held the House, 52-48.

Unless Youngkin  approaching the midpoint of his nonrenewable four-year term  can restore full Republican control of the legislature, he might leave office thwarted in his promise of further tax cuts, abortion restrictions and a rollback of what he depicts as woke-ism in public education. Democrats would be similarly frustrated, denied tougher restrictions on firearms and constitutional protections on abortion rights.

Youngkins prospective presidential candidacy  he refuses to say definitively whether hell join the growing field for 2024  could be jump-started by a Republican takeback of the General Assembly, a sign of effective pulling power and personal appeal not seen since his narrow victory in 2021. This spring, he demonstrated clout within the party, picking winners in all 10 of the nomination contests in which he made endorsements.

Democrats with presumed ambitions for governor in 2025 also showed  or can claim  a measure of influence. Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, whos moving to Northern Virginia from Henrico, and former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn of Fairfax County backed winners. Filler-Corn even sided with Salim over Petersen, among the few prominent Democrats to do so.

Stoney and Filler-Corn endorsed incumbent Creigh Deeds over Del. Sally Hudson for a Charlottesville-anchored Senate seat in a race that had a distinct generational dimension, pitting a centrist baby boomer with 30 years in the General Assembly against a liberal millennial first elected in 2019.

Barker  defeated by Stella Pekarsky, who sits on the Fairfax County School Board  was a victim of the center-left struggle among Democrats as well as redistricting; in particular, an overhaul of mapmaking that he pushed in 2020 and 2021 despite warnings it would weaken the party.

Barker landed in a district, drawn by the Republican-dominated Virginia Supreme Court because a voter-endorsed bipartisan commission deadlocked, that included only 6% of his previous seat. In contrast, half of Pekarskys school board district is within the Senate district, giving her something of a home-field advantage and a credential of greater relevance to voters than Barkers clout in Richmond as co-chairman of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.

For Pekarsky, that has to be significant in a bustling region where few local figures stand apart in a political and economic landscape shaped by Northern Virginias looming neighbor across the Potomac: the federal government. Plus, Pekarsky is an emblem of a school system  one of the most highly regarded in the nation  in which many Fairfax residents feel vested, more so given Youngkins attacks on public education.

Progressive voters were prominent, too, in Lashrecse Airds victory over Morrissey. A former delegate, Aird harnessed post-Roe fears of a retreat on abortion rights by singling out Morrisseys willingness to support Youngkin in mostly banning the procedure after 20 weeks. Virginia is the only state in the South with virtually no restrictions on abortion in the first two trimesters, a legacy of Democrats total control of state government from 2020 to 2022.

Morrissey, himself, was an issue. Running in a new district whose largest jurisdiction, Henrico , was heavily hostile to him, Morrissey was dogged by the latest tabloid-like stories about his personal life: his pending divorce from his young wife, with whom he had a sexual affair when she was a minor, and alleged dalliances while their marriage was collapsing.

There was a personal dimension, as well, to an incumbent-on-incumbent Democratic Senate primary in Hampton Roads between Louise Lucas of Portsmouth and Lionell Spruill of Chesapeake. They were lumped in the same district, guaranteeing that one of these veteran Black legislators would be sent packing. Conventional wisdom favored Spruill because Chesapeake is the dominant locality in the new seat.

But primaries have a way of upsetting expectations. And Lucas powerful vote in Portsmouth and stronger-than-expected performance on Spruills turf ensured her nomination and likely re-election. Now shes got to hope Democrats retain the Senate, allowing her  as head of the Senate Education and Health Committee  to continue in the role she emphasized as a candidate: chief tormentor of Glenn Youngkin, the self-styled brick wall blocking his thrust to sharply limit abortion.

Lashrecse Aird election night 2023 062223-rtd-web-fivelessons-02 Lashrecse Aird 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries DOMINANT ART
Longtime Hickory City Attorney John Crone was honored at his final city council meeting Tuesday.

Mayor Hank Guess presented Crone with a key to the city and a rocking chair as retirement gifts. Crone is leaving after 28 years as the citys main legal adviser, but he will continue to practice law at the firm of Young, Morphis, Bach & Taylor.

Speaking to a group that included several members of his own family, Crone thanked the people of the city council.

He became emotional as he discussed his love for the city and recent changes to the city such as the renovation of downtown Hickory and the City Walk.

I go back to my childhood when I go downtown because its just so calm and peaceful and its just the way things ought to be, Crone said. I can remember back when it used to be not quite like that. You know, years and years ago we used to have the railroad tracks that was a line of demarcation between Black and white and that line of demarcation is eroding somewhat.

Timothy Swanson, who is also an attorney at Young, Morphis, Bach & Taylor, will take over as the new city attorney next month.

Annexation approved

The council unanimously approved the annexation of 19 acres of land on North Center Street to allow extension of utilities for a 210-unit rental housing development.

The property is located about a mile south of the bridge into Alexander County. Council members previously rezoned the land for the project, which will include a mix of apartments, town homes and cottage-style dwellings.

No one spoke during the public hearing on the annexation, a contrast from last year when a number of residents from the neighboring Moores Ferry community voiced opposition to the development.

Note: This story was updated at 2:43 p.m. to reflect Crones correct period of service with the city.
Darrell Stafford says he cant talk politics with his dad or stepmother without creating friction in his family.

The Hickory resident continued: Ive got a bunch of friends at church and Ive talked to them, You know, lets talk about the truth. Lets not talk about all this other stuff. Lets talk about the truth. And you just cant have a civil conversation with anybody without somebody getting mad or stomping off and its just not worth it. Its not worth it. Its not what were supposed to be doing.

Stafford aired those frustrations last week at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library among a group of about 15 other people who shared similar concerns about the direction of the country and state of political discourse.

The meeting, billed as A Civil, Civic Conversation, was organized by former Catawba County Republican Party Chairman Bill Shillito and former Catawba County Democratic Party Chairman Cliff Moone. Shillito and Moone set up the meeting as a way of starting the process of improving political dialogue and personal understanding between people with differing views.

As the attendees introduced themselves, the sense of urgency was apparent.

If we dont at least try to do what were trying to do tonight, the alternative is anarchy, chaos, civil war. I dont know, Long View resident David Trapero said. We dare not go down that path that it seems like weve already gone a long ways down that path.

Kevin Sparks, who has spoken out in opposition to efforts to remove books from Catawba County schools, invoked his experiences growing up in war-torn Lebanon. So I lived the horror of where this goes, Sparks said. My fathers best friend was killed for the crime of being an American, so nothing offends me more than being told Im not patriotic.

The plan for Thursdays meeting was initially to pair up people with differing political views to introduce themselves and discuss a political issue. This was quickly abandoned when it became apparent the overwhelming majority of the attendees were left-leaning.

Discussion eventually turned to the future of the group and what would need to be done for the group to move forward.

Much of that talk focused on how to bring in Republicans and conservatives, though Moone did note the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the group.

Bob Meek, the current chair of the Catawba County Republican Party, was one of the few Republicans in attendance. We have got to stop vilifying people we disagree with, Meek said. We can disagree without being disagreeable and if we stop doing that then maybe we can work on the issues that need to be worked on for our country.

He added: Now, Im sure Im going to hear from some of my people just as you probably will from some of yours about, Why are you communing with the devil? So, thats what we want to get away from.

Hickory resident Don Mott asked what it would take to inspire Republicans to participate.

I have fear every single day, every single night  usually about 4 a.m.  that were going to be living in a totalitarian country, and I dont think the Republicans have that fear, Mott said. Thats why I came, so whats going to motivate (Republicans)? Theyre not going to come unless we motivate them and I dont care how well-structured, if theyre not here then this process is worthless.

Shillito replied: I think youre right.

Hickory resident Jane Everson said the organizers needed to identify the specific people that you want and you have to identify why you want them here and then you have to tell them why you want them here.

Everson also called for more structure in the group. When the discussion at one point turned to the topic of election integrity, she said they were committing the single greatest fatal flaw of group development by focusing on issues before clearly defining the groups mission and procedures.

Trapero suggested the organizers host meals at which people would sit together and learn about one another personally before delving into political topics.

The first priority, he said, is to know each other as human beings. That means talking about family, work, Trapero said.

What are you doing in retirement? Show me pictures of your family on your phone, he said, and thats the emphasis and thats the foundation. That should be 50-75% of our time and what were doing.

He also said the group could have Republican and Democratic speakers provide their viewpoints on a given issue before breaking into a more general group discussion of the matter.

The organizers will continue discussions about how to shape the group, with plans to meet again on July 20.
India's most notorious and celebrated con man has been credited with "selling" the Taj Mahal to clueless tourists, forging the signature of Indian President Rajendra Prasad, and escaping from prison at least eight times, including once in a guard's uniform. Born Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, India's "king of cons" was better known as Natwarlal.

Natwarlal was a gifted forger and actor. One of his favorite cons was to pose as a personal assistant to a dignitary or politician and enter a jewelry store, placing a large order for expensive watches to be presented in a special government ceremony. When it came time to pay for the watches, Natwarlal would arrive in a chauffeured car and drive the jewelry store clerk to a bank, where Natwarlal would emerge with a perfectly forged cashier's check for the full amount. By the time the check bounced, Natwarlal was long gone.

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Natwarlal boasted that no prison could hold him for more than a year, and that wasn't an exaggeration. He was sentenced to 113 years behind bars for dozens of scams, but only served 20 of them. His most brazen escape came in 1957 when he broke out of the Kanpur jail in a smuggled guard's uniform and paid off the guards with a suitcase filled with cash that turned out to be old newspapers. Another time he faked a kidney ailment in police custody and persuaded his captor to take him to a posh hotel where he allegedly staying, so he could get money to pay the doctor. At the hotel, he gave his captors the slip.

In India, a particularly gifted swindler is called a "Natwarlal" in honor of the legendary thief, who was also the inspiration behind the 1979 Bollywood thriller "Mr. Natwarlal." He died either in 1996 or 2009, depending on whether you believe his brother or his lawyer. Even in death, the con continued.
Those of us in animal agriculture are no strangers to the fact that there are extremist groups calling for the end of using animals for food. A tiny but loud fraction of the population believes animals should not be raised on farms no matter how well they are cared for.

Another animal industry faces similar threats, though, we might not even think of it: pets.

During the Animal Agriculture Alliance Summit, Mike Bober of the Pet Advocacy Network described that his group has dealt with many of the same issues animal agriculture has as extremists call for personhood for pets and more restrictive care standards. That includes court battles and political measures like ballot initiatives. All politics are local, he noted. It is easier for extremists to start small on the city or county level than the federal or even state level.

He explained that his organization works with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to implement and follow regulations for companion animal professionals such as dog breeders. These guidelines are primarily set by the Animal Welfare Act, which establishes standards for the treatment of animals in research, testing, teaching, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. However, even those guidelines are not enough for extremists.

Dont think just because you follow the standards you are safe from attacks, Bober added. An extremist viewpoint leaves no room for animals to be used by humans in any way.

Agriculture has its own examples of that negativity. Ballot initiatives and other legislation around the country have imposed restrictions on animal housing, animal care, and even attempted to make artificial insemination a criminal offense. Bober also indicated that there is growing concern extremist voices are making the delineation between livestock animals and pets less clear. That could mean farm animals would be more regulated by the Animal Welfare Act, which includes expansive standards for recordkeeping, identification, shelter, food and water, transit, and more.

Offense wins

Bober shared, though, that he sees animal agriculture as a partner to combat this misinformation that attempts to impose a minority viewpoint on the other 99% of the population. Agriculture and pets dont always have the same issues, but they may have similar roots, he said.

From the public relations perspective of standing up for those who care for animals, defense loses, added Jack Hubbard later in the meeting when discussing how well-funded animal rights groups are. If youre answering questions, you are behind.

Instead, Bober offered four Fs for effective communication with legislators on behalf of our industries:

Face: We cannot be represented only by our statistics. Build relationships with your lawmakers.

We cannot be represented only by our statistics. Build relationships with your lawmakers. Facts: Bring the data for your cause and be precise. Show legislators the impact animal industries have on your (and their) community.

Bring the data for your cause and be precise. Show legislators the impact animal industries have on your (and their) community. Focus: When meeting with lawmakers, stick to two or three key points to keep their attention and ensure they know what you are asking for.

When meeting with lawmakers, stick to two or three key points to keep their attention and ensure they know what you are asking for. Follow up: Use a meeting with your legislator as a jumping off point to a deeper relationship and establishing yourself as a resource on the subject to them.

Though the extremist voice is not a large one, it is a loud one, and those who work with animals can benefit from working together to share the truth of value and continued improvement. Animals play an important role in our society as food, fiber, and companions. Protecting those needs is something we can all get behind.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

May 25, 2023
Its often said, Seeing is believing. While the U.S. dairy industry has believed in the potential and growth in partnerships with customers throughout Southeast Asia for many years, a delegation of U.S. dairy farmers spanning nine states saw, for the first time, the U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence in action.

Located in the island nation of Singapore, the new center is easily accessible for many current and potential customers throughout the region, which is home to nearly 9% of the world population, and yet, some countries in the region produce less than 1% of their domestic dairy needs.

Even though this was the farmers first trip to Singapore in a number of years, dairy customers have been working with the U.S. dairy industrys flagship investment in Southeast Asia for over three years now . . . albeit mostly on a virtual basis. Thats because the U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence opened just two weeks prior to the pandemic. With the COVID-19 conditions lifted throughout much of the world, U.S. dairy farmers got to walk through the doors for the first time.

If we are serious about exports in this region, we cant just talk. We must do, said U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) CEO Krysta Harden of the new center in Singapore. On the ledger for the positives, we have so much going on for U.S. dairy, shared Harden regarding the overall long-term view on U.S. dairy exports. Part of that going on is the six major countries of Southeast Asia growing to become the second largest dairy product customer for the collective U.S. dairy industry.

Last year, the six countries in Southeast Asia purchased a record $1.68 billion in dairy products from U.S. dairy processors. Keep in mind this growth took place even with headwinds such as supply chain logistics and port issues that made dairy product delivery a bit of a challenge to customers some 12 hours of time zone changes halfway across the globe.

The Philippines leads the six some of countries and ranked No. 5 among all U.S. dairy customers. The Philippines, the worlds No. 13 country ranked by its population of some 117 million people, is among the worlds most dairy-deficit countries producing less than 1% of its dairy product needs.

Standing No. 7, No. 8, and No. 9 are Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia, respectively. Thailand and Singapore rounded out the group of six major dairy product customers in Southeast Asia.

A first-of-its-kind facility

The U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence provides a business home in Southeast Asia for processors to interact and ideate product solutions with customers. Thats so very important as dairy serves as an ingredient in a portion of so many foods. However, those foods have a far different look and flavor than those cuisines often found on U.S. dinner tables. Thats where the demonstration kitchen and sensory labs in the new Center for Dairy Excellence play a pivotal role.

This is the first-of-its-kind learning facility, said Vikki Nicholson-West, Senior Vice President, Global Ingredients Marketing. This is the Disney of Dairy, continued the ingredients leader who helped create plans for the new center. This center is providing the stage to develop locally tailored foods, beverages, menus, and innovative win-win solutions, said Nicholson-West who has been with USDEC for half of its 28-year existence.

The visibility for the U.S. Dairy Export Council is real, said Daliah Ghazalay, USDEC Regional Director for Southeast Asia. We are making good traction.

That traction includes a nearly 5-percentage shift in market share for the U.S. in recent years having moved from 23.7% to 28.3%. Now that the Center for U.S. Dairy Excellence is fully open for business, the newfound interaction between U.S. dairy suppliers and their customers located on the other side of the globe will grow further as everyone creates synergy to incorporate great U.S. dairy ingredients and its healthy halo of nutrients into Southeast Asian foods.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

June 8, 2023
The module came very close to Mercury, which still hides many secrets from researchers.

BepiColombo, a joint mission of the European Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), was launched in October 2018 to better map the rocky planet of the Solar System for which the least information from direct observations is available. The Mercury Transfer Module is carrying two spacecraft, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (ESA) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (JAXA)  these probes will examine the surface very closely after they enter orbit around the planet in 2025. around.

The spacecraft flew by Mercury for the first time in 2021 and sent its first images of the cratered landscape, and now the third close flight took place, during which the module passed 236 kilometers from the surface on June 19. In the images recorded during the journey, the formations emerging from the shadows became more and more visible after the spacecraft moved away from Mercury, the light conditions were the most optimal in terms of the sharpness of the images at a distance of approximately 3,500 kilometers. The photos also show craters this time, including the newly named Manley Crater, named after the Jamaican artist Edna Manley.

The special feature of the Manley crater is that it contains a type of dark matter, the exact composition of which is not yet known to researchers:

the material is believed to be carbonaceous, mineral-containing material left over from the crust of the planets early evolution. The mysterious material, as well as other formations and characteristics of Mercury, will be mapped more thoroughly during the BepiColombo mission, after scientific work within the mission begins in 2026.

(Photo: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)
Camino Health Center, a bilingual and multicultural nonprofit, has received a $50,000 grant from The Healthy Charlotte Alliance.

The grant, known as the Community Health Grant, is given to nonprofits that prioritize mental health, access to care, chronic disease prevention, and violence prevention. Camino Health Center will utilize the funds to support their renowned health and wellness program, Camino Vida.

Camino Vida is a comprehensive health and wellness program designed to empower patients to lead healthier lives. With a focus on individualized nutrition and physical intervention plans, the program aims to assist patients in managing chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity. By offering tailored exercise and wellness plans that consider each persons lifestyle, culture and language needs, Camino Vida furthers Camino Health Centers mission of equipping people to live healthy lives.

We are incredibly grateful to The Healthy Charlotte Alliance for awarding us their Community Health Grant, said Paulina Martinez, director of Camino Vida. With the grant, we will continue educating and supporting our patients, fostering positive changes, and improving their overall health outcomes.

The grant funds will support the improvement of Camino Vida programming. Through this generous support, Camino Health Center will enhance its ability to offer personalized nutrition and physical intervention plans to patients, helping them achieve their health goals and manage chronic diseases effectively. The grant will also increase the opportunity to host additional classes offered by the program, further engaging the community and promoting a culture of well-being.

Camino Health Center received the Community Health Grant on May 17, marking an important milestone in their commitment to improving the lives of the Latino community. The grant will undoubtedly contribute to the organizations ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on the communitys well-being.

Camino operates its bilingual clinics in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.
Ann Street United Methodist Church335 Ann St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Randy L. Wall. In person and Facebook Live worship at 11 a.m. Sermon: Grace: Its Your Choice. Scripture: Luke 15:11-32.

Bethpage United Methodist Church109 Fellowship Ave. at West C St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Gary McDonald. Christian education at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. Sermon: The Time is Ripe. Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:6-10.

Bogers Chapel United Methodist Church1775 Flowes Store Road E., Concord. Pastor: Eric Shaver. Sunday school at 9 a.m. Worship in-person or Facebook at 10 a.m. Opening Scripture: Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17. Sermon: Reception to Reality. Scripture: Romans 6:1-11. Childrens Sermon: Parable of the Tiger, the Donkey and the Lion.

Calvary Lutheran Church950 Bradley St., Concord. 704-782-6923. Pastor: Rev. Debbie Frye. In-person worship at 8:30 a.m. (casual worship) and 11 a.m. (traditional worship with Childrens Church). Coffee/cookie social 9:30-11 a.m. Adult Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. Childrens area and nursery available all times. All services live-streamed and available anytime on the Calvary Lutheran Concord YouTube channel  easy access through the website http://www.clconcord.org or church app Calvary Lutheran Church  NC. All are welcome. Series: Being Like Jesus. Sermon Topic: More Like Jesus.

Center United Methodist Church1119 Union St. S, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Tony Allen. Sunday school for In Betweens and young adults at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. Nursery is provided during the worship service. Website is www.centerumcconcord.org. Look forward to you joining us for our service.

Crossroads Church220 George W. Liles Parkway, Concord. Pastor: Lowell McNaney. Live worship streamed on Facebook, Crossroads Concord Church app or mycrossroads.com website at 9:30 a.m. and 11:11 a.m.

Crown Pointe Baptist Church703 Tennessee St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Doug Crawley. Sunday School at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary, or view online at our Facebook page. Series: Return of the King. Sermon: The New Creation. Scripture: Revelation 21-22 ESV.

Eastside Missionary Baptist Church199 Elgin Drive, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Stephen Burrow. In person services: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship services 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Recorded worship services and other information at EastsideMissionaryBaptist.org. You will be welcomed. Practice social distancing.

Epworth United Methodist Church1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Bill Roberts. Sunday School at 9 a.m., followed by worship at 10 a.m. We welcome all to join us in person, or you may livestream or watch the recorded service at our website at www.epworthnc.com. Sermon: The First Word in God. Scripture: Luke 10:1-11, 16.

Forest Hill United Methodist Church265 Union St. N., Concord. Senior pastor: Rev. Mandy Jones. Associate pastor: Rev. Wes Judy. We are open for in-person worship. Contemporary worship, 9 a.m. Sunday school/small groups, 10 a.m. Traditional worship, 11 a.m. Both the contemporary and the traditional worship services will also be live-streamed at foresthillumc.org or facebook.com/foresthillumc, in case you dont feel like being here in person.

Harmony United Methodist Church101 White St., NW, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Thad Brown. Sunday school is at 10 a.m. followed by worship service in the sanctuary at 11 a.m. Sermon: The Chief Shepherd. Scripture: I Peter 5:2-3, I Peter 5:4, John 10:1-5, John 10:7-11, I Peter 5:8, Job 1:6-7, I Peter 5:9. We welcome you to join us in worship. Service is live on Facebook.com/HarmonyUnitedMethodistChurch and we welcome all who are unable to join us in person to worship with us online. For more information, call the pastors phone, 704-791-2883, or the churchs phone, 704-782-8237.

Jackson Park United Methodist Church715 Mable Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor Laurie Knoespel. Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship at 10:30 a.m. Nursery will be provided during worship service.

Kirkwood Presbyterian Church900 Klondale Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Dennis B. Craft. Worship at 11 a.m. in church sanctuary on Sundays. No mask restrictions.

McGill Baptist Church5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, in-person services. Pastor: Rev. Steve Ayers. If you have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine, please wear a mask. McGill will stream a worship service Sunday at 10 a.m. on www.facebook.com/mcgillbaptistchurch/ and on YouTube. The services will be live and also available on recording afterward. Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Sermon: The Value of You. Scripture: Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:10-11; Matthew 10:24-39.

Midway United Methodist Church108 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Craig Allen. Come join us on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for Sunday School and 10:30 a.m. for worship. Our service is also livestreamed on the web at midwayunitedmethodistchurch.org or facebook.com/midwayUMC. Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Sermon: Well, This Sounds Fun. First Reading: Psalm 86:1-10. Second Reading: Matthew 10:24-39. Suggested Hymns: UMH 577, God of Grace and God of Glory; TFWS 2129, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.

Mt. Mitchell United Methodist Church6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Joel Locklear. Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. (adult and children classes.) Worship at 11 a.m. in person or Facebook. Sermon: Dont Give Room for the Devil. The Old Man is Dead. Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-5:2 (KJV).

Multiply Church Concord150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Douglas Witherup. 8:30 a.m. service held at 280 Concord Parkway S., Suite 15, Concord. Services at 150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N. are worship and sermon at 9:30 a.m. and worship and sermon at 11:15 a.m.

New Gilead Reformed Church, ECO2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road. 9:40 a.m.: adult Bible study. 10 a.m.; Sunday school. 11 a.m.: worship in the sanctuary, also live on Facebook.

Oak Grove Baptist Church200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. Pastor: Rev. Franklin D. Watkins. 10 a.m. In-person worship service and Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Youth and Graduates Sunday. Youth Day speaker: Minister Michael G. Stafford.

Second Presbyterian Church1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis. Pastor Sue Black, minister. Rev. Aaron Price, assistant pastor. Sunday school at 10 a.m. Worship at 11 a.m. Sermon: Honor My Name. Scripture: Exodus 20:7.

St. Johns Reformed Church901 N. Main St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Chris King. Sunday school for all ages: 9:30 a.m. Worship service: 10:30 a.m. Website: www.ourstjohns.org. Email/Phone: ourstjohns@gmail.com, 704-932-3656. Sermon: Can a Christian Truly be an Inactive Member of Christs Church? Scripture: I Corinthians 12.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has fined mycar Tyre & Auto $1,047,000 after it sent more than 1.7 million emails and texts that did not comply with Australias spam laws.

According to ACMA, mycar sent over 1.45 million texts and emails without a functioning unsubscribe facility between January to August 2022.

mycar also sent over 276,000 emails where people had to provide vehicle registration details unsubscribe, and almost 5,000 messages to consumers who had previously asked to unsubscribe from electronic marketing.

ACMA chair Nerida OLoughlin said people had to go through miles just to unsubscribe, which led to a significant level of consumer frustration.

In one campaign mycar sent more than one million text messages that didnt have an unsubscribe function, OLoughlin said.

This is unacceptable, especially from a well-established national retailer.

The action taken by the ACMA on this matter, as well as our recent action against the Commonwealth Bank, sends a strong message that we will continue to hold businesses to account for spam breaches.

mycar will commit to an independent review of its e-marketing practices to implement improvements as part of its three-year court enforceable undertaking.

mycar must also provide regular compliance reports to the ACMA and train its staff on Australias spam laws.

The Spam Act 2003 requires marketing messages to contain working unsubscribe facilities. Making consumers log-in or provide personal details to unsubscribe is also generally prohibited. Once a message recipient has unsubscribed, sending further marketing messages is also against the law.

Enforcing SMS and email subscribe rules is an ongoing compliance priority for the ACMA. Other recent ACMA Spam Act enforcement actions can be found here.

Over the past 18 months, businesses have paid $11 million in penalties for breaching spam and telemarketing laws, including a penalty of over $3.55 million paid by the Commonwealth Bank in June 2023.

The ACMA has also accepted nine court-enforceable undertakings and issued one formal warning.
Michele Levine: "Tesla is now the sixth highest selling brand in Australia behind five well-established Asian vehicle manufacturers  Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Kia."

More than half a million Australians plan to buy electric vehicles over the next tour years, according to Roy Morgan Research, an independent Australian social and political market research and public opinion statistics company.

In a statement on Wednesday, the firm said 548,000 Australians had expressed such intentions; this was equal to 12.5% of all those intending to buy new vehicles in the same period.

The increase in this number, which the company said equated to an increase of 1230% compared to four years ago, was mainly driven by the availability of EV models from Tesla.

Contrasting the intentions expressed, Roy Morgan said: "Five years ago, only 37,000 Australians intended to purchase a Tesla in the next four years, and this has now increased by almost 900% to 369,000 today."

The company provided a snapshot of what it called "Tesla man", the person most likely to buy a Tesla.

It said: "Australias quintessential Tesla owner is a Sydney dwelling male in the top AB socio-economic quintile with a high income of more than $100,000 per year.

"Tesla man is Australian-born and highly educated with a degree, or diploma, and working in a full-time professional or managerial occupation.

"Hes a married man in his 50s, or early 60s, has a partner and children, and lives in a detached house  which he owns, and is more likely to vote for the ALP than any other party."

Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said: The surge in interest has led to a similar surge in sales. The official VFACTS sales data so far in 2023 shows Tesla is now the sixth highest selling brand in Australia behind five well-established Asian vehicle manufacturers  Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Kia. This is a sharp rise for Tesla which was only the 16th largest selling brand of car as recently as 2022.

Tesla is clearly the dominant force in the electric vehicle market, but as the intention to purchase data shows there is an increasing gap opening up between those who want to buy an electric vehicle and those who intend to purchase a Tesla.

This gap, which didnt exist three years ago, shows that as other manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, BYD and MG launch competing electric vehicle brands there is an increasing market for these vehicles to tap into. Although Tesla is clearly the market leader, there are now around 180,000 Australians who want to buy an electric vehicle  but not a Tesla."

Levine said males had been early adopters, but in the last two years women had caught up, with an increase of more than 480% in the group that expressed an intention to buy an EV.

"The key age demographics remain those aged 35+ who comprise over three-quarters (79%) of electric vehicle intenders, but there is rapid growth across all age groups," she said.
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Some 110 years before Donald Trump was arraigned in a federal court in Miami, Theodore Roosevelt was running to regain the White House, too. And a small-town newspaper absolutely hammered him.

"Roosevelt lies and curses in a most disgusting way; he gets drunk, too, and that not infrequently, and all his intimates know it," read an October 1912 editorial in the Ishpeming (Mich.) Iron Ore, beneath the headline "The Roosevelt Way."

"All who oppose him are wreckers of the country, liars, knaves, and undesirables," the Iron Ore said. "He alone is pure and entitled to a halo. Rats. For so great a fighter, self-styled, he is the poorest loser we ever knew!"

Roosevelt, who was campaigning under the Bull Moose Party, was furious and, after surviving an assassination attempt in Milwaukee, filed a libel lawsuit against the Iron Ore and its wealthy editor-owner, George A. Newett, seeking $10,000 in damages, worth more than $300,000 today. The suit - a landmark case, involving a former president who became his own star witness - was filed just before the 1912 election, in which Roosevelt finished second to Democrat Woodrow Wilson and ahead of Republican incumbent William Howard Taft, an old friend he had turned against.

Roosevelt's suit probably would be thrown out under current U.S. defamation law, which since 1964 has required proof that a defendant knowingly published or broadcast lies. And the Iron Ore was only a small weekly, with fewer than 3,000 subscribers. But Roosevelt, one of Trump's favorite presidents, said he wanted to end once and for all widespread gossip about his drinking during his failed presidential comeback.

A conservative newspaper in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Iron Ore had supported Roosevelt in 1904, but it turned on him after Roosevelt attacked Republicans in 1912. Newett "belongs to the extremist school of the old line Republican party," the New York Times wrote, and "lashed his opponents" with "a merciless pen." He doubled down on Roosevelt after he was sued, claiming the Milwaukee shooting was "a put up job" to win votes and the cartridge was loaded "with a dried pea."

The trial, which made headlines around the world, began May 26, 1913, in a small county courtroom in Marquette, Mich. Lawyers for both sides grilled potential jurors about the case. One, a lumber camp foreman named Robert Bruce, claimed he hadn't heard anything.

"The class of men I'd have to associate with in the woods don't read much and don't discuss public matters much," Bruce said.

"Very good, very good," Roosevelt, then 54, exclaimed from his seat.

Bruce was picked for the 12-man jury, along with four miners, three drivers of horse-drawn wagons, two farmers, a locomotive fireman and a blacksmith. The jurors were sequestered, just before midnight.

The next day, spectators applauded when Roosevelt entered the jammed courtroom and craned their necks to see him. They buzzed when the ex-president took the stand for questioning by his lead attorney, James H. Pound. The Washington Evening Star called it "probably a unique occasion in history"; London newspapers printed glossaries of American drinks.

After briefly reviewing his life's story, Roosevelt quickly and forcefully beat back the Iron Ore's most explosive charge.

"I have never been drunk or in the slightest degree under the influence of liquor," he said, then went on, with detail: "I have never drunk a cocktail or a highball in my life. With the exceptions hereafter noted, I never drank whiskey or brandy, except under the advice of a physician. I don't care for the taste of either. I never have drunk beer, nor do I drink red wine. The only wines I have drunk have been white wines, Madeira, champagne or very occasionally, a glass of sherry."

He noted there was a bed of mints at the White House, "and I may have drunk half a dozen mint juleps a year, and certainly no more."

A parade of Roosevelt's friends, associates and Secret Service agents followed to back up his testimony. "Yesterday you couldn't throw a brick in the courtroom without hitting an ex-Cabinet officer, an ex-governor or somebody like that," the Times reported.

Jacob Riis, a longtime friend and noted social reformer, said the strongest language he ever heard Roosevelt use was "by Godfrey." The idea that anyone ever saw Roosevelt drunk, testified John O'Laughlin, a former assistant secretary of state, "seems absolutely silly to me." Navy Surgeon General Presley Rixey said he observed Roosevelt throughout his presidency, and "he couldn't have got drunk without my knowing it."

In a deposition, Adm. George Dewey said Roosevelt's lively manner might make some people think he had been drinking. "I have seen Mr. Roosevelt at dinners where he would be full of spirits, full of life and animation. All who knew him knew his peculiarities in this respect," Dewey said.

Behind the scenes, meanwhile, Newett was struggling to find witnesses to testify against Roosevelt.

The Washington newspaperman J. Martin Miller claimed in a deposition that Roosevelt, at the House speaker's birthday party, had been offered a "little drink" and countered that he would have "a big one," of whiskey. But Miller, who was wanted on charges of larceny, had fled to Canada. The former congressman H. Olin Young, a Republican rival who knew Roosevelt in Washington, suddenly couldn't be located. The Associated Press speculated that the two sides secretly had worked out a settlement, but nothing was ever announced.

On May 31, the trial took a dramatic turn. Newett took the stand and pulled out four typewritten sheets of paper that he read. He said he was a teetotaler and had criticized Roosevelt in good faith. Then he capitulated.

"In the face of the unqualified testimony of so many distinguished men who have been in position for years to know the truth, I am forced to the conclusion that I was mistaken," Newett said. "I am unwilling longer to assert that Mr. Roosevelt actually and in fact drank to excess."

The spectators sat in stunned silence. Reporters scurried to get reports out to a telegraph service that had been set up. Roosevelt whispered to one of his lawyers. When Newett finished, the former president rose from where he was sitting and addressed the court.

"In view of the statement by the defendant," he said, "I shall ask the court to instruct the jury that I desire only nominal damages. I did not go into this suit for money. I did not go into it with any vindictive purpose. I have achieved my purpose, and I am content." Then he raised a clenched fist.

Judge Richard Flannigan ordered a 15-minute recess. Spectators rushed to congratulate Roosevelt. "He was in the center of a struggling mass that nearly tore him apart," the Times reported. "We put it through, by George," Roosevelt shouted.

When court resumed, Judge Flannigan said Roosevelt deserved the full damages of $10,000 but instructed the jury to award nominal damages, which under Michigan law was 6 cents. After the jurors returned with that verdict, Roosevelt walked over to shake their hands. "I thank you, gentlemen, each of you," he said. "It was splendid, just perfectly splendid."

Roosevelt headed out a side door and was driven away in a friend's car, as he waved his hat out a window.

His quest to regain the presidency had failed, but in court he had won his reputation back, in a landslide.

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 The Coast Guard fanned out over the Atlantic nine hundred miles east of Cape Cod looking for a submersible Titanic tourist boat that's gone missing. They're looking everywhere. On board the boat are five passengers--a professor, a millionaire and his wife, a movie star and a really hot farm girl.

 Target was in a crossfire in the culture wars last week as conservative boycotts killed sales, and at the same time, it was threatened by transgender protests if their merchandise was pulled. Today, genders are a lot like the Twin Towers. There used to be two of them, but now it's a really sensitive issue.

 The Saturday Evening Post published an article honoring the legacy of 1950s civil rights legend Rosa Parks on the occasion of the Juneteenth federal holiday Monday. We have made a LOT of progress since those days. Oprah was once asked to sit in the back of the bus, but that was to balance it.

 The Washington Post hired genealogists to trace the ancestors of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who's African American, and her white husband Patrick Jackson. They found his ancestor owned her ancestor. And you think there's tension at YOUR house over who takes out the trash.

 President Biden ended his speech Saturday by declaring G od Save the Queen. It made no sense at first. I tried to figure out how it's possible to balance being both a Royalist and a Socialist, but then I remembered how his campaign commercials in 2020 were shot in the basement, just like the Romanovs.

 White House aides played down the threat of Bobby Kennedy, Jr. to Biden's re-nomination next year. The president's aides play down RFK's poll numbers to Kennedy name recognition. Joe Biden himself has one hundred percent name recognition and if he can overcome that he could win re-election.

 CBS News reports two Americans were found dead in their luxury hotel room in Mexico's Baja California who'd been asphyxiated while asleep in the room. It's an important lesson to remember for all Americans who decide to vacation in Mexico. Always keep the windows open on Enchilada Night.

 Arizona's Sheriff's Department reports that a man was mauled and killed by an unprovoked bear attack near Prescott last week before the bear was shot by a neighbor. The victim was enjoying a cup of coffee and didn't hear the bear approaching him from behind. That's exactly why I don't drink coffee. .

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Allies of President Biden described his son Hunter's federal plea deal Tuesday on misdemeanor tax and gun charges as evidence of the integrity of the criminal justice system.

But former president Donald Trump, who has separately been indicted by the Department of Justice, joined other Republicans in calling the plea confirmation of the opposite.

"Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket.' Our system is BROKEN!" Trump posted after the plea was announced on Truth Social. He did not provide evidence for his corruption claims.

Trump's rivals in the Republican nomination fight joined Trump in his outrage, making similar claims. Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy described the deal as "an Orwellian gesture that gives the news media exactly the level of cover that they needed" to continue justifying the Trump indictment. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said in a statement that the deal "only raises further questions about Hunter Biden's crimes and the double standard of justice."

"If Hunter was not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a tweet.

Congressional Republicans echoed the concern. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called the plea deal "a stunt." Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) called the agreement "a slap on the wrist." Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called it a "sweetheart deal."

"Lets be clear: the Department of Justice's charges against President Biden's son represents a two-tiered system of justice," House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement.

David Brock, the president of Facts First USA, a group founded to push back on Republican attacks against Hunter Biden, said the charging decision against the president's son meant that justice had been served.

"This episode just underscores the integrity of President Biden - he kept Trump's U.S. attorney on to investigate a matter involving his own son," Brock said in a statement. "This President has repeatedly demonstrated his belief in the rule of law and the independence of the Justice Department."

Hunter Biden, 53, agreed to plead guilty to Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump appointee, of misdemeanor charges of willful failure to pay taxes and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to a court filing. Both charges date back to before his father's election as president, during a time when he has admitted to regularly using crack cocaine.

The firearm charge, related to Hunter Biden denying his drug use when he purchased a gun, is expected to result in pretrial diversion. He is also expected to face no jail time for the tax charges, which arise over debts that Biden's attorneys say he has since paid to the government.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has said he gave full control of the investigation to Weiss and would not interfere in any charging decision. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said President Biden has no involvement with the criminal investigations of his son or Trump.

"The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment," White House spokesman Ian Sams said in a statement Tuesday after the plea announcement.

Republicans seeking the White House have for months pointed to Hunter's legal troubles and ongoing investigations by House Republicans of the Biden family business with foreign companies as evidence of what former vice president Mike Pence, like Comer, has called a "two-tiered system of justice that in unfolding in America."

After Trump was indicted on federal charges related to mishandling classified documents and obstruction of justice, DeSantis suggested that the Justice Department was playing favorites.

"Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?" he asked in a tweet, referring to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trump, for his part, has claimed without specific evidence that his own indictment is part of an effort by the Justice Department to distract from Republicans on the House Oversight Committee, which has uncovered unverified allegations - but no proof - that President Biden was involved in his son's business dealings.

As president, Trump demanded that his Justice Department investigate Hunter Biden, an unusual public demand by a president to investigate a political rival. After his own federal indictment, Trump cast the investigation of Hunter Biden as an effort to make his own prosecution look more justified.

"They'll probably come up with a jaywalking charge on Hunter in the not too distant future, you know, a very small charge, so they can say well, 'It's fair,'" Trump said in a June 11 appearance on a radio show hosted by Roger Stone, his former adviser. "But there's a very unfair situation. We're living in a very, very corrupt country."

Stone was convicted of seven felonies related to obstructing an investigation of Russia's involvement in the 2016 elections. Trump commuted Stone's sentence before leaving office.

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KIEV The photos showed hundred-dollar bills lying in piles on furniture and jutting out of a safe - the results of what officials from Ukraine's main anti-corruption body said last month was a $2.7 million bribery scheme involving the chief justice of the country's Supreme Court, Vsevolod Knyazyev.

Last month, anti-corruption investigators said they caught Knyazyev "red-handed" receiving a payment of about $450,000 - a "second tranche of illegal benefits" in a corruption scheme potentially involving other members of Ukraine's Supreme Court and judiciary. The cash in the photos was found at his home and office, officials said. Knyazyev was arrested and dismissed from his position, and a criminal investigation is ongoing.

"This is huge," said Tetiana Shevchuk, a lawyer with the Anti-Corruption Action Center, an anti-graft watchdog in Kiev. "This is not an ordinary judge in a local court taking a bribe - it's the highest judge in the system."

As Ukraine mounts its counteroffensive against invading Russian forces, law enforcement officials in Kiev are waging a war on corruption with similarly high stakes for the country's future. Ukraine is surviving not only on donated weapons but also on foreign economic aid, and Western supporters want to be sure their money is not lost to the graft and malfeasance that has long stunted Ukraine's democratic aspirations.

Ukraine's dream of joining the European Union will hinge in part on the anti-corruption fight, and the political future of President Volodymyr Zelensky - who won office four years ago promising to eliminate corruption - could also hang in the balance. Amid a war that has required heavy physical and emotional sacrifices, polls show Ukrainians' tolerance of endemic corruption has evaporated.

Earlier this month, Zelensky, in answering a journalist's question, called the arrest of the head of the Supreme Court a cause for "hope" and suggested it was a threshold moment.

"When has this happened?" he said.

Foreign donors to Ukraine will gather at a major international conference in London this week to discuss postwar reconstruction, which by some estimates could cost $1 trillion. Support could founder, however, if the country is seen as a black hole for Western aid, adding further urgency to the anti-corruption campaign.

Zelensky has called a meeting of his National Security and Defense Council for later this week to discuss judicial reform.

The investigation that ensnared Knyazyev is the biggest since the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) were established eight years ago. The two independent government bodies were created specifically to root out the graft and backroom dealings that have chronically plagued Ukraine.

It also will reveal the extent of corruption within the Supreme Court, which faces the question of what court decisions may have been tainted by Knyazyev and other potentially corrupt judges. The court is made up of 168 members, and judicial panels can include up to 18 judges.

Ultimately, Ukraine's wide-ranging reform process could come under question. The corruption could extend to the High Council of Justice, activists say, an independent body responsible for determining judicial candidates' eligibility based on their ethics and integrity.

"Obviously, [we're asking] were there other cases [of bribery]?" said a European diplomat in Kiev, speaking on background due to the sensitivity of the issue. "And of course I'd like to see [whether] the current justice reform was not compromised by Knyazyev?"

"It would be absolutely excellent if the Supreme Court were to be able to clean itself, in their house," the diplomat said.

Knyazyev's fellow judges issued a statement saying the case was "a black day" in the Supreme Court's history.

NABU officials said the case was part of a wider bribery scheme to bring "corrupt pressure on the courts." Investigators released wiretap recordings and text messages, purportedly of Knyazyev discussing how to pass the bribes on to him and other judges, and to divide one of the payments into 13 smaller tranches. Investigators searched the premises of three other judges, news reports said.

Law enforcement officers said they found close to $1 million in cash when they raided Knyazyev's home and office in May, and another $500,000 in a second unidentified location a few days later.

Knyazyev denies the charges. At a hearing, he said the cash belonged to "friends," who "before leaving for abroad, even before the start of the war, asked me to keep this money."

The payments, the authorities said, were in exchange for the Supreme Court deciding in favor of a Ukrainian "businessman" - later identified as Kostiantyn Zhevaho, a Ukrainian billionaire living in France - in a case over the ownership of one of his holdings. Zhevaho, who is fighting extradition to Ukraine on separate accusations of embezzlement, has not been charged in the bribery case and denies having done anything illegal.

Members of Zelensky's team say the anti-corruption drive is now shifting into high gear. In February, Ukrainian officials announced searches, investigations, firings and resignations - including Zelensky's deputy chief of staff and a deputy defense minister - part of what they said was an anti-corruption housecleaning. The allegations included purchasing food for the country's armed forces at inflated prices.

Officials say that these investigations are all ongoing. According to Ukrainian law, after an investigation is opened, authorities have up to one year to deliver an indictment or dismiss the case.

Shevchuk of the Anti-Corruption Action Center said Zelensky has "no role" in Knyazyev's case and should let NABU and SAPO "do their job."

But on other fronts in the anti-corruption fight, Zelensky and his party, which enjoys a majority in the country's legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, are falling short. A bill that would reinstate the public declaration of officials' assets has stalled in parliament.

In 2021, Zelensky said he was cracking down on the country's billionaire and multimillionaire oligarchs, asking them in an address if they wanted to continue running monopolies and interfering in politics or to "work legally and transparently."

An "anti-oligarch bill" forced some of the billionaires to sell off their media holdings, while the war with Russia depleted their wealth and influence - especially among those whose fortunes were based in the country's east. But for others, their business empires remained largely intact.

Last month, officials at the Security Service of Ukraine said they had opened a criminal investigation against another billionaire, Dmytro Firtash, who was accused of embezzling close to $500 million from the state budget over an eight-year period through a gas-purchasing scheme. Firtash lives in Vienna and is battling extradition to the United States on bribery charges. He denies the Ukrainian accusations.

Anti-corruption activists credit the heads of NABU and SAPO - Semen Kryvonos and Oleksandr Klymenko, respectively - as playing a major role in the rejuvenated anti-corruption campaign.

But observers also question cases that NABU and SAPO are aggressively pursuing against a number of former officials. The cases hinge on procedural questions, which officials say resulted in losses to the state budget, but so far, no accusations of bribery or personal enrichment have been made.

Former infrastructure minister Andriy Pivovarsky is being investigated for "excessive use of authority" that allegedly resulted in some $40 million in losses to the country's port authority.

However, Pivovarsky maintains that his actions were in fact deregulatory measures, which did not result in financial losses but instead redirected the funds for the ports' upkeep, all of which was approved by the government and numerous ministries.

If his case goes to court and he is convicted, he could face two to six years in prison.

"People don't question the legality of the acceptance of the document [I signed] and don't question the process," Pivovarsky said. "They are saying that I fooled everyone: the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the state regulation agency, the Ministry of Justice. We're talking hundreds of people that were involved."

"It sounds absurd, but that's what I am accused of," he said.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
Suarez joined the already crowded GOP field last week, filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday and releasing a campaign video titled I'm Running the next morning. In a speech Thursday evening at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Suarez explained that he was running for president because it is time for a leader who can connect with parts of our country that the Republican Party has struggled with, like young voters and urban voters. He portrayed himself as a traditional conservative in the mold of Ronald Reagan, both in his style and his support for limited government.

There is much to admire in Suarez's record. But he faces, as The Washington Post observed in a dry understatement, a long and complicated path to the Republican Party's nomination.

The Miami mayor wasn't the only candidate with no realistic chance of winning who jumped this month into the race for the White House. Cornel West, a left-wing scholar and activist, a former Harvard professor, and a colorful public intellectual, announced that he is running for president as a candidate for the Green Party, with the goal of pursuing truth and justice and to reintroduce America to the best of itself.

There are other candidates for president with no discernible path to victory. The Republican field includes, among others, wealthy entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, California talk-show host Larry Elder, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. On the Democratic side, President Biden is being challenged by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist; and self-help author Marianne Williamson.

Every presidential campaign brings a fresh crop of ultra-long shots  hopeless candidates who are as likely to be nominated for the nation's highest office as I am. Why do they run?

I'm not saying they shouldn't. I don't think candidates should run for president (or any office) only if they have a decent chance of winning. Sometimes, as Senator Jefferson Smith says during the filibuster scene in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, lost causes are the ones most worth fighting for. You fight for the lost causes harder than for any others. As a voter, I have often backed a candidate certain to lose. In my view, there is no surer way to squander one's vote than to support a candidate merely because he or she is electable.

Still: Given everything involved in running for president  the expense, the time, the loss of privacy, the potential embarrassment, the scrutiny into past misbehavior, the toll on family members  why do so many candidates who are certain to lose choose to run anyway?

Some possible reasons:

Longshots can become running mates.

Just ask Joe Biden. When the then-senator from Delaware ran for the Democratic nomination in 2008, he bombed. He never gained traction in the polls and dropped out after finishing fifth in the Iowa caucuses with 1 percent of the vote. Nevertheless, he ended up on his party's national ticket with Barack Obama and spent eight years as vice president. No presidential candidate ever admits to running for veep. But all of them know it sometimes happens.

Longshots can land a high post in the winner's administration. In 2016, Dr. Ben Carson and former Texas governor Rick Perry were among the 17 (!) candidates in the Republican race for president. Like most of the other candidates, they made no headway against Donald Trump, who easily won. Yet both were later confirmed to Cabinet posts  Carson as secretary of housing and urban development, Perry as secretary of energy. Four years later, the little-known ex-mayor of South Bend, Ind., Pete Buttigieg, made a splash with strong debate performances and a second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary. He subsequently dropped out of the race with only 21 convention delegates. But he had raised his profile in the Democratic Party  and became Biden's secretary of transportation.

Longshots can upgrade their reputation and build a national brand.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee pursued the GOP presidential nomination twice, in 2008 and 2016. Neither campaign got off the ground. But Huckabee leveraged them into a significant career as a TV commentator and radio talk-show host. Ditto former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, a longshot GOP candidate in 2012 and 2016. Though he flopped as a presidential contender, he emerged with a column in The Philadelphia Inquirer and a gig as a political analyst on CNN. And then there is the odious Al Sharpton, who had a long career as a race-baiter and a bigot before entering the 2004 Democratic presidential race. His candidacy went nowhere, but his reputation soared. It opened doors. I was taken more seriously and what I represented was taken more seriously, Sharpton later told The New York Times. In 2005, Sharpton signed with Radio One to host a daily national talk show and for the past 12 years he has had his own daily TV program on MSNBC.

Longshots can represent a cause or influence their party.

Eugene McCarthy, a little-known senator from Minnesota, challenged President Lyndon Johnson in the 1968 on an anti-Vietnam War platform. He had no chance of winning and lost the New Hampshire primary as expected. But though he lost, McCarthy's showing was strong enough that it prompted LBJ to announce he wouldn't run again, with dramatic consequences for the Democratic Party. Forty years later, Representative Ron Paul of Texas ran for president as a libertarian Republican opposed to the war in Iraq. He amounted to less than a speed bump in the path of John McCain's juggernaut to the nomination. But his campaign helped pave the way for the Tea Party movement that became, at least for a while, one of the most impressive grassroots political upwellings in modern American life.

Longshots can sometimes win.

Like winning the Powerball jackpot, the odds are very, very steep. But seemingly hopeless candidates for president have sometimes caught fire and gone all the way. When Jimmy Carter, a former one-term Georgia governor, took it into his head to run for president in 1976, the leading paper in his home state famously headlined the story Jimmy Who Is Running for What!? When Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton decided to compete for the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination, he barely registered in polls that included far better known Democrats like Mario Cuomo, Al Gore, Lloyd Bentsen, and Bill Bradley. After six months of polling in 1991, Clinton's support averaged just 1.7 percent. But Clinton and Carter proved they had what it took not only to beat far more influential Democrats for their party's nomination, but to then defeat a sitting Republican president and win the White House.

Most hopeless presidential candidates leave no mark and are soon forgotten. When was the last time you thought of Eric Swalwell, Bobby Jindal, Lincoln Chafee, Michele Bachmann, or Alan Keyes? All the same, a candidate doesn't have to be viable to be valuable. Even doomed candidacies can enrich the democratic process. At their best, they enliven the marketplace of political ideas, they strengthen the ultimate nominees through the competition of debate, or they bring something to their party's contest that no other candidate is talking about.

Some even find that the experience makes them better public officials. Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado ran as a centrist in the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination, dropping out after failing to engage voters' interest. Despite flopping as a presidential candidate, he told Insider recently, the experience enabled him to develop valuable relationships with fellow senators he'd never previously gotten to know. And it really expanded my knowledge of just how many different possible solutions there are to a given problem.

In a video announcing and explaining his candidacy, Cornel West declares: Democracy creates disruption. It creates an eruption. It creates an interruption. That's catchy and quotable, and sometimes it's even true. Most people who run for president haven't got a prayer of winning. But I'd rather see long shots keep trying to shake things up than to let presidential nominations go by default to whomever's next in line.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission."
100 years ago,

June 21, 1923

MATTOON  John Pugh, 19, and W.A. Thomas, 26, were arrested about 5:40 o'clock this morning at the Pugh farm dwelling, a mile east of the Old Campground cemetery, southwest of the city. The arrest was made by Constable Jones and Patrolmen Brimberry and Uttinger. Beside the two men when they were arrested was a sack in which contained about one and half gallons of "white mule." A quart can of mule was also found. The two men were brought to this city and placed in jail, where they will remain until they are in a fit physical condition to be arraigned in court. Thomas especially was in a high state of intoxication. The two men were found asleep in the Pugh dwelling, the officers having received information that Pugh and Thomas could be found there with booze in their possession. In the pockets of one of the men was found a .32 caliber revolver, with three of the chambers of the weapon empty.

50 years ago, 1973

MATTOON  Coles County will be hit by a devastating tornado Thursday, July 12. It won't be as severe as the atomic attack sustained by the county in 1969. Fred Sell, Mattoon Civil Defense Director, is making advance plans for the twister's strike. "There isn't a thing that any of us can do if we have a tornado - except hide," he said bravely. "And I probably will be the first to hide," he said jokingly. Sell is in the process of trying to change the public image of Civil Defense. He defined the organization's goal as "emergency preparedness for a nature disaster." That's why Coles County is going to be smashed by a tornado on July 12 and not clobbered by an atomic bomb. According to Sell, a nuclear blast is the only thing most people associate Civil Defense with. "We are past the days of the old block compound, the yellow hat and the rain coat," said Sell. Sell pointed out that in the last weeks Coles County has experienced weather which could have easily created tornados. That fact of life is one reason he believes this year's Civil Defense "emergency operations simulator training exercise" is important to residents of the county. The mock tornado - the disaster that will only appear on paper - will be important to residents of the county, however, said Sell. The emergency operations simulator training exercise will be centered in a public school building in Charleston. Sell said mayors of the various communities in the county will participate in the drill along with Civil Defense, county and other municipal personnel. He said the tornado will create hypothetical emergencies which the Civil Defense and other agencies of the government will have to deal with....MATTOON  Wilb Walker squashed a $2,435 armed holdup Wednesday by sitting on a robbery suspect. Police arrived at Walker's supermarket at approximately 2:21 p.m. to find Walker crouched on the sidewalk in front of the store at 2014 Western. The Journal Gazette was told that one of the police officers thought for a moment that Walker might have been shot. "Then he saw a couple of legs sticking out from under Walker," the source told the JG. Standing near Walker was his son, Robert, who assisted in bringing down the suspect. Arrested was Edmund Allen Tomer, 57, of 2021 Lafayette. He was taken to the police station after Walker let him up. Lt. Robert O'Dell, police detective, told the JG that the unmasked robber entered the store and went to the service desk. He then pulled out a gun and a bag and gave clerk Mary Wall a note which reportedly read: "Load it." The woman gave the robber the money. The man stuffed it into a bag along with his pistol. The robber then left the store. "He was jumped by the Walkers, basically," said O'Dell.
This story has been updated to reflect Erika Harold having run for Illinois attorney general in 2018.

CHARLESTON  Erika Harold looked out over the crowd of young women with confidence they would go on to do great things.

I wanted to tell you about the biggest thing you have to fear if you run for public office isnt not winning. Its not trying in the first place. I know this is a group of young women that will probably be running for office someday, and I look forward to voting for you, Harold said during an appearance Tuesday in Charleston at the American Legion Auxiliary Illini Girls State.

Harold, the executive director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, speaks from experience.

Overcoming any fears she may have had enabled Harold be be crowned Miss America in 2003 and to be the Republican candidate for Illinois attorney general in the 2018 election.

The American Legion Auxiliary Illini Girls State is a weeklong camp providing girls the opportunity to participate in the democratic process and run for governmental positions.

Throughout the week, the girls campaign, run for and elect officials on the city, county and state level in a simulation of Illinois government system.

(ALA Illini Girls State) encourages and empowers them to think about their role as a leader now in high school and gives them the opportunity to interact with people who are in different fields that they might pursue whether its politics, leadership, government. And that then inspires them to view themselves in those roles and to recognize that they do have the capacity of doing that, Harold said.

Harold gave the girls three leadership lessons to use in their lives.

One, your story and the biggest things you want to change is your biggest platform.

Think for a moment about something in your life thats happened that either makes you feel different or has made you feel not good enough. The impulse is to want to change those things, but what I would challenge you to do is lean into those things because your story is going to be the thing that gives you that power when you walk into a room, Harold said.

Two, your individuality is your voice.

Look around at the diversity in this room. There may be the temptation to say I want to be like this person, or Im going to be like that person. You have to believe in your individual voice. You have to believe that you have something unique to offer your community, your state and hopefully this country, Harold said.

Three, your fear is a sign you care.

Oftentimes, people see themselves accomplishing great things in their mind, but theyre afraid to actually take that step and try. And its not that they arent willing to work hard, its that fear of failure. I encourage you to embrace that fear because that fear means you care. That fear means that youre a human being, and that fear is the thing that will actually give you adrenaline in the moment, Harold said.

Sarah Wyckoff, the director of ALA Illini Girls State, said the girls are given many opportunities through the program.

It is political in nature and they get that learning experience in government, but we also hope they gain friendships. That theyre gonna meet young ladies and friends from the entire state of Illinois because we come from all over, so I think they walk away with lots of life learning experiences, Wyckoff said.

Harold never participated in ALA Illini Girls State, but her mom, Donna Tanner Harold, was an alternate.

An alternate is a girl chosen to take the place of a girl that has been selected to go to ALA Illini Girls State if the girl selected is unable to go.

Tanner Harold never got to experience ALA Illini Girls State until Tuesday night.

The staff and girls of the program surprised Tanner Harold by making her an honorary citizen of their government simulation along with her daughter.

Harold said it was not planned ahead of time to make her mother an honorary citizen. In fact, it was not planned for her mother to accompany her to the event at all.

Harold explained that during a phone call she shared with her mother that she was attending the event. It was then her mother shared that she had been an alternate.

Harold said invited her mother to come along as her guest because of this, and no one at ALA Illini Girls State knew Tanner Harold was an alternate until she arrived.

While the girls in the program exhibit kindness for giving this opportunity to Tanner Harold, the girls also learn how to support one another.

It brings together young women to support each other, and so often research shows that women tend to run for office less frequently than men, not because theyre less qualified, but because they need to be encouraged that they have what it takes to be successful, Harold said.
Sen. Chapin Rose is a Republican who resides in Mahomet and represents the 51st Senate District. He is a former Champaign County prosecutor who served in the Illinois House from 2003 to 2013. He has been in the Illinois Senate since, where he serves as an assistant Republican leader.

Key votes

State budget: No.

Withhold state funds from libraries that ban books: No.

Permitting all-gender, multi-occupancy bathrooms: No.

Barring deceptive practices from anti-abortion pregnancy centers: No.

Lifting moratorium on new nuclear plants: Yes.

Bills sponsored

Senate Bill 1115: Makes disability benefits for university police officers injured in the line of duty equal to that of all other Illinois law enforcement officers. (passed)

Senate Bill 1604: Allows all counties besides Cook County to opt out of the elimination of cash bail (did not pass)

Senate Bill 1889: Allows any store employee to process the sale of prescriptions that have received final verification from a pharmacist. Currently, a pharmacist must be present. (passed)

Successes from session

Rose said he was particularly excited about the Aim High pilot program being made permanent. Started in 2019, the program provides merit-based scholarships to Illinois students attending in-state public universities. "That's a passion of mine  supporting our public institutions of higher education. And more importantly, supporting the students and their families to make this crazy, expensive thing somehow slightly more affordable. I'm very excited about Aim High. It obviously has a tie back to my hometown of Charleston... I dreamed that up 10 years ago at this point. And now it's permanent and it's been expanded and it's doing great and it's working and it's a success. And, most importantly, it's helping families. I think thats pretty cool."

Disappointments from session

Rose was complimentary of this year's budget process in the Senate, where lead Democratic negotiators included their Republican counterparts  himself included in negotiations. But, he was disappointed in the end result, specifically with Democrats' refusal to push back the Jan. 1 sunset date of the "Invest in Kids" tax credit, which funds private school scholarships. He was also upset with the $550 million earmarked for a health care program for mostly undocumented immigrants, which he said was crowding out resources for other needy programs. "The real problem is two-fold: the lack of ability of the Democratic Party to say no to its progressive members, who just think money grows on trees, coupled with this complete insanity in the House Democratic Caucus."

States that collect the most property tax revenue States That Collect the Most Property Tax Revenue Property taxes are the second largest source of US state and local tax revenue Over a third of general tax revenue in New Hampshire comes from property taxes 15. Montana 14. Virginia 13. Florida 12. South Dakota 11. New York 10. Nebraska 9. Massachusetts 8. Rhode Island 7. Illinois 6. Vermont 5. Texas 4. Connecticut 3. Maine 2. New Jersey 1. New Hampshire
CHICAGO  Staff at the Museum of Science and Industry have voted to unionize, becoming the latest group of Chicago museum workers to choose representation with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The staff, who work in guest experiences, operations and the museums education department, voted in two groups. Vote tallies were announced Saturday in the election held by the National Labor Relations Board.

The larger group of employees voted 79-26 to unionize, according to the union. The results of the vote of a smaller group of employees deemed professional by the NLRB remain undecided, said AFSCME Council 31 spokesperson Anders Lindall. The group includes some members of the museums education department, he said.

Workers in that group voted 9-6 to unionize. Three other ballots cast among the professional workers were challenged by museum management, Lindall said. The results of the challenged ballots could determine the results of the professional employee vote.

If the union maintains its lead once ballot challenges are resolved for the second group, the Museum of Science & Industry Workers United would represent about 140 employees. In a news release, the union said it was very confident the second group would also vote to unionize.

Although we do not yet have the full results of this weekends vote, the outcome will not change our commitment to our employees, Kelsey Ryan, museum director of public relations, said in a statement. Our priority is to continue building our positive workplace culture that supports the Museum of Science and Industry and benefits the greater Chicago community.

Santi Van Lysebettens, 23, works as a facilitator at the museum giving tours to visitors and is also a member of the workers organizing committee.

Informal education is very much my passion, and I have never faltered in my passion with my job, Van Lysebettens said. But I guess I am coming to work with a little more hope now  that Im going to be paid a little bit better, that I can have a say in my job.

When they launched their union campaign in April, museum workers pointed to pay, high turnover and understaffing as areas in which they were seeking change.

Over the last year and a half, workers at the Art Institute and its affiliated school, the Field Museum and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum have all unionized with AFSCME. Many of the unionized museum employees have cited similar workplace concerns as the Science and Industry staff as the impetus for their union drives.

In a news release, science museum workers accused the museums management of leading a divisive anti-union campaign. Lindall pointed to the museums hiring of the law firm Jackson Lewis as well as what he described as a campaign in which supervisors individually pressured workers to vote against the union.

Ryan said the museum disagreed with the unions characterization.

We value science and the progress that our society has made through asking questions, Ryan said in a statement. Our goal was always to protect and empower each employees ability to ask questions, to access information, and to learn so they may make an informed choice as to whether they wish to be represented by a union.

Van Lysebettens said they hoped the museum would work together with workers to reach a first contract.

We are determined to make sure that the museum has this positive culture of respect whether or not management is going to be a part of it, Van Lysebettens said. But we really do hope that they choose to take the high ground with us and bargain in good faith.
Progressives have long dreamed of imposing a tax on wealth, and it looks as if an arcane corner of the 2017 tax reform might give them a legal opening. The Supreme Court can shut this constitutional door if it takes up a bad ruling on appeal from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The 16th Amendment revised the Constitution to allow taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived. The Supreme Court has long held that income is defined as money that is realized from, say, wages or the sale of a property or financial asset. It has never been defined as unrealized income, such as from an increase in the value of an asset on paper that isnt paid out to the owner.

Enter 2017s mandatory repatriation tax, which taxed shareholders of some foreign corporations on their retained earnings. Congress was scrambling for revenue to pay for its reduction in tax rates, and foreign companies were an easy political target. But the tax also hits unsuspecting American bystanders.

Two of them are Charles and Kathleen Moore, of Washington state, who invested in a friends venture to distribute farm equipment in rural India. The company reinvested earnings to distribute more proceeds in India, and the Moores received no payout. Yet they were hit with a tax bill of $14,729 under the mandatory repatriation tax.

The Moores sued the Internal Revenue Service and sought a refund on grounds that the tax is an unconstitutional levy on income. They lost in federal district court, and a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the tax, ruling that realization of income is not a constitutional requirement.

The Moores also lost a request for hearing by the full Ninth Circuit. But Judge Patrick Bumatay issued a hard-hitting dissent that called out the majority decision as contrary to ordinary meaning, history and precedent. ...

The Moores have appealed to the Supreme Court, and we hope the justices will hear the case. The Ninth Circuit ruling controls only in its area. But if the high court lets it stand, it will encourage Democrats in Washington, D.C., to think that they could get away with imposing a wealth tax.

No less than the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Oregons Ron Wyden, has floated a wealth tax proposal. The justices have a chance in Moore v. U.S. to restore the proper legal application of the income tax and avoid a constitutional clash that could do substantial economic harm.
22nd Century Group Inc. has launched its latest stock offering to institutional investors at a steep discount compared with the previous initiative in 2022.

22nd Century, based in Buffalo, has its cigarette-manufacturing operations in a 62,000-square-foot plant in Mocksville where it has 51 employees.

The manufacturer said Tuesday it has entered into definitive agreements with certain investors for the purchase and sale of 11.2 million shares of common stock and warrants at a price of 47 cents per share.

At 11.2 million shares, it would represent just more than 5% of its 222.5 million outstanding shares as of Wednesday. The offering is projected to close by Thursday.

The gross proceeds to 22nd Century are projected at $5.3 million before deducting the placement agents fees and other offering expenses payable by the company.

By comparison, 22nd Century said in July 2022 it entered into an agreement to sell 17.07 million shares of its common stock at $2.05 a share for a potential $35 million raise.

On Tuesday, 22nd Century said it has agreed to reduce the exercise price on the previously issued 11.2 million warrants owned by the investors participating in the offering from $2.05 to 47 cents. Another 5.9 million previously issued warrants were not repriced and remain at an exercise price of $2.05.

In June 2021, the manufacturer sold 10 million shares to an unidentified institutional investor at $4 a share for a $40 million raise.

Also, 22nd Century had another public stock offering in October 2017 in which it sold 20.57 million shares  at $2.62 a share  that yielded gross proceeds of $54 million.

The latest offering is a registered direct offering listed as priced above market.

According to Investopedia, the pricing method refers to a price or order that is above the current market price. Common above the market order types include limit orders to sell, stop orders to buy and stop-limit orders to buy.

Although 22nd Centurys 52-week share-price range is 40 cents to $2.70, the share price has been below $1 since mid-February.

22nd Century intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for the continued commercial expansion of its VLN (very low nicotine) traditional cigarettes in additional markets, working capital related to its commercial activities and general corporate purposes.

On June 6, 22nd Century said it signed a three-state distribution agreement with the No. 1 convenience store chain for its very-low-nicotine traditional cigarettes. Although 22nd Century has not named the retailer, 7-Eleven is by far the largest convenience store chain in the U.S. with at least 9,437 locations nationwide.

The distribution agreement is for more than 1,450 corporate locations in California, Florida and Texas. An additional 3,100 franchise-owned stores in those markets have been incentivized to add VLN products with full support from corporate and the national franchise owners organization.

22nd Century already has a limited distribution agreement with Circle K, which is No. 2 in the U.S. with at least 6,621 locations.

The manufacturers goal is entering 18 states altogether in 2023, primarily through the Circle K national convenience store chain. It has not confirmed plans for North Carolina.

Further diversifying our store count, we have an expanding list of additional convenience, military and drug store chains already scheduling launch dates and markets throughout the rest of 2023, James Mish, 22nd Centurys chief executive, said in a statement.

This rapid multi-state escalation means our working capital requirements are likewise accelerating quickly to support the continued success of the rollout, which we now expect will exceed our original 18 state target for 2023.

Mish said 22nd Century is tracking to our full-year outlook of $105 million to $110 million in sales.

22nd Century reported May 9 having an $18.2 million loss for the first quarter, more than doubling the $8.9 million loss from a year ago.

We are grateful for the continued support of investors in bridging 22nd Century to our goal of cash positive operations, Mish said.

With our business at a key inflection point, they have committed to support the business as needed to ensure we achieve these important goals.

Bowman Gray IV, a local independent stockbroker, said the raise is pivotal to 22nd Centurys growth plans.

Gray cited that the manufacturers cash position had dropped $21.21 million on Dec. 31 to $16.23 million on March 31, while overall liabilities more than doubled from $18.68 million to $42.78 million.

This raise does seem to be a keep-the-lights-on move, Gray said.

With the offering and the warrants issued, shareholder dilution has grown substantially over the last year by about 32%.

Gray said that if the convenience store distribution rollout is successful, then the dilution wont matter all that much.

However, if another raise is required, it will take something extraordinary for the shareholders to see a $4 share price again.
Boom Supersonic provided Tuesday its latest operational update for its Overture aircraft and Symphony engine that included signing several supplier agreements.

Boom, based in Denver, is constructing a $500 million superfactory at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. It has said it would begin test flights in 2026 from PTI. It projected having at least 1,761 jobs at full production capacity in 2030.

Boom also disclosed it has chosen Jupiter, Fla., as the site for the initial production units for ground test, flight test and certification with Florida Turbine Technologies, where that group has operations.

The announcements were made at the annual Paris Air Show, where Boom has unveiled previous operational news.

When Boom chose FTT as its engine developer, there had been some gentle cajoling from Gov. Roy Cooper and local and state economic officials to encourage the companies to place that project also at PTI.

Boom said that PTI "will be the home for Overture's final assembly line."

Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon from Day One, running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel, also known by the acronym SAF.

Boom also said it is working with Northrop Grumman on a NASA contract to deliver solutions for the high-speed endo-atmospheric commercial vehicle conceptual design study and technology roadmaps development program. The companies already are collaborating on a defense variant of Overture.

The signed agreements are with: Aernnova for Overtures wings; Leonardo for the fuselage and wing box; and Aciturri for the empennage.

The three aerospace leaders join Booms network of global suppliers that includes Safran Landing Systems, Eaton, Collins Aerospace, Flight Safety International, FTT, GE Additive, and StandardAero.

The company said it is on track to secure suppliers for the majority of major systems by the end of this year.

Boom also revealed Overtures full systems configuration as the aircraft program advances toward production.

The schematics feature avionics, flight controls, hydraulics, fuel systems and landing gear  all designed and developed for optimal performance, efficiency and safety.

We are incredibly proud of the progress with Overture and Symphony from our global team of partners and suppliers who continue to operate at an accelerated pace toward the future of sustainable supersonic flight, Blake Scholl, Booms founder and chief executive, said in a statement.

Booms commercial order book stands at 130 aircraft, including both orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, Japan Airlines and United Airlines.

Boom said Overtures landing gear is compatible with international airport runways and taxiways  designed for takeoff and landing on over 600 routes around the world.

Overture will be an extraordinary opportunity to provide our expertise in the design and development of aerostructures for the first sustainable supersonic aircraft, said Ricardo Chocarro, chief executive of Aernnova.

Leonardo was selected as primary engineering lead for fuselage structural components integration, design and build partner for fuselage sections.

The study for future research and development will identify technologies to continue the advancement of commercial supersonic flight efficiency. Initial technologies to be explored include mechanisms to increase aircraft efficiency and reduce emissions, net CO2 reduction, net non-CO2 reduction, and climate feedback loops.

Local fingerprints

Overture is being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water  or twice the speed of todays fastest commercial aircraft  with a range of 4,250 nautical miles.

Overture will be powered by four wing-mounted engines that also enable the airliner to cruise just under Mach 1 over land.

At those speeds, flying from Miami to London in just under five hours and Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours are among the possibilities, Boom has said.

Construction is under way at PTI, with completion expected on the 400,000-square-foot facility in the second quarter of 2024.

The current goal is manufacturing up to 33 Overture aircraft per year at full production with its first production line, and a similar production target with a planned second line.

Boom executive Kathy Savitt reaffirmed in May the timeline of beginning equipment installation in 2024 with Advanced Integration Technology, assembly in 2025, first rollout in 2026, first test flight in 2027, Federal Aviation Administration certification in 2029 and then first passenger flight later in 2029.

Savitt said the expectation is having about 400 employees within two years.

That number will continue to scale as we begin manufacturing, Savitt said. We are fully on track to employ about 1,750 by 2030 and more than 2,400 at full production in 2032.

Specifically, were going to be looking for manufacturing, engineers, technicians, mechanical and industrial engineers, operations and facilities management and supportive administrative staff.
Q: A neighboring property is changing from residential to commercial with the homes being torn down. They are occupied by long-term renters. One resident is an invalid. They do not have any written rental agreements. What rights do the renters have?  J.G.

Answer: George Humphrey, a local attorney, explained the rights the tenants have and the responsibilities of the landlord.

Humphrey said that N.C. General Statute 42-14 would be the applicable state law in this case, since there isnt a written lease that specifies the terms or the length of the tenancy.

Assuming the lease of a space for manufactured homes is not involved and the readers situation involves a month-to-month lease, under NCGS 42-14 the landlord must give the tenant at least seven days notice prior to the end of the monthly term to lawfully terminate the lease, he said.

The best practice is for the landlord to give the tenants written notice instead of oral notice, although oral notice is enough, according to a court decision.

So, in response to the readers question, the tenants have a right to receive notice from the landlord, and if notice is not provided or not timely provided, the tenancy survives until the lease is properly terminated under North Carolina law, Humphrey said.

Q: Weve been getting calls that appear to be from a company that I do business with. When I answer, though, its a robo caller. What can I do about this and is there anyone to tell?  B.F.

Answer: Hanging up was the right thing to do.

Scammers have the technology and ability to spoof phone numbers. The Federal Communications Commission defines number spoofing as a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity.

They can make it appear that the call is from a business or someone in the same area where you are located.

Many times the caller is located overseas making it very difficult to catch them.

Here are some tips from the FCC about what to do when you get a call that is likely a robocall or scammer:

If you dont recognize the number, dont answer the phone.

If you answer it and realize its a robocall or a scam, hang up immediately.

If the caller tells you to push a button to stop the calls, dont do it, hang up.

Never give any kind of personal information to an unknown caller.

Never assume an unexpected call is legitimate. Hang up and call back using a number you can verify on a bill, a statement, or an official website.

Be suspicious. Con artists can be very convincing: They may ask innocuous questions, or sound threatening, or sometimes seem too good to be true, the FCC said.

Scammers may pose as a law enforcement officer and tell you youll be arrested for failing to show up for jury duty. Sometimes, theyll tell you that if you give them the numbers off a gift card or transfer money through electronic sites such as Bitcoin, the situation will be closed.

Dont give them any money or information. Law enforcement will never demand immediate payment. Make sure you know who is on the other end of the call.

If they tell you that they are from a company you do business with, hang up and call that business using a number from their website or on correspondence youve gotten from them.

Never give any personal information, including bank information, credit card information, or a Social Security number to an unknown caller. Hang up.
A bipartisan N.C. House bill that aims to prohibit the use of predatory real estate service agreements advanced Tuesday to the Senate floor.

Meanwhile, the gate-keeper House Rules and Operations committee is set Wednesday to address a bipartisan Senate bill that would bar anyone under age 18 from donating blood without the permission of a parent or guardian.

Also advancing Tuesday through its first House committee was a bipartisan Senate bill that permits mobile salon services, including at wedding venues.

House Bill 422, titled Unfair Real Estate Agreements Act, could be voted on as early as Wednesdays floor session.

HB422 cleared the House by a 115-0 vote on April 5. It was shelved for about 10 weeks before being acted upon last week by the Senate.

HB422s lead primary sponsor is Rep. Kyle Hall, R-Stokes, who has a portion of Forsyth County in his district. Hall also is a Realtor.

Also in support is N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein, who said the legislation addresses his concerns about oppressive, long-term Right to List service agreements.

A major focus of the legislation is addressing the business model of MV Realty of Florida, which has been sued by Stein for marketing and selling these agreements.

Stein is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions, restitution for consumers, and other monetary penalties.

According to Steins statement, his office has received more than 20 complaints about MV Realty, which began doing business in North Carolina in August 2020.

It has signed up more than 2,100 North Carolinians to its Homeowner Benefit Program, typically homeowners who are facing financial hardships and are in need of cash.

A N.C. Justice Department review of the lending practice determined that in the states four largest Multiple Listing Service areas  Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Greensboro-Winston-Salem and Asheville  there have been more than 2,000 homeowners that signed an agreement with one of these firms since fall 2000.

The firms have a combined 86 properties.

The companies offer to provide cash payments, typically less than $1,000, to homeowners in exchange for agreeing to exclusively utilize that companys services to list their property at any time over the next 40 years.

What bill sponsors say is concerning is that the signed contracts include a memorandum that is filed with the county that serves as a lien on the propertys title.

Mobile salon bill

Senate Bill 44 was recommended Tuesday by the House Commerce committee.

It still must clear the Finance and Rules and Operations committee before getting a House floor vote. The Finance committee will address the bill at its 9 a.m. Thursday meeting.

SB44 passed the Senate by a 45-1 vote. If signed into law, mobile salons would be allowed to begin operating Oct. 1.

A mobile salon is defined in SB44 as a self-contained, enclosed mobile unit licensed for the practice of cosmetic art. A mobile home would qualify for use as a mobile salon.

SB44 has been amended to allow for licensed cosmetic art shop employees  such as a cosmetologist, esthetician and natural hair care specialist  to assist individuals in preparing for a wedding outside away from their normal place of business.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth, and the primary bill sponsor, said the wedding venue language was added at the request of operators of those facilities in order to provide on-site services before a ceremony.

According to state law, services that a licensed mobile salon could provide include those typically offered by a cosmetologist: arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring or similar work upon the hair of a person, including the use of hands, mechanical or electrical apparatus, or appliances or by use of cosmetic or chemical preparations or antiseptics.

Other services would include skin beautification, manicurists, natural hair care specialist and shampooing.

Blood donation age bill

Senate Bill 389, titled Raise the age for donating blood, was submitted by Sen. Ralph Hise, R-McDowell, and a leading Republican advocate for significant health-care reform in North Carolina. Listed as a co-sponsor is Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe.

It is set for a House Rules and Operations committee vote at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

State law currently allows those age 16 to donate blood with parental permission, while 17-year-olds can give blood without parental permission.

The law applies to blood donations made to an individual, hospital, blood bank or blood collection center.

State law does not permit those under age 18 to sell their blood.

High school-sponsored blood drives have been a staple for donations for decades, primarily to help address constant shortages of donated blood.
Variety Cuts barbershop took clients on Tuesday, hours after a man was shot at the shop on Patterson Avenue.

Joseph Anthony Pichardo, Jr., 32, was shot in the thigh as he was leaving the shop in 1800 block of Patterson Avenue, near Glenn Avenue.

Officers responded to the 1800 block of North Patterson at about 7:30 after a report of gunshots in the area. When they arrived, they found 9mm shell casings in the parking lot in front of the barbershop.

Pichardo showed up at a local hospital about 30 minutes after the initial report of gunshots.

He was the 12th person shot since late Friday, when, over a chaotic five hours, 10 people were shot and wounded in separate incidents.

On Sunday, a man was shot and killed, marking the 28th homicide of 2023 as compared to 20 homicides during the same time in 2022.

I am praying for the victims and their families, Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn said in a statement posted on the departments Instagram page Saturday morning. We will be constantly evaluating all possibilities of how we can combat the rise in violence we are seeing.

The first shooting of the weekend happened at 10:57 p.m. on Friday. Police found Aaryn Michael Glenn, 28, and Antonio Levern, 32 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds after a drive-by shooting at 2034 Dacian Street.

The victims were last reported to be in critical, but stable condition.

Just under two hours later, Kimberly Woodard, 23, and Artis Denard Johnson, 29, were shot after an argument with several unidentified people resulted in a barrage of gunshots at 95 Waughtown St.

Woodard and Johnson were treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

At 1:15 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital where Sedric Samone Myers was being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the right bicep. Myers was at a party off High Point Road when a fight occurred, resulting in a shooting.

He could not provide an exact location nor suspect information for the incident.

Minutes later, four more victims, including a minor, were shot at the 800 block of Utah Drive. Police found Alexis Hernandez, 29 at the scene with gunshot wounds to the chest, and he was transported to a local medical facility where he was last reported to be in critical but stable condition.

Three other victims in the shooting, Mario Aguilar, 18, Kevin Toribio Hernandez, 23, and the minor arrived at the same hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At about 2:57 a.m., a 17-year-old male walked into Novant Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the left thigh while police were investigating an unrelated shooting. The victim refused to provide details about the shooting, including the location and suspects.

Then, on Sunday at 3:27 a.m., police found Victor Manuel Marin-Figueroa, 25, shot to death at the 1200 block of Waughtown Street.

The investigation revealed that both Marin-Figueroa and the suspect were attending a party at a house when Marin-Figueroa was killed.

On Tuesday, a barber who asked not be identified, was sitting in car at Variety. He wasnt there Monday when the shooting occurred, but he said he believes the citys recent struggle with gun violence begins with young people.

Although no suspects have been arrested from the weekends shootings, four teens and juveniles have been arrested for gun-related crimes since May 31. Two were charged with murder in the shooting death of Deonta Jvon McArn on May 18.

People need to get their kids, the barber said.

Police point to another issue: They say they get little help from witnesses and victims.

No arrests have been made in any of the shootings.

We need the help of the community to stop this violence, Penn said. If you see things occurring that you feel may escalate into violence, I ask you to please call us, we want to know so we can stop some of this before it happens.

Penn also advised people to walk away from conflict before it escalates.

Anyone with information regarding a violent crime can call the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or in Spanish at 336-728-3904. Information provided to Crime Stoppers may be provided anonymously.

The Text-A-Tip Program can be reached at 336-276-1717 and allows you to text tips, photos and videos to Winston-Salem police.
At their annual meeting in New Orleans last week, Southern Baptists doubled down on their crusade against female clergy. Messengers (delegates) of the nations largest Protestant denomination ratified the expulsion of two congregations  one of them Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.  for condoning the ordination of women.

The venue was significant. In New Orleans in March 1967, Paul Pressler, a Texas judge, and a seminary student named Paige Patterson met at Cafe du Monde and, according to durable legend, strategized the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. Fundamentalists within the denomination insisted its membership was on a slippery slope to theological liberalism by allowing women pastors and by refusing to affirm biblical inerrancy.

Although I contend that the term liberal Southern Baptist is an oxymoron, the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention in the 70s set in motion a purge of all vestiges of liberalism from the denomination. The fundamentalists, exploiting the powers of the denominations president, systematically began to populate church agencies and especially seminary boards with like-minded conservatives.

Many lifelong Southern Baptists still bear the scars of those purges.

Once the denominations agencies and educational institutions were locked down, the fundamentalists trained their sights on the supposed scourge of women pastors. Abandoning the bedrock Baptist principles of liberty of conscience and congregational autonomy, which vested the powers of ordination in local churches not the SBC, the new regime passed a resolution in 1984 that restricted women to work other than roles entailing ordination.

A resolution isnt a commandment, however, and some congregations, asserting the Baptist principle of autonomy, refused to comply. Besides, even an inerrant Bible offers more than one way to interpret womens roles.

Saddleback Church went further than most. Founded in 1980 by Rick Warren, and one of the largest congregations in the denomination, Warren told me years ago that the church wore the label Southern Baptist lightly. They need us more than we need them, he said.

No longer, apparently. After Saddleback ordained three women and announced that a husband-and-wife pastoral team would replace the retiring Warren, the denomination found the church not in friendly cooperation with the SBC. Warren appealed the ouster at the annual convention in New Orleans.

If doctrinal disagreements between Baptists are considered sin, we all get kicked out, he reminded the famously contentious Baptists, adding that the denominations doctrinal statement contains more than 4,000 words. Saddleback disagrees with one word, he said, speaking metaphorically. Thats 99.9999999999999 in agreement! Isnt that close enough?

The delegates roared back, No!

The issue of women serving in the pastorate, R. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, told the crowd, is an issue of fundamental biblical authority that does violate both the doctrine and the order of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Its also an issue of fundamentalists cultural fears.

As Joshua Abbotoy, a pastor whose congregation left the Southern Baptist Convention because it had become too liberal, told The New York Times, conservatives regard women pastors as an early harbinger of a raft of other changes, including questions about whether the human person is differentiated between two genders.

Another pastor suggested that permitting female clergy would soon allow the marriage of homosexuals, too, and then even allowing homosexuals to serve as pastors. Slippery slope.

As the New Orleans meeting ended, the Southern Baptists still hadnt fully grappled with a damning 2022 report detailing sexual misconduct among prominent figures within the denomination. But they overwhelmingly upheld the ouster of Saddleback and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., where Linda Barnes Popham has served as pastor for 30 years.

The convention also for the first time approved an amendment to its constitution  taking the issue beyond a mere resolution: All congregations must have only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture. The amendment must pass two years in a row to go into effect.

Why is it, I wonder, that conservatives believe slippery slopes apply only to liberals? The sad history of the Southern Baptist Convention over the past four decades suggests that narrow, constricted readings of the Bible lead to anger, condemnation and exclusion, even abuse.

The Jesus I know said, Come unto me.
AI: President Joe Biden convened a group of technology leaders Tuesday to debate what he called the "risks and enormous promises" of artificial intelligence. His administration is seeking to figure out how to regulate the emergent field of AI, looking for ways to nurture its potential for economic growth and national security and protect against its potential dangers.

VIOLENCE: Darfur Gov. Mini Arko Minawi called Tuesday for an international investigation into recent violence against residents of the region, which has experienced some of the worst fighting in Sudan's ongoing conflict.

CLASS ACTION: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal on behalf of some U.S. veterans who want disability benefits because they were exposed to radiation while responding to a Cold War-era hydrogen bomb accident in Palomares, Spain, in 1966.

CONVICTED: Three men were convicted of various charges Tuesday in a New York trial showcasing U.S. claims that China has engineered pressure campaigns on American soil to bully expatriates into returning home, as part of an effort called "Operation Fox Hunt." American private investigator Michael McMahon and two Chinese citizens living in the U.S.  Zheng Congying and Zhu Yong  all were accused of taking part in scare tactics aimed at a former Chinese official.

CHARGED: Majorjon Kaylor, 31, of Kellogg, Idaho, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary after prosecutors said he broke into his neighbors' home and shot and killed the people in the small mining community, including a minor.

RIOT: A grisly riot at a women's prison in Honduras Tuesday left at least 41 women dead, most burned to death, in violence the country's president blamed on "mara" street gangs that often wield broad power inside penitentiaries. Most victims were burned but there also were reports of inmates shot or stabbed.
If you want a glimpse into the future, come to Berlin and walk down Kurfiirstendamm, the bustling avenue often described as the city's Champs-Elysees.

At one of the most prominent corners sits a new car showroom unlike any I have ever seen: sleek, elegant, multistoried, with a cafe, design center, showrooms and more. As you enter, you see what looks like a Bugatti or a Ferrari, except more stylish.

It's an EP9, a top of-the-line racecar that has been sold to a handful of customers for about $3 million each. The company behind it is Nb, one of China's new carmakers, which is going to take the world by storm.

Ten years ago, China exported a relatively small number of cars. To day, it is the world's leading exporter of automobiles, handily ousting Japan from that position. It is especially strong in electric vehicles. Two of every three EVs made in the world are made in China.

As we think about China's weaknesses these days (and it has several), it is worth remembering China's formidable strengths and the degree to which it is intertwined into the global economy. Nio's cars are designed in Munich. It has research and development centers in San Jose and Oxford, England, as well as in Beijing and Shanghai. It does its manufacturing in Hefei, China.

Europe is an interesting place to think about China. I traveled to three European countries recently (Germany, Italy and Britain), and everywhere, the conversation turned to Washington's policies toward China.

Most of the political figures I spoke with were apprehensive. They were strongly behind the Biden administration's policies toward Russia and credited President Biden with uniting the West and infusing it with strategic clarity and purpose. They were far more worried about policy toward China and more generally about Biden's new international economic policies, as outlined recently by national security adviser Take Sullivan.

Former British prime minister Gordon Brown explained the European dilemma. "Europe needs an industrial policy, but it cannot afford to mimic the [Biden] administration's protectionism," he told me. "For Europe, trade is vital; its prosperity is dependent on trade with the rest of the world, including China, in a way that America's is not."

He acknowledged that the Biden administration has made moves to expand trade ties, but he expressed concern that all of them are bilateral or regional efforts that might undercut global trade. They come, he said, "at the expense of any real discussion of what a modern multilateralist order would look like." Helle Thorning Schmidt, former prime minister of Denmark, concurred.

"Europe cannot divorce itself from China," she explained. "That would be the end of globalization. That is why we want to de-risk, not decouple!'

"Derisking" a term famously used by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is the hottest buzzword in diplomacy these days. Even the Biden administration now says it also wants to de -risk rather than de couple. But many I spoke with in Europe said they worry that this is just a rhetorical change and that U.S. policies  and Chinese responses  will keeping moving the ratchet up.

Kishore Mahbubani, the former Singaporean diplomat and author of "The Asian 21st Century," pointed out that discussions in the West often forget that the world's growth is mostly coming from Asia. He used his own region as an example. In 2000, Japan's economy was about eight times larger than Southeast Asia's. In about three years, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is projected to be the same size economically as Japan.

Mahbubani recalled that Pres ident Bill Clinton often described the need for stronger global institutions by explaining that they would indeed constrain America but also constrain the new rising powers in the world: "We desperately need more of that enlightened self-interest from Washington these days"

Fareed Zakaria writes for the Washington Post.
Something fascinating is happening at Reddit: The social media site's moderators have essentially gone on strike. On June 12, they took thousands of the site's forums private, creating an effective blackout of some of its most popular discussion boards. I won't dwell on why they've done this, because it involves no dispute of general interest such as steamy affairs, wild financial shenanigans or hot-button culture -war beefs. Instead, the fight is over whether (and how much) third party app developers should be charged to hook into Reddit's back end. Unlike sex scandals and culture-war battles, this question is absolutely central to Reddit's business model, and things are not going well.

The dispute has escalated past the leaked-internal-memo phase of the corporate crisis cycle and into the backlash-to-the-memo phase  in which the problem worsens as some of the Reddit moderators, outraged by the chief executive's dismissive tone, extend their strike. In corporate America, the next stop on this train is often the groveling public apology, followed by defenestration of some senior executive, quite possibly the CEO.

But unless you're an avid Redditor, the reason for the fight is probably less interesting than who is waging it  because Reddit relies on volunteer moderators who are estimated to provide millions of dollars' worth of free labor. By withholding that labor, they are not just protesting corporate overreach but also vividly demonstrating the risky strategy at the core of every social media business.

You can imagine Reddit's business model as a kind of giant digital Goodwill store. Citizens with surplus time, ideas or complaints about the state of the world periodically stop by to donate things. At Reddit, volunteers sort through them, toss out the stuff that's truly gross and put the rest on display for customers to browse. If all goes well, this activity generates funds  Goodwill literally sells the goods, while Reddit sells advertising, subscriptions and virtual goods  enough to cover operating costs and then some.

The only problem with being in the virtual Goodwill business is that you are so dependent on actual goodwill. We give charities our stuff because it gives us a tax deduction, sure, but even more because it gives us a warm feeling of having contributed to others.

All of which makes this kind of business uniquely vulnerable to negativity. Every company faces the risk that their workers will organize a work stoppage or their customers will desert them. But if you try the Goodwill gambit, you face an additional threat:

make people mad, and your product may go on strike. Which will, of course, make it harder to retain your customers and all the rest.

Reddit faces an extreme version of this problem, because it relies on community moderation as well as user-generated content. But every social media company is in the business of selling donated goods, which means they also face some risk that their power users will revolt.

One way to manage this risk is to grow goodwill by encouraging people to think of you as closer to an actual Goodwill store  a public service rather than a grubby profit machine. Talk about "community" and "digital town squares" and "building relationships" and "creators:' not customers and revenue and content. But that might only make the problem bigger if users come to expect you to actually operate like a charity.

CEO Steve Huffman tried to contain the damage by taking questions from Redditors. It became another chapter in what Barron's recently called the company's long struggle "with user backlash in efforts to monetize its reach."

"How do you address the concerns of users who feel that Reddit has become increasingly profit-driven and less focused on community engagement?" asked one of the less fiery questions.

Huffman mildly replied, "We'll continue to be profit-driven until profits arrive."

Though Huffman's critics make some good points, so does he: In the long run, adequate revenue is a prerequisite for Reddit. Unfortunately, Reddit's user base has never needed to face this reality, because for a long time venture capital money was flowing so freely that a lot of their beneficiaries practically were charities. Reddit sopped up some $1.3 billion of that easy money over 10 rounds.

This game was too good to last, and it didn't. Now Huffman, like many other chief executives, has to figure out how to guide the company to profitability  without destroying the goodwill goods that are his only real asset.

Megan McArdle writes for the Washington Post.
The former director of History Nebraska, the state agency tasked with collecting and preserving state history, has been charged with a felony for his alleged mishandling of more than $270,000 in funds in 2020, according to new court filings.

Trevor L. Jones, who resigned from his post as the CEO and executive director of the agency last July after six years in the role, was charged with felony theft by deception, according to a complaint filed Friday by David Bydalek, the state's chief deputy attorney general.

The charge against Jones, 50, stems from a request he made in June 2020, seeking $269,926.24 in discretionary funds from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation in an effort to "offset anticipated loss of quarter four revenue due to COVID," Nebraska State Patrol Investigator Amanda DeFreece said in the probable cause statement for Jones' arrest.

The State Historical Society Foundation  an independent, nonprofit corporation created in 1942 to support state history and the agency responsible for curating it  sent History Nebraska a second check for $325.09 in July 2020, DeFreece said in the probable cause statement.

Both checks were endorsed with a stamp that read: "Pay to the Order of State Treasurer, Nebraska State Historical Society, History Nebraska," according to court filings and an August 2022 report from the state auditor following that agency's own probe into the transfer.

But instead of remitting the funds to the state treasurer for proper recording and disbursal, as required by law, Jones allegedly scratched out the stamped endorsement and deposited the money into a History Nebraska Foundation bank account, DeFreece said.

Jones, who was among the organization's initial board members, opened the History Nebraska Foundation's bank account in December 2019 and identified himself as the charity's "president" on initial First National Bank of Omaha financial documents, according to the auditor's report.

The funds that were allegedly rerouted from the State Historical Society Foundation to its newly created rival "comprised almost 99% of the entire balance" the History Nebraska Society had on hand in July 2020, according to the auditor's report.

"Without these two diverted checks, which were intended for the use of History Nebraska to offset financial losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this account would have had a negative balance of $92,324.94" in January 2022, Deputy State Auditor Craig Kubicek wrote in the report.

The History Nebraska Foundation's total assets are worth $247,000, according to GuideStar, an organization that tracks nonprofits. The State Historical Society Foundation's assets total more than $18 million, according to the nonprofit tracker.

The money the State Historical Society Foundation sent at Jones' request was in part made up of private donations that had been specifically designated for History Nebraska purposes, like historic preservation, archeology or conservation, according to the probable cause statement filed last week.

But once it landed in History Nebraska Foundation's account, the money was used in part to pay legal fees related to the foundation's creation  and, at least once, the foundation paid Jones himself.

The foundation issued a $99.60 check to Jones in September 2021. And the foundation's debit card was used at coffee shops and restaurants in Lincoln and Omaha six times between June and December 2021 in purchases that Jones "may have benefited personally from," according to the auditor's report.

"Mr. Jones appears to have played an important, if not actually managerial, role in administering the financial affairs of the History Nebraska Foundation for much of 2020 and 2021," Kubicek wrote in the 2022 report.

"In addition to endorsing over 100 checks deposited into the History Nebraska Foundations bank account through October 2021, Mr. Jones was one of only two signatories for the organizations check payments during that period."

Whether Jones benefited from the funds isn't central to the criminal case the State Patrol outlined in Friday's court filing, though.

DeFreece, the State Patrol investigator, made no mention in her affidavit of how the funds may have aided Jones personally  accusing him only of deceiving the State Historical Society when he sought the funds by indicating in his request form that the money would be used to offset pandemic-related shortfalls.

The charges mark an apparent reversal on behalf of the authorities. In December, the Nebraska Examiner reported that Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon's office had declined to file criminal charges in connection to the probe.

Jones has not been arrested, and it's unclear whether he knows he's been charged with the crime. The Attorney General's Office filed a request Friday asking the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office to deliver the complaint against him to his last known address.

In June 2022, Jones told History Nebraska officials that he and his wife planned to move to France following his resignation from History Nebraska, the Examiner reported. In his LinkedIn biography, the longtime museum director and curator wrote that he is "taking the year to travel the world."

Jones did not immediately return an email seeking comment Tuesday.

Top Journal Star photos for June 2023
Engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are working to design barriers that can withstand high-speed collisions from electric vehicles to ensure the safety of military bases.

Thanks to a $2.2 million in funding from the U.S. Armys Engineer Research and Development Center, the premier research center at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cody Stolle, assistant director of the Nebraska-housed Midwest Roadside Safety Facility and a research assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering, along with his colleagues, will be working to protect entry points of military bases against the specific threats posed by hostile-driven EVs.

The total grant amount is $3.6 million, part of which will also go to research teams at Auburn University, and will spread over four years.

"EVs are a different kind of an animal compared to gasoline vehicles," Stolle said. "While they have many similarities to traditional vehicle counterparts, theyre not the same, and they will change the way that we design roadside hardware."

Compared to traditional, nonelectric vehicles, the battery inside an EV outweighs the engine of a gas-powered vehicle, meaning that the EV itself will often carry hundreds or even thousands of extra pounds in total.

In addition, EVs carry their weight differently, with a lower center of gravity than gas-powered vehicles. That, along with other differences, including faster acceleration, is what the Nebraska team of engineers will be accounting for.

"It is beneficial for all of us to be prepared for a transition of any volume of our vehicle fleet toward electrification," Stolle said, "because it means that were going to have to design to accommodate a broader swath of possibilities."

Photos: UNL celebrates largest-ever graduating class
Pharmacists in Wisconsin could prescribe birth control under a bipartisan bill the Assembly overwhelmingly passed Wednesday, a measure that proponents say would lead to fewer unplanned pregnancies and abortions.

The bill, which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers supports, will now head to the state Senate.

It's unclear if the measure will pass the Senate. The bill passed the Assembly last year but didn't get a vote or public hearing in the Senate.

The measure passed the Assembly 82-11, with only Republicans voting against it but most GOP lawmakers in favor.

Under current law, only doctors can prescribe hormonal birth control. The proposal, Assembly Bill 176, would allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptive patches, other "self-administered oral hormonal" contraceptives or birth control pills, according to the bill.

Pharmacists would only be able to provide birth control to individuals who are at least 18 years old and only after the patient has completed a self-assessment and blood pressure screening. Pharmacists would also have to notify the patient's primary care provider after a prescription has been approved.

Legislative debate surrounding birth control has amplified in the state since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last summer, a ruling that dealt a considerable blow to abortion rights advocates across Wisconsin.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday morning, bill co-author Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, said the bill has been "a showpiece in the Assembly that has gotten zero movement in the Senate."

"I certainly hope the Senate will rise to the moment and move it forward," she added.

Michael Pyritz, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, didn't respond to a request for comment.

The elimination of Roe left in place legislation first passed in 1849 that has been widely interpreted as a near-complete ban on abortion, with an exception only for saving the mother's life. The law is the subject of ongoing litigation aimed at clarifying whether it remains in effect in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision.

Several health oriented groups as well as the ACLU of Wisconsin and League of Women Voters of Wisconsin support the proposal. Three groups that oppose abortion  Wisconsin Family Action, Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Catholic Conference  registered against the bill.

Rep. Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, who voted against the bill, said birth control was unhealthy and led to sexually transmitted infections.

Hormonal birth control methods are safe for most women, sometimes offering health benefits, though some versions can lead to side effects and increase the risk of some health problems, according to the federal Office of Women's Health.
CALEDONIA  Get it while its hot.

Swans Pumpkin Farm, 5930 County Highway H, will be hosting Breakfast at the Farm on Saturday, an annual event that helps provide scholarships to students interested in studying agriculture.

The breakfast, from 7-11 a.m., is hosted by a different farm in Racine County each June to coincide with Diary Month, although the event is not exclusively held at dairy farms.

Locations are chosen based on the number of people a farm can host and the willingness of the owners.

Ken Swan, owner of Swans Farm, said that he and his family have attended the other Breakfast at the Farm events, which began in 2015, and they felt fortunate to be selected as this years host.

Swan said he took the opportunity to do some restoration work, including getting the driveway seal coated and installing siding on the barn.

Tickets for the breakfast are $10 a person and free for children 5 and younger.

Last years breakfast raised $2,500, which was split among five students.

You dont have to be a farmer, you can be an agricultural writer or you could be a soil specialist or a vet, Swan said. Its unbelievable how many areas you can go to.

The goal of the breakfast is to enhance understanding of agriculture education and promotion.

(We want to) get more people who wouldnt necessary come out to a farm, said Emily Pavlovich, secretary for the Breakfast on the Farm Racine Committee. Because those are the people we want to educate more about agriculture in the county and in Wisconsin. Thats our big mission with hosting these breakfasts.

Pavlovich said past breakfasts have drawn upward of 4,000 people, but attendance is weather dependent.

Were going for the record, Swan said, with a chuckle. This year, we ordered perfect weather.

Pavlovich said all the food at the event will come from Wisconsin farms, including eggs, sausage, string cheese and milk.

Its all a born and raised in Wisconsin kind of thing, Pavlovich said. I think thats really cool to showcase that to everybody.

Volunteers from Racine County 4H clubs and several county branches of Future Farmers of America will help with cooking, cleaning, setting up seating and activities.

One of those activities is a petting zoo for children and a presentation about the history of Swans Farm.

Children also will be able to plant a pumpkin seed in a cup and take it home after learning about the life cycle of the fruit and how it grows.

Another staple of Swans, its apple cider donuts, will be available for purchase at the breakfast as well.

And, for the first time, Breakfast at the Farm will host a 5K run.

The Breakfast Scrambler 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. Registration information is available at https://bit.ly/3Nem2N6.
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

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HOLDREGE  The boards of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and Dawson Public Power District plan to vote again on the documents required for their consolidation next month. The boards will each hold a special board meeting on July 17 at the districts respective headquarters.

The public will have several opportunities to provide comment, both in person at board meetings and via email, according to a joint Central-Dawson press release.

Since the Nebraska Power Review Boards ruling denying the consolidation due to a technical issue in April, the districts have jointly developed bylaws to govern the consolidated district, which will be named Platte River Public Power and Irrigation District. The bylaws will be voted on by both boards at their respective regular meetings on July 5.

On July 17, Central plans to vote on an amendment to its charter, which will include specific language that the district does not have the power to issue general obligation bonds, addressing the technicality.

Immediately subsequent to Central's vote on its charter amendment, Dawson PPD plans to file a petition to dissolve contingent upon the Nebraska Power Review Board's approval of Central's petition to amend to consolidate the districts.

The bylaws, petitions and other documents pertaining to the merger can be found on the districts websites, cnppid.com/merger and dawsonpower.com/resources/merger-and-consolidation-documents.

The meetings are open to the public. Interested parties may speak during the public comment portion of the agenda. The dates, times and locations of the upcoming meetings are as follows:

June 23 at 9 a.m.: Central regular board committee meeting, 415 Lincoln St., Holdrege.

July 5 at 9 a.m.: Central regular monthly board meeting, 415 Lincoln St., Holdrege.

July 5 at 10 a.m.: Dawson PPD regular monthly board meeting, 75191 Road 433, Lexington.

July 17 at 9 a.m.: Central special board meeting, 415 Lincoln St., Holdrege.

July 17 at 10 a.m.: Dawson PPD special board meeting, 75191 Road 433, Lexington.

Comments may also be submitted via email to mergercomments@cnppid.com or by mailing comments to the districts headquarters. The districts continue, just as they have through the process that began in November 2020, to provide information and meet with individuals who would like to learn more.

According to the joint press release, if someone wants to ask more in-depth questions or have conversations about the merger, they are welcome to call and schedule a time to meet with a district representative at any time.
LINCOLN  A former Shelton woman has taken a plea deal in federal court for a charge related to a methamphetamine bust in Shelton in 2020.

On Sept. 12, 2020, police served a search warrant at the residence of Sandra Samuelson at 168 A St. in Shelton. According to court documents, they found 1.5 pounds of meth, a pistol and $3,878, as well as multiple containers of dispensary-produced concentrated cannabis edible products, digital scales, unused plastic bags and bags with residue.

On June 13, Samuelson pleaded guilty in United States District Court to a felony count of maintaining a drug premises. In exchange for her plea, U.S. Attorney Steven Russell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Bunjer will move to dismiss her other felony charges at sentencing. Those charges include two counts of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of meth.

Samuelson is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court Sept. 18 for sentencing. Pending sentencing, she will remain released from custody.

According to a U.S. Attorneys Office press release, the meth seized during the Shelton bust was shipped to Nebraskan Jeremiah Schnoor from Socorro Alejandres Alvarez, 32, of Mexico, an inmate at Great Plains Correctional Facility, which is a medium-security federal prison for men in Hinton, Oklahoma. It was one of several shipments of meth that Alvarez made to Nebraska while incarcerated.

On Feb. 15, Schnoor pleaded guilty in United States District Court to felony conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. In exchange for his plea, Bunjer dropped a felony count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth.

On May 18, Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard sentenced Schnoor to 10 years and 1 month in federal prison with 6 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The third defendant in the case, Ernesto Guerrero Zarraga of Wood River, is charged with a felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth and a felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth. The latter charge is related to acts that allegedly occurred between Sept. 1, 2020, and Sept. 2, 2020.

According to a court document dated July 7, 2021, Zarraga was mistakenly released from detention, and a warrant was promptly issued for his arrest. Zarraga has not been found, and as a result no hearings are scheduled at this time.
KEARNEY  Kaye Sorensen is a proud first-generation Loper.

She came to the University of Nebraska at Kearney as an undergraduate student and loved the community so much that she never left.

Its a great place to kind of find yourself, raise a family and pursue whatever you want to pursue, Sorensen said. I didnt ever feel the need to move elsewhere.

The Wakefield native met her husband Gary at UNK, where she graduated in 1978 with a bachelors degree in math and a minor in business accounting. That led to finance and managerial positions with the local county court, a credit union and medical clinic before she was encouraged to return to campus to pursue a masters degree and begin what turned into a nearly 30-year teaching career.

I really believe that education is a pathway to achieve whatever you want to achieve, Sorensen said. I never lost my excitement for contributing to that process.

Sorensen started as a graduate assistant and was hired in 1990 as a lecturer in the Department of Math and Statistics. When her husband decided to launch his own general contracting company, she helped get that business off the ground while continuing to teach part time. She returned to a full-time lecturer position in 2005 and was promoted to senior lecturer in 2009.

A self-described people person, Sorensen taught a variety of undergraduate courses over the years, including college algebra, applied calculus, trigonometry, finite mathematics, math concepts and introductory statistics. Her students came from departments across campus, because math is everywhere.

Its a language thats used in many fields, she said. Its the basis of STEM and its a language thats built upon in applied fields and theoretical research. You come up with a situation, and you can see how math played a part in it. Its something I was excited to tell the students about.

As a teacher, she was particularly proud of those students who overcame early obstacles to excel in this area.

I was there once, coming from four hours away and being the first in my family to go to college, Sorensen said. These students are capable and worthy. They just need to know and believe it.

When Sorensen enrolled in a doctoral program through the University of South Dakota, her research focused on ways to use technology to improve student success in college-level math courses. She continued that work with UNK colleagues Amy Nebesniak and Keri Treadway by studying strategies to encourage growth mindsets in STEM classrooms.

In fall 2021, she began developing the College of Arts and Sciences math specialist program, which offers supplemental instruction to undergraduate students who are struggling in math or statistics courses. Sorensen worked one-on-one with students on a weekly basis, helped them develop a success plan and partnered with campus resources such as the Learning Commons to provide additional academic support. She also served as a faculty consultant for the Learning Commons and was part of study abroad trips that took students to Costa Rica, Cuba, Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

I feel my greatest accomplishment at the university may be that I created a forum to embolden more students to succeed not only in their academic undertakings here but also in future pursuits that may be yet unknown to them, she said.

Sorensen recently retired, giving her more time for travel and family. She has three children, Bre, Matt and Drew, and three grandchildren who all live locally. She also plans to volunteer at local schools and the library.

Of course, shell always be a proud UNK supporter, too.

Ill still be invested because this is my educational home, Sorensen said. This is where I started and ended my learning and teaching careers. UNK and I have grown up together in a way and that bond will continue.
KEARNEY  A Kearney man is headed to trial after pleading not guilty to sexual assault.

On Friday, Juan Alcaraz-Gonzalez, 24, pleaded not guilty in Buffalo County District Court to felony first-degree sexual assault. The arrest affidavit in the case is sealed, but court records indicate the alleged incident took place June 26, 2022.

Alcaraz-Gonzalez will appear in Buffalo County District Court for a one-day jury trial on Aug. 21. Pending trial, Alcaraz-Gonzalez is being held at Buffalo County Jail.
Gov. Tony Evers made a stop at Chippewa Falls Fire Station No. 1 on Tuesday after signing a revenue bill that morning, which Evers said will boost state funding across its cities, counties, villages and towns by at least 20% and add $1 billion in funding for public schools under a historic revenue agreement.

Assembly Bill 245, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, relates to shared revenue, one of the most significant sources of funding provided by the state to local governments.

Battalion Chief Justus Busse took Evers and his staff on a tour of the station. One of the issues up for discussion in Chippewa Falls was the state of first responders in the city. The fire department is understaffed. Chippewa Falls Fire and EMS currently work with a staff of 21 individuals. After the first responder referendum that passed in November, a full roster is 29, which means the department is looking to fill eight vacancies.

Busse said he hopes that in the fall, when technical college students graduate, they will be able to begin to fill those empty positions.

Meanwhile, the Chippewa Falls Police Department is still looking to hire another individual to fill out its 26-person law enforcement staff, according to chief Matthew Kelm.

The governor was joined Tuesday by Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca, State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, and Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg, as well as other legislators, local elected officials and stakeholders as he signed the bill Tuesday, which provides an increase in support to local communities statewide and ensures the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County do not face an imminent fiscal cliff.

To me, the issue of shared revenue has always been about doing the right thing for Wisconsin. I began working on this when I took office four years ago, and that effort began for me with this simple truth: That for far too long, our local communities have been expected to do more with less, Evers said.

Local partners for years have had to make impossible decisions, forced to choose between paying for first responders, addressing PFAS, fixing the roads and other critical priorities that affect the health, safety and well-being of folks across our state.

Evers said the bill was one of the most significant sources of funding provided by the state to local governments.

We had good support from Republicans and Democrats. It was bipartisan, Evers said. It was a good day.
LOS ANGELES  Armie Hammer has reached a divorce agreement with his wife, Elizabeth Chambers, nearly three years after she filed to end their marriage.

Hammer's attorney filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday informing a judge that the actor and Chambers have come to terms over child custody, child support, spousal support and division of assets. A judge will need to sign off on the proposed agreement and declare the two divorced.

The settlement comes weeks after Los Angeles County prosecutors declined to charge Hammer in an investigation stemming from a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2017. They cited a lack of evidence to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hammer said on Instagram that after a long public silence that I look forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name has been cleared.

Allegations of sexual violence from women early in 2021 derailed Hammers career, and he has not worked in Hollywood since.

Hammer and Chambers separated, and she filed for divorce, in 2020.

The 36-year-old actor is best known for his starring roles in 2017s Call Me By Your Name and 2013s The Lone Ranger.

Chambers, 40, is a television personality who has had shows on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel.

The two began dating in 2007 and married in 2010. They have an 8-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son.

The terms of their agreement were not revealed, and are often sealed from public view in such cases.

Celebrity Birthdays: June 20 Amos Lee Brian Wilson Candy Clark Chris Dudley Chris Mintz-Plasse Chuck Wicks Dan Tyminski Grace Potter John Goodman Josh Lucas Lionel Richie Nicole Kidman Peter Paige Robert Rodriguez Stephen Frears Tika Sumpter
The announcement that federal prosecutors have reached a plea deal with President Joe Biden's son Hunter over tax and gun charges marks the likely end of a five-year Justice Department investigation that has dogged the Biden family.

It doesn't, however, mean that congressional Republicans are done with their own wide-ranging probe into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

Some of the Republican candidates hoping to face off against President Biden in the 2024 election are decrying the deal as evidence of an unfair justice system, particularly in light of the recent federal indictment of GOP front-runner Donald Trump, though there are obvious differences between the two cases.

Here's what to know about the charges, plea agreement, other probes involving the president's son and the politics:

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?

According to a letter filed in U.S. District Court in Delaware, Hunter Biden has been charged with misdemeanor charges of failing to pay federal income tax. Court documents allege that he failed to pay more than $200,000 in federal income taxes for 2017 and 2018.

The federal probe into Hunter Biden began in 2018, bursting into public view in December 2020  one month after the presidential election  when he revealed that he had received a subpoena as part of the Justice Department's scrutiny of his taxes.

That subpoena sought information on the younger Biden's business dealings with a number of entities, including Burisma, a Ukraine gas company whose board he joined in 2014. That move sparked concerns about the perceptions of a conflict of interest, given the elder Biden was deeply involved in U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

An investigation by the then-Republican-controlled Senate did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter Biden's work.

At the time of that subpoena, Hunter Biden said that he was "confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors."

The younger Biden has also reached an agreement with the Justice Department on a charge that he illegally possessed a firearm while being a drug user.

Federal law prohibits people who use drugs from possessing firearms or ammunition, although a federal judge challenged the legality earlier this year. According to the Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, between 1998 and 2014, nearly 100,000 prospective gun purchasers went home empty-handed because they were flagged as using illegal drugs.

WHAT DOES THE PLEA AGREEMENT MEAN?

By entering a plea, Hunter Biden avoids a trial, and it's unlikely that he will spend time in jail, although penalties are ultimately up to a judge.

Biden was charged under an information, a formal document that lays out the charges against him but doesn't require a vote by a grand jury, which would be an indictment.

A person familiar with the investigation said the Justice Department would recommend probation for the tax charges. But the decision to go along with any deal is up to a judge. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The charge of willful failure to file a tax return is rarely used as a primary charge by federal prosecutors, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. There were just 48 prosecutions in the last six fiscal years, according to TRAC.

The gun charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department says Hunter Biden has reached a pretrial agreement on that charge, too.

It is somewhat unusual to resolve a federal criminal case at the same time the charges are filed in court, though it is not totally unheard of.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The agreement essentially means the case is over, unless Hunter Biden fails to abide by it.

A deferred prosecution is an agreement offered by prosecutors in which a defendant must adhere to strict conditions, which will be known after he appears in court. A date for that appearance hasn't been set.

Usually a judge sets regular check-ins for the defendant to appear to ensure they are playing by the rules. If they don't, their deal is revoked and the criminal charges reinstated, which in Hunter Biden's case carry a maximum of a decade in prison. But if he does adhere to the rules, the case will be wiped from his record.

ISN'T THERE ANOTHER PROBE?

Yes. Congressional Republicans have been pursuing their own investigations into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

The misdemeanor tax crimes that the younger Biden is set to plead guilty to are far more limited in scope than the allegations that have been pursued for years by congressional Republicans. On Tuesday, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, said that the "charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on" his panel's probe.

Even before he ran for president in 2020, Joe Biden has faced questions about his son's business dealings and drug addiction.

And there have been other controversies. While his father was vice president, Hunter joined the Naval Reserve and was discharged after testing positive for cocaine in his system, later revealing a yearslong struggle with addiction.

In the weeks before the 2020 election, Trump supporters used the existence of a laptop they said was connected to Hunter Biden  and the emergence of someone who maintains he had business discussions with him  to raise questions about Joe Biden's knowledge of his son's activities in Ukraine and China. President Biden has said he did not discuss his son's international business dealings with him and has denied having ever taken money from a foreign country.

WHAT ARE THE POLITICS?

News of the plea agreement comes days after Trump appeared in federal court on charges related to his retention of classified documents. In the wake of those 37 charges, Republicans across the country have levied criticism against the Biden administration, accusing the Justice Department of "politicization" and assailing Hunter Biden's business dealings.

The Trump charges came from a special counsel, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an independent investigation to avoid any potential conflict of interest in the Justice Department. The Hunter Biden charges, meanwhile, were filed by the U.S. attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss.

Some of the Republicans competing to potentially face off with Biden in the 2024 general election wasted no time taking their critique of the plea agreement public.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump on Tuesday said "the corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket.'

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy tweeted Tuesday that "it's no accident that the farcical Hunter Biden 'plea deal' comes right after the Trump indictment," calling it "the perfect fig leaf to pretend that 'no one is above the law,' while absolutely putting certain people above the law."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a tweet, also decried the "sweetheart deal" and said that, were Biden "not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago."

Asked about the plea deal during a Tuesday night Fox News town hall, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina called perceptions of inequality in the justice system "dangerous" and implored voters "to thank God" for congressional Republicans' ongoing inquiry into the president's son.

___

Associated Press writers Lindsey Whitehurst, Colleen Long and Nomaan Merchant in Washington contributed to this report.

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Photos: Hunter Biden through the years
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Birth control could be prescribed and dispensed by pharmacists in Wisconsin under a bill that passed the Republican-controlled state Assembly on Wednesday with broad bipartisan support.

The GOP-authored measure, which has drawn criticism from anti-abortion groups, next heads to the Senate, where a similar measure stalled last session. But the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Joel Kitchens, has said hes optimistic it will get a Senate vote this time, although some Democrats are concerned it won't pass.

Under current state law, women can only obtain most birth control through a prescription written by a doctor or advanced practice nurse.

This marks the first time the bill has come up since Wisconsin's 1849 law banning abortion went back into effect after last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. Republicans and their anti-abortion allies, who suffered a series of defeats in ballot questions in states across the political spectrum since that ruling, are tackling the issue nationwide in a variety of ways.

In addition to the bill on pharmacist birth control, Wisconsin Republicans also introduced a measure that would create rape and incest exceptions under that state's abortion ban. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has vowed to veto anything that doesn't return state law to how it was before Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Evers backs a lawsuit brought by the state's attorney general, a fellow Democrat, that seeks to overturn Wisconsin's abortion ban. That case is expected to ultimately be decided by the state Supreme Court, which flips from conservative to liberal control in August. The winning liberal Supreme Court candidate in an April election ran as a supporter of abortion rights.

Republicans behind the bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense common birth control pills and hormonal contraceptive patches say it is a way to prevent more unwanted pregnancies.

The measure, which Democrats have introduced in the past, passed the Assembly on a 82-11 vote. All of the no votes were Republicans. It must pass both the Senate and Assembly, and be signed by Evers, before taking effect. Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

I certainly am pessimistic about that bill making it through the Senate," said Democratic state Rep. Lisa Subeck, who joined with fellow Democrats in proposing a bill Wednesday that would make access to birth control a right under state law. "It certainly seems to be a showpiece for Assembly Republicans that they cant get their Senate colleagues to buy into.

Evers supports the bill and would sign it into law should it pass the Legislature, his spokesperson Britt Cudaback said.

A wide array of groups support the measure, including the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards, the Wisconsin Public Health Association and the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association.

Opponents include Pro-Life Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference and Wisconsin Family Action.
A disagreement between a conservative state Supreme Court justice, who sometimes acts as the courts swing vote, and his colleagues over a decision not to expedite a Madison case concerning student gender issues has sparked a sharply worded written exchange that appeared to lay bare a fracture in the courts conservative majority.

In dueling statements filed with an order to deny immediate state Supreme Court acceptance of the case, Justice Rebecca Bradley told colleagues who voted to deny the order they should resign if they couldnt work in defense of peoples liberty. Fellow conservative Justice Brian Hagedorn, who sided with liberals in the vote, accused Bradley of knives-out bluster that doesnt serve the law.

On May 19, the court decided 4-3 not to allow a parent who sued the Madison School District in 2020 over its guidance on transgender and nonbinary students to bypass the state Court of Appeals and take the case directly to the Supreme Court.

The case had been dismissed after Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington ruled the sole remaining plaintiff in the case did not have standing to sue. The plaintiff, represented by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and the Alliance Defending Freedom, is appealing.

Hagedorn sided with the courts liberal minority, which will become the majority later this summer with the election of Judge Janet Protasiewicz. The original May 19 decision includes a dissent by Chief Justice Annette Ziegler, who chided the courts majority for not taking the case on bypass, saying it fails the parents of Wisconsin and abdicates its responsibility, for the second time in this case, to decide some of the most important issues of our time.

In his concurrence, Hagedorn wrote that despite the importance of the case, taking it through the normal procedure  first to the Court of Appeals before the Supreme Court  was the path to take, arguing that too often in recent years, the high court has become the court of first resort.

It is no wonder our Supreme Court races are seen as high stakes affairs when this court is seen as willing  even eager  to dispense with standard procedures and forcefully insert itself into the latest hot-button political issues. This case presents a prime example, Hagedorn wrote.

On June 14, the courts order on the bypass petition was amended, adding a second dissent written by Bradley. She roundly criticized Hagedorn for what she said were vaguely sexist suggestions that three of his colleagues get caught up in the fervors of the moment and would intervene in dramatic fashion rather than give the law dispassionate attention.

Setting aside those insults, Bradley wrote, anyone who actually takes the time to read our dissents in the identified cases would readily understand our concerns focus on declaring the law so that the other branches of government will follow it.

Those cases included matters related to the 2020 presidential election and the response of governmental bodies to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bradleys dissent was joined by Justice Patience Roggensack.

Bradley closed by writing that discussions of values have crept into our judicial elections over the last five years  which have seen the elections of liberal justices Rebecca Dallet and Jill Karofsky, along with Protasiewicz, though Bradley did not mention them. She called that a calamitous development for the rule of law, (which) entails judges and justices aligning themselves with one political party and its policy positions.

Judges instead, Bradley wrote, should espouse one overriding value on the campaign trail  supporting the constitutions of the United States and Wisconsin in defense of peoples liberty. The majority should revisit the judicial oath and resign if unwilling to fulfill it.

Hagedorn updated his concurrence on June 14 to write in a footnote that he saw no need to substantially change his original concurrence in response to Bradleys dissent.

I also do not respond to this supplemental writing because of its abandonment of basic judicial decorum, Hagedorn wrote. Knives-out bluster may scratch the itch of political activists lusting for the fight, but it does not serve the rule of law.

While he said there are important debates to be had over the courts operations, I will not, however, further dignify a writing that engages in personal attacks rather than a respectful debate over ideas.
Kenneth Janz will lead Winona State University next year as interim president, bringing 15 years of experience as an administrator with the university.

The Minnesota State systems board of trustees at a Wednesday, June 21, meeting appointed Janz to the position after a recommendation from outgoing Chancellor Devinder Malhotra.

Feedback from Kens references said that Ken is a strategic thinker who uses data to guide his decision making. They describe him as someone who is willing to take on new challenges and see them through with careful planning, humor, respect for his team and the good of the university in his mind, Malhotra said.

Janz joined Winona State in 2008, serving as associate vice president for academic affairs and chief information officer. In addition to these roles, Janz has also served as dean of the library since 2015.

My love for Winona State has only deepened, as I began collecting indicators of success of our current strategic framework report, and seeing the high level of achievement demonstrated by our students, faculty and staff, Janz said.

Malhotra said that Scott Olson, chancellor designate and outgoing WSU president, agreed with the recommendation.

Both chancellor desig-nate Olson and I are confident that he will provide effective and strong leadership to the university through this time of transition, Malhotra said.

Janz will start as interim president on Aug. 1, the same date that Olson will succeed Malhotra as the state systems chancellor.

Next years initiatives include carrying out recommendations from the Student Success Promise Task Force and moving forward with the Center for Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Engagement and Learning, Janz said.

Janz term as interim president is expected to last through the end of June, 2024. A permanent president will be appointed next year, Malhotra said at the meeting.
The summer season is getting off to a tuneful start at the Fontana Public Library as the library hosts the free adult program Harmonica 101," featuring veteran harmonica instructor Dale Boschke, of Pewaukee and Tucson.

A modern instrument with ancient roots, the forerunners of the harmonica, in various iterations, date back to ancient times with the Chinese sheng around 1000 B.C. Today's contemporary harmonica traces its development to Europe in the late 1700s and early-to-mid 1800s and a variety of musically-minded inventors, most notably German clockmaker Matthias Hohner, who pioneered the mass production of harmonicas with his founding of Trossingen, Baden-Wuttemberg, Germany-based Hohner International (1857-), which remains the world's largest harmonica manufacturer.

The educational program will be held on Wednesday, June 28 from 1-3 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at Fontana Village Hall, 175 Valley View Dr. (State Hwy. 67).

"It's something that interests me and I thought there would be other people out there that might be interested, too, in learning how to play the harmonica as something to do," said Sally Lee, adult program coordinator for the Fontana Public Library. "I thought it would be an interesting thing to do. Harmonicas are an inexpensive instrument, they're easy to tote around and, from what I hear, easy to learn."

If program attendees want to fully participate and learn how to play the harmonica, they should bring a 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C. Otherwise, attendees are welcome to just come and listen.

If there is enough interest, Lee said Boschke will come back to Fontana and teach another class.

Milwaukee native Boschke, a engineering alumnus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and a retired veteran 39-year engineering manager, first with outboard motor and boat manufacturer Outboard Marine Corp. and later with industrial distributor Engman-Taylor Co., has been playing harmonica for more than 30 years.

"It's a very versatile musical instrument," said Boschke, contacted by phone while vacationing in Ireland and Scotland. "I like the way it sounds and the opportunity to play a lot of different types of music. I play a lot of the blues-type of music ... I use my car as my music studio. It's one of the few musical instruments you can play while driving your car."

Boschke took up playing the instrument after receiving a harmonica starter kit as a "gag gift" Christmas present from his wife, Susan, in 1989.

"It had a little harmonica, a cassette tape and a book on 'How to Play Harmonia for the Musically Inept,'" Boschkle recalled with a laugh.

Boschke has taught harmonica classes for various organizations for the past seven years and logged 13 years performing with Milwaukees South End Blues Band, at one point playing nearly 50 events annually.

The upcoming 2-hour June 28 program at the Fontana Public Library will provide attendees with a basic introductory overview.

"This will give people a little flavor of what harmonica is about and, hopefully, they will be able to play a song or two once they're done," Boschke said. "It's gonna be some of the history of the harmonica, how I got into it and my background, how to listen to music to play along with music, and starting out with some basic, simple campfire tunes they can get into  how to hold the harmonica, how to breathe in, breath out, try to hit single notes, that type of thing. It's a lot for two hours ... It's intended to be a fun, light session. You do not have to be musically-inclined to attend. You don't have to know a lick of music. You don't have to understand anything about reading music. It's for the novice, it's for anybody that wants to give it a whirl."

Other upcoming free events at the Fontana Public Library, announced by Lee, include the following:

Badger Talks: What Does Lake Ice Seasonality Tell Us About Climate Change  Scheduled for Tuesday, July 11 at 1 p.m. in the Fontana Village Hall meeting room, University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Emeritus Dr. John J. Magnuson, an aquatic ecologist and limnologist with a special interest in fish and fisheries ecology, will discuss what lake ice records reveal about how Wisconsins climate has changed.

Learn more

The Fontana Public Library, 166 2nd Ave. in Fontana, just off Valley View Drive (State Hwy. 67), is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 for the Independence Day federal holiday.

For more information about the Fontana Public Library and its programs, call 262-275-5107 or visit https://www.fontana.lib.wi.us.

IN 16 PHOTOS: Fontana Elementary School presents "The Wizard of Oz: Junior Edition" - April 14.15, 2023 "Somewhere, over the rainbow..." Uncle Henry and Aunt Em on their Kansas farm Miss Almira Gulch comes to take away canine Toto and have him destroyed Dorothy Gale consults with psychic reader Professor Marvel The Mayor of Oz "Tot Munchkins" sing and dance in Fontana Elementary School's April 14-15 production of "The Wizard of Oz: Junior Edition" Scarecrow, Tin Man and Dorothy in the April 14-15 Fontana Elementary School production of "The Wizard of Oz: Junior Edition" Jitterbugs swarm in Nikko, leader of the Winged Monkeys "I'll get you my pretty  and your little dog, too!" Things look bleak for Dorothy Gale in the dungeon of the Wicked Witch's castle as time runs out Arrival at Emerald City The Wizard of Oz (Alex Cudnik) in the April 14-15, 2023 production of "The Wizard of Oz: Junior Edition" Glinda, the Good Witch of the North "There's no place like home..." Dorothy awakens back in Kansas, surrounded by concerned family and friends
A bear was caught on video dangling from a second-story window of a Colorado home before climbing inside and helping itself to some of the family's snacks.

The video was captured outside a home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

According to KABC7, nobody was home at the time but a homeowner said the bear helped itself to pork chops and snacks before leaving through a window on the ground level.

CNN has reached out to Colorado Fish and Wildlife for additional information.
A security company has accused Chinese hackers of carrying out internet attacks on hundreds of public and private organizations.

The hackers used a vulnerability in a popular email security tool that made the attacks possible, officials from cybersecurity company Mandiant said.

Google-owned Mandiant said it suspected the Chinese government backed the attacks. Nearly a third of those targeted were government agencies, including foreign ministries, the company added.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called the Mandiant report "far-fetched and unprofessional." He added that American companies continued to turn out reports as part of the U.S. government's false accusations against other countries.

Charles Carmakal is the chief technical officer at Mandiant. He told The Associated Press the attacks were believed to be the largest online spying campaign linked to China since the attack on a Microsoft email product in early 2021. That hack affected tens of thousands of computers around the world.

The attack used a problem in an email security software program made by Barracuda Networks, a company in California. Mandiant said it highly suspects the attack involved a spying operation in support of the Peoples Republic of China. It said the activity began as early as October.

Mandiant said the hackers sent emails containing harmful attachments to get into targeted organizations devices and data.

The company said of those organizations, 55 percent were from the Americas. Twenty-two percent were from the Asia Pacific area, while 24 percent were from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mandiant said the targets included foreign ministries in Southeast Asia, foreign trade offices and schooling organizations in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The fact that the majority of attacks happened in the Americas is likely because that is where Barracuda has the most users.

Barracuda announced on June 6 that some of its email security systems had been hacked as early as October. The hacking operation was so severe that Mandiant suggested that users fully replace its system.

The company said after discovering the problem in May, Barracuda released software fixes to limit damage and repair the system. But the hacking group changed their programming so it could continue its attacks. The group  which Mandiant identified as UNC4841  then began targeting victims in at least 16 different countries.

Mandiant said the attacks were centered on areas considered to be important for Chinese policy, including the Asia Pacific area. The attacks included both organizations and individual accounts.

Barracuda said about five percent of its active Email Security Gateway systems around the world showed evidence of possible attack. It said it was providing replacement systems to affected buyers at no cost.

The U.S. government has accused China of being its main online spying threat. U.S. officials have pointed to evidence that state-backed Chinese hackers have in the past stolen data from both private and public individuals and organizations.

U.S. officials have said suspected Chinese-linked internet attacks have targeted a series of American companies and agencies. These included the governments Office of Personnel Management (OPM), health care company Anthem, Equifax, and Marriott.

Earlier this year, Microsoft said state-backed Chinese hackers had been targeting important U.S. infrastructure. The company suggested China could be preparing to possibly attack communication links between the U.S. and Asia during future crises.

China has repeatedly accused the U.S. of also performing online spying operations against it.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Frank Bajak reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

hack  v. to secretly get access to the files on a computer or network in order to get information or cause damage

vulnerable  adj. easy to hurt or attack physically or emotionally

far-fetched  adj. not likely to happen or be true

infrastructure  n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) needed for a country or area to operate

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The largest newspaper company in the U.S., Gannett, says it will start using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to write short versions of stories written by humans.

The company recently announced a plan to use generative AI to add short pieces of information to the top of each story. Generative AI tools use machine learning methods to train computer systems on huge amounts of data to produce human-quality results.

Gannett says it will test the system later this year. Human writers and editors will look at what the technology produces and decide whether it meets the companys standards for publishing.

Renn Turiano is a top official with Gannett. He explained that AI technology can be useful to reduce tedious jobs currently performed by journalists. He noted that Gannett will test its AI system slowly before it is permanently deployed.

Some news organizations launched the technology too quickly and experienced problems. This included cases where AI systems created factual errors in stories. Turiano said at Gannett, Were not making that mistake.

Other news organizations have said they are taking their time considering how to use generative AI tools. This includes the Reuters news agency, which provided the information for this story. Paul Bascobert is the president of Reuters. He said the news organization embraces AI. But he added that the news agency is seeking to use responsible methods to make sure the system upholds standards for accurate reporting.

Earlier this year, two publishers  Mens Journal and CNET  had problems with AI generated material. In January, CNET reported that a number of stories written by AI had appeared on its website without being checked by humans. Many of the stories contained mistakes. In February, Mens Journal published some AI-generated stories on its website that also contained mistakes.

Some experts say one of the problems with AI technologies is that they can hallucinate, or make things up that are not true.

Nicholas Diakopoulos is a professor of communication studies at Northwestern University in Chicago. He told Reuters he thinks news organizations need to take their time with generative AI. Diakopoulos advises that news organizations not use such tools to publish stories without any human involvement in the process.

Gannett recently announced it was cutting 600 jobs. Some of the journalists still working at the company worry that AI will one day replace them. In early June, hundreds of Gannett workers left their jobs for a short time to protest job cuts and low pay. The labor group that represents some of the journalists said the companys use of generative AI is one of its main concerns.

Gannett, however, says the technology will not replace humans. Instead, it is designed to help employees be more effective and give them more time to do other, more valuable work. Journalists from Gannetts USA Today publication are currently examining test stories written by its generative AI system.

Gannett is also working to develop natural language generation technology. That system would write stories based on already-confirmed facts.

Reuters reports several large news organizations  including the New York Times, Washington Post and BBC  are all working on AI tools to help create stories. Those companies say they are currently testing their systems.

Bloomberg, a financial news organization, said it hopes to use AI to create business reports based on financial data.

Miranda Marcus is the head of BBC News Labs. The group is testing AI tools that aim to write stories based on previously published information. Those stories are called explainers.

But the BBC says it is being careful. Marcus discussed the stories with Reuters and said they would never be seen by readers unless a human journalist decided to make them public.

Marcus said there are a number of ways AI could be used to help journalists. She called the current situation a whole other universe of what kinds of stories we can tell with these tools. But she warned, Were not there yet.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a story by Reuters.

Quiz - US Newspaper Company Starts Using AI for Publishing Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

generative adj. the ability to produce something based on already-existing material

standards n. a measure of quality that is considered acceptable or desirable

tedious adj. something that takes a long time that is often not considered interesting or exciting

embrace v. to take hold of something, to put something into use

accurate adj. correct or precise; factual

hallucinate v. to see something that is not real

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In Vietnam, electricity outages can leave homes and businesses without power for hours at a time.

However, a new national energy plan, called Power Development Plan 8, or PDP8, aims to increase Vietnams energy production.

Government planners hope PDP8 will more than double possible electricity production in Vietnam. The goal is to generate up to 150 gigawatts by 2030.

The plan includes a big change away from coal and towards renewable energy. PDP8 aims to produce more electricity from wind, solar, hydropower and other renewable sources to make up almost 50 percent of total power capacity.

However, the plan also aims to increase use of gas and imported liquified natural gas (LNG) for up to about 25 percent of power capacity.

Under the plan, no new coal power stations can be built after 2030. The total amount of power from coal will likely increase by 2030. But planners said it will be a smaller percentage of total power production. That percentage is likely to be about 20 percent. Currently, Vietnam uses coal to produce about 30 percent of its electricity.

The plan also calls for Vietnam to stop using coal for power production by 2050.

However, paying for the plan might be difficult. Vietnamese planners aim to spend nearly $135 billion on new power plants and electricity grids until 2030.

The German government warned Vietnams arrest of environmental activists could hurt financing for its energy plans.

The G-7 group of big economies, including the United States, promised $15.5 billion in financing for Vietnam to end using coal-powered plants. The promise is a part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership similar to one reached with another Southeast Asian nation, Indonesia.

Problems with gas supplies from Russia have increased gas prices and demand for LNG. However, investors want renewable sources, said Trang Nguyen. She is leader of the Southeast Asia team at the Climateworks Centre, a non-profit research group based in Australia. She said it might be difficult to get financing for LNG.

Aditya Lolla leads the Asia program at Ember, a policy group based in London. He said that problems with gas supplies because of the war in Ukraine might push Vietnam back to using coal. He added that would be more likely to happen if more of the countrys electricity is not produced by renewable energy sources.

In July 2022, Vietnam passed a law promising to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. That means the country would not add any additional carbon gases to the atmosphere by that time.

Im Andrew Smith

Victoria Milko wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

outage n. a situation where something that is normally available is cut off, such as electricity

capacity n. the amount of something that can be produced in a set period of time

electricity grid n. a system of producing, transporting and providing electricity to people in a large area

source n. what provides some service or good such as electricity

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A scorching heat wave in two of Indias most populous states has overwhelmed hospitals, filled a morgue to capacity and disrupted power, forcing staff to use books to cool patients, as officials investigate a death toll that has reached nearly 170.

In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, 119 people have died from heat-related illnesses over the last several days while neighboring Bihar state reported 47 fatalities, according to local news reports and health officials.

So many people are dying from the heat that we are not getting a minutes time to rest. On Sunday, I carried 26 dead bodies, Jitendra Kumar Yadav, a hearse driver in Deoria town, 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Ballia, told The Associated Press.

Other residents said they were scared of going outside after midmorning.

The largest hospital in Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh is unable to accommodate more patients. Officials said the morgue was full after 54 people, all of whom were elderly suffering from various health issues, died during the heat wave. Some families were asked to take the bodies of their relatives home.

On Sunday, the state health minister, Brajesh Pathak, said a two-member team will look into what caused the large number of deaths and investigate how many of them are directly related to heat.

While northern regions of India are known for sweltering heat during the summer months, temperatures have been consistently above normal, according to the Indian Meteorological Department, with highs reaching 43.5 degrees Celsius. A heat wave is declared in India if temperatures are at least 4.5 C above normal, or if the temperature is above 45 C (113 F).

We have been issuing heat wave warnings for the past few days, said Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist at the IMD.

Despite the warnings, government officials did not ask people to brace for the heat until Sunday, when the death toll began to increase.

Adding to the heat stress are consistent power outages across the region, leaving people with no running water, fans or air conditioners. RAJESH KUMAR SINGH, PIYUSH NAGPAL & SIBI ARASU, BALLIA, MDT/AP
LOS ANGELES, June 20 (Xinhua) -- TransWest Express high-voltage transmission line, a 732-mile (1,177.8 kilometers) project that was designed to send massive wind power from the U.S. state of Wyoming to California, broke ground on Tuesday.

The infrastructure project will deliver three gigawatts of power from the 600-turbine Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project in Carbon County of Wyoming, which is the largest onshore wind farm in the United States, to grids in the states of Arizona, Nevada, and California.

The northern terminal of the project is to be located near Sinclair, Wyoming, and a southern terminal approximately 40 kilometers south of Las Vegas, Nevada. A ground electrode system, which was required for transmission line emergency shutdown, would be installed within 100 miles (160.9 kilometers) of each terminal.

The project of 5 billion U.S. dollars will be capable of providing enough energy to power about 2 million homes. TransWest Express LLC, a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, which also owns the wind farm project, said in April that it expected to complete the project by 2028.

"This is the biggest interstate transmission line that will be built in the West in decades," said Kara Choquette, communications director at TransWest Express LLC at that time. "It's not just about sending Wyoming wind to California solar, but how do you blend all these sources together. The physical infrastructure to connect diverse renewable resources will be there."

The U.S. Department of the Interior on Tuesday issued a statement celebrating the project's groundbreaking, saying it would accelerate "our nation's transition to a clean energy economy by unlocking renewable resources, creating jobs, lowering costs, and boosting local economies."

The project had experienced a nearly two-decades-long permitting process after it was initiated, local media said, adding it was a reminder how complicated permitting processes could slow the country's transition to clean energy. 
Yesterday, the Environment Advisory Committee had its second regular meeting this year. Tam Wai Man, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau and president of the committee, presided. The committee said that in hoping to achieve environmental goals, the government has initiated schemes to subsidize the purchase of electric motorcycles and the disposal of old diesel vehicles. It will also do more to lower carbon emissions and promote electric vehicles. At the meeting, the bureau also heard comments and suggestions from committee members.

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The SAR government has reinstated the provision of non-mandatory central provident fund for new account owners.

According to the Social Security Fund (FSS), 9,749 non-mandatory central provident fund account owners eligible for the first time are on the list.

The provision of such funds was suspended during the pandemic.

Those who have already received the funds are not entitled to the funds again.

According to the provisions of Article 39, paragraph 1, of Law No. 7/2017 (Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund System), account owners who were alive on January 1, 2023, and also satisfied all the requirements in 2022 for the first time, will receive MOP10,000 in their account without the need to go through any formalities.

The local resident must be a permanent SAR resident, having attained 22 years of age and having stayed in Macau for at least 183 days.

Account owners who were in Macau for less than 183 days in 2022 because of the statutory reasons can file an objection statement. Staff Reporter
Chef Peter Kasamvilas of Koji-delic, a Thai chef who is also the youngest finalist of MasterChef Thailand, has been invited to present his innovative Nordic-Japanese inspired cuisine at a three-day-only pop-up at MGM Cotai from July 7 to 9.

Chef Kasamvilas will join with the beverage team of Bar Patua of MGM Cotai to present a lineup of East-meets-West-inspired cocktails to complete the dining experience, according to a statement from the gaming operator.

This lineup is one of many to come in support of Macaus position as a Creative City of Gastronomy.

Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, 21-year-old Chef Peter Kasamvilas studied in Hong Kong and Canada before receiving professional culinary education at Le Cordon Bleu in Bangkok, where his professional career began.

The ingredient-focused 8-course tasting menu served during the three-day event at MGM Cotai is curated to pay tribute to both innovative Nordic-Japanese cuisine as well as Asian culinary culture with contemporary flair, said the gaming operator.
The Hong Kong dollar-renminbi Dual Counter Model was launched at a time when the strategic importance of Chinese yuan currency in terms of fund flow, liquidity and popularity is on the ascent.

With the launch of the model on Monday, 24 Hong Kong-listed companies, such as Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Group, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and AIA Group, will offer their shares to be traded in both the Hong Kong dollar and renminbi. These are highly sought-after stocks by mainland investors with strong liquidity, accounting for around 40 percent of the average turnover of the Hong Kong bourse.

Shares traded under the model will belong to the same class as before, with the same rights and entitlements, and be fully tradable across counters. There will be nine dual counter market makers under the program to provide liquidity.

Total trading volume of the 24 firms reached HK$25 billion and HK$177 million at Hong Kong dollar and renminbi counters, respectively, on Monday, according to HKex.

Mainland telecom giant China Mobile Communications Group registered a trading volume of 55.2 million yuan ($7.71 million) on the first trading day, followed by technology giant Tencents 36.6 million yuan.

At the opening bell ceremony in Hong Kong, the citys Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said the model was launched at a time when the strategic importance of the renminbi is increasing.

Chan said that the total amount of cross-border use of the renminbi reached over 36 trillion yuan in 2021  an increase of nearly 30 percent over the year before. As at the first quarter this year, the proportion of renminbi in cross-border payments and receipts on the mainland has risen to 48 percent, surpassing the US dollar for the first time.

But he added that there is still ample room for global use of renminbi to grow.

While our country is the worlds second-largest economy, accounting for more than 18 percent of the worlds gross domestic product, and is the largest trading economy contributing to about 13.5 percent of global trade, the use of the renminbi in cross-border trade settlement, and as a worldwide reserve currency, constitutes less than 3 percent.

Chan said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will expand the channels for cross-boundary renminbi flows, provide more investment and risk management products, and upgrade related infrastructure to build an even more vibrant offshore renminbi ecosystem.

As investors can trade these 24 shares across both Hong Kong dollar and renminbi counters, Xiaomi Corp  one of the 24 Hong Kong-listed shares that offers trading in renminbi  as well as Bank of China (Hong Kong), say the model helps to reduce exchange costs and risks, as well as increase liquidity of the renminbi counter and narrow the spread between the two counters.

Zhongtai International said that in the medium term, the introduction of the dual counter model will increase the number of offshore investable targets denominated in renminbi, which can enrich utilization of the Chinese currency. Over the long run, the dual counter model may induce Belt and Road markets and ASEAN nations to be more willing to hold the currency, thereby promoting yuan internationalization.

Edward Au, southern region managing partner at Deloitte China, expects market liquidity to be further improved after the dual counter model is included in the Southbound Stock Connect, and he thinks the first new stocks in Hong Kong adopting the dual counter model will be listed before the end of the year, depending on the exchange rate trend of renminbi. CHINADAILY
More than 2,500 Sands China team members are celebrating their 20-year, 15-year or 10-year company anniversaries in 2023, with Sands China honouring them recently at ceremonies at The Venetian Macao and The Londoner Macao in April and May.

24 founding team members who joined the company in 2003 or earlier are celebrating their 20th company anniversaries, more than 300 are marking their 15-year company anniversaries, and over 2,100 are celebrating their 10-year anniversaries.

Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd., said, We are more than pleased to show our deep appreciation for their devoted service and contributions, and we promise to continue providing them with a fulfilling work environment where they can continue to deliver exceptional service on behalf of Sands China.

At the founding team member celebration, they were presented with a 20th anniversary special edition music box, a special edition pin designed by a team member, a commemorative certificate, and a gift certificate for an anniversary meal.
A senator invited the International Criminal Court to investigate what Australian military commanders knew about war crime allegations in Afghanistan in a bid to pressure Australia into launching its own review.

Sen. Jacqui Lambie, an influential independent legislator, sent an Article 15 Communication to the Hague-based court Tuesday because she argues military commanders have not been held accountable for their soldiers alleged war crimes.

The government is, no doubt, hoping this will all just go away. Theyre hoping that Australians will forget that when alleged war crimes in Afghanistan were investigated, our senior commanders got a free pass, while our Diggers were thrown under the bus, Lambie told Senate. Digger is a colloquialism for Australian soldier.

There is a culture of cover-up at the highest levels of the Australian Defense Force. It is the ultimate boys club, added Lambie, a former army corporal.

The ICC has an obligation to prosecute war crimes committed by Rome Statute signatories, including Australia, when such a state is unwilling or unable to prosecute, according to the Australian government.

Australia has avoided ICC involvement so far by launching its own war crime investigation under Maj. Gen. Paul Brereton, a judge and army reservist.

Breretons report, released in 2020 after a four-year investigation, found evidence that Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians. The report recommended 19 current and former elite soldiers face criminal investigation.

The first criminal charge for an alleged illegal killing in Afghanistan was laid in March. Former Special Air Service Regiment trooper Oliver Schulz, 41, was charged with the war crime of murder in the death of an Afghan who was shot in 2012 in a wheat field in Uruzgan province.

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australias most highly decorated member of the armed services when he left the SAS in 2013, is also under police investigation.

The 44-year-old former corporal, who was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Medal for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan, lost a defamation case June 1 when the Federal Court found war crime allegations against him published in newspapers, including four unlawful killings, were true.

Lambies lawyer, Glenn Kolomeitz, said there was a place for an ICC investigation because Brereton had not investigated the role of commanding officers in the alleged war crimes.

The ICC could find that commanding officers knew or should have known of illegal conduct, Kolomeitz said.

Kolomeitz hoped the ICC involvement would prompt Australia to extend its own war crime investigation to commanders.

The onus will then be on the Australian government to give some serious consideration as to why Australia has not investigated command responsibility aspects of the Afghanistan allegations and what were going to do about it, Kolomeitz told reporters.

He said Australian officers being tried in The Hague was an unlikely outcome, unless the government prolonged its inaction and the ICC found it necessary.

Our intent is to get us, Australia, to properly investigate  allegations of criminality, he added.

Defense Minister Richard Marles said whether the ICC launched its own investigation was a question for the ICC.

Ultimately thats a matter for the ICC. What I can tell you is what the Australian government is doing. We regard this very seriously. We will seek to implement the Brereton report to the fullest possible extent, Marles told reporters

Brereton made several recommendations about command accountability in his report. Defense Force Chief Angus Campbell also made recommendations about officer accountability, which reached Marles desk.

Marles said he was seeking advice before implementing those recommendations.

Allegations that are at the heart of this are very serious and very grave, but through the recommendations of the Brereton report our government will ensure that we make this right, Marles said.

More than 39,000 Australian military personnel served in Afghanistan during the 20 years until the 2021 withdrawal, and 41 were killed there. ROD McGUIRK, CANBERRA, MDT/AP
A series of four seminars discussing quality of service, organized by the government, commenced yesterday at The Londoner resort.

The seminars will be held from now until October, targeting workers in the retail industry as well as in certified shops identified by the Consumer Council. They aim to enhance consumer satisfaction levels by improving quality of service.

Acting director Cheng Wai Tong of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), highlighted in his speech that tourists have higher expectations in quality after the resumption of normal travel. He expressed his satisfaction that local businesses were constantly improving their quality of service, so as to make tourists feel at home in Macau.

The four sessions cover different topics, focusing on credibility, quality, sales and complaints.

The first seminar yesterday had worldwide hot pot venture Haidilao introducing the advantages of quality service to the audience. Past examples were shared to foster better understanding on the topic. The session attracted about 170 people.

The MGTO said it has constantly organized various events to enhance the local tourism industry. AL
The principal of Yuet Wah College, Fr Chow Pak Fai, has received a delegation from the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau, led by the centers deputy director Cheang Neng Ian. A cooperation agreement was signed with the center, making the secondary school a promotional base for Chinese History and Culture. The two entities will jointly organize events to promote these topics. A seminar was also held, in which Cheang introduced the centers past work and plans to the students.

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The Dane County Farmers Market Cookbook: Local Foods, Global Flavors comes out July 8 and celebrates Madisons famed Capitol Square market.

The 258-page book, by Terese Allen, a local cookbook author who has written 14 books, includes 125 recipes from market vendors, shoppers and chefs and a history of the market, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

LEtoile co-owner Tory Miller, a James Beard Award-winning chef, wrote the forward for the book, which includes photos by former market manager Bill Lubing and other photographers.

Lubing said the cookbook is a guide to using local ingredients from the market to create recipes with a global perspective.

Its a journey through the Farmers Market, past, present and future, both eating and cooking, but also the wonderful history of personalities and friendships that people find at the market, he said.

Lubing said Allen did a wonderful job of explaining the history of the market and giving cooking tips gleaned from a lifetime of cooking.

The book highlights the relationships built at the market over the years, he said. Its really a nice mix. Its a good read. It really is.

Recipes include Hungarian lecso, a tomato and pepper stew; tacos de carnitas; garlic scape feta pesto salad; and red kabocha squash soup with ginger, lemongrass and Thai eggplant.

Lubing said the net proceeds after production, printing and promotion will go to the Dane County Farmers Market. He said Allen, the photographers and market members on the cookbook committee donated their services.

The market was founded in September of 1972 with five farmers on the Square. Jamie Bugel, the markets manager, said this year the market has 220 Wisconsin producer-members. It is the largest producer-only market in the nation.

This time of year, 120 to 150 vendors are able to set up around the Capitol each Saturday, Bugel said, adding the exact number changes every week.

The market is a big Madison attraction, not only for straight-from-the-farm produce, fresh meat and just-baked bread, but also for its social aspect and festival feel.

Joan and Ted Ballweg, who own Savory Accents in Verona and have sold their chili pepper products at the market for 41 years, contributed the grilled vegetable couscous salad recipe to the book.

The book reflects the success of local farmers growing the crops that suit the palates of a very diverse audience of Madisonians and beyond, Joan Ballweg said, adding that it was written with passion.

Allen will sign copies of the book from 9 a.m. until noon July 8 at the market, which take place day at Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St., because of Art Fair on the Square.

The book can be pre-ordered from Little Creek Press for shipment. Starting July 15, it will be sold at the Saturday market on the Square and at the Wednesday market on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Books also can be pre-ordered from the Dane County Farmers Market for pickup, and will be available at bookstores and other retail outlets.

Take a look at 'Immersive Van Gogh'
A Downtown restaurant employee was assaulted Tuesday by a man who caused a disturbance inside the business, a Madison police spokesperson said.

Officers were called to Nattspil, 211 King St., shortly after 11:30 p.m. for a man yelling at and attempting to assault customers and employees, Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said.

The 30-year-old man was arrested on tentative charges of disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property and threats to law enforcement, Fryer said.

An employee was able to get the man outside, where Fryer said he damaged a door to the restaurant.

Staff weren't hurt beyond being pushed, Fryer said.

The police report doesn't indicate the man was a customer, rather he followed an employee into the restaurant and began the disturbance.

Employees asked the man to leave several times, she added.

Fryer said the man appeared intoxicated and threatened officers on the way to the Dane County Jail.

She said the employee who was assaulted was male, and his age wasn't mentioned in the report. Another male employee also reported being pushed.

Photos from Secretary of State Blinken's trip to China
A Sun Prairie woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to causing the traffic death of a Madison man just more than a year ago, but by negligence and not drunken driving, under a plea agreement reached with prosecutors.

Okima L. Jones, 43, pleaded guilty to homicide by negligent driving for the June 7, 2022, death of Taylor M. Dunn, 29, who was struck by a vehicle on Mineral Point Road near South High Point Road on Madisons Far West Side.

Under a plea agreement, charges of homicide by drunken driving and homicide by driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration were dropped, replaced by the negligent driving felony and a forfeiture  a ticket, essentially  for first-offense driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration.

Dane County Assistant District Attorney Lexi Keyes agreed to ask that Circuit Judge Julie Genovese sentence Jones to no more than three years in prison. The maximum for the negligent homicide charge is five years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision.

The charge of homicide by drunken driving carried up to 25 years of combined prison and extended supervision. Jones had been scheduled to stand trial on the original charges next week, but the trial is now canceled.

For the ticket, Jones was ordered to pay $861.50 in fines and court costs and her drivers license will be revoked for seven months.

Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 13. She remains free on bail.

According to a criminal complaint, Jones said she had been driving west on Mineral Point Road and was talking on her cellphone and looking for a home near Tree Lane when all of a sudden it was like boom!

She told police she did not see the person she struck. She said she had been drinking before the crash and felt tipsy. A preliminary breath test found she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.129%. In court Tuesday, Keyes said a blood sample analysis found Jones blood alcohol concentration was 0.154%. The limit for drivers is 0.08%.

Police had said Dunn was a pedestrian, but according to the complaint, a witness who was a co-worker of Dunn said he had been riding his bike to work. Investigators found a bike at the scene, the complaint states.

Counties with the highest unemployment in Wisconsin Counties with the highest unemployment in Wisconsin 50. Grant County 49. Portage County 48. Clark County 47. Walworth County 46. Richland County 45. Shawano County 44. Waupaca County 43. Manitowoc County 42. Lincoln County 41. Vernon County 40. Juneau County 39. Kenosha County 38. Milwaukee County 37. Green Lake County 36. Wood County 35. Rock County 34. Racine County 33. Price County 32. Oconto County 31. Florence County 30. Langlade County 29. Dunn County 28. Trempealeau County 27. Waushara County 26. Pierce County 25. St. Croix County 24. Ashland County 23. Marquette County 22. Door County 21. Marinette County 20. Pepin County 19. Oneida County 18. Barron County 17. Menominee County 16. Rusk County 15. Crawford County 14. Washburn County 13. Chippewa County 12. Jackson County 11. Vilas County 10. Buffalo County 9. Taylor County 8. Sawyer County 7. Douglas County 6. Forest County 5. Polk County 4. Iron County 3. Bayfield County 2. Burnett County 1. Adams County
Late Tuesday night, the Madison City Council voted unanimously in favor of a measure that would declare the city a "sanctuary" for nonbinary and transgender people  a largely symbolic measure that would nonetheless urge law enforcement to avoid enforcing any future laws seen as targeting those groups.

Modeled after a similar resolution passed overwhelmingly Thursday by the Dane County Board of Supervisors, the city's resolution seeks to protect transgender and nonbinary individuals access to gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers, hormones and surgery.

The city's and county's resolutions do not create legally enforceable restrictions, but do call on law enforcement officials to make any future anti-trans state laws their lowest priority.

All people in Madison and the State of Wisconsin should have access to all health care, including gender-affirming care, the city resolution says. Be it further resolved that Madison be considered a safe place, a sanctuary, for transgender children and adults and their families.

The resolution also cites an ACLU report that mentions 556 bills in 49 states being introduced to restrict health care, education and freedom of expression for LGBTQ+ people. None of the current 491 bills the ACLU is tracking on the subject are in Wisconsin.

Many of the people awaiting their turns to address the council on Tuesday clung to their phones, drawing courage from the notes app speeches they'd written and rehearsed.

While some voices faltered and others boomed, all shared the same message of support for the resolution. Some also feared a repeat of Thursday's County Board meeting, when some of the people who spoke during a five-hour hearing argued against the resolution.

"I was prepared and terrified of another night like last Thursday," said one.

"(Thursday's meeting) was so scary that it went as long as it did; it was scary because of ignorance," added another.

Guards down, speakers on Tuesday addressed the importance of the city's resolution, many adorned in rainbow-themed clothes to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ben Weger, a transgender man who worked to support Madison's first trans alder, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, donned a shirt celebrating his identity as a trans man, a shirt he said he didn't feel safe in all the time around the city.

"It is the bare minimum that this body can do to pass the sanctuary resolution," he said.

City and county officials also have formed an informal queer pride caucus, following the Human Rights Campaigns June 6 announcement declaring a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans. The caucus includes Martinez-Rutherford, 15th District, who authored the city resolution.

City of Madison officials raised a trans flag for the first time June 7 outside the Madison Municipal Building in honor of Martinez-Rutherford, who was sworn in April 18.

Here's how legislation in every state affects trans youth Ranking states from most restrictive to the most protective for trans youth #51. Tennessee #50. Arkansas #49. South Dakota #48. Alabama #47. Mississippi #46. Oklahoma #45. Louisiana #43. Georgia (tie) #43. South Carolina (tie) #42. Texas #41. Missouri #40. Wyoming #39. Arizona #38. Idaho #35. Montana (tie) #35. Nebraska (tie) #35. West Virginia (tie) #33. Florida (tie) #33. North Carolina (tie) #32. Indiana #31. Kansas #30. Ohio #29. Kentucky #28. North Dakota #27. Utah #26. Pennsylvania #25. Iowa #24. Alaska #23. Wisconsin #22. Michigan #21. Delaware #20. Virginia #19. New Hampshire #18. New Mexico #17. Maryland #16. Hawaii #15. Rhode Island #13. Massachusetts (tie) #13. Minnesota (tie) #12. Illinois #10. Washington D.C. (tie) #10. Vermont (tie) #9. Oregon #8. Washington #6. Maine (tie) #6. New Jersey (tie) #5. Connecticut #4. Nevada #3. New York #2. California #1. Colorado Here's how legislation in every state affects trans youth #51. Tennessee #50. Alabama #49. South Dakota #48. Arkansas #47. Oklahoma #46. Mississippi #45. Louisiana #44. South Carolina #43. Texas #42. Georgia #41. Missouri #40. Arizona #39. Wyoming #38. Florida #37. Nebraska #36. Montana #35. Idaho #34. Indiana #33. West Virginia #32. Kansas #31. Kentucky #30. Alaska #29. Ohio #28. North Carolina #27. Utah #26. North Dakota #25. Pennsylvania #24. Iowa #23. Wisconsin #22. Michigan #21. Virginia #20. New Mexico #19. Delaware #18. New Hampshire #17. Maryland #16. Rhode Island #15. Hawaii #14. Minnesota #13. Massachusetts #12. Illinois #11. Washington #10. Oregon #8. Vermont (tie) #8. Washington D.C. (tie) #7. Connecticut #6. New Jersey #5. New York #3. Maine (tie) #3. Nevada (tie) #2. Colorado #1. California
Republicans first presidential primary debate of the 2024 cycle is coming to Milwaukee Aug. 23, Fox News announced Tuesday.

The debate at Fiserv Forum, which is also the main venue for next years Republican National Convention, will pit the growing field of GOP presidential candidates against one another in an event moderated by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. The event is scheduled for 8 to 10 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally by Fox News.

The event, coupled with next years GOP convention, cements Wisconsins importance for Republicans as they fight to retake control of the White House and U.S. Senate.

The road to taking back our country starts right here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Fiserv Forum! states a tweet from the Wisconsin Republican Party.

Republicans face an uphill battle in Wisconsin, where GOP candidates have lost 14 of the last 17 statewide races, though some of them were by razor-thin margins. Their challenge in 2024 may be tougher, given the candidacy of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, whose double-digit victory in 2018 came with critical support from rural areas typically faithful to Republican candidates.

The August presidential debate will provide the many GOP presidential contenders a potential shot to take on current Republican front-runner former President Donald Trump, who The New York Times reported may not attend the debate to avoid putting the spotlight on his challengers.

Other announced candidates include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

National polls show Trump with more than 50% support from Republican voters, followed by DeSantis with just more than 20%, and every other candidate with less than 10% support each, poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight reported.
HUNTER BIDEN

The announcement that federal prosecutors reached a plea deal with President Joe Biden's son Hunter over tax and gun charges marks the likely end of a five-year Justice Department investigation that has dogged the Biden family.

It doesn't, however, mean that congressional Republicans are done with their own wide-ranging probe into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

Some of the Republican candidates hoping to face off against President Biden in the 2024 election are decrying the deal as evidence of an unfair justice system, particularly in light of the recent federal indictment of GOP front-runner Donald Trump, though there are obvious differences between the two cases.

Here's a closer look at the charges, plea agreement, other probes involving the president's son and the politics:

What are the charges?

According to a letter filed in U.S. District Court in Delaware, Hunter Biden is charged with misdemeanor charges of failing to pay federal income tax. Court documents allege that he failed to pay more than $200,000 in federal income taxes for 2017 and 2018.

The federal probe into Hunter Biden began in 2018, bursting into public view in December 2020  one month after the presidential election  when he revealed that he received a subpoena as part of the Justice Department's scrutiny of his taxes.

That subpoena sought information on the younger Biden's business dealings with a number of entities, including Burisma, a Ukraine gas company whose board he joined in 2014. That move sparked concerns about the perceptions of a conflict of interest, given the elder Biden was deeply involved in U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

An investigation by the then-Republican-controlled Senate did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter Biden's work.

The younger Biden also reached an agreement with the Justice Department on a charge that he illegally possessed a firearm while being a drug user.

Federal law prohibits people who use drugs from possessing firearms or ammunition, though a federal judge challenged the legality this year.

What does the plea agreement mean?

By entering a plea, Hunter Biden avoids a trial, and it's unlikely that he will spend time in jail.

Hunter Biden was charged under an information, a formal document that lays out the charges against him but doesn't require a vote by a grand jury, which would be an indictment.

A person familiar with the investigation said the Justice Department would recommend probation for the tax charges, but the decision to go along with any deal is up to a judge.

The gun charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department said Hunter Biden reached a pretrial agreement on that charge, too.

What happens next?

The agreement essentially means the case is over, unless Hunter Biden fails to abide by it.

A deferred prosecution is an agreement offered by prosecutors in which a defendant must adhere to strict conditions, which will be known after he appears in court. A date for that appearance hasn't been set.

Usually a judge sets regular check-ins for the defendant to appear to ensure they are playing by the rules. If they don't, their deal is revoked and the criminal charges reinstated, which in Hunter Biden's case carry a maximum of a decade in prison. If he adheres to the rules, the case will be wiped from his record.

Isn't there another probe?

Yes. Congressional Republicans have been pursuing their own investigations into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including examining foreign payments and other aspects of his finances.

The misdemeanor tax crimes that the younger Biden will plead guilty to are far more limited in scope than the allegations by congressional Republicans.

There have been other controversies. While his father was vice president, Hunter Biden joined the Naval Reserve and was discharged after testing positive for cocaine in his system, later revealing a years-long struggle with addiction.

In the weeks before the 2020 election, Trump supporters used the existence of a laptop they said was connected to Hunter Biden  and the emergence of someone who maintains he had business discussions with him  to raise questions about Joe Biden's knowledge of his son's activities in Ukraine and China. President Biden said he did not discuss his son's international business dealings with him and denied having taken money from a foreign country.

What are the politics?

News of the plea agreement comes days after Trump appeared in federal court on charges related to his retention of classified documents. In the wake of those 37 charges, Republicans across the country levied criticism against the Biden administration, accusing the Justice Department of "politicization" and assailing Hunter Biden's business dealings.

The Trump charges came from a special counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an independent investigation to avoid a potential conflict of interest in the Justice Department. The Hunter Biden charges, meanwhile, were filed by the U.S. attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss.

Some of the Republicans competing to potentially face off with Joe Biden in the 2024 general election wasted no time taking their critique of the plea agreement public.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump on Tuesday said "the corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket.'"

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a tweet, decried the "sweetheart deal" and said that, were Biden "not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago."
FILER  Theres a secret behind the success of Gordys HWY 30 Music Fest. Its one of developing relationships, one of loyalty.

The event, now in its 10th year, kicks off Wednesday and runs through Saturday. Gordy Schroeder, along with his wife, Megan, created the event.

Over the years we have had a great relationship with the bands, Gordy said. I remember when some of the bands we first brought in were baby bands and now they are headlining all over the country.

Case in point: County music star Lainey Wilson.

Nobody knew her four years ago, but we stayed loyal to her, and she stayed loyal to us, and now she is winning every award in the world, Gordy said.

Those top awards include being named the Female Artist of the Year last month by the Academy of Country Music, as well as earning the award for album of the year for her critically acclaimed album Bell Bottom Country, and a slew of other awards.

Wilson will be headlining Wednesdays performances along with Morgan Wade, who was nominated as best new female artist of the year by the ACM. It will be part of an all-woman Wednesday, Gordy said.

Other headliners are Shane Smith & the Saints and The Steel Woods on Thursday, Whiskey Myers and Read Southall Band on Friday, and Koe Wetzel and Kolby Cooper finishing up on Saturday.

More than 30 bands will perform during the event.

Top acts have helped the event gain worldwide attention. A group from Canada is expected to attend the festival, and a group from Europe was a regular before the pandemic hit.

It is surreal to think that just 10 years ago we could barely get 300 people in here, Gordy said. Now they have more campers than that coming to the festival each year who park at various spots at the fairgrounds. More than 30,000 are expected to attend over its four days.

He said there are budding stars just waiting to be discovered.

I travel the country looking for that band that brings it, Gordy said. Maybe they are playing in front of 15 people right now in a smoky little bar in the middle of nowhere and the next thing they are selling out arenas across the country.

The HWY 30 Music Fest isnt exclusively country music, but also Americana and rock. Megan Schroeder promises that everybody will find music that they enjoy.

Plus, they are bound to find some food they like from multiple food vendors, including the worlds best pulled-pork nachos, she said.

She credits a team of mostly volunteers that makes the event a success.

We have friends that volunteer, that help set up and tear down, she said. They take a week off work.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Texas bands that have performed in Filer have been successful in persuading the couple to set up a music festival in the Lone Star State. Its set for Oct. 19 to 22 and will feature 30 bands, taking place in Fort Worth close to another Highway 30  actually, Interstate 30.
Political propaganda is officially part of the curriculum in Idahos public schools.

Last week, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield announced a new history resource will be available for Idaho students in grades 8-12 to supplement the current American history curriculum. Entitled The Story of America, the material is the brainchild of former U.S. Secretary of Education, and long-time right-wing political operative, William Bennett.

Just keep that in mind when you hear Critchfield tell you the curriculum was created by leading experts in the field of American history. Color me skeptical, given that a 2021 Fox News sub-headline read The Story of America utilizes material based on Bennetts best-selling history series, America: The Last Best Hope.

Bennett may have been education secretary but Ive never heard him mentioned next to the likes of David McCullough or Ron Chernow (two of the most renowned American history scholars in the country).

As to America: The Last Best Hope, Publishers Weekly opined in a review that, This is history put to use as inspiration rather than serving to enlighten or explain[.]

A very polite way of saying propaganda.

The billionaire founder of the Today Foundation  which is financing The Story of America  was quoted by the Washington Times describing the curriculum as A truthful understanding of our nations history, devoid of political activism[.] Thats rich considering the guy who created it was on the phone with Donald Trump just hours before the Jan. 6 insurrection.

JUST: Democracy depends on freedom to read IDAHO DEMOCRATIC PARTY: Parenting isnt easy. This job cant be passed to librarians or anyone else.

Idaho parents, I know youre busy, but unfortunately, its time to step up and take an interest in what is being taught in your schools. Lord knows, our state government isnt.

The attacks on our childrens education and development seem to be coming non-stop. You have North Idaho College, which may lose accreditation next month because its board of trustees was taken over by nut jobs. There was an organized effort to shut down the entire public library system in Idahos second largest city. You regularly have people showing up to school board meetings with guns in certain parts of the state. And, legislation was proposed last session to, essentially, criminalize librarians.

Now this.

Quote I dont care where you fall on the political spectrum. Propaganda has no place in our schools.

I dont know about you, but I dont want propaganda of any kind in my kids history classroom  left, right or otherwise. I would no more want a history book authored by an organization headed by Jimmy Carter than a guy who once suggested it was morally plausible to behead drug dealers (William Bennett on Larry Kings show).

Keep that out of our schools.

I fancy myself an American history buff. I have dozens of books on subjects ranging from biographies of George Washington, Jesse James and Joe DiMaggio, to the history of the American mafia, the Teapot Dome Scandal and the Financial Crisis of 2008. I love learning about our countrys history and the people who shaped it. What I dont love is the authors commentary on a particular person or event. Just give me the facts and let me come to my own conclusions.

Furthermore, give me the leeway to have contrary thoughts about the same subject. For instance, I can conclude George Washington was a moron for attacking the British in New York only to be bailed out by a fog bank, while also labeling him a genius for seizing the moment and trapping Cornwallis in Yorktown. I can empathize with civil rights leaders who complained President Kennedy was not doing enough to further their cause, while also realizing President Johnson was probably right when he determined he could not get the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed until he got re-elected in 1964. I can also tell you my favorite president is Theodore Roosevelt, even though he had a mixed record on race relations.

I can make up my own mind on those subjects and more. Our children should be afforded the same respect. God knows, Idahos parents have earned that right.

I dont care where you fall on the political spectrum. Propaganda has no place in our schools. Parenting is hard enough under normal circumstances, but these arent normal times. Exceptional circumstances can require exceptional effort when it comes to parenting.

Guess what? Were living in exceptional times. And your state government is not going to help you with your kids education.

Only Idaho parents can do that.
Advertising Systems International sees a communications landscape that continues to be transformed by digital media and new technologies.

These tools have scaled up the abilities of agencies like ADsystems to build brand equity and growth for clients in a vastly evolving and competitive industry.

When we started out, much of the work was done by hand. This included drafting, creating layouts and mockups and developing photos. Automation and innovations through the years have enhanced our service delivery through new processes in developing content, production techniques, brand activation events, and optimized utilization of various media channels, said ADsystems president and chief executive Peachy Bunag.

ADsystems president and CEO Peachy Bunag

ADsystems is celebrating its 35th year of operations this month, having been formed in 1988 as part of the integrated marketing and communications group Systembrand. The full-service advertising agency has worked with some of the Philippines most prominent companies from various industries such as banking and finance, consumer goods and food services, creating brand identities, communications campaigns and providing a digital marketing platform for its clients through the years.

ADsystems integrated its digital marketing arm into its operations through DigiADsystems in 2018, effectively connecting brands to their markets via online modes, thereby increasing clients brand awareness through social media brand differentiation.

Together with content marketing that focuses on creating and distributing valuable content across a wide range of channels and platforms, the agencys digital marketing operations have ultimately driven profitable customer action. It has also ventured into Artificial Intelligence mechanics, particularly in creating imagery, graphics, and even User Generated Video for advertising campaigns.

New technology-driven businesses require that agencies adapt quickly to changes in their needs and requirements. These imperatives must be put within a contextual framework for agencies to better understand clients expectations and directions. We, therefore, need to work together not only to address adequately their goals through well-managed, regulated technology but to maximize on its innovative potential as well, said ADsystems brand marketing and creative director Paolo Bunag.

He said they would continue to rely on the synergies created by its parent Systembrand Group to offer clients a complete package of branding and communications services that tailor-fits, attunes, and executes campaigns with efficiency, skill and dedication.

Joining ADsystems under the Systembrand umbrella are Design Systemat, one of the Philippines leading corporate and brand identity design firms since its establishment in 1970 and Investor Relations Global, an investor and public relations consultancy firm focused on stakeholder relations and strategic corporate communications for multinational clients.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called for increased collaboration among various stakeholders to avert future crises, recognizing the threat posed by soil neglect to national food security and peoples livelihood and well-being.

Among the growing soil problems in the country are degradation, acidification, and pollution, the President said.

[About 75 percent of] total crop land is vulnerable to erosion in various degrees, with agriculture losing about 457 million tons of soil annually, the President said as he addressed the 1st National Soil Health Summit at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

The conversion of lands for settlements and the loss of about 47 hectares of forest cover every year contribute significantly to the soil degradation, the President added.

Mr. Marcos said around 11 million to 13 million hectares are considered degraded.

This is on top of the 2.2 million hectares that suffer from insufficient levels of soil fertility, with improper use of fertilizers and pesticides causing soil pollution and acidity worsening the situation.

This summit is an opportune time for all of us here to collaborate, to share our wisdom and experience to improve our soil and boost our agricultural productivity, all while promoting sustainability and environmental protection, the President said.

This will play a pivotal role in nation-building and in uplifting the lives of our people.

With the discourse among leaders and the agriculture sectors brightest minds, the President said he expects the summit to spark more informed decisions and much-needed innovation.

Through information sharing and enhancing programs related to soil health, he said that the country can promote sustainable soil use for the benefit of future generations.

On the part of the government, Marcos said his administration has come up with a five-point priority agenda on soil and water management, such as the National Soil Health Program and the Implementation of Sustainable Land Management to ensure proper soil use and management, address land degradation, enhance crop productivity, and improve farmers income.

The administration shall empower the Bureau of Soil and Water Management to achieve these goals, especially through capacitating soil laboratories across the country to yield better data, he said.

He said the agency, which is under the Department of Agriculture, must work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), among other agencies, to ensure the successful implementation of the agenda.

We are conducting a soil and land resources mapping and evaluation process that includes soil-based and land-based level assessments, soil sample analyses and digital map preparations under the Philippine Soil Land Resources Information program, the President said.

At the same time, the administration is also exploring water security for climate resilient rainwater technologies, and the conduct of cloud seeding operations for agriculture to improve water conditions in production areas, critical watersheds, and reservoirs to mitigate the effects of the El Nino phenomenon, he added.

The Marcos administration has made food security a top agenda and has been carrying out a number of initiatives to realize this goal.

One of the governments thrusts is consolidating farmers cooperatives and associations and their lands as well as the introduction of new technologies and machinery to Filipino farmers, and giving them access to more efficient practices.

It also welcomed major investments in the agriculture industry from local and foreign investors, as part of the plan to provide farmers with the capital and tools they need to boost their productivity.

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Singapore, Singapore  Singapore-based tech giant Grab will lay off over 1,000 employees, its CEO said Tuesday, a move that will affect about 11 percent of its workforce.

Grab launched in 2012 as a taxi-booking app in Malaysia before becoming Southeast Asias biggest ride-hailing firm and expanding into financial services like digital payments.

The company has been narrowing its losses and aims to break even by the end of this year.

I want to be clear that we are not doing this as a shortcut to profitability, CEO Anthony Tan wrote in a message to employees Tuesday.

He called the restructuring a painful but necessary step.

Change has never been this fast. Technology such as Generative AI is evolving at breakneck speed. The cost of capital has gone up, directly impacting the competitive landscape, the letter said, according to an excerpt posted on Grabs website.

The primary goal of this exercise is to strategically reorganise ourselves, so that we can move faster, work smarter, and rebalance our resources across our portfolio in line with our longer term strategies.

The company is on track to break even this year even without the layoffs, Tan said.

Grab laid off 360 employees in 2020 - then about five percent of its full-time workforce - as the pandemic hit demand for its services.

In 2018, Grab cemented its position as Southeast Asias biggest ride-hailing firm when it bought Ubers operations in the region, ending a bruising battle with its US-based rival.

The company went public on Wall Street in 2021 by merging with a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC.

The transaction was the largest-ever US public market debut by a Southeast Asian company, Grab said at the time, and valued the company at $39.6 billion.

But its shares have plummeted since debuting at $13. They were selling at around $3.40 on Tuesday.

Southeast Asian technology firms have been slashing their workforce as they focus on profitability, including Singapore-based Sea Ltd which cut more than 7,000 jobs last year, froze salaries and slashed spending.

Grabs Indonesian rival GoTo laid off 600 workers this year in addition to 1,300 jobs last year.

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Vatican City, Holy See  From welcoming LGBTQ Catholics to better representation of women, the Vatican published on Tuesday a reflection on the top social issues facing the Catholic Church as part of a global study on its future.

The 50-page document is intended as food for thought for the Synod on Synodality, a gathering of bishops and lay people from around the world to be held in October 2023, before a second phase in October 2024.

Launched by Pope Francis, who has sought to make the Church more welcoming towards marginalised people, the gathering is part of a wide-ranging consultation of 1.3 billion Catholics on every continent, who have for the past two years been invited to express their views on the Church and social issues.

What concrete steps are needed to welcome those who feel excluded from the Church because of their status or sexuality (for example, remarried divorcees, people in polygamous marriages, LGBTQ+ people, etc.)?, is one example of questions posed about including marginalised groups.

Similar questions were put on migrants and refugees, minorities and indigenous communities.

In October, the assembly of bishops and lay people will be asked to listen deeply to the situations in which the Church lives and carries out its mission, said the document.

The document also underlines the unanimous concern of Catholics for the role of women within the Church, a subject close to the heart of the 86-year-old Argentine pope, who in April, for the first time, allowed women and non-consecrated lay people to vote in the Synod.

The pontiff has also increased the number of women appointed to positions of responsibility within the Curia, the government of the Holy See.

The document asks how women can be better represented in the Churchs governance and decision-making processes, better protected from abuse in all ecclesial contexts, and, where relevant, more fairly remunerated for their work?

Particular attention is paid to the sensitive issue of allowing women to serve as deacons.

Currently, only men can serve as deacons, who carry out functions such as baptisms, weddings and funerals, but do not celebrate Mass.

Another topic addressed in the document was the possibility of married men becoming priests in certain regions of the world.

In 2019, the bishops of nine countries  the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region  proposed that the Pope open up the priesthood to certain married indigenous men, and called for a re-launch of the debate on women deacons, explosive issues dividing traditionalists and progressives.

Neither suggestion was adopted by the Pope.

The document also highlights what it called the open wounds of the abuse crisis: sexual abuse, abuse of power and conscience, economic and institutional abuse, and calls for concrete measures to be taken.

A Synod is usually followed by the Popes publication of an apostolic exhortation, an official document in which he makes recommendations to the faithful based on these meetings.

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Khartoum, Sudan  Bodies have lined the streets in Sudans western Darfur region as the UN said Tuesday that more than two months of fighting have forced over 2.5 million people from their homes.

A three-day ceasefire due to end Wednesday at dawn brought a brief respite to the capital Khartoum, gripped by the war that erupted on April 15 between two rival generals.

The fighting has killed more than 2,000 people nationwide, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project said.

According to the United States State Department, up to 1,100 have been killed in the city of El Geneina alone, the capital of West Darfur state in a region wracked by some of the bloodiest violence.

The UN has spoken of possible crimes against humanity in Darfur, where the conflict has taken an ethnic dimension, the world body said in a statement with the African Union and east African regional bloc IGAD.

Bodies have remained on the streets of El Geneina, where months of unrest have left shops either vacant or gutted by looters.

One lay covered on the asphalt, in front of an armoured vehicle. A dead man was partially curled up outside a house. Several others appeared to be lying face down together on a dirt road.

Residents have fled the city en masse, many grabbing whatever they could to flee to the border with Chad.

Some described being shot at by fighters and subject to searches during the perilous journey.

The conflict sees the army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, battle the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has attributed the West Darfur atrocities primarily to the RSF, and the UNs Sudan mission chief, Volker Perthes, referred to reports of attacks allegedly committed by Arab militias and some armed men in RSF uniform.

In a social media video Tuesday, Daglo denounced a tribal conflict in El Geneina.

Almost 900 wounded and 15,000 Sudanese refugees from West Darfurs capital and its surroundings have reached the Chadian town of Adre in the last four days, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity said on Monday.

At least 150,000 people have fled Darfur into Chad since the start of fighting, according to the UN.

 Lawlessness 

The number of people uprooted from their homes by the conflict has topped 2.5 million, including about 550,000 who have fled abroad, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Filippo Grandi, the head of the UNs refugee agency, on Tuesday urged Sudans neighbours to keep their borders open despite security worries.

My appeal to all the neighbouring countries is to say I understand your security concerns, but please keep your borders open because these people are really fleeing for their lives, he told AFP in an interview.

Donors gathered Monday at a conference in Geneva where they pledged almost $1.5 billion  only half of the estimated needs to combat the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and help its neighbours host those fleeing the fighting.

More than half of Sudans population, 25 million, require aid, the UN says.

The humanitarian needs have reached record levels in Sudan and there is still no sign of an end to the conflict, said Eddie Rowe, the World Food Programmes Sudan director.

Alexander Kjaerum of the Danish Refugee Council described as absolutely shameful the funding levels for the conflict, comparing it to the outpouring of support received at the start of the war in Ukraine.

The latest in a series of truces that have all been systematically violated began Sunday and is due to end at 6:00 am (0400 GMT) Wednesday.

Although it brought a relative respite, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday said it was not respected.

An operation it carried out to transfer wounded soldiers to a hospital had to be aborted after gunshots sounded in the immediate proximity of our convoy, the agency said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday warned that the scale and speed of Sudans descent into death and destruction is unprecedented.

Without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region, he said.

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Mogadishu, Somalia  At least eight people were killed on Tuesday in gunbattles outside parliament in Somalias semi-autonomous region of Puntland between local security forces and armed militiamen loyal to opposition politicians, police and witnesses said.

The fierce clashes in the state capital, Garowe, erupted during a parliamentary session to debate changes to the local constitution, which the opposition claims is a bid by Puntlands president to extend his term in office.

Around eight people were confirmed dead in the fighting and more than 10 others were wounded, including civilians, said Abdiweli Hassan, a police officer in Garowe.

Somalias Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre issued an urgent appeal for the rivals to reconcile their differences through dialogue rather than the barrel of a gun.

The violence broke out when gunmen loyal to opposition politicians confronted security forces protecting parliament and tried to disrupt the session, Hassan said.

They have been defeated and the situation in town is calm now, he said, adding: No one will be allowed to act above the law.

One witness, Mohamednur Ali, said he saw around six dead bodies and several wounded people, adding: The fighting was very intense and both sides used heavy machine guns.

The situation is normal now but there is still sporadic gunfire, Ali said.

Another witness, Nimo Adan, said she was caught up in the crossfire and saw several people killed.

 First direct polls 

In a landmark move in May, Puntland held local elections that were the first direct polls in Somalia in more than half a century, outside the breakaway region of Somaliland.

At the time, opposition politicians accused Puntland state president Said Abdullahi Deni of manipulating the election procedure and seeking to amend the constitution to enable him to extend his mandate which is due to end in January next year.

Later in May, Somalias central government and four federal member states  excluding Puntland  announced a deal for a one-person one-vote system to be introduced with local elections set for June next year.

It followed a pledge by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in March to end the complex clan-based indirect voting system in the Horn of Africa nation, which has been mired in chaos for decades.

Somalia has not held direct elections nationwide since 1969, when the dictator Siad Barre seized power.

But the new plan also calls for parliamentary and presidential votes in the federal states on November 30 next year, beyond the current expiry dates of some mandates including Denis term.

An arid oil-rich region on the northeastern coast of Somalia, Puntland declared autonomy in 1998 and relations with the central government in Mogadishu have often been tense.

In a televised statement, PM Barre described the fighting in Puntland as senseless and called for an urgent ceasefire.

Puntland was the home of peace, and after 20 years of having a government, it is unacceptable to have a war breaking out in its capital, he said.

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But since the government is taking a long time to make up its mind, we will just have to wait much longer

What initially appeared to be a simple and straightforward exercise has now turned to be a more contentious issue.

This is perhaps because of the way the public came to know about it.

By jumping the gun on the government, Senator Imee Marcos now has the upper ground in the debate. Had she not revealed what she knew, it is possible this matter would only have been made public when everything has been ironed out.

In a way, it is better this thing is now out in the open so that all the pros and cons can be debated on properly before deciding whether to undertake it or not.

According to our Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, the US has requested that we allow the processing of all those Afghans who worked for the US military together with their families during the 20 year US-Afghan War here in the country before being allowed entry into the US. The request appears to have been made during the trip of PBBM to Washington.

At a glance, the request appears to be based on humanitarian grounds but, to some, there is something that is not right about the whole issue.

Why, the skeptics are asking, process these people here when there are better facilities in the US?

One answer to this question could be that if some of those to be processed will be found not to be qualified, it will be difficult to get those persons out of that country because of US laws.

It would be a lot easier for the US to deal with such a problem here because US laws do not apply in the Philippines.

There may be other reasons that we do not know about.

In the Senate hearing conducted last week, it is interesting that the Chair of the Committee, Senator Marcos, appeared to be against the proposed entry of those Afghans while the Vice-Chair, Senator Tolentino was for allowing them to enter on humanitarian grounds due to our long history of welcoming refugees.

Whether these Afghans do fall under the category of refugees as defined by United Nations conventions is of course, another matter.

Senator Marcos for her part is wary because of the national security implications of allowing the Afghans here.

What happens for instance to those who do not qualify to enter the US?

Presidential Legal Adviser Juan Ponce Enrile for his part sees nothing wrong because the stay of these people will only be temporary.

Former President Duterte who initially ranted about it is now saying he is not entirely closing the door on the entry of the Afghans.

VP Sarah Duterte, however, is opposing the project because she believes allowing the Afghans into the country is detrimental to our national interest.

It is true that we have a history of welcoming refugees to our shores for a long time.

From the White Russians who escaped the Russian Revolution of 1917 to the more than 1,000 Jewish people that no country was willing accept on the eve of the Second World War were all welcomed with open arms.

This was the same with the second wave of White Russians welcomed by President Elpidio Quirino in 1949.

If we analyze this issue carefully, the processing of these Afghans will essentially be the same to what happened to the tens of thousands of South Vietnamese that underwent processing in Bataan when the Vietnam War ended in 1975.

When the Americans hurriedly left Vietnam as they did in Afghanistan, thousands of former South Vietnamese soldiers and others who worked with them together with their families and relatives were left behind in Vietnam.

They were all processed in Bataan and eventually allowed to settle in the US and other friendly countries.

Those who were not eventually accepted by the US and there were quite a few, applied to settle here and were eventually allowed to stay.

This could very well happen with these Afghans.

If the number of Afghans that will be processed here will be about 50,000 as it was reported, it is very likely that many of them will not qualify.

To assuage the fear of those who are opposing the project on national security grounds, we can make it part of the agreement that it will be the responsibility of the US to relocate those who will not qualify somewhere else and not in this country.

Part of the objection also is administrative.

Since the Bataan processing center is no longer available, where will the thousands of Afghans be housed and who will pay for all the expenses considering the number of people who will be processed. Unfortunately, instead of the DFA providing updates on developments, it is Ambassador Romualdez who has been doing it.

Since it appears that there were some kind of negotiations that have been done both in Washington and here, it would be better for the DFA to speak up instead of keeping quiet.

In the end, this exercise might just turn out to be about us once again providing much needed help to these Afghans who are feeling that they have been left behind to suffer the consequences of helping the US military.

As we always point out, it is in our nations DNA to help other people in need which is something we as a people can all be proud of.

But since the government is taking a long time to make up its mind, we will just have to wait much longer.

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TODAYS WORD is uhuru. Example: Decades of dedicated political action resulted in uhuru for the newly founded country.

TUESDAYS WORD was haplotype meaning a combination of closely linked DNA sequences on one chromosome that are often inherited together. Example: The Y-chromosome samples from subjects in southern Europe and the Middle East all had the same haplotype, pointing to a common ancestor in ancient Africa.

Summer is here!

Today is the first day of summer and its going to be a busy one as indicated by a survey from Deloitte, where 46% say they plan a summer trip, up from 41% last year. And where are most people going? A survey from Vacasa says 57% are heading to the beach.

Favorite beach

The Stroller did an online survey last week asking about your favorite beach and boy did we get lots of responses.

The most popular state to visit the beach is by far North Carolina with 38 people naming a favorite beach in the Tarheel state. South Carolina was next with 21, followed by Florida with 9 and Virginia with 3. Other states included Maryland, Texas, Georgia, Connecticut and Hawaii.

The most popular beach with 10 votes was Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, followed by Oak Island, North Carolina with 8. Atlantic Beach in North Carolina received 4 votes and Carolina Beach, Hilton Head, Surfside Beach, Topsail and Wrightsville Beach all received three votes.

Cherry Grove, Figure Eight Island, Kure Beach, Sanibel Island in Florida, Virginia Beach, Isle of Palms, Outer Banks and Hatteras Island all received two votes.

We love Kure Beach when we go as a big family, said Julie Moore. Its so easy to entertain all ages at affordable prices; walking distance to the beach and just about any accommodations as well.

Said Doris Overby: We live part time at Surfside and it is a clean and mostly noise-free beach except during bike week.

Closest beach

The closest public beach with coastal waters, as the crow flies, to Martinsville is Beaufort, North Carolina at 178.55 miles away, according to distantias.com. Atlantic Beach is the first you come to and Emerald Isle is not too far down the road. On a bit further and youll come to North Topsail Beach, followed by Surf City and then Topsail Beach.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina received nine votes but this island strand is 175 miles long and it wouldnt be fair to lump the votes altogether.

Whatever your beach flavor is, there are plenty within a days drive from here, so when you head out be safe and have fun.

Quote of the day

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawnmower is broken.  James Dent

TUESDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: Autophobia is the fear of being alone.

TODAYS TRIVIA QUESTION: The film Saving Private Ryan takes place during which notable event of World War II?
SPRUCE PINE  The Orchard at Altapass is hosting book signings on the first two Saturdays in July.

On Saturday, July 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tonja Smith returns and will be signing her second Painted Series book, I Believe I Can  a book of empowerment and encouragement for children of all ages. The book contains 16 lines of affirmations accompanied by images of children who believe in themselves. Each sentence has the beginning, I believe I can  that leads into the activity and ends with a word of empowerment, according to a news release.

Smith lives in western North Carolina with her husband Wayne and dog, Bleecker. As a visual artist, Smith focuses on acrylics, creating narrative impressionistic realism paintings and drawing pencil portraits. She illustrated and co-authored their first book in The Painted Series: Adventures of Bailey, Bleecker, and BanjoLinville Gorge with her daughter Emily.

On Saturday, July 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ron McKinney will be discussing his book, Appalachian Boy, Revised Edition. This book follows the adventures of a mountain boy as he assumes the responsibilities of his father who died when he was 9. From killing hogs to selling muskrat furs to Sears and Roebuck, he did what he had to do to help his family survive.

Through stories from the life of a young boy, this book presents a vivid picture of Appalachian culture in the 1940s and 1950s. It shows the social, emotional and physical challenges involved in survival living during that period and celebrates the triumphal spirit of an Appalachian boy.

McKinney still lives near Bakersville, the North Carolina town in which he grew up. He has been a public school teacher, counselor, financial aid officer, and dean of student affairs at the college level and now, an author of this 2023 edition of his book, according to the news release.

Visitors may bring their copies for signing or purchase one at the event. Come meet the authors of these two exciting new books in the red barn.

Located at 1025 Orchard Road near Spruce Pine and the McDowell-Mitchell county line at mile marker 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Orchard is a not-for-profit working orchard and educational venue. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Family-/pet-friendly. Wheelchair accessible. Buses welcome. For information, visit www.altapassorchard.org.
The Cape Verdean Government has already awarded annual pensions to the heirs of six of the eight soldiers who died in April in a car accident on the way to fight a fire in Santiago, according to dispatches consulted today by media.

According to the documents, published in the Official Bulletin, the mother of a former sergeant from Tarrafal de Santiago will receive the highest value of the blood pension, 766.930 escudos (6955 euros) annually, corresponding to 63910 escudos per month (579 euros).

Next is the mother and guardian of the minor son of a former corporal, who was born in Santa Cruz, but lived in Praia, who will receive 383.040 escudos (3.473 euros) per year, equivalent to 31.920 escudos per month (289 euros).

The able heirs of a former corporal and three soldiers will receive an annual pension of 191,520 escudos (1,736 euros) each, which amounts to 15,960 escudos (144 euros) per month.

According to the Armed Forces, the processes of two former corporals are underway to clarify the skillful heirs who will receive the pension at blood price. On April 02, eight Cape Verdean soldiers died in a car accident when they were on their way to fight the fire that broke out in the Malagueta and Figueira das Naus mountains, about 50 kilometers north of the city of Praia.

The truck, which was carrying the second military contingent in support of fighting the fire, had left Praia in the morning with 31 soldiers, three in the cabin and 28 in the body, bound for Figueira das Naus to Ribeira da Prata.

The number of fatalities rose to nine, with the death of a technician from the Serra da Malagueta Natural Park.

At the time, the Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, guaranteed the allocation of pensions, as was done in the case of Monte Tchota, a military detachment in Sao Domingos, Santiago Island, when in 2016 a military man shot dead eight others, as well as three civilians. In May, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMFA), Antonio Duarte Monteiro, admitted that the driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control of the truck and panicked.
The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, will visit Portugal next month and participate alongside his Portuguese counterpart in a dialogue that will close the EuroAfrican Forum 2023 on July 19, said a source from the organization of the event.

The Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and his counterpart from Ghana are the speakers at the time called Dialogue with the President that closes two days of work of EuroAfrican Forum, indicated an official of the organization.

Heads of State and members of governments from about a dozen countries, investors, managers and academics will explore opportunities and analyze concrete projects to bring Europe and Africa together at the EuroAfrican Forum 2023, which will be held at the Nova SBE College in Carcavelos.

The Portuguese Diaspora Council, a non-governmental organization for development founded under the high patronage of the President of the Republic in 2012, is organizing the event, which will take place on July 18 and 19 and is expected to be attended by at least 500 people.

Among them, the organization has confirmed the presence of ministers and public decision-makers from all the Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP), namely Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe, as well as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, and manifestation of willingness to participate from others, which may exceed ten.

In this 6th edition, the topics under discussion are digital transformation and greater integration in a global digital ecosystem, green transformation and economic necessity and opportunity to bring Europe and Africa closer together, quality education through cooperation in research and innovation.

Strengthening health systems, with a focus on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies, supporting sustainable financing for growth, identifying opportunities and challenges of internationalization and EU-Africa cross-border trade, and connecting Africa and Europe through sustainable infrastructure and transport fill other panels of work on the two days.
With Cape Verdes entry, the Budapest Convention is now adopted by 59 countries. It provides guarantees for people whose data is the object of processing, says Cape Verdes Minister of Justice.

Cape Verde will be the second African country to sign an additional protocol to the convention on cybercrime to strengthen cooperation between States and the private sector, ensuring legal security for service providers, said an official source on Tuesday.

The information was provided by Cape Verdean Justice Minister, Joana Rosa, in Praia, at the opening of a training session for magistrates on investigating cybercrimes and digital evidence, indicating that Cape Verde has already formally expressed interest in signing the second additional protocol to the Budapest Convention (on cybercrime).

This should happen later this month in Strasbourg, with the aim, among others, of strengthening cooperation between states and the private sector to ensure greater clarity and legal certainty for service providers and other entities regarding the circumstances in which they may respond to direct requests from criminal justice authorities of other parties for disclosure of electronic data, said Joana Rosa.

The minister also stressed that on the same occasion the 108 Plus convention (a modernized convention and the European Data Protection Regulation) will be signed, considering that it significantly increases the principle of lawful processing and reinforces the protection of special categories of data.
Dozens of workers from the municipality of Maputo, mostly in the area of sanitation, held their second consecutive day of strike on Tuesday, demanding increased wages and the new Single Wage Table (TSU) of the State.

The employees gathered in the Praca da Independencia, in front of the headquarters building of the Maputo municipality, maintaining the work stoppage they have been carrying out since Monday.

Following the agglomeration, the municipal authorities stationed members of the Protection Police and Municipal Police at the entrance of the Mozambican capitals government headquarters, as a way to prevent possible disagreements.

We will not abandon the strike until we have a satisfactory response, we have been trying to find a solution for months, but the municipality will not budge on its position, one of the workers, who asked not to be identified, said.

Another employee said that the municipality has not updated salaries since 2019 and the situation of workers has been getting worse, because most earn about four thousand meticais (just over 57 euros).

We work here because we have nowhere to go, we are all suffocated by the bills, he reported.

Representatives of the strikers held a meeting with members of the municipalitys management, but the results of the meeting are not yet known.

Several professional classes of the Mozambican public administration have threatened to strike, in protest to low wages and errors in the TSU framework, presented by the Mozambican executive as an instrument for correcting salary imbalances in the state. We did not get a reaction from the management of the municipality of Maputo, but the director of Human Resources of the municipality, quoted by the daily O Pais, said that the capitals authorities are unable to pay based on the Single Wage Table.
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced Tuesday that it will launch an affiliate, Pratt & Whitney Maroc (PWM), in Casablanca, to manufacture detailed static and structural machined parts for various engine models.

Morocco was selected after a global benchmarking exercise due to its growing hub of aerospace companies, cost of business and trained, available talent, the company said in a press release issued at Paris airshow.

Morocco offers many benefits for aerospace manufacturing, said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada. The growing aerospace community in Casablanca ensures a highly valuable talent pool, a positive economic environment, and the support from Moroccos government. Pratt & Whitney Maroc, as an independent affiliate, will create 200 jobs by 2030, and we look forward to joining the business community in Casablancas MidParc Free Zone.

P&W investment in Morocco will strengthen our aerospace ecosystem by fostering innovation, research, and the development of new technologies, said the representative of the Moroccan Ministry of Investment, It will create job opportunities for our talented youth, foster knowledge transfer, and promote collaboration between local and international stakeholders.

This 130,000-square-foot new greenfield facility will be built with lean principles and CORE methodology to drive efficiency and quality and reduce costs. This investment is a vital part of the companys ability to produce engines to meet strong demand and brings Pratt & Whitney closer to its African customer base and partners, which allows it to further support the aerospace growth in this region, the press release said, adding that the facility construction will begin Q4 2023 to ensure a successful launch in 2025.

This investment is key to Pratt & Whitneys strategy to develop cost-effective sourcing capabilities for competitiveness and to optimize operations footprint and asset utilization, the press release 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:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In the year since the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling struck down the constitutional right to abortion, society has been seeing the results of a post-Roe world.

While there is no law in the U.S. that regulates what a man can do with his body, the reproductive health of women is now more regulated than it has been in 50 years. And the scope of reproductive health care that women can receive is highly dependent on where they live.

This creates a system of inequalities and further exacerbates health disparities.

I am a nurse practitioner who studies women's reproductive health across the lifespan.

My research found that college women are concerned about pregnancy, but they lack knowledge and skills about navigating sexual consent and often participate in sexual activity without explicit consent, leaving them at risk for not using contraception and exposure to sexually transmitted infections.

These findings indicate that women are at risk of pregnancy at a historic time when women's reproductive rights in the U.S. are restricted and not guaranteed.

Current state of abortion in the US

The Dobbs v. Jackson ruling returned decisions regarding abortion to individual states. This has led to a patchwork of laws that span the entire range from complete bans and tight restrictions to full state protection for abortion.

In some states, such as Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, abortion is banned beginning at six weeks gestational age, when very few women even know they are pregnant. Other states, such as Massachusetts, Vermont, New York and Oregon, have enacted state-level protections for abortion.

The patchwork of state laws also results in a great deal of confusion. In the past year, women's rights organizations and women's health advocates have brought numerous legal challenges to restrictive abortion laws. These cases have halted the implementation of some of the strictest abortion regulations until additional court rulings are finalized. A retrospective on Roe v. Wade  and a look ahead.

Downstream effects for health care professionals

Abortion training is considered essential health care and a core competency for physicians in obstetrics and gynecology, or OB-GYN, residency programs. Approximately 50% of OB-GYN residency programs are located in states with restricted or highly restricted access to abortion. This will logically result in not only fewer health care providers being trained to perform gynecologic procedures for abortion, but also other conditions such as miscarriage, fetal death and nonviable pregnancies.

In states with changing abortion laws and legal challenges to new laws, physicians are uncertain of what procedures can be legally done. Penalties for violating abortion laws may include arrest, loss of medical license, fines and discipline by state boards of medicine.

As a result, physicians are choosing to leave states with the most restrictive abortion laws, and clinics are closing, which is contributing to the current shortage of health care providers.

Inequalities in health care access

The unequal access to abortion procedures across the country is most directly affecting the poorest women in the U.S.

Currently, 12 states restrict abortion coverage by private insurance, and more than 30 states prohibit public Medicaid payment for abortion. Women who qualify for Medicaid are among the poorest in the U.S. Lack of access to abortion limits education and wage earning and contributes to poverty. States with the most restrictive abortion laws also have limited access to pregnancy care and supportive programs for pregnant and parenting women.

In addition, traveling to a different state to obtain an abortion is often not possible for poor women. Lack of transportation and limited financial resources reduce or eliminate options to obtain an abortion in a different geographic location.

What's more, states with the most abortion restrictions have some of the worst pregnancy and maternal health outcomes for women, especially women of color. Pregnancy itself is associated with a risk of dying.

Maternal morbidity is the term used to describe short- or long-term health problems that result from pregnancy. Maternal mortality refers to the death of women during pregnancy or within the first six weeks after birth.

For example, Mississippi and Louisiana have the highest rates of maternal mortality in the U.S. and also have the most restrictive abortion laws. Black women have the highest maternal mortality of all races and ethnicities. Women in these states who are unable to terminate a pregnancy have a higher risk of dying as a result of the pregnancy than women in other states.

Additionally, research shows that a woman's risk of dying related to pregnancy or childbirth is about 14 times higher than the risk of death from an abortion. Said one: I didnt know I was important enough to draw boundaries around what people could and couldnt do with my body.

In addition to the increased risks of death, there are other physical and mental health implications associated with carrying an undesired pregnancy to term. Being denied access to abortion is associated with increased anxiety and fewer future plans for the next year. Research also shows that not being able to obtain an abortion makes women more likely to live below the federal poverty level and to lack partner support.

Conversely, research has shown that there are few if any significant negative mental health outcomes among women who have abortions.

Unsafe abortions

Restricting legal abortion increases the risk that women will seek out pregnancy termination from unskilled people in unsafe settings. Or they may not seek care quickly for pregnancy complications due to fear of being accused of a crime.

In Texas, physicians are reporting an increase in sepsis, or an overwhelming response to infection, from incomplete abortions. These physicians predict that sepsis will become the leading cause of maternal death in Texas.

Prior to 1973, when Roe v. Wade established constitutional protection for abortion in the U.S., women often resorted to unsafe methods to induce abortion that resulted in a high death toll. Septic abortion wardsor designated areas of hospitals where women were treated for sepsis as a result of illegal abortionswere common. In 1965, 17% of all deaths related to pregnancy were attributed to illegal abortion.

Now that the constitutional right to abortion has been eliminated, more women will inevitably die or become seriously ill due to lack of safe access to abortion services. In states with the most restrictions on abortion, whether a woman meets the criteria for an exemption to save the life of the mother may be decided by a hospital committee. This can delay necessary care and increase the risk to the mother.

Women affected by violence

In the U.S., more than 25% of women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Violence from an intimate partner is a leading reason for abortion. My research shows that women affected by violence have a higher risk of pregnancy and that college women are at increased risk of nonconsensual and forced sexual encounters.

Currently, there are 14 states with abortion bans that contain no exception for rape or incest or require that the sexual assault be reported to law enforcement to qualify for exception.

Research has shown that women often don't report sexual assault due to stigma, embarrassment or fear of not being believed. Even if women qualify for an abortion as a result of sexual violence, those who have not filed a formal police report lack "proof" that their pregnancy resulted from assault.

While the changes that have occurred since the fall of Roe one year ago are already deeply concerning, the full effect of eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion won't be known for years. And as laws are enacted and subsequently challenged, uncertainty and confusion regarding women's reproductive health care will undoubtedly continue for years to come.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The Crick COVID Testing Pipeline mirrors the dynamics of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in London. (A) Prevalence of all SARS-CoV-2 infections in cases per 1000 residents, by London borough from April, 2020, to May, 2021. (B) Numbers of daily tests conducted by the CCTP from April, 2020, to April, 2022. (C) Rolling 7-day incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections across all the CCTP sites from April, 2020, to May, 2021. Vertical lines indicate peak daily positive tests, smoothed lines indicate 7-day rolling mean. (D) SARS-CoV-2 lineage positive PCR tests as a monthly proportion of total positive tests from April, 2020, to March, 2022. (E) Phylogenetic tree showing variation in all SARS-CoV-2 lineages isolated by the CCTP between 2020 and 2022, and colored according to variants of concern. (F) Detection lead time in days for three variants of concern related to WHO designation date. CCTP=Crick COVID Testing Pipeline. Crick=Francis Crick Institute. CNWL=Camden and Northwest London NHS Trust. NMUH=North Middlesex University Hospital. NWP=Northwick Park Hospital. RFH=Barnet and Royal Free Hospitals. UCLH=University College London Hospitals. Credit: The Lancet (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00917-0

Asymptomatic PCR testing for NHS staff, provided by the Francis Crick Institute and University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust and its diagnostic partner Health Services Laboratories, effectively detected COVID-19 infections that would have otherwise been missed.

In a new study of testing data from the Crick COVID Testing Pipeline, published June 19 as a Research letter in The Lancet, researchers examined test positivity rates across different NHS trusts.

The pipeline provided both asymptomatic screening and SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing for staff in eight NHS trusts and 98 local care homes and rehabilitation facilities, covering London boroughs with high rates of COVID-19 including Brent, Harrow, Barnet and Ealing.

Testing was then expanded to staff at the Crick to allow them to carry out essential research work, as well as supporting the Crick Vaccination Center, which delivered more than 80,000 vaccinations to the population of Camden. Data from the testing pipeline is being analyzed as part of the ongoing Legacy Study at the Crick and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Center.

Researchers first observed that from the 680,000 tests run through the testing pipeline, 40.8% of all positive tests were from UCLH and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, which both offered asymptomatic testing for staff and patients, to support delivery of COVID-19 secure cancer and surgical services. This high incidence suggests a significant number of additional infections were being detected by this strategy.

They then adjusted for organization size and calculated an incidence rate ratio for each site over the first four months of testing. This was the daily incidence of positive tests for each site, divided by the daily incidence estimates for London's population. They found that the incidence of cases at the NHS sites that offered primarily asymptomatic testing were up to 13 times that of the London population at the time.

They also compared infection data from staff at the Crick and observed that peaks of infection were flatter than within the Institute's local borough of Camden, suggesting that the strategy helped to keep overall numbers lower in the workplace. Asymptomatic testing also helped the Crick get back to 60%75% research capacity within four weeks of each national lockdown across 20202021.

Chris Bailey, Clinical Fellow at the Crick and author of the study, said, "Our analysis suggests that asymptomatic testing was responsible for capturing a significant number of infections that would have otherwise been missed, and could have spread to more NHS staff and their patients. Strict testing strategies are especially important in protecting the most vulnerable patients."

Emma Wall, UCLH Infectious Diseases consultant and Senior Clinical Research Fellow for the Legacy study, said, "The data we've gathered throughout the pandemic needs to be put to good use. We've shown that by repurposing lab facilities and partnering with local NHS trusts, the Crick was able to protect both staff and patients across London. This is a useful blueprint for future NHS-academic partnerships that could be rapidly set up in the event of another pandemic."

The work highlights the strong partnership between UCLH and the Crick in research. Partnership working during COVID-19 between teams began early in the pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, a collaboration between the UCLH virology team and the Crick ensured that asymptomatic PCR testing was offered to health care workershelping to create a safer environment for patients and staff across the sector.

More information: Chris Bailey et al, Independent SARS-CoV-2 staff testing protected academic and health-care institutions in northwest London, The Lancet (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00917-0 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:

Dr. Linglan Fu holding the hydrogel. Credit: Alex Walls

A gel that combines both stiffness and toughness is a step forward in the bid to create biodegradable implants for joint injuries, according to new UBC research.

Mimicking articular cartilage, found in our knee and hip joints, is challenging. This cartilage is key to smooth joint movement, and damage to it can cause pain, reduce function, and lead to arthritis. One potential solution is to implant artificial scaffolds made of proteins that help the cartilage regenerate itself as the scaffold biodegrades. How well the cartilage regenerates is linked to how well a scaffold can mimic the biological properties of cartilage, and to date, researchers have struggled to combine the seemingly incompatible properties of stiffness and toughness.

Now, new research by Canadian and Chinese scientists published June 21 in Nature outlines a method to marry these properties in a biodegradable gel. "Cartilage is tricky," says senior author Dr. Hongbin Li, a professor in the UBC department of chemistry. "Articular cartilage repair represents an important medical challenge because naturally speaking, it doesn't repair itself."

Biodegradable cartilage implants must strike a delicate balance in that they need to be both stiff and tough, like actual cartilage. Mechanically, when something is stiff, it resists being bent or deformed, but that usually means it's brittlewhen you bend it, it breaks, like glass. When something is tough, it resists breaking, even when you bend it, but it might be too soft to be useful in a joint, like jelly, or even just softer than actual cartilage. That's the case with current implants that are made from proteins, which creates a mismatch between what the cells need and what's being provided, says Dr. Li. This leads to the cartilage not repairing as well as it could.

Placing the hydrogel on a compression machine. Credit: Alex Walls

In the study, Dr. Li and his team developed a new approach to stiffen a protein gel without sacrificing toughness, by physically tangling together the chains of a particular protein that made up the gel's network. "These entangled chains can move, which allows energy, for instance, the impact from jumping, to be dissipated, just like shock absorbers in bikes. In addition, we combined this with an existing method of folding and unfolding proteins, which also allows for energy dissipation," says first author Dr. Linglan Fu, who conducted the research as a doctoral student at UBC's department of chemistry.

The resulting gel was super tough, able to resist slicing with a scalpel, and was more stiff than other protein hydrogels. Its ability to resist compression was among the highest achieved by any such gels and compared favorably with actual articular cartilage. And the gel was able to rapidly recover its original shape after compression, as real cartilage does after jumping.

Rabbits implanted with the gel showed notable signs of repair of articular cartilage 12 weeks after implantation, with no hydrogel remaining and no rejection of the implant by the animals' immune system. The researchers observed bone tissue growth similar to the existing tissue, and regenerated tissue close to existing cartilage for the gel implant groupmuch better results than they saw with a control group.

Interestingly, a stiffer version of the gel had better results than a softer version, likely due to the higher stiffness being more compatible with bone and cartilage tissues, and so providing a physical cue to the body for effective regeneration. However, there can be such a thing as too stiffthe stiffest gel did not work as well, likely due to its slower degradation in the body, the researchers said. "This just shows how complex this area of research is, and the need to take into account the many different physical and biochemical cues and factors when designing these scaffolds," says co-author Dr. Qing Jiang, a professor and surgeon at Nanjing University.

Further animal testing is needed and the research is still premature for human trials. The researchers' next steps include this testing, fine-tuning the current gel composition and adding additional biochemical cues to further promote cell regeneration. "By optimizing both biochemical and biomechanical cues together, we will see in the future whether these new scaffolds can lead to even better outcomes," Dr. Li says.

More information: Hongbin Li, Cartilage-like protein hydrogels engineered via entanglement, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06037-0. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06037-0 Journal information: Nature
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Highly targeted electrical stimulation to the brain showed promise as a new treatment for the most common type of stroke, according to a pilot study led by UCLA Health researchers.

The study is the first in humans to test the feasibility of using a targeted type of electrical current, called high-definition cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (HD C-tDCS), to treat acute ischemic stroke, which occurs when a clot blocks blood supply to part of the brain and accounts for approximately 85% of all strokes. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

Many patients are not candidates for the two main treatments currently available for acute ischemic stroke: clot-dissolving drugs and a device that reaches into the bloodstream and yanks out clots. Even among those who are eligible for those treatments, just an estimated 20%30% are disability-free three months after their stroke.

In their new study, published June 21 in JAMA Network Open, UCLA Health researchers tested HD C-tDCS as a novel therapy for acute ischemic stroke, in which a series of electrodes are strategically placed across the scalp to deliver a weak inhibitory form of electrical current to the part of the brain suffering from low blood flow.

This form of noninvasive stimulation has been used to treat certain neurological and psychiatric conditions, and the researchers had noted the electrical currents appeared to have an effect on the brain's blood flow. The researchers theorized it may be possible to use HD C tDCS to enhance blood flow to parts of the brain impacted by stroke and protect the threatened brain tissue, known as the penumbra, from irreversible injury.

The pilot study involved 10 acute stroke patients who presented to the emergency department or were admitted at neuro-intensive care and stroke units, were ineligible for currently available treatments, and were within 24 hours of stroke onset. Seven patients were randomized to receive active HD C-tDCS treatment, and three received "sham" stimulation. Using hemodynamic brain scans that acute stroke patients receive upon arrival, the researchers located the stroke area with low blood flow to where the HD C-tDCS treatment was delivered.

"This treatment was aimed at being as targeted and as individualized as possible, only to the area of the brain that has low blood flow or is suffering from stroke," said the lead researcher on this innovative project, Mersedeh Bahr-Hosseini, MD, a vascular neurologist at UCLA Health. "With this high-definition form of C-tDCS, we were able to refine this electrical field to focus it just on this area."

The first set of patients, which included 3 patients in the treatment arm and one in the sham group, received 20 minutes of 1 milliamp of stimulation. In the remaining patients, the dose was escalated to 2 milliamps for 20 minutes.

Researchers were able to efficiently provide the treatment in emergency settings, and patients tolerated the treatment.

Bahr-Hosseini said the most exciting finding was that in patients receiving HD C-tDCS, a median of 66% of the penumbrathe threatened brain tissue surrounding the core of the strokewas rescued in the first 24 hours after stroke, compared to 0% in the sham group.

According to the hemodynamic brain scans performed soon after treatment, patients who received HD C-tDCS showed signs of improved blood flow that was greater in patients receiving 2 milliamps compared to 1 milliamp. In contrast, the blood flow decreased in sham group. "That was also very exciting, because it showed a possibly true biological effect of the treatment," she said.

Researchers are planning a new multi-site study with Johns Hopkins, Duke University, and the University of Pennsylvania, to gather more data on the treatment's safety and efficacy. The next study will also include patients who are eligible for the clot-dissolving drugs, known as intravenous thrombolytics.

More information: High-definition Cathodal Direct Current Stimulation for Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.19231 Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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Credit: Gertjan Hooijer/Shutterstock

Climate change is already having, and will continue to have, a significant effect on global health. This is likely to be greatest in rural poorer populations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, richer countries, such as the UK, will also probably be on the receiving end of emerging infectious disease threats as the country warms.

Infections that are mainly found in the tropics are on the move to new locations. Dengue, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, is becoming more widely reported in European countries, particularly in some parts of Italy and France. The West Nile virus, which is also spread by mosquitoes, has been common across many states in the US, with typically more than 1,000 cases reported each year.

Another virus shifting to new locations is the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), which is transmitted by ticks. Most cases occur in Africa or Asia, but cases have been reported in several European countries, including Spain, Turkey, Greece, Russia and Ukraine, with recent media reports warning we might see the virus arrive in the UK.

So what is CCHFV, and should we be worried? Let's take a look.

There are approximately 15,000 cases of CCHFV a year, globally. CCHFV is a serious pathogentypically between 10-40% of people who contract the virus will die from it.

As the name suggests, CCHFV is part of a group of diseases known as viral hemorrhagic fevers. These are described as causing "severe multi-system syndrome", meaning multiple organ systems in the body are affected. These infections can also be accompanied by severe bleeding. Other viruses in this group include Ebola, Marburg, dengue, and Rift Valley fever virus.

CCHFV is transmitted by a tick species called the Hyalomma tick. The virus was first identified in the Crimean Peninsula in 1944, with an outbreak in the Congo in 1956 resulting in the modern-day name. To avoid stigma, the linking of pathogen names to the site of the first known outbreaks is no longer practiced.

A tick bite is the most common way to contract CCHFV. Though transmission has also occurred after needlestick injuries or from infected blood, meaning there is some risk to healthcare workers.

But there is little sustained transmission between humans, with outbreaks typically relying on the presence of an infected tick. Hyalomma ticks can be found on a range of animals, including livestock and rabbits. Most animals appear to be able to carry the tick and the virus without becoming unwell.

In people infected with CCHFV, symptoms typically start with fever, muscle ache or dizziness, and can rapidly progress within a few days to kidney deterioration or sudden liver failure.

Hyalomma ticks, which transmit HHCFV, can be found on a range of animals. Credit: Jen Watson/Shutterstock

CCHFV is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a virus where there has been limited research but where the pathogen is considered to be a high threat.

There is no vaccine available, nor any established antiviral treatment. However, ribavirin, a medicine used to treat other viruses such as hepatitis C, has shown some promise.

Should we be worried?

Within the UK, there have so far only been small numbers of imported cases, where people have contracted the virus while traveling in high-risk areas.

There is ongoing research and surveillance in areas such as marshlands, where ticks and mosquitoes are caught and studied to see if there are any new or evolving threats. The Hyalomma tick is not currently established in the UK, and so the threat, for now, is very low.

Still, there are many other types of ticks in the UK, including those responsible for causing Lyme disease, which are usually found on vegetation. They cannot walk or fly, so the public health advice for protecting against tick bites includes avoiding brushing against vegetation when out for walks, carrying out regular tick checks and using repellents.

In areas where CCHFV is a higher risk, such as during or after an outbreak, hygienic storage of meat is thought to be important, and restrictions around the transport of animals may be introduced.

There is concern from the WHO and other health experts about the global spread of this Hyalomma tick. The wide range of animals on which the tick is found means there is potential for it to become endemic in new communities. The tick has also been detected in long-range migratory birds, and was found in 2018 in Sweden for the first time.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers like CCHFV can cause severe illness and death in some people who become infected. Also, localized outbreaks can have other consequences for poor farming communities, such as the slaughter of their cattle and subsequent loss of trade.

There is unlikely to be a significant number of cases of CCHFV in the UK at any point soon. However, as globalization increases and climate change continues to alter patterns of disease, it's plausible that the virus might pose a sustained threat in the future.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Researchers examine epidemiological data over a substantial period to understand trends in the pattern of this occupational disease. Credit: Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Medical Association.

At work, coal miners are constantly exposed to silica or coal dust, which tends to settle in their lungs. This irritates the lungs, causing inflammation, fibrosis, and breathing problems. Although coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is caused by dust inhalation inside and around coal mines, other contributing factors such as geological and mining parameters, mining technology, dust particle characteristics, and monitoring also play significant roles in its epidemiology. Clearly, the social determinants of health (SDH) or the environmental conditions that affect health, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes play a pivotal role in determining the incidence of CWP, which is now a major public health concern.

China, the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, also has the most coal miners. Despite efforts over the past seven decades, cases of CWP continue to rise in the country and no studies report the direct analysis of available CWP data. Now, researchers from China have addressed this issue by comprehensively analyzing the epidemiology and social determinants of CWP across the country. Using data collected from coal miners (i.e., those who were working in or had retired after working in the coal mining and dressing industry) in China between 1949 and 2021, the team determined the annual incidence rate, 20-year prevalence rate, and the incidence rate of CWP per million tons for that period. Their study, recently published in Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, carefully dissects historical CWP data from a broader standpoint.

Senior author Huanqiang Wang from the National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, China, sets some background to their work: "The Chinese government and society attach great importance to the prevention and control of pneumoconiosis and have been active in the prevention and control of dust and pneumoconiosis since the 1950s. After many efforts, some achievements have been made, but the problem of pneumoconiosis in China remains serious."

The results of their study, too, reflect this. Between 1949 and 2021, there were more than 462,000 patients with CWP in China. An overall increasing trend of the disease was evident, accounting for nearly half of all pneumoconiosis cases in the country. Cases continued to fluctuate over a 50-year period, with incidence peaks in 1964, 1980, and 2016. While incidence in recent years has declined, it still continues to remain relatively high. The average incidence of CWP between 2016 and 2020 (i.e., during the decline), was 3.4%, while the prevalence of the disease during this period was 4.8%.

The researchers also reported a strong correlation between the incident cases of CWP and raw coal production, the number of coal miners, and the number of deaths from coal mine accidents from 1949 to 1986. However, no such correlation was observed from 1987 to 2006. Quite strikingly, some Chinese provinces (like Sichuan, Hunan, Chongqing, and Shanxi) with a greater number of coal-mine-related accidents or deaths also showed a higher incidence of CWP.

The years 1963, 1986, 2006, and 2009 showed striking changes in the incidence patterns and were therefore referred to as "turning points" in time. Why did these shifts occur?

"We can try to find clues in the changes in the disease at different stages and the important events that occurred around the years of these important turning points," explains Prof. Wang. The turning points in 1963 and 1986 were presumably related to changes in diagnostic criteria and labor management, resulting in stricter diagnostic criteria for pneumoconiosis. The turning points in 2006 and 2009, on the other hand, were largely attributed to coal industry policy reforms and the development of occupational health examination and diagnostic institutions.

In summary, although incurable, pneumoconiosis can be warded off by identifying and adopting the right preventive measures such as smoking cessation, improved supervision, installation of advanced dust-control technology, and so on. Prof. Wang concludes by saying, "The prevention and treatment of coal miners' pneumoconiosis is an international public health problem that requires multi-sectoral cooperation and gradual solutions."

Such insights could be used to formulate guidelines to ensure the occupational safety of coal mine workers across the globe.

More information: Huanqiang Wang et al, Epidemiology of coal miners' pneumoconiosis and its social determinants: An ecological study from 1949 to 2021 in China, Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.pccm.2023.03.002

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In the new quantification method developed by Penn State researchers, a molecular signal shines green when HIV is detected in an RNA molecule. By counting the signals, researchers can quantify the viral load in a sample. Credit: Provided by Weihua Guan.

A milliliter of blood contains about 15 individual drops. For a person with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), each drop of blood could contain anywhere from fewer than 20 copies of the virus to more than 500,000 copies. Called the viral load, this is what is measured to allow clinicians to understand how patients are responding to anti-viral medications and monitor potential progression.

The time-consuming viral load testing needs to be repeated several times as a patient undergoes treatment. Now, a Penn State research team has developed a time and cost-efficient digital assay that can directly measure the presence of HIV in single drop of blood. They published the work in ACS Nano.

According to the corresponding author Weihua Guan, associate professor of electrical engineering and biomedical engineering in the Penn State College of Engineering, the digital assay is the first step in providing a clinical diagnostic tool for a bevy of infectious diseases.

Conventional tests for HIV viral load involve taking genetic material from the sample, amplifying it and comparing it to reference samples. The gold standard test, called RT-PCR, can produce a close estimate of the actual viral load, but it is not a direct measurement. Guan and his team took a more direct approach with their test, named Self-digitization Through Automated Membrane-based Partitioning (STAMP), which is less expensive, quicker and requires less blood than the RT-PCR.

"Here's how it works: We take a small sample of a person's blood and extract the viral RNAthe genetic material of the virusfrom it," Guan said. "We then mix this RNA with a special protein called Cas13, which is part of the CRISPR system."

CRISPR-Cas13 is a "revolutionary tool," Guan said, that enables researchers to target and manipulate RNA sequences. In this study, the researchers are leveraging the technology not for its editing capabilities, but for its diagnostic potential. They are using CRISPR-Cas13 to detect and signal the presence of HIV.

Once the RNA is combined with Cas13, the researchers place a nanopore polycarbonate membranea thin filter that is readily available, making it a cost-effective material, Guan saidon the mixture. The nanopores are so tiny that they can partition the mixture into single droplets containing only one RNA molecule, which has the Cas13 protein attached. If HIV is in the RNA molecule, the Cas13 proteinwhich is activated by HIV RNAwill cut reporting molecules, generating a signal the researchers can detect.

"By counting the number of droplets showing this signal, we can determine the amount of HIV in the person's blood," Guan said. "The more droplets with the signal, the higher the viral load."

The researchers tested this approach with synthetic HIV RNA to optimize the assay for sensitivity and accuracy before testing laboratory plasma and eventually patient plasma samples. They validated the STAMP method by quantifying HIV viral loads in 20 patient plasma samples with comparable accuracy to the traditional RT-PCR method, which typically requires more blood. Guan said they are working on procuring more samples to continue their testing.

The team also found that the approach can provide an accurate assessment for HIV viral loads at or higher than about 2,000 virus copies per milliliter of blood. A viral load is considered low when there are fewer than 10,000 copies of the virus per milliliter; undetectable at 20 copies or fewer; and high at roughly 100,000 copies but can extend beyond a million.

According to Guan, the 2,000 to 10,000 detection range can be important for clinicians monitoring patients for viral rebound. People undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) can achieve undetectable virus levels, meaning they can no longer sexually transmit the virus, but rising virus levels can indicate an individual is developing ART resistance or another issue.

"While further improvements are needed to enhance its detection limit and automate the setup, the STAMP-based digital CRISPR method shows great potential for advancing HIV viral load monitoring," Guan said, explaining that the researchers plan to continue improving the platform's efficiency and accuracy to quantify multiple viruses, with the eventual goal of bringing the device to market.

More information: Reza Nouri et al, STAMP-Based Digital CRISPR-Cas13a for Amplification-Free Quantification of HIV-1 Plasma Viral Loads, ACS Nano (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01917 Journal information: ACS Nano
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

It's time for some of the world's best hospitals and research institutes to launch full and independent investigations into their support for disgraced transplant surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, argue experts in The BMJ today. Responses from those concerned are also published.

John Rasko and Carl Power at the Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, ask whether most of the institutions that supported him, including University College London and Hospital Clinic Barcelona, have taken responsibility for their part in his misconduct.

Paolo Macchiarini was once seen as a pioneering transplant surgeon for his work replacing damaged windpipes with lab-built ones seeded with the patient's own stem cells.

But in 2016, Swedish television broadcast a blistering investigation into Macchiarini, exposing him as a charlatan whose engineered windpipes did more harm than good, something he'd lied about for years.

The scandal ruined his career. But Rasko and Power say that, to their knowledge, only his Swedish employer, the Karolinska Institute, has publicly admitted that, while there, Macchiarini engaged in scientific fraud and unethical human experimentation.

They suggest the other institutions that hosted Macchiarini, including hospitals in Spain, Italy, Russia, the UK, and the US, "managed to keep a lid on his misconduct better than Karolinska did."

The result is that, outside Sweden, Macchiarini has faced criminal charges only in Italy, from his time at Careggi University Hospital in Florence, they explain. But these had nothing to do with the windpipe replacements he carried out there, and Macchiarini was eventually cleared.

Apart from the Karolinska, only University College London has shown much concern about Macchiarini's engineered airways, they add. In 2017 it held a special inquiry into the matter that found that some mistakes had been made, but nothing major.

Yet they note that some of the issues and evidence that the special inquiry did not cover have come to light in the media, raising serious questions about the treatment of patients by UCL and its clinical partner, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the way these cases were reported.

Separately, they also point to misrepresentation in Macchiarini's two remaining success storiesthat of Claudia Castillo, the first person to receive a tissue engineered airway (Barcelona, 2008), and Ciaran Finn-Lynch, the first child to receive one (London, 2010)both reported in The Lancet.

The Lancet has long resisted calls to retract Macchiarini's 2008 paper, arguing that the Hospital Clinic Barcelona was best placed to investigate misconduct. But an open letter published last year in The BMJ said the journal's inaction shows that, like the hospital, it prefers to protect its reputation rather than denounce scientific fraud.

Recently, The Lancet made a minimal concession to its critics by publishing "expressions of concern" for Macchiarini's 2008 paper and its five year follow-upa concession so minimal that it fails to mention the reasons for concern.

Rasko and Power point out that millions of research dollars have been spent trying to build on Macchiarini's bogus breakthroughs, and say millions more might be spent if the scientific record is not set straight.

More important than wasted money is wasted life, they add. The "success" of Claudia's and Ciaran's transplants justified giving other patients the same procedure, leading to further deaths. "Left unchallenged, Macchiarini's legacy remains a deadly one."

They conclude, "We've named just a few of the institutions where Macchiarini performed his windpipe replacements. There's every reason to think that, like the Karolinska, they each betrayed the trust of their patients along with that of the general public."

"To regain that trust they should undertake a full and independent investigation of Macchiarini and his associates. As the Karolinska was forced to do years ago."
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Common nettle (Urtica dioica), one of the plants used in Native American traditional ataxia therapy and found in the present study to rescue EA1-linked mutant channel activity. Credit: Bo Abbott

A University of California, Irvine-led team of researchers has discovered that extracts from plants used by the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations peoples in their traditional botanical medicine practices are able to rescue the function of ion channel proteins carrying mutations that cause human episodic ataxia.

The study, "Native American ataxia medicines rescue ataxia-linked mutant potassium channel activity via binding to the voltage sensing domain" was published in June in Nature Communications.

"Episodic ataxia 1 (EA1) is a movement disorder caused by inherited mutations in the human KCNA1 gene, which encodes Kv1.1, a voltage-gated potassium channel essential for normal function of the human nervous system," said Geoffrey W. Abbott, Ph.D., vice dean of basic science research and professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the UCI School of Medicine. "We found that extracts of stinging nettle, bladderwrack kelp and Pacific ninebark can all correct function of the mutation-carrying proteins causing a specific form of ataxia."

Abbott's research team also found that two compounds contained in these plants, tannic acid and gallic acid, are each able to rescue activity of the EA1-linked mutation-carrying ion channel proteins.

"The plant compounds are the first known compounds to rescue the activity of Kv1.1 carrying EA1-linked loss-of-function sequence variants," said Abbott. "Gallic acid in particular is of therapeutic interest because it is already available over the counter as a nutritional supplement and is very well tolerated in toxicity studies."

Individuals with ataxia exhibit abnormal gait, slurring, eye movement abnormalities, difficulties with balance and walking, tremors, and disruption of fine motor skills.

"These mutations can cause other disorders, including epilepsy, and so there is therapeutic potential for those conditions as well, " said Abbott. "We have discovered that where modern synthetic drug development techniques have failed to produce a drug that directly rescues EA1-linked mutant channel function, traditional botanical medicine developed by North American First Nation peoples has succeeded."

Further research is now needed to explore the efficacy of the plant-derived compounds in pre-clinical and clinical studies.

"We have made a mouse model of a relatively severe form of human EA1 so that we can test the efficacy and safety of gallic acid and also whole plant extracts," said Abbott. "If the pre-clinical studies go well, our goal is to move to clinical trials. Concurrently, we are synthesizing and testing other plant compounds and derivatives to discover other compounds with potential for treating EA1 and related disorders."

There are several forms of ataxia, which is an umbrella term describing loss of coordination or balance.

Together with Abbott, the research team comprised Drs. Rian Manville, J. Alfredo Freites, Doug Tobias (UC Irvine) and Richard Sidlow (Valley Children's Hospital).

More information: Rian W. Manville et al, Native American ataxia medicines rescue ataxia-linked mutant potassium channel activity via binding to the voltage sensing domain, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38834-6 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

General practices have recorded a large rise in eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm episodes among teenage girls in the UK in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, a research team has found.

The study conducted jointly by the University of Manchester, Keele University, University of Exeter, and mental health research charity The McPin Foundation is published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.

The analysis of UK GP records of young people aged 10 to 24 years between 2010 and 2022 showed that since March 2020, eating disorders were 42% higher than would be expected based on previous trends for females aged 13-16, and 32% higher for those aged 17-19.

The increase in incidence of self-harm was also greatest among females aged 13-16, with the number of episodes being 38% greater than expected.

In contrast, there was no evidence of an increase in self-harm incidence in females in the other age groups and no increase in rates of eating disorders or self-harm was observed in males.

For the 10-year period before the pandemic, diagnoses of eating disorders in females were more common in those from more affluent backgrounds than those from more deprived communities, say the team.

This socioeconomic difference has widened following the onset of the pandemic: since March 2020, eating disorder diagnoses for females living in the least deprived communities were 52% higher than expected, compared with 22% higher for those living in the most deprived areas.

Unlike eating disorders, rates of self-harm were higher in the most deprived areas in the 10-year period prior to the pandemic, but unlike for eating disorders, the socioeconomic differences narrowed rather than widened after March 2020.

Self-harm and eating disorders, as well as being major health issues in their own right, are coping mechanisms that are often indicative of underlying psychological distress, and they share multiple risk factors.

Lead author Dr. Pearl Mok from the University of Manchester said, "The reasons for the increase in eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm episodes among teenage girls during the pandemic are likely to be complex and could be due to a mixture of issues such as social isolation, anxiety resulting from changing routines, disruption in education, unhealthy social media influences, and increased clinical awareness."

"Our study is large, but episodes of self-harm that were not treated by health services were not captured in our data, so the rise in self-harm incidence might have been even greater than we observed. However, it is also possible that cases of self-harm not coming to the attention of services may have exhibited a different pattern."

"We found that the increase in eating disorders and self-harm was greater in less deprived than in more deprived areas. This may reflect differences in service provision and challenges in accessing clinical care, rather than greater increases in risks for self-harm and eating disorders during the pandemic among those living in the least than in the most deprived communities."

The study was conducted using a database of anonymized primary care electronic health records of over 9 million patients aged 1024 years from 1881 general practices in the UK.

The team of researchers tracked the number of eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm recorded monthly by GPs from January 2010 through March 2022, around 10 years before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and two years after its start.

Rates of eating disorders and self-harm episodes observed since the onset of the pandemic from March 2020 to March 2022 were compared with the numbers predicted using data from the 10 years before. Differences between observed and predicted number of cases were assessed to give an indication of the pandemic's potential influence on outcome incidence.

An advisory group of young people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, parents, and caregivers, helped shape the study and interpret the findings.

Dr. Shruti Garg, child and adolescent psychiatrist and co-investigator from The University of Manchester said, "The staggering rise in eating disorder diagnoses and self-harm episodes among teenage females highlights an urgent need to improve early access to services and for timely intervention."

Prof Carolyn Chew-Graham, academic GP and co-investigator from Keele University said, "Early identification of mental health difficulties in children and young people by primary care clinicians is extremely important as this facilitates timely access to treatments. Sufficient support, however, from GPs and mental health services needs to be available to manage those presenting. Given the current pressures on the NHS, in both primary and specialist care, our study emphasizes the need for sufficient capacity in mental health services to meet growing demand."

Emma Garavini, youth public involvement in research officer at the McPin Foundation and co-ordinator of the advisory group said, "We held regular meetings and communications throughout the project with the advisory group. Having the voices of young people, parents and caregivers inform the study with their insights and reflections highlights the importance and need for lived experience expertise in mental health research."

More information: Pearl Mok et al, The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, (2023).
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An Arkansas law banning gender transition care for minors, which has been on pause since 2021, was struck down on Tuesday after a U.S. federal judge ruled that it discriminated against transgender people.

The ruling applies only in Arkansas, but it is the first of what legal scholars expect will be addressed in courts nationwide for years to come.

Judge James Moody Jr., of the Federal District Court in Little Rock, also found that the law violated the constitutional rights of doctors.

"Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that by prohibiting it, the state undermined the interests it claims to be advancing," Moody wrote in his ruling.

"Further," he wrote, "the various claims underlying the state's arguments that the act protects children and safeguards medical ethics do not explain why only gender-affirming medical careand all gender-affirming medical careis singled out for prohibition."

While Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin planned to appeal the decision on the grounds that the judge overlooked concerns about the riskiness of treatments, members of the LGBTQ community celebrated the decision.

"I'm so grateful the judge heard my experience of how this health care has changed my life for the better and saw the dangerous impact this law could have on my life and that of countless other transgender people," Dylan Brandt, a transgender teenager and a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union, which had challenged the law.

The law would have prevented doctors from providing their minor patients with hormone therapy, puberty blockers and gender transition surgeries and caused providers to lose their licenses if they did provide this care.

It also would have allowed private insurance companies to decline transgender care for patients of all ages, and doctors would have been prevented from referring patients to another state for care, the New York Times reported.

"This is the beginning of what is likely going to be a significant, multi-state national litigation battle over transgender rights," Joshua Silverstein, a law professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, told the Times.

Still, it "sets the tone that especially in a conservative state like Arkansas, legislatures can't simply pass laws that infringe on citizens' constitutional rights," said Danielle Weatherby, a law professor at the University of Arkansas.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, was among those supporting an appeal of the ruling, saying "this is not 'care'it's activists pushing a political agenda at the expense of our kids," the Times reported.

About 1,800 transgender youths live in Arkansas, according to estimates from the LGBTQ research organization called the Williams Institute.

"There is no evidence that the Arkansas health care community is throwing caution to the wind when treating minors with gender dysphoria," Moody wrote, adding that "the state has failed to prove that its interests in the safety of Arkansas adolescents from gender-transitioning procedures or the medical community's ethical decline are compelling, genuine or even rational."

Other states, like Alabama, Nebraska, Texas and Florida, have also passed laws on transition care, the Times reported. Alabama's laws would imprison providers. Texas bans hormones, puberty blockers and surgeries for transgender children. Florida's law also targets transgender adults. Legal challenges to some are ongoing.

More information: The nonprofit KFF has more on youth access to gender-affirming care.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Driven by recent studies, the evolving nature of the disease and the widespread vaccination of Americans against COVID-19, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) today released a joint statement providing updated recommendations for the timing of elective surgeries and anesthesia for patients after a COVID-19 infection.

The guidance notes that elective surgeries should be performed only after patients have clinically recovered from a COVID-19 infection and, even then, only when the anesthesiologist, surgeon or proceduralist and patient together agree to proceed. The decision should be based on whether the patient is infectious and, if not, health professionals' opinions regarding the appropriate time to wait between recovery from COVID-19 and the surgery, based on patient and surgery-specific risks.

"While the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has ended, patients are still getting infected with the virus, which has presented challenges in optimally scheduling elective surgeries safely," said ASA President Michael W. Champeau M.D., FAAP, FASA. "In light of recent studies, ASA and APSF have been working with our British colleagues to assess and align our recommendations for scheduling a procedure after a patient has had COVID-19. As the disease evolves and becomes less virulent and increasing numbers of the population have either been vaccinated, exposed or both, these recommendations help provide guidance on balancing the risk of delaying surgery against the risk of complications."

The joint statement notes these revised recommendations do not diminish the significance of COVID-19 or the effects that an infection may have on individual patients.

"Our recommendations have evolved as the data has changed and are the most up-to-date guidance in the best interests of high-quality, safe patient care," said APSF President Daniel J. Cole, M.D., FASA.

ASA and APSF support the recommendations of the Association of Anaesthetists' and the Royal College of Anaesthetists' updated guidelines, published today in Anaesthesia, which align with the ASA/APSF recommendations published today.

The ASA/APSF recommendations include:

Patients who have COVID-19-type symptoms should be screened and, if appropriate, tested before having an elective procedure. Physicians should consider the timing and symptoms of the infection to determine when patients are no longer infectious.

Elective surgeries should not occur within two weeks of a COVID-19 infection, allowing anesthesiologists and surgeons to assess how severe the patient's symptoms are and to reduce unnecessary risk of transmitting the infection to health care professionals.

Between two and seven weeks after the patient's COVID-19 infection, anesthesiologists and surgeons or proceduralists should conduct a risk assessment for that patient, including factors such as their age, severity of the infection and surgical risk.

If the patient and the surgery are determined to be low risk, the anesthesiologist and surgeon should discuss with the patient about scheduling the procedure between two and seven weeks after the COVID-19 infection. That decision should take into account whether the risk of proceeding exceeds the risk of delay.

Delay of the surgery beyond seven weeks should be considered if the patient continues to have COVID-19 symptoms.

Facilities, surgeons and anesthesiologists should track patient outcomes of elective surgery after COVID-19, including complications and mortality.

More information: K. ElBoghdadly et al, Timing of elective surgery and risk assessment after SARSCoV2 infection: 2023 update, Anaesthesia (2023). DOI: 10.1111/anae.16061 Journal information: Anaesthesia

Provided by American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
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In response to stimulation, young cells produce H2O2 and transduce signals through a PRDX2-based redox relay, thereby activating RRC. However, in senescent cells, the increase in PRDX2 hyperoxidation leads to a decrease in its sensor activity, revealing a resistance characteristic of low H2O2 sensitivity and leading to RRC decline. The resistance state is similar to insulin resistance due to the lower insulin receptor sensitivity. Researchers named this insulin-resistance-like phenomenon in senescent cells Redox-stress Response Resistance (RRR). Credit: Science China Press

Aging is closely related to redox stress. The free radical theory of aging believes that free radicals cause aging by oxidative damage to macromolecules. However, the clinical application of antioxidants to anti-aging is still a challenge more than half a century on, which calls into question the free radical theory of aging.

Most previous studies on redox and aging focused on the level of ROS at rest, but little attention has been paid to the dynamic responsiveness of redox stimuli. Chang Chen and a team from Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, proposed a new concept of Redox-stress Response Capacity (RRC) in a previous study, and found that the decline of RRC is an essential characteristic of aging. So why does the RRC decrease during aging?

The research group discovered the phenomenon of insulin resistance-like "Redox-stress Response Resistance (RRR)" in senescent cells, and revealed a new mechanism of PRDX2 hyperoxidation leading to RRR. The paper entitled, "Redox-stress response resistance (RRR) mediated by hyperoxidation of peroxiredoxin 2 in senescent cells," was published online in Science China Life Sciences.

Using replicative senescence cells and nematodes as models, the research fellows identified that peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2), as a H 2 O 2 sensor, was involved in mediating RRC. In response to stimulation, young cells produce H 2 O 2 and transduce signals through a PRDX2-based redox relay, thereby activating RRC. PRDX2 knockdown led to a decline of RRC and accelerated senescence in fibroblasts and prdx-2 mutant C. elegans also shows decreased RRC.

The mechanism study showed that hyperoxidation of PRDX2 increased in senescent cells and old C. elegans, and the sensor activity of PRDX2 decreased. Moreover, the level of PRDX2 hyperoxidation also increased in old C. elegans. Simultaneous overexpression of both PRDX2 and Sulfiredoxin (SRX) rescued the reduced RRC and delayed senescence.

Treatment of young cells with a high level of H 2 O 2 to induce higher level of PRDX2-SO 3 resulted in mimicking the RRC decline in senescent cells. These results indicate that the increase in PRDX2 hyperoxidation in senescent cells led to decreased sensor activity, showing resistance characteristic of low H 2 O 2 sensitivity and resulting in decreased RRC. This resistance characteristic in senescent cells is similar to insulin resistance due to the lower insulin receptor sensitivity, so researchers named it "Redox-stress Response Resistance, RRR."

The similarity between RRR and insulin resistance in phenotype, consequences and mechanisms were further discussed.

The phenotypes of resistance are similar. In insulin-resistant diabetic patients, the plasma insulin level is high, but the target organ is not sensitive to insulin and thus, the insulin signaling pathway is blocked; similarly, in senescent cells, the H 2 O 2 level is high, but the cell is not sensitive to H 2 O 2 and thus, the redox signaling pathway is blocked. The consequences of resistance are similar. Insulin resistance leads to decreased efficiency of glucose uptake and utilization and an increase in blood glucose levels, and RRR leads to decreased activation of the antioxidant system and protein degradation and an increase in damaged protein accumulation. The mechanisms of resistance are also comparable. Decreased activity of the insulin receptor leads to that the target organ is not sensitive to insulin; in senescent cell, decreased sensor activity of PRDX2 due to PRDX2 hyperoxidation results in insensitivity of cells to H 2 O 2 .

In conclusion, RRR in senescent cells is an important new discovery that reveals the dynamic characteristics of aging and also explains the decline of RRC during aging. Different from the free radical theory of aging, this study reveals a new mechanism of redox regulation of aging from the perspective of maintaining physiological function of redox stress, and proposes that delaying RRR may be an effective new strategy to intervene in aging, providing a new idea for delaying aging, which is of great significance.

More information: Jiao Meng et al, Redox-stress response resistance (RRR) mediated by hyperoxidation of peroxiredoxin 2 in senescent cells, Science China Life Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2301-4 Journal information: Science China Life Sciences
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App Evaluation Model (AEM) with study variables. APA: American Psychological Association; DCT: digital contact tracing. Credit: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (2023). DOI: 10.2196/38633

During the pandemic, contact tracing apps kept Americans informed of potential exposure risk with the goal of reducing infections. But did apps like this help reduce the spread of COVID and how might we improve these apps for use in future outbreaks?

Contact tracing is a pivotal part of pandemic preparedness. Evidence-based research on best practices for contact tracing is important because when employed inefficiently contact tracing drains resources. Used effectively, contact tracing slows the spread of disease and saves lives. In the past, contact tracing was done through health departments contacting people, but the rapid spread of COVID-19 led to deployment of digital contact tracing applications to manage high infection rates and notify people automatically.

In a new study, researchers at Mason's College of Public Health, Kevin Cevasco, a Ph.D. in Public Health student concentrating in epidemiology, and his advisor and Professor of Public Health Amira Roess, found that digital contact tracing applications during the COVID-19 pandemic were not used to their full potential due to lack of adoption among larger populations.

"Contract tracing apps are important because they notify us that we if were near an infected person and we take action to protect ourselves and others. However, they were not adopted by enough of the population to be effective. This research helps reveal why that is, which will help understand how we can use them to their fullest potential in the future," said Cevasco.

With the COVID-19's declaration as a National Public Health Emergency ending on May 11, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) stated DCTs will also be retired.

"The end of the emergency declaration is a natural point in time for a contact tracing app program evaluation, but there is no U.S. regulatory authority tasked to evaluate if these apps were safe and beneficial," said Cevasco. "Our findings can still be used to improve the design and deployment of crowd-sourced public health applications that rely on voluntary broad uptake."

Digital contact tracing apps, or DCTs, use technologies like Bluetooth to alert users when they are at risk for potential disease exposure. The goal of DCTs was to assist with the shortage of health department workers who did manual contract tracing. Now that the apps are being retired, public health researchers are exploring their effectiveness and what findings may mean for future pandemic preparedness. The study concluded such apps were ineffective in their goal because they required the ability to connect to nearby phones, which was made impossible given such low adoption.

Barriers to adoption included privacy concerns, lack of interest, detection accuracy, and distrust of perceived government surveillance.

"We found that only a small percentage of the population used contact tracing apps," said Cevasco. "These apps can only work if significantly more people across the entire country to use them."

Safe use of DCT apps after adoption is a concern. Among those few people who did use contact tracing apps many reported that they frequently visited friends and family members, did not wear masks, did not have health insurance, were lonely during the pandemic, and thought they have/had the coronavirus. The high volume of social visits warrants further investigation, and this insight could help improve design of future interventions

"Contact tracing apps might be useful as part of pandemic response in more targeted populations such as within a company, on a university campus, or between health system workers and clients," Cevasco said.

At present, no regulatory governmental agency exists to regulate the safe and efficient use of DCTs and Cevasco's research provides a method for post-pandemic app evaluation. In the U.S. few Americans used contact tracing apps, despite the significant funds that leaders put towards it, this highlights that policy is often not evidence based.

"Adaptation and Utilization of a Postmarket Evaluation Model for Digital Contact Tracing Mobile Health Tools in the United States: Observational Cross-sectional Study" was published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance in March 2023.

More information: Kevin E Cevasco et al, Adaptation and Utilization of a Postmarket Evaluation Model for Digital Contact Tracing Mobile Health Tools in the United States: Observational Cross-sectional Study, JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (2023). DOI: 10.2196/38633
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Transcription factors identified as increasing in expression in one branch over another are indicated on respective branches, at the stretched pseudotime point where the smoothed gene expression is observed to diverge. Inset images are from RNA FISH labelling in brown adipocytes of selected combinations of branch-specific transcription factors. Scale bar, 75 m. Credit: University of Copenhagen

Scientists have discovered a new type of cell, SWAT, which can transform into fat cells depending on the microenvironment. A better understanding of the processes that balance the cell types could inspire innovative approaches to addressing cardiometabolic diseases.

Fat stored on the bodyadipose tissuecontains many different cell types, including white fat (WAT) cells, which store lipids, and brown fat (BAT) cells, which burn lipids to produce heat and energy. Now, scientists at the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet have discovered a new type of cell in the fat called SWAT, which gives adipose tissue its structural integrity.

In an article published in Nature Metabolism, the scientists explain how the discovery of SWAT cells could reshape our knowledge of how adipose tissues function and their crucial role in developing cardiometabolic diseases.

Structural Wnt-regulated adipose tissue-resident cells, or SWAT cells for short, release proteins that help to give adipose tissue its structure. However, the researchers were surprised to discover that SWAT cells develop from the same mother cells (progenitors) as fat cells. They also found that SWAT cells are flexible and can switch into several different cell types, including fat cells, or even back into progenitor cells.

"SWAT cells have the remarkable ability to revert to a progenitor-like state or differentiate into new adipogenic cells, depending on the microenvironment," says Associate Professor Camilla Scheele from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen, and one of the co-senior authors of the paper.

Environment could dictate the cell's fate

The flexibility of SWAT cells to revert into progenitor cells or further develop into WAT cells or BAT cells suggest that SWAT cells play an essential role in allowing adipose tissue to adapt to different metabolic conditions.

"We hypothesize that intercellular crosstalk maintains a delicate balance between the different cell types. This balance may be disrupted in an obesogenic microenvironment, potentially contributing to the development of cardiometabolic diseases," explained senior researcher Sren Nielsen from Rigshospitalet, another co-senior author of the paper.

The scientists have yet to fully understand what signals control the development of the different cell types. However, they are optimistic that the study could inspire innovative approaches to address obesity-related health challenges by unraveling the intricate mechanisms that govern how adipocytes differentiate.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, U.S., also published a study in Nature Metabolism on the discovery of SWAT, with complementary findings.

More information: Nagendra P. Palani et al, Adipogenic and SWAT cells separate from a common progenitor in human brown and white adipose depots, Nature Metabolism (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00820-z Guan Wang et al, Maintenance of adipose progenitors in adipogenesis, Nature Metabolism (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00810-1 Journal information: Nature Metabolism
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New global research on child mortality rates in Ethiopia shows while there has been a significant decline in these rates in past three decades, too many children under the age of five are still dying.

Curtin University, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and Ethiopia Child Mortality Collaborators worked together as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 Study. They examined data across nine administrative regions and two chartered cities in Ethiopia.

The work is published in PLOS Global Public Health .

The analysis found that the mortality rate in the under-five demographic decreased by almost 4.5% every year between 1990 and 2019.

However, despite the progress, it's still one of the highest rates in the world, with an estimated 190,000 under 5 deaths in 2019 at the rate of 52 deaths per 1,000 live births. The country's neonatal mortality rate is 26.6 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Lead author Dr. Gizachew Tessema from the Curtin School of Population Health said that in 2019, almost three-quarters (74%) of these deaths occurred before a child's first birthday and over half (52%) in the first 28 days.

"While a baby born in Ethiopia today is three times less likely to die before age five than one born in 1990, this reduction is not enough," Dr. Tessema said. "We are still losing unacceptably too many young lives from preventable causes, such as neonatal disorders, diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory infections."

Dr. Tessema called for a concerted effort to improve the standard of care across Ethiopia, particularly in regions with predominantly rural and pastoralist communities, where both services and reporting mechanisms are sub-standard.

"We need a global investment and more domestic financing in strengthening essential obstetric, neonatal care and other child-focused services to ensure the hard-won gains in fighting child mortality and supporting Ethiopia's most vulnerable families are not lost."

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals set targets to reduce the death rate for under-five-year-olds to 25 per 1,000 live births and reduce neonatal death rate to 12 per 1,000 by 2030. With Ethiopia's mortality rates two and three times those figures, the country is unlikely to reach those targets.

Given the study uses data prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent civil war in the country, Dr. Tessema warned that the current figures could be higher, suggesting the need for urgent study.

"Ethiopia is yet establishing vital registration system and has a historical lack of reporting due to cultural and other reasons, particularly in its predominantly pastoralist communities regions," Dr. Tessema said. "This study highlights the urgent need to improve the accuracy of regional estimates, so accurate data can be used to guide both support and policy decisions."

More information: Gizachew A. Tessema et al, National and subnational burden of under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality in Ethiopia, 19902019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019', PLOS Global Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001471. journals.plos.org/globalpublic  journal.pgph.0001471 Journal information: PLOS Global Public Health
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Around 20% of women who needed fertility treatment, such as IVF, to conceive their first child are likely to get pregnant naturally in the future, finds a new UCL study.

The first-of-its-kind research, published in Human Reproduction, analyzed data from 11 studies of over 5,000 women around the world between 1980 and 2021, to evaluate how common it is to get pregnant naturally after having a baby conceived by fertility treatment.

They found that at least one in five women conceived naturally after having had a baby using fertility treatment such as IVF mostly within three years. This figure remained unchanged, even when taking into account the different types and outcome of fertility treatmentalongside length of follow up.

Infertility is defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, and it is estimated to affect 1 in 7 heterosexual couples.

However, not all women seeking and undergoing fertility treatment are absolutely or permanently infertile. And half of couples who struggle to conceive naturally in the first year of trying will go on to do so in the second year.

Although it is typically considered 'rare' for a woman to get pregnant naturally, if she has previously had fertility treatment, the researchers want to highlight how it is not in fact an unusual event.

The team consider the findings to be particularly important, as many women may not realize that they could conceive naturally following fertility treatment.

This could lead to them becoming pregnant again quickly or when they aren't readywhich could be problematic for both the health of the mother and child.

Lead author, Dr. Annette Thwaites (UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health) said, "Our findings suggest that natural pregnancy after having a baby by IVF is far from rare. This is in contrast with widely held viewsby women and health professionalsand those commonly expressed in the media, that it is a highly unlikely event."

Much has changed since the early days of IVF and it is now used for a wide range of causes of infertility, including cases where no cause is ever found.

In addition, some women may not have experienced infertility at all but used treatment for other reasons. This could include single women using donor sperm, women in same sex relationships, surrogates or those seeking to screen for serious genetic conditions.

So, it is important for those who have had successful IVF to know how likely they are to conceive naturally afterwards.

IVF was first used in 1978 and now, more than 10 million babies worldwide have been born using the treatmentequating to between 1% and 6% of all babies born per year in the developed world by 2020.

In order to track the data more accurately and analyze which factors make natural pregnancy after having a baby by fertility treatment more likely, the researchers are calling for linked national data sets.

They hope that this information could then be used to counsel people considering their options after successful fertility treatment.

Dr. Thwaites said, "Knowing what is possible would empower women to plan their families and make informed choices regarding further fertility treatment and/or contraception."

As a note on study limitations, the included studies were mostly of moderate quality and varied widely by geography, cause of subfertility, type and outcome of fertility treatment and length of follow up making direct comparisons difficult.

More information: How common is natural conception in women who have a livebirth via assisted reproductive technology? Systematic review and meta-analysis, Human Reproduction (2023). DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead121 Journal information: Human Reproduction
Four groups have jointly sued the U.S. Forest Service over allegations the agency is illegally maintaining and allowing public aviators to use four unofficial landing strips deep within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.

The groups  Wilderness Watch, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Friends of the Bitterroot and Friends of the Clearwater  claim that Forest Service records dating back decades, including through the establishment of the wilderness area, confirm that the four dirt-and-grass landing strips were abandoned and that it is expressly illegal for aviators to use them. But the Forest Service has for years engaged in an informal policy of not enforcing the prohibition on the strips' use, the lawsuit states.

And in 2018, the agency implemented what the groups describe as an illegal policy of opening the landing strips to airplane traffic and planning formal maintenance on them, the lawsuit claims, all without environmental review or public notice. In 2022 and at the request of the state of Idaho, the Forest Service illegally cut down tall trees to improve the approach to one landing strip, the groups allege.

Boise-based Advocates for the West filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho on Tuesday. Wilderness Watch has applied to add a Missoula-based attorney to the the plaintiffs' case as well. Wilderness Watch is headquartered in Missoula. Friends of the Bitterroot is based in Hamilton. Friends of the Clearwater is based in north-central Idaho. Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a nationwide organization with hundreds of members across the Idaho-Montana interface. Linda Jackson, supervisor of the Payette National Forest, and Mary Farnsworth, regional forester for the Intermountain Region, are also named as defendants in the lawsuit, alongside the Forest Service itself.

The four backcountry landing strips  Simonds, Vines, Mile Hi and Dewey Moore  are all along or near Big Creek in central Idaho, south of the Bitterroot Mountains. Big Creek starts in the mountains northeast of McCall, Idaho, just north of Yellow Pine. It flows generally eastward and into the wilderness area near Edwardsburg. From there, it runs through the wilderness and into the legendary Middle Fork Salmon River, about 15.6 miles southwest of where the Middle Fork flows into the main Salmon River.

When the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness was created in 1980 as the Lower 48's largest wilderness area, Congress grandfathered-in seven public and 10 private landing strips within the wilderness boundary. Those landing strips were ones that the Forest Service recommended for inclusion because of maintained conditions and established use before the wilderness designation. The four landing strips in question  referred to in the lawsuit as the Big Creek Four  were not among the strips grandfathered in for use in the wilderness. Each of the four challenged landing strips sits within a couple miles of a variety of legal landing strips along Big Creek.

"The areas wilderness quality continues to suffer from the ongoing and increasing noise and intrusion," the groups wrote in a statement Tuesday, "with the illicit landing areas being used for multi-airplane rendezvouses, practice 'touch and go' landings, airstrip 'bagging' in which recreational pilots see how many landings at different locations they can rack up, and even overnight airplane camping. The Forest Service has documented that a person in the Big Creek area  and the wildlife there  can often encounter up to 30 low-flying airplanes in a single day."

The lawsuit charges that the high airplane traffic in the area, due in part to use of the four illegal landing strips, is illegally "impairing wilderness character, disturbing wildlife, increasing human impact, and interrupting the statutorily-protected solitude and undeveloped nature" of the wilderness area, in violation of the Wilderness Act and the law that created the that wilderness area.

A 2018 directive from Farnsworth, the regional forester, to allow public use of the airstrips violated the Wilderness Act by failing to preserve wilderness character, the lawsuit stated, and by allowing motorized use and landing of aircraft. It violated the law that created the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness by allowing airstrips beyond those grandfathered in when the area was created, the lawsuit stated. It violated the National Forest Management Act, the suit stated, because allowing use of the airstrips is in conflict with the Payette National Forest's land and resource management plan, often called a forest plan. And, the suit stated, the directive violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) because the directive was issued without legally required environmental impact analysis or public notice and involvement.

The lawsuit said that a 2022 plan to maintain the airstrips and maintenance work performed in 2022 were similarly illegal.

The groups asked the court to void and declare as illegal the Forest Service's 2018 directive to allow public access, 2022 maintenance plan and 2022 maintenance action. The groups also asked the court to order the Forest Service not to conduct or authorize any further maintenance work on the four landing strips, and to "communicate to the public and other governmental entities that all public use of the Big Creek Four airstrips is prohibited except for emergency landings and violators will cited."

George Nickas, executive director of Wilderness Watch, wrote in the statement, "The Wilderness Act makes clear that the Forest Service must protect the wilderness character of the River of No Return, and it makes particularly clear that aircraft landings and other motorized activity are allowed only under narrowly defined conditions. The Big Creek Four airstrips were not in regular use at the time of wilderness designation in 1980, and they have never been lawful airstrips open to any public use. Establishing four more landing strips in the Big Creek drainage just chokes this spectacular area with incessant airplane traffic."

The Forest Service does not comment on pending litigation.

But publicly and internally, the agency has for more than 40 years recognized that the four landing strips are illegal and shouldn't be used by the public. In 1982, a district ranger for the area wrote that "The Forest Service has never recognized these airstrips as public and there is no history of established public use." Later that year, the ranger informed the Idaho Division of Aeronautics, within the Department of Transportation, that landings on the strips were "regarded as trespass and a law-enforcement matter." At that time, the state division agreed.

Also in 1982, then-Forest Supervisor Kenneth Weyers signed a record of decision for an environmental analysis that decided the agency would allow the landing strips to deteriorate into a natural state and their use would be prohibited except with prior agency authorization or due to "extreme emergency."

An aviation group appealed that decision, according to the lawsuit, and Weyers repealed the decision a month after he signed it.

But upon adoption of the area's wilderness management plan two years later, the plan reaffirmed that the strips "will not be maintained for public use as landing strips. Their use will be discouraged, except in emergencies. Do not include on wilderness maps. Advise Idaho Division of Aeronautics not to include on aeronautical charts or directories. Notify air taxi and fixed base operators that the strips are to be used for emergency landings only."

The wilderness management plan was incorporated into the Payette's forest plan. The Federal Aviation Administration has never recognized the four landing strips. But, the lawsuit alleges, illegal use of the strips increased through the decades that followed, with no enforcement action from the Forest Service.

When revising the wilderness management plan in 2003, the lawsuit states, "the Forest Service did not engage at this time with its own historical record" of the strips' longstanding illegal status. The agency instead said the strips' status was "unresolved" and noted that recreational and commercial use was increasing. Nonetheless, the final plan ultimately maintained that the four strips were not open for public use and shouldn't be maintained beyond their 1980 condition. But the plan did direct the Forest Service to coordinate with Idaho to "identify and schedule maintenance activities and to discourage their use as recreation access to the wilderness."

Aviation groups once again appealed, the lawsuit stated, which led to a private, informal agreement in 2006 between a Intermountain Region Forest Service staffer and the director of the state Division of Aeronautics. The Forest Service staffer "apparently unilaterally and informally assured the aviators of further changed management status for the Big Creek Four, with no public process or engagement."

"'Our agreement,' he wrote in a later message," according to the lawsuit, "was that '[t]he Big Creek 4 airstrips would not be available for public use, but that the public could land without fear of receiving a citation' and that '[t]he State agreed we would not have these four airstrips listed in the State airstrip directory, nor would they be placed on the aeronautical charts made by the State.'"

The Forest Service has never documented an emergency landing at any of the four strips since the wilderness area was created in 1980, the lawsuit stated, but agency staff did express concern over the usage and safety of the strips. A district ranger wrote in 2013 that "Over the past several summers, we have documented many plane crashes, and thankfully have avoided any fatalities, but I fear its just a matter of time[.]"

The landing strips grew in popularity among aviators, the lawsuit stated, and the state of Idaho eventually placed them on its maps. In 2017, the state called for the strips to be open to the public. Internal emails cited in the lawsuit show that Forest Service staff in 2017 believed the strips should not be in use.

Nonetheless, in 2018, Farnsworth ordered that the agency would not block public use of the strips and would plan and enact maintenance of them. At the state's behest, Forest Service staff cut down trees across Big Creek from the end of the Dewey Moore strip to improve its approach. The agency did not analyze the environmental impacts of the directive, the plan or the work, the lawsuit stated, nor did it provide public notice or take public input through NEPA.

That same year, the regional wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers manager in Farnsworth's office disagreed with the work.

"For maintenance we are in a difficult spot to maintain these for emergency use, but not beyond what was done before designation," the manager wrote. "We dont need to do exactly what the state asks, and shouldnt. We need to balance wilderness values with maintaining these for emergency use  not an easy task. If we are looking at maintenance that was beyond what was generally done before designation then we really should consider some NEPA analysis and public involvement. Our predecessors kicked the can by not addressing this with a clear open or closed status  at some point somebody will need to (do) that  Is it time?"
A small but growing list of big-name companies like BlackRock Inc., Walt Disney Co. and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. are taking their return-to-office mandates up a notch, calling employees back to their desks four days a week.

It's a form of RTO creep, as companies test what has emerged as the post-pandemic norm of two to three days in the office and fan the debate over remote work. It's also a sign of employers gaining more power in the labor market as layoffs mount and a potential recession looms.

As the Great Resignation took hold, quit rates soared and staffing shortages hamstrung businesses, companies were forced to embrace flexibility to keep workers. Now a cooling labor market has emboldened executives determined to get back to a semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy. But these moves could backfire among employees who've grown fiercely protective of the work-life balance that remote work affords.

Among the firms instituting more aggressive RTO policies, Chipotle ratcheted up its on-site requirement to four days a week last month from three since March. Disney made its four-day move, up from two or three previously, shortly after the return of Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger. BlackRock has said employees must be in the office four days a week starting in September, following nearly two years mandating three days on-site. Snap Inc. and top law firms like Davis Polk and Skadden also have broken ranks to require four days. JPMorgan Chase & Co., meanwhile, has ordered managing directors back to the office five days a week.

Other companies may be watching to see how these policies play out as they consider their own.

I wouldnt be surprised if some organizations take their peers lead if they wanted to increase the frequency of on-site work, said Caitlin Duffy, research director in the human resources practice at consulting firm Gartner Inc. They may have not wanted to be an outlier.

At the same time, many workers have made major life changes around their hybrid work policies, rearranging everything from child care to where they live.

Going back on something that influential to day-to-day life for employees  and not just in work life, but also their life more holistically  this causes so much disruption, Duffy said.

Employees have voiced fierce opposition through public protests at companies like Amazon.com Inc., Starbucks Corp. and Disney. At Disney, over 2,300 employees signed a petition urging reconsideration of the policy, saying the mandate will result in forced resignations among some of our most hard-to-replace talent and vulnerable communities while dramatically reducing productivity, output, and efficiency.

Two or three days a week is the sweet spot for employee engagement and wellbeing, according to a Gallup survey of over 16,000 full-time U.S. employees conducted last year. Its data also show that remote-capable employees who dont work in their preferred location are more prone to burnout and a desire to quit.

This emerging norm is also reflected in data from WFH Research, a group of experts from Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago and other institutions, that show workers desire and employers plans for the average number of days worked remotely has stabilized at somewhere between two and three days per week.

Though companies who increase their in-office requirements might not see an immediate exodus  switching jobs takes time  it might be the line at which employees start looking, Duffy said.

While four-day-a-week mandates have made headlines and may provide some cover for other companies who want to do the same, theyre still rare, according to Scoop Technologies Inc.s Flex Index, which tracks the remote work policies of over 4,500 companies.

The call for more in-office time comes as other firms make clear that their existing mandates are compulsory and have started enforcing them  or at least indicating working from home isnt the best way to get ahead. Google announced last week it will include in-office attendance in performance reviews while International Business Machines Corp.s Arvind Krishna has said that not showing up will hurt employees chances of promotion.

The rationale for returning to in-person work includes what many company leaders see as greater opportunities for learning, career development and mentorship.

Recent research from economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the University of Iowa and Harvard University provides some backing for this view: The paper, titled The Power of Proximity, argues that working in the same building has an outsized effect on workers on-the-job training, especially for younger workers. Data from WFH Research shows that those in the office spend 25% more time on career-development activities than remote counterparts.

Duffy advises executives to carefully consider what theyre trying to achieve with in-office requirements and to be intentional about that, beyond just mandating a set number of days.

What do you really want from your hybrid model? is a question I always ask every leader who's grappling with this kind of decision. What outcomes are you trying to drive? she said. If the outcome is just, make your leaders happy because they want employees on-site, that might not be necessarily the best rationale.

10 jobs with the most remote work opportunities Intro #10. Project management specialists #9. Computer and information systems managers #8. Lawyers #7. Software developers #6. Management analysts #5. Architectural and civil drafters #4. Market research analysts and marketing specialists #3. Software quality assurance analysts and testers #2. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products #1. Web developers
A state agencys analysis of the methods for containing waste from a copper mine near White Sulphur Springs was adequate enough to issue a permit, and a District Court should not be allowed to substitute its judgment for that of the agency, attorneys told the Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Tintina Montana, Inc., the state Attorney General, Meagher and Broadwater counties are appealing to the states high court to reverse last years ruling that found DEQ erred in its scrutiny of the Black Butte Copper Project and issuing a permit.

The only question is: Did the agency take a hard look at the project and apply its professional judgment to every issue? said Dale Schowengerdt, representing Tintina.

Review

DEQ sent back the mining companys application three times for more details over the course of a review that took five years and generated 90,000 pages of documentation to support the conclusions, Schowengerdt noted. In addition, more than 40 outside experts signed off on the plan.

As a result, Tintina received approval for a 72-acre tailings facility that would store mine waste in a cement mixture that, once hardened, would prevent material from destabilizing and causing pollution. Additional tailings would be stored below ground.

The DEQ is required to evaluate the science and weigh the evidence, Schowengerdt said. The courts are allowed to evaluate the process.

In her ruling last April, however, District Court Court Judge Katherine Bidegaray found DEQs conclusions were unsupported. These conclusions included that the mine tailings would quickly harden into a solid mass by adding .5% of cement; that tailings would be insulated from oxygen and water that could result in degrading acidification; and tailings would not be susceptible to liquefaction due to an earthquake or mine blasting.

Defending

Attorney Jenny Harbine  representing American Rivers, Earthworks, Montana Environmental Information Center, Montana Trout Unlimited and Trout Unlimited  reiterated those concerns to the justices in defending Bidegarays decision. Going into detail, Harbine said the amount of cement Tintina planned to use to solidify the mine waste to avoid acidification  .5%  had never been tested, so it was uncertain whether the cement would set before other layers of tailings were added on top.

The glaring omission on this record is whether the tailings will be sufficiently dried or set before new tailings are added in order to achieve nonflowable conditions and ultimately structural stability of the tailings facility, Harbine said.

Jeremiah Langston, an attorney for DEQ, said the amount of cement in the tailings was moot because of all of the tailings other safeguards, including a dam designed to withstand a one-in-10,000 year earthquake, simultaneously with a one-in-10,000 year flood when there was a one-in-100 year snowpack.

Thats the main thing holding back these tailings, not the tailings themselves, he said.

Additionally, theres a double layering of liner material to prevent seepage into the groundwater and a pumping system. The cement in the tailings only becomes important if the other measures fail, Langston said.

Thus it cannot be contended that (cement) is the fundamental safety feature of this project, he added.

Langston went on to argue DEQ had to balance the tailings conditions with a variety of other issues, including dust abatement, oxidation and pumpability.

The percent of binder in this material is not a panacea, he said. Its not the only thing DEQ looked at.

Questions

Justice James Rice questioned Harbine about the chances of a tailings dam failure.

What Im having a hard time getting my mind around with your argument is precisely, where is it that you assert that DEQs compliance in its analytical approach to the engineering data thats been submitted is deficient? Rice said.

Harbine said DEQ didnt gather adequate information to apply its expertise to, referring to requiring an analysis of the proposed .5% cement content in the tailings or, as an alternative, requiring that Tintinas design match the testing that it did do.

But Rice said theres an explanation for why DEQ didnt do the testing and that it wasnt arbitrary or capricious as the plaintiffs had claimed and Judge Bidegaray found.

Tintinas testing showed that even with a 2% cement content tailings are susceptible to acid formation and resulting disegregation, Harbine said.

To prevent oxidation, Tintinas solution is to layer fresh tailings on top of other tailings every seven to 30 days, she continued. But in testing of tailings with 2% cement added, the tailings crumbled within 28 days and became acidic within two weeks.

Testing further showed that the lower the cement content, the quicker the acid formation and disegregation occur, Harbine said. And despite this, Tintina never tested and DEQ never required testing of .5% cement.

Thats because DEQ found the physical characteristics of the tailings would prevent them from forming acid, Langston countered.

Water

Concerns about water quality were also addressed, since discharge from the mine would be added to Sheep Creek, a tributary to the Smith River. The Smith is Montanas only river requiring a permit to float during its peak season. The float is so popular the permits are awarded through an annual lottery.

Tintina is proposing to discharge as much as 398 gallons per minute into Sheep Creek. Before that, the wastewater would go through a reverse osmosis filtering process and then through an underground filtration gallery.

DEQs monitoring showed that nitrates, which can trigger algae growth, were present in Sheep Creek at levels higher than state standards even after mixing, Harbine said, which could harm the Smith River which already is suffering from an algae problem in summer.

To solve the issue, Tintina agreed to hold back any water releases during the summer, from July 1 through Sept. 30, Langston noted.

DEQ didnt contemplate this lag time problem, and its reliance on attenuation and dilution after the fact is insufficient to meet its obligations to ensure significant impacts will not occur, Harbine said.

If nitrogen is in excess of the standard, the only solution is to stop discharging earlier in the year, she added. If they do that it causes problems for their aquifer recharge under their water rights permit. It causes problems for their water balance which is part of the delicate design that Tintinas trying to achieve to meet all of its various environmental obligations. But it was DEQs obligation to take this hard look, to ensure that the analysis was done, to ensure that these various design components would actually achieve the environmental protection that DEQ claims.

'Not required'

Yet Tintinas attorney argued Judge Bidegarays District Court ruling in agreement with the environmental groups arguments was out of line.

Every contention by the plaintiffs in this appeal, except for the independent review panel, is against extra-regulatory safety redundancies not required, Schowengerdt said. If the plaintiffs are successful, it will actually make mining less safe in Montana because no mine would ever undertake these extra precautions when they dont have to.

The fact that the tests were done, should have been enough, he added. The problem was the district court delved into the science and instead acted like a fact-finding court rather than a reviewing court, which was its role in a case like this.

Tintina first applied for an operating permit in 2015. The DEQs draft environmental impact statement generated more than 12,000 comments before the agency issued the permit in 2020. The plan calls for a 13-year production period, producing 14.5 million tons of copper ore over the mine life.

Tintina posted a $4.6 million bond to cover the reclamation costs for the first phase of construction at the Black Butte Copper Project, located about 17 miles north of White Sulphur Springs in the Little Belt Mountains.

- Tom Kuglin and the Associated Press' reporting contributed to this story.
In federal court in Helena, 16 Montana youth have answered the call to serve and are standing tall for themselves, their communities, and Montanas future.

Montanans have a long history of service including one of the highest per capita rates of military service during times of conflict and peace. Likewise, these young patriots are standing to defend their communities and the state from the threat of global warming thats already taken a toll on their lives  their physical health, mental well-being, and the landscape and flora and fauna for which they express great connection and love.

The youth are challenging state government to reduce the states reliance on fossil fuels  a major contributor to global warming  and to end preferential treatment for extraction, transportation and refining, and combustion of fossil fuels in meeting state energy needs. In doing so, they call upon their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.

The two-week trial began with youth plaintiffs testifying to personal impacts theyve noted over their lifetime and with nationally and internationally renowned Montana scientists testifying to data collected over decades (and in some cases centuries) showing how a documented rise in the temperature of the earths atmosphere is impacting Montana through changing annual and seasonal precipitation patterns, stream flows, unpredictable weather occurrences, and resultant smoke.

First-week expert witnesses included climate scientists Dr. Steve Running (UM emeritus who received a Nobel Prize with an international team of climate scientists), Dr. Cathy Whitlock (MSU), Dr. Jack Stanford (long-time director of UMs research station on Flathead Lake), Dr. Dan Fagre (glacial researcher in Glacier National Park), and Dr. Lori Byron (physician and respiratory specialist from Hardin).

They presented evidence of the atmospheres rising temperature, the major cause of which points directly to greenhouse gases (combustion of fossil fuels), and the dramatic change global warming is having on Montanas water resources, seasons, flora and fauna, and the health of its youth.

One outstanding takeaway from their testimony is the variable degree to which global warming impacts different regions. Its not equal everywhere. One plaintiff recalled, as a young child, raising funds for the Marshall Islands with a Marshallese friend. The Marshall Islands are now threatened by rising sea level and submergence.

Likewise, Montana, a landlocked and high-elevation state dependent on winter mountain snowpack, is seeing greater impact than many other states or regions.

A carbon-accounting expert from the Stockholm Environment Institute, Seattle-based Peter Erickson, provided data for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Montana, the nation, and the world, and concluded that CO2 emissions to the atmosphere contribute to global warming in a collective manner. One ton of CO2 released to the atmosphere in one place is equal to one ton of CO2 released in another.

Yet, as Montana scientists testified, the heating impact of one ton of CO2 is not equal. Impact appears to be greater on Montana.

On Friday, June 16, Stanford Universitys Dr. Mark Jacobson provided documentation for feasible Montana pathways to renewable non-global-warming energy sources and alternative technologies. He showed Montana and Montana citizens would realize great savings over time through transition away from dependence on fossil fuels.

Dr. Jacobsons testimony pointed to roadblocks to transition pathways, corroborated by earlier testimony by expert Anne Hedges from the Montana Environmental Information Center regarding historical energy policy and permitting activities in Montana. That testimony showed threats to Montana from global warming were recognized by state government as early as the 1970s, and initial steps to study and adapt were undertaken.

More recently, however, efforts to address global warming have been largely discarded by state government while roadblocks have been added or reinforced.

In cross-examination, attorneys defending Montana state government in the lawsuit repeatedly shirked or attempted to shift state responsibility off to other states, agencies, or nations, arguing Montanas CO2 contribution is small, thus no big deal.

Yet expert testimony stated that all contributions are equal, and impacts on Montana may be greater.

State attorneys also turned to the lack of EV charging stations in Jordan and along the Hi-Line. Their argument coincidentally highlights a failure on the part of state government to address or plan for the needs of these residents today and into the future.

The greatest takeaway from this lawsuit so far is that Montana citizens and communities can be extremely proud of these young Montana plaintiffs for standing up and demanding removal of state roadblocks to clean energy that deny them their constitutional rights and threaten the future of all Montana citizens.
FISHERSVILLE  On Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 64 in Fishersville, members of the Augusta County Sheriffs Office, Augusta County Fire-Rescue, Area 17 Virginia State Police, and other local first responders gathered at an overpass at mile marker 91 to honor a Wintergreen police officer who was slain in the line of duty last week.

We are heartbroken about this tragedy and senseless loss, and we join together with the Wintergreen Police Department in honoring the memory and legacy of Officer Christopher Wagner," Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith said in a press release.

Local Authorities in Augusta County on Monday honored slain Officer M. Christopher Wagner II as the body of the slain police officer from the Wintergreen Police Department was escorted on Interstate 64 from the Chief Medical Examiners Office in Richmond to Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory in Staunton.

Wagner, 31, of Stuarts Draft, was shot to death Friday night in Nelson County. Police arrested a suspect, a Maryland man, who is facing a charge of capital murder.

On Tuesday, local authorities gathered atop an I-64 overpass in Fishersville to honor Wagner as his body was being escorted by members of the Wintergreen Police Department, Wintergreen Fire Rescue, the Nelson County Sheriffs Office, and Virginia State Police.

His body was being taken from the Chief Medical Examiners Office in Richmond to Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory in Staunton, the release said.

Wagner's funeral is scheduled for next week in Augusta County.

Family frustrated no charges filed in Augusta County crash that killed 2, including baby

THE DIGEST: White Star Mills building renovation, backyard woods and backcountry camping

Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Body of slain Wintergreen police officer escorted to Staunton
A Morganton man who had outstanding warrants landed new drug charges after investigators searched his home last week.

Melvin Woodrow Wilson, 38, of Morganton, was charged June 14 with felony trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking opioids, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a news release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office.

Wilson also was served with outstanding charges for assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, two counts of probation violation and resisting a public officer, the release said.

The assault charge and resisting a public officer charge stemmed from a Sept. 20 incident where Wilson allegedly backed a car into a probation officer who was conducting a home visit, according to a copy of the warrant. When the probation officer ordered Wilson to get out of the vehicle, he drove away the warrant said.

BCSO deputies and North Carolina Department of Public Safety officers served that warrant on Wilson at a home on Crawley Dale Street on June 14, the release said.

When officers made entered the home, they saw drugs in plain view, the release said. Wilson was arrested and two others were detained for further investigation.

A search warrant was obtained and executed at the home. Investigators ended up seizing 46 grams of methamphetamine, 5 grams of fentanyl, a large but unspecified amount of cash, four sets of digital scales, 40 buprenorphine and naloxone strips, a semi-automatic pistol, two revolvers and an AR-15-style .22 caliber rifle, the release said.

Wilson already has previous convictions of attempted trafficking of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, manufacturing methamphetamine, attempted speeding to elude arrest, receiving a stolen vehicle and possession of stolen goods, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

In addition to his other charges, Wilson has another pending charge for an out-of-county probation violation.

Wilson was issued a $335,000 secured bond, the release said. Hes due back in court July 6, according to court records.
A local student has been recognized for supporting the residents and staff members of the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center.

Ashlyn Robinson, a rising junior at Patton High School, received a North Carolina Governors Volunteer Service Award for serving in the centers Volunteen program. She was nominated by Summer Nixon-Snell, volunteer coordinator at the center that cares for special-needs individuals.

I attended the Riddle Center Christmas parade for many years and was able to meet some of the people who live there, Robinson said. Watching the residents experience so much joy is what inspired me to get involved four years ago.

She was one of five people in Burke County to receive awards from the program this year. Awardees were honored at a ceremony hosted by Volunteer Burke on May 23 at First United Methodist Church of Morganton.

Megan Parillo, volunteer coordinator for AMOREM, introduced Robinson at the ceremony and described her duties at the center. Robinson assisted with office work and resident events, and collected needed items for residents, such as personal care products.

I thoroughly enjoy brightening the day of others, whether it be residents or staff, Robinson said. I especially enjoy playing cards and board games with the residents. The most challenging aspect of volunteering for me was learning to communicate with people who may not be verbal. I have learned that there are many ways for people to communicate, not just language.

Parillo said Robinson was moved to find a way to provide inspiration to the Riddle Center staff, so she crafted 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.

Robinson was pleased with the outcome of the project.

I was elated to hear that my hope jars brightened the day of others, she said. I even had people reach out to me and share that the quotes I wrote meant a lot to them.

She noted the lessons she learned while volunteering.

When making people the focus, it is important to really pay attention and be present in the moment so you will know what is needed, Robinson said. At the end of the day, there is no greater feeling than knowing that you made a difference for someone. I have continued to volunteer at the Riddle Center several times each month. The relationships made with the residents and staff are priceless.

In addition to her work with the Riddle Center, Robinson has volunteered with Southmountain Children and Family Services and made hope jars and collected donations of stuffed animals for the Child Advocacy Center. She is a varsity cheerleader and a member of the Anchor and HOSA clubs at Patton High School.

Volunteering has inspired me to pursue a degree in social work and serve youth who have experienced trauma, Robinson said.

She shared her feelings about being recognized for her volunteer service.

It was such an honor to receive the Governors Volunteer Service Award, Robinson said. I had the pleasure of standing alongside some amazing recipients who are doing great things in our community.

She also speaks to groups about the importance of volunteering and encourages everyone to consider getting involved with a good cause.

Mother Teresa said it well: If you cant feed 100 people, feed just one, Robinson said. I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. No act of volunteering is too big or too small. The world can always use more kindness.
If the National Hurricane Center wants to classify a tropical cyclone beyond Whitney, a supplemental list of names are used.

These names have been in place since 2021. Before 2021, the Greek alphabet was used for additional storms. However, a very active 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and the Greek alphabet storm names, brought confusion. This led the World Meteorological Organization to swap those names for this list.
On this set of episodes, we sift through many details of the 2012 disappearance and death of 6-year-old Isabel Celis and 2014 kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.

Youll be hearing from Arizona Daily Star reporter Caitlin Schmidt. But first, we travel back to April 25, 2012, shortly after Isabel first went missing.

In this episode, host Schmidt discusses how police made the connection between the two cases.

Past episodes from this season

More on the case

Isabel was last seen by her parents at 11 p.m. on April 21 when she was put to bed. Her father discovered she was missing the next morning, police said. Police completed a search of the Celis home in the 5600 block of East 12th Street, near East Broadway and South Craycroft Road, at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday but would not comment on what was found.

Thousands of fliers were passed out. Landfills were searched as well as lakes and basins. Isabels parents Sergio and Becky Celis had come under some criticism for not speaking to the media or the public in the effort to find their daughter. More money poured into the search effort, but no more leads for years.

Then on June 3, 2014  two years after Isabel Celis first went missing  another young girl, Maribel Gonzalez, 13, told her mother she was going to a friends house. Three days later her body was found near West Avra Valley Road by a Pima County sheriffs deputy responding to a call about suspicious activity. A few days after her body was discovered, a Pima County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by unspecified means.

In March 2017, Isabels body was in a rural area of Pima County nearly five years after she disappeared. Police Chief Chris Magnus said it wasnt happenstance. An autopsy later that year confirmed it was a homicide. The bones that were recovered were redacted from the report, but an included chart of a human skeleton show part of a pelvis and several skull bones that are a darker color than the rest of the body.

Next time on Late Edition Crime Beat Chronicles, we go deeper into the connection between these two young girls cases and the man on trial for their murders. If you like what we do here at Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles, please be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
ORLANDO, Fla.  After appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took over Walt Disney Worlds governing district earlier this year, its firefighters were among the few employees who publicly welcomed them with open arms.

But that warm relationship is in jeopardy as a new district administrator has reopened negotiations on a contract that was approved last month by the unionized firefighters, promising pay raises and more manpower.

A vote on the contract originally was targeted for last month during a meeting of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board of supervisors. But it was never brought up, and it did not appear on an agenda released ahead of the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

Under the three-year contract proposal overwhelmingly approved by 200 firefighters and first responders, annual starting pay for firefighters would increase to $65,000, up from $55,000. It also promised hiring up to three dozen firefighters and paramedics.

At several meetings since the DeSantis-appointed supervisors took their seats this spring, Jon Shirey, who leads the firefighters' union, praised them for visiting firefighters at their stations around the 39-square-mile Disney World property.

The firefighters looked forward to collaborating with the new supervisors and administrator after years of clashing with their Disney-supporting predecessors, and viewed the appointments as an opportunity for a fresh start, he said.

Almost overnight, a change occurred that we have never experienced  transparency, open dialogue, the ability to sit down and have our issues heard and felt listened to, Shirey told board members last month. You have been able to build bridges that were long burned.

The feeling was mutual, with board chairman Martin Garcia saying last month that the supervisors were working with the firefighters to resolve their issues. Even so, Garcia made clear that the firefighters weren't the only district employees the board wanted to support.

We also need to let the (other) employees know, we love you, too. We care about you. We love you as much as we love our firefighters, Garcia said.

But the delay in approving the contract has alienated the firefighters' union, which last year endorsed the gubernatorial reelection campaign of DeSantis, who recently launched a campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.

The old contract expired four years ago, and the firefighters declared an impasse last year when the districts board was still controlled by Disney supporters. The Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters, Local 2117 have warned for years that they are understaffed, which poses a safety risk as the central Florida theme park resort grows.

Last month, District Administrator John Classe, who originally negotiated the new contract, was replaced by the board with Glenton Gilzean, a DeSantis ally who previously served as president and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League and will receive a $400,000 salary in his new job. The district also is paying Classe to stay on as a special adviser.

Board spokesperson Alexei Woltornist said negotiations with the union were continuing, without explaining why they were reopened with a contract already approved by the firefighters and first responders.

Administrator Gilzean is actively working with the fire department to finalize a deal that offers a competitive compensation package and gives firefighters the resources they need to protect the public, Woltornist said in an email to The Associated Press.

Officials with the firefighters' union did not comment.

While Gilzean may alienate the firefighters, whose support gave the DeSantis takeover some legitimacy, he may gain credibility with other constituencies within Disney's governing district and put some distance between himself and his predecessor, said Richard Foglesong, a Rollins College professor emeritus who wrote a definitive account of Disney Worlds governance in his book, Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando.

Hes an unproven administrator, yet here hes showing hes no pushover when dealing with a cantankerous group, which frankly impresses me, Foglesong said.

The DeSantis appointees took over the Disney World governing board earlier this year following a yearlong feud between the company and DeSantis. The fight began last year after Disney, beset by significant pressure internally and externally, publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call Dont Say Gay.

As punishment, DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers and appointed a new board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels. But before the new board came in, the company made agreements with previous oversight board members that stripped the new supervisors of their authority over design and construction.

Disney sued DeSantis and the five-member board, asking a federal judge to void the governors takeover of the theme park district, as well as the oversight boards actions, on the grounds they were violations of companys free speech rights.

The board sued Disney in state court in an effort to maintain its control of construction and design at Disney World.

The district was created in 1967 when then-Florida Gov. Claude Kirk signed legislation authorizing it to regulate land use, enforce building codes, treat wastewater, control drainage, maintain utilities and provide fire protection at Disney World.

Such private governments arent uncommon in fast-growing Florida, which has more than 600 community development districts that manage and pay for infrastructure in new communities.

Disney attractions that don't exist anymore Disney rides that don't exist anymore Rainbow Caverns Mine Train (1956-1977) Submarine Voyage (1959-1998) America Sings (1974-1988) Journey Into Imagination (1983-1998) Horizons (1983-1999) Videopolis (1985-1989) Maelstrom (1988-2014) Dreamflight (1989-1998) Body Wars (1989-2007) Adventurers Club (1989-2008) The Great Movie Ride (1989-2017) ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (1995-2003) The Timekeeper (1994-2006) The Great Movie Ride (1989-2017) ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (1995-2003) The Timekeeper (1994-2006)
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Montana launched the construction of a $3 million condominium project Wednesday while also marking its 30-year anniversary of serving Butte-Silver Bow and surrounding areas.

Supporters gathered in the 300 block of West Iron Street, where the organization will build three duplexes and six single-family houses that can be homes for up to 55 people.

A crowd of over 50 people gathered on a dirt lot with an excavator in the backdrop. Barbara Miller, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Montana, spoke first, delivering thanks to her team and project partners.

"When I started working on these projects, it was not possible to get a loan to buy a home in uptown," Miller said. "We've built more than 140 homes. That's made it so that we are in the top 50 of all Habitat affiliates in the country."

The homes will be on a 1.7-acre site and be owner-occupied  not rentals  and will meet American Lung Association standards for indoor air quality.

Miller said housing costs have risen significantly in recent years, making housing unaffordable to many working families.

The new homes will be called the Roxanne Iron Way Condominium project in memory of the late Roxanne Witt, one of the first participants in Butte in the federal Mutual Self Help program. She left senior housing to help build her own Habitat home and more than 30 others.

Miller said the new higher-density development will build affordable homes in partnership with working families earning less than 80% of the median income. The project continues Habitats long-term housing development partnership with National Affordable Housing Network, or NAHN, a nonprofit in Butte for 29 years.

Infrastructure work for the complex has included water and sewer lines, storm drainage, grading, new curbs and gutters, and a retention pond.

Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Montana is a Christian-based organization and under its programs, families must have need, a willingness to partner and ability to pay for the new homes. The homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

The new development is funded through federal housing programs, Glacier Bank, the Gianforte Family Foundation, Butte-Silver Bows Superfund Advisory and Redevelopment Trust Authority and Urban Revitalization Agency, the Rural Community Development Corporations housing counseling program and individual donors.

Habitat is planning other events this year to mark its 30th anniversary in Butte.
Tuesday marked the end of a closely-watched climate trial in Helena, as attorneys made their final pitches to convince a judge whether the states contributions to climate change have violated the constitutional rights of 16 young Montanans.

The case was brought in 2020 by Our Childrens Trust, an environmental organization that has filed dozens of similar lawsuits in other states. The Montana case garnered national attention as of the first of those to reach a trial, along with the state Constitutions unique provision guaranteeing its citizens the right to a clean and healthful environment.

The seven-day trial kicked off last week, with five days of testimony from youth plaintiffs and expert witnesses called by their attorneys. The state called all three of its witnesses on Monday before resting its case.

After hearing from world-renowned experts on climate science and medical professionals, there is no doubt that Montana should be protecting these young people, and generations to come, Nate Bellinger, an attorney for Our Childrens Trust, said during his closing statement. A stable climate system is integral to each and every one of the constitutional rights that have been implicated in this proceeding, and plaintiffs have established through overwhelming evidence that their rights have been violated.

Along with scientists and other experts, a parade of young plaintiffs in the case, now ranging from 5 to 22 years in age, sat in the witness box to describe how climate change is hurting their physical and mental health, their families livelihoods, their cultural traditions and their ability to recreate. From hot, smoky summers to winters increasingly devoid of snow, they provided links between their lives and the effects of climate change that are now well-documented across the state, and in many cases, are expected to get worse.

The lawsuit names Montana, the governor, attorney general and several state agencies as defendants. Since it was filed in 2020, Judge Kathy Seeley has narrowed the scope of the case substantially, and it now rests on whether a provision in the Montana Environmental Policy Act violates the plaintiffs constitutional rights.

That provision, as it was rewritten by the Legislature earlier this year, prohibits state agencies from considering greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews of permits. MEPA is the states framework for how agencies conduct environmental reviews, such as those needed for permits to mine coal or build power plants. Montana has one of the largest coal reserves in the country, along with one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the West.

Delivering the closing arguments for the defense, Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell reiterated the states position that MEPA is only a procedural law, and changing it wouldnt change the outcome of permitting decisions, which are governed by other statutes.

Russell also noted that while much of the plaintiffs expert testimony focused on the science of how large amounts of heat-trapping molecules, such as carbon dioxide, being added to the atmosphere cause the Earth to heat up, the state never disputed that.

Prior to the beginning of the trial, the two parties stipulated to a set of undisputed facts, including that there is a scientific consensus that human-caused increases in greenhouse gases are driving climate change.

We stipulated for purposes of the trial that theres a scientific consensus that earth is warming as a direct result of human GHG emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, Russell said.

But the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate how Montanas relatively minute contributions to greenhouse gas emissions globally have directly caused the plaintiffs injuries, Russell argued. As such, the problem can only be solved by global actions, the state has argued, not the unilateral policies of one state.

This case has received national attention in part because it has been billed, or at least perceived, as a sort of referendum on climate change generally, Russell said. This is not supposed to be a town hall meeting or popularity contest. Its a court of law in which basic principles like causation and redress still apply."

Beyond the alleged violations to the Montana Constitutions environmental provisions, the plaintiffs also accuse the state of violating their rights to individual dignity and equal protection and their right to seek safety, health and happiness.

Bellinger called the states action an infringement on the plaintiffs' basic human rights and invoked past court decisions involving segregation, womens rights and marriage equality. He said its the courts job to intercede on behalf of the youth plaintiffs, even if addressing carbon emissions isnt politically popular.

Fundamental rights are not subject to the outcome of elections, he said.

The state has maintained throughout the case that the issue of climate change is one for policymakers, and not the courts, to act on.

Near the end of his closing, Russell quoted from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals order in a similar lawsuit brought by Our Childrens Trust against the federal government. The panel of judges dismissed that case in 2020, on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing because there was no solution the courts could offer that would redress their alleged injuries.

Some questions  even those existential in nature  are the province of the political branches, they wrote.

Seeley did not indicate when she might issue an order in the case, but gave each side two weeks to submit their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
During a recent visit to my parents house in Southern California (ducks and covers head) I took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, as one tends to do in their childhood home.

My dad booked us  him, my wife and me  on a fishing trip out of Oxnard, California, around the Channel Islands.

As I was prepping the tackle box and making sure all our reels were working properly, I found myself staring at our fishing rods, which are fastened to a wall in a spare room that was actually an addition to the house where my late grandmother used to live.

Each rod marked a fond memory  a birthday, graduation or other special occasion that we felt needed to be celebrated  made that much sweeter with the acquisition of some new rod, or whatever new product we just had to have.

This is normal for fisherman. Obtaining new gear opens up a portion of our brain that makes it so we remember everything about the day when we added that piece of equipment to our arsenal.

But also because my dad and I accumulated most of our gear during my childhood and teenage years, naturally he was the one who purchased a vast majority of our gear.

We arent able to fish together as much anymore, so upgrading our decades-old rods hasnt been the highest priority.

This year Ive decided it was time to repay the favor, and by favor I mean years of great memories that I still look back upon fondly and vividly.

I called Johnnys Sport Shop, the tackle shop about 3 miles from my parents house. My dad and I have known the owners since the day we decided to take up fishing together, which predates Y2K. It's hard to remember when exactly, probably because we didn't own any fishing gear yet.

They were able to pick out the ideal rod for my budget  to go with a new reel my dad bought for himself  and took the payment over the phone. One of the employees then called my dad and told him he needed to come down to the shop, where they surprised him with his new rod.

By all accounts, he loves his Fathers Day gift (pats self on back).

So if youre shopping for someone special and searching for ideas, fishing gear always plays. Whether its a pocket-sized gadget or a new rod, fishing enthusiasts simply cannot get enough new gear. So much so, in fact, we remember forever the exact moment we received each piece of equipment.

Top picks

Holter Reservoir  Good numbers of rainbow trout were caught out from the Gates of the Mountains using small nymphs and on the lower end of the reservoir while trolling orange crankbaits or cowbells with wedding rings tipped with a crawler. More kokanee are showing up near the dam while using various flashers, dodgers or cowbells with double hook spinners tipped with shoepeg corn in 15-80 feet of water. A few walleye were picked up in the Canyon near the Gates of the Mountains, the Clay Banks on the lower end of the reservoir, and around other points and weed beds while vertical jigging with various Rapalas, hair jigs, or Mister Twisters tipped with leeches or crawlers. A few perch can be found around the boat docks and in the small bays in the canyon while using small jigs and crawlers.  FWP, Helena

Rock Creek (West)  Flows have been on the high side, which can make for tough wading, but the fish are still eating big bugs close to the bank. Salmonflies are around but on the way out and will give way to golden stones and caddis. Hunting for fish hiding in side channels can also be productive while on foot, especially if it is too dicey to wade through the main river. Tie on a stonefly nymph or SJ worm for a dropper if fish arent rising.  Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula

Western Montana

Big Hole River  Fishing has been great. Salmonflies continue to work. The bugs are not flying a lot with the cooler weather. Golden Stones will become a little more dominant during the coming weeks. Big salmonflies or golden stones close to the bank are good dry fly options. Chubbies of similar colors work well, too. San Juan worms and stone nymphs below an indicator are still good. Streamers like Kreelexes, Sparkle Minnows and Sculpzillas have been also been working.  The StoneFly, Butte

Bitterroot River  Flows have been up and down with the persistent rain storms. The river is still fishable, but you need to be ready for whatever conditions present themselves. The dry fly fishing isnt that great right now with just a few bugs out, but will get better as the water stabilizes more. Right now its mainly a sub-surface game with size 8-10 stonefly nymphs, San Juans, big PTs and prince nymphs. Streamer fishing on cloudy days has been good if you can get the fly in the right next to the wood through drop-offs. Darker streamers like Gongas, Dungeons, Space Invaders and the like have been successful.  Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula

Blackfoot River  The Blackfoot is dropping, but some of the afternoon rain storms are still putting color into the river. Salmonfly hatches can be spotted throughout most of the river. With the varying weather, have salmonfly dries and nymphs with you because the dry-dropper will be most productive if, for example, temperatures drop and the fish are down. Golden stones, caddis and green Drakes are out as well. Cast tight to the banks or fish the slow inside bends. Streamer fishing is an option with Stonefly imitations like Zirdles, Squirdles, Baby Gongas, Buggers and Zonkers attracting hungry trout.  Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula

Canyon Ferry Reservoir  Walleye are being caught from the Silos to Pond 4, Silos to Hole in the Wall, Duck Creek to Pond 1 and around White Earth. Anglers fishing in 20-25 feet of water while using bottom bouncers with green, chartreuse or red spinner blades with worms or crankbaits in these same colors have been catching walleye. A few rainbows and perch are being caught by anglers using walleye rigs around Hole in the Wall and White Earth. Shore fishing has produced an occasional rainbow or walleye on jigs with worms around the Silos and White Earth.  FWP, Helena

Clark Fork River, Missoula  The Clark Fork is still on the high and muddy side. There are better options nearby.  Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula

Gallatin River  The Gallatin is high and muddy but starting to come down a little bit. Rain has been spiking flows, which adds to the difficulty. Big stoneflies and worms will pick up a fish here and there. It might be worth checking out some local ponds in Bozeman or fishing Hyalite reservoir until things clear up over here.  Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman

Georgetown Lake  Leeches, stillwater nymphs, damsel nymphs and thin mints have been the ticket. Its not far off for the big blue damsels, but not yet. Look for those starting in early July. Small parachutes or attractor patterns on top might work, but fish havent been seen rising much yet.  The StoneFly, Butte

Glacier National Park  There havent been many reports from inside the park other than the easily accessible lakes like Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake, St. Mary Lake and Lower Two Medicine Lake. Those bodies of water have yielded fairly consistent success. Fish can be taken on the classic go-to flies like parachute Adams, black-flying ants and egg-sucking leeches.  Arends Fly Shop, Columbia Falls

Hauser Reservoir  The cooler weekend slowed the fishing down, however, some walleye and rainbow trout were caught from shore at York Bridge and below Canyon Ferry Dam while using various jigs tipped with crawlers or green Power Bait. Lake Helena is still producing a few walleye while tolling crankbaits or bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses with orange or chartreuse blades. Trolling cowbells with a wedding ring between Black Sandy and the Powerlines is also producing a few rainbows.  FWP, Helena

Kootenai River  Water is still on the high side but the fish are biting, especially around where the Fisher River is dumping in clearer water. For a more general reference point, catching has been better closer to Libby than it is between the dam and halfway point of the river. Elk hair caddis (especially olive colored), parachute Adams, parachute black gnats and cripple purple haze in sizes 10-14 have all been working well.  Arends Fly Shop, Columbia Falls

Madison River, Lower  The Lower Madison has been good on some days and OK on others. The flows have been consistently dropping for a few days, and are currently sitting around 2,400 CFS. Fishing tends to be better when the flows have been consistent or have dropped. Nymphing crayfish, stones, worms and caddis pupa has been productive. The Mother's Day caddis have been slowing down a bit, but there are still some caddis around and the fish have been on them. Trout are also keying in on Drakes, Yellow Sallies, skwala's and baetis. Stones are right around the corner so keep an eye out for bigger bugs, too.  Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman

Madison River, Upper  The upper has cleared up a lot and is nearing normal visibility. Water is looking great above the west fork and still pretty clear below. Flows are sitting at 1,000 CFS. Fishing has been a mixed bag with the recent weather. Nymphs, streamers and dries have all been getting action. Once the weather stabilizes folks will hopefully see some amazing summer fishing.  Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman

Missouri River, below Holter  With flows around 11,000 CFS, give or take, recently, the hope is they will be dropping soon. That will be something to keep an eye on, especially if you plan on wading. Once flows do drop a bit, the catching is expected to be excellent. PMDs are hatching along with some caddis. Tricos are expected to show up in a couple weeks. Find some soft water if you can as there have been a surprising amount of fish rising despite the flows. The only problem is wading out to the rising fish is somewhere between impossible and incredibly dangerous. For context, anything over 6,000 CFS makes for uncomfortable wading on the Mo. Until flows drop substantially, stand on the bank and try to cast further. On the bright side, the crowds have thinned out quite a bit.  Headhunters Fly Shop, Craig

South Fork of the Flathead River  The lower half has been fishing much better than higher up, and the same is true on the middle and north forks. The native cutthroat that inhabit those waters havent migrated up river yet. Successful anglers have been using hairs ear nymphs, prince nymphs and golden stones in sizes 8-10. Dry flies have produced plenty of eats as well. Parachute Adams, black-flying ants and orange stimulators in sizes 8-12 should continue to do the trick. For people who like to cast lures anywhere on the Flathead River system, make sure youre using only single hooks  no treble hooks  or youll be looking at a hefty fine should you be caught.  Arends Fly Shop, Columbia Falls
Staff at the Museum of Science and Industry have voted to unionize, becoming the latest group of Chicago museum workers to choose representation with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The staff, who work in guest experiences, operations and the museums education department, voted in two groups. Vote tallies were announced Saturday in the election held by the National Labor Relations Board.

The larger group of employees voted 79-26 to unionize, according to the union. The results of the vote of a smaller group of employees deemed professional by the NLRB remain undecided, said AFSCME Council 31 spokesperson Anders Lindall. The group includes some members of the museums education department, he said.

Workers in that group voted 9-6 to unionize. Three other ballots cast among the professional workers were challenged by museum management, Lindall said. The results of the challenged ballots could determine the results of the professional employee vote.

If the union maintains its lead once ballot challenges are resolved for the second group, the Museum of Science & Industry Workers United would represent about 140 employees. In a statement, the union said it was very confident the second group would also vote to unionize.

Although we do not yet have the full results of this weekends vote, the outcome will not change our commitment to our employees, Kelsey Ryan, museum director of public relations, said in the statement. Our priority is to continue building our positive workplace culture that supports the Museum of Science and Industry and benefits the greater Chicago community.

Santi Van Lysebettens, 23, works as a facilitator at the museum giving tours to visitors and is also a member of the workers organizing committee.

Informal education is very much my passion, and I have never faltered in my passion with my job, Van Lysebettens said. But I guess I am coming to work with a little more hope now  that Im going to be paid a little bit better, that I can have a say in my job.

When they launched their union campaign in April, museum workers pointed to pay, high turnover and understaffing as areas in which they were seeking change.

Over the past year and a half, workers at the Art Institute and its affiliated school, the Field Museum and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum have all unionized with AFSCME. Many of the unionized museum employees have cited similar workplace concerns as the Science and Industry staff as the impetus for their union drives.

In a statement, science museum workers accused the museums management of leading a divisive anti-union campaign. Lindall pointed to the museums hiring of the law firm Jackson Lewis as well as what he described as a campaign in which supervisors individually pressured workers to vote against the union.

Ryan said the museum disagreed with the unions characterization.

We value science and the progress that our society has made through asking questions, Ryan said in a statement. Our goal was always to protect and empower each employees ability to ask questions, to access information and to learn so they may make an informed choice as to whether they wish to be represented by a union.

Van Lysebettens said they hoped the museum would work together with workers to reach a first contract.

We are determined to make sure that the museum has this positive culture of respect whether or not management is going to be a part of it, Van Lysebettens said. But we really do hope that they choose to take the high ground with us and bargain in good faith.
President Joe Biden had just six words to offer after his 53-year-old son Hunter pleaded guilty to federal tax offenses in a deal that is also likely to spare him time behind bars on a weapons charge. "I'm very proud of my son," he said.
WAPELLO  Details on two preventative health programs in Iowa were presented to the Louisa County Board of Health (BOH) on Tuesday.

Becky Connelly, a prevention specialist with Community and Family Resources, Iowa City, provided a summary report to the BOH on tobacco use prevention and control activities conducted in Louisa County through a Fiscal Year 2023 grant.

Connelly said she had contacted around 15 local businesses to see if they were willing to provide information as part of an education program on the benefits of adopting Tobacco Free Nicotine Free (TFNF) policies.

Eight businesses in the county, which included five in Wapello and three in Columbus Junction, had adopted the policies and received free clings/stickers from Iowa Health and Human Services.

She also reported notices of the policies had been sent to local newspapers and would be posted on social media.

Those efforts were intended to reduce nonsmokers exposure to secondhand smoke, provide education and meet policy adoption goals.

Connelly also reported other activities were intended to improve partnerships through coalition building and update key organizations or people on tobacco control programming.

Activities that met those goals and targets included monthly attendance and updates at the Louisa County Interagency Meeting; use of an assessment tool that showed Louisa Countys coalition had gaps in its business, schools, media and elected officials sectors; distributed information to schools and local clinics.

Public health administrator Roxanne Smith also provided the BOH with an update on a new statewide effort to boost general vaccination rates.

Smith said state officials had noticed vaccination rates were trending down and had decided to launch a general campaign to boost those numbers. She emphasized the effort was not a COVID-19 campaign.

Two health service providers from the Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowas Columbus City facility, Jacinta Wangui, nurse practitioner, who also serves on the Louisa County BOH as its medical director; and Dr. Shailesh Desai, family medicine, will be involved locally with the effort, Smith said.

She said flyers and other educational and informational material would be distributed around the county. She also reported more medical facilities in the county would be contacted about the program.

The BOH also received its regular update on environmental health activities from sanitarian Brian Thye; and a review of public health finances and general activities from Smith.

Smith also presented updated polices on the departments QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) program, which guides its efforts to assure care and services are acceptable and continually improved.

The board approved the updated policy.

It also approved an updated policy on tuberculosis, but tabled action on one involving employee health requirements. Smith will discuss the update with Louisa County Human Resources Consultant Paul Greufe.

The board also discussed the departments loans of medical equipment. An effort will be made with each donated item to have the recipient or a representative sign a loan sheet explaining it is only a temporary loan.
PHILADELPHIA  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 recent 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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. To help our students become joyful and confident readers, we must understand that teaching reading is not just an art, but also a science.

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.

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 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.

Reading scores are on the declinehere's what the Nation's Report Card says Reading scores are on the declinehere's what the Nation's Report Card says National reading scores State trends
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden had just six words to offer after his 53-year-old son Hunter pleaded guilty to federal tax offenses in a deal that is also likely to spare him time behind bars on a weapons charge.

"I'm very proud of my son," he said.

That pride has been accompanied by pain, and for the president's family, both have been on public display. Republicans have worked to use Hunter Biden's actions  and his acknowledged struggle with addiction  as an anchor to try to drag down his father.

As a parent, Joe Biden has tried to keep his son close; they speak almost every day. Hunter was at his father's side on a recent trip to Ireland, on the lawn of the White House with other family members for the Easter egg roll and in the bleachers with his mom and dad as his daughter graduated from college last month.

But out of public view, a five-year criminal investigation was coming to a conclusion, with a plea deal announced Tuesday that resolves the probe into the taxes and foreign business dealings of the president's second son. The agreement with the Justice Department means Hunter Biden will plead guilty to a misdemeanor tax offense, and he'll avoid a more serious felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions agreed to in court.

As a president, Joe Biden has made of point of keeping his distance from the federal investigation into his son's dealings.

The most fatherly of things he could do  advise a son going through a hard time  isn't exactly available for a man whose administration commands the office that was investigating his son and his political rival simultaneously.

"President Biden has always impressed me as someone who puts his family first," said Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, a close friend of the family. "In this case involving Hunter Biden, he has drawn a clear line. He has not been involved in or interfered in the Department of Justice in their five-year-long investigation, which is now coming to a close. I can only imagine the relief they may feel in being able to move forward."

Republicans are hardly satisfied with the outcome, particularly as the Justice Department indicted former President Donald Trump in an unrelated case where he is accused of mishandling classified documents.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., compared the outcome of Hunter Biden's case to the Trump documents case now heading toward federal court and said, "If you are the president's son, you get a sweetheart deal."

Though Hunter Biden is a private citizen, he factors heavily into notable political moments over the past five years: surfacing as a central character in the first impeachment case against Trump, who tried to get Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy to announce an investigation into the younger Biden related to his position on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.

Hunter Biden joined the board in 2014, around the time his father, then Barack Obama's vice president, was helping conduct U.S. foreign policy with Ukraine. Trump and his allies have long argued, without evidence, that Hunter Biden's work in Ukraine influenced the Obama administration's policies toward the East European nation.

Hunter Biden's descent into drugs and alcohol following the 2015 death of his brother Beau Biden from cancer led to some troubling decisions and interventions that Republicans seized on as proof of his shady tactics.

In 2020, the contents of a laptop that he'd left at a Delaware repair shop and never retrieved made their way to Republicans and were publicly leaked, revealing personal messages about his work and his life.

Addiction is still very much seen as a moral failing instead of a disease, said Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman who is now a leading voice on mental health and addiction, was himself an addict and also the son of a famous lawmaker, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

Kennedy said Biden could use this as a teachable moment for the nation to shift how addiction is viewed, even if Hunter is being used as a tool to attack his father.

"The benefit of this president is that his policies are the most progressive of any president to date in terms of treating them as the medical issues they are," Kennedy said. "In a sense, he is like my father was, from an old school. They kept this under wraps, it was shameful. They didn't talk about it. But you know, to his credit, his policies reflect an enlightened approach."

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said of Hunter Biden's situation that he "felt very sorry for him and for his family. I respect the president for saying he loves his son. That's a good thing even if your son does embarrassing things."

There were questions as well about a White House arrangement in the early days of Biden's presidency that allowed Hunter to sell his artwork without knowing the identity of the purchaser. Officials said it would avoid any potential ethical entanglements with the sales but Republicans have raised questions and are seeking an interview with the gallery owner.

And still, photos of Hunter Biden in the throes of addiction routinely circulate online. Biden said in his memoir he can shrug them off because he's come out the other side thanks to the support of his family.

"I come from a family forged by tragedies and bound by a remarkable, unbreakable love," he wrote in his 2021 memoir "Beautiful Things."
LONDON  All hail the rising sun.

A seemingly curious alliance of druids, pagans, hippies, local residents, tourists and costumed witches and wizards are gathering around a prehistoric stone circle on a plain in southern England to express their devotion to the sun, or to have some communal fun.

They will stay and celebrate at Stonehenge for the night and greet sunrise on Wednesday, which will be the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

All over the U.K., optimism will reign supreme as summer officially starts. It's no coincidence that the nearby Glastonbury Festival, one of the world's biggest music events, opens its doors on Wednesday, too. Both Stonehenge and Glastonbury supposedly lie on ley lines  mystical energy connections across the U.K.

For the thousands making the pilgrimage to Stonehenge, approximately 80 miles southwest of London, it is more than looking forward to Elton John at Glastonbury or a few ciders in the sun.

For druids, modern-day spiritualists linked to the ancient Celtic religious order, Stonehenge has a centuries-long importance, and they will be there to perform dawn rituals around the solstice in their traditional white robes. It's effectively all about the cycle of life, of death and rebirth.

This year, the summer solstice at Stonehenge goes from 7 p.m. Tuesday through 8 a.m. Wednesday. For this one night, worshippers are allowed to spend the night inside the stone circle. Others chant or play their acoustic guitars. Alcohol is prohibited, as are sound systems. Bring a blanket, but no sleeping bags, please. And definitely, no climbing on the stones.

The rules have been tightened over the decades, certainly during the coronavirus pandemic. Back in the less-restrained past, tens of thousands would travel by foot, car, bus or motorcycle to worship at the solar temple, or just have a bit of fun.

It is a symbol of British culture and history and remains one of the countrys biggest tourist draws, despite the seemingly permanent traffic jams on the nearby A303 highway, a popular route for motorists traveling to and from the southwest of England.

Stonehenge, one of the worlds most famous prehistoric monuments and a World Heritage Site, was built on the flat lands of Salisbury Plain in stages starting 5,000 years ago, with the unique stone circle erected in the late Neolithic period about 2,500 B.C. Some of the stones, the so-called bluestones, are known to have come from the Preseli Hills in southwest Wales, nearly 150 miles away, but the origins of others remain a mystery.

The sites meaning has been the subject of vigorous debate, with some theories seemingly more outlandish, if not alien, than others.

English Heritage, a charity that manages hundreds of historic sites, notes several explanations  from Stonehenge being a coronation place for Danish kings, a druid temple, a cult center for healing, or an astronomical computer for predicting eclipses and solar events.

The charity said the most generally accepted interpretation "is that of a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun.

After all, the stones match perfectly with the sun at both the summer and winter solstices. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the northeast part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of the stone circle. When the sky is clear, those rays are a triumphant spectacle to behold.

But, let's be honest, that's not always the case during the British summer. After weeks of dry and sunny weather, the forecast for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning is a bit iffy.

It's time to pray to the sun king.

Photos: Celebrations, protests and more  a look back at Stonehenge through the years BRITAIN STONEHENGE TOPIX BRITAIN STONEHENGE BRITAIN STONEHENGE Anti-nuclear protests: England 1961 AP I GBR XEN APTOPIX BRITAIN STONEHENGE WINTER SOLSTICE AP I GBR XEN BRITAIN STONEHENGE WINTER SOLSTICE AP I GBR XEN APTOPIX BRITAIN STONEHENGE WINTER SOLSTICE Religion Druids Solstice ENGLAND STONEHENGE BRITAIN SUMMER SOLSTICE Britain Stonehenge Solstice APTOPIX Britain Stonehenge Solstice APTOPIX Britain Stonehenge Solstice APTOPIX Britain Stonehenge APTOPIX Britain Stonehenge Solstice Britain Stonehenge Solstice BRITAIN HALE BOPP APTOPIX Britain Stonehenge Solstice APTOPIX Britain Summer Solstice APTOPIX Britain Summer Solstice
The government wants the UN and other agencies funding refugees in Kenya to prioritize local farmers when procuring food aid.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said buying grains from Kenyan farmers will provide a ready market for maize, rice, wheat, and other foodstuffs and prevent post-harvest losses attributed to seasonal abundance.

Speaking in Nairobi during a government-development partners dialogue forum on the Shirika Plan for the resettlement of refugees in Kenya, Mudavadi said by buying locally, aid agencies will also demonstrate appreciation for Kenyans sacrifice in hosting displaced communities.

It is sad when we see that farmers in Kenya are struggling to sell their maize or wheat, but we are steadily importing all grain to feed the refugee camps from elsewhere.

Kenya is the 13th largest refugee host nation in the world and fifth in Africa with 612, 413 registered refugees and asylum seekers mainly in Kakuma and Daadab camps. Somali, South Sudan, and the DRC to the source of refugees accounting for 56%, 30%, and 7% respectively.

There are also 94,417 urban refugees in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret among towns. Speaking at the same forum, the UN Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said the UN and other development partners have mobilized over $200 million dollars to fund the Shirika Plan which was previously known as the Marshall Plan for Refugees.

The money will be used to transform refugee camps into integrated settlements and to benefit the host communities by investing in projects in health, education and other sectors that target socio-economic empowerment and inclusion of both refugees and area residents.

Immigration PS Julius Bitok under whose docket the Refugees Secretariat falls said the government hoped that the successful implementation of plan that hopes to give dignity to refugees and to tap into their social-economic potential will boost security and infrastructural growth of counties hosting refugees.

We believe integration is key to giving refugees a sense of belonging and making them shareholders in the quest for a stable and secure environment. We want them to play their role in upholding peace and in preventing insecurity in our country.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and his Turkana counterpart Jeremiah Lomurukai whose counties host Daadab and Kakuma camps respectively said the integration of refugees into the host communities will cement already existing social-economic ties between residents and refugees and ease pressure on shared infrastructure.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale says President William Rutos administration will finally bring an end to Al-Shabaab attacks both within the country and in neighboring Somalia.

Duale, while addressing the public Baraza in Masalani town on Tuesday, declared that the government is resolute in preventing any terrorist attacks across the nation.

At least 22 officers have died in the last 2 weeks in Garissa and Lamu counties, while one suspected Al Shabaab terrorist was arrested last Thursday on the Garissa  Dadaab road by a multi-agency team.

We want to tell Al-shabaab, we will not allow you , come what, to come to any part of the Kenya to preach radical ideologies, kill our security officials and our citizens. Our defense forces will hunt you whether in our borders or inside Somalia and we will get you, Duale said.

This administration is the one which will bring an end to terror attacks both in the country and in Somalia because we have a moral authority to defend our country and participate in regional peace and security, he added.

In a renewed effort to eradicate Al-Shabaab attacks, Duale announced that the government plans to modernize the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and police artillery.

The CS said the government will in the next three months buy sophisticated equipment to help the police and the KDF in the fight against Al Shabaab and that the government will not be intimidated in any way.

Duale at the same time ordered all national government administrative officers to either stay on their duty posts on quit.

If you are an assistant chief or chief or deputy county commissioner, you just stay in your duty area. All government officials must stay in their stations, we will provide security to them, Duale said.
Faith Kipyegon on Tuesday received well-deserved recognition from telecommunications service provider Safaricom for breaking two world records within a single week.

The giant telco, through its CEO Peter Ndegwa, presented a reward of 2 million Kenyan Shillings to the remarkable double Olympic and world champion in the 1,500 meters, in recognition of her extraordinary feat of setting world records during the Florence and Paris legs of the Diamond League.

Ndegwa said the reward is part of Safaricoms support to athletes putting the countrys name on the global map.

Safaricom also showcased her image at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) building on Monday night.

At Safaricom, we are committed to supporting talents in the country. We appreciate and feel proud of what Faith has achieved and for her stellar performance, breaking two world records in one week. I believe this will help motivate many more talents in the country, said Ndegwa.

Kipyegon on her part appreciated Safararicoms gesture and expressed her disbelief at setting two world records in a span of one week.

I thank Safaricom for recognising and honouring me; this is a big gesture in support of Kenyan athletes.

It came as a surprise, and up to now, I am still shocked. I didnt expect this, but again I believe I was well prepared for a good race and to break my personal best, she said.

The two-time Olympic champion clocked 3:49.11 and 14:05.20 in 1500m and 5000m at Florence Diamond League and Paris Diamond League, respectively, becoming the first Kenyan woman to hold the world records over the two distances.

With the latest reward from Safaricom, Faith Kipyegons tally of received accolades amounts to at least Sh13 million. This includes Sh5 million cash and a house worth Sh 6 million courtesy of the government.
The recent edition of the St. Helena Star gloriously celebrated the graduation ceremony at St Helena High School. It is so refreshing to see the enormous community support for the 108 graduates! Like all of us, I wish them success and happiness.

It seems that each edition of the Star celebrates something of significance. Come to think about it, my Thursdays often get off to a better start because I get to read the St. Helena Star.
Graduating seniors are congratulated, then asked, So, what are you gonna do now? I used to suggest that graduates respond with, Why, are you looking for ideas?

From preschool through middle school young people know what comes next: First grade follows kindergarten, then middle school, and high school. For high school graduates, however, the possibilities are more numerous and decision-making more challenging.

Shawn Garrity and Terri Linder are counselors at St. Helena High School, and I asked for their insights regarding the plans of the Class of 2023.

Garrity responded, This senior class has a story to tell that is very unique, as COVID hit during their freshman year.

In a June 7 USA Today column, Nirvi Shah writes, The lives of students graduating from high school this year were transformed by the pandemic. She references an ACT report released last week, Influence of the Coronavirus Pandemic on High School Seniors Views: College and Career Choices, Challenges, and Opportunities.

The report finds that COVID changed students thoughts about careers, majors, the type of postsecondary school to attend, even whether to attend college at all.

Garrity reports, Kids are more optimistic about their next step and feel a freedom of flexibility to change paths.

Linder echoes that sentiment. The kids have made some very interesting and exciting decisions about their futures," she said.

We have two students enlisting in the Air Force and students are choosing to work for a year before deciding whether to enroll in college, Linder said. Students are enrolling in culinary and cosmetology programs, as well as studying abroad before enrolling at university.

The ACT report found pandemic-related challenges affecting students college and career plans. Cost is a pricing factor more than ever in the process of college, Garrity observed. We see kids being repelled by the idea of loans and more students are choosing local community colleges.

One student in the ACT study said, Making a decision on whether my parents can afford a (community college) or a four-year school due to one of my parents being laid off.

Another said, The strain of finances through the pandemic and after made me more focused on colleges that may be less expensive or meet 100% financial aid.

Students are burned out and have a depleted amount of stamina, Garrity observed. The ACT report finds students having self-doubts about their readiness for college, as well as uncertainty about remotivating themselves to go to college and learn once they get there.

It is uncertain whether may you live in interesting times derives from an ancient Chinese curse, wishing strife and hardship in life. However, these are interesting times full of uncertainty, particularly for young people trying to plan their futures.

To go, or not to go? Higher earnings, job security and greater life satisfaction are among the primary motivators for students going to college. College graduates earn $1.2 million more over a lifetime compared to high school graduates.

More education doesnt always get you more money, observed Anthony Caravale, director of Georgetowns Center on Education and the Workforce.

Certificate and/or associate degree holders in radiologic technology, electricians, air traffic controllers, and plumbers outearn college graduates. Career earnings differ depending on field of study, occupation, gender, race, age and location.

Preparing for future careers: Majors or skills?

According to a report from the Institute for The Future, 85% of 2030 jobs haven't even been invented yet. Artificial intelligence is predicted to make many of todays jobs obsolete.

Critical thinking and analysis, creative thinking, emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, and leadership are among enduringly valuable life skills. These can be developed through a field of study comprised of major, minor and elective courses, work, internships, and service learning.

Where to go?

Garrity said, Kids are being authentic in their choices and ownership that they may not need to go to a prestige college." Carnevale agreed, adding: Where you go matters less  which makes this whole experience and the set of decisions students have to make more complicated.

Students often ask academic advisers, professors and others where they should go to college, what they should major in, and what courses should they should take.

Mary Olivers closing lines of her poem "Summer" poses a much better question:

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do

With your one wild and precious life?"

Answering that question takes careful thought and deliberation, which is essential to deciding, "What now?"
On Monday, for the first time in the city of Napa, about 100 people took to the Oxbow Commons to joyfully celebrate Juneteenth. Visitors crafted art, danced to music, heard from speakers, watched performers and checked out several vendors across a few hours under a balmy late-afternoon sun.

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.

Napas ceremony had the distinction of actually taking place on June 19  the day in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army announced to those in Galveston, Texas that the Civil War had ended and those whod been enslaved were now free. Juneteenth has subsequently been celebrated for more than a century and a half by Black Americans; it was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

The ceremony also marked an expansion of public Juneteenth celebrations in Napa County: American Canyons ceremony debuted last year, and returned for a second year on Sunday.

JT Thompson, an organizer of Napas debut ceremony, noted at the event that the Juneteenth celebration is something Napa desperately needs, and has needed for a long time, in part because many Napans dont know what the holiday is.

Part of the reason why this is important for this community is because theres a lot of people here in Napa that have no idea what Juneteenth is, Thompson said. Theres people I know personally that just didnt know. And I think its important they know, and not only them but their children.

As the crowd assembled in the half-crescent amphitheater of the Oxbow Commons, Kim Hester-Williams, an American Canyon resident and professor of English and multicultural studies at Sonoma State University, detailed the history and significance of Juneteenth.

Hester-Williams, citing a web post from the Society for Public Health Education titled What is June 19th or Juneteenth and why is it so important?, noted that Juneteenth is considered one of the longest-running African American holidays and has been described as Americas second Independence Day.

She added that Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation  which was signed in 1863 and technically freed enslaved people in the Confederacy  was more of a vision or hope that the Union would vanquish slavery, given that the Civil War would continue for two more years.

But once the war ended, some plantation owners in the Confederate states continued using enslaved workers. Union soldiers would go around looking for those who were subverting the law as a result, and made their way to the Texas Gulf Coast in 1865.

The Union won, and the Confederacy lost, Hester-Williams said. And tragically what happened is what happens often in history: there were some people who didnt really want to accept that.

Hester-Williams also told a story taken down by writers of the Great Depression-era Writers Project of the 1930s, which involved the federal government funding out-of-work writers to produce publications as part of the New Deal.

The writers interviewed people who had experienced slavery, or had heard stories about it from their relatives. Those included Tempie Cummins, who said her mother overhead dinner conversations as a cook for a slave owner's family. According to Hester-Williams, Cummins mother on June 19 overheard her owner say slavery had ended but that he wasnt immediately going to let his slaves know. She ran into the fields and told all the others who were enslaved, and they quit working immediately, Hester-Williams said.

Not only did they quit working, but they gathered everyone up, and they began to commemorate this day, June 19, Hester-Williams said. They began to understand and they wanted to share and spread the significance of their freedom that was being withheld from them at that point illegally, and they took agency to say it wasnt the Union soldiers that saved them or that freed them, it was their agency, their self-determination to say we are no longer enslaved and we will no longer work the fields.

Hester-Williams went on to say that she shared the story because Juneteenth commemorates Black agency, Black self-determination, freedom that is not given but is taken.

Black people have helped define what freedom means in the United States, she added, and have been part of the realization of the promise of America, added Hester-Williams, whose great-grandparents were enslaved in South Carolina.

And so freedom day, Juneteenth, is a day that we should all celebrate and commemorate and understand the significance of this history, the significance of the struggle of these people who had to endure so much in their lives, but who dreamed for so much for their children, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she said.

Hester-Williams speech was followed by an excerpt from Napa Valley College professor Tia Madisons one-woman performance of Brand New Shoes. The performance, written by Madison, showcases the history of influential African American women and the imprint they left on her own life.

Sheli O. Smith, executive director of the Napa County Historical Society, noted that the organizations goal was to collect all the stories, to gather enough to reflect the multifaceted and complicated reality of history.

Our job is to collect all the stories to make a nuanced history, a rich tapestry of Napas history, something that we can all celebrate and be extremely proud of, Smith said. And so I come to you today to say that Juneteenth is a holiday that should be celebrated by every single person in this country.

PHOTOS: Napa's Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration
The day of judgment has arrived for the Hunter project  this time for real.

The St. Helena City Councils highly anticipated second and final hearing on a tentative map and environmental impact report for the 87-unit housing plan will be at 6 p.m. Monday at Vintage Hall.

It was originally scheduled for June 7 but was postponed because a critical member of the citys legal team wasnt available that day.

In the meantime, Californias Department of Housing and Community Development has taken the unusual step of weighing in on the project with a Letter of Support and Technical Assistance reminding the city that the project would help meet St. Helenas 256-unit Regional Housing Needs Allocation. The councils decision on the Hunter project could influence whether HCD approves St. Helenas proposed housing element.

However the council votes, the project is likely to end up in court. Neighbors who have been lobbying against the project for more than a decade say its EIR is flawed and doesn't adequately address the projects effect on evacuation routes, among other factors. The project site is behind the new levee, which doubles as an emergency evacuation route for Vineyard Valley Mobile Home Park.

Lawyers for the applicants, Ben and Kelly vanZutphen, say the council has no legal grounds to deny the project.

St. Helena has already uploaded more than 3,400 pages of public comments and environmental reports related to the project. That includes a final EIR concluding that the projects only significant and unavoidable impact would be on vehicle miles traveled, a metric the state uses to measure traffic.

As usual, the public comments for Mondays hearing are unanimously against the project. The main staff report contains responses to issues raised at the councils May 1 hearing about emergency evacuation, levee safety, affordable housing and water.

Photos: Grand opening of St. Helena's Brenkle Court housing complex Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony
As part of the work of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CSTO, the foreign ministers of the member states were received by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, in capital Minsk on Tuesday, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia.

During the meeting, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan informed the attendees about the latest developments in Armenias region, particularly on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan and in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Minister Mirzoyan, reminding once again about Azerbaijan's ongoing occupation of the sovereign territory of Armenia, a CSTO member state, reflected on Azerbaijan's continued aggressive actions against Armenia's sovereign territory and internationally recognized borders, the targeting of Armenian positions and civilian facilities on the border with Armenia in recent days, emphasizing their destabilizing effect on the overall regional stability and security. In this context, FM Mirzoyan emphasized the imperative of a targeted response by the CSTO.

The FM of Armenia touched also upon to the tense situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, including the provocations of Azerbaijan in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops, the incident that took place near the Hakari bridge on June 15, as well as Azerbaijans illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor that has been going on for more than six months, resulting in humanitarian problems and the deepening risk of Armenian ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan.

Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that the mentioned actions of Azerbaijan are aimed at hindering the efforts of not only Armenia, but also all parties interested in ensuring stability and predictability in the region, to achieve stability in the South Caucasus.

Presenting the vision of the Armenian side aimed at establishing long-term peace in the region, Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the key importance of giving up the policy of force or the threat of force, providing solutions to existing problems through constructive dialogue, among other issues, addressing the security and rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Next, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the sessionwith a narrow and extended formatof the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CSTO member countries.

Matters on the agenda of the session were discussed, including the CSTO activities and regional developments.

At the narrow-format session of the CSTO as well, FM Ararat Mirzoyan reflected on the recent events in the South Caucasus, emphasizing that against the background of the escalation of conflicts with the use of force and the unstable situation in the South Caucasus, the importance of clear assessments regarding the unexamined fulfillment of contractual obligations, appropriate conclusions by the CSTO, and gross violations of Armenia's borders are becoming more evident.
Brussels meeting brought no concrete results in opening Lachin Corridor, resolving humanitarian crisis in NK.Pashinyan

Artsakh residents hold a protest near the UN office in Yerevan

EU foreign ministers to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement in Brussels

Armenian-French cooperation will continue to strengthen. Nikol Pashinyan received French Ambassador

The process of the program of formation of Digital Society and Economy discussed at Government

State minister: We may have situation when we cant wait for the 7 days noted by Karabakh President

The Prime Minister hosts Aram Arzumanyan, disabled as a result of the 44-day war

Nikol Pashinyan, Mikhail Mishustin hold phone talk

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
Zhoghovurd daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: Yesterday, during the session of the [parliamentary] inquiry committee investigating the circumstances of the war [in 2020], RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the possibilities of ending the 44-day war in the course.

Reflecting on the possibility of ending the war in October, Pashinyan noted: "[Russian] peacekeepers should be deployed not only in Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor, but also in Meghri [city of Armenia] to ensure the communication of the western regions of Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan.

I did not agree to that either. I did not agree to the creation of a non-RA controlled layer, i.e. a corridor, in the RA area, saying that I agree with the road, but not with the corridor. That is, my position, as it has been before, is that I believe yes, the roads should be opened, yes, the western regions of Azerbaijan should have the possibility of communication with Nakhichevan, but it cannot be a corridor, and it should be under the RA sovereignty and jurisdiction."

However, let's quote point 9 of the [trilateral] statement of November 9, 2020: "All economic and transport links in the region shall be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the safety of transport communication between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic with a view to organize the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo in both directions.

Control over transport communication shall be exercised by the Border Guard Service bodies of the FSS of Russia. Upon agreement reached between the Parties, construction of new transport communications linking the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic with the western regions of Azerbaijan shall be ensured.

That is, the [aforesaid] document signed by Pashinyan clearly notes the unblocking, which should be monitored by Russian border guards, but Pashinyan has been talking about its inadmissibility, yesterday and before, too. It's just that now Pashinyan wants to show the Europeans that he will not allow a road controlled by the Russians, while in 2020 he signed under it.
Brussels meeting brought no concrete results in opening Lachin Corridor, resolving humanitarian crisis in NK.Pashinyan

6 IMCA participants sent a letter to the WHO Director General calling for urgent actions to address humanitarian crisis in Artsakh

Artsakh residents hold a protest near the UN office in Yerevan

The main feature of iPhone 16 Pro Max is unveiled: It will have special cameras

EU foreign ministers to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement in Brussels

WhatsApp is briefly down in global outage: What is known about it?

Such phones are still produced Nokia 150 with keys and built-in Snake game will cost only $30

Armenian-French cooperation will continue to strengthen. Nikol Pashinyan received French Ambassador

How to behave when answering calls from unknown phone numbers so that not to fall victim to scammers?

Owning a pet does not reduce symptoms of severe mental illness, study shows

The process of the program of formation of Digital Society and Economy discussed at Government

State minister: We may have situation when we cant wait for the 7 days noted by Karabakh President

The Prime Minister hosts Aram Arzumanyan, disabled as a result of the 44-day war

Nikol Pashinyan, Mikhail Mishustin hold phone talk

Nersisyan. The more Armenia lowers bar on Karabakh issue, the harder it will be for people of Artsakh to raise it

Current evidence identifies health risks of e-cigarette use; long-term research needed

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?

China's reusable passenger spacecraft will go into space in 2027: It will be used for lunar exploration

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

First robotic liver transplant in U.S. performed by Washington University surgeons

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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

Xiaomi introduces mosquito killing lamp that also counts number of mosquitoes killed

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

Champions League: Matches of the day

Inter beat Lugano, Mkhitaryan among starters

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

The weekend in Tbilisi: Old quarters, Italian courtyards, trendy design, and Sweet Beds in ibis hotels (PHOTOS)

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

How to come up with a complex but memorable password?

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

New feature in WhatsApp: It is already possible to communicate with those whose numbers are not recorded in the phone book of the smartphone

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)

Stable Volume: New, convenient feature launches on YouTube

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
The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), together with ArCa, hosted the two-day Mastercard Academy workshop for specialists in payment accounting of financial institutions, the main topic of which was the fight against cybersecurity and fraud in payment cards.

The purpose of the event was to acquaint the participants of the payment market of Armenia with the latest security requirements and the constantly developing trends of card operations.

Mastercard representative Evgeniy Balezin moderated the workshop, and he raised important questions about the widespread risks in the region.

Mastercard discussed with the workshop participants the trends in card fraud at the country, regional and global levels, as well as the most common and actual scams and examples of "social engineering," the risks of various types of card operations, including e-wallet operations, money transfers, examples of cyberattacks, and refund functions.

Also, the main approaches and requirements for working with service providers and commercial platforms were presented, and the principles of operation of basic compliance programs were described.

In addition, Mastercard's antifraud and risk prevention solutions were presented, followed by a discussion.

Two days were devoted to a detailed description of the full cycle of the appealed transaction process, the basics of authorization and fraud prevention technologies; various types of disputed transactions were discussed.

During the workshop, Mastercard representative Evgeniy Balezin emphasized the importance of joint cooperation and risk reduction in the payment ecosystem.

According to him, "Mastercard's mission is to promote a secure and reliable payment environment. Our cooperation with the Central Bank of Armenia and local stakeholders plays an important role in achieving this goal."

The CBA also expressed its gratitude to Mastercard, and stressed the importance of such initiatives for the payment market of Armenia.

During the workshop, Nino Tulashvili, Kuntay Simbatova, and Elena Khasanova also shared their experience with the participants. The event played an important role in creating a strong network of professionals dedicated to payment security and consumer protection.

As an industry leader, Mastercard remains committed to innovation, advancing security standards, and strengthening the payment ecosystem. The company's ongoing collaboration with regulators, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders demonstrates its commitment to providing customers with a secure and seamless payment experience.
The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a statement on the complete blocking of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijanin violation of its international obligations. The statement reads as follows:

For the seventh day now, since 15 June, Azerbaijan has completely blocked the delivery of all types of humanitarian cargo to the Republic of Artsakh through the Lachin Corridor, including food and medicine, carried out by the Russian peacekeeping forces and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), thereby deliberately depriving the 120,000 population of Artsakh, including women, children and the elderly, of the minimum means of subsistence.

We emphasise that the complete and arbitrary blocking of the Lachin Corridor, in particular the deliberate obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian cargo by the Russian peacekeeping forces and the ICRC for the basic needs of the people of Artsakh under siege, is considered a war crime under international law. In essence, Azerbaijan has gone from blatant violation of the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and complete disregard for the legally binding Order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023 to actions that amount to a war crime.

We recall that the Lachin Corridor, envisaged by the Trilateral Statement of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan dated 9 November 2020, which establishes, inter alia, the exclusive control of the Corridor by the Russian peacekeeping forces, has been functioning for the past six months with severe and arbitrary restrictions imposed by Azerbaijan and was used only for the passage of vehicles of the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping forces. On 15 June, after a deliberate provocation with the Azerbaijani flag on the Hakari bridge, Azerbaijan completely closed the Corridor, including by blocking the road with armoured vehicles. Thus, movement in both directions through the Corridor has now been blocked for representatives of the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping forces, who delivered essential supplies to the Republic of Artsakh.

The complete blockade and isolation of the Republic of Artsakh from the outside world exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and prepare fertile ground for the escalation of Azerbaijan's ongoing crimes against humanity into the crime of genocide. By completely blocking the Lachin Corridor, which is the only Road of Life for the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan has actually taken its targeted policy of ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and destruction of its people as such to a new level.

There is no doubt that the initial purpose of the illegal establishment of Azerbaijani control over the Lachin Corridor was its subsequent blockade and use as a means of conducting its aggressive and genocidal policy against the people of Artsakh. In fact, the Lachin Corridor, originally intended to connect Artsakh with the outside world and as one of the guarantees of the normal life activity of its people, is used by Azerbaijan as a military-political tool to carry out aggressive actions against the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens.

The deliberate starvation of 120,000 people, including women, children and the elderly, inflicting unbearable daily suffering on them, as well as imposing Azerbaijan's own will with the use or threat of force, requires the international community to take urgent and effective enforcement measures aimed at preventing massive violations of rights of the people of Artsakh.

We strongly demand that all responsible members of the international community take the necessary collective and individual measures to stop the ongoing international crimes committed by Azerbaijan, and to prevent a catastrophe threatening the people of Artsakh with genocide. We also consider it timely for the ICRC and other relevant international structures and human rights organisations to properly and adequately assess the situation and urge the Azerbaijani authorities to respect the right of the people of Artsakh to humanitarian assistance and international protection. We note that inaction and indifference in fact encourage Azerbaijan's genocidal actions.
The accusations against the Russian peacekeepers are absolutely groundless. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian foreign ministry, said this during Wednesdays ministry press briefing, answering the question about summoning Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin to Armenias foreign ministry in connection with the shots fired in the Lachin corridor.

"The incident that took place on June 15 by Armenia in the area you mentioned [i.e. the Lachin corridor] is related to the general problem of the lack of a delimited Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The Russian side has repeatedly called to start, with our consulting help, the effective and thorough work of the bilateral commission on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," Zakharova noted.

According to her, Russia is ready to define the border line between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"We are ready to help in determining the border line; also in that area which has become a bone of contention between the parties. The accusations directed at the Russian peacekeepers are absolutely groundless. We strongly recommend toning down the degree of media rhetoric in this regard. The [Russian] peacekeepers are working closely with the parties to resolve the situation. They clearly fulfill the task of stabilizing the situation and maintaining the ceasefire and military operations in their zone of responsibility," the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson concluded.
00:41

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a unique yoga session on Wednesday in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters here that will see participation from top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals.

Modi will be in New York on the first leg of his US visit at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.





Nine years after Prime Minister Modi first proposed from the United Nations General Assembly podium to mark International Yoga Day as an annual commemoration, the Indian leader will for the first time be at the UN Headquarters to lead the yoga session in a historic commemoration of the day.





India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told PTI in an interview that the yoga celebration this year will be a very unique occasion because it was Prime Minister Modi who had given this vision and it was his leadership that ensured that June 21 every year is celebrated as International Yoga Day.





"So about nine years later, the author of that vision comes to the United Nations, she said, adding that now Yoga Day is a UN-mandated occasion. "So the coming together of the two- the visionary leader and the United Nations, I think, is in itself very unique, Kamboj said.





She said that the yoga event is generating a lot of anticipation and excitement and is very heavily subscribed. "The international element is very high. There's a lot of interest, which is in itself, I would say, a sort of attribute to yoga, this ancient Indian practice, the fact that it has transcended all borders and it has become a global phenomenon.





Kamboj added that the fact that there will be children performing yoga onstage is very unique. So altogether I think it is going to be quite a one of its kind event.





UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his message for Yoga Day, said yoga unites. "It unites body and mind, humanity and nature and millions of people across the globe for whom it is a source of strength, harmony and peace," he said.





"In a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice are particularly precious. Yoga offers a haven of calm, it can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection," Guterres said.





He added that yoga reveals "our common humanity, helping us to understand that despite our differences, we are one. On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, planet and ourselves."





The Yoga session will run from 8 to 9 am on June 21 at the expansive North Lawn in the UN Headquarters, where a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, a gift from India to the UN, was installed in December last year during the country's Presidency of the UN Security Council.
09:27





The gifts were exchanged during the private dinner hosted by Joe Biden and Jill Biden for PM Modi at the White House.





The special sandalwood box presented to US President Joe Biden has been handcrafted by a master craftsman from Jaipur, Rajasthan.





The sandalwood sourced from Mysore has intricately carved flora and fauna patterns, officials said.





The box contains a silver idol of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu deity considered as the destroyer of obstacles and the one who is worshipped first among all gods. The idol has been handcrafted by a family of fifth-generation silversmiths from Kolkata.





The box also contains a diya (oil lamp) that occupies a sacred space in every Hindu household. This silver diya has also been handcrafted by artisans from the family of fifth-generation silversmiths in Kolkata.





The copper plate also called tamra-patra has been sourced from Uttar Pradesh and a shloka has been inscribed on it.





The handcrafted delicate silver boxes contain symbolic -- 'Das Danam' or the '10 donations' which denote the donations made on the occasion when a person becomes 'Drishta Sahasrachandro' or the one who has seen one thousand full moons when he completes the age of eighty years and eight months.





At this stage of life, the individual (who has seen one thousand full moons) is honoured and celebrated for the sheer experience of human life.





During Sahasra Poorna Chandrodayam celebrations, there is a custom of 'Das Danam' or donations of ten different kinds, which include - Gaudaan (cow), Bhudaan (land), Tildaan (sesame seeds), Hiranyadaan (gold), Ajyadaan (ghee or clarified butter), Dhaanyadaan (food grains), Vastradaan (clothes), Guddaan (jaggery), Raupyadaan (silver) and Lavandaan (salt).





The handcrafted delicate silver boxes gifted by PM Modi to US President Joe Biden, who turns 81 this November, contain 10 donations, which denote the donations made on the occasion.





The box includes a delicately handcrafted silver coconut by the skilled artisans of West Bengal is offered in place of a Cow for Gaudaan (donation of cow). A fragrant piece of sandalwood sourced from Mysore, Karnataka is offered in place of land for Bhudaan (donation of land).





The box also includes Til or white sesame seeds sourced from Tamil Nadu is offered for Tildaan (donation of sesame seeds).





Handcrafted in Rajasthan, this 24K pure and hallmarked gold coin is offered as Hiranyadaan (donation of gold).The box also contains ghee or clarified butter sourced from Punjab is offered for Ajyadaan (donation of clarified butter).





A handwoven textured tussar silk cloth sourced from Jharkhand is offered for Vastradaan (donation of cloth). Long-grained rice sourced from Uttarakhand are offered for Dhaanyadaan (donation of food grains).Jaggery sourced from Maharashtra is offered for Guddaan (donation of jaggery).





The 99.5 per cent pure and hallmarked silver coin has been aesthetically crafted by Rajasthan artisans and is offered as Raupyadaan (donation of silver). Lavan or salt from Gujarat is offered for Lavandaan (donation of salt).





Modi gifted a copy of the first edition print of the book, 'The Ten Principal Upanishads' to Biden.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US on Wednesday (local time) gifted a handcrafted sandalwood box with 'das danam' to US President Joe Biden and a lab-grown green diamond to First Lady Jill Biden.
SIU adds new online teaching degree program and more to address teacher shortage

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Southern Illinois University Carbondale is launching a new online undergraduate program in elementary education this fall for working professionals, as part of its efforts to do everything possible to address teacher shortages. Also new this fall is an online teaching degree program in organizational learning, innovation and development (formerly workforce education and development.)

Online programs are among many SIU initiatives to get qualified teachers, including nontraditional college students, into classrooms. In recent years, the university also has established online teaching degree programs in:

Early childhood education (fall 2021).

Special education (fall 2022).

We met with school superintendents from throughout the region on several occasions and asked them what we can do to help alleviate the teacher shortage. They kept telling us prospective teachers need easier access to classes, said Christie McIntyre, director of Teacher Education Programs. These programs are designed for working professionals as the classes are taught primarily during the evenings, with some on weekends. To address the teacher shortages, we want to provide as much flexibility as possible while delivering a high-quality program. We try to make sure each of them has a pathway that works for them.

She said that while geared toward those planning to obtain teaching licenses in Illinois, the programs are open to anyone, and program officials have been contacted already by prospective students as far away as Texas.

How bad is the shortage?

McIntyre said the teacher shortage is a significant problem across the nation. For example, in the four-county Illinois State Board of Education Region 13 (including Washington, Marion, Jefferson and Clinton counties) eight early childhood and four high school teaching jobs could not be filled this spring, along with two social work positions, said Stacy Thompson, professor and coordinator of the early childhood programs and associate dean of undergraduate studies and curriculum in the the School of Education.

Thats eight classrooms staffed by substitute teachers or in some other way. Many school districts throughout the state and beyond, particularly smaller ones, have had difficulty filling positions in recent years, according to Thompson and McIntyre.

Meanwhile, in school districts far and wide there are many paraprofessionals, including teacher aides, and health aides, as well as librarians, who would love to become teachers. Completing their teaching degrees in the traditional way while working to support their families may prove difficult.

To enter the teacher education program, students must have completed an associate degree or the equivalent, including required prerequisites. While the coursework is totally online after students complete their prerequisites, clinical/student teaching assignments are in person, which can be accomplished in participating school districts throughout the state. The vast majority of classes are synchronous, meaning all students log on at the same time.

Student surveys indicate that participants actually prefer learning this way and do better, McIntyre said.

In addition, SIU is working with community colleges and other universities to streamline the degree process for students with a variety of majors, including early childhood and elementary education. Saluki Step Ahead agreements with more than 40 community colleges in Illinois, Missouri and Texas allow a student to earn an associate degree at the community college and complete a bachelors degree online through SIU.

The curriculum and transitions are streamlined to help aspiring educators enter classrooms as teachers as quickly as possible with the best preparation. The School of Education also provides navigators to assist early childhood students at the community college level and mentors at SIU, thanks to state funding.

The agreements with community colleges are very clear to provide a clean pathway to an SIU teaching degree, Thompson said.

McIntyre said one of the curriculum changes being implemented at the request of SIU in numerous community colleges is the addition of an introduction to education class, offering students practical classroom experience early.

If you have practical experience working in a preschool, school or similar setting, we can also give you credit toward your degree, Thompson added.

Other options

SIU has also implemented other options for aspiring teachers, including:

Dual credit programs: Students earn dual college and high school credits by taking classes while in high school, thereby getting a jumpstart on their teaching credentials and possibly completing their degrees in as little as 36 months.

Grow Your Own Teachers: Geared toward preparing nontraditional students for high-need positions in rural or minority classrooms, the program provides financial, academic and emotional support while allowing students to streamline their education and get college credit for experience working in paraprofessional or similar positions. Students typically complete this program in 2-2  years while working full-time, usually in a school.

Saluki Teacher Residency Program: This condensed and more intensive pathway to a teaching degree places teacher candidates into the classroom sooner and allowing them to complete coursework online.

Weve listened to our students, and to the extent possible, are offering flexible options, customizable to some extent, Thompson said. We want students to earn their degrees. Our students are doing very well on their content tests and exams for licensure, too.

In addition, McIntyre and Thompson noted that SIU and its School of Education offer numerous scholarships of up to $42,000 or even more, many of which are never claimed. For instance, the university received a $937,000 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) grant that includes scholarships of up to $31,000 annually for early childhood majors (birth through second grade).

We are investing a lot into helping prepare the teachers of tomorrow, McIntyre said. The earlier we invest, the better.

Another piece of the grant, McIntyre said, is adding online coursework for other teaching programs.

SIUs online graduate programs include:

Master of Education, which enables students to earn their degrees in as little as 12 months.

Doctorate in educational administration and higher education.

SIU also offers options for teachers to add various subject endorsements by completing 18 hours of classes. Many of the endorsement classes are online. In addition, SIU offers off-campus teacher bachelors degree programs.

Beneficial career

Thompson and McIntyre said SIUs efforts to fulfil the need for good, qualified teachers is a win-win situation for all involved. Teaching positions are filled, and children benefit from having a well-trained, competent leader in their classroom.

And those teachers have the satisfaction of knowing they are making a positive difference in the lives of young people, and the teachers enjoy careers with good benefits, summers off and regular raises for additional experience and education, McIntyre said.
Pakistan's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) "Grey List" in October 2022 came with the assurance that it would fall in line and cease support for terrorism. However, it has become evident that Islamabad's commitment to this promise is dubious at best. A recent incident in North Kashmir's Kupwara district, where the Army successfully foiled an infiltration bid by eliminating five terrorists, serves as a stark reminder of Pakistan's nefarious intentions. It is just one example of many incidents that illustrate Pakistan's continued efforts to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite losing the 30-year-long proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and mounting international pressure, Pakistan remains defiant. The international community has recognised Pakistan as a hub of terrorism, and this perception hampers its credibility and prospects for economic growth. If Pakistan's leadership and the deep state fail to acknowledge the problems the country faces and redirect their efforts towards stability, the consequences could be dire. The nation risks becoming increasingly impoverished, politically unstable, and isolated on the global stage. Additionally, the growing influence of China in territories like PoK raises the possibility of Pakistan losing control over its own regions. The terrorist bosses sitting across the Line of Control (LoC) are making desperate attempts to keep the cross border terrorism alive in Jammu and Kashmir. They are finding it hard to digest that the terror which they kept alive for three-long decades is "gasping and dying" in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the officials some infiltration attempts this year have been successful but the number of terrorists who have managed to sneak in has been very low. There were a couple of successful infiltration bids in the Poonch-Rajouri area in which dreaded terrorists from Pakistan came in and they targeted ordinary people and some security personnel at some places as well. According to the official data in 2022, there were 27 incidents in which 24 infiltrators were killed and four were arrested. During the attempts of infiltration from across the border from 2005 till October 31, 2019, 1,011 terrorists were killed, 42 apprehended and 2,253 pushed back/returned due to efficient vigil of security forces. According to official sources, 19 terrorists were killed during the course of infiltration in 2020 and 12 in 2021. One terrorist was apprehended in 2021. There were 77 infiltration attempts in 2021 and 99 in 2020. The data reveals that in both 2022 and 2021, 193 terrorists (including during infiltration) were killed. Of 193 terrorists killed in 2022, at least 56 were Pakistanis. From a peak of 2,345 in 2001, terrorist fatalities dropped to a low of 84 in 2012, and increased again for six consecutive years: 100 (2013), 114 (2014), 115 (2015), 165 (2016), 220 (2017), 271 (2018). They declined to 163 in 2019, but increased again to 232 in 2020. Since 1988, a total of 23,918 terrorists (including during infiltration) have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir. Persistent support for terrorism Pakistan's persistent support for terrorism not only undermines regional peace but also has severe consequences for its own stability. While Pakistan continues to focus its efforts on destabilizing J&K, it neglects the pressing issues within its own borders. The country is plagued by economic struggles, increasing poverty rates, and a deteriorating security situation. Failure to address these internal challenges may lead Pakistan down a path of self-destruction. Pakistan's misguided priorities are evident in its neglect of social and economic development. The country's resources are diverted towards supporting terrorist activities instead of investing in sectors that could uplift its population. This shortsightedness perpetuates a vicious cycle of poverty, unemployment, and extremism, ultimately fueling more terrorism within its own borders. JeM raises funds, Salahuddin makes public appearance Pertinently, Pakistan was included in FATF "Grey List" in June 2018 for deficiencies in its legal, financial, regulatory, investigations, prosecution, judicial and non-government sector to fight money laundering and combat terror financing considered serious threat to global financial system. In February this year members of UN-designated terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which is responsible for several terrorist attacks, including the 2001 attack on Indian Parliament and the 2019 Pulwama attack, were seen openly collecting funds in Peshawar to fight "Jihad" in Palestine and Kashmir. After Pakistan's exit from the FATF list fundraising for terrorist activities has become a common sight in Pakistan. According to netizens it is a very normal sight in big cities of Pakistan for someone to stand up after prayers and openly ask for funds to support terrorism. The ease with which these groups openly collect funds has once again revealed that Pakistan is still using terrorism as an instrument of its state's policy. It has put a question mark on the ability of the neighbouring country to crack down on terror groups, which it has reared in its backyard for the past so many years. Earlier this year designated global terrorist and chief of the terror outfit Hizbul-Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin, was openly seen addressing his supporters in Islamabad thus making it evident that he and his group still enjoy the tacit support of the Pakistan establishment. FATF warns Pak After Salahuddin's appearance and his renewed call to revive terror in J&K, President of FATF, T. Raja Kumar, reminded Pakistan that it has been removed from the "Grey List" with specific conditions and it should fulfil the promise it has made to FATF. He made it clear that Pakistan is being monitored and it needs to act fast. The FATF had placed Pakistan in its grey list in 2018 due to its failure to curb terror financing but removed it last year. However, recent developments such as the open fundraising by JeM and global terrorist Syed Salahuddin making a public appearance suggest that the country still has a long way to go in curbing extremist activities. New Delhi has repeatedly raised concerns about Pakistan's involvement in supporting and sponsoring terrorism, both at regional and international platforms. Pakistan's actions violate international norms and pose a significant threat to regional security. The international community has been reminding Pakistan again and again that it should stop harbouring terrorists and stop making persistent attempts to destabilise the region and disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Pak refuses to mend ways When Pakistan was removed from the "Grey List" India had sounded a caution stating that Pakistan must continue to take credible, verifiable, irreversible and sustained action against terrorism and terrorist financing emanating from territories under its control. But Pakistan is refusing to mend its ways and continues to sponsor terror. During the nine years of Modi's rule Pakistan has been made to understand in clear terms that talks and terror cannot go together and India remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. And if it continues to indulge in misadventures it can face repercussions. --IANS ksk/ ( 1153 Words) 2023-06-20-14:02:02 (IANS)
In his message on the occasion of World Refugee Day being observed on Tuesday, Alvi said that "on the day, we are reminded of the immense contributions of the government and people of Pakistan in hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past four decades", reports Xinhua news agency

Pakistan's unparalleled humanitarian efforts in providing refuge to such a large number of displaced individuals, despite limited resources, serve as a testament to the spirit of brotherhood and compassion, the President said.

He said that the people and government of Pakistan opened their arms to Afghan refugees based solely on the principles of humanity and solidarity, and extended support despite the challenges.

For 40 years, there has been no friction between the refugees and the host communities, exemplifying harmonious coexistence and mutual respect, he said.

The president said that the policies of the government ensure refugees' access to education and healthcare, and to having their bank accounts and other opportunities.

"In order to equip Afghan refugees with knowledge and skills, we have implemented comprehensive educational programs, ensuring that refugee children have access to quality schooling," he added.

Alvi also expressed his country's resolve to work closely with the UN Refugee Agency and other humanitarian agencies to provide essential assistance and protection to refugees residing within Pakistani borders.

--IANS ksk/

( 250 Words)

2023-06-20-14:44:04 (IANS)
The Army chief made these remarks during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday, Geo News reported.

The huddle unveiled an elaborate 'Economic Revival Plan' in the wake of economic hardships being confronted by the country, an official statement issued by the PM's Office said.

Speaking on the occasion, General Munir assured the Army's all-out support to complement the government's efforts for economic revival, considered fundamental to the socio-economic prosperity of Pakistanis and for reclaiming the country's stature among the comity of nations, Geo News reported.

Sharif recalled that his government inherited an economy which was on the brink of collapse. With bold and difficult decisions, it is now being steered towards growth and development, he said.

"There are, however, massive challenges ahead. Export-oriented FDIs hold the key to economic revival. The government has, therefore, decided to adopt a holistic/whole-of-government approach which fosters partnerships within the federal and provincial governments for effective implementation and execution," the premier was quoted as saying at the meeting.

The investors would be given primacy and fast-track approvals through a well-coordinated approach, he added.

The premier also observed that the expected investments would create jobs and livelihoods for the youth and women.

"The focus should be on empowering the youth and women to realise their full potentials," Sharif said, Geo News reported.

--IANS san/arm

( 273 Words)

2023-06-20-22:02:03 (IANS)